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BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB @ THE H-FI. PIC BY PETER SHARP
INSIDE FEATURED ARIA Awards Air Supply
ON THEMUSIC.COM.AU
Michael Long AFI
IT’S A CLICHÉ, BUT GREAT ART IS ALWAYS EITHER ABOUT SEX OR DEATH.
City & Colour Gossling Machine Translations The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
review
The Nerve The Summer Set Exhumed Darren Middleton Reel Big Fish
REVIEWS Album: Alex Cameron
Live: The John Steel Singers Arts: War Is Over (If You Want It) Gear: Rock With Metallica …and more
THE GUIDE
Cover: ARIA Week with Deep Sea Arcade The Music presents ARIA Week gigs Eat: Hot New Venues Drink: Artisan Wine
SICK TUNES GIVES YOU FIVE FRESH TUNES TO GET YOU THROUGH THE WEEKEND THIS FRIDAY AFTERNOON
BRMC ONCE AGAIN PROVED THAT ROCK IS ALIVE AND WELL AND IN VERY CAPABLE HANDS.
J WALKER OF MACHINE TRANSLATIONS [P.33]
DEBORAH JACKSON REVIEWS BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB [P.49]
TOUCH BASE WITH BATTLESHIPS AS THEY CONTINUE THEIR TREK THROUGH THE COUNTRY ALONGSIDE BOY & BEAR
ON THE MUSIC.COM.AU
stream STREAM NEW RECORDS FROM GHOST BC AND STRANGERS FROM NOW ON PRIOR TO THEIR RELEASE ON THEMUSIC.COM.AU
Local News Opinion Gig Guide
review 10 • THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013
WHILE THIS WON’T REALLY APPEAL TO GREEN DAY FANS, IT’S THE FIRST REDEEMING THING ARMSTRONG HAS DONE IN YEARS.
DANIEL CRIBB REVIEWS BILLIE JOE & NORAH [P.46]
@ Agincourt 871 George street, Sydney City, valvebar@gmail.com www.valvebar.com.au WED 20TH 7PM THU 21ST 7PM
BASEMENT FRI 22ND 7PM FIRST LEVEL FRI 22ND 9PM
CITY SLICKERS BAND COMP EXCITING COMPETITION, GREAT PRIZES
“PLEASURE OVERLOAD”
ROCK’N’ROLL SHOW WITH SUPPORT FROM: “MALACHITE METHOD” , “VANITY RIOTS” , “TOTAL ADDICTION” , “FIGHTMASTA”
“ROADSIDE BURIAL”
SHOW FOR PAT WITH SUPPORT FROM “CRYPTIC SCORN” , “THE SACKS” , “JEAN-PIERRE ANTAKI FROM ACADEMY OF SPANISH” , “CARBON BLACK”
TIN MAN LIVE (AUSTRIA/USA) SUPPORTED BY: ADI, STEEL BONUS , TRUBA
BASEMENT SAT 23RD 7PM
“CEDRON” (SWEDEN)
BASEMENT SAT 23RD 8PM
PINHEAD BOOKINGS PRESENTS STRIP NOIR ROCK’N’ROLL
FIRST LEVEL SAT 23RD 9PM
SUN 24TH 12PM SUN 24TH 5PM
CORE SHOW WITH SUPPORT FROM: “ONE VITAL WORD” , “ENCOUNTERS” , “WINTER WOLVES” , “AT THE GALLOWS” , “BLIND ORACLE” WITH: “DIVIDE & CONQUER” , “BONEZ” , “TRUE LOVE CHAOS” , “THE LONDON KEYS” , “THE DRAIN BABY’S” , BURLESQUE BY HEIDY BELL NOVA , DJ’S THE GOON BROTHERS CLASH TOURING PRESENTS:
SHINDIG
ELECTRO/HOUSE/BASS FEAT: GUILLOTINE, LEUKAS! , NOCTURNAL , MARSDEN NIGHT VS VINNIE WARD, DJ BAAWSS
DAYBREAK SHOWCASE “THE SPILLING QUILL”
ART SHOW WITH SUPPORT FROM: “TROY THOMSON & BAND” , “RASTES MARCHANT” , “ESTELLE CONLEY TRIO, “JOSEPH KNOTT”
COMING UP:
Wed 27 Nov: City Slickers Band Competition ; Thu 28 Nov: Rock Show feat: “Reptile Park” , “Maux Faux” , “Deep Space Supergroup” , “Hey Baby” ; Fri 29 Nov: Basement: “Monster Gale” , “Triangle” , “Gonzo” , “Simple Steve”; Sat 30 Nov: Basement: 12pm: Indie Show feat: “Ivory” and many more; 8pm: Basement: Bush Fires Benefit Show with “Emergency Syndrome” and many more; First Level 9pm: Braille 002 feat: Thoreau , Brendan Pinilla & Daniel Kouzan , Kevin Alves , Daniel & Thomas; Sun 1 Dec: 12pm: Metal Show with “Darkness Reigns” and many more; 5pm: Indie Show with “Magnus” , “The Ivory Drips” , “Psyrens” , “The Dance Floor”
For band bookings please email valvebar@gmail.com
THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013 • 11
CREDITS PUBLISHER
Street Press Australia Pty Ltd
GROUP MANAGING EDITOR Andrew Mast
EDITOR Mark Neilsen
ASSISTANT EDITOR Hannah Story
ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR Cassandra Fumi
MUSO EDITOR Michael Smith
GIG GUIDE EDITOR Justine Lynch nsw.gigs@themusic.com.au
CONTRIBUTORS Adam Wilding, Andrew McDonald, Anthony Carew, Ben Doyle, Ben Preece, Bethany Cannan, Brendan Crabb, Brendan Telford, Callum Twigger, Cam Findlay, Cameron Warner, Cate Summers, Chris Familton, Chris Maric, Chris Yates, Christopher H James, Cyclone, Dan Condon, Daniel Cribb, Danielle O’Donohue, Dave Drayton, Deborah Jackson, Dominique Wall, Dylan Stewart, Glenn Waller, Guido Farnell, Guy Davis, Helen Lear, Jamelle Wells, James d’Apice, James Dawson, Justine Keating, Kris Swales, Liz Giuff re, Lorin Reid, Lukas Murphy, Mac McNaughton, Mark Hebblewhite, Mat Lee, Matt MacMaster, Milly Mead, Monique Cowper, Paul Ransom, Paul Smith, Rachel Corbett, Rip Nicholson, Ross Clelland, Sam Hilton, Sarah Petchell, Scott Fitzsimons, Sebastian Skeet, Sevana Ohandjanian, Simon Eales, Steve Bell, Tim Finney, Timothy Scarfe, Tom Hersey, Tyler McLoughlan
PHOTOGRAPHERS Angela Padovan, Carine Thevenau, Clare Hawley, Cybele Malinowski, Jodie Mathews, Josh Groom, Kane Hibberd, Peter Sharp, Thomas Graham, Tony Mott
THIS WEEK THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK • 20 NOVEMBER - 26 NOVEMBER 2013
art
make
Award-winning artist and one-time A-SPACE gallery owner Graham Blondel exhibits Voodoo-Flowers-Paris (V-F-P) at 107 Projects from Thursday until 1 Dec. Get your culture on this weekend with one of our country’s most well known artists and art teachers. Perhaps Blondel will be able to tell you a story about Tuscany, or at the very least make you feel woefully inadequate.
On Sunday the inaugural Mini Maker Faire takes place at the Powerhouse Museum. It’s a showcase of local innovators, creatives and DIY-ers: all the people you envy when you fail to get your Better Homes & Gardens birdfeeder to look even a little like a birdfeeder. You can check out plenty of cutting edge tech stuff, plus your regular arts and crafts.
NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Brett Dayman
ADVERTISING DEPT Brett Dayman, James Seeney, Andrew Lilley sales@themusic.com.au
ART DIRECTOR Nicholas Hopkins
ART DEPT
fest
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ADMIN & ACCOUNTS Loretta Zoppolone, Shelley Neergaard, Jarrod Kendall, Leanne Simpson accounts@themusic.com.au
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CONTACT US PO Box 2440 Strawberry Hills NSW 2012 Level 1/142 Chalmers St Surry Hills NSW Phone (02) 9331 7077 info@themusic.com.au www.themusic.com.au
SYDNEY
It’s the first The Farmer & The Owl festival, a boutique music and arts festival in the ‘Gong. It’s held at the University of Wollongong and will play host this Saturday to some of our country’s hugest acts, including The Drones, Dappled Cities and The Laurels. But it’s not just music, there’s also live street art, sculpture, light installations and 3D projection mapping. If you’re itching for a fest and still ruminating on the loss of Harvest Festival (it would’ve been last weekend –sniff-), why not try this?
watch
Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary special. Let your inner geek out and join 75 countries across the globe having a sneaky perve at the dorky Matt Smith. Oh, and David Tennant, too. You’ll have to set your alarms if you want to watch the simultaneous broadcast of The Day Of The Doctor; it’s on at 6.50am AEDT on Sunday (but will also be shown at 7.30pm) on ABC1. Don’t lie, you love sci-fi.
wear
drink
Campari. That’s all we feel like now after being visually enticed by their brand new calendar for 2014, simply titled Worldwide Celebrations. Leave it to the Italians to rope in the inviting Uma Thurman to remind us just how special Campari sours can be, though it would’ve been nice to have seen the Hollywood actress celebrating Straya style, complete with stubbies and some zinc. 2015?
A white ribbon this Monday in support of White Ribbon Day and the end of violence against women. It’s all about bringing men and women together to fight for this pertinent cause. November 25 is also the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and the start of 16 Days of Activism to Stop Violence Against Women. Together we can end this now.
travel
Somewhere new in your local region. You’ve probably got some spectacular patch of natural beauty right on your doorstep that you’ve never explored, so skip a late Friday at the pub for once, pack the car and head towards the horizon. Enjoy the last full weekend of spring before these nice temperatures we’ve been receiving morph into that heinous sweat creator that is summer. THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013 • 13
national news news@themusic.com.au
TOTALLY BEACHIN’
The sun is out and the beach is calling. That’s why Kingswood and Calling All Cars are going to be chasing the breakers, heading out on the Life’s A Beach tour over the New Year period. The two tireless rock acts will riff it out 29 Dec, Barwon Heads Hotel; 30 Dec, Torquay Hotel, Torquay; 2 Jan, Carmens, Miranda; 3 Jan, Mona Vale Hotel; 4 Jan, Entrance Leagues Club, Central Coast; 5 Jan, The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle; 10 Jan, The Northern, Byron Bay; 11 Jan, The Tempo Hotel, Brisbane; and 12 Jan, Solbar, Maroochydore. Fans of renegade hip rock act She Rex will also be happy to hear they will be joining the bill from 4 Jan onwards, sweetening the deal just that little bit further. CSS
BIGGER DAY OUT
The mighty annual musical rite of passage that is the Big Day Out has just got plenty larger with a bunch of new international and local stars featuring on the second announcement. Heading up the list of acts are Vista Chino, formerly known as Kyuss Lives! (just don’t tell Josh Homme we said that), while Primus and CSS get a run following Harvest Festival folding. Aussie artists also performing on the bill, meanwhile, include Bliss N Eso, Kerser, Bluejuice, Violent Soho, The Jungle Giants and All The Colours. Happening 19 Jan, Metricon Stadium and Carrara Parklands, Gold Coast; 24 Jan, Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne; 26 Jan, Sydney Showgrounds; and 2 Feb, Claremont Showgrounds, Perth.
ARIA AWARDS SET TO ERUPT
The Australian music industry’s night of night has just got a whole lot bigger, better and brighter with a fantastic list of live performers announced for the ceremony, to be held at The Star Event Centre, Sydney. Mixing rock, pop, dance and hip hop, you’ll hear hit tunes from electronic man of the moment Flume, WA wunderkinds Tame Impala and fellow westies Birds Of Tokyo, as well as Vance Joy, Bliss N Eso, Jessica Mauboy, Samantha Jade, Sheppard, The Potbelleez, Stafford Brothers and Alison Wonderland. Guest tickets have all but sold out for the event, so you’ll just have to tune in when GO! broadcast proceedings at 7.30pm, 1 Dec.
DECK THE HALLS WITH DAZ
Darren Hanlon loves a little bit of Christmas cheer – just like you! That’s why no matter how busy his year is, even if he’s been crisscrossing the American south writing and recording a new album, he always manages to squeeze some time into his schedule to play his annual Christmas shows to see in the festive season. A tradition that’s stretched out eight years now, Hanlon will perform intimate solo dates 21 Dec, St Stephens Church, Sydney; 22 Dec, Northcote Social Club, Melbourne; and 23 Dec, Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane.
More than a concept, more than something imagined, Miami Horror’s latest track, Real Slow, is pulled straight from personal experiences, but although the inspiration is sourced from a different place, the sunshine sounds the band are renowned for haven’t been lost. And now Miami Horror want to celebrate with you, properly. In addition to their scattered December shows happening in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne (see The Guide at theMusic.com.au for full details), you can now also get your fix during these new headline dates: 7 Feb, Oh Hello!, Brisbane; 8 Feb, Oxford Art Factory, Sydney; 14 Feb, Corner Hotel, Melbourne; and 15 Feb, Amplifier Bar, Perth. These are the band’s first local gigs in over two years so get involved!
ELLIE GOULDING
A LITTLE WHITE LIE(S) NEVER HURT ANYONE
Jared Leto leads dynamic stadium rock group Thirty Seconds To Mars back Down Under next year, playing all ages dates on 25 Mar, Challenge Stadium, Perth; 28 Mar, Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne; 29 Mar, Sydney Entertainment Centre; and 30 Mar, Brisbane Riverstage. That’s pretty good news in itself. But it gets better, with anthemic British act White Lies just announced as main support. The Fulham group have continued to shine since the release of their 2009 debut To Lose My Life, and their grandiose rock will set the stage perfectly for the headline performance.
“TOO EARLY IN THE SEASON TO TRAMPLE SHOPPERS?” NEVER TOO EARLY TIM SIEDELL [@BADBANANA]. 14 • THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013
PERSONAL PULSES
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
Young indietronica singer Ellie Goulding is already playing venues like the O2 Arena in her native England, and has recently just taken out Best Solo Artist in the 2013 Q Awards, beating out the likes of David Bowie to receive the accolade. So you probably get the message – this woman is a superstar. The 26-year-old Brit plays all ages shows at Challenge Stadium, Perth, 28 May; Festival Hall, Melbourne, 31 May; Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, 3 Jun; and Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, 5 Jun. Get your tickets from next Tuesday.
national news news@themusic.com.au NEIL FINN
FAT FREDDY’S DROP
BRINGING IT ON BACK
Following on from some stunning duel sessions with good friend Paul Kelly, Kiwi songwriting legend Neil Finn will be doing things alone once more, releasing a brand new solo record Dizzy Heights on 7 Feb before hitting the road to promote the third longplayer in the month following. Along with Joshua James, Finn will bring his Dizzy Heights tour to Nambour Civic Centre Sunshine Coast, 6 Mar; QPAC, Brisbane, 7 Mar; GPAC Playhouse, Geelong, 11 Mar; Hamer Hall, Melbourne, 12 Mar; Perth Concert Hall, 16 Mar; Newcastle Civic Theatre, 20 Mar; and Sydney Opera House, 22 Mar. Tickets for all shows go on sale this Friday.
TIME TO GET FRUITY
Combining the celebratory jive found in townships right across their country with glorious pop hooks, Mango Groove are seen as an institution in their native South Africa. Now, it’s our turn to get wrapped up in the 11-piece band’s unique dance rhythms, with the group set to play capital city dates next year, performing 21 Feb, Red Hill Auditorium, Perth; 23 Feb, Forum Theatre, Melbourne; 28 Feb, Big Top Luna Park, Sydney; and 1 Mar, Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane.
MORE WHOA FOR WOMADELAIDE
Australia’s leading world music festival WOMADelaide is returning to the South Australian capital next year, and with this second round of announcements it’s shaping up to be an unmissable event. Added alongside the likes of Arrested Development and Billy Bragg are Femi Kuti & The Positive Force, in their only Australian performance, Washington, Fat Freddy’s Drop (pictured), Hanggai, Hiatus Kaiyote, Jeff Lang, Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Mehr Ensemble, Mikhael Paskalev, DJ Muro, Neko Case, Pokey LaFarge, Quantic, Saskwatch, Ade Suharto & Peni Candra Rini “Ontosoroh”, Airileke, Ane Brun, Antonio Serrano, Asif Ali Khan, Awesome Tapes from Africa, Azadoota, Baby et Lulu, The Baker Suite, Balanescu Quartet, The Brown Hornet, Carminho, Coloured Stone, DJ Yoda, Dub Inc, The Electrolounge (No Birds, Question Question, Menagerie, Oddessa – with Young Black Youth VJing every night), La Chiva Gantiva, Les Gitans Blanc, Loren Kate, Los Coronas, Makana, Roberto Fonseca, Sitara, Thelma Plum and Tinpan Orange. In addition there’s planet talks from the likes of Polly Higgins and Peter Garrett, the KidZone with heaps of activities for the younger punters and loads of other visual and performance art to be found during the four-day celebration. It happens 7 to 10 Mar in Adelaide’s Botanic Park.
“WRITING GREATS [SIC] SONGS THAT INSPIRE PEOPLE, THAT’S WHAT I BELIEVE IN” HAHA @KIDROCK, GOOD ONE.
PERIPHERY
ENDLESS HORIZONS
Continuing to shatter boundaries with their limitless metal vision, Periphery take the complex and create music that’s startling and fresh. The Maryland sextet will light up stages early next year, joined by instrumental prog purveyors Animals As Leaders at these shows: 31 Jan, The Hi-Fi, Brisbane; 1 Feb, Metro Theatre, Sydney (licensed/all ages); and 2 Feb, Billboard The Venue, Melbourne.
YOUTHFUL AND RECKLESS
Raise a glass to Joyride when the One Day Crew MC celebrates the launch of his three-part EP endeavour, the Gentleman Trilogy – Honourable, Chivalrous and Valiant – with a series of east coast shows, his first solo gigs ever. Get the real perspective of a young man kicking it in the beating heart of the city at The Workers Club, Melbourne, 5 Dec; Goodgod Small Bar, Sydney, 12 Dec; and Bowler Bar, Brisbane, 19 Dec.
BODY MOVING
Multi-platinum selling superstar Selena Gomez has just announced she’ll be extending her current world tour, bringing Stars Dance to Australia early next year. The former Disney do-gooder and spring break bad girl will perform four capital city dates, happening 1 Feb, Perth Arena; 6 Feb, Brisbane Convention Centre; 7 Feb, Sydney Entertainment Centre; and 8 Feb, Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne. Tickets go on sale Friday. THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013 • 15
local news nsw.news@themusic.com.au PHOENIX
JOHN WATERS
GET TRASHED RISING UP
Grammy Award-winning French quintet Phoenix are set to bring their inimitable blend of genre-twisting synth-rock and high energy performance to Hordern Pavilion for an all ages show on 5 Mar, while here to co-headline next year’s Future Music Festival. Supporting them will be new-wave and synth-rock virtuosos World’s End Press.
BLUE-HOO
The 19th Blue Mountains Music Festival has announced its first line-up for 2014, with headliners Lior, Xavier Rudd and Ash Grunwald. Other acts include The Good Lovelies (CAN), Rory McLeod (UK), Eleanor McEvoy (IRE), Hanggai (China), Swamp Thing (NZ), The Woohoo Revue, The Tiger & Me, Mustered Courage and more. It takes place across eight stages on the grounds of Katoomba Public School, from 14 to 16 Mar.
MAKE SOME NOISIA
In a full-frontal aural assault, Noisia and Foreign Beggars strip away their I Am Legion moniker for this exclusive event. Descending on The Hi-Fi on 5 Dec, alongside some very special guests, UZ and Nick Thayer, this highly anticipated Stereosonic sideshow featuring some cream of the d’n’b and underground hip hop crop is expected to sell fast.
GOT ANY BENI
Sydney dance music dreamer Beni returns to the floor with a new EP this November 29, the double shot Love On The Run/Summer’s Gone. Love On The Run offers up a slice of future house, sounding like an ungodly hour in a Blade Runner city. See Beni live in DJ mode at Beach Road Hotel, Bondi, 1 Dec; 14 and 15 Dec, The Plot at Luna Park; 28 Dec, World Bar; and 1 Jan, The Ivy.
IN THE FAST LAINE
Paul Laine will be heading our way soon, playing a one-off Sydney show at Valve, Agincourt, backed by Melbourne melodic rockers The Radio Sun and local boys White Stallion. This will be Laine’s first ever live dates in Australia and he will be playing a selection of songs from his solo work, Danger Danger and Shugaazer catalogue.
CARRIAGE EXPANSION
Carriageworks has announced its 2014 Artistic Program, its most ambitious to date, with a doubling of the number of artistic projects and major events that reflects the continued growth of the multi-arts cultural precinct. The program features the likes of critically acclaimed artist Christian Boltanski’s monumental installation Chance; Back to Back Theatre with the Sydney premiere of internationally acclaimed Ganesh Versus The Third Reich; Time Clock Piece, the first major work ever presented in Australia by celebrated TaiwaneseAmerican artist Tehching Hsieh; and art and design conference Semi-Permanent.
LIGHT AS AIR
Architects of Air return to the Sydney Opera House forecourt from 3 to 27 Jan with their new inflatable walk-in sculpture, EXXOPOLIS. It is a 53x9m immersive ‘luminarium’ – a structure that contains light – made up of a labyrinth of tunnels and spacious domes. Filled with a kaleidoscope of colour and sound, it is a multi-sensory space that welcomes, inspires and affects everyone who journeys inside.
“I’VE DECIDED: NEXT TIME I GO TO THE AIRPORT I’M GONNA BRING MY OWN POWER STRIP, PLUG IT INTO THE ONE MEAGER OUTLET, & BE HAILED AS A HERO.” @OKKERVILRIVER HAS A LIGHT-BULB MOMENT 16 • THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013
John Waters returns to the Sydney Opera House on 9 Mar as part of Ideas At The House with his rapid-fire one man show filled with a unique brand of outrageous insight and candid wit. In the event This Filthy World Vol 2, Waters will tell stories of childhood and early influences through to Hollywood highlights and lowlights, and divulge his fascination with exploitation films, fashion lunacy, Catholicism, sexual deviancy and how to become famous (read: infamous).
LITTLE MAY
YES YOU MAY
Our favourite Scandavian son, Mikhael Paskalev, has given us yet another reason to witness his live antics, inviting Australia’s own three-piece, Little May to join him on the road. Catch the winning combo of acts at Oxford Art Factory, 5 Mar. Proudly presented by The Music.
DERRICK DATES
Here for Meredith, Derrick May is doing some sideshows including Goodgod Small Club on 13 Dec. Head along to hear the classic Derrick May sound: a balance between streamlined percussion-heavy cascades of sound with string samples and a warmth gained from time spent in Chicago.
THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013 • 17
local news nsw.news@themusic.com.au
STUNNER OF A SUMMER
THE SATELLITES
The inaugural Cronulla Endless Summer Festival takes place at the picturesque Gunnamatta Park from 27 to 29 Dec. The free festival celebrates the suburb’s unique history and stunning beachside culture, showcasing local food, art, culture, music and public services. Providing music will be Bluejuice and The Preatures and up to 12 local bands a day. There’ll also be face-painting, enclosed swimming baths, tree-knitting and stalls. Plus, the event will help raise charity funds for Bernados.
I DUB THEE
Fans will be treated to some serious preChristmas joy as Icehouse reinterpret their classic hits at Oxford Art Factory on 7 Dec. But there’s a twist: they’re going to become the reggae/bluebeat-soaked DubHOUSE, adding extra singers and a brass section to maximise the fun.
OPERA HOUSE IN 3D
A landmark Scottish heritage project has delivered a precise, 3D model of Australia’s most famous building as part of the Opera House’s 40th Anniversary. Exact to within six millimetres, the Scottish Ten 3D model provides vital conservation and maintenance data as the Opera House enters a decade of renewal. It was created using more than 800 laser scans of the interior and exterior of the Opera House, and 56,000 digital photos, documenting 13 billion measurable points on the structure using cutting-edge, laser-mapping technologies. For more info, visit scottishten.org/property9.
ROCKIN’ AROUND THE XMAS TREE
Knock out all your gift shopping at the Sydney Rock‘n’Roll & Alternative Christmas Market at Manning House & Bar, 1 Dec from 10.30am. There’s over 70 stalls of all different kinds, international food traders, a children’s activity area, a classic vehicle display, plus an exclusive Elvis Presley photo exhibition, Images Of The King. Providing musical entertainment for the day will be The Satellites (pictured), Little Bastard, Danny & The Cosmic Tremors, Coral Lee & The Silver Scream as well as DJs.
ALL’S FAIR
Australian folk rock duo Georgia Fair have announced the release of their new single, Are We Not Alive, plus a couple of shows at Hibernian House on 30 Nov and 1 Dec. Get drawn in by the catchy guitar hook in Are We Not Alive, complemented by the smooth, familiar voice of Jordan Wilson that’ll keep you humming this buoyant melody even after the song’s over.
“TURN OFF #1 GIRLS WHO DRESS NATIVE INDIAN OR POCAHONTAS INSPIRED” @BLEEDINGKNEES CLUB AREN’T DOWN WITH CULTURAL APPROPRIATION
POKEY LAFARGE
HOKEY POKEY
Fresh off a signing with Jack White’s label Third Man Records, Pokey LaFarge and his band bring a focus and energy to the American roots genre with infectious original material that sits at the crossroads of early jazz, country blues and western swing. In support of his new debut selftitled album, LaFarge makes his maiden tour to Australia, bringing his charisma and charm to The Basement on 13 Mar. 18 • THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013
ENJOY THE GREENERY
WHAT A LEGEND
BABY BIRDS
STELLAR LUNA
Due to overwhelming demand, the very popular A Day On The Green classic Aussie rock show is back! Headlining the concerts will be rock legend Jimmy Barnes, who will also be celebrating 30 years since he started his solo career. Joining him at Bimbadgen Winery, Hunter Valley on 22 Mar will be The Angels, Ian Moss, Daryl Braithwaite, Richard Clapton and Boom Crash Opera.
Hot off the success of their first studio album release in 20 years, This Is Not The End, iconic Aussie rockers Baby Animals announce a string of new Australian tour dates for next year. The Feed The Birds Part II tour travels to Waves, Wollongong, 1 Mar; Soldiers Club, Batemans Bay, 22 Mar; Rooty Hill RSL, 28 Mar; Revesby Workers Club, 29 Mar; Dee Why RSL, 11 Apr; and Belmont 16s, 12 Apr.
Nine-time Grammy Award winner John Legend will bring his soulful and sensual sounds to the Sydney Opera House on 17 Dec, while in Australia as special guest on Alicia Keys’ national Set The World On Fire tour. Legend’s fourth album Love In The Future debuted in the top five of the iTunes chart and features singles Who Do We Think We Are and Made To Love.
Since the release of Lúnasa’s 1997 self-titled debut album and the band’s first tour of the US, the all-star quintet has become one of the most popular bands on the international Celtic music scene, noted for double bass and guitar-driven rhythms and threepart harmonies played on the traditional pipes, fiddle and flute. They perform at the Factory Theatre on 2 Mar with Altan.
THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013 • 19
T H E
2 0 1 3
POWER 50 EDITION BE WHERE THE POWER IS!
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ARIA FORM GUIDE
ALBUM OF THE YEAR Birds Of Tokyo – March Fires Flume – Flume Guy Sebastian – Armageddon Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Push The Sky Away Tame Impala – Lonerism
BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST OF THE YEAR Big Scary – Not Art Flume – Flume RüFüS – Atlas
Words The Music editorial team. Cover pic Cole Bennetts.
The Rubens – The Rubens Vance Joy – God Loves You When You’re Dancing
BEST MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Flume – Flume Guy Sebastian – Armageddon Keith Urban – Little Bit Of Everything Matt Corby – Resolution Paul Kelly – Spring and Fall
BEST FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Boy & Bear – Harlequin Dream
Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson – Wreck and Ruin
Boy & Bear – Harlequin Dream
Lee Kernaghan – Beautiful Noise
The Drones – I See Seaweed
Troy Cassar–Daley and Adam Harvey – The Great Country Songbook
Mama Kin – The Magician’s Daughter
BEST DANCE RELEASE
Sheppard – Let Me Down Easy
Melbourne Ska Orchestra – Melbourne Ska Orchestra
Jagwar Ma – Howlin
Airbourne – Black Dog Barking
The Drones – I See Seaweed
Russell Morris – Sharkmouth
The Potbelleez – Saved In A Bottle
Karnivool – Asymmetry
The Presets – Pacifica
Northlane – Singularity
BEST ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
The Cat Empire – Steal The Light
RüFüS – Atlas
The Amity Affliction – Chasing Ghosts
Bob Evans – Familiar Stranger
BEST COMEDY RELEASE Housos – Live
Sara Storer – Lovegrass
Flume – Flume
BEST POP RELEASE Empire Of The Sun – Ice On The Dune Guy Sebastian – Armageddon
Clare Bowditch – The Winter I Chose Happiness
Sammy J & Randy – Bin Night
Empire Of The Sun – Ice On The Dune
Josh Pyke – The Beginning And The End Of Everything
Pauly Fenech – Pauly’s Shorts
The Preatures – Is This How You Feel?
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Push The Sky Away
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Push The Sky Away
Tom & Alex – The Bits We’re Least Ashamed Of
Vance Joy – God Loves You When You’re Dancing
Tame Impala – Lonerism
Sarah Blasko – I Awake
Birds Of Tokyo – March Fires
Tame Impala – Lonerism
Archie Roach – Into the Bloodstream
San Cisco – San Cisco
BEST GROUP OF THE YEAR
Birds Of Tokyo – March Fires
Big Scary – Not Art
Emma Louise – Vs Head Vs Heart
Sarah Blasko – I Awake
Jasmine Rae – If I Want To
BEST BLUES & ROOTS ALBUM
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Push The Sky Away
Missy Higgins – Set Me On Fire
BEST ROCK ALBUM
BEST INDEPENDENT RELEASE OF THE YEAR
Abbe May – Kiss My Apocalypse
Jessica Mauboy – To The End Of The Earth
BEST COUNTRY ALBUM
Various – Colin Buchanan’s TGIF Songs
San Cisco – San Cisco
The Rubens – The Rubens
BEST HARD ROCK/ HEAVY METAL ALBUM
Thy Art Is Murder – Hate
BEST URBAN ALBUM Bliss N Eso – Circus In The Sky Horrorshow – King Amongst Many Illy – Bring it Back Seth Sentry – This Was Tomorrow Urthboy – Smokey’s Haunt
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This year’s ARIA Awards may be one of the most contested ever because this year Gotye isn’t going to take out everything. However, it’s expected that Sydney’s Flume will dominate because Flume is Flume and he’s had one hell of a year. But so too have the other contenders; Tame Impala, The Drones, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and even Jessica Mauboy have all earned their places in the higher echelons of the Australian music landscape. Let’s just hope Liddiard doesn’t snub the whole song and dance again. The Music editorial team took a look at the categories for the 27th annual ARIA awards; these are our picks. ALBUM OF THE YEAR Who Will Win? Tame Impala - Lonerism Who Should Win? Tame Impala – Lonerism Why? Tame Impala deserve this. Second record to dominate here and overseas Flume’s hot, but these guys are worthy.
BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST OF THE YEAR Who Will Win? Flume Who Should Win? Flume Why? It’s hard to argue with this one, even if label-mates RÜFÜS came from nowhere and Vance Joy is going to be the biggest thing of 2014. The Rubens peaked too early for the voting.
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Who Will Win? Flume - Flume Who Should Win? Paul Kelly – Spring And Fall Why? Don’t EVER ask why Paul Kelly should win an award. It’s just not cool to question these things. Plus, Spring And Fall is great.
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Who Will Win? Jessica Mauboy - To The End Of The Earth Who Should Win? Emma Louise - Vs Head Vs Heart Why? Mauboy has had a pretty massive year and she is deserving, no doubt. But Emma Louise is the underdog; she’s only young but she’s worked hard to put out a record with this kinda class.
BEST GROUP Who Will Win? Tame Impala - Lonerism Who Should Win? Tame Impala - Lonerism Why? Probably one of the closest categories - Tame Impala are loved both here and overseas, but Birds Of Tokyo and The Bad Seeds returned with strong efforts. Boy & Bear and Empire Of The Sun didn’t have the impact as they did with their last albums.
BEST INDEPENDENT RELEASE OF THE YEAR Who Will Win? The Drones - I See Seaweed Who Should Win? The Drones - I See Seaweed Why? This one’s a toughie. The younger voting members would vote for The Drones, while the older voting members would go the Cave. Is the older voting block outnumbered this year? Time for another changing of the guard.
BEST ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM Who Will Win? Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Push The Sky Away Who Should Win? Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Push The Sky Away Why? Just to see what Nick thinks about being pigeonholed as adult contemporary.
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BEST BLUES & ROOTS ALBUM
BEST POP RELEASE
Who Will Win? The Cat Empire - Steal The Light
Who Should Win? The Preatures - Is This How You Feel?
Who Should Win? Russell Morris - Sharkmouth Why? The Cat Empire because most people will have heard it. Records from Archie Roach, Melbourne Ska Orchestra and Mama Kin are better, and Russell Morris’ brilliant (and highcharting) Sharkmouth is the best of the lot.
Who Will Win? Guy Sebastian - Armageddon Why? Is This How You Feel? is brilliant, but this is where the judges get to give TV talent show winners a token nod.
BEST ROCK ALBUM Who Will Win? Tame Impala - Lonerism Who Should Win? The Drones - I See Seaweed Why? In the war between Gareth Liddiard and Kevin Parker, Parker will be the victor.
BEST COMEDY RELEASE
nick cave & the bad seeds
Who Will Win? Tom & Alex - The Bits We’re Least Ashamed Of Who Should Win? Tom & Alex - The Bits We’re Least Ashamed Of Why? The triple j factor might just win it for the brekkie hosts.
BEST COUNTRY ALBUM Who Will Win? Troy Cassar-Daley & Adam Harvey - The Great Country Songbook Who Should Win? Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson Wreck and Ruin Why? Arguably the tightest category this year, Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson’s album was brilliant, but The Great Country Songbook might pip them. Jasmine Rae, Leigh Kernaghan and Sara Storer miss out due to the quality competition.
BEST DANCE RELEASE Who Will Win? Flume - Flume Who Should Win? Flume - Flume Why? He’s a big contender overall but in the Dance category? No contest.
NOMINATED FOR FIVE AWARDS
BEST HARD ROCK/HEAVY METAL ALBUM Who Will Win? Karnivool - Asymmetry Who Should Win? Northlane - Singularity Why? Either way, metal fans will be pissed because there are more genres of metal than there are species of bacterium and picking one subgenre involves not picking others, which is an implicit declaration of war.
BEST URBAN ALBUM Who Will Win? Bliss N Eso - Circus In The Sky Who Should Win? Seth Sentry - This Was Tomorrow Why? Very strong year for local urban releases and everyone is worthy of picking up the gong. That’s not a cop out, it’s the truth. Bliss N Eso released a cracker of an album though so might just get it, but jeez Horrorshow’s varied effort was good too.
ARIA FAST FACTS
NOMINATED FOR SEVEN AWARDS
Year first ARIAs held: 1987 At: Sheraton Wentworth Hotel, Sydney Hosted by: Elton John First Best Group: INXS First Best Female Artist: Jenny Morris First Best Male Artist: John Farnham
the cat empire
karnivool NOMINATED FOR TWO AWARDS
NOMINATED FOR SEVEN AWARDS
Year Best Adult Contemporary Album introduced: 1987 First winner: John Farnham Year Best Comedy Release introduced: 1987 First winner: Kevin ‘Bloody’ Wilson Year Best Country Album introduced: 1987 First winner: John Williamson Year Hall of Fame established: 1988 First inductees: AC/DC, Col Joe, Dame Joan Sutherland, Johnny O’Keefe, Slim Dusty, Vanda & Young Year Best Independent Release introduced: 1990 First winner: Wild Pumpkins At Midnight Year ARIAs first televised: 1991 Year Best Pop Release introduced: 1994 First winner: Peter Andre Year Best Dance Release introduced: 1995 First winner: Itch-E & Scratch-E Year Best Rock Album introduced: 1999 First winner: Powderfinger Year Best Blues & Roots Album introduced: 1999 First winner: David Hole Year Best Urban Release introduced: 2004 First winner: Koolism Year Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album introduced: 2010 First winner: Parkway Drive Won most ARIAs ever: Silverchair Won most ARIAS in a single year: Savage Garden with 8 in 1997
NOMINATED FOR THREE AWARDS
NOMINATED FOR ONE AWARD
HE’S A BIG CONTENDER OVERALL BUT IN THE DANCE CATEGORY? NO CONTEST.
flume
Nominated for most ARIAs ever: Silverchair Most wins for Best Group: INXS with 4 Most wins for Best Female Artist: Wendy Matthews, Kasey Chambers with 3 Most wins for Best Male Artist: John Farnham, Diesel, Alex Lloyd, Gotye with 3
tame impala WHEN & WHERE: 1 Dec, broadcast on GO!
the drones
THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013 • 23
a small-scale Beatlemania. I mean, people were screaming all over the place. That first concert, we didn’t know what the American crowds were going to be like, but before the show I went out to the backstage and just stood on my own for about 20 minutes and looked at all the buses and the big trucks and all the gear going in and everything and I thought, ‘Wow! It’s really happening’.“ The One That You Love finally took Air Supply to the number one spot in the US singles charts in July 1981. The next, Here I Am, reached number five in the US in September, securing Air Supply Best Group at the 1982 American Music Awards.
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“I think the fact that we were Australian was a lot of the appeal,” Russell suggested in the aforementioned interview. “Certainly it was in 1980 when we first hit in the US. It was very hip then to be Australian because Olivia [Newton-John] was having success and it was very cool to be from Australia. Yet of course I was British! I’d been living in Australia 17 years and it was a bit strange, it really was, because I’d always wanted to achieve success in England as a kid and a teenager.
STILL IN LOVE Just shy of their 40th anniversary, Air Supply, one of Australia’s most successful exports, are this year’s inductees into the ARIA Hall Of Fame. Michael Smith takes a look at their legacy.
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n May 12, 1975 an aspiring young songwriter named Graham Russell fronted up to an audition for a new production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, being presented in Melbourne that year. In the biographical profile he presents on Air Supply’s website, he admits he’d only decided to give it a try on the advice of an elderly psychic friend who “felt it would change [his] life forever”. At the audition was another young hopeful, Russell Hitchcock. They got chatting, discovered a mutual passion for The Beatles and, having both successfully auditioned, joined the cast and began singing together after their Jesus Christ Superstar performances, with bass player Jeremy Paul soon joining them. CBS A&R man and producer Peter Dawkins heard a demo cassette that included a track called Love And Other Bruises, signed them up, and a re-recorded Love And Other Bruises became their debut single, peaking at number six nationally in October 1976. Now a six-piece that included another Superstar cast member, Mark McEntee, Air Supply released their self-titled debut album in December. McEntee left soon after. Their second album, The Whole Thing’s Started, released in July 1977, peaked at number 32, and the band scored the support on Rod Stewart’s Australian tour. Stewart was impressed enough to invite Air Supply to open for him across North America. Air Supply went into the studio in LA while on tour, Jeremy Paul quitting during the recording and returning to Sydney, where he managed and played in the band McEntee had pulled together, Divinyls. The Love & Other Bruises album, released exclusively in the US later in 1977, failed to ignite the charts. Soon after their return to Australia, the band took a break.
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Air Supply released the Life Support album in March 1979, which included Lost In Love, a copy of which somehow found its way to Clive Davis in New York, who signed them to Arista. Lost In Love became the title track of their next album, released in June 1980. It was radio rather than any memories of their performances on the Rod Stewart tour, however, that finally broke Air Supply in the US, as Russell recalled in a previous interview with The Drum. “By the time we toured [in the States] – our first date was October 1, 1980 – Lost In Love [single] was already #3, so the record came in front of us. In fact, I saw it in a magazine when I was in Cannes in the south of France. We didn’t even know it had been released. So by the time we got there it was all happening, and it was wonderful because we never had to play in any more little clubs or anything. We couldn’t believe it – it was like
“Europe and Britain were always slower for us. We’d tour into Italy, Germany and the Scandinavian countries, but our main focus, for the first five or six years, was the US and Japan, and then South America, and now it’s all over Asia again.”
“WE COULDN’T BELIEVE IT – IT WAS LIKE A SMALL-SCALE BEATLEMANIA.”
In 1983 came a greatest hits album that included one new track, a cover of Making Love Out Of Nothing At All. It sold seven million copies in the US and topped the Australian chart. In November 1987, Russell and Hitchcock opted to take a break from the band. “We don’t sell any records here [in America] any more, except to our fanbase. All the records we sell are overseas in Asia, South America and Europe. But we still live here in the US, and we get played a hell of a lot, but they don’t play any of the new stuff. It’s all more the old stuff.” Since Russell and Hitchcock reconvened in 1991, they’ve released another seven albums, most recently 2010’s Mumbo Jumbo, and several concert CD/DVDs. They perform around 150 concerts a year and will play a handful while they’re here to be inducted as 2013 ARIA hall of famers. WHEN & WHERE: 29 Nov, State Theatre
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CELEBRATING AUSTRALIAN MUSIC Hannah Story chats to Michael Long, the Event Producer for the 27th annual ARIA Awards, about the importance of Australian live music and how his interest was sparked by, surprise surprise, Zeppelin. vent producer of the ARIA Awards was turned over to long-time Director of Operations Michael Long in 2012; he learnt a lot in his 11 years working for the event and now as head honcho he’s keeping his eyes pointed firmly forward.
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think that still shows today with the success of the artists that we’re celebrating this year at the ARIA Awards because they consistently tour overseas. Tame Impala are one of those; they were in South America during the nominations and they’re currently in America.”
“2010 keeps coming up and hopefully after this year it will go away ,” Long chuckles. “There were some huge lessons to be learnt from 2010. 2011 back at Allphones Arena was a step up. 2012, last year, at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, again was a great event. I think it’s always been focused on what we’re celebrating and that is Australian music, the success of it not only in this country but internationally and that’s only growing stronger and stronger. When we had the nominations this year most of the nominated artists were touring and traveling overseas which is fantastic for Australian music.”
This year the ARIAs are all about the artists, and recognising their pivotal contribution to our flourishing music industry, with performances from the likes of Flume and Tame Impala. “It’s really just being proud of being Australian and of musicians because they’re out there scoring huge goals.”
Long’s been a part of the ARIAs and the live music scene for decades and was a Zeppelin fan when he was growing up; he started out working with a band called Street Level for $10 a night, where they’d start work at midday and then finish at 4am the next morning, then moved on to
“I think [viewer engagement] is something every music show works on time and time again and I think that our line-up this year is unbelievable... It’s a fantastic line-up that we’ve got this year and I think [it] will be compelling. We’re working on some
JESSICA MAUBOY PERFORMS AT 2012 ARIAS. PIC: COLE BENNETTS
But the people at home also have to be involved, and the ARIA team are working on ways to keep the audience engaged. “We’re engaging social media this year, definitely, and RDIO is streaming the performances as well. We’re trying to engage music fans as much as possible.
THE TEMPER TRAP WIN AT 2012 ARIAS. PIC: COLE BENNETTS
PERFORMERS ON THE NIGHT: TAME IMPALA, FLUME, SAMANTHA JADE, SHEPPARD, THE POTBELLEEZ, BLISS N ESO, VANCE JOY, BIRDS OF TOKYO, ALISON WONDERLAND, JESSICA MAUBOY, STAFFORD BROTHERS. work with the likes of a young Icehouse (then named Flowers), Cold Chisel and INXS. Even then he was in awe of the commitment of Australian artists to their craft. “I think Australian musicians know how to work hard and get out there and pay their dues playing in all the small clubs and pubs around the country. If they get the opportunity to work overseas then doing the hard yards over there is second nature to them. They’re very persistent and I think the live Australian music scene gives bands and the artists an opportunity to hone in on their skills and be great live performers. I think Australian artists are some of the best live performers in the world. “What I think is amazing about Australians is they have 100 per cent commitment when they walk on stage. I 26 • THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013
ideas of expanding things next year to create more interaction with the industry and the general public.” But Long acknowledges that there is always room to reflect to make the event better. “2012 was my first year as the event producer but it was my 11th year working on the ARIAs with Mark Pope. I had a great team and it was very successful... But we’re looking at the things that worked and didn’t work and trying to improve on those. With anything there’s always room for improvement.” WHAT: ARIA Awards telecast WHEN & WHERE: 1 Dec, GO!
ARIA-THIRSTY? Yeah, the ARIA Awards is held on a Sunday night. Whatever. Throw some #yolo to the wind and make your ARIA Awards experience a whole lot looser with these cheeky drinking rules:
CAMERA PANS TO DISINTERESTED TABLE ALLOCATION: ONE DRINK Nothing like Best Comedy Release to elicit some yawns from the attendees. Add another drink if you see someone reaching across the table to poach more wine.
PRESENTER FUMBLES WITH WINNERS’ ENVELOPE ALLOCATION: TWO DRINKS This is standard protocol, especially from overseas guests or Richard Wilkins. Did you know Big Dick is almost 60? Crazy hey? But we digress...
AWARD WINNER ATTEMPTS TO LEAVE STAGE IN WRONG DIRECTION ALLOCATION: THREE DRINKS Thank God there’s always a wide smiling glamour puss there to stop our intrepid victors from strolling off into the wilderness.
LIVE PERFORMER BRINGS OUT CHOIR ALLOCATION: FINISH DRINK Grand ambition plus the chance to unleash said ambition in front of a national audience equals choir, it’s a simple calculation. And with only a song to perform, labels are willing to shell out for maximum voice.
music
STILL BURNING STRONG Between panic attacks, AFI frontman Davey Havok penned the band’s darkest work to date. The eccentric vocalist runs Daniel Cribb through the writing process for their ninth record, performing on Broadway and writing his first novel.
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rom his ever-evolving, always-interesting appearance to unique and unmistakable vocals, AFI frontman Davey Havok excretes charisma. But when the vocalist answers the phone in his Portland hotel room, he sounds like the life has been sucked out of him. “I’m very sick and I’m on tour,” Havok explains. “It’s pretty brutal, there’s not much you can do about it,” he continues in a soft tone.
It’s Halloween, and the one song old-school punk and hardcore kids generally associate with the day is Misfits’ Halloween. Back in 1999, when they were still very much a part of and influencing the hardcore scene, AFI released a cover of the song. Since their hardcore debut, Answer That And Stay Fashionable, came out in 1993, they’ve evolved into an alternative rock band and severed their ties somewhat with that community. Their new record, Burials, is one step further away. “It’s like comparing your current self to your pre-school self. I’m very happy with Burials and it has nothing to do with the first couple of records, which I’m proud of, because if we’d not grown it would have been embarrassing. I’m proud of what I’m doing now.” Their sound has evolved but the darkness flowing throughout Havok’s lyrics has always remained constant. Burials is no exception and sees some of his darkest work to date. “Every record that we create is an honest reflection of what’s going on at that period of time and that’s very much the case with Burials… I was going through a lot of emotional chaos when we were writing the record and I feel that chaos really came through on the record.
of time working on the songs so we’re totally happy with them when we enter the studio. I’m very proud of the band. We spent about a year and a half, writing for months. It just takes that long for us to get together a group of songs that we’re happy with. After releasing record after record, it’s a bit more difficult for us to be satisfied with what we’re creating. We’ve covered so much ground over the years that our standards are getting higher and higher.” There were four years between Crash Love and Burials, and during that time Havok utilised every second. Whether or not it was to try and keep his mind away from the darkness surrounding him, he broadened his skillset, which sees a more theatrical essence to the
“I WAS GOING THROUGH A LOT OF EMOTIONAL CHAOS WHEN WE WERE WRITING THE RECORD AND I FEEL THAT CHAOS REALLY CAME THROUGH ON THE RECORD.” “Themes of panic and anxiety and betrayal that you hear running through the record came from personal experience. When we were writing the record there was really nothing else to write about because it was so present and so permanent in my life at the time.” When queried on specifics of the turmoil fuelling the record, Havok shies away. “I think the record is so very, very transparent that anyone can read the lyrics and see what I was going through. To define it any more would discolour people’s interpretation of what’s going on and I really do not want to take away from a different interpretation someone may have of the record.” It’s AFI’s drawn-out writing process that explains why each album is so different, with Burials focusing on bigger choruses and melodies, which is reminiscent of 2003’s Sing The Sorrow, making it a more engaging listen than 2009’s Crash Love. “We typically spend a lot 28 • THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013
band’s ninth record. You almost need a piece of paper and pen in front of you to sketch out a timeline of Havok’s travels to understand how he’s spent the past few years. He fronted Green Day’s American Idiot on Broadway in 2011, wrote fictional novel, Pop Kids, and released and toured a new album with his side project, Blaqk Audio. “The Blaqk Audio record that we released and toured on was
right before AFI began writing. I was Pop Kids while we were recording Crash Love and I finished it shortly after I finished performing in American Idiot. “I just very much enjoy the arts; I enjoy singing, I really enjoy writing and I’m working on my second novel now. Performing on Broadway was one of the best experiences of my life, if not the best experience of my life. I love acting, and it’s something that I would love to do again. Everything that I do, it’s not that I need to be doing something at all times – I enjoy taking a break – but not at the expense of missing out on doing something that I love.” WHAT: Burials (Universal) WHEN & WHERE: 23 Feb, Soundwave, Olympic Park
THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013 • 29
music
SOLE FOCUS Dallas Green, the man behind the moniker City & Colour, chats candidly with Benny Doyle about closure and confidence.
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hen put against his first three albums, Dallas Green calls City & Colour’s latest studio record, The Hurry And The Harm, “the best thing [he’s] done”, and without apprehension. The 33-year-old reasons that when you’re on to something new you should feel that way. “If you’re not evolving and doing your best work then there’s probably no point in continuing,” he states. “So I feel really good about it – I think it’s different but still sounds like me, and there’s nothing wrong with that.” When this writer last spoke with Green in 2011 prior to the release of third album Little Hell, he was missing this spark. Yes it was midnight in Canada and yes he’d no doubt had hours of press prior to our interview, but even though he was on the cusp of releasing his global breakthrough record, something still wasn’t sitting right. And listening
international farewell tour in December last year. That approaching closure gave Green a clear head, something he didn’t have when his old band originally broke up. “Because the last tour that I did with the [Alexisonfire] guys [in 2010] – I knew it was my last tour, they knew it was my last tour but no one else knew. We kept a lot of emotions bottled up inside, and whether we wanted to admit it or not I think that
The Hurry And The Harm was recorded in Nashville with Little Hell producer Alex Newport, a man Green holds a strong creative bond and trust with thanks to their work together through that difficult time. As such, it’s unsurprising that when Newport suggested going somewhere fresh and making the record special in a different way, Green embraced the idea, even though it meant sourcing session players who the songwriter had never worked with, let alone been introduced to. “The idea of having somebody I’d never met playing on my records was always scary to me because I didn’t know what they were going to bring to it, whether the light or the warmth was going to disappear,” he relates. But he trusted Newport to find the right people. Green ended up with a group of “wonderful musicians, but wonderful guys as well”, including Jack Lawrence from The Dead Weather and Bo Koster of My Morning Jacket. “They definitely didn’t hurt things,” Green says, letting out a warm a laugh. The accommodating record that resulted from the sessions was an extension of the good times shared, and proved to Green just how much Newport cared about the songs and how much they also meant to him. “Alex has all of the faith in me that I don’t have in myself, I think that’s the best way to put
“IF YOU’RE NOT EVOLVING AND DOING YOUR BEST WORK THEN THERE’S PROBABLY NO POINT IN CONTINUING.” to that album – especially when put against The Hurry And The Harm – that air of sadness is apparent. “I love Little Hell but I definitely know what you’re saying,” he agrees. “There was a lot of drama in my life at that time and making the record was a really tough time, so I think there is definitely that air in that record. But this one, it was probably one of the best times I’ve ever had making a record and writing the songs; as much as the songs still have that melancholic weight to them – which is just always something I tend to lean towards when it comes to writing songs – I feel like there’s more of a warmth to it.” Back then, one main thing that was bogging Green down was the approaching split of Alexisonfire, the St Catharines post-hardcore outfit he co-founded a decade before. However, the making of this latest record was completed just prior to Alexisonfire’s 30 • THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013
affected our relationships with one another. So all of that coming to the forefront and then ultimately seeing the closure in the distance I think really allowed me to go and make this record knowing it was going to be different. It was the first time I’ve ever gone to make a record and actually had the chance to let these songs marinate on their own without having to worry about what was going to be after it.”
it.” Yep, even with number one platinum albums and sell-out tours in various corners of the globe – under two different performance banners no less – Green still has difficulty wrapping his head around the idea that the music he creates is something special. “I don’t know if I could handle having an ego and I don’t know what I would do if I started to believe the hype,” he concludes. “I don’t know what music would come out of me, if any at all. So I tend to just keep myself grounded and to just write and get better.” WHAT: The Hurry And The Harm (Dine Alone) WHEN & WHERE: 24 to 26 Nov, State Theatre; 28 Nov, Civic Theatre, Newcastle; 2 Dec, Royal Theatre, Canberra
music
HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS Helen Croome ventured to Tasmania to write the first Gossling record, but after getting nothing done it was back to Melbourne to finally realise her Harvest Of Gold, writes Benny Doyle.
“I
went to Tassie just by myself to purposefully get lonely and depressed to write some new material, so I went down there and got lonely and depressed but didn’t write anything,” Croome sniggers. “It was just a learning experience; now I know that I can’t be by myself for that long. I just missed friends, and I didn’t have the internet – I missed the internet. It took me until when I got back to Melbourne to write the bulk of the material.” Of course, those creative hurdles are well and truly behind the emotive songstress. Calling in from New York City in the middle of the CMJ Music Marathon, Croome says it’s now all about sharing the songs, and although recent crowds have been eerily silent, it’s been in a good way. “Playing a venue with 100 people and they’re dead quiet is a lot more intense than playing a festival stage,” she says, reflecting on her initial two performances at the showcase. “You’ve got to stop those thoughts of, ‘Wow, these people are really listening to everything I’m singing,’ and then the, ‘Don’t stuff up the lyrics’, ‘What’s the next chorus coming?’ – that type of thing. It definitely adds another level of intensity to the gig, but that’s the biggest buzz I get in life. “I’ve been waiting a long time to play some new material live, so I’ve kinda been gagging for it, just to put these new songs in,” she adds. “Not only because it’s a different sound but now there’s more songs to choose from. [It means] we can have a different set depending on the gig, like a festival show compared to a more intimate show.” After her false start in the Apple Isle, Croome put Harvest Of Gold together in her Melbourne hometown, working autonomously with the exception of a few co-writes that “helped things get moving in [her] brain again for other things to start flowing”. None of these tracks are more striking than Songs Of Summer, which features the unmistakable vocal tone of Sparkadia’s Alex Burnett. “I wrote that song for the album and it really needed a baritone, low male voice – it was quite a low part,” she tells. “But, yeah! We sent the track to Alex, he liked it and
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he was in London, so I’d actually never met [him] until last week when he came to one of our [UK] gigs and said, ‘Hi, I’m Alex’. It was all just via email. It was a pretty different experience, but that song is one of my favourites on the album – I’m really happy with how that turned out.”
I was really intimidated by the process of making a full album – I felt like I was more in control just trying to get five or six tracks down and make them fit together nicely on a record.” Since those first forays, however, it’s clear Croome has found the knack. The album showcases her as a fully formed artist, one who isn’t afraid to move away from the expected. But although there’s some more pop hooks – and a little bit of abrasion thrown in – the songs that are closest to her heart are still the ballads, like closing number A Lover’s Spat. “I hope
“I’VE KINDA BEEN GAGGING FOR IT, JUST TO PUT THESE NEW SONGS IN.” Following a trio of EPs in the years leading up to Harvest Of Gold, Croome admits that she was more than prepared to make her full-length debut. But never in the past did she find herself in a rush, revealing that since 2009’s If You Can’t Whistle she’s been happy biding her time, and saving her pennies, for this moment. “It was a combination of being an independent artist and not being able to afford to make a whole album,” says Croome. “Also, I wanted to take my time.
people listen to those tracks as well as the poppier stuff like Harvest Of Gold and Never Expire and [are] able to experience both worlds,” she muses. And far from being a moniker, Gossling now stands comfortably as a four-piece band, allowing all the intricacies of Harvest Of Gold to be brought to life on stage. “It’s been a challenge working out how to play the album material live because I’m playing a lot more synth, so it’s been a fun challenge,” Croome explains. “I knew when we were making the record that it was going to be hard, but I didn’t want that to stop me from keeping on going and making the record that we ended up making.” WHAT: Harvest Of Gold (Dew Process/Universal) WHEN & WHERE: 23 Nov, Oxford Art Factory
MUSIC FOR THE MIND With the release of his eighth album, The Bright Door, J Walker explains to Tyler McLoughlan why the music of Machine Translations will never be easy.
J
Walker is a musician’s musician capable of rendering those in the know a gushing mess of superlatives that almost always includes something about creative integrity. He’s a darling of the critics too, a producer, a member of Paul Kelly’s touring band and a well known composer for film and television; it’s no wonder his eighth Machine Translations record has been six years in the making. “It’s a cliché, but great art is always either about sex or death, so they say,” begins Walker on the heavy themes
of The Bright Door. “During the time that I was making this record I lost a really dear friend and we had our second child, and those two things were actually pretty close together so there’s definitely a period of time when that sort of stuff is happening where you become very aware of what it’s all about really.” He chuckles quietly at the enormity of being confronted simultaneously by life and death. It’s amusing to hear the word cliché coming from Walker considering The Bright Door – and indeed the entire Machine Translations catalogue – cannot be tidily filed under folk, rock, pop nor
any other genre. With instruments old, broken, modified, detuned, delayed and sustained, an often imperfect but always thought-provoking vocal is delivered across rhythms both languid and purposeful on his latest effort. It’s a challenging listen that stimulates both intrigue and unease, a point that Walker is all too happy to confirm.
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“It’s kind of a little niche that I’ve carved out for myself; there’s plenty of people making easy music out there and some of it’s great and some of it’s shit. But my thing’s always been to try and find new ways of articulating the sort of ideas that I get. To satisfy myself I have to at least make a pretty big effort to go beyond a set of basic ingredients of songwriting. I like my lyrics to have a bit of depth in ‘em, and musically, I dunno, it’s just my thing; I’ve always loved the more experimental side of pop music and that’s sort of where I like to go naturally. I contradict myself because I love simple rock’n’roll as well, but for the sort of places I like to go musically, it’s gotta feel different and in some way it’s gotta feel new.” Walker suggests it’s also gotta speak to the mind. “Music can have so many different roles; you wouldn’t put my record on if you wanted to have a boogie, that’s for sure…” he laughs. “But if you compare it to, say, books or literature, some of the literature that I’ve enjoyed most in my life over the years it’s taken me a fair while to get into it, and sometimes it’s taken me ages to read the book and it’s dense and complex and makes you feel stuff, and you’re not sure if you really want to go there, but that’s really rewarding – that’s stretching your mind a little bit.” WHEN & WHERE: 21 Nov, FBi Social; 22 Nov, Tattersall’s Hotel; 23 Nov, Farmer & The Owl Festival, University Of Wollongong
THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013 • 33
film
FUELLING THE FIRE The second instalment of The Hunger Games gives us a look into the wider world of the Capitol and the districts. Tom Hawking discovers how Catching Fire director Francis Lawrence expanded on the dystopian society and what stars Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson thought of the directorial switch.
I
t’s strange to feel anything approaching sympathy for a well regarded Hollywood director who’s just taken the reins of a gazillion-dollar franchise that’ll probably furnish him with enough cash to buy a small Pacific island... but still, it’s hard not to feel for Francis Lawrence, just a little bit. He came to the Hunger Games franchise when it was already fully established as a commercial and critical juggernaut – the first film, directed and written by Gary Ross, was a resounding success, and Ross seemed well established as a sort of Panem Peter Jackson for the foreseeable future. Then he jumped ship, and why he did so remains open to question. Ross spoke at the time of The Hunger Games’ release about how much he was looking forward to Catching Fire, and one certainly got the impression that his actors – especially his star, Jennifer Lawrence – loved him. He cited the film’s tight production schedule as his reason for leaving, but it’s hard not to suspect there might have been going on behind the scenes – surely a director would make time to direct a sequel to one of his most-loved films unless there was a compelling reason not to? (For what it’s worth, one also gets the impression that this mightn’t have been the easiest group to become a part of – pretty much all the actors involved in the first film give variations on a chummy statement about how “tight-knit” they were, and there’s a certain air of... well, dickishness, to be honest, about the Year 9-esque way that Woody Harrelson and Liam Hemsworth, paired for a round-table session 34 • THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013
at the press junket for the film, giggle and try to outdo themselves in giving sarcastic and/or nonsensical answers to journalists’ questions.) Anyway, in light of all this, you can argue that for all it was professionally (and, presumably, financially) rewarding to take command of such a high-profile franchise, Lawrence was on a hiding to nothing taking this job – if Catching Fire is as successful as the first film, he’s continuing his predecessor’s good work, and if it isn’t, then he gets to carry the can. Which it’ll be remains to be seen. Still, sitting at LA’s swanky Four Seasons hotel, three days into the journalistic onslaught that surrounds his film’s release, Lawrence is determinedly chipper.
Yes, he says, he felt that he could bring something new to the franchise, and he was excited to do so. “I didn’t find it hard to make [the franchise] my own, actually,” he says. “It was the thing that I had to think about when I got the call. I was a fan of the books, and [the film has] a great cast. It’s a project that’s hard to resist. I re-read the book when I got the call about meeting with everybody to make sure there was enough material for me to make it my own. And I really quickly saw that there was, because the story is a very different story than the first one; for me, it’s where everything kind of opens up.” Lawrence is fairly light on specifics as what in particular he felt he could bring to the project, preferring that his film speak for itself. But watching Catching Fire, you see what he means about “everything opening up” – unlike the first Hunger Games, which centred around what happened in the arena, this film focuses more on the dystopian society that gives rise to the Games in the first place (so much so, actually, that the presence of another iteration of the Games in this film feels like a weird afterthought.) “I think the thing that really hooked me the most about Catching Fire,” he agrees, “is that for me, it’s the movie that the real themes and ideas really start to kick in. And that’s one of the things I wanted to sell.” For their part, his actors also speak warmly – and, it must be said, diplomatically – of the transition. Josh Hutcherson, for instance, says, “I like how Francis took the world that Gary had created and
“THE STORY IS A VERY DIFFERENT STORY THAN THE FIRST ONE; FOR ME, IT’S WHERE EVERYTHING KIND OF OPENS UP.”
worked with it and kept it, like the continuity of the world. But also, sort of, built upon it and made it bigger because the story becomes a larger scale story. You get the opportunity to see a lot more of the Capitol, a lot more of the districts. And I think that the way Francis built upon what Gary had already done was really smart.” Jennifer Lawrence, for her part, is as endearingly blunt as ever. “Of course I was upset [that Ross wasn’t returning],” she says, “but I completely understood. And I was really, really impressed – I admired why he didn’t take on the movie. He didn’t think he had enough time to be able to give his best. As upset as I was to see him go, I do admire that about him. And then Francis has been absolutely wonderful.” It remains to be seen whether audiences agree, although for what it’s worth, Francis Lawrence has already confirmed that he’ll be returning to the franchise for the adaptation of the final book, Mockingjay, which will be split into two films, Deathly Hallows-style. Filming is already under way, and will last until July next year. What can fans expect? “I don’t want to give too much away,” the director says, “but I will say that we’re making these books and we’re making them true. We’re making Mockingjay, we’re not reinventing Mockingjay.” WHAT: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire In cinemas 21 Nov THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013 • 35
music
PINCHED NERVE The Nerve are Australia’s newest supergroup with one clear agenda, Ezekiel Ox tells Monique Cowper: to produce “music you can nod your head to while plotting revolution”.
“T
he omnipresent evil waging war against us can galvanise people,” declares Ezekiel Ox just seconds into our interview. “There is joy in making people face up to the fact they can change the world living in an Abbott Australia. Amongst the revolutionary circles there will be a solid fight back.” It can, however, prove difficult to stage a rebellion when you haven’t even met your comrades. This was the challenge for Ox, drummer Lucius Borich from Cog, Prazsky Vyber’s guitarist Glenn Proudfoot and former Pre-Shrunk bassist Davarj Thomas. Based between Prague, Melbourne and Sydney they recorded Audiodacity on Skype and met for the first time on the eve of their debut gig. “We are standing around waiting before our first gig,’’ Ox says. “We had finished the album but we had never stood in the same space together. When we listened back to the tapes it showed a band that had a real alchemy.” It may sound crazy but as Ox, quite rightly, points out the “musicianship on display is not questionable”. “We wanted it to be a really pure expression of metal, really fierce rock. We knew we wanted to go toward something that was pure intellect and aggression. Musically, for me, I knew the level of songwriting was absolutely exciting. We weren’t housed by technical restrictions, which is very exciting for the future.” It is an incredibly cohesive album and Ox laughs when asked if taking the egos out of the mix by working online had contributed to this. “There is no ego in the music business,” he cackles before turning serious. “I expect, and I get, 95 per cent respect and thoughtfulness from the people I work with. We have the work ethic that backs this up. We aren’t a bunch of people who expect this to be handed to us. Perhaps the band, The Nerve, is the ego. It is the thing that has the swagger.” Ox, whether he likes it or not, has become somewhat famous for forming a band which gains a hardcore following and then often dissipates. The list includes Full Scale, Mammal, Smash Nova, Over-Reactor, and The Ox & The Fury some of which are still “in a state of flux” to use his words. “I’ve got a restless heart,’’ he claims. “I won’t do something purely because it’s fun
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for others. I have a life and with Full Scale and Mammal the thrill was gone. It must be a strange thing for people to see this tight, committed act onstage but they aren’t in the van or in the rehearsal space when we are struggling. Once it becomes a struggle, I’m out.” Ox is quick to reject suggestions that
gig to confront fans he believes are being too physically aggressive, passionately argues against those who criticise him for flying the Aboriginal flag at gigs and swaps standard onstage banter for speeches on topics from homophobia to feminism. “When you’re radical people see might see you, day-to-day, challenging racism, sexism and homophobia. That can be difficult in Australia when you tack on male, straight, white privilege. I have all of that privilege but I challenge it every day.” When it was put to Ox that some of the most creative ideas arise from conservative times, Ox is hesitant to put any positive spin on what he believes are negative forces. “I can’t say anything good can
“THE BEST WAY TO KEEP US TOGETHER IS TO COME TO A SHOW.” maybe he is difficult to work with. “I think that’s an unfair perspective,” he says. “The songs are there, the work is done, I write, I work on the road, I’m passionate about my fan base, I have a plethora of wonderfully talented people who I’m able to work with.” He is, however, the first to admit that his politics may cause frustration for former bandmates. Ox brands himself a radical and he walks the talk behind his music. He will stop a
come from the current scum running the planet. I hope to see refugees, single mums, [and] gay people afforded justice and I don’t see that enough.” As for whether Ox sees The Nerve outlasting any of his previous projects, the singer claims he is more focused than ever but interestingly puts the onus back on the fans. “It has already been a struggle, a real effort, to get to this point. Hopefully we’re producing music you can nod your head to while plotting revolution. The best way to keep us together is to come to a show. Even if someone has an inkling of curiosity, that’s what excites us.” WHAT: Audiodacity (Bird’s Robe/MGM) WHEN & WHERE: 21 Nov, Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle; 22, Nov Yours & Owls, Wollongong; 23 Nov, The Annandale
IT’S YOUR TIME
Brian Dales and The Summer Set have worked tirelessly to see their dreams through, and as the vocalist tells Benny Doyle, everyone has that ability to be Legendary.
“O
ur fanbase seems like the type that’s always looking for a reason to be inspired, to be themselves and to do what they love, and I feel that really resonated.” Calling in from the tour bus during a stop in Philadelphia, Brian Dales is discussing Legendary, the third record from The Summer Set. More than ever before, the Arizona five-piece have looked to create musical moments that their fans can interact easily with, and thanks to songs such as Rescue and Maybe Tonight, they’re hearing full voices like never before.
“These songs have really resonated with our fans as far as being on an inspiring level. I feel these songs really make our fans feel like they’re alive. This is the most produced album we’ve ever made in the studio so there was always a little bit of a worry in translating the songs live, but I think the songwriting was so good that it ended up being so much more effortless. It’s really great to be able to captivate people in a live setting and get them involved right out of the gate.” Early records from The Summer Set were put together in typical fashion for a young band: one producer, one studio, five-to-six weeks. Legendary was
different, with the group spending nine months making the album, working with many different producers in a variety of locations. “I think it makes it a very eclectic album,” remarks Dales, “I think there’s something for everybody. It was fun to not really follow [the] rules we had set for ourselves in the past.”
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In addition to pushing the creative envelope as far as how they work, The Summer Set also pushed their relationships with each other, moving in together when the album was in its infancy to work on demos as a band. Originally hesitant, Dales says now that Legendary wouldn’t be what it is without that time shared. “It got us off on the right foot. I don’t think we got as much done in the house as we would have liked to but I’m very proud of our time [there] because it taught us about who we were, who we were becoming, and it set the album in the direction that I’m really happy it went in. It was such a crazy idea to me – to move into a house with the people I already spend ten months of the year with on the road, where normally on tour I like separating ourselves,” he adds. “But we survived two months in a house together and we came out the other end better people.” And when you consider the band members are all still in their early-twenties, the possibilities for The Summer Set are endless. “Starting at seventeen, our first four or five years of a band was definitely music puberty – it was a growing time. But [now], it’s all very exciting for us.”
WHAT: Legendary (Fearless/Sony) WHEN & WHERE: 1 Dec, Warped Tour, Barangaroo; 6 Dec, Warped Tour, Exhibition Park, Canberra
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SOUTH AUSTRALIA JACK COUNTERACT Station: 891 ABC Adelaide Showing that punk rock runs through the veins, no matter what the age, this Adelaide five-piece deliver speedy So-Cal sounds for the people of the south. The goal is simple: make music they want to listen to. If others get on board it’s a bonus. Listen: The Stolen
WESTERN AUSTRALIA JAHSIFIK Station: ABC Goldfields Esperance
THE GLITTER GANG
Kalgoorlie-via-Aotearoa septet Jahsifik bring reggae vibes to the parched brown land of the west. Spare time is hard to find so practice takes place in the scaffolding yards between shifts on the mines, the music created an extension of their WA existence. Listen: Redemption Song (Bob Marley cover)
tv
DIGGING UP SURPRISES A band competition with a beating heart, Exhumed shows that real music is made by real people. Benny Doyle catches up with host James Valentine and profiles some of the talent.
E
xhumed started off as a bit of fun on James Valentine’s radio show on 702 ABC Sydney; a band competition for those playing music, not for fame or fortune, but for the hell of it. That original call-out saw 250 acts enter, the huge response prompting Valentine and the ABC to take things further – to a national scale – reaching out to all the local legends making a racket just because they can. The result is one of the largest band competitions ever held in Australia, with more than 2500 entrants whittled down to 44 regional winners. This shortlist will soon be trimmed to six, with the finalists set to perform at the Grand Final on 12 Dec, but before that last cull happens let’s look at a few bands that have made the cut so far.
NEW SOUTH WALES AUNTY HU HU AND THE BIG LAZY Station: ABC Mid North Coast and Coffs Coast This Bellingen quartet are named after a popular New Zealand children’s book, and that same sense of fun runs through their music as they mix blues, reggae, junk soul and more. A treasure found in the forest. Listen: No More Wine
VICTORIA THE GLITTER GANG Station: 774 ABC Melbourne Bright sparkly colours are what you’re getting from The Glitter Gang, in case the name didn’t give that away already. Featuring five suburban dads completely glammed up, the guys’ make-up application skills are almost as tight as the keytar lines. Listen: Evie (Stevie Wright cover)
QUEENSLAND OLD MAN FRIDAY Station: ABC Coast FM
Although they feature a librarian, a high school art teacher and a transport officer, Babymachine are far from responsible. The Wollongong trio pull inspiration from the likes of Sabbath and Motorhead, melting the speakers with their hard rock licks.
A band imagined in the Gold Coast surf, Old Man Friday soon became a more serious pastime than wave riding. Taking inspiration from their salt water surrounds, the two guys play instrumental surf jams that soundtrack their lives.
Listen: The Disease
Listen: Surfer D
BABYMACHINE Station: ABC Illawarra
THE HOST WITH THE MOST: A Q&A WITH JAMES VALENTINE Has the response to Exhumed been overwhelming for you, considering this is your baby? The seed was planted and it grew with only slight encouragement. It’s one of things I love about it – there are thousands of people in bands around the country and all we had to do was ask them to get in touch. What hopes did you f irst hold for the competition? I initially just thought it would be funny, but then the entries we received changed my mind. They got so much out of getting a track on the radio or doing an interview. I started to love what they were doing, their passion for it, and in many cases, their sound! What were you looking for from the local winners? We just wanted bands who were having a great time, who were committed to their band and who did something a bit fresher than just hack out a few old tunes. Has this competition reinforced the power of music? I think the show in general is a tribute to that power and reveals how many people have friendships and great relationships forged in music. We talk about what sport can do, but this shows us that Australians are really quite musical. Is the love of music these bands hold more pure than groups that have cut records and signed deals? Completely. Professionals start out with [that] love, but it becomes infused with career decisions and money. These people have great guitar collections, often their own studio and they are only interested in their own sound.
WHAT: Exhumed WHEN & WHERE: Thursdays to 12 Dec, ABC1 (final voting closes midnight, 25 Nov)
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music
STEPPING UP Darren Middleton shakes off the Powderfinger years on his new solo album. He talks Danielle O’Donohue through the process.
I
t took almost a year of travelling through Europe with his family before Darren Middleton’s passion for music kicked back in. The guitarist had said goodbye to his bandmates in the newly broken up Powderfinger and needed to put some distance between himself and that band’s musical legacy in Australia. “What I was doing, even unconsciously, was postponing the untangling of the threads that needs to happen with a long-term anything,” Middleton says of his almost 20-year career with Powderfinger. “I didn’t really anticipate or expect to find myself lost. Who am I? I had to really discover that again because I’ve only ever really been Darren from Powderfinger. It was a bit of a surprise. But it was good to go through it. I fell in love with music again, which I had fallen out of.” Once Middleton’s passion had been restored and a move to Melbourne had introduced him to electronica producer Simon Walbrook, songs that he had been writing and was originally inclined to overlook or move on from began to put their case forward to be completed. “At the end of a period of frustration I looked back and thought, ‘They’re actually good. I just need to finish them’. It’s the first time I’ve ever had a record where I know where it came from.” While Middleton’s new solo album Translations isn’t his first foray outside of Powderfinger – he also led the band Drag – the singer-songwriter says that these songs had a more personal resonance and that was the reason he started contemplating the idea of a solo album. “I needed the songs to have a reason to exist, or for the album to exist. At this point in my life I wanted to be singing about something that was just me, really, wherever I am in life at the moment. I was going through quite an up and down period of my life, battling a bit of depression. Searching to find myself again. So that’s all great source material. “You don’t make every record like that because you can’t. But having that sort of album allows you to slip back into the memory of that really easily when you’re performing it.”
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Middleton’s new friendship with Walbrook made for an unlikely musical partnership, but he says Walbrook’s electronic way of working has added a new dimension to his knowledge of songwriting and broadened the scope of his own work as a producer. “I would always write a song, the chords would move the melody – a very traditional way of songwriting – but because
Bernard Fanning. Though Middleton didn’t write any songs with particular guests in mind, he was hoping his famous friends could each take their turn at the main microphone. But in the end they were more of a supporting cast than the main attraction. “It was phone calls of me going, ‘I don’t really think I can be a lead singer. Can I get a hand?’ and they all said yes because they’re all my friends,” Middleton says. “I had Nic Cester sing the lead vocal on a song and we both walked in and went, ‘That’s not right, is it?’ It sounded rock’n’rolly but it just wasn’t right, so Pete Murray sang the vocal but then it was a Pete Murray song and I thought, ‘How can I put that on the record?’ “So those guys and myself all came on the same page pretty quickly. I thought, ‘Look, I just need to step up
“I FELL IN LOVE WITH MUSIC AGAIN, WHICH I HAD FALLEN OUT OF.” he comes from a different school of songwriting he’d take this on the computer and chop it and loop it. Just trying things and piecing a song together on the screen and then going, ‘Okay, let’s learn how to play it’.” The album also features a cast of backing players and singers that reads like a who’s who of Australian music over the last decade or so, from Paul Dempsey and Pete Murray to Nic Cester ( Jet), Davey Lane, (You Am I) Clare Bowditch and not surprisingly
and do it’, so I did it. I had Paul Dempsey come in and he was going to sing lead vocal but we didn’t even try. It was just backing vocals. I did write a bridge for him to sing on which I slaved over because it’s Paul Dempsey. He’s quite the wordsmith. You don’t want to hand him any sort of drivel. I tried to hand him something he would sing proudly and it went really well.” Now Middleton has overcome his hesitation to be the main voice at the microphone he’s relishing the role and looking forward to getting out in front of his band for the live shows at the end of this month. Though Middleton doesn’t really see himself as an elder statesmen of Australian rock, there’s no denying his legacy as guitarist with Powderfinger or his future as a solo artist.
WHAT: Translations (MGM) WHEN & WHERE: 22 Nov, The Vanguard
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music
SKARRED FOR LIFE Johnny Christmas got into the music game to become a jazz great, but then he got tangled up with those Reel Big Fish boys. The rest is ska history, write Benny Doyle.
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or close to a decade, Johnny ‘Christmas’ Christianson has been the trumpet troublemaker in Reel Big Fish. But before he jumped on board with the Californian ska legends in 2004, the 38-year-old was shining towards a different musical path entirely. “I was going to university when this band was really blowing up in the late ‘90s,” remembers Christmas, “but I was studying to become the next Wynton Marsalis, I wanted to play jazz. And so that was really my focus. I knew Reel Big Fish, but I was so buried in music school that it was kind of oblivious to me, aside from going and watching our bass player, Derek Gibbs, watching his band Jeffries Fan Club play. I went away to school [then would] come home and go and watch Derek’s gigs, so that was really my introduction to ska bands, Jeffries Fan Club.” As fate would have it, jazz fancier Christmas would end up scoring his position in Reel Big Fish through Gibbs, a long-time friend who he first met aged 13 when they held together the brass section in their high school marching band. Gibbs eventually joined Reel Big Fish also in 2007, and it’s those strong core relationships, built around sole founding member Aaron Barrett, that have helped maintained the sextet’s worldwide popularity long after the third wave of ska was over. However, this made it even tougher when Dan Regan announced he was recently leaving the group after 19 years of trombone service to focus on his young family. “Oh man,” Christmas sighs, “the last show was at Rob Zombie’s Great American Nightmare, and we had Dan over at my house, we had a little party with the band and the crew, and it was a sad farewell, it finally sunk in that he’s not going to be here hanging out and playing trombone and saying silly shit. And just being a real professional. We’re really lucky to have such a professional crew and such a professional bunch of performers in the band who are really good at this, not only making music but being on the road, everybody is really, really great, and to see somebody who’s like
that [leave], who really takes pride in what he does, it hurts.” Currently touring America with Five Iron Frenzy before heading to Australia for Warped Tour, Reel Big Fish didn’t have a great deal of time to mourn the loss, so Billy Kottage from Boston’s Big D & The Kids Table stepped into Regan’s former role
have such a great group of fans. And it’s not like a set of fans that are aging with us – there are people like that – but our fan base is constantly regenerating. We’re like one of those bands that the older brother gives our CDs to their younger brother or sister and it just keeps getting handed down like this, so there’s all these new people every time we play a show. I can’t stress enough how lucky we are.” To keep those ardent supporters entertained, Reel Big Fish are currently hard at work on a follow-up to 2012’s Candy Coated Fury. “We’re writing songs as you and I speak,” Christmas says, “they are percolating in our very small brains.” But unfortunately, Aussie fans heading to Warped will have to wait a little longer to get their skank on to the new stuff. “Aaron won’t play any songs before [they’ve] been released on a record, which I kinda understand because people want to sing along with our music,” says Christmas, “and after releasing Candy Coated Fury, that record was one of the fastest accepted by our fans. As soon as it got released, as soon as we started to play those songs, people were
“OH, YOU GUYS ARE A CHALLENGE.” after sporadically filling in for him during the past 12 months. Such a quick turnaround was a necessity for the band though, who even after two decades still continue to tour solidly for eight months of the year, every year. “How lucky are we man?” Christmas gushes. “Making it in the music business, it’s almost like being hit by lightning, and we are so lucky we
singing them in the front row – it was really special. So hopefully we can have another release like that, that gets taken up by everybody and really loved. So we will do our best to write only hit songs.” Christmas assures us, however, that the band will make their upcoming performances count. All that he asks from us is that we move, sing, drink and bring dessert . “Oh, pavlova is one of my favourite things,” he smiles. “And you guys can drink! Oh, you guys are a challenge, [but] we accept that challenge and we will drink right along with you.”
WHEN & WHERE: 1 Dec, Warped Tour, Barangaroo; 6 Dec, Warped Tour, Exhibition Park, Canberra
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reviews
ALBUM OF THE WEEK
This week: Adoration explores the unconventional and passionate love affairs between two mothers with each other’s sons; Cold Chisel remain a visceral live act – and their new album proves it; and the vocal dynamics of The Everly Brothers have been challenged by Billie Joe Armstrong and Norah Jones.
ALEX CAMERON Jumping The Shark Crawfish Records
★★★★
TRACK LISTING
The most instantly disarming thing about Alex Cameron’s debut solo is, well, pretty much everything. Cameron plays in Sydney’s Seekae and, while they wouldn’t necessarily be accused of taking themselves too seriously, they have kept a very low personality profile as band. Often playing in darkness on stage, only the most recent release of theirs has featured vocals at all, giving some slight insight into their collective personality. Cameron has launched a ‘publicity’ campaign to accompany the album including a website to rival the classic still-live Space Jam relic complete with ‘Under Construction’ graphic. His twitter profile mocks the game of celebrity. Even the name of the album suggests that it’s all a laugh. All cool, except that even when taking the piss, this record is outstanding. The tracks are minimal, perhaps churned out quickly or lovingly crafted to hit this level of simplicity. After two fantastic low key pop tracks, the humour kicks in heavier on Real Bad Lookin but it’s still a great song, full of hooks and covers some bleak issues. The Comeback is electro Springsteen and INTERNET is barely more than a synth line for most of the song – his voice and the lyrics are funny, sad and also telling.
1. Happy Ending
6. INTERNET
2. Gone South
7. Mongrel
Maybe Cameron is hiding behind the jokey elements which wouldn’t be necessarily as obvious without the promo, but the songs are fantastic, the performance perfectly restrained and he keeps the whole thing so classy it’s hard not to revel in it wholeheartedly.
3. Real Bad Lookin
8. Take Care Of Business
Chris Yates
4. The Comeback 5. She’s Mine
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album reviews
BILLIE JOE & NORAH
COLD CHISEL
Foreverly
The Live Tapes Vol 1: Hordern Pavilion, April 18th, 2012
Warner
Cold Chisel Music/Universal
After his breakdown and stint in rehab, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong needed a way to redeem himself. The cleancut, smooth sounds of Foreverly seem almost like the work of a PR team in damage control. The timing, choice of album and theme seem so out of the blue that everyone has been anticipating the release of this record – even those who don’t know who Don and Phil Everly are.
Cold Chisel concerts are communal affairs, as much about the music as about nostalgia, celebration and escape from the daily grind, and this first live volume finds the band firing on all cylinders in Sydney last year on the back of their massive Light The Nitro tour and their last studio album No Plans.
Armstrong choosing to bring Norah Jones aboard was the best thing he could have done. The unmistakable and iconic vocal dynamics of The Everly Brothers have been challenged on this release, and introducing a female voice into the mix opens the songs up to a completely different interpretation. There’s an interesting chemistry between the pair – probably to do with how separate their chosen genres sit from one another – so
★★ it would have been nice to see them collaborate on something a little more upbeat and original. In 1958 The Everly Brothers released a collection of covers titled Songs Our Daddy Taught Us, which gave the songs a new edge. When it comes down to it, Foreverly is a remake of a cover album, and Armstrong and Jones haven’t done enough legwork in their own interpretations to justify the final product. Fans of Norah Jones and The Everly Brothers will no doubt find this a good listen, and while this won’t really appeal to Green Day fans, it’s the first redeeming thing Armstrong has done in years. Daniel Cribb
The band sounds lean and hungry, mixing up their extensive discography across 21 tracks, from the classics to new songs from No Plans. Of course the best moments come from those seminal tracks that feel burnt into the psyche of generations since the ‘70s, filtered down through parents’ record collections and more a part of Australian culture than any other band of the last 30 years. Standing On The Outside gets things rolling, loosening up band and audience. Cheap Wine incites a full-throated sing-along where you can picture the lighters
DAUGHTRY
THE KVB
Sony
A Recordings
Let’s be honest, many of you dear readers are just as disdainful of gluttonous talent shows as I, but once in a blue moon, someone genuinely remarkable manages to punch through. But our haughtiness is always validated by the success of grunting, soulless hacks like Chris Daughtry, whose biggest talent is to make shitloads of cash off people who communicate in flannel shirts and body odours, who have but one expectation from their music: louder = better.
Before the UK duo of Nicholas Wood and Kat Day hit our shores next month in support of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The KVB have released this little gem to whet our appetites. It’s their third album, but their first on Anton Newcombe’s label A Recordings, which has given them plenty of time to hone their sound before all the psych/ rock/garage/shoegaze/alternative fans check them out live.
Baptized
If Daughtry toned it down and wrote from his heart not for his next mansion, Baptized wouldn’t be so addled with so much transparent vapidity. Comparing an argument with the missus to Battleships is agonisingly obvious, and just in case you don’t get the point, the chorus’s cannons go “Boomboom-boom-boomboom”. The most offensive is the calculated anthem with the big sing-along chorus, Long Live Rock And 46 • THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013
★★★★ waving and grinning punters on tops of shoulders. Aside from the anthems, highlights also emerge when things quieten down. Saturday Night showcases the wonderful interplay between Ian Moss’ guitar and Don Walker’s piano, such a key element to both the songwriting and sound of the band, while Flame Trees is the concert’s deserving centrepiece. This is a great (and great sounding) addition to their catalogue that serves a number of purposes – a hits package, a sign that they are still alive and kicking as a band and a reminder of what a dynamic and visceral live act they remain. Chris Familton
Minus One
½ Roll, with surgically inserted references to high school, Billy Joel and Bon Jovi to tell you exactly how good you feel. When Daughtry labours the emotions, he simply thieves Take That’s Patience (in Wild Heart) or SMS’s his own lyrics over Train’s Hey, Soul Sister and renames it Cinderella. I desperately want to tell you it’s not all so harrowingly bad, but after the over-wretched chorus of seventh song, The World We Knew, you’re still only halfway through the contempt Daughtry seemingly has for his audience. Rather than simply boring in its lack of ideas, Baptized drowns you in an acrid stench of money. Mac McNaughton
Minus One is a shoegaze washout, starting with Again & Again. The song immediately shows off ambient vocals, measured drum machines, minimalist synth lines, wailing guitar and a sensual bassline to create a soundscape that plays homage to the likes of the gods of shoegaze: The Jesus & Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive. Dominance/Submission is a high point and is the band at its least derivative. The seven-minute track is up-tempo and plays
★★★★ most with the synth and effects pedals. At times, it actually sounds like wind is whipping around you, while Wood, in his signature monotone, mumbles something indiscernible in your ear. Thanks to the sprawling breakdown it feels original, while also fitting into the late ‘80s/ early ‘90s period where this kind of “noise” was at its peak. There is no stand-out track – rather the album blends into one reverb-soaked epic, without getting boring. It swells and dives and makes the most of that ‘80s-esque synth and bass drone throughout, but especially in closer Radiant Hour. Hannah Story
album reviews
★★★★
★★★
★★★½
★★★★
BABYLON CIRCUS
CORONET BLUE
DEICIDE
LIAM GERNER
Never Stop
Better Day
In The Minds Of Evil
Land Of No Roads
Cartell
Laughing Outlaw/Inertia
Century Media
Shock
It’s five albums down the track for this French nine-piece and they’ve moved well beyond their initial ska stylings, incorporating everything from gypsy swing to Afro pop, reggae and rock music. Singing predominantly in French, but occasionally in English, live they’re a powerhouse of barely restrained infectious energy, though recently they’ve become increasingly adept at layering their albums with subtle moments of genuine beauty. While typically diverse, Never Stop is Babylon at their most pop, full of hooks and singalong choruses, music to which you mumble nonsensically as you realise you don’t even speak French.
Boasting another intimidating resume, Coronet Blue release their third studio album with style and an assuredness that only experienced musicians have. Heavily swung 8ths give Waiting Forever a classic feel, and the organs, EP and vintage guitar sounds sure help that along. Midway sees that delicious Hammond shining on Oh Pardon Me, and the male backing vocals show that fellas can totally pull off the “ooh”s and “ah”s too. Eventually, the album gets brought to a close with Absolute Zero and reverb-y drums and of course, you guessed it, ol’ Hammond B3.
Negative publicity flocks to Glen Benton like flies on you-know-what. Recently, a support act scorned lambasting the frontman’s alleged unprofessionalism. Deicide thrive on such drama, latest LP combining bangers, middling fare and filler. Benton’s vo-kill gurgle had lost potency, but cracking, Legion-channelling opening title track helps reaffirm credentials somewhat. Searing Between The Flesh And The Void reinforces the taut, less melodic old school vibe, while dexterous drummer/songwriter Steve Asheim remains their true MVP. Scourge of opening acts and promoters worldwide, Deicide still have some evil intentions.
Opening with a nice, fat drum groove underlining Gerner’s guitar and a tasty Rhodes sound, Dead And Denialville showcases the quality of the album to come. Sporting a resume of tours and collaborations, it comes as no surprise that the calibre of the recording, production, performance and indeed every other aspect of the album is utterly pristine. Mainly armed with an assumedly faithful companion, an acoustic guitar, Gerner portrays a self-image of nomadic tomfoolery and delivers it in any kind of style you’d think to make, thumbing your merry way down a dusty highway.
Bob Baker Fish
Lukas Murphy
Brendan Crabb
Lukas Murphy
★★★★
★★★
★★½
STARVATION
VARIOUS/BONOBO
VARIOUS
Starvation
Late Night Tales
Clarity/Shock
Late Night Tales/Balance
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire OST
So often do modern hardcore bands that follow the short, fast and loud ethos fall into the trap of boxing themselves into being just another Infest throwback, but Adelaidians Starvation have successfully managed to follow that recipe without too overtly borrowing from the greats of the ‘80s. Power violence without too much violence and thrash metal without too much thrash, Starvation’s debut self-titled album is a great example of hardcore that is accessible to hardcore elitists, as well as those simply with a penchant for anything gutsy.
A Late Night Tales disc doesn’t offer a technical set of mixing, more so it gives an insight into a particular artist’s personality via a selection of wax from their record box. In Bonobo’s case, it reveals a man who’s at peace with the world around. He blends electronica, orchestral and otherwise to create an audio sanctuary, a place to readjust your mood. Nina Simone’s Baltimore sees in a beautiful passage in the mid section, for example, while Peter & Kerry’s One Thing cover puts a choice spin on Amerie’s original. These are songs which just drip through the speakers.
Justine Keating
Benny Doyle
Universal
★★★★
WOODEN SHJIPS Back To Land Twelve Suns/Rocket
Like most soundtracks of this ilk, this one takes a bunch of currently scorching hot names and takes what often feels like a leftover B-side from one of their recent sessions. In this case, to tie into The Hunger Games, everything is over-dramatised in just the right doses. Gal-of-themoment Lorde has the perfect inclusion, the keystone and creepy cover of Everybody Wants To Rule The World. Elsewhere contemporaries such as Coldplay, Sia, The National and Santigold deliver pedestrian tracks that’ll undoubtedly sound at home in the film, but here, are a little uninteresting overall.
Wooden Shjips’ latest, much like The Black Angels’ Indigo Meadow, unexpectedly adds a more accessible, almost pop dimension to their previously freakedout frequencies. The sludgy psychedelics give way to lustrous textures. Bass and drums work motorik rhythms but move beyond mind-numbing repetition to work up a sweat over muscular grooves that bounce. Their usual loose improvisational approach yields to melody and tighter songwriting. Guitarist Ripley Johnson’s mellow faraway vocals are haunting and he treats us to guitar solos soaked to the bone in fuzz and distortion. Wooden Shjips are in interstellar overdrive with these utterly gorgeous cosmic rockers.
Ben Preece
Guido Farnell THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013 • 47
albums/singles/eps
★★★★
★★½
★★½
LADY GAGA
CAULFIELD
Sonum Vitae
Artpop
Vanity
Under Your Skin
Independent
Universal
Halfcut/Shock
Liberation
The improvised work chronicling your life, partly designed as therapy, could be the kind of thing almost certain to disappear up its own fundament of pretentiousness. But Jodi Phillis – she of The Clouds, if you need a reference point – has a pop sense that comes through, even if it’s started by merely pressing the record button and letting things happen. Snatches of nursery rhyme tick through Infancy, while Adolescence has girl-group doo-wop just breezing in from the ether. Apparently, this made JPhillis understand herself a bit better, and may well do the same for you.
With the sole aim of transcending what is expected of a pop princess, Lady Gaga’s Artpop falls short of capturing anything close to the flare she’s world-renowned for. The blatantly promiscuous Sexxx Dreams provides some much needed variation, eventually followed by Swine, the “squeal out” dancefloor smash exciting when trailing snooze-fests Venus and the title track. Even single Applause is significantly lacklustre in comparison to the icon’s past hits (think Bad Romance, Judas). Gaga desperately claws back in the album’s final stages, Dope showing some truth, but it’s probably too little, too late.
Subtlety appears to be an art lost on Caulfield – it takes no less than a minute of the album before they bust into a breakdown.
Ross Clelland
Mat Lee
Justine Keating
DAN SULTAN The man’s a star, it’s just that some of the world hasn’t quite worked it out yet. This utterly slinky bit of soul grind will further remedy that. The 2014-due album will completely confirm it.
NEIL FINN Flying In The Face Of Love Lester Doing what he damn well pleases because he can, but still making sublime pop music, Mr Finn heads toward light falsetto in the chorus harmonies, while being in darker places than appears.
DAPPLED CITIES
JODI PHILLIS
The album’s opening track, A Letter To Myself One Year Ago, paints a very accurate portrayal of the remaining 11 tracks; once you’ve heard that, you’ve basically heard it all – save for the occasional sporadic synth line either serving as a brief introduction to the next track or as accompaniment to a breakdown. A little patience would go a long way for the outfit, for it seems that is what Vanity lacks.
Many Roads HUB Working out a tenth anniversary in their history, those who formerly suffixed ‘Fly’ preview a set of rarities, outtakes and leftovers with a typically insistent drive around leafy inner-suburban streets.
BLOODS No Fun Shock Oh, but it is. Garage bubblegum that yells at you then runs off after egging your car. Only takes a couple of minutes to tell the story, adds a couple of simple choruses to operate as earworm, and then stops.
BATTLESHIPS Take Your Rest A&R Heading toward some smallscale epic – building layers, up against a vocal marching to muffled martial drums. All very rich, thoughtful and suitable for lingering atmospheric shots in reality shows. Ross Clelland 48 • THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013
★★★½
★★★★
★★★½
RAMPS
OLIVER TANK
RESIN DOGS
Joe
Slow Motion Music
Independent
Create/Control
The Beats From Downunder EP
Not to be confused with Melbourne band and occasional interpretative dance troupe ‘Aleks & The…’, this Ramps is a Sydney trio of two guitars, drums and no bass. Which doesn’t mean there isn’t crunch and rumble to it. With Sounds Like Sunset and Massappeal on the members’ CVs, they come at you relentlessly – owing something to their suburban origins and growing up on the sludgier and more muddied edge of the Seattle sound. And they know enough to show those influences without aping them.
The title is sort of right. There is a feeling, a drama, in Oliver Tank’s mostly machine-made music that drips its emotion into you. There’s depth to his little synthesised worlds, songs which can sometimes be almost hymnal and longing, such as the little insistent waves of Home, or can be askance and dreamier like Her’s heartbeat echoes and wordless singing. You Never Know is just a pop song of subtlety in its quiet spirals that stay with you. Across its sometimes delicate components there is an absolute craft and care.
Ross Clelland
Ross Clelland
Hydrofunk/MGM Flagbearers of what was variously championed or demonised as skip hop, yer Dogs have taken some time to get around to the next thing, and here work in collaboration, often to good effect. Still The Beats with Dialectrix is of the focus track stuff of the triple j playlist of 2010, and gets the couple of versions treatment – notably one by Sydney DJ/ remixer Omegaman, which adds some swing that works particularly well. Other highlight, the slinky Ride, is brassy groove, with Kel On Earth’s vocal challenge to get it some further notice. Ross Clelland
live reviews
BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB, IMMIGRANT UNION The Hi-Fi 16 Nov What better way to spend a cold and miserable Saturday night in Sydney than listening to one of the most powerful rock displays in the industry. Opening the night was Melbourne group Immigrant Union, who delivered an energetic and catchy set that was the perfect intro for BRMC. Then, coming off the success of their latest album Specter At The Feast, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club delivered a solid two-hour performance like no other in the small and intimate Hi-Fi confines.
crowd exactly what they had come for, at one point even asking what the crowd wanted to hear – with the overall response being EVERYTHING! Red Eyes And Tears then followed which was a signal of things to come. Throughout the performance they remained focused on delivering a loud and energetic show that was exactly what all in attendance were after – turning a captivated audience into a riot towards the end. Leah Shapiro was hardly visible beyond the smoke and darkness at the back on drums but she was most definitely heard by all. Overall a very polished and forceful performance, which is a sign of things to come for The Hi-Fi, as some great acts are booked for the coming weeks. BRMC once again proved that rock is alive and well and in very capable hands. Deborah Jackson
BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB @ THE HI-FI. PIC: PETER SHARP
BRMC had a very dark and smoky presence on stage with a compelling, although somewhat epileptic lights display fuelling their performance. The San Francisco trio entertained the sold out crowd with a great mix of the old and new with standout songs throughout the whole performance such as Ain’t No Easy Way and Shuffle Your Feet. The crowd was also treated to a great acoustic segment featuring a chilling performance of Complicated Situation that led into an astonishing finale that got the crowd charging with explosive renditions of Spread Your Love and Six Barrel Shotgun. Peter Hayes and Robert Levon Been sure knew how to get the crowd going. There wasn’t too much monologue in between their ear-popping hits apart from the odd thank you. But with their trademark laidback/leather jacket style they were able to give the
in for good measure. Teenager is an obvious hit with Shake A Leg holding up well against the newer releases. Their tangled leads and awkwardness is endearing, coupled with a messy earnestness that is without ego or pretence. There are a few things you need to know about The John Steel Singers’ set at The Den last week. Pay attention, because in years to come people will be talking about it. The first is the band, of course – their general awesomeness and ability to rip through favourite tracks and new stuff seamlessly. From Strawberry Wine to Masochist to State Of Unrest to MJ’s On Fire Again to the big Rainbow Kraut finale, all of it was golden. There are no rough edges to this band; that’s not to say that they’re overly affected, but every layer seems well considered before being included as part of a
BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB @ THE HI-FI. PIC: PETER SHARP
THE JOHN STEEL SINGERS, GO VIOLETS, DONNY BENET The Den 14 Nov The scuzzed-out cousin of Barry Morgan that is Donny Benet mooged out like no other to kick off the whole dance party disco jam. Go Violets released their EP Heart Slice a few weeks back, if you’ve been meaning to pick up a copy – do it. Now. They have Janet English (Spiderbait)sounding vocals, riffs and harmonies that are somewhere between Shangri-Las meets The Breeders meets Best Coast, and a little northern English grit thrown
track. The synth surf synergy is mastered, with no element outweighing the other, quite like early Gomez work. The second thing you need to know is that random chick who danced on stage, with the encouragement of the band and eventually the rest of the crowd, but then slammed her back when her boyfriend helped her down. The entire room gasped, but all was good. The final special moment came during the jam in the middle of TGI Tuesdays when the amp blew. I’ve never seen a band hold it together so coolly, just jamming on while the issue was fixed within a couple of minutes. Oh and when Donny Benet joined them on stage, and the fairy lights, and the banter… Who am I kidding, the whole night was memorable. Kristy Wandmaker
JORDIE LANE, OLD MAN LUEDECKE, ALL OUR EXES LIVE IN TEXAS The Basement 16 Nov Early show Saturday night at The Basement got so folkin’ real it was brilliant. Kicking off at eight was something of a folk lady supergroup All Our Exes Live In Texas. A new group venture for solo tunesters in their own right (Elana Stone, Katie Wighton, Hannah Crofts and Georgia Mooney), the result was funny, sweet and harmony (and squeezebox)-driven goodness. More, please, more, more! Next was more understated awesomedriven by a much-overlooked folk sound, Old Man Luedecke,
THE JOHN STEEL SINGERS @ THE DEN. PIC: JODIE MATHEWS
and his banjo. The Canadian was first to admit that having travelled most of the Englishspeaking world, “the banjo seems to be universally hated”, but damn that thing sung like a bird tonight. Old Man even made yodelling sexy (cue sweet punny original, Yodelady), and between hilarious chats about the lost art of yodelling and the financial joys of supporting a young family as a banjo player he also showcased some great tunes from his half-dozen or so releases. Also, please come back. By headline time Jordie Lane may have been shitting himself, what with the risk of being musically Pippa Middleton-ed by such support. However, he shone just as bright, still somehow inhabiting that rich voice that seems to have come from a country (and era) far, far away but with an Australian drawl and cheek to make it familiar. THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013 • 49
live reviews Showing off new EP, Not Built To Last, recording in Nashville, new tunes like the upbeat Here She Comes and sparse Dead Of Night and sat nicely next to some of his older wares (I Could Die Looking At You, Die Straight Through, I Just Can’t Take It Anymore). There was also a great tip of a hat to Melbourne songwriting mate Brendan Welch with Think I Always Thought, which was simply gorgeous. Between jokes about what else we could have been doing (“Thanks for coming Sydney, it’s horrible weather, and Leonard Cohen’s playing, we would have been tempted to go and see him, too,”), the faithful and newly-converted were certainly rewarded. Closing it all in sing-along tribute to an infamous Bulli local (a story that may or may not be true, but heck, what a tune), it stretched the friendship a little for the electro danceparty waiting upstairs to invade, but folkie folk were well served indeed. Liz Giuffre
FRANZ FERDINAND @ METRO THEATRE. PIC: CLARE HAWLEY
FRANZ FERDINAND, SHINING BIRD Metro Theatre 15 Nov Shining Bird sound like Franz Ferdinand’s quieter, dreamier moments. Dane Taylor’s booming baritone resembles that of The National’s Matt Berninger, but these guys are from the sleepy town of Austinmer on the New South Wales south coast, and every now and then you catch an Australian twang in Taylor’s lyrics. Meanwhile Alastair Webster is a stand-out, not only for his kimono and jelly sandals, but for his shimmering lead guitar work and angelic harmonies. Their new debut album, Leisure Coast, is promising: Stare Into The Sun is the perfect driving song, all 50 • THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013
rushing synths and pearly guitars, while the catchy Keep Warm is a gentle, bouncy piece of indie pop. The Metro crowd is very well behaved tonight considering it’s an all ages gig, but there’s still a hell of a scream when Franz Ferdinand take the stage. They open with the fast-paced Bullet from their newest offering, this year’s Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action, before throwing back to their 2004 eponymous debut with Dark Of The Matinee. Frontman Alex Kapranos is the epitome of swagger – not the hip hop variety that we hear more of these days, but a stiff, strutting rock’n’roll sexiness that sees him make piercing eye contact with his fans as he snarls out lyrics laced with tension and sarcasm. The crowd is delighted when he lets out so much as a “How are you doing?” in his Scottish brogue. He introduces his bandmates in a hypnotic monologue, during a
still outsiders/If everybody’s here, then hell knows we ride alone”. The audience start chanting “Lucky, lucky/You’re so lucky” before Kapranos even utters the words in the frantic build up of Do You Want To – and we’re the lucky ones tonight. Franz Ferdinand have still got all the right words and all the right actions. Eliza Goetze
LEONARD COHEN
Sydney Entertainment Centre 16 Nov At the opening violin chords of Dance Me To The End Of Love, Leonard Cohen dropped to his knees, feeling every rise and fall with his adoring audience on their level. Impeccably dressed, Cohen thanked the crowd for endangering their household budgets to come see the show; they thanked
FRANZ FERDINAND @ METRO THEATRE. PIC: CLARE HAWLEY
drawn-out instrumental break in Can’t Stop Feeling. Drummer Paul Thompson – with “two sticks in his hand, and the beat in your heart… beat in your heart… beat in your heart” unleashes a frenzy during tracks like Ulysses, while Nick McCarthy, tireless in his guitar and keys duties, has “electricity in his veins”. Bassist Bob Hardy is tonight replaced by their friend Scott, who joins in an electrifying, allin drumfest during the encore. They seem to have matured from awkward sexual tension – as in Dark Of The Matinee: “I’m not to look at you in the shoe/ But the eyes find the eyes” to the triumphant discovery of “sweet, sweet love” in the latest record’s Love Illumination. But their encore, Outsiders, reminds us they haven’t lost that brooding attitude, that charming cynicism that makes them so endearing – “It’s been some years, but we’re
LEONARD COHEN @ SYDNEY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE. PIC: JOSH G
The 79-year-old artistic juggernaut has lost none of his passion for performing. “I don’t know when we’ll see each other again, so tonight I promise we’ll give you everything we’ve got,” he smirked. Even his banter with the crowd was poetic, delivering phrases and jokes with perfect timing and an element of wisdom and theatre amplified by Cohen’s age.
Through gritted teeth and closed eyes he poured out songs from each phase of his enviable career
With his golden voice Cohen growled out I’m Your Man, making it sound sexier than any 79-year-old should be able to, and for tonight he truly was Sydney’s man. It was great to see biblical epic Hallelujah appreciated by people who didn’t think Jeff Buckley wrote it. This master wordsmith gave Sydney a lesson in showmanship, modesty and, of course, lyrical ability. Chelsea Hotel was remembered well and sung straight back at him while Suzanne sounded as good live as it does on vinyl. Forever suave, Cohen only took his sharp black hat off for the stellar moments of the evening; a moving violin solo from Alexandru Biblitchi, Sharon Robinson’s interpretation of Alexandra Leaving, Javier Mas playing the 12-string bandurria
him with several standing ovations throughout the night.
Quick to move the spotlight away from himself Cohen introduced each band member by name and city of origin. The band repaid Cohen with flawless playing and by enjoying it all as much as he did. Longtime collaborator and co-writer of Everybody Knows, Sharon Robinson led the backing vocals.
for an hour and a half, had a half-hour intermission, and did it again with three encores thrown at the end for good measure.
and for the final bow and goodbye to the deeply appreciative Sydney Entertainment Centre audience. Cameron Warner
SPIDERBAIT, TUKA, FISHING, LITTLE BASTARD, SKETCH THE RHYME Jam Gallery 15 Nov Spicing up Sydney’s live music scene was last week’s opening of Jam Gallery, a custom-built live music venue set to shake up Bondi Junction’s nightlife. And what better way to hold a grand opening party than with the official launch of Spiderbait’s first studio album in almost a decade.
live reviews First up was a very unique performance by Sketch The Rhyme, bringing a thrilling combination of fast-paced illustrations combined with witty and charismatic freestyle battle raps in a game-show style of performance where MCs play off with live artists, whether its improvising a story or guessing a catchphrase. An extremely fun set and a great way to kick off. Next up was the sevenpiece punk-string band Little Bastard with a very high-energy performance that had the steadily growing crowd paying attention. Incorporating guitars, bass, fiddle, banjo, harmonica, mandolin, and a load of voices, the guys were having a great time together on stage and brought an electricity to their set which was infectious and had the crowd going wild. Spiderbait were next up, and since this was a very rare pub performance from a trio that have been together for almost a
NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL, M WARD, SUPERCHUNK Enmore Theatre 14 Nov If you’re someone with a dorky father or uncle, just take a moment to picture a band formed entirely of said dorky male relative and three of his clones. This sums up Superchunk’s stage presence (at their first Sydney show in 17 years), and though it sounds slightly tragic, it was anything but. It took a while, but following sporadic bouts of enthusiasm, Superchunk went fully gung-ho – the outfit put an easy 110% into their performing, with the inclusions of one awesome windmill from guitarist Jim Wilbur and an innumerable number of kicks and jumps. Their endearing over-enthusiasm translated right
LEONARD COHEN @ SYDNEY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE. PIC: JOSH GROOM
ROOM
quarter of a century, the crowd lapped up every minute of it, pushing their way closer and closer to the stage. The venue had a very relaxed and intimate feel to it, where you virtually felt like you were on the stage with the bands. Playing a selection of old and new hits, Spiderbait proved that after all of these years, they’ve still got what it takes to deliver a stellar performance. Crowd favourites were Calypso and Black Betty. Bringing the night to an end were Tuka followed by Fishing, who kept the party atmosphere going with feet-tapping beats. This all-Australian line-up of amazing artists – in what is surely to become one of Sydney’s hottest new music venues – made for one hell of a grand opening night. It’s safe to say we can expect big things from the Jam Gallery. Deborah Jackson
The initial shock of the first utterance of Neutral Milk Hotel’s return was one thing, but to finally see the outfit – the obscure collection of facial hair-yielding men displaying a miniature time-line of fashions – was something else. Disbelief morphed into wide-eyed adoration as they followed King Of Carrot Flowers with counterpart King Of Carrot Flowers, Pts 2 And 3. The adoration was certainly not unwarranted in the least – as frontman Jeff Mangum wailed with such intensity (presented with an oxymoronic demonstration of nonchalant ease), a good portion of the audience was reduced to a state of near-tears; no sound has ever been quite so powerful, raw and beautiful. For many, this performance was exactly what they’d been waiting for, and it was sure worth the wait. Justine Keating
M WARD @ ENMORE THEATRE. PIC: PETER SHARP
through their dynamic setlist, with each song sounding just as good – if not, better – than the recorded material. Clearly a band best enjoyed in the flesh – a truth that made their return just that little bit sweeter. M Ward didn’t have it easy from the start, what with being sandwiched between two acts who’ve been keeping quiet for more than a decade, each of whom – in their own right – are considered as among some of the most influential by many. With a repertoire such as his, however, he could have very easily owned this slot and used it to his advantage; it’s just unfortunate that this isn’t quite what he did. Enjoyable enough, his brand of alt-country wasn’t nearly as bold as his predecessors and successors. As the set wore on, the crowd became less and less interested and their conversations began to overpower the set.
SUPERCHUNK, BED WETTING BAD BOYS The Annandale 13 Nov It was 1994 when Superchunk toured Australia for the first time, and despite a few cancelled promises, they have not returned until now. It’s not surprising to see the appropriate setting of The Annandale fill up early. The honour of being the only Australian band to support them on the tour went to Bed Wetting Bad Boys, in so many ways the perfect choice. The parallels between Nic Warnock’s band and label RIP Society in a bizarre way mirror that of a young Mac McHaughn from Superchunk and his own label Merge. The Bad Boys are not as loose as they
threaten to be, and they power through their debut album on muscle memory and throw in a hack cover of ELO’s Don’t Bring Me Down to erase any doubts they might be taking themselves too seriously. It’s interesting to think about how Warnock perceived the night. His usual dry wit and banter made frequent references to obscure NY hardcore bands and he teased the audience asking for the Cro-Mags – fans in the crowd, perhaps annoyed at the nostalgia of the whole thing, maybe just having a bit of fun. The Superchunk show was markedly different to other nostalgia tours however, especially considering that the majority of Superchunk fans in Australia have never had the chance to see them. The fanaticism of some folks was amazing, Mac at one point telling guitarist Jim Wilbur that dudes in the front row were quoting his stage banter from live recordings 20 years old. The other
SUPERCHUNK @ THE ANNANDALE. PIC: CLARE HAWLEY
major difference between these and other nostalgia circle jerks is that Superchunk never stopped releasing great records – few bands have aged as gracefully. Songs from their newest album, I Hate Music, like Me & You & Jackie Mittoo, snuggled up perfectly to well-worn favourites like Detroit Has A Skyline, Like A Fool and Nu Bruises. The absence of bass player Laura Ballance was obvious, but ring-in Jason Narducy was clearly having an amazing time, locking in with the vibrant drumming (and personality) of Jon Wurster with ease. Mac thanked Bed Wetting Bad Boys a bunch of times, and he and Jim jumped in with their own jokes about the Cro-Mags, showing their hardcore stripes. The set finished with a triumphant triple play of Slack MF, Hyper Enough and Precision Auto, which is more than any fan could have asked for. Chris Yates THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013 • 51
arts reviews We can make a beautiful world together. Just doing artwork is not enough. This is what it is, please take it and play yourselves and then it becomes your artwork.”
YOKO ONO PIC: PETER SHARP
WAR IS OVER (IF YOU WANT IT) Exhibition MCA to 23 Feb 2014 Launching War Is Over (If You Want It), her new survey exhibition at Sydney’s MCA, a cheeky Ono said she has an affinity with Australia, a place she believes is able to embrace change. “I don’t think where I fit or not. That’s not my concern. When I first saw the Opera House, I thought I’m a little Opera House.”
52 • THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013
Speaking at a press conference, the artist said she hopes that, like the Opera House, people who may find her work confusing and offputting at first eventually begin to find things about her art they like. The exhibition includes several participatory works – visitors are invited to play chess with friends or strangers with an all-white chess set, answer phone calls from the artist herself or write a message to their mother and stick it to a wall. Ono said collaboration with her audience is a large part of what makes art important for her and plays into the central theme and title of the exhibition. “By participating in this show you will find a way to express yourselves.
ADORATION Film In cinemas 20 Nov
Asked about the playful nature of her art, Ono showed glimpses of the women’s activist who used her gender to create some of her most powerful work, including Cut Piece, first filmed in 1964. “The world did not like women to become funny. They should be able to have fun and be serious about themselves. Now women’s power is coming out and I really celebrate that.” Working very closely with the MCA and curator Rachel Kent, Ono has been working toward the exhibition over the last four years, recontextualising over 50 years of her work. One piece, Play It By Trust was first exhibited at the London exhibition where her future husband and musical icon John Lennon was first introduced to the artist, but Ono has given the piece a Sydney Opera House-inspired makeover for its introduction to Sydney.
Based on Doris Lessing’s novella, The Grandmothers, Adoration explores the unconventional and passionate love affairs between two mothers with each other’s sons. If taken at face value, the film can come across as quite pedestrian despite its titillating subject matter, but if you look deeper Adoration does have some interesting themes. Questions are raised about the unbreakable bond between lifelong friends Lil and Roz, whether there’s more to their devotion to each other than friendship, and if their unusually close relationship has somehow permeated their sons’ respective psyches. It is all rather incestuous but thankfully doesn’t move into creepy territory. Xavier Samuel and James Frecheville as the sons manage their roles so well that you do believe their attraction to the mother figures, and it’s easy to go with the story – which would’ve been a complete disaster without the onscreen chemistry.
Danielle O’Donohue
Vicki Englund
WEDNESDAY 20TH NOVEMBER
BOYSETSFIRE/ BAD ASTRONAUT FRIDAY 22ND NOVEMBER
THE BELLRAYS +NUNCHUKKA SUPERFLY
+ TREATMENT + CARRIE PHILLIS & THE DOWNTOWN 3 SATURDAY 23RD NOVEMBER
THE NERVE + THE DEAD LOVE · COMING UP · FRIDAY 29 NOVEMBER
CLOSURE IN MOSCOW + ALL THE COLOURS
SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER
PSYCHOTIC TURNBUCKLES VS HARD-ONS
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THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013 • 53
muso
BOSE SOUNDLINK MINI
Forget all the frills that many manufacturers bolt onto Bluetooth speakers. Ask yourself: “Why am I buying this product?” It’s sound that you’re after – you want to hear music. And that’s what makes Bose SoundLink Mini so great. It’s not waterproof, it doesn’t have a speaker phone; It just
gives you excellent sound, the quality of which is startling. It’s super easy to pair it with any Bluetooth device, be it a phone, tablet or laptop – simply turn it on, press the Bluetooth button and put it in pairing mode. Then you can listen to your entire music catalogue through a pair of
BRUCE ROBERTS CLASSICAL ACOUSTIC
54 • THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013
full-range drivers and a couple of passive bass radiators. The minimalist design means a line of six buttons operates the SoundLink Mini from the top, while a power jack, 3.5mm line input and micro USB port are also found dotted around the device. Though small, the speaker is solidly weighted
and securely cased, meaning even if it does take a knock from time to time the internal wiring won’t be affected. It shouldn’t though, as the skidproof rubber base allows it to grip on any surface or sit flush within the charging cradle. Benny Doyle
ROCK WITH METALLICA
Australia is a hotbed of classical guitar makers. Spearheaded in the late ‘70s by Greg Smallman’s “lattice-braced” design championed by John Williams, a legion of guitar builders followed, earning international acclaim. Recently there’s been a rise in Australian makers returning to the traditional European “fan-braced” design, among them Bruce Roberts. At $6,500, Roberts’ spruce/Indian rosewood classical guitar is impeccably built and finished. The soundboard is made from very high grade Bavarian spruce, the back and sides high quality Indian rosewood, the fingerboard ebony, the neck Queensland maple and the binding Queensland silver ash and South American myrtle. The tuning machines are highend “Gotoh Premiums” with virtually no slippage or play. The review model was courtesy of Rob at Sydney Classical Guitars Petersham, (02) 9519 3838.
This double DVD set features five of Metallica’s best-known songs – Nothing Else Matters, Masters Of Puppets, Welcome Home, One and Enter Sandman. The guitar parts are played by Jamie Humphries (of Guitar Techniques magazine). The Rock With series has a style of presentation quite particular and effective. A great player plays the part with a full backing track so you can hear it as played on the original recording. We then have a backing track without the main guitar part for you to work out and jam with. That’s the audio, which is quite impressive and authentic to listen to. We can then watch as the presenter plays the guitar part and demonstrates how it’s done. I think this set is a “must have” for any guitar player who rates Metallica amongst his/her favourites or just anyone who may be curious as to what’s needed to sound like one of the most popular rock bands in heavy metal.
Steve Flack
Steve Flack
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56 â&#x20AC;¢ THE MUSIC â&#x20AC;¢ 20TH NOVEMBER 2013
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THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013 • 57
the guide
ARIA WEEK WITH DEEP SEA ARCADE
Name: Nic McKenzie What’s the best thing you’ve ever won? When I was 14, Nick Weaver and I [DSA bassist] had a band with Pat Santamaria of Los Valentinos. We won the Go For Gold Liverpool City Talent Challenge and got Redskins. What does a great week usually include? Swimming in a body of water, whether it be a bathtub, pond or discarded, turned over fridge. Would winning an ARIA feel better than sex? The sex that would follow winning an ARIA would. Who’s funnier: drunk industry at ARIA Week or drunk artists at ARIA Week? Drunk industry and artists doing karaoke versions of Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush together. Who do you hope wins a shit-ton of ARIAs this year? Lorde, Tame Impala and Savage Garden. Who is the best indie band in Australia right now? King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. Website link for more info? deepseaarcade.com Link for us to buy your music... itunes.apple. com/au/artist/deep-sea-arcade/id466387515 Pic by Josh Groom THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013 • 1
aria week
BAD//DREAMS
Name: Sandy Cameron What’s the best thing you’ve ever won? BOG (best on ground) in a footy game I played for the Broome Bulls versus the Derby Lightning when I was up there working on a pearling boat. Never drank rum again after that night. What does a great week usually include? Getting some work done, writing music, reading books, watching good films, taking photographs, seeing my friends, doing some exercising, patting a dog or cat, getting paid, travelling somewhere, playing music, coming home and sleeping sound. Would winning an ARIA feel better than sex? No, but I could imagine the two would have their similarities – inebriation followed by a short period of excitement/ elation followed by an unshakable hollow feeling and an overwhelming desire to shower and be alone. Who do you hope wins a shit-ton of ARIAs this year? Dick Diver, Jack Farley, Alex Grigg, Johann Ponniah and Violent Soho. Who is the best indie band in Australia right now? Per Purpose, Scott & Charlene’s Wedding, The Ocean Party, Oscar Key Sung, Bed Wetting Bad Boys, Palms, Violent Soho. Website link for more info? baddreems.com Link for us to buy your music... itunes.apple. com/au/artist/baddreems/id561096607
60 • THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013
BANDITO FOLK
CASTLECOMER
SONS OF THE EAST
Name: Igor Djakovic
Name: Nic Johnston
What’s the best thing you’ve ever won? In primary school a wobbegong shark swam near me at camp and I won a shark attack survivor award... that was pretty good.
What’s the best thing you’ve ever won? I once won a mini-golf trophy for Best On The Day back in 2003. I was pretty stoked with that.
What does a great week usually include? Basically any week that doesn’t involve uni or rain, but does includes as many beers as possible. Would winning an ARIA feel better than sex? Wouldn’t know... but winning a shark attack survivor award definitely does. Who’s funnier: drunk industry at ARIA Week or drunk artists at ARIA Week? Definitely artists; more specifically, the drummer in Bandito Folk. Who do you hope wins a shit-ton of ARIAs this year? As long as Guy Sebastian wins Album Of The Year, that’s good enough for me. Who is the best indie band in Australia right now? I’m a big fan of Battleships – great guys who make great music. Website link for more info? banditofolk.bandcamp.com Link for us to buy your music... valverecords.com. au/shop/product_info. php/products_id/235
Name: Bede Kennedy What’s the best thing you’ve ever won? Voted ‘Man of the Match’ for my performance in the Under 8s soccer semifinal... we lost by 11 goals. What does a great week usually include? A couple of sleep-ins, an ocean swim, a Wests Tigers victory, some lovin’ and an ARIA Showcase Gig at the Beresford Hotel. Would winning an ARIA feel better than sex? I hear they’re pretty pointy, so nope. I think Grammys have less edges, maybe that would feel better. Ask Taylor Swift. Who’s funnier: drunk industry at ARIA Week or drunk artists at ARIA Week? Karl Stefanovic is funnier than everyone. Who do you hope wins a shitton of ARIAs this year? It’s a good list this year, but we hope Rufus and Vance Joy pick up one or two because their music is outstanding. If I was a gamblin’ man I’d put the dollars on Flume. Who is the best indie band in Australia right now? ...Castlecomer? Who the hell are those guys? Website link for more info? facebook.com/castlecomer Link for us to buy your music... itunes.apple.com/ au/album/lone-survivorep/id665791023
What does a great week usually include? Big breakfasts, bow-ties, beards, beer, breasts, brilliant beats, boards (the ones you surf on), banter, back-flips, bacon and baba ganoush. Would winning an ARIA feel better than sex? That depends on the sex. Who’s funnier: drunk industry at ARIA Week or drunk artists at ARIA Week? Drunk industry for sure. I would pay to see the guys we work with drunk again. Who do you hope wins a shit-ton of ARIAs this year? Boy & Bear, Big Scary, Paul Kelly, The Rubens, Sarah Blasko and Vance Joy! Who is the best indie band in Australia right now? I honestly can’t answer that one. I’m glad I can’t, there are far too many! Website link for more info? facebook.com/sonsoftheeastmusic Link for us to buy your music... itunes.apple.com/au/album/sonsof-the-east-ep/id676999044
THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013 • 61
aria week
BONJAH
LIME CORDIALE
SHEPPARD
ALISON WONDERLAND
Name: Regan Lethbridge
Name: Oliver Leimbach
Name: George Sheppard
What’s the best thing you’ve ever won? $350 on Fiorente at Melbourne Cup.
What’s the best thing you’ve ever won? Louis won a Vespa in a competition. He said we’d half the prize if he won but then he sold it. Beers equalled a raffle ticket. I bought ten beers and Louis only bought one.
What’s the best thing you’ve ever won? I won $600 on my first ever pokie machine spin on my 18th birthday. All of the old timers watched on in fierce jealousy.
What does a great week usually include? Plenty of laughter, girlfriend, music and friends. Would winning an ARIA feel better than sex? Probably not. Who’s funnier: drunk industry at ARIA Week or drunk artists at ARIA Week? Artists. Who do you hope wins a shit-ton of ARIAs this year? Tame Impala. Who is the best indie band in Australia right now? Tame Impala. Website link for more info? facebook.com/BONJAH Link for us to buy your music... itunes.apple.com/au/ artist/bonjah/id302124686
What does a great week usually include? Songwriting, surfing and sex. The magic three ‘S’s. Throw some silly string in there and your week got even better. Would winning an ARIA feel better than sex? Absolutely. The amount of satisfaction you would feel would be incredible. A massive appreciation for all those years of hard work. I can’t even imagine. Who’s funnier: drunk industry at ARIA Week or drunk artists at ARIA Week? When you roll with Michael Chugg, you get to see drunk industry at its finest. Chuggi and his posse take over the room. Drunk artists don’t even stand a chance. Who do you hope wins a shit-ton of ARIAs this year? It’d be good to see The Preatures win whatever they’re up for. We’ve always loved those guys. Them and Tame Impala should take home the lot. Who is the best indie band in Australia right now? Jeez. It might just be the same as above. You can’t make me answer just one! Deep Sea Arcade, Electric Empire, Sticky Fingers... the hard workers. Website link for more info? limecordiale.com Link for us to buy your music... bit.ly/FallingUpTheStairsiTunes
What does a great week usually include? Recipes for a great week includes great friends, great music, great food and great wine! Unless we are in the recording studio or on tour, then it’s always a good week regardless! Would winning an ARIA feel better than sex? That’s a tough one... I assume that winning an ARIA would automatically lead to sex, so yes, winning an ARIA would feel better. Hitting two birds with the one stone... so to speak. Who’s funnier: drunk industry at ARIA Week or drunk artists at ARIA Week? Well if our manager is any indication, drunk industry will take the cake. And then some. Who do you hope wins a shit-ton of ARIAs this year? Tame Impala have been doing some amazing things over the last couple of years. I think they deserve all the accolades they can get. Who is the best indie band in Australia right now? Haha... I may be a bit biased here. Not including my own band, I think San Cisco are a lot of fun. Fred Astaire is a hella groovy track. Website link for more info? wearesheppard.com Link for us to buy your music... itunes.apple.com/au/ artist/sheppard/id1190949
62 • THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013
ARIA WEEK PARTIES AN EXCUSE TO GET LOOSE PRESENTED BY ISLAND RECORDS Andy Bull, Chance Waters, The Cairos Oxford Art FActory. 26 Nov TRIPLE J UNEARTHED SHOWCASE Jackie Onassis, SAFIA, Remi Oxford Art Factory, 27 Nov FASTERLOUDER & I OH YOU LIVE DZ Deathrays, Palms, I Oh You DJs The Standard, 27 Nov SONY MUSIC AUSTRALIA SHOWCASE Reece Mastin, Justice Crew, Samantha Jade, Dami Im, Bonnie Anderson Marquee, 27 Nov NOTHING MAJOR: AN INERTIA PARTY Glass Towers, The Delta Riggs, Apes, All The Colours Oxford Art Factory, 28 Nov NOVA’S RED ROOM Bliss N Eso The Standard, 28 Nov EMI MUSIC AUSTRALIA PRESENTS... Alison Wonderland & Friends, Leah Mencel The Standard, 29 Nov
BE PART OF ARIA WEEK AND HELP US CELEBRATE THE BEST IN AUSTRALIAN MUSIC. Hang with the music industry and see some of Australia’s best Independent bands. FEATURING: BAD//DREEMS | SONS OF THE EAST SHE-REX | BANDITO FOLK | CASTLECOMER
WIN TICKETS
FOR YOU AND A FRIEND TO BE PART OF AN EXCLUSIVE ARIA PARTY.
TO ENTER GO THEMUSIC.COM.AU/WINPRIZES
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eat/drink
CHECK OUT KIRIN’S JAPANESE-INSPIRED CIDERS This new range comes in four flavours: Fuji Apple, Fuji Apple and Mikan (mandarin), Fuji Apple and Ume ( Japanese plum) and Fuji Apple and Ginger.
FRITZ’S RAILROAD RESTAURANT, KANSAS CITY, US You take your seat, make your order through telephone, and then your burgers and fries are brought out to you on an actual train (well, a toy one – a real one would probably be overkill).
KAYABUKIYA TAVERN, UTSUNOMIYA, JAPAN
HALONG BAY GROTTO/CAVES, VIETNAM
Be served by macaque monkey waiters Yatchan and Fuku-chan, who belong to the tavern’s owner, Kaoru Otsuka. They work two hours a day and receive soya beans as tips!
Candle-lit dinner in a mystical cave – this would rank pretty highly on the ‘romantic date destinations’ list.
DINNER IN THE SKY Operating in more than 15 countries, Dinner In The Sky is exactly what it sounds like (except it can be any meal). Twentytwo people at a time can dine at a table suspended 50 metres high.
EL DIABLO, CANARY ISLANDS, SPAIN SUR UN ARBRE PERCHÉ, PARIS, FRANCE Eat a fancy meal while sitting in a swinging chair, and there’s even the option to get a massage. Seems like someone couldn’t decide between opening up a restaurant, playground and massage parlour.
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The barbecue to end all barbecues. Eat meat that’s been grilled using a (dormant) volcano’s geothermal heat while enjoying beautiful, panoramic views of nature.
Illustration Sophie Blackhall-Cain.
eat/drink CAFE PROFILE
PASTA BROS
Alice in hip hop and reggae wonderland. Casual takeaway vibe. Some customers we call “sir”, others “mate” and those we like the most we call “bro”.
Website: pastabros.com.au
Who is serving/cooking and what makes them special? The team who’s serving/ cooking is from France, Ecuador, Spain, Argentina, Australia, India... and we all get along. We share the same values when it comes to customer service. That’s what make them special!
What’s the design/ atmosphere of your cafe?
What breakfast meal is the best hangover cure? Fried
Address: 80 Devonshire St, Surry Hills Answered by: Greg Lauer
pancetta, capsicum and tomato relish, caramelised onion and egg. What is an ingredient you couldn’t live without? Tomato is one of the few ingredients that is very often better if in a tin! I love tinned tomato. You can make everything with them! If you have a “Big Breakfast” what is on the plate? Gotta be sweet if you ask me. Croissant with Nutella, sweetened yoghurt, bircher muesli, fruits, toast.
OUR PICKS
ALCO-DESSERTS Jelly Fancy up your humble jelly shot: layer flavours and colours, add fruit and experiment with different flavour combos to create cocktail jellies. Cupcakes
HOT SPOT THE COTTAGE BAR & KITCHEN – 342 DARLING STREET, BALMAIN Sure you could get a cocktail that tastes exactly like an apple pie (plus liquor) or you could have passionfruit cocktails and chicken with apricot sauce. Yum!
To booze up cupcakes, simply substitute some of the milk or the vanilla extract with rum, liqueur, vodka etc. Or substitute all of the milk for Bailey’s Irish Cream... Butterscotch pudding Either infused with bourbon and topped with caramel sauce, or doused in bourbon whipped cream, this is a truly decadent dessert. Eating it will have you imagining yourself in a velvet dressing gown sitting on a mahogany chair by a roaring fireplace. Chocolate mousse Spike your mousse with Irish cream, dark rum, brandy, orange/ coffee/hazelnut liqueur, etc. Revel in the chocohol.
WHO’S COOKIN’
MARK WILLIAMSON Which cafe/bar/restaurant do you cook at? The Botanist Kirribilli Address: 17 Willoughby St, Kirribilli Three words that describe the place? Lively, leafy and luscious. If you were a patron of your establishment what would you select from the menu? Entree: Fried prawn taco
Cheesecake
Served with? Mexican Garden cocktail Main: Baked eggs and beef with smoked eggplant and tomato Served with? Vale Ale beer Dessert: Buttermilk panna cotta with fresh passionfruit Served with? A glass of Bimbadgen Botrytis Semillon
What’s the average price of a main? $18. Three ingredients everyone should have in their pantry? Good salt, butter and a nice local olive oil.
what style would it be? It’s a modern take on classic combinations; probably Creedence Clearwater Revival jamming with The Black Keys.
If your food was compared to music
Website link for more info? thebotanist.com.au
Cheese goes with wine, so cheesecake goes with other alcohol, right? Good. Check out these alcocheesecake flavours: margarita, amaretto, Guinness chocolate, white chocolate brandy, Irish cream, rum raisin... the list goes on.
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eat/drink WHO’S COOKIN’ NEWS CHIN CHIN THE BOOK Beloved Melbourne restaurant Chin Chin have put out a cookbook, featuring mouth-watering Thai-inspired recipes by Benjamin Cooper, photography by Adrian Lander and a graphically illustrated backstory by Sacha Bryning that tells the tale of where it all started. It’s available to order from thelucasgroup.com.au/shop.
RENEE ANDERSON Which cafe/bar/ restaurant do you cook at? Tapavino Address: 6-8 Bulletin Place, Sydney Three words that describe the place? Alive, cosy, heated. If you were a patron of your establishment what would you select from the menu? Entree: Warm cow’s milk in vine leaves with walnuts Served with? Bucanero spanish beer Main: Braised beef ribs with green sauce Served with? Amber ale Dessert: Caramelised pineapple and ginger roll with pedro ximenez cream Served with? A glass of pedro ximenez sherry
WHO’S COOKIN’
FREDERIC PLAT Which cafe/bar/restaurant do you cook at? La Lupita @ The Basement Address: 29 Reiby Place, Circular Quay Three words that describe the place? Music, food, booze. If you were a patron of your establishment what would you select from the menu?
Entree: Cowboys beans Served with? Cab sav Main: Pork and pineapple tacos Served with? Shiraz Dessert: Lemon/chili tart Served with? Margarita What’s the average price of a main? $12 Three ingredients everyone should have
in their pantry? Chilli, garlic, lime.
choice to enjoy after work? Cheese platter.
If your food was compared to music what style would it be? Gipsy.
Is your chef lifestyle more Anthony Bourdain or Pete Evans? Anthony Bourdain.
Where do you usually eat after your shift? Home. What’s your dish of
Website link for more info? thebasement.com.au/ la-lupita-at-the-basement
What’s the average price of a main? $18. Website link for more info? tapavino.com.au
FOOD TRIPPIN’ FOOD IS ART
PHILLY
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EATING AROUND THE USA WITH SOFIE MUCENIEKAS AND LLOYD HONEYBROOK Even though Lloyd Honeybrook and I had an awesome breakfast at Silk City Diner, this lunch was phenomenal! Our friends sent us down to a Philly institution Paesano. We ordered two sandwiches, one Paesano (beef brisket, horseradish mayo, tomato, provolone, egg) and an Arista (roasted suckling pig, broccoli rabe, provolone). I can’t explain how flavourful and juicy and perfect these were. There’s just no point. If you’re in Philly, go here.
the guide nsw.live@themusic.com.au
LAUNCHING THIS WEEK
FRONTLASH DANIEL JOHNS
Silverchair’s manager reveals Daniel John’s solo album will be released next year. We’ve been waiting a long time for this!
AUNTY MEREDITH CLOWN & OUT
THE BARS ARE BACK
After having just released their debut album I’m Not Right, punk rock chaos merchants Clowns head to Black Wire Records on Saturday with Disintergrator, The Fuck Outs and Family Values.
Independent Aussie rockers Dollar Bar are back with their second studio album. They’re heading to Petersham Bowling Club this Friday along with Blood Plastic, Buddy Glass and Disgusting People.
GOLD WHITTAKER
HUGS FOR PUGS
Armed with their new EP, Wichita, Melbourne-based trio Whittaker will be joining Gossling on her Harvest Of Gold tour. With them at Oxford Art Factory this Saturday evening will be Little Scout.
Pugsley Buzzard just released a new album with some of New Orleans’ finest jazz, blues and funk musicians. To ring in its release, he’ll be performing the album live at the Basement on Thursday.
As 18 people are due to appear in court for trying to enter Meredith without a ticket, we wish their “no dickheads” policy would extend to other festivals.
BOAT DRUG BUSTS Is the TV series Water Rats going to make a comeback after the boat dance party raids over the weekend?
DANIEL JOHNS
BACKLASH MELISSA BACHMAN
HEY LARK
CITY OF ANDROIDS
Brisbane indie-poppers Hey Geronimo! have just come out with an EP to follow their debut. Off the back of this, Hey Geronimo are set to launch the EP at Goodgod this Friday with Tom Lark.
Melbourne’s Harmony have just released a brand new 7”. After supporting The Drones, Harmony will be playing a set at the Polaroids of Androids backyard party in support of the 7” this Saturday.
DAPPLED COCKATOOS
HER MAJESTY MAIDZA
Dappled Cities have just hit their tenth year and have also released a collection of rarities and outtakes. On Saturday, they launch the collection at Island Bar on Cockatoo Island for Sunday Sessions.
Adelaide hip-hop princess Tkay Maidza has only just dropped her first single, and it’s already begun to garner radio play. With big radio play behind it, she stops by The Beresford this Friday.
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THIS WEEK’S RELEASES… DEICIDE In The Minds Of Evil Century Media BILLIE JOE & NORAH Foreverly Reprise/Warner COLD CHISEL The Live Tapes Vol 1 Universal I AM LEGION I Am Legion Neon/Warner
The US hunting show presenter put a pic of her in front of a dead lion she’d killed on social media. God bless Ricky Gervais, who posted to Facebook, presumably inspired by this, what he called a new word, “cunting: the act of cowardly hunting. ie Hiding behind a bush with a rifle when the animal has no gun and can’t get to you”.
SILVERCHAIR While we were excited about a new Daniel Johns album, apparently according to their manager John Watson said a reformation was “not imminently close”. Dang.
UMBRELLA ETIQUETTE We get our first decent rain in ages and people seem to have forgotten how to use umbrellas. We almost lost an eye to someone’s bad umbrella handling.
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the guide nsw.live@themusic.com.au
SINGLE FOCUS
EP FOCUS
LAUNCHING THIS WEEK
THE BLACKENED BENEATH Answered by: Bryn Ragen
ANALOGUE PATTERN
HEAVY DUTY
Melbourne three-piece Aurora Jane have crafted their fourth album, which they’ve recently released independently. On Wednesday, they head to the Red Rattler to launch Holding Pattern.
With the accompaniment of some of the heaviest alt-rock and prog acts our country has to offer, Forever The Optimist will be celebrating their single release at Spectrum this Saturday.
MAN VS. MACHINE
CHASING GIRLS
The release of Machine Translations’ album The Bright Door has prompted the band out of a lengthy absence. They’re playing a show on Thursday at FBi Social with Stolen Violins.
Stormchasers are launching a new single this Friday at Brighton Up Bar. Dapper ‘60s-style indie-pop outfit The Electric Vogues are set to open, followed by Belle & The Bone People.
CROOKED MOB
MORE THAN WORDS
Do you play it differently live? Not really, no.
The Crooked Fiddle Band have returned home from The US with a new album. Captain Kickarse & The Awesomes and Greta Mob will join them this Saturday at The Standard for the launch.
This Thursday, The Tongue will be launching a new performance concept he calls Speech Therapy, alongside Omar Musa, Nick Lup! and Urthboy at the Art & Life Work Shop in Chippendale.
When and where is your launch/next gig? 22 Nov at Brighton Up Bar
LITTLE LEAGUE
COFFEE FIEND
Cub Sport kicked off the release of their newest EP intercontinental-style, now that they’re bringing it back home again, they’ll be heading to Brighton Up Bar with Holy Holy this Saturday evening.
Lachlan Bryan has spent the year working alongside altcountry outfit The Wildes to create a new full-length album. They launch Black Coffee on Tuesday at The Vanguard with Aleyce Simmonds in support.
STORMCHASERS Answered by: Beau Jorgensen Single title: Figurout What’s the song about? Figurout is a song about desires. That feeling of wanting and needing something, but not being able to have it. How long did it take to write/record? We started working on Figurout in a holiday house in Noosa almost 18 months ago. Is this track from a forthcoming release/existing release? This track is from our forthcoming EP, Hey Girl, which is to be released early in 2014 on vinyl and compact disc. What was inspiring you during the song’s writing and recording? We all approach songs with our own inspirations and influences in mind, so it’s hard to pin one thing down. The main themes of the song, however, are love and lust. We’ll like this song if we like... Seven-piece bands. Dirty, groovy funk’n’soul. Horn sections.
Website link for more info? stormband.com.au
EP title: Limbo How many releases do you have now? One. Was anything in particular inspiring you during the making? Our vocalist Will had cancer in 2007. Our bassist Andy had to undergo treatment for cancer in 2012. Our lead guitarist left us in the middle of recording. What’s your favourite song on it? Dark Ambitions as it was written about cancer by Will in 2007 and re-inspired by Andy’s bout in 2012. We’ll like this EP if we like... Doom metal, death metal, thrash metal. It’s a massive blend of our favourite genres of metal. When and where is your launch/next gig? Hell At The Hawkesbury V, Hawkesbury Hotel, Windsor on 9 Nov with Thraxas! Doors open 8pm. Website link for more info? facebook.com/ theblackenedbeneath
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TOURING THIS WEEK
FOR THE BENEFIT OF
WIN
BLACKBIRD RISING
Nov 30 – Dec 1 is this year’s Steresonic, with the likes of David Guetta and Calvin Harris coming along for the party. Thanks to V Energy, we’ve got a double pass to give away.
Answered by: Tai Rotem Who/what is the benef it for? To support the important work of beyondblue to raise awareness about depression and suicide prevention among Australians Why do they need help? Most Australians have had some experience with depression and suicide in their lives. beyondblue’s work aims for achieving an Australian community that better understands mental health issues empowering all Australians to seek help. What’s the current situation like? Suicide is the leading cause of death in Australia for men under 44 and women under 34, claiming more lives than road deaths. These tragic unnecessary deaths must be addressed. Who else is helping on the night? Incredible support from the entire community from the bands, production crew, the Factory Theatre, This Is Attractive, corporate sponsors such as Toby’s Estate, Longrain, Horizon Habitats and the list goes on. This is all about the community coming together. Line-up is: The Hanging Tree, Potbelleez, Skunkhour. When and where can we help out? The Blackbird Rising concert is being held on 27 Nov at the Factory Theatre, Marrickville. Website link for more info? facebook.com/ BlackbirdRisingConcert
WIN We’ve got five copies The Rockwiz Duets Vol IV on DVD and CD to give away. Yes. You get both. Starring the likes of Marcia Hines, Washington and Kimbra.
QUOTABLE MIKAL CRONIN
DAY OF THE DEAD
LHA KNOWLEDGE
The Devils Rides Out will be heading over from Perth this Saturday where they’ll be performing at Hermann’s Bar with the rare support of Sydney rock legends, Daredevils and Los Hombres Del Diablo.
Name This Bar have just launched their free weekly hip hop event that aims to showcase emerging artist and rappers. This week LHA, Nick Knowledge and Corner Store Superhero’s take to the stage.
FRENDLY FRIENDSTERS
TRAVELIN’ TEAGUE
The Friendsters will be showing American garagepoppers Mikal Cronin and Chris Cohen how we do it over here as they accompany them at Goodgod this Wednesday evening.
James Teague is en route to the Mullum Musical Festival this Saturday. He also plays The Front in Canberra on Thursday, Commons in Newcastle on Friday and The Newsagency with Imogen Bel on Sunday.
GASOLINA
LOVE/HATE
For the first time since 1985, The Gadflys are performing together. A few decades on from a reuinion show that saw the band impress fans, they’re back and performing this Sunday at the Gasoline Pony.
Brisbane dark pop outfit Love Like Hate are in the midst of a mini-tour to celebrate the release of their third single; they’ll be showcasing the new single in a performance at The Union Hotel in Newtown.
NUEVO RHYTHM
SULTAN OF SHOWS
The unique and highly original Peña Flamenca will be continuing in the vein of their active year with a huge show with the rhythmic and soulful Oscar Jimenez at the Jam Gallery this Friday evening.
Back from a three-month jaunt overseas, Brisbane’s Ben P Salter is back and ready to settle into some shows back on home soil. This Thursday, he’ll be performing at The Union in Newtown.
“I write really autobiographically and at that point in my life the theme was kind of reminiscent of what I was feeling at the time – there was a lot of change and confusion and contradictory thoughts and adverse actions, and a lot of confusion in trying to find my place.” Mikal Cronin plays Goodgod Small Club tonight.
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the guide nsw.live@themusic.com.au
TOURING THIS WEEK
FOR THE BENEFIT OF
QUOTABLE THE HOME STRETCH Who/what is the benef it for? Concert fundraiser for The Australian Children’s Music Foundation’s (ACMF) music programs for disadvantaged and Indigenous children and youth across Australia. Why do they need help? Music education is proven to provide ways to express their emotions and channel their energies and abilities into something positive and creative. What’s the current situation like? More than 75% of schools do not have funds for music education. Currently these kids are in disadvantaged communities, isolated schools and juvenile justice centers where there is little or no access to music education.
SONNY SMITH OF SONNY & THE SUNSETS The whole thing isn’t some big concept record or anything, like it’s sometimes been called – but there is in more songs than not an exploration of alien characters and love and space and beings from other planets and death and the afterlife. Sonny & The Sunsets play Goodgod Small Club on 21 Nov.
STUDIO BAR DAN THE AUTOMATOR, PRODUCER OF DELTRON 3030
Website link for more info? thehomestretch.com.au
OLD DOGS
The Snowdroppers’ last tour resulted in The Annandale’s beer supply running dry, but since that, they’ve been sitting tight in the studio. They’re back at The Metro this Sat with The Screaming Jets.
Reg Mombassa and Peter O’Doherty are getting together as Dog Trumpet, with which they just released a new album. They launch the album this Friday at the Opera House’s Studio.
SUCH GREAT HEIGHTS
HIGH-FLYING
Endless Heights have been powering through the last half and have found themselves supporting Daylight this Saturday at Hermann’s Bar with Yo, Put That Bag Back On, Harbourer and Postblue.
After Kite Club pulled out of their double bill, High-tails will be taking to Brighton Up Bar on Thursday with Fox & Fowl and The Carraways, then World Bar on Friday and Rad in Wollongong on Sunday.
DOC-CLAD DAMES
MICK & THE BAD SEEDS
After a four-year hiatus, folkpop outfit Women In Docs are back in business - and with a new album on the horizon, no less! This Thursday, they’ll be playing at The Newsagency.
Mikelangelo will perform iconic albums that inspired him as a young’un at The Vanguard on Sunday. Included will be The Bad Seeds’ Your Funeral, My Trial and Johnny Cash’s American Recording.
GIANT MUSCLES
HOOT HOOT
Due to the rapid rate with which their show at The Metro sold out, The Jungle Giants will be playing an additional all ages show at The Metro this Friday with Muscles (performing a DJ set) and Twinsy.
The Farmer & The Owl festival will be hosting sixteen artists across several venues in the Wollongong CBD on Saturday. Wollongong’s own Mother & Son join jangly-pop shoegazers Day Ravies, plus more.
What would we f ind in the studio fridge when you’re recording? Lots of various sodas, sparkling water, chocolate, apples. Deltron 3030’s album Event 2 is out now through Bulk Recordings.
Who else is helping on the night? Headlining: King Colour. Special guests: Gypsies & Gentlemen, Little Bighorn, Colin Jones, Will & The Indians, Matt Dundas and more! When and where can we help out? 21 November at Manning Bar, Sydney University. Doors 8pm. Tickets $10+BF online/$15 at the door.
BEER BARONS
WIN Calling all vinyl junkies; we’ve got your newest toy sorted. We’ve got an Audio Technica’s LP120 USB Professional DirectDrive Turntable to give away.
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opinion
OG FLAVAS
THE HEAVY SHIT
WAKE THE DEAD
URBAN AND R’N’B NEWS BY CYCLONE
METAL AND HARD ROCK WITH CHRIS MARIC
PUNK AND HARDCORE WITH SARAH PETCHELL
M.I.A.’s delayed fourth album, Matangi, named for the ambiguously beheld Hindu goddess of music (and speech) as well as Mathangi ‘Maya’ Arulpragasam herself, has flopped in Australia. The rap-singer, now exclusively on Universal’s roster, has received dismal promotion. Arulpragasam was a bigger priority when with indie Remote Control. Ironically, Matangi is compelling. Arulpragasam has always been an outsider in urban music, her surprise US breakthrough 2007’s Paper Planes. Yet Matangi has input from Kanye West’s sidekick Hit-Boy and Doc McKinney, formerly of Esthero. Arulpragasam has also reunited with Switch, still her chief collaborator. The record has a troubled history. The Danja-designed hit, Bad Girls, dates back to a 2010 mixtape. Arulpragasam’s American label, Interscope, initially rejected Matangi for being “too positive”, indirectly pressuring her into dubstep. Meanwhile, this ‘public enemy #1’ cameo-ed on Madonna’s Give Me All Your Luvin’ (alongside Nicki Minaj) and caused outrage for ‘flipping the bird’ at the Super Bowl. Matangi is transgressively dark. Arulpragasam explores the spiritual side of her Tamil heritage. She flips Drake’s acronym YOLA (You Only Live Once) on her latest single, YALA (You Always Live Again). As pop noize, Matangi might keep Yeezus – another polarising rap-punk protest LP – company. MIA – (im)pure heroine?
XXM.I.A.
I was an unbeliever.
MASTODON
Last week the second line-up announcement for next year’s Soundwave festival was delivered like the ten commandments, and in the week leading up to it the usual speculation and guessing game took place. I saw and even re-posted a meme that said ‘quick, to the trollmobile, bands we hate have been announced for a festival’. It’s sad but true that this is how most live music outings are treated these days. There are always people who will whinge at line-ups no matter who is on them because they’re preprogrammed to do so. I do wonder if people see the line-up poster and automatically scroll through it looking for bands they don’t like. SW is a festival with seven stages and something like 80 bands. If you spent even half a set watching a particular band, you’d be unlikely to get to see any more than say ten or 12 bands across the entire day, so realistically anything else should be of no consequence to you. Why waste your energy complaining about things that won’t even impact your day? All those keyboard warriors out there imagining their perfect line-up poster: make your own! There are even people who complain there are bands on there they’ve never heard of. Pick your faves and look forward to getting sunburned to hell watching them well into the evening. And those who get all up in arms about the ticket prices, do the maths and think of the logistics involved in getting nearly a thousand people to five cities over ten days. Trucks, gear hire, staffing, catering, security, staging, first aid, band fees and of course a little bit of profit since it is a business after
all. Two hundred bucks to see ten to 12 bands is like ten bucks a band! A stadium show by a major international costs almost as much, and that only lasts for two hours at the most. If you’re an avid festival-goer and you know that a ticket is going to hurt your wallet then put five bucks in a sock every week, and you’re sweet. As for the bands on announcement #2, well, A Day To Remember take headline honours and have worked their way up to that level with no mainstream media support at all, so kudos to them! Mastodon, Him, Dillinger, Sevendust, Gojira, Suicide Silence, Satyricon, Thy Art Is Murder, Graveyard, Soil, Hacktivist – Wow; for a festival that’s never ever once said it was a metal festival there’s a hell of a lot of it on there and when you add on the bands in the first announce, Megadeth, Newsted, Testament, Amon Amarth, Black Dahlia, Baroness, Devildriver, Trivium, Clutch, Gwar, Volbeat, Alter Bridge, Alice In Chains – there aren’t many left who don’t fit into metal’s wide-casting net. I don’t think you’ll have any problems at all finding ten bands to fill up your day. Actually I think narrowing it down to those you can realistically manage to see will be the harder task. In years gone by the metal was generally restricted to Stage 4. That changed this year with Slayer taking mainstage and with the sheer numbers of heavy bands on for next year, you can count on them being spread all over the place. Start doing some jogging now… heavyshit@themusic.com.au
The past couple of years I had been a little bit underwhelmed by the Soundwave line-up. I felt they weren’t relevant to me. I felt they were missing something – that one drawcard that could get me there. In previous years it had been bands like Deftones, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Every Time I Die, Minus The Bear. How about seeing City & Colour playing to a handful of people at an acoustic? Sure, this year the ‘Big Four’ played (almost), but I found myself more drawn to the bottom end of the line-up rather than the headliners – Gallows, Fucked Up, This Is Hell and Cerebral Ballzy. But in 2014, especially after the second announcement, I’m a believer again, and I can honestly say that this is one line-up that I’m actually willing to get excited about. Pennywise, with Jim Lindberg back at the helm, is always guaranteed to be a good time (particularly when they close with Bro Hymn), and I’m an unashamed fan of the new A Day To Remember record so I’m keen to catch them live. There are heaps of other bands on that second line-up I cannot wait to see: Mastodon, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Crosses, and Harvest Festival transplants Mutemath and Desaparecidos. But it’s the news that Glassjaw are back that has me wetting my pants! This was a band I never ever in a million years would have thought I’d see live, and now I get to see them a second time. See me down the front screaming along like a 14-year-old at a Good Charlotte concert.
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opinion
ROOTS DOWN
MODERATELY HIGHBROW
GET IT TOGETHER
BLUES ‘N’ ROOTS WITH DAN CONDON
VISUAL ART WANK AND THEATRE FOYERS WITH DAVE DRAYTON
HIP HOP WITH JAMES D’APICE
BUDDY GUY
The latest Bluesfest announcement is all about blues and, while there are fewer household names, it’s an announcement that’ll greatly appeal to those who connect with the music that has always driven this event. Buddy Guy’s first Bluesfest appearance was shaky, but each time he has returned he has delivered more than before. His 2012 appearance was nothing short of life-affirming and his live record from last year, Live At Legends, is truly worth getting your hands on. James Cotton is 78 years old; he was Howlin’ Wolf ’s harp player in the early ‘50s and then hooked up with Muddy Waters later that decade. He’s a true blues legend and hasn’t let debilitating throat cancer prevent him from touring hard. Don’t miss him. Booker T Jones played on so many great Stax records in the ‘60s and his latest record is among the best R&B albums of the year – no joke. Add in that unforgettable MGs material and you’ve got one of the true greats.
In which, inspired by the events of my recent trip to San Francisco, we look at new ways of travel writing.
you change lines, you begin a new stanza, and your final destination provides the poem’s closing line.
I was in San Francisco for an event called Subtle Channels, a five-day conference/workshop with a focus on the work of the Oulipo, a French writing group founded in the 1960s whose members include the likes of Marcel Duchamp, Italo Calvino, and Raymond Queneau.
Inspired, I entertained the notion of an aeroplane poem, the rules much the same as the metro poem. However, the route I had home (departing at 6pm on Sunday from San Francisco, arriving via Los Angeles in Sydney on Tuesday morning at 8.30am) resulted in some less than inspired poetry. As I arrived in Los Angeles, I wrote down the first line of my aeroplane poem, a single profanity: Fuck
Subtle Channels boasted the group’s current president, Paul Fournel (he has also been president of the Society of Men of Letters of France, served as a cultural attaché in London and in Cairo, and rides bikes); Hervé Le Tellier, a writer, journalist, mathematician, food critic, teacher, and member of the Oulipo since 1992; and Daniel Levin Becker, the youngest ever Oulipian, only the second American to join since Harry Mathews, and the author of the book from which the event took its name, an unparalleled personal insight into the house of mirrors that is Oulipo. A discussion of some of the constraints that the Oulipo employ in their writing soon gave rise to Jacques Jouet’s Metro Poem. For clarity’s sake, I will explain it adapted for trains here in Sydney. You get on a train. Between the first and second station you compose in your head the first line of a poem. As the train is stopped at the second station you write it down and repeat the process for subsequent stops. You can’t write while the train is in motion, or compose while the train has stopped. If
The second leg of the flight seemed like the realisation of a Seinfeld joke set-up; 20 orthodox Jews, eight children under the age of three, and a flight attendant too generously proportioned to actually fit down the aisles in economy. I was fortunate enough to have as travel companions and it would seem as if there was no limit to the source material and potential inspiration on this, the final leg and line of my inaugural aeroplane poem. Despite it all, the resulting line when I touched in Sydney was as brief the first, once more only four letters, and at least a little less crass: That I suppose, then, there is something to be said for economy. And in this taciturn verse I feel as if I managed to capture with a brevity in stark contrast to the journey, a sentiment that accurately, and I suppose poetically, encapsulates the experience of moving between continents and time.
Charlie Musselwhite and Eric Bibb feel almost feel like old friends, though I’ve never met either, and manage to blow me away every time I see them and the return of the North Mississippi Allstars and Candye Kane will have many Bluesfest regulars thrilled. Finally, it’s great to see the great Walter Trout (Canned Heat, Mayall’s Bluesbreakers) making the trek to Australia – his health has been shaky of late, but hopefully a trip to Byron will help put him on the road to recovery. 74 • THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013
DANIEL LEVIN BECKER
DRAKE
Disclosure: I understand copyright law better than you do. And I understand it much better than your cousin who told you, “Take what you want. It’s fine. Just say you don’t own the rights. Then they can’t touch you!” So you can place a little faith in me when I tell you that grassroots lobby group The Creationistas are on to something. Their view is that copyright law is broken. You see, every time you or I download an unlicensed movie or song, we’re breaching the (current) laws of copyright. Cut and pasting a blog post? Same thing. Sharing a photo you found online even if it is of you? Same thing. The Creationistas say: the laws we have don’t work. Taking the example of Rap Genius, we can see there is something to that argument. Rap Genius is, at heart, an open-source lyrics database. It has attracted some serious money from Silicon Valley. Users can log on and argue about what the lyrics to certain songs are. Crucially, they can also throw in links, references and interpretations in relation to a song’s lyrics. You know which Miami suburb Drake is referring to in his latest jam? Great, put the link up on Rap Genius. But – to the dismay of Rap Genius and, probably, The Creationistas – the US National Music Publishers Association has recently issued a bunch of takedown notices on the basis that it wishes to stop others from commercialising its artists’ content. Under the laws as they stand, it’s fair play. The question is: how long can the system remain the way it is?
opinion philosophy underpinning life, death, love and violence.
TRAILER TRASH DIVES INTO YOUR SCREENS AND IDIOT BOXES WITH GUY DAVIS
THE COUNSELOR
The Counselor is not for everyone. It’s important to make that clear straight off the bat. But it’s a movie where beheadings are standard operating procedure and a woman fucks a windshield (yeah, that happens), so it’s perhaps in the viewer’s best interests to know what they’re in for before they slap down their hard-earned dollars. Still, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. There’s nothing wrong with a movie that aims to please as wide an audience as possible but there are times when going for mass appeal can compromise an artist’s voice or dilute a story’s impact.
And The Counselor...well, it’s undiluted and then some. At first glance, it seems like your typical underworld thriller, with a smart but hapless hero, who’s not quite as savvy as he thinks he is, entering into a perilous arrangement for the most noble of reasons and quickly finding himself way, way over his head. The mechanics of such a story don’t appear to hold much interest for director Ridley Scott and screenwriter Cormac McCarthy, however – the two look to be more fascinated by the extremes of human behaviour and the
Such an approach may frustrate the hell out of viewers in the market for a sexy, brutal melodrama, even though The Counselor certainly delivers its share of sexiness and brutality. But it’s not delivering it with a wink or a smirk, even in its more outrageous moments (and believe me, there are a few). It’s playing it straight, and it’s playing for keeps. We never learn the name of the Counselor, a lawyer played by Michael Fassbender, but we’re able to gather he’s good at what he does, his clientele are on the shifty side and he’s madly in love with Laura (Penelope Cruz). Keen to maintain a high standard of living, the Counselor has aligned himself with some shady characters on both sides of the border separating America and Mexico, including drug lord Reiner ( Javier Bardem, redolently sleazy) and his femme fatale lover Malkina (Cameron Diaz, putting extra doses of fatale into the femme). Deal with large amounts of money and narcotics for long enough, though, and the situation
is bound to go eight kinds of wrong. And when it does in this case, the Counselor finds himself and everything he cares about ensnared in a trap from which there may be no escape. Scott directs the story with his trademark gloss and finesse, giving it a luxurious, seductive sheen that acts as a brilliant disguise for the sadism and seediness lurking beneath the surface. (There’s more than a dash of his late brother Tony’s aesthetic evident here.) And the scripting by McCarthy, whose novels include No Country For Old Men and The Road, is full of the grim, unforgiving world view and dense, distinctive language that characterise his books. The teaming of the two results in a movie that looks to be giving viewers what they’re after but soon takes them down a few unexpected side roads where the terrain gets rough and the destination unknown. As such, The Counselor is far from flawless – it’s definitely going to divide audiences – but if you hang on and hold tight, it’s a ride you may not forget in a hurry.
BEYOND THE SPEAKERS FILLING THE DEAD AIR WITH RACHEL CORBETT Anyone who knows me knows there are few places I am more out of my depth than at a racetrack. The smell of petrol and burning rubber takes some people to fever pitch but for me it just prompts the question: ‘WTF am I doing here? Did I get lost?’ Despite this lack of a need for speed, I found myself trackside at the Gold Coast 600 this month for our ‘Motorised Furniture Race’. The origins of the concept were hard to pinpoint; in fact once it became time to sell it on-air none of us could remember exactly why we had pitched it in the first place (or why anyone had said yes). But before long we were asking a bunch of hobbyists on the Gold Coast to build us a pair of motorised couches so we could send them down the straight with two listeners attached, potentially trading their life for a prize. Now, if it were the ‘80s, an idea like this would not only have gone through to the keeper without anyone batting an eyelid, but also
there’s a very high chance that somebody would have suggested there wasn’t enough risk involved and that we should potentially set half the couch on fire. But alas, the year is 2013 and, thanks to the introduction of every producer’s favourite document ‘The Risk Assessment’, every competition has to be examined in microscopic detail until the legal department has quashed any dreams of anything more extreme than ‘wrap listeners in cotton wool and cuddle them until they’ve won something’. So once the kids with the law degrees found out what we were up to it wasn’t long before the contestants were off the couches and holding remote controls instead. As we geared up for the race, V8 supercar drivers Mark Winterbottom and Craig Lowndes came down to offer their support. You can imagine that when they stood on the hallowed bitumen they risk life and limb on and saw a couple
WACKY RACES
of blokes hanging on to remote controls that powered a pair of doily-covered armchairs the words ‘career highlight’ would naturally have floated into their heads. Mez and I were positioned at the start of the race and Jules was poised at the finish line ready to get the winner’s reaction, but as the starter waved the flag a few unanticipated things happened. The first was that these hobbyists knew what they were doing and had strapped two petrol motors to these armchairs so once they shot off it was at no leisurely pace. In fact, even running full pelt, Mez and I could get nowhere near the 60km/ hr they must’ve been pushing. One of the contestants tried his best to stay with his vehicle,
understanding that anything using a remote control goes out of range at a certain distance, and managed to steer it over the line with little consequence. The other contestant, however, was not as across his Electronics 101 and, once his beast became incommunicado with the remote in his hand, it started veering out of control directly towards Julian who was trapped between the two concrete reinforced walls of the racetrack in his own private version of Maximum Overdrive. Running for his life, Jules leapt up and clung desperately to the barricade while the second armchair crashed into the concrete, narrowly missing his lower limbs. God I hate it when the legal department is right. THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013 • 75
the guide nsw.gigguide@themusic.com.au Catherine Britt + Chris & Charlie: The Vanguard, Newtown
THE MUSIC PRESENTS
Black Flag + No Fun At All + The Ataris + Good For You + Jughead’s Revenge: Uni Bar, Wollongong Mix Master Mike: Upstairs Beresford, Surry Hills City Slickers Band Competition: Valve @ Agincourt, Sydney
GIG OF THE WEEK MULLUM MUSIC FESTIVAL FT LOVE OVER GOLD AND MORE: 21 – 24 NOV MULLUMBIMBY THE JULIE RUIN: 17 JAN FACTORY THEATRE Jordie Lane: 20 Nov Lizotte’s Central Coast; 21 Lizotte’s Newcastle
Frightened Rabbit: 6 Feb Metro Theatre
The Nerve: 21 Nov Cambridge Hotel; 22 Rad Bar Wollongong; 23 Annandale Hotel
Caravana Sun: 14 Feb Transit Bar Canberra; 15 Beach Road Hotel Bondi; 21 The Small Ballroom
Mullum Music Festival: 21 – 24 Nov Mullumbimby
Wire: 20 Feb Oxford Art Factory
The Drones: 22 Nov Cambridge Hotel
Mikhael Paskalev: 5 Mar Oxford Art Factory
The Jungle Giants: 22 Nov Metro Theatre
Future Music Festival: 8 Mar Randwick Racecourse
The Crooked Fiddle Band: 22 Nov Baroque Katoomba; 23 The Standard; 14 Dec Entrance Leagues Bateau Bay
Billy Bragg: 16 Mar Sydney Opera House
World Music Wednesdays ft Bobby Alu: 27 Nov The Basement
The Magic Band, The Grandmothers Of Invention: 12 Apr Metro Theatre
Philadelphia Grand Jury, Feelings: 6 Dec The Small Ballroom; 7 The Standard Catherine Traicos & The Starry Night: 13 Dec Petersham Bowls Club Festival Of The Sun: 13 – 14 Dec Sundowner Breakwall Tourist Park, Port Macquarie Pond: 20 Dec Metro Theatre Woodford Folk Festival: 27 – Jan 1 Dec Woodford Solange: 8 Jan Metro Theatre Half Moon Run: 9 Jan The Small Ballroom; 10 The Heritage Hotel Bulli; 11 The Standard; 14 The Brass Monkey Cronulla The Julie Ruin: 17 Jan Factory Theatre Avicii: 25 Jan Centennial Park Parquet Courts: 5 Feb The Standard
Absu: 22 Mar Factory Theatre
Allen Stone: 13 Apr Metro Theatre Jimmie Vaughan: 16 Apr Metro Theatre Morcheeba: 17 Apr Metro Theatre KC & The Sunshine Band: 17 Apr Enmore Theatre
WED 20
Hitseekers: 3 Wise Monkeys, Sydney
Concert For My Parents with Joseph Tawadros Quartet: 505, Surry Hills
Songs On Stage feat. Stuart Jammin + Guests: Avalon Beach RSL, Avalon Beach
Mark Travers: Orient Hotel, Sydney
Musos Club Jam Night: Bald Faced Stag, Leichhardt
Corroboree Club feat. Krista Pav + Bow & Arrow: Pier 2 / 3, Walsh Bay
N’Fa Jones + more: Beach Road Hotel (Rex Room), Bondi Beach
Darren Heinrich Trio: Play Bar, Surry Hills
“Dream Brother”- A Tribute To Jeff & Tim Buckley with Michael Azzopardi + Steve Crocker + Chris Raicevich + Andy Brown + more: Brass Monkey, Cronulla
Aurora Jane: Red Rattler, Marrickville
The Bucket Lounge feat. Declan Kelly + Nick Saxon + The Kava Kings + Jake Whittaker & The Sly Mavericks: 34 Degrees South, Bondi Beach Free The Beats with Ribongia + Forcefields + Cooking With Caustic + Joshua Isaac + Aerographe: 505, Surry Hills Speech Therapy with The Tongue: Art & Life Work Shop, Chippendale The Smith: Artichoke Gallery Cafe, Manly DJ Tigerlilly: Australian Hotel & Brewery (Cool Room), Rouse Hill Matt Price: Australian Hotel & Brewery, Rouse Hill
Boysetsfire + Bad Astronaut + Snuff + Off With Their Heads: Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle West Harrison Craig + John Foreman + Bobby Fox: Capitol Theatre, Tamworth
Kinky Friedman + Lo Carmen & Peter Head: Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba
Steve Earle & The Dukes: 23 Apr Enmore Theatre
Songs On Stage feat. Angelene + Adam Siridean + Natalie Wardan: Collector Hotel, Parramatta Kings Of Leon: Enmore Theatre, Enmore Mikal Cronin: Goodgod Small Club, Sydney Groove Lounge Open Mic: Harold Park Hotel, Glebe FBi Social Lunchbreak feat. Jenny Broke the Window: Kings Cross Hotel (1pm), Kings Cross The Laugh Stand with Tom Ballard: Kings Cross Hotel, Kings Cross Nic Cassey + Telegraph Tower + Video Set + Aaron Michael Band: LazyBones Lounge, Marrickville
JORDIE LANE: 20 NOV LIZOTTE’S CENTRAL COAST; 21 LIZOTTE’S NEWCASTLE Jordan C Thomas Band: Rock Lily, Pyrmont Songs On Stage feat. Peach Montgomery + Guests: Sackville Hotel, Rozelle Chris Stretton: Stamford Grand North Ryde, North Ryde Heath Burdell: Summer Hill Hotel, Summer Hill Eros Ramazzotti: Sydney Entertainment Centre, Darling Harbour Sarah McLeod + Cat Vas + Mark Scott + Wolfie: Tattersalls Hotel, Penrith Boysetsfire + Bad Astronaut: The Annandale, Annandale
Jordie Lane + Old Man Luedecke: Lizottes Central Coast, Kincumber
Robert Ellis + Cory Chisel + Marlon Williams: The Basement, Circular Quay
Live & Local feat. Hunter Adams + Amy Horton + Josh Needs + Younger Hearts Band: Lizottes Sydney, Dee Why
Am 2 Pm: The Juniors, Kingsford
Andy Mammers Duo: Maloneys Hotel, Sydney
Daylight + Post Blue: The Small Ballroom, Newcastle Tyvek + Bed Wettin’ Bad Boys + Housewives: The Square, Haymarket
1000S OF GIGS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS. FOR MORE HEAD TO THEMUSIC.COM.AU 76 • THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013
THU 21
Wildcatz: 3 Wise Monkeys, Sydney
Taking Berlin + Vanadium + Cicada + Eddie Boyd & The Phatapillars: Brighton Up Bar, Darlinghurst
Larry Graham & Graham Central Station: 20 Apr The Basement
HALF MOON RUN: 9 JAN THE SMALL BALLROOM; 10 THE HERITAGE HOTEL BULLI; 11 THE STANDARD; 14 THE BRASS MONKEY
Joe Echo Duo: O’Malleys Hotel, Kings Cross Gemma: Observer Hotel, The Rocks
Mix Master Mike + Samrai + Spenda C + more: Chinese Laundry, Sydney
Aaron Neville, Dr John & The Nite Trippers: 24 Apr State Theatre
Rodney Rude: Muswellbrook Workers Club, Muswellbrook
Dave Seaside: Artichoke Gallery Cafe, Manly
Bluesfest: 17 – 21 Apr Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm Byron Bay
KT Tunstall: 23 Apr Lizottes Newcastle; 24 Lizottes Central Coast; 25 Lizottes Dee Why; 26 The Basement
Lisa Kekaula (DJ Set) + Solid Gold Hell DJs: Midnight Special, Enmore
Personal & The Pizzas + Hockey Dad: Yours & Owls, Wollongong
Beach Slut + Girls Pissing On Girls Pissing: Belconnen Magpies, Belconnen Bobbie Lee Stamper + Jon McLaughlin + Oxford & Co: Brass Monkey, Cronulla Kite Club + High-Tails + Fox & Fowl: Brighton Up Bar, Darlinghurst The Nerve: Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle West A Night of New Jewish Music+Various: Camelot Lounge, Marrickville Christie Lamb: Campbelltown Catholic Club (Cafe Samba), Campbelltown Musos Club Jam Night: Carousel Inn, Rooty Hill Pete Hunt: Club Belmore, Belmore Rodney Rude: Club Singleton, Singleton Tommy Emmanuel + Michael Fix + Steve Henderson: Collaroy Centre, Homestead Ave
www.thebasement.com.au
BVS 6][S ]T :WdS ;caWQ AW\QS '%! T THU 13 MAR
JUST ANNOU NCED
POKEY LAFARGE (USA)
FRESH OFF A SIGNING WITH JACK WHITEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LABEL THIRD MAN RECORDS, POKEY AND HIS BAND MAKE THEIR DEBUT AUSTRALIAN APPEARANCES â&#x20AC;&#x201C; AMERICAN ROOTS AT THE CROSSROADS OF EARLY JAZZ, COUNTRY BLUES AND WESTERN SWING.
NEWS FROM THE BASEMENT
COMING SOONâ&#x20AC;¦
ROBERT ELLIS (USA) AND CORY CHISEL + MARLON WILLIAMS (NZ)
WED 20 NOV
PUGSLEY BUZZARD ALBUM LAUNCH
THU 21 NOV
KEYIM BA ALBUM LAUNCH
FRI 22 NOV
PSEUDO ECHO
SAT 23 NOV
SWING TUESDAYS
TUE 26 NOV
DERRICK MAY (USA/LATE SHOW)
BOBBY ALU (QLD)
FOLLOW US: ON FACEBOOK @ THE BASEMENT & ON TWITTER @ #BASEMENTSYD RESTUARANT OPENS AT 11AM, SERVING FOOD ALL DAY
WED 27 NOV
JAY BRANNAN (USA)
FRI 29 NOV
SAT 30 NOV
DAVE DOBBYN & DON MCGLASHAN (NZ) FRI 06 DEC
DAVID RYAN HARRIS (USA) FRI 13 DEC
WITH THE BASEMENT BIG BAND
WORLD MUSIC WEDNESDAYS
THE MUSIC â&#x20AC;¢ 20TH NOVEMBER 2013 â&#x20AC;¢ 77
the guide nsw.gigguide@themusic.com.au Hue Williams: Crowne Plaza Terrigal, Terrigal Nicky Kurta: Dee Why Hotel, Dee Why Smokie + Guests: Enmore Theatre, Enmore Brazil & Beyond feat. Anna Salleh: Foundry 616, Ultimo Personal & The Pizzas + The Gooch Palms: Frankies Pizza, Sydney Mikal Cronin + Slaves + The Familiars: Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle Andy Mammers: Hillside Hotel, Castle Hill Sons Of The East: Hotel Steyne (Moonshine Bar), Manly Chris Gudu + Afro Pamoja: Jam Gallery, Bondi Junction FBi Social feat. Machine Translations + Stolen Violin: Kings Cross Hotel, Kings Cross Set Sail + Guests: Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale Chuck Yates Trio + Guests: LazyBones Lounge, Marrickville Jordie Lane: Lizottes Newcastle, New Lambton Robert Ellis + Cory Chisel + Marlon Williams: Lizottes Sydney, Dee Why Dave White Duo: Maloneys Hotel, Sydney Rachel Laing: Manly Leagues Club, Brookvale High Rollers / Buble Show: Manly Leagues Club (Menzies Lounge), Brookvale The Home Stretch feat. King Colour + Gypsies & Gentlemen + Little Bighorn + Colin Jones + Will & The Indians + Bahareh Khademi + Carmel Zein + more: Manning Bar, Camperdown Open Mic Night with Alex Hopkins: Northies, Cronulla Steve Tonge Duo: O’Malleys Hotel, Kings Cross Cambo: Observer Hotel, The Rocks Joe Echo: Orient Hotel, Sydney Corroboree Club feat. Radical Son + Dave Dow: Pier 2 / 3, Walsh Bay
Harrison Craig + John Foreman + Bobby Fox: The Glasshouse, Port Macquarie Lyall Moloney: The Illawarra Brewery, Wollongong
The Jungle Giants + Twinsy + Muscles (DJ Set) + Bec & Ben: Metro Theatre (All Ages), Sydney
Women In Docs: The Newsagency, Marrickville
Dan Lawrence + Rachel Eldon: Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale
Michael McGlynn: The Ranch Hotel, Eastwood
Gen-R-8: Nelson Bay Diggers Club, Nelson Bay
Forever The Optimist + Self Is A Seed + Guards Of May + more: The Small Ballroom, Newcastle
Dave White Experience: New Brighton Hotel, Manly
Ben Salter + Love Like Hate: Union Hotel, Newtown Pleasure Overload + Malachite Method + Vanity Riots + Total Addiction + Fight Masta + more: Valve @ Agincourt, Sydney
FRI 22
Tom Trelawny: 3 Wise Monkeys, Sydney DJ Sean Andrews: 5 Sawyers, Newcastle
Uncle Jed: 505, Surry Hills Julian Casey: Abbotts Hotel, Waterloo Raw 2013 feat. Chris Fraser: Academy, Canberra Ryan Thomas: Ambarvale Tavern, Ambarvale Otto Marr & Nigel Hearn: Artichoke Gallery Cafe, Manly Tim Conlon: Australian Hotel & Brewery, Rouse Hill Jericco + Far Away Stables + more: Bald Faced Stag, Leichhardt The Crooked Fiddle Band: Baroque, Katoomba Deviation: Belmont 16’s, Belmont KG Duo: Belmore Hotel, Maitland Narrow Lands + Ted Danson With Wolves + Wolves & Ache: Black Wire Records, Annandale Machine Translations: Blaxland Tavern (Kelts Bar), Blaxland Raul Midon + Jordan Rakei: Blue Beat, Double Bay Light My Fire - A Tribute To The Doors: Brass Monkey, Cronulla
8 Ball Aitken: Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill
Justine Reynolds Duo: Briars Inn, Bowral
Songs On Stage feat. Chris Raicevich + Guests: Ruby L’Otel, Rozelle
Stormchasers + Belle & The Bone People + The Electric Vogues: Brighton Up Bar, Darlinghurst
Hot Damn! feat. Shinto Katana + Hearts Like Wolves + Friend Or Foe + The Braves + Heiress: Spectrum, Darlinghurst Alex Lloyd + The Young Lions: Sydney Opera House (The Studio), Sydney
Am 2 Pm: North Sydney Leagues, Cammeray
The Spice Cellar 2nd Birthday feat. Carl Craig + Guests: The Spice Cellar, Sydney
Clash Of The Bands Grand Final: Rock Lily, Pyrmont
Victoria Avenue: Scruffy Murphy’s, Sydney
Sarah Paton: Massey Park Golf Club, Concord
Powderfinger Show: Bull & Bush, Baulkham Hills The Drones + Harmony: Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle West Club Hoy: Camelot Lounge, Marrickville DJ Tom Annetts: Campbelltown Catholic Club, Campbelltown
Pugsley Buzzard: The Basement, Circular Quay
Matt Jones: Castle Hill RSL (Terrace Bar), Castle Hill
Nova & The Experience: The Bucket List, Bondi Beach
The Big Bang: Cessnock Supporters Club, Cessnock
The Rattle: The Exchange Hotel, Hamilton
Daniel Arvidson: Charlestown Bowling Club, Charlestown
James Teague + Nice Verdes: The Front Cafe & Gallery, Lyneham
Lj: Chatswood RSL, Chatswood
Heath Burdell: Northies (Sports Bar), Cronulla
THE CROOKED FIDDLE BAND: 22 NOV BAROQUE KATOOMBA; 23 THE STANDARD Doctor Werewolf + Seek n Destroy + Synergii + more: Chinese Laundry, Sydney Harrison Craig + John Foreman + Bobby Fox: Civic Theatre, Newcastle Women In Docs: Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba Party Central: Club Cronulla, Cronulla Franky Valentyn: Club Five Dock, Five Dock JJ Duo: Club Windang, Windang John Vella: Cock ‘n’ Bull, Bondi Junction Gemma Glendenning: Collingwood Hotel, Liverpool Big Way Out: Colonial Hotel, Werrington Craig Thommo: Commercial Hotel, Parramatta Hype Duo: Courthouse Hotel, Darlinghurst Matt Price Duo: Cronulla RSL, Cronulla Kickstar: Crown Hotel, Sydney Black Diamond Hearts + Gerard Masters: Crows Nest Hotel, Crows Nest Marty Simpson: Customs House Bar, Circular Quay Lil Smoke + Blueberry Circuit + Jake Whittaker & The Sly Mavericks: Dicey Riley’s Hotel, Wollongong 2GoodReasons: Duke of Wellington Hotel, New Lambton Roger vs The Man: Eastern Lounge, Mosman Loco: Engadine Tavern, Engadine Ange: Ettalong Memorial Bowling Club, Ettalong Vendulka + Jupiter & the Moon + Laura Zarb: Factory Theatre (Factory Floor), Marrickville Mampi + Dovi Dovi + DJ Big Up + DJ Daddy + more: Factory Theatre, Marrickville Jake McDougall: Figtree Hotel, Wollongong Aurora Jane: Finnians Irish Tavern, Port Macquarie Krishna Jones: General Gordon Hotel, Sydenham Abreact: Gladstone Hotel, Chippendale Hey Geronimo: Goodgod Small Club, Sydney
Leon Fallon: Grand Hotel, Rockdale Engine: Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle Luke Robinson: Greystanes Inn, Greystanes Clowns: Hamilton Station Hotel, Hamilton Andy Mammers: Harbord Beach Hotel, Freshwater Catherine Britt: Heritage Hotel, Bulli
Brendan Deehan: O’Malleys Hotel, Kings Cross Nata: Oasis on Beamish Hotel, Campsie Mashed Fridays feat. DJ Tone: Oatley Hotel, Oatley Brad Johns + Rob Henry + Alex Cannings: Observer Hotel, The Rocks Thunderstruck AC/DC Show: Ocean Beach Hotel, Shellharbour Wildcatz + Soul Principle: Orient Hotel, Sydney Marty’s Place: Overlander Hotel, Cambridge Gardens
Victoria Avenue + Evie Dean: Hillside Hotel, Castle Hill
Hold Tight! feat. Jonwayne + Oisima + Dizz1 + Prize: Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst
Hello Cleveland: Horse & Jockey Hotel, Homebush
Panorama Duo: Parramatta Leagues, Parramatta
Moonlight Drive Duo: Hotel Jesmond, Jesmond
David Agius: Parramatta RSL, Parramatta
Zoltan: Ingleburn RSL, Ingleburn
The Remixes: Penrith Gaels, Kingswood
Pena Flamenca + Oscar Jimenez: Jam Gallery, Bondi Junction Tom Buckley: Jewells Tavern, Jewells Kate Oakley: Kareela Golf & Social Club, Kareela Chalkie White: Kiama Leagues Club, Kiama The Shrooms: Kirribilli Hotel, Milsons Point Black Bird Blue: Lakeside Village Tavern, Raymond Terrace Apes + Guests: Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale Matt Ross + The Continental Blues Party: LazyBones Lounge, Marrickville
Heartbraker + No Further Questions + Hivemind + Handball Deathmatch: Penshurst RSL, Penshurst Dollar Bar + Blood Plastic + Buddy Glass + Disgusting People: Petersham Bowling Club, Petersham Corroboree Club feat. The Bitch is Black Drag Show + Jess Beck: Pier 2 / 3, Walsh Bay Reels On Fire: PJ Gallaghers, Leichhardt The White Bros: Quakers Inn, Quakers Hill Q Sound: Ramsgate RSL (Lounge / 2pm), Sans Souci
Will Teague: Leichhardt Hotel, Leichhardt
Day Ravies: Red Rattler, Marrickville
Blackened Beneath + Dead Life + Risen Dred + Darkness Reigns: Lewisham Hotel, Lewisham
Alex Lloyd + The Young Lions: Revesby Workers (Whitlam Theatre), Revesby
The Brewster Brothers: Lizottes Central Coast, Kincumber
The Kamis: Revesby Workers (Infinity Lounge), Revesby
Diesel: Lizottes Newcastle, New Lambton
BigPhallica + The Duelling Pianos Show: Rock Lily, Pyrmont
Tim Freedman: Lizottes Sydney, Dee Why
Strange Karma + Er Among The Ether + 62nd Silence: Roxbury Hotel, Glebe
Rodney Rude: Maitland City Bowls, Rutherford Spit Syndicate: Maitland Town Hall, Maitland Lionel Robinson + Nathan Cole: Manly Leagues Club, Brookvale Moonsorrow + Guests: Manning Bar, Camperdown Timomatic: Marquee, Pyrmont
1000S OF GIGS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS. FOR MORE HEAD TO THEMUSIC.COM.AU 78 • THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013
Jess Dunbar: Novotel Darling Harbour, Pyrmont
Jonny Gretschs Wasted Ones: Ruby L’Otel, Rozelle Bounce: Scruffy Murphy’s, Sydney SIMA feat. Steve Barry Trio: Seymour Centre (Sound Lounge), Chippendale Steve Clisby: Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Nowra
the guide nsw.gigguide@themusic.com.au True Vibenation + Suburban Dark + Dutch + Mailer Daemon: Spectrum, Darlinghurst
Awesome Tapes From Africa + Invisible City Soundsystem + Tako: Goodgod Small Club (Danceteria / 11pm), Sydney
Cath & Him: St George Leagues (Mixed Lounge), Kogarah
Breton: Goodgod Small Club, Sydney
Nicky Kurta: Stacks Taverna, Sydney
David Agius: Greystanes Inn, Greystanes
Dog Trumpet + Holidays On Ice feat. Angie Hart + Dean Manning: Sydney Opera House (The Studio), Sydney
Songs On Stage feat. Les Montgomery Band + Carl Stewart Band + Peach Montgomery: Hampshire Hotel, Camperdown
Machine Translations + Stolen Violin + Special Guests: Tattersalls Hotel, Penrith
Dan Lawrence: Harbord Beach Hotel, Freshwater
The BellRays + Special Guests: The Annandale, Annandale Metal Fiesta feat. Mytile Vey Lorth + Bronson + Red Bee + Wretch + Decadence Of Cain + Hadal Maw: The Basement, Belconnen Keyim Ba: The Basement, Circular Quay Nova & The Experience + Emma Davison + James Teague: The Commons, Hamilton
Heath Burdell: Helensburgh Workers, Helensburgh
THE JUNGLE GIANTS: 22 NOV METRO THEATRE Charlie Smith + Friends: Abbotts Hotel, Waterloo
Angie Dean: Castle Hill RSL (Piano Lounge), Castle Hill
The Dreamcatchers: Absolute Thai, Charlestown
Andy Mammers + Crash Avenue Duo: Castle Hill RSL (Cocktail Lounge), Castle Hill
Sundays Record Duo: The Exchange Hotel, Hamilton
Isaac Entry: Adria Bar & Restaurant, Sydney
Enerate + Panachae: The Loft, UTS, Broadway
Neandertown: Artichoke Gallery Cafe, Manly
Coverdrive Trio (feat. Mark Wells): The Mark Hotel, Lambton
James Englund: Australian Hotel & Brewery, Rouse Hill
Tori Darke: The Ranch Hotel, Eastwood
Snake Sixx + Jonathan Devoy + HAZMAT + Johnny Roadkill: Bald Faced Stag, Leichhardt
Robert Ellis + Cory Chisel + De’May: The Small Ballroom, Newcastle
Harrison Craig + John Foreman + Bobby Fox: Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, Bathurst
Deniz Tek: The Square, Haymarket
Black Bird Blue: Bay Hotel, Bonnells Bay
Five Coffees + Beaten Bodies + LHA: The Standard, Surry Hills
City Underground Rock Festival feat. The Spasms + more: Belconnen Magpies, Belconnen
Darren Middleton + Special Guests: The Vanguard, Newtown
Dave Carter: Charlestown Bowling Club, Charlestown Bot + Tim Richards + more: Chinese Laundry, Sydney Cath & Him: Club Engadine, Engadine Eddie Boyd & The Phatapillars: Commercial Hotel, Milton The Trav & Rosco Show: Coogee Diggers (The Bunker), Coogee Summonus + Yanomamo + Abreact + Gvrlls + The Holiday Project: Cosmo’s Rock Lounge, Marrickville Marty’s Place: Courthouse Hotel, Darlinghurst
The Ex’s: The Vineyard Hotel, Vineyard
Triology Of Rock with Jon English: Belmont 16’s (Showroom), Belmont
Pete Gelzinnis: The Windsor Castle Hotel, Newcastle
The Viper Creek Band: Belmont 16’s, Belmont
Mark Da Costa + Victoria Avenue: Crows Nest Hotel, Crows Nest
Nathan Cole: Three Swallows Hotel, Bankstown
Funkapedia: Belmore Hotel, Maitland
Rodney Rude: Davistown RSL, Davistown
Okenyo + Tkay Maidza + Timberwolf + DJ Kristy Lee: Upstairs Beresford, Surry Hills
Leonard Cohen + Special Guests: Bimbadgen Winery, Polkolbin
Steve Edmonds Band: Dicey Riley’s Hotel, Wollongong
Clowns + Disintegrator + The Fuck Outs + Family Values: Black Wire Records, Annandale
KG Duo: Duke of Wellington Hotel, New Lambton
Roadside Burial + Cryptic Scorn + The Sacks + Carbon Black + more: Valve @ Agincourt (Basement / 7pm), Sydney Tin Man + Steel Bonus + Truba: Valve @ Agincourt (First Level / 9pm), Sydney V-Dub: Warners at the Bay, Warners Bay
Clowns: Blackwire Records, Annandale The PJ O’Brien Band: Botany View Hotel, Newtown Keep The Faith - Bon Jovi Show: Bradbury Inn, Bradbury
DJ Marty: Wentworthville Leagues Club, Wentworthville
Rumours - A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac: Brass Monkey, Cronulla
Personal & The Pizzas + The Gooch Palms: White’s Records, Newcastle
Rose Carleo: Brewhouse, Kings Park
Triple Grip: Windsor Leagues Club, South Windsor Mum feat. Kite Club + HighTails: World Bar, Kings Cross The Nerve: Yours & Owls, Wollongong
SAT 23
Panorama: 3 Wise Monkeys, Sydney
DJ Fooey: 5 Sawyers, Newcastle Marsala: 505, Surry Hills
Cub Sport + Guests: Brighton Up Bar, Darlinghurst The Predictors: Bull & Bush, Baulkham Hills One Hit Wonders: Campbelltown Catholic Club (Club Lounge), Campbelltown Johnny Cash The Concert feat. Daniel Thompson + Stuie French + Tamara Stewart: Capitol Theatre, Tamworth Generation Crash: Carousel Inn, Rooty Hill Greg Agar: Castle Hill RSL (Terrace Bar), Castle Hill
Hand Picked: Crown Hotel, Sydney
Steve Tonge: Eastern Suburbs Legion Club, Waverley The Unexpected: Empire Bay Tavern, Empire Bay Riley Beech: Engadine Tavern, Engadine Jill Scott + Jones Jnr: Enmore Theatre, Enmore Dirty Deeds - AC/DC Show: Ettalong Memorial Bowling Club, Ettalong The Locies feat. Engine + Daheen + Meniscus + Svelt + Teal + Caligula’s Horse + more: Factory Theatre, Marrickville David Hyams + Jenny M Thomas + Mel Robinson + Zoe Elliot Band + Direwolf: Fairlight Folk Acoustic Lounge, Fairlight Harbourlife 2013 feat. Art Department + Carl Craig + David August + Finnebassen + Jacques Lu Cont + Moodymann + more: Fleet Steps, Sydney White Summer: Frankies Pizza, Sydney
Light My Fire - A Tribute To The Doors: Heritage Hotel, Bulli
Coastal Craze: Nelson Bay Diggers Club, Nelson Bay X Factor Live feat. Dami Im + Taylor Henderson + Jai Waetford + Third D3gree + Jiordan Tolli: Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Broadmeadow Darkc3ll + Eyefear + more: Newcastle Panthers, Newcastle West Coldplay Tribute Show + Vertigo - The U2 Experience: North Ryde RSL, North Ryde The Berkshire Hunting Club + Skinpin + Beach Coma + Bruce!: North Street Cafe & Bar, Batemans Bay Macson: North Sydney Leagues, Cammeray
Daylight + Harbourer + Post Blue + Yo! Put That Bag Back On!: Hermanns Bar, Darlington
Sarah Paton Duo: Northies (Sports Bar), Cronulla
Timberwolf: Hibernian House, Surry Hills
Tim Conlon + Luke Robinson + Carl Fidler + Dave Phillips: Observer Hotel, The Rocks
Kim & Mik: Hotel Jesmond, Jesmond Reckless: Huskisson Hotel, Huskisson Hayden Johns: Iron Horse Inn, Cardiff Fallon Brothers: Jamison Hotel, Penrith Lo Roberts: Kareela Golf & Social Club, Kareela Ghost Train + The Red Boots: Katoomba RSL, Katoomba JJ Duo: Kellys on King, Newtown Charlie Harper Band: Kiama Leagues Club, Kiama Hands Up!: Kings Cross Hotel (Late), Kings Cross FBi Social feat. Sures + Jenny Broke the Window: Kings Cross Hotel, Kings Cross Michael McGlynn: Kirribilli Hotel, Milsons Point Frieda’s Boss + New Dub City + Revolution Incorporated + Iron Gate Sound DJs: Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale Tim Freedman: Lizottes Central Coast, Kincumber Diesel: Lizottes Newcastle, New Lambton The Brewster Brothers: Lizottes Sydney, Dee Why Craig Thommo: Macquarie Arms Hotel, Windsor The Swinging Sixties + LeFunk + Chris Martin: Manly Leagues Club, Brookvale Christian Lake: Marquee, Pyrmont Keith Armitage: Massey Park Golf Club, Concord Jamie Lindsay: Mean Fiddler Hotel (Courtyard), Rouse Hill Groovology: Mean Fiddler Hotel (Woolshed), Rouse Hill Two Minds Trio: Mercantile Hotel, The Rocks The Screaming Jets + The Snowdroppers: Metro Theatre, Sydney 3 Way Split: Moorebank Sports Club, Hammondville Party Revival Band + DJ Shayne Alsop: Mounties (Terrace Bar), Mt Pritchard
Peachy: Oatley Hotel, Oatley
Elevate + Jimmy Bear: Orient Hotel, Sydney Gossling + Little Scout + Whitaker: Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst The Jones Revival + Whipped Cream Chargers: Oxford Art Factory (Gallery Bar), Darlinghurst Ange: Padstow RSL, Padstow Hitseekers: Parramatta Leagues (The Firehouse), Parramatta Armchair Travellers Duo: Parramatta RSL, Parramatta Russell Nelson: Pennant Hills Hotel, Pennant Hills Skyz The Limit: Penrith Gaels, Kingswood Bird Yard Big Band: Penrith RSL (Castle Lounge / 2pm), Penrith Outlier: Penrith RSL (Club Lounge), Penrith Corroboree Club feat. Casey Donovan + Steve Oliver & Kirk Page: Pier 2 / 3, Walsh Bay Joe Echo: PJ Gallaghers, Moore Park Mark Oats & Cara Kavanagh Duo: PJ Gallaghers, Leichhardt Uncovered Duo: PJ’s Irish Pub, Parramatta David Agius: Pritchards Hotel, Mt Pritchard Iron Lion: R.G McGees, Richmond Agent 69: Ramsgate RSL, Sans Souci The Spitfires + The Water Board + The Baudelaires: Red Rattler, Marrickville Kash & Ko: Revesby Markets, Revesby Saturday Night Diva’s: Revesby Workers (Infinity Lounge), Revesby The Ex’s: Riverwood Inn, Riverwood Furnace & Fundamentals: Rock Lily, Pyrmont MotorCity + Blues Kitchen: Roxbury Hotel, Glebe Kristy James: Royal Federal Hotel, Branxton Chris Raicevich: Ruby L’Otel, Rozelle
1000S OF GIGS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS. FOR MORE HEAD TO THEMUSIC.COM.AU THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013 • 79
the guide nsw.gigguide@themusic.com.au Ignition: Scruffy Murphy’s, Sydney SIMA feat. Burn: Seymour Centre (Sound Lounge), Chippendale Original Sin - INXS Show + Swingshift - Cold Chisel Show: Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Nowra Marty Simpson: Sir Joseph Banks Hotel, Botany Self Is A Seed + Forever The Optimist + We Without + Guards Of May: Spectrum, Darlinghurst Zoltan & Natasha Duo: St Johns Park Bowling Club, St Johns Park Wildcatz: St Marys Rugby League Club, St Marys Cooking With Caustic + Dj Cost: Station Bar, Katoomba Women In Docs: Street Theatre, Canberra Red Bee + Age Of Menace + Carni Meat + Whisky Smile: Tattersalls Hotel, Penrith Finn: Tea Gardens Hotel Motel, Tea Gardens The Nerve: The Annandale, Annandale Afro Moses: The Aztec, Forster Pseudo Echo: The Basement, Circular Quay
Cedron + One Vital Word + Encounters + Winter Wolves + At The Gallows + Blind Oracle: Valve @ Agincourt (Basement / 12pm), Sydney Strip Noir Rock n Roll feat. Divide & Conquer + Bonez + True Love Chaos + The London Keys + The Drain Babys + more: Valve @ Agincourt (Basement / 8pm), Sydney
Orlando Furious + M.O.B. + Moth + Girls Pissing On Girls Pissing: The Square, Haymarket The Crooked Fiddle Band + Captain Kickarse & The Awesomes + Greta Mob: The Standard, Surry Hills Paul Robert Burton Duo: The Windsor Castle Hotel, Newcastle Renae Stone: Time & Tide Hotel, Dee Why Endless Summer Beach Party: Tracks, Epping The Spasms + Go / No Go + Restless Leg: Union Hotel, Newtown Farmer & The Owl feat. The Drones + Dappled Cities + The Laurels + Glass Towers + Surf City + Machine Translations + Mother & Son + Shining Bird + Los Tones + Treatment + Day Ravies + The Walking Who + Harmony + Trust Punks + You Beauty + Nuns + D’Luna + Nuclear Family + Scarborough + The New Christs + Blackie + Lyall Moloney + Catman + Hockey Dad + Jack & Elmo + Rhys Scoular + Will Chittick + Shelley May Evans + Farmer & The Owl: University Of Wollongong, Wollongong Dutch + Tales In Space + Camden + Hobophonics: Upstairs Beresford, Surry Hills
X Factor Live feat. Dami Im + Taylor Henderson + Jai Waetford + Third D3gree + Jiordan Tolli: Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park
Titanium 22: The Sly Fox (5pm), Enmore
Bernie: Observer Hotel, The Rocks
War of Attrition + Disintegrator + Til Rapture + Paralysis + Cerebral Contortion: The Square (3pm), Haymarket
Adam Gorecki: Orient Hotel, Sydney City And Colour + Husky: State Theatre, Sydney
Classic Album Series (Cash & Cave) feat. Mikelangelo: The Vanguard, Newtown
Big Swing Band: Tattersalls Hotel, Penrith
Alex Lloyd + The Young Lions: Hornsby RSL, Hornsby
Reckless: Huskisson Hotel (4pm), Huskisson
Yuki Kumagai & John Mackie: Well Co Cafe/ Bar (11am), Leichhardt
Yuki Kumagai & John Mackie + Lee Hutchings + John Smith: Illawarra Master Builders Club (2.30pm), Wollongong
Big Radio Dynamite + DJ Marty: Wentworthville Leagues Club, Wentworthville Rock Solid Duo: West Tradies, Dharruk Luke Dolahenty Duo: Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel, Woolloomooloo
SUN 24
Benjalu: Hotel Steyne (Moonshine Bar), Manly
The Rattle: Jewells Tavern, Jewells Darcy Le Year: Kiama Leagues Club, Kiama Phil Jamieson (Grinspoon) + Jackson McLaren: Lizottes Central Coast, Kincumber Wendy Matthews: Lizottes Newcastle, New Lambton Jess Dunbar: Manly Skiff Club, Manly
The Regulators: 3 Wise Monkeys, Sydney
Sam & The Bird: Mean Fiddler Hotel, Rouse Hill
DJ Tone: 5 Sawyers, Newcastle
Tori Darke: Mill Hill Hotel, Bondi Junction
Klay: Ambarvale Tavern, Ambarvale
Alex Lloyd + The Young Lions: The Small Ballroom, Newcastle
Imogen Bel: The Newsagency, Marrickville
The Rumours: Warners at the Bay, Warners Bay
Lee Kernaghan + The Wolfe Brothers: The Cube, Campbelltown
The Frocks: The Sly Fox, Enmore
Claude Hay + Cleveland Blues: Hoey Moey (4pm), Coffs Harbour
Joe Echo: Horse & Jockey Hotel, Homebush
Sudden Comfort: Abbotts Hotel, Waterloo
Bobby C: The Mark Hotel, Lambton
Love That Hat: The Mark Hotel, Lambton
Shindig with Guillotine + Leukas! + Nocturnal + more: Valve @ Agincourt (First Level / 9pm), Sydney
Muddy Feet: The Belvedere Hotel, Sydney
The Drones + Dappled Cities + Harmony + Mother & Son + Day Ravies + more: The Farmer & The Owl, Wollongong
Darren Johnstone: Hillside Hotel, Castle Hill
Blues Sunday feat. Mark Hopper: Artichoke Gallery Cafe, Manly Daylight + Harbourer + Post Blue + Civil War + Mowgli: Bald Faced Stag, Leichhardt Franky & Johnny: Belmont 16’s, Belmont Sydney Blues Society feat. Sydney Blues Society + Ginhouse Blues Band: Botany View Hotel, Newtown Sarah McLeod + Charity Turner: Brass Monkey, Cronulla Atma Blu: Camelot Lounge (Django Bar), Marrickville Tahir Faridi Qawwali Ensemble: Camelot Lounge, Marrickville Ace: Campbelltown Catholic Club (Club Lounge), Campbelltown Heath Burdell: Coogee Bay Hotel, Coogee Finn: Edgeworth Tavern, Edgeworth Arj Barker + Joel Osborn: Enmore Theatre, Enmore Mark Travers: Ettamogah Hotel, Kellyville Ridge David Agius: Family Inn, Rydalmere Never Mind The Swillfest feat. Topnovil + The Rockadees + Nerdlinger + Ronnie Simmons + Mass Hysteria + Laura Palmer + more: Frankies Pizza, Sydney Helpful Kitchen Gods + Strange Horizon + No Illuminati + Dr Delites: Gladstone Hotel (5.30pm), Chippendale Nicky Kurta: Harbord Beach Hotel, Freshwater The Headliners: Hawkesbury Hotel (3pm), Windsor
The Noughties: Mounties (Terrace Bar), Mt Pritchard Busking By The Beach+Various: Narrabeen Sands (2.30pm), Narrabeen Mick Jones: Nelson Bay Diggers Club, Nelson Bay Greg Agar Duo: Northies (Sports Bar), Cronulla Acoustic Sets: Oatley Hotel (2pm), Oatley Sunday Sessions: Oatley Hotel, Oatley
Iron Bark Rock: The Vineyard Hotel (11am), Vineyard Matt Price: The Woolwich Pier Hotel, Woolwich Jackson Landing: Trinity Bar, Surry Hills Guilty Party + Sinsonnix + Three Canoes: Union Hotel (4pm), Newtown Daybreak Showcase: Valve @ Agincourt (12pm), Sydney The Spilling Quill feat. Tom Thomson & Band + Rastes Marchant + Estelle Conley Trio + more: Valve @ Agincourt (5pm), Sydney Ange: Waverley Bowling & Recreation Club, Waverley Raoul Graf: Western Suburbs Leagues Club, Leumeah Sadfaces + Girls Pissing On Girls Pissing: White’s Records, Newcastle Victoria Avenue: Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel, Woolloomooloo Kite Club + High-Tails: Yours & Owls, Wollongong
Neck Deep + Vices + Perspectives + Hourglass: Yours & Owls, Wollongong
TUE 26
Claude Hay: Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba
Open Mic Night with Champagne Jam: Dundas Sports Club, Dundas Regurgitator + Sea Legs: Hunter Valley Brewery, Maitland Steve Tonge: Observer Hotel, The Rocks Nick Kingswell: Orient Hotel, Sydney An Excuse To Get Loose feat. Andy Bull + Chance Waters + The Cairos + Special Guests: Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst Greg Agar: Scruffy Murphy’s, Sydney City And Colour + Husky: State Theatre, Sydney Swing Tuesdays with The Basement Big Band: The Basement, Circular Quay
Happy Monday!: 505, Surry Hills
The Music and Chugg Music present ARIA Week feat. Lime Cordiale + Deep Sea Arcade + Sheppard + Bonjah: Upstairs Beresford, Surry Hills
Jill Scott + Jones Jnr: Enmore Theatre, Enmore
Dewayne Everettsmith: The Vanguard, Newtown
MON 25
Rob Henry + Three Wise Men: Observer Hotel, The Rocks Kristy James: Ocean Beach Hotel, Shellharbour Beatville Boys + Lonesome Train: Orient Hotel, Sydney Black Rose: Overlander Hotel (3pm), Cambridge Gardens Tezza & the Twistops: Penrith RSL (Castle Lounge / 2pm), Penrith Corroboree Club Closing Night Party feat. Paul Mac + Dave Dow + Friends: Pier 2 / 3, Walsh Bay Fallon Brothers: Pritchards Hotel, Mt Pritchard Phil Simmons: Ramsgate RSL (Lounge / 2pm), Sans Souci Suite Az: Rock Lily, Pyrmont Matt Ross + Mark Evans: Ruby L’Otel, Rozelle City And Colour + Husky: State Theatre, Sydney Open Mic Night: Tattersalls Hotel, Penrith Neck Deep + Perspectives + Soapbox Summer + Your Weight In Gold + The Reprize: The Annandale (All Ages / 12pm), Annandale The Gadflys: The Gasoline Pony, Marrickville
1000S OF GIGS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS. FOR MORE HEAD TO THEMUSIC.COM.AU 80 • THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013
Songs On Stage feat. Carolyn Woodorth + Rick Taylor + Chris Brookes + Massimo Presti: Kellys on King, Newtown
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HELPING PEOPLE HAVE FUN SINCE 1943
FRI NOV 22 - THE BLACKENED BENEATH EP Launch - with special guests - 8:00pm - $12
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with Mere Cats, Party Mansion General Pants & The Privates - 8:00pm - $15
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22 The Promenade, King Street Wharf, Sydney NSW THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013 • 81
the end
ARIA AWARDS PAST AND THE WINNER IS
Australia, of course. The ‘70s had the King Of Pop awards and the ‘80s had the Countdown Awards. In 1987 we got a serious peervoted award. We do miss the ‘70s crowns though.
1987
BEST NEW TALENT Won by New Zealand-led Crowded House.
HIGHLIGHTS Hair. It was the year the guys out-bouffanted the ladies. Best Female Jenny Morris was no match for the winning locks of INXS and John Farnham.
LOWLIGHTS First ARIAs and a clean sweep set up the voting pattern for decades to come. Farnham ‘did a Gotye’ at a time when ‘The Voice’ referred to a less scary concept than now.
HALL OF FAME This was the pre-HoF era so let’s honour a man who has never won another ARIA, Kevin ‘Bloody’ Wilson.
AND THE WINNER IS The new guard of local rock. Or so it was thought when major gongs went home with You Am I and Dave Graney
1996
BEST NEW TALENT Monique Brumby. The Victorian singer-songwriter beat Human Nature in this category.
HIGHLIGHTS Nick Cave winning Best Pop Release. ‘Twas one of three he won for Kylie collab Where The Wild Roses Grow.
LOWLIGHTS Does anyone still have a copy of Best Comedy nominees The Vaughns’ Who Farted?
HALL OF FAME Australian Crawl and Horrie Dargie were inducted. Both oldies and kids got to ask, “Who?”
AND THE WINNER IS Rebel Wilson. As the award ceremony famously derailed she was the only presenter who owned the mayhem. Consider this her VMAs audition.
BEST NEW TALENT Now known as the Breakthrough award, Washington won over Cloud Control, Tame Impala, the Phillys and Amy Meredith.
HIGHLIGHTS Angus & Julia Stone battled the crowd noise at the outdoor event to quietly thank their pets as they took out every award except…
LOWLIGHTS Best Children’s Album. The Wiggles! Again! Their ninth. So, in 2013, as in 2010, don’t put money on Jay Laga’aia or Justine Clarke, okay.
HALL OF FAME The Church, Models, John Williamson, Johnny Young and The Loved Ones. Respect.
82 • THE MUSIC • 20TH NOVEMBER 2013
2010