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THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016 • 5
Credits Publisher Street Press Australia Pty Ltd Group Managing Editor Andrew Mast National Editor – Magazines Mark Neilsen Editor Bryget Chrisfield Arts & Culture Editor Maxim Boon Gig Guide Justine Lynch gigs@themusic.com.au Editorial Assistants Brynn Davies, Sam Wall Senior Contributor Jeff Jenkins Contributors Bradley Armstrong, Annelise Ball, Paul Barbieri, Sophie Blackhall-Cain, Emma Breheny, Sean Capel, Luke Carter, Anthony Carew, Uppy Chatterjee, Daniel Cribb, Cyclone, Guy Davis, Dave Drayton, Guido Farnell, Tim Finney, Bob Baker Fish, Cameron Grace, Neil Griffiths, Kate Kingsmill, Tim Kroenert, Pete Laurie, Chris Maric, Fred Negro, Danielle O’Donohue, Obliveus, Paz, Sarah Petchell, Michael Preberg, Paul Ransom, Dylan Stewart
Music Music / Arts / Lifestyle / Culture
Tap In
The OA
Sick of waiting for the next Stranger Things season? Netflix might have something to tide you over. They’ve just launched sci-fi Brit Marling vehicle, The OA, which is already drawing positive comparisons.
Clairy Browne
Senior Photographer Kane Hibberd Photographers Andrew Briscoe, Cole Bennetts, Jay Hynes, Lucinda Goodwin Advertising Dept Leigh Treweek, Antony Attridge, Braden Draper, Brad Summers sales@themusic.com.au Art Dept Ben Nicol Felicity Case-Mejia vic.art@themusic.com.au Admin & Accounts Loretta Zoppos, Ajaz Durrani, Meg Burnham, Emma Clarke accounts@themusic.com.au Distro distro@themusic.com.au Subscriptions store@themusic.com.au Contact Us Tel 03 9421 4499 Fax 03 9421 1011 info@themusic.com.au www.themusic.com.au Level 1, 221 Kerr Street Fitzroy Vic 3057
Disco Revival It was about this time last year that Melbourne rockers My Disco were touring their latest LP, and now they have unveiled plans to tour a follow-up remix EP, Severe Remixes, starting next January.
My Disco
Locked Bag 2001 Clifton Hill VIC 3068
— Melbourne
Violent Soho cover pic: Peter Dovgan; The Cure cover pic: Markus Ravik
Welcome To The Jungle
The Man In The High Castle
8 • THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016
It has been revealed that TV streaming service Amazon Prime Video has launched Down Under, bringing content including Transparent, Mozart In The Jungle and The Man In The High Castle.
c / Arts / Music / Arts / Lifestyle / Culture
Shout Out
PLTS
Byron Bay favourites PLTS have dropped their new single, Call Me Out, along with an accompanying video. The four-piece hit the road in January to support The Amity Affliction before starting the single tour in February.
Browne Under For the first time in over two years, Clairy Browne will be headlining an Australian tour. She’ll kick things off in Melbourne on 25 Jan, before heading around the nation finishing up at Grampians Music Festival.
Winterbourne
Bourne Again Central Coast duo Winterbourne wrapped up their biggest tour to date this winter and are taking to the asphalt once more this summer in their beloved ‘89 Volkswagen named Randal for the entire month of February.
1 Number reached by Michael Gudinski, Executive Director of Mushroom Group, who topped this year’s Australasian Music Industry Directory’s Power 50 list.
THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016 • 7
Music / Music / Arts / Lifestyle / Culture
Where and when? For more gig details go to theMusic.com.au
ASTA
Shine On Effervescent Tassie muso Asta has announced plans to drop her long-awaited debut EP Shine on 17 Feb. The 22year-old will start a massive national tour the same day in Perth, which will conclude in mid-March.
Frightened Rabbit
Just saw an air freshener so big they had to tie it on top of the car @shutupmikeginn
Rabbit Run Frightened Rabbit recently released their fifth full-length, Painting Of A Panic Attack, and the album cycle wouldn’t be complete without a round of shows in Australia. The Scottish indie-rock sons head our way in March.
8 • THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016
Arts / Li Music / Arts / Lifestyle / Culture
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Double Doom
Windhand & Cough
Virginia doom-metal icons and Relapse Records label mates, Windhand and Cough, will hit Aussie shores next year to unleash everything they’ve got during a double-header. Their coheadline tour starts in April.
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Strange Days Melbourne rock outfit Strangers have just finished touring with Birds Of Tokyo and now they have announced their own headline run for their second album, Mirrorland, which is set for release 5 May.
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Take The Cake Aussie psychedelic-prog outfit Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cake have announced the No Rhyme No Reason tour for their highly anticipated album of the same name. The trio take off in February for a six-date run of the country.
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Shoots & Scores
Shadow Electric are putting on Shimmerlands, a festival of music, film, food and bars in January and February. Shimmerlands’ Outdoor Cinema will host a music documentary program including docos on The Rolling Stones and Nick Cave.
The Music offices are closed for the festive season and will re-open on Wednesday 4 Jan. The first issue of The Music hits the streets on Wednesday 11 Jan. From all of us here at The Music, compliments of the season to you.
Nick Cave
Kuruwarriyingathi Bijarrb Paula Paul’s My Country
What Are You Scared Of? Who’s Afraid Of Colour?, an exhibition that brings together the work of Indigenous female artists, ranging from traditional woven objects to contemporary works like Kuruwarriyingathi Bijarrb Paula Paul’s My Country, has opened at the NGV. 10 • THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016
c / Arts / Music / Arts / Lifestyle / Culture
Cottage Please
Sex On Toast
The countdown is on for North Blackwood mini-festival Shady Cottage, 31 Mar - 2 Apr, with the intimate event naming Sex On Toast, Wax’o Paradiso, Planete and more for the 2017 line-up.
I Know Leopard
Lonely Leopards
Following the release of their new track Rather Be Lonely, Sydney dream-pop quartet I Know Leopard are prepped to begin 2017 with a whirlwind summer single tour. The threedate run takes place in February.
Circus 1903: The Golden Age Of Circus
Outside: The Cloud
1.25 MILLION
Ringmasters Circus 1903: The Golden Age Of Circus begins this 3 Jan at Arts Centre Melbourne. From the producers of The Illusionists and the award-winning puppeteers of War Horse, it promises to blow the roof off.
Cloudy Play Pop Up Playground are running a new, two-month game/immersive adventure online and in the streets of Melbourne. Find the codes, complete the missions and save humanity this January to March in Outside: The Cloud.
The amount of CDs that the biggest-selling artist has sold in 2016, which belongs to… Mozart, courtesy of a 225 CD box set.
THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016 • 11
MOST READ
ALBUM REVIEWS
Album Of The Year
1 Deftones, Gore
Tunes. 2016 had plenty of great ones, and when all piled together on an album, you want to read about them. So here were the most read album reviews on theMusic.com.au in 2016:
Deftones – Gore “Menacing, ragged, aggressive, tender, emotive and soothing.” Tyler McLoughlan Drowning Pool – Hellelujah “The band have delivered an album of uncompromising heaviness.” Cameron Cooper King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Nonagon Infinity “Don’t be surprised if this is the one they’re remembered for.” Christopher H James Paul Dempsey – Strange Loop “It is a weapon sure to strike at the heart of any listener.” Dylan Stewart Omar Rodriguez-Lopez – Infinity Drips “Far more experimental than any album by the project so far.” Jonty Czuchwicki
12 • THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016
BLACKSTAR DAVID BOWIE
A
rtists with considerable back catalogues dominated our Album Of The Year in 2016 with late legend David Bowie’s 27th and final studio set Blackstar shining brightest and topping the poll. Blackstar was released worldwide on 8 Jan, coinciding with Bowie’s 69th birthday. And then the world was shocked by Bowie’s death two days later. This means our Starman was creating this album, which producer Tony Visconti described as Bowie’s “parting gift”, under the looming shadow of terminal cancer. Suddenly the opening lyrics from the album’s second single, Lazarus (“Look up here, I’m in heaven/ I’ve got scars that can’t be seen”), made us shiver. It’s remarkable that Bowie’s illness wasn’t make public until he died, especially considering he’d lived with liver cancer for 18 months.
orchestrated his departure from this mortal coil, leaving us with a collection of songs that simultaneously dazzle and devastate.
Recording sessions for Blackstar took place in secret. Bowie recruited the Donny McCaslin-led New York jazz combo as his backing band, which resulted in jazz leanings throughout (McCaslin’s sorrowful saxophone prevalent). Bowie perfectly
This list’s second-most prolific artist Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds ended up at #4 for their 16th studio album Skeleton Tree and our tear ducts still haven’t recovered from the accompanying documentary One More Time With Feeling (which was filmed in the aftermath of Cave’s 15-year-old son Arthur’s tragic death). Car Seat Headrest’s Will Toledo is only 24-years-old, but his albums already number in double digits, and the latest Teens Of Denial shares tenth position in our poll, not bad for what’s been described as his first real studio album with an actual band. Kanye West’s Yeezus topped this annual poll in 2013, but The Life Of Pablo (his seventh studio album) didn’t quite get to the top, only making it to eight (and one of mulitple hip hop albums featuring in the top ten). But there’s always an exception to the ryle, eh? Our very own Camp Cope’s selftitled debut longplayer landed in sixth place amongst all the long-established acts.
The Top Ten
Past Winners
1. 2. 3. 4.
2015: Tame Impala – Currents 2014: Chet Faker – Built On Glass 2013: Kanye West – Yeezus 2012: Tame Impala – Lonerism 2011: Bon Iver – Bon Iver
David Bowie – Blackstar Beyonce – Lemonade Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool Nick Cave & The Bade Seeds – Skeleton Tree 5. A Tribe Called Quest – We Got It From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service 6. Camp Cope – Camp Cope 7. Violent Soho – WACO 8. Kanye West – The Life Of Pablo 9. Chance The Rapper – Coloring Book 10. Car Seat Headrest – Teens Of Denial; Childish Gambino – Awaken, My Love!
Album Of The Year
“A dark, torturous romp across seven jazzy and avant-garde tracks.”
“Lemonade gives us an experimental,
Cameron Cooper
cinematic masterpiece.”
thought-provoking, invigorating, Tanya Bonnie Rae
David Bowie – Blackstar
Beyonce – Lemonade
“These songs are lovely... Fuck, they’re lovely.”
“It sounds like rays of sunshine reaching down through the clouds to fetch the fallen.”
Liz Giuffre
Bryget Chrisfield Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Skeleton Tree
“Rather than reheated leftovers, it’s a risky, forward-looking experiment.”
“Vivid insights and observations arising from being down-but-not-out in Melbourne’s inner west.”
James d’Apice A Tribe Called Quest – We Got It From Here... Thank You 4 Your Service
“The slightly reined-in recording sounds well-drilled and precise without sacrificing character or spark.”
Tim Kroenert Camp Cope – Camp Cope
“The Life Of Pablo lets us love Kanye the greatest way we can.” James d’Apice
Steve Bell Violent Soho – WACO
Kanye West – The Life Of Pablo
“42 seconds into the release itself is the delivery I feel like I’ve been waiting years for.”
“Horns, soaring guitar riffs and gloriously angsty harmonies accompany maudlin, frenzied, sentimental and even humorous twists.”
James d’Apice Chance The Rapper – Coloring Book
Tyler McLoughlan Car Seat Headrest – Teens Of Denial
“This is not just some of Gambino’s best work, but some of the best out there.” Nic Addenbrooke Childish Gambino – Awaken, My Love!
THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016 • 13
MOST READ
NEWS STORIES
Song Of The Year
1 Kasey Taylor
There was plenty of news to sink your teeth into this year, from drugs, racism, financial troubles, pirating to big tour announcements. Here are the top ten stories you clicked on theMusic.com.au in 2016: Aussie Dance Legend Arrested At Airport; Accused Of Smuggling Ketamine Into Country. Aussie dance legend Kasey Taylor and nightclub figure Robert Oung arrested at Melbourne airport for attempting to bring a kilo of Ketamine into Australia. ‘Arrogant & Disgraceful’: Police, Officials & Fellow Promoters Blast Maitreya Festival. Victorian police came out lambasting the lack of care and respect from the Maitreya Festival organisers and patrons before its cancellation. Sticky Fingers Deny Singer Made Racist Taunts At Sydney Gig. Frontman Dylan Frost allegedly made offensive remarks towards Dispossessed guitarist Birrugan Dunn-Velasco. Stereosonic Is Definitely Cancelled, But Not Really Because Of Drug Deaths The dance festival paused in 2016 in the wake of a number of drug related deaths at events around the country.
14 • THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016
FORMATION BEYONCE
T
here were few other songs this year as powerful as Formation. A tribute to Beyonce’s Southern roots: the lyrics are laced with references to African American Southern culture and the video itself is a beautiful, politically charged and sometimes haunting paean to the American South. It is no longer possible to discuss Beyonce’s music without reference to the visual element. Since her self-titled visual album in 2013, she has melded visuals with music in a way unsurpassed by other mainstream musicians.
But the political is rendered deeply personal here as well. Beyonce observes: “I like my baby hair with baby hair and afros”. This is an expression of mother love, but also a reference to the cruel media discussion of her daughter’s natural hair. Formation draws from seemingly disparate elements — an odd trap beat from Mike WiLL Made-it, samples from Messy Mya and gay New Orleans bounce icon Big Freedia, an almost atonal chorus, and exquisitely breathy and lilting talk-singing — and deftly melds them. It’s a love song to black culture underpinned by simmering rage. It is a statement of empowerment, “I go hard, get what’s mine... Cos I slay”, that embraces female sexuality, “When he fuck me good, I take his ass to Red Lobster”, while celebrating black queer culture.
It opens with a sample from a murdered young African American: Messy Mya, a New Orleans YouTube star popular with the queer community. He asks: “What happened at the New Wi’lins [New Orleans]?” as we see Beyonce, crouched on a New Orleans police cruiser as it slowly sinks underwater — raising the spectre of the racism exposed by the response to Hurricane Katrina. Later, a little boy dances before a line of police officers in riot gear who slowly raise their hands in surrender. The camera scans to graffiti on a wall: “Stop shooting us”, a visual tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Kanye West swings to take both #2 and #3 with tracks off The Life Of Pablo. In the second spot Ty Dolla $ign gives voice to Yeezy’s lost and broken connections in the remorseful Real Friends. Choral, drum-driven exploration of faith, Ultralight Beam, follows on the list.
The Top Ten
Past Winners:
1. 2.
2015: Kendrick Lamar – King Kunta 2014: FKA twigs – Two Weeks 2013: Daft Punk ft Pharrell Williams – Get Lucky 2012: Tame Impala – Elephant 2011: Gotye – Somebody That I Used To Know
Beyonce – Formation Kanye West ft Ty Dolla $ign – Real Friends 3. Kanye West – Ultralight Beam 4. Radiohead – Burn The Witch 5. David Bowie – Blackstar 6. Dope Lemon – Uptown Folks 7. A Tribe Called Quest – We The People… 8. Beyonce – Hold Up 9. Violent Soho – Viceroy 10. Tired Lion – Not My Friends
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PLUS HE A PS MORE AT W W W.NORTHCOTESOCI A LCLUB.COM THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016 • 15
MOST READ
NEWS STORIES
Artist Of The Year
1 Richie Sambora & Orianthi
Aussie Man Offers HBO $10 Per ‘Game Of Thrones’ Episode He Pirates Hobart man John Hyslop went viral after taking to Facebook to offer compensation for his illegal downloads. It’s Finally Official: Guns N’ Roses Are Coming To Australia AND It’s The Line-Up We All Want To See After nearly 25 years of waiting for the holy triumvirate, Guns N’ Roses announced their return to Australia in 2017. The Mother Of All R&B Reunions: Nelly, Blackstreet, Mya & More Unite For Tour. R&B Fridays Live came to Australia in November for a huge tour of ‘90s throwback jams and funky good ol’ times. “This is BULLSHIT!” Fans Are Fuming After Richie Sambora & Orianthi’s Melb Show Fans in Melbourne were less than impressed with what the duo had to offer. Brian Johnson Didn’t Quit AC/DC; Friend Claims He Was Dumped Comedian Jim Breuer claimed that the AC/DC vocalist was unfairly dismissed from the group following reports of Johnson’s severe hearing loss. Police Slam Bush Rave Organisers For Not Shutting Event Down Following Death Omega Festival was criticised by local police for not cooperating with authorities following the death of a 24-year-old at the event.
16 • THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016
DAVID BOWIE
W
ho else?
If anything has defined 2016 artistically it has been the unceremonious reaping of our creative titans. A trendsetter till the end, David Robert Jones’ passing was the first and, arguably, the most devastating sucker punch of the colossal emotional beat down 2016 was winding up to lay down on us. When David Bowie parted the veil we as a species should have gone into hibernation. The weather had clearly turned. However, though there was much gnashing of teeth and smoting of breasts, 2016 wasn’t just a cause for grief, but also for celebration. It’s been a year of reflection on the loss, but also the achievements of some truly fantastic people. Specifically the astounding contributions of the Brixton lad with the off-colour eyes, from Ziggy’s rise and fall to the Goblin King’s tights. (Bowie’s music swept music charts clean worldwide just days after his death, Blackstar becoming The Thin White Duke’s first ever US #1.)
decades of weight rupturing the landscape irreparably. Bowie is The Music’s Artist Of The Year for Blackstar — swansong, “parting gift” and ripper album — but also the history that it represents as the last word from a man whose hand has shaped music, art and fashion since the ‘60s. Vale Bowie. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds are our second most voted for artists, the traumatic beauty of One More Time With Feeling and Skeleton Tree proving impossible to ignore. Below that we have Kanye West at #3, who also managed to take the second and third spots on our Song Of The Year poll with Real Friends and Ultralight Beam. Rap and hip hop artists have made their strongest showing in any year, with Hilltop Hoods, Chance The Rapper and Young Thug all taking positions in the top ten with Yeezy.
Bowie died only ten days into 2016, but his influence this year was geological,
Surprisingly the deck had a total reshuffle and there’s zero overlap between 2015’s and 2016’s picks. It’s the first time in two years we haven’t seen T-Swift break into the ranks, dashing her hopes for a hat trick. Last year’s winner Courtney Barnett is absent for the first time since she stepped comfortably into the # 4 spot way back in 2013.
The Top Ten
Past Winners:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
2015: Courtney Barnett 2014: FKA twigs 2013: Lorde 2012: Tame Impala/Frank Ocean 2011: Gotye
David Bowie Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Kanye West Beyonce Hilltop Hoods Flume Leonard Cohen Chance The Rapper Violent Soho The Hard Aches, Young Thug
23/ 12
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FAST
1 3 / 01
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LEVELS VS WAH WAH 25/ 12
DA TWEAKAZ
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UV BOI YOUNG FRANCO
03 / 01
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THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016 • 17
MOST READ
LIVE REVIEWS
International Live Artist Of The Year
The Cure. Pic: Markus Ravik
1 Kendrick Lamar @ Rod Laver Arena. Pic: Jay Hynes
Here are the most read live reviews on theMusic.com. au of Melbourne shows in 2016:
Kendrick Lamar, Rod Laver Arena, 21 Mar “This is how these songs were meant to be heard.” Stephanie Liew The Cure, Rod Laver Arena, 28 Jul “Everyone yells along with Never Enough as if it’s a direct reference to experiencing The Cure live.” Bryget Chrisfield At The Drive In, Forum Theatre, 22 Jul “Everything seems aimed at a more mainstream appeal that bastardises what this band once was.” Bradley Armstrong Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Margaret Court Arena, 29 Mar “Gallagher’s voice is flawless. And when he eventually speaks, every word matters.” Bryget Chrisfield
THE CURE
A
fter double-dipping during the 2016 The Cure tour (Splendour and sideshow) we can testify that, when it comes to Robert Smith and co, it’s Never Enough. Adult nappies were definitely required during these all-killer-nofiller three-hour sets as well, with The Cure transporting us back to slumber parties where we’d practice pashing on pillows and write secret love letters using lemon juice in lieu of ink (just us?). Black Sabbath’s founding members Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler plus drummer Tommy Clufetos made arena foundations around the nation rumble during The End shows — billed as the band’s farewell tour — and were rewarded with runner-up status. Sole hip hop representative Kendrick Lamar (#3) sounded even better live than on record and made us bounce and discredited all the naysayers who thought he didn’t deserve a spot on Bluesfest. Deftones (#4) and Iron Maiden (#5) ensured heavy, “legacy-type people” (Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson’s words) dominated this poll in 2016, taking three out of the top five spots.
The Top Ten Richie Sambora & Orianthi, Margaret Court Arena, 27 Sep “Something about this whole setup is flawed.” Bryget Chrisfield
18 • THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
The Cure Black Sabbath Kendrick Lamar Deftones Iron Maiden Prince Sufjan Stevens Gillian Welch Leon Bridges Sigur Ros
Coming in at #6 was what wound up being Prince’s farewell tour; we were not expecting to have to include a Prince obituary in our pages just a couple of months after his intensely personal Piano & A Microphone shows. Prince’s oftendistraught performances followed the news that his former lover/protege Vanity had passed and that rendition of Purple Rain is now permanently etched in our stillbroken hearts. Voted #7, Sufjan Stevens clearly brought the mass swoons during his theatre tour early on in the year. Gillian Welch came in at #8 with many enchanted punters rolling up to catch, during which Welch and co drove close to 7000km around our Great Southern Land. Relative newcomer Leon Bridges (touring off the back of his debut Coming Home set) also thrilled with his fancy footwork and dapper attire, scoring #9 in our annual poll. US bands dominated, producing six of this year’s Best International Live Acts. Three of the acts are English and Sigur Ros (#10) put Iceland on the map in this category with their Splendour-exclusive set.
Past Winners: 2015: Blur 2014: Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band 2013: Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band 2012: Radiohead
International Live Artist Of The Year
The Cure. Pic: Markus Ravik
“An unmistakable voice that evoked a spread of emotions after guiding many in the room through highs and lows.” Daniel Cribb The Cure, Perth Arena, 31 Jul
Kendrick Lamar. Pic: Josh Groom
“There’s something about Lamar’s performance to this packed arena crowd that feels so raw and intimate.” Stephanie Liew Kendrick Lamar, Rod Laver Arena, 21 Mar
Black Sabbath Pic: Ross Halfin
“One minute you’d be comparing Ozzy Osbourne to a drunk yet endearingly harmless uncle and the next his demonic eyes and hellraiser persona would break on through.” Hayley Casey Black Sabbath, Qudos Bank Arena, 23 Apr
Deftones. Pic: Clare Hawley
“Pounding heaviness and sublime melodicism – the cerebral and the visceral – few modern heavy bands harness this with as much aplomb as Deftones.” Brendan Crabb Deftones, Hordern Pavilion, 12 Nov
Iron Maiden. Pic: Ash Westood
“Iron Maiden can afford to be a bit cheesy; it’s part and parcel of metal theatrics in an arena this size and boy do they sound epic!” Bryget Chrisfield Iron Maiden, Rod Laver Arena, 9 May THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016 • 19
MOST READ
FESTIVAL REVIEWS
Australian Live Artist Of The Year
Violent Soho. PIc: Peter Dovgan
1 Dream On Dream @ UNIFY. Pic by Neal Walters
Who doesn’t love a good festival story? Here’s what you looked at with the most read festival reviews of 2016 on theMusic.com.au:
Unify 2016, Tarwin Meadows, Vic “Parkway Drive crush it on stage, the lighting and smoke mesmerises, the pit runs wild, glow sticks and tinnies fly left, right and centre.” Splendour In The Grass, North Byron Parklands, NSW (day one) “The Strokes are why every teenage boy wants to join a band and a perfect wrap to an epic day one.” Splendour In The Grass, North Byron Parklands, NSW (day three) “The entire performance from [Melbourne Ska Orchestra] is an exercise in consummate showmanship, prodigious musicianship, and next-level audience interaction.” Splendour In The Grass, North Byron Parklands, NSW (day two) “This music [The Cure] is by far the most beautiful of the festival up to this point.”
20 • THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016
VIOLENT SOHO l hail repeat winners in this category, mighty Brisbane four-piece Violent Soho, who also topped this poll in 2014! They included a cover of Nirvana’s Breed in their Splendour In The Grass set so you can just imagine the mayhem that ensued. Violent Soho gigs are always hairy, sweaty affairs (on and off stage) and onstage headstands by band members have been captured on film. Moshpits at Violent Soho gigs typically stretch from the photography barrier aaaaall the way to the back wall and, of course, surf’s always up for crowd-surfing. Our very own in-house photographer Kane Hibberd took an aerial shot during one of the band’s sold-out shows on their WACO tour at Melbourne’s Forum Theatre that made the internet froth. They’ve been around for 13 years, which equals oodles of live gigging experience. Violent Soho are our ninth favourite artist of 2016, their song Viceroy was deemed our tied ninth Best Song Of 2016 and the band’s WACO album, for which they collected the Best Rock Album ARIA this year (also picking up 2016’s Best Group ARIA!), came in at #8 in our Album Of The Year poll - talk about winning!
l
Another band that conjures a continuous swell for the unofficial Crowdsurfing Olympics is our runner-up Australian Live Artist Of The Year King Gizzard , who held fourth position in this category last year and have been repping both overseas and at home throughout 2016. The septet even hosts their own festival, Gizzfest, which enjoyed its second year in 2016. Gold Class owned our third spot last year and this year they’re back in at #8. Elder statesmen The Drones (#4) and Regurgitator (#9) showed us they’ve still got it. But 2016 was also a stellar year for emerging talent. Ngaiire, Camp Cope and Alex Lahey seemed to be gigging every other week and their hard work’s definitely paid off (they came in at #3, #5 and #6 respectively). Young rapper/singer Tkay Maidza continues to impress (#7) and our poll rounds out with a rockin’ three-way tie in tenth spot (Birds Of Tokyo, Caligula’s Horse, The Hard Aches).
The Top Ten
Past Winners
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
2015: Courtney Barnett 2014: Violent Soho 2013: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds 2012: Dirty Three 2011: Grinderman
Violent Soho King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Ngaiire The Drones Camp Cope Alex Lahey Tkay Maidza Gold Class Regurgitator Birds Of Tokyo, Caligula’s Horse, The Hard Aches
Australian Live Artist Of The Year
Violent Soho. PIc: Peter Dovgan
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. PIc: Markus Ravik
“Their music holds up to scrutiny, capturing a nuanced kind of fierce aggression, skittering between the quiet melodies and angsty outbursts.”
“The sea of people now starts to seethe and froth as the group launch into their trademark, hard-out, unrelenting live show.”
Hannah Story Violent Soho, Enmore Theatre, 27 May
Xavier Fennell King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Coburg Velodrome, 26 Nov
Ngaiire. Pic: Joshua Braybrook
“Novacaine... goes on to showcase Ngaiire’s rich, soulful voice as she moves between golden and raspy, majestic throughout.” Joey Davy Ngaiire, Northcote Social Club, 23 Jun
The Drones. Pic: Stephen BOoth
“Frontman Gareth Liddiard seems deadly serious as he spits bile all over its oblique beat.” Joel Lohman The Drones, The Triffid, 6 May
Camp Cope. PIc: Elliot Oakes
“A balance of both emotional fragility and angst creates the modern punk sound that is Camp Cope.” Lucy Retger Camp Cope, Crown & Anchor, 14 May THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016 • 21
MOST READ
FILM CAREW
Film Of The Year
1
Here are the five most read Film Carew pieces on theMusic.com.au in 2016, the column of our resident film reviewer Anthony Carew. Suicide Squad, 3 Aug “This is a two-hour chore, an utter bore, a slog to sit through.” Louis Theroux: My Scientology Movie, 10 Nov “In the face of his unassailable Englishness, the various Americans he crosses paths with come across as aggressive.” Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice, 23 Mar “A big, dumb, loud film that gets bigger, dumber, and louder as it goes.” Ghostbusters, 12 Jul “The notion that a film this frivolous and fun could be controversial would sound so absurd as to be delightful.” Underworld: Blood Wars, 3 Dec “This is a franchise that seems to exist solely as a source manual for Goth cosplay.”
22 • THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016
DEADPOOL
B
etween Marvel and DC and their respective attempts to corner the superhero movie market, there has been more additions to the genre this year than you could shake Thor’s hammer at. Deadpool was the first superhero blockbuster of the year to hit the silver screen, but despite all the various super powered additions to the X-Men, Justice League and Avengers sagas that followed it, Ryan Reynolds’ pitch-perfect portrayal of Marvel’s indestructible antihero has remained untouched by the competition. What’s particularly impressive about this accomplishment is that in many ways Deadpool was a comparative underdog.
unashamedly, side-splittingly hilarious. Ryan Reynolds clearly had a blast making this film, but he’s also an ardent fan of the character and as such, his account is as authentically reverent of its source material as a superhero film has ever been.
Lacking the sky-high budgets and wallto-wall CGI of many of its better financed cousins, this first cinematic outing for the gun toting, wise-cracking Wade Wilson, giving zero fucks on his kamikaze mission to fix his messed-up face, had an altogether more indie vibe. The simple, standalone narrative spent far more time luxuriating in the offbeat toilet humour of Deadpool, than navigating a convoluted, overcrowded plot. Perhaps most importantly, it is genuinely,
An honourable mention must go to the bronze medallist in this year’s top ten: Arrival. Amy Adams’ Oscar-worthy turn as the quietly heroic linguist, Louise Banks, proved that the alien invasion genre needn’t be a testosterone-drenched shoot-em-up. This softly cerebral story, directed by Denis Villeneuve, replaces the exploding cities and laser beams with quiet, considered intelligence. Lord knows, we need more of that in the world.
The Top Ten
Previous Winners
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
2015: Mad Max: Fury Road 2014: The Grand Budapest Hotel 2013: Gravity 2012: The Dark Knight Rises 2011: Drive
Deadpool Hunt For The Wilderpeople Arrival Room The Hateful Eight The Nice Guys The Revenant Sausage Party Anomalisa Nocturnal Animals
A close second in this year’s Writers’ Poll is an altogether different beast. Hunt For The Wilderpeople, directed by Taika Waititi and starring Sam Neill and newcomer Julian Dennison, is a giant-hearted comedydrama that masterfully manipulates the heartstrings with its unvarnished tale of unlikely, cross-generational mateship in the New Zealand bush.
THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016 • 23
MOST READ
ARTS REVIEWS
TV Show Of The Year
1 The Art Of Banksy
Following another big year in the arts, here are the most read arts reviews on Music.com.au, The Art Of Banksy, Federation Square, Melbourne “The greatest betrayal of this toothless exhibition is how brazenly it’s geared towards wringing-out as many dollars as possible.” Maxim Boon, 6 Oct Othello (Bell Shakespeare), Arts Centre, Melbourne “Truly great. [Ray] Chong Nee brings nuanced emotion and exquisite enunciation to Othello.” Cyclone, 14 Jul Antigone (Sport For Jove), Seymour Centre, Sydney “Simultaneously agonising and life-affirming, an important exploration of the interminable.” Shaun Colnan, 9 Oct Wit (Artisan Collective), FortyFiveDownstairs, Melbourne “It is a tour de force of accomplished acting.” Maxim Boon, 2 Sep LadyCake (Three Birds Theatre), Trades Hall, Melbourne “Streamlined, unselfconscious, quietly clever and visually slick.” Maxim Boon, 17 Nov
24 • THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016
STRANGER THINGS
I
t was around Halloween that it became clear that Stranger Things was going to win this year’s TV Show Of The Year by a landslide. A single vote was yet to be cast in our annual survey of the year’s best telly, but with just about every costume party in the land inundated by people dressed as Joyce Byers (complete with half-smoked cigarette and bundled-up Christmas lights), Eleven (complete with box of Eggo waffles), Mike Wheeler (complete with adorable misfit besties) and, in mind-boggling volumes, Barb, it was already clear that the Netflix original series was pop culture catnip. If someone were to ask, “What makes Stranger Things so successful?” the quick answer would be, “Everything”. Its ‘80s kitsch and synth-driven soundtrack offered nostalgia to those who grew up with The Goonies, Flight Of The Navigator and ET, while managing to imprint some hipster cool vibes onto Millennials who weren’t around to experience it first-hand. Its masterful pacing, twisting plot and miraculous performances, especially from its younger cast members (Millie Bobby Brown’s Eleven is unquestionably the breakout performance of the year), had viewers on the edge of their
seats, while its beautifully pure message of friendship and acceptance delivered an avalanche of warm, fuzzy feels. The battle for second place in this year’s poll was a closer run race. Pipping 2015’s winner Game Of Thrones to the runner-up spot, the third series of Charlie Brooker’s dystopian anthology Black Mirror tempered its trademark cynicism with moments of surprising optimism and wry humour. Game Of Thrones’ presence in the top three of the year is perhaps unsurprising, but no less deserved. Season Six not only revealed some crucial plot points (new to everyone, now that it had passed where we left off in the books), drawing in the various narrative threads from across the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Our list also reflects the growing trend towards streaming as a form of viewing television. Specifically Netflix. Aside from the aforementioned Stranger Things and Black Mirrors, there were also props for Narcos, Bojack Horseman and Luke Cage in the top ten. The best performing free-to-air titles were courtesy of Aunty, Cleverman and Please Like Me.
The Top Ten
Previous Winners
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
2015: Game Of Thrones 2014: True Detective 2013: Breaking Bad 2012: Breaking Bad 2011: Breaking Bad
Stranger Things Black Mirror Game Of Thrones Westworld Narcos Bojack Horseman, Luke Cage, Cleverman 9. Please Like Me 10. The Get Down
THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016 • 25
MOST READ
COMEDY REVIEWS
Comedy Act Of The Year
1 Aaron Gocs
Are you having a laugh? Well according to our most read comedy reviews on theMusic.com.au, you certainly were. Here are the top ones from 2016:
Aaron Gocs, Yeronga Bowls Club, Brisbane “Gocsy shows the raw cut of Australia’s next breed of comic” Rip Nicholson, 16 Jul
Peter & Bambi Heaven, Roxanne Parlour, Melbourne “Complete commitment to these absurdly loveable characters” Fiona Spitzkowsky, 27 Mar
Susie Youssef, Melbourne Town Hall “A perfect mixture of anecdotal monologues and improvised comedy” Penelope Wilson, 30 Mar
Comedy Bang! Bang!, Metro Theatre, Sydney “A spattering of Aussie-specific jokes that’ll have you in peals of laughter.” Uppy Chatterjee, 28 Aug
Jim Jefferies, Enmore Theatre Sydney “This is a man that has a very clever head on his shoulders.” Mick Radojkovic, 17 Apr
26 • THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016
HANNIBAL BURESS
F
or a long time in Australia, US comic Hannibal Buress was known as “that guy from Broad City” with a list of other support roles attached but, as soon as he takes the stage, an entirely new persona is on show; one that will see him take over the world and Aussie venues at least twice the size during his next visit. He’s claimed the top place in The Music’s 2016 Writers’ Poll for his diverse skill set and unique brand of humour that delves into controversy while still keeping things light-hearted and relatable. Aussie favourites Sam Simmons and Wil Anderson came in second and third respectively and perhaps it’s to do with their presence on TV and constant international touring that sees their material ever-evolving and always engaging. New York’s queen of ribald comedy, alt. cabaret and physical theatre, there’s never a dull moment when it comes to Bridget Everett’s (Girls/Inside Amy Schumer) live show — she’s loud, silly and left an impression on punters after her uninhibited, unapologetic and in-your-face east coast stint earlier this year.
The Top Ten 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Hannibal Buress Sam Simmons Wil Anderson Bridget Everett Nick Offerman Margaret Cho Matt Okine Julian Clary Tom Ballard Steve Hughes
There’s no one quite like Parks & Rec grump Nick Offerman. While some actors or comedians might not like the idea of being typecast or pigeonholed after a role, it almost seems like the character of Ron Swanson was based on Offerman’s life, as he sung of beards and woodwork while playing a homemade ukulele during his Aussie visit. Racists, bigots, misogynists and abusers of power were in the firing line when US comedian/actor Margaret Cho’s The PsyCHO Tour rolled through town. She’s also one of few to nail the Aussie accent (unlike our number one, who butchered it to hell). Cho’s another comic who’s mastered balance and tone, ensuring the heavier content is offset by easy-going obsessional humour. And last — but certainly not least — nowformer triple j breakfast star Matt Okine, who might find his way higher up this list in 2017 as his comedy career takes priority. Okine’s stand-up has evolved tenfold on previous years as he opens up the darkest points of his personal life for analysis. It’s a brave move that not a lot of others take on or master, but Okine’s new direction is exciting and promises big things.
MOST READ Website Of The Year
INTERVIEWS
1 Holly Marie Combs
Check out the top interviews that piqued your interest throughout 2016 on theMusic.com.au:
THEMUSIC.COM.AU Well, would you look at that? For the fourth year in a row, theMusic.com.au have topped the Website Of The Year list. Hey now - let us have a moment to bask in this glory... and let’s ignore the fact that our writers may have a slight bias.
2016’s been rough in terms of saying goodbye to legendary musicians, and as much as we don’t wanna brag about this, we were one of the first to report on Prince’s death, thanks in part to a Digital Editor who couldn’t sleep. We brought you coverage of the passing of David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Gene Wilder, Sharon Jones and followed the lawsuits of Kesha, Azealia Banks and the Sydney lockouts, bringing you regular updates.
For real, though, we’ve had a great year of delivering you news, reviews and in-depth coverage of some of Australia’s most beloved festivals and events. From the ARIA Awards red carpet to Splendour In The Grass, Bluesfest, Face The Music, Barunga Festival and BIGSOUND, we’ve had people on-ground to eavesdrop report on the hot gossip, announce signings and management deals and help give new artists the boost they need to crack the market. We also brought you a metric fuckton of music video premieres and single streams from bands like The Hard Aches and Camp Cope, an amazing opinion piece from Clairy Browne about misogyny in the music industry and controversial gig reviews from the likes of Richie Sambora, Madonna and Unwritten Law.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom though - our writers also spent a helluva lotta time on Netflix (it came in second. Well, there was a lot of Stranger Things - our #1 TV Show - and Gilmore Girls to get through after all), and social media giants Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, in that order. Bandcamp also made an appearance - let’s boil that down to our awesome new music discovery column, This One Time, On Bandcamp - and so did Reddit and Wikipedia. Thanks for stickin’ by us, guys! We promise to bring you more rad content next year.
The Top Ten
Past Winners
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
2015: theMusic.com.au 2014: theMusic.com.au 2013: theMusic.com.au 2012: Twitter 2011: Facebook
theMusic.com.au Netflix Facebook Twitter Instagram Google Reddit Wikipedia Bandcamp Cracked
Holly Marie Combs “It’s still astounding to me that the show still means so much to people,” Social Media May Be Bringing Back Charmed Mitch Knox, 16 Jun Nina Las Vegas “I’ve survived in a really exciting scene for ten years and I love it.” Why Nina Las Vegas Can Finally Speak Out Cyclone, 14 Jan Fat White Family “Yeah and [there are] some laxatives in it.” Fat White Family’s Saul On Crystal Meth In England Bryget Chrisfield, 28 Jun Frenzal Rhomb “I think we’re all going to buy houses after this.” A Lesson On Australian Values With Frenzal Rhomb Daniel Cribb, 16 Aug
Frank Iero “If you compliment yourself, you’re an asshole” Frank Iero Contemplates Mortality Uppy Chatterjee, 26 Oct
THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016 • 27
In Memoriam
Daddy Cool, Ross Hannaford & Warne Duncan centre
Daddy Cool tragically lost two members this year, with guitarist Ross Hannaford passing in March of cancer, and bass player Wayne Duncan leaving us just nine months later. The Eagle Rock-ers were hugely significant parts of Daddy Cool and greater ‘70s Aus-rock scene.
Bored Nothing
David Bowie
IN MEMORIAM There have been way too many untimely losses in the world of music this year. Here are just some of the many brilliant artists gone but certainly not forgotten in 2016.
The Thin White Duke, The Goblin King, Aladdin Sane – when we lost David Bowie in January we truly lost a thousand personalities in one. Bowie hid his cancer diagnosis from the public, passing just days after his 69th birthday, but left a truly brilliant parting gift in his final release, Blackstar.
Hugh McDonald
Folk musician and Redgum member Hugh McDonald left us in November, the staple of Aus folk passing after a long battle with cancer. He is survived, amongst others, by his daughter and Camp Cope member, Georgia.
28 • THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016
Leonard Cohen. Pic: Josh Groom
Canadian poet, singer, songwriter and visionary, Leonard Cohen capped off the list when he passed away in early November. Cohen passed peacefully in his sleep just two and-a-half weeks after releasing what became his final album, You Want It Darker.
In Memoriam
The Australian music scene mourned the heartbreaking loss of one of their own this year, when Fergus Miller, aka Bored Nothing, took his own life in early October. The singer/ songwriter took his own life at 26, after a prolonged battle with depression.
Adrian Slattery
Frontman of Melbourne altcountry rock outfit Big Smoke, Adrian Slattery was a friend to many of Melbourne’s alternative musos and a talented enigma of the local scene. Slattery passed in May after being diagnosed with cancer in 2015.
Sharon Jones @ Sydney Town Hall. Pic: Rohan Anderson
If you need help dealing with depression or want to talk to someone, call BeyondBlue on 1300 224 636 or head to beyondblue.org.au.
The brilliant Sharon Jones tragically lost her long battle with cancer in November this year. The soul singer found fame with The Dap-Kings. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any worse, news broke in April that the legendary Prince had suddenly passed, aged 57, following an accidental overdose.
Phife Dawg
The hip hop world suffered immensely this year when A Tribe Called Quest’s Phife Dawg died in March. The band had just finished recording their first album in 18 years, and We Got It From Here... Thank You 4 Your Service became one of the group’s most critically acclaimed releases.
Prince
THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016 • 29
Arts
THE YEAR’S BEST ARTS
Nijinksky
Hot Brown Honey
Wit
T
here are just a couple weeks left of this godawful year, thank fuck. The past 12 months have dished out enough disappointment, outrage and head-shaking bewilderment to last a lifetime, but it wasn’t all bad. Melbourne’s arts lovers were treated to a fair few reasons to feel a tiny bit hopeful that humanity hadn’t totally lost the plot.
Melbourne’s leading indie theatre venue, Fortyfivedownstairs, hosted several of the year’s best productions. The Artisan Collective’s production of Margaret Edson’s 1996 Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Wit, delivered, by this humble scribe’s estimate, the most accomplished performance of 2016. Jane Montgomery Griffiths’ portrayal of dying John Donne scholar Vivian Bearing was a masterclass in emotional intensity, capturing the horrors of losing a battle to cancer in graphic, undignified detail. Loud and proud cabaret icon Paul Capsis proved himself an agile chameleon in his account of the final days of Quentin Crisp’s extraordinary life. Perfectly capturing the curling wit and repulsive personal hygiene of the noxious British raconteur, Capsis revealed a touchingly vulnerable side to his range in the fascinating biopic, Resident Alien. Firebrand playwright Patricia Cornelius and her long-time collaborator, director Susie Dee, once again proved why their take-no-prisoners approach to theatre is so radically powerful in Shit, a study of dispossessed women, shunned by society and discarded on the socioeconomic slagheap. 30 • THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016
Matthew Lutton, artistic director of Malthouse Theatre, cemented his reputation as Victoria’s most significant director and one of the most exciting theatre-makers of his generation. Two newly penned adaptations of well-worn stories - Picnic At Hanging Rock and Edward II - both thrummed with Lutton’s unique brand of creative tenacity. Neither were unanimous hits with the critics, but this work’s divisive nature is surely a hallmark of its unapologetic boldness. Lutton’s next adaptation, The Elephant Man, promises to be one of the must-see shows of 2017. Indigenous theatre enjoyed a particularly fruitful 2016, and three shows in particular this year were striking in the way they galvanised the duality of the contemporary Indigenous experience, which simultaneously reacts to the zeitgeist while anchored to historical injustice. Ilbijerri
Theatre’s presentation of Jacob Boehme’s frank yet affirming exploration of being black, gay and HIV-positive in Australia, Blood On The Dance Floor, offered a view of Indigenous life that is rarely seen, articulated in a powerfully beautiful way. Nakkiah Lui’s Blaque Showgirls and hip hop cabaret Hot Brown Honey both told defiant and gloriously shameless stories of what it means to be a woman of colour in a society that still clings to colonial ideals. Dance fans were also well served this year, with several standout productions gracing Melbourne’s stages. The Australian Ballet’s mounting of John Neumeier’s Nijinsky, charting the rise and fall of the greatest male dancer of all time, was a proud showcase of the world class skill of this company’s talented men. Queensland’s Dancenorth toured to the Substation with its quirky double-bill If____ Was____. Featuring a duo of world premieres by Ross McCormack and Stephanie Lake, this stellar production paired fearless experimentation with brilliantly accomplished choreography.
THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016 • 31
Music
Frontlash Xmas Rapping The last show on Remiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Divas & Demons tour turned Howlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s floor into a trampoline on Saturday night. And it was made all the more special thanks to guest performances from Tre Samuels,
The Force Is Strong The latest Star Wars movie has finally landed, and while it hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been a unanimous hit with the critics Rogue One has still gotten sci-fi fans heavy breathing like Darth Vader.
Lashes Damn, Dami!
Dami Im smashed O Holy Night at Carols In The Domain with an extended note (close to 20 whole seconds!) Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d make an amazing abalone diver. Ho-ho-ho.
đ&#x;&#x2019;Š Backlash
[Insert Poop Emoji]
2016, we are so fucking glad to see the back of you.
Tree Snakes
Check before you remove those baubles this festive season, people, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;cause a Frankston woman found a venomous tiger snake imitating tinsel, wrapped around her Christmas tree over the weekend.
Staple Yoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Mouth Shut! â&#x20AC;&#x153;Two hand in the air! And if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any hands, lift a leg if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re handicap!â&#x20AC;? Vince Staples failed to impress during Flumeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s support slot at Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Thursday night. 32 â&#x20AC;˘ THE MUSIC â&#x20AC;˘ 21ST DECEMBER 2016
but then you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to show it to someone else.â&#x20AC;? Havik was 23 when she began writing her own songs out front of Highasakite. The bandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sound â&#x20AC;&#x201D; with Havik playing a zither and grandeur summoned from thundering percussion and hollered vocals â&#x20AC;&#x201D; was light and joyous on their 2012 debut All That Floats Will Rain, but things grew darker with 2014â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gloomy Silent Treatment and 2016â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s furious Camp Echo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The songs on Camp Echo are mainly inspired by political stuff, like, for instance, George Bushâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s speech about going to war in Iraq in 2003,â&#x20AC;? Havik states. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I just wanted to write some songs that were more aggressive, more angry. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really know what they were going to be about, [it was] just that I felt like they needed to be angry.â&#x20AC;? Playing the songs from Camp Echo, though, has been joyous. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Because the songs are so up-tempo,â&#x20AC;? Havik says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;people just respond to that. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a lot of dancing, and a lot of light. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been really cool. A lot of fun. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to keep playing these songs for a really long time.â&#x20AC;? Yet even the Camp Echo jams will remain live staples, Havik says they â&#x20AC;&#x153;feel so far awayâ&#x20AC;?; hard for the not-particularly-talkative singer to talk about given her head is currently elsewhere. With her and drummer Trond Bersu writing and recording songs, and ideas, for the forthcoming fourth Highasakite LP, sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s consumed by those thoughts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That often happens with songwriters, when you start out on something new, you forget all about what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve done before,â&#x20AC;? Havik says. But, sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not entirely forthcoming on these new songs, either. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard for me to talk about,â&#x20AC;? offers Havik. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But, I can say, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in a completely different place right now. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to write things that are aggressive. I want to write really beautiful stuff.â&#x20AC;?
Beautiful Noise
Highasakiteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last album was inspired by songs about â&#x20AC;&#x153;political stuffâ&#x20AC;? such as â&#x20AC;&#x153;George Bushâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s speech about going to war in Iraq in 2003,â&#x20AC;? but Ingrid Helene Havik tells Anthony Carew its follow-up will contain â&#x20AC;&#x153;really beautiful stuffâ&#x20AC;?.
I
ngrid Helene Havik canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to get to Australia. The leader of Norwegian quintet Highasakite is in Olso, working on new music and preparing for a performance at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert. But sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s already daydreaming about the Australian sun and a stint away from mid-winter deep in the Northern Hemisphere. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so dark here,â&#x20AC;? says Havik. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re getting about six hours of daylight, from nine in the morning to about three. We really need some sun.â&#x20AC;? The 29 year old grew up on Norwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s West Coast, in the harbour town of Alesund. Her mother was a music teacher, so Havik â&#x20AC;&#x153;always wanted to be a singerâ&#x20AC;?; her earliest memories are of singing along to Mariah Carey. Eventually, she studied at Trondheimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jazz conservatory assuming that, like her mother, sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d grow up to be a teacher. But, in college, she was â&#x20AC;&#x153;really jealousâ&#x20AC;? of friends who were making their own music and threw off the fear that was stopping her from writing her own songs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For so long, I was really scared to even try,â&#x20AC;? she says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so personal. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impossible to have an outside perspective on stuff youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re sitting and writing. So, you think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s terrible,
When & Where: 31 Jan, Beyond The Valley, Lardner; 4 Jan, Corner Hotel
THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016 • 33
Music
and she thought I was him!” he laughs. “And so when she met me she was like, ‘Oh, you have to come back and have a jam,’ and that’s kind of how it started. It was, like, woah! Everything just kind of fit right,.” Opal Ocean’s style of music is “very niche”, according to Tabak: “Flamenco guitar techniques mixed with progressiverock arrangements and kind of heavy metal ideas. So it’s just, like, a complete fusion of a whole bunch of stuff.” In a live setting, Tabak says Opal Ocean bring a “dancey, energetic vibe”. The band played Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August and Tabak tells, “We were busking, we did 28 days straight and it was long days but it was a really awesome experience. It was our first time properly going overseas as the band and it was a great experience being able to play to European audiences at a huge festival like that, but we went so underprepared thinking that a Scottish summer was...” Actually summer? Tabak laughs, “Yeah, so we got drowned out nearly every other day, which was interesting.” Opal Ocean released their debut album Lost Fables last month, and Tabak acknowledges this as a “career highlight” for the band. “It’s the biggest project that either of us have ever been part of... We worked with some really awesome people.” The album was mixed by Mark Lewis, who Tabak points out is “a big mixing engineer from the States for metal bands and he’s done big bands like Trivium, Conquering Dystopia and a whole bunch of well-known acts.” So how did they recruit Lewis? “I stalked him on Instagram,” Tabak chuckles, “and contacted him through there”. Now that Opal Ocean are on Lewis’s radar, Tabak enthuses, “He’s always there as a contact in the industry in the States, which is really awesome to have.”
Ocean Of Noise Let these picture-perfect photo blogs renew your faith in the beauty of the world.
@SpencerNotSpencer The life of fashion photographer Byron Spencer is a technicolour wonder.
@GoPro The mini-cam masters show off their products snazziest snaps.
Nadav Tabak, one half of guitar duo Opal Ocean, chats with Bryget Chrisfield about busking at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, stalking American mixer Mark Lewis on Instagram and having a sore neck from excessive head-banging.
O @HappyMundane Jonathan Lo finds the beauty in the everyday — vibrant colours and swish angles.
@TheScranLine Pastry chef Nick Makrides turns cupcakes into masterpieces. Mouth-watering doubletaps.
34 • THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016
pal Ocean shot a music video the day before our chat and Nadav Tabak, half of the guitar duo, admits he’s “a little exhausted”. “We ended up picking one of the songs off our album, which is a seven-minute-long song, and so after doing many takes, rocking out to a seven-minute song, my neck is broken.” Sounds like there was a bit of head-banging involved then? “Yes, definitely.” Tabak observes there are so many similarities between him and his other musical half, Alex Champ, that it’s “creepy”: “We were both actually living in New Zealand, but we didn’t know each other. We were both busking, we both played guitar the same amount of time; we’re the same age... We actually went to the same concerts and didn’t even know we were at the same concert. And he was doing restaurant gigs and I was doing restaurant gigs, just [in] a different part of town.” On how that pair met, Tabal recalls, “When we came over here I was actually busking at the Queen Victoria Market and his partner saw me, and she heard me busking,
When & Where: 23 Dec, Wesley Anne
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THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016 • 35
Film
Keeping It Real Director Justin Kurzel screen adaptation of computer game franchise Assassin’s Creed, starring Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, is surprisingly sparing of CGI. Hannah Story discovers why live action trumps digital.
M
ichael Fassbender is the first to walk through the door on this bright October afternoon to the Assassin’s Creed press junket. He makes steady eye contact with his questioners. He uses his hands when he’s speaking, trying to articulate a point, sometimes looking down while taking sips from his coffee cup. Director Justin Kurzel is next, known for Snowtown and Macbeth, which also stars Fassbender and Cotillard. He sits down and is immediately bursting with friendly Australian energy. Then Marion Cotillard strides into the room, the most upfront and no-nonsense of the lot. She’s funny and wry, pausing at length to think before answering.
I think players are gonna love it, and also people who don’t know the game at all, because you really don’t need to know the game to appreciate the movie.
The three have been brought together by the film adaptation of cult video game Assassin’s Creed, a project Fassbender also co-produced. He plays Cal, a criminal in the present-day, made by the Templars to partake in the Animus Project where he relives the memories of his ancestors. He also plays Aguilar, Cal’s Assassin predecessor. Cotillard plays present-day Templar Sophie, the leading scientist on the project. Fassbender, captivated by the idea of DNA or genetic memory, recruited Kurzel, who says he was “completely taken” by “the idea of a central character understanding and learning who he is through his blood, 36 • THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016
and through the ancestry of his past, and the experience of his ancestors”. Fassbender, Kurzel and Cotillard pay compliments to each other quickly and brightly. Cotillard says, while working on Macbeth, Fassbender “calmed” her: “I saw through his eyes how giving a vision of the world by this media of cinema was important.” Fassbender describes Kurzel’s filmmaking as “visceral”, saying the realism of his work lent itself to filming action pieces “old school”, using as little green screen as possible - Fassbender’s stunt double actually took a 125-foot “leap of faith” jump. “The real life action sequences are taking place in real locations, with real people. There’s not a huge amount of CGI.” The decision to limit the amount of digital manipulation is one part of trying to make the film engaging to a lay audience, while paying respect to hardcore fans. “One of the hardest parts about making a film out of the Assassin’s universe is there’s so much there,” says Fassbender. “With any of these things, it’s a healthy dose of respect and disrespect - we came up with new characters that don’t exist in the game; we came up with our original regression, the Spanish Inquisition; we took things that are obviously very important to the game, the Animus, things like the bleeding effect, the artifact.” There are, however, some deviations from computer game’s canon. Assassin’s Creed the film has dramatically reimagined the Animus (a narratively pivotal piece of advanced technology), so it involves more physical movement: “At the same time that’s a video game, this is a film, so to just sort of infuse what we know from working in films, and that’s the element of disrespect... We take what’s there and try and make it visually more stimulating.” The three have had varying degrees of engagement with the game itself - Fassbender says he played the game a bit to get a feel for it: “I played the game to basically get a physicality, especially for Aguilar.” Kurzel played against one of the champions of Assassin’s Creed: “He brought me in to take me through it, it was quite embarrassing how poor I was.” Meanwhile, Cotillard says she didn’t play the game at all: “They let me not do it... I didn’t feel that I needed to play... I think players are gonna love it, and also people who don’t know the game at all, because you really don’t need to know the game to appreciate the movie.” Assassin’s Creed was scored by Kurzel’s brother, Jed. Justin Kurzel says that in terms of the music it’s been quite different from other large genre films, almost “like working on an independent film”, doing “really interesting stuff” like using an unreleased Massive Attack song at the end. Entrance Song by The Black Angels underscores one of the first scenes in the film: “They just seemed to really hit that spot perfectly”.
What: Assassin’s Creed When: In theatres 25 Dec
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THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016 • 37
Eat / Drink Eat/Drink
DRINKING IN THE FUTURE
Hankering for a delicious drop of something refreshing, but the liquor cabinet has run dry? Worry not — there’s an app for that. Tipple is the exciting new addition to the food industry’s tech revolution. We take a closer look at the rapidly growing digital bottle-o.
Hankering for a delicious drop of something refreshing, but the liquor cabinet has run dry? Worry not - there’s an app for that. Tipple is the exciting new addition to the food industry’s tech revolution. We take a closer look at the rapidly growing digital bottle-o. Trudging to the bottle-o is so 2015. The advent of thirdparty couriers, bicycle-mounted delivery guys and even people-powered takeout via Uber Eats has made tucking into top-notch nosh at home more accessible than ever before. Of course, what’s on the plate is only half the story. While fine dining has been opened up to the stayat-home gastronome, top level cuisine needs equally top level beverages. Fortunately, a Melbourne-based tech start-up, Tipple, is now taking the humble bottle shop online, so you can order the best glassful to complement your forkful. Founded by brothers Ryan and Shane Barrington in November 2015, Tipple has grown substantially over the past year as it has become a trusted resource for Melburnians, stocking the trusty staples you’ll find at your regular bottle shop as well as boutique and specialty items handpicked by Tipple’s experienced team of buyers.
Ice Ice Baby The season is set to be a scorcher, so frozen booze is a no-brainer for cooling down when the mercury soars. Sold exclusively by Tipple in Melbourne, POPS alcoholic icy poles come in a range of fabulous flavours including Bellini, Prosecco, Classic Champagne and Strawberry & Mint.
Mix It Up Classic cocktails have enjoyed a massive resurgence over the past couple of years, but for a professional flavour balance, going pre-mixed is an increasingly popular option. Try The Everleigh Famous Four cocktail set, featuring perfectly prepared Martinis, Negronis, Manhattans and Old Fashioneds.
So what are the drink trends you need to know this summer?
Au Naturel Melbourne is a city of foodies and, as such, knowing the provenance of produce is a high priority. Tipple have wine lovers covered with its range of natural and organic bottles including some achingly trendy Pet-Nat (or petillant-naturel for those in the know) sparkling, which acquires its bubbles naturally.
38 • THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016
THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016 • 39
40 • THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016
www.themillhouse.com.au
Live music at the Mill House every Wednesday from 6pm $12 burgers all night Book a booth! /TheMillhousemelbourne @TheMillhousemelbourne (03) 9662 4002
info@themillhouse.com.au
THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016 • 41
OPINION Opinion
Howzat!
Local Music By Jeff Jenkins Albums Of The Year
So many fine albums in 2016. Here are our dozen faves: 1. 2.
3.
4.
5. 6.
Melody Pool – Deep Dark Savage Heart Heartbreakingly honest. Superb storytelling. Bernard Fanning – Civil Dusk What happens when you get older? “I suggest you just keep running on,” Bernard Fanning sings in this stunning return to top form. Sal Kimber & The Rollin’ Wheel – Southern Light An achingly beautiful Americana album that didn’t get the attention it deserved. Deborah Conway & Willy Zygier – Everybody’s Begging A compelling record about art and struggle, perhaps her best since String Of Pearls. Sweet Jean – Monday To Friday Dark and delightful. Even better than this duo’s debut. Ben Lee – Freedom, Love And The Recuperation Of The Human Mind
A gentle giant of a record. Henry Wagons – After What I Did Last Night... Funny, moving, personal... Henry Wagons’ first solo album had it all. 8. Colour Bomb – Colour Bomb Colour Bomb are aptly named because their debut is a multi-coloured masterpiece. The pop album of the year. 9. Peter Garrett – A Version Of Now “It still matters to me, I hope it matters to you.” 10. Archie Roach – Let Love Rule Love is a many splendored thing. 11. Tracy McNeil & The Goodlife – Thieves Elegant, exquisite alt country. 7.
Melody Pool
12. Kings Of The Sun – Razed On Rock Old school rock with some thrilling new tricks. And eight more albums we also loved: Ben Mitchell’s Summer Lover, Pesky Bones’ Pesky Bones Volume One, Client Liaison’s Diplomatic Immunity, The Goon Sax’s Up To Anything, Montaigne’s Glorious Heights, Amarillo’s Eyes Still Fixed, Julia Jacklin’s Don’t Let The Kids Win and Brian Cadd‘s Bulletproof. And our five favourite singles: Benny Walker’s Oh No You Don’t, Gretta Ray’s Drive, Alex The Astronaut’s Already Home, Alex Lahey’s Let’s Go Out, and Melody Pool’s Love, She Loves Me.
Yarra’s parks and public spaces will be alcohol and glass free zones on New Year’s Eve.
The consumption of alcohol is banned in Yarra’s streets, parks and other public spaces, including Edinburgh Gardens, from 9pm on Friday 30 December 2016 through to 9am on Sunday 1 January 2017. Amplified music is not permitted in parks and public spaces during this period. PENALTIES WILL APPLY. We encourage the community to keep our parks glass free.
Yarra Council is encouraging the safe and respectful use of local parks during New Year’s Eve. Celebrations are welcome in Yarra’s parks and gardens but there will be zero tolerance for anti-social behaviour. Police and local laws officers will be in attendance to enforce the bans. For more information about New Year’s Eve in Yarra, contact Council on 9205 5555.
42 • THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016
The Music offices are closed for the festive season and will re-open on Wednesday 4 Jan. The first issue of The Music hits the streets on Wednesday 11 Jan. From all of us here at The Music, compliments of the season to you.
THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016 • 43
Comedy / G The Guide
Nathanial Rateliff & CW Stoneking
Wed 21
Bohjass: 303, Northcote
Off The Grid 2016 feat. Albrecht La’Brooy + Andee Frost + Andras + Benjamin Hancock + DJ J’Nett + Izabel + Miss Goldie + NO ZU + Tako + The Senegambian Jazz Band: ACCA Forecourt, Southbank British India: Black Swan Hotel, Bendigo Muddy’s Blues Roulette with Jimi Hocking: Catfish, Fitzroy
The Music Presents The Avalanches: 3 & 4 Jan Melbourne Town Hall Highasakite: 4 Jan Corner Hotel Parcels: 4 Jan The Gasometer Hotel Twelve Foot Ninja: 7 Jan Corner Hotel; 2 Feb Commercial Hotel; 3 Feb Chelsea Heights Hotel; 4 Feb Villiage Green Hotel NAO: 25 Jan Howler Strangers: 28 Jan The Workers Club
Zombitches + Terror Madre + Deep Scene: Cherry Bar, Melbourne K-Wak + Jarrod James + Vee & Josh + more: Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy Sarah Mary Chadwick + Shoko + Craig Dermody: Forester’s Hall (Woody’s Attic Dive Bar), Collingwood First Love X-Mas Party with Jimmy Hawk + William van der Vliet + Cope & Drag + Honey Badgers + Cherry Dolls DJ: Grace Darling Hotel (Band Room), Collingwood Lomond Acoustica feat. Geoff Achison + Nick Charles + Mike Rudd: Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East
CW Stoneking & Nathaniel Rateliff: 9 Mar Seaworks Williamstown
The Songroom with Tash Meimarakis + Felix Riebl: Northcote Social Club, Northcote
The Jerry Cans: 15 Mar Northcote Social Club; 16 Mar Sooki Lounge
Sun God Replica + Grindhouse + Stiff Richards: Retreat Hotel, Brunswick
Holly Throsby: 26 Mar Northcote Social Club
House of Rock: Seaford Hotel, Seaford
Roy Ayers: 9 Apr The Croxton
Wine, Whiskey, Women feat. Kerryn Fields + Bev Park: The Drunken Poet, West Melbourne
Rhiannon Giddens: 11 Apr Corner Hotel Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue: 11 April 170 Russell
Ned Collette + Mick Turner: The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood
Wreath-er Madness The Howler Christmas spectacular is guaranteed to satisfy grumpy grinches and festive fans alike. The Bombay Royale will set the stage ablaze in Hindi-Holly glory, with DJ duties coming from the excellent Ritchie, 22 & 23 Dec.
Crystal Myth + Customer + Latreenagers + Tenderloins: The Tote (Upstairs), Collingwood
Shrimpwitch + Chelsea Bleach + The Tropes + Olsen Twins: The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood
Ikon + Death of Art + Masses + DJ Black Kitty: The Workers Club, Fitzroy
Hooper Crescent + Low Talk + Spit + Jules Sheldon: The Old Bar, Fitzroy
Jungle Lamb + Firm Hard Lines + Baby Poor + Hannah Blackburn: Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford
Angel Eyes + Sweet Whirl: The Post Office Hotel, Coburg
Thu 22
Gallant: 17 Apr Corner Hotel The Lumineers: 19 Apr Arts Centre Melbourne
The Bombay Royale
Other Animals
Underground Lovers + Emily Ulman: The Toff In Town, Melbourne
The Imortal Horns + Quadrifid: 303, Northcote Soul In The Basement with Cookin’ On 3 Burners: Cherry Bar, Melbourne
The Record Company: 20 Apr Northcote Social Club
Dubioza Kolektiv: Corner Hotel, Richmond Gwyn Ashton: Dogs Bar, St Kilda Zyklus + Asylum Sisters + Hurlin’ Up Limbs: Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy Nicole Millar The Bombay Royale + Richie 1250: Howler, Brunswick
Animal House After spending the year recording the full-length debut in the UK nine-piece orchestral alt-rockers Other Animals came back to light up Melbourne’s summer. They’ll be playing Bar Open on 24 Dec before scooting back to Europe.
44 • THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016
Andy Phillips: Laika Bar, St Kilda Checkerboard: Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East Disco Volante feat. Illyo + Luke Vecchio + Jay Ramon + Rory Marshall + more: Onesixone, Prahran Pugsley Buzzard: Open Studio, Northcote Jo Meares + Dusty Ravens: Retreat Hotel, Brunswick Comedy with Greg Fleet + Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall + Aaron Gocs + more: Reverence Hotel (Front Bar), Footscray
Vacant Smiles + The Dare Ohhs + Cloud + Moonlover: The Old Bar, Fitzroy
8Eyez + Skewed Dewds: Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
Double Marathon + Goodbye Enemy Airship + Shiny Coin: The Tote (Front Bar), Collingwood
The Complimentary Headsets + Kilo + The House That George Built: The Curtin, Carlton Jarrod Shaw + Sarah Wilkinson: The Drunken Poet, West Melbourne
Millar Of Alt From Canada to Sydney and from strength to strength, Nicole Millar is heating up all over the place. Catch her at 170 Russell, 5 Jan, when she supports the brilliant MO for a huge show.
Doona Waves + Cool Sounds + Grandstands + Slow Job: The Tote, Collingwood Sleepy Dreamers + Arbes + The Adelaide Crows: The Workers Club, Fitzroy All-Star Music Sessions feat. Remi + The Pretty Littles: Victorian Baseball & Softball Centre Ballpark, Altona
Gigs / Live The Guide
Banned: Spotted Mallard, Brunswick
Mick Thomas & Roving Commission + Tracy McNeil & The Good Life + Rich Davies and the Low Road: The Croxton, Thornbury A Bennies Spliffmas with The Bennies + The Flying So High-O’s + Private Function: The Curtin, Carlton
Camp Cope
Can You Cope? 2016 has well and truly been Camp Cope’s year and the band are showing no signs of slowing down as January comes around. You can see them at 170 Russell, 6 Jan, when they support Modern Baseball.
T.K. Reeve: Wesley Anne (Front Bar), Northcote The Seduceaphones: Wesley Anne (Band Room), Northcote Bronze + Freak & The Freak Cats + Donald Dank & The Naughty Boys: Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East Adore + Beloved Elk + Footy: Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford
Fri 23 Levels Vs Wah Wah: 170 Russell, Melbourne
Miss Whiskey: The Drunken Poet, West Melbourne
The Carol Kings with Davey Lane + Dan Luscombe (The Drones) + Phil Gionfrido + Gus Agars + more: The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood El Colosso + Field + Fifth Friend + Smoke Witch: The Old Bar, Fitzroy Sunshine’s Midnight Mass feat. Sunshine Trott + Spacey Space + Handsdown + Rory Marshall + more: The Prince, St Kilda Barely Standing: The Prince (Public Bar), St Kilda
Sat 24
Other Animals: Bar Open, Fitzroy
Rat Child: Edinburgh Castle Hotel (Beer Garden), Brunswick
DJ Link McLennan II: Retreat Hotel (Beer Garden), Brunswick
The Glenn Danzig TapDanzig ExtravaDanzig + Lee Hartney Sex Drive + Grim Rhythm + DJ Anty Clause: The Bendigo, Collingwood Dan Bourke & Friends: The Drunken Poet, West Melbourne Ciggie Saturday with Woz + Pjenne + Life Coach + Service Desk + Tomsk + Andy Ukhtomsky + more: The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood
Boxing Day with The Krunchy Om-Let Experience + Lindsay Bush + Beyond Contempt + The Fckups + The Rogues: The Bendigo, Collingwood
The Mighty Boys + Lazertits + Disgusting Cabbage + Woo Who + Hexdebt + Marathon + Spike The River: The Old Bar, Fitzroy Ministry of Sound - The Reunion Tour feat. John Course + Mark Dynamix + more: The Prince, St Kilda
Elevator Talk + Discotears + Citronella Candles: The Workers Club, Fitzroy
TUE 27 The Resignators + No Idea + Addiction 64 + Grand Noise Consortium: Cherry Bar, Melbourne
City Calm Down
Milk Records Xmas Party (ages 12-25) feat. Courtney Barnett + Fraser A Gorman + Ouch My Face + East Brunswick All Girls Choir + Loose Tooth + The Finks: The Tote (Band Room), Collingwood Milk Records Xmas Party (18+) feat. Courtney Barnett + Fraser A Gorman + Ouch My Face + East Brunswick All Girls Choir + Loose Tooth + The Finks: The Tote (Band Room), Collingwood Ten Thousand + Winter Moon + The Deadlips + Anember: The Workers Club, Fitzroy Steady Coolin’: Wesley Anne (Front Bar), Northcote Xmas Flamenco Metal Extravaganza with Opal Ocean + Malcura + Citrus Jam: Wesley Anne (Band Room), Northcote
The Chicken Brothers + Mortisville + Mickey Space: Bar Open, Fitzroy
A Right Old Knees-Up Corner Hotel’s NYE mega-party is the place to ring in 2017. City Calm Down are locked in to DJ, with Gold Fields, Bleeding Knees Club and stacks more performing.
1am Slot feat. Molasses: Cherry Bar (Jenni Bar), Melbourne X-Mas with Even + Mike Noga + The Plastic Clowns: Corner Hotel, Richmond Turk Tresize: Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne DJ Lazer Ferrari + Gibberish: Edinburgh Castle Hotel (Beer Garden), Brunswick
Loose Tooth
Ceres + Alex Lahey + Barking Spiders: Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy Broads: Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick Golden Helmet + Cakefight + Pearl Bay + Tropical Deadbeats + Zebedee: Forester’s Hall (Woody’s Attic Dive Bar), Collingwood Christmas Party with The Bombay Royale + Richie 1250: Howler, Brunswick The Second Sex + Heads Of Charm + Disco Christmas feat. Damian Cowell’s Disco Machine + Tony Martin: National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Southbank
Milking It Milk! Records are throwing a Christmas party, twice. On 23 Dec head to The Tote for an all-ages matinee followed by an 18+ evening set with all the good’uns from Loose Tooth to Courtney Barnett.
Horace Bones: Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy
Jurassic Nark + Vintage Crop + Scout: The Tote (Front Bar), Collingwood
Yusupha Ngum + AFFIA Band: Open Studio, Northcote
Mark & Dave: The Westernport Hotel, Phillip Island
Tetrahedra + Batts + Glamouratz + Brooke Powers: The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood
Dusty Ravens: Wesley Anne (Front Bar), Northcote Xmas Party with Friendships: Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy
Sun 25 Christmas Kandy feat. Various DJs: 170 Russell, Melbourne A Night To Remember James Brown with Various DJs: The Curtin, Carlton
Reuben Stone + Matsumoto Zoku + Jack The Fox: Northcote Social Club, Northcote Charlie Lane + Sansonus + Adalita: Retreat Hotel, Brunswick
Hypno Sex Ray + Trauma Boys + Cakefight: The Old Bar, Fitzroy
MisSstA + Levitating Churches + Kat O & The Collectables + True Love Chaos: Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East
Brunswick Break Up Beats N Bass Party: Rubix The Venue, Brunswick
Yacht Club DJs: Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy
Spectres of Love + Danny Walsh
Ruin Xmas with Tankerville + Cosmic Kahuna + Attacked By Seagulls + Ute Root: Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford
Mon 26 Boxing Day Blues feat. Geoff Achison + Chris Wilson: Corner Hotel, Richmond
Her Majesty’s Hangover + Twin Pines + Bosco Sash: The Old Bar, Fitzroy
Wed 28 Beyond The Valley feat. Alex Lahey + Ali Barter + Audiojack + Bag Raiders + Bakermat (Live) + Big Words + Carl Craig + Chance The Rapper + Claptone + Dena Amy + Dom Dolla + Dune Rats + DZ Deathrays + Eats Everything + Ecca Vandal + Emma Louise + Giraffage + Goldlink + Guy Gerber + Harts + Hermitude + Highasakite + Hot Chip DJs + Japanese Wallpaper + Jarryd James + JME + KLLO + Kolsch + Ladyhawke + Lastlings + Luke Million + Lunice + Montaigne + Motez + Mstrkrft + Ngaiire + Oliver Huntemann + Paces + Pachanga Boys + Phantogram + Purple Disco Machine + Roland Tings + Running Touch + Ryan Hemsworth + Safia + Skream + Slumberjack + Sonny Fodera + Sticky Fingers + The Delta Riggs + Thundamentals + Tigerilla + Tokimonsta + Torren Foot +
THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016 • 45
Comedy / G The Guide
Charlie Lane
Total Giovanni + Vera Blue + Wafia + What So Not + ZHU: Lardner Park, Lardner
Falls Festival 2016 feat. The Avalanches + Catfish & The Bottlemen + The Rubens + Jamie T + Tkay Maidza + Booka Shade + Vallis Alps + Parquet Courts + City Calm Down + LDRU + Haelos + Marlon Williams + Lemaitre + Kilter + Hockey Dad + Baro + Feki + Hein Cooper + Sahara Beck + I Oh You DJs + Baytek + Willow Beats + more: Lorne, Lorne
Falls Festival 2016 feat. Grandmaster Flash + Hot Dub Time Machine + Client Liaison + Northeast Party House + Spit Syndicate + Mallrat + more: Lorne, Lorne
The Songroom with Monty Cotton + Wally De Backer: Northcote Social Club, Northcote Theme Team + The Sand Dollars: The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood
NYE - Seventeen Again feat. Various DJs: Max Watt’s, Melbourne
Resin Moon
Aurora + Airling: Melbourne Recital Centre (Elisabeth Murdoch Hall), Southbank
The Dragoons: The Old Bar, Fitzroy
Indie
Resin Moon + Don (Spirit Level) + Phia + Edward Francis: The Workers Club, Fitzroy
EP Focus
THU 29
Answered by: Charlie Lane
EP Title: Mood Swings & Anti Depressants
Describe your sound: Alternative pop with a side of energetic soul and grunge.
Where did you record the EP and why? The gang and I recorded with Andy Shanahan at Secret Sound Studios. He had quite a few recommendations for the sound I was going for, and had worked with artists I had known. I wanted a much more lo-fi, raw EP — using Lindsay Chapman for editing helped this immensely. Is there an overall theme to the songs on the EP, or did you just use whatever songs you had to make up the tracklisting? The overall theme of Mood swings & Anti Depressants is based on my own life experiences, from childhood to adulthood. I just wanted to show what a emotional roller coaster journey life is for a lot of us; through all the fighting, the rebelliousness, the love and loss.
What’s your favourite track on the EP and why? Tofu is my favourite song on this upcoming EP. I love it because the trumpet sounds so jazzy and exactly like it was in my head. It was like my brain to audio. It has elements of jazz, hip hop and pop. I really just enjoy its dynamics. Are you launching it with a gig? 23 Dec, The Retreat, free, 9pm. Website link for more info? facebook.com/charlielaneband
The Basics + Monty Cotton: Howler, Brunswick Andy Phillips: Laika Bar, St Kilda Beyond The Valley: Lardner Park, Lardner Falls Festival 2016 feat. Childish Gambino + Fat Freddy’s Drop + Ta-ku + Broods + Illy + MO + Alunageorge + Shura + Pond + Kari Faux + more: Lorne, Lorne
Salt Of The Moon NT Song Of The Year winner Resin Moon is out on the road to launch his debut EP Salt. He’ll be pulling into The Workers Club, 28 Dec, with support from Don (Spirit Level), Phia and Edward Francis.
Falls Festival 2016 feat. London Grammar + Violent Soho + Matt Corby + Alison Wonderland + The Jezabels + Ball Park Music + Bernard Fanning + DMA’S + Modern Baseball + Tired Lion + Remi + RY X + Moonbase Commander + Darren Middleton + Just A Gent + Middle Kids + Olympia + Gretta Ray + Generik + KLP + Jack River + BEL + Good Boy + more: Lorne, Lorne Friday Nights at NGV feat. Cash Savage & The Last Drinks: National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Southbank
Underground Lovers
Yuletide Lovers Melbourne vets Underground Lovers are bringing Christmas early with the release of their eighth studio album, Staring At You Staring At Me. The premiere of the album will kick off at The Toff In Town, 22 Dec.
Gobiron String Band: Open Natalie Gauci: The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood
NYE on the Hill 2016 feat. The Preatures + Pierce Brothers + Tash Sultana + The Bennies + Dylan Joel + L-FRESH The LION + The Belligerents + Sex On Toast + Mosquito Coast + Columbus + Camp Cope + Ceres + Oh Pep! + Mesa Cosa + 30/70 + Friendships + A.D.K.O.B. + Man Made Mountain + Alice Ivy + The Fabric + Theme Team + The Outdoor Type + Horace Bones + Jamatar + Dream Fatigue + more: The Hill, Kernot Pale Trip + Keggin + Latreenagers + Mild Child: The Old Bar, Fitzroy
Mad Professor + DJ J’Nett + Turner St Sound: Boney, Melbourne Electric Gardens Melbourne Launch Party +Various DJs: Brown Alley, Melbourne Beyond The Valley: Lardner Park, Lardner LL Cool J (Ladies Love Cool Jams) with DJ Mzrizk + Emelyne + Mrs Wallace + more: Loop, Melbourne
New Years Eve with Bob Log III + more: Spotted Mallard, Brunswick New Years Eve with Clowns + The Nation Blue + Flour + Wurst Nurse: The Bendigo, Collingwood For The Love of Gold New Years Eve with GL + Broadway Sounds + Manchild: The Curtin, Carlton Slow Grind Fever New Years Eve with Benny & The Fly By Niters + Mojo Juju + MO: The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood NYE on the Hill 2016: The Hill, Kernot New Years Eve with Crap Sabbath + Hownowmer: The Old Bar, Fitzroy New Years Eve with Carl Craig + Boogs: The Prince, St Kilda Austin Floyd: The Standard Hotel, Fitzroy New Years Eve Party with Orb + Dumb Punts + more: Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy
TK Reeve
‘Soul Good Man’ End of Year Party! feat. Spencer Street Soul + Emilia & The Scarletts + Chicago Dime: The Workers Club, Fitzroy The Cherry Dolls + The Velvet Addiction: Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy
Phantom Panda Power Wizard Master Smasher + Orbis Tertius + The Monotremes: Bar Open, Fitzroy New Years Evie feat. Jazz Party + Dorsal Fins + Whipper + Totally Mild + Spike Fuck + more: Bruzzy’s Farm, Tallarook New Years Eve Party House with Northeast Party House + Bleeding Knees Club + City Calm Down + The Pretty Littles + Gold Fields + Leisure Suite DJs + Stingray + Osaka + D P R S + Big Sexy: Corner Hotel, Richmond New Years Eve with Cookin’ On 3 Burners + Stella Angelico + Quarter Street + Zillanova + DJ Manchild: Federation Square, Melbourne Beyond The Valley: Lardner Park, Lardner
46 • THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016
Xylouris White + Laura Jean: Northcote Social Club, Northcote
Barely Standing: The Prince (Public Bar), St Kilda
Sat 31 Fri 30
Bluestone Blues Festival feat. The Lounge Lizards + Buxom Blues + The Andy Layfield Sound + Sweet Felicia & The Tradies + The Housewreckers + Righteous Desmond + Chris Wilson + Geoff Achison + Sammy Owen Blues Band + more: Murgheboluc Reserve, Murgheboluc
Reeve Ho Ho Ho The unique and throwback tunes of blues extraordinaire TK Reeve will emanate throughout Wesley Anne, when the rusty-voiced muso hits the stage with his raw and soulful style. He’ll be there on 22 Dec.
Gigs / Live The Guide
Sun 01
Wed 04
Sunset Safari feat. Joey Negro + Dr Packer + Eric Powell + Oliver James + Jacob Malmo + Jay Ramon + more: Albert Park (Greenfields), Albert Park
Catfish & The Bottlemen: 170 Russell, Melbourne
Highasakite + Bec Sandridge: Corner Hotel, Richmond
Beyond The Valley: Lardner Park, Lardner Piknic Electronik #1 feat. Audiojack + Section Victim + Spacey Space + Francis Inferno Orchestra + Damian Laird + Session Victim: Sidney Myer Music Bowl (Southside), Melbourne Catfish Voodoo + Pugsley Buzzard: The Drunken Poet, West Melbourne NYE on the Hill 2016: The Hill, Kernot Guy Gerber: The Prince (Circa), St Kilda
Chance The Rapper: Festival Hall, West Melbourne
Haelos + Buoy + Yeo + Christopher Port: Howler, Brunswick
Booka Shade + Various DJs: The Prince, St Kilda
Reuben Stone
Fourth Place + Kodachrome + New Hat + Civique: The Workers Club, Fitzroy
Fri 06
Modern Baseball + Camp Cope + Foxtrot: 170 Russell, Melbourne Alunageorge + Fortunes: Corner Hotel, Richmond
The Avalanches + Grandmaster Flash: Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne
Peter Bibby: Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
Shura + Woodes: Northcote Social Club, Northcote
Customer + Special Mates: Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood
Parcels + The Lovely Days: The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood
Lake Street Dive: Howler, Brunswick Friday Nights at NGV feat. Gold Class: National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Southbank Purple Disco Machine: Pawn & Co, South Yarra
Stone Gold Multi-instrumentalist songsmith Reuben Stone is returning to Melbourne for another massive show. He’ll be at Northcote Social Club, 23 Dec, with support form Matsumoto Zoku and Jack The Fox.
La Dance Macabre with Brunswick Massive: Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy Cryptic Abyss + Cyanide Teeth + Illaturba: The Bendigo, Collingwood Zond + Masses + Kollaps + Hextape: The Curtin, Carlton Norachi + Miris + Loure: The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood The Tiny Giants + Hollie Joyce: The Workers Club, Fitzroy The Smokes (The Strokes Tribute): Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy
Parcels
Krept & Konan + Smash Bros + Alex Jones: Laundry Bar, Fitzroy Slim Pickens + Cosmos + The Bangs + Sharks Country Explosion: The Workers Club, Fitzroy
Tue 03
Naberus + Toxicon + Windwaker + Armoured Earth: The Workers Club, Fitzroy Dear Thieves + HPKNS + Greenthief: Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy
Sun 08
Saatsuma Bowie In Berlin: Selected Works 77 to 79 from Low, Heroes & Lodger feat. Kylie Auldist + Dave Graney + Ron S Peno + Kim Salmon + Max Sharam: Hamer Hall, Melbourne
Parcels are back in town for a string of very special hometown shows. The Berlin-based boogie machines are heading to The Gasometer Hotel on 4 Jan, to show their Aussie fans just what a bit of Euro love can do.
Jazz Party: Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy
Afternoon Show with Cloud Tangle + Culte: The Workers Club, Fitzroy
The Naked & Famous: 170 Russell, Melbourne
Special Delivery
Mon 02
Autosea + Baron Castle + Fantastic Man + Awesome Wales + Shedbug + more: The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood
Poppongene + Way Dynamic + The Great Outdoors: The Gasometer Hotel (Upstairs), Collingwood The Fred Holmes Alternative + Dole Cheque + Foundlings: The Workers Club, Fitzroy
Thu 05 MØ + Nicole Millar: 170 Russell, Melbourne
Ryan Downey + Luke Brennan: Open Studio, Northcote Piknic Electronik #2 feat. Post Percy + Laila Sakini + more: Sidney Myer Music Bowl (Southside), Melbourne
Orange You Glad Saatsuma are all set up to have a hell of a good 2017. Head on down to Howler, 5 Jan, to see the electro outfit supporting Lemaitre’s Falls Fest sideshow.
Afternoon Show with Erin Will Be Mad + Reii + Scurvy & The Dogs: The Workers Club, Fitzroy Gem Bones + Piss Factory + Slow Fires + Ostraly: Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford
Mon 09
Lemaitre + Saatsuma: Howler, Brunswick
Jazz Party: Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy The Moth with Various Artists: Howler, Brunswick
JME: Corner Hotel, Richmond
Shimmerlands feat. Parquet Courts + Tyrannamen + Ausmuteants + Nicky Crane + more: Melbourne University, Parkville
The Avalanches + Grandmaster Flash: Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne
Wallis Bird + Lucie Thorne: Northcote Social Club, Northcote
Summer Klub 001 feat. Safari + Sundelin + Caspian + more: Brown Alley, Melbourne
Take Your Time + The Curse + Sakisoda: The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood
Mondo Kain + Ungus Ungus Ungus + Trickbox: Open Studio, Northcote
Gregory Page: Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh
Tue 10
Jamie T + Hockey Dad: The Croxton, Thornbury
Twelve Foot Ninja: Corner Hotel, Richmond
Desiigner: 170 Russell, Melbourne
Gwyn Ashton: Young and Jacksons, Melbourne
RY X + Lanks: Northcote Social Club, Northcote
Halestorm + Devilskin: Corner Hotel, Richmond
All Ages Matinee Show with Forever Ends Here: The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood
Divide & Dissolve + No Sister + Miss Miss: The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood
Catfish & The Bottlemen: 170 Russell, Melbourne
Zol Balint + The Atlas Room + Thomass: The Gasometer Hotel (Upstairs), Collingwood
Sat 07
King Stag + Creature Fear + Sunborne + The Great Emu War: The Workers Club, Fitzroy
THE MUSIC • 21ST DECEMBER 2016 • 47
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