ISSUE 0010 / December 4th - December 10th 2014
IT’S FREE - www.bsidemagazine.com.au
ALSO INSIDE: Jack Carty, The Datsuns, SuperCaine Hayward Williams, Pimpin’ Horus, Shaun Kirk plus BOB’s BITS, TOUR GUIDE and LOCAL MUSIC NEWS
AROUND THE TRAPS Adelaide rock legends Lazaro’s Dog will soon be presenting Christmas-Palooza to raise money for Hutt Street Centre. It will take place from 1-6pm at The Jade Monkey, 160 Flinders St, on Sunday 21 December and will be a family-friendly event featuring Lazaro’s Dog, The Packets and Fishing With Henry as well as magician Hans Zimmermann, face painters and a balloon artist. Tickets will be $10 per person or $15 per family. Get set for a great night of music when The Glow, David Robinson, John & Rachel McCall play Hotel Metro, 46 Grote St, on Thursday 4 December from 9pm. Wheatsheaf Ukulele Collective will be holding a fundraiser to record a new album at The Wheatsheaf Hotel, 39 George St, Thebarton from 7.30pm on Thursday 11 December at which Adam Page will serve as special loopy guest opening act. Tickets at the door for $15. Speaking of ukuleles, the now sevenyear-old Adelaide Ukulele Appreciation Society will be launching their debut CD at the Governor Hindmarsh, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, from 7.30pm on Saturday 10 January. Tickets via OzTix or at the venue. Adelaide punks The Pro-Tools have chosen Saturday 3 January on which to launch their EP and will do so from 9pm at The Edinburgh Castle, 233 Currie St, with good friends Iron Worzel, Psycho Green and The Profiteers. Adelaide singer Kevan Keeler (of Hollywood Gun Club fame) recently issued the album Five O’ One Nine for which he enlisted the services of famed US drummer Gregg Bissonete and his brother Matt Bissonete (currently playing in Elton John’s band). Following a sold out launch at Semaphore recently, Kevan Keelor & The Five O’ One Nine Band, a group made up of talented local players, will hit the Governor Hindmarsh, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on Sunday 25 January with special guests Cherry Grind. Book at OzTix or via the venue and don’t forget that the following day is a public holiday for most. Local combo Rhumboogie, featuring Paul ‘Pumpin’ Piano’ Hay on piano and vocals, Chris Finnen on guitar, John Carlini on bass and John Freeman on drums, are all set to launch a new CD, Fandabidozi, and will do so from 2-6pm on Sunday 21 December at a free entry shindig at The Hampshire Hotel, 110 Grote St. The launch will also serve as a Christmas blues party and the completely refurbished venue, which offers live music from 2pm every Sunday (catch Jay Hoad on Sunday 7 December and Evan and Erika from Lazy Eye on Sunday 14 December), is open for coffee from 8.30am with all-day dining from high noon. Pop in and try their Hampster Burger although they also offer yummy vegetarian dishes too. Local filmmakers Robert Brokenmouth and Jethro Heller have been busy making a film about iconic Aussie rock band The Beasts Of Bourbon. Following screenings in other states, the completed documentary, The Brass Ring, will now be screened at the Governor Hindmarsh, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on Thursday 18 December. Book via OzTix or at the venue. Surviving Sharks will play material from their soon to be recorded next release, Love Bites, at their final gig for the year on Friday 5 December alongside Sydney’s Bloods, who will be armed with longawaited debut album, Work It Out, and locals The Pits at The Edinburgh Castle, 233 Currie St. Free entry too! Young local rock band Beyond The Picture will launch their Wake Up Call CD at Prospect Town Hall, 126 Prospect Rd, on Friday 12 December as part of Club 5082. Also on the bill will be a number of other young bands including Plan B, Line 39 and Brat 86. Doors open at 6.30pm, it’s free entry and all-ages.
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Crump Cake Orchestra (CCO), Adelaide’s 18-piece soul and funk-inspired big band, have recently released their Thank You... Drive Home EP from their live recording session in July. Following on from their critically acclaimed debut album, Just Awesome, their brand new EP presents the freshest sounds from CCO captured at Grote St’s The Promethean in front of a live audience. To celebrate, CCO are releasing live performance videos for each song until Monday 15 December and these represent the fun, chaos and togetherness when you get 18 of the best young (and young at heart) musicians together. The videos are available to view via CCO’s YouTube channel with the EP available via their bandcamp page. Soursob Bob and Emma Woolcock will be launching a new offering, March Of The Mincing Poodle, at The Wheatsheaf Hotel, 39 George St, Thebarton, from 9pm on Saturday 13 December with a free entry show. Little Miss will follow up their Last Goodbye EP with a self-titled album of eight brand new songs. They will then launch it on Saturday 13 December from 9pm at The Exeter Hotel, 246 Rundle St, at which they plan to play a long set of new songs and old favourites and also have The Motive and Tara Carragher on the bill. The Villenettes are set to launch their debut album, Lady Luck, on Saturday 31 January at The Jade Monkey, 160 Flinders St, with the all-female rockers to announce further details, including guest bands, very soon. Watch this space! Ash Gale, formerly of Sundance Kids, will be launching his Brave The Sea EP, on Friday 12 December at The Promethean, 116 Grote St, with tickets from OzTix or at the door if not already sold out. Radio Adelaide are gearing up for yet another of their famous Annual CD, Record & Book Sale on Friday 5 December. Going for a song will be heaps of brand new awesome albums and brilliant books as well as a super special collection of classical music vinyl. There will also be hundreds of new releases from local and international artists from across all genres for only $2 each or six for $10! And new release books for only $3 each or four for $10! Classical LPs will be only 50c each, box sets at $2 or six for $10! Head on down, grab a few gifts at bargain prices and support your local community radio station from 10am until 4pm at 228 North Tce, Adelaide. Funhouse, which features a number of seasoned blues and R&B players, will turn the Wheatsheaf Hotel, 39 George St, Thebarton, into a fun house of blues from 9pm on Saturday 13 December. Tickets will be $10 at the door. Musicians who suggest that there are now fewer and fewer venues at which to play should note that several around town and beyond are looking for acts to perform. Semaphore RSL, Adelaide Festival Centre, The Franklin, The Southwark Hotel and Goodwood Institute are five of them and all are contactable via their website or Facebook page. Jazz trio Blue Lagoon will be playing in the beer garden of the Franklin Hotel, 92 Franklin St, from 3-7pm on Sunday 6 December with Willunga-based singer songwriter Steve Gower performing at the same time on Sunday 13 December while Craig Atkins will be bringin’ his stompin’ rootsy tunes to the boutique pub venue on Sunday 20 December. Check out the yummy food offerings and great drink specials. Ride Into The Sun will undertake their final show for the year when they play Worldsend Hotel, 208 Hindley St, on Friday 12 December. Also along for the ride will be Melbourne’s Contrast as well as Kitten Kong and new band Blush Response for their debut outing. When The Mark Of Cain announced a national tour, they forgot to include a gig in their hometown!. That’s now been rectified as the hardcore trio are now
set to play The Governor Hindmarsh, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on Friday 5 December with explosive duo King Of The North as special guests. Book via OzTix or at the venue. Thom Lion & The Tamers, The Timbers, DJ Ryley, Echo & The Empress, Alphabete, Corey Theatre and Prime are all set to play a free entry gig from in Elder Pk on New Year’s Eve. Adults will also be able to enjoy a range of local alcoholic beverages available for sale in the licensed beer gardens. The rest of Elder Pk will be a dry area and no BYO will be permitted. The event will conclude with a fireworks display at midnight. Speaking of New Year’s Eve, The Franklin Hotel, 92 Franklin St, will be hosting a Mad Hatters New Year’s Eve Party with prizes for best dressed and best hat. There will be DJs throughout the evening and you can make a booking on 8410 0036. Local funk band Pimpin’ Horus have just returned from their first overseas tour – 23 shows over six weeks in four countries – and will now launch their third EP, Linonophobia, at Jive, 181 Hindley St, on Saturday 6 December. Melbourne’s Vaudeville Smash will be special guests as well as locals The Rocketeers, so book quickly at Moshtix. Music In The Square happens in Tarntanyangga (Victoria Sq) as a free entry event with local musicians performing ‘side by side’ between 12-2pm with one act playing two or three songs and the other then playing two or three tunes and so forth until 2pm. Music SA has curated the performances and the event is being presented by Adelaide City Council. See John Baker and Mike Bevan on Thursday 4 December with Tom West and Tim Moore winding it up on Thursday 18 December. Sam Brittain, whose latest album, Live Simply, recently garnered a five-star review, has invited Melbourne’s Amistat and Bernie Carson to take part in an upcoming gig at The Jade Monkey, 160 Flinders St, on Thursday 11 December. Tickets will be $10 at the door. Timberwolf, who recently participated in Tram Sessions while in Melbourne, has set a date of Friday 19 December at which to launch his It Burns single from a forthcoming EP, Flux, set to be released early next year. The single launch will take place at Jive, 181 Hindley St, with special Melbourne guests The Pierce Brothers and with tickets available via Moshtix. These Wild Animals, fresh from a quick trip over to sunny Melbourne, have just recorded their second EP, Enstasy, and are set to launch the wild beast at Jive, 181 Hindley St, on Saturday 13 December with special guests Cicada from Sydney and Walking With Thieves. Get your tickets at Moshtix. Hotel Royal, 126 Henley Beach Rd, Torrensville, has live acoustic duos in The Front Bar on Fridays from 7.20pm so catch Seth & Andrew on Friday 5 December, Happy Ending on Friday 12 December and JB Acoustic on Friday 19 December with drinks specials such as $5 Coronas and Crown lagers. The pub, whose kitchen remains open until 9pm every day, also has Jazz In Cheek Duo in the Bar & Bistro from 7pm on Saturday 6 December, Jazzcab on Saturday 13 December and Wire & Wood on Saturday 20 December.
OUR PHILOSOPHY Created by veteran Adelaide music guru Rob Dunstan, BSide Magazine is a weekly magazine totally focussed on what’s going on in the Adelaide Music Community. Every week we will be bringing you the latest news, up-to-date information and entertainment through: Regular music news updates Features and interviews Touring and gig guides Local music industry news Awesome competitions Live music and CD reviews Theatre news and interviews Plus, we welcome the return of BOB’S BITS in print. Our goal with BSide Magazine is to help rebuild the Adelaide Music Community, to refocus the emphasis on local music and uniting the different tribes encouraging and further enhancing a prosperous live music industry for all. We want BSide Magazine to be like Gaffa Tape. The thing that will hold everything together.
IN THIS ISSUE Page 2 Around The Traps Our Philosophy Page 4 Heading To Town Page 5 BSide Tour Guide Page 6 Feature Article: The Aves Page 7 The Datsuns Jack Carty Page 8 The Clothesline Page 9 Hayward Williams SuperCaine Page 10 MusicSA CD Reviews Page 11 Bob’s Bits Pimpin’ Horus Page 13 Shaun Kirk Page 15 The Bizzo BPlus: The Frequency Advertising Enquiries Ph: (08) 8346 9899 sales@bsidemagazine.com.au
ISSUE #0010 December 4th December 10th, 2014
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HEADING TO TOWN Urban folk hero Darren Hanlon will be bringing his Christmas show to The Trinity Sessions, Church Of The Trinity, 317 Goodwood Rd, Clarence Pk, on Sunday 14 December. Tickets are now available via dramatix. Eclectic Melbourne-based duo The Twoks will be launching their First Light EP from 9pm at The Wheatsheaf Hotel, 39 George St, Thebarton, on Friday 5 December. Folk rockers The Timbers will be special guests and tickets are now available via OzTix for $15. Sydney’s quite outrageous Gay Paris will hit Crown & Anchor, 296 Grenfell St, on Saturday 6 December. Sydney’s legendary power pop band Sunnyboys have announced a huge national tour that will bring them to the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on Sunday 8 March with soon to be legendary local band Bad// Dreems as special guests. Book quickly via OzTix or at the venue. Brisbane-based stoner doom rockers Lizzard Wizzard (not to be confused with the Melbourne reptiles with quite a similar name) are making their first trek to Adelaide to play Crown & Anchor, 196 Grenfell St, on Friday 23 January. Also on the bill will be Melbourne’s Watchtower as well as locals Hydromedusa and Tombsealer. Tickets will be at the door for $15. Having recently returned from wowing audiences and critics and filling venues across Europe and Russia, Melbourne’s astral space rockers, AlithiA have announced their sixth Australian tour which marks the release of the band’s new single, Here I Am. Catch them at a free entry show from 9.30pm on Saturday 20 December at Worldsend Hotel, 208 Hindley St, alongside Overview Effect and Molloy. Jep & Dep, an alternative country duo from Syndey comprising of Jessica Cassar and Darren Cross of Gerling, have just released their debut album, Word Got Out, and will now be launching it in Adelaide at The Exeter Hotel, 246 Rundle St, on Saturday 6 December. Sarah McLeod of The Superjesus is coming home for Christmas. So she’s arranged to do a solo show from 8.30pm on Thursday 18 December at The Wheatsheaf Hotel, 39 George St, Thebarton. Tickets to the show, called 98% Love Song: Part One, and which deals with the singer’s love of vinyl recordings, are now on sale via OzTix for $20. Highly popular Melbourne-based rock band Kingswood have announced an extensive national tour for 2015 which will have them playing the Governor Hindmarsh, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on Friday 20 March. Book quickly via OzTix or the venue as Kingswood’s recently shows have usually sold out quickly. Melbourne-based Brazilian song interpreter Diana May Clark has just issued a new album, The Other Side Of The Girl, and is touring it to Adelaide to perform at La Boheme, 36 Grote St, on Friday 5 December with her band, The Sunny Set. Expect psychedelic melodies, occasional Portuguese lyrics and film clips so don’t be afraid to dress to impress in a swingin’ ’60s cocktail number. Tickets are now available via the website at <dianaclark.com.au>. American band Counting Crows are bringing their Somewhere Under Wonderland tour to Australia next year which will have the rootsy rock group performing at Thebarton Theatre, Henley Beach Rd, Torrensville, on Sunday 5 April following their appearance at this year’s Bluesfest. Bookings can be made from 10am on Wednesday 3 December via livenation.com.au.
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Melbourne’s Sime Nugent, of The Wilson Pickers fame, and Craig Reilly, along with former Adelaide lad Liam Gerner, will undertake a free entry gig from 4pm at The Wheatsheaf Hotel, 39 George St, Thebarton, on Sunday 28 December. Rhino Room, 13 Frome St, have an exciting comedy line-up locked in with Dave Callan on Friday 5 December and Saturday 6 December, Merrick Watts on Friday 12 November and Saturday 13 December as well as the 2014 Adelaide Comedy Award Winners Showcase on Friday 9 January. Book quickly at <adelaidecomedy.com> as these shows are selling fast. Jamaica’s Skatalites are currently on their 50th anniversary tour which will have the ska legends skanking away at the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on Wednesday 10 December at which they will be joined by Adelaide ska act Fistful Of Trojans. Book quickly via OzTix or at the venue. The Sunshine Coast’s DrawCard, whose debut album was mixed by Sylvia Massy in the US, are on a national tour to launch their new single, Kids, and the riff heavy punks will play Worldsend Hotel, 208 Hindley St, on Thursday 4 December. Young blues dude Shaun Kirk is on the road again and this time he’s filming material with his GoPro to place on YouTube to highlight his Steer The Wheel album. Catch him at The Wheatsheaf Hotel, 39 George St, Thebarton, alongside Cal Williams Jr from 9pm on Saturday 6 December with tickets selling fast at $15. Shaun also plays the already sold out Porch Sessions alongside Halfway To Forth and Alice Haddy the following day. Pocket dynamite Leo Sayer is embarking on a tour that will take him to Pt Lincoln, Whaylla and Port Pirie before he hits Grote St’s Her Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday 7 February. Tickets are now available via BASS. Metalum Manifestatione MMXV will feature American band Suffocation alongside Poland’s Decapitation and will hit the Governor Hindmarsh, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on Wednesday 6 May. Tickets, which can include a meet and great component, are now available via Oztix or via the venue. UK punk minstrel Frank Turner will be bringing his band, The Sleeping Souls, to Adelaide Uni Bar on Wednesday 8 April as a sideshow for their Byron Bay Bluesfest appearance. Grab tickets via Moshtix or OzTix. All we need to type in is that Nickelback will play Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Monday 18 May and then move on to the next item. Melbourne band The Pollydevlins are heading back to town to take part in Xmas Mod Rave-Up at The Producer’s Hotel, 235 Grenfell St, on Saturday 20 December. The free entry event will take place from 1pm and continue until late and also on the line-up will be The Sons Of Mod, The Mod Cons and Grandma’s Favourite along with a host of DJs spinning mod tunes. There will also be indoor and outdoor stages, vintage scooters, record stalls and retro fashion. You’d be mod not to go! Hayward Williams, who hails from the US and who scored the services of Morphine drummer Billy Conway for his latest album, The Reef, is heading back to Adelaide to play two gigs with good friends The Yearlings. On Saturday 6 December, they will hit McLaren Vale’s The Singing Gallery and from 4pm on Sunday 7 December, get set for a sunny afternoon affair at The Wheatsheaf Hotel, 39 George St, Thebarton, from 4pm.
FRIDAY 16 JANUARY Lyall Moloney (Sydney) at Governor Hindmarsh) SATURDAY 17 JANUARY Blue King Brown (Melbourne/Jamaica) at Governor Hindmarsh TUESDAY 20 JANUARY Passenger (Melbourne) and The Once (Canada) at Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre THURSDAY 22 JANUARY Shonen Knife (Japan) at Jive THURSDAY 4 DECEMBER Drawcard (Brisbane) at Worldsend Russell Morris (Melbourne) at The Ramsgate Hotel FRIDAY 5 DECEMBER Russell Morris (Melbourne) at Norwood Live Bloods (Sydney), Surviving Sharks and The Pits at Edinburgh Castle Stereosonic at Adelaide Showgrounds Ice Cube (US) at Thebarton Theatre The Mark Of Cain and King Of The North (Melbourne) at Governor Hindmarsh SATURDAY 6 DECEMBER Ben Folds (US) and Adelaide Symphony Orchestra at Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre (SOLD OUT) Gay Paris (Sydney) at Crown & Anchor Stereosonic at Adelaide Showgrounds Shaun Kirk (Melbourne) and Cal Williams Jr at Wheatsheaf Hotel Hayward Williams (US) and The Yearlings at The Singing Gallery (McLaren Vale) Jep & Dep (Sydney) at The Exeter Hotel Powder For Pigeons (WA/Europe) and The Ugly Kings (Melbourne) at Worldsend Vaudeville Smash (Melbourne), Pimpin’ Horus and The Rocketeers at Jive SUNDAY 7 DECEMBER Joan Armatrading (UK) at Governor Hindmarsh (two shows) Hayward Williams (US) and The Yearlings at Wheatsheaf Hotel The Porch Sessions: Shaun Kirk (Melbourne), Halfway To Forth and Alice Haddy (Sold Out) TUESDAY 9 DECEMBER Sleep (US), Hydromedusa and Iron Worzel at Fowler’s Live Cloud Nothings (US), West Thebarton Brothel Party and Sincerely, Grizzly at Adelaide Uni Bar WEDNESDAY 10 DECEMBER The Skatallites (Jamaica) and Fistful Of Trojans at Governor Hindmarsh The Datsuns (NZ) and Glass Skies at Jive THURSDAY 11 DECEMBER Jack Carty (Sydney) at Grace Emily Dead Letter Circus (Brisbane) and sleepmakeswaves at Governor Hindmarsh Peking Duk (Canberra), Allday, Safia, Flamingo, Skies and Cats DJs at Maths Lawns (University Of Adelaide) Amistat (Melbourne), Sam Brittain and Bernie Carson at The Jade Monkey
Centre Theatre The Gin Club (Brisbane) and Doctor Desoto at Wheatsheaf Hotel Darren Hanlon (Sydney) at The Trinity Sessions WEDNESDAY 17 DECEMBER Scott Russo (US) and Phil Jamieson (Sydney) at Governor Hindmarsh Watsky (US) at Fowler’s Live THURSDAY 18 DECEMBER The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus (US) and Hawthorn Heights (US) at Adelaide Uni Bar FRIDAY DECEMBER 19 Gyroscope (Perth) at Adelaide Uni Bar Jimmy Barnes at Adelaide Entertainment Centre SATURDAY 20 DECEMBER AlithiA (Melbourne), The Overview Effect and Molloy at Worldsend Agents Of Rock (Melbourne), Trench Effect and sTool at The Land Of Promise Punx Picnic: Wilderness Years Hillbilly Witchdoctor, Crow Eater Roofcat (Melbourne) Yoko Polo, Apteria, Grimalkin, Terania, Smack Baby (Melbourne), The Pro-Tools and Iron Worzel at Bonython Park Xmas Mod Rave-Up: The Sons Of Mod, The Pollydevlins (Melbourne), The Mod Cons, Grandma’s Favourite and assorted DJs at Producers Hotel (from 1pm)
SUNDAY 25 JANUARY The Wanderer’s Australia Day Party: Linda Gail Lewis (US), Anne Marie Lewis (US), Hank’s Jalopy Demons (Melbourne), Rusty Pinto (Perth), Lucky Seven, The Lincolns, Lady Voodoo, Memphis Suns and Shades Of Blue at Published Arthouse MONDAY 26 JANUARY Sounds @ Serafino: Icehouse (Sydney), James Reyne, Diesel (Sydney), Wendy Matthews, 1927 at Serafino Winery (McLaren Vale) The Amity Affliction (Melbourne), In Hearts Wake, Confession and Antagonist AD at Bridgeway Hotel Adam Brand (Melbourne), The Wolfe Brothers, Jasmine Rae and Matt Cornell at Hahndorf Old Mill Carpark MONDAY 2 FEBRUARY Johnny Marr (UK) at Governor Hindmarsh
SUNDAY 21 DECEMBER Orianthi at Governor Hindmarsh FRIDAY 26 DECEMBER Outlet Music Festival: Allday, Mashd N Kutcher, LeBelle, Ezekiel Ox, Admella, Secret Tsunami, Tequila Mockingbyrd and Shuv N’ Stuff at Beachport Lorikeet (Melbourne) at Grace Emily FRIDAY 2 JANUARY Shooglenifty (Scotland) at Governor Hindmarsh SATURDAY 3 JANUARY Here’s To Now: Nai Palm (Melbourne), Marlon Williams (New Zealand), The Shaolin Afronauts, Oisima, Toot Whistle Crew DJs, Max Savage & The False Idols, Hurricanes and Naomi Keyte at Coriole Vineyard THURSDAY 8 JANUARY Triumph Over Logic (Melbourne), Emergence, Izera and Deadview at Bridgeway Hotel
FRIDAY 12 DECEMBER Johnny Law & The Pistol Packin’ Daddies (WA), The Satellites and The Pumpin’ Piano Cats at Whiteline Transport (Greenfields) Illy (Melbourne) and Tkay Maidza at HQ Complex Thy Art Is Murder (Sydney) at Fowler’s Live Luluc (Melbourne) and Naomi Keyte at Jive Willow Beats (Melbourne) and Oisima at Rocket Bar Contrast (Melbourne), Ride Into The Sun, Kitten Kong and Blush Response at Worldsend
FRIDAY 9 JANUARY Triumph Over Logic (Melbourne), Beyond The Picture, The Profiteers and Hekyl at Cavern Club
SATURDAY 13 DECEMBER Atomic Stagecoach (Perth), The Saucermen and Green Circles at The Gaslight Tavern
TUESDAY 13 JANUARY Marduck (Sweden) and Inquisition (US) at Enigma Bar
SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER John Legend (US), Dami Im and Megan Washington at Adelaide Entertainment
FRIDAY 23 JANUARY Lizzard Wizzard (Brisbane), Hydromedusa, Watchtower (Melbourne) and Tombsealer at Crown & Anchor
SATURDAY 10 JANUARY Sounds By The River: Hoodoo Gurus, Mondo Rock, James Reyne and Daryl Braithwaite at Mary Ann Reserve (Mannum) The 1975 (UK) at Thebarton Theatre The Matches (US) at Fowler’s Live Riff First (Melbourne) at Worldsend Triumph Over Logic (Melbourne), Trench Effect and Differential at Rhino Room
THURSDAY 15 JANUARY Mark Steiner (US) at Hotel Metro Every Time I Die (US), Touche Amore and A Ghost Orchestra at Enigma Bar
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FEATURED INTERVEIW: THE AVES
THE AVES By Robert Dunstan
would be fun so we have It’s A Hoax and Stranger Things Have Happened on the second night.
Each year, a dozen Adelaide artists get an opportunity to undertake a monthlong Friday evening residency at the Grace Emily Hotel at which they get to play with some special guests from here and interstate, launch a CD or just put on a series of special shows.
“But we’ll have The Blueberries, a band we’ve never seen but like the name, and Babes Are Wolves for the first night and then The Dunes for the last one we’re doing,” she continues. “The Blueberries are kinda newish, as are Stranger Things Have Happened, and we thought that would be good to have them otherwise you can get stuck in a cycle of playing with the same bands all the time.”
The merry month of December has angular pop band The Aves (Lucy Campbell on rhythm guitar and vocals, Tasman Strachan on bass, Thomas Williams on lead guitar and Clair O’Boyle behind the kit) playing a Grace residency at which they will road-test some new songs, play with some special guests and hand the final night, which happens to fall on Boxing Day, over to Melbourne band Lorikeet. “Yeah, we weren’t even sure if the Grace would be open on Boxing Day and I fly to England just before Christmas anyway,” Lucy says. “So we’ve asked Lorikeet, who are very cool, to fill in for us.” “But I’m going to see if they’ll let me open for them doing an acoustic spot,” Thomas suggests. “If they’re down with that, I’ll do it.” I’d first witnessed The Aves some years ago when they were in an embryonic stage and had entered a band competition at which I was a judge. I was impressed at the time as their raw style reminded me of Brisbane band The GoBewteens. I seem to vaguely recall mentioning that to the band at the time and being met with a blank stare, so it’s interesting that The Aves now cite The Go-Betweens as an influence alongside The Who, The Kinks, Velevet Underground and, strangley, Robert Downey Jr. The band, who have since performed at such festivals as Canada’s North By North East, America’s River Rocks Festival, Adelaide’s Big Day Out and Brisbane’s Big Sound and recorded in New York, approached Grace Emily Hotel about a Friday evening residency a while back. “And they were quite happy for that to happen because we’ve played a fair bit at the Grace,” Lucy says. “So it feels like a natural extension of playing there. And while we had to wait a while to get in, I think December will be fun.
“And everyone said they’d do it because I think everyone really likes playing at the Grace anyway,” Thomas reason. “You never struggle finding people to play with when it’s at the Grace. “It just has such a good feeling,” Lucy agrees, “and the bands all get an esky full of free beer. And people seem to flock to the Grace anyway.” The Aves will be presenting new material for an album they plan to record early next year. “We’ve got an album pretty much ready to record next year,” Lucy says, “so we have almost all of the new material written. So we’ll be playing quite a lot of that as well as older songs and we’ll write up a completely new set list for each night. We don’t wanna get stuck doing the same thing for three weeks in a row. “And some of the new songs have never been played live before,” she adds. “Some were written only quite recently. And some we’ve played to people and then not played them again until we’ve reworked them a bit.” And how does the songwriting process work for The Aves? “It depends on the song,” Thomas responds. “It tends to be that Tasman or Clair will come up with something and then I work on it and Lucy will write the lyrics around that. Or Lucy will bring in the chords to a song and we’ll write the music around that. “Very occasionally I will have some lyrics but I’m one of those that usually do them after the song has written,” Lucy reveals. “And then I work the guitar part in around that,” Thomas says.
“Everyone will be pretty much in holiday mode at that time of year in the lead-up to Christmas,” she then suggests.
“And they can then change quite drastically when we play them live,” Lucy admits. “And quite often I haven’t come up with the complete lyrics until that moment.
“And it’s the first time we’ve done a residency as The Aves although Lucy and I did a duo residency thing a while back at Crown & Anchor,” Thomas adds.
“The PA system we use when we rehearse isn’t all that good either so we often can’t hear what Lucy is singing anyway,” Thomas laughs.
‘Yeah, that was a little Monday night acoustic thing,” Lucy says, “but this will be with the full band. We’ve also decided we’ll have two bands playing with us on two of the nights. And we thought that it
“So it can all be a bit of a guessing game for everyone,” Lucy decides. “When we first play a new song at a gig it’s like we are all hearing it for the first time. So
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playing all this new stuff in front of an audience at the Grace before we record the album is going to be very important for us.” The Aves have three releases, Panic, Anywhere Else and Static, with the latter two being issued by Mirador Records which is also home to a number of Adelaide acts including Jimmy & The Mirrors, Horror My Friend, West Thebarton Brothel Party, Battlehounds and, until recently, Bad//Dreems who took out the Best Rock Artist gong at the recent Fowler’s Live Music Awards as well as the trophy for SA Songwriters Of The Year. “We are still working all that out but as Mirador have released our last two EPs, it’s likely we’ll work with them again,” Lucy says. “And Mirador is doing quite well because it’s essentially run by someone originally from Adelaide who is now in Melbourne so it’s nice to have that kind of reach.” “And while Adelaide is not a niche market, I think there are a lot of really good bands here,” Thomas adds. “And Mirador are releasing most of that and giving people interstate a real taste of what’s happening here.” The Aves’ Panic was cut in Melbourne. while Anywhere Else and Static were both recorded in New York. “We were in New York last year and the year before so thought we may was well record while we were over there doing some gigs,” Lucy explains. “But we did them really quickly. We’d arranged it before we went over – I’d met this guy when I went to South By South West a couple of years earlier who became a bit of a fan and invited us over – and we did everything including recording, adding some overdubs and mixing them all in one day. “We just slammed them out so we want to take a bit more time with the next album,” she says. “Although there is something quite nice about Anywhere Else and Static because they are just so very raw. “So we haven’t actually worked with anyone in Adelaide before,” Lucy then says, “So we’re now looking around at where to record and who with. So we are looking at a few producers at the moment – just looking at who the band will get along with and who will serve us best. “But we really don’t want to go with anyone too obvious – Matt Hills’ name keeps popping up but he’s someone everyone kinda uses,” she adds with a laugh. “We want to take a chance and do something a bit different.” “It would also be nice to bring in someone quite new to the scene,” Thomas decides. “Someone who isn’t so well-known although it all depends really.” “And we want to record in an interesting way because we’ve been working in the
new songs for at least 18 months now,” Lucy says. “So we don’t want to just go in and quickly record them. “Not that it won’t be a concentrated effort,” Thomas says. “It’s just that we have dropped quite a few songs along the way – there has been a fair bit of attrition over the last 18 months or so – so we really want to do the songs we have left justice when we record them “And we may cut more songs from the list as we get closer to recording them,” Lucy then says. The band’s bassist, Tasman, would love the next recorded offering to get a release on vinyl. “That would be my dream come true,” he announces with a smile. “That would be my kind of baby. If we are going to do an album, why not make it something really special and do it on coloured vinyl or something like that?” “Yeah, most bands seem to be releasing stuff on vinyl these days,” Lucy says. “But it does seem to be a bit of an indulgence. “But, then again, most bands need to indulge themselves occasionally and I think putting out your stuff on vinyl is quite a reasonable kind of indulgence,” she concludes. The Aves kick off their free entry Friday evening December residency at the Grace Emily, 232 Waymouth St, on Friday 5 December with help from The Blueberries and Babes Are Wolves and continue on Friday 12 December with It’s A Hoax and Stranger Things Have Happened before the residency concludes on Friday 19 December with special guests The Dunes.
THE DATSUNS
THE DATUSNS By Rob Lyon Hooray! The Datsuns are making a long awaited return to Adelaide with a brand new album in tow, Deep Sleep.
JACK CARTY
to great art work and we’re in to vinyl so that’s the way we want to present it.” Are looking forward to Adelaide as it has been a long time since you were last here?
Their show at Jive promises to be an absolute ripper as front man Dolf de Borst about the album and the Australian tour.
“Christian, our lead guitarist was born in Adelaide, how’s that for trivia! It definitely was a while ago hey? [Five or six years Dolf!] We’re looking forward to playing Adelaide.”
Congratulations on the new album Deep Sleep. Does it feel the challenging of each new album gets harder?
Do you enjoy playing smaller venues like you are on this tour and being right up close in the faces of punters?
“Easier or harder, hmm, I think easier actually! The last one was like birthing our sixth child which happened naturally. It wasn’t a problem, we made the record really fast and we had a really good discussion before about how we wanted it to sound. As adults we made it happen.”
“Sometimes! It all depends on the audience because you could play a really big place which could be really stale then you could play somewhere really small and it could be really weird.
Were there the usual sorts of dramas that would come up during production? “Well, this time around there seemed to be way less of that. Things seemed to fall in to place pretty easy and I think that’s because we said we weren’t going to make an album. We had a few days of recording booked and then we said book a few more days then book a few more days so by the end of the fifth day we had the bulk of the album recorded.” Did you record just enough for the album? “I think we had one or two leftover, the 10 songs were done in those five days. We did record one extra song when we were on tour in Bordeaux in May which we added to the album.” Do you think the journey has been a bit of a roller coaster ride since The Datsuns were riding high back in 2002? “I suppose so, the industry part of it is pretty lame most of the time and I don’t tend to really think much about that. The focus is making records and music together which is really the main thing for us. It is hard to keep your focus on that but we’re still making records and we’ve played together for a really long time.” Do you still believe in the concept of an album? “We do, when we first started putting out records CD burning was a big thing and people would bring in their burnt CDs to get signed after the show. Then it was downloading and the latest bogey man is this streaming thing but the thing is that if you want to support the band then you should go buy their record and go to their show, buy merch and do other stuff. “People know that they’re ripping bands off and I don’t spend too much time thinking about it because I just want to stay focused on the positive stuff. We’re still going to make records, I’m still going to write songs.” Long live vinyl! It’s great that the band still puts out vinyl with some awesome cover art. “I don’t think we’re too wrapped up in nostalgia or anything but it’s just the way that we consume records. We’re in
“Sometimes with festivals it depends on the crowd and how you’re doing on the day and the interaction of the people that you’re dealing with. Hopefully it will be fine when we’re playing in Adelaide.” What can we expect from the show and are there any plans to do an album in full from start to end? “We’re playing an hour and a half at the moment so it is a pretty decent show and we try to play something from every record. It is leaning very heavily on the last two albums so out of 20 songs half of them will be the last two albums at least. Then if people yell out for things we’ll do our best to oblige.” Being older now, do you adjust your goals and expectations now? “Our goals have always been pretty humble. We probably expect more out of ourselves than what we do out of the fans or industry. We’re always thinking about what we can do for the next record and pushing each other to play faster or better or any of those sorts of things. “It’s about putting on a good show and if we’re not doing that we would probably quit.” Do you get to go back home to New Zealand for Christmas and are there plans for 2015? “Straight after the Australian tour we’ll be doing a quick New Zealand tour then we’ll have Christmas and New Year at home. We want to record another record next year I’m sure we can do it even though logistically it is a nightmare and discussing what sort of record we want to make. “Like I said before we want to keep our goals pretty humble and keep getting excited by music. We don’t want to be getting bitter and cynical like some other musicians we know.” The Datsuns play Jive, 181 Hindley St, on Wednesday 10 December with Glass Skies. Book tickets via Moshtix.
JACK CARTY By Grace Goodfellow Jack Carty’s (positively glorious) new album esk is, for the most part, named ‘lovingly’ after a river in Tasmania – a place which Jack describes as being a gorgeous part of the country as well as somewhere quite powerful in terms of the way it feels. Following a hiking trip up the Esk River, Jack penned the song – which is a favourite of his – and felt it would be right to name the album after it. Within minutes into our chat, it becomes clear that Jack uses the term ‘favourite’ fairly loosely. Likening songs to children, he tells me there are songs he likes playing live, but that it changes at different times. “At the start of the tour, I was particularly fond of playing Honey, Do You Know The Way Back Home,” he says, which prompts me to recount my own story of his songs by telling him was in the bath the other day and took my laptop into the bathroom and listened to the album. With a laugh, Jack says, “Well, as long as you’re not putting the laptop anywhere near the bath… I don’t want to be responsible for any accidental electrocutions.” Born in Bellingen, NSW, and currently residing in Sydney, Jack has received much critical acclaim for his previous releases which have all been issued via Sydney-based independent record label Gigpiglet Recordings. Jack tells me how cool it’s been getting out there with esk and talking to people and finding out what songs they’re enjoying and the way they’ve been listening to it all. After almost 36 dates on the road, I imagine he’d now have a pretty good idea. “We’ve got nine dates to go. We’re getting through it. It’s kind of funny though, because I feel like I’m getting to the end of the tour…
“We’re all kind of in the same boat and the great thing about that is it means I can write songs about personal experiences and they can relate to other people.” The philosophy continues when I ask Jack about If I Am A Candle, Then You Are a Spark (and a particular lyric that I couldn’t quite understand). So, it’s ‘tune your antenna’ and we both laugh at the irony as he continues with, “It’s about paying attention. It’s such a rare thing for people to really be paying attention these days.” We talk about social media, and the irony within that. I can almost see his smile as Jack says, “If you look around – if you look up – it’s amazing what you see.” A sense of community and togetherness seems incredibly important to this magical musician. “I don’t think social networking fosters a sense of togetherness. You have to be with people to get that feeling.” And on the topic of hash-tagging and social networking, I ask if at gigs, he notices people taking photos or filming fifteen second videos for Instagram . Jack says he notices it sometimes, but that he’s really lucky in that most of the time his audiences are pretty attentive. Speaking of having your phone out at gigs, it’s funny because I have a video of Jack playing a cover of I Want It That Way by The Backstreet Boys. When I tell him this, he laughs and asks, “Really? I’ve only played that song once, so you must have been at Some Velvet Morning.” He’s also delighted to hear that The Grace Emily Hotel, where he’ll be playing, hosts an open mic night as well. Has he ever been to the Grace Emily before? “I played The Grace Emily with Jordan Miller at the start of the last year and it was a lot of fun. It’s a beautiful little room. I’m quite excited to play there.” Supporting Jack on the night is local lad Tom West.
“But like, I’ve played Australian tours before that are less than nine dates,” Jack says a laugh.
“I really love his stuff. I love his song I Drank All The Rum. He’s a beautiful songwriter and a beautiful guy.”
There’s something a little philosophical about Jack Carty, particularly when talking about people and the way in which we relate to song lyrics, and similarly, to each other.
Jack will also have Melbourne-based band Playwrite, a five-piece who create a wild, haunting wall of sound and energy, joining him.
“The thing is,” he tells me, “everyone seems so separate from everyone all the time but most people’s general experiences are similar, you know?” He recalls what it was like when he first began writing – how nerve wracking it was; baring his soul and worrying about people judging him.
“It’s going to be awesome,” he says as we start wrapping up. “You should definitely come down.” Jack Carty launches new album, esk, at the Grace Emily Hotel, 232 Waymouth St, on Thursday 11 December with Melbourne band Playwrite and local lad Tom West as special guests. Book quickly at OzTix.
“I learnt pretty quickly that anything I’ve been through, or that you’ve been through – or other people have been through… There’s something they can relate to.
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THRILLER - LIVE
MERRICK WATTS
The original concept for Thriller Live was created by Adrian Grant, a longtime associate of Jackson and author of Michael Jackson – The Visual Documentary. With Michael Jackson being very much involved in the writing process, we ask Prinnie if she knows what his family thinks of the show.
MERRICK WATTS By Catherine Blanch
With more than two hours of hits from the extensive music catalogue of Michael Jackson and The Jackson Five, Thriller Live pays homage to the 45 years of song and dance in Jackson’s illustrious career!
“I know that Adrian spent a lot of time at Michael’s house and that Michael attended most of the workshops for the show. His family very much approve of the show; I know that Tito has seen it a few times and most of them have been very involved in the process.
He then moved on to Sydney Breakfast radio before becoming a comedy stalwart on television and being nominated for and winning many broadcasting awards as well as the 2003 GQ Man Of The Year Award – Comedians Of The Year – Merrick & Rosso.
Joining the London touring cast of Thriller is Australia’s Prinnie Stevens who has been very busy since her time on The Voice Australia. She went on to appear on Celebrity Apprentice before releasing her album through Universal Music Australia and then working on The Voice Kids. We speak with Prinnie and ask how she came to be involved with Thriller Live.
“I love that we are opening on New Year’s Eve in Adelaide. It’s a great summer show, it will be school holidays and kids will love it,” she declares. “Not only will they get educated about Michael Jackson, but I can guarantee you that they’ll all get on YouTube and watch all the amazing original videos that made – which were all so groundbreaking.
Merrick is coming to town for a week of fun and laughter as part the AdelaideComedy.com weekly comedy circuit, so we emailed him so silly questions just to see what he had to say for himself.
“They reached out to me and asked me to audition,” she begins. “The process was a little different to what I’m used to because of them being in London, so I had to send over videos. I’m lucky to have worked with director Gary Lloyd before on Oh What A Night! and musical director John Marr on Rent – my very first musical straight out of school. Even though you do the longdistance audition process, I think having worked with them is crucial because they know your work ethic and how you perform on stage.”
“To me, it was the music, the videos, the singing, the dancing and the acting – the whole package – that really changed my life. Being that triple threat is so inspiring to many young artists.
“Pretty good. About to head to Adelaide for the summer break with the family so all I need is good weather and I’d be the happiest bloke in the world.”
THRILLER LIVE By Catherine Blanch Thriller Live is the concert spectacular that has been taking London’s West End by storm for the past six years, making it the 20th-longest running show in the history of England’s theatre precinct.
At the time of speaking, Prinnie was preparing to head over to London to start rehearsals and open on the West End. “I saw Thriller Live a few years ago in London,” she says. “It’s a fantastic show and what I love about it is that no one is trying to be Michael Jackson; we’re all paying homage to him with the vocals being shared between five singers – three males and two females. “Because of Michael’s vocal ability, you really need to have both men and women singing; his range was so insane. “The current West End cast are having a break for two to three so we are jumping in to perform it there before we come back to home to start the Australian tour in Perth.” Is Thriller Live presented like a concert or in the form of a play with characters and narrative? “It’s definitely more like a concert,” Prinnie says. “There’s not so much of a narrative as a mix of all his songs shared between the vocalists. There is no one role of Michael Jackson being played by anyone. It’s our interpretation and celebration of his life and his music. You won’t see anyone dressed in Michael’s outfits pretending to be him, and no one is performing the role of family members either.”
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“This is such a great family show,” Prinnie adds. “It starts in the Jackson Five days with songs like I Want You Back and ABC – all those song that the parents and grandparents will remember. I’m singing a number of songs including The Way You Make Me Feel, I’ll Be There, Blame It On The Boogie and so many more. “Michael actually has an album out now,” she concludes, “and has recently released a single with Justin Timberlake that my daughter knows and loves. His music is really satisfying for the seven-year-olds through to the 70-year-olds.” Thriller Live runs at Festival Theatre at various times from Tuesday 30 December, 2014 until Sunday 11 January, 2015. Book at BASS.
It was part of the double-act Triple-J Drive show with then comedic partner Tim Ross that Merrick Watts became known to Australian audiences.
We began by asking how life was in his world.
You are headlining four nights of comedy for AdelaideComedy.com before hosting the final night of the week. Do you have a theme for your shows or are you just going to fly on the spur of the moment? “Ummm… Probably a bit of both I’d say. I have material that I’ve been working on this year but will also try some new stuff. I’m also planning to use the opportunity to do some audience participation stuff which is often my favourite thing to do because it’s always unique.” Which up-and-coming Adelaide comedian/s do you see really going places? “Jay Weatherill. But seriously, I met the Premier a couple of weeks ago and he is a terrific bloke. I’m going to use this opportunity to invite him to come along to the show for free… but no plus one, unless he brings Leon Bignell.” Besides you and comedy, what is the common denominator is a Merrick Watts gig? “I always wear black. Black jeans, black T-shirt. It’s a throw back to when I started in the ’90s and I’ve just started doing it again. Two reasons – one, it doesn’t distract from the performance and two, it makes we look mysterious i.e. mysteriously less fat.” Comedian, televsion, radio, author. Are there some hidden talents that we don’t know about that you would like to share? “ You forgot actor, but that’s debatable as a talent that I have. I also ride motorbikes and can turn my eyelids inside out. Apart from that, nothing at all.” “Is there a comedian that you would most like to be?
“Bill Murray is pretty awesome. I’ve enjoyed the entire length of his career and he’s still going strong.” Is there a comedian who would most like to be you? “ Probably Bill Murray.” What’s the worse joke your dad or uncle ever told? Do you ever re-tell it, but better? “My dad didn’t tell jokes as much as great stories that were embellished with great humour. I always thought as a kid my dad was a funny guy until I got older and realised he was just a heavy drinker. There will probably be some jokes about Dad in this show.” What job/s do you currently perform in your alternative life when not performing comedy? “Jobs? Are you kidding? I got into comedy so I would never have to have a job!” Tell us something that people don’t already know about you? “I am a Second Dan in Tae Kwon Do but I also do yoga about three times a week.” Who is the most famous person you have hit on? Did it work? “Rolf Harris. No.” What is your pet hate? “In Adelaide, my pet hate is the inability of people to merge in traffic. Point in case; at the back of the airport on the turn off to go down to Glenelg there is a merge lane. So just #%@%ing merge! What are you waiting for? An invite? Accelerate and then enter the lane! You don’t need to stop! My god, this is the only thing holding Adelaide back from hosting the Olympics!” What would you like people to know about you or your show? “There are no jokes about merging in traffic.” If you were a flavour of ice cream, what would you be and why? “Rocky Road, coz I’m largely pretty soft but, every now and again, I’m a bit nuts.” Anything else to add? “ Come to Rhino Room and if there is a small line to get in, just %$#@ing merge! Merrick Watts performs at various venues around Adelaide from Wed Dec 10 until Sat Dec 13. For bookings and further info, head to Adelaide.Comedy.com
HAYWARD WILLIAMS
SUPERCAINE
HAYWARD WILLIAMS By Robert Dunstan
recorded their second album so had met Billy via that project.
Lanky American troubadour Hayward Williams is paying Australia yet another visit and touring about the place with Adelaide’s The Yearlings.
“And, of course, as well as being a great human being, Billy is also an immaculate drummer,” he adds. “So he was first on the call sheet when we started picking musicians to work with on the album.”
It’s not the first time Hayward has toured this country with The Yearlings, however, as they now enjoy a lengthy association.
Hayward’s association with Jeffrey Foucault also goes back a long way.
Indeed, when BSide Magazine spoke over the telephone to Hayward, the musician was in The Yearlings’ Maslin Beach studio rehearsing for their tour.
“Oh yeah,” he says. “I’d say it’s now been 13 or 14 years. We’re both from Wisconsin – Jeffrey’s from Whitewater and I’m from just outside of Milwaukee – and at one time or another, we both worked at the same summer camp.
“The Yearlings are now real good friends of mine,” he says of guitarist and singer Chris Parkinson and guitarist and singer Robyn Chalklen. “I’d first seen them when I came to Australia for either my first or second time and we were on the same bill at The Vanguard in Sydney,” Hayward continues. “And I just loved their style and overall vibe so when it came time for me to tour one of my albums in Australia with a band, I immediately thought of them. “So I did a couple of solo shows in Sydney last week and they were fun, but I’m now looking forward to doing some shows with The Yearlings because my new record really lends itself to having a band play the songs. “So it’ll be a full band and I’m using Cat Leahy as the drummer in the other states but it’ll be BJ Barker on drums when I play with The Yearlings at my two shows in South Australia,” he adds. Hayward’s new album, The Reef, was recorded live to tape over two days at Sonelab Studios in Massachusetts under the production guidance of fellow US singer songwriter Jeffrey Foucault. It has been said that The Reef was greatly inspired by Irish singer Van Morrison’s third album, Moondance, of 1970. “I don’t know that I’d want to use the word ‘inspired’ because I think that’s a little too strong as far as the record goes,” Hayward counters. “I don’t want to be painted with a brush that makes people think I might have been trying to recreate Van’s Moondance. “It’s just that Jeffrey [Foucault] were listening to the record and really enjoying its production qualities and the whole spirit of the album,” he continues. “So we kind of used that as a jumping off point when we began to record The Reef. “Without doubt there are some ingredients of Moondance on my album but it would be unfair to say I was trying to recreate it,” he adds. “It’s just that Van Morrison has a way of being so universal and his production and arrangements are so pleasing to the ear and also so timeless that he’s very inspiring, especially to songwriters.” Billy Conway, once of much-loved American indie rock trio Morphine, plays drums on The Reef. How did you score his services? “Jeffrey [Foucault], who produced the album, does a lot of duo tours with Billy and they were once together in a band called Cold Satellite,” Hayward reveals. “I then became part of that band when they
“So we first crossed paths at summer camp where we’d find ourselves playing guitar late at night around the campfire,” Hayward continues. “And from there, because Jeffrey had already started out on a music career and I was just beginning mine, he would help me out with a show here and there. “And then every once in while we’d collaborate and we’ve since become fast friends in a social and musical sense,” he adds. “So I would think we’ll work together again in the future and create some more magic.” Hayward then admits that he has difficulty focussing on any future plans until his current project is fully done and dusted. “I have this thing where I have to work on the record I have out at the moment,” he says. “And The Reef is still pretty fresh to me at the moment so I’m still havin’ a lot of fun playing the songs from it. Once I get sick of that and have played the hell out of ’em, I’ll start figuring out some new stuff.” The musician says he grew up in the grunge era, so it wasn’t until he got older that his musical tasted widened. “Yeah, early on for me it was all Pearl Jam and, obviously, Nirvana,” he laughs. “But there was always a guitar lying around the house so when I was may 14 or 15 I started figuring out how to play songs. And, from there, you then start figuring out how to write your own songs. “But I don’t think I wrote something I was proud of and could think about playing it in front of people until I was into my early 20s,” he continues. “And that would when I also started listening to people like Van Morrison, Ryan Adams and Bruce Springsteen. “And from listening to that kind of stuff – and they are all still big influences – I finally found my own musical voice,” Hayward concludes. Hayward Williams and The Yearlings play McLaren Vale’s The Singing Gallery on Saturday 6 December and The Wheatsheaf Hotel, 39 George St, Thebarton, from 4pm on Sunday 7 December.
SUPERCAINE By Robert Dunstan Adelaide band SuperCaine (photographed here by Andre Goosen) have just returned from a successful, self-funded overseas tour and are set to play their final gig for the year at the newly re-opened Crown & Sceptre. SuperCaine are made up of members of bands who have previously played around the Adelaide traps. “At one point Mayqueen had Jack [Cunningham] and I on guitar and Alex [Upton] on drums,” guitarist and vocalist Jasper Morris says from the US. A little while after I left Mayqueen to join Loaded Leopard and met Anthony [Costanzo] who is now SuperCaine’s bass player. Then, in summer of 2013 I wanted to form a band which explored the lighter side of blues, rock’n’roll and Americana so it was quite a departure from the heavier, harder rock style of Mayqueen and Loaded Leopard but I knew Jack, Alex and Anthony were just the guys for the job “So we had a jam on a few songs I had been writing and it just clicked,” he adds. What brought about the recent US trip? “Honestly, it was a lot easier to book a US tour than it was to book an Australian tour.” Jasper says. “The majority of promoters, venues and booking agents were a lot more accommodating and easier to work with than so many I have tried to work with outside Adelaide. “Logistically it made more sense too, instead of doing a six or seven-date tour up the east coast of Australia, we did a 30-date one internationally and were able to reach a lot more people because of it. In saying that, we are focusing our efforts on Australian shows and tours in the next couple of years.” Did the whole band go? “Unfortunately, with no label backing and limited touring funds, we made the decision that Jack and I would tour as a duo,” Jasper says. “It would have been fantastic for all the lads to be there, but we actually found that playing as a duo opened a lot of doors for us, particularly in New York where we were able to play in more intimate environments to a more attentive audience.” Have you played alongside any other act that have inspired you? “We have played alongside some brilliant acts on the tour, but the one who really takes the cake is a guy called Glen Martin. He was on the bill for the first show of the tour in Santa Monica, has since moved up to Tennessee and joined us once more on stage in Nashville only a few weeks ago.”
he adds. “We also managed to go and see Robert Plant at the iTunes festival in London for free! Man that guy has still got it!” Are there any other adventures that stick out? “We were flying out of Austin to play a show the same evening in San Diego which wasn’t a great idea in the first place I guess but we were set to land about four hours before the show so we figured it would be fine. “It’s a fairly long flight and had a hourlong stopover in LA. But we arrived at Austin airport only to be informed by Delta Airlines that our flight was delayed by about 20 minutes. When we eventually boarded the plane, the pilot informed us that the auxiliary power switch wasn’t working and they would have to fire up the plane’s engines manually. “They sent for a repair truck which, half an hour later, we found out had broken down on the way and another was being sent. At this point we had our heads in our hands. When we eventually got in the air, I worked out we would miss our connecting flight from LAX to San Diego so I rebooked us on the next plane out which would have got us there just over half an hour before the show. “As we sat at LAX trying to organise a taxi to take us directly from San Diego Airport to the House Of Blues in time for our set, we were told over the intercom that this plane was also delayed. All hope was lost and we missed the show completely.” Have you been able to make any decent contacts in the US that may lead to further tours or album releases? “We have made quite a few, particularly through other musicians who are wellsolidified in their own local scenes. But the next year or two will be spent focusing on homegrown Aussie shows and releases with an aim is to get the whole band out to America in the not too distant future.” What are your plans after returning home? “We have a celebratory home-coming sort of show at the newly re-opened Crown & Sceptre with St Morris Sinners and Dusty Lee’s Wasted Wanderers which will be our last show of the year,” he announces. “But we also have some exciting things on the horizon involving new music, a tour in the works and, of course, plenty of Adelaide shows!’ Jasper concludes. SuperCaine play Crown & Sceptre Hotel, 308 King William St, on Saturday 6 December with Dusty Lee’s Wasted Wanderers and St Morris Sinners.
What’s been a highlight so far? “There have been a lot of highlights but one that really sticks out for me was a show in Chicago at a venue called Uncommon Ground because the place was absolutely packed,” Jasper enthuses. “It would have to be one of the most attentive and engaged audiences I have ever played to and I had tingles down my spine half way through the first song,”
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CD/DVD REVIEWS
CD REVIEWS
Music SA is a not-for-profit organisation committed to promoting, supporting and developing contemporary music in South Australia. We are thrilled to be working with BSide Magazine to bring you reviews of South Australian artists. Want to see your CD reviewed here? Go to musicsa.com.au for details on how to submit your EP or LP.
A LOOSE TRUST El Loco Reviewer: Craig Atkins Rating: 3/5
IRON FEATHER Set In Stone Reviewer: Kyle Opie Rating: 3.5/5
KEVAN KEELER Five O’ One Nine Reviewer: Max Tulysewski Rating: 4/5
PSYCHODELICACY Psychodelicacy 2 Reviewer: Craig Atkins Rating: 3/5
Four piece alt punk band “A Loose Trust” introduce themselves as ‘a little loose, but will mostly do you no wrong’ - a statement that became more evident as I listened to their 6 track EP “El Loco”, as it is reflected in the recording.
Iron Feather are a very young group who describe their music as Blackened Groove Metal. The eleven track album, “Set in Stone”, is their first release. It features chugging distorted guitar a plenty, clean and growling vocals and it does, indeed, ‘groove’.
While Kevan Keeler’s debut album, “Five O’ One Nine”, is named after the postcode for a collection of north-western seaside suburbs in Adelaide, this record is anything but a local Adelaide production.
It’s always great getting a new CD in the post that features a band outside my circle whom I haven’t heard of yet. On this occasion it was South Coast four piece “Psychodelicacy”, a rock / punk undertones outfit comprised by Janet Simpson (Vocals & Bass), Jeff Della-mina (Guitar & Vocals), Reg Terrell (Lead Guitar and backing vocals) and Nathan Sims (Drums).
These guys don’t seem to take themselves too seriously – but their music is injected with heaps of attitude and angst (some key aspects for punk …don’t ya think?). The recording keeps some talking in between tracks and a false start of a bass line; I find it interesting to keep these in the mix and it gives a small insight into the human aspect of recording. It is very apparent that these guys would have had a blast in the studio. The band entered into Twin Earth Studios to produce their EP, which was engineered by John McNichol and produced by Nicholas Richter. The result is 6 tracks of alt punk with some thrash overtones that is just over 12 minutes long. The production is a solid recording with all instruments sitting well in the mix, and the song structures and delivery are consistent. I could easily hear some of these songs synced to a skating doco or game. The vocals have a distinct Australian vibe, laced with angst, and predominantly put over the usual and necessary sound of distorted power chords, driving drums and chunking bass lines. The stand out track for me is ‘Waiting Game’, that starts with a simple bass line, then adds a melodic clean guitar riff and cool drum groove. The overall vibe of this recording is a bunch of mates who enjoy playing music together, and as always, I say have a listen for yourself and decide if it takes a part of your local music collection.
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This is particularly evident on such tracks as ‘Eco Hazard’; the drums and bass do very well to lock down a solid feel and this is built upon with clever high-hat flourishes and drum fills. Stylistically, each track is quite similar, but occasional timbre changes, such as the application of guitar effects on ‘S.W.A.T’, help to give each track its own personality.
Recorded in and featuring musicians from both South Australia and California, Five O’ One Nine is a well-travelled album complete with ‘80s era classic rock references and lyrical elements from the future, inspired by Sci-Fi and B-grade horror films.
Set in Stone is a promising release for material by the youngest group I’ve encountered as a reviewer.
Musically, Five O’ One Nine is very hard to fault, featuring the session work of Dave Blight (Cold Chisel), Steve Williams (Wa Wa Nee, The Choirboys) and Gregg and Matt Bissonette (David Lee Roth, Ringo Starr, Joe Satriani). A highlight is album opener ‘Wrong Side of the Tracks’, a heavy rock anthem packed full of chugging riffage and explosive drumming.
Considering this, I was surprised at the high level of musicianship and musicality present in the instrumental performance and production quality. It does, nonetheless, lack maturity.
These musical tropes are heavily explored throughout the album with only small breaks for slower, more tender moments as well as a selection of sound bites taken from actual NASA recordings.
This is particularly evident in the vocals and lyrics; granted they have chosen a difficult style to approach this from at such a young age.
At its core, Five O’ One Nine is a very strong debut album from Keeler. Littered with allusions to the music of Iron Maiden, Van Halen and David Lee Roth, this album is both an introduction and a retrospective. Five O’ One Nine is Kevan Keeler showing us the music he loves, why he loves it and allowing us to love it too. That’s the kind of authenticity that’s hard to argue with.
They have released their 6 track EP ‘Psychodelicacy 2’ with sound engineer Josh Barohn behind the desk - I’ve worked with him in a live setting a few times, but haven’t heard his studio work to date so was keen to get it crankin’. The production of the CD is solid and well mixed, capturing the edge, attitude and energy of this band. The opening track ‘Do You Wanna Cry’ is an instant starter, so consider what your volume is set to…it’s a good opening track, had a rocking “Heart” & “Joan Jett” kind of vibe. If I were to choose a stand out track, ‘Leo the Gemini with Cancer’ is the one; it starts with a simple bass riff, then kicks into a cool groove with drums and wah guitar riffs over the top, plus cool rappin’ vocals…definitely sounds like it would have been a fun one to lay down. Any one that likes their rock stacked with chunky power chords, guitar solos, thumping drums and solid bass lines with the diversity of shared vocals and some punk undertones should definitely have a listen, and should be keen to catch them a live show some time.
PIMPIN HORUS
“You guys don’t have a harvest holiday do you?”
PIMPIN’ HORUS By Robert Dunstan Local funk band Pimpin’ Horus have just returned from their first overseas tour – 23 shows over six weeks in four countries – and will now be launching their third EP, Linonophobia, this weekend at Jive. We caught up with drummer Simba Jazzaps, who plays alongside singer Shan Van Diepen, guitarist Jaze ‘Hollywood’ Hellbourn, bassist Thrilby and keyboard player The Reverend, to chat about their overseas adventures and upcoming CD launch. “We had an amazing tour,” Simba says, “and played to some amazing crowds at some very underground venues – and I mean underground literally,” he laughs. “And one thing I got out of it was how we reached such a broad range of people. “For example, a 68-year-old guy from The Netherlands said we were, ‘the best white funk band he’d even seen’, and then we had young 17-year-olds in Germany asking if we would come back and play their 18th birthday parties next year. So that was really lovely. “And playing 23 shows in something like five and a half weeks meant that we roughly played about three or four year’s worth of shows in a very short space of time,” Simba laughs. “So at the end we were just having so much fun on stage and it has really helped develop our live show.” How did the overseas trek come about? “Well, we were touring with Lord Bishop Rocks,” Simba says. “He’s a funk veteran from the US who now lives in Germany. But we met him when he toured here and we did a bit of a CD swap one night at the Cranka. “And then his management company got in touch with us about a year and a half ago and asked if we wanted to think about touring Europe in 2014 with Lord Bishop Rock for the release of his new album. “So we thought it was too much of an opportunity to pass up,” he continues. “And it was great because we made lots of really good contacts. Particularly in The Netherlands where we played five shows that were all really well-received and had some great interest from some booking agents. “And we did really, really well in Switzerland too,” Simba adds with a chuckle, “and it seems, in general, people over there really like a bit of cheesy, ’80s funk rock. So we will now go back again as soon as we can.” Pimpin’ Horus formed in 2008. “So we’ve been around for a while,” the drummer says, “and in band years that’s probably about 88 years. And while there have been one or two line-up changes along the way, the core group is still the same. “Personally, I think it’s because everyone is on the same page, musically, and we are all such great guys,” Simba adds. “And
the music is bloody fun to play and that helps keep everything fresh for us.” Linonophobia was recorded at Hindmarsh’s Chapel Lane Studio. “And we had the wonderful, wonderful Gabs Agostino record us,” Simba says of the locally-based freelance producer who has worked with such acts as Shaolin Afronauts and Lowrider and is now getting set to work once again with award winning Hammond-driven, Adelaidebased blues trio Lazy Eye. “And this was the first time we’ve played around with different arrangements,” the drummer continues. “So we had a live horn section and got some extra percussion in as well as some guest singers and it was just wonderful playing around in the studio with lots of different people. “Everyone was just bouncing ideas off each other,” Simba. “And we felt like we were in such good hands working with Gabs because if he’s not recording local prog rock bands, he’s working with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, recording string quartets or working in theatre.” Did you have copies of Linonophobia at hand when you ventured overseas? “We got it mastered two weeks before we went away,” Simba responds. “So it had to be delivered to us in a mad rush and we even had some sent to us while we were in Europe. “And we got rid of all of them,” he laughs. “They are all in peoples’ homes across Europe. That’s quite a wonderful feeling. “So we now can’t wait to release it here,” Simba says. “And lots of wonderful things have come out of the EP as well. The cover art, for example, was a diorama that our guitarist, Jaze ‘Hollywood’ Hellbourn, hand-built and hand-painted so the marionettes on the front cover were all made by him including all their clothes. “In fact, it probably took him longer to sew all the clothes for the string puppets than it did to record his guitar parts,” he adds. “Jaze put a hell of a lot of work into the cover.” Pimpin’ Horus are now set for their EP launch at which they have invited Melbourne band The Vaudeville Smash to take part as well as locals The Rocketeers. “If there’s any band that we would want to play at our launch, The Vaudeville Smash would have to be it,” Simba announces. “I remember us lying on our mattresses in Dresden, Germany, trying to think about our CD launch and The Vaudeville Smash’s name just kept coming up as the perfect choice.” “So when we contacted them and they got back to us to say, ‘Yeah, let’s totally do this thing’, we were pretty happy,” he concludes. “And having The Rocketeers playing as well will turn it into a really huge party.” Pimpin Horus launch Linonophobia at Jive, 181 Hindley St, on Saturday 6 December with special guests The Vaudeville Smash and The Rocketeers. Tickets via Moshtix.
This was a question posed to me only the other day when I was on the phone to American singer songwriter Ani DiFranco – a rare occurrence I must say – and I happened to wish her a happy Thanksgiving in the hope it would help break some ice. It was actually the very first time I’d ever spoken to Ms DiFranco and I was a tad nervous given her reputation as someone who is quite a righteous babe. But we got on rather well and the interview, essentially about the release of her 19th studio album, Allergic To Water, will appear within the next few weeks in this very publication. The subject of Thanksgiving also came up in another phone interview only the other day when I was chatting away to lanky American musician Hayward Williams about his current tour of Australia with Adelaide’s The Yearlings. During the course of our conversation, Hayward had remarked that this would be the first time in his entire life he had missed out on Thanksgiving. “It can be a stressful time though with all the family stuff goin’ on,” he had laughed, “so it’s kinda interesting to be on the other side of the world where it’s not celebrated. “But Thanksgiving a big thing in the US and very important to a lot of people as it’s often an opportunity to catch up with friends and family that you don’t see too often. “And I may celebrate Thanksgiving in Australia by going to a deli and buying some sliced turkey,” Hayward had then added with another laugh. I then had to tell him that Adelaide had once almost missed out on seeing American country rock band The Eagles as they had wanted to fly home for Thanksgiving and playing the city of churches around that time would have put paid to that. The Eagles were talked out of flying home to eat turkeys, however, and all was well.
Perhaps, though, we could have an annual celebration to celebrate the building of the rabbit proof fence which was established in 1907 and went from Cape Karaudren and Esperance in Western Australia and runs for several thousand kilometres. That could work! We could all gather with family and friends on a certain day of the year – my birthday quickly springs to mind – and watch the 2002 film Rabbit-Proof Fence or a repeat of South Sydney Rabbitohs winning the 2014 premiership while munching away on rabbit and lettuce sandwiches. Or maybe an annual celebration to celebrate the 1950 release of the deadly myxomatosis virus which, rather effectively, quickly wiped out an estimated 600 million bunnies leaving only 100 million roaming the country digging holes and eating farm crops as well as any letters regional posties had somehow dropped. That could also work! We could all gather with family and friends on a certain day of the year and tell rabbit jokes. Only problem is I know of only one rabbit joke and that’s the old one about the bloke who ventures into a bar and orders a toasted ham sandwich. When it’s finished he quickly orders another but is told there are only toasted cheese ones left, so he enjoys that. When later casually walking home from the pub using a strange hopping motion, he is stopped by the police who question why he is hopping along the road like a bunny rabbit. “Sorry, officers,” he hops and slurs due to rather too many beery hops. “I think it’s just a case of mixing my toasties.” Hayward Williams and The Yearlings play McLaren Vale’s The Singing Gallery on Saturday 6 December and The Wheatsheaf Hotel, 39 George St, Thebarton, from 4pm on Sunday 7 December. Ani DiFranco’s great new album, Allergic To Water, is out now via Righteous Babe.
But talk of Thanksgiving and Ani remarking that we in Australia don’t have a harvest festival – well apart from the musical one that until quite recently was held in Melbourne every year – made me wonder why we perhaps don’t have one at our disposal. Perhaps it’s because we already enjoy rather too many public holidays already – I could list them all here in chronological order but it would take up the rest of my column – so another one is not needed. But if we were to have one, what would we base it around? It’s been said that Australia once rode on the sheeps’ back so perhaps we could have an annual sheep festival celebration of some kind although I do tend to think that former Australian Rules footballer and current media personality Sam Kekovich already has that grilled and covered as part of Australia Day celebrations.
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THREE D RADIO TOP 20+1 The 21 most played new releases for the week 21/11/14 – 28/11/14
SHAUN KIRK By Robert Dunstan “Adelaide has always been really kind to me and I’ve never had a bad show there,” young Australian blues slinger Shaun Kirk announces ahead of a return visit this weekend to play two shows. The first will have him at what has become his Adelaide home away from home, The Wheatsheaf Hotel, alongside Cal Williams Jr with the second being an already sold out concert at The Porch Sessions alongside his good Adelaide mates Halfway To Forth and Alice Haddy. “The Porch Sessions sounds like a pretty cool concept,” Shaun says of the locallyorganised outdoor events that take place at a secret location with pop up food trucks and bars – usually in someone’s back garden or front porch – and invariably sell out as soon as they are announced.
boys introduced me to it. And because I’m really happy with Steer The Wheel I thought I may as well put it out on vinyl.
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“Yeah, I bought myself a little GoPro a while back and have been documenting everything and kind of making a documentary about the behind the scenes life of a troubadour,” he laughs. “It’s just stuff that I see while I’m travelling around the place and I’ve been putting up a little weekly tour diary on YouTube for people to check out.
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“And they seem to be going down well and it’s also a nice little creative side project for me to have,” Shaun adds.
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Tom Redwood
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“And I may have some for sale at the gig in Adelaide – I’m flying over so it makes it hard to bring them – but they are definitely on sale via my website or at places like JB-HiFi,” he says. Shaun is also undertaking some filming as part of the tour which he is uploading to YouTube.
“Tony Joe is one of my absolute heroes,” Shaun says of the American musician whose swamp rock songs have been famously covered by everyone from Elvis Presley through to Tina Turner, John Mayall and even The Cruel Sea.
Shaun did, however, take some time off a couple of weekends ago to play a round.
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Local Australian Last week Returned after a week off the chart Fresh entry into the chart
Shaun says he is working on his next album. “But I’m at a funny stage at the moment because I have a lot of songs that are almost there but not quite yet,” he decides. “They still need some work so it’s quite frustrating. “But I kinda have my eyes set on heading overseas next year because I signed a management deal with a company based in Las Angeles earlier this year,” Shaun then announces. “So they’ve been working working on introducing me to a few record labels.
Shaun is following the wake of rootsy blues artists such as Ash Grunwald and Jeff Lang and, in fact, used the latter’s rhythm section of bass player Grant ‘Squire’ Cummerford and drummer Danny McKenna to record Steer The Wheel.
“So that’s also a bit of a focus for me at present,” he conludes. “It’s kind of where my mind is at right at the moment because I’ve done lots of laps of Australia now and it’s probably time to do something different.”
The musician is also excited to announce that Steer The Wheel has just been issued on vinyl.
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The - TOP 20+1 - show Saturdays 7.00 - 9.00pm www.threedradio.com
“I’ve been fortunate enough to play on a couple of bills with Tony Joe over the years and it’s always been fantastic,” Shaun enthuses. “And a couple of years ago I had chance to have dinner with him and few other artists in the green room when he was playing Bluesfest.”
“Ha, golf is my secondary outlet to music,” he laughs. “But it’s the first time I’d done that in a couple of years. It was just that I just wanted to get out on the course with a few mates and have a hit. Not that I played all that well, mind you.”
Adelaide’s Halfway To Forth (Tasmanianborn brothers Kyle and Dan Lizotte and who will be playing alongside Shaun at the sold out Porch Sessions show) also guest on the album on the song Two Hands On The Wheel.
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Shaun, who is touring his latest release, Steer The Wheel, is also looking forward to his show at The Wheatsheaf Hotel.
“I’m three weeks into this tour now so I’m at about the half-way mark,” he then says.
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The musician also recently posted of Facebook that he was delighted to announce that he would be performing alongside Tony Joe White at Tasmania’s Forth Valley Blues Festival in March of next year.
“I’ve checked out some of Cal’s tunes and he sounds cool,” Shaun says. “So I reckon it’s going to work really well with the two of us. It should be fun because the Wheaty is probably my favourite venue in Australia. And it’s the perfect size for the kind of following I have at the moment.
Artist Wild Rocket
“Anything that can sell out so quickly is amazing these days,” Shaun notes. “So I’m really looking forward to playing The Porch Sessions as I reckon it will be totally different to anything I’ve even done before.”
“And I’m looking forward to playing with Cal Williams Jr at the Wheaty,” he says of the local musician who has just announced a series of shows with blues legend Chris Finnen as part of Adelaide Fringe 2015.
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Shaun Kirk plays The Wheatsheaf Hotel, 39 George St, Thebarton, on Saturday 6 December with Cal Williams Jur. Tickets via OzTix or at the door. Shaun also plays a sold out show at The Porch Sessions on Sunday 7 December with Halfway To Forth and Alice Haddy.
“It’s something I’d always wanted to do,” Shaun says. “I’ve been an avid collector of vinyl now since the Halfway To Forth
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THE BIZZO
RESEARCHING YOUR LOCAL SCENE By Corey Stewart The local music scene is a constantly evolving and changing beast and if your intentions are to work within it then it’s very important for you to know what’s going on. So, it’s time to do some researching and as part of your research you want to find out the following: 1. What are all of the venues operating in my local music scene? 2. Which of those venues are appropriate for me to be gigging at? 3. Who are the people to contact at these venues? 4. What are the music magazines/papers in my area such as BSide Magazine? 5. Who are the people to contact at these magazines? 6. What are the community/noncommercial radio stations in my area? 7. Who are the people to contact at these radio stations?
BPLUS - THE FREQUENCY
8. Who is playing in my local scene at the moment sound similar to me?
THE FREQUENCY By Libby Parker
Once you have this information at your fingertips you then have a really good idea how big your local scene is and how many potential gigging opportunities are waiting to be explored.
This week’s feature school band is The Frequency, a three-piece who are just finishing up their school year at Torrens Valley Christian School.
From the above list you will know: 1. Where, and to whom, to send your promotions package (Venues) 2. Where, and to whom, to send your press releases/one sheets (Music Media) 3. Where, and to whom, to send your CDs (Radio) 4. What bands that you would consider doing a gig with (Other Bands) Make sure you organise the information into a band management folder of some kind (either on computer or in a binder) so you can keep track who and where things have been sent to and the phone calls/personal visits that you make. Remember, there is no one way to organise this information so how you do this is really up to you but you’ll find that by doing your research now it will make your music business dealings a lot easier for you in the future
Made up of good mates Anthony Donato (vocals and drums), Tom Burton (guitar) and Lewis Trainor (bass), the band have been playing together since 2011. Lewis Trainor says it’s the friendship between the three that brought them together to play rock. “The band originally started with a different member from me who has now left. We all met at school, we were good friends with the same music taste and wanted to do something with our music,” he says. Citing their music influences as Fall Out Boy, Muse and White Stripes, The Frequency have a particularly striking style with chunky riffs and an impressively huge sound for a three-piece outfit. Personally, Lewis also attributes his musical abilities to his former guitar teacher and his parents, as well as older rock bands.
For such young musicians, they have already accomplished great things, playing some gigs around town and releasing an EP this year. “We have had many gigs around Adelaide,” Lewis says. “Our last one was just in October at Club 5082 [organised by Prospect Council], which was probably our most fave gig so far. But other great gigs have been at the Hotel Metro and Cavern Club. “This year in January we recorded our first EP and since then we have got the artwork, mastering of the tracks and all printed last month. It is called The Frequency EP.” All this and they’ve only just finished their Year 10 exams! But Lewis says they just want to keep enjoying what they’re doing and getting their music out to people. “I think our short term goal is to create music and have fun playing, but our long term goal is to create a following for our band,” he says. The guys, who share the writing process between them, have music on Soundcloud you can check out, so have a listen. They may just rock your world!
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CAREER PATHWAYS 2015
courses.musicsa.com.au