The Brag #392

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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

KARUNA

was an impressionable fifth-grader, I happily obliged.

My earliest musical memories are singing along to Michael Jackson’s Bad album in front of the mirror in my mum’s jam room.

She was in a punk band at the time during her stint at a music school in Goulburn. There were a lot of wild weekends at our place, and I remember the drummer chick from my mum’s band giving my bro The Uplift Mofo Party Plan on vinyl for his birthday one year. That was the beginning of a Chilli Peppers affair that lasted longer than John Frusciante, and a musical adventure that spans early jungle, the 90’s, UK rap and everything in between.

M

y earliest days were spent in a baby-seat riding around with my mum and my brother in Kathmandu, visiting Tibetan Lamas. Most of the 80s was then spent oscillating between the Himalayas, Melbourne and finally Braidwood, where I earned my stripes as a misled youth, living in an affluent country. We roamed the streets a

lot getting into trouble, skateboarding, binge drinking, smoking weed, shoplifting, trying to get laid and vandalising. I also had a penchant for nerdy stuff like painting lead figures, collecting/stealing comic books and playing clarinet in the town marching band…

One day, my brother decided to start a band, and since they needed a bass player and I

In rebellion to my wayward early teens, I went without alcohol or any other intoxicants from the age of 18 to 24. In this time The Bumblebeez were gaining momentum, and we toured Australia & Europe with great bands like Radiohead and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs. I was sober the whole time. This wasn’t as boring as it sounds, I actually had a lot of fun. I was also very productive musically and with work, saving heaps of cashola, which I mostly spent on studio gear and records. I even started a record label and put out an album and some vinyl!

Megadeth

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

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Simon Binns, Joshua Blackman, Mikey Carr, Benjamin Cooper, Oliver Downes, Max Easton, Tony Edwards, Christie Eliezer, Murray Engleheart, Lucy Fokkema, Mike Gee, Andrew Geeves, Thomas Gilmore, Kate Hennessy, Chris Honnery, Nathan Jolly, Alex Lindsay Jones, Andy McLean, Amelia Schmidt, Romi Scodellaro, RK, Luke Telford, Caitlin Welsh, Beth Wilson, Alex Young Please send mail NOT ACCOUNTS direct to this address 153 Bridge Road, Glebe NSW 2037 ph - (02) 9552 6333 fax - (02) 9552 6866 EDITORIAL POLICY: The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Publisher, Editor or Staff of The Brag.

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE: Stephen Forde : accounts@furstmedia.com.au ph - (03) 9428 3600 fax - (03) 9428 3611 Furst Media, 3 Newton Street Richmond Victoria 3121 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 DISTRIBUTION: Wanna get The Brag? email distribution@furstmedia.com.au or ph 03 9428 3600.

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The Karuna EP is out now - we’re doing a few gigs before Christmas, but plan to really hit the road proper in the new year. I also really want to start recording some new stuff in the studio I’ve just built. It’s great to finally have a space where I can create music with my friends; it becomes problematic to do it in your lounge room, when you share it with your wife and two year old. We’ve had lots of fun making our own music videos, and I’ve also been pumping out some remixes and various other side projects, which you can listen to on soundcloud.com/djkaruna.

What: Karuna EP launch With: Miracle (live) + secret surprise international headliner Where: F.R.I.E.N.D/s @ Fringe Bar When: Wednesday December 15

PAV DOES VIVID LIVE

He brought out Nirvana and The Lemonheads back in the day, and put out those early, great Noise Addict records (before Ben Lee became Ben Lee). He even released a Pavement record, the first The Living End and Eskimo Joe albums, and, yeah, he started Modular People... Now Steve ‘Pav’ Pavlovic is curating 2011’s Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House, set to take place from May 27 to June 5. The program won’t be revealed til March next year, but he promises that unlike Brian Eno, Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson before him, he won’t be performing himself.

KISS/HUG @ CLUB 169

ART DIRECTOR: Sarah Bryant GRAPHIC DESIGN: Dara Gill SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER: Tim Levy SNAP PHOTOGRAPHERS: Susan Bui, Reef Gaha, Ashley Mar, Patrick Stevenson, Tom Tramonte, Rosette Rouhanna, Daniel Munns, COVER DESIGN: Sarah Bryant 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

Lately, I’ve opened up a lot more to new experiences and whatever’s happening - it’s been quite liberating. It almost feels like it did when I was a kid making music for the first time. At the same time, it’s impossible to make a complete break from your musical foundations, so those early influences of mine will always come through: hip hop, drum n bass, indie rock.

Sydney’s newest nightclub is ready to kick it off in a serious way. One of the biggest gigs coming up is the pre-launch of Kiss/Hug, presented by The Filth. Officially launching on January 14, their Xmas party on Friday December 24 will be something of a taste-test – with The Snowdroppers and Bridgemary Kiss (who are offering up a demo a day from now til Christmas on their MySpace) hitting the stage. More acts announced soon, tix through Moshtix.

NO SLEEP TIL NO SLEEP TIL!

No Sleep Til festival finally lands this Saturday December 18! At 1pm, the gates of Entertainment Quarter, Hordern Pavilion and surrounds will be opening to all ages, for anyone keen to party with about a billion bands, including Megadeth, Descendents, NOFX, Dropkick Murphys, Parkway Drive, Frenzal Rhomb, and Gwar. You love Gwar!

Why don’t you join the band? ...Head to nosleeptil.com.au to explore the maps and playing times, and your mid-90s video shelf to explore the reference.

NECKING IN 2011

Brian Eno loves The Necks, and because we love that little Windows startup sound he wrote, we love Eno. So we were more than interested when we heard The Necks were back from their ‘extended break’ (in reality only about six months; these guys need to learn how to take proper, MBV-esque breaks), and are set to bombard Australia with awesomeness in the first few months of the year. First up is a special night for the Sydney Festival on January 21, alongside a screening of The Boys – next up is a show at The Basement on February 16.

JETHRO TULL!

Ever since the Lords Of The Rings films made it okay to be a cod-piece wearing, middle-earth loving nonce, we at The Brag have been awaiting the rightful return of the flute into the rock pantheon... Well, Jethro Tull, the only band named after an English agricultural pioneer (he invented the seed drill doncha know), have heeded this cry, and will be bringing their flute and possibly some more conventional instruments down under to play April 26 at the State Theatre. Huge news! Tickets on sale December 9. (Seed drills available at all good agri-supply stores.)

HANLON XMAS BONANZA

When your super-religious neighbour (the one you stole those ‘Jesus: All About Life’ signs from) asks you if you’re planning to go

to church this Xmas, you can now say “Yes I am and I am really looking forward to being mesmerised by the overwhelming power of it all.” Of course, you should leave out the fact that you’re visiting St Stephen’s Anglican Church in Newtown next Saturday December 18, to watch Darren Hanlon’s Christmas show.

Nothing like a White (lie) Christmas.

MAGIC WAVVES

Wavves is playing Manning Bar February 9 - this much we already know (buy one of his weed grinders from the merch desk).

But what brings this news from a 10/10 to a mathematically illogical 20/10 is that Magic Kids, the Zombies-baroque-60s-lush-lovelies from America, are supporting. If you haven’t already got tickets, then we’d strongly suggest buying one. Or two, even - you may meet the lover of your dreams before then.

STP. OMG.

‘Interstate Love Song’ has soundtracked just as many weddings as it has drunken underage garage pissups. That is pretty much the definitive summary of the post-Reality-Bites generation, who will no doubt be jumping for joy (or turning in their grave: heroin was the other definitive statement) at the news that Stone Temple Pilots are finally touring here, for the first time ever. The fact that Grinspoon are supporting is so fitting I don’t even have a simile for it.

March 20 sees the two bands play the Hordern Pavilion; tickets on sale December 15.

M. Ward

MMMM... WARD…

Here are a few things M. Ward has scrawled on his “make the world a better place” to do list. 1) Convince Zooey Deschanel it’s a good idea for her to sing sweet, cute 60s songs with him and release these on record. 2) Make Bright Eyes’ Cassadaga album a whole lot better by being involved in it. 3) Co-write and co-produce with Beth Orton, Cat Power and Jenny Lewis. 4.) Monsters of Folk. 5) Record and release a string of amazing solo records… Oh, and of course 6) Play The Enmore Theatre on February 20, with Holly Throsby in support. Tickets on sale December 14.

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rock music news

free stuff

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

FREESTUFF@THEBRAG.COM

five things WITH

Philadelphia Grand Jury

CLOUD CONTROL FOR WAS I THERE IN YOUR FUTURE? consummate our musical crush. Likewise Djanimals - international man of mystery has neatly managed to avoid our previous invitations, but now we’ve pinned him down.

It’s no wonder Stones Throw signed him up - the guy is a beat genius. Finally, We Say Bamboulee are like the annoying little brothers, who write annoyingly great tunes.

Music is all well and good but knowledge is power, the pen is mightier than the sword, and we have a stack of books that we want people to take home. If you’re a charitable soul, then bring in a book and trade with your friends.

W

e up and leave this great southern land in February, to relocate to the UK. We’ve spent the last four years building our career here and now that we have a label pushing stuff in the UK/Europe, we have to head over to give the album as much push as possible. The record is out there in May next year, so we’ll be doing quite a bit of touring in the UK and Europe, and possibly Japan and the US...

Doing a farewell show in our hometown had to happen. A way of saying thanks to everyone, to hang out with everyone, and to make it a party. We wanted to try

something a little different to make it less of a conventional headline gig. We brainstormed an idea about putting on an event where we selected quality acts we love, but also combined some different art forms. We don’t have massive budgets - but hey, it’s the first time we’ve tried to do this, and we wanted to give it a crack.

Picking the bands was a purely selfish process. Otouto and Oh Ye Denver Birds are geographically indisposed, and always manage to neatly avoid playing in town when we’re around. We’ve been loving them long time, so now it’s time to

Some Sydney artists are helping transform The Factory Theatre into some semblance of an exhibition, too. Our friend Maisie Cohen heads up the time-based component, curating a cycle of projections and videos. Andrew Short and Raffaello Rosselli, a shoemaker and an architect respectively, will construct a purpose-built installation from recycled materials. We haven’t given these guys much direction at all to be honest, so it’s going to be as much of a surprise for us as it is for you…

PHILLY JAYS

Philadelphia Grand Jury put on arguably the funnest and raddest night that you’ll ever have, period. Fronted by the ridonkulous Berkfinger, these indie punks have come home after making waves overseas – their song ‘No You Don’t’ was even featured on the HBO series Entourage. Nearing the end of their 26-date ‘SAVE OUR TOWN’ tour, which culminates in a performance at Phillip Island’s Pyramid Rock Festival, the Philly Jays are swinging

by Sydney for a few shows – notably, at Mona Vale Hotel on December 17. We have a couple of prizepacks containing double passes to the show, as well as copies of their re-release Hope Is For The Hopeless.

Tell us what Jay-Z song the Philly Jays have covered. Here’s hoping they play it…

What: ‘Was I There In Your Future?’, curated by Cloud Control With: Cloud Control, Otouto, Oh Ye Denver Birds, Djanimals, We Say Bamboulee, art installations, projections and a book swap!

Where: The Factory Theatre, for all ages When: Saturday December 18, from 4pm

You can catch them at The Brass Monkey in Cronulla on Thursday January 6, or Oxford Art Factory on January 7. Tickets available through each venue.

HELLO SATELLITES TOUR

Hello Satellites have announced a national tour to launch their new single, ‘Heartbeat Fast As A Rabbit’. To experience songstress Eva Popov’s happy, layered vocal pop extravaganza, you can head to Peats Ridge Festival on NYE, The View Factory in Newcastle on Wednesday January 19 or the Hotel Excelsior in Sydney on Saturday January 22. Use da google for dem tickets.

MOTOROLA + BDO 4EVA

Motorola, the Big Day Out and Father Christmas are giving you the opportunity to win two tickets to Big Day Out 2011 - plus the summer-proof smartphone, the Motorola DEFY. And rather than making you write 25 words or less about

how inarticulate you are, this competition is actually loads of fun. There will be a guy just hanging in a deckchair by an esky in a series of secret locations across the country throughout December. Your mission, should you choose to pretend your life is a Bond film: Find him. But it isn’t as hard as it sounds. To find out where he will be, just register for the chase at dashtodefy. com.au. And once you find him, slap his sunburnt legs. (Don’t really!)

A VERY SPUNKY XMAS

Head down to GOODGOD Small Club on Tuesday December 14 with $20 in your pockets, to party with Jack Ladder, Leader Cheetah, Bearhug, DJ Rock Throsby (surprise hint: it’s Holly) and ‘very special guests’ - who we imagine are similarly intertwined with one of our favourite indie labels, Spunk Records. They’re the guys putting on the shindig; and you’re the guys who should go, you guys.

Those Darlins

Deep Sea Arcade

SURF THE DEEP SEA (ARCADE)

Back when they were writing songs inspired by the Blue Man Group, New Zealand’s Surf City were called Smurf City. Before that, when they were still really into war games, they went by the name Nerf City. In a very brief period that spawned a Good Morning Australia tribute EP, they were called Bert City - and now that they like surfing and that, they’ve changed their name to Surf City. In less fictitious and more relevant news, the ever-amazing Surf City are heading over to Australia to whip up and down the East Coast with Deep Sea Arcade - I guess any excuse to hit Aussie beaches will do. To pay for the extra luggage they wanna bring (boards, etc), you’ll need to go to their shows. Wednesday February 9, Beach Rd Hotel, Bondi; Friday Feb 11, Oxford Art Factory; Saturday Feb 12, Mona Vale Hotel; and Sunday Feb 13, Brass Monkey, Cronulla.

GEORGIA FAIR & GOSSLING

Get some EPs up ya! Folk duo Georgia Fair and folk-pop act Gossling will be launching both of their spectacular EPs at the delightful Vanguard on Wednesday December 15. Head down for a wondrous night or music and love – or head down to the Courty after, for a night of drinking and debauchery. Tickets are on sale through the venue website (free entry at the Courthouse, though. Well, unless you’re Nathan Jolly; they turn him away on sight.)

DEAD LETTER CHORUS + JASON COLLETT

After the runaway wild success of their triple j-stamped single ‘Run, Wild’ (puns!), through to Dead Letter Chorus’ recent East Coast tour, it’s only fitting that they capitalise on the moment and keep on touring. This time, Gabby, Cam & co. will team up with Dead Letter Circus and Dead Letter Opener Jason Collett (of Broken Social Scene fame) for a bunch of shows.

THOSE DARLINS, THIS WEEK!

Those Darlins are (besides being almost too attractive to logically exist) playing two shows in Sydney this week. On Wednesday December 15, they’ll be playing the Beach Road Hotel in Bondi (home of Bondi Rescue) with Cloud Control in support - and then the next night they hit the Annandale. Both shows also feature the awesome, fuzzed-out punchy lo-fi sound of Jeff the Brotherhood, who we’re almost certain aren’t a cult.

“Twenty year old turkey in a thirty year old tin. I can’t wait until tomorrow and thaw one out again” - ZZ TOP 14 :: BRAG :: 392 : 13:12:10

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dance music news

free stuff

welcome to the frontline: what’s goin’ on around town... With Chris Honnery onthefly.com.au

FREESTUFF@THEBRAG.COM

he said she said WITH D EREB THE

GRILL’D BURGERS

Burgers are the best thing since sliced bread, literally. Grill’d Burgers are a few thousand notches above your mum’s frozen-meat-patties-from-Woolworthswith-burnt-onions-soggy-tomato-andbarbeque-sauce burgers. With tantalising burger names like Field of Dreams, Bombay Bliss and Tuscan Delight, every burger is a symphony of fresh vegetables, grill’d meats, naughty herbs, sexy spices and delish relishes. YUM. Thanks to the sweet folks at Grill’d, we have five $25 vouchers to hand out. To win, tell us which band or singer you’d like to have a Grill’d burger with and why. Yay, dinner’s on us!

AMBASSADOR

M

y first musical memory as a kid, I would say, was my grandfather, sitting in the remote area outside of his house. There wasn’t any electricity but he had a little radio, and would listen to modern Ethio-jazz. Sometimes he used to sing for special days, singing about himself. Also my father played accordion in the countryside where we lived... Those are my childhood music memories.

My childhood was very sad. It comes back to me still now, and affects me. I was quite discriminated against, and it made me very angry towards society. I could not understand why human beings would do that to other human beings. I was treated as a second-class citizen because I played an ancient instrument, and because of my lack of education - I had to isolate myself from my people for 14 years. Growing up on the streets of Addis Abeba was quite hard.

My uncle was my favourite artist in Ethiopia - he had a great voice. For quite a long time I used to sing his songs, and trained my voice to his style. Getachew Kasa was another legendary Ethiopian artist - I loved his style of singing. Outside of Ethiopia, Boyz II Men - they have amazing voices. Sade - her voice and the lyrics and the way she holds herself. RnB singer Joe Thomas - great voice and style of singing.

Bob Marley - he was an inspirational human being; the voice of the world. 2Pac - my life

DEREB THE AMBASSADOR

was similar to his; his struggle and his words are unforgettable.

Sydney has a really creative, bustling scene. There are lots of live gigs that have started up over the last twelve months because of the changes in licensing laws, giving musicians the opportunity to get their creative projects out into the public, which is exciting.

Paying rent is the hardest obstacle to overcome. Once you sort out that stuff it’s just a matter of building an audience, learning the ropes, getting enough experience in the

scene… The hardest thing is that first step of getting bands out into venues. The quality of musicians is so high, and they’re always willing to get out there and play. We’ve got this amazing city we live in and alongside all of that, you’ve got great musicians who just want to go out and play, to make music.

With: Myles Mayo, Amaya Laucirica Where: The Gaelic Theatre When: Wednesday December 15 More: Peats Ridge Sustainable Arts & Music Festival, Dec 29–January 1 @ Glenworth Valley

Dereb the Ambassador (pictured left) is indeed acting as the Official Ambassador for 60s and 70s Ethiopian soul. Producer Tony Bunchen and Ethiopian singer and masenqo player Dereb Desalegn have sought to recreate the dusty feel of past Ethiopian music, using only vintage recording equipment, but also enlisting the assistance of musicians from Deep Sea Arcade and The Strides.

He’s launching his infectious new single ‘Etu Gela’ at The Gaelic on December 15 with Amaya Laucirica and Jinja Safari DJs, in anticipation of his new album, which is set for release in 2011. We have five double passes to give away; to win one, name an artist on the Other Tongues label (apart from Dereb the Ambassador).

refuted by the gold-toothed d’n’b don... Tricky will be performing with a full band, including Francesca Belmont on vocals. Tickets go on sale from this Thursday, December 16.

DÂM-FUNK

Rahzel

PLATFORM HIP HOP FESTIVAL

Now in its fourth year, the Platform hip hop festival is headed to CarriageWorks for a month-long extravaganza in March – it’s never been so big. The focus will stretch beyond music to traverse dance, street art, photography, film and hip hop theatre, punctuated by performances from ‘serious playas’ from the international hip-hop stage. Rahzel (AKA the Godfather of Noyze), Supernatural and DJ JS-1 will each perform, along with Korea’s B*Boy Blond, Poe 1 from the US and Germany’s B*Boy Storm – with no ticket price over $35. Full program details are available at platformhiphop.com.au.

TRICKY SIDESHOW

Trip hop pioneer Tricky has announced a Sydney sideshow at The Metro Theatre on Saturday February 19, in addition to his performance at the Playground Weekender Festival. Tricky has recently released his 9th LP, Mixed Race, which featured a guest spot from Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie.

Originally a member of The Wild Bunch, who later became Massive Attack, Tricky released his debut solo album Maxinquaye back in 1995 and has since collaborated with the likes of Elvis Costello, Tool, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bjork, Alison Goldfrapp, PJ Harvey and Nelly Furtado. He’s also notorious for his claim to be Goldie’s nephew – a claim that was readily

After his sold-out Australian debut in May, LA-based singer/DJ/multi-instrumentalist and ‘ambassador of boogie funk’, DâM-FunK, returns to our shores early next year, and will play an intimate show at Tone on Thursday January 6. Despite bursting onto the scene in that acid-washed summer of 08-09 with remixes of Baron Zen and Animal Collective, and the release of his acclaimed debut album Toeachizown on Stones Throw, DâM-FunK (pronounced ‘Dame’, as in Edna Everage, and ‘funk’ as in funk) has been producing music for many, many years. In fact, he recently released a collection of forgotten recordings from his teenage years, Adolescent Funk, which features tracks originally recorded on cassette tape in the late 80s and early 90s.

BOUNDARY BONDS WITH...

JULIAN HEWITT,

MEDIA ARTS LAWYERS

Tell Us a Bit About Your Role…

Being a music lawyer entails negotiating recording and publishing deals, management agreements, legal structuring, corporate advice and for some acts shopping them here and overseas for deals. I rep artists/managers/events/labels, as well as film producers, fashion designers, advertising agencies, brands and other creative and online companies.

DE LA SOUL TOUR

Next year will mark 20 years since the release of De La Soul’s landmark album, De La Soul Is Dead - which featured cuts like ‘Keepin The Faith’ and ‘Pass The Plugs’. The pioneering troupe is touring Australia to coincide with this 20-year anniversary, and will play The Enmore Theatre on Thursday February 10. If last year’s sold-out tour is any indication, you’d better not prevaricate when it comes to procuring tickets for this one. Support slots have been secured

by Obese Records’ Dialectrix, Prince Paul and Dizz 1.

LITTLE DRAGON X 2

Future Classic have received a strong response to their series of live shows - so much so that Little Dragon’s gig at Goodgod Small Club this Wednesday is now sold out. All is not lost, as another show has been announced at the same venue this Friday December 17. Little Dragon met at Gothenburg High School in the mid-90s - but it wasn’t until 2007 that they released their first self-titled LP on the hallowed Peacefrog Records imprint. After touring the album the band adopted a more upbeat sound on their second LP, Machine Dreams - which has just been released in Australia, and was preceded by the lead single ‘My Step’ - a cut that has been on heavy rotation on triple j. With accolades from tastemakers like Ewan Pearson and William Orbit, you now have a second – and final – chance to see what all the fuss is about. Support on the Friday night comes from the latest Future Classic signing, Moon Holiday, along with Levins and the Future Classic DJs.

MF Doom

MF DOOM TOUR

Masked New York rapper Doom aka MF Doom (real name Daniel Dumile) will tour Australia for the first time in March. As Zev Love X, Doom formed the group KMD in 1988 with his younger brother DJ Subroc and Onyx the Birthstone Kid, and achieved considerable success before Subroc was tragically struck and killed by a car in 1993 - causing Doom to retreat from the scene for a number of years.

Upon his return he unleashed a series of successful solo albums as Doom, Viktor Vaughn and King Geedorah, and a string of much-vaunted collaborations with Danger Mouse as Danger Doom and Madlib as Madvillain - not to mention Sniperlite alongside J Dilla and Ghostface Killah. Doom will play The Forum on Wednesday March 23, with presale tickets online now.

What is the most common issue you deal with in music law?

The music industry is dynamic and fast-moving, so many projects are put together on the fly, without paperwork. Things are less likely to go awry if you have a written agreement at the beginning because you are forced to address potential issues in advance, and the agreement serves as a roadmap for your relationship. If things don’t work, you have already decided what to do - and drafting a contract is a fraction of the cost of litigating a dispute! Plus you don’t waste 12 months of your life in legal limbo when you could be making records or lying on a hammock in the Maldives…

Best legal advice for bands starting out?

Don’t sign anything or spend up without talking to a music lawyer. You will save money and build a better business if you get good advice at the outset. A good music lawyer will be commercial in their approach and not charge you more than the value they bring to the table – and many are happy to have a quick chat about something without charging you.

“You snatch your rattling last breaths with deep-sea-diver sounds, and the flowers bloom like madness in the spring.” - JETHRO TULL 16 :: BRAG :: 392 : 13:12:10

BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10 :: 17

free stuff

dance music news welcome to the frontline: what’s goin’ on around town... With Chris Honnery onthefly.com.au

five things WITH

BIG VILLAGE XMAS PARTY

POW! POW!

Growing Up The Music You Make We both come from musical We describe our sound as “bootyshaking 1.

4. families and backgrounds. Matt’s quirky left-of-centre house & techno in all dad is a serious jazz musician, and my dad kills it on the pots and pans every time.

Inspirations We are genuinely inspired 2. by so many people and by so many things. Funk, hip hop, deep house, techno, sounds at the zoo, whatever is in the tape deck of Matt’s Toyota Corolla - dubbed the ‘Marco Carola’.

3.

Your Crew Pow! Pow! came together out of a strong friendship and a mutual appreciation for the music we love and now make.

We are fortunate in the fact we gel together well and balance each other out, bringing different strengths to the dinner table.

Pow! Pow! was born in QLD, and the crew up there flying the flag for good music is amazing...

Guys like Little Fritter, Zare, Alex James, Danny T, Malfunke`, Wongo and more are doing big things. In Sydney there are just too many to name - so let’s just say, plenty of top cats...

KONRAD BLACK A-Trak

New club brand ‘Organic’ launches this Saturday December 18 with a set from Wagon Repair’s Konrad Black. For anyone who isn’t so well acquainted with Vancouver’s Konrad (or ‘Todd’ as he goes by to his friends and groupies) here’s the bluffer’s guide: Black has released a number of top-drawer cuts over the years on labels like Wagon Repair and Get Physical, namely ‘Medusa Smile’ and ‘Draconia’, though he’s best known for his funked-up remix of Snax’s ‘Honeymoon’s Over’ – a panty-dropper if ever there was one. He’s also reworked the likes of Tiga, Audion and Martini Brös, and mixed an instalment in the Watergate compilation series, which affirms his standing in the pantheon of tech DJs. Support is headed by one of Melbourne’s finest, Mike Callander, whose name is often – and not incorrectly – bandied about when people discuss Australia’s leading DJs. This will be a BYO affair that also features visuals courtesy of Mr. Nathan Garnett and will be held at a new venue, Sun Studios in Alexandria, away from the riffraff of King’s Cross et al.

FREESTUFF@THEBRAG.COM

shapes & sizes, fun for the whole family.”

Guys we get into are very varied, from Carl Craig to Justin Martin, Zombie Disco Squad to Damian Lazarus, a mix of serious and fun...

We have just released our Boogie Monster EP on a fresh, forward-thinking label called Blotter. It’s the first release on the label, and we’re super chuffed to be part of it. We have a heap of originals and remixes on the boil for 2011, which we’re excited about - including a remix for the next Camel EP.

Ditch your work Christmas party and head to the much hipper Big Village Hip Hop Christmas Party – a night of feelgood music presented by new record label Big Village, who are coincidentally celebrating their first year on the scene.

The lineup features a swag of Big Village signings, namely Tuka (of Thundamentals notoriety), Daily Meds, Loose Change, True Vibenation, and many more. So, for a wild night of joyous Christmas vibes and hip hop debauchery look no further than this very Christmas bash. It’s all happening at Tone on December 17; to win a double pass tell us in 25 words or less what the difference is between a ‘big village’ and a ‘small city’. We have five doubles to give away.

Music, Right Here, Right Now There’s so many talented guys making 5. amazing music at the moment, so the scene is definitely in a great place. There is a great underground hub doing disco, house, dubstep, techno and all in between, which is exciting. In my short time in Sydney I would have to say that World Bar is at the forefront - one of the best places to play and party.

So much good music spread over the whole place, and it’s definitely more like coming home to your family than heading to a club each time we visit! xo What: Boogie Monster EP is out now Where: Wham! @ The World Bar, Kings Cross When: Saturday December 18

and begin another, with an array of DJs, strippers and performers spread over all four floors of The Oxford Hotel all night long.

Over forty DJs - including Sirens, Kato, Cassette, Dangerous Dan, Perfect Snatch, Sex Azza Weapon, National Treasure, Titty Tassels, Matt Vaughan (Loose Ends), Goldie and Willard, MC Glammer, Champagne Hangover, Love Zero, Nathan Mahon and Nu Balance - will be spinning, with outrageous attire suggested. Doors open 8pm, with presales available online for $35.

Tuka

THE BREWERY NYE

The Brewery in Newcastle has announced its NYE lineup. Indie stalwarts Regurgitator and electro DJ/producers Bag Raiders are the dual headliners, while Urthboy, Van She Tech, Cassian and local bands Nova & the Experience and Backbeat will also be representin’. Aside from the music, you can expect a party experience comprising podium and cage dancers, cigarette girls, magicians, circus performers and sideshow booths... General admission entry is $50, with doors open from 6pm.

Guilty Simpson and Phat Cat

EDAN THE DEE JAY

Boston’s psychedelic hip-hop proponent, Edan The Dee Jay, returns to Sydney to play Tone on Monday January 3. Throughout his sixteen plus years in the game, Edan has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the biz, including Souls of Mischief, Cut Chemist, Percee P, Mr Lif and Akrobatik, while his ability to blend genres and explore beyond conventional sonic mores has secured him a following outside of your average rap crowd.

Expect a night of psychedelic hip hop, glitch hop, funk and straight up boom bap goodness – the sort of thing Tony E would describe as “dopeness” in his Soul Sedation column, found deeper in the magazine... Support from Tuka from Thundamentals, DJ Ology, Studio Tann and Shantan Wantan Ichiban.

A-TRAK @ OAF

Turntabilist extraordinaire A-Trak will play Oxford Art Factory on Saturday January 8, for a Field Day sideshow.

A DMC World Champion while still in his teens, A-Trak is also the brother of Dave 1 from Chromeo. A-Trak was selected by Kanye West to be his tour DJ back in ’04, paving the way for him to become something of a streetwear icon, collaborating with Nike, Kidrobot and Zoo York.

A-Trak will be supported by Anna Lunoe, Kato and Harry Cotton in the mainroom of OAF, with the Trashbags DJs in the Gallery Bar. First release tickets are going for $35+ bf.

E.L.F.’S FREE DEBUT LP

Embracing the Christmas spirit, The E.L.F. (Darren Cross of Gerling fame) is about to release his debut album Plankton Icke and Tina Turner David City Limits, as a free online download. The album will be available from his blog elfcontact.blogspot.com as of December 18 - just in time for the holidays. The release is the product of two years of solid studio time, and shifts from acoustic/reverb/distorted disco jams to downbeat future electronica and then back to more ebullient dance sounds - reminiscent of his days raving away as part of Gerling. Plenty of Xmas jingle for the silly season!

GAY BASH NYE

GUILTY SIMPSON AND PHAT KAT

Two of Detroit’s finest hip hop artists, Guilty Simpson and Phat Kat, headline a double bill at Tone nightclub on Saturday January 22. Simpson is one of the most creative MCs of his generation, and has worked with everyone from Eminem, D12 and Slum Village to Black Milk and of course J-Dilla. Phat Kat (a.k.a. Ronnie Cash) is responsible for the celebrated LP Carte Blanche, released in 2007 on Look Records - but those attending this gig can expect to be treated to a preview of material from his forthcoming album Katakombz, slotted for release in the new year. Support duties go to the Seekae DJs, Dizz1 & friends and Cold Crush DJs.

Gay Bash’s ‘Nude Year’s Eve’ is the selfproclaimed “sluttiest way” to end one year

“In your pomp and all your glory you’re a poorer man than me, as you lick the boots of death born out of fear.” - JETHRO TULL 18 :: BRAG :: 392 : 13:12:10

ARE YOU READY TO BE BIG DAY OUT PROOF? Defy everything that festival season throws at you with the smartphone that’s water and scratch resistant.

WIN BIG DAY OUT TICKETS

thanks to the new MOTOROLA DEFY TM with MOTOBLURTM

d a s h to d e f y. c o m . a u

The Telstra Logo is a registered trade mark of Telstra Corporation Limited. ABN 33 051 775 556. MOTORO0022/BDO/BRAG

BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10 :: 19

The Music Network

themusicnetwork.com

Industry Music News with Christie Eliezer

NEW MUSIC INDUSTRY AWARDS LAUNCHED The Australian Music Industry Awards will be launched next year, to recognise the accomplishment of behind-the-scenes people who turn the cogs of the music biz. It covers publishing, recording, live & touring, management, digital, marketing, promotions, distribution, merchandise, live production, studio production, journalism, publicity, radio programming, staging, ticketing, TV broadcast, festivals and advertising. It’s the initiative of trade publication The Music Network and The Black Book music directory. “The awards will be free of swimmers, models, TV cameras and public voting,” say the organisers. “While it’s all about the music, there will be no artist awards.

But there will be performances from the year’s best.” More news as it comes to hand...

MODULAR’S PAV GETS VIVID ON THE RUN Modular founder Stephen “Pav” Pavlovic wasted no time in hunting for talent as curator of the third Vivid LIVE at the Sydney Opera House, from May 27 to June 5. A week after he signed on, he was abroad looking for new, interesting acts: he took interviews promoting his appointment in London and even at New York’s JFK airport. The festival program will be unveiled in March. Unlike the first two curators of the festival, Brian Eno in 2009 and Lou Reed/Laurie Anderson this year, Pav promises he won’t perform!

GAGA MOST PLAYED ON AUSSIE RADIO Lady GaGa was the most played artist on Australian radio in 2010, with over 37,000 spins, according to broadcast monitoring agency AirCheck. She was followed by Pink (36, 982), Powderfinger (36,163), Katy Perry (31, 845), John Butler Trio (31, 246), INXS (29, 580), U2 (28, 955), Train (28, 813), Ke$ha (27, 613) and Rihanna rounding off the Top 10 with 27, 316 spins.

HARD ROCK CAFÉ RETURNS TO SYDNEY The Hard Rock Café is returning to Sydney next year. Operators Hard Rock International have already opened a retail Rock Shop in Harbourside at Darling Harbour. It will stock rock memorabilia from artists like Pink, Elton John, Tom Petty and Cher, which fans can buy. The actual café opens in the second quarter of 2011 above the shop. The 500-capacity room will showcase live acts and memorabilia displays.

LIMEWIRE GIVES UP THE FIGHT The world’s biggest peer-to-peer filesharing network, LimeWire, will close its legally licensed store and its New York office on New Years Eve. This came after a series of legal body blows by the music industry. The last blow was in October, when a federal court banned the distribution of its client software, and it closed its P2P operations. Before that, the record labels and publishers had initiated separate lawsuits.

AUSTRALIA COUNCIL GRANTS The Australia Council’s Music Board handed out 24 grants worth $460,935 to musicians and associations this year. Among those from NSW were the Country Music Association of Australia ($21,000 towards mentor fees, for its Australian Academy of Country Music), Newcastle’s Sound Summit ($20,000 towards its annual five day festival, and

THINGS WE HEAR * Guns N’Roses’ promoter Andrew McManus Presents is expected to get a “please explain” from Townsville’s mayor for going past the 10:45pm curfew, and playing until midnight (after the band came on two hours late). * Claremont Council in WA is planning to throw the book at Stereosonic’s WA promoter Sunset Events for noise infringements. They were pissed off when the health officer was allegedly told by a security guard to get off the site, when she told them they’d gone over the volume limit. * Black Eyed Peas’ Will.i.am has revealed he will produce the next U2 album with Dangermouse. He said that at a lunch at conference of independent and innovative music) and Sydney’s WIRED Lab ($20,000 for workshops and skill development programs).

ALL YOU NEED IS GLOVE Michael Jackson’s iconic single glove, which he wore on his “Bad” tour in the ‘80s, fetched US$300,000 at an auction in Beverly Hills. A signed MJ jacket and fedora went for $96,000 and $72,000 respectively. A military-style jacket worn by John Lennon for a 1966 Life magazine photo shoot got $240,000 and the guitar on which Johnny Cash composed ‘I Walk The Line’ on drew $50,000.

NO NEW LAWS FOR SCALPERS The government won’t be introducing new laws to deal with scalpers. A six month survey by the Commonwealth Consumer Affairs Advisory Council (CCAAC) found that despite concerns by consumers, the on-selling market is predominantly used by fans offloading unwanted tickets. The report said current legislation covered any problems. It made the point that frustrated consumers are blaming scalpers because new technology allows events to sell out quickly.

Life lines

Bono’s place, he’d played some new tracks to guests including George Clooney and Cindy Crawford and “they all left the finger food to come and hear.’’ * A Facebook campaign has been started by Aussie musicians angered by Qantas’ not allowing instruments into the cabin. * Looks like The Gorillaz will be no more after their Australian tour… * Sydney agency New World Artists added Adelaide’s Killgirls to its roster. * Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall told The Guardian he slept with 3,000 women over a three year period in the 80s. * Hello world: Sydney’s Super Massive, whose ‘Get Me Out Of My Head’ single topped the Hot 25 chart of LA’s indie radio

› THE MUSIC NETWORK TOP 40 The top 40 most ‘heard’ songs on Australian radio.

TW LW TI HP P1 P2 P3 ARTIST

TRACK

LABEL

1

2

8

1 16 31 61 KATY PERRY

FIREWORK

CAP/EMI

2

1

9

1 16 41 70 PINK

RAISE YOUR GLASS

SME INT/UMA

3

3

9

3 14 28 60 ENRIQUE IGLESIAS FT. NICOLE SCHERZINGER

HEARTBEAT

4

4

8

3 11 29 58 KE$HA

WE R WHO WE R

SME

5

11

5

5 11 26 49 BRUNO MARS

GRENADE

ATL/WMA

6

5 13 4 11 27 47 NELLY

JUST A DREAM

UNI/UMA

7

7

SING

WB/WMA

8

6 13 1 13 31 62 RIHANNA

ONLY GIRL (IN THE WORLD)

DEF/UMA

THE TIME (THE DIRTY BIT)

INT/UMA

4

7 15 25 43 MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE

9 10 6

9 11 27 50 THE BLACK EYED PEAS

10 19 5 10 13 27 56 PINK

F**KIN’ PERFECT

SME

11 15 3 11 11 24 46 CHRIS BROWN

YEAH 3X

SME

12 9

LIKE A G6

INT/UMA

7

9 11 26 48 FAR EAST MOVEMENT

13 13 6 10 12 27 53 GOOD CHARLOTTE

SEX ON THE RADIO

CAP/EMI

14 8 19 2 13 30 53 MIKE POSNER

COOLER THAN ME

SME

15 26 4 15 13 27 60 GUY SEBASTIAN FT. EVE

WHO’S THAT GIRL?

SME

16 20 13 2 18 42 63 KINGS OF LEON

RADIOACTIVE

SME

17 14 13 14 11 33 54 ADAM LAMBERT

FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT

SME

18 32 9 18 12 35 66 JAMES BLUNT

STAY THE NIGHT

ATUK/WMA

19 18 17 6 14 29 58 ZOE BADWI

FREE FALLIN’

NEON/WMA

20 21 15 5 15 31 61 CEE-LO GREEN

FU

WMUK/WMA

SATURDAY NIGHT

SME

21 22 6

18 11 23 54

JESSICA MAUBOY FT. LUDACRIS

Expecting: Former Nova presenter turned comedian Tim Ross and wife Michelle Glew, their first, in June.

TRAIN

SAVE ME, SAN FRANCISCO

SME

23 12 15 1

14 30 59

BRUNO MARS

JUST THE WAY YOU ARE

ATL/WMA

24 17 23 8

16 39 64

BIRDS OF TOKYO

PLANS

CAP/EMI

Ill: Aretha Franklin has inoperable pancreatic cancer.

25 23 5

22 14 30 58

KINGS OF LEON

PYRO

SME

26 38 2

26 11 23 44

DAVID GUETTA FT. RIHANNA

WHO’S THAT CHICK?

VIR/EMI

11 38 68

THE SCRIPT

FOR THE FIRST TIME

SME

Hospitalised: No Use For A Name bassist Matt Riddle, severe pancreatitis.

28 24 11 23 10 37 65

LIFEHOUSE

ALL IN

GEF/UMA

29 31 24 12 16 32 49

THE TEMPER TRAP

FADER

LIB/UMA

30 28 20 1

TAIO CRUZ

DYNAMITE

ISL/UMA

Ill: Black Eyed Peas’ Will I Am reveals he suffers from tinnitus, permanent ringing in his ears.

Charged: A 17-year old male will face the Parramatta Children’s Court on January 13, after police charged him with supplying drugs at the Bass Control dance party at Sydney Olympic Park on December 4. They allege he had 94 brown-coloured laxatives, which they believe he was selling as ecstasy.

22

16

12 14 13 44 68

27 25 19 6

14 28 56

31 35 5

31 9

28 60

THE SCRIPT

NOTHING

SME

32 37 5

32 12 26 44

NEON TREES

ANIMAL

MERC/UMA

THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS

CLOSER TO THE EDGE

VIR/EMI

34 27 7

25 11 24 45

PITBULL FT. T-PAIN

HEY BABY (DROP IT TO THE FLOOR)

SME

35 29 6

29 11 24 49

RIHANNA FT. DRAKE

WHAT’S MY NAME?

DEF/UMA

36 36 7

36 8

35 48

THIRSTY MERC

ALL MY LIFE

MUSH/WMA

14 28 57

USHER FT. PITBULL

DJ GOT US FALLIN’ IN LOVE

SME

38 33 18 10 13 31 54

GOOD CHARLOTTE

LIKE IT’S HER BIRTHDAY

CAP/EMI

39 41 7

THE POTBELLEEZ

SHAKE IT

VICIOUS/UMA

KATY PERRY

TEENAGE DREAM

CAP/EMI

33 34 22 7

37 30 21 2

14 26 57

39 11 25 53

40 39 20 1

14 32 58

The Sound Travellers grants program, which themusicnetwork.com has been taking contemporary

SOUND TRAVELLERS CLOSES UP

Stickers, posters, flyers, banners & design at very competetive prices.

See our webpage or email us for more info 20 :: BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10

station USA4real, return to Vietnam next month to play a festival near Ho Chi Minh City; Melbourne’s Wagons have just returned from playing a festival in Vietnam; Brisbane singer songwriter Emma Dean made the New York Post list of Top Ten Artists to Know in 2011 – and Justice Crew are going to China next year for a TV appearance. * Lismore’s inaugural In Good Company festival raised $4,500 for charity, which it gave to Lismore Soup Kitchen and the Mental Health Support Group. * The Radio Info site announced that WS FM’s Jonesy and Amanda are to be announced as the new hosts of My Generation as “part of changes taking place at the ARN network.”

02 9317 5777 gnpprint@tpg.com.au

;OL -PS[O NYV\WPL JVT H\ HUK )YHN WYLZLU[

[P_ [OYV\NO TVZO[P_

BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10 :: 21

Back In The Loop

By Alasdair Duncan

T

he last time I saw Digitalism was at a festival, around the end of 2007.

They were touring their debut album, Idealism, one of the year’s most compelling dance releases, and they put on one hell of a show to go with it. Against a backdrop of stark green and black projections, the German duo stormed through singles like ‘Pogo’, bringing forth all manner of thrilling noises from their synths and sequencers.

After that tour, things got a little quiet on the Digitalism front - until just last month when a new track, an addictive trance-y number called ‘Blitz’, appeared on the Kitsuné Maison 10 compilation.

The release of a new single suggests a second Digitalism album is underway - the prospect of which is understandably exciting.

So after lining up an interview with the band’s Jens Moelle (the one to the right there), the first thing I ask is whether they have indeed been working on something new. “Definitely,” he chuckles, as if he’s faced this question more than once today. “We’ve been in the studio every day lately. Because we’ve been touring so much over the last few years, we haven’t had a lot of opportunities to do this, but we decided it was about time to come out with a new record. We got bored of the old stuff!”

‘Blitz’ is the first new track that Digitalism have recorded together, but as Moelle tells it, the song’s release was more or less a happy accident. “We were testing out things in the studio, and one day we just fell in love with this arpeggio loop, and did a quick arrangement so we could test it out when we DJ at festivals over the summer,” he says. “From there we thought, well, why not release it? It’s not meant to be anything overly special necessarily; we just wanted to share it with everyone. There was no master plan. That’s why we called it ‘Blitz’ – because it was a decision made on very short notice. Blitz is a German word meaning ‘moving forward quickly’.”

Given the irrepressible energy that Digitalism tracks possess, it’s not surprising to learn that many of them begin the same way - in the spur of the moment. “We have millions of ideas that come from just playing around with presets and things,” Moelle tells me. “That’s how everything usually starts. We love loops, as you can probably tell; there’s a certain beauty about them. That’s why, if you listen to lots of old French 12-inches, they’ve got this appeal to them, where it’s like the needle just keeps on skipping back into the groove, and it becomes an endless loop... We usually start with a loop as we begin to work an idea into a proper song.”

As far as the specifics of how the new album’s coming along, Moelle is reluctant to say too much. He does, however, tell me that the trance sound of ‘Blitz’ doesn’t necessarily represent what will follow. “Some people have said to us they think that song is a new direction, but to us, we think it’s very Digitalism.

It might sound slightly enhanced, a bit more contemporary, but it’s a classic Digitalism track.

With that in mind, though, it’s just one part of a big spectrum – it’s not necessarily the signature direction that the album will take.

“There are definitely going to be vocal tracks on the new album,” he continues. “When we started out, back before we made Idealism, we came from a DJ background, so everything music-wise was a bit more influenced by 12-inches and everything - a bit more instrumental. But over the years we really got into singing on tracks, and now we’ve done so many live shows that we’ve really fallen in love with vocals. There’s going to be a lot of singing on the new stuff, but I can’t tell you too much about it at the minute. Everything changes daily – there’s one song that started out pretty rock-y, and now it’s something completely different, none of which was planned.”

In the time since Digitalism wrapped up the Idealism tour, they’ve returned to their DJ roots, travelling through Europe and the world on the decks. Moelle welcomed the chance to relax a little, not having to stick to such a tight schedule. “After playing a lot of live shows, it was nice to go back to DJing for a while; you

“Australia started conquering the world, electronic-wise, around the time we started coming there - when Modular got really big. It might be a bit of a cliché, but every time I go over there, I don’t have to take ten people with you, and you can play different songs and try out new stuff rather than having to play your songs all the time. That’s how we started – when we started making music, we did it to have tracks to play in our DJ sets. In the lead-up to the weekend, we’d make new tracks just so that we could have new stuff to try out and play. That’s what we’ve been doing this year, which has been really nice, really good fun.”

Digitalism will return to Australia to play

some DJ gigs over the new year period, headlining the huge Harbour Party at Luna Park on New Years Eve - so before letting him go, I’m keen to know if Moelle is a fan of Australia’s own flourishing electronic scene.

“Yeah, of course,” he says enthusiastically.

“I think Australia started conquering the world, electronic-wise, around the time we started coming there - when Modular got really big. Our first tour in Australia was with The Presets; we’re really good friends with

them, and one of my best friends, Beni, is going to release an album on Modular early next year some time. There are all these exciting, crazy Australian projects and artists and DJs and bands.

“There’s a really good vibe there, always,” he continues, a little sheepishly - as though he can’t help but gush a little. “The weather’s really good and you can always go for a swim - everyone’s always in a good mood, too! It might be a bit of a cliché, but every time I go over there, I can really feel it!”

Awww. Well, it will certainly be nice to have Digitalism back – it’s been far too long.

With: Sneaky Sound System, Dennis Ferrer (NYC), Riva Starr (FR), Rico Tubbs (FIN), Atomic Hooligan, Good Will, Metals, Kato, Cosmonaut and more Where: Harbour Party @ Luna Park When: New Years Eve, from 6:30pm

“They come runnin’ just as fast as they can coz every girl crazy ‘bout a sharp dressed man”- ZZ TOP 22 :: BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10

BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10 :: 23

A-Trak Bigger, Better And Now With Sauce By Tyson Wray

F

or the past decade, A-Trak (aka Alain Macklovitch) has played an insurmountable role in redefining the word ‘party’. In fact his future was already pretty set by 1997 when, at the age of 15, he was the youngest ever winner of the Technics/ DMC World Championships. Before the end of the decade he’d developed his own notation system for scratching, and in 2004 he was recruited as Kanye West’s personal tour DJ. From there he progressed to founding the Fool’s Gold record label, collaborating with Nike and becoming a streetwear icon and, most prominently, shattering dance floors worldwide with his monstrous productions - original and remix work under his singular moniker, as well as his infamous collaboration with Armand Van Helden: Duck Sauce.

After what has undoubtedly been Macklovitch’s biggest year yet, he reflects on 2010 with pride and fondness. “It’s been a pretty crazy year.

I’ve been involved in a lot of different projects and have always been really busy,” he explains.

“Back in Spring I was working on a mixtape project called Dirty South Dance 2; in February I began working on a project with Travis Barker

“A big part of our job as producers is to be a scientist or an engineer with our music; to create something that sounds as good as possible, something that tickles your ears in the right way, without you even noticing.” of Blink-182; and then since March, it was about six months of touring the world straight, playing shows all around at different clubs and festivals.

It’s been non-stop.”

In conjunction with Macklovitch’s recent achievements as A-Trak, his role in the New York City-based disco-house revivalists Duck Sauce has seen him receive a huge level of commercial success. After the 2009 hit ‘aNYway’, the sophomore single ‘Barbra Streisand’ reached number one on this year’s ARIA Club Chart. “We definitely each have a creative role, but we do everything together,” he says of the partnership. “Everything about Duck Sauce is about finding the best samples - it’s that simple.

It’s a quest for us to find the best loops that also have the same feeling that we’re trying to convey... A big part of our job as producers is to be a scientist or an engineer with our music; to create something that sounds as good as possible, something that tickles your ears in the right way, without you even noticing.”

As a solo artist, Macklovitch is one of today’s most revered producers. Undeniably the go-to man for indie, dance and hip hop remixes, his finesse in the studio is underpinned by his original productions, working with artists like Kid Cudi, Kid Sister and Lupe Fiasco in the past year alone, while producing several releases with Stones Throw and Kitsune. “I always try to grow. Everything I produce is a bit of an experiment for me. I really try to learn every step of the way, and make the best productions that I can,” he says. “I really chisel away until I believe that a track is the best that I can get it.” And it’s not just about the process of production itself; Macklovitch’s art is also in the choices he makes. “I say no to the majority of the remix requests that I get. The track needs to be special to me, whether or not I’m a big fan of it prior, or if the first time I hear it there’s an element in particular that I know I can do something with.”

In 2010, Macklovitch’s DJ performances are progressing from strength to strength.

Renowned worldwide for his seamless mixing and infusion of genres, A-Trak shows encompass his vast musical knowledge and are reinforced by his unbeatable technique behind the decks. “There are always certain parts of my set that are planned before, where I already have instrumentals, acapellas and mixes that I know work well - but then there’s a big part that’s just simple on-the-spot, spur-of-themoment type things,” he explains. “I’ve always got a big playlist that I’ve organised in certain ways, and then when I’m playing I put them together based on how the set is going, and how the crowd is reacting.”

On the eve of his return to Australia, which will see A-Trak and Duck Sauce at Field Day before A-Trak’s sideshow at Oxford Art Factory, Macklovitch has high expectations for the tour, which he’ll be sharing with his brother David Macklovitch, of Chromeo. “It’s always great touring with David. We spend a lot of time together when we’re on the road; having someone like him when you’re [going] all over the world is a big advantage,” he says. “I’m looking forward to coming to Australia… I’m never quite sure where my sets are going to go, but I’ve only ever had great times in Australia.

It’s always a party”.

Following his most successful and diverse year in an already firmly established career, A-Trak shares his plans for the year to come. “I don’t really know what to expect from 2011. I like to think bigger and better things. That’s how I always look to the future - hope for bigger shows, bigger tours and bigger productions.”

Where: Oxford Art Factory When: Saturday January 8 More: Field Day @ Sydney Domain, with Sleigh Bells, Justice, Chromeo, Duck Sauce and more, on New Years Day from midday.

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Antony And The Johnsons An Act Of Nature By Chad Parkhill

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he first inkling I have that Antony Hegarty of Antony and the Johnsons might not be the average interview subject comes before the interview proper starts. Antony’s at home in New York, and it’s 6:20pm over there. “And you’re in Brisbane, so it must be breakfast time over there,” he deadpans, in his unusual Sussexvia-California baritone drawl. “Have we spoken before?” It’s a directness which tells me straight away that I won’t be in control of this interview – a refreshing change after years of introverted musicians who interview in monosyllables. It only takes one question before Antony’s galloping off, so I just sit back and let the tape roll.

“My sense of my environment is at the root of almost every line of creative or existential query that I might follow at this point as a writer,” he says. I’ve asked him about the environmentalist themes of Swanlights, his latest LP which was released in October. “The question ‘Where am I?’ has become more resonant to me – ‘Where am I, and what’s my responsibility to this place?’ That’s been an evolution over my life, but particularly in the past 10–15 years my perception of things has started to shift.

“When I was a student in the late ‘80s in Santa Cruz, they were definitely talking to us about climate change in ecology and feminism classes – there was very definitely a consciousness about the climate and the perils we were set to face – but those discussions were contained in academic circles. There was very little evidence of it in the mainstream media in the US. But in the last decade, everything’s hit the fan: we know now that the last 15 years have been the hottest on record. Everyone’s noticed how much the weather has changed in our own lifetime.

“It’s funny,” he continues, “in America, there’s still a real sense of censorship around the issue of the environment, whereas there’s a full campaign across Europe and an urgent sense that we need to address climate change.” Given the kind of angry rhetoric and vicious polemics on both sides of the climate change debate, I ask Antony if he isn’t afraid that his album could be written off as a “climate change album,” and not interpreted as the multilayered, polysemic work of art that it is? “I don’t know, I can’t think of anything more important than climate change at this point,” Hegarty answers flatly. “It’s not only the future of our civilisation - it’s the future of all life on earth.

“Again, this question of ‘Where am I?’ and ‘What is my relationship to this place?’ is at the root of all of my lines of inquiry,” he continues. I started to deconstruct the answers to those questions that I was taught to believe: that I was the child of a Catholic sky God, and that I was made of some unique spiritual constitution that separated me from the rest of the natural, physical, manifest world, and that upon dying, if I led a pious life, I would be escorted to some paradise elsewhere…

In the last 20 years, I’ve come to believe that the spiritual world and the manifest world can’t be separated in that way. I don’t believe in a paradise elsewhere; in fact, I believe that this may be the great paradise that God has promised us.

“I’m made of water, and elements, and carbon, and minerals, and electricity. Yet I belong to a society that believes I’m some other thing completely...”

“I am a child of this place,” he continues, “but I am also part of a society that is having a virulent effect on this place. I’m made of water, and elements, and oxygen, and carbon, and minerals, and electricity. Yet I belong to a society that believes I’m some other thing completely, that I’m not even an animal, not even a part of the natural world… These themes are more evident in the book, by the way,” Antony says, referring to the limited-edition art book version of Swanlights that was released alongside the retail CD. “Not in the finger-wagging way, but in my own personal struggle with grappling with it. What I’m putting forward in the Swanlights book and album is evidence of my own process of moving through this information, and reckoning with it.”

Hegarty’s passionate environmentalism might seem odd for a person also deeply concerned with queer life – he identifies as both gay and transgender, exploring the themes of queer life at length in his second LP, I Am A Bird Now. Since mainstream culture identifies heterosexuality as ‘natural’ and therefore superior to ‘unnatural’ queer sexualities, many within the queer community have developed a deep scepticism towards environmentalism, and other movements which valorise the natural world. I ask Hegarty how he thinks through this seeming contradiction. “I have never heard of that before!” Hegarty says, and laughs. “That’s insane and funny – and interesting, too, because in a way I guess I can relate to it. At a certain point I moved to the city, and I cursed the suburbs and country kitchen vacations – I can understand what you’re saying.”

Still, Antony thanks the earth every day for being transgender. “Being transgender places me beyond the realm of Christian patriarchy. As a very young person, it identified so clearly my separation from the inner circle of the family, but also from the community and dominant theologies.

As a transgender child, you’re manifesting against your own desires, let alone against the family and the community - and without role models. I started thinking about the transgender child as a feral child, manifesting some element of wilderness inside them so strong they cannot suppress it… It emerges from their genetics, from blood in their veins. When something emerges despite everyone’s desire for it not to, you can only say it’s an act of nature.”

What: Swanlights is out now through Secretly Canadian/Spunk 26 :: BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10

Cell Block 69 The World’s Most Infamous Unfamous Band By Caitlin Welsh

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s rock’n’roll narratives go, there are few so uplifting, so tragic and so peculiarly undocumented as that of Duanne LeCoreyMichaels. The colourful frontman of Cell Block 69 rose out of extreme poverty to form one of the most richly mythologised rock bands in history, and has written dozens of timeless rock hits – every one of which has allegedly been poached by fellow musicians. You may think Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh wrote ‘Whip It’ – nope, it was LeCorey-Michaels. ‘I Ran (So Far Away)’? ‘Danger Zone’? ‘Girls On Film’? Beloved melodies to be sure - all of which sprang from the brain of Duanne.

In a rare interview from his castle in Generic Europe, with the purrs of his pet snow leopard Burundi audible in the background, LeCoreyMichaels is remarkably generous about this sad blot on what should have been a brilliant career. “There are days when I lament having all these songs stolen from me,” he muses, in his famously rich baritone, “but then I think, well, it’s given people joy, and I’ve made many different musicians millionaires many times over… I’m quite a philanthropic person, in a slightly selfish way.”

Claiming co-writing credits for ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’, LeCorey-Michaels believes that fellow philanthropist Bob Geldof’s recent tirades against the 1984 charity mega-hit signals that the erstwhile Boomtown Rat is finally considering reparations, of a sort. “He’s actually a very moral man, in a funny sort of way,” concedes Duanne. “He’s already started to lay the groundwork for when his conscience gets the better of him, and he admits he never wrote it. So he’s starting to distance himself from it, to preserve his integrity by saying, ‘Well, actually, it’s a rubbish song’ - when everyone knows it’s not. It’s genius.”

scarred. “Of course, the insurance paid out - and half of Cell Block 69 are a lot better-looking now than they otherwise would be,” says Duanne.

While I was forbidden to press him on his rumoured feud with Sydney indie musician Pip Branson – even to this day they have curiously never been seen in a room together – LeCoreyMichaels does admit to feeling a special connection to Australia. “We spent a bit of time here while I was starring in a film about Ned Kelly, which you probably haven’t seen,” he says. He adds that there’s been something of a campaign against him, in the local Murdoch papers in particular. “Me and Rupert have never got on well; perhaps that’s why my profile in Australia is not what it is in other parts of the world. But we still manage to do our stadium shows, and people seem to come to them no matter which pub we perform in.” As per tradition, their upcoming world tour (two gigs: one in Sydney, one in Canberra) will be the last shows Cell Block 69 will ever play…

Where: Oxford Art Factory When: Saturday December 18

“Mr Miyagi would take me aside and say, ‘You’re not very good at karate. But you are very arrogant.You should become a rockstar.”’

As the festive season gathers steam, it must be difficult for LeCorey-Michaels to hear yet another of his own hits everywhere he goes – particularly the line he was supposed to be singing in the song, which was performed on the day by Bono.

“I was supposed to sing that bit - ‘Thank God it’s them instead of yooooooou’ - but my flight got delayed coming out of Aspen, and so I was unable to perform. I’ll admit to feeling a tinge of jealousy when this young fellow Bongo comes forward to sing my line, which of course I wrote. And he became very famous, just from that.

“Of course, the whole idea of a benefit concert was mine,” he goes on. “I had this charity, ‘Rock Stars Against Death’ - but of course while I was stuck in Aspen, [Geldof] put together this whole idea of just focusing on Africa, thought it was much more achievable than ‘death’ in general... I’m a man of grand vision, and he’s a man of small vision, and sometimes people go with small vision.” LeCoreyMichaels feels the pull of philanthropy in part because of his own humble beginnings. Orphaned before birth, and raised in an institution that made Oliver Twist look like Suri Cruise, he was plucked from poverty by a benevolent member of the landed gentry. But while he was given the best of everything and sent to “the finest schools in Britain”, his domestic life was not easy; the LeCoreyMichaels ancestral home in Essex was built on an ancient Indian burial ground, and young Duanne was forced to learn karate to defend himself against a rogue’s gallery of evil beings and spirits.

“My instructor Mr Miyagi would take me aside and say, ‘You know, Duane LeCorey-Michaels-san, you are not very good at karate. But you are very arrogant. You should become a rock star.’”

After putting together a band composed, by a poetic twist of fate, entirely of people named some variation on Corey, LeCorey-Michaels set out for world domination. When I ask him about the so-called “Centrefoldgate” scandal however, which occurred during their tour with young up-andcomers The J.Geils Band, he sighs ruefully. “We were all pumped up, we’d done a new song in soundcheck, and were just about to go out and watch this support band, when suddenly I hear the strains of it - this “naa naa na na-na na, na na naa nana na na naa…” The lingering pain in his voice imbues the familiar singalong with a haunting, ethereal quality. “And sure enough, they were playing my new single, ‘Centrefold’. So I ran out on stage, brandishing the issue of Playboy that my dear Tiffany had spread herself all across, yelling, ‘This, my good friend, is who this song was written about! It’s a song written by ME!’” The ensuing punch-up set off the pyrotechnics intended for the finale and lasted several days, with most of the thousands in the audience, as well as most members of the bands, left injured or hideously

METRO THEATRE

SATURDAY FEB 19 ON SALE

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Pantha du Prince On Black Noise... By Amelia Schmidt (But Mainly Hendrik Weber)

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Round Table Knights The Swiss Beardies Miss Yoneyama

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aking a peek outside the window of his home in Switzerland, all that a sleepy Christoph Haller can see is the guarantee of a long, cold and bitter winter.

“It’s 8am here, I just woke up - and when I look out my window, all I can see is snow!” the amicable Haller says, with the hint of a smile. “But next weekend we’ll be in Australia - we’re really looking forward to it.” The “we” in question is himself (aka DJ Atomik) and his DJ/production other half Marc Hofweber (aka DJ Questionmark), who together form house music kings Round Table Knights. “It’ll be our first time in Australia; we’re really excited to be coming over, and to be getting away from all the snow!”

Touring for Fuzzy through the country this summer, the duo are renowned for their eclectic tastes and dynamic productions - and in recent times, for sharing stages with the likes of Soulwax, The Beastie Boys, Justice and Tiga. Starting life as a turntablism team “with a penchant for hip hop, rock, electro and jazz”, an early grounding in hip hop and scratching means that the house-peddling pair know that putting on a good show means more than just cutting to the next track. “We play house music that people dance to,” Haller explains matter-of-factly, of the duo’s approach to their live sets. “People can come out and have a good time. We’ve been producing house music with an open and wide range of other musical influences, so there is something there for everyone. And we’ve just finished our first album – so of course we’re going to play a couple new songs for the people in Australia!”

The debut album, Say What?!, is due for release in February next year – and it’s safe to say

that after ten years of releasing only tracks and EPs, it’s been a long time coming. “For a long time we were like, ‘no, no, no, we don’t want to release an album’, but we are finally [doing it],” Haller laughs. “We’re very excited about it.”

The record will be coming out on Made To Play Records. “It’s a great label,” he continues, “and it’s good that Jesse (Rose) has pushed us to do the next thing.” The Berlin-based but London-raised producer Rose is the founder of the label, which also houses acts like Riva Starr and Claude VonStroke. Affectionately known as “the Swiss Beardies”, Round Table Knights have previously put out mixes through DeadFish (founded by Mowgli); both labels suit the funloving, vibrant nature and music of the double act. As Resident Advisor has said, “When you listen to a Round Table Knights DJ mix, there are always some songs from different genres that you wouldn’t expect in an average house DJ mix. We like these little surprising moments, of finding out that something you would never expect fits together very well.”

The first single and the title track from the album features Ogris Debris, and will be an early Christmas present for fans, with a release date set down for December 20.

So as well as making sure they don’t forget their boardies, the pair will be packing a few dancefloor hits into their bags, to whip out when they hit our shores…

What: United Colours Bush Christmas With: Kato, Wax Motif, Bad Ezzy, Chux, Naany Where: GOODGOD Small Club When: Saturday December 18

alking to Hendrik Weber, the genius mastermind behind organic-glitchelectronic-industrial-minimal-disco-dance project Pantha du Prince, is pretty much the greatest experience of this year. His latest, album Black Noise uses samples of sounds taken from the Alps and from a landslide site, which have been combined, cut, re-cut, programmed and manipulated into an incredible type of dance music that sounds like a kaleidoscopic musical understanding of ambient noise from the great wide world. Talking to Hendrik is like talking to someone with superpowers. Not only was the German producer’s way of speaking so elegant, but the way he sees the world is fascinating. I ask him about the concept of black noise, which I understand to be an application of probability to catastrophic natural disasters and events; namely that the more catastrophic the event is, the less likely it is to happen. And that’s really all I ask….

For me it has positive connotations - but scientifically it can be really catastrophic. For me, I had a really surface-view… You know, [it’s like] there was a catastrophe and people died, and the whole village got destroyed and now, after 200 years, it has turned into something magical.”

“Yeah, exactly,” Hendrik says, and then he takes a breath. “[‘Black noise’] is basically the principle, and you can transfer it to the whole concept of the album. Going through the material that we recorded outside in the landslide area, that was caused by a phenomenon that they call black noise. While I’m not a scientist, I was just interested in the exact phenomenon that you described - a phenomenon that a human can’t hear, [because we] don’t have the reception.

Scientists can receive this information; the information that there is something happening really intensely… It’s like, the smaller the event, the bigger the cause - and for me it was basically the idea that something is hidden before something really big happens. And it is this moment that you can’t accept as a human being, and this was interesting for me - so I went through the recordings and tried to catch the part where I thought, ‘This is the moment’.

“For sure there a certain sounds that I like more, and others that I don’t like so much.

Normally, I always like sounds that have a gentleness, that are caused by accident.” No further questions, your honour. Open your ears and listen.

Black Noise sure is magical. It’s with a sense of magic that Weber listens to the world – not just music, but the whole world. As to whether there are any sounds that truly delight him, it’s background noise and the banalities that really turn him on. “It’s always new, you know?” he ponders. “For me, when I go to the streets and even in the clubs, or when I’m on tour, I always discover sounds that I like very much - everything around us has a certain acoustic.

Like the whole world, the whole planet and every other planet has a sound, just the frequency of the material.

What: Black Noise is out now Where: Adult Disco @ Civic Underground When: Saturday December 18

“I went through a lot of these strange mountains of strange material that we recorded out in the field, the source material, and tried to condense tracks from little moments that we have of the recordings outside in this area, to keep to this idea of black noise.”

He tells me he had black noise (either the idea, the term or the noise itself…) in his head for two or three years. “I recalled and researched the word and then it was opening up to me; [it] was constantly moving in the perimeters of the idea of what black noise means scientifically, and we were also recording [in the landslide] area - so it was a perfect match-up of the title of the album.

“People were saying to me that [the music] is really dark and industrial, but I don’t have those connotations.

ISHU Around The World By David Edgley

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ack in 2008, ISHU garnered praise for the smooth, organic dub/reggae and dancehall flavours and the laid-back vocals of his debut EP - seven tracks which documented his time in Melbourne before heading abroad. After traveling through Europe and Asia in 2009, the Sydney-born artist has returned to Australia with a new and broader sound, based around hip hop and electronic beats. It’s all showcased on his exciting new concept album based around his travels, A World In Progress – featuring guests like Mantra, Koolism’s Hau, Class-A and the UK’s Lotek. ISHU will be launching the album in Sydney this week, before heading to Peats Ridge Festival in Glenworth Valley over New Years Eve. We wanted to get a few answers from him first...

This LP came from your travels through Europe and Asia. Does each track remind you of a particular time and place on your trip?

Yeah, absolutely. The main musical part of each track is from a specific country or area of the world. This means that whenever I hear one of these tracks, it takes me back to that place. For example, the intro to the single ‘Progress (Ft. Mantra)’ was actually recorded in Istanbul. If you’ve been to Istanbul, or just Turkey in general, you’d know of all of the amazingly old sights and attractions - and Mantra’s managed to capture the feel and vibe

of these ancient traditions and sights in his lyrics, too.

Did you develop an affinity for the music of any particular region or culture along the way?

The country that I had the biggest connection to was Lithuania.

My father is Lithuanian, and I think there’s some kind of a natural connection there - with the music, the people, and the land. I was amazed by how healthy and thriving the contemporary music scene was there – it was something I didn’t expect at all.

How much of the LP was actually created on the road itself?

Every track’s musical skeleton was written while travelling, and a few of the vocals as well.

When I got back to Australia, I spent a lot of time perfecting the drums and basslines - but the main part of each track was written with a laptop and headphones, sitting in a bunk in a cheap, dodgy hostel!

With the music itself being so personal to you, was it hard handing over the direction of a track to any of the MCs? No, it’s not difficult at all! All of the vocalists I work with, I work with for a reason: because we have a mutual respect of each other’s music. If I didn’t trust in the vocalist for whatever reason, I wouldn’t want to work with them. For some of the tracks, I did give the vocalist a brief rundown of what was going through my head at the time of writing the music, and the country it came from, and perhaps some historical points from that country... But the vocalists were entirely free to do their own thing, and to write whatever they wanted.

What: A World In Progress is out now on Foreigndub Where: Low Society @ Shush, Newtown RSL When: Friday December 17 More: Peats Ridge Festival @ Glenworth Valley, January 29 - December 1

“We been spending most our lives living in an Amish paradise I’ve churned butter once or twice living in an Amish paradise”- WEIRD AL YANKOVIC 28 :: BRAG :: 391 :: 06:12:10

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A Very Oxford Art Factory Christmas Meet Us At The Mistletoe...

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f you only make it to one Christmas Party this year, put this week’s shindig at Oxford Art Factory on the top of that there wishlist. Co-presented by the tastemakers at Chocolate Jesus Industries, it’s O.A.F’s third annual Christmas bash - and this year offers another smorgasbord of Sydney’s finest indie acts. At time of print, they couldn’t confirm any Christmas-related festivities, but we’re cautiously optimistic that Mark Gerber will dress up as Santa, Bella will have antlers on (please), the bar staff will be head-to-toe in tinsel and we at BRAG will be standing under the mistletoe, waiting patiently for YOU.

GHOUL

ZEAHORSE

We caught up with a few of the bands on the bill to talk about the year that was, the year that will be, and (most importantly) their Christmas plans. But most of them ended up talking about drinking, drugs and bitter disappointments. ...Aww, we love you guys.

THE PREACHERS

Member: Ivan Vizintin / guitar + vox More: myspace.com/ ghoulsydney

Member: Isabella / token female with fringe / keys + vox More: myspace.com/ thepreachers Best part of 2010?

Meeting other musicians.

Highlights/lowlights of your typical family Christmas?

The usual: drunk, bitter relatives. Screaming children.

Endless cake. Irrelevant presents. Hash cookies.

Worst part of 2010?

Emailing journalists. The ARIAs.

What do you want for Christmas?

A Preachers wiki link. A hug from Kim Jong Il. Socks.

Worst Christmas present you’ve either given or received?

Jak (lead guitarist) takes the cake for this: when he was 12 his parents gave him an empty box for Xmas. It taught him an important lesson: don’t joke about what you want.

What’s happening in 2011 for you?

Haven’t you heard? We’re putting out as much free music over the next six months as possible. It’s called ‘The 66 Project’ and it will be a testament of everything Preacherly. Merry Christmas!

Best part of 2010?

I got a Visa debit card and developed an eBay-related disorder. I’ve spent more money this year on gear than ever before.

Worst part of 2010?

Getting my laptop stolen out of a car – it had the only mixed version of our mini-album on it. Luckily the studio still had it on file!

Worst Christmas present you’ve either given or received?

I got given a telescope one year because my parents thought I needed time away from video games. I

used it once, to spy on the neighbours.

Highlights/lowlights of your typical family Christmas?

My family don’t celebrate Christmas, my girlfriend’s family don’t celebrate Christmas - so there is no tree or presents. I got myself some stuff though, in the spirit of spending…

What do you want for Christmas?

A Juno 106 please.

What’s happening in 2011 for you?

We are releasing a new mini-album, Dunks, in January and hopefully following up with our ‘debutt’ long player in the middle of the year!

CABINS

Member: Morgan / guitar + vox More: myspace.com/ zeahorseband

A block of wood with a bunch of nails sticking out of it. I gave it to my mum. I think she really liked it.

Best part of 2010?

Being found by the cops after a ‘day of the dead’ party, at 6am with an axe in a children’s playground. It features in our first film clip.

That, and purchasing the new Pissed Jeans record.

Highlights/lowlights of your typical family Christmas?

The ham, the tension, the cocktail, the Tin Lids, the B.O., the seating arrangements and the late night joint.

Worst part of 2010?

The closing of Time Signature Studios, the best rehearsal studio in the world!!!! F.U., Hornsby Council.

What do you want for Christmas?

A downhill skateboard (the Landyachtz 9-5)

Worst Christmas present you’ve either given or received?

What’s happening in 2011 for you?

A record. And downhill skating.

CIRCLE PIT

STEP-PANTHER

Member: Jose / bass + the voice of a giant rat who smokes cigarettes More: myspace.com/ steppanther Best part of 2010?

This is a tough one. If I have to choose, I think, great fashion!

Worst part of 2010?

There have been some extreme highs for us this year. We’ve done some awesome shows and tours and lots of cool stuff. On the opposite end, there have been some dark times.

Some really sad shit. Fuck.

What do you want for Christmas?

30 :: BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10

Butter and ham. Please.

Worst Christmas present you’ve either given or received?

One Christmas my dad gave me his dick in a box.

Fuck.

Member: Leroy Bressington / guitar + vox More: myspace.com/ cabinsband Best part of 2010?

Definitely the show we did with The Mess Hall at Eumundi - Joe’s Watering Hole - and the night that followed. In short: drinking cheap wine in a spa on the roof in gale-force winds, in the funniest/friendliest place in Australia.

Highlights/lowlights of your typical family Christmas?

I grew up on my family mountain ranch. Typically Christmas involved herding the goats (highlight), and mulesing them (lowlight).

There’s a reason it’s frowned upon.

Worst part of 2010?

Parting with our good friend and bass player Christopher Olsen.

What’s happening in 2011 for you?

The Indy 500.

What do you want for Christmas?

Money. That’s what I want.

Worst Christmas present you’ve either given or received?

I was given a set of soaps, bath oils and a towel with a pink octopus on it. It came from my nan, who at the time thought I was a girl…

Highlights/lowlights of your typical family Christmas?

Waiting for one of the old folks to hurt themselves somehow. Every Christmas it happens in the strangest of ways, like a curse. Either a highlight or a lowlight, depending on the injury.

What’s happening in 2011 for you?

An album, and many more tours.

Member: Angela Garrick / guitar More: myspace.com/ circlepit Best part of 2010?

Touring America and playing CMJ Worst part of 2010?

No low points, just high points. It’s been a fab year.

Worst Christmas present you’ve either given or

received?

Nothing.

Highlights of your typical family Christmas?

Coming together.

What do you want for Christmas?

A real man.

What’s happening in 2011 for you?

New album, US & UK tour.

What: Oxford Art Factory’s 3rd Annual Christmas Party With: Cabins, Zeahorse, Circle Pit, Ghoul, The Preachers, Myth & Tropics, The Delta Riggs, Step-Panther, The Honey Pies, The Go Roll Your Bones, Reckless Vagina and DJs: Jack Shit, Samar, Iron Man, Fresco, Pages, Lovelace, Goldfood and Velveteen. That is a lot of people.

When: Friday December 17 Wallet damage: $5 on the door

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Dropkick Murphys x More By xThan A Punk Band By Jaymz Clements

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ith the dissimilation of European populations around the globe that began in the late 1800s, a new cultural paradigm was born. No longer in ‘the old country,’ both western and eastern European cultures thrived in their new surrounds, taking advantage of the new opportunities while not completely surrendering their cultural history.

Ethnic identity became a crucial element to many of those cultures, to be passed down generations through traditions, religion and art.

Today, with the widespread immigration that’s characterised the second half of the twentieth century, the importance of cultural identity is more prevalent than ever; and in 2010, the proud tradition of celebrating one’s heritage through song is alive and true.

It was the influx of the Irish into the eastern seaboard of America that informs the music of Dropkick Murphys, a band which prides itself on reflecting Boston’s Irish heritage. That Celtic aspect of their music, fused as it is to a punk ethos, has seen the band become one of the leading lights of rock music. Across their twelve-plus years and six albums together, Dropkick Murphys have gone from underground

Celtic-punk pioneers, to having Martin Scorsese, the Boston Red Sox and even our own AFL champion their tunes.

It’s a strange and exciting place to be, sure, but singer Al Barr – currently puffing away on a cigar in his garage in Boston, spending time with his family on a rare break from touring – is content with being able to simply enjoy some home time. “Yeah, it’s cool,” he laughs gruffly, his low, gravelly voice rumbling. “I can remember everybody’s names, and see them everyday. It’s great! ...It’s more mundane and tedious than touring at times, but it’s also exciting and fun in its own way. Plus, hopefully [we] are going to be travelling around the world again soon.” Dropkick Murphys did indeed hit the sky soon after we talked, returning to Australia to play the No Sleep Til festival which hits Sydney this weekend.

Sharing the bill with a raft of the world’s punk and metal luminaries, it’s a lineup that even Barr is keen on. “Yeah, it’s definitely a strong lineup – c’mon, it’s Megadeth and Descendents,” he chuckles. “We’re very excited to be part of it, for sure.”

The band have been holed up at home in Boston to write and record the follow up to 2007’s The Meanest Of Times. And really, they’re overdue for it - as Barr points out, Dropkick Murphys usually have only two years between releases. “But it’s going well,” he laughs. “I’ve got high hopes for it; I think it’s going to be a good record.” When I ask what shape the new album will take, he replies, “I can never see what a record’s going to be before we put the whole piece of music together.” He does, however, tell me that the band are not changing their style; “We’re still writing about what we know, or what’s important to us. We’re just coming to the challenge of, ‘How do we tell stories differently? How do we make it interesting?’”

“A while ago, a good friend of the band’s goes,‘You guys aren’t a punk band anymore.

You’ve become more than that.’ And yeah, you’re not young forever; not angry forever.”

The most interesting part of Dropkick Murphys career is how the band themselves have matured; as men, musicians and as an entity. As punk bands grow older, there’s often a loosening of youth’s brazen passion and anger - understandably so, as priorities and attitudes change with age. It’s the great bands who’re able to supplement that original fire with a new appreciation of the fullness of life: it’s all well and good to be full of piss, vinegar and a general rage at ‘the man’, but you need to know where to direct your energy. Subsequently, there are very few really good old punk bands – which is why Dropkick Murphys’ ever-more general appeal makes them so unique. They’re a band beloved by many, a band of the people - and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s definitely funny, and it’s definitely crazy. A while ago, a good friend of the band’s goes, ‘You guys aren’t a punk band anymore. I don’t mean that as a put down; you’ve become more than that.’ And yeah, you’re not young forever; not angry forever,” Barr says. “I still get angry, but it’s about different things that all change… Having kids and all those things change you. The way you felt at life is completely different when you’re older,” he muses. “I think at some point we had to become more than a punk band.”

One of the most striking elements of Dropkick Murphys is that although their sound has changed, their fans have remained incredibly loyal. “We get a lot of feedback from fans that have been fans since they were young; now they’re 25, 26 and they’re still a fan,” he happily points out. “How many bands these days do you listen to, who were bands you listened to when you were young? …I love it. I mean, we’re a passionate band. The band has always been rooted in acknowledging where we come from; that’s very important to us, that’s where our band’s music comes from. That’s why we’re able to get that response from people. We’re almost together I think, the band and the people not on the stage. And I love that.”

What: Live On Lansdowne, Boston MA is out now through Dew Process With: Megadeth, Descendents, NOFX, Gwar, Parkway Drive and more Where: No Sleep Til @ Entertainment Quarter, Hordern Pavilion and surrounds When: Saturday December 18 34 :: BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10

BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10 :: 35

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brushstrokes WITH PHIL

SPENCER (HOME BREW FESTIVAL)

L

ast time we saw Phil, he was preparing for the Sydney premiere of his award-winning one-man show Bluey, based the stories of his father, who was a RAF cook during the Iraq war. His latest project is step up in scale: a mini festival that will take over the entire Old Fitzroy Hotel, filling its nooks and crannies with theatre, film and performance. Among the featured locals are playwright Caleb Lewis (Death in Bowengabbie), performance troupe The Deep Sea Astronauts (The Vulture Gentlemen), and Tim Spencer (Words They Make With Their Mouths).

What’s been happening over the last 18 months?

I’ve started working as Associate Artistic Director for Tamarama Rock Surfers Theatre Company.

It’s been a belting season at the legendry Old Fitzroy Theatre this year and all of us at TRS have been running around town seeing shows, checking in with artists and furiously programming what looks like a fantastic 2011 (more to be revealed about that in the New Year!).

What is Home Brew all about?

It’s going to have live music, performance, theatre and video work splattered all across the Old Fitzroy Hotel. We are very happy to have sponsorship from Little Creatures (which means there will be some pretty friendly-priced beers on offer).

What was your inspiration?

The idea began with Bar Manager Brett Pritchard and I moaning that we had to work in the lead up to Christmas - so we thought why don’t we throw a party...and then the party got bigger and bigger - until it became a festival.

Who’s on the bill for Home Brew?

The headline act is The Brothers Grim, from Melbourne. These guys are a downright sleazy blues band that are as energetic, articulate and theatrical as any play you might see. I first saw them earlier this year and thought, ‘Fuck me, imagine if we could squeeze them into the Old Fitzroy Theatre!’ And we have.

What’s so special about the Old Fitz, in your opinion?

The Old Fitzroy Theatre is a unique mix of a great pub with a cracking venue and the best priced ticket in town. What excites me about working at TRS is the focus on emerging artists, and helping younger teams cut their teeth on the professional stage. I’m an Englishman, and in the UK there is a long tradition of pub theatres - a tradition that tells me this is where some of the most exciting performance work is being made, some of the most daring plays by some of the most interesting artists. There are things you can do in a small dark room under a pub that you can’t do in a bigger venue.

What: Home Brew Festival When: December 16, 17 & 18 at 7pm Where: the Old Fitzroy Theatre / Cnr Cathedral St and Dowling St Woolloomooloo More: rocksurfers.org/homebrew

for Tough Titties. Which all goes to say: interwebs! Win! Run by Alex and Lou, Tough Titties is a place for creative women from all different industries to collaborate, exchange thoughts and showcase their skills. They’re currently calling for submissions, so head over to toughtitties.com.au and get in touch.

BLUE VALENTINE: PREVIEW SCREENING

With the Boxing Day box office payload just around the corner, one of this year’s most highly anticipated releases is within reach. We’ve been looking forward to Blue Valentine since Sundance, where it was pipped at the post for the Grand Jury Prize, but picked up amazing critical buzz.

It stars Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams in Oscar-worthy performances, portraying a disintegrating couple. Segueing between the first stirrings of romance, and the death throes of a marriage, this probably isn’t the best date film, but filmmaking this good, and performances this raw are unmissable.

Blue Valentine opens on December 26 – but thanks to Palace, we have 15 double passes to special advance preview on Sunday December 19 at 4pm. To find out what all the fuss is about ahead of the pack, read our interview with director Derek Cianfrance on p.38, and name one director from whom he says he has drawn inspiration.

Information can be downloaded from arts.nsw. gov.au, and registrations of interest close with Arts NSW on 28 January 2011.

A VERY GAFFA XMAS

Still from Star Wars: Retold (by someone who hasn't seen it) - USA

FLICKERFEST PROGRAM LAUNCH

Last week, at a star-spangled launch party at Bondi Icebergs, our favourite short film festival dropped the first instalment of what looks to be an epic 2011 line-up. For their 20th anniversary Flickerfest are complementing their popular Australian, International and Documentary programs with a few special showcases: a ‘Spotlight on Poland’, featuring award-winning Polish shorts, curated by Krzysztof Gierat, Director of the Krakow Film Festival (who is also attending the festival); a ‘Comedy Special’; and a Star Wars short film tribute. Our other festival highlights so far include Ariel Kleinman’s Sundance contender, Serge Avédikian’s Palme d’Or-winner, and Academy Award contender Ana’s Playground – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Flickerfest launches on January 7 at Bondi Pavilion, and runs until Jan 16. For our breakdown of the program this year, check out next week’s issue of the BRAG. flickerfest.com.au

RAW COMEDY 2011

If you fancy yourself a bit of a comic genius – or have a hilarious mate that you feel like foisting upon the world – this is your chance: RAW Comedy, Australia’s biggest open-mic comedy competition, is calling for entries. Anyone who has earned less than $500 from performing comedy is eligible, and five minutes of new, original comedy material is all it takes. Heats will be held around Australia during January, February and March, with winners advancing to the state finals held in March. State finalists will then compete against one another at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in April. To find out more, and register for the Sydney heats, head to rawcomedy.com.au

SANTA’S STASH

You know the scenario. Christmas Day with the family, present-unwrapping time, and you get the same Steven Seagal DVD from your two uncles. You know what they should’ve 36 :: BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10

done? Gone to Santa’s Stash – a pop-up Christmas art store crammed with cool gifts, bargains and art goodies, especially sourced for the stall. There will be prints from a horde of artists including Shepard Fairey, Pure Evil, Mr. Brainwash (!?!), Stylo, Cut Collective, and loads more. It’s currently at Dendy Cinema Arcade off King St, Newtown, from but it closes at the end of THIS WEEK, so sort that shit out, immediately.

TOUGH TITTIES

We just discovered Tough Titties, a colourful blog that promotes the amazing (creative) things women do. We know it’s going to be our new best friend, because its homepage currently features a genius photo-paint mashup of a black-and-white tabby with candy-pink vomit coming out of its vacant eye-sockets (much cuter than you’d expect). The work is

by Lucy James, and we might never have discovered her hilarious creations, if it weren’t

Besides opening their Christmas Show on Thursday December 16, Gaffa are currently calling for submissions from artists who want to exhibit at their swish CBD digs during 2011, and graphic designers who would like one of the three brand-new desk spaces in their studio.

Besides all this, there’s the Finders Keepers arcade to tempt cash out of your pockets, plus the Gaffa jewellery store, which has extended Christmas opening hours from December 1324 (8am-7pm). And you know, all the ART that gets spread across their three gallery spaces…

So if you haven’t made it down to Gaffa’s new digs yet, maybe mosey along this Thursday evening after work, and check it out. gaffa.com.au

NO LIGHTS NO LYCRA

This Tuesday night (ARGH! Tonight! Tomorrow!) is the last No Lights No Lycra session for 2010 – which wraps a couple of solid months that this Melbourne-born event has been bringing limitless joy and effervescence to Sydney’s more bashful party animals. For the uninitiated, NLNL is basically your nightly bedroom dance jam taken to the next level. There is no light, no lycra, rules. It’s kind of like Clint Eastwood, if he were locked in a very dark basement – but probably less coordinated, and definitely with less bullet wounds… Curious punters should head along this Tuesday December 14 at 8pm, with $5 in their pockets, and their dancing shoes in tow. (P.S. the door fee goes towards empowering disadvantaged communities across Australia; so shut up). nlnlsydney.blogspot.com

PIER 2/3

Arts NSW are calling for submissions from not-for-profit arts organizations who want to use Pier 2/3 in Walsh Bay for arts, cultural and creative purposes. WHAT!?! Get on that shit, right this second. You’d be in the same hood as Cate, Andrew, Fratelli’s, Sydney Dance Company, ATYP… Not to mention Harbour views, and a sea breeze to air out the musty, cobwebbed corners of your creative control centre. Pier 2/3 sits squarely within Clover’s ‘Cultural Ribbon’, which is being hailed as “a vibrant cultural precinct that extends from the Opera House, to the performance centre of Wharf 4/5 and links to the new development at Barangaroo”. Somewhere you want to be, yes?

MALKOVICH #4

Sydney Festival has announced a fourth performance of The Giacomo Variations, which will see John Malkovich portray the life of legendary scoundrel and seducer Giacomo Casanova. Fresh from its world premiere in Vienna, Malkovich will be joined on stage by actress Ingeborga Dapkünaité (Farewell), soprano Martene Grimson, baritone Andrei Bondarenko and Sydney Symphony, who will augment the drama with choice cuts of Mozart.

The fourth show is on January 19, and since tickets went on sale December 9, we suggest you don’t sit on this. Malkovich also appears in conversation with Jim Sharman at Sydney Town Hall on January 17. sydneyfestival.org.au/giacomo

Somewhere Sophia Coppola tackles parenthood in party-hard LA.

By Alice Hart

Stephen Dorff and Elle Fanning reconnect, poolside, in Somewhere.

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n her slate of work to date, Sophia Coppola has proved herself our generation’s purveyor of exquisitely painful, pastel-toned existential crises and youthful ennui. From The Virgin Suicides to Lost in Translation and Marie Antoinette, Coppola seems interested in the angst of women struggling against society's pre-defined roles. In this sense, her latest film is a departure.

Starring 90s heart-throb Stephen Dorff, Somewhere is an intimate portrait of a successful young actor who has lost himself in a vat of booze and pills – until his 11-year-old daughter turns up on his doorstep, providing a resounding reality check. The story is set within the surreal celebrity Coppola on set for Somewhere.

culture of Los Angeles, and the action centres around the infamous Hollywood hotel, Chateau Marmont.

“I remember visiting there as a kid and there’s always so many stories about the Chateau Marmont,” says the director. “It’s always an interesting place to be and I thought it would be an interesting place to use in a story.”

Years later, when she was in her twenties and living in Los Angeles, she observed first hand the party scene which drew the hippest crowd in Hollywood to the Chateau. “Yeah in my college days, my early twenties, my friends and I hung out there,” she smiles.

So when she started writing her latest screenplay, the Chateau came to mind. “There were a few things in the news about different young actors having these crises and I was thinking about that lifestyle,” she explains. “And then I thought, ‘where would this young actor live?’ Of course he’d be in the Chateau Marmont and not really have a home because a lot of guys have had their time at the Chateau Marmont.”

Johnny Marco, played by Stephen Dorff, is living the kind of life that on the surface at least, many young actors would aspire to: rich, successful, popular and desired. In reality, however, the actor is lonely, with his life at a crossroads where it could spiral totally out of control – and that’s when his daughter Cleo (Elle Fanning) shows up and changes everything.

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“I think if your life is consistently indulging, if there is not any kind of balance with something real, that’s not so good,” says Coppola. “Maybe it’s fun at the beginning; but after a while where is it going? [in Somewhere] I’m just looking at our fascination with celebrity culture and that that phenomenon we have now where so many

people want to be famous - but is that really fulfilling at the end of the day? And also, with modern life and all of the distractions, that it’s hard to be quiet and be introspective - there’s so much going on and so many ways to distract yourself.

Johnny finds himself at this moment in his life where he has to choose which way he is going to go, how he’s going to live his life. And I think that’s something that anyone can relate to, and the setting is just kind of the background.”

Coppola divides her time between France (where she and her partner, Phoenix frontman Thomas Mars, share a home) and America. She wrote the screenplay for Somewhere whilst living in Paris but LA was clearly on her mind.

“I feel I always have to write about somewhere from a distance, because I was living in LA when I was writing about Tokyo (Lost In Translation) and France (Marie Antoinette); and it took me living in Paris to write about LA,” she laughs. “I always feel like I don’t want write about what’s around me. And some distance is a good thing because it gives you perspective I think. I always loved movies like Shampoo and American Gigolo, I love those LA movies, and so with Somewhere I wanted to try to make a portrait of LA.” Coppola has been friends with Dorff since the 1990s and when she started writing Johnny Marco, she knew he was perfect for the role.

“I wasn’t basing the character on him but I thought about him playing that guy… He’s so sweet, which is a great contrast to that lifestyle that you see and that kind of macho guy that he plays. I liked that there was this other side to him that was sweet and then I thought about bringing in the character of the daughter and I knew that he would be nice with Elle. And he was – he was so sweet with her.”

Before filming, Coppola asked Dorff and Fanning to spend some time together, so that by the

time the cameras started rolling the father and daughter relationship would be more authentic. It clearly worked a treat. And, she reveals, it was a tip she picked up from her father, the legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola.

“I had Stephen pick Elle up from school. It was like ‘off you go, pick Elle up from school and hang out together…’ And so they did things together which helped them bond. And that was important, I felt, because it made them more relaxed when we started filming. I learned that from my dad that if you kind of make fake memories for the characters, when you are doing the scene it has an effect. And I thought they would be more familiar around each other, they would seem like they hadn’t just met a week ago. So we all went bowling, and Stephen went to watch [Elle] play volleyball. I wanted them to do stuff together that a father and daughter would do, so they would have that relationship that would come across in the film.”

Coppola and Mars have two daughters together, and she acknowledges that parenthood has changed her perspective, and fed into the screenplay for Somewhere. “After we had our daughter I took the year off. I was just with her and when I was writing, I always wanted it to be personal, so I wanted to write about what was on my mind. I was thinking about the impact being a parent has on you; I definitely think that it shifts your perspective of how you look at things and your priorities, and I like how it makes you slow down, and look at things in a different way, that before I was too busy to do.”

What: Somewhere, Dir. Sophia Coppola When: Opens December 26 More: Advance screenings from Dec 17-19

N*E*R*D

GIVEAWAY 4 massive acts, 3 huge new albums, 1 epic show: don’t say Future Entertainment don’t love you…

On January 7 the Hordern is set to explode with an all-star lineup: genre-defying hip hoppers N*E*R*D, electrofunk duo Chromeo, German beat-maker Boys Noize and – in his first tour down-under - U.K. rapper Tinie Tempah.

Thanks to Future Entertainment, we have a special prize pack up for grabs: you and a friend can win tickets to see – and meet - N*E*R*D, Chromeo, Boys Noize and Tinie Tempah at the Hordern show on January 7, plus a CD pack that includes N*E*R*D’s latest album, Nothing, Chromeo’s Business Casual and Tinie Tempah’s debut album Disc-overy. Amaze.

To get your hands on this night of indulgence, email freestuff@ thebrag.com with your name, mobile number and postal address, and tell us what N*E*R*D is short for.

BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10 :: 37

SOAP

[CABARET] Bath-time just got better. By Jacqueline Breen

B

ath-time may seem all fun and scented, relaxing games, but danger lurks in those steamy shadows. Fingers can prune, books can fall in and the water can go lukewarm. Performing acrobatics on those slippery porcelain surfaces is just asking for trouble. Sexy trouble.

“It’s sexy but it’s naturally sexy,” says Maximillian Rambaek, speaking down the phone from Germany (and sounding exactly what you hope Germans sound like when they say “sexy”.)

“People are usually naked in the bath, so it’s very normal.”

Rambaek is co-director (with Markus Pabst) of Soap – a 70-minute variety show that fuses circus and cabaret with the gorgeous, glistening abs of its eight star acrobats.

The title is a wink at the ‘soap opera’ genre, as the show loosely follows the interactions of characters meeting in an abstract, undefined space (conveniently kitted out with a tub). (The reference also ties in nicely with a Lithuanian opera singer trilling live soprano parodies throughout the show.) Opera overtures slip and slide amongst pumping pop, with Pabst and Rambaek indulging audiences with a fizzing bath-bomb of music - from Gnarls Barkley to The Doors and Nina Simone. The main attraction, however, are the performers, whose specialities range from comedy and burlesque to trapeze, foot-juggling and aerial silk.

The origin of Soap was Pabst’s cheeky 'Bath Boy' routine, which originally made waves in the Spiegeltent’s smash-hit variety

show, La Clique. It is the intimate nature of this scrubbed-up setting that attracted both Soap directors. “The thing about the bath tub is you feel really safe inside this place,” says Rambaek.

His porcelain props make performers feel comfortable, and encourage experimentation. In auditions, his acrobats relaxed in the tubs more quickly and confidently than with other props.

“The bathroom is warm and you’re alone and you can do things you normally wouldn’t. Why else do people sing in the bath?”

This emotional or conceptual comfort is all well and good, but could complicate OH&S paperwork. Slippery surfaces and acrobatics seem great until somebody loses some brain cells. Pabst is careful with his performers’ safety and confident in their ability.

There have been no human casualties so far, although “two times we damaged the bathtubs.”

The show’s risqué physicality is complemented by some sweet emotional journeys, and Rambaek points to a puppet-style performance by two feet as one of Soap’s quieter, more tender moments. The only risk for the audience, in fact, is the occasional spray; those in the front row should be prepared to get wet.

“We give them bits of plastic to hide under, but nobody uses them!”

Pabst protests. “They all want to get wet!”

What: Soap When: From January 4 (no Monday performances) Where: Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House More: sydneyoperahouse.com/soap.aspx

Architects of Air

[INSTALLATION] Carving colourful fantasies from air and light. By Liz Schaffer espite dealing with a freezing French morning and dodgy Skype connection, Alan Parkinson has an amazingly spirited phone voice. What else would you expect from a guy who’s spent the past 20 years carving fantasies out of air and light?

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archway and you walk into a mosque and it belongs to the same architecture and the same aesthetic. I like that experience of being in a very integrated architectural environment.” It’s really not surprising that he’s itching to take his structures to Iran and Syria.

Alan is the creative director of Architects of Air (AoA), a Nottingham-based company that build ‘luminaria’: large-scale inflatable PVC structures that take six months to complete, last for 300 exhibition days and have visited over 30 countries since 1992. For Alan, who fell in love with the plastic medium back in the 80s, luminaria are all about deception and inspiration.

Although Alan has never been one to condition his visitor’s expectations, he cautiously admits that Mirazozo has a purpose. “I built this structure to create a sense of wonder because it frames the phenomenon of light. For most people there is always a certain wow factor because they find the intensity of luminosity quite surprising. If they link that wow factor to a certain sense of wonder then that would be the structure fulfilling itself.”

AoA’s latest construction, Mirazozo, is taking over the Sydney Opera House Forecourt this January, with a 1200m2 maze of vinyl walkways and mosque-inspired domes.

“The idea is not to make something big but to make something that is big enough for someone to lose themselves in as they wander around corridors and come across spaces that make them lift their head and think wow,” explains Alan.

With its bold lines and bright Pop Art colours, neon seams and natural light displays, Mirazozu reflects Alan’s design touchstones: Archimedean solids, Gothic cathedrals, Gaudi and Islamic architecture.

“There is a purity in the architecture,” he explains after a thought-collecting pause.

“When you’re going around mosques and bazaars in the Islamic world you see they’re integrated into a seamless whole. You’re wandering around all these paths, craftsmen and carpet sellers and then there’s another

Still, Alan’s a sucker for a truly moving response like the one that sprung from a sculptor visiting an AoA instillation at Prague Castle. “He said the space was ‘somewhere between a womb and a cathedral’ and I really think it is,” explains Alan in a suddenly mellow voice. “It’s simultaneously very, very confronting but can also be inspiring and that’s the definition I’ve held onto ever since.” With that Alan’s need for caffeine kicks in and he departs to think up gravityresisting pod designs and prepare for a Sydney summer.

What: Architects of Air – Mirazozo When: January 3-27 Where: Sydney Opera House Forecourt Tickets: sydneyoperahouse.com / 9250 7777

Blue Valentine

[FILM] Derek Cianfrance talks censorship, sexuality and taking tips from Coppola. By Dee Jefferson

W

hen I speak to him, Derek Cianfrance has just received the good news that the MPAA (America’s film classification body) has overturned its earlier decision to slap a NC-17 rating – their most restrictive – on his extraordinary debut feature, Blue Valentine.

So he’s feeling pretty good – but sounding pretty tired. “It’s been a busy time, but I’m not gonna complain about it,” says the director, matter-of-factly.

The MPAA’s decision was made more bizarre by the fact that the sexually explicit scenes in question (one involving oral sex between leads Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams) were no more graphic or controversial than many other films releasing this season (with the most obvious point of comparison being fellow Oscar-contender Black Swan, which features a similar scene, but was given the audience-friendly PG-13).

Cianfrance seems genuinely perplexed by the whole affair. “We tried to make a film that didn’t sensationalise sex and violence; we tried to look at marriage and relationships, and everything in the movie was seen through a truthful – or ‘vérité’ – lens. We didn’t show much [sex] in the film, but I think there’s a lot of intimacy and emotions. I think for some reason the MPAA thought they needed to protect people from that.”

38 :: BRAG :: 392:: 13:12:10

Blue Valentine is a portrait of a relationship in decline, and its powerful effect derives from the realism and emotional honestly, that pervade every element of the film - from naturalistic dialogue to frighteningly real performances; from unaffected and intimate lensing to an ingenious structure that intercuts between the early and latter days of the couple’s relationship.

“What I always wanted to do was tell a duet,” says the director – “or a duel: between a man and a woman; between their past and their present; between their youth and young adulthood; between their love and their hate; their happiness and their sadness, their joy and their sorrow.”

It sounds simple, but the reality was 12 years of delays and setbacks, of the personal, financial and casting variety. “That 12 years felt like a curse, but it was actually a blessing.

I started making documentaries, and training myself how to be a sensitive filmmaker; I learned how to listen. In documentary films you have to be sharp, you have to be ‘in the moment’ to catch it as it happens.”

Despite the long gestation and a 66-draft writing process, when it came time to shooting, Cianfrance largely threw aside the script, and asked his actors to surprise him.

“I tried to set up situations, and know where a scene was going, and give my actors points

– you know, like ‘Start here, and end there; and however you get there, that’s up to you.’

By doing that, I was able to create these real, living, breathing moments.”

The director insisted on shooting chronologically, taking 14 days for the first part of the relationship – the ‘honeymoon’ – and 12 for the last, where it falls apart. In the middle of these two blocks of shooting was a month-long break, which functioned as an intensive ‘crash course’ in the characters’ relationship. Living in the same house as their fictional counterparts, with the same wages and daily routines, the actors built ‘fake’ memories, creating a family history.

“I had heard that when [Coppola] was doing the Godfather, he would have these cool parties and spaghetti dinners for the cast and crew, to create a bond between them,” says Cianfrance. “I felt like we were building a family, and so we needed some shared experience; develop some muscle memory.”

Cianfrance’s main inspiration, however – and one that seems likely to define his career – came from one-time teacher (and pioneering experimental filmmaker) Stan Brakhage. “More than anything, he taught me to tell personal stories, and to risk failure; to do things that you’ve never seen before, and provide the world with new images and experiences; to talk from your heart and soul.”

What: Blue Valentine, Dir. Derek Cianfrance When: Opens December 26.

Preview: December 19, 4pm (see p.36)

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Arts Snap

Film & Theatre Reviews

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

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The Diary of a Madman by Heidrun Lohr

What's hot (or not) on the silver screen and the bareboards around town.

01:12:10 :: Firstdraft Gallery :: 116 Chalmers Street Surry Hills 96983665

Geoffrey Rush in The Diary of a Madman

■ Theatre

THE DIARY OF A MADMAN

somedays 5th b'day

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Until February 6 / Belvoir St Main Stage

daimon downey

PICS :: TL

01:12:10 :: Somedays :: 72B Fitzroy Street Surry Hills 93316637

02:12:10 :: Post Building :: McCleay Street Potts Point ::

Arts Exposed What's on our calendar...

SOFLES presents

LADIES OF THE LETTERFORM LO-FI Collective / 383 Bourke St, Taylor Square / Thursday December 16 at 6pm After six months of killer shows, LO-FI Collective is closing the year with this highly anticipated solo show from Brisbane-based graf artist SOFLES (Def ThreatS Crew), whose luscious colour palette and cheeky babes quite frankly make us swoon – and have garnered him heaps of hype both at home and abroad.

This upcoming show is called Ladies of the Letterform, and will see the artist's black-andwhite canvases hung over his large-scale, colour-intensive murals.

This may just be the last ever LO-FI art show; so get along to support one of the only Sydney spaces that doesn’t charge artists or clip their sales. wearelofi.com.au/collective 40 :: BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10

One of the best moments of opening night happened not on stage but on the stairs of Belvoir Street's downstairs foyer. It was the post-show speech by Director Neil Armfield – and it indicated that, after fortyor-so years in theatre, his quest for magic continues. It was, Armfield said, a slightly tense first half; apparently Geoffrey Rush wasn't feeling the vibe from the audience.

Perhaps it was a case of opening-night nerves, about a show saddled with a hefty load of baggage: a remount of a fantastically successful Belvoir production from 1989, that put both its director and leading man on the map; and Armfield's final show in a highly regarded body of work as Belvoir's Artistic Director. What ensued was not always magic; but when it hit its stride, it showed why both men are so highly regarded in their fields. By the second act, the audience had noticeably warmed to the sense of humour at play in both the text and the performance.

Based on a short story written in 1895 by Russian humourist Nikolai Gogol, The Diary of a Madman was adapted for the theatre in 1989 by Armfield, Rush and David Holman. Presented as a series of sketches, organised as ‘diary entries’, the play charts the spiralling descent into madness of a minor desk clerk called Poprishchin, who suffers severe delusions of grandeur – and ultimately just severe delusions. Fancying himself a cut above his colleagues, Poprishchin sets his sights on impressing His Excellency, the Minister, and perhaps even winning the hand of his young daughter in marriage. Soon he is stalking his paramour through the streets of St Petersburg, shaking down talkative lapdogs for information, and uncovering all manner of plots – from the soup-related to the more sinister...

You can see that this production was developed as a vehicle for Rush, whose physicality, comic instincts and charisma lend themselves perfectly to the grotesque clowning of Poprishchin. 20 years on, Rush’s age lends the role an added poignancy: these might be the delusions of an insane man – but it might also be the descent into dementia that often comes with age. Rush’s partner-in-crime in this production is Yael Stone, who most recently proved her comedic chops in Elling (STC 2009) and her dramatic form in Honour (STC 2010). She more than holds her own, playing by turns the spoilt young object of Poprishchin's affections, a discombobulated Finnish maid, and an asylum inmate.

As in the original, music is a key component of this production, with a live two-man band providing a score that sometimes acts as a comedic foil to Poprishchin, and other times sets the tone with slightly lunatic, folk-tinged sounds, as per Mussorgsky, or Stravinsky’s Soldier’s Tale. The final ingredient is set design by

Catherine Martin, who casts everything in lurid shades of red and green, overlaid with a sickly yellow slick courtesy of lighting designer Mark Shelton.

The key strength of this production is no secret, and that’s why it’s virtually sold out: the chance to see one of our best actors letting loose on his theatrical home turf.

The real surprise is how deep and dark it sinks by the end.

Dee Jefferson ■ Film

LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS Released December 16 Reuniting Brokeback Mountain actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway on screen should be a cause for celebration; unfortunately, this woefully trite and boring film has sullied the occasion. Ostensibly based on Jamie Reidy’s nonfiction book Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman, this film is an adaptation in the very loosest sense of the word, with the screenwriters (director Edward Zwick, Charles Randolph and Marshall Herskovitz) turning the rise of big pharma companies into a romantic comedy.

Jamie Randall (Gyllenhaal) is a loveable rogue; good with ladies but bad at keeping a job. The underachiever in his family, he is convinced by his brother (Josh Gad) to take a position at Pfizer as a sales rep. Jamie is sent to Ohio where he must convince doctors to prescribe the depression drug Zoloft over Prozac.

Jamie’s life takes a turn when he meets free spirit and Parkinson's sufferer Maggie (Hathaway).

Set in the 90s around the time that Viagra was released on the market by Pfizer, Love and Other Drugs misses the mark on many counts. The filmmakers apparently deemed the real story of an overpaid, slacker drug rep in over-prescribed America as either too boring or too hard a sell. Instead, they (rather cynically) inject the Maggie character into the plot, hijacking a story worth telling and turning it into an unoriginal romance.

Gyllenhaal and Hathaway will leave this film unscathed because the likeable stars do a good job with what they have been given. The film basically asks them to be an attractive couple, which is what they do. Oliver Platt as Jamie’s mentor and Hank Azaria as a womanising doctor are shamefully underutilised in the film. In contrast Gad (who seems to have been hired as a Jonah Hill impersonator) is painfully overused as Jamie’s grotesque younger brother.

Lacking the sardonic wit or necessary bite to pull off a rom-com based in the world of pharmaceuticals, Love and Other Drugs is a very disappointing pill to swallow.

Beth Wilson

See www.thebrag.com for more arts reviews

DVD Reviews What's been on our TV screens this week Small screen fare to sink your teeth into.

ECLIPSE

TRUE BLOOD: SEASONS 1 & 2

Sony Pictures Home Ent. Released December 1 In a remarkable feat of improbability, the third instalment of the Twilight Saga is the least compelling to date - despite being helmed by the director of such nail-biting thrillers as Hard Candy and 30 Days of Night. Twilight had the advantage of Catherine Hardwicke’s (Thirteen) acute sense for girlish teenage angst; New Moon had a love triangle of epic, unresolved sexual tension (and a visit to Italy - yay!); Eclipse squanders that urst, and undermines the ferocity of its arch villain, by replacing Rachelle Lefevre with the limpid Bryce Dallas Howard.

Eclipse opens with Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) having struck an uneasy compromise: she’ll marry him, if he’ll turn her into a vampire – after graduation, just a month away. Their pre-coital bliss is interrupted, however, by the realisation that Victoria (still super pissed after Edward killed her boyfriend, and hell-bent on revenge) is amassing an army of newborn vampires. To protect Bella, Jacob (Taylor Lautner) and Edward are forced to work together, bringing the werewolves and vampires into an uneasy coalition, and Bella into closer proximity with her erstwhile paramour - forcing her to make “the most important decision of her life”.

If you take away the supernatural elements (which have by now lost their novelty), this kind of plot could come straight from Sweet Valley High. You have to put real effort into making a love triangle between three teens truly titillating, and making them all basically sweet-natured, clean-cut kids doesn’t do the trick. After some fairly flaccid vacillation, Bella decides that Edward is indeed her tall glass of super-cool water, and Jacob is just a warm mug of cocoa.

Warm and fuzzy, yes. Romantic? Maybe.

Gripping: not so much. Yawn.

Dee Jefferson

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

MOGWAI

Warner Bros Home Video Released November 10 It’s not everyone’s cup of tea – it’s definitely more trashily indulgent than thought-ponderingly deep; and Anna Paquin’s painfully precocious Southern damsel Sookie Stackhouse took me half a season to warm to – but one thing Alan Ball (Six Feet Under) does know, is how to keep you hooked – and for the most part, True Blood delivers cliff-hangers and meta-plot payloads in spades. As with virtually all modern vampire plots (Being Human, Underworld, Twilight), this one’s headed towards a werewolf face-off (Season 3), but for now the main battle lines are drawn between vampires and humans – with some inter-clan feuding in both camps spicing up the action.

BURNING & ADELIA, I WANT TO LOVE.

Based on Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire Mysteries, the setting is the small Louisiana town of Bon Temps, and the basic premise is a relationship between a mind-reading southern belle (Paquin) and a Confederacy-era vampire (Stephen Moyer), with the ongoing inability of humans and vampires to coexist forming the lurid (and often gory) backdrop.

True Blood’s strong points read like a memo the Twilight filmmakers never got: complex characters, nail-biting sexual tension, thorny moral dilemmas, a rich cast of support characters, and plotlines you care about.

It’s also got a sense of humour (something desperately lacking in the latest Twilight instalment). Besides this it has a deliciously camp style, and suggests some nice political and social allegories – all set against the slightly twisted cultural history of America’s deep south.

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

This is a perfect summer holiday genre-fest for people who like their heroines feisty, their vampires bloodthirsty, and everyone a bit queer.

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

Dee Jefferson

Street Level With Benjamin Speed real emotional heart and that is a powerful thing. I recently was with an audience that were all crying from music I had composed.

That was an oddly wonderful day... My favourite project to work on was probably The Cat Piano. It had Nick Cave narrating it and he said he loved the music... swish!

B

enjamin’s been making musical love to films for a while now, including an internationally acclaimed soundtrack for Fritz Lang’s epic silent sci-fi film Metropolis, courtesy of his two-man side-project, The New Pollutants. We first became aware of him last year, when we saw the awardwinning animation The Cat Piano, and fell in love with its darkly jazztastic soundtrack.

It earned him an APRA nomination – and this year he put a ring on it by taking home the APRA for his soundtrack to childrens’ television series Itty Bitty Ditties. Benjamin's latest venture sees him joining forces with the competition, as it were, as part of FirstCut Studio: a Leichardt-based music composition and sound-post company created by acclaimed composer Basil Hogios.

What's your musical background/training?

I started playing the cello badly in school orchestras, moved onto the guitar in a highschool band, jamming out nerd-boy Nirvana covers at assembly, then I made songs and sung whilst doing star-jumps in The New Pollutants - an experimental hiphop duo influenced by 80s video games and 60s pop music. I also did a music degree at the Adelaide Conservatorium and then a few years ago did a Masters degree at AFTRS. You’ve done heaps of soundtrack work – what attracts you to the form?

I just love working with stories and bringing a musical narrative to a film. Music kicks at the

What is your creative process for creating a soundtrack?

It’s different every time – a lot of the times my brain is off and racing with ideas before it’s even started and sometimes filmmakers come to me with a fully edited film for me to watch and compose to. Usually though I’d say I was an exponential composer. I start off slowly, creating and gathering ideas and then burrowing into the heart of it... I like to imagine a film as a massive watermelon: I look at it, study it, and then bury my face in it until it’s all up in my belly.

What other film composers do you admire?

Some oldschool film composition heroes of mine are Ennio Morricone, Nino Rota, Philip Glass and John Williams. Some more contemporary favourites are Alexandre Desplat, Shigeru Umebayashi and Jon Brion.

What projects are you working on at the moment?

Right now I feel like one of those magicians spinning 10 plates at once! I’ve recently I’ve been working feverishly on The Maestro - a film about a crazy homeless guy who gets mystical powers through the music in his mind, and Sumo Love, an animation about a Sumo wrestler who falls in love with a Lake Monster. I just finished a documentary about a railroad stunt man from the early 1900s and I’m about to work on a new extended score to the recently re-restored version of Metropolis.

Later on I’m working on the MTV film The Sellers with the FirstCut Studio crew…

Look: benjaminspeed.com Listen: misterspeed.bandcamp.com More: firstcutstudio.com

14 15 16 17 18 19 * ◊

Tu We Th Fr Sa Su

Some Like it Hot PG Love and Other Drugs ◊ MA15+ The Other Guys M Toy Story 3 G Paranormal Activity 2* M The Killer Inside Me MA15+

No free list Preview screening

Centennial Park Tickets at moonlight.com.au or at the gate.

Gates open at 7pm, screenings at approx. 8.30pm

BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10 :: 41

Album Reviews

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

ALBUM OF THE WEEK THAO WITH THE GET DOWN STAY DOWN

throughout the record, with themes of love lost and lonely, needy sex coupled with as much heart-wrenching alt-country (‘The Give’, 'Oh No') as they are with happy brass, poppy rock, cute melodies and cymbal kicks (‘Cool Yourself’, 'Body').

Know Better Learn Faster Kill Rock Stars / Stomp

Vocals from Laura Veirs and Tune Yards, slide guitar from Blitzen Trapper’s Eric Earley, violin and whistling courtesy of Andrew Bird, and a bit of organ and piano from The Decemberists’ Jenny Conlee. Casual mentions in the liner notes, like it aint no thang… Thao Nguyen is quite a name in Portland.

Thao sounds like she's been unlucky in love for centuries, but she seems tough enough to handle it - and smart enough to learn from her mistakes.

Against the freshness of 2008’s We Brave Bee Stings And All, Thao’s now sounding a little older and a little bruised - but a whole lot stronger for it. Hers is a wearied wisdom, resigned to sad truths with a cynical, sexy smile. “If this is how you want it, okay” she shrugs in opener ‘The Clap’ – and what starts out as a slow and ghostly dirge turns into a hand clap-driven wonky stomp. This moody dualism is prevalent

LITTLE DRAGON

NORAH JONES

Machine Dreams EMI

Oh man, these guys are seriously cute…

Which shouldn’t be surprising, given that most things that emanate from Sweden generally sound pretty. Still, Gothenburg four-piece Little Dragon take it to the next level on their second album, with understated electronic flourishes, wired-up vocals and inventive percussion that all provide a welcome change from your average Band With Synthesiser And/Or ProTools.

You might recognise this group as those who stuck out towards the end of the latest Gorillaz collabofest, Plastic Beach - but all you really need to listen out for now is the epically cool and quirky melodies of Swedish-Japanese singer, Yukimi Nagano. While she’s not the only unique thing about this group, she’s certainly the most recognisible, from her pining slides and bends in ‘A New’ to the graceful lines on ‘Never Never’.

Little Dragon don’t smash you over the head with the sheer might of their collected Nords, Korgs and Roland sampling pads; they'd rather seduce you with small flourishes.

There are some impressive ideas lying under all the glitches and blips, and even though it is largely electronic, the sound still has that homemade feel to it. That is, assuming your home looks like Robert Downey Jr’s in Iron Man 2…

The two songs you have to hear are ‘Feather’, which is more New Order than New Order and totally awesome, and 'Thunder Love’, which has obviously been studying the Kid A book of percussion sounds.

This is the kind of record you can just put on and let wash over you, and I’m more than OK with that.

Jonno Seidler

‘Virginia Moon’, the Foo Fighters track that kicks this compilation off (I’m officially ignoring the tired trot of The Little Willies opener), is a classic sounding song, and not a million miles from Jones’ usual jazzy terrain. From this point, things rarely stay the same. Highlights include her collaboration with Outkast, ‘Take Off Your Cool’, which has shades of Joni Mitchell (really!); ‘Life Is Better’ with Q-Tip, which indicates Jones could follow Lauryn Hill’s path if she pleases; and a seven minute runthrough of Joni Mitchell’s ‘Court and Spark’, with Herbie Hancock.

Her most recent cameo on ‘Little Lou…’ from Belle and Sebastian’s Write About Love is included here too, her voice blending seamlessly with Stuart Murdoch’s in a way missing since Isabel Campbell’s B&S departure. But by far the most impressive song here is her heartbreaking duet with Ryan Adams, ‘Dear John’. Her voice suits this type of aching country-tinged ballad perfectly, emoting in a way that’s rarely been seen in her career; cool and smoky one moment, cracked and spare the next.

This collection showcases more than Jones’ ability to farm herself out across several genres: it highlights an artist not content to stand still.

Nathan Jolly

Steph Harmon

KID CUDI

…Featuring Norah Jones EMI

No matter how many artists of a different genre you collaborate with, it will never quite be as odd or influential a pairing as when Ravi Shankar took George Harrison under his tutelage and briefly Easternised the Western world. Still, take one glance at this compilation, made up of Ravi’s daughter Norah Jones’ various collaborations over the past ten years, and you get an idea of how widespread her musical interests and abilities lie.

While the title track is soaring and brilliant - the story of two lovers both as pathetic at loving as each other (“but I need you to be better than me”) - the highlight of the album is easily ‘When We Swam’, with Thao’s come-hither “Oh, bring your hips to me”. Her voice has a bit of Orton and a bit of Veirs, with the staccato, rhythmic thrust of Karen O and the melodically strained drawl of Stephen Malkmus... “I kiss your ears with the truth / How could it hurt so hard?” she whispers with lament, in country-tinged ballad ‘But What Of The Strangers’; “We have sad sex / We move steady to forget” she sings on ‘Goodbye Goodluck’. There are no happy songs here, but there are happy-sounding songs; as she announces at the start of 'Easy', “Sad people dance too.”

THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH

Man On The Moon II: The Legend Of Mr Rager Universal The fact that Kid Cudi got picked up by Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music franchise, skyrocketed to fame on the back of an Italian dance duo’s rehashing of one of his debut’s lesser tracks, and cemented his place in hip-hop royalty through countless appearances on Kanye’s G.O.O.D Friday cuts really peeves some people.

The fact that this golden child of hip hop, who suckled on the breast of the omnipotent West, and has since (if album content is to be believed) led the debaucherous, coke-and-weedfuelled life of a rock star, has now released a second album, perhaps even more wildly introspective and self-obsessed then his first effort well, that doesn’t win Cudder too many fans either.

But what does keep people coming back to Cudi - even as he takes on 1960s psychadelica roadtrips (the video for Weezer-esque ‘Erase Me’ is a must), audibly snorts lines on tracks and generally couldn’t give a fuck about what is popular or commercial - is that the man knows how to write good music. Admittedly, MOTM II is slightly more indulgent than the first part (and suffers for this), but amidst all the loathing, self-interest, intense reflection and drug references, the album still produces gems of songwriting and melody like ‘Revofev’, ‘Mr Rager’ and ‘Mojo So Dope’.

Pop quiz, hot shot: think of the greatest musical anomaly you can.

If you answered "Swedish musician singing folky, nature-reference-riddled, wistful Americana tunes whose simple sounds belie their true complexity", you’ve done pretty well – or, after two full-length albums and one five-track EP, you’ve already become a fan of The Tallest Man on Earth. Lilting melodies and tales of heartbreak over twangy guitar may not readily be associated with Kristian Matsson's Swedish background, sure, but he isn’t going to let that inhibit his particular style of self-expression.

“One day I’ll find just that friend who can see / All this weird beauty / Thrown right at me” muses Matsson on the closing track of Sometimes The Blues Is Just A Passing Bird. Poignant and epigrammatic, these lyrics also offer something of a synopsis of his latest offering. Over the course of five confessional tracks, Matsson exposes the listener to the weird beauty to which he is subjected - hoping, it seems, that they are the omniscient confidante for whom he yearns; or in effect forcing them to occupy this position.

At best, Cudi’s sophomore is a haunting sonic portrait of what hip hop fame and fortune means in the 21st Century. At worst, it’s an egotistical experiment in recording and distributing secret teenage diary entries. Thankfully, there’s just enough more good than bad to hint at Cudi’s future potential.

Luckily, it's a nice position to occupy.

The near-breaks of the morning voice in which he sings convey a raw clarity of emotion, regret and solemnity that’s embraced rather than shied away from. The strength of his melodies and lyrics calls for nothing more than muted electric or quietly-picked acoustic guitar accompaniment, and he knows it. On this EP, Matsson demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the age-old KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) adage, while using it to its maximum advantage.

Cop this one so you can say you listened to him before he was massive.

Well-crafted sounds resplendent in their intimacy - if not exactly uplifting.

David Seidler

Andrew Geeves

You Will Tear Down Everything That Stands In Your Way Broken Stone Records

Any band that manages to squeeze “Holy Moses” and “Sanguine charms are behest” into their opening and closing numbers respectively whilst avoiding pretention deserves maximum kudos. Prepare to heap praise then for all this and more, on Magnetic Heads and their debut EP, You Will Tear Down Everything That Stands In Your Way.

42 :: BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10

Led by well-known Sydney musician Jonathon “Des” Miller (who also runs the label on which this is released), the quintet worked with Simon Berkfinger of Philadelphia Grand Jury fame to record and produce this four track beauty. Opting in to the current trend of local bands like Cloud Control and Belles Will Ring, channelling the distinct sounds and instrumentation of a genre of yore while adding a new twist, Magnetic Heads produce music that feels known, yet avoids direct replication. Rather than psychedelia, the genre of choice here is new wave and an ostensibly Australian-sounding revisitation of new wave at that.

The synths and surf-rock electric guitar riff of opener ‘In The Name Of Fame’ bring to mind the marked eighties sound of Echo

& The Bunnymen, while the resonance of Miller’s prominent vocals sits somewhere between David Byrne and Morrissey.

Leading single ‘Blind’ is the second and strongest track of the EP, with its almostDuran Duran-like chorus and instantclassic sound, evoking images of a smoky dance floor, big hair, polkadots, leather jackets and payphones. But as much as they reference the past, Magnetic Heads aren’t stuck in it. Sure, it’s difficult not to think of The Go Betweens and The Church while listening to ‘See That’, but that doesn’t take away from Magnetic Heads’ cultivation of a unique, innovative EP. A highly enjoyable debut, which sounds more familiar than it actually is.

Andrew Geeves

Pink Friday Universal

Sometimes The Blues Is Just A Passing Bird Dead Oceans

INDIE ALBUM OF THE WEEK MAGNETIC HEADS

NICKI MINAJ

Nicki Minaj’s debut album has finally landed - amidst gallons of hype, a sleight of awards, and critical acclaim earned from gargantuan, scenestealing verses on chart-topping tracks with Ludacris, Trey Songz and Kanye West. Pink Friday is a showcase of Nicki’s bad-ass skill, twisted personality, and her penchant for the preposterous.

It seems like Nicki went into this recording with no rules or guidelines, leaping from 80s pop samples to dark, off-tempo hip hop; from a haughty English alter ego to a vicious, spiteful persona in the space of a few minutes.

It’s eclectic and enigmatic – this woman could rap to elevator music if she wanted to. Instead of detracting from the listenability of the record, the obvious lyrical and musical schizophrenia pays homage to Nicki’s inborn eccentricities. Yes, the album is diverse; Pink Friday revolves around rather leftfield samples (from Satriani’s to The Buggles), Nicki’s assorted characters, and – unfortunately – what seems to be the Young Money label’s somewhat standard rags-to-riches lyrical theme.

Nicki is at her most dynamic as a vocal acrobat, spitting creative and bombastic lines into the mic with unbridled venom. Her plays on words and her array of voices are used with cunning; rather than putting on voices, she becomes the character.

She is a lady and a sorceress, more comfortable inhabiting the skin of others than her own – and the result makes for a fascinating listen.

There are trailblazing cameos from some of hip hop’s elite, and some delightfully unpredictable samples - but it's really all put to the back as Nicki Minaj rises to the fore, relishing her new position atop hip hop queendom.

Rach Seneviratne

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

MAYER HAWTHORNE - A Strange Arrangement V/A - F*<k Dance, Let's Art BISHOP ALLEN - Grrr...

TWIN SHADOW - Forget EARL SWEATSHIRT - EARL

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

RAY MANN, PARIS WELLS The Vanguard Thursday December 2

I really wanted to like the night’s support, Ray Mann. In part because of the cool, funky, bluesy vibe of the Ray Mann Three that I’d previously heard, but mainly because Ray was so sweet: all smiles and dashing, in a grey cap and matching waistcoat. Sans the other two though (his bandmates had ditched him for sun and love in Byron, he said), Ray was left flying solo - and with just him and an electric guitar, the set sounded a little threadbare.

I couldn’t hear the lyrics from my perch on the mezzanine, and the songs blurred into one another a little... I’d happily give him and them a second chance, though.

Were the world somehow aligned such that these decisions were left up to me, The Vanguard might be exactly where I would have chosen to see Paris Wells for the first time. With the small size of the venue, and the usual low lighting over the seated audience having their mains, you could almost convince yourself you’d chanced upon a restaurant that just happened to have an amazing, cabaret-style live act on that night. Paris kicked off with an extra slow, luxurious start to ‘Various Small Fires’, the title track from her eponymous album.

“I’m easing you in,” she told us.

Her jerky, faintly robotic dance moves are reminiscent of more stage-shy artists, the Sarah Blaskos and Lisa Mitchells of the world. A bit surprising, as she really owns the stage: the new Melbourne songstress is perfectly coiffured and exudes confidence in her banter between songs, laughing with her band and making a quick ‘that’s what she said’ joke at an appropriate moment.

“It’s time to get it started,” she tells us towards the end of the set, referring to her latest single of the same name. “I’d have gotten it started at the beginning, but it’s too good to give away too soon.” It’s at this point that the Vanguard’s set-up loses its appeal – everyone wants to dance, but there’s really no space to do so without annoying all the diners around you. Paris herself was flawless, though - and I’m looking forward to seeing her again, as her career trajectory leads her from small stages to big ones.

Romi Scodellaro

GIRLS, DEEP SEA ARCADE Manning Bar Wednesday December 8

By the time Girls took to the rose-scattered stage, just about every hipster in Sydney had converged on Manning Bar’s cozy dance floor. Having thoroughly enjoyed a magical set from Sydneysiders Deep Sea Arcade, Doc Martins, tight jeans and Deschanels stretched as far as the eye could see - kind of ironic considering that when they came on, Girls seemed like they couldn’t care less about their own appearance. I overhead a kid say that singer Christopher Owens looked more like a homeless lad than lead singer of a hyped up indie band. On first glance, not giving a fuck seems to be Girls anthem.

Take, for example, the last five minutes of the gig. After performing a few tracks in the encore, the band were deep in discussion about which song to play next. But instead of launching into another number they gave a look to the crowd, a quick nod to each other, took a swig of beer and then walked off stage. I guess they couldn’t be bothered.

A few peace signs and a brief thanks later, and the crowd were left behind, wondering what they'd done wrong…

west-coast music wave had broken down completely by the last song. Standing centre of stage during ‘Hellhole Ratrace’, Owens cries out “I’m sick and tired of the way that I feel…/and all I really ever need is some love and attention”. In a good percentage of his tunes, Owens seems to be asking for something or someone to make him okay again. In ‘Lust For Life’, the first song the crowd really got behind, he makes a list of all the things he wishes he could have had - a father figure, a suntan, a beachhouse - before crooning ‘And then maybe I would have turned out right’. As the set goes on, and protected only by a denim baseball cap and guitar, Owens starts to look more and more like a little lost boy than a rock star.

So maybe Girls are less I-don’t-give-a-fuck than they are I’m-fucked-up-and-tryingto-figure-it-out. It makes sense when you find out Owens was raised in the Children of God cult, escaped at 16 and then substituted the cult for punk and heavy drugs, until he began writing music...

They’re from California, but the sunshine just about stops there. Still, it made for a pretty memorable set.

Liz Brown

DRAPHT, DIALECTRIX, BRIGGS The Gaelic Theatre Saturday December 4

The Gaelic Theatre was a-bustling when the big boy Briggs opened the evening’s proceedings. Sporting an XXXL Lakers jersey and a whole lotta ‘tood, Briggs was a more-than-adequate hors d’oeuvre for the evening; possibly even showing up the next-on-stage Dialectrix. The predominantly male, flannelette-clad audience gave a generous serving of guttural yells of approval to both supports, and it was kinda cool to see the supportive Aussie hip hop fraternity in action – championing their brand of music as a whole, and not just hanging out for their main man Drapht to take to the stage.

Drapht’s show began with a hasty, casual feel characteristic of the Aussie hip hop vibe; he started rapping off stage before skipping into view, with an exuberant spring in his step. As he lurched into ‘Don’t Wanna Work’, the crowd roared with delight and tossed drinks in the air, reveling in a celebration of funemployment.

Drapht’s show really benefits from a live band, which I believe to be something that all hip hop artists could incorporate; the live drums make any hip hop beat that much more dope. Drapht relished the crowd interaction, no more evident than in songs with resounding choruses (a la ‘Boom Boom Boom’), where he conducts the call and response between the stage and the crowd with apparent ease. He has a commanding energy about him on stage, rapping comically, conversationally and crazily through his CV of wordsmithery.

There was not a dull moment in the gig; even the new songs that were dropped mid-set earned a glowing reception from the audience, thanks partially to Drapht’s charming plea: “Are you guys gonna jump up and down like motherfuckers, or should I just stop playing my new songs?”

And then the intro to ‘Jimmy Recard’ was uttered - and the crowd needed no such instruction. Bringing down the house and bringing out the wigga in everyone with arguably the best live song in Aussie hip hop, Drapht’s unrelenting enjoyment of his craft was a delight to watch. Raise your glass for the king of the bar!

Rach Seneviratne

LAST PARTY AT THE GLADSTONE!!

DECEMBER

17 FRIDAY

In the context of the whole set though, it makes a bit more sense. The image we had of a sunny pop band just getting high and riding the

KYU DJ SET

ALPINE

BENLUCID . MINOU

GIVEAWAYS COURTESY OF IVY LEAGUE

PhDJ . FANTOMATIQUE

ZURICH

Girls BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10 :: 43

The Minor Chord

The All Ages rant bought to you by Indent.net.au. By Matt Petherbridge

ALL AGES GIG PICKS NO SLEEP TIL

The long awaited No Sleep Til Festival is happening this Saturday December 18.

This massive event takes over the entire Entertainment Quarter down in Moore Park, and is one of the very few all-ages festivals that brings together a huge lineup, peppered liberally with international acts, and pumping copious amounts of awesome directly towards your eyes and ears. No Sleep Til gives us access to a tasty lineup of punk, hardcore and metal, including headliners Megadeth, and NOFX, Dropkick Murphys, Descendants, Atreyu, Parkway Drive, Frenzal Rhomb, A Day To Remember - and many others!

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not too late to hit your parents up for a well-deserved early Christmas present!

Keep an eye out for your mates and look after each other. Gates open at 1pm.

+ JPS + SPIKEY TEE + FOREIGNDUB

NOISY BY CHOICE

In its fifth instalment, the Burwood Youth Advisory Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Noisy By Choice event has put on great shows, pulling together the talent of the Inner West. Noisy By Choice #5 satisfies the local hunger for hip hop, bringing together MC PhiIi feat DJ Wendy, Hustle, A.M.Y, Jump Chick, BillyB, Soul Odyssey and Sureel. A celebration of hip hop, art and culture this event is organised by young people, for young people - that means you! Go and check it out at Burwood Masonic Hall (47 Belmore Street, Burwood) this Saturday December 18 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a gold coin donation is all itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll cost you to get in.

JIMMY EAT WORLD

Texan rock band Jimmy Eat World have announced their 2011 tour dates in support of their brand new album, Invented. Returning for the first time since replacing My Chemical Romance (due to ill health of lead singer Gerard Way) on the Soundwave 2009 tour, Jimmy Eat World have announced just one all-ages show on their Australian tour and lucky for us, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in Sydney! You can catch them at the Enmore Theatre on Friday April 8. Fellow Texan singer/songwriter Courtney Marie Andrews, who contributed backing vocals to Invented, is supporting.

WE SAY BAMBOULEE

We Say Bamboulee, who recently won the triple j Unearthed competition to play Sydney's Big Day Out 2011, have just released their debut EP, Bush Tricks which includes the synth-blipping, mystical harmony-laden â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Waiting In Wisconsinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, and the group-chanting feel-good pop of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Solid Goldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve toured with the likes of ethereal tribal warriors kyĂź and the manic but sublime Richard In Your Mind â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and this weekend you can catch them performing with Otouto, Oh Ye Denver Birds, Djanimals and Cloud Control, at the Factory Theatre on Saturday December 18, for the Cloud Control-curated â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Was I There In Your Futureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; festival.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 16

Gorillaz (feat. 70-piece band), Little Dragon Sydney Entertainment Centre, Haymarket

SATURDAY DECEMBER 18

Darren Hanlon St. Stephens Church, Newtown No Sleep Til Festival Megadeth, NOFX, Dropkick Murphys, Parkway Drive, Descendents, Gwar, Alkaline Trio, Katatonia, Frenzal Rhomb, Me First & the Gimme Gimmes, 3 Inches of Blood, Suicide Silence, August Burns Red, We Came As Romans, House vs Hurricane, Break Even, Heroes For Hire, Confession, A Day To Remember and Atreyu.

Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park Was I There In Your Future?

Cloud Control, Djanimals, Otouto, Oh Ye Denver Birds, We Say Bamboulee Factory Theatre, Marrickville

A VERY DARREN CHRISTMAS

Make sure you practise your air-ukulele/ glockenspiel moves because Sydneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very own urban-folk veteran, Darren Hanlon, will be playing a very special, one time only, all-ages Christmas show at St. Stephens Anglican Church in Newtown, on Saturday December 18. Hanlon released his fourth studio album, I Will Love You At All, earlier this year, featuring â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;All These Thingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Details are scant about the show, but if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s anything like Hanlonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s album launch, there could be free cupcakes!

TMC WANTS... YOU!

If you are a band anywhere in NSW made up of 12-25-year-olds who support all-ages music, and play all-ages gigs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Minor Chord wants to hear from you! We know that recording professionally costs a lot of money, so weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re totally open to receiving demos and home-recordings, just as long as the recording is clear enough for us to get a good sense of your style and your sound. Links to your MySpace profiles are great, too! If you would like us to review your music, look up IndentNSW on Facebook, LIKE us, and let us know what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re up to!

AND...

If you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait til next weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition of The Minor Chord, you can catch the allages rant over the airwaves, sent directly to you courtesy of FBi Radio. Tune in from 5pm Wednesdays to hear about more all-ages events, including arts and culture, guided by our good friends Kate and Eva.

We Say Bamboulee

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Send pics, listings and any info to minorchords@thebrag.com 44 :: BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10

Remedy

S AT U R DAY, D E C E M B E R 1 8 t h

More than The Cure since 1989 with Murray Engleheart

This is mighty cool. The Guardian reports that a grouping of Brit acts - including Suggs from Madness and Billy Bragg have gotten together to record a version of John Cage’s ‘4’33’. But by deliberate design, rather than technical problems, not very much at all in the way of actual music ended up on tape: the original “song” was the sounds of silence of an orchestra at rest. Cage would no doubt also heartily approve of the motives behind this exercise, the aim of which is basically to knock the Godawful X Factor down a few chart places (just as Rage Against The Machine did this time last year, when ‘Killing In The Name Of’ elbowed the show’s winner out of claiming the UK’s top chart position). While the cause is a worthy one - we certainly aren’t subscribers to the modern day phenomenon of worshipping utter mediocrity - the concept is also doing its bit for worthy charities such as Calm, which provides a helping hand for young blokes who are looking to suicide as the ultimate serenity bringer, as well as Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy, and Sound and Music.

CBGBS: THE MOVIE

A movie on CBGBs is in the works?

Hmmm, given that virtually none of The

Ramones are with us, that might mean Sheryl Crow, Johnny Depp, Eddie Vedder and Lenny Kravitz et al will yet again end up on camera, to fill the gaps.

(But then, maybe they’d appear anyway, right?). We’d like to offer up some potential interview subjects for the project: Angus Young (given AC/DC played at the place in 1977); the guys from the original Corrosion of Conformity; Henry Rollins; and maybe Damien Lovelock from The Celibate Rifles (given they recorded their Kiss Kiss Bang Bang slab on that hallowed turf). And we hope that there won’t be too much about the venue’s later years, when countless shitty, nondescript bands played there - or on the subsequent closing and “relocation” of the joint. Just the original romance and promise, please.

AC/DC BLACK ICE TOUR FANS

Humans sure can be industrious with their enthusiasms. Take Matteo Ippoliti for example, the lucky guy who was chosen as one of “The Greatest Australia/New Zealand AC/DC Black Ice Tour Fans”.

Loaded up with his prizes, he’s published his own book about the tour… We’re not sure what the availability situation is, but if you’re interested maybe drop him a line at: acdcabruzzo@gmail.com

K C O R GIRLS E T U B I FREE DRINK TR FIRST 100 GIRLS GET O N

A R R I VA L

S I V E A W AY ALBUM G

ACTOR ED FIASCO OVERREE RACK ID S THE UNCH/STINGLE LAUNCH) D LA P (E RE STARTE + FIRES WE + APE BC

BAND

JOHN CAGE, REBORN

L I V ES

Madness' Suggs second from left

OVER REAC TOR LIVE FREE MEMBERSHIP GIVEAWAYS, FREE ENTRY B4 9.30PM, FREE ENTRY WITH NO SLEEP TIL WRISTBAND

ST JAMES HOTEL 114 CASTLEREAGH ST, CITY

ON THE TURNTABLE On the Remedy turntable is Charlie Daniels’ Fire On The Mountain, which is basically the Allman Brothers with the added bonus of Daniels’ blazing fiddle work - and so it’s a hell of a lot more than a precursor to the low brow southern likes of Hank Willams Jnr and Kid Rock. Also spinning is Uriah Heep’s Look At Yourself, which for us was pretty much their high tide mark before they began to slide down from the mountain top, and started to sacrifice power - at one point Heep were one of the loudest acts in the world, don’t you know - for truly awful lyrical and vocal schmaltz. A good ad for why some rock bands should be strictly instrumental, really.

TOUR AND INDUSTRY NEWS The mighty Earthless have announced a tour of the joint. Yep, that’s right, the almost entirely instrumental Californian trio of power jammers will be here early in the new year.

Anyone who does a double live release the killer Live At Roadburn - yet still only manages to squeeze four songs onto it is pretty damn OK with us. On January 4 they’ll be at the Basement, Canberra; January 5 at The Patch, Wollongong with The Hard Ons; January 7 at the Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle with Tumbleweed; and January 8 at the Annandale. We smell a road trip.

The Valve Bar (formerly The Harp Hotel) at Tempe has a big one on December 19 with The Cosmos Rock Lounge memorial benefit show, featuring twelve bands, including The Baddies, Jack Nasty Face, THUG, Infamous Grouse, The Thingos, Young Docteurs and more.

The Hytest Festival is happening at the Cabbage Tree Hotel (or the Patch) in Wollongong on February 5. The bill so far reads: The Hard Ons, Shifter, Hytest, The VeeBees, Leadfinger, Don Fernando, Baby Machine, Rocksteady Dub Militia, Chainsaw Massacre, Smasheddybash, Bulldoze All Bowlos and Life Adjustment Disorder. It’ll be a big day in a newly renovated room, with two stages, a BBQ, and plenty more. myspace.com/hy-test

“Johnny Marr hounded me to be in The Smiths. One night soon after, we went to watch The Church and I decided I would.” Mike Joyce, Mojo magazine.

Quite a testimonial to tuck away in the old CV eh? Maybe a Smith or two will make it down here in April when The Church mark their 30th Anniversary with an exclusive Psychedelic Symphony performance, with the George Ellis Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on April 10. If you saw the band performing ‘Under The Milky Way’ with George Ellis during their induction into the ARIA Hall Of Fame, you’ll have an idea of the magic that’s in store. The outfit’s first four albums have already been reissued in expanded form, with the next four in the pipeline.

The Hard Ons are holding a “Black Mass” (jokes, just jokes…) on December 18 at Newtown's Sando, with Ether Rag, Slogan Free Youth and Pure Evil Trio. Yay! Tumbleweed hit da road at the end of December. Dates are: December 31 at Waves, Wollongong; January 7 at the Cambridge, Newcastle; January 14 at The Metro Theatre; and January 15 at Mona Vale Hotel.

Public Enemy are at the Metro on January 4 doing the entire Fear of A Black Planet.

Send stuff for this column to remedy@ozemail.com.au by 6pm Wednesdays. All pics to art@thebrag please. www.myspace.com/remedy4rock BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10 :: 45

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way 2 fonky

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up all night out all week . . .

dalebake

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03:12:10 :: Club 77 :: 77 William St Kings Cross 93613387

04:12:10 :: St James Hotel :: 114 Castlereagh St City 92618277

kora

PICS :: TT

sfx

PICS :: RO

04:12:10 :: Annandale Hotel :: 17 Paramatta Rd Annandale 95501078

02:12:10 :: Annandale Hotel :: 17 Paramatta Rd Annandale 95501078

03:12:10 :: Phoenix Bar :: Downstairs 34 Oxford St, Darlinghurst 93311936 ) :: ASH LEY MAR :: TOM S : TIM LEV Y (HEA D HON CHO OUR LOV ELY PHOTOG RAP HER IEL MUN NS :: ROS ETT E ROU HAN NA :: PATR ICK DAN :: A TRA MON TE :: REE F GAH STE VEN SON

46 :: BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10

party profile

teen spirt

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All I Want For Christmas Is YOU It’s called: All I Want For Christmas Is YOU.

It sounds like: A Christmas party, 50 years in the making.

DJs/live acts playing: Goldfoot, 9021BROS, Winona Forever, DJ OJ Simpson, Pellis, Johnny Says Hello, Doogie Howser MDJ and The Go-Gettes Dancers.

Sell it to us: Step back in time and celebrate the end of the year, as Teen Spirit and P*A*S*H join forces to bring you three clubs in three rooms: Teen Spirit bringing you nothing but 90s hits in 34B; P*A*S*H DJs in Q Bar playing all your favourite 70s and 80s retro classics; and Get Ready DJs playing the finest soul, garage, and rockabilly from the 50s and 60s.

The bit we’ll remember in the AM: Kissing a stereotype from each decade.

Crowd specs: People that like music and dancing and drinking and having fun.

Wallet damage: $15 or $10 before midnight, if you are on the RSVP list (alliwantforchristmasisyou.info).

Where: Q Bar / 34B / Vegas.

When: Friday December 17, from 10pm.

Come work with us!

The Brag is seeking a new Advertising Sales Junior to add to our energetic and youthful team!

A fantastic opportunity exists for the right person to join one of Australia’s leading music titles.

car allowance adds to a great package with all the usual benefits.

A knowledge of and passion for of all things Sydney bars, clubs, pubs, music, entertainment is essential.

Applicants with sales experience and/ or existing contact base who can hit the ground running are preferred.

Plus, you get to work in a cool, inner city location with one of Australia’s foremost youth marketing companies and publishing teams.

A retainer and generous incentives are offered, commensurate with experience. A mobile phone and

This is an excellent opportunity for the right, self motivated and hard working person to break into the music industry!

Got what it takes?

Email resume and cover letter to robfurst@beat.com.au The Brag is part of Peer Group, Australia’s foremost youth marketing company and Furst Media, Australia’s biggest streetpress company

BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10 :: 47

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black cherry xmas :: The Factory :: 105 Victoria Road Enmore 95503666

eliza dolittle

30:11:10

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04:12:10

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up all night out all week . . .

Oxford Art Factory :: 38-46 Oxford st, Darlinghurst 93323711

PICS :: TT

run rabbit fly

03:12:10 Oxford Art Factory :: 38-46 Oxford st, Darlinghurst 93323711

It’s called: Last Night: An FBi 94.5 New Years Eve Fundraiser It sounds like: A warm fuzzy feeling for doing a good deed, wrapped up in the tastiest of indie tunes and slathered in the biggest countdown of the year. Drool!

DJs/live acts playing: The Paper Scissors, Gold Fields, Guineafowl, Ghoul, Bearhug, Butcher Blades, FBi Open Day winners, Purple Sneakers DJs, FBi DJs, Surecut Kids, Kato.

Sell it to us: Purple Sneakers and FBi 94.5, getting back to their indie roots for a NYE party that embodies everything that makes the Sydney music scene thrive.

The bit we’ll remember in the AM: Spending the money you saved on expensive NYE parties by buying tasty booze; making crazy dance shapes; eating face at the stroke of midnight - and then telling yourself you’re a saint, because you did it all in the name of FBi. Crowd specs: Anyone who loves the local independent music scene.

Wallet damage: $29+BF, or $24+BF for FBi supporters.

Where: The Gaelic Theatre, right next door to Central Station When: Friday December 31, 8pm till dawn

48 :: BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10

korn

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party profile

Last Night

04:12:10 :: Hordern Pavilion :: 1 Driver Ave Moore Park 93834000 ) :: ASH LEY MAR :: TOM S : TIM LEV Y (HEA D HON CHO OUR LOV ELY PHOTOG RAP HER IEL MUN NS :: ROS ETT E ROU HAN NA :: PATR ICK DAN TRA MON TE :: REE F GAH A :: STE VEN SON

BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10 :: 49

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papa vs pretty

Oxford Art Factory :: 38-46 Oxford st, Darlinghurst 93323711

venom

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02:12:10

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up all night out all week . . .

mum: go here go there

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23:07:10 04:12:10 :: Agincourt Hotel :: 871 George St City 92814566

04:12:10 :: Oxford Art Factory :: 38-46 Oxford st, Darlinghurst 93323711

) :: ASH LEY MAR :: TOM S : TIM LEV Y (HEA D HON CHO OUR LOV ELY PHOTOG RAP HER IEL MUN NS :: ROS ETT E ROU HAN NA :: PATR ICK DAN TRA MON TE :: REE F GAH A :: STE VEN SON

50 :: BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10

bag raiders

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the john steel singers

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03:12:10 :: World Bar :: 24 Bayswater Rd Kings Cross 93577700

04:11:10 :: The Forum :: Entertainment Quarter Moore Park

9pm

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 15TH

SET SAIL DAREN SIRBOUGH/ LESSONS IN TIME

9pm

THURSDAY DECEMBER 16TH

PRIORY DOLLS

SARAH BIRD/BRENT HILL

9pm

FRIDAY DECEMBER 17TH

RUFUS

ELIZABETH ROSE/FORESTS FEAT.DJS SWEATSHOP BOYS/DOM GREENWOOD/RIFF RAFF

9pm

SATURDAY DECEMBER 18TH

BOTTOMS UP

DJ JONESY/JOHN MCLEAN/ROBERTO DE ROQUE/PABLO/MIGHTY SPARROW LIVE JAM FEAT. MEMBERS FROM THE HERD, SIMON CARTEER BAND, HERMITUDE, LOS GATOS

9pm

THURSDAY DECEMBER 23RD

NATURAL SELECTION

WIM/TIN SPARROW / PATRICK JAMES

BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10 :: 51

g g guide gig g

send your listings to : gigguide@thebrag.com

pick of the week

MONDAY DECEMBER 13 ROCK & POP

Achtung Baby Novotel Homebush, Homebush Bay free 5pm Andy Mammers Coogee Bay Hotel free 9pm Carribean Soul Paddy Maguires, Haymarket free 8.30pm Elevation U2 Show Scruffy Murphy’s Hotel, Sydney free 10pm Matt Jones The Observer Hotel, The Rocks free 8.30pm Nikita & Desiree Brass Monkey, Cronulla 8pm Rob Mestric, The Spacemen Macquarie Hotel, Liverpool free 8pm U2 (Ireland), Jay-Z (USA) ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park $39.90–$99.90 8pm

SATURDAY DECEMBER 18 Megadeth

Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park

No Sleep Til Megadeth (USA), NOFX (USA), Dropkick Murphys (USA), Parkway Drive, Descendents (USA), Gwar (USA), Alkaline Trio (USA), Katatonia (Sweden), Frenzal Rhomb, Me First & the Gimme Gimmes (USA), 3 Inches of Blood (Canada), Suicide Silence (USA), August Burns Red (USA), We Came As Romans (USA), House Vs Hurricane, Break Even, Heroes For Hire, Confession, A Day To Remember (USA), Atreyu (USA) $137.95 (+ bf) (all ages) 1pm

JAZZ

Kristin Berardi Band 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

Open Mic Night Macquarie Arms Hotel, Windsor free 7pm Songsalive!: Ross Bruzzese, Russell Neal and guests Kellys On King, Newtown free 7pm Songsalive!: Under the Purple Tree and guests Springwood Sports Club free 7.30pm Songwriter Sessions Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills free 7.30pm

COUNTRY

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

TUESDAY DECEMBER 14 ROCK & POP

Gyroscope Waves Nightclub, Towradgi free (guestlist) 6pm Achtung Baby Novotel Homebush, Homebush Bay free 5pm Adam Pringle Downstairs, Sandringham Hotel, Newtown free 8pm David Studdert Sandringham Hotel, Newtown $10 8pm Elevation U2 Acoustic The Orient Hotel, The Rocks free Katie Carr, Daniel Bruce, Cristian Conteras The Basement, Circular Quay $15 (+ bf) 8pm Mr Percival Brass Monkey, Cronulla $23.50 (presale) 7pm Mum Says Rock Macquarie Hotel, Liverpool free 8pm Rob Henry The Observer Hotel, The Rocks free 8.30pm Spunk Xmas Party: Jack Ladder, Leader Cheetah, Bearhug, Rock Throsby Goodgod Small Club, Sydney $20 8pm Steve Tonge O’Malley’s Hotel, Darlinghurst free The Black Sorrows, Halfway To Forth Lizotte’s Restaurant, Lambton $45 (show only)–$110 (dinner & show) 7pm

They Call Me Bruce Maloney’s Hotel, Sydney free 9.30pm U2 (Ireland), Jay-Z (USA) ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park $39.90–$99.90 8pm

JAZZ

James Valentine’s Supper Club: James Valentine Quartet Golden Sheaf Hotel, Double Bay free 7pm Peter Head Harbour View Hotel, The Rocks free The Drip Hards, Alister Spence Trio 505 Club, Surry Hills $8 (member)–$10 8.30pm

ACOUSTIC & FOLK

Sam Buckingham (residency), Kent Eastwood, Itu & The Joystars Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills $10 8pm Songsalive!: James Donnelly, Matthew James, Renae Kearney, Catherine Thomas, Pal Sheldon, Tim Walker, Andrew Denniston Off Broadway, Ultimo free 7pm Tuesday Night Live: Nikki Thorburn, Lemongrass Jam, The Pierce Brothers, Matt Heath Beach Road Hotel, Bondi free 8pm

COUNTRY

Blacktown Country Music Club The Lucky Australian, North St Marys free 7pm

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 15 ROCK & POP

Andy Mammers Duo Ettamogah Pub, Kellyville free 6.30pm Antics: Heavy Heavy Low Low, Totally Unicorn, Coma Lies Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle West free 8pm Backlash Greenwell Point Bowling & Sports Club free 8pm Ben Finn Duo Mean Fiddler, Rouse Hill free 6pm Bernie Hayes Downstairs, Sandringham Hotel, Newtown free 8pm Brad Johns Harbord Beach Hotel free 7.30pm Camden Townsend Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle free 8pm David Agius Novotel Homebush, Homebush Bay free 5pm David Christopher Brooklyn Hotel, Sydney free 6.30pm Fun Machine, Blonde Sovereign Cat & Fiddle Hotel, Balmain $8 8pm Goodnight Dynamite O’Malley’s Hotel, Darlinghurst free 9.30pm Gossling, Georgia Fair The Vanguard, Newtown $10 (+ bf) 8pm Jager Uprising: Snaketide, My Carpet Burns, UIS Annandale Hotel $8 7.30pm Jon Stevens, Halfway to Forth Lizotte’s Restaurant, Lambton $47 (show only)–$105.50 (dinner & show) 7pm Linkin Park (USA) Sydney Acer Arena, Sydney Olympic Park $102 (silver)–$132 (gold) 8pm Little Dragon (Sweden), Moon Holiday, Future Classic DJs Goodgod Small Club, Sydney $25 (+ bf) 8pm Menagerie: Ten Thousand Free Men, Toydeath, DerrisKharlan, God In Pants Sandringham Hotel, Newtown 8pm Mike Bennett The Observer Hotel, The Rocks free 8.30pm Mr Percival Brass Monkey, Cronulla $23.50 (presale) 7pm

Myles Mayo, Dereb the Ambassador Gaelic Theatre, Surry Hills 8pm Sam & Jamie Duo Maloney’s Hotel, Sydney free 9.30pm Sideshow: Jeff The Brotherhood (USA), Those Darlins (USA), Puta Madre Brothers Beach Road Hotel, Bondi Beach free 8pm Tahnee McKay, Alanna Cherote, Le Venge Acoustic Raval, Surry Hills $15 (+ bf) 8pm The Hands The Basement, Circular Quay $20 (+ bf)–$25 (at door) 8pm Tim Rollinson Artichoke Gallery Cafe, Manly free 8pm Un Quarto Morto, No Such Luck, Slogan Free Youth, Ether Rag The Red Rattler Theatre, Marrickville 6pm YourSpace Muso Showcase: Fabels, Victa, All Mankind, JaR of Corn + Rob Persian, AXIS, The Gentle Blooding, Kate, Benjamin Wharton, Library Siesta Town Hall Hotel, Newtown free 7pm

JAZZ

Adam Page, The Adelaide Sax Pack, Mr Percival 505 Club, Surry Hills $10 8.30pm Maxine Kauter The View Factory, Newcastle free 7pm

ACOUSTIC/FOLK

Songsalive!: Craig Edmondson, Judychair, Serenik, Laura Beasant, Rooney West, Russell Neal Earlwood Hotel free 7pm Songsalive!: Gavin Fitzgerald, Ryan Phelps, TAOS and guests Coach & Horses Hotel, Randwick free 7pm

COUNTRY

The Blue Shoe Awards: Dianna Corcoran, Amber Lawrence, Katrina Burgoyne, Luke O’Shea, Tori Darke, Dane Sharp The Beachcomber Hotel, Toukley $17 7pm South Coast Country Music Club Mount Kembla Heights Hall free 6pm

[V] Live: Children Collide,

THURSDAY DECEMBER 16

ROCK & POP

ABBAWORLD Opening Night Concert: Katie Noonan, iOTA, Andy Bull Powerhouse Museum, Ultimo $59 7pm Bob Geldof (Ireland) Lyric Theatre, Star City, Pyrmont $109.90 8pm Carols By The Tree: Sway Darling Harbour Convention Centre Forecourt, Sydney free 7pm David Agius Harbord Beach Hotel free 8pm Doc Neeson Vault 146, Windsor $23.50 (+ bf)– $45.90 (dinner & show) 8pm Gorillaz, Little Dragon (Sweden) Sydney Entertainment Centre, Darling Harbour $99.90 (+ bf)– $119.90 (+ bf) 8pm Hamish, Bad Wives LO-FI, Darlinghurst 8pm Hot Damn!: Vegas In Ruins, State Of East London, Pledge This!, Renegade, Hot Damn DJs Spectrum, Darlinghurst $12–$15 8pm Human Nature, Sydney Symphony Orchestra State Theatre, Sydney $59 (C Res)– $99 (A Res) 8pm Jeff the Brotherhood (USA), Those Darlins (USA) Annandale Hotel $27.50 (+ bf) 8pm

“Well, we don’t sound like Madonna. Here we are now, we’re Nirvana. Sing distinctly, we don’t wanna. Buy our album, we’re Nirvana”- WEIRD AL YANKOVIC 52 :: BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10

g g guide gig g

send your listings to : gigguide@thebrag.com Philadelphia Grand Jury, Howl, Bearhug Caringbah Bizzo’s $17 (+ bf)–$20 (at door) 8pm Pianoman The Loft, Darling Harbour free 6pm Roxwell Star City Sports Theatre & Bar, Pyrmont free 9pm Rumble!: The Laurels, Domeyko/ Gonzalez, Dark Bells, Count Doyle Goodgod Small Club, Sydney $10 8pm Seek The Silence, Calling Mayday Fitzroy Hotel, Windsor free 8pm Steve Edmonds Band Empire Hotel, Annandale free 7pm The Priory Dolls, Sarah Bird, Brent Hill Melt Bar, Kings Cross $10 (at door) 9pm The Suspects Marble Bar, Sydney free 8.30pm The Woohoo Revue Hotel Gearin, Katoomba $10 (at door) 9pm Thursday Night Live Miranda Hotel free 9pm White City, Ed Clayton-Jones Chord Blood, The Ming Kings Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills $10 8pm Worker Bees, Space Party, Ubermensch Sandringham Hotel, Newtown $7

JAZZ

Gorillaz Johnathon Devoy Downstairs, Sandringham Hotel, Newtown free 8pm Jon Stevens, Halfway to Forth Lizotte’s Restaurant, Lambton $47 (show only)–$105.50 (dinner & show) 7pm Luke Dixon Newport Arms Hotel free 7.30pm Morgan Joanel Raval, Surry Hills $10 (+ bf) 8pm

Music of Frank Zappa: Petulant Frenzy The Basement, Circular Quay $22 (+ bf) 9.30pm Now Now Festival Program Launch: Swill, HU, Robbie Avenaim, Prophets The Red Rattler Theatre, Marrickville free 7pm Otouto Brass Monkey, Cronulla 8pm

Oscar Jiminez 505 Club, Surry Hills $10–$15 8.30pm Peter Head Harbour View Hotel, The Rocks free 8pm Suite AZ 36 Degrees Bar, Star City, Pyrmont free 8.30pm

ACOUSTIC/FOLK

DJ Big Will, Bold Bongos Australian Hotel & Brewery, Rouse Hill free 9pm

Nikki Thorburne Artichoke Gallery Cafe, Manly free 8pm Songsalive!: Andrew Denniston and guests Mars Hill Café, Parramatta free 7pm Songsalive!: Daniel Hopkins, Karma Fire, Sacha and guests Narrabeen Sands free 7pm Songsalive!: Dennis Aubrey @Newtown RSL free 7pm Songsalive!: Simon Li, Carolyn Woodorth, Andrew Denniston Pennant Hills Inn free 7.30pm

FRIDAY DECEMBER 17 ROCK & POP

After The Fall, Urban Free Flow, The Paradox Unseen, The Tillegra Damned, Alice Vs Everything, The Cavalcade, Cumlungz, Juicehead, K Square, Grace Turner, Elisa Kate The Loft Youth Venue, Newcastle $12.50 5.30pm Big Whoop: Zeahorse Melt Bar, Kings Cross 9pm Bon Jovi (USA) Aussie Stadium, Moore Park $99.90–$299.90 7.45pm Boyz In Black Kiama Golf Club, Minnamurra free 8pm Brent Murphy Tall Timbers Hotel, Ourimbah free Brown Sugar Marble Bar, Sydney free 9.30pm Carols By The Tree: Blues Point Darling Harbour Convention Centre Forecourt, Sydney free 7pm Christmas with The Blackeyed Susans: The Blackeyed Susans, Christa Hughes The Vanguard, Newtown $25 (+ bf)–$30 (at door) 6.30pm

Cloud Control Sussex Inlet Tavern 8pm Cutwing, 2.0.1.0, Jova, The Needs The Wall, The Bald Faced Stag Hotel, Leichhardt $10 8pm Diesel Lizotte’s Restaurant, Lambton $45 (show only)–$120 (dinner & show) 7pm Elton Dave Kendall Bar, Central Coast Leagues Club, Gosford free 8.30pm Evening Son, Le Kingste, The Family Clam Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle West $10 8pm Friday Night Live Miranda Hotel free 9pm Gemma Long Jetty Hotel free 7.30pm Gold Fields Spectrum, Darlinghurst 8pm Hemina The Valve, Tempe 8pm Hip Not Hop Blacktown RSL Club free 8pm Human Nature, Sydney Symphony Orchestra State Theatre, Sydney $59 (C Res)– $99 (A Res) 8pm Jacks In Black Hawkesbury Hotel, Windsor free 7.45pm Johnny G & the E-Types Coogee Diggers 8pm Keith Armitage Harbord Beach Hotel free 8pm Kim Churchill, Penny & the Mystics, Ashleigh Mannix, Justin Carter Waves Nightclub, Towradgi $12 (+ bf) 8pm King Tide Brass Monkey, Cronulla $28.60 (presale) 7pm Klondike’s North 40, Dragstrippers, Harry’s Lookout Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle 8pm Liquid Music & Super Stylin’ Christmas Party: Neo Stereo, Daniel Allstars, July Morning,

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WED 15 DEC

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(5:00PM - 8:00PM)

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

THU 16 DEC

(4:30PM - 7:30PM)

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sat

Dec

sun

SATURDAY NIGHT

(9:00PM - 12:00AM)

+ MYLES MAYO + AMAYA LAUCIRICA

(9:15PM - 1:00AM)

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

18

DEREB THE AMBASSADOR

19

SUNDAY NIGHT

V.I.P. THURSDAYS PARTY

ft ALPHAMAMA + DJ TICKELZ + DJ LOPEZ

PHUL AMA

FRI 17 DEC

Dec

SAT 18 DEC

(8:30PM - 12:00AM)

+ DREDICATED + DJ RASTA

MISS ALTERNATIVE + HORRORWOOD MANNEQUINS + POM POM COMING SOON

SUN 19 DEC

AIM EVENT

THU 23 DEC

ALPHAMAMA

FRI 31 DEC

PURPLE SNEAKERS

BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10 :: 53

gig guide

send your listings to : gigguide@thebrag.com

Little Dragon Master Of None, Sex In Columbia, Grand Lethals, Lovers Jump Creek, Deane Wyldman Annandale Hotel $15 (+ bf) 6pm Little Dragon (Sweden), Moon Holiday, Levins, Future Classic DJs Goodgod Small Club, Sydney $25 8pm LOADED (AA): After The Fall, Alice Vs Everything, The Paradox Unseen, The Tillegra Damned, The Cavalcade, Cumlungz, Juicehead, Urban Freeflow, Prem Bedlam, DJ Ntaprize, K Square, NC Boyz, The Kerrigan, DJ Thrillhouse & DJ Dynamik, Grace Turner, Elisa Kate, Todd Bartlett, Nick Fillis, Spencer Scott, Jharna Williams & Jono Collard The Loft, Newcastle $10 6pm New Millenium Auburn Hotel free 7.30pm New Project, Grim Demise, Beggars Orchestra, Kilter Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills $12 8pm Next Best Thing Seven Hills Toongabbie RSL Club free 8pm Nicole Brophy The Belrose Hotel free 8.30pm OAF Xmas Party: Cabins, Zeahorse, Circle Pit, Ghoul, Preachers, Myth & Tropics, The Delta Riggs, Step Panther, Honey Pies, Go Roll Your Bones, Reckless Vagina, Lovelace, Goldfoot, The Velveteens, Jack Shit, Samara, Iron Man, Fresco & Pages Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst $5 8pm Pete & Reg’s Dog Trumpet, Bernie Hayes Rose of Australia Hotel, Erskineville free 8pm Philadelphia Grand Jury, Howl, Bearhug Mona Vale Hotel $17 (+ bf)–$20 (at door) 8pm Purple Sneakers: kyu DJ Set, PhDJ, BenLucid, Fantomatique, Minnou Gladstone Hotel, Chippendale free 7pm Reel Sessions Star City Sports Theatre & Bar, Pyrmont free 9pm Shade Of Red Woy Woy & District Rugby League Football Club free 7pm Steve Edmonds Band Jolly Frog Hotel Windsor free 10pm The Kylie Show Towradgi Beach Hotel free 8.30pm The Maristians Rag and Famish Hotel, North Sydney free 8pm The Rocks Markets by Moonlight: Benjalu, Nicholas Roy The Rocks Market free 6pm The Smiling Stiffs Manly Fisho’s $10 8pm The Woohoo Revue, Big Erle Headlands Hotel, Austinmer $15 (at door) 8.30pm Thousand Needles in Red, Dali’s Angels Fitzroy Hotel, Windsor free 8.30pm What U Need INXS Show Cronulla Sharks free 9pm Zoltan Revesby Workers Club free 8pm

JAZZ

Bri Cowlishaw Sean’s Kitchen, Sydney free 7pm Bridge City Jazz Band Club Ashfield free 7.30pm Broadway & Beyond: David Campbell The Basement, Circular Quay $50.20 (+ bf)–$55 (at door) 9.30pm Full Swing Quartet Lane Cove Golf & Country Club, Northwood free 7.30pm Hamish Stuart Notes Live, Enmore $28.60 (presale) 7pm Robert Susz & the Continental Blues Party Empire Hotel, Annandale free 8pm Roby Lakatos (Hungary) Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House $49–$89 8pm Susan Gai Dowling Duo Jazushi, Surry Hills free 7.30pm The Strides 505 Club, Surry Hills $10–$15 8.30pm

ACOUSTIC/FOLK

Jenny Biddle Artichoke Gallery Cafe, Manly free 8pm John Balance, Jonas Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba 8pm Running In The Shadows: Fleetwood Mac Show Wests Leagues, New Lambton $15 (member)–$19 (non-member) 8pm

COUNTRY

Alter Ego Massey Park Golf Club, Concord free 7.15pm Bryen Willems, Nicki Gillis Royal Cricketers Arms, Prospect free 7.30pm Double Deal Buttai Barn $50 (dinner & show) 7pm Macarthur Country Music Club Wests Campbelltown Tennis Club, Leumeah free 7.30pm

SATURDAY DECEMBER 18 ROCK & POP

2 Of Hearts Woy Woy & District Rugby League Football Club free 7.30pm Abbalanche Penrith Panthers $75 (member)–$80 (dinner & show) 6.30pm Bernie Segedin The Belrose Hotel free 8.30pm Betty Airs, Step-Panther, Community Radio, The Faults The Roxbury Hotel, Glebe $10 8pm BhangLassi, Tales in Space Gallery Bar, Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst $15 (+ bf) 8pm Bon Jovi (USA) Aussie Stadium, Moore Park $99.90–$299.90 7.45pm

Carols By The Tree: Sorelle Darling Harbour Convention Centre Forecourt, Sydney free 7pm Cell Block 69 Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst $15 (+ bf) 8pm Chontia The Entrance Sails Stage free 9am Christmas At The Club: Cheryl O’Brien, Nick Bavarell, Belinda Adams, Drew Ashley Workers Blacktown $5.50 (member)–$7.70 7.30pm Christmas with The Blackeyed Susans: The Blackeyed Susans, Christa Hughes The Vanguard, Newtown $25 (+ bf)–$30 (at door) 6.30pm Darren Hanlon St Stephen’s Church, Newtown $20 (+ bf) 6pm Diesel Lizotte’s Restaurant, Lambton $45 (show only)–$120 (dinner & show) 7pm Funkstar Marble Bar, Sydney free 10.30pm Gladstonebury Festival: Helpful Kitchen Gods, Men From U.N.C.L.E., Emergency Squirrel, Thing O’s, Life In Pictures, Far Canals, The Make Up, Fabels, Black Vat Trio, Theophones B, Van Bauguin, Mat Stray Cat, Bobby Mahers, Kerryn S, Dr Delites Gladstone Hotel Chippendale donation 4pm Hard-Ons Sandringham Hotel, Newtown $15 8pm Heads of State: Bobby Brown (USA), Johnny Gill, Ralph Tresvant Enmore Theatre $87.10 (+ bf) 7.15pm Hendrix, Joplin & Morrison Tribute: Steve Edmonds Band, Tania Murray, Damien Lovelock Dicey Riley’s Hotel Wollongong $10 8pm Hit Machine Scruffy Murphy’s Hotel, Sydney free 11pm Hot Gossip Newcastle Panthers, Newcastle West free 8.30pm Human Nature, Sydney Symphony Orchestra State Theatre, Sydney $59 (C Res)– $99 (A Res) 8pm King Tide Brass Monkey, Cronulla $28.60 (presale) 7pm Kingfisha Hotel Gearin, Katoomba $10 8pm Late Night Lounge: Old Man River, Mr Percival, Barry Morgan & His Organs, Hannah Gadsby, David Bates & Madam Pat The Studio, Sydney Opera House $39–$49 10pm Louis London, Structures Fall plus guests Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills $12 8pm Matt Jones Newport Arms Hotel free 7.30pm Merry Candycanes: Pat Capocci, Suspence, Laura Sands, Jordan Wett Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle West $30–$50 (premium) 8pm Mortal Sin, Soul Tremour, Cerebral Contortion Newcastle Leagues Club, Newcastle West $17.90 8.30pm Mother’s Little Gringos Bald Rock Hotel, Rozelle free 8pm No Sleep Til: Megadeth (USA), NOFX (USA), Dropkick Murphys (USA), Parkway Drive, Descendents, Gwar (USA), Alkaline Trio (USA), Katatonia (Sweden), Frenzal Rhomb, Me First & the Gimme Gimmes (USA), 3 Inches of Blood (Canada), Suicide Silence (USA), August Burns Red, We Came As Romans (USA), House Vs Hurricane, Break Even, Heroes For Hire, Confession, A Day To Remember (USA), Atreyu (USA) Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park $137.95 (+ bf) 1pm Philadelphia Grand Jury, Howl, Bearhug Waves Nightclub, Towradgi $17 (+ bf)–$22 (at door) 8pm

Pop Fiction Castle Hill RSL Club free 10pm Rock’n’Roll Social Dance: Dwayne Elix & the Engineers City Diggers, Wollongong $10 (at door) 7pm Saturday In The Rex: Watussi Beach Road Hotel, Bondi $15 8pm Sean Coffin, Steve Barry Freeway Hotel, Artarmon free 7pm SFX: The Side Tracked Fiasco, Overreactor St James Hotel, Sydney $10–$12 8pm Shade Of Red Pritchard’s Pub, Mount Pritchard free 7pm Spy Vs Spy Blacktown RSL Club free 10pm Steve Tongue Trio, Peter Grant Star City Sports Theatre & Bar, Pyrmont free 6pm Strangers in Gotham Kiama Golf Club, Minnamurra 8pm Teen Wolves Glasshouse Bar, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo $12–$15 8pm The Beatels Notes Live, Enmore $45.90 (presale) 7pm The Flaming Stars Eastern Suburbs Legion Club, Waverley free 7.30pm The Rebel Rousers Ettalong Bowling Club, Ettalong Beach free 7.30pm The Spirits, The Former Love Pirates, The Cadres Spectrum, Darlinghurst 8pm The Waves Harbord Beach Hotel free 8pm The Woohoo Revue, The McNastys Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Wickham free 8.30pm Thousand Needles in Red Raval, Surry Hills $15 (+ bf) 7.30pm Thunderstruck Albion Park Hotel free 9pm Tice & Evans, Kaki Downstairs, Sandringham Hotel, Newtown free 4pm Tim Pringle Mingara Recreation Club, Tumbi Umbi free 8pm Underlights, Ghostwood, Future Prehistoric, Flight Annandale Hotel 7.30pm Was I There in Your Future?: Cloud Control, Djanimals, Otouto, Oh Ye Denver Birds The Factory Theatre, Enmore $25 (+ bf) 2pm

JAZZ

Broadway & Beyond: David Campbell The Basement, Circular Quay $50.20 (+ bf)–$55 (at door) 9.30pm Claude Hay The View Factory, Newcastle free Jive Bombers Club Five Dock, Five Dock RSL free Leichhardt Organic Food Markets: Paul Sun, Mark Szeto, Didi Mudigdo Orange Grove Public School, Leichhardt free 9.30am Motown The Show Ettalong Beach War Memorial Club 8.30pm Paul Sun, Mark Szeto, Cameron Andrews Larrikin’s Café & Lounge Bar, Walsh Bay free 6pm

Darren Hanlon

Sally Street Trio Sean’s Kitchen, Sydney free 6pm Sydney Musos 505 Club, Surry Hills $10–$15 8.30pm

ACOUSTIC & FOLK

Cool Room Australian Hotel & Brewery, Rouse Hill free 9pm Gilbert Whyte Artichoke Gallery Cafe, Manly free 8pm Introducing Jeremy Harrison & The Western Electric Band Oh really?!! art gallery $15 8pm Skarrats & Watts Macquarie Arms Hotel, Windsor free 1pm The Troubadour Folk & Acoustic Music Club CWA Hall, Woy Woy $7 (member)–$10 7pm

COUNTRY

Double Deal Buttai Barn $50 (dinner & show) 7pm

SUNDAY DECEMBER 19 ROCK & POP

2days Hits Harbord Beach Hotel free 6pm Alter Ego Granville RSL free 4.30pm Bang Gang Downstairs, Sandringham Hotel, Newtown free 4pm Benjalu Queens Wharf Brewery, Newcastle free 2pm Black Gardenia Coogee Diggers free 4pm Blues Sunday: Mark Hopper Artichoke Gallery Cafe, Manly free 8pm Carols By The Tree: Sway Darling Harbour Convention Centre Forecourt, Sydney free 7pm Colene Crawford Fubah on Copa, Copacabana free 2pm Diesel Lizotte’s Restaurant, Lambton $45 (show only)–$120 (dinner & show) 7pm Dylan Drew Fitzroy Hotel, Windsor free 5.30pm Heavy Heavy Low Low, Totally Unicorn, Between The Devil & The Deep, Nice Guys Sandringham Hotel, Newtown $12– $15 7pm Jackie Bristow Bald Rock Hotel, Rozelle free 6pm Jimmy Bear Palace Hotel, Darlinghurst free 2pm Kaman Trio Star City Sports Theatre & Bar, Pyrmont free 4pm Kim Churchill Brass Monkey, Cronulla 8pm Klassic Blak Ettalong Bowling Club, Ettalong Beach free 2pm Lelly K Hotel Gearin, Katoomba 7.30pm Mark Wilkinson Notes Live, Enmore $17.85 (presale) 7pm Nick Andrews Charing Cross Hotel, Waverley free 5.30pm Peta Evans Taylor Tall Timbers Hotel, Ourimbah free 4.30pm Screaming Sunday Annandale Hotel $12 (at door) 12pm Sydney Rock ‘n Roll & Alternative Market: Pat Capocci Combo, Mother Truckers, Chickenstones, Jarran Zen & the Blind Children’s Orchestra, DJs Brian & The Rockabilly Rhino Jets Sports Club, Tempe free 11am Terry McIntosh The Entrance Sails Stage free 11am The Cosmos Rock Lounge Memorial Benefit Show: The Baddies, Jack Nasty Face, Thug, Infamous Grouse, The Thing Os, The Young Docteurs The Valve, Tempe 1pm

“Have some more yogurt. Have some more spam. It doesn’t matter if it’s fresh or canned. Just eat it” - WEIRD AL YANKOVIC 54 :: BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10

gig guide

SIDESHOW WEDNESDAYS

send your listings to : gigguide@thebrag.com The Sunday Niceup!: Kingfisha, Fester, Mike Who & Ability Beach Road Hotel, Bondi $15 8pm The Woohoo Revue, Waiting for Guinness The Vanguard, Newtown $16 (+ bf) 6.30pm Tim Pringle Doyalson-Wyee RSL Club free 5pm Welter, The Teddysexuals Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills $12 5pm

JAZZ

Club Jazz Velluto Champagne and Wine Lounge, Potts Point free 6.30pm Coogee Carols: Dr Chris Brown, Ed Phillips, Brendan Moar, Katie Nejaim, Simon Price, The Super Supremes, Tony Cogin, Sophie Katinis, Jaynie Seal, John Howard, Chloe Dallimore, Martin Crewes

Goldstein Reserve, Coogee Beach free 6.30pm Janet Seidel Rocksalt, Menai free 12pm John Leigh Calder Trio Hotel Clarendon, Surry Hills Lane Cove Alive Art & Design Makers Market: Susan Gai Dowling, Carl Dewhurst Lane Cove Plaza free 12pm Laurie Bennett, Carol Ralph Scenic Lounge, Central Coast Leagues Club, Gosford free 2pm Paul Sun, Jess Dunn, Greg Burt, Cameron Jones, Fiona McRostie, Cassie Hausler Rose & Crown Hotel, Parramatta free 1pm Sydney Blues Society Blues Jam: Continental Robert’s Blues & Boogaloo Party, Sydney Blues Society Botany View Hotel, Newtown free 5pm Unity Hall Jazz Band Unity Hall Hotel, Balmain free 2pm

Xmas Jam: Shelley Turner Band Jolly Frog Hotel, Windsor 2pm

ACOUSTIC & FOLK Back to the Tivoli: Nicki Gillis Petersham RSL Club 1pm Finn Macquarie Arms Hotel, Windsor free 1pm Hunter & Suzy Owens Band Marrickville Bowling and Recreation Club free 8pm Songsalive!: Dennis Aubrey Avalon Beach RSL Club free

COUNTRY

Adam Brand Western Suburbs Leagues Club, New Lambton $30 (member)–$35 7.45pm Central Coast Country Music Association Wyong RSL Club free (member) 1pm

+ JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD (USA) + PUTA MADRE BROTHERS

gig picks

up all night out all week...

Philadelphia Grand Jury

TUESDAY DECEMBER 14

Spunk Xmas Party: Jack Ladder, Leader Cheetah, Bearhug, DJ Rock Throsby Goodgod Small Club, Sydney $20 8pm

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 15

Gossling, Georgia Fair The Vanguard, Newtown $10 (+ bf) 8pm Menagerie: Ten Thousand Free Men, Toydeath, Derris-Kharlan, Godinpants Sandringham Hotel, Newtown 8pm

THURSDAY DECEMBER 16

Gorillaz, Little Dragon (Sweden) Sydney Entertainment Centre, Darling Harbour $99.90 (+ bf)–$119.90 (+ bf) 7:30pm Jeff the Brotherhood (US), Those Darlins (US) Annandale Hotel $27.50 (+ bf) 8pm

FRIDAY DECEMBER 17

Little Dragon (Sweden), Moon Holiday, Levins, Future Classic DJs Goodgod Small Club, Sydney $25 (+ bf) 8pm OAF Xmas Party: Cabins, Zeahorse, Circle Pit, Ghoul, Preachers, Myth & Tropics, The Delta Riggs, Step Panther, Honey Pies, Go Roll Your Bones, Reckless Vagina, Lovelace, Goldfoot, The Velveteens, Jack Shit, Samara, Iron Man, Fresco & Pages Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst $5 8pm

Philadelphia Grand Jury, Howl, Bearhug Mona Vale Hotel $17 (+ bf)–$20 (at door) 8pm

SATURDAY DECEMBER 18

Cell Block 69 Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst $15 (+ bf) 8pm Darren Hanlon St Stephen’s Church, Newtown $20 (+ bf) 6pm Was I There in Your Future?: Cloud Control, Djanimals, Otouto, Oh Ye Denver Birds The Factory Theatre, Enmore $25 (+ bf) 4pm Djanimals

COMING SOON

NIKKI THORBURN+ LEMONGRASS JAM + THE PIERCE BROTHERS + MATT HEATH 17TH DEC WATUSSI + RED BULL ROOFTOP PARTY 18TH DEC KINGFISHA + FESTER + MIKE WHO & DJ ABILITY 19TH DEC

Rumble!: The Laurels, Domeyko/Gonzalez, Dark Bells, Count Doyle Goodgod Small Club, Sydney $10 8pm

BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10 :: 55

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

club pick of the week

The Sugarmill, Kings Cross Battery Operated DJ Matt Hoare free World Bar, Kings Cross The Wall free

True Vibenation

THURSDAY DECEMBER 16

SATURDAY DECEMBER 18

Round Table Knights

GOODGOD Small Club, Sydney

United Colours Bush Xmas Round Table Knights, Wax Motif, Kato, Chux, Bad Ezzy $15 - $20 10pm til late MONDAY DECEMBER 13 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 DECEMBER 14 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 56 :: BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10

Opera Bar, Circular Quay DJ Jack Shit free The Gaff, Darlinghurst Coyote Tuesday Johnny B, Kid Finley free–$5 The Valve, Tempe Underground Tables Disco Rossco, Grand Wizard, Gee Whiz, Benji World Bar, Kings Cross Pop Panic Karaoke, DJs Shipwreck, Cris Angel, M.I.T. free

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 15 Bank Hotel, Newtown Girls’ Night DJ Sandi Hotrod free Cruise Bar, Circular Quay Rockstar free Establishment, Sydney Mid Week Hurdle Nic Phillips, Craig Patterson free Fanny’s of Newcastle Crooklyn Clan, Riz Fringe Bar, Paddington F.R.I.E.N.D/s secret international guest DJ, Karuna (debut EP launch), Miracle (live), F.R.I.E.N.D/s DJs, Hobogestapo $5 drinks & pizzas, free entry

Front Bar, Goodgod Small Club, Sydney Special Moments Long John Saliva free Gasworks Nightclub, Albion Hotel, Parramatta DJ Fresh free Goldfish, Kings Cross The Salsa Lounge Latin Mafia Sound System free Goodgod Small Club, Sydney Little Dragon $25 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

Cargo Bar, King St Wharf De La Soul & Gorillaz Afterparty Maseo, Damon Albarn, Jesse $10 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 Alphamama $10 (+ bf) Gallery Bar, Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst Klub Koori Xmas Jam Street Warriors, Stunna Set, Lady Lash $15+bf 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 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, free Martin Place Bar, Martin Place Thursdays at MPB Louis M free 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 free

Shelbourne Hotel, Sydney The Social Club Beth Yen free The Argyle Hotel, Rocks Husky & Yogi free Tone, Surry Hills Loop Thursdays Simon Caldwell, Jimmi James $30 World Bar, Kings Cross Teenage Kicks free

FRIDAY DECEMBER 17 Bank Hotel, Newtown Bobby Blaze, D*Funk free Bar Europa, Sydney Illya free Beach Road Hotel, Bondi Beach Neon Cassian free Bristol Arms Retro Hotel, Sydney Pimp’s & Ho’s Christmas Ball Club Retro DJs free– $25 Candy’s Apartment, Kings Cross Liquid Sky S-terra (USA), SMS, Kyro & Bomber, J.I.A $10/$15 Cargo Bar, King St Wharf On The Harbour free Chinese Laundry, Sydney DubRave Nick Thayer, Will Styles, MC Shureshock, Toni Toni Lee, Q45, Tape2tape, Rubio, Gilsun, MC Hayley Boa $15 before 11pm or $20 Civic Hotel, Sydney Shrug Plus 1 Antix (NZ/live), Markotix & MSG (Subsonic), Robbie Lowe & Dave Stuart, DJ Trinity & warm-up comp

winner $25 Collector Hotel, Parramatta Corner Shop Tikelz, DJ Browski, J Lyrikz, Naughty, Gunz free Dugout Bar, Burdekin Hotel, Darlilnghurst Co.Deep Fire, Whitey, 40love, Highly Dubious, Murda1, Missree, Mazza, Rit Locus, Bionic, Erecsean free Favela, Potts Point Zen Arty (RU), Cryptic & Sonus, Rossco, Nick Arbor, Pato De Gomah, VLN, Antony Carpena, Shan Noble $15 Front Bar, Goodgod Small Club, Sydney Rip It Up! Rip it Up free Gladstone Hotel, Chippendale Purple Sneakers kyu DJ Set, PhDJ, Ben Lucid, Fantomatique, Minnou $12 Goldfish, Kings Cross Sugar & Soul Phil Hudson, Paul Hatz, Agey, Danny De Sousa, Matt Cahill, Tom Kelly free Goodgod Small Club, Sydney Little Dragon, Levins, Future Classic DJs $25 Home The Venue, Darling Harbour Sublime Peewee, MC Losty, XDream, John Ferris, Scotty G, Nick Farrell, Yev $17 pre, $25 door Jacksons on George Ultimate Party Venue over 4 Floors Guest DJs free Kings Cross Hotel, Kings Cross Kid Kenobi & MC Shureshock $15 Kid Kenobi

club guide send your listings to : clubguide@thebrag.com Kinselas, Taylor Square Toby Wilson free Kit & Kaboodle, Darlinghurst Falcona Fridays secret international headliner, DJ Hansom, Kato, Devola, Nes $10 Mansions, Kings Cross Nick Polly, Little Rich, Nick T, Stevie S, Adrian Allen free Martin Place Bar, Martin Place Jimmy Mac, Sammy free Middle Bar, Kinselas, Darlinghurst Flavours on Friday MC Q-Bizzi, C-Bu, Trey, Mike Champion, Naiki, Tekkaman $20 Omega Lounge, Sydney Unwind Greg Summerfield, Matt Brunton free Opera Bar, Circular Quay Gian Arpino free Phoenix Bar, Darlinghurst Xmash Party Marty Batfreak, Earley Curley, Mr Chad $15 Queens Wharf Brewery, Newcastle Adz, Matt Saxon, DJ E free Sandringham Hotel, Newtown King Farook $10–$12 Sapphire Lounge, Kings Cross Sapphire Fridays Miss Match, Rob Morrish, Dave 54, Kate Monroe, Chiller $10 guestlist Shush, Newtown Kenny Ken, Ishu, Foreigndub, Low Society DJs, Seltay, Sariss, Kieren Helmore, Deturgent, Actuator, Jermz $15 (+ bf) St James Hotel, Sydney Club Blink DJs Bzurk, Luke, Nick, Naked Dave, Firefly, Absynth

Tank Nightclub, Sydney RnB Superclub G Wizard, Def Rok, Troy T, Eko, Lilo, Jayson, Losty, Ben Morris, Matt Nukewood, Charlie Brown, Oakes & Lennox, Venuto, Adrian M The Argyle Hotel, Rocks John Devecchis, Heidi, DJ BBG free The Lincoln, Kings Cross The Scene Charlie Brown, Samari The Loft, King Street Wharf Late at The Loft Somatik, Noel Boogie, Noodles, DJ Huwston, Meem, The Swat DJs, Lippo free The Rouge, Kings Cross Shock Horror Slappin’ Plastic, Deckhead, Elmo Is Dead, Beni, L3go $10 The Sugarmill, Kings Cross The Gameboys, Calling In Sick, Joyride $10 after 10pm Tone, Surry Hills Big Village Christmas Party Tuka, Daily Meds, Loose Change, True Vibenation, Sketch The Rhyme, Ellesquire, Mute & Kit Complete, Roleo, DJ Gabriel Clouston, DJ Max Gosford $13 Watershed Hotel, Darling Harbour Bring on the Weekend! Club Miami free World Bar, Kings Cross MUM $10

SATURDAY DECEMBER 18 Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo Trash DJ M!Veg, DJ Absynth $12

Bank Hotel, Newtown DJs Craig Obey & Mo Funk invitation BB’s, Bondi Beach Wildlife DJs Mesan, James Roberts, Adriano Giorgi, Dinesh Sundar, Matt Singmin, Chris Kyle free Beach Palace Hotel, Coogee Chicka With Decks, DJ Donna Brasco, Ley-la free Candy’s Apartment, Kings Cross Big Guns Keli Hart, Lights Out!, Disco Volante, MooWho $15 – $25 Carmen’s, Miranda Dance Club Xmas White Party Ajax, Three Fingers, Awkward Boys, Mattrad $15$20 Chinese Laundry, Sydney Jerome Isma-ae, Yolanda Be Cool, Cassian, Adam Bozetto, Jeff Drake, Club Junque, Samrai, Titty Tassles, Marky Mark $15-$25 Civic Underground, Sydney Pantha Du Prince (GER), Future Classic DJs $10 Copacabana Bondi Bar & Grill, Bondi Junction Salsa Republic DJs $20 presale/$25 door Cricketer’s Arms, Surry Hills Pod War free Cruise Bar, Circular Quay Ben Vickers, Danni Presti free Downstairs, Sandringham Hotel, Newtown Kaki $20 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 Goldfish, Kings Cross Abel, Tom Kelly, Phil Hudson, Ross Middleton on Sax free Goodgod Small Club, Sydney United Colours Bush Xmas Round Table Knights, Wax Motif, Kato, Chux, Bad Ezzy $15-$20 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 Hotel Chambers, Sydney Red Room $20 Ivy, Sydney The White Christmas Party Dabruck & Klein, Liam Sampras, Charlie Brown & Tass The Den Yogi, Robbie Santiago & John Devecchis $20 Jacksons On George, Sydney Luna Lounge DJ Michael Stewart and Guest DJ’s free 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

Joyride

Martin Place Bar, Sydney Bamboo Eko, Nude-E, Mirage, Shorty, Ace, Moto, Qrius, IllDJ $5 Mean Fiddler, Rouse Hill Fiddler Bar free Onefiveone, Wollongong Kid Kenobi & MC Shureshock Sackville Hotel, Rozelle Maike free

Shelbourne Hotel, Sydney Shipwreck, Daniel Nall, Leon Pirello $10 after 10pm Soho, Potts Point Stafford Brothers, Timmy Trumpet, Tenzin, Ember, Benibee, John Glover free entry before 11pm Spectrum, Darlinghurst P*A*S*H Goldfoot, DJ Knife

BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10 :: 57

club guide

Deep Impressions

clubguide@thebrag.com St James Hotel, Sydney SFX DJs Bzurk, Snowflake 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 Forum Theatre, Moore Park Lloyd Banks (USA) $65+bf The Gaff, Darlinghurst Johnny B free The Golden Sheaf, Double Bay Radio Ink (DJ show) and guests free The Loft, King St Wharf 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 Coops, Tim McGee, Neon Stereo, Chris Fraser $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 Tonic Lounge, Kings Cross Tonic Saturdays Gian Arpino $15

Underground Dance and Electronica with Chris Honnery

Verandah Bar, Sydney The Booty Bar George B, Nasser T, Lenno, K Sera Watershed Hotel, Darling Harbour Skybar free World Bar, Kings Cross Wham $15 before 10pm, $20 after

SUNDAY DECEMBER 19 Bank Hotel, Newtown DJ Scott Pullen free 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 Docks Hotel, Darling Harbour Salsa Caliente Sabroson, DJ Vico free Downstairs, Sandringham Hotel, Newtown DJ Metal Matt, Louis Tillett free Gasworks Nightclub, Albion Hotel, Parramatta Sundayze Goldfish, Kings Cross Martini Club live Tom Kelly, Johnny Gleeson free Home Terrace, Sydney Spice After Hour Murat Kilic, Schwa, Matt Weir, Jeremy Joshua $20/$10

Kings Cross Hotel Jammin Sundays 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 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 Roxy, Parramatta Summerfest 2010 Christian Luke, Alex K, Ember, Israel, John Glover and many more $40 (+ bf) Trademark Hotel, Darlinghurst Soul on Sunday Nino Brown, Don Juan Watershed Hotel, Darling Harbour Afternoon DJs DJ Matt Roberts free World Bar, Kings Cross Fortune! Disco Punx $15

club picks up all night out all week...

Maseo

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 15 Fringe Bar, Paddington F.R.I.E.N.D/s Secret international guest DJ, Karuna (debut EP launch), Miracle (live), F.R.I.E.N.D/s DJs, Hobogestapo $5 drinks & pizzas, free entry

THURSDAY DECEMBER 16 Cargo Bar, King St Wharf Gorillaz afterparty Maseo (De La Soul), Damon Albarn, Jesse $10 Gallery Bar, Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst Klub Koori Xmas Jam Street Warriors, Stunna Set, Lady Lash $15 (+ bf)

FRIDAY DECEMBER 17 Tone, Surry Hills Big Village Christmas Party Tuka, Daily Meds, Loose Change, True Vibenation, Sketch The Rhyme, Ellesquire, Mute & Kit Complete, Roleo, DJ Gabriel Clouston, DJ Max Gosford $10 (+ bf)

SATURDAY DECEMBER 18 Pantha du Prince

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Chinese Laundry, Sydney Jerome Isma-ae, Yolanda

Be Cool, Cassian, Adam Bozetto, Jeff Drake, Club Junque, Samrai, Titty Tassles, Marky Mark $15$25 Civic Underground, Sydney Pantha Du Prince (GER), Future Classic DJs $23

SUNDAY DECEMBER 19 The Roxy, Parramatta Summerfest 2010 Christian Luke, Alex K, Ember, Israel, John Glover and many more $40 (+ bf)

Ricardo Villalobos

L

ast Friday, Chilean colossus Ricardo Villalobos played in Australia for the first time in over a decade at The Metro. Unfortunately, what should have been one of the clubbing events of the year was marred by a police raid, with the coppers even going so far as to accost Villalobos while he was on stage DJing.

Punter reports vary as to the exact number of police, but people I’ve spoken to have bandied about the term ‘riot squads’, while Pulse Radio asserts that there may have been up to 40 police in the venue after first entering at around 12:30am. Now, this isn’t one of those ‘fuck the police’ rants; I’m more concerned with how the policing of nightclubs will undermine the clubbing culture that has steadily been developing in Sydney over the past decade. A host of dedicated promoters, DJs and punters have worked extremely hard to change the perception of Australia as a stagnant sonic – and cultural – backwater; for the police to behave with such flagrant disrespect is disappointing to say the least. We’ve finally developed clubbing in Australia to the point where we’ve had dance music auteurs such as Villalobos, Carl Craig, Michael Mayer and Moodymann in town over the past fortnight, but one can’t help but worry what Ricardo will say when he returns to Europe after his first hand experience with Sydney’s finest. It infers a lack of understanding and appreciation of the artistic merits of a man who is, in many peoples’ eyes, among the greatest producers of modern times. How many Sydney Festival artists will be harassed while on stage due to the [mistaken] belief they have drugs on their person? And in terms of the allocation of resources, surely so many police could be better-used to stop violence – much of it alcohol-fuelled – and crime around the city rather than to bust a few unlucky punters looking to dance the night away.

If the police decide it’s necessary to conduct a raid on a club/live music venue then there is a correct way to go about this, and from all reports Friday’s display fell well short. It punished everyone in attendance, and the Sydney dance scene in general and when one considers Sydney’s current political environment, with our Mayor seeking to have bars and clubs more highly regulated (and with talk of early lock-outs being enacted), there seems growing evidence of our club culture being grossly misunderstood by those outside of it. I’ve DJ’d in our local clubs and bars for years and worked as a doorman, and it’s very rare that I’ve seen a fight stemming from people seemingly high on pills/MDMA. As for drunken louts who’ve had one too many beers thanks to the company credit card - well, that’s a very different story. Here’s hoping authorities demonstrate a little more thoughtfulness and understanding in the future, as opposed to buying into specious and misconceived stereotypes.

LOOKING DEEPER SATURDAY 18 DECEMBER Konrad Black Sun Studios

Pantha du Prince The Civic Underground Now to upcoming releases: Kompakt have revealed the tracklist and release date for the latest instalment in their annual Pop Ambient compilation series. Pop Ambient 2011 will be released in late January, and offers 12 new tracks for loungeroom/ comedown listening. Kompakt regulars and core contributors Wolfgang Voigt, Jürgen Paape, Mikkel Metal, Triola and Thomas Fehlmann all feature, along with a few newcomers and special guests. ‘Newbies’ include ANBB, the duo of Carsten ‘Alva Noto’ Nicolai and Einstürzende Neubauten’s Blixa Bargeld, and Bhutan Tiger Rescue, a new collaborative project from the affable Ewan Pearson (Australiabound again for next year’s Playground Weekender) and up-and-coming Bristol producer October. Another good ’un set to drop early next year is the latest from The Moritz Von Oswald Trio, comprised of Moritz Von Oswald, Max Loderbauer and Deep Impressions deity Vladislav Delay.

Horizontal Structures will be the troupe’s second album, and is set for release via Honest Jon’s, a label that seems to be positioning itself at the quality end of the sonic spectrum, with recent re-issues of Moondog and albums from the likes of Actress. We can expect Horizontal Structures to further boost this reputation when it drops in February.

Hendrik Weber, aka Pantha du Prince, headlines Future Classic’s pseudo Christmas bash at The Civic this Saturday.

After first emerging on the esteemed Dial imprint, which recently put out the excellent debut LP from John Roberts, Weber moved to Rough Trade to release his third LP, Black Noise, earlier this year. The album was among the stronger electronic albums of the year, and spawned the single ‘Stick To My Side’ featuring the vocals of Noah Lennox, aka Panda Bear, amongst a collection of sleek, textured cuts. There’s plenty to delve into beyond the single, which is perhaps the most ‘obvious’ track on the LP - though trendier folk/poseurs will no doubt be drawn to the fact that Tyler Pope of LCD Soundsystem and !!! plays bass on the track ‘The Splendour’.

As Hendriks is regarded as something of a cleanskin, I doubt the police will rock up to this one – here’s hoping, anyhow!

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

DâM-FunK 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.

T

o those of you who made it up to Barrington Tops for Subsonic, respect.

Good tunes, good weather, good party headspace all round! For all the great reggae bands that played the weekend: very impressive, but I fear European techno was the winner on the day. Quick heads up to the promoters - please put up more signs on the access roads to the festival next year! I’m not sure we needed to spend that much time guessing! Great party though… long live Subsonic.

In a project that crosses musical generations, Kingston dub royalty Scientist takes his versioning skills to 12 modern dubstep tracks, many composed specifically for this project. Scientist Launches Dub Into Outer Space features originals from scene leaders like Kode9, Shackleton, Pinch and Mala. Soul Sedation cannot wait to wrap the ol’ ears around this music. For those of you who’ve come to dub and reggae late in the game, Scientist is one of the most revered vintage dub producers still walking the earth. You can track the release down on Tectonic records.

Lefto and Simbad have mixed the first Brownswood compilation, Worldwide Family. You’ll hear 27 tracks from Gilles Peterson’s current label imprint, including exclusives from LA’s finest beatsmith, Exile; Japanese disco-soul don Grooveman Spot; and Manchester futurist Illum Sphere. It’s due out early next year.

Two of US hip hop’s finest (and two of this column’s favourite) emcees have combined forces for the skateboard inspired track ‘Stay On The Grind’. Ohmega Watts and Kero One spit side by side, on a track from the forthcoming Kero One album, Early Believers. And for the record, there’s no “electro rap” autotune bullshit anywhere near this tune. At least some folk in the US scene are maintaining a sense of dignity.

Yesking have been busy uploading new music to their website, and it’s on the free download tip. ‘Secret King’ features vocals from Mystro and Ladychann and is another badass slice of reggae-inspired UK hip hop (if you recall this column’s recent worshipping of the new Katalyst tune, there’s definite similarities to be drawn).

Mark Rae and Rhys Adams (aka Yesking) have also posted the acapella, and are inviting remixes – the best of which will be posted on the site.

Twilight’s Still Loving You is back in circulation due to a Luv N Haight and

Ubiquity re-issue. Invoking the ilk of Roy Ayers and George Duke, it’s beautiful, sweet soul music, with that just-the-rightside-of-cheese early 80s flavour.

Look out for the new XLR8R podcast put together by LA’s Oro11. He’s behind the Bersa Discos imprint that’s been flexing its muscles on the Latin electronic fusion tip. Think Nickodemus meets Diplo meets Quantic in Argentina. Expect the sounds of digital cumbia, reggaeton and tribal guarachero – and yes, I’m going to have to look that last genre up myself.

In local tour action: the sound of psychedelic Boston hip hop will hit Sydney in Early January as Edan The Dee Jay touches down to showcase his personal flavour. The promoters are promising the good, funk-based boom bap, and local boom-baptists Tuka, Ology and Studio Tann will be holding it down on the night as well. The sounds will be pumping from the speakers Monday January 3, at Tone.

DâM-FunK has announced a second Sydney show - aside from his Forum appearance on Friday January 7 - on Thursday January 6, at Tone. Anyone who caught his Basement show last time he was in town will want to get down. Very cool dude, really pushing his own unique sound, and standing up for the funk continuum. You don’t see enough of that these days with all these bandwagon jumpers everywhere you turn. DâM-FunK studio album due out early next year!

for discerning music lovers, artists and party people

ON THE ROAD FRI DEC 10 Hermitude Tone

tone.net.au

FRI JAN 3

Edan the Dee Jay Tone

FRI JAN 7

Fly Lo, Hud Mo, Dam Funk, GLK The Forum

SUN JAN 9 Mos Def Enmore Theatre

FRI FEB 18

Kool & The Gang, Roy Ayers Enmore Theatre

SAT FEB 19

Mayer Hawthorne & The County Manning Bar

FEB 17 - 20

Playground Weekender Wiseman’s Ferry

WED MARCH 16

Horace Andy & Dub Asante The Metro

Send stuff for this column to tonyedwards001@gmail.com by 6pm Wednesdays. All pics to art@thebrag.com

16 Wentworth Avenue Surry Hills, NSW 2010 T: (02) 9267 6440 F: (02) 9283 6335 info@tone.net.au /tonesydney @ToneVenue BRAG :: 392:: 13:12:10 :: 59

snap sn ap

pages

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up all night out all week . . .

teenage kicks

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05:12:10 :: Ivy 320-330 George St Sydney 92403000

starfuckers

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02:12:10 :: World Bar :: 24 Bayswater Rd Kings Cross 93577700

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the wall

chinese laundry

01:12:10 :: World Bar :: 24 Bayswater Rd Kings Cross 93577700

60 :: BRAG :: 392: 13:12:10

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04:12:10 :: Club 77 :: 77 William St Kings Cross 93613387

04:12:10 :: Chinese Laundry :: 111 Sussex Street Sydney 82959958 ) :: ASH LEY MAR :: TOM S : TIM LEV Y (HEA D HON CHO OUR LOV ELY PHOTOG RAP HER IEL MUN NS :: ROS ETT E ROU HAN NA :: PATR ICK DAN TRA MON TE :: REE F GAH A :: STE VEN SON

BRAG :: 392 :: 13:12:10 :: 61

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purple sneakers

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up all night out all week . . .

ghettoblaster

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03:12:10 :: The Gladstone Hotel :: 115 Regent St Chippendale 96993522

two thousand b'day

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04:12:10 :: Q-Bar :: 34-44 Oxford st, Darlinghurst 93601375

wham!

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03:12:10 :: GoodGod :: 55 Liverpool St Chinatown :: 9267 3787

04:12:10 :: World Bar :: 24 Bayswater Rd Kings Cross 93577700

It’s called: Falcona Fridays' Christmas Party.

It sounds like: The swish and flick of hair as

you dance.

Who’s playing? Three secret international headliners (hint below...), plus Kato, DJ Hansom, Devola, NES and F.R.I.E.N.D/s DJs. Three songs you’ll hear on the night: De La Soul – ‘Ring Ring Ring’; Gorillaz – ‘Feel Good Inc’; Dead Prez – ‘Hip Hop is Dead ’ And one you definitely won’t: 'Advance Austra lia Fair'.

Sell it to us: It’s time to get re-educated on what Christmas is all about, and head along this Friday for a lesson in Festiv e Shenanigans 101. Feast your ears on the mixing magic of our three secret intern ationals and awesome support lineup, as they throw down some killer tracks new and old for your aural and booty-shaking pleasure. BYO festive spirit we’ll handle the rest.

The bit we’ll remember in the AM: Skinny dipping in the Cross fountain.

Crowd specs: Santa and his harem.

Wallet damage: Ten bones on the door.

Where: Kit & Kaboodle – both floors – the Cross !

When: Friday December 17, 9pm

62 :: BRAG :: 392: 13:12:10

hot damn

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party profile

Falcona Fridays' Christmas Party

02:12:10 :: Spectrum :: 34 Oxford St Darlinghurst 93316245 ) :: ASH LEY MAR :: TOM S : TIM LEV Y (HEA D HON CHO OUR LOV ELY PHOTOG RAP HER IEL MUN NS :: ROS ETT E ROU HAN NA :: PATR ICK DAN TRA MON TE :: REE F GAH A :: STE VEN SON

The Frontier Touring Co., Triple M, Max and FasterLouder present

FIRST TIME EVER IN AUSTRALIA!

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

SUNDAY 20 MARCH HORDERN PAVILION ON SALE THIS FRIDAY frontiertouring.com

NEW ALBUM IN STORES NOW stonetemplepilots.com