X-Press Magazine

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

Bluejuice Blink 182

BLINK & YOU’LL MISS IT

The line-up of the 2013 edition of Soundwave is set to drop this afternoon, but X-Press is so excited about it we’re going to tell you what we know now! The massive rock, punk and metal festival has brought us the likes of Iron Maiden, Slayer, System Of A Down, Faith No More, Nine Inch Nails and a whole lot more in the past, and it looks like next year’s edition is another corker! Last week it was confirmed that The Mark, Tom & Travis Show that is Blink 182 will finally be bringing their reunion tour to Australia, which came as a surprise given that Travis Barker has had a severe fear of flying since being involved in a fatal plane crash a few years back. Other bands confirmed in the Twittersphere are The Chariot, Six Feet Under, Cancer Bats, Stone Sour, Woe Is Me, Of Mice & Men, The Blackout and more. Soundwave will return to Perth on Monday, March 4. Soundwave boss AJ Maddah has also revealed tickets will cost $187 + transport levy in WA. Full details next week.

BELIEVE THE HYPE

Hyperfest 2012 is determined to make you more hyper than eating a bag of lollies. The festival has found a new home at the Midland Oval and will take place on Sunday, October 7. Aussie rockers Bluejuice will headline along with Purple Sneaker DJs, hip hop heavyweights Seth Sentry and Grey Ghost, plus noisy rock champions Emperors. Band demo winners The Main Attraction, Rainy Day Women, Monuments, Sound the Rescue and Marksman will be given the chance to play in front of thousands of people. On the decks throughout the day will be Force DJs and the Silent Disco will be back for its second year. For more information check out hyperfest.com.au. Hyperfest is proudly presented by X-Press.

Shellac

ELECTRICAL AUDIO Felicity Groom

GOING FOR GOLD The Rubens

LOST & FOUND

Soul-drenched vocals and a steadfast blues swagger have transformed The Rubens into a national favourite thanks in part to their rousing single Don’t Ever Want To Be Found. Newly released single My Gun was recorded with Grammy-winning producer David Kahne and their debut self-titled album is out on September 14. The Menangle men will play Capitol on Friday, October 5; Prince of Wales on Saturday, October 6; and the Newport Hotel on Sunday, October 7. Tickets to the first two shows via OzTix and for the Fremantle show through Moshtix.

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Reactions/ Comp

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Flesh

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Music: Bill Bailey

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Music: Rufus Wainwright

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Music: Tim Hart/ Bonniwells

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Music: Nasum/ The Menzingers

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Music: Animistic/ Pseudo Echo

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New Noise

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Eye4 Cover: Here & Now

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Eye4 News/ Movies: The Sapphires

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Eye4 Movies: Cosmopolis

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Eye4 Lifestyle/ Arts Listings

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X-Press Education Feature

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Salt Cover: Skryptcha

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Salt: Cover Story/ News/ Parachute Youth

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Salt: Mono/Poly/ Informant

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Salt: Club Manual/ Scenery/ Rewind: Chet Faker

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Scene: Pub Scene/ Pub Blurbs/ Live

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Scene: Local

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Tour Trails

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Gig Guide

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Volume

Lovely local lass Felicity Groom is set to launch a new film clip this weekend for Trophy Talk, a track from her debut album. Ms Groom has been touring Gossamer around the country since its release last November, but is currently gigging around the traps at home and working on some side projects. The Long Lost Brothers will also be launching their video for new single China, Cam Avery shall serve up a solo set, and DJ Cameron George will be providing the beats. See it all this Geisha Bar on Sunday, August 12.

It’s been a mere 19 years since post-hardcore/ noise rock legends Shellac last toured Australia, but now the wait is finally over.The Chicago band consisting of recording engineer extraordinaire Steve Albini, his offsider Bob Weston, and Italian greyhound owner Todd Trainer, are coming to Australia for the Melbourne International Arts Festival, but staying for a show at the Rosemount Hotel on Thursday, October 25, with special guests Smrts. Best known for their miminal masterpieces Excellent Italian Greyhound, 1000 Hurts, and At Action Park, the band is highly regarded in the underground rock underworld and this show will be a great one to lose some hearing at. Grab your tickets now from Heatseeker, Planet, 78 Records, Mills Records and Star Surf.

The Hives

GO RIGHT AHEAD

With the likes of The Flaming Lips, Hot Chip, Boy & Bear, Best Coast, Beach House, Maximo Park, and Bombay Bicycle Club already announced, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the next Southbound announcements would be acts on the lower rung. But you’d be wrong as the third name drop has been made and The Hives, Two Door Cinema Club, Sharon Van Etten, Matt Corby, Angus Stone, Ball Park Music, Django Django, Jinja Safari, Lisa Mitchell, and Cosmo Jarvis have been added to the star-studded bill. Best Southbound yet?

We think so. Ticket details have been revealed too: On sale at 9am on Monday, August 20, from Moshtix, non-camping tickets are $119 for a one day pass or $199 for both days; two days plus camping is $199, plus there are VIP and pampered camping options for those that love comfort and being seen. Head to southboundfestival.com.au for all the info you need for the festival, which happens on Friday, January 4, and Saturday, January 5, at Busselton’s Sir Stewart Bovell Park.

Cover: Bill Bailey takes to the Riverside Theatre on Sunday, August 26 with his new show Qualmpeddler

Salt Cover: Skryptcha’s second album Mindful is out now through Obese Records www.xpressmag.com.au

Two Door Cinema Club 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, Daniel Grant, Sammy Granville, Matt Jelonek, Denis Radacic Contributing Writers Henry Andersen, Ashleigh Whyte, Nina Bertok, Shaun Cowe, Derek Cromb, Chris Gibbs, Alfred Gorman, George Green, Alex Griffin, Chris Havercroft, Joshua Hayes, Brendan Holben, Coral Huckstep, Travis Johnson, Rezo Kezerashvili,Tara Lloyd, Adam Morris, Andrew Nelson, Chloe Papas, Daniel Parkinson, Tom Varian, Ben Watson, Jessica Willoughby For band gigs and launches - plugyourgig@xpressmag.com.au

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Something From Nothing: The Art Of Rap

SOMETHING FROM NOTHING: THE ART OF RAP

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Production Co-ordinator Ruth Tyndall

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art@xpressmag.com.au Brooke Gerrick, Andy Quilty, Anthony Jackson

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The Sapphires

THE SAPPHIRES

Recently receiving a 10 minute standing ovation at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, The Sapphires is a crowd-pleasing combination of comedy, heart and romance and an unbeatable soul music soundtrack, set against the racial and social upheaval of the late 1960s. Enter now to win tickets to see The Sapphires.

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Dubstep is everywhere and continues its global domination with artists such as Skrillex and Nero selling out arenas across all continents.

Onelove Recordings have now unleashed another monster compilation to the hungry masses: Dubstep Invasion 3, which is pumped full of 45 fierce sub sonic hits and gritty dubstep anthems. We have five CDs up for grabs so get in now for your chance to win a copy.

EAST END GUEST LIST

The East End Bar is one of Perth’s slickest venues and is the perfect place to party with friends. We can get you on the door list to The Prestige, a night of house, funk and electro, this Thursday, August 9, after 10pm by simply emailing win@xpressmag. com.au with ‘Prestige’ in the subject line.

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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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Advertisers and/or their agents by lodging an advertisment shall indemnify the publisher, and its agents, against all liability claims or proceedings whatsoever arising from the publication. Advertisers and/or their representatives indemnify the publisher in relation to defamation, slander, breach of copyright, infringement of trademarks of name of publication titles, unfair competition or trade practices, royalties or violation of rights or privacy and warrant that the material complies with revelant laws and regulations and that its publication will not give rise to any rights against or liabilities in the publisher, its servants or agents. Any material supplied to X-Press is at the contributor’s risk.

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For all you guitar gurus, we are giving away some Klotz ‘La Grange’ Guitar cables courtesy of Music Link Australia. KLOTZ Premade Cables are cables of distinction in every sense; not only because of the array of awards from Guitar Player Magazine presented to the ‘La Grange’ guitar cable, but also because of the host of wellknown musicians who swear by our cables. This list includes Joe Bonamassa, one of the greatest blues and rock guitarists in the world, coming to Perth this October, The Scorpions’ Mathias Jabs, and legendary session bassist T.M. Stevens.

DUBSTEP INVASION 3

Rural Press Printing Mandurah

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Visually luscious and drenched with the big beats and freestyle rhyming of some of the masters of the music, Something From Nothing: The Art Of Rap is a performance documentary about the runaway juggernaut that is hip hop. At the wheel of this unstoppable beast is Ice-T. We have five double passes up for grabs to the one night only screening at Hoyts Carousel on Wednesday, August 29. Enter now to be in the running to win.

KLOTZ GUITAR CABLES

The Growl

THE GROWL

The gents who make up The Growl are a hard bunch to pin down. With Cameron off gallivanting around the world drumming for Pond, and Clint busy with Gunns it’s been a while between live shows. Now that the planets and scheduling gods have aligned the guys are gearing up for their first big live show since they sold out The Bakery in November last year. We have an awesome Growl prize pack to giveaway which includes their latest EP, a t-shirt and two tickets to their show at Fly By Nightclub on Saturday, August 25. Enter now for your chance to win this killer prize.

POLKA DOT VINTAGE Salmon Fishing In The Yemen

SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN

From the beloved director of Chocolat and the Oscar-winning screenwriter of Slumdog Millionaire comes the inspirational comedy Salmon Fishing In The Yemen. The film tells the story of a fisheries expert who is approached by a consultant to help realise a sheik’s vision of bringing the sport of fly-fishing to the desert and embarks on an upstream journey of faith and fish to prove the impossible possible. We have five copies of the newly released DVD up for grabs so get in now for your chance to win one.

Polka Dot Vintage Markets are back at Claremont Showgrounds on Saturday, August 18, and Sunday, August 19, and is the perfect place to find a vintage treasure or two. There will be a bunch of stalls selling quality vintage and retro clothing, collectables, gourmet goodies and much more.

Get your entries in now for your chance to win a double pass!

BEAT NIGHTCLUB GOLDEN PASS

Get your entries in now for your chance to win the X-Press Golden Ticket to Beat Nightclub and receive free entry to any Friday night event for the rest of the year! Simply explain in 50 words or less, who is your favourite Perth band and why? Be quick for your chance to win this awesome prize!

Joe Bonamassa uses Klotz Guitar Cables

BROWN TOWN Dear X-Press, I recently read a review of Chris Brown’s latest album Fortune in your magazine. I only saw the clipping of the review online, so went about myself to track down the magazine/newspaper from which it came from. I would like to bring it upon myself congratulate the writer, Chloe Papas, for her wise words. I’ve been a long-time believer in the fact that Chris Brown should not even be allowed to make music, let alone idolised, because of his previous actions.

If I could get the email address of the writer, to thank him/her personally, for their morally correct opinion, I would be very grateful.

Jessica Saunders (Cheshire, UK)

THE WRITE STUFF Dear X-Press, That would have to be the best review I have ever read. I applaud Papas for writing it and your magazine for publishing it.

I would very much like to obtain a hard copy of the review so that I may frame it. Would it be possible to purchase the back issue containing the review?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Nerida Haycock (via Email)

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

TIS THE SEASON

Hard hitting and emotional, synth-layered slices of heavenly alternative music, this is what Sound Of Seasons stand for. The Sydneysiders are touring to support their debut EP, Make Believe and will hit C5 at Metropolis Fremantle on Friday, October 12; Amplifier on Saturday, October 13; and follow it up at the YMCA HQ on Sunday, October 14. The band will play in their trademark form, showcasing their infectious, energetic and unforgettable live playing ability.

HEART OF GLASS

Aussie singer-songwriter, pianist, and judge on The Voice, Delta Goodrem, is taking her broken heart to Lakeside Joondalup Shopping Centre at noon this Sunday, August 12. New single Dancing With A Broken Heart off her album Child Of The Universe will be performed by Delta, and she’ll be signing copies after.

STRING THEORY

Sola Rosa

SOLA POWER

People don’t often relate New Zealand to hip hop, funk and soul but Sola Rosa are determined to prove that our neighbours are funky as, bro. Sola Rosa brainchild, Andrew Spraggon, is taking the band to the Indi Bar on Wednesday, September 26; Clancy’s Dunsborough on Friday, September 28; Amplifier on Saturday, September 29; and Wave Rock Weekender on Sunday, September 30. Sola Rosa are set to release their new album, Low And Behold, High And Beyond. Joining the band is Spikey Tee, Ben White and Matt Short to form the musical core of the group along with Cherie Mathieson and LA Mitchell. Tickets to the metro shows can be purchased via OzTix while tickets are available at the door for the Dunsborough show.

Thought-provoking experimentalists Decibel New Music Ensemble, in association with Tura New Music, are set to present On A String – Jon Rose Was 60, a concert of bold new compositions by established and emerging composers from home and abroad on Monday, September 3, at PICA. On A String celebrates Jon Rose’s 60th birthday and is both dedicated to and inspired by him.

This concert is tied together by the idea of the string, the thread, the line – a crucial part of Rose’s innovative new music practice for many years.

Guest artists, guitarists Ant Gray and Bill Darby and Melbourne ensemble Golden Fur will play on the night as well as several world premieres including Decibel’s commission from Rose - The Auctioneer Says - and a tribute to American alt-rockers Low. Pre-sale tickets are $20 (or $15 concession) and available from pica.org.au.

GET OFF THE PONY

In bad news for soul brothers and sisters of Perth, the joint tour of Bell Biv Devoe and Ginuwine has been cancelled. Originally due to take in the Astor this Thursday, August 9, people who bought their tickets with a credit card will get an automatic refund, while others will need to take their tickets to any BOCS agency for refunds. Damn!

UP IN THE CLOUDS He is a red-headed English singersongwriter, no, not Ed Sheeran, Newton Faulkner is coming back to the land down under. Faulkner and his wild hair will play the Fly

By Night on Saturday, September 22. Hot on the heels of the release of his third album, Write It On Your Skin, which features the single Clouds, Faulkner has decided to play intimate club venues. Around the time of his second album, Faulkner broke his wrist whilst on a family skiing trip in France without ever setting foot on the snow. The process of creating his third album was recovery and reinvention.

Tickets to see the one-man band go on sale this Friday via flybynight.org.

MINAJ A TRIOS

Hold onto your hats, Nicki Minaj fans, as her Australian and New Zealand tour dates have been postponed. Fans wanting to get their crazy on in 2012 will still get the chance with the dates being pushed back from an October date at Burswood Dome to Saturday, December 8, at the brand spanking new Perth Arena. Support still comes from up-and-comer Tyga. For those paying attention to Perth Arena’s growing list of shows, Minaj follows announcements of George Michael, One Direction, Weezer, Elton John, and Nickelback.

TO OUR DOOR

The man who makes the gravy, Paul Kelly, is heading west to share some stories with us – but this time, via the big screen rather than the stage. A feature-length documentary titled Stories Of Me documents the life of the much-loved musician, and Kelly and the film’s director, Ian Darling, will be appearing at screenings in each city. The film will feature rare footage and performances plus interviews with the man himself and a whole range of famous faces. The doco will be shown at the Astor Theatre on Saturday, October 27, with a show at 3.30pm and a show at 7.30pm. Tickets are on sale now through BOCS.

Newton Faulkner

BE PROGRESSIVE

Once the enemy of punk rock, progressive rock is now anything musicians want it to be. Progfest is taking these ethos and celebrating prog rock, post rock, psychedelic, art rock and metal by throwing them all together in a musical extravaganza.

The Perth leg of the national will take place at the Civic Hotel on Saturday, November 10.

Headlining is Melbourne progressive/extreme/ violin-laden metallers Ne Obliviscaris and a host of other bands are still be announced. For the full line-up and ticketing information visit welkinentertainment.com.

FEET ON THE STREET

As part of Homeless Awareness Week 2012 a free street event called On The Street has been organised. Talented musicians will hit the pavement to busk around the Perth CBD and Northbridge Cultural Centre areas this Saturday, August 11, from 12-4pm. The day will finish up at the PICA Bar from 8pm with a small door charge going to Shelter WA. Helping promote awareness about homelessness are local musicians Joe Bludge, Hayley Beth, Andrew Ewing, Clint Bracknell and Peter Bibby.

VERY CLOSE TO LOVE

Greenthief

LISTEN LIKE THIEVES

Prepare yourself for psychedelic audio mayhem with Greenthief this October. The Brisbane boys are trekking around Western Australia with shows at the Rocket Room on Friday, October 26, the Prince Of Wales on Saturday, October 27; before finishing up at the Newport Hotel on Sunday, October 28. The tour supports their new single, Mr Number 1 and is a first taste of their debut album set to be released next year. This year has been a breakthrough year for the band having supported The Butterfly Effect.

Jack Doepel (MmHmMm, Bastian’s Happy Flight, Voltaire Twins) and Jo Lettenmaier (RTRFM, Lovetown) have some similar interests – disco, beats, weird and wonderful electronica and late nights. Daisuki is their love child, melding these elements into one nice monthly Sunday evening package. Daisuki launches in outrageous fashion with Melbourne cross-dressing dance jam duo Zanzibar Chanel heading west for their debut Perth show at Geisha Bar on Sunday, August 19.

Support on the night comes from Savior, the new project of local wunderkids James Ireland, Andrew Sinclair and Mei Saraswati. Mostarsk will also be bringing their emotive beats to well and truly warm people up from the winter chills, while Willy Suede will spin tunes from his unparalleled boogie funk/disco collection to keep the good times flowing. Tickets will be available on the door for $10 before 9pm and $12 thereafter.

The Beards

STROKE YOUR CHIN

Start growing your beards and/or find yourself a man with facial hair, because the prophecies are true The Beards are coming for you on their 2012 End Of The World (For Beardless People) Tour. Strap yourselves in for a bunch of hairy situations, with support from The Snowdroppers and Gay Paris. See them at the Prince of Wales Hotel on Thursday, November 15; Settlers Tavern on Friday, November 16; Rosemount Hotel on Saturday, November 17; and Indi Bar on Sunday, November 18.

RADIO FREE PERTH

Community radio station RTRFM’s annual Radiothon kicks off in little over a week and the station has just named some extra goodies for the Opening Party. Kicking off at 4pm at The Bird on Saturday, August 18, the station has lined up Peter Bibby, Andrew Ryan, and Davey Craddock & The Monocle for an acoustic arvo before the nights take in the likes of Umpire, Cow Parade Cow, The Novocaines, and more take over The Bird, The Bakery, Ya Ya’s, and PICA Bar. Grab your tickets from rtrfm.com.au now. The day before on Friday, August 17, Radiothon kicks off with Breakfast With Barr doing a live broadcast from the Daily Planet Cafe and featuring guests Simone And Girlfunkle, Emperors, and James Teague. Make sure you tune in and subscribe!

PLANET CARAVAN

Davey Lane

DOWN MEMORY LANE

Homegrown hero Davey Lane of You Am I fame has just announced a rare WA solo tour, and will be debuting tunes from his much-anticipated solo album The Good Borne Of Bad Tymes. Lane has been carving out a name for himself non-stop for a couple of decades now, both as guitarist of You Am I and for a slew of big names – from Barnesy to Crowded House. See him with The Morning Night and Louis & The Honky Tonk at the Prince Of Wales on Thursday, August 23, at Jill Birt’s album launch with Richard Lane at The Fly Trap on Friday, August 24, with The Morning Night at Rottnest’s The Governor’s Bar on Saturday, August 25; and with The Morning Night and Davey Craddock & The Spectacles at Ya Ya’s on Sunday, August 26. www.xpressmag.com.au

WA’s premier global arts venue is recreating the swinging scene of the Parisian café set with the Caravan Club at Kulcha every Sunday from 4pm. This Sunday, August 12, catch the sizzling and sassy sounds of the Belleville Gypsy Swing Quartet, who will perform a repertoire from Hot Swing and standards done in clever and uniquely arranged styles. Entry is free.

INVADER ALERT

If you were around in the ‘80s you might remember the moustaches and the mullets but you might also remember a local band, Invaders.

In the decade of shoulder pads and huge hair, John Worall had a hard rock voice, Jamie Page and Steve Garde had powerhouse guitar riffs, and John Petkovich had thundering drum solos. The band mixed their own material with Thin Lizzy, Jethro Tull and Bad Company before splitting up. They’re coming back for one big show at the Charles Hotel on Saturday, September 15.

Moody indie rock five-piece Husband are kicking off a two-week residency this week at their favourite venue, Mojos Bar. On Thursday, August 9, and Thursday, August 16, the band are playing live with some very special guests across two weeks including The Flower Drums, The Big Old Bears (duo), Our Man In Berlin, Sean O’Neill (solo) and RTRFM DJs Craig Hollywood vs. Harvey Rae. Tickets to both shows are $8 on the door from 8pm.

After weeks of arguing and hair pulling the band formerly known as Sleeping Giant, and then known for a short period as Damage Kings, have decided to change their name back to Sleeping Giant.

Confused? You won’t be after you catch their rockin’ set at the Rocket Room this Friday, August 10.

Alt-country rockers The Ghost Hotel return to The Bird this Saturday, August 11, for their first Perth headline show since their album launch in March. Since then the band has toured the east coast, regional WA and played In The Pines, the WAMi Festival and WA Day festival State Of The Art. Support comes from The Warning Birds and Luke Bostelman.

Tickets will be available on the door.

The fine folks from Perth Sound & Found are ringing in 12 months of celebrating local music with a First Birthday Bash of epic proportions. They’ve called upon some of the finest acts Perth has to offer – including Astro Lix, When Summer Ends, Serial Killer Smile, Heytesburg, Seer Cya, Mulder, Black Ink, Jade Diary, Death & A Cure, Hyte and DJ Hayda – to celebrate a year of hard work helping local musicians, bands, and many others. Doors open 7pm and the event will finish at 3am. Tickets are available for $25 on door or there are limited $20

Husband pre-sale tickets available online from the Perth Sound & Found website.

If you tuned in to last year’s Telethon you might remember a spectacle performance on the back of a nine tonne truck through the Perth CBD streets. The band behind that musical prank was local rockers Animal who will be breaking out of their cage this September to launch their ball-breaking debut album Plenty Of Supplies. The album launch is set to take place on Friday, September 7, at the Rosemount Hotel with support coming from Brutus, Red Sky and Serial Killer Smile. Tickets are on sale now through Heatseeker.

Popular local talent Helen Shanahan has been hard at work writing and recording her debut album Driftwood and is ready to showcase her efforts at the album launch on Friday, October 5, at the Fly By Night. Driftwood comes three years after her first EP Girl In Love which established Helen as a serious and soulful WA musician and a firm favourite at numerous venues around Perth including The Ellington and Mojos; and as a strong support act to The Basement Birds, Passenger and Matt Corby.

Send all your local music news to localmusic@xpressmag.com.au to find yourself in our pages!

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Bill Bailey

BILL BAILEY London Calling Sitting in sunny West London in his cosy “garden bunker”, Bill Bailey admits to being fairly fed up with London of late, what with the Queen’s Jubilee just finished and the Olympics now in full swing. Thankfully, for his sanity and our comedic entertainment, Bailey will get the chance to escape his homeland when he heads down under with his new show Qualmpeddler later this month, stopping in at the Riverside Theatre on Sunday, August 26. Bookings via Ticketek.

“Oh thank goodness for that,” Bill Bailey exclaims when asked how he’s feeling now that the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations have come to a close.

“I must admit I thought the flotilla down the Thames was quite impressive were it not for the freezing rain, and the poor Queen had to stand in it for the whole thing; I mean she’s 86, come on.

You don’t make the old dear stand on a freezing boat for hours on end.

“Also, the BBC’s coverage of it was just absolutely diabolical,” he muses. “Nobody knew what was going on. It’s been planned for years and years and years and there were literally presenters turning around and going, ‘ooh, there’s some kind of boat!’. You’ve had years to find out who made every rivet of it, I want to know who made the propeller, who put the engines in, when was it made, who made it and what are their names and addresses?”

And as for the Olympics, Bailey notes that although it’s a historic time for his nation, he’s not fussed about men and women who can run, jump, swim and throw weird objects long distances (amen to that!).

“Well obviously this is a huge moment for Britain and there are people who have spent a long time preparing for it and I think if you are involved in it, it’s a culmination of years and years of work and training. As a spectacle though, I’m slightly wary of what’s going to happen to these sites that they have built, they are building them in the east of London, which is not a place which is that friendly and so I’m not sure if anybody will go.”

When it comes to choosing a favourite Olympic event, Bailey admits that he has quite a penchant for the hammer. “I love the throwing of the hammer, that’s spectacularly pointless. I love watching it, it is brilliant! The idea must have come from Scotland, it’s some Celtic thing. I can’t imagine the Greeks inventing the throwing of something that looks like plumbing equipment, like something from a toilet. What is the practical application for that? Your mate is a plumber, he is going to fix the toilet and he is getting on a ferry and he has forgotten to take the bit of equipment that he needs, so you run down the jetty, whirling yourself like a dervish and fling this bit of lavatory equipment onto the ferry. To me that seems like the only practical application.”

Olympics and Jubilee aside, Bailey hasn’t been spending all of his time lazing about in the home of pies and mushy peas, having recently returned from a family holiday to China, the land of weird Communist art.

“I was over there for a holiday; I took the family to see The Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors, the Forbidden City and all those tourist sites. It’s something I had wanted to do for a long time. It’s an amazing, extraordinary place; it’s just fascinating. It’s weird, surreal and monumental.

They have all kinds of deserts and snow and 12

“I love the throwing of the hammer, that’s spectacularly pointless. I love watching it, it is brilliant! The idea must have come from Scotland, it’s some Celtic thing. I can’t imagine the Greeks inventing the throwing of something that looks like plumbing equipment” mountains and rivers and green pastoral areas, it’s humid and cold, with all manner of climates and foods.”

A fan of unusual foods who hunts out wacky snacks while travelling the world peddling his qualms, Bailey finally had the opportunity to live out his life long dream of eating a Christmas tree while in China. Well… kinda.

“What have I eaten of late? You know actually, when I was in China earlier this year I ate pine needles and it was quite tasty I have to say! I’d never thought to eat them before but in the south west province of China, near the Burmese border, that’s one of their local dishes.”

And was the dish cooked up by a Chinese woodland creature perhaps?

“Either that or the chef was chucking out his Christmas tree, very late in the year. That’s what to do with those left over Christmas trees, throw them in a salad,” Bailey chuckles.

Bailey’s recent visit to China obviously left quite an impression on the Black Books star, judging by the poster artwork for Qualmpeddler.

“That’s a direct pastiche of a Mao era propaganda poster; there’s me playing the giant Mao character, reaching over this crowd of factory workers and pointing rather than plucking like I do, at dissidents. It’s basically a denunciation poster and then there was all these other people pointing at this person as well, cowering pathetically at the feet of the mob from the factory. There’s a juxtaposition - they are quite beautiful paintings, extraordinary, they are lovely things, but all of it is basically showing terrible violence and oppression and possible murder, there’s a weird duality about them which I thought was quite fascinating. There are books and books of these things and some of them are amazing, they are beautiful cherubic children, grubby faces like little cherubs and one of them is drowning and another child, oh my god it’s deranged.”

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT Family Tree

Flamboyant singer Rufus Wainwright is arguably the jewel in the crown of his rich musical family. CHRIS HAVERCROFT spoke to Wainwright about his current album Out Of The Game ahead of his show on Wednesday, September 19, at Riverside Theatre.

Rufus Wainwright has a history of lavish theatrical live shows with previous visits to Australia finding him on stage in lederhosen, dressed as Judy Garland or insisting that there were no applause from the audience while he performed songs from his album All Days Are Nights: Songs For Lulu.

Wainwright suggests that things will be a little less theatrical this time around and he focuses on his latest array of baroque pop tunes. “This one is a little more streamlined,” insists Wainwright of the current tour. “I wanted to focus more on the band sound and a tougher attitude that this record (Out Of The Game) toys with. Of course Rufus Wainwright saying tough is a pretty far from tough. We are not going for that very, very lavish baroque thing, but it is still me.

“I really did want to focus on the tightness of the music and the variety of the material because I do songs from the new album and I do a little bit of Judy [Garland] and some of my mother’s material as well and my dad’s stuff,” he continues. “We also have great other artists in the band like Krystal Warren and Teddy Thompson, so I want it to be really about the music. But we seem to be edging into a theatrical sphere as well because people tend to like that, but I just wanted to get the music down first.

There should be some fun stuff to see.”

Out Of The Game is a return to the pop medium for Wainwright. Over recent years he has tackled projects that have seen him reinterpret Judy Garland songs, address his mother’s death on a solo piano record, and the writing of the opera Prima Donna. It was ultimately this experience that pushed the artist back to his melodic roots. “When I was writing the opera and doing the solo piano album, I was really entrenched in the classical world on a substantial level,” he says. “On one hand it was

www.xpressmag.com.au

“Although I am having a great time with my daughter I am only now putting my mother’s death in a position in my life, so more will be revealed. She is only a yearand-a-half now so I would be foolish to be making any solid statements now about what it is to be a father. I am still a baby myself anyways.” a fantastic experience and I learned a lot, but on the other hand it was a very tragic experience because some of the preconceived notions like the castles in the air that I had constructed over the years about classical music about how wonderful and free and accepting it was were shattered. I now have a more realistic approach to that territory. In time it did make me reevaluate pop music and learn to love it again.

Having that freedom of expression and youth and excitement is pretty grand.”

With a return to the pop medium, Wainwright engaged heavy hitting producer Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Christina Aguilera) to work on the record. There was some consideration that Ronson may push Wainwright more into the mainstream, but the biggest change for Out Of The Game was that Wainwright handed over the reins to the producer and

musicians for the first time in his career. This was as much to do with Wainwright letting go of his dictatorial ways as well as the trust he had in Ronson.

“He knows his recording history and he knows how to play an instrument and he knows how to work a soundboard, so he has the chops,” Wainwright praises. “But then there is this other wave of glamour that he rides in on with both his life, the way he looks and how charming he is. It is pretty formidable when he is in your life working with you because you are completely whisked away into this ‘Ronsonian’ parallel universe and it is very exciting and fun but luckily brief. We only worked together for a month and it was great that it wasn’t longer than that because you don’t want to get too carried away with the beautiful people. And I don’t think that Mark is like that, deep down he is an amazing man and a good friend but we come from different worlds. I have my own fabulous life too to tend to.”

One of the least predictable headlines of the last few years was when it was announced that Wainwright had fathered a child with Leonard Cohen’s daughter - Lorna Cohen. It was announced on his website that Viva Katherine Wainwright Cohen was born on February 2, 2011. “I know that it came out of the blue when it occurred but it has been miraculous and completely fulfilling,” says papa Wainwright. “I am still in shock over how amazing it all is. The other thing that I have to say too is that Martha and I are still on the heels of our mother’s death, and I can only deal with one huge life thing at a time. Although I am having a great time with my daughter I am only now putting my mother’s death in a position in my life, so more will be revealed. She is only a year-and-a-half now so I would be foolish to be making any solid statements now about what it is to be a father. I am still a baby myself anyways.”

The outspoken singer had said that he wasn’t previously a huge supporter of gay marriage, stating he loves the whole “old-school promiscuous Oscar Wilde freak show of what being gay once was”, but that has all changed since he met his current partner Jörn Weisbrodt.

The pair recently became engaged. “I would say that I am getting married and I am deeply in love with my fiancé and we are together whenever we can be,” he offers. “There is a rich history of homosexual shenanigans and I don’t think that gay marriage is the same as straight marriage. I don’t know what gay marriage is quite yet because it is all new and it is all being defined. To say that we are going to put it into the same category of what straight people have been doing for the last 2000 years I think that might be a bit naive as well. I do think that it is

Rufus Wainwright important to move forward and to discover what it is to become. We still need to create it in a lot of ways.

“I am excited about my wedding and making the commitment to cherish and love someone and support each other for the rest of our lives. To me that is what the marriage thing is about. It’s about saying that I want to be with you for the rest of my life. And that is something that has never been available for gay people to do that publically and to do that spiritually and to celebrate that. I don’t think that straight people really realise how lacking that is in the gay world and how that affects people.”

13

Tim Hart Bonniwells

BONNIWELLS Gesundheit

Bonniwells specialise in an upbeat, melodic garage rock somewhere between The Beatles and Nirvana, but without the pressure those references might imply. JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD chatted to bassist John Waddell ahead of their gigs at the Velvet Lounge on Friday, August 24; Dada Records on Saturday, August 25; and Mojos Bar on Sunday, August 26.

Whatever the current fashion, garage rock is a danger-courting genre that never really goes away.

There’s a resurgence of sorts in the US at the moment, with outfits such as Thee Oh Sees, Ty Segall and the People’s Temple being three notable exemplars, and closer to home Melbournian trio Bonniwells are being lauded for their commitment to playing hard, fast and loud.

“It’s refined punk with a heavy garage influence, catchy and simple drums, chugging bass that never stops, a big slap in the face worth of sharp fuzzy guitar and the vocal marriage of Marc [Dean] and Zak [Olsen] makes for a unique but upbeat listening experience,” explains bassist John Waddell.

Formerly known as The Bonniwells, the band dropped the prefix in anticipation of the release of their new album Sneeze Weed.“We’ve been trimming the fat with our music recently, getting songs down under the two minute mark, tightening up on all aspects so we did it with our name too,”Waddell explains.

Sneeze Weed marks an evolution from Bonniwells’ 2010 debut, Unprofitable Servant, simply because it contains 11 original songs, whereas their debut clocked in at just 20 minutes, including several covers. “We had about 15 songs that we wanted to record as it was definitely time to bring out another

14

album to show case our maturity since the first shorter album. So for the first part of recording Sneeze Weed we drove to Sydney and recorded 14 songs over five days with our ol’ pal Owen Penglis from The Straight Arrows,” Waddell says. “Of those 14 songs over the next six months we only kept two on the now released Sneeze Weed, new songs were written, old songs were forgotten or we just stopped liking them. We did use some of the left over songs on a tape that came out on Anti Fade records entitled Sunny Brick which I think we will re-issue very soon.”

In an effort to keep their trademark rawness, the album was mostly recorded live to four-track in the lounge room of singer-guitarist Marc Dean.“They had a better vibe,”Waddell says of the home-recorded tracks.

“I think it shows on the album that it’s been chopped and changed a whole bunch, which is fine by us, [and] it’s not mastered properly, as some tracks are way louder than others, but it makes for an honest snap shot of us and how we get things done.”

Bringing their wild live show to WA this month for the first time ever, Waddell says audiences can expect to hear “noise in the form of a wall of psyched out garage punk sound” and concludes with a callout to any local garage rock lovers:“If you’re reading this, I didn’t bore you too much why not pop along to one or all three of our WA shows?”

TIM HART

The Bear Necessities Tim Hart is a name you may know as the percussionist for ARIA winning folk band Boy & Bear. Previously, Hart’s solo aspirations had to be put to the back burner, but with a solo record Milling The Wind about to be released, the talented songwriter is more than ready to step out on his own. JENNIFER PETERSONWARD sat down with Hart ahead of his performances at the Ellington Jazz Club on Friday, August 31; and the Newport Hotel on Saturday, September 1.

When young folk outfit Boy & Bear entered a Sydney recording studio in late 2010 to record a cover of Fall At Your Feet for a Neil and Tim Finn tribute album, they weren’t to know they were undertaking work which would change the course of their musical careers – and lives – for years to come.

Back then they didn’t know that cover would land them a spot on the Triple J Hottest 100 and would set the stage for their debut record, Moonfire, to sweep the charts and earn them legions of fans across the globe.

While anyone with a passing interest in the current Australian music scene may be well familiar with this story by now, most wouldn’t know that this defining moment in Boy & Bear’s career also opened

the door for percussionist Tim Hart’s burgeoning solo career.“I remember we were in the studio recording the Crowded House cover and I played the guys one of my songs.They basically said to me ‘you can’t not record this’ and I knew they were probably right,” he begins.

As Hart attests, his solo excursion is by no means a departure from Boy & Bear, but rather a way to express his own musical ideas. “When we started Boy & Bear we sat down and decided that it was really important that it would be a forum for [frontman] Dave [Hosking]’s main ideas, so that’s the way we decided to go,” he says, “I never thought about using my own songs for a Boy & Bear album.”

That being said, the rest of his band did contribute to the creative process,with Hosking lending his voice to backing vocals, bassist Jake Tarasenko playing bass, flute and fife on the record, guitarist Killian Gavin recording demos, and keys/mandolin player Jon Hart (who is also Tim’s brother) taking photos for the album art. “It wasn’t on purpose,” Hart says. “It was more the fact that they’re my mates and they were just hanging around when I was working on it. They are really passionate about it.”

Addressing themes of childhood, religion, family, love and heartbreak, Hart says he ultimately hopes Milling The Wind is remembered as “an honest” listen.“I’m really confident of the success of this project long term. This kind of singer/songwriter tradition of music is timeless,” he says, citing musicians like Bob Dylan, Don McLean and Neil Young as major influences on the album. “All these guys are known for telling stories in an honest way.”

Despite having a ready-made fan base waiting in the wings, Hart is adamant he doesn’t want to “ride on the coattails” of Boy & Bear. “I’m not really pushing it through Boy & Bear. If it means a thousand less people are disconnected but each person who listens to it does really connect with it then I’ll be just so happy,” he concludes.“I want it to be the kind of music project that grows on people. I don’t expect to sell tens of thousands of albums. In fact, I almost don’t want to.”

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

Nasum

NASUM

One Night Only Swedish grindcore outfit Nasum will be heading to Perth for their first, and only, show at Amplifier Bar next Wednesday, August 15.

JESSICA WILLOUGHBY speaks with bassist Jesper Liveröd about the band’s unexpected 20th anniversary reunion.

The legend of seminal Swedish grindcore outfit Nasum grew from great tragedy.

A band truly ahead of their time, the input this sextet had on the still-developing extreme metal community throughout the ‘90s is undeniable. Fusing elements of death metal and crust with grind, they set the stage for a wave of bands looking to emulate their sound.

But the meteoric rise of these Orebrobased musicians was not to last. When the Indian Ocean tsunami in Thailand claimed the life of vocalist Mieszko Talarczyk in 2004, naturally the remaining members felt it was time to call it quits. But the abrupt end lacked the closure needed to put Nasum to rest, according to bassist Jesper Liveröd.

Now, eight years later, the band feels the time is right to say goodbye to their friend and will be marking the occasion with a string of shows to celebrate. “We are definitely not capitalising on

death,” Liveröd tells X-Press. “It’s quite the opposite actually. The shows are not so much a eulogy for Mieszko, but we just wanted to celebrate his life. I guess the hardest part really was when we started rehearsing two years before the farewell tour. We didn’t feel bad, but it does feel a bit strange without him. I remember sitting down and writing these songs with him. But he is ever-present and we still talk about him a lot - about past tours we’d done and things like that. We are all having a good time hanging out, which is something we haven’t done in a long time. All the shows are passing so quickly, so I’m trying to savour the experience.”

With the tour also marking the band’s 20th anniversary, Keijo Niinimaa (Rotten Sound) has been given the monumental task of filling Talarczyk’s shoes. Although Liveröd notes no man could replace the energy of their late-frontman, Niinimaa was Nasum’s only choice. “We wanted someone who had a connection to the band,” he says. “Rotten Sound had been around the same time as Nasum, we had toured a few times together and Mieszko had recorded a few of their albums. When we were discussing possible singers, we just kept coming back to him. So he was the only one we offered the job to. Thankfully he accepted and now we are playing some of the craziest gigs we’ve ever done. We played Hellfest in France in front of 10,000 people, which was insane. We’ve played festivals before, but never in front of that many. We’ve really put ourselves up for scrutiny and it’s turning out really well.”

Signing off on the final chapter for Nasum has brought with it a sense of satisfaction, with Liveröd the first to say returning to the older material brought deep reflection. But he is happy that Australians will now get to see the band, even if it is only in reformation. “I think finally getting over to you is a dream come true to us and I hope we can live up to your expectations.”

The Menzingers

THE MENZINGERS Play Your New Songs Rousing Pennsylvanian punk act The Menzingers are on the road with US legends Pennywise and Sharks.

They play Metro Freo on Wednesday, August 29. BEN WATSON had a chats to drummer Joe Godino.

It’s exciting, exciting times for The Menzingers.

The US band have just released their third album, On The Impossible Past, which is their first release on legendary punk label Epitaph Records.

Since its release in February, the band has been flat out on the road. When X-Press spoke to Joe Godino, he was bunkered down in Philadelphia between legs of a national Bouncing Souls tour, chock full of excitement for what’s to come.

“We’re really excited to be able to play with them,” he says of the upcoming Pennywise tour.

“We’ve all been listening to them for a long time.

They’re one of those bands that we all grew up on so we’re really excited to be able to play with them, absolutely, to meet those guys. It’s going to be cool.”

This Australian tour is the band’s second within six months. Keen punters would remember them from Soundwave earlier this year where, in addition to the main shows, they supported Bad Religion on a series of side shows. Godino says he can’t wait to come back.

“We all consider Australia paradise,” he says.

“That’s what I call it, anyway. So we’re really excited to get back. This time, luckily, we’ll get to see more places and cities in Australia that we hadn’t played on Soundwave, so we’re excited to see those places and www.xpressmag.com.au

get back to the places that we played to. We can’t wait to come back. Everybody there has been super kind to us the first time we were over there. So, we can’t wait to get back and meet some new people and have another Australian tour. It’s going to be amazing. We can’t wait.”

Godino’s enthusiasm is almost hypnotic, but you can’t blame the guy, really. The Menzingers are living the dream. Six years into their career they’ve dropped a breakthrough album on the world’s most iconic punk label, they’re touring constantly, and about to bust out a headlining tour across Europe.

They might sound a little more laid back than some of their faster, heavier punk heroes, but audiences, Godino says, are lapping it up. “We’ve always been into music,” he says, “that’s where we got our start and the tours we’ve done, and I would consider us a punk band. It’s always been well received, no matter who we’ve been able to tour with. So yeah, there is definitely a feel of them being very accepting and open up to us, for sure.”

The new album is also going down really well.“We’ve been getting a lot of really good reviews,” he says, “and we’ve been touring a lot since it came out. The songs have been going over really well live.

Everybody seems to be really into them. It’s not like a situation were people are like, ‘oh, play your old songs, we don’t want to hear the new songs!’ Everybody really gets really excited when we play new songs. We’ve been working a lot of the newer songs into our set more so than in the past with other new material.

“So it’s definitely been the best-received album that we’ve put out so far. It’s amazing that we’ve been able to play them at shows and know that people are going to be excited. It’s definitely awesome.

It’s been really great.”

15

PSEUDO ECHO

Echoes From the Past

Pseudo Echo

music that were mixing things up overseas didn’t make much of a dent in the pub and RSL scene.

“It was certainly vibrant,” Pseudo Echo founder Brain Canham recalls fondly. “There’s no doubt about that. There were a lot of bands and a lot of opportunities, lots of venues popping up on every corner. It was quite exciting, because it was kind of the end of the ‘70s - that pub rock sound was starting to be very dated. The advent of the sampling keyboard and synthesisers and electronic drums were just being released. We were being blown away by the sound of bands we were hearing from Europe Culturally, the ‘70s lasted a long time in Australia and America. We’d been playing in bands since our early teens - always rock or punky kinds of bands, - well into the early ‘80s, at any rate.

In terms of music and street culture, there but progressing and morphing into a new sound. I wasn’t a whole lot of difference between what was remember thinking that every kid on every corner popular in 1982 and 1972, and the new modes of sounded like a rock band, and I remember thinking

Australian ‘80s pop sensation Pseudo Echo play the Charles Hotel on Saturday, August 25. Their new single, Suddenly Silently, is out now. TRAVIS JOHNSON talks to lead singer Brian Canham about the ineffable allure of the ‘80s.

that there had to be something that wasn’t like everybody else.”

That line of thought led to the formation of Pseudo Echo, still regarded as the definitive Australian new wave band, and still most famous for their cover of the old Lipps, Inc. disco standard, Funky Town. Still, the early days were not easy for four pretty boys playing synth pop to crowds reared on Cold Chisel and The Angels.

“We’d get opening slots with more established acts,” Canham tells us. “But there were definitely some real mismatches. We were playing with rock bands and blues bands, and we didn’t even have a drum back then; we just had a little drum machine and a couple of synths. It was very unconventional. We wore makeup, and we wore our hair all sticking up - we looked pretty crazy. But our songs, in essence, were still just pop songs, and they had all this electronic stuff going on, but they were still just pop songs. We’d get the audience vibed up we’d get a couple of girls on the dancefloor, and the guys would get up and dance if they wanted to crack on to the girls, so it usually worked in our favour.”

But what was new and strange then is fondly recalled nostalgia now, and Pseudo Echo are experiencing a resurgence of popularity in the wake of the current retro ‘80s revival. “It’s not just a fad,” Canham declares. “It’s a genuine resurgence. The ‘80s was definitely an iconic era. ‘50’s, ‘60s and ‘70s music just grew into each other; ‘90s music was very antihero and nondescript apart from the obvious grunge sound; but ‘80s music had a very strong flavour, and that’s what’s helped it stand the test of time. There’s a uniqueness about it.”

Animisitic

ANIMISTIC Dark Deeds

Local metal quartet Animistic are planning to dish out monolithic slabs at the launch of their debut EP Incarnate this Friday, August 10, at Amplifier. Ahead of the gig, JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD got the lowdown on their sinister grooves from thrasher Dush Sekerac.

Formed in 2010, Animistic are a five-piece delivering savage riffing, driving rhythms and violent vocals to create a wall of sound that is dark and crushing. “ The best way to describe our sound is simply heavy groove. We’ve tried to incorporate different styles of heavy music to form a solid sound both heavy and with substance,” explains drummer Dusan ‘Dush’ Sekerac. “It seems that in the heavy game a lot of bands are trying to out blast, out sweep each other getting so technical that they end up losing sight of what’s really important and that’s writing a good song.”

As Dush explains, his band’s main goal when writing for their debut EP was to change the way people traditionally think about heavy music. “Our main goal was to create heavy music that grooves. With the EP we concentrated on trying to structure and serve the song in terms of playing, instead of playing for individual glory,” he explains.

That being said, Dush admits there were some unsurprising influences on their sound. “Due to the tuning and the eightstring guitars homage has to be paid to Meshuggah as it’s the sound they created,” he says. “In saying that as a band were all into different styles and have individual niches and influences to bring to the plate when writing the EP – styles ranging from sludge, death metal, rock, et cetera.”

Having spent the last two years reaping havoc on local stages, Animistic have garnered a strong local following with their nearly 2000 Facebook fans testament to their killer live shows. “It’s such a hard industry to crack. The one good thing about playing heavy music is it doesn’t concentrate on formulas of having the right look. Fans of heavy music will watch a band simply because they enjoy the music and they’re also very loyal,” Dush says.

Known for the loudness and heaviness of their performances, Dush says it was difficult to instill the same energy on their record, however assistance from Extreme Studio sound engineer Sam Allen went a long way to helping them achieve their goal. “It comes down to the performance, trying to get the most solid take possible. We were lucky to have a good friend of ours [Sam Allen] help out who went above and beyond his duty in an effort to create a big sound and in giving the songs the justice they deserved,” he says.

As Dush attests, the band are now gearing up to launch the fruits of their labors in EP Incarnate this Friday evening, and says punters can expect: “Loud music, drunken people, girls flashing and a donkey show.”

It’s not hard to predict the young quartet’s popularity will continue to rise in the second half of 2012, with a slew of live performances sure to expose their sound to a whole new audience. “After launching the EP we’ve got a few cool things happening which were all very excited for. We’re playing the Perth Bastardfest in October, following that we will be shooting over to the east coast to play a gig in Brisbane and then the Sydney Bastardfest, which is the premier Oz metal festival,” Dush says. “The local punters that come and watch us, your support is always greatly appreciated.”

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

PLAN B ill Manors

MAROON 5 Overexposed

697/ Atlantic

A&M/Octone

D on’t expec t to feel comfortable listening to UK MC, singer-songwriter, actor and director Plan B’s third record ill Manors, an original soundtrack album for his debut film of the same title which he wrote and directed. “Are you sittin’ comfortably?

Well put your seatbelts on ‘cause you’re in for a harrowing ride” asks Plan B on I Am The Narrator, a commentary on “bitches suckin’ cocks for them rocks… prossies on the corner with the fuckin’ high heels on… crack addicts lookin’ for other addicts to steal from”.

Raw suspense permeates much of the storytelling record as Plan B spits out dark, sad stories on drug-fuelled families, politics, violence, poverty, crime and race. And, although some of the lyrics may seem crass (“He knows Kirby’s upstairs banging his mum/ while he’s in the basement with some racist cunt”), they are brutally honest and you’ll be drawn into the record’s stories whether you’re up for it or not.

MC Takura, UK rapper Kano, Labrinth and English performance poet John Cooper Clarke bring their brilliant vocal talents to the grimey, powerful offering but the album is tied together exceptionally with scene snippets from the film which adds to the suspense.

An excellent, well-produced accomplishment which challenges beliefs, entices intellectual discussion about this modern world and delivers a solid set of beats. Best record for 2012 so far.

Maroon 5 are dominating at the moment and, according to the title of their new record, Overexposed, they know it.

The band may be topping the international charts as a five-piece, but frontman Adam Levine is undoubtedly the poster boy for the group, with the ability to make everyone swoon with his croonin’, his need to be shirtless at all times, and his outspoken media presence – we’ll overlook his recent tirade against music reviewers.

Overexposed has some huge pop songwriters and producers associated with it, which is utterly obvious on first listen. Payphone is the standout and it’s difficult not to like it; combining all the elements of a great catchy pop song with Levine’s earnest vocals, some rapper dude, and enough cynicism and swear words to ensure it isn’t too sugary sweet. Sad is aptly titled and surprisingly not terrible; the lyrics are simple but Levine prettifies them, and the piano and sincere vocals combo is a winner. The odd addition of a cover of Prince’s Kiss is welcome; Levine’s powerful, unforgivably sexy vocals rock this track.

Unfortunately, the goodness stops here, and most other tracks on the record are too similar or too over-produced. Though not awful, they are likely to be spun in clubs for a while, then forgotten by everyone but the hardcore fans. Nowhere near a great pop album, but good enough to have a listen and a dance.

_ANNABEL MACLEAN

_CHLOE PAPAS

MICACHU AND THE SHAPES Never

OLLO Ape Delay Metal Postcard

Rough Trade

While the term ‘musical prodigy’ seems to get bandied around a lot in the musical world – with seemingly every young, reasonably gifted muso getting stuck with the label – it appears beyond dispute that Mica Levi is a phenomenon in her own right.

A graduate in classical composition, Levi exploded onto the scene with her band Micachu And The Shapes’ wonderfully inventive 2009 debut, Jewellery, which made indie pop played on toy guitars and vacuums seem like an obvious choice. The British weirdo wunderkind also has a piece for the London Philarmonic Orchestra under her belt, alongside her occasional sideline as a grime MC. Now, Levi is finally getting around to The Shapes’ second album, Never, which matures while retaining that rambunctious inventiveness. It all gets off to a good start with opener Easy popping with bursts of cute oddity. From there, it treads a mainly similar path, with playfulness beaming out from the scuffed, surf-pop harmonies of Holiday and the crazily catchy woodwind-laden Top Floor.

It takes a certain amount of courage to make music that so closely skirts the outer edges of sheer annoyance, and indeed for some this experimental music will prompt an instinctive grab for the stop button. But give it a chance: Never may be strange on first pass, but only by its uniqueness.

It’s easy to get synth pop wrong. The genre relies on a studied simplicity which, done poorly, can pretty quickly result in a sound that is cheesy, bland or just dated. Sydney two-piece, Ollo, describe themselves as ‘the thinking person’s synth pop band,’ and on their third studio album, Ape Delay, they do a remarkable job at avoiding the genre’s pitfalls. A lot of the album does sound pretty cheesy but, like the sonically-similar LCD Soundsystem, Ollo’s cheesier moments are offset by humour, irony and a deadpan cool.

A big part of this is the album’s layering.

Whereas many similar bands would be content to crutch on a few key synth lines and a beat, the sounds on Ape Delay run far deeper than that. In recording the album Ollo set out a specific list of production rules including ‘only use analogue synths made before 1985’ and ‘record live takes instead of programming.’ The result is a kind of rawness not often seen in this kind of electronic music but which is surprisingly captivating.

There is a good progression of tunes over the course of the album too. The first half is more dethatched, with stretched out Kraftwerk jams and post-modern pastiche. The second half slows things down and even allows an occasional crack in the band’s ironic veneer. It’s an oddly touching moment when Alex Crowfoot sings “maybe it’s not too late to change your scene,” in a voice that sounds thoroughly defeated.

_JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD

_HENRY ANDERSEN

KARMIN Hello

The LUMINEERS The Lumineers

Epic/Sony

Rogue Records/Inertia

The internet is giving artists t h e o p p o r t u n i t y to b e discovered in new ways.

Karmin, an engaged pop duo, are a success story of the online community, their channel has over 200 million views on YouTube and has garnered them mainstream fame. Covers of Chris Brown’s Look At Me Now and Nicki Minaj’s Superbass as well as performances on talk show Ellen have only further boosted the pop duo’s career.

Their debut EP Hello is a mixture of pop, dance, hip-hop, which is extremely catchy despite being produced within an inch of its life. In fact, the album has more producers than it does tracks with Claude Kelly, Tricky Stewart, Soundz, Stargate and a host of others all lending their talents to the record.

Singer Amy Heidemann is the focal point of the EP, taking charge with cute singing and warp speed rapping. The synthesiser charged tracks won’t feel out of place in a nightclub, especially lead single Brokenhearted. Nick Noonan, the other member of the group only gets one track to shine with his singing, on the track Coming Up Strong. This track’s opening piano movement gives the impression it might be worthwhile ballad but the drum machines give it an inhuman feel.

All in all, the album has too many layers to really judge if the duo have any talent – strip them away and we might find the real Karmin.

_AARON CORLETT www.xpressmag.com.au

When Jeremiah Fraites brother died of an overdose in 2002, the drummer joined with his friend Wesley Schultz to find solace in music. The cutthroat New York chewed them up and spat them out before the duo retreated with their tail between their legs to Denver. A regular Tuesday night open mic session saw them team up with cellist Neyla Pekarek and The Lumineers were born.

The three-piece folk outfit is the vehicle of choice for many a budding songwriter, but the tunes of The Lumineers go well beyond the latest indie fashion.

With sparse percussion, varied acoustic instrumentation and a haunting use of the band members voices, The Lumineers capture the sense of love, loss and the shit things that people say to each other in relationships while still finding time to have a good old hoe down.

The writing process for The Lumineers involves flicking the chords between band members until the right nuances and melodies can be found, as can be seen on great affect with the spritely Submarines, the aching Dead Sea and the easy to pen, difficult to record ‘hit’ single Ho Hey. Not since Justin Vernon locked himself in a winter cabin has there been such an unaffected and unspoiled debut. The Lumineers aren’t the type of band who will go chasing Grammys and ruin a good things with a dose of mistimed bombast. The Lumineers are this year’s best new discovery.

_CHRIS HAVERCROFT 17

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FESTIVE IN FREO

Attracting over 60,000 entertainment hungry punters each year, the Fremantle Festival is Australia’s oldest celebration of art, music, food, drink, fashion and culture. Organisers of the 2012 festival, which is set to take place from October 28-November 11, are on the hunt for artists, performers, organisations and collectives to propose exhibitions, shows and other events for this year’s festivities. If you’re interested in getting involved hit up fremantle.wa.gov.au/festivals.

TIME FOR TOMMY

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.

The Sapphires

THE SAPPHIRES Soul Sisters

Directed by Wayne Blair Starring Deborah Mailman, Chris O’Dowd, Jessica Mauboy, Miranda Tapsell, Shari Sebbens

Keith Barry

BRAIN GAMES

Get ready to have your mind grapes probed because the world’s leading mentalist, Ireland’s own Keith Barry, is heading to town and his show is set to be hypnotic (…literally). Famed for his brain hacking and hypnotism, Barry’s performances are always riveting, promising to boggle your brain and massage your mind. He’s appeared on shows such as Ellen and The Late Show and on Saturday, August 18, you can catch him taking to the stage at the Octagon Theatre.Tickets for this one-off show are on sale now from BOCS.

COMEDY AT KULCHA Get on down to Kulcha this Friday, August 10, for a comedy event that is sure to tickle just about every funny bone in your body. Featuring sets from Simon Palomares, Emma Zammit and Xavier Michelides, the stand up spectacular will kick off at 8pm, promising laughs and plenty of them.

Tickets are on sale now from kulcha.com.au.

Karen Shakhnazarov’s White Tiger screens as part of the Russian Resurrection Film Festival

MOVIES FROM MOTHER RUSSIA

The vodka is chilling and Perth cinephiles are rifling through their cupboards trying to find their ushanka, which can only mean one thing, the Russian Resurrection Film Festival is about to hit town. A celebration of Russian film that will take over Cinema Paradiso in September, the Russian Resurrection Film Festival will showcase thrillers, dramas and romantic comedies, painting a picture of contemporary Russia and the historical events that helped shape the nation it is today. The festival will run from September 19-26; for the full rundown on what’s showing and when hit up russianresurrection.com.

The dominant myth about Australian cinema is that everything we produce these days is either a relentlessly depressing social drama or an unwatchably quirky comedy. Frankly, it’s not without justification.

But, every so often, we knock it out of a park with a big, fun, heart-warming, four-quadrant picture that puts a smile on the face of all but the dourest of filmgoers. We made The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. We made The Castle. We made Red Dog. And now, we’ve made The Sapphires.

Adapted from the 2005 stage play written

by Tony Briggs, and in turn based on a true story, the film tells the adventures of four aboriginal girls – the prickly, protective Gail (Deborah Mailmain), the talented ingénue Julie (Jessica Mauboy), the outgoing Cynthia (Miranda Tapsell), and the conflicted Kay (Shari Sebbens) – as they travel to Saigon to entertain American troops as a musical act. Initially a country and western group, they switch genres to soul at the insistence of Dave (Chris O’Dowd), a drunken Irish DJ who becomes their manager.

It’s pretty much impossible to overstate how enjoyable The Sapphires is, with its mix of music, comedy, and heartfelt emotion. It’s lovable almost to the point of gormlessness, but it’s such an open and sincere work that it’s lack of subtlety and complexity actually becomes a merit.

A cursory examination of the marketing material might lead the casual observer to think that Jessica Mauboy is the lead here, but the film belongs to Deborah Mailman, who gives a committed, honest performance as a woman whose drive to protect and nurture her siblings has rendered her obtuse and emotionally unavailable, and it’s her journey that is heart of the story. Meanwhile, O’Dowd, perhaps unsurprisingly, provides the bulk of the laughs with a performance which, while not far different from most of the roles he’s tackled, plays to his strengths.

It’s not a flawless film, though; some of the supporting performances are stilted, and some of the dialogue is on the nose. Worse, a major character’s back-story is delivered in an infodump speech that renders what should be a deeply affecting revelation almost laughable. Nonetheless, these problems are eminently forgivable; what The Sapphires does well, it does so well as to make any minor complaints about the film largely moot. Its eagerness to please is palpable, and it’d take a cruel critical mind to cut the legs out from under it as it dances for our entertainment.

Industry pundits are already predicting that The Sapphires will make an obscene amount of money, and they’re not far wrong – it’s exactly the sort of film that appeals to the broadest possible audience, and few who see it will come away unsatisfied. It’ll sweep the local awards, it’ll play for months, and the soundtrack will be all but unavoidable on commercial radio. But this is a case where the masses are right for a change, and you could do much worse than slapping down the price of a ticket – The Sapphires is a winner. _TRAVIS JOHNSON

Wayne Blair on the set of The Sapphires

WAYNE BLAIR

Making The Sapphires Sparkle Back in 2005, when Wayne Blair was cast in a starring role in Tony Briggs’ inaugural stage production of The Sapphires, the acclaimed actor/director never even dreamed that he would be the man to translate and immortalise the captivating tale on to the big screen. Seven years down the track and he’s done exactly that.

Working alongside Briggs, the son of one of the real life Sapphires, Blair was determined to create a filmic adaptation with the same heart and charisma as the original stage production. “[I wanted to translate] the love and the humour and the joy that the stage play had,” Blair explains of his approach to The Sapphires. “When we performed the play in Melbourne people just loved the story and it was new, people hadn’t heard about it. We could see the smiles on people’s faces. It’s just a story that resonates and crosses over between indigenous and non indigenous people.”

Though he’s not exactly sure what it is about the tale of The Sapphires that resonates so strongly with people of different backgrounds, Blair is pretty positive it’s got a lot to do with the courageous young women at the heart of the story.

“It’s the youth and energy of these four girls who meet this white guy and he’s the catalyst for them to sing soul in war-torn Vietnam and then they come back home; it’s a bit Wizard Of Oz-esque to find out who you are then eventually return home.

It has all the elements of a good yarn.”

Blair starred alongside Deborah Mailman in Briggs’ 2005 production, but the director is quick to assert that she didn’t get any favourable treatment going into the casting process for the film adpatation, having to audition just like everybody else.

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“Deb and I were mates but I said she had to audition like the rest of the ladies. She went through the five or six auditions as well as everyone else and at the end of the day, she was the right Gail for us. Jess Mauboy had to go through that process too. So it was all very open and equal.”

Finding the right four women to portray the charismatic Sapphires wasn’t an easy process, but after much searching, Blair eventually disovered his leading ladies in Jessica Mauboy, Shari Sebbens, Miranda Tapsell and, of course, Deborah Mailman.

“We needed a family of four girls so we needed to get the right mix of individuals with different wants and needs to the next girl. We had to see how they looked together, acted together and got on together, so that was the hardest thing. We could cast one person but they would need to have the right look and sensibility next to the others. They needed to seem like they had spent 25 years together, not just four weeks in a rehearsal room.”

Throughout the filming process Blair and Briggs often referred back to the real women at the heart of the tale, who were only too happy to see their story move from the stage to the silver screen.

“Tony was one of the co-writers, and it’s his mum’s story, so they had a lot of trust with us.

They were only on set for one day and they didn’t go through the editing process but they were consulted by me and Tony, I would ring them up to ask questions and they were always so warm, generous and respectful. It was a spinout for them, in a good way. They’ve seen the film and they’re very thankful but they’re also proud of our work and they see it more so as an achievement for us and not for them but we need to be thankful to them for being so honest with their story.” _EMMA BERGMEIER X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

Cosmopolis

COSMOPOLIS Crosstown Traffic

Directed by David Cronenberg Starring Robert Pattinson, Paul Giamatti, Samantha Morton, Sarah Gaddon, Juliette Binoche, Jay Baruchel, Kevin Durand Acclaimed Canadian director David Cronenberg used to be notorious for his exercises in transgressive body horror in films such as The Fly and Dead Ringers. However, there was always a steely intelligence inherent in even his most gore-soaked work, and it’s that quality that has come to the fore in his more recent efforts, such as A Dangerous Method and Eastern Promises. That trend continues with this, his adaptation of Don DeLillo’s 2003 novel.

In what or may or may not be the near future, young billionaire Eric Packer (yes, that Robert Pattinson) wants a haircut. A simple enough goal, but it involves travelling across a hostile Manhattan fraught with anti-capitalist protests and dealing with the heightened security and managed chaos that a Presidential visit brings. Ensconced in his high-tech limousine, Decker negotiates his way through a world he is almost entirely cut off from in much the same way he negotiates his relationships with his business underlings (including Samantha Morton, Juliette Binoche, and Jay Baruchel) and his recently-wed wife (Sarah Gaddon) - with icy intelligence, an almost solipsistic detachment, and a growing sense of self-loathing.

The film is set almost entirely within the confines of Packer’s limousine, and Cronenberg

uses the framework of the journey to pontificate on all manner of matters, chiefly among them how our drive to systematise the world so often fails to account for the human element.

Various characters pop in and out of Packer’s hermetically sealed world, bringing with them fresh ruminations to greater or lesser effect, but it gradually becomes clear that Packer himself is set on a crash course with oblivion, embracing the ‘credible threat’ on his life that his bodyguard (the ubiquitous Kevin Durand) warns him against.

In Pattinson, Cronenberg has found the perfect vehicle for his post-millennial musings.

With his angular, off-the-shelf, pretty-boy features and his cold, empty gaze, Pattinson doesn’t so much give a performance of alienation as live it. His Packer, with his looks, his intellect, his acumen, and his wealth, is an example of perfection; and perfection, Cronenberg says, is something not quite human. In his drive to find some kind of actual connection with the world, Packer is willing to - and more than capable of - destroying every element of his carefully constructed life, and it’s this that ultimately drives the narrative.

Reactions to Cosmopolis have been mixed, and that’s understandable; it’s an opaque film that demands close scrutiny, and its clinical stylings, deliberate pacing, and oblique narrative are not par ticularly welcoming. Make no mistake, though; this is Cronenberg at his most fascinating, and those with patience to tackle this conceptual puzzle box will be well rewarded for their efforts. _TRAVIS JOHNSON

Here & Now (Photo: Nic Montague)

HERE & NOW Young Guns

Here & Now is on show at the Lawrence Wilson Gallery at UWA from Friday, August 10, ’til Saturday, October 6.

Four early career art practitioners will make the transition from showing in artist-run-spaces to a formal gallery environment this month when Lawrence Wilson Gallery presents Here & Now. The first in a series of annual exhibitions exploring the work of artists in the early stages of their careers, Here & Now was curated by Katie Lenanton, and features work by creative thinkers who are members of artist-run-initiatives (ARIs) around Perth including Galleria, The Museum Of Natural Mystery and OK Gallery.

Though Lawrence Wilson has previously hosted bodies of work by early career artists, the last show of this kind was seven years ago, and Lenanton thinks it’s high time to revisit the concept, while also introducing craft and DIY practices into a formal gallery context. “[Lawrence Wilson’s] most recent earlycareer/emerging artist exhibitions were in 2003 and 2005, called Flux. Since then I guess they’ve dealt with a lot of touring exhibitions and there has not been a lot of opportunity for younger artists to exhibit here,” Lenanton explains of Here & Now while taking a break from the installation process.

Armed with a broad curatorial brief, Lenanton set about visiting artist-run-initiatives to find early career practitioners working across a variety of mediums, recruiting Tom Freeman, Ben Kovacsy, Clare Peake and Jacob Ogden Smith to create work www.xpressmag.com.au

specifically for Lawrence Wilson Gallery; plus Patrick Miller, Dan Bourke, Jamie Macchiusi, Gemma Weston, Andrew Varano and David Egan to produce work for satellite shows at the affiliated ARIs. “I didn’t necessarily just want to choose a few artists and pedestal them as ‘the ones to watch’ for this generation or anything like that.That’s why I looked at artist run initiatives and artists who aren’t just artists, they do a whole heap of other things, they don’t just make artwork.”

The artists have relished the opportunity to show their work in such a prestigious setting, but exhibiting at Lawrence Wilson has posed a few challenges for the artists, who are used to exhibiting in a fairly informal environment.

“You can kind of get away with a fair bit in an artist run space, it can be a bit shambolic and not super-finished and here there is a benchmark, you have to frame your work and things like that. I guess it’s an aspirational context as well, so it’s a pretty good motivator. To see what Ben [Kovacsy] has done, if he was just exhibiting in Museum for one night maybe he wouldn’t have busted ass to make something so incredible.

“Institutions have different parameters [to ARIs]. We have to navigate that with the artists and make sure the work that is in here is befitting of an institutional context and isn’t going to compromise anything.”

In addition to the exhibition at Lawrence Wilson and the ARI satellite shows, Here & Now also boasts a public program of hands-on events; find out what’s on offer at lwgallery.uwa.edu.au. _EMMA BERGMEIER 21

30 DAYS OF RESTYLE Op Shop Extravaganza

In the lead up to this year’s illustrious Perth Fashion Festival, 10 local bloggers have accepted the challenge of buying nothing new for a whole month, vowing instead to source all of their clothes from local op shops as part of the 30 Days Of ReStyle campaign. During the month of August, bloggers such as The Vintage Valley, Gin In A Teacup, Love Thy Muse, Blonde Suburbia, Hug Sized, Peanut Moonbeam Knickers, Le Fanciulle, Sass & Spice, Love From Shell and Bonnie Friday will document their

daily op shop outfits on their respective blogs, showcasing the stylish side of second hand fashion.

“I am an avid op shopper not only for eco reasons but because I love finding unique vintage pieces and to be able to have the opportunity to encourage other people to get out and give op shopping a go was pretty exciting for me,” says Alyce Moschini of The Vintage Valley fame when asked why she decided to get involved with ReStyle. “It’s an amazing project and I am proud to be a part of it,” she enthuses.

Fellow blogger Heidy Saeran of Love Thy Muse has enjoyed the 30 Days Of ReStyle initiative thus far, finding plenty of blogworthy garments at her local op shops.

“I decided to get involved with ReStyle because I have a slight shopping addiction and this will definitely challenge me to reinvent my wardrobe and personal style whilst reducing my carbon footprint,” Saeran explains of her participation in the event.

Encouraging fashionable lads and lasses to visit their local op shop when looking for new threads, ReStyle also seeks to change people’s perceptions about op shopping.

“I think the biggest [misconception] is that people have a fear of digging through peoples’ old clothes or being seen in an op shop is some sort of unthinkable thing,” Moschini muses. “To me it is a little case of if you haven’t tried it don’t knock it! Half of the thrill is digging through items to find that one amazing vintage piece, the dress that no other woman will have and you get it for the price of a loaf of bread! What can be better than that?”

When it comes to dishing out advice to op shopping newbies, Moschini says it pays to be patient and have an open mind.

“Be prepared to search for your pieces; look in the racks that you wouldn’t normally look in and keep an open mind, if the dress is a little large wear a belt with it, if it has minor repairs take it home and give it a little love, add new buttons or adjust the hem length! Always look for statement pieces like an amazing belt or vintage jacket that you can work into your wardrobe, just start small and work your way up.”

Keep up to date with Moschini’s daily ensembles via thevintagevalley.blogspot.com.au, and Saeran’s op shop finds via lovethymuse.com.

Perth Fashion Festival runs from September 19-25; for a full rundown on what’s on and when hit up perthfashionfestival.com.au.

Heidy Saeran of Love Thy Muse

Alyce Moschini of The Vintage Valley _EMMA BERGMEIER

VISUAL ARTS To Breathe (What Is It To Live A Life?): Spectrum Project Space, ECU, Mt Lawley How do we,as human beings,relate to our environment?

Renowned Australian artist Paul Uhlmann contemplates this question through his new exhibition, To Breathe (What Is It To Live A Life?). Comparing canvas paintings with traditional techniques such as cameras obscura and black mirrors, the exhibition takes visitors through the evolution of artistic techniques and shows how, even as techniques change, nature and our complex relation to it still remains a key focus.

Runs ’til Aug 17.

Light Locker Art Space: Grand Lane, Perth Located within Grand Lane off Murray Street Mall and viewable from Barrack Street, the Light Locker Art Space can be accessed 24/7 but is best viewed at sundown when the lights turn on. Since launching in June 2011, the space has supported and commissioned new works from 21 young artists, with many more to come! This exhibition is the fourth in a year-long program of peer curation, resulting in an organic approach to mapping out artist networks and commonalities. For this latest exhibition, Joe Matthiessen, Dale Buckley, Kenya Bedford Armstrong, Stephen Genovese and Lyle Branson created new 2D and 3D artworks. Runs ’til Aug 31.

32 Strokes Of Kung Fu: Greenhill Galleries, Claremont It’s been six years since Zhong Chen’s last Perth exhibition and in the years since then, both change and continuity are evident in his paintings – whilst his brushwork has evolved to bold, expressive movements (a progression from his popular pixelated images), his work continues to explore historical and contemporary cultural identity as well as Chen’s own transcultural psyche and feelings of belonging. Runs Aug 9-25.

Spatial Drawing: Venn Gallery, Perth Spatial Drawing investigates contemporary approaches to drawing and features three emerging Western Australian artists: Benjamin Forster, Tom Freeman and Clare Peake. Drawing underpins diverse and complex approaches to art making for each of these multidisciplinary artists, whose practices also comprise of sculpture, video and installation. Spatial Drawing will see each artist explore drawing further through the creation of physical formations and sculptural works that discuss notions of how we engage with space. Runs ’til Aug 31.

The Irregular Correct: New Art From Glasgow: Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle Presenting a selection of what’s happening right now in contemporary Glaswegian art, The Irregular Correct: New Art From Glasgow features work by ten significant artists working across painting, sculpture, installation, live performance video and more. From a gritty port town, Glasgow has evolved into an internationally renowned artistic hotspot and a major influence on British and European art. Dipping into the richness of European art history and with a connection to popular culture and Glasgow’s incredible musical scene (think Belle & Sebastian, Mogwai and Franz Ferdinand), the work ANZANG: WA Museum, Northbridge The ANZANG Nature Photography exhibition celebrates in this exhibition resonates with varied and layered the depth and diversity of nature in Australia, New content. Runs ’til Sep 16.

Zealand, Antarctica and New Guinea through the eyes of a photographer. The exhibition includes images Picasso To Warhol: 14 Modern Masters: Art Gallery from both professional and amateur photographers Of WA, Northbridge in a number of categories including animal behaviour; Picasso to Warhol: Fourteen Modern Masters is animal portraits; threatened species; botanical; the exciting launch exhibition of the Australian exclusive partnership between AGWA and MoMA. underwater; and wilderness. Runs ’til Aug 19.

Featuring over 120 works by fourteen of modern art’s most iconic artists including Matisse, Picasso, City H20 12: Linton & Kay Fine Art, Subiaco Brendon Darby’s latest solo exhibition H20 12 presented Pollock and Warhol, this exhibition presents a worldthe artist with a quandary. The inspiration for the show class introduction to the figures who redefined the came from an incredibly rainy night in Sydney last year. very idea of art. Runs ’til Dec 3.

He was sitting in a car in the CBD waiting for a lift to the airport when torrential rain transformed the view The Naked Line: Moores Building Contemporary through the windscreen into a magnificent abstract Art Centre, Fremantle image. Later that year he decided to base his next An exhibition of work by Amanda Furlong, The show on that experience, and thus needed a city with Naked Line features a large collection of paintings traffic and lights and of course, torrential rain. Perth in and charcoal drawings which have been created summer doesn’t get much rain, so the artist travelled over several years. Furlong’s work challenges to Singapore in search of downpours but alas the sky conventional representations of the naked form, didn’t open, so Darby returned to Perth and created a as her signature style captures the essence and uniqueness of each subject. Runs ’til Aug 19. low pressure system in his van. Runs ’til Aug 19.

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devised and choreographed by the graduating dance students of WAAPA with their peers and involving equally imaginative use of music, mostly original Signs Of Life: Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre scores written, performed and recorded by WAAPA’s Centre, Northbridge Composition and Music Technology students. Runs The Dirt Music story continues… Alone in her Aug 21-25. Bookings via Waapa.ecu.edu.au. farmhouse on the riverbank one night, Georgie Jutland hears noises out on the highway – car Book Of Death (A Story Of Life): Blue Room Theatre, doors, voices, weeping. She’s recently widowed and Northbridge a little spooked. It’s not just her – the entire world The latest theatrical work by Renegade Productions, feels wrong, as if the land beneath her feet is dying. The Book Of Death (A Story Of Life), is a scintillating show It hasn’t rained for years. The river has dried up and about finding hope while facing the certainty of death. the olive grove is beginning to wither around her. Produced by Renegade Productions – the acclaimed Signs of Life is a story about people with uncertain creators of Laryngectomy and Luminaire – this new futures navigating with only shreds of the past to show weaves together image-based performance, guide them. Runs ’til Aug 18. Bookings via BOCS. original live music, and the simple tale of a couple caught in a loveless relationship to create a cloth that is Breaking Out: The Dolphin Theatre, UWA, Nedlands at once experimental and intimate, vulgar and beautiful.

Breaking Out is a selection of compelling new works Runs ’til Aug 25. Bookings via blueroom.org.au.

THEATRE/DANCE

Home (Photo: Libby Edwards) Home: Blue Room Theatre, Northbridge How do we find refuge when home is lost? Three young people come together to face an unexpected event and all its repercussions. Working from Maurice Maeterlinck’s one-act play of the same name, The Broken Image Ensemble has devised a new work of exquisite beauty and hope. Season runs Aug 28-Sep 15. Bookings via blueroom.org.au.

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WHAT’S GOSS @ CURTIN UNIVERSITY? The Mental Games

Want to get inside the mind of an Olympic athlete? You’ll need to get on down to The Mental Games: Inside The Mind Of An Olympic Athlete, where psychologists Professor Martin Hagger and Dr Sarah Egan will explore the important role of psychology in Olympic success. The speakers will cover mental toughness, motivation techniques, aiming for perfection and coping with rapid fame and celebrity following victory. It’s all happening next Thursday, August 16, from 6pm ‘til 7pm, at the Resources and Chemistry Precinct, Building 500, Curtin University. It’s a free event but seats are limited so make sure you RSVP by Tuesday, August 14, to events @curtin.edu.au or on (08) 9266 2563.

The Speakers:

Professor Martin Hagger is Professor of Psychology at Curtin University and is a leading researcher in the field of health and sport and exercise psychology. His main interests are in motivation, health behaviour, self-control and willpower, and personality. He is a former international triathlete and a keen sport enthusiast.

Dr Sarah Egan is the director of Clinical Psychology at Curtin University and her main research interest is perfectionism. Sarah has published numerous articles on perfectionism and is a co-author of the book Overcoming Perfectionism: A self-help guide using Cognitive Behavioural Techniques. Dr Egan is an endurance athlete and has competed in numerous IronWoman triathlons.

WHAT’S GOSS @ ECU ECU Open Day

If you’ve got questions about courses, careers or what life’s really like at uni, don’t miss ECU’s Mount Lawley Open Day which goes down this Sunday, August 12. The Open Day showcases the campus and provides an opportunity for visitors to explore, watch, listen or just soak up the campus atmosphere. You will be in the company of future, present and past ECU students as well as highly-qualified lecturers and staff. This year ECU is excited to launch five new courses, set to commence in semester one 2013 and showcased this weekend at the Open Day. Check out the new courses below. For more information on these and other courses on offer visit reachyourpotential.com.au.

ECU New Courses For 2013

New Bachelor of Chemical Engineering

Pharmacy Info Evening

Have you ever wondered how you can combine your love of science and your passion to help others in one rewarding career? Then maybe a career in pharmacy is for you. If you’ve ever wondered what challenges and rewards a pharmacist might encounter in a ‘typical day’, what it takes to be a pharmacist or want to know more about the diverse range of career opportunities as a pharmacist, then get on down to Curtin University’s Pharmacy Info Evening on Wednesday, August 29. Hit up curtin.edu.au for more info.

Social Work Info Evening

Have you ever wondered what a social worker does? What challenges and rewards social workers negotiate in a ‘typical day’? These questions and more will be answered at Curtin University’s Social Work Information Evening. Attendees will hear from social work professionals and from social work students currently undertaking Curtin University’s four-year accredited Bachelor of Social Work. It’s all happening next Thursday, August 16, at Curtin University. Get on down to see social work’s new teaching and research spaces.To register for the info sessions, hit up healthsciences.curtin.edu.au/index.cfm and follow the event links.

Study speech pathology at Curtin University

Bachelor of Science (Cyber Security) This course prepares students for careers in the field of cyber security and focuses on the practical and theoretical dimensions of information technology (IT) security across a range of fundamental areas such as network security and vulnerability assessment, information security, digital forensics, wireless device security and database security.

New Bachelor of Science (Cyber Security)

Bachelor of Medical Science As the complexity of healthcare increases there will be a greater need for medical science graduates to support health service delivery, from community-based projects to highly specialised laboratories. This course enables students to learn about the basis for human disease, its detection and the range of scientific endeavours to treat disease and improve health.

New Bachelor Of Medical Science

Bachelor of International Hotel and Resort Management This industry-based course is designed to provide students with the essential knowledge, competencies and professional attitudes required by management in contemporary hotel and resort organisations.

Psychology And Speech Pathology Info Evening

Are you interested in finding out more about a career in psychology or speech pathology? If so, get on down to Curtin University’s undergraduate info evening. Hear from Curtin’s lecturers about life as a psychologist or speech pathologist as well as the experiences of some of our current students. It’s all happening on Tuesday, August 28, at Curtin University. Hit up curtin.edu.au for more info.

Bachelor of Chemical Engineering Chemical Engineering will be offered from 2013 alongside ECU’s established Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering programs.

Chemical engineering is about understanding how materials and chemicals interact or can be converted in some way to a more useful form, typically as part of a production or refining process.

New Bachelor Of International Hotel and Resort Management

Bachelor of Arts (Acting) Focusing on the development of knowledge and skills in performing arts, this course provides a practical and theoretical approach to acting in theatre, film, television and other contemporary arts. It produces graduates who are fully equipped to enter the theatre and screen industry.

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WHAT’S GOSS @ WCIT? WCIT Info Evening

West Coast Institute is holding an information evening at the Institute’s Joondalup campus on Wednesday, September 5, from 3pm ‘til 6pm. You’ll have the chance to discover over 120 nationally recognised courses and talk with industry leading lecturers in various study areas on the day. The information evening caters for you whether you’re set on your dream career or are still exploring your available options.

Twenty year old West Coast student Wanda Jansen VanVuuren shows how you can take skills learned at West Coast to the next level. As a West Coast Academy of Hospitality

& Culinary Arts student studying to become a chef, VanVuuren has excelled in her chosen career. Since studying at West Coast, she has won a gold medal in the Third Year Apprentice categor y at the Australian Culinar y Federation’s Apprentice Of The Year competition. She has since received the oppor tunity to complete her apprenticeship at popular Joondalup Resor t.

West Coast can prepare you for careers in a range of industries including health, automotive, beauty, business, hospitality, IT, media, marketing, retail and more. For more information about WCIT and the information evening, hit up wcit.wa.edu.au/infoevening.

WHAT’S GOSS @ UWA UWA Business Students Get A Win The Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team at The University of Western Australia have won the 2012 SIFE National Championships after impressing a judging panel of national CEOs and executives.

The team, based at the UWA Business School, beat 23 other teams from around Australia at the SIFE National Conference and Championships in Melbourne. It was the fourth SIFE UWA National Championships win in five years. SIFE UWA’s portfolio of six projects was found to best address the SIFE judging criterion, which requires that teams empower people in need “by applying business and economic concepts and an entrepreneurial approach to improve their quality of life and standard of living.”

The team’s current projects are targeted at empowering students, communities facing extreme poverty, people with disabilities and consumers. Projects include: Balya, which cultivates microfinance enterprises in the Indigenous Jigalong community; ProjectTHINK, which introduces a truly environmentally friendly bag into Australia while assisting Indian women and disabled Australians; Mama Shujaa, which empowers Kenyan women to run their own business; reSHOE, which recycles shoes while assisting disabled Australians and low income Senegalese; The Fair Trade Pop Up Shop, which raises awareness of Fair Trade products; and Finance For Life, which teaches basic financial skills to students and young adults.

SIFE UWA President and Commerce/Law student Ajay Malhotra says the team was pleased its hard work had produced tangible outcomes for local and international communities. “SIFE is all about seeing a problem, using entrepreneurial thinking and taking a sustainable approach to solving the problem,” he says.

The team will now prepare to travel to Washington DC this September for the SIFE World Cup where the US State Department will host the competition and US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton will welcome SIFE teams from around the world.

UWA students interested in joining the SIFE UWA team, or individuals or organisations interested in becoming sponsors or partners, should visit sifeuwa.org or email president@sifeuwa.org.

Oak Lawn, UWA

SCHOLARSHIPS

The University of Western Australia has many scholarships available for both domestic and international students to help relieve the financial pressure and give students a headstart in their studies. There are four scholarship rounds per year. Applications for scholarships commencing in early 2013 close at the end of August for international students and at the end of October for domestic students. UWA also has a growing number of scholarships to support postgraduate students. Hit up UWA’s Open Day this Sunday, August 12, to find out more info on scholarship opportunities or visit scholarships. uwa.edu.au for the latest.

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WHAT’S GOSS AT PHOENIX BUSINESS COLLEGE?

Claire Rowley and Wanda VanVuuren

Phoenix Business College has a long tradition of training people for new careers or building on their existing skills to enhance their current employment. All these courses are nationally accredited and of course bring all the benefits of studying at Phoenix Business College a local well established Training Centre, known for their unique blend of self paced learning, continual support and help and professional training.

Phoenix offers courses from Certificate II to Diploma in Business Administration and Financial Services as well as the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment The good news is you can start with just a Certificate II or step in at any level that you have prior qualifications or knowledge of. So if you are just leaving school and want to get into the workforce as quickly as possible, you can do a Certificate II in Business or you may want to study through to Diploma and look at some specialisation such as legal or medical in the process. Whatever course you select, Phoenix will help you to gain employment at the end of the course.

Their payment plan means that you can spread the cost of your course out.The expense may be as little at $20 a week.They’ve also got flexible study plans and easy payment options. Hit up www.phoenixbusinesscollege.wa.edu.au or call (08) 93014844 for more info.

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

B E A T S ,

B A S S

&

B U Z Z I N G

E L E C T R O N I C A

FUCK YOU T A K E

FUCK YOU

O F F

It may be his second album, but rapidly-rising Sydney hip hop star Skryptcha considers Mindful to be his definitive work so far, an album that truly announces his arrival to the world. ALASDAIR DUNCAN chats with the young MC known to some as Angus Mead.

Graduation, the opening track of Skryptcha’s sophomore record Mindful comes stuffed with rollicking instrumental hooks and audacious rhymes, telling the story of where the young MC has been thus far but also signalling his readiness to play with the big boys. “I’ve done so much already, but I think it’s all been a bit of an apprenticeship,” he says. “I really do feel like now, things have started to come together and feel a lot more complete. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs, but they’ve made me into the person I am now, the artist I am. I feel I’m worthy of being on that top level now as an artist. Above all, that song is really an explanation of all the things that have come together to get me to this point.”

Skryptcha’s lyrics ruminate on the state of the world, as well as the place he occupies in it, with uncommon ease and honesty. On tracks like Work Out, he lays the practicalities of his life bare, rhyming about the need to work a day job while pursuing a creative path. “I have been doing both for quite a few years now, and I did all throughout this album,” he says.“It’s a lot of work, man!

It’s non-stop. You wake up before dawn and you go to work at one job, then you come home and straight away, you start work on the next.” There hasn’t been too much free time in his life over the last two years or so, but now, with his album out, he’s able to pause for a minute and enjoy the fruits of his persistence.“It’s a good feeling to be able to come home with a clear head,” he says.“Especially when you have gone through hard times and a lot of work.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

www.xpressmag.com.au

27

Drumsound & Bassline Smith ShockOne

UNLEASHING CHAOS

Skryptcha Over the last couple of years Mead has seen many of his friends move west to pursue jobs in the mines and this experience made for one of the album’s more powerful tracks, The Sun.“I’ve got a whole bunch of mates who left chasing that dollar,” he explains. “At the time I wrote that song it was the peak of the mining tax battle. It was something that really struck a chord in me, seeing these few greedy people running the whole country, the CEOs of those big companies taking control of things.”

He realised that behind all the politics and money and big business, there is actually a human element – a generation of young people whose lives are changed in all sorts of ways. “I just wanted to tell a bit of a story through the eyes of an average bloke who has gone to work in the mines to make a better future for his family,” he continues.

“I was interested in the way that political row would impact on the average person.”

The rich, soulful sound of Mindful comes courtesy of American producer Illmind, who produced the album in his Brooklyn studio. Working with him was something of a dream come true for Mead. “There was a very particular sound I was looking for on this album,” he says. “[It] was a soul sound with a lot of heavy bass, and he’s really the king of that sound with his crazy bass lines and really nice samples. I hit him up online and he was happy to work with me so I managed to plan a trip to see him as part of a visit to the States I did last year which was awesome. I spent a bit of time with him in Brooklyn. It was really good to build a human relationship and not just be people who knew each other over the internet.”

Mead only had a short time in Brooklyn but still did his best to soak up all the borough has to offer. “I stayed there for a few nights in a little hostel kind of thing in the Bushwick Projects,” he says.“From where I was, if you went a few 100 metres up into Bushwick, that maybe wouldn’t be the best place for a little Aussie fella to be, but around where I was, there was a really cool, arty vibe – there were little hole-in-the-wall bars and restaurants, really cool stuff.” The first night he was there, he went to a gig at the legendary and now defunct hip hop venue Southpaw. “I went along there to see Freddie Gibbs and Big K.R.I.T, who are two amazing artists.

It was pretty sick just to be a spectator at a gig in Brooklyn.”

He didn’t get to perform in America while he was there but hopes to do so in the future, just as acts like Bliss N Eso and the Hoods have. “They have done big tours throughout the States,” he says, talking of Bliss N Eso. “Touring with big US artists playing to big US crowds, not just Aussie expats, and they seem to be pretty positive about the whole thing. I’ve heard them talking about their experiences and they had great times – honestly, it sounds pretty doable. I don’t doubt that people like Bliss N Eso can compete on an international scale – their skills are top class, and as long as you’re bringing skills like that to the rest of the world, you’ll get respect, for sure.”

» SKRYPTCHA » MINDFUL [OBESE RECORDS] » OUT NOW

Local drum’n’bass gun ShockOne is returning to town after relocating in the UK for three months for a massive tour to get crowds warmed up for his highly anticipated and forthcoming debut record.

Best known for his original EP The ShockOne EP as well as remixes for The Aston Shuffle, Stanton Warriors and his 2009 collaboration with Phetsta called The Sun, ShockOne is a total dude. Hitting up Villa for his Chaos Theory Tour on Saturday, September 15, you can expect to have a large evening. Tickets are $30 plus booking fee. Hit up Moshtix now.

OAKENFOLD IS COMING

That’s right ladies and gentlemen, one of the true legends of EDM is returning down under. The one and only Paul Oakenfold. The UK DJ and producer will be bringing his Four Seasons Tour down under in celebration of the release of the Four Seasons (four x CD album) which drops in November. It’s been three years since we were graced with this man’s presence; he’s been busy with his label Perfecto, Armin van Buuren’s almighty Armada Music and his radio show Planet Perfecto. Phew. He is known as the most successful DJ in the world according to the Guinness Book Of World Records and has produced for U2 and Madonna. He is huge and you would be silly to miss this. It’s all happening on Saturday, October 6, at Villa. Tickets are $35 plus booking fee and are on sale tomorrow from Moshtix and the Boomtick Shop.

GET THE AMBAR APP

Ambar has a new app available for both iPhone and Android smartphones. Search for Ambar Niteclub in iTunes or on the Google Play Store (Android) and download the app for free and connect it with your Facebook profile and you’ll be able to earn rewards points. You’ll get points for checking in to Ambar, taking and sharing photos on the app, inviting friends to Ambar and sharing the app. The Ambar App will be launched this Saturday, August 11, at Ambar’s Japan 4. Get on down and get downloading!

DISHING UP DRUM’BASS

If you’re into drum’n’bass, brace yourself. Three of the hottest and most active artists in the scene at the moment are coming under one roof to smash out some of the best drum’n’bass around.

UK drum’n’bass maestros Drumsound & Bassline Smith will be bringing a taste of their work on Technique Recordings alongside Northern Ireland’s DJ and producer Hamilton and fresh killer duo Optiv & BTK. It’s all happening on Saturday, September 8, at Villa. First release tickets are $30 plus booking fee, hit up Moshtix at once.

PARTY IN THE HOUSE

Triple J’s Saturday night radio show House Party is hitting the road for their first ever massive national tour. House Party host Nina Las Vegas will be bringing your favourite Triple J tunes and mixing them with club joints and party jams alongside guests which include Sydney DJ and producer Beni, the ‘so hot right now’ Flume, What So Not and Triple J’s very own Deacon Rose. It’s all happening on Saturday, September 8, at Capitol. Hit up the Triple J website for tickets now. This will go off.

Doctor P

IT’S A CIRCUS OUT THERE!

Circus Records is the brainchild of Doctor P, Flux Pavilion and more. Now, Big Ape is bringing The Circus Showcase to town featuring record label boss Doctor P, Cookie Monsta, Funtcase and Slumdogz. Circus Records is all about top quality bass-driven music so you can expect the same from this upcoming tour which hits Villa on Wednesday, September 19. Stay tuned for ticketing deets folks!

PARACHUTE YOUTH BLOWING UP

Having met at the Botanic Bar in Adelaide a few years back, Matt K Von and Jonny Castro began jamming and came up with Can’t Get Better Than This. Now signed to Ajax’s label Sweat It Out, the indie-dance duo are taking over the airwaves around the world – particularly in Eastern Europe.

ANNABEL MACLEAN chats with Von ahead of their appearance at Parklife.

Matt K Von used to be an avionics technician in the airforce working on jet fighter planes. Despite how far removed this job may seem from Parachute Youth, Von says the two are surprisingly related. “I was doing a lot of DJ sets and producing music while I was doing that and working on aircraft radios and electronic systems and things like that really help me understand how synthesisers work and how to tune synthesisers,” he says. “So it’s funny how life works sometimes, even something that people think that’s so indirect to music is actually very, very closely related to the music that we make.”

Von’s father was an aircraft engineer and Von didn’t know what he wanted to do at university when he finished school so signing up to airforce seemed like a grand idea. “I really loved working on planes and so next thing I know I was being shipped off to boot camp and being yelled at,” he says, laughing. Now, only a few years later, Von and partnerin-crime Jonny Castro have unleashed their debut EP Can’t Get Better Than This, have finished their first national tour as Parachute Youth and are on the bill for Parklife. “It’s just been so quick,” Von says.“The show’s definitely evolving each time we play and I think by the time Parklife comes around, it’s gonna be not only an audio thing, it’ll be a visual experience as well.”

28

Parachute Youth Although the lads are currently working on a debut record, Von says they’re not in a hurry to release it. “We’ve pretty much finished the album but we don’t want to rush releasing the album, we’re going to release a single and an EP very shortly and we may do another EP before we do an album but the album is definitely on its way,” he says.“But the thing is, we’re really developing as song-writers and producers so we don’t want to rush just putting an album out when maybe in six months or 12 months time we’re going ‘wow, imagine if we had incorporated these elements on our first album?’. For Parachute Youth, Jonny and I have been making music for the past few years but as far as the world is concerned, Parachute Youth has only been around for the last six months.”

And, given the world has only been introduced to Parachute Youth recently, it’s a bit of a surprise to the lads to be reaching #1 on Poland’s Planeta FM radio charts and in a few other Eastern European countries.Von attributes these achievements to the work which their label Sweat It Out is doing for them. “It’s great,” he says of their journey on Sweat It Out so far. “They’re doing what they should be doing and for a smaller label, that can be hard because you’re up against so many different things that need to get done to make a song reach an audience and they’re doing a great job. They’re like a small family.”

Aside from their Parklife appearance, Von says a trip to Europe shortly is in the works. “We’re definitely lining up a European tour shortly. We hit #4 last week in Belgium as well. The best thing about it is that it’s Australian music and for us, we’re proud to be Australian artists. To be able to put Australian music out and to have it recognised first and foremost and respected in an international audience, it’s a great feeling.”

» PARACHUTE YOUTH » PARKLIFE 2012 » MONDAY, OCTOBER 1 @ WELLINGTON SQUARE X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

MONO/POLY

SPIRITUAL EXPLORATION You might not expect a conversation with Californian beat maker Charles Dickerson, aka Mono/Poly, to turn to metaphysical Australian authors but it was just one of the deep topics covered when JOE CASSIDY spoke to the lad recently.

Charles Dickerson is currently hanging out in Saigon getting ready to play a show; he has already played Singapore and Shanghai and felt the audience reacted positively during his very first run of Asian shows. “I felt the energy, I looked up for a second and they were really getting into it,” he says. His sound stretches out past the standard conventions of electronic dance music and he takes a mystical approach to beat making, something he shares with the other artists signed to Brainfeeder, with who he released his first full length album.

Dickerson was exposed to the music production process from a young age; his father had a recording studio and he would mess around with the equipment, showing some potential.

“They’d look at me and be like ‘hey he’s kinda good’ but then I’d have to leave after a while, I’d go to my room and think ‘shit I could make better music than that’,” he says, laughing before adding “and I was like five or something.”

Dickerson says he always had a sense of confidence in his musical ability but he is sure to distinguish between this and arrogance.“I thought I could always do something better than what was around me,” he says. “But that’s where a lot of people get lost because they get too confident and they don’t really listen to their music, they don’t really sit down and reflect on it and think ‘would I really like this if I was somebody else putting it out there?’. That’s where you have to have that balance and it’ll humble you.”

This approach, largely attributed to his father, has always been part of his personality. “I’d rather people just feel it, I’d rather people come up to me and tell me they like it rather than tooting

Mono/Poly my own horn,” he says. His humility comes through in the dreamy yet danceable, glitch-hop tracks that make up his latest release Paramatma, an album influenced by his interest in the spiritual side of life.

After reading the works of a couple of Australian authors, he was compelled to make the trip down under. “They were really obscure authors that changed my life,” he says.

“There is something about Australia… it seemed like somewhere I needed to be,” he says.

His reading interest falls to the metaphysics of Robert Bruce and the astral projects of Tom Chalko, describing them as “spiritual stuff that really works.”

Dickerson even got the name of the release from his readings. “[It means] the over-soul; it’s really like the god within everybody, I just feel like that really represents it [the album],” he says.

Reflected in the album is his search for depth in life interwoven with hard beats that hit the ears.

Dickerson reflects on our inability to focus on what really matters. “Everybody is freaking out about the economy and shit and the funny thing is if you really look at this shit, it’s not an economy, it’s just the most wasteful way of living,” he says. “A lot of the people who have the most anxiety are the most well off people, they have so much, and it’s like ‘c’mon man’.”

» MONO/POLY » SATURDAY, AUGUST 11 @ MOJO’S

INFORMANT GLOWING UP

Rory Garton Smith hit #1 on Beatport’s dubstep chart for a solid week with his debut EP Glowing Up. The local producer, known as Informant, is currently working on a new five-track EP, well, when he’s not writing his thesis on the digital impact on the music industry or working at Fortescue Metals.

ANNABEL MACLEAN chats with friendly, determined and slightly hungover lad the day after his 21st.

“I had a house party but there were just epic things that occurred,” Rory Smith says down the line, reflecting on the previous night’s antics which went down as part of his 21st celebrations. “I had a surprise visit from a friend of mine who was meant to be in Sweden and no one knew he was in the country and suddenly he enters the room, that kind of thing.”

But, the young producer whose parents were musicians and whose grandma is a “fabulous violinist”, is more than happy to chat openly about how he started out making tracks, even if the inspiration did come from the back of a Nutri-Grain box.“I started around the age of 12 I think,” he says. “In a Nutri-Grain box there was a CD and it was like ‘make your own trance beats’ and it was fucking terrible but I can remember thinking ‘this is so much fun, there’s got to be a better way to do this’… I downloaded FL Studios back when it was in version three or four… I basically would hear music and just try and make it and that’s kind of how I started and, until very recently, that’s sort of what I’ve been doing.”

Having put out three EPs for free over the years just to circulate amongst friends and for fun, Smith began receiving deals from record labels – and with the help of new friend Boris Daene (Belgium drum’n’bass producer Netsky), Smith signed his track Architextures to Armin van Buuren’s Armada Music when the label came knocking. “I’d been getting a lot of offers from labels before that that were really, really small labels,” he says. “I met Netsky that January and I hung out with him for a couple of days in Perth before I’d signed anything.

“He listened to my music and he said ‘man this is good, the only big advice I can give you in the whole www.xpressmag.com.au

Informant industry is don’t sign a track to a crap label, just hold out and wait for a better label to come along’. Then Armada came along and I sent him a text and I think he was in Holland or something and he was like ‘Armada’s fucking good, do it’. I was really stoked. Haven’t spoken to him much since then but he gives good advice.”

Since then, Smith has put on his official debut EP Glowing Up through LessThan3, has recently entered the Zedd Remix Competition (officially the biggest remix competition ever) and is now working on a forthcoming five track EP alongside local musician John Barrett. “The next release is just going to be one sound,” he says, speaking of how he’s never been able to narrow his sound. “We’ve made a couple of tracks.

It’s sort of like a rock influenced heavy electronic sort of vibe.

“It has a really Red Hot Chili Peppers feel to the guitar. We’ve got two tracks like that so far and everyone we’ve sent it to has said ‘we’ve never heard anything like this, this is an entirely new sound’ which is exactly what I want to hear because… I just want to make something that no one has done.”

But, Smith says the EP will most likely take a year to finish so in the meantime, get down to Ambar this weekend to witness him smash it at Fresh Produce.

“I’m stoked to be going back,” he says.“Playing 1am ‘til 2am is just like the dream slot and at Ambar, it’s such a sick club, I’m frothing!”

» INFORMANT » FRESH PRODUCE » FRIDAY, AUGUST 10 @ AMBAR 29

CAPITOL

SOUL PROJECT

Kasra

WEDNESDAY 08/08 Blvd Tavern – Dub Step Captain Stirling – Fiveo Clancy’s (Applecross) – Upbeat – DJ Andy Connections – DJs Joby /JJ /Rueben Eurobar – Wild Wednesdays - DJ iPod/ Ben Pettit Flying Scotsman – UniQue DJs/ DJ Bones/ DJ Moflow Flying Scotsman (Defectors) – Beaufort Bop ft DJ Anton Maz 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 Shape - Kasra & Sabre Sovereign Arms – Lokie Shaw The Deen - DJ Zelimer/ DJ Viper/ DJ Benny/ T– Zone 1 The Queens – Wriggle on YaYa’s – DJ Paul Burgess

Informant

30

THURSDAY 09/08

FRIDAY 10/08

Amplifier - Home Brew Clancy’s (Canning Bridge) - DJ Wrighteous Claremont Hotel- DJ Fiveo/ Jimmy Thorne Club Marakesh – DJ Simon Cottesloe Hotel – DJ Shots/ DJ Andy M Empire Bar – Halo/ DJ Bojan/ DJ Ben Sebastian Eve – DJ Tony Allen 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 – Bass Culture Paramount – DJ Johnny Boi/ DJ Jordan Players Bar – MASH South St – DJ Castasia/ Dpad Swinging Pig – DJ Simon The Avenue – DJ Freedz 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 Az-T The Queens – Kapitol The Whale & Ale – Josh Tilley The Whistling Kite - DJ Gareth Tiger Lils – Paul Malone/ Adam Kelly Velvet Lounge – Descent Woodvale Tavern – DJ Melvin

Ambar – Fresh Produce ft Klean Kicks/ eSQue/ Informant/ KeyMist/ Laurence Elliot Amplifier – DJ Jamie Mac Bar 459 - DJ Smurf Bar Orient - DJ Ed Kays/ Ras Mwas/ The Empressions/ Mumma Trees/ Sista Che Boheme Bar - DJ Majiika Boulevard Tavern – DJ Andyy Broken Hill Hotel – DJ Nick Alexander Brooklands Tavern - DJ Misschief Mel Capitol – Retro Mash Capitol (Upstairs) – I Love ‘90s Carine Tavern – Greg Packer/ MC Assassin Clancy’s (Canning Bridge) - DJ Boogie Claremont Hotel – DJ Pasha/ Dale Ingvarson Club Bayview – Amnesia ft Fendi/ Axon/ Fellis Como Hotel – DJ Gazz Eastern Hotel – DJ Munch Empire Bar – Josh Tilly Eve – Australia’s Biggest Silent Disco ft Eve DJ Team/ Moosh DJs/ DJ Reuben/ Bass Republic/ JumpClimb DJs/ DJ Samuel Spencer/ DJ Makka Flawless – DJ Ryan Flying Scotsman – DJs Jo19/ Rok Riley/ Armee Flying Scotsman (Defectors) - Back To Mono DJs Ginger Nightclub – Rondevoo Fridayz Gosnells Club – DJ Now Geisha - The Royal Rumble ft Flex/ Forgore and more Hipe Club - DJ E-Funk Honey Lounge – DJ Curlee/ Drew Green Lakers Tavern – Fresh Fridays - DJ Dooey

Home Brew

GEISHA

Left Bank – DJ Frankie Button Library – Dorcia Little Creatures Loft – Marine Beats Llama Bar – DJ Reuben/ DJ Morris Merriwa Tavern – DJ Real McCoy Metro City (Solace Bar) – DJ Slick Metro Freo – Frat House Fridays ft Death Disco DJs 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 Franky J Sail & Anchor - Balcony Beatz/ DJ J-MAC Shape – The Lick Sovereign Arms – Dylan Hammond The Avenue – JMC The Carine – Mind Electric/ Little Nicky/ Az-T The Causeway – 4by4 DJs The East End Bar – Az-T The Generous Squire - DJ Anaru 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 – Abstar Windsor – DJ Riki and Ray Victoria Park Hotel – DJ Giles Villa – Sun City EP launch Ya-Ya’s – Hero DJs ft Pup

SATURDAY 11/08 Ambar – Japan 4 ft Buda/ Oli/ Wish/ Micah/ Bezwun Amplifier – Pure Pop ft Eddie Electric Bakery – Z-Trip Basement On Broadway – DJ Ricky Boheme Bar – Carte Blanche DJs Broken Hill Tavern – DJ Roger Smart/ Matt Richards/ Ben Dallin Capitol – Death Disco DJs Capitol (Upstairs) – Cream Of The ‘80s ft DJ Ryan Clancy’s (Canning Bridge) - DJ Dood Claremont Hotel – Fiveo/ J.V.R Club Bay View – Fiveo Empire Bar – DJ James Ess Eurobar – Roger Smart/ DJ Raci Eve – Red Hot Bikini Babe Comp ft Eve DJs Flying Scotsman - Under The Influence DJs Flying Scotsman (Defectors) - Fore DJs High Road Hotel – DJ Simon High Wycombe – DJ Matt Hipe Club – DJ E-Funk Honey Lounge – DJ Saxon/ Sardi Library – MKT ft DJ Riki/ DJ Richie G/ DJ Vicktor

FRAT HOUSE FRIDAYS

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/DJ Brett Costello Metro Freo – DTuck/ Darren Briais/ DJ Wazz Mint Nightclub – Pop Life ft DJ Aaron/ AJ Mojos – Jon Wayne/ Mono/Poly 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 PICA Bar - Mental Powers/ Holy Balm Players Bar – Embrace Queens Tav - Gareth Richardson Rocket Room – Delicious (Ladies Only) ft DJ Franky J South St Ale House – DJ Jay Sovereign Arms – Rockwell The Avenue – Fiveo The Bakery - Z-Trip 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 East End Bar - Fiveo The Generous Squire – On Tap ft James Nutley The Saint – DJ Anaru The Shed –DJ Tony Dee The Wembley – Lokie Shaw The Whistling Kite - DJ Craig The Vic – DJ Kristian Tiger Lil’s – DJ Bojan/ DJ Ben Sebastian Victoria Park Hotel – DJ Melvin Villa - Jungle Fever ft Kenny Ken/ SS/ Skibadee Windsor – DJ Ray Woodvale Tavern – DJ Real McCoy Ya-Ya’s – Hero DJs ft Pup

METRO FREO

Sun City 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 Tony Dee

MONDAY 13/08 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 14/08 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

SUNDAY 12/08 Captain Stirling – DJ Jay Claremont Hotel – DJ Double Dee Clink – DJ Tony Allen Empire Bar – CB3/ DJ Riki/ DJ Vicktor Euro Bar – DJ Flex Eve – DJ LStreet/ Angry Buda 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

Pup

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

METRO CITY

BIG APE

THE COURT

IN THE THIS WEEK: Kasra & Sabre Wednesday, August 8 @ Shape Home Brew Thursday, August 9 @ Amplifier Australia’s Biggest Silent Disco ft Eve DJ Team/ Moosh DJs/ DJ Reuben/ Bass Republic/ JumpClimb DJs/ DJ Samuel Spencer/ DJ Makka Friday, August 10 @ Eve Nightclub

Inhibit 6th Birthday ft Killswitch/ Voltron/ Illusiv B2B Dub Z/ Dvise & Bear and more Friday, August 17 @ Shape DJ Bliss Friday, August 17 @ Eve Nightclub

Onelove Mobile Disco Friday, September 7 @ Villa

Ferry Corsten/ Shogun Sunday, September 30 @ Villa

Urthboy Saturday, September 8 @ The Rosemount Hotel

Parklife ft Chairlift/ Modestep/ The Presets/ Nero (live)/ Passion Pit/ Plan B/ Justice (DJ set)/ Robyn/ Benga (live)/ Rusko/ Wiley/ Labrinth/ DJ Fresh (live)/ Flume/ Alison Wonderland/ Lee Foss/ Jack Beats (live) and more Monday, October 1 @ Wellington Square

Syrup ft Zeke/ Clunk/ Ben T/ Rekab/ Nebula/ Easy P Friday, August 17 @ 23 Irwin Street, Perth

Triple J House Party Tour ft Nina Las Vegas/ Flume/ Beni/ What So Not/ Deacon Rose Saturday, September 8 @ Capitol

The Potbelleez DJs Saturday, August 18 @ Villa

Drumsound & Bassline Smith/ Hamilton/ Optiv & BTK Saturday, September 8 @ Villa

Fresh Produce ft Klean Kicks/ eSQue/ Informant/ KeyMist/ Laurence Elliot Jody Wisternoff Saturday, August 18 @ Geisha Friday, August 10 @ Ambar The Lick Friday, August 10 @ Shape

DJ Chino (Pitbull’s Official DJ) Thursday, August 23 @ Eve Nightclub

Sun City EP launch Friday, August 10 @ Villa

White Trance Party Anthems Friday, August 24 @ Villa

Z-Trip Saturday, August 11 @ The Bakery

Too Fresh Friday, August 24 @ Ambar

Jon Wayne/ Mono/Poly Saturday, August 11 @ Mojo’s

DJ Havana Brown Friday, August 24 @ Eve Nightclub

Mental Powers/ Holy Balm Saturday, August 11 @ PICA Bar

Roger Shah Friday, September 14 @ Shape

Seth Sentry Saturday, October 6 @ The Rosemount Hotel Paul Oakenfold Saturday, October 6 @ Villa

Krayzie Bone/ Wish Bone (Bone Thugs N Harmony) Saturday, September 15 @ Metro City

Seth Sentry Sunday, October 7 @ The Norfolk Hotel

ShockOne Chaos Theory Tour ft ShockOne/ Phetsta/ Dvise and more Saturday, September 15 @ Villa

This Is Nowhere ft Jimmy Edgar/ Ikonika/ Slugabed/ Salva/ D’eon/ James Ireland/ Move Crew/ Rok Riley/ Travis Doom/ Jo Lettenmaier Sunday, October 14 @ Dolphin Theatre & Lawrence Jackson Court, UWA

The Pharcyde/ Computer Jay/ DJ Vickone Saturday, August 25 @ Capitol

The Circus Showcase ft Doctor P/ Cookie Monsta/ Funtcase/ Slum Dogz Wednesday, September 19 @ Villa

Jay Sean Thursday, October 25 @ Eve Nightclub

Jungle Fever ft Kenny Ken/ SS/ Skibadee Saturday, August 11 @ Villa

Sessions 9 Tour ft Tom Piper & Timmy Trumpet Saturday, August 25 @ Villa

Octave One Saturday, September 22 @ The Bakery

COMING UP

Liquid Stranger Friday, August 31 @ Shape

High Wolf Thursday, September 27 @ PICA Bar

Force Majeure ft J-Trick & Kraymer Friday, August 17 @ Ambar

Stereosonic ft Tiësto/ Avicii/ Calvin Harris/ Example/ Carl Cox/ Major Lazer/ Laidback Luke/ Martin Solveig/ Dash Berlin/ Markus Schulz/ Diplo/ Sander van Doorn/ Infected Mushroom/ Chuckie/ Flux Pavilion/ Mr Oizo/ Porter Robinson/ Loco Dice/ Bassnectar/ JFK MSTRKRFT/ Excision/ Adam Beyer/ Aly & Fila/ Caspa/ Datsik/ Joris Voorn/ Bingo Players/ Tommy Trash/ Simon Patterson/ Gesaffelstein/ Ørjan Nilsen/ Dillon Francis/ Foreign Beggars/ Zedd/ Brodinski/ Krewella/ Nina Kraviz/ Van She/ Alvin Risk/ Destructo/ MaRLo/ Treasure Fingers/ Bart B More and more Sunday, November 25 @ Claremont Showground (TBC) Sets On The Beach ft lineup TBC Sunday, December 2 @ Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre Sets On The Beach ft lineup TBC Sunday, January 13 @ Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre

Z-Trip

Z-TRIP

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11 @ THE BAKERY

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Big Day Out ft The Bloody Beetroots/ Crystal Castles/ Kaskade/ Pretty Lights/ Nicky Romero/ Morgan Page/ Sampology and more Monday, January 28 @ Claremont Showground Sets On The Beach ft lineup TBC Sunday, March 24 @ Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre

Chet Faker (photo by Callum Ponton)

WARM FUZZIES CHET FAKER/ Anton Franc/ Shy Panther The Bakery Friday, August 3, 2012 The Russian fur hats and rolled up chinos were out in full force on Friday night at The Bakery, the indie kids lining up for Chet Faker’s first Perth show – a sold out one, at that. Local dudes Anton Franc opened up the night with their brand of folky electronica, lead by Josh Bowyer and Jamie Kuzich. These guys have a good thing going, with a bunch of solid tracks that have a real earthy Mumford & Sons-turnedelectronica feel to them, and a few songs that need a little extra fine-tuning. A solid start.

Shy Panther served as a great second opening act; a local band who are sporting some skills that shouldn’t go unnoticed. Lead singer Daniel Fragomeni’s vocal prowess was evident throughout their set, combining what appeared to be almost flawless ability in his chosen genre and a certain enchanting quality that is difficult to find in the plethora of slow-tempo electronica acts around at the moment. The brand of trip hop that the group offered up was indubitably influenced by the likes of Radiohead and Massive Attack and the audience were lulled into a very chilled, dream-like state by the end of their set.

The room was well and truly packed by the time Chet Faker (also known as Nick Murphy) was due to hit the stage, and the musician’s beard was a standard talking point for many punters. And when he took to the stage right on time, it was evident why the beard is so revered – that is some damn luscious facial hair.

Faker dove right into what would usually be known as his ‘biggest hits’, but what really are just the only songs he has released – tracks like Terms And Conditions, Cigarettes And Chocolate, and the ever-adored I’m Into You. It’s still astounding that the songwriter has achieved such fame without even releasing a full record, but it all begins to make sense when witnessing him live. Faker doesn’t rely on his band or the backing music for his performance, and it’s evident that he is an extremely talented vocalist, not to mention an excellent songwriter. It would also be remiss not to mention the band who were utterly outstanding in keeping up with the electronic-pop beats that Faker has devised.

The crowd were treated to a (damn good) rare performance of Jeans And Wallet, which Faker noted that he had not performed for around four months, due to his personal dislike for the song. Perhaps one of the greatest tunes of the night was Faker’s rendition of Burial’s Archangel which was surprisingly beautiful. Despite the fact that this is the oldest review cliché in the book, Faker’s voice really does give you chills, all smooth and deceptively commanding.

Faker finished off his sadly short 40 minute set with an encore of sorts, leaving the stage and returning a few minutes later, settling back down in front of his keyboard to treat the audience to his Blackstreet cover of No Diggity that he is now renowned for. The reaction to this really summed up the whole set; the audience swaying in a trancelike state, a blanket of calm settling over the room as heads nodded and appreciated the super sexy tunes. Warm fuzzies all round.

» CHLOE PAPAS

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Children Collide (Photo: Alexandra Cohen)

CHILDREN COLLIDE Dune Rats

Amplifier Bar Friday, August 3, 2012 If we’re honest, it’s not often in music that a genuinely kick-arse, talented, hard-working band with really, really good songs gets a huge break. It’s not often that the dream that so many musicians have, and so many find allusive, is granted to a band who really, really deserve it. The notion that talent goes unrewarded is almost as much of a cliché as the observation that most of what gets played on the radio is bland pap and unthreatening filler.

And then there’s Children Collide, the exception that proves the rule. Their first album, The Long Now, seemed to come out of nowhere in 2008

and pummelled its way onto the Triple J Hottest 100. It remains one of the best Australian rock albums of the last 10 years – perhaps even longer. It was at least as awesome and catchy as Jebediah’s first LP, and no one saw it coming.

Since then the band has released two more albums and haven’t really looked back. The newer stuff is, sadly, nowhere near as classic as that first record; but they are still a sensational act who put on a kick-arse live show. Tonight proved to be no exception.

Brisbane’s Dune Rats looked like, well, dune rats. Just give‘em a surf board, half an ounce and a ticket to Lancelin and these guys will be in slacker heaven.

The ‘90s are very, very much back. Also, between tall, thin, dreadlocked singer Danny Beusa and the band’s squat, bearded bass player (who appears to be an anonymous ring-in), the three-piece bears more than a passing resemblance to Jay & Silent Bob – you know, if Silent Bob somehow deflated and lost 10 years. Just to prove I’m not insane, Children Collide’s Johnny Mackay came to the same conclusion. Full of tight falsetto harmonies, energetic tunes, Hawaiian shirts and a whole guitar pedal board full of miracles, Dune Rats laughed and joshed each other throughout their set, clearly enjoying the opportunity to play to such a large, welcoming crowd. Think Wavves, folks—if you like that band, you should dig this one.

Children Collide started out deceptively slow before throwing themselves into familiar material from the first record. These songs – which included Social Currency and Farewell Rocketship – were absolutely the highlight of the set. That first batch still remains the band’s most dynamic and catchy material, while newer tracks boast a more subtle finish.

Mackay apologised early on for his throat, which he had managed to thrash out somehow, but fortunately – with the exception of one or two songs – the band’s material is pretty easy to sing and it didn’t really detract from the show. Besides, he had a packed house of Amplifier punters to sing along to every word. Mackay really is a machine. In addition to singing and playing guitar, the guy uses his pedal board almost as another instrument in itself, commanding the band’s sound with a swirling orchestra of guitar effects.

Meanwhile, bass player Heath Crawley is at his best when pumping his rock solid, big dancing bass lines, and he had those in spades. Overall this was a great show which started and ended superstrong. It did become a little lackluster in the middle, primarily due to the relative weakness of the band’s new material. But if they can work on building the hits and strike with the same effectiveness going forward, there will be no looking back for them. _BEN WATSON

ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK

SNAKADAKTAL Sures / Bastian’s Happy Flight Astor Theatre Saturday, August 4, 2012 Perth’s teen hipster population descended on the Astor Theatre for an all ages gig celebrating the release of Snakadaktal’s single Dance Bear.

The bands on show may have looked as young as their audience but all three acts put on a mature, polished performance.

Kicking off with a solid first set was local electro-pop outfit Bastian’s Happy Flight. I would have been more than happy to watch them for a whole night. The quintet produced golden pop that was fun to listen to, fun to watch, and excellent in loosening the early night crowd into dancing mode.

Frontman Will Slade’s smooth vocals were matched with Human League style heavy synth and the drums and guitar, courtesy of Troy Mutton and Alex Dew respectively, provided a good balance to the machines, meaning the band’s ‘80s throwback vibe was truly eclectic. While it would have been good to see more of a saxophone addition after getting a taster from synth/bass player Jack Doepel (of Voltaire Twins fame), the guys from Bastian’s Happy Flight more than made up for it with a rendition of their tune Relationshipdenial which was dramatic in every aspect and absolutely superb.

Currently trekking across the country as the main support for this Snakadaktal tour, Sydneysiders Sures touched down at the Astor for their first ever show in Perth which also coincides with their recent signing to Ivy League records.

Sures’ set was the heaviest of the night as they traded synths and keys for guitars; three guitars, in fact. Their vigorous, versatile set saw them range from preppy to lo-fi grunge, and lead singer Jonas Nicholls’ falsetto is reminiscent of The Temper Trap’s Dougy Mandagi.

Sures’ summery singles Poseidon and Stars have ramped their popularity recently but there’s still something a little bit ‘school band’ about their live performance. Unlike their predecessors, they weren’t as comfortable with audience interaction, especially evident when a guitar string snapping ensued Nicholls’ awkward questions to the crowd: “So, uh, what do you guys want?”. But the music was what mattered, and they played a decent set.

MOJOS BAR

The Mustang Bar Saturday, August 4, 2012 Rockabilly guys and gals flooded The ‘Stang on Saturday night to catch The Continentals tearing up the stage during their month long residency. Their fast paced retro tunes had swing dancers in a spin, and later in the evening Milhouse took centre stage to smash out a set of party favorites.

Kim, Ben, Isak & Lauren

Thursday, August 9, Husband begins their two week residency at Mojos Bar, with a little help from The Flower Drums, The Big Old Bears Duo and DJs Craig Hollywood and Harvey Rae. Friday, August 10, sees lovely lady of groove Shameem work her melodic magic. Saturday, August 11, Mojos hosts two of the worlds most progressive and bombastic beat barons, Jonwayne and Mono/Poly. Mojos is giving away double passes to this show, simply email mojos@coolperthnights.com with ‘Mayfair’ in the subject line.

MUSTANG BAR

Photos by Denis Radacic

Delivering a rock‘n’roll sound heavy on riffage and decibel cracking volume, Datura will tear up the stage this Thursday, August 9. Support comes from Sugarpuss and Black Milk.

INDI BAR

This Wednesday, August 8, roots rockers Band of Frequencies will showcase tunes from their latest album In Another Time. Tickets through Heatseeker.

Emma, Craig, Tim & Dean

YA YA’S

Tonight, Wednesday, August 8, Ha Ha’s @ Ya Ya’s will be headlined by 2011 WA Raw Comedy winner Tien Tran and MC Asain Roy Orbinson.To win two tickets email adam@ya-yas.com.au with ‘I Love Comedy’ in the subject line. Then on Friday, August 10, Crooked Cats launch their new EP. First four people to mention this blurb at the bar will receive a pint of Coopers!

Jimmy & Michelle

Amy, Aggie & Larissa

To celebrate the Newport’s refurb, the generous folks are giving away an ultimate function pack to one lucky reader and their friends, with the winner getting to choose from one of the snazzy new rooms in which to host a three hour event, with a $300 bar tab, security hire and VIP drink deals all night. To go into the draw to win this fantastic package email zoe@thenewport.com with ‘ultimate function’ in the subject line.

ROSEMOUNT HOTEL

Catch Melbourne indie rock veterans Even this Friday, August 10, along with The Autumn Isles, 6s & 7s and Sean Pollard from 8pm. To win a double pass to the show email win@rosemounthotel.com.au with ‘Win’ in the subject line.

RAILWAY HOTEL

This Friday, August 10, catch a one-off reunion show from Friends Of Brian, with support coming from Del Mundo and Elk Bell. Saturday, August 11, catch icons Even with special guests Datura and Loose Lips from 8pm. Tickets from Heatseeker.

BAR ORIENT

This Friday, August 10, The Reggae Club plays host to Djay Kays and DJ Ras Mwas. Entry is free.

PADDO

EAST END BAR

MATCHES BAR

SAIL & ANCHOR Cate & Ray

NEWPORT HOTEL

Lixy headlines weekly student/indie night THursty at the Hyde Park Hotel, this Thursday August 9.

Then on Friday, August 10, catch Wizard Sleeve, Ol Bouganvillea, Born on the Bayou and Bransontramps from 9pm.

We can get you on the door list to The Prestige, a night of house, funk and electro, this Thursday, after 10pm by simply emailing win@xpressmag.com.au with ‘Prestige’ in the subject line.

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Snakadaktal (Photo: Dan Grant)

Oktoberfest at The Paddo is back on Saturday, October 20, from 12pm ‘til 6pm! See The Paddo transform into its very own Weihenstephan German beer hall, complete with sexy beer wenches (guys included), an authentic German food menu, ice cold Weihenstephan half steins, best dressed prizes, a strongest guy and girl competition and tunes spun

by DJ Riki, Roger Smart and James Ess. Tickets are only $20 +bf and are available from paddo.com.au.

HYDE PARK HOTEL

Jill & Megan

Melbourne-based teenage quintet Snakadaktal are pretty much capable of inducing you into a trance. From the candy coloured pink, lilac, and mint green flashing lights to the twinkling synth accompanied by dreamy boy/girl vocals from Sean Kelly and Phoebe Cockburn, their set was enjoyably hazy from start to finish.

The band may be young but they’ve found their style and harnessed it to perfection.

Their set was part danceable fun, part lullabies and all infused with awesome sound effects which made good use of the theatre’s acoustics. Alternating the lead vocals between Sean and Phoebe was also a good choice.

Air proved to be very popular, as was Chimera, their breakthrough single that won them Triple’s J’s Unearthed High competition last year.

Ghost was ambient in comparison and the band nervously introduced it as the song that caused a fight the last time it was played. There were no fights tonight, just dancing. They ended with a light show for the catchy Dance Bear: it’s what everyone came to see and it was worth waiting for until the end. _CORAL HUCKSTEP

With $7 Dry Dock pints all week plus $15 lunch specials from Monday to Friday, the Sail & Anchor is where it’s at!

Situated upstairs at 91 James Street, Northbridge, Matches is a new bar with a relaxed atmosphere, classy interior and pumping music. Whether it’s a chilled weeknight vibe you’re craving or a party atmosphere for the weekend (where you can dance your ass off while treating yourself to $6 beers and $10 cocktails) the fine folks from Matches have you covered. Matches is giving a group of four people their first drink free on arrival for this Friday, August 10. Simply email ‘Matches’ to win@xpressmag.com.au to be in the running.

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

Hayley Beth will be raising awareness for our city’s homeless at On The Street.

ON THE STREET As part of this year’s Homeless Awareness Week, On The Street will see passionate local musicians hitting the pavement in the Perth CBD and Northbridge Cultural Centre this Saturday, August 11, in a collective effort to raise awareness for our homeless people. JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD chats to On The Street organiser Daniel Goodsell.

What is On The Street?

This is a first-time event with the idea of connecting cause to community with music. Fantastic local musicians will be performing on the street, for the street, free of amplification and power. We hope this to become a national event in 2013. I think this event will also be entertaining whilst conveying a serious cause.

What are you aiming to achieve by putting on this event?

We hope to raise awareness of homelessness in our community and encourage people to engage and look for change.

Who’ll be appearing at On The Street?

Joe Bludge, James Baker, Hayley Beth, Peter Bibby, Benny McMayhem, Cal Peck, Alex Stereoflower, Ruben Strychnine, Mitch (Love Junkies), James Baker, Andrew Ewing and many more... there’ll be about 30 local musicians performing throughout the day. The day will end with a wind-up gig at the PICA bar in the evening with proceeds going to Shelter WA. Why is it important to raise awareness of homelessness in our city?

Homelessness goes mostly unseen, but the problem is greater than most people realise. Awareness brings empathy and an informed community hopefully leads to positive change.

LIP SERVICE

Following on a string of shows around Perth over July, including the X-Press Readers Party, Loose Lips have been invited to support Melbourne band Even for a couple of their WA shows this week. You can catch them spreading the kind of love only a band called Loose Lips can on Thursday, August 8, at The Prince of Wales in Bunbury and Saturday, August 11, at the Railway Hotel.

IN THE NICK OF TIME

For a preview of the killer tunes on The Domnicks first fulllength album Super Real (due out in September) catch the rock juggernaut launching their limited edition double A-side vinyl single Cool Runnings/I Wonder What You’re Doin’ Now at Devilles Pad on Friday, August 10.

ALL THAT JAZZ

USA-based drummer Daniel Susnjar is visiting his native Perth to present an exciting mix of jazz and Afro-Peruvian music at Kulcha in Freo on Saturday, August 11. This will be Susnjar’s last hometown show for quite some time as he is returning to Miami to complete his doctoral studies, so don’t miss your chance to catch this talented performer live and in the flesh.

AMP UP THE JAMS

This Friday, August 8, will see the second heat of AmpFest 2012 happening at Brampton Park in Butler. Competing for a place in the AmpFest Final Showcase will be The Midnight Mules, Tim Tan, New Animals, Dead Owls and Temporal. Whoever takes out the title will battle it out with heat one winners Bears And Dolls at the final showcase at the Regal Theatre on Friday, September 7.

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Seer Cya

SEER CYA

Bearing the terrible clichéd nature of this question, how would you describe your band’s sound?

Ryan ‘Trebs’ Treby (Vocals, Guitar): We’re a rock band first and foremost. We describe our sound as ‘balls out rock’ and that’s what we do. We love a lot of different types of music and so we try to bring different influences to the table, some of our tunes are heavy, some more radio friendly but always with a grounding in hard rock.

Ryan ‘Pops’ Popa (Lead Guitar): Yeah I would say ‘balls out rock’ too, I think we have a good range of songs something for everyone’s ear tongues to enjoy Mark ‘Rodzy’ Rodrigues (Bass):‘Balls out rock.’

Cameron ‘Cam’ Fell (Drums): Melodic rock.

What can a punter expect from a Seer Cya live show?

Trebs: Nudity and drunkenness, nah just a rock band doing their thing.

We have a lot of fun on stage and ham it up a bit.We try to put on a good show and get people up and having a good time.

Pops: A high energy performance of course, any excuse to jump around and we will also throw in a couple of new songs Rodzy: An exciting evening of in your face balls out rock!

Cam: I’ll get my guns out for the crowd, haha!

So what’s next for Seer Cya? Pops: We are recording a new single and recording some video clips so keep your ears and eyes open. Our debut album is also available now on iTunes and at our shows and is coming into stores soon so grab a copy.

Seer Cya are helping Perth Sound And Found celebrate their 1st birthday at the Beat Nightclub on Friday, August 10, along with a heap of awesome bands and DJs. Tickets are $25 at the door or cheaper online through the Perth Sound And Found Facebook page.

MARK GARDENER The Fly By Night Wednesday, August 1, 2012 The 20th anniversary of the seminal Ride album Going Blank Again has afforded Mark Gardener the opportunity to tour Australia again. A wet and cold night in Fremantle may not have been the ideal scenario for a night of acoustic tunes, but those who took shelter in the Fly By Night Club were treated an intimate evening.

The king of the Oxford shoegaze scene Mark Gardener has traded his floppy fringe for a wide brimmed hat and his indie cool for some English charm. With a loop pedal bouncing his vocals around, Gardener opened with Gravity Flow from his most recent solo release. People were here mainly to reminisce over the song from the Ride catalogue and Gardener did his most to oblige with Polar Bear being the first to be stripped back to its bare essentials.

While there is a resurgence in the swirling walls of guitars of shoegaze, Gardener is travelling the boards with just his acoustic guitar.

This doesn’t stop him from celebrating his past with Chrome Waves and Twisteralla losing none of their appeal over the years. There were moments in Gardener’s set where the songs, no matter what the era of their origin, had a decidedly brit-pop slant to them, but all ills were forgiven when he offered up In A Different Place and Vapour Trails.

An encore found him showing off his latest single The Places We Go, which was penned with Robert Guthrie of the Cocteau Twins while lamenting the demise of the bricks and mortar record store. Of all the tunes to speak the loudest on the evening it was the steady churn of Drive Blind.

Gardener is an artist who is still producing credible music, but thank god he isn’t too proud to revisit his past successes in the name of a good night out.

This night was a win for those who like their mid week a little more on the gentle side. __CHRIS HAVERCROFT

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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.

Tim Barry, August 8, The Den OWL EYES / STONEFIELD 17 Settlers Tavern 18 Studio 146 Albany NORTH WEST FESTIVAL TIM BARRY / JOSH (Hilltop Hoods, The Living End, The Cat Empire, SMALL Regurgitator, Dead Letter 8 The Den Circus, and more) 18 Port Hedland Turf Club RUFUS JINJA SAFARI / Amplifier OPOSSOM / WHITE 18 19 Newport Hotel ARROWS GEORGE GARZONE 8 The Bakery 18 & 19 The Ellington KENNY ROGERS / GLEN CAMPBELL BAND OF 21 Riverside Theatre FREQUENCIES ADAM PAGE 21 The Ellington 8 Indi Bar 23 Albany Entertainment 10 Settlers Tavern 11 White Star Hotel Albany Centre 12 Clancy’s Dunsborough BURNING LOVE 22 The Den HERMAN’S HERMITS BELL BIV DEVOE / 22 Friends Restaurant PASSENGER / THE FALLS GINUWINE 22 Rosemount Hotel 9 Astor Theatre PITBULL / TAIO CRUZ / HAVANA BROWN / TIMOMATIC BOB BARRETT 23 Burswood Dome 9 The Ellington DANIEL GASSIN 23 The Ellington EVEN ALPINE 23 Newport Hotel 9 Prince Of Wales 24 Prince Of Wales 10 Rosemount Hotel 25 The Bakery 11 Mojos Bar JOE MCKEE 12 Indi Bar 24 Rosemount Hotel BONNIWELLS 24 Velvet Lounge ICEHOUSE 25 Dada Records 10 Astor Theatre 26 Mojos Bar 11 Strike A Chord Ball HETTY KATE Burswood 25 The Ellington THE PHARCYDE 25 Capitol HOUSE VS SPLIT SECONDS HURRICANE / Amplifier CONFESSION / IN 25 PSEUDO ECHO 25 Charles Hotel HEARTS WAKE THE LAURELS 10 Prince Of Wales 25 Mojos Bar 11 Amplifier MARIA MINERVA 12 YMCA HQ 26 Maylands Yacht Club PER PURPOSE / RITES WILD 27 Galleria East Perth KATE MILLERTERRIBLE TRUTHS / PER HEIDKE / THE PURPOSE BEARDS 28 Dada Records 11 Astor Theatre PENNYWISE / THE MENZINGERS / SHARKS 29 Metropolis Fremantle HOLY BALM SLASH FEAT. MYLES 11 CANCELLED KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS 30 Metro City JONWAYNE / ILLY MONO/POLY 31 Metropolis Fremantle 11 Mojos Bar TIM HART 31 The Ellington THE SMITH STREET BAND TOMMY 31 Rosemount Hotel EMMANUEL PSYCROPTIC 12 Perth Concert Hall 31 Amplifier Bar

THIS WEEK AUGUST 8 – 14

AUGUST NASUM / DYSCARNATE 15 Amplifier Bar TRANSIT 15 YMCA HQ 16 Amplifier Bar THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS 15 Prince Of Wales 16 Settlers Tavern 17 & 18 Fly By Night TONI CHILDS 15 Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre 16 Fly By Night Club 17 Goldfields Arts Centre Kalgoorlie 18 Esperance Civic Centre 19 Albany Entertainment Centre STONEFIELD 16 Newport OWL EYES 16 Artbar HUNTING GROUNDS 16 Prince Of Wales 17 Amplifier HILLTOP HOODS 17 Challenge Stadium

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SEPTEMBER TIM HART 1 Newport Hotel ILLY 1 Capitol THE ENGLISH BEAT 1 Astor Theatre PSYCROPTIC 1 Eliot Street Bar Bunbury 2 Newport Hotel HOWARD JONES 5 Astor Theatre JOSE FELICIANO 5 Regal Theatre THE BEACH BOYS 6 Burswood Dome MILLIONS 7 Amplifier DAMIEN LEITH 8 Astor Theatre THE MEDICS 8 Amplifier URTHBOY 8 Rosemount Hotel ROTTOFEST (Millions and more) 8 & 9 Rottnest Island SUBHUMANS

Jinja Safari August 8, The Bakery 12 Amplifier JONAH MATRANGA 12 Amplifier 14 C5 Metropolis Fremantle AMERICA 12 Perth Concert Hall PATRICK WOLF 14 Fly By Night KATCHAFIRE 14 Astor Theatre 15 Settlers Tavern 16 Prince Of Wales EARTH / MARGINS 15 Rosemount Hotel INVADERS 15 Charles Hotel JASON BONHAM’S LED ZEPPELIN’S EXPERIENCE 15 POSTPONED RUFUS WAINWRIGHT 19 Riverside Theatre WHEATUS 20 Metropolis Fremantle MYSTERY JETS 20 Capitol FEAR FACTORY 20 Capitol GIAN SLATER 21 & 22 The Ellington HANSON / MATT WERTZ 22 Metropolis Fremantle GYROSCOPE 22 Rosemount Hotel NEWTON FAULKNER 22 Fly By Night XAVIER RUDD 25 Goldfields Arts Centre Kalgoorlie 26 Esperance Civic Centre 28 Albany Entertainment Centre 29 Fremantle Arts Centre 30 Caves House Yallingup SOLA ROSA 26 Indi Bar 28 Clancy’s Dunsborough 29 Amplifier HIGH WOLF 27 PICA Bar TIM ROGERS 27 Clancy’s Dunsborough 28 Fly By Night Club 29 Rosemount Hotel JULIA STONE 28 Astor Theatre STEPHEN MALKMUS & THE JICKS 28 Rosemount Hotel AARON GOLDBERG 28 & 29 The Ellington KATIE NOONAN & KARIN SCHAUPP 28 Winthrop Hall UWA 29 Mandurah Performing Arts Centre SIX60 29 Metro City SHIHAD 28 Amplifier 30 Mojos Bar WAVE ROCK WEEKENDER (Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, Tim Rogers, Shihad, and more TBA) 29 - 30 Wave Rock Caravan Park RUSSIAN CIRCLES / EAGLE TWIN 30 The Bakery FEAR FACTORY 30 Capitol

OCTOBER JOE BONAMASSA 1 Perth Concert Hall PARKLIFE (The Presets, Nero, Passion Pit, Plan B, Rusko, Tame Impala, Chiddy Bang, Robyn, and more) 1 Wellington Square NEKROMANTIX 2 Rosemount Hotel DEFEATER / BLACKLISTED 3 Amplifier 4 YMCA HQ MARTIKA 4 Metropolis Fremantle OH MERCY 4 Settlers Tavern 5 Norfolk Basement 6 The Bakery SETH SENTRY 4 Studio 146 Albany

Tortoise, October 14, This Is Nowhere

5 Prince Of Wales 10 Civic Hotel 6 Rosemount Hotel ELTON JOHN 7 Norfolk Hotel 12 Perth Arena KELLY CLARKSON / THE SIGUR ROS FRAY 13 Belvoir Amphitheatre 5 Challenge Stadium THE RUBENS THE BEARDS / THE 5 Capitol SNOWDROPPERS 6 Prince Of Wales 15 Prince Of Wales 7 Newport Hotel 16 Settlers Tavern TZU 5 Baqr 120 17 Rosemount Hotel 6 Amplifier 18 Indi Bar 7 Prince Of Wales HYPERFEST (Bluejuice, Seth NICKELBACK / JACKSON FIREBIRD Sentry, Grey Ghost,, and more TBA) 17 Perth Arena 7 Midland Oval STEREOSONIC (Tiësto, THE AMITY AFFLICTION Avicii, Calvin Harris, / THE GHOST INSIDE / Example, Carl Cox, Major ARCHITECTS 7 & 8 Metropolis Fremantle Lazer, and more) CANNIBAL CORPSE / 25 Claremont Showgrounds DISENTOMB / ENTRAILS ERADICATED 9 Capitol STEEL PANTHER 11 Metro City JUSTINE CLARKE PAUL CAPSIS 1 Astor Theatre 11 Artbar SIMPLE MINDS / DEVO / MUMFORD & SONS / THE CHURCH / MODELS EDWARD SHARPE & THE MAGNETIC ZEROS / WILLY 4 Kings Park & Botanical MASON Garden 12 & 13 Belvoir Amphitheatre KASEY CHAMBERS/ SHANE SOUND OF SEASONS NICHOLSON 12 Metropolis Fremantle 13 Amplifier Bar 5 Albany Entertainment 14 YMCA HQ Centre COUNT BASIE ORCHESTRA 6 Civic Centre Esperance 14 Perth Concert Hall 7 Goldfields Arts Centre EVERCLEAR 14 Capitol 8 Mundaring Weir Hotel THIS IS NOWHERE MISSY HIGGINS (Tortoise, Xiu Xiu, Grails, 8 Fremantle Arts Centre Beach Fossils, The Bank NICKI MINAJ / TYGA Holidays, HTRK, Puro Instinct, High Tea, New War 8 Perth Arena and more) REGINA SPEKTOR 14 Somerville Auditorium 19 Belvoir Amphitheatre and surrounds KARISE EDEN 16 & 17 St Joseph’s Church Subiaco TODD MCKENNEY SOUTHBOUND (The 18 & 19 Astor Theatre Flaming Lips, SBTRKT, Best CLARE BOWDITCH Coast, Beach House, Boy & 20 Astor Theatre PAUL HEATON Bear, Coolio, The Vaccines, 21 Fly By Night Bombay Bicycle Club, LEB I SOL First Aid Kit, Cosmo Jarvis, 26 Chares Hotel Django Django, The Hives, BASTARDFEST(Astriaal, Fuck I’m Dead, Desecrator, Lisa Mitchell, Matt Corby, and more) Sharon Van Etten, Two Door 27 Civic Hotel Cinema Club and more) THE LIGHTHOUSE TRIO 4 & 5 Sir Stewart Bovell Park 27 & 28 The Ellington GREENTHIEF Busselton 27 Rocket Room SANDI THOM 28 Prince Of Wales 10 Fly By Night 29 Newport Hotel NIGHTWISH SUNN O))) / PELICAN 20 Metropolis Fremantle 28 Capitol ROCK IT (The Black Keys, WEEZER John Butler Trio, Birds Of 23 Perth Arena Tokyo, The Panics Lanie Lane, Last Dinosaurs, Royal BIG DAY OUT (Red Hot Headache, Graveyard Train, Chili Peppers, The Killers, Brothers Grim, The Toot Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Vampire Toot Toots, and more) Weekend, Band Of Horses, 28 Joondalup Arena Kaskade, Animal Collective, Against Me!, 360, Foals, B.O.B, Sleigh Bells, Jeff HOT CHELLE RAE / CHER The Brotherhood, Off!, LLOYD Grinspoon, Jagwar Ma, 1 Challenge Stadium Delta Spirit, Everytime I BILLY BRAGG 2 Astor Theatre Die, House Vs Hurricane, AT THE GATES Alabama Shakes, and more) 3 Capitol 28 Claremont Showgrounds THE LIVING END 1-7 Rosemount Hotel EMMYLOU HARRIS 6 Perth Concert Hall JOSH PYKE ED SHEERAN 8 Artbar 23 Challenge Stadium CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE BAND 8 Fly By Night GEORGE MICHAEL 10 Perth Arena PROGFEST (Ne Obliviscaris, ONE DIRECTION 28 & 29 Perth Arena and more TBA)

DECEMBER

JANUARY 2013

NOVEMBER

FEBRUARY

SEPTEMBER

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

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Fall Electric Duo, Thursday at Ya Ya’s

WEDNESDAY 08.08 AMPLIFIER The Academy Make Them Suffer BALMORAL Nathan Gaunt BAR 120 Felix BRASS MONKEY Sugar Blue Burlesque CLANCY’S CANNING BRIDGE Tahnee & Jay Howie CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Chet Leonard’s Bingotheque CLAREMONT HOTEL Open Mic Night ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Howard Levy workshop WAYJO Charles Mingus Tribute GREENWOOD Bernardine INDI BAR Band Of Frequencies Simon Kelly The Big Bamboos LUCKY SHAG Ben Merito MOJOS BAR The Aunts The Whistling Dogs Brian Rice Dalton MUSTANG Switch PADDO Waiting For Bliss Kate Gilbertson Reid Maul With Nikki PADDY HANNANS 5 Shots ROSEMOUNT Them Orphans Dyatlov Listening For Triggers Agitated Worst Possible Outcome

ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) David Fyffe THE BROWN FOX Courtney Murphy THE MOON Jacob Diamond Amanda Merdzan Bedouin Sea UNIVERSAL Strutt

THURSDAY 09.08 AMPLIFIER Home Brew BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Chasing Calee BEAU RIVAGE James Morley BRASS MONKEY Rhythm Bound Karaoke BROOKLANDS TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke COMO HOTEL Courtney Murphy DEVILLES PAD Rock ‘N’ Roll Karaoke ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Bob Garrett HIGH WYCOMBE HOTEL Chris Murphy HYDE PARK HOTEL Lixy INDI BAR Bex’s Open Mic Night LOBBY LOUNGE (BURSWOOD) John Sandosham LUCKY SHAG James Wilson MARKET CITY TAVERN Allison Bell Greys & Blues Gary Elt Nick McPherson Matt Steyn Severity One

Husband

HUSBAND

THE FLOWER DRUMS THE BIG OLD BEARS DUO CRAIG HOLLYWOOD VS HARVEY RAE

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9 MOJO’S BAR

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Jade Diary, Friday at Beat Nightclub MOJOS BAR Husband The Flower Drums Big Old Bears Duo Craig Hollywood V’s Harvey Rae MUSTANG BAR Datura Sugarpuss Black Milk OCEAN BEACH HOTEL Open Mic Night OXFORD HOTEL Johnny Taylor PADDY HANNANS Dr Bogus PRINCE OF WALES Even Loose Lips ROSEMOUNT Astro Lix Neutral Native Mudlark The Government Yard 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 The Mojos UNIVERSAL Off The Record WOODVALE Two Plus One YA YA’S Davey Craddock Peter Bilby Chris Coblis Fall Electric Duo

FRIDAY 10.08 7th AVENUE Free Radicals AMPLIFIER Animistic Paradise In Exile Befallen Inanimacy BAILEY BAR Mod Squad BAKERY Diger Rockwell The Community Beat BALLYS BAR Jamie Powers BALMORAL The Mojo’s BEAT NIGHTCLUB Perth Sound & Found 1st Birthday Bash Astro Lix When Summers Ends Serial Killer Smile Death & A Cure Jade Diary Black Ink Mulder Seer Cya Heytesburg BENNYS Faces BENTLEY HOTEL Dove BLACK BETTYS Everlong

The DomNicks, Friday at Devilles Pad

BROKEN HILL HOTEL Nat Ripepi CAPTAIN STIRLING Bluebottles CARLISLE HOTEL Reload CHASE BAR Chasing Calee CIVIC HOTEL Psychonaut Brutus Hyte CLANCY’S CITY BEACH Belleville Gypsy Jazz CLANCY’S FREMANTLE The 10 Cent Shooters COMO HOTEL Christian Thompson CORNERSTONE Carbon taxi CRAFTSMAN Blaze DEVILLES PAD The DomNicks EAST 150 Adam James EASTERN HOTEL Matt Milford ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Switch ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Jamie Oehlers Trio Briana Cowlishaw Meg Mac & The Squeeze EMPIRE Pop Candy FLY BY NIGHT CLUB Motown Soul Night FUSE BAR Groove Karaoke GREENWOOD Greg Carter HERDSMAN Sugarfield HIGH ROAD HOTEL Clayton Bolger Damien Cripps Band HILTON PARK BOWLING CLUB Jane Germain, Ian Simpson & The Yahoos HYDE PARK HOTEL Nathan Gaunt Wizard Sleeve Ol Bouganvillea Born On The Bayou Bransontramps INDI BAR Vdelli INDIAN OCEAN BREW Adrian Wilson KALAMUNDA HOTEL Dirty Scoundrels LANGFORD ALEHOUSE Hattrick M ON THE POINT Johnny Taylor MARKET CITY TAVERN Tamika Alicia Risk MOJOS BAR Shameem Speekeasy Creed Birch Rob Shaker Ravs MOON & SIXPENCE Soul Corporation

MUSTANG BAR Oz Big Band Cheeky Monkeys NEWPORT Party Rockers NORTHWOOD ALE HOUSE Indigo Alley OXFORD HOTEL Recliners PADDO Simon Kelly PADDY HANNANS Gun Shy Romeos PARAMOUNT Flyte PRINCESS ROAD TAVERN Midnight Rambler RAILWAY HOTEL Friends Of Brian Del Mundo Elk Bell ROCKET ROOM Sleeping Giant Nevsky Prospect Gombo Guns of August ROSEMOUNT Even 6s & 7s The Autumn Isles Sean Pollard ROSEY O’GRADY’S (FREMANTLE) Spyce ROSEY O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Neil Colliss SAIL & ANCHOR Retriofit SOUTH ST ALE HOUSE Robbie King Karaoke SPRINGS TAVERN Greg Carter Karaoke SWAN LOUNGE The Other Woman Empty Pocket SWINGING PIG Tandem Greg Carter THE BIRD Bolsty Nebula Ben Taaffe Bullok & Bixler Everyteen THE BOAT Deuce THE BROOK Tod Woodward THE GATE Smoking Section THE SHED Kickstart UNIVERSAL Nightmoves THE VIC Jen De Ness VELVET LOUNGE Mezzanine Foam Antelope The Cold Acre VICTORIA PARK HOTEL Ivan Ribic WANNEROO TAVERN Clayton Bolger WOODVALE TAVERN Dr Bogus YA YA’S The Crooked Cats Red Engine Caves Misty Mountain & The Beers

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.

Opia, Saturday at Norfolk Basement

SATURDAY 11.08 ADMIRAL Sugarfield AMPLIFIER House Vs. Hurricane BALLYS BAR Dove BALMORAL Retriofit BAILEY BAR Lush BAR 120 Flyte BLVD TAVERN Sea Level Chris Pa BEAT NIGHTCLUB Runaways BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Adam James BLACK BETTY’S J Babies BURSWOOD (PRIZE DRAW STAGE) Switch CIVIC HOTEL (THE DEN) Scalphunter Alex The Kid Blindspot Worst Possible Outcome The Reptilians CLANCY’S CANNING BRIDGE Mister Duo CLANCY’S CITY BEACH Jonny Nandez Hammond Explosion CLANCY’S FREMANTLE The Gypsie Howls Turin Robinson Amanda Merzdan CLAREMONT HOTEL The Zydecats COMO HOTEL Ezereve EASTERN HOTEL The Doc Is Alive Figure 23 A Haunting On Ravenswood ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Fiona Lawe Davies Trio Ali Bodycoat Quintet Empire GREENWOOD Cargo Beat HIGH ROAD HOTEL Dr Bogus HYDE PARK HOTEL Stone Bleeder Subject To Change The Rumble INDIAN OCEAN BREW CO The Mojos INDI BAR Matt Gresham KULCHA The Daniel Susnjar Peruvian Jazz Band LAKERS Billy & The Broken Lines LANGFORD ALEHOUSE Die Hard Karaoke LAST DROP Domenic Zurzolo LEOPOLD HOTEL Steve Hepple

LOBBY LOUNGE (BURSWOOD) John & Shaun Sandosham MOON & SIXPENCE Blaze M ON THE POINT Rhythm 22 MOJOS BAR JonWayne Mono/Poly James Ireland Maxwell Starks MUSTANG The Continentals Milhouse NEWPORT Kizzy Gravity NORFOLK BASEMENT Opia Serial Killer Smile Copious PADDY HANNAN’S Decoy PARAMOUNT Felix PEEL ALEHOUSE Overload QUARIE BAR Electrophobia RAILWAY HOTEL Even Datura Loose Lips ROCKET ROOM Kickstart ROSEMOUNT BloodKlot Enforce Blunt Force Trauma Cold Fate Armada Vale ROSIE O’GRADY’S (FREMANTLE) Flavor ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Blue Gene SAIL & ANCHOR Kickstart SOUTH ST ALEHOUSE Shawne & Luc SWAN LOUNGE Severtone The Fall Of Man Tusk Mother Nightmare SWINGING PIG Spritzer Greg Carter THE BIRD The Ghost Hotel Warning Birds Luke Bostelman THE BOAT The Organ Grinders THE GATE Dirty Scoundrels THE SHED Huge THE VIC James Wilson UNIVERSAL Soul Corporation WANNEROO TAVERN Greg Carter WHALE & ALE Carbon Taxi WOODVALE TAVERN The Damien Cripps Band

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Friday Friday Warning Birds, TravisCaudle Caudle Travis Saturday atBy The Bird Fly By Night Fly Night

SUNDAY 12.08 7TH AVENUE Reckless Kelly BALLY’S BAR Greg Carter BALMORAL The Blackbirds BAR ORIENT Clayton Bolger BLVD TAVERN Slam Unearthed Annabelle Jane Bakers Lucas Jones Band Midnight Escapade Azlan Trio Calectasia BROKEN HILL HOTEL The Organ Grinders CAPTAIN STIRLING Christian Parkinson CARINE The Mojos CARLISLE HOTEL Gerry Quigley & The Shinkickers CHASE BAR James Wilson CLANCY’S FREMANTLE The Zydecats CLANCY’S DUNSBOROUGH Band Of Frequencies CLAREMONT HOTEL Sunday Driver COMO HOTEL Scott Nelson EAST 150 BAR Ali Towers ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Beans Buma’s Boys Of Rhythm EMPIRE CB3 FLY TRAP Stage Fright Open Mic GEISHA BAR Felicity Groom The Long Lost Brothers DJ Cameron George HIGH ROAD HOTEL Chris Murphy HIGH WYCOMBE HOTEL Matt Milford INDIAN OCEAN BREW CO Retriofit INDI BAR Even The Stanleys Boston & Chevy KALAMUNDA HOTEL Bernadine LAKERS TAVERN Jamie Powers LANGFORD ALEHOUSE Zalia Joi M ON THE POINT Electrophobia MOJOS BAR (ARVO) Peter Bibby Shiny Joe Ringham Ask Jefferson MOJOS BAR (EVE) Mental Powers Andrew Sinclair Nik Ridikulas MMHMMM Lovetown HAMJAM Electric Toad

Boston & Chevy, Sunday at Indi Bar

MUSTANG BAR Peter Busher & The Lone Rangers NEWPORT Tim Nelson Tom Fisher The Layabouts OCEAN VIEW TAVERN Neil Colliss PEEL ALE HOUSE Stuart McKay PIG & WHISTLE Sugarfield PINK DUCK Kevin Conway PRINCIPAL Stella Donnelly ROSE & CROWN Christian Thompson ROSEY O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Jonathan Dempsey SAIL & ANCHOR Easy Way Out SEAVIEW HOTEL The Mopokes SOUTH ST ALE HOUSE Christian Thompson SOVEREIGN ARMS Ivan Ribic SPRINGS TAVERN Ryan Dillon STIRLING ARMS Leighton Keepa THE BIRD Benedict Moleta Davey Craddock & The Spectacles Scott Tomlinson THE GATE Patty G Chris Gibbs Trio THE SAINT The Bluebottles THE SHED The Healy’s Renogade TWO ROCKS TAVERN Neil Adams UNIVERSAL Retriofit

VICTORIA PARK HOTEL Damien Cripps WOODVALE TAVERN Free Radicals

MONDAY 13.08 BRASS MONKEY James Wilson ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB JTC Jazz LOBBY LOUNGE (BURSWOOD) Courtney Murphy MOJOS BAR Wide Open Mic Night MUSTANG BAR Marco & The Alley Cats THE DEEN Plastic Max & The Token Gesture

TUESDAY 14.08 ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Death & A Cure LOBBY LOUNGE (BURSWOOD) John Sandosham LUCKY SHAG Christian Thompson MERRIWA TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke PADDO Simon Kelly PRINCE OF WALES Open Mic Night SETTLERS TAVERN Open Mic Night THE BIRD Fat Shans Open Mic Night Andrew Bond Mai Barnes Alfred Gorman Mel Hall David Marcuson Rory Lowe TWO ROCKS TAVERN Jump For Joy Karaoke

Animistic

ANIMISTIC PARADISE IN EXILE BEFALLEN INANIMACY

FRIDAY, AUGUST 10 AMPLIFIER

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Classifieds and Music Services Hotline: 9213 2888 Display ads: musicservices@xpressmag.com.au Deadline: 4pm Monday Credit cards welcome

MUSOS WANTED BASS PLAYER WANTED To join in electric Blues band. Needs to be reliable, love the Blues/Rock and have fun. Ring Wes 0405 455 133.

G U I TA R I S T / B AC K U P V O C A L I S T WANTED For Alt Rock band Hostile Little Face. Currently gigging. Must have own gear, love the tunes, live experience preferred. Dedicated applicants only.

Mitch 0439 679 947.

METAL BAND SEEKS NEW BASSIST Influences include Sepultura, Slayer, Fear Factory, Chimaira, Machine Head, Hatebreed & more. Send tx to 0422 442 368. Must be dedicated.

OPEN MIC NIGHT Every Thursday at Moondyne Joes. All welcome. Friendly atmosphere, Call Mark 0409 137 850.

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 SINGER WANTED For new Perth based stoner Rock/Metal band. Influences BLS, Machine Head, Down. Link www. myspace.com/project61XX19. Ph 0412 417 301.

VOCALIST WANTED For Alt Rock covers band. Playing AIC, STP, PJ, QOTSA, Sound Garden, Audio Slave & Tea Party. Gigs waiting. Interested parties please call Jarrod on 0424 448 289 for auditions.

PHOTOGRAPHY P R O J E C T P H OTO G R A P H Y P r o m o photography, studio, live, location.

Mike Wylie 0417 975 964 w w w. p r o j e c t p h o t o g r a p hy. c o m When its time to ice the cake...

PRODUCTION SERVICES * LIGHTING * AUDIO* STAGING * www. nightstarlightingaudio.com.au www. nightstarlightingaudio.com.au www. instandt.com.au www.instandt.com.au 9381 2363/ 9444 6651 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 concer t 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

G O L D D U S TCO N S T R U C T I O N . CO M Produc tion, 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 ORACLE SOUND RECORDING STUDIO Multitrack Studio In Osbourne Park Specialising In Punk, Metal and Hardcore. Tracking, Mixing and Song Writing available. Matt 0420 308 935 or Jay 0410 383 630. www.oraclesound. com.au POONS HEAD MASTERING Analog mastering at its best. Clients include Mink Mussel Creek, Jeff Martin, The Panics, Pond + The Floors. World class f a c i l i t y. Wo r l d c l a s s re s u l t s. w w w. poonshead.com 9339 47 91 R E CO R D I N G M I X I N G M A S T E R I N G PRODUCING Fremantle location. Call Pete Kitchen Cooked Records. Ph 0407 363 764 / 9336 3764 REVOLVER SOUND STUDIO Ph 9272 7505. www.revolverstudio.com.au S O N G W R I T E R S ! - U N LO C K YO U R S O N G S’ P OT E N T I A L + F R E E B A N D 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 REHEARSAL STUDIOS AAA VHS REHEARSAL ROOMS Great facilities, great vibe & great price!!! Unit 5 /16 Peel Road, O’Connor. Phone 9418 815 or 0413 732 885 5815

BIGBEAT SOUND STUDIO Clean rooms, all new PA systems, air-con and good parking . Willetton Ph: 0425 698 117.

PLATINUM SOUND ROOMS Professional rehearsal rooms, airconditioned, quality PAs mob 0418 944 722 TUITION AAA CLEAVER ACADEMY OF VOICE Voice training for singers that really works. All techniques including speech level. Phone 9272 4497 mb 0417 928 998. ***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 DRUM LESSONS All styles, WAAPA prep.

Modern techniques, rudiments, soloing, favourite songs. Beg-Adv. Ph: Pascal 0413 172 817. Available 7 days & all holidays.

G U I TA R L E S S O N S F o r b e g i n n e r students. Learn how to start from the beginning, play your favourite songs, chords, solos and more. 6 years teaching experience. Guitars and Amps available for hire. Lessons in Duncraig, call Luke on 0400021560.

GUITARIST/VOC ALIST SINCE 1980 Beginners-Intermediate. Results fast. Visiting all suburbs. $40p/h. kinetikindred.com Ph: 0431 074 047.

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.

SHOP TALK Big Stores, Little Selection

Some of Australia’s biggest retailers are hoping to strike a chord with musos across the country by tapping into the $400 million electronic instruments market, but is abandoning the speciality music stores of old really going to get you the best deal? TOM VARIAN investigates.

The economic climate is changing, that is an undeniable fact. Markets are seeing disruptions that haven’t been seen before, as unparalleled internet access empowers customers with choice and forces brick-and-mortar retailers to ever slimmer margins.

Large national chain stores such as JB Hi-Fi, that have a business model operating on low margins and large quantities, have started stocking instruments, offering guitar packs to keyboards and even electronic drum kits. But are they carving a big chunk out of specialty music stores bottom line? Or are customers still choosing a more tailored approach?

On one side of the argument is the fact that getting into musical instruments as a hobby can be rather expensive. That barrier of entry can be quite high for someone, or some parent, who isn’t sure they’ll stick with it. So low quality instruments at as cheap as possible prices are attractive for the first time buyer.

But like buying anything with a high price tag, customers generally like to spend that money knowing they are getting the right advice and decision. When you have already committed to spending over $500 to get started with an instrument, you may be more inclined to spend 38

Where are you going to go to pick up your next guitar?

it somewhere where you feel you’ll get a level of expertise to help you make the right decision.

We’ll always need that range of choices and trust that a music store can provide. The best guitar at a wholesale entertainment outlet would rate as the worst guitar hanging in a guitar store. Any musician at even an intermediate level will appreciate the fact that most guitars sold outside of music stores are akin to toys - pieces of cheap wood and plastic made in China for a criminally low price, a level up from a Guitar Hero controller.

Like a gateway drug, anyone who buys a cheap instrument and finds themselves loving it, will quickly be lusting after a real piece of kit. They’ll go to their local guitar store and stare longingly at some sexy piece of carved wood and ask to play it every weekend, to the annoyance of the clerks. Or realise why a real drum kit costs thousands of dollars, as the craftsmanship of the materials becomes more obvious.

The starting novice, picking up a $300 guitar and amp pack, isn’t going to crush music stores - that customer probably wasn’t going to spend that money at a music store anyway. And really, would you rather music advice from someone who also hocks car stereos and smells strongly of a Lynx advert, or from some long haired guy who has a vague odour of weed and a love for everything in his store?

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