Brag#388

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Fri Feb 18 Seymour Centre sydney.edu.au/seymour Popfrenzy Presents

The Way Out Out now on Spunk popfrenzy.com.au myspace.com/thebooksmusicpage

Also Touring - Broadcast (UK) Wed 8 Dec, The Forum | HEALTH (US) & Wire (UK) Thu 20 Jan Sydney Festival | Holly Miranda (US) Jan 15, 16 & 18, The Famous Spiegeltent | Les Savy Fav (US) Thu 10 Dec, Manning Bar | Os Mutantes (BRA) Wed 9 Feb, Enmore Theatre | www.popfrenzy.com.au 6 :: BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10

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rock music news welcome to the frontline: what’s goin’ on, down and around town. With Nathan Jolly and Cool Thomas

he said she said WITH

FEMME METALE FROM METALS

I

never really studied or did music growing up, aside from studying clarinet for a year when I was 7. The boys got preference to play saxophone, which killed my dreams of being Lisa Simpson.

I was a ballerina for 15 years, so I was surrounded by classical music and Broadway crap. My folks had really diverse taste, so I grew up listening to everything from Depeche Mode through Supergrass, Macy Gray, Billie Holiday and Jeff Buckley, through to KD Lang. I was always drawn to the blue note, loved jazz, loved harmonies – I avoided pop at all costs, except for corny club RnB. That shit was cool. Chris grew up in Ireland but moved here to Oz about twenty years ago. I know he was highly influenced by Joy Division, old school reggae, ran an infamous techno club in Melbourne for a decade or so and digs nasty booty house. He’s a bit kinky…

Biggest musical influence of all time is Me’shell Ndegeocello. My mother introduced me to Plantation Lullabies and Peace Beyond Passion when I was around 14. I fell in love.

For me, the holy trinity is Jill Scott, Badu and India Arie, with Me’shell presiding over them, omnipresent. I love hip-hop; in fact, last night Louis Logic actually called me an MC – T’was an honour.

Chris and I connect on the nasty stuff.

We both have a love for sparkly things like Die Antwoord, MIA’s new clip ‘Born Free’, D’angelo’s album Voodoo (‘Shit Damn Motherfucker’ is amazing). We’re inspired by politics, debate, environmentalism, spiritual and philosophical discovery, lycra hotpants with camel toes, and also by emos doing interpretive dance.

Metals = this chick called Femme Metale + this dude called Digital Primate. They connected when she was doing vocals on his album Siege Mentality. She likes Nu-Soul, he likes techno. They both like Adbusters magazines. They like to debate politics and eat organic goats cheese. Neither of them own a TV. They are sexy. They rock.

We do ‘jackin neo-tech post-soul rock’ #thatisall. Expect to see lots of beach balls and glitter on stage, maybe some feathers, lots of sweat, spit and attitude, some pelvic thrusting, possibly explosions but mostly just good music.

Auto tune is wack. I love the Oz Soul Collective – unity, soul and good vibes.

Alphamama’s super sexy. Best thing I’ve seen all week: Akil from J5 doing a DJ set at Horse Bazaar on a weeknight, while the b-boys got the f*&k down. T’was da shit. Topped only by my studio session with Louis Logic last night - I love his cute twisted strangeness. Chris is listening to Henryk Gorecki’s Symphony Of Sorrowful Songs right now because it makes him cry, and is also digging Dizz1 – a rad glitch dubstep producer from Sydney.

With: Birds Of Tokyo, The Living End, Horrorshow, Hungry Kids Of Hungary, Grafton Primary and more Where: Open Arms Festival @ The Coffs Harbour Showgrounds When: Saturday November 20

JACK JOHNSON TOUR

PUBLISHERS: Adam Zammit & Rob Furst EDITOR IN CHIEF: Adam Zammit 9552 6333 adam@peergroupmedia.com EDITOR: Steph Harmon steph@thebrag.com 9552 6333 ARTS EDITOR & ASSOCIATE: Dee Jefferson dee@thebrag.com 9552 6333 STAFF WRITER: Jonno Seidler NEWS CO-ORDINATORS: Nathan Jolly, Cool Thomas, Chris Honnery ART DIRECTOR: Sarah Bryant GRAPHIC DESIGN: Dara Gill SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER: Tim Levy SNAP PHOTOGRAPHERS: Lauren Johnston, Patrick Stevenson, Tom Tramonte, Maja Baska, Sofii McKenzie COVER PHOTOGRAPHER: Tim Levy SALES/MARKETING MANAGER: Blake Rayner 0404 304 929 / (02) 9552 6672 blake@thebrag.com ADVERTISING: Les White - 0405 581 125 / (02) 9552 6618 les@thebrag.com ADVERTISING: Sara Golchin - (02) 9552 6747 sara@thebrag.com GIG & CLUB GUIDE CO-ORDINATOR: Christian Moraga - gigguide@thebrag.com (rock) clubguide@thebrag.com (dance) INTERNS: Liz Brown, Rach Seneviratne

Last time Jack Johnson came to town he stayed at mine, which was cool and everything, but every morning his alarm would wake me, and then two hours later he’d traipse water through the house, and leave his dripping wetsuit on the dining room table. Once he collected a whole bunch of coral from the beach and just piled it on the kitchen bench? There was sand everywhere for months... Anyway, he’s playing December 11 at The Domain, and tickets are still available. Tegan and Sara are supporting - remind me to tell you about the time me and Tegan turned my hardwood floor hallway into a Slip ‘n’ Slide with a bucket of soapy water…

BELLE & SEBASTIAN 4 GOLDEN PLAINS

Hello all you impossible fey, pale children couped up in your bedrooms in the middle of this heatwave in your cat sweaters and your corduroy. Turn down that Smiths record and listen up, because Belle & Sebastian are coming back to Australia to play Golden Plains, and their set will take place at sundown on the Sunday evening - which can symbolise anything your dear, tender and brave little heart wishes.

Os Mutantes, The Hold Steady, Wavves, Best Coast, and now B&S… Get a ticket!

Sufjan Stevens

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Joshua Blackman, Mikey Carr, Bridie Connell, Bridie Connellan, Benjamin Cooper, Oliver Downes, Tony Edwards, Christie Eliezer, Murray Engleheart, Lucy Fokkema, Mike Gee, Thomas Gilmore, Alice Hart, Kate Hennessy, Chris Honnery, Nathan Jolly, Alex Lindsay Jones, Andy McLean, Amelia Schmidt, Romi Scodellaro, RK, Luke Telford, Caitlin Welsh, Beth Wilson, Alex Young

DISTRIBUTION: Wanna get The Brag? email distribution@furstmedia.com.au or ph 03 9428 3600.

PRINTED BY SPOTPRESS: www.spotpress.com.au 24 – 26 Lilian Fowler Place, Marrickville NSW 2204 Win a giveaway? Mail us a stamped and addressed envelope, and we’ll send your prize on over...

10 :: BRAG :: 388 : 15:11:10

If the Big Day Out time table has a few conflicts that you cannot resolve, there’s no need to fear! A truckload of side shows were just announced – except for, oh shit, we want to go to all of those ones, too... The one everyone’s getting all flustered over is M.I.A with Die Antwoord at The Metro, Friday Jan 28. Lupe Fiasco will be bringing down The Enmore on Monday Jan 24. Sacramento’s finest, Deftones, will be get you sweaty at The Roundhouse on Friday Jan 28. Primal Scream (Screamadelica Live) will hit The Metro Saturday Jan 29.

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros will play The Forum, Friday Jan 28. Plan B will hit The Metro, Monday Jan 24. Booka Shade will be rocking a live set at The Forum, Saturday Jan 29. The Jim Jones Revue will appear at The Metro, Tuesday Jan 25. Finally, CSS will get you rocking at OAF, Monday Jan 24. Tickets are all available now. I’ll race you.

Toro Y Moi released their debut album in the death of winter, even though it sounds like summer. In fact, on his/their MySpace there’s an old Kodachrome picture of some boats sitting in a lake – and this is what Toro Y Moi sound like.

Don’t believe me? Well it’s silly to argue with such an abstract and deeply subjective visual description of a sound, but we can discuss it further February 23 when they play GOODGOD Small Club. Ticketing details at mistletone.net

EDITORIAL POLICY: The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Publisher, Editor or Staff of The Brag.

DEADLINES: Editorial Wednesday 12pm (no extensions) Art Work, Ad Bookings Thursday 12pm (no extensions) Ad Cancellations Tuesday 4pm Published by Cartrage P/L ACN 104026388 All content copyrighted to Cartrage 2003

SWEET SIDE SHOWS, BDO.

TORO Y FEBRUARY

Please send mail NOT ACCOUNTS direct to this address 153 Bridge Road, Glebe NSW 2037 ph - (02) 9552 6333 fax - (02) 9552 6866

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE: Stephen Forde : accounts@furstmedia.com.au ph - (03) 9428 3600 fax - (03) 9428 3611 Furst Media, 3 Newton Street Richmond Victoria 3121

Die Antwoord

SYDNEY FESTIVAL 2011

If there is one thing that makes Sydney rad (besides BRAG of course), it’s Sydney Festival. The arts line-up this year is huge (John Malkovich, anyone?), and the music line-up is epic. Seriously.

Highlights include Philip Glass (for realz), Kronos Quartet, Paul Kelly, Holy Fuck, Sufjan (Eep!) Stevens, Wu Man, Owen Pallett, Villagers, Gotye, Wire and Beach House - among many, many, many others. If you haven’t already, put an hour aside to head to their website to take it all in... The festival goes from January 8-20, and tickets go on sale Monday. As in November 15. As in either now, yesterday, or a few days ago. So hurry. HURRY! .

OWL EYES

Owl Eyes, the impossibly cute 19-year old singer/songwriter who probably spends most of her time sitting in trees dressed in ‘60s clothing listening to Kate Bush records, is launching her debut Faces EP on November 19 at Melt Bar, in Kings Cross. It’s a wonderful EP and we can’t wait to go to the show and feel inadequate about how life is passing us by, and 19-yearolds shouldn’t be this proactive and talented and beautiful, and wasn’t the Internet and TV meant to kill this kinda creativity? And also I’m old and my teeth hurt.

CANADIAN TRAFFIC

Two Hours Traffic aren’t a Central Coast emo band from the early 2000s, but a Canadian group who are landing in our country for the first time, to tour with Sydney go-getters The

Jezabels. Friday November 19 they play The Gaelic Club - and if my knowledge of Canadian music is correct, you should expect a heady blend of Bare Naked Ladies, Alanis Morissette, Bryan Adams and Seth Rogen. Head to their MySpace to see just how wrong I am... (Very.)

HOLY SUZUKI!

Last time Damo Suzuki toured with The Holy Soul it was so good. I wish somebody had recorded it, and perhaps released it around 18 months later as the flagship CD on a new label run by Repressed Records... Well luckily this is what happened, and that performance recorded in Melbourne in 2008 - will be out just in time to coincide with Damo Suzuki/The Holy Soul’s show together on Sunday November 21 at the Excelsior. They’re on from 5pm, so don’t dilly-dally.

MAROON 5 TOUR

May is offering up a veritable sea of delights for regular readers of The Brag (speaking of which, there needs to be a collective clan name, sort of like ‘The Kiss Army’ but for Brag readers – suggestions to steph@thebrag.com), with the news that funk pioneers Maroon 5 are coming down under and bringing seminal punk outfit Cobra Starship along for the ride/plane/illegal minicab. Lock in May 6 at Acer Arena - tickets on sale November 23.

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rock music news

free stuff

welcome to the frontline: what’s goin’ on, down and around town. With Nathan Jolly and Cool Thomas

FREESTUFF@THEBRAG.COM

five things

Thee Oh Sees

WITH WAZU [FORMERLY ‘CAPTAINS’, NOW IN L.A.] Growing up [Matt]: My first musical 1. memories are of dancing

Inspirations Imagination. Life. Art. 2.

Drugs. We try not to draw too

and singing ‘Shout To The Top’ by Style Council into a toy petrol pump in front of my family. I played the piano from about 7 onwards - I was often forced to play for relatives, and I remember finishing one of my songs and running underneath the tables to get away from the embarrassment. I was terrified of recitals too. One day my Mum thought I was missing and went looking for me. When I came back, my brother was home - he got me to play the death march when Mum came back.

[Rizz]: I remember very little in the way of musical stimulation around me while growing up. My family are all creative types, so that energy was always around. My first favourite song was ‘She Drives Me Crazy’ by Fine Young Cannibals, at about age 10. After that, it was basically whatever my older brother and sister listened to - NWA, Ice Cube, Guns ‘n’ Roses… After that, I guess I began to

much inspiration directly from other music - you end up sounding too derivative. The smallest things in day-to-day life can be part of a much larger story. A guy on the bus is just a guy on the bus until you think of his back-story.

Did he murder his family and bury them under the stairs?

And now he somehow knows that you know, and you’re next? Or is everything just as it seems...

DJANJIMALSJ

There is no more clichéd rock ‘n’ roll cautionary tale then that of the Sydney musician signing to a US label, and being threatened with legal action by a yoghurt company. Because Danimals has fallen into this rookie trap, he’s been forced to change his name to Djanimals and attempt to gather what remains of his shattered career… (He’ll be fine.) See him Wednesday November 17 at the Beach Road Hotel or the following night at Oxford Art Factory, with kyü – who just won this year’s QANTAS Spirit Of Youth Award! Nice one, you guys!

Your crew Matt and Rizz. Anyone 3. else who comes along is normally transient in some way. No one else is as dedicated to creating and maintaining our world and our art.

make up my own mind. My upbringing was by no means Bohemian or free thinking I’ve been influenced by pop culture since I was old enough to open my eyes and start watching TV.

Jonathan Boulet

This giveaway is currently being written up in 30-plus degree weather in the steamy BRAG offices. The Summer Vibes Festival’s press release stares back mockingly, an eyegasm of blue sky, white sand, bluer sea, and indie bands. And as we all sit here, working our sweaty asses off on deadline, we’d all give just about anything to be transported to January 16 at the Summer Vibes festival. If woodfire pizza, giant chess, European beers, and the crème de la crème of underground indie bands (Thee Oh Sees, Straight Arrows, Bare Grillz, etc) sounds like your idea of a good time, you best be wanting a free double pass right? Well we have two to give away - just tell us your favourite way to cool down.

Straight Arrows

Music You Make Lo-fi art-pop.

4.The Music, Right Here, Right Now 5.

We just moved to LA - so we’ve been a little out of touch with the Sydney scene. Isn’t there some burgeoning ‘nu-prog’ scene happening?

Maybe you can help me out…

BLACK CHERRY DO XMAS

Black Cherry are throwing a Christmas party at the Factory Theatre on Saturday December 4. You can expect bands, burlesque and DJs over two rooms. The Meanies (Melb), Torch Le Monde, Graveyard Train (Melb) and Gay Paris are all playing live, so get out the hairspray, and pin on that Misfits patch - punk, rock, rockabilly, retro. It’s all on.

The Temper Trap

THE OPEN ARMS FESTIVAL

BOULET THINKS YOU’RE AN ANIMAL

With the new single out (‘You’re A Animal’), it made sense to roll about on a tour. This is good, because Jonathan Boulet is pretty freaking great. Catch him in Newcastle at the CBD Hotel on Friday December 3 (tix through BigTix).

Or, if Bondi is more your thing, hit the Beach Road Hotel on Satdee December 4 (tix through Moshtix). Both shows are supported by Grace Woodroofe, who you really should have seen by now anyhow. Two birds. Go book dem tickets.

SUMMER VIBES

HARBOURLIFE

The Temper Trap, the winner of the Most Retroactively Celebrated Single Award at last week’s ARIAs, headline the huge Harbourlife on Saturday November 20, on the Sydney Harbour. Nice! Metronomy, Yacht Club DJs, Knightlife and more are also playing, so drop by on your way to getting a caricature in front of the Opera House. Tix from fuzzy.com.au.

On the lookout for a November road trip?

Head up to Coffs Harbour Showgrounds on Saturday (November 20) for a massive array of rock, indie, electronica and hip hop. The lineup includes The Living End, Birds Of Tokyo, Grafton Primary, Hungry Kids Of Hungary, Horrorshow, Behind Crimson Eyes and a heap more. Go hire Crossroads (the Britney Spears one AND the Ralph Macchio one), buy On The Road (now a Penguin Classic, so it will be cheap), and get inspired for some Britney Spears cross Karate Kid cross Jack Kerouac fusion-style road trip with a decent show at the end. Bail on your car and fly home. It is a lot of homework, but it’s due by tomorrow.

Tickets on sale now.

ARIA 2011

Oh yeah, and the ARIAs happened last weekend... Check page 52 for our wrap up!

SELTMANN SAYS

Sally Seltmann play The Factory Theatre with Oh Mercy and Jessica Says on Saturday November 20, in what just might be the threeawesome-artist sleeper bill of the month. In other Seltmann-related news, there is a Worlds End Press remix of Sally’s fine work available at sallyseltmann.com. (In other Jessica related news, did you notice on that Jessica Watson doco how seemingly easy it is to sail around the world? She pretty much just chilled out the whole time... What’s with that?)

Birds Of Tokyo

PIETA BROWN

The only thing Nathan Jolly likes more than DJ Nino Brown (yes, we’re talking about the hiphop mixmaster) is Pieta Brown. Hailing from heartland, USA, this alt-country super-star has worked and toured with Calexico, Amos Lee, Mason Jennings, J.J. Cale, Ani Difranco and Mark Knopfler. Pieta Brown will be performing with acclaimed guitarist and longtime collaborator Bo Ramsey (Mother Blues Band, Lucinda Williams) at The Basement, on Monday November 22. Tickets are on sale, $28/$32 through The Basement’s website. Read more about Pieta on page 34, Nathan.

xxx

OPTUS SOUND SCRIBE WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Optus ran a pretty great program that BRAG was behind, to find a group of young new music reporters. The winners (Max Quinn from Ballina, Jake Schatz from Bendigo and Jeremy Stevens from Leeton - congrats!) got Birds Of Tokyo to head to their cities and play a show!

If you have a cousin in Ballina, go visit her on November 18 and catch the Birds Of Tokyo gig at the Seagulls NRL Club on the 19th. If you need to go visit your mum in Leeton, do it around November 24, because Birds will be there at the Roxy Theatre. If you need to go visit the family farm in Bendigo, catch the Perth’s finest at the Civic Gardens, November 28. Awzum!

“Bad lovers face to face in the morning Shy apologies and polite regrets” - ELVIS COSTELLO 12 :: BRAG :: 388 : 15:11:10

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BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10 :: 13

dance music news

free stuff

welcome to the frontline: what’s goin’ on around town... with Chris Honnery

FREESTUFF@THEBRAG.COM

he said she said WITH

THE TEMPER TRAP

BON CHAT, BON RAT

produce and play everything together; we drink and smoke together and sometimes sleep together, platonically.

The Music You Make At the moment we are slightly uninspired 4. by our current recordings, and most of our time is spent working on new material. It’s hard to hear our older songs with fresh ears, but we try to mix it up each time we play to keep it exciting for others and us. When possible we also use a light show that hopefully holds people’s attention better than our stagnant head bobbing and mouthed counting.

Music, Right Here, Right Now Sydney at the moment has lots of 5. awesome bands gigging around at some Growing Up The Murray household is an impromptu 1. recording studio/history lesson. The Cooper household is about to be officially classified as a string instrument museum and backyard cricket venue. The Smith household is a constant gallery/workshop/café/rave cave and all-round artistic hub.

Inspirations As well as other electronic musicians, 2. the environment and our surroundings, the sounds that can be made from new electronic instruments are what inspire us. The writing and recording possibilities as well as the new

timbres that are available to any Joe Blow are endless. In relation to the history of music, we can create sounds that were never possible only 80-or-so years ago. It’s exciting for us to use these new sounds in a popular format that people hopefully enjoy. With our current writing, we’re inspired by the marriage of electronic sounds and a natural aesthetic. We enjoy making music and hope to have a fullyfledged release next year.

Your Crew Russell (son of Lynn and Ron), Alex 3. (son of Sue and Michael) and Reece (son

LOFT + BUNGALOW8 NYE

The Loft and Bungalow8, the conjoined establishment located at Cockle Bay Wharf, have announced their NYE ‘Party Under The Stars’. US veteran Frankie Knuckles, dubbed ‘the Godfather of house’, will be DJing, along with Jim Baron and Chris Todd (Crazy Penis). Mobin Master, who’s responsible for the globally rinsed anthem ‘Show Me Love’, will also be performing, alongside vocalist Karina Chavez, while Aussie DJ Mo’funk is going to be spinning too. First release tickets are available online for $79.

Henrik Schwarz

What: OXFAM Fundraiser With: Bricks of Berlin and more Where: Civic Underground When: Tuesday November 23

of Rhonda and Steve) write, record, mix, mister” – and Duck Sauce, who are playing at Field Day.

xxxx

great venues. We feel so grateful just to be out there amongst them. Bands like Parades, megastick fanfare, Seekae, Collarbones, We Say Bamboulee, Broken Chip, The Dead Sea, Djanimals, The Lockwoods, Shady Lane and Ghoul, at venues like Oxford Art Factory, GOODGOD Small Club and The Red Rattler, are all a credit to the flourishing Sydney music scene.

BECK’S BAR LINE-UP

In addition to her live performances at the 2011 Future Music Festival, the chart-topping American popstress Ke$ha has added some solo dates to her maiden tour of Australia in March next year. The precocious pop star made a name for herself by penning The Veronicas’ hit ‘This Love’, and has since climbed to the apex of the pop charts via her singles ‘Tik Tok’ and ‘Your Love Is My Drug’. As the press release espouses, “Tik, tok, Australia … the countdown to Ke$ha mania has begun!” Ke$ha plays the Hordern Pavilion on Thursday March 10, and her new double CD, Animal + Cannibal, is out now through Sony Music Australia. Ching ching.

We have adopted the adorable Poms Passenger as our own, after a tour with Sydney sweethearts Boy & Bear and his new album Flight Of The Crow featuring cameos from the who’s who of Australian music; think Lior, Josh Pyke, Katie Noonan, Boy & Bear, Kate Miller Heidke, Simon J Berckelman and Matt Corby.

Passenger frontman Mike Rosenberg approaches his music with modesty and honesty; this troubadour still busks each week on the streets of Brisbane! His songs of humour and heartbreak translate effortlessly to intimate live settings, like The Vanguard, where he has a show on November 29. To win one of two prize packs containing a double to the gig and a copy of the album, name the Passenger song featuring Boy & Bear.

BOUNDARY BONDS WITH...

REEGAN MCLAUGHLIN, PRESENTER, RADAR RADIO

What is Radar Radio?

We’re a digital radio station that plays new music. 25% of our playlist is unsigned and at least 50% is Australian.

What’s your role there?

I’m the announcer/presenter/on-air guy.

Everyone calls it something different but basically, I’m the guy that talks between the songs.

Do you think that more people listen to online radio these days, rather than tuning in through normal channels?

Short answer, no - but radio is very different now that the interwebs are here. Our website and social networking are really important to us.

We’re lucky because we’re a digital station; we can try so many new things that are different to the rest of the FMs - and with digital radio sales getting stronger and stronger, it’s a very exciting time for any music fan.

What’s been the highlight of your job so far?

Some days it’s telling an unsigned band that we’re going to play them on our FM stations and making their day; some days it’s interviewing a band that I grew up admiring; and some days it’s sharing a lift with the Old Spice guy.

CHROMEO + LA ROUX

Canadian electro-funk duo Chromeo have teamed up with Elly Jackson, aka La Roux – the ‘red one’ – for a special collaboration/ revamp of the track ‘Hot Mess’ from their latest album, Business Casual. The story goes that Elly is a huge fan of Chromeo, and when they happened to be in London at the same time they got together and recorded a new version of the track. Reworked and tweaked with some added vocals from the lady with the billowing red hair, ‘Hot Mess’ is sure to have summer appeal - though you’ll have to wait a while to hear it, as it won’t be released as a single until January 17. It’ll be worth the wait - they’re going all out with an accompanying video and remixes

by Canadian luminary Tiga – “it’s the ‘p.o.i.’

PASSENGER

KE$HA

Major Lazer

Fans of dance music should take serious note of the program for the Sydney Festival Beck’s Bar at the Hyde Park Barracks. Regular performances will be held throughout January featuring an assortment of global talent. Germany’s Henrik Schwarz headlines the Future Classic night on Thursday January 13, DJ Harvey spins for Picnic on Saturday January 15, Aloe Blacc & The Grand Scheme play the venue on Friday January 28, and the following night Detroit pioneers Octave One round off the season with the traditional Mad Racket bash. Cobblestone Jazz, Arrested Development and Scribe are just some of the other acts performing at the Beck’s Bar over January – check out the full program at sydneyfestival.org.au. Tix on sale...

NOW!

If you’re missing out on seeing Australia’s indie champions at Harbourlife this weekend, don’t despair – The Temper Trap are playing a Live at the Chapel performance at St Stephens Church in Newtown on November 23. Fresh from setting the European and American festival circuits on fire, Dougy and the boys are heading home to play the festivals here. St Stephens Church will barely be able to contain The Temper Trap’s blissful, palpitating rock when the boys play an intimate and crazy gig for a handful of Sydney fans. BRAG and Russian Standard Vodka have THREE prize packs, each containing a double pass to the show and a copy of their new remix album of Conditions. To win, just name an artist who remixes a song on Conditions Remixed.

STEREOSONIC: IMMINENT

The countdown is in full swing ahead of the Sydney leg of the Stereosonic festival, scheduled for Saturday November 27 at the Sydney Showgrounds. Switch and Phonat have been added to the surfeit of acts on offer, namely Ricardo Villalobos, Jeff Mills, Tiesto, Luciano, DJ Sneak, Reboot, DJ T, Carl Cox, Redshape, Optimo, Robyn, Major Lazer, Sebastian Ingrosso, Benny Benassi, Calvin Harris and self-aware party boy Wiley. Phew. Tickets are still available through stereosonic.com.au for 135 crabs I believe.

5 top tracks you’ve heard over the past month?

Mark Ronson Ft. Boy George – ‘Somebody To Love Me’, Muscles – ‘Northern Beaches’, Funeral Party – ‘NYC Moves To The Sound of LA’, Boy and Bear – ‘Fall At Your Feet’, The Paper Scissors – ‘Lung Sum’

“We are arms and legs wrapped round more than my memory tonight” - ELVIS COSTELLO 14 :: BRAG :: 388 : 15:11:10

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W W W. T H E S C R I P T M U S I C . C O M BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10 :: 15

free stuff

dance music news

welcome to the frontline: what’s goin’ on around town... with Chris Honnery

FREESTUFF@THEBRAG.COM

ALISON WONDERLAND (SOSUEME)

he said she said WITH

WITH

Trentemøller

DJ HUWSTON (VIC)

my day jobs with distributors, labels, music festivals, nightclubs, promoters, magazines, live music venues and background music providers, I’ve always been doing music. I have about 3000 or 4000 records and am fucking with about six external hard drives. I hate CD-Rs and I hate laptops that crash, but I’m fucking with them, too.

I

grew up in a household that loved the classic pop songwriters of the day, like James Taylor, George Harrison and Billy Joel. It was ‘The Big Chill’ soundtrack that introduced me to black music, which really, I guess, changed my life. Another big influence was the sort of production and sounds that came from popular FM radio at the time - like those synth pan flutes that you heard on Toto records, or the massive drums on Phil Collins records like Sussudio. The sounds and trimmings that are re-emerging now always used to trip me out sitting in the back of the ol’ Nissan Bluebird circa ‘86.

It’s a huge honour to be sharing a stage with Femi Kuti. Any artist that is making a direct political statement has an affect on me, and you don’t get much more direct than the Kuti family. Femi has carried on his father’s work quite well - I guess that’s why Afrobeat, hip hop and a lot of soul music cut through for me. I also like local musicians like Dereb The Ambassador and overseas producers like Floating Points.

I’m lucky enough to have been bed and fed by music since I was 17 years old.

I started DJing around then and through

I love that music is so easy to access right now. It’s forcing musicians to forget about sales and just do it themselves, and be as creative as they can be. Similarly, labels (and fans) are responding to this ease of access by supporting interesting packaging concepts, like that one-sided etched Bullion LP that should be arriving in the mail soon. I buy most of my music at Northside Records in Melbourne, but give mad love to Spank and Revolve and The Record Store for doing their thing. Shout out to Alex Patchworks, Tuka, Waajeed, Gilles Peterson and Hugo Mendez!

With: Femi Kuti & The Positive Force Where: The Metro Theatre When: Saturday November 20

SUBSONIC MUSIC FESTIVAL

Appropriating influences from renowned global festivals like Burning Man and Fusion, and with staging courtesy of the crew behind Berlin institution Bar 25, the Subsonic Music Festival is slanted towards those after a festival with a bit more bite. Held at Barrington Tops in a picturesque world heritage site three hours out of Sydney, the organisers have hand-picked a lineup that brings together some of the finest exponents of dance music from around the world; which naturally includes some of Germany’s finest. Kompakt kingpin Michael Mayer will be playing his only Sydney performance to close the festival, while label mate Tobias Thomas and compatriots Extrawelt and Dominik Eulberg will also be representing. Highgrade’s Jens Bond, Berlin wunderkind Tombspringer, Heinrichs & Hirtenfellner, Gunnar Stiller and Telefon Tel

Briggs

PEATS RIDGE FESTIVAL

New Years Eves are always never as good as you build them up to be. The promise of dazzling fireworks and a romantic midnight kiss fizzle out into you holding back your friend’s hair as she vomits into a portaloo.

Well, the reason you’ve been having shit NYE celebrations is because none of them have been at Peats Ridge Festival with your friends Angus and Julia Stone, Trentemøller, Washington, Cloud Control, PVT, Kate Miller Heidke, Hungry Kids of Hungary and more. After this festival you’ll be thinking, ‘geez, so THAT’S how I’m supposed to bring in the new year”. To rectify your New Years Eve woes and win a 3-day camping+festival double pass, tell us the name of an artist on the lineup that we didn’t just mention. peatsridgefestival.com.au Aviv are all set to perform along with a host of live bands and dub acts. The Subsonic Music Festival runs throughout the weekend of Friday December 4 – Sunday December 6. Tickets and further information is available at subsonicmusic.com.au

HALFWAY CROOKS

Halfway Crooks is back, back this Saturday, back at Phoenix Bar. Back with regular selectors Captain Franco and Levins, but not with Spruce Lee who is purportedly in Amsterdam.

All the talk is about Spruce’s replacement ‘Radge’, Halfway Crooks’ first ever special guest - and a man who “is definitely up for the job”.

We shall see, as replacing the unreplaceable Spruce – well, Radge must feel like Roger Moore stepping up to the plate after Sean Connery relinquished the 007 mantle. Kick-off is at 10pm, with entry a mere 10 bones.

BRIGGS DRAPHTED

Perth hip hop lad Drapht is preparing to release the follow-up to his Brothers Grimm album from ’08, an LP that spawned the radio hits ‘Jimmy Recard’ – #10 in the Triple J Hottest 100 – and ‘Falling’. After spending the majority of this year holed up in the studio, Drapht will release the LP The Life Of Riley in the new year. In the lead-up to this release, Drapht plays The Gaelic Club on Saturday December 4 along with guests Dialectrix and Briggs, who’s just released his album The Blacklist and is basking in the accolades flowing in for his current single ‘The Wrong Brother’.

WORLD’S END PRESS

Melbourne cosmic disco quartet World’s End Press have just released their debut EP, The Fatihful - a taster for their forthcoming album Music For The World which will drop in early 2011. Recorded in Melbourne’s Electric Dreams studio with producer Qua (Cornel Wilczek), The Fatihful incorporates psychedelic and discosynth pop influences à la Primal Scream and Theatre of Disco in its anthemic title track, which has been getting a fair bit of play on triple j. It also features a cover of Pet Shop Boys classic ‘West End Girls’. World’s End Press are embarking on a national tour in November, and will play GOODGOD Small Club this Thursday November 18, ahead of national Laneway Festival dates in February.

GABE (FT BRAZILIAN GIRLS)

I received email notification that renowned Brazilian techno/prog producer Gabe is in town this month. A kinda funny email actually, informing me that the press release may need a bit of embellishing since the promoters’ English ain’t great - but that’s never really bothered them, as they always pull a huge crowd - including “shitloads of Brazilian girls”. Who needs fancy

adjectives when you have that trump card up your sleeve? Saying anything comes with loads of Brazilian girls makes it sound extremely enticing. Especially when we’re talking about a producer who’s remixed the likes of Sasha and Gui Boratto, and crafted one of the biggest techno bombs of ‘08, ‘Sonar Room’. This is Gabe’s first jaunt down-under and he’ll be playing live at Plantation in Kings Cross on Friday November 26, supported by Dylan Griffin (if he doesn’t get too distracted by the crowd).

SCATTERMUSIC SOUNDSYSTEM

Scattermusic Soundsystem headline Adult Disco at The Civic Underground this Saturday. Hailing from Melbourne, Scattermusic Soundsystem’s original tracks and remixes have been supported by the likes of Major Lazer, Diplo, Brodinski, Crookers, Jack Beats and Drop The Lime. scatterblog.com has attained cult status – consider it the ‘Repo Man’ of the blogosphere – and is regarded as one of the first stops to pick up unknown, under-represented music. The Generic DJs and Mike Who? will be supporting the vivacious Melbourne troupe, ‘spinning plates’ as the saying goes…

Bonde do Rolê

NIGHTLIFE EXCHANGE IX: SMIRNOFF RETURNS

Smirnoff, the vodka brand and publicity juggernaut, rolls on. For those not up to speed, here’s where we’re up to: Smirnoff asked the Australian public to vote on the best elements of our nightlife as part of a global campaign called The Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project, which was coordinated largely through mediums like Facebook. Ksubi co-founder Dan Single selected which items made the cut, to be placed in Australia’s crate - the contents of which were revealed in an exclusive bash a few weeks back. It turns out Australia’s crate will be repacked and shipped off to Brazil, and we will in turn receive Brazil’s crate and unpack it on Saturday November 27 as part of a fiesta that also includes street performers, a Brazilian BBQ and party starters Bonde do Rolê headlining.

“I’m super excited to see the best of Australia’s nightlife come alive for the people of Brazil to enjoy,” Single says. We’re equally excited for some of that Brazilian action… For more information and the chance to be there, you have to become a fan of Smirnoff Australia at www.facebook.com/SmirnoffAustralia.

“Pack up your troubles in a stolen handbag . Don’t dilly dally boys. Rally round the flag” - ELVIS COSTELLO 16 :: BRAG :: 388 : 15:11:10

DJ Huwston photo by Jacqui Mitchell

The worry with any freestyle DJ is you don’t know if you’re going to get when they show up to the club or radio. Luckily for the punters in tow for the Femi Kuti gig, I will be playing strictly Afrobeat, old and new, from the likes of all of the Kuti clan, Tony Allen, Jimi Tenor, Kokolo, Karl Denson and so much more.

BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10 :: 17

Industrial Strength

themusicnetwork.com

Industry Music News with Christie Eliezer

HOLLYWOOD’S TOP EARNERS

The singers are a long way from the US$326.2 million that Oprah Winfrey, 56, made last year, to top the annual Forbes list of Hollywood’s top earners. But Beyonce, 29, was second on the list with $89.9 million from her 90-plus date world tour, House of Derion fashion line and multi-endorsements.

Third was Britney Spears, 28, with $65.8 million. Lady Gaga, 24, was fourth with $64.2 million, pushing Madonna, 52, to fifth place with $60.2 million from her highest grossing tour of the year, and the use of her old hits in Glee. Miley Cyrus, 17, who was the youngest in the Top 10, was seventh place with $48.2 million, and Taylor Swift, 20, at eighth place with $46.6 million.

HANDSOME, CIVIL SOCIETY, MERGE

Concert promoters Handsome Tours and Civil Society are merging their business activities.

The new company will be called Handsome Tours. Handsome’s directors Mat Everett and Dave Chatfield and Civil Society directors Ashley Sellers and Colin Daniels will be the directors of the new business. All staff from both companies will continue to work for the new Handsome Tours out of their Sydney and Melbourne bases. Everett said, “We will be able to service existing relationships better than ever, and also have more to offer new artists or those acts who may be seeking a new home.”

Life lines Expecting: Pink and husband Carey Hart, according to reports.

Dating: Madonna is dating her 33-year old choreographer Brahim Rachiki. They deny it but his mum confirms it, so there.

Dating: The rumours were around, but Angus Stone and actress Isabel Lucas confirmed they were an item when they arrived at the ARIAs together. He wore a feather in his hair from a dead kookaburra that he and Lucas found on the side of the road and gave a proper burial.

Born: By the time you read this, INXS drummer Jon Farriss and wife Kerry should have had their second child.

Hospitalised: Lily Allen battling blood poisoning caused by a second miscarriage.

Injured: UK rapper and antiknife campaigner DJ Ironik was stabbed in the upper leg by two hooded attackers, who robbed him of his jewellery on a London street as he returned home from a gig at 3.30 am.

Recovering: 68-year-old soul queen Aretha Franklin cancelled six months of gigs, after breaking two ribs in a fall.

Died: US-based Australian jazz vibraphonist Jack Brokensha died in a Florida hospital, at 84.

ROW OVER KIDGEERIDGE FESTIVAL

A row has broken out over the Kidgeeridge Music Festival in the NSW South Coast.

Some residents lodged objections with the local council about its noise, traffic and times, and suggested it move elsewhere. Vicki and Graham White, who host it on their Fishermans Paradise property, say the festival — which raised $50 000 in the last five years for local charities — should stay. They are supported by local businesses and charities.

BUTLER ENDORSES ANTI-NUKE CAMPAIGN

John Butler has endorsed the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)’s MillionPleas campaign. Its aim is to make the world’s longest video chain letter to abolish nuclear weapons. Butler uploaded his own short video to www.icanw.org.au. ICAN is calling on other musicians to upload their own pleas. Global advocates include Herbie Hancock and the Dalai Lama.

SURFERS VENUE FOR LEASE

An 800-capacity live music venue in Surfers Paradise is for lease. It has a 5am licence and is in a prime entertainment precinct. Any enquiries, call Elvio on 5526 5400 or 0403 353401, or email elvio888@gmail.com.

RAGE TOP FIFTY

ABC-TV’s rage will on Christmas Day screen the rage fifty best videos of the year, as voted for by viewers. Last year Bluejuice’s ‘Broken Leg’ topped the list, followed by Art vs Science and Karnivool. This year, the show has had 2000 new vids to choose from. Voting at abc. net.au/rage ends Dec 14.

PETITION OVER EARLY CLOSING Those against Mayor Clover Moore’s plans to turn off the light in some bars and pubs at midnight can sign a petition at www.nannastate.com.au

MTV, AUSTEREO, LAUNCH HOT30 SIMULCAST

MTV and Austereo’s Today Network will simulcast a weekly music show fronted by MTV presenter Erin McNaught and Today Network jock Matty Acton. The MTV Hits Weekly Hot30 Countdown kicks off on December 5 and runs on Sundays 6-8.30pm across the Today Network, and on the new MTV Hits channel. It will also be available online and on mobile.

PRESENTATION/PROMOTION GRANTS

The Australia Council has Presentation and Promotion grants that support one-off projects that present, publish, distribute and/or market quality music. These include activities like gigs, concerts, festivals, showcases and promotional or performance tours within Australia, and publications that document or discuss aspects of music in Australia. They do NOT cover the cost of recording or promoting a CD. You may apply to the music board for professional fees, associated expenses such as on-costs and travel, and a reasonable level of promotional and administrative costs, including those for activities that are not fully professional. If you wish to claim administrative costs, you should provide a detailed breakdown of these costs in your project budget. Go to australiacouncil.gov.au deadline is November 16.

THINGS WE HEAR * The use of Empire Of The Sun’s ‘We Are The People’ in Germany on a Vodafone ad has seen the track go to #1 on iTunes Germany and their album Walking On A Dream hit #7. This week, both are expected to debut on the German charts in the Top 10. * A bit of INXS history goes under the hammer November 18. Andrew Farriss’ former house in Cottage Point, designed by Luigi Rosselli as a ship. It’s where Farriss and Michael Hutchence wrote and recorded demos for many songs. * CNet heard that Microsoft plans to launch the Zune Pass service in Australia in early 2011. * Slipknot are upset that gifts left on the grave of bassist Paul Gray — including

›› TMN TOP 40 The top 40 most ‘heard’ songs on Australian radio.

TW LW TI HP P1 P2 P3 ARTIST

5

1 16 40 69 PINK

18 :: BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10

LABEL

RAISE YOUR GLASS

SME

1

2

2 11 1 15 28 60 BRUNO MARS

JUST THE WAY YOU ARE

ATL/WMA

3

3

9

1 13 31 62 RIHANNA

ONLY GIRL (IN THE WORLD)

DEF/UMA

9

4 11 27 46 NELLY

JUST A DREAM

UNI/UMA

4

7

5

5 15 2 14 29 53 MIKE POSNER

6

6

7 8 9

8 11 5 14 30 52 CEE-LO GREEN

COOLER THAN ME

SME

FIREWORK

CAP/EMI

9 13 7 14 29 58 ZOE BADWI

FREE FALLIN’

NEON/WMA

4

RADIOACTIVE

SME

6 13 29 51 KATY PERRY

4 9

2 17 46 71 KINGS OF LEON

10 12 19 8 17 36 56 BIRDS OF TOKYO

FU

WMUK/WMA

PLANS

CAP/EMI

11 10 4 10 11 28 58 KE$HA

WE R WHO WE R

SME

12 13 20 12 14 32 48 THE TEMPER TRAP

FADER

LIB/UMA

13 22 2 13 11 25 45 GOOD CHARLOTTE

SEX ON THE RADIO

CAP/EMI

14 14 9 14 9 31 53 ADAM LAMBERT

FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT

SME

15 11 15 6 11 38 68 THE SCRIPT

FOR THE FIRST TIME

SME

16 17 8 14 13 44 67 TRAIN

SAVE ME, SAN FRANCISCO

17 23 5 17 13 26 56 ENRIQUE IGLESIAS FT. NICOLE SCHERZINGER HEARTBEAT

SME INT/UMA

18 18 16 1 14 27 56 TAIO CRUZ

DYNAMITE

ISL/UMA

19 21 17 2 13 28 57 USHER FT. PITBULL

DJ GOT US FALLIN’ IN LOVE

SME

20 19 16 11 10 28 52 B.O.B FT. RIVERS CUOMO

MAGIC

ATL/WMA

21 35 3

21 11 24 42

16 1

14 32 58

23 20 18 7

14 26 57

22

15

FAR EAST MOVEMENT

LIKE A G6

INT/UMA

KATY PERRY

TEENAGE DREAM

CAP/EMI

THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS

CLOSER TO THE EDGE

VIR/EMI

24 16 14 10 14 30 54

GOOD CHARLOTTE

LIKE IT’S HER BIRTHDAY

CAP/EMI

25 25 13 21 12 25 44

DUCK SAUCE

BARBARA STREISAND

ETC/UMA

26 24 7

LIFEHOUSE

ALL IN

GEF/UMA

27 26 24 5 14 40 61 28 41 2 28 11 28 44

TRAIN

IF IT’S LOVE

SME

TAIO CRUZ FT. KYLIE MINOGUE

HIGHER

ISL/UMA

29 27 19 15 12 39 53

NICKELBACK

THIS AFTERNOON

RR/WMA

24 10 37 66

30 31 22 18 14 38 64

JOHN BUTLER TRIO

REVOLUTION

JAR/MGM

31 NEW 1

31 14 23 44

KINGS OF LEON

PYRO

SME

32 72 2

32 11 23 41

JESSICA MAUBOY FT. LUDACRIS

SATURDAY NIGHT

SME

33 48 3

33 10 10 21

PITBULL FT. T-PAIN

HEY BABY (DROP IT TO THE FLOOR) SME

34 34 12 30 13 26 39

LITTLE RED

ROCK IT

LIB/UMA

35 32 24 1

UNCLE KRACKER

SMILE

ATL/WMA

36 47 2

13 24 47

THE BLACK EYED PEAS

THE TIME (THE DIRTY BIT)

INT/UMA

37 29 20 12 11 36 59

36 11 26 42

MAROON 5

MISERY

A&M/UMA

38 33 23 1

14 30 56

ADAM LAMBERT

IF I HAD YOU

SME

39 42 28 2

16 40 64

SCOUTING FOR GIRLS

THIS AIN’T A LOVE SONG

SME

40 45 21 5

12 25 46

FLO RIDA FT. DAVID GUETTA

CLUB CAN’T HANDLE ME

ATL/WMA

Take advantage of our 25% off November specials 1000 x postcard size D/S flyers $265 - $198

TRACK

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statues of Buddha and gargoyles — keep being stolen. * Aussie guitar wizard Tommy Emmanuel plays on a track on Michael Jackson’s upcoming album Michael. The cover, which featured a collage of “important moments” in the singer’s life, originally included Prince’s symbol — which was removed at the singer and his label’s insistence. * Courtney Love told a New York Times reporter she wanted to be “trusted again, like I was at one point,” before the druggy stories began. Would have worked except she turned up at her hotel room for the interview butt-naked. * Regurgitator do their first Middle East shows this month, and Kevin Borich had such a ball at a blues festival in Jakarta and Bali he’s returning next year.

1000 x outdoor bumper stickers $420 - $315

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DIPLOMA & DEGREE COURSES IN:

Games Design 3D Animation Graphic Design Games Programming Web Design & Development QANTM EXHIBITION & OPEN DAY

DECEMBER 4TH, 10AM TO 2PM

74–78 Wentworth Ave, Surry Hills, 2010

infosydney@qantm.com.au BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10 :: 19

20 :: BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10

BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10 :: 21

Christmas AT THE

ANNANDALE

OLD MAN RIVER

@ANNANDALE CHRISTMAS PARTY With: Claude Hay, Ranger Spacey, Big Smoky, Underlights When: Thursday November 25 Why? To launch the Smith Family Drive!

RSVP to kristie@annandalehotel.com

What’s the best story you’ve got about The Annandale?

I don’t know if this has anything to do with what happens at the Annandale usually, but for some reason I just can’t remember that story...

What’s the best gig you’ve been to there?

Saw an amazing performance by

up the place. A year later it was the prominent band room in Sydney, and through the 90s it became a stalwart venue for bands like Crow, Ratcat, Powderfinger and You Am I - until 1998 when the pub was sold, and the new owner shut down the tunes, and made room for the pokies.

Bonnie Prince Billy ages ago. It was a full moon. The guy was wired and was actually howling during the set ..Iit was awesome.

What do you love most about the place?

It’s just a classic shaped rock venue. It’s great both for performer and punter. A lot of other places, because of their layout - sometimes the energy gets spread out and lost.

At The Annandale you get in to the vibe instantly. And I love the Thai place in the back.

What do you want for Christmas?

A beard.

New Years resolutions?

It’s been an interesting year.

Testing in many ways... I hope I learned some lessons and can make the next year the best one of my life!

FREE!

T

he Annandale has had a history of ups and downs.

Born in the 1930s as a straight up working-class pub before going through its 80s phase (with a Cajun restaurant and a pink cocktail bar!), the one we know and love really arrived in 1987, when Peter Morris and Peter Hearne bought

The music stopped, but not for long. Nine months later, Matt and Dan Rule were hired by the new owner to help manage his flailing pub. “We were sort of consulting for a period of time; he didn’t really have much experience, and it was going very poorly,” Matt tells me.

They did such a good job that once they’d finished consulting, the owner didn’t want the brothers to leave. “The opportunity came for us to buy in. Which is what we did.”

They bought 50% first, but over the next year had bought the old owner out. Their first move? Bring the music back.

But even with a name and history like that of the Annandale, it wasn’t as simple as it sounds. Matt says it took around three or four years for the community to trust the venue again; “Well,” he says, “We’re still trying to turn it around, really.”

It isn’t easy running a music venue in Sydney; or in Melbourne or Brisbane for that matter (vale, The Tote; R.I.P, The Troubadour). And the Annandale hasn’t been exempt.

Remember that article about the ‘Dale that The Sydney Morning Herald ran at the end of last year, just after the Hopetoun closed?

The headline read: ‘Another Rock Hotel Faces Heartbreak’... We all got a little freaked out.

At the time, The Annandale had just put through an application for development which Matt described in the article as “our last throw of the dice”; he tells me that they had a history of having applications

DAN KELLY

@ DALEBAKE

With: Custom Kings, Fergus Brown, Songs, Kieran Ryan and more When: Saturday December 4 Why: Homebake aint happening, so the ‘Dale’s filling the void!

What’s the best story you’ve got about The Annandale?

I caught the bus down from QLD and stayed there upstairs for a

@ JAGERMEISTER XMAS SHOW With Sticky Fingers, Daily Meds, Massama and more When: Wednesday December 8 Why: Free, fun, and Christmas!

RSVP to kristie@annandalehotel.com

What’s the best story you’ve got about The Annandale?

The best thing to me is heading down to see a local group play. and have Dan pour me a free beer. You can never underestimate the significance of that moment alcoholic or not.

What’s the best gig you’ve been to there?

Most of the time I have some kind of connection with the acts I’m seeing - so to avoid that bias, I’m going to say Cloud Control, earlier this year.

Great band, great songs, fun show.

What do you love most about the place?

The marinated beer carpet. It’s not very Sydney; Clover Moore would demand domestos.

What do you want for Christmas?

Front row seats to the Paul Kelly A-Z shows: all four.

New Years resolutions?

Drag myself up from this smouldering hellhole

FREE!

URTHBOY

THE SHAKE UP @ ROXING DAY With: Front End Loader, Peabody, Gay Paris, Celibate Rifles, Zeahorse & more When: 2:30pm, Sunday December 26 Why: Because nothing beats a hair of the dog... and you can ride your shiny new bike down, too.

What’s the best story you’ve got about The Annandale?

Tim Browning: I’ve played in three different bands there - how’s that? Oh, and The Mint Chicks borrowed my drums there once.

What’s the best gig you’ve been to there?

The Meanies, maybe late 2007 - fist-pumping with Simon from Sekiden. It was the last time I saw them with Taz on guitar.

What do you love most about the place?

It’s just a short walk from my house to see or play a show there! “bungled by the council”, which had cost them around $50 - $100 000.

In fact the Annandale had been battling on other fronts too, with legal wars that ended up costing them another $200k. “We had to fight Leichhardt council because of one resident and one of her friends for five years, and it pretty much sent us bankrupt,” Matt tells me. A neighbour took issue with the venue after they applied for a late night licence, around 2003. “She and her friend were just systematically complaining to the police, and to council… They complained once on a Monday night, when we weren’t even open,” he laughs. The licence was denied, so the Annandale went to court. “[The legal battles] just went on

week in 1990, when my uncle was recording at Trafalgar studios.

There was this great Cajun restaurant out the back. Steve Connolly took me guitar shopping after I’d spent my teens saving up, and I bought my first Fender Stratocaster at Coogee Music. It was all white and, in retrospect, pretty ugly. A junkie eventually stole it. After that week I went back to Brisbane, stopped dressing like Michael Hutchence and toughened the fuck up. (Not really very tough though.)

What’s the best gig you’ve been to there?

ONYAS, SAILORS, EDDY CURRENT RING SHOW What do you love most about the place?

It feels like a rock and roll venue, not the afterparty for Parklife.

You can also have great parties upstairs… And it sure is loud on stage.

What do you want for Christmas?

A girlfriend, hit single, six pack stomach, Warren Ellis’ beard New Years resolutions?

Never go to the ARIAs again.

What do you want for Christmas?

The vintage Rogers drum kit I’ve been stalking on eBay. New Years resolutions?

Record, release and tour The Shake Up’s second album!

and on and on for about three or four years, and drained us. We eventually won, we’ve got a 1am licence, but it’s just a cost that we never counted on. And hence we’re about five or six years behind where we wanted to be. “if this application for development didn’t go through, we would have had to close,” he says. Thankfully the application did go through – thanks to a new mayor (“he’s been fantastic”), a new bunch of councillors, and what Matt sees as a new, fairer way of thinking.

The Rule brothers are looking forward to renovations next year, to turn the Annandale into more of a holistic, catch-all sort of place – expanding the beer-garden, doubling the kitchen and putting some strategically-placed TVs in there, for the sports fans amongst us. All of that and one of the best live rooms in the city... “One of our main goals is to upgrade all of the rest of the hotel around the music – because it’s near impossible in Sydney to just run a venue.”

Between now and then though, Christmas is coming – and The ‘Dale are using it as another opportunity to give back to the community. On November 25 they’re launching this year’s Smith Family Drive, with a huge free Christmas party starring Old Man River. “We did it last year pretty late in December, but it was an amazing success for the two week period – we took a truck load of presets to the Smith Family. So we thought this year we’d have a Christmas party prior to December, do a great big show. Old Man River was the perfect fit.”

If you can’t make it to the Old Man River show, fear not. The Annandale are hosting a bunch of special events during December – another free Christmas show with Urthboy, their Dalebake minifestival, plus a heap more great bands playing before the year is through. “Bring a little present, all wrapped up - and a week before Christmas we’ll take everything to the Smith Family.” Easy as that.

“Radio is in the hands of such a lot of fools tryin’ to anaesthetise the way that you feel” - ELVIS COSTELLO 22 :: BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10

Old Man River and Urthboy photo by Tim Levy

This year marks the tenth anniversary of Matt and Dan Rule bringing music back to the Annandale. The decade’s been a tricky one for the venue owners, but they’re ending it on a high not e – a month pac ked with special events and free Christmas parties to help out their Smith F amily Drive. It all starts on No vember 25 with a free gig headlined by Old Man Ri ver; from then until Christmas you can head to the ‘Dale with a present for charity, and put it under their tr ee...

BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10 :: 23

The Vasco Era Battling The Pigeonholes By Bridie Connellan eing an independent musician is kind of like being a freelance music journalist: you’re only as good as your last work, ‘the cheque’s in the mail’, and unless your passion overpowers your need for canned soup, you’re a fool without a fallback. Lucky for Australian music fans, Melbourne’s The Vasco Era are dedicated to their cause.

Back under a doona after an early breakfast radio call, Sid O’Neil is happy contemplating his recent little jaunt to China. Together with bassist brother Ted and drummer Michael Fitzgerald, the frontman of The Vasco Era split his time between dumplings, cheap booze, bullet trains, the four-day Zhejiang Midi Festival, shows in Shanghai and Wuhan - and ‘Chinese National Vasco Era Holiday’, as coined on their illustrious blog. “China, it’s an interesting place,” Sid says. “It’s polluted and populated, but everyone seems really happy. No one is polite but no one gets offended. You can’t help but get good vibes from people like that.”

B

The Vasco threesome were one of four Aussie bands invited to ‘swap’ countries with Chinese groups for the ‘Sino-Australian Music Exchange’ - an initiative of the Australia International

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“A lot of people I know think of us as That Band That Screamed Heaps Three or Four Years Ago, even though we don’t sound like that anymore...”

Cultural Council designed to celebrate ‘a year of Australian culture’. “It was amazing. [The crowds] really thought we were a lot more famous than we are, jostling and trying to get a photo,” he says.

“We were in a town that was about four hours inland from Shanghai on the morning before the festival. We walked down this alleyway and kids were grabbing their parents legs and screaming at us. This was not the kind of place tourists would venture, so to have a band there… We must have been famous.”

With a sizeable stage to play with, and more than a few sightings of Nirvana tees in the crowd, the three decided blasting out ‘Lithium’ would give their ragged live explosion the kick they needed to cement Chinese street cred. “We did more of a Rock Band show than what we’re usually used to - and Ted stage-dived into the crowd and got taken away by the police,” laughs Sid. “It was all fine, but he was shitting himself for a second.”

The group have plans for a US trip next year, either to tour or record a new LP. Adamant that the next release for The Vasco Era will mark a vast departure from the clashy rock/blues debut that was 2007’s Oh We Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside and the concept-driven epicry of this year’s Lucille (Sid admits he’s been listening to a whole lotta Pavement in preparation), the frontman expresses frustration at the swift movements of the Australian music industry - and the tendency for typecasts to set fast. “A lot of people I know think of us as That Band That Screamed Heaps Three or Four Years Ago, even though we don’t sound like that anymore,” he laughs. By the time he’s 25, Sid will have three albums under his belt.

“We’re already seen as an old band, when we’re really quite young. I guess that’s just the nature of things, and you just have to change the perception of your sound over time.”

With rock hacks still pigeonholing the trio into that Dallas Crane-Jet-Wolfmother circa-2006 rackety brash kind of Aussie swagger-rock, Sid admits that the road to rebranding is a tough one – even if it seems he can do it in his sleep...

“I guess the truth is, you don’t really try to do anything. I mean the last three songs that I’ve made: I had a dream where I was at Tame Impala’s house and they were playing three new songs, over and over. You know how you just hear tunes in your dreams but never remember them? I remembered all of them in time. I guess you can’t really say you’re trying to change your sound when something like that happens.”

The frontman admits to undergoing something of a quarter-life crisis in the aftermath of their sophomore, Lucille. It was a shake of confidence that almost ended an ‘Era. “I tried to quit music and ran away to Queensland, because we recorded the last album quite a while ago, and it just took so long to come out,” he says. “In all that time I only wrote about five songs, until about a month ago when I just kind of made three in one night. All of a sudden we’re at eight. I just grabbed one more, and now we’re ready to record again.”

Sid took a turn for the best after a little eyeopening experience. “I was at a party where I pretty much thought I was going to die - and I had an epiphany. I had this plan to start studying to be a social worker,” he says. “It’s just a bit narcissistic to think about how good or bad you are all the time - and I wouldn’t be nearly as excited about playing more music if I didn’t have [uni] now.”

Now revived, with a ‘Back From China’ national tour and a third album to look forward to, Sid agrees a simple song-by-song record is the way to go - and admits a quiet confidence in the trio’s ability to wow with their next release. “Half the reason why I ran away and wanted to quit was because I wasn’t confident with the album - but this time around I think things are going to be good, and people are going to like it,” he tells me. “It’s good growing up and realising that other people who talk like they know more about your music than you, actually don’t. They’re just more opinionated,” he says. You can’t argue with that.

With: Wons Phreely, I Am Giant Where: The Annandale Hotel When: Saturday November 20

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Broadcast Dream Rituals By Patrick Emery when there had been the Brit Pop explosion - we came at the tail end of that,” It was Broadcast’s interest in and indulgence of electronic music, including various simulated electronic space effects, that set it aside from the average Brit Pop band. “We didn’t quite fit the mould, partly because we also really liked electronic music.” The band took the psychedelic edges of the Brit Pop musical aesthetic and married it with the electronic sounds of the then-burgeoning house music scene. “It was a very unstructured thing,” Keenan observes. “We combined melody with the electronic elements that came out of house music. But it wasn’t necessarily a conscious thing at the time.”

The interplay between melody, psychedelia and electronica at the heart of Broadcast draws liberally from one of the band’s idols, cult 1960’s group The United States of America. Formed around the eclectic musical musings of college graduate Joe Byrd, and fronted by Byrd’s former girlfriend Dorothy Moskowitz, The United States Of America were in many respects the archetypal cult psychedelic outfit - releasing a single (eponymous) album in 1968 before succumbing to a combination of personality disputes, artistic disputes and the then-obligatory arrest for drug possession.

T

he temptation to hyper-analyse a band like Broadcast is overwhelming. To some extent it’s the band’s own fault – the indulgence of 1960s sonic explorations, the marriage between pop, rock and electronic effects, and the invocation of obscure and alluring literary statements is hardly the stuff of a dumb rock band.

Yet at the heart of Broadcast resides an interest in pop and melody... and the odd dream ritual, too.

Broadcast was conceived in 1995 at a time when British popular music was dominated by a plethora of mono-syllabic bands: Suede, Blur, Pulp, Ride. The original line-up comprised Trish Keenan on vocals, Tim Felton on guitar, James Cargill on bass and Roj Stevens on keyboards,

26 :: BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10

with various drummers filling in behind the kit. Broadcast’s first album, The Noise Made

By People, was released in 2000, followed by Haha Sound in 2003 (the band also released a series of EPs over that period). By the end of the recording of the band’s third album, Tender Buttons in 2005, Broadcast had been refined to a duo, with Keenan and Cargill the only permanent members. And they’ll be playing in Australia for the first time next month.

Save for the passionate research of musicologists though, The United States Of America remain at the fringes of contemporary musical interest.

Keenan tells me Broadcast’s attraction to the group stemmed from their interplay between pop and rock, and their use of ring modulators, voltcontrol oscillators and voltage control filters to create weird and interesting electronic effects. “We really liked the combination of rock and electronic music – that meant something different. There’s a sinister inter-marrying throughout the whole album,” Keenan says. “I also loved Dorothy Moskowitz’s voice, as well as the string arrangements. The music had a real identity about it.”

At the moment of Broadcast’s conception, the band was simply a group of friends sharing music. “I guess we just had a common love of psychedelic music,” Keenan tells me. “We were all friends. We came together at a time in Britain

While The United States of America is easily categorised as psychedelic music, the subsequent re-construction and manipulation of the term ‘psychedelia’ – not to mention its occasional association with largely uninspiring and linear

popular music – renders it a term difficult to apply to contemporary artists. But Keenan sees psychedelic music as a branch of popular music, and one that’s potentially applicable to Broadcast.

“I think psychedelic music is pop music,” she muses. “It’s been the full spectrum of starting points. Sometimes it’s the words on the paper, but it really doesn’t matter; if the process is true, then you can start wherever. It’s only the doing of it where you can find the song - and the end result is a particular sound.”

While Broadcast indulges the exploratory aspects historically associated with psychedelia, Keenan says the band’s live show is far from a free and loose performance. “It’s quite scripted – there’s really very little looseness and improvisation,” she says. Broadcast’s upcoming tour of Australia will comprise three distinct elements, each of which are intended to explore different artistic angles: “The first part of the set will be doing a performance, done to a film made by our friend Julian [House, AKA The Focus Group],” she says.

Broadcast collaborated with House on last year’s mini album, Broadcast And The Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults Of The Radio Age. “That will last about 10 or 15 minutes. The second part of the set explores the classic pop song, and the third part will be a dream ritual.”

The concept of a ‘dream ritual’ conjures up images of new age types dancing around fires, replete with intriguing pagan discourse. Broadcast’s dream ritual isn’t quite so Stonehenge, but it might just be on the same wavelength... “It’s an exploration of the folk ritual,” Keenan says.

Broadcast will be using this final act to explore the interplay between musical, visual and philosophical ideas. “It’s less improvised than the other parts of the live set, and more instinctual.

But overall, within those three modules, there’s a reasonable amount of improvisation,” she says.

Prepared to bliss out.

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Pharoahe Monch The Long Haul By Mikey Carr

Personal Touch By Liam Pieper

with a dedication to his craft and an attention to detail that have earned him the loyalty of fans across the world. He prefers taking the time to do it right, rather than rushing to keep up with the hype.

“I think it’s important to know who you are,” he tells me, in his restrained and gentle voice.

“Both ways are relevant when the music is good, but I do think one of the things that’s hurt today’s music scene is that music has become so much in abundance and people haven’t been taking their time. It’s become a case of quantity over quality. You’re still dealing with a consumer who needs to buy into your brand - and I think it’s ok not to be a supermarket or superstore; it’s ok to be a boutique, you know - to spend the time making your product, so that people come back.”

Currently in the final stage of mixing W.A.R. (“I’m just thinking now about adding some live drums to the record, and getting Immortal Technique in on it”), Monch has focused on delivering an album that cuts to the bone. Releasing a long list of collaborators early on, including the likes of Talib Kweli, and Black Thought of The Roots, Monch has pared things back somewhat, and insists that everything that made it onto the album has a reason for being there. “It’s not me just reaching out to my friends to sort of stack the deck; each artist is used wisely, you know?”

G

iven that he’s spent over three years working on his forthcoming album, W.A.R. (We Are Renegades), calling Pharoahe Monch a perfectionist is a bit of an understatement. Coming up as one half of critically acclaimed early 90s hip hop duo Organzied Konfusion (along with Prince Po), he’s been in the game for a long time. Most famous for ‘Simon Says’, the hit single which saw him sued for sampling the Godzilla theme for the beat, Monch may not be one of the most recognisable names in the hip hop industry - but to those who know their stuff, his reputation sits him well atop the heap.

Massive gaps between releases aren’t unusual for Pharoahe. His solo debut Internal Affairs was released in ‘99 – and its follow-up, Desire, didn’t hit shelves till 2007. But he’s nevertheless remained a constant presence on the scene,

DJ Krush

Part of why he’s dedicated to such cohesive purity is that the ideas behind the record, and the approach he’s taken to exploring them, are extremely personal to the rapper. The album is not a baseless diatribe, but rather a treatise, a summation of Monch’s philosophy and views.

“Compared to Desire, W.A.R. is more about me expressing my feelings about the war within myself, and the war against the establishment the machine. It’s all on a spiritual level though, an intellectual level and a psychological level, aimed towards finding an answer or goal.

That’s what I think makes the album great - it’s not just a rant, it’s a solution-based process of exploration.”

I

can, without hyperbole, say that Krush was one of my favourite artists when I was growing up. His atmospheric instrumental hip hop, based on samples and turntablism, made him one of the first Japanese hip hop artists to blow up on the international scene and when I heard his 2001 record Zen, just out of highschool, it pretty much blew my fucking head off.

To be fair, I was profoundly ‘jazz cigerrette’ed at the time, but the intricate blends of hard core hip hop, Japanese flutes and international rappers, with everyone from Zap Mama to Black Thought in the mix, was one of the best things I’d ever heard - and remains so to this day. When I looked into his back-story, as an eighteen year old kid with a T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E. tattoo and a bad attitude, I became even more enamoured of Krush.

Krush was born in Tokyo in 1962, where he dropped out of school at an early age and joined a local gang. A few years after that he joined the Yakuza – the Japanese mafia. Early in his career, when he was just an underling, Krush discovered a severed finger wrapped in paper on his desk. He later found it belonged to his best friend. Krush left the Yakuza, and cut all ties to the underworld.

His life changed direction sharply in the early 1980s when he saw Wild Style, Charlie Ahearn’s seminal hip hop movie. Krush walked out of the cinema inspired to become a hip hop artist – more specifically, a DJ. The next day he went

shopping for DJ equipment, which was unheard of in Japan at the time; he had a hard time explaining ‘mixer’ to the guys at Sony. Eventually he tracked down the equipment, and started experimenting with turning out the lush, intricate instrumentals he is now world-famous for.

I’ve seen Krush twice - once in Korea and once in Melbourne - and both shows are indelibly etched in my memory (or would be had I not consumed buckets of substances…) Naturally, I jumped at the chance to interview him. In my mind, he’s assumed a kind of mythical stature kind of a cross between Omar from The Wire and Mr Miyagi - which is why, after interviewing him, I’ve decided to print his responses in his broken English. It adds to the Miyagi San persona I’ve constructed for him; plus, he’s just cool as…

It’s your 20th year as a DJ. Did you ever dream it would last this long?

Yes, next year 2011 is my 20th anniversary year for my solo career .I never thought that I can keep doing music over 20 years.

I appreciate all funs, supporters and my staffs. This is no just my anniversary. It is our anniversary!!

Just after 2001’s Zen you said you were afraid of producing on computers because you might lose the essence of the songs.

How do you feel about that now?

With improved technology in this moment, it became possible to make a productions with everything. But some people could not use technology, used by technology… I’m also using computer when I need, but most important point is use a technology well!!

Forgive the personal nature of this questions, but is it true you were Yakuza?

When did you decide to become a musician instead of a gangster? Which career has been harder to work in?

Yes. But I had been that kind of world just a while, and I was so young that moments…

One day on 1983, I saw movie Wild Style changed all of my life!!

This sort of attention to concepts and steadfast adherence to personal standards is a rare quality in an industry often more concerned with image, marketing and timing than with the product itself. While he may never reach the level of Jay-Z, top the Billboard 200 or sell out Madison Square Garden, Pharoahe Monch has an integrity and longevity that’s to be both admired and respected.

What kind of show will you be bringing to Australia?

Some of my single coming out from early next year - and finally my next album will drop on next July. So I will going to play these new tracks, too! Please be open mind and join it!!

I’m look forward to seeing you soon.

With: Dizz1, Tigermoth and Tuka with DJ Morgs

With: Jean Grae, Boogie Blind

Where: The Basement When: Friday November 26

Where: The Metro Theatre When: Friday November 26

Grafton Primary All Part Of Growing Up By Alasdair Duncan

“A

t the beginning, when we were first working together, we had that kind of youthful enthusiasm where we’d just be in the studio all day laughing our heads off,” Josh Garden says. He’s speaking about the early days of Sydney’s Grafton Primary, the electro pop group he formed with his brother Ben. “We had a couple of years where it was a bit difficult working together, though – there were times when I thought I didn’t know if I could continue, I just felt like I was bashing my head against a wall at times. In the last six or eight months, though, it’s just been really, really good.”

second Grafton Primary album, they’ve hit upon the ideal working relationship. “We do have a lot of differences of opinion,” he says, “but I think that’s one of the things that makes the songwriting interesting because there are sparks constantly flying between us, and I think that ends up giving the music a lot of depth. I feel like we’ve finally clicked, and learned to respect each other’s differences, and integrate them into the music. I’m feeling really good about working with him at the moment, and he’s feeling the same. We’re

respecting each other’s choices. It’s all a part of growing up, I think!”

Grafton Primary returned to the radio last month with a storming new single, ‘The Eagle’, about the perils of the digital age. “When I wrote the lyrics to that one, I was wondering about where we’re going from here, as a society that relies so much on technology,” Josh says. “I was wondering how we as a generation will turn out, when the ways that we communicate are increasingly dehumanising us. The eagle in the title represents a creature that’s existed for a long time, floating above the landscape and looking down at people as they really are.”

The song was to have been the centrepiece of a planned EP, but the Garden brothers decided to hold off and work on a whole album to followup their 2008 debut, Eon. “We’re talking about it being released around September next year,” Josh says, “but I don’t know if I can

Josh feels that, as he and Ben begin work on the

wait that long. As for when exactly it will be I can’t say, but it depends on how much writing we get done and how quickly. Ideally, it will be around the middle of next year, if not sooner than that. There will be other songs coming out in the lead-up – we’ve got ‘The Eagle’ out now, and there will be one or two more beforehand, some stuff to get people excited for the album.”

Given that the band will be hitting the road for a national tour in support of ‘The Eagle’, I ask Josh if there’s a Grafton Primary live show that stands out in his mind as a highlight. “Probably the biggest one was the Columbian show we did last year,” he says. “There were eight or nine thousand people in the audience, and it was a Halloween night so everyone was in costume. Just looking out at all of those people was awesome. The thing that made it really great was that they were hearing our music for the first time,” he continues. “People over here have seen our name round, they’ve heard about us via word of mouth, they have context - but in Columbia, we were brand new. Seeing the real joy and excitement on people’s faces as we played was just an indelible experience.”

With: The Living End, Birds Of Tokyo, Horrorshow, Hungry Kids Of Hungary and more Where: Open Arms Festival @ The Coffs Harbour Showgrounds When: Saturday November 20

“I’ll build a bonfire of my dreams And burn a broken effigy of me and you” - ELVIS COSTELLO 28 :: BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10

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PRESENTS...

Aloe Blacc The Bruce Lee Of Soul By Hugh Robertson

O

f all the disparate genres that have been thrown up over the course of the last sixty years of popular music, perhaps none are as indelibly bound to their immediate social conscience as soul music.

The giants of this genre walked the earth in the late 60s and early 70s, at a time of great social upheaval and an intensely politicised public discourse and, as any good artist does, they connected to this changing mood - and wrote some of the great protest anthems.

Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’, Stevie Wonder’s ‘Living For The City’ and Curtis Mayfield’s ‘People Get Ready’ were not only giving voice to an entire generation’s concerns; they did so in a way that combined traditional gospel songs and sounds with new, sexy and slinky instrumentation. Consequently, not only did this particular group of musicians produce the strongest protest songs in history, they wrote a good number of the greatest pop tracks to boot. It just so happened they were often the same number.

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This, of course, is why soul music can often seem heavy-handed and forced; it’s quite easy to invoke a political message or recall a social movement, but it’s very, very difficult to write songs in the calibre of Marvin Gaye or Stevie Wonder. Furthermore, subsequent generations of soul musicians have had nothing like the pan-societal upheaval of the Vietnam years: communities have fractured, people don’t know their neighbours’ names, and more and more we are all too content to simply worry about Us and Ours to bother with over-earnest singers imploring us to take a stand. Far too often, the song takes second place to the message - and as a result, it usually just sounds like nagging.

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With Aloe Blacc’s latest album Good Things, the opposite is true – the songs are catchy retrosoul numbers that get your feet moving and your fingers clicking, but what social messages there are are subtly hidden beneath the strutting guitar lines. You can hear Wonder, Gaye, Mayfield and even Isaac Hayes all over this album; something that can probably be attributed to Quincy Jones, whom Aloe once heard give a talk during which he advised prospective artists to combine aspects of their ten favourite artists into a new formulation - “kind of like Bruce Lee,” Aloe says, “who took a little bit from every martial art, and built this super martial art”.

It turns out that the low-profile civil activism is deliberate. “My goal,” explains Aloe, “is to influence people in a positive way, to make them happier, to make them comfortable or to give them some sort of comfort with my music. And I’m able to do that with the music, but I can also do that with my influence and visibility outside the music... It’s a nice thing that I can make a song and have it be popular - but an even more valuable thing is to use that popularity in a way that can benefit people.”

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Call it the George Clooney model – fall in love with the art or the artist first, and you are then more inclined to listen to them when they start using their public stature to talk about issues they care about. “Absolutely,” agrees Aloe. “Hopefully I can make music that [brings about social change] as well, but it takes a more discerning listener to catch the subtleties in the lyrics. And hopefully I can create songs that have very simple lyrics that do that. I think one of the greatest songs,

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and one of the simplest messages, is Bobby McFerrin’s ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’. That, for me, is almost the epitome of what I’m getting at.”

The problem with Aloe’s approach, of course, is that it’s quite easy for the message to get lost in the medium - especially if you aren’t on the lookout. In conversation, Aloe has the opportunity to explain that his take on The Velvet Underground’s classic ‘Femme Fatale’ is actually “an analogy of America as the femme fatale, as Miss Liberty; with the Statue of Liberty being this very alluring figure, drawing everybody around the world to America - but then when they get to America they realise the gritty truth.” Unfortunately, none of this really comes through on the record; we just have to make do with a terrific song, and an excellent cover.

There are other tracks on the album that fulfill his ambition, though. Many of them exist in the ‘Living For The City’ universe of urban disadvantage, of absent fathers, a high divorce rate and young people sent off to war; quite often, Aloe manages to combine perfectlyconstructed soul with a substantial message. If at other times the message might be hidden, that simply allows the music the chance to shine.

Aloe is incredibly intelligent and engaging in conversation; it can only bode well for his live show, which he describes as a process of drawing the audience in with “discussion, and voice, and sound”. We have a chance to experience it in full when he comes out for next year’s Sydney Festival. You should be warned, though: Aloe is here for your heart and mind, as well as for your ears. “Breaking it down as small as possible,” he begins, “it’s individuals that come together that make society. So if I can affect one individual, then I am in some way affecting society.”

Who: Aloe Blacc & The Grand Scheme With: Benji B, Waajeed, Africa Hi-Tech, DJ Huwston What: Good Things is out now on Stones Throw Where: Sydney Festival @ Becks Bar When: Friday January 28

BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10 :: 31

Holy Fuck Out Of Time By Luke Telford

I

t’s tough not to admire Holy Fuck. From the brash irreverence of their name through their dogged devotion to DIY, to their ad hoc musical philosophy; there’s so much right with this band. A quick listen to 2010’s Latin reveals a unit that has only one priority: uncompromisingly energetic instrumental music. It’s gloriously chaotic, kraut-rock-inspired fuzz-pop. No guitars.

Aggressively perfect percussion. Assuredly arpeggiated synths. And just enough lo-fi scuzz to seal the tightly-disciplined structures with a chaos that grips you by both ears and drags you with it. Don’t let the ‘instrumental’ tag deter you; noodling prog this is not.

“What I really wanted was to try and make something that was somehow a bit more timeless,” explains Brian Borchedt, keyboardist and co-founder of the Canadian group. “Just - out of time. And one way to do that is to compromise your own ability to will it in to any direction.” From this compulsion, the concept of the group evolved: compromise the vanity of the music, by limiting its means of production. “If all you have to make an album with is a four track and a Casio keyboard, you’ll inevitably get something that’s very different than what your peers are making. That was a

“I feel like the whole world is participating in one big battle of the bands, and I don’t like that vibe.” goal from the beginning - to limit our means and our equipment,” says Borcherdt. “That’s maybe one thing that a lot of people miss about our band, when instead they see it as a fusion of electronic and rock. It wasn’t really about electronic; it was about trying to use the limited means that you have.”

As a listener, approaching the music from this perspective reveals a tacit playfulness hiding amidst the arrangements; like a child who’s discarded a toy in favour of the box it came in. Suddenly, the point isn’t the materiality of the music, but the ideas that lie behind it. “The band was [formed around] the idea, but inside that idea there’s limitless potential,” says Borcherdt. “Really it’s some psychedelic thing happening, and then within that we just kind of all get to explore our own paths. We write together as a four-headed beast.”

This commitment to the lo-fi approach presents a potential quandary to its main aim: Borcherdt concedes that the aesthetic and conceptual trappings of the band may in fact have caused the idea to backfire, at least initially. “What we found right from the very beginning, [is that] there’s a big distinction between drummers who could follow a Casio keyboard beat, and drummers who couldn’t…

Unless we could follow that beat, the concept of the band no longer worked,” he admits.

One of the most admirable things about Borcherdt is that he’s surprisingly devoid of pretension. He seems to answer questions absent-mindedly, but this isn’t due to a lack of attention. He has no interest in acting out the role of the indie musician; he plays music to play music, and you can hear the simplicity of it in his voice. “I like the idea of bands that are just doing it for themselves, never really expecting to break out but just sort of [having] a little bit of a mischievous edge, just taking the piss out of the media and not really playing into their hands.” This rings true in their recent video for single ‘Red Lights’, in which the band cast their own cats as musicians soundtracking a high-speed car chase… It’s strangely compelling.

“I don’t really participate in the online community,” Borcherdt says. “It’s not interesting to me. I’m too restless, too ADD to sit still and stare at my computer for long… I think that there’s a certain pressure to be trendy right now - I feel like the whole world’s participating in this one big battle of the bands, and I don’t like that vibe. I don’t like how trendy and repetitive certain looks and sounds and symbols [become]… Things will go in a specific direction, really to the point of nausea, and then they’ll move on. I try to avoid all that. I’d rather be free of it.” This is not an easy thing for someone as entrenched in music as Borcherdt is. As well as having played in countless other bands and solo, in 1990 he formed a label with a number of like-minded musicians. It’s name, a wry joke: ‘Dependent Records’.

When pressed on the notion of ‘Indie’ as a cultural concept, Borcherdt laughs, recalling a performer he saw once who summed it up for him pretty succinctly. “There was a Canadian musician who went up on stage with a doo-rag and a hoop earring. He kinda looked like a rock and roll pirate, a cross between a roadie and a hair band guy from the 80’s. He did this part eight years ago; he was calling himself the king of indie rock,” he laughs.

“I thought it was brilliant, because he was basically saying that everything was indie now, because majors were gone,” he continues. “But the indie community didn’t like it, because it wasn’t indie [in that] it didn’t sound indie and it didn’t look indie.

But I think he knew that, and that was his joke.

Everyone from a shitty bar-rock band to a boy band to an Animal Collective kind of band, they’re all indie, because they’re all independent. I think that’s really funny,” he laughs. “I guess that I still use the word ‘indie’ to describe my aesthetic or my band. It still has a value to me, to represent a certain kind of 90’s scrappiness. I think of 90’s scrappy, I think of Sonic Youth, and I think ‘Oh, indie!’ But in spite of that, that one musician eight years ago had a pretty poignant point… Everything is independent.”

What: Latin is out now on 4AD, Remote Control With: Deerhunter, !!!, Menomena, Yeasayer, The Antlers, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Beach House, Warpaint and more Where: Laneway Festival @ SCA When: Sunday February 6, 2011 More: also playing Sydney Festival 2011 on January 27 at Becks Festival Bar, with My Disco.

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Girls The Cult Sensation By Amelia Schmidt

C

hris Owens of Girls is so chilled on the phone that our conversation meanders along at a leisurely pace. With pauses, sighs and, let’s say, ‘efficient’ answers, Chris doesn’t sound overly excited about his new EP, Broken Dreams Club. But he’s not that excitable.

Having been raised in the Children Of God cult, Owens escaped a few years ago and now makes music – beautiful, shining indie rock that’s about as chillaxed as Chris. The music of Girls doesn’t seem to be worried about too much - and despite a strange upbringing, neither is Chris. But I’m sure that jumping straight into the cult stuff will make for an even more awkward interview, so we talk about his home town first.

“I’m at home in San Francisco and, I don’t know, just like taking a little time off; spending some time with friends,” Owens purrs. It’s in San Francisco that Girls has really been able to flourish – a place where everyone seems to share ideas, collaborate and generally do each other favours. Owens found and continues to find band members in San Fran, just through his networks. “[My band are] other people that live here that play music already, that have bands and stuff like that… we’ve played with a lot of different people in the last couple of years and we sort of found a more permanent band recently.”

that, it was just about having something to do together.

“Everything I do now is part of what I couldn’t do before,” he continues. “It’s not only music – it’s a completely different way of life. It comes down to every single thing I do. And I never even would have thought about playing in a band before, so it is definitely a different way that I’m spending my time.” And when might we expect that second album? “Oh, I don’t know.

We have no idea,” he drawls, lazily. “It depends on how long we spend recording it - and after it’s done, we’ll probably pick a time that seems good to release it… We’re not in a big rush,” he adds. He doesn’t sound like he’s in a big rush, I remark, and we chuckle together. Life’s good for Owens now, it seems - broken dreams, like pumpkins to carriages, can turn into musical masterpieces.

What: Broken Dreams Club is out November 19 on Pod, through Inertia Where: Manning Bar, Sydney University When: Wednesday December 8

It was through these same networks that Girls came to lend their music to the soundtrack for gay porn…“A couple of times,” Owens gently corrects me, without fuss. “There’s not much to tell. It’s just that somebody [we knew] wanted to use our music for their video and they made a porn movie or something. They wanted the people in the video to be listening to music, and they wanted it to be our music so we let them do it… I was like, ‘Sure, go ahead,’” he explains.

“It was a movie about two guys who are kind of into indie rock and stuff. It kind of makes sense when you watch it. They’re trying to show what sort of characters the guys are.”

When he puts it like that, it kind of makes sense - but selling out? Chris wants none of it. “Not so much,” he says, fairly surely. “We’ve had a lot of offers but we haven’t really licensed the music that much yet. It’s kind of hard - there weren’t any amazing offers so we didn’t really feel like doing it. If people want to use it for fun it’s fine, but we haven’t had any really cool movies or anything like that. We get some commercial offers but we don’t really want to do that yet. It just seems a little bit inappropriate or something.”

Such is the logic of Girls who, as a follow up to their much-praised debut Album, recently released the EP Broken Dreams Club - as a forerunner to their forthcoming second album.

And broken dreams are certainly something Chris has experience with. Owens was born into a family who were part of one of the most closed and strange cults in America, whose main points seemed to be protecting their children from all the ‘evils’ of the outside world.

“Maybe an intrinsic part of becoming popular means that you just start making bad music. Maybe I’ll find out one day.”

Girls photo by Bao Nguyen

“I don’t necessarily hate talking about it, it’s just that, I don’t know... It’s just that most of the things that people ask me, I’ve already talked about,” he says. “It’s not that [it’s unpleasant], I just feel that people ask the same things all the time, things that you can already read online.”

I’m wary about pushing the topic, but at the same time really interested in how a whole world of music must have seemed to someone who had never heard it before. “I’m still trying to catch up on pretty standard music that people are listening to,” Owens explains, “but I guess we all have different experiences; I don’t feel behind people, but there is a lot of music, and it just takes a lot of time to be able to listen to everything.”

And although you might expect a huge lifechanging event like leaving a cult might infiltrate one’s music, Chris assures me that it’s not quite so intense. “I’d already left for a while before I started playing music,” he says. It was only at age 25 that Owens penned his first track, despite playing music since he was 12.

“I would sort of sing and play music with other people as a group but it wasn’t really a creative thing; It was like songs that were part of our lifestyle – songs that we grew up learning. It wasn’t really about writing or anything like BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10 :: 33

A Day To Remember Out Of Nowhere By Kimberley Croxford

“W

e were never supposed to be where we are right now – it’s weird,” reflects Jeremy McKinnon, frontman of A Day To Remember. “We were just a bunch of kids from a shitty small town, Ocala in Florida. Our band should have topped off at playing in front of 500 people a night, but for some reason we’re selling out 5000 packed venues in the States right now; that is absolutely fucking retarded! We never even wanted that when it came to this band – we just made the music we wanted to play, and the music we wanted to hear.”

A Day To Remember are renowned for their combination of pop-punk hooks and metalcore breakdowns – an aggregation that even McKinnon says “makes no sense whatsoever”.

It’s this modest attitude, coupled with unrelenting motivation and talent, which has seen A Day To Remember surprise themselves with such huge success.

McKinnon himself attributes their popularity to the fact that the band’s material is so relatable.

“By reading the lyrics and listening to the songs you can think, ‘Hey, this is what I’m going through right now’ – and I think that means something to kids. They can listen to a record to make them feel better about going to school or

having a fall out with a friend, and what’s more important than that? If you can write songs that can really strike a chord with people, and actually help get them through something in their life, I think that’s fucking awesome.”

A Day To Remember are due to release their fourth studio album, What Separates Me From You, on November 16. When questioned about the forthcoming release, McKinnon reveals that we can expect a greater influence from aggressive hardcore music, with the band’s previous metal-core breakdowns often replaced with “pissed-off, mean sounding riffs”. “We didn’t do anything consciously different, we were just kind of going with the flow, and what came out was a much darker album. Even the more poppy side of the record is a bit more serious and a little darker.” The deviation from their previous sound seems to have evolved quite naturally for the band; McKinnon admits that songs just seem to hit him out of nowhere. “It’s not even like I’m writing a song,” he says, “it’s more like I’m remembering how to play a song.”

What Separates Me From You is occupied with the divide that exists between a ‘normal’ existence, and a life of constant touring. “We’ve been away so much, so that’s what the last record [Homesick] was about - but this one is

Pieta Brown Prairie Stomp By Jack Franklin

P

ieta Brown’s got the looks - and more importantly, she’s got the chops to match. Laidback alt-country with a bit of swing and a bit of soul, her voice manages to combine confidence with fragility and end up with a sound that’s all her own. “I came up with the term ‘prairie stomp’ to describe my music,” she explains with a laugh. “I first said it tongue-in-cheek, but I think there is some truth to it.”

Pieta was raised in flyover country of the Midwest, with endless plains of long grass rippling in the wind, in a house with no running water or furnace. “My dad was a songwriter; music was always right there, familiar and comfortable for me,” Pieta recalls. “So when I was really young it was a real natural, normal thing to play music.

My great grandfather played the banjo, my great-grandmother played the organ, my grandmother played guitar in church, and my uncle Roscoe had a country band - so when I was a little girl there was a lot of

family music. It was just normal; it didn’t have anything to do with the music business.”

It’s like the old saying, then: if you have an uncle called Roscoe, get into country music.

You really can’t lose.

Pieta moved out and ended up living with her mum, in Alabama. “I grew up with her, she was a single working mother, and something about that separation; I spent a lot of time alone. Music was a way for me to connect back to something comfortable.”

Pieta’s first album Remember The Sun was released to wide acclaim back in 2007, and was followed by last year’s effort, Shimmer - recorded by legendary producer Don Was, who has worked with the likes of Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, and the Rolling Stones. And she’s already toured with Calexico, J.J. Cale, John Prine, Mason Jennings, Ani Difranco and Mark Knopfler, too - an impressive list, but Pieta insists that the lofty heights of international touring were never really her plan. “It was really weird actually,” she confesses. “When I was a teenager I was a huge music fan, a music lover really, but I can’t remember ever thinking, ‘I want to go out and sing songs and get paid’.”

It actually wasn’t until her early 20s that Pieta picked up a guitar; but after that, it was all on. “I became obsessed,” she explains.

“I started playing some songs out in little bars, and just followed it as I went along…

And that first guitar was a classic too, a real peach,” she grins. “It was a 1930s Maybell that my dad had given me.

“It was one of those magic things,” Pieta continues. “You really feel like there are songs in instruments, and that’s how I felt with this. My dad was showing me the guitar and I might have known three chords maybe, and not even known the name of them. I just tuned it to my ear and borrowed it for a couple of weeks - and I just got hooked.”

more about the fall-out of being a workaholic,” he elaborates. “I love [touring] and it’s exactly what I wanted to do but at the same time, no matter how much I love it, it is a job. I had a few loved ones pass away on this last record cycle, and that really gets to you. When I’m at home I feel like a piece of crap and I can’t wait to get on tour, but then I go on tour for a month and really want to get back home to see the family.

Then after a week it’s like I’ve got to get the hell out of there again. I’ve made this never-ending circle when I’m never happy, ever,” emphasises McKinnon, before he recognises the hint of melodrama contained therein; he laughingly adds, “That’s not exactly true - I’m happy a lot.”

ADTR are heading to Sydney to play the No Sleep Til festival next month - and if their appearance at Soundwave 2010 is anything to

go by, it’s going to be a huge show. “It takes us aback every time,” says the singer, in regards to the reactions of foreign crowds. “I go into this every day trying to ground myself. I walk out on stage every night and think, ‘this is the show where everything starts going south’,” he laughs.

“I’m just gonna enjoy it while I can and try and keep myself grounded... We’re fortunate to have fans that understand us.”

What: What Separates You From Me is out November 16, through Riot/Victory/Warner With: NOFX, Dropkick Murphys, Parkway Drive, Descendents, Gwar, House Vs Hurricane, Heroes For Hire and more Where: No Sleep Til Festival @ Entertainment Quarter, Hordern Pavilion and surrounds When: Saturday December 18

The Chemist The Lullaby Lab Test By Bridie Connellan

S

ure is a pity Marie Curie didn’t keep her radio active; there’s a new Chemist on the block. Making good time en route to Brisbane, cranking dangerous levels of Rufus Wainwright “in a deep and contemplative way”, The Chemist are doing their best to gear up for their headlining national tour in support of their latest EP - Lullabies.

A follow-up to the infectious Tom Waits-esque mentality of May’s debut EP, The Wolves’ Howls Shatter The Old Glass Moon, their sophomore heralds an exciting step for the Perth locals - and vocalist Ben Witt admits to sharing in that age-old fear of putting their goods on the table. “We’re split between excited and terrified; on the one hand we want to play what we’ve got for everyone, but on the other we’re worried whether everyone will turn up,” he laughs. “I feel like we’ve already come a long way since we first put our little sound out there, and I think both lyrically and musically we have a much better idea of where we want to go.”

Hailing from Perth alongside comrades Elliot Smith (no relation), James Ireland, and Hamish Rahn, Witt has been brewing a unique blend of soft melodic alt-pop since the early days, taking out Western Australia’s Next Big Thing Competition, and releasing the killer single ‘Stars’ - recorded with Luke Steele from Empire of the Sun. Lullabies sees an exciting new chapter for the foursome, as they depart from what they previously described as “dirty, chainsaw stomp” - to make their first new mark with bewitching, glock-laden single ‘Lullaby #1 (Mercy)’.

With the power of Steele already up one sleeve, The Chemist are no strangers to the uberproducer - so Joel Quartermain (Eskimo Joe) slid neatly behind the mixing desk for the second EP. Ben Witt describes the ARIA-favourite as less of a mentor and more of a “ridiculously helpful friend”. With his help, the four-piece have created something a little more polished than what they call their “darker bombastic” debut, softening that original crackle for something a bit more palatable

and authentic. “[Joel] just really cared about the band, and it was nice to have someone external to the whole process, reassuring us with wild enthusiasm,” says Witt. “He was so incredibly encouraging and passionate, spending a great deal of late nights just talking about direction, and what we do best. Having someone outside the band who cared that much about both our sound and image was just so valuable to us.”

In a thoughtful gesture to a buddy with serious noisy-neighbour issues, Witt decided the lullaby was an underrated genre, and sought to cure chaotic insomnia through the power of undulating xylophone and (unexpectedly) jaunty trumpets.

“I had this friend who had a ringing in his ears to the tune of B, so in creating this new set of tunes the ringing became part of the music - and would hopefully create sleep,” he says - before admitting that the wonderfully upbeat finale ‘As Deep As Death’ may have the adverse effect... “We were actually playing with that idea of ‘sleep music’ rather than the traditional approach of a lullaby but if you’re not asleep after the first three songs, you may as well throw in a party.”

In a sweet, jangly fusion of glockenspiel elegance and ethereally harmonic vocals, the leading track off Lullabies is indicative of a speedy maturation since The Wolves…; a growing sense of direction that allows the group to experiment before committing to a full-length LP. “We’re always keen to try things out and see what works, and I just don’t think we we’re ready to do a full length album until we know what to do with it,” Witt admits. “The beauty of making another EP is as much working out what we want as what we don’t want to do. It’s like a soundcheck for Now.” What: Lullabies EP is out now Where: Melt Bar, Kings Cross When: Friday November 26 More: The Chemist are also appearing at Peats Ridge Festival, Dec 29 – Jan 1 at Glenworth Valley

It’s the strength of her songwriting that makes Pieta Brown’s music so captivating. “I feel that a real good song, something that is going to hold up and last, that has some life in it, has something in it, something in the melody... I will probably always be chasing that,” she explains. “It’s a mystery; I don’t know where the melodies come from exactly.

The more I go on with songwriting, the more mysterious it seems to me.”

What: One And All is out now through Vitamin Records Where: The Basement When: Monday November 22

“I heard you let that little friend of mine take off your party dress” - ELVIS COSTELLO 34 :: BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10

sold out

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arts frontline

free stuff email: freestuff@thebrag.com

arts, theatre and film news... what's goin' on around town and more...

brushstrokes WITH JEREMYVILLE (JEREMYVILLE.COM) What formal/informal training have you had as a designer/artist?

I have a degree in Architecture from Sydney University, I have had no formal art training. I’ve always loved the idea of learning for yourself, finding your own answers. Even with computer software programs, I just open up the box and start playing. I find that’s the best way to learn, by trying to find your own answers.

Who or what has shaped your artistic development most?

My parents definitely, for supporting me in my childhood and teaching me that I could do anything in life that I put my mind to. Also, making mistakes and learning from them has been my greatest teacher.

C

URVY, our favourite annual compendium of art/illustrations by women, is muscling up this year, with the addition of a male counterpart: MUSCLE UP – featuring 40 creative fellas from around the world. Wrangling the talented male team is Jeremyville, a Sydneyborn illustrator and designer whose career infamously took off in 1996 after he created the Space Puppy plush toy. Since then, he’s written and produced two books (including Vinyl Will Kill, the first book in the world on the designer toy movement), collaborated with brands like Chuck Taylor and Kidrobot, and exhibited at the Andy Warhol Museum and Colette in Paris, among other places. When we caught him on email, he had just opened up the Jeremyville Salon at 80 Varick St in SoHo, New York… (jealous) The MUSCLE UP and CURVY 7 art compendiums launch this week – and to

celebrate this epic, artistic battle of the sexes, CURVY and Secret Wars have collaborated to produce a live, 90-minute art battle – featuring CURVY gals Bridge Stehli, Deb and Bei Badgirl, and MUSCLE UP fellas Mike Watt, Houl and John Doe. When did the art start for you?

I grew up in Wonderland Avenue, Tamarama, which is a beachside suburb in Sydney, and I first started drawing with a stick in the wet sand at the beach, as a kid. My mum was a teacher and she would draw for the kids in her class, as a way of teaching them. So I got my interest in drawing from her. Both my parents were very supportive of my interest in art, though I didn’t really know how I would make a career out of it. I just knew I had to do it. I’ve always worked for myself, made a living from my art, I’ve never had a ‘regular job’ working for someone else.

What tends to be the starting point for your work?

Just a blank sketchbook and a pen in my hand, the rest seems to flow from that.

Produced by Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, Superbad) and directed by Nicholas Stoller (Forgetting Sarah Marshall), Get Him To The Greek stars UK comedian Russell Brand (reprising the role of hypersexual rockstar Aldous Snow) and Jonah Hill, as Snow’s super-straight foil, Aaron - a lowly record label employee (and number-one fanboy) who is charged with getting the relapsed drug addict from London to a show at L.A.’s Greek Theatre, in just 72 hours. Shennanigans ensue – and cameos from P. Diddy and Christina Aguilera, among others.

Besides being hilarious – the opening scene alone, of Brand and Byrne performing the world’s most offensive video clip, ‘African Child’ is a treat – this is a thoroughly charming, feelgood film about dudes bonding. Love it. We have ten copies of the Get Him To The Greek DVD up for grabs; to get your hands on one, tell us your postal address, and who wrote GHTTG.

Why is MUSCLE UP important?

It showcases important talent by creative people who are shaping the visual language of our daily lives. Documenting it in print brings a further permanence and importance to the work of these artists, and by being an annual publication, it showcases the changing global trends within the art and design world.

What: CURVY 7 and MUSCLE UP launch party When: Thursday November 18, 7pm Where: LO-FI / Lvl 3, 383 Bourke St, Taylor Sq More: curvy-world.com / wearelofi.com.au The CURVY exhibition runs from November 19– January 9 at The Galeries (500 George St, CBD).

AFTERNOON TEASE John Malkovich brings 18th-century lothario Casanova to Sydney Opera House

GET HIM TO THE GREEK DVD

You might want to check out this soiree on Saturday afternoon, to get some costume inspiration for 34B’s Golden Age party (bottom right of page, ahem). Combining the girly, the glittery and the gorgeous, Afternoon Tease is a new monthly event being run by Ms Bluebell (could it be Briana Bluebell? We’re not sure…) that invites ladies to get dressed in their best, gather their gal pals, and indulge in a little heels-up time: burlesque and afternoon tea, all to the tunes of the fabulous '40s and '50s (and with a spot of vintage shopping on the side, just quietly). Oh my! The next event features goddess of glamour Lauren La Rouge, with Holly J’aDoll, Mimi Monroe and Georgie Ruby in tow. Saturday November 20 from 1-5pm at the Kent St Living Room. Tickets (which include mouth and eye treats) at msbluebell.eventbrite.com

a season of new, classic and cult films on the lawns of the picturesque Belvedere Amphitheatre, between December 9 and March 20; our picks so far are Billy Wilder’s Some Like It Hot (Marilyn, darling) on December 14, The Rocky Horror Picture Show on January 6, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off on January 25. YES, WE’RE SENTIMENTALISTS. Gates open at 7pm every night, and the films kick off around 8.30pm, as the sun goes down. For all details and to buy tickets, head to www.moonlight.com.au

Tasia

BONDI SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

We have just one thing to say about the Sydney Festival 2011 line-up: Malkovich.

Malkovich? Malkovich Malkovich. We only wish he was bringing his puppets… (If you don’t get the reference, you need to get acquainted with the Spike Jonze repertoire). In other news: Sydney Festival launched their epic program last week (an annual event that we like to subtitle ‘Your Summer Schedule’) and it’s full of sweet theatre, dance and performance treats. There’s some names you’ll recognise (Malkovich?) and lots you won’t – but we'll help you get up to speed with that, so you can ‘Not Miss Out On Life-Changing Events’ when it comes to January. Since tickets go on sale Monday November 15 (Today? Yesterday? Yikes!) we urge you to make the following shows priorities: Kneehigh Theatre’s 5-star production of The Red Shoes (after the grisly fable immortalised on screen and stage in eras past); Random Dance company’s Entity, performed to the trippy prog-house of UK producer Jon Hopkins (last seen at VIVID 2009); the screening of Universal Pictures’ 1931 'Bela Lugosi' classic Dracula, with a live score by Kronos Quartet & Philip Glass (we actually just wet our pants, sorry); US comedian Mike Birbiglia telling stories about his awkward romantic encounters; and the dance revival that all Sydney’s hipsters have been waiting for: The Trocadero Dance Palace. We’re just gonna say this: if you miss the Troc, coz you underestimated how awesome it was gonna be, and so didn’t buy tickets, then there’s gonna be a savage tanty around January 19. You’ve been warned. Now: turn to our rock news section for the music line-up (our boyfriend Sufjan is coming, yay!), get your hands on a program, and head along to sydneyfestival.org.au to locate your ticketing port of call. (oh and circle January 8-30 in your calendar – and put a post-it note on February reminding you to SLEEP.)

SOYA 2010 WINNERS

The calibre of the Qantas Spirit Of Youth Awards continues to soar (har) this year; but seriously, when your finalists include Dion Lee, Tom Polo, kyü, Cloud Control and MaricorMaricar, then you know the competition will be stiff… Which is another way of saying: everyone’s a winner, when they make it to the SOYA finals. The ACTUAL winners, however 38 :: BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10

are: Dion Lee (NSW) for Fashion; Ariel Kleiman (VIC) for film; Motherbird (VIC lads Jack Mussett, Dan Evans & Chris Murphy) for Visual Communications; Penny Lane (VIC) for Photography; kyü (NSW) for Music; Clare Peake (WA) for Visual Arts; and Alex Gilmour (NSW) for Industrial & Object Design. To check out your future generation of creative geniuses (and their websites!) run along to soya.com.au

ROCK N ROLL MARKETS

If you feel that regular markets are weighed down with knitted coathangers and homemade jams, then you will love Sydney Rock ‘n’ Roll and Alternative Markets, which makes Penny Lane seem like Gumdrop Alley by sheer comparison.

The markets feature a host of stands containing vintage, rock ‘n’ roll, burlesque, ska and alternative clothing, jewellery and accessories, records, CDs, collectables, art, comics, traditional medicine women (dunno), candlemakers, a psychic (of sorts), a jumping castle, and delicious food available all day. To rock ‘n’ roll things up further, The Rumjacks and Handsome Young Strangers are playing live, and DJs Limpin’ Jimmy and the Swingin’ Kitten will be playing tunes. It all happens at Jets Sports Club (Holbeach Avenue in Tempe) on Sunday November 21 from 11am-6pm.

Oh, and did we mention it is free? It's free.

MOONLIGHT CINEMA

Well, don’t we feel all summery and stuff. It’s almost time for Moonlight Cinema to launch, bringing with it a summer of outdoor cinematical soirees in Centennial Park. Sigh. This year, they’re even doing 3D films – in case 2D isn’t tuf enuf for you anymore. We’re looking forward to

34B-DAY!

The Burlesque event of the year is upon us as 34B Burlesque turns 5, and enters 'The Golden Age'. The line-up reads like a who’s who of the burlesque (under)world; this is the show that every burlesque star wants to be a part of (but can’t be, coz let’s face it, that would be the longest show ever…) Making the cut, however, are regular 34B-eauties Lulu, Tasia, Lola the Vamp, Lauren La Rouge, and Briana Bluebell, as well as Baby Blue Bergmann, Lucille Spielfuchs, and Miss Burlesque winner Rita Fontaine. Popping their 34B cherry on the night are Ladykillers Inc, an intriguing double-act that mixes puppetry, fluid dance poise and wild rock attitude. So put Saturday November 27 in your diary, and head along to tenderloins.com.au to reserve the best seats in the house… We'll see you there.

Tasia - photo by Shannon Brooke

SYDNEY FESTIVAL 2011: THE EPIC CONTINUES...

As if last week didn’t give you enough of a reason to head to the beach… here comes Bondi Short Film Festival, your new B(S)FF for next weekend.

On Saturday November 27, the 14 finalists will screen over one big night of film at Bondi Pavillion.

As we go to print the finalists haven’t even been announced, and the 7.45pm session has already sold out… Your other options are the 3pm or 8.15pm slots. It’s the BSFF’s tenth anniversary this year, and past judges have included Our Margaret, Sam Worthington and Bruce Beresford – so you’re looking at some serious views, schmooze and perhaps even booze for your Saturday evening. Head to bondishortfilmfestival. com for the rest of the deets!

Beck’s Festival Bar once again serves up eclectic sounds and cutting-edge music. Make the most of summer and experience some of the world’s best bands and DJs over 14 balmy, star-lit nights at the historic Hyde Park Barracks Museum.

January 9

The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker, I Like It Like That Orchestra & Russ Dewbury (Jazz Rooms) January 10

Arrested Development & The Last Kinection January 12

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion & Super Wild Horses January 13

Future Classic: Henrik Schwarz January 14

FBi Night: Gold Panda, Djanimals & kyü January 15 Strong violence

PICNIC: DJ Harvey & DJ Garth January 19

Scribe, Ru C.L, Radical Son & Katalyst (DJ set) January 20

Wire, HEALTH & Popfrenzy DJs January 21

Matt and Kim & TheDeathSet January 22

Cobblestone Jazz, Mathew Jonson & Murat Kilic (Reckless Republic) January 26

Beach House & Parades January 27

FBi Night: Holy Fuck & My Disco January 28

Aloe Blacc & The Grand Scheme, Benji B, Waajeed & Africa Hitech January 29

Mad Racket: Octave One (Live) Hyde Park Barracks Museum. January 9-29.

Doors open 8pm. Free entry after 11.30pm (subject to capacity). Over 18s venue only Sydney Festival: 1300 668 812 Ticketmaster: 1300 723 038 sydneyfestival.org.au/becks *Booking Fees from $2 apply

Tickets on sale now

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GasLand

An interesting episode in the life of Josh Fox.

By Beth Wilson

Josh Fox in the stream near his house in Pennsylvania.

J

osh Fox, US documentary-maker and current mouthpiece of the anti-natural gas drilling movement, has been on what he calls “an exhausting and comprehensive” tour with his documentary debut, GasLand. Launching screenings with local grassroots organisations across America before travelling to Australia for Q&As in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, Fox’s role is firmly stuck between filmmaker and activist.

Tired but still obviously spurred on by the environmental damage he’s seen and the threat to his own home, Fox is determined to continue spreading the message of the film.

GasLand is part exposé, part personal travelogue. The project began when Fox received a letter from a gas company offering $100,000 to lease part of his family’s upstate New York estate for exploration. Instead of signing on the bottom line like many of his neighbours, Fox - a theatre director and parttime banjo player - decided to investigate the natural gas industry. “I was in the middle of a raging debate in my area between people who wanted this development and people who didn’t, and I just wanted to find out who was right.”

At the outset of his journey Fox was oblivious to the extent of the damage that hydraulic fracturing (a process for drilling for gas) was causing across America. It was a trip to the

town of Dimock, Pennsylvania (shown in the film) that spurred Fox on to action. Interviews with residents there revealed flammable drinking water, polluted by chemicals involved in the drilling process, and massive health problems caused by toxic emissions. Fox felt terrified.

“I came home [after visiting Dimock] and I couldn’t sleep for a month, I still can’t sleep sometimes when I think about it, because I feel the walls closing in and I feel like I might have to leave.” Indeed, Fox’s greatest fear is that he may not ultimately be able to halt the drilling process. “Here I am down in the valley; a lot of the property up on the hill to the north side is leased. My immediate neighbours to my left and to my right are not leased - but what if they sell their house and the next person leases? … Even if they just drill the properties up on the hill, all those toxic emissions, and I know what they are, are going to waft down and collect in the valley.”

Watching GasLand it is hard not to feel outraged and angry. The film shows how gas companies in the US have been allowed to bypass environmental laws. But despite all of his alarming and depressing findings you never see Fox angry in the film, which is surprising. “I think I am in shock myself a little bit about that; I think I am really deeply angry - I don’t think that is the way to express

AY W A

40 :: BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10

What: GasLand, Dir. Josh Fox When: Opens November 18 More: to find out more about this film and the issues of natural gas drilling in Australia visit gasland.com.au

E

Agora opens in cinemas on November 18; thanks to Transmission Films, we have 10 in-season double-passes up for grabs. To get your hands on one, email freestuff@thebrag. com with the name of the Cameron Crowe film that was a remake of Amenabar’s 1997 film Abre los Ojos.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Fox has attracted a smear campaign determined to discredit both him and his film. “A lot of people have said ‘hey you are getting to them, they’re attacking you’.

Becoming the mouthpiece of a cause certainly doesn’t come without its problems, but Fox, with his wry sense of humour, seems to be coping. “The film has put the human face on this issue, on gas drilling… For me it is a really interesting rollercoaster. Isn’t this an interesting episode in the life of Josh Fox; I wonder what will happen next?”

IV

W

e’re hearing only good things about this newbie from Alejandro Amenábar (The Sea Inside) – a sumptuous romantic drama set in Ancient Egypt, and starring Academy Award winner Rachel Weisz (who we could pretty much watch peel potatoes, and still feel romantic). The setting is 4th century A.D. Egypt, during a time of violent religious clashes between the Roman Empire and the Christians. Weisz stars as an astronomer fighting to preserve the wisdom of the Ancient World, while being torn between two potential lovers...

Converting audience outrage into action isn’t easily done, but this filmmaker isn’t shy about pointing the way. “I think people have to be in the streets protesting about this, in the major cities. I think you have to have, at the locations, civil disobedience. The popular opinion has to turn and say ‘no, we are citizens of this country and we really want to examine this before industry comes in and decides to buys out our continent and our government’. At the beginning of the process I was really interested in preserving my land and my house; now the most important objective to me is to move the Earth towards renewable energy. It’s about all of us investing in the great change that is to come, which is to get off fossil fuels. And natural gas is dirty, just like fossil fuels.”

But it sucks. Here is the thing that bothers me about it: what [the gas companies] are saying is so obviously a lie - they are lying through their teeth. I would like to see journalists challenge them on their lies instead of me having to deal with it. When they come out and say ‘We’re not exempt from the Safe Drinking Act’, the rudimentary-level journalist could just look it up and see they are lying. And if they try and put that question to me, the journalists should chime in and say ‘sorry, we know you are lying’.

That’s the part of it that pisses me off, the fact that they are able to hit one spin cycle in the media and disrupt the conversation with something that is such an obvious untruth.”

G

Win AGORA double passes

it though.” Fox pauses before continuing “Here is the thing, I think you have to leave space for your audience to make up their own mind…

GasLand is a series of questions, put forward from a reasonable perspective, and it is in the audience’s hands to figure out what they need to do or what they think. You’ve got to come charging in at the end of the movie, not me; I’m already charging.”

NLY O T H G I EN N O R O F A SPECIAL SCREENING OF 2 FILMS BY

MOGWAI BURNING & ADELIA, I WANT TO LOVE.

Screening at the Chauvel Cinema, Paddington on the 9th of December at 6.30pm.

Tickets available at the Chauvel or through Moshtix at www.moshtix.com.au and Moshtix outlets.

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Not In A Million Years Masters of Space & Time [PERFORMANCE] The irresistible compulsion of Force Majeure. By Lucy Fokkema

[THEATRE] Swamped in Science at the Australian Museum. By Simon Binns

T

he Australian Museum is better known as an internationally acclaimed collection of stuffed animals and dinosaur skeletons than as a theatre venue; however, to recognise the International Year Of Biodiversity, the museum commissioned several new works, including a show by the Canberra-born now Melbourne-based theatre company Masters Of Space And Time. The result is Swamped: Up to your Arse in Alligators – a hilarious comedy that explores scientific hubris and the challenges biodiversity has faced in Australia in the last 200 years.

Premiering at CarriageWorks on November 18, Not In A Million Years will explore ‘once in a lifetime experiences’ through Force Majeure’s highly acclaimed hybrid performance style, which interweaves movement, words and images. Artistic Director Kate Champion and colleagues Roz Hervey and Geoff Cobham have researched for months, gathering stories that raised goosebumps.

“We all seem to be fascinated, in varying degrees, with stories of extreme achievement or survival,” Champion muses. “Is this because we are forced to question how we would cope under similar circumstances? Or equally, are we curious as to what drives a person to achieve beyond odds? We usually live on a very ordinary barometer.”

Established in 2002, Force Majeure has earned a reputation for works that combine visually arresting imagery with theatricality and immediate impact. Its productions draw on multi-disciplined artists, including dancers, actors, writers, composers and filmmakers, in an attempt to break down the boundaries between different art forms.

“We find with our work, it’s hard to label,” says Champion. “If we could invent a new category, we would. It is what it is. We call it dance theatre, but it’s so many other things as well.”

Like her company, Kate Champion is diverse. In her 30-year career in dance, she’s worked as a director, choreographer, dancer and teacher, Adam Bull Amber Scotttoand Noah and Gumbert travelling from Germany England back to Molto Vivace Australia, working for companies as diverse as Belvoir Street Theatre, the English National Opera and London’s DV8 Physical Theatre along the way.

Is the name Force Majeure an exotic souvenir she’s picked up on her travels? “Some people think it’s a wanky French name that means ‘major force’ [guilty as charged]... but the first definition I read in the Macquarie English dictionary was ‘irrestible compulsion’. It’s how I feel about artistic work.”

The tricky business of being human fascinates Champion, serving as creative grist for her acclaimed work The Age I’m In (Sydney Festival 2008), a commentary on ageing that featured performers from 15 to 80 years old. Same, Same But Different (Sydney Festival 2002) also explored contemporary life, fusing dance and theatre to explore our ability to keep struggling for love - and garnering a Helpmann Award in the process, for Best Dance or Physical Theatre Work.

Commissioned by Crack Theatre Festival (This Is Not Art) and the Australian Museum, Swamped is a farce about the real-life Victorian Acclimatisation Society, a group of 19th century Australians who wanted to bring as many European animal species to Australia as possible, functioning under the motto “If it lives, we want it.” The setting is the unveiling ceremony of the Society’s latest acquisition – a rare Brazilian Agouti. However, as the players are readying to celebrate their latest success a small problem comes to light – and the farce rapidly spirals away from there.

Crack Theatre Festival co-director (and longtime associate of the Master Of Space And Time) David Finnigan was a key figure in getting the work made. “I was asked by the Australian Museum to put together some public programmes for the International Year

This time, her four performers will roam a performance space filled with millions of white polystyrene flakes, a Geoff Cobham-designed set which transforms from a pile of money to the slopes of a snow-covered mountain. “I find dance incredibly beautiful and powerful, but being able to draw on very integrated set design, projection, voice... I find it so much more exciting.

It’s like having more colours as a painter, it’s just having scope to accurately convey the ideas we’re interested in,” Champion explains. “I’m not a purist.”

The company eventually narrowed their focus down to the Law of Unintended Consequences – the idea that the universe is just a big machine that messes up good intentions. The result is a play that Finnigan describes, with a mischievous smile, as “Victorian in every sense of the word.” “It’s a Victorian farce, set in Victoria, in the Victorian era,” explains Clapham.

“It focuses on the Victorian Acclimatisation Society which was a real society that was responsible for introducing the fox and the sparrow and the starling. They even tried to introduce monkeys, but I don’t think they survived.”

For Finnigan, the writing is one of the most exciting aspects of the project. “The writer, Stuart Roberts, is one of my biggest influences; a lot of his work has a really long build… creating this incredibly tenuous house of cards which he’ll then just knock down in these elegant, sweeping arcs.” However the writing created some practical problems for Clapham, as director: “We went to our writer and asked for a three-person play, and he came back with a five-person play - so now I’m also acting. I’m Kenneth Branagh,” he jokes.

Stepping out in to the theatre world is a novelty for the Australian Museum. “They’ve really thrown it over to us,” says Finnigan. “They’ve said ‘you guys are a theatre festival, you know how to produce theatre; the Masters Of Space And Time are a theatre company, they know how to make it.”

The museum, meanwhile, will provide the spectacular – and highly unusual – venue: their Skeleton Exhibition room. Designed as a casual, after-work affair, the show is preceded by drinks and a laptop DJ set from Nick McCorriston. Finnigan invites curious punters to “stop by after work, have a drink and see an awesome farce before heading home or heading out.” We'll see you there!

All this research into unbelieveable stories and strange tales, has Champion herself ever stumbled into that realm of frightening extremes?

“I almost drowned once in Sydney harbour, at midnight. But I wasn’t drunk, I’d like to point out.

That’s as close as I’ve come.”

What: Swamped When: November 16 & 18: drinks & music from 5.30 - 6.00pm; performance 6-6.40pm:

What: Not In A Million Years Where: CarriageWorks, Eveleigh When: November 17 - 27 More: carriageworks.com.au / millionyears.tumblr.com

Where: Australian Museum / Skeleton Exhibition Tickets: $10 from australianmuseum.net.au/ whatson

Not In A Million Years - photo by Stu Spence

A

man lying in a coma for more than a decade suddenly wakes up in hospital and speaks to his family.

After her plane explodes, a flight Xxxx attendant survives a fall of 33,000 feet through the sky. After winning 70 million pounds in the lottery, a Scottish woman becomes paranoid, reclusive and suspicious of anyone trying to befriend her; the windfall has ruined her life. These are some of the bizarre true stories that inspire Not In A Million Years, the latest work from award-winning dance theatre company Force Majeure.

Of Biodiversity… so I went to the Master Of Space And Time with quite a broad brief.” For director Dave Clapham, the breadth was a little terrifying: “The only brief we got was ‘write a play about biodiversity’ – which as far as we can tell means everything,” he laughs, “so we wrote a farce instead.”

version 1.0

[THEATRE] The politics of theatre. By Simon Binns

The Bougainville Photoplay Project

T

he past decade has been a busy one for version 1.0. Besides making a name for itself with its insightful dissections of political events – from the children overboard affair to the Australian Wheat Board scandal the company has transformed from a one-showa-year crew to a Key Arts Organisation with nine projects in the pipeline for 2011. Co-founder and company CEO David Williams they are already planning projects for 2012.

In the immediate future, however, version 1.0 will be taking over Belvoir Street Theatre 42 :: BRAG :: 388:: 15:11:10

The Bougainville Photoplay Project is written and performed, for the most part,

by Paul Dwyer, an academic who has taken some research leave to work as a professional artist. The show weaves together three narratives; the first is that of Dwyer’s father. A worldrenowned orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Allan Dwyer visited Bougainville three times during the 1960s to perform breakthrough spinal surgery that improved, and in some cases saved, the lives of many crippled people in the region.

The second thread is the shameful story of Australian’s colonial dealings in the region which started with the opening of a copper mine and resulted in a war that saw 20,000 people lose their lives. The final story is Dwyer’s own, that of an academic searching

for first-hand research about restorative justice, and a son seeking to understand the legacy of his father.

Dwyer’s storytelling is combined with Sean Bacon’s considerable video skills (recently seen in Belvoir’s Measure For Measure) to create a work that is both political and deeply personal, a combination the company has clearly thought a lot about. “I think what most self-consciously political theatre forgets is that we’re all citizens. Unless we feel a personal connection, we’re not going to respond to it,” says Williams.

Opening just two weeks later in the downstairs space is A Distressing Scenario, a double bill with performance trio post, about the Global Financial Crisis. “version 1.0 does big political-scandal-type-things – the GFC… that’s something nice and easy we can whip up in a couple of days,” jokes Williams. However, the nature of the project is something very new for the company, who are used to having a long gestation period for their shows. “We’ve never made a work in four weeks with no research and development periods,” says Williams. “It’s a risk for us, but that’s what the show is about, risk, in this case financial risk, that was actively ignored.” Unlike David Hare’s The Power Of Yes, which asked bankers and economists to explain the GFC, version 1.0 is seeking “non-expert opinion.” “That includes politicians,” Williams assures me.

The two companies might at first seem strange bedfellows, with post’s obsession with kitsch and glitter striking a glaring contrast with version 1.0’s focus on current political issues.

However the two companies have a strong shared heritage, with both containing a strong contingent of graduates from UWS Nepean’s Theatre, Theory & Practice course.

“There are certain cultural similarities,” Williams agrees. “As well as the Nepean background, members of both companies have worked around PACT and at Performance Space. I think there is a kind of shared aesthetic history, even though the outcomes are different.” version 1.0’s stated aim is to “open space for public conversation around important issues” and this new adventure in the Belvoir warehouse is an exciting opportunity for Williams and the company. “In order to have a conversation, we’ve got to constantly talk to new people – and I think we’re a perfect fit for Belvoir.”

What: The Bougainville Photoplay Project / A Distressing Scenario When: TBPP runs until November 28 / ADS from November 26 – December 19.

Where: Belvoir Street Theatre More: belvoir.com.au / versiononepointzero. com

Bougainville Photoplay Project - Photo by Heidrun Lohr

for summer, with The Bougainville Photoplay Project opening upstairs, and A Distressing Scenario taking over the downstairs space.

GO TO S D E CE AN LL PRO AKIST

’S P F E C I UN FLOOD EAL PP A S ’ N RE .au CHILD icef.org

A

un www.

THE VINES

OPERATOR PLEASE

FLIGHT FACILITIES x PURPLE SNEAKER DJ - PhDJ SOSUEME DJs x MUM DJs OXFORD ARTS FACTORY

DOORS OPEN 7.30PM | 38-46 OXFORD ST, DARLINGHURST TICKETS: $25 + BF FROM WWW.MOSHTIX.COM.AU + DESIGNFORHUMANITY.COM

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Arts Snap

Film & Theatre Reviews

At the heart of the arts Where you went last week.

What's hot on the silver screen and the bareboards around town.

■ Theatre

THE GRENADE Until December 12 @ STC

sanpellegrino cafe society

PICS :: TL

The pieces of this puzzle are good.

Tony McNamara is an accomplished playwright with many successes behind him, and the same can be said of wellseasoned director Peter Evans. Gary McDonald, one of our finest actors, is in the lead, with exciting younger talent all around him. The subject matter - political lobbyists - is brimming with satire potential.

Unfortunately, the pieces fail to come together, and what is left is a mess of patchy performances and uneasy jokes.

08:11:10 :: Grantpirrie :: 86 George St Redfern 96999033

Busby McTavish (McDonald) is a political lobbyist. As the play opens, he arrives home with his wife (Belinda Bromilow) and daughter to find a grenade sitting in their lounge room. This sends him into a security frenzy. Once the grenade is deemed safe, he goes about bulletproofing the home. Compounding his paranoia is his wife’s new colleague, Randy Savage (Bert LaBonté) - an ex-serviceman/pornstar who now writes erotica novels - and fact that his daughter (Eloise Mignon) is beginning to wonder whether being able to recite French translations of Eisenhower speeches is ever going to get her laid.

The writing relies on boring stereotypes and the direction is caught somewhere between farce and melodrama. This makes it hard work for the actors, who all try very hard, for mostly meagre rewards.

The blatant misogyny is also unnerving: women are either booze-soaked and slutty ex-wives, or frigid nuns – and all ultimately wooed by Busby’s winning charm.

The play gets by on strong one-liners and the teenage couple (played by Eloise Mignon and Gig Clarke), who as well as being the most redeeming of the characters, also get the best moments of genuinely hilarious writing. There are times you can see what the play could have been, but as it winds to its spurious happy ending, you are simply left with what it is.

Henry Florence ■ Film

MACHETE

numskull

PICS :: AM

Released November 11

04:11:10 :: Lo-Fi Collective :: L3, 383 Bourke St Darlinghurst 93113100

Arts Exposed What's on our calendar...

ABOVE: Yes, that nun with a gun is Lindsay.

Kirin & ksubi presents

BIG IN JAPAN Tuesday November 16 Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park Building on the success of the Kirin ‘Big in Japan’ exhibition last year, ksubi are back in the curatorial seat for 2010, presenting an avant-garde selection of artists from all corners of Japan working across multiple mediums including performance, video, music, noise and installation. Kirin ‘Big in Japan’ Sydney takes place this Tuesday 16 November at The Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park – which suggests a veritable wonderland of poptastic goodness. The artist line-up this year includes music from instrumental krautrock girl group Nisennenmondai, and Kyoto’s Shabushabu (pictured left) and LakilakiwasMaho+ThaiDisco; fashion from acclaimed designer/artist Yoshikazu Yamagata (writtenafterwards), and sculptural surrealism from Yasushiro Suzuki… and heaps more. All the awesome deets at: www.biginjapan.com.au 44 :: BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10

Like Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez has built a career off his ability to channel B-grade and genre cinema into a clichéridden fusion that is nevertheless a unique voice. You know when you’re watching a Rodriguez film (unless, of course, it’s his family-friendly Spy Kids franchise): lashings of blood, babes and bandits, delivered with tongue-in-cheek B-movie sensationalism, and offset by a sense of humour – and the persistent sense that you could almost be watching something from the ‘70s heyday of blaxploitation, grindhouse, and midnight movies.

Rodriguez is, in fact, a modern proponent of the Mexploitation genre (most obviously through his debut El Mariachi) – and that’s where his latest film sits, genrewise. Born way back in 1995 on the set of Desperado, and revisited in a fake trailer Rodriguez created for his Planet Terror cinema release, Machete is a character custom-built for hulking Mexican action star

Danny Trejo: a badass former-Federale, who is more than handy with a knife (and any other weapon you put in his hands); a man large of stature but short on words, and big on honour. When he is set up by a nefarious clique of politicians, Texan border vigilantes and drug-smugglers, he sets out for bloody revenge – aided by the mysterious ‘Network’, who are dedicated to protecting Mexican immigrants.

It sounds kind of serious – until you add in the superfluous babes with their boobs out, Cheech Marin as a gun-totin’ Catholic padre, Lindsay Lohan in full nun get-up, Steven Seagal as a samurai-swordwielding South American druglord, fight scenes where our hero fights no-handed while eating a taco, and escapes that involve rappelling down a multi-storey building using someone else’s intestines.

And that’s before you even get to the dialogue, which includes such gems as "Machete no text" and "You ever notice how you just let a Mexican carrying gardening tools into your house? I mean, he could be carrying a machete, anything…"

Machete should be playing midnight sessions, because it’s a true Midnight Movie - a R-Rated slice of genre goodness that is made to be laughed, cheered, and even yelled at. Wince at the graphic violence, laugh at the cheesy B-grade effects, wolf whistle as Machete (pronounced ma-CHET-eh – sexy!) ambles his way through a series of unlikely sexual encounters, with a smokin’ hot bandita (Michelle Rodriquez), twin nurses, and a bored Texan housewife… before finding true love with a smart-but-sexy ICE officer (Jessica Alba). Just whatever you do, don’t take it seriously.

Dee Jefferson ■ Theatre

THE BOUGAINVILLE PHOTOPLAY PROJECT Until November 29, Belvoir St version 1.0 are masters of verbatim theatre. Whether it be the words of politicians or lawyers, this company skilfully weaves them into exciting performances.

Here, the voice is that of Paul Dwyer, an academic from Sydney University; the story he tells is about Bougainville, a region of Papua New Guinea.

Written and performed by Dwyer, The Bougainville Photoplay Project starts with his work as an academic. The first thing we learn is that he is interested in carrying out ethnographic research into reconciliation in Bougainville. However, Dwyer’s more personal connection to the place soon emerges and we discover that his father, a groundbreaking orthopaedic surgeon, had travelled to the region on several occasions doing pro bono medical work in remote communities. Out of this story arises the most compelling story of all: Bougainville’s resistance to the stealing of its land for mining purposes, and Australia’s role in funding the Papua New Guinea Defence Force’s attempts to crush this resistance.

Between 15,000 and 20,000 people were killed as a result of the conflict.

Dwyer is charming and disarming. His natural charisma draws you into the world of his stories and creates a positive atmosphere of trust in the theatre. The audience is in the palm of his hand as he moves between travel stories and explanations of his father’s breakthrough surgical techniques, leaving you completely open to absorbing the horrible realities of the Bougainville conflict.

David William’s direction is pitch perfect, with the piece ebbing and flowing between Dwyer’s personal connections to Bougainville and the frightening realities of the conflict. Sean Bacon’s video work is well measured, and provides a wonderful backdrop to the broader narrative.

This is compelling, innovative, heartwrenching theatre.

Henry Florence

See www.thebrag.com for more arts reviews

DVD Reviews What's been on our TV screens this week Serious Face versus Silly Face: you decide (we can't).

FAREWELL

GET HIM TO THE GREEK

Hopscotch Home Ent. Released November 18 Christian Carion’s (Joyeux Noël) L’affaire Farewell grabs you by the throat in its first frames, with a killer premise: this is a film based on real life events that lead to the fall of the Soviet Bloc, putting an end to a world dominated by the Cold War. The year is 1981, and the location is Moscow.

Young engineer Pierre Froment (French heartthrob Guillaume Canet) has been relegated to this unenviable post by his company. He lives in relative comfort with his wife and children – as comfortable as one can be in a society of informants, where your maid is spying on you. As the film opens, Pierre has agreed to do a favour for his boss: take his place in a handover of ‘important documents’ with a Soviet official, Sergei Gregoriev (Serbian director Emir Kusturica). Before he knows it, the engineer is in over his head, making frequent secret rendezvous, lying to his wife – and (perhaps most surprisingly), becoming friends with Gregoriev.

No effort has been spared, on any front: the script is a taut thriller with a devastating final punch; the length – 128 minutes – allows Carion to give the personal, political and mythic overtones of the story their fair due, and create a series of characters and situations that are tactile, interesting and compelling; the top-notch cast includes supporting roles for Willem Dafoe, Alexandra Maria Lara (Downfall) and Niels Arestrup (A Prophet) - and even a walk-on role for Diane Kruger; the soundtrack, unobtrusively powerful, is fine-tuned by Clint Mansell (The Wrestler, Moon, Requiem for a Dream). The cumulative result is pure pleasure, from start to finish.

Dee Jefferson

Universal Home Ent. Released November 3 I love Judd Apatow’s films – by which I mean the broader family of films that bear either his directorial or producer’s imprint: 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Superbad, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Funny People. (Okay, so some I like more than others – and Year One is definitely consigned to hell.) What the films listed above have in common – apart from the same gene pool – is their general nice-guy, bromantic sentiments: sexual equality for women and men, people being honest and decent to each other, and dudes expressing their feelings. Wrapped up in a bunch of neurotic jokes about penises, pot and anal cavities.

Get Him To The Greek joins this stable.

Produced by Apatow and directed by Nicholas Stoller (Forgetting Sarah Marshall), it stars UK comedian Russell Brand (reprising the role of hypersexual rockstar Aldous Snow) and Jonah Hill, as Snow’s super-straight foil, Aaron. In Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Aldous was a recovering addict: sober for seven years, but still 150% rock star; in this next chapter, he’s completely fallen off the wagon, with a little help from his irresponsible paramour Jackie Q (Aussie actress Rose Byrne - who should do more comedy!) Aaron, a lowly record label employee (and #1 fanboy), is charged with getting the relapsed drug addict from London to a show at L.A.’s Greek Theatre, in just 72 hours. Shennanigans ensue.

Besides being hilarious – the opening scene alone, of Brand and Byrne performing the world’s most offensive video clip, ‘African Child’, is worth the admission price – this is a thoroughly charming, feelgood film about an unlikely bond that forms between two guys who both need and deserve a best friend.

Dee Jefferson

WWW.DUEDATEMOVIE.COM.AU Strong coarse language, drug use and sexual references

IN CINEMAS NOV 25

Street Level With Fafi (fafi.net)

F

rench artist Fafi hails from Toulouse originally, but is now based in Paris, from where she orchestrates a mini Fafi Empire, creating her own art and comics, and collaborating with brands like MAC, Sony and Adidas, and Parisian fashion mecca Colette.

She is best known for her cheeky, buxom Fafinettes, little minxes with attitude to spare, and the booty to match – making Fafi a perfect match for the CURVY project, a series of annual publications that celebrate the cream of the (female) creative crop from Australia and abroad. Fafi and Sarah Lerfel of Colette co-curated CURVY 7, which features work by 80 amazing ladies from around the world including Fafi faves Amandine Urruty, Christina Empedocles, Florence Deygas, Garance Doré, Genevieve Gauckler, Irina Dakeva, Alexandra Levasseur, Melissa Haslam, and Dyane De Sérigny.

The big news this year, however, is that CURVY now has a male countpart: MUSCLE UP - curated by Jeremyville and featuring 40 of the most exciting male creatives from around the world. To celebrate, CURVY are throwing down at their Sydney launch party this week, and have collaborated with Secret Wars to produce a 90-minute live art battle featuring CURVY gals Bridge Stehli, Deb and Bei Badgirl, and MUSCLE UP fellas Mike Watt, Houl and John Doe. So, Fafi: when did the art start for you?

I started painting in the street at 18-yearsold; I was making the wall from my parents at night. I was used to do that to go out to gay clubs, then seems like I was doing the same thing to paint on walls... Which is a way more cultural and risky way to see things.

My parents haven’t been supportive of my art until I started to have recognition. They were into such differents jobs and other expectations in life that it’s not surprising...

What is your training as an artist?

I am an autodidact, I was helped at the beginning for the first paintings on walls, especially for the scale and the type of painting I was using, but the whole process of creating - and changing support as soon as I was bored - is exactly what I am.

You’ve come along way, and built a colourful Fafi empire: who or what has shaped your development most?

Everbody around me always have been very supportive, but the critical point always came to me in my head. Most of the time people around you love what you do, and listening to them could easily draw you to always do the same thing - but I like to challenge myself, my imagination.

What tends to be the starting point for your work these days?

I invented the Carmine Vault, the world where the Fafinettes live, while I was taking a nap; I was bored with single pictures, and a dream helped me set up an entire universe.

What: CURVY 7 & MUSCLE UP - Launch When: Thursday November 18, 7pm Where: LO-FI / Lvl 3, 383 Bourke St, Taylor Sq More: curvy-world.com / wearelofi.com.au The CURVY exhibition runs from November 19–January 9 at The Galeries (500 George Street Sydney)... and it's FREE! BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10 :: 45

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

Pendulum photos by Ashley Mar

Pendulum

PENDULUM

BRIAN WILSON

I’ve been a massive fan of Pendulum since 2006, when I first listened to ‘Slam’ (from their 2005 debut album Hold Your Colour) on a train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai in Thailand’s North. I felt instantly intoxicated by that dark drum and bass as we hurtled through the jungle by night.

Ever since then, Pendulum held a special place on my mp3 player. Formed in 2002, the group was originally a drum and bass act consisting of Rob Swire (vocals, synthesiser, producer), Gareth McGrillen (bass guitar, DJ) and Paul Harding (DJ). In 2006 the group expanded their members with Peredur ap Gwynedd (guitar), Ben Mount (aka emcee Verse) and Paul Kodish on drums (until when he was replaced by Kevin Sawka in 2009 for reasons which remain unknown). Undoubtedly, Pendulum have evolved over time and we now see elements of rock and popular electronic meshed with their drum and bass roots to produce a sound that is entirely unique.

One of the unwritten rules of Murphy’s Law is that every time a Beach Boy comes to town, there is a deluge of torrential rain.

When Mike Love performed with Sydney Symphony recently, there was a storm of epic proportions. Tonight Love’s estranged cousin and former bandmate, Brian Wilson, has also attracted the wrath of Thor, the God of Thunder.

The Hordern Pavilion Friday November 5

Enmore Theatre Friday November 5

By 9.15pm the Hordern is rammo, and set to go off like a firecracker. Despite the allages crowd specs and hordes of shirtless, sweaty young men, there's an electric buzz in the room. The amount of energy coming from Pendulum’s live performance is simply astounding, with guitarists, drums, synthesiser, vocals, DJ, and more than ten computers mixing up the sound from the instruments in real time. The set delivers a great diversity of tracks from their three albums. Old school Hold Your Colour highlights like ‘Slam’ and ‘Tarantula’ tear the floor apart, with emcee Verse doing a great job of holding the latter together.

The lighting and effects, meanwhile, are a mind-blowing accompaniment for the big bad synth-led drum and bass classics that just keep on rolling. My personal highlight is ‘Propane Nightmares’ (In Silico), an epic dance/rock fusion that exemplifies how Pendulum have evolved musically.

‘Witchcraft’, off their 2010 album Immersion, is easily the crowd-pleaser of the night; a close runner up is the encore - the ABC theme remix; a great way to close, that leaves the crowd begging for more.

Of course, this is entirely appropriate when you consider the career trajectory of The Beach Boys. Wilson may be responsible for some of the happiest, sunniest party music in pop history, but his personal life has been ravaged by tragedy and heartbreak. Parental abuse, drug addiction, divorce, brainwashing psychiatrists, financial meltdown, untimely family deaths, mental illness; Wilson has seen it all.

It’s no surprise then that a live Brian Wilson performance is bittersweet. It’s wonderful to see a living legend in the flesh. It’s wonderful to watch him conquer decades of stage fright. It’s wonderful to hear him backed by an outrageously talented band who can do justice to his wonderful back catalogue of songs. But it’s also sad to see a once-great performer reduced to reading lyrics from an autocue. It’s sad to hear his once-great falsetto crumple into a breathless murmur.

And it’s sad to see this once-great composer hit occasional bum notes and often forget to sing into his mic.

Fortunately, his band and his audience are happy to make allowances. Just like Wilson’s music, this show is proof that love, surf and song can conquer all. Maybe it’s the sevenpart harmonies of ‘Surfer Girl’, maybe it’s the symphonic genius of ‘Heroes & Villains’, or maybe it’s the succession of three minute pop masterpieces, but by the time we leave the Enmore, something magical has happened: the rain clouds have been spirited away.

Andy McLean

CROWDED HOUSE

James Kelly Pendulum

Hordern Pavilion Saturday November 6

It’s hard to overestimate just how huge Crowded House were at the height of their powers. They left, in the wake of their 1996 dissolution, two of perhaps the most perfect ANZAC pop records ever: Woodface and Together Alone. In 1985 they assailed the world’s charts with the irresistible, sentimental and weepy, ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’. A quarter of a million people turned out to see their farewell gig on the steps of the Opera House. Paul McCartney once said of Split Enz that Finn crafted the best melodies of anyone working in pop since The Beatles. So their legacy was cemented long before their resurrection.

Because I was an anachronistic teenager, I loved Crowded House growing up. I didn’t, of course, fully comprehend at the time what Neil Finn was talking about in so many of his songs, which dealt with the sometimes mundane realities of domestic life (‘Dinner’s on the table and the dinner’s cold’; or ‘You’ve seen me at my worst and it won’t be the last time I’m down there’) and which

46 :: BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10

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

he wrought for all the often picaresque loveliness they were worth. As someone raised on The Beatles, Elton John and The Byrds, it was the melodies that caught my imagination and embedded themselves in my memory, sidling in among those others.

Listening to Crowded House now, those words mean a lot more to me. When I close my eyes I see a backyard in afternoon light, washing on the line, the sun reflected on the water in Sydney Harbour, warm nights in my bed as a kid with the window open onto the city. ‘Sun shines on the black clouds hanging over the Domain’. Suffice to say, when I saw these songs of my childhood/adolescence played live this past weekend (hit after hit after hit after hit), I was sometimes washed over by a wave of nostalgia so strong I thought I might cry.

But something is off, of course; Crowded House going on without Paul Hester sort of breaks my heart. His playing, which always amplified the simple, was the literal heartbeat of the band; it was where the push-and-pull feel that drew you into those melodies came from. New drummer Matt Sherrod does a completely admirable job of filling some enormous shoes, but his style is showy, and the band way more jazzy than they were, often careening off into extended space jams where none existed before. They sound, however, fantastic - and like they’re having a terrific time. Neil Finn, like Bruce Springsteen, appears to age at about onefifth of the speed of everyone else, and hits a mean and perfect falsetto, even now.

This is the only time I’ve seen Crowded House. For some reason, at the time, I felt that the night of the ‘Farewell to the World’ show was better spent passed out drunk in the Domain - it’s up there with my big regrets (alongside turning down an interview with Lemmy, by mistake). On balance, I think I’m glad I saw them - but if you were there when it was really happening, you’d be safe in the knowledge that you’d seen something truly remarkable.

Elmo Keep

INSTITUT POLAIRE, CAMERAS 34b, The Exchange Hotel Friday November 5

With Spectrum undergoing renovations on its vertical surfaces or something (?), tonight’s gig was shifted next door, to the decidedly horizontal 34b. Climbing those endless stairs – I can’t work out whether they’re longer going up or down, not to mention drunk or sober – to the opening strains of Cameras’ excellent ‘Polarise’, I enter the room to find everyone in a straight line with their backs pressed desperately against the bar like their innocence depends on it. There was way more atmosphere in the stairwell; I consider going back in for a moment. Cameras are doing their level best, however, and seem to win over more than a few of the nodders by the end of their set – it’s hard not to get caught up in their rumbling, dark pop.

Institut Polaire have been around long enough that you could almost call them veterans – except they just released their debut LP, which they are launching tonight.

I’m sure they would have liked to see a few more faces in the crowd, but said crowd are friendly and appreciative. It’s always nice to see more than the single token lady in a band, though the five lads and two girls look a bit squished on the tiny – well, it’s more a podium than a stage, really. But they trundle adorably through most of the songs on Make Your Own Mayflower, as well as a new number.

It’s pleasant enough, but the rest of the set is thrown into sharp relief when they close with a ripping ‘To New Holland’. It starts off with a lilting verse-chorus-verse pattern, before breaking out with an acoustic rock’n’roll barrage of fun that takes them from neutral gear to 'Neutral Milk Hotel'. It’s good on the record, but really excellent live. Sadly, more than exciting the senses it just begs the question: when they can set their lovely folkpop ablaze with a song like that – complex, accessible, energetic and just about perfect – why bother with all the niceness? I’d love to see them use this tour cycle to give their sound a bit of a kick in the pants.

SIDESHOW WEDNESDAYS

9?6C>B6AH

Caitlin Welsh

THE NAKED & FAMOUS, ALPINE, FISHING Oxford Art Factory Friday November 5

I had to rush outta BRAG last Friday night to get to Oxford Art Factory in time for Fishing’s set - and it was worth the hurry. Fishing is comprised of just two Sydney dudes who you may know from such popular bands as We Say Bamboulee, and… Well yeah, just that band. They stand cool as cucumbers at their synthesisers and deliver layered, groovy electronics at the passive crowd who are still slowly filing in.

Next on is the new six-piece Alpine, who crowd the stage with instruments and bodies and get set to win over our collective hearts.

The amiable and energetic Melburnians serve us slice after slice of music; sometimes atmospheric, sometimes catchy, and always pleasant. The crowd warms to Alpine and by the time they’re playing ‘Heartlove’, they’ve got us hook, line and sinker.

There’s a positive buzz which crescendos into a dull roar when The Naked & Famous fend through the smoke machines and make their way onstage. They’ve amassed quite a following in Sydney – hence the sold out show – and their appreciation is plastered all over their Kiwi faces; gleeful smiles ahoy! Their energy is in sync with the audience’s from the first note played, and when their hit ‘Punching In A Dream’ begins, crowd and band turn it up a notch, and the shaky walls of OAF can hardly contain the dance of collective excitement. The band’s stage banter is limited and awkward; but as they stumble through thuck New Zillund eck-santted thank yous, it endears them to the smiling Sydney crowd. At one point the hoard of blokes up the front start chanting “LISA, LISA, LISA” adoringly at the lead singer, prompting the guitarist to demurely correct them: “It’s Alisa, like Lisa, with an A…two As…one at the front and one at the end.”

The energy is bouncing throughout the whole set, even during more placid and sedate numbers like ‘The Sun’, with its brooding, swelling industrial rock. But when the synthesiser intro to the flagship ‘Young Blood’ begins, the band and audience reunite in their dance and smiles; soaring electro pop is when the band is at its best.

Enigmatic and cute-as, lead singer Alisa Xayalith revels in the high notes and the band plays with the kind of vigour that makes everyone in the place so damn fucking happy – you start wondering why it isn’t always this good, but you only have to listen to the first line of ‘Young Blood’ for the answer: 'We’re only young and naïve still.'

Rachitha Seneviratne

+ DOMEYKO/GONZALEZ + DAM RUMBLE

17TH NOVEMBER - 8PM PRESENTS

HORRORSHOW

+ SHANTAN WANTAN ICHIBAN + DJ ABILITY + MIKE WHO

FRIDAY 19TH NOVEMBER

COMING SOON MUSHU + MATTHEW BOOTH BAND + MARK BERRY + KATHRYN HARNETT 16TH NOV ABILITY + MIKE WHO 19TH NOV LOVE JAM 20TH NOV CHAINGANG + MYTH & TROPICS 24TH NOV JOHN STEEL SINGERS + DEEP SEA ARCADE 1ST DEC

Insitut Polaire

BRAG :: 388: 15:11:10 :: 47

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

ALBUM OF THE WEEK THE JIM JONES REVUE Burning Your House Down Punk Rock Blues/Liberation

The Jim Jones Revue promise to be the outstanding moment of the forthcoming Big Day Out. This is rock ’n’ roll as God always feared it would be.

Once upon a time, rock ’n’ roll was about rebellion.

It was about anti-establishment concepts wrapped up in obnoxious rhetoric and flung violently in the face of the self-serving institutions of normality and decency. When rock ’n’ roll took on a thin veneer of respectability, punk rock appeared to remind the masses that the most memorable art lives on the fringes of society, spitting and sneering at the dominant discourse. Decades later, and the cycle lives on: without regular injections of punk spirit, rock ’n’ roll is as flaccid as a Pat Boone Christmas album.

The Jim Jones Revue throw back to a time when rock ’n’ roll was the flag bearer for social insurrection.

Like Jerry Lee Lewis, The Jim Jones Revue play

CEE LO GREEN

ALPINE

The Ladykiller Warner Music

Zurich Ivy League

Before he was singing ‘Fox News’/’Fuck You’, Cee Lo Green was my favourite freak. A gigantic black dude who looked like the bouncer from your worst nightmares, with the voice of Al Green and Marvin Gaye in smooth honey cocktail… Cee Lo was an anomaly; a rap star with soul, an R&B champion with balls, and a crossover star care of Gnarls Barkley.

This album, short of a few select cuts, does not showcase anything but the sudden commercial interest in Green’s vocal ability - high time too, given he’s actually been in the game for nigh on a decade. The instrumentation is predictable as hell; Green stays in perfectly safe territory both lyrically and melodically the whole time. And I mean it honestly when I say that Guy Sebastian did this shtick way better with his last record.

So tambourine-driven neo-soul is in vogue once again, and Cee Lo has become its ambassador. ‘Fuck You’ is great, obviously, but the only other remarkable tune here is ‘Bright Lights Bigger City,’ which shamelessly lifts a bass line straight from ‘Billie Jean’. Otherwise it’s just mining the annals of The Supremes and The Temptations back catalogue, and presenting slick, soulless versions of classic soul. Processed drums, tight guitars; its like Amy Winehouse without the crazy. Cee Lo can do better than this - it’s likely a combination of label pressure and bad producers, because pair the guy with Dangermouse, Pharrell or Timbaland and he is on fire. Give me ‘I Heard It Through The Grapevine’ over this any day.

For those who don’t care about its vintage, The Ladykiller is pleasant enough. For me, it’s a step backwards.

Zurich is a cute little EP that shows a lot of promise. There’s apparently six people in this Melbourne outfit but there could just as easily be three; Alpine’s strength is in the mood they set and the pace at which they hit the ground running.

There’s a mish-mash of styles on display, from the icy electro propulsion of ‘Heartlove’ through to the almost Otouto-like ‘Icypoles’ - but even when they drop back to acoustic guitars and vocals, the musicality of this act is undeniable.

The chords are interesting, the melodies always teetering on the divide between neat and unhinged, with a tone that really sets it apart.

Breathy female singers are in vogue this year, but Louisa James and Phoebe Baker don’t do it in a way that makes you want to fall asleep. It helps that their jerky accompaniment is designed to snap even the deepest slumberers out of their reverie, and then stick in their head for ages - as with the fantastic ‘Too Safe’, my pick of the bunch here. All angular and stop-start, it’s a great tune - not the leading single, but it probably should be.

“I want to show you something that you’ve never seen,” Alpine's twin vocalists sing on 'Villagers'. It’s likely that we probably have seen this before - but for an inconspicuous five-song set that doesn’t claim to do anything other than entertain, that’s something I’ll ignore. If they focus on their strengths, which is in their harmonic material and evidently capable rhythm section, these guys will go a long way.

Any band that makes reference to icypoles wins points with me.

rock ’n’ roll with a view to moral corruption. This is fire and brimstone stuff; Jones is the showman and shaman in the pulpit, preaching the virtuous properties of rock ’n’ roll mania. Within the opening seconds of ‘Dishonest John’, Jim Jones has screamed himself hoarse, and you know redemption is just around the corner.

‘Burning Down Your House’ is replete with the whiskyladen spit and bile of Tom Waits stumbling drunk, deranged, depraved and deprived in a Memphis whorehouse, while ‘Elemental’ wanders out blearyeyed into the street and finds itself whisked away for a manic drive down the freeway with a speed-addled Little Richard. ‘Killin’ Spree’ is first degree murder in its coolest, most swaggering guise, and on ‘Righteous Wrong’, The Jim Jones Revue highlight the slippery contradiction between right and wrong.

Patrick Emery

WOLVES AT THE DOOR

Younger & Immature Modular

Wolves At The Door Shock Records On listening to Perth pair Wolves At The Door for the first time, it felt like I’d taken a long walk through the woods on an icy cold morning - only to realise my mapping skills had let me down and I’d ended up missing the waterfall.

After a couple more spins though, I found myself sitting at my desk for exponentially long periods of time… just listening.

There's something strangely hypnotic about their first release. Ash Hendriks and James Gates draw you into their intricate web of wintery complexities. Her voice reverberates like an echo, surrounds and wraps you up, as in ‘Warrior’; while his slithers along in tracks like ‘Slow Dancers,’ fading out into the ethers, accompanied by the occasional crash of hi tops.

While listening to both voices you could almost mistake one for the other, so entranced do you become by this foreign place that they seem to so effortlessly evoke. It’s so gentle that it’s almost completely elusive; but an overwhelming sense of despair still seems to eat through: “There is nothing better that you do / than tell me all your lies” (‘That You Do’).

The songs do have a strong tendency to merge into one long track - and hey, maybe that’s part of the charm.

But while hypnosis is all well and good, a hook every now and then wouldn’t go astray...

So what if you got lost and missed the waterfall? Take in the beauty of the woods instead...

Liz Brown

Jonno Seidler

Jonno Seidler

After a short absence from every nightclub’s ‘Midnight Bangers’ playlist, Muscles returns with a new EP, Younger & Immature. At first I confused the CD for a packet of Starburst – a frenzied splash of primary colours and bubble writing. The cover features a cartoon wolf sculling beer and riding a BMX while a bighorn sheep vomits psychedelic colours and holds onto the wolf from behind. After listening, it actually makes a lot of sense – this EP is just a massive clusterfuck of arbitrary neon bubbliness, a.k.a F-U-N. The first track 'Forever' could easily have found a space on Guns Babes Lemonade, but for most of Y&I, Muscles is exploring unchartered territory in his electro universe. Things pick up with lead single ‘Girl Crazy Go’, a dirty, stimulating party of Korg effects which promises to be that loosey-goosey song of the summer.

Muscles’ hallmark vocal style – a stifled shout – is a blessing but a curse: sure it’s unique, but three songs in and it becomes so irksome that it draws away from the music, and you start to feel like you’re listening to a drunk dude impersonating Brandon Flowers.

‘Beat The Rush’ channels the likes of Kraftwerk and Grafton Primary, and ‘Northern Beaches’ jumps along a bed of calypso synths and a tropical drumbeat. But even with sporadic deviations from his surefire bubblegum-rave-music template, the songs still fit the Muscles mould.

"I’m not goin’ to be around forever / So let’s enjoy it / While we can" - possibly a life epiphany, but the lyrics of 'Forever' also resonate with Muscles’ musical output.

It’s Happening Rice Is Nice Rarrr! Garage brats in your face!

Sydney’s Straight Arrows have spent months being hailed as the snotty voice of our fair city’s med-fi garage-punk scene. Their debut full-length (half an hour’s a full length when it’s eleven songs, you guys) loses a bit of the gobby aggression of early releases, in favour of this year’s de rigueur: slowed-down beachy goodtimes.

48 :: BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10

Fronted by Owen Penglis, personnel includes Circle Pit's Angela Bermuda on bass and guitarist Alex Grigg - last seen fronting Red Riders. He sounds happier and freer now than on, say, Replica Replica; the surfie riffs sprayed all over opener ‘Bad Temper’ are, like the rest of his work here, both technically great and super fun.

Only problem is this: I love the sound of shitty recordings as much as the next person who recently bought a release from a cassette-only label, but I literally can’t hear what Penglis is singing.

Would it have killed the vibe that much

All three members of this low-key supergroup are intelligent, talented songwriters, but before pressing play I was dreading the onslaught of unadulterated, industrialstrength earnestness that I assumed their powers combined would bring into being. Especially Ben Harper, who I adored in high school but whose well-meaning, Hendrix-wannabe, surfing-and-jazz-festivals granolagrunge schtick has held absolutely no appeal for me in recent years. (Live From Mars is still awesome.) And the name wasn’t helping, either. “Fistful Of Mercy”? Why not “Punching You With Peace”? “Heaven Is A Half-Nelson”?

“Hackysacktap”? [Take your pick.]

The result is a rustic blend of Harper’s Burn To Shine-era bluesrock gutsiness, Dhani “mini-George” Harrison’s spiritual-experimental side (and pop pedigree), and Joseph Arthur’s handsome, husky folk. It veers into the middle of the road on occasion, sure - but the combination of the three quite different voices keeps things interesting, and they’re all superb musicians. Instrumental highlight ‘30 Bones’ is a reverent and ragged little tumble of violins and acoustic scratching, the soundtrack to a pensive drive on a dark coast road.

All songs are credited to all three, but it’s impossible not to say to yourself “that’s a Harrison” a few times. It’s not just his voice (which, yes, is similar), or his acknowledgement of the “Yogis of the Himalayas” in the liner notes (naturally), but the harmonic folk of ‘In Vain Or True’ and the toy-piano trip of ‘Things Go 'Round’ which reminds us that his father was in a band that spent the best part of a decade both inventing and fucking with pop music.

Sure, it feels a tad unfinished - but for three well-meaning dudes in a room making nice guitar music, it’s a pretty good start.

Rachitha Seneviratne

Caitlin Welsh

to put him a little higher in the mix?

It’s up to each listener to decide whether it's acceptable (stoner-garage goodness recorded on the cheap) or not, but like anything released this year under a certain BPM, the mics sound like they were down the hall from the actual instruments. Personally, I'd like it even more if I could hear it better - but it thrashes happily between garage energy, punk apathy and this year’s hipster clambake noise regardless.

This is instantly likeable, and apparently face-melting live. Buy it on vinyl if you can.

Caitlin Welsh

As I Call You Down HOT Records/Inertia

It isn’t timeless, but he’s definitely having fun. And how can you hate that?

INDIE ALBUM OF THE WEEK STRAIGHT ARROWS

FISTFUL OF MERCY

MUSCLES

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

KYUSS - Blues For The Red Sun AVEY TARE - Down There THE ANTLERS - Hospice

HERMITUDE - Threads EMMA DAVIS - Emma Davis

BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10 :: 49

The Minor Chord The All Ages rant bought to you by Indent.net.au. By Eva Balog

Cloud Control

AMY MEREDITH 2.0 CLOUD CONTROL

Just announced: Cloud Control’s final hooray will be a mammoth music and arts festival at The Factory, and while they are appearing live, the band is curating the entire thing! Was I there in your future? will be the final show for the band for 2010 and is set to push the boundaries of psych, pop, 60s garage, drone and more, with each space of the Factory transformed into glimpses of the past and the future using film, art, dancing and‌ oh yeah, music. Each week a different band will be added to the bill, so we suggest you keep a fresh eye on the new Cloud Control website (cloudcontrolband. com) for the most up-to-date info. It’s not til December 18, and as the ever youthfaithful (and ARIA-nominated) band that they are, this cleverly-crafted event is allages. Bliss.

UNEARTHED RADIO

The Unearthed arm of triple j has recently re-launched a digital radio station for Aus Music Month, totally dedicated to yetto-be-discovered Australian music. Yep, nation-wide, people are streaming tunes and listening to a stack of young bands, as presented by triple j.

Due to the popularity and quick sell-out of the first Sydney show of their Restless tour, Amy Meredith have announced a second, all-ages show at The Factory theatre. The recent ARIA nominees return to fast-track their new single ‘Lying’ and debut album, Restless. Get yourself down to The Factory this Friday November 19.

GENERATIONEXT

generationext is a series of events held at and run by Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art for the purpose of getting people between the ages of 12 – 18 together for an evening of music, art, free food and mocktails! The upcoming installment (and final event for the year) is Sunday November 21, with solo musician Willow Jones performing an acoustic set on the night, and a costume theme of ‘film noir’ (tip: black and white!) This generationext event is FREE but you have to RSVP by 5pm Thursday November 18 to generationext@mca.com.au

GRAFFITI @ THE WALL Mind Over Matter

THIRSTY MERC

They have flown under the radar of late, but Thirsty Merc are rockin’ and ready to hit the road again this November to usher in the release of their new single, ‘Tommy & Krista’. Kicking off their tour in New South Wales, they’ll be at the Metro Theatre on Friday November 19. As one of Australia’s most loved and cherished bands, they are sure to hit the mark for their spring tour, keeping their ever-expanding fan base happy.

ALL AGES GIG PICKS FRIDAY NOVEMBER 19

28

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Thirsty Merc & special guests The Metro Theatre

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FRI

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FRIDAY NOVEMBER 19 Amy Meredith The Factory Theatre

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 21

Generation Next Museum of Contemporary Art

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 27

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Mind Over Matter, Phatchance, Coptic Soldier, Johnny Utah, Daily Meds, Elements, Crew Dseeva and DJ Scka Billy B. The Wall, Leichardt

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SATURDAY DECEMBER 18

Cloud Control presents Was I there in your future?

The Factory Theatre

If hip hop is more your style, Graffiti at the Wall is an independently run, all-ages hip hop festival. Your eyes and ears will be in for a treat with showcases of music, freestyle battles and street art. Headlining the festival are Mind Over Matter, joined by aussie hip-hop acts Phatchance, Coptic Soldier, Johnny Utah, Daily Meds, Electric Elements Crew, Dseeva and DJ Scka Billy B. It’s down at the Wall in Leichhardt on Saturday November 27.

That just about wraps it up for this week, but do remember to tune in to FBi Radio 94.5fm each Wednesday at 5pm to hear about some all-ages picks from the team at The Minor Chord.

You can also email us at theminorchordradio@gmail.com if you have any info on all-ages events, be they musical, artistic or of any other all-ages vein...

Send pics, listings and any info to minorchords@thebrag.com 50 :: BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10

SATURDAY NOVEMBER

Remedy More than The Cure since 1989 with Murray Engleheart

OK, a punk history pop quiz: hands up who remembers Californian Governor Jerry Brown - the man immortalised in the Dead Kennedys’ ‘California Über Alles’? Well, he’s been re-elected once again in the US mid terms.

The X-Pensive Winos

ministry of sound ANNUAL 2010 album launch

RIP JAMES FREUD

VINTAGE VINOS

That ridiculously-long-awaited reissue of My Bloody Valentine’s sonic masterpiece Loveless as a double-disc (with a previously unreleased version of the landmark recording) is now available for pre-order at Amazon UK. The release date is January 24, 2011. But then, we’ve seen release dates on this one for several years now.

The strongest, most heartfelt embers of The Stones’ recordings for the past two decades has been the ‘Keef’ track on each album – so a new compilation of recordings by his late-eighties to early-nineties side project, The X-Pensive Winos, is something worth getting outta bed for.

Titled Vintage Vinos (yeah, we wondered if that was a typo too) it’s a 'best of' from his Talk Is Cheap, Live at The Hollywood Palladium (with the great man’s killer opening line, “Great to be here. Great to be anywhere”) and Main Offender albums, which are said to be deleted (but we found to be readily available on-line). Anyways, the Vinos’ collection includes an acoustic song called ‘Hurricane’ that was previously only available to those who forked out for the Hurricane Katrina relief operation. Oh, and if you can find and afford it, grab the DVD of the 1988 Palladium show. It’s killer and much longer, and thus more Keefaction-packed than its audio counterpart.

SAME SEX VEGAN

JOY DIVISION

VALE KLONDIKE

Former Hitmen (and now Hoodoo Guru) guitar-God Brad Shepherd was among the special guests at the Hitmen’s final show with Chris Klondike, which took place at Jets Sports Club at Tempe last Saturday.

LOVELESS REISSUE

Watch out for a threatened new extreme noise outfit called The Same Sex Vegan Speed Double Dating Society, comprised of various members of a number of known noisenik acts dating right back to the eighties.

MARYLAND DEATHFEST

It’s a while off yet (why is everything six months away these days?) but Neurosis are the big hitters at May’s Maryland Deathfest in Baltimore, with a huge bill that includes Corrosion Of Conformity, Goatsnake, Death Breath, Doom, Impaled Nazarene and Voivod. They’re also part of ATP’s Nightmare Before Christmas in the UK in December, which is being curated by Godspeed You! Black Emperor. In the interim, the band’s reissue program continues with 1993’s Souls At Zero due for a re-unveiling in the new year.

Just in time for Christmas, comes (among other things) a box of ten seven-inch Joy Division singles, including some exclusive to this package. It’s out in December and titled +- (hope that’s not a techno glitch or a typo). Only 5000 copies have been made too – so giddy up!

ROADBURN FESTIVAL

The bill for Holland’s Roadburn festival in April continues to expand with NYC acid-freaks White Hills and legendary violence and grimcore mob, the reformed Buzzov*en (although they’re down to just one original member: guitarist and vocalist, Kirk Fisher).

SCORE A FREE DRINK!!

wear a bikini, hawaiian shirt, boardies or leis

duck sauce BARBARA STREISAND album launch

LIVE BANDS

The Models’ February tour with The Reels’ Dave Mason (who was to be performing the Quasimodo’s Dream album) has been cancelled after the tragic passing of James Freud. We didn’t know and never even met the man, but apparently he was a real sweetheart. The whole rock ‘n’ roll circus is all fun, games and craziness until someone gets seriously hurt or dies, isn’t it?

Beach Party 20th

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FREE ENTRY $4 BEFORE 9.30PM

TIL 11PM

DRINKS

JERRY BROWN

FREE MEMBERSHIPS AT T H E D O O R

cee lo green album launch

FREE ENTRY WITH SUMMERBEATS WRISTBAND

ST JAMES HOTEL 114 CASTLEREAGH ST, CITY

THESIS TOPIC FOR THE WEEK:

The ARIAs are now like Neighbours: The Musical. Discuss.

ON THE TURNTABLE On the Remedy turntable is Earth’s newie, A Bureaucratic Desire for Extra-Capsular Extraction – which actually dates back to October 1990, when the band consisted of Dylan Carlson on guitar, and bass players Dave Harwell and later-to-be-a-Melvin Joe Preston, plus a drum machine. They recorded a full album, but only one single made it out on Sub Pop in 1991, with much of the remainder spread over various other releases. This, however, is the real and complete primordial-slime-drone deal. Our fave is (of course) the 18-minute-plus anthem for brontosauruses mating, ‘Ouroboros Is Broken’ (complete with some serious gong belting going on). They subsequently totally rewrote the Earth book with Earth 2: Special Low-Frequency Version, with its sheets of metal ambience sound, which was bigger, yet at the same time more minimal. But this is where it all began. Arse about face, but still fascinating. Also spinning is the Paul Butterfield Blues Band’s killer 1966 effort East West, with guitarists Mike Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop firing away from separate corners in a manner than would influence many in the years to come, over and above just playing a straight bat of homage to Chicago blues.

TOUR AND INDUSTRY NEWS There’s some killer Big Day Out sideshows happening, but alas nothing by The Stooges. At least not yet. What we do have is the Deftones at the Roundhouse on January 28, Primal Scream doing the Screamadelica slab in its entirety at the Metro on January 29, and biggest and best of all (as far as we’re concerned) the mighty Jim Jones Revue at the Metro on January 25.

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion haven’t graced our shores since 2005, but in the new year they return in a big way. On January 12 they’ll be part of the Sydney Festival at Becks Bar, with the Super Wild Horses. Tickets on sale now. In Melbourne

– and sadly just in Melbourne – they’ll be performing the Orange slab in its entirety.

Sniff…sob…

The Baddies are doing their last show for 2010 on November 21 at the Botany View Hotel in Newtown for free from 6.30 – 10pm. T-shirts and CDs will on sale. www.myspace.com/the_baddies Golden Plains Festival number 5 is on from March 12-14 at the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre, with a bill that includes the mighty Hawkwind, in only their second Oz visit in their 40 year career, The Clean, Airbourne, The Cosmic Psychos and plenty more. www.goldenplains.com.au

Send stuff for this column to remedy@ozemail.com.au by 6pm Wednesdays. All pics to art@thebrag please. www.myspace.com/remedy4rock BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10 :: 51

aria awards 2010 wrap up by steph harmon

ARIA (@ARIA_Official): We would like to thank all of you for the feedback, whether good or bad, about the 2010 #ARIAs. All comments are being read & noted.

ARIA AWKWARDS

I

f you didn’t know already, the ARIA Awards weren’t so great this year.

Also, you should get on Twitter already.

The main fault lies with the format change. Setting the event outside the Opera House, the crowd, presenters and VIPs were deprived of both seats and a focal point - be it a singular host or, you know, a podium. Chaos ensued, and as the camera weaved dizzily through the throng, only one thing was certain: the attendees weren’t holding back from the bar. Marieke Hardy summed up the resulting vibe as “Countdown Revolution meets Schoolies Week”. And in true Marieke Hardy form, she was spot on.

Myles Barlow (@ MylesBarlow): It would be a lot more entertaining if those microphones were actually high powered torches. #arias

Sure, there were a few happy moments: Meg Washington’s show-stealing, Monroe-esque rendition of ‘Sunday Best’ scored high points, with dancers, piano-tops and peacock-feather-cloaked costume changes; as did Sia’s acceptance speech (“This is one heavy metal present; it’s going to hurt when I put it up my bum later.”) And of the multitudes of poorly-chosen hosts (Lara Bingle? Carmen Electra? Ronan Keating? …Really?), getting Independent MP Bob Katter to present the Best Indie Release with The Chaser guys was pretty cute - even cuter when he accidentally called it an "ARARIA".

Tom Ballard (@TomCBallard): I lost my sunglasses at the #ARIAs last night.

Oh and also my respect for a lot of people.

CATCALL (@catcallmusic): between #qanda and the #arias I am in a shame spiral

Unfortunately though, the 2010 ARIAs will be remembered more for their awkwardness, and for their epic bungles. Like Jessica Mauboy’s muchreported mispronunciation of ‘debut’ as ‘de-butt’, before she re-titled Tame Impala's album "Innerspeak"… Twice. Or Angus ‘But These ARE My Nice Pants’ Stone and his sister Julia looking completely blazed blasé, as they thanked their cat and dog. Or Steve Kilbey talking on and on and on and on and on and on...

Chaotic camera work, drunk VIPs, in-joke speeches and mostly-awful segues leant the thing a watching-the-party-from-a-window kind of vibe Jason Treuen from The Music Network wrote, “It felt like the awards and the afterparty had started at the same time, and the afterparty was winning.”

Pity that the measly 64k who were watching on TV weren’t invited...

WHO WON WHAT?

Eddie Perfect (@ Eddieperfect): Jess Mauboy’s error could easily have been avoided. She made it in rehearsal. Terrible no-one corrected her. #ARIAs

Phil Jamieson (@philjamieson): saw dan sultan. he looked Everett handsome.

True (@everetttrue): Illegal downloading isn’t killing music. Award ceremonies are! #ARIAs

Serena Leith (@leithballs): WIN (Megan Washington - to idiot journalist asking why she’s not wearing her glasses) ‘is this an actual press question?’ #arias #washington

OUR LOVELY PHOTOGRAPHER

52 :: BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10

: ASHLEY MAR

Scott Dooley (@scottdools): I kind of wish I was at the ARIA’s.

Playing “Who’s taken coke?” doesn’t work with Junior Masterchef.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR Angus & Julia Stone: Down The Way Nominees: Birds of Tokyo: Birds Of Tokyo Sia: We Are Born Tame Impala: Innerspeaker Washington: I Believe You Liar SINGLE OF THE YEAR Angus & Julia Stone: ‘Big Jet Plane’ Nominees: Birds of Tokyo: ‘Plans Sia: ‘Clap Your Hands’ The Temper Trap: ‘Love Lost’ Washington: ‘How To Tame Lions’ BEST MALE Dan Sultan Nominees: Dan Kelly, Guy Sebastian, John Butler, Paul Dempsey

Ronan Keating (@ ronanofficial): Cannot believe Guy did not get at least 3 Awards at Aria’s last night. Industry folk are a joke. Guy is best artist in the country.

Annabel Crabb (@annabelcrabb): “Even Ronan Keating looked embarrassed, and he was in Boyzone”... @mariekehardy on TOP form re ARIAs

BEST FEMALE Washington Nominees: Clare Bowditch, Kylie Minogue, Lisa Mitchell, Sia BEST GROUP The Temper Trap Nominees: Angus and Julia Stone, Birds of Tokyo, Tame Impala, Powderfinger BEST INDEPENDENT RELEASE Sia: We Are Born Nominees: Art vs. Science: Magic Fountain Dan Sultan: Get Out While You Can Eddy Current Suppression Ring: Rush To Relax

Richard Kingsmill (@ triplejtheking): I predict Temper Trap will win an ARIA in 2011 for Sweet Disposition. Maybe “Best single across 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011”.

BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST Washington: I Believe You Liar Nominees: Amy Meredith: Restless Cloud Control: Bliss Release

Philadelphia Grand Jury: Hope Is For Hopers Tame Impala: Innerspeaker

VOTED BY THE PUBLIC

MOST POPULAR AUSTRALIAN SINGLE The Temper Trap: ‘Love Lost’ MOST POPULAR AUSTRALIAN ALBUM Powderfinger: Golden Rule MOST POPULAR AUSTRALIAN ARTIST Powderfinger: Golden Rule MOST POPULAR INTERNATIONAL ARTIST Mumford & Sons: Sigh No More

GENRE AWARDS

BEST ADULT ALTERNATIVE ALBUM Angus & Julia Stone: Down The Way Nominees: Basement Birds, Clare Bowditch, The Cat Empire, Washington, Whitley BEST BLUES & ROOTS ALBUM Dan Sultan: Get Out While You Can Nominees: Ash Grunwald, Jeff Lang, John Butler Trio, The Wilson Pickers BEST HARD ROCK/ HEAVY METAL ALBUM Parkway Drive: Deep Blue Nominees: Airbourne, Dead Letter Circus, The Amity Affliction, Violent Soho BEST URBAN ALBUM M-Phazes: Good Gracious Nominees: Bliss N Eso, Lowrider, Space Invadas, Urthboy BEST DANCE RELEASE Yolanda Be Cool and

Dcup: We No Speak Americano Nominees: Art vs Science, Miami Horror, Midnight Juggernauts, Pendulum BEST POP RELEASE Sia: We Are Born Nominees: Bluejuice, Empire of the Sun, Guy Sebastian, Kylie Minogue BEST ROCK ALBUM Birds of Tokyo: Birds Of Tokyo Nominees: Cloud Control, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Powderfinger, Tame Impala BEST ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM Crowded House: Intriguer BEST CHILDREN'S ALBUM The Wiggles: Let’s Eat! BEST ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK/CAST/ SHOW ALBUM Various: Before Too Long: Triple J’s Tribute To Paul Kelly BEST MUSIC DVD Various: Sound Relief BEST WORLD MUSIC ALBUM Mamadou Diabate, Bobby Singh & Jeff Lang: Djan Djan BEST JAZZ ALBUM James Morrison & The Idea Of North: Feels Like Spring BEST COMEDY RELEASE Andrew Hansen, Chris Taylor & Craig Schuftan: The Blow Parade BEST CLASSICAL ALBUM Paul Dyer and Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: Tapas – Tastes Of The Baroque BEST COUNTRY ALBUM The McClymonts: Wrapped Up Good

BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10 :: 53

snap sn ap

we say bamboulee

04:11:10

:: GOODGOD :: 55 Liverpool St. Sydney 92673787

wormwood

:: Botanical Gardens:: Sydney Opera House 92471666

PICS :: TT

itunes live feat sia

PICS :: AM

04:11:10

PICS :: TT

up all night out all week . . .

04:11:10 :: Melt :: 12 Kellett St, Kings Cross 93806060

drawn from bees

PICS :: SB

oh ye denver birds

PICS :: AM

04:11:10 :: The Loft :: UTS Tower Building No. 1, Broadway 95141633

05:11:10 :: Melt :: 12 Kellett St, Kings Cross 93806060

Sally Seltmann

party profile

It’s called: An All Star Line Up!

It sounds like: Sunshine. David Lynch films. Radio classics. And a little bit of vamp.

Acts: Sally Seltmann (formerly New Buffalo), Oh Mercy & Jessica Says.

Three songs you’ll hear on the night: ‘Harmony to My Heartbeat’ by Sally, ‘Keith St’ by Oh Mercy, ‘World Without Men’ by Jessica Says.

And one you definitely won’t: Anything is possible.

Sell it to us: Sally has left her New Buffalo persona behind and is quickly gathering a reputation as a true pop contender. She will be performing songs from her newest record, Heart That’s Pounding, which has been called “a career-defining album”. Oh Mercy and Jessica Says provide more than able support, and will make this an amazing night of music.

The bit we’ll remember in the AM: The harmonies will be floating in your brain for days.

Crowd specs: Warm and fuzzy and full of love…

Wallet damage: $18-25.

fake wars

PICS :: TT

Where/When: The Factory Theatre (Enmore) on Saturday November 20; The Brass Monkey (Cronulla) on Sunday November 21.

04:11:10 :: Annandale Hotel :: 17 Paramatta Rd Annandale 95501078 54 :: BRAG :: 387 :: 08:11:10

) :: ASH LEY MAR :: TOM S : TIM LEV Y (HEA D HON CHO OUR LOV ELY PHOTOG RAP HER IEL MUN NS TRA MON TE :: SUSAN BUI :: DAN

GILGAMESH I=: 9:7JI 6A7JB DJI CDL ;:6IJG:H I=: HDC<H Jona Vark / Time To Wander / The Piper’s Song

IDJG>C< I=>H HJBB:G DC I=: 7>< 96N DJI ;:HI>K6A lll#\nehnVcYi]ZXVi#Xdb#Vj lll#bnheVXZ#Xdb$\nehnVcYi]ZXVi lll#[VXZWdd`#Xdb$\nehnVcYi]ZXVi

BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10 :: 55

snap sn ap

randa khamis

:: Botanical Gardens:: Sydney Opera House 92471666

PICS :: AM

05:11:10

spookyland

pendulum

PICS :: AM

06:11:10

05:11:10 :: Hordern Pavilion :: 1 Driver Ave Moore Park 93834000

:: Tonic Lounge :: 62 Kettet St. Kings X 83541544

:: Sandringham Hotel :: 387 King St Newtown 95571254

the basics

PICS :: TL

itunes live feat angus and julia stone

PICS :: AM

06:11:10

PICS :: TT

up all night out all week . . .

party profile

06:11:10 :: Oxford Art Factory :: 38-46 Oxford st, Darlinghurst 93323711

SOSUEME's End Of Uni Party

It sounds like: Skewl’s out!

DJs/Live acts playing: Live: The Tourist (EP launch), The Deer Republic, The Preachers, Boats Of Berlin, Rainbow Chan. DJs: Alison Wonderland, Mailer Daemon, Erectro.

Sell it to us: Exams have finished! It’s time to gather the troops and declare an all-out liquid assault on your body... Sydney Uni Band comp finalists (and all-round nice guys) The Tourist will be headlining AND launching their brand spanking new EP. This will be their last show for a little while so make sure you get down to see them play! Add four other bands, three DJs, cheap drinks all night and group discounts for entry, and you’ve got yourself a no-brainer.

The bit we’ll remember in the AM: That five-band orgy you were just a part of.

Wallet damage: $10 students / $15 everyone else Where: The Gaelic / 64 Devonshire St, Surry Hills.

powderfinger

PICS ::AM

When: Saturday November 20, 8pm.

06:11:10 :: Acer Arena :: Olympic Boulevard Sydney Olympic Park 87654321 56 :: BRAG :: 387 :: 08:11:10

) :: ASH LEY MAR :: TOM S : TIM LEV Y (HEA D HON CHO OUR LOV ELY PHOTOG RAP HER IEL MUN NS DAN :: TRA MON TE :: SUSAN BUI

9pm

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 19TH

OWL EYES EP LAUNCH

NEW NAVY/ADRIAN DEUTSCH

9pm

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 20TH

KONTRAST

PRESENTS SIMON CALDWELL/KAZ TUPAEA/TOMYUM

8pm

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 25TH

NATURAL SELECTION KNIEVEL/WORLD CHAMPION COMMUNITY RADIO

9pm

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 26TH

CHEMIST EP LAUNCH SLOW DOWN HONEY THE DEER REPUBLIC

THURSDAY DECEMBER 9TH

KOOLISM

BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10 :: 57

g g guide gig g

send your listings to : gigguide@thebrag.com

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 20

pick of the week

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 17 ROCK & POP

Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Sydney

Harbourlife: The Temper Trap, Metronomy (UK), Yacht Club DJs, Knightlife $130 (+ bf) 2pm MONDAY NOVEMBER 15

Songwriter Sessions@Excelsior Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills free 7.30pm

COUNTRY

ROCK & POP Bernie The Observer Hotel, The Rocks free 8.30pm Carribean Soul Paddy Maguires, Haymarket free 8.30pm Derkajam Downstairs, Sandringham Hotel, Newtown free 8pm Mandi Jarry Coogee Bay Hotel, Beach Bar free 9pm Manic Street Preachers (Wales) Metro Theatre, Sydney $69.90 (+ bf) 8pm

JAZZ Ian Date 505 Club, Surry Hills $10 8.30pm Open Mic & Jazz/Latin Jam Session: Daniel Falero, Pierre Della Putta, Phil Taig, Rinske Geerlings, Ed Rapo Bar Me, Potts Point free 7pm

ACOUSTIC/FOLK Songsalive!: Massimo Presti, April Sky, Helmut Uhlmann and guests Kellys On King, Newtown free 7pm Songsalive: Natasha-Eloise Andrade, Manger, Rani’s Fire, Sam Newton, Sam Jones The Basement, Circular Quay $12 (+ bf)–$15 (at door) 8.30pm Songsalive!: Under the Purple Tree and guests Springwood Sports Club free 7.30pm

Camden Valley Country Music Club Hope Christian School, Narellan free 7pm

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 16 ROCK & POP Adam Pringle Downstairs, Sandringham Hotel, Newtown free 8pm Aston Raval, Surry Hills $15 (presale) 8pm Crowded House, Oh Mercy WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong $89.90 7pm Embrace Tokio Hotel, Darling Harbour free 7pm Food That Rocks: Mojo Juju The Vanguard, Newtown $85 (dinner & show) 7pm JMC Showcase: JMC Academy Big Band, Mickey Pye Enmore Theatre $15 6.30pm Matt Jones The Observer Hotel, The Rocks free 8.30pm Open Mic Night Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle free 7pm Steve Tonge O’Malley’s Hotel, Darlinghurst free 9.30pm They Call Me Bruce Maloney’s Hotel, Sydney free

9.30pm Tuesday Unplugged Uni Bar, Wollongong University, Gwynneville free 4pm

JAZZ James Valentine’s Supper Club: James Valentine Quartet Golden Sheaf Hotel, Double Bay free 7pm Paul Sun, Monique Lysiak Jazushi, Surry Hills free 7pm Peter Head Harbour View Hotel, The Rocks free 8pm ScQuint, Gerard Masters Trio 505 Club, Surry Hills $10 8pm

Andy Mammers Dee Why Hotel free 7pm Ben Finn Duo Mean Fiddler, Rouse Hill free 6pm Clayton Dooleys Organ Donors Macquarie Hotel, Sydney free 8pm Dream Brother - A Jeff & Tim Buckley Tribute The Vanguard, Newtown $15 (+ bf)–$17 (at door) 6.30pm Dylan Drew Hawkesbury Hotel, Windsor free 7pm Embrace Tokio Hotel, Darling Harbour free 7pm Gareth Liddiard Lizotte’s Restaurant, Lambton $30 7pm Gemma The Observer Hotel, The Rocks free 8.30pm Gerard Masters, The Falls, GFY Hotel Hollywood, Surry Hills free 8.30pm Happy Hippies Ettamogah Pub, Kellyville free 6.30pm Jager Uprising: Beggars Orchestra, Bedlam in Belgium, Sealion, Elle Kennard Annandale Hotel $8 7.30pm Jeff Martin (CAN), Terepai Richmond, Gabrielle & Cameron Brass Monkey, Cronulla $40 8pm Joe Pug (USA), Chris Altmann The Red Rattler Theatre, Marrickville $22 8pm JP O’Malley’s Hotel, Darlinghurst free 9.30pm Neil Finn York Theatre, Seymour Centre, Chippendale $55 8pm Open Mic Night Excelsior Hotel, Glebe free 7.30pm Open Mic Fubah on Copa, Copacabana free 7pm Open Mic Mars Hill Cafe, Parramatta free 8pm Reckless Duo Maloney’s Hotel, Sydney free 9.30pm Rivet Soul Jump Ups, Dirty Nice, The Baker Street Irregulars, Spectacles, Liam Gale Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills $10 8pm

Sideshow: Djanimals, Domeyko/ Gonzalez, Dane Rumble (NZ) Beach Road Hotel, Bondi Beach free 8pm The Albare Band The Basement, Circular Quay $19 (+ bf)–$25 (at door) 7.30pm The Gin Club Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle 8pm Uni Night Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale free 9pm YourSpace Muso Showcase: Dave Bourke, Tubs, Redundant Technology, Carrie Tong, Dean Stafford, Mattie Slur, Massimo, Van Hulsen Town Hall Hotel, Newtown free 7pm

JAZZ Garfish 505 Club, Surry Hills $10 8.30pm Jennifer Young Trio, Ben Fletcher, Jack Dawson The View Factory, Newcastle free 7pm Monks Of Cool Mars Hill Cafe, Parramatta free 2pm

ACOUSTIC/FOLK Songsalive!: Clem Gorman, Carolyn Crysdale and guests Harbourview Hotel, the Rocks free 7pm Songsalive!: Craig Edmondson, Russell Neal and guests Earlwood Hotel free 7pm Songsalive!: Rebecca Fielding, TAOS and guests Coach & Horses Hotel, Randwick free 7pm

COUNTRY South Coast Country Music Club Mount Kembla Heights Hall free 6pm

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 18 ROCK & POP Andy Bull Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba 8pm Bhanglassi Annandale Hotel $8 7.30pm

ACOUSTIC & FOLK Sin-e: Miss Little and Lily So Cafe Lounge. Kings Cross free 7pm Songsalive!: Carolyn Crysdale and guests El Rocco, Kings Cross free 7pm Songsalive!: Rebecca Fielding, Andrew Denniston and guests Off Broadway, Ultimo free 7pm Tuesday Night Live: Mushu, Matthew Booth, Mark Berry, Kathryn Harnett Beach Road Hotel, Bondi free 8pm

COUNTRY Blacktown Country Music Club The Lucky Australian, North St Marys free 7pm Nick Arnold & The Likely Few, Michael Dorman The Basement, Circular Quay $15 (+ bf) 9pm Whip Crackin’ Country Music Club Penrith Gaels Club free 7pm

“The long arm of the law slides up the outskirts of town” - ELVIS COSTELLO 58 :: BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10

Horrorshow

g g guide gig g

send your listings to : gigguide@thebrag.com Body Heat Albion Park RSL Memorial Club 8pm Bonjah Queens Wharf Brewery, Newcastle $10 8.30pm Chalkie White Windang Bowling Club 8pm Crushed Ice Camden Valley Golf Resort, Catherine Field 6.30pm David Agius Harbord Diggers Club free 8pm Diesel Brass Monkey, Cronulla $49 (presale) 7pm Djanimals, kyu, Domeyko/ Gonzalez Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst $15 (+ bf) 8pm Dojo Cuts, Roxie Ray Macquarie Hotel, Sydney free 8.30pm Electric Horse, Engine Three Seven, Mind At Large The Cabbage Tree Hotel, Fairy Meadow $10 (+ bf)–$15 (at door) 8pm End of Exams Party: Canyons Uni Bar, Wollongong University, Gwynneville free (student)–$10 8pm Gareth Liddiard Lizotte’s Restaurant, Kincumber 8pm Happy, Russell Crawford, Brian Estepa The Hive Bar, Erskineville free 7pm Hot Damn!: Endless Heights, The Hollow, The Violence DJs, Aftermath Spectrum, Darlinghurst $12–$15 8pm Jeff Martin (CAN), Terepai Richmond, Gabrielle & Cameron The Basement, Circular Quay $40–$45 8pm Joe Pug (USA), Chris Altmann Raval, Surry Hills $22 (+ bf) 7.30pm Katy Wren, Quiet Titans, Bobby Gebert The Vanguard, Newtown $15.80 (+ bf)–$17.80 6.30pm

Menagerie: Le Kingste, Bright Quito Spring, The Monitors, The Duchesses Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills $10 8pm Mission Control Gallery Bar, Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst free 8pm Neil Finn York Theatre, Seymour Centre, Chippendale $55 8pm Pianoman The Loft, Darling Harbour free 6pm Priceless Music: Good Charlotte (USA) The Big Top at Luna Park, Milsons Point $46.75 (+ bf) 7.30pm Ray Ray Ray & The Jetsons, Spookyland, Bradley Cork, Skinny D & The Jellyfish The Valve, Tempe free 7pm Reyes De La Onda Macquarie Hotel, Sydney free 12am The Gin Club Headlands Hotel, Austinmer 8pm The Jezabels, Two Hours Traffic Harp Hotel, Wollongong $15.30 (presale) 8pm The Suspects Marble Bar, Sydney free 8.30pm Thirsty Merc The Grand Hotel, Wollongong $30 (+ bf) 8pm Thursday Live: Samantha Brave, Kate Gogarty Newport Arms Hotel free 7pm World’s End Press GOODGOD Small Club, Sydney $12 (at door) 8pm

JAZZ

Peter Head Harbour View Hotel, The Rocks free 8pm Soul Nights, Roxanne Lebrasse Tokio Hotel, Darling Harbour free 7pm Urban Gypsies 505 Club, Surry Hills $10–$15 8.30pm

ACOUSTIC/FOLK Songsalive!: Carolyn Crysdale and guests Pennant Hills Inn free 7pm Songsalive!: Daniel Hopkins, Frank Sultana and guests Narrabeen Sands free 7pm Songsalive!: Dennis Aubrey @Newtown RSL free 7pm Songsalive!: Matt Lee and guests Henry Lawson Club, Werrington County free 7.30pm

HIP HOP Dane Rumble (NZ) The Gaelic Hotel, Surry Hills $10 8pm Horrorshow, Urban Free Flow Fitzroy Hotel, Windsor free 8pm

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 19 ROCK & POP

Burke & Wills Cafe Lounge, Kings Cross free 7pm GANGgajang Lizotte’s Restaurant, Lambton $35 (show only)–$90 (dinner & show) 7pm Jazz Factory The View Factory, Newcastle free 7pm

Akinga St Marys Leagues Club 8pm Amy Meredith The Factory Theatre, Enmore $17 (+ bf) 8pm Anton Koritni Duo Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club, West Ryde free 8.30pm

Brown Sugar Marble Bar, Sydney free 9.30pm Caribbean Soul, Ella Freestone, Bella Hemming Tennis Valley, Chatswood $14 (presale)–$16 (at door) 7.30pm Club Blink: Ape Bc, Bellusira, These Four Walls, Cutwing St James Hotel, Sydney $15 Diesel Brass Monkey, Cronulla $49 (presale) 7pm Electric Horse, Engine Three Seven, Geminine, Gods Of Rapture Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills $15 8pm In Xanadu: Gllta Supernova, Xavier Moustache, Jade Starr, Zoofi, Leo D’Lush, Sister Muscle Mary, DJ Barry, Matt Vaughan, Huckleberry Spin, VJ Stainless The Red Rattler Theatre, Marrickville $20 (conc)–$30 8pm Jeff Martin (Canada), Terepai Richmond, Spooky Land The Basement, Circular Quay $40–$45 8pm Jericco Fitzroy Hotel, Windsor free 8pm Jon English, Jonah’s Road Notes Live, Enmore $28.60 7pm Kaki King (USA) Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst $35 (+ bf)–$40 (at door) 8pm Kristina Olsen (USA) Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba 8pm Los Capitanes Landsdowne Hotel, Darlington free Lovers Jump Creek, Bloody Lovely Audrey, Gambit Cock ‘n’ Bull Tavern, Bondi Junction free 8pm Made In Japan, Betty Airs Gallery Bar, Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst free 8pm Menagerie: Mechanical Black, Dead Letter Opener, Mish, Squawk Hermann’s, Darlington 8pm Mental As Anything Lizotte’s Restaurant, Lambton $40 (show only)–$99.50 (dinner & show)

Mum: LIVE: Numbers Radio, Dead Actors Club, Fangs, The Money Smokers, The Bungalows, Atom Bombs, DJs Walkie Talkie, Sweetie, Alvin, Skully Boo, Cosmic Explorer, Gatsby, Cries Wolf, 16 Tacos and more...

World Bar, Kings Cross $15 10pm Nat Col & The Kings Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle West 8pm Owl Eyes Melt Bar, Kings Cross 8pm Peabody Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland 8pm Penny & the Mystics Old Manly Boatshed free 9pm Purple Sneakers: Catcall, White Bats, PhDJ, Ben Lucid, M.I.T, T-Rompf Gladstone Hotel, Chippendale free 7pm RoadHouse Rockers Belmont 16 Foot Sailing Club free 8.30pm Sally Seltmann, Oh Mercy, Jessica Says The Grand Hotel, Wollongong $20 (+ bf) 8pm Shade Of Red Woy Woy & District Rugby League Football Club free 7pm The Boat People, The Jewel & the Falcon, The Retreat Sandringham Hotel, Newtown $12 (+ bf)–$15 (at door) 8pm The Flames Celebrity Room, Blacktown RSL Club free 8pm The Gin Club, David McCormack & The Polaroids, The Maladies, Stress Of Leisure Annandale Hotel $20 (+ bf) 8pm The Jezabels, Two Hours Traffic Gaelic Theatre, Surry Hills $15 (+ bf) 8pm The Kandy Apples SHUSH @ Newtown RSL $10 8pm The Maristians Rag and Famish Hotel, North Sydney free 8pm

WWW.THEGAELIC.COM

(9:00PM - 12:00AM)

OPEN 10AM- 4PM

$10 - $15 MEALS

DAILY DRINK SPECIALS

(9:00PM - 12:00AM)

SUNDAY NPL POKER

MONDAY I 90’s

TUESDAY ROCKSTEIN

2PM - FREE ENTRY - CASH PRIZES

8PM - DRINKS SPECIALS + DJ’s

7PM - MUSIC & MOVIE TRIVA

wed

17 Nov

thu

18 Nov

fri

19 Nov

(5:00PM - 8:00PM)

(9:00PM - 1:00AM)

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

sat

Nov

sun

SATURDAY NIGHT

(9:00PM - 12:00AM)

21 Nov

ONE JONATHAN + TAUYLOR AND THE MAKERS + EYE TO EYE FAT THURSDAYS presents

THU 18 NOV

(4:30PM - 7:30PM)

(4:30PM - 7:30PM)

20

FREE ENTRY

THE STUDY presents WED 17 NOV

FRI 19 NOV

SUNDAY NIGHT

V.I.P. THURSDAYS ft DANE RUMBLE (LIVE) + DJ TIKELZ + DJ MOTO + MORE

THE JEZABELS

SOLD OUT

+ TWO HOURS TRAFFIC + MERE WOMEN SOSUEME END OF UNI PARTY SAT

(8:30PM - 12:00AM)

20 NOV

ft THE TOURISTS + THE DEER REPUBLIC + THE PREACHERS + BOATS OF BERLIN + RAINBOW CHEN + DJs COMING SOON

SUN 21 NOV

BONE THUGS N HARMONY

THU 25 NOV

V.I.P. AFTER PARTY

FRI 26 NOV

BELLES WILL RING

BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10 :: 59

gig guide

send your listings to : gigguide@thebrag.com The Rocks Markets by Moonlight: Fergus Brown, Caitlin Harnett The Rocks Market free 5.30pm The Waves Harbord Diggers Club free 8pm Thirsty Merc Metro Theatre, Sydney $35 (+ bf) 8pm World’s End Press Coogee Diggers $10 (at door) 8pm

JAZZ A Little Lunch Music: TRIOZ, Taryn Fiebig City Recital Hall, Sydney $10 12.30pm Bridge City Jazz Band Club Ashfield free 7.30pm Funkwit, Willow, Benny Tee The View Factory, Newcastle free 7pm Peter Head Harbour View Hotel, The Rocks free 5pm Pianoman Cruise Bar, The Rocks free 10pm Ray Alldridge, Virna Sanzone, Lawrie Thompson, Col Loughnan, Hugh Fraser Richmond Club free 8pm SIMA: Judy Bailey Trio, Andrew Robson Trio The Sound Lounge, Seymour Centre, Chippendale $12 (member)–$18 8.30pm Soul Nights Tokio Hotel, Darling Harbour free 9pm The Catholics 505 Club, Surry Hills $10–$15 8.30pm The Loungephonics Iron Duke Hotel, Alexandria free 9pm

ACOUSTIC/FOLK Cafe Carnivale: Out of the Blue Eastside Arts, Paddington $28 (+ bf) 8.15pm The Woohoo Revue (Melb) and Waiting For Guinness The Vanguard, Newtown $16 (+ bf)–$20 (at door) 6.30pm

HIP HOP Dust Tones: Horrorshow, Ability, Mike Who, Santan Wantan Ichiban Beach Road Hotel, Bondi free 8pm Koolism Hotel Gearin, Katoomba $20 8pm

Femi Kuti

COUNTRY Bryen Willems Royal Cricketers Arms, Prospect free 7.30pm Jetty Road Rooty Hill RSL Club $22 7.30pm Kasey Chambers Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Nowra $58.50 (+ bf) 8pm Macarthur Country Music Club Wests Campbelltown Tennis Club, Leumeah free 7.30pm

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 20 ROCK & POP Alter Ego Massey Park Golf Club, Concord free 7.15pm Bon Jovi The Show Revesby Workers Club $15 8pm Cover Cats Woy Woy & District Rugby League Football Club free 7.30pm Crowded House Hope Estate Winery, Pokolbin $89.90 4pm Doc Neeson Hotel Gearin, Katoomba $25 (+ bf) Doin’ It For Diabetes: D’Nile, Emptyhead, Niall O’Brien Manly Fisho’s $20 8pm Dragon Brass Monkey, Cronulla $54.10 (presale) 7pm East West Deathgrind Fest: Tortured, Burial Chamber, New Blood, Beer Corpse, Guild of Destruction, Roadside Burial Lewisham Hotel $20 (at door) 3pm Electric Horse, E37, Memorial Drive Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle $10 (presale)–$12 (at door) 8pm Emma Dean, Martin Badoui, Mikki Ross Raval, Surry Hills $15–$20 7.30pm Experience Jimi Hendrix: Kevin Borich, Nathan Cavaleri, Steve Edmonds, Phil Emmanuel, Chris Kamzelas, Dave Leslie, Peter Northcote, Bob Spencer, Randall Waller, Grant Walmsley Enmore Theatre $79 8pm Funkstar Marble Bar, Sydney free 10.30pm Gareth Liddiard, Loene Carmen Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst $22 (+ bf) 8pm

Handpicked The Entrance Sails Stage free 9am Harbourlife: The Temper Trap, Metronomy (UK), Yacht Club DJs, Knightlife Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Sydney $130 (+ bf) 2pm Ian Moss North Sydney Leagues Club, Cammeray $30 8pm Keep the Faith Celebrity Room, Blacktown RSL Club free 10pm Keith Armitage Harbord Diggers Club free 8pm Kelly Hope Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club, West Ryde free 8.30pm Leprosy, None Remain, Unknown To God, Deathcage The Valve, Tempe free 7pm Little Lies - Fleetwood Mac Show Cardiff Panthers free (adult) 7.30pm Marshall & the Fro The Vanguard, Newtown $8 (+ bf)–$12 (at door) 6.30pm Menagerie: Godswounds, Slimey Things, The Kidney Thieves, Lucas Abela, Ten Thousand Free Men Live at the Wall, Leichhardt 8pm Mental As Anything Lizotte’s Restaurant, Lambton $40 (show only)–$99.50 (dinner & show) 7pm Numbers Radio, Fangs Northern Star Hotel, Hamilton free 8pm Only The Sea Slugs Gallery Bar, Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst free 8pm Oscar & Martin, Ghoul, Collarbones Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills $12 8pm Sally Seltmann, Oh Mercy, Jessica Says The Factory Theatre, Enmore $20 (+ bf) 8pm SFX: Fifty Six, Sierra Montana, Worst Case Scenario, The Initiation St James Hotel, City $15 Songwriters Perform Festival: Urban Guerillas, Serenik, King Street Express, Mad Cowboy Disease, Funky Zoo, Rubicon Rising, Velvet Road, Tortology Band, John Cheshere, Forever Road, Paul McGowan, NatashaEloise Andrade, Nick Punal, Taos, Dave Griffith, My Heart’s Desire, Rebecca Fielding, Pete Scully, Russell Neal, Brian Ralston, Brian Aret, Ken Stewart, Ramen Menon, Dave Barrie Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour, Sydney free 11am Stone Cold Sober Appin Hotel free 8pm Stormcellar Pendle Hill Inn free 7.30pm Summer Beatz: Flo Rida (USA), Stan Walker, Soulja Boy, Travie McCoy, Jay Sean, Nino Brown, Akon (USA), Ciara Sydney Acer Arena, Sydney Olympic Park $99 (+ bf)–$125 (+ bf) 6pm Summerfest Thong Party Newport Arms Hotel free 7pm The 3 B’s Show Riverstone Bowling & Recreation Club 8pm The Art, Dead City Ruins, ZeroPoint Aura The Cabbage Tree Hotel, Fairy Meadow $10 (at door) 8pm the CELEBRATED SUMMER movie project: Hacks, Fag Panic, AXXONN (Bris), Godswounds:Twin Bat, East Brunswick All Girls Choir (Melb), Mekare-Kare (Japan), Spartak (Canb), Caught Ship (Melb), Spider Goat Canyon (Melb), Teratova (Japan), Mere Women, Polyfox and the Union of Most Ghosts, Epics, Halal, How Are You?, The Holy Soul, Origami Girls and The Craft-A-Noon Club, Hinterlandt, Murder of Crow, Wizard Bong, Native Cats (Tas) Dirty Shirlows, Marrickville $20 Shooting: 2pm for approx 10 hours The Jezabels, Two Hours Traffic Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba $20 (+ bf)–$62 (dinner & show) 7pm The Red Shore Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle West 8pm

Bone Thugs N Harmony

The Vasco Era, Wons Phreely, I Am Giant Annandale Hotel $17 8pm Through The Glass, Darkly and guests The Valve, Tempe free 1pm Viva Zumbi! Reggae Party: Julio Precioso, Aranha, Matty Woods with Reggae Roots, Samba Reggae, Olodum Music from the 80s and more Copacabana Bar, Bondi Junction $10 9pm

JAZZ Alphamama Club: Alphamama, Matt Mandell Tokio Hotel, Darling Harbour free Eclipse Alley Five Strawberry Hills Hotel, Surry Hills free 4pm Global Sounds 505 Club, Surry Hills $10–$15 8.30pm Kristin Berardi, James Sherlock, The Scrapes Cockatoo Island, Sydney free 5pm Motown The Show Rooty Hill RSL Club $9 (member)–$14 8pm Organic Food Markets: Paul Sun, Ray Martin, John Blenkhorn Orange Grove Public School, Leichhardt free 9.30am Sally Street Trio Sean’s Kitchen, Sydney free 6pm Sean Coffin Freeway Hotel, Artarmon free 7pm SIMA: The Dilworths The Sound Lounge, Seymour Centre, Chippendale $12 (member)–$18 8.30pm Suburban Undertakers, Pat Eyre The View Factory, Newcastle free 7pm Tim Clarkson Trio Cafe Church, Glebe $10 (child)–$15 5.30pm Vince Jones Carrington Hotel, Katoomba $89 7pm

ACOUSTIC & FOLK Femi Kuti & the Positive Force (Nigeria), DJ Huwston, James Locksmith Metro Theatre, Sydney $58 (+ bf) 8pm Songsalive!: Rubicon Rising, Nikki Thorburn, Laurie McKern, Russell Neal Belrose Bowling Club free 7pm

COUNTRY Cash Only Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale free 4pm Jetty Road Central Coast Leagues Club, Gosford free 7pm Kasey Chambers State Theatre, Sydney $61.30 8pm

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 21 ROCK & POP Bag Raiders King Street Hotel, Newcastle West $33 (+ bf) 8pm Brazil Nut Sundae The View Factory, Newcastle free 3pm Damo Suzuki (GER), The Holy Soul, Naked on the Vague Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills $15 5pm Drive: Peter Northcote Bridge Hotel, Rozelle $10 3pm Dylan Drew Fitzroy Hotel, Windsor free 5.30pm Everything Begins and Ends with Bluebottle Kiss: Peter Fenton, The Maladies, Greg Atkinson, Sui Zhen, Found At Sea, Chris Moller, Dave Challinor, Mark Moldre Annandale Hotel $15 (+ bf) 4pm Gareth Liddiard Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba 7pm Karen O’Shea The Entrance Sails Stage free 11am Kristina Olsen (USA), Jim Conway’s Little Wheel Mean Fiddler, Rouse Hill $20 (conc)–$25 6pm Lawrence Baker Harbord Diggers Club free 8pm Lydia (USA), Elliot the Bull Blush Nightclub, Gosford $23.50 (presale) 8pm Menagerie: Captain Kickarse & the Awesomes, Brackets, Fuji Collective Hermann’s, Darlington 8pm Nekrofeist, Tainted Toys, Pulseffect Sandringham Hotel, Newtown $10 Nick Andrews Charing Cross Hotel, Waverley free 5.30pm Sally Seltmann, Oh Mercy, Jessica Says Brass Monkey, Cronulla $20 (+ bf) 7pm Songwriters @ the Factory The View Factory, Newcastle free 7pm

“It’s a god awful small affair to the firl with the mousey hair”- DAVID BOWIE 60 :: BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10

gig guide

VITAMIN RECORDS & RHYTHMS PRESENT

send your listings to : gigguide@thebrag.com Sunday Chill: The Sunroom Newport Arms Hotel free 3pm Sydney Rock ‘n Roll & Alternative Market: The Rumjacks, The Handsome Young Strangers, Limpin’ Jimmy & The Swingin’ Kitten Jets Sports Club, Tempe free 11am The Baddies Botany View Hotel, Newtown free 6.30pm The Rainy Season with Terry Serio’s Ministry of Truth and Kat Kiss The Petersham Bowling Club 3pm Tobruk, The Blues Lizard and guests The Valve, Tempe free 3pm

JAZZ Brothers Mercy Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle 4pm Club Jazz Velluto Champagne and Wine Lounge, Potts Point free 6.30pm

Dick & Christa Hughes, Tina Harrod, JazzGroove Mothership Orchestra Vaucluse House $40 (+ bf) 6pm Fiona Joy Hawkins, Blue Dream, Will Ackerman The Basement, Circular Quay $35 (+ bf) 8.30pm Geoff Power Central Coast Leagues Club, Gosford free 2pm Hat Fitz Lizotte’s Restaurant, Lambton $20 (show only) 7pm Janet Seidel Rocksalt, Menai free 12pm Kristina Olsen (USA), Anatoli Torjinsky, Jim Conway, Don Hopkins, Jess Green Cat & Fiddle Hotel, Balmain $20–$25 6pm Paul Sun, Alex Compton, Monique Lysiak Frenchs Forest Organic Market free 9.30am The New Northside Big Band Central Coast Leagues Club, Gosford free 12pm Unity Hall Jazz Band Unity Hall Hotel, Balmain free 2pm

DIRECT FROM THE USA ACOUSTIC & FOLK Acoustic Lounge: Michael Wheatley Cafe Lounge, Kings Cross free 6pm Beatles Naked Tribute: Blue Taboo, Leroy Lee, Mr Malarkey, Daniel Hopkins, Pat O’Grady, Kris Schubert, Tense Formations, Ben Hardie, Richard Henderson, Lucky Luke, Russell Neal The Vanguard, Newtown $17 8.30pm Mucho Mambo Zenith Theatre, Chatswood $22 (conc)–$26 3.30pm

COUNTRY Central Coast Country Music Association Wyong RSL Club free (member) 1pm Colene Crawford Fubah on Copa, Copacabana free 2pm

“ the best poet I’ve heard in a damn long time” Iris Dement

HIP HOP Bone Thugs-N-Harmony (USA) Gaelic Theatre, Surry Hills $39 (+ bf) 8pm

gig picks

+special guests

LUCIE THORNE

& HAMISH STUART

THE BASEMENT

MON 22 NOV

up all night out all week...

7 Macquarie Place Circular Quay www.thebasement.com.au | (02) 9251-2797

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 17

PIETA BROWN’S ONE & ALL, SHIMMER AND REMEMBER THE SUN OUT NOW THRU...

Sideshow: Djanimals, Domeyko/Gonzalez, Dane Rumble (NZ) Beach Road Hotel, Bondi Beach free 8pm

www.

.net.au

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 18

Djanimals, kyü, Domeyko/Gonzalez Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst $15 (+ bf) 8pm Neil Finn York Theatre, Seymour Centre, Chippendale $55 8pm

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 19

Jeff Martin (Canada), Terepai Richmond, Spookyland The Basement, Circular Quay $40–$45 8pm Kaki King (USA) Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst $35 (+ bf)– $40 (at door) 8pm Owl Eyes Melt Bar, Kings Cross 8pm The Gin Club, David McCormack & The Polaroids, The Maladies, Stress Of Leisure Annandale Hotel $20 8pm djanimals

Kaki King The Jezabels, Two Hours Traffic Gaelic Theatre, Surry Hills $15 (+ bf) 8pm The Rocks Markets

by Moonlight: Fergus Brown, Caitlin Harnett The Rocks Market free 5.30pm

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 20

Gareth Liddiard, Loene Carmen Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst $22 (+ bf) 8pm Sally Seltmann, Oh Mercy, Jessica Says The Factory Theatre, Enmore $20 (+ bf) 8pm

The Vasco Era, Wons Phreely, I Am Giant Annandale Hotel $17 (+ bf) 8pm Femi Kuti & The Positive Force (Nigeria), DJ Huwston, James Locksmith Metro Theatre, Sydney $58 (+ bf) 8pm

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 21

Damo Suzuki (Germany), The Holy Soul, Naked on the Vague Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills $15 8pm Bone Thugs-N-Harmony (USA) Gaelic Theatre, Surry Hills $39 (+ bf) 8pm

NOVEMBER

19 FRIDAY

CATCALL DJ SET

WHITE BATS DJS . PhDJ

M.I.T . BENLUCID . T-ROMPF

NO AGE

EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

KELLEY STOLTZ TO DREAMERS

GIVEAWAYS COURTESY OF SUB POP

BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10 :: 61

club guide send your listings to : clubguide@thebrag.com

club pick of the week

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 17

Tone, Surry Hills

Electric Wire Hustle (New Zealand) $25 (+ bf) MONDAY NOVEMBER 15 Empire Hotel, Potts Point Bazaar HBK, I Low free Gaelic Theatre, Surry Hills I Love 90s DJ Alloy, Grumpy Gramps free before 10pm / $5 after One World Sport, Parramatta Ricky Ro free Soho, Kings Cross Comedown free World Bar, Kings Cross Mondays at World Bar Ooh Face, Hot Carl and friends free

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 16 Xxx Cruise Bar, Circular Quay DCE Salsa Lessons $20 Establishment, Sydney Rumba Motel DJs Willie Sabor and Guests free Martin Place Bar, Sydney Louis M, Sammy free Oatley Hotel Suburban Alternative DJ Mini Mullet Free Opera Bar, Circular Quay DJ Jack Shit free The Gaff, Darlinghurst Coyote Tuesday Johnny B, Kid Finley free–$5 The Valve, Tempe Underground Tables Loko, Disco Rossco

62 :: BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10

World Bar, Kings Cross Pop Panic Karaoke, DJs Madhonour (Neon Hearts), The Cosmic Explorer, Cris Angel free

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 17 Bank Hotel, Newtown Girls’ Night DJ Playmate free Cruise Bar, Circular Quay Rockstar free Establishment, Sydney Mid Week Hurdle Nic Phillips, Craig Patterson free Gasworks Nightclub, Albion Hotel, Parramatta DJ Fresh free Goldfish, Kings Cross The Salsa Lounge Latin Mafia Sound System free Q Bar, Darlinghurst Paradise City Ronnie Rocker, El Mariachi Sly Fox, Enmore Queer Central Sveta, DJ Beth, DJ Bel free The Argyle Hotel, Rocks Ben Peterson, Casa free The Eastern, Bondi Junction John Glover, Tenzin, Here’s Trouble, Cassian, U-Go-B, Steve Frank, Mistah Cee, Kavi-R free The Gaff, Darlinghurst New Generation Franny, Alex, Triky, Electroholics, Con-x-ion, Psygnosis, Calico, Kermy, Deceptikon free The Lincoln, Kings Cross Kareem the DJ free (guestlist)

Tone, Surry Hills Electric Wire Hustle (NZ) $25 (+ bf) World Bar, Kings Cross The Wall/SUGD Wall DJs free

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 18 Collingwood Hotel, Liverpool After School Detention DJ Rangi, Mac, K-Note MC Buddy Love free Cruise Bar, Circular Quay DJ Dwight ‘Chocolate’ Escobar free Downstairs, Sandringham Hotel, Newtown Brett Hunt free Dug Out Bar, Burdekin Hotel Speakeasy Magda, Dave Fernandes Empire Hotel, Potts Point Episodes DJ Schoder, Wanted, Zahra, Jason K, Johar free Gaelic Theatre, Surry Hills V.I.P Thursdays Dane Rumble (NZ), Tickelz, Moto, J Lyrikz, Naiki, Rkayz, Mistache Gasworks Nightclub, Albion Hotel, Parramatta Da Bomb with DJ Fresh free Goldfish, Kings Cross The Funk Quarter Phil Hudson, Phil Toke, Dave 54, Michael Wheatley free Home Terrace, Darling Harbour Unipackers Rnb, Top 40, Electro $5

World's End Press

Fitzroy Hotel, Windsor Horrorshow, Urban Free Flow free 8pm Judgement Bar, Taylor Square Judgement Night. Sex Worker & Ymerej, weekly guests free Kinselas Hotel, Darlinghurst Simon Alexander free LO-FI, Darlinghurst Hamish Rosser, Bad Wives Mansions, Kings Cross Van Sereno and Cavan Te live on rotation free Martin Place Bar, Martin Place Thursdays at MPB Louis M Q Bar, Darlinghurst Hot Damn! DJ Sarah Spandex, Mark C, Heart Attack $10–$12 Sapphire Suite, Kings Cross Flaunt Nacho Pop, Diaz, Eko, Tom Piper, R-Son, Zero Cool Shelbourne Hotel, Sydney The Social Club Beth Yen free The Argyle Hotel, Rocks Husky & Yogi free Tone, Surry Hills Loop Thursdays Akil, Louis Logic, Nikita, Igloo, D*Phy $30 World Bar, Kings Cross Teenage Kicks Urby, Baby Decks (Baby X DJs), Johnny Segment, El Mariachi free World’s End Press GOODGOD Small Club, Sydney $12 (at door) 8pm

Club 77, Kings Cross Downtown Paper Plane Project, Max Gosford, Moriarty, Kato, Donnie Blood $10 Collector Hotel, Parramatta Corner Shop Tikelz, DJ Browski, J Lyrikz, Naughty, Gunz free Establishment Hotel Carnival La Fiesta Sound System and Special Guest DJs all night free Gladstone Hotel, Chippendale Purple Sneakers Catcall DJ Set, White Bats DJ Set, PhDJ, BenLucid, M.I.T, T-Rompf $12 Goldfish, Kings Cross Sugar & Soul Phil Hudson, Paul Hatz, Agey, Danny De Sousa, Matt Cahill, Tom Kelly free Home The Venue, Darling Harbour Voodoo 14th Birthday Iain Cross, Nomad, Peewee, Scotty G, Big Dan, MC Losty, Hannah Gibbs, Venuto, Flite, I.KO, Mc Uncle Abe, JTS, Pulsar, Haze, Kinekt 4, Energizer Bunny, RaversMVP, Monk3y, Bionic, Geeflukz, Morphee, Vesper, Dirty Stopout $17 pre, $25 door Jade Tavern, Haymarket DJ Black Kinselas, Taylor Square Toby Wilson free

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 19 ARQ Nightclub, Darlinghurst United Colors of Trance Digital Control, Scott Richardson, Mike Blades, Taras Huntley, Duress $15 Beach Road Hotel Dust Tones presents Horrorshow, Shantan Wantan Ichiban, DJ Ability, Mike Who, free Brighton Up Bar, Darlinghurst Twist & Shout Milli Von Ill, Dylabolical $5 (at door) Candy’s Apartment, Kings Cross Liquid Sky Slipperywhenwet, Knocked Up Noise, Kyro & Bomber, Sweet Distortion $10/$15 Chinese Laundry, Sydney Futurebound, The Abyss, Ritual, Typhonic, Linken & Vertigo, Yayogi $15 before 11pm & $20 after Civic Underground, Sydney Plus One Shrug Retrospective Ft. Robbie Lowe 15 Years + DJ Career $20

Captain Franco

Kit & Kaboodle, Darlinghurst Falcona Fridays Falcona DJs, The Gameboys $10 Mansions, Kings Cross Nick Polly, Little Rich, Nick T, Stevie S, Adrian Allen free Martin Place Bar Jimmy Mac, Sammy free Middle Bar, Kinselas, Darlinghurst Flavours on Friday MC Q-Bizzi, C-Bu, Trey, Mike Champion, Naiki, Tekkaman $20 Oatley Hotel We Love Oatley Hotel Fridays Reg Tee, Slip N Slide, Tony Shock Free Omega Lounge, Sydney Unwind Greg Summerfield, Matt Brunton free One7One, Potts Point Playtime free, $10 after 11pm Phoenix Bar, Darlinghurst Bootie Sydney A plus D, Marty Batfreak and guests $15 Sapphire Lounge, Kings Cross Sapphire Fridays Miss Match, Rob Morrish, Dave 54, Kate Monroe, Chiller $10 guestlist Spectrum, Darlinghurst Silent Alarm Silent DJs $5 St James Hotel, Sydney Club Blink DJs Bzurk, Luke, Nick, Naked Dave, Firefly, Absynth

club guide send your listings to : clubguide@thebrag.com

Catcall The Argyle Hotel, Rocks John Devechis, Heidi, DJ BBG free The Rouge, Kings Cross Hollywood Gossip Max Smart, Deckhead, ember, Trisitan James (QLD), Messy Digital $10 The Sugarmill, Kings Cross The Gameboys, Calling In Sick, Joyride $10 after 10pm Tone, Surry Hills Diggin’ In The Crates Naiki, Ology, Frenzie, Mike WHo, Lo D $15

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 20 202 Broadway, Chippendale Headroom Monk Fly, Jonny Faith, Know-U, Suburban Dark, Elliot $15 Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo

Trash DJ M!Veg, DJ Absynth $12 Bank Hotel, Newtown D*Funk & DJ Delacroix free BB’s, Bondi Beach Wildlife DJs Mesan, James Roberts, Adriano Giorgi, Dinesh Sundar, Matt Singmin, Chris Kyle free Candy’s Apartment, Kings Cross Big Guns Zomg! Kittenz, Down n Dirty, Pretty Young Things $15 – $25 Caringbah Bizzo’s Tavern Slander, Maggot Mouf, Hell or High Water, Kerser & Rates Chinese Laundry, Sydney Garden Party Krafty Kuts, Skool of Thought, Samrai, Bounce Crew DJs, Kid Kenobi & MC Shureshock, CR2 Records, MYNC Project, Micah, Jeff Drake, Jono Fernandez, Nacho Pop, Matttt, Zooshu, Marky Mark, Titty Tassles $15-$25 Clarence Hotel, Petersham Caesars Sandy Bottom, Justin Scott, DJ Chip free Collingwood Hotel, Liverpool Slinky Saturdays DJ Steve, DJ Trisha free Cricketer’s Arms, Surry Hills Pod War free Cruise Bar, Circular Quay Ben Vickers, Danni Presti free Eastern Hotel, Bondi Junction I Love Saturdays Zannon, Tony Shock, Matt Ferreira, Tass, Akay, Don Juan, Dante Rivera, Dennis Agee, Willie Sabor, Oscar Cadena free Empire Hotel/Plantations, Potts Point The Temple Alex K, Sunset Bros, Outsource, Rata, Steve Play, Andre Jay, Dk1, Wilz Frantic, Benino G, Blinky, ScottyO, Nick Nova, Danny P, Rath $15-20 Gaelic Theatre, Surry Hills Sosueme The Tourists, The Deer Republic, The Preachers, Boats Of Berlin, Rainbow Chan $10 (student)–$15 Gasworks Nightclub, Albion Hotel, Parramatta DJs Matt Hoare and Andy Marc $10

Goldfish, Kings Cross Abel, Tom Kelly, Phil Hudson, Ross Middleton on Sax free Hermann’s, Darlington Street Warriors $16 Home, Sydney Homemade Saturdays The 808s, Aladdin Royaal, James “Saxman” Spy, Matt Ferreira, Hannah Gibbs, Tony Venuto, Dave Austin, Flite, LKO, Seiz, Uncle Abe $20 VIP/$25 door Ivy, Sydney Pure Ivy Liam Sampras, Tass, Robbie Santiago & Joe Amoroso, Adam Jacob, MeOmY, Danny De Sousa, Graham Cordery, Dave 54 $20 Jacksons On George, Sydney Leno, Aladdin Royaal free King Street Hotel, Newcastle West Goodwill, Boogie, D Steady, DJ Saxon, Yogi, Jace Cordell, Menna, Matt Meler, Damien Goundrie, Kristen Pearson $10 Kinselas, Taylor Square Brynstar, Shaun Keble, Yin Yang, Beth Yen and Matt Hoare free Kit & Kaboodle, Kings Cross Kitty Kitty Bang Bang Elaine Benes, Gabby, Cassette, Alison Wonderland free before 10pm, $10 after, members free all night Mansions, Kings Cross Reckless, Little Rich, Shaun Keeble, Nick Polly free Marrickville Bowling Club Liquid Soul, Keirra Jade vs Ridgeback $18 Martin Place Bar, Sydney Bamboo Eko, Nude-E, Mirage, Shorty, Ace, Moto, Qrius, IllDJ $5 Mean Fiddler, Rouse Hill Fiddler Bar free Melt Bar, Kings Cross Kontrast Joey Kaz, Joey Tupaea, Tom Yum $15 Mona Vale Hotel Larykan, Samson, MC Ark, Dub Seven, DJ Stumac, Dan’Sound, Jamin $10

Joyride Phoenix Bar, Darlinghurst HALFWAY CROOKS Captain Franco, Levins, Radge $10 Shelbourne Hotel, Sydney Shipwreck, Daniel Nall, Leon Pirello $10 after 10pm Shush, Enmore Requiem Audio Low Society DJs, ForeignDub, Sariss, Sam The Chemist $15

Sly Fox, Enmore Shake That Monkey HPS?, Kate Doherty, DJ G-Mo, Typhonic free Spectrum, Darlinghurst P*A*S*H Goldfoot, DJ Knife $7 Starship (departs King St Wharf), Sydney Finely Tuned & Pulse Radio Boat Party Martin Buttrich, Jazzanova (GER), Gunnar Stiller, DJ T-Boy $55 (+ bf)

BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10 :: 63

club guide

Deep Impressions

clubguide@thebrag.com St James Hotel, Sydney SFX DJs Bzurk, Snowflake Stonewall Hotel, Darlinghurst Greg Boladian, Nick J free The Argyle Hotel, Rocks MarcUs, Levi 5 Star, Phil Hudson free The Bank Nightclub, Kings Cross Sin City Don Juan, DJ Willie, Mista Kay, MC Q-Bizzi The Dolphin Hotel, Surry Hills DJ Chris Skinner, DJ Carl O’Brien free The Forbes Hotel, CBD We Love Indie We Love Indie DJs $10 The Gaff, Darlinghurst Johnny B free The Loft, Darling Harbour Late at theloft Somatik, Noel Boogie, Noodles, DJ Huwston, Meem, The Swat DJs, Lippo free The Manhattan Lounge, Martin Place Hushhh... DJs Stunna, Sonny, Special K $10 after 9pm The Mansion, Darlinghurst Wonderland Johnny B free before 10pm The Rouge, Kings Cross Le Rouge Mehow & Pacman, Chris Fraser, Daniel Farley, Super C $10 before 11pm The Venue, Double Bay Pure House Ben Morris, Illya, Robbie Lowe, Matt Mandell, Ollie Brooke, Matt Roberts, Simon Caldwell, Kato, James Taylor, Lummy, Mitch Crosher, Phil Smart Verandah Bar, Sydney The Booty Bar George B, Nasser T, Lenno, K Sera Watershed Hotel, Darling Harbour Paul Moussa free

Underground Dance and Electronica with Chris Honnery

World Bar, Kings Cross Goldmine ICON Series Ben Korbel, Micah (Perth), James Taylor, Levins, Ben Morris, Disco Punx, Bad Ezzy, Pete Nouveau, Temnein, Shamozzle, Joe Gadget $15 before 10pm, $20 after

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 22 Bank Hotel, Newtown DJ Josh Kirkby Beach Palace Hotel, Coogee Adam Katz, Benny Vibes, Soul Patrol free Collingwood Hotel, Liverpool Michael Peter Colombian Hotel (Downstairs), Darlinghurst Hotrod Sunday Sandi Hotrod and guests free Colombian Hotel (Upstairs), Darlinghurst The Deep Disko Phil Hudson, Michael Wheatley, Mark Matthews, Vincent Sebastian free Cruise Bar, Circular Quay Sun-Sets Strike free Docks Hotel, Darling Harbour Salsa Caliente Sabroson, DJ Vico free Downstairs, Sandringham Hotel, Newtown DJ Metal Matt, Louis Tillett Goldfish, Kings Cross Martini Club Live Tom Kelly, Johnny Gleeson free Home Terrace, Sydney Spice After Hour Garry Todd, Robbie Lowe, Mattt & Tomass, YokoO $20/$10 Ice Bar, Sydney The Kitsch Sound System, Phil Hudson, Chloe West,

Mark Matthews free Kinselas Hotel, Darlinghurst The Fifth Dimension free Oatley Hotel Sunday Sessions DJ Tone & Friends Free Phoenix Bar, Darlinghurst Loose Ends DJ Matt Vaughan & guests Vinyl Richie & Craig Wilson $10 Sapphire Suite, Kings Cross Random Sundays Mike Rukus, Tom Piper, James Taylor, Matt Nukewood, Goodfella, Adam Lance, RobKAY free (guestlist)–$15 Sydney Showground Burn Baby Festival Timmy Trumpet, TV Rock, Nino Brown, Yolanda Be Cool $86 The Argyle Hotel, Rocks Charley Bo Funk, DJ BBG free The Bank Nightclub, Kings Cross Soul On Sunday Nino Brown, Don Juan free The Forbes Hotel, Sydney Church Of Techno Defined

by Rhythm, Rob Zobec, Altay Altin, Vinae, Shepz $10 The Rouge, Kings Cross Cheap Thrill$ John Glover, Matt Nukewood, Will Bailey (UK), J Smoove free The Sugarmill, Kings Cross Neighbourhood Kate Monroe free Trademark Hotel, Darlinghurst Soul on Sunday Nino Brown, Don Juan Watershed Hotel, Darling Harbour Miss Gabby free World Bar, Kings Cross Fortune! Disco Punx $15

club picks up all night out all week...

Krafty Kuts

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 18 LO-FI, Darlinghurst Hamish Rosser, Bad Wives Tone, Surry Hills Loop Thursdays Akil, Louis Logic, Nikita, Igloo, D*Phy $30 Goodgod Small Club, Sydney CBD World’s End Press $12 (at door) 8pm

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 19 Beach Road Hotel Dust Tones presents Horrorshow, Shantan Wantan Ichiban, DJ Ability, Mike Who, free Brighton Up Bar, Darlinghurst Twist & Shout Milli Von Ill, Dylabolical $5 (at door)

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 20 Chinese Laundry, Sydney Garden Party Krafty Kuts, Skool of Thought, Samrai, Bounce Crew DJs, Kid Kenobi & MC Shureshock, CR2 Records, MYNC Project, Micah, Jeff Drake, Jono Fernandez, Nacho

64 :: BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10

Pop, Matttt, Zooshu, Marky Mark, Titty Tassles $15-$25 World Bar, Kings Cross Goldmine ICON Series Ben Korbel, Micah (perth),

James Taylor, Levins, Ben Morris, Disco Punx, Bad Ezzy, Pete Nouveau, Temnein, Shamozzle, Joe Gadget $15 before 10pm, $20 after

Cobblestone Jazz

A

nother year drifts by in the blink of an eye, and I’m still here chained to this desk taking orders from these hacks… I mean, man I can’t wait for Mad Racket New Year’s Eve. On December 31, the Racketeers will bring in the New Year with a headline set from crowd favourite Chris Duckenfield, aka Swag, at the techno hub that is Marrickville Bowling Club. Duckenfield has been out here six times over the past ten years, but that is more indicative of his popularity with the local clubbing community than him treating Australia as an excuse for a summer vacation (though I’m sure the fact that Duckers continually manages to time his visits with summer down under is no coincidence!). Acclaimed emerging Berlin duo Session Victim will also be performing live. Comprised of Hauke Freer – who was out here earlier in the year doing some solo DJ spots – and Matthias Reiling, Session Victim have released a few EPs on UK label Delusions of Grandeur (also home to The Revenge/6th Borough Project) and a series of cuts on their own label, Retreat. With the resident Racketeers also throwing down, this is a mighty tempting option to celebrate the new year away from obnoxious louts packed into the city streets like sardines in a crushed tin box.

Tickets will be available from this Tuesday, November 16.

The lineup for the Sydney Festival Beck’s Bar has been unveiled, and I for one am more than pleasantly surprised; in fact, I’m just about salivating in excitement at the prospect of Cobblestone Jazz making their Australia debut. For those who came in late, Cobblestone Jazz is Mathew Jonson’s band project who explore acid jazz and psychedelic techno soundscapes.

Having released two cracking LPs, and singles such as ‘Dump Truck’ and ‘India In Me’, the inside word was always that the cost of luring the three core members (I know The Mole guested on their most recent LP The Modern Deep Left Quartet, but to the best of my knowledge he is not touring with them) to our shores would prove too expensive. Enter the folk behind the Sydney Festival – I tip my cap to you sirs and madams, and will be paying my respects on the dancefloor come January 22. Other Beck’s Bar notables include DJ Harvey, Henrik Schwarz and Detroit techno pioneers Octave One, who will be rounding things off at the customary Mad Racket Beck’s Bar Bash on Saturday January 29. It shapes as a hell of a start to 2011.

And there will be no relenting in February either, as Pulse Radio set sale on the second of their AGWA Summer Yacht Club series (their first cruise of the summer is of course taking place this Saturday with a set from Martin Buttrich). The lineup for Saturday February 5 isn’t leaving much in reserve; from the top we have Damian Lazarus, Art Department, Pete Herbert and Dicky Trisco. The mainroom will have a distinctly Crosstown Rebels flavour, with Lazarus, The Crosstown Rebels’ mainman, throwing down alongside the label’s latest prize signing Art Department, the

LOOKING DEEPER FRI DECEMBER 4 Ricardo Villalobos The Metro Theatre

DECEMBER 4–6

Subsonic ft Michael Mayer Barrington Tops

SAT JANUARY 29 Octave One The Beck’s Bar

SAT FEBRUARY 5

Damian Lazarus, Art Department Pulse Boat Party Canadian duo of Kenny Glasgow and Jonny White who announced their arrival as a live production pair with their pantydropping single ‘Without You’. Tickets are on sale Monday November 15.

To close with a bit of symmetry, we return to Marrickville Bowling Club for HaHa’s imminent bash featuring Juan Atkins and Vince Watson, slotted for next Saturday November 27. "But wait, there’s more," he says, evoking those horrendous ‘everything must go’-type commercials. Glaswegian Alex Smoke, who for me stole the show at last year’s Subsonic Festival, has been added to what is now a rather titillating triumvirate of international drawcards.

Smoke, known by his parents and inner circle as ‘Alex Menzies’, released his third full-length album Lux earlier in the year, offering another accomplished assortment of experimental ‘wonky’ techno to a back catalogue that also includes the masterful Incommunicado LP. I dare say summer proper commences this weekend people, and then it’s full throttle through until February. Are you rested and ready? I hope so…

Chris Duckenfield

Deep Impressions: electronica manifesto and occasional club brand. Contact through deep.impressions@yahoo.com.

Soul Sedation

Soul, Dub, Hip Hop & Bottom-heavy Beats with Tony Edwards

Aloe Blacc

Soul Sedation goes live every Wednesday night on Bondi FM (88.0 or bondifm.com.au). Tune in 10pm 'til midnight to hear a deep and soulful selection of the tunes covered here, and plenty more that I don't have room for.

N

ew Zealand’s latest electronic soul export The Electric Wire Hustle are appearing for an intimate show at Tone this Wednesday night. Although it’s officially billed as an album launch, their self-titled debut LP has been out in NZ for some time now, and making waves in the UK through a BBE release. It’s an album of high-grade production inspired by Motown, Fat Freddy’s and the prevailing future beat movement all at the same time. Their tune ‘They Don’t Want’ features on the Gilles P-compiled Brownswood Bubblers 5. Soul heads should represent for this one, listen out for Mara TK on vocals.

The Sydney Festival program is out, and there’s one particular Becks Bar show that’s standing out a long way from the rest of the pack. Friday January 28 will see man of the moment Aloe Blacc and his band The Grand Scheme, plus Benji B, Wajeed and Africa Hitech all packing into a relatively small space to bring us what you’d hope will be an incredible night of beats and soul music. With his 2010 album, Good Things, Blacc has emerged as one of this musical generation’s leading soul men, reminiscent of great voices past.

From his early work with Exile as Emanon, to his underground future soul album Shine Through on Stones Throw, Blacc is on the rise and rise. Tickets are on sale early NOW, and this column doesn’t recommend you sleep on those. And what a support lineup: Benji B of BBC 1xtra fame of course, Wajeed of the Platinum Pied Pipers, and Mark Pritchard and Steve Spacek as Africa Hitech. Brilliant.

On another Becks Bar bill for the revival heads, Nashville native Charles Walker will be fronting funk/soul outfit The Dynamites in a nod to vintage 60s sounds.

Walker, in his day, opened for all sorts of our favouritees - old soulers like JB himself, and Wilson Pickett. On support duty is the

eleven-piece I Like It Like That Orchestra with their Brazilian beats, Latin soul and funk flavours, and DJ support from Russ Dewbury. It happens on January 9. Look out for the Dynamites second album, Burn It Down, due out this year.

And in further nostalgia flavours, those US positivity cats Arrested Development will be holding down the Becks Bar Stage the following night, January 10, with Last Kinection on support. And the true hip hop heads can feast on a lineup of Scribe, Ru C.L, Katalyst and Hau Latukefu on January 19.

On the back of the news that Panasonic was phasing out the production of its Technics 1200 series of turntables due to declining sales and lack of access to parts, our friends at the The Recordstore peel another layer off the sage with the news that “Matsushita, the parent company of National, Panasonic and Technics, has killed off the entire Technics brand, fo’ real!”

To commemorate the whole sorry episode The Recordstore are offering you a chance to bling up your 1200s by pushing a limited run of gold Technics headshells.

Just briefly to new releases: keep your ears peeled for the second instalment of New Orleans Funk, a Soul Jazz Records compilation. It features great old hits from artists like Lee Dorsey, to The Meters to Betty Harris. Definitely a compile for anyone who’s a fan of a healthy horn section.

Those world-beating beatsmiths Hermitude have been busy cooking up a new album. They’ve dropped the new single ‘Get In My Life’ for free through the Elefant Traks site - get right on that if you haven’t already - and are prepping summer festival audiences with an intimate show at Tone (there’s that venue again) on Saturday December 11. Tickets are on sale now. This column can’t wait for the new record, their fourth full-length, to turn up.

To add to an already packed November calendar Pharoahe Monch is touring his new album W.A.R. through the country and will be on the mic at the Metro this November 26. Supports are coming from Jean Grae as well as NY’s DJ Boogie Blind.

ON THE ROAD WED NOV 17

FRI NOV 26

SUN JAN 9

SAT NOV 20

SAT NOV 27

FRI 18 FEB

Electric Wire Hustle Tone Femi Kuti & The Positive Force The Metro

THU NOV 25 Fat Freddy’s Drop Enmore Theatre

FRI NOV 26 DJ Krush The Basement

Pharoahe Monch Metro Theatre

Mos Def Enmore Theatre

DNBBQ ft. Lynx & Kemo + Makoto + Dub Terminator Manning Bar

Kool & The Gang + Roy Ayers Enmore Theatre

DECEMBER 3-5

Mayer Hawthorne & The County Manning Bar

Subsonic Music Festival Barrington Tops

FRI DEC 10 Hermitude Tone

SAT 19 FEB FEB 17-20

Playground Weekender Wiseman’s Ferry

Send stuff for this column to tonyedwards001@gmail.com by 6pm Wednesdays. All pics to art@thebrag.com BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10 :: 65

snap sn ap

the wall

PICS ::AM

up all night out all week . . .

teenage kicks

PICS :: AM

03:11:10 :: World Bar :: 24 Bayswater Rd Kings Cross 93577700

chinese laundry

PICS :: AM

04:11:10 :: World Bar :: 24 Bayswater Rd Kings Cross 93577700

party profile

06:11:10 :: Chinese Laundry :: 111 Sussex Street Sydney 82959958

Downtown

It’s called: Downtown at Club 77 It sounds like: Only the very best Selectors in Sydney bringing you super fresh big classic world dance floor bass music pure party JAMS. DJs: This month’s edition features Paper Plane Project, Max Gosford, Kato, Donnie Blood Moriarty, Sell it to us: If you've ever been in a washing machine set to “the best rinse I have ever been in” you will know wha club, afrobeat, grime, house, boog t you're in for; expect golden-era hip hop, ie funk, bass, dubstep, UK funky, dancehall, glitch, jungle, garage, bassline…

We don’t discriminate.

The bit we’ll remember in the AM: gave you right before the moment The fuzzy feeling in your chest THAT TUNE you broke your finger ‘cos you were way too hard. pointing Crowd specs: People with a degr ee Throwdown and Party-starting, with in Bass, double majoring in Dance Floor a Masters in Rampant Flagrance.

Wallet damage: Minimal - $10!

mum

PICS ::SB

Where: Club 77 / 77 William St When: Third Friday of the month,

05:11:10 :: World Bar :: 24 Bayswater Rd Kings Cross 93577700 66 :: BRAG :: 388: 15:11:10

launching November 19

) :: ASH LEY MAR :: TOM S : TIM LEV Y (HEA D HON CHO OUR LOV ELY PHOTOG RAP HER IEL MUN NS DAN :: TRA MON TE :: SUSAN BUI

snap

streetlife

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up all night out all week . . .

starfuckers

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05:11:10 :: The Rouge :: 39 Darlinghurst Rd Kings Cross 92120189

shadowrun

PICS :: TL

06:11:10 :: Club 77 :: 77 William St Kings Cross 93613387

05:11:10 :: Q-Bar :: 34-44 Oxford st, Darlinghurst 93601375

) :: ASH LEY MAR :: TOM S : TIM LEV Y (HEA D HON CHO OUR LOV ELY PHOTOG RAP HER IEL MUN NS TRA MON TE :: SUSAN BUI :: DAN

BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10 :: 67

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04:11:10 :: Spectrum :: 34 Oxford St Darlinghurst 93316245

funk d'void

PICS :: TL

hot damn

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up all night out all week . . .

falcona fridays

PICS :: PS

05:11:10 :: The Civic Hotel :: 388 Pitt St City 80807000

05:11:10 :: Kit & Kaboodle :: 33-35 Darlinghurst Rd Kings Cross 9368 0300

It’s called: Electric Wire Hustle Album Launc h It sounds like: Divine soulful grooves with Kiwi beats.

Who’s playing? Electric Wire Hustle w/ DJ Huwston.

Sell it to us: Electric Wire Hustle are New Zeala nd’s hottest new expor t and have been busy touring through Europe and the US. They’ve recently released their self-titled debut album and are ready to show Sydney what they do best.

The bit we’ll remember in the AM: Getting the scoop on this newest soulful sensation who are taking the world by storm .

Crowd specs: Anyone keen to hear some great new music.

Wallet damage: $25+bf, $30 on the door.

Where: Tone /16 Wentworth Ave, Surry Hills When: Wednesday November 17

68 :: BRAG :: 388: 15:11:10

wham

PICS :: DM

party profile

Electric Wire Hustle Album Launch

06:11:10 :: World Bar :: 24 Bayswater Rd Kings Cross 93577700

) :: ASH LEY MAR :: TOM S : TIM LEV Y (HEA D HON CHO OUR LOV ELY PHOTOG RAP HER IEL MUN NS TRA MON TE :: SUSAN BUI :: DAN

W W W . B E N C H M A R K M A S T E R I N G . C O M Don Bartley’s

Benchmark Mastering Changing the Rules

Over 35 Years of Audio Excellence Supporting Australian Music AUSTRALIAS MOST PROLIFIC MASTERING SUITES INTERNATIONAL RESULTS AT AFFORDABLE RATES

info@benchmarkmastering.com (02) 9211 3017

BRAG :: 388 :: 15:11:10 :: 69

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05:11:10

:: The Metro Theatre :: 624 George St City 92642666

dj vadim

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ausmusic month party

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up all night out all week . . .

we love indie

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06:11:10 :: Tone Venue :: 116 Wentworth Ave Surry Hills

06:11:10 :: Forbes Hotel :: 30 York St Sydney 92993703

It’s called: Femi Kuti & The Positive Force It sounds like: Nigerian music royalty with a 14-piece band, in a music and stage show like none other.

Who’s playing? Femi Kuti & The Positive Force with special guests Afro Moses, James Locksmith and DJ Huwston.

Sell it to us: Son of the legendary musician and activist Fela Kuti, Femi is following in his father’s footsteps, delivering exciting and dynamic performances all over the world. He returns with his full band – including dancers – to wow Sydney audiences, and show us how Afrobeat is done Kuti style!

The bit we’ll remember in the AM: Dancing the night away to a world-class performance.

Crowd specs: Anyone keen on a piece of music history.

Wallet damage: $57 +bf Where: The Metro Theatre When: Saturday November 20

70 :: BRAG :: 388: 15:11:10

sfx

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party profile

Femi Kuti & The Positive Force

06:11:10 :: St James Hotel :: 114 Castlereagh St City 92618277

) :: ASH LEY MAR :: TOM S : TIM LEV Y (HEA D HON CHO OUR LOV ELY PHOTOG RAP HER IEL MUN NS TRA MON TE :: SUSAN BUI :: DAN

STUDIO OPEN NIGHT 23 Nov 2010 @ 6.30pm Get up close & personal with the gear & the staff of AIM AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF MUSIC STUDIOS 1-51 Foveaux St | Surry Hills

AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF MUSIC

THE LEADING SCHOOL FOR TODAY’S MUSIC INDUSTRY

Register Your Interest E: events@aim.edu.au T: (02) 9219 5444

www.aim.edu.au