Brag#631

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ISSUE NO. 631 SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

FREE Now picked up at over 1,600 places across Sydney and surrounds. thebrag.com

MUSIC, FILM, THEATRE + MORE

INSIDE This Week

PENN Y W ISE

The ’90s punk pioneers are back, and it’s about time.

PA R K WAY DR I V E

How their latest video shoots almost went disastrously wrong.

CU T SN A K E

A commanding Australian cast navigates the Melbourne underbelly.

I K NOW L E OPA R D

Surry Hills Festival is just the start of a big national tour.

Plus

EYES ON THE PRIZE

T HE G A R DE N LESS THAN JAKE T HE W OL F E BRO T HERS

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THUNDAMENTALS DJ SET

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KURT VILE B’LIEVE I’M GOIN DOWN… TOURING THIS SUMMER

YO LA TENGO STUFF LIKE THAT THERE

SUI ZHEN SECRETLY SUSAN

RELEASED 25.09.15

RATATAT MAGNIFIQUE

SUN KIL MOON UNIVERSAL THEMES

U.S. GIRLS HALF FREE

MICACHU AND THE SHAPES GOOD SAD HAPPY BAD

EMPRESS OF ME

GIRL BAND HOLDING HANDS WITH JAMIE

REMOTE CONTROL LOGO REIMAGINED BY COURTNEY BARNETT

thebrag.com

BRAG :: 631 :: 23:09:15 :: 3

rock music news

the BRAG presents

welcome to the frontline: what’s goin’ on around town... with James Di Fabrizio, Sam Caldwell and Chris Martin

five things WITH

JESSICA MINCHER FROM NOIRE

THE ART Oxford Art Factory Saturday October 3

2.

Inspirations I love romantic musicians, musicians that almost feel as if they were a fantasy. Like Nina Simone and Jeff Buckley, who are also both incredible singers. Films also really inspire me; I love Jean-Luc Godard, Wim Wenders, Sofi a Coppola and David Lynch.

Your Band 3. Billy [James] and I write the music. I love working with him, we have almost the same ideas on what we like. We only ever disagree if it’s about structure, or he’ll push me to work on an idea that can be improved. I am his biggest fan and love everything he writes.

1.

Growing Up My grandmother is a beautiful pianist; she gave me her piano when I was young and I started lessons at five. I’m from a small town but every year we had an eisteddfod, which I performed in. All of my family came to hear me perform my pieces, even though they’d heard me play them a million times before at home.

The Music You Make 4. My best friend recently asked if I could write a driving song. I was like, “What?! Every song I write is intended to be a driving song!” So I’m going to continue trying to make the perfect driving song for my friend. I really love going on road trips, so I love the idea of writing a song that fi ts with the movement and feeling of arriving somewhere new.

Lou Doillon

ART DIRECTOR: Sarah Bryant PHOTOGRAPHERS: Katrina Clarke, Ashley Mar

GIG & CLUB GUIDE COORDINATOR: Sarah Bryant - gigguide@thebrag.com (rock); clubguide@thebrag.com (dance, hip hop & parties) AWESOME INTERNS: Elias Kwiet, Tegan Reeves, Aaron Streatfeild, Eden Gillespie REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Nat Amat, Prudence Clark, Tom Clift, Keiron Costello, Christie Eliezer, Patrick Emery, Tegan Jones, Lachlan Kanoniuk, Emily Meller, David Molloy, Annie Murney, Adam Norris, George Nott, Daniel Prior, Kate Robertson, Natalie Rogers, Erin Rooney, Spencer Scott, Natalie Salvo, Leonardo Silvestrini, Jade Smith, Lucy Watson, Rod Whitfield, Harry Windsor, Tyson Wray, Stephanie Yip, David James Young Please send mail NOT ACCOUNTS direct to this NEW address 100 Albion Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010 ph - (02) 9212 4322 fax - (02) 9319 2227 EDITORIAL POLICY: The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher, editors or staff of the BRAG. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE: Luke Forrester: accounts@furstmedia.com.au ph - (03) 9428 3600 fax - (03) 9428 3611 Furst Media, 3 Newton Street Richmond Victoria 3121 DEADLINES: Editorial: Friday 12pm (no extensions) Ad bookings: Friday 5pm (no extensions) Fishished art: No later than 2pm Monday Ad cancellations: Friday 4pm Deadlines are strictly adhered to. Published by Furst Media P/L ACN 1112480045 All content copyrighted to Cartrage P/L / Furst Media P/L 2003-2014 DISTRIBUTION: Wanna get the BRAG? Email distribution@ furstmedia.com.au or phone 03 9428 3600 PRINTED BY SPOTPRESS: spotpress.com.au 24 – 26 Lilian Fowler Place, Marrickville NSW 2204 like us:

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4 :: BRAG :: 631 :: 23:09:15

HOW CHIC IS THIS

THIRSTY FOR MOORE

Iconic guitarist/singer-songwriter Thurston Moore and his band have announced a tour Down Under and across the ditch this December. Moore, who is best known as a founding member of Sonic Youth, will be performing tracks from his most recent 2014 The Best Day LP – recorded with guitarist James Sedwards, ex-My Bloody Valentine bassist Debbie Googe and Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelley – as well as older favourites, including some from Sonic Youth’s extensive back catalogue. See Moore and Shelley together onstage for the first time since Sonic Youth’s 2007 Daydream Nation tour when they play the Metro Theatre on Saturday December 5.

Me The Horizon, Lordi, Northlane, Refused, Bullet For My Valentine, Dead Letter Circus and Failure. See them all and more when Soundwave comes to Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday January 24.

COME ON, FEEL SUFJAN

Having recently appeared exclusively at Vivid LIVE, Sufjan Stevens will return to Australian shores for a national tour early next year. The tour comes a decade after the release of his seminal record Illinois, five years after Age Of Adz, and follows the recent arrival of

MICHAEL P CULLEN Lazybones Lounge Thursday November 19

PARTY IN THE PADDOCK – ft. Violent Soho, Spiderbait, The Preatures and more Burns Creek, Tasmania Friday February 19 – Saturday February 20

Carrie & Lowell. The upcoming tour will see the Michigan-born singer-songwriter perform prime selections across his career, featuring a full band and an immersive lighting production. Catch the show on Monday February 22 at the State Theatre.

NEWTOPIA IS HERE

Get set to enter Newtopia, with the announcement of the Newtown Festival music lineup for 2015. ‘Newtopia’ is the theme of this year’s keenly anticipated celebration in Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, and the lineup of musical performers has delivered on the promise. The free event, which attracts thousands of punters each spring, will host yet another diverse program of great Sydney talent over five stages. Apart from the music, there’ll be some 300 stalls, a Writers’ Tent, kiddies’ and pets’ zones and more. The extensive lineup features the likes of Jinja Safari, The Laurels, The Cops, Steve Smyth, Midnight Tea Party and many more. Newtown Festival 2015 arrives on Sunday November 8; check out the full lineup at thebrag.com.

IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY

In the lead-up to their forthcoming album, Summer Of Doom, Philadelphia Grand Jury will take to the stage on a national tour. Featuring the return of their original lineup, they’ll be working through old favourites including ‘Going To The Casino (Tomorrow Night)’ as well as their newly released single, ‘Crashing & Burning Pt. II’. See them play Oxford Art Factory on Saturday October 24. Stray From The Path

PARTY IN THE PADDOCK

After the runaway success of its inaugural incarnation, Tasmania’s Party In The Paddock is back with a supersized lineup for its sophomore year. The 2016 program will feature performances from Violent Soho, Spiderbait, The Preatures, British India, Tkay Maidza, Vallis Alps, Bad// Dreems, Harts, Roland Tings, Tired Lion, Lurch & Chief, The Belligerents, Akouo, Hockey Dad, Koi, Child, Ocean Alley, The Embers and Jed Appleton, with more to be announced. The festival will also continue to spread the meaningful message about mental health awareness. So for one helluva party in a helluva paddock, head down to Burns Creek in Tasmania from Friday February 19 – Saturday February 20.

BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW

Soundwave keeps getting bigger and bigger – incrementally. Most recently, the juggernaut of a festival has announced the eighth band that will perform at the 2016 event, Devil You Know. The band, which features Howard Jones (ex-Killswitch Engage), Francesco Artusato (All Shall Perish), John Sankey (Fear Factory, Divine Heresy) and Ryan Wombacher (Bleeding Through), has just released a second record, They Bleed Red. Devil You Know join the already announced acts including Bring

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

New York hardcore punks Stray From The Path will travel to Australia next January in celebration of their latest effort Subliminal Criminals. With a reputation for politically charged lyrics, the group’s seventh album is no exception, and focuses on the less-than-perfect relationship between US civilians and their police force. Stray From The Path will be joined for all dates by Hellions, Antagonist A.D and Void Of Vision. See them when they pass through Sydney’s Bald Faced Stag on Sunday January 10. xxx

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@TheBrag

What: Surry Hills Festival 2015 With: I Know Leopard, The Pigs, The Stiffys and more Where: Ward Park and Shannon Reserve When: Saturday September 26 And: Baby Blue out now independently

In exciting news for Francophiles across town, the festival of everything French, So Frency So Chic In The Park, will return for its third Sydney incarnation in January. The day-long event will feature music from Moroccan-born blues and folk artist Hindi Zahra, ’70s-style diva duo Brigitte, singer-songwriter Lou Doillon and the unconventional Balkan-electro-meets-light-punk outfit Soviet Suprem. There’ll also be some excellent French cuisine and (naturally) lots of champagne, plus face-painting, puppet shows and more for the kids. So Frency So Chic In The Park goes down on Saturday January 16 on the grounds of the University of Sydney’s St John’s College.

MANAGING EDITOR: Chris Martin chris@thebrag.com 02 9212 4322 ONLINE EDITOR: Tyson Wray SUB-EDITOR: Sam Caldwell STAFF WRITERS: Adam Norris, Augustus Welby NEWS: Gloria Brancatisano, James Di Fabrizio, Eden Gillespie, Tegan Reeves, Aaron Streatfeild

ADVERTISING: Les White - 0405 581 125 / (02) 9212 4322 les@thebrag.com Krystal Le - 0421 662 486 / (02) 9212 4322 krystal@thebrag.com PUBLISHER: Furst Media MANAGING DIRECTOR, FURST MEDIA: Patrick Carr - patrick@furstmedia.com.au, (03) 9428 3600 / 0402 821 122 DIGITAL DIRECTOR/ADVERTISING: Kris Furst kris@furstmedia.com.au, (03) 9428 3600

5.

Music, Right Here, Right Now I think women in the industry right now need to be supported and celebrated more. I was listening to the radio today and ten songs in a row were from male artists. At Bigsound last week the only female out of the four keynotes was music journalist Jessica Hopper, who was there addressing sexism within the industry. Only 21 per cent of writers registered on APRA are female. In a population where gender is split equally, I fi nd this crazy. Currently, there is a hierarchy that places men at the top and I think we can only benefi t from more opportunities being given to females. It’s heartbreaking to me that women become uninterested or just give up because of the huge lack of support and encouragement.

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BRAG :: 631 :: 23:09:15 :: 5

live & local

free stuff

welcome to the frontline: what’s goin’ on around town... with Aaron Streatfeild, Gloria Brancatisano and Chris Martin

WITH

Songwriting 3. Secrets I think I have learnt that

1.

ourselves the guitar around 14-15 years old. I couldn’t remember it for the life of me, but I will ask her next time I see her. The Last Song I 2. Released I have just finished recording my next full

A GARRETT IN THE HEADLIGHTS

Canadian-born Byron Bay resident Garrett Kato has followed up the release of his new single, ‘Headlights’, and album, That Low And Lonesome Sound, with the announcement of a huge run of tour dates. The record, primed with anthemic folk rock tunes, was put together with Anthony Lycenko and heavily influenced by Kato’s relocation from North America to the sunnier east coast of Australia. You’ll be trapped in the ‘Headlights’ single and more at The Vanguard this Wednesday September 23. Kato will also support Pete Murray on a 27-date lap of the country, including at The Basement on Saturday November 21 and Sunday November 22, and Mona Vale Hotel on Thursday November 26.

BARANGAROO PICNIC

Barangaroo’s 200-year history of maritime culture is being celebrated in style with a series of picnic and live music events. The October instalment of the three-month-long Barangaroo Welcome Celebration will feature free live performances from Busby Marou, Lolo Lovina, The Cope Street Parade, Redfern Shanty Club, Crusty Suitcase Band, Uptown Brown, Gramophone Man, Sugar Bowl Hokum and The Morrisons. There’ll also be art, food and drinks revolving around the theme ‘sea’. Barangaroo Reserve hosts the event on Sunday October 4.

YOURS & OWLS Gang Of Youths

LEAH FLANAGAN

album with my friend Niall Anderson, who is producing it. We recorded it with some wonderful local Sydney musicians including Adam Pringle, Jonathan Zwartz and Jim Moginie. The awesome Surry Hills Festival will be the first audience to hear the new tracks from the album!

The First Song I Wrote I suppose in high school with my best friend Anabel, we used to sing Lauryn Hill and Wyclef (I know right?!) songs in two-part harmonies, and then tried to make up our own songs when we taught

Rae Howell_Credit – Anne Skilbeck

songwriters’ secrets

head to: thebrag.com/freeshit

songs and ideas come to you at any time. If you can control it, or are lucky enough to be a full-time musician to just drop everything and roll with the ideas that randomly pop into your head, that is the key. I carry a notepad and use my iPhone recorder constantly. I love writing in the morning as soon as I’ve woken from my dreams.

The Song That 4. Makes Me Proud I wrote a little saltwater ukulele song about my home in Darwin called the ‘September Song’ years ago. It’s cute but it pretty much sums up how much fun life was, living in that town. I also love the fact that ukulele groups from all over the world contact me and tell me they play that song or email me YouTube clips of them performing it. Even Jimmy Buffett contacted me to tell me how much he loved it. It’s not the type of tune that sums up my songwriting style but it’s a bit of fun and it makes people smile – not many of my songs do that [laughs]! The Song That 5. Changed My Life ‘My Island Home’ I would say is one of them. Mainly

because growing up in a big Aboriginal family in the NT, it’s a song people play all the time. Now, as I am older and I live in a city so far from the type of life I know and miss, it reminds me of how important that song is to the rest of the country, and makes me proud of and appreciate that where I came from and that era I grew up in in the NT is significant to the overall Australian musical landscape. What: Surry Hills Festival 2015 With: I Know Leopard, Noire, The Stiffys and more Where: Ward Park and Shannon Reserve When: Saturday September 26

The fifth annual Yours & Owls Music Festival is returning to the New South Wales South Coast over three days from Friday October 2 – Sunday October 4. The headline acts will include some of the best handpicked indie talent from Australia and overseas to get you hooting. Names include The Preatures, The Rubens, Gang Of Youths, Bahamas, Salmonella Dub, Ash Grunwald and Cloud Control. The Wollongong event will also feature 15 DJs, large-scale art installations, interactive projections and an outdoor cinema, as well as gourmet food stalls. We’re giving BRAG readers the chance to win one of two double passes to the allages day, from 2pm on Sunday October 4. Head to the thebrag.com/freeshit to enter the comp.

GOODGOD FOR SALE

The owners of Goodgod Small Club, the basement-level home of music in Sydney’s Chinatown, have announced the venue is up for sale. Goodgod, which hosts live music and club nights across its two rooms, has been operating under the ownership of Jimmy Sing and Hana Shimada for fi ve years. Along the way, it’s hosted all manner of spectacular gigs, including a greatly mythologised early performance by a young Lorde, as well as pop culture trivia nights. The Sydney nightlife scene is currently in a state of fl ux in the aftermath of the State Government’s lockout laws, but Sing and Shimada took to Facebook to say their reasons for moving on were unrelated. Goodgod will remain open as the search for new owners continues. Interested parties are invited to contact Jerry Leis at Metro Commercial: jleis@metrocommercial.com. au.

AMERICANA AT BATCH

An Americana-themed instalment of Batch Sessions will take over Marrickville beer den Batch Brewing Co. on Wednesday September 30. The monthly night of music and ale has locked in local talents Andy Golledge and Caitlin Harnett for next week’s show – each of them Sydney scene regulars whose music is imbued with a heavy dose of the American sound. Grab a brew, perch on a pew and enjoy the vibe.

Miners

MINERS ON THE ROAD

With the debut EP from shoegazers Miners set to drop next Thursday October 1, the local outfit has announced a tour to celebrate. Pala marks the group’s first release since 2014’s ‘Soft Focus’ – a track that appeared on Farmer & The Owl’s compilation Beached Friends. The five-track debut EP was recorded at a house in Bowral, with production duties carried out by the band members themselves. Having shared the stage with the likes of Lowtide, King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, Day Ravies and many more, Miners have garnered a reputation as a loud and dynamic live act. Be sure to check them out when they’re in Sydney at The Record Crate with Draining Pool and Milkk on Saturday October 3, and at the Roxbury Hotel with Day Ravies and Unity Floors on Friday November 6.

The Mark Of Cain

Clowns

MAKING THE MARK OF CAIN

The Mark Of Cain will head around the country for their Tour Of Duty this November and December. Following a promise made in 2006 to tour at least once every year, The Mark Of Cain have been selling out shows all over the country. This year’s tour will see the trio play shows in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. It will also feature a two-night midweek residency in Adelaide with all proceeds going to Cancer Council Australia. See The Mark Of Cain play Manning Bar, with Thorax and Making, on Friday December 4.

6 :: BRAG :: 631 :: 23:09:15

Aussie punks Clowns have announced their final headline tour for the year will kick off this October. Since they released their latest full-length Bad Blood, Clowns have played sold-out shows and festivals nationwide, showcased at SXSW, and become the first-ever Australian act to appear at Riot Fest in Chicago. After a tour of the US, Clowns will return to play eight headline shows around Australia. They will then hit the road once more as main supports on Rise Against’s stadium tour, before kicking into summer festival mode. See them headline the Factory Floor on Friday October 30 with support from Cosmic Kahuna.

thebrag.com

Clowns photo by Ian Laidlaw

CLOWNING AROUND

Industrial Strength Music Industry News with Christie Eliezer

THINGS WE HEAR * Which promoter is grizzling to friends he’s been tapped to pay for a relative’s sex change op? * Which teen winner at an awards night is bewildered by how its organisers are cold-shouldering him? It’s something to do with the moronic behaviour of mates who accompanied the singer, got stuck into the free booze and behaved badly. * Which Sydney singersongwriter revealed in her newsletter that her website was hacked by a Russian porn company? * Muse have stolen Pink Floyd’s The Wall tour production chief to create a multimedia extravaganza that includes “a whole swarm of drones� and a stage “like a double-headed arrow� for their 2016 world tour. * Seven Network experimented with the return of The X Factor when it previewed the first

episode on Facebook three days in advance. It got 100,000 views within the first four hours and 1.5 million metro viewers when it launched on TV. Even last week during the leadership coup in Canberra, people tuned instead to The X Factor, making it the most watched TV show that night. * The arrival of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull saw the arts sector campaign for George Brandis to be dumped as Arts Minister. Victorian Senator Mitch Fifield has taken the role this week. Fifield is also the new Communications Minister and part of the digital division. Expect campaigns to dump Brandis’ contentious National Program for Excellence in the Arts, and for ISPs to try and stop the looming ‘three strikes’ policy, which has been a flop in New Zealand. * The toppling of Tony Abbott was met with lots of wailing (not!) from the music industry. Thy Art Is Murder rushed out a new T-shirt with a graphic of

Abbott bleeding from his eyes and the sympathetic message “Bitch You’re Dead�. Punk outfit Until Abbott Gets Gone announced they’d break up as their mission was accomplished. The folks behind Abbott The Musical had to do a quick rewrite before its Melbourne premiere earlier this week. * Australia’s Generik joined Calvin Harris in Las Vegas this month for two shows, with one also featuring Ed Sheeran. He’ll do three more US shows next month. * While Grinspoon came out of their hiatus by beginning rehearsals for their Cold Chisel support dates, guitarist Pat Davern is preparing a children’s book and music album to be launched via Universal Music and ABC in November. * Two Parramatta sites for the Powerhouse Museum’s move from Ultimo to Western Sydney have been mooted – Parramatta Golf Club and the old David Jones car park. * Former Guns N’ Roses

members Slash and Duff McKagan reunited at a California charity event, performing ‘Highway To Hell’. * The A&R Department’s three-year-old Music Maker Club nights at Oxford Art Factory were last Friday staged simultaneously in Adelaide and Perth. * Foo Fighters’ Sonic Highways doco won two Emmy Awards in LA as part of the Creative Arts Emmys event (for sound editing and sound mixing), preceding the 67th Emmy Awards that went down on Monday (Australian time). * The Black Keys’ Patrick Carney has deleted his nasty tweets about Jack White as the pair settled their feud with a phone call. * At Queens of the Stone Age’s surprise comeback gig in LA, former bassist Nick Oliveri, Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner and Parts Unknown host Anthony Bourdain were among those in the crowd digging the 17-song set.

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RADIO AND LIVE EVENTS STILL LEAD MUSIC DISCOVERY According to the 2015 edition of Nielsen’s Music 360 study, 91% of the US population listens to music. Terrestrial radio is still where 61% of them find new music (up from 51% last year), but concerts and festivals are becoming more important for 12% of listeners (up from 7%). Only a fifth of Americans attend concerts, but they do spend US$15 billion a year doing so. The Share Of Ear study by Edison Research and Triton Digital found 68% of people cite radio as a place to discover new music. Friends and relatives were a source for 45% of respondents, followed by movies (31%), audio or video streaming apps including YouTube (27%), and television (23%). But streaming and video on demand are taking consumers away from listening as much to radio.

ELEFANT TRAKS INTRODUCES LICENSING ARM Sydney hip hop label Elefant Traks has launched a new online licensing platform. It offers “competitively priced� music to independent and amateur filmmakers and sync users, and ensures the songwriters and musicians are compensated properly. The platform launched with 200 tracks by Elefant Traks acts like Hermitude, The Herd, Horrorshow, Urthboy, Jimblah, L-Fresh The Lion, Astronomy Class, Jane Tyrrell and The Last Kinection.

THE SEED’S FIRST POZIBLE CAMPAIGN Since The Seed Fund was started by John Butler and Danielle Caruana 11 years ago, it has helped 400 emerging acts like Boy & Bear, Emma Louise, The Veronicas and Holy Holy. The program took assistance by way of donations from the music biz. Now, it’s calling out to the public. A Pozible campaign sees Tame Impala, Little May, Marlon Williams, Harry James Angus, Clare Bowditch and Butler donating prizes including house concerts, video messages, merch, a guitar, festival VIP packs and concert tickets in exchange for pledges. A fundraiser at Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre on Monday October 12 with Butler, Louise, Missy Higgins, Paul Kelly and San Cisco has sold out. Visit pozible.com/project/198834.

TAYLOR SWIFT’S BIGGEST TOUR Taylor Swift’s 1989 world tour is going to be her most successful. She’s already grossed US$134 million from 40 shows in North America and Europe since May, just $16 million less than her entire 15-month Red tour of 2013/14. The 1989 tour has four months to go, finishing in Australia on Saturday December 12.

ACT PUSHES FOR LOCKOUTS We’ve had rallies against lockout laws in Sydney and Queensland. Now, health groups in the ACT are pushing for 1am lockouts and a 3am closing time. The proposed laws will affect 48 venues that operate after 3am, some until 5am. The venues are nervous about closures and staff lay-offs as a result. The move comes after an ACT Government study in July reported that cases of public drunkenness had thebrag.com

risen by 36% over the past three years, and alcohol-related injuries had increased by 24%.

NAB, LIVE NATION PARTNERSHIP National Australia Bank and promoter Live Nation Australia have signed a multi-year partnership. This means NAB, which is expanding its involvement in entertainment, will be come an official brand partner of Live Nation. Customers can look forward to a range of Live Nation benefits such as exclusive ticketing offers, VIP packages, ‘money can’t buy’ experiences and custom content. Live Nation’s other partners are Qantas, Europcar, NSW Health, Spark, American Express, and Hilton Hotels and Resorts.

RICK ROSS LOSES CLAIM TO LMFAO SONG A Florida judge has shot down a claim by hip hop superstar Rick Ross that LMFAO’s ‘Party Rock Anthem’ – which includes the phrase “Everyday I’m shufflin’� in its chorus – infringed the copyright of his chart-topper ‘Hustlin’ (2006), which had the lyric “Everyday I’m hustlin’�. The judge found that a threeword phrase was not enough to constitute infringement, especially as others had used it before.

DEAD RINGER TO HOST MUSIC The team at Dead Ringer, the new bar in Surry Hills, has announced plans to showcase live music. The venue is owned by Tim Philips, Adi Ruiz and Rob Sloan, who run the acclaimed Bulletin Place bar.

SYDNEY’S X STUDIO EXPANDING Sydney studio, streaming broadcast and music venue X Studio has had such global interest that owner and tech entrepreneur Ron Creevey is taking the brand overseas. It will open in Bali within the next few months, just outside of Seminyak, in a space that will hold 4,000 people. Next year will also see openings in Singapore and London. In the meantime, the Sydney complex will next month celebrate its first anniversary by launching its social broadcasting app, X Cast.

WANNA PLAY MURWILLUMBAH? The inaugural Murwillumbah Country Roots Festival (Friday October 2 – Monday October 5) has introduced a fourth stage called The Porch. Curated by festival organiser and country performer Lou Bradley, it will host new country, roots and bluegrass artists in busking mode during intervals at the main stages. Bradley says, “It’s an exciting and unique opportunity for artists who would not otherwise have the opportunity to showcase their work to a large festival audience.� The festival’s 60 major acts include Kasey Chambers, Sara Storer, Bill Chambers, Busby Marou and Archie Roach. For more info, head to mcrfest.com.

SILVER SCROLL WINNERS New Zealand’s prestigious songwriter award, the Silver Scroll, has been won by brothers Ruban and Kody Nielson for Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s ‘Multi-Love’. An additional Silver Scroll backdated to 1981 was awarded to The Swingers for ‘Counting The Beat’.

Lifelines Split: Christina Milian and Lil Wayne recently called it quits but have recorded a new track called ‘Do It’ (ew). Married: Devo’s Jerry Casale and Krista Napp’s nuptials got some negative publicity after a guest brought a wedding cake shaped like the Twin Towers to their September 11 wedding. Ill: producer Quincy Jones, 82, was rushed to hospital with “shortness of breath� and chest pains. Ill: US singer and regular Australian visitor Sharon Jones of The Dap-Kings announced at the Toronto screening of Miss Sharon Jones! – the doco on her year-long battle with pancreatic cancer in 2013 – that the disease had returned. Ill: Aussie singer Mark Holden has revealed he is fighting another health battle with thyroid cancer cells discovered last month. Ill: The Who scrapped their 50th anniversary tour of North America after singer Roger Daltrey was felled by viral meningitis. Sued: Late bluesman B.B. King’s daughters by his former manager LaVerne Toney and assistant Myron Johnson, after King’s daughters accused them of poisoning the musician. Suing: the mother of a baby whose 29-second video dancing to Prince’s ‘Let’s Go Crazy’ was ordered by Universal Music to be taken down from YouTube, may sue. An appeals court judge ruled that record labels can’t order their videos to be taken down if the other party can show “fair use�. Died: Gary Richrath, lead guitarist of REO Speedwagon until 1989, aged 65. Died: Bryn Merrick, bassist with The Damned (1984-89), from cancer, 56. He was quite a character, with his life including car thefts and prison spells. Died: Daniel Keighley, promoter of New Zealand’s Sweetwaters festivals in the ’80s and ex-Mutton Birds manager, 63, from cancer. Died: a 26-year-old man from Albury died at Sydney’s EDM festival Defqon.1 on Saturday night. Eight others were hospitalised.

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BRAG :: 631 :: 23:09:15 :: 7

OPEN THEIR EYES BY AUGUSTUS WELBY

B

ased on the synthpop gold of Chvrches’ breakout LP, 2013’s The Bones Of What You Believe, you wouldn’t guess that two-thirds of the band spent the preceding decade playing sombrely tempered alternative rock music. But prior to laying the foundations for Chvrches in 2011, synth-wielding producers Iain Cook and Martin Doherty had donned guitars for such Glaswegian rock bands as Aereogramme, The Twilight Sad and The Unwinding Hours. Those days are now nothing but a distant memory, and once the pair hooked up with vocalist Lauren Mayberry, they spawned an unstoppable synthpop force. That said, given the relatively drastic musical shift, they have some reservations about being labelled ‘pop stars’. “We don’t think of ourselves, per se, as a pop band,” says Cook. “I think that might be more of an ideological difficulty in accepting the perceived disposability of pop music. It’s by its very nature disposable, because it happens in the moment. Sometimes it’s something that feels great the first time you hear it, then it wears off really quickly. I feel like our music doesn’t have that disposability thing. Maybe it’s because we’re a bit older or something. We’re not writing music that’s so ‘now’ and ‘buzz’ and gone tomorrow.” Cook’s misgivings aside, it’s easy to agree with him regarding the inherent substance of Chvrches’ songwriting. Despite having an

immediate, crowd-drawing appeal that fast-tracked them onto club sound systems, radio playlists and festival main stages, the quality of The Bones Of What You Believe doesn’t weary after repeated listens. This is also true of the band’s second LP, Every Open Eye, which comes out this Friday. “When I first got in the studio with Martin way back in September 2011, there was definitely a sense of wanting to lay aside that more brooding sound and do something that felt more like the kind of music we wanted to hear at the time, and that we wanted to communicate with a larger audience,” says Cook. “We were sick to death of playing to halffull rooms of really intense bearded guys. Don’t get me wrong, we are those really intense bearded guys and still love that music, but it’s quite narrow. We wanted to start doing something with no road map and no restrictions. And we just gravitated towards these sounds.” Cook and Doherty might’ve conceived Chvrches as a means of departing from their stonyfaced past, but a band with purely reactive foundations is unlikely to endure beyond the initial spark. With Mayberry leading the line, The Bones Of What You Believe introduced Chvrches as a savvy songwriting collective, and Every Open Eye cements their place at the forefront of contemporary electronic indie-pop. It’s no surprise, then, that Cook’s been interested in this sort of music for years.

“I had bought a Minimoog Voyager synth that summer [2011], because I wanted to start doing more electronic music and I was drawn towards analogue synths,” he says. “Some of my favourite music of all time is made by and inspired by that instrument – the Minimoog. I really wanted to get one and see what happened when it was in my studio. So Martin and I just focused on that and used that as a jumping off point.” The pair were immediately taken aback by how quickly they found their groove. “The hooks that were coming out were just like somebody had turned on a tap,” says Cook. “The huge melodies, it was like, ‘Where the hell did that come from?’ I’d never had that sort of collaboration and experience with anyone else in my life.” Every Open Eye arrives bang on two years after the band’s debut. During that time, Chvrches have risen from relative nobodies to globally revered, chart-topping touring musicians. Thankfully, the profile boost hasn’t diminished the trio’s prolifically constructive creative dynamic. “We were on tour for two years pretty much solidly and hadn’t been in the studio together really, apart from two songs that we did [‘Dead Air’ and ‘Get Away’],” says Cook. “We were absolutely desperate to get back in the studio again after all that time away, and almost immediately it felt like someone had

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production on Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall, Bad and Thriller, the band took cues from a few other prominent artists.

The rapidity of the creative process wasn’t the only surprise Cook encountered during the creation of Every Open Eye. “The biggest surprise for me was how much Lauren stepped up lyrically and vocally,” he says. “We didn’t know what her lyrics were going to be like, thematically, tonally, and when she got properly into her swing, we were like, ‘Wow – this is beyond what I was expecting.’ It feels like a big step up from the first album. The lyrics on the first album were written a lot more collaboratively. But the second record, apart from one song, was exclusively Lauren’s vision for the lyrics.”

“We’ll be like, ‘That Kate Bush moment in such-and-such a song,’ or ‘That mood in a Radiohead song,’ or ‘That big moment in a Depeche Mode song.’ The music that we share a love for is the stuff that we tend to reference in the studio. With this band as much as in any band, we definitely decided our parameters early on. We’re not going to go onto album two and write this orchestral, experimental piece of music. We know what we’re doing in terms of we’ve designed those boundaries and now we’re working within them. We don’t really need to or want to bring in too many external influences – certainly not at this point in the band’s career.”

In his former musical life, Cook often felt constricted by the chosen genre territory. With this in mind, when Chvrches got to work on Every Open Eye, they refrained from nominating specific things they wanted to achieve, stylistically or otherwise. That is, except for one essential alteration. “We wanted to have fewer elements in each of the songs, arrangement-wise, because we wanted the individual sounds to breathe, and for the arrangements to be more lean. Listening back to a lot of our favourite pop music from the past, particularly Quincy Jones, the stuff he did with MJ – those arrangements are so lean and they’re so tight and it’s all about the interaction between the rhythm of the drums and the rhythm of the vocals, and allowing those two things to play off each other without anything else taking away from that.” As well as gleaning from Jones’

All of the aforementioned artists attained pop saleability without compromising their artistic integrity. This brings us back to the idea of Chvrches as pop band – which Cook concedes isn’t necessarily a negative denomination. “It’s obviously not a disposable thing when you look back at all of the great, classic songs that have been written that you would consider pop music of the time,” he says. “You look at great pop art, like Lichtenstein and Warhol – that stuff was designed to be throwaway and disposable, but has become canonised as some of the great art of the 20th century. It’s a tricky one. It’s a name that we struggle with sometimes, but essentially it is pop music [laughs].” What: Every Open Eye out Friday September 25 through Goodbye/ Liberator And: Also appearing at Laneway Festival 2016, Sydney College of the Arts, Sunday February 7

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“WE WERE ABSOLUTELY DESPERATE TO GET BACK IN THE STUDIO AGAIN AFTER ALL THAT TIME AWAY, AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY IT FELT LIKE SOMEONE HAD TURNED ON A TAP AGAIN AND WE WERE WRITING ONE NEW IDEA A DAY.”

turned on a tap again and we were writing one new idea a day. We surprised ourselves by the pace of writing this record.”

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Parkway Drive Giving It All They’ve Got By Natalie Rogers there we just had fun – it was the best experience.”

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With the energy still pumping through their veins, Parkway Drive chose to up the ante during the making of the gravity-defying video for ‘Crushed’, the second single from Ire. The lyrics highlight the need to rebel against those who abuse their power in modern society. “‘Crushed’ is about breaking that cycle. There are certain things that are unbreakable, like gravity, but we could do our best to twist it – so we constructed a room that rotated 360 degrees for the clip,” McCall explains.

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nger, rage, fury or wrath – whichever way you spin it, Parkway Drive’s fifth studio album Ire has all the intensity we’ve come to expect from the fivepiece. Their mission has always been to challenge the status quo, and whether or not you agree with their politics, there’s no denying that after years of constant touring and perseverance, they’ve become a force to be reckoned with on the international metalcore scene. “It’s been a long road to get to where we are, but the making of Ire was probably the longest road we’ve ever been on because of the changes that we made sonically on this record,” says frontman Winston McCall. “This album is bigger than anything we’ve done since starting the band. It was a long learning process – there

was a lot of trial and error and a lot of work, rather than simply going back to a formula that we’d already established on the past four records. But at the same time, it wasn’t tiring – it was just really different and very enjoyable.” Parkway Drive have always relished the opportunity to push the boundaries, whether it be in making a call to action on social justice or environmental change, or by challenging themselves beyond the realm of safety to hammer home their message. When it came to planning the concept for ‘Vice Grip’, the lead single from Ire, the Byron Bay locals chose to look fear straight in the eye and film themselves jumping out of a plane and hurtling straight to Earth. The pinnacle of the video is the moment McCall looks into the camera and

screams their war cry: ‘One life, one shot / Give it all you got’. “That one shot was the moment the entire clip was based around, because we thought it would be pretty powerful – and it only took three takes to nail it,” McCall smiles. “But it was actually really hard because we didn’t have any playback, so I had to make sure that I had the right timing in my head to link it up with the prerecorded song – it’s not like we had a stereo blaring outside the plane!” he laughs. “For the first two takes I went too fast simply because the adrenaline kicked in, so I devised a couple of little tricks in my head like smashing my teeth down in between words to get the timing. When we landed and played it back everyone was like, ‘Oh my God, we got the shot!’ and so from

“At first we thought, ‘It’ll be OK, because we’ll be able to see the horizon outside the room and we’ll realise that it’s rolling’ – but once we were actually in it, it really tricked our senses and in that sense we did feel gravity shift. Imagine you’re looking at the floor and then all of a sudden you’re falling eight feet and go smack down on the floor. Then add either a drum kit that gets bolted into the floor so it doesn’t move, or for me I had a desk and lights – if you fall from the top of that room to the bottom you could literally break your spine. “During my first take, Jeff [Ling, guitar] was watching, and as soon as they started rotating and I started falling and trying to sing at the same time, he was screaming. All I heard was, ‘Oh God, oh God, stop! He is going to die!’ the whole time the tape was rolling. It was hilarious, but at the same time, when we watched the footage back, there are so many near misses.” Parkway Drive’s unwavering determination to take risks and never compromise has earned them respect from fans and fellow musicians around the world – but McCall remains humble and prefers to talk about bands he admires. “I love Northlane’s new

record [Node]. I’ll start with those guys simply because they made a very large change from their last album. Firstly, they had to adjust to an entirely new singer, and then they created a record that not only managed to hold onto the elements of the sound they’d already established, but managed to move into a different direction that expanded on that sound. It takes a lot of guts to do that – they’re far less established then we are and they’re already taking those steps, so to me they’re inspiring.” McCall is also full of praise for fellow Australian band Thy Art Is Murder, who stepped up to the plate to fill the lead support slot on the upcoming national tour when Californian deathcore crew Suicide Silence were forced to pull out. “I’m not going to say that it worked out better, but…” he pauses. “There’s no-one better to fill that slot than Thy Art, to be honest, and I’m actually really stoked because that new record is absolutely incredible and they’re going from strength to strength – and they’re doing it worldwide. I’m really stoked to have the boys with us.” Parkway Drive will also be joined on the road by Texan group Memphis May Fire and Arizona’s The Word Alive. “[The Word Alive] are one of the bands that we like playing with overseas. And the fact that they haven’t been to Australia that much is kind of mind-blowing – and it’s exciting to say, ‘Ah, boys, come on over!’ If anyone hasn’t actually seen these guys, and I think most of Australia hasn’t, they’re in for a treat.” What: Ire out Friday September 25 through Resist With: Thy Art Is Murder, Memphis May Fire, The Word Alive Where: Hordern Pavilion When: Friday October 9

Dave Lombardo Feel The Repercussions By Peter Hodgson

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uch is made of Dave Lombardo’s pioneering work in Slayer – and rightly so, since he helped to write the manual on what it means to be a drummer in an unapologetically aggressive format. But what makes Lombardo so compelling as a musician is his creativity, his sense of when to push the beat and when to hang back, and his dynamic range. These are the abilities that have seen him swing from metal outfits like Grip Inc., Testament and Sepultura (he made a cameo on their 2013 track ‘Obsessed’) to more abstract environments like Fantômas, John Zorn, Finnish ‘cello metal’ act Apocalyptica and his experimental post-hardcore band Philm.

So how does he do it? Well, that’s something you can ask him yourself at The Repercussion Of Dave Lombardo, a masterclass tour hitting Allans Billy Hyde stores across the country this October. The drummer will discuss his Rhythm Mysterium art collection, showcase neverbefore-seen footage, demonstrate his new Paiste Reign ride cymbal and participate in a candid Q&A forum. 10 :: BRAG :: 631 :: 23:09:15

With such a diverse catalogue of releases, it’s no surprise Lombardo doesn’t necessarily default to Slayer when asked to select a track that he feels sums up his approach to the darker side of drums. “Is there a particular Slayer track? Not really. I would choose a song by Grip Inc. like ‘Hostage’ or Testament’s ‘Fall Of Sipledome’.”

One of Lombardo’s earliest influences was Led Zeppelin, whose music he used to drum along to even as a little kid, substituting boxes for percussion instruments long before he owned a drum kit. “I didn’t really have a drumming mentor,” he explains. “I feel the various, diverse records I acquired were really my inspiration when I was a teenager.”

When hosting a drumming masterclass like the ones he’s presenting in Australia, Lombardo fi elds questions of all sorts from attendees. “Some of the themes or questions are technical but a lot of them revolve around my history with various bands and requests to perform parts of songs I’ve recorded,” he says. There’s also plenty of gear talk. “I just replaced my old Roland TD-10 V-Drum unit with a newer TD-20X. I’m going to start incorporating electronic sounds [into] my repertoire – staying creative!”

Those records generally tended towards the heavy and atmospheric, from Led Zeppelin’s more bombastic moments to the darkness of Black Sabbath, on through KISS, then punk and the new wave of British heavy metal. “I don’t know what it is that draws me to heavier music,” Lombardo says. “There’s something about minor chords and a powerful drum sound – I’m very much attracted to minor chord structures. The energy you feel from listening to those particular note combinations gives you the feeling something bad is going to happen. I like that tension and anxiety in the music. It feels dangerous.”

And if Lombardo were offered the chance to attend a drum clinic with anyone alive or dead, there would only be one answer. “I would love to have sat with John Bonham and watched his execution behind the kit. I would have liked to see him improvise.”

Dave Lombardo photo by Milos Bauza

Lombardo’s adaptability extends into soundtrack work, including Californication with composer and Marilyn Manson guitarist Tyler Bates, Insidious: Chapter 3 with composer Joseph Bishara, and scoring a soonto-be-released Disney pilot. Heck, he’s even performed with a 75-piece orchestra by request of composer Christopher Young.

“At a very early stage in Slayer’s career, I felt it was important to expand your horizons,” Lombardo says of his musical versatility. “I like to create new sounds, not just do the same thing over and over. I have always felt I had more to offer then just one style. Reinventing and challenging yourself is a good thing – especially in music.”

What: The Repercussion Of Dave Lombardo Where: Allans Billy Hyde, Sydney When: Friday October 23

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The Wolfe Brothers Nothin’ But Troublemakers By Augustus Welby

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he Wolfe Brothers sprang to attention during the 2012 season of Australia’s Got Talent. After finishing as runners-up, they quickly got to work on their debut LP, It’s On. Upon its release in early 2013, the record rocketed into the ARIA Top 20. The lifespan of acts who gain exposure through TV talent contests tends to be fairly brief, but towards the end of last year The Wolfe Brothers returned with their second LP, Nothin’ But Trouble. Not willing to fade into obscurity, the Tassie country fourpiece was eager to improve on the first album’s success. “We were rapt with the success of It’s On, as I think any band would be,” says vocalist/guitarist Nick Wolfe. “We certainly set our sights on Nothin’ But Trouble exceeding it, both creatively and commercially. That said, it’s not like we chased a certain sound or tried to tick boxes. We just tried to make the best album we could at that point in time. We all believe it’s a superior album to It’s On. We’re still a young band and you’d hope to keep improving, with our best work yet to come.” Artists who rise to fame via reality TV are often let down by not taking time to cement their stylistic identity after the initial exposure. However, this wasn’t an issue for The Wolfe Brothers. “Thankfully, throughout our reality TV experience, we felt we were in control of how we were portrayed – which often seems to not be the case with certain upcoming artists on similar shows,” says Nick. “We made a pact to just be ourselves – if the public liked it, well that’d

be great. We played three original songs on Australia’s Got Talent, performing just one cover. Most of those shows are a bit of a karaoke contest, so I’m glad we got to just be ourselves. Honestly, there wasn’t much thinking to be done. We just stuck to our guns, made the music we wanted.” On that note, when venturing into album two, The Wolfe Brothers might’ve been tempted to stick closely to the formula that gained them so many fans in the first place. But the group’s inclination to experiment with new things won out in the end. “To grow as an artist you’ve got to take a few risks, but again we just stayed true to what we do,” says Nick. “I think you can see a change for the better between the two albums. I’d like to think we’re better songwriters, players and just generally more mature people. If that doesn’t show in your work, then something’s wrong. We’ve always admired bands that have had long, consistent careers. AC/ DC, for example – a consistent body of work spanning decades. Our fans like our music for a reason – we don’t want to mess with that, we just want to improve, grow and keep giving them good music.” We’re now 12 months on from the release of Nothin’ But Trouble. In the ensuing period, the band has toured widely and been exposed to plenty of audience and critical feedback. With the benefit of hindsight, Nick happily stands behind Nothin’ But Trouble as a cohesive piece of work.

“It’s more diverse and more polished, both on the production and writing fronts. Hell, we recorded most of It’s On in a bedroom. So this time around, being in a great studio, with a great producer in Luke Wooten, was like a dream.” While the band’s early success is certainly noteworthy, there’s still plenty left to achieve. The boys are continually looking for ways to expand the Wolfe Brothers brand, and making an effort to set themselves apart from other contemporary acts. “We want to be in this game for the long haul,” Nick says. “While we’re clearly an Australian band, we believe we could translate to an American audience, so that’s something we’re really hoping to achieve.” It seems clear that while The Wolfe Brothers are adamant about staying true to their principles, they’re not oblivious to the reality of commercial viability. “If it was purely creative we’d be back playing originals nights at Irish Murphy’s in Hobart for a free beer tab. That said, I’ve always leaned toward a sensibly formatted song in my writing. We like a ten-minute progressive riff extravaganza as much as the next man, but you’ve got to be at least respectful of what’s actually going to get played on radio and telly. I actually find it more challenging most of the time to stick to a radio-friendly format when writing – it’s harder to say what you need to in three to four minutes than five to seven.”

The Wolfe Brothers are on board for this year’s Deni Ute Muster, which goes down in Deniliquin, New South Wales over the Labour Day long weekend. Since its inception in 1999, the Muster has gathered mountains of praise from participating artists. The Wolfe Brothers have taken the stage before, but not to perform their own material. “The last time we were there was actually our first-ever show as the Lee Kernaghan Band,” Nick says. “10,000-odd punters – no pressure. It was an amazing experience, so

to now be playing there under our steam is going to be unreal. We can’t wait. We’ve attended as patrons and in doing so seen some of the wildest shit in our lives.” What: Deni Ute Muster 2015 With: Cold Chisel, Birds Of Tokyo, Lee Kernaghan and more Where: Conargo Road, Deniliquin When: Friday October 2 – Saturday October 3 And: Nothin’ But Trouble out now through ABC/Universal

Lost Ragas The Search For Resonance By Adam Norris scene aligned with it too. There’s a whole culture of great country singer-songwriters in the Aboriginal community, all over Australia.

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he last time I was in the desert, it wasn’t really the desert. In fact, we didn’t venture far past Broken Hill, but the release of open landscape was still a refreshing thing. Exploring the great unknown can help you fi nd a place for paredback refl ection and inspiration. If you’re lucky, maybe even a spirit animal – though in Australia, it will likely turn out to be poisonous. When Lost Ragas frontman Matt Walker decided to clear his mind prior to the band’s next national tour, however, he really didn’t skimp on space.

caves. Hiking around trying to find The Lost Sound, something like that. I’m definitely thinking of the next Ragas album, so it may be a little bit like that Mighty Boosh episode, wandering around looking for wisdom. One of the mates I’m going with has a portable recorder; I’ll have a few instruments with me. I think we’ll definitely do some recording out there, but what it leads to, who knows? We’re doing it all cowboy-style, sleeping with no tents. There’s one night in the cave on the side of a mountain, so you hope it’s going to be inspiring out there.”

“This is a step up in the adventure stakes, I’ve got to say,” he says. “I’ll be hiking through the Flinders Ranges for a week before the tour. I’m going semi-desert, sleeping beneath the stars, in

There’s always the chance Walker might come across some kind of human subspecies that’s been living in the caves undisturbed for centuries and is now baying for blood, but that’s always the gamble

with creative exploration. While this hike will cover new ground, Walker has had the opportunity to visit vast swathes of Australia over the years. He is a seasoned solo performer, but has also earned great acclaim with The Necessary Few, Ashley Davies, Tex Perkins, Archie Roach – the list goes on. Suffice to say, he has had a front-row view of the shifting Australian music scene. “The whole Americana renaissance is something I’ve definitely noticed,” he says. “Festivals we’ve been getting picked up for are getting more aligned with this movement, like Dashville Skyline in the Hunter Valley and Out On The Weekend in Melbourne. But I think Australian music has always had a strong country scene. There are so many artists, and if you look back there’s a really strong Aboriginal

“Maybe I’ve noticed a change here just because I’m Melbourne-based, but it feels bigger now then it used to be. Someone told me that Northcote, just out of the CBD in Melbourne, has the biggest number of country singers in all Australia. Which is a strange place for it; you’d feel they’d be all up north. I think in regional and outback Australia, it’s probably one of the biggest styles of music for the last hundred years. I’ve been around a while now, and I’ve seen different scenes, different subgenres in the roots scene, bubble to the surface. Whether it’s garage rock or blues, your John Butler and Ash Grunwald types, it’s always interesting to see how it’s all growing, but it doesn’t really affect what you’re doing yourself. There’s so much work going on inside your own head to make music, it’s more a sideline interest to see what the local scene is actually doing.” While Walker certainly brings a great amount of experience to Lost Ragas, he is quick to emphasise that he is hardly the life and soul of this party – it is very much a group concern. “It’s not just Matt Walker and band. We all contribute, and the guys do fucking amazing harmonies, switching around instruments. It’s a real collective.” Their most recent release, Trans Atlantic Highway, has already met with a great critical reception and will likely introduce Walker and co. to a whole new set of fans. Happy as they are to find themselves with the attention, these dark horsemen of the alt-roots scene are pretty detached from accolades, and remain quite conscious of keeping the integrity of their songwriting intact.

“You don’t want to sound too confident in your own sound, which I’m not at all. I’ve always been a believer in…” he pauses to consider. “I really play music for myself. It’s a contradiction, of course, because then you record it, you play live shows and hope people like it, but my main drive to pick up a guitar is kind of selfish. It’s just something I need to do. I think a lot of musicians are like that, though some musicians maybe have too many idols. I’ve certainly got them, but I almost put them on a pedestal where I would never, ever try and emulate them. They’re too out of reach. If I try and write anything, it’s the essence of the honesty that the artists I most admire have. “Dylan once said when he was starting out, watching the old blues guys, it wasn’t really the notes they played or the words they sang; it was about the look in their eyes that was the inspiration for him. That has kind of rung true for me, too. I like artists who boil their words down. Sometimes, one or two lines can leave enough out that the listener or reader can make up the missing part. It creates something that I don’t think you can do otherwise. Something that resonates.” What: Dashville Skyline With: Bahamas, Shane Nicholson, Holy Holy, Wagons and many more Where: Dashville, Hunter Valley When: Saturday October 3 – Sunday October 4 And: Also appearing at Lazybones Lounge on Friday October 23 More: Trans Atlantic Highway out now independently

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Less Than Jake The Light Never Fades By Natalie Rogers “Songs like ‘Good Enough’ or ‘Give Me Something To Believe In’ are equally as fun to play. Personally, I think it doesn’t matter if the song is old or new, as long as it gets good crowd reaction – and at the moment we’ve got about 45 or 50 songs in our rotation, so we never have any trouble busting out an oldie.” While Fiorello concedes that he stole the idea of adding horns to the fold after listening to The Specials, an entire generation of ska and pop-punk bands cite Less Than Jake as a major influence – an honour that’s not lost on them. “Anytime that something you do has a ripple effect … that’s one of the coolest things about this job, to be honest. Less Than Jake and punk music aside, I love the fact that music can resonate with people and bring them back to a time and place they’d forgotten.

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Once Less Than Jake say sayonara to Japan, where the weather is getting on Fiorello’s nerves, they’re heading our way with California’s favourite ska-punks Reel Big Fish for their first co-headline tour in years. “This is the first time we’ll be down in Australia to play solo shows since

the release of See The Light [2013], and we’re sharing the top spot with our buddies from Reel Big Fish,” Fiorello says. “We’ll both be playing full-length sets, so you can believe it’s going to be a good time.” Although Fiorello won’t confirm a RBF/LTJ mash-up or plans for an onstage collaboration, he’s more forthcoming when asked about backstage hijinks. “We all hang out during the day and before the show when we’re on tour. Even though we poke fun at each other, we’re part of a brotherhood, and that comes into play onstage. Less Than Jake would never put on a scripted show. What you see is what you get – we

feed off the fun we’ve had together during the day and hopefully the crowd has fun too.” Less Than Jake were pioneers of ska-punk when they broke out of the college scene in Gainesville, Florida back in 1992. 20 years on from their debut album Pezcore, which featured one of their most enduring anthems in ‘Johnny Quest Thinks We’re Sellouts’, Fiorello says they remain as committed as ever. “Yeah man, we still play ‘Johnny Quest’ every night. To me that’s so cool, because that’s a 20-year-old song! But at the same time, we’re equally as excited to play songs off our latest record See The Light.

As a father to a little girl and the co-founder of record labels Paper + Plastick, Fueled By Ramen and Sleep It Off – as well as taking on the role of head designer for his company Wunderland War – Fiorello’s duties with Less Than Jake are these days a treat rather than a chore. “Touring is my vacation time and I need it,” he says. “In my personal life, being a dad or just handling business stuff, there are all those little parts that make up the bigger picture. So when I get to tour, all I wanna do is have fun.”

If fun is numero uno on the agenda for the Australian leg of their tour, they’ve made the right choice in support act The Bennies. “It was a funny coincidence because Anty [Horgan, lead singer of The Bennies] and I talk online and we’ve always said that we’d love to tour together, but our promoter thinks it was his idea. He said, ‘I’m thinking of this great band, The Bennies, to be your support.’ Of course, we jumped at the chance. “I’m a big fan of the band and I love their attitude, so I think that Less Than Jake and The Bennies together will equal a lot of fun times! We can’t wait.” With: Reel Big Fish, The Bennies Where: Max Watt’s When: Friday October 2

I Know Leopard Changing Their Spots By Adam Norris

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Know Leopard are your quintessential dream-pop architects. Or at least, this is how they are being heralded, which makes them sound like a cross between Warhol, Le Corbusier and The Care Bears. Since their debut EP Illumina, the Sydneysiders have been getting serious attention from serious corners of the industry, most recently brought to the fore at Bigsound as they previewed their latest efforts on the Another Life EP – a harbinger of the album to come. While lead singer Luke O’Loughlin is not, lamentably, a leopard himself, it is not for lack of trying. Given I Know Leopard are a sure highlight of this year’s Surry Hills Festival, gaining an insight into the genesis of their name might prove a handy launching point. “I was shopping for a jungle-themed costume party,” O’Loughlin chuckles, “and the store owner could only speak broken English. I told him I was looking for something like a leopard, and he led me down this dark little aisle. I was telling him I’d really like something like a leopard tail, a leopard head if they had one, and he told me they had just the thing. Then he handed me this mask of Chewbacca and said, ‘There you go!’ And I looked at it and said, ‘Umm, this isn’t exactly the kind of leopard I’m looking for.’ And he really didn’t take to it kindly. He threw the mask to the ground and shouted, ‘I know leopard!’ before walking off. We’d been trying to come up with band names at that point, and I threw that one out as a joke. We dismissed it, but a few weeks later, it was still around and had this nice ring to it. ‘I Know Leopard. You know, that’s actually not too bad…’” While the band’s interpretation of dream-pop does indeed have a fine ring to it, the word also suggests 12 :: BRAG :: 631 :: 23:09:15

a level of insubstantiality – of something vivid yet fleeting – that masks just how thoughtful and engaging these songs really are. I Know Leopard’s sound is quite layered, and to peel away one aspect is to reveal another implication or inspiration beneath. It’s little surprise these performers can bring such depth, given they are hardly green to their calling. With Jenny McCullagh on violin and vocals, Rosie Fitzgerald on bass and Todd Andrews on guitar, they have a remarkable pool of talent to drawn from. “I think the dream-pop thing, anything we ever write…” O’Loughlin pauses. “I love major seventh chords; I think those are the chords I like arranging the most. If you hear those, they kind of sound naturally dreamy anyway, and we end up using a lot of those. That’s probably where it all started, though the textures are always differing. I’m happy with that label, though. It tends to be how people first respond when they hear our music: ‘Oh yeah, it’s really dreamy.’ And I like that. I like that kind of music to begin with, those kind of whimsical, celestial sounds. My favourite Beach Boys records were the ones from the ’70s where they had that floaty sound, like they were discovering LSD for the first time. Really happy and goofy, but at the same time quite beautiful and sophisticated.” Talk then turns to Brian Wilson pushing The Beach Boys into new territory with his frantic, inspired studio shenanigans. Yet although O’Loughlin has an appreciation for those halcyon days of recording, when it comes to pulling together tracks for I Know Leopard, their approach is much more strippedback.

“It’s weird. I’m not a fan of overdemoing, and I try not to demo very much at all. I like to do very rough sketches of a song, like a verse and a chorus, to keep things as fresh as possible. I find myself getting bad cases of what I call ‘demo-itis’. It’s where I’ll demo something too far and will never be happy with it; I’ll always seek the spark that was there in that first recording that I can never achieve again. I’m hoping the LP I’ve been writing will be half songs that were written before, but I’d really like the other half to be songs that we come up with in the moment, that we start tracking straight away.” While the band has a slew of performances over the next few months – stretching literally from coast to coast – the first furtive

appearance of that LP may not be too far away. O’Loughlin is already plotting the record’s skeleton, and when he speaks of the future, the excitement that creeps into his voice is unmistakable. “At the end of the year I’m going away to set up a studio somewhere on the South Coast and just start tracking down there. Half planned, half spontaneous. That’s what happened with that song ‘Another Life’ on the EP. It was something that happened on the spot. I think Jenny was on piano just playing a few chords that sounded nice straight away. I like to keep it fresh like that, and I work better with that shorter timeframe. I don’t like extending things too long. But I’m also contradicting myself here. Once

the song’s written, I tend to take so much time with all the layers, making sure everything is just as it should be. But the writing of the song I try to get done quite quickly and on the spot. Try and find that sudden magic.” What: Surry Hills Festival 2015 With: Noire, The Pigs, The Stiffys and more Where: Ward Park and Shannon Reserve When: Saturday September 26 And: Also appearing at Moonshine, Manly on Saturday November 7 and Goodgod Small Club on Saturday November 21 More: Another Life out now independently

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Less Than Jake photo by Katie Hovland

usic’s saved my life many, many times,” says Less Than Jake drummer and lyricist Vinnie Fiorello. “Not to be melodramatic, but it has. It’s guided me the right way and helps me when life gets stormy – kind of like today!” he laughs. “Seriously, it’s been pouring here all day – I can’t wait to get to Australia.”

“Music gives people an anchor when things are bad, or it can lift people up. To me, that’s the coolest thing, and why I feel lucky to be able to do it for a living and be amongst people I consider my brothers.”

“Music gives people an anchor when things are bad, or it can lift people up. To me, that’s the coolest thing, and why I feel lucky to be able to do it for a living and be amongst people I consider my brothers.”

25 November is White Ribbon Day. Buy a white ribbon and help stop violence against women. www.whiteribbon.org.au

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Lachlan Bryan And The Wildes This Time, It’s Personal By Adam Norris characters, I wanted to sing murder ballads! I thought what I was doing was being creative, but I think now I was probably being cowardly as well. I didn’t want to reveal too much. As time goes on, I’ve probably gone the opposite route. The obvious thing when you write a song when you’re a teenager is to write about your own experiences. Some girl has broken your heart, things like that. I’ve always been a little scared to be so vulnerable to talk about those kind of things, and so I channel them through other people – but gradually, I’ve started writing through my own eyes, and I’m more excited about that than ever.”

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here are as many approaches to songwriting as there are fi sh in the sea (so, at least three), and while one artist might feel no qualms in laying open their chest for all to peer inside, others are more expressive when clothed in the costumes of an alter ego. How this develops is as much inspiration a s it is temperament, but over time, either as a solo troubadour

or as frontman for The Wildes, Melbourne singer Lachlan Bryan has slowly succumbed to dropping the mask and allowing folk to gather around to see what makes him tick. In other words, this time, it’s personal. “I think with every time I make an album, every time I write a set of songs, I think it gets closer and closer to me, to be honest,”

Bryan admits somewhat ruefully. “I was a bit frightened to be writing autobiographically to start with, although a lot of my favourite songwriters are guys like Tom Waits, Dylan. With them, you get a sense of who they are, but they also hide it well, with all these characters and stories. “When I first started writing, I didn’t want it to all be about me. I wanted

While Bryan and The Wildes haven’t had too many opportunities to showcase material from their latest album, The Mountain, all that is set to change in the weeks ahead. With the Dashville Skyline festival just around the corner, Bryan’s dark lyricism will be open to all, and between the strength of their performance and the ethos of the festival, the chance of audiences not engaging is slim. After his last release, Black Coffee, earned a 2014 Golden Guitar for Alt-Country Album of the Year, Bryan’s musical musings are almost divinely suited to the Hunter Valley’s Americana festival. “The thing I’ve realised is that although we certainly take a lot of infl uence from American country music, the way that country and folk originated in the States is not that different from the way it sprung up here. We’ve been playing this kind of music in

Australia for just about as long as they have, it’s just that they got more famous from it,” he laughs. “I think Americana today dates back to people like Hank Williams, and there are Australian guys who toured with Hank. There were plenty of Australian artists who were developing around the same time, building this kind of music at the same time as the Americans. “So sometimes I kind of question when people say, ‘Oh, this is American music.’ I think we were all pulling infl uence from Irish music, from all over Europe. The Americans probably had that infl uence of black music in there that pushed their country and roots music in a slightly different direction, the blues. But we picked that up quickly from them as well. So I think the reason so many Australians are doing this music is, well, it comes very naturally to us.” What: Dashville Skyline With: Bahamas, Shane Nicholson, Holy Holy, Wagons and many more Where: Dashville, Hunter Valley When: Saturday October 3 – Sunday October 4 And: Also appearing at The Basement on Wednesday November 18 and Australian Music Week, Cronulla, Wednesday November 18 – Sunday November 22 More: The Mountain out Friday September 25 through ABC/ Universal

Pennywise Time Heals All Wounds By Natalie Rogers “Justin is coming to Australia with us because he’s a huge fan of Pennywise, and About Time was the last album that we wrote and recorded together before Jason passed,” says guitarist Dragge. “We’re planning on playing it in its entirety, so hopefully he’ll get up and sing with us. He’s actually the guy singing on ‘Bro Hymn (Tribute)’ on Full Circle [1997]. He sings with us in the chorus – you know, ‘Woah / Oh oh oh’ – and then he does his own tribute, so it’ll be cool to have him there every night.

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“We’re great friends actually, Justin and me,” Dragge continues. “I played bass and did background vocals on a record for his band, Chaos Delivery Machine. He writes all the music and the lyrics. He was also the drummer for a band called 98 Mute. We put out a record [Chaos Delivery Machine’s Burn Motherfucker Burn] a couple of months ago and it’s done pretty well. It’s super hardcore punk rock – completely crazy. You’re either going to love it or hate it, but I’ve been listening the hell out of that. I didn’t write any songs, I just produced it and played bass – and made them mad!” he laughs. “I love that record.”

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hen veteran punk rockers Pennywise touch down in Australia this week for the 20th anniversary of About Time, they won’t be alone. Jim Lindberg, Fletcher Dragge, Randy Bradbury

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and Byron McMackin will be joined by Justin Thirsk, frontman of Chaos Delivery Machine and younger brother to Jason Thirsk – the Pennywise co-founder and original bassist who passed away in 1996.

You can hear the joy in Dragge’s voice when he reminisces about the good times with Jason and his brother. “It’s never easy, but we’re stoked to be honouring him by bringing this record back. This is the first time we’ve actually done anything like this in our career. I know a lot of other bands have done similar stuff, but we’ve been holding out. Australia is our first stop if we decide to do a bigger tour, so we hope everyone gets crazy and is happy with what we do.” Dragge speaks in the slow, laidback style you’d typically expect from someone who grew up in Hermosa

Beach, AKA ‘The Best Little Beach City’, in Southern California – but Pennywise have never become slackers. They’re serious about giving About Time the anniversary bash it deserves. “We’re been practising our asses off re-learning the songs,” Dragge says. “Some of them we haven’t played for 15 years! So it’s pretty scary, but it’s coming together. “Today was actually the first morning that we ran through the entire album back-to-back and it was really fun and it went by really fast. These songs are pretty hard and I don’t think we realised it until we got back in the studio to start playing them again. We were all like, ‘Wow!’ We were just talking about how crazy Jason’s lyric style was and his melodies. He would come up with a melody and then he would shove like 20 words into one little line and it’s really difficult to sing, but it’s really effing cool. “So we’ll play the whole album and then we’ll go back and do a mashup of songs off all the albums and throw in some stuff off Yesterdays [2014], and it should be a good eventful night of mayhem.” Pennywise’s most recent release, Yesterdays, is actually a collection of previously unrecorded songs written in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Revisiting these forgotten treasures was a way to pay homage to the late Thirsk, but also seemed like a fitting way to welcome back lead singer Lindberg after his departure in 2009. “We had to go back and re-learn these songs too,” says Dragge. “They were all just demo tapes or recordings from backyard parties and very early shows. Nothing was really salvageable, so we had to re-learn that stuff. We were fighting over the notes because the quality was so bad on most

of the recordings [laughs]. But it was pretty cool to get in the studio and give them a proper going over to get them sounding kind of contemporary, even though we used a lot of old-school recording methods. It was fun. It was a good way to remember Jason again – and going back to the beginning of the band, to the very first thing we’d recorded, was a good healing process. At the same time, being all together in the recording studio is a nightmare, because we’re all freaks!” The good news is that Pennywise are preparing to let their freak flag fly once again with word that they’re working on a new album. “We’re working on new stuff – I have about six songs right now,” Dragge confirms. “I know Jim’s got a bunch and Randy has some too, so we plan on throwing them all together. Hopefully we’ll get in the studio early next year and try to have something out next summer – maybe earlier, who knows? But I’ve definitely got new songs and I’m feeling good about them. “I think it’s going to be an interesting process. We’ve got a couple of people tentatively pencilled in to produce the album – two huge people in the punk rock scene and in the producing scene. I won’t say their names because it’s not 100 per cent confirmed yet, but we’re talking and if they’re involved it’s going to be really cool. Obviously I think it’ll be a really good record, but I think at the same time it’ll be a really cool experience and the fans will be stoked as well – but it’s top secret right now.” What: Yesterdays out now through Epitaph With: Anti-Flag Where: UNSW Roundhouse When: Saturday September 26

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The Garden It Takes A Lot To Laugh By Augustus Welby

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1-year-old twin brothers Fletcher and Wyatt Shears are near impossible to tell apart. Working together as The Garden, the Californian pair share a united creative vision. They recently finished recording their second album, Haha, which we’ll get to taste when they arrive for their debut Australian tour this week. Like the band’s 2013 debut, The Life And Times Of A Paperclip, Haha has a loaded tracklist containing 17 songs, many of which are made up of the barest elements and fall short of 60 seconds. In contrast to its predecessor, however, Haha includes a handful of longer songs and an expanded textural palette. Although you might infer the terser tracks are impulsively conceived and brashly recorded, each song is of equal significance for the band. “We enjoy doing what we’ve always done, which is make short, simplistic songs,” says Wyatt. “But I personally felt the need to expand upon that, because I know that I have more to offer with my songwriting than a sevensecond song. This record, like the next ones that will come along, serves as my own personal experimentation with my music and how I can creatively progress.” “Each song on this album has a meaning behind it and something that’s important to us,” says Fletcher. “No song on this album serves as a filler.”

Wyatt. “Another way that we’ve been songwriting is through the computer. What I will do is assemble a song very simplistically, using drum loops, my own bass and synth, and I will sort of pitch it to the both of us. If we can both agree on using it, Fletcher will replace the drum loops and thankfully add in his own unique version. Sometimes we will even use the original synth track, from when it was recorded at home, in the studio.” With their roots in a primal, punk rock aesthetic, the brothers were somewhat concerned about how they’d account for all the extra instrumental details live. “We figured it out, but it can be so tricky when playing live,” says Fletcher. “We weren’t exactly sure how we were going to use all of these other sounds live, and that worried us,” Wyatt agrees. “But eventually, after trying a few different options, we finally settled on a trigger pad. It can be tricky at times, but once you get in its groove, it’s a lot of fun.” While the first half of the album is fairly instantaneous, it grows increasingly adventurous in the second half (especially on the latealbum epic ‘Egg’, which cracks the three-minute mark and is replete with lush piano embellishment). This dynamic progression indicates where the band could journey in future.

Akin to their debut, the album’s core elements are drums, bass and the Shears twins’ dual vocals. But the majority of tracks gain extra distinction thanks to the inclusion of piano, synth, multiple bass tracks and weird sound effects.

“The aim is to be versatile and noncontrived,” says Wyatt. “We want to keep demonstrating the progression we’ve made with the album and we want to keep moving forward even after this comes out. I’ve already began writing a lot for the next one. We are both big on melody, and I think we’d be cheating ourselves if we stayed overly raw with the whole thing.”

“There isn’t any guitar on this record, but the foundation is mostly bass and drums,” says

“We definitely aren’t trying to shock anyone with this album – although the reaction might end up like

that,” says Fletcher. “We get great pleasure out of moving forward with our music and ourselves. We feel that there is really no need to stay in one place just because that’s what people perceive us to be.” Throughout Haha, the influence of numerous iconic artists makes itself known. Everyone from the Beastie Boys, Bad Brains and Sonic Youth to The Fall, Beat Happening and Minutemen appears to have had an impact upon The Garden’s stylistic outlook. Everything has its roots somewhere, and a lot of the time an idea’s origins are somewhat inscrutable. Nevertheless, The Garden are committed to defying genre restrictions.

“With every piece of art comes some sort of inspiration beforehand,” says Wyatt. “What I like to always think about when it comes to influences and inspirations is to take a little bit from something and then to stir it around and make it my own and unique. I think that it’s important to give your art some of your own uniqueness. I enjoy a pretty wide range of different bands and artists and MCs, but they have already made their legacies – I want to make sure that I can create my own.” In the past, The Garden have highlighted the Vada Vada philosophy, which underlies all their creative exploits. Vada Vada is based on pure expression and

defying pigeonholing, but it’s not intended as a pretentious assertion of originality. “Nothing we create will be completely original,” says Fletcher. “But if it showcases who we are in some way, or genuinely comes straight from us without copying another song, it feels good. It’s that pure expression. If you pull from inside yourself, your songs and art will literally start to sound like you.” What: Haha out Friday October 9 through Burger/Epitaph With: Big White, Angie Where: Newtown Social Club When: Sunday September 27

Blind Man Death Stare Ruffling Feathers By Bel Ryan

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ou can’t hang out with a guy who formerly played in a band called The Pints without enjoying a few cold ones. And that’s exactly what goes down when we catch up with Yo Yo Parker, drummer and vocalist from Blind Man Death Stare. That said, a lot has changed since those Pints days, which were essentially about having a few beers and a laugh. Life has a tendency to turn to shit sometimes, but the best response is to keep pushing forward. Blokes like Parker swear by this mentality. “You know it’s also BDSM, right?” he laughs, as he explains his band’s new name and lineup. “Blind Man Death Stare does sound a bit more serious I guess, even though at the same time it’s this impossible situation, a joke. Like the name The Pints was a joke too, but we didn’t want our name to sound like an Irish pub band anymore. We’ve grown up, we’ve lived. Some of it’s been bad, some of it’s been good. You get perspective. We’re still the same, but we’re different too.” While Parker and guitarist Mitch Man remain, bass player and vocalist Immi KutSnake is a new addition. “Mitch and I have this thing where we’re just on the same level,” says Parker. “He’ll come up with a riff, or I’ll have some lyrics or a beat, and we’ll just write something, play it, and that’s what we record.” Regarding KutSnake, Parker says, “He’s just a really great dude and fit in with us straight away. Plus, he’s

the kind of guy that can hear a song once and then play it, which rules.” Another major change for the band is its relocation from Brisbane to Melbourne. “Obviously one of the best parts about Melbourne is the food,” says Parker. “But from a musical perspective, there’s so much happening in Melbourne. There’s a shitload of great bands to play with, crowds are more into it and people seem to genuinely like music. It’s also heaps easier to tour down this end. You can get to Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide or Hobart basically just by driving. And playing shows are what being in the band is about. Plus, I’ll always be a Victorian boy at heart. If I had to say one thing that sucks about here, it’s that we don’t have a good beach. But at the end of the day, this is home.” Blind Man Death Stare’s first official EP, Born A Centimetre From The Finish Line, has received a mixed response. While they’ve garnered ecstatic praise from lovers of honest punk music, the politically motivated cartoon cover art has ruffled a few feathers. “Yeah, Vagina The Hutt might piss some people off,” says Parker. “Same deal with the Pope and Tony [Abbott]. But they’re all idiots. We’ve had posters for our shows and EP taken down in heaps of places because people complained. At least people are talking about it, though. We’ve been compared to everything from NOFX to Hot Water Music to Rancid. All of those

bands are great, but at the end of the day we’re just doing our thing and hoping people enjoy it as much as we do.” It’s the ballsy attitude that distinguishes Blind Man Death Stare from their peers. For this reason, you’d be foolish not to see

them live at least once. Behind the scenes for the EP recording, meanwhile, Parker says the process was based around three vital ingredients: “Lack of practice, a good combination of beers and weed, and abstaining from the cocaine until the last track was down.”

What: Born A Centimetre From The Finish Line out now independently With: Cap A Capo, Swine, Dark Horse, Two Faced Where: Valve Bar When: Friday October 16

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arts news...what's goin' on around town... with Aaron Streatfeild, Eden Gillespie and Tegan Reeves

five minutes WITH

RAFAEL BONACHELA, CHOREOGRAPHER OF TRIPTYCH dynamic interaction between them, which is only possible when you bring such a rich mix of talented performers together. Triptych features a massive collaborative effort with Katie Noonan and the Australian Chamber Orchestra – how did it come about? I have known Katie for some time and we have worked together previously on two Sydney Dance Company productions, Landforms in 2011 and Les Illuminations in 2013. Triptych is an extension of our collaborative relationship, and also a further celebration of Benjamin Britten’s work, a composer that we both admire. This three-part program also created a perfect opportunity for us both to work together again with the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

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GREEK FILM FESTIVAL

The Greek Film Festival has announced its full 2015 program, bringing Sydney a taste of everything from Greek goddesses to magicians and road trips. Alex And Eve, Love Struck, 7 Kinds Of Wrath, Fan, Magic Men, The Sentimentalists and Burning From The Inside are just some of the films on the program. Really, missing this year’s Greek Film Festival would surely be a tragedy of Greek proportions. The festival is set to run from Wednesday October 14 – Sunday November 1 at Palace Cinemas Norton Street.

KITTIES ON SCREEN

The cats are back! RSPCA fundraising event The Cat Film Festival is returning to the Glebe Foreshore for another purrrfect evening of cat videos, awards and fancy dress. This year’s event will include attractions like the Golden Whiskers Award, a Cattoo Purrlour

Have Les Illuminations and Simple Symphony changed since their premiere in 2013? Les Illuminations and Simple Symphony were both originally created for the intimate space of the Studio at Sydney Opera House. The audience were seated in the round and the performance was presented on a catwalk-style stage. Now we are bringing the show to Roslyn and The Kitten Cuddle Cube, as well as food trucks and face-painting. Ready your Sunday best feline fancy dress for a day of cat-related mayhem. Sunday October 4 sees The Cat Film Festival at Bicentennial Park on the Glebe foreshore.

What inspired the new work, Variation 10? The work was directly inspired by Benjamin Britten’s composition, Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge. It’s one of his most famous works, and when you listen to it, you realise it is perfect for dancing.

EDWARD II

If you’re a theatre junkie keen on historical storytelling, Edward II should be the next play on your must-see list. From Thursday October 1 – Saturday October 17 at the Seymour Centre, Sport For Jove will present a contemporary take on Christopher Marlowe’s 1593 tragic masterpiece. The film tells the story of a controversial king, driven by desire, who treats a nation as his own playground. This brand new production will feature a strong cast including Angela Bauer, Barry French, Belinda Hoare, Edmund Lembke-Hogan, Gabriel Fancourt, Georgia Adamson, James Lugton, Julian Garner, Michael Whalley, Richard Hilliar and Simon London. We’re giving away two double passes to Edward II on Friday October 2. Head to thebrag.com/freeshit for your chance to score tickets.

Who are the key dancers involved in the works? Les Illuminations and Simple Symphony each have four dancers in their cast. My new work, Variation 10, involves the whole Sydney Dance Company ensemble. So the audience can expect to see all of our beautiful dancers onstage. What: Triptych Where: Roslyn Packer Theatre When: Friday September 25 – Saturday October 10 Xxx

hat unites the three pieces in Triptych to make them a coherent whole? The three dance works in Triptych are set to the beautiful music of one of the most acclaimed composers of the 20th century, Benjamin Britten. The music is all being performed live – the dancers and musicians will literally share the stage. So another element that will tie the works together is the unique and

Packer Theatre, it has been adapted to fill the full stage and auditorium. Also there are some new cast members amongst the dancers, and they have each brought some unique elements to the two works.

head to: thebrag.com/freeshit Triptych photo by Peter Greig

arts in focus

free stuff

Circus Oz

MORTIDO AT BELVOIR

Playwright Angela Betzien’s latest offering is bursting at the seams with crime, cocaine and the deadly desire for a bigger house. From Mexico to the Western Suburbs of Sydney, Mortido is a thrilling tale of revenge. Colin Friels joins the impressive cast in this play about globalisation, drug trafficking and morality. Betzien has again teamed up at Belvoir St Theatre with longtime collaborator and director Leticia Cáceres (The Dark Room) for a piece Cáceres describes as “incredibly funny, and adventurous”. Mortido runs from Friday November 6 – Thursday December 17 at Belvoir.

Grayson Perry

CIRCUS OZ RETURNS

After two years of touring the likes of the US and Canada, Circus Oz is bringing its latest touring show But Wait… There’s More to Sydney. All that time on the road means the Circus Oz troupe will be as tight as ever in delivering its satirical look at today’s culture of ‘infobesity’ and consumer overload in But Wait… There’s More. The show opens on Wednesday December 30 and runs until Sunday January 24 at the Entertainment Quarter, but you can get a sneak peek at Riverside Theatres for a limited run from Thursday October 1 – Saturday October 3.

WORD TRAVELS FOR REFUGEES

IDEAS AT THE HOUSE: GRAYSON PERRY

British contemporary artist and Turner Prize winner Grayson Perry will present his first talk in Australia this December as part of the Sydney Opera House’s Ideas At The House. Coinciding with the opening of Grayson Perry: My Pretty Little Art Career at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Perry himself will be presenting a talk in line with the Sydney International Art Series 2015-2016. Drawing upon his experiences as a trans artist, among wider social issues of class, sex and religion, How To Be An Artist Just Like Me aims to present an insight into what it takes to negotiate power, self-belief and recognition in the art world. How To Be An Artist Just Like Me takes place at the Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House on Sunday December 13. Grayson Perry: My Pretty Little Art Career will be showing at the MCA from Thursday December 10 – Sunday May 1.

A FLOWER OF THE LIPS

Directed by Ira Hal Seidenstein and written by Valentino Musico, A Flower Of The Lips tells the true story of Musico’s own great-grandfather during the First World War. The fourth Musico/Seidenstein production

THE GREATS AT THE ART GALLERY

The Art Gallery of New South Wales will adorn its walls with a number of never-before-seenin-Australia master European paintings as part of the Sydney International Art Series 20152016. In a rare move, the Art Gallery of NSW will transfer its gallery space into a series of octagonal rooms, complete with sumptuous red walls – the traditional manner in which to hang old master artworks. Featuring renowned artists such as Botticelli, Leonardo, Raphael, Poussin, Rembrandt, Turner and Monet, the exhibition will open on Saturday October 24 with a keynote lecture from Scottish National Gallery director Michael Clarke. Throughout the exhibition there will be a number of guided tours, lecture series and late-night programs. More information on these can be found over at the Art Gallery of NSW website. The Greats: Masterpieces From The National Galleries Of Scotland will continue until Sunday February 14. thebrag.com

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This October, Word Travels Story Fest will embark on a journey into the refugee experience. Writing Through Fences will open the Australian Poetry Slam National Final on Sunday October 11, giving three refugee poets the chance to share their experiences as refugees, before the poetry slam action takes place. Appearing at Writing Through Fences will be Somali writer Hani Aden, musician and writer Yarrie Bangura and The Unlikely Poet’s Kaveh Arya, all of whom have spent some amount of time as refugees. Story Fest aims to engage with the debate and conversation surrounding human rights and the treatment of refugees, which in today’s news climate is as relevant as ever. The New South Wales Poetry Slam Final will be held on Friday October 9, followed by the National Finals on Sunday October 11. More Word Travels events are to be announced soon, including workshops and a children’s program. The Story Fest will be held at The Rocks, Sydney Dance Lounge and the Sydney Opera House from Friday October 9 – Sunday October 11.

combines some of Australia’s best theatre production talent, including eight-time Wynne Prize finalist Vince Vozzo as art director. Seidenstein is well known for his work with Cirque Du Soleil and Slava’s Snowshow, in addition to his involvement with Bell Shakespeare. A Flower Of The Lips opens on Tuesday October 6 and runs until Saturday October 24 at Newtown’s King Street Theatre.

A Steady Rain [THEATRE] Cops And Robbers By Kate Robertson “It’s kind of refreshing in the way that it deals with male psychology and relationships. The Chicago streets and the ensuing madness is almost a backdrop to that relationship, so it’s a little different to your fi lm noir cop thriller in that regard, mainly, but by the same token it’s a really entertaining piece of writing as well.”

A Steady Rain photo © Lachlan Woods Photography

Denny’s counterpart onstage is Joey, played by Nick Barkla. “Denny is trying to look after his family, he’s a family man,” says Cotta. “Joey is a recovering alcoholic trying to fi nd his way in the world. If we don’t fi nd that in our storytelling, then it does just turn into tough guys doing their thing.” There is also a certain power dynamic inherent to the relationship between the men. “Of the two, Denny is the more sanguine, kind of out-there, lawunto-himself kind of guy, and Joey kind of follows in Denny’s footsteps,” Cotta says. “They want to be detectives … the dream of being plain clothes policemen and working their home streets is the ultimate goal for them.”

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eith Huff’s A Steady Rain is a play that superficially examines the complicated lifelong friendship between a pair of Chicago cops. Actor Justin Stewart Cotta is playing Denny in this twohander at the Old Fitz Theatre, and says it’s not so much “men walking around with a cowboy stride, chest

puffed out, doing the cop thing”, but an exploration of masculinity in the modern world and how it shapes how people live. “[The play is about] two Chicago cops, best friends since kindergarten, and of course all the typical Chicago street things take

place,” says Cotta. “But they’re more of a backdrop to a relationship between these two guys and the fragility of it, and the inability of these two guys, as close as they are, to deal with anything other than their jobs – and they’re fairly inept when it comes to dealing with their emotions.

The director of the Old Fitz production is Adam Cook, who Cotta says “has a great eye and a great ear for delicacy”. “Being about men – two cops, ostensibly – it would be easy for the play to sort of end up a dickswinging party, if you’ll excuse my vernacular,” the actor says. “We wanted someone really intelligent,

with a good brain and a good heart, who would eke out the bits that are tender. It’s easy for guys to get up onstage and show anger … We really wanted to avoid it just being a night of testosterone.” However, A Steady Rain remains very much about the experience of and expectations around masculinity. “There are all these dynamics going on that are born of that pressure to be ‘the man’,” Cotta says. “Denny carries this weight around of [knowing] he’s the head of the family, and he’s failing his wife Connie if he’s not doing his job, if he’s not putting away bad guys. You can defi nitely see that they’re victims of their own lack of communication; they’re victims of their own lack of decency.” If this story of two policemen with a complex relationship, struggling with expressing their emotions and coping by becoming unhealthily absorbed in their jobs sounds familiar, there’s a good reason why. “True Detective took a lot of inspiration from this play,” says Cotta. “There’s defi nitely a tip of the hat to Keith Huff’s A Steady Rain in that show. Those guys [Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson] are fantastic in it, and they both bring a wonderful psychology to the show.” What: A Steady Rain Where: Old Fitz Theatre When: Until Saturday October 17

Cut Snake [FILM] Home On The Range By Tom Clift

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t’s been a busy few years for Australian actor Sullivan Stapleton. After spending the first decade of his career playing minor parts on shows like Blue Heelers, Satisfaction and Underbelly, the Melbourneborn Stapleton caught the eyes of overseas casting directors courtesy his memorable performance in David Michod’s Animal Kingdom. Since then he’s landed a number of high-profi le gigs, including leading roles in British/American action series Strike Back, the recent Hollywood blockbuster 300: Rise Of An Empire, and the upcoming NBC procedural Blindspot. Yet for all Stapleton’s recent success, it’s his turn as a charming but violent ex-con in local crime thriller Cut Snake that really demonstrates his versatility. “It was such a great role to play with,” says Stapleton over the phone from the US, where he’s been living while working on Blindspot. “It read so well off the paper, and the character just stood out. To go in and out of all those layers that make him who he is – that was really fun.” Written by Blake Ayshford, Cut Snake takes place on the outskirts of Melbourne during the early 1970s, centring on Sparra (Alex Russell) and Paula (Jessica de Gouw), a young couple whose life together is thrown into disarray with the unexpected arrival of Pommie (Stapleton). As it soon becomes clear, the two men did time together in prison – and now Pommie wants to lead his former cellmate back down a dangerous path, whether Sparra is interested or not. “He’s a brooding, menacing man who’s been in and out of prison for most of his life, and I guess he just can’t get away,” says thebrag.com

Stapleton of his character. “He loses his mate who he spent time in prison with, and then when he gets out he tries to bring him back into the criminal world, [which is] really the only world he knows.” Although Ayshford’s script covers some fairly well-worn ground, Stapleton’s performance is an absolute standout. His humour and charisma mask a violent streak bubbling just beneath the surface, one that lends every scene in which Pommie appears an almost suffocating sense of danger. At the same time, there’s an emotional rawness to Stapleton’s work – especially towards the end of the fi lm – that makes it impossible to view his character as a straight-up villain. “The challenge was to give the character the menace and the aggressiveness that he needed, but also the vulnerability and the need to be loved and accepted,” explains Stapleton. “It’s too easy to play these types of characters as one note. I hope we pulled it off.” When asked if it was difficult getting inside the head of such an unstable man, he chuckles: “No, not really. Not for me.” Stapleton is also quick to give credit to his director, Tony Ayres. Best known for the domestic dramas The Home Song Stories and Walking On Water, the awardwinning fi lmmaker arrived to the crime genre afresh, but Stapleton says Ayres was instrumental in helping bring Pommie to life. “I’ve wanted to work with Tony for years,” says the actor. “I love him. He’s a great man and has a true gift as an artist. The collaboration between us, and the support I received from him, it just made the job awesome.” That’s not to say the shooting process was always easy. One

scene in particular, involving Pommie and a prostitute, ends in a moment of absolutely horrifying violence – and while it’s certainly effective, it can’t have been pleasant to fi lm. “That was hard,” admits Stapleton, and for a moment he seems to struggle for words. “Obviously I’ve spent the last few years fi ghting on Strike Back, but to have to dominate this woman in a physical sense… it’s one thing to throw some punches at another actor, but to do that was difficult.” Still, despite the occasional rough shooting day, Stapleton clearly had a positive experience on the set of Cut Snake, and says he still relishes the opportunity to work in

his native country – not to mention his native accent. “I’m Australian through and through, so it’s great to come home and to speak in your own voice. To fl y home, to fi lm in Melbourne – it was just a great job to be a part of. It’s nice to work in that environment, to walk out of your trailer and see a mob of kangaroos. To travel the world and explore different cities is great, but to come home and see that puts a huge smile on your face.” And it’s not just about getting to come home, either. As Stapleton’s star continues to rise, he’s presented with the chance to give back to the community that helped him get to where he is today.

“I think it’s really important to support our industry back home,” he says. “To tell our stories, stories that really matter to us. We tell some great stories and make great fi lms. I can’t wait to work in Australia again.” Ultimately, however, the most important thing for Stapleton is that he keeps getting to tackle new and exciting characters. “You get to sink your teeth into different roles,” he says. “To me, that’s the fun part of the job.” What: Cut Snake (dir. Tony Ayres) Where: In cinemas Thursday September 24

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Film & Theatre Reviews

A Property Of The Clan

Hits and misses on the silver screen and bareboards around town

■ Theatre

[THEATRE] High Ideals By David Molloy

Fourplay

RIDE & FOURPLAY Playing at Eternity Playhouse until Sunday October 4 Two plays, both alike in nature, lay their scene in suburban Sydney. The two stories don’t intertwine, yet there is a sense of continuum that washes from the first to the second, as though a stream of consciousness was being threaded as playwright Jane Bodie moved from writing one to the other between 2000 and 2001. Oddly enough, they are presented to us here in the reverse order to which they were written. And yet, Bodie’s themes still remain true – Ride and Fourplay each endeavour to tease out the finer points of identity and delve into relationships both broken and developing.

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ife stirs yet in the small-tomedium arts sector, and we’re lucky enough this year to witness the birth of a whole venue – a 60-seater theatre atop Kings Cross messy-night mainstay The World Bar. As the saying goes, something new pairs well with something old, and so Philip Rouse, artistic director for Aussie revivalists Don’t Look Away, is christening the Blood Moon Theatre with Nick Enright’s classic play, A Property Of The Clan. “It’s great, actually!” says Rouse of the opportunity. “I think it’s gonna be a really interesting new venue on the Sydney entertainment scene … It’s very much a cave, and people need to work to find interesting new ways of presenting their shows in that space, so I’m finding it really exciting to work there.” Rouse is setting the tone for future experiments with the design for his production, which may be more familiar to young Australian audiences as the source material for HSC regular screener Blackrock. “An idea that the designer Martelle Hunt and myself came upon is the idea of the students of this school, and just the actors in general, painting the whole way through, and creating a work that’s been inspired by those murals at the back of your primary school tuckshop,” says Rouse. “We’re working with that and using paint as a really visceral way, a very material way of expressing some of the darker forces at play in the show.” Of which there are plenty: A Property Of The Clan chronicles the rape and subsequent murder of a teenage girl at a party, and the circumstances surrounding the event. It’s heavy stuff, but Rouse is sure of his approach.

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“You can’t skirt around it at all when you’re dealing with this kind of material,” he says. “It’s examining the pathology that leads to it: that’s the pathology of victim-blaming, the pathology of slut-shaming, the pathology of guys’ sense of entitlement over women.

■ Film

“In the examination of that there’s a lot of discussion, we talk a lot about our own experiences with these things, things that we’ve witnessed – I think if you’re afraid of talking about it, you simply can’t get anything done.” Admirably, this is a company that genuinely wants to get things done, and is doing so by donating a chunk of the ticket sales to White Ribbon, an organisation dedicated to making violence against women an issue for men to face.

In cinemas now

Case in point: Robin Wright, Emily Watson and Keira Knightley claim fourth, fifth and sixth billing on the poster respectively, but together share about ten minutes of screen time. Of these, Watson’s have the most gravity, with her maternal figure playing emotional cipher for the audience. Knightley mostly just cries, though her Kiwi accent is competent; Wright just has nothing to work with.

The knowledge that the events of the film genuinely occurred perhaps carries more weight than the screenplay by industry vets William Nicholson and Simon Beaufoy, but its strength lies in its ability to balance exposure to the huge cast of characters;

“We have to be responsible with this sort of material as theatremakers and as human beings and as a society, and if we’re gonna do this, we need to be giving to something that affects real change. We make art and that’s very important, but these are real issues for a lot of people. Anything we can do to help, we will.” This change begins at the Blood Moon Theatre, a name that Rouse takes to have great portent for the future.

As for the lads, Clarke’s Hall is a broadly appealing, flawed hero whose decisions, though guided by his heart, have tragic consequences. Gyllenhaal entertains and surprises as always, while Josh Brolin’s gung-ho Texan provides balance to the ensemble. There are too many other actors in this film – frustratingly, one of the more interesting characters, experienced climber Yasuko Namba (Naoko Mori), has her dialogue cut off by journalist Jon Krakauer (Michael Kelly), and so we gain little insight into this fascinating real person. It’s

Surry Hills Festival 2015

“It’s just about something that’s usually very small becoming very large, which is the lunar effect of the blood moon,” he says. “It’s a new venue, it’s very small – it’s never gonna seat more than 60 people.

beginning to tear at the seams as he falls prey to the seductive wiles of Natasha (Palmer), his leading lady in an upcoming play. A former actress herself, Alice is now a carer, but as Tom slowly pulls away, she is drawn toward Jack (Aaron Glenane), an awkward yet intriguing co-worker. With nothing else onstage but their words and actions, it is here that the fourth wall becomes a mirror. Characters stare deeply into the eyes of the audience as they discuss and debate, fall apart and fornicate. It’s a beautifully powerful and utterly confronting form of choreography that holds the audience to the bosom of this heavily emotive and smartly written work. Stephanie Yip

Everest

otherwise nearly impossible to keep track of everyone. But really, the humans are secondary – the true star’s name is in the title, and is captured vicariously through sequences shot in Nepal, Italy and Iceland by cinematographer Salvatore Totino. His eye for landscape will surely see him dominate film epics in the years to come. With dizzying cinematography, moving music and scenes of true tension that have audience members clutching their armrests in dismay, the world’s biggest mountain deserves the world’s biggest screen. David Molloy

Arts Exposed What's in our diary...

Crown Street, Shannon Reserve and Ward Park, Saturday September 26 Surry Hills doesn’t just have great bars and restaurants, it has become the home of urban art and music for street-smart Sydneysiders. The annual Surry Hills Festival is an event hosted in association with Art & About Sydney, set to take place from 10am on Saturday September 26. As usual there will be a diverse live music lineup, but bold, intriguing artworks are set to steal the show. The 2015 festival will feature local artwork, design installations, performances, creative studio tours and more. Explore the edgy suburb of Surry Hills and embrace this festival of fun, taking over Crown Street, Shannon Reserve, Ward Park and popup spaces all over town.

“But even with the nature of this work, with A Property Of The Clan, maybe something really small can help in very large ways.” What: A Property Of The Clan Where: Blood Moon Theatre, The World Bar When: Tuesday September 29 – Saturday October 17

that is, except for those who are female.

It’s 1996, and numerous international agencies are vying to get ambitious travellers to the top of the world’s highest mountain. Veterans Rob Hall (Jason Clarke) and Scott Fischer (Jake Gyllenhaal) lead a troupe of climbers to the summit, unaware that a storm is brewing that will bring them all to the brink of destruction.

“We’re in an epidemic at the moment – 60-plus women have been killed in this year, in 2015,” says Rouse. “The media talk about it, don’t wanna call it what it is, which is abhorrent violence against women and abhorrent acts of domestic violence.

As intermission ends, the stage is cleared to leave only an empty black canvas for the four players of Fourplay to fill. Introductions are slow. The relationship between Tom (O’Sullivan) and Alice (Gabrielle Scawthorn) is

EVEREST Some films are made for the big screen, and Everest is one of them. It’s hard to say how enjoyable the experience would have been on a smaller screen with less wholly encompassing sound, but witnessed in the comforts of the IMAX, it’s an engrossing and nail-biting manversus-nature thriller.

xxx

“We have to be responsible with this sort of material as theatremakers and as human beings and as a society.”

A black stage, tilting angularly, tips its characters into the audience, forcing the actors to remain sure-footed for fear they (and their characters) may fall into an infinite abyss. It’s a fitting setting for opener, Ride, which finds Joe (Tom O’Sullivan) and Elizabeth (Emma Palmer) waking up naked in Joe’s bed, hungover and unsure of the previous evening’s misdemeanours – if there were any at all.

As Elizabeth toys between staying and leaving over the course of 12 hours, the pair expose themselves to one another – both figuratively and literally – until secrets are exhausted. What begins as a backtrack into the evening’s alcohol-fuelled adventures becomes a tear-stained window into the past, as we discover traces of the woman Joe used to live with still haunting his home, and Elizabeth’s embarrassment at attending her ex-lover’s wedding still heavy on her mind. It’s brutal, it’s charming, it’s shameless and it’s alluring.

For the full program, visit surryhillsfestival.org. thebrag.com

bread&thread Food & Fashion News... with Eden Gillespie, Tegan Reeves and Chris Martin

FINDERS KEEPERS IN SUMMER

It’s time to celebrate that spring is in full bloom (and summer is on the way) with The Finders Keepers Spring Summer Markets. The markets will tour the country from October to December, promising to bring festival vibes to the boutique shopping scene. There will be plenty of food, art and music to enjoy, and a handful of different stalls will also be present on the day. Finders Keepers returns to Sydney’s Australian Technology Park for three days from Friday December 11 – Sunday December 13. Finders Keepers

NOW THAT’S A CONVOY

To kick off the Entertainment Quarter’s night market series, it will be hosting a Food Truck Jam on Saturday October 3 and Sunday October 4, showcasing some of Sydney’s biggest and bestest food trucks. The food onsite will include Bad Betty burgers, NYPD New York sandwiches and the Tella Ball Stand (that’s those crazy shakes topped with Nutella-filled donuts), courtesy vendors like Cantina Movil Mexical, Toby’s Estate Coffee and Knafeh. Entry is free, with parking available onsite. Tella Ball Stand

Finders Keepers photo by Dave Kan

SHAKE UP THE SHAKE

Allow us to introduce the Cake Shake. It’s the new tasty drinking (or should that be eating?) craze coming to Sydney, thanks to apprentice pastry chef Sophie Zipparo and owner Justin Baker at Sydney Craft Beer Week

the Belle Saveur Patisserie Cafe in Penrith. The shakes come in all sorts of musttry flavours, including the Cronut, the Lollymania and the Nutella, but our tip is the Man Shake, which comes with a croissant and a caramelised banana on top. No, seriously.

SYDNEY CRAFT BEER WEEK

BLACK STAR AT THE GALERIES

There’s nothing better than enjoying a pastry while burying your nose deep in your favourite novel. Pastries and books are just one of those heavenly combinations, and with Black Star Pastry set to open this October at Books Kinokuniya in The Galeries Victoria, your pastry prayers will be answered. Black Star’s famous Newtown location was designed to look like cardboard in order to stand out among the grungy aesthetic of that suburb, but these new surrounds will be just as satisfactory. Grab a slice of watermelon cake and a coffee, or even a pastry taco, and sit down with a paperback to celebrate the opening of the new Black Star on Thursday October 29.

IT’S A DEAD RINGER FOR BULLETIN PLACE

Sydney developer Greencliff has shaken hands and scored a sweet deal over a Surry Hills terrace with the owners of multi-award-winning Sydney small bar Bulletin Place. Bulletin’s new watering

Our city is getting crafty with Sydney Craft Beer Week bringing the brew this October. From Saturday October 17 – Sunday October 25 there will be more than 130 events held in over 70 bars, restaurants, breweries and outdoor spaces across town. On the opening gala night, Friday October 16, beer lovers can crack open a cold one, guzzle down a pint and grab a Grill’d burger to be washed down with some music. All beer-crazed attendees will also receive a take-home commemorative tasting-size glass to celebrate the start of Craft Beer Week. For the full program, visit sydneycraftbeerweek.com.

thebrag.com

hole, Dead Ringer, has opened at the heritage-listed 1800s Bourke Street site opposite the Beresford Hotel under the leadership of Tim Philips and his team – the savvy young operators who are former winners of Best Small Bar in Australia.

THE KEG & BREW TURNS ONE Local beer will be flowing through the taps this Thursday September 24 at the Keg & Brew’s first birthday party, and everyone’s invited. The guests of honour will include two Inner West breweries in Batch Brewing Co. and Young Henrys, competing in a tap takeover at the party and on hand to chat about their brews over a cold schooner. If you’re doing Sober September, don’t fret; there’ll be a delicious menu including the famous lobster nachos and lamb hot dogs.

IT’S A PINOT PALOOZA

Bottle Shop Concepts is back with Pinot Palooza, a gig with wine that rocks. Get a glass of some of Australia’s and New Zealand’s finest pinot noir while you enjoy a stellar lineup and rock out with artists like Ata Rangi, Bay of Fires, Shaw + Smith, Yabby Lake, Kooyong, Mt Difficulty, Giant Steps, Two Paddocks and Pegasus Bay. The event will take place on Monday October 5 at Carriageworks, and it might just prove your conversion to pinot.

Geisha Haus

STEP INTO THE GEISHA HAUS

The former Beach Haus location has relaunched as Geisha Haus to bring a diverse but traditional Japanese menu to Potts Point. Former head sushi chef of One And Only, Maldives and Flying Fish, Rajendra Kumar Tamang is leading the charge, while Geisha Haus’ cocktails warrant bragging rights; they’re true spectacles in themselves. The cocktails are inspired by traditional Japanese tea flavours and are created using fire, smoke, dry ice and liquid nitrogen. Menu highlights include the Maguro Hana (tuna flowers and spicy mayonnaise topped with baby herbs on tempura rice), kingfish carpaccio, and popcorn prawn.

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BARS BRAG

B R A G ’ S G U I D E T O S Y D N E Y ’ S B E S T WAT E R I N G H O L E S

A Work In Progress 50 King St, Sydney CBD (02) 9240 3000 Mon – Fri noon-2am Ash St Cellar 1 Ash St, Sydney CBD (02) 9240 3000 Mon – Fri 8.30am-11pm The Attic

275 Pitt St, Sydney CBD (02) 9284 1200 Mon – Fri 11am-1am; Saturday 5pm-1am

The Rocks (02) 9247 2229 Mon – Sun 10.30am-midnight

Assembly 488 Kent St, Sydney CBD (02) 9283 8808 Mon – Tue 5-11pm; Wed – Fri noon-midnight; Sat 5pm-midnight

Balcony Bar 46 Erskine St, Sydney CBD (02) 9299 3526 Mon 5pm - late; Tue – Fri noon-midnight; Sat 5pm-midnight

The Australian Heritage Hotel 100 Cumberland St,

BAR100 100 George St, The Rocks (02) 8070 9311

Mon – Thu noon-late; Fri – Sat noon-3am; Sun noon-midnight Bar Eleven Lvl 11, 161 Sussex St, Sydney CBD (02) 9290 4712 Thu 4-9pm; Fri – Sat 4-11pm The Barber Shop 89 York St, Sydney CBD (02) 9299 9699 Mon – Wed, Sat

4pm-midnight; Thurs – Fri 3pm-midnight The Baxter Inn Basement 152-156 Clarence St, Sydney CBD Mon – Sat 4pm-1am Bondy’s L1, 16 Philip Ln, Sydney CBD (02) 9251 2347 Thu – Fri 5pm-late; Sat 5pm-late Bulletin Place First Floor, 10-14 Bulletin Place, Circular Quay Mon – Wed 4pm-midnight; Thurs – Sat 4pm-1am deVine 32 Market St, Sydney CBD (02) 9262 6906 Mon – Fri 11.30am-11.30pm; Sat 5.30-11.30pm

Gilt Lounge 49 Market St, Sydney CBD (02) 8262 0000 Wed 6pm-midnight; Thu & Sat 6pm-2am; Fri 5pm-2am The Glenmore 96 Cumberland St, The Rocks (02) 9247 4794 Mon – Thu, Sun 11am-midnight; Fri – Sat 11am-1am Goodgod Small Club 53-55 Liverpool St, Sydney CBD (02) 8084 0587 Wed 5pm-11pm; Thu 5pm-1am; Fri 5pm-3am; Sat 6pm-3am Grain Bar 199 George St, Sydney CBD (02) 9250 3118 Mon – Sun noon-late

THE VALLEY BONDI AND BEACH ROAD BONDI

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EK

bar bar

OF

ADDRESS: 71 BEACH RD, BONDI PHONE NUMBER: (02) 9130 7247 WEBSITE: BEACHROADBONDI.COM.AU OPENING HOURS: MON – FRI 12PM-1AM, SAT 10AM-1AM, SUN 10AM-10PM

Frankie’s Pizza 50 Hunter St, Sydney CBD Mon – Fri noon-3am; Sat – Sun 4pm-3am

E E W

Grandma’s Basement 275 Clarence St, Sydney CBD (02) 9264 3004 Mon – Fri 3pm-late; Sat 5pm-late The Fox Hole 68A Erskine St, Sydney CBD (02) 9279 4369 Mon 7am-3pm; Tue – Fri 7am-evening The Grasshopper 1 Temperance Ln, Sydney CBD (02) 9947 9025 Mon – Thurs & Sat 4pm-late; Fri noon-late Harpoon Harry 40-44 Wentworth Ave, Sydney CBD (02) 8262 8800 Mon – Sun 11:30am-3am The Lobo Plantation Basement Lot 1, 209 Clarence St, Sydney CBD 0415 554 908 Mon – Thu, Sat 4pm-midnight; Fri 2pm-midnight

Tell us about your bar: 23 years young, Beach Road is Bondi’s iconic venue that can cater for the midweek through to weekend parties. We’ve got daily food specials, a family-friendly bistro, latenight dancing, all live sports, and it’s your party destination after the beach. Sandy feet most welcome! What’s on the menu? New head chef Chris Emmett has taken the menu and given it a huge shake-up. We still have the favourite weekly specials – $10 steaks on Mondays, $10 schnitties on Tuesdays (add $2.50 to turn it into a parma), $10 cheeseburgers on Wednesdays and the famous Sunday roast, but make sure you check out the new Williamsburg salad with kale, quinoa, Spanish onion and mixed greens with grilled chicken breast and a lemon and olive oil dressing (it’s also gluten-free) for only $18, or our truffle mac and cheese (sticky mac with black truffle and three cheeses)

for a cheeky $14. Feel like taking on a challenge? We have a 1.4kg tomahawk steak on the menu now, suggested to be shared, but if you think you can take it on yourself, we are keen to see it! Care for a drink? On Sunday afternoons you can find the backyard bar pumping with the fresh squeezed juices – just pick your spirit and fruit from the basket, all for a wonderful $9. Summer jugs will be hitting the sun-filled backyard in a few weeks, but upstairs there is always a sweet deal going for around the $5 mark. Sounds: We have all that you need under the one roof, with Wednesday night Sosueme featuring local and international acts, both live and DJs, guaranteed to get you moving. Friday night’s Night Lyfe caters to our local bands, ensuring they get the love they deserve; Saturday

night is Yours, your weekly party destination. Don’t want to throw a house party? Don’t worry; we have done all the work for you. Sundays is See You Sundays with DJs helping wind down the weekend in the backyard. And the best part is, we are always free! Highlights: Pick a night of the week and we have you covered – but if we had to pick one it would be our famous midweek party, Sosueme. With huge names under our belt like Alison Wonderland, Flume, Kele (Bloc Party), Hermitude, Tame Impala, Carmada, The Presets and many more, who wouldn’t want to go? The bill comes to: Try the popcorn lobster ($20) or pulled pork roll ($18) and berry crumble for dessert ($12); throw in the spiced rum fresh juice for $9 and you are set!

The Loft UTS 15 Broadway, Sydney (behind 2SER) (02) 9514 2345 Mon – Wed 2pm-10pm; Thurs – Fri 2pm-late Mojo Record Bar Basement 73 York St, Sydney CBD (02) 9262 4999 Mon – Wed 4pm-midnight; Thu, Sat 4pm-1am; Fri 3pm-1am The Morrison 225 George St, Sydney CBD (02) 9247 6744 Mon – Wed 11.30am-midnight; Thu 11.30am-1am; Fri – Sat 11.30am-2am; Sun 11.30am-10pm 11.30am-10pm The Palisade 35 Bettington St, Millers Point 0421 001 474 Tue – Fri noon-2.30pm & 6pm-9.30pm; Sat 6pm-9.30pm Mr Tipply’s 347 Kent St, Sydney CBD (02) 9299 4877 Mon – Sat 10am-late Palmer & Co. Abercrombie Ln, Sydney CBD (02) 9240 3000 Mon – Wed 5pm-late; Thu

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– Fri 3pm-late; Sat – Sun 5pm-late

Mon – Sat 6pm-late; Sun 11am-3pm

Papa Gede’s Bar Laneway at the end of 348 Kent St, Sydney CBD Mon – Sat 5pm-12am

Bellini Lounge 2 Kellett St, Potts Point 0432 241 556 Thu – Sun 6pm-late

Ramblin’ Rascal Tavern Basement, 60 Park St, Sydney CBD Mon – Sat 4pm-midnight; Sun 6pm-10pm

The Beresford 354 Bourke St, Surry Hills (02) 8313 5000 Mon – Sun noon-1am

Rockpool Bar & Grill 66 Hunter St, Sydney CBD (02) 8078 1900 Mon – Sat lunch & dinner The Rook Level 7, 56-58 York St, Sydney CBD (02) 9262 2505 Mon, Sat 4pm-midnight; Tue – Fri noon-midnight The SG 32 York St, Sydney CBD 0402 813 035 Tues – Fri 4pm-midnight; Sat 6pm-midnight

Black Penny 648 Bourke St, Surry Hills (02) 9319 5061 Mon – Sat 7am-midnight; Sun 7am-10pm Button Bar 65 Foveaux St, Surry Hills (02) 9211 1544 Mon – Sat 4pm-midnight Café Lounge 277 Goulburn St, Surry Hills (02) 9016 3951 Mon – Thu 5pm-midnight; Fri – Sat 4pm-midnight; Sunday 4-10pm

Shirt Bar 7 Sussex Ln, Sydney CBD (02) 8068 8222 Mon –Wed 8am-8pm; Thu – Fri 8am-10pm

Casoni Italian Bar & Eatery 371-373 Bourke St, Darlinghurst Tue – Thu 5pm-11pm; Fri – Sat 5pm-midnight; Sun 5pm-10pm

Since I Left You 338 Kent St, Sydney CBD (02) 9262 4986 Mon – Wed 5pm-10pm; Thu – Fri 5pm-midnight; Sat 6pm-midnight

Central Tavern 42-50 Chalmers St, Surry Hills (02) 9212 3814 Mon – Sat 10am-2am; Sun 10am-10pm

Small Bar 48 Erskine St, Sydney CBD (02) 9279 0782 Mon – Fri noon-midnight; Sat 5pm-midnight

Ching-a-Lings 1/133 Oxford St, Darlinghurst (02) 9360 3333 Tue – Wed 6pm-11pm; Fri – Sat 6pm-1am; Sun 5pm-10pm

The Smoking Panda 5-7 Park St, Sydney CBD (02) 9264 4618 Wed – Sat 4pm-late Stitch Bar 61 York St, Sydney CBD (02) 9279 0380 Mon – Wed 4pm-midnight; Thu – Fri noon-2am; Sat 4pm-2am The Swinging Cat 44 King St, Sydney CBD (02) 9262 3696 Mon – Sat 4pm-midnight Tapa Vino 6 Bulletin Place, Circular Quay (02) 9247 3221 Mon – Fri noon-11.30pm Uncle Ming’s 55 York St, Sydney CBD Mon – Fri noon-midnight; Sat 5pm-midnight York Lane 56 Clarence St, Sydney CBD (02) 9299 1676 Mon – Wed 6.30am-10pm; Thu – Fri 6.30pm-midnight; Sat 6pm-midnight

121BC 4/50 Holt St, Surry Hills (02) 9699 1582 Tue – Sat 5pm-midnight Absinthe Salon 87 Albion St, Surry Hills (02) 9211 6632 Wed – Sat 4-10pm Arcadia Liquors 7 Cope St, Redfern (02) 8068 4470 Mon – Fri 4pm-midnight; Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon-10pm Bar H 80 Campbell St, Surry Hills (02) 9280 1980

The Cliff Dive 16-18 Oxford Square, Darlinghurst Wed – Sat 6pm-4am The Commons 32 Burton St, Darlinghurst (02) 9358 1487 Tue – Wed 6pm-late; Thu – Fri 12pm-late; Sat – Sun 6pm-late The Darlie Laundromatic 304 Palmer St, Darlinghurst Mon – Sat 5pm-11pm Darlo Bar 306 Liverpool St, Darlinghurst (02) 9331 3672 Mon – Sun 10am-midnight Dead Ringer 413 Bourke St, Surry Hills (02) 9331 3560 Mon – Fri 5pm-midnight; Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon-10pm Eau De Vie 229 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst 0422 263 226 Mon – Sat 6pm-1am; Sun 6pm-midnight The Forresters 336 Riley St, Surry Hills (02) 9212 3035 Mon – Wed noonmidnight; Thu – Sat noon1am; Sun noon-10pm Gardel’s Bar 358 Cleveland St, Surry Hills (02) 8399 1440 Tue – Sat 6pm-midnight Gazebo 2 Elizabeth Bay Rd, Elizabeth Bay (02) 9357 5333 Mon – Fri 4pm-midnight; Sat – Sun noon-midnight Goros 84-86 Mary St, Surry Hills thebrag.com

COCKTAIL OF THE WEEK Pour it in your mouth-hole... (responsibly).

BLOOD ORANGE & CHAMPAGNE GIMLET

Earl’s Juke Joint 407 King St, Newtown Mon – Sat 4pm-midnight; Sun 4-10pm

@ THE POWDER KEG, 7 KELLETT ST, POTTS POINT

Freda’s 107-109 Regent St, Chippendale (02) 8971 7336 Tues – Sat 4pm-midnight; Sun 4pm-10pm

Origins: Blood oranges are in season, and any excuse to drink champagne! Ingredients: Gin, champagne and blood orange sorbet, citrus fizz powder, candied orange

The Hideaway Bar 156 Enmore Rd, Enmore (02) 8021 8451 Tue– Thu 4pm-midnight; Fri – Sat noon-1am; Sun noon-10pm

Method: Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass Garnish: Candied blood orange and fizz powder Best drunk with: Oysters, olives, pork crackling or a small shot of champagne on the side. During: Anytime, any place, anywhere. While wearing: As little as possible, but wraparound Ray-Bans. And listening to: Hotel Costes. More: thepowderkeg.com.au / instragram.com/thepowderkeg

(02) 9212 0214 Mon – Wed 11:30am-midnight; Thu 11:30am-1am: Fri 11:30am-3am; Sat 4pm-3am The Hazy Rose 1/83 Stanley St, Darlinghurst (02) 9357 5036 Wed – Thu 5pm-midnight; Fri – Sat 3pm-midnight; Sun 3-10pm Hello Sailor 96 Oxford St, Darlinghurst (02) 9332 2442 Tue – Sun 5pm-3am Hinky Dinks 185 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst (02) 8084 6379 Mon – Sat 4pm-midnight; Sun 1-10pm Hollywood Hotel 2 Foster St, Surry Hills (02) 9281 2765 Mon – Wed 10am-midnight; Thu – Sat 10am-3am Hustle & Flow Bar 105 Regent St, Redfern (02) 9310 5593 Tue – Sat 5pm-midnight Li’l Darlin Darlinghurst 235 Victoria St, Darlinghurst (02) 8084 6100 Mon – Sun 4pm-late Li’l Darlin Surry Hills 420 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills (02) 9698 5488 Mon – Fri noon-late; Sat 4pm-late LL Wine and Dine 42 Llankelly Place Potts Point (02) 9356 8393 Mon – Thu 5pm-11pm; Fri – Sat noon-late; Sun 11am-10pm The Local Taphouse 122 Flinders St, Darlinghurst (02) 9360 0088 Mon – Wed noonmidnight; Thu – Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon11pm Love, Tilly Devine thebrag.com

91 Crown Ln, Darlinghurst (02) 9326 9297 Mon – Sat 5pm-midnight; Sun 4-10pm Low 302 302 Crown St, Surry Hills (02) 9368 1548 Mon – Sun 6pm-2am Mr Fox 557 Crown St, Surry Hills 0410 470 250 Tue – Wed 5pm-late; Sat 10am-midnight; Sun 10am-10pm The Norfolk 305 Cleveland St, Surry Hills (02) 9699 3177 Mon – Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon-10pm Old Growler 218 William St, Woolloomooloo 0422 911 650 Tue – Sat 5pm - midnight The Passage 231A Victoria St, Darlinghurst (02) 9358 6116 Mon – Sat 5pm-late Peekaboo 120 Bourke St, Woolloomooloo 0403 747 788 Mon – Thu 4pm-10pm; Fri – Sat 4pm – 12am Play Bar 72 Campbell St, Surry Hills (02) 9280 0885 Tues – Sat 5pm-midnight Pocket Bar 13 Burton St, Darlinghurst (02) 9380 7002 Mon – Wed 4pm-midnight; Fri – Sat 4pm-1am; Sun 4pm-midnight The Powder Keg 7 Kellett St, Potts Point (02) 8354 0980 Wed 5pm-1am; Thu 5pm-2am; Fri – Sat 4pm-2.30am; Sun 1pm-midnight The Print Room 11 Glenmore Rd, Paddington 0424 034 020 Wed – Fri 3pm-late; Sat 12pm-11pm, Sun 12pm-10pm Queenie’s

Doris & Beryl’s Bridge Club and Tea House 530 King St, Newtown Mon – Fri 5pm-midnight; Sat – Sun 5.30pm-midnight

Upstairs 336 Riley St, Surry Hills (02) 9212 3035 Tue – Sat 6pm-late & Fri noon-3pm Roosevelt 32 Orwell St, Potts Point 0423 203 119 Tue – Fri 5pm-midnight; Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon-10pm Rosie Campbell’s 320 Crown St, Surry Hills (02) 8356 9120 Mon 5pm-midnight: Tue – Sun 4pm-midnight Shady Pines Saloon Shop 4, 256 Crown St, Darlinghurst Mon – Sun 4pm-midnight The Soda Factory 16 Wentworth Ave, Surry Hills (02) 8096 9120 Mon – Fri 5pm-3am; Sat – Sun 6pm-3am Surly’s 182 Campbell St, Surry Hills (02) 9331 3705 Tue – Sun noon-midnight Sweethearts Rooftop 33/37 Darlinghurst Rd, Potts Point (02) 8070 2424 Mon – Thu 2pm-11.30pm; Fri – Sun noon-11.30pm This Must Be The Place 239 Oxford St, Darlinghurst (02) 9331 8063 Mon – Sun 3pm-midnight Tio’s Cerveceria 4/14 Foster St, Surry Hills Mon – Sun 5pm-midnight Vasco 421 Cleveland St, Redfern 0406 775 436 Tue – Sat 5pm-midnight The Village Inn 9-11 Glenmore Rd, Paddington (02) 9331 0911 Mon – Sun 12pm-late The Wild Rover 75 Campbell St, Surry Hills (02) 9280 2235 Mon – Sat 4pm-midnight;

Sun noon-10pm The Winery 285A Crown St, Surry Hills (02) 9331 0833 Mon – Sun noon-midnight

Anchor Bar 8 Campbell Pde, Bondi (02) 8084 3145 Tue – Fri 4.30pm-late; Sat – Sun 12.30pm-late Beach Road Hotel 71 Beach Rd, Bondi Beach (02) 9130 7247 Mon – Sat noon-1am; Sun 11am-10pm Bondi Hardware 39 Hall St, Bondi (02) 9365 7176 Mon – Wed 5pm-late; Fri noon-midnight; Sat 9am-midnight; Sun 9am-10pm The Bucket List Shop 1, Bondi Pavilion, Queen Elizabeth Drive (02) 9365 4122 Mon – Tue 11am-5pm; Wed – Sun 11am-late The Corner House 281 Bondi Rd, Bondi (02) 8020 6698 Tue – Sat 5pm-midnight; Sun 3pm-10pm Fat Ruperts 249 Bondi Rd, Bondi (02) 9130 1033 Tue – Fri 6pm-late; Sat – Sun 2pm-late Mr Moustache 61-79 Hall St, Bondi Beach (02) 9300 8892 Mon – Fri 5pm-11pm; Sat noon-11pm; Sun noon-10pm Speakeasy 83 Curlewis St, Bondi (02) 9130 2020 Mon – Sat 5pm-11pm; Sat – Sun 4pm-10pm Spring Street Social (and Jam Gallery) Underground 195 Oxford St, Bondi Junction (02) 9389 2485 Tues – Sat 4pm-3am Stuffed Beaver 271 Bondi Rd, Bondi (02) 9130 3002

Mon – Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon-10pm

The Angry Pirate 125 Redfern St Redfern (02) 9698 9140 Tue – Thur 5pm-midnight; Fri – Sat 3pm-midnight Bar-racuda 105 Enmore Rd, Newtown (02) 9519 1121 Mon – Sat 6pm-midnight The Bearded Tit 183 Regent St, Redfern (02) 8283 4082 Mon – Thu 4pm-midnight; Fri – Sat noon - midnight; Sun noon - 10pm Blacksheep 256 King St, Newtown (02) 8033 3455 Mon – Fri 4pm-11pm; Sat 2pm-11pm; Sun 2pm-10pm Bloodwood 416 King St, Newtown (02) 9557 7699 Mon, Wed – Thu 5pm-late; Fri – Sat noonlate; Sun noon-10pm The Chip Off The Old Block 3 Little Queen Street, Chippendale (02) 9318 0815 Tue – Sat 4pm-11pm Cornerstone Bar & Food 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh (02) 8571 9004 Sun – Wed 10am-5pm; Thu – Sat 10am-late Corridor 153A King St, Newtown 0422 873 879 Tue – Fri 3pm-midnight; Sat 1pm-midnight; Sun 1pm-10pm Cottage Bar & Kitchen 342 Darling St, Balmain (02) 8084 8185 Mon – Wed 5pm-midnight; Thu – Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon10pm Different Drummer 185 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe (02) 9552 3406 Mon – Sat 4.30pm-late

5pm-midnight; Fri – Sat 11.30am-midnight; Sun 11:30am-10pm The Record Crate 34 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe (02) 9660 1075 Tue – Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon-10pm The Royal 156 Norton St, Leichhardt (02) 9569 2638 Mon – Thu 10am-1am; Fri – Sat 10am-3am; Sun 10am-midnight Secret Garden Bar 134a Enmore Rd, Enmore 0409 284 928 Mon – Sun 1am-11pm Soho in Balmain 358 Darling St, Balmain 0407 525 208 Tue – Sun 5pm-midnight

Hive Bar 93 Erskineville Rd, Erskineville (02) 9519 9911 Mon – Fri noon-midnight; Sat 11am-midnight; Sun 11am-10pm

Temperance Society 122 Smith St, Summer Hill (02) 8068 5680 Mon – Thu 4pm-11pm; Fri – Sat: noon-midnight; Sun: noon-10pm

Kelly’s On King 285 King St, Newtown (02) 9565 2288 Mon – Fri 10am-2.30am; Sat 10am-3.30am; Sun 11am-11.30pm

Thievery 91 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe (02) 8283 1329 Tue – Thu 6pm-11pm; Fri 6pm-midnight. Sat 11pm-3pm & 6pm-midnight

Knox Street Bar 21 Shepherd St, Chippendale Tue – Thu 4pm-l0pm; Fri – Sat 4pm-11pm Kuleto’s 157 King St, Newtown (02) 9519 6369 Mon – Sat 4pm-late; Thu – Sat 4pm-3am The Little Guy 87 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe (02) 9200 0000 Mon – Fri 4pm-midnight; Sat 1pm-midnight; Sun 3pm-10pm Mary’s 6 Mary St, Newtown (02) 4995 9550 Mon – Fri 4pm-midnight; Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon-10pm The Midnight Special 44 Enmore Road, Newtown (02) 9516 2345 Tues – Sat 5pm-midnight; Sun 5pm-10pm Miss Peaches 201 Missenden Rd, Newtown (02) 9557 7280 Wed – Sun 5pm-midnight

Timbah 375 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe (02) 9571 7005 Tue – Thu 4pm-10pm; Fri noon-11pm; Sat 3pm-11pm; Sun 4pm-8pm Wilhelmina’s Liquid and Larder 332 Darling St Balmain (02) 8068 8762 Tues – Fri 5pm - late; Sat – Sun 8am - late The Workers Lvl 1, 292 Darling St, Balmain (02) 9555 8410 Thu – Sat 5pm-3am; Sun 2pm-late ZanziBar 323 King St, Newtown (02) 9519 1511 Mon – Sat 10am-4am; Sun 10am-12am Zigi’s Wine And Cheese Bar 86 Abercrombie St, Chippendale (02) 9699 4222 Tue 4pm-10pm; Wed – Sat 2pm-late

Your bar’s not here? Email: chris@thebrag. com Honey Rider 230 Military Rd, Neutral Bay (02) 9953 8880 Tue – Sat 4pm-midnight; Sun 4pm-10pm InSitu 1/18 Sydney Rd, Manly (02) 9977 0669 Tue – Fri 5pm-midnight; Sat 9am-midnight; Sun 9am-10pm The Hunter 5 Myahgah Rd, Mosman 0409 100 339 Mon – Tue 5pm-midnight; Wed – Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon-10pm Jah Bar Shop 7, 9-15 Central Ave, Manly (02) 9977 4449 Mon – Fri 4pm-late; Sat 9am-late; Sun 9am-10pm The Local Bar 8 Young Ln, Neutral Bay (02) 9953 0027 Tue – Fri 11.30am-midnight; Sat 7am-midnight; Sun 7am-10pm Los Vida 419 Pacific Hwy, Crows Nest (02) 9439 8323 Mon – Wed 5pm-midnight; Thu – Sat 11.30am-midnight; Sun 11.30am-10pm Manly Wine 8-13 South Steyne, Manly (02) 8966 9000 Mon – Sun 6.30am-late The Mayor 400 Military Rd, Cremorne (02) 8969 6060 Tue – Wed 5pm-late; Thu – Sat noon-late; Sun noon-10pm Miami Cuba 47 North Steyne, Manly (02 99775186 Tue – Thu 8am-10pm; Fri – Sat 8am-1am; Sunday 8am-4pm Moonshine Lvl 2, Hotel Steyne, 75 The Corso, Manly (02) 9977 4977 Thu 5pm-2am; Fri 1pm-2am; Sat noon-2am; Sun noon-midnight

The Moose Newtown 530 King St, Newtown (02) 9557 0072 Wed – Sat 6pm-midnight

Alberts Bar 100 Mount St, North Sydney (02) 9955 9097 Mon – Wed 11.30am-10pm; Thu 11.30am-11pm; Fri 11.30am-midnight

Mr Falcon’s 92 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe (02) 9029 6626 Mon – Thu 4pm-midnight; Fri 3pm-midnight; Sat noon-midnight; Sun 2pm-10pm

Firefly 24 Young St, Neutral Bay (02) 9909 0193 Mon – Thu 5-11.30pm; Fri 4-11.30pm; Sat noon11pm; Sun noon-10pm

SoCal 1 Young St, Neutral Bay (02) 9904 5691 Mon – Tue 4pm-late: Wed – Thu noon-1am; Fri – Sat noon- 2am; Sun noon-midnight

The Foxtrot 28 Falcon St, Crows Nest Tue – Wed 5pm-midnight; Thu 5pm-1am; Fri – Sat 5pm-2am; Sun 4pm-10pm

The Stoned Crow 39 Willoughby Rd, Crows Nest (02) 9439 5477 Mon – Sun noon-late

The Hayberry Bar & Diner 97 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest (02) 8084 0816 Tue – Thu 4pm-12am; Fri & Sat noon-midnight Sun noon-10pm

The Treehouse Hotel 60 Miller St, North Sydney (02) 8458 8980 Mon – Fri 7am-late; Sat 2pm-late

Newtown Social Club 387 King St, Newtown (02) 9550 3974 Mon 9am-6pm; Tues – Fri 9am-8pm; Sat 10am-8pm The Oxford Tavern 1 New Canterbury Rd, Petersham (02) 8019 9351 Mon – Thu noon-10pm; Fri – Sat noon-11pm; Sun noon-9pm Raven’s Eye 127 King St, Newtown (02) 9517 2081 Mon – Thu

Hemingway’s 48 North Steyne, Manly (02) 9976 3030 Mon – Sat 8am-midnight; Sun 8am-10pm

The Pickled Possum 254 Military Rd, Neutral Bay (02) 9909 2091 Thu – Sat 9pm-1am

Wilcox Cammeray 463 Miller St, Cammeray (02) 9460 0807 Tue – Thu 4pm-10pm; Fri – Sat 2pm-11pm; Sun 2pm-10pm BRAG :: 631 :: 23:09:15 :: 21

Album Reviews What's been crossing our ears this week...

ALBUM OF THE WEEK KURT VILE

B’lieve I’m Goin Down... Matador

Success came late for Kurt Vile, but now there’s no turning back.

ATREYU Long Live Spinefarm/Caroline

Long Live is a triumphant return to form for metalcore trailblazers Atreyu. Their hotly anticipated sixth album comes off the back of a three-year hiatus during which each member of the five-piece actively pursued other musical projects. Come 2014, guitarist Dan Jacobs took the first steps to reuniting the band by calling a meeting to discuss its future. Those initial meetings revealed vocalist Alex Varkatzas wanted to focus primarily on perfecting his hard vocal technique and do away with any clean vocals going forward. Drummer Brandon Saller stepped up to the plate and offered to take on the challenge of singing while he plays. The title track opens the album with Sallor’s characteristically ferocious double-kick drumming, before Varkatzas does what he does best – launching into a full-throttle verbal assault on the senses. ‘Do You Know Who You Are?’ has stadium anthem written all over it, while ‘Moments Before Dawn’ showcases the band’s ability to exercise subtlety to set an overall tone. ‘Reckless’ highlights Jacobs’ experience as a rhythm guitarist and Varkatzas’ willingness to experiment with his vocals – a fitting end to a very solid comeback album.

Two years on, B’lieve I’m Goin Down... exudes a lot of the hallmarks of Vile’s previous records, while also displaying his natural evolution as a songwriter and performer. Opener ‘Pretty Pimpin’ is a winding slice of rambling slacker-psych that displays all of these qualities.

THE MEANIES It’s Not Me, It’s You Poison City It’s been a few years between drinks for The Meanies. One of the most recognisable and beloved acts in Australian punk rock has returned with a first full-length since 1994, and it doesn’t miss a beat. Everything you would want from The Meanies is right here. By the time you reach ‘Dream Age’ and get caught up in the synth-like guitar lines and signature vocals, you can’t help but feel like this album was recorded 20 years ago. Fears of The Meanies becoming bloated and boring are unfounded – It’s Not Me, It’s You ends up one of their shortest releases, clocking in at well under half an hour. Every song counts. The production values on the record are higher than previous outputs, although this reflects more on modern recording technology than the band’s desire to polish its sound. The record also leans slightly more towards pub rock than punk rock, but The Meanies have always been happy to play in that yard.

Not since 2004’s The Curse have Atreyu produced such a fine body of work. Long live the mighty Atreyu.

The Meanies saw their back catalogue remastered and re-released last year, and It’s Not Me, It’s You is a welcome addition. It’s like catching up with your old mate at the pub and realising you both haven’t changed a bit.

Natalie Rogers

Spencer Scott

B’lieve I’m Goin Down... is a more nocturnal and contemplative record than its predecessor, but what the two have in common is how absorbing the songs are. If this album is anything to go by, it’s quite possible that Vile isn’t done outdoing himself just yet. Michael Hartt

REGURGITATOR

TINY LITTLE HOUSES

LE BUTCHERETTES

Nothing Less Than Cheap Imitations Valve

You Tore Out My Heart Independent

A Raw Youth Ipecac

Tiny Little Houses are wasting no time making a name for themselves, and their debut EP You Tore Out My Heart acts as but a teaser of what they can do. This four-track introduction sets up the Melbourne four-piece as a band to watch.

When you’re fronted by a woman named Teri Gender Bender and spend your early gigs covered in fake blood, you’re never going to find any kind of mainstream acceptance. Then again, that was never Le Butcherettes’ goal – Bender has shifted from lineup to lineup, each time creating something challenging, unwieldy and unashamedly arty.

I’ll be honest; I’m not a fan of live albums. There are exceptions, but Regurgitator’s Nothing Less Than Cheap Imitations, a live recording of their gig at The Hi-Fi in Melbourne from 2012, is not one of them. Don’t get me wrong – I love Regurgitator. But three years have passed since that gig. This album feels like something they originally planned to release as a download, but forgot about.

GOING SWIMMING Deadtime Stories Independent

22 :: BRAG :: 631 :: 23:09:15

Ramshackle garage-punk is the vehicle that takes the Melbourne quartet’s howling horror stories and tales of debauchery on a gutterbound journey, but while the whole deal threatens to fall apart at any second, the band just about holds it together until the final chords ring out. Single and opener ‘Them

You Tore Out My Heart relishes in the lo-fi indie/folk sounds of the ’90s spearheaded by Neutral Milk Hotel, but with a 2015 facelift. The production is cleaner, but still allows for atypical and noisy instrumentation, like at the end of ‘Every Man Knows His Plague; And You Are Mine’, as fuzzy guitars and detuned synths stretch out over the final moments.

‘Easy’ features one of the strongest guitar lines of the year, written around a story of heartbreak at Luna Park.

A Raw Youth, the outfi t’s third LP overall, arrives almost 18 months after its predecessor Cry Is For The Flies, and the apparent urgency in its release translates into the more intense, exhilarating moments on offer. It can often, admittedly, be quite difficult for a band best noted for its live show to capture the lightning in a bottle for a studio release. Bender and co., however, get as close as they’ve ever come here – tracks like ‘Stab My Back’ and the lavishly titled ‘Oil The Shoe If The Critter Knew Any Better’ jitter and jolt in grand fashion. Elsewhere, the immortal Iggy Pop turns up to croon and croak over ‘La Uva’, showcasing a versatility and a constant endeavour to seek out new sounds.

Nostalgia will be this album’s biggest selling point. And like nostalgia, this album is enjoyable, but otherwise pointless.

You Tore Out My Heart is just enough for you to fall in love and start counting down the days until this band’s next release.

Le Butcherettes strive to be weird and wonderful, and A Raw Youth sees them display both in spades.

Daniel Prior

Spencer Scott

David James Young

Regurgitator have always had a timelessly out-of-date quality to their music, giving them a feeling like they’re constantly behind the times, which is why songs like ‘Kong Foo Sing’ and ‘Black Bugs’ felt like instant classics. They’re a B-grade film you can’t help but love. In a way, this album is a poetic statement to the band’s relevance. It seems as though a ‘best of’ album would have been better suited here, but if you’re a Regurgitator fan then you’ve probably already got Tu-Plang or Unit in your album collection, which means you should only buy this album if you enjoy listening to music with lower sound quality and crowd noise.

INDIE ALBUM OF THE WEEK Calling your band Going Swimming and putting a song called ‘Shark Attack’ on your debut record can only mean one thing: you see piss-taking as a duty rather than an option. A quick glimpse at the Deadtime Stories tracklist provides confirmation: song titles include ‘Yoko, Oh No!’, ‘Cosmonauts And Crosses’ and the supremely satisfying ‘I Think I’ve Been Had, Lads’.

Kurt Vile photo by Marina Chavez

It’s not often an artist experiences their ‘breakthrough’ with their fifth album, but Kurt Vile did just that. After years of cult acclaim, the Philadelphia singer-songwriter’s 2013 record Wakin On A Pretty Daze took him to a level of critical and commercial success he hadn’t experienced with his first four – excellent nonetheless – albums.

More so than on Vile’s previous albums, the use of piano is especially prevalent here, particularly on ‘Life Like This’ and ‘Lost My Head There’. The piano-led tracks have a mildly sardonic tone, similar to ’70s Randy Newman. Meanwhile, the haunting ‘Wheelhouse’ has been described by Vile as his “best song ever”. Of all the tracks on the album, it feels the most live, as if the musicians are playing right in front of you.

Shakes’ wastes no time getting among the surf-punk licks, with lyrics that could pass for both a bedtime story about friendly monsters or a transcript from your latest therapy session; whichever suits the mood. ‘Your Sister’ follows in a similar vein; its commanding and raucous riffs hint at the scrappy punk aesthetic being a construct rather than a necessity, although ‘Whatever Happened To The Plan?’ suggests the contrary. Nick Leggatt’s tireless bawling and Aswin Lakshman’s red-hot riffs are at the centre of Going Swimming’s piss-taking punk, and make for an album that is frantic, frayed and damn good fun.

Opening track ‘Soon We Won’t Exist’ sets the tone with a Neutral Milk Hotel-esque waltz through life, death and love. Some may find the vocal inflection too big of a hurdle to jump, but once you do so you are wrapped up in some lovely, soft-spoken melodies.

OFFICE MIXTAPE And here are the albums that have helped BRAG HQ get through the week... RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE - Evil Empire CHVRCHES - The Bones Of What You Believe KEITH RICHARDS - Crosseyed Heart

TIM MINCHIN - Darkside TESSERACT - Polaris

Paul McBride thebrag.com

out & about

live reviews What we've been out to see...

LUNA, SAND PEBBLES Newtown Social Club Wednesday September 16

A reunited Luna returned to Sydney for the first time in 17 years, the ten years spent on hiatus doing nothing to hurt their methodical transcendence live. With the vinyl reissue of their albums still a few months away (and with it some longdelayed critical worship no doubt), the audience for this reunion was lacking on the newly devout millennials that such shows tend to attract. Instead, the place was filled with fans that loved Luna the first time around, and the band delivered a show that was nothing if not gracious to said fans. Melbourne’s Sand Pebbles opened the show, pulled out of a hiatus of their own thanks to their friendship with Luna’s Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips. The small size of Newtown Social Club made their motoric psychedelia sound something akin to The Clean and other Dunedin Sound compatriots. Their locked-in grooves and the insider gossip by the former Neighbours writers was appreciated. The forced audience participation was not (it never is).

FALLS, DIREWOLF

Hollywood Hotel Wednesday September 16 The Hollywood Hotel is such an unlikely edifice. The art deco building sits tucked away in Surry Hills, close to the Capitol Theatre, to Oxford Street, to parkland and rail lines. From the outside it seems both grand and out of place, a relic of silverscreen nostalgia, and the inside is not all that different. It has a strange charm, but is tiny; the whole bar could be recreated on some of the city’s larger stages with minimal fuss, and the divide between audience and performer is non-existent (when patrons navigate over instrument cases to reach the restroom, you know you’ve struck upon somewhere truly intimate). I mention all of this because the Hollywood has played such a significant role in Falls’ career, and the idiosyncrasies of the venue – the odd characters, the strands of stories drifting in from all corners of the city – are echoed in the duo’s sumptuous sound and songwriting. The three sold-out shows here are a preview of new album, Omaha, and the unabashed excitement of the pair performing at their old haunt in front of so many rapt, familiar faces made for a pretty special night. They were joined by perennial troubadour

Queer(ish) matters with Lucy Watson

It’s been said many times, but if Yo La Tengo are the true heirs to The Velvet Underground’s indie-pop throne, then Luna have taken up the mantle of another classic New York band – Television. Over a churning, two-chord base ably provided by the rhythm section, the studied, weaving guitar interplay by Wareham and Sean Eden on display this night – and every night by this band, if reputation is to be believed – is of such fine quality that it simultaneously puts you in a trance and saddens you that such an art is so hard to find. Guitars in current indie music are a rarity; indie guitarists with some professionalism are almost non-existent. The extended workouts – ‘Friendly Advice’, ‘23 Minutes In Brussels’, ‘Fuzzy Wuzzy’ – all made good cases for Luna being the best guitar band of the ’90s (it’s them or Built To Spill, certainly). The rest of the crowd-pleasing set was made up of a sampling of their later albums, a few songs from their debut and the majority of their masterpieces Bewitched and Penthouse. The definition of ‘underrated’, here’s hoping they have a few tours still left in them. Leonardo Silvestrini

Direwolf, who opened the show with customary straight-shooting elan. Not one for small talk, his sets are lovestruck dirges, charting characters as they struggle through the absurd perils and splendid crescendos of everyday life. You’ll often see him performing around Newtown, and should you spy him, ‘Cowering Blues’, ‘Roaring Winds’ and ‘Hell Or Highwater’ are my recommendations, never failing to bring a shiver. He also has rather expressive feet, tracing quick hieroglyphics on the ground as he plays.

P

rivilege is often a form of ignorance. Ignorance towards how hard some other people have it.

Last week, some trans students at the University of Sydney held a “teach-in” rally, designed to peacefully raise awareness around the small struggles they face on campus daily. When you like the name you were born with, and the gender you were assigned, you don’t give a second thought to filling out a form, ticking the ‘M’ or ‘F’ box, and designating yourself as ‘Ms.’ or ‘Mr.’ Things get a whole lot trickier for just about everything if this isn’t your experience. Overt instances of bureaucratic transphobia – like the coming out process, getting access to hormones, the hoops you have to jump through for official name and gender change documents – aside, the little things you have to go through every day are what, for some of the students who spoke at the teach-in, really burn. Turning up to class, not knowing if your teacher is going to read out the roll with your old name on it. Emailing your tutor, unable to change the name the email is sent from. On a more substantial level, facing the possibility of graduating and receiving a testamur with a name that isn’t yours. These are the kinds of things that trans students experience daily, and trans people outside of the university setting experience in different, but similar ways. I teach at university. In my first class, I asked my students to tell me their name, and their pronoun. I explained that it wasn’t up to me to make a judgement on their gender based on the way they look. I told them they had the right to tell me whether

they preferred ‘he’, ‘she’, or ‘they’. When they told me their names, I marked them off the roll. If any names didn’t match up, I asked their surname too. This was all very easy, and a very simple way to show to trans students that they dictate their identity to me. It’s a simple way to make all students feel welcomed on their own terms. I removed the gender marker from the roll (why does a student’s gender matter to the way I teach them?) and I changed any names I was told to. From being a part of a queer community for a few years now, I had the basic awareness to do such things. The value of the teachin was to highlight the privileges of those who are ignorant to these kinds of perhaps small yet daily instances of transphobia, to point out what these students suffer, and to offer some really simple solutions – from beginning with what individual teachers can do for individual students, like what I’ve done with my classes, to bigger structural changes within university admin and infrastructure creation, like gender-neutral toilets. Being privileged doesn’t mean you need to be ignorant. Having an awareness of how much easier you have it can make you that much more inclusive of those who have it difficult. Asking for someone’s pronouns doesn’t take much, but it might make their day.

this week…

Falls really must be seen to be believed. Their harmonies are splendid, and their writing is catchy as hell. In fact, over the entire night there was really only one song that I thought was merely good, not great. The duo’s tunes are such vibrant stories and they conjure them with happy ease. Highlights? ‘Summer’ was an early win, and ‘Please’ had the audience quietly singing under its breath all around. But really, the closing trio – ‘When We Were Young’, ‘Into The Fire’ and ‘Hollywood’ – became one of those musical memories you hope to keep stoking years down the line. They began singing in the Hollywood years ago, and their homecoming was a thing of great pleasure. Hear them however you can.

JimJam

Adam Norris On Wednesday September 23, GetUp! is hosting a street party to jolt Malcolm Turnbull into action on marriage equality. Taking place at Taylor Square from 5:30pm, no DJs have been announced at the time of writing, but what’s a party without music, right? The Shift Bar has just launched its new burger bar, and now every Friday, Saturday and Sunday you

can order burgers from their Bun Boy waiters – who, I’ve heard, are mostly naked and wholly attractive. After last week’s launch of Love Club’s new late nights, this Friday September 25, Girlthing is teaming up with Love Club to bring you an all-night love-in, featuring Girlthing DJs and Love Club DJs. Poof Doof is back in

Sydney! This Saturday September 26 is the monthly event at The Shift Bar, featuring tunes from Sunshine, Dan Slater and JimJam. The Queer Screen Film Festival is happening all this week. Freeheld, starring babes Ellen Page and Julianne Moore, is the closing night film this Sunday September 27 at Event Cinemas George Street.

sabbath sessions

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Freeheld

20:09:15 :: Frankie’s Pizza :: 50 Hunter St Sydney OUR LOVELY PHOTOGRAPHER

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S :: JAMES AMBROSE :: KATRINA

CLARKE :: ASHLEY MAR ::

BRAG :: 631 :: 23:09:15 :: 23

snap sn ap

live reviews

Kicking off the day’s musical lineup was the jubilant indie rock of Big White, whose underlay of new wave topped with a bright Sydney sheen provided a summery beginning to an otherwise overcast day. As Small World gradually filled with picnic rugs, rolled-up carpets and blissed-out revellers, Summer Flake powered through technical difficulties where they lined thoughtful slow-burners with the haunting dual harmonies of Stephanie Crase and Sarah Chadwick. Adding to the mish-mash lineup that encompassed several genres while remaining inclusive and fun was Australia’s best AC/DC (Bon Scott era only) cover band. Led by local legend Spod, Bon Voyage were the first band on the day to lure a significant crowd of punters away from the blanket-lined hills to rock out to a blistering, beer- and confetti-drenched set. Tipping the scales further on the already uneven lineup was the next act, local ladies All Our Exes Live In Texas. Despite their tender love songs and ‘my man did me wrong’ ballads being a questionable successor to Bon Voyage, their folksy melodies and soulful

wed

Jack Ladder and The Dreamlanders cut fine figures against the smoke and strobes of their neon-adorned stage, signifying that night had well and truly fallen. Crafting a curling, pulsating magnetism out of sheer stage presence and slick instrumentation, Ladder and co. entranced the crowd throughout a set crammed with highlights. Their grooving crowd had nothing on DZ Deathrays’ adoring fans however, as the band was met with a glorious mosh from the get-go. Joined by an extra guitarist, DZ’s sound proved much fuller, with a startling maturity in the razoredged racket. That said, the crowd still moshed with fervour throughout the high-energy set, setting the audience ablaze in a fury of head-banging and crowd-surfing. A couple of Mary’s burgers and half an hour of soundcheck later, The Church emerged to stake their place as the headline act. Opening with the menacing yet ultimately tender ‘Block’ before charging through their shortened seven-song set, they were a force to be reckoned with. A couple of hits made respective appearances, with ‘Metropolis’ causing a nostalgic, glassy-eyed stir and ‘Under The Milky Way’ performed exactly as it should be: beneath the cold night sky to an audience arm in arm. As Small World drew to a close around the writhing audience, the cresting epic ‘Miami’ resounded through the amphitheatre and the festival concluded in a generous wash of reverb.

(9:00PM - 12:00AM)

20:09:15 :: UNSW Roundhouse:: Anzac Parade Kensington 9385 7630

Jade Smith

thu

23 Sept

sleeping with sirens

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For its second year, the boutique celebration of Small World Festival took its newest incarnation to the leafy green surrounds of Sydney Park. Inviting festivalgoers to follow the music through the gardens to find the amphitheatre, the delicate sounds of the Visions DJ set rolled over the hills as spectators approached the natural parkland setting for a day of music, food and good-time vibes from Sydney and surrounds.

crooning made for a striking performance under the now soft blue sky, as ibises flew overhead.

24 Sept

(9:00PM - 12:00AM)

little may

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Sydney Park Saturday September 19

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up all night out all week . . .

What we've been out to see...

SMALL WORLD FESTIVAL

VIEW FULL GALLERIES AT

18:09:15 :: Oxford Art Factory :: 38-46 Oxford St Darlinghurst 9332 3711

fri

25 Sept 5:45PM  8:45PM

(10:00PM - 1:40AM)

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

26 Sept

5:45PM  8:45PM

sun

27 Sept

(8:30PM - 12:00AM)

(10:00PM - 1:15AM)

mon

28 Sept

(9:00PM - 12:00AM)

(4:30PM - 7:30PM)

tue

29 Sept

(9:00PM - 12:00AM)

katchafire

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18:09:15 :: Metro Theatre :: 624 George St Sydney 9550 3666 OUR LOVELY PHOTOGRAPHER

24 :: BRAG :: 631 :: 23:09:15

S :: JAMES AMBROSE :: KATRINA

CLARKE :: ASHLEY MAR ::

thebrag.com

g g guide gig g

SYDNEY’S FINEST JAZZ CLUB

616 HARRIS

send your listings to : gigguide@thebrag.com

pick of the week Martha Wainwright

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24

SUNDAY S E P T E M BER 2 7

ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

Enmore Theatre

A State Of Grace

Feat: Martha Wainwright + Casper Clausen + Cold Specks + more 7:30pm. $79.52. WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 23 JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC The Groovemeisters Lazybones Lounge, Marrickville. 8:30pm. Free.

ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK Amy Freeman & Zech Abbott The Gasoline Pony, Marrickville. 5pm. $5. Blue Eyes Cry + Kate Lush & Band + Liza Ohlback The Basement,

Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 8pm. $15. Mace & Motor Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney. 4pm. Free. Xiao Hong & Xiao Xiao Hong + WDK + M.O.B. + Life Groove Orchestra Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 7pm. $5. Play Along With Sam - feat: Sam Moran Rooty Hill RSL Club, Rooty Hill. 10:30am. $20. Red Alert Wentworthville Leagues Club, Wentworthville. 8pm. Free. Sebastian Bach Metro Theatre, Sydney. 8pm. $90. They Call Me Bruce Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 9pm. Free.

Circular Quay. 6pm. $15. Eddie Boyd & The Phatapillars Hotel Steyne Manly, Manly. 9:30pm. Free. Gadjo Guitars Mr Falcon’s, Glebe. 7pm. Free. Garrett Kato The Vanguard, Newtown. 6:30pm. $13.80.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS Microwave Jenny Sydney Town Hall, Sydney. 5pm. Free. Akova Old Manly Boatshed, Manly. 8pm. Free. Jack Colwell + Lupa J + Post Paint

Huknee Puknee Mr Falcon’s, Glebe. 8:30pm. Free. Sye McRitchie The Dock, Redfern. 8pm. Free.

JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC Daina Demillo Lazybones Lounge, Marrickville. 9pm. $10. Rae Howell + Meg Morley Colbourne Avenue, Sydney. 8pm. $15. The Ollie McGill Trio Camelot Lounge, Marrickville. 7pm. $25. Thursdays In Jam feat: El Moro + DJ AV El Cubano Jam Gallery, Bondi Junction. 9pm. Free.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS Chris Stretton Fortune Of War, The Rocks. 7pm. Free. Dave White Duo Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 9pm. Free.

Frank Sultana & The Sinister Kids Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney. 4pm. Free. Ginger & Drum + Avivia + Khnz + Lincoln Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $10. Greg Hooper & Dee Donavon + Liz Taylor Penrith RSL, Penrith. 11am. $8. John Milligan The Push Bar, The Rocks. 7pm. Free. Live At The Sly - feat: Smaal Cats + Easy Street + Swords Slyfox, Enmore. 7:30pm. Free. Lurch & Chief + Creo + Polish Club Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 8pm. $18. Richard In Your Mind Sydney Town Hall, Sydney. 5pm. Free. The Snowdroppers Goodgod Small Club, Sydney. 8pm. $19. Totally Unicorn + Burlap Vic On The Park, Marrickville. 8pm. Free. Victa + Eugine + Julian Assange Experience + Guests Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 8pm. $10.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25

Sexy Sunday Jam Bellini Lounge, Potts Point. 7pm. Free. Sol Nation + Travelaz Camelot Lounge, Marrickville. 7:30pm. $15. The Basement Jazz Series - feat: Julien Wilson Quartet + Carl Dewhurst The Basement, Circular Quay. 7:30pm. $29.20.

ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK James Grim Woodcutters + Frank Sultana + Matt Wicking The Vanguard,

MICHAEL ATTARD FROM THE EMBERS

Growing Up 1. The time when I actually became musically aware was when I was about ten

Butler Trio, Augie March and The Cruel Sea). Our live shows are energetic and up-tempo with an emphasis on musical variation and dance grooves.

years old. I was going through my dad’s record and tape collection and found a soundtrack tape from the 1966 The Good, The Bad And The Ugly movie – it’s a non-lyrical piece and it really stood out to me as being so different. It’s got like a Spanish marching-type theme with flute and surf guitar sounds along with soaring trumpet lines. Inspirations 2. Locally, Jeff Lang is one of my favourite musicians – he is a remarkable and inventive guitar player, a wonderful songwriter and a consummate performer. I’ve always had love for AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and more recently Bob Marley and Fat Freddy’s Drop. Actually, AC/DC was the first band I ever saw live back when I was 16. Man, what an experience!

3.

Your Band We are a five-piece from Tasmania. We gots Katy Humphries on electric violin and sax, Jai Larkman on tubs, Miles Bender on thebrag.com

Music, Right Here, Right Now From what I see, the national scene 5. looks like it’s doing great! The Tassie scene

keys, Kilty Salter on bass and myself on guitars and main vox. We all met and are connected through our love of creating, playing and sharing music together. The Music You Make The Embers are a contemporary roots4. rock band incorporating reggae, rock, folk, calypso and dance themes into our music. We recently released our debut album, Bright, which was produced by Nicky Bomba (Melbourne Ska Orchestra, John Butler Trio and Bomba) and engineered by Robin Mai (John

6.30 Doors open

pm

OP JAZZ HIP H

E FREEST YLS

FRIDAY

NIGHTS

$

is really healthy at the moment with heaps of amazing original bands, and importantly, plenty of venues and people supporting the music. I think one of the biggest obstacles for bands is existing in a digital era – sure, there are some networking and marketing benefits, but not many people are buying hard copy CDs or electronic copies anymore, streaming technology is taking over and the musicians are way at the bottom of the feeding chain. What: Bright out now independently With: Messily Dressed Where: Captain Cook Hotel / Annandale Hotel When: Friday September 25 / Saturday September 26

5!

SESSION11.30pm till 2am COMIN G UP IN

WED 23

SEPTEMBER

Adam Miller Band THU 24

Jonathon Holmes EP Launch Featuring Laura Murphy FRI 25

Sean Mackenzie Trio SAT 26

Nadia Piave Presents… Napoli Swings! SUN 27

TEA FOR TWO: Jackie Cooper + George Golla lunch (12-3pm)

TUES 29

Jazzgroove Presents

WEDS 30

ZAC HURREN

Phil Scorgie’s Fusion Fire

(Bris)

OCTOBER

THU 1

Joel Sena Group/Sky Tribe featuring Phoebe ....................................

JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC

five things WITH

STREET, ULTIMO

FRI 2

Charito (Japan) - Exclusive Sydney concert ....................................

SAT 3

Davood A Tabrizi & The Far Seas

F U L L P R O G R A M : W W W F O U N D R Y 6 16 C O M A U Newtown. 6:30pm. $18.80. Skyscraper St George Leagues Club, Kogarah. 9pm. Free. Ted Nash Trio Vineyard Hotel, Vineyard. 9:30pm. Free. Vanessa Heinitz Panania Diggers, Panania. 8pm. Free.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS After Party Band Revesby Workers Club, Revesby. 8:30pm. Free. Alfredo Malabello The Push Bar, The Rocks. 7:30pm. Free. Art Party Turns 3 - feat: Kallidad + Vanessa Caspersz + Junkyard Beats Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $33.80. Banquet - feat: Pluural + Mu-Tache Vs Smithers + Library Siesta + Moto Maji The World Bar, Kings Cross. 8pm. $10. Pink Industrial Whores + Necrostalgia + Acid Nymph + Underminer + War Rages Within + Breaking The Hoyd Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 8pm. $10. Bellhops Penrith RSL, Penrith. 8pm. Free. Dave Ireland 99 On York, Sydney. 5:30pm. Free. Dustin Tebbutt + Jesse Davidson +

Caitlin Park Factory Theatre, Marrickville. 8pm. $26. Funk Engine Mr Falcon’s, Glebe. 9pm. Free. Georgia White Town Hall Hotel, Balmain. 5pm. Free. Glenn Esmond Fortune Of War, The Rocks. 8pm. Free. Jack Horner The Oriental Hotel, Springwood. 8pm. Free. John Vella Coogee Bay Hotel, Coogee. 10pm. Free. Johnathan Jones Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 5:45pm. Free. Martin Cilia + The Mighty Surftones Lazybones Lounge, Marrickville. 8:30pm. $15. Michael Fryar Chatswood RSL, Chatswood. 5pm. Free. Musical Whiplash + Burners + Two Faced + Simple Steve + Snow Leopard Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 9pm. $10. Rare Finds - feat: Elana Stone + Billy Fox + Wasters + Deep Sea Arcade DJs The Loft (UTS), Ultimo. 8pm. Free. Reckless Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 10pm. Free. Rob Eastwood Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill. 6:30pm. Free. The Sand Dollars The World Bar, Kings Cross. 7pm. Free. The Snowdroppers + Food Court Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 8pm. $20.

BRAG :: 631 :: 23:09:15 :: 25

g g guide gig g

g g picks gig p

send your listings to : gigguide@thebrag.com The Stiffys + The Lockhearts + Bad Bitch Choir Brighton Up Bar, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $11.50.

Connection Lazybones Lounge, Marrickville. 6:30pm. Free. Sexy Sunday Jam Bellini Lounge, Potts Point. 7pm. Free.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK Eddie Boyd And The Phatapillars + Rufflefeather + The Baldwins Brighton Up Bar, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $10. Mojo House Band feat: Jesse & James Mojo Record Bar, Sydney. 7pm. Free. Paul Hayward And Friends Town And Country Hotel, Sydney. 4pm. Free.

JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC Burlesque At The Bones + Throwback Lazybones Lounge, Marrickville. 9:30pm. $30. Emma Pask Sydney Town Hall, Sydney. 5pm. Free. John & Yuki Well Co. Cafe And Wine Bar, Leichhardt. 8pm. Free. Judy Bailey’s Jazz

As It Is + With Confidence The Lair @ Metro Theatre, Sydney. 7:30pm. $25. Bounce Macarthur Tavern, Campbelltown. 9pm. Free. Code Orange Bald Faced Stag Hotel, Leichhardt. 8pm. $33. Darren Fewins Novotel, Rooty Hill. 6:30pm. Free. Di Bird Red Hot & Blue Penrith RSL, Penrith. 2pm. Free. DMA’s + Big White The Basement, Circular Quay. 8pm. $24.30. Evie Dean Plough & Harrow, Camden. 8pm. Free. Family Fold + Danny Yau The Gasoline Pony, Marrickville. 5pm. $5. Gay Paris Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 8pm. $15. GJ Donovan Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 5:45pm. Free. Glenn Esmond Panania Diggers,

26 :: BRAG :: 631 :: 23:09:15

Panania. 8pm. Free. Hits & Pieces St George Leagues Club, Kogarah. 7pm. Free. John Milligan The Push Bar, The Rocks. 7:30pm. Free. New Oxford + Beast & Flood + Dead Language + Couples Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $10. Nicky Kurta Town Hall Hotel, Balmain. 10pm. Free. One Hit Wonders Revesby Workers Club, Revesby. 8:30pm. Free. Party Central Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 10pm. Free. Pennywise + AntiFlag UNSW Roundhouse, Kensington. 7:30pm. $62.19. Por Que No Te Tenemos Las Dos Presents: Ebolagoldfish + Dividers + Wasters + Batfoot + The Great Awake + Joe Guiton + Josh Arentz Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 6pm. $10. Singer-Songwriter September Edition Mr Falcon’s, Glebe. 6pm. Free. Slum Sociable Goodgod Small Club, Sydney. 8pm. $13.90. Soundbird Penrith RSL, Penrith. 9pm. Free. Soundproofed Oatley Hotel, Oatley. 8pm. Free.

up all night out all week...

Stephanie Lea Wentworthville Leagues Club, Wentworthville. 10pm. Free. Steve Crocker Fortune Of War, The Rocks. 8pm. Free. The Matchbox Tribute Show Wallacia Hotel, Wallacia. 8pm. Free. Yours - feat: Dom Dolla + The Vanns + Yours DJs Beach Road Hotel, Bondi Beach. 8pm. Free.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27 JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC Kinetic Jazz Divergence + Australysis + Polymorphic Orchestra + Kinetic Jazz Orchestra St Luke’s Hall, Enmore. 4pm. $30. Recovery Unit Trio + DJs Aden Mullens And Brenny B Manly Wharf Hotel, Manly. 3pm. Free.

ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK Big Daddy’s Cajun Blues Party Marrickville Bowling

Club, Marrickville. 4pm. Free. Blues At The Bull - feat: The Good Medicine Band + Catfish Soup + The Wisemans Circus + A Band Named Trevor + The Foreday Riders Bull & Bush Hotel, Baulkham Hills. 12pm. Free. John Maddox Duo Mr Falcon’s, Glebe. 7pm. Free. Ted Nash Picton Hotel, Picton. 1pm. Free. The Gypsy Scholars + Sascha Webster + Willowy The Vanguard, Newtown. 6:30pm. $18.80. Vanessa Heinitz Ingleburn Hotel, Ingleburn. 1pm. Free. Vanishing Shapes The Dock, Redfern. 7pm. Free.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS A State Of Grace (The Music Of Tim And Jeff Buckley) - feat: Martha Wainwright + Casper Clausen + Cold Specks + Camille O’Sullivan + Willy Mason + Steve Kilbey Enmore Theatre, Newtown. 7:30pm. $79.52. Antagonist A.D + Reactions + Final Frontier + Mindshank + Awakened Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 4pm. $10. As It Is + With Confidence The Lair @ Metro Theatre, Sydney. 4:30pm. $25. Blage Wiggins Macarthur Tavern, Campbelltown. 2pm. Free. Chronolyth + Gutter Tactic + Head In A Jar + Inhuman Remnants + A Death In Prague Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney. 4pm. Free. Corridors + Kwalia The Basement, Circular Quay. 6:30pm. $29.20. Drillhorse Rock Show - feat: Ska’d 4 Life + Pearshaped Orange + Skinpin Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 4pm. $10. Glenn Esmond Strawberry Hills Hotel, Surry Hills. 4pm. Free. Jack Horner Wallacia Hotel, Wallacia. 1pm. Free. Open Mic Epping Hotel, Epping. 5pm. Free. Open Mic Night Nag’s Head Hotel, Glebe. 5:30pm. Free. Rockin’ Jukebox Penrith RSL, Penrith. 2pm. Free. Sounds Of The Suburbs 2015 - feat: Holy Holy + The Garden + White Fang + Drunk Mums + The Memories + Citizen Kay + Skegss + The Lazys + Food Court + The Pinheads + The Dandelion + Mesa Cosa + Letters To Lion + Zefereli + Wod + Betty & Oswald + The Ruminaters + Dumb Punts + Wash

+ I Am Apollo + Cubans In Whistler + Uncle Axle Space 44, Cronulla. 12pm. $65.30. Steve Crocker The Mill Hotel, Milperra. 12pm. Free. The Garden + Big White + Angie Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 6:30pm. $18. U2 Elevation Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 4:30pm. Free. White Bros Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 8:30pm. Free.

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 28

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 23 Jack Colwell + Lupa J + Post Paint Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 8pm. $15. Sebastian Bach Metro Theatre, Sydney. 8pm. $90.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24 Ginger & Drum + Avivia + Khnz + Lincoln Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $10. Live At The Sly - Feat: Smaal Cats + Easy Street + Swords Slyfox, Enmore. 7:30pm. Free.

JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC

The Snowdroppers Goodgod Small Club, Sydney. 8pm. $19.

Sonic Mayhem Orchestra Lazybones Lounge, Marrickville. 8:30pm. Free.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS Bucket Lounge Presents – Live & Originals Mr Falcon’s, Glebe. 7pm. Free. Cancer Bats Bald Faced Stag Hotel, Leichhardt. 7pm. $28.60. Frankie’s World Famous House Band Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney. 9pm. Free. Kye Brown Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 9pm. Free. Swerve Society feat: Little Horn + Anatomy Class + Jody Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 7:30pm. Free.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 29 JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC Hoi Polloi Lazybones Lounge, Marrickville. 8:30pm. Free. Sunset Jazz - feat: Jazz Society Hermann’s Bar, Darlington. 6pm. Free.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS Anton Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 9pm. Free. E^st Goodgod Small Club, Sydney. 8pm. $13.90. Hockey Dad + StepPanther + High-tails Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 7:30pm. $18. Maroon 5 + Dirty Loops Allphones Arena, Sydney Olympic Park. 7:30pm. $129.90. Open Mic The Bourbon, Potts Point. 7pm. Free. Rock ‘N’ Roll Karaoke Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney. 9pm. Free.

Dustin Tebbutt + Jesse Davidson + Caitlin Park Factory Theatre, Marrickville. 8pm. $26. Rare Finds - Feat: Elana Stone + Billy Fox + Wasters + Deep Sea Arcade DJs The Loft (UTS), Ultimo. 8pm. Free. The Stiffys + The Lockhearts + Bad Bitch Choir Brighton Up Bar, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $11.50.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26 DMA’s + Big White The Basement, Circular Quay. 8pm. $24.30. Eddie Boyd And The Phatapillars + Rufflefeather + The Baldwins Brighton Up Bar, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $10. Gay Paris Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 8pm. $15. Pennywise + Anti-Flag UNSW Roundhouse, Kensington. 7:30pm. $62.19. Slum Sociable Goodgod Small Club, Sydney. 8pm. $13.90.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27 Chronolyth + Gutter Tactic + Head In A Jar + Inhuman Remnants + A Death In Prague Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney. 4pm. Free. Sounds Of The Suburbs 2015 Feat: Holy Holy + The Garden + White Fang + Drunk Mums + The Memories + Citizen Kay + Skegss + The Lazys + Food Court + The Pinheads + The Dandelion + Mesa Cosa + Letters To Lion + Zefereli + Wod + Betty & Oswald + The Ruminaters + Dumb Punts + Wash + I Am Apollo + Cubans In Whistler + Uncle Axle Space 44, Cronulla. 12pm. $65.30. The Garden + Big White + Angie Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 6:30pm. $18.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 29 Hockey Dad + Step-Panther + HighTails Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 7:30pm. $18. Maroon 5 + Dirty Loops Allphones Arena, Sydney Olympic Park. 7:30pm. $129.90.

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brag beats

BRAG’s guide to dance, hip hop and club culture

dance music news club, dance and hip hop in brief... with Chris Martin, Tegan Reeves and Aaron Streatfeild

five things WITH

Daniel Bortz

Anderson .Paak

MYON & SHANE 54

MAKE A MOVEMENT ONE SHOT AT ONE DAY ONLY

Growing Up 1. Myon: I was unnaturally attracted to music even when I was a little kid. I collected tapes, CDs, whatever I could put my hands on. All that music influences me to this day. Shane 54: My dad is a sound engineer, so I spent half my childhood in studios. I was five when I decided I wanted to be a musician. No-one believed it.

2.

Inspirations S: Depeche Mode was the first band I truly got into as a kid. I wasn’t even ten when I first heard their music. M: Incognito’s incredible grooves took me by storm. I remember I wanted to be like them. Your Crew 3. M: MS54 is our daily job, we don’t need to do anything else. It’s a very comfortable situation. S: I never had a job or boss in my life. I was still in high school when my first album was released, and kept on making music ever since.

4.

The Music You Make And Play S: We always thought of ourselves

Marco Resmann

as a pop band that has great credibility in clubland. We have more than one source of inspiration, and due to this, our sound differs a bit. M: We first and foremost write songs, there’s no particular genre we belong to. We tend to keep interesting stuff from everywhere and make them into something that’s neither house nor trance, but has everything that we think is good in them. We do love all kinds of good music.

BEACH ROAD TURNS 23

23 ain’t so bad, really. It’s still totally acceptable to be working

Apparat

Music, Right Here, Right 5. Now M: There’s never been a better time to be an electronic music artist. EDM is at all-time high, people are hungry for dance music, and we are happy to be in a position to serve them just that. S: We come from Hungary, where artists usually don’t make it to the international scene. Oddly enough, we can’t say they particularly like our music over there. We haven’t played in our home country for almost two years.

that shitty casual job, but you’re old enough to roll your eyes when the guy at the bottle shop asks you for ID. To celebrate its arrival at the glorious age of 23, the Beach Road Hotel is chucking a huge party to celebrate this Wednesday September 23. The lineup includes dance kings Set Mo, child prodigy Tyler Touché, Samrai, Hobophonics, and the act with one of the greatest names in history: Bernie Dingo. In case you were thinking of staying at home to watch The Block and hang out with your cat, Beach Road party staples including fairy bread, jelly shots, party bags, popcorn and drink specials will be on offer to get you over the line – and entry is free.

PARTY WITH PACHA

Pacha Sydney’s 2015 resident DJ, Tigerlily, chalks up another Ivy appearance this weekend. Her Kiss

With: Luke Bond Where: Home Nightclub When: Friday September 25

My Tigerlily show, a collaboration with production group The Squared Division (expect all the bells, whistles and lasers), is sure to draw in the crowds with sights and sounds alike. The bill this Saturday September 26 is backed up by Chardy, Fear Of Dawn & Friends, Trey V, Moto, Deckhead, Matt Nugent, King Lee, DJ Just 1, Eko and plenty more.

Rudimental

APPARAT APPEARS

MAKING HIS MARCO

Marco Resmann is ready to reign down upon you. That’s right; the Upon You label boss is making the long trip Down Under for the October long weekend for his debut solo Australian tour. The former Pan-Pot member came up gradually in the Berlin scene during the mid’90s and earned himself a residency at the influential Watergate club in 2006. The popularity of Resmann’s house/techno fusion saw him release on labels like Mobilee, Poker Flat and his own Upon You, founded in 2007. Resmann will headline S.A.S.H at Home Nightclub on Sunday October 4 – and don’t forget, you’ve got the Monday off.

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Sydney University is hosting a rock around the block party from One Day to cater to music lovers of all shapes and sizes. This mammoth One Day Only event from the crew behind One Day Sundays will host over 3,000 partygoers across three stages for one of the biggest Sydney parties of the year. The event will also feature live graffiti art curated by international spray paint brand Ironlak and a selection of Sydney’s finest food vendors. The lineup itself traverses hip hop, R&B, soul, electronica and more, with names like Anderson .Paak, P Money, Sampology, M-Phazes, DJ Izm, Jayteehazard and Halfway Crooks appearing alongside resident One Day Sundays DJs Joyride and Adit. One Day Only takes over Sydney Uni’s Manning House on Saturday November 21.

The 25-event weekend of all things dance, Movement Sydney, has revealed its full schedule for venues across the city, accompanied by a second announcement of international and homegrown electronica talent. V Energy’s Movement Sydney has revealed it will include Spank Rock, Ghastly and Daniel Bortz in its already jampacked weekend of DJ workshops, vinyl trucks, boat raves and secret warehouse parties. The four-day dance takeover covers multiple Sydney suburbs including the Sutherland Shire, Mona Vale, Manly and the CBD. Also announced on the already heavyweight lineup are Seekae (DJ set), Sleep D and Motorik Vibe Council. Movement Sydney runs from Thursday October 22 – Sunday October 25 at various hotspots around town. For the full lineup and event details, visit venergymovement.com.

Berlin-based electronic musician Apparat will return to Sydney this November for a one-off extended and intimate DJ set. Recent collaborations with Modeselektor under the moniker Moderat, in addition to a critically acclaimed composition for a production of Sebastian Hartmann’s War And Peace, have seen Apparat charm fans old and new. Supporting on the night will be the ever diverse Tigerstyle and Sydney DJ Whitecat. Fans should not miss this special opportunity to see Apparat up close and personal in what will be one of his most intimate gigs of the year. Get down on Friday November 20 at Oxford Art Factory.

GET IN THE VANFEST

Vanfest, the regional festival returning to the New South Wales town of Forbes in December, has added two big names to its 2015 lineup. UK four-piece Rudimental, making their way Down Under for a run of headlining shows as well as support slots for megastar Ed Sheeran, have been locked in to perform at a special evening event on Friday December 4, the night before the one-day festival kicks off proper. The mini-festival on Vanfest eve will also feature Aussie dance trendsetters Peking Duk, who hit the heights with their singles ‘Take Me Over’ and ‘High’, and production talent Kilter. Vanfest itself already boasts a huge lineup of acts including headliners John Butler Trio, Birds Of Tokyo, Illy, Sticky Fingers, Sheppard and more. The festival takes over Forbes on Saturday December 5.

BRAG :: 631 :: 23:09:15 :: 27

Dusky Extraordinary Sounds By Augustus Welby

W

e first heard from London duo Dusky via their 2011 LP, Stick By This. The debut effort from producer/DJs Nick Harriman and Alfie Granger-Howell took listeners on a broadly diverse trip through electronic music, touching on house, techno, post-dubstep and clubby soul. Over the past four years they’ve gained increasing prominence as globetrotting DJs, while also rolling out a steady stream of new releases. However, despite frequent singles, EPs and remixes, Stick By This remains Dusky’s only LP to date. “We haven’t lost interest in the album format. We’ve just been focusing on writing music for the clubs,” says Granger-Howell. “We’re currently working on an album, so hopefully we’ll be able to redress that balance between singles, EPs and albums soon.” Dusky’s most recent release, the four-track Ordinary World EP, is a perceptibly dancefloor-oriented affair. This isn’t a constricting factor, though, as each track tackles a different variant of electronic dance music. The duo designed Ordinary World to reflect the eclectic nature of its DJ sets, though really it’s just a taste. “Obviously it’s difficult to sum up your sound in four tracks,” says Harriman. “If anything, I’d say it was lacking the more techy or really deep side to our DJ sets. But there are many producers out there writing great techy/deep music and we can play their records. The ultimate aim of a club release is to write dancefloor music that nobody else is writing so it can fill gaps in your DJ sets that aren’t covered by other producers.” With such a considerable amount of time spent DJing, Dusky are voracious music-seekers. The

continual search for tunes to include in their DJ sets inevitably rubs off on their creative output. However, they’re careful not to let their listening preferences cloud their artistic vision. “It’s easy to get caught up writing quite nostalgic-sounding music, especially with regards to house and techno,” says Harriman. “There’s still so much life in the older styles that has been left untapped or can provide a basis for new and more current iterations that still sound fresh. The biggest challenge is to maintain objectivity regarding your creative decisions when writing in the studio, and being a DJ can have both a negative and positive effect on that impartiality.” Dusky’s DJ sets tend to be anything but nostalgic, and a significant amount of time is devoted to spinning their own music. By virtue of this, when considering what externally produced tracks to include, it’s crucial they appropriately complement the Dusky originals. “It’s important that any tracks by other artists we play fit into that sound world,” says Granger-Howell. “How they work alongside each other is vital to maintaining a cohesive musical identity. People associate you with that identity, they enjoy it, and that’s why they keep coming out to see you in the clubs or at the festivals.” Traversing the world’s club and festival circuits isn’t the only thing keeping Dusky busy. In mid-2014, they launched the 17 Steps imprint. For the four years prior, they’d released music through a whole string of labels, including such big names as Dogmatik, School, Aus Music and Anjunadeep. Despite this, they felt the need to take matters

into their own hands. “It’s not [due to] a sense of instability, more a sense of regulation,” says Harriman. “Both artistically and from a planning perspective.” Along with Dusky, the label catalogue includes releases by fellow Londoners Christian Piers and Velvit. At this stage, Dusky’s relationship with the acts on the 17 Steps roster is fairly casual. “We’re just signing artists on a non-exclusive basis who are delivering EPs and singles,” says Granger-Howell. “That could change in future, but it’s early days for us. We want to develop the label slowly and organically.” A great feature of all the existing 17 Steps releases is an easily identifiable artwork continuity. The cover of each release is made up of the label’s geometrically distinct logo, with just the colour changed.

“We’ll deviate at some point, I guess when it becomes boring or maybe with an album that requires a more specific identity,” says Harriman. “It’s just about keeping things interesting for us and the consumer of the music whilst maintaining a strong visual identity.” The artwork tactic is part of Dusky’s broader plan to establish 17 Steps as a recognisable brand. However, while branding is significant, putting out good music is more important. “That’s the real test, and what helps to build the brand in the long term,” says Granger-Howell. “We look up to the successful indie labels such as Warp, R&S, Factory Records, Rough Trade, Domino, Trojan.” Having visited Australia twice during 2014, Dusky will return for next month’s Listen Out festival tour. While Dusky spend a lot of time DJing in

BY DAY

clubs, they’re no strangers to the festival environment. “It’s good to have variety in the shows that you play,” says Harriman. “It keeps things interesting for us and helps us to develop as DJs and producers. If you play to a load of clubbing geeks at Pbar [Berghain] or Fabric every week you could lose sight of some of the music or DJing techniques that create special moments at festivals, and vice versa.” What: Listen Out 2015 With: Childish Gambino, Joey Bada$$, Alison Wonderland, Odesza and more Where: Centennial Park When: Saturday October 3 And: Ordinary World out now through 17 Steps

BY NIGHT

Sunday 27th September TERRACE

TERRACE

BARE ESSENTIALS TAKE OVER

Jake Hough Carlos Zarate Persian Rug Jimmi Walker Sam Roberts

Mike Callander James Taylor ࠮ Matt Weir

THE DEN HOSTED BY

Sam Arellano Surf Disco ZNRB DJ's

MAZE Raffi Lovechild Geoffrey James

GREENWOOD HOTEL 1pm to 9pm - $15

HOME NIGHTCLUB 8pm to 4am $15 till 10pm / $20 after $15 all night with SASH by day stamp

www.sash.net.au 85 – 91 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst 28 :: BRAG :: 631 :: 23:09:15

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club guide g

club picks p up all night out all week...

send your listings to : clubguide@thebrag.com

club pick of the week Set Mo

Jam Gallery, Bondi Junction. 8pm. $20. Night Lyfe - feat: Kučka Beach Road Hotel, Bondi Beach. 8pm. Free. OPM Mid-Sem Nerd Party Marquee, Pyrmont. 10pm. Free. Red Bull Music Academy Presents: Dego Goodgod Small Club, Sydney. 9pm. Free. Scubar Fridays - feat: DJs On Rotation Scubar, Sydney. 8pm. Free. Student DJs Hermann’s Bar, Darlington. 5pm. Free.

Otto Knows

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26

WEDNESDAY S E P T E M BER 2 3

HIP HOP & R&B

Xxx

Beach Road Hotel

Beach Road’s 23rd Birthday

Feat: Set Mo + Tyler Touché + DJ Samrai + Hobophonics + more

8pm. Free. WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 23 CLUB NIGHTS Salsa Wednesdays - feat: DJ Miro + Special Guests The Argyle, The Rocks. 8:30pm. Free. Side Bar Wednesdays - feat: Bangers & Mash Side Bar, Sydney. 9pm. Free. Sosueme: Beach Road’s 23rd Birthday - feat: Set Mo + Tyler Touché + DJ Samrai + Hobophonics + Bernie Dingo + DJ Sports Beach Road Hotel, Bondi Beach. 8pm. Free. The Wall

The World Bar, Kings Cross. 9pm. Free.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24 CLUB NIGHTS Five Dollar Thursdays - feat: DJs Steve Zappa + Skinny Scubar, Sydney. 8:30pm. Free. Kicks The World Bar, Kings Cross. 9pm. Free. Mixed Tape - feat: DJs Hermann’s Bar, Darlington. 5pm. Free. The Midnight Swim Sessions - feat: Thomas Studdy Goros, Surry Hills. 8pm. Free.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25 HIP HOP & R&B Bilal Max Watt’s, Moore Park. 8pm. $55.

CLUB NIGHTS Bassic - feat: The Meeting Tree + Swick + Spenda C + Nemo + Notack + Goldbrixx + Pete Mac + OpenEye + Garage Pressure + DJ Axe Chinese Laundry, Sydney. 9pm. $22.60. Blvd Fridays - feat: TyDi Marquee, Pyrmont. 10pm. $13.40. Derriere - feat: Rotating DJs Goros, Surry Hills.

6pm. Free. El Loco Later - feat: DJs On Rotation Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills. 10pm. Free. Feel Good Fridays feat: DJs Bar100, The Rocks. 5pm. Free. Florida Blanca Supper Club + Bar Publico - feat: DJs Harpoon Harry, Sydney. 6pm. Free. Frankie’s Pizza Fridays - feat: Rock ‘N’ Roll DJs Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney. 9pm. Free. Fridays Frothers feat: Babysham + Jesse Sewell Side Bar, Sydney. 9pm. Free. IljusWifmo + Royalston + Lorna Clarkson + Letabruthaknow + Patrick Kirby + Wompa + Cav Smith

Herbs to get you happy, healthy and romantic.

The Happy Herb Shop thebrag.com

347 King St, Newtown

CLUB NIGHTS El Loco Later - feat: DJs On Rotation Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills. 10pm. Free. Elektrocute (Psycho Circus Party) - feat: DJs Dasein + Voodoo + Acidtrixx + Danejer Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 8pm. $10. Frankie’s Pizza Saturdays - feat: DJs Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney. 9pm. Free. Frat Saturdays - feat: Jonksi + Guests Side Bar, Sydney. 7:30pm. Free. Le Fruit DJs Goros, Surry Hills. 8pm. Free. Lndry - feat: Yolanda Be Cool + Bodhi + Benson + Andrew Wowk + Ramske + Fiktion + Crux + Offtapia + DJ Just 1 + Fingers + King Lee Chinese Laundry, Sydney. 9pm. $22.60. Otto Knows Marquee, Pyrmont. 10pm. $28.80. Pacha - feat: Tigerlily + Fear Of Dawn & Friends + Trey V + Moto + Deckhead + Matt Nugent + King Lee + DJ Just 1 + Eko + Jonathan Terrific + Everto + Rocco + Zannon + Dollar Bear Ivy Bar/Lounge, Sydney. 6:30pm. $38. Scubar Saturdays feat: Live DJs Scubar, Sydney. 8:30pm. Free. Something Else feat: Nick Hoppner + Magda Bytnerowicz + Brosnan Perera + U-Khan + Phil Smart + James Taylor + Dave Stuart + Asger Jorn + James Walsh

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25

Otto Knows Marquee, Pyrmont. 10pm. $28.80.

Bilal Max Watt’s, Moore Park. 8pm. $55.

OutsideIn - Feat: Bilal + Big K.R.I.T. + Devin The Dude + Cosmo’s Midnight + Star Slinger + Pomo + Total Giovanni + Pender Street Steppers + Kučka + Harvey Sutherland Manning Bar, Camperdown. 2pm. $81.60.

Bassic - Feat: The Meeting Tree + Swick + Spenda C + Nemo + Notack + Goldbrixx + Pete Mac + Open-Eye + Garage Pressure + DJ Axe Chinese Laundry, Sydney. 9pm. $22.60. Blvd Fridays - Feat: TyDi Marquee, Pyrmont. 10pm. $13.40. IljusWifmo + Royalston + Lorna Clarkson + Letabruthaknow + Patrick Kirby + Wompa + Cav Smith Jam Gallery, Bondi Junction. 8pm. $20. Night Lyfe - Feat: Kučka Beach Road Hotel, Bondi Beach. 8pm. Free. Red Bull Music Academy Presents: Dego Goodgod Small Club, Sydney. 9pm. Free.

Pacha - Feat: Tigerlily + Fear Of Dawn & Friends + Trey V + Moto + Deckhead + Matt Nugent + King Lee + DJ Just 1 + Eko + Jonathan Terrific + Everto + Rocco + Zannon + Dollar Bear Ivy Bar/Lounge, Sydney. 6:30pm. $38. Something Else - Feat: Nick Hoppner + Magda Bytnerowicz + Brosnan Perera + U-Khan + Phil Smart + James Taylor + Dave Stuart + Asger Jorn + James Walsh + Hannah Lockwood + Gareth Psaltis + Jordan Peters Burdekin Hotel, Darlinghurst. 9pm. $16.50. Tuxedo Jam Gallery, Bondi Junction. 8pm. $37.50.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26 SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27 Lndry - Feat: Yolanda Be Cool + Bodhi + Benson + Andrew Wowk + Ramske + Fiktion + Crux + Offtapia + DJ Just 1 + Fingers + King Lee Chinese Laundry, Sydney. 9pm. $22.60.

+ Hannah Lockwood + Gareth Psaltis + Jordan Peters Burdekin Hotel, Darlinghurst. 9pm. $16.50. Super C + Katami And Cassian Manly Wharf Hotel, Manly. 6pm. Free. Tuxedo Jam Gallery, Bondi Junction. 8pm. $37.50. Versus - feat: Chloe Glover Vs Elke Steen + Andy Garvey Vs Tommy Codling + Travis Banko Vs Dom O’Connor + I Oh You DJs Vs Top 8 Drama Lord Gladstone Hotel, Chippendale. 10pm. Free.

Big K.R.I.T. Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $48.90. S.A.S.H Sundays Home Nightclub, Darling Harbour. 3pm. $10.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 28

CLUB NIGHTS

CLUB NIGHTS

DJs Aden Mullens And Brenny B Manly Wharf Hotel, Manly. 5pm. Free. Picnic Social Harpoon Harry, Sydney. 4pm. Free. S.A.S.H Sundays Home Nightclub, Darling Harbour. 3pm. $10.

Mashup Monday - feat: Resident DJs + DJ Thieves + Recess + OTG + Chivalry + More Side Bar, Sydney. 8pm. Free.

HIP HOP & R&B Big K.R.I.T. Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $48.90.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 29 CLUB NIGHTS Coyote Tuesdays The World Bar, Kings Cross. 9pm. $10.

BRAG :: 631 :: 23:09:15 :: 29

Xxx

with our magical botanical extraction machines!

OutsideIn - feat: Bilal + Big K.R.I.T. + Devin The Dude + Cosmo’s Midnight + Star Slinger + Pomo + Total Giovanni + Pender Street Steppers + Kučka + Harvey Sutherland Manning Bar, Camperdown. 2pm. $81.60. The Chop - feat: Cortex Cohorts + Bklv + DJ Adverse + Louie Headnod + Raine Supreme + Benny Hinn Play Bar, Surry Hills. 6pm. Free.

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Off The Record

VIEW FULL GALLERIES AT

up all night out all week . . .

Dance and Electronica with Tyson Wray

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to Australia. Nodge began his career in 1994 as an event promoter after the Berlin Wall fell, before moving into DJing and producing. Over the course of his career he’s released on the likes of Ostgut Ton and Marcel Dettmann’s MDR label, and has held down a residency at the infamous Berghain for the past decade. He’ll lead a heavy-hitting local lineup including Sebastian Bayne, Aaron Robins, Dave Stuart, D&D, Robbie Lowe, Gabe Fernandes and Brosnan Perera on Saturday October 17 at the Burdekin Hotel.

he Upon You label boss Marco Resmann has locked in his debut Australian tour. Alongside running his own imprint (which has released over 60 productions from the likes of Ruede Hagelstein, Onno and Emerson Todd) the Berlin native has had his own works released through imprints like Mobilee, Strictly Rhythm and Watergate Records, and was a former member of recent Australian visitors Pan-Pot. Catch him on Sunday October 4 at Home Nightclub for S.A.S.H.

T

Zev Le Wolfe and Gadi Mizrahi, AKA Wolf + Lamb, have confirmed a Sydney headline show to take place later this year. Already announced for the 2015 incarnation of the Subsonic Music Festival, the duo will perform as part of the Café del Mar Sun Sets series, which sees weekly Sunday summer parties taking place from midday with Sydney Harbour as the backdrop. They’ll be joined on Sunday December 13 by Murat Kilic and Robbie Lowe. Here’s a sentence I never imagined I’d be typing: Norman Nodge is coming

Those cats over at Red Bull Music Academy have announced a killer double bill for their next club night series – Benedek and Moon B. Two of the most prolific producers in modern funk fusion, they’re both housed on Washington People’s Potential Unlimited label. Moon B AKA Wes Gray has also released on the likes of 1080p, Nous, Voltaire and Omega Supreme, while Benedek began his career by experimenting with beat production on Nintendo’s Game Boy camera software before moving on to his first hardware synthesiser, a Roland HS-60. Catch ’em both on Saturday October 10 at Goodgod Small Club. As always, it’s free, you’ve just gotta RSVP online. Tour rumours: word on the grapevine is that Julio Bashmore will be returning Down Under early next year, as will Max Graef. Best releases this week: the first release on Lee Gamble’s new label UIQ has dropped and it’s straight fiyah – N1L’s Wrong Headspace. Other highlights include Adalberto’s Toolbox (Acidicted), Saine’s Small Remedies (Fools & Fables), Luis CL’s Untitled (Superconscious) and Gavin Russom’s Body Minimalism (Curle).

s.a.s.h sundays

PICS :: AM

Norman Nodge

20:09:15 :: Home Nightclub :: 101/1-5 Wheat Rd Darling Harbour 9266 0600

Wolf + Lamb

RECOMMENDED SUNDAY OCTOBER 25

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26

Daniel Bortz Greenwood Hotel

Mark Henning Goodgod Small Club

Nick Höppner Burdekin Hotel

SATURDAY OCTOBER 3 Maurice Fulton Chippendale Hotel French Fries Burdekin Hotel

SUNDAY OCTOBER 4 Marco Resmann Home Nightclub

SATURDAY OCTOBER 17 Norman Nodge Burdekin Hotel

Public Possession Harpoon Harry

FRIDAY OCTOBER 30 DJ Nobu Bridge Hotel

SATURDAY OCTOBER 31 Baauer Oxford Art Factory

Mr. G, Fur Coat, DJ HMC Greenwood Hotel

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14 Nina Kraviz Greenwood Hotel

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 20 Lapalux Chinese Laundry

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 21 Justin Martin Chinese Laundry

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 27

Eric Cloutier, Peter van Hoesen Marrickville Bowling Club Rødhåd Oxford Art Factory

FRIDAY DECEMBER 4 – SUNDAY DECEMBER 6

Subsonic Music Festival: KiNK, Dop, Rick Wade, Roman Flügel + more Riverwood Downs Mountain Valley Resort, Barrington Tops

SUNDAY DECEMBER 13 Wolf + Lamb Café del Mar

sosueme - ft. klp

PICS :: JA

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25

16:09:15 :: Beach Road Hotel :: 71 Beach Rd Bondi Beach 9130 7247

Got any tip-offs, hate mail, praise or cat photos? Email hey@tysonwray.com or contact me via carrier pigeon. 30 :: BRAG :: 631 :: 23:09:15

OUR LOVELY PHOTOGRAPHER

S :: JAMES AMBROSE :: KATRINA

CLARKE :: ASHLEY MAR

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