Beats Magazine - Wednesday August 28

wednesday august 28 inside:

demarco

horrorshow

news tours club snaps + more

n o s LA I RLAND E D N WO

UPCOMING

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER

on tour SIGMA [UK] Friday August 30, Brown Alley STICKYBUDS [CAN] Friday August 30, Howler TYREE COOPER [USA] Saturday August 31, New Guernica JUS-ED [USA] Saturday August 31, The Liberty Social MACHINE GUN KELLY [USA] Thursday September 5, The Hi-Fi JOHN “00” FLEMING [UK] Friday September 6, Prince Bandroom MO KOLOURS [UK] Saturday September 7, Revolver Upstairs MARCOS CABRAL [USA] Friday September 13, Mercat Basement TERRY FRANCIS [UK] Friday September 13, OneSixOne ZOMBY [UK] Friday September 13, The Liberty Social GHOSTPOET [UK] Saturday September 14, Corner Hotel R.A THE RUGGED MAN [USA] Thursday September 19, The Espy HERNAN CATTANEO [ARG] Friday September 20, Prince Bandroom KENNY LARKIN [USA], STIMMING [GER] Friday September 20, Brown Alley SNAKEHIPS [UK] Friday September 20, The Liberty Social ERIC CLOUTIER [GER] Friday September 20, Mercat Basement DJ FRICTION [UK] Saturday September 21, Brown Alley RUDIMENTAL [UK] Saturday September 21, Festival Hall ROBERT HOOD [USA] Saturday September 21, The Liberty Social PETER VAN HOESEN [BEL] Friday September 27, New Guernica LAUREL HALO [USA], OBJEKT [GER] Saturday September 28, The Liberty Social TALIB KWELI [USA], HOMEBOY SANDMAN [USA] Thursday October 3, The Hi-Fi HUNTER/GAME [ITA] Friday October 4, New Guernica SANDER VAN DOORN [NED] Friday October 4, The Palace LISTEN OUT: DISCLOSURE [UK], TNGHT [UK], AZEALIA BANKS [USA] + MORE Saturday October 5, Observatory Precinct, Royal Botanic Gardens ROGERSEVENTYTWO [NED] Saturday October 5, Brown Alley MICKEY AVALON [USA] Friday October 18, Corner Hotel PORTER ROBINSON [USA] Sunday October 20, Billboard BOOKA SHADE [GER] Thursday October 24, Prince Bandroom CHOPSTICK & JOHNJON [GER] Sunday November 3, Revolver Upstairs AME [GER], MATTHIAS TANZMANN [GER] Sunday November 3, Brown Alley SALT N PEPA [USA] Saturday November 16, Palais Theatre STRAWBERRY FIELDS: CARL CRAIG [USA], MOODYMANN [USA] Friday November 22 - Sunday November 24 , TBA EARTHCORE: ANGY KORE [ITA], PERFECT STRANGER [ISR] + MORE Friday November 29 - Sunday December 2, TBA STEREOSONIC: DAVID GUETTA [FRA], ARMIN VAN BUUREN [NED], CALVIN HARRIS [UK] + MORE Saturday December 7 - Sunday December 8, Royal Melbourne Showgrounds RAINBOW SERPENT: DONATO DOZZY [ITA], MICHAEL MAYER [GER] + MORE Friday January 24 - Monday January 27, Lexton BRUNO MARS [USA], MIGUEL [USA] Tuesday March 4 & Wednesday March 5, Rod Laver Arena

alison wonderland word s / la c h la n k a n o n i u k

After spending the past few years ascending to the ranks as one of Australia’s most prominent party-starting DJs, Alison Wonderland switched it up last month with the first original track released under the moniker. Get Ready, featuring Blue Mountains rap-electronica duo, showcases Wonderland’s production chops which have been developing concurrent to her rising DJ career. Speaking in the midst of the single’s launch tour dates, Wonderland renumerates on what looks set to be a defining crossroads in her musical career.

“It’s awesome,” she says on her current hefty touring schedule.

“When I looked at all those dates I thought it would be quite daunting and tiring, but I don’t feel tired at all. I’m just excited to tour.”

In terms of original compositions, it’s not just Get Ready that’s being thrown into the mix. “I guess I’m playing a few more of my own tracks, ones I haven’t released yet, and putting them into the set. I’m still playing stuff I like, it’s just a set is always changing,” she reasons.

Though both acts had been well established in their respective Sydney base, Wonderland’s team-up with Fishing was a result of a happenstance festival meet-up. “Well I’d already made the track and I wanted it to be an instrumental, but people suggested I should get someone to rap on it. I sent it to friends in New York to have a go at it, but to me it wasn’t right. I didn’t want to put anything out that I thought was good but not amazing. I bumped into the Fishing guys at Groovin’ The Moo and I showed them the track and asked if they were interested in rapping, because I heard they ruled at that. Two days later they sent me an amazing vocal back, reminding me a little bit of Beastie Boys, a little bit of Das Racist. I knew that was probably the right fit.”

Alison Wonderland’s shift from solely DJ work to a production output was a natural move, she explains. “Well funnily enough, I’ve been producing as long as I’ve been DJing, just never under the name Alison Wonderland. I would put stuff out and no one knew who it was, and if they liked the music, they liked the music.

news

Wonderland’s creative output is shaped by a refined palate, encompassing a broad and passionate musical intake from across the globe. “I’m always a big fan of hip hop, so I’ve been playing that for a long time. There’s a lot of bad trap music out there, but there’s

also some good stuff that doesn’t have those bad fuzzy synths,” Alison assesses, pausing to let out a sigh of disgust. “I’m very open minded in what I choose. If I really like the track, I’ll play it and find a way to work it into my set. I’m really liking Ryan Hemsworth a lot. Then again, at SXSW I was exposed to more music than if I was just checking blogs and Soundclouds. I really got into Rat King. They’re amazing. I went and saw them at Glass Lounge a few weeks later because I loved them so much.”

With Get Ready gaining plenty of traction, Wonderland has a renewed focus when it comes to the next evolutionary step.

“There’s an album in the future, so that’s a big goal of mine. Then there’s the plan to do a live show after the album, so hopefully people like it. They’re my short term goals. But my goals are to learn as much as I can about my craft, just keep working every day. Finding out new things, to me, is a big achievement because there are so many things you can learn along the way when you’re producing. I just want to get these songs out there,” she declares.

“It’s like waiting for an egg to hatch, and now it feels like I’ve been waiting too long.”

Alison Wonderland brings the Get Ready Tour to the Corner Hotel on Wednesday September 18 and Thursday September 19. Get Ready is out now. facebook.com/awonderdj soundcloud.com/alisonwonderland

- head to beat.com.au for more

snakehips

off the record w i t h

There was nothing there to influence their opinion on it. [DJing and production] are very different. When you’re writing music, it’s very selfish. I go crazy, everyone goes crazy, but in a good way. You need to be that way to bring out the stuff inside you that wouldn’t normally come out. Then you have to hyper-focus on things like snares and kicks, that drives you a little mental. But in terms of what I select to DJ, that’s the stuff I love and makes me want to dance. I’ve always thought that if I’m excited about a track, then maybe other people will be.”

t yson

w ray

Sometimes I just wish I could watch a montage of myself making questionable life decisions.

tour rumours Marcel Vogel, Anthony Naples, Adana Twins, Claptone, Finnesbassen, Kolombo, Midland, Shed, Moderat, Psychemagik, Sigha & Shifted, Smallpeople, Dave Clarke, Skudge, Roman Flügel, Jam City, Silicone Soul

Snakehips are the enigmatic outfit hailing from the UK. With little information on the internet (where else am I supposed to look?) Snakehips are impossibly mysterious. They’ve been together since the end of 2012, and their track On & On, featuring tipped Australian singer George Maple, alerted Clash to their potential. The pair’s fluency in crafting contemporary music informed by times gone by really struck a chord. They describe their sound as “inspired by goldenera hip-hop and R&B mixed with more modern production techniques”. Snakehips’ slick compositions, encompassing disparate eras and sounds, reflect the result of a fine meeting of minds. If you want to be one of the few people on Earth who know what they look like, go to The Liberty Social on Friday September 20.

sander van doorn

Sander van Doorn will be returning to Australia this October following his festival tour with Stereosonic last year. With two full length albums, numerous hits, remixes of the world’s biggest artists, sold out gigs in all major venues and festivals worldwide, his own successful record label Doorn Records and a weekly radio show Identity, Sander has done it all. Don’t miss him play at the Palace Theatre on Friday October 4.

chopstick & johnjon

contact Editor: Tyson Wray / tyson@beat.com.au Production/Cover Design: Gill Tucker / art@beat.com.au Typesetting: Rebecca Houlden Advertising: Ash Bartlett - (03) 8414 9710 / ash@beat.com.au Thom Parry - (03) 8414 8719 / thom@beat.com.au Ali Hawken - (03) 8414 9711 / ali@beat.com.au Kris Furst - (03) 8414 9703 / kris@furstmedia.com.au Patrick Carr - (03) 8414 9751 / patrick@furstmedia.com.au Dan Watt - (03) 8414 9712 / dan@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 Deadlines: Editorial: Friday 2pm Advertising: Monday 12pm Publisher: Furst Media - 3 Newton Street, Richmond (03) 9428 3600 | beat.com.au

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mo kolours

Percussionist and singer Mo Kolours will be making his debut appearance in Australia. Bringing together the rhythmic intensity of his Mauritian roots and the forward-thinking beats of London’s thriving music scene, Mo Kolours is able to make music relevant to the now with smokey influences from the past. Support will come from Adelaide’s Oisima as well as Galapagoose and DJs Ransom and Simon Winkler. Head down to Revolver on Saturday September 7.

dj friction

Friction is one of the most revered and recognised names in bass music today. Having risen steadily through the ranks since the early ‘00s, Friction now holds a spot in the D&B Hall Of Fame thanks to his inauguration at the 2011 Drum & Bass Arena Awards. Friction has a vast catalogue behind him and naturally, has worked with most of the major labels in D&B including Hospital and Metalheadz. Described by Pete Tong as ‘one of the big dogs’ Friction looks set to hit dizzying new heights in his career this year as he continues to trailblaze his way through the ever-evolving musical landscape. It’s all happening on Saturday September 21 at Brown Alley.

Chi-Thien Nguyen aka Chopstick and John Muder aka Johnjon don’t only produce together but have become inseparable friends over the years. Founders of the SUOL label, Chopstick & Johnjon are exciting producers, weaving in and out of electro, techno and house. Make sure to get down to Revolver on Sunday November 3 for their gig as part of Summer Series.

circoloco

After landing in Australia in Easter with David Squillace and the Apollonia collective, Circoloco are back for another round of high caliber acts. Berlin duo and founders of the Innerversions imprint, Âme aka Kristian Beyer and Frank Wiedemann are the first act on the bill. Their ability to pen tracks that exist just outside the minds of club goers imaginations allow them to keep ever so ahead of the curve. They will be joined by Matthias Tanzmann, a man who started building his career in the mid 90s. Tanzmann is the founder of two successful labels with Moon Harbour Recordings and Carbo Edition and an international Circoloco resident. To round up the stellar lineup is Francesa Lombardo. You may have heard of her under the moniker Jackie Misfit but as Francesa her supporters include the likes of Marco Carola, Radio Slave and Loco Dice. Make sure to head down to Brown Alley on Sunday November 3.

electronic - urban - club life

hunter/game

Italian duo Hunter/Game are starting the Australian summer with their debut tour on our shores. Their residency at the Never Say Never party at Ushuaia in Ibiza is a result of their hard work and amazing production released on Jamie Jones’ Hot Creations label and Sasha’s Last Night On Earth imprint. Their unique sound has a deep groove as a result of electronic and indie influences alongside techno. Hungry to explore every crevice electronic music has to offer, the guys have evolved their sound with breakbeats, ambient influences while never straying from their techno base. It’s all happening at New Guernica on Friday October 4.

club guide wednesday august 28 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 DADA LIFE Billboard, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm.

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 august 29 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.

friday august 30 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.

REVOLVER FRIDAYS (ANTARCTICA REMIX LAUNCH) - FEAT: DJ LEWIE DAY + DJ MIKE CALLANDER + DJ ALEX THOMAS + DJ KATIE DROVER + DJ WHO 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.

snaps

saturday august 31 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 september 1 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 september 2 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 september 3 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.

horrorshow

bimbos

wo rd s / la c h la n k a n o n i u k

It’s Tuesday morning when Solo, the MC half of Sydney hip hop outfit Horrorshow, answers the phone from a quiet nook in his home city. The preceding weekend brought the news that King Amongst Many, their first album since 2009’s Inside Story, had debuted at number two on the ARIA charts. As he speaks down the line, Solo projects a mix of pride and relief – not so much in regards to the albums chart positioning, but in regards to the tremendous response from the duo’s ever-growing fanbase after such a long wait.

“These things don’t always have a clear start date, but we started thinking about the record as soon as we finished the last one – which was back in October 2009,” Solo states on when he and beatmaker Adit began piecing together King Amongst Many. “That was the early stages of throwing ideas around about the kind of record that we wanted to make. But there are a couple of tracks that date back to that time, when there was an original sketch of a beat kicking around. That’s when some of the early ideas started to take shape. We’ve been bunkered down pretty hard in the past year or so working on it in amongst touring, then doubly hard in the past six months. That was the end of a process that kicked off a few years ago.”

That three and a half year-long process imbued the record with tremendous variety and depth – qualities that didn’t always come easy for Solo and Adit. “We’ve definitely ran the gamut, been through plenty of ups and downs in the process of getting this record ready. There were times when we were really on a roll, and there were times when the writing process wasn’t coming to me as quickly as I wanted. The last month or two, having wrapped up the record – which was itself a pretty crazy race to the finish which ended with our mixing engineer and us staying up for 30 hours straight or something. It was pretty hectic.

Then the month since then, we’ve been trying to channel the energy that’s out there. There’s certainly been a crazy amount of anticipation from our listeners, and from us.

We just got to the point where we really needed to get it out there in the world to see what people make of it.

There were all sorts of emotions involved in the process.”

King Amongst Many lands in yet another purple patch for local hip hop, with 2013 set to be one of the finest years yet in terms of the reigning genre’s history. “It’s definitely an interesting time for the music, people are pushing it in different directions,” Solo edicts. “The last however many years, we’ve seen an explosion of the hip hop scene that keeps on getting bigger and bigger. Artists are getting more opportunities to be heard on the radio, or to get on festivals.

We’ve seen the emergence of local hip hop festivals like Sprung, and Raise The Roof in Melbourne, things like that.

With that growth of the scene, there’s more food on the table, so to speak, and there are more people getting a seat at that table. There are more voices emerging, which is great. Artists like Jimblah have an important voice in Australian hip hop, and it’s great that he’s gotten on board with Elefant Traks,” he says, referencing Horrorshow’s current stable.

“I think what we’re starting to see happen is that our predecessors were people that grew up on classic American rap. That was their staple, their first reference point, and where they found the ingredients to go on to use to forge their own style. Whereas people of my generation and the younger artists coming through grew up on that diet of American stuff, but also following from a long history of strong Australian releases. I’ve been listening to this music for 12 or 13 years now, that’s such a strong back catalogue of Australian releases, and for us as younger dudes listening to that stuff, it gives us more tradition to build upon and a greater sense of fluency. There’s not that many barriers to overcome to feel comfortable being Australian and making hip hop.

We’re in an environment where we are beyond that, and that makes younger artists more comfortable in what they’re doing. That’s what’s gonna elevate the genre to the next level.”

As for the high charting of King Amongst Many, Solo is philosophical when it comes to what it means for Horrorshow and the broader hip hop community. “It’s a funny thing. Me and Adit were chatting about it last week, where we might land on the chart and how we could be as proactive as we could getting people to buy the album. We had a pretty funny moment where we realised it was such a strange conversation to be having. It was a different dimension to releasing music, one we never really anticipated. It’s great, obviously we’re stoked to have charted in such a high position. But it’s like Urthy said in one of his tweets, a number is just a number and it’s never going to capture the full worth of what we have going on here. Definitely the most rewarding things that I’ve encountered in the last week are the messages and tweets that I’m getting from people all over Australia and the world, how people are digesting the album, how they’re feeling it and what songs they’re connecting with. Just how excited they are that we’ve finally brought something out, because they’ve been waiting there patiently. That’s the stuff that really means the most to me.”

first floor

Horrorshow will play at the Sprung hip hop festival alongside 360, Drapht, Seth Sentry, Diafrix, Urthboy and many more at the Kevin Bartlett Sports Complex on Saturday October 19.

King Amongst Many is out now on Elefant Traks. You can also catch them at the Corner Hotel on Thursday September 26 and Ding Dong Lounge on Sunday September 29. facebook.com/horrorshowcrew

electronic - urban - club life

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urban club guide snaps khokolat koated

wednesday august 28 Compression Session - Feat: Cassawarrior + Dd + Ricka E55, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm.

Soul Ensemble Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm.

thursday august 29 Pennies Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 9:30pm. $6.

friday august 30 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. 11:00pm. $15.

DJ Thaddeus Doe The B.east, Brunswick East. 9:00pm.

Faktory Khokolat Bar, Melbourne. 2:55pm.

Faktory - Feat: DJ Damion De Silva + DJ Durmy + DJ K Dee + DJ Yaths Khokolat Bar, Melbourne. 9:30pm.

Get Lit Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm.

Like Fridays - Feat: Broz + Dir-X + DJs Dinesh + Nyd + Sef + Shaggz + Shaun D La Di Da, Melbourne. 8:00pm.

Rnb Superclub - Feat: Young Men Society Rnb Superclub, Southbank. 8:00pm.

Studio Chasers, South Yarra. 8:00pm. $20.

Sweet Nothing Fridays - Feat: DJ Marcus Knight + DJ Xander

James Temperance Hotel, South Yarra. 9:00pm.

saturday august 31 Chaise Lounge Saturdays - Feat: DJ Andy Pala + DJ Kah Lua Chaise Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.

Cheap Sober + Maggot Mouf & Gutz + Pete Mc + Planz The Hi-fi, Melbourne. 8:00pm. $26.

Laundry Saturdays Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 9:30pm.

Saturday Nights - Feat: DJ Damion De Silva + Dj Jay Sin + DJ K Dee Khokolat Bar, Melbourne. 9:30pm.

The Dojo Order Of Melbourne, Melbourne Cbd. 11:00pm.

The High Society Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm.

snaps faktory @ khokolat bar

monday september 2 Freedom Pass - Feat: Phil Ross + B-Boogie + Chris Mac + Dozza Co., Southbank. 10:30pm.

Hip Hop Open Mic First Floor, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.

tuesday september 3 Can I Kick It? Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm.

talking shop with:

be. @ co. level 3 crown

rhythm-al-ism @ eden

demarco Define your genre in five words or less: Reggae/dancehall/alternative.

What do you hate about the music industry?

Too many poorly produced records and too many people without any real musical skills that are trying to be artists. I think the industry should be reserved for persons with real talent, I know that I may be stepping on a few toes by saying this but whoever cries out is a no talent.

Do you have any record releases to date? What are they?

Where can I get them?

I’ve had many releases, namely Fallen Soldiers, True Friends I Love My Life, Love A Come Down, among many others.

They’re available on iTunes and many other online stores.

Why should everyone come and see your band?

Versatile music for all people, great fun music that they could all dance to and have a good time plus music that addresses social issues and the harsh realities of life.

What makes you happiest about what you’re doing?

Being able to please my audience and make music that inspire people in one way or another.

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What’s your favourite song, and why?

I would have to say I Love My Life because it’s a personal song that I wrote and then decided to share it with the world.

It eventually got over 25 million views on YouTube in the first year and helped me to sell out stadiums in Africa and several venues in over 60 cities worldwide. I’ve been to most of these venues before with previous hits but the responses intensified after this song and it made me feel real good that the world could relate that well to how I felt.

Where would you like to be in five years?

In the mainstream of course! Australian pop charts, etc.

What advice would you give to bands that are new on the scene?

Don’t be delusional, check to make sure that you have real talent, practice hard and promote your talent.

If you could go on tour with any musician or band, who would it be?

Maroon Five.

When are you playing live?

Saturday September 7 at The Espy.

electronic - urban - club life