Brag#580

ISSUE NO. 580 SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

FREE Now picked up at over 1,500 places across Sydney and surrounds. thebrag.com

MUSIC, FILM, THEATRE + MORE

INSIDE This Week

SL A SH

The guitar legend says he’s just in it for the love of music.

H A R D W EL L

EDM’s biggest star only wants one thing: to stay on top.

BOMB AY BIC YCL E CL UB

Success hasn’t come overnight for the London foursome.

SIN AND SCANDAL IN THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

SIN CI T Y: A DA ME T O K IL L F OR

Frank Miller’s dystopia returns.

Plus

TORCHE REGGIE WATTS TIJUANA CARTEL

WEDD 17TH SEP

FREEE

+ Tora + Wunder Wunder facebook.com/jessiesandrews

8PM

WITH

THE SYDNEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

New Album Unrepentant Geraldines Available Now

New album The Golden Echo out now

SOLD OUT TUESDAY NOVEMBER 11 &

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 12 SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

02 9250 7777 or sydneyoperahouse.com, 136 100 or ticketmaster.com.au

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 20 THE METRO

132 849 & ticketek.com.au

THE BEST OF

JETHRO TULL WITH

IAN ANDERSON & HIS BAND

featuring Bouree My God Aqualung Living In The Past Locomotive Breath and Thick As A Brick Parts 1 & 2

SOLD OUT THURSDAY 11 & FRIDAY 12 DEC

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE 02 9250 7777 or sydneyoperahouse.com, 136 100 or ticketmaster.com.au NEW ALBUM HOMO ERATICUS OUT NOW

ON SALE NOW! toriamos.com

SUNDAY MAY 10 SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE 02 9250 7777 or sydneyoperahouse.com, 136 100 or ticketmaster.com.au New album “A Perfect Contradiction” featuring the #1 hit “Only Love Can Hurt Like This” out now

•

kimbramusic.com • iananderson.com • www.homo-erraticus.com • jethrotull.com • palomafaith.com • livenation.com.au

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2 0 1 5 S E A S O N A N N O U N CE D

“ W E H AV E A U N I Q U E AUSTRALII A N B E A U T Y, POW W E R E D B Y AT H L E T I C I S M ” David McAllister AM Artistic Director

SWAN LAKE / GISELLE / THE DREAM 20:21 / THE SLEEPING BEAUTY S EE T H E F UL L 201 5 SEASON. PACKAG ES N OW ON SA LE . australianballet.com.au/beauty Government Partners

Ako Kondo and Chengwu Guo. Photography Justin Ridler

Lead Partners

#whatisbeauty Principal Partner

Celebrating 30 Years of Partnership

BRAG :: 580 :: 17:09:14 :: 5

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

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THE BRAG

five things WITH

TRENTON WOODLEY FROM HANDS LIKE HOUSES Inspirations I don’t wanna buy into the whole 2. ‘nostalgia’ fad but it is still true for me that the

but memorable, intense but emotional. We hope.

bands I was into when I was around 18-20 are some of the biggest influences still – like Linkin Park, Thrice, Circa Survive, Chiodos and Underoath.

Music, Right Here, Right Now The music scene is challenging but still 5. pretty rewarding right now. It’s great that value

Your Band I met most of the guys during that 3. ‘formative stage’ where we were all in local bands playing shows together at a crappy local venue. But having that space created a community and everyone was friends, no competing for spots, no bullshit. Just people making music and enjoying it. Most Australian bands making it big overseas have come from that kind of environment. Would love to see it continue.

Growing Up Music was always around growing up, 1. my dad was in a rock’n’roll band once upon a time (there are a few classic photos around – I look forward to and fear my children finding band pictures of me in 20 years’ time…)

and my mum has always sung in church bands. We weren’t a rock’n’roll household or anything like that, but it was definitely always present. It took me till I was 17 to decide I was interested, but it’s been a good few years since!

The Music You Make We’re a modern rock band; we try not to 4. pigeonhole beyond that. We’ve just put out our Reimagine EP with alternative versions of our favourites from our second album, Unimagine.

A lot more relaxed than our usual gig – loud

is being placed back onto music as art and not just entertainment, and while the festival world works itself out, people are trickling back to live gigs in local venues. Lame thing is, a lot of those have shut because they’re not valued or protected enough, especially for under-18s. Playing music across the world, we’ve seen how powerful it is as a cultural and developmental expression, and should always have pathways and opportunities at all stages of ‘success’. I hope to see that come back around. It got us started.

With: Forever Ends Here Where: Small Ballroom, Newcastle / The Bald Faced Stag, Leichhardt When: Saturday September 20 / Sunday September 21 xxx

THE ANGELS & CHEAP TRICK

MANAGING EDITOR: Chris Martin chris@thebrag.com 02 9212 4322 ONLINE EDITOR: Tyson Wray ONLINE COORDINATOR: Emily Meller SUB-EDITOR: Emily Meller STAFF WRITERS: Adam Norris, Krissi Weiss, Augustus Welby NEWS: Gloria Brancatisano, Lauren Gill, Roger Ma, Tyson Wray ART DIRECTOR: Sarah Bryant PHOTOGRAPHERS: James Ambrose, Katrina Clarke, Amath Magnan, Ashley Mar, Tim Da-Rin ADVERTISING: Georgina Pengelly - 0416 972 081 / (02) 9212 4322 georgina@thebrag.com ADVERTISING: Les White - 0405 581 125 / (02) 9212 4322 les@thebrag.com PUBLISHER: Furst Media MANAGING DIRECTOR, FURST MEDIA: Patrick Carr - patrick@furstmedia.com.au, (03) 9428 3600 / 0402 821 122 DIGITAL DIRECTOR/ADVERTISING: Kris Furst kris@furstmedia.com.au, (03) 9428 3600 GIG & CLUB GUIDE COORDINATORS: Emily Meller, Debbie Shankar - gigguide@ thebrag.com (rock); clubguide@thebrag.com (dance, hip hop & parties)

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Nat Amat, Ian Barr, Prudence Clark, Keiron Costello, Marissa Demetriou, Christie Eliezer, Blake Gallagher, Fergus Halliday, Cameron James, Tegan Jones, Lachlan Kanoniuk, Mina Kitsos, Emily Meller, Adam Norris, Kate Robertson, Erin Rooney, Raf Seneviratne, Leonardo Silvestrini, Amy Theodore, Rod Whitfield, Harry Windsor, Tyson Wray, Stephanie Yip, David James Young

ROSSEN DOWN UNDER

US singer-songwriter Daniel Rossen turns his eyes to Australia early next year. The Grizzly Bear and Department Of Eagles vocalist released his first solo EP, Silent Hour/ Golden Mile, in 2012. He’s spent much of the intervening time touring the US and UK, so he’ll be raring to go at Newtown Social Club on Thursday February 12.

THE ANTLERS

Brooklyn favourites The Antlers have announced a 2015 Australian tour. After appearing on the Laneway Festival lineup in 2011, the indie rockers put out their fifth studio album, Familiars, this year. They’ll be touring Europe for the remainder of 2014, but next stop is our shores – they play Oxford Art Factory on Friday February 13.

Dead Letter Circus

RUN AWAY AND JOIN THE CIRCUS

Dead Letter Circus will head out on the road again this December. Off the back of their national acoustic tour and Stand Apart EP, Dead Letter Circus are turning things back up to 11 with an electrified live show, showing off tracks from their mighty recent album The Catalyst Fire. They play the Metro Theatre on Friday December 19 with support from sleepmakeswaves and Voyager.

SOWING THE SEEDS

Feet will move and heads will bob when reggaesoul heavyweights The Black Seeds hop across the Tasman for a show this November.

Since forming in 1998, the group has pumped out five albums and countless shows all over the world. The band’s multi-layered island grooves are no stranger to Australia, with The Black Seeds having previously played the likes of Splendour In The Grass and Golden Plains. This time, they do the Metro Theatre on Friday November 28.

SOME MORE SHEPPARD

Fresh off a successful European tour, Brisbane’s Sheppard will return to our shores for a ninedate run of homecoming shows next month. The indie-pop outfit has had a huge year so far, with chart-topping hit ‘Geronimo’ the highest-selling Australian single in 2014 so far on the ARIA chart. Their upcoming tour will see Sheppard hit a handful of regions for the first time since the release of their now gold-selling album Bombs Away. Catch Sheppard at the Enmore Theatre on Sunday October 12.

Trivium

Please send mail NOT ACCOUNTS direct to this NEW address 100 Albion Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010 ph - (02) 9212 4322 fax - (02) 9319 2227 EDITORIAL POLICY: The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher, editors or staff of the BRAG. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE: Luke Forrester: accounts@furstmedia.com.au ph - (03) 9428 3600 fax - (03) 9428 3611 Furst Media, 3 Newton Street Richmond Victoria 3121 DEADLINES: Editorial: Thursday 12pm (no extensions) Artwork/ad bookings: Friday 5pm (no extensions) Ad cancellations: Tuesday 4pm Published by Furst Media P/L ACN 1112480045 All content copyrighted to Cartrage P/L / Furst Media P/L 2003-2014 DISTRIBUTION: Wanna get the BRAG? Email distribution@ furstmedia.com.au or phone 03 9428 3600 PRINTED BY SPOTPRESS: www.spotpress.com.au 24 – 26 Lilian Fowler Place, Marrickville NSW 2204

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Bertie Blackman

BERTIE BLACKMAN

Alt-pop performer Bertie Blackman will launch her new single, ‘War Of One’, with a special show this month.

The single is taken from her longawaited forthcoming album The Dash, which is set to hit stores in October.

It will mark her first full-length since 2012’s Pope Innocent X, which saw her teaming up with Francois Tetaz (who has worked with Gotye and Kimbra).

Blackman plays Oxford Art Factory on Wednesday September 24.

TRIVIUM TIME

Trivium have announced they will be returning to Australia this November and they’ll be bringing In Flames along for the ride. Trivium found fans with their 2005 sophomore release Ascendancy. Four studio albums later, including 2013’s Vengeance Falls, and Trivium are continuing their climb towards metal greatness. For their tour partners, Swedish forefathers of death metal In Flames, it’s been 20 years and nine records between their first release Lunar Strain and their newly released album Siren Charms. Together they take over UNSW Roundhouse on Friday November 21. Tickets go on sale Thursday September 18.

thebrag.com

Xxxx

AWESOME INTERNS: Roger Ma, Debbie Shankar, Jacob Mills

Did you ever think you’d see these faces again?

Retro icons The Angels and Cheap Trick are reuniting to hit the road together for A Day On The Green in 2015. After becoming tour buddies multiple times during the 1980s and ’90s, the bands will play seven new dates around the country next year, including one in the Hunter Valley. The Angels are celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2014, and are now fronted by The Screaming Jets’ Dave Gleeson. Meanwhile, Cheap Trick have been responsible for some of the catchiest earworms in modern pop since bursting out of Illinois in the late ’70s. Check ’em out at Bimbadgen Winery in the Hunter Valley on Saturday February 21, with support from Baby Animals, The Superjesus and Choirboys.

They also play the Enmore Theatre on Thursday February 19. Tickets go on sale 9am Friday September 19.

alt-J THIS IS ALL YOURS

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live & local

free stuff

welcome to the frontline: what’s goin’ on around town...with Chris Martin, Roger Ma and Lauren Gill

five things WITH

BONJAH

REG MOMBASSA FROM DOG TRUMPET Stones, Muddy Waters, Neil Young, Cream, Hendrix, The Doors, Lou Reed, Bob Marley, The Carter Family and Hank Williams. The first Bob Dylan songs I heard and liked were actually covers of his tunes recorded by Peter, Paul And Mary.

The first albums I bought where Mississippi John Hurt, Lightnin’ Hopkins and the Jim Kweskin Jug Band, which I got by mail order.

Your Band My current band is Dog 3.

Trumpet, which is me and

Growing Up I grew up in New Zealand in 1. the ’50s and ’60s. There was one

Bob Dylan, The Rolling 2. Inspirations

my brother Peter O’Doherty.

We share the songwriting equally but Peter does all the engineering and production work. We play as a duo or as a full band with a rhythm section of Bernie Hayes and Iain Shedden on drums. We have played with other drummers and bass players but Bernie and Iain have been regulars for some time now. Previously Peter and I were original members of Mental As Anything but we left the Mentals to concentrate on Dog Trumpet about 14 years ago.

A LITTLE MORE LANG

The Music You Make The music we play now 4. can be loosely described as psychedelic folk-pop with blues, country and Celtic influences.

We have recorded our last five albums in Peter’s home studio. In our live show we play a selection of tunes from our six albums and two EPs and a couple of songs we wrote while in the Mentals and also a few covers such as Little Red Rooster, Strange Brew, Lili Marlene, Colours and Wooden Heart.

Bonjah

Music, Right Here, Right Now 5.

There is a slight improvement n Sydney. Clover Moore’s attempts to reinvigorate small bars and venues is helping a live music scene that had declined since the late ’70s and early ’80s when heaps of hotels and bars featured live bands.

What: Medicated Spirits out now through Orange Where: Shady Pines Saloon When: Sunday September 21

Thelma Plum

Prolific roots/rock/blues singer-songwriter Jeff Lang has added extra tour dates to his 2014 schedule, including a show in Sydney. Lang’s ongoing tour follows the release earlier this year of his 14th studio album, I Live A Lot In My Head These Days. The hardened festival, pub and club performer is known for playing without a setlist each night, so his live show is an experience to behold. Catch Lang at Coogee Diggers on Saturday September 20.

Bonjah have gone rock’n’roll. It’s a change of pace for the Melbourne boys, whose earlier material was infused with reggae and roots, but on their latest album Beautiful Wild they’ve discovered the joy of going hard at the wall. ‘Evolution’ and ‘Other Side’ are just two recent tracks that capture the band’s new direction, which has seen them playing to growing crowds around the country since the album tour kicked off in July. Now it’s Sydney’s turn, with Bonjah headed to Newtown Social Club on Friday September 19, joined by Timberwolf and Lester The Fierce. We’ve got two double passes to give away to the show – for the chance to win, head to thebrag.com/ freeshit and tell us about the moment you discovered rock.

Xxx

radio station only and it didn’t play much contemporary music. My mother had an electric organ for a while which she tinkered with but there wasn’t that much music in the house. I remember hearing popular songs like ‘Tom Dooley’,

‘Blue Suede Shoes’, ‘Catch A Falling Star’, ‘The Battle Of New Orleans’ and ‘How Much Is That Doggie In The Window?’. I enjoyed the roots, folk, blues, country end of popular music and am still attracted to that type of music.

head to: thebrag.com/freeshit

Doc Holliday Takes The Shotgun

IT’S SWINGIN’ TIME

Swingers of all shapes and sizes can get their fix at the Manly Jazz Festival this year, returning for 11 days on the sunny Northern Beaches. Spread out across more than 15 venues from theatres and churches to outdoor stages on the beachfront, the festival is expected to attract over 85,000 people and features more performers than ever. Highlights include trumpet virtuoso Terell Stafford, composer Michel Bénébig, Australian entertainer Monica Trapaga and local soul man Lionel Cole. Manly Jazz runs this year from Friday September 26 – Monday October 6.

THE DOC IS IN

Bondi Junction’s new home of live music and art, Jam Gallery, boasts an impressive lineup for its Jaws event this Friday September 18. Headlining the bill are “horror-surf” rockers Doc Holliday Takes The Shotgun, bringing their King Of The Moon tour to town with another date at Brighton Up Bar on Thursday September 25. Joining them at Bondi, meanwhile, are Super Best Friends and King Colour. Who knows, they might just drop your jaws to the floor.

THELMA PLUM

Thelma Plum will bring her latest EP, Monsters, to life when she heads out on a national tour from the end of next month. Featuring lead single ‘How Much Does Your Love Cost?’, the four-track EP was released back in July. Since then, she’s sold out shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Fans get another chance at Newcastle’s Small Ballroom on Thursday October 30 and Oxford Art Factory on Friday October 31.

The Parkes Elvis Festival

THE AUSTRALIAN GUITAR SHOW

Daniel Lee Kendall

DANIEL LEE KENDALL

Daniel Lee Kendall will celebrate the release of his debut album Daniel Lee Kendall Is Dead with The Funeral Tour this November. Kendall has previously toured with the likes of Passenger, Old Man River and Hungry Kids Of Hungary, but this five-date stint will mark his first headline tour. He’s currently enjoying the success of his album’s lead single ‘Under A Spell’, which showcases his foray into the world of trip-pop. He’ll hit Brighton Up Bar on Friday December 5.

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Three of Australia’s finest blues rock guitar exponents, Phil Manning, Steve Flack and Matthew Fagan, come together next month for The Australian Guitar Show. Manning was the founding member of legendary outfit Chain, and is perhaps one of the most influential musicians in the country, while Flack is a regular contributor to Australian Guitar and Fagan’s talents stretch from bluegrass to flamenco. The Australian Guitar Show is on Saturday October 4 at the Lewisham Hotel.

AVEIRA SKIES

After a successful debut headlining tour earlier this year, Perth metalcore outfit Aveira Skies have announced another run of dates for this October. The tour comes off the back of their debut album The Rise Of The New Breed. They play Newcastle’s Hamilton Station on Friday October 3, Gosford’s Fiesta-A-Cielo Festival on Saturday October 4, and SFX at the St James Hotel in Sydney on the same night.

THE KING LIVES IN PARKES

The Parkes Elvis Festival is returning in 2015, and while you might think you’ve got better ways to spend your summer, many disagree – more than 10,000 Presleyites now make the trip on the Elvis Express each year out to the western New South Wales town that’s fashioned itself fit for The King. The festival program has been launched for next year’s event, themed around Elvis’ 1964 film Roustabout, and official opening night (Thursday January 8) marks what would have been Elvis’ 80th birthday. Expect countless tribute acts, a feature concert by Justin Shandor, a Legends Of Rock show and probably a few Elvis weddings. It’s all happening Wednesday January 7 – Sunday January 11.

thebrag.com

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Industrial Strength Music Industry News with Christie Eliezer

THINGS WE HEAR * Is another great Melbourne venue to close down as the building owner contemplates an offer to sell? * When budget accommodation became scarce in Brisbane during Bigsound, one manager had to share his house with a band, its road crew, and three label reps. Problem is, the place was being renovated, so they had to make do with a half-done kitchen and no bathroom. * Is Wollongong about to get

a blues festival after the city council agreed to allow up to 40 alcohol-related events each year in alcohol-free zones? * Simone Battle hanged herself in her LA house following depression over financial problems and anxiety that her band GRL wouldn’t crack the US. * Neon Records moved into the same offices as Universal and EMI in Woolloomooloo. They have a mural by street artist Mulga. * For her Dubai show, Lady Gaga wanted her hotel room adorned with black satin drapes, silver satin sheets, white and yellow

roses and posters of Elton John, David Bowie and Queen. Her dressing room had to have an oxygen tank and peanut butter with flax seeds and no more than four grams of sugar. * Big celebrations at Premier Artists last week: albums

by Jimmy Barnes, Kasey Chambers and Hilltop Hoods occupied the first three spots on the ARIA album chart, just before all three went out on tour. * Paul Kelly’s The Merri Soul Sessions has been removed from nomination for the Best Independent Blues And Roots Album category at the

WHAT WE LEARNED AT BIGSOUND • Neil Finn suggested the way to keep up the “struggleâ€? of making new music is to balance out how “cosmically insignificantâ€? you are with the feeling that you’re making important music that everyone should hear. • Spotify’s director of economics Will Page unveiled data that showed music streaming has cut down music piracy by 20%, especially casual illegal downloading (“but a hardcore minority remainsâ€?), with TV and movies pirated four times more than music. He said music streaming also helped spread Australian music across the world. Page also revealed that since Spotify launched in Australia in 2012, one in six Aussies have tried it (3.3 million) and three-quarters of its Australian users are under 34. • Aussie hip hop is too white, male and straight – but Urthboy said it’s at least one sector that admits to it and is trying to work out the dilemma. • The Association of Artist Managers unveiled its new code of conduct to be introduced next winter after consultation with the industry. A panel of artist managers discussed, among other things, the changing role of managers who now also run the labels and websites on behalf of indie clients. The Church’s Steve Kilbey, representing artists on the panel, asked hard-hitting questions about traditional contract structures and agent/manager commissions. • It costs $9 million to run triple j for a whole year compared to the $20 million for just one season of The X Factor. • Groovin The Moo promoter Cattleyard Promotions has branched out into event management and marketing with new division Cattleyard Collective. • Native Tongue signed Melbourne’s Apes just before the publisher’s showcase of some of its acts. • The arrival of Ian Haug into The Church’s ranks not only calmed friction in the lineup but “we’ve had a big blood transfusion,â€? Steve Kilbey confessed.

E HIFI 1300 THO M.AU

THEHIFI.C

Just Announced

Independent Music Awards – on the account it, er, hasn’t actually been released yet. * After hovering in the US Top 200 chart since 1984, Bob Marley & The Wailers’s greatest hits album Legend finally made it into the top ten when Google discounted the record as part of a campaign. * Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour is now the eighth topgrossing tour of all time, making US$360 million from doing 501 shows in 157 venues in 28 countries (including Australia) over three years.

NEW SIGNINGS #1: EMI GETS KLP

EMI Music Australia has signed KLP (Kristy Lee Peters), Sydney DJ, songwriter, vocalist and host of triple j’s House Party.

After playing local festivals she heads to CMJ in New York and Culture Collide in San Francisco and LA. KLP has collaborated with What So Not, Milo & Otis, Zimmer, Sable, Slumberjack, Just A Gent and M-Phazes.

Jesse Flavell of Sum Management said, “Those who only know KLP as a DJ will be blown away by the depth of her talent.�

NEW SIGNINGS #2: PIERCE BROS AT MUSHROOM

Mushroom Music Publishing’s latest signing is Melbourne indie-folk act The Pierce Brothers. Mushroom founder Michael Gudinski said, “Mushroom Music [is] thrilled to be working with Jack and Pat from Pierce Brothers. We look forward to supporting the guys in a long and successful career both in a live setting and as emerging songwriters.�

Just back from playing to 10,000 people at The Netherlands’ Lowlands Festival, they’re touring Australia until December.

NEW SIGNINGS #3: SAVAGE AT MINISTRY OF SOUND AUSTRALIA

Multi-platinum NZ urban act Savage, whose single ‘Freaks’ is top five in Australia and has gone platinum, have signed a deal with Ministry of Sound Australia. It encompasses recording, publishing (with 120 Agency) and touring (Soapbox Artists for DJ gigs and international touring in conjunction with Get Busy Productions).

BEATS LAUNCHING IN OZ IN WEEKS?

Apple being Apple, it’s being tight-lipped about the exact launch of Beats music streaming in Australia. Beats Music’s CEO Ian Rogers has been in Sydney meeting with record companies and its telco partner Telstra and indicated it’s not too far away.

Sources suggested we’re talking “weeks�.

CALVIN HARRIS MADE $7 MILLION FROM STREAMING Sat 11 Oct

Sat 13 Dec

Bohemia Live

$%

Calvin Harris became the first Brit solo artist to clock up a billion streams on Spotify. As it pays a royalty of $0.007 per stream, that means he made US$7 million, split between him and Columbia Records. Last week, he set a new record when his single ‘Blame’ became the fastest track to hit number one on Spotify’s Global Chart, after three days.

This Week

TWITTER TESTS ‘BUY’ BUTTON Sat 17 Jan

Thu 25 Sep

! " #

Coming Soon

Sat 27 Sep

Mon 29 Sep

Sun 5 Oct

Rebel Souljahz (USA)

Rebooted 9

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Sat 18 Oct

Fri 7 Nov

Tue 25 Nov

( " $ ) *+ , (- $ , - ,

& " ! ' The People

Twitter is testing out a ‘buy’ button to direct music fans to merchandise and ticket websites from artist’s posts. The test is currently limited to the US, and to 19 accounts including those of Rihanna and Eminem.

RISE TO RELEASE UNFD MUSIC IN THE US

MITSUBISHI, KICKTONE CALL FOR WRITERS

What do people feel when they drive their cars? That’s what Mitsubishi Motors and Kicktone want budding Australian songwriters to capture in the new initiative, Accelerate, to find their next jingle. The winner also gets $10,000 cash and $5,000 of studio time. Go to acceleratemusic.com.au, deadline is Sunday October 12.

MORE VENUES CHANGE HANDS

More NSW pubs showcasing bands have changed hands. The Mona Vale Hotel and Northies in Cronulla are now owned by the Laundy family with partner Fraser Short ‌ Also sold were Wollongong’s Dicey Riley’s, Manly’s Shore Club and Newcastle’s The Exchange ‌ The Grand Hotel in Rockdale and the Nambucca Hotel in Macksville are on the market.

DODDS LEAVES BIZ

Natalie Dodds, senior publicist at Secret Service Public Relations and Create/Control Records, has left for a PR gig outside the music industry.

MOSHTIX HITS ITS MILLIONTH SUBSCRIBER

Australian ticket agency Moshtix, celebrating its first year as an independent, had more to celebrate when it signed its millionth subscriber. Last July, CEO Harley Evans and business partner Vanessa Bond bought the company back from News Corp and revamped its business to focus on music events.

NOIRE TEAMS WITH CORKER MUSIC

Sydney band Noire has signed management with Kubi Vasak’s management, booking and PR agency Corker Music. New single ‘Those Days’ was recorded Wayne Connolly. Corker Music also works with The Jones Rival and Shaky Handz.

Lifelines Ill: “Lingering health issues related to surgeries that removed his gall bladder and appendix earlier this year� caused Avicii to cancel all shows this year.

In Court: Antony Tropeano, 34, manager of Adelaide’s Red Square club, is trying to keep his liquor licence by appealing a sentence that he and two other staff severely bashed AFL star Jared Polec’s twin brother David in 2011.

In Court: US rapper Gucci Mane got a year off his 39-month prison sentence in Atlanta for firearm possession.

In Court: Led Zeppelin have hired prominent US entertainment lawyer Helene Freeman to represent them in a lawsuit that alleges ‘Stairway To Heaven’ was nicked from the band Spirit’s 1968 instrumental ‘Taurus’.

Died: former Primal Scream guitarist Robert ‘Throb’ Young, aged 49.

Died: US songwriter Bob Crewe, 83, who discovered pop group The Four Seasons and penned hits for them like ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’ and ‘Walk Like A Man’, as well as ‘Lady Marmalade’ for LaBelle, ‘The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore’ for The Walker Brothers and ‘Jenny Take A Ride’ for Detroit Wheels.

Craig Ericson’s California-based Rise Records has teamed with Australia’s UNFD to distribute selected records in the US. In a posting on Facebook, it revealed that the first two releases under the deal are Northlane’s Singularity and In Hearts Wake’s Earthwalker on October 28, followed by Hand Of Mercy, Stories, Bodyjar and Hellions.

Died: New Orleans R&B muso Cosimo Matassa, 88, following a stroke in 2009. His J&M studio is where 250 singles were cut, including Lloyd Price’s ‘Lawdy Miss Clawdy’, Ernie K-Doe’s ‘Mother In Law’ and all of Fats Domino’s hits.

JACK DANIEL’S CROWDSOURCES BAR

Died: US jazz-electro-funk pioneer Joe Sample, 75, after complications from lung cancer.

His ’70s band The Crusaders had crossover hits like ‘Street Life’ and his music was heavily sampled by the hip hop community.

To celebrate its 164th birthday, Jack Daniel’s will open its first crowd-sourced bar in the world – in Sydney. Those who donate money, skills and material via its Facebook page get merch, and larger donors will attend its secret launch on Saturday September 27.

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

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thebrag.com

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THE LAST CONFESSION

David Suchet and John O’May in The Last Confession

THE CARDINAL RULES boy who sat through the play, all dressed up as Poirot and not at all embarrassed, is so gratifying and humbling. I was offered very suddenly to play this little man back in 1987, which changed my life, and I am finding out as I travel now, has changed the lives of so many people. And I find that just extraordinary.”

performed. Sitting at my desk, I suddenly found a purpose. I would dedicate my life as an actor to serve my writers. When I started reading [Christie’s] books, I realised that [Poirot’s] voice had never been shown before. I didn’t have to work out how to play him; I just followed my raison d’etre for being an actor. I became the Poirot that hadn’t been seen, and all of a sudden the readership was saying, ‘I can see him! He’s suddenly real!’

That was fabulous for me. So yes, I take my work very seriously, because I found a very serious purpose for it.”

Given that Christie’s novels are some of the most widely read stories in the world (matched only

by Shakespeare), it is a remarkable testament to Suchet’s craft that his embodiment of Poirot is now almost synonymous with Christie’s original. Despite such strong association, however, he has avoided being typecast, thanks in part to the seriousness with which he undertakes each role.

Suchet’s role as Giovanni Benelli once again finds him undertaking a remarkable character, albeit this time one who actually lived. Benelli was instrumental in the 1978 election of Pope John Paul I, who after only 33 days in office was found dead. Accusations of murder were instantaneous, and it is into this atmosphere of conspiracy and doubt that Suchet leads his audience.

“I remember reading in the press a few years ago a reviewer say he was ‘looking forward to David lightening up a bit.’ I think what he was latching on to is that I do take my work and my responsibilities as a character actor very, very seriously. You see, I sat down one day and I sort of analysed myself.

‘What am I doing with myself?’ And I realised that there are basically – and this is rather simplified – two types of writer for the public.

There are those who write novels to be read, and there are those who are playwrights writing to be

“Not much is known about him. No literature was written about him; he was never described in what he would wear or what he sat down and had for breakfast. What we do know about him is extraordinary.

Having lost his best friend, he goes through a great crisis of faith.

Faith in God – how can you let a Pope die? – to faith in the Catholic Church itself. Was it murder? Who murdered him? What this play does extraordinarily well is to take away the fourth wall of the theatre and allow the audience into the Vatican.

You don’t come into a religious

BY ADAM NORRIS

T

o put me to sleep as a child my grandmother would read to me whatever Agatha Christie novel she happened to be enjoying at the time. So it was that my earliest memories are of the murder of Roger Ackroyd, of a mysterious house at Styles and, of course, a Belgian detective brought to inimitable life by David Suchet over the course of 25 years.

Though his latest character in The Last Confession is far removed from the world of Hercule Poirot, Suchet is thrilled that after all this time, his “little friend” is alive and well across the globe.

“I have a little story for you,” Suchet says over coffee. His voice is colourful and pronounced; exactly what you would expect for someone who honed his vocation in repertory theatre and The Royal Shakespeare Company. “I was in Los Angeles for The Last Confession, and a family contacted me. They asked would I mind if I met them afterwards. I came out to the stage door, and there was this young boy of 13 dressed as Hercule Poirot, with the full costume and moustache. The wing collar, bow tie, waistcoat.

His parents told me that he had insisted he fly from LA with them to New York, because he couldn’t find the right homburg hat. And that’s today! To witness that young

organisation, even though all of us are walking around in cardinal robes. You enter parliament, you enter argument, you enter politics.

You enter fighting and power play, a world that you didn’t know existed behind those walls.”

While news of the Pope’s death 36 years ago is a vivid memory for Suchet, for the majority of readers here it is likely to be little more than the impersonal stuff of history, something that occurred before many of us were born, and as such has the same distant veracity as other global events like the assassination of JFK or the Great Fire of London. But as the adage warns, history repeats itself, and Suchet is keenly aware of the scope these past events and personalities can hold on today.

“Well, for me it’s recent history. In a way it’s still happening now. There are cardinals in the Vatican now who are worried about the safety of Pope Francis, because that conservative guard is still around, who want no change, who don’t want priests to be non-celibate, who don’t want priests to marry, they don’t want contraception to be investigated. All of these things that are still going on.

It’s quite famous knowledge that we don’t learn from history. It’s our great cliché as human beings. But if Pope Francis is successful, he will change the face of Roman Catholicism for the better.”

Suchet sips his coffee and glances out the window. Of course, there is no moustache or Belgian accent, but the curiosity and intelligence that hallmarked Poirot are clearly traits the

12 :: BRAG :: 580 :: 17:09:14

Before closing, I ask Suchet what his thoughts are on the various revivals of Sherlock Holmes that are now popping up around the world.

He smiles, and as he answers, his mannerisms begin to change.

“Let me move it away from myself, and give it to you instead in the words of Hercule Poirot, when asked in one of his books about Holmes.” The way Suchet holds his shoulders and moves his hands suddenly shifts, and the pitch of his voice moves into a Belgian accent; suddenly, wonderfully, I am being addressed by Monsieur Hercule Poirot.

“Sherlock Holmes?” Poirot asks. “I do sometimes enjoy delving between the covers of his books. I do indeed enjoy him solving the crimes, which I of course solve before him. But one must remember, of course, that Sherlock Holmes … is only fiction.

What: The Last Confession Where: Theatre Royal When: From Wednesday September 24 xxx

“I TAKE MY WORK AND MY RESPONSIBILITIES AS A CHARACTER ACTOR VERY, VERY SERIOUSLY …

I FOUND A PURPOSE. I WOULD DEDICATE MY LIFE AS AN ACTOR TO SERVE MY WRITERS.”

two share. “There has to be reform for the right reasons,” he suggests.

“Not simply to be popular, and that’s where the Church has to be careful.

There are reformed churches now that are so charismatic, are so emotionally charged – are people going in there for themselves or are they going in there to worship God? I’m not here to criticise, I’m only saying, how far is reform within the Church a good thing, and how much of it is suspect? How much is any reform centred around popularity, and how much is it seriously examining a movement with the times, to be more open-minded because the times are open-minded?”

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BRAG :: 580 :: 17:09:14 :: 13

Slash The Fire Burns Again By Paul McBride I’m at now, on my own. It was very hard. Maybe there were periods there when I probably had question marks in brackets around whatever I was doing, but I never really stop and specifically think about stuff like that.

I just like doing what I do. It seems insane to people that I don’t have a specific motivation now other than just liking music. I like playing live, I like writing, I like touring and everything that goes with it. Making records and going out in front of audiences; this is what I picked up a guitar for.”

World On Fire is Slash’s third solo album, and the second on which the 49-year-old has worked with Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators.

“It’s exciting, we finished it in May,” he says. “We’ve been doing this for five years now. It started off as nothing; I didn’t have any plans for this. It was just really a band that I’d put together to support my first solo record, but it turned out to be such a great bunch of guys that I decided to work with them to make the next record following that, which was Apocalyptic Love. Basically at that point it had already turned into a band and was one of those sort of magical combinations of people that I didn’t see coming, but turned out to be really great.”

I

begin writing and releasing records of his own.

n 2001, former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash collapsed at a soundcheck, woke up in hospital and was given between six days and six weeks to live. A pivotal moment in the hard-drinkin’, heavy-druggin’ Los Angeles native’s life, it marked a turning point that saw the legendary axeman get sober and eventually

“I’ve gone through a lot of different stuff,” he says. “I was comfortable with a lot as far as when Guns N’ Roses was happening, but there’s been a lot of stuff I’ve had to go through to get to the point of where

Produced by Michael ‘Elvis’ Baskette, World On Fire is 17 tracks of typically Slash hard rock, with plenty of big riffs and solos, and was recorded in double-quick time.

“Usually it’s one or two songs a day,” Slash says. “But with this record we ended up doing 17 tracks in six days. It was good. I write the stuff on the road, here and there, and then I work it up with Brent [Fitz, drums] and Todd [Kerns, bass] and

start getting a real musical arrangement together. I then send it out to Myles so he can start getting some ideas. They’re with me the whole time on the road when most of these ideas come in the first place, so they’ve heard most of it before. We’ve jammed in soundchecks and dressing rooms or whatever, so most of the initial ideas they’ve heard. I grew up in a very rock’n’roll environment, musically, and guitar solos are a very important part of rock’n’roll songs.

They’re just a really exciting part of a good rock song.”

An upcoming slot on the Soundwave 2015 bill will give Slash and co. a chance to play the new material to Australian audiences for the first time.

“I’m excited about it. We did it in 2011 or 2012 – I can’t remember exactly.

We did the tour and there was Slayer and a bunch of cool bands on the bill. It was a lot of fun, and was one of the coolest sort of moving tours that I’ve ever done. We are really looking forward to it. Everything [on the album] is basically all recorded live. We don’t write songs with the intention of them being live songs, but when we go in to record it, we just play the songs live so much it just comes out that way. Everything on the record more or less comes from a live setting, so it should all translate great live, you know? We’re on tour now with Aerosmith in the States and then we start a world tour in November. It’ll basically run all the way through next year.”

Despite Gene Simmons recently claiming rock music is dead, Slash is quick to come to its defence.

“I’ve been hearing that same exact quote since the ’70s,” he says.

“But anyway, I think rock music as a medium will never ever die or anything like that, but it’s going through a hard time. The way that the business has become is predominantly, if not 100 per cent, corporate at this point. When it comes to record companies and radio and all that kind of stuff, rock music doesn’t really have much of a place in it. But that’s what I love about what’s going on right now – there’s this really great underbelly of very genuine, spirited rock’n’roll happening. It’s starting to get that sense of rebellion back, which is really great. I think that’s important, and I think it should be ‘us against them’, you know? I sort of like the way that things are going and I don’t see rock being dead at all. I see it in Europe and a lot just recently in America. I can’t speak on behalf of Australia, but I do know certain bands over there who have that same attitude.”

With more than his fair share of hard living and dark times behind him, and his new band lineup set in stone, the only question that remains is whether one of rock’s great survivors is willing to drop the solo moniker and give his bandmates equal billing.

“I’m not going to,” he laughs.

“Never.”

What: Soundwave Festival 2015 With: Slipknot, Faith No More, Soundgarden, Marilyn Manson, Incubus, Lamb Of God, Fall Out Boy, Ministry, Judas Priest and many more Where: Sydney Olympic Park When: Saturday February 28 and Sunday March 1 And: World On Fire out now through Sony

Torche

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Passing The Flame By Meg Crawford

A

ndrew Elstner, Torche singer and guitarist, was once treated for rabies after a bat pissed in his eye. That’s quite metal, isn’t it? Oddly enough though, Elstner doesn’t impress as a particularly ‘metal’ dude. He smiles a lot, including onstage, and talks about concepts like gratitude. He’s a paradox, which is fitting really, because so are Torche. While the band is slung broadly in the metal basket (sludge or stoner metal, more specifically), it’s kind of a misnomer.

Undoubtedly, Torche are on the heavy end of the spectrum but their songs are also anthemic and melodic – and quite frankly, they just don’t sound that dark. Comparisons with Ned’s Atomic Dustbin wouldn’t be out of the question and one of the tracks on their yet-to-be-released new album apparently has tinges of The Psychedelic Furs. This is not to suggest they’re soft, though. Quite the contrary – they fucking thunder.

Part of the reason Elstner’s so damn happy is that he was a selfconfessed fan when he joined the band. Already slinging guitar for Tilts and Riddle Of Steel (the latter of which has now folded), a Torche lineup shuffle left an opening for him and he stepped up to the plate.

“It’s been amazing,” Elstner says.

“It’s not quite the same as the first show I played with them, but those feelings are still there for sure … It’s really hard to be up there with them without having a huge smile on my face. I look kind of goofball, being this metal guy smiling away, but I’m having an amazing time.”

Another reason he’s a happy dude comes down to gratitude and fellowship. “Fellowship keeps things in perspective,” he muses. “It makes it all worthwhile. When you’re touring and playing in band, you know, there’s that joke about having four 14 :: BRAG :: 580 :: 17:09:14

wives or four husbands as the case may be. It’s a joke, but it’s kind of true – these are relationships that you have to have.

“As for gratitude, well it keeps you straight. It’s always good to remember where you’ve come from.

I mean, Torche is popular, but we’re still not a band that’s on easy street.

However, when I compare it to my old band, well, we were taking $80 on average at the door, so Torche is a considerable step up. I’m not just talking in terms of monetary

success, either. I’m grateful to be in a band that works – it’s totally humbling.”

Elstner’s favourite tool for life on the road is a blog post by Thor Harris called ‘How To Tour In a Band Or Whatever’. He recommends that everyone in a band should read it – but really, with suggestions like, “Don’t complain. Bitching, moaning, whining is tour cancer. If something is wrong fix it or shut the fuck up you fucking dick,” it’s a pretty good guide for life as well.

“Absolutely it is,” Elstner agrees.

“My favourite’s the, ‘You think you’re immune from having a shitty day?’ one. That’s a brave statement – it’s a bit of a slap in the face because musicians are notoriously sensitive artistes who all need a dose of reality from time to time.”

Elstner and the band are looking forward to hitting Australia for the first time. “Oh yeah, I’m going to do all the clichéd things – see a koala, all of that,” he laughs.

“There’s so much that I don’t

know. Stereotypically, Americans can be somewhat geographically challenged, so I’m ready to have my mind blown by whatever comes.

Actually, I’m looking forward to going to the grocery store and seeing what strange food there is – it’s those tiny little details that are always fun and make a new experience great.”

With: Lo!, Sumeru Where: Oxford Art Factory When: Sunday October 19 thebrag.com

Bombay Bicycle Club Tomorrow Comes Early By Augustus Welby

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eople love to moan about their jobs. No matter what the justifi cation is, these complaints are generally tiresome to endure. When the grumbles come from professional musicians and are about travelling the world to perform for adoring people, it’s especially hard to sympathise.

“It’s a weird balance,” says Bombay Bicycle Club bass player Ed Nash. “If you don’t tour at all you’re like, ‘I really need to go tour.’ Then when you’re on tour for months on end you’re like, ‘Actually, I’d like to lie down for a week or so.’ It’s a good life, I’m not knocking it.”

Well that’s a relief. Bombay Bicycle Club’s fourth LP, So Long, See You Tomorrow, came out in early February and Nash and his bandmates have been on tour ever since. It’s a cycle that basically hasn’t let up since the London quartet’s fi rst record I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose came out in 2009. Nash makes sure to seize the fantastic perks of his profession.

“You see people who just sit around and they get bored and they don’t like touring. I always try to go out and do one thing in the city that I’m in, and more importantly, meet people after the show to have a chat and get some recommendations for things to do. I’ve done more than a lifetime’s worth of things now, which I’m incredibly grateful for.”

realise, at least in my opinion, that’s our weakest record. I do think So Long, See You Tomorrow is our strongest record, but I may look back in a year or two and disagree with that.”

The continued growth of Bombay Bicycle Club’s fan base means they’ll embark upon their biggest Australian tour yet this month.

Ever the eager traveller, Nash looks ahead with especial enthusiasm.

“This is going to sound like I’m lying, but my favourite place to tour is Australia. I really, really enjoy touring Australia; the lifestyle, the people are always friendly. I’ve been to Sydney quite a few times outside of touring. I could easily live in Sydney for a long time and be very happy.”

What: So Long, See You Tomorrow out now through Island/Caroline With: East, City Calm Down Where: Metro Theatre When: Sunday September 28

Of course, the crux of all this travelling around is the live show. For So Long, See You Tomorrow, Bombay Bicycle Club boldly ventured into the world of electronic production. The group had hitherto employed a conventional rock band set-up, so adapting the record to the stage inevitably posed some challenges.

“We went into the rehearsal studio after fi nishing the album and we found ourselves trying to replicate the record note-for-note,” Nash says. “We realised that it was incredibly boring to do, because it was just us hitting buttons and playing keyboards and things. So we’ve kind of done a reinterpretation of the album, with guitars, bass and drums playing all the main melodies and electronics being played live by an extra member and all the percussion being played live by an extra member. It sits somewhere between what we were doing before and what the album sounds like.”

The electronic embrace isn’t the only thing that distinguishes So Long, See You Tomorrow from 2011’s A Different Kind Of Fix. The record also encompasses Eastern instrumentation, skyscraping vocal peaks and arena-ready production. Given the previous album’s considerable success, this seems a risky move. But making such a stylistic revision is nothing new for Bombay Bicycle Club.

“I think it comes out of being restless and wanting to prove ourselves and just being excited about the music we’re making,” says Nash. “We’re not going to get stuck on something and try to recreate it several times over like a lot of other bands do. That gets quite boring for the band and for the fans.

Without setting a goal, we just make the music that comes along. It could progress anywhere from here, it could go more electronic, less electronic – no-one really knows.”

The band’s amorphous character has been on display ever since it followed the sunny indiepop of I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose with an album of acoustic folk rock, Flaws. While a money-hungry record executive would likely advise against such constant permutation, the group’s commercial profi le has grown with each successive release.

“We haven’t become famous overnight and we haven’t had a big hit single or anything like that,” says Nash. “We’ve released four albums over the space of fi ve years and each one has charted slightly higher than the last. We’ve played bigger and bigger shows consistently, without ever making that giant leap. It also means hopefully we have some hardcore fans and they won’t leave us overnight, unlike some bands that get incredibly famous very quickly and then don’t really have anything else to build upon.”

Their audience continues to grow, but has the quality of their output progressed in a similar fashion? Perhaps Nash isn’t the right person to ask, but that doesn’t mean he’s without an opinion on the matter.

“Obviously at the time when you make a record, you think it’s the best thing that you’ve ever created. And that’s not always the case. I look back at A Different Kind Of Fix and I now thebrag.com

BRAG :: 580 :: 17:09:14 :: 15

The Love Junkies Blowing In The Wind By Edgar Ivan

The Interrupters Friends In High Places By Augustus Welby

A

s far as ’90s punk legends go, few rank higher than Rancid and Operation Ivy frontman Tim Armstrong. When something comes with the gravel-voiced guru’s seal of approval, it’s worth taking note. The debut selftitled LP from LA four-piece The Interrupters came out early last month. Not only does it wear the logo of Armstrong’s Hellcat Records, the man himself produced the album. “He really did a good job of honing the best parts about each of us and just putting it together as one thing,” says guitarist Kevin Bivona.

The Interrupters’ lineup is completed by Kevin’s twin brothers Justin and Jesse (on bass and drums respectively) and frontwoman Aimee Interrupter (nee Allen). Bivona’s musical interaction with Armstrong dates back to 2005, when he was hired as a touring keyboardist for the Rancid man’s rap-rock outfit The Transplants. More recently, he and the twins contributed to Armstrong’s Tim Timebomb and Friends project.

“The guy makes so much music,” he explains, “so any project he had after The Transplants I’d be like, ‘Hey, if you need me, call me,’ and we ended up working really well together.”

In addition to his production and co-writing input, Armstrong sings the opening verse on the album’s lead single ‘Family’. By now The Interrupters consider him a close friend, but their admiration hasn’t subsided, as Allen explains. “There’s always an awe,” she says.

“Sometimes I’m like, ‘Man, he’s just my buddy,’” adds Bivona. “And then when I really think about it I’m like, ‘Holy shit, this is Tim Armstrong.’ That never goes away. I have so much respect for the guy.”

The Interrupters’ debut record faithfully recaptures the sound of UK two tone and the 1990s US punk resurgence. It’s a refreshingly no-nonsense outing; rowdy and tough, but not in your face. The album also features a socially aware lyrical bent, which is quite important to the band.

“We all write the lyrics together,” Allen explains.

“We did definitely really believe in talking about family and friends and loyalty. We all have different ideas politically, but we all obviously hate oppression and tyranny and believe in unifying and coming together.”

Something shared by the musical movements of two tone and ’90s punk is that they were driven by an underground fearlessness, yet weren’t afraid to seek out a big audience. Essentially, both genres made a widespread impact courtesy of quality, accessible songwriting. Similarly, The Interrupters don’t seem destined to dwell in obscurity for long.

“We set out for writing good songs,” Allen says.

“We want people to be able to sing along. If you can’t sing along then I personally feel like we failed. The sort of music I like to listen to, it’s just catchy. That’s what we strive for.”

Prior to The Interrupters, Allen released a string of solo records. The most recent, 2009’s A Little Happiness, inhabited the realm of acoustic poprock. However, she emphasises that fronting a rowdy punk band is where she feels most comfortable. “I’ve always been boisterous and loud. I’ve always been a fan of two tone and punk.

I’ve been in punk bands. So The Interrupters is like kind of coming back home for me.

“Kevin and I were working on my solo record and it was like, ‘If we brought the twins into this and we started working on these songs together as a band that would be a dream come true.’ And then it happened and it’s absolutely everything I’ve ever wanted.”

What: Soundwave Festival 2015 With: Slipknot, Faith No More, Soundgarden, Marilyn Manson, Slash, Incubus, Lamb Of God, Fall Out Boy, Ministry and many more Where: Sydney Olympic Park When: Saturday February 28 and Sunday March 1 And: The Interrupters out now through Hellcat Records

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ince 2013, hard-working Perth grunge rockers The Love Junkies have wrapped up two albums and one EP, and come the start of October they will have toured them all. On the day they got the hard copies of their new album, Blowing On The Devil’s Strumpet (and popped a bottle of champagne to celebrate), I spoke with singer Mitch McDonald about the touring life and how the album almost got lost in the matrix.

“It’s like a Shakespearean term for whore,” McDonald explains when I enquire about the album title. “So you think it’s about a trumpet, but it’s not … There’s a song on the EP that’s called ‘Blowing On The Devil’s Strumpet’ and the theme to that song is inspired by the name. I initially didn’t mean it to be like, dirty, but I guess the more you think about it the dirtier it gets.”

It marks a departure from the trio’s 2013 album Maybelene, via the flourishes of R-rated subtexts that come from aging.

“Lyrically [the album] touches on some pretty confronting issues,” McDonald says. “It’s hard to say but it’s definitely darker than Maybelene. Those songs were written [when we were] 19 or 20 and a lot’s happened since then. It sounds like everything that I’ve absorbed over the last couple of years.”

Those last couple of years have taken The Love Junkies on tour with British India and to every venue in Australia worth playing.

They’ve even gone to Singapore, where they played to K-pop-thirsty crowds on 20-watt amps and tried to get their buzz on with $20 pints. “It was interesting,” McDonald says.

Unlike the Singaporean gigs, their bouts at home are usually friendlier on the kitty – but only to a point. “The only free thing you get being a musician is piss,” McDonald says, perhaps realising he should’ve been asking for sandwiches on their rider instead of making requests to mess with organisers

(in the past, they’ve asked for things like batteries and a beer ensemble to cater to the band members’ differing tastes in ales).

Of all the touring and various shows, their Big Day Out set the year before last still stands at the forefront. “It was pretty boss to see so many people get down there early to see us,” McDonald remembers. But their proudest moment is when they first sold out their hometown venue, Mojo’s, for the Maybelene album launch. “It sold out in eight minutes,” says the singer. “That was sick. It was mind-blowing.”

Though they’ve come a long way since then, Blowing On The Devil’s Strumpet mightn’t even have made it to an album launch.

The computer that held their magnum opus gave them technical issues, and it became difficult to extract the music from a problematic hard drive. There was no contingency plan – “I probably just would’ve given up,” McDonald says – but eventually they “took the hard drive out and we got [the music] back, thank Christ.”

It’s because they’ve always managed to stay one album ahead of themselves that The Love Junkies have been able to maintain an unrelenting release and touring schedule.

“We’d already demoed [the new album] before the Maybelene release,” McDonald explains, “But heaps of songs have been written since then.” Does that mean another release will come on the heels of BOTDS? You bet. But after they almost lost their baby to the matrix in the rush of touring, the boys might take some time to chill before they do it all again – “At least for a couple of months.”

What: Blowing On The Devil’s Strumpet out now through Butsikatsic/MGM Where: Spectrum When: Saturday September 20 And: Also appearing at Hamilton Station, Newcastle on Sunday September 21

The Peep Tempel Character Map By Jody Macgregor

T

here’s a type of character that keeps showing up in The Peep Tempel’s songs: a man who isn’t great at dealing with his emotions, who shouts a woman’s name as if he’s standing outside her window late at night in defiance of common sense and possibly a restraining order. The first single from their new album Tales is one of these songs, the protagonist hollering “I don’t think Trevor is good for you!” at some poor woman named Carol (also the name of the song). “I think that was the only lyric in that song for quite a while,” says the band’s frontman Blake Scott. Like a lot of their songs it’s about very Australian derros and dropouts. “I spend a bit of time in pubs with $10 roasts watching what’s going on.”

16 :: BRAG :: 580 :: 17:09:14

One character in particular has returned in several Peep Tempel songs. After being introduced on their first album in ‘Mister Lester Moore’, he came back on their EP Modern Professional in ‘The Incarceration Of Lester Moore’. In Tales his saga comes to an oddly fitting end with ‘The Opera Of Lester Moore’, a surprisingly proggy conclusion to the album, like something on Pink Floyd’s The Wall. “Once we did the record and we were mixing it I just remember sitting there thinking, and I actually said to the other guys, ‘Are we really putting this on the album?

Is this really happening?’ It’s like a rock opera. And we went with it, it was a lot of fun and as you say, I think it’s a pretty fitting finale for old Lester.”

While the themes of their songs may not be pleasant, there’s an element of humour to them as well. It’s the nervous joking you get when everybody knows something bad is about to go down. ‘Vicki The Butcher’ is interrupted by the announcement of a meat raffle, as if the band’s onstage at a pub and the owner has grabbed the mic to sell everyone on their “succulent chops”. “There’s a lot of that lowbrow, sarcastic humour in there,” Scott says, “but it’s not funny in a nice way. It’s picking up the underbelly of what’s around us in inner Melbourne. A lot of it goes unnoticed these days; I guess a lot of wealth is moving in and that sort of thing. Where I am in particular in North Melbourne there’s still a lot of that undertone, that desperation.

They’re the sort of characters that our music seems to bring to life.”

That may make it sound like the band’s songs are all the same, but Tales is musically diverse. It speeds up and slows down, has time for a quiet number and a silly throwaway song full of gleeful swearing. Scott says their live show will be more dynamic with these songs in it, a difference their drummer Steve Striker will appreciate. “What we did with the first record is, if it was sitting in a groove we bumped it a little bit to give it a more nervous energy, so we

actually – Steve and I – were exercising quite a bit to make sure that we weren’t dying out towards the end of the songs.”

What: Tales out Friday October 3 through Wing Sing Records Where: Frankie’s Pizza / Town Hall Hotel / Lansdowne Hotel When: Thursday September 25/ Friday September 26 / Friday October 24 thebrag.com

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Scott’s voice is the perfect instrument for these stories. Half Mark E. Smith and half Mark Lanegan, he can switch from aggressive and loud to bluesy and gravel-toned. “We try and build characters so the music’s a theme or a soundtrack to a certain

character’s life and build a character to that,” he says. “When we did the first record, where we rehearsed was across the road from a halfway house and we’d be looking out the window all day and there’d be some pretty desperate situations going on.

It really rubbed off on the music and had that real dirgey, desperate feel to it, and we continue that with this record. The themes aren’t very nice, I guess.”

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BRAG :: 580 :: 17:09:14 :: 17

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five minutes WITH

ADAM COOK, DIRECTOR OF THE MOTHERF**KER WITH THE HAT

T

ell us about the story behind The Motherf**ker With The Hat. OK, here’s the lowdown on MoFo. Jackie’s an ex-con released on parole just before the play begins.

When we first see him, he’s riding high with a new job, he’s back with Veronica, his childhood sweetheart, he’s not drinking or dealing or using drugs, and the future looks bright. Good times! Then he’s confronted with some information – in the first five minutes of the play – that threatens to destroy his dream and change his life forever. The play dramatises just how hard it is to pick up the pieces of a life shattered by addiction and start again.

The International Cat Film Furstival, organised by RSPCA NSW, is set to debut in Sydney next month. Let’s face it; it’s about time cat films got a festival of their own – there’s no doubt they’ve taken over the world, at least in terms of their contribution to popular culture, and where would the internet be without cats?

Expect a legion of the best cat videos from around the world, alongside other feline-friendly festivities including a Cattoo Purrlour and food trucks. The International Cat Film Furstival is on Sunday October 5 at Bicentennial Park, Glebe.

Should the audience prepare to be shocked, heartwarmed or something more?

The play’s not shocking, but I think you’ll be moved by the challenges the characters face.

Audiences found the play very compelling last year. I have no doubt our new audiences will too.

What: The Motherf**ker With The Hat Where: Eternity Playhouse When: Friday September 19 – Sunday October 19

Eloise Winestock and Brian Lipson in The Tempest

SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR

In the immortal words of AC/DC, we’re going back – back to Sin City. A Dame To Kill For is the sequel to the 2005 adaptation of Frank Miller’s graphic novel, and again Miller has joined forces with Robert Rodriguez to give his neo-noir thriller a captivating look (head to page 20 for our interview with the directors). Eva Green, Josh Brolin, Joseph GordonLevitt, Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis, Rosario Dawson, Jessica Alba, Jaime King, Juno Temple and Jeremy Piven occupy Miller’s world this time around, based on the second book in his series.

We’ve got ten double in-season passes to give away to Sin City: A Dame To Kill For. For your chance to win one, head to thebrag.com/freeshit and tell us your favourite character from the franchise.

BELL SHAKESPEARE SEASON 2015

Bell Shakespeare is set to celebrate its 25th anniversary with a sprawling program for 2015. William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, Hamlet and The Tempest are the centrepieces of the schedule next year. Bell Shakespeare’s co-artistic director Peter Evans will take the reins for As You Like It, Damien Ryan will handle Hamlet, and John Bell will direct The Tempest for the very first time after performing in it on three occasions. In collaboration with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Bell Shakespeare will present an arrangement of words and music from Romeo And Juliet, while The Art Of Shakespeare exhibit will debut nationally in celebration of Bell Shakespeare’s birthday. For the full 2015 season program, visit bellshakespeare.com.au.

Ronny Chieng

FUTURE/FORWARD

The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) has announced the inaugural Future/ Forward visual arts summit – the first of its kind to be held in Australia. The speakers include artist Vernon Ah Kee, barrister Julian Burnside, curator Franchesca Cubillo, blogger Andrew Frost and many more. It’ll be a two-day program of discussion and debate, with topics including censorship, art criticism and the health of the arts sector. Future/Forward is set for Carriageworks on Thursday November 6 and Friday November 7.

The Tempest photo by Pierre Toussaint

NEW FILM FURSTIVAL

What is it about expressive swearing that so captures our thoughts and feelings?

We never had a single complaint about the fairly relentless profanity in the play, though I guess if you were offended by the title of the play, you probably wouldn’t have bought a ticket! I don’t think the swearing’s shocking at all. There’s a lot of profanity in this play and the characters are very inventive in their use of it, but if you’re familiar with other examples of brilliant writing in a similarly very colourful vein, like The Sopranos or anything

written by Quentin Tarantino, you won’t be offended. Or disappointed.

Swearing is a way of making it clear there’s an intensity and passion in the ideas and feelings the character is communicating.

It’s a signifier of just how hurt and damaged they are. It can also be, as it very often is in this play, a source of great comedy. But it’s also a verbal reflex.

xxx

What’s the greatest challenge of staging a Broadway hit on the Eternity Playhouse stage, or even the smaller Tap Gallery where it played last year?

Doing justice to the complexities and richness of the roles as Adly

Guirgis has written them. We were riding high last year when we did the play – we got amazing reviews, which is always nice, but more importantly, the audiences loved the production. Coming back to the play more than a year later, when the roles have been quietly fermenting in our collective subconscious, I’m confident we understand the characters more deeply.

VISIT SIN CITY

Sydney Harbour destination Bar100 has linked up with Icon Films to put on a party like no other this weekend, launching Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez’s Sin City: A Dame To Kill For. The sequel to the hit 2004 noir film is out this week, and the Bar100 event will bring the set to life as the venue transforms into its own Sin City. Sin City: A Dame To Kill For stars Josh Brolin, Mickey Rourke, Eva Green, Jessica Alba, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Powers Boothe and Bruce Willis, but you can be a star of your own at Bar100 on Saturday September 20.

Paddington Town Hall

Susan Prior

BACK ON THE CHIENG GANG

18 :: BRAG :: 580 :: 17:09:14

PADDINGTON ART MARKET

Paddington’s Victoria Barracks are the home of a new Sunday market specialising in art by emerging and accomplished painters, sculptors, ceramics and more. Inspired by similar markets in Paris and the Camden district of London, the City of Sydney and Woollahra Council have joined forces on a plan to inject some more artistic energy into Oxford Street. The Paddington Art Market, held from 10am-3pm on Sundays, also aims to help reinvigorate the retail district of Paddington around the Barracks. All proceeds from market sales go directly to the artists. The market continues weekly until Sunday October 12.

Zoë Coombs Marr’s new play Is This Thing On? is a portrait of the darker side of a comedian’s life. We follow stand-up comic Brianna (played at various ages by Madeleine Benson, Genevieve Giuffre, Nat Randall, Susan Prior and Fiona Press) through her trials – vomiting onstage, drinking and dealing with her bland name – and into maturity, as her hilarious nature wins through. It’s a coming-of-age (and coming out) story full of funny moments, written by a stand-up comedian in her own right. Is This Thing On? is playing at Belvoir St Theatre from Thursday October 2 – Sunday October 26.

thebrag.com

Is This Thing On photo by Gary Heery

Perpetually frustrated (yet oh-sotalented) stand-up comic Ronny Chieng has announced new tour dates for his latest show, Chieng Reaction. After taking out the prestigious Best Show Award at Sydney Comedy Festival and the Directors’ Choice Award at Melbourne International Comedy Festival this year, Chieng will return to stages around the country on the back of his new live DVD, The Ron Way. Chieng plays The Concourse, Chatswood on Thursday October 30 and Riverside Theatre, Parramatta on Friday October 31.

IS THIS THING ON?

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THIS FILM’S MESSAGE, TO LIVE IN THE MOMENT — AND NOT AROUND IT — WON’T FALL ON DEAF EARS.” THE DENVER POST

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Sin City: A Dame To Kill For [FILM] Living In Sin Again By Adam Norris tradition is not going down without a fight. Most of this has to do with a keen appreciation for the balance of style and substance.

Sin City: A Dame To Kill For

“That started in the first film,” Rodriguez says. “I remember we had a guide from Frank’s books of what should be in colour but then as I was editing I would be spot colouring some other pieces and I would send them to Frank to make sure he thought that was cool because I was starting to take some liberty, and he said, ‘You’re using colour as a weapon… I like that.’ So we kind of mapped out where it would be and I would show him ideas and he would be, ‘They’re a no, but that one’s good, let’s make Goldie [Jaime King] actually have colour.’”

“That was one of the most wonderful touches he made,” Miller agrees, “and it’s almost unnoticeable, but when she steps into the light it’s the climax of the Marv story. She enters with the white hair she has throughout the story and she emerges from the light with gold hair.”

N

ine years have passed between Sin City films, giving most of us ample time for Nick Stahl’s fluorescent Yellow Bastard or Elijah Wood’s mute cannibal Kevin to exit our collective nightmares. It was a movie that broke a lot of expectations of just what an action movie could be – the saturated colours, the vivid, cartoonish violence, and crooked cops and cynical strippers vying for footholds in a city that is half New York, half Pandæmonium (with a touch of

Transmetropolitan thrown in for Warren Ellis fans).

Now, creators Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez bring us A Dame To Kill For. When we think of hard-boiled detectives, Humphrey Bogart wearing a fedora and smoking a cigarette casts a long shadow. Though Bogie has no straight equivalent in the world of Sin City – the closest thing we have to heroism here is vigilantism and psychopathic ennui – the noir

Reggie Watts [COMEDY] Hello Humans By Tyson Wray

I

n the world of contemporary stand-up there are few comedians as multi-talented as Reggie Watts. An internationally renowned vocal artist, beatboxer, musician and comic, Watts is a founding member of Jash.com (alongside Michael Cera, Sarah Silverman and Tim & Eric), a personal favourite of Conan O’Brien and Jack White, and a regular guest for television hosts like Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel and John Oliver. Still, Watts is relaxed when he thinks back on the last 12 months.

“I’ve just been hanging out at home and travelling a little bit,” he says. “Most recently I’ve been on the road doing some shows for the Oddball Comedy Festival, which has been really great. I’ve just spent some time in Montana and I’m also working on some new video projects.

I’m just taking things easy at the moment.”

Having performed at festivals such as Bonnaroo, SXSW and Bumbershoot, sold out headlining tours in the US and Europe and even received a standing ovation after speaking at the prestigious TED conference, Watts’ entirely improvised performances blur the lines between music and comedy, disorientating audiences as best he can.

“I don’t really ever have anything in mind for any particular gig,” he says of his pre-show preparation. “It’s generally just influenced by what’s happening to me at that point in time.

I don’t know, there’s nothing that continually pops up repeatedly. I don’t really have a ‘goto’, per se. I just try to show up on time, do a soundcheck and then go up onstage.”

Improvised comedy can be a dangerous vocation. “There were a lot of gigs that didn’t go so well in my early days, when I was first starting out and playing at places like Reggie Watts

Many characters return for the sequel, including Jessica Alba’s Nancy (who graced more dormitory walls in the noughties than anyone else on the planet), Powers Boothe’s gravelvoiced Senator Roark, and Mickey Rourke’s homicidal hard-arse, Marv. We also find several new characters, thanks to the addition of entirely new storylines. After establishing so vibrant a world, devising fresh content turned out to be

something close to second nature for the filmmakers.

“Oh, it was like the firing of a lock really,” Miller says. “Sin City stories occur to me pretty naturally.”

“We were ready to do it I think in 2007,” Rodriguez recalls, “but really the timing worked out just perfect. I mean, we wouldn’t have had this cast back then. Everything kind of fell into place, in terms of the extra stories. Frank had to write new stories that we were happy with because we wanted it not all to be from the books, we wanted to surprise people, so two stories [are] from the book, two stories are new.

One time Frank started telling me, ‘I’ve got this character named Johnny and he’s just got this coin, and he’s going to get it all back,’ and I was like, ‘Keep going…’ He talked a lot of it out there, and I played it to him later and he would embellish it. It was really fun to be in on the process and see how he creates. A lot of it had to be drawn on the set because there weren’t books to go off, so that was a thrill, asking Frank Miller for an original Frank Miller Sin City drawing out on the set. And he would just start sketching it out! That was the biggest thrill.”

What: Sin City: A Dame To Kill For (dir.

Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller) Where: In cinemas Thursday September 18

Art & About [FESTIVAL] Sydney On Show By Tegan Jones

Edinburgh. I didn’t really have that much of a show. They were still all fully improvised but I hadn’t been doing it for that long. The concept hadn’t been developed fully, so some people probably had to sit through some pretty terrible shit,” he laughs. “There were a lot of times when people would walk out when they’d had enough.

But that was really just in the beginning.”

Does any single blunder onstage stick in his mind? “Oh man, there was this one show I did in Philadelphia. They have this ice hockey team called the Philadelphia Flyers, and I mean, I’m not a sports guy at all. They had just won some really important game or something so I went onstage and started talking about how stoked I was for their hockey team, but every time I referred to their team I accidentally called them the Philadelphia Lions. They really didn’t like that. They kept trying to correct me and I kept using the term ‘The Lions’. They hated it – they were really, really upset with me! It got pretty intense.”

Next month will see Watts return to Australian shores with his Hello Humans show, performing at the 2014 instalment of Just For Laughs Sydney alongside a series of headline dates around the nation. “I’m really just looking forward to having a good time and enjoying the country, catching up with some old friends and hopefully making some new ones,” he says.

“That’s really it – I always really enjoy Australia, I’m looking forward to coming back.”

What: Hello Humans as part of Just For Laughs 2014 Where: Playhouse, Sydney Opera House When: Thursday October 16 – Sunday October 19

S

ydney is once again about to be transformed into a living canvas for art, performance and storytelling as Art & About returns to the city from September 19 to October 12. The theme this year is ‘Endangered’, and festivalgoers will be able to enjoy a myriad of quirky and quintessentially Australian works.

The BRAG chatted to creative director Gill Minervini about this year’s festival and what makes Art & About so special.

“We’ve really carefully grown [the festival] and listened to what our audience wanted,” Minervini says. “We’ve also tried to carve out a niche that makes it different from others.

We’re really interested in work that engages the audience and allows them to participate in the work.”

One of the most unique and important aspects of Art & About is the different perspectives it provides about Sydney itself. This year, the idea will be explored through tours, exhibitions and even in people’s homes. “We ask people to view the city in a totally different light,” says Minervini. “Whether that’s from a stranger’s lounge room, Hyde Park becoming a gallery or Martin Place becoming a backyard, it’s about the possibilities the art can bring to the city and providing a fresh perspective.”

One tour that will really explore this concept is The Walking Neighbourhood – devised and led by children. “It’s refreshing to see a neighbourhood through kids’ eyes,” says Minervini. “When I came up with the theme ‘Endangered’, it was about things like this. It no longer seems like kids can own their own neighbourhoods or walk the streets, particularly in the inner city. This show encapsulates a time when kids walked the streets and parents would say, ‘Go out and play, and come back when it’s dark.’”

This nostalgic look at the city will also be represented through the return of old-school milk bars, presented by artist Eamon Donnelly, which will be scattered through Sydney during the festival. “What I love about the milk bar story is that it tells the narrative of modern Australia from the perspective of family businesses, migration and community,” Minervini says. Other perspectives will also be explored through multi-sensory tours such as The Hungry Ghost Walk, presented by Bourke Street Bakery, and Plague, which takes a journey through The Rocks at the turn of the 20th century. “Every time we do something to do with [history], people are intrigued. I think the contemporary interpretation of history is something that we’ve done quite a lot of, and our audience always tells us that it’s something that they’re interested in.”

Most Sydneysiders will remember the giant snails that graced the city during last year’s Art & About. Although they won’t be returning this year, we can look forward to some other largescale events and installations. “The teepees by Neon Nomads that will be set up in Hyde Park are going to be incredible,” Minervini says. “Us

by The Glue Society that will be set up in front of the QVB is in a different vein, but the idea of having your photo taken on old-style bleachers with a bunch of strangers is going to capture a lot of people’s imaginations. I also think that our opening night in Martin Place is going to be incredible. We’re turning the quarter acre between Castlereagh and Pitt Street into an Australian backyard, which is something else that is now endangered in modern society.”

What: Art & About Sydney 2014 When: Friday September 19 – Sunday October 12

xxx

Art & About Sydney

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Film Reviews Hits and misses on the silver screen around town

The Infi nite Man

■ Film

JODOROWSKY’S DUNE Playing at Dendy Newtown from Thursday September 18

Night Moves ■ Film

■ Film

NIGHT MOVES

THE INFINITE MAN

In cinemas now

In cinemas Thursday September 18

Night Moves is a thrilling drama that stars Jesse Eisenberg, Dakota Fanning and Peter Sarsgaard as a trio of radical environmentalists who join forces to bomb a hydroelectric dam. Director Kelly Reichardt brings this story to life through lingering shots and lavish cinematography of the fi lm’s Oregon setting.

An impressive debut feature by any measure, Hugh Sullivan’s sci-fi rom-com The Infi nite Man is a convoluted mind-teaser of a movie, and as with many films of its ilk, whether or not it deserves the multiple viewings it arguably requires will depend on one’s emotional engagement. Set largely around an abandoned Australian outback desert motel, it tells the story of Dean (Josh McConville), a neurotic inventor who uses a time machine so that he and his girlfriend Lana (Hannah Marshall) can travel back to a moment in their relationship when he had an opportunity to change its course for the better.

The pacing of Night Moves is deliberately methodical and drawn out – a decision that comes with both pros and cons. The fi lm occasionally feels tedious – and this may alienate some audiences – but the slow pace also adds a sense of authenticity and realism.

Reichardt does a good job of letting scenes unfold in ways that feel natural.

You connect with the human faces behind the ecoterrorism and share in their sinking feelings of tension and later betrayal. It’s a powerful thing for a fi lm to achieve and Night Moves handles this with grace.

Although he does feel a little typecast as the socially awkward lead Joshua, Eisenberg does a great job of capturing his character’s paranoia. Sarsgaard and Fanning are fi ne but occasionally slip into the background – though this lack of presence is less to do with them and more to do with the script lending Eisenberg the most screen time.

Its slow pace and lack of spectacle may alienate some but Night Moves is a wellmade and highly polished case study in transgression and consequence.

Fergus Halliday

The Infinite Man is closer in tone to Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind – not the first, but certainly the most well-loved film to use sci-fi concepts to explore romantic follies and delusions – than Primer, but unlike the former, the relationship at the film’s centre requires a lot of projection and inference for Dean’s experiment (and Lana’s repeated participation in it) to seem plausible. At 85 minutes it remains less a fully realised work than a filmed idea, with its characters registering as moderately quirky, subservient chess pieces rather than human beings.

Nevertheless, as with most concept-driven sci-fi, missed opportunities still contain myriad possibilities, and Sullivan’s film remains provocative and heady enough to sit back and groove on intellectually, in addition to being very funny at times.

Despite the logical gaps and lack of a compelling emotional core, it remains successful as a model of resourceful, ideadriven low-budget filmmaking.

Ian Barr

See www.thebrag.com for more arts reviews

Arts Exposed What's in our diary...

Art & About: Friday Night Live Martin Place, Friday September 19 O, for the halcyon days of the neighbourhood BBQ block party. Is there anything more reminiscent of classic suburban Australia than the local families getting together for a snag and some street cricket on a warm springtime evening? Well, Art & About Sydney is paying homage to those sepia-tinged memories with its Quarter Acre Block Party, doubling as the launch night for the 2014 festival. Chef Jared Ingersoll will fire up the barbie, Cake Wines will pour the drinks, and The Morrisons, Bustamento and Hot Potato Band will provide the tunes. Galleries and museums around town will open their doors until late.

Free vintage shuttle buses will run between Martin Place and the participating galleries and museums. For more info on Art & About 2014, visit artandabout.com.au.

It’s the story of a movie that never actually made it to production, yet still manages to be absolutely incredible to watch unfold. There are plenty of highlights, with Jodorowsky’s tangents about his recruitment of Orson Welles, Mick Jagger and Salvador Dali to the project being some of the film’s more culturally surreal moments. While not all that surprising, it’s fascinating to watch the ultimate fate unfold – not to mention the projects and partnerships that rise from the ashes of Jodorowsky’s Dune.

Jodorowsky himself is a fascinating figure, his idealism magnetic and his passion infectious. Early on he ambitiously describes the development of the film as “the coming of a God” and the animated storyboard sequences in the documentary do a good job of conveying Jodorowsky’s vision for the film.

If there are any major weaknesses to the documentary, they come in the form of its structure. The whole thing feels a little disjointed and fades to black so often it sometimes works against the efforts to draw you in. Jodorowsky’s Dune also assumes a reasonable amount of background knowledge on Jodorowsky and doesn’t spend much time on why his previous fi lms were received in the way they were.

Jodorowsky’s Dune Jodorowsky’s Dune is a documentary that works well because it encourages viewers to indulge themselves in speculation and envision a world where the film beat Star Wars to the title of first sci-fi blockbuster. It taps into the passion and talent behind the failed project and brings it to life in a way that no real Hollywood project could accomplish.

Fergus Halliday

five minutes WITH

ELIZABETH MCCRYSTAL, CURATOR OF GALLERY RED

W

hat’s the story behind 31 Days and its 2014 instalment, Lifeworld?

31 Days was established in 2010 and is centred on the creative process. Each year selected artists are asked to create an artwork every day for the 31 days of July based on that year’s given theme.

31 Days differs from other art exhibitions because it is a three-month creative process.

The creation period takes place over July; installation ideas, mounting and framing is done over August before the exhibition is hung and opens early September, so it is not for the faint-hearted. This year’s theme Lifeworld was chosen for its broad and universal elements as a concept that is often used in anthropology and sociology relating to personal and lived experiences.

What can you tell us about some of the artists involved? How were they selected?

As in previous years artists were selected from a call-out process where a proposal and support material is requested. Because of the labour-intensive nature of this exhibition I look for experience but also potential in an artist. Representation of different categories of artists is also an important aspect to our gallery’s model, so a diverse range of amateur, emerging and professional artists were selected. This year, ten artists working across a range of media were chosen. For some artists this was the first time they have exhibited in a gallery.

Overall, the artists exceeded

Simon Says by Caryn Griffin

expectations with the outcome and quality of works produced this year being one of the highest of any 31 Days exhibition.

Gallery Red has moved home from Glebe to Leichhardt. What inspired the move?

We have been playing with a couple of ideas to expand the gallery’s exhibition program and overall reach but to do that we physically needed more room. The move itself all actually happened a lot quicker than expected, we thought it would take longer to find a suitable space but when our current Leichhardt location became available it was an opportunity that we couldn’t really turn down.

We are excited to start the foundations for some new initiatives.

What can we expect from the next few months at

Gallery Red? It’s an exciting time for the gallery. Our opening on Friday September 5 was overwhelming and one of the biggest we have experienced. It was great to see new and old faces and it reenergised us after the two weeks of renovating and moving. We will be expanding our exhibition programme and continuing our monthly Life Drawing sessions (which are held on the first Tuesday of every month). The rest of the year will be dedicated to the establishment of new initiatives such as workshops, photographic studio services and graphic design and web development services.

What: 31 Days: Lifeworld Where: Gallery Red, Leichhardt When: Until Friday September 26

BRAG :: 580 :: 17:09:14 :: 21

xxx

Clearly not a movie concerned with spectacle, Night Moves puts the focus firmly on the human drama between its characters. The fi lm does a stellar job of building suspense both before and after the bombing. That said, this works against the fi lm when it comes to the third act. Although somewhat by design, the ending lacks punch.

Revisiting this moment – occurring one year earlier at the same hotel – involves sending Dean and Lana back in time as observing and intervening duplicates, then triplicates, and continuing insofar as they still feel the urge to make amends. This is further complicated by the fact these different iterations of themselves develop feelings for each other; much like Shane Carruth’s cult favorite time-travel film Primer, it’s a film that would benefit from a helpful infographic to chart its different timelines and multiplied characters.

Jodorowsky’s Dune documents the fascinating story of Chilean-French cult filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky’s failed attempt to develop a film adaption of Dune, what many consider one of the most influential science fiction novels in history.

bread&thread Food & Fashion News...with Chris Martin

WHISKY ROOM AT THE CLOCK

Surry Hills’ landmark The Clock Hotel has opened its new Whisky Room, dedicated to over a hundred varieties of whiskies from around the world.

You’ll feel like a proper lady or gentleman of taste when you’re sipping on a signature Islay, Highland or US whisky while surrounded by leather-bound books, old sporting trophies and vintage maps. There’s also a selection of drops from Japan, Taiwan, Australia and more – and what’s a proper night out without a classic whisky sour?

The Whisky Room is open Wednesdays through Sundays.

GIVESWAP WITH GIVESHOP

Donate something old, buy something new. It’s a simple

concept for change that’s been spearheaded by the crew at GiveShop – because while Australians are always buying more than we need (or can fi t in our closets), there are plenty of less fortunate people who could put those unwanted clothes to good use. Not to mention, it’s a sustainable alternative to letting things go to waste. At selected retail stores, customers will be given a GiveSwap pack with their purchase – take it home, place your old item inside, select a cause and post. Head to facebook.com/giveshop2.0 for more info.

THE KB TO RENOVATE

SPRING LADIES’ LUNCH

Foveaux Street watering hole The KB Hotel – favoured haunt for so many footy fans on their way back down the hill from Moore Park – will get a brand new look when it reopens in October. The crew from The Dove & Olive has taken over the KB and will relaunch it as The Keg & Brew, with a focus shifted towards craft beer, bourbon and food. They’re promising a rotation of over 30 taps (including the old local classic brews), and over 30 types of bourbon. “We’re not here to

The arrival of spring deserves the right kind of celebration, and The Glenmore is doing its part with the annual Spring Ladies’ Lunch set for Thursday September 25. The event takes over the iconic rooftop of the Rocks pub with views over Circular Quay and Sydney Harbour. There’ll be a 12-2pm serving of canapés and a seated lunch washed down with Pimm’s and bubbles. Robyn Foyster, journalist and founder of website The Carousel, will be speaking, as well as former Cleo editor Nedahl Stelio. For bookings and more info, head to theglenmore.com.au. be wanky about beer,” promises licensee Simon Kraegen, “we just love it and think others will too.”

ZIGI’S ART WINE CHEESE BAR Chef Zigi Ozeri is celebrating the new season with a fresh selection of cheese, wine, food and a fresh mural on the façade of Zigi’s Art Wine Cheese Bar in Chippendale.

Now on the menu is a raspberry cheese imported from the US, a new Irish cheddar, plus beetroot cider and a range of local craft beers. Zigi’s Cooking School is running courses including French Tasting, Molecular Magic, Dessert To Die For, Cheese Making and more. And the upstairs gallery will continue its rotating program of art exhibitions. Find out more at artwinecheesebar.com.au.

THE HOTTEST DOGS IN OZ

When backpackers come Down Under, they’re usually concerned about a lifethreatening encounter with sharks, spiders, snakes or Vegemite. What they don’t know – or didn’t until now – is that one of their regular party places, Scubar, might be out to get them as well. Whether you’re a tourist or a brave enough local, Scubar invites you to try out Australia’s Hottest Hot Dog Challenge, running every Tuesday. If you take on Blair’s Death Sauce (measurement 1.5 million on the Scoville scale for red hot chilli peppers) and win, you’ll have your picture hung on the wall of fame and win a t-shirt.

WEST COAST BRUNCH

If Californian vibes are your thing, maketh thy way to Brooklyn Social on a Sunday for a West Coast brunch. They do Southern California-inspired food, craft beer and cocktails to help ease your weekend to a close, with tunes provided courtesy DJ and photographer Byron Spencer’s sprawling collection. Try the Bromosa cocktail – a heady mix of Bulldog gin, lemon juice, honey water and orange juice topped with lager. Mm-hmm.

SOCAL SEASONAL MENU

Neutral Bay’s SoCal has launched its spring/summer menu, with a fresh selection of food and drink for the warmer months. Check out the jerk chicken salad with jicama, rice and herbs, or the sticky lamb ribs, spicy peas and broad beans. There’s also a new cocktail list including the Chica Chipotle, the Smoke & Berries and more.

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

ALBUM OF THE WEEK WILLOW BEATS Water Pilerats/Warner

From the outset, it doesn’t take long for the full gravity of Water to take effect. As the title suggests, waves of synths crash while spectral harmonies serve to glide beneath a shadowy, celestial terrain. The contrast between Willow Beats’ two halves sees a solid continuation of their identifiable dubbed beat roots tampered with a futuristic instrumental approach.

Opening track ‘Merewif’ is an instant EP highlight. An entrancing pattern of tribal rhythms, glitchy bass and silky ripples of seawater marry together smoothly as the resonant vocals lure you far into the ocean’s depths.

Water excels because it is a vision. The subtle riseand-fall movement throughout the EP is impressive.

It’s delicate and sensual, but with strength and balance strung underneath.

Kiera Thanos

xxx

Water Xxxx will drag you deep beneath the waves and into the deep blue calm.

‘Guardian’ treads lightly before ushering itself out with ghostly pitch-shifted vocals. It’s host to a brilliant visual interpretation of underwater lullabies, slowdrip puddles and aquatic textures. At the same time, it imitates the sensation of fl oating in water and of calming nature in slow motion. ‘Airships’ emits a dark wobble of bass, sprinkled with an abundance of extra-terrestrial sounds. Chopped vocals and clipped synths evoke galactic dreamscapes as skittish, hyperactive beats surge below.

BEARHUG

INTERPOL

SHIHAD

RYAN ADAMS

WOMAN’S HOUR

So Gone Spunk

El Pintor [PIAS]

FVEY Warner

Ryan Adams Pax-Am/Sony

Conversations Secretly Canadian/Inertia

Bearhug return with their second album, ditching the dream-pop of debut Bill, Dance, Shiner and sharpening their approach by adding endless amounts of distortion. The band is now mining ’90s-era indie-fuzz, and it’s a wise move – Bearhug fit the mould perfectly. The vocals sound like they’re sung through a megaphone at the back of a cathedral, the guitars played through amps on the verge of exploding.

Interpol’s early career achievements remain the subject of much reverence, but by 2010’s self-titled fourth LP, the sartorial New Yorkers had essentially painted themselves into a mouldy corner. ‘Safe’ is a polite way to sum up Interpol’s previous two releases. El Pintor isn’t quite dangerous, but it does unfurl some new wall decorations.

Australian comedian Justin Hamilton has a great bit about people who are ‘right-on’ with their politics. “You inherently agree with them, but they say it in such a way that they think you’ve never thought of it before – to the point where you’ll want to disagree.”

To this day, Ryan Adams records tend to be weighed up against his admittedly untouchable debut LP, Heartbreaker. Thankfully, that’s never halted the songwriter’s progress. Moving on from the acoustic instrumentation of 2011’s Ashes & Fire, Adams’ 14th LP finds the prolific songwriter in front of a more changeable and largely electric backdrop.

Woman’s Hour are named after a topical radio show, pay tribute to a 1973 performance piece to promote their album’s lead single and use visuals in collaboration with TATE and MOMA. With these arty pretensions, you’d expect this UK four-piece might crank out some pretty experimental art-rock. But if anything, Conversations could be criticised for playing it a little too safe.

Pick any song at random and you have a potential new favourite.

Opener ‘Borderlines’ storms out of the gate, a mess of fuzz and melodic guitar. At only twoand-a-half minutes long, there’s absolutely no room for vocals.

‘Animal’ is similarly frantic, the melody sounding like it’s trying to catch up to the rest of the song.

‘Habit Wave’ sounds like a hit from a bygone era. It could almost be described as blissful, were it not for the multitude layers of ever-present, crushing distortion.

Closer ‘Until We Say’ dials down the distortion (a bit) for the sole moment of clarity on the album and ends it on a beautiful note.

So Gone is a record filled with Sonic Youth meets Superchunk gems, all covered in a shoegaze glaze. It’s a great guitar album, made in an era when they’re few and far between.

As is the norm, Paul Banks’ mopey, detached vocals and Daniel Kessler’s reverb-drenched guitar work occupy El Pintor’s frontline. However, it’s drummer Sam Fogarino’s upright backbone that pushes Interpol into the proximity of the listener. This gives tracks such as ‘Everything Is Wrong’ and ‘All The Rage Back Home’ the same sense of subway station anxiety found on Bright Lights.

Since day one, the tag ‘post-punk’ has been firmly attached to Interpol. It’s worth noting that plenty of post-punk’s ’70s/’80s progenitors went on to arena-filling rock stardom. There are a dozen or so memorable singles in Interpol’s catalogue, but they’ve never embraced broad-strokes pop-rock.

El Pintor isn’t a major advance in this direction, but the spacious ‘My Blue Supreme’ and ‘Tidal Wave’ comprise a hitherto unexplored tone of relaxation.

As welcome as this arrival is to planet Interpol, alas El Pintor isn’t exactly an occasion of intrepid adventure.

Essentially, that’s where many will find themselves on FVEY, the ninth album from evergreen Kiwis Shihad, which drives home the ‘money and greed is bad’ mantra to the point where you feel like crossing the picket line just to spite them.

The album kicks off strongly enough with the ferocious riff and the incessant pacing of ‘Think You’re So Free’, which sounds like the band kicking back into gear after some time on autopilot (see previous LP Ignite and 2008’s Beautiful Machine). The track, sadly, is a red herring – it seems as though Shihad slept on the actual songwriting beyond their right-on lyricism, with constant repetition and a bleary, monotonous delivery.

The band may well have been going for a swinging hammer on FVEY, but overall it appears the best it’s mustered is a cold fish. A record best left to completionists, diehards and Shihad apologists.

David James Young

Leonardo Silvestrini

INDIE ALBUM OF THE WEEK

MISSY HIGGINS Oz Eleven

24 :: BRAG :: 580 :: 17:09:14

It’s interesting, then, that someone so well-known for the songs she has written herself has filled her fourth album with songs she didn’t write. Oz is a tribute to an endless array of Australian performers, ranging from contemporaries like Dan Sultan and The Drones to older influences such as Slim Dusty and Don Walker. Each song is

At first glance this album smacks of somewhat daggy familiarity.

But nothing is served up in black and white, which leaves plenty of room for interaction.

The group’s phlegmatic fusion of yacht rock and dream-pop sits comfortably between the xx and Beach House, and is likely to appeal to both camps. Its 11 tracks form an intimate journey, with singer Fiona Burgess’ lyrics speaking of “awkward moments of strange affection,” and offering shared secrets at close quarters. Her vocals and lyrics expose a sighing submissiveness, offering up stories of innocence and forgiveness, with just a hint of heartbreak. At times it lacks bite – as on the one-note ‘Our Love Has No Rhythm’ – and its smooth production only adds to the feeling that the potential for something darker and deeper has been glossed over.

However, for the album’s tantalising first half at least, Woman’s Hour command attention with this soulful, immediate exercise in minimalism.

Augustus Welby Chris Girdler

Augustus Welby

Ten years on from her chartsmashing debut, The Sound Of White, Missy Higgins finds herself in very different surrounds. Rather than an earnest up-and-comer, she’s now an established name within Australian music, as well as an expectant mother and acclaimed songwriter over the course of three albums.

With this power behind him, Adams invokes some of his less fashionable influences to great effect. The record’s most intimate track, ‘My Wrecking Ball’, is the only time the ‘alt-country’ tag seems apt. Otherwise, Adams conveys his grievances by echoing the heartland soft-rock stylings of Petty and Mellencamp, as well as ’80s Dylan and Springsteen. Thematically, Ryan Adams isn’t all picnic rugs and Prosecco. In fact, it details vanquished love and unanswered desires, though Adams finds a way to soften the blow.

For instance, the stabbing minor key verses on ‘Gimme Something Good’ grow to considerable weight before giving way to the Polaroid light saturation of the choruses, and the heavier concerns seem to fly off the back of a shiny red convertible.

delivered earnestly and with a twist – Paul Kelly’s ‘Before Too Long’ is re-imagined as a slow waltz with Amanda Palmer, while The Go-Betweens’ brisk ‘Was There Anything I Could Do?’ is slowed to a crawl and properly pined over.

Swelling orchestration floats over several tracks, while Higgins’ distinctive vocals add a personal touch and a true connection to each song’s story.

An inventive twist on the covers album, Oz is a serene, moving collection of homegrown songs that have been given a new lease on life. A completely unexpected charm.

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

PAUL KELLY - Deeper Water CLIENT LIAISON - Client Liaison HUSKY - Forever So

BLUR - Modern Life Is Rubbish IBEYI - Oya

David James Young

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up all night out all week . . .

PICS :: TD

golden age cinema & bar turns one

13:09:14 :: Golden Age Cinema & Bar :: 80 Commonwealth St Surry Hills 9211 1556

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free y entr

$25 cover charge after 9pm PICS :: KC

sharon jones and the dap-kings

before 9pm

13:09:14 :: Sydney Town Hall :: 483 George St Sydney 9265 9189

Samra t y l l e Tom K y n Shift a g E e e d Cin A-Tonez e o r n o M Kate le! vailab a MK-1 s h oot d B

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:: INA CLA RKE :: AMATH MAG NAN S :: JAM ES AMB ROS E :: KATR OUR LOV ELY PHO TOG RAP HER :: :: ASH LEY MAR :: TIM DA-R IN

thebrag.com

BRAG :: 580 :: 17:09:14 :: 25

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live reviews

up all night out all week . . .

What we've been out to see...

CANNIBAL CORPSE, HOUR OF PENANCE Metro Theatre Thursday September 11

Friends, Romans and countrymen all played an integral part in the opening act of the evening. Hour Of Penance, from Rome, were – in spite of their particularly forceful take on technical death metal – out to make friends of our countrymen. It was a gradual process, but it’s safe to say that theirs was a successful mission, with many lending their ears – followed, naturally, by their heads, which thrashed about in perfect time with the songs.

bandintexas + the mercy kills

At the centre of attention, as always, was frontman George Fisher – better known as Corpsegrinder. A towering behemoth of a human, potentially more neck than man, he proved to be quite the unexpected showman. Whether he was taunting those “too pussy” to be in the mosh pit or convincing the audience to get into a new song (‘Sadistic Embodiment’), his stage presence was one of the major selling points of the show. Plus, anyone who can windmill like that at 45 years old deserves some kind of medal.

With the one-two combo of ‘Hammer Smashed Face’ and ‘Devoured By Vermin’, Corpse were gone. Still terrifying after all these years – and wickedly fun, too.

David James Young

PICS :: AM

Watching each band member became somewhat of a spectator sport. Vocalist/ guitarist Paolo Pieri had one leg up on the foldback, truly indulging his inner rock star.

To his left, bassist Marco Mastrobuono was the instigator of several fist-based chants, while guitarist Giuilo Moschini kept to himself, underselling his nimble fretboard lapping. The star of the show, however, was easily drummer James Payne, who tore through each song’s beastly tempo with the utmost of ease. He stood up at the end of every song, in the same way a classical pianist will stand at the end of recitals. With their maiden voyage a success, it seems likely we’ll find these Romans on this side of the world again soon.

Back for the first time in just under two years, Cannibal Corpse indulged in a career-spanning setlist that kept every head in the room thrashing. Older fans roared in appreciation of ‘Addicted To Vaginal Skin’ and ‘Edible Autopsy’, while the younger ones in attendance popped loudest for more recent numbers like ‘Evisceration Plague’ and ‘Make Them Suffer’. No matter what your entry point, everyone was going home happy – at least, as happy as a death metal fan can be.

14:09:14 :: Frankie’s Pizza :: 50 Hunter St Sydney

PHOTOGRAPHER :: ASHLEY MAR

ANGUS & JULIA STONE, VANCOUVER SLEEP CLINIC Sydney Opera House Sunday September 14

howling bells

PICS :: AM

There is a sincerity to Vancouver Sleep Clinic’s performance which is refreshing but also works to their detriment. After frontman Tim Bettinson introduced ‘Open Your Eyes’ as “one of the most honest songs I’ve written”, we quickly found ourselves swamped in angsty, clichéd lyrics. It’s like suffering through someone reading you their adolescent diary – “I’m not what you see, I want you to be proud, I’m wearing a mask,” et cetera. Otherwise, lyrics were generally unclear and often blended entirely with background synth sounds. Each song sounds like a variation of Bon Iver’s ‘Holocene’ crossed with an inspirational Discovery Channel video, but having said that, VSC are actually a strong band with an interesting sound.

12:09:14 :: Oxford Art Factory :: 38-46 Oxford St Darlinghurst 9332 3711 MAR :: S :: KATRINA CLARKE :: ASHLEY OUR LOVELY PHOTOGRAPHER

26 :: BRAG :: 580 :: 17:09:14

With a setlist covering a wide sweep of their career, the majority of Angus & Julia Stone’s show saw Julia standing in the spotlight, happily charming the audience, while Angus was often steeped in shadow; even in duets it was difficult to see his face.

Early on we were treated to new song ‘Crash And Burn’ played in near-darkness with bright backlights. It made for some

great silhouettes – Angus shredding away, Julia rocking out on tambourine – but with the addition of artillery-like strobe blasts, you get the sense Angus is almost deliberately ostracising his audience. I suspect this isn’t arrogance, however. The siblings are both household names these days, and the cult of personality overtaking the music itself has become a legitimate fear. By sticking to the shadows, you can’t help but be drawn into what he’s actually saying.

Julia, though, is another story. While Angus may be more interested in songcraft these days, Julia is becoming the kind of performer we’re still going to be talking about in 50 years’ time. ‘Hold On’ showcases just how spectacular her voice can be, and she swings from soaring accusation to battered whisper in a heartbeat. The focus of the night was clearly Julia, and she knocked it out of the park. Her version of ‘You’re The One That I Want’ – yep, you read right – might just have been the highlight of the evening, and was certainly the most unique and commanding cover I’ve heard in ages.

In the end, you were left with the hope that this isn’t the last time the siblings will reunite, and if you still have the chance, catch them while you can.

Adam Norris

thebrag.com

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patrick james

PICS :: KC

up all night out all week . . .

13:09:14 :: Oxford Art Factory :: 38-46 Oxford St Darlinghurst 9332 3711

I MAG I N E BE I NG MAD E TO

FEEL LIKE CRAP JUST FOR

good corn liquor

PICS :: AM

BEING

14:09:14 :: Shady Pines Saloon :: 4/256 Crown St Darlinghurst shadypinessaloon.com thebrag.com

LEFT

H A N D E D.

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

GO TO LEFTHAND.ORG.AU TO WATCH THE VIDEO

STOP t THINK t RESPECT

BRAG :: 580 :: 17:09:14 :: 27

g g guide gig g

send your listings to : gigguide@thebrag.com

pick of the week Boy & Bear

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 21 MONDAY SEPTEMBER 22 Sydney Opera House

Boy & Bear + Holy Holy 9:30pm (8pm Monday), $59.

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 17 ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK Mitch Anderson & His Organic Orchestra Coopers Hotel, Newtown.

8:45pm. free.

JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC Gang Of Brothers Spring Street Social, Bondi.

9pm. free.

Grace Barbé Riverside Theatre, Parramatta.

7:30pm. $26.

Jade Empress Discovers Australia Imperial Hotel, Erskineville.

6pm. $17.20.

Lionel Cole Imperial Hotel, Paddington.

8pm. free.

Sun Rai + Ben Vanderwall Venue 505, Surry Hills.

8:30pm. $17.20.

The Divergence Jazz Orchestra Foundry616, Ultimo. 8:30pm. $27.50.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

28 :: BRAG :: 580 :: 17:09:14

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 18 JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC Cole Soul And Emotion feat: Lionel Cole The White Horse, Surry Hills.

8pm. free.

Joseph Tawadros Quartet Camelot Lounge, Marrickville.

8pm. $37.70.

Sun Rai + Ben Vanderwall Venue 505, Surry Hills.

8:30pm. $17.20.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

A Team Duo Orient Hotel, The Rocks.

8:30pm. free.

Alkemie Night - feat: Live Music + DJ Sudek Spring Street Social, Bondi.

9:30pm. free.

Bad//Dreems + Bearhug + Hockey Dad Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 7:30pm. $15.

Bhanglassi + Miss Steph Grace Hotel Hollywood, Surry Hills.

8pm. free.

Black Diamond Hearts Soda Factory, Surry Hills.

10pm. free.

Cambo Observer Hotel, The Rocks.

8:30pm. free.

Dallas James + Candice Skjonnemand Camelot Lounge, Marrickville.

7:30pm. $22.70.

Dave White Duo Maloney’s Hotel, Sydney.

9:30pm. free.

David Agius Hillside Hotel, Castle Hill.

7:30pm. free.

Decline - feat: Dividers + Ivan Drago + Everything I Own Is Broken Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 8pm. $10.

Dee Donavan Revesby Workers Club, Revesby. 12pm. free.

Evelyn Duprai Foundry616, Ultimo. 8:30pm. $21.50.

Evie Dean Dee Why Hotel, Dee Why. 7pm. free.

G.O.D.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 19 JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC Grace Barbé Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Liverpool. 8pm. $20.

Hetty Kate Foundry616, Ultimo. 8:30pm. $27.50.

Jazz Hip-Hop Freestyle Sessions Foundry616, Ultimo. 11:30pm. free.

Roots Rebirth Revival Spectrum, Darlinghurst.

8:30pm. $22.20.

Sirens Big Band Venue 505, Surry Hills.

8:30pm. $22.20.

ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

Ash Grunwald + Ian Collard + Eddie Boyd & The Phatapillars Collector Hotel, Parramatta.

8pm. $25.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS Alex Hopkins Wenty Leagues Club, Wentworthville. 9pm. free.

Armchair Travellers Duo North Sydney Leagues Club, Cammeray. 9:30pm. free.

Basement - feat: The Bennies + Morning Glory + Ebolagoldfish + Topnovil Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 8pm. $10.

Ben Finn PJ Gallagher’s, Parramatta.

9pm. free.

Black Diamond Hearts Crows Nest Hotel, Crows Nest. 10:30pm. free.

Blake Tailor

The Oriental Hotel, Springwood. 8pm. free.

Bonjah + Timberwolf Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 7pm. $20.

Craig Thommo Parramatta RSL, Parramatta.

5pm. free.

Dave White Duo Kirribilli Hotel, Milsons Point.

8pm. free.

DJ S Huskisson Hotel, Huskisson.

8pm. free.

Drew McAlister Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill.

9:30pm. free.

Electroshock - feat: Cybridian + Concrete Lung + Ar12 + Pink Industrial Whores + Machina Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 9pm. $10.

Fallon Bros Trio Coogee Bay Hotel, Coogee.

10:30pm. free.

Glenn Esmond Golden Sheaf Hotel, Double Bay. 6pm. free.

Harbour Masters Rock Lily, Pyrmont. 6pm. free.

Hello Cleveland Time & Tide Hotel, Dee Why. 7:30pm. free.

Jackson Holt Harbord Beach Hotel, Harbord. 7pm. free.

James Fox Higgins Duo Hillside Hotel, Castle Hill.

8pm. free.

Jess Dunbar Crows Nest Hotel, Crows Nest. 7pm. free.

Jordon Sly & The Glorious Spies Shady Pines, Darlinghurst.

4pm. free.

Josh Owen AKA Jayowenz Town Hall Hotel, Balmain.

7:30pm. free.

Keith Armitage Observer Hotel, The Rocks.

6pm. free.

Leon Fallon The Grand Hotel, Rockdale.

5:30pm. free.

Live Music At The Royal The Royal, Leichhardt.

9:30pm. free.

Love Child Bridge Hotel, Rozelle. 8pm. $10.

Matt Jones + Bruce Thorburn PJ Gallagher’s, Leichhardt.

10pm. free.

Miami Horror Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $28.70.

Nathan Cole Chatswood RSL, Chatswood.

5pm. free.

Noel Mcdonald Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill.

6:30pm. free.

Panorama Duo Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale.

9pm. free.

Paul Greene Manly Leagues Club, Brookvale. 10:30pm. free.

Pop Fiction Revesby Workers Club, Revesby. 8:30pm. free.

Rachel Eldon Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale.

5:30pm. free.

Rachel Fahim Duo Club Cronulla, Cronulla. 7pm. free.

Rumours (A Tribute To Fleetwood Mac) The Vanguard, Newtown.

6:30pm. $23.80.

Saskwatch Manning Bar, Camperdown.

8pm. $20.

Soft Kitty Crown Hotel, Camden. 8pm. free.

Soul Tattoo Quakers Inn, Quakers Hill.

8pm. free.

Sound City Panthers, Penrith. 8:30pm. free.

Spod + Justin Heazlewood Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale. 8pm. free.

Spookyland + Stolen Violin + King Single Goodgod Small Club, Sydney.

8pm. $13.30.

Surprise Party Scruffy Murphy’s Hotel, Sydney. 9pm. free.

The Frocks Colonial Hotel, Werrington.

9pm. free.

Tim Conlon Northies Cronulla Hotel, Cronulla. 9pm. free.

Tori Darke Stacks Taverna, Sydney. 5pm. free.

Totally Covered Town & Country Hotel, St Peters. 8pm. free.

Unforgiven - Metallica Show Bull & Bush Hotel, Baulkham Hills. 10pm. free.

Us Too Duo Ramsgate RSL, Sans Souci.

8pm. free.

Victoria Avenue Adria, Sydney. 5pm. free.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20 ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

Jeff Lang Coogee Diggers, Coogee.

8pm. free.

Nick G And The Blue Hour Blues Shady Pines, Darlinghurst.

6pm. free.

Paul Hayward And Friends Town & Country Hotel, St Peters. 4pm. free.

JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC Darryl Beaton & The D1 Cartel Venue 505, Surry Hills.

8:30pm. $17.20.

Grace Barbé Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Liverpool. 8pm. $20.

Jazz Express Penrith RSL, Penrith. 2pm. free.

Souled Out South Hurstville RSL Club, South Hurstville. 9pm. free.

Sounds Of The Seine Foundry616, Ultimo. 8:30pm. $21.50.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

Adam Pringle & Friends Shady Pines, Darlinghurst.

4pm. free.

AJ Padstow RSL Club, Padstow.

6:30pm. free.

Alex Cameron (Seekae) + Roy Molloy + Tex Crick Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale. 9pm. free.

Alex Hopkins Campbelltown Catholic Club, Campbelltown. 6:30pm. free.

Andy Mammers PJ Gallagher’s, Parramatta.

9pm. free.

Antoine Time & Tide Hotel, Dee Why. 7:30pm. free.

Ben Finn Trio The Mean Fiddler, Rouse Hill.

9pm. free.

Black Diamond Hearts Rock Lily, Pyrmont. 9:30pm. free.

Bleeding Gasoline - Jason’s Fundraiser Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 9pm. $10.

Born Jovi - The Bon Jovi Show Ettamogah Hotel, Kelly Ridge.

9pm. free.

Brown Sugar Campbelltown Catholic Club, Campbelltown. 9:30pm. free.

Cara Kavanagh + Mark Oats Duo PJ Gallagher’s, Leichhardt.

10pm. free.

Caravãna Sun

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xxx

Dave White Duo Ettamogah Hotel, Kelly Ridge.

6:30pm. free.

Edgar’s Girls (The Poe Burlesque Theatre) The Vanguard, Newtown.

6:30pm. $23.80.

Fat Bubba’s Chicken Wednesdays Soda Factory, Surry Hills.

5pm. free.

Felicity Robinson Oxford Hotel, Darlinghurst.

9:30pm. free.

Iceage - feat: Housewives + Low Life + Ausmuteants Goodgod Small Club, Sydney.

8pm. free.

Ivory + Voodoo Sons Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney. 9pm. free.

Matt Jones Le Pub, Sydney. 7:30pm. free.

One Foot In The Groove + Our Era + Sadie Brass Monkey, Cronulla. 7pm. $12.

Shredders Lair Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale. 6pm. free.

Sister’s Doll - feat: Fox Company + Circle Work Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 8pm. $10.

Wunder Wunder Beach Road Hotel, Bondi Beach. 8pm. free.

Town & Country Hotel, St Peters. 8pm. free.

Glenn Esmond Fortune Of War, The Rocks.

7pm. free.

Greg Agar Scruffy Murphy’s Hotel, Sydney. 7:30pm. free.

Greg Byrne Duo Crows Nest Hotel, Crows Nest. 9pm. free.

Grooveworks Revesby Workers Club, Revesby. 12pm. free.

Highasakite Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $39.90.

Jess Dunbar Northies Cronulla Hotel, Cronulla. 7:30pm. free.

Matt Jones Open Mic Night Wenty Leagues Club, Wentworthville. 9pm. free.

Matt Price Northies Cronulla Hotel, Cronulla. 8pm. free.

Mesa Cosa + Chicks Who Love Guns Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney. 8pm. free.

Nerelle Winters Revesby Workers Club, Revesby. 12pm. free.

Pirra + Zombie Cats + Tigers For Sale FBi Social, Kings Cross. 8pm. $5.

Stephen Cummings Brass Monkey, Cronulla. 8pm. free.

The Delta Riggs + Sweet Jelly Rolls Moonshine Cider & Rum Bar, Manly. 9pm. free.

The Late Night Soda Social Soda Factory, Surry Hills.

5pm. free.

TV Colours + Miss Destiny + The Friendsters + Destiny 3000 Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale. 8pm. free.

g g guide gig g

Xxx

send your listings to : gigguide@thebrag.com Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. free.

Cath & Him Panthers, Penrith. 5:30pm. free.

Dan Romeo Crows Nest Hotel, Crows Nest. 7pm. free.

Darren Johnstone Kirribilli Hotel, Milsons Point.

8pm. free.

Dave White Experience Crows Nest Hotel, Crows Nest. 10:30pm. free.

David Agius Duo The Mean Fiddler, Rouse Hill.

6pm. free.

DJ Marty Wentworthville Leagues Club, Wentworthville. 9pm. free.

DJ Mister Styles AKA Matt Whitelaw Mounties, Mount Pritchard.

10pm. free.

Double Jeopardy Duo Overlander Hotel, Cambridge Park. 7pm. free.

Dream Delay + The Pass Outs + With Fox FBi Social, Kings Cross. 8pm. $10.

Gemma Observer Hotel, The Rocks.

5:30pm. free.

Glenn Esmond Fortune Of War, The Rocks.

3pm. free.

Hamish Jason AKA DJ Heymish Town Hall Hotel, Balmain.

8pm. free.

Heath Burdell Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel, Woolloomooloo. 9pm. free.

Jamie Lindsay Stacks Taverna, Sydney. 5pm. free.

Keith Armitage Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill.

9pm. free.

Kingswood Collector Hotel, Parramatta.

8pm. $20.

Kris McIntyre Observer Hotel, The Rocks.

4pm. free.

Loco Carousel Inn Hotel, Rooty Hill.

8pm. free.

Macson Courthouse Hotel, Darlinghurst. 10pm. free.

Matt Jones Duo Panthers, Penrith. 9pm. free.

Michael Mcglynn New Brighton Hotel, Manly.

10pm. free.

No Secrets - Angels Show Pioneer Tavern, Penrith. 9pm. free.

Nova Tone North Sydney Leagues Club, Cammeray. 9:30pm. free.

Paul Hayward & Friends Town & Country Hotel, St Peters. 4pm. free.

Reckless Northies Cronulla Hotel, Cronulla. 9pm. free.

Riz Hallowes Brewhouse Marayong, Kings Park. 8pm. free.

Rob Henry PJ Gallagher’s, Moore Park.

7:30pm. free.

Rock Solid Duo Mittagong RSL, Mittagong.

8pm. free.

Ryan Thomas Wentworth Hotel, Homebush West. 9:30pm. free.

Sons Of Mercury Bull & Bush Hotel, Baulkham Hills. 9:30pm. free.

Stephen Kiely Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill.

6:30pm. free.

Ted Nash Fortune Of War, The Rocks.

8pm. free.

The Bandits Ramsgate RSL, Sans Souci.

8pm. free.

The Double Black Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill.

9pm. free.

The Khats Town & Country Hotel, St Peters. 8pm. free.

The Loaded Six Strings Manly Leagues Club, Brookvale. 9pm. free.

thebrag.com

The Lonely Boys Ivanhoe Hotel, Manly. 10pm. free.

The Love Junkies Spectrum, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $13.30.

Tim Conlon Sir Joseph Banks Hotel, Botany. 7pm. free.

Tim Shaw Greystanes Inn, Greystanes Inn. 8pm. free.

Tom Freeman The Belvedere Hotel, Sydney.

8:15pm. free.

Tori Darke Le Pub, Sydney. 9pm. free.

Triple Shot Trio Harbord Beach Hotel, Harbord. 7pm. free.

Uncle Jed + Alex Gibson Brass Monkey, Cronulla. 7pm. free.

Warthreat - feat: Unknown To God + Substance Abuse + Everything I Own Is Broken + Hacked To Chunks Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 7pm. $10.

Wildcatz Scruffy Murphy’s Hotel, Sydney. 10pm. free.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 21 ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

1pm. free.

Max Power Duo Overlander Hotel, Cambridge Park. 3pm. free.

Melody Rhymes Pritchards Hotel, Mount Pritchard. 1pm. free.

Mescalero Brass Monkey, Cronulla. 7pm. $15.

Mick Aquilina Ramsgate RSL, Sans Souci.

2pm. free.

Redlight Ruby Northies Cronulla Hotel, Cronulla. 6pm. free.

Stayin’ Alive (The Australian Bee Gees Show) Belmont 16s, Belmont.

6:30pm. $39.

The Happy Hippies Time & Tide Hotel, Dee Why. 1pm. free.

The Momos Botany View Hotel, Newtown.

7pm. free.

Three Wise Men Observer Hotel, The Rocks.

4pm. free.

Zoltan Woolwich Pier Hotel, Woolwich. 2pm. free.

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 22 JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC

Elevation - U2 Show Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 8pm. free.

Sunday Sinners Town & Country Hotel, St Peters. 2pm. free.

You And Your So Called Friends + Hollow States + O Harvey Hotel Hollywood, Surry Hills.

4pm. free.

Fraudsters Dancehall Reggae Dub Explosion Venue 505, Surry Hills. 8pm. $12.20.

Latin & Jazz Jam Open Mic Night World Bar, Kings Cross. 7pm. free.

Motown Mondays - feat: Soulgroove The White Horse, Surry Hills.

8pm. free.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

A Strength Within - feat: Reactions + Controlled + Sundial + Blind Sight Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 3pm. free.

Alex Hopkins Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel, Woolloomooloo. 3pm. free.

American Authors + Andy Grammer + Masketta Fall Metro Theatre, Sydney.

7:30pm. $33.70.

Andy Mammers Harbord Beach Hotel, Harbord. 6pm. free.

Boy & Bear + Holy Holy Sydney Opera House, Sydney.

9:30pm. $59.

Bryen And The Bayou Boogie Boys Penrith RSL, Penrith. 2pm. free.

Cabaret Sasquatch The Vanguard, Newtown.

6:30pm. $18.80.

Carl Fidler Observer Hotel, The Rocks.

8pm. free.

Christie Lamb Duo Ettamogah Hotel, Kelly Ridge.

1pm. free.

Dog Trumpet Shady Pines, Darlinghurst.

6pm. free.

Gettin’ Glammy - feat: Wendy Icon + Massive + Black Aces + Release The Hounds + Dirty Dezire + Van Cooper Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney. 7pm. free.

Greg Agar Bull & Bush Hotel, Baulkham Hills. 2pm. free.

James Englund Family Inn Hotel, Rydalmere.

6pm. free.

Luke Dixon Coogee Bay Hotel, Coogee.

8:30pm. free.

Matt Jones + Bruce Thorburn The Mean Fiddler, Rouse Hill.

Boy & Bear + Holy Holy Sydney Opera House, Sydney.

8pm. $59.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 23 INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

Greg Agar Cock & Bull, Bondi. 7pm. free.

Triumphant Tuesdays - feat: Dave Eastgate Karaoke Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney.

8:30pm. free.

wed

17

ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

thu

18

Sep

Sep

(9:00PM – 12:00AM) (4:30PM - 7:30PM)

fri

19 Sep

(9:30PM - 1:30AM)

JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC Declan Kelly + Dom White + Jimi & Tess With Tull Kidron Bar 34 Bondi, Bondi Beach.

8pm. free.

Innersoul Live Play Bar, Surry Hills. 6pm. free.

Old School Funk & Groove Venue 505, Surry Hills. 8pm. free.

Pen Island + Prophets Foundry616, Ultimo. 8pm. $17.20.

Swingtime Tuesdays The Basement, Circular Quay.

7pm. $9.

(9:00PM – 12:00AM)

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

sat

20

(4:30PM - 7:30PM)

Sep

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

sun

21 Sep

(8:30PM - 12:00AM)

(9:30PM - 1:15AM)

mon

(4:30PM - 7:30PM)

tue

22

23

Sep

Sep

(9:00PM - 12:00AM)

(9:00PM – 12:00AM)

Blues Tuesdays Spring Street Social, Bondi.

7:30pm. free.

BRAG :: 580 :: 17:09:14 :: 29

EVERY TUESDAY: KARL BROADIE’S BUNKER SONG WRITER SESSIONS

THU SEPT FRI SEPT SAT SEPT

18 BUNKER BLUEGRASS ROSCO JAMES 19 20 JEFF MONTHLY 3 BAND BILL

GREAT VESIONS OF THE BEST SONGS

gig picks

up all night out all week...

Bad//Dreems

7PM FREE

2 SETS 8PM FREE

AN EVENING WITH

2 SETS 8PM

$30

LANG

A RRARE CHANCE TO SEE JEFF IN INTIMATE SOLO MODE

FRI FR F R 26/9 SOULGANIC SAT SA S AT 2 27/9 7 BENJALU (ACOUSTIC) SAT SA S AT 4 4/10 /1 STEVE LANE & THE AUTOCRATS For Band Bookings Contact – admin@coogeediggers.com.au

Tickets & info from coogeediggers.com.au CORNER BYRON & CARR STREETS 9665 4466

USE ME.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 18 Bad//Dreems + Bearhug + Hockey Dad Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 7:30pm. $15.

Pirra + Zombie Cats + Tigers For Sale FBi Social, Kings Cross. 8pm. $5.

The Delta Riggs + Sweet Jelly Rolls Moonshine Cider & Rum Bar, Manly. 9pm. free.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 19 Bonjah + Timberwolf Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 7pm. $20.

Miami Horror Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $28.70.

Saskwatch Manning Bar, Camperdown. 8pm. $20.

Spod + Justin Heazlewood Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale. 8pm. free.

SEPTEMBER 2014 MONDAYS FROM 9PM

TRIUMPHANT TUESDAYS FROM 8PM

4 TH 11 TH 18 TH 25 TH

SKYSCRAPER STAN DAI PRITCHARD MESA COSA THE PEEP TEMPEL

SUNDAY

7 TH 14 TH 21 ST 28 TH

DEFRYME BAND IN TEXAS WENDY ICON TECHNICOLOUR PSYCH NIGHT

10’O’CLOCK ROCK FROM 10PM

SABBATH SESSIONS FROM 6PM

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20 Alex Cameron (Seekae) + Roy Molloy + Tex Crick Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale. 9pm. free.

Dream Delay + The Pass Outs + With Fox FBi Social, Kings Cross. 8pm. $10.

Kingswood Collector Hotel, Parramatta. 8pm. $20.

The Love Junkies Spectrum, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $13.30.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 21 American Authors + Andy Grammer + Masketta Fall Metro Theatre, Sydney. 7:30pm. $33.70.

Dog Trumpet Shady Pines, Darlinghurst. 6pm. free.

Gettin’ Glammy - Feat: Wendy Icon + Massive + Black Aces + Release The Hounds + Dirty Dezire + Van Cooper Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney. 7pm. free.

DAVE EASTGATE’S ROCK&ROLL KARAOKE

THURSDAY

FROM 9PM

Spod

KEITH MOON CUP PINNIE COMP

ROYAL ARTILLERY THE LAZY’S HEART OF MIND • VOODOO SONS JETSON MANIC

WENESDAY

Spookyland + Stolen Violin + King Single Goodgod Small Club, Sydney. 8pm. $13.30.

FRANKIE’S WORLD FAMOUS HOUSE BAND

3 RD 10 TH 17 TH 24 TH

Bonjah

Spookyland

frankiespizzabytheslice.com • facebook.com/stcfrankiespizza

30 :: BRAG :: 580 :: 17:09:14

xxx

50 HUNTER STREET, SYDNEY thebrag.com

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

brag beats

nico stojan

tijuana cartel plus: + club guide + club snaps + weekly column

hardwell thebrag.com

life on top

BRAG :: 580 :: 17:09:14 :: 31

brag beats

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

dance music news club, dance and hip hop in brief... with Chris Martin, Lauren Gill and Roger Ma

he said she said WITH

UONE the hottest underground talent. Check the main stage at S.A.S.H this year for our latest instalment with the GlitznGrime boys.

My mother got me into music when I was a wee boy; DJing for her friends at parties in the earlier ’90s got me into the groove. Early on in my career, the connections I made with inspiring artists like D-Nox & Beckers, James Monro, Oliver Koletzki, Shades Of Gray and my recent homies NU, Nico Stojan, Madmotormiquel, Marcus Meinhardt and Out Of Sorts have fed my desire and passion to be who I am today.

T

ell us about your sound – what kind of music do you produce?

Well, the set I will be dropping at S.A.S.H Sleepout on the Saturday afternoon will be focusing on the deeper side of my record box. I will be warming up for my brother Nico Stojan and plan to set the scene for his three-hour set. Think deep, wonky, wobbly, trippy, nasty, gentle and melodic all at the same time.

Who inspires you to make the music you make?

Rodriguez’s album Sugar Man has recently inspired

me a lot; the story behind this man really touched me. I have been fortunate enough to have travelled a lot this year and seen many talented artists like Inxec, Marcus Meinhardt, David Mayer, Thugfucker, Matt Dekay, D-Nox & Beckers, Lee Burridge and Maya Jane Coles, who are all playing great music.

Who’s in your crew?

Vision Hound is my main crew. I started the agency with my partner Danielle almost two years ago, operating a touring and events concepts agency specialising in sniffing out

Sasha

It’s the first-ever S.A.S.H Sleepout this year – what will the vibes be like at the weekend getaway?

I’m pumped for the show and honoured to be asked to play. S.A.S.H are famous for their electric vibes, next level production and crew that are in tune with the music.

Who on the S.A.S.H Sleepout lineup are you looking forward to seeing most?

Francis Harris and Mark Poppke.

What: S.A.S.H Sleepout With: Nick Curly, Nico Stojan, Rodriguez Jr, Sammy Dee, Francis Harris, Marc Poppcke and more Where: Hunter Valley When: Friday September 19 – Sunday September 21

Alex Cameron

GOODGOD TURNS FOUR

Sydney CBD destination Goodgod Small Club, which has played host to surprise DJ sets from the likes of Thom Yorke and Win Butler as well as countless gigs and trivia nights for pop culture tragics, is turning four and throwing a party to celebrate. Seekae’s Alex Cameron and The Goodgod House Band (presented by Siberia Records) will provide live music on the night, alongside party beats from Ariane, Astral DJs, Champain Lyf, Drongo, Mike Who, Nacho Pop, Power Suit, Shantan Wantan Ichiban and Tyson Koh. Dress to impress in your best suit, because the theme is ‘Taking Care Of Business’.

Goodgod’s Fourth Birthday is on Sunday October 5.

ONE NIGHT STAND

Sydney DJ Simon Caldwell is headlining Picnic’s One Night Stand at The Imperial Hotel in Erskineville this month. Picnic’s events have built up a strong following for their renowned no-lockout, late-night revelry. Back for his third One Night Stand appearance, Caldwell has been announced to headline the latest One Night Stand, and he’ll be spinning on the decks till very late (or early, depending on how you look at it). He’s previously shared the booth with names such as Dixon, Theo Parrish and Andrew Weatherall. This one goes down on Saturday September 27.

AIN’T OVER THE HILL YET

You’d be insane in the membrane to miss out on this one. Legendary hip hop crew Cypress Hill will return to our shores for what promises to be

yet another massive tour this December. Since forming in the late ’80s, the California group has sold over 18 million albums worldwide, including 1993’s smash hit Black Sunday. Hits like ‘Insane In The Brain’, ‘We Ain’t Goin Out Like That’ and ‘How I Could Just Kill A Man’ have made them one of the most popular hip hop outfits of all time. Cypress Hill hit the Enmore Theatre on Monday December 8.

BRIGGS’ NEW GIGS

Aussie hip hop fella Briggs will be hitting the road this spring for a national run of dates in support of his latest album Sheplife. Featuring singles ‘The Hunt’ and ‘Bad Apples’, the critically acclaimed release has found even more fans via widespread radio airplay, but it’ll be a whole new deal live at Goodgod Small Club on Friday October 31.

The Bondi Hipsters

RADIO SLAVE

Matt Edwards, whom dancers might recognise for his work over the years under the guises of Quiet Village, Sea Devils, Rekid or The Machine, is coming to Sydney this year beneath the banner of his most famous moniker: Radio Slave. The prolific remixer has had a busy time of it since way back in ’92 when he made his debut behind the decks at London’s Milk Bar. Perhaps best known for his Kylie versus New Order mashup of ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’ and ‘Blue Monday’, Radio Slave plays Agwa Yacht Club on Saturday October 4.

UK production icon Sasha has locked in an Australian tour this year that’ll land him at Chinese Laundry’s Garden Party on Saturday November 1. Ever since Mixmag crowned him the “Son of God” on its cover in 1994, Sasha has been a bona fide DJing superstar, holding down residencies in Ibiza and New York and launching his Last Night On Earth label in 2011. Like so many influencers of his generation, Sasha got his start at Manchester’s legendary Haçienda club, but what separates Sasha from his peers is his sustained influence and promise of a downright good time.

32 :: BRAG :: 580 :: 17:09:14

BONDI HIPSTERS DJ TOUR

Radio Slave

“DJing is pretty easy when you know how to do it… You just press play and dahnce.” That’s the plan behind viral hitmakers The Bondi Hipsters’ new DJ tour, launching this month on the back of their new single, ‘Fuhck The Bahnks’. Bondi boys Dom and Adrian shot to fame via YouTube and are set to launch an ABC2 television series, Soul Mates. In the meantime, they play Newcastle’s Bar On The Hill on Wednesday September 17 and a homecoming set at Bondi’s Beach Road Hotel on Wednesday October 8. Saaahhh hipster.

thebrag.com

Uone photo by Gustavo Cabello

SASHA

Hardwell Living The Dream By Augustus Welby hen it comes to EDM, the Dutch rule.

Following in the footsteps of his worldconquering kinsmen Tiësto and Armin van Buuren, last year Hardwell placed first in DJ Mag’s celebrated Top 100 DJs poll. At just 26 years old, Hardwell (otherwise known as Robbert van de Corput) is the youngest DJ to hit number one in the poll’s 18-year history – and the significance of the accolade isn’t lost on him.

W

“If I think about the pressure and what people think of me and the album, it will never be done. Avicii is the perfect example. When he played ‘Wake Me Up’ for the first time last year at the Ultra Music Festival everybody was laughing at him like, ‘Wow, he’s playing country music,’ and ‘It’s the biggest shit I’ve ever heard.’ Six months later it was a worldwide number one hit in over 70 countries.

“A lot of times it feels surreal,” he says. “It’s weird to achieve the dream that was always so impossible, even like three years ago. Sometimes I have to pinch myself.”

“You can never satisfy everybody,” he continues. “That’s what I’m trying to say.

Good music is good music. That whole Avicii album is so good, it’s almost unbelievable.

Every single song is so well produced.”

While he’s still relatively young, by no means is van de Corput new to the art of DJing. The upbeat Netherlander started DJing in clubs at the age of 14, before gaining international recognition in 2009 with the breakthrough production, ‘Show Me Love vs. Be’.

“It was always my dream to be a DJ on a high level and tour around the world and show my music to the world,” he says. “So at this point I’m living the dream and I couldn’t be more excited than I am right now.”

So does Hardwell hope to spread a massive global fever akin to Avicii? Well, he remains modest for now. “I don’t know if I’m going to set the trend, I just want people to appreciate my album.”

With: Kill The Buzz Where: The Domain When: Saturday October 4

Backing up his hedonistic headline sets on this year’s Future Music Festival tour, Hardwell returns to Australia in October with the outdoor dance spectacular, I Am Hardwell. The I Am Hardwell tour actually kicked off early last year and van de Corput’s been marking a trail of massive shows all over the globe ever since. He describes it as “the biggest Hardwell experience you can get”, which far surpasses what’s permissible at a festival.

“At a festival we only get booked for an hour.

With the I Am Hardwell show I’m performing three hours so I actually have the time to play more progressive and take people on a musical journey. That’s what DJs did back in the day – they played for the whole night. I am totally free to play whatever I want and make it the best night possible.

“Australia was one of the first countries to support my music. I think it’s a great crowd – people really know how to party. I can’t wait for October.”

“You can never satisfy everybody. That’s what I’m trying to say. Good music is good music.”

In the meantime van de Corput will be hard at work on the debut Hardwell album. Over the last five years he’s proven himself a capable artist by unleashing a string of club-ready single releases such as ‘Spaceman’, ‘Dare You’ (featuring Matthew Koma) and ‘Everybody Is In The Place’. Combine this collection of hits with several years of touring and remixing and it’s safe to say Hardwell’s first LP is hotly anticipated.

“I’m really enjoying making the album, but it’s so hard,” van de Corput admits. “When I look back over the years I only did four or five songs a year and now I have to do a whole album. [It] takes a lot of time. But I’m really enjoying doing the project.”

Although the greater productivity requirements of a full-length record can be stressful, it’s not a lack of material holding things up. “There are more than 20 tracks. I have to decide which tracks I really want to finish off and which tracks will never make it. The album needs to be perfect. I want to be 200 per cent satisfied. Even when I listen to the album in ten years I still want myself to be proud of what I did.”

For any artist contemplating a debut record, decisive action needs to be taken regarding whether or not it will follow a specified stylistic arc, be a representation of one’s diverse impulses, or pay direct homage to earlier artists and genre movements. At this stage, Hardwell’s fundamental objectives seem clearly defined.

“People ask me, ‘What kind of music do you play – is it big room? Is it progressive? Is it electro?’ I always like to call it ‘Hardwell music’.

That’s exactly what the album’s going to be. It is a full dance album, but I want to make beautiful music instead of only the big club bangers.

When I look back at my single ‘Apollo’ – the one I did with Amba Sheperd two years ago – I still play it every single set because it’s a good song. I think a good song will always last.”

Politicians strangle it, celebrities fake it, media inflates it... who can you turn to for truth?

The nation's mightiest wordsmiths gather for Word Travels Story Festival: an epic 3 days packed with poetry, stories, lyrics and monologues.

WordTravels

@WordTravelsIPWA

Featuring Australian Poetry Slam National Finals at Sydney Opera House iInspiring Australians to tell their story

AusPoetrySlam

www.wordtravelsfestival.com

Despite the fact many fans will inevitably be hankering for a repeat of the style and standard of Hardwell’s earlier releases, van de Corput wants to use his position of power to push things forward. thebrag.com

BRAG :: 580 :: 17:09:14 :: 33

Nico Stojan Out From The Underground By Emily Meller contemporaries’. That is, until you find out he has actually been on the scene since the ripe old age of 16.

“Actually, I started making hip hop,” he says, adding that he has only been “doing electronic music” for the last five years. His breakthrough was when he landed a residency slot at the legendary Bar25 in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district. Known as much for its techno DJs as its five-day-long parties, the venue cemented Berlin’s status as the world capital of electronic music. But these facts only sketch the picture of what really went down inside those hallowed walls.

“It was a place where everyone could feel free and jump on this carousel of love and happiness for the whole weekend – sometimes it ended Tuesday midday,” Stojan says.

W

is about to be dumped over his head.

Such is the life of an in-demand DJ/ producer/classically trained clarinet player. While some wouldn’t envy it, plenty do – Stojan’s rise seems meteoric in comparison to many of his

hen we speak, Nico Stojan has just finished up at the five-day Burning Man festival in Nevada, and it sounds like he is still feeling a little bit delicate. Happy – but also like an ice-cold bucket of reality

Bar25 may have closed its doors in 2010, but Berlin’s underground scene is still raging. From the slick, trendy clubs of Mitte and Friedrichshain to the huge, multi-story haunts of Kreuzberg, if one wants an experience to remember (or vaguely piece together later), this is where to get it. Stojan is quick to insist that Kreuzberg – the bohemian, painfully hip ‘alt’ Berlin borough – is still the number one place

for underground music.

“It is. No doubt. I think the Berlin style is, and was always, upfront. There was always a big potential with a lot of creativity in Berlin. My city always gave me the right vibe to do what I love.”

While his first love may have been hip hop, Stojan’s transition into electronic music saw him blend his signature soul style into techno. He looks for samples to reflect that groove and feeling; sounds that are timeless. His latest releases have a different vibe to them – they’re lighter, have a little more groove injected into them, and sit at the edge of conventional nightclub techno.

Stojan admits it “takes time” for an artist to adapt their sound to international audiences in that way.

For him, moving to New Zealand was a little bit like a detox from the fairly typical European gig in, say, an abandoned power plant filled with hundreds of sweating people, kneedeep into a three-day bender. NZ is a place he can escape the madness.

“I love the vibe of that amazing country – my inner child is able to flow with the wind without thinking too much, and it gives me the freedom to express

myself. I take it as a digital diet. No iPhone – only emails sometimes.”

This hiatus from technology doesn’t extend to gear, of course. No DJ or producer worth their salt would decline the opportunity to talk about equipment. Stojan’s enthusiasm is palpable as he explains how he used to store beats on an actual datasette (“Yes, no floppy or hard drive”). It might seem romantic to the modern DJ, but Stojan remembers it could also be draining.

“Sometimes after six minutes’ loading time there was a ‘cassette error’... it took ages to build a beat,” he says.

Wherever he goes, with whatever gear, Stojan seems to fall in love. Perhaps that’s what happens when you ride good house vibes around the great festivals of the world. Next up for Nico?

“Ozzzz!”

What: S.A.S.H Sleepout With: Nick Curly, Rodriguez Jr, Sammy Dee, Francis Harris, Marc Poppcke and more Where: Hunter Valley When: Friday September 19 – Sunday September 21

Tijuana Cartel Bits And Pieces By Rod Whitfield Since the album was recorded in different locations and the band had a fairly relaxed approach to writing and recording it, 24 Bit Guitar Orchestra ended up taking a while to complete and release. “It’s taken probably two years of work, really,” says George. “It’s hard to say, but two years overall of doing it.”

Following the album’s release, Tijuana Cartel have big ambitions for themselves as a band, beyond simply touring the new material.

“We’re looking at doing our own outdoor festival. One that we really enjoy playing at, with similar kind of acts, with a similar kind of idea.

We’re looking at doing that, at this stage probably next year. And then we’ve got a really ambitious idea to do kind of a rock opera, an Alice In Wonderland type of thing. So all that’s going on – maybe we’re biting off more than we can chew, but that’s kinda half the fun, yeah?”

G

old Coast trip hop/breaks act Tijuana Cartel go to great lengths to find new sounds and recording techniques to bring out the best in their music. Their new album, the enigmatically titled 24 Bit Guitar Orchestra, was partly recorded on a mountaintop in Bali, and band member Paul George, speaking from Brisbane Airport on the way to shows in Perth, is happy to tell us about the experience.

“I was living in Bali for a few months,” he recalls. “We heard on the grapevine that there was a guy that had sort of a makeshift studio on a mountain at the back of Bali. So we took all our gear up there and did a lot of recording.

He had these traditional Balinese and Polynesian instruments, and we used them throughout. There’s actually quite a lot of them on the album.”

Being in such an exotic and unusual locale apparently unleashed a great spark of creativity for the group, and it resulted in an album full of many different colours, flavours and textures.

“Yeah, it did,” confirms George. “It was fun, the studio itself was outdoors, and we just sort of did it as we felt like it.

It was really good to do that, just feel creative, like we were playing outdoors under the stars.”

Before they start to fulfil those hefty ambitions, the Queenslanders have a rather extensive Australian tour to get through, including trips to some off-the-beaten-track centres across the country. “We can’t wait to get into it, we’re excited to play all the new songs, this is our first run at it. Generally we’re in very good spirits,” says George. “We’re

getting to a few places we’ve never been to before. Places like Wollongong, and we’re going to Port Hedland … It’s good to see a bit more of Australia than we normally do, and get our music out more.”

And speaking of getting their music out more, Tijuana Cartel will not be limiting their touring endeavours to Australia – they’ll be heading overseas in 2015.

“It looks like we’re going to get back to Europe and America.

Probably a month in each. We’re starting to go OK over there, so we want to get over there and keep going back. We’re starting to get some festivals over there and we’ve got some interest from a management team over there, which we’re chasing. We’ve got enough [support] over there to get over there and make it worthwhile.”

Where: 24 Bit Guitar Orchestra out now through MGM With: Kalidad Where: Oxford Art Factory When: Thursday September 25 And: Also appearing at the Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle on Friday September 26

We has internets!

www.thebrag.com Extra bits and moving bits without the papercuts 34 :: BRAG :: 580 :: 17:09:14

thebrag.com

Off The Record Dance and Electronica with Tyson Wray

Seth Troxler

O

ne of the most divisive DJs in the underground game, Seth Troxler, has announced his Sydney return.

Cutting his teeth in the techno heartland of Detroit before moving to produce in Berlin, most recently he’s been making as much noise off the decks as he has behind them (see: the editorial pieces that he’s penned for Thump). Last in Sydney in 2013 for Future Music Festival, the former Resident Advisor-voted number one DJ has just been added to the Lost Disco lineup (alongside Âme, Pachanga Boys and Optimo), which will take place at the Greenwood Hotel on Saturday November 22. Word on the street is that a headline date is also in the works – stay tuned.

One of my personal favourite contemporary producers from the underground New York house and techno scene, DJ Spider, is finally coming to Sydney. Having released tracks under a plethora of aliases (including Kuru, Alarma!, Bomb Site, Mindscraper and Spider Bites), he’s worked with seminal labels such as The Trilogy Tapes, Killekill and Plan B Recordings. If you’re down with the likes of Jus-Ed, Fred P and DJ QU, you can’t miss this. It goes down on Friday October 10 at Club 77.

Tour rumours: word on the grapevine is that Brooklyn trio Young Magic will be stopping by Sydney in late November, Canadian duo Botnek will be here in December and Leon Vynehall will return in January.

Best releases this week: the one and only Muslimgauze’s back catalogue continues to be released posthumously with Deceiver Vol 3 & 4 (on Staalplaat), while other highlights include Terriers’ House No. 9 (Major Problems), SHXCXCHCXSH’s (seriously what is with this god-awful name?) Linear S Decoded (on Avian), Marquis Hawkes’ Maladaptive Brain Dysfunction (on Creme Organization), Call Super’s Suzi Ecto (on Houndstooth) and Gut Nose’s Vicetopia (on Styles Upon Styles).

Marquis Hawkes

Other confirmed tours: Radio Slave and Fur Coat will headline the next instalment of the AGWA Yacht Club boat party, which sets sail on Sydney Harbour on Saturday October 4. You can catch Sidney Charles at Mantra Collective on Saturday November 1, Stacey Pullen has joined the bill alongside Hernan Cattaneo on Sunday October 5 at the Greenwood Hotel and Sasha will play at Chinese Laundry’s infamous Garden Party on Saturday November 1.

RECOMMENDED FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 19 DJ Dodger Stadium Goodgod Small Club

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20 Butch Chinese Laundry

FRIDAY OCTOBER 3 Basenji Civic Underground

SATURDAY OCTOBER 4

LXURY The Imperial Hotel Radio Slave, Fur Coat AGWA Yacht Club

SUNDAY OCTOBER 5

Hernan Cattaneo, Stacey Oxford Art Factory Pullen Greenwood Hotel SATURDAY

FRIDAY OCTOBER 10

NOVEMBER 22

DJ Spider Club 77

Lost Disco: Seth Troxler, Âme, Pachanga Boys, Optimo Greenwood Hotel

FRIDAY OCTOBER 17

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 23

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28

Sasha Chinese Laundry

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 29

Peter van Hoesen The Imperial Hotel

Sidney Charles Mantra Collective

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 14 Ten Walls

Stimming The Spice Cellar

Powell The Imperial Hotel

OutsideIn Manning House, Sydney University

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Xxxx

Got any tip-offs, hate mail, praise or cat photos?

Email hey@tysonwray.com or contact me via carrier pigeon.

BRAG :: 580 :: 17:09:14 :: 35

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

club pick of the week One Day

9:30pm. free.

Voodoo Sydney - feat: Jaytech + Antony Carpena Home Nightclub, Darling Harbour. 8pm. $25.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20 HIP HOP & R&B

Hau + Krystel Diola + D-Lect + Benny Hinn Play Bar, Surry Hills. 6pm. free.

CLUB NIGHTS

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 19 Enmore Theatre

One Day + Horrorshow + Spit Syndicate + Jackie Onassis + Joyride 6:30pm. $39.80.

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 17 CLUB NIGHTS

Critical Sound - feat: Kasra + Enei + Mefjus + Zombie Cats + Vlrtn World Bar, Kings Cross.

12am. free.

DJ Tom Kelly Goldfish, Kings Cross. 9pm. free.

The Wall - feat: Various Local And International Acts World Bar, Kings Cross. 9pm. $5.

Whip It Wednesdays - feat: Various DJs Whaat Club, Kings Cross.

9pm. free.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 18 HIP HOP & R&B

Joyride Lo-fi, Darlinghurst. 6pm. free.

CLUB NIGHTS

Fear Of Dawn Goldfish, Kings Cross. 8pm. free.

Full Up! - feat: Mikey Glamour + Nick Toth + Jimmy Sing + Prince Andrew + Guests 36 :: BRAG :: 580 : 17:09:14

Goodgod Small Club, Sydney.

8pm. free.

Ghostly - feat: T.Hanks + Amp Rose + Giesy + Subaske The Spice Cellar, Sydney.

7pm. free.

Goldfish And Friends - feat: Regular Rotating Residents Goldfish, Kings Cross. 10pm. free.

Hot Damn Spectrum, Darlinghurst. 9pm. $10.

Loopy - feat: Drty Csh + Daschwood + Generous Greed + Guest DJs The Backroom, Kings Cross.

10pm. $12.

Pool Club Thursdays - feat: Resident DJs Ivy Bar/Lounge, Sydney. 5pm. free.

The World Bar Thursdays World Bar, Kings Cross. 9pm. free.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 19 HIP HOP & R&B

Hustler Fridays - feat: MC Shaba Hustle & Flow, Redfern. 7pm. free.

One Day - feat: Horrorshow + Spit Syndicate + Jackie Onassis + Joyride Enmore Theatre, Newtown.

6:30pm. $39.80.

Banoffee Goodgod Small Club, Sydney.

8pm. $10.

Butch + Will Clarke + Glover + Dave Winnel + Jace Disgrace + Acaddamy + Fingers + DJ Just 1 + Mike Hyper + Nightwalkers Chinese Laundry, Sydney.

9pm. $20.

Cakes - feat: 4 Rooms Of Live Music + DJs And International Guests World Bar, Kings Cross. 8pm. $10.

El Loco Later - feat: DJs On Rotation Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills.

10pm. free.

El’ Circo - feat: Resident Circus Act Performers Slide Lounge, Darlinghurst.

7pm. $109.

Frat Saturdays - feat: DJ Jonski Side Bar, Sydney. 6pm. free.

Infamous Saturdays - feat: Live DJs

Scubar, Sydney. 7pm. free.

Masif Saturdays Space, Sydney. 10pm. $25.

Orkestrated + Christina Novelli Marquee, Pyrmont. 10pm. $28.60.

Pacha Sydney - feat: We R Scndl + Tigerlily + Glover + Ben Morris + Fingers + Nanna Does + Samrai + Jace Disgrace + DJ Just 1 + Mike Hyper + Pro/Gram + Heke + Deckhead + Trent Rackus + Pat Ward Ivy Bar/Lounge, Sydney.

6:30pm. $37.90.

Sienna Saturdays - feat: Resident DJs The Establishment, Sydney.

9pm. free.

Soda Saturdays - feat: Resident DJs Playing Disco And Funk Soda Factory, Surry Hills.

5pm. free.

Spice 20.09 - Feat: Kris Baha + Bong Mist + Murat Kilic + Robbie Lowe + Valerie Yum The Spice Cellar, Sydney.

10pm. $25.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 21 HIP HOP & R&B

Sundays Frat Party - feat: Matt Ferreira Collector Hotel, Parramatta.

6pm. free.

Argyle Fridays - feat: Resident DJs The Argyle, The Rocks. 6pm. free.

Boss Bass - feat: Just A Gent + A-Tonez + Hydraulix + Phaseone + Chenzo + Basriot + Bruxism + Bocue Chinese Laundry, Sydney.

9pm. free.

DJ Dodger Stadium Goodgod Small Club, Sydney.

11pm. $22.95.

El Loco Later - feat: DJs On Rotation Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills.

10pm. free.

Factory Fridays - feat: Resident DJs Soda Factory, Surry Hills.

5pm. free.

Feel Good Fridays Bar100, The Rocks. 5pm. free.

Frisky Fridays Scubar, Sydney. 5pm. free.

G-Wizard Marquee, Pyrmont. 10pm. $18.40.

Loco Friday - feat: Various Live Bands And DJs The Slip Inn, Sydney. 5pm. free.

Phat Play Fridays - feat: DJ Maars + Benny Hinn Play Bar, 6pm. free.

Soft&Slow 19.09 - feat: Roof + Jamie Lloyd + Steven Sullivan The Spice Cellar, Sydney.

10pm. $15.

Thank Funk It’s Friday The Ranch, Eastwood.

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 22 CLUB NIGHTS

Crab Racing Scubar, Sydney. 7pm. free.

Mashup Monday - feat: Resident DJs Side Bar, Sydney. 8pm. free.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 23 CLUB NIGHTS

Chu World Bar, Kings Cross. 9pm. free.

CLUB NIGHTS

La Fiesta - feat: Samantha

send your listings to : clubguide@thebrag.com

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 19

Hau + Krystel Diola + D-Lect + Benny Hinn Play Bar, Surry Hills. 6pm. free.

DJ Dodger Stadium Goodgod Small Club, Sydney. 11pm. $22.95.

Orkestrated + Christina Novelli Marquee, Pyrmont. 10pm. $28.60.

G-Wizard Marquee, Pyrmont. 10pm. $18.40.

CLUB NIGHTS

Fox + Agee Ortiz + Av El Cubano + Resident DJ Willie Sabor The Establishment, Sydney.

8pm. free.

S.A.S.H Sundays Home Nightclub, Darling Harbour. 2pm. $10.

Sunday Sessions - feat: Cadell + Tom Kelly + Ocky Goldfish, Kings Cross. 4pm. free.

Sunday Spice 21.09 - feat: DJs: Mike Callander + Murat Kilic + Nikolai The Spice Cellar, Sydney.

9pm. $15.

Sundays In The City - feat: Various DJs The Slip Inn, Sydney. 12pm. free.

Soft&Slow 19.09 - feat: Roof + Jamie Lloyd + Steven Sullivan The Spice Cellar, Sydney. 10pm. $15.

Voodoo Sydney - Feat: Jaytech + Antony Carpena Home Nightclub, Darling Harbour. 8pm. $25.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20 Banoffee Goodgod Small Club, Sydney. 8pm. $10.

Butch + Will Clarke + Glover + Dave Winnel + Jace Disgrace + Acaddamy + Fingers + DJ Just 1 + Mike Hyper + Nightwalkers Chinese Laundry, Sydney. 9pm. $20.

Pacha Sydney - Feat: We R Scndl + Tigerlily + Glover + Ben Morris + Fingers + Nanna Does + Samrai + Jace Disgrace + DJ Just 1 + Mike Hyper + Pro/Gram + Heke + Deckhead + Trent Rackus + Pat Ward Ivy Bar/Lounge, Sydney. 6:30pm. $37.90.

Spice 20.09 - Feat: Kris Baha + Bong Mist + Murat Kilic + Robbie Lowe + Valerie Yum The Spice Cellar, Sydney. 10pm. $25.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 21 S.A.S.H Sundays Home Nightclub, Darling Harbour. 2pm. $10.

Sunday Spice 21.09 - Feat: Mike Callander + Murat Kilic + Nikolai The Spice Cellar, Sydney. 9pm. $15.

Butch

thebrag.com

snap

10:09:14 :: Beach Road Hotel :: 71 Beach Rd Bondi Beach 9130 7247

thebrag.com

PICS :: JA

daft punk tribute show

c’man + juzzlikedat

PICS :: KC

up all night out all week . . .

13:09:14 :: Play Bar :: 72 Campbell St, Surry Hills 9280 0885

INA CLA RKE :: AMATH S :: JAM ES AMB ROS E :: KATR OUR LOV ELY PHO TOG RAP HER :: MAR LEY MAG NAN :: ASH

BRAG :: 580 :: 17:09:14 :: 37

snap

live reviews

up all night out all week . . .

What we've been out to see...

PHOTOGRAPHER :: ASHLEY MAR

KANYE WEST

West obliged. Unfortunately, there was little warmth and engagement with the audience.

Before he was the subject of millions of memes and countless columns full of scurrilous internet gossip, Kanye West made these things called records and performed live shows in support of them.

On the back of two fantastic albums, 2010’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and last year’s menacing Yeezus, one would expect Mr. West would give a selfassured performance. Largely obscured by dim lighting and a series of strange facemasks for most of the night, the American hip hop superstar seemed to be lacking one key ingredient – a sense of humour.

There were times when Kanye’s unrelenting perfectionism created obstacles. He openly criticised the production crew mid-song and repeatedly instructed those standing to “make a circle” before launching into a bizarre triple rendition of ‘N*ggas In Paris’ to close out the show.

ec twins

PICS :: AMT

Qantas Credit Union Arena Friday September 12

13:09:14 :: Marquee :: The Star Sydney Pyrmont 9657 7737

s.a.s.h sundays

PICS :: AM

While the show began with a number of high-tempo tracks from Yeezus including ‘Black Skinhead’, ‘Bound 2’ and ‘Blood On The Leaves’ that West brought to life with great hooks and his signature rhyming, the rest of the night felt somewhat pedestrian as it zigzagged, ticking off key tracks from previous albums without deviating much from the script. The crowd had clearly come to hear all the anthems and

14:09:14 :: Home :: 101/1-5 Wheat Rd Darling Harbour 9266 0600 38 :: BRAG :: 580 :: 17:09:14

Arguably, West is one of the only genuine rock stars performing today. He remains a rare talent whose lovable self-confident/ self-delusional paradox should fit perfectly within this cavernous arena tour. The Sydney faithful were basking in Kanye’s considerable shadow from the get-go – it was equally heartening and puzzling to see the crowd on its feet for the entirety of the performance. Despite having delivered a number of thrilling live shows on previous tours here, maybe West only had himself to blame for pushing the bar so high. A performer who spent so much of the night in the dark might need to lighten up a little.

Tim Armitage

INA CLA RKE :: AMATH S :: JAM ES AMB ROS E :: KATR OUR LOV ELY PHO TOG RAP HER :: MAR MAG NAN :: ASH LEY

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