Horrorshow Friday October 11
Wolf & Cub Thursday October 17
Yacht Club DJs Wednesday October 23
Adalita Friday November 1
October The ReChords + The Sin & Tonics $10 Friday 4th Tim Freedman + Emma Russack $30pre/$35door Saturday 5th Evan Carydakis Quartet Sunday 6th Billy Whitton Tuesday 8th Brian Fraser $5 Wednesday 9th Austen Tayshus $13pre/$15door Thursday 10th Horrorshow + Homebrew $25pre/$30door Friday 11th Whitley + Seagull $17pre/$20door Saturday 12th Rod Fritz + Zach Spinks + Dominic Francis Sunday 13th Quiz Night Monday 14th The Baker Boys Tuesday 15th Hobart Reggae Inc Wednesday 16th Wolf & Cub + Zeahorse $15pre/$20door Thursday 17th Dialectrix + Crixus + Bladel $15pre/$20door Friday 18th Boil Up $5 Saturday 19th Soul Sunday Sessions |JAJA Sunday 20th Joe Pirere Monday 21st
Billy Longo Tuesday 22nd Yacht Club DJ's on SHOW DAY EVE $20pre/$25door Wed 23rd The Siren Tower $12 Thursday 24th Australia Made $5 Friday 25th Younger Dryas $10 Saturday 26th Dave Wilson Sunday 27th Quiz Night Monday 28th G.B. Balding (Finger Picking Blues) Tuesday 29th Wahbash Avenue Wednesday 30th Shaun Kirk $10pre/$15door Thursday 31st November Adalita + Laura Jean Friday 1st Jordie Lane Sunday 3rd Dog Trumpet (Reg Mombassa) Saturday 9th Kill Devil Hills Sunday10th Busby Marou Friday 22nd
MARION BAY LORNE
BYRON BAY
ta s m a n i a
victoria
dec 29 2013
dec 28 2013
dec 31 2013
Jan 01 2014
jan 01 2014
Jan 03 2014
Until
Until
n e w s o u t h wa l e s
Until
i n a l p h a b e t i ca l o r d e r
!!! (chk chk chk) • asta • big scary • bombino bonobo • the cat empire • chet faker • crystal fighters cyril hahn • emma louise • flight facilities • gossling grizzly bear • hanni el khatib • hermitude • horrorshow hungry kids of hungary • james vincent mcmorrow johnny marr • london grammar • mgmt • neil finn oliver tank • the paper kites • pond • the preatures the roots • the rubens • rufus • solange thundamentals • tom odell • vampire weekend violent femmes • violent soho • the war on drugs white denim • the wombats boogie nights
the correspondents • hot 8 brass band hot dub time machine • late nite tuff guy • legs akimbo mountain mocha kilimanjaro • tom thum
tickets on sale now local tassie ticket! receive $10 off each ticket
when purchased from the following retailers
centertainment hobart, collectors corner burnie, mojo music launceston
fallsfestival.com
3 BRISBANE STREET HOBART 6234 4920
October 12th g (vic) n a T f O s n ro a B e h T ,%44= h ns Heart + DJ BTC t so 1 aw 1 L + r e Octob vic) ( g n ,3967 a T Of s n o r a ) B Octobe and (NZ The H g in e e S ll r 19th A The ns *VM 7YR a e c G O + o Go Sa abins / Bad C w w / pien (vi Monste XMPP TQ rs Of c) The Id + Dj T + Unfoldi winkle ng Vos Digitz toks + + h TMRXW D t D j 9 j 1 JSB M r a e r b y o Jane ( Oct FRON ) a s T BAR 7XYFFMIW ( e k a l F ) er m m u S it &EWMGW + Catsu w/ Naked AR) B K 3rd 2 C er A ob ct O (B h c a e B + Heart ist AD (NZ) on ag nt A 7%8 (= r Solace (vic) + Skun Knees
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w/ Ou With An Escape Artist. + Drayfus' Ephiphany + Interview
h t 4 ) 2 d n r e a l b n Octo AANI (Fi rgan Music L tion Of O K I P ip October 25th anscr KOR r T + it u s t a w/ + C Alex & The Shy Lashies (vic)
October 26th Mephistopheles (album launch)
w/ The Hamburgers
October 27th Joey Cape and Br ia A Tribute To Tony n Wahlstrom: Sly
he Surface (vic) T r ca S + ah er ab w/ T andom Order + Atra Vetosis + R + Alvastra
Pub Meals
Lunch - Tues till Fri 12:30 till 2:30 Dinner - Tues till Sun - 5:30 till 8:30 *** New Mexican Night!!! Mexi-Cantina Wednesday's with Sir Mex-a-Lot*** Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday are counter meals as usual. Awesome and cheap
News
News in Brief GET YOUR QUIZ ON Everyone loves a quiz night, the opportunity to have a few quiet drinks, be entertained and out-smart-ass your mates is one we can’t bear not to take advantage of. The opportunity to win prizes (e.g. wine, bar vouchers, tickets to upcoming gigs…) just makes it all the more enticing. The Waratah Hotel in Hobart has a quiz night. A regular one (and by regular, I mean it’s on every week, not that it’s just a standard, average quiz night), Wednesday nights, at 7pm. Hosted by local funny man Mick Lowenstein. We’re not sure if that means he’s funny-ha-ha, or funny-peculiar, but either way it will be entertaining and worth checking out. Get along and be quizzy! OPEN DECKS Every Sunday afternoon the Vic Tav gives the DJs of Hobart a chance to show their skills, and party. All you need to do is submit your name to the face book page (just search for “Open decks every Sunday @ the vic“), rock up, spin tunes, and possibly win prizes, gift vouchers, or bar tabs. Boom. Simple. Antisound broadcasts live on NSB radio from the Vic Tav every Sunday, and the open deck/battle dealy slots around that, so even if you don’t enter, it’s a whole load of Sunday session fun! Get along and flex your skeellz on the wheelz of steel, or y’know, just sink a couple pints.
as a part of their release, thus allowing the 99.9999999999999999% of us that no longer own a tape deck to check out what they have to offer. Fortunate for those of us who are too old for mp3’s, but too young for tape decks (I assume people like that exist), Edward and Richard will be playing a few live shows around Tasmania in October. Thursday October 10 at the Star Bar in Launceston, Friday October 11 at The Grand Poobah in Hobart, and Saturday October 12 at the MONA, But I’m pretty sure you’re only allowed to attend if you wear a brown cardigan. THE MASKED BALL Spring has sprung and there is a Beltane Masquerade Ball to celebrate. Come in your best masquerade ball room threads and dance the night away into the wee hours at The Grand Poobah on the 12th Oct from 9.00pm. Included is a lantern parade procession up Liverpool St to the Grand Poobah starting at 8.30pm at the corner of Liverpool and Elizabeth Sts. With music and pretty lanterns to light the way and kick of the celebrations followed by a ritual to honor the month of Beltane. Music will come from Guerilla Zingari, Wolves of Rain, The Embers, and Roderi on sitar, plus DJs Kireesh and Big Cat Russell. There will also be prizes for the Best Costume and for the Best Dancer.
October 12 supporting The Mornings at The Playhouse Theatre. Think of the mainland tour as a warm up for us super important Tasmanians! THE HAND THAT SEES ALL The All Seeing Hand is a crazy act from New Zealand. The band consists of Mongolian throat singer Jonny Marks, punk-drummer B Michael Knight, and turntablist Alphabethead. For any of you (like me) that religiously studied every DMC and ITF video you could source in the early 00’s, Alphabethead really needs no introduction. Anyway, what a combination! The All Seeing Hand were one of the most popular acts at NZ’s Camp A Low Hum earlier this year, and now they’re venturing over the Tasman to show Australia what they’re all about. This includes one night only at The Brisbane Hotel in Hobart, on Saturday October 12. NEW TUNES COMES WITH A NEW PSEUDONYM
UNCHAINED JUST ANOTHER MOFO MONA FOMA 2014, curated by Brian Ritchie and Nicole Durling, announces its lineup on October 11. MOFO is MONA’s summer celebration of music and art, around Hobart, including the weekly MoMa market on the museum lawns, and Faux Mo MONA’s signature Bacchanalian nightclub where nothing is true and everything is permitted. MONA FOMA will run from January 15 – 19. Watch this space: www. mofo.net.au. WHAT’S HIP AGAIN Apparently cassettes are hip again. Hip as hell. Hipster hip for the walkman clipped to a hipsters hip. Which is fortunate for Edward Guglielmino and Richard Cuthbert, who have just released a double A-side cassingle. Also fortunate for the duo, is the advent of mp3 technology, allowing them to cheaply include download codes
Warp Tasmania OCTOBER 2013
The Beautiful Chains are yet another Tasmanian band who are venturing beyond our shores and showing the rest of the country what our music scene has to offer. Throughout the start of October, The Beautiful Chains will be popping up in a few places in South East Australia, playing at The Front Gallery in Canberra on October 2, Some Velvet Morning in Clifton Hill (Vic) on October 6, and Lentil As Anything in Abbotsford (also in Vic) on October 9. Immediately following that, Hobart will be able to catch them on October 11 and
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The Falls Music & Arts Festival wants you! They are currently looking for fun, fabulous and hard working folks to volunteer at this year’s event in stunning Marion Bay. Volunteering provides you with a sneak peek behind the scenes of the leading Tasmanian festival and you will also gain practical, personal and vocational skills. To apply, you must be 18 years or over, be available from December 28 – January 1 inclusive, and be willing to work as part of a team in an outdoor environment. Good communication skills, reliability and flexibility are all handy attributes to have. If successful, you will receive free preferential camping, free meals while on shift, access to the entertainment when not working, and the chance to meet some great people and have a lot of fun. They are also offering an Operations Internship role for someone who wants to gain a longer term and more in depth experience working on the event. To get involved visit www. fallsfestival.com, enter the Marion Bay site, then click on ‘Work At Falls’ under the more Info heading. For more information email tasoffice@ fallsfestival.com Applications close mid October, 2013.
ART Andrew Harper
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GET INVOLVED BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE FALLS FESTIVAL
GIG GUIDE Submit your events to
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Most musically inclined Hobartists know of Cal Young for his wildly popular work with The Scientists of Modern Music, and more recently, Asta. His catchy tune writing talents combined with his pop sensibilities have seen both of those acts receive widespread accolades that few Taswegian acts could match. Now Cal is back, in a new guise, this time as Kowl. Kowl will be launching his debut self titled EP at Wunderland in Hobart on Saturday October 12 (this will also be the official after party for The Mornings Ribbons Theatre series event at The Playhouse Theatre). Support by Wax Dr West, free entry from midnight, why on Earth wouldn’t you go?
Writers Stephanie Eslake, Brett Pitfield, Erin Lawler, Brigitte Trobbiani, Mark Acheson, Chloe Mayne, Robert Fisher, Shane Crixus, Andrew Harper, Nic Orme, Caity Rode, Tom Grant, Alexander Crowden, David Simmons, Jodie Meier, Stu Warren, Annie Brown, Seb Alvarez, Alastair Ling, Jeff Jenkins NEWS Submit your press releases plus publicity images through to the appropriate editor for consideration.
WHO PUT SOMETHING IN THE TEA? It’s all happening at Tattersall’s and Wunderland lately, and they’re keeping the happy good fun time party action coming thick and fast in October. Mad Hatters Tea Party will be encompassing both venues (ie. the entire venue) with a whole bunch of interstate acts and DJs in town to make it a huge night on Friday October 18. Upstairs at Wunderland, you’ll be able to catch the likes of Paul Masters & MC Kitch, and D-Funk, along side local favourites Grotesque, DJ Dameza (with more TBA). Downstairs at Tattersall’s Beer & Food Hall you’ll be able to catch Delsinki Records (Melb), Tane Emia-Moore
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(Melb) joining Darktown Strutters and the best of the Tattersalls Folk Club. Free entry downstairs from 6pm, tickets for upstairs are $5 (pre-sale - available from Tattersalls) and doors will open at 10pm.
OUTSHINING THE SOUTHERN LIGHTS
AN INTIMATE TIME WITH MCKISKO
now, three months later, Durham has been given the all-clear to carry on with the rest of the tour. That means they’re on their way to play at the Derwent Entertainment Centre on Saturday November 23, and Launceston’s Princess Theatre on Monday November 25. RAP BATTLES
Throughout October McKisko (aka. Helen Franzmann) is set to embark on an extensive tour to celebrate the release of her eagerly anticipated new album, Eximo. It’s the follow up to her critically acclaimed 2009 release, Glorio, which scored 4 stars in the SMH, and lead to McKisko being chosen to support the likes of Tiny Vipers, Bon Iver and J. Mascis. On Friday October 18, you’ll be able to get a taste of Eximo at Frankie’s Empire in Hobart. It’ll be an intimate gig, so get in early, tickets are $15 on the door and it kicks off at 7pm. Alternatively, you can catch her at MONA on Saturday October 19. Doors for that one will open at 2pm, and it’s a free gig. NOT QUITE THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE So The Toot Toot Toots are no longer The Toot Toot Toots. Now The Toot Toot Toots are Twin Beasts, not The Toot Toot Toots. Toot toot. Whatever they call themselves, they’ve become a stalwart of the Australian music scene, playing Meredith, Rock It Festival, White Night Melbourne, and a sold-out season at Melbourne’s famed Spiegeltent. Big time. To coincide with their new single Badlove, they’re heading off on a national tour. On Friday October 11, you’ll find them at Hobart’s Grand Poobah, and on Saturday October 12, they’ll be at Launceston’s Royal Oak Hotel. Go toot at ‘em. THE YACHT CLUB DJS CIRCUMNAVIGATE TASMANIA
The Yachties have regularly pulled ashore here in Hobart since wowing festival goers at The Falls Festival at Marion Bay many moons ago. They have for some reason yet to share their love of the ancient art-form of mashup to the rest of the state. See them play at The Republic Bar for show day eve (Wednesday October 23), before heading to Devonport at the Warehouse on Friday October 23, followed by Launceston on the Saturday at Hotel New York and then back again to Hobart to play at The Metz. Around Tasmania in five days!
Blending psychedelic 70’s analogue warmth with upbeat funk, soaring rock and intuitive song-craft, Aurora Jane’s fourth album unveils an expansive creative evolution. Holding Pattern is set for independent release on November 1 and will coincide with the launch of a new concept project ‘Mojo Junction’ – a creative lifestyle website. Aurora Jane have built an extensive international fan base across North America, Europe and most interestingly India with their funk infused pop rock. Catch Aurora Jane celebrating the release of Holding Pattern all around the country through November. Aurora Jane play Thursday November 14 at the Republic Bar & Café, and Friday November 15 at the Royal Oak. Yes, I realise this article isn’t very funny. THREE REMARKABLE LADIES Mia Dyson, Liz Stringer, Jen Cloher. Three much lauded songstresses synonymous with great songs and powerful performances. Imagine all three of them on the same bill? Crikey. You don’t even need to imagine it, because it’s a totally really real thing. The trio are heading off on a crazily extensive Australian tour, 29 stops in all, hectic. Two of those stops are in Tasmania, which is lucky for us. People in Devonport will be able to catch them on Wednesday November 27 at Red Hot Music, and people in Hobart will be able to catch them on Thursday November 28 at The Grand Poobah. Sounds like a pretty awesome evening to me, check it out!
Saturday November 23 will see the return of TasBattles! The semi-regular a cappella rap battle took a brief hiatus for a while there, but now it’s back with a bang. A bang and a $100 prize to the winner (actually the winner probably doesn‘t get a “bang” as part of the prize, ignore that). Main battle will take place between Mr Muller and Chip, showcase performances will be 42South and host, Dunn D. Launceston Battle League will also be hosting a couple battles on the day. It’s all ages, it’s an arvo gig (3pm start) and it will only cost you $10 on the door. See you at The Brisbane Hotel.
SEEKING THE SEEKERS Wow, the Derwent Entertainment Centre has something for everyone, for the youngens they have The Wiggles, for the oldens they have The Seekers. The Australian music community was pretty sad when the perpetual Judith Durham suffered a cerebral haemorrhage after the first Melbourne show of the Seekers 50th Anniversary Tour back on May 14, but
THE MELVINS ARE A MUST SEE
THE CANBERRA SHUFFLE The Aston Shuffle will be once again shuffling their way around the country throughout October and November. They’ll be playing gigs almost every day, so (almost) every day they’ll be shuffling, brilliant. Anyway, they’ve been making big moves lately, signing to EMI Music Australia, Polydor in the UK, Universal Republic in the U.S., getting buttloads of you tube views, receiving accolades from near and far, and getting their tunes played every night on the Swedish House Mafia worldwide farewell tour. Could life get any more comfortable for these guys? Maybe, maybe not, maybe that’s why they just released a single called “Comfortable”. Maybe you should go see them at Plan B on Saturday November 9 and ask them for yourselves, I ain’t your damn secretary. KILLERS IN THE HILLS
THE HARDEST WORKING MAN IN SHOW BUSINESS Say what you will about Damien Leith, but he’s a bloody hard worker. Constantly in the studio, on tour, or popping up on your televisual screen. You can’t deny the dudes work ethic. His forthcoming album Chapter Seven isn’t even on shelves yet, and he’s already heading out on tour to promote it. Kicking off on Thursday October 31 in Perth, and hitting Tasmanian shores a few weeks later. Joining Leith will be Canadian chart-topper Andy Brown, and you’ll be able to catch them both at the Launceston Country Club on Friday November 22, and Wrest Point Show Room on Saturday November 23. Tickets for both performances are available from www. tixtas.com.au.
the DJ, they’ll all be there (probably)! The kids will be able to sing and dance and clap and go fully sick when they drop the bass! The tour is called “Ready, Steady, Wiggle”, which definitely sounds like something Skrillex would be involved in. Anyway, it’s happening at the Derwent Entertainment Centre on Wednesday December 4. Tickets available from ticketmaster.
The Kill Devil Hills have one of the cooler band names in Australia, they also make way cool music. They’ve been doing it for a solid 10 years now, starting up over in Perth all the way back in 2003. To celebrate that 10 year landmark, they’ve released their first live album, Past and Future Ghosts, recorded on a balmy March night at an old gothic ex-asylum/now-arts centre in Fremantle. They’re also just about to step back in to the lab and pump out another studio album, but the busy Devil Hill Killers (or Kill Devil Hillers? Hmm…), before they do that, they’re heading off on a whirlwind five-stop tour. One of the stops is The Republic Bar & Café, on Sunday November 10. Lucky us! WIGGLEMANIA The Wiggles are coming to town! They’re bringing all their insanely rich, unrealistic, only borderline musically talented friends that the 5 year olds love! Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus, Captain Feathersword, Skrillex
The Melvins! 30 years of ‘em! It doesn’t seem like that long really. Buzz Osborne doesn’t agree, “Has it really only been 30 years? Dang! Thanks to everyone who’s been there for us! It’s been an exciting trip and I probably should have listened and learned more. I apologize for anything I’ve ever done wrong and for anything I’m going to do wrong… Ha!” For the first time in 30 years, they’re playing the Brisbane Hotel in Hobart on Wednesday December 18. It’s about frickin’ time, really. Tickets are already on sale at the venue, at Ruffcut Records, or online via moshtix and are moving fast, so act quick or forever regret. HOPPING ONTO THE FALLS LINEUP A few new additions to the already stellar Falls Festival line up have been announced, and a few crowd favourites are included. The ever popular Sydney hiphop duo Horrorshow have been added, and they’ll be joined by another Sydney based hiphop act in Thundamentals. Indie songstress Emma Louise makes the cut, and joining her on the bill will be The Hungry Kids of Hungary, Oliver Tank, The Paper Kites, Violent Soho, The War on Drugs, The Rubens, and Johnny Marr. General public ticket sales are already underway, so if Summer music festivals are your thang, Falls will be a hard one to go past. TRIBUTES KEEP FLOWING A musician since the age of 10, for well over 2 decades Joey Cape has been lending his voice, his songwriting skills, guitar playing and casual charm to the likes of bands as disparate as Lagwagon, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Bad Astronaut and more recently to Scorpios, which was founded by Cape with the late Tony Sly of No Use for a Name. Joey Cape will be in Australia this October with fellow Scorpios band member Brian Wahlstrom, to play 8 shows in tribute to their recently departed friend and bandmate, including a Hobart show at The Brisbane Hotel on Sunday October 27.
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Music
THE HUNTERS GO GREEN SOME THINGS NEVER TRULY END AND SO IN THE CASE OF HUNTERS & COLLECTORS, THE BAND HAS REFORMED FOR A STRING OF SHOWS FIFTEEN YEARS AFTER OFFICIALLY CALLING IT QUITS. TWO YEARS AGO THEY TESTED THE WATERS PLAYING A ONE OFF SHOW FOR A V8 SUPERCARS SHOW IN SYDNEY. THEN THEY PLAYED AT THIS YEAR’S AFL GRAND FINAL IN MELBOURNE AS HALF-TIME ENTERTAINMENT. NOW THEY HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED AS THE HEADLINER FOR A DAY ON THE GREEN NATIONWIDE FROM JANUARY THROUGH TO MARCH. LIBERATION RECORDS HAVE ALSO RECENTLY RELEASED A DOUBLE ALBUM CRUCIBLE, A COLLECTION OF COVERS OF HUNTERS & COLLECTORS SONGS PLUS ORIGINALS. Hunters & Collectors frontman, Mark Seymour has gone onto a successful solo career that has seen him become a regular performer Australia wide. We caught up to reflect on the past, the current and future of the band. Fifteeen years after they called it quits, Hunters & Collectors are back together. We’re rapt the band is going back on the road. A big surprise for the fans … Are you surprised the band is back together? Oh, not really, no, I always thought there might be some scenario where it’d be justified doing it. I never really gave it a great deal of thought. When the band ended, it was a hiatus. The band had done everything it could possibly do, and there wasn’t any particular reason why the band would need to get back together, except for the idea of just going out and touring and making money. It was really only because of this album Crucible that the record company have put together that we felt we could justify doing it. What’s your verdict on the tribute album? It’s good. I think people will come to it expecting to hear something vaguely familiar that reminds them of H&C and it so isn’t like that. There is very little about it that is recognisably connected with Hunters, apart from the fact that the songs, the construction of the songs – verse, chorus, melody, it’s all there – but everything else about is completely different, which is a good thing. The idea that the songs are being displayed in a way that gives them the oxygen, rather than it being about the H&C. It’s about these songs that were written by this band many years ago. It’s an acknowledgment of the songs, which I’m very happy about. Yeah, for a songwriter, it’s a wonderful tribute. Yeah, I think it’s important to make that point. The reputation of the band, its iconic status, so to speak, was built up over constant touring, just this relentless approach to getting out there and playing for years and years and years. That brand just rose up on the back of all that activity. It was very much about being in a pub and having hundreds of thousands of people jammed into a room and this big, incredible sound the band had and yet there was this other thing called the songwriting, which was actually feeding it, and that’s put on display on this record. These people have come out and just done their numbers on all these songs in a completely different way to how H&C would have. The stuff that’s on it that’s really good is just completely out of the park – electronic, lots of keyboard, synthesised vocals, there’s all sorts of shit going on, which is great. H&C is such a big beast. You even called your book about the band Thirteen Tonne Theory, referring to how the band lugged 13 tonnes of gear around the country … What sort of feelings do you have embarking on another Hunters tour? 10
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Ah, it’s just the sound, adapting to the sound again, it’s very heavy, a big, heavy sound. My main focus at the moment is just adapting to that as a singer. That’s the number one priority at the moment. I think it’ll go like clockwork, to be honest. The band will just slot in. There’s no guesswork. It’ll be exactly as it always was – they’ll play all the same notes, in the same order, and everything will just fall into place. I’ve just got to make sure I can cope with the scale of it vocally because my voice did tend to suffer in that world at times, but I think my voice has definitely changed over the past decade, so I think I’ll be fine. Have relationships in the band changed much over the years?
Ah, no, they’re not, I don’t think … they just feel exactly the same. They’re all really strong personalities. All the guys in the group are very intelligent, big egos, very polite – fortunately – and there’s a certain type of humour that bubbles up, which you don’t hear anywhere else. It’s a particular type of social engagement that I don’t come across anywhere else. It’s a product of those personalities, the particular chemistry that those guys generate together. Having said all that, I probably should make the point that what the band does, it has a sound, it’s a sound … I was saying to one of the guys yesterday, you look at a song like “Holy Grail”, it’s a ballad that you can sing with incredible sensitivity – it’s a very dark tale of human tragedy, but the way the band plays it is this massive strident riff – the guitar/keyboard thing at the start, which just absolutely hammers the point home. Oddly enough, it actually works because the band has this very odd way of playing that just sets all those songs in a certain landscape and you just have to go there. The band does it exactly the same way all the time, so the song just has to be accepted on those terms. In some ways, musically you can look at it and go that’s kind of dumb, and it would be if the band’s sound was any different, but the band’s sound is so unusual, it’s such an unusual combination of instruments – the brass in “Holy Grail” sounds like Purcell, like English post-classical orchestrated brass. You just don’t hear that in a rock
environment, but you hear it there. It just creates this odd mood and it draws you into the context of what the song is about. It’s a very unique combination of sounds that you just don’t hear anywhere else. Having written “Holy Grail” after reading about Napoleon’s chef, are you surprised it has become a footy anthem? Ah, mildly. Look, the thing is I don’t have any particular attitude about where or when a song needs to be played, or how it’s going to be understood. I really take great delight in relinquishing control. I’ve always been pretty good at that. Enduring in the music game is all about being adaptable and just not questioning the motives of your audience. If sporting clubs decide to embrace a song because it references a cup, who am I to question that? Other people in my position might go, “That’s not an appropriate way of perceiving that song because it wasn’t written about that.” You can take that view, but there are so many things about the music industry that are just random and strange that I just think, why would you want to restrict the exposure a song might have because you as a poet, or whatever you wanna call yourself, think it’s not appropriate. There are probably people in my position who take that view, but I just think it’s really pretentious, to be frank. The Hunters were one of the great pub rock bands. Obviously, A Day On The Green will be a very different environment. Do you enjoy the outdoor experience? I think that will work, I think the band will adapt to that quite well. The thing about Hunters’ sound in the pubs, there was something very concert-like about it, it never really felt like a pub. We were in the pubs and we stayed in them. I think the band’s management was quite smart about that, never step outside them. There’s a certain point acts get to – and you used to see it happen time and time again in that 20-year period when pub rock was big – they’d get to this certain glass ceiling and then go, “We’ve got to do Festival Hall, we’ve got to do theatres, or whatever.” Once you’d made that statement, you were trying to create this perception that you’d outgrown, you’d become bigger [than the pubs], but, in fact, you weren’t, you were just paying more, because the cost of those rooms is so astronomical compared to pubs. But we resisted that step because it was purely based on vanity and perception rather than the practical business of making a buck on the road. It worked out – we ended up being the biggest pub rocking band in Australia – but the downside of it was commentators – the perception of the cognoscenti, inner-city people, people who talk about music and have sophisticated tastes and want to analyse music and talk about its social and cultural relevance – we kind of dropped off the radar. The fact that we assiduously focused on that circuit may have meant the media lost interest. It was a mixed blessing being a big pub band. Will there be more H&C recordings, another Hunnas album? No. We’ll get this tour done. The band is not re-forming. It’s all about this album (Crucible). JEFF JENKINS
Hunters & Collectors play A Day On The Green, Josef Chromy Wines, Launceston on Saturday March 15 with supports Something For Kate and British India. Tickets are on sale Friday October 11 from Ticketmaster.com.au & 136 100. Crucible – The Songs Of Hunters & Collectors is out now through Liberation.
Music
FROM DOLLS TO FEMMES WHEN YOU’RE IN THE MIDST OF AN IDENTITY CRISIS AND PONDERING THE MEANING OF YOUR LIFE, THE FIRST THING YOU’D EXPECT IS TO RECEIVE AN EMAIL FROM ONE OF YOUR FAVOURITE BANDS, ASKING YOU TO BECOME A MEMBER. RIGHT? WELL, MAYBE NOT – BUT WHEN YOU’RE BRIAN VIGLIONE, ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE.
The charismatic Dresden Dolls drummer from New Hampshire has officially joined alternative rock band The Violent Femmes after an email invitation from bassist Brian Ritchie. Along with singer Gordon Gano, the revised group have dreams of capturing the ears of a new generation, and will head to Tasmania this New Year to celebrate their formation at the Marion Bay Falls Festival. Brian Viglione describes himself as “supremely enthused and feeling very fortunate to team up with this band.” “It’s a beautiful match in terms of style and attitude.” The hyper-expressive drummer rose to global fame through his theatrical and energetic performances as a Dresden Doll. After being confronted by Amanda Palmer’s intimately dark solos during a Halloween party, Brian acted on his compulsion to team up with the singer/songwriter/pianist, and as history has it, the Dolls were born. The punk-cabaret concoction have spanned a decade of explosive chemistry made evident across four albums, with Brian attributing his distinctive drumming style to his long-term admiration of The Violent Femmes. “The Femmes’ music helped shape my drumming style as a Dresden Doll – their songs are part of my musical DNA, so it was a very natural fit.” “The Femmes’ brand of energy, humour, and sense of spontaneity is a huge part of what fuels me as a musician.” While Brian is commonly seen sporting the porcelain face of an old fashioned mime artist, his enigmatic alter-ego as a Dresden Doll will take the back seat on his journey with the Violent Femmes. Although the two Dolls have divided, Brian’s new role has not put strain on his relationship with Amanda. In fact, the lady Doll shares Brian’s enthusiasm and publicly exclaimed support through her online blog. “Amanda wrote me several times to congratulate me,” says Brian. “We bounced around with excitement when she and I met up in August to play together.”
to play at MONA FOMA – the island state’s vibrant music festival curated by none other than Violent Femmes’ bassist Brian Ritchie himself. A spontaneous turn of events had the two bands collide for one massive performance of the Femmes’ entire first album.
“We changed our course, but it’s the very thing that saved the band and has allowed us to come back together when the timing is right and have a blast touring together.”
Brian Viglione will return to Tassie before New Year, this time performing at the Falls Festival as an official member of the Femmes. He acknowledges the changing music scene, encouraging the small state to pursue its position as a world class centre for the arts.
The timing couldn’t have been more right in 2011, when the duo toured to Tasmania
“I hope you continue to strive to provide places for young musicians to meet,
rehearse, and do shows so that you can foster the community.” “Encourage diversity in the scene and also creative exchanges between artists from different disciplines.” “You have your own voices down there, let them shine.” Brian is confident that when the Femmes head down for the gig, they’re “gonna kick that old-school flavour for yo’ ass and put on a sick show” (or, as the pseudo-gangster translates for the more conservative listener, “the band is feeling rejuvenated and excited to get down there and play”).
Until the Falls Festival, Brian will continue to work toward new album releases with Loudboy, XNY, and Morning Glory. “Music is my life and what sustains me,” says Brian. “I don’t have or need something outside of music to get supplement enjoyment from life.” STEPHANIE ESLAKE
See The Violent Femmes perform at The 2013 Falls Festival at Lorne, Marion Bay and now Byron Bay.
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ART, MUSIC AND MAMBO REG MOMBASSA FIRST MADE A NAME FOR HIMSELF AS THE GUITARIST FOR MENTAL AS ANYTHING, WHICH HE FORMED WITH FELLOW ART SCHOOL STUDENTS IN 1976. POSSESSING AN ENTWINED TALENT FOR VISUAL ART AS WELL AS MUSIC, REG DESIGNED ALBUM COVERS FOR BANDS. WHEN HIS ALBUM ART WAS NOTICED BY A MAN CALLED DARE JENNINGS, REG BECAME THE BIGGEST AND MOST WELL KNOWN DESIGNER FOR THE POPULAR SURF BRAND MAMBO.
Consequently, Reg’s humorous but dark cartoonish brand of art became hugely sought after. He is also widely known for his atmospheric landscapes, inspired by his surroundings as well as his history with New Zealand. Reg’s presence in Australian culture from the 80’s until today has made him an Australian icon: his contributions to art, music and pop culture have been delivered quite without pretense or agenda, but always with humility, compassion, and just the right dose of humour. As far back as he can recall, Reg has been making art with whatever materials were available. “I was always a very keen drawer when I was a kid, my mother used to buy me butcher’s paper, which is sort of cheap grey paper with a pencil which wasn’t that satisfying, really. Occasionally I’d get a ballpoint pen which had a much better line…” Things changed when he moved from New Zealand to Sydney with his parents at the age of 17. “Sydney was quite alarming at first, it seemed like America, ‘cause you know, there were big cars everywhere and it was really incredibly hot, it seemed quite alien. I’d never been overseas before in my life, so it was quite astonishing at first.” But he’s never looked back, now in his 60s, Reg still resides in Sydney. He studied at Sydney’s National Art School, and it was here that Mental As Anything, the new wave rock band affectionately known as The Mentals, were born in 1976.
Reg’s music career and art career have been essentially intertwined. The founder of Mambo, Dare Jennings, came across Reg’s work via an album cover in 1986. “He’d actually seen a record cover I did for Mental as Anything and it had a couple of chooks running along, it looked like they were vomiting fire or vomiting up their livers or something,“ Reg says. “But he liked them, and just asked me to do them for an art exhibition and that went down quite well, so it was sort of like an accidental job. But it became more demanding as it went on, and Mambo sort of grew organically and it became more popular.” That may be an understatement – anyone who existed during the 90s would remember how much of Reg’s loud Mambo clothing roamed the streets. A trendsetter, yes, but Reg often jokes that he wouldn’t wear the clothing. Further, while there were a few regular contributors to this surfie brand, Reg says, “oddly enough I was about the only one who didn’t go to the beach.” “It didn’t really appeal to me all that much and I think I sold my surfboard and bought an amplifier, so that was more appropriate to my place and ambition.”
but generally people take what I do with a grain of salt and are reasonably tolerant.” But while political or moral messages are always going to have their adversaries, Reg’s work is universally loved. In 2000, Reg was asked to create numerous large characters to roam the closing ceremony of the Sydney Olympics, in one of the biggest milestones of his career. His landscape art is his other major occupation, not to be forgotten, which is largely influenced by his childhood in New Zealand. It has varied from the more traditional to verging on the surreal. They feature rolling expanses of land, often dotted with human presence in the form of houses or telegraph poles, and are as recognizable for Reg’s use of colour schemes as for their distinctive shapes. It’s interesting to note that he is colourblind when surveying his massive repertoire of work.
This style of Reg’s work contains political, religious, and moral imagery, but he denies any political motivation. “I don’t think of myself specifically as a political artist,” he explains, “in a way all art is political because it’s part of being a human. I suppose you can’t avoid it as much as you may want to.”
Indeed The Mentals have quite a reputation for their silly-bugger beginnings. They didn’t take themselves very seriously and had little concept of the mark they would make as a band. Reg says, “We were sort of an art school band, we probably had a higher level of irony in our approach to music and professionalism and stuff like that.” It was partly this charming sense of irony that aided the band’s success. It was a great time for Australian music, and The Mentals were hanging out with the likes of INXS, Crowded House, Split Enz and The Reels. Mental As Anything were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2009.
Reg cites gay marriage rights, climate change, and the conditions for indigenous Australians as some of the most important issues, but while I try to weasel a quote out of him to summarise what makes him tick or makes him angry, he remains ever calm and thoughtful. Art, nevertheless, acts as his outlet. “Well if something’s particularly worrying you or you’re angry about it, yeah it’s definitely a way of letting off steam. The other good thing is humour of course. Humour’s a great way to relieve a bit of pressure.” Nearly everything Reg says comes with an enormous sense of perspective, and as we move on to the subject of objections to his more provocative work, it doesn’t seem that much could bother him. “Australia’s a pretty tolerant place really, it’s not like you’re going to be dragged out of bed and chucked into a jail, and tortured to death for expressing an unpopular idea in Australia.” “I mean there’s been a few letters to the newspaper, and I’ve been attacked in Parliament by politicians, and I’ve been mentioned by conservative commentators in the past about various things,
Reg has, naturally, seen a lot of change in the industry. “Well it’s changed enormously in the last ten years, just because of digital downloading. And the live scene has changed a lot too, when we started touring around 1980 you could kind of play every night of the week at a pub, going up and down the coast or across to Perth and Adelaide, but that’s not happening anymore.” Reg says that smaller gigs have to be more self-managed and promoted these days, while “festivals are the best gigs now, because they’re well organized and you’ve got an audience there, and the festival’s done all the promotion.” Amidst all of the changes we have seen in the last 20 years, Reg has embraced technology by releasing an e-book called Cranium Universe in 2012, complete with pictures, lyrics, poems, and videos, “ranting about this and that.” At the same time, when it comes to technology, Reg claims to be “completely useless. I can barely operate a mobile phone, I still can’t operate my computer. Fortunately my wife is my assistant, she does all that, operates the computer and does all the emails… if it wasn’t for that I’d have to try and struggle with it, but it would be a struggle because I’m pretty much like a donkey when it comes to using tiny keyboard things.”
Still, there are those who feel strongly enough about something to put it out there, and there are those who would sooner choose to sweep it under the carpet.
This time also marks the birth of Reg Mombassa, whose real name is Chris O’Doherty. It was a nickname created by him and his band mates, which thankfully took precedence over the alternative option of Dorky Bladder.
fairly popular, and you’ve got big record companies and management wanting things done certain ways which you might not always agree with. But we’ve sort of done it [Dog Trumpet] exactly the way we wanted.”
To allow more time for his art work, but also to focus more on the musical project he shares with his brother, Peter, he left Mental As Anything in 2000. Dog Trumpet (originally known as Pete & Reg/Reg & Pete), formed in 1990, together they have released six albums, the latest, Medicated Spirits, has just been released. Peter and Reg’s music is sometimes reminiscent of Mental As Anything, but has it’s own signature sound of folk mixed with blues and country, with a mixed bag of funny, sweet, sad, and philosophical lyrics. Medicated Spirits is a beautifully assembled double album, which is a bit of a rarity in our technologically abundant culture. After The Mentals’ large career, Pete and Reg wanted to take things back a notch. “We sort of wanted to do it more our way because The Mentals by that time were
Reg Mombassa is the type of artist who has never done anything for the sake of being famous, and one gets the impression he would laugh at the suggestion of his being an ‘idol’. It’s certainly an idealistic term, but if it should be applied to anyone, it’s to a man who has contributed valuable art, music and thought to so many fields over so long a time, all the while remaining likeable and without a fat ego. ERIN LAWLER
Dog Trumpet play at Fresh On Charles in Launceston on Friday November 8 and then at The Republic Bar on Saturday November 9. Presales available from www.moshtix.com.au. There will also be a special acoustic duo set featuring Reg and Pete at The Void space in MONA on Sunday November 10. Both brothers will be bringing their artwork along to the shows for serious collectors.
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A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE RYAN LEAF, WHO PERFORMS AS DIALECTRIX, HAS RELEASED AN ALBUM THAT STANDS OUT IN AUSTRALIAN HIP-HOP, WITH FANTASTIC COMPLEX BEATS COURTESY OF PLUTONIC LAB, AND NATURAL, DEEP AND ENTRANCING LYRICS. MOVING AWAY SOMEWHAT FROM THE TONE OF HIS PREVIOUS ALBUM, THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY IS DEFINED BY THE GRIEF AND HARDSHIP OF A RECENT PERIOD OF HIS LIFE.
The record has been received amazingly well, which proves a relief for the Blue Mountains MC. “I guess it was slightly different to a lot of stuff I’d done in the past so I wasn’t sure if people would have that kneejerk reaction to it. So yeah I’m absolutely stoked, and to come up in a prestigious magazine like Rolling Stone and get four out of five, I didn’t think it would get that at all.” Sophomore album Audio Projectile was designed as a tip of the hat to the ‘golden era’ of New York 90s Rap. That achieved, Ryan took a different approach with this album. He explains, “People have always kind of regarded me as being, you know, this kind of party MC or someone who’s really technical, that was not what I was feeling at that time.” Rather, he was carrying a load, and that moulded the
record. “[With] your family member dying, and going through the complications of not having enough money, and being a father, you don’t really feel like a party MC.”
from it during a gig. “I do think in the future I’ll be able to look back at it and see it for what it is. But at the moment it’s a song that makes me feel like crap,” He says.
The personal nature of the album also changed the way Ryan selected his guest vocalists. The collaborations on the record include Momo from Diafrix, Def Wish, DJ 2Buck, and Chip Fu. He says, “I kind of wanted to keep it sparse, because a lot of the content was very personal, and I had gone through a lot of dramatic stuff which influenced the sound of the record. I didn’t really want to burden someone with the content. The people I did use were just mates of mine.”
Ryan tells me that as these issues become a thing of the past, the music will be less painful for him. But, he says, “I’m still kind of addressing problems with alcoholism in my family, which is still a current issue with my Dad going in and out of re-hab, and monetary issues with raising a child properly.”
‘Fire in The Blood’ is a particularly potent song, dealing explicitly with alcoholism, and I wonder if Ryan can separate himself
That’s not to say that the rapper holds no positive feelings for the new record, saying that, “I’m extremely happy with it, I think it’s a very accurate snapshot of who I was, going through those years.” Plus, his comfortable working relationship with Plutonic Lab made the recording process
AN EVENING WITH THE MORNINGS HOBART INDIE-FOLK BAND THE MORNINGS HAVE SPENT ENDLESS NIGHTS PUMPING AWAY TO ENERGIZED FANS IN PUBS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. BUT THIS MONTH, THEY’LL BE ENTERTAINING A DIFFERENT CROWD WHEN THEY BRING THEIR RIBBONS TASMANIAN THEATRE TOUR TO THE PLAYHOUSE.
After spending the last six months on tour, lead guitarist and singer Sam Cole says the six-piece band is getting ready to bring Hobart an intimate preview of their upcoming album. “I like doing the shows which are slightly different,” says Sam. “Playing at a pub is always rowdy, but in the theatre there is a lot more focus on the music. Especially with the new songs we’re playing, there’ll be a lot more chance to really engage with them, so it’ll be really cool. I guess it’s a bit of a step up, in a different direction.” While Sam describes his experiences performing in the Hobart pub scene as “pretty good,” he admits that touring around the country has provided the band with the odd cringe-worthy memory. “We’ve had some interesting, dodgy little pubs,” remembers Sam. “You travel, you drive for twelve hours to get somewhere and then you get to the pub and it’s not exactly what you’ve planned. We have had some really amazing shows, but there’s always one show that you have a bit of a cringe about afterwards. For a long time, we had a lot of vegetarians in our band, and they’d give you a big bowl of meat, which was probably not the best after driving for twelve hours and being hungover.” 14
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easy. “I think musically it’s a masterpiece, what Plutonic Lab’s done is just absolutely amazing”, he says. Have a listen to the record and you’re sure to agree. ERIN LAWLER
Dialectrix plays The Republic Bar & Café, Hobart on Friday October 18. Local support will be from Crixus and Bladel.
Sam expects the Mornings’ upcoming gig at the Playhouse Theatre will be a refreshing move away from the pub scene, for both band and audience. “It gives a slightly less rowdy crowd the chance to come a long and enjoy the music. We might have a bit of an older crowd, but I’ve always found that bands down here have always been pretty loyal and come along to support things.” The Mornings will be supported by “some really cool acts” including the Beautiful Chains, fronted by Hobart’s Seth David. Sam hints that the band will be performing songs from their latest release Ribbons and will give a taste of what’s to come in their upcoming album later this year. “We’ll be scaling it back, doing some different things with the songs, and getting in some extra musicians. There’s going to be heaps of extra stuff. We’ve had an individual lighting technician who we’ve been working with over the last month to put things together, and it’ll be a really amazing light show. We also have a few roving stage pieces, so it’s going to be a full theatre show with a rowdy pub band.” STEPHANIE ESLAKE
The Mornings will be in the Playhouse Theatre on Friday October 11 and Saturday October 12, more info can be found at www.moshtix.com.au. Both shows are all ages.
Music
MY HEART IS ON FIRE DESPITE NOT KNOWING MUCH ABOUT ASTA, I FEEL A LOT OF PRESSURE. PRESSURE BECAUSE SHE IS TASSIE’S SWEETHEART, THE ISLAND’S GOLDEN GIRL, IF YOU LIKE. I WAS FAMILIAR WITH “MY HEART IS ON FIRE”, BUT MY KNOWLEDGE STOPS THEN AND THERE, WHICH IS FITTING, SINCE I’M ABOUT TO INTERVIEW HER.
Anyway, when I do meet Asta she’s sweet and kind, laughs lots and talks about healthy body images and how thighs are great. She talks about her platform as a musician and how this has inevitably lead her to be viewed as a role model for small town girls and a strong representative for thighs and curves, and a healthy body image.
On Tassie, she praises the quaint island for its sense of community and the massive support she received after winning 2012’s Triple J Unearthed Award. Her upbringing in Tassie is what sets Asta apart, it ‘adds to the story’. Asta even continues to liken the association of herself as an artist with her environment to Bjork, explaining, “think of Bjork, she was from Iceland”.
In preparation for Asta’s first headlining East Coast tour she’s shopping online, writing lots and running a health food and lifestyle blog and staying up late the night before interviews watching Stevie Nicks videos.
To finish the interview, I ask Asta for her top attractions or to-do guide in Hobart. So here is Asta’s guide to Hobart.
As for her tour, she’s excited for the engagements and energy exchanges between herself and the crowd. Continuing that she’s eager; “to get to the point of maybe filling out shows. I’m just really looking forward to the energy. That makes a good show.” As for her own pressure, Asta says it doesn’t consume her. Instead, it is the freedom that perhaps worries Asta most. She finds the creative process, or the ‘lull’ moments in between, the most antisocial; and the times where she misses her family and Tassie, most frustrating of all. 16
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‘I would say going to Cygnet. It’s my favourite place in Tasmania, there’s great food down there and it’s so accessible. Pilgrim, I miss their coffees and food. I just think getting out there and hiring a car and just driving around and just seeing a lot of the environment. ‘ BRIGITTE TROBBIANI
Asta is performing two Tasmanian shows as part of her east coast Australian tour. The first is an 18+ show at Alchemy in Launceston on Friday October 18. The second is an all ages performance in the Void space at MONA on Saturday October 19. Tickets available for this at www.mona.net.au.
Music A LAYMAN’S GUIDE TO METAL GENRES Thrash Metal Thrash utilizes distorted guitar sounds, riff work often incorporates power-chord driven sections, can often be melodic, drumming is usually somewhat up-tempo but can often fluctuate, and lyrics seem to be quite varied across the spectrum, but usually darker styled subject matter. Key Bands: Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax, Testament, Kreator, Suicidal Tendencies. Death Metal The all encompassing title for any band that has heavy guitars, growled vocals, utilises double kick drumming, and usually sings about unpleasant or challenging topics. Key Bands: Morbid Angel, Cannibal Corpse, Deicide, Bolt Thrower, Death, Entombed, Dismember. Black Metal Another umbrella term for a slew of different sub genres, but the common characteristics are screeched/screamed higher vocals, fast distorted guitars, melodic and/or dissonant riffs, fast drumming and dark lyrics that are Satanic or misanthropic in topic. Key Bands: Dark Throne, Emperor, Mayhem, Satyricon, Burzum, Bathory, Cradle of Filth. Power Metal A hugely popular genre in many places of the world, power metal is characterised by melodic and often high clean/normal vocals, melodic riffs, tight musicianship and often has fist pumping sing-a-long choruses, often with fantasy styled leanings. Key Bands: Blind Guardian, Rhapsody, Iced Earth, Dragonforce, Helloween, Manowar, Iron Maiden. Doom Metal Doom is usually slow, and heavy - usually with clean or strained clean vocals. There are other innate elements too, but due to a big divide in the sound of the big doom bands, it’s hard to tie down exactly what completely defines it. Usually lyrics revolve around dark subject matter. Key Bands: Black Sabbath, St Vitus, Trouble, Candlemass, Sleep, Cathedral, Pentagram. Progressive Metal One of metal’s most challenging styles, Progressive metal is usually envelopepushing in terms of riffs or structures, some bands have high vocals, others extreme, and some none at all, the genre is quite broad but usually the main focus is that the music is technically interesting and pushes some kind of boundaries. Many bands have also been influenced by jazz/fusion. Key Bands: Dream Theater, Opeth, Queensryche, Cynic, Mastodon, Watchtower, Symphony X. Brutal Death Metal One of the biggest subgenres, BDM incorporates very downtuned and distorted guitars, crunching riffs, ultra guttural vocals and intense drumming. Subject matter for lyrics is usually related to violent acts, gore, and at times is (purposely) comedic. Key Bands: Devourment, Gorgasm, Defeated Sanity, Disgorge, Dying Fetus, Nile, Deeds of Flesh. Technical Death Metal The musician’s metal subgenre, many people would suggest. It features technical riffs, often fast and precisely performed, technical and/or quick drumming, with sections and time signatures. Lyrics are broad ranging, sometimes “nerdy”, sometimes brutal, sometimes existential. Key Bands: Death, Cynic, Necrophagist, Spawn of Possession, Athiest. MATTHEW CHALK
A DANCE WITH THE DEVIL FORMING IN 2004 IN HOBART, MEPHISTOPHELES HAVE BECOME ONE OF THE MAINSTAYS OF THE TASMANIAN METAL COMMUNITY. FOLLOWING THE 2006 RELEASE ASCENSION ABORTED, IT HAS BEEN SEVEN YEARS FOR THEIR SOPHOMORE ALBUM SOUNDS OF THE END TO TAKE FORM. THIS TECHNICAL, AND AT TIMES PROGRESSIVE DEATH METAL BAND, WITH OCCASIONAL AVANT-GARDE AND BLACK METAL TENDENCIES ARE NOW READY TO MAKE WAVES WITH A NATIONAL TOUR THIS OCTOBER. AS PART OF THE TOUR, MEPHISTOPHELES WILL BE HEADLING A MINI METAL FESTIVAL, SONIC EXHUMATION II, FOR THE HOBART LEG OF THEIR LAUNCH.
Over the years the band has went through some minimal lineup changes, the most signicant being the addition of vocalist, Matthew ‘Chalky’ Chalk, previously of Psycroptic. Chalky gave us a quick rundown of life, death and metal. With Mephistopheles obviously being named after the demon (possibly version of the Christian devil). do you believe in heaven and hell? Hmmm, so, we move from one deep question to another...haha. I am honestly the biggest fence-sitter with this shit. I think ANYTHING is possible. I mean, we might not even exist, for fuck’s sake. We may be someone’s dream, or the bacteria around someone’s tooth, or already in heaven, you know what I mean? People that sit there and say “This is fact” about anything are dumb as dogshit. We’re feeble minded creatures, and we’re very, very unevolved in an evolutionary sense. People bang on about how we’re advanced in so many ways, but they’re just delusional and avoiding the sad truth. We could be part of a big something or a big nothing, God could exist, Satan could exist, heaven and hell could exist, it could be as imagined or totally the opposite, maybe heaven would
be hell and hell heaven...surely there’d be more sex in hell? Why is metal often referred to as an “evil” music?
many people, women included, who once may’ve just assumed metal was a one trick pony, and have now been exposed to the (beautiful) truth.
Well, as far as music goes...I guess it is evil! I mean, a lot of metal is just purely music, without anything particularly dark or disturbing about it - but a lot of metal sounds pretty terrifying, and a lot of bands sing about some supremely messed up topics. There’s also a whole slew of bands who talk about very dark things in their lyrics, and purposely try and make their output as “evil” as possible.
I can understand why women often don’t go to gigs or involve themselves in any metal scene - and that is because there has always been an element of misogyny in some metal band’s lyrics, and in the scene itself. I’ve personally toured with bands, where the main members just had no respect for women at the gigs - they weren’t rude or mean, but when discussing things at the gig, if women were mentioned, their way of describing them was simply as “groupiesThis was a hugely disappointing thing for me personally, and the sooner these dinosaurs die out the better. I think some females in significant metal bands (prime example - Jo Bench from Bolt Thrower) have changed a lot of ways of thinking, and reshaped the landscape, but there are still some archaic happenings within the metal scene making things difficult. I love seeing women in metal shirts and/or at gigs, headbanging or just watching in an engaged fashion, and I especially like seeing females in bands, it’s refreshing and should happen more often.
But in a general sense, metal is just a challenging form of music. And some people may find just the sounds alone to be concerning, if they’re not into the style(s) or open minded. That in itself is a reason why some people think it’s evil, because it is so outside to box of what is “acceptable” in this cotton wool wrapped society we’ve made for ourselves. Metal on the surface seems to be a very male orientated music, both from the music makers and the makeup of the audience - why so? Yeah...it sort of sucks, hey. I think woman more in touch with themselves, on an emotional level. I think during the 70s and 80s, the whole “being manly” thing was huge, showing ones emotions and talking about your “feelings” (in male circles) often resulted in ridicule, and I think the music has been and is a great outlet for emotional concerns that perhaps couldn’t be dealt with by just “having a chat with the boys”. Also, men are more aggressive, generally, and I think metal at times is channelled aggression, and perhaps women, generally, can’t relate to that, and therefore the energies summoned in metal may at times, be off-putting for them. But the issue goes beyond metal really, there’s simply a significant lack of women playing instruments in music (in a comparative, general sense). This is a seriously complex topic, and I think I might not go too much further, as the more things I consider/put forth, the more expansion will be required, and the thinner the ice I’m skating on may get, haha. I think that the number of women in bands and at concerts is definitely on the rise though (slowly, unfortunately), especially as society is finally working towards a more level playing field between the sexes. Also, I think the vast and ever-growing number of subgenres has broadened the appeal to
Speaking of death, what would be the five things that you would want to be buried with when you die? Seriously, this is something I’ve never considered before. So, I’ve got to sort of put myself into the mindset of an ancient Pharaoh of Egypt or something do I? Haha. I like the idea of being buried with my partner though, that’s pretty cool. Someone I’ve loved for a long time lying next to me for ternity sounds pretty nice, I gotta say. Even if she’s still alive, muhahahaha! Beyond that, maybe my first ever guitar; a letter that I would write for anyone that may dig me up in the future; a miniature toilet just to confuse people; and a solid gold crown placed on my head would be pretty sick. NIC ORME
Sonic Exhumation II will be held at The Brisbane Hotel on Saturday October 26. The lineup will feature Mephistopheles, Hadal Maw, Taberah, Scar The Surface, Random Order, Atra Vetosus and Alvastra The all ages show starts at 2pm, while the 18+ show kicks off at 8pm. Door sales are $11. Mephistopheles’ Sounds Of The End Is Out Now on Willowtip Records.
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Music
THE BAMBOOS ARE POPULARLY KNOWN AS THE FUNKIEST MUSIC GROUP TO STEP ONTO THE SCENE SINCE JAMES BROWN. THE MELBOURNE BASED FUNK-SOULPOP BAND HAVE RELEASED FIVE ALBUMS AND TOURED ACROSS THE WORLD, INFECTING NUMEROUS COUNTRIES WITH A REVIVAL OF THE BEST MUSIC TO COME OUT OF THE ‘60S AND ‘70S. The Bamboos will release their newest album Fever in the Road this November – and Hobart is set to get a first taste of it at this year’s Tasmanian International Beerfest at Princess Wharf Shed No.1 in Salamanca. Bandleader Lance Ferguson took some time to discuss the success of the band’s latest album Medicine Man, and the new music we can expect from their upcoming Tassie gig. While the Bamboos started out producing a strict output of funk and soul based music, Lance says the band have stepped into new territories of style. “Over the years, I’ve tried to steer the group away from being perceived as a genre based band. Funk is one aspect to what we do,” Lance says. “We started out making music that was influenced by James Brown, but the new release we’re about to bring out is probably just as much influenced by Beck and Blondie.” A music producer himself, Lance explains that he is “influenced by bands just as much as straight out producers.” Artists who double as producers, such as Beck, Brian Eno, Stereolab, and Nile Rodgers, are those who inspire him the most. Lance’s music is so far reaching that there’s a strong possibility his favourite producers have included the Bamboos in their own playlists. The group’s last album Medicine Man was so successful that it gained three ARIA nominations. Lance justifies the popularity of the release with his improved songwriting skills and the album’s shift away from hardcore funk. “I just really wanted to write better and better songs and I guess that arc of development with my songwriting really seemed to click with people in that last record.” “The new record we’ve got coming out is still a bit of pop, but a bit darker and edgier than Medicine Man.” The Bamboos’ home town audiences are clearly jumping on board with the band’s changing style, as Lance proudly boasts their increasing success throughout Australia. “When our band first started, we had our initial success in the UK and Europe, and now it’s actually turned around and Australia is our biggest territory, so it’s really cool.” “We sell more records and do much bigger shows in Australia now than anywhere else.” The Bamboos have visited Tassie twice before to play in the Falls Festival, but they are looking forward to rocking the Hobart Wharf for Beerfest. “We’re going to have a whole bunch of new songs to play and everyone’s going to be really excited to be playing on stage,” Lance says. “There’s going to be a lot of new music and a lot of music that the band are really excited to get into, so we’ll be really vibed up to play.” “I’ve always wanted to play a headline show in Tasmania, so it’s exciting that we’ll do that.” Although you can catch them at the state’s biggest beer drinking event, you won’t need to be under the influence to get your groove on with the Bamboos. “The band is known as being a band that you can come and dance to, and a party band.” “I don’t have any specific moves to lay on you, but I guarantee that if you are intending to dance we will fulfil your need.” STEPHANIE ESLAKE Get your fulfilment of the Bamboos (and beer) between November 15 and 16 at the Tasmanian International Beerfest. Details can be found at www.tasmanianbeerfest.com.au.
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ALL THAT FUNK AND THEN SOME
Music
BRIGHT AND SHINEY NESTLED AMONG THE COASTAL TOWNS OF NSW IS THE SUBURB OF AUSTINMER, WHERE A SMALL GROUP OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE UNITED BY THEIR PASSION FOR THE WAVES, FOR MUSIC, AND FOR AUSTRALIAN CULTURE. THIS GROUP IS KNOWN AS SHINING BIRD, AND TOGETHER ITS MEMBERS PRODUCE SOUNDS THAT CARRY THE REFRESHING AND TRANQUIL NATURE OF AUSTRALIAN COASTAL LIFE.
The group have just released the debut album, Leisure Coast and are ambling around the country playing shows and in search of waves. Founder and composer Russell Webster tells us exactly what the country means to him, and how it flows through the songs of Shining Bird. The band was founded on a love of Australian cinema and culture. What are the things about Australia that motivate your musical spirit? Cultural cringe, Australian opals, Indigenous art and spirituality, Australian colours, Les Murray, Australian landscapes, The Bush-Tucker Man, being girt by sea and much, much more.
the
How does your recently released LP Leisure Coast represent your home culture? Most of the songs have both the light of the beach and the darkness of the escarpment. Music vs bodyboarding. Which wins? I don’t actually surf as much as I used to because I’m scared of making my surfer’s ear worse. Katesy, our percussionist, is the most dedicated bodyboarder amongst us, and he absolutely shreds. No doubt he’ll be searching for waves on our Tassie trip. For me, music plays a far bigger role in my life so I guess it wins. Couldn’t tell you why, though.
Winston
alehouse & eatery.
kitchen 5pm-9.30pm ! ! american style food ! ! ! & craft beer...
381 Elizabeth Street North Hobart 7000 ph - 6231 2299
Most memorable Aussie gig? Probably the show we did recently at the Treehouse in Byron. Epic little restaurant! Distant Dreaming was released earlier this year - does Shining Bird have dreams to take its Aussie sound to distances around the world? We would love to play all around the world! I’m not so good on long flights though. I’m just way too tall for the seats. What can we expect from your Tassie tour?
We should be in prime condition by the time we reach Tassie shores, after playing a whole bunch of shows in October. We will hopefully be bringing our visuals with us also, which will be amazing. We are all super excited to play in Tassie! STEPHANIE ESLAKE
Hear Russ and Shining Bird at Hobart’s new live venue, the Homestead on Friday November 1, followed by a show at Launceston’s Fresh on Charles on Saturday November 2. Door sales for both shows will be $10. Leisure Coast is out now via Spunk Records
HEARTSTOP MUSIC, HARBOUR AGENCY & THE MUSIC PRESENTS
JORDIE LANE NOT BUILT TO LAST TOUR
NOV 2 RED HOT MUSIC
DEVONPORT TAS W/ OLD MAN LUEDECKE (CAN)
live music fri/sat nights - 10pm till late... speakeasy sundays - live jazz & blues & classic cocktails...
NOV 3 REPUBLIC BAR HOBART TAS
(AFTERNOON SHOW) W/ OLD MAN LUEDECKE & SUMMER EDMUNDS BRAND NEW EP NOT BUILT TO LAST IS OUT 18 OCTOBER 2013 JORDIELANE.COM OLDMANLUEDECKE.CA
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Music
LOCAL LINES DRAWN
CONCRETE LINES ARE A SELFDESCRIBED “HIGH-ENERGY ROCK” BAND FROM HOBART, ABOUT TO RELEASE THEIR DEBUT ALBUM TO A GROWING FAN BASE. AFTER AN EARLY LINEUP CHANGE, THE CURRENT BAND MEMBERS ARE KEVIN LEMPA ON VOCALS, DAVE HIGGINS ON GUITAR, PAUL SHARP ON BASS AND CHAD DIX ON DRUMS. The idea of forming a band was thrown forward casually by Kevin and Dave in the corner of a Hobart pub, when they realised that their musical tastes, talents and ambitions were remarkably compatible. Six months later, the two had their first jam, creating two songs and solidifying their friendship and musical partnership. Playing a number of gigs in local cafes and venues as an acoustic duo for a number of years, the pair eventually decided to enlist the support of a drummer and bassist. This substantially filled out their sound, bringing a heavy, driving spine to the previously guitar/vocal-based ensemble. Recorded at Hobart’s own Red Planet studios and released independently, the new record From the Rebuilt Foundations of Broken Dreams is intentionally titled. The band say that it hints at their own recent experiences, and describe it as containing “strong personal and political themes”, the songs acting as creative outlets for
A LITTLE BIT GYPSY SOME BANDS PLAY PUBS, OTHERS CLUBS AND THEN THOSE THAT DO THE FESTIVAL CIRCUIT. FOR SOME IT’S JUST A JOB, OTHERS A BIT OF WEEKEND FUN AND FOR A SELECT FEW IT’S A DEDICATED LIFESTYLE CHOICE. THE BARONS OF TANG FIT FIRMLY INTO THE LATER.
challenging times in their lives. It’s an eleven track record, including the song ‘Weighted’, written during Kevin and Dave’s very first jam together. This formation in, and subsequent frequenting of Hobart bars to play shows, the band concede some credit to “beer” on the webpage for the new record. As a result, it’s a full, heavy tone, right in line with the Australian pub-rock tradition.
in Tasmania and on the mainland over the summer months, the band already have a large repertoire of new music – in fact, they are ready to start recording their second full-length record, to be titled “Tragedy and Gold”. It’s clear that the boys are a productive force, and that we can expect to hear much more from them in the future. CHLOE MAYNE
The cover art, commissioned by local artists Jackson Pollack and Jacqui Green, is muted and melancholic – speaking to the undertones of the bands’ sound, which the boys describe as a hybrid between Children Collide and Muse, with a slight touch of Nirvana. In the past couple of months the bands have played an acoustic set for Edge Radio’s Tasmusica, as well as the Bad Vibrations show at the Brisbane Hotel in July. While planning a run of shows both
Catch Concrete Lines their Saturday November 2 show at the Casbah Cafe on Liverpool Street. From the Rebuilt Foundations of Broken Dreams, is out now. Reach them on www.facebook.com/ concretelines.
A seven piece travelling roadshow, the Barons have been a firm favourite in Tasmania appearing at the Jackeys Marsh Forest Festival, Junction Arts Festival and the Tasmanian Circus Festival in recent years. They have also managed to squeeze into some tight spaces at some of Hobart’s live venues for the past four years.
smokers, non smokers, gone are the days when we could just crash at a mates place. The amount of preparation involved is significant ” Says Joel. “We have learnt to travel light as we have quite a big setup for a band. And god forbid we tour with our own backline, which is fragile and useless when not playing it. The really tragic breakages happen at the end of tours. I’m the double bass player and have a workhorse piece of crap that goes into luggage – it gets broken – and gets fixed with screws.”
According to band member Julian Cue, “We have made a career doing festivals, and doing bizarre underground events – it’s our bread and butter. We done a lot of different stuff and dabbled around the edges of a lot of different scenes”. The band began six years ago, as a “music nerd project” featuring piano, saxophone and accordion. Starting more or less as an instrumental band that was inspired by Eastern European punk, vocals were slowly added and the compositions morphed and danced between genres. “We worked as a backing band - the black lung theatre – Rubeville (show) – an absurdist punk rock theatre piece about the trappings of fame.” “We are not trying to pretend that we are traditional Eastern Euroepan”, maintains Julian, who is hesitant to call the band members gypsys. “That’s a culture and ethnicity. ‘Gypsy punk’ is a moniker I’m happy with. “
After six years together, Barons Of Tang are finally releasing their first full length studio album, Into the Mouths of Hungry Giants. “It’s a nice cross section of stuff we have been working on the past two years. It’s great to create a version of a song to craft. Compositionally our songs are pretty tight – pretty rigid. We do have space for solos. We are definitely not a jam band.” The album reflects on the relentless travel the band has enjoyed and endured, across Europe, the UK, Canada, the USA, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand. The songs and instrumentals speak of the tyranny of distance, love and dysfunction, adventure and loss, the accumulation of ecstatic moments and tiny tragedies of life. NIC ORME
Either way, the band is constantly on the move and with seven in the band, they have learned to travel light. “It’s tough. On a day-to-day level, when we travel we have to be super organised. It’s a case of always chasing your tail, how you feed the band, how many beds, 20
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The Barons Of Tang play The Brisbane Hotel, Hobart on Saturday October 12.
Music
FOSTER THE SIN AND TONICS ONTO THE STAGE AT FALLS THIS HOBART BASED THREE PIECE HAS ALWAYS HELD THE SAME AIM IN MIND - TO INSTILL THE INTENSITY AND ENGAGEMENT OF A PUNK ROCK SHOW WHILST BLENDING THE DIVERSITY OF STYLES OF AN ERA SINCE PAST. TAKING SAID STYLES - SURF, COUNTRY AND PUNK ROCK ALONG WITH HEAVY ROCKABILLY SWING AND THAT GREAT GRETSCH SOUND, THE BAND CREATES AN EXPERIENCE THAT IS AN INFECTIOUS, FUN FILLED, AND ACTION PACKED BLEND. THE SIN AND TONICS ARE NOW ASKING FOR YOUR HELP TO HELP THEM SPREAD THEIR GOSPEL OF SWING TO THE FALLS’ MASSESS. Coming from this slightly secluded highly creative region has proven a positive for this eclectic trio, influencing an original style yet grounded disposition and live show ethos like no other. Having played festivals nationwide and a list of very impressive supports including The Reverend Horton Heat and The 5,6,7,8’s, The ‘Sinners’ are regarded as a standalone act amongst many touring Australian and international bands. Comprising of David ‘Eddo’ Edmondson on Guitar/ Vocals, Eden Coulson on Double Bass/Vocals and Brett ‘Bert’ Pitfield on Drums/Vocals, The Sin & Tonics have been building momentum since 2009 with their first nine track release ‘Happy Hour’- a totally self-produced mini album which received praise throughout Australia. The band prides itself on its open-minded approach to sound, enjoyment and performance. The Sin & Tonics are the sort of band that can, and does play alongside punk bands, swing bands, country, psychobilly and rockabilly acts -blending well but still standing apart on their own 6 feet. The Sin & Tonics have earned their high-rev reputation Australia wide from back-to-back manic live shows whilst touring the second album Begin The Sin, bringing the aforementioned style and sound to its heaving, sweating, diverse reality onstage and this will be carried forward with the impending release of their third album early next year. And now’s your chance to get these boys onstage to give Marion Bay a shake up like no other. Voting is via the Falls Festival website (www.fallsfestival. com), with the ballot closing on October 31. If you want to see the Sin & Tonics inaction before you vote, they are playing a string of shows in early October. BRETT PITFIELD
Catch The Sin & Tonics at the following shows: • Friday October 4 at The Republic Bar - Hobart • Saturday October 5 at The Royal Oak - Launceston • Sunday October 6 at Rock ‘N Rodz - Longford • Saturday October 12 at Parliament Lawns - Hobart • Friday November 1 at The Winston - Hobart
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Music
THE TROUBADOUR JORDIE LANE IS ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S MOST ACCLAIMED TROUBADOURS, WHICH (ACCORDING TO THE FIRST PARAGRAPH OF WIKIPEDIA BECAUSE NO ONE READS PAST THAT) MEANS HE’S A COMPOSER AND PERFORMER OF OLD OCCITAN LYRIC POETRY. SO THAT’S SOMETHING DIFFERENT FROM YOUR REGULAR SINGER SONGERWRITER TYPE.
Anyway, Jordie has a new EP, Not Built to Last, and is troubadouring around the country in support of it. He is also bringing along a Canadian singer who also happens to play the banjo by the name of Old Man Luedeke. Jordie now officially an expat living in Los Angeles is coming back to Australia with a swag full of tales. He gave us a brief rundown of the current life and times of Jordie Lane. What does your mum think of your music? Does she come to shows when you’re in the country? I’m pretty sure she enjoys it very much! And yes, she comes to as many of my shows as she can, especially in Melbourne. But this time she’s gonna be in the Middle East. vI think she’s coming to the Hobart show! That’s what my dad just told me on the phone as I arrived here in Nashville. ‘Blood Thinner’ was famously recorded on a Tascam 4-track with a minimal amount of instruments, what kind of environment was ‘Not Built to Last’ recorded in? Well, I mean it still had a very organic process but instead of just me, there was a real studio, some amazingly talented musicians, an engineer and producer, Skylar Wilson. We tracked it at The Casino in East Nashville. Over 3 days after a week of just myself and Skylar working through all the song choices and arrangements!
quite heavily, how do American audiences respond to that? If it’s a good story, they’ll get it!! And with the joys of Google people can all be historians these days! Last year you played Gram Parsons in Grievous Angel: The Legend of Gram Parsons, if you could play the role of any other artist (excluding Jordie Lane), who would you choose? And, why? Gene Clark. Because he was the missing link that many overlooked!! Lastly, please give us a guide for where and where not to visit while in America, for the travelling musician and the Australian traveller. Look, I haven’t been everywhere! So I think any worldly traveller should make a trip here and answer that for themselves! It’s so diverse I just couldn’t do anywhere justice except to say I love the desert of California and Nevada, the drinkin’ times in Nashville and fantasy of Vegas!!! NIC ORME
You’re based in LA now, but are you still as much of a nomad as you used to be? Or have you settled down these days? Is it possible to settle down in LA? I’m sleeping on fucking air mattress in Nashville, Tennessee tonight, what the fuck do you think? A few of your songs, (eg. “I could die looking at you”) reference Australiana
TRAVELING THE COUNTRY ROADS ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE MOST ABOUT TOURING THE ISLAND STATE IS THE PROSPECT OF CATCHING UP WITH A YOUNG FAMILY I MET COUPLE OF YEARS AGO FOLLOWING A FAN MAIL THAT I RECEIVED…
The email was from the mother of a young aficionado named Aaron inviting me to visit him and his family at their coffee shop in the small country town of Mole Creek should I have some time to spare during the tour. I remember writing back enthusiastically that we would do our best to make it out there, but as is so often the way when on tour, time got the better of us and we were unable to make it there that day.
Jordie will play two Tasmanian dates with Old Man Luedeke (CAN) beginning on Saturday November 2 at Red Hot Music in Devonport. This is followed by a Sunday matinee show at The Republic Bar in Hobart . Not Built To Last is available through Vitamin Records.
possible anguish I had caused the little fella broke my heart so I made sure we managed to fit in the visit the following day, and I’m extremely grateful that we did!
We arrived to discover the amazing, secluded location in which Aaron and his beautiful family have independently built there home and coffee shop from scratch. Situated only hundreds of metres from the historic Marakoopa Caves. The next morning I received another We were spoilt to some great food and email telling me of the excitement Aaron warm coffee, and given a personal tour expressed when given the news that I was of the area and some of the breathtaking coming to visit, and the disappointment scenery it has to offer. We ended up he faced when he realised we weren’t hanging out with Aaron and his family for hours and now whenever I’m on tour going to make it. Thinking about the down south I make sure to set aside some time to head back to Mole Creek and catch up with them. It’s people like this who remind me of how lucky I am to do what I do. Their generosity and kindness is enough to cure any traveller of their home sickness. So do yourself a favour next time you’re heading down the Bass Highway, take a small detour to buy a coffee from my friends at the Marakoopa Café. And don’t forget to tell them I said hi. ;) SHAUN KIRK See Shaun Kirk perform at the following venues: Thursday Oct 31 – Republic Bar – Hobart Friday Nov 1 – Tapas Lounge Bar – Devonport Saturday Nov 2 – Royal Oak Hotel Launceston
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Music
FIVE ALBUMS I LISTEN TO ON TOUR BY OWL EYES
RUNNING OF THE WOLVES FROM THE OUTSIDE, THINGS AT CAMP WOLF & CUB HAVE APPEARED TO BE A LITTLE QUIET OF LATE. ON THE INSIDE THE PACK HAS BEEN BUSY FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS FLESHING OUT WHAT WOULD BE THEIR THIRD ALBUM HEAVY WEIGHT. SELF PRODUCED, SELF RECORDED AND SELF FUNDED, THE ALBUM HAS BEEN VERY MUCH A LABOUR OF LOVE.
Formed in 2002, Wolf & Cub spent the first few years “finding our feet,” says founding member Joel Byrne and “learning how to be a band”. They finally became confident to begin playing out in 2004, slowly learning know how in scoring shows and making the tour circuit. “We used to ask a lot of advice on how to get gigs from other bands”. Described as psychedelic Australian rock, the band were unique in the Australian scene for performing with two drummers. This regularly presented issues for the group, often unique and novel ways being created to fit the band on stage. More often than not, part of the band would have to play in front of the stage. I draw comparisons between Wolf & Cub and that other Australian band of wolves, Wolfmother. The two even toured together to England. I asked Joel where the similarities ended. “We had more of a punk aesthetic. Wolfmother were seasoned musicians. We would get together to play our interpretation of music...we did our best... better than we used to be.”
the project was very much DIY due to necessity. “We couldn’t afford to get a producer in on this one, we had the choice of doing the record ourselves or not doing it all”. I asked Joel about the current in thing of crowd funding for bands. “We weren’t interested in it, it was just as easy to be conservative with our money”. In regards to the final product Joel says, “We are really proud with what we made”.
Metronomy – The English Riviera
I think this album speaks for itself. I could never begin to explain how amazing it is. It’s a perfect album to listen to from start to finish because it’s so diverse. Many years later it is still inspiring musicians and producers everywhere. I love listening to it with my headphones on.
My band and I went on a regional tour where there was a lot of time spent in the back of tour vans. We would all put different albums on to soundtrack the long drives but this album seemed to keep everyone’s taste really happy. I think this album is a lot of fun. Metronomy are so awesome at writing catchy pop songs. I went to see their live show and they were so tight I was blown away; they are a really strong band.
Artic Monkeys – Whatever people say I am, That’s What I’m Not
For the new album and upcoming tour, Wolf & Cub have abandoned their second trademark drumkit for the upcoming album tour. “The dynamics of this record means needing us to have a second guitar and keys due to the extra instrumentation on the record,” says Joel.
Frank Ocean – Nostalgia,Ultra / Channel Orange
Thankfully this will leave more room for us the punters in front of the stage. NIC ORME
This band still amazes me, I spent my teen years crushing on Alex Turner and I still am. This album is still so great; he really does have a way with words. This is a good album to get pumped up too. Cat Power – You Are Free
Wolf & Cub ended up having a fairly significant line up change in 2011, with Brock Fitzgerald and Wade Keighran both of The Scare joining Joel Byrne and Joel Carey in a new look lineup. Having toured together previously the transition according to Joel was fairly seamless. “We knew the guys and could get along with them socially”. According to Joel, Brock and Wade also brought “musicality” and a “higher quality of output” to the band, although the band’s aesthetics remained the same. Moving to mid 2013, Wolf & Cub have managed to release their third album Heavy Weight. Unlike the previous two releases,
The Avalanches - Since I left you
Wolf & Cub play The Republic Bar on Thursday October 17. Touring support will be from Sydney band Zeahorse.
I love listening to Cat Powers voice it has such a raw beauty to it. I put this album on a lot on the plane; it’s a nice album to listen to in transit especially when everything around you is a bit crazy and you just want to chill out.
Frank Ocean is a brilliant songwriter and both these albums are masterpieces. They are perfect for me to listen to on the road because they are both long and each track is really different from the next. I like to flick between songs a lot so it’s good to have some variety.
See Owl Eyes perform at Alchemy in Launceston on Friday October 4, before heading to Hobart on the Saturday for a show at The Waratah Hotel. Tickets are available from www.oztix.com.au.
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Same Same
But
l a v i t s e F e d TasPri aspride.com r 2013 | t
1-9 Novembe
46 events 37 artists 23 venues 9 days 6 towns 1 TasPride Festival Full programme released 13 September
Music
BACK OUT OF THE JAR BODYJAR’S ‘ONE IN A MILLION’ MUSIC VIDEO DID MORE FOR SAFE SEX ADVOCACY THAN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES COULD EVER HOPE TO ACHIEVE. ONE MESSAGE RATTLED THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF GENERATION Y VIEWERS ACROSS THE GLOBE: PLAY IT SAFE OR RISK SPORTING A NAPOLEON DYNAMITE LIKE SON WITH THAT GIRL YOU INTENDED TO SAY “IT’S NOT YOU, IT’S ME” TO SEVERAL WEEKS LATER.
Officially on hiatus since 2009 Australia’s punk favourites are back and wielding their latest album, Role Model. While their family members are no mistake, all minds are level-headed across the Bodyjar camp. Nappies and nine-till-five jobs now greet most members. It’s only been a casual eight years since we’ve heard new material from the punk veterans, but who’s counting? Rewind a decade, and Bodyjar had it all. Warped Tours, Big Day Outs, a certified gold album and a major record deal all came in an era where music was portable by walkman, ecstasy was a feeling and the closest thing to dubstep was driving a tractor underwater. The band’s formative glory days left guitarist, father and locksmith, Tom Read, begging one question: How to tackle today’s digital oriented music industry? The band’s alliance with Australian independent music group and record label, We Are Unified, helped ease the transition back into the market. “It’s good to have someone steering the ship. Cam (vocalist) used to do a lot of that shit himself, but it frees up his time to do more band shit so it has been really good; and they know what they’re doing because we are getting a bit old. They seem to have
their finger on the pulse with all the digital media stuff and it’s good to have young guys who know what the hell is going on without the old farts. Me and Grant are like ‘so how about cds’ and they’re like ‘no one cares about cds anymore’, I mean people buy vinyls and we are like ‘what the fuck?’” While world tours and stage sharing with the likes Blink 182 and Pennywise may be over, one thing remains the same for Tom, “punk will always be punk.” “The music scene is a lot different compared to what it was, but that’s cool, it evolves. But it seems to be strong, like one of the best venues in Melbourne, The Art House, closed down a couple of years back and they just went somewhere else and set up a new venue. You can’t kill it; it has got its own legs. They might stop playing this shit on the radio but the punks seem to find a way to get around it. You can’t kill the Australian punk scene, it’s here to stay.” It’s not all Viagra, walking frames and hearing aids for Bodyjar. According to Tom, age will never hamper the band’s stage performance and mentality towards music. Finishing a string of shows went further than feeling physically drained. “You have to get home, go to work during the week and get on a plane and go play
some rock. It’s a good way of keeping your feet on the ground. You get off the plane, drive home, change a shitty nappy; it’s just the way it is now. There are no plans of grandeur these days and we are doing the band to have fun again. Me and Grant have got families so it is a bit tricky there, but once you’re in the band room it is like you’re twenty again. It’s only when you get off stage that you feel old. We did the tour with The Descendants earlier this year. There was one little stretch, the Perth bit where we did three shows in a row and by the end of the third show I was asleep on the couch in the band room while everyone else was having the final gig party and shit, I couldn’t get off my arse.” Joining Bodyjar on their national Role Model tour is Tasmanian punk heroes Luca Brasi. The boys are no strangers to supporting some of the industry’s greats, including The Smith Street Band and Title Fight. It was the decision made by We Are Unified to take the Launceston outfit along for the nine show ride, but it was Tom stomping his foot which put Tasmania on the map for their tour. “It was my idea; I’ll take all the credit. They’re awesome (Luca Brasi), I love them. They should be a good party band. When I checked them out I thought ‘yeah, sweet’ and when I looked at the tour dates there was no Tassie show. What the hell were we doing getting Tassie’s finest punk band, and we were not even going to Tassie?” Since their 2005 self titled release, it’s still the “classic Bodyjar” sound fans can look forward to hearing. Their first single off the album, ‘Fairytales’, is evident of this. Three weeks of recording with Shihad’s Tom Larkin has achieved a vintage punk sound. “We got back together and released No Touch Red on vinyl last year and that’s what relit the flame. So we were like, fuck, this
is the kind of music we are good at doing. Let’s get in the band room and write songs that we are good at writing. There were no clean guitars, there was no dicking around with keyboards or sonic shit, and it was just like let’s record an album of how we are going to play it live.” Watch the film clip for ‘Fairytales’, listen to the lyrics and you’ll soon find yourself questioning whether the neat little package is a metaphor for the band rekindling its punk flame. With lines such as ‘everyone is different’, is both the clip and song a way of reassuring Tom that it’s okay to reunite a punk/rock band at an age where social norms say you should be settling down and paying off your mortgage? “I wrote that song and the lyrics just came out really quickly. It was just one of those phrasing things where lyrics come out really easily. I sent it to Cam and he goes ‘oh that’s awesome, it’s a song about the band isn’t it?’ And I was like ‘yeah alright!’ I didn’t really know what is was about, and he goes ‘look at the lyrics’. I was just writing random shit about life and I guess subconsciously that’s how it ended up.” Amongst sampling our state’s finest liquor, Bodyjar will hit Hobart’s Brisbane Hotel on Thursday November 7. Tom assured fans it’s going to be a pretty classic show. “We’ve got a couple more good songs to add to the set so it should be rockin’. Less filler, more killer.” MARK ACHESON
Bodyjar play The Brisbane Hotel in Hobart on Thursday November 7. Tickets are available from the venue, Ruffcut and www.moshtix.com.au.
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Music EDGE RADIO RECOMMENDS FOR OCTOBER
CLOWNING AROUND MELBOURNE PUNK OUTFIT CLOWNS WILL RELEASE THEIR DEBUT FULL-LENGTH ALBUM VIA POISON CITY RECORDS THIS OCTOBER. TITLED I’M NOT RIGHT, IT’S A TIGHT, RAUCOUS, ALL-OUT OFFENSIVE WITH EXPLOSIVE ATTITUDE TO BOOT. THE FOUR BOYS HAIL FROM THE BAYSIDE SUBURBS OF MELBOURNE, AND RECORDED THE SONGS FOR THE LP AT BIRDLAND STUDIOS WITH THE FAMOUS LINDSAY GRAVINA, WHO’S ALSO DONE PRODUCTION WORK FOR COMSIC PSYCHOS, MAGIC DIRT AND THE MEANIES.
Audego - Beneath the Static and the Low Audego is the collaboration between Melbourne duo Pasobionic and Big Fella, also known as couple, Shehab and Carolyn Tariq. Following from last year’s debut Abominable Snowman, Beneath the Static and the Low continues the duo’s penchant for after dark trip-hop. Big Fella weaves her silky and delicate voice through an ever-changing backdrop of dissonance and chaos. Pasobionic’s electronic hip-hop recalls 90s electronic artists like DJ Shadow and Portishead with dark and decayed beats and samples. On tracks Ghost and Liar, Big Fella’s vocals draw comparison to Bjork in the way her syrupy melodies are repeated to hypnotic effect and backed by a rampant beat. Audego describe their music as futurenoir and this is an apt way to illustrate the feeling evoked by these futuristic and inhuman sounds that threaten and contest the sincere vocals over the 10 tracks.
Balance and Composure - The Things We Think We’re Missing
Stevie, the band’s vocalist, says that the album came together gradually over a number of years. “It was a bit of a strange process because we’ve been recording at Birdland Studios with Lindsay Gravina since 2011, that’s where we did the main singles for our splits that we’ve previously released (three split records so far, and we’re about to do a fourth as well). We wanted to do an EP but we were too broke to go in and record a full EP all at once, so we ended up doing split singles, and then, somewhere along the way, Poison City stepped in and said they liked it, and that they wanted us to do an album.” The title of the album, I’m Not Right, is pulled from the lyrics of one of the new songs. titled ‘Jesus on Acid’. “The name is a little bit up for interpretation,” says Stevie. “It doesn’t really mean anything per se, but it’s almost a bit of a metaphor for the band, because for as long as we’ve been around we’ve been told that we’re not right for whatever reason, that we swear too much or that our shows get too crazy sometimes, we’ve been kicked out of venues after shows.” “We used to always get asked to play these stupid club shows... I dunno how we managed to get into that scene, but the first few gigs we ever did were at alternative ‘club nights’ and we used to throw really wild shows in there, and the bouncers got all antsy at us and kicked us out afterwards. But it was pretty funny, because they used to book us there anyway. We’d get kicked out on the night, and then a week later we’d get a call asking us to play again. I think that because we pulled people to the shows they didn’t really care but the bouncers had a bit of a problem. We ended up breaking that bond as well, because one day we just got really pissed off and played a gig and smashed a disco ball, and then we never got asked back again. [laughs].” It may be their debut full-length album, but Clowns have done plenty of touring in the past, including a stint in South-East Asia last year. It included two shows in water parks, and even one in an icecream shop. When asked about the OH&S behind 26
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playing amped-up hardcore punk beside a swimming pool, Stevie chuckles. “Well, there’s heaps of safety hazards! But you know, those things don’t seem to be issues in Indonesia. They were just like yeah, bands can come in and play, whatever. I think it’s a whole different world over there. They don’t have regulations like that. There’s ten year old kids drinking moonshine at the gig. [But] I think we’ve played weirder gigs in Australia, just with bands that don’t suit us. We’ve been on the same bill as The Bamboos, and we played with Owl Eyes once too, at St. Kilda Fest in 2011, at The Espy. That was pretty fuckin’ weird because we came on and blasted hardcore at all these beachy dudes or whatever, that go to St Kilda Fest, and then straight after us Owl Eyes was on playing acoustic songs.” The I’m Not Right tour will consist of a massive 21 dates across three months. “We’ve never done a tour this big but we’re all pretty tight,” says Stevie. “We don’t usually fight that often, not when we’re on the road anyway. Hopefully we don’t kill each other or turn one of us psychotic, but you know. I wouldn’t rule anything out. It’s all uncharted waters from here on in.” I asked how Stevie’s rough, gravel-ridden voice would handle the relentless touring. “I could, and I do lose my voice on the occasion, but I don’t know,” he laughs. “As I said, uncharted waters. In situations like these we tend to bite off way more than we can chew and somehow we’ll just get there. If I think about it too long, it just doesn’t make sense to be away that long, to play that many gigs, but you know, it’s happening. And if it doesn’t work out, or something goes horribly wrong, then that’ll be an awesome story – and if it all goes to plan then that’ll be an equally awesome story.”
have released an album through any other record label, it just worked so well. It was really organic. I reckon if another label had offered us a deal it would have been a very tough question.” Stevie says that he’s been listening to plenty of Poison City bands as of late, with the label’s inaugural Weekender festival happening recently – a concert that Clowns also played at. “When we got asked to play The Weekender I was like shit, I need to listen to every band on the line-up. Deep Heat are one of my favourite bands at the moment. I’d already been listening to lots of White Walls, The Bennies, and Smith Street Band. Apart from that, my music taste is so broad. For some reason I went through a massive TISM phase a few months ago. I rediscovered them after not listening to them for five years and was like ‘yeah, this band is so sick!’ [laughs]. TISM are just the best band in the fucking world.” Clowns played their first-ever Tasmanian show at The Brisbane on their winter tour this year. They’re also going to be playing a house show – its location and lineup remain top secret, and Stevie refuses to give away any information. “Anything can happen,” he says of the upcoming Tasmanian shows. “Nothing is planned. We know how to play the songs and we’ve got a setlist, but sometimes we’ll get onstage and play a gig and people will stand there and nod their heads, and enjoy it. Sometimes dudes chuck a beer at us, and that’s sick – jumping in the stage, stealing microphones, stage-diving, all of that... If it’s anything like the show we played at the Bris a few months ago, I think you can expect a few ‘throwdowns’, a few people moshin’ out.” CHLOE MAYNE
While the band had a pretty DIY approach in the past, releasing their own records and arranging their own tours, the Poison City deal was a welcome change. “Financially there’s no way we could have done it without Poison City. Promotion wise, it opened us up to a completely different audience. Poison City has a bit of a cult following, if you will. I don’t think we would
Clowns play at The Royal Oak, Launceston on Thursday November 14. Catch them at The Brisbane Hotel on the Friday November 15, and at the all ages house show on Saturday November 16 – details TBA.
Pennsylvanian post-hardcore band Balance and Composure gaze into the past to reminisce on confused teenage angst and all of those anger-filled alt-rock, grunge and dare I say, nu-metal bands of the 90s and early 00s. These varied influences are filtered through the band’s trademark emo throwback sound. While their second full-length album, The Things We Think We’re Missing, is a gaze into the past it’s not lacking in any immediacy. The tortured and desperate lyrics are passionately delivered by vocalist Simmons who trades-off between aggression and vulnerability, a dynamic that’s matched by the instrumentation, of loud and driving guitars with heavy distortion after verses of softer, atmospheric passages
King Krule - 6 Feet Beneath the Moon 19 year old Archie Marshall got our fullattention after lending his gravely baritone to this year’s expansive new Mount Kimbie album Cold Spring Fault Less Youth. With 6 Feet Beneath the Moon, King Krule has delivered such an assured and cohesive work right out of the gate. Jazz guitar runs from soft and minimalist to frenetic are backed by horns on the divergent track, ‘A Lizard State’. Some of Krule’s vocal intonation and lyricism seem hip-hop inspired and minimalist hip-hop beats feature in a few tracks - under that heavy wash of reverb holding the album together.
Summer Flake - You Can Have It All Stephanie Crase has been kicking around the low-fi indie scene in Adelaide for years, with bands including Bat Rider, Birth Glow and Hit The Jackpot. Her debut solo album You Can Have It All arrives after two years, and a couple EPs’s of Stephanie building her sound under the Summer Flake moniker. You Can Have It All is a scuzzy lo-fi guitarpop album. Yes, it has wistful melodies awash under a dense wall of sound, but separating it from the great many generic My Bloody Valentine influenced bands is the super-raw production and off-the-cuff guitar workouts that evoke Dinosaur Jr. ALASTAIR LING EDGE RADIO 99.3 FM
Music
A GRADES ALL THE WAY I FIRST CAME ACROSS BATEMAN’S BAY VIA MELBOURNE BAND SCHOOL GIRL REPORT AT THE 2013 CAMP A LOW HUM FESTIVAL IN NEW ZEALAND, WHICH IS WIDELY CONSIDERED A MECCA OF UNDERGROUND MUSIC FOR AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND BANDS. IN THE PROGRAM FOR SAID FESTIVAL THEY TOUTED THEMSELVES AS A “HESITATION ROCK/WOBBLE CHEEK ACT” PLAYING “SEX BEAT TUNES DERIVED FROM STORIES THEY WROTE WHEN THEY WERE SEVEN AND LOVE LETTERS FROM GIRLS IN HIGH SCHOOL.”
Using a guitar “prepared” with small objects (Eg. nails, tuning forks) stuffed between the strings exuding twisted country math rock sounds, backed by something between tribal and beat heavy hip-hop drumming (truly exciting music is always accompanied by an inability to say “they remind me of X”), they were one of the most genuine and eccentric bands I’d seen. Their sound was uneasy and detached, but funny in its wry dead seriousness. A few months later my band Naked was lucky enough to be invited to play the launch show for their album “Success Is Dating School Girl Report” (out on Melbourne based label Heavy Lows)
which saw the introduction of a foray into re-interpreting their own material electronically with CDJ’s and samplers; flirting with fad while maintaining an unconcern with convention. A lineup boasting Circular Keys, Encounter Group and Duck Duck Chopalso showed off their impeccably eclectic, and strategic, taste in who to associate themselves with. That’s perhaps the most intriguing and endearing thing about SGR - this fervent self-awareness and ongoing deconstruction of their own music, premise as an act and of one another. Check their song titles (“Our Concert”), their denim-overalls + baseball-cap VS disco-cowboy / pro-skater stage outfits, use of smartphones as stage props, personalised “Fad” lolly packets as band merch, or search video footage of their performance live in Guangzhou China (a tour allegedly funded by among other things cleaning gas bottles, managing bin runs, collecting power boards and delivering phone books). Finally, if hesitation rock/wobble cheek doesn’t do it for you, School Girl Report have also been recipients of the following labels: glow, renovation rock, hip-hop, footdrag, blonde fog, tropical punk, and musical genius. ROBERT FISHER
School Girl Report play at the Grand Poobah in Hobart on Friday October 4 from 8pm with support from Hobart bands Drunk Elk, Naked and Molle St Therapist.
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A NEW PUB ON THE BLOCK ANOTHER VENUE IN HOBART REALLY? YES REALLY. WHAT WAS THE DON HOTEL ON ELIZABETH ST IS NO MORE AND IN ITS PLACE IS THE HOMESTEAD
From the outdoors to the indoors, an exciting new venture for Hobart has arrived and will be in full swing very soon. The Homestead is where one will find many delights; comfy couches, an eclectic selection of music genres live and non-live, performance and visual arts to feed the senses, as well as a multitude of beverages in a range of sizes and tastes and food that caters to all types with a focus on organic and local produce. There is even a gorgeous wood heater to warm one’s behind on during those cold Tassie nights and days, a beer garden and some good old eight ball.
The Homestead aims to be a hotbed of local culture and expression. At this totally un-average pub a vibrant myriad variety of music awaits: electro-swing, dub, reggae, roots, jazz infused gypsy, Balkan, bohemia, high energy electro didge, indie, rock, progressive, minimal, psytrance, glitch and genres no one knows the name of yet. There’ll be the full gamut of live action: cabaret, street, sideshow, circus, puppetry, clowning and comedy. Visual art completes the mix: The Homestead will feature installation, sculpture, electronic media, painting, experimental art and more.
The Homestead ground level is just the first half of the vision, with the upstairs soon to deliver very affordable accommodation. The Homestead will be a place for people from all walks of life to come and go. A place where exchange of information and social cohesion will manifest. There will be a special sample opening night on Wednesday October 23 with the official Yacht Club DJs afterparty, with guest local DJs and free entry. The official opening will be on Friday October 25 with a cranking night of Electro Swing headlined by Banja. A French DJ who is currently residing in Sydney and who’s music selection and mixing is designed to get just about anyone into a hip shaking frenzy. With local support by DJ Lawless and Kireesh. Saturday October 26 will feature Wild Marmalade all the way from happy Byron Bay lands of Australia. These guys will take you on a wild energy crazed night of didgeridoo and irresistible thumping rhythm, not to be missed. So wander on down or up to The Homestead and enjoy the relaxed lounge, bar and entertainment areas with a hearty rum in hand or some healthy home-some foods from the carefully created menu. Find The Homestead at 304 Elizabeth Street a door down from the renowned North Hobart strip. Keep up to date with the Homestead via their Facebook page - gigs, specials, new additions, staff, family and fun times ahead. NIC ORME
A WONDERFUL
WORLD OF
BEER
Tattersalls Hotel: Beer and Food Hall is the most recent addition to the Hobart craft beer scene, and it’s a welcome one at that. New owner, Andrew Tynan, is a familiar face to the beer connoisseurs of Melbourne (having managed a few of the more popular craft beer joints there for quite a while), and now he’s returned to his home state to spread the good word. The good beer word, which is possibly the best kind of good word, ever. You’ll see 12 rotating taps showcasing some of the best brews from the best breweries around the world, and a menu showcasing the finest Tasmanian produce to match. I hit up a couple of interesting things from the tap-list, before diving into something a little spesh. SHANE CRIXUS
Dark Horse (USA) - Raspberry Ale (4.5%) This is an ok ale with a pretty subtle raspberry flavour. It’s fizzy, it’s raspberryish (making up words btw), it’s pretty much a cordial. I could see it being a super refreshing session beer on a hot Summer day, but it’s alcoholic cordial really. Sometimes, people (eg. Mikkeller) can do the infused flavour thing with great results, other times, it doesn’t really come off. This one didn’t work for me on the day. There are no real outstanding hoppy, malty or yeasty characteristics to speak of and the raspberry isn’t strong enough, but hey, it’s still a bit of fun! Ya gotta try new things, y‘know?
8 Wired (NZ) - Tall Poppy India Red Ale (7%) Given its name, I’m assuming it’s a cross between a red ale and an IPA. It has the classic hop finish of an IPA, but much more of a caramel and slightly biscuit malt thing going on, and less of the floral or tropical fruity thing that some IPA’s seem to have. The bitterness isn’t particularly overbearing, but neither is the sweet malt, both are bold, but they’ve managed to achieve quite an interesting balance between the two. The bitterness carries on nicely, and it ends up having the refreshingness of an IPA, and the heartiness of a classic red ale. Well decent drop, this one.
Brew Dog (Scotland) - Sink the Bismarck (41%) “IPA for the dedicated.” It’s a 41% beer. Eep. Obviously, at that percentage, this is more of a slow sipper than something you’d pound down a stubby of in 20 minutes. And given how limited (and expensive) these are, you’d be stupid if you didn’t want to take this one very slowly, savouring every drop. I’m a big fan of pretty much everything Brew Dog do, and this is no exception. It has elements of IPA about it (if you’ve tried their Hardcore IPA, think that, times a million), and elements of whisky, without the smoky/peaty thing. It’s very drinkable, with surprisingly little alcohol burn, but don’t let it trick you in to thinking it doesn’t pack a punch. www.facebook.com/warp.mag 29
The Hobart
C ffee Guide
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WEST HOBART
CBD
Beaujangles 49 Elizabeth St Mall Price: $3.80 – 4.30 Nick: “Our coffee is a mid strength, Italian style bean with a slightly nutty flavour.” Steph’s comment: “Previously voted Hobart’s Best Coffee in 2012 with HOFM.” Frankie’s Empire 129 Elizabeth Street Price: $3.50 – 4 Stella: “It’s organic, fair trade and delicious! We use Tasmanian milk which is also local farmers.” Steph’s comment:“Try the juices!” Villino Espresso 30 Criterion Street Price: $3.80 – 4.40 Andrew: “We source the beans and roast them ourselves. We aim for excellence and are not afraid of putting the money in to get quality.” Steph’s comment: “Check out Ecru – Villino’s sister coffee hub, just down the road. Next Door 149 Collins Street Price: $3.70-4.20. Mark: “Our single origin is from Tasmania – and we change it every four days. We do organic, fair trade coffee. Our dark hot chocolate is pretty tasty – it’s gluten free.” Steph’s comment: “Coolest interior!” Yellow Bernard 109 Collins Street Price: $3.20-4.40 Scott: “Making fools of ourselves is our specialty, and keeping the staff passionate about what we do, and staying ahead of the game.” Island Espresso 171 Elizabeth Street Price: $3 – 6 Alyssa: “Long blacks are our specialty – we have two grinders, and do lots of different blends.” Steph’s comment: “My favourite place to chill out, relaxed on a couch and while sipping a London Fog.” The Westend Pumphouse 105 Murray Street Price: $3.50 - $4.50 Alex: “We use Zimmah beans and have a machine specially made for us from Zimmah coffee – with wooden handles.” Steph’s comment: “Great opening hours if you’re after a late cuppa or something a little stronger from the bar.” Chrome Coffee Lounge 250 Elizabeth Street Price: $3.50 – 4 Richard: “I do a latte macchiato – on the bottom is flavour, middle is coffee, and top is the milk. We also have several different kinds of tea – we have a Chinese black tea, which is like an English breakfast.” Steph’s comment: “Undoubtedly the best customer service in Hobart, and perhaps the only place to enjoy a delicious zucchini chocolate cake while sipping one of the barista-owner’s skilfully prepared drinks.” Basket & Green 179 Elizabeth Street Price: $3.50 – 4.50 Gabby: “We use Genovese because it’s a smooth, mild blend. If you’ve had a Genovese coffee this year, it tastes the same as ten years ago and will taste the same in ten years. We’re about the consistency.”
Lansdowne Cafe 68 Lansdown Crescent Price: $3.80 – 4.50 Sarah: “We make a good hot chocolate – but how is a secret.” Steph’s comment: “If you like it how you like it, with skinny, soy or decaf, take comfort in knowing you won’t be charged extra.”
Ethos Eat Drink 100 Elizabeth Street Price: $3.50 – 4 Chloe: “We do coffee that’s good after a meal, and I’d drink an espresso in that sense.” Steph’s comment: “A unique and classy dining experience.”
Pigeon Hole 93 Goulburn Street Price: $3-4.30 Mendel: “We use Villino beans, it’s good!” Steph’s comment: “A reliable cup.”
NORTH HOBART
SALAMANCA
Providence Cafe 42 Newdegate Street Price: $3-5 Marko: “We have our own blend – it’s Providence Blend 42.” Steph’s comment: “Accompany your coffee with a delicious all day breakfast.”
Tricycle Cafe Salamanca Arts Centre Price: $3.20 – 4.70 Astro: “Everything’s organic, with fair trade beans. But baked eggs are our specialty!” Steph’s comment: “Iced teas also remarkable!”
Raincheck Lounge 392-394 Elizabeth Street Price: $3.80 – 4.40 Dolly: “We do awesome food and awesome coffees. We have lunch, tapas and a bit of everything.” Steph’s comment: “Raincheck have housed my mocha of choice for at least six years.”
Retro Cafe 31 Salamanca Place Price: $3.80 – 4.50 Kay: “Ours has an edge to it. It’s the best coffee around. People who like strong coffee come here.”
BATTERY POINT
Jackman and McRoss 57 Hampden Road Price: $3.80 – 4.20 Paige: “We make it strong, for people who like it strong. And we’re good for people who like to have pastry with their coffee.” Environs Cafe 38 Waterloo Crescent Price: $3.80 – 4.80 Ada: “We get very busy here, so we do try a lot to make sure all the coffee goes out up to scratch.” Pollen Tea Room 56 Hampden Road Price: $3.50-4.80 Matt: “I like coffee. I love our coffee!” Steph’s comment: “Matt invited me behind the machine to observe his mad barista skills – and I can vouch for his impressive technique and respect for each cup!”
SOUTH HOBART
Macquarie Street Foodstore 356 Macquarie Street Price: $3.50-4 Michael: “Our coffee is excellent. People keep coming back. We have a steady flow of regulars in the morning.” Ginger Brown 464 Macquarie Street Price: $3.80 – 4.40 Ben: “I’d like to think it’s fast and it’s fresh! It’s also about the complete dining experience.”
SANDY BAY & LOWER SANDY BAY
Dr Coffee 3/33 Salamanca Place Price - $3.60 – 5.80 Rob: “Our specialty is the double espresso flat white in a tulip cup made with single origin. Or our hot chocolate – it’s from Belgium and has spices in it.” Steph’s comment: “You will not find a better hot chocolate. Anywhere. In the world.” Zum 27 Salamanca Place Price: $3.90 Mandy: “We use grinder beans – Tasmanian made, very fresh.” Machine Laundry Cafe 12 Salamanca Square Price: $3.30 – 5 Jye: “All our coffees are the best!” Steph’s comment: “Try it soup-bowl-sized.” Timeless Way IXL Atrium Hunter Street Price: $4 – 4.60 David: “We’re best known for our lattes and flat white. We serve the milk separately, so people can make it how they like it, so it’s something a bit different.” Steph’s comment: “Personally, I like it when they add my favourite liqueur..
Sweet Envy 341 Elizabeth Street Price: $3-4 Matt: “I’ll do anything that anyone wants. We use Tas Coffee Roasters – it’s a dark roast and less sweet than what you’d find at Villino and Pilgrim.” Steph’s comment: “Once you set your eyes on their extensive range of sweets, you will be trapped inside Sweet Envy for life.” State Cinema 375 Elizabeth Street Price: $3.80 – 4.40 Emma: “We do standard coffees, but with a robust flavour.” Steph’s comment: “Also great for light meals before a movie or a browse through their book store.” Elizabeth St Food + Wine 285 Elizabeth Street Price: $3.50 – 4 Michael: “We use locally roasted coffee – De Lacey – and it’s roasted weekly so it’s always fresh. We’re passionate about it.”
Brew 174 Sandy Bay Road Price: $2.50 – 4 Claire: “We use Queensland coffee. It’s a rich coffee with a full flavour.”
The Nose Bag 3 Beach Road Price: $4-6 David: “We use Amanti. Everyone tells me it’s the best coffee in the state, and the best coffee they’ve ever tasted. Amanti does a lot of stuff you never get anywhere else.” Steph’s comment: “Have a croissant with your cup. They’re like no other.” The Beach House 646 Sandy Bay Road (beach side) Price: $4-5 Derek: “It’s a good strong taste; nutty flavour. The good feedback from customers is that you can actually taste the coffee!” Steph’s comment: “Rooibos chai. Brewed in milk. You’ll never look back.”
Arts
ANDREW ON ART I DISCOVERED AN ARTIST RECENTLY: ROMAN OPALKA. ROMAN PASSED AWAY IN 2011. SINCE 1965, ROMAN HAD BEEN PAINTING NUMBERS. ROMAN BEGAN AT 1, AND THEN FOLLOWED IN SEQUENCE. BY THE TIME HE GOT TO THE BOTTOM CORNER, HE HAD REACHED 35327. HE THEN CONTINUED ON ANOTHER ONE, IN SEQUENCE. EACH CANVAS MEASURED THE SAME: 196 BY 135 CM. EACH WORK HE MADE WAS CALLED A ‘DETAIL’. HE WAS REACHING FOR INFINITY. FROM THE TIME HE BEGAN, HE DID NOT DEVIATE. HE SPENT HALF HIS LIFE ON THIS ONE PROJECT, PRODUCING CANVAS AFTER CANVAS.
Roman painted the numbers in white, onto a black background. Sometime in the early 70s, he began adding 1% white to the background paint of each canvas, until the background itself was entirely white. At the end of each work session he took his own photograph, always in the same shirt. He began to recite each number out loud and record that process as well. He kept going. When he died, there were 233 Details in existence. The last number he wrote was 5607249. This art moves me tremendously. I have not seen it, but I would like to very much before I too die, at some future date. The very existence of this body work astounds me. It is rich with metaphor and powerful, yet it is quiet, simple and plodding. It is a vast art, but it is not an art that is huge. I’ve seen a lot of big art over the last few years. Art that takes over spaces, made bigger and bigger with the availability of stretching technological innovation. There’s lot of things like this about. Works that inspire awe with their scale. Roman Opalka inspires awe as well, but his work is very different from something like Ryoji Ikeda’s Spectra or the sculptures of Particia Piccinini. Opalka is quiet. The idea is simple, yet the work is Herculean. It’s not better than Spectra, but it is very different.
DYNAMITE COMEDY AT THE CLUBHOUSE AND FRESH COMEDY IN OCTOBER OCTOBER IS PANTS DESTRUCTION MONTH AT BOTH ENDS OF THE STATE. CHOPPER – THAT IS, HEATH FRANKLIN’S CELEBRATED COMEDY HOMAGE SLASH PARODY SLASH CULT LEADER WILL HARDEN THE WARATAH AND FRESH ON CHARLES THE F#*K UP AND JUST TO MAKE IT EVEN MORE AWESOME FELICITY WARD IS ON THE BILL. THEN LATER IN THE MONTH XAVIER MICHELIDES AND HIS TRADEMARK PRECISION WIT WILL BE VISITING BOTH TOWNS. THIS COULD BE MORE COMEDY THAN ANYONE CAN COPE WITH.
The Clubhouse and Fresh Comedy is just going insane. Usually there’s just one gig a month, but in October it’s a Tasmanian double header, except it’s a triple header. Check it out comedy freaks. Heath Franklin’s Chopper took the Australian Comedy like a hurricane with a handlebar when he kicked the door down in 2006 with ‘Chopper’s F**kin’ Bingo in Sydney and Melbourne, which The Sydney Morning Herald’s Arts Review of 2006, named as one of the ‘five funniest shows of the year’. Since then Chopper has been Hardening Australia The F**k up with national tours, ripping up the UK and having sports teams adopt the “Harden The F**k up” motto. Chopper is massive and he’s finally coming down to Hobart. Joining Chopper will be Very Funny Lady Felicity Ward. Like Chopper she used to be on the fabled Ronny Johns Half Hour, but she’s been on telly so much her head is available on DVD, turning up as a wit-for-hire on Spicks and Specks, Randling, Thank God You’re Here, Good News Week and is probably on right now. She’s done hybrid story telling shows, written tons of stuff and is basically a comedy legend. As if that monster double was not enough, in the regular Clubhouse and Fresh Comedy slots, you can catch character comic genius Xavier Michelides. Known for 32
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his precision wit, Xavier’s stand up is clever, profane, informed and hilarious, with his breakneck pace cramming the laughs in. He delivers textbook comedy that opens the mind as well as all the laughing bits. As usual, you can catch the best of Hobart’s Comedy Scene supporting, and you’ll be guided by the firm yet gentle hand of David Bakker. Pre-sales are available from the venues and these ones are well on the way to selling out, so touch your smart phone or even drop in. You can get food there and make an awesome night of it. Go on, you’ve been indoors watching DVDs for three months, time to get out and laugh. ANDREW HARPER
See Chopper and Felicity Ward make you laugh at Fresh on Charles in Launceston on Friday October 11, followed by a Saturday night show at The Waratah Hotel in Hobart. Xavier Michelides appears at the Waratah on Thursday October 17 and travels to Fresh on Charles on the Friday night.
I thought of Roman Opalka when I read the Constance ARI had not received funding in the last round. Constance used to be Inflight ARI and has been around for some time in Hobart, and remains an important part of the local art fabric. An Artist’s Run Initiative has different goals to a commercial gallery space or to a museum or a philanthropic organisation. An ARI is for artist to try things out, to experiment with their work or to try something that’s outside of what they might usually do. It’s where you find new work by emerging artists or where artists who don’t quite fit anywhere else end up. Just as Art is made up of both Ryoji Ikedas and Roman Opalkas, our local art scene is made up of different spaces that fill different niches, and we need them all. Why do we need them? Because if, as it’s been suggested and indeed increasingly invested in, Hobart and Tasmania are doing interesting things with arts and culture right now, and those things are assisting the economy. This is a win, clearly, and we need more of this, not less. Festivals are many and varied, but they are not on every day, and what gives us a reason to go out is local culture. That’s small local bands, emerging local artists, people who make films and people who write. It’s not a one institution show, and a space
like Constance that gives local artists opportunity to build and grow their art practice is vital. Supporting a space like this is not a charity but an investment in the continued growth of a creative culture. Sometimes we need the big light and the huge sounds, and sometimes we need one person to do something utterly profound in its deft simplicity. I’m not going to point fingers here but investment is not just about the big stuff. It’s about creating opportunity for growth to happen, not removing it. I know times are tough, but survival means investing in the future. That’s why I thought of Roman Opalka: because his vision and dedication reached far into the future, and he set about obtaining it with what he had to hand. Constance ARI is here. There are lots of spaces and potentials right here, right now. I think we would be foolish not to cultivate them. ANDREW HARPER
Arts
THEATRE:
SHE’S NOT PERFORMING FORCED ADOPTION IN AUSTRALIA HAS BECOME A COMMON TOPIC OF POLITICAL AND SOCIAL DISCUSSION IN RECENT YEARS, WITH LIGHT SHED ON THE CONTROVERSIES OF OUR PAST PRACTICES OF FORCING YOUNG AND UNWED MOTHERS TO HAND OVER THEIR CHILDREN. AWARD WINNING PLAYWRIGHT ALISON MANN HAS EXPLORED THE EMOTIONAL DEPTHS OF FORCED ADOPTION, FAMILY AND IDENTITY IN HER PLAY, SHE’S NOT PERFORMING.
The story follows the emotional journey of Margarite, who visits a strip club and sees a dancer she believes may be the daughter she was forced to give away, many years ago. The sell-out play, directed by Belinda Bradley, will grace our Theatre Royal this November, and Alison took some time to discuss the intriguing story with WARP. What inspired She’s Not Performing? She’s Not Performing was initially inspired by an article I read in a newspaper about women having their babies taken away and placed for adoption, because they were young and unmarried. The article described harrowing accounts of these ‘common practices’ that happened in Australian hospitals and maternity homes during the 1970s and right up until the early 1980s. Many of these women were told to forget about their child and to never talk about it. I was so shocked by what I was reading. Why did you choose to focus on the themes of adoption and family? I wanted to explore these themes as they connect to something very primal in the human experience. The play is about a very specific experience, but the underlying ideas it touches on are: what makes us who we are? How does a person construct their identity when a part of themselves has been denied? What does unexpressed grief do to a person? One of the central characters is a stripper - can we expect nude bits? Maybe, and maybe not. When I was researching for the play, I visited a strip club with a few other theatre people. It was an eye opening experience. I am fascinated by such questions as: who is allowed to visit a strip club? Who is looking at who? What roles do women and men play in these places? The idea of ‘nakedness’ in its many different forms is something I wanted to explore in the play.
Image: Talya Chalef
When did you first find joy in plays and the theatre? I had two wonderful drama teachers at college who shared the strange, exquisite joy of live theatre. We looked at playwrights such as Harold Pinter, Edward Bond, and Federico Garcia Lorca, who all wrote works of beauty and brutality. I remember thinking, ‘I want to do that too’. I had an urge to tell stories. I think the shared experience of theatre is really important in an increasingly fragmented and isolated world. Do you ever feel pleasantly (or unpleasantly) surprised with the way your plays turn out once actually on the stage? Theatre is a collaborative art form and there is real joy in discovering others thoughts and ideas about bringing a play to life. I’m excited about having an all-local team of director, actors and crew working on the show. Every new cast and crew brings something fresh. What feelings will we be able to take home after seeing the play? I hope that the audience will walk away from the show having felt they have shared something unique, intimate, entertaining and thought-provoking. I also hope the audience may take away from the play a sense of how people survive trauma, the importance of having a voice and a sense of hope. STEPHANIE ESLAKE
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Arts
THE CAT THAT GOT THE CREAM MOST WILL RECOGNISE KITTY FLANAGAN FROM HER STAND UP SHOWS, HER APPEARANCES ON CHANNEL TEN’S THE PROJECT AND UNDOUBTEDLY BY HER BROWN CURLY HAIR AND HUGE SMILE REMINISCENT OF THAT CAT FROM THE ALICE IN WONDERLAND MOVIE.
Describing her new tour as a ‘real show’, Kitty says audiences can expect a sparkly set, some thought provoking stories and even interpretive dance. I asked her the short and curlys.
Do you think being a female comedian is more difficult than for males? Overcoming stereotypes etc?
Those who know me really well might think I’m funny but I reckon people who meet me for the first time probably think I’m incredibly dull. I’m terrible at parties, I get really nervous and awkward, I’m useless at chit chat and am always that person you can’t wait to get away from. It’s like I use up all my “interesting” on stage and have nothing left for social situations.
There are pros and cons as with anything. I do feel that when you work the clubs, the attitude when a woman walks on stage is often “oh no a woman, this’d better be funny” - so you have to walk out and do your best five minutes right at the top in order to “prove that you’re not sh*t”. But on the positive side, people are always delighted if you’re actually funny. Another positive thing is I get a lot of work cos there aren’t many women to choose from.
Who do you think is the funniest person on earth?
If you weren’t doing this what would you be doing?
Do your friends and family find you funny?
I’m not sure if she’s the funniest person on earth but my sister makes me laugh like no one else can. That proper hard to breathe laughing where you actually get a bit delirious. She’s also a writer and writes excellent articles. I often cack out loud while I’m reading her stuff. That’s quite rare. How do you come up with a show for stand up?
Sitting at home crying wishing I’d had the balls to try standup when i was younger. How do you feel when you see/hear people laughing at your jokes? Elated, thrilled...but mostly relieved. CAITY RODE
I collect up all the scraps of paper and memos in my phone that have half arsed ideas scribbled on them - then I try and remember why I thought things like “Russian woman at airport” and “drunk ibis in playground” were funny. Once I cobble together about an hour’s worth of those ideas then I start trying it out at a tiny venue in front of fifty people. Hopefully after about forty try out nights a decent show starts to emerge. That’s how I did it last time anyway. How would you describe your new show? This is a real “show”. I’ve got a sparkly set, I’ve got music, I do some interpretive dance, some experimental movement, I tell story after story, I do some random shouting, I barely pause to draw breath. Essentially, I wanted to do something that made people exit the theatre saying: “Well, that was worth getting out of my trackies and leaving the house for, that was a proper show!” What was the worst heckle you ever had? At the comedy store in London someone threw a hot chip at me. I didn’t even see it coming because of the bright lights shining in my eyes. The “chipchucker” was thrown out of the club before i could even say “Who threw that?” I didn’t know it at the time but apparently there’s a universal, zero tolerance policy on throwing things at comics. I was told by other comics that the unwritten rule is either the punter gets thrown out immediately or you walk off the stage. Kitty will be performing three shows in Tasmania at the end of the month. Beginning in Devonport on Thursday October 24 at the Devonport Entertainment & Convention Centre, Kitty then moves to the Princess Theatre in Launceston on the Friday night and finishes in Hobart on the Saturday at the Theatre Royal.
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Arts
AUSTRALIANA 30 YEARS ON
ROVE AND HIS PEOPLE DON’T LIKE AUSTEN TAYSHUS. LOOK, THAT’S ENOUGH FOR ME TO WANT TO GO AND SEE HIM, BUT MAYBE YOU NEED MORE. AUSTEN HAS BEEN AN OUTSIDER IN AUSTRALIAN COMEDY FOR MANY YEARS, NOT GIVING A THROBBING STUFF WHO HE OFFENDS OR WHAT SENSITIVE CULTURAL ISSUE HE STAMPS ALL OVER. CONSEQUENTLY, RINGING HIM UP FOR A CHAT WAS DAUNTING BUT WHAT THE HELL, HOW MUCH DAMAGE CAN HE REALLY DO IN ONE CALL? It turns out that Austen has the special power to improvise like a maniac on the spot. I got him at some restaurant in Sydney where he was holding a meeting with a group of masons and former IRA members about the possibility of over throwing the new government. “I ran into Malcolm Turnbull. Literally ran into him. Bam. Hip and shoulder and he was down. I battered him, battered him for about two hours and he said ‘christ Austen, give me a bloody break here mate, we’ve only been in a week’. I scruffed him by his leather jacket and said “A WEEK IS ALONG TIME IN POLTICS MALCOLM”, getting flecks of spittle in his steel grey hair. You should give government away. Give it away. Give it away, give it away now” Austen went on with a torrent of bizarre and miraculous stream of consciousness comedy. I wondered if he could breath through his ears, like some rare lizard form North Vietnam.
“It’s a 13 hour show. I supply doonas for elderly punters of course, but the rest of you are just going to have to huddle together for warmth. I do every aspect of Australian Culture, every single thing. I love the audience. Like, I really love them. I get heaps of action on the road mate, heaps of it. The audience love me and that’s how it works, why I keep doing it: love and respect. That’s what a relationship is built on. I love Hobart. I’ve been there dozens of times. I stay in South Hobart. It’s fantastic. I love it there. I get heaps of action in South Hobart. Heaps. Can I go now? The homos is starting to turn and I need to school these goat riders” This is what Austen does and will do when you see him: a unique, relentless show that prises open culture wounds, he may shock and offend and will certainly blow minds. He’s not PC and he loves it when people walk out. He’s being what he does without compromise for thirty years, so go get a dose. It’ll do us all good. ANDREW HARPER
Austen Tayshus will be busy offending at The Republic Bar on Thursday, October 10, followed by a show at Brookfield, Margate on Friday October 11.
FILM:
MYSTERY ROAD
Fiction is a scalpel with which we may dissect the truth. Mystery Road delves into a dark world in the Australian Outback. When a young aboriginal woman is found murdered and dumped in a culvert beside a highway, a series of events are set in motion. An aboriginal man, Jay Swan, new to his police detective role, delves deep into an ugly world where people are commodities and life is worth very little. As he investigates deeper, attempting to bring the killer to face justice, Jay is hindered by both his fellow police and by his community. He uncovers prostitution, drugs and violence under a layer of political indifference. Stark reality hits home when more young women go missing and Jay’s teenage daughter Crystal seems to be somehow involved. Jay is increasingly
desperate and isolated, having to rely only upon his own strengths to catch the killer and defend his family. Ivan Sen has used his own experience growing up in remote Australian communities to bring an important edge of realism to Mystery Road, but in its heart this is superb crime drama that will have a broad appeal. The cast is excellent – Jay Swan is brought to life by the experienced talent of Aaron Pedersen, notable for his roles in legendary Australian Cop dramas such as Wildside. He’s joined by Martix and Lord of The Rings veteran Hugo Weaving, Jack Thompson and Tasma Walton, along with great Australian character actors like Bruce Spence and the legendary David Field.
Mystery Road is set to be the biggest Australia film of the year, already attracting excellent reviews from The Toronto Film festival. Mystery Road seems like an instant of Australian Classic hardcore crime, aboriginal issues and a solid dollop of the traditions of the western in cinema. Get along to the State Cinema in North Hobart to catch this flick when it opens October 17. ANDREW HARPER
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Arts
Gallery
performing arts
Guide
Guide
South
NORTH
ART MOB Memories of those passed 11 – 27 October
BRAVE ART GALLERY Longford Ladies First Tasmanian Women Artists 12 – 27 October
BETT GALLERY Prudence Flint Cut On the Cross Anne MacDonald Party 11 October – 1 November
DEVONPORT REGIONAL GALLERY Main Gallery RACT Portraiture Prize 2013 28 September – 27 October
CAST SHOTUGN 2013: MARY SCOTT 19 October – 24 November
BURNIE REGIONAL GALLERY Ha High Art 21 June – 8 December Mancell Financial Group 2013 Tas Art 28 September – 19 October Katy Woodroffe Dreamlands Rylton Viney The sorrow of Black the silence of white 26 October – 8 December Toby Muir-Wilson Landscape Boxes 26 October – 12 November
COLVILLE GALLERY Luke Wagner September 7 –October 25 Matthew Armstrong September 27 – October 16 Stephen Lees 18 October - 5 November CONSTANCE • Main Space: Katrina Simmons: Lure • Foyer Space Karin Chan: Red Tunnel • Paddy Lyn Space Gabbee Stolp: Surrogate 11 October – 2 November DESPARD Patrick Hall Lost In Thought 9 October – 4 November HANDMARK Paintings and prints by Jennifer Marshall and Jewellery by Di Allison October 11 PENNY CONTEMPORARY Laura Kennedy Fowl and Flamingo 14 September – 15 October JIMMY’S SKATE Jess Burdon Listen To Your Own Song 4 October onwards SALAMANCA ARTS CENTRE • Long Gallery Big River Collection 4 – 6 October The Hutchins Art Prize 15 – 27 October • Sidespace Gallery TAFE Jewellery Students Focus On Form 3 – 8 October • Top Gallery Alex Davern: The Great Feast 1 – 31 October
GALLERY PEJEAN Steven Woodbury Text-Scapes 25 September – 26 October OUTWARD Penny Mason Colour Circles 21 Sept – 5 October QVMAG Into The Wild: Wilderness Photography in Tasmania Until 16 February 2104 Sockumenta: Famous Sock Monkeys 29 August – 24 November The Nude in 20th Century Australian Art Until 20 October Wildlife Photographer of the Year 7 September – 20 October ANZANG Nature Photography 24 August – 27 October Peddle Chairs 27 April – 29 August 2014
THE SOUTH COMEDY THE BRISBANE HOTEL The Comedy Forge, October 31 8pm BROOKFIELD VINEYARD Austen Tayshus, October 11, 7pm THE WARATAH The Clubhouse presents Chopper with Felicity Ward, October 12 9pm Xavier Michelides, October 17 8:30 pm SOHO HOTEL Cloud Comedy – local Stand Up, October 2nd 7:30pm REPUBLIC BAR Austen Tayshus, October 10 7pm THEATRE ROYAL Kitty Flanagan, October 26, 8pm & October 27, 7pm
FILM CINEMONA • The Earth Wins, If we listen so do we, ends Oct 5 • The Audience, NT Live ends Oct 12 • 100 Bloody Acres, starts Oct 5 • Othello, NT Live, starts Oct 12 • Vermeer and Music (E), The Art of Love and Leisure, starts Oct 19 PEACOCK THEATRE Flickerkids - short films for shorties, presented by Wild Angle Tasmania & Hobart City Council, October 10, 10.30am
THEATRE PEACOCK THEATRE Romeo & Juliet, Presented by PLoT theatre Company, October 2 – 5, 8pm THEATRE ROYAL BACKSPACE Conan The Barbarian, October 11 8pm, October 12 2pm & 8pm THE PLAYHOUSE Agatha Christie’s The Hollow, presented by Hobart Repertory Theatre Society, October 25 – November 9
THE NORTH COMEDY DICKENS CIDER HOUSE Uber Comedy, October 9, 7:30 pm FRESH ON CHARLES Chopper with Felicity Ward, October 11, 8:30pm Xavier Michelides, October 18, 8:30 pm DEVONPORT ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE Kitty Flanagan, October 24, 8pm
THEATRE BURNIE ARTS CENTRE Encore Performing Arts Studio: First There is Desire, October 11
CIRCUS BURNIE ARTS CENTRE Slipstream Circus: Sleepless, October 25
STATE THEATRE Mystery Roadshow, starts October 17
SAWTOOTH • Front Gallery Grant Nimmo (VIC) Shake hands with the pineapple • Middle Gallery Mae Finlayson & Ashley Bird (TAS) Team Textiles Knotlab • Project Gallery Matt Gunn (TAS) Cause for Alarm New Media Gallery Flinders Flicks @Sawtooth Pop-up #Exhibition Cataract Gorge Stephen Hobson (QLD)
PLIMSOLL The Plimsoll inquiry Experimental group event Inquiry and occurances 13 September – 3 November TMAG Drawing With Distinction: Australian Artists 2 August – 1 December Critical Operations 15 March – 31 December Illumination: The Art Of Philip Wolfhagen 13 September – 1 December
* If you are an exhibiting gallery or space in Tasmania and want to be included in the Warp Gallery Guide email: nic@warpmagazine.com.au www.facebook.com/warp.mag 37
CD Reviews
It’s hard to believe it’s been more than 10 years since MySpace first went ape for a gang of fresh-faced teens with a penchant for the tongue in cheek. But boy, you’d better believe it, because Alex Turner and co. have officially grown up, and they’re not taking any prisoners. Recorded in the famous Rancho De La Luna studio in California, the Arctic Monkeys’ fifth album AM marks the beginning of a new era for the band. After previously rambling on about nights out in Stocksbridge, the Arctic Monkeys are now based in Los Angeles, the heart of the world they used to religiously poke fun at.
Arctic Monkeys AM
Triple J House Party Volume 2 Various artists
Over the past couple of years, Triple J ‘House Parties’ have become part of the Australian way. So, naturally, a double disc release of the best music of House Party must be distributed to the masses – so House Partiers can House Party forever. What differentiates House Party from other mixed tapes of popular dance music is the pseudo-DJ feel the release gives. Nina Las Vegas has mixed the beginning and end of each track into the next quite well – albeit lacking imagination. Every song is one that a Triple J purist would know. Hits from the classics Flume and Empire of The Sun are fun and relevant, but ‘Pursuit’ by Gesaffelstein and ‘Acrylics’ by TNGHT provide surprises. The remixes also stand out on the album. Sure, Tame Impala is a great Australian band, but the remix of ‘Mind Mischief’ by Ducktails completely changes the vibe of the track. House Party is becoming a staple for Triple J, and is definitely a space I think the station will grow into more over the coming years. If anything, it’s perfect to chuck in the car stereo for a road trip. David Simmons
As singer Alex Turner snarls that he’s “crawling back to you” in ‘Do I Wanna Know?’, we’re whacked with a maturity that could only be found in the back of an open convertible, speeding through the Californian desert. AM is the third album that Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme has been heavily involved in, and the stomping swamp rock that follows you throughout the release may be attributed to him. This does come as a cost, however, as the Arctic Monkeys’ youthful swagger is truly beginning to dissipate. It still comes back in fits and starts, particularly in ‘Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?’ and ‘Knee Socks’,
Josh Pyke
The Beginning and the End of Everything
Josh Pyke is now 35 years of age, and has previously released three top-five ARIA charting albums in amongst a slew of EPs. For much anticipated album number four, it must’ve been a case of “where to now?” for the Sydney local. The Beginning and the End of Everything is not really a departure from previous work but it does see Pyke comfortable with his own sound. From many listens, what I have gleaned from this release is that Pyke has delivered an album that’s likely to continue his success and please fans, yet it is not revolutionary. However for this selfconfessed non-fan, this album is good enough to turn me into a regular listener, someone even considering investing in his back catalogue. The title track is a delightful highlight, along with ‘Warm in Winter’ - a song that offers up some unexpected sexual wordplay. ‘Order Has Abandoned Us’ proves that despite not having an exceptional voice, putting his vocals front and centre on a track provides a real treat. Thoroughly acoustic in its composition, Pyke’s instantly familiar and somewhat comforting voice is joined by jaunty guitars and banjos to create an exportable Australian sound. Alexander Crowden.
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but largely, it’s hard to see their charm existing in two albums’ time if they continue in this trajectory. AM sees Turner trying to prove that they don’t need to act like teenagers anymore, and that they’re probably better as rock stars. The Arctic Monkeys aren’t lads – they’re men. Get used to it.
Loon Lake Gloamer
Loon Lake have steadily built buzz around the country over the past year or so. Ever since the release of ‘Cherry Lips’ from their Thirty Three EP in October last year, anticipation for the release of a long player has been growing. With Gloamer, Loon Lake have served up a solid pop album that offers a modern take on an ‘80s aesthetic. Production-wise, Gloamer is a well crafted release that is beautifully mixed in stereo, making listening through a pair of high quality headphones a must. This is never more evident than in ‘Love Gets Done’, an enticing slower-paced track peppered with frontman Sam’s angelic vocals. ‘On Fire’ is a more conventional rock song with a dirty guitar riff complimented by high pitched picking. ‘It Was Only Love’ is stripped back with minimal guitars and vocals before all instruments come in at full pace during the chorus. Current single ‘Carolina’ is interestingly tucked away right near the end of the fourteen tracks – a strange choice for one the best tracks on the album. The chorus line, “Carolina don’t go, Carolina don’t go…” are sang with strained anguish to brilliant effect.
Tom Grant
Zola Jesus Versions
Versions is a truly spectral experience, which shows mature song writing and poetic lyrics. Zola introduces a dark tone in opening track ‘Avalanche (Snow)’. The repeated theme resonates long after the final chorus sounds. Panicked strings develop a feeling of unquestionable anxiety and confusion – an idea expanded on throughout the album. Versions is string heavy, with a clear Celtic sound giving songs like ‘Hikikomori’ an eclectic feeling. The entire album seems to be in minor keys. There isn’t much joy, but rather a mixture of frustration, aggression and gloom. The use, or perhaps overuse, of the string section, does add a minimalistic element to the album, highlighting Zola’s incredibly unique vocals. But there is not much development from track to track – they mostly sound very similar, forcing us to suspect a standstill early in the album. Versions is exactly what it claims to be; variations on a theme. But, this is not a bad thing. Zola Jesus pulls off a concept album of this type with flair and excellent vocal performances. It is a shame that she doesn’t have the notoriety she deserves.
Alexander Crowden David Simmons
CD Reviews
There certainly are a plethora of young bands in Australia managing to create sizeable hype and fan bases off EPs and singles alone. Brisbane’s Jungle Giants are firmly in that category. The Jungle Giants’ debut album Learn to Exist is forty minutes of pop-rock soundscapes with countless hooks and starry vocals, spread across 11 thoroughly enticing tracks. The Queenslanders have created an album that serves two important functions that are normally mutually exclusive. Firstly, the album is easy listening enough to wash over you as you consume it as a whole. Secondly, its individual tracks are all strong on their own – but you can still find favourites and highlights throughout.
Jungle Giants
Fascinator
Fascinator founder and Children Collide frontman Johnny Mackay throws in a Tame Impala reference using similar sonic qualities in ‘Mr Caterpillar’. With only two words for lyrics, ‘Summer Dream’ remains true to its title. Not sure whether the song takes my unconscious to a sunny, grassy knoll on an acid trip with floating fairies, or just to his YouTube clip. Mackay has beaten the Indie-rock sounds with a stick so much so that there is little trace within this psychedelic explosion. Uncontrollably, this album takes you on several different visual and aural adventures. ‘Fire Sermon’ has a darker more demonic aesthetic, ‘Rise And Fall’ has a deeper electronic presence, and ‘Wine On The Line’ glimpses back to the ‘90s in conjunction with some true Aussie accented vocals. Mackay’s niche for capturing fuzzy experimental tones and translating them into a psychotropic journey only promises a wealth of things to come.
The Jungle Giants have lived up to the hype on their debut effort. Learn to Exist is a fun and immediately likeable album that also gets better and offers hidden gems as you invest in repeat spins. This top notch album is perfect for road trips and barbecues, just in time for summer. Alexander Crowden
‘I Am What You Wanted Me To Be’ is buoyant and optimistic and the most layered track on offer, with every repeat listen uncovering another element you may not have noticed the time before. ‘Anywhere Else’ is another highlight, and the fast-paced tune is proof that despite being one of the last songs on the album, the quality keeps delivering all the way through.
Turin Brakes
Birth/Earth
An easy contender for one of my favourite albums of the year, Birth/Earth gives the psychedelic landscape a modern revamp with its electronic brilliance.
‘Come And Be Alone With Me’ opens the record strongly with short clapping, quick guitar picking and falsetto vocals from Sam Hales. It tells the mind bending and comingof-age tale of Hales hanging out with a girl for a year or so, getting high on her bed. It’s the best song on the disc.
We Were Here
The sweetly distinctive vocal harmonies and earthy guitar tones that put the folkinspired duo of Olly Knights and Gale Paridjanian on the map in the early ‘00s are as rich as ever on their sixth studio effort. In ‘Blindsided Again’, an epic six-minute slice of blues-tinged psychedelia, Knights sings of imaginary spacemen and atom bombs as electric slide guitar and a haunting string arrangement meld together. ‘Dear Dad’ has a harder edge, but there are also more mournful-sounding songs like ‘Stop The World’ that hint at a general feeling of existential malcontent. As Knights sings, “stop the world and let me off, stop this ride I’ve had too much,” it all plays out as much like a want to escape as downright pessimism. While themes of loneliness and confusion are rampant in Knights’ lyrics, ‘Guess You Heard’ lifts the mood before returning to the sombre in ‘Goodbye’. Far from just providing fans with a reminder of what they were capable of in their first flush of youth, We Were Here stands as proof that two men, their voices and guitars (and faithful rhythm section) still have plenty to give going forward.
Jodie Meier Stu Warren
Ngaiire
Violent Soho
Lamentations
Hungry Ghost
There is always something exciting about a debut album, especially when it’s coming from a very talented artist. Pop-soul singer Ngaiire’s debut album Lamentations has been hotly anticipated after singles ‘Around’ and ‘Dirty Hercules’ received high rotation on Triple J. The Papa New Guinean singer moved to Australia at the age of 16 and now resides in Sydney. The album shifts between Ngaiire’s literal “lamentations” over Sydney and a Japanese bar outside of Toyko where she sould write songs and drink potato wine. Opening track ‘Uranus’ features impressive backing vocals. When paired with the smooth lead vocals, it sounds like sweetness in your ears. There’s heavy use of the drum machine, which introduces the musical direction Ngaiire is taking: modern Indie-pop. Think Little Dragon and The Dirty Projectors. Stand out tracks are the infectious ‘Around’, showing off her musical mixture of old school soul vocals and music from a modern age, and ‘Dirty Hercules’, which has a sexy edge, a simple bass line and little sprinkles of electro in the background.
Hungry Ghost is brimming with explosive tracks and incendiary moments that cannot help but latch into your mind. From the sombre first few moments of ‘Dope Calypso’ to the emotive roller-coaster of ‘Hungry Ghost’, this album holds nothing back as it drives tenaciously through ‘90s influenced Indie-pop hooks and post hardcore punk assaults. Each track holds its merit, without a sign of laziness or lack lustre performances, as if everything was meticulously rehearsed and crafted to create something that has depth and a mission statement to devastate. Tracks like ‘Covered in Chrome’ juggle between a relaxed sentient feel delivered by Luke Boerdam’s tear-jerking lyrics, before detonating into a raw onslaught from the rest of the band seamlessly. Regardless of the time between albums, and regardless of anything else, Hungry Ghost is a brilliant album of strong tracks that drags you through a mess of complicated emotions, but it is welcome to do so. Violent Soho show a brilliant balancing act of anguish and dishevelled aggression, which is truly addictive. Best enjoyed with a beer and a yelling match, sans fist fight.
Ngaiire is a real talent and has created a debut album that displays a fusion of styles.
Seb Alvarez
Annie Brown
46 events 37 artists 23 venues 9 days 6 towns 1 TasPride Festival Full programme released 13 September
Same Sam
e But
TasPride Festival 1-9 November 2013 | taspride.com www.facebook.com/warp.mag 39
Event Guide
Hobart Date
Venue
Date
Acts / Start Time
Friday
OCTOBER Thursday
Friday
3
4
5
6
Tattersalls Hotel
Tattersalls Folk Club Invitational 7:30pm
11 Birdcage Bar
Jason Patmore 9pm
Brisbane Hotel
The All Seeing Hand (NZ) + Bad Cabins + Oceans
Glen Challice 9pm
Brookfield Vineyard
Austen Tayshus 7:30pm
Brisbane Hotel
Brisbane Songwriters
Federation Concert Hall
Schumann & Mendelssohn 7:30pm
Brookfield Vineyard
Wendy Matthews 7:30pm
Grand Poobah
Twin Beasts (Formerly the Toot Toot Toots)
Federation Concert Hall
ANAM Concerto Competition 7:30pm
Ed Guglielmino & The Fringe Dwellers
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
Tim Roze
Grand Poobah Kissing Room
Republic Bar & Café
Dean Stevenson Duo 8:30pm
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
Ethel the Frog
Tattersalls Hotel
Tattersalls Folk Club Invitational 7:30pm
Observatory (Lounge)
DJ Millhouse
Waratah Hotel
The Jungle Giants w/ Northeast Party House (DJ set), The New Saxons 9pm
Republic Bar & Café
Horrorshow + Homebrew + Jimblah 10pm
Birdcage Bar
Jason Patmore 9pm
Tattersalls Hotel
Terry Nomikos + Friends
Brisbane Hotel
Damage Nightclub presents Depths (album launch) + Love Alone (vic) + Alpha Wolf + Dawn of Your Discontent + DJ Pasha & Fulla Tinnies & Aussie Party Bois
Telegraph Hotel
Mick Clennet/Dr Fink
Waterfront Hotel
DJ Gezza 8pm
Grand Poobah
School Girl Report, Drunk Elk, Molle St Therapist & Naked
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
Brett Collidge
Observatory (Lounge)
DJ Kenny Beeper
Observatory (Main Room) DJ Johnny G
Saturday
12 Birdcage Bar
Glen Challice 9pm
Brisbane Hotel
The Barons of Tang (vic) + Lawsons Heart + DJ BTC
Brisbane Hotel
Late Night Krackieoke w/ MC Turd Burglar
Grand Poobah
Beltaine Masquerade with Guerilla Zingari, Wolves of Rain & The Embers Ethel the Frog
Republic Bar & Café
The ReChords + The Sin & Tonics 10pm
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
Tattersalls Hotel
Darktown Strutters
Observatory (Main Room) DJ B-Rex
Telegraph Hotel
Rum Jungle/Big Swifty
Republic Bar & Café
Whitley + Seagull 10pm
Waterfront Hotel
Girl Friday 8pm
Telegraph Hotel
Ado & Devo/Smashers
Birdcage Bar
Jason Patmore 9pm
Waterfront Hotel
Sambo & Patto 8pm
Brisbane Hotel
ALL AGES - Damage Nightclub presents Depths (album launch) + Love Alone (vic) + Alpha Wolf 3PM
Frankie's Empire
The For Now, featuring Ragtime Frank, Drunk Elk & Josh Santospirito/Drive West Today
Brisbane Hotel
18+ The Native Cats (album launch) + Dick Diver (vic) + Heart Beach + DJ No Requests + DJ BTC + Carvis Jocker
Grand Poobah
The Migration Event
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
Buck Nasty
Sunday
Observatory (Main Room) DJ B-Rex
Sunday
Acts / Start Time Austen Tayshus 9pm
Birdcage Bar
Observatory (Main Room) DJ Johnny G
Saturday
Venue Republic Bar & Café
Republic Bar & Café
Tim Freedman + Emma Russack 9:30pm
Telegraph Hotel
Mick Clennet/Dr Fink
Waratah Hotel
OWL EYES w/ Willow Beats and ALTA 9pm
Waterfront Hotel
Sambo & Patto 8pm
Birdcage Bar
Jason Patmore 8pm
Brisbane Hotel
Brissie Bingo w/ Rambling Ryan & Thwack’s Bidet
Brookfield Vineyard
David Carr 12pm
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
Bianca Clennet, Johnson & Friend
Republic Bar & Café
Evan Carydakis Quartet 8:30pm
Waterfront Hotel
Double Down 2pm
Wrest Point
In the Mood - A 1940’s Musical Revue 7pm
Monday
13 Birdcage Bar
Brissie Bingo w/ Rambling Ryan
Brookfield Vineyard
Colin Dean 12:30pm
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
Dezzy, Twice Bitten, Tim Roze
Republic Bar & Café
Rod Fritz + Zach Spinks + Dominic Francis 8:30pm
Waterfront Hotel
Pete Thomas / Tony Voglino 2pm
14 Birdcage Bar Republic Bar & Café
Tuesday
Jason Patmore 8pm
Brisbane Hotel
15 Birdcage Bar
Billy & Randal 8pm Quiz Night 8:15pm Sambo 8pm
Brisbane Hotel
Quiz-A-Saurus
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
Open Mic Night
Republic Bar & Café
The Baker Boys 8:30pm
Wednesday 16 Birdcage Bar
Pete Thomas 8pm
Brisbane Hotel
Bad Vibrations
Grand Poobah
Sue-Oh-Nine, Like Minded People/Duowls, Sam Upton & The Pollywaffles
Monday
7
Birdcage Bar
Billy & Randal 8pm
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
Dezzy
Tuesday
8
Birdcage Bar
Sambo 8pm
Observatory (Lounge)
DJ Magneetis
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
Open Mic Night
Observatory (Main Room) DJ B-Rex
Wednesday
Thursday
9
Republic Bar & Café
Billy Whitton 8:30pm
Republic Bar & Café
Hobart Reggae Inc 9pm
Birdcage Bar
Pete Thomas 8pm
Tattersalls Hotel
Brisbane Hotel
Grim Fandango (wa) + Ride the Tiger + Captives + Isaac Bowen
Tims Birthday Band Party - Ben Wells, Speakeasies, Chase City
Telegraph Hotel
Smashers
Grand Poobah
Bad Cabins, I Call Myself They & Friends
Waratah Hotel
InnQUIZitive Trivia 7:30pm
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
(KAOS) Kick Ass Original Songs
Observatory (Lounge)
DJ Paddy Duke
17 Birdcage Bar
Glen Challice 9pm
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
Sambo
Observatory (Main Room) DJ B-Rex
Republic Bar & Café
Wolf & Cub + Zeahorse 9pm
Republic Bar & Café
Brian Fraser 9pm
Tattersalls Hotel
Tattersalls Folk Club Invitational 7:30pm
Telegraph Hotel
Dr Fink
Waratah Hotel
InnQUIZitive Trivia 7:30pm
Brisbane Hotel
Dream on Dreamer
Glen Challice 9pm
Brookfield Vineyard
Folk Night (Hot String Band) 7:30pm
Brisbane Hotel
Kulka + The Shuttertones + Smutty Sam
Grand Poobah
Vertocoli, Rhino & Southpaw
Brookfield Vineyard
Southern Community Singers 7:30pm
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
Sticky Sweet
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
Ben Castles
Observatory (Lounge)
DJ Jim King
10 Birdcage Bar
Friday
OCTOBER Sun Oct 6 / David Carr / 12pm Thur Oct 10 / Southern Community Singers / 7:30pm Fri Oct 11 / Austen Tayshus / 7:30pm Sat Oct 12 / Mad Hatters Tea Party / 10am Sun Oct 13 / Colin Dean / 12:30pm Fri Oct 18 / Folk Night / 12pm Sun Oct 20 / David Carr / 12pm // Mary Doumany / 5pm
40
Thursday
warpmagazine.com.au
18 Birdcage Bar
Jason Patmore 9pm
Fri Oct 25 / Christopher Coleman / 7:30pm Sat Oct 26 / The Craggs / 7:30pm Sun Oct 27 / Hobart College Students mark 11 / 12pm
NOVEMBER & BEYOND Sun Nov 10 / Women in Docs / 5pm Sat Nov 16 / Singer/Songwriters Competition / 7:30pm Sun Dec 1 / Cambodian Space Project / 7:30pm Sun Dec 8 / Crooked Fiddle Band / 5pm
Event Guide
Date
Saturday
Venue
Acts / Start Time Dialectrix + Crixus + Bladel 10pm
Republic Bar & Café
Australia Made 10pm
Tattersalls Hotel
Mad Hatters Tea Party featuring Delsinki Records (Melb), Darktown Strutters, Tane Emia-Moore (Melb)
Telegraph Hotel
Mick Clennet/Dr Fink
Waterfront Hotel
DJ Gezza 8pm
Telegraph Hotel
Joel Everard/Entropy
Waterfront Hotel
Jerome Hillier 8pm
Wunderland
Mad Hatters Tea Party featuring D-Funk, Paul Masters & MC Kitch, DJ Grotesque, DJ Dameza
Saturday
26 Birdcage Bar
Brookfield Vineyard
The Craggs 7:30pm
ALL AGES - Dream on Dreamer 3PM
Grand Poobah
The Orbweavers, Transcription of Organ Music
Brisbane Hotel
Back Bar - Summer Flake (sa) + Naked + Catsuit + Heart Beach
Homestead
Wild Marmalade (Byron Bay) plus guests
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
Swifty
Front Bar - Go Go Sapien (vic) + Monsters of the Id + Unfolding Vostocks + DJ Twinkle + Digitz + DJ JSB + DJ Mary Jane + DJ Mu-Tree
Observatory (Main Room) DJ B-Rex
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
The Smashers
MONA - The Void
Asta 7:30pm
Republic Bar & Café
Boil Up 10pm
Tattersalls Hotel
King Louie (Melb) & Friends
Telegraph Hotel
Mick Clennet/Dr Fink
Waterfront Hotel
Manhatten 8pm
Wrest Point
Le Banquet Francais 6pm
20 Birdcage Bar
Brissie Bingo w/ Rambling Ryan
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
Lanna & Rick, Bianca Clennett, Johnson & Friend
Republic Bar & Café
Soul Sessions 3rd Sunday of Every Month 2pm
Republic Bar & Café
JaJa 8:30pm
Waterfront Hotel
Billy Whitton 2pm
21 Birdcage Bar 22 Birdcage Bar
Sunday
Billy & Randal 8pm Joe Pirere 8:30pm Game On!
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
Open Mic Night
Republic Bar & Café
Billy Longo 8:30pm Antagonist AD (NZ) + Our Solace (vic) + Skun Knees + Drayfus’ Epiphany + Interview With an Escape Artist
Grand Poobah
Mess O’ Reds (album launch), Treehouse, John Bradley, Beth Brownrigg + DJs
Tim & Scott, The Smashers
Observatory (Lounge)
DJ Dez Yacht Club DJ’s on Show Day Eve 9pm
Telegraph Hotel
Dr Fink
Waratah Hotel
InnQUIZitive Trivia 7:30pm
Waterfront Hotel
Ebeneza Good 8pm
24 Birdcage Bar
Tony Voglino 8pm Jason Patmore 8pm
Brisbane Hotel
Joey Cape and Brian Wahlstrom: A Tribute to Tony Sly
Brisbane Hotel
Brissie Bingo w/ Rambling Ryan
Brookfield Vineyard
Hobart College Students Mark 11 12pm
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
Dezzy, Twice Bitten, Lanna & Rick
Republic Bar & Café
Dave Wilson 8:30pm
Tuesday
29 Birdcage Bar
Republic Bar & Café
Billy Whitton / Manhatten 2pm Billy & Randal 8pm Quiz Night 8:15pm Sambo 8pm
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
Open Mic Night
Republic Bar & Café
G.B. Balding (Finger Picking Blues) 8:30pm
Wednesday 30 Birdcage Bar
Pete Thomas 8pm
Brisbane Hotel
ALL AGES - CC ROCKS
Grand Poobah
Blinkery, Dawn of Your Discontent & Friends
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
Tim Roze
Observatory (Lounge)
DJ G.Q
Observatory (Main Room) DJ B-Rex
Thursday
Republic Bar & Café
Wahbash Avenue 9pm
Telegraph Hotel
Smashers
Waratah Hotel
InnQUIZitive Trivia 7:30pm
31 Birdcage Bar
Observatory (Main Room) DJ B-Rex Republic Bar & Café
Ado & Devo/Smashers
Waterfront Hotel
28 Birdcage Bar
Opening sample night & official Yacht Club DJs afterparty
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
Pat Berechree Trio
Telegraph Hotel
Monday
Glen Challice 8pm
Brisbane Hotel
Younger Dryas 10pm
Tattersalls Hotel
Waterfront Hotel
Sambo 8pm
Brisbane Hotel
Republic Bar & Café
27 Birdcage Bar
Jason Patmore 8pm
Brisbane Hotel
Homestead
Friday
ALL AGES & 18+ - Mephistopheles (album launch) + Taberah + Scar the Surface (vic) + Atra Vetosis + Random Order + Alvastra + Hadal Maw (Vic)
Glen Challice 9pm
Wednesday 23 Birdcage Bar
Thursday
Glen Challice 9pm
Brisbane Hotel
Brisbane Hotel
19 Birdcage Bar
Republic Bar & Café Tuesday
Acts / Start Time
Republic Bar & Café
Observatory (Main Room) DJ B-Rex
Monday
Venue
Observatory (Main Room) DJ Johnny G
Brisbane Hotel
Sunday
Date
Observatory (Main Room) DJ Johnny G
Glen Challice 9pm
Brisbane Hotel
The Comedy Forge
Federation Concert Hall
Trick or Treat - School Concert 11:30am + 6pm
Grand Poobah
Prince Rama
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
Ben Castles
Republic Bar & Café
Shaun Kirk 9pm
Tattersalls Hotel
Tattersalls Folk Club Invitational 7:30pm
Brisbane Hotel
Damage
Grand Poobah
Emerging Writers Festival plus Dancertarias Country Hoedown
NOVEMBER Friday
1
Glen Challice 9pm
Brisbane Hotel
KORPIKLAANI (Finland)
Homestead
Shining Bird (NSW) plus guests
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
Tim Roze
Observatory (Lounge)
DJ Millhouse
Republic Bar & Café
The Siren Tower 9pm
Observatory (Main Room) DJ Johnny G
Tattersalls Hotel
Tattersalls Folk Club Invitational 7:30pm
Republic Bar & Café
Adalita + Laura Jean 10pm
Jason Patmore 9pm
Telegraph Hotel
Rum Jungle/Big Swifty
Brisbane Hotel
Mr Grevis (wa) + Dunn D + Greeley + Mdusu
Grand Poobah
Emerging Writers Festival plus Helloween Havoc
25 Birdcage Bar Brisbane Hotel
Alex & The Shy Lashies (vic) + The Hamburgers
Homestead
Electro-swing night feat Banja Swing, DJ Lawless & Kireesh
Brookfield Vineyard
Christopher Coleman 7:30pm
Grand Poobah
The Roobs, Wrong Turn
Homestead
Live music
Irish Murphy’s Hobart
Swifty
Observatory (Lounge)
DJ Kenny Beeper
Saturday
2
Observatory (Main Room) DJ B-Rex Telegraph Hotel
Mick Clennet/Dr Fink
www.facebook.com/warp.mag 41
Event Guide
Launceston Date
Venue
Acts / Start Time
OCTOBER Wednesday
NORTHWEST Date
CITY
Venue
Acts / Start Time
OCTOBER 2
Alchemy
DROP - Monthly Bass Night
Wednesday
2
Devonport
Tapas Lounge Bar
Tapas Trivia
Lloyds Hotel
Uni Night
Thursday
3
Devonport
Molly Malones
The Royal Oak
Andy Collins
Jerome Hillier 8:30pm
Devonport
Tapas Lounge Bar
Tom Roberts
Friday
4
Latrobe
Mackey’s Royal Hotel
Facepainter 9pm
Devonport
Tapas Lounge Bar
Josh Tome
Latrobe
Mackey’s Royal Hotel
Jerome Hillier 9pm
Devonport
Molly Malones
The Collection 9:30pm
Devonport
Spurs Saloon
Tenzin - Oktoberfest theme night
Devonport
Tapas Lounge Bar
Evil Cisum
Devonport
Tapas Lounge Bar
Open Mic
Molly Malones
Sambo 8:30pm
Tapas Lounge Bar
Roo & Alli
Hotel Federal
The Doctor Rocksters 9pm
Latrobe
Mackey’s Royal Hotel
Facepainter 9pm
Devonport
Tapas Lounge Bar
Jerome Hillier
Watergarden Bar Trevor Weaver 6:30pm Thursday
3
Friday
4
The Royal Oak
Live Music
Watergarden Bar The Consultants 7pm Alchemy
OWL EYES w/ Willow Beats + ALTA
Fresh on Charles The Migration Hotel New York
Tim Freedman - Australian Idle Tour
The Royal Oak
Town’s End
Tonic Bar
Luke Parry 9pm
Saturday
5
Watergarden Bar Jerome Hillier 7pm Saturday
5
Fresh on Charles Echo (Future Music) The Royal Oak
Launceston Blues Club
Wednesday
9
Tonic Bar
Pete Thomas 9pm
Thursday
10 Devonport
Friday
11 Wynyard
Devonport
Watergarden Bar Nic & Carmel 7pm Sunday
6
The Royal Oak
Open Folk Session
Tuesday
8
Hotel Tasmania
InnQUIZitive Trivia 7pm
Lloyds Hotel
Classic covers/Originals
Lloyds Hotel
Uni Night
The Royal Oak
Live Music
Wednesday
9
Watergarden Bar Trevor Weaver 6:30pm Thursday
10 Alchemy The Royal Oak
Saturday
12 Wynyard
Hotel Federal
DJ Howie 9pm
Latrobe
Mackey’s Royal Hotel
Threeza A Crowd 9pm
Devonport
Molly Malones
No Soda For Yoda 9:30pm
Devonport
Tapas Lounge Bar
The Unit
Wednesday
16 Devonport
Tapas Lounge Bar
Pool Calcutta
Thursday
17 Devonport
Molly Malones
Slats & Josh 8:30pm
Tapas Lounge Bar
Josh Tome
Mackey’s Royal Hotel
Facepainter 9pm
Tapas Lounge Bar
Sheyanna Mach 4
Mackey’s Royal Hotel
Luke Parry 9pm
Devonport
Molly Malones
Slats & Big Natural 9:30pm
Devonport
Tapas Lounge Bar
The Ringmasters
Horrorshow + Home Brew + Jimblah 9pm Live Music
Watergarden Bar The Consultants 7pm Friday
11 Hotel New York
Whitley - The Roadside Tour
Princess Theatre Schumann & Mendelssohn 7:30pm The Royal Oak
Live Music
Tonic Bar
Sambo & Patto 9pm
Devonport Friday
18 Latrobe
Saturday
19 Latrobe
Watergarden Bar Ball & Chain 7pm Saturday
Devonport
12 Fresh on Charles Whitley LIVE in the back room Hotel New York
Slice n Dice
The Royal Oak
Twin Beasts
Tonic Bar
Gypsy Rose 9pm
Watergarden Bar Nic & Carmel 7pm Sunday
13 Fresh on Charles DJ Randall Foxx The Royal Oak
Tuesday Wednesday
Open Folk Session
15 Hotel Tasmania
InnQUIZitive Trivia 7pm
Lloyds Hotel
Classic covers/Originals
16 Lloyds Hotel The Royal Oak 17 The Royal Oak
20 Devonport
Molly Malones
Bernie O’Dowd 3pm
Wednesday
23 Devonport
Tapas Lounge Bar
Pool Calcutta
Thursday
24 Devonport
Molly Malones
Proud Phoney 8:30pm
Tapas Lounge Bar
Evil Cisum
Friday
25 Wynyard
Hotel Federal
Chris Lynch 9pm
Latrobe
Mackey’s Royal Hotel
Facepainter 9pm
Devonport
Spurs Saloon
Yacht Club DJ’s w/ Chase City
Devonport
Tapas Lounge Bar
Brett & Josh
Mackey’s Royal Hotel
Clay Soldier 9pm
Devonport
Molly Malones
Luke Parry 9:30pm
Devonport
Tapas Lounge Bar
The Rock Pigs (Launceston)
Uni Night Andrew & Yyan
Watergarden Bar Trevor Weaver 6:30pm Thursday
Sunday
Devonport
Brian Fraser
Watergarden Bar The Consultants 7pm Friday
18 Alchemy
ASTA 9pm
The Royal Oak
Mic Attard
Tonic Bar
Slats & Josh 9pm
Saturday
26 Latrobe
Watergarden Bar Ball & Chain 7pm Saturday
19 Fresh on Charles Jazz Funk Fusion II The Royal Oak
Luca Brasi
Tonic Bar
Pete Thomas 9pm
Watergarden Bar Andy & The Woodman 7pm Sunday
20 The Royal Oak
Open Folk Session
Tuesday
22 Hotel Tasmania
InnQUIZitive Trivia 7pm
Lloyds Hotel
Classic covers/Originals
Wednesday
23 Lloyds Hotel The Royal Oak
Uni Night Brad Gillies
Watergarden Bar Trevor Weaver 6:30pm Thursday
24 The Royal Oak
Live Music
Watergarden Bar The Consultants 7pm Friday
25 The Royal Oak Tonic Bar
Live Music Sambo & Patto 9pm
Watergarden Bar Ball & Chain 7pm Saturday
26 Hotel New York
Yacht Club DJ’s w/ Chase City
The Royal Oak
Y(yan)2N
Tonic Bar
Two Strung 9pm
Watergarden Bar Brett & Josh 7pm Sunday
27 The Royal Oak
Open Folk Session
Tuesday
29 Hotel Tasmania
InnQUIZitive Trivia 7pm
Lloyds Hotel
Classic covers/Originals
Wednesday
30 Lloyds Hotel The Royal Oak
Uni Night Open Mic Night
Watergarden Bar Trevor Weaver 6:30pm Thursday
31 The Royal Oak
Live Music
Watergarden Bar The Consultants 7pm
42
warpmagazine.com.au
Tuesday
29 Ulverstone Gnomon Pavilion
Dan Barnett 7pm
Wednesday
30 Devonport
Tapas Lounge Bar
Pool Calcutta
Thursday
31 Devonport
Molly Malones
Unabalance 8:30pm
Devonport
Tapas Lounge Bar
Master Acoustic
NOVEMBER Friday
1
Devonport
Tapas Lounge Bar
Shaun Kirk (Vic)
Saturday
2
Devonport
Tapas Lounge Bar
The Unit
OCTOBER Wednesday 02 Oct Andy Collins Thursday 03 Oct Live Music Friday 04 Oct Town's End Saturday 05 Oct Launceston Blues Club Sunday 06 Oct Open Folk Session Wednesday 09 Oct Live Music Thursday 10 Oct Live Music Friday 11 Oct Live Music Saturday 12 Oct Twin Beasts Sunday 13 Oct Open Folk Session Wednesday 16 Oct Andrew & Yyan Thursday 17 Oct Brian Fraser Friday 18 Oct Mic Attard Saturday 19 Oct Luca Brasi Sunday 20 Oct Open Folk Session Wednesday 23 Oct Brad Gillies Thursday 24 Oct Live Music Friday 25 Oct Live Music Saturday 26 Oct Y(yan)²N Sunday 27 Oct Open Folk Session Wednesday 30 Oct Open Mic Night Thursday 31 Oct Live Music
~ Live Music ~ ~ Great Food ~ ~ Open 7 Days ~ ~ Open Mic Night the Last Wednesday of the Month ~
14 Brisbane St Launceston 7250 (03) 6331 5346