X-Press Magazine 1345

ISSUE 1345 Wedn We dnes esda dayy 21 21st st NNov 201 0122 - Free 38,000 38, 0 OOctob 00 000 tober er 2011- March 2012 Aus u tra ralia lillia ia’ss Hig Highes hest Circulatingg Stre hes reet et Pre Press ss

Musi sic Geear And Tecchn hnol olog ogyy F at Fe a ur u e In Insside d de

KORA

POLLY MEDLEN BAND

12:34 PM

SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN

PERTH DANCE MUSIC AWARDS 2012

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

Rainy Day Women

Ross Noble

THE LAST HURRAH

A NOBLE MIND

English stand-up comedian and honorary Aussie Ross Noble will be back doing what he does best – that is, spinning forth hilarious nonsense for your amusement – when he heads down under for a massive two month-long tour in early 2013. Playing four dates in WA – at the Albany Entertainment Centre on Tuesday, March 19; the Bunbury Entertainment Centre on Wednesday, March 20; the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre on Thursday, March 21, and Challenge Stadium on Friday, March 22 – the great improviser is sure to fashion some delightfully absurd scenarios. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster.

John Butler Trio

The Picasso To Warhol season at the Art Gallery of WA has been spectacular – seeing some of WA and Australia’s finest musicians, comedians and artists showcase their talent, not to mention the excellent exhibition itself combined with other events from AGWA. To celebrate the end of a superb season, the AGWA are holding one Last Hurrah, featuring the Picasso To Warhol exhibition, live Warholesque Screen Tests, comedy stylings from the hilarious Dave Callan and performances from local jazz artists Abbey/ Foster/Falle, and WAM Song Of The Year winners Rainy Day Women.

The event will be held on Friday, November 30, with tickets available now through Ticketek.

JBT013 Yagan

WARRIOR’S TALE

A free outdoor community preview screening of Perth writer/director Kelrick Martin’s new feature documentary, Yagan, will be held at Bankwest Movies By Burswood on Monday, December 3, from 2.30pm. Yagan, set to air as a one-hour documentary on the ABC in 2013, is the true story of the Noongar warrior murdered by those he trusted and then cruelly beheaded. For further details visit moviesbyburswood.com.au.

The John Butler Trio will launch 2013 with a couple of special family concerts in the lush grounds of two of Western Australia’s popular wineries. John, Byron and Nicky will take to the stage on Thursday, January 3, at Leeuwin Estate, Margaret River and Friday, January 4, at Castelli Winery, Denmark. Promising to play all the hits and with WA songstress Mama Kin kicking off proceedings at both shows, be sure to grab your tickets quickly ‘cause these are sure to sell out!

Grab your tickets from heatseeker.com.au or johnbutlertrio.com. Contact the specific venues for more details.

The Cat Empire

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Melbourne party lads The Cat Empire are bringing their noisy, delicious tunes our way. Having spent much of 2012 touring overseas, the crew are back at home making plenty of noise in the studio and writing and recording their new record with producer Jan Skubiszewski. It’s gonna be all about their usual party jams which won over legions of fans in the first place. The lads will be hitting the road in March next year for a string of shows to showcase new tunes and their old favourites.

It’s all happening on Sunday, March 10, at Fremantle Arts Centre. Tickets are on sale now from Heatseeker, Mills, Planet, Fremantle Arts Centre and the usual outlets.

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Sunshine Brothers David Bridie & Frank Yamma

NANNUP AND UP

The Nannup Music Festival is set for a big return from March 1-4, 2013. Heading up the festival line-up will be Busby Marou, Mama Kin, David Bridie & Frank Yamma (also at the Fly By Night Club on March 1), Hussy Hicks, London Klezmer Quartet, Jack Carty, Toby, Elo Wolfe, Jake & The Cowboys, Lucy Peach, Stoney Joe, Sam Buckingham, Morgan Bain and many more.

Earlybird ticket prices are available until January 31 through nannupmusicfestival.com.au.

Check it out!

FIFTY SHADES OF REGGAE

Unlike recently touring artists like Coldplay and Radiohead, Sunshine Brothers do not have roadies, money, hot actress girlfriends, or sad songs with film clips based around slow-motion car crashes. But, they do have a bunch of awesome happy songs, a killer vibe, and are capable of carrying their own gear.

The reggae lads are back on the scene and ready to get loose with y’all on their Fifty Shades Of Reggae tour. Check them out at Capitol with Tijuana Cartel on Friday, December 7; at Mojos with Earthlink Sound on Saturday, December 15; at the Fremantle Arts Centre on Saturday, December 22; with Tropical Discoteque and DJ Jumps, and again at the Freo Arts Centre on Tuesday, January 1 with Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Los Coronas, Cosmos Gets and Paul Gamblin.

Tickets through Heatseeker.

Reactions/ Comp

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Flesh

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Music: Steve Tallis/ Nuggets

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Music: Tame Impala

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Music: Polly Medlen/ Kora

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Music: Beaufort Street Festival

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New Noise

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Eye4 Cover: Searching For Sugar Man

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Eye4: News/ Movies: 2 Days In New York/ Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2

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Eye4 Movies: Skyfall/ Music: Daramad

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Eye4 Arts Listings

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Eye4 Stories: Sam Simmons/ Emma Hack

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Salt Cover Story: PDMA Hall Of Fame Inductees

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Salt: Cover Story/ Micah/ News/ Mitzi

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Salt: Krewella/ Parker/ Testpad

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Salt: PDMA Feature: Poseidon/ JD4D

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Salt: PDMA Feature: Illuminor/ ST

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Club Guide/ Scenery/ In The Diary/ Camo & Krooked

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Scene: Live

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Scene: Pub Scene/ Pub Blurbs

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Scene: Local

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Tour Trails

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Gig Guide

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Volume Feature

Kim Salmon

TINSELTOWN

The Rosemount Hotel’s annual A Not So Silent Night is always one of the most fun events on the local music calendar, and with this year’s incarnation focusing on all things garage and swamp, plus with a cheaper ticket price than previous years(to make it easier on the festival wallets) the atmosphere is sure to be electric.

Headlining will be none other than WA punk-rock icon Kim Salmon, with support from local heroes The Novocaines, Sydney gothicsoul outfit The Preatures, ex-pat dark country exponents Jack On Fire, and Melbourne rockers Apes [in WA for the first time], along with the inimitable Loose Lips and awesome newcomers Sully. The beer garden will again be hosting music, but this time it’ll free entry, so anyone can come down and enjoy the sounds of Alex Arpino [The Autumn Isles], Dan Durack [ex-Three Orange Whips], Clancy Jones [Those Wretched Horses], Scott Tomlinson [Kill Teen Angst], Jane Azzopardi and Ben Macri.

It all goes down on Saturday, December 15. Tickets are available from heatseeker.com.au.

Cover: Tame Impala play Fremantle Arts Centre on Saturday, December 15 Salt Cover: Simon Barwood and Colin Bridges are this year’s PDMA Hall Of Fame inductees. Perth Dance Music Awards hits The Court on Sunday, December 2 www.xpressmag.com.au

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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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Managing Editor Bob Gordon: editor@xpressmag.com.au Fashion Editor Emma Bergmeier: fashion@xpressmag.com.au Dance Music & Features Editor Annabel Maclean: danceeditor@xpressmag.com.au Local Music & Arts Editor Jennifer Peterson-Ward: localmusicarts@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, Emma Mackenzie, Guang-Hui Chuan, Max Fairclough 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,Tom Varian,Ben Watson,Jessica Willoughby,Miki Mclay, Morgan Richards, James Manning, Joe Cassidy, Shane Pinnegar For band gigs and launches - plugyourgig@xpressmag.com.au

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WAYTCO Presents Wind

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Directed by Patrick Downes, Wind explores the human ability to find hope when prospects are grim, and our desire to leave a mark on the world after we have gone. Enter now for your chance to see this production on Wednesday, November 28, at Perth City Farm. It’s sure to be an amazing performance so get in quick for your chance to win.

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The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2

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THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN PART 2

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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 55/102 Railway Street, 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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Breakfest 2012 will feature a hand-picked selection of fresh and favourite artists across all forms of broken beat, breakbeat, drum’n’bass, hip hop, funk, bass and their offspring! We have the ultimate Breakfest prize up for grabs which consists of a ticket to Breakfest 2012 plus a 2004 collector’s block mount signed by all the artists of that year. Get in now for your chance to win this awesome prize.

WAYTCO PRESENTS WIND

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Beaufort Street Festival - what a delight it was!

Congratulations to all the super peeps who put it together. I had a great time. I do think the whole street should be licensed though, it was impossible to get into any of the pubs after about 2pm. Perhaps something to think about for next year. A good job all round though, well done!

BREAKFEST 2012

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Via email, Vanessa Hodges

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Ruth Tyndall

BEAUFORT YOU BEAUTY!

Close your eyes and embrace the chilled MOS Chillout Sessions sounds of summer with Ministry Of Sound’s Chillout Sessions. Unwind with 42 tracks from the likes of Florence & The Machine, Gotye, Lana Del Rey, The xx, Angus Stone, Frank Ocean and more. Spread over two discs; be sent on a deliciously cool journey that is sure to provide the quintessential soundtrack to your summer. We have five copies up for grabs so get in now for your chance to win.

Those delicious Belgium lads 2manydjs are coming back to town to mix up Eye Of The Tiger with the likes of Kraftwerk, put their very own brilliant spin on tunes from The Beatles, pump out the bass and thumping electro and show you how to get your groove on down on the d-floor. They are serious pros. Boomtick and X-Press are presenting a super sick prize pack which includes: VIP tickets to 2manydjs at Villa Nightclub on Friday, November 30 Your own exclusive meet and greet experience at sound-check before the show A personally signed block mount A Boomtick Prize Pack for both you and your friend To be in the running, all you need to do is take a photo of yourself with “2many” of “something”. For example: you with too many pegs on your face; you with too many tattoos, you with too many festival wristbands. Then, upload the photo to the X-Press Facebook page.

Whoever gets the most ‘likes’ on their photo will automatically go into the Top 5 Finalists.

The winner will be chosen by X-Press ahead of the show.

Hoyts IMAX

HOYTS IMAX

Hoyts movie-goers can experience movies in the most powerful and unique way, with The IMAX Experience. IMAX delivers the most immersive cinematic experience in the world. The next installment of 007’s Skyfall will be released on Thursday, November 22, and we have five double passes up for grabs to see films like this in all their IMAX glory at Hoyts Carousel. Enter now to be in the running to win!

In the highly anticipated next chapter of the blockbuster The Twilight Saga, the newfound married bliss of Bella and Edward is cut short when a series of betrayals and misfortunes threatens to destroy their world. We have two prize packs consisting of a t-shirt, drink holder, key ring and candle up for grabs. Enter now for your chance to win.

THE MEET MARKET

Enter now for your chance to win one of three tickets to The Meet Market’s next big event, Gimme’ Summer, on Saturday, December 1, upstairs at the OBH. Tickets are worth $80 each and include unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks from 7pm10pm, food, great music and lots of lovely singles!

Please note, this event is singles only. Get in now to be in the running!

Magic Mike

MAGIC MIKE

The super hot Magic Mike is set to be released on DVD on Monday, November 26, and we have five copies up for grabs! Get in now for your chance to win.

CHECK OUT WWW.XPRESSMAG.COM.AU AND SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER ONLINE FOR LOADS MORE EXCLUSIVE COMPS!

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

RIDE THE WAVE

We already informed you that lovely lads Husky are heading out on tour to celebrate the release of their new single, Tidal Wave. Well, the supports have just been announced, and the Perth show is looking to be a stunner – Husky Gawenda and his band will be joined by young local up-and-comer Morgan Bain, and indie songsters Whiskey Winter. It’s a-happening on Thursday, December 13, at The Bakery, and you can snap up tickets through nowbaking.com.au

Grinspoon

BLACK RABBITS PARTY

Mutemath

Last September Grinspoon released their seventh studio record Black Rabbits which hit the ARIA charts at #8. The Lismore-born rockers are now heading west on their Black Rabbits tour and boy are we pretty pumped to see them back on the road. They’ll kick off 2013 playing the Big Day Out tour before embarking on their own national tour which will hit Capitol on Saturday, April 6. For all ticketing deets, hit up grinspoon.com at once. Hell yes!`

YOU DO THE (MUTE)MATH Carl Fox

FOXY POM POMS

Following the release of new EP King last month, and a massive national tour in July, Perth’s favourite indie-pop dude Carl Fox is heading back out on tour again to flaunt his new material.

The new five-track record has already received a whole lotta lovin’ locally and nationally, full to the brim with indie party tunes and good vibes. Fox will be drinking Kool Aid and flippin’ pom poms at The Bird on Thursday, November 29, with support from Diger Rokwell and Mulder.

After going above, beyond, and completely slaying Australian fans and critics with their live shows earlier this year, alt-rockers Mutemath are heading back down under to reignite their love affair – prepare yourselves. Anyone who has witnessed a Mutemath show will know that the five-piece are a force to be reckoned with, and this time around will not only be digging out tracks from their back catalogue and 2011 LP, Odd Soul, but will also give us a little taster of what’s to come on their yet-to-be announced 2013 album.

This is going to be absolutely killer, and it’s all happening on Tuesday, March 19 at The Astor – tickets through showticketing.com.au

GREENTHUMB TROUBADOUR

Folk singer-songwriter Brett Winterford has had a successful year in his hometown of Sydney, and is heading over to Perth to spread the love. With recently released EP, The Greenthumb, under his Everyone’s favourite music competition show regular belt - not to mention a quirky US tour of buses and Guy Sebastian is heading out on the road again forts during the Australian winter - Winterford’s next year for his Get Along tour – and we are mega eclectic tunes showcase the trials and triumphs of a excited! After nine years in the industry (only a few troubadour, combining acoustics, mandolins, pianos, of which sporting an afro), Sebastian has managed shaker, tom toms and more to create a beautiful to earned the title of the male Australian artist with folky sound. Do yourself a favour and head down the most #1 singles – out the way, Shannon Noll. With to Ya Ya’s on Thursday, November 22. the release of new record Armageddon (a probable nod to the Mayans) and single Battle Scars featuring Lupe Fiasco, Sebastian is everywhere right now. So, go check out the dude without the ‘fro at Crown Theatre on Thursday, March 28. Tix through Ticketek.

GETTING ALONG WITH GUY

YACHT GOING CUBAN

DOUBLE ACT

Lucha-Va-Voom

VAVOOM SEXY WRESTLING COMING

Direct from America, Lucha VaVOOM troupe will be bringing their weird antics to Big Day Out 2013. Lucha VaVOOM is non-stop, action-packed surrealism where Mexican masked wrestlers perform acrobatics in character-driven style. In between their matches, the finest burlesque acts from around the world will wow the crowd with their striptease skills and raucous aerial acts. Lucha VaVoom will be headlining the El Jimador Mexican Wrestling Bar at Big Day Out which hits Perth on Monday, January 28, at Claremont Showground.

Tickets are on sale now from Ticketmaster and bigdayout.com. Sexy, weird shit.

Unless you’ve been out of the country or under a rock, you’ll know by now that two of the country’s greatest musicians, Paul Kelly and Neil Finn, are teaming up for a series of concerts next year. Well, the response has unsurprisingly been overwhelming, so a second show has been added – never fear, you can still grab tickets! The second show will be on Friday, March 15, at Kings Park & Botanic Garden – and tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster on Monday, November 26.

AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE WATERBOYS

‘80s folk-rock kings The Waterboys are heading to Australia for the first time ever next year, full band in tow. With a 30-year back catalogue of massive hits and fan favourites, Mike Scott and the band will be performing the classics – The Whole Of The Moon, Fisherman’s Blues, A Bang On The Ear – as well as highlights from their 10th studio album, An Appointment With Mr Yeats. Don’t miss out on this one of a kind show from a band who defined a generation of folk music. See The Waterboys at the Concert Hall on Saturday, February 2. Ticket info from livenation.com.au.

We’re pretty sure last year the Yacht Club DJs actually played at a yacht club for the very first time here in Perth and now, they’re on the sick line-up for Cuban Club. The Ballarat duo have had a busy year bringing their mix up skills to Splendour In The Grass, Mumford & Sons recent The Gentleman Of The Road tour and more. Now, the lads are set to bring the party when they play New Year’s Day at Cuban Club on Tuesday, January 1, at The Flying Squadron Yacht Club. Tickets are on sale now from Ticketmaster. Get amongst it!

WHEN YOU SAY NOTHING AT ALL

We hope you’re sitting down, because it’s alllll happening folks. That’s right, world-class crooner Ronan Keating is heading out on tour – and he’s sure as hell not cheating Perth, because we’re getting him in all his glory! But wait, there’s more. Fellow Irish scoundrel Brian McFadden will be flying without wings and joining his old pal Ronan on stage – exboy band musicians unite. We can only hope that they pull out some ‘90s dance moves, though who knows what could happen – life is a rollercoaster, after all. This gig is going to be hot, hot, hot so don’t miss out like Delta – see Ronan and Brian at the Concert Hall on Tuesday, March 12. Tickets on sale through Ticketek.

Shawn & Marlon Wayans

WAY(ANS) TO GO

US comedy royalty Shawn and Marlon Wayans – the sibling team behind classics such as Scary Movie, Scary Movie 2 and White Chicks – will tour Australia for the first time in 2013 with their hilarious stand-up show. Heading our way as part of the 2013 Perth International Comedy Festival, the Wayans brothers will play one WA show on Saturday, May 18, at the Regal Theatre. Tickets are on sale now from livenation.com.au.

MOO TIMES A’GROOVIN’

Who remembers Mutemath crowd surfing on a mattress at Groovin’ The Moo this year? Shit got out of control. The good news is that the superb festival will be back next year. Lock in Saturday, May 11, 2013, at Bunbury’s Hay Park, in your festival diary at once. The line-up for the 2013 tour will be announced on Wednesday, January 30, with tickets going on sale from Tuesday, February 5, for $99.90 +BF. Hit up gtm.net.au to get the latest.

RIDING THE BENJY WAVE

Rootsy five-piece Benjalu have been busy this year, popping up at festivals such as Peats Ridge and Byron Bay Blues, as well as supporting the likes of Ash Grunwald and Kate Miller-Heidke. With a few EPs under their belt and a full-length on the way, the lads have decided to head out on a massive national tour, Way To The Coast, and they want to get you swaying and singing along.

With three WA shows, there’s no excuse to miss out – so head on down to The Indi Bar on Thursday, December 6, Clancy’s Freo on Friday, December 7, or The Bird on Saturday, December 8. www.xpressmag.com.au

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STEVE TALLIS

When Paris Met Its Match Fresh back from living and performing in Paris, Steve Tallis plays on Thursday, November 22, at Mojos (with Datura, Reg Zar, Howard Shawcross and Deep River Collective); Saturday, November 24, at Gypsy Tapas House (with Reg Zar, Hans Aage Deberitz); Sunday, November 25, (solo) at the Ocean View Tavern and Tuesday, November 27, at the Perth Blues Club, Charles Hotel, (with Bag of Snakes and Second Wind).

Steve Tallis is a man who has both seen history and made it.

Sid Rumpo/Elks guitarist, John Hood’s new book, For The Love Of Music, documents a great deal about Perth blues from the ‘60s to now, and Tallis is a major presence throughout. However he is a man not to be held down by genre, seeing diversity as a key to creativity - a characteristic he champions not only in his own music, but that of others too.

Recently returned from Paris, Tallis is resolute as ever about the pursuit of music and the struggle, against the odds, to continue making it.

By BOB GORDON How many years did you end up staying in Paris and how would you characterise your time there?

Four and a half years, it was very difficult but I’ve come out of the experience much stronger and with more faith and self-belief in what I am doing.

My French record company was a disaster; no sales reports, no assistance, no communication at all for over three years, no money owed, etc. The manager, also, had tried to sell me as a jazz singer which was ridiculous and very disappointing. Her vision was to do a few large showcases and get a contract with a large company like Universal, which does not interest me at all.

My interest was and still is to just play as much as possible - small bars, cafes, clubs. I also had a publisher who did nothing at all, really. A few things, but nothing, basically. So all contracts have been terminated or finished, legally. I was blocked from recording a new album. Now I am completely free and own all my music again. And I intend to go back to being 100 per cent independent and going back to exporting direct to all the distributors in Europe I have been using since the 1980s. I could go on about many other things that happened, but I prefer not to.

As a musician living in Paris, what was something you learnt and something that was confirmed that you felt you already knew?

I already knew - and had been saying since 1974 - that the quality of the musicians in WA and Australia was as high and interesting as anywhere in the world. I learnt that the French were much more conservative, bureaucratic and selfobsessed than I ever had experienced before. And that it was very difficult to get paid enough money to survive, basically. I did a lot of work outside of Paris, particularly the South.

Did the art and culture of your surroundings have an affect on your own creativity?

I lived in a very black/African area, Montreuil, the second biggest population of people from Mali, it was about 70 per cent African.

Salif Keita and Toure Kunda lived there. It was an amazing experience and a large proportion of my local audiences were African. There were also many people from Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia... most bars were owned and run by Algerians. I never had any problems whatsoever there and felt more connected and at home there than I do in Perth.

The area was full of musicians, artists, poets, sculptors and dancers. It was a very creative area and a very inspiring area to live. I made many life long friends there. I miss it already.

Yet you mentioned how difficult it was there?

Europe is in a real mess at the moment economically and it will take many years to get out of the shit, basically. It was really the right place but the wrong time to move there.

You are a purveyor and a sponge of an everdiverse range of musical forms...

I listen to a lot of music and have all my life... of many different genres and styles well-known, obscure, famous, not famous, old, new, etc. I wake up and I listen to music all day and night ‘til I go to sleep, unless I go for a walk and then I take my notebooks and write ideas down. Have always done so.

Are there any musical avenues that are particularly lighting your candles at this time?

Nothing really in particular... too many great musicians really to mention just a few. I’ve used YouTube a lot as my vinyl record collection is in storage and also the local library. There were a few outstanding concerts there... and a lot of crap, basically, to be quite honest.

What kinds of gigs did you play in Paris?

Bars, cafes, theatres, clubs, libraries, schools, restaurants - anywhere I could get a show. I also played guitar with a few people; a singer from New York and a blues singer from France and I also had three students. I did about at least 10 five-hour solo shows; a few without any breaks and one massive seven-hour show - first set one hour; second four hours straight; third set two hours - on the election day when Nicolas Sarkozy got kicked out. Thank goodness.

The French had never seen anyone do a show that long - they thought I was completely insane, but respected me for how hard I worked and most paid me a bonus. In France you played for a fee and the hat - donations - the fees were basically what I had received in the 1970s. But I know how to survive and the hat usually had more money than the fee which was paid.

I played with many musicians whilst there.

It took them a while to understand my musical philosophies - total freedom; no such thing as a mistake; no set lists; never think when they were playing with me; just feel and listen; be able to work quickly to new songs, new grooves; be ready for songs being changed radically from last time played; to forget the album versions and approach each performance of each song as the first time ever played, to throw away their notes and just listen.

Are you planning any new releases?

I am planning to record a new album as soon as I have enough money basically - the only thing holding me back and also, previously, my French record company did. I was supposed to record a new album a year ago with Skip McDonald (Little Axe) a close friend of mine, but the money I was hoping to lend fell through, so I had to focus on just surviving basically - rent, food, transport.

I am looking at all options - where to record; who to record with and then sending the tapes to Skip to mix and do some layering and then him send me back the mix and get my okay/approval.

I trust him and we understand each other very well.

The instruments recorded here may not end up on the final mix - it will be up to Skip and me to decide. I have enough new songs for three new albums.

I am also looking at releasing the new album in mono as that is how I listen to music,

Jac Holzman, head of Elektra Records – which had released The Doors, Love and the MC5 – approached Kaye with an idea that would eventually morph into the Nuggets compilation.

“Jac Holzman had a certain vision of gathering an album of great songs that needed to be in one listening experience,” Kaye says. For inspiration, Kaye turned to the music of his youth for inspiration.

“The bands on Nuggets were the bands I listened to when I was driving around developing my musical Australian acts such as Pond, lifeline,” Kaye says.

“They were the bands that I most responded Davey Lane, Eagle And The Worm, to and helped me in my own garage bands.” Famously, The Living Eyes and King Gizzard Kaye would go on to join the Patti Smith Group in the continuing to play in Smith’s band until the & The Lizard Wizard pay tribute mid-’70s, present day.

Released originally in 1972, Nuggets would to Lenny Kaye’s landmark 1972 go on to become arguably rock’n’roll’s most celebrated garage-rock collection on Nuggets: cult release. Featuring tracks such as the Thirteenth Elevators’ You’re Gonna Miss Me, the Electric Prunes’ antipodean interpolations of the IFloor Had Too Much to Dream Last Night, The Standells’ Dirty first psychedelic era. PATRICK EMERY Water and The Seeds’ Pushin’ Too Hard, Nuggets laid the groundwork for garage, psychedelia, punk, and speaks with Lenny Kaye. rock’n’roll scenes across the world.

While it was only a matter of five or so years In 1970 Lenny Kaye was playing in various between the release of the original songs featured on the garage bands, while also contributing to Nuggets compilation, and the Nuggets compilation itself, publications such as Rolling Stone and Kaye says that in the early 1970s he felt that rock’n’roll needed to be reminded of its more chaotic roots.

Crawdaddy.

NUGGETS The Kids Are Alright

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Steve Tallis But I also will be working with great musicians in Perth. I am currently contacting musicians I respect and seeing who is interested in the concept I have - basically a pool of musicians to choose from - similar to before but perhaps a slightly smaller pool. I will also be checking any new musicians I don’t know personally; I’m not interested in age or background. I’m only interested in whether we get on as human beings and also whether they accept and understand my philosophies and also only musicians who are prepared to work hard to create unique, innovative , challenging music - and very importantly be able to improvise Anyone with a big ego will not be considered and the same goes for any alcoholics or junkies and drug addicts. I do not wish anything to get in the way of creating the music and I refuse to carry any musicians. They have to be prepared to play long sets - sometimes very long sets. They will all be paid equally; I never take out a ‘leader’s fee’, I don’t believe in this concept. I am just one member of the band - but the majority of the songs will be my You’re moving to Melbourne after spending some original compositions. I have no problems with doing songs by other writers. I never try to copy the original, time in Perth. What’s you vision for the future?

Well that is my plan but I will just see I just take the essence and make them my own. Same what happens. I have great musicians in Melbourne as I have been doing basically since 1975 at least and waiting to play with me, ones i have used previously my show will always include a cappella field hollers, on East Coast tours, such as Ray Pereira [percussion] blues and gospel.

And with all that said, I would like to and and Kerri Simpson [vocals/percussion/guitar] - two very close friends and incredible musicians who intend one day to return to live in Montreuil or Paris respect and understand my philosophies. again. I’m just not sure when. basically, and I prefer it. Stereo and digital for me are over-rated in my opinion.

I will also be releasing in the next six months Volume 2 of my Box Set Anthology (2003), at least 10 hours of music plus booklet and stories.

Basically the same as Volume 1, the only difference being than I may just have it online on my website for free this time. It’s too expensive to manufacture and I would rather spend that money on a new album.

I just want as much unreleased music to be made available for people who appreciate or dig my music.

And I already know, basically, what will be on Volume 2, it’s just a matter of transferring all the music I want from reel-to-reel and cassette to CD. I did a lot of work on all this when I released Volume 1 so a lot has been done already. This could also include this time a lot of videos - possibly a DVD - live performances.

I am also in the process of signing a digital distribution agreement/contract with someone I trust and who understands and knows this area of the business very well, this will be for all my back catalogue.

“I felt like rock’n’roll was becoming less grass roots, more professional, more predictable, less open to new ideas,” he explains.

Having been previously re-issued in 1976 by Sire Records,and again in 1998,as well as inspiring a series of related compilations over the next 30 years, Nuggets is being re-released again in 2012 to coincide with the album’s 40th anniversary. Alongside the re-released record, Warner Music will also be releasing two local Nuggets-inspired compilations: Down Under Nuggets, Original Australian Artyfacts 1965-67, a compilation of Australian bands of the same era including The Loved Ones,The Missing Links,The Purple Hearts and The Black Diamonds, and Nuggets: Antipodean Interpolations of the First Psychedelic Era, featuring covers of original Nuggets tracks by contemporary bands including Baptism of Uzi, The Laurels, The Murlocs, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and The Frowning Clouds.

Asked to explain Nuggets’ enduring appeal, Kaye suggests the songs on the record provide inspiration for anyone thinking of starting a band.

“Nuggets seems to have touched a chord within aspiring musicians, letting them know they could be part of this wonderful world we call rock’n’roll and assorted outposts,” Kaye says.

It follows that garage rock – epitomised by the mixture of simplicity and spirit – also remains attractive to young musicians. “It’s returning to the basic building blocks of rock’n’roll – the instinct to start over

Lenny Kaye Photo: Stephanie Kaye and wipe the slate clean,” Kaye says. “I think there’s certain elements of garage rock that are universal – the sense of unbridled youth, the sense of not being tamed, the sense of spunkiness, the sense of ‘I’m going to do whatever I like, even if no-one likes it’. I call it the sense of yearning and desire.”

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

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“I know – you’d think we’d at least have bothered to get something decent,” he shrugs. “We do have a new album, so that probably warrants us getting something that’s a touch classier. And I’m quite in love with this album, even more so than normal.”

The band’s second album, Lonerism, is generating plenty of reasons for celebration, from social network hype care of names like Mark Ronson, to a recent nomination for next year’s J Award, a sellout show at London’s Brixton Academy and a #34 debut on the Billboard Top 200 US album chart.

“People shouldn’t sweat the small stuff when it comes to writing or creating art.

If you have it in you, it’s going to come out some way. And if you’re stuck in an area without instruments or paint, well, you can just carve out some crazy crop circles. The important thing is to persist, regardless of what gets thrown your way.”

Tame Impala, kickin’ goals as per usual

TAME IMPALA

Focus, Fireworks, Fixies And Fwends Global superpower Tame Impala have been touring the lands in support of their second album, Lonerism. In the lead-up to their homecoming show at the Fremantle Arts Centre on Saturday, December 15, supported by The Growl, BENJAMIN COOPER speaks with band visionary, Kevin Parker.

It’s a beautiful sunny day by the water’s edge in Sydney, and Kevin Parker is in a world of pain.

“I am going to defeat this hangover,” he says. “Whatever it takes, I’m gonna beat the bastard.

Though I’ll happily admit I might ask Nick [Allbrook, bandmate] to sub in for me later. After Rolling Stone buy me lunch.”

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His fighting words belie the calmness that exudes from Parker, the centre and controller of local psychedelic heroes, Tame Impala. The parkland setting outside his label’s office is idyllic, and the Perth native is lying down on the grass face up, confessing to an evening spent with his bandmates and that most classless of companions: cheap wine.

Recording the LP over an extended period of time between Parker’s home in Perth and his temporary digs in Paris late last year allowed him the time to expand and modify the group’s sound.

He took inspiration from mercurial outsider Todd Rundgren’s 1973 album, A Wizard, A True Star, before deciding to make the pop album he’d dreamed about since childhood.

“It didn’t seem to matter where I was writing for this one, because there was time and I could just work at my own pace,” he explains.

“We were actually talking, in the band, about writing yesterday. My theory is that if you’re a creative person, then you’ll be creative regardless.

Your environment shouldn’t really have that great an influence on you.

“Actually,” he qualifies,“the environment can influence you by informing the shape of what you do, but it shouldn’t have any bearing on the amount of work you do. If you consider a guy like Leonardo Da Vinci: amazing painter and manipulator of particular surfaces, but he’d probably be a graphic designer if he was alive right now.”

So would he ride a fixie, too? “Definitely not,” Parker laughs. “He’d invent a whole other way of doing it!

“But my point was more that people shouldn’t sweat the small stuff when it comes to writing or creating art,” he continues. “If you have it in you, it’s going to come out some way. And if you’re stuck in an area without instruments or paint, well, you can just carve out some crazy crop circles.The important thing is to persist, regardless of what gets thrown your way,” he beams,“and eventually, your life will be as weird as ours!”

One of the stranger things that came out of Parker’s sojourn was the opportunity to work with the grandaddies of weirdo psych pop, Oklahoma’s The Flaming Lips. In addition to his instrumental contributions to the Heady Fwends album, Parker was also asked to provide bandleader Wayne Coyne with a sample of blood.

“We’ve kinda just become accustomed to crazy shit like that happening,” he laughs. The blood of each contributor was pressed into the vinyl edition of the album, for April’s Record Store Day. “I was a bit of a wildcard in their sessions – I actually don’t think I was even meant to be part of it initially.

“I had just finished two weeks of recording when Wayne and everyone showed up to start work.

They got me to do a bunch of guitar takes, wail for about 30 minutes, and then do some vocals.Then I walk outside to get in my cab to the airport and Wayne’s there, chatting away to the guy about death and the stars. I think he might have also been showing him the explosives, because he was asking a few questions about blowing up cars.”

Do things regularly explode when The Flaming Lips are working?

“Well, they did on this day because Wayne was making a little movie with a bunch of fireworks.

He actually got me to walk through them, as he was setting them off outside in the snow. They were these really weird fireworks that were shooting these purple globules into the air.

“And then after all of that, his fucking camera phone didn’t work. It was beyond perfect,” Parker deadpans.

Tame Impala’s involvement with the seminal group began much earlier: The Lips’ resident knobtwiddler Dave Fridmann handled mixing duties on Tame Impala’s 2010 debut Innerspeaker, as well as its follow-up.

“You just feel inspired to be working with people like Dave,” Parker says. “We’re always trying to learn more, and I think it’s really important to use the energy that you get from people who’ve worked so hard for so long, because it’s just invaluable. It keeps us focussed – because a lot of the time we’re moving from those extreme highs of travel and touring back to the normal aspects of daily life.

“I’m definitely not complaining, though,” he adds. “Every day we’re with our friends, never in one place for long and seeing something new, constantly.

It’s just a bummer sometimes that we can’t just be at home, chilling out with the girlfriend.”

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

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KORA

Bass Odyssey Having just released their long awaited second album, Light Years, Wellington-by-way-of-Whakatane reggae band Kora is co-headlining the Natural New Zealand Music Festival at Red Hill Auditorium on Saturday, December 1. JOSHUA HAYES speaks with bassist, Dan McGruer.

Kora

“We’ve been working on this album for the last, maybe, year-and-a-half, really; but saying that, we’ve been writing new songs over the last four years,” McGruer says. “The album was a bit of a collection of songs that we wrote over three or four years, and we sort of just blended them up and re-modernised them for how we were feeling at the time.”

The resulting album has been labelled ‘alien funk’ – a blend of dub reggae and funk, synthesisers, soulful melodies and heavy doses of bass – although McGruer doesn’t necessarily agree with this label.

It’s been five years since Kora – a five-piece “Personally, I call it ‘space funk’ rather than ‘alien funk’, band consisting of McGruer and brothers Brad, because it sounds like a human out in space, rather Francis, Laughton and Stuart Kora – released than an alien,” he says, half in jest.“The album has really got a space theme to it.” their self-titled debut album.

McGruer notes that the band focused on The group hasn’t been idle, though, keeping busy with an extensive touring schedule getting each member’s personality and individual influences to come through on the album. and working on Light Years.

“We didn’t really have much of a genre, so it sounded like our songwriting was all over the place. Our genres are really mixed up and our lyrics are really mixed up, and it was like we had no real theme going on, but we could sort of see half a theme coming out, which was the ‘space’ side of things, and that’s the side that we all like,” he explains.

“So we tried to tie it all together with a space theme. It wasn’t planned too much, but it just seemed to be that we were writing about space a lot.”

It helps that sibling rivalry isn’t a problem in the studio. “The boys are pretty good and they understand that we’ve got different personalities, but at the same time we try to work together for the same goal,” McGruer says.

“Everybody in the band’s real fussy. If we don’t like something, we say we don’t like it and generally if one of us doesn’t like something, it’s gone.”

Their upcoming performance at the Natural New Zealand Music Festival will see Kora coheadlining with Shapeshifter, and sharing the stage with the likes of Ladi6 and P-Money. Afterwards, they’ll be returning to the studio – and it looks like fans that waited patiently for Light Years won’t have to wait another five years for its follow up.

“Light Years was finished and mastered over three months ago, so I’m onto new stuff now,” McGruer says. “We enjoyed writing the album so much that now that the album’s over, we want to keep writing. It took five years for this one to come out, but I think the next one will come out a lot sooner because we’re really enjoying writing.”

Polly Medlen Band

POLLY MEDLEN BAND City Meets Country

The Polly Medlen Band launch a new EP, Hotel Loves, at Mojos this Friday, November 23, with support from Stoney Joe and Rachel Gorman. BOB GORDON reports.

On the newly released EP, Hotel Loves, Polly Medlen and her band have acknowledged their sounds as being not so ‘pure country’ anymore.

The singer/songwriter says it was more a case of natural evolution than a conscious decision to change gears.

“Definitely,” Medlen notes. “I have never really had a conscious determination when songwriting and I think originality is a hard thing to manipulate in a certain direction. So I guess you could definitely attribute the deviation from my old sound as me just growing up and moving on, appreciating new artists and their sounds.”

Even so, the single, All Banged Up, still bears the rough, tumble and scars of a country song. Is it true that you can’t take the country out of the girl?

“My voice is one thing that doesn’t change,” Medlen laughs,“so yes, it’s still me battling away in there. I think that whilst your mood or headspace can often dictate what sound you come out with, your lyrics still reflect back to your most favourite influences, where you learnt your technique, because it’s what you know, you never shake that.

“I first heard Dolly Parton when I was like, three, and immediately obsessed on wanting to sing, write and perform like her. Minus the tight pants and big hair.”

Medlen has found that the chemistry within the band [guitarist Terry Mathison, drummer Nigel Bird and bassist Willem Lieftink], has very much consolidated over time.

Hotel Loves was recorded at Debaser Studios by producer Andy Lawson, with Lee Jones [Sleepy Jackson/Eskimo Joe/Sun Orchestra] adding some guitar and pedal steel.

“I have only been in a recording studio a couple of times, so I guess I speak for myself when I say there is something really exciting and gratifying about getting to the recording stage and being able to go ahead and choose who would like to produce it or play on it,” Medlen says.

“Andy and Lee were both respectively the ‘right fit’ for the stage the band was at with its sound. We wanted someone to interpret the country-esque elements of what we had created, but encourage the new elements the band had brought to the songs in the last year.”

Over the last six years Medlen has had numerous wins and nominations in the WAM Song Of The Year competition. While she doesn’t see music as a contest, it’s certainly helped with her confidence as a writer.

“Most would say that awards aren’t everything and I agree that they certainly are not in most cases - but the reality is that things like the WAM songwriters and artist awards are a massive motivation and assurance for anyone who is songwriting or performing, and getting credit from like-minded peers is important to the lot of us.

“I am probably my toughest critic when it comes to songwriting. There are so many songs that end up in the bin before I even show anyone.

So when one song gets riiiiiight the way through to being performed, then recorded, then appreciated by someone other then just yourself or your grandma, it’s a pretty damn nice feeling.”

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BEAUFORT STREET FESTIVAL Beaufort Street Mt Lawley Saturday, November 17, 2012 They came from far and wide and just down the road down to Mt Lawley last Saturday for the third annual Beaufort Street Festival. It’s estimated that 100,000 people took advantage of the brilliant sunshine, an amazing array of musical acts, culture, food and general Perth awesomeness. Nice work by the gang at JumpClimb, here’s to more of that Beaufort Street action!

Beaufort Street comes alive

Loungin’ in the street

Lyndon Blue On Beaufort

Jen, Sammyboy, Keaton

Photography by Dan Grant

Anna, Steve

Laura, Ryan

Nigel, James T

Ben, Greta

Andrew, Riva

Great Scot!

Beaglemania!

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

MEIKO The Bright Side

BERTIE BLACKMAN Pope Innocent X Universal

Universal

Meiko is the stunning singer with Japanese heritage who writes cute love songs, and yet the fresh-faced chanteuse isn’t afraid to swear like a sailor or come across as the villain. She became a regular at the folk haven of Hotel Cafe where could be found regularly in front of the microphone or behind the bar.

Second album, The Bright Side, is set to follow in the footsteps of Meiko’s debut where all songs off the record found their way onto television shows in some shape or other. The fairy floss sweetness of Stuck On You has clicking fingers and a saccharine melody that is bound to be the valentine song of the unimaginative for years to come.

Acoustic folker Meiko spends the majority of the full-length singing about the innocence of falling in love, but it is the sultry Leave The Lights On with its programmed beats that finds her pushing beyond her comfort zone for the best results. When Meiko plays the bad girl on Real Real Sweet she invites the sordid daydreams of many a male who could be easily wrapped up in her luscious voice.

The Bright Side is a pleasant enough listen that would be the perfect soundtrack to a pyjama party, but lacks to dirt to go the distance outside of a teenager’s bedroom. Meiko has all the tools to one day make a cracking album, sadly The Bright Side is not yet that record.

_ CHRIS HAVERCROFT

Bertie Blackman is a victim of her own innovation.

It ’s a somewhat unique predicament to be in, but it’s nonetheless true of the musical chimera’s latest effort, which doesn’t move far enough away from her truly excellent Secrets And Lies [2009] to inspire more excitement.

By being consistently out there and the first to the party in the sonics department, Blackman has caught herself in a trap whereby her music still sounds exciting but pales in comparison to itself. In fact, the songwriting is obfuscated by the sound design [helmed once again by Francois Tetaz], which seems more concerned with being avant-garde than it is with being memorable. That’s both admirable and unfortunate at once.

Of all her songwriter personas, Blackman fits most naturally into the hyper-industrial dark pop one she established last time around. Her dramatic voice is suited to swirling, stabbing synth pads and gigantic floor toms, and there’s certainly plenty of both of those here. On Hide And Seek, it shines out richly amongst the video game bleeps and overdriven distortion, and it appears unadorned on Stella, one of the album’s finest – and quietest – moments. But that’s interspersed with live bands and jerky phrasing on Boy and a misguided down-tempo Shadow Chases, which just drags on and on.

There’s no doubt that Blackman is aflame with ideas, but they need to be synthesised more cohesively if anyone is expected to grasp them fully.

With that in mind, I really hope she scores an opera.

She’d be kickass at it.

KYLIE The Abbey Road Sessions

_ JONNO SEIDLER

Parlophone/Warner

LITTLE BIG TOWN Tornado

The engine of Kylie’s 33-year career is reinvention. Look back and her lineage of videos and concert tours is lined with shifting selves - from her circa-Charlene Robinson days doing the Locomotion to ‘those’ gold hotpants and everything in-between.

On her newest compilation album the 44-year-old is not so much trying anything new as she is, for the first time, collecting all her former selves and seeing if they can co-exist together.

Some might call it nostalgia, but Kylie has never been that obvious which is why this new collection strips 15 familiar songs (there’s also one previously unreleased track, Flower) of their banging club beats, and sculpts them into full, soulful pop gems.

Accompanied only by the most basic instrumentals makes the material sound genuine, largely because where previously these slight songs seemed sappy, the emotional and musical heft of this more subtle style enables her to really spread her vocal wings.

These simple structures also allow Kylie to fully develop the story in the verses before she delivers the hook, which is particularly evident on more recent hits All The Lovers, Love At First Sight and Come Into My World which are transformed from dancefloor ditties to soulful, noir-tinged slow burners.

The Abbey Road Sessions is a timely reminder that, whatever her guise, Kylie hasn’t lost her mojo.

Little Big Town have the dubious honour of having two of their former members go on to form a way more popular act – the stupidly successful Rascal Flatts. All is not lost for Little Big Town though, who after the hard slog and some knockbacks on the way eventually signed to Capitol Nashville and have started to dent the country charts themselves.

The four members (two men and two women) alternate between lead vocals and it is the interplay between these voices that offers their slant on the current Nashville sound. Among the throwaway melodies on Tornado, there are some turgid bar room stomps that add little to the experience.

Best in show comes in the form of Leavin’ In Your Eyes which although hardly dripping with country nuances, makes its mark with a chorus that is full of the harmonies that would be right at home amongst Fleetwood Mac’s catalogue.

There is almost nothing that Little Big Town do musically to pay respect to the greats of the genre, but if that can be put aside they deliver a likeable brand of melodic country-ish pop on Tornado that lives or dies by the strength of the four voices within the band.

_ JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD

_ CHRIS HAVERCROFT

Capitol Nashville/EMI

THE SIREN TOWER A History of Houses Independent

Comprised of seasoned WA musicians and headed up by ex-Heavy Weight Champ frontman, Grant McCulloch, The Siren Tower have been floating around the traps for a few years. Their debut full-length, A History of Houses, was released back in June - and it’s... well, amazing. From opening track The Banishing Of William McGuiness, it’s evident that this record is something different. A History of Houses rollicks through a series of narrative songs, some fictional, many personal, all proudly Australian.

The packaging of the album deserves its own review - presented inside a bound hardcover book, showcasing the stories and lyrics behind each song, plus photographs of each member’s houses from the past. This album is an experience; like reading a good book, it pulls and pushes the listener through a series of emotional responses, never facetious or pretentious, always relatable. Songs like The Road or All Things Will Change will have you questioning your very existence (or sobbing into a pillow).

Its final track, One More Drink Than Needed, that is the most powerful - lyrically gutting and brutally honest, it exposes McCulloch’s innermost thoughts, not to mention amazing vocals. It’s this honesty, sometimes touching, sometimes painful, but always genuine - that makes this record what it is.

This record exceeds all expectations, and is truly one of the best from any Australian band this year - add it to your collection, now.

_ CHLOE PAPAS www.xpressmag.com.au

RODRIGUEZ Cold Fact Light In The Attic

Opening with Sugar Man, a song so catchy you’ll have its chords ringing through your head all day, it’s hard to understand why Cold Fact wasn’t a bigger hit when it originally came out in 1970. And that’s just the first track.

You’re hit next with the fuzzy, bluesy guitar riff of Only Good For Conversation that has you asking the same question; ‘why have I not heard of this before?’

Expectations of this album can be easily innaccurate. Picking up the album you see a photo of a man sitting crossed-legged looking Native American, with this name above it; Rodriguez. Whatever Latin assumptions are washed away from the moment you let spin with the tense, almost paranoid chords and sounds of drug tale, Sugar Man. His lyrics read like Dylan, but with a more pure voice, much like fellow folkist, Donovan. His lyrics sound wholly personal, with thoughts on heartache, and the hopelessness of certain urban life. There is one small misstep on the album, with track Gommorah having a pretty awful chorus.

But the album more than makes up for it with Rich Folks Hoax and ending with the smashing Jane S. Piddy. Hopefully more people will get turned on to this album, to use an appropriately retro term, with the release of the documentary, Searching For Sugarman. _ TOM VARIAN 19

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

Directed by Malik Bendjelloul Starring Steve Segerman, Dennis Coffey, Eva Rodriguez, Rodriguez

Searching For Sugar Man Exile In Michigan

_ TOM VARIAN

Rodriguez, Searching For Sugar Man

www.xpressmag.com.au

Chances are you may never heard of a musician from the ‘70s called, simply, Rodriguez. I know I hadn’t, and neither had filmmaker, Malik Bendjelloul. So when he heard the myths and stories that surround this elusive artist while backpacking through South Africa, he knew he had a tale worth telling to a wider audience.

“Six years ago I quit my job and went backpacking through Africa and South America looking for stories with a camera, for six months,” explains Malik Bendjelloul.

“In Cape Town I met a man named Seger, and he told me this story, about him and his friends. I thought it was the best story I’d heard in my life, like a Cinderella tale.

I fell in love with it and then I worked for four years, trying to complete the film.”

Malik’s documentary, Searching For Sugar Man, tells the heartening tale of a few South African fans [Stephen ‘Sugar’ Segerman and Craig Bartholomew Strydom] who went looking for their hero in the 1990s, while also painting the portrait of a shy and modest musician who should have been a household name, but instead was pushed out to obscurity.

Sixto Díaz Rodríguez was born to Mexican parents, but brought up on the mean streets of Detroit.

Catching an early break he managed to record and release two studio albums in the early ‘70s. But sales were a nonstarter and so he faded back, out of the spotlight. And that’s where the story should end, another failed musician from an intense industry.

But unknown to Rodriguez, his excellent debut album, Cold Fact, had made a massive impact in South Africa, where he had become a pop music icon. Cold Fact outsold everything else in South Africa and became the soundtrack for a generation fighting against a brutal government. His songs cry out personal tales of drugs and depression, a street-wise pessimism that hit a chord with South African youth.

Searching For Sugar Man depicts how these fans set out to track down their hero and dispel long persistent rumours that he committed suicide during a gig in the ‘70s.

Malik managed to enlist the help of veteran documentary producer, John Battsek, and Simon Chinn, producer of the acclaimed film, Man On Wire.

“I had a lot of problem financing the movie, and needed some professional help. I had seen Man On Wire and I sent him an email telling him I had a story just as good.

He actually replied and said it just might be,” says Malik, explaining how he hooked such large fish. A simple email is all it takes, apparently.

Telling too much could spoil the story that unfolds, but for fans of music, especially ‘60s psychedelic folk, this film is a must-see. Not only that, but afterwards you might just add Cold Fact into your list of classics albums.

Tracks such as Sugar Man and Rich Folks Hoax should have been rightly sitting alongside classic Bob Dylan tracks... and maybe now they just might.

Searching For Sugar Man opens the Lotterywest Festival Films season at UWA’s Somerville Auditorium from November 25-December 2 and at Joondalup Pines from December 4-9.

For full details head to www.perthfestival.com.au.

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SMOOTH OPERATORS

Kimberley Pace’s studio at ‘The Ward’

OPEN ART

A vibrant mix of more than 60 emerging and established WA artists will invite punters inside their creative habitats to absorb, peruse, and share their artistic secrets when Artsource grants the public a backstage pass during the series of Open Studios events across three of its major studio venues in November. Wrapping up at Artsource’s newest complex, ‘The Ward’ in Leederville (590 Newcastle Street, Leederville) on Sunday, November 25, studios will open from 2-5pm and entry is free. For full event details, click on over to artsource.net.au.

The Flying Scotman’s Velvet Lounge is adding live comedy to its list of regular uber-cool offerings with every second Thursday set to become Velvet Comedy – Perth’s freshest night of live stand up comedy. Velvet Comedy will feature an eclectic mix of professional comedians and featured open mic spots for Perth’s rising talent to graduate, guaranteeing a dynamic show where anything could happen. Following his return from the UK, Perth’s own John Robertson will launch the new night on Thursday, November 29. Accompanying Robertson will be Triple J RAW Comedy WA winner Tien Tran, Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow performer Emma Zammit, and Pakistan’s first English language stand-up comedian Sami Shah. A great show in a great venue, Velvet Comedy will smooth over the mid-week tensions and leave you smiling.

2 Days In New York

2 DAYS IN NEW YORK Meet The Fuckers

COLLECT THE SET

The Perth Centre For Photography are inviting local photographers to submit their work into Collective 2013, their annual group exhibition and auction showcasing an eclectic mix of collectable work by emerging and established, local, national and international photographic artists. Collective offers the unique chance for artists to exhibit alongside other artists in a professional gallery space whilst offering all who love photography to purchase collectable work by emerging and established photo artists at accessible prices. Submissions are due by Thursday, December 6, and can be submitted via pcp.org.au.

EASY LIKE SUNDAY MORNING

The City of Joondalup’s popular summer markets are set to return with a new location and a change of day. The new look Summer Sunday Markets will now be held between 12pm and 4pm every Sunday ‘til December 16 on the corner of Boas Avenue and McLarty Avenue, Joondalup. Showcasing boutique stalls, delicious food, free children’s activities, and a range of live music entertainment, the markets are the perfect place to start your Christmas shopping and pick up and extra special range of gifts handcrafted by a local artisan or designer for your loved ones. For more information visit joondalup.wa.gov.au.

Directed by Julie Delpy Starring Julie Delpy, Chris Rock, Albert Delpy, Alexia Landeau

Fighter By Andy Quilty, OSTG 2012

UP THE ANTI-OXIDANT

Born from the desire to make a real and positive contribution to the local cultural landscape whilst engaging community support for those affected by cancer, One Sugar To Go (OSTG) is an annual Perth art event dedicated to celebrating life and some of the things that make it great: art, culture and good times.

Now in its third year, OSTG 2012 is set to showcase a spectacular cross-section of contemporary culture, featuring artwork from over 30 creatives in an awesomely eclectic display set to the musical styling’s of three local DJs and a live performance by special guests Sugar Blue Burlesque. Don’t miss this awesome art event on Saturday, November 24, upstairs at The Claremont Hotel from 7pm ‘til late.

The 2007 film, 2 Days In Paris, was an endearing r o m p - i n - s e a r c h - o f - r o m a n c e, a s a Fr e n c h photographer Marion [Julie Delpy] struggled to reignite her relationship with brash American boyfriend Jack [Adam Goldberg] in the most romantic city in the world. Delpy wrote and directed the film, which was as enjoyable for its harsh edges as was its warm laughs.

2 Days In New York is its sequel and it is imbued with much the same manner of chaos and funny home truths. Marion now lives in New York and has young son to Jack, whom she has now split up from. She lives with new boyfriend, radio announcer Mingus [Chris Rock], who has a daughter of his own.

They’re hip and pretty fabulous and clearly enjoy their lives - even their ups and downs - but it all comes to a head when Marion’s family come to visit from Paris.

Jeannot [Albert Delpy, the actor/director’s real life father] is a cheeky dad figure with a bare grasp on English - on which he seemingly thrives upon all attendant misinterpretations - and the kind of gall the French would only expect from a Gaul. He is accompanied by Marion’s sister, Rose [Alexia Landeau, also co-writer] an over-sexed, overly-analytical child psychologist, who has in turn brought her boyfriend,

Manu [Alex Nahon] an insufferable, arrogant weed smoker who once went out with Marion.

How much can go wrong in two days?

Well, everything. Jeannot is a Gallic cyclone in a New York apartment. Rose may or may not be preening towards Mingus and keeps analysing Marion’s son, diagnosing autism at every turn, much to her stress and frustration. Manu misinterprets English for Jeannot at regular intervals, and emerges as a disturbing presence for Mingus for all sorts of reasons, least of which is inviting in a pot dealer into the apartment and scoring as the children watch on.

In the midst of this, Marion has an important photography exhibition opening and Mingus is offered an opportunity to attend a Barack Obama press conference. Needless to say, everything suffers.

2 Days In New York is a fun, chaotic and absurdist romp that echoes its predecessor and likely exceeds it, in part because Chris Rock’s portrayal of Mingus is far more endearing than Adam Goldberg’s Jack. And while Mingus’ deep-and-meaningfuls with a cardboard Barack Obama cut-out are a little too pronounced, the real enjoyment-in-annoyance comes from Albert Delpy, Landeau and Nahon’s maddeningly irritating yet hilarious follies. Julie Delpy does a grand job again as Marion, keeping it all together before falling apart hopelessly, especially when she encounters Vincent Gallo in cameo, played in reassuringly asshole mode by the man himself.

You do not have to have seen 2 Days In Paris to enjoy this movie, it’s just icing on the cake if you have. Put your feet up amidst the chaos. _ BOB GORDON

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN 2 Dearly Departed

Directed by Bill Condon Starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Green, Michael Sheen, Dakota Fanning There is no freedom quite like that of reviewing the finale of a blockbuster series; knowing that nothing you do or say is going to influence a single person’s decision to see the film. The audience is either invested in the franchise or not. With all of that freedom in mind, its almost a shame to admit that Breaking Dawn - Part 2 is pretty good. Or at least, it doesn’t suck.

The big bad in Part 2 are the Volturi - a clan of Spanish Inquisition-style vampires, led by the mind-reading Ira [the brilliant Michael Sheen], who mistakenly believe Edward and Bella’s child is an abomination, instead of simply the ridiculouslynamed offspring of a centuries-old dead guy and a teenage girl.

The ante is upped by the inclusion of more vampires with ‘special powers’ beyond being ridiculously pretty and occasionally sparkly. The power-play for super-vamps provides one of the key story arcs and allows Edward’s fortune-seeing sister Alice [the gorgeous Ashley Green] to play a more significant role.

Lautner fans will be pleased to see him strip naked for Bella’s dad and extra-pleased that his bond with the unholy baby isn’t sinister or sexual. Because that would, quite simply, be wrong.

Director, Bill Condon, continues the job he started with Part 1, except with a whole lot less ‘ooh my sparkly dead boyfriend/husband’ or ‘Do I look fat in this unholy pregnancy that is an affront to both god and nature?’

The good news is that Part 2 is where we get some drama, tension and action. Of a sort. The great thing about fighting bloodless vampires is that you can rip their heads off without the arterial spray that kills your PG rating and therefore the bucketloads of cash that is a teen date-movie.

However, rumours of a steamy sex scene between Edward and Bella appear to have been circulated by people who have never had an hour alone with the internet.

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The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 For a series finale to be seriously final, you need a high body count. That is something the Harry Potter series did exceedingly well. The end of Deathly Hallows had as many corpses as Hamlet.

The problem for Twilight is that a high proportion of the characters are already corpses and one of the romantic ideals about undead love is that it is supposed to be eternal. Any ending that doesn’t have Bella and Edward un-living happily ever after would be a massive cheat to the core audience. So it doesn’t happen.

There are a few twists in the storyline that can’t be discussed without spoiling it for the fans, the curious and the ‘my shameful secret’ brigade, but one of the good things about this film is that you get to see some great ass-kickery that will leave everyone suitably satisfied and yet, guilt-free.

Yes, the film’s climax will surprise and/ or disappoint some viewers, but on the whole, the Twilight finale is handled surprisingly well - except for the final flashback scenes where you can see very clearly how everyone has aged. But that’s pretty much the only major criticism and that’s pretty much miraculous. _ SABIAN WILDE X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

Daramad Daniel Craig stars in Skyfall

SKYFALL James Bland Directed by Sam Mendes Starring Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Naomie Harris, Judy Dench, Ben Whishaw, Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney Bond films are cyclical. There’s always a steady drop in quality following each Bond recasting, and it’s only a matter of time before the inevitable reboot. The Daniel Craig Bond films were always going to decline; the only real surprise is that the drop off was so precipitous.

Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes (American Beauty) is calling the shots this time around, but he’s hamstrung by a hackneyed script that recycles elements from not only the Bond franchise, but a number of other action thrillers as well. Superspy James Bond [Daniel Craig], having been hung out to dry by the head of British Intelligence, M [Judy Dench], slips into the tuxedo once more to butt heads with Raoul Silva [a ludicrously blonde Javier Bardem], a rogue agent seeking revenge against MI6. Cue the usual far-flung locales, high-speed chases and over the top action sequences.

The problem is that it’s all so bloody joyless.

For all its alleged glamour, Skyfall is a dour and selfimportant film, too busy trying to justify its excesses to revel in them. Craig’s Bond is a tortured, introspective assassin, not a suave and savvy ubermensch, and the film goes out of its way to underline that, despite the girls, the guns and the glory, 007 is having no fun whatsoever. For the modern, post 9/11, post-Jason

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Bourne Bond, the life of a jet-setting alpha male is a tiresome one.

The Bourne influence is especially prevalent in the film’s climactic fight, which takes place at the Bond ancestral home in rural Scotland. As an action sequence, it’s serviceable enough, but it’s sorely lacking in scale and tempo. You do get to see Albert Finney turn up as the shotgun-toting groundskeeper, so that’s something, but it’s a far remove from the world-saving exploits we’re accustomed to.

The biggest problem, though, becomes apparent when the viewer realises that, for all the noise and movement, Skyfall is just an extension of Casino Royale’s origin story. Here we are, three films into Craig’s tenure as Bond, and the producers are still rearranging elements of the mythology that were perfectly fine just where they were. We don’t need to see Bond meet Q for the first time, or Miss Moneypenny, or whoever, any more than we needed to know that Anakin Skywalker built C-3PO. By Skyfall’s close, Bond is just about ready to start being a recognisable Bond, but surely, by this stage of the game, we should be well past that point?

In its defence, the film does boast some beautiful cinematography from regular Mendes collaborator Roger Deakins, and Ben Whishaw’s take on gadgeteer Q is decent, even if he does turn up just to hand Bond a literal Chekov’s Gun. Other than that, there’s not much to recommend. In updating Bond for the 21st century, all they’ve managed to do is render him unrecognisable and Skyfall could be any big-budgeted thriller of the last decade. _ TRAVIS JOHNSON

DARAMAD Kulcha Clash

Local six-piece Daramad launch their new CD at Kulcha in Fremantle on Saturday, November 24. Pre-sale tickets are available now from kulcha.com.au.

Fremantle has long been something of a multicultural hub for Western Australia and it stands to reason that Fremantle’s music scene should reflect something of the many world cultures which are represented in the town.

Where things get really interesting, however, is when these cultures and musical styles start to cross pollinate, throwing up new music which draws on many world music traditions but properly belongs to none. One such case as Daramad, a local sextet that combines music from Iran, Persia, India and Western Jazz into something else.

In traditional Persian and Iranian music, the term daramad denotes beginning, appearing or emerging. The daramad is the first melodic idea of a piece of music, designed to orient the listener into the intricacies and logic of a particular tune. It seems a fitting name also then, for the Perth world / jazz ensemble Daramad. The group have their own particular logic, a seething blend of Middle Eastern musical traditions and Western Jazz, and the ensemble must orient each new listener into

the intricacies of their idiosyncratic sound, even as this sound itself is in the process of emerging.

“Our music is, I think, a really nice meeting point of Western and Eastern influences,” claims wind player Mark Cain. “Three of our members are Iranian so their background is a very strong influence. You can’t escape your background.

Each of the members of the group has their own history which they bring to the music.”

Central to Daramad’s performances is the process of improvisation. The styles of music from which Daramad draw (Iranian and Persian classical, Jazz and Indian Raga) all feature improvisation to some degree, but each of these different styles has a different idiomatic set of ‘rules’ for how one improvises. Consider it a language if you will – Western Jazz improvisation has a different vocabulary, grammar and syntax than Iranian music does. For Daramad then, the challenge is in finding some kind of middle ground in which each of these musical styles may converse. “The music is based around fairly strong melodic ideas,” explains Cain, “depending on the pieces the harmony is probably less complex than in most jazz. Our music tends to have a durational quality that’s closer to the Persian and Indian music systems. It’s all melodically and improvisational development of the music over the course of the piece.”

Take for example Daramad’s tune Isfahan (nominated for 2012’s WAM song of the year and available to stream on Cain’s soundcloud page).

Isfahan begins with a meandering passage of plucked strings which gradually orients itself into a simple modal pattern as it is joined by the double bass. At about the 1:20 mark, the rest of the ensemble joins in with clattering percussion, strummed strings and squalling winds – each instrument swerving toward and away from one another like a flock of birds in flight. The tune works because of these alternating solo and ensemble passages – sometimes using the heady effect of the full group playing together sometimes allowing each instrument to speak for itself.

“We all met as a result of performing at Kulcha,” says Cain. “We were playing in an improvisation series called Free Form which happened once a month over the course of about two years. Daramad formed out of that, so Kulcha was really the beginning for us. It’s been a central point too. It’s how we met Alexis (Courtin, of Parentheses Records). It feels nice to do the launch at Kulcha. It’s like coming home.” _HENRY ANDERSEN

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First Among Equals (Part II): PICA, Perth Bibble Waargning: Mossenson Galleries, Subiaco A curated selection of the late Shane Pickett’s work Presents a stellar line-up of Australian and international artists who share an interest in film, kinetics, colour, previously not exhibited in Perth. Runs ‘til Dec 15. sound and time. Runs ‘til Dec 30.

182 Days: Heathcote Museum & Gallery, Melville See-Saw: The Butcher Shop, Northbridge Eva Fernández reflects on the experience of the We Don’t Need A Map: Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle Features a selection of our City’s favourite artists individual within the walls of the former Heathcote This remarkable exhibition includes the work of including Fecks, Deathbot, Pawk, Mow Skwoz, Amok Hospital in new exhibition 182 Days. Runs ’til Dec 19. more than 30 artists and is an exploration of the Martu people - the traditional owners of a vast area Island, Yohyo, Kyle Hughes-Odgers and more. Runs of WA’s Western Desert - their way of life, the way ‘til Nov 25.

Between 2 Worlds: Kulcha, Fremantle Works by Amal Al Babeli, Alberdina Plug and Ruth they care for country and belong to it. The exhibition Bloodsport: Buratti Fine Art, North Fremantle Halbert, using print, painting and photography, to features stunning paintings, cutting-edge new media The grit, the bravado, the violence. Bloodsport, the reflect on the distances, coincidences and paradoxes collaborations, finely wrought objects, aerial desert photography and much more. Runs ‘til Jan 20. latest series from Johnny Romeo sees the acclaimed of migration. Runs ’til Dec 20. artist jump into the ring and deliver a knockout Deserts And Rivers: FORM Gallery, Perth Veronica 1 by Cynthia Ellis exploration of the world of boxing in all its savage, Unravel: Venn Gallery, Perth bombastic glory. Runs ‘til Nov 28.

Unravel features new portraits and video works from Explores country through the eyes of Aboriginal artists Ornaments Of Language: Melody Smith Gallery, prominent WA artist Matt Doust, based on subjects from the Great Sandy, Little Sandy and Gibson deserts Carlisle To Die For: Murano And Gullotti, Subiaco from his new home in Los Angeles. Contemplating and the country around Turkey Creek, Sturt Creek and From an eclectic cross section of contemporary Daniel Truscott’s signature super pop aesthetic brings ideas of disconnection, both physically and personally, the Fitzroy River in the east and central Kimberley. artists comes an exhibition of diverse cultural and cool to the after life in a new exhibition combining Unravel finds Doust investigating how both spiritual Runs ’til Jan 26. artistic influences, informed by universal themes painting and sculpture. The imagery is ghoulish; and physical experiences can affect the individual.

Luminous World: Art Gallery Of WA, Northbridge and infused with colour and vibrancy. This group ghosts, monsters and demons, but not presented the Runs ’til Dec 21.

An exhibition from Wesfarmer’s significant corporate exhibition features works by Darryn Ansted, Nathan way you would expect. Runs ‘til Nov 28. art collection, featuring more than 60 paintings, Beard, Zoe Chong-Seng, Cynthia Ellis, Martin Heine, EPW: Applied Paintings - Project for a Kindergarten photographs and sculptures by 50 contemporary Matthew Jackson, David Ledger, Woody Mellor, 2012 Photographic Commissions Exhibition: Council I & II: PICA, Perth artists, including Susan Norrie, Rosemary Laing, House Foyer, Perth Alan Muller, Rizzy, Abdul Rahman-Abdullah and Sue Best known for his ongoing EPW (Experimental Painting Professionally renowned photographers Toni Workshop) series, prolific Australian artists’ John Nixon’s Howard Taylor, Dale Frank, Bill Henson, Brian Starcken. Runs ’til Dec 21.

Wilkinson and Juha Tolonen’s photographs capture latest solo exhibition presents a connected pair of epic Blanchflower, Brook Andrew, Timothy Cook and Barrupu Yunupingu. Runs ’til Feb 11. the essence of our city at a particular moment in time. projects made five years apart. Runs ‘til Dec 30.

FIFO: Linton & Kay Galleries, Perth Featuring more than 40 works, Andy Quilty’s third solo Runs ‘til Nov 30.

Traversing Antarctica: Western Australian Maritime show, FIFO, seeks to challenge what the artist considers Museum, Fremantle the misrepresentation of ‘Fly-in Fly-out’ workers as lazy, Mirrored Whispers: Elements Art Gallery, Dalkeith A rare collection of artefacts from the 1911-1914 A new exhibition of work by internationally acclaimed frivolous, ‘cashed up bogans’. Runs ‘til Nov 22.

Australasian Antarctic Expedition, famously led by Sir body illustrator and photographer, Emma Hack, the Douglas Mawson. Runs ’til Feb 23.

Lasting Impressions: Linton & Kay Galleries, Perth artist behind Gotye’s Somebody That I Used To Know An exhibition of dramatic new paintings depicting the film clip. Runs ’til Dec 2. complexities of the human condition by Mel Brigg.

Light Locker Art Space: Grand Lane, Perth Runs ‘til Nov 22.

Featuring new works by emerging artists Rhiannon New Paintings & Touching History: Turner Galleries, Birch, Teelah George, Patrick Miller, Kate Mullen and Glengarry Glen Ross: Blue Room Theatre, Kelly Patchett, this youth exhibition space is located Northbridge Northbridge The first John Cullinane solo exhibition in Perth for within Grand Lane, off Murray Street Mall and is From the acclaimed team behind Scent Tales and Slut seven years and the first ever solo exhibition for Sue accessible 24/7. Be sure to stop by when the lights comes this Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, presented Starcken. Both artists are based in Perth and both turn on at twilight. Runs ’til Dec 3. for the first time in Western Australia with an alldraw from a personal symbolic language and history female cast. Tackling issues of power, greed, and to create very contemporary artworks. Runs ‘til Nov 24. Picasso To Warhol: 14 Modern Masters: Art Gallery survival, this ferocious comedy explores cutthroat Of WA, Northbridge Untitled (Self Portrait) world of real estate. Season runs Nov 20-Dec 8.

Picasso To Warhol: 14 Modern Masters features over 120 DomestiCITY: Free Range Gallery, Perth

by Sangeeta Sandrasegar DomestiCITY juxtaposes images of urban and works by 14 of modern art’s most iconic artists including Managing Carmen: State Theatre Centre Of domestic spaces, reflecting on the overlaps and Matisse, Picasso, Pollock and Warhol. Runs ’til Dec 3.

Look. Look Again: Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, Western Australia, Northbridge boundaries between them. This installation comprises: Crawley Iconic Australian playwright David Williamson’s photographs of city and home spaces; photo SoDA12: John Curtin Gallery, Bentley Drawn from the Cruthers Collection of Women’s Art new play is as humorous as it is thought provoking, constructions; assemblages of collected white china Reflecting the high calibre of emerging contemporary portraying all the stereotypes we love to hate - the at the University of Western Australia, this exhibition and painted household objects; paintings and wall- art in WA, SoDA12 is an exhibition of the work by trophy wife, the flawed football player and the pushy presents a significant record of female creativity in works; and a slideshow of a short journey from home postgraduates from Curtin University’s School of Australia over the past 125 years. Runs ‘til Dec 15. agent. Season runs Nov 12-Dec 2. to CBD. Runs ‘til Nov 25.

Design and Art. Runs ’til Dec 14.

VISUAL ARTS

Midway: John Curtin Gallery, Bentley Features work by students who are midway through their undergraduate Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) degrees. Runs ‘til Nov 25.

THEATRE/DANCE/ PERFORMANCE

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

SAM SIMMONS The Weather Man

Australia’s premier moustachioed absurdist Sam Simmons brings his latest show About The Weather to The Astor Theatre this Friday, November 23. Tickets are available from showticketing.com.au.

He’s been described as everything from “an evangelical advocate of bringing silly back to comedy” to “an absurdist Peter Pan who gets by doing weird shit”, but funnyman Sam Simmons still hasn’t come across a label which he feels accurately represents his unique comedy approach. “‘Blue collar surrealism’ or ‘insane in the mundane’,” he quips when asked to describe his stand-up style. “But then again that sounds like wanky art stuff. I’m 35, I get labelled all sorts of things, from ‘not funny’ to ‘genius’, divide and conquer, I’m doing something right. By the way, I prefer baldy twat.”

The Triple J comedian will draw audiences into this world of chaos when he brings his latest show, About The Weather, to the Astor Theatre.

Accompanied by his personal voice-over narrator, Simmons relates the tale of an ordinary man who dreams of plucking up enough courage to approach the pretty girl he sees every day on his bus ride.

“It’s about small talk, dislocation and loneliness,” the comic explains. “It’s the first time I’ve tackled a narrative, essentially it’s a fractured suburban fairy tale.”

While rave reviews pouring in for About The Weather have ensured sell-out tours of the show on the east coast, Simmons has also begun to amass serious international critical acclaim, including scoring a coveted nomination for the Best Comedy act at the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe.

“I definitely feel I am pushing things creatively, I guess this is rewarded more overseas than here. We seem to have cultural cringe with people experimenting within the arts,” he says. “I guess I’m just not your average T-Shirt philosopher full of self deprecation, some people don’t like that.”

Simmons also says he’s noticed differences in the way audiences in different cities and countries respond to his offbeat material.

“Australia can be a bit guarded, [whereas] the UK and USA and Canada go crazy! It’s amazing how they support something unique. I played the Improv comedy club in LA about a month ago, this

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Bird Of Paradise Whispers by Emma Hack

EMMA HACK

Painting Through The Looking Glass Emma Hack’s solo exhibition Mirrored Whispers runs until Sunday, December 2, at Elements Art Gallery in Dalkeith. For more information visit elementsartgallery.com.au, or call the gallery between office hours on (08) 9386 2000.

Sam Simmons is a mainstream room and I destroyed it, people are looking for something different,” he says. “ We just need to catch on and support our own odd talents here in Oz - like Claudia O’Doherty, Michael Workman and David Quirk.”

Simmons will be exposing Australia to the talents of some of these odd individuals during his upcoming four part sketch series, Problems, which is slated to air on ABC1 by the end of the year.

While Simmons says he was offered the series “from being pretty good at comedy”, he admits moving from stand-up and radio into the spotlight has been a big challenge “because of my face ‘n’ stuff”.

With shooting having recently wrapped up for Problems, Simmons’ one-off Perth show will help him gear up for a month of performances in London’s West End (he claims he’ll be spending Christmas “alone and in the cold”), however when questioned as to what he hopes people will take away from his show he is quick to answer: “Not my props, stop stealing my props you shits!” _JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD

Whether you realise it or not, you’re probably already familiar with the art of Emma Hack.

“Probably the best way to describe it is surreal – you can’t really fathom that over 350 million people have actually looked at that,” the artist begins.

The 350 million people she’s talking about is the number of hits on the Youtube video to Wally De Bakker’s – better know as Gotye – world wide smash, Somebody That I Used To Know. Using stop animation she hand painted the skin of the two singers over 23 hours to create an artwork that has now become synonymous with ‘that’ song.

Hack is a skin illustrator, sculptor, and photographer, whose work exists across a myriad of platforms. Since 1999 she has had over 20 solo exhibitions, created a smashed up car out of 17 naked models for an advertising campaign by the South Australian Motor Accident Commission, and has shown art at ART Sydney, ART Melbourne, internationally at The London Art Fair, ART Singapore and the Affordable Art Fair in New York. She is currently completing a commission for Hollywood Hospital that will have her work on billboards across Perth.

Mirrored Whispers is Hack’s latest full length exhibition. Unlike much of her previous work, these pieces are soft and introverted, recalling aspects from the artists’ childhood and her grandmother’s English garden in delicate pastels.

“When you’re in beautiful spaces like gardens, you sort of do waft off and have your own inner conversation, and that’s what the collection is about. It’s based on my grandmother’s garden – when I was young I used to spend a lot of time in it, and it had lots of beautiful nooks and crannies, there was a gorgeous creek down the back of it, and I guess they’re just really nice memories of your childhood,” she explains.

The final product in this process is something quite remarkable. Using a solo person Hack flips the picture so that there is a mirrored image of the original person staring back. This process gives the illusion of the person having a conversation with themselves.

“Having that second person there really changed the image – a small tilt of the head or a hand gesture and the conversation is saying something completely different... you couldn’t really tell until that image was there,” she says.

Hack is eager to assure that this is a collection that will means something individual to anyone who views it: it is accessible to people on a multitude of platforms, regardless of their backgrounds.

“It’s quite a personal collection I think. For me I talk to myself a lot and what I might be creating, and [these works] are a conversation between yourself,” Hack concludes.“I get messages all the time saying ‘I don’t know anything about art, but I really love your work’ and for me that’s the biggest compliment.” _LEAH BLANKENDAAL

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

Hall Of Fame Inductees 2012 Here it comes again club kings, queens and kids. The 14th annual Perth Dance Music Awards is back for another year. RYAN BUTLER speaks with this year’s Hall Of Fame inductees, Simon Barwood and Colin Bridges, ahead of the celebrations.

Fifty-seven years.That’s the tally of years the 2012 Perth Dance Music Awards Hall Of Fame inductees have been in the scene. Make no mistake, Simon Barwood and Colin Bridges have seen everything there is to be seen when we’re talking about dance music in Perth, from its fledgling beginnings at Connections in the ‘70s to where we are today.“It’s taken for granted now by the kids with all this amazing suite of sounds,” explains Simon Barwood, the main man behind Perth’s iconic dance nightclub Rise, talking about the earliest days of dance music.

“I mean they’ve heard everything you know. But you can’t really express the impact it had of hearing that first crisp and clean synthesised sound for the very first time.You can listen back to the music now and kind of trace the evolution of electronic sounds through dance music but unless you were there and had your ears tortured with guitar rock for years and years, it really was a revolution. revolution.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

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Simon Barwood & Colin Bridges It was this revolution that drew Barwood to the decks, and after a stint as resident DJ at Havana in the early ‘90s, he began running the Sunday club night Atmosphere at O2. This was to be the launching pad for a business venture that even Barwood couldn’t have predicted the success of. “I sat down seriously with Brad [Hancock, business partner] and he said ‘this club here, its potential’s not being filled, what can we do?’,” he says. “So at that time we decided I’d come on board as an equity partner and we closed O2 in November for three weeks, did a very quick renovation and moved a few things around and that opened in late November in ’99 as Rise.

“I was terrified at the prospect of going from someone who was a DJ who went along and did their job, to now someone who had to become a decision maker for the whole club. Everything me and my wife had built up over the last 15 years at that point was sunk into this one business venture so there was no option for us, it had to work.”

Work it did too. Rise closed its doors in 2011 as a two-time PDMA Best Nightclub winner and spiritual home to rave kids and drum’n’bass fiends the city over. Barwood had well and truly left his mark on the scene.

If we even want to talk about a dance music scene in Perth we need to talk about Colin Bridges. For 29 years, Bridges’ RTR FM radio show, Beats Per Minute, has been a staple of dance music in Perth, as perennial as a sunset over Cottesloe.

“I think it was the tribal beat, that drum beat, that started it off,” Bridges says, explaining of where it all began for him. “Hearing it through a large sound - system in nightclubs.

“In those days I did it to enjoy the music I was purchasing for my record collection. To be able

to not only have an enjoyment outlet for myself to listen to it but once a week to be able to go to a public broadcaster and take the records along and play them to a late night show, in those days it was 1am to 6am. To be able to play a minimum of 60 tracks a week, you lug a hundred records down there. It turns into a crazy horse type of thing, buying records not just to listen to but to play on radio.”

Bridges’ involvement with dance music went well beyond his vinyl and weekly radio slot, with Perth dance music enthusiasts taking any opportunity to get together over the latest beats, no matter where it took them. “When I did go along to those parties they were more of a community and people liked what you’d call ‘bush doofs’,” he says.

“Knowing the people that were into the music, to want to put on parties they’d drag generators into the bush and set up a rough camp for a weekend.

“They were in the bush away from everybody where the music could be played loud, people could congregate and there were food stalls and community things. Then there were the others, the dance parties that were held around the industrial sites - Belmont, Willagee, big warehouses where people would organise, clean them up and move in a sound-system and then from eight o’clock onwards ‘til they were either finished or raided by the constabulary, everyone would have a good time. It then became the rave culture, to hear this music through large sound-systems in a large space with lots of people all having a good time, with the odd stimulant thrown in, which was part and parcel of the whole scene.”

Having been at the forefront of rave culture as it happened in Perth with Rise, Barwood has seen another change in the way dance music fans are getting their fix. “The festivals have had a big impact on clubs,” Barwood says. “Clubs used to be the driving force in dance music and now it’s probably split pretty evenly or perhaps even weighted a little more towards the festivals.”

Bridges doesn’t mind, just so long as dance fans keep getting what they need. “I just do it now, play the music, because I still like listening to it. I just hope I can go on entertaining the late night listeners that tune in or discover me now with the digital age upon us. I just keep going, as long as I’ve got a new CD to play every week I’m happy.”

» SIMON BARWOOD & COLIN BRIDGES » PERTH DANCE MUSIC AWARDS » SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2 @ THE COURT

FLO JAMMIN’ WITH DUSKY

London-based producers Alfie Granger-Howell and Nick Harriman are all about house music with a distinctly UK underground edge. The lads, known as Dusky, are heading down under to play Next Hype on Thursday, December 20, at Ambar. Just to give you an idea of how cool they are - Lee Foss included their track Tyto Alba on one of his recent RA podcasts, Paul Woolford and Sasha are rinsing their tracks and big wigs Pete Tong, Toddla T and more are smashing their tunes on the airwaves and festivals around the globe.

Hit up onthatnexthype.com for all the deets.

Spectrasoul

AUDIO FOR YOUR SOUL

Inhibit is rounding up the year with some pretty exciting news - their last event for 2012 will be a double headliner: the deep and soulful drum’n’bass UK duo Spectrasoul will be heading down under, having just released their Delay No More record and joining them will be tech king Audio, having just released his Soulmagnet record.

It’s going to be a whopping night of super beats on Saturday, December 15, at Villa, when the lads all hit the decks. First release tickets are $25 plus booking fee and are available from Moshtix now.

Congrats on a big, grand year Inhibit!

GEORDIE SURE HITTIN’ OUR SHORES

You know that lad Jay Gardner from MTV hit show Geordie Shore? Well, he’s coming to town. Yep, that’s right. As part of Metro Freo’s 20th Anniversary Celebrations, Jay will be in town to do his very first WA debut DJ set. It’s all happening on Wednesday, November 28, at Metro Freo. You’ll even be able to get a photo with him, omggzz. Tickets are on sale now through Oztix and Moshtix. Get in there like swimwear!

NOMINEES ARE OUT

The Perth Dance Music Awards are just around the corner and boy, have we got a big announcement for you. The finalists for all the categories are out!

We can’t include them all in this tiny space so make sure you head to perthdancemusicawards.org to check out all the finalists. We can announce that for the first time this year, there will be an award for Best Local Tune. Early winners for a couple of categories have already been announced: congratulations to Teknoscape who took out Best Website and James Zabiela for Best International Performance. The Perth Dance Music Awards hit The Court on Sunday, December 2. Get on down - for free - from 3pm. Yeow!

Andy C

HEAVYWEIGHT SOUNDS HEATING UP

That’s right, Heavyweight Soundz is happening again! That lovable UK drum’n’bass maestro Andy C is heading our way again. He’ll be joined by the one and only MC GQ to play Metro City on Friday, January 25. Early bird tickets are $50 plus booking fee and are available from industry sellers now. Hit up facebook.com/LoadedDiceEvents to stay up to date about it all. This went off last Australia Day so you’d best get in early for tickets!

SMOKIN’ TIMES

Elefant Traks main-man Urthboy is heading our way on his Smokey’s Tour.

He’ll be joined by a new live band, hip hop MC One Sixth and Elefant Traks fresh signee Jimblah.

Urthboy is up for a 2012 J Award for his record Smokey’s Haunt which has received grand reviews Urthboy across the board. It’s all happening on Friday, March 8, at Mojos, and Saturday, March 9, at Amplifier. Tickets are on sale now from urthboy.oztix.com.au and if you get your hands on a pre-sale ticket, you’ll receive a free MP3 remix of Urthboy’s Knee Length Socks by Trials. Do it.

MICAH

THE BIG TEN If you don’t know Micah and you’re a hustler on the EDM circuit in Perth then you’re definitely out of the loop.

Micah, along with local legends Ben Mac and Wish are resident Ambar DJs who are celebrating 10 years behind the decks at the Home of Underground. FRANK GRECO chats with the one and only Micah about the years that have been and what’s in store.

If you’re a Perth dancefloor stalwart, chances are you have busted out a few moves to the frenzied beats and uber-fun sounds of Ambar resident DJ Micah Black. For the past 10 years, Black has developed a unique sound that translates to late night punters who, across the span of his musical career, have become close friends. “I’ve always sought out community, it’s a big factor for me and Ambar has a real community energy about it.”

It is this energy that has seen Micah and his DJ friends - Wish and Ben Mac - continue to bring the party to weekend revellers searching for a few hours of escapism in the form of big bass and heavy tunes.

It has impressed punters and critics alike, winning a slue of awards for both the club and Micah himself.

He is quick to point out that his 10-year residency has not been a one-man show. “They’ve [Ben Mac and Wish] become two of my really close friends,” he says, referring to his fellow Ambar residents who will share the 10 year milestone, Wish and RTRFM Full Frequency co-presenter, Ben Mac. Like many friendships, it was developed through the shared love and appreciation of music.“I met them through Ambar; we all started around the same time,” he says.“We’re all celebrating our 10 year residency together, they are just such fantastic DJs and they are just so important to the development of the Ambar culture, of no divide between punter and DJ.” It is this lack of pretence that has made Ambar so popular over the years and, in particular, the parties that began with Friday nights Audiophon with DJ Choice in the early 2000s. “I really cut my teeth at Ambar through those years,” Micah says. “I learnt how to play to a room, how to play to my time, 28

Mitzi Micah how to kind of be aware of crowds and see what it was they needed.”

Micah says he began DJing at clubs when performers were often seen as being in an “ivory tower,” unapproachable, an almost snobbish quality of ‘too-cool-for-school’. Micah, Wish and Ben Mac prefer a more unified approach. “You’ve got to send out love, it’s energetic, you send out love and you get love back,” he says. But, he and the team still take their job as dancefloor leaders seriously. “There is enough shit going on in this world that is negative, that’s what people come to a nightclub for, to get involved in good feelings and good energy and drop the shit that has been hanging around them during the course of the week.”

Micah has come along way since sourcing locations for late night rave parties in pine forests and warehouses (that had to be stopped for legal reasons) before electronic music was as wide spread and easily available. “That is definitely what attracted me to rave culture; we were part of something that not everyone knew about,” he says. “We were like ‘we’re onto something, this is just amazing’.”

Micah is also aware that while he likes to get the crowd in the mood, he will only ever play music that he enjoys and could get down to himself.

“The secret is never to sell yourself out or lie to the crowd,” he says. As to whether a too good to be true residency overseas could tear him away from Western Australia, he says it is highly unlikely. “My home is here, my heart is here, my family is here and my friends are here,” he says.“That’s something that is really important to me, is those connections with the people I love.

» MICAH/ WISH/ BEN MAC » 10 YEARS ON » FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30 @ AMBAR

MITZI

DISCO DANCIN’ Brisbane electro-indie quartet Mitzi have been a permanent, muchloved fixture on the east coast live music scene for a few years now, charming audiences with their disco stylings. The lads are finally heading to Perth for their first west coast headlining show. CHLOE PAPAS caught up with them ahead of their appearance here shortly.

When X-Press calls up Jad Lee from Mitzi, he and the band are knuckled down in a band member’s parents’ garage a few hours south of Byron Bay, rehearsing hard for their upcoming national tour. Lee says the band are rearing to go. “We’ve been a bit quiet live-wise but our focus has been on recording and finishing off the album, so right now we’re all itching to get back on the road, so to speak,” he says.

Mitzi have been kicking around for a few years now, but with only one EP to their name, 2012 saw them tackle something a little more difficult.With a vague release date of early 2013, the group are all done with their debut. “We wrote, produced, and recorded the album ourselves, and then we sent it over to the UK to be mixed,” he says.“We got it mixed by someone that we’re really stoked to be working with – Ash Workman (Metronomy, Sparkadia) – he’s a really cool mixing engineer. We’re really stoked with how the mixes turned out and we’re just really

happy in general. We put a lot of blood, sweat, tears and money into it, so we’re really excited that it’s now finished. We’re itching to get it out!”

Mitzi’s 2011 All I Heard EP was all killer no filler, a punchy three-track record of straight-up disco pop. But, the first single from their upcoming album, Who Will Love You Now, was released last month and has more of a dreamy ‘70s vibe to it. Lee explains that the flexibility of creating a full-length has allowed the group to delve into other genres. “We’ve really explored with some diversity, different sounds and different moods – we also liked going between different tempos, and the record will have some slow songs, up-tempo songs, and disco songs like our first EP. We’ve really just spread our wings a little.”

Mitzi are well-known on the east coast as a band best served live, and have consequently been invited on a bunch of huge tours over the past few years – from Metronomy to Darwin Deez and Foster The People, and most recently, The Whitest Boy Alive.

Lee labels their hometown and Melbourne gigs with the German quartet as some of their favourite (and biggest) shows so far – citing offstage kudos from Whitest Boy Alive as a huge confidence booster. Mitzi do things a little differently, combining an organic setup with electronics over the top, and Lee says touring with established acts has contributed to their ever-changing setup. “Our set is quite complex compared to a typical indie-guitar band, so we really like to see how other bands perform and incorporate electronics and other elements into their onstage sound,” he says.

So, what can we expect from their full live set when Mitzi takes to The Bakery stage next month? Well, a lot of instruments, and, “you can expect to dance!”

» MITZI » SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8 @ THE BAKERY X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

KREWELLA

DOING THE DANCE The Krewella crew is representing Chicago. An amazing city of sights, wind and music festivals like Lollapalooza, Spring Awakening and North Coast – it’s the sort of place lovers of all sorts fly in to experience. The trio are superproud of their heritage and likewise, have come a long way since discovering underground raves as kids. RK talks to Kris Trindl about their studio work and their love of travel ahead of their appearance at Stereosonic.

Trindl explains first up that he met the Yousaf sisters - Yasmine and Jahan - at high school. “From our humble beginnings, we started toying with the idea of starting a group in 2007,” he says. “As the years went on, we progressively started taking Krewella more seriously by dropping out of school and quitting our day jobs to pursue music as a career.”

In 2012, the threesome have garnered the attention of fans of good music with their edgy productions and teaser videos. “We were thrilled when our play Play Hard EP debuted as #1 on Beatport.com,” Trindl says. “Releasing a body of work as an artist is really a wild card since you have no idea how the general public will react, so for us the response came by surprise.” Indeed, it was a great kickoff for the Play Hard Tour that is still underway – and a significant motivator for the group to continue creating follow-up material.

“Recently too, we’ve been focusing on writing a new progressive house record that we anticipate being bigger than Alive,” Trindl says. “We have about three drum’n’bass tracks in the works as well. After the Play Hard EP dropped, we started receiving attention from other producers regarding collaborations as well. I can’t say who just yet but we are working on a couple records with international leaders in the EDM scene!”

And right now, the trio is touring fulltime until the New Year – with any chance they get to roll through a studio taken up. “We are hard at

DIALECT & DESPAIR

THE SILENT TITAN

Self Evident, the second full length from Adelaide’s MC and producer combo Dialect & Despair, sounds more at home in the roughest hoods of the Bronx or the grimiest corners of London than its crow-eating home in the city of churches.

This a throwback record akin to the early ‘90s New York hip hop of Wu Tang and Gravediggaz, opposed against the big ego and ‘swag’ hunting of much of today’s mainstream rap, and an album that has to mark 22-year-old Dialect as one of Australia’s most prodigious young rhyme writers.

Despair’s production work is dialled back, delivering tightly packed mid-tempo beats, leaving just the right amount of space for Dialect’s cool flow to shine up front. Lines like “A solemn face with a stomach ache” and “There’s no faith in the modern race” on the chorus of What Can I Say? typify much of the sentiment of the album. Dialect does hit pause on the pessimism button for a change of pace on No Maybe, delivering a sweet love track with Melanie Rutherford giving us a satin smooth chorus hook.

The rest of the guest list adds to the record’s New York vibe with Vordul Mega, Majestic Cage, S.I.T.H, D Flow and DJ Total Eclipse all hailing from the city.

Despite its foreign flavour, Dialect gives regular shout outs to his home city. Just forget about a gentle stroll down Rundle Mall, this is more John Bunting, bodies-in-barrels South Aus style.

Blue Mountains beat maker Tom Charuk returns with sophomore effort Outer Circle Movements, a sample heavy hip hop record not necessarily breaking new ground but a worthy listen all the same. Recording under his Silent Titan moniker, Charuk delivers a genre blending record taking in style from soul, electro, breakbeat and glitch, adding them all to his hip hop palette.

Get Me High deftly layers electronics and scratching over lounge jazz while Think Back reminds of Flying Lotus’ off kilter style complete with fuzzed out bass and clicky drums. Move Along is a synthy funk freakout locked in a hip hop frame and is a bona fide head nodding jam.

Some of the guest spots detract from the identity Charuk builds for himself as beat producer but the appearance of Prince Po, former stable mate of Pharaoh Monch, on the jumping In Flight Life is a standout, as are Rock and Journalist 103 on Dangerous Gameface.

The high point here has to be Direct Sunlight with soulful keys bouncing out over a tight kick-snare combo complementing Jace Excell’s breezy Stevie Wonder-tinged vocals.

Charuk has illustrated his ability to find inspiration from all spaces of the musical sphere, along the way creating a solid set of beats on Outer Circle Movements.

SELF EVIDENT OBESE RECORDS Krewella work on our album which we anticipate releasing by fall 2013,” he says. “Until then, we have singles and collaborations which we are in the process of developing as well.”

Admitting that their process is random and changes with every piece of output, they nevertheless enjoy that luxury of changing things up. “Sometimes the girls approach me with a fully written top line and I’ll produce a beat around the acapella and we might bounce ideas back and forth from there. Other times, I’ll create a blueprint for a beat first and the girls will write something based on my artistic direction – it all depends.”

And, as for what punters can expect from their upcoming set on the Stereosonic tour, well, it’ll be a bit of everything. “When it comes to music, we play everything,” he says. “As dance music lovers, we explore genres within EDM because playing a DJ set is about taking the crowd on a journey and transferring our energy into them. We would get bored if we played all progressive house or dubstep for 90 minutes. Considering that our EP dabbles in electro house, drumstep and dubstep, we revolve our sets around these styles.

“We’re really proud to announce that Australia will see the debut of our hybrid DJ slash live vocal set! Stereosonic has one of the best lineups we’ve ever seen and we are stoked to be a part of it.

We will be spinning as usual but popping in for live vocals when we drop some of our tracks. You can also expect new unreleased tracks.”

» » » »

KREWELLA STEREOSONIC SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25 @ CLAREMONT SHOWGROUND

» RYAN BUTLER 3.5/5

OUTER CIRCLE MOVEMENTS OBESE RECORDS

» RYAN BUTLER 3/5

THIS WEEK PHETSTA SAID & DONE (FEAT. REIJA LEE)

Said & Done, the latest from Perth producer Phetsta, is dancefloor filler done right. Reija Lee’s spacious guest vocals meet Phetsta’s house beats and dubstep touches right in the sweet spot. The builds come and go just like the massive nights will with Said & Done as the soundtrack.

DJ PARKER THE BUTLER

Having gained a reputation as one of the most versatile selectors on the planet - seemingly blending sounds from across multiple genres - Parker is a technical wizard behind the mixing desk, laying claim to changing tracks every couple of minutes. RK speaks to the man about his productions and side projects, his views on what a DJ should actually represent – oh, and his first trip to Australia!

Indeed, chatting down the line from his studio, the artful master is enjoying the sounds of a soulful beat he completed just this week. “I’m looking out the window and I can see the bleak grey British weather looking back at me,” he says. “I’m thinking I can’t wait to see the sun in Australia!”

Parker hails from Bristol in the UK, a special place in the hearts of many a human being. “It’s hard to say why it is such a special place,” he admits. “I guess on a personal level, it’s where my heart is but it is also a beautiful place to walk around; the people are lovely and there are so many good spots to chill.

Musically, the city and its artists have always been my biggest inspiration and influence. Since I was a kid, I’ve been struck by the amount of good music coming out of here and it certainly has defined me as an artist.”

Having finished a masterstroke of genius in his To Eternity LP, the lad is busy considering his next output.“At the moment I’m working on about 30 tracks that are all half done,” he says. “The idea in the end is to get four great tunes from these 30 sketches for a new EP that I will probably release on my own label, Monkey Butler. Musically - they are all over the place; I’ve done a load of bassy, hip hop beats, some dubstep and some 130bpm bass music. I’m sure I’ll be able to pick 4 tracks from all that.”

Yet despite this prolific output, he isn’t necessarily working towards another full-length album. “I haven’t done a solo album since To Eternity because I’ve found releasing singles far more useful,” he says. “It means you have music out there all the time, rather than a big break and then boom, here’s 12 tunes.” www.xpressmag.com.au

Parker Likewise, he also claims the smaller projects means he can keep developing different sounds and exploring different genres. In another life too, he produces with Boca45 under the name The Beekeepers with releases in 2011 on Jalapeno Records. “It is very different from our solo stuff, very orchestral in parts and pretty chilled,” he says. “It is great to have a break from ‘Parker’ and explore different avenues. It’s definitely informed my new solo material, it took me back to my deeper Shadow-Portishead type roots. Now I’m combining my bass heavy style with the more deep, melodic vibes we did on The Beekeepers record. The Butler Beats mix I did recently is a statement of intent too - it really represents where I’m heading with my own production and also the type of music I enjoy playing out.”

Finally, the man who isn’t shy in expressing his disappointment of the ‘button pressing type performer,’ is looking forward to his first trip to Australia. “If you’re playing off a midi controller or something like Ableton, you’re not a DJ,“ he says.“I’m not sure what you are but you can’t say you’re a DJ. DJ means disc jockey, whether that disc is vinyl, CD or a digital vinyl platter (like Serato). A lot of these people with no skills cite being a good selector as an argument but I don’t understand why you have to be one or the other. Surely you should be able to be a selector and have skills? I started on vinyl and now use Serato, this enables me to take my vinyl type mixing to the next level. Simple way to resolve this is to have battle; you’ll soon see who the DJ is.”

» PARKER » WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5 @ THE FLYING SCOTSMAN 29

ILLUMINOR

ST

Trance maestros and now-genre defying legends Illuminor, Michael Ware and Joe Benger, met at Future Music Festival in 2008 and it was game on from there. Now, the lads have been nominated for Best Producer, Best Progressive DJ, Best Trance, Best Producer and Best Local Tune for That Way (Genix Dub Mix) at this year’s Perth Dance Music Awards. ANNABEL MACLEAN chats with Benger.

DJ and producer ST, aka Sean Steele, has been nominated for Best Hard Style DJ - a new category - at this year’s Perth Dance Music Awards.

ANNABEL MACLEAN chats with the friendly gent about how he got into hard style.

ST

Sean Steele discovered electronic music in his teenage years and it was non-stop from there. “It was trance that first got me hooked and from there it wasn’t a huge leap to hard trance and then hard style, which was at the time being formed from hard trance,” he says, having just seen his grandad for his 82nd birthday. “I started collecting trance and hard dance vinyl in 2002, influenced by my friend Chris (QRIS, Colada Records) who was also doing the same thing but with house. At $15 to $20 per record, for a school kid it was very slow collecting (laughs). A combination of savings and presents from generous parents got me my first turntables and mixer setup.”

From then on, Steele mucked around at house parties before entering Rise’s Bedroom To Bigroom DJ Competition and “somehow ended up winning”. “Around the same time Dan from F.O.R.C.E Entertainment gave me a set at a gig at Heat nightclub and all of a sudden I found myself playing for both F.O.R.C.E and Rise [and I’ve] stuck around in the local scene ever since,” he says.

Steele hasn’t moved on from hard style, he’s been - and still is - in love with the genre. “Hard style was - and is - my chosen genre because the energy and drive of the sound drew me in, I just want to groove along to it whenever I hear it,” he says. “In the early 2000s it was fresh and exciting, still forming as its own genre - a bit of a melting pot of hard trance, hardcore, hard house, techno, etc, and the DJ sets were just as varied as the tracks were.

“Around 2007/2008, it took on a much more cheesy and commercial aspect; there were more catchy hooks, more vocals, more uplifting melodies, remixes of pop and commercial dance

tracks, and it wasn’t so hard and dark and different anymore. I prefer the older sound but play a combination of new and old.”

Steele has had a busy year, having played Alpha6 Presents The Pitcher (“[that] was pretty cool, I played the set right after Dutch hard style legend The Pitcher), industrial, trance, hard style and bass music night Electrified (“[It’s] taken off really well, they’ve all been pretty massive nights”) amongst others. He’s pumped to be playing Dominate’s 2nd birthday in December and Decimation shortly after which will be headlined by UK hardcore legend DJ Brisk. “I had a short break from production late last year and early this year but now I’ve got a new setup so I’m getting right back into it,” he says. “[I’m] currently working on a few different collabs with a few fellow DJ mates, ranging from techno to hard dance to hardcore, so they’ll be coming to light soon.”

Aside from all these gigs, Steele is honoured to be nominated for first year running category, Best Hard Style DJ, at this year’s Perth Dance Music Awards.

“It’s pretty ace being nominated for any award and since this is the inaugural Hard Style award it’s pretty special,” he says. “There’s a few guys who are very deserving of the title this year, so if I’m lucky enough to win it, I think a beer will definitely be in order (laughs).

Simply being nominated is both humbling and good motivation to keep doing it, so I think a cheeky grin and pushing myself to write better tunes, collect more music and bring more to my DJ sets will be my celebration if I do end up winning.”

And, as for crazy past PDMA stories, well this could be the year in the making. “Nothing too crazy on my end unfortunately, I’m pretty wellbehaved at the PDMAs - maybe this year I’ll break that tradition,” he chuckles.

BRINGING IT HARD STYLE

TRANCE AND BEYOND

“It’s actually a funny story,” Benger begins, speaking of how he and Ware met.“We were standing next to each other during Markus Schulz’ set, at complete random, picking each track as they transitioned in.We got talking and Mike mentioned that he’d recently moved from his hometown, Albany. It was an immediate talking point as I too was born in Albany but moved away when I was young. Through family I’d heard about a guy from Albany who was really in to his trance music; apparently we would get along great if we ever met.

“Cutting a long story short, it turned out that Mike was that guy. It was the start of a great friendship and we’ve been working together ever since. We’re playing at Stereosonic and will be supporting Markus Schulz himself - it’s kind of surreal how things have worked out!”

Indeed, the duo have been a fan of the likes of Schulz, Andrew Bayer, Seven Lions and other trance gods for some time.“We say trance because traditionally it can employ a more contemporary structure with a verse, chorus, bridge, etc, “ Benger says of their sound.

“But these days it has really diversified and the bounds that once restricted a genre to a specific sound don’t exist anymore...our sound employs a classical backbone, approached with an open mind. We love the organic sounds; the pianos, the orchestras, the choirs. This music has lasted the test of time and electronic music is still relatively new in comparison. Combine the two and I think you’re onto something great.”

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Illuminor One of the duo’s ambitions has been to play alongside a 120 piece symphony orchestra. It’s a dream they’ve had for a while but Benger says no progress has been made of yet but it’s still on the duo’s ‘to-do’ list.

“Many electronic artists are realising the potential of live music and how stimulating a live performance can be,” he says.“I couldn’t think of anything more exciting than having your tracks played by 120 other musicians for the world to hear. In a recent documentary about Armin van Buuren, his father mentioned that he’d dreamed of being able to completely control an orchestra from the touch of a knob. He wasn’t far off the mark with what’s available today. Though, nothing is just quite as good as the real thing!”

The lads are stoked to be nominated for a bunch of awards at this year’s Perth Dance Music Awards.

“We are absolutely thrilled,” Benger says. “We made the conscious decision not to publicly campaign in the PDMAs. It’s not our style to beg for votes because it doesn’t align with our purpose of making great music – I don’t think the two correlate at all. So to be nominated in so many categories purely out of merit is a huge honour for us.The PDMAs has always been a great event to appreciate electronic music with likeminded people.

It’s like a big music conference – everyone forgets the politics and the genres that split us apart because at the end of the day that stuff doesn’t matter so much.

“We’ve made so many friends in the industry but because everyone works such hectic schedules it’s not always easy to catch up. For us, the best memories have been enjoying a sneaky beer with Perth’s finest.

There is some great talent in our city.”

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

JESUSDIED4DUBSTEP TOTAL GUN

POSEIDON

Jaydee Fordee is the 25-yearold Singaporean-born gent behind the DJ moniker and label JesusDied4Dubstep (JD4D).

From what began as a dubstep promotional YouTube channel now has three channels and over 68,000 subscribers. Nominated for Best Label and Best Dubstep DJ at this year’s Perth Dance Music Awards, ANNABEL MACLEAN chats with Jaydee, aka, superman.

Daniel Ovens and Paul van Nimwegen are up for Best New Talent at this year’s Perth Dance Music Awards. The bass music duo have known each other since they were kids. JOE CASSIDY chats with the lads ahead of the celebrations.

Jaydee is in Singapore stuffing his face with local food when this interview takes place. He’s just got married. “Since financing a big wedding was so far away we decided to do something small for now,” he says of the wedding.“We did the less traditional, more modern and personal thing, less stress, more fun, less wedding, more each other. [It] kinda seems like I’m honey-mooning alone at the moment though, not a good look (laughs).”

It’s been five minutes and already the concept that Jaydee doesn’t do anything ‘half-assed’ has come to mind. Having started the YouTube channel JesusDied4Dubstep back in 2010 as a means of supporting dubstep and underground producers, Jaydee got a bigger reception from the channel than expected. “My cousin and I had such a solid library of underground dubstep and promotion was so limited so we decided to start a YouTube channel to promote the genre and share it with friends, people loved what we were doing and it snowballed. Why dubstep? The discovery of such a genre was everything we were looking for in music and consumed our lives, it will always be the core element of JD4D while we still support all other EDM genres.”

Jaydee says building friendships and trust with producers and everyone you liaise with in the industry has definitely been a benefit for JD4D. “Since JD4D has always been about supporting the underground producers, we are a proud stepping stone for most, providing them the support they deserved until moving onto bigger and better things, most of

www.xpressmag.com.au

JesusDied4Dubstep which have never forgotten and return the love and support in turn helping us grow,” he says. “However, since the start of 2012, the online promotion scene has been destroyed by thousands of juveniles hoping to be the next big thing, and though frustrating, it has helped me maintain focus on what I’m doing. Most of the good things which have aided JD4D’s reputation and exposure are a direct result of us doing right by others, it’s a core element to being successful in this industry.”

It’s only been this year that Jaydee has upgraded from using a Midi Controller and purchased some DJ equipment that has seen him play around on the local - and national - scene. “This year has been amazing - playing along side Downlink and Liquid Stranger; two of the producers I have idolised since the days I discovered dubstep, seemed like a dream,” he says of being nominated.“As for now, I’m applying a lot of my attention to making a long overdue US tour happen, it’s a big job but I will be dedicating all of me to see it come into fruition.”

Aside from looking forward to a massive night at Shape on Friday, December 21, with US bass kings Terravita, Jaydee is psyched about his nominations at this year’s Perth Dance Music Awards.

“I am? Excellent news!,” he says of being nominated.

“This would be the first time I attend to be honest. If I win, to celebrate I’m taking the crew to KFC, putting in a big order, knowing very well they’re going to screw it up and then saying ‘do you know who I am? I just won two awards at the PDMAs!’ then taking the next flight to Korea and getting quality plastic surgery to look amazing for any press photos. On a very serious note though, unconditional love to those who took the time to vote for me.”

ON THE RISE

The pair’s musical bond has grown through their experience of a number of different genres before they finally settled on a love of dubstep. Paul readily admits that he has not always been happy with his producing efforts. “I made crap for like five years but the last couple of years something good started coming out,” he says. He describes this period as filled with collecting loops from the internet and putting together whatever they thought sounded good.

Daniel composed orchestral music and was even a member of a metal band for a short time, a diverse background that has helped him to explore his own taste and finally settle on dubstep as his preferred output. About three years ago, as the genre dubstep entered modern vernacular, the pair officially formed Poseidon and have been developing their bass-heavy, head-nodding sound ever since. “As time went on our production skills grew stronger and now we’re basically finally getting out there,” Daniel says.

It is a sound that has impressed the judges at this year’s Perth Dance Music Awards; Poseidon have made it to the final three in the Best New Talent category, an accolade the newcomers have been blown away by. “It’s absolutely amazing, it’s good to be rewarded for your work, especially after three years,” Daniel says.“I didn’t think enough people knew about us so when we got contacted it was pretty amazing.”

Both boys have a passion for music, both studying sound production at the same college. But, the road to Poseidon has been tricky; they live at opposite ends of the city, an hour and a half from

Poseidon each other, a fact that can be slightly alleviated by modern conveniences and a train trip. “I’ll sit down and write an intro and Daniel will come over and he’ll have a heavy bass, or sometimes the other way around,” Paul says.

In terms of deciding where a track will head, Daniel says it tends to take on a mind of its own once they sit down in front of their computers, primarily using Pro Tools 10. “The song controls what you do, you write a melody you can tell where it’s heading and it controls what you do, if you try to force it doesn’t work,” he says.“We want to cover all the sounds and all the sub-genres that everyone argues about,” Paul adds with a laugh.

The pair are both enthused with the electronic dance music scene in Perth at the moment and are confident they are on the path to a fulfilling career in music. “There is such a good energy in Perth, when you go to lots of venues there is lots of drum’n’bass playing and dubstep and there is such a good passionate energy and people are there to dance and have fun and that’s what I love,” Paul says.

The name Poseidon comes from their exploration of Greek mythology and the stories that provide never-ending inspiration for their tracks. The pair promise that this is only the beginning, and hope to making music for years to come, admitting they are not sure what else they would do. “When we first played at Amplifier it was such a great feeling, and this is what we both want to do with our lives, share our music with everyone.

It’s euphoric feeling,” Daniel concludes.

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FLAWLESS

STACHE

WEDNESDAY 21/11 BLVD Tavern – Wub Wub Brass Monkey - DJ Jewel (upstairs) 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 Llama Bar – Jo 19 Matches Bar – Pussymittens Metro Freo - Rapture Mustang – DJ Giles Newport – Newport Wednesdays Shape - Blank End Of Year Exams Party Sovereign Arms – Lockie Shaw The Deen - DJ Zelimer/ DJ Viper/ DJ Benny/ T– Zone 1 The Queens – Wriggle on YaYa’s – DJ Paul Burgess

THURSDAY 22/11 Ambar - An Eglo Records Takeover ft Floating Points/ Fatima/ Alexander Nut 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 Nightclub – Retro Thursdays ft Tony Allen Flying Scotsman – Cowboys & Indie Kids DJs

Yung Warriors

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METRO FREO

Leopold Hotel – DJ Riki/ Roger Smart Library - Dorcia Llama Bar – Danni Boi/ Charlie Bucket Mint Nightclub – DJ Simon Barwood Mt Henry Tavern - DJ Matty J Mullaloo Beach Hotel - DJ John Paul/ DJ Slick Mustang – DJ James Paramount – DJ Johnny Boi/ DJ Jordan Players Bar – MASH South St – DJ Castasia/ Dpad Swinging Pig – DJ Simon The Avenue – Jon Ee The Carine Tavern – Punchy & Juicy/ Little Nicky The Causeway – Jaymie Franchina The Civic - Hopsin/ Dizzy Wright/ Jarren Benton/ DJ Hoppa and more 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 Velvet Lounge - Face ft Ylem/ Mei Saraswati/ Higher Education/ UoMM DJs The Whale & Ale – Josh Tilley The Whistling Kite - DJ Gareth Tiger Lils – Paul Malone/ Adam Kelly Villa – Spring Break: End Of Exams Party ft Indian Summer DJs Woodvale Tavern – DJ Melvin

FRIDAY 23/11 23 Irwin Street, Perth - Syrup ft Kit Pop/ Rekab/ DYP/ Starks/ Hollywood/ Itoje/ Everyteen Ambar – The Bass Explosion Tour ft The Mane Thing & A Tonez and more Amplifier –DJ Jamie Mac / Yung Warriors Bar 459 - DJ Smurf

Eskmo

Bar Orient – The Reggae Club Blvd Tavern – DJ Andy Boheme Bar - DJ Majiika Boulevard Tavern – DJ Andyy Brass Monkey - DJ Victor (downstairs)/ DJ James Ess (upstairs) 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 – Jon Ee Club Bayview – Amnesia ft Fendi/ Axon/ Fellis Como Hotel – DJ Gazz Eastern Hotel – DJ Munch Empire Bar – Fiveo Eve Nightclub – DJ Don Migi & Guests Flawless – DJ Ryan Flying Scotsman – DJs Jo19/ Rok Riley/ Armee Flying Scotsman (Defectors) - Back To Mono DJs Geisha – Next Hype ft Eskmo Ginger Nightclub – Rondevoo Fridayz Gosnells Club – DJ Now Hipe Club - DJ E-Funk Honey Lounge – DJ Curlee/ Drew Green Lakers Tavern – Fresh Fridays - DJ Dooey Left Bank – DJ Frankie Button Library – DJ Sneaky Little Creatures Loft – Marine Beats Llama Bar – Jim Pearson/ Jehan/ Ben Edit/ DJ Cee Matches Bar – Fredrick Anderson Merriwa Tavern – DJ Real McCoy Metro City (Solace Bar) – DJ Slick Metro Freo – Frat House Fridays Mint Nightclub – Club Retro ft Chris McPhee Mullaloo Beach Hotel - DJ John Paul Mustang – Swing DJ/ DJ James MacArthur Norma Jean’s –DJ Waz Paddy Hannans – Crazy Craig Paramount - DJ Johnny Boi/ DJ Jordan Players Bar – Miss Football Queens Tav – DJ Rueben Rocket Room – Extreme Aggression ft DJ Cain Sail & Anchor - Balcony Beatz/ DJ J-MAC Shape – Spank!

Sovereign Arms – Angel The Avenue – Little Nicky The Carine – Az-T The Causeway – Jus Haus?

The East End Bar – Az-T The Generous Squire - DJ Anaru

THE COURT

The Honey Lounge - Lucid Dreaming ft Kollektiv Turmstrasse The Queens – DJ Rueben The Shed – DJ Glenn 20 The Whale & Ale – Shane Hewson 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 – Into The Limelight Final Ya-Ya’s – Hero DJs ft Pup

SATURDAY 24/11 Ambar – Japan 4 ft DNGRFLD/ Tee EL/ Oli/ Marty McFly/ Marko Paulo Amplifier – Pure Pop ft Eddie Electric Basement On Broadway – DJ Ricky Boheme Bar – Carte Blanche DJs Brass Monkey - DJ Peta (downstairs)/ DJ Jewel (upstairs) Broken Hill Tavern – DJ Roger Smart/ Matt Richards/ Ben Dallin Capitol (Upstairs) – Cream Of The ‘80s ft DJ Ryan Capitol – Death Disco Clancy’s (Canning Bridge) - DJ Dood Claremont Hotel – Fiveo/ J.V.R Club Bay View – Fiveo Eastern Hotel – DJ Munch Empire Bar – DJ James Ess Eurobar – Roger Smart/ DJ Raci Eve Nightclub –DJ Crazy Craig 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 Vicktor and more Little Creatures Loft – Marine Beats Liquid Nightclub - DJ Klar55/ DJ Stevie M Llama Bar – DJ Reuben/ DJ Melvin Malt Super Club – Fiveo Matches Bar – Jstokes/ Valerio Metro City - Brother Ali/ Sean Price Metro City (Climax) - DJ Francesco/ DJ Don Migi/ DJ Slick Metro City (R&B Lounge) - DJ Soso/ DJ Ruthless/ DJ Brett Costello Metro Freo – Roger Smart/ Ben Carter/ DJ Wazz Mint Nightclub – Pop Life ft DJ Aaron/ AJ Mullaloo Beach Hotel – DJ Danny Mustang – Rockabilly DJ/ DJ James MacArthur Niche – Frankie Button/ Cee/ Jonny Zimber Norma Jeans – DJ Phat Daz

Example Oxford Hotel – DJ Sequeria Paramount- DJ Cornflake / DJ Jordan/ DJ Johnny Boi Queens Tav - Gareth Richardson Rocket Room – DJ Perry Shape – Big Ape South St Ale House – DJ Jay Sovereign Arms – Rockwell The Avenue – Jon Ee The Boheme – DJ Sneakee The Brighton (Upstairs) – Micah/ Kill Dyl/ eSQue The Causeway – Rhys Johnson The Clink –Az-T The Cornerstone – Angel The Craftsman – DJ Shortz The Deen - DJ Birdie/ DJ JJ/ DJ Tony Allen The East End Bar - Fiveo The Generous Squire – On Tap ft DJ Freeds The Saint – DJ Anaru The Shed –DJ Andyy The Wembley – Lokie Shaw The Whistling Kite – Gavyn Mytchel The Vic – DJ Kristian Tiger Lils – DJ Bojan/ DJ Ben Sebastian Toucan – DJ Hages Victoria Park Hotel – DJ Melvin Villa – Rewind: Old School Hip Hop Reunion ft DJ Karl Blue/ Junior/ Headayke/ Adroc Windsor – DJ Ray Woodvale Tavern – DJ Real McCoy

SUNDAY 25/11 Captain Stirling – DJ Jay Claremont Hotel – DJ Double Dee Claremont Showground- 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/

Diplo Dillon Francis/ Foreign Beggars/ Zedd/ Brodinski/ Krewella/ Nina Kraviz/ Van She/ Strange Talk/ Alvin Risk/ Destructo/ MaRLo/ Treasure Fingers/ Bart B More and more Clink – DJ Tony Allen Empire Bar – CB3/ DJ Riki/ DJ Vicktor Euro Bar – DJ Flex Eve Nightclub – DJ Slick Flying Scotsman – Nathan J/ Nizbet/ Pasha/ Chris Flying Scotsman (Defectors) – Eclectic Picnic Mint - Chris McPhee Mustang – DJ Rockin Rhys Paramount – Glo/ DJ Slick/ DJ Benny C/ DJ Matty S Players Bar – Lucky Charm Rocket Room – Coyote Ugly Sovereign Arms – Dylan Hammond 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 26/11 Bar Orient - DJ White Label Broken Hill Tavern - DJ Mario Tavelli The Deen – Plastic Max/ The Token Gesture The Den (Civic Hotel) - MC Lars The Paddo – DJ John Paul The Shed – DJ Andyy

TUESDAY 27/11 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

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

SWITCH

SHAPE

AMPLIFIER

NEWPORT

IN THE THIS WEEK:

COMING UP

An Eglo Records Takeover ft Floating Jay (Geordie Shore) DJ set Wednesday, November 28 @ Metro Points/ Fatima/ Alexander Nut Freo Thursday, November 22 @ Ambar Hopsin/ Dizzy Wright/ Jarren Trus’me Wednesday, November 28 @ The Bird Benton/ DJ Hoppa and more Thursday, November 22 @ The Civic Greg Packer Face ft Ylem/ Mei Saraswati/ Higher Thursday, November 29 @ The Newport Education/ UoMM DJs Lucid Dreaming ft Adana Twins & Thursday, November 22 @ The Velvet Dr Dru Lounge Friday, November 30 @ The Honey Lounge The Bass Explosion Tour ft The Mane Thing & A Tonez and more Get Weird ft Tyler Touche’/ Friday, November 23 @ Ambar Bear Feet/ Willy Slade/ Clunk/ Sleepyhead/ Jack Doepel/ Lemon Next Hype ft Eskmo Lime/ Biddiss Friday, November 23 @ Geisha Friday, November 30 @ Geisha Lucid Dreaming ft Kollektiv Turmstrasse Friday, November 23 @ The Honey Lounge Syrup ft Kit Pop/ Rekab/ DYP/ Starks/ Hollywood/ Itoje/ Everyteen Friday, November 23 @ 23 Irwin Street, Perth Gina Turner Saturday, November 23 @ The Shed Gina Turner Saturday, November 23 @ The Newport Brother Ali/ Sean Price Saturday, November 24 @ Metro City 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/ Strange Talk/ Alvin Risk/ Destructo/ MaRLo/ Treasure Fingers/ Bart B More and more Sunday, November 25 @ Claremont Showground

Calvin Harris

STEREOSONIC SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25 @ CLAREMONT SHOWGROUND

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Ministry Of Sound The Annual 2013 ft Tom Piper/ The Only and more Friday, December 14 @ Villa Rapaport Friday, December 4 @ Mojos Spectrasoul & Audio Saturday, December 15 @ Villa Dusky Thursday, November 20 @ Ambar Kendrick Lamar Saturday, December 22 @ The Astor

Wonderland ft PNAU (live)/ Bag Raiders (DJ set)/ Flume (live)/ Grafton Primary (live)/ Tim & Jean (live)/ Alison Wonderland/ Elizabeth Rose/ What So Not/ Indian Summers DJs and more Tuesday, January 1 @ Belvoir Amphitheatre Summadayze ft Chemical Brothers (DJ Set)/ M.I.A/ Fedde Le Grand/ Mark Ronson (DJ Set)/ Kimbra/ Booka Shade (live)/ Eddie Halliwell/ AN21 & Max Vangeli/ Carl Craig 69 (live)/ Maya Jane Coles/ Disclosure Live/ Adrian Lux/ Erol Alkan/ Breakbot (live)/ Fake Blood/ Hudson Mohawke/ Araabmusik/ Icona Pop/ Scuba/ Aeroplane/ Jesse Rose/ Danny Daze/ AC Slater/ Stafford Brothers & Timmy Trumpet/ Bombs Away and more TBC Sunday, January 6 @ Patersons Stadium

Breakfest ft Krafty Kuts/ A.Skillz/ DJ Yoda/ Lady Waks/ The Nextmen/ Jaguar Skills/ Specimen A/ Pyramid/ Marten Hørger/ High Contrast/ Spy/ Camo & Krooked/ MC Wrec/ N’Fa Jones/ Charlie Bucket/ Black & Blunt/ Breakaholics Anonymous/ D-Funk/ N’FA 2manydjs Jones/ Charlie Bucket/ Black & Friday, November 30 @ Villa Blunt/ Breakaholics Anonymous Drum ‘N’ Breaks ft Invictus/ DJ ft Ben Mac/ Tone/ Wish/ D-Funk Sets On The Beach ft lineup TBC Sunday, January 13 @ Scarborough and more Miss K Friday, November 30 @ The Wednesday, December 26 @ Beach Amphitheatre Belvoir Amphitheatre Rosemount ESG 10 Years On ft Micah, Ben Mac & Origin NYE ft Chase & Status (DJ Sunday, January 20 @ The Bakery Set)/ Knife Party/ Gaslamp Killer/ Wish ShockOne/ Pearson Sound/ DMZ Heavyweight Soundz ft Andy Friday, November 30 @ Ambar (Coki & Mala)/ Goldie/ Brookes C & MC GQ Brothers/ Ed Rush/ Wilkinson/ Friday, January 25 @ Metro City DJ Brooke Evers Dillinja/ Marky & Stamina/ Saturday, December 1 @ Eve Sigma/ Delta Heavy/ Metrik/ Nightclub DC Breaks/ Skism/ Gemini/ Riva Starr Inspector Dubplate/ Jakes/ Saturday, January 26 @ Salt On The The Potbelleez Mensah/ Dodge & Fuski/ Bar9/ Beach Saturday, December 1 @ Metro Freo Distance/ Dark Sky/ Ben Ufo/ New York Transit Authority/ Big Day Out ft The Bloody Crystal Castles/ Deadweight!2nd Birthday Bender Pariah/ XXXY/ Om Unit/ Friction/ Beetroots/ ft Eprom/ Saxon & Boy Prince/ Bare Noize/ Flying Lotus/ Benga/ Kaskade/ Pretty Lights/ Nebula & Modo and more TBC Nicky Romero/ Morgan Page/ Youngman/ Doctor Werewolf Saturday, December 1 @ The Bakery Sunday, December 30 & Monday, Sampology and more December 31 @ Fairbridge Village, Monday, January 28 @ Claremont Japan 4 ft Kid Kenobi Pinjara Showground Saturday, December 1 @ Ambar Chi Poption NYE 2012/13 ft Above & Beyond Sets On The Beach ft Mark Farina/ Shy Panther/ Rachael Dease Friday, February 1 @ Metro City Miami Horror DJs/ The Knocks/ vs Ylem/ Diger Rokwell vs Todd Terje/Last Dinosaurs/ Parker Mathas/ Kucka/ Leure/ Mei Flosstradamus Sunday, December 2 @ Scarborough Saraswati/ Dani Marsland/ Jo Saturday, February 16 @ Shape Lettenmaier/ Aarom Wilson vs Beach Amphitheatre Craig Hollywood/ Ben Taaffe vs Future Music Festival ft The Perth Dance Music Awards ft Rok Riley/ Clunk/ PCJ vs Ridik/ Prodigy/ The Stone Roses/ PSY/ Bokchoy vs Flaunt/ Carla/ FTW/ Miranda Menzies Monday, December 31 @ The Dizzee Rascal/ Bloc Party/ Azealia Micah/ Mot3k/ Muller/ Phetsta Banks/ Rita Ora/ Boys Noize Bakery Sunday, December 2 @ The Court (live)/ Hardwell/ The Temper Trap/ Fun./ Madeon/ Rudimental/ Ellie Insert To Play ft 360/ Urthboy/ Kid Kenobi Goulding/ Steve Aoki/ Alesso/ Drapht/ Hermitude and more Monday, December 3 @ The Deen Monday, December 31 @ Supreme Gypsy & The Cat/ A-Trak (live)/ Feed Me (live)/ Zeds Dead/ Kill The Court Gardens Parker/ Anton Maz/ Micah/ Noise/ DJ Fresh (live)/ Nervo/ Zane DNGRFLD/ BACK2MONO/ Roulette Boogie Down NYE ft Lowe/ Borgore/ Sven Vath/ Richie DJS Boogie Down/ Charlie Bucket/ Hawtin/ Ricardo Villalobos/ Seth Wednesday, December 5 @ The Rok Riley vs MZJO/ Jade Nobbs Troxler/ Magda/ Cosmic Gate ft Flying Scotsman Monday, December 31 @ Little Emma Hewitt/ W&W/ tyDi/ Andy Creatures Loft Moor/ Super8 & Tab/ Ben Gold/ Xkore/ Zanetic/ Poseidon The Stafford Brothers/ Timmy Friday, December 7 @ Shape Cuban Club ft Cuban Brothers/ Trumpet/ Tenzin/ Bombs Away Yacht Club DJs/ Russ Dewbury/ Sunday, March 3 @ Arena Joondalup Big Ape ft Dismantle Death Disco DJs and more Saturday, December 8 @ Shape Tuesday, January 1 @ The Flying Smokey’s Tour ft Urthboy Squadron Yacht Club, Dalkeith Friday, March 8 @ Mojos Habitat 8th Birthday Garden Party ft Nick Warren/ Sebastien Leger/ Club Paradiso ft Friendly Fires Smokey’s Tour ft Urthboy Chuck Love (DJ set)/ Kaz James/ Helena/ Sunday, December 9 @ The Court Mr Wilson/ Zelimir/ The Halo Saturday, March 9 @ Amplifier Effect/ Habitat DJs/ Maiko DJs/ Sets On The Beach ft lineup TBC Mr Grevis Acebasik/ Kno Agents Tuesday, January 1 @ Salt On The Sunday, March 17 @ Scarborough Wednesday, December 12 @ Mojos Beach Beach Amphitheatre

CAMO & KROOKED

CROSS THE TRACKS Drum’n’bass has grown massively over the past decade, however if you were seeking the 2011 winners of Drum and Bass Arena’s Best Album, Video and Producer awards, the European country of Austria probably wouldn’t be the place you would start your search, but this is exactly where Camo & Krooked originate from and, judging by some of the sounds these two have been creating, the scene over there is healthier than many perceive.

ANDREW NELSON delves deeper.

“When you listen to a typical Camo & Krooked record you will hear an energetic drum’n’bass tune with influences from a lot of different genres,” one half of the duo, Reinhard ‘Camo’ Rietsch begins. “Sometimes we cross over into electro or the next tune will be more into the direction of progressive or French house. We produce a lot of different directions which makes our sound pretty diverse and keeps it interesting.”

Rietsch, along with partner-in-crime Markus ‘Krooked’ Wagner make up the Austrian duo that have been kicking up a storm since they first started producing together in 2007. And, if you haven’t heard of them yet, you will soon. The one and only Grooverider has called them “one of the biggest talents in drum’n’bass”.And he’s pretty spot on. From the tranceinfused All Fall Down to the filtered refrains of Reminisce, the duo have managed to hone a sound that pulls in other genres and keep things fresh. This is one of the reasons that they decided to release Between The Lines, a remix version of their 2011 long-player Cross The Line.

“It came together more naturally than planned, Rietsch says.

“Friends in the scene kept asking us if they could remix the tunes and after we had a couple of them together we decided to go all the way and make

Camo & Krooked a full album. We have included a lot of upcoming new talents on the remix album who have done the best tunes they have ever written I think.”

It was a similar ‘mates rates’ sort of vibe that thrust the duo together in the first place. “Austria, especially Vienna, has a very healthy drum’n’bass scene,” he explains. “And a lot of good parties are going on.

Markus and I met at a party at his hometown where I was DJing; we got talking and as we used the same program to produce music, we decided to collaborate and as it worked out so great we decided to stick with it.

It’s just way more fun to go the journey as a duo.”

This pursuit of fun is bringing them back to these shores for the third time in as many years. “We love coming down to Australia,” he says. “Especially as it’s summer there and we can escape the European winter.The people are wicked as well; we made so many friends and can’t wait to meet them again. [We] really enjoy the crowds; very positive vibes and a lot of energy, especially around new year - Australia is the place to be.”

And, Breakfest will be the place to be when the lads hit Belvoir Amphitheatre on Boxing Day for the big festival. “We already play a few big tunes from the forthcoming album which have been the highlights of our latest sets and we always bring a lot of special versions and bootlegs that only we have in our bags,” Rietsch says of what fans can expect from their set at Breakfest. So fun loving vibes with genre-crossing beats sounds like a good recipe for a great party in the sun but Rietsch sums it up the best - “If you haven’t heard our music, it’s better just to listen to it than to read about it, let the music do the talking.”

» » » »

CAMO & KROOKED BREAKFEST WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26 @ BELVOIR AMPHITHEATRE

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

WASHINGTON Rabbit Island

BEN FOLDS FIVE Phebe Starr

Fremantle Arts Centre Wednesday, November 14, 2012 When Kate Miller-Heidke supported Ben Folds on his last tour to Perth, she was quirky, funny, entertaining and quite nerdy at times - the perfect support for Ben Folds. She got the crowd revved up and excited, drinks and toilet breaks had to be put on hold until her set concluded. This was not the case when moaning and groaning Sydney lass Phebe Starr took to the stage ahead of the highly anticipated Ben Folds Five Harvest sideshow.

There’s no doubt that Phebe Starr has talent - she can sing, play piano and create some banter with the audience, but it was just boring, whimsical, jazzypop with the occasional electronic bassline thrown in for average measure. It probably didn’t help that most of the crowd were only just arriving, trying to get some delicious buffalo wings, corn, kebabs and chips in their bellies before nestling down on the grassy lawns of the Fremantle Arts Centre.

It was a disaster of a decision to line up for hot chips as half an hour past by and many stomaches were left churning as the lights went up on the stage and the moment which everyone had been waiting for happened - Ben Folds, Robert Sledge and Darren Jessee humbly took to the stage for the first time as Ben Folds Five in Perth in over a decade. There wasn’t so much a moshpit on the frontline as the entire crowd near the stage standing up for the set’s entirety - a sheer indication of genuine excitement amongst the loving couples, youngsters, weird old-lady dancers, music nerds and classy, posh older folk in attendance.

Selfless, Cold And Composed had everyone’s eyes glued to the stage, a gentle, yet delicious treat, earlier in the evening with some crazy cats on their picnic rugs already swaying like Morphine-induced zombies in the early evening air. Old school fans were treated to the delightfully upbeat Jackson Cannery from Ben Folds Five’s 1995 self-titled debut record. It was a brilliant fit considering the original single version

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Washington (Photo: Callum Ponton) Ben Folds Five (Photo: Daniel Craig) of the song was the first song the band ever recorded.

To hear it all these years later in the flesh and still in its finest form was quite the excitement.

Although Draw A Crowd was the first song to get the crowd jumping, jiving and singing along to “Oh-oh if you’re feeling small, and you can’t draw a crowd/ Draw dicks on a wall”, the three-piece’s set didn’t have nearly as much hustle and bustle, banter and chaos as a Ben Folds show usually brings. There was just as much energy and sweat being exerted as ever but, it just seemed to lack the ‘fun-factor’ which is stamped to their name. Luckily, part of this was made up for when Ben Folds launched into talking about Fremantle, (this being the first time he’s actually played in the suburb) before launching into a quirky song about Fremantle and how nothing is actually ‘free’ in Fremantle.

Battle Of Who Could Care Less was also a hit amongst punters and there appeared to be a bunch of ‘I love Brick and nothing else’ fans who left after the band delivered an epic version of the tune before launching into relatively fresh tune Do It Anyway. There wasn’t much mucking around between the end of the set and the encore with the lads reappearing to a huge applause to treat the audience to some hits including Song For The Dumped and the everlasting Underground.

A grand evening of solid, timeless tunes but, if you’ve seen Ben Folds perform before and didn’t make it down, you didn’t miss much. _ANNABEL MACLEAN

The Quarry Amphitheatre Saturday, November 17, 2012 There’s nothing simple about Megan Washington.

Even stripped of the opera and fashion circuits she’s been running in and around of late, the singer/ songwriter has a level of complexity to her; verbose lyrical techniques push up against intricate piano runs, and are punctuated by Washington’s matter-offact subjects and inimitable delivery.

On Saturday evening as part of the 2012/13 Live At The Quarry musical season, Washington and her multilayered persona were on fine display to an amphitheatre of fans. The astoundingly talented Rabbit Island was on hand (sans one hand, and with the uber talented Sheryn Hack, Todd Pickett, Laura Jane Lowther and Tristan Parr backing her up) as the warm-up act, stunning the crowd with her warm vocals and fluid and irreverent sense of humour and occasion.

Taking to the stage with no more than an electric piano and guitar to guide her along, Washington riffed on the idyllic Quarry landscape and recounted encounters with a bogan-turnedhipster ex-boyfriend, each anecdote punctuated with a heavy helping of self-deprecation.

While fans hung tight to the singer/ songwriter’s older hits (including How To Tame A Lion and Rich Kids from her 2010 debut I Believe You Liar) newer numbers Sentimental Education and Letterbox (from 2011 EP Insomnia) found the singer at her most affecting, while the quirky Ballad Of Bokito And Petronella - a love song based on the real-life story of gorilla who escaped from Rotterdam Zoo in the Netherlands - served to further prove that with

Washington, you simply never know what you’re going to get.

Considering the chanteuse was tasked with a two-hour set there was something of an expectation she might indulge listeners with tunes from her upcoming second LP (touted for release in early 2013), however - apart from a mention the new album was shaping up to sound “like ‘60s Italian pop songs mixed with Shirley Bassey mixed with Outkast” - that wasn’t the case. Instead, she filled out the time by welcoming a four-piece strings section to the stage to accompany her during just two tunes, as well as populating her set with a collection of covers. Ranging from tried-and-tested favourites including Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah and Tom Wait’s Picture In A Frame, to more alternative fare in Roland S. Howard’s Shivers and a tune from cabaret artist Meow Meow’s take on Hans Christian Andersen’s bittersweet fable Little Match Girl, her iterations were entertaining, if sometimes a little overwrought.

Yet it was a cover of Rufus Wainwright’s Want which proved the best version of the lot. Fresh from a national tour as Wainwright’s support act a few short months ago, Washington laughingly confessed she’d struggled to come up with a viable set list considering most of her songs were “blatant rip-offs” of the Canadian troubadour’s repertoire.

Indeed, in this stripped-back setting it was easy to draw comparisons with Wainwright’s balladry. Imbued with all the soaring wistfulness that she and her soulful pipes are so renowned for, it was an impassioned performance which proved to be the highlight of a very high-standard affair. _JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD

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TO HEAVEN AND HELL AND BACK The Saint Saturday, November 17, 2012 Last Saturday night at The Saint was Heaven And Hell where peeps dressed up as angels and demons and smashed the drink specials. DJs Punchy, Juicy, Fiveo and AZ-T were behind the decks pumping out some heavy electro and the one and only Angry Buda was getting his Urban Jamz on.

Photos by Matt Jelonek

Morgan, Jacinta

Matt, Sam, Neve

Jarrad, Ella

Tom, Matt Nathan, Tom, Matt, Jess

Linda, Alana, Lucy

BEAT NIGHTCLUB

Local rockers Opia have two shows coming up with Melbourne band Bellusira next weekend and it’s Bellusira’s first time in WA. Check them out on Friday, November 23, at The Beat Nightclub.

MUSTANG BAR

This Thursday, November 22, catch Our Man In Berlin, an indie-folk group from Perth. Singer/ Songwriter Haydn Mansell and lead guitarist/ backing vocalist Trevor Shotam have been playing together for a couple of years but have only recently begun playing live. Supported by Jacob Diamond, Louis And The Honkytonk and DJ James MacArthur ‘til late.

Ashleigh, Mark

MOJOS BAR

Saturday, November 24, sees the launch of The Community Words Compilation. Diger Rokwell will be playing live with help from Felicity Groom, Mathas, FG, Wisdom Tooth, DVS, Empty, ASAP and DJ Arms in Motion. Doors open at 8pm. For your chance to win a double pass to this show, email mojos@ coolperthnights.com with ‘Community Words’ in the subject line.

INDI BAR

It’s going to be a huge weekend at the Indi Bar, with Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute act Proud Mary playing on Friday, November 23, Blues sensation Blue Shaddy on Saturday, November 24, and slide guitar extraordinaire Andrew Winton closing off the weekend on Sunday, November 25.

The Selecter

THE ASTOR

On Saturday, November 24, seminal British 2-Tone outfit The Selecter check into the Astor Theatre and are guaranteed to set crowds alight with their bop-tastic fusion of ska-pop-reggae.

RAILWAY HOTEL

The Floors

THE BAKERY

Cybernaut Records is about to reach it’s first year in business and they’re throwing a big party with Fat Shans to celebrate. On Saturday, November 24, The Floors, The Empty Cup, Puck, Mudlark and Tyto Kings will be hitting the stage at The Bakery to pay homage to an awesome year and ramp up excitement for 2013. Woo!

ROSEMOUNT HOTEL

Tonight, Wednesday, November 21, catch The Rumble, Tired Lion, Blatjang and Pusherman from 8pm for $8. To win a double pass to this show email win@rosemounthotel.com.au with ‘Win’ in the subject line.

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This Friday, November 23, it’s a metal feast with Got Sharks?, Borc, 2nd Great Dying and Pending The Silence raising the roof. Saturday, November 24, hosts Empty Pocket, Roxatus, Alteria Motive and Kelly McMahen.

MULLALOO BEACH HOTEL

This Saturday, November 24, is Oceanside 28’s including local favourites Easy Operator! Come down and enjoy Mullaloo Beach Hotel’s desirable $5 cocktail specials. Kicks off at 9pm with free entry.

YAYA’S

Cure your hump day blues on Wednesday, November 21, with Sarah Pelicano, Luke Mcpharlin and The Black Birds. Saturday, November 24, night sees the second edition of SASS at Ya Ya’s kicking off from 8pm.

Then support the Grand Final of Ya Ya’s Jammin Band Comp Sunday, November 25, from 1pm!

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

HARVEST 2012 Werribee Park, Melbourne Sunday, November 11, 2012 The Australian festival season can be relied upon for two things: scalding temperatures and big-name touring acts. While here in WA we’ve endured our fair share of sun this year, the same can’t be said for our east coast counterparts. Yet nary the wispiest of clouds blemished the clear blue skies over the beautiful grounds of Werribee Park (about an hours drive from the Melbourne CDB) at this year’s Victorian incarnation of the Harvest Festival.

Despite logistical problems (chiefly being a failing to provide adequate amenities, food stalls, beverage options and transportation from the venue) which plagued last year’s inaugural event, the 2012 Harvest Festival promised to be a real humdinger.

A sprinkling of local talent kicked off proceedings - most memorably Triple J Unearthed rock and rollers Lurch And Chief but, for the most part, the event concentrated on international acts.

Philadelphia’s The War On Drugs’ shoegazy Southern folk-rock was the perfect balm for the midday heat, before The Dandy Warhols lulled punters into a warm pulse of security with sing-a-long tunes Bohemian Like You and We Used to Be Friends dotted between boring rock workouts. Meanwhile, over on the ‘Red Tractor’ stage dance music fans were able to throw shapes to music played by artful, dark-disco outfit Chromatics, brilliant Bristol 2-piece Fuck Buttons and Nottingham house/disco/soul ensemble Crazy P.

Cake The next portion of the line-up was crammed with nostalgia acts and saw seminal Sacramento grunge outfit Cake and the recently reunited Ben Folds Five drawing the expected crowds. However it was Faith No More’s Mike Patton who provided the first truly unmissable act of the day as he took to the stage with a 30-piece orchestra to play Mondo Cane, a selection of ‘50s and ‘60s Italian pop songs. Later in the evening, Grizzly Bear impressed, upturning their reputation as weedy folksters with a tight, energised set of crackling indie rock that only occasionally descended into barrages of over-indulgence.

Yet even up against a plethora of impressive displays Beck still stood out as the highlight of the festival. Opening with Devil’s Haircut, One Foot In The Grave and Loser in quick succession provided a glimpse into the man’s genius in putting together an all-killer-no-filler set which mainly drew on material from the perpetually loved Odelay! but also included Guero single Girl, and a fabulously funked up version of Where It’s At, which was the unintended final song of the set as an extended jam session meant the band were kicked off before being able to play staple-closer, E-Pro. It was a hard set to follow (although Sigur Ròs and Santigold put up a good effort as the festival’s ‘official’ headliners, despite the fact that all the literature for the festival had Beck’s name at the top of the bill) and served to prove why Harvest is fast earning itself a name as one of the country’s premier music festivals. Fingers crossed it crosses west next year!

Grizzly Bear (Photos: Callum Ponton)

_JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD

JORDAN MCROBBIE For Freo’s Sake

Freo folkster Jordan McRobbie plays Clancy’s Fish Pub in Fremantle on Saturday, November 24, to launch his self-titled debut EP. RYAN BUTLER reports.

Twenty-two year old Jordan McRobbie joins a proud Australian tradition with the release of his debut EP. With names like John Butler, Jeff Lang, Xavier Rudd, The Waifs and a plethora more, Australia, with it’s wide red plains and shimmering coastlines, is a breeding ground for top notch folk and roots musicians.

For McRobbie their influence goes well beyond just the music. “Australian folk roots artists have had a big influence on my life and music in the last few years. Not just because of their awesome guitar chops, but also a lot of their songs are dedicated to raising awareness on the vital issues of our day and age and can increase the amount of people who make the compassionate choice to donate to a cause like Sea Shepherd, Som Bong Cham (schools in Cambodia) or make the trip up to James Price Point and help at the blockade,” the singer/songwriter says. “Good music definitely motivates people to do the right thing.”

McRobbie has a connection with the country and coast that runs deep, proudly hailing from our state’s most eclectic city. “Freo’s awesome. I’m born and raised so I think all of my identity comes from here. I’ve had such a great influence in my life from all the amazing people I’ve met in this town. So many good spirits from all around the

LOOSEY GOOSEY

The ‘90s are back and so are pelvis-grinding desert rock outfit Loose Unit. After a long hiatus the trio are set to play the best of their previous releases with a reunion show at Amplifier on Saturday, November 24, featuring fellow Perthian rockers The Siren Tower, Will Stoker And The Embers and R.I.S.E. Doors open 8pm and entry is $12. They’ll also be showcasing their new live track Is It Alright, which is available for free, download from their Facebook page.

IN BLOOM

Indie-folk-rockers Stereoflower are gearing up to release new single The Barstools on Friday, November 23, at The Velvet Lounge. The first taste of their forthcoming second album, Dig Your Hands Deep Into My Dirt, the tune was penned by one of Perth’s youngest and most prolific independent songwriters, Alex Elbery, and follows on from the band’s stellar 2010 debut It’s Alright, It’s Ok, Satellite Commander.

TROPICAL TWIST

Celebrating exotic fruit, dancing and music from the warmest corners of the world, this summer sees the installation of The Tropical Discotheque at the Fremantle Arts Centre, a monthly night of Afrobeat, Reggae, Latin and all things tropical. Kicking proceedings off Sunday, November 25, will see Fremantle’s own Grace Barbé launch her brand new single Tou Lannwit. In support will be the most energetic Shangara Jive, with Charlie Bucket and Chopper Crucial spinning their tropical music collection on the wheels of steel in between. www.xpressmag.com.au

Jordan McRobbie place chilling here. It’s not hard to be happy when you’re walking around South Terrace on a busy day.”

The importance of his connection to Fremantle wasn’t lost on McRobbie when it came time to record the EP either. Under the watchful eye and commanding ear of Rob Grant, McRobbie committed his music to record at the iconic Poons Head Studios in East Fremantle.

“I had an awesome time recording there,” McRobbie says.

“Rob’s a legend, he’s got a great ear for detail and a real warmth in the sound he creates with all of his awesome gear. He converted the place from this ninety-eight year old house in East Freo. It’s got this cool old school character to it and some pretty funny characters around it, like Cowboy John, who’s an all round good dude.”

Off the EP, Jack finds a niche in Australian folk, at once reminding of Paul Kelly with its acoustic strumming, harmonica and storytelling. So who is Jack?

“Jack was the first song I wrote when I started to sing and it’s about me trying to define myself at that time, while I was living with my older brother who worked away most of the time and when he was back he had a pretty negative attitude. So I was sort of looking forward to a more positive time and reminding myself that good things come from life experience,” McRobbie concludes.“It only gets better than this.”

SKINNY LOVE

Having recently supported Bleeding Knees Club, Sugar Army and The Novocaines, three-piece garage rock outfit FOAM will deliver a heavy live performance that feels up the entire audience when they launch a new single on Friday, November 23, at the Norfolk Basement. The follow-up to EP Sarpa Salpa, released earlier this year, new tune Total Body Disruption showcases FOAM’s distorted, swift, and honest sound. Support comes from Mezzanine, Man The Clouds and Hideous Sun Demon.

LIKE A DREAM

For one night only, on Friday, November 23, at the Civic Hotel, Morphica will be performing Dream Theater’s iconic progressive metal masterpiece A Change Of Seasons in full, joined by an eclectic progressive metal lineup featuring the fearsome talents of Nexus, Bend The Sky and Epignosis! This will be a one-time-only performance, if not only because this event will be Morphica’s final all-cover set! If that weren’t enough they’ll be handing out a limited number of copies of their debut release, Prequel, with entry!

WRONG TURN

Friday, November 23, The Long Lost Brothers launch new tune Errors at the Bakery with Runner, Blackmilk and The Flower Drums.

Having released RTRFM banger Snakes & Ladders earlier this year, Errors is the second taste of their highly-anticipated forthcoming album. If you just can’t wait check new LLB tunes uploaded at thelonglostbrothers.bandcamp.com. Tickets to the launch are $10+BF and are available from nowbaking.com.au. ` 37

Omar Rodriguez Lopez, November 24, The Rosemount

Missy Higgins, December 8-9, Fremantle Arts Centre

Darren Hanlon, December 19, Mojos Bar

STREET BAND JOHN BUTLER TRIO Ms Mr, The Seth Troxler, Magda, Wake 5 Prince Of Wales 3 Leeuwin Estate Neighbourhood, Nicolas Your Mind ft Cosmic Gate & 6 The Rosemount 4 Castelli Winery Emma Hewitt, W&W, tyDi, Jaar, Nite Jewel, Of SPENCER P JONES/ THE SOUTHBOUND (The Monsters & Men, Perfume Andy Moor, Super8 & Tab, 22 Friends Restaurant NOTHING BUTTS Flaming Lips, SBTRKT, Best Genius, Polica, Pond, Ben Gold, The Stafford 7 The Bakery Coast, Beach House, Boy & Real Estate, The Rubens, Brothers, Timmy Trumpet, THE BLACKEYED SUSANS Bear, Coolio, The Vaccines, Shlohmo, Snakadaktal, Tenzin, Bombs Away & INDIAN SUMMER 7 The Rosemount Bombay Bicycle Club, First Twerps, Yeasayer ) More TBA) DJS 8 Mojos Bar Aid Kit, Hilltop Hoods, 3 Arena Joondalup 9 Venue TBC 22 Villa MISSY HIGGINS Hot Chip, Maximo Park, SOUNDWAVE 2013 GIN BLOSSOMS 8-9 Fremantle Arts Centre Millions, Totally Enormous 10 Capitol (Metallica, Linkin Park, MITZI Extinct Dinosaurs, Angus ARCHIE ROACH Blink-182, A Perfect DEEP SEA ARCADE 8 The Bakery Stone, Ball Park Music, The Offspring, 10 Chevron Festival Gardens Circle, NICKI MINAJ / TYGA 23 The Rosemount Cosmo Jarvis, Django Paramore, Garbage, Slayer, GODSPEED YOU! BLACK 8 Perth Arena Django, The Hives, Jinjo Cypress Hill, Bullet For My DEAD & VAZ Safari, Lisa Mitchell, Matt EMPEROR Valentine, and more) MOVEMBER 9 Mojos Bar Corby, Sharon Van Etten, 11 Chevron Festival Gardens 4 Claremont Showgrounds COVERGE SHANE NICHOLSON Two Door Cinema Club, DEEP PURPLE/JOURNEY MAYHEM TOUR 12 Amplifier Fremantle Arts Centre Bertie Blackman, DJ Nu7 Perth Arena (Dream On Dreamer, 10 PRIMAL SCREAM Mark Toy Set, The Jungle DEER TICK & TWO GEORGE CLINTON & GALLANTS Make Them Suffer, 11 Astor Theatre Giants, Loon Lake, Oh PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC HUSKY Mercy, Rodrigo Gabriela, 12 Chevron Festival Gardens 7 Metropolis Fremantle In Fear & Faith/ 12 Mojos Bar STARS San Cisco, Felicity Ward, CAT EMPIRE Saviour) 13 The Bakery Luke Heggie, Matt O’Kine, 13 Chevron Festival Gardens 10 Fremantle Arts Centre MANHATTAN JINX 22 Amplifier AMANDA PALMER Nazeem Hussain, Ronny DINOSAUR JR/ THE 12 Prince Of Wales 23 YMCA HQ Chieng and Sammy J & 14 Astor Theatre JON SPENCER BLUES 14 Rocket Room Randy) CHRYSTA BELL EXPLOSION/ MOON DUO 15 The Railway 4 & 5 Sir Stewart Bovell Park 14 Chevron Festival Gardens 12 The Astor SAN CISCO / THE BELLUSIRA Busselton RONAN KEATING/ FATHER JOHN MISTY PREATURES 23 Beat Nightclub 65 DAYS OF STATIC 15 Chevron Festival Gardens BRIANM,MCFADDEN 14 The Bakery 25 Newport 5 The Bakery 12 Crown Perth Theatre CELTIC THUNDER BIG JAY MCNEELY SUMMADAYZE (M.I.A, PAUL KELLY/ NEIL FINN/ 16 Perth Arena 14 Fremantle Arts Centre Fedde Le Grand, Mark LISA MITCHELL FUTURE CLASSIC OMAR RODRIGUEZ TAME IMPALA Ronson DJ Set, Kimbra, 14 -15Kings Park Botanical 16 Chevron Festival Gardens 15 Fremantle Arts Centre Booka Shade Live, Eddie Gardens LOPEZ DAVID HASSLEHOFF PARKWAY DRIVE Halliwell, AN21 & Max GLENN SHORROCK/ 24 The Rosemount 17 Capitol 19 Challenge Stadium Vangeli, Carl Craig, 69 WENDY MATTHEWS/ MACKLEMORE & RYAN DARREN HANLON Live, Maya Jane Coles, DOUG PARKINSON LEWIS 19 Mojos Bar Disclosure Live, Erol Alkan, & 15 Quarry STEREOSONIC 17 Chevron Festival Gardens 14 SUICIDAL TENDENCIES/ Fake Blood, Adrian Lux, Amphitheatre (Tiësto, Avicii, Calvin UNWRITTEN LAW/ THE JENS LEKMAN Breakbot Live, Hudson BOB MOULD 18 Chevron Festival Gardens 16 The Rosemount Harris, Example, Carl DUDESONS Mohawke, Araabmuzik, Metro Freo SLEEPY SUN Icona Pop, Scuba, THE MARK OF CAIN Cox, Major Lazer, and 19 REGINA SPEKTOR 19 Chevron Festival Gardens 17 Capitol Aeroplane, Jesse Rose, 19 Belvoir Amphitheatre HOW TO DRESS WELL & more) Danny Daze, AC Slater, MUTEMATH 25 Claremont Showgrounds JEFF MARTIN Stafford Brothers & Timmy AXOLOTL 19 The Astor 20 Fremantle Arts Centre Trumpet, Bombs Away & 20 Chevron Festival Gardens WILLIAM ELLIOT 21 Clancy’s Dunsborough RINGO STARR More) WHITMORE 22 Mojos Bar 6 Patersons Stadium Subiaco 21 Challenge Stadium 23 Mojos Bar 23 Indi Bar BOYS OF SUMMER JOSE JAMES/ HOATUS WEST COAST BLUES BRITISH INDIA EVAN DANDO / JULIANA 9 Amplifier KAIYOTE & ROOTS FESTIVAL 29 Prince Of Wales HATFIELD 10 YMCA HQ 21 Chevron Festival Gardens (Sensational Space 30 Metro Freo 22 The Rosemount SANDI THOM THE RAAH PROJECT Shifters, Iggy & The JOHN WILLIAMSON KENDRICK LAMAR 10 Fly By Night Stooges, Chris Isaak, Staus 22 Chevron Festival Gardens 30 Quarry Amphitheatre 22 Astor Theatre NIGHTWISH ED SHEERAN/ PASSENGER Quo, Tedeschi Trucks Band, THE SAINTS/ THE ORIGIN NYE (Chase & Metropolis Fremantle Fred Wesley & The New 23 Challenge Stadium VOLCANICS Status (DJ Set), Knife Party, 20 JB’s, Newton Faukner, Kitty, CLIFF RICHARDS Gaslamp Killer, ShockOne, ESG 30 Fly By Nightclub 20 The Bakery Daisy & Lewis, Grace Potter, 23 Sandalford Estate Pearson Sound, DMZ WEEZER Mama Kin & Blue Shady) TIM ROGERS/ THE (Coki & Mala), Goldie, 23 Fremantle Park BAMBOOS Brookes Brothers, Ed Rush, 23 Perth Arena WOODS Wilkinson, Dillinja, Marky 23 Chevron Festival Gardens WEST COAST BLUES & BRITISH INDIA 23 The Bakery ROOTS FESTIVAL (Ben & Stamina, Sigma, Delta PHRONESIS 1 Amplifier Heavy, Metrik, DC Breaks, JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD 24 Chevron Festival Gardens Harper, Santana, Paul JOHN WILLIAMSON 27 Mojos Simon, Steve Miller Band, Skism, Gemini, Inspector GLENN FREY 1 Quarry Amphitheatre YANNI Wilco, Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Dubplate, Jakes, Mensah, 24 Kings Park & Botanical JUSTINE CLARKE 27 Perth Arena Cliff, Michael Kiwanuka, Dodge & Fuski, Bar9, Garden 1 Astor Theatre BIG DAY OUT (Red Hot Ash Grunwald & Benjamin Distance, Dark Sky, Ben Ufo, REECE MASTIN/ JUSTICE NORAH JONES Chili Peppers, The Killers, Francis Leftwich) New York Transit Authority, CREW/ THE JANOSKIANS Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Vampire 24 Riverside Theatre 24 Fremantle Park Pariah, XXXY, Om Unit and 1 Perth Arena SOUL REBELS Weekend, Band Of Horses, GUY SEBASTIAN more TBC) NATURAL NEW ZEALAND Kaskade, Animal Collective, 25 Chevron Festival Gardens 28 Crown Perth Theatre 30 & 31 Fairbridge Village, MUSIC FESTIVAL ( CAT POWER Against Me!, 360, Foals, Pinjara Shapeshifter, Kora, Ladi6, 26 & 27 Chevron Festival B.O.B, Sleigh Bells, Jeff Trinity Roots, David Dallas, CHI POPTION (Shy Gardens The Brotherhood, Off!, Panther, Rachael Dease P-Money & More) Grinspoon, Jagwar Ma, HITS & PITS 2013 (Mad LAURIE ANDERSON & vs Ylem, Diger Rokwell vs 1 Red Hill Auditorium Delta Spirit, Everytime I Caddies, Good Riddance, A KRONOS QUARTET Mathas, Kucka, Leure, Mei RUSSELL BRAND Die, House Vs Hurricane, Wilhelm Scream, Voodoo 27 Perth Concert Hall Saraswati, Dani Marsland, Jo 2 Perth Arena Alabama Shakes, and KISS/ MOTLEY CRUE/THIN Glow Skulls, The Flatliners, Lettenmaier, Aarom Wilson THE KNOCKS more) Diesel Boy, One Dollar LIZZY vs Craig, Hollywood, Ben 2 Venue TBA Short, Jamie Hay, Jen Taaffe vs Rok Riley, Clunk, 28 Claremont Showgrounds 28 Perth Arena SETS ON THE BEACH (Mark PCJ vs Nik Ridik, Miranda RICHARD HAWLEY Buxton, Totally Unicorn & JAMES CARTER ORGAN Farina, Miami Horror DJs, Paper Arms) 31 Astor Theatre Menzies) TRIO The Knocks,Todd Terje, Last 31 The Bakery 1 Metro Freo 28 Chevron Festival Gardens Dinosaurs, Parker) THE SCRIPT INSERT TO PLAY (360, 2 Scarborough Beach 3 Perth Arena Drapht, Hermitude, Amphitheatre GRINSPOON Urthboy) THE WATERBOYS SIMPLE MINDS / DEVO / THE 31 Supreme Court Gardens 2 Perth Concert Hall 5 Prince Of Wales THE TALLEST MAN ON CHURCH / MODELS 6 Capitol ELVIS COSTELLO & THE EARTH 4 Kings Park & Botanical ROGER HODGSON IMPOSTERS/ SUNNYBOYS/ 1 Chevron Festival Gardens Garden 7 Riverside Theatre JO JO ZEP &THE FALCONS/ NEIL YOUNG REEL BIG FISH/ EXTREME/RICHIE KOTZEN CUBAN CLUB (Cuban STEPHEN CUMMINGS 2 Perth Arena GOLDFINGER/ZEBRAHEAD Brothers, Yacht Club DJs, 16 Metro City 6 Kings Park Botanic Gardens ANTIBALAS 5 Metro City ZUCCHERO Russ Dewbury, Still Water MACEO PARKER 2 Chevron Festival Gardens PARKER 17 Regal Theatre Giants, Death Disco DJs & El 7 Chevron Festival Gardens FUTURE MUSIC FESTIVAL 5 The Flying Scotsman Ginger Mojito) 2013 (The Prodigy, The KASEY CHAMBERS/ SHANE 1 The Flying Squadron Yacht NORMAN BLAKE & JOE PERNICE/ DIRTY BEACHES Stone Roses, PSY, Dizzee NICHOLSON Club, Dalkeith 8 Chevron Festival Gardens Rascal, Bloc Party, Azealia BLACK SABBATH 5 Albany Entertainment Centre CLUB PARADISO 2013 Banks, Rita Ora, Boys 6 Civic Centre Esperance 4 Perth Arena (Friendly Fires, Kaz James, ST. JEROME’S LANEWAY Noize, Hardwell, The 7 Goldfields Arts Centre Helena, Mr Wilson, Zelimir, FESTIVAL 2013 (Alpine, 8 Mundaring Weir Hotel The Halo Effect, Habitat DJ’s, Alt-J, Bat For Lashes, Chet Temper Trap, FUN, Madeon, Faker, Cloud Nothings, Rudimental, Ellie Goulding, BENJALU Maiko DJ’s, Acebasik and Divine Fits, El-P, Flume, Steve Aoki, Alesso, Gypsy PINK 6 Indi Bar Kno Agents) Henry Wagons & The & The Cat, A-Trak, Feed Me, 25, 26 & 28 Perth Arena 7 Clancy’s Fremantle 1 Salt On the Beach Zeds Dead, Kill The Noise, Unwelcome Company, 8 The Bird SHARON JONES & THE DJ Fresh, Nervo, Zane High Highs, Holy Other, Clancy’s Dunsborough DAP KINGS Japandroids, Jessie Ware, Lowe, Borgore, Cocoon JLO 1 Fremantle Arts Centre Heroes ft Sven Väth, Richie ONE DIRECTION Julia Holter, Kings Of 6 Perth Arena 2 Clancy’s Fish Pub Hawtin, Ricardo Villalobos, 28 & 29 Perth Arena Dunsborough Convenience, The Men, LAGWAGON/ THE SMITH

THIS WEEK

JEFF MARTIN

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

APRIL

FEBRUARY

MARCH

JANUARY 2013

MAY

JUNE

SEPTEMBER

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

www.xpressmag.com.au

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The Long Lost Brothers, Friday at The Bakery

WEDNESDAY 21.11 BAR 120 Felix BRASS MONKEY Sugar Blue Burlesque CLANCY’S CANNING BRIDGE Jayson Harms Pippa Drysdale CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Chet Leonard’s Bingotheque CLAREMONT HOTEL Open Mic Night ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Tilman Ricki & Ben Experience GREENWOOD Bernardine GROOVE BAR (CROWN CASINO) 5 Shots HALE ROAD TAVERN Fenton Wilde INDI BAR Minnie Marks Jordan McRobbie LUCKY SHAG Howie Morgan MOJOS BAR Ben Merito New Soundland MUSTANG Kickstart PADDO Dove ROSEMOUNT The Rumble Tired Lion Blatjang Pusherman ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) David Fyffe THE BROWN FOX Courtney Murphy THE MOON Tyto Kings Amanda Merdzan Mai Barnes UNIVERSAL Strutt YA-YA’S Sarah Pellicano Luke McPharlin The Black Birds

THURSDAY 22.11 AMPLIFIER The Academy BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Howie Morgan

44th Sunset, Friday at The Rosemount Hotel

BRASS MONKEY Rhythm Bound Karaoke BRIGHTON Open Mic Night BROOKLANDS TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke CIVIC HOTEL Hopsin Dizzy Wright Jarren Benton DJ Hoppa J Space Sever Mx Axis Distas CLANCY’S CANNING BRIDGE Zukhuta COMO HOTEL Bernardine DEVILLES PAD Rock ‘N’ Roll Karaoke DUNSBOROUGH TAVERN Open Mic Night ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW 5 Shots ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Cliff Lynton Band FLY TRAP Applebite The Beggars On Acid Foulplay Midnight Boulevard The Jeffersons GROOVE BAR (CROWN) Hi NRG HIGH WYCOMBE HOTEL Chris Murphy INDI BAR Bex’s Open Mic Night LEEDERVILLE HOTEL Leederville Loungeroom LUCKY SHAG James Wilson MALT SUPPER CLUB Stratosfunk MARKET CITY TAVERN Lauren O’Hara Emily J James Mathews Greys & Blues Steve & Paul Rob Kaey MOJOS BAR Datura Steve Tallis Emerald Mamba The Deep River Collective DJ Lofo

Foam

FOAM MEZZANINE MAN THE CLOUDS HIDEOUS SUN DEMO

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23 NORFOLK BASEMENT

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MUSTANG BAR Our Man In Berlin NORFOLK BASEMENT San Cisco Gunns OXFORD HOTEL Johnny Taylor PADDY HANNAN’S Dr Bogus PERTH ARENA The Murphy Brothers ROSEMOUNT Pimps Of Sound DJ Sistym Gamma MC Sons Of Rico DJs ROSIE O’GRADY’S (FREMANTLE) Clayton Bolger ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Bill Chidgzey SOVEREIGN ARMS Fenton Wilde THE BOAT Jen De Ness THE BROOK Open Mic Night THE GATE One Trick Phonies UNIVERSAL Off The Record WOODVALE Two Plus One YA-YA’S Brett Winterford Jessica Morhall

The Painted Bird, Friday at Ya-Ya’s

CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Tom fisher & The Layabouts Jay Howie COMO HOTEL Trevor Jalla CORNERSTONE Flamboyant CRAFTSMAN Nicki Rose DEVILLES PAD West Australian Youth Orchestra The Mondo Inferno Les Sataniques DUNSBOROUGH TAVERN Spectacle DUSK LOUNGE Kickstart EAST 150 Adrian Wilson EASTERN HOTEL Neil Colliss EDZ SPORTZ BAR Sugarfield ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Gun Shy Romeo ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Ben Vanderwal’s Latin Bonanza Soothe EMPIRE Matt Angel FLY BY NIGHT Motown & Soul Night FRIDAY 23.11 GREENWOOD 7th AVENUE Greg Cater Free Radicals GROOVE BAR ADMIRAL (CROWN) Steve Hepple Decoy AMPLIFIER HALE ROAD TAVERN Yung Warriors Electrophobia BAILEY BAR HERDSMAN Mod Squad Ali Towers Duo BAKERY HIGH ROAD HOTEL The Long Lost Brothers Clayton Bolger Runner The Damien Cripps Blackmilk Band The Flower Drums HIGHWAY HOTEL BALLYS BAR Caskades Anderson HYDE PARK HOTEL BALMORAL Them Sharks Acoustic Aly Burn Habit BAR ORIENT Mitchell Friend The Reggae Club INDI BAR BEAT NIGHTCLUB Proud Mary Bellusira Vince Franco Opia INDIAN OCEAN BREW BELMONT TAVERN Ben Merito One Trick Phonies KALAMUNDA HOTEL BENTLEY HOTEL Subject To Change Ryan Dillon Seer Cya BLACK BETTYS Xenon Everlong Conan Chapman BRASS MONKEY KULCHA Christian Thompson Greek To The Bone BROKEN HILL HOTEL LAKERS Matt Milford DJ Grizzly BROOKLANDS TAVERN Slickenside Better Days Melee CARINE LEGENDS BAR Pop Candy The Organ Grinders CARLISLE HOTEL LYNWOOD ARMS Reload Mustangs CHASE BAR MARKET CITY TAVERN Chasing Calee Matt Burke CIVIC HOTEL Ricky Morris Morphica MERRIWA TAVERN Nexus Nasty Dogz Bend The Sky MOJOS BAR (ARVO) Archaic Captn K CIVIC HOTEL (THE Simmo T DEN) MOJOS BAR (EVE) Empires Laid Waste Polly Medlen Forstora Rachel Gorman Tusk Stoney Joe Severtone MOON & SIXPENCE Alizarin Haze Soul Corporation CLANCY’S CITY BEACH MOONDYNE JOES The Mopokes Rhys Smith Trio

MUSTANG BAR Oz Big Band Cheeky Monkeys NEWPORT Party Rockers NORFOLK BASEMENT FOAM Mezzanine Man The Clouds Hideous Sun Demon NORTH FREMANTLE BOWLING CLUB The Coburn sound Skylab PADDO Stu Harcourt PADDY MAGUIRES 43 Cambridge PARAMOUNT Flyte PEEL ALEHOUSE Acoustic Licence PINK DUCK LOUNGE Chris Murphy PRINCIPAL Dirty Scoundrels QUARIE BAR The Blackbirds RAILWAY HOTEL Got Sharks?

Borc 2nd Great Dying Pending The Silence ROCKET ROOM Evergone Mercurial Animal Lantana ROSEMOUNT Deep Sea Aracade Sons Of Rico 44th Sunset ROSIE O’GRADY’S (FREMANTLE) Spyce ROSEY O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Neil Colliss SAIL & ANCHOR The Mojos Kick Up A Fuss SOUTH ST ALE HOUSE Robbie King Karaoke SWAN LOUNGE Pool Forth Wrongtown Stopmotion SPRINGS TAVERN Greg Carter Karaoke SWINGING PIG Chris Gibbs Band Greg Carter THE BROOK Jamie Powers THE GATE Smoking Section THE SAINT Almost Famous THE VIC Jen De Ness TIGER LILS Paul Malone Adam Kelly Alex Koresis UNIVERSAL Nightmoves VELVET LOUNGE Stereoflower Rabbit Island The Whores Dust VICTORIA PARK HOTEL Ivan Ribic YA-YA’S The Painted Bird Race To Your Face James Hall

SATURDAY 24.11 ADMIRAL Greg Carter AMPLIFIER Loose Unit The Siren Tower Will Stoker And The Embers R.I.S.E

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

Listing deadline is Monday 5pm. GO TO www.xpressmag.com.au /PLUG YOUR GIG and plug away!

The X-Press Guide is a Perth metropolitan service for advertisers listing tours, live, dance and arts events.

All inclusions are at the discretion of X-Press Magazine. The one entry system will update our print edition, website and App

Stereoflower, Friday at Velvet Lounge BAKERY The Floors The Empty Cup Puck Mudlark Tyto Kings BALLYS BAR Dove BALMORAL Pop Candy BAR 120 Flyte BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Acoustic Aly BLACK BETTY’S J Babies BLVD TAVERN Proud Mary Vince Fanco BRIGHTON The Mojos BROOKLANDS Chris Gibbs Band CIVIC HOTEL Paul Di’Anno Blaze Bayley Psychonaut Silent Knight CIVIC HOTEL (THE DEN) Mirror Mirror Our Fallen Legacy Take It Or Leave It A Nameless Fear CLANCY’S CANNING BRIDGE Jonny Taylor CLANCY’S CITY BEACH The Crux CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Jordan McRobbie COMO HOTEL Ricky Green DEVILLES PAD Rocket To Memphis Lady Carla Les Sataniques ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Timeout ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Jade Crompton Elise Lynelle GREENWOOD Cargo Beat!

GROOVE BAR (CROWN CASINO) Hi NRG HERDSMAN Sugarfield HIGH ROAD HOTEL Losing Julia HYDE PARK HOTEL Meg Mac & The Squeeze INDIAN OCEAN BREW CO The Blackbirds INDI BAR Blue Shady KALAMUNDA HOTEL Andrew Winton KULCHA Daramad LAKERS Celebrations Karaoke LANGFORD ALEHOUSE Die Hard Karaoke LEOPOLD HOTEL Steve Hepple LOBBY LOUNGE (CROWN CASINO) John & Shaun Sandosham LYNWOOD ARMS Mustangs M ON THE POINT Rhythm 22 MOJOS BAR Diger Rokwell Felicity Groom Mathas

FG Wisdom Tooth DVS Empty ASAP DJ Arms In Motion MOON & SIXPENCE Damien Cripps Band MUSTANG The Rusty Pinto Combo Milhouse NEWPORT Kizzy Gravity NORFOLK BASEMENT Slaughterhouse 5 Cat Hope Ourobonic Plague Memoria Sam Giles PADDY HANNANS Decoy PADDY MAGUIRES Madam Montage PADDY MALONE’S Gary Fowlie PARAMOUNT Felix PEEL ALEHOUSE Overload QUARIE BAR Electrophobia QUEENS TAVERN Big Bamboo RAILWAY HOTEL Empty Pocket Roxatus Alteria Motive Kelly McMahen ROCKET ROOM Kickstart ROSEMOUNT Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving Race To Your Face ROSIE O’GRADY’S (FREMANTLE) Flavor ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Blue Gene SAIL & ANCHOR Better Days Childs Play SEAVIEW HOTEL Open Mic Night STEVE’S BAR David Sofield SWAN LOUNGE & BASEMENT Perth Sound & Found Darren Guthrie Paradise Motor Inn Waynewright P Is For Pumpernickel Kites Remember The South We Stand As Heroes The Fall Of Man SWINGING PIG Greg Carter Tandem THE BOAT The Organ Grinders THE GATE Dirty Scoundrels THE SAINT Hans Fiance Duo THE SHED Huge UNIVERSAL Soul Corporation WHALE & ALE Urban X YA-YA’S (EVE) SASS

SUNDAY 25.11 7TH AVENUE Good Karma AMPLIFIER Dark Funeral

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Friday Friday Travis Caudle Travis Caudle Tyto Kings, Saturday Fly ByBakery Night By Night atFly The BALMORAL Dove Chasing Calee BELMONT TAVERN Acoustic Aly BREAKERS BAR Ben Witt BRIGHTON Spectacle BROKEN HILL HOTEL Nathan Gaunt BROOKLANDS TAVERN Stu Harcourt CAPTAIN STIRLING Jamie Powers CARINE Wesley Goodlet Jamboree Scouts CLANCY’S DUNSBOROUGH Rastarix CLANCY’S FREMANTLE The Zydecats CLAREMONT HOTEL Sunday Driver COMO HOTEL Adrian Wilson ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Daren Reid & The Soul City Groove ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Masina Miller EMPIRE CB3 FLY TRAP Stage Fright FREMANTLE ARTS CENTRE Grace Barbe Shangara Jive Choppa Crucial Charlie Bucket GEISHA Axe Girl Kill Teen Angst Lucille Two Pound Pocket Rocket Luke Dux Johnny Ajax GROOVE BAR (CROWN) Decoy HIGH ROAD HOTEL Glen Davies HIGH WYCOMBE HOTEL The Organ Grinders INDI BAR Andrew Winton INDIAN OCEAN BREW CO Retrofit KALAMUNDA HOTEL Christian Thompson KULCHA The Swing Set LAST DROP TAVERN Domenic Zurzolo M ON THE POINT A Bit On The Side MOJOS BAR (ARVO) Tomas Ford Axe & Ness The Lunettes Claire Nina Norelli Yaegar & Pauline DJ Tyranny MOJOS BAR (EVE) Caravana Sun Jake & The Cowboys Joel Barker MUSTANG BAR Peter Busher & The Lone Rangers NEWPORT Tim Nelson Opia Bellusira Copious NORTHLANDS TAVERN Chris Gibbs PADDY MALONE’S Gary Fowlie PEEL ALEHOUSE Pat Nicholson

Grace Barbe, Sunday at Fremantle Arts Centre

PIG & WHISTLE One Trick Phonies PINK DUCK LOUNGE BAR Kevin Conway PORT KENNEDY TAVERN Helen Shanahan PRINCIPAL Kate Gilbertson QUEENS TAVERN Mister & Sunbird RAILWAY HOTEL The Georgians Oh White Mare Black Ink Red Roads Riley Pearce ROSEY O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Bill Chidgzey Neil Colliss SAIL & ANCHOR Mike Nayar SOUTH ST ALE HOUSE Anthony Nieves SOVEREIGN ARMS Ivan Ribic SPRINGS TAVERN Leighton Keepa SWAN BASEMENT Parker Avenue Blackjack Guns Of August A Martyr’s New Pitch SWINGING PIG Darren Gibbs Matt Angel THE GATE Better Days Greg Carter THE SAINT Howie Morgan Trio THE SHED James Wilson UNIVERSAL Retriofit VICTORIA PARK HOTEL Damien Cripps WANNEROO TAVERN Eddie McMellow WILD FIG Julius Lutero WOODVALE TAVERN Free Radicals XWRAY CAFÉ The Charisma Brothers YA-YA’S Grand Final Jamin Comp

MONDAY 26.11 BRASS MONKEY James Wilson ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Chamber Jam

GROOVE BAR (CROWN CASINO) Courtney Murphy Duo MOJOS BAR Wide Open Mic Night MUNDARING HOTEL Tandem MUSTANG BAR Marco & The Alley Cats THE DEEN Plastic Max & The Token Gesture WOODVALE TAVERN Damien Cripps YA YA’S Open Mic Night

TUESDAY 27.11 CIVIC HOTEL (THE DEN) Ten Foot Pole Burning Fiction FAIM Blindspot ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Togo GROOVE BAR (CROWN) Courtney Murphy LUCKY SHAG Ben Merito MERIDIAN ROOM (CROWN) John Sandosham MERRIWA TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke MOJOS BAR Fliptop Hyte Sexy Robot The Cinnamon Collective MUSTANG BAR Danza Loca PADDO Simon Kelly PRINCE OF WALES Open Mic Night SETTLERS TAVERN Open Mic Night THE BROOK Greg Carter Karaoke TWO ROCKS TAVERN Jump For Joy Karaoke YA-YA’S The Measure The Dark Rooms Burst & Bloom Dry Dry River

Loose Unit

LOOSE UNIT THE SIREN TOWER WILL STOKER AND THE EMBERS R.I.S.E

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24 AMPLIFIER

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Bellusira

BELLUSIRA Armed And Dangerous

Bellusira are heading West for the first time ever, for two shows at Beat Nightclub on Friday, November 23, and The Newport on Sunday, November 25. BOB GORDON reports.

Passionate Melbourne rockers Bellusira have made quite a name for themselves on the East Coast in recent times – tearing up the live scene and sharing stages with the likes of The Misfits and Dead Letter Circus.

Bellusira is a fusion of two Latin words, ‘beautiful’ and ‘anger’. It says a lot about the band itself.

“The band reflects the name a lot,” says drummer, Jimmy Mileto. “Our music can be quite aggressive and intense derived from our own frustrations and anger towards the world at times, but Crystal’s sweet melodies and lyrics along with our dynamics and occasional sensitivity brings out that ‘beautiful’ dynamic.”

Bellusira formed from the ashes of a previous band, Fallacy, which featured vocalist, Crystal Ignite, and bass player, Mark Dalbeth. It was simply time for another path.

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“Fallacy was more about healing for me,” says Ignite, “it helped me get through a really tough period of my life. After that band ended I guess I was ready to share a more positive vibe and connect to people in a more positive and uplifting way.”

Along with guitarist, Vinny Mancuso [formerly of Melbourne underground outfit, Freestate] Bellusira have a full-length album on the way and a teaser single, Culprit, just released. 2013 is looking to be a big one for the band and Mileto says the sound of the forthcoming album reflects much of what they have been through thus far.

“Our music can be quite aggressive and intense, derived from our own frustrations and anger towards the world at times, but Crystal’s sweet melodies and lyrics along with our dynamics and occasional sensitivity brings out that ‘beautiful’ dynamic.”

“We are all very excited about this,” he enthuses. “We have worked hard, taken risks, gone back and forth and are very happy with how the album is turning out so far. I guess it evokes hard work, inspiration and good vibes.

“We plan to tour quite a lot next year around Australia for sure, but we are also looking at heading overseas. So fingers crossed we can get there sometime next year.”

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

MUSIC GEAR & TECHNOLOGY GUIDE: ISSUE 27, NOVEMBER 2012 MUSIC GEAR & TECHNOLOGY GUIDE

THE HOLDING PATTERN Your Tunes The Holding Pattern CEO and Founder Nick Arnold

Allowing musicians to digitally sell their work while also collecting licensing revenue and, perhaps most importantly, retaining control over the destiny of their music, The Holding Pattern might just be the future of independent musicians. JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD gets the lowdown from CEO and founder Nick Arnold.

Having waded through the uncertain waters of the music industry for the last 15 years, Nick Arnold knows a thing or two about the industry.

“I’ve been a musician for the last 15 years and I’ve been signed to EMI publishing in LA also as a film composer for the last 10 years, so I’ve written music for a bunch of films and TV, and I found I had a lot of music left over – on the shelf so to speak – and wasn’t doing anything with it,” he explains. “I thought, if I was just one in a hundred thousand in this country or more, I would imagine that’s a lot of music people aren’t getting their hands on, aren’t discovering or aren’t getting exposed to.”

After ruminating on this thought for several months, the proactive musician eventually came up with the idea for brand new Australianowned online market place for independent and emerging artists to promote, license and sell music.

“It’s a brand new music platform that brings together independent artists, creatives and fans under the one umbrella,” Arnold explains.

“What we’re trying to do is bring together, for the first time, the creatives and the production companies looking to source music from film, radio and public broadcast and also providing that community exposure for independent artists

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to raise their profile; and within that creating a really clean innovative music platform for people to find new music they would never have heard of before. I wanted to create this platform that would be easy to use, that musicians could choose at what price to sell their music – they earn 80 per cent of all their sales – and also that music fans get to discover this new music through a cool, innovative search engine.”

Although the platform is currently exclusively digital, Arnold is keen to diversify and incorporate hard-copy publishing in future years. “We definitely want to go down the road of encapsulating all types of publishing. I’m a big vinyl fan myself, but right now we’re still a fledgling company so to speak, and want I want to do is to make sure that all music isn’t lost. If you are a hard copy fan and you still love looking through looking lyric sheets and smelling the paper and looking at the artwork, the beautiful romance that’s there when you listen to the music, that’s still going to be brought in, in coming months.

The next part of what is going to happen is going to be incorporating that creative side and bringing the illustrators and artists to pitch their work to bands that might need artwork for an album, single or for merchandise. We’re trying to incorporate that all into the digital world we all live in now.”

While the functionality of The Holding Pattern has been drawing comparisons with iTunes and Spotify, Arnold is keen to point out The Holding Pattern is an entirely different beast, particularly when it comes to the service offered to musicians.

“What we listen to through platforms or iTunes, that’s about five to 10 per cent of music that’s out there. I’m not trying to be anti-anyone it’s just that there’s simply more music out there. Also, more importantly, it’s for the artists to not get lost in large libraries of music like iTunes and Spotify and hoping to get found. Independent artists, what they need the most is obviously promotion and, without being too obvious, cash as well – but it’s through exposure that you get cash.

As Arnold attests, The Holding Pattern also offers music lovers an alternative way to discover what might be their new favourite band through an easy-touse visual search engine.

“It helps people walk through a 3D world of floating genres and helps you educate the user in terms of what else is out there – so if you like rock you might like indie rock, if you like indie rock you might like blues. It’s this visual kind of rabbit hole, never coming to an end,” he explains. “I’m just trying to offer a viable alternative for users to find and explore

new music. What I’m trying to do is create this independent community where you’ll find it’s truly independent and new and it’s probably something you haven’t heard before. Whether you like rock or you like jazz or you like hip hop, you’re going to find something in The Holding Pattern you love and that’s kind of exciting for a music lover as well as it is for an artist.”

Having recently caught the eye of UK distributor Ditto Music and renowned music distributor MGM, it’s not hard to predict the buzz surrounding The Holding Pattern is only going to get bigger.

“We’re so stoked to have MGM on board because not only are they really nice guys but because they’ve also been stalwarts of Australian independent music. It’s a really massive coup for us because MGM are the biggest independent Australian music distributor and for them to support us and endorse us is massive. I think can see that too and understand what we’re trying to do. Unfortunately the state of the music industry at the moment is such that a lot of platforms out there are just going to the top of the cake rather than getting to the nice juicy part of the cake.” _JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

NEWS NEW MUSIC MINI SERIES

The New Music Network is calling for proposal for the 2013 New Music Mini Series. The Series comprises artists and ensembles of ‘the next generation’ within the contemporary art music practice. Genres considered for the Series include: electronic, improvisatorial or composed musics. Proposals will only be accepted for events held in Australia. The benefits of the project includes profile building, marketing and audience development support and from the critical context of presenting alongside more established member groups in an annual program. For full information and to lodge your proposal visit newmusicnetwork.com.au.

Native Instruments Guitar Rig 5 Pro

FREE NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GUITAR RIG 5 PRO

Starting up a studio? Want quality sound for a crazy low price? Enjoy free stuff? The fine folks from the DJ Factory are here to satisfy. All you have to do is purchase Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 premium studio audio interface before Monday, December 31, and you can get yourself a copy of Native Instruments Guitar Rig 5 Pro for free from the Native Instruments website upon registration. Easy.

This offer is valid until Monday, December 31,or until stock runs out. Contact The DJ Factory friendly staff on (08) 9228 1911 for more details.

MUSIC GEAR & TECHNOLOGY GUIDE

ROCKSMITH ALT-ROCK DLC TOUR FUNDING Music video game Rocksmith has received new downloadable songs with the Alternative Rock DLC pack. The pack features 15 tracks from bands including 3 Doors Down, The Black Keys, The Offspring, Pearl Jam, Rush and Vampire Weekend. Ubisoft also has a metal-themed DLC pack planned for December. For more information visit rocksmith.com.

MONSTER CLARITY HD

Monster Clarity H D ’s s t u n n i n g, high performance Model One speakers will soon be available in bronze and silver, accompanying the strik ing red and yellow already available. The Clarity HD Model One is the first of its kind to combine power ful audio performance with total user simplicity and all the connectivity features you could wish for. The Model One enhances Monster the quality of music playback, Clarity HD delivering audio performance that Silver many would not believe possible from such compact speakers. To top it off, the all-in-one system can fit neatly in a room of any size.

The bronze and silver models will be available from Saturday, December 1, at Harvey Norman for $999.

For further information on Monster’s Clarity HD range, more information can be found at ehifi.com.

Got some killer tunes you want to play in every nook and cranny of our fine country? Well funding packages are now open for the Contemporary Music Touring Program which supports national touring by musicians performing original contemporary music. It provides travel support of up to $15,000 for artists and their manager undertaking tours within Australia. Tours to remote and very remote destinations are a high priority and additional funding above the $15,000 funding cap can be sought. Applications close on Monday, December 3, with decisions advised in February 2013. Click over to australiacouncil.gov.au/grant for full details.

WAM MUSIC INDUSTRY SUNDOWNER

If you have an album, EP or single ready and are wondering how to service it to community radios across Australia, then you won’t want to miss the last WAM Music Industry Sundowner of the year. On Monday, November 26, at The Rosemount Hotel, an all star panel comprised of Adam Trainer (RTRFM), Chris Johnson (AMRAP) and Glenn Dyson (Prime Cuts Music) will spill the beans on this topic and much more. Entry is free for WAM members who register before 10am on Monday, November 26, or $5 for non-members or unregistered members on the door.

APRA PDAS

Applications for the 2013 APRA Professional Development Awards (PDAs) have opened, with over $240,000 to be allocated to eight winners from categories as diverse as country, jazz, popular contemporary, classical and more. The PDAs offer cash, travel, education and recognition to music writers in the early stages of their careers. Previous winners include the likes of local songstress Abbe May and international sensation Gotye. For further enquiries email pda@apra.com.au, call (02) 9935 7788, or click on over to apra-amcos.com.au.

LISTEN UP Making a short list of the best headphones is a difficult proposition. There are loads of options, and no matter how carefully you choose, someone is bound to come along and point out an obvious omission. Truthfully though, we’re glad there are so many great headphone options these days. In a well-saturated market, the consumer usually wins; but where do you start looking? JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD takes a look at four new performers on the market.

Abbe May

RTRFM’s Adam Trainer

MOTÖRHEADPHÖNES

For years the megastars of hip hop - Dr Dre, Ludacris, RZA and 50 Cent - have stuck their celebrity bling brands on various audio ear warmers, but now one of the biggest heavy rock bands has jumped on the bandwagon.

That’s right, from ‘the Iron Fist Over-Ear loudest band in the world’ Motörheadphönes come the Motörheadphönes.

Manufactured by Swedish audio brand Krusell there is a whole range of Motörheadphönes, including the padded over-ear Motörizer (promising “smooth warm bass, bombastic drums and clear mid-range plus distinct high end”); Iron Fist (“they pack the bass without losing the clear mid-range and distinct high frequencies”); and lighter-weight Bomber (“big guitars, fat drums and rumbling bass”) models.

The in-ear series features the Overkill and Trigger models – each available in leather-jacket black, deaths-head silver, and guitar-plug brass colours. If that wasn’t enough, there’s also a series of phone cases on offer. Check out the full Motörheadphönes range at motorheadphones.com. A selection of Motörheadphönes headphones are also stocked through Headphonic.

MONSTER DNA HEADPHONES

After their divorce from Beats Audio in early 2012, Monster has teamed up with Viacom to make and market their DNA headphones, a set of on-ear cans bathed in style and slightly better audio than its predecessors. Made from premium materials and available in two stylish colours - blue and teal - the Monster DNA looks are specifically designed to give a high quality finish. And with their pillow-soft, advanced Monster DNA noise isolating cushions Headphones in Blue and lightness for overall better ear comfort, DNA Headphones lock in sound so that you can listen for hours without distraction.

The DNA headphones are available exclusively at Harvey Norman stores for $249. For full specs and details hit up monstercable.com/headphones. www.xpressmag.com.au

Audiofly AF45 headphones

AUDIOFLY HEADPHONES

In 2012 the new name for premium headphones is Audiofly. With four in-ear headphone products – the AF33, AF45, AF56 and AF78 – of varying specs and prices available for discriminating music lovers and musicians. With custom voiced drivers, Cordura fabric cables, hybrid speaker configurations, clearer microphone technology and classic designs, their range is unlike anything else on the market, so much so that they were named an International CES Innovations 2013 Design and Engineering Awards nominee for their AF78s. This means they will be showcasing their products at the huge 2013 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next January. If you want more information on getting back to experiencing the true sound of music, visit the company at audiofly.com, or by calling 1300 729 359 or drop them an email at info@audiofly.com. Audiofly headphones are also currently stocked through Elroy Clothing, Headphonic, Urban Records, 78 Records and more.

SOL REPUBLIC TRACK ULTRA V12 HEADPHONES

Designed to be the world’s first interchangeable and virtually indestructible headphones, SOL REPUBLIC has recently released their new range of Track Ultra V12 headphones. A stylish and premium product for music lovers who want to mix and match Sol their style, the Tracks Ultra V12 Republic Track headphones are constructed with Ultra V12 the virtually indestructible FlexTech Headphones Sound track interchangeable headbands, built to withstand heavy abuse. Other features include V12 Sound Engine speakers, engineered to deliver a high performance sound quality, comfortable ear cushions to isolate noise and a three-button remote with omni-directional cables, designed to be interchangeable with all Tracks headphones. Track Ultra V12 headphones are available at Harvey Norman and JB HiFi for $239. For full specs and details check out solrepublic.com.

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PRODUCT REVIEWS ORANGE SIGNATURE #4 JIM ROOT TERROR HEAD & CABINET Jim Root, guitarist with bands Slipknot and Stone Sour, is one of many artists currently playing Orange amps both on stage and in the studio. The Signature #4 Jim Root Terror Head is modelled after the dirty channel on the amp that Jim Root regularly plays: the Orange Rockerverb 100.

The Signature #4 Jim Root Terror Head amp is an all-valve amplifier with four stages of gain powered by two EL34 and four 12AX7 valves. In keeping with the company’s ‘less is more’ philosophy, the amp face keeps things pretty simple: volume, bass, middle, treble and gain controls provide all the variation players will need to pull a monstrous tone. The output can be switched from 7 to 15 watts.

The 7 watt setting is great for rehearsal spaces and working on tones at home. Don’t be fooled by the ‘low’ wattage, this is one incredibly powerful amplifier.

Everything a rock and metal player could ask for is right here: plenty of gain, plenty of power and effective eq controls. There’s an effects loop on the rear of the amp for players who like their effects post-gain, and either one 8-ohm or 2 16-ohm cabinets can be connected. Coupled with the matching signature 120-watt 2x12 speaker cabinet, this amp

MUSIC GEAR & TECHNOLOGY GUIDE

AQUA-PUSS MK II DELAY PEDAL Guitar effects seem to be always heading in two directions: into the future with effects that continue to test the technical boundaries of sonic possibility and into the past, longing for a time when everything was simpler and sounded ‘real’. While excellent effects can be found in either direction, the Jim Dunlop Way Huge series of effects pedals are definitely in the latter category.

The Aqua-Puss MKII Analog Delay is proudly retro, from the design and colour right through to the simple controls and of course the sound. Three control knobs provide the tonal variety; Delay alters the effect from 20ms to 300ms, Feedback alters delay duration and intensity, and Blend sets a balance between the dry and effected signal.

Orange Signature #4 Guitarists who are into more sophisticated Jim Root Terror Head & Cabinet delays will probably overlook this pedal, but is highly affordable, highly portable solution for hard players who are into vintage sounds that are easy rockers and metalheads looking to minimise space to manipulate will find a lot to like here. Dialling in a 60s-inspired freaky delay was easy and there and maximise tone.

The Orange Signature #4 Jim Root Terror is plenty of scope for generating unique, strange Head and Signature #4 Jim Root PPC212 Cabinet retail sounds. Subtlety is certainly not the strong suit with as a package for $1999. Guitar World Cannington this effects pedal, but let’s face it, why should it be? currently has the package on sale for $1699.

Sometimes more is more.

Jim Dunlop Way Huge Aqua-Puss MK II Delay Pedal The Dunlop Way Huge Aqua-Puss MKII Analog Delay retails for $299 and is currently available at Guitar World Cannington. _CHRIS GIBBS Many thanks to Guitar World Cannington for letting us review their products.

B.C. RICH JINXX PRO X BICH GUITAR

The 24 5/8 inch scale across 24 jumbo frets combined with the ebony fingerboard provide a neck that feels genuinely easy to play and mould to while the neck-through construction allows effortless access to the higher frets. The EMG 81 pickups provide an BC Rich are a guitar company that know how aggressive yet rounded growl, while the genuine to make eye-catching guitars. Throughout the Floyd Rose Original Series tremolo is well balanced company’s history, there have even been a few and easy to manipulate without sacrificing intonation. models that have rivalled more standard guitar Grover Super Rotomatic Tuners, a three-way toggle body shapes in terms of familiarity, most notably switch, individual volume controls and a master the Mockingbird and the Bich. In collaboration with tone control round out the hardware on this sleek Jinxx from Black Veil Brides, BC Rich have recently instrument. It’s a guitar that sounds as great as it released the Jinxx Pro X Bich. looks, finished of with Black Veil Brides fret inlays and Impressively – and at odds with the body super-cool black and white stripes on the mahogany shape – this is a really comfortable guitar to play. The body. I didn’t want to put this one down! issue of balance with oddly-shaped guitars can put The B.C. Rich Jinxx Pro X Bich retails for some players off; this guitar sits perfectly against the $1499. Guitar World Cannington have this guitar on player and invites immediate fretboard exploration. sale for $1349.

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B.C. Rich Jinxx Pro X Bich Guitar

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

MUSIC GEAR & TECHNOLOGY GUIDE

FOR HIRE METALLICA TRIBUTE BAND 4horsemen for parties or venues. All enquiries ph Dave 0406 867 661.

FOR SALE AUDIOFLY HEADPHONES Designed in Perth by a small team, unique headphones to capture every detail in your favourite music www.audiofly.com MUSOS WANTED BASS PLAYER & DRUMMER WANTED Exp Guitarist (33) with gd gear looking 4 bass & drums to form Hard Rock band Ph: 0410596418.

BASS PLAYER & DRUMMER WANTED To complete original band for WAMI nominee, Rochelle O’Reilly. R&B/Jazz/ Groove, tons of room for original flavour.

Contact Rochelle: 0438 345 354.

METAL BAND SEEKS GUITARIST Inf inc Sepultura, Slayer, Fear Factory, Chimaira, Machine Head, Hate Breed & more. Send txt to 0422 442 368.

OPEN MIC NIGHT Every Thursday 8.3012 at Moondyne Joes. Steinway piano, good sound & friendly atmosphere. Call Mark 0409 137 850.

OPEN MIC NIGHT every Thursday night at Indi Bar. Just call Bex on 0404 917 632.

OPEN MIC NIGHT Every Tuesday night at the Craigie Tavern 8-11pm. Call Corey for bookings 0431 448 235 SWISS SHEPHERD Seeks Rhythm/Lead Guitarist for expandable project, Contact Cam on 0407 073 729. www.facebook. com/swissshepherd PHOTOGRAPHY

PROJECT PHOTOGRAPHY Promo 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. a u w w w. n i g h t s t a r l i g h t i n g a u d i o. co m . a u w w w. i n s t a n d t . co m . a u w w w. i n s t a n d t . c o m . a u 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 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

GOLDDUSTCONSTRUCTION.COM Production, mixing, recording and composition for your music. Unique award winning skills to take songs from ideas to finished mixes or to fulfill the potential in existing ones.

Located in Subiaco. $60 p/h. Andrew 0408 097 407 MIDAS TOUCH STUDIOS Recording, Mixing, and Mastering. We get your band heard. Call Anthony 0435 113 654 www.MidasTouchStudios.com.au POONS HEAD MASTERING Analog mastering at its best. Clients include Mink Mussel Creek, Jeff Martin, The Panics, Pond + The Floors. World class facility. World class results. www. poonshead.com 9339 47 91 RECORDING MIXING MASTERING PRODUCING Fremantle location. Call Pete Kitchen Cooked Records. Ph 0407 363 764 / 9336 3764 REVOLVER SOUND STUDIO Ph 9272 7505. www.revolverstudio.com.au SONGWRITERS! - UNLOCK YOUR SONGS’ POTENTIAL +FREE BAND APPRAISALS. UK Producer, 40,000+ hours studio experience. 20 yrs in London with bands and songwriters.

Kicking arrangements, great studio and the ability to really listen will give your material the edge you need. Call Jerry on 0405 653 338 or visit www. jerichomusic.com.au THE SOUND FACTORY 16 & 24 track tape + protools Best of old school & modern technology thesoundfactory@rockstar.org.au

ROCK SCHOLARS From The Garage To Greatness

Music, friendship, local spirit and young talent will be celebrated at The Bakery next month as Rock Scholars takes to the stage on Sunday, December 9, for their inaugural Festivus 2012. JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD learnt more about Perth’s leading contemporary music teaching and learning facility from founder and managing director Emily Urquhart.

REHEARSAL STUDIOS AAA VHS REHEARSAL ROOMS Great facilities, great vibe & great price!!!

Unit 5 /16 Peel Road, O’Connor. Phone 9418 5815 or 0413 732 885 BIGBEAT SOUND STUDIO Clean rooms, all new PA systems, air-con and good parking . Willetton Ph: 0425 698 117.

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Rock Scholars as a means of teaching young players more of the industry based skills to do with playing in a band. Unlike a conventional label, we provide education and training for bands as well as the regular services (management, bookings, publicity etc). It’s designed to bridge the gap between bands leaving school and entering the local music industry. The label’s run by a committee of Rock Scholars students and staff.

Why do you think it is important for young musicians to have an outlet to be creative?

I think of creativity as a way of functioning rather than a skill. Creative people seem to have different ways of perceiving the world and reacting to it and they experience different patterns of feelings and energy. They have a compulsion to put ideas and material into the world but young people sometimes struggle to manage this.

It takes time to learn how to manage your creativity. I think the best thing is to be able to Tell us a little bit about the Rock Scholars ethos?

Well, our ethos is really centred on the idea connect with other creative people. It’s validating of authenticity – in the relationships we have with the and empowering. We provide a safe and nurturing students and they have with each other and also in environment where students can explore ideas the experiences we provide for them. We use music as and benefit from the knowledge and support of a vehicle for connecting people, building confidence, experienced mentors. It keeps them engaged, focused teaching skills and helping young people to discover and connected. themselves. We try and make the experience of playing in a band at Rock Scholars as real and useful and fun as What can people expect from the inaugural Rock Scholars Festivus? possible!

Well, we’ve got 23 bands now and we just What have been some of the highlights of 2012 wanted to celebrate all the good that has been put into Rock Scholars over the past few years to get it to this so far?

This year we’ve started our own record point. Also, we want to show Perth how good the next label, Extended Play Records, and our own small all generation of players is! They can expect a chilled out ages gig venue, The Garage. We’ve also constructed family style vibe, some amazing young bands (nine in a demo room and are preparing for the construction total) and lots of fun! If they don’t already play in bands, of a studio. Actually, one of the highlights of this year they can expect to want to do this by the end of the has been watching our staff members grow in their day! It’s inspiring stuff. confidence, commitment and enthusiasm. They have come together as a tightly knit team that really believes What has Rock Scholars got planned for 2013?

We’ve always got things in the pipeline but in what we do. I’m so proud of them and the way they next year it’ll really be revolving around our studio mentor the bands. and more industry based events. We’re planning some ‘Meet The Band’ sessions with local bands, more all ages Tell us a little bit about Extended Play Records…

Extended Play Records was started really gigs, recording and launches at The Garage and a Rock Scholars camp!

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays