u n r u ly m u s i c M a g a z i n e
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the hipster issue:
t h e g u i d e to s u c c e s s f u l hipster living plus: I n t e rv i e w : h o ly f u c k brand new music a new food column
win tickets to deerhunter, holy fuck, walk the line festival and much more
w w w. s u b b ac u ltcha.nl
s NEW MUSIC
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MENTALGASSI
MENTALGASSI MAKES STREET ART THAT OPENS YOUR EYES
NEW MUSIC
A Berlin-based art collective that does surprising and beautiful things to common urban objects, Mentalgassi wheat pastes vivid photographic images onto street signs, recycling bins and ticket validating machines, adding a humorous element to city staples.What do you do?
Mentalgassi wears Star Player. Want some? See “Free Stuff” page in this publication.
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www.converse.nl www.mentalgassi.blogspot.com
Devine Calloway, pro skateboarder. etnies footwear & apparel info@soletechnology.eu facebook.com/etnies.europe
Melissa auf der Maur
After the lights go out By Daniëlle van Ark Photographer Daniëlle van Ark takes photos of musicians right after they’ve come off stage. Every month we publish one of her photos.
Melissa auf der Maur 12-04-2010. Melkweg, Amsterdam.
THIS MONTH So, hipsters. You know.... you! The new you. The you that bought the Cheap Monday jeans when they were still cheap. The you that bought that vintage shirt and that knitted ’80s sweater. You even bought oversized glasses yet you have perfect vision. You read ‘intellectual’ books (in public). You like Chuck Norris and HBO series, you are unpredictable that way. There you go, peddling away on your recently acquired ’80s race bike. Trucker cap on your head, Subbacultcha! Magazine in your back pocket. Counterculture Anno 2010... going nowhere in particular.
on the cover Illustration by Casey Jex Smith
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CONTENT
The MAY ISSUE
This month in Subbacultcha! magazine
Hipstertime! Are we serious? Are You? should we be? Hmmmm seriousness (or the lack thereoff) might be the achillesheel of 2010
Yes, we are all about unruly, independent, relentless, alternative, loud, beautiful, silent, disturbing, soothing and uncompromising music.
subbacultcha hipsterguide
interview: holy fuck
Read it and weep page 23
We created a monster page 26
...but we all love assesbutIcan our cafe Latte, 8kb - right? jpg com ctures
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oops I have perfect vision Agenda food 1092 x 628 - 66kb - jpg youcouldntseethetruthnotevenif... Find similar pictures Nigella Awesome! page 47
This month’s must sees page 43
arT
free STUFF
Featured artist Casey Jex Smith page 31
Tickets to Holy Fuck, Deerhunter and Walk the Line festival page 54
top 5/inbox 8 new releases My First Sony Hipster schmuck membership pages 9 film we saw you 12 fashion 406 x record 500 - 115kb 14- jpg off the food new music 17 99 problems toyboy.com 1 question interview 20 spekkie big hipster guide 22 agenda Holy fuck 26 Find similar pictures free stuff featured artist
31
after midnight
37 40 44 47 50 52 53 54 67
CONTENT
The APril ISSUE
hell yeah! it is spring time and you know it. So put on those fitted shirts and skirts and bike through the breeze with a 5 oclock buzz.
the tallest man on earth
new music: the UK is back
Talks page 21
10 brand new bands page 17
new film pages
Agenda
We recommend films and DVDs page 35
This month’s must sees page 45
arT
free STUFF
Featured artist Helene Katz page 29
Tickets to Crystal Castels, Motel Mozaïque and Film Biënnale page 47
top 5/inbox subbacultcha! shows we saw you off the record new music the tallest man on earth new releases featured artist film
8 10 12 14 17 21 26 29 35
fashion 99 problems spekkie big agenda free stuff motel mozaique after midnight Agenda overview
This month in Subbacultcha! magazine Yes, we are all about unruly, independent, relentless, alternative, loud, beautiful, silent, disturbing, soothing and uncompromising music. ...but we all love to say ‘no’ sometimes, right?
39 42 44 45 47 52 59 63
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Top 5
Music: Future Islands - In Evening Air The Brooklyn hipster experience of your very own Subbacultcha! people was last summer, on a rainy summer night in the somewhat obscure Puerto Rican part of Brooklyn, watching Future Islands play in a dive bar crammed with hipsters drinking lousy beer. ‘In Evening Air’ brings it all back.
Last month at our office These are five things that thrilled, chilled and excited us last month.
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Cooking: Zofia’s Vegan Curry We have found our own Nigella Lawson. Zofia cooks like there is no tomorrow. Hot diggedy! So from now on she cooks up a monthly meal for a band that plays Subbacultcha!. Lucky bastards. And while she’s at it she shares the knowledge. Turn to page 55 for our brand new, spicy cooking rubric. Nigella eat your heart out.
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Song: What’s in it for? - Avi Buffalo Can’t stop singing it. Especially the first minute is so powerful. It is like a lost track from The Band during their Basement Tape days.
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DVD: Mad Men Season 3 I pre-ordered it way back in December and totally forgot about it. Then suddenly it came in the mail early April. Almost like a long-lost Christmas present. We watched it in a blizzard. What a show!
5
Wildlife: Ducks Feeding our old bread to the ducks in front of our new office on Da Costakade... And you thought we were hipsters.
INBOX The stuff we get in our mailbox... day in day out. It never stops. Luckily. Submit: magazine@subbacultcha.nl 8
Colour-blind
Worky Worky
I’m colorblind so I don’t really know what color the shoes are. But my guess is brown. Just to be sure I’ll just attach the link to the picture.
I’m a desperate man. looking for friends! can i do worky worky for you guys?
An answer to our Puma shoegiveaway. We requested people to state desired colour and size
Eric van der Zalm 22y (m) Leeuwarden.
subbacultcha membership pages
9 free SHOWS in may
€6
per month
TANLINES / THE PHARMACY HIGH PLACES ORA COGAN / COMMON EIDER, KING EIDER The ALMIGHTY DEFENDERS KLUB RADAR BEST COAST MI AMI / Eva Braun HOLLOYS Neon Indian Movie: AFTERSCHOOL Plus €5 discount for deerhunter
The subbacultcha membership includes A MONTHLy MeMBeRSHIP PASS gRANTINg yOu FRee ACCeSS TO ALL subbacultcha! shows A SuBBACulTCHA T-SHIRT By AMeRICAN APPAReL AND A SuBBACuLTCHA ARTIST Home deliVery oF our MONTHLy MAgAzINe
And that’s not all
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join now and get a free subbacultcha! surprise package
we’re giving away 25 packages full of free subbacultcha! goods and surprises to the first 25 new subscribers. Will it be books? cds? t-shirts? tickets? ahhh life is full of surprises.
sign up at subbacultcha.nl. click click 9
subbacultcha membership pages become a Subbacultcha! member for €6 a month and get free access to all these shows
TANLINES / THE PHARMACY
08 May - De Nieuwe Anita, Amsterdam Starts 20.00 | €7 Tanlines have been on our radar ever since we featured the track ‘New Flowers’ on last year’s ‘Summer Babe Mixtape’. They’ve got this nice and catchy tropical dance vibe going, you see, and we find it utterly irresistible. Washington band The Pharmacy have already been showcasing their ’60s-inspired indie pop around the country at the end of April, so it’s a bonus treat to bring them back for Amsterdam.
Jane O’Neil, Anni Rossi and Kristin Hersh (at her bi-polar best/scariest). Support from Common Eider, King Eider, a raw and haunting project led by Rob Fisk that mixes scratched-up viola, guitar and ambient drones.
The ALMIGHTY DEFENDERS
14 May - Melkweg, Amsterdam Starts 20.00 | €14
HIGH PLACES / kiki
10 May - Club Up, Amsterdam Starts 20.00 | €7 This LA duo’s recent sophomore release built upon the sound collage aesthetic that initially made them a niche favourite. Their signature dub-influenced rhythms and dreamlike compositions remain, but Mary Pearson’s lilting vocals are slightly less sugary sweet, the imaginative percussion is more driving, and the use of guitar is more assertive, meaning there’s plenty to get excited about when they hit town this month. Support from Kiki who will be playing songs from her brand new kinky pinky vinyl Dierenalbum. Nice!
ORA COGAN / COMMON EIDER, KING EIDER 13 May - dB’s, Utrecht Starts 21.00 | €8 Deliciously dark indie folk from Vancouver singer-songwriter Cogan. Think Tara 10
Stomping drums and cheery garage pop riffs lead the way when The Almighty Defenders rock out, but what else do you expect when you have a supergroup comprising King Khan & BBQ Show and members of the Black Lips. Play this to the pink goo in Ghostbusters 2 and you’ll have more than the Statue of Liberty coming to life.
KLUB RADAR
15 May - Tivoli de Helling, Utrecht Starts 21.00 | €10 Utrecht’s fave party for underground sounds and top-notch live sets. Tonight’s guest list includes Titus Andronicus, Think About Life, Olafur Arnalds, Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip and Lazer Sword. As a bonus, Subbacultcha! members get in for free.
subbacultcha membership pages become a Subbacultcha! member for €6 a month and get free access to all these shows
BEST COAST / tweak bird
16 May - Ekko, Utrecht Starts 20.00 | €8 Summer lovin’ had me a blast. The luscious lo-fi pop of Bethany Cosentino is the sunworshipping equivalent of Beach House, only requiring a song or two before you wanna pack up your tent and embrace the great outdoors. The big boy blogs have already caught onto their tunes, and once that debut album finally drops, they’ll quickly be showing up on bigger stages.
Neon Indian
26 May - Studio 80, Amsterdam Starts 22.00 | €6 | In collaboration with Katapult
MI AMI / Eva Braun
19 May - Studio 80, Amsterdam Starts 23.00 | €6 | In collaboration with Katapult Energy, tension and rabid vocal wails have long been the trademark of these freaked out Californians, persisting with their mission to whip audiences into a dance fervour. They’ve been a suitably self-sufficient bunch since 2007, but they’ve now settled into the Thrill Jockey roster and caused plenty of excitement their new album Steal Your Face. Support from our local noise punk chums Eva Braun.
Film: AFTERSCHOOL
23 May - Kriterion, Amsterdam Starts 21:30 | €6.50 | Free for all mailing list members This acclaimed debut feature from 25-yearold director Antonio Campos is a disturbing and dark piece about an internet-addicted school kid who videos two girls ODing. In top cinematic fashion, it’s a fascinating vision of the new YouTube generation.
Chill out to Alan Polomo and his super-hip psych-synth group. Breaking through last year with a combo of upbeat and downbeat Grizzly Bear remixes, and matched the vibe with debut album Psychic Chasms. It’s time to unleash your hipster swimwear and dance.
HOLLOYS
29 May - De Nieuwe Anita, Amsterdam Starts 20.00 | €6 Spaced-out psych grooves tend to end up in murky places, but this Los Angeles ‘dance’ outfit is full of surprises. Throwing Afropop, progressive trance, electronics and pure pop into the space mix, expect some kick-ass live jams. PLUS members get A €5,- Discount for the Deerhunter show on 11 may in trouw, amsterdam end 11
subbacultcha membership pages we saw you: spotted at subbacultcha What’s your favourite album/artist now? Deerhunter, Fleet Foxes, Alamo Race Track’s first album Birds at Home What’s your favourite album/artist ever? Sonic Youth, The Kills, Skip James Best record store? Amoeba Records What music did you listen to when you were young? Between the ages of 9 and 15 it developed from Usher via Linkin Park to really bad punk and rock What was the first record that you bought? I believe it was Limp Bizkit, but it might have been a TMF Hitzone CD as well Guilty pleasures? If you like something why should you feel guilty? Which album is still on your ‘to buy’ list? Sonic Youth’s Daydream Nation Best movie soundtrack? The Hallam Foe soundtrack is pretty brilliant Which famous artist did you fancy when you were young? There was this boyband called Five in the ’90s. I fancied them all Which famous artist do you fancy right now? I really have a thing for Alison Mosshart What music did your parents listen to? My father listened to cheesy Italian pop music and my mom to ‘80s disco, Motown and the Stones Best concert ever? The Asteroid Galaxy Tour at Bitterzoet and The Subways at Melkweg, because they made me stage dive Worst concert ever? I once accidentally attended Andrew Bird at Paradiso. He looked like James Blunt and the music was crap Which music makes you puke? Miss Montreal 12
Which music makes you fall asleep? Kaki King, but the kind of sleep that is daydreaming of unicorns, so it’s positive What do you listen to when you are on your bike? Be Your Own Pet What makes you dance? Death From Above 1979 What music makes you cry? Husky Rescue What music do you play on a beautiful Sunday morning? Simon and Garfunkel What do you listen to when you are doing the dishes? Today it was Patti Smith And when you have sex? Happy hardcore, what else? Which record do you regret buying? Jeff Buckley’s Grace. I was surprised by how much I didn’t like it Which music do you say you like (for hipster’s sake) but actually you don’t? Hipsters are boring What’s your first ever song-related memory? What comes to mind is going on vacation to Italy and listening to Jovanotti in the car while fighting with my big brother What’s your favourite summer (hit) song? ‘Ik wil alleen maar zwemmen’ by Spinvis What was the very first song you danced to? Must be something my mother played around the house. Earth, Wind and Fire’s ‘Boogie Wonderland’? And the last? Lady Gaga’s ‘Telephone’ Which record/album should not have been recorded? The last two Razorlight albums. They suck hard Text and photo by Mila van de Wall
subbacultcha membership pages we saw you: spotted at subbacultcha
Name & age: LiĂş Mottes, 20 Subbacultcha! Member since: December 2009 Daytime job/study: Philosophy student, guitarist in New YX Other interests: Music, wild dance parties, distorted guitars Place of Birth: Amsterdam Spotted at: Subbacultcha! concert with Max Tundra at Smart Project Space, 19 March end 13
off the record: sleepy sun
Every month, Martine Stig or Suzanne de Bruin take their video cameras out on the streets and shoot a band or artist we think is worth filling a spread of this magazine with. 14
By Suzanne de Bruin
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LET OP: DIT IS SLECHTS EEN SELECTIE UIT HET PROGRAMMA, KIJK VOOR HET VOLLEDIGE PROGRAMMA OP WWW.MELKWEG.NL
MEI
MA WO DO VR ZA DI DO DO
3 5 6 7 8 11 13 13
IMELDA MAY MAYER HAWTHORNE & THE COUNTY SHE & HIM GERT VLOK NEL + DOCU: BEAUTIFUL IN BEAUFORT-WES THIRD EYE BLIND BONOBO THE COURTEENERS BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE SPARROW AND THE WORKSHOP
VR 14 ALMIGHTY DEFENDERS FT BLACK LIPS & THE KING KHAN & BBQ SHOW PRESENTED BY SUBBACULTCHA!
VR 14 ASH ZA 15 ANDRE MANUEL & DE KETTERSE FANFARE JANKOBUS SEUNNENGA
BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE / TIMBER TIMBRE KASHMIR / THE STUTTERS THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS / HERE WE GO MAGIC OFF CENTRE: THE FIELD / DOPPLEREFFEKT / GOLD PANDA / KELPE EFDEMIN / MATIAS AGUAYO E.V.A. ZO 30 JOANNA NEWSOM SPECIAL GUEST: ROY HARPER ZO 30 GARCIA PLAYS KYUSS DI 18 DO 20 ZO 23 26-29
MELKWEG AMSTERDAM - LIJNBAANSGRACHT 234A - WWW.MELKWEG.NL - 020 - 5318181 16
We know what you want Here at the Subbacultcha! office we know exactly what you like. And we’re not afraid to give it to you. You want new bands and you want them now. You’re also very much into melted chocolate, Brotherhood of Man, cool logos, nostalgic stories about the ’90s, the art of bad taste and new bathroom tiles. How to fit all that into a new music colum? Read and find out.
Sleigh Bells (USA)
NEWN E W MUSIC M U S IC We make it our job to endlessly roam the beautiful internet and find the stuff that really matters. Behold the needles from the haystack. By Leon Caren
11 May. So what are you waiting for? Go dress up in neon, make your way to the Walk the Line festival in Den Haag and check them out live. myspace.com/sleighbellsmusic
Captain Ahab (USA)
Okay, if this is our Hipster issue, then let’s start off with the ultimate hipster band. They’re a boy-girl duo, they have a super cool logo, play around with distorted drum beats, frantic vocals and razor-sharp guitar riffs, and their music sounds aggressive, wild and is perfect for latenight dancing. Their highly anticipated record is coming out on
If there was to be an award for mastering the art of bad taste (and we may yet invoke one), Captain Ahab would win by a landslide. This LA-based duo mashes up hiphop, a capella, techno, hardcore, emo, metal and funk. And in doing so, they sound so terribly ironic that the album title The End Of Irony suggests that we might be dealing with some conceptual art project. They might also be weird guys going crazy in some sweaty rehearsal space. Whatever the case, they sure sound intriguing. They’re touring Europe in July with good ol’ DJ Skull Vomit. myspace.com/captainahab
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NEW MUSIC N EW M U S IC
Dead Gaze (USA)
We’ve been coming across quite a few of those ‘let’s write catchy pop songs and then distort the shit out of them’ guitar bands recently, but Mississippi-based Dead Gaze seem to be poking their head up a bit higher than many others. They’ve put out a tape on Mirror Universe called End of Days, Why Not You and also have two stand-out tracks on their myspace. myspace.com/deadgazetunes
doesn’t see it. The band stops and leaves the stage, but she’s still playing. It takes a while before she realises the rest of the band is gone. Suddenly she stops, turns and walks away. Just like that. Such desolation. Such beauty. myspace.com/worldwartour
Cults (usa)
Warpaint (USA)
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Warpaint are four girls from LA playing sweet pop songs. They have a beautiful track called ‘Billie Holiday’ that reminds me so much of Cat Power that If I close my eyes, I can picture myself in the Melkweg, watching her back in 1998. Halfway through the last song, the stage-manager signals the band to stop. They’ve been playing too long and he’s waving his arms like there’s a fire or something. Chan Marshall
Cults have this song called ‘Go Outside’. If you hear it, it automatically sticks to your brain like melted chocolate. For weeks you’ll find yourself waking up humming ‘ah-ah-i-ah-na-na-nana-na-na’ like it’s some kind of mantra keeping you from falling into the big vast nothingness surrounding your secular existence. Oh my, this godless life. Well anyway, it’s a great tune and it’s on a 7” that you can also download for free from their bandcamp site. Bandcamp? Don’t tell me you never heard of bandcamp. It’s this hippy website where everyone shares their music for free in perfect harmony. Who needs god when we have the internet? cults.bandcamp.com
Bebe Fang (NL)
Bebe Fang is a new Dutch duo made up from Keimpe (Eklin, Bonne Aparte) and Berber (Miss Ippi). They’ve only just started but what we’ve heard so far sounds really promising. There’s an eerie mix of basic percussion, mellow electronic soundscapes, an accordion and Berber’s warm, transcendent vocals. We like. myspace.com/bebefang
Fur (USA)
new office. Anyway, Fur is one of those bands. His real name is Bryce Isbell. He’s from Denton, Texas and he makes great songs and videos. Check him out. myspace.com/bryceisbell
NEW MUSIC
Secret Cities (USA)
Remember Brotherhood of Man? They won the Eurovision Song Contest with a song called ‘Save Your Kisses For Me’ way back in the ’70s. Well, Secret Cities have recorded a song that sounds just like it. With their own delicate hipster twist, naturally. It’s called ‘Pink Graffiti Part 1’ and everyone here at the office loves it. Especially the girls. And we all know that if girls like your band, you’re in the money. They also just signed with Western Vinyl, so their future is bright. myspace.com/secretcitiesmusic
Kanipchen Fit (USA)
I’ll let you in on a little secret: these days a lot of the new music we write about is discovered by either good guy Marijn or good guy Tibor. It often happens that people tell me they really liked a certain MP3 of the day that I myself had never even heard about. Shameful, I know, but we’ve been too busy picking out tiles and curtains for the
Empee Holwerda used to be in a band called Solbakken, who were one of the best alternative bands in the Netherlands. Unfortunately the band split when Empee moved to New York to live with his wife Gloria. Empee and Gloria then started a band called Kanipchen Fit. They’ve written some great songs over the years, but have only now taken the time to record them for their debut album Multibenefit. myspace.com/kanipchenfit
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shoarma with marnie stern continued
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the hipster issue
1 question interview
S
By The guy from the ‘A Place to Laugh at Hipsters’ blog
o, earlier today, a douche gargling, Fischer Price ‘My First Tape Player’ using, super edgy indie magazine editor/writer/photographer/publisher from Amsterdam thought it would be ironic to interview me and put it on his website (www.subbacultcha.nl) full of indie shit and music made by retards that are wasting a decade of their lives by making sounds come out of an amp and go straight into a toilet. Anyway here was his email and my response: Hey there, We are a small-sized music mag from Amsterdam. Next issue is the ‘hipster’ issue… doing a little self-relativation and taking the—let’s say—piss out of our ourselves. Would be great if you could find the time to do a little chat inter view with us on the matter of—you guessed it—hipsters. Hope to hear from you. Best, Bas Here was my reply: Sorry, but you are exactly what I can’t stand here in Brooklyn, New York. You ARE hipsters but you don’t think you are. I can’t take the music you like and anything on your site. This would be like a Nazi asking a Jew to do an inter view. Hipsterism may be a joke to you and some of my site may seem like comedy but I really, really hate hipsters and wish every last one of them would leave NYC. They do pointless things (like your magazine) and waste precious living space here. Sorry can’t help you.
Check out my blog: diehipster.wordpress.com. End of story. end 21
Sur Place Exhibition on Urban Bike Culture May 8th – August 22nd
Mediamatic
www.mediamatic.net/surplace
22Mede jeans Lousy get’s you action Hipster hipster ht ass Hipster mogelijk gemaakt door: beer Giromania! en het Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst 500 x 526 - 66kb - jpg 400 x 400 - 20kb - jpg 1 x 400 - 25 kb - jpg facialhair.com sickpack.com lbusters.com
the hipster issue
the subba GuIDE TO succesful HIPSTER LIVING Hipster vintage glasses 800 x 533 - 442kb - jpg perfectvision.com Find similar pictures
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continue 23 Hipster Uniform Hipster 80s sweater My First Sony 436 x 300 - 25kb - jpg 295 x 480 - 33kb - jpg 406 x 500 - 115kb - jpg deoderize.com your-life.com toyboy.com
the subbacultcha guide tos successful hipster living. continued
Music feature
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shoarma with marnie stern continued
interview
Holy Fuck we’ve created a monster
With the ferociously fun analogue dance album Latin out this month, Holy Fuck seem poised to become the pulverising sound of this summer. Passing through Amsterdam last month to nail a lethal DJ set at Trouw, Brian Borcherdt and Graham Walsh took some time away from their pre-turntable fasting to talk to Subbacultcha! about breakfasts, hipsterdom and living out of sync. By Steven McCarron. Interview by Bas Morsch. Photos by Martine Stig.
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holy fuck. continued
t’s late afternoon when we first collide. As always, food is on the Subbacultcha! brain, as is the desire to learn what fuels holy fucking rock stars these days. But Graham uneasily breaks the news: ‘We haven’t really had breakfast today. Brian has a bit of a stomach bug, so he’s been throwing up a lot this morning.’ Ouch. It’s touching that he’s embraced the misery also, but going such a stretch without food isn’t healthy. ‘Yeah, left to my own devices I’ll usually wait to eat until I’m absolutely starving. That’ll be around... erm... now. Maybe I’ll have some of Brian’s crackers.’
cally, so we figured it best to record ourselves. We’re at our most comfortable in the barn. We can record as a group and don’t have to worry about money spent or time lost.’
Attention turning to hipsters is unavoidable. After all, this is the hipster issue. So are Holy Fuck the hipster heroes the kids have been calling out for? What’s their take on the hipster cult? ‘There are always going to be cliques and categories,’ says Graham. ‘They’re usually based on culture, clothes and music. But I’ve never really tried to fit into any particular category myself. People join them to feel like they’re a Breakfast is the most important meal part of something. There were hipsters of the day, though. In fact, proba- back in the ’50s too.’ bly the most memorable Subbacultcha! breakfast was on Salt Spring Is- It’s true. Not only was Allen Ginsberg land, Canada - a truly hearty, beautiful an early hipster, they were referred to meal. Seeing as we know Canadians as white negroes back then. There’s have that greatness in them, what was also a great quote from anti-consumerthe breakfast routine while recording ist mag Adbusters: ‘Hipsterdom is the Latin? ‘Definitely better than crack- first “counterculture” to be born under ers,’ admits Graham. ‘We’d buy gro- the advertising industry’s microscope, ceries before settling down to record leaving it open to constant manipulain the barn. So we started off with ba- tion but also forcing its participants gels, yoghurt, cereal and coffee. Then to continually shift their interests and affiliations.’ Isn’t this a great time to we’d start recording nice and early.’ make music? ‘Yeah, there’s a lot going The barn in question is where Lat- on culturally right now,’ he confirms. in was birthed, out in the wilds of ru- But are Holy Fuck riding the wave? ral Ontario. ‘The location made sense ‘Not really. We’re certainly aware of for a lot of reasons,’ explains Graham. it, but we feel somewhat “out of sync” ‘We knew what we wanted aestheti- with it. In a good way.’ 28
“We live in a bubble, We’re the way we are because we’re sincere, not because we’re trying to be a part of any scene.”
continue 29
holy fuck. continued
“It’s all about the love of sound, the love of noise, The love between a small boy and a pony.” Consumerism, be it music or cars or Belgian beer, never slows. It seems like everybody’s craving the new sound, the new band. Is Holy Fuck the new answer? ‘I dunno. We live in a bubble,’ says Graham. ‘We’re the way we are because we’re sincere, not because we’re trying to be a part of any scene. Maybe we’ll look back on these times and see who was important and who wasn’t.’
pered, “I love you,” before hanging up. It was the line, “when you make love do you look in the mirror?”’ Latin and Def Leppard may well be from different planets - though we’d sure love to see the hard rockers, and especially the drummer, dance to it but is the Holy Fuck sound similarly driven by love? ‘Sure. It’s all about the love of sound, the love of noise,’ explains Graham. ‘The love between a small boy and a pony.’
However history treats them, Holy Epilogue: Fuck will certainly be remembered for getting audiences dancing. Their analogue grooves hit hard and fast, A few days later we were back in driven by a drum and bass assault, touch with Holy Fuck after they got then effected, twisted, stretched and waylaid at Schiphol. The phrase ‘god scratched on tables overflowing with is in the details’ kept ringing around sonic-reducing shit. No matter the our heads, so we posed the question: noise, there’s a love of music, en- what is the most beautiful detail that ergy and dance that shines through. has struck you recently? ‘I think the So what got Holy Fuck dancing as volcanic cloud over Iceland could be a kid? ‘I used to breakdance when I described as beautiful, and it could be was about eight,’ says Graham. And said that god is in that. But that beauslow dancing? Asking your first crush tiful cloud is keeping us stranded far, to dance? ‘I remember slow dancing far from home. A beautiful detail right to Def Leppard’s ‘Love Bites’ when I now would be a homeward flight to was 12. I even received a phone call my baby’s arms.’ from a secret admirer who played that song over the phone and then whis- Holy fucking amen to that! 30 end
CASEY JEX SMITH
Name Casey Jex Smith Age 33 City of residence San Jose, California Where will you be ten years from now? I will be living in Michigan with my wife and three children. I will have a massive four-dimensional TV and a studio for my wife and me to work. I will be teaching art at the University Of Michigan and will have season passes to football and basketball games. I will still be an XBOX addict. Can you please draw us a self portrait in 1 minute: Of course!
ART Featured artist Every month we select an artist we think is worth your while This month it is Casey Jex Smith
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the tallest man earth. continued SPECIALE SUBBACULTCHA! VOORPREMIERE 23onMEI IN KRITERION
VANAF 27 MEI IN DE BIOSCOOP
FESTIVAL DE CANNES
SELECTION UN CERTAIN REGARD
AFTERSCHOOL
EEN FILM VAN ANTONIO CAMPOS
EZRA MILLER JEREMY WHITE EMORY COHEN MICHAEL STUHLBARG ADDISON TIMLIN ROSEMARIE DEWITT LEE WILKOF PAUL SPARKS BILL RAYMOND GARY WILMES CHRISTOPHER MCCANN EDITING ANTONIO CAMPOS SOUND BLOOMBERG SOUND DESIGN & MIX TTT MUSIC RAKOTONDRABE GAﾃ記 PRODUCTION DESIGNER KRIS MORAN ASSISTANT CAMERAMAN JOE ANDERSON COSTUME DESIGNER CATHERINE AKANA CASTING SUSAN SHOPMAKER 36GLASS end DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY JODY LEE LIPES EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS ANDREW RENZI VICTOR AARON SUSAN SHOPMAKER ROSE GANGUZZA PRODUCERS JOSH MOND & SEAN DURKIN PRODUCTION BORDELINE FILMS C.S.A. & RANDI IN ASSOCIATION WITH HIDDEN ST.PRODUCTIONS SCRIPTWRITER & DIRECTOR ANTONIO CAMPOS
www.filmfreaks.nl
Future Islands
In Evening Air (Thrill Jockey)
After relocating to Baltimore and shedding a band member, post-wave now-trio Future Islands got a big boost in exposure via the beautiful Jones remix of ‘Little Dreamer’. Based on their earlier releases, one would never have imagined they could be so strong without Jones, but with In Evening Air, they seem to realise the bar was raised. ‘Tin Man’ especially should resound in the empty chests of fellow tin men and evoke empathy in any lion or scarecrow’s heart. Throughout the album, understated but emotive basslines and driving synths create a compellingly moody backdrop for Samuel T Herring’s alternately growling and crooning vocal histrionics. The resulting collection of sonic vignettes is their most focused work, and one of 2010’s most rewarding releases to date.
MUSIC new releases These are the new releases that you can’t afford to miss By Carly Blair
Frog Eyes
Paul’s Tomb: A Triumph (Dead Oceans)
After a three-year intermission, Frog Eyes are back with a triumphant fifth act. As usual, these songs feature disjointed dual guitar quasi-melodies, tracking the course of ever-captivating frontman Carey Mercer as he howls and yelps like a demented love child of, say, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and Karen O, or like a shaman, or a charlatan, depending on your point of view. With Paul’s Tomb, Frog Eyes continue to sound untrendy and unlike anyone else. If the artist’s real mission is indeed, as Mercer has said, ‘to disorientate us, to make the familiar horizon sway and buckle, as if we are suddenly placed on the deck of a ship without a captain,’ you should sail with Frog Eyes any day.
Avi Buffalo
Self-titled (Sub Pop)
Avi Buffalo is the former solo project of singer and guitarist Avigdor Zahner-Isenberg. Though the core of the band is only
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MUSIC new releases By Carly Blair
just escaping high school, the tales of sexual frustration, fluid guitar work and sweet harmonies here seem transmitted from another generation. Being young and talented for one’s age is enough to set keyboards afire, but Avi Buffalo are more than breakdancing babies. Rather, there are some really gorgeous moments on here that belie their young ages. That they found a bassist old enough to buy them beer should tell you these guys are wise beyond their years.
Broken Social Scene
Forgiveness Rock Record (Arts & Crafts)
After a five-year hiatus, BSS are back, with their signature idea-packed, guitar-oriented take on indie rock in tow. While their historically massive cast of contributors drew from the almost incestuously collaborative Toronto indie scene, Forgiveness is dominated by contributions from a relatively lean core of six bearded dudes. There are moments here when the abundant creative juices get distilled into memorable songs, but many feel overstuffed and unfocused, and Forgiveness doesn’t feel like an album so much as a showcase for the skills of its respective band members. Might be better to forego the album and just see them live, where the heaps of musicians and ideas seem exhilarating rather than gluttonous.
Free Energy
Stuck on Nothing (DFA/Astralwerks)
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Free Energy claim to live by the same creed as Spinal Tap keyboardist Vic Savage: ‘HAVE A GOOD TIME, ALL THE TIME.’ And their accordingly upbeat, classic rock-referencing pop has earned them plenty of Thin Lizzy comparisons, too. While this certainly isn’t groundbreaking stuff, the charmingly earnest lyrics, abundant hooks and James Murphy’s immaculate but not sterile-feeling production make this much more satisfying than your average power
pop release. All the unabashed enthusiasm may make many a jaded hipster squeamish, but a rapidly changing world and uncertain future makes escapism ever-more appealing. So come on, come on, hopeful romantics!
MUSIC new releases
Holy Fuck
Latin (XL/Young Turks)
Holy Fuck have carved out an interesting niche for themselves by specialising in electronic music made extemporaneously and without the aid of laptops. On Latin, the line-up is trimmed down to just the four touring members: the two founding knob twiddlers and their rhythm section. Mad live skillz honed by heavy touring in support of their debut LP and seemingly laissez-faire production yield an album which sounds both spontaneous and tight. As a whole it’s stronger and funkier than LP and works as an album rather than merely something to tide you over until their next tour. Though their name gets those f*cking North American conservatives’ panties in a bunch, with Latin, Holy Fuck have conferred upon us the divine right to be profane.
Woods
At Echo Lake (Woodsist)
When not spearheading the lo-fi revival, Woodsist flagship band and founders Woods maintain their own mellow niche within their label’s roster. With At Echo Lake they’ve apparently shifted their songwriting methodology from informal jam sessions to a more focused approach. While they haven’t fully renounced their lo-fi brethren or campfireside vibe, the production here is cleaner and song structures somewhat more orderly. For some, ramshackle spontaneity is the main draw of Woods, but while At Echo Lake has its charms, there’s a craving for a Woods album that does more than just stumble upon occasional moments of greatness during its jaunts through the back roads of American folk music.
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FILM 22 reasons why.... By Marie Claire Melzer Behold a sweet Subbacultcha! selection of the massive movie mash out there.
La ragazza in vetrina (Italian Cinema Fortnight)
8 reasons why you can’t miss...
Italian Cinema Fortnight 6 – 19 May, Filmmuseum, Amsterdam
Even Berlusconi can’t kill Italian film culture In fact it seems more alive than ever (from comedy to crime drama) New Italian Cinema Events (NICE) offers you the best pick of recent releases Plus a retrospective on what came out in 1960: No, not La dolce vita again, but rather more obscure films Such as La ragazza in vetrina set in the Red Light District in Amsterdam Is there a better to way to celebrate the start of the Giro d’Italia? 7 reasons why you can’t miss...
When You’re Strange (2009, Tom DiCillo) Release 20 May, in various cinemas
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‘Nobody is playing Jim Morrison’ (Ray Manzarek) The real Morrison seems wilder than Oliver Stone could imagine And he had the hippest facial hair It’s the first (!) feature documentary on The Doors The director is Tom—Living in Oblivion—DiCillo Amazing but true: DiCillo managed to find previously unseen footage
FILM
Air Doll (Cinemasia)
We don’t believe you when you say you were never into The Doors 7 reasons why you can’t miss...
CinemAsia
20 – 30 May, Ketelhuis, Amsterdam
Asian cinema is as hot as vindaloo For truly innovative visual style and storytelling, Asia is the word Take Japanese gem Air Doll, about a sex doll falling in love The festival shows around 60 new and classic films by Asian filmmakers It caters for every taste with small independent works and big blockbusters This edition will have a special focus on Indonesian cinema Cinemasia happens only once every two years, grab your chance now! De slechtste band versus de beste band in de afgelopen filmmaand: De instrumentale Franse punkband in Hadewijch met hun rammelende Bach op accordeon en saxofoon versus de Iraanse metalheads in een koeienstal in No One Knows About Persian Cats. The Seine sucks & the Kasbah rocks!
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FILM dvds to see Door Gert Verbeek
Afterschool (Antonio Campos, 2008)
Op het schoolplein in Afterschool is ieder meisje een potentiële Laura Palmer. Excessen blijven verborgen achter de schijn van maagdelijkheid. Elke jongen is een koudbloedig roofdier, bij gewelddadige confrontaties snel present om te filmen met een mobieltje. Eenzame scholier Robert (Ezra Miller) ervaart de realiteit in pixels en haalt zijn seksuele voorlichting van nastycumholes.com. Geen wonder dat hij raar reageert, wanneer hij toevallig als enige getuige een schoolongeval vastlegt. Robert weet zich geen raad met zijn schuldgevoelens en botst tegen een muur van hypocrisie, opgetrokken door de schoolleiding (met acteur Michael Stuhlbarg uit A Serious Man). Hun gebrek aan moreel besef is misschien wel het engste aan deze film. Het is tegenwoordig YouTube in plaats van God die onze daden overziet.
Breathless (Yang Ik-June, 2009)
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Regisseur/hoofdrolspeler Yang Ik-June slaat toe in een film als een klap tegen de kaken, een stomp in de maag, en een trap in de zij. Gangster Sang-Hoon ziet in iedere voorbijganger een potentiële boksbal. Zelfs zijn knokploegcollega’s krijgen dagelijks een oplawaai te verduren en twee agenten mept hij zonder pardon en zonder veel moeite tegen de grond. Mensen met financiële schulden zijn extra op hun hoede, want Sang-Hoon ramt het geld uit mensen zoals anderen hun spaarvarken stukslaan. Waar komt die woede vandaan en kan ze ooit nog getemperd worden? Het schoolmeisje Yoon-Hee (Kim Kkobbi) biedt een mogelijke uitweg, ook al slaat Sang-Hoon haar tijdens hun eerste, toevallige ontmoeting bewusteloos tegen de vlakte. Yang Ik-june verricht een wonder: de kijker krijgt met de kleine gangster te doen.
FILM context/ ontekst Iedere maand staat hier n.a.v. een actuele bioscoop release of film gebeurtenis een leuke—of minder leuke—lijst.
“I take from the rich guy, but I don’t give to the people, I give to me. A modern form of Robin Hood.”
R
ussell Crowe heeft zijn gladiatorpak ingeruild voor pijl en boog voor de titelrol in Robin Hood. Zijn ongeschoren bakkes is een groot contrast met de gesoigneerde krulsnor van ultieme Robin Hood Errol Flynn. Van de vele interpretaties van de held uit Sherwood Forest zijn dit de drie meest opvallende:
1
John Cleese in Time Bandits (1981) Robin Hood: “How long have you been a robber?” Very little robber: “Four foot one.” Robin Hood: “Good Lord! Jolly good. Four foot one? Well, that’s a long time, isn’t it?”
2
Vincent Cassel (als Monsieur Hood) in Shrek (2001) Monsieur Hood: “I like an honest fight and a saucy little maid.” Merry Men: “What he’s basically saying is he likes to get...” Monsieur Hood: “Paid!”
3
Fabrizio Corona in de documentaire Videocracy (2009) Paparazzobaas en übergriezel Corona (als gewetenloze narcist nog enger dan Berlusconi): “I’m going to be a Robin Hood of the people. I take from the rich guy, but I don’t give to the people, I give to me. A modern form of Robin Hood.”
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Strange Fashion: EPISODE Three
Featured photographer: Wyne Veen. www.wyneveen.com Featured designer: Iniy Sanchez. www.iniysanchez.nl 44
A fashion tale in ten episodes brought to you by Strange Boutique. The Strange Fashion series is centred around a few ground rules that our featured photographers have to follow. The rules: - No models - Use an existing interior (preferably in a living room) - Use a plant - No Photoshop - The shoot has to take place between noon and 6pm and has to make use of natural light sources whenever possible - The shoot has to feature the work of a Dutch designer, chosen by yours truly - No fur because no animal will be harmed during the making of this series. The result: 10 versions of the same photo.
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Times New Vegan sweet potato coconut milk curry Spring is here and vegetables are aplenty. This curry will make any vegan hipster’s moustache tremble with glee. Dig in and feel like Times New Viking on tour. Preparation time: 20 mins Cooking time: 40 mins Serves: 4 hungry hipsters Ingredients: 4 large sweet potatoes (peeled and sliced) 1 large red onion (diced) 2 bell peppers (diced) 5 garlic cloves (chopped) 1 medium knob of ginger (finely diced) 1 chili (can be more) (chopped) 250g fresh peas 3 handfuls of fresh spinach 1 bunch of fresh coriander (chopped) 1 tin coconut milk 1 tin chopped tomatoes 2 cups vegetable stock ½ lime Olive oil Spices: cumin, coriander seeds, cinnamon, turmeric, garam masala, salt and pepper to taste Yoghurt sauce: 1 avocado 1 large pot of natural soy yoghurt ¼ of a chili ½ lime Salt and pepper to taste Serve with basmati rice and naan bread.
WHAT’s COOKING? we are cooking for.... Times New Viking Text and Illustration by Zofia Ciechowska Yes! We finally have a cooking rubric. If there is one thing that could come close to the beauty of music it’s good cooking. We are very happy to have found our own Nigella Awesome. Reared on her Polish Babcia’s pierogi, Zofia grew large Eastern European muscles and forced her way through the Iron Curtain into The Kitchen. She specialises in bastardised Mediterranean meals and unorthodox Asian grub concocted from the light in her fridge. “If I could be a foodstuff I would be a potato. “
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WHAT’s COOKING? we are cooking for.... Times New Viking
B
oil the sliced sweet potatoes in a pan of salted water and a tsp. of cinnamon until soft. Drain and set aside.
As the sweet potatoes boil, heat a generous splash of olive oil on a medium flame in another large pot and add the diced ginger, chili, garlic, coriander and cumin seeds. Fry until nicely browned, stirring frequently. Add the diced red onion, bell pepper and a handful of the fresh coriander. Stir until the onions are nicely glazed. Your mouth should be watering at this point. Go mental with your spice selection – add at least 2 tbsp. garam masala, 1 tbsp. cinnamon, 1 tbsp. turmeric, some more cumin and coriander seeds if needed, and a generous grinding of salt and pepper. Add the fresh peas, chopped tomatoes and the cooked sweet potatoes to your lovely veggie mix. Stir gently to avoid mashing the potatoes. Beware of pan burning. Add some more spices for good measure. Remember to keep on tasting. Finally add the 2 cups of vegetable stock, cover with a lid and let the curry simmer on a low flame for about 15 mins. As the curry simmers, cook some basmati rice, follow the packet instructions. Warm up your naan bread. Make the yoghurt sauce by mashing a peeled and pitted avocado in a bowl with a fork. Add the ¼ chopped chili and soy yoghurt (if you’re an unorthodox vegan, thick Greek yoghurt is good). Stir well and give it a splash of lime juice, salt and pepper to taste. Hopefully, you’ve been checking up on your curry. Add the coconut milk and stir, avoid boiling the coconut milk. Leave to simmer for 5 minutes and then switch off the gas. Now stir in the fresh spinach leaves until nicely wilted, but still slightly crunchy and top it all off with a splash of lime juice. Ladle over a bowl of fragrant basmati rice, add a dollop of yoghurt sauce and dip your naan in. Sprinkle with fresh coriander.
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For dessert, I recommend watching YouTube videos of cute animals exploding, as Times New Viking did. So much for a vegan dinner.
Ladle over a bowl of fragrant basmati rice, add a dollop of yoghurt sauce and dip your naan in. Sprinkle with fresh coriander. yummm
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99 problems and the bitch... ...knows the answer
Door Brenda Bosma. Illustratie Martyn F Overweel Send your problems to 99 problems@ subbacultcha.nl
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Beste Bitch, Kopen of huren? Trouwen of samenwonen? Anton, 32, Amstelveen. In deze tijd, Anton? Imca Marina zou trouwen zeggen. Dat kan naar het schijnt redelijk goedkoop op haar boerderij in het pittoreske Midwolda. Informeer bij de Imster gelijk ook even naar het prepensioen en de hypotheekrenteaftreksituatie. Daar heb ik namelijk bepaald geen kaas van gegeten. Evenmin kan ik iets met hard- en softwaretroublures. Laat dit een oproep zijn aan toekomstige inzenders; dat soort vragen worden hier niet behandeld! Yours truly. Lieve Bitch, Hoe krijg ik m’n skinny jeans vlug aan? Ik ben hier ‘s ochtends toch gauw een dik kwartier mee kwijt. Om tijd te winnen sla ik inmiddels al het ontbijt over, wat later dan weer leidt tot vreetbuien en gejojo. En tja, dat bevordert een en ander allerminst. Help! Kus, Ankara. O ja, waar heb ik dat recept ook alweer. Was het niet een halve liter olijfolie (extra vergine) mengen met een lepel rechtsdraaiende biogarde (huismerk is prima), snufje zeezout erbij, kwakje mayonaise er doorheen, en het mengsel vervolgens voor het slapengaan rijkelijk over beide
benen verdelen? Maar zeg, ben je eigenlijk niet gewoon een tikkeltje te dik, beste Ankara? Misschien maar liever die baggy broek uit je skate-periode uit de kast te trekken? En Hüttenkäse en citrusvruchten eten. Een foto van een zoute haring met slagroom als desktop doet het ook goed. Succes. Groetje, B. Beste Bitch, Ik droomde laatst dat ik was veranderd in een kever. Toen ik wakker werd voelde ik me uitermate vies en heb ik uren onder de douche gestaan, maar ik kreeg het er niet van af. Die beesten duwen hun eigen uitwerpselen voort?! Wat móet ik in godsnaam met deze angstaanjagende dromen? Beste B., Hee, deze heb ik zelf ingestuurd! Maar... prachtig hoe de natuur werkt, niet? Enfin, dit lijkt me nou een typisch staaltje smetvrees en een flinke daarmee samenhangende portie identiteitsangst. Ik raad je aan op een vrije dag door je eigen faeces te rollen en dan drie keer met overgave tegen jezelf in de spiegel te zeggen: “Ik mag er wezen!”. Vergeet niet voldoende huisvuilzakken in te slaan en erbij te glimlachen. Wat minder Kafka lezen is misschien ook raadzaam. ‘The Hobbit’ schijnt vet te zijn. Kus op je bips, B.
99 problems and the bitch... ...knows the answer Stuur al je vragen, problemen en prangende kwesties naar 99problems@ subbacultcha.nl als jouw vraag een antwoord verdient verdien jij een good goodie. Send your problems to 99 problems@ subbacultcha.nl
Ik droomde laatst dat ik was veranderd in een kever. Toen ik wakker werd voelde ik me uitermate vies en heb ik uren onder de douche gestaan
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spekkie big
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Door Marc van der Holst
AGENDA spend your month in style
Tweak Bird play at the Walk The Line Festival in Den Haag which takes place on 14-15 May.
Highlights in May Scout Niblett, Pavement, Liars, Wolf Parade, Holy Fuck Joanna Newsom, Deerhunter, Sleigh Bells and Klub Radar Win tickets to Holy Fuck, The New Pornographers, Walk The Line Festival and more
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Free STUFF
?
25 subbacultcha! packages
Join now and get a free Subbacultcha! surprise package. We’re giving away packages full of free Subbacultcha! goods and surprises to the first 25 new subscribers. Will it be books? CDs? T-shirts? Concert tickets? Ahhh, life is full of surprises. Sign up at www.subbacultcha.nl. 3x2 Tickets
Bicycle Film Festival 8 May - Pathé Tuschinski, Amsterdam It’s bikes, bikes, bikes at Mediamatic this month. Bike jousting, bike polo, trackbikes, an indoor bike track and bike movies. Tackling bicycle culture on the big screen for the opening weekend is the BFF. 2x2 Tickets
Deerhunter 11 May - Trouw, Amsterdam Self-described ‘Ambient Punk-sters’, Bradford Cox and crew deliver a live show with a wallop – more Zen Arcade than zen garden – so put your records away and get ready to rock. 3x2 tickets
Holy Fuck 11 May - Tivoli, Utrecht Subbacultcha! faves return with their smooth, electronified ’70s cop movie soundtrack vibe to herald the coming of the sun. Car chases and shoot-em-ups included. 3x2 PassePartouts
Walk The Line Festival 14, 15 May - Various locations, Den Haag (ft Avi Buffalo, Sleighbells, Warpaint, Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, etc) The good folks from Crossing Border present the first Walk The Line Festival. There’s a varied selection of Dutch and international acts already on board, plenty of it being prime Subbacultcha! fodder. 3x2 tickets
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Think About Life 17 May - Paradiso, Amsterdam Montreal’s indie-disco popsters put the groove pedal to the metal in what could be this season’s sunshiny-Springtime show. All day long, I wanna sing along. C’mon!
frFree ee stSTUFF uff
2x2 tickets
The New Pornographers 23 May - Melkweg, Amsterdam Comprising three of the best pop songwriters of our age, TNP should have imploded in ego and tantrums years ago. But no, they’re back, touring in support of their fifth studio record, still delivering dose after tasty dose of their sweet, sweet hooks.
Free tickets and goodies for you from us Every month we give away loads of tickets and good goodies. Don’t you just love us for that?
3x2 Tickets
Bl!ndman 25 May - Muziekgebouw, Amsterdam More than just a contemporary music ensemble, Bl!ndman is also a sonic laboratory that fuses the digital and the analogue; the past, present and the future. Here they present their show ‘Squaring’.
To win, subscribe to the mailinglist at www.subbacultcha.nl. To become a full Subbacultcha! member, go to www.subbacultcha.nl and click join.
3x2 Tickets
Naked Song Festival 29 May - Philips Muziekgebouw, Eindhoven Delivering exactly what it promises, Naked Song Festival is an afternoon and evening of singer-songwriters, their instruments, voices and songs. It’s pure, raw and stripped of all excess: naked. This year Joanna Newsom, CW Stoneking and David Olney (accompanied on guitar by Sergio Webb) are but a few names on the very eclectic bill.
Photo: Nikolaj Holm Møller
€5 discount
Efterklang at Holland Festival 19 June - Muziekgebouw, Amsterdam All Subbacultcha! mailing list members receive a €5 discount on entry. Dreamy pop that veers dangerously close to the middle of the road, these Danes manage to retain some edge with lovely carnival horns, percussive melodies and, this evening, a collaboration with the Metropole Orchestra. 3 pairs of Converse star player
What’s with all the hipsters and their Chucks? To help you stay one step ahead (see what we did there?) of the bearded hoards, Subbacultcha! is giving away a pair of Converse Star Player sneakers through the mailing list. Make sure you sign up. Chucks are so 2009.
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agenda FOCUS
DE KEUZE VAN SUBBACULTCHA! Vlaamse enfants terribles in concert als een wervelwind!
Di. 25/05 BL!NDMAN Kwadratur #1 / Globus Een visuele en muzikale belevenis rondom een zilveren luchtballon.
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agenda FOCUS Sur Place, Exhibition on urban bike culture at Mediamatic, Amsterdam. May 8 August 22
T
he new hipster thing is the fixed gear bike. One of the most important feature of the fixed gear bike are the brakes or rather, the lack thereof. So what do you do on a bike with no brakes besides going very fast pumped with adrenaline? Right... crash. The Image printed on this page (note the Brooklyn Hipster Cap!) is part of the exposition with portraits of people with smashed faces as a result of unfortunate crashes. The exposition is part of the four-months-long project organised by Mediamatic celebrating the cult of the fixed-gear bike, urban cycle culture and the start of the Giro d’Italia race. Mediamatic will display bikes, objects, movies and installations tying into the cycles and those who ride them. Take the time to ride around the exhibition or join a bike building workshop. The opening weekend launches with the Bike Film Festival, which we’re giving away free tickets for (see page 54).
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agenda Subbacultcha shows in september
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agenda shows in may
Scout Niblett, Bitterzoet, Amsterdam
LCD Soundsystem 04 May - Paradiso, Amsterdam Bass-heavy dance rock from James Murphy and his LCD posse. A couple of weeks after the gig he’s set to release their new (final?) album This Is Happening. If you care you’ve probably already downloaded it. Archie Bronson Outfit 04 May - Paradiso, Amsterdam 06 May - Merleyn, Nijmegen This English crew got back into action earlier this year with the release of their third album Coconut. Think of Wire and a bit of Gang of Four and chuck in a thick layer of analogue synthesis. It’s an intriguing mix, stepping up from some of their earlier material. She & Him 06 May - Melkweg, Amsterdam Indie pop that’s pure and simple. The tunes are never groundbreaking but the musical mood certainly matches the spring vibe perfectly. Plus all the boys are looking to stare into those big blue eyes of Zooey Deschanel. Pavement 08 May - Paradiso, Amsterdam They said it wouldn’t happen. They said they didn’t have to reform. Yet here they are as the next major indie reformation. Not that we’re com-
plaining. Even their new ‘best of’ is a neat little package. So there’s only fond memories here and they surely ain’t gonna taint them. Right? Trans Am 09 May - 013, Tilburg 10 May - dB’s, Utrecht Extremely rhythmic post-synth rock from this Maryland bunch who’ve been pumping out complex musical escapades on Thrill Jockey since the mid-’90s. If you dig Tortoise but prefer the balance to sit more with groove than with head fuck, get right on this. Especially as drummer Sebastian Thomson remains one of the best on the scene. Scout Niblett 10 May - Bitterzoet, Amsterdam Emma Niblett’s enchanted, enraptured and entertained us over the years, first with her raw, feminine take on Cobain, then grabbing drum sticks and learning to hold a rhythm from scratch, and chumming up with Albini to master the loud-quiet-loud diet. Where she walks, we’ll follow. Bear in Heaven 10 May - Paradiso, Amsterdam 12 May - Merleyn, Nijmegen Synth/guitar indie project fronted by Jon Philpot, calling to mind the pop nature of The Postal Service but always threatening to go off the rails.
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agenda Subbacultcha shows in september
WORM Achterhaven 148 Rotterdam www.wormweb.nl www.wormstation.nl
MEI MA 10/ LITTLE WOMEN
WORM IS A ROTTERDAM BASED VENUE AND WORKSPACE FOR MUSIC, FILM AND NEW MEDIA. THE OUTPUT OF WORM IS FILM, RADIO, CONCERTS, PERFORMANCES, WEB-PROJECTS, INSTALLATIONS, AN ARRAY OF TACTILE MEDIA AND A 24/7 WEBSTATION.
(US) + CODARTS SHOWCASE (UK) VR 14/ ZUN ZUN EGUI + DV GRAMMOFOON DJ CREW(NL) ZA 22/ SECRET CHIEFS 3(US)+ CHES SMITH’S CONGS FOR BRUMS(US) + FAT 32(FR) DI 25/ NORBERTO LOBO(PT)+ MULABANDA(PT/IT/NL) ZA 29/ UPROOT ANDY(US) + MUNCHI(NL/DO) + BOMB DIGGY CREW(NL)
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JUNI
VERWACHT (OVB) VR 04 / DANCE TO THE BIT METO.A. FLEX BUSTERMAN(DE)+ COMPUTADORA (ES) + PORNOPHONIQUE(DE) ZA 05/ BRIAN SHIMKOVITZ – AWESOME TAPESFROMAFRICA(US) ZA 12/ NARROMINDED LABELAVOND ZO 27/ WORMROT(SG)+ PSYCHOFAGIST(IT) FEAT. LUCA T. MAI(ZU)+ATKA(DE)
Bachelorette 11 May - Trouw, Amsterdam 12 May - Merleyn, Nijmegen Psych pop-lite from New Zealander Annabel Alpers. Performing first with Deerhunter, then Bear in Heaven this week, the electro indie pop of My Electric Family (Drag City) is heavy on multi-tracked melodies, warm beats and charm. Dum Dum Girls 11 May - Paradiso, Amsterdam Blissed-out lo-fi fuzz pop from the all-girl Californian group. Following a series of singles and EPs, they finally released their official debut, I Will Be, on Sub Pop in March, blending ’60s girl pop with a raggedly punk edge. Definite sounds to get heads a-bobbing. Deerhunter 11 May - Trouw, Amsterdam Free Tickets. See page 54
Of all the adjectives you can throw at Bradford Cox, stationary isn’t one of them. Fresh from storming most 2009 ‘Best Of’ polls with Atlas Sound, here he is back in the Deerhunter bed. If Microcastle and last year’s noisy Paradiso show are still echoing around your head, this should be another pop treat. Male Bonding 11 May - Paradiso, Amsterdam 13 May - Ekko, Utrecht Fast and furious London noise pop. So fast that their debut album Nothing Hurts (Sub Pop) flies by in less than half an hour. Holy Fuck 11 May - Tivoli, Utrecht 12 May - Paradiso, Amsterdam Free Tickets. See page 54
Canadian supergroup no. 1 this month: Holy Fuck pack a mighty electronic punch, but they’re very much all about live sound and performance. If you enjoyed the sonic chaos that ensued when they took
over the decks at Trouw last month, just wait and see what they can do with bass, drums and their cables and tables of noise-making shit.
agenda shows in may
Ora Cogan 12 May - Livingroom Series, Groningen 13 May - dB’s, Utrecht Deliciously dark indie folk from the Vancouver musician. Think Tara Jane O’Neil, Anni Rossi and Kristin Hersh (at her bi-polar scariest). Efterklang / Heather Woods Broderick 13 May - Rotown, Rotterdam 14 May - Doornroosje, Nijmegen With their epic, ambient soundscapes and use of symphonic orchestration, it’s inevitable that this Danish outfit have drawn comparisons with Sigur Rós. But the tenpiece craftily combines live instrumentation with electronic tricks to produce a captivating sound. Sweet folk support from Heather Woods Broderick, the Portland songstress who’s showing signs of being as musically prolific as her brother Peter. Walk The Line Festival 14-15 May - Various locations, Den Haag Free Tickets. See page 54
A new festival on the scene, sharing somewhat in the musical tastes of Motel Mozaique, with a hardy balance of upcoming indie acts and just over-the-top scene breakers. Acts include Warpaint, Avi Buffalo, Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, Sleigh Bells, Tweak Bird and loads more. Klub Radar 15 May - Tivoli de Helling, Utrecht Utrecht’s fave party for underground sounds and top-notch live sets. Tonight’s guest list includes Titus Andronicus, Think About Life, Olafur Arnalds, Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, Lazer Sword.
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agenda Subbacultcha shows in september
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Titus Andronicus 15 May - Tivoli de Helling, Utrecht 16 May - Rotown, Rotterdam 17 May - Bitterzoet Amsterdam Flailing New Jersey indie rock that soaks up layers of guitar distortion and spits it back at the audience. This is not your father’s Springsteen. Tweak Bird 15 May - Walk the Line Festival, Den Haag 16 May - Ekko, Utrecht 18 May - Paradiso, Amsterdam 19 May - 013, Tilburg Noisy psychedelic rock explosions from brothers Caleb and Ashton Bird. Their debut album Reservations is raw and fully fired-up, reminding of the experimental nature of Comet Gain. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists / Sic Alps 16 May - dB’s Studio, Utrecht Frenetic garage pop punk from the inimitable Ted Leo and his pharmaceutical wonders. Their recently released sixth album, The Brutalist Bricks, is packed full of harmonies and barely-contained energy. Support from noise pop duo Sic Alps. Quasi 16 May - Paradiso, Amsterdam If you were expecting supreme drummer Janet Weiss and her exhusband Sam Coomes to fall back into their old habits with the release of their new album, you were wrong. For one thing, Quasi has extended to a trio with the inclusion of Jicks bassist Joanna Bolme. For another, new album American Gong feels more song-based than a lot of their previously abstract psych organ blues. Still good fun though. Surfer Blood 17 May - Bitterzoet, Amsterdam 18 May - Doornroosje, Nijmegen Beach-friendly lo-fi indie guitar pop from scruffy Florida kids.
Broken Social Scene 18 May - Melkweg, Amsterdam Canadian supergroup no. 2. You really need to see Broken Social Scene live to fully appreciate them. On record they can be magnificent (as new disc Forgiveness Rock Record proves), onstage it’s a multi-instrumentalist free-for-all.
agenda shows in may
Evangelista 19 May - Vera, Groningen Carla Bozulich has been leading bands like the Geraldine Fibbers, Ethyl Meatplow and Scarnella since the mid-’80s. These days she’s settled into the Constellation roster as Evangelista, a non-compromising art rock project capable of sweet lulls and absolute sonic fury. She’s also as brilliant as she is undervalued. Wolf Parade 22 May - Tivoli, Utrecht It kinda feels like the whole Sub Pop roster is around this month. These Montreal guys have had a big couple of years, in part due to the occasional sprinkling of Arcade Fire chaos magic in their mix. Phosphorescent 23 May - Paard van Troje, Den Haag 06 Jun - Paradiso, Amsterdam Raw gothic Americana and folk from American songwriter Matthew Houck. As capable on the big stage as a tiny hole in the wall: prepare for some booze-friendly country anthems. The New Pornographers 23 May - Melkweg, Amsterdam Free Tickets. See page 54
Canadian supergroup no. 3. For pure pop energy and execution you can’t go wrong with Carl Newman, Dan Bejar and their revolving cast of melody gurus. The Matador stalwarts release their fifth studio album Together this month, so save a spot on your summer playlist.
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agenda Subbacultcha shows in september
MUZIEKCENTRUM FRITS PHILIPS EINDHOVEN
JOANNA NEWSOM
ISBELLS BLAUDZUN MATT THE ELECTRICIAN EN VELE ANDEREN
TICKETS » 35,- + 1,- SERVICEKOSTEN
WWW.NAKEDSONG.NL
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agenda shows in may
Sleigh Bells play Amsterdam and Rotterdam
Liars 24 May - Tivoli, Utrecht 25 May - Trouw, Amsterdam Rhythmic and textured slabs of abstract noise from the ever-evolving LA-based trio. It shouldn’t have escaped your attention that they recently brought out their fifth album, Sisterworld, and whether you find it as affecting as older material or not, they’re gonna be electrifying. The Antlers 25 May - Paradiso, Amsterdam Insistent but lulling Brooklyn indie folk from Peter Silberman.
stand. For their first Amsterdam date it should be interesting to hear how JJ no.2 and JJ no.3 fit together onstage. Off Centre 26-29 May - Melkweg, Amsterdam The latest festival to hit Amsterdam has a primary focus on electronic music and contemporary theatre and new media. Whether you wanna dance or stroke your chin, look out for appearances by James Holden, Gui Boratto, Kode 9, Dopplereffekt, The Field, Mala, King Midas Sound and Efdemin.
Beach House 26 May - Paradiso, Amsterdam Baltimore dream pop from Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally. Devotion was one of the albums of 2008, even with its harmonies buried under layers of lazy fuzz. Follow-up Teen Dream saw the duo step up to Sub Pop. The key pop melodies remain but the edges sound smoother this time around.
Sleigh Bells 29 May - Rotown, Rotterdam 01 Jun - Paradiso, Amsterdam Hypnotic chants: check. Distorted drums: check. Irresistible, verging on cheesy riffs: check. CSS Suxxx?
JJ 26 May - Paradiso, Amsterdam To say that Gothenburg indie popsters JJ were better when nothing was known about them is a tad harsh. After all the hype and delirium last summer, they’ve been pushing at walls to try figure where they
A Californian harpy in the truest sense. From a squawking young girl to a compositional leviathan, the wordiest folky in town recently turned in a three-disc album package. It’s a lovely thing too, even if most listeners never quite make it through to the end.
Joanna Newsom 29 May - Naked Song Festival, Eindhoven 30 May - Melkweg, Amsterdam Free Tickets. See page 54
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MEI ‘10 CONCERTEN, CLUBAVONDEN, ETEN & MEER MEI / ZON
I AM OAK + AWKWARD I + THE BLACK ATLANTIC
09 MALE BONDING 13 CAMPINGDISCO 13 THE SLITS 15 BEST COAST + TWEAK BIRD 16 LALI PUNA 18 SEABEAR 22 JOHN & JEHN 23 MEI / DON
MEI / DON
MEI / ZAT
MEI / ZON
SUBBACULTCHA PRESENTS:
MEI / DIN
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AFTER MIDNIGHT
Send photos to aftermidnight@ subbacultcha.nl Feel very free to involve romance, stupidity, sex, beauty, banality, poetry and debauchery... or hack! you can even get arty. As long as the photos are shot after midnight. This months photos were submitted by Gaethan Verboven Thanks to everybody who sent in their photos. We cannot publish them all. Go to our blog to see all the photos that were sent in.
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A LIVE EXPLOSION OF UNDERGROUND MUSIC AND ARTS IN GRONINGEN MET O. A. ASSACRE LUCKY DRAGONS LASER POODLE THE FEELING OF LOVE KANIA TIEFFER ERNST GLERUM SANTA CRUZ CUPP CAVE MIK QUANTIUS VOLLEDIG PROGRAMMA EN INFORMATIE:
05/05 06/05 19/05 20/05 23/05 28/05 31/05 02/06 04/06
EEN SELECTIE UIT ONS PROGRAMMA:
CASPIAN // CONSTANTS THE HEX DISPENSERS // VEGAS KINGS EVANGELISTA BLITZEN TRAPPER HEAVY TRASH FIXKES TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB GROWING ‘SCENERY’ (AT GRAND THEATRE)
Info & tickets: www.vera-groningen.nl 68
illustratie: Bert Scholten
Subbacultcha! Magazine is lovingly and swiftly made at our office in Amsterdam. Da Costakade 150, 1053 XC Amsterdam, the Netherlands. www.subbacultcha.nl magazine@subbacultcha.nl We are Editors: Leon Caren and Bas Morsch A-lister: Steven McCarron Editorial Assistants: Russell Joyce, Steven McCarron, Sarah Gehrke and Marie-Claire Melzer Design: Bas Morsch Design Companion: Russell Joyce Moneys: Brenda Bosma Interns: Tibor Bijl, Loes Verputten and Marijn Westerlaken Good Girl: Zofia Ciechowska Contributors: DaniĂŤlle van Ark, Carly Blair, Brenda Bosma, Suzanne de Bruin, Leon Caren, Zofia Ciechowska, Femke Dekker, Sarah Gehrke, Marc van der Holst, Russell Joyce, Nicole Martens, Steven McCarron, Marie-Claire Melzer, Bas Morsch, Martyn F Overweel, Martine Stig, Gert Verbeek andMila van de Wall. Distribution: Amsterdam: Rodrigo Sobarzo, Alice Driessen, Fabio Costa, Carly Blair, Patrick v/d Klugt, Luc Breukelman, Tibor Bijl. Utrecht: Thom van Hoek, Ludo Westerveld. Groningen: Hedwig Klomp. Rotterdam: Ruben Rietveld. Leeuwarden: Jan Pier Brands. Leiden: Anne Hillebrand Printing: Drukkerij Slinger, Alkmaar
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colophon Who we are and what we do
Advertising To advertise in Subbacultcha! Magazine send an email to magazine@subbacultcha.nl. Memberships Become a member of Subbacultcha!. For only â‚Ź6 a month you get free access to all Subbacultcha! shows and the monthly magazine sent to your house. Plus, you get a fresh Subbacultcha! t-shirt. Check the website to sign up. Free Tickets If you are subscribed to the mailinglist it is possible to get into our great Magazine Parties for free. Also you can win lots of free tickets every month. Get Involved Please feel free to email us, call us, drop by and send letters, drawings and photos. After midnight. Send us photos taken after midnight (see p.59). And please make it look good. We value alcohol, but we also value good photos.
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This Magazine is carefully and skillfully printed by drukkerij slinger, Alkmaar
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Subbacultcha! shows in may Subbacultcha members get into all these shows for €6,- per month. sign up at www.subbacultcha.nl
agenda Overview of all subbacultcha! shows
TANLINES (USA) / THE PHARMACY (USA) 8 MAY - De Nieuwe Anita, Amsterdam HIGH PLACES (USA) / KIKI (NL) 10 MAY - Club Up, Amsterdam ALMIGHTY DEFENDERS (USA) ft Black Lips + The King Khan & BBQ Show 14 MAY - Melkweg, Amsterdam KLUB RADAR (ft. Think About Life, Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip & Lazer Sword) 15 MAY - Tivoli, Utrecht BEST COAST (USA) / TWEAK BIRD (USA) 16 MAY - Ekko, Utrecht MI AMI (USA) / EVA BRAUN (NL) 19 MAY 2010 - Studio 80 FILM: AFTERSCHOOL 23 May - Kriterion, Amsterdam NEON INDIAN (USA) 26 May - Studio 80, Amsterdam HOLLOYS (USA) 29 MAY - De Nieuwe Anita Coming up in June These Are Powers, Truman Peyote and much more
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holland festival
internationale podiumkunsten 1 – 23 juni , amsterdam
Efterklang & Metropole Orkest
Betoverende muziek van Deense post-popformatie. Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, za 19 juni, 20.30 u
Giovanni – TR Warszawa
Rijke playboy verslindt de ene na de andere vrouw. Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam, di 22, wo 23 juni, 20.00 u
volledig programma www.hollandfestival.nl