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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
DEAD SERIOUS
We’re still recovering from our raging parties at Frat House Fridays and the Leederville Hotel, but now X-Press Magazine has lined up it’s third Readers Party of the year! Head to the Hyde Park Hotel on Friday, July 13, for Night Of The Living Dead. With the most rocking line-up of bands possible, this free event features the mighty The Devil Rides Out fresh from an east coast tour, the recently back in business eccentric rock of Will Stoker & The Embers; up-and-coming coming Melbourne two-piece Jackson Firebird; garage heroes Cal Peck & The Tramps; and gritty rockers Loose Lips. Whew! To add to the awesomeness, we’ll also be giving away concert tickets, there’ll be drink specials, and it’s free entry. Did we mention it’s free entry? See you down at the Hydey!
Van She
IDEA OF HAPPINESS
The Devil Rides Out
It’s been a while since we were all groovin’ to their debut album V in 2008, but finally Sydney electropoppers Van She are ready to unleash their sophomore record Idea Of Happiness onto the world. The title track has been getting smashed on Triple J and now the lads will be bringing their sun-baked travel sounds to town on Thursday, July 5, at Capitol. Their last show at The Court Hotel was massive, so make sure you hit up Moshtix for tickets at once.
Macabre
CIVIC WAR
Illy
Thick As Blood
NO SNAP
A night that brought louder and faster music to Perth every Thursday night is shutting up shop this week. After almost two years at Black Bettys and then at Villa, the promoters are retiring the night but not without one last massive shindig! This Thursday, June 14, USA’s Thick As Blood headline the farewell party along with Renegades, Cabin Fever and Hooks4Hands. Plus there’s giveaways of Motion City Soundtrack CDs and Warped Tour DVDs, and plenty of fun to be had. Thick As Blood also hit YMCA HQ tonight, Wednesday, June 13, with Renegade, Born Into Suffering, Resistance, Without Conviction, and Fallback.
HAVE YOU HEARD?
Off the back of his new smash single Heard It All, snowballing emcee Illy has announced a huge national tour throughout August and September. The tour will be the first chance for fans to hear material from Illy’s soon-to-be released third album Bring It Back, live and in the flesh, and support comes from Chasm Soundsystem feat. Scryptcha. The Aussie hip hop icon is set to play two WA shows as part of the tour, including an appearance at Frat House Fridays at Metropolis Fremantle on Friday, August 31, and a show at Capitol on Saturday, September 1. Tickets go on sale through Oztix from 9am on Tuesday, June 19.
Hunting Grounds
HOWLERS BECOME HUNTERS
Remember 2009 Unearthed High winners Howl? Well they’ve just had a name change and are now playing under the moniker Hunting Grounds. As a result, the young Ballarat six-piece hope to no longer be mistaken for a metal band from Rhode Island, USA. The name change coincides with the announcement of a 13-date national tour in support of their debut album release In Hindsight. Touching down in WA in mid-August, they’ll be playing a free show at the Prince Of Wales on Thursday, August 16; and a gig at Amplifier on Friday, August 17. Tickets to the Amps show go on sale on Thursday, June 14, from Moshtix and Oztix.
Fans of metal, punk and hard rock the city over need only visit one place next Saturday, June 23: Your Civic Duty 2012. Taking over the entire Civic Hotel, Chicago murder metal champions Macabre headline the event, while Sydney’s Beyond Terror Beyond Grace, and locals Chainsaw Hookers, Empires Laid Waste, Mhorgl, Blunt Force Trauma, Nexus, Born On The Bayou, Cold Fate, Befallen, This Other Eden, Gates Of Perdition, Maximum Perversion, Meridian, Inanimacy, Bloodknot, Nightmare Effect, We Run With Wolves, Forstora, and Left To Die round out the massive line-up. Add that to a piecing studio and flesh works station on site, The Pit FM broadcasting live, a CD stall from Prime Cuts, Hammer Ink merch and much more, this 10 hour gig is a mere $30 presale from Heatseeker, Oztix and the usual outlets.
11 Flesh 12 Music: Ladyhawke 14 Music: Fugazi 15 Music: Buried In Verona/Marina And The Diamonds 16 Music: Deep Sea Arcade/Frenzal Rhomb 18 Music: Georgia Fair/Busby Marou 19 Music: Fear Factory/The Siren Tower 20 New Noise 23 Eye4 Cover: Urban Central 28 Eye4 News 29 Movies: Revelation Perth International Film Festival/Cabin In The Woods 30 Arts Stories 31 Arts List 33 Salt Cover: Ian Carey 34 Salt News/Nino Brown/Dirty Loud 35 Salt: Bee Mask 36 Club Manual 38 Live 40 Local Scene 42 Tour Trails 44 Gig Guide 46 Classifieds
On the cover: Ladyhawke plays The Bakery on Tuesday, July 24.
Salt Cover: Ian Carey plays Villa on Saturday, June 16. www.xpressmag.com.au
Undefeated, screening at Revelation
REV IT UP!
Revelation Perth International Film Festival has announced its highly anticipated 2012 program, which promises to be its most exciting and audacious yet, showing nightly from Thursday, July 5, ‘til Sunday, July 15, at the Astor Theatre. More than 120 films will be shown during the 10 day event, comprising 87 short films and animations, 21 documentary features, 14 feature films and heaps more. The 15th annual festival will also play host to iconic Hollywood actor, director and screenwriter of contemporary cinema, Crispin Hellion Glover (Back To The Future, Charlie’s Angels, The Doors) who will be flying in to Perth to attend the Festival as a featured international guest. Joining Glover will be iconic Australian comedienne Judith Lucy, who will be honoured as Revelation’s inaugural patron. Highlights of Revelation 2012 will also include over 40 industry guests and speakers, industry seminars and masterclasses, a live musical performance accompanying cinematic treasures from film pioneer George Melies, ScreenWest’s annual showcase of emerging WA filmmaking talent in Get Your Shorts On!, the Revel-8 super 8 short film festival; and the return of Revelation’s hugely popular Animation Showcase. A few of the biggest draw cards of this year’s programme include Davy Chou’s acclaimed Berlin Film Festival official selection Golden Slumbers which examines the once lively and joyous Cambodian film industry told by the few surviving directors and actors; The Colour Wheel, a road trip film about stagnation, fuelled by anger and post-mumblecore irony, which was voted the #1 best undistributed movie of 2011 by the Village Voice and Indiewire; and Undefeated, an Oscar winning documentary about an underdog high school football team. For full screening info and tickets hit up revelationfilmfest.org, and check out our interview with festival director Jack Sargeant this week in eye4. 7
with Melissa Erpen... Send your name, address and daytime phone number to win@xpressmag.com.au with the name of the competition in the subject line or enter online at www.xpressmag.com.au. Snail mail entries can be sent to Locked Bag 31, West Perth 6872. Entries close 4pm Monday. By entering you agree to X-Press Magazine’s Terms & Conditions which can be found online. All competition entries will automatically enable you to become an X-Press subscriber! No details will be given to a third party.
Print and Digital Editions Publisher/Manager Joe Cipriani Editorial
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Music Editor Matthew Hogan: musiceditor@xpressmag.com.au Arts & Fashion Editor Emma Bergmeier: artsfashion@xpressmag.com.au Dance Music & Features Editor Annabel Maclean: danceeditor@xpressmag.com.au Staff Writer Jennifer Peterson-Ward: localmusic@xpressmag.com.au Gig & Event Guides Co-ordinator Melissa Erpen - guide@xpressmag.com.au Entertainment Services Co-ordinator / Competitions Melissa Erpen - win@xpressmag.com.au Photography Callum Ponton, Stefan Caramia, David Chong, Daniel Grant, Sammy Granville, Matt Jelonek, Denis Radacic, Mike Wylie Contributing Writers Henry Andersen, Ashleigh Whyte, Nina Bertok, Shaun Cowe, Derek Cromb, Chris Gibbs, Alfred Gorman, George Green, Chris Havercroft, Joshua Hayes, Brendan Holben, Travis Johnson, Rezo Kezerashvili, Joanna Lettenmaier,Tara Lloyd,Adam Morris,Andrew Nelson,Chloe Papas, Daniel Parkinson, Ben Swan, Conan Troutman, Tom Varian, Ben Watson, Chela Williams, Jessica Willoughby For band gigs and launches - plugyourgig@xpressmag.com.au
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Production
A Royal Affair
A ROYAL AFFAIR
Winner of the Best Actor and Best Screenplay awards at the Berlin Film Festival, and starring internationally acclaimed Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale, Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky), A Royal Affair is an epic tale of a passionate and forbidden romance that changed an entire nation. We have a bunch of double in season passes up for grabs. Enter now for your chance to win.
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AWESOME SHOW, SHIT TOUR
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CAB AUDITED CIRCULATION: 38,000 OCTOBER 2011 – MARCH 2012
Deadlines EDITORIAL General: Friday 5pm,, Eye4 Arts: Thursday 10am, Comp’ Thing: Monday Noon,, Salt Clubs: Monday 5pm , Local Scene: Monday Noon,, Gig Guide: Monday 5pm ADVERTISING Cancellations: Monday 5pm, Ads to be set: Monday Noon Supplied Bookings / Copy: Tuesday 12 Noon, Classifieds: Monday 4pm Published by: Columbia Press Pty.Ltd. A.C.N. 066 570 803 Registered by Australia Post. Publication No PP600110.00006 Suite 73/102 Railway Parade, City West Business Centre, West Perth, WA 6005 Locked Bag 31, West Perth, WA 6872 Phone: (08) 9213 2888 Fax: (08) 9213 2882 Website: http://www.xpressmag.com.au
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ROCK OF AGES
Nicky Bomba’s Bustamento
NICKY BOMBA’S BUSTAMENTO
Nicky Bomba is one of Australia’s busiest and most highly respected musicians. He has built a solid reputation in the music industry via many projects including writing and performing with his band Bomba, conducting the Melbourne Ska Orchestra and playing drums on John Butler’s award winning Sunrise Over Sea and April Uprising. Bustamento plays the Fly By Night Club on Saturday, June 23, and to celebrate the show and newly released album, we have two doubles passes including his CD up for grabs. Get in now for your chance win.
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Art Director
Lillian Buckley
Rock Of Ages Starring a stellar cast including Tom Cruise, Russel Brand, Mary J Blige and many more, ’80s inspired film Rock of Ages sees a small town girl and a city boy meet on the Sunset Strip, while pursuing their Hollywood dreams. To celebrate the release of this exciting new film, we have an awesome merchandise pack up for grabs. It includes two double passes to Rock of Ages, a Rock of Ages hat, box, iPad case, metal flask, travel mug, I love Stacee Jaxx tank, skull t-shirt and bottle opener valued at over $275! Enter now for your chance to win this incredible prize.
Production Co-ordinator
Melissa Erpen
Ministry of Sound have hit the track and topped the winner’s podium with the latest edition in their iconic fitness series – Running Trax Gold. Loading up over 55 high energy dance anthems to kickstart your winter workout, the CD is the fitness compilation set to unlock your inner Olympian! We have five copies up for the taking so skip to it for your chance to win one.
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Sales and Marketing Manager Paul Morgan - advertising@xpressmag.com.au Online Marketing Paul Morgan - advertising@xpressmag.com.au Music Services / Musical Equipment / Bands / Record Labels Des Richardson - musicservices@xpressmag.com.au Entertainment Venues / Live and Dance Music Promoters Luke Andrioff - entertainment@xpressmag.com.au Agency / Movies / Education / Sponsorship Paul Morgan - advertising@xpressmag.com.au Arts / Fashion / Lifestyle Alia Bannani - eye4@xpressmag.com.au Classifieds Linage Melissa Erpen - classifieds@xpressmag.com.au
Bryony Crowe
MINISTRY OF SOUND
I wanted to drop you guys an email because I’m just so pissed off. When I heard on Triple J this morning that Tim And Eric (comedy gods in my opinion) were coming to Australia I was ecstatic. Then, a few minutes later when Tom and Alex announced the dates and Perth wasn’t on the list. Radiohead, Prince, Jack White (not to mention all the other Splendour bands) and now Tim And Eric – what’s the deal with all the massive names giving Perth a miss? Don’t get me wrong, I get it – Perth’s a long way away from the east coast and travel is expensive. I know it’s a lot more expensive to come from Melbourne to Perth than it is to go from Melbourne to Sydney, but when the acts are this big I don’t want to hear excuses. I mean c’mon surely these guys can afford it. Sometimes I can’t help but wonder if there’s some kind of conspiracy going on between the airlines and the music promoters. I know times are tough, but why not just squeeze another $10 to $20 on top of ticket prices to cover costs? I’m sure most other Perth people would be more than happy to pay that – instead of a few hundred in flights and accommodation. Who’s with me? Strapped For Cash Via Email
MAC & DEVIN GO TO HIGH SCHOOOL
Valedictorian hopeful Devin Overstreet ( Wiz Khalifa) struggles to pen his graduation speech when it becomes clear that all his academic overachievements have left him with little to no real-life experiences. He finds an unlikely inspiration in the lowest achiever on campus, Mac Johnson (Snoop Dogg). We have five copies of the newly released DVD to give away. Get your entries in to be in the running.
ONE FOR THE MONEY
Unemployed and newly-divorced Stephanie Plum lands a job at her cousin’s bail-bond business, where her first assignment puts her on the trail of a wanted local cop from her romantic past. Want to win the newly released DVD? Get in now to snag yourself a copy.
Camille O’sullivan
CAMILLE O’SULLIVAN
Following two sold-out shows last time she was in Perth, French-Irish chanteuse Camille O’Sullivan will once again share with us her utterly captivating performance style for one night only. Dark, fierce, amusing and mesmerizing, Camille transforms each song into an intense theatrical experience, drawing her audience into a world illuminated by the dark and the light. Camille checks into The Astor Theatre on Thursday, June 21, and we have two doubles passes up for grabs. Enter now as you do not want to miss this performance.
PIGEONHOLE
Graniph t-shirts are the forerunner for graphic tees in Japan. They specialize in limited run t-shirts and casual apparel, running design collaborations with some of the worlds most renowned artists. With around 130 new designs being released every month, Pigeonhole’s popup store is proud to be the first Western Australian collaborator with this fantastic company. They are offering X-Press readers the chance to win one of four specially designed tees. Winners will be able to select their tee of choice at the Pigeonhole pop up store. Get in now to be in the running.
CABIN IN THE WOODS
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Five friends go to a remote cabin in the woods for a rustic vacation. Bad things happen. If you think you know this story, think again. From fan-favourites Joss Whedon (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, The Avengers) and Drew Goddard (writer: Cloverfield, Lost) comes The Cabin In The Woods, a mind-blowing horror suspense that turns the genre inside out like never before. Get in now for your chance to win a double pass to see the intriguing film.\
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
Mink Mussel Creek in simpler times Forget the rest, vote For Annabel!
VOTE FOR ANNABEL
Voyager
VOYAGING HOME
The incredible upward spiral of Perth prog metal masters Voyager continues as the band celebrates its return to Australia at the end of the month. Currently touring North America supporting Rhapsody In Fire, Voyager are captivating larger than expected audiences at every show, winning over a multitude of new fans. The recent sold out shows in Canada reached a new pinnacle in the Voyager career with fans, old and new, chanting for more after the exhilarating performances given. Be part of the voyage and help welcome the talented outfit home on Saturday, June 30, when they play a welcome home show at the Rosemount Hotel.
COUNTRY FOLK
Garage rockers Cal Peck & The Tramps and folk chanteuse Rachel Gorman (better known as the frontwoman for Rachel And Henry Climb A Hill) will travel the highways east of Perth this week as part of WAM’s Wheatbelt Touring Music Circuit. They’ll be playing The Commercial Hotel, Merredin on Friday, June 15, with support from Bruce Rock teenager Gauge Harder; before heading to the Grass Valley Tavern on Saturday, June 16, with Field Trip. They’ll finish up the tour at the Ye Olde Quindanning Inne on Sunday, June 17, with Boyup Brook’s Jase Norton. For playing times and further information hit up wam.asn.au/regional.
Mental As Anything
LIVIN’ IT UP
They’re one of Australia’s greatest live bands and they ‘re written countless songs that damn well should be our national anthem. They are Mental As Anything and the constantly touring five-piece are heading back west for a series of shows. With Live It Up, Mr Natural, The Nips Are Getting Bigger and more on their set list, see them on Wednesday, July 4, at Friends Restaurant; Thursday, July 5, at Elmars In The Valley in Henley Brook; Friday, July 6, at the Charles Hotel; and Saturday, July 7, at the Atrium Hotel in Mandurah. Tickets from the venues.
FANCY A THRE3SOME? Unique DJ contest Red Bull Thre3Style is back for its second year, providing a series of events guaranteed to set dancefloors alight. Punters in Perth can expect an unmissable night next Wednesday, June 20, witnessing six of the best local DJs going to head-to-head in the ultimate mixing contest, with free entry. There’s just one key rule: participating DJs must rock the house by playing a selection of at least three genres of music in a 15-minute set! The competition will be held at the Air Nightclub in Northbridge, where last year’s state champion Junior will face stiff competition from local crowd pleasers Zeke, Wasteland, Klean Kicks, Ace Basik, and Rekab. Headlining the event to get the crowd pumping are Australia’s own mash-up maestros the Yacht Club DJs. Don’t miss your chance to be part of one of the year’s craziest, coolest dance music events!
BOY OH MAUBOY!
Jessica Mauboy swept into Australia’s musical consciousness in 2006 when she was announced as runner-up to Damien Leith on the fourth season of Australian Idol. Since then, the pint-sized performer has won over fans far and wide with her upbeat R&B gems. Lucky for her admirers, the singing sensation will be performing at this year’s Mungah Festival at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre on Saturday, June 23. She’ll join a night of exciting female storytellers and performers which also includes rising Nyungar singer Angela Rule and documentary maker Karrie-Anne Kearing. Tickets are on sale now from manpac.com.au or by calling (08) 9550 3900.
BLADE RUNNERS
Featuring ex-members of The Red Shore and making waves right across the world for their incredibly awesome EP Tides Of Damnation, Melbourne boys Boris The Blade are poised to be one of the biggest breakthrough heavy acts of 2012. The talented outfit are heading our way to play the second installment of Amplifier’s new night The Academy on Wednesday, June 20. Support comes from local heroes Anchored and Averia Skies. For more info click on over to theacademyperth.com.
BY GEORGE, HE HAS IT!
‘80s pop star George Michael will be the first act to play at the new Perth Arena when it finally opens later this year. The British superstar will be the first act to play the stadium in November. George’s Symphonica Australian tour hits the Arena on Saturday, November 10. Tickets go on sale on Thursday, June 21, from Ticketek.
BON FIRE
No names mean more to WA rock’n’roll than Bon Scott. In fact, it wouldn’t be asking too much to get overlord Colin Barnett to rename our whole damn state ‘Bon Scott’ in honour of the fallen AC/ DC frontman. This year would have been his 66th birthday and to commemorate the occasion, Bon But Not Forgotten returns to the Charles Hotel on Saturday, July 7. Featuring members past and present of The Screaming Jets, The Angels, Baby Animals, Diesel and more, expect a night of your favourite tunes. Tickets from the venues.
X-Press Magazine’s very own dance music editor Annabel Maclean is currently in Sydney battling it out for the much-coveted job of Channel [V] presenter. After beating out thousands of applicants across Australia to make it to the top 20, this week she needs your vote to make it to the top four, which will be announced this Saturday, June 16, on The Riff on Channel [V]. Head to vmusic.com.au to vote for Annabel now, and get yourself into the draw to win $5,000 cash!
BEATLEMANIA
Hitting the Astor Theatre this Saturday, June 16, Cliff Joins The Beatles is a rock’n’roll fantasy of epic proportions. How different would the world be if Cliff Richard ditched his backing band The Shadows for the Fab Four? Starring Aussie music legend Marty Rhone as Cliff and the remarkable Beatle Boys as you know who, they’ll recreate the rooftop Beatles concert in Perth for one night only. Head to Bocs for your tickets.
ROLL THE DICE
Legendary Perth pub band of late-’70s/early-’80s Loaded Dice are getting back together for two performances at the Charles Hotel on Saturday, July 28; and Sunday, July 29. Crazy bassist Dick Haynes and guitarist Marty Mather are heading from over east, while guitar-slinger John Zielman is heading in from Holland to pianist Tony Fox, drummer Dave Eamus and guitarist Phil Flanagan. The band that cut their teeth at Bar Orient in Freo will play a selection of their own hits and covers.
BE MY BEAU
The Beaufort Street Festival returns to our favourite drag strip in Mount Lawley and Highgate and promises to be the most ambitious one yet! Dedicated licensed areas anyone? We certainly hope so! Do you want to be involved? The organisers are looking for people looking to get involved in the arts, music, fashion, food, and children’s programs this year at the festival, which takes place on Saturday, November 17. If you’re keen, simply email beaufortstreetfestival@jumpclimb.com.
WOLFE LIKE ME
With his intriguing blend of folk, pop and roots, Eli Wolfe is carving a name for himself as one of the country’s most distinct troubadours. Currently touring a brand new five-track EP, Cards Are On The Table, Wolfe is taking audiences on a truly captivating musical journey with his hypnotic acoustic songs and dynamic instrumentals. One of these shows includes a headline slot this Saturday, June 16, at Fat Shan Records which will be an ideal intimate setting for his style. Perfectly accompanied by local wordsmiths Sean O’Neill (Hang On St Christopher) and James Teague, this is sure to be a though provoking and emotive listening experience. Presale tickets are $10 from tickets@fatshanrecords.com.
BAD RATS COLLIDE
With Children Collide’s anticipated Monument album tour only a couple of months away the band are kicking off the hype early with the announcement of national support acts and a new video release. Adelaide’s own Bad//Dreems and Brisbane’s Dune Rats will open proceedings on all dates of the tour, including Children Collide’s Bunbury show at the Prince Of Wales on Thursday, August 2; and their gig at Amplifier on Friday, August 3. Tickets to both shows are available from Oztix. In other news, the band have just released a bizarre new video for Sphere Of Influence featuring front man Johnny Mackay brushing his teeth. Hmmm…
PRETTY MAN
HOW NOW BROW?
The Brow Horn Orchestra www.xpressmag.com.au
Fresh from taking home their third WAMi Award, The Brow Horn Orchestra are gearing up to hit the road to launch their brand new Two Fires EP. They’ll be playing seven shows in Victoria and New South Wales before launching it in Perth with support from east coast guerrillas Set Sail. See them at the Rosemount on Friday, July 13; The Vault in Boorogoon for an all-ages arvo show, before playing at Mojos later on Saturday, July 14; and Clancys Dunsborough on Sunday, July 15.
The stars have aligned and Mink Mussel Creek have locked in a rare show next month. The band - where members of international hitmakers Tame Impala, Pond, and Taco Leg first made names for themselves - will kick off Geisha Bar’s new original live music night. They play on Sunday, July 8; while disco breakers Bastian’s Happy Flight do the same on Sunday, July 15. Tickets on the door from 8pm. Defectors Bar up top of the Flying Scotsman comes alive with jazz every Wednesday with Beaufort Bop. Kicking off on Wednesday, June 27, the Jamie Oehlers Trio drag their mad sax, overdriven organ and banging beats up the stairs to entertain you over two sets. A different jazz outfit hit the stage every week, and best of all, it’s free entry! Upset that Euro trippers Hype Williams have canned their plans to take in Perth? Fear not, Life Is Noise have a big night lined up for The Bakery this Saturday, June 16, instead. See Kucka, Rachael Dease collaborate with Ylem, Ourobonic Plague, The Underground Sound Solutions System, Rok Riley, Travis Doom, Clunk, and Sleepyhead. $5 before 10pm, or $10 thereafter. Local pop/rock songsmith Travis Caudle has won a grant to send him over to Nashville for three months of networking and making music. He hopes to record his next album while in one of the birthplaces of rock’n’roll. A night where you can outsmart your favourite radio and media personalities, the RTRFM Quiz hits the Oxford Hotel on Saturday, June 23. Hosted by breakfast man Peter Barr, special guests Hayley Beth and Timothy Nelson will play live between, and perhaps during, question time. The event sells out every year, so grab five friends and get your tickets from rtrfm. com.au for more info. Hot on the heels of the 2012 WAMi Music Business Conference, WAM and APRA/ AMCOS have announced the second installment of the 2012 Music Industry Sundowner Series, taking place from 6pm on Monday, June 25, at the Rosemount Hotel. The session will focus on Contemporary Music Grants and will be presented by Pete Guazzelli (Project Officer at the Department of Culture and the Arts) and Brendon Humphries (Manager, The Kill Devil Hills). The event is free for pre-registered WAM and APRA members, otherwise $5 at the door.
As if Christopher Lloyd, Verne Troyer, Hayden Pannetiere, Stanislav Ianevski, Noah Hathaway, and a whole bunch more weren’t enough, Supanova have added another name to their all-star list of celebrities and talent due to take in Claremont Showgrounds from Friday, June 22, ‘til Sunday, June 24. Eric Roberts is the latest addition, and the man who has appeared in TV shows such as Heroes, The Drew Carey Show, Frasier and more will regale all with countless anecdotes from his decades in show business. Head to supanova.com.au for all the info you need.
Rosetta
WAKE UP AND SMELL THE ROSETTA
Philadelphian post-metal entity Rosetta is set to return to WA next month when they play the Rosemount Hotel on Wednesday, July 25. Having captivated Australian audiences with an overwhelmingly powerful live show as a relatively unknown band making their first international voyage back in 2008, the four-piece went on to release their critically acclaimed third album A Determinism Of Morality in 2010. In the years since they’ve been a part of various split releases and have undertaken multiple European tours and performed with acts as mighty as Neurosis, Hopesfall and Old Man Gloom. Support acts for the show include local doom lads Drowning Horse, who will be bringing the noise, following a recent win in the WAMi’s for metal act of the year, and Brisbane-based and self-proclaimed “sunshine metal” group Nuclear Summer. Tickets from Moshtix. 11
LADYHAWKE Anxiety Attack Exhaustion and mental illness left New Zealand multi-instrumentalist Pip Brown insecure and numb, but her experiences inspired uplifting music, writes JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD. Ladyhawke plays The Bakery on Tuesday, July 24.
Ladyhawke
It’s been nearly four years since New Zealand multi-instrumentalist Pip Brown (aka Ladyhawke) burst onto the music scene begging listeners to “stop playing with [her] delirium”. Now the musically adventurous mammothchorus-loving chanteuse is back, and ready to reassert herself into our collective consciousness once more with new LP Anxiety. Brown’s self-titled debut transformed the chronically shy Kiwi into one of biggest crossover acts of 2008, earning her two ARIA Awards and loads of critical acclaim in the process. But following extensive touring duties to promote that record, Brown took nearly two years off, the only noise being made during select festival performances in last 18 months. Citing exhaustion from constant touring as well as her struggle with a mild form of Asperger’s syndrome as the reason for the lay off, Brown explains that she moved from her new home in London back to New Zealand to rest and recuperate. “I started touring the first album in January 2008 and finished up the tour in February 2010. After two years I was really tired,” she says. “I took six months off for my
own sanity. I thought it was a good idea to move home and get myself back into shape.” After this break, Brown says she eased herself back into music making by “working very sporadically”. “I spent two weeks in the UK, then two weeks in the south of France and then I’d have a break and come home for two weeks. All up it took about a year to get it all done,” she says. This delay means Anxiety enters an indie music climate far removed from the electro revival of 2008 in which Ladyhawke hit shelves, a fact Brown admits makes her nervous. “It’s a scary thing being a musician – no one buys your goods anymore, even compared to 10 years ago. It’s tough. The whole world of music has changed,” she says. “The chart stuff has gone a particular way, but I’m hoping it’ll be time for a change again soon. I hope people start buying records again soon – it’s a beautiful thing holding a record in your hands.”
“Anxiety talks about needing to take your anxiety pill to even just go outside and Vaccine came about because I liked the idea of have someone purely as an anxiety medication for another person.” Brown also admits she feels “intense pressure to perform” following the success of her first album. “It was a gradual build-up with the first album. I toured it and toured it and eventually it built up over two years, by word of mouth, like a snowball. When I finished touring that’s when it was at its peak,” she says. “But now with the new one it’s completely different. People know me already and they expect something, and that expectation can be a hard thing to deal with. “I kept thinking ‘the more I wait the more the momentum will die down’ and I kept thinking people were going to lose interest. Then there were people who just kept asking me ‘how do you think the new album is going to do on the charts?’ – all that technical speak. I hate that. I honestly don’t care how successful it is, I just want to make music.” These fears tap into something deeply personal for the 33-year-old, who says she has suffered with anxiety since she was a child. “I had my first anxiety attack when I was 12 years old and it’s been an issue for me ever since. Anyone who’s known me for a long time knows that I do struggle with it, from time to time,” she says. “It can be a real pain in the arse. The post-tour blues I had following the last tour were so bad. I was so bummed out and then there was all the pressure to make a new album added to that.” Brown explains that this back-story “absolutely” colours the lyrical content of her new album. “Calling the album Anxiety was a running joke for a while, but I was of kind of serious at the same time,” she says. “There are references to anxiety issues all through the record. [Titular song] Anxiety talks about needing to take your anxiety pill to even just go outside and Vaccine came about because I liked the idea of have someone purely as an anxiety medication for another person.” Originally scheduled for release on March 19, Anxiety finally hit shelves late last month. “We’d actually planned for it to come out in October last year but there was a hiccup with the mixes which pushed it back, and then the label weren’t happy with the March date – they thought I hadn’t done enough promo and there wasn’t a big enough build up to the release so it was pushed back ‘til now,” Brown explains, adding that the delay hasn’t deterred her enthusiasm to promote her new release. “I’ve been waiting a long time for people to hear it. I get to tour it now, and I’m most excited that no one will know the songs.” While Brown says she’s ready to hit the road again, with planned tours of Australia, Bali, South America, America, the UK and Europe all in the pipeline she admits she’s worried the extensive touring may trigger a repeat bout of exhaustion and anxiety. “It looks like it’s going to be that way, so I’m just trying to make sure the breaks in between the shows are bigger,” she concludes, “It’s been niggling away at my brain, but I’m in a good space at the moment and I just hope it’s still like this when I finishing touring this album.”
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FUGAZI
The Case Of The Stolen Perth Tape Post-hardcore pioneers Fugazi are in the process of releasing thousands of recordings of live shows as part of their Fugazi Live Series, but there’s one tape missing. Ian MacKaye tells MATTHEW HOGAN about the missing recording of their Perth show from November 1993. Fugazi has been on ‘indefinite hiatus’ for the last decade, but leader Ian MacKaye is keeping busy with his label Dischord Records, raising a family, and compiling perhaps the most comprehensive live music archive in the universe with the Fugazi Live Series.
Fugazi The service of recording their shows was something that was offered from when the band first started rehearsing Washington DC back in 1987. “We weren’t thinking about doing gigs, we were just playing,” MacKaye says. “We recorded practices and we had tapes and stuff, but we didn’t think about being a band, really, until the end of that summer of 1987. At the first gig we played this guy named Joey Picuri - he’d been doing shows around town and did sound for Minor Threat - he was a guy that we got to know
and he and another guy, Seth Martin, they were doing the sound and recording, and we thought ‘great we have an actual recording of our first show’. And then every time we would do a show in town we would run a tape.” At first they listened back to the tapes and used them to shape their songs in the lead up to recording their debut self-titled EP in 1988. As they got busier at the start of the ‘90s, they made a habit of recording every single show. “At some point we had two or 300 shows so we thought we may as well keep on doing it,” recalls MacKaye. “The last time we played shows was in 2002 and by that point we had around 1,150 shows, or maybe a few more, and of those shows we had in our possession 850 recordings. There still 300 that we don’t have, but actually since the site’s been up I’ve gotten about 50 of those.” M acK aye tells X-Press about what inspired him to make the massive archival website. “I t drives me craz y that all these moments of history just rot away in warehouses and in closets,” he says. “And because I was essentially the archivist in the band, meaning that I live at Dischord house and that’s where everything lived, at some point I thought, ‘well I have all this material and it’s just sitting in a closet, I’m not going to listen to it, what’s the point?’ We must have recorded them for people to hear them. Why would you paint a picture if no one would ever see it?” But there’s one tape missing. Fugazi kicked off their Australian tour in a room at the time called ‘Club O’ inside East Per th’s
Grosvenor Hotel on November 10, 1993. Not surprisingly considering he’s the man credited with star ting the straight edge movement, MacKaye remembers it well. “I actually just looked at a journal that I was keeping at the time and noted that the customs agent in Perth was a particular fucking dick,” he recalls. “I remember he was holding me and my guitar because he thought I was trying to import wood. He said ‘do you think you can just bring your wood into our country?’ I said ‘it’s a guitar!’ And we had permits, but he was being such an asshole - but I think that’s their job, it’s part of the deal. But we played this show in Perth which was kind of beyond our expectations in terms of just how great it was; people were just so amped. We had about 800 in this place, it was called Club O. “Somebody said to me that for Perth at the time, that was a really huge gig,” MacKaye continues. “I actually remember the show really well. It was completely packed, it was just one of those gigs where the fire marshal must be out of town because it was so insanely over-crowded. Even getting on and off of stage was a chore. We played this show, and I think we even did two encores, the crowd was just super live and it was a great way to start the Australian tour.”
“My life is based on trust, so the idea that someone would snag something like that, that’s such a disappointment.” Unfortunately somebody in the crowd agreed and wanted a keepsake of the show. says MacKaye. “Everyone was drenched because summer was just beginning to kick in. During the last song of the last encore, Joey P was surrounded by people and he saw a hand reach up and grab the DAT player and the CD player, and just yank ‘em and disappear into the crowd. There was no way to catch up with the person; he was on the board, the show was on, and it was just one of those things. They just grabbed them and ran and in that DAT machine was a tape of the show. The show itself was a great show, who knows what the recordings are like, it was just a drag. We thought that we had a great show and the fact that someone stole it, well that’s just not polite.” The theft of the DAT tape worked in direct contrast with the ethos of this strictly DIY band. “Every once in a while we’ve had a few things stolen over the years,” says MacKaye. “It’s a very strange practice, stealing, and in many ways, I think it’s the worst of the worst. If you didn’t steal, then we wouldn’t need locks and that would really change the way the world operates. Fugazi and Dischord, and basically all of my work, we didn’t use contracts. We used contracts only when we were touring because a lot of the times when you get a visa you had to show them proof of your arrangements. There were contracts in that degree, but in terms of booking shows in the States, we never used contracts, we didn’t have management. I didn’t have lawyer! So my life is based on trust, so the idea that someone would snag something like that, that’s such a disappointment. Having said that, we played so many shows and we had one DAT machine stolen, we had one monitor stolen, and we had one guitar stolen. It’s not bad for as much word that we did. I’d like to think that we circulate with people that are not exactly stinking thieves.” Do you know where the missing Fugazi DAT tape is or did you make your own recording of the show? Email fugazilive@dischord.com or musiceditor@xpressmag.com.au and we’ll protect your identity from a vengeful Fugazi.
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
MARINA & THE DIAMONDS Heart Of Gold Buried In Verona
BURIED IN VERONA Notorious BIV
Buried In Verona had to pull themselves from the brink of nonexistence to write their third album, Notorious. Vocalist Brett Anderson talks about the metalcore outfit’s phoenix-like resurrection with TOM HERSEY ahead of their shows on Sunday, June 24, at YMCA HQ in the arvo, and Amplifier in the evening. “You’d be correct in saying that there’s some bad blood between us and some of the previous band members,” Buried In Verona vocalist Brett Anderson says with a sardonic laugh as we’re discussing the Sydney metalcore outfit’s third-full length record Notorious. This is obvious in the opening track Maybe Next Time, where Anderson leads a screed against some of the former band members who tried to derail the progress of Buried In Verona. The vocalist’s point is simple, “Nothing and no one is going to get in the way of what this band.” It was the drive to keep Buried In Verona alive that shaped Notorious into such a diverse record. Faced with replacing half the band’s line-up, the band brought in new players, and with those new players came new ideas.
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“On the previous two albums, one or two people were bringing in songs and then I’d write the melodies and lyrics, but this time everyone took on a major writing role and brought something to the table,” Anderson says. “You can hear that in the album, there’s a lot more variety throughout it. And you can tell that there are a lot of different styles being mixed together. We went down so many different avenues on it because everyone in the band is so passionate about so many different types of music.” Instead of the unrelenting tech-flavoured metalcore of their previous full-lengths, Saturday Night Sever and Circle The Dead, Notorious sounds more like a modern punk rock record. There’s a breakdown to be found every now and again, but the record is more an example of strong melodies carrying passionate rock songs. Though Anderson has considered that this major stylistic change is liable to alienate some of the band’s mosh warrior fanbase, he’s pretty sure that Buried In Verona’s loyal fans will remain with the band. “Some people probably don’t want to get into this range of material. If they just want fast riffs, breakdowns and all that unoriginal shit, then there’s plenty of music out there for them. Hopefully our loyal fans will stick with us and come on this different musical journey.” With Notorious newly released, Buried In Verona are about to embark on an extensive Australian tour to give fans a chance to experience the band’s musical journey first-hand. Anderson promises that Buried In Verona have taken the time and put in the effort to ensure that these shows are the best shows to date, “We’ve upgraded everything about Buried In Verona. We lost a few members who were not so much holding us back, but musically limiting what we could do. We’ve spent a shitload on lights and gear and equipment because we want to come back onto the scene as a full package, a full show instead of just a band playing music,” Anderson explains. “So fans can expect a much bigger and better show from us, and the bands we’re going out with are fucking awesome too.”
After her breakthrough album The Family Jewels, Welsh pop princess Marina & The Diamonds is back with her eagerly anticipated sophomore effort Electra Heart, out now through Warner Music. LEE HUTCHISON chats to Marina Diamandis. Marina Diamandis is no ordinary pop star. Learning to play the piano and sing at the relatively late age of 19, she is nevertheless about as audacious as they come. “I was quite self-conscious about that fact that I hadn’t been doing [music] since I was four… But if you have a genuine artistic talent inside of you, it’s not important that you haven’t been taught how to do it,” she says. “That’s what’s great about pop music and pop artists – you can come from a very self-made background, and your personality and determination gets you a lot further than your talent.” It was Marina’s love of poetry that set her on a musical path, leading her to London when she was only 18.“When I got to London I started at various music schools and they forced me to learn keyboards. That was the key, as it allowed me to gig and go on to buy a laptop and produce my music.” After submitting some tracks to various record labels, Marina was ‘discovered’, going on to release her critically applauded debut album, The Family Jewels. The image of Marina projected around The Family Jewels release was a modern, dark-haired, pop starlet. However her latest release, Electra Heart, has seen her reimagined as a blonde, with an enviable collection of vintage dresses under her oversized belt. Is this kind of makeover a risk, so early in her career? “Not really,” the singer argues. “Look at David Bowie – he looked so normal and boring on his first album, then from his second album forward, he started looking like the person we know. And it’s the same with Amy Winehouse. Sometimes I think artists grow into their images.”
Marina & The Diamonds Although media speculation has been rife with crazy theories, Marina says her transformation was partly a sociological experiment: “I was obsessed with the power that blondes have. I wanted to feel what that was like,” she explains. Unlike her first album, which Marina says was “more about questioning our ideals,” Electra Heart sees her construct a separate character in order to combat her feelings of loss. “I wanted to create a character that was an obvious creation of someone who got very hurt. Electra Heart symbolises all the things that women feel when they’re dumped or aren’t really loved back. And that character is a callous person who doesn’t really need anybody. I wanted to recreate that figure and turn it into an album.” The other strong theme throughout Electra Heart is Marina’s love of America. As an ambitious songstress, does this tie into hopes of breaking the notoriously challenging US market? “Obviously America is a big territory for a lot of acts,” she acknowledges, “but the reason I want to break America is because I love it; for me, it’s a place that offers opportunities for escapism. A lot of this record is about disconnecting with who you are because you don’t want to deal with whatever issues you have in your life. I like escapism. It comes naturally to artists.”
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DEEP SEA ARCADE Out & Proud
Deep Sea Arcade
After years spent crafting their debut album, Deep Sea Arcade finally released Outlands in March; much to frontman Nick McKenzie’s relief. EMMA BERGMEIER catches up with McKenzie ahead of the band’s shows at the Indi Bar on Friday, June 15; Amplifier on Saturday, June 16; and Mojo’s on Sunday, June 17. “Yeah, I’m really happy with it and I’m stoked that “There was a time when we had a party at people like it,” Deep Sea Arcade’s Nick McKenzie my manager’s house and we ate pizza and we were says with a sigh of relief when congratulated on the all like ‘well done for getting the record done’ and I release of Outlands. remember back then we were all kind of sitting there
and we were all smiling but we were feeling very nervous. We were like, is it a good record? Will people like it? What will happen? How will it be received? No one was really sure, you kind of make something but until you put it out there you don’t really know how it’s going to be received.” Two months on from the record’s release and it seems the boys had absolutely nothing to worry about – with Triple J and the wider Australian music community embracing Outlands with open arms. It’s no surprise really, given McKenzie and his Deep Sea Arcade brethren had over 40 songs to choose from for the record, whittling it down to the best 12. “When you have that many songs it’s pretty easy to select which ones work with each other when you’re listening to them all together,” McKenzie explains of the culling process. “We mixed all the ones we liked the best first. We culled them down in mixing. We mixed 20 first and after that there were songs that didn’t work well together. There were a few songs that didn’t make it onto the record, not because they weren’t good songs but because they just didn’t fit with the feeling and the unexplainable thread that runs through. One of my strengths as a songwriter is that I do have a good overview. I can look at how a whole body of work fits together.” Now that Outlands is out on shelves, the Deep Sea Arcade lads are hitting the road on a national tour, and if McKenzie has anything to do with it – the band will be packing very lightly it seems. “Probably three shirts and nothing else; maybe one pair of underpants,” McKenzie jokes.“That’s all you need. In fact our guitarist, Simon, he doesn’t
pack anything on tour. He just brings boots… He sleeps in his boots.” They may not be bringing much clothing on tour but McKenzie says they won’t be scrimping when it comes to instruments and gadgets – which are essential for recreating the heavily layered sounds on Outlands. “Just before you called me I was putting samples together. We will fill out the sound with keyboard parts and guitar lines to give everything an atmosphere. Playing through a sampler, every time you hit the key, you’re not just hearing one key sound, you’re hearing five keyboards playing that one sound. There will be lots of programming involved before we hit the tour circuit. We feel it’s important not to play with backing tracks so all the programmed sounds will be played live.”
Frenzal Rhomb
FRENZAL RHOMB Smoko Break
Back in WA as part of their ongoing national tour, Aussie punk icons Frenzal Rhomb appear Thursday, June 14, at Settlers Tavern; Friday, June 15, at the Prince Of Wales; and Saturday, June 16, at the Rosemount Hotel. BEN WATSON spoke to vocalist Jay Whalley. It’s hard to imagine the Australian music scene without Frenzal Rhomb. It’s possible, of course, but it’s a slightly depressing prospect. One would hope that some other sardonic, foul-mouthed band of shrewd, self-deprecating jokers would have emerged to simultaneously lampoon and engage the nation with bullshit-fast pop music. But it’s difficult territory to traverse, and it’s almost certain that any doppelganger would have sucked arse. So consider, if you will, that Jason Whalley has been covering that ground – for the most part very effectively – for a full 20 years. “I know,” he says matter-of-factly when X-Press mentions the anniversary, “it’s ridiculous. You just sort of have to wait around and don’t really change anything, and 20 years just passes, it seems. I don’t know if anyone really had any idea that we would still be doing it. “I think my dad actually quoted me, ‘cause when I showed him our very first EP, which was called Dick Sandwich [1994], and on the cover it had these severed penises in a sandwich, and I said ‘look, I’m dropping out of uni, I think I will be in receipt of some sort of social welfare, and this is what I am gonna do instead’ and gave him this record. Very disappointed would have been an understatement. And he reminded me the other day that my comeback to him was ‘well, as if I’m gonna be doing this when I’m 40,’ and here we are.” Well, he’s not quite 40 yet, but it’s close enough - and Whalley’s folks, whom he describes as “a progressive thinking bunch”, have long since been behind his life’s direction. Frenzal’s trajectory has taken him around the globe, but since the band returned with their longawaited Smoko At The Pet Food Factory album last year they have concentrated their efforts close to home. Indeed, their latest Australian tour seems to have been going on for an eternity. “Yeah, we do like to spread it out,” Whalley says.“What probably should have taken us three weeks is taking us six months. So it kinda seems like it’s been going for a long time, but really, we probably do like a couple of shows every few weeks. It’s actually really fun because we don’t do it as much as we used to. Like, we used to tour seven months of the year and that becomes a whole other thing. But the way we do it now – it’s easy.” Easy, but the shows are still manic, as anyone witness to the band’s sold out shows last year would attest. This extends off-stage, where the band’s primary objective is twofold: acquisition of shows, and acquisition of drinks riders. For his part, Whalley is droll as ever. “We don’t rehearse,” he says. “I’ll let you in on a little secret, which you may have picked up by our live performance, but we do not rehearse. We had a rehearsal before the Big Day Out, and I think we literally made music for about eight minutes. We probably should have tried a bit harder but I think the enjoyment that we get from the band definitely has a lot to do with the hanging out factor. So, y’know, we gotta foster that, and we like to practice that when we can.” 16
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BUSBY MAROU
Their Time Is Now Following their stints at South By Southwest and Canadian Music Week earlier this year, Busby Marou are about to commence a month long Australian tour. CORAL HUCKSTEP speaks to Jeremy Marou ahead of their shows at the Prince Of Wales on Friday, July 6; Rosemount Hotel on Saturday, July 7; and the Newport Hotel on Sunday, July 8. Anybody watching ABC’s Q&A last week would have seen Jeremy Marou looking flabbergasted when an audience member asked him the
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But it’s unlikely Marou would be ever without music. “I don’t think you’ll find a Torres Strait Islander man who doesn’t play guitar,” he says. “I was always going to be a musician one way or another, whether I was working in the mines or being a full time muso. It wasn’t until probably a year-and-a-half ago when I thought to myself ‘hang on, maybe I can be a full time musician and play guitar for a living and still be able to earn the same amount of money as those miners do anyway!’.” Busby Marou Although Busby Marou released their self“weirdest question ever” about same sex marriage titled debut album a year ago, they recently launched and polygamy. a double disc version with covers of Cyndi Lauper and “I was obviously extremely nervous!” Marou The Lemonheads. Their blend of country, folk, blues says. “I knew there wasn’t going to be a topic that I and roots has led them to be branded as uniquely was familiar with. I’m just used to talking about music Australian, which Marou says is unintentional: “I don’t and football.” think we try to sound ‘Australian’. I think it comes So what motivated him to plunge into the from what we are singing about. Most of the songs unknown on live national television? “I was in the public are about places in central Queensland and so we’re service for about five years after I finished uni,” Marou actually singing about home.” says.“I actually became a bit of a nerd and used to watch Their first single Biding My Time clearly Q&A all the time!” Despite feeling overwhelmed with nausea resonated with other Australian artists because they the day before, Marou said his “lovely” fellow panelists just won an APRA for it in the blues and roots category. put him at ease backstage.“Barnaby Joyce hung out in “We had absolutely no idea that we were even half a our dressing room before and after the show and I think shoo-in for winning the award. I didn’t even go down I talked to [Greens leader] Christine Milne more in the for it,” Marou says. It was definitely a morale boost for the band make-up room than I actually did onstage,” Marou says. The show focused on native titles, regional before they kick off their national tour. Marou says development and mining — something Torres Strait audiences are in for a treat. “You’ll get songs from the Islander Marou is familiar with having grown up in album and new stuff we’re working on,” he says. As for Marou’s famed finger-picking guitar Queensland’s Rockhampton. “If I wasn’t working [as a musician] I’d be in mining. I’d be crazy not to!” skills? “I’ll try and do as many guitar tricks as possible during the shows,” he promises. Marou says.
GEORGIA FAIR Spirited Away
Georgia Fair
Sydney folkies Georgia Fair have played alongside a lot of talented musicians in their time but, as covocalist/guitarist Jordan Wilson attests, it’s indie folk chanteuse Lisa Mitchell they love sharing a stage with the most. JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD sat down with Wilson ahead of their support slot for Mitchell at St Joseph’s Church in Subiaco on Friday, June 15. When Georgia Fair’s Jordan Wilson and Ben Riley were asked to perform alongside diminutive songstress Lisa Mitchell during her national tour promoting debut album Wonder back in 2010, they had no idea of the fierce friendship they would develop with the rising star. “I suppose [we were asked to tour with her] because we have a similar demographic. I don’t really know why,” Wilson laughs. The trio got on so well that the last two years have seen Georgia Fair appear consistently as a support during Mitchell’s many Australian shows.“She always has us along and we love it,”Wilson attests.“It’s always good fun. She’s awesome.” Their close friendship even prompted Wilson’s starring role in Mitchell’s video clip for new single Spiritus, in which they prance around the desert in various states of undress before locking lips in a heated pash. “She just asked me if I wanted to be her star-crossed lover and I didn’t know what to say to that. When Lisa asks you to be her lover, you don’t say no,” Wilson laughs. Wilson and Riley have reunited with Mitchell once again for her upcoming national tour in support of her new EP (also titled Spiritus). Named the Heavenly Sounds tour, the series of intimate concerts will take place in churches and cathedrals across the country, and includes a WA date at St Joseph’s Church in Subiaco on Friday, June 15. “We’ve never performed in those kinds of venues before,” Wilson says, admitting that the band “haven’t really thought about” tailoring their live performances to the hushed setting. “We don’t really like preparing too much or writing set lists; we just like to see how we’re feeling on the night and go from there.” Despite their lack of preparation, there’s little doubt Georgia Fair’s beguiling muted tones will suit the cavernous, echoey and beautiful settings perfectly. “There will be some big ballads and harmonies,” Wilson says. The duo is also using the upcoming tour to promote a new single – Blind. Taken from the band’s debut album, All Through Winter, the track, which features Band Of Horses’ Tyler Ramsay on piano, is a favourite of both the band and audiences alike. The folk duo will also be releasing a new video – for previously released single Simple Man – to coincide with the tour. Directed by Shane McLafferty (Stevie Nicks, Mick Jagger) the video was shot in Los Angeles and Wilson explains that the clip follows a man who wakes up in handcuffs and “tries to remember what happened the night before.” Although the duo didn’t fly to LA for the shoot, Wilson and Riley appear briefly in the protagonist’s television screen. “We did our bit over Skype,” Wilson laughs.“We wanted to make it as slick as possible. I think it’s pretty bad-ass.”
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THE SIREN TOWER Our House FEAR FACTORY
Man & Machine The eighth studio album from industrial metal titans Fear Factory sees them return to the concept album ideal. Guitarist Dino Cazares tells JESSICA WILLOUGHBY how The Industrialist brings the band’s roots to life.
Local folk rockers The Siren Tower make music that is unmistakably Australian, and are not afraid to wear it on their sleeves. JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD catches up with frontman Grant McCulloch ahead of the launch of their debut album A History Of Houses at Prince Of Wales, June 14; and Amplifier on Friday, June 15. There is no denying that Australia truly has a proud history in terms of rock music. There is a certain something about bands that this country has exported to the rest of the world, something unique and something that music from other countries just doesn’t have. Delivering a distinctly Australian way of sharing stories, The Siren Tower are more than ready to enter the canon. “I think the Australian quality to the band is pretty obvious, from the accent, to the characters and stories,” frontman Grant McCulloch explains.“Do I worry that it will alienate us from some people? Of course not. As soon as a band comes out of the gate it’s going to alienate most of the market. If you try to be everything to everyone you’re just going to end up with banal dross so you’re best off just trying to excite and impress yourself, and if you set the bar high enough, you’ll get the results.” The Siren Tower are a new band, but one formed by seasoned musicians, players from diverse and decorated backgrounds in the local music scene. Having been making ripples in the local circuit for a while now, with the release of their cracking full length,
entitled A History Of Houses, the quintet are set to turn those ripples into waves. “It’s such a strange process building an album, the writing, demoing, recording, mixing, mastering, designing artwork, sorting the packaging, getting the marketing in place,” McCulloch says. “The whole time the final product is just this idea and it’s not until the last minute that the music, themes and concepts are packaged and delivered as a tangible thing, something you can hold. That in itself is odd; such a huge collation of time, personality and thought personified in plastic and cardboard.” Recorded with Forrester Savell (The Butterfly Effect, Karnivool, Dallas Frasca), A History Of Houses is the outfit’s first record. As McCulloch attests, it was important for his band to take their time crafting a collection of songs they were truly proud of, rather than just peddling out a few tunes to capitalise on their growing success. “We could have just done the standard thing and [recorded an] EP before the album but we wanted to dive in head first and that was inspired by local artists like Abbe May and The Kill Devil Hills; when we were kicking off they had their heads down
The Siren Tower and were doing the work, dropping albums and just kicking arse on their own terms. We just thought that was fucking terrific. Luckily they’ve both gone on to get a lot of respect for that, but even if they hadn’t been recognised, 40 years from now, they were always going to have an incredible body of work, and that’s all that matters, the sales, the success or the lack of success in a business sense, that’s all irrelevant,” he says. “I don’t think there are too many guys that could have put the jigsaw puzzle together but Forrester killed it. He captured the emotion that is so crucial to the songs on this album and that was the one thing we couldn’t fail on, the music is heart and soul and if that wasn’t captured the album would not have worked.”
Fear Factory The advent of machines marking man’s future downfall. This is the concept Fear Factory were always meant to scrutinise. The connection between the growth of technology and its eventual revolt has always been on the tip of the proverbial tongue of these American industrial-metal hybrid greats. Always ones to delve deeply into the man-vs-device mythos, their last few albums have strayed from devouring the ideal as a whole. Their recently released full-length, The Industrialist, does not fall into this trap. Using this lore at its crux, the outfit’s eighth LP ventures further into this notion – all from the view of the mechanical creation itself. “The protagonist in this story is an automaton, or robot, that Burton [Bell - vocals] reveals called The Industrialist,” guitarist Dino Cazares tells X-Press. “By collecting more memories with each passing day, and through observation and further learning, this creation eventually gains the will to exist. It fights for its own kind. The concept was great for us because we finally get to investigate further the whole idea that what was meant to help man, meaning technology and scientific advancements, will eventually lead to man’s demise. I guess it was topic we were always meant to cover and now was the time to do it.” Joined with a 20-page booklet describing the specifics of Bell’s tale, the album once again calls on the talents of acclaimed producer Rhys Fulber. A factor which Cazares says allowed the band to draw on earlier industrial elements. “A lot of people have said this album harks back to the Demanufacture (1995) period a bit and, to be honest, that is exactly what we were going for,” he explains. “Burton and I wanted to bring back some of the elements we thought were missing on our last few albums. For example, the industrial element that was really apparent on our early releases. Working with Rhys, who we’ve been with since ’92 or ’93, was a big part of that. He’s basically worked with us on most albums, except the ones I wasn’t involved in. So when I came back to the band in 2009, I said to Burton that we had to get Rhys back. And it worked out. He’s a guy who understands the hybrid of music we are doing. But Logan Mader, who I’ve worked with before through Divine Heresy, helped out with additional tracking and John Sankey gave a huge hand to the drum programming. John gave us a drummer’s perspective on how we should write for this album, which was a really great experience. “We also found the whole concept didn’t really lead us to approaching the songs too differently, but it allowed us to bring back some of the keyboard tones we felt were missing from our last two releases. We made these more predominant. I really think this album signals a return for us to our true signature sound.” www.xpressmag.com.au
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BLACK DICE Mr. Impossible
THE MELVINS Freak Puke
Ribbon Music
Ipecac / Fuse
THE BEACH BOYS That’s Why God Made The Radio
E l e c t ro n i c m u s i c, w i t h tools like quantisation and minute digital editing, offers EMI / Capitol the possibility of musical “perfection”. It is always In their heyday, The Beach interesting then when electronic musicians eschew Boys whipped out up to three perfection in the name of a looser, more organic full-length albums in a year, aesthetic and Mr. Impossible, the latest LP from NY band and now they’ve managed to conjure up some of that work ethic with their first album Black Dice, is about as loose as it comes. This is garage electronica at its most pure; in ions, That’s Why God Made The Radio. With a combined age of 341, the five laden with toy percussion, cartoon sound effects and members of the 2012 Beach Boys haven’t been ‘boys’ for vocals bit crushed beyond any recognition. It’s a style a while, but they still seem to have some of the magic of music that tends to elicit polar responses from people (real ‘love it or hate it’ kind of stuff) but it’s hard of their youth flowing through their veins. Their harmonies on opener Think About The to deny Black Dice are masters in their field. Like fellow Days are in the same vein as Our Prayer from Smile, while NY noise-pop band Animal Collective, Black Dice invest the title track and lead single is an album highlight. their music with a sense of dark humour. Bringing to mind late ‘60s hits like Do It Again and I Can Improvisation is clearly a big part of the creative process Hear Music, the song has a joyful feel about it, as does giving the music an underlying sense of play and exploration, as if the band is figuring the tunes out at much of the album. Not all of the songs are about bikinis and the same rate as their listeners. Formally too, the album convertibles though, Summer’s Gone is a sombre closing sounds like a jam. There is no real division evident between track on what may be the final Beach Boys album. That’s Why God Made The Radio is just the the album’s 10 tracks, but the music is in constant ticket to wipe away foul memories of their previous motion and as the lo-fi beats loop and stutter one finds late-era mistakes like country pop effort Stars And Stripes themselves pulled into the music’s warped logic - part and that smudge on the window of common decency cartoon disco, part bad trip. known as Kokomo. _MATTHEW HOGAN
STORM CORROSION Storm Corrosion
_HENRY ANDERSEN
Roadrunner Records
Not enough bands employ an alternative line-up to keep things fresh these days, but then again, not many bands are quite like the Melvins. Buzz Osbourne and Dale Crover have given Jared Warren and Coady Willis some time to go back to Big Business, and brought in none other than Mr Bungle founder Trevor Dunn in on stand-up bass. The most distinct change in sound for the three-piece Melvins, dubbed on tour posters as ‘Melvins Lite’, is on the rollicking Tommy Goes Berserk. The almost-10 minute psych jam features a wailing Buzzo leading a spirited jam before several minutes of weirdo vocal effects remind us of Dunn’s heritage. Dunn’s addition to the band strongly influences the album, from the Mr Krinkle-like string scraping of Inner Ear Rupture and Baby, Won’t You Weird Me Out, while a surprise cover of Paul McCartney & Wings’ gem Let Me Roll It, also goes down a treat. They’ve just announced their intention of breaking a world record by playing 51 USA states in 51 days, so here’s hoping we get to see some of that action ‘cause Melvins Lite is the best Melvins have sounded in years.
Fans of Opeth’s M ik ael Akerfeldt and Porcupine Tree’s Steven Wilson have been waiting for the Storm Corrosion collaboration for years, it was basically written in the stars. One should be wary of arriving at this album with any preconceived notions, as they’re likely to be dashed. Rather than becoming a prog-metal supergroup, the pair abandoned all pretence of restraint and expectations in their sprawling opus. Freeing themselves from the norm, in what some might call a self-indulgent manner, has allowed them to create a one of a kind masterpiece. Storm Corrosion paints a dark and beautiful sonic landscape, but is not a metal album as one might expect from the pair. Dissonant melodies couple with the deliberate, drawn-out tone of the duo’s lyrics to create a truly surreal and absorbing experience. Piano and arpeggio guitars make the bulk of their sound with an array of ambient and orchestral sounds tied with off-key notes to keep it unsettling. Drag Ropes grows and expands in unexpected ways with the voices of Akefeldt and Wilson acting as perfect counterpoints amongst the building atmosphere. As shown by the utterly crap Metallica/ _MATTHEW HOGAN Lou Reid pet project Lulu, taking the self-indulgent route can lead to disaster. In Storm Corrosion the pair stretched their own creativity and skill to craft a divisive, yet utterly compelling piece of music. _BRENDAN HOLBEN
RUFUS WAINWRIGHT Out Of The Game Decca / Universal
When Mark Ronson produces an album, you know it’s going to be a stylish finished product. Wainwright’s Out Of The Game is beautiful. Ronson’s pop influence doesn’t make it a pop album per se. Instead, it’s a classy combination of jazz, soul, rock and blues. Wainwright credits pop/rock from the ‘70s as the inspiration for the album’s tone and this is also shown through the soulful female backing vocals used on many on the tracks. You could definitely play this one while cruising on a scenic drive. Especially the chic Rashida, with its searing guitar and classic saxophone editions. The album is full of eclectic sounds. Perfect Man is one of the two songs featuring sister Martha Wainwright on backing vocals, and features synthesizers that sound like fete music. Sometimes You Need is played out against a soft electric guitar and dabs of synth and strings. The album was made after the death of Wainwright’s mother and birth of his daughter, giving the lyrics a certain melancholy. The strange Montauk is a dedication to his daughter: “One day you will come to Montauk/Hope you won’t turn around and go.” It’s rippling piano complements the bittersweet lyrics. Wainwright’s rich voice lends itself to this versatile mix of styles on Out Of The Game. It’s got groove, it’s got soul, and it’s got style. _CORAL HUCKSTEP
THE CAIROS Colours Like Features Island Records
The Cairos have been edging onto the scene steadily for the past few years, and have just released third EP Colours L i k e Fe a t u r e s . S u p e r producer Wayne Connolly ( The Vines, Boy & Bear) took the Brisbane trio under his wing for this record, and the band has emerged with a polished, indie pop sound. First track Shame is a standout and perhaps should have been slotted in a little further down in the track list – it is three minutes of infectious all-encompassing pop with a slightly edgy feel to it. Lena works well, with all the yearning and youthfulness of a teenage boy fighting through Alistar Richardson’s vocals. Mid-record track Yeah No is a little more disco than was expected, with vocals in the higher range and guitars in the lower. We All Buy Stars is that radio-friendly tune we’ve all grown to love (or hate) with a sound undeniably influenced by The Strokes. There’s no doubt that the group have grown considerably on this EP, and every track is short, sharp and engaging – no doubt due to Connolly’s guidance. But Colours Like Features holds a familiar blend of indie pop; catchy hooks, a bit of shoegazing, a beachy sound, and a song about a girl. Though it’s nothing all that new, it is one of the best of a similarly uniformed bunch. _CHRIS HAVERCROFT 20
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
METRIC Synthetica
LA SERA Sees The Light
MMI / Create Control
Hardly Art
Canadian indie-rockers Metric are back with their fifth record Synthetica. After self-releasing their fourth album Fantasies and selling over a million singles and 500,000 albums worldwide, grand expectations were laid for the fourpiece lead by one of the most mesmerising front women ever, Emily Haines, to release an epic fifth record. Still withholding Metric’s signature soaring vocals with tight, pop-rocking melodies and the occasional reverb and epic moment, for those expecting big singles like Gold Gun Girls, Help I’m Alive and Gimme Sympathy, you might be disappointed. Opening with the slow burner Artificial Nocturne, Haines’ vocals float above the soft rock-lullaby but it’s the opening line “I’m just as fucked up as they say” which brings on the ‘Metric goosebumps’, something which a full tent of punters experienced when they played Parklife 2009. Youth Without Youth is a jumpy, electro-pop number with an energetic chorus, grungy guitar riffs and a solid drum pattern adding a raw spark to the tight tune. Speed The Collapse is a sing-along track with “aahs” littering its catchy melody, Breathing Underwater will most likely make it onto a soundtrack in the near future, Dreams So Real captures Haines’ grand voice in epic form and The Void is repetitively boring. It’s classic Metric but despite some epic moments, it’s nothing outrageously grand. Definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan though.
Katy Goodman is best known for the part she plays in lo-fi garage rockers Vivian Girls (where she goes by the name Kickball Katy), yet her lesser known project Le Sara is arguably a far more palatable listen. The Brooklyn native recorded Sees The Light in California and it certainly has that west coast feel about it. Goodman’s sweet tones on laid back opener Love That’s Gone is akin to listening to Best Coast on lithium. Things get more urgent with the fuzzed out single Please Be My Third Eye finding Goodman adding some of her punk roots to her pop smarts. Throughout the rest of the record La Sera continues in this same girl-loses-boy vein, pulling influences from the pool swum in by The Shirelles and The Ronettes. Yet even though Sees The Light is an album of break up songs, it maintains a sense of lightness that belies the subject matter. Goodman isn’t one to perseverate on the bleakness of busting up when there are tight harmonies and fresh hooks to dish out. La Sera hides the pain of loss in a shiny wrapper ensuring there is hardly a hint of darkness as Goodman Sees The Light. _CHRIS HAVERCROFT
DAVID BOWIE The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars Hard to believe, but this month marks the 40th anniversary of David Bowie’s glam rock masterpiece, The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars. To commemorate the album’s 40th year, EMI has just released a special newly-remastered edition of the disc and a limited edition vinyl LP/ DVD package, featuring previously unreleased mixes of The Supermen, Velvet Goldmine, Sweet Head and an instrumental version of Moonage Daydream. The remastered album sounds fabulous. Sure, there are a few weak moments on the album. Cover song, It Ain’t Easy, still feels out of place. But frankly, that side oneender is forgotten by the time you get to the masterpiece-laden side two. When it ’s the opening chords to Suffragette City or the thrilling climax of Ziggy Stardust this is an album any music lover worth their salt must listen to (preferably loudly) before you die. _JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD
THE BEATLES Here, There & Everywhere Shock
This year, and every other year, marks the anniversary of an important Beatles-related event, and to celebrate British broadcaster ITN news have compiled 85 minutes of footage on the Fab Four. Here, There & Everywhere contains no Beatles music, but it does contain some rather interesting insights into news media of the ‘60s, and how it shaped the public’s perception of the greatest band of all time. Here you watch as the band deals with its overwhelming success and the pressures the media gave them at the time. Whether it’s Paul McCartney being told off by a newscaster about admitting to take acid, or the ‘Bigger than Jesus’ scandal that rocked the Bible Belt, The Beatles certainly knew how to make headlines. They also knew how to be rather funny in their interviews. You can see in John Lennon’s face how he tires of being asked stupid questions by journalists all the time, so he often responds with cheeky answers. By no means essential, or even worth repeated viewings, Here, There & Everywhere is for those who were left wanting more after the DVD Anthology series, which was rather comprehensive at 600 minutes long. _MATTHEW HOGAN
_ANNABEL MACLEAN
NICKY BOMBA’S BUSTAMENTO Intrepid Adventures To The Lost Riddim Islands Vitamin
Best known as the drummer of the John Butler Trio, Nicky Bomba takes musical control with new outfit Bustamento - a six-piece band that covers calypso, reggae and ska styles with a wry sense of humour. Bomba has managed to create a fun record that does not take itself too seriously, with his themes centrally covering happiness, love and beaches. An interesting point of the album is the cover of the Maltese folk song Ghamillu Karta where Bomba goes back to his heritage to sing in Maltese. Other highlights of the album include the instrumental tracks Swinging Momento and Popeye where Paul Coyle’s trumpet playing and Pete Mitchell’s saxophone work swings the track beautifully. There is an optimistic feel about the album; this is exemplified by the track Let’s Start Again which includes the lyrics “Let’s start again we say and with a new chapter we’ll turn the page/ stop, listen and clear the plate of all the things that are outta date”. Unfortunately, however, the album suffers from a lack emotional variety and its lack of unhappiness makes it fun but dumb. You won’t find yourself bawling your eyes out from the emotional impact of the album. In fact, the booklet accompanying the album - containing beautiful illustrations of the band exploring various exotic and tropical paradises, complemented by an offbeat storyline - is almost better than the album itself. _AARON CORLETT
MAJOR TOM & THE ATOMS Shake It Til You Break It Independent
Former Little Red vocalist Tom Har tney ’s n e w p ro j e c t i s p a r k e d squarely at the most inoffensive intersection of boogie-woogie and rockabilly possible. Replete with sax, gogo-girls and grunting, Shake It ‘Til You Break It is a bland reimagining of the more ribald strains of early girls an’ cars rock’n’roll into something eerily sweatless. Revivalism works if the tunes are smokin’ and the band rips it up, but Major Tom and co. just aren’t up to it yet. Weak songwriting is the main culprit; Mockingbird takes a lyrical trope that predates electricity and slams it against the beat of I Want Candy, suggesting the Major Tom approach to composing is about as imaginative as a wearing matching shoes. There’s also Last Dance of the Lizard King, which comes complete with harpsichord solo (hint: these guys like The Doors). Hartney growls about his masculinity, but he’s mostly a non-presence. Aside from some embarrassing stabs at authenticity (eatin’ beans on a porch does not a character make, Jim), he delivers clichés with all the grit of a wet flannel. These guys might well catch fire in a sweaty bar, but for now, that’s where they belong. After all, the difference between being competent and out of one’s depth comes down to the playing field you’re on. For Major Tom & the Atoms, one question arises; do you know any bikies having weddings?
_ALEX GRIFFIN www.xpressmag.com.au
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
THE INDULGENCE ISSUE COCKTAIL NIRVANA AT HULA BULA BAR
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MINI BARS
FRISK BAR Nestled in Nor thbridge, Frisk Small Bar serves awesome locally roasted coffee, food, fine wine, boutique beer and cider, premium spirits and smooth cocktails.
LOCATION: 31/103 Francis Street, Northbridge CONTACT: frisksmallbar.com.au, frisksmallbar@gmail.com
ZAMBRERO FRESH MEX Zambrero is more than just fresh healthy food done fast. Opening with a bang in the west recently with two restaurants in Leederville and Mount Lawley, Zambrero has quickly developed a loyal following stemming from an ethos of the integrity of ingredients. One of the more unknown facts about Zambrero is that every time a customer buys a meal from Zambrero the restaurant provides a meal to someone in need. The program is called PLATE4PLATE, developed by Zambrero it is very direct and transparent, and has fed almost 800,000 children in Africa since the program began last April. LOCATION: Newcastle St, Leederville (Opposite The Garden), 625 Beaufort St, Mt Lawley (Opposite Planet Books) CONTACT: zambrero.com
COCKTAIL NIRVANA AT HULA BULA Frequented by tiki-lovers, cocktail a f i c i o n a d o s, Pe r t h o n a l i t i e s a n d international celebrities visiting WA, Hula Bula Bar is a kitsch oasis in the heart of Perth. Tucked away on Victoria Avenue in the city (blink and you’ll miss it), this tiki-tastic watering hole is home to some seriously t a l e n te d b a r s t a f f, w h o p r i d e themselves on mixing up mouthwatering cocktail concoctions that tantalise tastebuds with tropical flavours from exotic, far-away lands. H u l a B u l a’s general manager Kevin Clark believes the key to the small bar’s popularity is its unpretentious vibe and killer cocktail list. “ The bar itself has a really nice atmosphere,” Clark says while mixing up a Mai-Tai before the Friday after-work rush. “It’s away from Northbridge and is a relaxed place. We treat it like a big lounge room which is fun. “We’re also one of the only bars in Perth that specialises in rum – we have 104 different rums behind the bar. We have rums from all over the world – India, Mauritius, Haiti… everywhere!” When asked about their most popular beverage, Clark says there’s no going past Hula Bula’s interpretation of the Mai-Tai. “It’s not the original version of the Mai-Tai, it’s our own Hula Bula version. We sell probably 300-400 per week. We do a special on Mai-Tais on Friday afternoons from 4-7pm, they’re $10 when they’re usually $16. The after work crowd loves that.” Other popular cocktails include the Gruesome Grog – which Hula Bula’s menu describes as “a vanilla and citrus explosion with three shades of rum”, and the Hona-Lulu, which combines dry strawberry champagne,
Kevin Clark behind the bar at Hula Bula cranberry and white rum served in a Tiki Goddess mug - yum! With so many mouth watering beverages on offer it’s no surprise that Hula Bula often hosts famous faces, loved by bands such as Arctic Monkeys, who stated in a recent interview that the bar is one of their favourite places to visit while in town. “Green Day, The Beach Boys and various other bands [have visited Hula Bula],” Clark recalls. “Jebediah finished a bottle of gunpowder rum that Josh [Collins, owner] made – I don’t know what happened to their throats after that! Gunpowder Rum is an older style of rum that traditionally contained chillis, tobacco and a form of gunpowder that they added to spice up the rum they had because their rum was quite raw and wasn’t aged very long.” Discover Hula Bula at 12 Victoria Avenue in the city. It’s open from Wednesday-Saturday from 4pm ’til late. Find out more at hulabulabar. com.
COCKTAILS TO COVET
THE HYDE PARK HOTEL Renowned for its iconic front bar gigs, The Hyde Park Hotel’s urban chic décor blends with an authentic pub vibe, with all of the classic pub food favourites on offer. Head on in to the Hydey on Thursdays to get in on a kilo of chicken wings for $15, or check out the massive steak sandwich for four. There are 24 beers on tap, 15 ciders and a range of delicious jugtails (cocktails served in a jug) to quench your thirst The kitchen at the Hydey is open seven days a week from 11am to 10pm, just walk in or book to claim your spot.
Pink Cider Pink Cider @ Luxe Bar Served in dimple mug, the Pink Cider is a colourful creation of spiced rum, Gabriel Boudier Framboise, maple syrup, cloudy apple and lemon juice, Angostura bitters, mint, raspberries and fresh pineapple all muddled and shaken, then crowned with Monteiths crushed apple cider. $19.
Cherry Bomb LOCATION: 331 Bulwer Street, North Perth CONTACT: hydeparkhotel.com.au, hyde.park@alhgroup.com.au
Cherry Bomb @ The Aviary Averna Amaro, Paraiso Liqueur and Fee Brothers Cherry Bitters served on ice with fresh mint.
SNAGS AND SONS Perth’s very first sausage shop nestled in urban Leederville. Nostalgic European deli with a modern twist, grazing style menu with a wide variety of choices. Sausages, salads and smallgoods with a something for your sweet tooth! Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Expect to find choices from bratwurst, kransky, boerwors, salsicce, traditional pork options plus many more, coupled with lovely sweet treats and organic options all wrapped up in a cosy environment. Vegetarian, gluten free and kids choices all available.
LOCATION: 749 Newcastle Street, Leederville CONTACT: snagsandsons.com.au 24
Bree Maddox The Court Hotel When I want to feel luxurious I wear...? A Ruth Tarvydas gown or gorgeous underwear
Coconut Frost Coconut Frost @ Luxe Bar A refreshing combination of Tanqueray Gin, St Germaine Elderflower Liqueur, coconut syrup and fresh lime juice shaken with egg white and a dash of mint bitters: $18.
Favourite place in Perth for a cocktail? Luxe or Malt Luxury is...? Having time to spoil myself and relax What I pamper myself I...? Have a hot bubble bath, good book, glass of wine, candles and some relaxing music. X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
TASTE Margaret River Chocolate Factory City Store
CHOCAHOLICS IN THE CITY A tantalizing treat that our species has consumed for centuries, chocolate is the ultimate indulgence for anyone with a sweet tooth; and luckily for those chocaholics amongst us, Perth has recently welcome a few new speciality chocolate stores and cafes to its ranks.
Churros served with couverture chocolate dipping sauce
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Dedicated chocaholics will likely have already discovered the magic that is San Churro – a chain of Spanish themed dessert cafes that take their chocolate very seriously. San Churro Northbridge manager Fred Chew believes the key to his café’s success is its two steaming hot signature dishes. “Our signature items are the churros, which is a long Spanish donut that you dip in melted chocolate, and the other signature item is the Classic Spanish which is our traditional European hot chocolate, which is a lot thicker and a lot richer. We use ladels of melted chocolate and combine it with hot milk whereas a traditional hot chocolate is usually made with powder.” Crunchy on the outside and super soft on the inside, Churros are served piping hot alongside a decadent bowl of couverture chocolate dipping sauce – which is guaranteed to fill the belly and warm the soul on cold winter days. For folks who prefer their chocolate to be served cold or at room temperature, there’s no going past the recently opened Margaret River Chocolate Company’s Perth city store. Housed in a beautiful heritage building at 317-319 Murray Street, the Margaret River Chocolate Company is a shrine for the worship of chocolate – with pilgrims arriving daily to give thanks to the chocolate god and sample his many chocolately miracles. Selling everything from giant chocolate freckles to truffles, gourmet biscuits to fondue kits, and everything in between, the Chocolate Company is a one stop shop for anyone who fancies the sweeter side of life. Find out more about San Churros at sanchurro.com, or get the lowdown on the Margaret River Chocolate Company at chocolatefactory.com.au.
Fred Chew of San Churro Northbridge
EL PUBLICO Perth is under siege by a cartel of Mexican restaurants, and apparently we’re all more than happy to be taken hostage. Why not? Mexican cuisine is lively, fresh, happy, feel-good food with an equally pleasing price tag. At least that’s what I’m putting the 40-minute wait for a table at El Publico down to on a freezing Thursday night, although admittedly this new haunt has a vibrant fit-out and thumping atmosphere that’d attract even disinterested sticky beaks for a gander. While El Publico’s Mexican menu has some translations in brackets, many more are needed. In the dim light, it’s also hard to use the list to structure a meal. You also have about 15 centimeters between you and your fellow diners so you can hear every “canI-have-the-number-for-your-naturopath” conversation. It’s close but also convivial. If you fancy more elbow room, go for the higher tables up the back of the room. From the classic Margarita ($17) to the amusingly named Captain Fanta Pants (a bubbling mix of espolon blanco, elderflower, lemon, grapefruit, bitters and fanta; $15) this buzzing Mexican restaurant offers 11 cocktails to pick from along with an array of different kinds of tequila, Mexican beers and home brewed sodas. We started with a Burro Rojo ($20), a potent mix of aged tequila, orange and cherry. The East Meets West ($20) equally packs a punch, with its mix of tequila, lime, agave, bitters and mint a little reminiscent of a Mojito. The food list is diminutive and may disappoint punters hankering for classic tex-mex offerings (only one vegetarian taco dish graces the menu, and there’s no nachos or burritos in sight), but the fresh and tasty offerings here trump the usual limp sour-cream-and-guac offerings by far. Your best bet is to start with the esquites ($9), Mexican street corn off-the-cob which arrives piping hot and sprinkles with finely grated queso fresco (a mild and creamy cow’s milk cheese), doused in chipotle mayo, and served with lime to squeeze on top. The menu boasts a couple of enticing salads, but my top pick for a side dish is the fried chickpeas with burnt tortilla salt ($5). Served in a clear glass jar, the chickpeas are crunchy on the outside and soft and mushy in the middle, with the tangy burnt tortilla salt making them super moreish. The lamb mixiotes with watercress salsa ($14 for two) are also winners. The warm bundles hold their bountiful fillings with ease. The lamb is subtle and moist, with spritely herbs delivering a balanced yet merry palate-pleaser.
The free range chicken house queso ($14) was exceptionally tender yet still held together, and was served on a slather of dark, smokey sope bean paste – however it required the dousing of flaming chilli table sauce to give it any kick. The hurache house green chorizo queso fresco ($14) is the most impressive looking dish, with smashed green chorizo sausage (made with herbs, pork and green chilli) and fresh cheese, shaved fennel and coriander leaves all layered precariously over a long, round of toasted cornflour flatbread and perched upon a heavy wooden slab. Best of all it tastes as delicious as it looks. With its great combination of friendly service and authentic tastes in vibrant environment, El Publico is definitely worth a try if you like your Mexican. _JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD
Shane Newton - Zsadar When I want to feel luxurious I wear…? Cashmere, merino wool or silk garments. The new Zsadar collection features these beautiful fabrics and I can’t stop wearing them. Favourite place in Perth for a cocktail? I love going to 1907 on Queen Street for a cocktail. They have a fantastic range of drinks and the venue has great ambience. Favourite place for a chocolate fix? Margaret River Chocolate Company on Murray Street. Their chocolate nougat and dessert sauces are an ideal indulgence. Favourite boutique to visit when wanting a new, luxurious outfit? Hatch in Carillon City. They have an amazing range and everything in the store is made by Western Australian fashion designers. Luxury is…? Having the time to be able to do what you want, when you want.
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DAY SPA DREAMING When the need to treat yourself inevitably hits – whether it be due to a win at work, an impending birthday, or even a wildly stressful week – many of us head straight for the shops to pick up an on-trend pair of shoes, a stack of CDs or a wardrobe full of cute new sweaters. While these are all worthy contenders for your money and, rather delightful in their own right, I’m here to suggest that perhaps just this once you avert your dollars away from a quick retail thrill and indulge in something that will make you feel fantastic on a cellular level – a spa day. Taking the time out to pamper yourself is incredible for self-confidence, and it will leave you looking and feeling a million bucks. So follow me on a whirlwind tour of some of the best and brightest inner city (and slightly beyond) day spas and purveyors of ultimate relaxation and wellness in Perth, you’ll be glad you did!
YUMMY MUMMY PREGNANCY DAY SPA, LEEDERVILLE
Guy’s Grooming Endota Day Spa
ENDOTA DAY SPA, PERTH CBD This is the newest arrival on the WA day spa scene, having been around for only three months, and it’s already making a huge impression on spa connoisseurs and newbies alike. Located on Hay Street, Endota has some of the best masseuses in the business (Fumi and Hayley will both send you to massage heaven and – reluctantly – back again), a dizzying array of organic facials and treatments, plus a dimly lit relaxation lounge area that you’ll never want to leave. Endota Day Spa is always my first choice when I’m looking for some CBD luxury. Make sure you check out their 30-minute massage, perfect for lunch breaks, and the selection of delicious, organic herbal tea offerings, including the unique 100 per cent lavender bud cuppa. Find out more about Endota at endotadayspa.com.au.
KETURAH DAY SPA, HIGHGATE
Heading North East now, to a day spa that caters for mums, mamas to be, and anyone who has any number of tiny humans in tow. With all of the growing and stress going on during pregnancy, it goes without saying that there’s going to be some aches, pains and serious need for pampering and relaxation for mums-to-be. Unfortunately not all regular treatments and massage are suitable or safe for all stages of pregnancy, so making sure to choose a day spa that is aware of this is extremely important. Yummy Mummy takes care of all of this, so your mind can be 100 per cent free of worry if you’re expecting. If you’re already in possession of a babe, fear not, the spa will welcome you with open arms, and even provides a crèche service from 10am-2pm weekdays, which means you’ll have no excuse not to visit for some rebalancing and relaxation! For more information, check out pregnancydayspa.com.au.
One of the pioneers of the day spa scene in Western Australia, Keturah Day Spa has been a trusted provider of pampering for over 16 years now. An exceptional number of spa offerings and facilities make Keturah a one-stop-shop for luxury relaxation, some of my wishlist treats are: detoxifying far infrared sauna session, vichy shower, ultimate pedicure and the seven and a half hour Keturah Total Indulgence package. Well, I can dream! As an added bonus, Keturah Highgate also offers a complete range of hairdressing services, so you can walk out feeling brand new. Spas are also located in Nedlands, Fremantle and Carine Glades, for more information on Keturah, visit keturah.com.au
COVE SPA, SOUTH PERTH
GUY’S GROOMING, PERTH CBD
Nestled on a quiet street in an unassuming building, Cove Spa was one of the first spas I ever had the pleasure of going to and it has definitely carved out a little space in my heart. The only south of the river offering in this list, Cove Spa more than makes up for it with loads of deluxe treatments, including hydrotherapy spa, sauna, six types of massage (including one which uses gemstones!) and a wide range of decadent facials. I can highly recommend the hot stone massage and the muscle soothing mud bath ritual, which looks a lot like a swamp, but makes you feel AMAZING. More Cove Spa delights can be found at covespa.com.au.
A few steps away from Endota Day Spa is the ultimate men’s destination, Guy’s Grooming, which offers a wide-array of options for the discerning gentleman looking to spruce up and feel good, all in an environment that is specifically tailored to those with a Y chromosome. There are an assortment of gentlemanly refreshments on offer, as well as 15 LCD televisions dedicated to sport and music, a manly ‘chill out’ area and a decent selection of ‘man care’ products, including American Crew, Dermalogica and Redken for Men. The salon is always buzzing, with haircuts, massages, traditional blade shaves and many more treatments being performed on countless men every day. And in case you’re wondering how far they’ll go to keep the fellas looking good, the ‘Back, Sack and Crack’ wax is one of their most popular services! Find out more about Guys Grooming at guysgrooming.com.au.
_ANNETTE GOHL
Cove Spa
BANTUS CAPOEIRA AUSTRALIA Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art and dance and is one of the most fun fitness trends sweeping the world today. Capoeira combines hypnotic beats with strength, agility and acrobatics into a game that anyone can play. Bantus Capoeira dedicates itself to teaching all ages, fitness levels and abilities in Capoeira and Brazilian dance. Beginners’ courses train students in the foundations of kicks, fluid movements, with tyhe fantastic Formado Grao direct from Brazil. It’s only $30 to take part in a four week beginner’s course and there are classes in Fremantle, Leederville and Perth. Casual classes are $15. LOCATION: Fremantle Tennis Club, corner Ellen and Parry Streets, Fremantle (Monday class 6.308pm); Loftus Community Centre, corner Loftus and Vincent Streets, Leederville (Wednesday and Friday classes 6.30-8pm); Asian Association Main Hall, 275 Stirling Street, Perth (Thursday classes 6.30-8pm) CONTACT: 0414 076 655, info@bantus.asn.au, www.bantus.asn.au
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
GET PHYSICAL Rockabilly dancing
WONDERFULLY WEIRD WORKOUTS Circus tricks as a fitness craze? Sounds like fun to us...and definitely better than an hour on the treadmill! Urban Central investigates the newest weird and wacky workout trends. Sometimes it’s hard not to wonder if the fitness industry is secretly having a laugh at our expense – over the last few years they’ve had us trying a slew of outlandish fitness crazes not least of which have included kangaerobics (on bouncy boots), rebounding (using a mini-trampoline), vibrating platforms (power plates) and erotic aerobics (pole dancing and stripping). Despite the fact these workouts may be off-the-wall in their approaches; their resounding popularity indicates there’s some method in their madness. When you think about it, it’s not really that hard to understand the appeal. After a hard day’s work, the gym is one place you don’t even want to think about and even the thought of exercising at home with your own equipment can be less than desirable. Sometimes, just trying to get and stay motivated to exercise on a regular basis can be a challenge. No matter how you look at it, exercise can be downright boring and even tedious at times. So, then, how do you get the motivation you need to exercise on a regular basis? The answer is simple really – look for a workout which is a mix of personal challenge, competition and fun. This is where wacky and wild workouts come in - if the thought of treadmills and lap pools leaves you in a cold sweat, why not try one of these local unconventional fitness classes?
KONGA Move over Zumba, Konga is the latest fitness craze that is sweeping the nation. A wild mash-up of boxing, kickboxing, cardio, dancehall, pop, rock, pilates, disco and everything in between, Konga is so addictive because it is the perfect concoction of easy-to-do moves, insane music and routines that are specifically designed to shape, sculpt and redefine your physique. A one hour Konga class can burn over 700 calories due to the high intensity nature of the workout, and will even have you burning calories for several hours after as your body expends energy. Where? Dynamic Performing Arts, 17 Howlett Street, North Perth Contact: 0431 441 640
Build your strength, tone and grace while learning circus aerial silk skills. Play up your sensuality, curving, twisting and spiraling in dance with colorful and fluid silks. Silkmoves improves strength and shape of arms and the upper body quickly and safely, while vibrant hues of silks chase the daily stresses away. In the room of moving colorful flow, you will dissolve in motion and music and emerge anew, refreshed and rejuvenated. Silkmoves enhances the body, spatial relationship, strength, flexibility and grace with flying colors! Where? She Moves Dance Fitness Studio, 183 Lord Street, Perth Contact: 1300 789 103
XTEND BARRE
ROCKABILLY DANCING
Konga
SILKMOVES
Forget ‘80s leg warmers and lycra, if you really want your workout to feel retro, check out the hot new vintage exercise event taking Perth by storm. Taking its tip from the ‘40s and ‘50s (you know, when exercising meant strapping your arse into a giant vibrating band), Rockabilly dancing will guide glamorous ladies toward the curvy, hourglass shape of a retro bombshell. Rockabilly dancing is great fun and can be danced to a variety of tempos but is particularly suited to faster music. It will keep you fit and is suitable for any dance environment. Rockabilly works differently to most other dance styles, requiring quite different actions and emphasis from the lead and the follow. Cool Cats Rock‘n’Roll’s free class introduces the basic footwork and actions for each party. As the focus is separate for lead/follow no partner is required, though rotation between participants is encouraged. The lessons run as a three week mini-course which may be commenced at any time. Where? Cool Cats Rock‘n’Roll, The Mustang Bar, 26 Lake Street, Northbridge Contact: 0415 481 938
The Xtend Barre workout is a fast-paced, 55-minute full body immersion that fuses dance, pilates and sculpting exercises at the ballet barre to form long, lean muscle rather than bulk. The workout effectively isolates, strengthens and shapes all the major muscle groups, while stretching and aligning the muscles. The technique emphasises building proper muscle without impact on the joints. Ex-dancers will enjoy feeling like they’re back in the studio, but depending on the instructor’s dance background, that is pretty much where the similarities end. The tendus, pliés and battements are a far cry from the memorization and foot articulation required at the barre in a real technique class, but that may come as good news to anyone who’s been too intimidated to try dance classes. Where? The Perth Pilates Studio, 6/299 Charles Street, North Perth Contact: (08) 9227 6641
BOXFIT If you want to learn traditional boxing skills and fitness training techniques in an unusual, upbeat setting, BoxFit may be the ultimate high intensity workout for you. Each BoxFit session is a circuit integrating boxing, cardio and strength stations with timing at each controlled by music. Kick start your weight loss and health and fitness regime in an outdoor setting, as you undertake cardiovascular, strength, conditioning and toning exercise workouts. This hardcore workout is perfect for exercise lovers who like to live outside the box. Where? Live BoxFit, 7 Hardy Street, South Perth Contact: 1300 115 483 _JENNIFER PETERSON WARD
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TALK THE TALK
A brand spanking new initiative dreamt up by those awesome peeps over at the Perth Centre For Photography, Table Talks will run from July through ’til October, connecting aspiring photographers with established photomedia artists. Offering up fortnightly workshops and artist talks, Table Talks will kick off on July 4 with a workshop and discussion by Dr Juha Tolonen. Only 15 people will be able to attend each workshop; to be considered for this exciting new program you’ll need to download an application form from pcp.org.au and submit it before Monday, June 25, at midday.
WHAT A DRAG
Cannington will get a colourful makeover come Friday, June 29, when drag queens take over the suburb’s Exhibition Centre to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Entitled the Purple Bra Day Show-Downer, the performance will feature entertainment by Drag Queens Are Us, an award winning entertainment company who always put on a great show. Tickets are only $25 and all funds raised support the important work the Breast Cancer Research Foundation does. The event is BYO and tickets can be purchased from the Cannington Exhibition Centre on (08) 9451 1820.
Tommy Emmanuel
TOMMY’S COMING TO TOWN
Eric Clapton says he’s the greatest guitar player he’s ever seen, Chet Atkins thinks he’s the #1 player on the planet and he’s a two-time Grammy nominee. Get ready Perth - Tommy Emmanuel is coming to town. The self-described ‘Guitar Wizard of Oz’, famous for playing his guitar with all ten fingers, will bring his Live And Acoustic show to the Perth Concert Hall on Sunday, August 12. He’s supported by US artist Frank Vignola. Tickets are available from BOCS.
CALLING ALL REV HEADS
The much loved Revelation Perth International Film Festival returns to the Astor Theatre next month but before the popcorn machine and projector can get fired up, the team at Rev needs to find some volunteers. If you’re keen to help out Perth’s favourite international film festival, email guests@revelationfilmfest.org with ‘I wanna be a Rev volunteer!’ in the subject line. Find out more at revelationfilmfest.org.
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AWARD WINNING IMAGES
If you’re a photographer who wants to score a share of over $4000 in cash and prizes then you won’t want to miss out on entering the 2012 IRIS Award. An initiative of the Perth Centre For Photography, the IRIS Award recognises excellence in por traiture photography, celebrating unique and engaging images. Entries close on July 26 at 10am. Download an entry form from pcp.org.au.
Rottofest
FUNNY FILMS
Comedy filmmakers who want to share their work with Rottofest audiences only have one month left to submit their short films and sketches. Running from September 8-9, Rottofest is an annual celebration of comedy, music and film, and this year’s event will be hosted by the always hilarious Tim Ferguson. If you think your short film/sketch deserves to be showcased at the event, hit up Rottofest.com.au to download an entry form. Submissions close on July 20.
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
The Cabin In The Woods
CABIN IN THE WOODS Metatextual Massacre
Directed by Drew Goddard Starring Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Fran Kranz, Bradley Whitford, Richard Jenkins
Crispin Hellion Glover is the featured international guest at this year’s Rev
REVELATION PERTH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Movie Magic
The Revelation Per th International Film Festival runs from July 5-15 at the Astor Theatre. For screening info and tickets hit up revelationfilmfest.org. Writer, academic and cineaste Jack Sargeant has a long and eventful history at the Revelation Perth International Film Festival. Yet although he has curated no less than five incarnations of the festival, he is the first to admit there is “no formula” for selecting the films which will be shown to local cinemagoers. “ Eve r y ye a r I s t a r t f ro m ze ro. I have learnt that if you go in over-prepared something is bound to go wrong,” he begins. “Nine times out of 10 when you go about saying ‘wouldn’t it be great to get so and so’ or ‘wouldn’t it be great if we could show such and such film’ it doesn’t end up happening. To avoid being cynical it’s best to go in blank and start from scratch.” A trip to the Revelation Film Festival is a unique opportunity to wallow in some unfamiliar waters. Over 10 days audiences indulge in more than 120 films from 16 countries. Some of these films are great, but even those that aren’t are fascinating, as representations of what it is happening in the world of independent cinema, and as soap boxes for numerous voices that rarely get a look in elsewhere. “Sometimes we get the sense that people think Rev is ‘on the outside’ and edgy, but it’s not like we’re exclusive or snobby,” Sargeant attests. “The films must be individual, interesting and tell a good story – that’s what we are looking for. Every year promises something new and exciting, and this year is no exception.” This year ’s festival will play host to iconic Holly wood ac tor, direc tor and screenwriter of contemporary cinema, Crispin Hellion Glover who will be flying in to Perth to attend the festival. Glover is a legend of contemporary cinema, having appeared in some of the most important independent and
Jack Sargeant www.xpressmag.com.au
Hollywood movies of the last three decades, including Back To The Future, Charlie’s Angels, The People Vs. Larry Flynt and The Doors. As Sargeant attests, Glover’s well-documented passion and knowledge of the film industry attracted organisers of the Revelation film festival, who believe he will bring help spark a richer dialogue about film. “He’s very accessible. I’ve met him a few times over the years and it was really as simple as dropping him an email and asking if he’d like to be involved. It was all very fortuitous,” Sargeant explains. “He’s great because his films are perfect for our audience and he’s very much an auteur filmmaker which aligns itself with our vision.” Joining Glover will be Australian comedy icon Judith Lucy who will be honored as Revelation’s inaugural Patron. “She’s from Perth and she’s very important culturally. She’s very much an individual, which is what we’re all about,” Sargeant says. “She’s a media person, and the fact that she’s been involved in film, television and comedy works well for us on that level. It’s very much about personality – hers is very much aligned to ours’ and our audiences’ in terms of taste and aesthetics.” Glover and Lucy will join more than 30 national and international guests attending the festival that includes free industry panel discussions, workshops and Australia’s only academic conference associated with a film festival. When pressed for details on the highlights of this year’s films, Sargeant says his top pick is Stephen Kessler’s documentary Paul Williams: Still Alive, which tracks the ‘70s songwriter and celebrity who wrote hits for Barbra Streisand, The Carpenters and Kermit The Frog. Shot through with both Williams’ own wry humour and the director’s increasing awareness that he really wants to hang out with his idol, the film defines exactly what was great about ‘70s pop and schlock culture. without descending into kitsch. “It’s very funny and it’s interesting because it’s about someone who is seen as very kitsch, but it also has a very personal touch,” Sargeant says. Another musically-inspired documentary, Bad Brains: A Band In DC, also stands out of one of Sargeant’s favourites. The documentary examines the ongoing cult following of Bad Brains, a DC punk/hardcore band that was never commercially successful yet widely regarded as influential. “I think it will really impress people who watch it,” Sargeant says. As for a feature film highlight, Sargeant is quick to name Love, a low-budget film about an astronaut abandoned in space. “Those are three of the films I’m most excited to see on a big screen with an audience… Sitting down and watching a film with 200300 people is really important to me,” he says, adding that he’s hoping cinemagoers will extend themselves beyond their comfort zones and engage in post-show discussions with their fellow audience members, cinema makers and Sargeant himself. “I think it’s so important for the audience to feel like they are par t of a community. There’s something very magical about cinema,” he concludes. “For audiences to get a sense of excitement from films and to feel a sense of that magic is all you can hope for.”
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: a group of college kids - a jock, a nerd, a stoner, a slut, a virgin - head off to a remote rural shack for a weekend of fun and debauchery, but find their weekend plans scuppered when they awake an ancient evil that proceeds to fold, mutilate, and spindle them. It’s the plot of every second horror movie produced for the last 35 years. Thankfully, debut feature director Drew Goddard, who co-wrote the film with geek svengali Joss Whedon, adds an intriguing extra layer to the scenario in the form of two bureaucrats (Bradley Whitford and Richard Jenkins) in a hightech laboratory, who seem to be observing and orchestrating the events. But to what purpose? And that’s really all the news that’s fit to print. Cabin is a perfect film to go into blind, and horror fans, having already learned who’s behind the curtain on this one, should already be running to the cinema. Not that the film’s appeal is predicated on a Shyamalan-style twist; rather, much of the enjoyment comes from the way the film’s underpinnings are slowly revealed as the story progresses. It’s a jigsaw puzzle, not a riddle; you already know what the final picture is going to look like, more or less, but it’s so satisfying to watch as the pieces come together.
Goddard and Whedon have crafted a smart, funny, and scary film that works as both an examination and celebration of the genre. While it starts out as a commentary that focuses solely on the hoary old teen slasher subset, the film’s scope soon widens to take in every aspect of the horror world. Zombies? Check. Torture porn? Check? Lank-haired Japanese ghost girls? Check. Lovecraftian cosmological terror? Check. The Cabin is vast, and savvy viewers will find countless homages tucked within its rooms. And yet, whereas Wes Craven’s Scream - Cabin’s most obvious thematic antecedent - took great delight in splaying open the genre’s tropes like a pithed frog, rendering them largely inert and frightless, here we never lose sight of the base and visceral aims of the genre: to shock, to scare, and - let’s face it - to delight. While the film’s subtext is a rumination on the sociological and psychological implications of the deathless popularity - you can’t deny that a big part of the appeal of any splatter flick is the anticipation of seeing some luckless fool chopped into quivering piles of human sashimi - it never overwhelms the main thrust of the narrative. Goddard and Whedon manage to both comment on and satiate our voyeuristic and sadistic urges at the same time, and that’s an impressive trick. Delayed from release for three years following MGM’s recent financial woes, The Cabin In The Woods is finally seeing the light of day, although with a very limited theatrical run. An instant genre classic, this should be at the top of any self-respecting gorehound’s must-see list. _TRAVIS JOHNSON
_JENNIFER PETERSON WARD 29
Paradise Falls 2011/2012 by Kate McMillan
KATE MCMILLAN Isle Of Isolation
Kate McMillan’s latest exhibition Paradise Falls will be on show at Venn Gallery from Friday, June 15 ‘til Friday, July 20. Surrealist painter Arnold Böcklin’s The Isle Of The Dead features a desolate shell of cliff surrounded by waters still and dark, a stand of cypresses pointing skyward like fingers of a prophetic hand. Entrances are cut into the rock faces, as to a catacomb. In a rowboat in the foreground, a figure swathed in white stands watch over a coffin also draped in white while a seated oarsman plies the oars. When Böcklin first showed his piece in 1880 his contemporaries instantly recognised The Isle Of The Dead as one of the iconic art pieces of the age. Since then, one generation after another has fallen under its spell. Böcklin’s deathly classical vision has haunted some of history’s most famous minds – Sigmund Freud dreamt about this painting of a cemetery isle brooding over a black sea (recounted in his book The Interpretation Of Dreams) and Adolf Hitler revered it. Salvador Dalí’s was said to have taken great inspirations from Böcklin’s macabre landscapes. There is even a horror film starring Boris Karloff called Isle of the Dead that is set on Böcklin’s nightmare island. Now, local artist Kate McMillan has digitally reinterpreted the classic artwork through film. In a video artwork, actor Aaron Wyatt (son of Aboriginal Liberal MP Ken Wyatt) appears, rowing to Rottnest Island against a darkened sky, as McMillan seeks to give form and presence to a distinct history of
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concealment. “Bocklin portrays a man rowing to his death. It is a highly symbolic journey, metaphorically suggesting the man’s suicide,” McMillan explains.“The motif of the island as a place where forgetting can occur has long been part of European iconography and I see my work as a kind of distant cousin to [Böcklin’s] work.” This distinctive piece is one of the major pieces to be showcased as part of McMillan’s first solo exhibition at Venn Gallery, Paradise Falls. In the exhibition, McMillan explores the power of the landscape as a metaphor for loss and memory. “There are implications in forgetting something,” McMillan explains of the overarching theme of the exhibition. “What we forget often reveals more than what we remember. The convenience of forgetting is also a way of dealing with trauma…it taps into that human desire to either deal with trauma or not have to deal with it. It’s about forgetting, veiling, concealing and revealing.” Paradise Falls is the culmination of time McMillan spent as an artist-in-resident in Switzerland in 2011 and showcases her dexterity with a diverse range of media, including painting, drawing, photography, film and sculpture. “They engage with one another and they all inform one another,” McMillan says of these miscellaneous art forms. “It’s like sitting in a room with five people having a conversation. They all do different things and the interplay between the things is really interesting and quite liberating. It’s always about the idea and using whatever form I need to explore the idea creatively.” _JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD
Guy/Doll
GUY/DOLL
Gender Bender Guy/Doll will show at His Majesty’s Theatre between June 27 – 30. Bookings can be made via BOCS. Part cabaret, part comedy, all fabulously silly, Guy/ Doll is the latest offering from Perth comedians Andrew Williams and Nick MacLaine. Fresh from the Perth International Comedy Festival with a wealth of acclaim and awards under their belts, this entertaining duo direct a fresh-faced line up of local stars in an evening of cabaret unlike most others. “Guy/Doll has a fairly simple concept, which is that all the songs in the show are sung by the gender that doesn’t usually sing them. So basically, [songs that are] traditionally girls songs will be sung by guys, and visa versa, and we’re sort of using that to play with gender roles in music,” says Williams. “Mostly it’s just an excuse to have a lot of fun with music, and sort of mess around with different songs, and hopefully the audience will have a great time, because that’s always the number one aim.” From the sweet to the strange, Guy/Doll features music that everyone will know, just not performed in the way that they know it. From a soprano Phantom, to an all male Katy Perry duet, this evening of light debauchery will change the way you listen to your favourite songs. “We’ll be doing everything from Phantom of the Opera, to Adele, and everything in between. So there’s jazz songs, classic jazz songs, musical theatre songs, pop
songs, rock songs, pretty much the whole bit,” says Williams. “We cover all manner of things over the course of the show, so there’s definitely something for everyone.” Perthians Julia Jenkins, David Bowyer, Corinne Cowling, and Will O’Mahony take the stage at His Majesty’s Theatre to perform some truly disconcerting and hilarious covers, cabaret style. “In my experience it’s the best cabaret venue in Perth, and we’re really love being back there,” says Williams. “We’ve got four performers who are all amazing, and have continued to make me wonder how the hell we got them on board”. This is not an evening of serious theatre – Guy/Doll is not out to reinvent the wheel. What it is out to do is entertain, and this it does wonderfully. “It’s absolutely tongue in cheek, it’s not serious – it is fun, funny, entertaining. We’re not attempting to change the world here, by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s just the kind of night that you can go to, have something to eat, have a few drinks, and just enjoy some awesome music performed by some awesome performers,” says Williams. With a fresh line up of local talent, Guy/ Doll is light, entertaining, and exactly the right level of outrageous. It offers is a night of pure entertainment – something that has something for everyone.“Our directive is that we’re always thinking about entertainment, and about the audience, because there’s nothing worse than a self involved cabaret performer.” _LEAH BLANKENDAAL
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
VISUAL ARTS Kaleidoscope: Claremont Quarter, Claremont A self-taught artist, David Bromley has emerged as one of the most recognisable and innovative painters in Australia. He has fostered widespread acclaim and notoriety both nationally and internationally and has been a finalist in the prestigious Archibald Prize six times. With a view to seeing the world through different eyes, the exclusive Western Australian exhibition titled Kaleidoscope encapsulates a fun, joyous and playful vibe. Runs ’til Jul 12.
book publishing’. Fremantle Arts Centre is delighted to present for the first time a collection of Tan’s never before seen paintings along with original drawings and preparatory sketches for the film The Lost Thing. Exhibited together, these works create a vision of Shaun Tan as an artist whose work across genres is built on close observation of the real world through painting and drawing. Runs ’til Jul 15.
Sacred Gardens For The Blind: Perth Centre For Photography, Northbridge Patricia Casey’s exhibition Scented Gardens For The Blind displays her artistic creativity in the form of black and white photographic prints on cotton, with embroidered details of metallic threads, and handmade lace. These works are firmly embedded in the tradition of photography forming a partnership Ghosts And Atmospheres: Linton and Kay with high end digital imaging and old world crafts. Runs Jun 28-Jul 29. Contemporary, Subiaco Ghosts And Atmospheres highlights the skill of Zach Freshwater, a versatile and dedicated artist who Form, Process & Materiality: The Oats Factory, began painting seriously at the age of 24. Every Carlisle piece in the exhibition represents many months of This exhibition showcases the works of five influential intensive labour for Freshwater who applies hundreds West Australian artists who share a common respect of layers of pearlescent inks using very fine brushes. for material and authenticity. Using various methods of layering and duplication, these artists demonstrate Runs Jun 21-Jul 5. a consistency in making and a willingness to experiment with the conventions of painting and Exhibit C: Guest Fine Art Services, Subiaco Showcasing works by renowned artists such as Mr sculpture. Runs Jul 7-Aug 4. Brainwash, Shepard Fairey, Russ Mills, Prefab77, Pahnl and Lora Zombie, Exhibit C is packed with prime Magnesium Light: John Curtin Gallery, Curtin examples of stencil art, an extremely popular and University, Bentley Magnesium Light is a two-part video project by important branch of street art. Runs Jun 22-Jul 6. experimental media artist Dennis Del Favero which Shaun Tan: Suburban Odyssey: Fremantle Arts investigates the interrelationship between war and identity. In the provocative You And I, Del Favero Centre, Fremantle Shaun Tan has won the world’s most prestigious explores events around the infamous Abu Ghraib prizes – an Academy Award for his short film The photographs from Baghdad of 2006. Australian-born Lost Thing, and the Astrid Lindgren Award for his Del Favero is an internationally-recognised artist and work as a children’s illustrator, but he describes academic who has exhibited throughout Australia himself as ‘a painter who fell into illustration and and Europe. Runs ’til Aug 5.
THEATRE/DANCE Black As Michael Jackson… And Other Identity Monologues: Blue Room Theatre, Northbridge Presented by Yirra Yaakin, Black As Michael Jackson… And Other Identity Monologues is a raw, emotional and at times irreverent look at race and what it’s like to actually want to be proud of identifying as Aboriginal. This first time collaboration between emerging writer Michelle White and Noongar Radio drive announcer Karla Hart (co-writer and performer) will see the pair draw on their own real life experiences for the variety of monologues. Runs Jun 21-Jul 7. Bookings via blueroom.org.au.
The School For Wives: State Theatre Centre, Northbridge A beguiling comedy filled to the brim with witty repartee, hilariously misguided decisions and a delightful feeling that we should all just relax and have a wine, The School For Wives is the story of an man with a problem. He wants desperately to get married but is afraid that a smart woman will cheat on him. His ingenious solution? Enlist the help of a local convent to raise a girl so stupidly innocent that she won’t know the first thing about cheating – let alone the last. In his mind she will be ever-faithful. The perfect wife. Or is she? Runs Jul 11-14. Bookings via BOCS.
Summer Of The Seventeenth Doll
Summer Of The Seventeenth Doll: Roundhouse Theatre, WAPPA, Mt Lawley Since its premiere in Melbourne in 1955, Ray Lawler’s Summer Of The Seventeenth Doll has become one of the pillars of our national theatre, hailed by theatre historians as one of the most significant of all Australian dramas. It was one of the first ‘naturalistic’ theatre productions in this country to attempt to convey Australian life, and the story has an enduring rapport with audiences. Presented by the WA Academy of Performing Arts, Summer Of The Seventeenth Doll explores the nature of happiness, the pursuit of idealism and the struggle to accept change. Runs Jun 15-23. Bookings via (08) 9370 6636 or waapa.ecu.edu.au. www.xpressmag.com.au
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
IAN
CAREY BALTIMORE CALLING It’s fair to say that Ian Carey has invented and reinvented himself plenty of times over the last decade or so. From his urban, graffiti roots in his native Baltimore, to his hectic DJ and production schedule; he continues to run at a 100 miles an hour. Get Shaky might have placed him on the map but his formula remains unchanged: putting his name to cool tunes that make you want to shake your booty. RK checks in with Carey ahead of show this weekend. Coming from a musical family, it isn’t hard to understand why Carey took to the studio and the stage. “I’ve loved house music for as long as I can remember,” he says, casual and upbeat. “My dad was a sound engineer for groups like Kool & The Gang and The Duke Ellington Orchestra. Mum also played guitar and used to sing as a hobby. Travelling with my dad, I got to engage in all sorts of experiences including being able to mic a stage by the time I was eight.” All this isn’t bad for a youngster who grew up on the streets of Baltimore. The city was his home until he decided to make the move to Europe to be within and soak up the thriving dance music scene.“It was tough being so far from everywhere so I packed up the family and ended in Europe around 2003,” he says. “From there, we spent time in other places like Spain and now I’m back in Miami.”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 34
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ALL NIGHT LONG
After the bass-fuelled debauchery of last month’s launch, Syrup is back with another midnight-todaylight episode on Friday, June 22, but this time with double the bass, double the bars and of course, doubling the cup! Featuring some of the best bass music purveyors in Perth with Zeke, Ben T, D.Y.P, Sauss Bauss, Sleepyhead, and Raaghe. It goes down at 45 Murray Street in the city entrance via Irwin Street Alley. $10 on the door from midnight.
Lee Coombs
Ian Carey Since then, every piece of production Carey has put his name to (including his work under various monikers - worthy of note are Soul Providers and Saturated Soul) possesses a certain rich fluidness. To that end, he claims all of his music maintains an unmistakable Carey undertone. “Anything I do in the studio has to carry that signature bassline which makes it distinctly Ian Carey,” he says. Having shipped well over a million units across various formats, he is what you could rightly call a bona-fide electronic music superstar. He’s also released tunes on labels such as Universal, Ministry Of Sound as well as previously running his own GFAB imprint. “As long as you keep the music funky, that’s what counts,” he adds. And no one can ignore Carey’s double platinum certification in Australia and gold certification in the UK for his smash hit Get Shaky. The track made it into the top 10 in the Official UK Singles Chart and the video clip for the tune was praised by MTV. Carey has also been hard at work on his monthly radio show Muzik Liberated which delves into the freshest house music and some classics. A n o t h e r n o t a b l e a c h i e ve m e n t o f Carey’s was the impressive eight-page spread that incorporated a two-hour DVD exploring the intimate details of his production techniques which featured in the prominent Future Music Magazine, published worldwide. More recently, Last Night ft Snoop Dogg & Bobby Anthony is another collaboration that has cemented his rock-star status, already receiving a platinum certification down under. But, it’s not just his collaborations which are keeping him busy.“I’ve been having guys from all over remix my stuff and viceversa so basically there has been a lot of reaching out and working with like minded artists to show that
we all represent the same style and we’re all trying to push it forward,” he says. “It has made things really busy but it means a lot of the stuff I’m working on now is pretty fresh and I’m really excited about it.” Justifiably too, he takes it all in his stride. Carey is down to earth and seemingly normal - he just sees himself as someone doing what he enjoys and all the perks along the ride. And, as always, he’s excited to be heading down under to entertain EDM fans. “Last time I was down there it was great so of course I’m looking forward to coming back down there again to rock it!,” he says, eagerly. “There will be a mix of dance music from all sorts of directions.” “All sorts of directions” is what Carey’s philosophy regarding music has always been about. “Musically, I’m really happy with where things are at; genres are still out the window and everything gets thrown together to make a unique sound. It’s the vibe you get at gigs which you didn’t get back in the day. It’s really good for the music and the scene as well, I think. It opens doors for artists to get creative and it’s good for the fans because they aren’t listening to exactly the same thing, each time they go to see an artist. “I look back and think I’ve been a DJ since the early ‘90s and producing for nearly as long. Things have changed so much since when I started, but in a good way I think; things you consider milestones like working with artists such as Timbaland and Snoop was absolutely humbling for me. They were my idols when I was getting my head around music!”
» IAN CAREY » SATURDAY, JUNE 16 @ VILLA
FINGER LICKIN’ GOOD
The Lick is a fresh night which will combine juicy music and tasty people and will be all about the party. It’s going to be a fortnightly Friday at Shape as of this coming Friday, June 15. Hit up thelick.com. au and Facebook.com/TheLickAU for all the goss. It’s $15 on the door on the night with some super special guests. Check it.
IT’S ELECTRIFYING
Say hello to Electrified – a new monthly club night kicking off on Saturday, June 30, at Gilkisons. With seven hours of music, two arenas of energised vibes and 22 DJs and MCs, this shit will go off. It’s all about the party tunes with a focus on trance, hard house, hard trance, psy trance, drum’n’bass, UK hardcore, freeform, tech trance, rave, jungle and more. DJs Damien Blaze, Rinski, Paul Robertson, Hutcho (yeah Hutcho!), Jt, Ball-Z, MC Whiskey, Greg Packer & MC Assassin and a heap more will be smashing out tunes behind the decks. It’s $10 on the door so check it.
SPRAY & WIPE
If you’re into EDM, you would’ve without doubt seen Ajax smashing out sets at various festivals and club gigs all over the country. Now, the cofounder of Bang Gang and co-founder and director of Sweat It Out is returning to the west to get y’all boogying on the d-floor. Get set for electro m a s h u p madness when the man known as Adrian Thomas to a few hits Ambar on Friday, July 13. Hit up the Boomtick Shop for presale tickets or risk it on the door for $20 on the night.
Ajax
AUSTRALIA’S CHIEF ROCKER
A NON STOP PARTY
Australia’s hip hop scene has come a long way since its formative days on the beer-fuelled underground. DJ Nino Brown has seen it all and believes the scene is stronger than ever, he tells ANDREW HICKEY.
Australia needs to harden up. Brazilian electro-house duo Dirtyloud, aka Eduardo Nascimento and Marcus Campos, are returning to our country this month and they have every intention to make you party until the sun comes up. Literally, as NINA BERTOK finds out.
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With his recent album, Light And Dark, considered to be his most ambitious yet, the mighty Lee Coombs is returning to the ‘Home Of The Underground’ for what will be another legendary set. The breakbeat master made a name for himself with Future Sound Of Retro in 2001, before teaming up with Paul Oakenfold on Pefecto Breaks the following year. Since then Coombs has gone from strength to strength and appeared at more Burning Man festivals than you can poke a stick at. Poke a stick at him at Ambar on Friday, July 27. Support comes from Marty McFly, Ben Mac, and Micah. Hit up the Boomtick Shop for pre-sales.
Parklife 2012 is coming to Wellington Square on Monday, October 1. You may have already heard that UK dubstep rockers Modestep and American electro-poppers Chairlift have been confirmed on the line-up but the full line-up will be announced next Tuesday, June 19. Tune in to Triple J from 8am to hear the full line-up, and read all about it in X-Press next Wednesday. Parklife creative director John Walls is pretty pumped already. “We’re very excited about this year’s line-up because even more than last year it represents exactly what Parklife is about musically: Electronic and indie acts with a lot of depth who also create a perfect party soundtrack.” Get excited!
DJ NINO BROWN
DIRTYLOUD
“It’s so different between Brazil and the USA and Australia,” Campos points out. “The difference is quite big. Here in Brazil, the parties and the clubs, they all start to go off at around 10pm and they go very late until 7am. That’s in every place. We also have a lot of rave parties which start at about 10pm and go until 6pm, non-stop! We have lots of really good parties here, some pretty big festivals; we’ve got really huge clubs. We’ve got an awesome public and because of that especially, every EDM act should come here and check it out. Actually, I think that everyone, not just other EDM acts, needs to go to Brazil at some point.” It sounds not-too-far-removed from that infamous party island Ibiza, and Campos pretty much agrees. Still, Brazil is a very unique location in itself. “We’ve been making dubstep but dubstep is not big in Brazil,” he adds. “We don’t really have any dubstep scene here at all but we are always trying to introduce it here though. I think it’s a really great genre because it has lots of possibilities. “When you’re talking about dubstep, it’s impossible not to talk about Skrillex, as well as Rusko, Flux Pavilion, MT Eden, Doctor P and so many more. They are all doing very well right now. The electronic music scene is always changing and we’re always trying to make our own style, like a signature. We’ve taken some influences from Brazilian music too but our songs definitely have our own signature. When Eduardo and I started Dirtyloud, we took a big influence from artists that used to produce electro house at that time.” You can count Vandalism, Jon Gurd, Dirty South, Spencer And Hill, Dabruck And Klein, Deadmau5 and fellow Brazilians, Felguk, as Dirtyloud’s inspirations, according to Campos.
STILL BURNING
DOWN IN THE PARKLIFE
Dirtyloud “We play a lot of different genres though,” he says. “I think this goes as a particular idea of presentation made by each EDM act but we love to change between styles in live presentations. It just depends on the show and what the audience is like. We think that way we can hold the crowd’s attention for a longer amount of time. “I started DJing in 2005 and I play the keyboard, Eduardo plays the bass. When I first started, I played electro-house mostly and Eduardo had been producing since 2006. I took a music production course in 2007, the same year that we met in a friend’s common studio, then I introduced electro-house to him and he loved it! We decided to put our knowledge together and start Dirtyloud. We can say we are happy with our career right now.” Looking back on it, Campos claims 2010 and 2011 were very good years for himself and his musical partner – and from the looks of things, 2012 just might make that three years in a row. “The first success we had was our first EP which had all three original tracks reach the top 100 on the charts, and one of them, Disco Recordz, went to the third place on the electro-house charts… We released a dubstep remix for Sharam’s Our Love at the end of March this year. We are also working on an album for this year.”
» DIRTYLOUD » FRIDAY, JUNE 15 @ AMBAR
Sydney native Nino Brown has been making a living doing what he does best for 13 years and is widely regarded as a true maestro behind the decks, blending commercial appeal with hip hop grit. His enthusiasm for the scene and its growth is evident in his tone. “It’s always growing, we have so many artists, MCs like Miracle, pop urban artists such as Timomatic and Marvin Priest and underground artists like Sky High and Kerser, it’s vibrant.” Fresh from the massive Supafest tour, which featured the likes of Chris Brown and Ice Cube, the veteran mix master will be making his return to Perth at Eve Nightclub this Friday. He tells punters to expect “an intense fun-filled urban experience”. Going into personal trainer mode he says “it’s gonna be like a work out, so wear comfortable shoes, we’re going on a musical journey.” The art of DJing is reliant on crowd interaction and improvising on the spot, an art that isn’t lost on Nino. “I never pre plan my sets, you can’t really. All I do is plan little sections, like maybe a 15 minute old school section where I do special mixes or a reggae set or classics or a Swizz Beatz section or David Guetta. I may go to them within my sets but around 75 per cent is all from the vibe in the room.” It’s this approach that is sure to rock Eve and has made him a household name. Digital technology has changed the way many DJs, including Nino Brown, approach their craft. “With Serato [Scratch] I can now record artists such as Sean Paul and Fatman Scoop and make city specific chants like ‘Perth - put your hands in the air’. I can then loop that and throw a beat behind it.” Nino has also earned a reputation as a tastemaker and champion of urban music down under with his highly successful Blazin’ compilation series. “I have all the freedom in the world,” he says matter-of-factly of the compilations. “People think major labels are evil corporations who boss artists around. Only dummies think that, Universal wants Blazin’ to be a success so they trust my judgement.” When Blazin’ was first launched it was at a time when the major Australian record labels
DJ Nino Brown viewed hip hop as a risky and untested genre. Since that time a revolution has taken place, one that Nino in his way with the Blazin’ series, has helped spark.“It helped many Australian artists. If you look at who’s out there now, they have all been on Blazin’. They helped us and we helped them and the result was a dope album series.” It’s been quite a ride for the DJ, who first started out at the age of 16. Comparing his humble days to his current success he reveals, “now it’s way better as I get to play bigger and better events. I’m blessed.” Staying active as ever Nino Brown has turned his attention to becoming a prolific producer. “I’m moving into production, with my production partner Number One. We call ourselves the Bodega Bullies, we did the remix to Timomatic’s platinum single If Looks Could Kill and remixed the new single for Justice Crew, Boom Boom.”
» DJ NINO BROWN » BLAZIN’ 2012 » FRIDAY, JUNE 15 @ EVE NIGHTCLUB X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
BEE MASK
FRAT PACK
BUZZING BEATS
In an age of oversaturation and overexposure, where people feel the need to upload their every musical experimentation to Soundcloud, Chris Madak, working under the moniker Bee Mask, is the definition of someone whose taken time to hone a craft before exposing his wares to the world at large. JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD chats to the Philadelphia-based musician about his DIY aesthetic. “I think that making ‘experimental music’ isn’t so much about having a personal canon of records as it is about trying to play with ideas about what records are. That’s not to say that I don’t ever hear a record that makes me think ‘I have to figure out how that’s done!’ – that happens to me constantly and it’s a big part of where technique comes from, but I don’t think I’d feel good about having a project where I figure one thing out and stick with that,” Madak begins. “Once I’m happy with something I’ve done, it’s time to move on and tackle something more frustrating and obstinate. I think it’s much more interesting to have projects that are like weird lenses through which you could conceivably look at anything. The things on the other side of that lens in 2012 are very different from the things that were there in 2008 or in 2005.” Unlike the improvised, “one-take” stream-of-consciousness approach preferred by many electronic artists today, Madak’s tunes are meticulously sculpted from a range of sounds which are then recorded, mixed and edited. “I jam a lot around the house when I’m trying to get at some idea or other that’s nagging at me but the recordings that come out of that process are almost never released as-is. Rather, when I put tracks together I’ll listen back through them and start juxtaposing and manipulating them, looking for connections that can become the basis of tracks,” he says.
www.xpressmag.com.au
Metropolis Fremantle Friday, June 8, 2012 Frat House Fridays at Metropolis Fremantle and X-Press Magazine joined forces last Friday for an epic ’80s rock party. Resident FHF Death Discos DJs wound back the clock and played a super set featuring all of the decade’s cheesiest tunes and lucky punters went home with free passes to Rock Of Ages, the new flick starring Tom Cruise. Get down to Frat this Friday, June 15, for The Potbelleez’s one and only Perth show.
Mel & Olivia
Photographs by Matt Jelonek
Bee Mask While Madak counts the likes of Autre Ne Veut (who included a large chunk of this LP in his Altered Zones mix) and Will Bankhead (who released Frozen Versioning (Hyperborean Return) on his The Trilogy Tapes label) as big fans, he says he’s looking forward to discovering some new favourites of his own during his upcoming WA show. “I’ve had time to do the regular thing of checking out their internet presences,” Madak says of local artists Craig McElhinney, Adam Trainer and Michael Terren who’ll support him during his upcoming WA show. “But honestly I really prefer to keep an open mind and not go into a show thinking that I’ve got it all figured out. Half the enjoyment of touring is the element of surprise and when the idea of my coming to Australia started taking shape, one of the first things that got me really excited to be doing it was the realisation that I was going to get to hear a ton of artists who rarely if ever make it to the States. “One of the advantages of traveling as an artist is that you automatically get connected with a group of locals as soon as you show up in a new place. I always try to start without too many preconceptions and ask my hosts what they think is worth checking out so I end up finding out about the people and the place in tandem, which I very much enjoy doing.”
» BEE MASK » SATURDAY, JUNE 16 @ PICA BAR
Carina, Naomi, Ayla, Ben & Krystal
Frat House Cheerleaders Kirsty, Josh & Louise
Shona, Taylor & Sammie
Teagan & Bree
Sarah & Key
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WEDNESDAY 13/06 Captain Stirling – Fiveo Clancy’s (Applecross) – Upbeat – DJ Andy Connections – DJs Joby /JJ /Rueben Double Lucky – Last Wednesday Eurobar – Wild Wednesdays - DJ iPod/ Ben Pettit Flying Scotsman – UniQue DJs/ Rex Monsoon/ Adam Trainer Gold Bar–DJ Adroc Hipe Club – DJ Roger Smart Leederville Hotel – We Love Wednesdays ft DJ Slick Metro Freo - Rapture Mustang – DJ Giles Newport – Newport Wednesdays Sovereign Arms – Lokie Shaw The Deen - DJ Zelimer/ DJ Viper/ DJ Benny/ T– Zone 1 The Queens – Wriggle on YaYa’s - DJ Agent 85/ Dr Zaius
THURSDAY 14/06 Blvd Tavern – DJ Andy Clancy ’s (Canning Bridge) - DJ Wrighteous Club Marakesh – DJ Simon Cottesloe Hotel – DJ Shots/ DJ Andy M Empire Bar – Halo/ DJ Bojan/ DJ Ben Sebastian
Eve – DJ Tony Allen Flawless - DJ Zelimir/ DJ Minna Flying Scotsman – Cowboys & Indie Kids DJs Leopold Hotel – DJ Riki/ Roger Smart Library - Dorcia Llama Bar – DJ Maxwell/ EMAS/ Lukas Wimler Mint Nightclub – DJ Simon Barwood Mt Henry Tavern - DJ Matty J Mullaloo Beach Hotel - DJ John Paul/ DJ Slick Mustang – DJ James Newport – Culture Clash ft Tom Drummond/ Git Go Paramount – DJ Johnny Boi/ DJ Jordan Players Bar – MASH South St – DJ Castasia/ Dpad Swinging Pig – DJ Simon The Avenue – Jon Ee The Carine Tavern – Punchy & Juicy/ Little Nicky The Causeway – EMAS DJs The Craftsman – Roger Smart The Deen – DJ Flex/ DJ Nano/ DJ Surge/ DJ Don Migi The East End Bar - The Prestige ft Fiveo/ Az-T The Queens – Kapitol The Whale & Ale – Josh Tilley The Whistling Kite - DJ Gareth Tiger Lils – Paul Malone/ Adam Kelly Woodvale Tavern – DJ Melvin
FRIDAY 15/06 Ambar –Force Majeure ft Dirtyloud Amplifier – Cowboys & Indie Kids Bar 459 - DJ Smurf Beat Nightclub - Play Boheme Bar - DJ Majiika Boulevard Tavern – DJ Andyy Broken Hill Hotel – DJ Nick Alexander Brooklands Tavern - DJ Jayden Capitol – Retro Mash Capitol (Upstairs) – I Love ‘90s Carine Tavern – Greg Packer/ MC Assassin Clancy’s (Canning Bridge) - DJ Boogie Claremont Hotel – DJ Nick Sheppard/ DJ Max Club Bayview – Amnesia ft Fendi/ Axon/ Fellis Como Hotel – DJ Gazz Eastern Hotel – DJ Munch Empire Bar – DJs Halo/ Bojan/ Ben Sebastian Eve – DJ Don Migi/ DJ Danny Boi Flawless – DJ Ryan Flying Scotsman – DJs Jo19/ Rok Riley Flying Scotsman (Defectors) - Back To Mono DJs Geisha – It’s A London Thing ft AC23/ Lady Erica Ginger Nightclub – Rondevoo Fridayz Gosnells Club – DJ Now
Ian Carey
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NEWPORT
FLAWLESS
METRO CITY
Hipe Club - DJ E-Funk Lakers Tavern – Fresh Fridays - DJ Dooey Left Bank – DJ Frankie Button Library – Dorcia Little Creatures Loft – Marine Beats Llama Bar – DJ Reuben/ DJ Morris Malt Super Club - Fiveo Merriwa Tavern – DJ Real McCoy Metro City (Solace Bar) – DJ Slick Metro Freo – Frat House Fridays ft The Potbelleez Mint Nightclub – Club Retro ft Chris McPhee Mullaloo Beach Hotel - DJ John Paul Mustang – Swing DJ/ DJ James MacArthur Paddy Hannans – Crazy Craig Paramount - DJ Johnny Boi/ DJ Jordan Players Bar – Sugar Queens Tav – DJ Rueben Rocket Room – DJ Brett Rowe/ DJ Cain Sail & Anchor - Balcony Beatz/ DJ J-MAC Sovereign Arms – Dylan Hammond The Avenue – JMC The Carine – Mind Electric/ Little Nicky/ Az-T The Causeway – 4by4 DJs The Court - Sebastien Drums The East End Bar – Funk Fridays The Generous Squire - DJ Anaru The Manor – Mark Rae The Queens – DJ Rueben The Saint - DJ Jordan The Shed – DJ Glenn 20 The Whale & Ale – Josh Tilley Tiger Lils – Paul Malone/ Adam Kelly The Vic - DJ Giles The Wembley Hotel – Funky Bottoms/ Jon Ee Windsor – DJ Riki and Ray Victoria Park Hotel – DJ Giles YaYa’s – Junk ft DJ Whoa!
Windsor – DJ Ray Woodvale Tavern – DJ Real McCoy YaYa’s – Saturday Social ft The Kings Of Cheese DJs
SATURDAY 16/06
Bar Orient - DJ Lyndon Eastern Hotel – Jon Edwards High Road Hotel – DJ Matty J High Wycombe – DJ Ricky Hipe Club – DJ Roger Smart Players Bar (Norma Jeans Bar) – Stevie M Victoria Park Hotel – DJ Melvin
Flying Scotsman (Defectors) - Fore DJs Flying Scotsman (Velvet Lounge) – Bad Autopsy High Road Hotel – DJ Simon High Wycombe – DJ Matt Hipe Club – DJ E-Funk Library – MKT ft DJ Riki/ DJ Richie G/ DJ Vicktor Little Creatures Loft – Marine Beats Liquid Nightclub - DJ Klar55/ DJ Stevie M Llama Bar – DJ Reuben/ DJ Melvin Malt Super Club – Fiveo Metro City (R&B Lounge) - DJ Slick/ DJ Ruthless/ DJ Soso Metro Freo – DTuck/ Darren Briais Mint Nightclub – Pop Life ft DJ Aaron/ AJ Mullaloo Beach Hotel – DJ Danny Mustang – Rockabilly DJ/ DJ James MacArthur Niche – Frankie Button/ Cee/ Jonny Zimber Norma Jeans – DJ Darren Oxford Hotel – DJ Sequeria Paramount- DJ Cornflake / DJ Jordan/ DJ Johnny Boi Players Bar – Embrace Queens Tav - Gareth Richardson Rocket Room – Delicious (Ladies Only) ft DJ Brett Rowe South St Ale House – DJ Jay Sovereign Arms – Rockwell The Avenue – Jon Ee The Brighton (Upstairs) – Micah/ Kill Dyl/ eSQue The Boheme – DJ Sneakee The Causeway – Sun City DJs The Clink – Az-T The Cornerstone – Dylan Hammond The Craftsman – Tammy Stevens The Deen - DJ Birdie/ DJ JJ/ DJ Tony Allen The Fly Trap - Loungerama ft DJ Cookie/ VJ Zoo The Generous Squire – On Tap ft James Nutley The Saint – DJ Anaru Ambar – Japan 4 ft Fdel/ Tee EL/ Dead The Shed –DJ Glenn 20 The Wembley – Az-T Easy/ Blend/ DNGRFLD Amplifier – Pure Pop ft Eddie Electric The Whistling Kite - DJ Craig The Vic – DJ Kristian Basement On Broadway – DJ Ricky Tiger Lil’s – DJ Bojan/ DJ Ben Sebastian Boheme Bar – Carte Blanche DJs B r o ke n H i l l Tave r n – D J N i c k Victoria Park Hotel – DJ Melvin Villa – Ian Carey Alexander/ James Wilson Capitol – Death Disco DJs Capitol (Upstairs) – Cream Of The ‘80s ft DJ Ryan Clancy’s (Canning Bridge) - DJ Dood Claremont Hotel – DJ Tone Def Club Bay View – Little Nicky Empire Bar – DJ James Ess Eurobar – Roger Smart/ DJ Raci East End Bar - Fiveo Eve Nightclub – DJ Crazy Craig Flawless – Offset/ Jackness/ Travis LeBrun Fl y i n g S co t s m a n - U n d e r T h e Influence DJs
SNDAY 17/06 Captain Stirling – DJ Jay Claremont Hotel – DJ Double Dee Clink – DJ Tony Allen Club Bay View – Fiveo Empire Bar – CB3/ DJ Riki/ DJ Vicktor Euro Bar – DJ Flex Eve – DJ LStreet Flying Scotsman – Nathan J/ Nizbet/ Pasha/ Chris Flying Scotsman (Defectors) – Eclectic Picnic Mint - Chris McPhee Mustang – DJ Rockin Rhys Paramount – Glo/ DJ Slick/ DJ Benny C/ DJ Matty S Players Bar – Electro House Battle Rocket Room – Coyote Ugly Sovereign Arms – Josh Tilley The Avenue – Az-T The Causeway – Lukas Wimmler The Cott – Cott Sessions The Kiosk – DJ Cinder The Saint - DJ Anaru The Shed – DJ Andyy
MONDAY 18/06 Bar Orient - DJ White Label Broken Hill Tavern - DJ Mario Tavelli The Deen – Plastic Max/ The Token Gesture The Paddo – DJ John Paul The Shed – DJ Andyy
TUESDAY 19/06
The Potbelleez
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
AMPLIFIER
BIG APE
SHAPE
FRAT HOUSE FRIDAYS
METROS FREO
IN THE THIS WEEK:
COMING UP
Force Majeure ft Dirtyloud Friday, June 15 @ Ambar Frat House Fridays ft The Potbelleez Friday, June 15 @ Metro Freo The Lick Friday, June 15 @ Shape Blazin’ 2012 CD Club Tour ft Nino Brown Friday, June 15 @ Eve It’s A London Thing ft AC23/ Lady Erica Friday, June 15 @ Geisha Bee Mask Saturday, June 16 @ Pica Bar Ian Carey Saturday, June 16 @ Villa
Ta n t r u m D e s i r e & Alex Smoke State Of Mind Saturday, July 7 @ Geisha Blank Wednesdays Saturday, June 30 @ Villa Wednesday, June 20 @ C&C Music Factory Shape Electrified ft DJs Friday, July 13 @ Metro Damien Blaze/ Rinski/ 360/ Hermitude City Hutcho/ Greg Packer & Friday, June 22 @ Villa MC Assassin and more Ajax MC Fashawn/ Exile/ Saturday, June 30 @ Friday, July 13 @ Ambar Marksman ft Lenny/ Gilkisons Charlie Bucket/ Coin/ Dirtyphonics MT5k The Big Ape Tour f t Friday, June 22 @ The Thursday, July 5 @ The Joker/ Skream/ Sgt Bakery Rosemount Hotel Pokes/ Plastician Wednesday, July 18 @ Syrup ft Zeke/ Ben T/ Van She D. Y. P / S a u s B a u s s / Th u r s d ay, J u l y 5 @ Villa Sleepyhead/ Raaghe Capitol Friday, June 22 @ 23 Irwin Major Bass ft Rennie Street, Perth Addicted To Bass ft Pilgrem/ Cutline/ Nick B o m b s Aw ay / K i d Thayer 360 Saturday, June 23 @ The Kenobi Saturday, July 21 @ Villa Friday, July 6 @ Villa Astor Speakeasy’s 1st Birthday 360 Logistics ft Clubfeet/ Yuksek Sunday, June 24 @ The Friday, July 6 @ Shape Friday, July 27 @ Villa Astor Doorly Sunday, July 29 @ The Bakery Zombie Crawl Friday, August 3 @ Villa Parklife ft Chairlift/ Modestep and more TBC Monday, October 1 @ Wellington Square
Dirtyloud
DIRTYLOUD
FRIDAY, JUNE 15 @ AMBAR
www.xpressmag.com.au
This Is Nowhere f t lineup TBC S u n d ay, O c to b e r 1 4 @ Dolphin Theatre & Lawrence Jackson Court, UWA Stereosonic ft lineup TBC Sunday, November 25, at venue TBC
of beatboxed drums and vocalised basslines and melodies, he covered tracks including Eminem’s Lose Yourself, Dizzee Rascal’s Sirens and Ou Est Le Swimming Pool’s Dance The Way I Feel. He also performed an original that he described as “a love song I wrote for my fish”. Charlie Bucket kept the crowd entertained while Sampology got set up, earning cheers as he beat-juggled LL Cool J’s Mama Said Knock You Out. Sampology’s Super Visual Apocalypse routine was a mash up of footage taken from films (many of them starring Bruce Willis), TV shows and YouTube videos, with his own productions and remixes, all controlled by his turntables. The first clip of the Sampology’s routine – Will Ferrell, as Ron Burgundy, declaring “Ladies and gentlemen, can I please have your attention…” set the tone for the night ahead; irreverent, a tad silly and a lot of fun. The set had many surreal moments – such as when Sampology altered footage from the film Deep Impact to portray the ‘Nyan Cat’ (the ‘flying rainbow poptart cat’ internet meme) flying out of space and crashing into earth. Far from relying on the novelty of his video footage, though, Sampology’s bass heavy beats had half the crowd dancing rather than watching the projections, with Doomsday Deluxe lead single Stars standing out. He also worked in videos by artists such as the Beastie Boys (Intergalactic), James Blake (Wilhelm Scream – remixed with four-on-the-floor house beats) and OutKast (Bombs Over Baghdad). But back to Bruce Willis. He drew from most of Willis’ filmography (Die Hard’s ‘yippie kay yay, motherfucker’ was used multiple times) but, most Sampology (photo by Callum Ponton) memorably, he using footage from Tears Of The Sun to depict Willis fighting Joseph Kony through an African jungle (to a reworking of Bob Marley’s Buffalo Soldier, of course). Some aspects of the routine were very new SAMPOLOGY / Sam Perry / Crooked Colours / – such as when Sampology used a YouTube video of someone playing the Moog keyboard Google set up Charlie Bucket / Ndorse on its homepage three weeks ago. About the only The Bakery time he lost the crowd was when he briefly played Saturday, June 9, 2012 Danny Brown’s Radio Song, which didn’t fit the lightFresh from releasing his debut album Doomsday hearted vibe of the set. Sampology finished with a drum’n’bass Deluxe earlier this month, Brisbane DVDJ and reworking of Europe’s The Final Countdown set to producer Sampology brought his Super Visual footage of a stadium concert – sadly, no clips of GOB Apocalypse audiovisual show to Perth for a night of Bluth – before ending the night with the truly bizarre funky beats and Bruce Willis videos. video for Nicky Da B’s Hot Potato Style (look it up on After early sets from The Brow Horn YouTube if you don’t want to sleep tonight). With this Orchestra’s Ndorse and Crooked Colours, upcoming set, Sampology showed why he’s one of Australia’s local muso Sam Perry took the stage to show off most promising young producers and performers. his impressive live set – his last in Perth for a while, as he flew out the next day for a tour of the UK and Amsterdam. Utilising a guitar effects pedal, » JOSHUA HAYES loop station and microphone to build songs out
YIPPIE KAY YAY
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SIDEWALK DIAMONDS Sean O’Neill / Our Man In Berlin / James Teague The Rosemount Hotel Friday, June 8, 2012
Sidewalk Diamonds (Photo: Daniel Grant)
THE STANLEYS Lacey The Hyde Park Hotel Saturday, June 9, 2012 It’s clear that power-pop outfit The Stanleys are being groomed for something big. The presence of Turbonegro stalwart Tomas Dahl on backing vocals and guitar speaks to it, as does their work with heavy duty producer Ken Stringfellow. Maybe too big for them to sandwich in a quick music video launch at the venerable Hyde Park Hotel in between international tour dates? Perhaps, but that’s what they did. A middling crowd greeted them when they mounted the stage at around the 10pm mark, however over the course of their set, The Stanleys managed to win over a fair number of converts with their poppy, radio-ready brand of music. It’s easy to forget that sometimes music just needs to be fun, and these guys certainly tick that box. Frontman Mark Di Renzo is a charismatic fellow, although, judging from his somewhat nervous stage patter, which smacked of an over-eagerness to please he could stand to buck up his confidence a bit and just let his performance do the talking. He’s the axle the whole outfit spins around, his earnest, ringing vocals providing the focus for their tight, polished, upbeat sound. Songs like What Are We Gonna Do?, Always and Summer are reminiscent of the brighter end of the ‘90s indie spectrum, and one can even hear something like a less introspective Weezer in their carefully and classically constructed
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After Sean O’Neil had shed his Hang On St Christopher colleges to present his new solo project as the evening opener, Fat Shan records favourites Our Man In Berlin confidently took to the stage. The relative newcomers brought a swag of well rehearsed tunes that often start passively before swelling exponentially through dense harmonies and earnest playing. Standing centre stage, Haydn Mansell has a touch of the Rick Springfields about him until he opens his mouth to show he is more the student on Justin Vernon. With the keys and organ being the prominent sound in the mix, this numbers. The punters reacted well, and by the time the band belted out Everybody Dance, a good number of them obeyed the order. There did seem to be a lot of Stanleys partisans present, though, not limited to Di Rezo’s parents, who stood out amongst the much younger crowd. Oddly, despite ostensibly being the headlining act, The Stanleys weren’t the last act onstage, that honour going to four-piece outfit Lacey, whose sound is cut from a similar cloth. This gig marked the last ever for guitarist Connor, and his bandmates seemed determined to give him a suitable send off, even letting the lanky lad indulge in an extended, psychedelia-tinged jam-out in the middle of the gig. Lacey are, like The Stanleys, a tight, focused, indie pop outfit, and if there’s a marked difference between the two, it’s that the former are more enamoured of technique than mood, peppering their songs with intricate and complex musicianship, sometimes at the expense of mood. Whereas The Stanleys make it all seem effortless and fun, Lacey like to show off a little - and to be clear, their chops are impressive. The crowd had thinned somewhat by this stage, though, so fewer people got to witness such pop gems as Cool Kids and Tourist, nor see a level of intense dedication that resulted in there quite literally being blood on the strings, fretman Todd having injured his hand while playing. This was Lacey’s last gig before their US tour, and judging by their performance here, they’re more than ready to expose their work to a wider audience. _TRAVIS JOHNSON
night’s set had more in common with The Frames than Grizzly Bear, but that is hardly a bad thing for this sonically impressive outfit. Perth’s answer to Tiny Tim, James Teague clearly has wrapped his ear around much of the freak folk movement. While there is that element to his sound he draws on other genres with his band of brothers who couldn’t find a matching hairstyle or shirt between them. The distinctive tremolo of Teague is the most distinctive thing about the band’s sound, and while it is his greatest asset it can also be his Achilles heel. Strange Birds was well received and the band wandered into honky tonk territory with ease but while the diversity of the set was impressive, Teague’s unrelenting nasal tone also made it at times a challenging listen. The lads from Sidewalk Diamonds who oragnised the party were decked out in suits as they launched their debut EP Every Season Inside. From the go get the four-piece had the cleanest sound of the night as they launched into their polished pop songs. Solid riffs, Damien Goerke’s crisp vocals and some tidy
GUNNS
Hootenanny / The Flower Drums / Rabbit Island Norfolk Basement Saturday, June 9, 2012 Man, Amber Fresh probably has the Holy Grail and keeps it in her sock drawer next to some socks and emergency vegetables. She knows something we don’t. As Rabbit Island, it’s impossible to imagine her hitting a wrong note, in the same sense that you wouldn’t expect a native speaker of a language to start talking about golf when you ask them what the time is. She could play these songs with her eyes closed (and she does) because they are extensions of herself; her notes, in her songs, about her world. There’s G-d, god, forests, friends, Frozen Ocean. It’s all one rippling, endless surface. People shushed each other. That cover of Push It was worth getting rained on as I went home. The Flower Drums veer towards the middle of the road and stay there. If Rabbit Island is walking you through a dream, Leigh Craft and co. are trying to describe theirs to you, and falling short. Craft’s voice is akin to Alasdair MacLean from The Clientele – thin, gentle, clipped – but there’s something missing. Sure, the melodies are uniformly pleasant and interesting, and it’s all played with a professional deftness, but by this, do I mean boring? I don’t know. And that, friend, is what bothers me. For a band toting three guitarists, there’s little in the way of dynamics to flesh out the songwriting; the haze rolls on by in swirls. Some dreams
hooks give Sidewalk Diamonds a sound that would have been well at home on the Candle Records label in its prime. Setting up with the drum kit at the front of the stage instead of its customary space at the rear made James Luscombe the focal point. He is a precision animal with many a trick that give Sidewalk Diamonds a classy base to launch from. Dove appeared early to signal the outfits pop credentials and Still In The Pines offered a chirpy sing-along quality. After a bright start the Sidewalk Diamonds tended to play songs that were more expansive in sound which result in them losing some of their immediate appeal. They could learn a thing or two about less is more but on this showing they have plenty to work with to be a standard addition to local line-ups. Tonight’s launch was a no bells and whistles affair with a focus on tidy tunes, which they have in spades. _CHRIS HAVERCROFT you don’t remember, you know. I get the vibe there’s some serious playing against type going on here. I mean, ostensibly, these are vaguely psych folk songs, ambling from A to B, but they are lost in arrangements too small to shake anything and too big to lend focus to anything in particular. On record, things cut through for them a lot more, but live, it’s washed out. Hootenanny are eminently reliable; they’ll turn up, blast your ears off the way they only know how, make some jokes about nangs or something then leave. I don’t think their set has changed in a long time. I feel like I’m writing a mid-summer weather bulletin just thinking about them. Considering there’s a relative paucity of straight-ahead garage pop playing around in Perth at the moment (where did Bermuda go? I wasn’t paying attention), the Triple J approved Gunns are a breath of hot, sandy air. As a guitarist, Clint Oliver is playing in the Ira Kaplan vein, spraying gorgeous slabs of metre thick razor sharp candy everywhere, but as a frontman, he’s not as engaging, letting the reverb do the legwork. Mike Jelinek picks up the slack though, gangling gregariously over his kit like Greg Saunier ‘cept definitely without the four-minute drum fills. Pigeons In The Pond hit forcefully for something so sun struck (even if it is reminding me very much of The Kids Are Alright), but here and there the songwriting slips from inspired to merely going through the motions. If Gunns are a glorious photo of a beach at sunrise, they’re still more Instagram than Polaroid at this point, but heck; they’re still developing. Ba-doomtsssssssssss _ALEX GRIFFIN
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
PAPER CHAIN AT DADAS Naik / Ylem / Kucka Dada Records Garage Saturday, June 9, 2012 I catch a train into the city, walk up Hay Street and stop in at a bottle shop (the gig is BYO). I turn down a Resident Evil-esque alleyway into the garage behind Dada Records where the night’s performance is to be held. Gigs at Dada’s happen only occasionally (the much-loved Perth record store is not a licensed venue) but this afternoon’s line-up, put together by local label Paper Chain features some of Perth’s best electronic performers. The night is a real testament to the DIY ethos and sense of community in Perth’s electronic underground. The gig is more like a house party than a concert. There is no door charge, everyone seems to know each other and the atmosphere is friendly and nonchalant. Inexplicably, there is a four-wheel drive taking up about half of the designated stage area and it is surrounded by an assortment of laptops,
keyboards and percussion instruments that are to be used in Kučka’s performance. Kučka are the only act on the line-up not on Paper Chain but they prove to be an excellent fit, with their mix of cerebral pop and industrial electronica. Kučka began as a solo project for Laura Lowther but has expanded into a full band featuring Lowther on vocals and laptop, Injured Ninja’s Jake Steele on synth, Katie Campbell (Cat Lips) on drum pad and Rosie Taylor on acoustic percussion. This is Taylor’s first performance with Kučka and she is an excellent addition, folding chimes, gongs and cymbals into the band’s opiatic sound-world. I have seen Kučka a number of times now but what stood out most from this performance is the excellent blending of tones that the group achieve. Every sound finds its own place in a palette that ranges from airy vocals to warm, synthetic bass to violent glitch without anything seeming tokenistic or out of place. The next performer, Ylem, takes his stage alias from the ‘original substance’ – a term coined by physicists in the 1940s to describe the primordial plasma hypothetically created by the big bang. Ylem’s music takes on this liquid, mercurial character
with deep, immersive synths and pulsing lo-fi beats. Every change is gradually drawn out and the effect is trance inducing. There is an excellent sense of space in Ylem’s mix, the locked grooves and wide soundscapes sprawl outward – inviting listeners into their slow organic logic. If Ylem’s beats are organic and trance inducing, then Naik’s are anything but. Naik (short for ‘nature and its killers’) writes tracks that are lean, mechanistic and aggressive. They jack-knife violently between highs with little pause for reflection. Not that the tracks sound impatient or under-composed – far from it – more that their currency is in their visceral pacing and unexpected gear shifts. A local answer to DJ Shadow. By the end of Naik’s set the audience (not huge to begin with) had thinned to only a handful, but the small crowd didn’t feel awkward like it can at some gigs. It still just felt like a house party, at the point where most people have called it a night and those left are just hanging about with no rush to go. Naik packed down and the venue went back to being a garage behind a record store, tucked in an alleyway. _HENRY ANDERSEN
The Spitfires (Photo: Stefan Caramia)
THE SPITFIRES The Caballeros / High Horse / The Cabarets Rocket Room Friday, June 8, 2012 There was no shortage of hype in the lead up to The Spitfires’ Suffer Kate single launch party at the Rocket Room on Friday night. Fresh faced three piece The Cabarets opened the show, entertaining the early arrivals with their upbeat indie rock. Despite some unusual if not awkward moments, such as the guitarist scream/yelling over his otherwise impressive solo, the set went smoothly. High Horse was next to grace the stage, the unmistakable voice of Timothy Nelson filling the room. A distinctly more rock ‘n’ roll outfit than Nelson’s other band, Timothy Nelson & The Infidels, his lyrical style shone through, building upon their appeal. Alternating between catchy ‘90s rock and heavier ‘60s style riffs, interspersing tunes with witty banter, High Horse readily validated their increasing popularity. The band freely admits that they are still finding their feet and refining their style, something sure to naturally evolve over time and which audiences can look forward to witnessing. As the crowd continued to slide in and edge toward the stage, the house music was cut and hubbub of boozy chitchat interrupted by Jake England’s booming voice, commanding attention as The Caballeros launched into their set. As the self-described“most handsome band in Perth”, they took it upon themselves to provide their own lights, further illuminating an already sweltering stage and ensuring every pelvic thrust could be seen by all. Prancing around in tight trousers, front man England made the most of his extra long mic lead, parading through the crowd and pouncing on every opportunity to get intimately close to audience members. Ultimately, indie terrorists The Spitfires initiated their musical tirade, opening with a couple of their best known songs, Shallow Grave and Skeletons, gaining the vocal support of attentive followers. Having only been playing with the band for a number of weeks, drummer Lauren was on the money, the trio appearing as comfortable as ever as they smashed through to the highly anticipated single Suffer Kate. With a somewhat more subdued sound than most of their earlier Brit-Rock releases and a surprisingly seductive tone, the lyrics patronise the royal family for being just as dysfunctional as everyone else. Lead singer and guitarist Sean Regan sang with an air of smarmy satisfaction and appropriately so, the crowd approved, they’d pulled it off. With the single out of the way, there was a return to heavier punk tunes such as Ravensthorpe, their last single Smile and the inevitable angst fueled sing-along to Fox News. The eventual declaration that their set was over was met by requests for songs they hadn’t yet played, the band compromised by finishing with a cover of The Libertines hit Can’t Stand Me Now, to the elation of all. With the casual professionalism that we’ve come to expect from them, The Spitfires hinted at good things to come and ensured the night was a royal success. _ASHLEIGH WHYTE www.xpressmag.com.au
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INDI BAR
PYJAMA PARTY
This Friday, June 15, Deep Sea Arcade will showcase tunes from their new album Outlands, which has already proved a firm favourite with critics and fans alike. With support coming from The Cairos and Woe & Flutter, you better buckle up for one hell of a night
Hale Road Tavern Saturday, June 9, 2012 The Hale Road Tavern went bananas on Saturday night as the much loved venue celebrated their 15th birthday with a pyjama party! There was fairy bread, lolly bags, and all sorts of fun games and prizes. The Damien Cripps band entertained punters, and everyone went home after a great night out – and didn’t have to get changed for bed. Bonus! Be sure to get down to the Hale Road this Wednesday night for a rump steak with the State of Origin game on the big screen.
KALAMUNDA HOTEL
Soley & Lee
This Saturday, June 16, Kalamunda Hotel paints the town red with Rangafest 2012. This ‘Night of The Living Red’ has it all – awesome original music from On any Wednesday, followed by some classic pub rock from Full Throttle and 4 Horseman.
METRO FREO
Dance aficionados The Potbellez play Frat House Fridays at Metro Freo this Friday, June 15. We have five double passes to give away to this electrifying show so email win@xpressmag.com,au with “Potbelleez” in the subject line!
Photographs by Matt Jelonek
Sue, Pam, Sally & Shelby
Jo & Cher
VOODOO LOUNGE
The Dynamic Duo competition is on tonight, Wednesday, June 13, at Voodoo Lounge. This event recruits the top nominated tease artists from the STAR Awards including the trophy winning pair. Kicks off at 9.30pm; entry is $15 on te door.
HYDE PARK HOTEL
Thursday, June 14, weekly student/indie night Thursty, brings to you The Spitfires supported by Wash. On Friday, June 15, Nathan Gaunt will get you in the mood for the weekend with a late afternoon set. Stick around as The Renzullo Project, The Kickstart Cadillacs and Salv perform live on stage at 8pm.
Veruschka & Michael
THE ELLINGTON
ARIA-award winning muso Tim Freedman plays four intimate shows at the Ellington Jazz Club on Thursday, June 14, and Friday, June 15 (he’ll be playing both an early show at 6pm and a late show at 9pm each evening). Head over to ellingtonjazz.com.au or call the venue on (08) 9228 1088 to secure your spot.
Lee-Ann & Wayne
RAILWAY HOTEL The Damien Cripps Band
Von & Lisa
This Friday, June 15, catch Living Dying, Needles Douglas, Southern Cross Band and Wicked Wench. Saturday, June 16, night the rock‘n’roll explosion that is Brutus hits the stage with special guests Battle Of The Planets, Animal and The Witch Hunt.
MEZZANINE Mezzanine
In the words of REM “everybody hurts” – it’s an adage local rockers Mezzanine have taken to heart with new EP Vile Horizons. “I made a conscious effort to have the theme act as a big doomy umbrella, kind of like the cone of silence in Get Smart, where whatever we were doing, whether it be the 74th vocal harmony overdub or some noise guitar, it’s always there,” explains frontman Cory Rist. “The title is the mantra of the music and of my life. The future is a disappointment, nothing ever truly lives up to the expectations you place on it. It’s a pretty direct statement of what I feel and a reflection of what we were aiming for as a mood for the music.” An elemental wildness runs through Vile Horizons, which Rist attributes to melodramatic influences. “Some have Masterchef, others have Tyrion Lannister, I have Heathcliff, a close second after alcohol and cigarettes,” he exclaims. “The pure maniacal genius of Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights, I cannot express how much that man means to me… Having the opportunity to sing about my fucked up existence is certainly a privilege but don’t expect that to be comforting, if I’ve had a shit sexual experience or a bad week/month/year you’re going to hear about it, warts and all.” The overarching theme of the record is reaffirmed through stunning cover photography courtesy of local photographer Libby Edwards. “Nature is the greatest example of how harshness and beauty interact, and in my little theme park brain the harsh things often trump the beautiful. Who would you put your money on in a battle between a
ROCK‘N’ROLL IS KING
DOUBLE DENIM
VELVET UNPLUGGED
Sonic Velvet hosts an acoustic showcase this Friday, June 15, at the Velvet Lounge. Catch tunes courtesy of Kate Gilbertson, Bedouin Sea, Mel Hall and James Redman. Doors open 8pm and entry is $10.
LOUNGE LIZARDS UNITE
The fine folks from Jump Climb take over The Leederville Loungeroom this Thursday, June 14, with a slew of their top notch acts showcasing their talents.Catch hip hopper The Empty Cup,folktronic duo Anton Franc and sassy chanteuse Nyanda J from 8pm. 40
THE EAST END BAR & LOUNGE
The East End Bar & Lounge launches Fremantle’s first gay and lesbian friendly Sunday session this Sunday, June 17, from 8pm ‘til late, featuring DJs Timbee and Wasteland, $12 cocktails, $80 bottles of Moet NV, beautiful boys and lipstick beauties all night long.
METRO CITY
We have five double passes to give away to Metro City’s Seven Deadly Sins - simply email your name to win@xpressmag.com.au with “SINS” in the subject line.
MOJOS BAR
Sunday, June 17, Deep Sea Arcade play Mojos. Supports are The Cairos and Woe & Flutter . Tickets are $12 or you can win a double pass by emailing mojos@coolperthnights.com with “In Deep” in the subject line.
ROSEMOUNT HOTEL
T h i s T h u r s d ay, J u n e 1 4 , c a t c h A l ex Th e Kid, Coronal Sky, iChoRa and One Armed S c i s s o r . To w i n a d o u b l e p a s s e m a i l win@rosemounthotel.com.au with ‘Win’ in the subject line.
PADDO
Tonight, Wednesday June 13, Paddo POW brings to you Trav and Jay, Hostile Little Face and Mitch Friend. Music kicks off at 8pm and, as always, entry is free.
MUSTANG BAR
This Thursday, June 14, youngsters The Love Junkies rock out. Support comes from special guests (TBA) and DJ James MacArthur on the decks till late.
Old school or brand-spanking-new? How ‘bout both? This Thursday, June 14, the fresh yet experienced The Trophy Wives face off against the bold and splendid Davey Craddock And The Spectacles with Todd Pickett on top like a judicious glazed cherry. See them come into love at The Fly Trap. Tickets are $10 plus BF from flybynight.org.
rock and a kangaroo paw? That’s essentially what the artwork represents,” Rist explains. Recorded at Debaser Studios with Andy Lawson (End of Fashion, Basement Birds) earlier this year, this new record finds the band expanding on their critically acclaimed debut EP Novella, while refining their signature sound to the nth degree. “It’s like a boozed up, loud, expensive school camp whenever we go in the studio, except that in the studio I don’t dress up as Posh Spice and sing Wannabe. I really love studio time for the curve balls that get thrown up. From me accidentally tuning in ABC local radio through my amp during a noise part, to Andy playing a Sesame Street toy piano as if he were the cookie monster on smack, we love it,” Rist says. “I think naivety in making music is a beautiful thing but I can’t operate that way, I’m a bit of a control freak so every second of the record was essentially put through a fine tooth comb and then molded back together again then baked into a big grungy cake. The vision and the end goal with making Vile Horizons never changed, it just took some detours, working with three other guys and a producer will push and pull what you thought the track would sound like and sometimes it changes a fair bit, but always for the better.” The band’s exuberant live shows distinguish them from the usual too-cool-for-school hipster fare, and Rist says his outfit are champing at the bit to launch the EP to a homegrown crowd later this month.“It will be a good chance to see where we are right now as a band before we take the big old jump into recording an LP, we will be playing the whole of Vile Horizons and a lot of older stuff too, something for the whole family,” he concludes.“I really mean that – my nana will be rocking out front and center, I guarantee it. Come for the noise, stay for the dancing granny.”
A true melting pot of rock‘n’roll will be showcased at the Norfolk Basement this Friday, June 15, as Loose Lips, Axe Girl and Lucy Peach come together for a special show which guarantees to get your weekend started in a raucous fashion!
The Broken Hill Hotel have launched a new Saturday night featuring DJ Roger Smart, who is accompanied by the highly regarded saxophonist Matt Richards and talented percussionist Steve Richter. The trio will be back this Saturday, June 16, from 8pm.
SPECTACULAR WIVES
Gloomy Horizons
Mezzanine return to the fore in 2012 with a new EP, Vile Horizons, so JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD threw some questions at Cory Rist ahead of their launch at The Rosemount on Friday, June 22.
THE BROKEN HILL HOTEL
It’s time to get totally rad at The Bird in honour of the greatest fabric ever invented, so dig out your acid wash jacket and your 501s and come party down to some seriously rad bands and DJs this Saturday, June 16. Featuring the live talents of Bastian’s Happy Flight and Catlips and DJ sets from Shazam and Lightsteed, and super awesome prizes for the best dressed individuals, this will be one well worth forking out $10 for.
HYPE SCHMYPE
Bummed that enigmatic genre defying duo Hype Williams have cancelled their national tour? Well, a killer local line-up have got just the thing to help you get over it! This Saturday, June 16, Kucka, Rachael Dease, Ylem, Ourobonic Plague, Underground Sound Solution System, Rok Riley, Travis Doom, Clunk and Sleepyhead come together for what will be a stellar night of beats. Tickets are just $5 on the door before 10pm, and $10 after 10pm.
DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH
Authenticity in pop is still a strangely big deal for some, so heads are going to explode when Jacob Diamond takes to the stage at Mojos Bar this Friday, June 15. Support comes from three extremely groovy acts The Autumn Isles, The Flower Drums and Amanda Merzdan. Entry is $10 on the door, or $15 with a copy of the EP (we’d advise the later).
STONEY TONES
The electro-country purveyors of Stoney Joe have been refining their fingerpickin’ spoon slappin’ smoke puffin’ ocarina blowin’ stageshow the last few months and, following a raucous performance at WAMi Festival’s Saturday Spectacular a couple of weekends ago, they’re ready for another shindig. This time Nevada Pilot and The Suntones are along for the ride, and they’ll be hitting up the Newport Hotel on Sunday, June 17, from a nice early 6.10pm.
ROOTS ROCK
The Aunts have been given the go-ahead to rock Fremantle with a monthly residency at the Norfolk Basement. This Thursday, June 14, they’ve invited The Prevues, Jade Stevens (BURNhabit) and DJ Cookie (Loungerama) to warm up the room, before they rip it apart with their ragged roots-based rock. Tickets are $10 on the door from 8pm.
JUST BEAT IT
Discover the anarchic energy of punk rock at Beat On The Punk, a showcase of some of the local scene’s best and brattiest at the Beat Nightclub this Friday, June 15. Headliners Chilling Winston will be tearing up the stage with tunes from their new EP Pessimistic, while support acts Alex The Kid, Blindspot and Nighthawker will bring their own brand of disaffection to the mix. Entry is $10 on the door.
A CLOG IN THE MASCHIN
Free of gimmicks, the June edition of Noizemaschin offers up plenty of sustenance for the noise junky and casual surveyor of experimentalism alike! Chris Cobilis, Fur Chick, Lindsay Vickery, Stuart James, Sex Puppy, I.n0jaQ, Sam Gillies and Dr Vellocet will be strutting out their weirdest and wackiest musical experiments for your twisted pleasure. It all goes down on Tuesday, June 19, at The Perth Artifactory.
X RATED
Whether it’s smooth jazz or sultry blues, songstress Nicola Milan’s repertoire of well known songs and originals really set the mood. Backed by the finest jazzed-up musicians Milan will take to the stage at X-Wray Café this Friday, June 15. Support comes from Julius Lutero and Spoonful Of Sugar’s Karin Page. X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
Is there anything more rock‘n’roll than throwing a birthday bash to celebrate growing a year older? That’s exactly what sisters of rhythm Kylie and Abby Soanes are doing when they hit the stage at Mojos Saturday, June 16, with their band The Sure-Fire Midnights and musical friends The Caballeros, The Dirty South and Hurricane Fighter Plane. We helped the siblings get in the birthday mood with a few quick questions…
SIBLING ROCKERY ABBEY
KYLIE
What’s the best birthday present you’ve ever received?
I would have to say my Russian big muff fuzz pedal
An iPod with my ex-boyfriend’s entire record collection on it.
What was the best birthday party you’ve ever been to?
Jake (Dr Green) England’s. It was at his house and he had local bands playing and lots of booze.
I was too drunk to remember, if I had ever been to one? Maybe Dr Jake Green’s from The Caballeros – he had heaps of bands playing in his backyard
What’s your ultimate party-starting song?
Hey Hey My My – Neil Young
That song from Dirty Dancing. Patrick Swayze is hot.
What kind of cake will you be eating on your birthday this year?
I expect my mum to make me a chocolate cake that looks like my bass guitar.
No eating cake, I hope I get to throw a cake at someone’s face – I have always wanted to do that. Maybe Ryan Dux’s face.
What present will you be getting your sister this year?
Drum sticks, a drumming book and a metronome so she can learn to play in time...haha!
Probably one beer. It doesn’t take her much...
Why should punters head down to your Sibling Rockery bash?
For a night of rock‘n’roll, and to buy me and Kylie a drink!!
The bands! They are awesome and we are all great friends… and I heard my sister will be wearing her “Birthday Suit”.
DANNI STEFANETTI Local Girl Done Good Local singer-songwriter Danni Stefanetti’s dream to play at the Sydney Opera House came true last month. In the wake of her recent win at the 2012 MusicOz Awards, CORAL HUCKSTEP learnt that Stefanetti is a star on the rise. The MusicOz Awards – or “unsigned ARIAS” as they are known in the music world – exist to champion independent and unsigned artists across Australia. With previous winners including The Jezebels, Bliss N Eso and Art Vs Science, it is safe to say MusicOz has helped many talented Australian musicians land on their feet. One of this year’s winners was 22-year-old Perth singersongwriter Danni Stefanetti, an indie-pop/soul performer whose talent has already taken her across the country, overseas and back again. Stefanetti was nominated in five categories for the 2012 MusicOz Awards, which were presented at the Sydney Opera House in a red carpet, star-studded event earlier this month. Of the categories she was nominated for, including Best Acoustic Singer/songwriter, Best Pop Song, Best Video, Best Live Act and Best Christian/spiritual Song, she won the latter for her song Victory. “Victory is about waking up with the world at your feet. It’s actually a simple song but it really stands out on its own with the guitar,” Stefanetti says.“It won the Christian/spiritual category because it has that undertone to it, but it can be interpreted in many ways.” The awards ceremony also afforded Stefanetti the opportunity to realise her dream of singing at the Sydney Opera House. She played Victory, as well as seven other songs, to a crowd of mainly industry insiders, and cited Art Vs Science, Sarah McLeod and Richard Wilkins as just some of the celebrities she met on the night.
www.xpressmag.com.au
Stefanetti said her guitar acted as a comfort blanket when playing at the prestigious venue and admitted the night was an indescribable experience: “The reverbs at the Opera House were unbelievable, I feel like my voice could have been an octave higher and an octave lower in there.” While the Opera House may be the biggest venue Stefanetti has played thus far in her career, it hasn’t been the only show she’s ventured far from home for. A seasoned traveler since the age of 16, she boasts performances around the globe, including visits to Asia and Europe; as well New York, Nashville, Los Angeles and London. Regardless of where she’s situated on the globe, Stefanetti says she is determined to keep making music. Showing no signs of slowing any time soon, she is planning to release a new EP We Are The Music Makers, produced by Tokyo-based Alan Brey (The Novocaines, The Dirty Secrets), later this year. “There’s no back up,” Stefanetti concludes. “It’s music or nothing for me.”
Danni Stefanetti at the 2012 MusicOz Awards
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Listing deadline is Monday 5pm. The Gig-Guide is a service to advertisers listing bands. All inclusions are at the discretion of X-Press Magazine. Email reception@xpressmag.com.au or fax 9213 2882.
The Black Seeds, June 14, The Bakery HERMITUDE / BAM BAM 22 & 23 Villa & 24 Astor Theatre THICK AS BLOOD 23 KARNIVOOL 13 YMCA HQ 22 & 23 Mermaid 14 Villa Hotel Dampier 27 Prince Of Wales THE BLACK SEEDS MUNGAH FESTIVAL (Jessica Mauboy, 14 The Bakery Angela RUle, KarrieKearing and FRENZAL RHOMB Anne more) 14 Settlers Tavern 23 Mandurah 15 Prince Of Wales Performing Arts 16 Rosemount Hotel Centre BURIED IN VERONA TIM FREEDMAN 24 YMCA HQ (Day) / Amplifier (Night) 14-16 The Ellington DEXTER JONES 22 Settlers Tavern GASOLINE INC 23 White Star Albany 15 Rocket Room 24 Newport 28 Breakers Bar TIJUANA CARTEL Geraldton 15 The Bakery 29 Beat Nightclub MAT MCHUGH LISA MITCHELL / 26 Mojos Bar NADIA ACKERMAN GEORGIA FAIR / BENNY LACKNER 15 St Joseph’s Church, TRIO Subiaco 28 The Ellington DAMO SUZUKI & THE POTBELLEEZ POND 15 Metropolis Fremantle 28 The Bakery IMPIETY Amplifier DEEP SEA ARCADE 29 BREAK EVEN / MILES / THE CAIROS / AWAY WOE & FLUTTER 29 Prince Of Wales 15 Indi Bar 30 Amplifier 16 Amplifier JUDITH DURHAM 17 Mojos 30 Riverside Theatre
THIS WEEK JUNE 13 – JUNE 19
DALLAS FRASCA
JULY
BREAK EVEN / MILES 15 Settlers Tavern AWAY 16 White Star Hotel 17 Clancy ’s Fish Pub 1 YMCA HQ CEREMONY Dunsborough 3 The Den 4 YMCA HQ ELI WOLFE MENTAL AS 16 Fat Shan Records ANYTHING 4 Friends Restaurant 5 Elmars In The Valley BEE MASK 6 Charles Hotel 16 PICA Bar 7 Atrium Hotel TREVOR WATTS / Mandurha TIM FINN VERYAN WESTON 5 Artbar 19 The Ellington VAN SHE 5 Capitol GUY SEBASTIAN DIESEL 19 His Majesty’s Theatre 5 Friends Restaurant 6 Drakesbrook Hotel Waroona JUNE 7 Boulevard Tavern BORIS THE BLADE Joondalup 20 Amplifier 8 Icon Restaurant DALLAS FRASCA Karratha 22 Indi Bar THE BAMBOOS 23 Prince Of Wales 6 The Bakery 24 Mojos BUSBY MAROU / GUY SEBASTIAN LEADER CHEETAH 20 Mandurah / THE HELLO Performing Arts Centre MORNING CAMILLE O’SULLIVAN 6 Prince Of Wales 21 Astor Theatre 7 Rosemount Hotel CHARGE GROUP / JOE 8 Newport MCKEE JONATHAN BOULET 22 Mojos 7 Amplifier 23 Dadas LADY GAGA YOUR CIVIC DUTY 7 & 8 Burswood Dome (Macabre, Beyond SAY ANYTHING / THE Terror Beyond Grace, GETAWAY PLAN and more) 11 Amplifier 23 Civic Hotel TERROR 360 / GOSSLING / 12 Amplifier
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Lisa Mitchell, June 15, St Joseph’s Church HOUSE OF SHEM 12 Wanneroo Tavern 13 Elliot Bar Bunbury 14 Rosemount Hotel 15 Leisure Inn Rockingham SET SAIL 13 Rosemount Hotel 14 Melville Youth Centre 14 Mojos 15 Clancy’s Dunsborough FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS 18-20 Challenge Stadium TROY ROBERTS 19 The Ellington DOC NEESON 19 Friends Restaurant MELISSA ETHERIDGE 20 Riverside Theatre HEROES FOR HIRE 20 The Den 21 YMCA HQ KID MAC 20 Mojos 21 Settlers Tavern BAND OF SKULLS 23 The Bakery LADYHAWKE 24 The Bakery METRIC 25 Capitol ROSETTA 25 The Rosemount DARYL BRAITHWAITE 25 Friends Restaurant THE TEA PARTY 26 Metro City THE SMASHING PUMPKINS 26 Challenge Stadium CLUBFEET 27 Villa KARNIVOOL / REDCOATS / SLEEPMAKESWAVES 27-29 Rosemount Hotel NARISSA CAMPBELL 27 & 28 The Ellington EIFFEL 65 / N-TRANCE 28 Metropolis Fremantle KIM SALMON 28 The Bakery LOADED DICE 28 & 29 Charles Hotel
Deep Sea Arcade, June 15-17
AUGUST
BELL BIV DEVOE / GINUWINE 9 Astor Theatre BOB BARRETT 9 The Ellington EVEN / THE FAUVES 9 Prince of Wales 10 Rosemount Hotel 11 Mojos 12 Indi Bar KATE MILLER-HEIDKE / THE BEARDS 11 Astor Theatre TOMMY EMMANUEL 12 Perth Concert Hall NASUM / PSYCROPTIC 15 Amplifier THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS 15 Prince Of Wales 16 Settlers Tavern 17 & 18 Fly By Night OWL EYES 16 Artbar HUNTING GROUNDS 16 Prince Of Wales 17 Amplifier HILLTOP HOODS 17 Challenge Stadium NORTH WEST FESTIVAL (Hilltop Hoods, The Living End, The Cat Empire and more TBA) 18 Port Hedland Turf Club KENNY ROGERS / GLEN CAMPBELL 21 Riverside Theatre BURNING LOVE 22 The Den HERMAN’S HERMITS 22 Friends Restaurant PITBULL / TAIO CRUZ / HAVANA BROWN / TIMOMATIC 23 Burswood Dome PENNYWISE / THE MENZINGERS / SHARKS 29 Metropolis Fremantle SLASH FEAT. MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS 30 Metro City ILLY 31 Metropolis Fremantle
MARK GARDENER 1 Fly By Nightclub DENI HINES / MONIQUE MONTEZ 2 Bunbury Entertainment Centre CHILDREN COLLIDE / DUNE RATS / BAD DREEMS 2 Prince Of Wales 3 Amplifier Bar EMPRA 3 Rocket Room 4 Prince Of Wales THE BRIDE 4 C5 Mteropolis Fremantle 5 YMCA HQ ED SHEERAN 6 Riverside Theatre TIM BARRY 8 The Den JINJA SAFARI / OPOSSOM / WHITE ARROWS 8 Astor Theatre
ILLY 1 Capitol THE ENGLISH BEAT 1 Astor Theatre HOWARD JONES 5 Astor Theatre JOSE FELICIANO 5 Regal Theatre THE BEACH BOYS 6 Burswood Dome DAMIEN LEITH 7 Mandurah Performing Arts Centre 8 Astor Theatre SUBHUMANS 12 Amplifier AMERICA 12 Perth Concert Hall PATRICK WOLF 14 Fly By Night EARTH / MARGINS 15 Rosemount Hotel RUFUS WAINWRIGHT 19 Riverside Theatre
SEPTEMBER
WHEATUS 20 Metropolis Fremantle HANSON 22 Metropolis Fremantle GYROSCOPE 22 Rosemount Hotel JULIA STONE 28 Astor Theatre KATIE NOONAN & KARIN SCHAUPP 28 Winthrop Hall UWA 29 Mandurah Performing Arts Centre XAIVER RUDD 25 Goldfields Arts Centre Kalgoorlie 26 Esperance Civic Centre 28 Albany Entertainment Centre 29 Fremantle Arts Centre 30 Caves House Yallingup RUSSIAN CIRCLES / EAGLE TWIN 30 The Bakery
OCTOBER JOE BANAMASSA 1 Perth Concert Hall PARKLIFE (line-up TBA) 1 Wellington Square MARTIKA 4 Metropolis Fremantle HYPERFEST (line-up TBA) 7 Midland Oval CANNIBAL CORPSE / DISENTOMB / ENTRAILS ERADICATED 9 Capitol STEEL PANTHER 11 Metro City PAUL CAPSIS 11 Artbar THIS IS NOWHERE (line-up TBA) 14 Somerville Auditorium COUNT BASIE ORCHESTRA 14 Perth Concert Hall EVERCLEAR 14 Capitol TODD MCKENNEY 18 & 19 Astor Theatre PAUL HEATON 21 Fly By Night BASTARDFEST(Astriaal, Fuck I’m Dead, and more) 27 Civic Hotel ROCK IT (The Black Keys, Royal Headache, and more TBA) 28 Joondalup Arena
NOVEMBER EMMYLOU HARRIS 6 Perth Concert Hall JOSH PYKE 8 Artbar GEORGE MICHAEL 10 Perth Arena STEREOSONIC (lineup TBA) 25 venue TBA
SEPTEMBER 2013 ONE DIRECTION 28 & 29 Perth Arena
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
Deep River Collective
DOWN BY THE RIVER
Psych-rockers Deep River Collective are just one of a new wave of bands who like to mess with reality. Following the release of their latest single Excuses, the Perth hills-based quartet are heading to Bunbury next Saturday, June 16, to play the Prince Of Wales with support from Stunning In Red. Keep your eyes out for a new clip for the single which will be hitting the web very soon!
HOUSE PARTY
This July, House Of Shem – one of New Zealand’s premier reggae bands – land on Australian shores to take on their debut nationwide headlining tour. They take to the road with a selection of favourites from their debut album Keep Rising and 2011’s Island Vibration. Both records have been certified Gold in New Zealand and anticipation is building for the release of the bands third album, due to be recorded upon returning from tour. They’ll also be showcasing new tune Hard Road, a collaboration with American reggae-pop heavyweights Big Mountain. They’ll be bringing their rasta vibes down south to the Eliot St Bar in Bunbury on Friday, July 13. Tickets through Moshtix, Oztix, Heatseeker or through the individual venues.
PAINTING THE TOWN DALLAS
Independent of major labels and trends, one very loud woman stands out musically and vocally from the rest. Australian underground retro riff rocker, Dallas Frasca is a hard working independent juggernaut who, with new record Sound Painter, is carving the way with her band in Australia and internationally. Catch her down south at the Settler’s Tavern on Saturday, June 16, and the White Star Hotel on Sunday, June 17.
www.xpressmag.com.au
Xavier Rudd
THAT’S THE SPIRIT
One of our nation’s most iconic voices is set to enchant punters at the Esperance Civic Centre on Wednesday, September 26, and the Albany Entertainment Centre on Friday, September 28. That’s right, the one and only Xavier Rudd will be bringing his full array of guitars, didgeridoos and stomp boxers down south, with a stage show enhanced by a carefully selected collection of videos and images portraying the hard-hitting environmental themes of his recently released album Sprit Bird. Tickets go on sale from 9am on Thursday, June 21, from xavierrudd.com.
BEST FRENZ FOREVER
Lovable rogues Frenzal Rhomb are off across the Nullabor dropping by Settlers Tavern on Thursday, June 14, and the Prince Of Wales on Friday, June 15. These are apparently going to be Frenzal’s last WA shows for a little while so don’t miss your chance to see them smashing out a whole bunch of classics as well as tracks from last year’s Smoko At The Pet Food Factory.
TOO COOL FOR VOOL
Get ready, get excited, get abso-fucking-loutely psyched – Karnivool are back, ready and rearing to show off a stack of new tunes. This winter the band will head out on their Melodias Frescas tour (which translates to “fresh tunes”), revealing some of their newest material after agonising over it for the better half of last year. The hugely anticipated tour kicks off at the Mermaid Hotel in Dampier on Friday, June 22, and Saturday, June 23; then heads to the Prince Of Wales on Wednesday, June 27. Grab your tickets from karnivool.com.au.
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Amber Fresh, Wednesday at The Moon
WEDNESDAY 13.06 BALMORAL Nathan Gaunt BAR 120 Felix BLACK BETTY’S Blue Gene CALNCY’S CANNING BRIDGE Tilly Wylde Ricky Green CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Chet Leonard’s Bingotheque CLAREMONT HOTEL Open Mic Night ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Jamie Oehlers Quartet GREENWOOD Bernardine HALE ROAD TAVERN Fenton Wilde INDI BAR Tahnee LOBBY LOUNGE (BURSWOOD) Courtney Murphy LUCKY SHAG Howie Morgan MOJOS BAR Eli Wolfe Gypsy Howls Lightening Jack MUSTANG Blue Gene PADDO Trav & Jay Hostile Little Face Mitch Friend PADDY HANNANS 5 Shots ROSEMOUNT Oak Tree Suite Bish Bashi Amelia Ong 3 Of Omnia ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) David Fyffe THE MOON Will Stoker James Teague Amber Fresh
UNIVERSAL Strutt
THURSDAY 14.06 BAKERY The Black Seeds BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Adam James BROOKLANDS TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke COMO HOTEL Courtney Murphy DEVILLES PAD Rock ‘N’ Roll Karaoke ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Tim Freedman FLY TRAP Davy Craddock & The Spectacles The Trophy Wives Todd Picket HIGH WYCOMBE HOTEL Chris Murphy HYDE PARK HOTEL The Spitfires Wash INDI BAR Bex’s Open Mic Night INGLEWOOD HOTEL Easy Tigers LEEDERVILLE LOUNGEROOM The Empty Cup Anton Franc Nyanda J LUCKY SHAG James Wilson MARKET CITY TAVERN Tamika Alicia Risk Sam Cribb Wade The Augustines Subject To Change MERRIWA TAVERN Spritzer MOJOS BAR Place Of Indigo The Shallows Sparks Vertigo Adam Burford
The Siren Tower
THE SIRENTOWER THE GHOST HOTEL HUSBAND BOOM! BAP! POW! THE LOVED DEAD
FRIDAY,JUNE 15 AMPLIFIER
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Davey Craddock & The Spectacles, Thursday at Fly Trap MUSTANG BAR The Love Junkies Sugarpuss NORFOLK BASEMENT The Aunts The Prevues Jade Stevens NORTHWOOD TAVERN Avenue Karaoke OCEAN BEACH HOTEL Open Mic Night OXFORD HOTEL Johnny Taylor PADDY HANNANS Dr Bogus RIGBY’S Open Mic ROSEMOUNT Alex The Kid Coronal Sky iChoRa One Armed Scissor ROSIE O’GRADY’S (FREMANTLE) Clayton Bolger ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Bill Chidgzey SOVEREIGN ARMS Fenton Wilde THE BOAT Jen De Ness THE BROOK Open Mic Night THE GATE One Trick Phonies THE SHED Dirty Scoundrels UNIVERSAL Off The Record WOODVALE Two Plus One YA YA’S Disintergrates Those Wretched Horses The Wishers Thee Gold Blooms
FRIDAY 15.06 7th AVENUE Midnight Rambler AMPLIFIER The Siren Tower The Ghost Hotel Husband Boom! Bap! Pow! The Loved Dead BAILEY BAR Mod Squad BAKERY Tijuana Cartel BALLYS BAR Christian Thompson BALMORAL Dirty Scoundrels BEAT NIGHTCLUB Blindspot Chilling Winston Alex The Kid Ants At A Picnic BELMONT TAVERN Everlong Acoustic BENNYS Faces BENTLY HOTEL Dove BLACK BETTYS Everlong BRASS MONKEY Bernadine BROKEN HILL HOTEL Georgia Reed CAPTAIN STIRLING Bluebottles
Lucy Peach, Friday at Norfolk Basement
CARLISLE HOTEL Reload CHASE BAR Chasing Calee CIVIC HOTEL Enforce Reapers RIddle Cold Fate CLANCY’S CITY BEACH The Limelights CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Ensemble Formidable CLAREMONT HOTEL Nick Sheppard COMO HOTEL Trevor Jalla CRAFTSMAN 5th Avenue DEVILLES PAD Johnny Law & The Pistol Packin’ Daddies Les Sataniques EAST 150 Luke Dewing ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Daren Reid & The Soul City Groove ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Tim Freedman Meg Mac & The Squeeze EMPIRE Halo FLY TRAP Rockit FUSE BAR Groove Karaoke GREENWOOD Greg Carter HALE ROAD TAVERN David Fyffe HIGH ROAD HOTEL Damien Cripps Band HYDE PARK HOTEL The Renzullo Project The Kickstart Cadillacs Salv Nathan Gaunt INDI BAR Deep Sea Arcade The Cairos Woe Flutter INDIAN OCEAN BREW Ben Merito KALAMUNDA HOTEL Andrew Winton KULCHA The Spooky Men Of The West MERRIWA TAVERN Overload METRO FREO The Potbelleez MOJOS BAR (ARVO) Peter Bibby MOJOS BAR (EVE) Jacob Diamond The Autumn Isles The Flower Drums Amanda Merdzan MOON & SIXPENCE Dakota MUSTANG BAR Oz Big Band Cheeky Monkeys NEWPORT Party Rockers NORFOLK BASEMENT Axe Girl Loose Lips Lucy Peach
OXFORD HOTEL Recliners PADDO Simon Kelly PADDY HANNANS Gun Shy Romeos PARAMOUNT Flyte PRINCIPAL James Wilson RAILWAY HOTEL Living Dying Needles Douglas Southern Cross Band Wicked Wench ROCKET ROOM Gasoline Inc Homebrewe Aztech Suns ROSE & CROWN Tod Woodward ROSEMOUNT Resist The Thought Hallower Still Water Claims Afraid Of Heights Temporal ROSEY O’GRADY’S (FREMANTLE) Spyce ROSEY O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Neil Colliss SAIL & ANCHOR Howie Morgan Duo SOUTH ST ALE HOUSE Robbie King Karaoke SPRINGS TAVERN Greg Carter Karaoke STIRLING ARMS Helen Shanahan SWAN LOUNGE Nightmare Effect The Coil Mother Nightmare Longburn SWINGING PIG The Mojos Greg Carter THE BIRD Slamagotchi Diger Rokwell Raaghe Elcue Starks THE BOAT 11:11 THE GATE Smoking Section THE SHED Kickstart TWO ROCKS TAVERN The Flying Piranhas UNIVERSAL Nightmoves VELVET LOUNGE Kate Gilbertson Bedouin Sea Mel Hall James Redman VICTORIA PARK HOTEL Ivan Ribic WANNEROO TAVERN Fenton Wilde WOODVALE TAVERN Dr Bogus YA YA’S Sarah Pellicano Bears & Dolls Tracksuit
SATURDAY 16.06 7th AVENUE Karaoke AMPLIFIER Deep Sea Arcade
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
Listing deadline is Monday 5pm. The Gig-Guide is a service to advertisers listing bands. All inclusions are at the discretion of X-Press Magazine. Email reception@xpressmag.com.au or fax 9213 2882.
Catlips, Saturday at The Bird BAKERY Personal Reasons Kucka Rachael Dease Ylem Ourobonic Plague Underground Sound Solution System Rok Riley Travis Doom Clunk Sleepyhead BALLYS BAR Hans Fiance BALMORAL The Recliners BAILEY BAR Insideout BAR 120 Flyte BEAT NIGHTCLUB Runaways BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Howie Morgan BLACK BETTY’S J Babies BURSWOOD (PRIZE DRAW STAGE) Hi NRG CIVIC HOTEL At Depths Storm The Shores Severtone Dawn Of Leviathan The Coil CALNCY’S CANNING BRIDGE Zarm Duo CLANCY’S CITY BEACH The Urban Gypsies CLANCY’S FREMANTLE The Lammas Tide CLAREMONT HOTEL The Zydecats COMO HOTEL Luke Dewing DEVILLES PAD Stratosfunk ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Tim Freedman Rocksteady FLY BY NIGHT CLUB Nadeah King Wasabi GREENWOOD Local Heroes HALE ROAD TAVERN Damien Cripps Band HIGH ROAD HOTEL Dr Bogus HYDE PARK HOTEL Ashoka Still Frame Mind Nevsky Prospekt Supersalt INDIAN OCEAN BREW CO The Mojos INDI BAR Ben Merito A Death & A Cure KARDINYA TAVERN Hot Suga KULCHA Shangara Jive LAKERS TAVERN Mod Squad LEOPOLD HOTEL Steve Hepple LOBBY LOUNGE (BURSWOOD) John & Shaun Sandosham
Friday Friday Travis Caudle Rachael Dease, Saturday at Travis Caudle Fly ByBakery Night The Fly By Night
MERRIWA TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke MERRIWA TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke METRO FREO Easy Tigers MOON & SIXPENCE Blaze M ON THE POINT Rhythm 22 MOJOS BAR The Sure-Fire Midnights The Caballeros The Dirty South Hurricane Fighter Plane MUSTANG The Continentals Milhouse NEWPORT Kizzy Gravity NORTH FREMANTLE BOWLING CLUB Cyclone Tess Richard Lane Morning Light Lindsey Leon Ewing DJ Benny Legg & Nat Brown Dog Saloon Stu Orchard Traffic Stoppers Carnies With Candy Easy Tigers The Bloody Ramblers The Witness NORFOLK BASEMENT Boston Switch Lionel Hertz NORTHWOOD TAVERN Keith Karaoke PADDY HANNAN’S Decoy PARAMOUNT Felix PEEL ALEHOUSE Overload QUARIE BAR Electrophobia RAILWAY HOTEL Brutus Battle Of The Planets Animal The WitchHunt ROCKET ROOM Kickstart ROSEMOUNT Frenzal Rhomb Agitated Negative Reinforcement ROSIE O’GRADY’S (FREMANTLE) Flavor ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Blue Gene SAIL & ANCHOR Kickstart SEAVIEW Open Mic Night SOUTH ST ALEHOUSE Shawne & Luc STEVE’S BAR Christian Thompson SWAN LOUNGE The Freakz Of Nature JR FG 6.0 CREW SWINGING PIG Greg Carter
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THE BIRD Bastian’s Happy Flight Catlips Shazam Lightsteed THE BOAT The Organ Grinders THE GATE Dirty Scoundrels THE SHED Huge THE WHALE & ALE Lush TWO ROCKS TAVERN Keith McDonald UNIVERSAL Soul Corporation WANNEROO TAVERN Greg Carter WOODVALE TAVERN Damien Cripps Band
SUNDAY 17.06 7TH AVENUE Good Karma BALLY’S BAR Greg Carter BALMORAL Cranky BAR ORIENT Clayton Bolger BROKEN HILL HOTEL Switchback CAPTAIN STIRLING Christian Thompson CARINE Pop Candy CHASE BAR James Wilson CLANCYS DUNSBOROUGH Dallas Frasca CLANCY’S FREMANTLE The Zydecats CLAREMONT HOTEL Sunday Driver COMO HOTEL David Fyffe EAST 150 BAR Ali Towers ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Daren Reid & The Soul City Groove ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Saffron Sharp EMPIRE CB3 FLY TRAP Stage Fright Open Mic HIGH WYCOMBE HOTEL The Organ Grinders HIGH RD Bernardine INDIAN OCEAN BREW CO Retriofit INDI BAR The Sunshine Brothers LAKERS TAVERN Jamie Powers M ON THE POINT Electrophobia MOJOS BAR Deep Sea Arcade The Cairos Woe & Flutter MUSTANG BAR Peter Busher & The Lone Rangers NEWPORT Tim Nelson Stoney Joe Nevada Pilot The Lovetones
Stoney Joe, Sunday at Newport
OCEAN VIEW TAVERN Steve Hepple PINK DUCK Kevin Conway PRINCIPAL Dove ROSEY O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Jonathan Dempsey SAIL & ANCHOR Shawne & Luc SOUTH ST ALE HOUSE Sean Scott SOVEREIGN ARMS Ivan Ribic SPRINGS TAVERN Sophie Jane SWAN LOUNGE Lipstick Pickup The Basement Sea Trio Michael Triscari SWINGING PIG Adam James Luke Dewing THE BIRD The Weapon Is Sound Mmhmmm THE GATE Better Days Chris Gibbs Trio THE SAINT Howie Morgan Project TWO ROCKS TAVERN Everlong Acoustic UNIVERSAL Retriofit VICTORIA PARK HOTEL Neil Colliss WOODVALE TAVERN Damien Cripps
MONDAY 18.06 BRASS MONKEY The Organ Grinders ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Song Lounge LOBBY LOUNGE (BURSWOOD) Courtney Murphy MOJOS BAR Wide Open Mic Night
MUSTANG BAR Johnny Law & the Pistol Packin Daddies THE DEEN Plastic Max & The Token Gesture
TUESDAY 19.06 ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Trevor Watts LOBBY LOUNGE (BURSWOOD) John Sandosham LUCKY SHAG Christian Thompson MOJOS BAR Burst & Bloom Rank & File The Froctaves Sarah Raine PADDO Simon Kelly PERTH ARTIFACTORY Noizemaschin Chris Cobilis Fur Chick Lindsay Vickery Stuart James Sex Puppy I.n0jaQ Sam Gillies Dr Vellocet PRINCE OF WALES Open Mic Night SETTLERS TAVERN Open Mic Night THE BIRD Joe Graham Hart Michael Savage Jack & Queen Mat Cammarano Lee Schneider TWO ROCKS TAVERN Jump For Joy Karaoke X-WRAY CAFE Open Piano Night YAYA’S Joe Graham Shameem Tahari-Lee Amrit Sidhu Jessica Lawrence
Jacob Diamond
JACOB DIAMOND
THE AUTUMN ISLES
THE FLOWER DRUMS AMANDA MERDZAN
FRIDAY,JUNE 15
MOJOS BAR
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Classifieds and Music Services Hotline: 9213 2888 Display ads: musicservices@xpressmag.com.au Deadline: 4pm Monday Credit cards welcome
FOR SALE EPIPHONE OLYMPIC DOUBLE (Batwing) 1965 (made in Michigan 1965) Great Condition, must sell asap $1399 ono contact 0411 377 820 MUSOS WANTED DRUMMER NEEDED Drummer required for Metal Band. Thirty 3 Victims. Songs up on Facebook & Myspace. Call Nick: 0417 187 447. EXPERIENCED GUITARIST WANTED 30+ for working original hard rock band. Recording & touring in plan. Ph: 0427 072 814 or 0435 825 090. GUITARIST AND SINGERS WANTED for YouTube poject. Infl RnB, Babyface, Motown. Phone Joanne: 0412 970 173 GUITARIST MALE WANTED 30+ for original band. Influences Melvins, God Speed You Black Emperor, Asghan Whigs. Call Will (Drummer) 0417 900 876. M/F BASS PLAYER & KEYBOARDS Required for PROFESSIONAL COVERS PROJECT. 20-35 yrs. Ph: Dave 0407 151 407 or Gemima 0405 316 405. OPEN MIC NIGHT every Thursday night at Indi Bar. Just call Tash on 0458 095 364. OPEN MIC NIGHT Every Tuesday night at the Craigie Tavern 8-11pm. Call Corey for bookings 0431 448 235 VOCALIST WANTED For Retro electronic project. Email info/demo to redkerbkiss@ hotmail.com W A N T E D M U S I C I A N / INSTRUMENTALIST With or without vocals to form acoustic duo to gig. Mevox & rhythm guitar (former drummer) 55 yr old. Age/gender not relevant. Material: what we and crowd like. Ph: Rory 0412 342 598.
PHOTOGRAPHY P R O J E C T P H OTO G R A P H Y Pr o m o photography, studio, live, location. M i k e W y l i e 0 4 1 7 9 7 5 9 6 4 w w w. projectphotography.com When its time to ice the cake... PRODUCTION SERVICES CD & DVD MANUFACTURE Check out our latest CD & DVD specials online at www. procopy.com.au 9375 3902 MATRIX PRODUCTIONS AUSTRALIA Lighting, staging, sound systems, smoke machines, night club FX, intelligent lighting, strobes & mirror balls, crowd barriers, video projectors. 9371 1551 PA HIRE Vox P.A’s and Funktion-One concert systems. Beat any quote. 9307 8594/ mob 0404 410 020. perthconcertsound.com.au. PA HIRE, PRO SYSTEM, FULL FOLD BACK Experienced operator. Optional light show. Fidelity sound on 0404 331 320. RECORDING STUDIOS ALAN DAWSON’s WITZEND RECORDING STUDIO Prof quality albums or demos, large live room, experienced engineer, analog to digital transfers, mastering..Alan 0407 989 128 or Jeremy 0430638178 www. witzendstudios.com ANDY’S STUDIO International multi award winning songwriter / producer. No band required. Broadcast quality. A songwriter’s paradise. Ph 9364 3178 AVALON STUDIOS BIBRA LAKE One of Perths best equipped studio. Record to analog tape or digital, Avalon pre amps, Neumann mics, the latest and best universal audio, plug in’s for digital recordings. All styles of music, $55 per hour call Tony 0411 118304 email - avalonstudios@bigpond. com
BASE CAMP KUTZ Recording Rehearsing Graphics All Media Any Genre. Located in Yangebup 24/7 Ph: 9434 5889. G O L D D U S TCO N S T R U C T I O N . CO M Production, mixing, recording and composition for your music. Unique award winning skills to take songs from ideas to finished mixes or to fulfill the potential in existing ones. Located in Subiaco. $60 p/h. Andrew 0408 097 407 MOB-HANDED RECORDING & MUSIC PRODUCTION Professional multi-track recording for singer/songwriter, electro, hip hop, metal, pop, groove, all styles catered for. Services also offered: Audio editing, mastering, voice over recording etc. PLUS: Unique & original orchestral string arrangements written and recorded for your songs. Ph: 0468 363 380 POONS HEAD MASTERING Analog mastering at its best. Clients include Mink Mussel Creek, Jeff Martin, The Panics, Pond + The Floors. World class facility. World class results. www.poonshead.com 9339 47 91 RECORDING MIXING MASTERING PRODUCING Fremantle location. Call Pete Kitchen Cooked Records. Ph 0407 363 764 / 9336 3764 REVOLVER SOUND STUDIO Ph 9272 7505. www.revolverstudio.com.au SONGWRITERS! - UNLOCK YOUR SONGS’ POTENTIAL +FREE BAND APPRAISALS. UK Producer, 40,000+ hours studio experience. 20 yrs in London with bands and songwriters. Kicking arrangements, great studio and the ability to really listen will give your material the edge you need. Call Jerry on 0405 653 338 or visit www. jerichomusic.com.au
STUDIO RECORDING $35 per hr. Rates negotiable. Contact Ryan: 0429 617 353. REHEARSAL STUDIOS AAA VHS REHEARSAL ROOMS Great facilities, great vibe & great price!!! Unit 5 /16 Peel Road, O’Connor. Phone 9418 5815 or 0413 732 885 LION MACHINE REHEARSAL STUDIO Professional rehearsal space. Wanneroo area. Air-conditioned. Semi-rural setting. Mob: 0417 900 876. PLATINUM SOUND ROOMS Professional rehearsal rooms, airconditioned, quality PAs mob 0418 944 722 STREAM STUDIOS The place to rehearse in Perth.. Phone: 0403 152 009 www. streamrehearsal.com.au TUITION ***GUITAR LESSONS*** The Guitar Specialist. Beg-adv, all styles and levels including bass. Cliff Lynton Guitar Institute. Mt Lawley 9342 3484 / www.clifflynton. com BASS LESSONS Rock, funk & jazz. Tony Gibbs 9470 6131 DJ TUITION Specialises in scratching & cutting. Over 15 yrs experience. Beg-Adv welcome. Potential gigs waiting. Ph DJ Munch: 0412 334 510. DRUM LESSONS All styles, WAAPA prep. Modern techniques, rudiments, soloing, favourite songs. Beg-Adv. Ph: Pascal 0413 172 817. Available 7 days & all holidays. SINGING LESSONS Learn a technique that actually works! The method used by over 120 Grammy award winners. Certified Speech Level singing instructor. Call Simon 0431335495.
GOING FOR GOLD It’s a good time for Aussie music in this country - Gotye’s just hit #1, and there are plenty of bands and artists touring, joining the line-ups of massive international festivals and generally doing great things. So it is little surprise that Aussies just swept up a bunch of prizes for 2011 in this year’s International Songwriting Competition. JENNIFER PETERSONWARD reports. Kiwi singer Kimbra’s career is continuing to soar with her taking out the Grand Prize of the Nashville-based International Songwriting Competition. The first prize of $25,000 cash (in addition to thousands of dollars in merchandising and services) was awarded to the quirky pop chanteuse for her song Cameo Lover. Elsewhere in the competition, Australians took 13 places in 22 categories with one category – Rock – featuring Aussies in first, second and third place. Local rockers Jebediah took the top spot in that category, with Eskimo Joe and The Living End coming in behind them consecutively. This wasn’t the first time Australia has taken out all the places in a genre; in 2007 it was the first country to ever take out all places in a single category. Triple J favourites Missy Higgins and Emma Louise took first and third place respectively in the Folk/Singer-Songwriter category, while youngster Natasha Duarte won first place in the Teen category, earning her a five-week summer scholarship to Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music. Melbourne-based songwriters Michael Paynter, Gary Clark and David Mead were also lauded for their tune Are You Alive, which took out first place in the Unsigned Only category. 46
Kimbra has scored the Grand Prize of the International Songwriting Competition. But perhaps the greatest achievement was by two Aussies beating the USA at their own game. Shane Nicholson and Catherine Britt (with Rory Feek) won the top two spots in the Americana category. The International Songwriting competition, based in Nashville, Tennessee, offers the opportunity for both established and aspiring songwriters from around the world to have their songs heard and judged by a professional panel. This year’s panel of many highly regarded artists included Tom Waits, Ozzy Osbourne and The Cure’s Robert Smith, and has included Aussies in the coveted top spot twice since its inception 11 years ago. ISC founder and director Candace Avery said she wasn’t surprised to see Australian artists dominating this year’s awards. “The entries we received this past year from the winning Aussie songwriters were, as always, exceptional,” she said. “Before ISC I was quite unaware of the Aussie music scene, and now many of my favourite artists are Australian... she says. “I am very happy that an artist like Gotye (and Kimbra) can achieve so much success here in the US and I hope it opens man doors for other Australian artists who deserve to be internationally recognised.” For more information on the competition and the full list of winners, hit up songwritingcompetition.com. X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
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