ISSUE NO. 1509
JANUARY 27, 2016
FREE
BEAT.COM.AU EVERY THING MELBOURNE
I N S I D E
BATTLES
THE GOOCH PALMS
Homeward bound after their extended US jaunt.
Completely instrumental and better than ever.
KOI CHILD
Fremantle’s hip hop and jazz hybrid are hitting the road.
STOCK LIQUIDATION
50T % D EAL S
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ALLEN STONE
Soul man goes pop for Bluesfest.
RAW COMEDY
So you think you're funny, punk? Prove it.
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PRESENTS PRESENTS
multi grammy award winner
D’ANGELO “
“
An artist of uncompromising power and originality...
consequence of sound
”
D’Angelo could well be the most singular, visionary star to emerge from - and then transcend R&B since Prince. rolling stone 2015 #4 album of the year
”
SATURDAY 19th MARCH PALAIS THEATRE also performing at
bluesfest 2016
tickets from www.ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100 for more info visit bluesfesttouring.com.au
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M E L B O U R N E R E C I TA L C E N T R E P R E S E N T S
‘AN ARTIST AT THE PEAK OF HER POWERS FACED THE CROWD AND HER DEMONS ARMED ONLY WITH A GUITAR A PIANO AND HER COURAGE’. THE GUARDIAN (UK) Selling Fast
The enigmatic Chan Marshall (Cat Power) returns to Australia to perform solo, intimate and up close. Renowned as one of the most acclaimed singer/songwriters to emerge from the 1990s indie rock scene, Marshall’s fragile-yetenigmatic live performances are legendary – from her soulful and idiosyncratic performance style to her heartfelt and emotionally charged lyrics.
MON 8 & TUE 9 FEB 7.30PM TICKETS $70/$60
THE NECKS S AT 5 M A R C H 7 . 3 0 P M
TICKETS $55/$45
Cult Australian improv trio, The Necks’ live shows have been described as religious experiences. Celebrated for creating immersive sets with sensitivity, intelligence and stamina, blending jazz, ambient and avant-garde, their music gradually changes as the narrative fades and drifts – and no two shows are ever the same.
‘Absolutely riveting... how three musicians can sound like 18 is a mystery... extraordinary magical sounds emerged from the ensemble.’ Financial Times (UK)
‘Entirely new and entirely now. They produce a post-jazz, post-rock, posteverything sonic experience that has few parallels or rivals.’ The Guardian (UK)
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B E AT.C O M . A U
Monday Residency 7.30pm
MORELAND CITY SOUL REVUE Get on board the soul train and check out this allstar cast of musos playing old soul and soulful funk. PLUS: Check out the dinner special: Moreland City Soul Revue fried chicken dinner. Every Monday night at the Union!
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.”
Sat 30 January 5pm
BELL STREET DELAYS
Tracy McNeil and Luke Sinclair (Raised by Eagles) play two hours of harmony-rich, original tunes.
Sat 30 January 9pm
PAULIE BIGNELL & THE THORNBURY TWO
Playing rockabilly floor-shakin tunes from their latest album.
BAR WEDNESDAY 27 JANUARY
OPEN MIC
Show the Boogie Man what you’ve got! THURSDAY 28 JANUARY
YUUX AND THE GANG SCHNAPPS FRIDAY 29 JANUARY
STEVE LUCAS HAPPY HOUR FROM 5PM THEN EXP MR PITIFUL METAL DAZE
SATURDAY 30 JANUARY
SELLING TIME AMIKO CARDINIA DEADFALL SUNDAY 31 JANUARY
KRISPY & THE COSTAL GROOVES THE DEAD PHARAOHS ACE BRICKLAYING LOT56 AFTER WORK HAPPY HOUR FROM 5PM:
WED, THURS & FRI 160 HODDLE ST ABBOTSFORD
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Back with his first album in over seven years, Lost Cities, The Saints co-founder and solo artist Ed Kuepper will play an intimate Melbourne show in support of his 50th full-length release. Recorded over three days in Brisbane, Lost Cities arrives as Kuepper’s first completely solo and electric release. His upcoming local performance is set to feature a careerspanning set, performing music from his new album as well as his extensive 40 year recording discography. Ed Kuepper will play for the first time at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Saturday April 2.
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After the success of her 2015 debut, XXIX EP, Brisbane native Wafia will be taking a victory lap by hitting the road on a national tour. The shows will be Wafia’s first headline tour, coming off a string of national and international performances with longtime collaborator Ta-ku at Field Day, Beyond The Valley and LA’s Neuehouse Gallery. It all culminated with the pair performing Heartburn together at the MoMA PS1 in New York. Catch Wafia at the Northcote Social Club on Friday March 25. Tickets via Future Classic.
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RAVI COLTRANE TO OPEN BIRD’S BASEMENT WITH 2016 RESIDENCY Grammy-nominated saxophonist Ravi Coltrane will christen the stage of new Melbourne jazz club Bird’s Basement with a strictly limited six-night residency. The son of iconic jazz musicians Alice and John Coltrane, Ravi is credited with carrying on his parent’s legacy while pursuing a sound of his own. As well as producing work for trumpeter Luis Perdomo and guitarist David Gilmore, he has released six studio albums as a band leader and featured on numerous records as a sideman. Founded by jazz guitarist, property developer and philanthropist Albert Dadon AM, Bird’s Basement has secured a partnership agreement with legendary New York jazz club Birdland. The new addition to Melbourne’s jazz scene will also feature a full scale Italian restaurant headed by chef Luigi Buono. Catch Ravi Coltrane at Bird’s Basement from Tuesday March 1 - Sunday March 6.
STONNINGTON’S CLASSIC CONCERTS ANNOUNCES 2016 PROGRAM The City of Stonnington’s prestigious free Classic concerts will take place next month, beginning with The Classics: Opera at Prahran’s Victoria Gardens. With over 20 years of opera and theatre experience, acclaimed director Suzanne Chaundy will lead an all star cast of Australia’s finest opera singers in Mozart’s Magic by Moonlight, featuring extracts from Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Cosi Fan Tutte as well as some of the artists’ favourite Mozart arias. The Classics: Broadway takes on the great Broadway composers. To wrap up the 2016 incarnation with a sunset-lit finale, Stonnington Symphony will perform live with special guest Ella Hooper for The Classics: Symphony. The Classics runs for three weeks from Saturday February 6 to Saturday February 27. Visit www. stonnington.vic.gov.au/theclassics for details.
THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN ANNOUNCE SECOND 30TH ANNIVERSARY MELBOURNE SHOW
RUBY BOOTS TO EMBARK ON NATIONAL TOUR
Due to their initial show selling out in mere days, a second show for fans of the Scottish post-punk trailblazers The Jesus and Mary Chain has been added. They will be treating fans to a celebratory performance of their iconic and groundbreaking record, Psychocandy, 30 years after its release. Formed in East Kilbride on the outskirts of Glasgow by the Reid brothers William and Jim in the early ‘80s, their back-to-basics philosophy for music making provided to be ageless with their debut Psychocandy remaining as a great influencer for artists like Nirvana and My Bloody Valentine among countless other appreciators. After seldom performances over the last decade, Jesus and Mary Chain have returned to stages this year to perform Psychocandy in full. Don’t miss The Jesus and Mary Chain at Forum Theatre Sunday March 6 at 170 Russell.
Australia’s lady of Americana Ruby Boots will play a run of national dates from January to April, before heading overseas next year. The tour will open with four shows supporting The Waifs, before heading off for six headline shows and closing the tour in Perth with Taj Mahal. 2015 was a huge year for the country artist, selling out her album launch in Melbourne, playing festival slots at Dashville Skyline, Out On the Weekend and AWME as well as national tours with Shovels and Rope, Shakey Graves and Tony Joe White. Ruby Boots was also named Best Country Act for the fifth year running at the 2015 WAM Awards and received the APRA Professional Development Award in the Country category. Catch Ruby Boots at Northcote Social Club on Thursday March 10. Tickets are on sale through the venue.
Having just coming back into town after an extensive tour of Europe, Melbourne prog-rockers Toehider are heading straight into Ding Dong Lounge, all set to launch their new EP, Mainly Songs About Robots, on Friday February 12. Toehider’s Queen influenced, larger than life progressive rock has earned them enough praise to get a hold of drummer Vinny Appice of Dio and Black Sabbath fame to make a guest appearance on the album. They only played one Melbourne show last year, so don’t miss what could be Toehider’s only 2016 show. For the gig minus the price, there’s a double pass to the gig up for grabs at beat.com.au/freeshit.
JENNIFER KINGWELL & PLUM GREEN A few weeks ago, Melbourne based Jennifer Kingwell teamed up with New Zealand singer Plum Green as they took their new releases out on the open road to kick off the Night Terrors tour. Well the tour has to end at some point, let’s just be glad they’ve decided to end things in Melbourne. On Sunday February 28, Jennifer Kingwell and Plum Green perform at The Toff In Town. Don’t worry about tickets; we can sort you out with a double pass over at beat.com.au/ freeshit.
PRETTY CITY TO HOLD SXSW FUNDRAISER Melbourne’s own fuzz rockers Pretty City have been announced to perform at Austin’s SXSW music conference and festival and they need help to get them there. The psych trio will be hosting a fundraiser for the much needed money. My Piranha, Plotz and Sunbeam Sound Machine DJs will support, with special guests yet to be announced. To sweeten the pot, the band are making limited edition vintage style USA tour tee’s exclusive for the fundraiser, and are going old school with Pretty City Greatest Hits Volume 1 cassettes. There’ll be door prizes and merch packs to be won too. Go help ‘em out on Saturday February 27 at The Gasometer. Tickets via the venue.
THE GASOMETER ANNOUNCES CHARITY AND TRIBUTE NIGHT FOR BOWIE The Gasometer are sending out a huge fuck you to cancer next month, hosting a night of best-loved poets, comedians, singers, songwriters and cabaret performers. Missy Higgins, Angie Hart, Josh Earl, Alicia Sometimes, Hannah Gadsby, Andy Griffiths and more will be exploring a favourite aspect of the career and life of David Bowie. There will be live art, installations, a performance of Bowie’s final single Lazarus featuring the David Bowie Dancers, cover versions, stories, reinterpretations and sing-along. All proceeds will be donated to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, to help further their important work in cancer treatment, research and education. Head along to celebrate, remember and dance on Sunday February 7. Tickets via the venue. HOT TALK
MONTAIGNE GEARS UP FOR AUSTRALIAN TOUR Sydney’s art-pop songstress Montaigne has announced a national tour to coincide with the release of her new single, In The Dark. Rounding off last year with a sold out national tour, Montaigne shows no signs of stopping. In The Dark is taken from Montaigne’s forthcoming album, due for release later in the year, and follows the release of previous single Clip My Wings, which reached the #1 most played slot on triple j amongst other accolades. Montaigne plays at Howler on Friday April 8. Tickets are on sale now through the venue.
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MON - FRI TIL 7PM - $8 PINTS MONDAYS - $15 JUGS MT GOAT SUNDAYS - $10 JUGS UNICORN LAGER $5 CANS EVERY DAY/NIGHT WEDNESDAY 27TH JANUARY
A GAZILLION ANGRY MEXICANS TWO HEADED DOG DON FERNANDO
8PM $6
THURSDAY 28TH JANUARY
HUMAN RITES LAUNCH
THE FUMES ANNOUNCE ALBUM LAUNCH SHOW
THE BLACKHEART DEATH CULT 8PM $8 LUNAIRE
Riff-rockin’ blues kings The Fumes are set to hit the road to launch their third studio album Bloodless this March. Two years in the making, it was recorded at Ivory Lane Studios with new band member and producer Ryan Hazell (The Drones, Green Buzzard, The Snowdroppers). Catch them on Thursday March 17 at The Gasometer Hotel. Tickets through the venue.
FRIDAY 29TH JANUARY
MIGHTIEST OF GUNS EATEN BY DOGS SWAMPLANDS
8.30PM $10
SATURDAY 30TH JANUARY
LASER BRAINS - LAUNCH BAD VISION WOLFPACK AS A RIVAL GRAVE ST BLUES ARVO:
JESS LOCKE
ZZZOUNDS (BRIS)
8PM $10 3PM FREE
SUNDAY 31ST JANUARY
BEERSOAKED SUNDAYS:
CAMP COPE
HARD ACHES STEPH HUGHES (DICK DIVER) 8PM $6 MONDAY 1ST FEBRUARY
MUNDANE MONDAYS CHELSEA BLEACH EAT MAN
LEFTÖVER CRACK LOCK IN 2016 MELBOURNE SHOWS Leftöver Crack will head to Australian shores in a few months time. The punk rock collective continued on following the demise of the legendary Choking Victim, forming in 1998. Since then they’ve remained a mysterious collective, with their most recent release Leftöver Crack’s Volume III: Constructs of the State coming out on Fat Wreck Chords in November. Catch them at The Bendigo Hotel on Sunday March 27 (18+) and Monday March 28 (all ages).
BOOTLEG RASCAL ANNOUNCE NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB SHOW
8PM $5
TUESDAY 2ND FEBRUARY
SAM REIHER ART OPENING ‘THE DOG SAW EVERYTHING’ DANNY WALSH BANNED MATHEW BARKER
7PM $6
band bookings: bandbookings@theoldbar.com.au
WWW.THEPUBLICBAR.COM.AU
2 3 8 V I C T O R I A S T, N O R T H M E L B O U R N E OPEN TIL 4AM FRI/SAT
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PURR
CONCENTRATION ULTRAPURE HOORATAKI
THE JENSENS GEAR UP FOR EP LAUNCH TOUR Vintage garage pop rockers The Jensens have announced an east coast tour to celebrate the release of their forthcoming EP, Everybody Talks. They’ve also recently released a first taste of the EP with single Elvis Is Dead. It follows a big 2015 for the band, having supported UK heavyweights The Vaccines and toured with Last Dinosaurs. Catch them on Friday March 18 at Shebeen. Tickets via the venue.
7PM $6
THURSDAY 28 JANUARY
SEMI FICTION OTHY GRAVES
ALITHIA ANNOUNCE SINGLE LAUNCH TOUR AlithiA will be hitting the road for a national tour in support of their latest single Sacrifice. Sacrifice is taken from the group’s critically acclaimed debut record To The Edge Of Time (on Bird’s Robe Records). 2016 is set to be a busy year for AlithiA, with their new album to be recorded between the crossroads of Europe and Asia, in none other than Istanbul, Turkey. Recently the psychedelic rock outfit supported both Dead Letter Circus and Caligula’s Horse. AlithiA take on Cherry Bar on Saturday February 27. Hit up the venue’s website for ticket details.
MIYAZAKI 7.30PM $8
FRIDAY 29 JANUARY
HAILGUN THE FCKUPS
BEYOND CONTEMPT STONED TO DEATH DING DONG DEATH HOLE JERKBEAST 8PM $10
SATURDAY 30 JANUARY
OPEN PUBLIC BAR COMEDY FREE ENTRY
SUNDAY 31 JANUARY
4PM $10
MONDAY & TUESDAY
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Burrito-slingin’ dub monsters Bootleg Rascal have released their first fulllength album, Asleep In The Machine, alongside the announcement of a national tour. The tour follows a busy summer schedule for the band, just coming off their Shake ‘n’ Bake national tour as well as their appearances at Falls Festival, Lost Paradise and Festival of the Sun. Party with Bootleg Rascal at Northcote Social Club on Saturday March 5. Tickets via the venue.
THE NECKS REVEAL DETAILS OF 2016 MELBOURNE SHOW Legendary improv trio The Necks are celebrating their 30 year anniversary next month. From unlikely beginnings experimenting privately with no intention of ever performing in public, The Necks have gone on to achieve extraordinary worldwide acclaim. Masters of their own musical language of long-form improvisation, each night they step onto the stage with no preconceived ideas of what they will play. The Necks have composed for film, performed live with theatre and dance companies and their albums have won many awards including two ARIA’s. The trio will appear at an up-close insight into their creative process via an ‘In Conversation’ event on Saturday March 6 at Melbourne Recital Centre, as well as performing there on Sunday March 7. Tickets via the venue.
KINGSTON ARTS PRESENTS POP UP BAR
PEKING DUCK ANNOUNCE 2016 AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Kingston Arts’ Pop Up Bar is fast becoming an annual Southside fixture. With live music, DJs, food trucks and video installations by Media Lab Melbourne, the pop up bar will be open for business from 5pm every Friday night in February, all for free. The first instalment on Friday February 5 will see Gypsy flamenco four-piece La Rumba heating things up and DJ Mick Jabber spinning his favourite funk, soul, hip hop, disco and deep house, with old school rockers The Padres set to headline the following week. The Kingston Arts’ Pop Up Bar is a family friendly event with children welcome. Head to www.kingstonarts.com.au for all the event details.
EDM sensation Peking Duck will embark on a national tour this March. The Canberra-based duo soared into the Australian music scene in 2014 with their massive ARIA awardwinning, triple platinum-selling single High. In 2015, the duo set off on their first U.S. tour that included electrifying live performances at SXSW, Coachella, Lollapalooza, Electric Zoo, TomorrowWorld and Life Is Beautiful. Peking Duk’s latest single Say My Name featuring Benjamin Joseph just hit gold status, and their last Australian tour saw them sell out four shows in Melbourne alone. Catch them at The Forum on Tuesday March 8. Tickets on sale now through the venue.
THE BENNIES CONFIRM 2016 MELBOURNE SHOW Melbourne’s favourite stoner bros are back. Having just released their new album Wisdom Machine, the follow up to 2013’s Rainbows In Space, the group will be taking their latest 11-track opus on the road. Wisdom Machine was recorded at Holes And Corners in South Melbourne with Sam Johnson and released through Poison City Records, spearheaded by single Party Machine. It’ll be going down on Friday April 1 at the Corner Hotel. Grab your tickets via the venue.
THE TIMBERS UNVEIL NATIONAL TOUR PLANS Folk-rock outfit The Timbers have announced the release of their forthcoming album, Restless, and will tour nationally next month to launch the record. Just having released The Plan, the third single taken from the album, Restless will be the band’s first true studio album venture during their short time together. To add to the intrigue, Adelaide producer Daniel Lizotte spent four freezing weeks producing and mixing Restless inside a tent in rural South Australia. The Timbers play the Yarra Hotel on Saturday April 2. Tickets through the venue. HOT TALK
MILLENCOLIN REVEAL 2016 MELBOURNE SHOW Swedish skate rockers Millencolin will return to Australian shores this May. With eight albums and over 20 years of touring under their belt, the band are one of the biggest punk rock outfits on the planet. On the tour, they’ll be playing an arsenal of hits from across their catalogue. Catch them on Tuesday May 3 at 170 Russell.
Wesley Anne - Bar • Restaurant • Etc -
MONDAY
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Tuesday 26 January ------------------------------------------------Kirsty Webeck’s Comedy Crushes 7.30pm, Band Room $22.50 / $17.50 + BF
Wednesday 27 January -------------------------------------------------
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Thursday 28 January ------------------------------------------------Davy Simony FRE
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6pm, Front Bar
Friday 29 January -------------------------------------------------Gena Rose Bruce 6pm, Front Bar
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Saturday 30 January ------------------------------------------------Millar Jukes 6pm, Front Bar
Open for lunch middays daily throughout January
8pm, Front Bar, $10
Sunday 31 January ------------------------------------------------Natalie Hayden FREE
250 High st, Northcote Hill, 9482 1333
DJ SUN 31
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PIKNIC ELECTRONIK MELBOURNE Federation Square January 17-April 3 GIRLPOOL The Reverence Hotel January 27 NOTHING BUT THEIVES Ding Dong Lounge January 27 MAGIC BONES Shebeen January 29 HORACE BONES Cherry Bar January 29 YOU BEAUTY The Tote January 29 HOLY HOLY Corner Hotel January 29 CHAPEL SUMMER SESSIONS Chapel off Chapel January 30 RAINBOW SERPENT AFTER PARTY Ceres Environment Park January 30 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 THE CITY OF STONNINGTON’S CLASSIC CONCERTS Victoria Gardens February 6, 13, 27 ST KILDA FESTIVAL Various venues St Kilda February 6 – 14 FUCK YOU CANCER – A DAVID BOWIE TRIBUTE The Gasometer February 7 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 ROUNDTABLE The Tote February 12 HIGH HIGHS Northcote Social Club February 12 SEAN MCMAHON AND THE MOONMEN The Spotted Mallard 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 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 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 CERES Northcote Social Club February 19 URBAN SPREAD Pelly Bar February 19, York on Lilydale February 20 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 WHITE NIGHT MELBOURNE Various Venues February 20 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 BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 14
A R T I S T S
H E A D I N G
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 MANGELWURZEL Northcote Social Club February 26 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 ALITHIA Cherry Bar February 27 PRETTY CITY The Gasometer February 27 HOMESHAKE The Curtin February 27 MOSES GUNN COLLECTIVE Northcote Social Club February 27 ECCA VANDAL Howler February 27 MARCS FESTIVAL AC/DC Lane, Duckboard Place February 28 SUFJAN STEVENS Hamer Hall February 28 NATALIE PRASS Melbourne Recital Centre February 29 RAVI COLTRANE Bird’s Basement March 1 - 6 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 MAX FROST Northcote Social Club March 4 SENSES FAIL Corner Hotel March 4 THE SNOWDROPPERS Howler March 4 BOOTLEG RASCAL Northcote Social Club March 5 CHAPTERFEST 24 Gasometer Hotel March 5 PALMS Shebeen March 5 CLUTCH The Forum March 5 ALVVAYS Northcote Social Club March 6 SYDNEY RD STREET PARTY Sydney Rd March 6 THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN The Forum March 6, 7 THE NECKS Melbourne Recital Centre March 7 GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR Melbourne Recital Centre March 7 PEKING DUCK The Forum March 8 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 TOTAL CHAOS The Reverence Hotel March 13 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 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 THE FUMES The Gasometer March 17 MARY BLACK The Forum March 17 THE VIOLENT FEMMES The Corner March 17 THE JENSENS Shebeen March 18 DIED PRETTY Max Watt’s March 18 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
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Gig Of The Week
PBS DRIVE LIVE PBS’ annual week long party Drive Live returns this Monday. Kicking off five afternoons of live music, their Collingwood studios will play host to three big acts every single day, with the whole thing going out live via radio. The Drones, Friendships, Jess Ribeiro, Batpiss, Sui Zhen, Wet Lips and stacks more will be smashing out sets throughout the week. It’s free to enter, but capacity is limited; head to PBS’ website to get your name on the door. PBS’ Drive Live runs from Monday February 1 till Friday February 5, 5pm to 7pm every single day.
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 ELLE KING Corner Hotel March 22 KAMASI WASHINGTON Prince Bandroom March 22 STURGILL SIMPSON 170 Russell March 23 MODEST MOUSE Margaret Court Arena 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 WAFIA Northcote Social Club March 25 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 LEFTÖVER CRACK Bendigo Hotel March 27, 28 (AA) 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 BENNIES The Corner April 1 THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA Melbourne Recital Centre April 1 JACKSON BROWNE Palais Theatre April 1 THE TIMBERS Yarra Hotel April 2 ED KUEPPER Melbourne Recital Centre April 2 CITY AND COLOUR Sidney Myer Music Bowl April 2 BRIAN WILSON Palais Theatre April 3 LOW Melbourne Recital Centre April 4
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MONTAIGNE Howler April 8 SKYSCRAPER STAN AND THE COMMISSION FLATS Cherry Bar April 8 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 WEDNESDAY 13 Corner Hotel April 14 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 MILLENCOLIN 170 Russell May 3 OF MONSTERS AND MEN Palais Theatre May 4, 5 IRON MAIDEN Rod Laver Arena May 9 TINASHE The Forum May 25 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 TOTALLY 80’S Palais Theatre July 15
BEAT PRESENTS S I A , N .W. A , L C D S O U N D S Y S T E M = NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
Debut single Launching at SHEBEEN Feb 18th
facebook.com/jadealicemusic WINNER 2015 MELBOURNE MUSIC BANK
This Week: With Tyson Wray. Got thoughts, news, gossip, complaints or cat photos? Email tyson@beat.com.au or send by carrier pigeon before Friday 12pm.
The Goblin King will return to the big screen once more. Set to take place next weekend, the Shadow Electric open-air cinema in the Abbotsford Convent will host a tribute screening of Labryinth. It’s one of the 1000s of tributes that organisations and communities have given to the Starman, with most recently the Mayor of New York declaring Wednesday January 20, 2016 ‘David Bowie Day’. It’s happening on Saturday January 30.
RAW
Lawrence Leung
Comedy BY NICK MASON
Tim McKew is a highly acclaimed, globe travelling cabaret performer, and he’s back with the musical dada/performance art show and photographic exhibition Come Down With Us. Since the 1970s, McKew has been making a name for himself in the cabaret and performance art scene. From his early days supporting such artists as Nick Cave and Madness, to his global renown as an accomplished interpreter of Noël Coward, McKew is truly a unique artistic phenomenon. Now, after last year’s sell-out run at William Mora Gallery, McKew will reprise his 1979 cult classic, Come Down With Us, in a two-night season at the Hare Hole. Tim McKew presents Come Down With Us at The Hare Hole (Hares & Hyenas) on Thursday January 28 and Friday January 29. Kicking off their season for 2016, Red Stitch will showcase the Australian premiere of UK playwright Penelope Skinner’s The Village Bike. Described as “fiercely erotic”, The Village Bike analyses presumptions of male and female sexuality alongside the borders that divide role play and reality. The play tells the story of Becky, who pregnant with her unborn child sets off on a journey that starts with the purchase of a used bike and takes her further than she expected to go. The Village Bike will run from Tuesday February 2 - Saturday March 5 at the Red Stitch Actors Theatre.
PICK OF THE WEEK
Little Mermaid will see the return of legendary post-modern diva Meow Meow to Malthouse Theatre this January. Meow Meow’s Little Mermaid is the second part of the Little trilogy of fairy tales gone rogue, following Meow Meow’s Little Match Girl. This one woman spectacle of modern cabaret will present her take on Hans Christian Andersen’s mermaid tale of teen self sacrifice, salvation and seduction. In this glittering, post-postmodern production, a world of sea shanties gives way to an array of contemporary music by the likes of Sirens, Amanda Palmer, Kate Miller-Heidke and Megan Washington. Joining Meow Meow on stage will be a procession of cardboard cut-out princes, led by Hugh Sheridan (TV’s Packed to the Rafters). Meow Meow’s Little Mermaid will come to Malthouse Theatre from Thursday January 28 until Sunday February 14.
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C
elebrated as Australia’s biggest and most prestigious open mic comedy competition, RAW Comedy looks set to once again harvest the stars of tomorrow. Established 20 years ago, the competition only continues to grow in popularity. “It looks like we’re probably going to have more people trying to get up than last year,” confirms Associate Director of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Gideon James. “In Melbourne there’s a wait list and we’ve just confirmed a couple of extra heats,” This burgeoning passion to participate comes as no surprise - after all, a quick scan of RAW alumni reveals competition’s exceptional track record in unearthing real talent. As James explains, though, winning isn’t necessarily everything, with success filtering through the ranks. “Some of the biggest names that have gone through - Ronny Chieng who is on The Daily Show, Hannah Gadsby, Josh Thomas, Celia Pacquola, Matt Okine, Tom Ballard - some of them are winners but others were finalists. I think once you’re part of the final, that’s a huge platform and obviously being in the final I think can help you definitely be noticed and help you in your career.” In fact, as James points out, a select few finalists from last year’s competition are set to shine again this festival season. “Jess (Perkins) and Angus (Gordon) and Sam (Taunton) are all in The Comedy Zone,” he reveals. “Most people in The Comedy Zone actually tend to have come out of RAW - if not the previous year, sometimes a couple of years before. So it’s definitely the start of a sort of development stepping stone that can lead you right through the festival.” RAW Comedy can resemble a career-making first step for just about anyone, the competition encouraging everything from stand-up to sketch comedy, as well as double acts, triple acts and musical comedy. Naturally, contestants must be armed with new, original material.
As James points out, though, RAW entrants are generally an imaginative bunch. “This particular contestant came onstage in flippers, a wetsuit, a tight swimming cap, goggles and a fit ball. It started from there,” James laughs. “There was one act that I definitely can’t forget that was in Darwin. He wanted to go on after the interval because he had a bit to set up. He basically brought in this massive, massive grass tree and he did the performance from behind the pot. Fleety was the MC. I’ve got photos to prove it.” But what’s the best path to becoming the ultimate RAW Comedy national champion and scoring the major prize, a trip to Edinburgh to participate in for the world’s largest Festival Fringe? Does it pay to be a relative trailblazer? Or is the secret to success working in with whatever comedy paradigm is in effect? “It’s hard to tell,” James explains. “Presenting work that bears contribution to comedy into the future...if someone looks like they’re going to do that, then that helps them stand out I think. But I don’t necessarily think that points of difference are the contributing factors. I think funny material, really original material, an interesting take on things, confidence and just that sort of...I don’t want to say it, but I’ll say ‘x-factor’: that something that makes you go, ‘Wow I want to come back and see them,’ or ‘I’m going to remember that name and I’m going to see if they’re doing a show
EVERYTHING MELBOURNE
next year or if I can catch them around town.’ It’s so subjective.” For contestants, the journey begins with an online registration form. James has some advice for anyone wrestling with the idea of signing up. “ I’d say if they just want to get up and do it - to have a go - to just get up and do it. That’s absolutely fine. That could be your plan: do it, see how it feels. Maybe over the next twelve months, if you like the experience, spend the twelve months doing open mic rooms and practicing and getting as much stage time as you can. Or - you know, if you’re really, really serious about it - I suppose the best thing to do is be as prepared as possible and do as many open mic rooms as you can.” “Sometimes you’ve just got to get up there and do it. Luke Heggie, who won the national final, his first heat was his first gig. He did his heat, the semi final, won the state final and then won the national final,” Gideon recalls. “Ronnie hadn’t done much: I think he’d done a gig at Melbourne Uni campus and then his next one was at The Espy. If you can’t get stage time, with RAW, you’ve got three goes, so you may as well enter and just get up and do it. It’s free to enter. I think that’s one of the good aspects about it: it’s open.” Tickets are already on sale for the RAW Comedy national final. It’s an opportunity for the public to gaze into the Comedy Festival’s own crystal ball and obtain for themselves a forecast of the nation’s next big thing. “It’s really showcasing the best comedy emerging from every corner of Australia,” James confirms. “There’s people that come out of RAW to do things and I just think it’s really exciting to go and learn the names, take your program and go home and learn the names of people you will get to know further down the track. It’s just really fun. People are doing five minutes, there’s a fantastic MC and when things are being filmed for TV there’s always sort of this extra exciting vibe to it. It’s in the main hall, which is fantastic. It’s just a great day.” The next RAW Comedy heat will be MC’ed by Lawrence Leung on Saturday January 30 at Howler from 1pm. They then carry on weekly until the Victorian state final on Monday March 21, which will be followed by that national final as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival on Sunday April 10 at the Melbourne Town Hall.
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For more arts news, reviews and interviews visit beat.com.au
THE COMIC STRIP
Coming Up
DIRTY SECRETS COMEDY
Blak & Bright
Thursday February 18 - Sunday February 21 The Wheeler Centre
Tonight they have a super sweet lineup at Caz Reitop’s featuring Ryan Coffey, Karl Chandler, Victoria Healy 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 Comedy goes down every Wednesday at 8.30pm.
200 Years of Australian Fashion Saturday March 5 - Sunday July 31 National Gallery of Victoria
Jurassic World: The Exhibition
THURSDAY COMEDY Dave O’Neil headlines the comedy at the European Bier Café this Thursday night. You’ve seen and heard him all over the place. You’ve seen him on Spicks and Specks and every comedy show ever, heard him all over Nova and ABC radio, now see him live on stage. Plus there’s Danny McGinlay, Ryan Coffey, some special guests and heaps more. It’s all happening this Thursday January 28 at 8.30pm, at the European Bier Café, 120 Exhibition St, CBD, all for only $12.
CLUB VOLTAIRE COMEDY This Sunday there’s a huge lineup at Club Voltaire Comedy, featuring Club Voltaire as MC alongside, Xander Allen, Chimp Cop, Kate Dehnert, Alex Ward, Dave Warneke, Angus Brown, Jess Perkins and more. It’s totally free (they’ll accept donations, however) and kicks off at 7.30pm.
COMEDY AT SPLEEN Mondays at Comedy at Spleen are always full, and this week will be no different. The only place to be on Mondays will be chockers full of laughs with guests and it’s the place where big names drop in. This Monday, there’s heaps of guests like Michael Williams, Toby Halligan, Kate Dehnert, Anthony Jeannot, some special guests and more. It’s this Monday February 1, at 41 Bourke St, CBD, at 8.30pm. It’s free to get in, but they appreciate a good gold coin donation at the door.
QUICK BITES COMEDY Quick Bites Comedy is a weekly comedy show that runs every Monday night in one of Melbourne’s most legendary club spaces, Boney. Each week, the lineup reflects the best of Melbourne comedy, hosting local up-andcomers and national treasures alike. This Monday, February 1, the MC is James Masters who will be hosting Jonathan Schuster (of sketch group Fancy Boy), Matt Stewart (Do Go On podcast, RAW Comedy winner 2014), Megan McKay, Daisy Berry and more for a ripper lineup of stand-up comedy. Doors open at 6pm and entry is free with drink specials available.
COMEDY AT THE WILDE Tuesdays at The Wilde some of Melbourne’s best young comedians join with sign up on the night open mic acts for one of the loosest nights in town. Daniel Connell joins Kate Dehnert, Kelly Fastuca and more this week for another big, fun night of comedy. It’s this Tuesday February 2 at 153 Gertrude St, Fitzroy at 8pm. And, it’s totally free.
Saturday March 19 - Sunday October 9 Melbourne Museum
Melbourne International Comedy Festival Wednesday March 23 - Sunday April 17 Various Venues
Degas: A New Vision
The Substation Unveils 100th Anniversary Program As the building celebrates its 100th year, The Substation has released the first season of its 2016 program under the leadership of new director Brad Spolding, featuring collaborations between communities, architecture and artists. To cap it off, more than 80 percent of the program is entirely free. Launching the program is the largest party on the Midsumma Festival calendar, Miss Gay & Miss Transsexual Australia - hosted by performance artist Tristan Meecham. 2016 also marks a new artist residency program with local artists Plastic Loaves and The Rabble set to create and present new works as well as Natalie Abbott and Robin Fox. In a special event celebrating The Substation’s 100 year history, more than 30 visual artists will create new works responding to the unique architecture and cultural legacy of the building. Elsewhere in the program, Berlinbased photographer and Berghain nightclub bouncer Sven Marquardt will present the Australian premiere of his exhibition FOTOGRAFIEN, a series of guided projection walks at dawn and dusk will take to the streets and a performative lecture unpacking the Vietnam Archive Project as part of Human Rights Arts and Film Festival will take place. Season one of The Substation’s 100th anniversary program will run from until Thursday May 12. For full details and tickets, head to thesubstation.org.au.
Friday June 24 - Sunday September 18 National Gallery of Victoria
An Outdoor Cinema Is Coming To The MCG Cinema and sports will collide for a special two day program at the MCG, giving punters the chance to set up with pillows and a picnic when the hallowed turf transforms into a stadium-sized outdoor cinema. Cinema at the ‘G will be screening sports drama Million Dollar Arm and Oscar-nominated film The Martian. Proceeds from the event will go to the Bank of Melbourne Neighbourhood Fund, supporting local charities that receive minimal government funding. Cinema At The G’ kicks off on February Friday 12 and Saturday February 13.
Phantom Ride Comes To ACMI ACMI and The Ian Potter Cultural Trust are set to present the world premiere of Phantom Ride, a brand new work by one of Australia’s leading moving image artists, Melbourne-based Daniel Crooks. Practising across a range of media including digital video, photography and installation, Crooks’ work plays with the notion of time, stretching and distorting reality while questioning our perception of it. Phantom Ride is a two-screen video work inspired by a history of cinema and the way in which trains have featured as an extension of the camera for the purposes of experimentation with the moving image. Taking as a starting point films such as the Lumiere Brother’s Leaving Jerusalem by Railway (1896), regarded today as the first ever tracking shot, Crooks’ latest installation creates a continuous, seamless tracking shot that moves the viewer through a fragmented reality, constructed from a collage of Australian railways. The work references the phantom rides of early cinema, a genre of film popular in Britain and the United States in the early 1900s. Pre-dating narrative features, these short films showed the progress of a vehicle, usually a train, moving forward by mounting a camera on its front. Daniel Crooks: Phantom Ride is ACMI’s autumn exhibition opening on Tuesday February 16. Entry is free.
White Night Melbourne Reveal Full 2016 Program White Night Melbourne have announced their full 2016 program. The program features performance, illuminations, art installations and music throughout the city and in and on some of Melbourne’s most iconic spaces including the Royal Exhibition Building, Federation Square, Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne City Baths, Arts Centre Melbourne, State Library Victoria, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Museum and ACMI. Highlights of the program include a laser, light and water show on the Yarra River, a large scale projection from oceanloving filmmaker Chase Burns and a colourful fusion of urban art and contemporary dance that will light up the iconic Hosier and Rutledge Lane junction. “White Night Melbourne’s 2016 program represents more than 1,595 creative industries members and 120 works making this the biggest program for the event yet,” said Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren. “As well as delivering a fantastic creative platform for artists and creative practitioners, the event also delivers an important economic injection into our city businesses, hotels and retailers. I congratulate all involved.” White Night Melbourne will return from dusk ‘til dawn on Saturday February 20. G E T S O M E C U LT U R E U P YA
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W I T H T Y S O N W R AY - T Y S O N @ B E AT.C O M . AU
FRIDAYS $5 BEER, WINE & BASICS 2 FOR 1 COCKTAILS BOOK A TABLE OF 4 AND RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY BOTTLE OF WINE Casual dining, grazing and kids menu available. Open for all day breakfast & lunch 6 days a week. Serving you all your favourites. Group bookings & function enquiries welcome.
7 Station St, Malvern thegreengoose@iprimus.com.au Ph. 03 9576 0044
OUT OF THE CLOSET Queer happenings with Anna Whitelaw
Last week, the whole of Australia seemingly were appalled by a story broken by BuzzFeed that hit home why marriage equality is more than just symbolism (and why symbolism sometimes matters). Newlywed British couple Marco Bulmer-Rizzi and his husband David Bulmer Rizzi had been together for five years when they married in June 2015 in front of witnesses in south London, and then had a full ceremony in front of family and friends in Santorini. Their trip to Australia was their honeymoon. Arriving in Australia in late December, the couple had been travelling around the country when they reached their final stop: Adelaide. It was here, while staying with friends, that David fell down the stairs one night two weeks ago. “I went to bed and David was to follow me shortly,” Marco Bulmer-Rizzi told BuzzFeed, “He was just reading his Kindle. I woke up 45 minutes later and heard this awful noise, and I turned on the light and he was lying at the bottom of the stairs in a bloodbath.” An ambulance was called, and paramedics worked to try to save his life. David was put in an induced coma and rushed to an Adelaide hospital where Marco was told to call his husband’s parents with the horrific news their son was in a critical condition. After an internal scan revealed the extent of the swelling of the brain, doctors told Marco his husband would die within 24 hours. By the following day, David was brain dead, and Marco organised for his organs - his heart, liver and pancreas - to be transplanted to three Australians on organ donation waiting lists. BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 20
It was after his husband died, Marco was told that if grieving for the sudden loss of his partner wasn’t bad enough, Australian law would treat their relationship as if it never happened. The funeral director told the widower that because his husband had died in South Australia, which does not recognise overseas same sex marriages, his husband’s death certificate would read: “Never married”. He asked the authorities if his marital status could be left off the death certificate entirely, and was told it wasn’t an option. He called on the British consulate to intervene but was told there was nothing they could do. As South Australian law did not recognise their relationship, Marco was also not acknowledged as nextof-kin and it was David’s parents who were consulted on funeral arrangements. His father Nigel echoed the sentiment of many when he said: “It’s degrading. It demeans my son’s memory and denies their relationship. It’s cast them as secondclass citizens. No one should ever have to go through what we’ve gone through. We’re at the bottom and somebody has dug a deeper pit.” Thankfully, after a huge outpouring of sympathy and outrage, the South Australian Premier has announced he will introduce legislation that recognises overseas same sex marriages to state parliament by the end of the year, following other states like NSW and Victoria that already do, and apologised to the family. But it is still depressing to realise we live in a country where we’ll happily take a dead man’s organs while refusing to
recognise his relationship. Just a few weeks before Pride March, a disturbing story has emerged of a gay man being allegedly bashed in St Kilda Botanical Gardens in an incident police are investigating as a homophobic hate crime. The 32-year-old Danny Levi Bryce-Maurice was celebrating a friends’ birthday in the gardens on the night of Saturday January 9 when four men called him a faggot in the public toilet block, and one elbowed him in the face. When several of his friends came to his aid, and confronted them, two of the men then beat him and kicked him, leaving him with a broken nose. The alleged attackers have not yet been caught. Anyone who might have witnessed the incident should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
HAPPENINGS As part of Midsumma, Gasworks is presenting the world premiere of Elegy, a moving play about the plight of gay refugees and based on interviews with real people. Directed by John Kachoyan and featuring an acclaimed performance by Nick Simpson-Deeks, the play is on at the Studio Theatre at Gasworks Arts Park in St Kilda until Saturday February 6. If theatre isn’t your thing, check out the third annual multi-media art exhibition Company of Men featuring
B E AT.C O M . A U
the works of many Melbourne and international artists and presented by the Victorian Aids Council. This exhibition is on at Brightspace in St Kilda until Saturday February 6. On Wednesday January 27, She Speaks Northside is a LGBT panel discussion to be held at Francesca’s Bar in High Street Northcote, where the panel discussion will be talking about women’s sport. On Friday January 29, the famous Midsumma Mooning at The Laird in Abbotsford will see hundreds of gay boys get their kit off for a laugh and to win prizes (and admirers). Hosted by Dean Acuri, there is also a half-time comedy show. The cheeky charity event has been going for more than 20 years, and raises funds for the David Williams Fund to support those living with HIV/AIDS. Tickets are $15 or $20 on the door. The Laird is men’s only. Miss Gay and Miss Transsexual Australia’s annual pageant for female impersonators, drag performers and transgender women will take place at The Substation in Newport on Saturday January 30 from 6pm. On Sunday the annual Pride March will see tens of thousands of people turn out in rainbow regalia in St Kilda’s Fitzroy Street. The march kicks off from 2pm sharp, and the free festivities continue in Catani Gardens on the foreshore until 7pm. Second release tickets are still available for the Premier event after party Yass Pride! at Luna Park.
snaps khokolat koated
club guide wednesday january 27 • 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. • ENDLESS NIGHTS - FEAT: CLEVERHANDS + LAIKA + DJ BERT Ferdydurke, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. • REVOLVER WEDNESDAYS - FEAT: DANIELSAN + MZ RIZK Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 7:00pm.
thursday january 28 • 3181 THURSDAYS - FEAT: HANS DC + MAT CANT + GRANT CAMOV + 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. • LOCAL MOTION - FEAT: BILLUS MOON + NELSON + DAN FABRIS + SENPOLO Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 11:00pm. • 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 29
faktory
• #MASHTAG - FEAT: NUGEN + MALPRACTICE + FLAGRANT Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. • APERITIVO - FEAT: PATRIZIO ADAMO + HYSTERIC + BAGUETTE & PASTIZZI Ferdydurke, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. • BEYOND THE DROP - FEAT: NEOCORTEX + S.K.P + INSTANT ALIEN + MORE 24 Moons, Northcote. 10:00pm. • 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. • DJ SHAKEY MEMORIAL Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 11:30pm. • ENDLESS SUNSET #3 Hugs & Kisses, Melbourne. 10:00pm. • 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. • FEE FEE STARR Gem Bar, Collingwood. 8:00pm. • GOOD MANNERS - FEAT: CHARLES MURDOCH + HOODLEM Boney, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. • I LOVE DANCE HALL FEAT: SISTER ITATIONS + BURN CITY QUEENS + BUMAYE + MORE Brown Alley, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. • KODIAK KID + NAZ + MAARS Penny Black, Brunswick. 9:00pm. • LUCK TRUCK FRIDAY DOWNSTAIRS - FEAT: 99 PRBLMZ + CONGO TARDIS #1 + LITTLE LEAGUE BOUNCE CLUB Lucky Coq, Windsor. 9:00pm. • PANORAMA FRIDAYS UPSTAIRS - FEAT: PHATO A MANO + MR.GEORGE + MATT RADD + ASH-LEE Lucky Coq, Windsor. 9:00pm. • 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 FEAT: KIDNAP KID + BRIAN FANTANA + AVES VOLARE + DOAKES + MORE Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 10:00pm. • SPACE INVADERS - FEAT: PSPIRALIFE + PAKMAN + ZONE TEMPEST + MORE Railway Hotel, Brunswick. 7:00pm. • 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 30 • 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 JACINTA PARSONS Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 2:00pm. • 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. • 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: RESIDENT ROMP + CHICO G B2B PAUL JAGER + MORE Boney, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. • MOON PALACE - FEAT: ANDY HART + DJ KITI + MICHAEL OZONE + MORE 24 Moons, Northcote. 10:00pm. • MSO X JEFF MILLS + DERRICK MAY Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne. 6:00pm. $69.00. • NEW DUB CITY Ferdydurke, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. • OBLIVEUS + NO NAME NATH + LEEMAN Penny Black, Brunswick. 9:00pm. • PLATFORM ONE SATURDAY NIGHTS Platform One, Melbourne. 9:00pm. • PONY SATURDAYS La Di Da, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. • SABO Gem Bar, Collingwood. 8:00pm. • SEVEN SATURDAY DISCOTHEQUE Seven Nightclub, South Melbourne. 10:00pm. $20.00. • TEXTILE SATURDAYS FEAT: KODIAK KID + D’FRO + JENS BEAMIN Lucky Coq, Windsor. 9:00pm. • THE EMERSON CLUB SATURDAYS - FEAT: FAMILIAR STRANGERS + KIN + ANDY MURPHY The Emerson, South Yarra. 9:00pm. • THE HOUSE DEFROST FEAT: ANDEE FROST Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 11:00pm. • THE LATE SHOW - FEAT: ARKS + HARMON + RANSOM + SPINFX + 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. • UONE + EASTWOODS + VJ VDMO KSTATI + MORE Railway Hotel, Brunswick. 6:00pm.
sunday january 31 • BOP ART - FEAT: HAWAII + WHO + TIGERFUNK + MATT RADOVICH + LEWIS CANCUT Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. • BUTTER SESSIONS LABEL SHOWCASE #2 - FEAT: SLEEP D + MOSAM HOWIESON + ALBRECHT LA’BROOY + CALE SEXTON + MORE The Shadow Electric, Abbotsford. 3:00pm. $20.00. • 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. • PIKNIC ELECTRONIK FEAT: DUBFIRE + KEVIN SAUNDERSON + THE HACKER + KODE 9 + MORE Federation Square, Melbourne Cbd. 1:00pm. $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. • STICKY MUSIC + BAYU + KANZO Ferdydurke, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. • THE SUNDAY SET - FEAT: DJ ANDYBLACK + SHAGGIS Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 4:00pm. • WAX ON WAX OFF Lucky Coq, Windsor. 7:00pm.
,monday february 1 • CALL IT IN - FEAT: INSTANT PETERSON + DYLAN MICHAEL + ROBYN TREASURE 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 february 2 • OASIS TUESDAYS Tramp, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. • SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 7:00pm.
urban club guide wednesday january 27 • MELLOWDÍASTHUMP - FEAT: CLEVER AUSTIN + GEEZY + CAZEAUX O.S.L.O + SKOMES Boney, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm.
thursday january 28 • HOUSE OF BEIGE - FEAT: MIZRIZK Railway Hotel, Brunswick. 6:00pm.
friday january 29 • BRIGHT LIGHTS BIG CITY - FEAT: DJ RCEE + KAHLUA + DJ SHOOK + DJ ANGEL JAY Chaise Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. • DREAMWAVES - FEAT: MIMI + MADDIE
J + TALI + MORE The Luwow, Fitzroy. Cbd. 9:30pm. 7:00pm. • RHYTHM NATION SATURDAYS - FEAT: DJ TIMOS + DJ KAHLUA + DJ ANGE M • FAKTORY FRIDAYS - FEAT: DAMION DE & ANDY PALA Chaise Lounge, Melbourne SILVA + K DEE + DURMY Khokolat Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. Cbd. 9:00pm. $10.00. • PARTY & BULLSHIT - FEAT: MIC MATH + • THE BLOW WAVES + TANZER + KAREN AFTERLIFE + SONIC VIBES + JADE ZOE FROM FINANCE + HIP HOP HOE + PLUTO SAVAGE Gasometer Hotel, Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. Collingwood. 9:00pm. $20.00. • THANDO Chapel Off Chapel, Prahran. 8:00pm. $35.00.
saturday january 30 • BIG DANCING - FEAT: LARRIE + JADE ZOE + PAIGE PLAY + MALPRACTICE + GET BU$Y Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. • KHOKOLAT KOATED SATURDAYS FEAT: DAMION DE SILVA + K DEE + DURMY + TIMOS Khokolat Bar, Melbourne
electronic - urban - club life
sunday january 31
• GUILTY SIMPSON + KATALYST Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. • MOMENTUM (FOREIGN BROTHERS) - FEAT: MOMENTUM: FOREIGN BROTHERS + THE CORE-TET Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10.00.
off the record with
tyson
wray
Moodymann locked in for his first ever commercial mix, mumma.
dasha rush “All you need is ears”. That’s the mantra of Fullpanda, which is label home to the Russian techno artist Dasha Rush. Oh, and she’ll be in Melbourne this weekend. Carving a name for herself with hardhitting solo releases and her LADA project with Lars Hemmerling, Rush is one of the most futuristic (and dark) names in the game. She’s also worked with the likes of artists Inigo Kennedy and Donato Dozzy, and labels Token and Sonic Groove, if for some reason you needed more convincing. It’s going down on Saturday January 30 at My Aeon.
prins thomas Guaranteed party of the year: Norway’s space disco king Prins Thomas is returning to our shores. Way back in 2003 the don joined forces with the one and only Hans-Peter Lindstrøm, and the scene has never been the same (I say this in the most complimentary way possible), with their labels Feedelity, Full Pupp and Internasjonal releasing some of the best dance floor-floorers (yes, I did just actually say that) about. It’s happening at a TBA warehouse location on Sunday March 6.
party profile: kong’s mixer lixor When is it? Friday January 29. Where is it? Laundry Bar. Who’s playing? Kong’s Kings., Lenny, Leo and BustHerr, Dusty Grey, Cam Honour & Harden Long, Lance deBoyle, Cleo Taurus, BangHerr, Jesse Dean, Max Factor, Ryder Knightly & Leon Miface and Ziggy Discoballs, Catriona Constance and Yo Mafia will be on the decks. What sort of shit will they be playing? Drag king shows, DJs, burlesque and a sexy smash of variety performers to keep you going all night. What’s the crowd going to be like? It will be the place to be. The crowd will consist of the who’s who of the straight and queer community. Over 18 only. What will we remember in the AM? That you would have just seen some of Australia’s most beloved drag kings in all their handsome, seductive, comedic, subversive, touching or downright sleazy flavours of the drag king rainbow. What’s the wallet damage? Full price $18, concession $15. Give us one final reason why we should party here. The talents of these kings will combine for one epic night bringing together Melbourne’s finest kings and queer performers for a dance party drag extravaganza so wild you’ll need to hang onto your moustache. More handsome than you can handle, it’s the whole, ahem, package.
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BATTLES F O C U S E D
A G G R E S S I O N
BY AUGUSTUS WELBY
In the lead up to Battles’ second LP Gloss Drop, the band found themselves down one member, with vocalist Tyondai Braxton leaving midway through the process. Although Braxton played a key role on Battles’ first album, Mirrored, the remaining three members persevered and created an excellent release featuring guest vocalists on four songs. However, despite Gloss Drop’s success, the future still looked uncertain. Undeterred, Battles returned last year with their third LP, La Di Da Di – their first entirely instrumental album and their most consistent effort to date. Beat speaks to guitarist and keyboardist Ian Williams about the album’s creation.
According to Williams, La Di Da Di’s instrumental constitution wasn’t such a stretch. “In a way on Mirrored the surprise was that we actually made an album with some singing on it, because the stuff before had been instrumental [EPC and B EP, both 2004]. So it was like, ‘Oh, there’s singing. Surprise.’ Then I think on Gloss Drop we felt like, ‘Oh, other people are singing. Surprise.’ La Di Da Di, it was like, ‘Oh we made an instrumental record again and there’s no singing. Surprise.’ “There are a lot of ways we can be ourselves, and what Battles can be. We didn’t have to do it this way, but it felt good to make an instrumental record and have a little more space in the music.” There is a wonderful amount of space in the album arrangements, deployed by Williams, drummer John Stanier and guitarist/bassist Dave Konopka with resolute comfort. At the same time, not only is the playing tight and technically proficient, but everything on La Di Da Di is precisely produced. It goes without saying, the songs don’t always come together as comfortably and spaciously as they finish up. “With our older material it was like traffic conducting. It was like figuring out traffic patterns and like, ‘Well this has to go here, therefore this has to pull back to make room for it’,” Williams says. “It was about how to fit all the stuff in. I think this one we didn’t have to worry about that too much. There was more opportunity just to let the thing play itself out; let the melody figure out what it was. It used to be like more point–counterpoint, back and forth like an argument. This one was like, ‘Let’s just see if it’s interesting in and of itself to let a line play without the thesis–antithesis thing going on.’ We would always set something up to sort of wreck it – like, ‘Here’s a nice little thing’, and then we’d have something step on it. This was just trying to let things flow a bit.” It’s a cliché to say, but Battles are exemplars of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. On La Di Da Di, there’s equal importance to all three members’ contributions, as opposed to one person’s input taking centre stage. Internally, the songs came together without having to nominate a creative director. “I’ve always liked the idea of music that was about relationships between parts – you can feel the bass and the drum together, and the guitar, and it’s all locking together,” Williams says. “The inner movement of machine parts together, functioning to create the whole. I like that harmony that gets found when things coexist without the leader. People often find that they find more emotion and meaning in music when there’s the lead singer telling you a story about his girlfriend who left him or when there’s the guitar solo with the guy wailing on a single note. But I find there’s nice emotion actually in a relationship between parts, which is a little more abstract emotion. “The band functions like a creative democracy or something like that,” he adds. “We try to make it so that everybody’s into a jam, into the vibe of something, and we build something off of that. It’s confusing.” Confusion mightn’t seem like the most practical songwriting accomplice, but Williams values the element of mystery it brings to the creative process. “I’ve often felt if the process is too simple, the results I come up with are too simple. I find it’s interesting to feel like you’re just on the edge of disaster a lot. Like, ‘I’m not sure if this is going to work or not.’ It means you’re truly exploring as opposed to doing that thing you know you know how to do.” On the subject of exploration, given La Di Da Di is completely instrumental and there’s a jazzy sense of adventure permeating the record, Battles might be expected to be a jam band onstage. However, the album versions contain plenty of essential elements that are preserved into the live show. “We stick to the album versions as a blueprint. We do jam a little. But, at least in the United States, [jam band] has a lot of connotations of the Grateful Dead and Phish and all the bands in that world. Like, ‘As long as it’s got a beat and I can shake my hips to it and take drugs it’s fine with me.’ I really don’t think that’s the kind of trip we’re on. I feel like we’re still this punk band that’s evolved from that family tree – like a few decades down the branch. Our excursions are still this more focused aggression, as opposed to just taking acid and going for it.” BATTLES are playing at Max Watt’s on Friday February 12. They’re also taking part in the Laneway tour, which comes to Footscray Community Arts Centre on Saturday February 13. La Di Da Di is out now via Warp / Inertia. W W W. B E AT.C O M . A U
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 23
ZAC SABER S E E I N G
C L E A R LY
B y M ichael E d ney
Finding new music in Melbourne doesn’t have to involve hitting an inner-city pub on a Saturday night. Take a 40-minute drive east and you reach the hills, better known as the Dandenong Ranges. Here you’ll find some of Melbourne’s best-kept secrets. Taking his first steps into the industry at just 22 years of age is hills local Zac Saber.
ALLEN STONE C E N T R E
O F
T H E
C I R C L E
BY AUGUSTUS WELBY
Allen Stone’s first two records were steeped in the soul and R&B blueprint laid by the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Al Green. Of course, they were distinguished by his outlook – that of a 20-something white boy from Washington state – but he nevertheless leant heavily on his influences. After dropping two albums in quick succession, there was a lengthy wait for Stone’s third LP Radius; arriving at last in May 2015. If the title is viewed symbolically, the album finds Stone zeroing in on the core of his artistry. “We wanted to sit down and try to find a signature sound,” he says. “That’s what we set out to do, me and my producer [Magnus Tingsek]. New textures, new feel, new warmth.” Indeed, Stone’s quest to find a signature sound hasn’t simply resulted in a bolder iteration of 2010’s Last to Speak and 2011’s Allen Stone. “You definitely always want to try and reinvent your sound,” he says. “For me personally as an artist, I always want to reinvent myself when I do music. I always want every album to sound different and to have their own time and place. Not only in my life, but hopefully in the life of the listeners, where you can go back and the textures on the album remind you of smells or memories or moments that you were surrounded by at that time. I always want to sound as different from what’s going on in the music industry as possible, just so that I can maybe be a blip of time in people’s lives.” It’d make sense for all songwriters to have this view. However, commerce often impedes upon one’s truest creative ambitions. Rather than chasing down sounds that can’t be easily categorised, writers are instructed to cohere with what’s commercially relevant. In the wake of his self-titled LP, Stone inked a deal with the major label Capitol Records. Despite this, he wasn’t too worried how Radius might impact his existing listenership. “There was definitely concern from the people who make a living off my records,” he says. “I definitely got push back from almost every corner, besides my management and my producer. It’s a tough balance, because I love travelling, I love playing music, and in order to do that it takes Caesar’s money. But I try my best to separate myself from that dialogue as much as possible because I do think it is extremely constricting to have people [saying], ‘Oh but did you hear the new Bruno Mars track Al? Maybe you should do a song like Sam Smith.’ That was kind of the rhetoric coming from the label for a good amount of that. And I understand it – those guys have jobs, they have families, they have egos, they have all this stuff. I think as an artist you’ve got to BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 24
do your best to have people that protect you from that. I have some really good people that help protect me from that. Because I tell you what, that stuff can make you just want to hang the gloves up and never swing again.” Right from its opening track, Radius distinguishes itself from Stone’s first two records. The punchy production and sense of freedom conveyed by the chorus of Perfect World indicates we’re in for something more unique this time around. As the record progresses, it touches on funk, soul, R&B, melancholic balladry, folk and hip hop. Throughout, however, it’s rooted in pop structure and melody. “It’s definitely a pop record. No matter how much whoever thinks it’s not, it’s definitely a pop record. I grew up on pop music. I grew up on Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye Let’s Get It On, and Ray Charles. These cats, even though super brilliant, they were pop writers. My producer grew up on The Beatles.” While he initially owns up to writing a pop record, Stone has a few misgivings about the nature of the term. “What is pop music though? What the fuck is pop music? I still haven’t been able to figure it out. Gotye could come out with a song that’s the biggest song in the world for three years, and if it wouldn’t have been the biggest song in three years everybody would’ve been like, ‘Well I don’t think that’s pop enough Gotye.’ So the whole pop discussion for me is so moot. It’s just like busybody industry people. “I don’t get it. I don’t get the word pop. For me I just try to write music that makes me feel good and makes me think and I want people to feel that same thing. You can call it pop, you can call it fucking labour music. I don’t give a fuck what you call it as long as you listen to it and you feel something.” ALLEN STONE is playing at Bluesfest 2016, alongside Brian Wilson, D’Angelo, Kendrick Lamar and more, which runs from Thursday March 24 – Monday March 28 at the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, NSW. You can also catch him at the Corner Hotel on Thursday March 31.
Saber is gearing up to independently release his debut EP Clearer next month. Clearer consists of five carefully crafted songs, a process that Saber admits was more tedious than he expected. “I’d been working with the intention of pushing it out late last year, but my timeline blew out towards the end of the year,” he says. “I was mostly working on the tracks last year, perfecting each song and reaching a standard that I was satisfied with. “I was careful with each track, because it’s my first studio release. I feel like you only really get one chance with getting taken serious with this kind of thing, and if there are a couple of tracks on there that you’re not entirely happy with, it may discredit you somewhat. The end product is five songs that I’m really excited to show and play live.” Saber’s spent several years mastering his percussive fingerpicking technique, which lets him produce quite an astonishing amount of sound for a one-man-band. Adding foot percussion and harmonica to his arsenal, there’s no denying Saber is a man of many talents. His style prompts comparisons to artists such as John Butler, and more recently, Kim Churchill. “Definitely a lot of Australian musicians really speak to me in terms of style and in particular guitar technique,” Saber says. “Kim Churchill and John Butler are really big influences of mine, but also international artists like Ben Howard and his acoustic guitar style. It’s very percussive, but his finger style is also quite intricate. Newton Faulkner is another one. He has a very percussive style
that works really well unaccompanied.” When questioned on whether a backing band would be on the cards in the future, Saber remains circumspect. “With a percussive guitar style, the sound is quite full as it is,” he says. “I haven’t felt compelled to introduce more elements to my music. Not yet anyway.” Finding a path into the industry can be tough for many up-and-coming artists, and with social media being such a prominent promotional force in 2016, it’s a breath of fresh air to see musicians who’re prepared to get their hands dirty. Busking is a big priority
THE GRANDVIEW HOTEL O L D
B U I L D I N G ,
Hey. Who are we speaking with and what’s your role in co-ordinating The Grandview Hotel? This is Doug speaking and I’m very happy to be presenting the Grandview Hotel’s music lineup. I have the very enjoyable role of thinking about which of my favourite Melbourne artists I can ask to play at the hotel just down the road, and then watch them perform – hopefully with a bunch of other music fans. Music will be flowing through the Grandview once a week from now on. How will the hotel’s atmosphere complement live music? I discovered this amazing history about the Grandview through Clinton Walker’s excellent documentary Buried Country about Aboriginal country musicians. Back in the ‘60s the Grandview hosted weekly Aboriginal country bands, and there is footage of hundreds of people crammed into the pub dancing and singing. The ghosts of those glorious nights will be patrons of the new music performances at the Grandview, and I’m sure the old B E AT.C O M . A U
N E W
M U S I C
memories embedded in the walls and carpet will echo through the atmosphere today. In terms of its acoustics, what makes the venue a killer place to enjoy live music? The Grandview stage is framed by huge stained glass windows and beautiful old red brick walls, which makes for a unique setting for live music. The room sounds great and is just the right size to keep the performers in sight while you go to the bar. There is plenty of standing and dancing room, but also tables spread around so you can settle in comfortably for the show. The acoustics are warm and dark – perfect for music. You’ve got a versatile range of artists on the bill all the way into late-February. Who is scheduled to perform at the venue? We start on Saturday January 30 with a special performance by four of the best county singers in Melbourne: Kerri Simpson, Suzannah Espie, Barb Waters and Alison Ferrier. Right through to June we have acts of the calibre of Neil Murray
within the folk and roots community, and it’s served as an alternative (yet more traditional) platform of self-promotion for Saber. “If you manage to catch a person’s ear on the street and they end up liking your music, you’ve made fan out of it. To me, that interaction seems like a more legitimate form of promotion. Not to trivialise anything online – some people have incredible social media and video channels, and can obviously perform, but I think busking also hones [your] stagecraft. You could have a brilliant studio album, but if you can’t get onstage and perform, you aren’t getting anywhere with it. Busking is just a lot of fun too. It’s a very different experience from being on a stage.” While he’s making steady progress, Saber isn’t one to rest on his early triumphs. Following the release of Clearer, he’ll hit the road in an attempt to broaden his success. “I have the intention of going up the east coast, and eventually around Australia, busking, with hopefully a fair few gigs to follow. Besides that, if time permits, I would like to get back into the studio and record another EP, or possibly an album depending on how the touring pans out.” ZAC SABER is performing at Sooki Lounge on Thursday February 4. The Clearer EP will be made available that day in digital and physical formats.
and Matt Walker, Ashley Naylor, Charles Jenkins and Davey Lane, Rob Snarski, Darling Downs, Charlie Marshall & the Body Electric, Nick Barker & Heartache State, Moreland City Soul Revue and Ron S Peno – with plenty more legendary performers planned. And of course Dave O’Neil’s Comedy Funhouse is on every Wednesday night. On top of the music, you guys boast brilliant food and cheap drink deals. What pre-gig meal would you most recommend? Sometimes the beer is so cheap at the pub it’s like they’re giving it away. The Grandview throws down a formidable parma challenge that is not for the faint hearted. The zucchini and halloumi fritters go off too.
THE GRANDVIEW HOTEL’s live music program kicks off on Saturday January 30 with Kerri Simpson, Suzannah Espie, Barb Waters and Alison Ferrier. Check out thegrandview.com.au/blog/live-music for full programme details.
W W W. B E AT.C O M . A U
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 25
ST KILDA FESTIVAL L I V E
N
L O C A L
B y R o d W h it f iel d
ST. LUCIA G U I LT Y
P L E A S U R E
Over the last 35 years, Tim Dalton has assisted the careers of a phenomenal collection of artists and gathered plenty of amazing stories along the way. Having worked as a record producer, tour manager and A&R executive, Dalton’s been closely associated with the likes of Faith No More, Beastie Boys, Run DMC and even Atomic Kitten. He’s also lectured at universities in the UK and Australia and written multiple music related books. The man has seen and done it all.
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About seven years ago, South African musician JeanPhilip Grobler, more commonly known under the stage name St. Lucia, moved to New York to become a jingle writer. It was there, while writing with different instruments and processes than he’d used previously, that he learnt one of the most liberating lessons he could’ve imagined. “While I was doing that job I was forced to write in all these different genres, and forced to write music that I would never have just written by myself,” he says. “When I quit, I started realising that I just needed to stop pretending to be someone else and look back into my past and what influences I had. The influences I was trying to bury the most were the slightly ‘uncool’ guilty pleasure stuff, like Phil Collins and Earth, Wind & Fire.” Instead of resisting the urge to echo elements of his core influences, Grobler came to embrace them and thus St. Lucia was born – a fusion of addictive pop and the occasional exploratory, experimental flourish. After the success of his first album, When The Night, 2013, it’s now difficult to imagine his fun, danceable sound without these influences. But Grobler probably wouldn’t have been able to reach this conclusion if he weren’t such a compulsive writer. From recording simple melody or beat ideas as voice memos on his phone while walking down the street, to mixing songs in the studio – he’s always working on something. And although he produces pop music with oldschool influences, he’s forever fighting for the ideas that are more progressive and non-traditional. This is something he’s particularly proud of with his new album, Matter. “I think the biggest challenge is just doing something that is catchy but doesn’t feel contrived,” he says. “Because I think a lot of pop music can feel contrived – you can just so obviously hear that it was written by a group of people in a room. And there were definitely a couple of songs off this album that were done that way, but I took a lot of time and a lot of care to make sure that there was enough of my own stamp on the song.” While When The Night was the result of careful writing and recording in Grobler’s New York studio, Matter presented new challenges from a writing perspective, as he needed to get inventive while on the road touring. “Basically what I had to do was create a really good demoing situation on my laptop, so most of these songs were initially written in the tour van or in the tour bus. It was interesting actually, because those limitations kind of created a special energy on this album that didn’t really exist on the last one.” It’s not hard to see what he means by this energy – the album’s emotion range goes from elation to frustration. Grobler says “existential angst” made its mark on the lyrics as a result of getting older and living far away from home, while songs like Rescue Me speculate about stress and the universe. But it’s not all serious – Game 4 BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 26
U started off as a joke song about falling in love with your computer, until making the final cut with new lyrics. The album features an impressive number of writing collaborations as well, ranging from dance anthems like Dancing on Glass with Tim Pagnotta (Sugarcult), to the more aggressive beats of Physical with writing team Captain Cuts (who’ve worked with Walk the Moon, Tove Lo and Grouplove). The album comes out this weekend, but things aren’t slowing down for Grobler. There’s a US tour on the way, and some exciting collaborations lined up, including with Alex Metric (who remixed September from When The Night) and Norwegian producer Lindstrøm. He’s also interested in doing more production work after producing American indie-pop band Haerts’ debut album. Grobler originally named the St. Lucia project after the vacation town of the same name in South Africa, drawing on the “exotic, hazy, summery” feeling it evoked. However, it’s now been 13 years since he left his home country and he’s well and truly settled in New York with his wife and keyboardist Patti. “[Patti] always says that the only place in the whole world other than Taiwan where she doesn’t feel like a foreigner or an outsider is New York. In South Africa we still have this racial tension and there’s still a lot of separation and segregation between the races and all over the world you still have that. In New York you still have that, but it’s more like all these people from different cultures are pushed together and that’s the way it is, and no one thinks twice about it.” So as he continues to write and produce music, his current location is having more influence on his stylistic personality. “I definitely feel like there’s less of a tropical feeling to it now. There’s definitely still an escapist element to it – it’s very lofty, big, adventurous music that’s almost like a sci-fi film. I feel like it is interesting because there’s a lot more desert imagery in promotional shots so there’s a lot more cacti. For me it definitely has a bit more of an American ‘70s/‘80s west coast feeling.” ST. LUCIA will release his second LP Matter on Friday January 29 via Columbia / Sony.
Now 53-years-old, Dalton’s life has slowed down somewhat, especially compared to the heady days when he was traversing the planet with Elvis Costello and Simple Minds. He settled in Melbourne three years ago and quickly became involved in the country’s biggest outdoor music event, the St Kilda Festival. His introduction to Melbourne culture actually began with the festival. “I came to Australia exactly three years ago,” he says. “I’d only been here for about two days and I went to my first St Kilda Festival. I flew in, and my friend AJ said, ‘You should get down to St Kilda. They’ve got a free festival.’ So it was my second day in Melbourne, and it was like, ‘Fucking hell, this is great.’ “Then the Monday was Australia Day, or Invasion Day or whatever you call it, and everyone’s partying and drinking beer, and I’m like, ‘Wow. What a great idea it was to come to Australia.’ Then Tuesday morning hit, and we all had to go to work. So this is my third festival.” Dalton’s main role at the festival is coordinating Live N Local week – a showcase of the vast array of incredible
new talent Melbourne has to offer. This job has brought home just how much amazing music there is down here. “I think it speaks volumes about Melbourne as being one of the great music cities, if you can assemble 70-odd bands, all of which are super talented, to come and play on your Live N Local stage. I’ve lived in most of the world’s great music cities over the last 36 years. I’ve lived in Nashville, I’ve lived in Liverpool, I’ve been around the Bay Area in San Francisco when I was working with Faith No More. I actually think Melbourne
FAT TUESDAY NEW ORLEANS FESTIVAL B y A ugustus W elby
Fat Tuesday is the English translation of the French term Mardi Gras. For Catholics, it’s also known as Shrove Tuesday and marks the last day of the decadence before Lent – a six week period of atonement in the lead up to Easter. In New Orleans, Louisiana, Mardi Gras has long been a day of city-wide secular celebration consisting of live music, parades, dancing, drinking and eating. In recent years, thanks to the teams behind Po’ Boy Quarter and Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne has been cultivating its own outrageous Fat Tuesday celebration.
As Ding Dong owner Bill Walsh will tell you, there are a lot of similarities between New Orleans and Melbourne. “I think New Orleans is the greatest musical town in the world,” he says. “I’ve just never been anywhere like it. It’s cultural, musical, food legacy is just unique. The intention always was to bring a bit of this to Melbourne. I think the key to Melbourne as a music city is our community radio. It’s inter-generational now, and it’s just created this amazing love of music and allowed people to hear stuff.” Since the mid-20th century, New Orleans’ innovative spirit has given rise to leading artists in a wide range of genres, including rock’n’roll, funk, punk rock, metal, hip hop and bounce. However, New Orleans is best known as the birthplace of jazz. Fittingly, B E AT.C O M . A U
the lineup for February’s Fat Tuesday New Orleans Festival includes a number of fine local exponents of traditional New Orleans jazz. Topping the list is Adam Rudegeair’s Bayou Tapestry with Henry Manetta. Rudegeair is a Melbourne jazz musician who frequently dabbles with funk, hip hop and contemporary R&B. In 2011 he released the album Bayou Tapestry, which saw him fully embrace his longstanding interest in New Orleans funk. Also on board are party-starting brass band the Horns of Leroy, whose existence was founded around a series of New Orleans inspired street parties. Then there’s the Always For Pleasure All Stars led by Kerri Simpson. Known for her tremendous adaptability into whatever genre she chooses,
is the new star on the block for turning out new talent. We’re a destination city, we’re a music city unlike any other music city. The amount of talent in this city is scarily good, and I’m just glad to be a part of it.” Live N Local runs for seven days and nights in the lead up to St Kilda Festival’s closing bonanza, Festival Sunday. During this time several local venues will welcome punters in for a series of free live performances. Live N Local also includes a number of music related workshops aimed at educating all manner of musicians about everything from A&R to production. “I’m doing three sessions myself,” says Dalton. “I’m really excited about them. I’m doing a record producer panel, because obviously I’ve been a record producer for about 36 years. I’m the really old fart on the panel. We’re going to have a really good old chat about the role of a record producer. And right at the end of the festival, I’m going to be doing a workshop on A&R. We’ll get an old demo or audition video, throw it up on the wall, have a talk about it and give some clues. Then we’ll throw it open to the audience for 30 or 40 minutes, brainstorm it and see what we can come up with.” ST KILDA FESTIVAL’s Live N Local program runs from Sunday February 7 to Saturday February 13, and features plenty of live bands, workshops, seminars, artist development sessions and more. See stkildafestival.com.au for more info.
be it blues, R&B or gospel, Simpson’s well placed to match the theme of the day. Bringing proceedings to a close is Jazz Party. Hot New Orleans jazz is their bread and butter, served with a dose of infectious energy that more than delivers on the party promise of their name. Over the last few years Jazz Party have been holding down month-long Monday Night residencies at a range of Melbourne venues, but they’ll break out of habit for a special Fat Tuesday performance. “I thought they’d really finish the day off nicely,” says Walsh. “I’m just quite gobsmacked by their treatment of trad jazz and they have a Hank Williams connection as well. They are good and they will entertain people. Great piano player in that band, just fantastic. There’s a good sax player, then they’ve got an amazing woman who sings too, and a terrific horn section. So they’ve kind of got everything.” There’ll be plenty of food to match the theme, notably gumbo, jambalaya and po’ boy offerings courtesy of Po’ Boy Quarter and Ding Dong’s Girl with the Gris Gris Louisiana kitchen. Bluebonnet BBQ will also be on hand with their Texas BBQ menu and Taco Truck are serving up their famous fresh tacos. “It’s a nice cross section of food. Plenty of good food offerings from experienced hands. It’ll be about eating, drinking, dancing and having fun.” Indeed, despite happening early in the week, the organisers have faced no difficulty making Fat Tuesday a day of tremendous partying and celebration. “Last year was chaos. Seven thousand people came. It was a tsunami of people. We’re asking for some forgiveness from last year because it was so chaotic. The area’s fenced, it’s more central, there’ll be more order attached to it. People want this to work, they want it to be a nice day on the calendar. We can be the alternative Tuesday to the Melbourne Cup.” FAT TUESDAY NEW ORLEANS FESTIVAL happens on Tuesday February 9 at Piazza Italia, Carlton, with live performances from Adam Rudegeair’s Bayou Tapestry with Henry Manetta, Jazz Party, Horns of Leroy and more, as well as food from Po’ Boy Quarter, Girl with the Gris Gris, Bluebonnet BBQ and Taco Truck. Tickets essential, on sale now.
CORE
PUNK, SKA, HARDCORE NEWS, REVIEWS & GOSSIP with EMILY KELLY ek1984@gmail.com
Clowns and Frenzal Rhomb made the news last week when an attendee at their Ulladulla show issued an official written complaint about the gig. She described it as “disgusting” and “utterly horrifying, saying that “debauchery like this may suit the riff raff in Sydney, where violence and crass behaviour is celebrated and practised on a daily basis, but I believe I speak for all of us here in Ulladulla when I say that filth like this should never be welcomed in our clean, positive and family friendly community.” She went on to ask for a refund. Excellent work, guys.
Jeff Rosenstock has announced a trip to Australia to promote his recent solo album We Cool? He’ll take in Wollongong and Newcastle as well as Reverence Hotel on Friday March 4. Antarctigo Vespucci and Camp Cope will support on all dates. Ceremony are also returning this March in support of The L-Shaped Man, their fifth studio album. The Bendigo Hotel will host on Thursday March 24. Tickets available from January 29. Scalphunter were recently voted Best Punk/ Hardcore act at the WA Music Awards and they’ve decided to take that momentum and launch a new single, Men With Square Eyes. Stay tuned for a full-length LP and some accompanying national dates. Leftöver Crack have been an enduring force in international crust punk for at least a decade. The anarcho-punks will tour Australia this March, bringing their thought-provoking lyrics to the Bendigo on Sunday March 27 and Monday March 28 (all ages). Tickets available now.
CRUNCH
and their latest release Colliding Skies was heralded as one of 2015’s best progressive heavy albums. Jack The Stripper released the critically acclaimed Raw Nerve in 2013 and have supported The Dillinger Escape Plan, Cancer Bats, King Parrot, Northlane and Ne Obliviscaris. And Dyssidia has quickly METAL, HEAVY ROCK. CLASSIC ROCK LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL become a force to be reckoned with, gracing stages with internationally acclaimed acts GOOD SHIT such as Opeth, Tesseract, The Ocean with PETER HODGSON and Klone. crunchcolumn@gmail.com
NEW ARTISTS FOR WILD THING PRESENTS
Chaos Divine, Jack The Stripper and Dyssidia have all joined the roster of Melbourne-based touring, bookings and management company Wild Thing Presents. They join Caligula’s Horse, AlithiA, Glass Ocean, and Orsome Welles. Chaos Divine have supported Slayer, Mastodon, TesseracT, Animals As Leaders and Between The Buried And Me,
FIRST SHOW OF 2016 FOR THE KILL
This Saturday January 30 catch the first show of 2016 for the mighty grind machine that is The Kill at the Bendigo Hotel. Come down to body bang to the sounds of blast and thrash. Other acts on the night are Internal Rot, Sickness, Sewercide, Christ Crusher and the debut of Blindspot.
NEW KILLSWITCH ENGAGE
Metalcore pioneers Killswitch Engage are
Millencolin are coming back. After releasing one of the best punk rock albums of 2015, they’re headlining a big ol’ Australian tour throughout April/May. The True Brew Australian tour will arrive at 170 Russell in on Tuesday May 3. Tickets are on sale now. After much speculation and a dash of controversy, Legion Festival – dubbed the Soundwave replacement festival – has been pushed back to January 2017 to coincide with the Australia Day long weekend. “We did everything in our power to make Legion happen this year but given a couple of hurdles that we’d had to face over the last few weeks we made the positive decision that it’s in everyone’s best interest that we do this in a way that’s as sustainable as possible”. Organiser John Sankey noted that trouble securing venues, council issues and Easter weekend timing all contributed to the decision. Poison City have revealed they’ll release Camp Cope’s debut LP in April this year. The three-piece are fronted by Georgia pleased to announce the release date of their seventh album, Incarnate. The album will be out on Friday March 11 on Roadrunner Records. Rolling Stone selected it as one of the 25 most anticipated metal albums of 2016 and the band is currently gracing the cover of Revolver in a Star Wars-themed issue that reveals key details about the album. The band recently premiered the brand new song and video for Strength of the Mind via Nerdist.
MESSENGER ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM
London progressive psychedelic rockers Messenger have signed to InsideOutMusic for the release of their forthcoming second album Threnodies, due on the April 22. “We’re very excited about our new journey with InsideOut and we hope that this new venture will take the band to the next level,” they said. “Threnodies was written and recorded over three months at Orgone Studios in
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Maq and have been gigging relentlessly since inception. The album was recorded and mixed at new Melbourne studio Holes and Corners by Sam Johnstone. Camp Cope will tour with Jeff Rosenstock this March.
GIGS
The Bennies have announced that preorders for their new album Windom Machine will be available from Poison City from Thursday January 28. They’ll tour nationally with Adelaide’s Hightime and US band Off With Their Heads throughout March/April. They’ve booked in a show at the Corner Hotel on Friday April 1 with tickets already moving quickly.
FRNKIERO (ACOUSTIC IN-STORE) At Eureka Rebellion DALLAS CRANE at The Grand Hotel THE MEANIES, CLOWNS, HEADS OF CHARMS at Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
Fear Like Us and Hoodlum Shouts will tour together in February having both been toiling away making new albums over the last year. Make sure you lock in Friday February 12 to catch them at The Old Bar with Older Men and Freak Wave. Stay tuned for details on the official release of new music.
London with our drummer Jaime Gomez Arellano handling the production and engineering duties. We like to think of it as an evolution of our first release Illusory Blues. We went to places we haven’t been before, while still keeping our identity. It’s a modern day mix of progressive rock, hard rock and psychedelia.”
NEW GRAVE PLEASURES VIDEO
Formed out of the debris of Beastmilk – the band that had indie kids, goths, punks and the music press dancing to their highly praised debut album Climax in 2013 – Grave Pleasures are taking the concept of the apocalypse one step further. This time it’s personal. In May 2015, this impressive lineup entered the studio together with award-winning producer Tom Dalgety (Killing Joke, Royal Blood). The result is a complex and feverish set of modern rock songs. Featuring urban tribal rhythms, potent melancholia, raw pop sensibility
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 27:
GIRLPOOL, SUMMER FLAKE at The Reverence
FRIDAY JANUARY 29:
SATURDAY JANUARY 30:
THE HARD ACHES, CAMP COPE, FOLEY, TIRED BREEDS at The Reverence PAPER ARMS, TOTALLY UNICORN, THE SINKING TEETH, LAURA PALMER at The Reverence SENTINEL, DREGG, BLCKLST at Bang DISENTOMB, I VALIANCE, ICONOCLAST, BLIND ORACLE at The Evelyn LASER BRAINS, BAD VISION, WOLFPACK, AS A RIVAL, GRAVE ST BLUES at The Old Bar THE KILL, INTERNAL ROT, SICKNESS, SEWERCIDE, CHRIST CRUSHER, BLINDSPOT at The Bendigo Hotel
SUNDAY JANUARY 31:
THE HARD ACHES, CAMP COPE, STEPH HUGHES at The Old Bar LINCOLN LEFEVRE at The Reverence and irreverent ferociousness, Dreamcrash is seductive one minute, and a cold shower of harsh reality the next. And they’ve just released a video for the track Girl In A Vortex.
ALITHIA HITS THE ROAD
Fresh from supporting Dead Letter Circus and Caligula’s Horse, Melbourne’s psychedelic rock dogs AlithiA will be hitting the road for a national tour in support of their latest single and music video Sacrifice. Catch them at Cherry Bar on Saturday February 27 with Jack The Stripper and Anember.
MEET PURROXIDE
Purroxide are a new grunge/punk/ weirdo band from the Latrobe Valley and Melbourne who formed early in 2015 and have just started playing live. Catch them at The Brunswick Hotel on Friday January 29.
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As Australia Day drew near, it was fitting to see three triple j success stories joining together to kick off the long weekend for their Melbourne fans. Instantly captivating, Montaigne’s opening set blended brand new unnamed tracks with those from her 2014 release, Life Of Montaigne, including A Cinematic Plea For An End and I Am Not An End, plus recent single Clip My Wings. Montaigne soon ditched the microphone stand to let loose in I’m A Fantastic Wreck, reaching her vocal and visual peak while dancing across the stage with quirky limb extension. It wasn’t long until the crowd put their hands together for Queensland’s Art Of Sleeping. With a deep, sultry tone, Caleb Hodges was a versatile and incredibly powerful frontman, especially in the rock anthems Empty Hands and Voodoo. Moving through I Could Make You Happy, Bleeding Out, Above The Water, The Cage and Crazy in classy fashion, the indie-rock unit sang about the pleasures and perils of unrequited love.
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Standing under a flood of yellow lights, Sydney foot tappers Boy & Bear looked as suave as ever. Dave Symes’ rolling bass riffs led the group into Old Town Blues, which was followed by the newbie, Where’d You Go. Steadfastly honouring older material, the folk rock heroes offered up fan favourites Rabbit Song, Lordy May and Bridges before fast-forwarding to their latest record Limit Of Love. From the slower tempos of Break Down Slow and Man Alone to the tambourine shaking of Hollow Ground and A Thousand Faces, the 2015 release sure is diverse. Mixing it up with a rendition of Amy Winehouse’s Back To Black, Boy & Bear had the entire crowd in their emotionallycharged palms. The clear standout was 2011 hit Feeding Line, alongside Golden Jubilee and Southern Sun. Between the gutsy trio of guitars and many layered vocal melodies, the collective’s onstage efforts didn’t go unnoticed.
Photo by David Harris
By Phoebe Robertson LOVED: The oldies going hard in front of me. HATED: The oldies going hard in front of me. DRANK: Sweet nothing.
HOT CHIP
Photo by Ian Laidlaw
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A day after headlining Sugar Mountain, Hot Chip treat Melbourne to a one-off sideshow with support from Sydney’s Touch Sensitive. Writhing around behind his bass and elaborate keyboard set up, Touch Sensitive’s Michael Di Francesco warms up the early crowd with his undeniably good synth-house vibes. Despite a massive weekend, the crowd is pumping from the get-go, welcoming Hot Chip to the stage with a roar. In spite of Why Make Sense? being less than a year old, the band opts to include only three tracks from the album. They open with its first single Huarache Lights and drive home their second act with the follow up single Need You Now. Romantic deep cut Love Is The Future also makes an appearance, flooding the floor with purple disco lighting that gives off ‘90s prom vibes. Hot Chip bash out half of 2012’s stellar
JOANNA NEWSOM HAMER HALL
TUESDAY JANUARY 19
It’s a fuddy-duddy attitude to decry the use of pre-recorded sounds as a means of enhancing the palette of expressive colours available to a live musician. These days everyone from Beyoncé and Kanye West to Nick Cave and Radiohead do so, and for the most part to great effect. But in a time when triggered sounds and backing tracks are such common onstage accomplices, seeing a small ensemble work hard to recreate the full scope of sounds from a studio recording has become a rare treat. Joanna Newsom and her four comrades are all elaborately well-studied musicians, and tonight each band member displayed their abilities while carrying out a multitude of instrumental tasks. The joy of watching this band committedly exercise their technical excellence cannot be overstated. In the popular music setting, we’re perhaps more appreciative of songs than technical aptitude. As a result, advanced instrumental activity is often perceived as overly showy. However, if that was a worry ahead of tonight’s show, as soon as Newsom began working the harp strings on Bridges and Balloons, all reservations disappeared. Adopting a tone of rambling quirkiness, Newsom and co. took us to a happy place. Along the way, there was not a single outof-place harp pluck or superfluous vocal melisma – at least not as far as the senses BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 28
could detect. Newsom spent much of the night sat astride the glorious pedal harp she’s nearsynonymously associated with. An earset microphone allowed her to move freely without worrying about losing any of the vocal. Her latest album Divers filled half the setlist, and the album’s heightened focus on the piano led her to regularly hop over to the grand piano at the back of the stage. Elsewhere, her band members made use of violin, viola, electric guitar, tambura and drumkit. There were several moments of resplendent novelty. At fleeting occasions the drums pounded with carnival necessity, making a striking impact. During one song two circular mbiras (African hand pianos) were utilised to echo Newsom’s harp lines; while another song saw the three musicians to Newsom’s right each pick up a recorder (two sopranos, one bass). For many, the recorder remains a primary school grievance, but the three played in unison created a wonderful distorted sound that wasn’t too dissimilar to a soaring violin. From the winding sequences of Monkey and Bear through Divers highlights Anecdotes and Sapokanikan and Have On Me triumphs In California and the title track, we were enveloped in a world of Appalachian dreaming and baroque colour. As the end drew near, one felt encouraged to closely observe the various instrumentalists so as to fully soak up the mastery on display. BY AUGUSTUS WELBY LOVED: Skill. HATED: Ineptitude. DRANK: Peaches, plums, pears. IF YOU ARE READING THIS YOU ARE TOO CLOSE
In Our Heads, including an especially lush rendition of slow-burner Look At Where We Are. Earlier hits such as Over and Over go down just as well as their younger siblings – really, every song in the setlist goes down a treat. The joy in the crowd is tangible and there’s barely a mobile phone camera to be seen. The encore includes classics such as Ready For The Floor and I Feel Better, before culminating in the ultimate crowd-pleaser – a cover of Dancing In The Dark that leads into LCD Soundsystem’s All My Friends. The crazy fun vibe in the crowd affirms what Hot Chip are good at: producing innovative and exciting dance music that displays heart. Flitting between frenzied rave and slow dance romance, it’s hard to imagine an equivalent dance gig in recent history. By Ali Schnabel LOVED: Everything, from start to finish. HATED: No Boy From School. DRANK: One beer at the start – too much dancing for anything else. Photo by Ian Laidlaw
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SUGAR MOUNTAIN VICTORIAN COLLEGE OF THE ARTS SATURDAY JANUARY 23
Round two for Sugar Mountain at the VCA, and the morning clouds rolled away just in time for the festival to roll out a lineup that took risks while also satisfying less demanding listeners. City Calm Down were up early, confirming that Joy Division’s impact on the youth is as strong as ever. When it came to potent British sounds, however, Kate Tempest wasn’t just the day’s finest representative, but surely one of the world’s most piercingly incisive social rappers. Firing out verses in rapid motion is itself a captivating signature, but Tempest’s magnetism stemmed chiefly from her elaborately organised observations of the soul destruction perpetrated by the neo-liberal hierarchy. Despite the heavy substance, it was neither off-putting nor hard to follow. Tempest is compulsively drawn to her artistic practice, investing all the time necessary to equip her songs with intellect, educated opinion, and enough empathy to make her words speak to you, not at you. Royal Headache were at last back in
Melbourne and happy to take us through their new LP, High. A mismatched crew, they followed Tempest’s lead in showing us that regular-lookin’ folks have the best ideas. Frontman Shogun trampled across the Dodds Street stage like he was shaking off a cyanide injection, while adding a blackened char to his already visceral vocal lines. Despite forcing you to stand in an inhospitable gravel pit, the Car Park stage was the place to be for much of the afternoon, playing host to a succession of contemporary innovators. After the leadoff of remodelled hip hop from Sampa the Great and Tempest, Empress Of brought her deviant pop to the stage. With a drummer and keyboardist helping to minimise the amount of midi triggering, Brooklyn’s Lorely Rodriguez served up a super smoothie of energy, showcasing the majority of her debut LP, Me. The envelope pushing continued with Le1f, the animated New Yorker immediately hooking in the curious crowd. His show foremostly succeeded as
a piece of performance art – his pineapple hairdo, extravagant movements and duo of backing dancers shining above the songcraft. Empress Of stood side stage and did her best to keep up with the choreographed dancing, and otherwise appeared genuinely enraptured, which enhanced the overall spectacle. Dam Funk spent a lot of time wailing on a keytar, blissfully inhabiting a world of his own. It was wonderfully amusing, although the small crowd size was a little dispiriting. Having just marked a trail through some of the nation’s more sophisticated theatres, Courtney Barnett was able to let loose on the Dodds Street stage. Over a 12-month period of near-constant touring, Barnett and her two sidekicks have developed great malleability. Today they made towering over a buzzing festival crowd seem like a cakewalk, giving us unresolved angst (Small Poppies), sing-along melancholy (Depreston) and charged-up, speak-sung rock’n’roll (Pedestrian At Best). Anticipation for the Dirty Three was
smeared on peoples’ faces ever since the sun broke through several hours earlier. Warren Ellis, Jim White and Mick Turner didn’t have to fight for the crowd’s affection; they were greeted like figures of eminence. They did, however, fully vindicate the onlookers’ devotion, traipsing broadly through their catalogue. Each song came with a prologue of absurdist stream-of-consciousness ranting from Ellis, speaking of such things as marrying Rupert Murdoch and being held hostage in the boot of a car, for example. On a more serious note, two songs were dedicated to those either dead or dying, and he also told us they’d be putting the Dirty Three “to bed” for a while after this show. The exposition of cruel misfortune transmitted in a seemingly rambling manner applied to their music as well. Dirty Three don’t care much for orderliness – the three instrumentalists each occupy their own space in which they flex primal feelings, but their energies coalesce to create something utterly illogical, and yet
completely vital. Abetted by the fading light, we felt vulnerability from Sea Above Sky Below, viewed battered beauty in Everything’s Fucked and were lifted up by the circus-like zeal of The Zither Player. They’re a hard act to follow, but Hot Chip proved an apt successor to Dirty Three. The London synth pop collective facilitated a place of warmth and familiarity while rolling out all the hits – Over and Over, One Life Stand, Ready for the Floor, I Feel Better. Denying the urge to dance would’ve been most prudelike, never mind how wearied you were from a day on your feet. For a festival of its size, there’s nothing quite like Sugar Mountain. Let’s hope it hasn’t peaked. BY AUGUSTUS WELBY LOVED: Sunshine on a cloudy day. HATED: Sunburn. DRANK: Quite a bit, I’d say.
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A L B U M
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HEARTLAND RECORDS TOP TEN
T H U R S D AY 2 8 T H J A N U A RY
WEEKLY TRIVIA
1. Third Man Records Anthology 2LP VARIOUS ARTISTS 2. Hot In The Shade LP KISS 3. Never to be Forgotten Stax Collection 1968-1974 7” Box Set VARIOUS ARTISTS 4. Hoffnung CD LACRIMOSA 5. Silent Alarm Ltd edition LP BLOC PARTY 6. Some Kind of Heroin 2LP MORTIIS 7. Three Snakes & One Charm 2LP THE BLACK CROWES 8. Grace Under Pressure LP RUSH 9. In levitating Secret Dreams 7” JESS AND THE ANCIENT ONES 10. Matador at 21: History of Matador 1989-2010 5CD Box Set VARIOUS ARTISTS
BY QUESTION 1 PRIZES & GIVEAWAYS! FROM 8PM. CONTACT THE VENUE FOR TABLE BOOKINGS. F R I D AY 2 9 T H J A N U A RY MAIN BAR FROM 9.30PM
FUNK RABBIT
THE RUBY ROGERS EXPERIENCE DJ’S
RECORD PARADISE TOP TEN
KODIAK KID / NAZ / MAARS S AT U R D AY 3 0 T H J A N U A RY MAIN BAR FROM 9PM
PEOPLES PALACE VELVET BOW THE SWEETS DJ’S
OBLIVEUS / NO NAME NATH / LEEMAN S U N D AY 3 1 S T J A N U A RY
ONE DAY SUNDAY DJ’S
JOYRIDE / RAPH / LUPI / NES / SENSIBLE J / MZRIZK / BILLY HOYLE M O N D AY 1 S T F E B R U A RY
$10 LONGNECKS $4 PIZZA & FREE POOL
NO ZU
Afterlife (Chapter Music) Afterlife, the second album by Melbourne collective No Zu, is a party. A very well thought out and expertly delivered party, designed to hit you deep in the pleasure glands, as the music shifts and reveals its changing layers. No Zu execute an especially funky take on worldbeat; the 1980s subgenre that took African grooves, Latin percussion, and matched them with the horns, synths and drum sounds popular in that decade. No Zu’s version also incorporates dub remixing techniques and club beats, making for a beautiful mash-up of sounds that finds a meeting point for pop, funk and dub.
FREE Popcorn + Candy Bar purchases available. 8PM
WEEKLY FOOD SPECIALS
SUNDAY - $10 ROAST MONDAY - $10 CARNE ASADA TUESDAY - $10 NACHOS WEDNESDAY - $10 TORTAS THURSDAY - $10 PARMA
(VEG. OPT. AVAIAL)
$4 PIZZAS
MON-FRI 12PM TO 5PM
ALWAYS FREE ENTRY INSIDE & OUTSIDE
420 SYDNEY RD, BRUNSWICK (03) 9380 8667, INFO@THEPENNYBLACK.COM FACEBOOK.COM/THEPENNYBLACK.420SYDNEYROAD
There’s plenty of variety in the mix too – After Lifestyle exhibits the Latin influence more explicitly, and closer Zeus Zam, with its pulsing rhythm and pitched male vocal, strongly recalls Yello’s Oh Yeah.
The tracks are built around simple grooves and insistent kick drums and topped with layers of synths, re-pitched and chanted vocals, percussion, gated snares and horns. These elements come and go throughout, with the focus always remaining on the beat. The eight-piece group are the brainchild of Nicolaas Oogjes, whose adventurousness can be heard
BY ALEX WATTS
SINGLE REVIEWS WITH LACHLAN
FREE MOVIE NIGHT:
127 HOURS
throughout this 45-minute album. Oogjes has used the No Zu name for different band/semi-solo incarnations since 2007 and he describes his music as heat beat – a tongue-in-cheek attempt at creating his own genre. However, the influence of LCD Soundsystem, Talking Heads, Brian Ferry, Liquid Liquid and Primal Scream can all be heard.
Ui Yia Uia is built around a simple synth bass line and kick drum rhythm, but the hand drums, weird synth effects and vocals build and descend, creating moments of anticipation as well as genuine euphoria as the track reaches its peak in a blast of horns and wild sax soloing. This is powerful, funky stuff, true believers.
T U E S D AY 2 N D F E B R U A RY
@THEPENNYBLACK
Sugar Mountain was great, but there were too many hipsters.
KANYE WEST FEAT. KENDRICK LAMAR No More Parties In LA (Universal) This is fun. Kanye goes in, sounding like he’s racing the beat to purge thought, his focus everywhere, which plays to his strengths. K-Dot’s verse is solid, Ye is honest, “High speed turbo thoughts,” the biggest punchline coming in another shoutout to the laptopstealing cousin. Yeezy season approachin’ with the Swish tracklist arriving with the proclamation “So happy to be finished with the best album of all time.” Let’s see. IGGY POP Gardenia (Caroline) It’s easy to be sceptical of new Iggy Pop material, especially for those burned by The Stooges’ 2007 infinitely shit The Weirdness. Gardenia, the first taste of Iggy Pop’s surprise new album Post Pop Depression (recorded with Josh Homme), is not bad. Not great.
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But not bad. Pop is in croon mode, a little like Sister Midnight without the danger. A few lyrical clunkers, a dearth of magic moments. Passable, but forgettable. PET SHOP BOYS Inner Sanctum (x2) A spaced out early-AM club banger, Inner Sanctum is a breathy build to a tasteful drop, an exercise in restraint – to its own detriment, feeling too brief, falling short of potential reward. There’s still worth to be found here, a solid reminder of Pet Shop Boys’ continued relevance. JONAH AND SANDY Fishy Swishy (Independent) A charmer of a pop ditty, Fishy Swishy sees Jonah (15) and Sandy (10) flex melodic chops in an ode to pescetarian dining, never too jokey as to be abrasive, endearing despite its novelty factor. Good on them for having a go.
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CAMP COPE Lost: Season One (Poison City) I’ll never forget that day, rocking up to school, classes virtually a write-off as we spoke about what happened the night before (the discourse was primarily IRL those days, Videogum recaps still a few seasons away). “They took Walt. Who is they? Fuck. What’s in the hatch?” The morning after the season one finale was a great madness – we were kids, joining minds, coming up with bullshit theories. Camp Cope’s Lost: Season One plays on the reference, direct and indirect, nu-nostalgia compounding a wistful yearning. It’s well-crafted emotional rock.
E
THE DRONES To Think That I Once Loved You (Tropical Fuck Storm) Farrrrrrken hell.
THE_PENNYBLACK
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 30
Top Tens
HOW SICK IS MUSIC? HEAPS WICKED
W E
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1. Adore Life SAVAGES 2. Tyrannamen TYRANNAMEN 3. Cubist Blues ALAN VEGA,ALEX CHILTON,BEN VAUGHN 4. High ROYAL HEADACHE 5. Not To Disappear DAUGHTER 6. Art Angels GRIMES 7. Leave Me Alone HINDS 8. It’s You GOLD CLASS 9. Paper Mache Dream Balloon KING GIZZARD AND THE LIZARD WIZARD 10. Ratchet SHAMIR
AIR TOP TEN SINGLES
1. Never Be Like You FLUME FEAT. KAI 2. Higher HILLTOP HOODS FEAT. JAMES CHATBURN 3. The Trouble With Us MARCUS MARR & CHET FAKER 4. Fire And The Flood VANCE JOY 5. Say A Prayer For Me RÜFÜS 6. Alive SIA 7. Hoops THE RUBENS 8. Reaper SIA 9. Cheap Thrills SIA 10. You Were Right RÜFÜS
BEAT’S TOP TEN SONGS ABOUT HANGOVERS
1. Bloody Mary Morning WILLIE NELSON 2. Dust Bunnies KURT VILE 3. My Head Hurts, My Feet Stink and I Don’t Love Jesus JIMMY BUFFETT 4. Sunday Morning Comin’ Down JOHNNY CASH 5. Alcohol THE KINKS 6. See What She Seeing DIRTY PROJECTORS 7. The Night Before LEE HAZLEWOOD 8. What Good Can Drinkin Do? JANIS JOPLIN 9. The Good Times Are Killing Me MODEST MOUSE 10. The Hangover FUNKOARS
BEAT’S TOP TEN SONGS TO SOOTH YOUR HANGOVER 1. Holes MERCURY REV 2. Wild Is The Wind DAVID BOWIE 3. Untitled D’ANGELO 4. The Sing BILL CALLAHAN 5. Lillies BAT FOR LASHES 6. Porcelain MOBY 7. All I Need AIR 8. Glosoli SIGUR ROS 9. Wind On Water FRIPP & ENO 10. Breathe This Air JON HOPKINS
BEA
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M U S I C
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W E E K ’ S
IEWS FOR M
T H I S
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ALBUM REVIEWS
.A
/R
CK
R E V I E W
RÜFÜS
SAL KIMBER & THE ROLLIN’ WHEEL
BLOOM (Sweat It Out)
SIA
THIS IS ACTING (Inertia)
SOUTHERN LIGHT
(Vitamin Records)
As far as dance music coming out of Australia in the 2010s is concerned, RÜFÜS are less mere participants in the genre and more standard-bearers by which everything else is measured. Don’t believe it? Consider this: It’s been two-and-a-half years since their chart-topping debut LP, Atlas, and the lion’s share of their contemporaries are still playing catch-up. 2015 saw RÜFÜS drop a trifecta of massive singles in the lead-up to their sophomore album. The ravey You Were Right, the pristine and poppy Like An Animal, and the expansive and hugely-ambitious nine minute of bliss, Innerbloom stand as some of the group’s most impressive songs to date. While it’s great that RÜFÜS chose to put their best foot forward, it could be argued that doing so means they’ve somewhat fumbled the delivery of Bloom. Nothing on the album comes close to these three songs, especially not such misguided moments as the quasi-soulful Be with You. Still, a strong start in the form of Brighter and a thrilling finale thanks to the aforementioned Innerbloom ensures there is enough to warrant both your attention and your dancing shoes. BY DAVID JAMES YOUNG
Like fellow Aussie combo The Verses, Sal Kimber & The Rollin’ Wheel are skilled purveyors of smooth, hook laden roots-infused pop rock that slides effortlessly into the listener’s memory bank. The last few years have exposed Kimber to plenty of new audiences, as she toured across Canada, appeared on SBS TV’s RocKwiz and supported the likes of Kasey Chambers, Tim Rogers and The Waifs. Her third album Southern Light has a relaxed vibe and a lightness of touch, which makes it the ideal accompaniment to endless sun-drenched summer days. Kimber is joined on this record by friends such as Chris Parkinson (The Yearlings), Ben Franz (The Waifs) and Rebecca Barnard. Kimber brings a natural soulfulness to songs such as Hunter and Burrawang while Shane O’ Mara’s sensitive production allows the songs ample space to breathe. One of the album highlights is the effortless groove and melodic-yet-rockin’ guitar that burns through the catchy Come a Knockin’. The deft songwriting and subtly powerful musicianship that characterises Southern Light is likely to inspire listeners to catch Kimber and the Rollin’ Wheel on their upcoming Southern Summer Halls tour.
Let’s make something clear: Sia Furler is one of the most distinctive, powerful voices in 21st century pop music. From her breakthrough collaborations with Zero 7 through stunning, career-defining moments like Breathe Me, Soon We’ll Be Found and Chandelier, Furler has created outside-the-box pop music for the lovelorn, wounded and hopeful. But that’s the thing – it’s all come from a very deep and very personal place. An album composed of songs that were written for other people to sing doesn’t really sit right when the person singing them has come to define her own work through introspection and honesty. It’s one thing to make it a feature or a hook, another to hear the songs written for others. As a result, you can’t shake the feeling that something is missing from This is Acting. It’s distracting to know and identify who each song was written for – Bird Set Free for Adele, Cheap Thrills for Rihanna. As wonderful as Sia’s voice is, it’s difficult for her to truly connect to these songs. While an interesting prospect in theory, This is Acting finds Sia trying to breathe life into songs that just aren’t going to reach those same heights. A shame.
BY GRAHAM BLACKLEY
BY DAVID JAMES YOUNG
MAJICAL CLOUDZ
BASEMENT
WAIT & SEE (Remote Control)
Wait & See is a surprise new release from Canadian duo Majical Cloudz. The five-track EP features songs that didn’t make their latest album, Are You Alone? It’s the kind of thing that avid fans will devour and dissect, precious offerings despite their status as offcuts. As noted by vocalist Devon Welsh, although these five tracks didn’t fit the album, “there is a feeling that links them all together.” Each track features Matthew Otto’s signature sparse production with Welsh’s gliding vocals. Welsh’s vocals lead the surrounding melody of the title track and opener. There is a confronting sincerity to Let Me Lie, with Welsh singing “I don’t need you / I don’t know / I am losing my mind.” The song includes the softest of beats to match the pulses of synths. It finishes peacefully, melding into the lighter washes of Pretty. With Welsh’s vocals forming such an essential a component of the music, one has to make a conscious attempt to hear their lyrics whilst listening. Across Wait & See, Welsh addresses another subject in relation to himself; the words “you”, “I” and “we” come up regularly. While the action concerns characters separate to oneself, the emotive quality of Welsh’s voice makes you think of yourself. There’s a darkness to his words in My Heart Soaks Up Every Drop Of Your Blood, but in contrast to the somewhat graphic title, the songs finishes the EP on a note of hope. The common emotive thread to Wait & See makes the collection of tracks feel more complete than the term “leftovers” would suggest. It stands independently of Majical Cloudz’ other work, with a subtle breadth that lets each song breathe as its own.
WET ONES
PROMISE EVERY THING (Run For Cover)
The return of Basement was completely unexpected, given the relatively short period between their supposed “final” show and the announcement they actually weren’t finished yet. If Promise succeeds at one thing, however, it’s that it serves as an ends to justify the means. This is an album that swiftly and definitively trumps the band’s two previous LPs – and neither were slouches in any respect. Promise Anything consists of grunge-tinged alt-rock sprinkled with melodic lessons learned from turn of the century punk rock. Though, what sets its apart are the sharper dynamic twists and paced-out emotive bursts. Lead single Aquasun is one of the best examples of this approach working in Basement’s favour, with washed-out verses leading up to a walloping chorus. The title track packs plenty of information into its two and a half minute runtime, churning out frenetic pedal-stomping riffs and executing a solid compromise between the band’s past and present. That, in turn, should hopefully mean more promising things for Basement’s future. Promise Everything is already one of the year’s most rewarding rock records, affirming that the band’s second wind was worthwhile. BY DAVID JAMES YOUNG
WET ONES (Slovenly Recordings)
All good punk records should sound like they’ve been recorded in someone’s basement. Wet Ones’ self-titled debut album, released through Slovenly Recordings, does exactly that. Describing themselves as trash rock, Wet Ones have been tearing up the US punk scene since forming a little over a year ago. The hype surrounding their first full length is not surprising, considering the band includes members from Fag Cop, Mouthbreakers and Rooftop Vigilantes. These guys clearly know what they’re doing and this album packs a formidable punch. Piercing vocals that could skin a live rat feature brazenly across all tracks, with a steady mix of grungy and erratic compositions. Having said that, there’s a few songs peppered with some exceptionally satisfactory melodies. Each song on the album brings contrasting flavours, while maintaining overall cohesion and a firm punk aesthetic. This could partly be because the members regularly swap their instruments depending on what the track requires. The rollicking ride that is I Live Life Reckless is a standout; likewise Static, which features a thumping tempo with outbursts of crazy guitar. Tracks like Get Me Off and Casino contain the often volatile and uncompromising lyrics the band’s become known for. It’s hard to pick a favourite when every song takes the listener on a debaucherously wild adventure. BY BEL RYAN
BY ANGELA CHRISTIAN-WILKES
ALBUM REVIEWS - BECAUSE YOU CARE WHAT WE THINK
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 31
GIG GUIDE
WE TIGERS + PLASTIC PINK + HARVEST Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. $8.00.
WINE WHISKEY WOMEN - FEAT: TRACEY HOGUE + KATE MULQUEEN Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 8:00pm.
WEDNESDAY JAN 27
YOSSARIAN The Loft, Warrnambool. 7:00pm. ADAM RUDEGEAIR TRIO Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $15.00.
THE WILD COMFORTS
TH E RE T R E AT Roots quartet The Wild Comforts are heading down to The Retreat to launch ten new cracking songs about everything from the deep pain of family discord to the frustrations of domestic life this Wednesday January 27. There’ll be ballads, bawlers, brawlers and heartbreakers shouted all night long with absolutely no filler. Get down to The Retreat and catch The Wild Comforts kick things off from 8.30pm with free entry.
BIG EASY SOUL SESSIONS Carlton Club, Melbourne
MIXED BAG
WHOL E LOT TA LOVE Get an early start to the weekend at Whole Lotta Love this Thursday with a stack of musical offerings. Goose and the 64 50’s are planning to put on a musical extravaganza, and Mornington Peninsula experimental act The Moody Spooks are joining in on the action too. Not to be left out of the reverence is Rat Renior, the creative tour de force behind rat fueled rock ‘n’ roll, and finally Daniel Barling’s The T-Shirt People. It’s a mixed bag of music at Whole Lotta Love this Thursday January 28. Doors open 7pm with free entry.
Cbd. 8:00pm.
BOHJASS 303, Northcote. 8:30pm.
MIDNIGHT EXPRESS - FEAT: PREQUEL + EDD FISHER Toff
DANIEL GASSIN Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd.
In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm.
8:00pm. $15.00.
MINTON’S PLAYHOUSE SESSIONS - FEAT: THE MINTON
DIZZY’S BIG BAND WITH PETER HEARNE Dizzy’s Jazz
PLAYBOYS HOUSE BAND The B.east, Brunswick East.
Club, Richmond. 8:00pm. $10.00.
9:00pm.
CLASS ACTS #6 - FEAT: PILLOW PRO + KARLI WHITE +
LOCAL CALL - FEAT: RINTRAH Railway Hotel ,
PAPA G & THE STARCATS + SEX ON TOAST DJS Evelyn
GOLDEN SYRUP Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood.
Brunswick. 6:00pm.
Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $8.00.
8:30pm.
SONIC EXPEDITION - FEAT: TOM SHOWTIME & TIM WIGG
THE GOOD EGG THURSDAYS - FEAT: HENRY WHO +
OPEN MIC Hidden Garden, Ascot Vale. 7:00pm.
DJS Belleville, Melbourne. 6:00pm.
TIGERFUNK + LEWIS CANCUT Lucky Coq, Windsor.
OPEN MIC NIGHT Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick.
GERRY O’BEIRNE + KAVISHA MAZELLA Spotted Mallard,
7:00pm.
7:00pm.
Brunswick. 6:00pm. $20.00.
THE SYNCOPATORS Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne
PURR + CONCENTRATION + ULTRAPURE + HOORATAKI
MUDDY’S BLUES ROULETTE - FEAT: MUDDY’S HOUSE
Cbd. 8:30pm. $20.00.
Public Bar, North Melbourne. 7:00pm. $6.00.
BAND Catfish, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.
TIMBALERO THURSDAY La Di Da, Melbourne Cbd.
RUBIX RADIO ON KISSFM Rubix Warehouse, Brunswick.
OPEN MIC Mr Boogie Man Bar, Abbottsford. 7:00pm.
9:00pm. $10.00.
8:30pm.
OPEN MIC NIGHT Purple Emerald, Northcote. 8:00pm.
THE BLACK ALLEYS + KASHMERE CLUB + RAMPAGE
SUMMER SONGWRITERS - FEAT: SIMON BRUCE + ADRIAN
GOLDENTONE THURSDAY’S
A GAZILLION ANGRY MEXICANS + TWO HEADED DOG +
PHANTOM BAND + SMASH BROS Cherry Bar,
BROOKS + MATT MCFARLANE Tago Mago, Thornbury.
DON FERNANDO Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $6.00.
Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $5.00.
8:00pm.
AUSSIE ROCK OPEN MIC Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick
THE GOOSES + AARTI & THE COSMIC BUFFALO + MATT
East. 6:00pm.
HALL Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm. $6.15.
THURSDAY JAN 28
C.L. PLEASURE + DRONGO + KAKARIKO Evelyn Hotel,
THE SQUEEZEBOX TRIO + TOLKA Bar Open, Fitzroy.
JUNGLE FUNK - FEAT: RESIDENT MANCHILD Ferdydurke,
Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $6.00.
8:30pm.
Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm.
GIRLPOOL
T HE R EVERENCE HOTE L Kicking things off with an impressive slot at Sydney Festival, Philadelphia based duo Girlpool will play a show at The Reverence Hotel. The tour follows the release of their debut album Before The World Was Big, back in June. After forming in 2013, the pair - comprised of guitarist Cleo Tucker and bassist Harmony Tividad - have been making a name for themselves off the back of their drummer-less live performances and their honest songwriting, tackling concepts from awareness and respect to the simple feeling of being alone at a show. Girlpool will take over The Reverence Hotel, with support from Summer Flake, on Wednesday January 27. Doors open 8pm with $30 tickets.
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 32
B E AT.C O M . A U
YAH YAH’S If you fancy yourself some Americana, folk and roots vibes this Thursday night, Yah Yah’s has you sorted with Goldentone Thursdays. Grab a drink and head downstairs for some of the best live and local acts around town playing from 8.30pm. The Meet Wagon will be open all night for those feeling peckish, and the Yah Yah’s DJs are taking over afterwards if you wanna kick it till morning. Goldentone Thursdays, doors open at 7pm entry is free.
GIG GUIDE
Q&A
FLYING BISON THE DEAD HEIR
T H E G A SOMETER HOTEL The Dead Heir are gearing up to release the music video for their latest single Hand at The Gasometer this week. It’s caused a lot of blood, sweat and internal bruising, and with mates from The Shabbab getting shirtless, pantless and rowdy, you’re bound to enjoy the same experience. Masco Sound System are coming down for the ride, blowing mind holes since their inception last year, and ex Brisbanite Gabriella Cohen is bringing a full band with an even fuller sounding show. Catch The Dead Heir at The Gasometer this Thursday January 28. Doors open at 7.30pm, entry is $10. Leave your pants at the door for extra funtimes.
THE FRANKLIN ELECTRIC JAY POWER
C H E RRY B AR Adelaide’s soul queen Jay Power is gearing up to bring her ultra funky, gritty old school grooves to Soul in the Basement at Cherry Bar this Thursday. In 2015 she released her striking album The Missing to rave reviews, and celebrated with launch shows across Australia. She’ll be joined by DJs Vince Peach and Pierre Baroni till as late as 5am. Entry is $10 from 8pm.
T H E WO R K E R’S C LU B Canadians The Franklin Electric have conquered their home country over the past 18 months, so they’re hitting our shores to take over Down Under. They’ve stayed busy throughout January, supporting Holy Holy as well as making an appearance at the Woodford Folk Festival. With new single Strongest Man Alive out on the shelves, The Franklin Electric play The Worker’s Club this Thursday January 28. Doors open 8pm, $15 entry.
HI NEW LOW + ARRESTER + ALEX DEAN Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:30pm.
TRUMPET + MIHOKO ABE Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond.
BODIES + FNND + EGYPT LIES + WET KISS + TERMINAL
HUMAN RITES + THE BLACKHEART DEATH CULT +
8:00pm. $10.00.
INFANT + SPIKE FUCK Tote Hotel, Collingwood.
LUNAIRE Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $8.00.
VANESSA FERNANDEZ Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne
8:00pm.
MEZZ LIVE Chelsea Heights Hotel, Chelsea Heights.
Cbd. 8:00pm. $15.00.
FLYING BISON + THE FOOTBALL CLUB + KONDAKOVA +
5:30pm.
THE QUIRKS Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm.
OCEAN BONES + THE BEAN PROJECT + TEMPUS Sooki
NICK CONNORS & DAN SOUTHWARD
Lounge, Belgrave. 8:30pm.
SPACEMAN
THE BEN DIGO HOTEL Formerly known as SpaceManAntics, WA pyschpop five-piece Spaceman have been receiving much attention as of late thanks to their tropical lo-fi tune, Dead Baum, taken from their upcoming album due early this year. Donning Bossa Nova beats with floaty harmonies and a vibey synth tone like no other, Spaceman will slip you into a woozy ambiance that other acts can only hope to imitate. Catch their final Melbourne show this Thursday January 28 from 7.30pm. $7 entry.
PSI-PHI 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. $10.00.
TH E P OS T O FFI C E H OT E L Newcastle men Nick Connors and Dan Southward took the big leap in 2015 and moved to Australia’s music capital, bringing with them a swag of songs to soothe and swoon you. Treat yourself to a pint or two over two free entry sets at The Post Office Hotel from 8:30pm this Thursday January 28 for the last of their January residency shows.
SEMI FICTION + OTHY GRAVES + MIYAZAKI Public Bar, North Melbourne. 7:30pm. $8.00.
SHOWCASE NIGHTS Purple Emerald, Northcote. 8:00pm.
TINY GIANTS + IV LEAGE + DARE OHHS Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm.
Define your genre in five words or less: Bipolar pop rock. So, someone is walking past as you guys are playing, they then go get a beer and tell their friend about you... what do they say? “I never knew Cher played drums.” How long have you been gigging and writing? Four years of making noise in a garage, two years of attempting to make original noise in time with each other. What has been your favourite gig you’ve played to date? Wembley Stadium was pretty good. I miss being in Queen. Which band would you most like to have a battle/ showdown with? An elastic band. What inspires or has influenced your music the most? Our repertoire is based entirely off Miley Cyrus’ The Climb. What do you think a band has to do these days to succeed? Rumour has it that if you cover Adele’s Hello and upload it to YouTube you immediately become a household name. Everyone should get on that. Do you have any record releases to date? What? Where can I get it? We smashed out an EP called Keep Your Distance late last year. It’s on our Bandcamp and Soundcloud and it’s free. Why should everyone come and see your band this week? Free entry, $3 schooners, $5 basic spirits and our mates are really slutty. FLYING BISON are playing at the Brunswick Hotel on Thurday January 28.
COMING UP WED 3RD FEB
AMBER ISLES
+ DANIKA SMITH
+ MON SHELFORD BAND
TUESDAYS IN JANUARY
FACT HUNT TRIVIA
CHEAP 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 27TH JANUARY
GERRY O’BEIRNE
+ KAVISHA MAZELLA
DOORS/DINNER 6PM, SHOW TIME 8PM PRE SALE $20 + BF
$10 ENTRY FROM 8:30PM THURS 4TH FEB
LITTLE RABBIT
‘WATCHING OVER JOAN” ALBUM LAUNCH + FAT COUSIN SKINNY
THURSDAY 28TH JANUARY
THE LOW RENT
+ THE GUNBARREL STRAIGHTS NO COVER CHARGE, SHOW TIME 8:30PM
FRIDAY 29TH JANUARY
ELECTRIC WALLPAPER + TREMELO PLEASE + BRENT MCMULLEN
NO COVER CHARGE, SHOWTIME 9PM
DOORS/DINNER 6PM, SHOW TIME 8:30PM
FRI 5TH FEB
CYCLO TIMIK
+ TIM McMILLAN BAND
NO COVER CHARGE, SHOW TIME 9PM
SATURDAY 30TH JANUARY
YODELAY RECORDS LAUNCH PARTY
THE SPACES + SHIRAZZ + JED ROWE NO COVER CHARGE, SHOW TIME 9PM
sunDAY 31ST 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 33
Q&A
GIG GUIDE BENNY JAMES & THE BLUE FLAMES Lomond Hotel,
Catch JAMESY OHHH at Shebeen on Saturday January 30, with support from Vinten, Alex Springs, and DJ Benjamin Mayhem spinning interstitial sounds. His self-titled mini-album is available now.
WHOL E LOT TA LOVE It’s a chewed out rock’n roll’party to celebrate the end of the week this Friday January 29 at Whole Lotta Love. Warming up from 6pm with the acoustic stylings of Jess Harris and Sophie White, punk rock fuzz guns Littlefoot then take on the big stage. Lace and Whiskey will serve up hard rock and heavy metal of the ‘70s and ‘80s, followed by industrial grunge merchants Trash Fairys, all before Fifth Friend’s dark psychedelic set closes things up. Catch all these fine acts in action from 6pm this Friday at Whole Lotta Love. Entry sets you back $10.
Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $17.00.
COCK ROCK 80S MUSIC Black Hatt, Geelong. 9:30pm.
(essendon), Essendon. 10:00pm.
LOU BARLOW Northcote Social Club, Northcote.
EINSTEINS TOYBOYS + SABOTAGE-BLACK SABBATH
HOLY HOLY + OLYMPIA + THE FRANKLIN ELECTRIC
8:00pm. $35.00.
Musicland, Fawkner. 7:30pm. $10.00.
Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:30pm. $25.00.
OPEN MIC NITE Inkerman Hotel, Balaclava. 7:30pm.
ELECTRIC WALLPAPER + TREMELO PLEASE + BRENT
JUKE BOX RACKET Catfish, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.
THE LOW RENT + THE GUNBARREL STRAIGHTS Spotted
MCMULLEN Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 9:00pm.
LA DANSE MACABRE + BRUNSWICK MASSIVE RESIDENT
Mallard, Brunswick. 8:30pm.
EXP + MR PITIFUL + METAL DAZE Mr Boogie Man Bar,
DJS Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm.
THE ZAP SHOW + ZOL BALINT Retreat Hotel, Brunswick.
Abbottsford. 8:00pm.
8:30pm.
HAILGUN + THE FCKUPS + BEYOND CONTEMPT + STONED
YUUX & THE GANG + SCHNAPPS + EMILIA & HUGH Mr
TO DEATH Public Bar, North Melbourne. 8:00pm.
Boogie Man Bar, Abbottsford. 5:00pm.
$10.00.
Melbourne. 8:00pm.
What gave birth to your project as Jamesy Ohhh? A public petition forced Jamesy Ohhh onto the bill at Wide Open Space festival in the Northern Territory and it was unexpected enough that I topped up my set with sombre covers from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. From there things spiralled sideways and it became a full blown original music project with guitars in the shadows and computers casting their blue haze upon this face. You launched your self-titled album last year. What’s the reception been like? The reception has been fantastic, which is to say it is like something from my wildest fantasies. Seriously though – bit of Double and triple j support, smattering of this and that. Absolutely no hate mail whatsoever. You used Kickstarter to help fund the album – how effective was that platform? Kickstarter was brilliant for me. I guess I had a supportive bunch of friends, family and people following my music from the Ancient Free Gardeners days, which helped because I only needed a little bit from a whole lot of people to get the thing made. Your video clip for Creepers is incredibly interesting. Can you tell us more about how and why you shot it? I’m not a selfie guy, not at all, so I had the idea to challenge myself to make a music video entirely from selfie footage. I also thought of the idea while travelling in Rwanda, so I got to work singing my own songs aloud on buses, in rainforests, in posh hotel lobbies and so on, until I had something to cut together.
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PARTY
JAIMI FAULKNER + DERRIN NAUENDORF Toff In Town,
BRENDAN LLOYD + TOM REDWOOD Drunken Poet, West
JAMESY OHHH
PAUL KIDNEY EXPERIENCE
DA NE C E R T I FI C AT E ’S M AG I C THE ATRE Melbourne’s favourite psych-out noise ensemble have dusted themselves off for a rare show this week. Forming in late 2009 in response to a booker’s request for a band to fill a prized late night spot, the Paul Kidney Experience haven’t stopped since. Touring Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and everywhere in between, they’ve supported Mudhoney on two tours, Thee Oh Sees, Damo Suzuki, Grong Grong and Primitive Calculators, recording an album with original Krautrock drummer Mani Neumeier along the way. Joined by Tut Tut Kyngs, it’ll be a spectacle indeed. The Paul Kidney Experience play Dane Certificate’s Magic Theatre this Friday January 29 from 6pm. $6 entry.
Brunswick East. 8:30pm.
GOOSE & THE 64 50’S + THE MOODY SPOOKS + RAT RENIOR + THE T-SHIRT PEOPLE Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East. 7:00pm.
JACKIE BORNSTEIN + ANNEMARIE SHARRY + CRAIG FERMANIS Open Studio, Northcote. 8:00pm. $10.00.
DREAMWAVES
FRIDAY JAN 29 AGENT 37 + THE SHORTS + NORTHWOOD + CHUCK + TRUCKS Karova Lounge, Ballarat. 8:00pm. $6.00. ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE Hamer Hall (arts Centre Melbourne), Southbank. 8:00pm. $79.00.
CABLE TIES + THE TROPES + WOO WHO + GIRL CRAZY Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm.
CAPTAIN SPALDING Customs House Hotel, Williamstown. 9:30pm.
HEY HEY IT’S FRIDAY - FEAT: ASTRO BOYS Royal Hotel
LU WOW Dreamaves is back for 2016, and its kicking off in style with the best tropical vibes you’ll find this side of the equator. Featuring quality dance tunes, fresh fruit, tropical cocktail specials and an abundance of beachside inflatables (because who doesn’t love inflatables?), this specially designed event will transport punters half way around the world while combining the best local talent with international vibes. Adding a lineup of local DJs spinning the best house, hip hop and dance tunes, the event will see Mimi (Crxzy Sxxy Cxxl, Anyway, Closet), Maddie J (Rats), Tali (Crxzy Sxxy Cxxl, Church), Bertie (Anyway, RNB Supersmall Club) and ODEN (Equaliser Effect) spinning tracks until your coconut cracks. The first monthly Dreamwaves for 2016 kicks off at The LuWow on Friday January 29. Doors open at 9pm, entry is just $7 on the door. You’d be bananas to miss it.
HORACE BONES
CHERRY B AR Psychedelic garage groovers Horace Bones have dropped their forthcoming debut double A-side Tarantula and are hosting a launch party for it at Cherry Bar this Friday January 29. Having already shared the stage with the likes of Pulled Apart By Horses, Remi, Bad//Dreems and Money For Rope, Horace Bones know exactly what it takes to put on a world class live show. They’ll be joined by friends Going Swimming, From Oslo and Fierce Mild. Catch Horace Bones at Cherry, doors open 6pm with $13 entry.
La Rumba 5 Feb The Padres 12 Feb Dirty Laundry 19 Feb Jimi Hocking & His Blues Machine 26 Feb
Proudly sponsored by
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 34
B E AT.C O M . A U
GIG GUIDE
MIGHTIEST OF GUNS
T H E O LD B AR Melbourne’s Mightiest of Guns have returned with a killer new video for their latest track Sawtooth Knife, and they’re launching it on Friday January 29 at Old Bar with old mates Eaten By Dogs and Swamplands. The video re-imagines the death of Micajah Harpe, of the infamous Harpe brothers, America’s first serial killers. Taken from their 2015 debut album, Drink Over Your Grave, Sawtooth Knife was inspired by Harpe’s his legendary last words, uttered mid-decapitation: “You’re a goddamned rough butcher, but cut on and be damned.” Get rowdy with Mightiest of Guns, Eaten By Dogs and Swamplands on Friday January 29 at The Old Bar. Tickets are $10 on the door and music kicks off at 8pm.
LAZERTITS + KING CHOONGA + TIP RATS Evelyn Hotel,
BOSSA NIGHTS - FEAT: DARIUS & NOEL MENDOZA + DJ
FELIX RIEBL + ROSCOE JAMES IRWIN Northcote Social
JUAN + DJ NAS Osti, Prahran. 7:00pm.
Club, Northcote. 8:30pm. $33.00.
CRAIG SCHNEIDER TRIO Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond.
IRISH MYTHEN Wesley Anne, Northcote. 8:00pm.
9:00pm. $16.00.
$15.00.
EAT THE BEAT - FEAT: DJS EDDIE MAC + AYNA + MONDO
LAKYN Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 7:30pm.
LOCO Belleville, Melbourne. 6:00pm.
$10.00.
ELISSA RODGER Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd.
MARK HILTON + PAUL GILLETT La Niche Cafe, Fitzroy.
8:30pm. $20.00.
7:00pm.
FUNK RABBIT + THE RUBY ROGERS EXPERIENCE Penny
MELBOURNE ZOO TWILIGHTS - FEAT: FAR FROM FOLSOM
Black, Brunswick. 9:30pm.
+ VIC SIMMS Melbourne Zoo, Parkville. 5:30pm.
JAH PRAYZAH & THE THIRD GENERATION BAND Max
$65.00.
Watt’s, Melbourne. 8:00pm. $55.00.
PRAYER BABIES Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East.
ANDY WHITE & THE BAND OF GOLD
9:30pm.
REBETIKA Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm.
TH E YA RRA H OT E L Releasing his debut album Rave On Andy White back in 1986, Andy White combines an acoustic guitar with an attitude from the Belfast punk scene of the ‘70s, a sharp wit and poetic sensibility. He’s co-written with the likes of Peter Gabriel and Neil and Tim Finn, won Ireland’s top songwriting awards and been inducted into the Irish Music Hall of Fame. This week, Andy brings his Band of Gold to the Yarra Bandroom for an intimate evening of acoustic tales this Friday January 29. The night kicks off from 9pm with free entry.
Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10.00.
ROUGH CUT Pascoe Vale Rsl, Pascoe Vale. 8:00pm. $8.00.
STEVE LUCAS Mr Boogie Man Bar, Abbottsford. 5:00pm.
THE NEW SAVAGES + MISSISSIPPI HILL COUNTRY BLUES Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 9:00pm.
TIM SCANLAN + TOSHI BODRAN Baha Tacos & Tapas Bar, Rye. 7:30pm. $10.00.
MAGIC BONES + MILD MANIC + ALI E Shebeen,
MISS BEE TOWNSEND (A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR) Paris
Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $12.00.
Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. $20.00.
SHARROW + SENTIA + TERRESTRIALS + MEDICINE DOG
NORTH CITY The B.east, Brunswick East. 9:30pm.
Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:30pm.
PILOT Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm.
SOUL SACRIFICE (THE MUSIC OF SANTANA) Flying
$20.00.
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE Hamer Hall (arts Centre
Saucer Club, Elsternwick. 6:00pm. $18.00.
SEX ON TOAST + MONDO FREAKS + TIN LION John Curtin
Melbourne), Southbank. 8:00pm. $79.00.
SPACE PARTY + BEWARE BLACK HOLES! + FUZZSUCKER
Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. $15.00.
ARCANE SAINTS + SHEWOLF + LAZARUS MODE + TRAGIC
Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm.
SLEAZY LISTENING - FEAT: ARKS + RICHARD KELLY +
EARTH + VERSUS FATE Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick
THE MEANIES + CLOWNS Sooki Lounge, Belgrave.
HYSTERIC + K HOOP Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd.
East. 6:00pm. $15.00.
8:00pm.
5:00pm.
SATURDAY JAN 30
Q&A
THE DEAD HEIR Hi there. Who am I talking to and what do you do in The Dead Heir? I’m Chris. I play the drums and take my shirt off. You guys performed Sunifest at The Tote last year. How did that go for you? Sunifest was amazing. Playing upstairs is always cool because the room always feels crowded and the lack of elevated stage meant that any number of strange creatures could stumble up on stage and dance, undress, commandeer a guitar solo or pour things into our mouths. They did. It was great. Jacob did an excellent job organising the day. How’s the reception been for your third EP, The Dead Heir Go Wild? So far it’s been lovely. It’s nice to share the EP with the world. We put a lot into The Dead Heir Go Wild. We had many late nights, invested plenty of what should have been rent money, made video games and violated Facebook’s decency restrictions due to the green alien nipples on the album cover. In the end, it’s definitely been worth it. What can people expect at the launch for your new video, Hand, at The Gasometer this Thursday? The lineup looks great. You are not wrong. The lineup is ridiculous. Gabriella Cohen is incredible and we’re very glad she ditched Brisbane for Melbourne. The Shabbab are the sexiest, sweatiest, sweetest group of punks, Masco Sound System are the best folk/psych/ country/dance/funk/stoner/paint/disco/rock band in Melbourne. By the time we get on stage on Thursday, we’re going to be sweaty, bruised, buzzed and have a lot to prove. THE DEAD HEIR are playing at The Gasometer Hotel on Thursday January 28 with The Shabbab, Masco Sound System and Gabriella Cohen. The Dead Heir Go Wild is available now.
TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSION Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 6:00pm.
WHAT THE FUNK FRIDAYS Purple Emerald, Northcote. 9:00pm.
CHRIS WILSON Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 5:30pm. COUSIN TONY’S BRAND NEW FIREBIRD + TULLLY ON TULLY + ALEX LAHEY Workers Club, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $12.00.
MODELS
T H E CROXTON Melbourne ‘80s art-rock wizards and ARIA Hall of Fame inductees Models are wrapping up their recent run of tour dates with a special Melbourne show this week. Friday January 29 sees Models playing the re-opened Croxton alongside ‘80s icons Huxton Creepers, who are reforming to play the special once off show. You might not get another chance to see these great Australian acts playing together again, so get down to The Croxton this Friday January 29 for a lesson in legendary local music. Tickets are $50, doors open 8pm.
DAVEYS FRIDAYS - FEAT: ROB & TARQUIN + SUPERFLY DJS Daveys Bar & Restaurant, Frankston. 8:00pm. DEN HANRAHAN Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 8:30pm.
EZRA LEE & THE HAVOC BAND Dog’s Bar, St Kilda. 9:00pm.
TRIUMPH OVER LOGIC + SHEWOLF + DARCEE FOX + PURROXIDE Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. ULTIMATE POWER 3 Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $18.00.
WATT’S ON PRESENTS Prince Public Bar, St Kilda . 8:30pm.
YOU BEAUTY + THE OCEAN PARTY + FREE TIME Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $13.30.
THE ELECTRIC CHURCH
THE IN KERMAN HOTEL The Electric Church are gearing up to showcase their idiosyncratic genre of blues-power-house, punch and hard funk at The Inkerman Hotel this week. With wah wah guitar, smooth grooving bass lines and rimshot drums, The Electric Church are bringing back the ‘70s, but in a totally distinct and personal way. Catch them at The Inkerman Hotel this Friday January 29 from 8pm. Entry is free.
LOUISE LOVE
TH E GRACE DA R LI NG Electro-pop producer and songstress Louise Love celebrates the release of her latest single Get Back with a gig at the Grace Darling this Friday January 29. The single comes from her Tantric Shuffle EP, which came out two weeks ago and has seen Louise travel from state to state for launch shows. The self produced EP serves as the follow up to Love’s 2014 album, First Day. Louise Love launches Get Back at the Grace Darling this Friday from 8pm. Entry is just $10. B E AT.C O M . A U
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 35
Q&A
TRIUMPH OVER LOGIC Define your genre in five words or less: Theatrical post hard rock. So, someone is walking past as you guys are playing, they then go get a beer and tell their friend about you... what do they say? “It’s like if a video game, the ‘80s and kick-arse rock had a very cool baby. They actually use rockin’ songs, narration and acting to tell a story throughout the show.” How long have you been gigging and writing? Gigging since 2012, writing for untold aeons. What has been your favourite gig you’ve played to date? There was one show at The Brunny where ArchNME flung Siessi’s amp off his cab and also attacked the others members’ gear, but with thanks to the Brunny branch of the party who got into the show and partied so hard and created so much party energy we were still able to pull off a roaring show. What inspires or has influenced your music the most? Life, pure and simple. It’s the one constant across all levels that life is the ultimate inspiration. What do you think a band has to do these days to succeed? The technology might have changed but the fundamentals haven’t. To succeed you need good songs and you need to play them well in as many venues to as many people as you can. Do you have any record releases to date? What? Where can I get it? Soundtrack to Life is our current full-length album release. You can purchase it on eBay and iTunes and crank it loud on Spotify. TRIUMPH OVER LOGIC are playing at The Brunswick Hotel on Friday January 29.
GIG GUIDE GRANDVIEW MUSIC
BIRDSHIT BROTHERS
TH E RE T R E AT Featuring members of the RACV, Costco and Top Video Northcote, the Birdshit Brothers are letting loose a small number of boogie tunes at The Retreat this Saturday January 30. And when they’re done serving up a storm, delta blues dude Slim Belly Brown will be bringing his lo-fi sounds to The Retreat’s front room. Two stellar acts, on from 5pm this Saturday January 30, with free entry.
DISENTOMB + I VALIANCE + ICONOCLAST + BLIND 8:30pm. $20.00.
7:00pm. $20.00.
JAMESY OHHH
THE KILL
TH E B E N D I G O H OT E L It’s the first show of 2016 for the mighty grind of The Kill at the Bendigo Hotel, so it seems like a pretty suitable night to get thrashy and beery. Other cohorts on the night are Internal Rot, Sickness, Sewercide, Christ Crusher and the debut show of brand new maniacs, Blindspot. Get down early. Doors at 8pm.
EVIL TWIN Catfish, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. FIGURES + TRANSIENCE + LUNG + ENLIGHT Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. $15.00.
GL + ALTA + QUEEN MAGIC John Curtin Hotel, Carlton.
Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 9:00pm. $16.00.
AMARU TRIBE The B.east, Brunswick East. 9:30pm. BELL STREET DELAYS Union Hotel , Brunswick. 5:00pm.
CLAUDIA JONES + JACK-SUN Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $10.00.
CRAIG WOODWARD + WARREN ROUGH & FRIENDS Victoria Hotel , Brunswick. 5:00pm.
DARRIN Black Hatt, Geelong. 8:00pm.
I LOVE THE 80’S - FEAT: SUNSET STRIP + TOTALLY 80’S
9:00pm.
DD & THE DAMAGED GOODS + DANNY WALSH BANNED
Musicland, Fawkner. 8:30pm. $15.00.
WOODLOCK Chapel Off Chapel, Prahran. 8:00pm.
Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 9:00pm.
KINEMATIC + MIDDLEMARCH Baha Tacos & Tapas Bar,
$25.00.
Rye. 7:30pm. $10.00.
MANGO RETREAT
PHIL PARA
+ LAURA PALMER Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:00pm. $15.00.
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 36
O’NEALE + CHRISTOPHE GENOUX + RORY CLARK TRIO
TRULY HOLY + GREGOR Boney, Melbourne Cbd.
PAPER ARMS + TOTALLY UNICORN + THE SINKING TEETH
LEARN MORE AT THEHOOPDREAM.O THEHOOPDREAM.ORG
SHEBEEN After receiving positive reception from the release of his self titled debut last year, Jamesy Ohhh is gearing up for a formal album launch show at Shebeen this Saturday January 30. The independent electronic artist has drawn together solid support from a community Kickstarter campaign, along with some solid airtime on both double and triple j. Now, he’s taking his enigmatic audio/visual show to the world in the grandest way possible, bringing new tracks and old friends Vinten, Alex Springs and DJ Benjamin Mayhem along for the ride. Catch Jamesy Ohhh at Shebeen from 7.30pm this Saturday. Tickets are $13.
TRIBUTE TO BLUE NOTE - FEAT: ROGER CLARK + SIMON
8:00pm. $15.00.
8:30pm. $30.00.
FACEBOOK.COM/ THEHOOPDREAMTEAMMELBOURNE
THE WORKER’S CLUB It’s been a long stretch of writing, recording, and travelling for Figures. From Melbourne to the US and back again in 2016, they’ve been clawing at the chance to get back on the stage in Melbourne. Well, that chance is here. This Saturday January 30, Figures will premier their latest single to Melbourne audiences at The Worker’s Club, playing with killer acts Enlight, Lung and Transience. For some high energy melodic rock, get down to venue by 8pm. Tickets are $15
TAMANDUA Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd.
BRUCE HAYMES + MORE Corner Hotel, Richmond.
REGISTER YOUR TEAM
FIGURES
ORACLE + INTERNAL NIGHTMARE Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy.
- FEAT: ASHLEY NAYLOR + DANNY LEO + JIM COELLI +
RIVER ST, MARIBYRNONG
Brunswick. 9:00pm.
CODA CHROMA Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 9:30pm.
LED ZEPPELIN PHYSICAL GRAFFITI 40TH ANNIVERSARY
MARIBYRNONG COLLEGE STADIUM
SPACES + SHIRAZZ + JED ROWE Spotted Mallard,
Eastern, Ballarat East. 8:00pm. $8.00.
GRAVE ST BLUES Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $10.00.
BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT SUNDAY 31 JAN 12PM-7PM
THE YODELAY RECORDS LAUNCH PARTY - FEAT: THE
BROOZER + AGONHYMN + BOG + A GREED SCIENCE The
LASER BRAINS + BAD VISION + WOLFPACK + AS A RIVAL +
DJS - STALLS - FOOD ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
G R A NDV I E W H OT E L Celebrate the start of the iconic Grandview Hotel’s Saturday night summer series soiree’s this weekend with the northern suburbs own Kerri Simpson, Barb Waters, Suzannah Espie and Alison Ferrier. The foursome will be joining together for one very special performance, featuring their gorgeous set of pipes and multi award-winning songs. The star studded event kicks off from 8.30pm with free entry.
T H E G R AC E DA R LI NG This Saturday January 30 sees some of Melbourne’s favourite buskers bringing their performances from the streets up to The Grace Darling Hotel. The evening will be kicked off with soulful singer/ songwriter Bill Golding, followed by indie pop tunes from one of Bourke Street Mall’s favourites, Olly Friend. Joining them will be folky four piece Mango Retreat, bringing their energetic performance back home after an east coast road trip, and Ben Whiting’s eclectic and nostalgic folk songs to top off the evening. Four acts for just $10, this Saturday from 8pm at the Grace Darling.
PRI N CE PUB L I C B AR After spending a whopping 30 years performing at The Espy, Phil Para has packed up his bags and set up shop at Prince Public Bar, proving you can take the artist out of The Espy, but you can’t take him out of St Kilda. Para continues to deliver his classic Hendrix, Santana, Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Muddy Waters, and ZZ Top, plus his own originals to fans that have been make the trek to St Kilda every Saturday evening. Treat yourself to a night of high energy blues rock when Phil Para takes over Prince Public Bar this Saturday January 30. Doors open at 6pm with free entry.
DERRIN NAUENDORF + JAIMI FAULKNER Black Hatt,
PEOPLE’S PALACE + VELVET BOW + THE SWEETS Penny
KIMBA GRIFFITH SEPTET Paris Cat Jazz Club,
Geelong. 8:30pm.
Black, Brunswick. 9:00pm.
Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. $25.00.
DUNCAN PHILLIPS Drunken Poet, West Melbourne.
PONY FACE + HOWL AT THE MOON + THE NUMBER 19S
KUJO KINGS + MORBIDLY O’BEAT The Luwow, Fitzroy.
9:00pm.
Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:30pm. $15.00.
8:00pm. $5.00.
HARRY COULSON’S RAIN DOGS Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy.
RIFF RAIDERS + THE WELLINGTONS + CAPTAIN J.D.
MEL SEARLE (AN ELLA FITZGERALD TRIBUTE) Paris Cat
9:30pm. $10.00.
FUNK & THE SEAFARERS Elsternwick Hotel, Elwood.
Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $25.00.
JACKSON FOUR + CADILLAC WALK Eddie’s Bandroom,
9:00pm.
REVEREND FUNK & THE HORNS OF SALVATION (SWEET
8:00pm.
SATURDAYS R COVERED - FEAT: RADIO STAR Royal
SOUL SOUNDTRAX) Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick.
JESS LOCKE + ZZZOUNDS Old Bar, Fitzroy. 3:00pm.
Hotel (essendon), Essendon. 10:00pm.
6:00pm. $18.00.
KARAOKE WITH ZOE Customs House Hotel,
SELLING TIME + AMIKO + CARDINIA + DEADFALL Mr
Williamstown. 9:00pm.
Boogie Man Bar, Abbottsford. 8:00pm.
KRAKEN FOLK SESSION Drunken Poet, West
SLOW GRIND FEVER #31 - FEAT: RICHIE1250 + MOHAIR
Melbourne. 3:00pm.
SLIM + PIERRE BARONI + MISS MONICA Bar Open,
MATT DWYER Dog’s Bar, St Kilda. 9:00pm.
Fitzroy. 10:00pm.
MELBOURNE ZOO TWILIGHTS - FEAT: THE WAIFS + RUBY
SPACE PARTY + THEE CHA CHA CHAS + THE EXOTICS
BOOTS Melbourne Zoo, Parkville. 5:30pm. $65.00.
Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $8.00.
NEW ESTATE + THE HAPPY LONESOME Victoria Hotel ,
THE GROVES + IVORY ELEPHANT + THE PLYMOUTH REVERENDS + JEFFERS LIMIT Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm.
THE HARD ACHES + CAMP COPE + FOLEY! + TIRED BREEDS Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:00pm. THE SHOT GLASSES Inkerman Hotel, Balaclava. 9:00pm.
PALACE OF THE KING
C H E R RY B A R Melbourne six piece Palace of The King are locked and loaded, ready to launch their new single White Bird at Cherry this weekend. Armed with two EPs, a fulllength vinyl LP and now a debut album, they’ll be sure to bring the bluesy swagger and riff-heavy psychedelia that you’ve been craving. Tequila Mockingbyrd and Angels of Gung-ho are hyped to support Palace of The King. Doors open 5pm, tickets are $13. B E AT.C O M . A U
Brunswick. 9:00pm.
ONE UP TWO DOWN + JOHN FLANAGAN TRIO Bella Union Bar, Carlton. 8:30pm. $8.00.
PAULIE BIGNELL & THE THORNBURY TWO Union Hotel , Brunswick. 9:00pm.
RON S PENO & THE SUPERSTITIONS Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 7:00pm.
GIG GUIDE BUTTER SESSIONS LABEL SHOWCASE #2
SUNDAY JAN 31 GOOD FEELS FESTIVAL
BUSY KINGDOM
THE RETREAT After hitting the road with Thirsty Merc over summer, Busy Kingdom are back in town, performing in their proverbial backyard The Retreat on Saturday January 30. Glad to be at home, the boys from Busy Kingdom will be playing fresh new material from their EP, Brunswick Hangover, along with a choice collection of covers. Catch them this Saturday, 8pm at The Retreat. Free entry.
M A RI BY RN O NG CO LLE G E What do you get when you cross art, music, food, health, fashion and basketball? You wind up with the Good Feels Festival, kicking off at Maribyrnong College this Sunday January 31. Run by non-profit organisation The Hoop Dream, the event will feature plenty of stalls across the area run by local businesses, along with an under and open age basketball league with up to $500 worth of prizes to be won. Give it a shot at the Good Feels Festival down at Maribyrnong College this Sunday January 31. The event starts at 12pm with free entry.
S H A D OW E LE C T R I C The Butter Sessions crew assemble for their second showcase at the Shadow Electric venue this Sunday January 31. Headlined by a never to be repeated custom live set from label bosses Sleep D, the allstar cast boasts performances from their budding future roster, promising sets from Mosam Howieson, Albrecht La’Brooy and Cale Sexton, Dan White and DJ Josh Wells. The Butter Sessions Label Showcase kicks off this Sunday at Shadow Electric from 3pm. Tickets are $20 through the venue’s website.
BAKERSFIELD GLEE CLUB Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 5:00pm.
AIRWAY LANES Inkerman Hotel, Balaclava. 4:00pm.
CAT & CLINT Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm.
BANG - FEAT: SENTINEL + DREGG + BLKLST Royal
CELLOJOE + INDIGO RISING 303, Northcote. 7:30pm.
Melbourne Hotel, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $20.00.
$5.00.
CAMP COPE + HARD ACHES + STEPH HUGHES Old Bar,
DAN BRODIE Standard Hotel, Fitzroy. 7:00pm.
Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $6.00.
ELWOOD BLUES CLUB Prince Public Bar, St Kilda .
COLD HEART Gem Bar, Collingwood. 8:00pm.
8:00pm.
HOME GROWN Chapel Off Chapel, Prahran. 8:00pm.
GREG CHAMPION & USEFUL MEMBERS OF SOCIETY
$15.00.
Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 5:30pm.
JAM AT MUSICLAND SUNDAYS Musicland, Fawkner.
KEN MAHER + AL WRIGHT + TONY HARGREAVES
7:30pm.
Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 9:00pm.
MASCO SOUND SYSTEM + GEO + RUBY Tote Hotel,
KERRI SIMPSON + DJ MAX CRAWDADDY Cherry Bar,
Collingwood. 5:00pm.
Melbourne Cbd. 2:00pm.
ONE DAY SUNDAY Penny Black, Brunswick. 1:00pm.
LINCOLN LE FEVRE Reverence Hotel, Footscray.
SHADOWS OF THE HYENA Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd.
3:00pm.
6:00pm.
LISA SALVO + CAROLINE NO + YFFER Workers Club,
STREET FANGS + THE UNKIND + JASON LIVES Brunswick
Fitzroy. 7:00pm. $20.00.
Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm.
LOST RAGAS Union Hotel , Brunswick. 7:00pm.
THE DEAD PHARAOHS + ACE BRICKLAYING + LOT 56 +
MANDY CONNELL + THE JUMP DEVILS Drunken Poet,
MORE Mr Boogie Man Bar, Abbottsford. 8:00pm.
West Melbourne. 4:00pm.
FUNK BUDDIES #3 Spotted Mallard, Brunswick.
MICHELLE GARDINER Customs House Hotel,
SKYSCRAPER STAN & THE COMMISSION FLATS + GHOST
5:30pm.
Williamstown. 3:00pm.
TOWNS OF THE MIDWEST Sooki Lounge, Belgrave.
SUNDAY SOUL SESSIONS Purple Emerald, Northcote.
MONICA WEIGHTMAN & THE MIND READERS Royal Oak
9:00pm.
9:00pm.
Hotel, Fitzroy North. 4:00pm.
TIM SCANLAN + TOSHI BODHRAN + ACCIDENTAL
ALEX ELBERY & THE STRANGERS + CRAYON KING +
OPEN MIKE SUNDAY Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 6:30pm.
BEDFELLOWS Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East.
OSTRANGER TANG 303, Northcote. 2:00pm.
PUGSLEY BUZZARD Catfish, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.
9:30pm.
THE HORNETS
THE WOODLAND HUNTERS
BATPISS
YAH YA H’S Sludge punk droners Batpiss are kicking off their first show of 2016 at Yah Yah’s this Saturday. Having just come from supporting Canadian rockers Viet Cong in Sydney, this will be one of only a handful of Batpiss gigs in the early months of 2016 before they take some serious time off to record album number three. They’ll be joined on the night by Holy Serpent and Tankerville, and later on upstairs is the last of Mesa Cosa’s 2am residency gigs. Oh yeah, and $5 stubbies all night. Get messy with Batpiss this Saturday from 8pm. $10 entry.
DANNY WALSH BANNED
THE YA RRA HOTEL After releasing their debut album Rolling On back in 2013, The Danny Walsh Banned have become renowned for their often spontaneous, always high powered live performances. This Saturday, revelry blues man Danny Walsh is bringing the stripped back band to The Yarra Hotel, playing two sets from 5pm. For some serious folk tunes, get down to The Yarra Hotel this Saturday January 30.
TH E P OS T O FFI C E H OT E L The Hornets are quickly becoming a regular fixture on Australia’s blues and roots scene, having already released six studio albums to rave reviews and gained a regular following of devoted fans. And having given the albums a listen, it’s not hard to see why. The Age has named them the best blues band in Melbourne, what else are you waiting for? Catch The Hornets this Sunday January 31 at The Post Office Hotel. They play two free entry sets from 4.30pm.
Q&A
T H E YA R R A H OT E L It’s been a bangin’ start to 2016 for The Woodland Hunters, with tracks from their debut EP taking over Melbourne radio, getting props from radio legends like RRR’s Stephen Walker and hitting the Top 10 lists for both metro and regional community radio airplay right around the country, as well as smashing out a bunch of new material. Now they’re kicking off another year of gigs at The Yarra Hotel. Find out what all the fuss is about from 4pm this Sunday. Entry is free.
B E AT.C O M . A U
COUSIN TONY’S BRAND NEW FIREBIRD
If you could no longer be a musician, what other occupation do you see yourself in? Carpentry maybe. I can’t build anything to save myself but I’d have to be creating things every day. That or a postman. Cruising round the burbs all day would be sweet. Do your dreams ever influence your music? Not really. There’s enough abstract nonsense happening in reality. How did you all meet? What was it that brought the band together? Kieran and I essentially split in two like an amoeba which was the genesis of Cousin Tony. After that, I used to run a performance night called Fortnightly Fort Night where we built forts and had people come and perform in them. We met Fran, our synth player, and Leigh, our bassist, through those nights. Is there anything you would change about the music industry? Payment would be rad. And instead of Grammy’s, people just got thumbs up for making something beautiful. Would you rather be able to speak every language in the world fluently, or play every instrument in the world naturally? Every language. No question. Playing every instrument doesn’t make you a viable 007 candidate. If your music was going to be used as a soundtrack to a film, who would you want directing that film? At the moment, probably Alejandro González Iñárritu. The score for Birdman was the most bold, affective scoring I’ve heard in years. If he decided a Cousin Tony song needed to be in his film, I’d shit.
COUSIN TONY’S BRAND NEW FIREBIRD are playing at the Workers Club on Friday January 29. The Queen of Hearts EP is available on Spotify, Apple Music and Soundcloud.
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 37
GIG GUIDE
The Push PRESENT
Access All Ages WITH GRACE KINDELLAN
COOKIN ON 3 BURNERS
TOM WEST
T HE WORK ER’ S CLUB Singer/songwriter Tom West heads to The Worker’s Club this Sunday January 31 for a special live-album recording show. The whole performance will be recorded, along with another in Adelaide, and will be released later this year as Golden Fleeces. Joined by Melbourne based Liv Cartledge, West’s shows are characterized by complex patterns on unconventional open tuned guitars, haunting melodies and a knack for engaging storytelling via an unforgettable voice. Catch him at The Worker’s Club this Sunday from 7pm. $20 tickets on the door.
ROESY Dog’s Bar, St Kilda. 7:30pm. SUNDAY SESSION - FEAT: BRUNSY Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully. 2:00pm.
SUNDAY SESSIONS - FEAT: VARIOUS ARTISTS Lucky
TH E RE T R E AT Australia’s hardest hitting Hammond organ trio Cookin On 3 Burners are heading to The Retreat this weekend, ready to join to dots between deep funk, raw soul, organ jazz and boogaloo. Six albums in and they show no signs of slowing, their latest album Blind Bet featuring beautiful string and horn arrangements that pushed the envelope on what the band is trying to achieve. If you haven’t seen Cookin’ On 3 Burners live, you’re in for a treat. Catch them at The Retreat this Sunday January 31. Doors open 7.30pm with free entry.
T H E R E T R E AT Described by audiences as music they’ve just never heard before, Tailor Birds have been thrilling audiences in Australia and overseas. Now with The Retreat in their sights, they’ll be bringing down their brand of soothing electronic experimental folk down to the venue this Tuesday February 2, set to perform material from their 2013 debut Runaway Sailors, Stay At Home Wives as well as their upcoming second album. Catch Tailor Birds from 8.30pm at The Retreat this Tuesday, with free entry.
STAN VAN HOOFT (BREAKOUT) Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 8:00pm. $10.00.
MONDAY FEB 1 AIDAN ‘JAZZY’ JONES
COLLINGWOOD OPEN - FEAT: CREPES + SLEEP DECADE + ZIG ZAG + MALLEE SONGS Gasometer Hotel,
TH E RE T R E AT Born from busking street corners and back alleys, Aidan “Jazzy” Jones arrives into the corridors of folklore’s unbroken traditions. With a unique blend of old-time traditional and contemporary folk, this humble young singer has worn strings and bared soul to deliver his songs and folk tales. Watch as Jones bares all at The Retreat this Monday February 1 from 8:30pm. Free entry.
Coq, Windsor. 4:00pm.
303 JAM NIGHT 303, Northcote. 8:00pm.
ANTHONY REA AND THE CHARM OFFENSIVE
DIANA KRALL Hamer Hall (arts Centre Melbourne),
WHO LE LOT TA LOV E Settle in to Whole Lotta Love and say goodbye to the first month of the year with a big selection of musical talent on offer this Sunday January 31. Up first is soul sweetheart Ali Hughes, closely followed by Anthony Rea, set to play a solo set before joining his band The Charm Offensive to play a few nice covers, plus a selection of old and new material. All this and more on offer, this Sunday from 7pm at Whole Lotta Love. Entry is free.
TAILOR BIRDS
Southbank. 8:00pm. $99.90.
Collingwood. 7:00pm.
THE TASTE OF INDIE TUESDAYS
PR I NC E P U B LI C B A R This week, The Taste of Indie Tuesday Collective music are showcasing the brilliant original songwriting and performance talents of Mark (Phisha), Fisher Rick Hart and Bob Crain. For those not in the know, the Nashville showcase style format is a fantastic opportunity for the audience to get an insight into the songwriting process for these three traditional musos. The Taste of Indie Tuesdays kicks off at the Prince Public Bar from 7.30pm with free entry.
CHERRY JAM Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.
MESA COSA Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 6:00pm.
MOCK THE CASBAH The B.east, Brunswick East.
KLUB MUK 303, Northcote. 7:30pm. .
5:30pm.
MONDAY NIGHT MASS - FEAT: CHOOK RACE + THE SHIFTERS + THE CURSE + QWERTY Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:00pm.
AIDAN JAZZY JONES + THE BAKERS DIGEST Retreat
THE HORNETS Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 4:30pm.
Hotel, Brunswick. 8:30pm.
THE PAT WILSON TRIO Big Huey’s Diner, South
MONDAY NIGHT CAJUN DANCE PARTY - FEAT: THE
Melbourne. 4:00pm.
‘JOHNNY CAN’T DANCE’ CAJUN BAND Victoria Hotel ,
THE TRAVIS WINTERS BLUES BAND The Water Rat
Brunswick. 8:00pm.
WANT YOUR GIG IN GIG GUIDE? EMAIL A SHORT BLURB AND PIC TO MUSICNEWS@BEAT.COM.AU
Hotel, South Melbourne. 5:00pm. $5.00.
THE WOODLAND HUNTERS Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 4:00pm.
ANNA’S GO-GO ACADEMY Bella Union Bar, Carlton.
Brunswick. 5:00pm.
6:30pm. $10.00.
ELWOOD BLUES CLUB
DIANA KRALL Hamer Hall (arts Centre Melbourne),
PRIN CE PUBL IC BAR The Elwood Blues Club sessions just keep on coming at Prince Public Bar this week. For one very special night of the week, you can catch both local and international talent performing at the blues club, supported by the in house Elwood Blues Club All Star band. Catch a fine night of blues at Prince Public Bar with the Elwood Blues Club this Sunday January 31. Doors open at 5.30pm with free entry.
CLASSIFIEDS 33c per word per week (inc GST) Send your classified listing to classifieds@beat.com.au. Payment options include VISA/Mastercard or EFT (1.5% surcharge for credit card payment). Deadline is Monday 11am, prior to Wednesday’s publication. Minimum $5 charge per week. We do not accept classifieds over the phone - sorry.
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 38
Southbank. 8:00pm. $99.90.
IRISH SESSION Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 8:00pm.
MANDEK PENHA + FASCINATOR + AU DRE Workers Club, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $10.00.
BANDS/DUOS/SOLO ACTS WANTED FOR ACOUSTIC/INDIE FEST Contact: mark@gunnmusic.com.au ROCK/METAL ACTS WANTED FOR LOCAL ROCK SHOWS Contact: mark@gunnmusic.com.au
Also included in our music industry mentoring opportunities is a new program for women performers in 2016. It’s called SQUAD and it will provide women performers aged between 18-25 the chance to team up with industry professionals, attend special masterclasses and an exclusive development weekend where participants will work on craft and career with a range of experts. There are ten places available for SQUAD with more details and applications at thepush.com.au/ squad. Fed Square Live is here with a series of free, outdoor performances every Thursday from 5.30pm at Fed Square. Relax in a deckchair and unwind as the sun sets over some of Melbourne’s most talented acts. Head to fedsquare.com for more details. Every Wednesday night until the end of March, you can check out music across three stages at the Queen Victoria Night Market from 5pm till 10pm. This week you can hear whiskey-drenched French blues from Emilee South, indie boyband Woodlock and bonerattlin’, shimmy-shakin’ one man band Tim Scanlan. For more information and details of upcoming line ups, check out qvm.com.au/entertainment-2.
All Ages Gig Guide
MILONGA Bella Union Bar, Carlton. 8:00pm. $10.00.
ACTS WANTED FOR SUNDAY ROCK SHOWS Contact: mark@gunnmusic.com.au
Looking for a head-start and some good advice in the music industry? The 2016 FReeZA Mentoring Program matches up enthusiastic young people with established music industry professionals who provide one-on-one mentoring and support in areas as diverse as event management, performance, technical production, publicity, and music business. This program is open to people between the ages of 18-25 who live in Victoria and have an interest in working in the music industry. Applications close on Sunday January 31 and are available at surveymonkey.com/r/ Freezamentoring16.
There’s plenty of other free live music happening in and around the city, with MPavillion’s summer program heating up the Queen Victoria Gardens. This Friday you can check out one of the Between a Thought and a Feeling performance lectures presented by Interval about what is at play when we give voice to an image. It starts at 7.00pm and will feature contemporary Melbourne artists Eugenia Lim, Benjamin Lichtenstein and Gabrielle de Vietri. Stick around afterwards to hear Superstar perform Heavy Nettles (Part II), a special piece that will see different material stretched, skewed, abridged and combined to create deep dirges and warbling drones with glistening, pastoral pop overtones. You can find more details for the lecture and information about the DJ set at mpavilion.org
TUESDAY FEB 2
TONY J KING’S HOODOO SUITACASE Victoria Hotel ,
Attention songwriters: Push Songs’ innovative and inspiring song writing mentoring program continues into its eighth year throughout February and March 2016 and, as always, it’s free. Successful applicants will take part in three one-on-one song writing workshops and are invited to join the Tuesday Night Song Club to meet and share ideas and live performance opportunities. Working alongside Push Songs coordinator Charles Jenkins will be a bunch of super talented songwriters including Adalita (Magic Dirt), Wil Wagner (The Smith St Band), Ainslie Wills and Paul Dempsey (Something for Kate).Participants of all ages and from all corners of the state are encouraged to apply for the Brunswick-based program with more details available at surveymonkey.com/r/PS2016R1.
F R I DAY J A NUA RY 29
KEYS/SYNTH/FX PLAYER WANTED for original rock band with electronic edge. Think Kasabian, Primal screen/ QOTSA/ Kings of Leon. Text Pat on 0497 318 847 MODELING. We’re looking for confident women of all styles (aged 18+) for our pro-feminist photographic projects with an emphasis on style and creativity. Nude/undies, paying $100 to $500 per shoot. Don’t overlook this until you’ve found out more about it. Rebecca ph.9495 6555
B E AT.C O M . A U
NOW BOOKING BANDS at Dane Certificate’s Magic Bar. Email danecertificate@yahoo.com.au * MUSINGS: Sphynx cats look like human ears.
FReeZA Summer Market Series, w/ Cooper Lower, Chloe and Nicola, Angela and Mitch, Louis Chilton, Paddy Brady, Ditto, Warrnambool Civic Green and Lake Pertobe, 4.30pm -8.30pm, Free, warrnambool. vic.gov.au, AA Collab CD Launch, w/ Momoko Fergusson, Immanuel Dreesens, Spring Creek Reserve, Torquay, 4.00pm-8.00pm, Free, AA
S AT U R DAY J A NUA RY 30
Surf Coast Shire and Coastal Productions, Barwon South West Skate Series, w/ TBA, Torquay Skate Park, Beach Road, Torquay, 1.30pm, Free, www. warrnambool.vic.gov.au, AA
Wed 27th January
W I N E , W H I S K EY, W O M E N 8pm: Kate Mulqueen 9pm: Tracey Hogue Thurs 28th January
8pm: 9pm:
Brendan Lloyd Tom Redwood Friday 29th January
6pm: Traditional Irish Music Session 8pm:
Den Hanrahan
Saturday 30th January
3pm: Kraken Folk Session 9pm:
Duncan Philips Sunday 31st January 4pm: The Jump Devils 6.30pm: Mandy Connell Tuesday 1st February
8pm:
Weekly Trivia
The Drunken Poet, 65 Peel Street (directly opposite Queen Vic Market), Phone: 03 9348 9797. www.thedrunkenpoet.com.au
WEDNESDAY 27TH 7PM
ENDLESS NIGHTS
CAN YOU HEAR ME MAJOR TOM?
WITH CLEVERHANDS, LAIKA & DJ BERT
FRIDAY 29 JANUARY
ANDY WHITE
THURSDAY 28TH 7PM
JUNGLE FUNK
& THE BAND OF GOLD
RESIDENT MANCHILD WITH SPECIAL GUESTS. AFROBEAT, CUMBIA, FUNK, SAMBA & LIVE PERCUSSIONISTS
SATURDAY 30 JANUARY
DD AND THE DAMAGED GOODS + DANNY WALSH BANNED
FRIDAY 29TH 7PM
APERITIVO ITALO DISCO WITH PATRIZIO ADAMO, HYSTERIC AND BAGUETTE & PASTIZZI
SATURDAY 30TH 7PM
NEW DUB CITY LIVE DUB DJ SET
SUNDAY 31 JANUARY
THE WOODLAND HUNTERS
SUNDAY 31ST 7PM
STICKY MUSIC WITH BAYU & KANZO EASTERN EUROPEAN STREET FOOD NOON UNTIL 9PM SUN - THUR. A LITTLE LATER FRI & SAT
W W W. B E AT.C O M . A U
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 39
POSITION VACANT:
SENIOR SALES PERSON Eastgate Music is a leading retailer of acoustic and electric guitars and the latest musical equipment. We are seeking a highly motivated guitarist to work as a senior sales person in our new agship store in Kew. Essential requirements include a happy, happ bright personality, exceptional people skills. Proven abilities as a guitarist are mandatory, as is previous sales experience. A remuneration package commensurate with experience and ability will be offered to the successful candidates. Full time position including weekend work. Please send your application and CV to careers@eastgatemusic.com
REHEARSAL STUDIOS
threephasemusic.com Weeknight rates from $65
8 Tinning St, Brunswick
PA HIRE Mastering for CD, Vinyl & Online Releases
thecabinmastering.com Ph-0408 565 121
Comprehensive PA systems delivered, set up and operated with crew. Compact, easy, sound systems you can pickup and assemble yourself.Components such as microphones, speakers and effects are also available separately. Lights also available. For details phone Mark Barry on 03 9889 1999 or 0419 993 966
www.bssound.com.au bssound@bigpond.com
18 DUFFY ST BURWOOD WWW.HYDRASTUDIOS.COM.AU
HYDRA REHEARSAL STUDIOS BOOK A ROOM! CALL: 0417 000 397 • 2000 WATT HK AUDIO/MACKIE PAs • TEN CLEAN, 30M2 ROOMS • STORAGE • DRUMKIT/AMP HIRE • AIR CON
THINGS WE HEAR Which plans by a major ‘90s band to reunite for a tour and album are being thwarted by their guitarist and songwriter who doesn’t want to go on the road?
WILD THING ZINGS THREE NAMES
Is Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp about to buy Twitter?
Melbourne based touring, bookings and management company Wild Thing Presents has added three more acts for bookings. They are Perth prog metal band Chaos Divine, who tour in April with Caligula’s Horse behind new single Badge Of Honour; Melbourne hardcore merchants Jack The Stripper, currently working on their second album; and Adelaide metal act Dyssidia, who released an album Children Of Aether And Earth last year. Other Wild Thing bands include Caligula’s Horse, AlithiA, Glass Ocean and Orsome Welles.
Which music festival caused a community meeting of 200 to demand it cancel in case a patron accidentally started a bushfire with a cigarette?
MELBOURNE BLUES SOCIETY MOVES The Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society is moving to the Flemington Bowls Club. Opening night (Tuesday March 15) is a fundraiser for the relocation, and a welcome back from Memphis for Miss Whiskey and Dreamboogie who competed at the International Blues Competition. The club says the new venue has more seating and parking, and is accessible by tram and train. More info from president John Jerman at president@mbas.org.au.
AAM CONDUCTING RESEARCH ON MANAGERS The Association of Artist Managers (AAM) is conducting an important firsttime research project into the backgrounds and needs of managers. It covers those looking after bands, DJs and artists, as well as self-managed acts, and AAM want them all to provide input. To contribute to www.aam.org.au/aam-blog/2016survey. “The results will be distributed to peak bodies and government departments in order to support new opportunities for managers and the greater music business community in Australia,” says AAM co-chair Rick Chazan.
With the exit of singer Tony Harnell, are there moves for Skid Row to be rejoined by original man Sebastian Bach? Slum Sociable’s Mansionair remix has got 200,000 Spotify spins. Melbourne’s Storm The Sky announced the departure of founder member Daniel ‘Breenie’ Breen (who in typewriter letters to the fan base explained, “It’s been an incredible ride, but like most things, it has to come to end. I am no longer in a position in my life where I can continue to make music my number one priority”) the same week they posted a new track S.W.F.Y on stormthesky.com. Check out Preston radio 3KND’s first Top 100 indigenous tracks, collected on 3knd. org.au for Australia Day. Not-for-profit Bendigo Beer will set up a craft beer and cider bar at the Groovin’ The Moo festival to showcase four local beers. The partnership started when Bendigo Beer provided drinks for the festival artists’ riders. Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA confirms that an Ol’ Dirty Bastard biopic is in the works, saying a 12-minute teaser shot a year ago “felt pretty fucking cool.” Oslo City Hall’s clock tower will chime tributes to Bowie (Changes) and Lemmy (Electricity) each night for an hour until May over the Norwegian capital. Rapper Yasiin Bey AKA Mos Def is retiring from music and films, with a final album this year.
ELEVEN MUSOS, DJS, AMONG INFLUENTIAL EUROPEANS
ILLNESS LEADS JEZABELS TO CANCEL TOUR
Eleven musicians and DJs were in Forbes’ first 30 Under 30 Europe list, looking at the most influential Europeans under 30. They included Adele, Ed Sheeran, Florence
The Jezabels have sadly cancelled the tour behind their third album Synthia, following keyboardist Heather Shannon being forced to stay in Sydney and the group not wanting to tour without the
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 42
R
Apple has a new app to help musicians record ideas for songs. An update of its Voice Memos, which allows you to record audio on iPhones and iPads, the new Music Memos has higher quality recording and allows you to tag info and preset for drums and others instruments. It also analyses guitar and piano recordings to suggest chords or notation. Apple also updated GarageBand, to include Live Loops, which functions similar to a MPC. T-Pain, who recorded his first album on GarageBand, said it will “change the way an entire generation makes music”.
E
The 20 finalists for APRA Song Of The Year are a mix of well proven names and rising new talent. The winners are announced on Tuesday April 5 during the APRA Music Awards at Carriageworks in Sydney. The 20 are Seth Sentry’s 1969, The Waifs’ 6000 Miles, Daniel Johns’ Aerial Love, Sheppard’s A-Grade Playa, Birds of Tokyo’s Anchor, Troy Cassar-Daley’s Another Australian Day, Troy Cassar-Daley & Paul Kelly’s Freedom Ride, Chet Faker’s Bend, Hiatus Kaiyote’s Borderline With My Atoms and Breathing Underwater, Courtney Barnett’s Dead Fox and Pedestrian At Best, Jarryd James’ Do You Remember, Tame Impala’s Eventually and Let It Happen, Vance Joy’s Georgia, Cold Chisel’s Lost, Shane Nicholson’s Secondhand Man, C.W. Stoneking’s The Zombie and Pond’s Zond.
APPLE APP TO RECORD SONG IDEAS
Z
APRA SONG OF YEAR NOMINEES
Welch, Avicii, FKA Twigs, Afrojack, DJ Snake, Sam Smith, Foals’ Yannis Philippakis, Hozier and rapper Little Simz. The others included actors (Emma Watson, Game Of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke, Daisy Ridley of Star Wars), athletes, footballers, tennis players, F1 drivers and YouTube’s PewDiePie.
STIE EL RI IE
Seth Sentry
H H
MUSIC INDUSTRY NEWS & GOSSIP
IT
C
INDUSTRIAL
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full band. Three years ago Shannon was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. “Although she has been able to maintain life as usual generally, between treatments, the time has come for her to undergo further immediate treatment which will require her to stay in Sydney,” they said.
SYDNEY BIZ CREATES ALLIANCE TO PROTECT MUSIC More than 60 people representing Sydney’s venue operators, musicians, promoters, booking agents, festivals and industry associations met at the Oxford Art Factory last Thursday to set up an alliance to protect Sydney’s live music scene. Pulled together by City of Sydney, they discussed how to lobby the government, influence legislation and promote the value of live music – not only in terms of dollar value but how it contributes to the community. The alliance will be coordinated by MusicNSW. Representative Emily Collins said: “Sydney is full of incredible music talent, passionate audiences and inspiring creative leaders. This alliance is about bringing those leaders together to find new and exciting ways to collaborate.” MC Urthboy added, “It makes a lot of sense to organise and represent the needs of musicians, venues, soundies, bar staff, and the countless others involved in live music.”
GOOD TIMING FOR BON SCOTT MUSICAL The upcoming season of Hell Ain’t A Bad Place to Be – The Story of Bon Scott at the National Theatre in St Kilda has some coincidental timing. The AC/DC frontman would have been 70 this year. The Melbourne run (Friday February 26 to Sunday 28) also celebrates the 40th anniversary of the filming of the Paul Drane-directed Long Way To The Top video down Swanston Street, for Countdown. Nick Barker who’s played the lead role since 2011 is back with a band made up of Ashley Naylor, Venom, Tony Johannsen and Justin Garner. Writer Andrew Barker, who co-wrote The Man In Black: The Johnny Cash Story, calls Scott “a working class hero and underdog and like Cash he had a unique story separate to the band, as fascinating as it was moving and intriguing.” The St Kilda locality is apt too: Scott lived in Lansdowne St and Dalgety St.
TECHNICS TURNTABLES RETURNING Technics turntables, much loved by DJs and vinyl fans, are making a comeback. For some idiotic reason, Panasonic discontinued the iconic brand in 2010 just as the vinyl revival began. But at the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas, two Technics SL1200 models were unveiled. They have a new motor quieter and less prone to vibrations for better sound quality. Sony also previewed a turntable: the PS-HX500, which streamlines the digitisation of your vinyl via a USB cord and app. Other music-related items include a light bulb that plays music (invented in Melbourne), the SleepPhones headband to let you fall asleep to music and music player Prizm, which “reads” the mood of a room and plays appropriate music (it detects you’re in the room via your device and taps into your streaming playlist).
ROUGH START FOR NEW AUSSIE SOCIABL APP Adelaide app Sociabl, which facilitates video calls to celebrities for a small fee (half of which goes to charity), had a rough start. It named Jimmy Barnes, Will.i.am, MUSIC INDUSTRY NEWS & GOSSIP
STUFF FOR THIS COLUMN TO BE EMAILED TO C E L I E Z E R @ N E T S PA C E .N E T. A U B Y F R I D AY 5 P M
David Campbell, Richard Branson and Reece Mastin among its celebs – but they, or their representatives, have denied any involvement. 21-year-old entrepreneur and app founder Brandon Reynolds denied he was “not a major fraud,” showed correspondence with Will.i.am’s people, pulled some of the VIP names off, and said he is initiating legal action against Channel 9. He says it ran an expose of his claims on its Today Show, which he considers “defamatory” because it used a three minute excerpt of a 25 minute interview.
SOUNDKILDA ENTRIES OPEN Music video comp SoundKILDA returns during the 33rd St Kilda Film Festival (May 19-28). It offers prizes for Best Music Video, Cinematography and Craft as well as an audience award for clips released in the last 12 months. Entries close on Friday January 29.
ROB SCOTT JOINS MUSIC SALES Source Music founder Rob Scott is Music Sales Aust/NZ’s Creative Manager. He’ll head its Rights division, developing the new Embassy Music Publishing.
MANDY CHANG HEADING ABC TV’S ARTS Documentary producer/director Mandy Chang is ABC TV’s new Head of Arts. Aside from docos such as Comic Book Heroes and Autopsy On A Dream – The Story of the Sydney Opera House, she helped create the ABC iview Arts channel.
JOSH PYKE’S BEER FROTHS OVER Josh Pyke’s new beer The Summer, based on an original homebrew recipe and named after the song, was launched in Sydney at collaborating brewer Young Henrys’ Newtown plant. Pyke played live and the fermentation tanks were overflowing.
FBi’S WILKINSON LAUNCHES LAZY THINKING FBi Radio president Cassandra Wilkinson has set up Lazy Thinking Records. She says it will sign acts who “can strike a balance between serious critical acclaim and broader appeal: the future sounds of Sydney,” and that the label is “a natural – if overdue – progression” after being “a cheerleader for Sydney music since 1995.”
‘VINYL’ GETS PREMIERE DATE … US drama Vinyl – based around the ‘70s drug and sex fuelled music biz through the eyes of a New York label executive trying to revive his American Century Records and keep his personal life on keel – premieres in Australia through Foxtel with a two-hour episode. Co-produced by Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger, it’ll screen on Monday February 15 at 3.30pm with a 7.30pm primetime encore.
…AND EDM TV SHOW ON THE WAY After the success of Empire and the upcoming Vinyl, there’s a series based around DJ culture. As well as executive producing, Swedish House Mafia’s Steve Angello is developing the script along with his wife Isabel Adrian. Her novel Sex, Drugs and The DJ is being turned into a feature film.
Lifelines SPLIT: Lorde and photographer James Lowe after three years, according to NZ media, which cited the pressure of constantly being in the public eye. BORN: son Elías, their second, to Michael Buble and wife Luisana. BORN: son to One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson and stylist Briana Jungwirth. RECOVERING: Melbourne club DJ Daniel “Dan Dan” Warrington needed full facial surgery to insert 30 screws and metal plates as a result of a beating he received earlier this month. He was walking along Swanston Street at night when he spotted two men setting someone on fire. He intervened, only to have a mob bash him with a skateboard and a bottle of alcohol. RECOVERING: Thirsty Merc touring drummer Mick Skelton is told he will not need any more surgery, following the band’s car accident last year. JAILED: South African rapper Okmalumkoolkat (Brian Simiso Zwane) for a month in Tasmania after playing the Mofo festival. Coming back to his hotel at 5.30 am after drinking with friends, the court heard he entered the room of a fellow festival artist. She woke to find him kissing her and rubbing her privates. DIED: Dale Griffin, drummer with ‘70s British band Mott The Hoople, 67, after a 10 year battle with Alzheimers. DIED: Gary Loizzo, singer and guitarist of ‘70s US band American Breed (Bend Me Shape Me), 70, from pancreatic cancer. DIED: US soul singer and parodist Clarence Reid AKA Blowfly, 76. He was dubbed the Godfather of Hip Hop after his songs were sampled by Beyonce, Wu-Tang Clan, DMX, Eazy-E, Mary J. Blige and The Avalanches. His best known parodies were Shitting On the Dock of The Bay and My Baby Keeps Farting In My Face (Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head).
NXTGIG APP HEADING FOR SYDNEY, MELBOURNE Adelaide’s NXTGIG app, which provides data on gigs, venues, artists and times in real time, will expand to Sydney and Melbourne this year. Developer Karl Falzon said, “It’s free to list your performance and it’s free to access information about gigs and events. NXTGIG can also help with understanding the audience, crucial for audience development and the survival of industry and venues.”
COMING SOON... W W W. T H U N D E R R O A D B R E W I N G . C O M
Share the thrills of scenes from Psycho, Vertigo and North by Northwest performed live by a symphony orchestra.
5 & 6 February Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall
Book now (03) 9929 9600 mso.com.au/hitchcock