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rock music news welcome to the frontline: the latest touring and music news...with Chris Martin, Tyson Wray and Lauren Gill

follow us:

like us:

@TheBrag

THE BRAG

speed date WITH

Your Profile The band all came together because of 1. this album [Wake The Dreamers] I recorded

with some friends in Portland. We recorded 11 cover songs for a limited release on vinyl. We did it for the love of the songs, and just to see how it would turn out. It was all recorded live onto tape, and most of the versions we used on the album were the first takes. For the release in Sydney, the band (Darren Hanlon, Steph Hughes, Ben Mason and Laura Jean) and I will play the same songs. It is a really

SHELLEY SHORT

fun kind of show for me to do, since I have always only played songs I have written.

Current Playlist Right now I am listening to a lot of 4. mixtapes and The Carter Family, The

Keeping Busy I am from Portland, Oregon, in the 2. States, but have been in Australia since the

Kinks, John Jacob Niles. I saw Laura Jean play a little house show a few weeks ago. She sang a few new songs she had just fi nished, and they were so good. I also got to see Dr John and Aaron Neville in Melbourne. What a fantastic double bill!

beginning of March. Before I left we had a big release show in an old theatre in Portland with the original Sure Shots … It was a really fun but nerve-wracking night. Michael Hurley opened, and that was really special because he wrote one of the songs we covered for the album. Then when I got here, I went on a little tour singing with Darren Hanlon when he played some special venues that had pianos in them, and when he opened for Neko Case. Best Gig Ever The best gig I ever played was probably at 3. The Hollywood Bowling Alley in Portland. It was one of the first shows I ever played. They made me stand at the end of the lane next to the pins while people bowled on either side of me. There was a level of danger and excitement as strikes were scored, the pins crashed, mixed with nerves of my first show and the cheap beer – how could you beat that?

Your Ultimate Rider My ultimate rider would be a big bowl 5. of steamed broccoli, cut up into bite-sized pieces, sprinkled with lemon juice, salt and pepper. It’s a little invention I like to call ‘broc corn’: a healthy alternative to popcorn, and an ultimate snacking experience. Who: Shelley Short and The Sure Shots With: Laura Jean Where: Petersham Bowling Club When: Friday May 23 And: Wake The Dreamers out now through Flippin Yeah

Lily Allen

SHEEZUS IS COMING (LOOK BUSY)

Alongside her headline duties at Splendour In The Grass, Lily Allen will stop by Sydney for a one-off performance this July. The sharp-witted and ever-talented Allen is no stranger to Australian shores, having visited in 2009 on her It’s Not Me, It’s You world tour and then on the 2010 Big Day Out bill. Allen’s 2014 dates follow the release of her latest studio album, Sheezus, which saw her team up with Greg Kurstin (P!nk, Ellie Goulding), DJ Dahi and Shellback. Catch her at the Hordern Pavilion on Friday July 25. A Frontier members’ presale kicks off 2pm Wednesday May 21, while general public tickets go on sale Monday May 26.

King Buzzo

MANAGING EDITOR: Chris Martin chris@thebrag.com 02 9212 4322 ONLINE EDITOR: Tyson Wray ONLINE COORDINATOR: Emily Meller SUB-EDITOR: Georgia Booth STAFF WRITERS: Alasdair Duncan, Jody Macgregor, Krissi Weiss, Augustus Welby NEWS: Lauren Gill, Chris Honnery, Ed Kirkwood, Erin Rooney, Tyson Wray ART DIRECTOR: Sarah Bryant COVER PHOTO: Kate Ryan PHOTOGRAPHERS: Katrina Clarke, Amath Magnan, Ashley Mar ADVERTISING: Georgina Pengelly - 0416 972 081 / (02) 9212 4322 georgina@thebrag.com ADVERTISING: Les White - 0405 581 125 / (02) 9212 4322 les@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 GIG & CLUB GUIDE COORDINATORS: Ed Kirkwood, Emily Meller - gigguide@thebrag.com (rock); clubguide@thebrag.com (dance, hip hop & parties) AWESOME INTERNS: Sarah Corridon, Ed Kirkwood, Erin Rooney REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Nat Amat, Ian Barr, Keiron Costello, Marissa Demetriou, Rachel Eddie, Christie Eliezer, Blake Gallagher, Chris Honnery, Cameron James, Tegan Jones, Lachlan Kanoniuk, Pamela Lee, Alicia Malone, Adam Norris, Daniel Prior, Kate Robertson, Amy Theodore, Leonardo Silvestrini, David Wild, Harry Windsor, 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.

DEADLINES: Editorial: Thursday 12pm (no extensions) Artwork/ad bookings: Friday 5pm (no extensions) Ad cancellations: Tuesday 4pm 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: www.spotpress.com.au 24 – 26 Lilian Fowler Place, Marrickville NSW 2204

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Following Melvins’ co-headline tour of Australia last year alongside Helmet, their beloved frontman King Buzzo is returning on his debut solo acoustic tour Down Under. It’ll be novel to see Roger ‘Buzz’ Osborne, the monarch of metal, in stripped-back mode for the first time – but it all comes on the back of his maiden solo and acoustic album, This Machine Kills Artists. Has this machine killed King Buzzo’s appetite for rockin’ out loud? We doubt it. Following a 38-date tour of the US, King Buzzo will weave his way across Australia, reaching Newcastle’s Small Ballroom on Wednesday August 20 and Newtown Social Club on Thursday August 21. A Frontier presale begins at noon on Monday May 26, while general public tickets go on sale 10am Thursday May 29.

SHAKE YOUR BON, BON

Joe Bonamassa will return to Australia this September. The tour will see him play shows in Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth, with Bonamassa splitting each night in half and offering audiences both a full acoustic and full electric set. Bonamassa will kick the night off with his acoustic band – Gerry O’Connor (fiddle/mandolin), Mats Wester (Swedish keyed fiddle) and Lenny Castro (percussion). This will be the first time Australian audiences will see Bonamassa performing a full acoustic set. When electric mode kicks in, Bonamassa will be joined by his touring band of Carmine Rojas (bass), Tal Bergman (drums), and new keyboardist Derek Sherinian. Catch the show at the State Theatre on Sunday September 14.

February 27 and at A Day On The Green at Bimbadgen Winery in the Hunter Valley on Saturday February 28. The respective presales begin Wednesday May 21, while general public tickets go on sale 9am Tuesday May 27.

The Holidays will hit the road this winter for an east coast tour in support of their latest single, ‘Tongue Talk’. The track is the third lifted from the Sydney four-piece’s second album, Real Feel. After the success of the LP the band has been forced to book bigger venues, making the upcoming tour their biggest yet. Catch The Holidays at the Metro Theatre on Friday June 13.

BOO YAH, BONJAH

Bonjah have announced their most extensive national tour yet in support of their critically acclaimed new album Beautiful Wild. From July to October, the band will play 20 shows across six states. Expect to hear Beautiful Wild in full as well as cuts from their past two albums. Bonjah will play at Newtown Social Club on Friday September 19.

Neurosis

CITY AND COLOUR

Dallas Green, AKA City And Colour, will play the Sydney Opera House in July. Green’s debut Concert Hall set will also be his only Australian sideshow for Splendour In The Grass this year. It’ll be an intimate performance from the Canadian songwriter, spanning his full career. It all goes down on Thursday July 24. Tickets are on sale 9am Thursday May 22.

xxxx

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IT’S HOLIDAY SEASON

WHAT’S THE BUZZ

ROXETTE

Legendary Swedish pop-rockers Roxette have announced that they are returning to Australia early next year. One of Sweden’s biggest exports, the duo is best known for seminal tracks such as ‘Listen To Your Heart’, ‘How Do You Do’, ‘Spending My Time’, ‘Joyride’ and ‘The Look’, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary of reaching number one on the US Billboard Chart in 1989. They’ll be joined on the tour by Boom Crash Opera. See Roxette at Qantas Credit Union Arena on Friday

IT’S NEUROSIS TIME

Metal giants Neurosis will embark on their first-ever tour of Australia this August. Neurosis’ devoted fans consider them one of the most innovative bands on the scene – willing to experiment and develop where others stay static. The Bay Area group started out as a hardcore punk band in the ’80s before graduating into the complex beast it is today. Neurosis make their Sydney debut at Manning Bar on Saturday August 9.

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live & local

free stuff

welcome to the frontline: what’s goin’ on around town...with Chris Martin and Ed Kirkwood

head to: thebrag.com/freeshit

five things WITH

COLLARBONES MEETS SYNERGY PERCUSSION

CARLOS VELAZQUEZ, CESAR MARIN AND STEVE MARIN FROM SON VENENO Your Band Our band Son Veneno 3. started here in Sydney just over

Growing Up Inspirations We all come from musical An advantage of growing 1. 2. families. It’s a very common thing up in Australia is that we have for a lot of Latinos. You either grow up singing, playing an instrument, dancing at any given opportunity or you play football/sport… or all of the above! Our parents were professional singers. We grew up in a musical household so it was a very natural thing for us to get involved with.

so many diverse cultures mixed together. We have been exposed to so many different styles of music so we have a broad range of musical tastes. Anything from soul, reggae, rock, jazz and funk music, to Afro-Cuban ensembles like Irakere and Los Van Van.

15 years ago. A lot of us met as family friends. Our parents were actively involved with gigs and events so a few of us grew up as ‘muso kids’. Other guys we met as musicians working in the scene. We’re all like family now after so many years. We started the band with the intention of creating an ‘Aussie’ band with Afro-Latin influences as opposed to a traditional Latin cover band. The live band usually works as an 11-12 piece: two to three percussionists, a horn section, guitar, piano, bass and almost everyone sings. It’s a pretty big and thick wall of sound when it’s all going! The Music You Make We make a lot of music… 4. most of the guys in the band

Music, Right Here, Right Now 5. It’s been a unique experience for most of us, being second and third generation musicians in Sydney. We’ve seen the peaks and troughs over the years. The scene is in a healthy state from a musical point of view. There are so many amazingly talented local musicians that could easily cut it on the global stage… Milan, Gang Of Brothers, Watussi and Diana Rouvas spring to mind as good examples of this. With: C Major, DJ Dante, DJ Donbear, DJ Agee Ortiz, D-Minus, Latin Junction Where: Jam Gallery When: Saturday May 24

PRINCESS KATE

Brother-sister duo The Acfi elds, or Dan and Hannah to their friends, perfected their harmonies on many a family road trip. It’s all led to their release of recent single ‘Grabbed Me By The Heart’, which has had airplay on triple j, Radio National and ABC Local. The pair will head out on tour to launch the track, stopping in at Mars Hill Cafe in Parramatta on Saturday June 14 ahead of their crowd-funded debut album, due to drop in September.

HERE COMES THE BRIDIE

Described by The Age as “the album this country needs ... passionate, intelligent and inspired,” David Bridie’s Wake will be the focus of his set at Camelot Lounge this Sunday May 25. Bridie will also launch his new video to his ‘Shortest Day Of The Year’ single. It’s the third clip in a series of filmic music videos off the album, which includes his video for ‘Delegate’ – the winner of the Nevada International Film Festival award for best music video. Bridie will be backed up onstage by Amanda Brown of Go-Betweens fame. Support for the show will be provided by Marlon Williams, earmarked as one to watch.

Ed Kuepper

Kate Miller-Heidke

SLAYTANIC SWILLFEST

Hands up who likes beer? What about metal? Yeah, that’s what we thought. There’s no better place for you to be this Sunday May 25 than Frankie’s Pizza, where the popular night-time hotspot is launching its new beer, the 6.66% alcohol (oh yeah) Satanic Swill Blood Red Ale. They’re calling the night the Slaytanic Swillfest, and conjuring the demons onstage will be the likes of Blood Duster, Killrazer, As Silence Breaks, Bastardizer, Recoil, Sumeru, Gutter Tactic and Steelswarm. Bring your thirst.

HAZLEWOOD AND VELLA

Kiyomi Vella and Ben Hazlewood have banded together to embark on a new east coast tour. Vella was the breakout star of ‘Team Joel’ on season two of The Voice, and her quirky outfits and unstoppable vocal chords are building her a solid fan base. However, Hazlewood did it all first, starring in season one of the program. Vella and Hazlewood promise a night bursting with spine-tingling rock ballads. See them together on Saturday May 24 at The Roxbury and Sunday May 25 at the Brass Monkey.

MERE WOMEN

Sydney trio Mere Women are set to release their second full-length effort later in the year. Titled Your Town, the record captures them in all their post-punk glory. Due to arrive on Friday July 25 through Poison City Records, the LP comes off their back of their critically acclaimed debut record, Old Life, and harnesses their abrasive pop sounds as well as their more brooding, sombre moments. They’ll play live at Black Wire Records on Friday June 13, The Imperial on Friday June 20 and Newtown Social Club on Thursday August 28.

Rock’N’Roll & Alternative Markets

ROCK’N’ROLL & ALTERNATIVE MARKETS

Far from your average Saturday morning market, Sydney’s Rock’N’Roll & Alternative Markets are happening again next Sunday June 1. Outgrowing their original birthplace in Tempe, the markets can now be found in Manning House amongst the picturesque grounds of Sydney University. Describing itself as part-market and part-festival, the event boasts a massive amount of stallholders from around the state, stocking a huge range of vintage, alternative and rock’n’roll clothing; vinyl records; DVDs; posters; books and much more. You’ll also find a massive live entertainment bill in Manning Bar, featuring Shaggin’ Wagon, Hank’s Jalopy Demons, Martin Cilia, West Texas Crude and more.

thebrag.com

Ed Kuepper photo by Judi Dransfi eld Kuepper

NEWTOWN SOCIAL CLUB

The word on Newtown Social Club’s fresh new band room is that it sounds mighty fine indeed – but are you surprised? If you haven’t checked it out yet, this week’s a good time to do it. After Dustin Tebbutt’s sold-out shows on Wednesday May 21 and Thursday May 22 comes the legendary Ed Kuepper, who’s launching his Return Of The MailOrder Bridegroom album (head to p. 30 for our full review). Kuepper is of course the co-founder of iconic Australian punk band The Saints, but he’s been dabbling in solo work for 30-odd years now. In support is Jonny Casino.

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Since grouping together in 2010, Melbourne alternative dance-rock band Northeast Party House has always prided itself on electrifying live shows, supporting the likes of Ball Park Music, Midnight Juggernauts and The Jungle Giants. The five lads are pleased as punch to have dropped their debut album, Any Given Weekend, and we’re celebrating by giving away copies to a couple of lucky readers, ahead of Northeast Party House’s shows at the Beach Road Hotel on Wednesday June 25, Newtown Social Club on Saturday June 28 and The Lair at the Metro on Sunday June 29. To put yourself in the running for a CD, visit thebrag.com/ freeshit and tell us about the craziest house party you’ve ever been to.

Kiyomi Vella

The unstoppable Kate Miller-Heidke has revealed a slew of national tour dates, including several regional NSW stops and one in Penrith. The tour follows the independent release of her fourth album, O Vertigo!, and an upcoming date at the Sydney Opera House for Vivid LIVE on Monday May 26. Miller-Heidke wowed the masses at Bluesfest this year with her colourful vocal talents, but this time she’ll perform with a full band. See her at Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre in Penrith on Saturday August 16 and Newcastle City Hall on Friday August 22.

THE ACFIELDS

PARTY IN THE HOUSE

xxx Kate Miller-Heidke photo by Jo Duck

write which is great. We have a lot of variety with our original material, anything from R&B, soul and funk to rock but all with an Afro-Latin edge. We relate a lot to bands like Ozomatli and Irakere. Son Veneno has released three albums as a band and we have

all released other albums as solo artists and collaborations with other musicians and ensembles. Carlos has been producing artists for many years as well and has worked with artists such as T-Pain. People can expect a very entertaining show when they see us live.

Things are about to get all experimental and new wave at the Seymour Centre for the Vivid Sydney festival season and its music program. The innovative New Wave: Sound shows are a series of visual and sonic spectacles featuring artists in collaboration as they herald a new era of performance. On Friday June 6, the Synergy Percussion crew re-imagine Collarbones’ soundscapes; layers of harmony and melody are treated with acoustic percussion manipulated in real time. For your chance to win one of two double passes, head to thebrag.com/freeshit and tell us about a time you experimented and discovered something new.

N’ K ’ GE OC STA E R ON LIV LL RO

MOJO

Mojo Jukebox

BY JEZ BUTTERWORTH

Get in the mood with our 50s rock playlist sydneytheatre. com.au /magazine

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Industrial Strength Music Industry News with Christie Eliezer

BUDGET IMPLICATIONS

THINGS WE HEAR * The ID scanners for 35 licensed venues in the Kings Cross area, that were meant to be introduced last December, will be installed in June, new NSW Hospitality Minister Troy Grant told parliament. * CDs, DVDs and games are becoming less important components of JB Hi-Fi’s total sales. According to Business Review Weekly, these rate 20%, while they were 26% of total sales three years ago. * An online museum of Bruce Springsteen memorabilia will launch to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Born In The

U.S.A. BlindedByTheLight. com will feature over 300 objects ranging from concert posters to handwritten lyrics. * Brisbane-based record producer Magoo and wife Tylea Croucher have put their studio and home Applewood back on the market for $675,000. They listed the property for sale in 2012 but failed to get a buyer. * Hamish Blake and Andy Lee have applied to lease Iron Island, near the coast of Mackay in Queensland, for a year. * The Kickstarter campaign to buy the lost Aphex Twin album raised ÂŁ40,000.

NEW PROJECT TO DEVELOP ABORIGINAL MUSIC CAREERS APRA AMCOS will launch a new program to develop, support and nurture Aboriginal musicians across NSW. Its $65,000 of funding comes from the NSW Government as part of its Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Strategy. While buoyed by the success abroad of Gurrumul and Jessica Mauboy, NSW Minister for the Arts Troy Grant admitted, “There are still challenges to overcome for many indigenous musicians.� Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Victor Dominello added, “Music is an integral part of Aboriginal culture and identity, and it is a medium through which we tell the story of Australia’s First People.� APRA AMCOS’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office will develop and manage the program, which will tap Aboriginal musicians from four regional towns and one urban area to develop their skills, promote their work and access mainstream music markets. APRA AMCOS CEO Brett Cottle said the program would help the Music

* SHiNOBi, whose new single ‘Snakeskin’ is their biggest to date, are fronted by Eric Grothe, Jr., who scored a great try for the Cronulla Sharks in a trial match against Manly Sea Eagles at the start of 2014. * To protect them from the spit and blood of drunken aggressive clubbers, Gold Coast security firm HD Secure introduced industrial safety glasses and gloves for its bouncers. * NSW pubs raised $490,000 for the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Matthew Talbot Homeless Services through its Hotels Have Hearts gala fundraiser.

Office’s work across Australia. “Mentoring and developing songwriting skills early on is key for building the knowledge and confidence needed to pursue a sustainable music career.�

AUSSIE MANAGEMENT TEAMS WITH EMINEM’S MANAGER Australian management company Milton Archer – which handles The Aston Shuffle, Sneaky Sound System, Hook N Sling and 360’s co-producer and co-writer Styalz Fuego – has teamed up with US management Deckstar. Set up in 2006 by Eminem’s manager Paul Rosenburg, its roster includes Blink-182, Nervo, Waka Flocka Flame, Rancid and Fischerspooner. Andrew Jackson, who launched Milton Archer in 2011, has moved to Los Angeles. “As our roster continues to reach new heights, my business needs to grow with them. The support and expertise that the team at Deckstar offers will both assist and promote that growth. I’ve known and worked with many of their crew for almost ten years and can’t wait to see what we can do together.�

Community radio managed to retain its $17.7 million funding in last week’s federal budget. But arts funding took a hit of $87.1 million over the next four years, with the Australia Council hit the hardest. This is of particular concern to the contemporary music industry, as the Council’s initiatives to support indie labels, overseas tours and recordings have been paying off. The ABC and SBS also took hits. Film productions through Screen Australia and a grant to help video game developers were also affected. Interestingly, some things never change: the ABC broadcast of the budget drew 967,000 viewers, while The Voice got 1.722 million viewers.

WHICH HIP HOPPERS REFERENCE DRUGS THE MOST? A study of hip hop lyrics in database RapGenius by US drugs information and education group Project Know claims Eminem, Lil B and Three 6 Mafia make the most drug references. Eminem mentioned prescription drugs the most. Lil B topped cocaine mentions, followed by Death Grips and Ice-T. Three 6 Mafia were the most marijuana-fixated, followed by Afroman and The Roots. Lil Wayne and Lupe Fiasco were, ahem, high on the MDMA chart, also topped by Lil B.

SYDNEY PASSES CULTURAL ACTION PLAN The City of Sydney last week passed its ambitious Cultural Policy and Action Plan, following on from April’s endorsement of the 57-point Live Music Matters action plan. The Cultural Policy and Action Plan features 120 action points, including: working with commercial developers to incorporate 1.6 million square metres of empty commercial and residential spaces for soundproofed rehearsal rooms and affordable rentals for musos; more outdoor events; funding of up to $2,000 to test out small creative projects; more contemporary music forums in libraries; and a thinker-in-residence to come up with ideas to motivate the music scene – an idea that worked in South Australia.

REDLINE MUSIC CLOSES?

E HIFI 1300 THO M.AU

THEHIFI.C

Coming Soon

Sydney promoter Redline Music was reportedly closing on the weekend after three years due to alleged financial issues. The Corrosion Of Conformity tour in July has been cancelled for the time being as a result.

THE VANNS SIGN WITH BIG TREE NSW’s The Vanns have signed a booking deal with Big Tree Artists, just as they release new single ‘Guilty Love’. The band’s change in direction means a recently announced tour has been axed. The hardworking group, formed in 2012, plays a oneoff gig in Wollongong on June 6.

THE EDGE SEEKING A PRESENTER Fri 30 May

Sat 31 May

Kingswood

Cubanizate

The Australian Radio Network’s urban station The Edge 96.ONE is seeking an on-air presenter through a competition until May 30. See 961.com.au for all details. Based in Sydney, The Edge broadcasts nationally.

TAKE THAT FACE HUGE TAX BILL

Fri 20 Jun

Fri 27 Jun

Sat 28 Jun

Band of Skulls (USA)

The Crimson ProjeKCt

First Soundz feat. DJ Maveriq, Sequel, URKii + More

Sat 5 Jul

Fri 11 Jul

Wed 23 Jul

Wed 13 Aug

Kelis

Hanson

Bell X1

Tankard

(GER)

Take That may have to pay £20 million in tax after a UK tribunal ruled they and others took part in a huge tax avoidance scheme. A judge ruled that Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen and manager Jonathan Wilde put £66 million into a music industry investment program called Icebreaker, which turned out to be an illegal tax shelter. It is claimed they avoided paying tax on £63 million from tours and CD sales. An MP demanded Barlow return his OBE medal but PM David Cameron dismissed it. 1000 investors put a total of £480 million into the scheme. Take That’s lawyers say the band members put money into what they thought was a legitimate scheme and that they pay considerable tax.

SURPRISES AT ONE NIGHT STAND

Sat 23 Aug

Sat 27 Sep

Sat 22 Nov

Kid Ink

Rebel Souljahz (USA)

Toxic Holocaust & Iron Reagan

Triple J’s One Night Stand concert in Mildura before 17,000 fans was full of surprises. Headliner Illy, who finished off his set with confetti cannons, earlier brought on Drapht to perform ‘YoYo’ and Vance Joy to play ‘Riptide’. Dan Sultan used Kingswood on backing vocals and Seamus Davidson on banjo for a rousing

‘The Same Man’. Nicole Millar joined RĂœFĂœS on ‘Unforgiven’ while Raul Sanchez from Magic Dirt filled in on guitar for Violent Soho.

THE CREASES JOIN MUSHROOM GROUP Brisbane’s offbeat The Creases have joined the Mushroom Group, signing globally to Liberation Music and Mushroom Music Publishing. They’ve just released a new single, ‘Static Lines’, with an east coast tour to come next month. This year The Creases toured the UK and US, and are currently playing English dates.

Lifelines Born: son Sonny for Hamish Blake and his wife Zoe FosterBlake, their first. Dating (reportedly): recently “consciously uncoupled� Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and TV host Alexa Chung were spotted together in New York. Dating: Sunshine Coast-born international DJ Tydi and singer Brianna Cuoco, sister of The Big Bang Theory’s Kaley. Engaged: British singer/actress Natalia Kills and NZ musician Willy Moon. Injured: Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson ended up with an eye patch after an accident during a video shoot. In Court: Jay-Z and the Los Angeles Police Department dropped an investigation into an alleged extortion plot by a producer regarding Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella Records lost master recordings. The LAPD will keep the recordings until ownership is established. Jailed: As I Lay Dying singer Tim Lambesis for six years for trying to hire a hitman to kill his wife. Accused: a fifth person has claimed to have been be sexually abused by Michael Jackson. James Safechuck, who as a 10-year-old featured in Jackson’s 1987 Pepsi commercial, initially denied he was molested but said he changed his mind after he had children of his own. Died: Swiss futuristic surrealist artist H.R. Giger, 74, after a fall. Best known for work on the Alien, Prometheus and Batman Forever movies, he was in demand from musicians for cover art and stage design. Blondie’s Chris Stein used his designs on his ‘Gigerstein’ guitar, while Korn singer Jonathan Davis got him to create a “biomechanical, erotic and moveable� mic stand. Died: original Foreigner bassist Ed Gagliardi, 62, after battling cancer for eight years. He was with the band from 1976 to 1979. Died: mysterious Canadian experimental musician Nash The Slash, 66. He wrapped his face in gauze and appeared onstage in a tuxedo. Real name Jeff Plewman, his 1977 album with FM, Black Noise, went platinum. Died: British artist Patrick Woodroffe, 74. Known for his fantasy-themed work in paintings, etchings and sculpture, he also created covers for Pallas’ The Sentinel, The Strawbs’ Burning For You and Stratovarius’ Fright Night. Died: Swedish film director, Malik Bendjelloul, the man behind the Oscar-winning music documentary Searching For Sugar Man, took his own life at 36. Died: US film and TV composer William Olvis, 56, of throat cancer. His themes included Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Gabriel’s Fire and Life Goes On. Died: original Judas Priest guitarist Ernie Chataway, 62.

ENTERTAINMENT QUARTER, BUILDING 220, 122 LANG RD, MOORE PARK, SYDNEY

12 :: BRAG :: 563 :: 21:05:14

thebrag.com

Sharing the thrill of the Vivid festival. Sharing the thrill of Sydney. We are putting on quite a performance for Vivid Sydney with a spectacular light show, mouth-watering food, celebratory drinks and unique city views. Plus, we’ve got our very own rooftop bar, Vivid Lounge at Sky Terrace. It’s all here in one convenient location, with ferry and light rail access as well as underground parking. It’s the perfect place to start or end your night. For more information visit star.com.au/vividsydney

80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol.

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SNEAKY SPICE VS

A

ncient Chinese philosopher Chuang Tzu famously laid out the aphorism, “When the shoe fits, the foot is forgotten.” It’s a notion that could be applied to good DJing. A skilled DJ establishes a reliable atmosphere and takes you on an adventure, without it feeling as though a taste agenda is being forced on you. Two people well acquainted with this delicate craft are Sydney DJ and club owner Murat Kilic and Sneaky Sound System songwriter and producer Black Angus (Angus McDonald). “I really believe that the best [DJs] are the ones that go in directions that are least expected,” says Kilic. “That’s a true talent and a lot of people don’t have it, to be frank. The whole magic of a DJ set, which gets people excited, is that unexpectedness.” “I think it’s critical that you keep it unplanned,” McDonald adds. “That’s really what the art of DJing is. You just go with the vibe, really.”

“I remember Gus walked in [to Spice] one Saturday night at about four in the morning,” Kilic recalls. “I was playing and naturally when my friends come along we chuck on a few tunes. It was working really well and we thought, ‘Fuck, this is alright.’” “We found common ground,”

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McDonald agrees. “Obviously nothing was prepared then and nothing will be prepared on Saturday either. We just bounce off each other and let the night take us.” “It’s good for us both to connect on that level,” adds Kilic. “It’s like we’re catching up without talking to each other. You’re kind of finishing off each other’s sentences.” These days it seems like everyone’s a budding DJ. Facebook feeds are mottled with advertisements for someone or other’s entrance into venue soundtracking. The proliferation of amateur DJs isn’t quite destroying nighttime culture as we know it, but appreciation for specialty DJing has certainly dimmed. “There’s some people who are really good at it and some people who are just playing records,” McDonald says. “Unfortunately the crowds have become less discerning. Spice is one of those magical places where you can’t get away with doing that. You’ve got to be on form, you’ve got to know what you’re doing.” No matter the breadth of experience, a club DJ’s essential assignment is ensuring that everyone gathered has a damn good time. Even if you’re adamant about broadcasting your encyclopedic music knowledge, this shouldn’t compromise the vibrancy of the occasion.

“You’ve just got to get the balance right,” says McDonald. “There’s places that can handle getting a proper techno lesson and there’s other places [where] they just want to party; they just want to pick up a girl and have a good time. You’ve got to read the crowd.” “A true artist and DJ always wants to educate the crowd,” Kilic says, “but an artist who’s got one foot in reality will try to play to the room a little. You always get the self-indulgent ones that don’t give a shit and just play what they want to play anyway. “I find a lot of guys that are good producers, who have really bomb hits, are actually really average DJs. It goes to show that it’s not for everyone and it’s a combination of different skills.” Meanwhile, much like performing original music, McDonald notes that presenting anything in conflict with one’s own tastes or beliefs is rather inexpedient. “A DJ should only be carrying records that they love anyway. There’s always a way, with good records, to make them work with pretty much any crowd. Having those cheap shots, big hits in your back pocket that you don’t like – as soon as you go down that path you’re screwed.” Despite Kilic and McDonald’s propensity to work the decks for hours – that 12-hour set ran from 10pm until

10am – it’s no longer feasible in the current political environment. “We’ve gone for four hours this year, mainly because of the lockout,” Kilic explains. “Between three and five [Spice] can’t serve booze, so we’ve only rostered ourselves on until three. Although we stay open between three and five and we re-open at five, we’ve found that a lot of our patronage leave between three and five. We get about 50 per cent leave. So we’ve just re-jigged the lineup to deal with the situation dealt out by our corrupt government.” Kilic is of course referring to the compulsory 1:30am lockouts and prohibition of alcohol service after 3:00am in Sydney’s CBD, introduced by former NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell early this year. The new laws came in response to a few incidents of devastating late night violence. While action needed to be taken, Kilic says the laws hardly tackle the problem directly – and deal out harsh results for business. “Our revenue’s dropped over 40 per cent on Saturday nights as a result,” Kilic reveals. “It’s definitely hurting us and for no apparent reason either. We’re part of the solution for this alcohol-related violence. We’re one of the venues that people can come to and dance in a safe environment, along with Goodgod Small Club, Oxford Art Factory. All these places have a music reputation and have a reputation for having people dance.

“A TRUE ARTIST AND DJ ALWAYS WANTS TO EDUCATE THE CROWD,” KILIC SAYS, “BUT AN ARTIST WHO’S GOT ONE FOOT IN REALITY WILL TRY TO PLAY TO THE ROOM A LITTLE. YOU ALWAYS GET THE SELF-INDULGENT ONES THAT DON’T GIVE A SHIT AND JUST PLAY WHAT THEY WANT TO PLAY ANYWAY.”

“The saddest part is that no-one’s really doing anything. There’s no real momentum from anybody. When it happened in Melbourne there were a couple of groups that rallied and there was a big protest and they got it overturned within six months. Sydney doesn’t seem to have that same activist culture that Melbourne does.” Even without the lockout laws, Sydney tends to become a fairly quiet place in the wintertime. However, since its inauguration in 2009, the Vivid festival has capably dragged people out of their midyear fireside languor. “I think it’s fantastic,” says McDonald. “The curating’s been pretty spot on for the last few years. I think it’s a great way to break up the year. It’s great having an event to get people out.” And on that note, while the future might look dire for many of the inner city’s favourite nightclubs, Sneaky vs Spice nevertheless promises to be an unfettered celebration. “I can’t wait,” McDonald enthuses. “I’m looking forward to digging deep into the hard drives. Last time the dancefloor was full from about ten until eight in the morning.” “It’s a good chance for me and Angus to catch up,” says Kilic, “and we’ll invite all of our friends. It’s always a good time – a lot of tequila shots getting bandied about.” Where: Sneaky vs Spice as part of Vivid Sydney 2014 With: Black Angus, Murat Kilic, Mike Witcombe, Cassette, Robbie Lowe Where: The Spice Cellar When: Saturday May 24

thebrag.com

Black Angus and Murat Kilic photo by Kate Ryan

This Saturday, as part of Vivid Music’s Spice Spektrum program (held at Kilic’s club, The Spice Cellar), the pair will combine their respective skills for a night of backto-back tune selection. The Sneaky vs Spice showcase isn’t Kilic and McDonald’s first dual engagement. In fact, the last time they manned the decks together the set endured for a whopping 12 hours. The chemistry came naturally.

LOSE YOURSELF TO DANCE•BY AUGUSTUS WELBY

We’ve got no footy screens and no pokies so we don’t get that rowdy drinking element that comes in.

ILLUMINATE

WEDNESDAYS THURSDAYS

BLUE

LA FEMME S C H L E P P G E I S T BOHEME (GERMANY)

MAY 28

JUNE 4

MAY 29

NICKYSIANO (NYC / STUDIO 54)

JUNE 5

THESPICECELLAR.COM.AU

SPICE SPEKTRUM THE COLOURS OF THE SPICE CELLAR

GREEN

FRIDAYS

PINK LLOYD MAY 23

SATURDAYS

RED

JAD & THE SNEAKY LADYBOY VS SPICE MAY 30

MAY 24

SLEEP D PROSUMER LIVE (OSTGUT TON / PLAYHOUSE / DE)

MAY 31

JUNE 6

BENNY GRAUER (MOODMUSIC / BERLIN)

JUNE 7

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Slim Jim Phantom Everyone Loves A Drummer By Meg Crawford

S

lim Jim Phantom, the charismatic stand-up drummer, is a star in his own right. It’s not overstating it to say he’s the godfather of modern rockabilly, having made his name as the drummer for US exports Stray Cats, the band that pretty much single-handedly saved rockabilly from obscurity at the onset of the ’80s. Since then, while still performing with Stray Cats intermittently, he’s had some extraordinary side projects, including The Head Cat alongside Motörhead’s Lemmy and Kat Men with Imelda May’s guitarist Darrel Higham. Along the way he’s also managed to play with Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Keith Richards, among others; it’s all a veritable who’s who of rock’n’roll royalty. Slim Jim’s not a name-dropper, though. He’s a modest, hard-working dude who’s had a fascinating life and a long-standing love affair with rockabilly. “We [with Stray Cats’ Brian Setzer and Lee Rocker] were playing together since school and we were looking for something different,” Phantom remembers. “The first time I became aware of it was when I heard Elvis’ ‘Blue Moon Of Kentucky’ on a jukebox

in a club we were playing at. It had a profound effect on me. Rockabilly rocks and swings at the same time – it has a sound and a style built into it. There was also room for us to put our own interpretation on it.” Phantom was only 18 when Stray Cats formed and by the time he was 21 they were on tour supporting The Rolling Stones. You might think this would be daunting, but really it was the product of a hard slog. “It was a great experience,” he smiles. “We were really excited, but we were also really ready. By the time we started and played with the Stones, we had already done 500 shows. We went to England in June 1980. We initially were knocking on doors and homeless for a bit, but by the time 1981 came around we had been playing fi ve nights a week, four sets a night. We were very good at it. So while we were excited and honoured, we were defi nitely prepared. It certainly wasn’t luck – it was a combination of opportunity and preparation. “It’s now 30 years later,” he continues, “and as a drummer in this very special thing, I can still make a living. It’s unusual for a

drummer not to be anonymous. Also, we touched a raw nerve at a young age and it turns out that it’s not been a fl ash in the pan. If you told me back then how my life would turn out and who I would get to play with, I would have sold my soul and signed on the dotted line right there and then, even if the deal was that it would last for only fi ve years.” As an expert proponent of the rockabilly genre, it’s only apt that Phantom has a podcast devoted to it called The Big Beat, which goes out live. “I cover a lot of crazy people,” he laughs. “I talk about rockabilly and the ABCs of it, but I also get into some obscure stuff.” At the end of the day, it’s clear that Slim Jim Phantom’s only concern is to make other people love rockabilly just as much as he still does. With: Fireballs Where: Factory Theatre When: Monday June 9 (early show, from 3pm)

Killer Be Killed New Frontiers By Rod Whitfield

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upergroups, on the whole, are a pretty hit-and-miss affair. In fact, they regularly tend more towards the ‘miss’ end of the spectrum than the ‘hit’, often not living up to the sum of their parts. New heavy rockers Killer Be Killed buck that trend. The band features four absolute luminaries from the heavy music scene, and the self-titled album they’ve just released is attaining rave reviews.

different from Soulfly, and Soulfly is totally different from Dillinger Escape Plan – it came out really different.”

Although the four members have backgrounds in heavy music, their main projects occupy diametrically different styles of rock, and it’s unlikely anyone would have picked these particular members to wind up doing a project together. Arguably the highest-profile member, Max Cavalera of Sepultura, Soulfly, Cavalera Conspiracy and Nailbomb fame, says it’s those very diverse backgrounds that make Killer Be Killed such a different listening experience.

“Those bands don’t even mix – we don’t even have the same crowds, it’s kind of crazy, you know? Like, Mastodon have their own crowd, Dillinger’s got their own crowd, Soulfl y have their own crowd. That’s the crazy part, that we mixed all of this together and made it into one thing. I’m just curious to see how the crowd’s going to react. I think they’re going to like it – I honestly think they’re going to think it’s cool.”

“If it was really similar guys, like if I was doing this with [members from] Lamb Of God, DevilDriver and Machine Head – it would have been cool, don’t get me wrong, it still would have been cool – but it would have been maybe a little bit more what people would expect. Because me and Troy [Sanders, bassist from Mastodon] and Greg [Puciato, Dillinger Escape Plan vocalist] and Dave [Elitch, former Mars Volta drummer] are so really different – you know, Mastodon is totally

Unfortunately, at this stage Cavalera may have to wait a little while to have that curiosity satiated, as the new foursome may not be able to find time in the demanding schedules of their main acts to tour Killer Be Killed until 2015.

With such massive differences between the members and their respective bands, Cavalera is interested to see how their various audiences will mix once Killer Be Killed eventually hit the road and play live.

“I’m busy with Soulfly and Cavalera until the end of the year, and Greg’s busy with Dillinger and Troy’s busy with Mastodon – we’re all doing a bunch of festivals,” he says. No

stranger to our shores, though, Cavalera is confident that Killer Be Killed’s touring plans in 2015 will include Australia. “Hopefully we can come down and do a festival in Australia, one of the big festivals you’ve got down there.” In the more immediate future, Soulfl y’s touring plans take Cavalera into uncharted territory very shortly, and a country you wouldn’t normally associate with a heavy metal tour.

Ry X

Achieving the right sense of intimacy in a live show brings its own set of challenges, especially in a festival context, when often curators are looking for an act that can get people jumping around.

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y X, otherwise known as Ry Cuming, has undergone something of a musical metamorphosis. Originally from the small town of Angourie in New South Wales, he has been based in LA and Berlin for the last decade. His first album, the self-titled Ry Cuming, seemed like the start of a promising career in sun-soaked indie rock. Yet his 2013 Berlin EP, released after a two-year hiatus, took a noticeably darker turn. According to Cuming, his transformation has less to do with geography than with coming from a place of honesty.

About to embark on a whirlwind European festival circuit, followed by appearances at Splendour In The Grass and Oxford Art Factory, Ry X is definitely accustomed to being on the road. Back in 2010, he supported Maroon 5 for their European tour in a string of shows as Ry Cuming. Not quite the ‘dream come true’ he expected, it triggered a long period of introspection and re-evaluation. 16 :: BRAG :: 563 :: 21:05:14

What: Killer Be Killed out now through Nuclear Blast

It was just like someone offering up this raw emotion and me being like, ‘Fuck yeah, I want that.’”

Raw Power By Emily Meller

“I just felt like I’d stripped away all the bullshit and, for me, it was really rad to walk onto stage or walk into a recording studio and do it exactly how I wanted to and not how I thought I needed to,” Cuming says. “I think that, in a way, that was my first real step as an artist – to be exactly true to myself.”

“Yeah, we’re heading to Kazakhstan next week,” he says. “I’m really excited, we’ve never been there before … they’re very excited to have us and those shows are always great. Some of those fans [have been] waiting 30 years to see me play live, and that’s pretty exciting.”

“Festivals are hard, to be honest. Sometimes I wonder if it really converts in a festival because it is such an intimate experience. I have really worked hard to make sure Ry X shows are very, very intimate and not trying to change a set or cater to a room to try and get people’s attention. “In terms of the smaller shows, those things are really, really precious and really intimate. In Europe lately it’s been a lot of old churches and chapels and beautiful old places that are cool in that sense of reverence straight away. It can be hard to bring that to festivals.

“I guess one of the main things I learned on that tour is that I didn’t necessarily really want to be in the same space, and that was a huge lesson for me. I didn’t really want to be in the pop world… I couldn’t really get onstage and ‘entertain’ people.” It seems like a cliché for the struggling artist to run away and try to make it in Berlin. But the German city wasn’t always the mecca of hip it is today. Back then its artistic underbelly was less celebrated, making it the perfect place to inspire exploration. It was here that Ry X started to develop Berlin. Noticeably darker,

this is the atmosphere he has tried to tap into while recording his full-length album over the last six months. Indeed, an emotional rawness connects all of Ry X’s material – from his work with Frank Wiedemann on ‘Howling’ to UK-based collaboration, The Acid, there is a sense of the extremely personal being divulged. This is partly based on the influence of artists like Jeff Buckley, Nirvana and Pearl Jam, who had a huge bearing on Cuming’s decision to start making music. “I don’t necessarily sit down and listen to Jeff Buckley anymore, but it’s still part of the thread.

“But,” he adds, “it can also be a really, really sacred experience.” What: Splendour In The Grass 2014 With: Outkast, Two Door Cinema Club, Lily Allen, London Grammar and many more Where: North Byron Parklands, Byron Bay When: Friday July 25 – Sunday July 27 And: Also appearing at Oxford Art Factory on Tuesday July 29, and as part of The Acid at Goodgod Small Club on Wednesday July 23 More: Berlin out now through Dumont Dumont thebrag.com

SECRET SOUNDS presents

the HEAD and the HEART with SPECIAL GUESTS

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The Bohicas A Pint O’ McGuinness By Krissi Weiss

eet The Bohicas. They’re the latest buzz band creeping out of old London town (for something different), but don’t switch off yet. This angular rock four-piece has more than just label hype behind them – already, they’re winning fans with only a double A-side to their name, and other musicians are queuing up to be front and centre at their gigs. This despite the fact they’ve only decided to embrace music full-time in the last 12 months.

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over here in the UK over the summer as well as coming over there [to Australia] for the first time,” he says. “We’re looking forward to seeing what these festivals are like because we missed the festival circuit last year. We’re yet to experience that kind of crowd. We have done a few small kinda city festivals here and they’ve gone really well. We played one the other day in Leeds and I wasn’t expecting that kind of reception at all.”

Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos happened into The Bohicas’ audience at one of their earliest shows, liked what he heard and took them for a small tour around the UK and Ibiza. Now there’s an EP on the way, an album nearing completion, and the video for their double A-side release, ‘XXX’/‘Swarm’, is still notching up the YouTube views.

No matter how much kudos it gives you, supporting Franz Ferdinand would seem like a daunting way to kick off a career – but McGuinness was humbled by the Scots’ warmth towards his band and their continued support. “It was a real deep end, that one; it was so early on for us. They were really lovely though. Alex had come to see us a couple of times in much smaller, crappier venues in London and he just has nothing but love for us. We’ve done another show with them since Ibiza and that was awesome too.”

Frontman Dominic McGuinness explains quite simply why the childhood friends finally decided to take this music thing seriously. “I think we grew up a little bit and realised we wanted to avoid real work and play rock’n’roll for as long as we can,” he says. “It’s tunnel vision, I suppose.” So how is he handling the role of frontman with only a few serious hours of gigging and press interviews under his belt? “It’s all good,” he says. “I mean, I can’t do anything else so I have to get this right, otherwise that’s it for me. We’re trying to deal with it differently though. We share the rhythm and lead guitar so there’s no single lead player; there’s no Elvis Presley. We also have harmonies, so we’re The Beatles, I guess,” he laughs. The Bohicas are only just about to do their first run of fully-fledged festival dates and McGuinness is keen to see how the audiences compare with smaller club shows. “We’ve got a bunch of festivals we’re gonna be doing

The Bohicas have some catching up to do as far as releases go, with a plethora of material written and a burgeoning fan base growing ever eager for more of their music. “We’ll have the EP to release, hopefully, before we come over,” McGuinness says. “We’re recording the album at the minute as well and it’s basically done, we’re just putting the final pieces onto that. We’re recording in a place out east that takes about two hours to get there and it’s in a warehouse at the back of a fish shop. It’s not exactly the slick, Abbey Road environment you might think of – but it’s really big.” With: Unity Floors Where: Oxford Art Factory When: Wednesday June 18

Blood Duster Tales Of Ales By Augustus Welby

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rankie’s Pizza has quickly become the city’s prime provider of late night rock’n’roll decadence and pizza slices. Naturally, the venue’s comprehensive platter of delights will soon include its very own beer. The 6.66 per cent Satanic Swill Blood Red Ale is officially launched this Sunday, and the venue has assembled a carnivorous lineup of heavy rock bands for the bloodsucking celebration. Melbourne metal stalwarts Blood Duster will headline the event and they certainly know their way around a beer. “We’ve pretty much surrounded ourselves with beer and beer culture most of our adult lives,” says bassist and founding member Jason ‘PC’ Fuller. “I couldn’t be happier to help launch a beer – especially one that’s higher in alcohol content.”

Blood Duster have been making grinding metal since the early ’90s and maintain a reputation as one of the country’s most dangerous live acts. It’s safe to say that beer has significantly influenced their onstage domination. “The policy was always get as pissed as you could before we played,” Fuller says. “It’s only recently that we try not to get too wasted, but it’s not like we’re not going to have a fucking drink. We started the band because we like to party. If you take the party out of it, what’s the fucking point?” Blood Duster’s impact hasn’t only been felt in Australia. European audiences have savoured several doses of the band’s intoxicated venom. Now, if there’s anywhere in the world that prizes beer and metal as much as Australia, it’s the Czech Republic. Fittingly, that’s where Fuller’s ultimate beer drinking experience occurred.

The rise of independent craft beer companies means Blood Duster are happy with their options at home nowadays. “20 years ago you drank what the big companies gave you,” Fuller says. “Now it’s opened up – there’s so many good beers. If the beer’s good I can put up with anything – even some weird-fringed, necktattooed emo fuck serving it to me.” Ah-ha! There’s that derisive severity Blood Duster are so renowned for. The band’s latest LP was perhaps the harshest statement of its career. A protest against the miserable condition of contemporary music consumption, 2012’s KVLT was actually physically unplayable. It seemed doubtful the band would issue any further releases, but Fuller reveals there’s still some subversive revolt to come. “Making that record was as anti-music as we could be. It wasn’t until a few months ago that the other guys were like, ‘Nah, we’re not going out like that.’ So they want to do a new record and they’ve convinced me that it’s a good thing. “I’ve always said that I want to ride [Blood Duster] into the ground and make sure everyone fucking hates us. I don’t have any desire to have some endearing legacy. I’m thinking that we should go really bad Euro techno, to make sure that no-one could get into it – even if you’re into really bad dance music. We’ve got time to run this ship aground a little more.” What: Slaytanic Swillfest With: Killrazer, As Silence Breaks, Bastardizer, Recoil, Sumeru, Gutter Tactic, Steelswarm Where: Frankie’s Pizza When: Sunday May 25

Gay Paris Popping The Cherry By Augustus Welby

T

he majority of feedback surrounding Gay Paris’ 2013 sophomore release, The Last Good Party, drew attention to the transgressive animation that erupts through the speakers upon pressing play. Furthermore, anyone who has witnessed the Sydney foursome onstage can vouch for the group’s debauched manner. However, the record’s preparation wasn’t as intoxicated as it sounds.

the hook’ – just play the songs that feel good and as long as Slim [Podmore]’s dancing properly you know that everything’s going to be fucking fine.”

“The writing of that was torturous,” says vocalist Luke Monks. “We were trying very hard to define what Gay Paris was. I think the idea was that filthy word, ‘maturity’.”

“It’s less of a, ‘Hey man, we haven’t written a single.’ It’s just, ‘OK, we’ve got these 11 songs, which one do you want to make a film clip for?’ I think last time we wanted people to listen to us. Now we just want to play these fucking cool songs.”

Right now the band (which is rounded out by bassist Dean Podmore, drummer Adam Simpson and guitarist Lachlan Marks) is busy demoing for its third record, Relics Of The Saint. Taking heed of past missteps, they’re throwing caution to the wind this time around. “Now we’re just comfortable with whatever happens,” Monks says. “Don’t worry about, ‘We’ve got to have the big stomping songs,’ and, ‘We’ve got to have the one with 18 :: BRAG :: 563 :: 21:05:14

Indeed, trying to zero in on a magical quality often causes the sparkle to fade. Letting it all flow freely might be a dance with chaos, but there’s no need to tame what’s proving successful.

The band’s revised attitude actually mirrors a pivotal moment in Monks’ self-development. “Once I realised that it didn’t matter that I have an ugly body and I’m bald and no-one’s ever going to think that that’s attractive, that’s when I stopped caring and ladies started to like me. This record follows that; it can let all the ugly bits hang out because it just doesn’t care anymore.”

The band will soon decamp to the Panda Studios in northern California to smash out the record with The Last Good Party producer Sam Pura. As was the case with that release, Gay Paris are asking for their audience’s generosity to help bring the album to life.

which makes it hard for each cause to sound worthy. To combat this, Gay Paris are offering some truly original gifts. $25 is enough to get your name in the liner notes, while $600 snares yourself and three friends a date dropping acid and playing Dungeons & Dragons with the band.

“The basic cry that comes from the stage at every show, along with ‘Hail Satan’ and ‘Give us drugs’, [is encouraging] the crowd to give us money. We like being lunatics for the rewards. So that’s an excuse to act out for some of the more exclusive rewards.”

“You can come on tour with us for a weekend,” Monks says. “There’s a pub crawl, where we’ll get from Newtown to Surry Hills over the course of an evening. It’s just horribly arrogant. We’ve said, ‘Give us money to hang out with us!’ This really speaks to our narcissism.”

Crowdfunding campaigns are becoming as common as homes with coffee capsule espresso machines,

It might be a narcissistic ploy, but it’s doubtful anyone’s ever mistaken Gay Paris for a humble band. The

forthcoming album is set to fortify the group’s depraved reputation, but Monks notes that it’s not completely celebratory. “I think there’s some of the most miserable music that we’ve written on this record too. But it’s the kind of misery that throws a wine bottle against a wall.” What: CherryRock014 With: Meat Puppets, Brant Bjork, Redcoats, Beastwars, Drunk Mums and more Where: Factory Theatre When: Saturday May 31 And: The Last Good Party out now through MGM thebrag.com

Xxxx

“We were in a little village and we found a pub and it was full of thick-fingered, forester kind of dudes,” he explains. “They were all speaking Czech and it looked like former Soviet anger in their eyes. They had a sink full of soapy water and it was like one guy was finished drinking, a

quick rinse and then they’d fill it up. We ordered four beers and I was like, ‘This is going to be fucking horrible.’ But it was the best beer I’ve ever tasted in my life.”

The Wild Feathers Another Time, Another Place By Augustus Welby

P

rior to banding together, the members of Nashvillebased roots-rock outfi t The Wild Feathers were all involved in separate little-known local acts. When the fi ve-piece united in 2011, things immediately clicked, and before too long they were supporting the likes of Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and Paul Simon. The Wild Feathers’ self-titled debut record came out in August last year and since then the group has comfortably assumed headliner status. Such bright career beginnings signify a band that’s clearly not interested in messing about.

The Wild Feathers photo by Miriam Santos

“The word ‘timeless’ was thrown around a lot,” says vocalist and guitarist Ricky Young of their initial game plan. “[We were] trying to make songs and records that stuck around for a long time, like the records that we grew up on. As time went on and the more and more we played together, the more that different things took life and different visions came up.”

That tag, ‘timeless’, is often broached in reference to art, but it’s impossible to apply objectively. A song like The Beatles’ ‘A Day In The Life’ might appear transcendent to one listener, yet sound vapid to another. Nevertheless, this didn’t hamper The Wild Feathers’ attempt to craft music that won’t weary with age. “There was no way of us knowing if it was going to work or not, [but] we’d never give anything less than 100 per cent,” Young says. “It was kind of an experiment, but with every intention of taking it as far as we possibly could go. As far as the writing and all that [goes] – so far, so good.” Aiming for timelessness mightn’t be as hard as it sounds, after all. “Really, the song just has to be good,” Young says. “It has to have flesh and blood in it and it has to have that melody that you can’t get out of your head. And it has to mean something. We slave over that; we work really hard to make it real. I think a lot of people might not take so much pride in what they’re doing artistically.

Young is joined in The Wild Feathers by guitarist/vocalist Taylor Burns, bassist/vocalist Joel King, lead guitarist Preston Wimberly and drummer Ben Dumas. As well as offering plenty of three-part vocal harmonies, Young, Burns and King are all participants in the songwriting. Juggling input from multiple parties can pose certain challenges to bands, but not The Wild Feathers.

“A lot of the modern day bands that we love – like My Morning Jacket is a perfect example – really care about the records they’re making. They’re not selling as much as Miley Cyrus, but will Miley Cyrus be listenable in ten years? Whereas my kids will probably listen to My Morning Jacket for the rest of their lives.”

“We haven’t really run into any problems as of yet,” Young says. “There’s not one decided leader and we all have plenty of input. We go over things with a fi ne-toothed comb and make sure it’s how we like it, with hopes that if we love it this much then hopefully everyone else will.”

The Wild Feathers draw much of their inspiration from their hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. It remains a city that revolves around music, houses a prosperous publishing industry and is generally loaded with talented musicians. Thus, it’s inevitably quite a demanding environment.

“If [musicians] say they’re not competitive, they’re lying, because that’s just the nature of the game,” Young says. “A little bit of a competitive attitude is OK in my book. You want to challenge yourselves and do the best you can. Nashville’s got both a competitive spirit and also really, really supportive people.” Rather than getting carried away by their rapid ascent into the pop consciousness, The Wild Feathers’ Nashville roots encourage the band members to uphold a solid commitment to their craft. “We pride ourselves on being ambitious and hard-working. We don’t want to be one of those bands [where] it’s handed over to us and people resent you because you’re an overnight success. We defi nitely want to pay our dues and

“PRIMAL. GIGANTIC. LOUD AS CANNONS. ROYAL BLOOD ARE ALL OF THESE THINGS.” – NME

work hard and see the fruits of our labour. We’ve already gotten to see that. This first record’s been really good to us. “As long as we’re all comfortable and happy artistically, it’s great to make a living doing this. It’s a huge blessing.” Thankfully, working damn hard on songwriting isn’t limiting the band’s touring itinerary. Australia will get its first taste of The Wild Feathers’ pulsating roots-rock when they head down for this year’s Splendour In The Grass, as well as a couple of sideshows. They might’ve performed alongside some of music’s most iconic figures already, but there’s no lack of enthusiasm for coming Down Under. “We cannot wait to come over there. We’re freaking out – so excited,”

Young says. “We love recording and we love writing, but playing live you get a sense of fulfi lment and achievement – and a release. Plus you get to drink some beer, hang out and see the country and the world. It’s a dream come true.” With: Splendour In The Grass 2014 With: Outkast, Two Door Cinema Club, Lily Allen, Interpol, Foster The People, London Grammar, Chvrches, Danny Brown and many more Where: North Byron Parklands, Byron Bay When: Friday July 25 – Sunday July 27 And: Also appearing at Newtown Social Club on Saturday July 26 More: The Wild Feathers out now through Warner

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

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arts frontline

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arts news...what's goin' on around town...with Erin Rooney and Chris Martin

head to: thebrag.com/freeshit

five minutes WITH

MOJO

ARIELLE GRAY AND TIM WATTS FROM IT’S DARK OUTSIDE

Chris Isaacs and Arielle Gray in It’s Dark Outside

Talk us through the concept of It’s Dark Outside. TW: We started with the idea of wildness. In the beginning we were playing with all sorts of things: gorillas, the Wild West, a Tarzanesque child, an old man. When we generate content for the shows we are making, we do it by getting into a space, bringing a whole bunch of stuff and playing. We had gorilla puppets, cowboy boots, we made a crude wild boy puppet, and we got an old man mask off the internet; heaps of stuff. Eventually we realised we were creating two different storylines; one was the gorilla and the wild boy and the other was the Wild West and the old man. We chose the old man.

The play certainly deals with a powerful topic. Why did you choose to tell the story without dialogue? TW: I think we like finding new ways of telling stories. Puppetry is a really great device to play with – a puppet can do so many things that a physical body onstage cannot do (or at least on this production). I also think you can get away with more when you use a puppet; people are more willing to go with it than they would with a human standing in front of them talking. What experience and research did you draw on for the production? AG: Tim’s grandparents (and later my grandparents) at that time were suffering from dementia and Tim and I discovered a phenomenon in dementia patients called Sundowning Syndrome. At sunset, dementia patients who ‘sundown’ become more agitated and confused and are more likely to wander. This idea really fascinated

us – that there was this inbuilt urge to want to escape outside at sunset. That became our central image: an old man wanders into the wild at sunset. Have you been surprised by audience reactions? Do you bring people to laughter or tears, or everywhere in between? TW: I wouldn’t say surprised. For me the nicest responses are talking to people after the show about how they have been going through family members or loved ones suffering from Alzeimer’s or dementia and how the play treats the topic with care and beautiful insight. It’s nice to have that feedback; it’s quite touching and in some ways more than we could ever have hoped for. What: It’s Dark Outside Where: Lennox Theatre, Riverside Theatres, Parramatta When: Monday May 26 – Thursday May 29

Norwegian dramatist Jon Fosse’s play Winter is coming to a theatre near you – the Old 505 Theatre in Surry Hills, to be exact. With only two main characters, the play is an intense look at how fate can change your future. Taking the form of an abstract theatre poem in a post-postmodern style, Winter explores the meeting of these two people and how discord becomes destiny. Directed by Stephen Colyer and featuring Susie Lindeman and Simon Corfield, Fosse’s work will strip back human experience to its very essence. Winter premieres on Wednesday June 4 and is showing until Sunday June 22.

They say home is where the heart is. Sunshine On Leith is a heartfelt modern musical about the power of home, family and love. The film follows friends Davy and Ally, two British Army servicemen returning from Afghanistan to their homes and families in Scotland, rekindling old loves and starting new relationships along the way. The film opens Thursday May 22, and we’re giving away five double passes to help you bring back the sunshine over winter. To be in the running, head to thebrag.com/freeshit and tell us where you’d take your long lost love on a romantic date.

FRENCH AND FOULKES Leo by Circle Of Eleven

Over the next few weeks, artists Hayley Megan French and Elliott Bryce Foulkes will be presenting exhibitions at Chippendale’s Galerie Pompom. Sydney-based artist French’s new series of paintings, See Where It Drifts, will explore concepts of landscape in the city life and countryside of New South Wales, painting on large canvases to express their physicality. Foulkes is an art director, graphic designer and artist who will examine mixed media using commercial production methods in his exhibition Redaction. See Where It Drifts will show in Gallery 1 and Redaction in Gallery 2 of Galerie Pompom from Wednesday May 28 – Sunday June 22.

THE ART OF MUSIC LEAPING LEO

The hilarious and gravity-defying one-man show Leo will arrive at the Sydney Opera House this June. This fanciful production combines mime, circus tricks and cabaret into a feast for families. You’ll feel queasy at just the idea of hanging sideways from a wall – so kids, don’t try this at home. Instead, watch Leo do it for real at the Playhouse from Saturday June 28 – Sunday July 13.

The Art of Music Charity Auction and Gala Dinner is set to inspire and delight at the Art Gallery of New South Wales again this year, with all proceeds going to charity group NordoffRobbins Music Therapy. The night will feature the work of 11 contemporary Australian visual artists inspired by songs from Australasian musicians such as Architecture In Helsinki, Megan Washington, Lorde and AC/DC. There will also be three special musical performances from rock legend Don Walker of Cold Chisel, ARIA Award winner Missy Higgins and Sydneybased singer-songwriter Sunny Amoreena. It takes place for a good cause on Saturday June 14.

ZINE MAKERS BOYCOTT MCA

A group of zine makers and distributors from around the country has announced it will boycott the Museum of Contemporary Art’s Zine Fair this weekend and hold its alternative event at Central Park. The Other Worlds Zine Fair includes over 65 zine makers and distributors. In explanation, the Fair announced: “The MCA is sponsored by Transfield, a corporation that operates service contracts in the detention centres on Manus Island and Nauru. Over 65 zine makers and distributors from Australia have decided to boycott the MCA Zine Fair in 2014 and to provide an alternative event on the same day.” The Other Worlds Zine Fair takes place from 11am on Sunday May 25 at the Central Park Retail building in Chippendale.

VANS THE OMEGA

Hidden above the Toxteth Hotel, Glebe gem The Tate Gallery is this week presenting artwork by Australia-based artist Vans The Omega. Into The Light will focus on hand-painted furniture and homeware, installations, mixed media paintings and a limited-edition print set. The exhibition opens Wednesday May 21 and continues until this Saturday May 24. 20 :: BRAG :: 563 :: 21:05:14

Steve-O

THE BIG ‘O’

Notorious Jackass star Steve-O is coming to Sydney to tell us a few jokes, and do whatever else it is he does. The nutbag daredevil isn’t all about stapling things to himself and inserting objects into parts of his body they don’t belong – he’s also handy with a one-liner, and promises an outrageous stand-up show to prove it. Catch Steve-O at the UNSW Roundhouse on Saturday August 2.

Locus II by Omar Chowdhury

CONTEMPORARY WAYS

Dhaka- and Sydney-based artist Omar Chowdhury will exhibit from next week at the 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art. The large-scale works of moving images in Ways were filmed by Chowdhury in a variety of cultural and physical surrounds, and explore the rituals behind faith and spirituality. It’s the first exhibition 4A has shown from Bangladesh. Ways runs from Friday May 30 – Saturday August 2. Chowdhury will conduct a Q&A on Saturday May 31 at 2pm.

thebrag.com

Leo photo by Heiko Kalmbach

WINTER IS COMING Other Worlds

SUNSHINE ON LEITH

It’s Dark Outside photo by Richard Jefferson

A

s part of a 45-date tour across both sides of the equator, the touching story of It’s Dark Outside heads to Sydney’s west next week. Two of the production’s three creators,

Arielle Gray and Tim Watts, took five to talk us through their exploration of Alzheimer’s disease and Sundowning Sydrome via the mechanism of animation, puppetry and live performance.

Step back into the days of teddy boys, rockers, and the seedy London club scene of the 1950s as the Sydney Theatre Company presents a battle for hot teen singing idol Silver Johnny in Mojo. Featuring Jeremy Davidson, the lead singer of blues rockers The Snowdroppers, plus Romeo And Juliet stars Eamon Farren and Josh McConville, and directed by the talented Iain Sinclair, Mojo runs until Saturday July 5 at STC’s Wharf 1 Theatre. We have a double pass up for grabs to the Friday June 27 show – for your chance to win it, head to thebrag.com/freeshit and tell us why you’ve got your mojo going about this one.

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Noah Wiseman and Essie Davis in The Babadook

New Wave: Sound [AUDIO-VISUAL] Experimental Beings By Tegan Jones

“I’d been producing contemporary classical art music and experimental electronica for about five or six years before then with a company called Chronology Arts, which I co-founded in 2007,” says Batt-Rawden. “We were the resident company at the Seymour Centre. They wanted to be involved in Vivid and they made a pitch to have a program and were successful. They thought that they should approach me because I have a little bit more experience with experimental music. So I put together a program, for which we won Australia Council funding and that was last year. This year we got funding again for the program, which is awesome.”

The Babadook [FILM] Fear And Loathing By Travis Johnson

H

aving garnered a strong reaction when it played at Sundance earlier this year, homegrown horror The Babadook is now set to terrify local audiences when it hits cinemas this week. Centred on harried single mother Amelia (Essie Davis) and her troubled son, Samuel (newcomer Noah Wiseman), the film sees the pair menaced by a shadowy, seemingly supernatural figure, the titular Babadook. But is the creature real, or a symptom of Samuel’s emotional issues, or even of Amelia’s?

“I’m always fascinated by people who can just suppress very difficult experiences, and the difficult parts of themselves,” she says. “I wanted to explore what happens when they could no longer repress those things and the shit hits the fan, and that’s The Babadook.” Central to the film’s success is the ambiguous nature of the eponymous creature. “Some people just see it as a scary film and some people see the deeper elements that I intended and I think it can work on both levels and I’m happy with that,” says Kent. “When people say to me, ‘Is it real or is it all in [Amelia’s] head?’ I say ‘Yes!’ – which irritates people, but I mean

Terrifying, yes, but also ultimately positive. Kent is adamant that, although The Babadook is most definitely a horror film, it also presents what is, at base, a beneficial process of crisis and catharsis. “I was raised as a Catholic and Catholics are brought up to believe that you must put everyone else before yourself. So I really relate to this attitude of not bothering anyone with your emotions. A character like Amelia, although she’s not me, is someone I relate to very strongly, and I can understand her and her reasons for suppressing all this terrible stuff that’s happened to her. But I think that, ultimately, we do need to face that stuff and we do need to feel OK with the darkness and with difficult experiences and put ourselves first sometimes. Which I think is where Amelia heads, towards being more fully realised.” Kent is also aware of the potential pitfalls involved in being pigeonholed as a horror auteur. “I don’t consider myself as a horror filmmaker, I just made a horror film. But in saying that, I’m not looking down on the genre at all. I feel slightly sad that it’s a much maligned genre, and yet when you point out [to people] the obvious ones, like The Shining and John Carpenter’s The Thing and Let The Right One In, they say, ‘Oh, of course – they’re classics.” What: The Babadook (dir. Jennifer Kent) When: In cinemas Thursday May 22

The Zero Theorem

Andrew Batt-Rawden

N

ew Wave: Sound is back for its second year at the Seymour Centre as part of Vivid Sydney. The music-infused arts program this year showcases some of Australia’s most talented experimental, electronic and contemporary classical musicians in innovative discourse with film and visuals – sure to blow the lid off the underground music scene. Composer, producer and director Andrew Batt-Rawden is the curator of New Wave: Sound, and explains the importance of such creative experimentation. “Mozart was controversial in his day,” he says. “Stravinsky had walkouts and riots, but perhaps that was due to the skanky choreography. Unfortunately we don’t have any of that at our show.” Instead, the program will explore and experiment with technology, including in a triple-projector laser extravaganza by audiovisual artist Robin Fox. “Certainly the Robin Fox RGB Laser Show is a glimpse into the current technology that is absolutely leading and cutting-edge, and potentially will be totally normal in the future,” says Batt-Rawden. “It’s a continuum of creativity. What is considered to be highly experimental today, tomorrow will be very popular.” The birth of New Wave: Sound is a fascinating one, and despite its experimental mission statement, it has garnered a great deal of support thus far.

When quizzed about his choice to include an abundance of up-and-coming artists on this year’s program, particularly when there were such mixed reactions last year, Batt-Rawden explains: “There were some really popular acts and some that weren’t so popular. But I think you get that with experimentalism and when you’re working with unknown artists. But the reason why I program them is because I truly believe they should be known. These artists are fantastic because most of them are homegrown talent.” Fans of last year’s program can look forward to this year being just as inspired. “This year’s program is a little bit different to last year’s in that I’d say that the hardcore contemporary classical component would come from the marimba program with Claire Edwards. We’re also presenting Collarbones again with Synergy Percussion and getting them to interact in an interesting way. So we’ve got these classical percussionists with some young electropop experimental composers, and I hope the results are going to be amazing.” What: New Wave: Sound as part of Vivid Sydney Where: Seymour Centre, Chippendale When: Thursday June 5 – Saturday June 7

Andrew Batt-Rawden photo by Blueprint Studios

Thematically, it treads similar ground to director Jennifer Kent’s 2005 short, Monster, which was well regarded on the festival circuit. “Sometimes I fail to see the connection,” Kent says. “Of course, they are connected, but I didn’t set out with Monster to make a feature out of that story. It was something that the themes in Monster, which I touched on very lightly in that short, are what drew me, years later, to make this film. The idea of repression of grief and repression of the dark side, I guess, were the main features in both of those works.

it. I’m not being deliberately ambiguous about it. I feel that her psychological reality is the truth – it’s real. Even for someone who has a schizophrenic crack up, what’s happening to them is 100 per cent real. With The Babadook, that’s exactly why I made it – because I wanted to explore that lady’s descent, which for her is extremely real and terrifying.”

When it comes to experimental music, it’s hardly surprising that the audience members and their reactions to the program can be quite eclectic. “There was a bit of a divide in the crowd last year. There are some people who are used to going to contemporary classical music, so they’re used to the etiquette of, you don’t speak, you listen attentively, and you clap politely. But then there were other people who thought it was more like one of those electronica gigs where you’re jumping around dancing, and potentially having some other condiments at the bar.” He laughs. “So it was interesting to get the different perspectives happening at the same gig.”

Christoph Waltz in The Zero Theorem

[FILM] Terry Gilliam In Conversation By Travis Johnson

I

n The Zero Theorem, anxiety-plagued mathematical genius Qohen Leth (Tarantino regular Christoph Waltz) seeks sanctuary from a garish, overwhelming world he doesn’t understand. He fi nds it when he is assigned to crack The Zero Theorem, essentially a mathematical proof that existence is utterly meaningless. Zero, he is told repeatedly, must equal 100 per cent. Ironically, it’s in the pursuit of the proof of meaninglessness that Qohen fi nds some kind of personal agency. It’s a very ‘Terry Gilliam’ story. After all, we’re talking about the former Monty Python member who made Brazil and 12 Monkeys. You may be surprised to learn, then, that the script did not originate with Gilliam, but with first-time screenwriter, Pat Rushin.

22 :: BRAG :: 563 :: 21:05:14

“I can’t imagine what it’s like to be young now, the pressure, because you have to be connected all the time. Your peers are always, ‘Don’t do this!’ or ‘Don’t do that!’ or ‘Oh, you’ve hurt my feelings!’ so you don’t say anything offensive that may cause anyone any pain. That sounds horrible to me. It’s like, ‘Here I am! Don’t you think I’m exciting? Don’t you think I’m interesting? Don’t you think I have exciting ideas and opinions?’ When you’re living like that, you’re so desperate to be seen to be smart or successful or whatever.” He pauses, then laughs: “I’ve become a curmudgeon – a modern curmudgeon.” You can hardly blame Gilliam for being grumpy. His career has been characterised

by a seemingly never-ending series of uphill battles to be understood, to be heard, or even just to make a damn fi lm. Still, Gilliam maintains that he feels no regrets.

especially with the gathering of information. I mean, you have the NSA gathering so much information, but Google and Amazon are gathering even more.

“No, no,” he says. “I really don’t. The minute something doesn’t work or something falls through, I never think about it again. I really don’t look back.”

“You know what’s interesting?” he asks. “The number of people who don’t get it at all; who don’t understand what the fi lm is, or who complain that the Python jokes aren’t working. What Python jokes? There’s humour, but there aren’t jokes. It’s a tragicomedy.”

He does get annoyed, however, when his work is misinterpreted. “When people say that The Zero Theorem is a futuristic or sci-fi fi lm – it’s not! I wanted to make a comment about the world we’re living in now; about corporations and the power they have,

What: The Zero Theorem (dir. Terry Gilliam) When: In cinemas now thebrag.com

The Zero Theorem still by Hugo Stenson

“When I first read it,” Gilliam recalls, “it was apparent that Pat Rushin had seen all my fi lms, and the script dealt with ideas that had been popping up throughout my career. It intrigued me, [but] at the same time it terrifi ed me because I knew it would get compared to Brazil and everything else. So I went out of my way to make it unlike Brazil. Brazil was set in a very grey place so I thought, ‘OK, I’ll make this world a very colourful place where people are playing and having a good time and Qohen isn’t.’ And this went on and it became more and more about the world we live in now where everyone is connected.

“Qohen wants to disconnect from that. He really wants to disconnect from the so-called connected world and concentrate on what he thinks is important. He’s a strange character, and what I like about Qohen is that he’s very damaged in the beginning. He’s somebody who’s burned out. He’s somebody who’s alone but ultimately humanity forces itself upon him and he becomes more human. That’s very important, especially now. People seem to exist only as a neuron, a connective tissue between two other people. People are all so connected and it seems like they only exist when they tweet something.

Film Reviews xxx

Hits and misses on the silver screen around town

Agata Trzebuchowska in Ida

The Trip To Italy

■ Film

■ Film

In cinemas May 22

In cinemas May 29

Perhaps the worst thing I can say about Pawel Pawlikowski’s Ida is that it can be too exquisite. Shot in gorgeously austere monochrome black-and-white in the old-fashioned 4:3 aspect ratio, it occasionally runs the risk of selfparody, evoking the way that perfume commercials opportunistically crib from the aesthetics of European art cinema (chiefly Carl Dreyer), or worse, Barney Gumble’s Pukahontas. Still, it’s only a theoretical flaw in this context; over the course of Ida’s svelte 80-minute duration, form matches content every step of the way, telling the story of two women in 1960s Poland as each bears the burden of WWII’s aftermath differently.

Revisiting the relationship that we first saw onscreen in 2005’s Tristram Shandy: A Cock And Bull Story, The Trip To Italy shows Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon continuing their gastronomic adventures that began in 2010’s The Trip, this time working across the Italian countryside.

IDA

In the case of young nun Anna (played with transfixing opacity by non-pro newcomer Agata Trzebuchowska), it’s the discovery of her real, Jewish identity: she was born Ida Liebenstein, and her parents were murdered during the war. In the case of Anna’s estranged aunt Wanda (Agata Kulesza), it’s the confrontation of her own suppressed past as a Communist prosecutor. Pawlikowski’s main formal strategy is to isolate his characters at the bottom of the frame, and as Wanda takes Anna on a journey to reconcile each of their pasts, the enveloping space has the effect of both literalising the way history weighs upon them, as well as suggesting a world of possibility and potential that lies beyond.

THE TRIP TO ITALY

Michael Winterbottom has long been obscuring the line between reality and fi ction in his fi lms – 2002’s 24 Hour Party People frequently breaks the fourth wall in telling the story of music journalist Tony Wilson, while 2004’s 9 Songs tells a fi ctional love story between two rock music devotees but incorporates unsimulated sex. The Trip To Italy continues this obscuration. The fi lm sees both comedians playing fi ctional versions of themselves that tend to enhance and challenge different aspects of their public personae. Coogan’s reputation as a lothario and a bit of a wanker has been built on in all three Winterbottom fi lms, while Brydon has tended to play up his amiability. The relationship between the two has slowly changed over the course of the series, but Winterbottom still manages to avoid messing with the formula while keeping the relationship from getting stale.

Ian Barr

Louisa Bulley

THURSDAY 29 MAY Get ready for a series of belly laughs, with special guest host Mikey Robins. Sample our Tex-Mex inspired $9.50 bar menu while enjoying some of Australia’s best comedic acts.

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The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol. Guests must be aged 18 years or over to enter the casino.Think! About your choices. Call Gambling Help 1800 858 858 www.gamblinghelp.nsw.gov.au The Star Pty Limited. Z73UYYMEW3

THE COLLECTIVE PRESENTS

UNITED COLOURS OF DRUM & BASS

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Ida remains nothing less than deeply empathetic throughout, avoiding grand statements about its historical moment and instead etching a sensual world with astonishing specificity. “This is so Róza. Stained glass next to cow shit,” Wanda deadpans when encountering her sister’s barn; a remark that encapsulates the film’s juxtaposition of the sacred and profane, and portends Anna’s own brush with earthly temptation. It’s possible that a little more cow shit and a little less stained glass in the film’s palette wouldn’t have lessened its impact, but Ida remains a perfect miniature anyhow; fleet, droll, moving, and one of the year’s best films.

Like The Trip, this fi lm starts off at a slow burn but quickly moves into the hilarity that this collaboration has become known for. Again, there is clearly a lot of improvisation and a whole stack of new and old impersonations thrown in. Brydon’s overuse of the word ‘affable’ in the first 15 minutes had me completely cracking up, as did the pair’s exploration of the range of vocals in The Dark Knight Rises. The cinematography is breathtaking, as is the Italian food porn, and as with all of Winterbottom’s comedies, scattered throughout the hilarity there is realism and sensitivity that really catches you off guard. All in all, The Trip To Italy is hilarious and surprisingly moving; defi nitely worth some repeat watching.

PETER BERNER

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Lighting Of The Sails Sydney Opera House, May 23 – June 9

HOMEGROWN EDITION

Sydney Opera House

As the darkness descends ahead of winter, Sydney’s most beautiful spots light up again this year for Vivid. For the first time, The Star is a featured venue as part of the festival, with a light installation set to capture “the thrill of Sydney”. Meanwhile, the popular highlight is of course the lighting of the sails at the Sydney Opera House, this year overseen by 59 Productions – and while the award-winning group has worked around the world, it’s surely never exhibited on a canvas this grand. The crowds are worth it, we promise, but don’t forget all the other spots around the city you can see the light in 2014. Vivid LIGHT runs nightly from May 23 – June 9, 6pm ’til midnight. For more info, head to vividsydney.com. thebrag.com

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MID -Y E A R EEDUCAT DUCAT ION SPECI A L

MID-YEAR

2 014

EDUCATON SPECIAL 2014

AUSTR ALIAN FILM TELE VISION AND R ADIO SCHOOL (AF TRS)

AFTRS – Australia’s national screen arts and broadcast school – is introducing a bold new undergraduate Bachelor of Arts (Screen) degree in 2015.

cast your gaze elsewhere, seeing the rock’n’roll stars onstage or the Hollywood celebrities onscreen and think, ‘Boy, I’d like to do that one day’? Well, maybe it’s time to revisit your dreams. A host of Sydney’s specialist educational institutions are taking on students now, be it in their mid-year intakes or in dedicated short courses. We asked the best of the bunch about what they’ve got on offer. Check it out – and who knows, maybe you’ll find your new career right here.

The ways stories are told is ever-changing, as platforms and technologies evolve and adapt, but the desire to tell a story is innate to the human condition. Two core subjects, ‘Story’ and ‘The History of Film’ underpin the entire degree and are complemented by other subjects and electives, throughout the threeyear program providing exciting opportunities to collaborate with other students and to be taught by some of the best screen practitioners, in the best facilities in Australia. Intentionally designed to ‘future-proof’ graduates for a changing and dynamic world,

the Bachelor of Screen Arts combines critical thinking and creative engagement as students are immersed in the world of storytelling but not limited by technology, where adaptability, resilience and entrepreneurial skills will equip them for a lifelong creative career. Voted into the top 20 film schools in the world by industry bible The Hollywood Reporter (in October 2012), AFTRS presents unrivalled opportunities for students to network and form lifelong professional relationships. Entry is by merit selection. Applications for 2015 will open in September 2014. WHERE: BUILDING 130, THE EQ, MOORE PARK BACHELOR OF SCREEN ARTS INFORMATION DAY: SATURDAY JUNE 28, 10AM-2PM PHONE: 1300 13 14 61 OR (02) 9805 6611 EMAIL: STUDY@AFTRS.EDU.AU WEBSITE: AFTRS.EDU.AU/BAS

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hen you were a child, what were your wildest dreams W for your career? Did you grow up hoping to be like Mum and Dad, or an older brother or sister? Or did you

The new Bachelor of Screen Arts is all about preparing creative people to be nimble operators for a platform-agnostic world and fuses both deep scholarly engagement with the art of storytelling, the history of cinema as well a cross-disciplinary hybrid of subjects that span the full spectrum of screen production.

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NE W YORK FILM ACADEMY Lights, Camera, Enrolment By Daniel Conaghan

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ver dreamed of a career in film? The New York Film Academy has the opportunity for you. With courses offered in New York City, Los Angeles, Abu Dhabi, Florence, Paris, Disney Studios, Harvard University, China, South Beach, Brazil, Japan, India, Indonesia, Russia and now Australia, this is definitely a global institution.

Head of Acting Brad McMurray urges all enthusiastic students to apply. “The Academy is for anyone who has a creative passion, or a burning desire to bring stories to life,” says McMurray. “All of us have a story that needs to be told, so if there’s that passion in you, I think it throws it pretty wide open for anyone to have a crack.” The Academy offers courses in Filmmaking and Acting for Film, taught by industry experts that offer real world experience from as far as the UK and the US. McMurray himself has a vast wealth of experience in the film industry, and he says what the academy offers in terms of facilities and equipment is tremendous. “The equipment they have here as far as cameras, lighting and the studio facilities are just unbelievable. Looking at it, you could make three feature films with what we have here. The lecturers we get on board are from all over the world, in both acting and film. So the key thing for students moving through this program is that all the lecturers on board are very specific, they’re not just people who haven’t been involved in the industry. These are people who have many national and international credits up their sleeves, so they’re learning from industry professionals.” Petar Zabic is a current student at the Academy, finishing his second year of an advanced diploma in screen and media, and he’s extremely keen to get into the industry. “I’ve just been signed up with an agent and that’s cool, because I’ve recently cut a showreel together and just put my work to the test and there was an agency that was really interested. I’m actually heading over to LA after the course,” Zabic

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Brad McMurray in The Day After Today says. “I’ve got a few projects on the go – I’ve got a feature film in the works which I’m writing with my best friend and that’s going really well. But the main plan is to be working in the industry so I’ll be going and banging out auditions until I succeed. Right now I’m just looking forward to going to Los Angeles and enjoying the ride.” Petar was looking for direction in his life before finding the Academy. “I was going through a rough patch in regards to employment. I was watching The Actors Studio and thinking, ‘How cool would it be to go to a school and study acting?’ I’ve always wanted that, and I knew it was the next step for me because my life wasn’t going anywhere. So basically I went in, had an interview, got in the next day and haven’t looked back since.” Having experienced it firsthand, Zabic confirms what McMurray says about the

facilities and teachers. “The teachers are really great, very supportive. They don’t bullshit, they’ve got so much experience within the industry and it’s awesome because they’re really open. The teachers I’ve had have all been very thorough, meticulous and good at incorporating all your techniques. Acting in front of the whole class can be very confronting, but they allow you to experiment, they give you the freedom and support you need. It hasn’t been easy but it’s been so instrumental in my growth as an actor. The school is still growing so there’s always room for development – they’re always incorporating new ideas and new plans for the future. WHAT: NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY OPEN HOUSE WHERE: LEVEL 4, 127 LIVERPOOL ST, SYDNEY WHEN: SATURDAY MAY 31

,PDJH 6WLOO IURP $)756 VWXGHQW ÀOP All God’s Creatures

BACHELOR OF ARTS (SCREEN)

Top #20 ďŹ lm school in the world, as voted by The Hollywood Reporter

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THE AUSTR AL ASIAN COLLEGE BROADWAY WHERE: 87 BAY ST, GLEBE INTAKE INFO: REGULAR MONTHLY INTAKES JANUARY – DECEMBER PHONE: (02) 8587 8888 EMAIL: INFO@TAC.EDU.AU WEBSITE: TAC.EDU.AU

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opening doors that could lead you into the many exciting options of the personal services industry.

The Australasian College Broadway offers certificate to diploma courses in Hairdressing, Salon Management, Make Up, Beauty Therapy, Vocational Graduate Certificate in IPL and Laser Hair Reduction, and a Degree in Applied Health Science (Clinical Aesthetics).

The Australasian College Broadway is one of Australia’s leading Vocational Education and Training (VET) organisations and is considered the benchmark College for hairdressing, beauty and make up. The College is a highly awarded and recognised centre for learning and educational excellence. Since its foundation in 1994, the College has assisted tens of thousands of students to develop the skills and knowledge to grow and develop their careers in the personal services sector.

You will be taught by leaders in the specific field to obtain the skill sets required (the technical knowledge and the practical experience) that will enable you to be well equipped for your chosen career path,

The Australasian College Broadway offers a range of Diploma and above courses under the VET FEE-HELP student loan scheme, enabling students to study now and pay later.

SAE CRE ATIVE MEDIA INSTITUTE SYDNE Y SAE Creative Media Institute is the world’s leading education provider in creative media industries with more than 50 campuses globally. SAE Sydney has been supplying creative media graduates to the world since 1976.

sized green screen; large online editing suite and production control room; three flexible teaching spaces and computer labs fitted with Apple iMacs with industry leading software, ensuring students gain the most from their studies.

SAE offers degree, diploma and certificate courses in six disciplines; Animation, Audio, Design, Film, Games as well as Web & Mobile.

SAE Sydney Campus Manager Radovan Klusacek said that SAE sees itself as a place to learn and create, giving students the opportunity to learn while working on real-life projects under the mentorship of industry skilled expert teachers.

SAE prides itself on delivering exceptional programs in world-class facilities. SAE ensures students receive an outstanding education, internationally recognised qualifications, and industry-relevant skills, giving graduates a significant competitive edge. SAE Sydney has recently moved to a new campus, creating brand new learning spaces and modern high-end teaching facilities fitted out with the best state-of-theart equipment.

THE AUSTR ALIAN INSTITUTE OF MUSIC The Australian Institute of Music Sydney is now offering short courses as well as bachelor, diploma and postgraduate courses in Performance, Audio and Production and Entertainment Management. AIM short courses are suitable for beginners, intermediate and advanced skill levels. AIM’s short courses for adults are delivered by industry professionals in a non-competitive, relaxed environment. Courses include Songwriting, Film Scoring, DJing, ProTools, Ableton, Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and Music Theory. Students who complete an AIM short course will also receive a Certifi cate of Completion. AIM also runs individual music lessons for those wishing to learn how to play an instrument or improve your skills through music lessons with an AIM industry professional.

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MUSIC

The Sydney campus offers seven fully equipped, state-of-the-art audio recording studios; three film editing suites; a super-

Whether you’re looking to learn music theory, play an instrument or develop your technique, individual tuition at AIM offers a unique and inspiring way to learn. Courses can be tailored to suit your own requirements. One-on-one lessons available include: vocals, guitar, bass, woodwind (clarinet, flute, saxophone), songwriting, classical voice, piano, violin, drums, percussion, electronic music production, and music theory and composition. For more information, call AIM and ask for the Short Courses Coordinator: (02) 9219 5444 or lessons@aim.edu.au. WHERE: 1-55 FOVEAUX ST, SURRY HILLS OPEN DAY: SATURDAY AUGUST 16 FROM 11AM PHONE: (02) 9219 5444 EMAIL: ENQUIRIES@AIM.EDU.AU WEBSITE: AIM.EDU.AU

“Our teaching program focuses on the knowledge and skills that industry demands now and our teaching style produces creative individuals who are ready to commence their professional career,” Klusacek said. WHERE: LEVEL 1, 11 YORK ST, SYDNEY NEXT INTAKE: MONDAY JUNE 2 PHONE: (02) 8241 5300 EMAIL: SYDNEY@SAE.EDU WEBSITE: SAE.EDU.AU

INSPIRE IMAGINE INVENT Vocational Courses | Bachelor Degrees | Master Degrees in Design, Commerce or Accountancy

ENROL NOW FOR JULY INTAKE Classes start 21 July NEW IN 2014! Bachelor of Commerce (Event Managment) Diploma of Applied Fashion Design & Technology places limited www.rafes.edu.au

99 Mount Street North Sydney, NSW, 2060 (02) 9922 4278 BRAG :: 563 :: 21:06:14 :: 27

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R AFFLES COLLEGE OF DESIGN & COMMERCE WHERE: 99 MOUNT ST, NORTH SYDNEY NEXT INTAKE: THURSDAY JULY 17 / THURSDAY OCTOBER 2 PHONE: (02) 9922 4278 EMAIL: CONTACT@RAFFLES.EDU.AU WEBSITE: RAFFLES.EDU.AU Raffles has been around for almost 25 years. Keeping pace with industry, we deliver excellent courses and produce graduates who are successful in their careers by having lecturers who are active in industry, so their teaching skills are based on real-time knowledge of the professional landscape.

ME TRO SCREEN Study at Metro Screen with the Certificate IV Screen & Media. Take a series of accredited part-time short courses in the evenings and over weekends at Metro Screen to build up an industry specialisation in key craft areas of writing, directing, production, post-production, cinematography, sound, editing and other specialist areas such as lighting and animation. Courses are set to suit all levels of training, with introductory and intermediate entry to suit your experience. Our courses are hands-on and practical and provide you with the tools to build your skills and find work in the screen and creative industries. Mix and Match: the full range of accredited short courses at Metro Screen can be mixed and matched to suit your working life and career goal. You can start at any point that suits your lifestyle and personal circumstances. Already in the industry? If you have work experience or you have completed an

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Courses on offer include Animation, Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing, Games Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Multimedia Design, New Media

accredited short course at Metro Screen previously, you may be eligible for RPL – Recognised Prior Learning. Ten jobs you can apply for with a Certificate IV are: 1. Production Assistant (TV & Film); 2. Editor’s Assistant (TV & Film); 3. Promotions Coordinator; 4. Content Marketing Assistant; 5. Video Content Coordinator; 6. Web Video Journalist – Cadetship; 7. Digital Content Producer; 8. Web Video Producer; 9. Distribution Administrator; 10. Independent Filmmaker

Fashion Design by Winson Tan & Digital Film, Photography, Accountancy, Design Management, Finance, Hospitality, Management and Marketing. Raffles offers the best of both worlds: a global outlook and resources with the quality learning of a boutique college environment. Raffles has 34 international colleges and 3 universities across 31 cities in 12 countries. Compared to government providers, our classes are small and the learning environment is more intimate.

If you’re not sure where to start or you’d like career advice, call Pete Ireland on (02) 9356 1818 or email learning@metroscreen. org.au or visit metroscreen.org.au/cert4. WHERE: CORNER OF OXFORD ST AND OATLEY RD, PADDINGTON PHONE: (02) 9356 1818 EMAIL: METRO@METROSCREEN. ORG.AU WEBSITE: METROSCREEN.ORG.AU

Games Design by Christian Hood

Classes fill fast, so allow yourself enough time to enrol and sort out your timetable. The internship program at Raffles is high-calibre, with industry partnership programs such as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia being a unique graduate mentorship program.

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

ALBUM OF THE WEEK SWANS

To Be Kind Mute / Create/Control

Swans return with a masterpiece, Xxxx made to be extreme.

Their new album is considerably lighter in tone, with many of the tracks having a rhythmic pulse. But in many ways, it is The Seer’s sequel; louder, more explosive, more violent. Its similarity to The Seer will no doubt inspire debates over which is better. That album featured long passages of

drone music, which made the explosive parts that much more effective in an album setting. To Be Kind features ten masterpieces, assembled in a way that can be draining to listen to in one sitting. Which isn’t a bad thing. Every track is its own perfect monolith, and this music was made to be extreme, from the mutant blues of opener ‘Screen

Shot’ and the engrossing mantra of the 34-minute ‘Bring The Sun/Toussaint L’ouverture’ to the spasmodic ‘Oxygen’. These are pieces to get lost in. To fight your way through to the other side and see if you survive. Leonardo Silvestrini

ED KUEPPER

JENNY QUEEN

LILY ALLEN

RÖYKSOPP & ROBYN

WHITE SEA

The Return Of The Mail-Order Bridegroom Valve

Small Town Misfi ts ABC/Universal

Sheezus Parlophone/Warner

Do It Again POD/Inertia

In Cold Blood POD/Inertia

Some artists are so extraordinarily talented you have to wonder why they are so underrated. Small Town Misfi ts is hopefully the record that will propel Sydney’s Jenny Queen into the big leagues of folk/country alongside the likes of Lucinda Williams and Kasey Chambers.

After bursting onto the scene with hit ‘Smile’ back in 2006 via debut album Alright, Still, and consolidating her reputation as pop’s First Lady of the Outspoken with 2009’s follow-up It’s Not Me, It’s You, Lily Allen is back with Sheezus.

Heaps chiller. These Scandinavians have united to produce a typical Röyksopp concoction assimilating the best of their glitchy beats, youthful vocals and poppy drum loops… with some Robyn thrown in.

Morgan Kibby shared writing and production duties on M83’s Saturdays = Youth, and went one step further on Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming by adding her voice to the single ‘Midnight City’. Now, her ethereal vocals and layered arrangements are featured in a more vibrant yet assured incarnation on her sweeping debut solo album In Cold Blood, released under the moniker White Sea.

Ed Kuepper’s recent acoustic request tour inspired him to sit down and record a collection of the songs that worked the best, providing a good overview of his storied 40-year career in the process. With just his voice, an acoustic guitar, and a few other backing instruments here and there, Kuepper attempts to cast his songs in a different light and succeeds. Kuepper’s voice is sometimes a little thin for this setting, but he more than makes up for it with his incredibly evocative guitar playing. Some songs here, such as The Saints’ ‘Swing For The Crime’, are punk songs played acoustically, creating a type of urgent folk. Others seem to have been made specifically for this format, such as the spot-on Skip James cover ‘Cypress Grove Blues’ and Laughing Clowns’ ‘Eternally Yours’. The arguable highlight of the set is ‘No Regrets’. Originally by Tom Rush, the mournful lyrics benefit from Kuepper’s straightforward voice, and he makes the song his own. The collection will no doubt please long-time Kuepper fans, but it also has the added benefit of acting like a greatest hits sampler for intrigued music enthusiasts looking for a way into Kuepper’s career. Leonardo Silvestrini

Queen’s third album offers a mix of excitement and awe while at times it sneaks up and slaps you so hard it comes as a shock. While there’s an instant nostalgia that comes along for the ride, Queen explores many untapped areas lyrically and musically. Shane Nicholson’s production is impeccable, but how could he deliver anything short of superb when Queen’s songs are so magical? They encompass the strength and fragility of Jewel married with the darkness of Ryan Adams and the angst of Bob Dylan. Standout tracks include ‘Dead Man’s Hand’; ‘Mother’s Son’; the twists and turns of the album’s opener, ‘Blood Meridian’ and ‘Austin’ – an impressive duet with the equally sublime Brooke McClymont. Small Town Misfi ts is a smart yet classy release which places Queen front and centre of an elite group of artists in this particular field. Karen Waters

A five-year musical hiatus that was initially a full-blown retirement saw Allen do some growing up, get married and have two kids. Gone are the days of party Allen – doting mother and happily married Allen has arrived in lieu, for the most part anyway. Singles such as ‘Hard Out Here’ and the title track have been well publicised, and for good reason; it seems as if Allen is trying too hard in parts here. Perhaps she’s worried that her talent alone isn’t enough to carry an album, and therefore relies on shock lyrics, pop culture references and a little too much Auto-Tune. That said, there are some real quality pop songs to be found, especially if you let the music wash over you and don’t pay too much attention to the lyrics or the constant changes in style. ‘L8 CMMR’ shows how satisfied Allen is with the bedroom chops of her new hubby, ‘URL Badman’ tackles online trolls and ‘Insincerely Yours’ pokes fun at ungrateful artists who take fans for granted.

THUNDEREGG C’mon Thunder Independent/Bandcamp San Francisco-based quiet achiever Thunderegg (AKA Will Georgantas) 30 :: BRAG :: 563 :: 21:05:14

Nothing on C’Mon Thunder breaks the mould. The melodies have swished around in the pop consciousness since the advent of the dictaphone, and Georgantas’ nasal tone is far from exceptional. Nevertheless, when the constituent parts gel together, you’ll get lost imagining the summer kids doing the “shimmy round” and the “loop-theloop” (‘Summer Kids’) and the stupid

Both ‘Sayit’ and ‘Inside The Idle Hour Club’ are repetitive and not quite juicy enough to really demand undivided attention. However, ‘Every Little Thing’, like ‘What Else Is There?’ on 2005’s The Understanding, is a nicely understated slice of pop. The album’s marketing campaign will undoubtedly be funded almost entirely by ‘Do It Again’ and its permanent residency on Nova’s playlist for the next three months. It’s catchy and fruity, but borderline too contemporary; it’s almost too influenced, Guetta-style.

Kibby said she wanted to create an “almost visual experience” for people listening to the album, and she’s succeeded in that, even beyond the dusk-softened video trailers. The richly looped elements build on each other as swelling strings, snapping snares and pulsing synths form a solid foundation for her otherworldly vocals to soar over like a wheeling bird. Opener ‘They Don’t Know’ is a stirring choir of clear, sparkling vocals that fizzes into the back-andforth rhythms of ‘Prague’. At times it is pure frothy fun – ‘Future Husbands’ is stirring neo-disco – but some of her lyrics stray off the saccharine path into stickier territory, as in ‘Warsaw’.

A solid and fun release, even if it lacks any kind of cohesion.

Do It Again is a decent listen, but little more.

The balance of stirring electronic beats and soaring classical vocals is almost pitch perfect on In Cold Blood. As White Sea, Morgan Kibby demonstrates her ability to create captivating tapestries of sound.

Alexander Crowden

Liz Elleson

Natalie Amat

INDIE ALBUM OF THE WEEK has been making intriguing indienerd records since the late ’90s. His trademark is a paradoxical pairing of just-woke-up effortlessness and pedantic attention to detail – Georgantas comes across as a chronic contemplator, but thankfully, transferring contemplation into amusingly enlightening lyrics and accessible vocal melodies comes easy.

The first track, and the mini-album’s standout, ‘Monument’, is composed of groovy, dark basslines feathered with airy synths colliding into a dissonant wall of sound. A desert of layered synths sits right in the middle of the track, before being pierced with Robyn’s candid vocals, pouring over it all and pooling into a bath of dark lyrics. It’s polished off with decorative, translucent alto sax; a really nice touch.

shoes that “Take you, but won’t tell you where to go” (‘Your Shoes Are Stupid’).

OFFICE MIXTAPE And here are the albums that have helped BRAG HQ get through the week...

Thunderegg belongs to a tradition of songwriters (alongside Yo La Tengo, Eels and Teenage Fanclub) who are happy to dispel their musings from the shadows. Not vying for the spotlight allows freedom to chase one’s idiosyncratic whims.

DANNY BROWN - Old OASIS - The Masterplan R.E.M. - Automatic For The People

C’Mon Thunder presents a unique identity, but it’s universal in its placid peculiarity. Georgantas explores the ins and outs of his everyday plight in front of you. It’s invigorating to witness and as the record progresses you’re encouraged to correspond with your own insecurities.

EDDIE VEDDER - Into The Wild FOSTER THE PEOPLE - Supermodel

Augustus Welby thebrag.com

xxx photo by xxxnlee

After 2012’s The Seer, Swans found themselves the most popular they’d ever been in their entire 30-year career. With To Be Kind, they’ve decided to double down with another two-hour, double-disc collection of the most brutal, hypnotising music you will ever hear.

live review

What we've been out to see...

THE NAKED AND FAMOUS, VANCOUVER SLEEP CLINIC Metro Theatre Tuesday May 13

There’s almost definitely something in New Zealand’s water. Since their 2011 debut LP Passive Me, Aggressive You plunged a silver fern stake into the international music scene, The Naked And Famous have seen their tracks bounding through television shows and films, from Degrassi to Gossip Girl, The Vampire Diaries and even the Kony 2012 doco. Pushing its own enticing brand of pop-rock noir, the five-piece has the Metro packed out long before taking the stage. Vancouver Sleep Clinic is 17-yearold Tim Bettinson, and with a moniker sounding like a track on Bon Iver’s self-titled 2011 holy-grailof-folk album, VSC’s sonic similarity comes almost naturally. The young

Aussie’s glassy falsetto dances over churning laps of sound, punctured by ratatat drums and smooth keys. His almost indiscernible lyrics do little to appease the restless crowd, though, which almost throws him off with its nonchalant chatter. TNAF launch into their set with the playful aggression that defines their earlier releases, as female lead Alisa Xayalith’s voice pierces through the sleek synth with pitch-perfect gusto. Sporting a platinum blonde pixie cut, Xayalith motions her kimonostyle sleeves around, instinctively dictating the melody to a crowd that soon turns into a choir. Syncopated rhythms fill the room and belligerent riffs add shade to the light ambience, while Thom Powers’ vocal tone likewise serves a refreshing balance. Crushing the one-hit-wonder curse, tracks from new album In Rolling Waves have the crowd enraptured, ‘Hearts Like Ours’ already a standout sing-along. Sandwiched in between the band’s mini-anthems are some more melancholic musings like ‘I Kill Giants’.

PHOTOGRAPHER :: ASHLEY MAR

The band says it recorded its new album with the intention of translating it seamlessly into a live show setting – a feature that shines through. Alongside, the light display is nothing short of spectacular, soaring with choruses and transforming the band into silhouette. It’s another element in the atmospherics, adding that extra glow to big hits like ‘Punching In A Dream’. Inviting but never too forceful or full on, TNAF are masters of their craft, and more than likely the next NZ talent we’ll claim for ourselves. Mina Kitsos

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live reviews

up all night out all week . . .

What we've been out to see...

PARADISCO

THE PERCH CREEK FAMILY JUGBAND, THE WOOHOO REVUE

Oxford Art Factory Friday May 16

Newtown Social Club Monday May 12

While Australian electronic music begins to get the recognition it deserves around the globe, it’s good to see a party crew presenting a solid lineup of leftfi eld electronica that doesn’t settle for the four-on-the-fl oor EDM or trap bangers so ubiquitous at the moment. Presented by joint Sydney and Melbourne crews, it’s also nice to see some synergy between arguably the country’s two biggest cities but also its biggest music rivals.

More than just a great band to say aloud, The Woohoo Revue are one of those madcap, energetic acts who could probably power a small neighbourhood were they ever connected to the electricity grid. A kind of burlesque, gypsy swing outfit which has been loaded into a circus cannon and fired onto stage, this is a band that would be most at home playing for an audience of similar rapscallions gathered around a bonfire, swilling unmentionable cocktails from jugs while wolves snatch the unwary and drag them howling into the trees… Colourful if slightly ramshackle, in other words, and able to whip the audience into a suitable whirling frenzy for headliners, The Perch Creek Family Jugband.

Phondupe brought a strong musicality to the stage, with the one-man show including live keys and vocals. After warming up, he put on a very slick and diverse set of airy trip hop and electronica with strong danceability. He defi nitely set the standard for the night and is one to watch.

The last of their Australian shows promoting second album Jumping On The Highwire, the gig also functions as the official launch of the Newtown Social Club (formerly the Sandringham Hotel), and does so in style. The four-member family troupe (plus boyfriend on bass) has some of the most haunting and hypnotic tunes – ‘Something In The Valley’, ‘Big Things Calling’, ‘The Great Unknown’ – that slide effortlessly into more upbeat numbers like ‘Bitchin’ Betty Lou’ and album single ‘Where You Been’. They’re a bewildering talented crew, with some of the most arresting harmonies you’re likely to hear anytime soon (and though the album is strong, catching the band live is where these songs truly soar).

gang of youths

PICS :: KC

Twin Caverns offered more of a gothic edge via their downtempo electronica, with two live guitars adding a depth to the sound. Embassy brought a lot of confi dence to the stage, looking far more seasoned than his years or stage experience would imply. Beneath the beats, there are some real songs here – and some dance added to the alt-R&B vibes of the moment.

16:03:14 :: Newtown Social Club :: 387 King St Newtown 1300 724 876

Friendships were the very talkedabout headliner for the night and defi nitely relished the role. Playing inside a mosquito net and projecting onto and behind it with trippy visuals, there was a big Kawaii element to their mash of electronica with small splashes of DnB and rave. Watching them jump around was priceless, knowing they were having a good time without even needing the crowd’s approval. There’s a broad appeal in their balls-out quirky show, so we’ll be hearing from these guys again soon I’m sure.

Singing duties are spread out more or less evenly across the band, and each singer brings their own style and substance to the performance – elder sister Camilla acts as gregarious barker and train whistle extraordinaire, while younger sister Eileen is the big-voiced troublemaking troubadour happy to step offstage and take the performance into the crowd. Brothers Christi and Lear are a remarkably gifted pair, sharing vocals while finding the time to break out the harmonica, drums, washboard, saw and trombone throughout the night (and also adept at providing a hint of bizarre danger to the show, as the protruding trombone somehow manages to avoid whacking an oblivious Eileen in the face time and time again).

Overall, this was an excellent showcase of what’s happening at the edge of the current wave, and there’s defi nitely more than one future star here. Let’s hope Paradisco becomes a regular night out.

The sound in the new band room is fantastic, and from the very first song a brace of revellers has stormed the front of stage; in no time at all, the rest of the crowd is up and dancing, and so the night swings sweetly on. Both are bands you’d be crazy not to catch.

Julian Ramundi

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the soorleys

PICS :: AM

the casualties

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Adam Norris

17:03:14 :: Upstairs Beresford :: 354 Bourke St Surry Hills 8313 5000 thebrag.com

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graveyard rockstars

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up all night out all week . . .

the english beat

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18:05:14 :: Frankie's Pizza :: 50 Hunter St Sydney

jo elms

PICS :: KC

17:03:14 :: Metro Theatre :: 624 George St Sydney 9550 3666

15:05:14 :: Metro Theatre :: 624 George St Sydney 9550 3666 OUR LOVELY PHOTOGRAPHER

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vance joy

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16:03:14 :: Foundry616 :: 616 Harris St Ultimo 9211 9442

16:05:14 :: The Vanguard :: 42 King St Newtown 9557 9409

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send your listings to : gigguide@thebrag.com

pick of the week Ms. Lauryn Hill

TUESDAY MAY 27 Sydney Opera House

Ms. Lauryn Hill 8pm. $79. WEDNESDAY MAY 21 JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC Gang Of Brothers Spring Street Social, Bondi Junction. 9pm. free. Lionel Cole Imperial Hotel, Paddington. 8pm. free. Supafly Jam Night (Open Mic) Vintage Night Club, Sydney. 8pm. free. The Blues Night The Commons, Darlinghurst. 6pm. free.

ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES AND FOLK

Billie McCarthy + Daniel March Venue 505, Surry Hills. 6pm. $15. Mitch Anderson & His Organic Orchestra Coopers Hotel, Newtown. 8:45pm. free. Pulp Kitchen And Folk Club - feat: Live Rotating Folk Bands Soda Factory, Surry Hills. 5pm. free.

34 :: BRAG :: 563 :: 21:05:14

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

Andy Mammers Duo Maloney’s Hotel, Sydney. 9pm. free. Cambodian Children’s Trust Benefit Concert - feat: Jimmy Barnes + Arj Barker + Lior Enmore Theatre, Newtown. 8pm. $49.90. Dead Letter Circus + Live Thieves + Self Is A Seed Tattersalls Hotel Penrith, Penrith. 8pm. $34.70. Dustin Tebbutt + The Tambourine Girls Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 7:30pm. $19.50. Fat Bubba’s Chicken Wednesdays Soda Factory, Surry Hills. 5pm. free. Foveaux + Soundbenders + Rachel Sampson The Vanguard, Newtown. 7:30pm. $16.80. Gemma Observer Hotel, The Rocks. 8:30pm. free. Greg Byrne Duo Ettamogah Hotel, Kelly Ridge. 6:30pm. free. Jodie Michael Foundry616, Ultimo. 8:30pm. $16.50. Lorias Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel,

Ultimo. 7pm. $10. The Owls Beach Road Hotel, Bondi Beach. 8pm. free.

Ultimo. 8pm. $10. Live Music Thursdays Bar100, The Rocks. 5pm. free.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

A Team Duo Crows Nest Hotel, Crows Nest. 9pm. free. Cambo Observer Hotel, The Rocks. 8:30pm. free. Dead Letter Circus + Live Thieves + Self Is A Seed Carmens Miranda, 8pm. $35.20. DMA’s Goodgod Small Club, Sydney. 8pm. $13.30. Dustin Tebbutt + The Tambourine Girls Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 7:30pm. $19.50. James Englund Hillside Hotel, Castle Hill. 7:30pm. free. Jamie Lindsay Dee Why Hotel, Dee Why. 7pm. free. Joe Echo Duo Maloney’s Hotel, Sydney. 9:30pm. free. Leura Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 9pm. free. Los Tones + Bad Feeling Woman Hotel Steyne, Manly. 9pm. free. Matt Jones Northies Cronulla Hotel, Cronulla. 8pm. free. Matt Price Coogee Bay Hotel, Coogee. 10pm. free. Melody Rhymes Northies Cronulla Hotel, Cronulla. 7:30pm. free. My Echo Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney. 10pm. free. Nine Sons Of Dan + Far Away Stables Exchange Hotel, Darlinghurst. 7pm. $18.50. Octavian The Vanguard, Newtown. 8pm. $10.80. She Rex + Lepers & Crooks The Roller Den, Erskineville. 8pm. $13.80. Sugar Wolves Standard Bowl, Surry Hills. 6pm. free. The Late Night Soda Social Soda Factory, Surry Hills. 5pm. free. Tiny Hearts Foundry616, Ultimo. 8:30pm. $16.50. Victa + Redundant Technology Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 7pm. free.

THURSDAY MAY 22

FRIDAY MAY 23

JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC

ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

Cole Soul And Emotion feat: Lionel Cole The White Horse, Surry Hills. 8pm. free. LiveLatin Sessions - feat: Salsa Dance Classes + Bachata Classes + Gonzalo Porta Jam Gallery, Bondi Junction. 6:30pm. $5. The Blues Night The Commons, Darlinghurst. 6pm. free.

ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES AND FOLK Alex Roussos Nag’s Head Hotel, Glebe. 8:15pm. free. Divas + Cub Callaway + Grey Turns Blonde + Richard Ploog + Phill Hall Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel,

Midlake

Live Music Fridays Bar100, The Rocks. 5pm. free. Steve Tonge Duo Collingwood Hotel, Liverpool. 4:30pm. free. Things Of Stone & Wood The Vanguard, Newtown. 6:30pm. $36.80. Todd Sibbins The Newsagency, Marrickville. 8:30pm. $10.

JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC Dubradadan Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 9pm. $5. Jazz Hip-Hop Freestyle Sessions Foundry616, Ultimo. 11:30pm. free. Salsa Kingz Revesby Workers Club, Revesby. 8:30pm. free.

Super Massive + White Knuckle Fever Coogee Bay Hotel, Coogee. 8:30pm. free. The Blues Night The Commons, Darlinghurst. 6pm. free.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

Andy Mammers Adria, Sydney. 5pm. free. Bad//Dreems Black Wire Records, Annandale. 7pm. $10. Bede Kennedy The Grand Hotel, Rockdale. 5:30pm. free. Black Diamond Hearts Crows Nest Hotel, Crows Nest. 10:30pm. free. Carl Fidler Observer Hotel, The Rocks. 6pm. free. Cath & Him St George Leagues Club, Kogarah. 9pm. free. David Agius Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill. 9:30pm. free. Dead Letter Circus + Live Thieves + Self Is A Seed Hornsby RSL, Hornsby. 8pm. $34.70. Dollshay Quakers Inn, Quakers Hill. 8pm. free. Ebolagoldfish Factory Theatre, Marrickville. 7pm. $10. Ed Kuepper Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 7pm. $29. Fallon Bros Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale. 9pm. free. General Pants And The Privates Lewisham Hotel, Lewisham. 8pm. free. Geoff Rana Duo Hillside Hotel, Castle Hill. 8pm. free. Gerard Masters Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale. 5:30pm. free. Greg Agar Scruffy Murphy’s Hotel, Sydney. 7:30pm. free. Greg Byrne Duo Kirribilli Hotel, Milsons Point. 8pm. free. Heath Burdell Ingleburn RSL, Ingleburn. 9pm. free. Hue Williams The Oasis On Beamish, Campsie. 8pm. free. I Know Leopard Standard Bowl, Surry Hills. 6pm. free. Jess Dunbar Novotel, Darling Harbour. 5:30pm. free. Live Music At The Royal The Royal, Leichhardt. 9:30pm. free. Luke Dolahenty Parramatta RSL, Parramatta. 5pm. free. Mark Oats And Jess Dunbar Duo PJ Gallagher’s, Leichhardt. 9pm. free. Matt Price Crows Nest Hotel, Crows Nest. 7pm. free. Matt Price Duo Kings Cross Hotel, Kings Cross. 11pm. free. Midlake

Sydney Opera House, Sydney. 8:30pm. $49. Nicky Kurta Stacks Taverna, Sydney. 5pm. free. Northlane Presents Free Your Mind 2014 - feat: Thy Art Is Murder + Veil Of Maya + Volumes + Make Them Suffer Metro Theatre, Sydney. 6:30pm. $39.90. Oliver Gross Due Time & Tide Hotel, Dee Why. 7:30pm. free. Pixies Sydney Opera House, Sydney. 8pm. $69. Paul McCann Duo Ramsgate RSL, Sans Souci. 8pm. free. Pop Fiction Cronulla RSL, Cronulla. 8pm. free. Q Sound Seven Hills Toongabbie RSL Club, Seven Hills. 8:30pm. free. Renae Stone Harbord Beach Hotel, Harbord. 7pm. free. Shadow Republic Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 9pm. $10. She Rex + Lepers & Crooks Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale. 8pm. $13.80. Steve Hancock Pittwater RSL, Mona Vale. 5:30pm. free. Swingshift - Cold Chisel Show Bull & Bush Hotel, Baulkham Hills. 10pm. free. The Catholics Foundry616, Ultimo. 8:30pm. $21.50. Todd McKenney Sings Peter Allen Rooty Hill RSL Club, Rooty Hill. 7:30pm. $55. Tori Darke Cyren Restaurant , Darling Harbour. 6pm. free. Twin Haus + The Upskirts + Gypsies & Gentlemen + The Vanns Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $10. Unity Floors + Food Court + Bowl Cut FBi Social, Kings Cross. 8pm. $10.

SATURDAY MAY 24 ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

Jono Lee Jones Collingwood Hotel, Liverpool. 6pm. free.

JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC Dutty Dancing - feat: DJ Reload + Shantan Wantan Ichiban + Basslines + Nick Toth + 101 Doll Squadron Goodgod Small Club, Sydney. 11pm. $5. Gary Johns + Sydney Funk Collective Revesby Workers Club, Revesby. 8:30pm. free. Greg Englert And His

thebrag.com

g g guide gig g

send your listings to : gigguide@thebrag.com Swinging Cats Penrith RSL, Penrith. 2pm. free. Malo Malo Orchestra Foundry616, Ultimo. 8:30pm. $21.50. Ska’d 4 Life - feat: Papa Gonzo Katoomba RSL, Katoomba. 8:30pm. free. Son Veneno + D-Minus + Agee Ortiz + Donbear + Dante Rivera Jam Gallery, Bondi Junction. 7:30pm. $15.

Xxx

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS AJ Harbourview Hotel, The Rocks. 8pm. free. Andy Mammers + Crash Avenue Crows Nest Hotel, Crows Nest. 10:30pm. free. Angie Dean Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill. 6:30pm. free. Ben Finn Trio The Mean Fiddler, Rouse Hill. 9pm. free. Cara Kavanagh + Mark Oats Duo PJ Gallagher’s, Leichhardt. 9pm. free. Caribbean Soul Harbord Beach Hotel, Harbord. 6pm. free. Closure In Moscow Collector Hotel, Parramatta. 8pm. $23.50. Dave Phillips Observer Hotel, The Rocks. 5:30pm. free. David Agius Duo Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel, Woolloomooloo. 9pm. free. Dead Letter Circus + Live Thieves + Self Is A Seed The Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay. 8pm. $35.20. DMA’s Goodgod Small Club, Sydney. 8pm. $13.30. Dutch Upstairs Beresford, Surry Hills. 6pm. free. Everyday People Band Ramsgate RSL, Sans Souci. 8pm. free. For Our Hero + Remission Theory + Highways + Sunny Side Up The Lair, Metro Theatre, Sydney. 4:45pm. $15. Geoff Rana Greystanes Inn, Greystanes Inn. 8pm. free. Green Ant + Stanley Knife + The Fuck Outs + Everything I Own Is Broken + Ivan & The Backpackers + Playground Of Hate Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 8pm. $10. Heath Burdell Clovelly Hotel, Clovelly. 8pm. free. Hue Williams Crown Hotel, Camden. 9:30pm. free. Infinity Broke + The Holy Soul + Lobsterman Factory Theatre, Marrickville. 7pm. $18. Iron Lion Bull & Bush Hotel, Baulkham Hills. 9:30pm. free. James Englund Kirribilli Hotel, Milsons Point. 8pm. free. Jamie Lindsay The Mean Fiddler, Rouse Hill. 6pm. free. John Waters Revesby Workers Club, Revesby. 8pm. $45. Kallidad + The Domestics Beach Road Hotel, Bondi Beach. 8pm. free. Kick INXS Show South Hurstville RSL Club, South Hurstville. 8pm. free. Lo Roberts Huskisson Hotel, Huskisson. 8pm. free. Marty Simpson Harbord Beach Hotel, Harbord. 7pm. free.

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Masterpiece Campbelltown Catholic Club, Campbelltown. 9:30pm. free. Matt Jones Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill. 9pm. free. Michael McGlynn New Brighton Hotel, Manly. 10pm. free. My Echo Tattersalls Hotel Penrith, Penrith. 8:30pm. free. Northlane Presents Free Your Mind 2014 - feat: Thy Art Is Murder + Veil Of Maya + Volumes + Make Them Suffer Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle. 7:30pm. $39.90. One Hit Wonders Penrith RSL, Penrith. 9pm. free. Pixies Sydney Opera House, Sydney. 8pm. $69. Renae Stone Cock & Bull, Bondi. 5pm. free. Rob Henry Observer Hotel, The Rocks. 4pm. free. Service Bells + Claws & Organs Standard Bowl, Surry Hills. 6pm. free. Shadow Republic Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 8pm. $10. Sharron Bowman Time & Tide Hotel, Dee Why. 7:30pm. free. She Rex + Lepers & Crooks Small Ballroom, Newcastle. 8pm. $13.80. Spank Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill. 10:30pm. free. St. Vincent Sydney Opera House, Sydney. 8pm. $49. Still Life 003 - feat: Trinity + Forrest Ensemble + Tobio + Loft + Mobius + Ben Drayton + Skerrick Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 9pm. $10. Swanee Windsor Leagues Club, Windsor South. 7pm. $40. The April Maze Small Ballroom, Newcastle. 8pm. $15. Three Wise Men Observer Hotel, The Rocks. 4pm. free. Tim Shaw Brewhouse Marayong, Kings Park. 8pm. free. Tori Darke Sir Joseph Banks Hotel, Botany. 7pm. free. Van The Man Lizotte’s, Newcastle. 6pm. $31. Venus Duo Ettamogah Hotel, Kelly Ridge. 7pm. free. Victoria Avenue Crows Nest Hotel, Crows Nest. 7pm. free. Zoltan Adria, Sydney. 5pm. free. Zoltan Australian Hotel And Brewery, Rouse Hill. 10pm. free.

SUNDAY MAY 25 JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC

Sunday Sessions - feat: Four Kings + Three Wise Men + Jimbo + PJ And Chappo + Keepin It Real Duo Bull & Bush Hotel, Baulkham Hills. 3pm. free. Yuki Kumagai + John Mackie + Paul Furniss + Tony Burkys + Bob Gillespie Cronulla RSL, Cronulla. 12:30pm. free.

ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES AND FOLK

Cash Only Marrickville Bowling Club, Marrickville. 4:30pm. free. Charlie Gradon + The Green Mohair Suits + Tommy Novak The Welcome Hotel, Rozelle. 4pm. free. Chill Out Sundays Scubar, Sydney. 7:30pm. free. David Bridie + Amanda Brown Camelot Lounge, Marrickville. 6:30pm. $30. Intimate Sessions Paragon Hotel, Sydney. 6pm. free. Ivory Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 4pm. $10. Live Music Sundays Bar100, The Rocks. 1pm. free. Sunday Blues And Roots The White Horse, Surry Hills. 5pm. free.

wed

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May

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23 may

(4:30PM - 7:30PM)

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SATURDAY AFTERNOON

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

sat

sun

24 May

MONDAY MAY 26 JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC

Latin & Jazz Jam Open Mic Night World Bar, Kings Cross. 7pm. free. Mambo Mondays Bar100, The Rocks. 5:30pm. free. Motown Mondays - feat: Soulgroove The White Horse, Surry Hills. 8pm. free. Reggae Monday

25 May

(4:30PM - 7:30PM)

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

2 Shots Of Classic Rock Time & Tide Hotel, Dee Why. 2pm. free. Cath & Him Crossroads Hotel, Casula. 1pm. free. David Agius Pritchards Hotel, Mount Pritchard. 1pm. free. Elevation U2 Acoustic Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 4:30pm. free. Fabulous Rhythm Cats Penrith RSL, Penrith. 2pm. free. Ian Blakeney Ramsgate RSL, Sans Souci. 2pm. free. Jamie Lindsay Mill Hill Hotel, Bondi Junction. 3pm. free. Joe Echo Duo The Mean Fiddler, Rouse Hill. 1:30pm. free. Kiyomi Vella + Ben Hazlewood + Mali-Koa Hood Brass Monkey, Cronulla. 8pm. $20. Luke Dixon Campbelltown Catholic Club, Campbelltown. 6pm. free. Luke Dolahenty Coogee Bay Hotel, Coogee. 8:30pm. free. Mark Travers Ettamogah Hotel, Kelly Ridge. 1pm. free. Melody Rhymes Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel, Woolloomooloo. 3pm. free. Nine Sons Of Dan + Far Away Stables The Bald Faced Stag, Leichhardt. 7pm. $18.50. Pixies Sydney Opera House, Sydney. 8:30pm. $69. Rob Henry Observer Hotel, The Rocks. 8pm. free. Slaytanic Swillfest Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney. 4pm. free.

(9:30PM - 12:30AM)

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(8:30PM - 12:00AM)

(9:30PM - 1:15PM)

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BRAG :: 563 :: 21:05:14 :: 35

g g guide gig g

send your listings to : gigguide@thebrag.com Civic Underground, Sydney. 10pm. free.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

Carl Fidler Observer Hotel, The Rocks. 8:30pm. free. Frankie’s World Famous House Band Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney. 9pm. free. Kate Miller-Heidke Sydney Opera House, Sydney. 8:30pm. $59. Pixies Sydney Opera House, Sydney. 8pm. $69. The Great Australian Songbook - feat: Jon Stevens + Shannon Noll

+ Dave Faulkner + Diesel + James Morrison + Christine Anu + Iota + Casey Donovan + Monica Trapaga + Mark Williams + Ciaran Gribbin Enmore Theatre, Newtown. 7:30pm. $69.

Sydney. 8:30pm. $45. Steve Tonge Observer Hotel, The Rocks. 8:30pm. free. Kate Miller-Heidke

TUESDAY MAY 27 INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS Ms. Lauryn Hill Sydney Opera House, Sydney. 8pm. $79. Nils Frahm Sydney Opera House,

gig picks

up all night out all week...

DMA’s

WEDNESDAY MAY 21 Cambodian Children’s Trust Benefit Concert - feat: Jimmy Barnes + Arj Barker + Lior Enmore Theatre, Newtown. 8pm. $49.90. Dustin Tebbutt + The Tambourine Girls Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 7:30pm. $19.50.

THURSDAY MAY 22 DMA’s Goodgod Small Club, Sydney. 8pm. $13.30. Octavian The Vanguard, Newtown. 8pm. $10.80. She Rex + Lepers & Crooks The Roller Den, Sydney. 8pm. $13.80.

FRIDAY MAY 23 Dead Letter Circus + Live Thieves + Self Is A Seed Hornsby RSL, Hornsby. 8pm. $34.70. Ebolagoldfish Factory Theatre, Marrickville. 7pm. $10. Ed Kuepper Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 7pm. $29. Midlake Sydney Opera House, Sydney. 8:30pm. $49. Northlane Presents Free Your Mind 2014 - feat: Thy Art Is Murder + Veil Of Maya + Volumes + Make Them Suffer Metro Theatre, Sydney. 6:30pm. $39.90. Pixies Sydney Opera House, Sydney. 8pm. $69. Things Of Stone & Wood The Vanguard, Newtown. 6:30pm. $36.80. Twin Haus + The Upskirts + Gypsies &

36 :: BRAG :: 563 :: 21:05:14

Gentlemen + The Vanns Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $10. Unity Floors + Food Court + Bowl Cut FBi Social, Kings Cross. 8pm. $10.

SATURDAY MAY 24 For Our Hero + Remission Theory + Highways + Sunny Side Up The Lair, Metro Theatre, Sydney. 4:45pm. $15. Infinity Broke + The Holy Soul + Lobsterman Factory Theatre, Marrickville. 7pm. $18. Son Veneno + D-Minus + Agee Ortiz + Donbear + Dante Rivera Jam Gallery, Bondi Junction. 7:30pm. $15. St. Vincent Sydney Opera House, Sydney. 8pm. $49.

SUNDAY MAY 25 David Bridie + Amanda Brown Camelot Lounge, Marrickville. 6:30pm. $30. Kiyomi Vella + Ben Hazlewood + MaliKoa Hood Brass Monkey, Cronulla. 8pm. $20. Nine Sons Of Dan + Far Away Stables The Bald Faced Stag, Leichhardt. 7pm. $18.50.

MONDAY MAY 26 Kate Miller-Heidke Sydney Opera House, Sydney. 8:30pm. $59. The Great Australian Songbook - feat: Jon Stevens + Shannon Noll + Dave Faulkner + Diesel + James Morrison + Christine Anu + Iota + Casey Donovan + Monica Trapaga + Mark Williams + Ciaran Gribbin Enmore Theatre, Newtown. 7:30pm. $69.

thebrag.com

brag beats

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

dance music news club, dance and hip hop in brief... with Chris Honnery

five things WITH

Andhim

REBEKAH Canada’s Tomorrow’s Harvest and absolutely adored it; also there is my midweek blues and beach music. I also find inspiration from the places I visit: the beautiful world we live in, art, transcending feelings. I try to be open to all of it. Your Crew That would be CLR, Chris Liebing’s 3. label. I mainly do gigs alone but once in a while we all get together to do a showcase – most recently we did the Timewarp pre-party and it was such a great party with lots of good energy. I have been friends with Tommy Four Seven [CLR artist] for many years now; he has been a true inspiration throughout my move onto CLR and with my productions. Chris has also been monumental with his openness and always having time to nurture his artists. The Music You Make And Play I produce and play techno music – it’s 4. a modern twist on the music I loved from the

Growing Up My parents were original punk rockers 1. in the ’70s so I grew up with lots of music on at home, anything from Patti Smith through to Kraftwerk. My mum’s seven-inch collection is awesome but she won’t let me have it! My mum’s sense of rebellion and anarchy definitely gave me the freedom to pursue my own dreams, however far-fetched they were. I really like the punk attitude that can be found in techno music, especially within the UK sound. Inspirations So many – I listen to anything from 2. Marvin Gaye right through to Lana Del Rey with some Nirvana thrown in the middle. I do have a memory of listening to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon with a friend when we were 15 – that was pretty special and memorable. Recently I listened to Boards Of

KINK ANNIVERSARY PARTY

Prepare for a night of hedonistic nostalgia: ten years on from KINK hosting its first party at The Arthouse with DJ Falcon, the KINK crew is throwing a ten-year anniversary bash at the same venue on Sunday June 8 of the long weekend. While many of the most popular figures in the club milieu have played at KINK over the years – Roger Sanchez, David Guetta, Cassius et al. – the forthcoming birthday celebration will be focused on KINK’s resident and regular DJs. The likes of Ben Morris, Shamus, John Glover, Brenden Fing, Trix, Goodfella, Illya, Tom Piper, Telefunken and James Taylor will all throw down, with second release tickets available online for $25.

MODULATIONS FT PET SHOP BOYS

xxx

Tickets are still available at the time of writing for the fi nal of the Pet Shop Boys’ three performances at Carriageworks, on Sunday June 8 for the Modulations Vivid showcase. One of the most celebrated songwriting pairings of modern times, Pet Shop Boys have remained at the forefront of the pop realm for over 30 years, releasing classic tracks such as ‘West End Girls’, ‘Being Boring’ and their most recent single ‘Love Is A Bourgeois Construct’, which was produced by Stuart Price. The Presets will deliver a warm-up DJ set before Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe take to the stage at 9:30pm.

thebrag.com

’90s whilst growing up in Birmingham. I would listen to Dave Clarke and Richie Hawtin at a local night called Atomic Jam, which is pretty legendary. In the studio I’m generally a solo flier, I found it hard to translate my ideas to sound engineers and producers in the early days and realised very quickly I had to do this all by myself. Within my DJ sets I move through different styles of techno and try and incorporate acid, ’90s techno, some industrial sounds and of course the CLR music. Music, Right Here, Right Now The techno scene is thriving currently, 5. I’m seeing more and more kids across Europe get into this sound. I was just in Paris and played at a club called Concrete and it was going off well into the early morning. What: S.A.S.H Sundays With: Phil Kieran, Dan Baartz, Matt Weir, Kerry Wallace Where: Flyover Bar When: Sunday May 25

MOTORIK

French veteran Michel Amato, AKA The Hacker, commands top billing at the upcoming Motorik bash at Marrickville Bowling Club on Friday May 23. The Hacker rose to prominence during the electroclash era, collaborating with Miss Kittin and remixing the likes of Fischerspooner and Erol Alkan. He’s since released on labels like Turbo, Tigersushi, Infiné and Gigolo, and has just dropped a new EP Love/Kraft Part 1, the first half of what is essentially a split Hacker album, with the next instalment to follow shortly. DJ support will be provided by Motorik Vibe Council and Jensen Interceptor, with doors opening at 10pm. Pet Shop Boys

ANDHIM

German DJ/production duo Andhim, made up of Simon Haehnel and Tobias Müller, headline Chinese Laundry on Saturday June 7. The Cologne pair has impressive turntable credentials: Simon spent his teens scratching with various jazz musicians throughout Europe, while Tobias was part of the Noisy Stylus crew, winners of various ITF and DMC championships. Andhim recently released a new EP on the Get Physical label, which includes remixes from the likes of Kolsch, following on from their Body Language Vol. 14 compilation released earlier this year on the same label. Anyone unfamiliar with Andhim’s sound can get an idea of their brand of tech house from the fact that they’ve collaborated extensively with fellow Germans Super Flu. DJs Chris Fraser, Adam Zae, DJ Sabio and Whitecat will also throw down, with the revelry commencing at 9pm.

RED BULL MUSIC ACADEMY CLUB NIGHT

Phil Kieran

Detroit producer Jay Daniel headlines the next edition of Red Bull Music Academy Club Night on Saturday June 14 at Goodgod Small Club, his first appearance Down Under. Seasoned technophiles will tell you that Jay’s mother, Naomi, was the vocalist on Planet-E classics ‘Stars’ and ‘Feel The Fire’, which were released in the early ’90s. However, Jay has set about establishing his own legacy. A resident DJ at Kyle Hall’s Fundamentals party in Detroit, Daniel’s debut EP Scorpio Rising was pressed on Theo Parrish’s Sound Signature label. And if he’s good enough to attract Theo’s seal of approval, then you know he’s worth checking out. Daniel will be flanked by DJs Ben Fester & Preacha and Zeus. RSVP for free entry is essential, though entry is subject to capacity.

PICNIC PRESENTS FUN

Picnic is throwing an all-local bash, Fun, at an undisclosed venue on Saturday June 7. Andy Webb will be kicking off proceedings, before the pair Ben Fester & Preacha take over for a three-hour set. The duo have warmed up for the likes of Omar S, Floating Points and Mosca but on this occasion will have the peak set all to themselves. Picnic head honcho Kali will then round off the night with the closing set. Doors open 8pm and prospective revellers are advised that this party is BYO only.

JUST:WAX

The fortnightly vinyl affair at The Spice Cellar, Just:Wax, is throwing a Vivid afterparty on Wednesday June 4 featuring Dave Stuart. Renowned for peddling immersive dub techno, Stuart has shared the bill with many of the more interesting dance acts to tour Sydney over the years, including luminaries such as Efdemin and Vladislav Delay. The Shrug main man has also played at festivals such as Subsonic and was a regular at the now-defunct Strange Fruit weekly bash. Stuart will be joined by regular Ben Ashton, with the beats commencing at 10pm, following a burlesque show featuring performances by Penelope Morgan and Mariesa Mae.

SEAN ROMAN

Berlin-based Canadian Sean Roman will play at Start:Cue at Jam Gallery in Bondi Junction this Friday May 23. Roman has notched up recent releases on ‘so hot right now’ labels like Hot Creations and Miguel Campbell’s Outcross

PHIL KIERAN

Irish techno stalwart Phil Kieran will perform in Sydney this Sunday May 25. Kieran released one of the better albums of last year with his Le Carousel project, which was more focused on live instrumentation and songwriting (as opposed to club tracks tailored for the dancefloor). Le Carousel spawned a remix album featuring reworks by the likes of Andy Weatherall, David Holmes and The Hacker, with the latter’s refashioning of ‘Winter Months’ supported by the likes of Matthew Dear and ranking alongside the most memorable remixes of recent times. At the time of writing the venue was yet to be revealed, so keep your eyes and ears open.

Records, with his tracks popping up in sets from some of the most prominent DJs in the business. Rounding off the party, DJs Adam Proctor, Dyson, Rickstar, Ross Ashman and Tommy Rutherford will also hit the decks and tear the house down. BRAG :: 563 :: 21:05:14 :: 37

Ben Frost See The Light By Lachlan Kanoniuk It’s easy to attribute the extraordinary scope of Frost’s aural constructions to a geographical standing in the isolated realm of his adopted home – a fallacy, especially seeing A U R O R A was primarily composed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “I really wonder about this romantic notion of the geographical locality as a driving force,” Frost says. “The music I’m striving to make, [though] often these attempts end in failure – my career is a ten-year document of different kinds of failure – they’re all attempts at ecstasy of some kind, a kind of euphoria, a kind of oblivion, somehow. That’s what I demand of all art. Anything that affects me is going to be doing that on some level. I think that’s what we’re drawn to. Rooting that in a fundamental realism, saying, ‘This occurred in that place,’ I think that’s effective at selling records, but not really effective at affecting the listener.

N

earing a decade residing in Iceland, Ben Frost has steadfastly established himself as one of Australia’s premier electronic exports, pushing boundaries on record, onstage, and in extracurricular artistic pursuits. Latest record A U R O R A, Frost’s first since 2009’s By The Throat, needles confronting frequencies into all-obliterating leviathans of noise.

38 :: BRAG :: 563 :: 21:05:14

“I wouldn’t say that they are the noises going on inside of my head, as in, ‘This is what the inside of my head sounds like,’” Frost explains while ordering coffee near his Icelandic home. “But there is definitely an element, more often than not, of trying to realise something in an external form that I’m able to hear and want to exist outside of my head. It’s a weirdly

visual process as well; often they’re not specific sounds in terms of where they’re coming from or what their inherent nature is – they are these sort of shapes. It becomes about mediating between the idea in my head and what’s coming out of the speakers. Trying to balance the relationship between those two things. There’s a definite element of reaching out for an idea.”

“I remember vividly the months of fallout after my album Theory Of Machines [2007] – we were bombarded with these ‘glacial landscapes’, fucking, ‘windswept polar Bjork-inspired blah blah blah’… all this clichéd bullshit about Iceland, when the truth is I wrote most of that record in fucking Queensberry Street, Melbourne, Australia. I’m not saying those things are not true, I’m saying the truth is actually a subjective thing. It’s less glamorous to put in a press release that you wrote most of an album in a British Airways business lounge. It just doesn’t sound as cool.” The ‘drop’ is an intrinsic element to EDM, found all over the airwaves and huge festival environments. The dynamic can be found on A U R O R A, but instead of a cheap ploy to stoke gurn-faced fist-pumping, A U R O R A instigates teeth-shattering terror.

“That avoiding cliché, circumventing the pitfalls of uninteresting music, is often a case of pushing harder and further into the idea that scares you, the very idea of that ‘drop’ of the big chorus, the big chords, and in the case of A U R O R A, the light. I’m very hopeful people will hear a radiance in this music that I’ve never really attempted before. This isn’t a record that dwells in the shadows and deals in darkness as currency. It’s a record that is concerned with light, this blinding luminescence. It should feel alive. “A track like ‘Secant’, one of the images that was forefront in my mind was what has been achieved in the LHC [Large Hadron Collider] in Switzerland, that striving for attainment of a higher understanding, reaching out into the dark – taking something from a fi nite point and exploding outwards in a shower of energy and movement. In a small way, what I’m aiming at with this music is a breaking up of these ideas. Maybe even some of those clichés. I don’t want to be a musician who’s afraid of being uncool. It’s a strangling, horrible place to be. Worrying about how something is going to be perceived is the first step in ensuring it’s shit, basically.” As for the challenges in fi nding avenues to release music that is by no means conducive to laptop speaker listening, Frost’s resolve manages to conquer such obstacles. “That’s the part of me that is very Australian, and will always be: fundamentally, I don’t give a fuck. I will fi nd a way, and I always will. There is always a way.” What: A U R O R A out Friday May 23 through Mute / Create/ Control

thebrag.com

BRAG :: 563 :: 21:06:14 :: 39

club guide g

SATURDAY MAY 24 The Spice Cellar

Sneaky vs Spice

Black Angus + Murat Kilic 7pm. $25. WEDNESDAY MAY 21 CLUB NIGHTS

DJ Tom Kelly Goldfish, Kings Cross. 11pm. free. Lorias Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 8pm. $10. Sosueme - feat: Charlie Gradon + The Green Mohair Suits + Tommy Novak Beach Road Hotel, Bondi Beach. 8pm. free. The Supper Club - feat: Resident DJs Kit & Kaboodle, Kings Cross. 10pm. free. The Wall - feat: Various Local And International Acts World Bar, Kings Cross. 9pm. $5. Whip It Wednesdays - feat: Various DJs Whaat Club, Kings Cross. 9pm. free. xxx

THURSDAY MAY 22

CLUB NIGHTS

$5 Everything Scubar, Sydney. 5pm. free. Goldfish And Friends - feat: Regular Rotating Residents Goldfish, Kings Cross. 10pm. free. Kicks World Bar, Kings Cross. 9pm. free. Lights Out Ivy Bar/Lounge, Sydney. 8pm. free. Loopy - feat: Drty Csh + Daschwood + Generous Greed + Guest DJs

40 :: BRAG :: 563 : 21:05:14

The Backroom, Sydney. 10pm. $12. Pool Club Thursdays - feat: Resident DJs Ivy Bar/Lounge, Sydney. 5pm. free. Spice Thursdays - feat: EK The Spice Cellar, Sydney. 10pm. free. The World Bar Thursdays World Bar, Kings Cross. 9pm. free.

FRIDAY MAY 23 HIP HOP & R&B

Joelistics + Dialectrix - feat: N’Fa Jones The Roller Den, Sydney. 8pm. $24.

CLUB NIGHTS

Argyle Fridays - feat: Resident DJs The Argyle, The Rocks. 6pm. free. Cypher @ Brklyn Launch Party - feat: Nonne MC + 2face Vs Jason Matts + 316 + Baskiat + Prolifik The Gifted + Akunu + Dollar Bear Brklyn, Manly. 8pm. free. Dubradadan Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 9pm. $10. DJ Bliss Marquee, Pyrmont. 10pm. $18.40. Factory Fridays - feat: Resident DJs Soda Factory, Surry Hills. 5pm. free. Fresh Fridays - feat: Son Of Ra + The Kava Kings Beach Road Hotel, Bondi Beach. 8pm. free. Fridays - feat: DJ Morphingaz + Grant

Lewers + Pistolshrimp + Bernie Dingo + Stacie Todo + Kit Lennon + Toby Neal + Sam Wall + Benny B Manly Wharf Hotel, Manly. 8pm. free. Frisky Fridays Scubar, Sydney. 5pm. free. Haha Presents: DJ Sotofett + Simon Caldwell + Lorna Clarkson + D&D Goodgod Small Club, Sydney. 11pm. $20. KLP Upstairs Beresford, Surry Hills. 6pm. free. Lace Curtain + Lucy Cliche + DJ Al Fresco Goodgod Small Club, Sydney. 8pm. $10. Loco Friday - feat: Various Live Bands And DJs The Slip Inn, Sydney. 5pm. free. Moonshine Fridays Ivy Bar/Lounge, Sydney. 7pm. free. Paces + Rattraps Chinese Laundry, Sydney. 9pm. free. Siberian Nights - feat: Black Vanilla + Forces + Cassius Select + Dcm + Four Door Sydney Opera House, Sydney. 9pm. $35. Spice Spektrum - feat: Pink Lloyd The Spice Cellar, Sydney. 10pm. $20. Start:Cue Jam Gallery, Bondi Junction. 7:30pm. free.

Cubano + Resident DJ Willie Sabor The Establishment, Sydney. 8pm. free. Martini Club And Friends feat: Ocky + Tom Kelly Goldfi sh, Kings Cross. 10pm. free. S.A.S.H Sundays - feat: Phil Kieran + Rebekah + Dan Baartz + Matt Weir + Kerry Wallace Flyover Bar, Sydney. 12pm. $10. Sundays In The City - feat: Various DJs The Slip Inn, Sydney. 12pm. free.

HIP HOP & R&B

CLUB NIGHTS

Apollo Brown Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $12. Thundamentals Metro Theatre, Sydney. 8pm. $28.70.

MONDAY MAY 26 Crab Racing Scubar, Sydney. 7pm. free. DJ Mattia Goldfi sh, Kings Cross. 11pm. free.

TUESDAY MAY 27

SUNDAY MAY 25

CLUB NIGHTS

CLUB NIGHTS

Angelvoices Cabaret The Vanguard, Newtown. 8:30pm. $43.80. La Fiesta - feat: Samantha Fox + Agee Ortiz + Av El

Chu World Bar, Kings Cross. 9pm. free. DJ Robin Goldfi sh, Kings Cross. 11pm. free.

p send your listings to : clubguide@thebrag.com

FRIDAY MAY 23

SATURDAY MAY 24

DJ Bliss Marquee, Pyrmont. 10pm. $18.40.

Apollo Brown Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $12.

Haha Presents: DJ Sotofett + Simon Caldwell + Lorna Clarkson + D&D Goodgod Small Club, Sydney. 11pm. $20.

Dirty South Marquee, Pyrmont. 10pm. $28.60.

Joelistics + Dialectrix - feat: N’Fa Jones The Roller Den, Sydney. 8pm. $24. KLP Upstairs Beresford, Surry Hills. 6pm. Free. Siberian Nights - feat: Black Vanilla + Forces + Cassius Select + DCM + Four Door Sydney Opera House, Sydney. 9pm. $35. Spice Spektrum - feat: Pink Lloyd The Spice Cellar, Sydney. 10pm. $20.

Mayhem + Antiserum Chinese Laundry, Sydney. 9pm. $25. Since I Left You: A Celebration Of The Avalances - feat: Jonti + The Astral Kids Sydney Opera House, Sydney. 8:30pm. $39. Thundamentals Metro Theatre, Sydney. 8pm. $28.70.

SUNDAY MAY 25 S.A.S.H Sundays - feat: Phil Kieran + Rebekah + Dan Baartz + Matt Weir + Kerry Wallace Flyover Bar, Sydney. 12pm. $10.

Dialectrix

Jonti photo by Daniel Boud

Murat Kilic and Black Angus

Resident DJs The Establishment, Sydney. 9pm. free. Since I Left You: A Celebration Of The Avalances - feat: Jonti + The Astral Kids Sydney Opera House, Sydney. 8:30pm. $39. Sneaky Vs Spice The Spice Cellar, Sydney. 7pm. $25. Soda Saturdays - feat: Resident DJs Playing Disco And Funk Soda Factory, Surry Hills. 5pm. free. Trance Central Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 9pm. $23.60. Video DJ Shayne Alsop AKA Sloppy Mounties, Mount Pritchard. 8pm. free.

SATURDAY MAY 24 CLUB NIGHTS

Xxx

club pick of the week

Of Live Music + DJs And International Guests World Bar, Kings Cross. 8pm. $10. Dirty South Marquee, Pyrmont. 10pm. $28.60. El’ Circo - feat: Resident Circus Act Performers Slide Lounge, Darlinghurst. 7pm. $109. FBi Hands Up! - feat: DJ Clockwerk + Special Friends With Benefi ts FBi Social, Kings Cross. 11:30pm. free. Infamous Saturdays - feat: Live DJs Scubar, Sydney. 7pm. free. Ivory Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 4pm. $10. Masif Saturdays Space, Sydney. 10pm. $25. Mayhem + Antiserum Chinese Laundry, Sydney. 9pm. $25. My Place Saturdays Bar100, The Rocks. 8pm. free. Pacha Ivy Bar/Lounge, Sydney. 7:30pm. $32.80. R.I.P Society’s 5th Birthday - feat: The Dead C + Feedtime + Bed Wettin’ Bad Boys + Woollen Kits + Native Cats + Ghastly Spats + Housewives + Constant Mongrel + Half High + Wallaby Beat DJs Sydney Opera House, Sydney. 5pm. $35. Sienna Saturdays - feat:

Murat Kilic and Black Angus photo by Kate Ryan

send your listings to : clubguide@thebrag.com

Jonti

Cakes - feat: 4 Rooms

thebrag.com

Deep Impressions Dance And Electronica with Chris Honnery

xxx

A Guy Called Gerald’s face in Tacheles, Germany

U

K luminary A Guy Called Gerald, the insouciant acid house pioneer, will headline a masquerade ball warehouse party on Sunday June 8; the Queen’s Birthday long weekend. Best know for his 1988 cut ‘Voodoo Ray’, Gerald was also a founding member of 808 State, who were responsible for the classic track ‘Pacifi c State’. A chap who has collaborated with the likes of Derrick May and Frankie Knuckles over the course of his three-decade career, Gerald remains a formidable force in the club world, releasing recent EPs on Zip’s hallowed Perlon label. He has also remixed everyone from David Bowie and The Stone Roses to Can and Roman Flügel. Berliners will tell you it is Gerald’s face that was painted beneath the slogan “How Long Is Now” on the side of the sadly defunct artistic community Tacheles. Having won over Sydney dancers on many occasions previously – the Subsonic Music Festival 2011 being the most recent example – Gerald will return Down Under to plenty of welldeserved fanfare. “I just need a good sound system and I’m there,” he said in an interview on his last tour, exemplifying the perfect philosophy to drive a party. Swedish techno producer Axel Willner, best known for his work as The Field, has just released an eight-track remix package of tracks lifted off last year’s LP Cupid’s Head on Kompakt Records. The album was Wilner’s fifth, and recorded without any session musicians or guest vocalists, the Swede preferring to use only hardware as he explored a “darker and slower pace”. A formidable cast of remixers feature on Cupid’s Head Remixe, with John Tejada, SONNS, Vatican Shadow, Tim Hecker and Barker & Baumecker all providing reworks along with Kompakt co-founder Wolfgang Voigt under his Gas moniker. While some of these reworks have been available on vinyl, the release of Cupid’s Head Remixe means they are now available digitally for the first time. Therefore the technological constraints no longer apply and there’s no excuse for not listening. South American techno figurehead Pfirter headlines a warehouse romp on Saturday June 21 for Trench’s first birthday. The Argentinean has released on labels like CLR, Stroboscopic Artefacts and his own MindTrip Music imprint, while his DJ sets explore the various subgenres of techno and feed into his studio output. “How?” I hear you ask. Well, as the man himself proclaims, “For me there’s no bigger inspiration than playing in a club. After that, I always get much more energy and inspiration in the studio.” Lauded Tokyo-based record label Mule Musiq will release a doubleCD compilation entitled I’m Starting To Feel OK Vol. 6 at the end of June. The forthcoming album follows the recent release of Mule’s excellent third ambient compilation, Enjoy The Silence, which comprises of atmospheric leftfield tracks from a chin-stroker’s dream

Axel Willner

lineup including John Roberts, Lawrence, Petre Inspirescu and Terre Thaemlitz, AKA DJ Sprinkles. Needless to say, it’s essential listening if you haven’t already immersed yourself in it. The tracklist for I’m Starting To Feel OK Vol. 6 looks similarly immaculate on paper. Curated by Mule founder Toshiya Kawasaki, the compilation features 24 new tracks from the likes of Axel Boman and Fred P – who recently showed off his DJing wares at Mad Racket – along with Lauer, JD Twitch, Naum Gabo and the oft-overlooked Kontra-Musik artist Porn Sword Tobacco. Mule mainstays KZA and Kuniyuki head up the hometown contingent, which showcases deep house of the upmost quality. Along with the other compilation Mule released this year, I’m Starting To Feel OK Vol. 6 is essential listening for discerning fans of electronic music. Which of course means you, dear reader.

FEEL LIKE CRAP JUST FOR

LOOKING DEEPER FRIDAY MAY 23 DJ Sotofett Goodgod Small Club

SATURDAY MAY 31 Prosumer The Spice Cellar

SUNDAY JUNE 8 A Guy Called Gerald Warehouse party

SATURDAY JUNE 21 Pfirter Warehouse party

Direct all Deep Impressions-related feedback, praise, vitriol and other proposals to deep.impressions@yahoo.com. thebrag.com

I MAG I N E BE I NG MAD E TO

BEING

LEFT

H A N D E D.

Okay, that’s hard to imagine? But being gay, lesbian, bi, trans or intersex is no different to being born left handed, it’s just who you are. So stop and think because the things we say are likely to cause depression and anxiety. And that really is pretty crap. GO TO LEFTHAND.ORG.AU TO WATCH THE VIDEO

STOP t THINK t RESPECT

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