Sunnymead Hotel + Deni Todorovic Album Reviews 34, OK Smash + Pistol

Deni Todorovic

Brings their book ‘Love This For You’ live to the stage in Geelong

Non-binary icon, fashion editor, content creator, activist, creative director, podcast host and now author Deni Todorovic (they/them) is gifting their hometown of Geelong a night to remember, bringing their new book Love This For You to the stage in an intimate conversation with their audience.

Renowned for their popular Instagram page, Style by Deni, Deni shows their followers what it means to lead a joyous, open-hearted life, but this wisdom has been hard-won. As a queer, non-binary person and as a child of migrants, Deni knows firsthand what it means to exist between worlds and to step into one’s truth. Available in bookstores now, Love This For You takes you on a journey, with the former celebrity stylist and former fashion editor of Cosmopolitan magazine sharing how they’ve learned to live on their own terms. Full of intimate, insightful reflections on everything from family and culture to friendship, dating and career goals, and packed with useful tips, tools and techniques, Love This for You invites you to explore each pillar of your identity to start healing and live with great intention. Hailed one of the warmest, most captivating voices of our generation (by Shameless Podcast’s Michelle Andrews), Deni will bring their heartwarming and eye-opening story to the stage in Geelong this November with the Love This For You Live Tour.

Audiences will hear how Deni navigated and transitioned through life to date as they share their story in hopes of inviting us all to navigate through our life journey with anecdotes and life pillars that we all share at one time or another. The evening promises to inspire us to see the world on many levels in hopes of acceptance and understanding that we are not all the same and through conversation and connection we can move toward a safer world for all… A world in which we live authentically.

Join Deni for a night on how to rewrite the rules and live authentically at The Palais Geelong on November 24 from 7:30pm. You can purchase tickets at www.palaisgeelong.com

Sunnymead Hotel

The new retro-inspired 4.5-star hotel to open on the Great Ocean Road this Summer

Adding to the vibrant culture at Aireys Inlet, Sunnymead Hotel is the new boutique accommodation and it’s full of fun and personality, appealing to “fun seekers + sun seekers”.

Previously Lightkeepers Inn Motel, this classic motel has been given a complete retro-inspired renovation. Receiving the ultimate glow-up, Sunnymead’s 20 guest suites have been designed for the modern traveller, with the warm colour palette bringing an “always sunny” vibe to its guests. The rooms have been playfully styled with a curated local mini bar, luxury local bathroom products from The Herbalist Bells Beach and a custom yellow Nood Co. basin in the ensuite bathrooms. Designed for shared experiences, the outdoor area is made for entertaining with a sparkling magnesium pool and pool bar, affectionately named “Sunnies”. The space can be booked out for private functions or corporate groups, which can also take advantage of the fire pit and lounge area with a pizza oven. Breeze blocks complete the outdoor spaces livened up with greenery and accented with our signature pop of colour.

Sunnymead Hotel will be home to Indie Spa and Santara Restaurant, with both facilities opening to guests and the general public in early 2023.

What was once the manager’s residence is being transformed into a unique day spa with three individual treatment rooms, including a dual suite with a Vichy shower, ideal for couples, and a Rasul and bathhouse. Indie Spa was brought to life through the creative interior design team at award-winning architect Cera Stribley, achieving the vision of a unique ‘non’ spa that goes against the norm.

The existing conference space will become Santara Restaurant, celebrating colour, flavour and freshness. Expect Indian-inspired dining designed for sharing and grazing, paired with fun cocktails and a vibrant atmosphere!

Fitting with the fun and nostalgic theme of Sunnymead, the property comes with its own sunshine-yellow Volkswagen Kombi. “Daisy” will provide private tours for corporate groups, bridal parties, travelling friends and international visitors.

Sunnymead Hotel, located at 64 Great Ocean Road, Aireys Inlet, is accepting bookings from December 16 2022. Head to www.sunnymeadhotel.com.au

Delivery

FOREVER GIVING HANDSHAKES

Album Reviews by Alex Callan

Having only formed in March 2021 Delivery are still a relatively fresh face on the scene, with the majority of their career thus far being spent in lockeddown rooms and recording studios, but that’s about to change. With the group having just dropped one of the strongest Aussie punk albums of the past few years, it’s only a matter of time before Delivery are recognised as up-and-comers worth keeping a close eye on.

With their debut release Forever Giving Handshakes epitomising prominent aspects of Melbourne’s modern-day art-punk movement, as well as a healthy dose of classic pub rock nostalgia, it’s an

album that’ll quickly strike a chord with punters of any age. Opener ‘Picture This’ provides a linear post-punk nature to the rhythms, reeling you in immediately with its metronomic bassline and a repetitive Joy Division quality to the strumming, whilst ‘PoorTo-Middling MoneyMaking’ maintains more of a manically aggressive quality, feeling closer to the likes of contemporaries such Clamm or Stiff Richards. Lead single ‘Baader Meinhof’ stands out due to its punchier synths and the sharp pitch of Bec Allen’s vocals, at times feeling reminiscent of the high tones of revered pub-rock singer Graeme ‘Shirley’ Strachan of The Skyhooks.

‘Office Party’ highlights unique tonal shifts due to its collation of vocals from all members of the band, adding an undeniable punch as each member's voices overlap and intertwine. As does ‘No Homes’, which stands out due to its adoption of guitar distortion and an almost spoken word cadence from lead vocalist Daniel Devlin. In another defining moment for the group, ‘Wear It Well’ ushers in punchy chanted choruses and staggered angular builds that’ll un doubtedly go down a treat live.

Heading in a different direction to its predecessors, ‘Lifetimer’ veers towards the alt-rock stylings of ‘Take It From The Man!’ era The Brian Jonestown Massacre, with its droney reverbed vocals channelling some psychedelic textures. The album closer ‘Best Western’ highlights a more subdued direction, letting its prominent bassline act as the song’s lead driving force up until its chaotic final moments. As you may have picked up, Delivery’s first effort transcends the rudimentary confines of traditional punk, pulling influence from a vast array of beloved acts both old and new. With twangy guitar lines; art-punk complexities and a healthy dose of wit in tow, Forever Giving Handshakes defines Delivery as one of the most unique punk outfits in Melbourne, with their debut effort wasting no time carving out a distinct sound for the group. An absolute standout release that’ll continue to influence the emerging Aus punk scene for years to come.

Label: SpoilSport Records/Anti Fade Records (Au & NZ) and Feel It Records (US) Release date: November 11 Georgia Fields Hiraeth

It’s rather challenging to write about themes of death, infidelity and motherhood with the level of sincerity and candour that Georgia Fields does. Drawing inspiration from pain, Fields' brand of indie-pop explores melancholia and tragedy through a hauntingly intimate first-person perspective.

On Hiraeth, Fields’ presents an unflinchingly honest depiction of loss; intimately unpacking the traumatic events she has endured alongside a guise of warm textures, vibrant guitar licks and joyous singalongs.

Opener ‘Find Your Way Back’ delivers luscious drum hooks, melodic guitar leads and punchy pop vocals, whilst ‘Persuasion’ drips in soulful swagger and enigmatic harmonies.

‘Water To Water’ unpacks Fields’ experience with miscarriage in a powerful performance that employs stripped-back guitars and a haunting conviction to Fields’ vocals. In another painstakingly intimate moment, ‘In My Blood’ discusses the coping mechanisms employed by Fields after receiving a diagnosis of acute postnatal depression.

Whilst most songs present a contrast between sombre lyricism and uplifting pop musicianship, ‘I Saw It Coming’ steps away from the normal dream-pop stylings, switching it up with eloquent string arrangements and simmering ‘prom’ inspired drum rolls behind Fields’ impressive vibrato.

Hiraeth isn’t just an album that offers catharsis for Fields; it’s a bold declaration that will empower fans for years to come. This is an essential release that distinguishes Fields’ songwriting as a cut above the rest.

Label: Independent/MGM Distribution Release date: November 17

Adalita Inland

There are a lot of artists out there who spend effort trying to convey a certain image; formidable Australian rock icon Adalita is not one of them. If anything, the last 20 years have established Adalita as a songwriter dripping with individuality, with her nonchalant vocals and grungey riffs now serving as the benchmark of the noughties pubrock sound.

Whilst Magic Dirt cut their teeth on the grunge sound of the 90s, with down-tuned riffs and droney distortions at the forefront of their sound, Adalita’s solo material differs, with her long-awaited third solo album Inland showing a more introspective side of the revered artist.

This is pretty understandable considering that at its core Inland is a breakup album, with Adalita exploring the varying levels of torment and vulnerability that many are riddled with post-breakup over the 10 tracks.

In a particularly baring moment, opener ‘Private Feeling’ sees the exploration of a romantic relationship with a younger partner, with the songwriter evocatively grounding herself in the realisation that “company is [her] liberty”. ‘Savage Heart’ on the other hand, ushers in feelings of despair, asking the now separated partner, “how could you leave me this way?”

They are stark confessions but ones delivered earnestly, with Inland highlighting bare and exposing glimpses into Adalita’s life; the tenderness of love and the empowering perception of oneself in the wake of heartache.

Label: Liberation Records via Mushroom Group Release date: December 2 King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard Changes

It’s hard to discredit King Gizzard’s ability to turn any idea into a full-fledged album. With a mentality that no idea is too grand or too minute, the group have explored a wealth of different concepts across their 23 studio albums. With their catalogue now ranging from melodic jazz to 80’s inspired speed-metal, there are many different genres at their disposal.

But yet, impressively, the group continues finding new ways to push themselves as songwriters, with Changes standing out as one of their most ambitious releases.

Adopting a more minimalistic approach than its predecessors, Changes focuses on the exploration between a singular chord+key change. Tying in with releases such as Quarters! and Sketches Of Brunswick East, Changes roots itself in a free-flowing jazz style; with melodic key arrangements, meandering guitar licks and unrelenting off-kilter percussion all at the forefront of its sound.

From the enigmatic rattled snare tones on opener ‘Change’ to the unmethodical inclusion of flute on ‘Astroturf’, there’s certainly enough to keep most fans happy, with Changes providing a myriad of atmospheric grooves, dissonant harmonics and lush soundscapes.

Changes isn’t just an album that will appease Gizz fanatics, instead, it’s a release that’ll simultaneously impress music nerds; Gizzverse loyalists and the everyday radio goer to equal extents, with its melodic explorations marking Gizzard’s most accessible release to date.

Label: KGLW Release date: October 28 The Smith Street Band Life After Football

Ageing sucks. No one likes getting older; paying taxes, losing their looks and then eventually dying. And whilst it’s a reasonably predictable aspect of life, it’s a concept that many blokes really struggle with. That’s why The Smith Street Band’s Life After Football is such an important release.

Part Wil Wagner’s personal journal and part ‘How To Be An Ageing Aussie Barfly For Beginners’, Smith Street’s sixth album doesn’t waste any time trying to be cool. Instead, with lyrics covering the monotony of working life; the insecurities of hair loss and the fear of “being no one forever,” Life After Football resonates with a take-it-or-leave-it attitude. This is something that can be said about the band’s output, with the group’s newest effort highlighting a return to their fuzzy distorted origins.

It’s rough around the edges, as pub rock should be. ‘Everyone Is Lying To You For Money’ maintains a manic feeling throughout, with a haphazard nature to its rhythms matching the sullen lyrical content. ‘Dilute’ juxtaposes rapid drum patterns and quick staccato picking with slow drawled vocals, building into a high-stakes crescendo that sees Wagner spewing his vocals out with a rabid slurred cadence.

It’s Smith Street at their finest, with Life After Football highlighting a renewal of the group’s pub rock roots and showing that overall, the group are ageing pretty damn well.

Label: Pool House Records Release date: November 25

OK Smash

OK Smash is the Michael Jordan of Geelong's burger scene.

Arguably one of the best things to come out of 2020 thanks to renowned Igni and Hot Chicken Project chef-restaurateur Aaron Turner, OK Smash has gone from a brilliant pop-up retro sports bar specialising in cheeseburgers and champagne, to a cult figure in Geelong’s burger world with its intimate, fullyfledged burger bar. Moving into the space next door to their previous location, now at 88 Little Malop Street, OK Smash have built up a hefty following of burger obsessors devoted to their killer burgers, hot dogs and delicious beer on tap. As expected regarding Aaron Turner’s outputs, this space was made for good times. Inside, you’re greeted by a gritty fit-out with neon signage and fairy lights strung up over the bar. The room is immersed in a subtle blue glow, with stools at the bar, tables lining one side of the intimate restaurant and a quirky red-light fixture hanging over the front of the bar.

As for the menu, the burger goodness has evolved and expanded with a new larger menu. Serving up double patties, you will find the OG Classic Cheeseburger (beef, American cheese, pickles, ketchup and mustard) and Oklahoma Smash Cheeseburger (beef, American cheese, onions, pickles and sauce), alongside the likes of the mushroom cheeseburger and the Slugburger circa 1917. Served with fries, you can even up the ante and add on an extra patty or two for a couple of extra dollars. Bar the Slugburger which is $15, these works of burger art are all $22.

Having already perfected the art of whipping up mean burgers from scratch that will have you licking your fingers for days with Hot Chicken Project, rest assured you’ll be treated to the same consistency and high quality from the team with these beef burgers, making each bun-wrapped treat a delight.

Worshipping the food of the Gods, OK Smash is here to satisfy our hunger cravings and undying affection for meat in a bun… you won’t regret checking them out.

Where: 88 Little Malop Street, Geelong

Pistol Pete’s Food N Blues

Pistol Pete’s Food n Blues is the Southern feast you’ve been looking for. It’s the only place in the Geelong region where you can taste, smell, hear and actually feel like you are right in the middle of the Southern States – minus the travel fare. Drawing from passions of both blues music and the cuisine of the Southern States, owner, Geelong chef and Blues lover Pete Raimondo has aimed to create a true American experience since opening back in 2014, now creating a place you can go late at night for a full dining experience with a side of amazing live music, or for quality food takeaway while experiencing the true flavours of southern Louisiana. If you are craving a burger from the Southern States, Pistol Pete’s has you covered with more than a dozen burgers, Po Boys and Rolls on the menu.

Spoil yourself with the Mojo Burger, our top pick for Pistol Pete’s. Complete with a mouthwatering 125g beef patty, smokey bacon, baloney, pulled pork, double cheese, cajun onions and BBQ & Creolaise sauces, crowned with a whole pickle. While the Mojo is our go-to, also try the Cajun Burger (Cajun seasoned 125g beef patty, andouille sausage, cajun onions, cheese, creolaise and Louisiana hot sauce), or treat yourself with a Cheese & Bacon BBQ Burger, Tofu Burger or your classic Cheese Burger. It’s the triple cheeseburger though that has earned Pistol Pete’s its stripes as a cult figure in Geelong’s burger world. This beast is stacked high with three 125g beef patties, triple cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion and BBQ sauce, which packs just the right amount of punch.

All burgers are made using 100% Angus Beef with La Madre Buttermilk Bun’s holding the goods together. Gluten-Free rolls are available though if you need them.

Flippin’ patties for almost a decade, Pistol Pete’s was a classic when they opened, and remains a classic in 2022 and beyond.

Where: 93A Little Malop Street, Geelong.