Beats Magazine - Wednesday May 15

wednesday may 15 inside:

flatbush zombies

mobin master vs. tate strauss

rara tom showtime chestwig tee mac + more

UPCOMING

JUNE

M AY

on tour RADIOSLAVE [UK] Friday May 17, Brown Alley GENIUS OF TIME [SWE] Friday May 17, The Liberty Social DELTA HEAVY [UK] Sunday May 19, RMH The Venue OCTO OCTA [USA], MAGIC TOUCH [USA], BOBBY BROWSER [USA] Friday May 24, Mercat Basement Saturday May 25, Shebeen KARL HYDE [UK] Saturday May 25, Melbourne Recital Centre AUNTIE FLO [SCO] Saturday May 25, Revolver Upstairs RIFF RAFF [USA] Wednesday May 29, The Liberty Social OMAR-S [USA] Friday May 31, The Liberty Social ROBERT BABICZ [GER], MARC ROMBOY [GER] Friday May 31, Brown Alley VON-D [UK], CASPA [UK] Friday May 31, Brown Alley ELITE FORCE [UK] Friday May 31, RMH The Venue KUTSKI [UK] Friday May 31, Roxanne Parlour CHRIS FORTIER [USA] Friday May 31, New Guernica FLATBUSH ZOMBIES [USA] Saturday June 1, The Toff In Town 6TH BOROUGH PROJECT [SCO] Saturday June 1, New Guernica COSMIN TRG [ROM] Friday June 7, New Guernica DOP [FRA] Friday June 7, The Liberty Social HNQO [BRA] Friday June 7, Brown Alley TYLER, THE CREATOR [USA], EARL SWEATSHIRT [USA] Friday June 7, Palace Theatre THE REVENGE [SCO] Saturday June 8, The Liberty Social BREACH [UK], ROUTE 94 [UK] Saturday June 8, RMH The Venue GREGOR SALTO [NED] Saturday June 8, Alumbra DASH BERLIN [NED] Saturday June 8, Shed 14 TENSNAKE [GER] Saturday June 8, The Bottom End CHRIS LIEBING [GER], JIMMY EDGAR [USA] Sunday June 9, Brown Alley JOHN DIGWEED [UK] Sunday June 9, Prince Bandroom JEFF MILLS [USA] Sunday June 9, The Bottom End SEPALCURE [USA], DJ RASHAD [USA] + MORE Sunday June 9, TBA ATA [GER] Friday June 21, Mercat Basement COOLIO [USA] Thursday June 27, Red Bennies OBIE TRICE [USA] Friday June 28, Trak Lounge A$AP ROCKY [USA] Saturday June 29, Festival Hall JUAN ATKINS [USA], FUNK D’VOID [UK] Friday July 12, Brown Alley ALEX KIDD [UK] Friday July 12, Billboard RICK WILHITE [USA] New Guernica on Saturday July 27 JAMES BLAKE [UK] Wednesday July 31, Palais Theatre CHVRCHES [UK] Monday August 5, Corner Hotel RUDIMENTAL [UK] Saturday September 21, Festival Hall EARTHCORE: ANGY KORE [ITA], PERFECT STRANGER [ISR] + MORE Friday November 29 - Sunday December 2, TBA BRUNO MARS [USA], MIGUEL [USA] Tuesday March 4 & Wednesday March 5, Rod Laver Arena

tour rumours Roman Flügel, Maurice Fulton, Jam City, Andrew Weatherall, Silicone Soul

10 years of

darkbeat wo rd s / p e p p e r s cot t

2013 is a year of milestones for Melbourne’s foremost underground electronic collective, Darkbeat. Currently celebrating its 10th anniversary, founder Daniel Banko’s ‘empire’ has recently expanded into a record label of the same name and, in acknowledgement of all of its achievements over the last decade, is releasing its first ever three-disc compilation. It also marks the direction which Banko is mainly undertaking between now and the rest of the year, with plans to focus more on the music-making side of things and touring while continuing to bring some of the biggest international names to our neck of the woods.

“What’s really exciting for me is getting this compilation out officially,” Banko enthuses. “It’s coming out under our own label, Darkbeat Recordings, which is even more exciting, and that marks out 10th anniversary. It’s just exciting times in general right now because we are also preparing to do an Australia-wide tour for the CD straight after, so it’s all happening.”

His own 16-track mix, sandwiched in-between two of his favourite DJs – Australia’s first and biggest superstar DJ export, Anthony Pappa, and Darkbeat resident and Pioneer expert, Phil K – Banko says the three-disc affair is the musical equivalent of the perfect night out, from start to finish.

“So it’s based on the early part of the night, then the peak of the night, and then it finishes off with the end of the night which is more music to chill out to. Anthony really wanted to do something a bit different with his disc than what people would normally expect from him – it’s more music close to his heart. It’s a little bit more groovier and slower, it’s more house and it has a more funkier beat instead of the normal big, pumping main-room sound that he would be normally playing.

“It’s a mix that really stands the test of time, it’s not going to date musically any time soon. I’ve [Rollin Connection] got the peak of the night covered with the second CD, which takes you through everything from club-ish stuff to more deep house, tech-house, techno and progressive. Finally, there’s Phil K who is one of Australia’s best DJs and he’s done a disc that is more an afterhours soundtrack which is a bit of a different take on the way he’s thinking musically at the moment. It’s more of a slow-mo feel and away from the main-room sound. He brings a whole new element to the triple CD pack.”

And the 10th anniversary compilation is by no means a one-

news

off, according to Banko. With Darkbeat Recordings now wellestablished and about to unleash its first release in epic fashion, there’s plenty more to come from the collective’s studio in 2013.

“It’s a work in progress but we’ve decided that the CD series is going to be a continuous thing from now on,” Banko says. “We’re looking at a CD once every six months or somewhere in-between,

we’re still tossing up ideas, to tell you the truth. Most likely it will be releases that will feature an international artist alongside a local artist, so that we give the local DJ overseas exposure and the international DJ local exposure.

“That way it helps with people finding out about us in other parts of the world, which will hopefully help make the brand global. We have a lot of local guys in Australia that make good music and DJ really well, so we believe they deserve a chance because there aren’t many opportunities going around. Personally, one of the things that I want to get more involved in this year is working on more productions from now onwards. Starting with 2013, we’re doing this first compilation mix CD which will hit the stores

nationwide and worldwide, so we’re getting the word out there. One of the main things I’m focusing on this year is DJing and putting a lot more time back into that side of things myself.”

For a brand that incredibly began with “no specific vision” in mind, most of its achievements have been directly a result of a pure and simple labour of love. Much more than just a pet project of one music-obsessed Melbourne DJ and promoter, Darkbeat has evolved into an empire, as Banko puts it, due to nothing more than a love and passion for quality tunes. And others should take note, too, because that’s really all that it takes.

“Seriously, there wasn’t really that much of a ‘vision’ or a set plan per se,” Banko assures. “It was all done out of a passion and love of good music and DJing. We took a chance and put on an event and just the excitement of pulling off party after party and being really successful at it – that’s what led to it all just growing on its own.

“Darkbeat is completely based on our love of music and both the highlights and lowlights pay off at the end of the day when you see so many people happy and enjoying themselves each night.

People trust us to rock the party and they know that they’ll get a good time. We even started a side-project brand called Trust Us on the basis of, ‘You know who we are and what we do, you can trust us, you know you’ll have an amazing time’. Good memories stick with everyone over the years, it’s an awesome feeling when you know that everyone is there for all the right reasons.”

Darkbeat’s 10th Anniversary 3CD Collection mixed by Anthony Pappa, Phil K and Rollin Connection is released this Friday May 17 on Darkbeat Recordings, distributed through Xelon. They’ll celebrate their 10th birthday on Sunday June 9 with John Digweed at the Prince Bandroom. facebook.com/darkbeat.fanpage

- head to beat.com.au for more

off the record w i t h

t yson

w ray

Chicken and techno. It’s a winning combination.

contact Editor: Tyson Wray / tyson@beat.com.au Editorial Assistant: Nick Taras / nick@beat.com.au Production: Pat O’Neill / art@beat.com.au Typesetting & Design: Michael Cusack Advertising: Adam Morgan - (03) 8414 8719 / adam@beat.com.au Taryn Stenvei - (03) 8414 9711 / taryn@beat.com.au Kris Furst - (03) 8414 9703 / kris@furstmedia.com.au Photographer: Callum Linsell Contributors: Alasdair Duncan, Andrew Hickey, Annabel Maclean, Chloe Papas, Dan Watt, Jo Campbell, Kish Lal, Lachlan Kanonuik, Leigh Salter, Miki McLay, Morgan Richards, Nick Taras, Nina Bertok, Richie Meldrum, RK, Rose Callaghan, Ryan Butler, Simon Hampson, Tamara Vogl, David Wild Deadlines: Editorial: Friday 2pm Advertising: Monday 12pm Publisher: Furst Media - 3 Newton Street, Richmond - (03) 9428 3600 beat.com.au

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dop

dOP are heading to Australia for Terminal Projekt at Vivid this year and on their tour they’ll be hitting Melbourne. dOP have been making beats together for over 20 years so their distinctive style is no surprise. With backgrounds in classic music, jazz, hip hop and reggae, their last voyage was into the realm of electronic music and that’s where they have seemed to have settled. Their love for flutes, horns, saxophones and glockenspiel has resulted in an original blend of music and their passion hurls them forward to depths others are yet to explore. Having worked with Catz n’ Dogz, Guy Gerber, Dj Koze and Noze to name but a few, dOP is a name to etch into your memory. Catch all the fun at Liberty Social on Friday June 7.

tensnake

Tensnake has touched our shores once or twice before and now he is returning again for your aural pleasure. It wouldn’t be going too far to say that Tensnake is an important figurehead in electronic music. Seminal hits like Coma Cat and a constant line of remixes and original productions to his name has made Marco Niemerski a respected producer and also a living legend. No stranger to Australia, Tensnake has provided fans with an incredible performance each and every time. Tantalising their ears with a blend of tracks effortlessly mixed to perfection it would be a crime to not experience his art form at least once. The Bottom End is the perfect venue for what will be an incredible night for tastemakers and new fans alike. Head down to The Bottom End on Saturday June 8.

electronic - urban - club life

electronic - urban - club life

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news

- head to beat.com.au for more

funk d’void

snaps in tribute: ajax lucky coq

He’s been at the forefront of the global electronic music scene since the mid ‘90s, making Lars Sandberg otherwise known as Funk D’Void a veteran of house. Known for hits over the years like Jack Me Off, Bad Coffee and Emotional Content, he has remixed the best from Underworld to New Order. He is probably best known for his seminal hit Diabla which bridged the gap between house and techno, going on to be praised by pretty much everyone, from Danny Howells to Sven Vath. He has been praised as one of the most forward thinking DJs by his peers and is responsible for many trysts into the early hours. Enjoy a slice of history at Brown Alley on Friday July 12.

robert delong Alongside a highly anticipated Splendour in the Grass performance, electronic prodigy Robert DeLong will bring his genre-bending sound to dazzle Melbourne. DeLong exploded into the cultural stratosphere last year debut album Just Movement – an ingenious fusion of hypnotic hooks, bursting beats and reflective lyrics. Robert DeLong plays Ding Dong Lounge on Tuesday July 23

juan atkins

At the dawn of the ‘80s, Juan Atkins began recording what stands as perhaps the most influential body of work in the field of techno which led to him being widely credited as the originator of Detroit techno music. And though it’s often difficult to pick the precise genesis for any style of music, the easiest choice for techno is an Atkins release, Clear. Together with Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson, Atkins make up the Belville Three. They all share a rich history together of which has lasted the test of time.

Everything DJs, producers and the like set out to do in their career, Atkins has achieved it. If you are a purveyor of techno and thirst to experience a set that could just be the best one of your life, Atkins is simply one not to miss. Head down to Brown Alley on Friday July 12 for all the fun.

gregor salto

DJ and producer Gregor Salto has been dominating the Dutch club scene for over a decade and he is bringing his eclectic style to Melbourne this Queen’s Birthday long weekend. He caught his big break in 2004, with the release of one of his best known tracks, Can’t Stop Playing, and from there his star was on the rise. Gregor has established himself as a leading artist in Dutch club land with his distinctive mix of tropical, Latin and soulful grooves, set to a solid base of house and electro. Never a prisoner of his own style, he made a remix for Rihanna’s Diamonds, which was included late last year on the deluxe version of her latest album Unapologetic. It’s all happening at Alumbra on Saturday June 8.

rick wilhite

Dedicating his life to the music industry, Rick Wilhite conveys all his passion and dedication throughout his work. His DJ sets are an intricate blend of R&B, hip hop, techno and reggae but his speciality lies in the realm of house and disco. His ability to understand that a set isn’t about playing a bunch of your favourite records but more about multifaceted crowd control, creativity and the like sets him a part. Throughout his music career, Wilhite has performed for numerous international and stateside venues. He has gone by a host of names: DOC, Tech-12, Working Mixx, and most recently The Godson.

Interestingly enough, each alias describes and symbolises his relationship to his craft. Head down to New Guernica on Saturday July 27.

hnqo

first floor

The musical stylings of Brazilian artist HNQO are heading to Melbourne over this Queen’s Birthday long weekend as presented by the Thick As Thieves crew. More than a musician, HNQO is an interpreter of the past, fusing elements of hip hop, jazz, and other genres into his very own style of deep house grooves. Dexterously layering hi hats onto groovy house beats, and chopping hip hop vocals with a soft but menacing touch, HNQO is a sound unto himself. He is currently one of the fastest rising young stars in the deep house scene. Discovered by the inimitable Russ Yallop, his tracks are forthcoming on Hot Creations, amongst other labels. Check out HNQO at Brown Alley on Friday June 7.

rudimental

Rudimental will return to Australian shores this September.

Having already amazed Australian audiences earlier this year on the Future Music Festival tour, the quartet's return will follows the release of their debut album Home.

Rudimental will hit Festival Hall on Saturday September 21.

Iconic hip hop trio Bliss N Eso are returning to the touring circuit this July with their House of Dreams tour. This tour announcement comes off the back of the release of Home Is Where The Heart Is - the first official single from their upcoming new album Circus In The Sky. Bliss N Eso will be joined by two very special guests - Alabama’s rising star Yelawolf and local superstar Pez. They’ll hit Festival Hall on Saturday July 6.

horrorshow

obie trice

The original Shady Records artist and protégé of Eminem, Obie Trice embarks on his debut headline tour and is touching down in Melbourne this June. Trice began collaborating with Eminem on his albums Devil’s Night, The Eminem Show and the 8 Mile soundtrack giving him exposure which set his debut album Cheers to receive wide acclaim. 2010 saw Trice launched his own record label, Black Market Entertainment, and now in 2013 he releases his fourth studio album The Hangover in June. Australian fans will be the first in the world to see this live as his record release party turns into an Australian wide tour. Head down to Trak on Friday June 28 to catch Obie Trice while he’s here.

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bliss n eso

electronic - urban - club life

Horrorshow will be releasing their long-awaited third album in July and in the lead up to this they will be hitting our shores. Their consistent outshining of expectations to date suggests something special in the chemistry between lyricist Solo and producer Adit. Where others may be swept up in delusions of grandeur, Horrorshow dig deeper into our collective psyche, looking for pre-polished signs of life. Their new single, Unfair Lottery finds them with a renewed sense of purpose, crafting a thoughtful song tackling the idea of privilege and it’s a refreshingly honest play on being “male, middle class and white”. Make sure you keep Saturday June 22 free and head down to Northcote Social Club.

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electronic - urban - club life

5

snaps sound empire

mobin master vs. tate strauss

exciting because you can take your laptop anywhere in the world and produce music.”

In the studio however, the two work best with a full set up of computers, monitors and sound cards, preferring the outcomes of proper music engineering equipment.

“I just find personally on a laptop I don’t get the results I want to get,” Mobin says. “Afrojack created a lot of his stuff pretty much on his laptop, and I’m trying to use the laptop, but it just never sounds good.”

Both also prefer playing live with CDJs as opposed to laptop sets, choosing the traditional ‘hands on’ setup most similar to spinning vinyl.

Putting technical skill aside, Tate believes reading the crowd is one of the most important parts of being a DJ, a sense that comes with experience.

“Reading the crowd is what a lot of kids lack,” he says. “They might come into the scene and have a hit song within the first few months of learning music, but when they start DJing they haven’t had the experience of bad nights and having to work the crowd.”

Playing EDM live in clubs wasn’t the easiest thing to do as the genre was just beginning to take hold of the global club scene, with an early live drop of Mobin’s hit re-work of the Robin S. tune Show Me Love not generating a response.

“For the first year when I was testing it, it killed the floor,” Mobin says. “But later everyone started loving it, so it goes to show you can’t pick which songs will do well.”

word s / to m k i t s o n

Two of Australia’s biggest dance music stalwarts, Mobin Master and Tate Strauss, are about to embark on a nationwide tour with their new club anthem Dreams. Mobin and Tate have been producing, collaborating and DJing as part of Melbourne’s club scene for years. They were pulling in the crowds before EDM was big, earning the attention of international names like Tiesto, Laidback Luke and Roger Sanchez while developing local talent through their Safari Music label.

The two now-veteran DJs went into business together through their label, which was originally designed for Mobin’s music but now

provides a backing for both as well as a number of up and coming artists, including vocalist Polina, who features on their new track.

“It was supposed to be a platform to get signed to other labels, but now it’s become a proper label and we’re getting YouTube hits,” Mobin says. “The third record on Safari Music was Show Me Love, and that was the beginning of the label, so it’s come a long way.”

The evolution of dance music digitally has had a profound impact on the way producers operate, and Tate is excited by the accessibility he now has to music, wherever he is.

“In the past five years, everything’s in the box,” he says. “It’s very

flatbush zombies word s / j o d y m a cg rego r

level 2

Didier Cohen

There are two ways to go when you’re a rapper who gets blogfamous, discovered on YouTube and written about on the strength of a solid mixtape. You can be like Drake, Kid Cudi, Wale and all the other rappers who signed to a major label and then kicked off a career of releasing disappointing albums that, restricted by worrying about your sample-clearance budget and demographics, lack the freewheeling joy of the music that made you famous.

The upshot is you might get to be one of the few people in the music business actually making crazy money, but you’ll have to compromise. You might get to make some decent music on half of your album regardless – Nicki Minaj, never forget – but you’ll have to sit it alongside tunes that aren’t so great, that sound a little more aggressively market-tested.

Then there’s option two, which is basically “be Odd Future”. The LA crew were releasing full albums as well as mixtapes online before anybody over the age of 21 had a clue who they were – wellrealised and complete experiences rather than just bundles of gags and good ideas. They’ve maintained that output even after money and fame, or at least infamy, came calling. The other thing they did was have a crew. Odd Future brought back the idea of having a gang of friends on stage with you rather than just an entourage of hangers-on. Even if some of them stumbled, the others pick up the slack. Like the Wu-Tang Clan, they branch out, but strengthen the core by doing so. There are plenty of people loving Frank Ocean who can’t stand Tyler, the Creator, and vice versa.

Odd Future made it in LA, but New York is where it’s at now.

There is a group of collectives under the flag of ‘Beast Coast’, groups like A$AP Mob, The Underachievers, World’s Fair, The Progressive Era and Flatbush Zombies. While A$AP Mob’s breakout star A$AP Rocky signed a three-million dollar record deal and then pumped out a predictably compromised album, the Flatbush Zombies – apparently next on the list to break through, with their first world tour lined up in preparation – are determined to go the other way.

“What is it about signing to a label?” says Erick Arc Elliott, the trio’s producer and least-stoned member. His compatriots Meech Darko and Juice are in the background, laughing and heckling, but this is one question serious enough for them to let him be while he answers. “As of now I feel like we’re making our own music, we’re doing it our way. I mean how can someone else not see that?”

The other thing they take seriously is making videos. A lot of their fans discovered them via their clip for Thug Waffle, which features the three sitting around a table piled high with weed and waffles, gold on their teeth and smoke filling the room. According to Meech, they wanted to make a video that showed them “in their comfort zone and not the artist being an actor. Not saying there’s anything wrong with acting, like scripts and shit, but there’s something wrong when you’re portraying someone else as an artist. Like, our fans like videos that show the artists, that doesn’t

Mobin Master vs. Tate Strauss’ Dreams featuring Polina is out now on Safari Music. They’ll also play at Fusion at Crown on Saturday June 1. facebook.com/mobinmaster facebook.com/tatestraussofficial

feel like some industry-made shit.”

Erick is quick to dismiss comparisons between the sounds and attitudes of the various groups who have been called Beast Coast. “I think we all have respect for hip hop, but that’s about it,” he says of what they’ve got in common. “Everyone coming out of New York right now who’s actually making noise are pretty much themselves, are pretty original I would like to say. I don’t want to say it’s a new second coming of anything.”

Flatbush Zombies recently collaborated with fellow New Yorkers The Underachievers on a song called No Religion that suggests a few similarities, however. They’re both equally fierce in spite of being equally high, and they’re both equally ambitious, audaciously taking the rest of hip hop to task for living in the past.

“Stop tryna be Tupac – try and be better.” That’s youth for you. Something else that gives away their Generation Y membership is the constant casual referencing of technology in their metaphors, with The Underachievers boasting that their weed is so potent it’ll “put you in sleep mode” while Juice from the Zombies boasts that he plans to “give her the hard drive”.

The final thing they have in common is a shared mythology made up of references to third eyes, chakras and indigo children, the kind of New Age philosophy that comes from an interest in psychedelic substances and watching documentaries about “spirit science”. Like the Wu-Tang Clan’s five-percenter ideology, it’s slightly below the surface but once you go looking for it you realise it’s all over their work like a thumbprint. Unsurprisingly, the Zombies are big fans of the Wu. “I don’t want to give ’em sole credit cause I don’t give anybody credit for shit,” says Meech, “but I would say a big percentage of it is those guys, so that is what I say. I definitely loved listening to Wu-Tang when I was a child.”

Juice, who has been laughing and talking about Law & Order in the background this whole time, finally steps forward to have his say after that. “Nah, I think no one in the world sound like us, son,” he says. “Nobody sound like us.”

Flatbush Zombies play The Toff in Town on Saturday June 1. facebook.com/flatbushzombies

behind the decks with: Where’s the strangest place you’ve woken up?

I’ve never woken up anywhere strange, or ever at all. Life is dreamy.

What was the weirdest thing you believed as a child?

That I could sing really really good.

The most awkward moment you’ve had as a DJ? I was about to play a little stage at a festival in Germany, and the sound guy decided to move my CDs from next to the decks where I’d placed them in preparation for playing. He put them on top of a handy speaker stack that was nearby while he rearranged a cord or two, when the bass kicked in - the speaker rumbled, and all of my CDs were flung into the mud, he looked at me and began to cry.

What would be the worst dance track in the world to be tortured with on repeat?

Eiffel 65 - Blue What’s the most played record in your bag?

Daphini - Yes, I Know at the moment.

If you hadn’t made it as a DJ, what job would you choose to work in instead?

Vibe control/travel law/time paddling.

chestwig 6

electronic - urban - club life

When and where is your next gig?

This Sunday at onesixone ‘Back to Work’ with Digital Primate, Matt Radovich, Greg Sara, and many more. soundcloud.com/chestwig

electronic - urban - club life

7

club guide wednesday may 15

snaps bimbos

COQ ROQ - FEAT: AGENT 86 + DJS LADY NOIR + JOYBOT + KITI + MR THOM Lucky Coq, Windsor. 7:00pm.

COSMIC PIZZA - FEAT: NHJ Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm DUBSTEP GRIME DRUM & BASS - FEAT: DJ BADDUMS + DJ CARMEX Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.

HALFWAYS Workshop, Melbourne. 8:00pm.

HOODRAPZ - FEAT: WEDNESDAY Workshop, Melbourne. 7:00pm.

LOST & FOUND - FEAT: DJ SPIDEY + DJ RUBY FROST Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 8:00pm.

MO’ SOUL - FEAT: DJ VINCE PEACH & MISS GOLDIE Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.

NEW GUERNICA WEDNESDAYS New Guernica, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm.

SOUL ARMY Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.

THE DINNER SET Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 6:00pm.

thursday may 16

3181 THURSDAYS - FEAT: HANS DC + JAKE JUDD + NIKKI SARAFIAN + HEY SAM + JESSE YOUNG + JOHN DOE + SEAN RAULT Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 5:00pm.

BANG N MASH Word Events Warehouse & Lounge, Melbourne. 8:00pm.

BILLBOARD THURSDAYS - FEAT: MATT DEAN + MATTY GRANT + PHIL ROSS Billboard, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. $10.

CHI BEATS Chi Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm.

DJ KRONIC + MS BUTT Espy, St Kilda. 9:00pm.

DO DROP IN - FEAT: DJ KITI + DJ LADY NOIR The Carlton Hotel, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.

DON’T THINK I’M ALIVE THURSDAYS The Vineyard, St Kilda. 7:00pm.

FREE RANGE FUNK - FEAT: AGENT 86 + LEWIS CANCUT + WHO LUCKY COQ, WINDSOR. 6:00PM. GOOD EVENING - FEAT: DJ PEOPLE Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm.

GRAD PARTY THURSDAYS - FEAT: DJ ROWIE European Bier Cafe, Melbourne Cbd. 5:00pm.

LE DISCO TECH Pretty Please, St Kilda. 8:00pm.

LOVE STORY Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm.

MIDNIGHT EXPRESS - FEAT: DJS PREQUEL & EDD FISHER Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 11:00pm.

MOOD - FEAT: NUBODY Loop, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm.

NEW GUERNICA THURSDAYS - FEAT: CONDUCTORS + JAMES KANE + NEGATIV MAGICK + NU BALANCE + POST PERCY New Guernica, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.

RADIONICA Workshop, Melbourne. 8:00pm.

THE RITZ THURSDAYS - FEAT: NARI & MILANI + CARRICK DALTON & SAM COHEN + CAUC-ASIAN DJ’S + ED WILKS + JOSHUA GILILAND + KEN WALKER + LUCILLE CROFT + MAX KRUSE + TIM LIGHT + ZACK ROSE Trak Lounge Bar, Toorak. 8:00pm. $20.

TIGER FUNK LIVE - FEAT: DJ MOONSHINE Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.

TROCADERO Match Bar & Grill, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.

workshop

friday may 17

ANYTIME Workshop, Melbourne. 8:30pm.

BADABOOM FRIDAYS - FEAT: DJ ROWIE European Bier Cafe, Melbourne Cbd. 4:00pm.

CANT SAY Platform One, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $10.

CHI FRIDAYS Chi Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.

CQ FRIDAYS Cq, Melbourne. 8:00pm.

CRUCIAL SOCIAL ACADEMY - FEAT: DJ A13 + DJ JELLYFISHWORKSHOP, MELBOURNE. 8:00PM. discotheque - feat: elana musto + greg sara + scott t MATCH BAR & GRILL, MELBOURNE CBD. 7:00PM. FRIDAY NIGHT COMMERCIAL HOUSE DJS - FEAT: HIJACK + LIVNBEYNG + MAGIC HOUSE

Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 8:30pm.

I LOVE OLD SCHOOL - FEAT: SHAGGZ & PUPPET + DJ TEY + MERV MAC Red Bennies, South Yarra. 10:00pm. $10.

JUICY - FEAT: CHAIRMAIN MEOW + COBURG MARKET + MR. FOX + TIGERFUNK + WHO Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 8:30pm.

MEET YOUR MATES FRIDAYS Libation, Fitzroy. 9:00pm.

MIDNIGHT MIDNIGHT New Guernica, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.

MR VEGAS Prince Bandroom, St Kilda. 8:00pm.

PANORAMA - FEAT: DJS MATT RAD + MR GEORGE + PHATO A MANO + TOM MEAGHER Lucky Coq, Windsor. 8:00pm.

POPROCKS - FEAT: DR PHIL SMITH Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.

REMEMBER ME The Motel, South Melbourne. 8:00pm.

RETRO SEXUAL One Twenty Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.

UNTZZ 12 INCH - EP 002 LAUNCH Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 6:00pm.

SATURDAY MORNING - FEAT: DJ SUNSHINE + DJ BUTTERS + DJ HEY SAM Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 6:00am.

SHUFFLE FRIDAY NIGHTS Bridie O’reilly’s Brunswick, Brunswick. 10:00pm.

SVELT + BISCOTTI + MANGELWURZEL 303, Northcote. 8:30pm. $10.

THE FOX FRIDAYS Fox Hotel, Collingwood. 7:00pm.

UPTOWN GROOVE Order Of Melbourne, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.

WEEKENDER! Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.

SHUFFLE FRIDAY NIGHTS Bridie O’reilly’s Brunswick, Brunswick. 11:00pm.

THE FOX FRIDAYS Fox Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm.

UPTOWN GROOVE Order Of Melbourne, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.

saturday may 18

VENICE MUSIC - FEAT: DJ ALI E Some Velvet Morning, Clifton Hill. 8:00pm.

BILLBOARD SATURDAYS - FEAT: FRAZER ADNAM SCOTT MCMAHON + JAMIE VLAHOS + MR MAGOO + ZIGGY Billboard, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $15.

CHI SATURDAYS Chi Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm CLUB FICTION - FEAT: KITTY ROCK & THE BAD LADIES Red Bennies, South Yarra. 2:00am.

DJ PLAZMA Idgaff Bar & Venue, Abbotsford. 8:00pm.

FIRST FLOOR SATURDAYS - FEAT: BILLY HOYLE + DJS DUCHESZ + MZRIZK + WASABI First Floor, Fitzroy. 9:00pm.

GLITCH THIS - FEAT: SATURDAY Workshop, Melbourne. 7:00pm.

HOT STEP Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 7:00pm.

LAB 22 Palace Theatre, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm.

MIXED DRINKS SATURDAYS Libation, Fitzroy. 9:00pm.

MOTEL SATURDAYS The Motel, South Melbourne. 8:00pm.

NEO SACRILEGE - FEAT: DJ NERO Abode, St Kilda. 8:00pm.

NEW GUERNICA SATURDAYS New Guernica, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm.

ONESIXFIVE - FEAT: DJ COURTNEY MILLS + DJ HOOPS + DJ OLLIE HOLMES + DJ JOSH PAOLA + DJ WILL CUMMINGS Onesixone, Prahran. 3:00am.

POISON APPLE Prince Bandroom, St Kilda. 8:00pm.

SATURDAY CONFIDENTIAL Galley Room, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.

SATURDAYS - FEAT: ACTION SAM + DJ ROWIE European Bier Cafe, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm.

SATURDAYS @ LEVEL 2 - FEAT: DJ BOOGS + DJ CHESTWIG + DJ LUKE MCD + DJ MIKE HUNT + DJ ROWIE + DJ SPECIAL K Level 2 The Club, Northcote. 9:00pm.

SATURDAYS AT ONE TWENTY BAR One Twenty Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.

SOUND EMPIRE - FEAT: DJ TATE STRAUSS + DJ JOE SOFO + DJ MATTY + DJ MISS SARAH + DJ PHIL ROSS Fusion, Southbank. 9:30pm. $25.

SOUTH SIDE SHOW - FEAT: EDD FISHER + KNAVE KNIXX Red Bennies, South Yarra. 8:00pm. $15.

STAR SATURDAYS Star Bar, South Melbourne. 8:00pm.

STRUT SATURDAYS - FEAT: COLLECTIVE + ANDREAS + DANNY MERX + HENRIQUE + JASON SERINI + MARK PELLEGRINI + MC JUNIOR + NICK VAN WILDER Trak Lounge Bar, Toorak. 8:00pm. $22.

SUNDAY NIGHTS - FEAT: DJ DAMION DE SILVA + DJ JAY J + DJ KEN WALKER + DJ LIGHTING Co., Southbank. 8:30pm.

TEMPERANCE SATURDAYS - FEAT: DJ MARCUS KNIGHT + DJ XANDER JAMES Temperance Hotel, South Yarra. 8:00pm.

TEXTILE - FEAT: DJS PACMAN + JEAN PAUL + MOONSHINE + TAH Lucky Coq, Windsor. 6:00pm.

THE FOX SATURDAYS Fox Hotel, Collingwood. 7:00pm.

THE HOUSE DEFROST - FEAT: DJ ANDEE FROST Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 11:00pm.

TOO MUCH 4TH BIRTHDAY - FEAT: MOSCA + DAVID BASS + NAISE + SAME O + WOZ Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 6:00pm.

WHAT’S DOING? - FEAT: DJ CITIZEN.COM Workshop, Melbourne. 8:00pm.

WHY NOT? - FEAT: SATURDAY Pretty Please, St Kilda. 8:00pm.

sunday may 19

COSMIC TONIC Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 9:30pm.

DANGER - FEAT: GEORGE HYSTERIC & ROHAN BELL-TOWERS The Carlton Hotel, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.

GUILTY PLEASURES Pretty Please, St Kilda. 8:00pm.

MOTEL SUNDAYS The Motel, South Melbourne. 8:00pm.

NO MORE-BANG-FOR-BUCK BURLESQUE SHOW! Red Bennies, South Yarra. 8:00pm.

REVOLVER SUNDAYS - FEAT: DJ BOOGS + DJ SPACEY SPACE + DJ RADIATOR + DJ SILVERSIX + DJ T-REK Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 6:30pm.

SOUTH SIDE HUSTLE - FEAT: ASKEW + BOOSHANK + DISCO HARRY + JUNJI + MISS BUTT + PAZ + PETER BAKER Lucky Coq, Windsor. 8:30pm.

SUNDAE SHAKE - FEAT: AGENT 86 + PHATO-A-MANO + TIGERFUNK Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 4:00pm.

SUNDAY SESSIONS - FEAT: DAN BOWDENA ND MAYFIELD + FOUNKSHUI Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 4:30pm.

SURRENDER - FEAT: DJ SERGEANT SLICK + DJ ADAM TRACE + DJ ADRIAN CHESSARI + DJ CHRIS OSTROM + DJ SEF Fusion, Southbank. 8:00pm.

THE SUNDAY SET - FEAT: DJS ANDYBLACK + HAGGIS Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 4:00pm.

monday may 20

IBIMBO - FEAT: LADY NOIR & KITI Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 6:00pm.

KOOL AID - FEAT: DJ MU-GEN Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.

STIFF DRINK - FEAT: DJ MICHAEL KUCYK + DJ MICHAEL OZONE + DJ ROMAN WAFERS Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.

TWERKERS CLUB - FEAT: DJ FLETCH Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:00pm.

tuesday may 21

BIMBO TUESDAYS - FEAT: ADAM ASKEW Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.

COSMIC PIZZA Lucky Coq, Windsor. 8:00pm.

DJ JAGUAR E55, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.

NEVER CHEER BEFORE YOU KNOW WHO’S WINNING - FEAT: REPETER FONDA Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 7:00pm.

talking ghetto funk with:

tom showtime

What do you love the most about the ghetto funk/nu funk genre?

It’s a mid-tempo genre that blends breakbeat, funk, hip hop, and bass music with lots of bootlegs and mash-ups – guaranteed party starting business. It’s basically larger sounding, more dance-floor friendly versions of the tracks you love, laced with hyped hip hop lyrics and fuelled by big beats and bigger bass lines.

Who are some of the pioneers/biggest names in the genre?

Breakbeat legend A.Skillz had a big hand in popularising these big banging mash-ups and Featurecast (Ghetto Funk) helped pioneer the sound with releases on Goodgroove Records, with the label basically initiating the birth of the genre. Ghetto Funk label artists Stickybuds, Slynk, Basement Freaks, Dancefloor Outlaws, B-Side, Tom Showtime, The Captain, WBBL, Goodgroove, J-Roc, Kool Hertz & Lewd Behavior are all big in the scene with names like The Breakbeat Junkie, Fort Knox Five, Ali B, Nick Thayer, BadboE, Hong Kong Ping Pong, All Good Funk Alliance and Mooqee also being favourites.

Record labels such as Bombastic Jam, Bomb Strikes, Breakbeat Paradise, Manmade and Jalapeno Records all release ghetto funk/nu-funk.

Is there a particular country that has really embraced the genre?

Obviously it’s massive in the UK where it all began with the movement is best represented by the eponymous blog ghettofunk. co.uk. The scene is also huge in Canada, where local artists like The Funk Hunters, DJ Wood and Jpod The Beat Chef reside and the famous Shambahla music festival happens. The sound is definitely sweeping the globe and it’s growing here now in Australia with Out Now Agency head honcho Paul Masters touring his famous Regrooved parties nationally.

Tell us about some of the exciting things coming out of the Ghetto Funk label.

The Ghetto Funk Presents series of artist EPs are consistently raising

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electronic - urban - club life

the bar and pushing the genre forward, watch out for forthcoming releases by B-Side & Slynk. The label’s catalogue is both vinyl based and digital, now with a sub-label Sub Funk releasing more original based material. Tom Showtime’s recent signing to the label and consequent release are creating a buzz locally.

Who here in Melbourne is playing this genre and where?

Chances are your favourite party rocking DJ is playing it right now!

100% Phat’s Tom Showtime, Agent 86 and DJ Ayna are constantly representing the sound.

Melbourne based producer/DJ Copycat is killing it right now. The Dropping Phat crew Citizen.Com, Matty Blades and JD host a bass heavy party by the same name, it goes down monthly at The Workshop.

What is the new night you’re involved in and what does it offer?

PHATURDAYS (n.) – the largest night of the week. Expect colossal beats, massive hip hop classics, heavyweight bass and an enormous selection of drinks, plus huge amounts of ‘hands in the air’. This tremendous night is getting bigger and bigger with Tom Showtime & DJ Ayna always on rotation.

Why should people come check out Phaturdays: Extra Large Edition?

It’s always a crazy party at BlueBar330, but this time they’re upsizing the weekly dose of booty shakin’ party music and bringing to you Australia’s biggest Ghetto Funk export, the funky breakbeat prodigy Slynk! Slynk’s reputation stems from his inventory of unreleased and unsigned party style ghetto funk bootlegs, remixes and edits. His work is highly soughtafter by DJs around the world and with new tunes, collaborations and projects always in the pipelines, you’re guaranteed a fresh show every time.

You can hear Slynk, Tom Showtime & DJ Ayna Saturday May 17 at Bluebar330, 330 Chapel Street, Prahran.

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urban club guide snaps khokolat koated

wednesday may 15 COMPRESSION SESSION - FEAT: CASSAWARRIOR + DD + RICKA E55, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.

SOUL ENSEMBLE Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm.

thursday may 16 BE EASY - FEAT: DJ ARKS + DJ THANKS Workshop, Melbourne. 8:00pm.

PENNIES - FEAT: VARIOUS DJS Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $6.

RHYTHM-AL-ISM - FEAT: DJ DAMION DE SILVA + DJ K-DEE + DJ SIMON SEZ Eden, Melbourne. 10:00pm. $15.

friday may 17 CHAISE FRIDAYS - FEAT: SOULCLAP + DJ CLAZ + DJ DIRX + DJ PERIL + DJ SEF Chaise Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 4:30pm.

CREW LOVE - FEAT: DJ TONY SUNSHINE Sub Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. $15.

FAKTORY - FEAT: DJ DAMION DE SILVA + DJ DURMY + DJ K DEE + DJ YATHS Khokolat Bar, Melbourne. 8:30pm.

GET LIT Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm.

LIKE FRIDAYS - FEAT: BROZ + DIR-X + DJS DINESH + NYD + SEF + SHAGGZ + SHAUN D La Di Da, Melbourne. 7:00pm.

SWEET NOTHING FRIDAYS - FEAT: DJ MARCUS KNIGHT + DJ XANDER JAMES Temperance Hotel, South Yarra. 8:00pm.

saturday may 18 BLADES + B.O.S + ELOQUOR + MORGANICS + PROPH + SPEECH THERAPY Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. $12.

CHAISE LOUNGE SATURDAYS - FEAT: DJ ANDY PALA + DJ KAH LUA Chaise Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.

LAUNDRY SATURDAYS Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm.

PHATURDAY - FEAT: TOM SHOWTIME + DJ AYNA Blue Bar, Prahran. 10:00pm.

SATURDAY NIGHTS - FEAT: DJ DAMION DE SILVA + DJ JAY SIN + DJ K DEE Khokolat Bar, Melbourne. 8:30pm.

THE DOJO - FEAT: VARIOUS DJS Order Of Melbourne, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm.

sunday may 19 BE. - FEAT: DJ DAMION DE SILVA + DJ JAY J + DJ KEN WALKER Co., Southbank. 10:00pm. $15.

monday may 20 FREEDOM PASS - FEAT: PHIL ROSS + B-BOOGIE + CHRIS MAC + DOZZA Co., Southbank. 9:30pm.

THAT’S A RAP First Floor, Fitzroy. 6:00pm.

tuesday may 21 CAN I KICK Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm.

talking shop with: What do you love about making music?

Mouf: I like the fact it’s straight from my imagination. I can conjure up songs from my mind from scratch and produce anything I want with no barriers or anything to stop me. It’s freedom at its finest. So I guess the thought process of making music is what I like the most, getting in the zone and writing lyrics.

Ciec: I love the whole process from making a beat, writing lyrics, recording, mixing, mastering. It’s my therapy in this mad, mad world.

What do you hate about the music industry?

Mouf: Everything. It’s like anything, when money gets involved you get people that want to capitalise and turn something dope like hip hop into a money making scheme and use a bunch of puppets to flog it out till it’s a dead horse. Also I’ve got a hatred for rappers that get on their high horse as soon as they get some shine, they piss me off a lot.

Ciec: I hate that so many people’s skills get overlooked now ‘cause they don’t fit the new trendy, radio friendly hip pop music mould that’s being pushed down everyone’s throats by the mainstream. Other than that, I’m proud to see that the industry I helped build is still alive and kicking.

rhythm-al-ism @ eden

known associates (maggot mouf & ciecmate)

What’ve you got to sell CD wise?

Mouf: Maggots Anonymous, You’re All Ears, Runnin’ With Scissors, Meat N 2veg Mixtape, Magodatron Mixtape. Known Associates – Ashes To Dust.

Ciec: The whole Broken Tooth Entertainment catalogue. Peep it.

What do you think a band has to do these days to succeed?

Mouf: Pretty much be prepared to work hard for ten years for free or fuck all and keep churning out music until they hit the

nail on the head, that and a bit of luck and a shitload of drive.

Ciec: Same thing as always, persevere and build your skills. It really helps to be talented though.

What’s your favourite song and why?

Mouf: I’d have to say Never Would Admit It is my fave. It’s honest, deep and personal and the beats on some shit.

Ciec: Known Associates. Just a really good energy to it. We had fun making it and it smashes out.

How do you stop your pre-gig jitters?

Mouf: About two scotch’n’cokes and three beers and it’s all good.

Ciec: Deep breaths.

How do you balance making music with your other commitments?

Mouf: I pretty much put music first over everything. I finish studying soon then it’s time to get a real job but for now I’m doing music and that’s it. I haven’t worked in three years I quit my job after You’re All Ears because I wanted to go hard with music before I was too old and boring. Working full time and putting an album together is really hard – working for the man takes away a lot of the passion for music.

Ciec: My list of commitments grows rapidly, however most of them involve making music so it’s balancing out ok. I need to get more sleep though.

Ciecmate & Maggot Mouf together are Known Associates.

Their record Ashes To Dust is out this Friday May 17. facebook.com/maggotmouf facebook.com/ciecmatenewsense

talking shop with: When and why did you start rapping?

At the age of 19. I was influenced early on by groups such as Public Enemy and 2 Live Crew, also NWA, but my main influence was and always will be 2Pac. Have you collaborated with any other hip hop artists?

Locally I worked with an artist called T Dub on the Sunshine Coast. We have our own crew called Paypah Stackaz.

Internationally I’ve worked with Shade Sheist (Billboard recording artist), Big Fase 100 (The Game’s brother), Sun (zoolife/G Unit), Thin C (Mo Thugs) and many more worldwide!

tee mac

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Tell me about playing overseas, in Santa Ana, California?

I was invited over to do an instore appearance after an earlier meeting with the owner of Napsac Apparel. It was a great experience. There were a few other US acts that supported me

electronic - urban - club life

as I was headlining this instore. The crowd loved it – made new connections and more fans in the US. Where would you like to be in five years?

Hopefully still recording and touring around Australia and even into Asia. I also hope to get my own label up and running to support local acts.

Do you have anything out at the moment?

My newest album Hate Me Now is available on iTunes worldwide, as well as a few other single tracks. I also have 12 other albums available if people contact me via my main website.

Where can we listen to your beats and rhymes? teemacmusic.com or soundcloud.com/officialteemac

snaps be. @ co.

rara words / denver maxx

Melbourne hip hop quartet RaRa are frontier men. This youthful foursome made up of Ll’vo (Darren Parisella), Lovely Me (Nathanael Dixon), River Deep (real name) and KL (Cale Foley) are here to tear down your perceptions of Aussie hip hop through confronting messages and complex beats.

“We’re trying to break away from that ‘skip hop’ stigma that Aussie hip hop has. RaRa is creating vibes and breaking down barriers.

Part of that is jumping onstage wearing costumes, wearing dresses and not being afraid to talk about the shit we talk about,” states beat maker and rapper Parisella, even at conversation pace the words burst out of his mouth.

The group’s latest 20 song mixtape, Post-Homo, is confronting from its phallic cover art to songs like The Night I Shit My Pants and Cocaine. Parisella explains that RaRa want to get people thinking, they want to tear down everything that has come before. On this thread Parisella makes a strong distinction by saying “We’re not trying to be heavy in that Aussie hip hop thing.”

Joining the dialogue at this point of the interview is Dixon (Lovely Me). “RaRa is about having fun with hip hop and create a new vibe - a new identity.” Parisella now collaborates with his musical brother

by adding, “Exactly what he said, we’re trying to break away from that ‘skip hop’ stigma that Aussie hip hop has. That’s what RaRa is trying to do, we’re trying to create vibes and we’re trying to break down barriers.” Dixon adds to this point, “We’re not trying to be on a different topic to other Aussie hip hoppers, we’re just rapping about stuff that is real and that is relevant to us because it is what we are experiencing – topics that we don’t hear anyone else rap about.”

One issue that RaRa confront on the Post-Homo is neo-macho-ism and the spectre of socially expected ‘homophobia’ and the hugely under-acknowledged the societal effect that using a term like ‘faggot’ as a derogatory term can have on young men coming to terms with their sexuality.

The outspoken Parisella gives an example how RaRa approaches an issue that no one else seems to rap about. “In Followed By Experts I try to open to Nate and tell him some stuff I have been going through and he is like ‘What are you talking about, shut the fuck up, you’re not meant to have feelings, I don’t give a fuck about your feelings’ and he calls me a ‘weak faggot’ and I know that word carries a lot of meaning, we’re not using it as derogatory, we are simply using it as the word is used. We’ve grown up with it being used, so he’s basically

making a statement by saying ‘you’re trying to open up to me so you’re a weak faggot’ it’s playing up on that thing because where we were raised, you don’t talk about your feelings, you don’t talk about that shit, that’s alien!”

Growing up in Melbourne’s leafy eastern suburbs, RaRa isn’t going to lie to us and pretend they have the same problems as the original US rappers from the ghettos of Brooklyn and South Central.

Parisella now addresses a huge problem facing generation Y that the RaRa rap about, most notably on the song Cocaine. “Let’s face it, our generation has a big problem with anxieties and mental issues that are stemming from party drugs.” Dixon now weighs in with a specific example from the aforementioned Followed By Experts. “In Followed By Experts Ll’vo says, ‘I didn’t even know that my brain was fucked, all that shit that I did, so many repercussions,’ and yeah, looking at a lot of people our age they don’t realise what they’re doing to their brains until it’s too late.”

Predictably unpredictable and not afraid to mess the norm, RaRa are putting on a huge party at Revolver as Part 1 of the Post-Homo launch. An act on the lineup is precise beat maker Willow Beats.

Dixon explains how an unexpected collaboration was how the link was made with Willow Beats.

“We met him at the Inca Roads Festival in December last year. We actually camped next to him and us RaRa guys were all just free styling and then they came over and then he just ripped out his laptop and we just started freestyling over his beats and ever since we have been really tight with him.”

RaRa are launching the Post-Homo mixtape at Revolver Upstairs on Saturday May 18. facebook.com/rara.ism

faktory at khokolat bar

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