ISSUE 03 / MAY 2017 / FREE
ARTS / COMMUNITY / FASHION / FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC
FEATURING
• MOON DOG CRAFT BREWERY • BACKWOODS GALLERY • VINTAGE EN TRENDE • BORN TO BE WILD • LOCAL VOICES OF VINYL
THIS IS MELBOURNE’S INNER NORTH
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EDITOR’S LETTER Last month saw the Easter break and Anzac Day memorials bring celebration, contemplation and remembrance to Melbourne’s inner north, alongside a most welcome break from work! At Inner Circle we certainly enjoyed the community togetherness and positive vibes this time of year always brings to the region, despite the dropping temperatures and shorter days creeping in. May is very much the month to celebrate beer in the inner north, with the GABS 2017 Beer, Cider and Food Festival and Good Beer Week bringing a host of beer-centric and foodie events to our region. As such, we decided to catch up with one of our favourite local craft brewers, Moon Dog Craft Brewery, to find out a little more about what goes on behind the scenes in the local craft beer industry. Alongside the gluttonous consumption of beer, this issue also sees us delve into the worlds of vinyl (April’s Record Store Day was another huge success), and vintage wear, both staples for many an inner northerner, and very much part of the fabric of today’s culture and society in Fitzroy, Collingwood, Brunswick, Northcote and beyond. For lovers of contemporary street art, another ever-present icon of the north, we also take a look at edgy Collingwood backstreet gallery Backwoods. But in this inner city region some are still bringing things back to nature, as we found out from Claire Dunn of Nature’s Apprentice, who has taken on a year long experiment to see if she can maintain a genuine connection with nature and a sustainable way of living, all whilst residing in Melbourne’s suburban inner north. There’s no doubt it’s going to be another great month, so whatever tickles your fancy, we hope you enjoy our latest exploration of the region. Here’s to a great May! James Fox - Editor & Co-Founder, Inner Circle Magazine
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/Illustrator: Nicola Hooper Consultant: David Hooper Print Columnists: Nathan Senn, Tobias Handke, Quincy Malesovas, Estelle Artois, Kathryn Lewis Photography: Jess Middleton, Jean Baulch, Alexander Mitchell, Ben Ey, Estelle Artois Online Columnists and Contributors in April: Nina McQueen, Tobias Handke, Simon Wraight, Pamela Kirkley, Ruby Syme, Peter Matthews Special thanks to:
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.”
Alexander Mitchell (Backwoods Gallery), Claire Dunn (Natures Apprentice), Nicole Jenkins (Circa Vintage), Mia Veur (Yesteryear), Martin Fella (Martin Fella Vintage), Emily Renna (Melbourne Vintage), Josh Uljans (Moon Dog Craft Brewery), Paul Cook (Heartland Records), Zac Powell (Oh Jean Records), Nate Nott (Polyester Records) Special thanks also reserved for all our advertising partners. Publisher: Inner Circle Magazine - innercirclemagazine.com.au
contact@innercirclemagazine.com.au
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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
Printed by Ellikon on PEFCTM certified laser paper made from 30% recycled waste and using vegetable inks. This document has been produced to international environmental management standard ISO14001 by a certified green printing company using recycled paper.
This document has been produced to international environmental management standard ISO14001 by a certified green printing company using recycled paper.
CONTENTS
ARTS ROUND-UP & PREVIEW BACKWOODS GALLERY
COMMUNITY ROUND-UP & PREVIEW BORN TO BE WILD
FASHION ROUND-UP & PREVIEW VINTAGE EN TRENDE
P15
FOOD & DRINK STEPPING INSIDE MOON DOG CRAFT BREWERY
MUSIC ROUND-UP & PREVIEW LOCAL VOICES OF VINYL
Issue 03 • May
Inner Circle Magazine • Arts
ARTS IN THE INNER NORTH ROUND-UP & PREVIEW Written by Nathan Senn April was another bumper month for arts events in Melbourne’s inner north. The Art + Climate = Change Festival launched on April 19th and runs through May 14th. A curated selection of multi-disciplinary art inspired by climate change, this year’s works each address the question: how do we unleash the power of the arts to engage people in the most important conversation in human history? Highlights include Diller Scofidio + Renfro’s immersive, 360-degree installation EXIT at the Ian Potter Gallery, Feedback Loop at Blak Dot Gallery, and multimedia group exhibition FLOW at Counihan Gallery. Providing a platform for the discussion of the environmental and social challenges brought on by climate change, the festival is a must-see for all ages, aiming to inform, inspire and promote a more sustainable future.
Looking forward to May, Fitzroy’s In.cube8r Gallery presents group exhibition GRRL. Opening on May 11th, the show brings together works that ask us all to reflect on what it means to be a girl in our modern age, touching on topics including equality, patriarchy and empowerment. From May 5th - May 14th, North Melbourne’s Meat Market will also serve as the hub for The Yirramboi First Nations Arts Festival. The festival will present a stunning celebration of local and international Indigenous-led dance, music, visual art, theatre, film, and talks. Supported by Yirramboi’s Elders Council of the Kulin Nations people, the festival will celebrate more than 60,000 years of continuous artistic and cultural practice. Highlights include stage play Native Girl Syndrome and dance triptych LLAETH (Milk), Monster and Masanhu Kongonya (weaving of the hatchets).
The American Essentials Festival will again grace the Westgarth from May 12th 24th, showcasing both retrospective and modern classics of American independent cinema. Showing is the highly touted David Lynch: Art Life, a candid documentary that turns the lens back on one of cinemas great auteurs, allowing him to describe his practice, influences and unique perspective in his own words. Not for the faint-ofheart, Todd Solondz’s pitch-black comedy Weiner-Dog is also a winner. A spin-off of his breakthrough Welcome to the Dollhouse and starring Greta Gerwig, Julie Delpy, Danny Devito and Ellyn Burstyn, the film riffs on the absurdity of life from the perspective of sausage dog, Remi as he is shuffled from one misanthropic owner to another. For those inclined, Xander Robin’s bold and inventive body-horror/ romance Are We Not Cats is also an obscure curio, well worth searching out.
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INTERVIEW WITH ALEX MITCHELL OF
BACKWOODS GALLERY Founded in 2010 by Alex Mitchell, Backwoods Gallery is Melbourne’s preeminent exhibition space for contemporary street art. Originally devised as a platform for the development and promotion of Australia’s emerging street art scene, the past few years have seen Backwoods Gallery mature into an international collective supporting some of the world’s leading artists. Supporting creatives with a background in street, graffiti and illustration, Backwoods is the place where maverick artists can present their work, on their own terms, to a like minded audience. This month we sat down with director Alex for a quick chat about the gallery and the inner north’s burgeoning street art scene.
INNER CIRCLE: Perhaps you could start by telling us about the history of the gallery, the people involved and how it all got started? Why the focus on contemporary street art? ALEX MITCHELL: We starred as a guerrilla operation with a mission to present outsider artists to the established, Australian art world. As our artists became more established so did the gallery. I think the Australian art scene is starting to recognise us now. We’re in our seventh year, which is much longer than anyone expected. IC: And why the choice to set up in Collingwood? AM: The name Backwoods actually comes from the nickname that artists had for Collingwood. When we first opened, the neighbourhood was much rougher and much more affordable. The choice was a financial one, there weren’t that many places this side of the city where you could get a big warehouse and still afford to take a lot of risks.
IC: What impact do you think Backwoods has had on the community since launching and, inversely, how do you think the culture of Melbourne’s inner north has helped shape the gallery since it was founded? AM: I like to think that we’ve been able to build our own community, outside of street or contemporary art scenes. But, if we’ve had any impact, I hope it’s that we inspire artists and other curators to do good things. IC: What are your thoughts on the state of the Australian art industry at the moment and the art scene in the inner north, particularly? AM: Melbourne is one of the best cities, in the world, to be an artist. That’s an absolute fact. Anyone living here and trying to make a living as an artist should consider themselves very lucky. Backwoods plays a part in the artistic vibe that we have, but it’s a small 8
part compared to all the cafes, bars and clubs which are willing to promote up and coming artists and the level of reverence and social status that artists have in our community. IC: And what sets Backwoods apart from other local gallery spaces? AM: I think our biggest difference is that we’re very close with our artists and have worked with most of them since before we were officially a gallery, having been there since the beginning of their careers. We come from a very small beginning but have big ambitions, just like our artists. We’re also not afraid to take risks. IC: So how would you define your personal philosophy for Backwoods? AM: We measure success in the culture and community we create. So our philosophy is to use the space to present good art, help the artists achieve their goals and inspire our community.
SUPPORTING CREATIVES WITH A BACKGROUND IN STREET, GRAFFITI AND ILLUSTRATION Written by Nathan Senn Photography by Alex Mitchell
IC: We’ve noticed that over the last few years you’ve curated a lot of Japanese street art. Can you speak a bit about this in relation to your curatorial methodology? AM: The Tokyo connection is a weird one - it just sort of came about organically. We have a large community of artists in Tokyo and we’re always looking for ways to use the gallery to create cultural exchange between the two cities. IC: But how do you find the right balance between the promotion and development of emerging artists and those that have already gained international recognition? AM: An artist’s following is a factor, but it takes a backseat to whether or not we believe in the artist. We’d be happy to invest years into promoting obscure artists who we love, rather than showing a well known artist whose work we don’t like.
IC: And what do you look for or value personally in artists/their art? AM: Personally, I like strong symbolism and feeling like the artists have put themselves into the art.
conclude in an exhibition. Stephen Ives @stefano_ives in June, James Reka @ rekaone in November and Shohei Otomo @shohei_otomo in December will also be great shows.
IC: It seems like Backwoods sits at a sort of nexus between creation and exhibition, helping to support and promote Asian artists locally and, hopefully soon, local artists internationally. How have you conceived of this and why is it important for you? AM: The role of a gallery is to inspire people and generate culture, the fact that we manage to generate a connection between Tokyo and Melbourne in the process is a massive bonus.
IC: Finally, what are your hopes and dreams for the future of Backwoods? AM: We’re heading to Japan next month to look at spaces and talk to people. It’s still a while off though. The Tokyo art market is really small. If we opened a space in Tokyo, it would be to develop a community and brand with the goal of selling to other parts of Asia. If Backwoods continues to grow the way it has over the last seven years, I’ll be very happy. As for the local scene, I think when it comes to art, the more things change the more they stay the same.
IC: And what shows are you working on at the moment? AM: During May we have a residency, by a local artist called Deams @vividdeams, which will
Backwoods Gallery is located at 25 Easey Street, Collingwood, open Tue – Sun from 12pm – 6pm. Deams’ residency opens May 19th..
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Issue 03 • May
Inner Circle Magazine • Art
MULTICULTURALISM IN ACTION
A Diverse and Fun Approach to Foreign Language Learning at the East Melbourne Language Centre Stepping inside the handsome Victorian terrace building housing the East Melbourne Language Centre, just a stone’s throw from the end of Smith Street, you are immediately immersed into a world of language and a hive of activity. New co–director Carolin is speaking in German on the phone with a University student who is booking some extra communication classes to practise speaking. New Italian teacher from Sardinia, Valeria, is printing out her recipes for the extra-curricular cooking class that she is about to present. Nicole the volunteer from Germany is helping Andreas to prepare the Bierkeller (pub) conversation class for next Friday. The other long term co-director, Katharina is greeting various students in Spanish and French as they file past the office door on their way to class. In the spacious classroom number 4 Arabic teacher, Kinda,
is demonstrating to Alvaro, one of the Spanish teachers, how many Arabic words he can find in his mother tongue. On any given day as many as 8 different languages can be heard in this lively multicultural environment. Katharina and her former business partner, Helga, opened the school in 1989, originally trading as the German Language Centre. Katharina reports that, due to demand, they extended to Russian, Arabic, French, Spanish, Mandarin, Italian, Indonesian and English. The instructors are native speakers and qualified teachers. Many are university tutors and lecturers. At any of their many social events you will have the opportunity to meet other students and native speakers to practise 354 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne
your language skills. You can join them at their outings, learning weekends, visits to restaurants, parties, movie and games nights. Check out their website for news of the next ‘speak dating’ session! The regular daytime and evening classes range from beginner level up to advanced levels and are conducted in four 10-week terms per year. Classes are normally 90 minutes per week unless indicated otherwise. Many people prefer private tuition, and the one-on-one live online classes are also popular. The youngest student is 12 and the oldest 90. For further details, check out www. languagecentre.net.au or ring 94172265. Mention ‘Inner Circle Magazine’ for $50 off a language group course of your choice! Offer applies to new students only, redeemable only once per person.
Issue 03 • May
Inner Circle Magazine • Community
COMMUNITY IN THE INNER NORTH ROUND-UP & PREVIEW
Written by Quincy Malesovas Last month was feature packed full of community events that went from the wholesome to the more bizarre and eclectic, and we loved it. Whether you enjoyed making new friends at PeaceMeals or happily delved into an exploration of pop culture at the Supanova Pop Culture Expo, there was something to satisfy all. The diversity of our community just begs to be explored, and so this month we have found a host of awesome events worth checking out. Your thirst can be quenched at the Monsieur Cavalier Beer & Chocolate Journey at East Elevation in Brunswick. This event is part of Melbourne’s Good Beer Week festivities (12th - 21st May) and features chocolate beer, chocolate-infused dishes, and straight-up chocolate for a flat fee cover price. For more foodie novelties, hit up the Big
Vegan Market in Carlton on 13th May. In addition to the best vegan treats in town, the event will feature animal-friendly fashion and beauty products dispersed amongst over 100 stalls. But veg(etari)anism isn’t just about abstaining from animal products - it can be about celebrating the furry friends in your life. You can do exactly this at the Dog Lovers Show (also in Carlton, 5th - 7th May). It’s expecting somewhere around 50,000 guests (pets not included), so get your tickets fast! If the analytical fusion of art and culture sounds interesting , you might enjoy Creative Spark - Cultural Mapping and Creative Cartologies at Merring Studio in Northcote on 17th May. The workshop is one of a three-part series which explores urban development and cultural geography within Melbourne.
Once you’re done, head a bit further south to Fitzroy, where Hares & Hyenas will be hosting an event in honour of IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia & Transphobia). The day will include several speakers touching on family issues within the LGBTQIA+ community, and light refreshments will be served. No Lights No Lycra, an international judgment-free dance community, will be holding an extra special event on the 24th May in Brunswick East. Called Girls Make Your Move, this dance party will prioritise young women by giving them free entry and a safe space to let loose. To top it all off, be sure to add this one to your diary: The Third Annual Tarantino Ball at 24 Moons in Northcote on 20th May, where you can expect an allnight extravaganza of Quentin-inspired costumes, music and drinks.
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‘REWILDING’ IN THE INNER NORTH Written by Kathryn Lewis Photography Supplied by Claire Dunn Copyright Ben Ey for Australian Geographic
BORN TO BE W
WILD
“What makes me feel most alive is having a physical life, one in which I’m connected with the elements
Seven years ago, Claire Dunn went bush, living off the grid for a year. Now, she is a local to the inner north learning how to keep up with society without losing her wild side. The experiment is called ‘rewilding’, a term that conjures up images of an Easy Rider era commune filled with free-spirited hippies going back to basics. Yet unlike Peter Fonda, Claire’s idea has nothing to do with rejecting society, it is all about living within it. “I believe it’s one of the most important and imperative tasks of our time, to develop deep threads of connection both to nature and to ourselves and communities.” Living in the wilderness is possibly the best way to foster that connection, but Claire is just like you and me. She studies, has a job, a family and roommates that expect her to pay the rent on time. After a year of being governed by her body and the weather, returning to the clockwork of a nine to five timetable was not easy. “It’s really listening to each organ and seeing what it needs at any time. Whether it needs to get up and run, whether it’s time for it to rest, when it wants to eat.” Now, she wants to break from the norm and attempt to maintain her connection with nature while in the city, to notice the things most of us forget exist outside our Facebook feed. The word she uses is connection, a very different one to the kind that keeps the Wi-Fi running. “It’s about my connection to nature, to the birds and animals, and how much I can notice, not just pass by but really see where the bird’s nests are, and where the ringtail possums nest and all those details, let them be a part of the richness of my world.” But how do you find this connection in the middle of suburbia? For Claire, it’s all about observation, finding a spot to sit and simply watch. “Everyone has twenty minutes in their day that they could take off one of their distractions.” Claire says. The task of peeling our eyes away from Netflix
is a pretty tall order for a lot of us, but for Claire, it’s a no brainer, “What makes me feel most alive is having a physical life, one in which I’m connected with the elements, connected with my food sources and my water and connected to a community who wants to live in that kind of a way.” Claire has fostered her own village of people helping her come back down to earth in the most real sense. When her weekends aren’t being spent jumping from trees in Darebin Parklands as part of an ancestral movement workshop, she is learning which weeds can be used to make bread (the answer is dock seed) and being shown how to use Fairfield park as a personal supermarket. “Having lots of different opportunities for people to connect, to have potluck dinners, and sit by the fire in the backyard and tell stories, and sing songs, and weave baskets. Community building is part of it.” It would be easy to be put off the idea of rewilding by the sheer mention of eating weeds, and perhaps bird calls do not set your heart on fire quite like Steppenwolf can, but for Claire this is a lifestyle far more sustainable than any other; and she is very willing to teach you how to love it too, at one of her rewilding workshops. Here, you can be introduced to the concept in a one day session, or you can delve right in with a weekend trip into the wild, “I like to offer a range of different workshops and one-on-one mentoring with people to help bring them more into their aliveness.” She is only a few months into her experiment, yet Claire seems deeply settled into the lifestyle she has created. Still unsure if the final results will prove her hypothesis, every step of the way is being documented in a book she hopes to be on the shelves in the next two years. You can keep up-to-date with what Claire is doing at www.naturesapprentice.com. au.
”
Annatto Cafe and Bar
A New Dining Experience in Fitzroy North Annatto is an orange-red condiment and food colouring, derived from the seeds of the achiote tree, that tastes slightly nutty, sweet and peppery. But now, locally, Annatto represents not only a condiment and a flavouring, but a new daytime dining experience in Fitzroy North - Annatto Cafe and Bar. “My first true experience in a kitchen was at Rob’s Carousel Restaurant in Albert Park,” says Graeme Chalmers, owner at Annatto. “The Head Chef was Yugoslav, he was extremely strict but gave me opportunities to craft and develop my skills. These were the days when you grabbed such chances by the throat, and I didn’t let this one pass me by. I was the first adult apprentice and the skills I developed there not only lasted me a lifetime, but enabled me to kickstart my journey in the restaurant trade.” And what a journey it has been, with Graeme carving out a successful career in the industry that has already exceeded forty years, in which he has continuously looked to innovate and push boundaries. “Burgundy and Bayleaves was my first opportunity to test innovations with food and flavours. Then we opened a Deli, making cakes and pastries with a unique style that attracted the curious and saw the business flourish.”
Now Graeme has brought his unique approach to food to Fitzroy North. “Annatto is a combination of experiences and values. Our cuisine is Australian, but multi-cultural Australian, offering a dining experience unlike any other.” These values have certainly manifested themselves at Annatto, and it is immediately clear that this is a family affair in every way. Nick and Sarah have both worked with their dad Graeme from a very young age, with Nick managing the kitchen and Sarah managing the front of house. “All our staff are part of the family,” says Graeme. “They greet you with a smile and are there to make your visits memorable. We are family friendly, so your kids are welcome.” When it comes to the food, Graeme doesn’t give much away, but is proud to promote the local, community approach he is fostering at Annatto and promises you will enjoy your dining experience at the restaurant. “We buy locally and Australian where possible, we support small businesses within our local communities, we have hired a local cookery student to help support and nurture local talent, and our wines, beers and ciders are all Australian
390 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North
and mostly Victorian. Our philosophy is simple - all our food is made from the freshest ingredients, selected from specialist small suppliers, and crafted by our team to provide you with a memorable food experience.” Graeme has also ensured that at Annatto, they maintain a sustainable and environmentally-conscious approach to everything they do. “We are very concerned about a sustainable future and do what we can to ensure we use our resources wisely. We separate our plant matter for compost and minimise waste wherever possible.” But it is not just sustainability and a focus on local that Graeme insists on. He has also recognised the demands of inner north locals for excellent coffee! “Our coffee is San Pedro. It has been selected for its commitment to preparing and producing a blend that matches our requirements of a robust flavour for the morning, or alternatively a lighter coffee for the afternoon. Whatever your desire, I am sure you will love our coffee!” Annatto is open Tuesday to Thursday 6:30am - 4:30pm, Friday 6:30am - 8:30pm, Saturday 7am - 4pm and Sunday 8am 4pm at 390 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North.
Issue 03 • May
Inner Circle Magazine • Fashion
FASHION IN THE INNER NORTH ROUND-UP & PREVIEW Written by Estelle Artois April fashion saw the looks that hit the runways at March’s Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival hit our stores. Bohemian clothes are back; adding frills, flowers and flounce to your wardrobe. Retro 70’s throwback items are also making a comeback to add durable fabrics and a variety of earthy tones to your autumn style. High-waisted jeans are a necessary staple. Get your hands on some vintage floral patterns and double denim like there’s no tomorrow!
up of both, black is always back and is a heavily versatile choice to mix and match your outfit with the changeable weather. Brace yourself to ditch your monochromatic clothes for some surprising colour splashing around your wardrobe: deep reds, military navy’s, bright purple’s and deep greens can be seen hitting racks and strutting the streets this month. Also expect to see bright hue’s of red and orange floating around, mimicking the falling leaves of the season.
As the temperature drops, men are encouraged to suit up: couple your blazers with jeans and sturdy boots. The mix-andmatch look is definitely a leading winner for this autumn!
May sees Melbourne Vintage – a notable Mecca for all your vintage clothing needs – open their second store on Carlton’s Lygon St.
As we begin to battle the colder months, the leather motorcycle look is in: be it a leather jacket, leather pants or a double
The Melbourne Fashion Intstitute in Fitzroy will be holding an info night on May 3rd for any future fashion designers
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who want to take their careers a step further, while May 25th – May 27th will see current Australian fashion designers strutting their wares at Face Fashion 2017 at North Melbourne’s Meat Market. On May 27th and 28th, Ruffles and Bells are holding the Bespoke Styled Sessions 2017 at The Whitespace Photographic Studio in Fitzroy. The event is for upcoming brides and grooms-to-be, bringing together a creative collective of hair and makeup artists, wedding dress makers and stylists to get you ready for your big day. Be sure to grab your tickets beforehand. May is all about endorsing our homegrown designers and garments. We encourage you to get amongst the next generation of Aussie fashion designers to help you gear up for the colder months of winter!
Issue 03 • May
VINTAGE EN TRENDE Photography and Words by Estelle Artois
Consider this quote from the illustrious Coco Chanel: “Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” In a world that judges on first impressions, fashion can serve as an immediate business card that displays your personality traits, your values, your current mood and your priorities. According to Mademoiselle Chanel, fashion is also a mirror of society at the time of any given trend, reflecting its values, its mood and its priorities as a whole. Enter the vintage clothing trend, our mirror into fashion’s past. Vintage clothing can throw back to the 90s, the 80s and everything before. So why has this trend survived, where others (like
crimped hair or visor hats. Shudder…) have perished into the pages of history books only to be brought up in pub trivia or as a reminiscent anecdote to be remembered with abhorrence and giggly judgment? Nicole Jenkins, creator of vintage retail brand Circa Vintage, fell into vintage by association – her mum ran an antique shop and the family drove old cars. “I tried dressing in contemporary fashion for a while in my teens but it didn’t suit my body type. I found it hard to justify spending more money for lesser quality. As I grew older, the sustainability of buying second hand just seemed the sensible choice.” Circa Vintage is now exclusively sold online but previously traded on Gertrude Street for eight years. During this time, Jenkins remembers this area as the ultimate
destination for vintage with seven shops in total. “I think they’ve all gone now,” she says. Mia Veur, assistant manager at Yesteryear in Carlton, was able to offer one theory for the dissipation of the independent clothing store, “Melbourne used to be the place with small independent boutiques, but this died
out due to an increase in rent and big chain stores. Also, people didn’t trust their own personal styles.”
collectables and designer interiors. He heeds people to think carefully about what they buy. “Stop buying these massproduced, throw-away garments that are cheap and crappy, that last one season and that’s it.”
Emily Renna, vintage enthusiast and employee at Brunswick’s Melbourne Vintage, says she was drawn to buying and wearing vintage because she likes being an individual, “I like knowing that no-one else has what I have.”
These big chain stores introduced what is called ‘Fast Fashion’, which is typically associated with some of your mainstream Indeed, vintage could be the ultimate Veur (Yesteryear) also suggests that high street brands. When ‘Fast Fashion’ antidote to ‘Fast Fashion’, for as Fella puts Vintage is either introducing or came into play, even Veur admits to being reawakening people’s love of excited by it as a concept, but the textiles, variety and colour. “[It’s] reality of the trend soon became just a bit of fun, you know? The apparent. “Now it’s polluting the Vintage offers an unlimited world’s a bit dark at the moment!” earth, things are being made by choice, with many fabrics, people with unfair wages so I detailing or colour combinations Jenkins (Circa Vintage) offered think [we’re] waking up to that… a similar perspective. “Vintage You can still buy a 100 dollar that you simply don’t see in offers an unlimited choice, with [vintage] coat and it’s still going contemporary fashion… You’ll many fabrics, detailing or colour to be amazing in thirty years’ combinations that you simply don’t never walk into a party to find time.” see in contemporary fashion… someone else in your dress. You’ll never walk into a party to What is certainly apparent is that find someone else in your dress. vintage is a more sustainable way You can be creative, play with of shopping. You are purchasing it, “all current fashion is derivative of old identity and character.” recycled yet durable garments, whereas fashion… so you can get older pieces that any unsold ‘Fast Fashion’ clothing from big are still going to fit in very well with what’s It will take a bit of effort and a keen eye chain stores goes straight to landfill. going on for the current season.” to source great vintage fashion pieces, but
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Martin Fella, second-hand clothing shop owner of the same name in North Melbourne says, “Choose well, buy less, save the planet.” The quote is inspired by Vivienne Westwood herself. Fella first opened his doors eighteen years ago and he specialises in designer
But vintage is not just an opportunity to shop sustainably, ethically and wisely. As well as boasting high quality fibres that will last you many years, vintage clothing allows the wearer to experiment with their identity away from the constraints of current fashion trends and allows the wearer to completely dictate their style.
know that you are investing into garments that are worthy of your efforts and of your hard earned cash, and in garments that don’t force you to support cheap and quick manufacturing. My suggestion: go vintage and go back to supporting love, care, affordability and creativity for fashion designers, retailers and consumers alike!
Yesteryear – 237A Faraday St, Carlton/200 High St Northcote Martin Fella – 556 Queensberry St, North Melbourne Melbourne Vintage – 351 Sydney Rd, Brunswick Circa Vintage – Exclusively online at circavintageclothing.com.au
MARIA’S PASTA TRADITIONAL FRESH PASTA AND ONE SPECIAL SECRET... It’s no secret that Maria’s Pasta have been making some of Melbourne’s best fresh and snap frozen pasta for more than 30 years. Owned and run by the Italiano family, Maria’s is driven by some passionate foodies. In addition to classic pasta recipes, their repertoire includes durum wheat pasta (made exclusively from single point of origin durum flour grown and milled at Belatta Gold in NSW) and weekly specials like organic spelt pasta. Maria’s still hand make their Jumbo Agnolotti and the range of flavours is amazing. From traditional choices like Ricotta & Spinach or Pumpkin to more gourmet choices, such as Chilli
Prawn & Spinach or Duck Merlot & Mushroom. The range of fresh pasta changes each day so call and check what’s in stock. But Maria’s does have one special secret – they’re the Melbourne home of Serendipity Ice Cream, Australia’s most awarded ice cream. Most of the range is gluten free and the sorbets (which are amazing) are suitable for vegans. Melbournians love ice cream all year round. For winter, try the Super Fudge Brownie Ice Cream or the Pecan Pie Ice Cream – they’re simply superb! Maria’s Pasta: 677 Nicolson St, Carlton North VIC 3054 Tel: 03 9380 5800, mariaspasta.com.au.
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STEPPING INSIDE MOON DOG CRAFT BREWERY
Located a tasty hops, skip and a jump from Victoria Street, in the heart of Abbotsford’s industrial complex, Moon Dog Craft Brewery are creating some of the most exciting, inventive and delectable craft beers Melbourne has to offer.
Issue 03 • May A truly independent enterprise, Moon Dog was started by brothers Josh and Jake Uljans and schoolmate Karl van Buuren in 2011. Home brewing since their teens and inspired by cutting-edge beers from the US and Europe, the boys identified a hole in the market, snapped up a small lot in Abbotsford, and quickly began experimenting. Self-taught and having invested all their savings on the startup, Josh and Karl even temporarily took up residence in the brewery to save while the business was taking off. “We were all in our mid-late 20’s and just decided one day to start piecing it all together,” says Josh. “It wasn’t your typical start to a brewery. We had bugger all money and no industry experience, but we had a heap of enthusiasm and energy, and a really clear idea of the beers we wanted to make and what we wanted Moon Dog to be. We started buying old disused dairy equipment off eBay, I learned how to weld, we ordered our first fermenter from China, and leased a dingy old warehouse in industrial Abbotsford.” Wanting to create beer that was unique, exciting and something that beer-lovers in Melbourne hadn’t tasted before, Moon Dog’s first batch was a 9% double IPA, aged in Cognac barrels and titled ‘Skunkworks’. This was followed by a barrel-aged black wild ale fermented with cherry plums called ‘Perverse Sexual Amalgam’, a Belgian-American India Brown Ale called ‘Henry Ford’s Girthsome Fjord’ and a bourbon barrel-aged smoky stout called ‘Black Lung’. Since then, they’ve successfully experimented with outlandish ingredients like watermelon, pine lime, redskins and even chocolate. These were bold, out-there beers: exactly what the team would drink themselves. When walking into the brewery, it’s immediately apparent that the team at Moon Dog plays by its own rules. Their main bar is situated in a cosy warehouse space. Large, oak tables and a hodgepodge of vintage sofas give the space a homely charm. Its welcoming, down-to-earth vibe makes you feel more like you’re hanging in your best mate’s garage than at one of
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Inner Circle Magazine • Food & Drink
“Underlying everything we do is a philosophy of fun, inclusiveness, excitement and difference ”
from the ceiling, while surfboards and a flamboyance of plastic flamingos adorn the walls.
“Underlying everything we do is a philosophy of fun, inclusiveness, excitement and difference,” beams Josh. “I think the growth of the industry as a whole has come from people becoming increasingly interested in what they’re consuming. A massive part of that is about the variety of flavours that are now available… so of course, number one for us is that our beer has to be top notch... But I think equally important for people is being able to connect with a story that’s real, with real people behind it who have a real passion for what they are making. To me, the concept of craft beer is as much about people as it is about the beer.”
Melbourne’s most popular drinking joints. The brewery’s original stainless-steel brewing tanks are on display behind a bar that holds eight taps: six of which are given to Moon Dog’s own, the seventh dedicated to a guest beer from a fellow microbrewery and the eighth to a regularly changing cocktail. Out front, a pizza van slings doughs that are out of this world. The bar is more than the sum of these parts though. Like any best mate’s garage, it’s an idiosyncratic space and offers a wild trip down the rabbit hole and into the mind of team Moon Dog. Aptly named after the eponymous blind, avant-garde musician once known to dress as a Viking and play his own instruments on the streets of New York, the team evokes this same sense of creativity and pioneering spirit in the formulation of their beers. Posters of the Blues’ famous premiership victory in ’95 and newspaper cutouts of Shane Warne’s Ashes triumphs plaster the walls. Perhaps best described as a mix of Tropicana and vintage chic, the bar proffers toucans and parrots hanging in suspended animation
The longer you spend in the bar the more you notice how it’s also a representation of those behind it - a cavalcade of curios or modern day wunderkammer. What is most noticeable entering the space is a large photo of John Candy shooting a thumbs up circa his turn in Stripes. One recalls his role as Dewey ‘Ox’ Oxberger one of the most un-soldier like soldiers committed to film, a goofy non-conformist who joins the army as a form of effective weight loss. Turn to your left and there hangs a Steve Payne print of Bill Murray dressed as a Russian military General. Making the move from sketch comedy to arthouse thespian to reclusive eccentric, Moon Dog’s reverence for the likes of Murray makes total sense. Perhaps most fittingly, perched under the bar’s extensive menu is a picture of Gene Wilder’s Willy Wonka - the maker of music, the dreamer of dreams! Perhaps as a symbol, it’s Wonka who encapsulates Moon Dog best – full of whimsy and dogged determination. Josh, Jake and Karl are mad dreamers and have built their brewery to match. To the right of the photo sits a fake bookcase, behind which a secret door leads to the Brewery’s newly installed function room boasting
its own bar replete with exposed brewing tanks. Recent growth has also seen Moon Dog recently purchase the next warehouse over and install new equipment from De Bortoli’s old brewery too. This is where the magic happens and while there aren’t any singing Oompa Loompas, the team work in the same spirit of ingenuity and wonder.
Moon Dog’s main line now boasts ‘Love Tap’, a smooth, hoppy lager, the ‘Old Mate’ pale ale and ‘Mac Daddy’ dark ale. While these are straightforward beers by Moon Dog standards they are still undoubtedly complex. More recent explorations include ‘Double-and-a-bit-Imperial’ India Pale Ale, playfully described as being “like immersing your face into the fruit platter of the breakfast buffet in a 3.5 star tropical island resort.” There’s also the ‘Del Polka Vista Fruits of the Forest’ Wild Ale - a magnificently sour wild ale – fresh, bright and brimming with a mix of berries. Moon Dog have also recently released their first canned beer: a fruity lager with delightful grapefruit and peach undertones. “Over the past six years we’ve grown a heap, and along the way we had a heap of support from people in the industry like Dave and Cam from Mountain Goat,” explains Josh. “From the get-go they were incredibly supportive and helpful to us. Now that we’ve got a few years under our belt we want to try and help the industry continue to grow and provide support to smaller breweries that are in their early stages.” With business booming, Moon Dog looks headily to the future. This means staying true to their original vision while continuing to push the boundaries of craft beer production. With generosity of spirit, they turn their gaze to the next generation of brewers, who they hope to support and bring to the world stage with them. You can find Moon Dog Craft Brewery at 17 Duke St, Abbotsford.
Issue 03 • May
Inner Circle Magazine • Music
MUSIC IN THE INNER NORTH ROUND-UP & PREVIEW Written by Tobias Handke
Last month, the Inner Circle crew were out and about again, managing to check out some awesome gigs highlighting both local and international talent. The month kicked off with consecutive gigs as The Gasometer showcasing two of Australia’s brightest female stars. Brisbane sensation Mallrat had the dance floor shaking on a sunny Thursday and was followed by local favourite Banoffee previewing new material with her one-off Melbourne show on the Friday. Byron Bay Bluesfest was another spectacular event with Patti Smith, Santana, Nas and The Doobie Brothers just a few of the standout performers. Special mention must be made of Gallant’s sideshow at The Corner Hotel. The UK soul singer tore the house down with a personal and engaging set
Spiderbait played four sold out shows at The Corner and left nobody disappointed as they celebrated the 20th anniversary of their seminal record Ivy & The Big Apple. For those that missed out, two final Melbourne shows were added for April 28th and 29th, highlighting the popularity of this awesome band. Moving into May, rock legends The Dwarves are heading back for a national tour, with their final show-taking place at The Curtin on Friday May 5th. The following night Howler welcomes Dappled Cities as the Sydneysiders tour the east coast in celebration of new album IIIII (Five). After a number of years on hiatus Dappled Cities are sure to entertain with a selection of new cuts and fan favourites. Legendary singer and songwriter Tex
5% oFF whEn mEntioning innEr circlE
Perkins & The Strangers will provide an enjoyable evening of tunes at the Northcote Social Club on May 14th, while sister venue The Corner Hotel has a slew of great shows throughout the month. Julia Jacklin has sold out both her Melbourne shows while Methyl Ethel have added a third night on Wednesday 17th after both original shows reached capacity. May also sees Perth all-rounder Harry Jakamarra take up a four-night residency at The Gasometer. Supported by a variety of young artists, Jakamarra will be promoting his new EP and playing songs influenced by West African blues and grungy rock. As you can see there is no excuse not to get out and see some of the great live music the north has to offer.
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LOCAL VOICES OF VINYL
DISCUSSING THE VINYL CRAZE AND ITS FUTURE Written by Tobias Handke Photography by Jean Baulch
Sales of vinyl continue to break records across the globe, with our own backyard responsible for selling a massive $15.1 million worth of records during 2016. According to the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), this is up 70 per cent on 2015, demonstrating that Aussies have a taste for record spinning. The biggest query this raises is whether
sales of vinyl can continue at this rate and remain a steady source of income for bands and record stores alike. The turnout at local stores for the recent Record Store Day on April 22nd was massive, with many Melbournian’s taking advantage of special
vinyl and one-offs released on the day. If that’s any indication of the state of vinyl, then we believe the industry is in great shape, but who are we to judge? That’s why we chatted with Paul Cook of Heartland Records, Zac Powell of Oh Jean Records and Nate Nott of Polyester Records, to get their thoughts on the vinyl craze and its future going forward.
Issue 03 • May
Paul Cook Heartland Records
Having been in business for almost 25 years, Heartland Records owner Paul Cook has watched the steady rise of vinyl occur with his own eyes. “It always has been and always will be the most important format,” he says. “The choice of titles right now is better than it’s ever been. It’s quite nostalgic to see brand new shiny copies of albums that you could only obtain second-hand at inflated prices in the past.” Cook also believes record stores offer the community a “great way to socialise and talk about purchases, wants and near misses.” Known for its diverse selection of new and second hand vinyl, CD’s, DVD’s and music merchandise, Heartland Records offers a wide range of genres to choose from. Just don’t expect to see Justin Bieber on the shelves, Cook warns. “The classics still sell well and mostly out sell any new releases
Inner Circle Magazine • Art
because of young people buying them for the first time and older people buying them again after throwing out their collections when they turned to CD. As for new artists (Justin Bieber, Adele) we are saved by the volume of new vinyl available today and are able to say, ‘sorry we can’t stock everything,’ when we get the odd enquiry for them.” As for whether the vinyl resurgence can continue, Cook is a little unsure. “At least for the near future I think, after that it’s hard to say. If the prices keep going up and up it’s not going to help, that’s for sure.” Zac Powell Oh Jean Records
“It’s great to see people coming back to vinyl in numbers and getting excited about vinyl and just music releases in general,” says Zac Powell of Oh Jean Records. Relatively new on the scene, Oh Jean Records (formerly Vinyl.) began life online before expanding
to bricks and mortar a year ago. “For us there are so many great things about vinyl,” Powell glows. “The social aspect, the ‘warm’ sound, the fact that it forces you to get up out of your chair and engage. People have had the experience with instant music and now realise there is an enjoyable aspect to playing a record, reading the liner notes and viewing the artwork.” Oh Jean Records sell only vinyl and stock a large selection of Australian releases, something they are very proud of. “We’ve got quite a large AUS/NZ section and we find there’s quite a demand. We are fortunate to live in Melbourne in such a rich period of local music and are exposed to it every night of the week. So in that vein, purchasing Australian music is considered the norm and with the international spotlight growing on our bands, getting your copy of an EP, 7” or
Issue 03 • May
Inner Circle Magazine • Art
LP is essential before they run out.” Powell’s passion for local music is infectious and he steadfastly believes the future of vinyl is bright. “People love music. I think as long as that love is there, some people will always buy vinyl.” Nate Nott Polyester Records
Polyester Records is a Melbourne institute, having been the go-to record store in the north for 34 years, with co-owner Nate Nott having seen much in his 15 years in charge. “The main thing I notice with changes is when technology tries something new,” he says. “Whether that be downloads or streaming, we see an instant impact and then slowly we get people coming back. Everyone always wants to play with the new toy.”
“We are fortunate to live in Melbourne in such a
rich period of local music and are exposed to it every night of the week
Having been one of the go-to stores for purchasing vinyl over the years, Nott believes much of the resurgence is down to the tangibility aspect of vinyl. “We like paying for something and being able to hold it. For us as well, it’s the actual process of sitting down with an album and taking the time out with it, which is less of an experience when it’s on your phone or computer.” As leaders in the industry, Polyester have been huge supporters of the local scene and often host live performances and record launches in-store. “We care a lot about our local music community and want everyone to get behind it,” Nott says. “For us they [Australian vinyl] sell really well
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and that comes down in part to the kind of music we try to support and promote the hardest.” As for the future of vinyl going forward, Nott is a little more concerned with the amount of new record stores on the block. “I think we’re seeing it levelling out a little so what we will now see is if the city can handle all the new record stores and ‘lifestyle’ stores that stock records. There have been some great new stores that have opened with a great focus and their own niche market but there are other stores that are essentially someone’s mid-life crisis.”
Heartland Records 420-422 Victoria St, North Melbourne Oh Jean Records 276 Nicholson St, Fitzroy Polyester Records 387 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
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