ISSUE 01 / MARCH 2017 / FREE
ARTS / COMMUNITY / FASHION / FOOD & DRINK / /MUSIC
FEAT • TEAR SHOP • ECO-CONSCIOUS ECO-LIVING • MAKING CARING COOL • TAMIL FEASTS • GOOD MANNERS
YOUR LOCAL BEER
Issue 01 • March
ABBOTSFORD / BRUNSWICK / CARLTON / COLLINGWOOD / FITZROY NORTHCOTE / NORTH MELBOURNE / PARKVILLE
EDITOR’S LETTER Melbourne’s inner north is a special place. It is blessed with a diversity, culture and identity that is entirely distinct. The energy is palpable, intoxicating and addictive. The attitudes are forward thinking, progressive and encapsulating. In my mind, this is without a doubt the most liveable region in the most liveable city in the world, and I feel blessed to nest, work and play in this, the most perfect of inner city enclaves. Today, our region boasts an enviable array of world-class shops, bars, eateries, galleries and venues of the highest calibre. But while so often such gentrification forces out the bohemian soul of an area, in the inner north we have the perfect balance. You don’t have to delve too far beneath the surface to find a still thriving world of underground creatives, artists and dreamers who have helped pave the way for what we see here today, and who are quietly proud to subtly influence the trends of the future. It is without doubt that the people of the inner north are what truly make this region so fascinating, and it is the attitudes and values that locals hold in high regard, and that visitors embrace, that helps to maintain the allure and identity of our region. Inner Circle Magazine has been crafted and created to expose and celebrate the very best of the inner north. To tell the story of our bustling arts and music scene, to embrace the diversity of our community, to explore the forward-thinking, trend-setting fashion scene, to indulge in locally prepared coffee, food & drink and to explore the hidden cultures that exist throughout the backstreets and lanes or our neighbourhood. So whether you live, eat, drink, work, study, shop or socialise in the region, we hope that you find this local resource an enjoyable an informative exploration of Melbourne’s inner north. We hope it captures and expresses the heart of this region, and hope it opens you up to new and exciting things that you may not yet have explored. Welcome to the inner north. James Fox - Editor & Co-Founder, Inner Circle Magazine
Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners of the Land: “We, at Inner Circle Magazine, would like to acknowledge that the land we meet on is the traditional lands for the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nations, and that we respect their spiritual relationship with their country. We would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people as the custodians of the Melbourne region, including Melbourne’s inner north, and recognise that their culture and heritage is still important to the Wurundjeri people today. We wish to pay respect to their Elders, both past and present, and further acknowledge the important role that Indigenous people continue to play within our communities.”
contact@innercirclemagazine.com.au
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Editor & Co-Founder - James Fox Head Designer & Co-Founder - Declan Hooper We would not have been able to create Inner Circle Magazine without the hard work and dedication of all involved. Thank you! Editorial Assistant: Eleanor van Driel Design Assistant: Nicola Hooper Consultant: David Hooper Print Columnists: Katelyn Sangalli, Nathan Senn, Tobias Handke, Quincy Malesovas, Pamela Kirkley, Simon Wraight, Kate Stephenson Photography: Jess Middleton, Ellen Maiorano, Rochen Pace, Ruby Nelson-Will, Alan John, Joshua Maxwell De Hooge, Charlie Kinross, Julian Frees Online Columnists and Contributors: Estelle Artois, Jack Davison, Jake Peric, Kathryn Lewis Michael Hobbs, Natalie Petrellis, Nina McQueen Peter Matthews, Dan Cachia, Jess Miller, Matt Jones Special thanks to: Ellen Maiorano (Tear Shop), Marcus Crook and Nick Pearce (HoMie), Yoel Tesha, Sandra Sundelin, Lauren Brymney (Models, HoMie feature), Elle Cosgriff (Hair, HoMie feature), Eve O’Shea (Make-Up, HoMie Feature), Nikita Moreira (Stylist, HoMie feature), Sri, Nirma, Niro, Nigethan (Tamil Feasts chefs), Dori Ellington (Tamil Feasts), Hugh McClure and Huw Nolan (Good Manners), Caroline Whiteway (Palace Cinemas). Special thanks also reserved for all our advertising partners. Publisher: Inner Circle Magazine - innercirclemagazine.com.au To contribute, head to: innercirclemagazine.com.au/about/contribute/ For advertising enquiries, contact: James Fox - james@innercirclemagazine.com.au Declan Hooper - declan@innercirclemagazine.com.au
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CONTENTS
ARTS TEAR SHOP
COMMUNITY ECO-CONSCIOUS ECO-LIVING
MAP GUIDE TO THE INNER NORTH
FASHION HOMIE: MAKING CARING COOL
LIFESTYLE HISTORY OF THE WESTGRATH CINEMA
FOOD & DRINK TAMIL FEASTS
MUSIC GOOD MANNERS
Issue 01 • March
ARTS IN THE INNER NORTH ROUND-UP & PREVIEW Written by Nathan Senn
Blessed with a vibrant arts scene, Melbourne’s inner north was brimming with new shows in February. At Alcaston Gallery, Director Beverly Knight presented a survey of paintings and sculptures from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands of South Australia. Betty Kuntiwa Pumani’s Antara, was a highlight - its coruscating red radials resembling plasma, hinting at the very link between nature and life. North Melbourne’s Gallerysmith launched with HyperBotanica, a group work, true to its name, featuring floral still lives often portrayed in stunning variegated colour. Catherine Nelson’s Submerged 3 impressed: a largescale pigment print taken from below a Belgian pond, the viridescent tendrils from its vegetation unfurl towards the sky, cleverly closing us in and evoking not only the landscape but also the photographer’s position within it. The Transitions Film Festival lit up screens at Cinema Nova throughout February, featuring a visionary program of documentaries dedicated to spotlighting the complex challenges, ideas, and innovations that are currently redefining what it means to be human. Highlights
included The Pursuit of Silence, a salient examination of the effect of noise on our daily lives, A Plastic Ocean, which investigates the scourge of plastic disposable waste upon our seas and The Bentley Effect, an inspirational look at the social movement fighting CSG mining in NSW’s Northern Rivers. Looking forward to March, In.cube8r Gallery presents Memento Mori, an exhibition that will examine the intersection between life and death. Running from March 2nd - 18th, the exhibition reflects on the idea of the duelling mortal-immortal self with participating artists invited to contemplate the paradoxically rich yet often banal nature of existence and what might happen once we die. James Makin Gallery also presents Godwin Bradbeer: Stigma and Enigma. Running March 8th - April 13th, comprising over twenty large and rarely seen works: monumental drawings on paper, unique artist books, wall sketches and chalk on blackboard artworks. Spanning four decades, emphasis is on the fragile nature of Bradbeer’s practice and his ongoing examination of the body as ruin.
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The Melbourne International Comedy Festival rolls into town from March 29th. Highlights include New Zealander Tim Batt’s new show Ladies & Gentleman. Playing at Caz Reitops Dirty Secrets from March 29th - April 8th, Batt’s style and delivery has garnered favourable comparisons to the likes of Hicks and Carlin, making this a must-see show. Over at the Comic’s Lounge, local Danny McGinlay also presents his new show Bulldogs Bannerman Live. Providing hilarious commentary on the world of AFL, he will be performing every Sunday through March. The Melbourne Queer Film Festival, both the biggest and oldest queer film festival in Australia, will again showcase a stunning selection of the best in LGBTQIA+ cinema. Screening at Cinema Nova from March 18th - 26th, Lovesong, a searing romantic drama starring Riley Keough and Jena Malone is a standout. Also worth the price of admission is engrossing arts doc Uncle Howard, which charts the explosion of underground arts culture in NYC and features Patti Smith, Andy Warhol, John Waters, and Jim Jarmusch.
Inner Circle Magazine • Arts
Written by Nathan Senn Photography by Ellen Maiorano
7
Tear Shop
Issue 01 • March
Nestled between Fitzroy’s culinary institutions Shawcross Pizza & Mr. Burger, Brunswick Street Gallery is a hidden gem in the crown of the inner north’s reputable art scene. A short ascension of its attenuated and creaky wooden staircase and you’ll find a light-filled, pristine gallery that opens up to seven distinct exhibition spaces over two levels; for art lovers a true haven from it’s bustling namesake below. Founded by Mark Jameison in 2006, Brunswick Street Gallery has, since its inception, taken pride in supporting both local and emerging artists. With a focus on contemporary practice and presenting solo and group exhibitions, the gallery offers an environment where new artists can find recognition and new collectors can experience approachable and important works. The crowds at Brunswick Street are always diverse and unlike many other
contemporary art spaces, an elitist vibe has been traded out for the motto that art can be and should be for everyone. While the form the artworks take may be diverse, it becomes clear upon entry to the gallery that it’s a supreme artistic talent and consistency of vision that unites all the pieces on display. Headed by Director Miriam Arbus and Assistant Curator Bethany O’Conner, a host of new works will move into Brunswick Street Gallery on March 10th, including independent exhibitions by artists Ami Summers (The Days), David Sackville (From the Subconscious), Erik Krebs-Schade (Take a Load Off), Dean Herhily (Kazakh’s Kingdom), Gavin John (Scale) and Dionysos Avramides (sadboi_ island) as well as a group exhibition titled Wild Wonders, which compiles work
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from over twenty local artists responding to their natural surroundings. Of particular interest to this reviewer is Ellen Maiorano’s Tear Shop, which will open alongside these aforementioned exhibitions in Gallery Space 5. Maiorano is a Melbourne-based, multidisciplinary artist working in video, performance and installation. A graduate of both Swinburne University (Film and Television) and Victorian College of the Arts (Visual Art), her works have been presented as part of Melbourne Fringe Festival, Gertrude Street Projection Festival and Melbourne Underground Film Festival. Often stemming from a personal narrative, Maiorano’s oeuvre focuses on concepts of human emotion and physical interaction, examining the fragile connections that build and break us – notable for combining a bleak cynicism with underlying hope.
Inner Circle Magazine • Arts
“I have been working with ‘tears’ as a medium on and off for a few years now.
Since I was young, I was always considered an emotional or sensitive child, which was often portrayed as a weakness. As an adult, perhaps a bit more mature but definitely still emotional, this emotionality was something I saw as a burden. The concept of turning tears into art and actually creating something from them was something that allowed me to harness this and make it an asset or strength. From this I try to explore emotion itself and our relationship to it as humans. We often try to hide or conceal feelings, and the idea of engaging with them can be confronting.” What intrigues is the way in which, for Maiorano, the bottling of her tears comes to represent a performative work of endurance. While the act of crying is genuine, the act of bottling one’s tears is also presented as deliberate and artificial. What is formerly a component
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to a natural bodily state is removed and displayed for the audience’s inspection; the preserved tear the closest thing one can manufacture to tangible pure emotion. An extension of these ideas, Tear Shop is itself a concept piece and presented alongside video installations will take the form of a simple stall where jars of Maiorano’s tears will be presented for sale. Here, the shop is the work and represents a significant evolution in Maiorano’s young career. From the personal to the innately human, Maiorano’s work has now grown to represent lacrimal fluid as a commodity - emotion as commercial object, the precipitants of which are now so readily bought and sold in today’s manipulative media landscape. Tear Shop and its parallel exhibitions run until 3pm on the 23rd of March at Brunswick Street Gallery in Fitzroy.
Tear Shop
Maiorano’s previous works include Some Feels, a zine and photo series featuring intricate watercolour paintings infused with her own tears. Tear Shop is her first solo show and presents a continuation of the wider Tear Project, an ongoing endeavour, which began at the Brunswick Street Gallery in 2016 as part of the In Flux group exhibition. In this, bottles of tears were suspended in front of a projection of water running off of a man’s back, the contrast between fluid motion and stagnancy exploring at once the fugacious nature of emotion and tears as artifact or emotional evidence. Talking to Maiorano she presents as an assured artist with a strong fidelity of vision. Describing the origins of this perpetual project and her approach to her praxis, Maiorano explains:
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Issue 01 • March
Inner Circle Magazine • Community
COMMUNITY IN THE INNER NORTH ROUND-UP & PREVIEW Written by Pamela Kirkley
The inner north brings a vibrant and thriving community of social enterprises, businesses, community groups, local government, residents and tourists, which together contribute to a buzzing and enthusiastic neighbourhood spirit. This sets the scene for the diversified selection of community happenings in our region, and embodies the community spirit that identifies Melbourne’s inner north.
packed day that included face painting, food stalls and prizes to take home.
Tamil Feasts at the CERES Community Environment Park in Brunswick East (see page 29), for example, not only provides a beautifully rich blend of food and culture, but also gives us an insight into other people’s lives and allows us to connect with other members of our local community.
On 18th February, the monthly Fitzroy Market continued to create a buzz at its home turf at Fitzroy Primary School on the corner of Napier Street and Greeves Street, bringing its eclectic mix of potted plants, vintage clothes, delicious gelati and live music performances to the inner north community.
The Vinnies Soup Van is a fantastic example of care and camaraderie in the north. Having started in 1975, volunteers continue to bring soup, sandwiches and friendship to the homeless each evening in North Melbourne and Fitzroy, as well as other parts of the city. Contact Vinnies directly to get involved! February was an exciting month for the local community. History was made on the 3rd February with the first ever women’s AFL match, Carlton VS Collingwood, where excited fans filled the 24,500 capacity stadium, with people still queuing outside even at half time. The footy theme continued with Carlton Family Day on the 11th February, providing an amazing opportunity for fans to meet Carlton FC players during a family friendly and fun-
Local community markets are ever-present in the inner north, and in February The Community Grocer continued their great work, with a determined vision to provide and promote increased accessibility to fresh food at affordable costs. The market opens each Friday at 510 Lygon Street in Carlton.
The latest Thinkers and Makers Market brought handmade and locally designed products to Brunswick on the 25th February, built upon its ethical values, sustainability, originality and excellent quality, lots of creative workshops are offered with children’s activities, local musicians and delicious food to enjoy. For those seeking art, locally designed fashion, jewellery, photography, plant terrariums and much more, the Rose St. Artists’ Market, on Rose Street in Fitzroy each weekend, continues to deliver, and the space offers a great diner and rooftop bar for refreshments whilst shopping. Wow, what a month, and March promises to be equally exciting!
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On 16th March, why not head down to March PeaceMeals in Collingwood, where people of all backgrounds sit together to share food and conversation, be inspired and make friends with strangers at this pay what you can afford event. For more information hit them up on Facebook. If you fancy yourself a bit of a photographer, the Capture Yarra Photography Competition 2017 is your chance to prove you are the best of the best in the local community. The competition closes on 19th March and there are a range of prizes in each age group category, from 12 years to 25+. Navigate your way to the Yarra City council website to find out how to enter. Head to the Collingwood Library any Thursday in March for Make Do & Mend, a free event for people who want a creative space to use a sewing machine, or get advice and assistance for textile projects. Booking is required for this ongoing weekly event. Of course the community markets continue throughout March, so keep supporting our local artists and makers! There is so much going on that we couldn’t possibly list all the community events and happenings, so our advice is to go exploring, engage with members of the community, check out the Inner Circle weekly online What’s On Guide, and see what you can find. Enjoy!
Issue 01 • March
ECO-CONSCIOUS
ECO-LIVING
Written by Quincy Malesovas Photography by Rochen Pace
When I am not writing for Inner Circle, you can usually find me clocking in long hours at a local Italian restaurant, where I sometimes reach near panic at the sight of how much waste is created on a daily basis. I have a love-hate relationship with hospitality, which I won’t get into in full detail right now – but I will admit that much of my strife comes from the environmental impacts of food service. Melbourne is a city that runs on hospitality, with more restaurants per capita than most other cities in the world, so one can only imagine the effects that these food establishments have on our precious ecosystem. In our nice little north side bubble, it’s easy to think that everyone is ecoconscious. They recycle, they make informed choices on the sources of their meat or indeed eschew meat altogether, they prefer cycling over driving and op-shops to big box stores. They have eco values and adopt green ways of living. But that is simply not the case, especially when hospitality is concerned. Disposable straws with every drink, takeaway coffees slurped down in five minutes then tossed in the bin, plastic bags for
every purchase, food uneaten and excess unused. It’s a reality, and a bleak one at that, but we are all guilty of indulging in such practices. Thankfully, there are a few local initiatives leading a crusade towards eco-conscious food service, waste management and consumer consumption. For the optimists out there, these schemes provide a glimmer of hope that a little effort can go a long way, and potentially snowball into an overhaul of Melbourne food production and service, and into the thinking and actions of us as consumers. Open Table is a collection of neighbourhood feasts that utilise food waste to create their meals. While this may bring to mind dumpster diving or eating the scraps off of an unassuming stranger’s plate, most food redistribution services actually source their groceries from markets and restaurants that donate to the cause. There are any number of reasons why shops throw out food – a nearing expiration date, an unsightly bruise or an item that just won’t sell, but most excess passed up by these businesses is still perfectly fine for human consumption. Open Table’s weekly lunches and dinners, hosted in Coburg,
Brunswick, Carlton, Fitzroy, Collingwood and Fawkner, aim to not only support those in need of food but also those seeking community. Before some serves, such as the lunchtime meal at Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre each month, volunteers can spend time tending to the community garden which supplies produce for the feasts. In a similar vein, Food Not Bombs is an initiative that started in the U.S. but now has chapters all over the world, including one in Melbourne that serves three times a week. FNB seeks to combat food waste by collecting (mostly organic) excess from local health food stores and markets that they then cook up and serve in Footscray and Fitzroy. One local company called Regrounded is going beyond food waste management to tackle an issue that doesn’t even cross many Melburnians’ radars: drink waste, specifically in the form of coffee grounds. Just by glancing around at the cafes that make up roughly every other storefront, one can see how big of an industry espresso-based coffee is in Melbourne. And with each coffee comes a handle full of grounds (often in addition to a shot unused). Regrounded’s mission is to collect these grounds from willing
Inner Circle Magazine • Community
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establishments around the city and redistribute them to local gardens. According to The Australian, the country produces around 75,000 tonnes of used coffee grounds each year. That’s either 75,000 tonnes of waste that ends up in our landfills, or 75,000 tonnes of nutrient-rich fertiliser (depending on how you frame the scenario). Coffee is a nitrogen-rich addition to your garden that can help to balance the pH of your soil and it sure beats the expense of store-bought garden additives, so be sure to contact Regrounded if you’d like some coffee delivered to a veggie patch near you. Friends of the Earth in Collingwood is a favourite of ours at Inner Circle. We have mentioned before and we’ll mention again that the co-op, which is the oldest of its kind in Melbourne, jumped on the wasteconscious bandwagon before it was cool. Although FOE does offer
food to take away, they pack it all in compostable containers. Drinks inhouse are served strawless, unless the customer asks for one – in which case metal, reusable straws are on deck. All meals are cooked with seasonal produce, based on availability. Any uneaten leftovers are composted and waste is minimised in the cooking process. FOE has built a model that other cafes could stand to emulate for the sake of an earthconscious approach to dining out. Right around the corner from FOE is South of Johnston, a breakfast and lunch café that generates 60 percent of its electricity from solar panels. The restaurant aims to use locally sourced ingredients as often as possible, with some coming from fruit and veg plants in their very own yard. Although they do serve animal products, they aim to source them ethically for the least environmental impact possible.
For those looking interested in greening up their own home or business, EnviroShop in Northcote has your needs covered. From energy efficient lighting to solar water heaters to reusable produce bags and bamboo cutlery, EnviroShop has goods on offer to ease your conscience a bit. They also offer workshops and information sessions from time to time on green living techniques. It can be painful to witness a disregard for sustainability within your community. Yet it can also be encouraging to witness and stand by the groups and organisations that are prioritising environmental efforts. I can only hope that momentum will grow as Australians become more aware of the substantial effects our consumption and behaviours can have and wary enough to do something about it.
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THE GUIDE TO MELBOURNE’S INNER NORTH The inner north is one of Melbourne’s most vibrant and dynamic enclaves. A heartland for bohemian and creative types, it serves as a bustling hub of live music, theatre and exhibitions of the highest calibre. With a reputation for its active nightlife, boutique shopping and a rich culinary culture that has so come to define Melbourne, the region boasts world-class restaurants, cafes, pubs, bars, shops, galleries and venues sure to please even the most discerning of tastes. Progressive, liberal and neoteric, the inner north is home to people of all cultures and classes, making it a true melting pot of diversity. The area is well serviced by trains, trams and buses, but also happens to be home to more commuting cyclists than anywhere else in the state. It is also spoiled with great natural beauty, with verdant parklands like Edinburgh and Fitzroy Gardens scattered throughout the area. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, there’s always something new to discover in Melbourne’s inner north and Inner Circle Magazine has you covered.
ABBOTSFORD
BRUNSWICK
CARLTON
COLLINGWOOD
Immediately identifiable by neon hallmark, the Skipping Girl Vinegar Sign, and array of retro furniture shop fronts. Home to Abbotsford Convent, a historically preserved nunnery that holds markets, outdoor cinema screenings and live performances all year round.
A mix of bohemian and immigrant cultures ensures Brunswick is always earthy and unpretentious. Famed Sydney Road is the place to go for cheap and exotic eats. It also plays host to the Sydney Road Street Party and Brunswick Music Festival.
Boasting Melbourne Museum and Cinema Nova, Carlton is also home to Little Italy on Lygon Street, a culinary hotspot featuring some of the best cafes in Mediterranean cuisine in the city.
Lined with worker’s homes and newly converted warehouse spaces, Collingwood is a suburb of true diversity: featuring Melbourne’s most prolific LGBTQIA+ communities and famed for footy team, The Magpies, and the iconic Tote Hotel alike.
FITZROY
NORTHCOTE
NORTH MELBOURNE
PARKVILLE
A social mecca with Brunswick St. at its heart, Fitzroy is renowned for its multitude of pubs, bandrooms and modern art galleries, whose works regularly extend out into its charming, leafy streets.
Northcote is one of the inner north’s greenest and most naturally striking areas, from All Nations Park to the veggie patch-lined Merry Creek Trail. Lively High Street also proffers the iconic Northcote Social Club and Westgarth Cinemas.
Featuring the Spring Fling Street Festival. Grungy spaces like The Arts House and The Meat Market make North Melbourne a hub for boundary-pushing multidisciplinary performance-based art.
With the prestigious University of Melbourne, Parkville has become synonymous with vibrant student life. It also features the Melbourne Zoo and expansive Royal Park, a lush destination of joggers and picnickers alike.
1. THE BITTER LAB 2. BRUNSWICK BOUND 3. BRUNSWICK HOTEL 4. CHALAWAN 5. ENVIROSHOP 6. FAIRY FLOSS 7.FIZTROY CELLARS 8. FITZROY MARKETS 9. FLUX 10. HEARTLAND RECORDS 11. HECHO EN MEXICO 12. IN.CUBE8R 13. KANELA FLAMENCO 14. KINYOUBI IZAKAYA 15. THE MOVING ROOM 16. PAGE TWO BOOKS 17. PUT YOUR HEART INTO IT 18. ROSE STREET ARTISTS’ MARKETS 19. SUMMER HEALING YOGA 20. PARKVIEW HOTEL 21. VEGAN STYLE
THE BITTERS LAB
321 Smith St, Fitzroy Melbourne’s Cocktail Merchants. Providing inspired cocktail enthusiasts the best selection of cocktail ingredients available. A wellcurated & enormous range of bitters, tonics, shrubs, syrups, books & barware to chose from. 9419 4327 thebitterslab.com.au
BRUNSWICK BOUND
361 Sydney Rd, Brunswick Brunswick Bound is an independent bookstore in the heart of Sydney Road, Brunswick. Stocking an eclectic range of books, music (cds & vinyl), stationery and jewellery/gifts.
ENVIROSHOP
9078 9532 chalawan.com.au
8395 3030 enviroshop.com.au
FITZROY CELLARS
FITZROY MARKET
409 Brunswick St, Fitzroy A 119 year young bottle-shop where customer service and passion is paramount. Specialising in everything fun and local, from the finest Australian Gins to the freshest craft beers.
9387 6637 brunswickhotel.net
9381 4019 brunswickbound.com.au
CHALAWAN
102 Smith St, Fitzroy The crocodile king of Smith Street. Pairing traditional Thai flavours with modern techniques and local produce, Chalawan delivers a sophisticated menu unlike any other Thai offering in Melbourne.
BRUNSWICK HOTEL
140 Sydney Rd, Brunswick We sell BOOZE, have free live MUSIC and we have a pretty good BEER GARDEN! Come party late every night with us!
253 High St, Northcote EnviroShop is Australia’s leading environmental products retailer, helping people go green since 1996. Committed to sustainable living through delivering quality products and services.
Fitzroy Primary School, Fitzroy The Fitzroy Market consists of 75 stalls consisting of all things second hand, vintage and hand-made plus some yummy food. Fitzroymarket.com
9417 2656
FAIRY FLOSS
240 Brunswick St, Fitzroy The Byronian icon of alternative underground fashion has branched out to Fitzroy! Fairy Floss is a vibrant & stylish creative force, threads inspired by timeless trends, Steampunk & Burning Man. 9417 0573 fairyflossbyronbay.com
FLUX
100 Smith St, Fitzroy FLUX is a long running menswear label, making small run denim & tees in Melbourne since 1999. They also stock records, art, knives, french sneakers and high quality men’s accessories. 9415 1525 flux.com.au
HEARTLAND RECORDS
HECHO EN MEXICO
IN.CUBE8R
9329 9636 heartlandrecords.com.au
9939 9398 hechoenmexico.com.au
9995 8643 incube8r.com.au
KANELA
KINYOUBI IZAKAYA
420/422 Victoria St, Nth Melb Huge range of vinyl, CD’s & more. Over 10,000 items in stock & 25 years experience in the business. Collections bought top prices paid, all music formats considered.
56 Johnston St, Fitzroy Melbourne’s original tapas bar serves a delicious variety of traditional Spanish tapas. Friday & Saturday nights enjoy Arte Kanela Flamenco with their dinner and show. Ole ! 9419 0424 kanela.com.au
PAGE TWO BOOKS
99 George St, Fitzroy Page Two popped up about fifteen years ago – and never left. Its quirky space contains an eclectic range of second-hand and vintage books – from food to fashion, art to architecture, and loads of classics.
326 Brunswick St, Fitzroy Authentic, yes. Delicioso, absolutely. Mexican street food at its best. Nachos, enchiladas, tacos or burritos are guaranteed to excite your taste buds. Special margaritas like never before…
55 Edward St, Brunswick The Moving Room is a warm and inviting yoga studio specialising in a signature style ‘moving flow’ Vinyasa. All levels welcome. Small class sizes.
PUT YOUR HEART INTO IT
ROSE STREET MARKETS
9417 1852 pagetwo.com.au
SUMMER HEALING YOGA
PARKVIEW HOTEL
0452 217 919 summerhealingyoga.com.au
THE MOVING ROOM
117 Smith St, Fitzroy Kinyoubi Izakaya is the new Japanese restaurant in Fitzroy. We specialize in sushi and tapas-style Japanese food, with Japanese beer, sake, whisky, shochu and cocktails! 8394 3026 kinyoubi.com.au
177 Beavers Rd, Northcote PUT YOUR HEART INTO IT is a sustainable events specialist, running creative workshops and creating unforgettable events, all whilst treading gently on the earth and teaching others to do the same. putyourheartintoit.com.au
30-32 Sydney Rd, Brunswick Summer Healing Yoga’s goal is to expand the study of consciousness in our society, and kindle a spiritual awakening. Various styles of Yoga, including hot Yoga, plus workshops, dance & kirtan.
321 Smith St, Fitzroy A bright pink cabinet of curiosities, in.cube8r homes 100+ creatives under one roof who sell a range of handmade jewellery, homewares and art and keep 100% of their sales!
131/137 Scotchmer St, Fitzroy North
A great place to have a meal, a $5 Brunswick pint and watch all sports. Our Cellarbrations bottle shop is open late every day. 9489 8811 parkviewfitzroy.com.au
0416 045 488 themovingroom.com.au
60 Rose St, Fitzroy Australia’s premier art & design market, featuring limited edition artworks, rare collectibles, designer pieces and a gourmet cafe. This is where those in-the-know find Melbourne’s best art & design talent. 9419 5529 rosestmarket.com.au
VEGAN STYLE
345 Brunswick St, Fitzroy Shop kindly! High-quality, cruelty-free, ecologically-responsible, stylish footwear, bags, accessories, jackets, grooming and beauty products for the ethical shopper who likes to look good. Everything is vegan approved! 8669 1471 veganstyle.com.au
Summer Healing Yoga Brunswick $49 intro offer 30 days of unlimited yoga 12 month foundation memberships only $880 (limited number only)
253 High St, Northcote 8395 3030 www.enviroshop.com.au
Corner of Sydney Rd & Brunswick Rd www.summerhealingyoga.com.au summerhealingyogabrunswick@gmail.com Ph 0452 217 919
EnviroShopAustralia
TheFitzroyMarket
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Issue 01 • March
Inner Circle Magazine • Fashion
FASHION IN THE INNER NORTH ROUND-UP & PREVIEW Written by Katelyn Sangalli
For some, the fashion industry can be one of excess and frivolity, and can seem a foreign language. For others it’s home, it’s their native tongue. Within the inner northern suburbs the fashion industry brings a sense of community. The designers, illustrators and makers are at the forefront of the industry and bringing change from the streets up. Take local designer Gemma Baxter of To Barwyn and Back, who ensures that product packaging is recyclable and reusable. Or local designer Anika Cook from The Gently Unfurling Sneak, who when forced to make a tough decision and move manufacturing offshore, sourced a factory that paid workers above minimum wage, in a safe working environment with superannuation, life insurance and health insurance. It is these attitudes that represent, and resonate with, the people of the inner north. Below is a snapshot of what happened in the world of fashion in Melbourne’s inner north last month, and a sneak peek of what’s upcoming in March.
In February we saw Hattie Molly floristry join Lauren Maranis at their space in Collingwood. Head in every Saturday from 11am to 3pm. Now you can pop out for flowers and accidentally come home with a pair of shoes too... Retail giant Myer saw fit to host their Autumn/Winter 2017 launch locally at the University of Melbourne in Parkville, choosing the famed gothic-arches of the underground car park as the perfect location to showcase their new range. To Barwyn and Back’s first collection is due to launch in March. Designer Gemma Baxter’s label is made for people on the move, with an emphasis on sustainable fabric and recyclable packaging. Jump on to Barwyn and Back’s insta to see all the behind the scenes pics. The Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival kicks off on the 1st March. Our picks: the Gala Runway at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton on the 14th, the largest designer line-up of the Festival, and the National Graduate Showcase
at the Melbourne Museum in Carlton on the 19th, where you will get to see the next generation of Australian fashion design talent showcase their abilities. On 3rd March, head to the James Makin Gallery in Collingwood for the Sketch Runway & Exhibition. Sketch is a fashion runway that shows the creative process from conception to execution, and is another event that will showcase emerging designers and their fashion. We also eagerly anticipate the arrival of New York perfumery Le Lebo, due to open its first Melbourne store on Gertrude Street in Fitzroy. With unisex, vegan fragrances, perfume oils and candles, we can’t wait to be let loose in store. This March and beyond, we hope you get the opportunity to embrace the local fashion community as much as we do. And, if there’s someone we should know about, let us know!
Written by Kate Stephenson Photography by Jess Middleton
From the outside looking in, HoMie looks like the kind of hip streetwear clothing store you would expect to find among the pop-up shops and backstreet bars of Brunswick Street. Minimalist design, wearable clothes with clean lines and the gilded scratch of street art on the walls.
But inside, you will find a shop with a difference, born of a desire to raise social consciousness, driven not by profit, but by dignity. HoMie is a Northside retail space with a refreshing perspective that the whole community can be enriched by. Here, great quality, locally
designed and made clothes are just the beginning. HoMie co-founders Marcus and Nick met on a charity bike ride in Vietnam. A desire to drive social change and make a positive impact on the community sealed
“OFTEN IT DIDN’T REALLY ADD UP TO THE STEREOTYPE – IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT DRUG ADDICTION OR ALCOHOLISM. HOMELESSNESS CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE.” their friendship and paved the way for their future together. Their first collaboration in retail was a revolutionary concept street store in Federation Square. “We never expected such a warm reception,” said Marcus. “We were flooded with positive people who wanted to donate clothing and those in need who were there to collect it. We had Mr Burger giving away free food, DJs playing and just the right mix of people. The vibe was just right. Our community began right there. It really was a feel good sort of day. We wondered what we could do to replicate a similar concept more permanently.” This was never going to be the oneoff they had initially anticipated. After making waves, the seeds had been sown and something really special began to blossom. A crowdfunding campaign was launched, spruiked through Homelessness in Melbourne’s channels and before they knew it, an offer had been made for the inaugural HoMie store in Melbourne Central. But this was much more than a wellbranded shop selling hoodies and hats. At closing time, a bigger picture was being painted. Through their trademark monthly VIP days, people experiencing homelessness living could come in-store for a “dignified shopping experience”, where shopping for brand-new HoMie threads is elevated with haircuts, coffee, nutritious food at no cost – and most importantly, a conversation. “It
affords
people
something
they might not be able to achieve otherwise,” says Nick. “We have invited people experiencing homelessness to our VIP shopping days from 14 different services including Melbourne City Mission and The Big Issue. The customers appreciate the interaction – just to chat and be treated as a person. It’s about social connectivity.” says Nick. The Melbourne Central space was only meant to be trading as a pop-up for a month. But success seemed to stick to the emerging HoMie brand. Probably because it was measuring it in different ways to most profit driven companies. HoMie found its new home in Fitzroy around six months ago, when the doors of the Melbourne Central branch closed and they shifted gear to the next level. Out of the maximall, the shop went from strength to strength. “We wanted to find a home base that felt like we were immersed in a community of care,” says Nick. “In Brunswick Street you get a lot of people who are curious and keen to support. Melbourne is a conscious and aware city, but heading out to Fitzroy it just seems that the community feel is even stronger.” For Anti-Poverty Award winner Marcus, help is at the core of everything he does. “Sourcing ethical sustainable fashion is always at the forefront of our mind. Our products are locally sourced and printed. We don’t want to be helping out parts of society here and then ignoring other
parts of society overseas. That’s also why we have employed people who have been experiencing secondary homelessness (living in subsidised housing) in our shop. We just try to make caring cool. Anyone can do this stuff. We’re trying to show that caring about issues and making a difference can be as simple as buying a t-shirt.” With this positive attitude and proactive approach, there’s no wonder HoMie have been approached for high profile partnerships with big brands like Stussy and Grill’d. The Walk your Walk initiative is a partnership with TOMS Shoes and Bank of Melbourne, a collaborative project with local artists who design and daub exclusive shoes for sale in-store and online. HoMie have also teamed up with Cotton On to pioneer a specialised training program for people experiencing homelessness, which results in 12 months of employment at Cotton On following successful completion. The students are renumerated for their time, delivered a Certificate 3 in retail operations and crucially given self-worth. It seems like with innovation and collaboration, anything is possible. “Our drive began from curiosity,” says Marcus. “I was working in the city, wondering why the people I walked past had found themselves in their situation. So instead of walking past and turning a blind eye, I chatted to them on my lunch break – I asked them. Often it didn’t really add up to the stereotype – it’s not all
about drug addiction or alcoholism. Homelessness can happen to anyone.” For the founders of HoMie, homelessness is a complicated issue that needs to be given the treatment it deserves, one person at a time, on a case by case basis. “There is so much generalisation in terms of negative stigma, but also what people require in terms of care,” says Nick. “Every person has his or her own story. We can’t put the issue into a shoebox. Homelessness is a temporary state that does not define a person. We need to change the language. For us it’s not a homeless person, it’s a person who is experiencing homelessness. They’re a person first and foremost and homelessness is a situation. It’s alarming how close everyone is to experiencing it.”
Marcus echoes this sentiment. “That’s what we learn from hearing the stories ourselves. We were very naïve, we would walk past people and make assumptions in the past, but having those conversations and reaching out makes you realise it can happen to anyone. Stereotyping and prejudice comes from a lack of understanding.” But with a mission to change perspective via a shopfront of wearable, unisex streetwear that anyone can feel good about buying, the future is looking bright. “Our goal is to transition as many people as possible who are experiencing homelessness into appropriate workplace situations so they can become self-sufficient, gain confidence and feel respected
as members of society,” says Nick. “It’s not about having 100 stores, it’s about doing what we do with quality and care – we never want to compromise on quality.” He sums the mission up well. “Shopping in the store, people are seeing and feeling a direct impact – they are being served by someone who directly benefits from your purchase, which is an unconventional way of doing charity. People can come in and buy what they want knowing their purchase is directly benefitting the person who served them. The experience of having that customer relation and interface – it’s unique.” Nice to know there are still some good people in this crazy world.
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Issue 01 • March
Inner Circle Magazine • Lifestyle
RIDING WITH THE VALKYRIES TO THE PALACE GATES: A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WESTGARTH CINEMA Written by Nathan Senn Photography by Charlie Kinross
Located on the corner of Barry and High Street, The Westgarth has stood tall as a Northcote icon for almost a century. Constructed in 1921 by local builder, John Seccull, the single-screen theatre boasts a remarkably warm Art Deco interior. Influenced by the ballrooms of Manhattan, matching columns extend to support a large proscenium arch, which sits prodigiously above the theatre’s magnificent screen. A major external refurbishment in 1929, allegedly overseen by famed architect Walter Burley Griffin would see The Westgarth thrive in the sound-era. Due to the sharp decline in cinema attendance, wrought by the introduction of television to Australia, the cinema was sold the 1960s to Peter Yiannoudes. Needing to revolutionise the business, Yiannoudes quickly stamped his curatorial authority on the theatre’s programme, playing a selection of European films to an audience that had greatly diversified post World
War II. During this time, the theatre would further expand to fit a capacity of over 1400 patrons but with a desire to step back from business, Yiannoudes rented the space to Barry Peak and Chris Kiely, who wanted to move their renowned Valhalla Cinema into The Westgarth space. With a taste for the offbeat, the cinema’s transition to Northcote has become the stuff of legend. Combining their Closing and Opening nights into one event, the pair screened the first half of The Blues Brothers at the original Richmond location before racing to screen the second half at the new venue after the intermission and causing a traffic jam down Victoria Road in the process. The new Valhalla was famed for hosting midnight screenings and marathons of cult classics like Eraserhead, El Topo and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which would often see its audience attend in full drag and voice. Peak and Kiely also made
their own deranged, independent films including Future Schlock, Channel Chaos, The Big Hurt and As Time Goes By, fostering a transgressive and sybaritic arts scene in the area, still on view today. In 2005, The Westgarth was leased to Palace Cinemas and now operates under their custodianship. Leaving The Astor, which Palace Cinemas also run, as Melbourne’s sole remaining single-screen venue, the Westgarth was converted to a five-screen cinema; a 300-seat cinema was installed downstairs while four smaller cinemas were added above. Retaining it’s original charm, The Westgarth still stands as one of the inner north’s architectural and cinematic treasures, showing the best foreign and arthouse films all year round. To find out more, jump online and head to darebinlibraries.vic.gov.au, cinematreasures.org, and palacecinemas. com.au.
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TAMIL FEASTS
Written by Simon Wraight Photography by Ruby Nelson-Will
Issue 01 â&#x20AC;˘ March
A few weeks ago I ventured down to CERES Community Environment Park in Brunswick East to attend Tamil Feasts, a special dining event that takes place up to three times a week, where you will find chefs Nirma, Sri, Niro and Nigethan preparing wonderful dishes alongside organiser Dori and a team of volunteers. upstairs at the Merri Table. But this is not your everyday dining experience, in fact Tamil Feasts represents much, much more. Indeed the poignancy of the night I attended a few weeks back sticks with me still as prominently today, and as such I think this is a story worth re-visiting. Before I arrived, my excitement levels were at fever pitch in anticipation of my first Tamil Feast. As soon as I set foot in the room the smell of the food cooking
was mouth-watering, and as an avid fan of curry, I was more than excited at the opportunity to feast on a few new varieties. But it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t only the smell that was overwhelming. Seeing a packed room, with volunteers ushering guests to their tables, patrons lining up to buy refreshments as the entrees were being served, and of course the four men, Nirma, Sri, Niro and Nigethan with huge smiles on their faces, proudly preparing their food in the kitchen was a sight to behold. As the amazing bhajji, cooked by Niro with fresh coconut sambal (one of the best sauces I have ever tasted), was being served, Nirma introduced himself and the other men to the room. Nirma explained how he has been seeking asylum for 8 years, and how he meet Sri, Niro and Nigethan whilst in the Mita Detention Centre in Broadmeadows. Whilst at the centre, Nirma and Sri came up with the idea of hosting a feast so they could share their stories and encourage sharing and openness in the local community. In 2014 the men meet Dori, who helps organise the Feasts, and since they started nearly two years ago, almost 8000 people have attended. It was truly heart-warming to see
and hear Nirma speak. Here was a man who has faced adversity that many of us could never imagine, yet after 8 years of waiting on a bridging visa, he has the ability to organise a feast and share his story, all with a huge smile on his face. It was obvious that he was so proud of not only his food, but of the fact that there were so many people who have supported the Feasts both on this occasion and in the past. After this, one of the volunteers read a poem written by Sri. It was a beautiful piece that summed up his experiences so far. The main theme throughout the poem was waiting. Time may be passing but he is still stuck in limbo, and the poem dealt with some of the psychological effects this was starting to have on him. Once everyone had finished their bhajji and sambal, it was time for the main course. Whilst the poem was being read my eyes caught the first sight of the main feast. The shimmering metal plate with technicolour rice, a beetroot curry cooked by Nigethan, a chickpea
Issue 01 • March
Inner Circle Magazine • Food & Drink
and eggplant curry cooked by Sri and the garlic Dhal cooked by Niro, all topped with a pappadum. It had me salivating. I immediately dug in. With my heart swelling thanks to the incredible story that Nirma had shared and the poem written by Sri, it was time for my stomach to become overwhelmed with emotion. The three curries were exceptional, honestly some of the best I have tasted in recent times. I am a huge fan of mixing multiple curries, and these three worked so well together. Add in the bonus of Nirma’s pumpkin and spinach salad (topped with passionfruit which I will now be adding to salads), Nirma’s cucumber, coriander and capsicum salad and Nigethan’s plum chutney, and the feast was complete. The flavours were all so delicious, and it didn’t take me long to finish off what was in front of me. As it is a rather informal affair, the leftovers are placed on the bench and you are free to help yourself, so I duly tucked in to a few extra pappadums to
mop up the leftover sauces on my plate.
friends, all with huge smiles on their faces.
I was stuffed!
It was an amazing evening and one I couldn’t recommend enough. It was great to attend this special feast and hear the stories and poetry. Their resilience is truly inspiring, and the great work that they do, alongside Dori, is clearly benefitting all involved. These men may be on bridging Visas, but they are helping to build bridges between community members due to these amazing feasts. It is all too easy to just see faces in the community and not get to know the stories behind them. But it is this sharing of culture that helps to make communities better for everyone.
It was now Niro’s turn to take the microphone and share his incredibly sad boat story. Niro is from the east of Sri Lanka, and he fled the civil war because of the risk of persecution due to being Tamil. He and members of his family decided they had to get out, and Niro made his way to Indonesia where he got on a boat for Australia. After three weeks at sea on a tiny fishing boat he was picked up by the Australian Navy and the waiting began. It was truly horrific to hear what he had been through, and how he is still seeking asylum. At the end of his speech he spoke of how the Tamil Feasts have encouraged him to try and forget the past and look to the future, and how he was hopeful for this future. It was amazing to hear how he could still be positive; it was truly inspirational. Dessert was then served and Nigethan shared some insight into Tamil culture. Nigethan explained how in Tamil culture hospitality was a main pillar of society. It wasn’t uncommon to cook a meal for the
“PEOPLE COME FOR THE EXPERIENCE, BUT KEEP COMING BACK BECAUSE THE FOOD IS SO GOOD.” whole village; every night was like a party. It was very easy to imagine, as the four men all proved to be the perfect hosts. Not only due to the amazing food, but it was their openness to share their stories and seeing them wandering the room chatting to familiar faces and making new
Dori summed it up perfectly – “people come for the experience, but keep coming back because the food is so good.” I will definitely be back, and if you haven’t gone before, this March provides many opportunities with three feasts a week, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights, in a new venue! Due to popularity, they have outgrown the community kitchen and are moving upstairs to the Merri Table. So head down this month to try one of the feasts. Each Feast is slightly different, and with many nights catering for vegans and vegetarians, as well as seafood and meat feasts, there is something for everyone!
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Issue 01 • March
Inner Circle Magazine • Music
MUSIC IN THE INNER NORTH ROUND-UP & PREVIEW Written by Simon Wraight & James Fox
The music scene in Melbourne’s inner north is rightfully recognised as one of the most vibrant and eclectic in all of Australia. It is something we embrace here at Inner Circle, and the scene always keeps our diaries full. Kicking off early January and continuing throughout February, Shimmerlands, at the University of Melbourne in Parkville, brought with it an exquisite program of food, cinema and of course live music. A highlight for us was Sam Shepherd AKA Floating Points and Darren Griffiths AKA Red Greg, two of the UK’s most respected DJs, who took the stage under the elm trees for their You’re A Melody show, and spun some amazing tunes as the crowd danced the night away. Shimmerlands said farewell on February 26th with New York DJ Tim Sweeney (Beats in Space) and The Egyptian Lover smashing out some belters. Zoo Twilights entertained us throughout February, bringing some of the best local and international musicians to our doorstep at Melbourne Zoo in Parkville. Highlights included sold out shows from The Rubens on 4th and 5th February and Björn Again on 11th February. February also saw the birth of Good Island Festival. The inaugural event was a showcase of non-mainstream music of multiple genres, as well as visual art spread across two venues, The Curtin and the Bella Union, both in Carlton. The day
featured great sets from Oscar Key Sung, Swooping Duck, Kllo and Jaala. Good Island Festival was not only an awesome day, but also pushed boundaries with significant attention paid to art and visuals that were complementary to the music. It was also all for a great cause, with all profits going to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC). WETFEST III at the Tote Hotel in Collingwood was another February highlight. The day had everything from surf rock to hip-hop and anything in between. It introduced us to some great new artists - Shrimpwitch and Bahdoesa, as well as reaffirming how wonderful two of our favourite local bands are - Wet Lips and RVG. It’s fair to say that February was a blast, and March promises to be an equally amazing month for music in our region. Keeping it local, RVG launch their much anticipated debut album at the Tote on March 3rd, with Scott & Charlene’s Wedding in support. The next day at the very same venue sees Rack Off!, YWCA Victoria’s annual fundraiser and International Women’s Day celebration, featuring Terrible Truths, Two Steps On The Water, and more. The 2017 Brunswick Music Festival kicks off on March 5th with the much-loved Sydney Road Street Party, featuring music across 6 stages, food stalls and more. The festival
31
runs until March 19th and brings with it a selection of exclusive international acts and some of the best emerging local talent, strengthening the inner north’s reputation as an international music hub. Other highlights include Unity: The International Women’s Day Concert on 8th March, The Hot 8 Brass Band on 14th and 15th March, the Triple R LISTEN Party bringing us the best of the Australian LGBTQIA+ underground, on March 17th and the Oki Ainu Dub Band, also on March 17th. Golden Plains festival, smack in the middle of March, brings with it a whole host of great acts to our fair region. Two of the main acts for Golden Plains, Kurt Vile and The Specials are both playing at the Melbourne Zoo as a part of the Zoo Twilights series. Kurt Vile brings his unique blend of folk/rock and grunge to the Zoo on March 4th and again to Northcote Social Club on March 10th, whilst UK ska/reggae legends The Specials are playing the Zoo on March 11th. Be sure to venture out this March and support our local music scene!
GOOD MANNERS
Written by Tobias Handke Photography by Alan John (Above) Joshua Maxwell De Hoog (Below)
“I don’t think there’s an average day in terms of what work we do,” Hugh McClure, co-founder of Good Manners says with a laugh. Along with business partner and close friend Huw Nolan, the two’s Melbourne based record label/music management and publicity company has quickly become recognised for not only helping spotlight new talent, but for being forerunners of the local scene, helping push the creative hotbed that is Melbourne’s music scene to another level with innovate ideas and events. Based in Collingwood, Good Manners came about after many chats between McClure and Nolan about how they could involve themselves in the music industry by promoting and supporting some of their favourite up and coming acts. First bonding over the internet through their shared love of music and writing (Nolan’s a former editor of Australian music blog The Ripe and McClure was a senior staff writer with global music
Issue 01 • March
“WATCHING OUR ARTISTS PLAY BIG SHOWS HAVING BEEN INVOLVED WITH THEM FROM THE START IS REALLY GRATIFYING TO ME.“
much more supportive and fruitful community,” McClure says. “Obviously the lockout laws have shifted things dramatically, while Melbourne’s night life has never been better with the government putting on 24 hour transport. The fact radio stations like PBS and RRR have existed for 30-35 years independently also gives Melbourne a much more community-based scene which is really fun to be part of.”
site Indie Shuffle), the two became friendly and would catch up whenever visiting each other’s city to discuss music related ideas. “He’d come to town and we’d hang out (and vice versa) and we slowly started to turn our discussion toward starting to work together,” McClure says. After months of backand-forth talks, Good Manners was finally born, with McClure uprooting sticks and moving from Sydney to Melbourne a year into the venture. Aiming to give “a platform to slightly left-of-centre music that needs to be heard,” the initial months weren’t easy, particularly with McClure still in Sydney and the business facing many challenges in its infancy. “Standing out from the crowd,” McClure informs, was the biggest hurdle. “There’s so much good music being produced at a staggering rate.” So how does it compare to McClure’s own backyard? “While I think the fact I work in the industry now sways my opinion, Melbourne is without a doubt a
McClure’s overview of the Melbourne music scene is spot on, with the community always open to new endeavours and those trying to improve it. “Melbourne in general is pretty supportive of the arts, there’s so much more opportunity to showcase down here,” he says. Of course it helps when you are working with exceptionally gifted artists like GM are. “LUCIANBLOMKAMP and Kllo both make really incredible electronic pop music, as well as Planète who makes (very) intelligent dance music,” McClure gushes. Along with those three exciting acts, GM also manage R&B electronic sensation Banoffee and the kooky Gonzo Jones, while having released music through their label from Marcus Whale, Brutalist and Toronto native River Tiber. It’s easy to tell from talking with McClure he is passionate about not only his role, but in helping his artists achieve as much success as possible, “Watching our artists play big shows having been involved with them from the start is really gratifying to me. Knowing how much hard work goes into musician’s careers and seeing people support them live is really special.” He’s quick to highlight the Melbourne Music Week parties they’ve
curated as some of the most enjoyable shows he and Nolan have been involved with. “They’ve been incredible,” he says, “particularly the 2016 one in the Victoria State Library. What a venue!” It’s not just small shows either, with GM recently teaming up fellow Melbourne label and management company, Wondercore Island, for the inaugural Good Island Festival. Featuring artists from both rosters along with dynamic art installations, the festival was a rousing success and helped shed more light on the “left-of-centre” acts GM are trying to promote. “We just wanted to put on a day of interesting music with interesting art and visual content,” McClure says when prompted about the festivals origins. Not only was it a diverse showing of music and art, but all the proceeds went towards the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), with McClure explaining “It just felt right given the current climate.” While they are aiming to bring the festival back next year, there’s no time to admire their achievements, with a string of releases lined up for the coming weeks. “There’s a brilliant new Oscar Key Sung single dropping which we’re really excited about,” McClure explains. “We are also organising the second Hold Tight Club Night which will be a semiregular event showcasing the best local and international electronic music.” Good Manners might still be relatively new, but their contribution not only to the Melbourne music scene, but the wider Australian music community holds them in good stead moving forward, and we can’t wait to see how they help develop the inner north.
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