** PERTH COMEDY EDITION 33,560 OCTOBER 2012 MARCH 2013 - AUSTRALIA’S HIGHEST CIRCULATING STREET PRESS
DIZZEE RASCAL
STEVE HUGHES
RAGDOLL
52 TUESDAYS
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MAKE A SPLASH The Big Splash band competition kicks off in June, which means that you’ve only got until Friday, May 16, to enter your band, presuming you indeed have one. Entrants have the chance to play at some of the best live venues in WA, build their profile and compete for $10,000. It’s the second year for the competition and a new Naming Rights sponsor is soon to be announced. Last year’s winner, Scalphunter, have gone from strength-to-strength since they took out the inaugural competition. Entry forms are available at The Big Splash website, bigsplashbandcomp.com.
LOCAL NEWS
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GLOBAL NEWS
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE FOXX OF THE NORTH
A TASTE OF SOUL
HEY CITIZEN
Northern Blues N’ Roots WA is hosting its first international act this Thursday, May 1, at its monthly gig at The Northshore Tavern in Hillarys. Expect a night of rockabilly blues and plenty of jive and rock’n’roll dancing, with California’s Amber Foxx & The Pistol Packin’ Daddies. Music gets underway at 7 pm with On The Level, with The Kniki & Mike Beale Project launching their self-titled CD to close proceedings. Full details at northernbluesnrootswa.net.
Randa And The Soul Kingdom are headlining the Taste Of Perth festival this Saturday, May 3. The band will hit the stage from 7.30–9.30pm for two hours of funk goodness to help you dance off all those lovely food and beverages. Taste Of Perth celebrates out city’s unique and progressive dining scene from Friday-Sunday, May 2-4, at Langley Park. For full details head to tasteofperth.com.au.
After spending 2014 thus far, no doubt, raising a glass or two, Citizen Kay is set to kick off The Manage Tour this weekend in Perth. Manage is his third single and Kay has played live sets and support slots including Falls Festival, Wiz Khalifa, Earl Sweatshirt & Danny Brown and Public Enemy over the last six months alone. Joined by Tkay Maidza, Citizen Kay hits Amplifier this Saturday, May 3, and the Newport Hotel this Sunday, May 4. Tickets available via oztix.com.au.
Randa K, Taste Of Perth Pic: David Woolley Amber Foxx, Northern Blues N’ Roots WA
Citizen Kay
Scalphunter, winners of The Big Splash 2013 Pic: Rachael Barrett
DO SOME GOOD Cancer No Bueno is a fundraiser in support of the Leukaemia Foundation, set to be a fun-filled night jam packed with auctions, raffles and plenty of entertainment, with a performance by The Fit Swimmers and local DJs/party starters Benji and El Cee. Cancer No Bueno happens on Friday, June 20, from 7pm–12am in The Willow Room at The WACA (Nelson Crescent, East Perth). Tickets are $75 (plus booking fee) from oxtix.com.au.
HELLO SPRINGFIELD!
A DATE WITH FOR THE STATE Now in its third year as part of the WA Day long weekend, the State Of The Art festival will once again showcase established and emerging artists from WA, across four stages with some 34 acts. All within and around the Perth Cultural Centre, the all-day event will feature Drapht, Eskimo Joe, San Cisco, The Stems (featuring Dom Mariani, Julian Matthews, Dave Shaw and Ashley Naylor), Optamus, The Blackeyed Susans, The Kill Devil Hills, Kim Salmon, Split Seconds, Bitter Belief, Felicity Groom, Sable, The Floors, Mathas, Kučka, Slumberjack, Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse, Ruby Boots, Simone & Girlfunkle, Gunns, Axe Girl, Pat Chow and Indigo, plus Kevin Parker (Tame Impala) DJ Set and more to be announced. There’ll also be live visual art, pop-up acoustic performances and a food truck market. State Of The Art happens on Saturday, May 31. Tickets are $35 (plus booking fee), head to sotafest. com.au for more details.
Last seen in Perth in 2007 at the Countdown Spectacular, Grammy Award-winning Australian music icon, Rick Springfield, has announced an Australian tour in October. From his days in Zoot in the late ‘60s, through to his ‘80s hits (Jesse’s Girl, Don’t Talk To Strangers) and numerous acting roles and constant touring in the US ever since, it’s been rare for Australian audiences to watch him perform. As such, Springfield opens his Australian tour at Crown Theatre on Tuesday, October 7. Bookings can be made via ticketek.com.au (132 849).
San Cisco Pic: Michael Wylie
Rick Springfield
APES IN MAY East Coast rockers The Sweet Apes return to Perth this weekend in the lead up to an EP release in the next few months. The band were here last year to support The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and impressed with a unique blend of rock vocals from frontwoman Ray Vavasis as well as their hardcore rhythm section. Catch them at Avastera’s EP Launch this Friday, May 2, at Villa, along with Masketta Fall, I, Said The Sparrow and Finders; Saturday, May 3, at YMCA HQ (doors open 1pm) with Masketta Fall, Roswell and Paper Plains, and Sunday, May 4, for the May The Fourth Be With You International Star Wars Day gig at the Civic Hotel Backroom with Vice Versa, Lowlight, Roswell and Alex The Kid.
HOMELESS FOR A NIGHT This Saturday, May 3, at Ascot Raceway, Homeless For A Night, Perth’s largest community sleepout, will take place to raise money for Manna’s Hot n’ Healthy Meals, a program that feeds the homeless six nights a week. Manna is a volunteer operated charity that helps to feed, clothe and support Western Australians in need. The number of meals handed out is continuing to grow which puts a great pressure on their budget. This is a way for everyone to help. The Spirit Of The Street Choir will perform and share their stories, as will as Phil Walley Stack. Senior citizens through to school-age kids have already enlisted to do their part for the less fortunate and you can too by registering at mycause.com.au/events/ homelessforanight. Gates open at 6pm on Saturday and the event finishes at 7am, Sunday, May 4. The target is to raise enough funds for 10,000 meals for those in need. Phil Walley Stack will perform at Homeless For A Night
The Sweet Apes
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EDITORIAL - 9213 2888 MANAGING EDITOR Bob Gordon: editor@xpressmag.com.au FEATURES & DANCE MUSIC EDITOR Merran Reed: featuresed@xpressmag.com.au LOCAL MUSIC & ARTS EDITOR Travis Johnson: localmusicarts@xpressmag.com.au GIG & EVENT GUIDES CO-ORDINATOR guide@xpressmag.com.au COMPETITIONS win@xpressmag.com.au For band gigs and launches - plugyourgig@xpressmag.com.au PHOTOGRAPHY Rachael Barrett, Guang-Hui Chuan, Daniel Craig, Brandon D’Silva, Max Fairclough, Daniel Grant, Sammy Granville, Matt Jelonek, Emma Mackenzie, Callum Ponton, Denis Radacic, Bohdan Warchomij, Michael Wylie CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Leah Blankendaal, Nina Bertok, Aaron Bryans, Joe Cassidy, Hayley Davis, Chris Gibbs, Alfred Gorman, Shaun Cowe, Predrag Delibasich, Jayde Ferguson, George Green, Alex Griffin, James Hanlon, Chris Havercroft, Joshua Hayes, Brendan Holben, Coral Huckstep, Ellie Hutchinson, Tom Kitson, Charlie Lewis, Daisy Lythe, Troy Mutton, Andrew Nelson, David O’Connell, Shane Pinnegar, Jessica Willoughby, Sean McEwan, Josie Clough
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE FADING GIGOLO? It’s Midnight Cowboy meets Broadway Danny Rose in this comedy from John Turturro. In a scheme to make money, a man who owns a book store convinces his friend that a fortune could be made by becoming a professional gigolo. A whip smart comedy written, directed by and starring John Turturro (O Brother, Where Art Thou?) and an all-star ensemble cast including the one and only Woody Allen. Email win@ xpressmag.com.au to bag a double pass. Woody Allen and John Turturro
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WIN: A COMEDY TOUR OF PERTH After a sold out season at FringeWorld and a comedy award nomination, Hidden deTours is proud to present A Hidden Detour of Perth with Famous Sharron at the Perth International Comedy Festival in May. Twelve lucky passengers join tour guide extraordinaire Famous Sharron on-board the Hidden deTours coach as she exposes the secrets and scandals, facts and funnies of the past and present, through the city streets of Perth and Northbridge. Email win@xpressmag.com.au to win a double pass to opening night, Thursday, May 1. Famous Sharron
HEALING HANDS Healing is a powerful, moving story of redemption, the discovery of hope and the healing of the spirit - in the most unlikely place, for the most unique men, through the most unusual catalyst. It follows Viktor Khadem (Don Hany), a man who has been sentenced to a low security prison farm, where he meets a case worker Matt Perry (Hugo Weaving) with a unique rehabilitation program. Email win@ xpressmag.com.au to win a double pass.
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YOUR PARADISE Last Paradise uses the world’s most exciting adventures to address the Earth’s most crucial issues. Through the untold story of extreme sport pioneering and 45 years of stunning original footage, veiwers are alerted to what was once “normal” for our planet and how dramatically it has changed in one lifetime. Last Paradise comes to the big screen with a special premiere and Q&A at Luna Cinemas Leederville on Friday, May 2. The screening will be introduced by special guest and celebrated Western Australian author, Tim Winton – a fan of the film for its social and environmental issues. Last Paradise
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33,560 OCTOBER 2012 MARCH 2013 - AUSTRALIA’S HIGHEST CIRCULATING STREET PRESS
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SPANISH FILM FESTIVAL Olé! The Spanish Film Festival is coming to Cinema Paradiso on May 6 until May 21, with Living Is Easy With Eyes Closed opening the event, and an after party boasting tapas, live entertainment, Estrella Beer and Torres Wine, you’d be a chump to miss this festival. Email win@xpressmag.com.au to grab passes to drink sangria and see the great films.
British India is throwing a coupla parties around the country with Coopers. Do you like beer? Do you like British India? Of course you do. If you wanna go along to this British India beer party purchase a six pack of Coopers Dark Ale and go to coopersafterdark.com.au or email win@xpressmag.com.au to grab a double pass to their party at YaYa’s, Thurday, June 5.
Living Is Easy With Eyes Closed
British India
A BRITISH INDIA BEER PARTY
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NEWS - INTERVIEWS - REVIEWS - CONTENTS
RAGDOLL Stateside Soon to jet off for their second US tour, Ragdoll play a farewell show this Friday, May 2, at Beat Nightclub with support from Emerald City, Sleepfreak and Lip Service. BOB GORDON reports. Last weekend saw Ragdoll play several shows in Esperance. This weekend sees them playing a farewell show before they set off on another US tour. These guys are committed to this at every level. “We certainly like to think so,” says guitarist, Leon Todd. “Regional tours have always been the lifeblood of the Australian music scene; people are always so enthusiastic and appreciative that we’re prepared to make the long journey. We often wonder who’s crazier, people from the Midwest of the US or from regional WA!” The trio’s last US visit was in May 2012, wherein they played two sets at the Rocklahoma festival followed by a Mid-West tour. “The last US tour was incredible with so many ups and downs,” Todd recalls. “For every negative there were a million positive things to outweigh them. We played alongside some of the world’s biggest bands in Guns N’ Roses, KORN and Alice in Chains at Oklahoma’s giant Rocklahoma festival, got caught in extreme weather events, had run-ins with dodgy booking agents and picked up some amazing support slots on the fly. All the rock’n’roll cliches and then some.” Like any good touring band, experience provides lessons that Ragdoll will take into their next US jaunt, the Rewind Your Mind tour, which will again take in Rocklahoma, a support slot for Skid Row at LA’s Whiskey A Go-Go and more dates besides. “We’ve spent a lot more time and energy in the planning stages of this tour,” Todd says. “We see the touring aspect the same way as the musical aspect; it’s a skill that can only be honed by hard work and experience. We’re fortunate enough to have had the experiences we’ve had to inform and enhance the Rewind Your Mind tour.” The band released their third EP in the Spring of 2013. The response has been...
Ragdoll
“Really positive,” Todd states. “I feel that our sound had evolved of the last few releases to the point Holy Fuck where there is a definitive ‘Ragdoll’ sound. The release of our first official music video, All I Want, in tandem with the tour has certainly broadened our fanbase, both at home and abroad.” As for a new releases, Ragdoll are taking stock for a moment given this upcoming touring opportunity. “We’ve compiled our first two EPs with some Toronto outfit Holy Fuck play the previously unreleased live songs to release in conjunction Rosemount Hotel on Thursday, May 8; with the Rewind Your Mind tour. It’s going to be very exciting to be able to offer such a wide range of our The Odd Fellow (formerly The Norfolk music on one release to new and existing fans. It gives Basement) on Friday, May 9, and us the chance to road test some new material before we Groovin The Moo at Hay Park, Bunbury, get back in the studio in the last half of the year.” After a series of line-up changes in earlier on Saturday, May 10. Keyboardist and times, the power trio-styled Ragdoll has been rockin’ it since 2011, with Ryan Rafferty on vocals/bass and general noisemaker Brian Borcherdt chats Cam Barrett on drums. The musical and personal bond to JACOB YOUNG down a crackly phone between the three is greater than ever. “You need to be tight as people to be tight line. musically,” Todd reflects. “We’re just really lucky we found each other and that we’ve got to share both a musical and a personal bond. Ryan’s farts may be the There’s not much that’s conventional about Holy Fuck. only threat! Whether it’s expressed in their choice of instruments (there are few bands making music with 35mm film synchronisers, for example) or their THEY CARE A LOT high-energy, kraut-influenced live show, the band The first Tuesday in May has been declared We Care For Nurses Night at the Perth Blues Club. And so it is that find a way of making unique and just downright fun next Tuesday, May 6, will honour those who care so much for others. electronic music without a laptop in sight. “This has been a long-held idea since I spent two weeks with my mother and nurses as we watched and After the release of their third full-length waited for the end,” PBC President Rick Steele explains. “I thought the great job nurses do is often overlooked and they, like lots of other hardworking people in our community, needed a simple pat on the back every now and then. record in 2010 and subsequent touring commitments “After all, for most people, a nurse will be present as they enter this world, and a nurse will be there in 2011, Holy Fuck have toned-down a planned hiatus at the end. A few months ago at a 60th birthday - I used to do 21sts! - I was talking to a couple of young nurses, by writing a new album, doing the odd secret show or that was the trigger, along with my recent stay in hospital, to change a push to shove and make this happen.” international festival, and having babies. For fans in search of newly recorded material, T h e s h o w n e x t Tu e s d ay f e a t u r e s P e r t h s u r g e o n D i c k B e av e r ’ s b a n d B i g Boss Beaver; Paul Daly & The Heavy Hitters (guitarist, Russell Smith’s partner is a nurse) and however, the last few years have been pretty dry. Yet with the renowned PBC House Band, whose guitarist, Marc Gordon is married to a nurse. work in progress on a new record, and an Australian tour The musical mix will be upside blues with the emphasis on fun, “and this is just the beginning,” Steele currently in progress, the Holy Fuck vehicle seems to be says. “I want to build on this and feature musicians with medical qualifications… doctors and nurses outfits are starting up again. As Borcherdt explains, the lack of recent recorded output is at least somewhat deliberate. optional!” “Last time we were on tour we were doing the Doors open 7.30pm, members $10, non-members $15 and it’s just $5 for nurses (with ID). More Harvest festival here in Australia in maybe November of details at perthbluesclub.com 2011, and I think we really came to the conclusion that we needed time to do our own thing and then work on Paul Daly & The Heavy Hitters the record properly. We’ve always made records while touring. Latin (2010) especially was a real document of a band in action, a band on the road. So, we really CONTENTS wanted to have that experience of getting into a studio and writing that way.” 4 News So how is the new material sounding, given 6 Win that the band have had more than a bit of time to play 8 Flesh around with things? 10 Music “We have a little bit more variety - I’m Peking Duk, Kevin Drew playing a lot more guitar. It may not sound like Russian Circles, Mau Power traditional guitar, but in our own way there’s guitar New Noise 13 Eye4 Cover: Steve Hughes 52 Tuesdays, Fading Gigolo Tilda Cobham-Hervey Fairbridge Festival Mercedes Benz Fashion Week What’s On: Perth Comedy 23 Salt Cover: Dizzee Rascal ‘FIRE AWAY News, Take 5, Salt Nights Out SUPER HOOPER Following the release of their critically acclaimed Rainbow Chan, Thundamentals debut album, Songs From The Debt Generation, and One of Australia’s most adored comedians, Perth’s own Club Manual more than three years on the Australian road, Perth Claire Hooper, is set to return for two special hometown Rewind: HARDSTRAYLIA indie upstarts, The Spitfires, are moving on to the UK. shows. 28 Scene The Spitfires kicked their way out of Perth After winning the Raw Comedy WA State Live: Tame Impala, Ball Park Music, in 2008 and onto the world circuit with numerous Finals in 2004, Hooper’s career fired up nationally, Moana national and international tours taking in Australia, leading her to her role as Team Captain on Network Local Scene: Patient Little Sister Japan and the UK. As well as becoming road warriors, TEN’s Good News Week, appearances on Rove Live, 30 Tour Trails the band gained notoriety for their offstage antics ABC TV’s The Sideshow, The Comedy Channel’s Stand which included decapitating a statue of ex-British Up! Australia and the Melbourne International Comedy Tour Tale - Lee Kernaghan Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, blowing up the Festival’s Great Debate with Stephen K. Amos and Greg 32 Gig Guide back of their house on the night of their album launch Fleet. She performs regularly at comedy venues across 34 Volume and a series of legal scraps with a commercial radio the country. The Sound Factory station. Hooper is set to headline two comedy nights The band want to have one last party next week - on Tuesday, May 6, at Rooftop Comedy at FRONT COVER: Holy Fuck play the Rosemount with all their friends and supporters and will do so The Conservatory. Tickets are $10 tickets via (08) 9481 Hotel on Thursday, May 8; The Odd Fellow on at Amplifier on Saturday, May 10, with support from 1960 or bookings@theconservatory.net.au. There’ll also Friday, May 9, and Groovin The Moo at Hay Park, I, Said the Sparrow, Mezzanine, Order Of The Black be limited door sales. Bunbury, on Saturday, May 10. Werewolf and Odlaw. You can get a free copy of Songs On Wednesday, May 7, she heads Upstairs From The Debt Generation on entry to the venue at The National Hotel, Fremantle. Tickets are also $10 SALT COVER: Dizzee Rascal is set to hit before 10.30pm or with a presale ticket available from with limited door sales Book via (08) 9335 6688 or Bunbury’s Hay Park for Groovin The Moo on the spitfires.net. bookings@nationalhotelfremantle.com.au. Saturday, May 10.
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creeping into different tracks. Going out on a limb here, I think it might be kind of heavier and noisier than some of the previous stuff.” To help fans deal with the wait, Holy Fuck have released an Australian Tour 7”, featuring two new tracks. The idea, Borcherdt says, was to give their audience a bit of a fix to make up for these few years of sonic absence. “We wanted to do that because it’s been so long since we had anything new, we wanted to be able to show something new for people,” he explains. We’ve got more time to work together as a unit and flesh out ideas in the studio. So I think it’s a bit more of a creative project for us this time around as opposed to documenting a performance.” This Australian tour sees the band play a national run of Groovin The Moo festival shows, as well as a series of sideshows, including shows in Perth and Fremantle. Asked about the differences between the two types of gig and which he prefers, Borcherdt is reluctant to pick sides. “I think we’ve been really lucky. I think the style of music we play lends itself really well to the chaos of a festival. Our festivals have been really great, have been really high energy. But then when we do have the chance to play a club show that kind of amplifies a lot of it, because now you have everyone captive and sweaty.” Once the subject of a captive audience is raised, it’s impossible not to ask Borcherdt about Holy Fuck’s experience on the recent Weezer Cruise - a five-day musical cruise from Florida to the Bahamas headlined by none other than Rivers Cuomo and friends. “If I were to tell you I went on this cruise, you would probably guess correctly at how it was - it was a lot of fun,” he laughs. “It’s a little microcosm of people that float around on the ocean. These were entirely Weezer fans, so it was a lot of couples in their mid-30s and maybe people leaving their kids at home and going to re-live their nostalgia. But it was also a great audience to play for because they were just… nice. Plus there was a water-slide and you can drink piña coladas.” Borcherdt uses this of an example of the band’s live show being perfect for drawing in crowds that perhaps might not be familiar with their recorded work. “We are lucky that we can cross over to different audiences. They weren’t there because they knew who we were, they were there because of Weezer. I feel like were invited specifically to be the party band,” Bercherdt ponders, before adding, ”and hey - that’s not a bad thing to be.”
HYAMS & CO Labelled “a successful Celtic/jazz/roots crossover” by respected UK publication fROOTS, the eighttime WAMI Award-nominated David Hyams & The Miles To Go Band will play their first show at Ellington Jazz Club on Sunday, May 4, from 6pm. The now six-piece line up includes a new addition, in-demand fiddler Charlie McCarthy (Bellville Swing, Seals). The band was on the back burner for Hyams in 2013, as he released and toured his Travelling Bones album, but 2014 sees them back in action with a string of shows, including last weekend’s Fairbridge Festival. More details at ellingtonjazz.com.au. David Hyams & The Miles To Go Band
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PEKING DUK Miami Vice Peking Duk perform at Groovin The Moo on Saturday, May 10, at Hay Park, Bunbury. BOB GORDON reports. This time last year Peking Duk - AKA Reuben Styles and Adam Hyde - were on the brink of something big. For three years they’d been hard at it working on recordings and playing shows, but in 2013 things changed. How? It started with two #1 ARIA Club Chart singles in The Way You Are and Feels Like, a bout of success that has already been complemented in 2014 by the Canberra boys topping the ARIA Singles Chart with High (featuring Nicole Millar). So things have changed in a year, though one thing remains the same. “Weirdly, our mindset was exactly the same then as it is right now,” says Reuben Styles. “Except we’re striving even harder to manage our time and go, ‘let’s put this two weeks aside to spend all day, every day in the studio and then do a two week tour’. We’re just figuring out how not to be lazy, I guess. We’re getting less and less lazy, which is good. That’s something we need to keep getting better at, being less and less lazy (laughs).” Peking Duk simply haven’t had enough time up their sleeves to get lazy, what with a raft of club performances, plus festival appearances at Falls Music & Arts Festival, Splendour In The Grass and the Big Day Out. The month of May sees them touring the country with the Groovin The Moo regional showcase. “It’s pretty exciting,” Styles enthuses. “We’re starting to play more festivals and starting to see people singing along with the words to our songs. It’s beautiful. We love playing shows as much as we love writing.” The duo are recently back from their second visit to the US, where they’re making more than just memories. “It’s incredible,” Styles laughs. “I don’t even know how to explain the feeling of being able to play a show in the States; being in a whole new country where people are still jamming out to your music and running up before the set and asking you to play this certain song they like in your set. That sort of stuff is mind-blowing.” Miami seems to be a city of infinite delight for the pair, if only for who they spot in traffic. “Last year in Miami we saw Busta Rhymes
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driving ‘round. This year, we spotted Deadmau5... actually, we recently made a song with Laidback Luke and he was a part of one of Deadmau5’s Coffee Run videos on YouTube. “Everyone’s driving around in ridiculous rental cars. People who just want to pick up springbreakers - the toolies of Miami, the old guys that go to schoolies - they save up to get these crazy, ridiculous rental cars so they can just loop the streets of Miami until a girl jumps in (laughs). They’re just ridiculous! But there are other sides to Miami that are just incredible, the shows they put on there are amazing.” Styles emphasises how important it is, that in the midst of continuing success, that Peking Duk stay anchored. The most important thing in all of this is the work that is created.
“As soon as an artist gets lazy... well. It’s the worst thing anyone can ever do, no matter what they’re doing, if it’s art or anything. That’s definitely not on the cards for us, we just want to make more and more music.” “That’s it, as soon as an artist gets lazy... well. It’s the worst thing anyone can ever do, no matter what they’re doing, if it’s art or anything. That’s definitely not on the cards for us, we just want to make more and more music.” The pair grew up in Canberra and only recently moved to Sydney for business-aligned reasons. Styles played in Rubicon, an indie rock band that had gathered momentum, but the at-the-time side project that was Peking Duk was soon to take over. “I was playing in a lot of rock bands and Adam was playing in a bunch of hip hop crews,” he says. “There was no real structure to anything, but Rubicon was a really good venture and those guys have a new project at the moment which is incredible. “I guess Peking Duk became something that made it too hard to have time for anything else. The workload just kept on picking up and picking up. Also there was a time two years ago where we just kept taking on remixes which I guess helped us learn a lot about producing, which helped us heaps with our own music. “We never really had a structure as to how we rolled it out, we just dabbled in a lot of musical projects and let each one take its own course.” Collaborations with 360, Josh Moriarty (Miami Horror), Laidback Luke and more have no doubt helped Styles see beyond old-fashioned band
politics, given each comes with a new person, angle and dynamic each time. “You take in your own mind and your own past experiences and you walk out with their mind and their past experiences,” he notes. “I think doing a lot of collaborative work has been the best way for us to grow as writers and as producers.” In the meantime, with all these hit singles piling up, a lot of folks are wondering when Peking Duk are going to drop a full album... “Ahh,” ahhs Styles. “The question that can’t be answered! We’re trying to just write lots of music
and what we’re gonna do is then look at our options. At the moment we’re just letting singles go, one at a time, but there’s certainly enough for us to be looking at an album some time in the near future. “As I say, it’s the question that can’t be answered (laughs).” As for their set at Groovin The Moo, you can expect a lot of Peking Duk. “There might be some hip hop, there might be some rock’n’roll, there might be some big, bangin’ electronic sounds,” Styles hints. “But at the end of the day, it’s just gonna be a real fun party.”
KEVIN DREW
of all those people (from Broken Social Scene) it is why I am here today. I cannot look around at something beautiful and have a child temper tantrum about it. It is difficult at the same time to try to cut through to people and say that please, if you are a Broken Social Scene fan, come over in my direction when there are 30 other records going around that say it contains members of Broken Social Scene. I remember people were saying that we were becoming more watered down because of that aspect, but I ask how can you water down the human soul. These are people that are making records and this band was a collective.” When writing and recording Darlings, Drew only had to consider his own voice and not those of the collective. It made the record considerably easier to construct and has a cohesive feel to it. Drew felt that he had nothing to lose in the making of Darlings, which made it a freeing experience, but some realities have become apparent since its release. “I have been beat up in the last couple of months due to how I thought it was going to be received and what I thought was going to happen. I am getting festivals that are offering me not even a quarter of what they had offered Broken Social Scene. People that I have done business with before are now offering me what would basically cover my lunch for the kind of operation that I am trying to put together here and you very quickly find your worth. “That is really hard and it’s taxing and quite frankly it makes me angry because I find myself starting at the bottom again. Not right at the bottom as I know that my bottom is some other person’s tops. I understand that it is all perspective and I am not a complainer about that, but for me it does come down to respect and in this music industry there is not much of that. If you are on top, you’re on top and if you aren’t you are fighting to find dollars. That is all you are doing is trying to find dollars to keep your dream alive. When you run a record label you see many people’s dreams being crushed all the time.” One of the topics covered on Darlings is Drew’s lament at what he considers the death of communication as technology changes the way that people interact. Most of the communication that Drew sees on the internet he would consider to be cold and pretty much digital fluff. He is a firm believer that if you are going to have an opinion you should have it with your eyes open and you should have it in a public forum. “If you are standing there with it you need to own it,” says Drew of opinions. “I don’t find much courage in this ‘like’ or ‘dislike’ society. I think we are judged enough and I don’t think that human beings need to start judging sentences let alone each other. There is something that closes down the human heart when you don’t know how to ask someone how their day was because you have already read about it. You need that interaction and you need the words to hit your ears. “You need to be able to run into someone in the street and not know what is going on with them and sit there and chat with them and find out what is going on with them.”
The Tops Kevin Drew could lay claim to a large portion of the success of the Canadian music scene. His band, Broken Social Scene, gave birth to Feist, Stars and Metric and his record label, Arts & Crafts, nurtures even more. CHRIS HAVERCROFT speaks to the Drew about stepping out from the safety and comfort of Broken Social Scene for his latest offering, Darlings. He is known as the brains trust behind the immeasurably successful Broken Social Scene, but Kevin Drew has dabbled in albums under his own name in the past. In 2007 he made the obtuse Spirit If… but it is Darlings that is the first fully fledged Kevin Drew record that is a truly ‘solo’ endeavour. You could be excused for wondering why Drew chose now to make another record outside of Broken Social Scene. “If you’re not judged by your own name you are not a man,” Drew offers lightly. “Darlings is all about being human. It is my take and my view on everything that I think about intimacy, passion, relationships, society, communication and connection. That is what I write about. And, I write about masturbation and hope. I know what I do and I just hope that people enjoy it and become attracted to it, or seduced by it. That’s all that I try to do.” Drew is a self-confessed drummer fanatic something he attributes to the fact that Keith Moon died on his second birthday. The staple of Broken Social Scene is the propulsive drumming of Justin Peroff, but for Darlings there is a more sparse and acoustic-based approach to the songs that differentiates it from anything that Drew has done before. “For me, I just really wanted to break free from those guys (Broken Social Scene) because we had spent so long together. We were in a business together, we were in a band together and we were in a family together and quite frankly I just wanted to get away from that for a while. There were no personal problems at all and there are no stories of hardship, but I just wanted to take my journals and not represent a huge amount of people. “You have to understand that I am Broken Social Scene. The name is out there and every time someone puts out a record there are 27 people that can share that title, but to me I very much feel like it is my heart and my lungs and everything I wrote about. It is where I put my all of my energy and all of my life into and I don’t want to be a side project of my own heart.” “I do have to honour the fact that because 10
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3.5
MAU POWER
4
OUT OF 5
OUT OF 5
Home = Heart Hailing from Easter Island, Mau Power has released his debut single, Island Home. BOB GORDON reports. Patrick Mau Power is deadly serious when he says “hip hop saved my life.” At a time when he was lost, the genre gave him focus to get his life back on track. “Throughout my life I have been through many trials and tribulations,” he notes. “Some of these moments have taken me down many dark roads. Hip hop was my outlet that gave me a purpose to continue on changing the path I was travelling on. It might sound like a cliché, but in all honesty if it wasn’t for hip hop, I would probably be incarcerated or dead. It has the power to get messages of hope and positivity to many generations especially the young.” Before hip hop, Power had already bonded with the traditional Torres Straits music of his Thursday Island home. He has now infused the music of his upbringing with the hip hop that saved him. “Music is a significant part of the Torres Strait culture,” he says. “It is one of the most important elements of documentation and of passing of history and knowledge. This is also in the case with hip hop music and culture. I was raised in an environment where music was one of the core elements of our traditional practices and cultural survival. This personal and communal expression is what music represents to me. It vital to my traditional culture and to being relevant in hip hop.” Power recently released his first single, Island Home, written by Neil Murray for the Warumpi Band and covered by Christine Anu, who is sampled on the new version. “The song, My Island Home, to me was a song created in the essence of belonging,” Power explains. “The original song was performed by the Warumpi Band, it was based on the connection that the lead singer had to his country. “The remake Christine Anu did for My Island Home is an iconic Australian classic, which is recognised around the world. Christine Anu is from the Torres Straits, and she is an inspiration to all musicians of the region, including me. This version of the song resonated well with the Torres Strait people and myself. Like the original it captures the essence of belonging to a country and place. This is what the
RUSSIAN CIRCLES Creative Differences American three-piece instrumental rock band Russian Circles forge the type of music that is typically described as brutal. CHRIS HAVERCROFT speaks to guitarist and founding member, Mike Sullivan, as the band prepares for their latest soiree down under, taking them to the Rosemount Hotel this Friday, May 2, supported by Tangled Thoughts of Leaving and Drowning Horse. Russian Circles play sprawling tunes that veer from heavy discordant metal to the soft, delicate passages with guitarist, Mike Sullivan, building sounds through layered loops of guitar and Brian Cook’s visceral bass sound. They are one of the many bands that now push the envelope of genres without calling on a vocalist to tell their stories. This did change slightly on their most recent album, Memorial, which featured a guest vocal by Chelsea Wolfe on the title track. “Our songs don’t have arrangements to them that are your traditional arrangements, but there is a tone to her vocals and an ethereal quality to her voice especially in that song,” offers Sullivan of the product of the band’s union with Wolfe. “We knew what she could do vocally and we trusted her. It was like here is 12
LIAM GERNER
GRUFF RHYS
Land Of No Roads Independent
American Interior Turnstile Music/Caroline
Australian-born country songwriter, Liam Gerner’s album, Land Of No Roads, is a reflective, biographical release, full of well-crafted Americana tunes. While it’s not accurate to call it Australian music, as Gerner’s songwriting is clearly far more influenced by his time in the US, there are a few musical references to his country of origin. Debt And Denialville is a logical introduction for listeners, as the album’s only pop song. Drummer Victor Indrizzo’s New Orleans’ feel gives the tune a strong rhythmic groove, however, it suffers from Gerner’s lack of emotional conviction, prevalent in many of the earlier track numbers. The album’s ballads, such as Say I Do, The Resurrection Of Henry Box Brown and All We Have Done, are clear-cut highlights, full of sincerity, sensitivity and an excellent control of dynamics. And while the up-tempo numbers are hitand-miss, the raucous, slurring country waltz, Son Of A Scoundrel, is a light-hearted reverie. On top of this, the distinctive dustbowl-style album art is innovative and demands a flick through.
Gruff Rhys became a music staple in the UK while leading his band of Welsh psychedelic pop benders Super Fury Animals and more recently in the electronic duo, Neon Neon. Returning to life as a solo artist, Rhys chronicles the Welsh explorer John Evans, who set off to America to find the Madogwys - a tribe of Welsh speaking native Americans. The opening tracks of American Interior set the scene with the cinematic, melodic and psychedelic pop that slowly builds in a manner that Rhys has come to master over the years. The skiffle of 100 Unread Messages is a brilliant blend of Punk’s Not Dead and Benny Hill that is a perfect backdrop for an American exploration. American Interior is anything but half-arsed with Rhys offering an approach to his music that is more layered than a Sara Lee dessert. Lost Tribes is light on words but big on harmony, as Rhys travels much territory throughout the album with only a brief dalliance into his native Welsh tongue. American Interior is a solid retracing of the steps of John Evans which would have some curiosity value for historians, but regardless of the back story, it is as diverse and solid a release as Rhys has put his hand to since Super Fury Animals heyday.
SHAUN COWE
3
song has meant for many Australians over the years.” Island Home is the first taste of Power’s forthcoming debut album, The Show Will Go On. “I wanted to create a piece of music that represents the development of the life of Mau Power,” he explains. “It connects my story of survival and connection of two cultures, hip hop and Indigenous Australian culture, in particular Torres Strait culture. “Each track is autobiographical to an extent, however it’s written so it can be identified with by anybody who has lived a little and who listens to lyrics and real life music. It was inspired by life stories of people around me, watching my community grow, learning from elders and my own personal journey into manhood.” In respect to some Indigenous cultures in Australia, the lead singer of Warumpi Band was not named in this piece, as some cultures cannot speak the name of those who have passed on.
the song, do what you do. We sent her the demo and within a couple of hours she came back with recorded vocals and lyrics and all that already. The final album track wasn’t that different to the original vocal line. She had some ideas right away and just went with that. I was impressed. We will usually sit there and talk about each part of the song and obsess over it and over-think and over-edit and change stuff. She just laid down the vocals and that was that.” With the experiment of vocals through the collaboration with Wolfe breaking new ground for the band after five albums, one wonders if there is a desire by the band to push the limits of what they could do with a full-time vocalist on board. It is not something that Sullivan thinks would be a consideration any time soon. “I don’t see us ruling out doing it again if we thought the track would work with vocals, but I wouldn’t say that we are definitely doing it on the next album, either. “Who knows what is around the corner? We never rule out anything. We are big fans of Chelsea and really enjoyed working with her.” The trio have found themselves on the fringes of many genres over the years but never firmly in the one camp. The sound certainly crosses over to a crowd that enjoy heavy metal without Russian Circles being a full blown metal act. There is the constant discussion around post rock, but the band won’t entertain that conversation for any length of time. “I think that we have never fit with a community of bands in any way. Each tour will be different. One tour it will be one type of band and the next tour it will be with another. We have the freedom to play to different audiences. We can move in different directions and it won’t be too off base for us. Each record is different and it wouldn’t be crazy if we did three folk songs in a row, or a few brutally heavy songs in a row. Each record we find a little more room to play with new ideas and it is never a shock to anybody in a bad way. I don’t know where we fit in exactly, but it is a good thing for us.”
OUT OF 5
CHRIS HAVERCROFT
4
OUT OF 5
EELS The Cautionary Tales of Mark Oliver Everett E Works / [PIAS] Australia This is the 11th studio album from EELS since 1996 – it’s also stripped back to the simplest and most humble sound we’ve heard from them. As the name suggests, this fEELS like the most personal album to come from lead singer, songwriter and multi-talented musician, Mark Oliver Everett, also known as E. After the long and fairly unnecessary instrumental intro of Where I’m At, Parallels sounds almost country-inspired, with E’s voice sounding more raw and huskier than ever. Lockdown is very emotional, with E’s tortured vocals again driving the momentum, along with the isolated keyboard and string backing. Agatha Chang is a simple song of regret and heartbreak, which along with the double bass, drives a dagger in the chest. A Swallow In The Heart is a bit too emotionally-forced, and loses some of the momentum previously built. The guitar is a little too simple and it lacks the string backing of the songs prior. Kindred Spirit doesn’t bring much to the table, while Gentlemen’s Choice trades guitar for piano. In both instances, E’s voice is again a little too forced to carry the emotional power intended. Mistakes Of My Youth brings the pace back, forming a breezy number that’s easy listening, and Where I’m Going finishes the album off where it began, with the harsh vocals adding a nice contrast to the full orchestra backing. It’s a nice way to end. All in all, it’s satisfying to know that one of the most consistently good acts of our generation is still churning out material of a high standard and fresh sound – but ultimately, it’s not quite up there with the best we’ve heard from EELS.
DAMON ALBARN Everyday Robots Parlophone/Warner Everyday Robots shows yet another one of Damon Albarn’s artistic personalities. Either by design or strange coincidence, the debut solo album from Albarn (not counting 2012’s Dr Dee theatrical soundtrack album) is being released in the same week in which his first major artistic statement, Blur’s Parklife, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Through a series of reinventions in the last two decades both with and without Blur, Albarn has proved himself as much more than just the ego-driven Mockney pretty boy sexing the camera with his eyes in the Girls & Boys video. While it’s by no means a sequel, the worlds of Everyday Robots and Parklife are not a million miles apart. The themes of alienation and cultural and technological change that permeated through that 1994 release return through worldlier, more mature eyes on songs such as Lonely Press Play, Photographs (You Are Taking Now) and the title track. Albarn’s voice has a warm, melancholic lethargy that lends itself beautifully to the introverted feeling that seeps through the whole album but particularly on the haunting Hollow Ponds, as well as The Selfish Giant and You And Me. Most of his contemporaries could only dream of making a work so strong this far into their career. MICHAEL HARTT
CHRIS BRIGHT
4.5 OUT OF 5
3.5 OUT OF 5
LIARS DMA’S DMA’s I Oh You Records
Mess Mute/Create/Control
None of the five tracks on DMA’s debut EP pays direct homage to one artist in particular, but the Sydney trio don’t hide the fact they’re affectionate listeners. The sheets of distorted guitar in opener Feels Like 37 recall early ’90s space rock and shoegaze. Meanwhile, Tommy O’Dell’s vocals sit bang in between Madchester and Britpop. His voice is more pleasant than Liam Gallagher’s but he borrows from Ian Brown and John Lennon in a very similar manner. Your Low offers a dose of woozy ’60s pop, featuring Kinks-like chord changes and tasty melodies reminiscent of ’80s indie. Play It Out provides some hazy, scenic psych; another avenue DMA’s are very comfortable exploring. Lead single, Delete, is a heart-on-your-sleeve acoustic number (DMA’s equivalent to Champagne Supernova or Tender, if you will). The production applies an intimate intensity that greatly suits the imploring vocals, even if the lyrics are fairly inert. That is, except for the hook line, ‘Don’t delete my baby/Don’t defeat her still’, which implicates volatile online relationships and cherished jpegs. The EP’s focal melodic aplomb, homespun production grit and well-measured array of guitar sounds warrant plenty of curiosity. However, that unique quality – the element of risk – is lacking at this stage.
The highly anticipated Mess by experimental outfit, Liars, is exactly that – a beautifully incoherent pile of sound. They say you should never judge an album by its cover art, but with a sound that is layered, colourful and grungy, this one hits the nail on the, er, head. Notorious for switching up their sound with every release, fans are never quite sure what to expect from Liars. Their last LP, WIXIW (2012) was a sharp turn towards heavy, industrial-strength electronica, and Mess picks up almost exactly where it left off. Gritty, intricate synths are pitted against dissonant falsettos, the result falling somewhere between Radiohead and Death Grips. Opening number, Mask Maker, starts with the sample, ‘Smell my socks/ Eat my face off’, which is as weird as it is wonderful. The immediately immersive Pro Anti Anti brims with a dark, pulsing rhythm and Laibach-esque vocals. Single, Mess On A Mission, is the most upbeat cut from the LP. With glitchy synths, plenty of bleeps and a catchy hook, it is as close to a dance track as Liars get. Not quite a banger, but danceable, in a robotic, industrial-disco way. Though an acquired taste, Mess is an album to get immersed in, and it only grows more and more intriguing on repeat listens.
AUGUSTUS WELBY
EMILY MILLER
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H A R D B O I L E D SH AM AN Having sold out venues all over the east coast, metal-loving madman Steven Hughes brings his new show, While It’s Still Legal, to The Astor Theatre on Saturday, May 17, as part of the Perth International Comedy Festival. We caught up with him in the middle of what appears to be a profound change in consciousness.
stoking his own internal rage-fire. It’s little wonder that the last tour left him spent and, by the sound of it, more than a little lost. “I was coming to the end of a fur year tour and I was getting exhausted. Basically what I’ve been doing for the past four months is coming down off touring for four years which led to these realisations through my own, proper, deep, psychological, spiritual exhaustedness. So these new shows in Australia are moving more towards different ideas. “I started to realise that I was getting angrier and angrier and what’s the point of projecting anger?” he asks rhetorically. “One, it doesn’t do yourself any good and I don’t think it does the ideas any good - they don’t seem to be very revolutionary ideas, to continually rally against what is instead of trying to enlighten yourself as to what you could be. I started to investigate more spiritual ideas in the sense of what this big global breakdown seems to be instead of just us vs. them - whoever ‘they’ are. So I’ve started to investigate what indigenous people have been telling us for years, which is that we’re moving into a transition of consciousness, more than likely, and you can’t keep destroying the world because you have to understand that are the world and that you are effectively killing yourself if you keep perpetuating these ideas.” So far, audiences have plugged into the new Hughes, which he admits is at least somewhat surprising. “It’s an interesting idea, trying to make comedy about this stuff because, as much as the world likes peace and love, we’re probably more excited by violence and catastrophe, because it’s far more romantic and exciting. After this tour, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I may just stop for a bit and... ponder.” And he laughs.
Steve Hughes ums. He ahs. Seconds drag on before he finally growls out an answer to the question of what he’s been up to lately: “...a whole bunch of nothing.” And he laughs. That’s not exactly true though. He’s currently performing a new show, one born out of a period of deep navel-gazing that took place after his extensive - and hugely successful, it must be noted - recent UK tour. But despite overhwelmingly positive responses from critics and audiences alike, Hughes felt that it was time for a change in focus. “I guess this is the first show where I’m moving into perhaps the realisation that continually banging on about the establishment and what they’re up to in a negative way in the world is perhaps becoming a little bit tiring.” he explains. “I think I’ve come to the epiphany of how long can you rail against the establishment before you begin to perpetuate the very thing you purport to be against.” It’s all bit Nietzschean, but Hughes has spent a very long time staring into the abyss. Since beginning his comedy career in the mid ‘90s, he’s specialised in railing against inequality, hypocrisy and injustice, tirelessly _TRAVIS JOHNSON
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ONE NIGHT IN PARADISE
FILM
Adventure documentary Last Paradise is premiering at Luna Leederville this Friday, May 2, with a special introduction by noted Western Australian author and conservationist, Tim Winton and a Q & A after the screening with director, Clive Neeson. For tickets, go to lunapalace.com.au.
O’CONNOR’S STORY CONTINUES
WHAT’S UP, WASA? Anyone in Western Australia’s burgeoning film scene who has been dragging their feet getting their entries in for the 26th annual WA Screen Awards can breathe a sigh of relief, as they’ve just been given a week’s grace. Although the original deadline was this Friday, April 30, it has now been extended to Friday, May 7. The awards themselves will be held as a yet-to-be-unveiled new venue on Monday, July 14, with the usual range of media figures, industry leaders and VIP guests in attendance. To enter your project, go to fti.asn.au.
The tragic end of maverick engineer and towering historical figure, CY O’Connor, who famously rode his horse into the sea at South Beach and shot himself in 1902, is being reimagined in a new play written by AG Evans, who also penned the biography CY O’Connor: His Life And Legacy. Taking its cues from A Matter Of Life And Death, The Trial Of CY O’Connor sees the builder of Fremantle Harbour and the Kalgoorlie Pipeline on trial in a kind of metaphysical courtroom, forced to answer the accusations levelled at him in his lifetime and beyond. Following a special one-off performance at the Fremantle Workers’ Club on Saturday, May 10, as part of the Fremantle Heritage Festival, it runs at Belmont’s Latvian Centre from Thursday, May 15, until Saturday, May 31.
A Year In A Life Directed by Sophie Hyde Starring Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Del Herbert-Jane, Mario Spate
Red Dog, 2013 WASA winner of Best Feature Film - Drama.
A RARE MEDIUM If you had his gifts, you’d already know that John Edward, world-renowned psychic and host of Crossing Over and Cross Country, is coming to Perth for one live performance only at the Riverside Theatre on Friday, November 7. This is the veteran medium’s first visit down under since 2011, so anyone with a burning need to ask Aunt Mabel where she hid the deed to the silver mine before the bank forecloses on the family home had best head to Ticketek to book a front row seat.
EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY! The inaugural Taste Of Perth food festival is on this weekend in Langley Park from Friday, May 2, until Sunday, May 4. A bold and brilliant celebration of Perth’s dining culture, the festival sees a huge range of top Perth restaurants, including Bistro Guillaume, El Publico, Print Hall, Nobu, Silks, Greenhouse and more, offering up their signature dishes for your delectation. There’ll be wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, cocktail making and more. Head over to tasteofperth. com.au for full details.
52 TUESDAYS
ACTING UP This July, acting coach Elizabeth Kemp, who counts A-lister Bradley Cooper among her stable of clients, will be presenting an acting master class, The Character Dream Workshop, at The Actors’ Hub in the Subiaco Arts Centre from, July 14 - 19. Head of the drama department at the world-famous The Actors Studio, Kemp brings a wealth of experience and knowledge with her. Her work has been lauded by pupils including Harvey Keitel and Sigrid Thornton, recently seen here in A Streetcar Named Desire. Go to actorshub.net to apply for a place. Elizabeth Kemp
The advantage of a small budget film is it gives a freedom to tell stories we rarely hear, in ways that are innovative. Setting herself a challenge, director Sophie Hyde tasks herself to film only 52 consecutive Tuesdays across one year with a cast of non professional actors. The result is an ambitious piece of storytelling examining family, gender identity and sexual orientation. 52 Tuesdays is the story of Billie (Tilda Cobham-Hervey), a 16 year old girl who’s life is thrown into confusion when her mother announces her plan to live as James (Del Herbert-Jane), part of his process of undergoing gender reassignment. To aid with this, James places Billie with her father, but agrees to set aside Tuesday afternoons to catch up with her. Forced to deal with this as well as her own blossoming sexuality, Billie is initially accepting, but it is not long before tension creeps into the relationship. Due to their non professional status, there is a rawness about the performances that serves this movie well. Del Herbert-Jane, a non-genderconforming individual themself, provides an amazing performance as James. Del inhabits the role with a sense of believability that would be difficult to get
otherwise. Through the 52 weeks there is a physical change that the character undergoes that is well reflected by the actor. Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Billie has a rather impish look about her and manages to bring a strange combination of knowingness and naivety that perfectly suits her teenage character. In dealing with themes of gender identity, sexual orientation, family and, of course, individual identity 52 Tuesdays sets itself out a Gordian knot to unravel. Although to be fair it never attempts to offer a pat solution to any issues, instead it is content merely to provide an examination of them, to pull at certain threads and to see how they are made - which in and of itself is fine. Rarely do we get to see these themes explored in such an understanding, realistic and non-sensationalised way. 52 Tuesdays comes across as refreshing and genuine. However, in her rigid adherence to her format Sophie Hyde makes her own problems. Including footage from every Tuesday shot, the running time blows out to just under two hours. As such, certain parts of the film feel a little aimless and the film overall could have been a bit tighter, but when it comes down to it you need to take the good with the bad. Without the unusual format this film might lack the quirkiness and authenticity, so it’s a worthwhile trade off. A brave and original attempt at story telling, 52 Tuesdays steps into territory we don’t often see in film. At its heart though, in its examination of family and how we create our own identity, it tells a story everyone can relate to. DAVID O’CONNELL
FILM
Tilda Cobham-Hervey in 52 Tuesdays
TILDA COBHAM-HERVEY OF SPEARS AND PRUNING HOOKS II Sue Starcken An innovative group art exhibition that sees local practitioners fashioning pieces out of discarded firearm and weapon parts, Of Spears And Pruning Hooks II is a collaboration between Edith Cowan University, the WA Police and Bright Blue - Police Commissioner’s Fund for Sick Kids. We spoke to curator Sue Starcken. “In 2011 Stuart Elliot, a significant Western Australian artist, had a conversation with Ian Boyd of the WA Police.” Sue Starcken explains. “Ian was talking about all these cut up guns and confiscated weapons that they had to dispose of, and so they kind of hatched the idea of turning those weapons and bits and pieces into actual artworks. They embarked on this big 14
project and it was such a success and the artworks were so amazing that, down the track, we decided to do it again. In fact, we’re going to be doing it every two years.” Participation in the exhibition is by invitation only. “We make a selection of artists that we kind of think would have an affinity for the material or would do something profound or something different or exciting or innovative. We then cast about and invited 36 or 37 artists and we have 34 showing, so almost everyone said yes. We thought we might have a few that would say no, but it’s such an interesting project that everyone responded so positively. The few that dropped out had other commitments with travel and that kind of thing. Our 34 artists are very prominent across the board, across different practices. That’s what we wanted - we wanted two dimensional, three dimensional, we wanted kinetic - and we’ve got a bit of everything.” Although the pieces on display cover a brad range of forms and media, many of them are sculpture, as one might expect when considering the raw materials. “Sculptural work that is either installation based or manufactured in larger pieces and assembled.” Starcken confirms. “Artists have followed the suggestion of the materials in some cases, or they’ve completely altered the material in other cases and there’s nothing recognisable any more. So there’s a bit of both sides of that.” TRAVIS JOHNSON
Of Spears And Pruning Hooks II runs at ECU’s Spectrum Project space From Friday, May 2, until Friday, May 16. Go to ofspearsandpruninghooks.com for more information.
52 TUESDAYS 52 Tuesdays is a new Australian drama opening this week. Filmed in an unusual manner, with non professional actors, and a subject matter exploring gender, sexual, and personal identity, it was an exciting challenge for one of its young actors, Tilda Cobham-Hervey. “It was shot on every Tuesday, only on Tuesdays during the course of the year. And every Tuesday had to be in the film. And we only got the script a week before, so we never knew what was coming. Always a surprise so at the end of that day of shooting you would get the script for the next week. “None of us were professional actors or trained actors or anything like that before. So I think it was much easier to come at it that way, because we never had to deal with a script before. So it didn’t feel wildly unusual that you would shoot in order and not know what was going to happen to you. I mean it was challenging as well, I was completing Year 12 at the same time. Just committing a year is massive, but it was such an excellent team of people and we had such a ball.” In fact with a background in circus and a personality differing from the lead character, Cobham-Hervey thought she was an unlikely choice for the role, but she was glad the director felt otherwise. As for the films exploration of gender
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identity, it wasn’t a big hurdle for Cobham-Hervey “I grew up in a family where gender didn’t define who they were, and gender was a fluid thing. The first four weddings I went to were all gay weddings (not legal of course... wish they were). So I was pretty comfortable with that stereotype rather than just man or woman. I think I learnt more over the course of the year, that gender wasn’t something that defines people. So in terms of that, I learnt it with the character.” At its heart 52 Tuesdays explores a range of questions about identity and relationships. “‘Are you living an authentic life?’ That was a question asked half way through, and I think what the crux of the film is about. “We all discussed (sexual identity – a primary drive in her character arc) a huge amount and it was confronting and it was very important to delve into that side. It wasn’t very similar to my experience growing up. I mean I never had a boyfriend and couldn’t say ‘fuck’ without growing bright red. And they are the first two words of the film. The characters I think (Billie and the two other teenage characters) it’s very much about what it feels like, and making a very honest and open space for that stuff. It’s not getting drunk in the back of a car and having sex. That’s something you see all the time, and people are used to seeing that. This is an unusual version as they are really discovering and delving into what it means. In a sense viewers would be more confronted by that.” As for what the future holds for her? She is unsure, but she does know it will be in the arts, and she was glad to have this special experience over 52 Tuesdays. DAVID O’CONNELL
FAIRBRIDGE FESTIVAL Fairbridge Village Friday-Sunday, April 25-27, 2014 The Fairbridge Festival unfolded In Pinjarra over the weekend, though this time it was a little different, in that it was the last event overseen by outgoing Artistic Director, Steve Barnes. He’ll return next year as an audience member, with Rodney Vervest set to take on his role. Congratulations to Steve on his achievements with the festival over the years. Photographer, Tamara Szep, took some photos for X-Press and as a Fairbridge devotee, once again had the time of her life. “As usual Fairbridge was amazing,” she says. “Act of the festival for me would have to be the
Perch Creek Family Jugband! Whoa, this brother/ sister outfit were energetic, fun, full of good ole wholesome Australian outback magic really. The Seals were on the mark and fuelled up a frenzy with their bluegrass tunes. Rushad Eggleston was so funny, he was amazing; in fact every time I saw him my cheeks ached from smiling so much. “The act that blew me away, moved me to tears and had me staring at them with googly eyes was definitely Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse. That lady’s voice is smoother than syrup and has the ability to fill a heart with so much emotion. It was an honour to listen.” Photography by Tamara Szep
China Doll
Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse
Rushad Eggleston
Grace Barbe
Perch Creek Family Jugband
The Little Foxes
Jaaleekaay
Kids With Wolves
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A R T S & C U LT U R E
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FILM
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NEWS
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EVENTS
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FA S H I O N
FILM
FADING GIGOLO Just A Gigolo Directed by John Turturro Starring John Turturro, Woody Allen, Sharon Stone W ho k new J o hn Turturro co u l d b e s u ave , sophisticated, and sensual?! Well obviously John Turturro. So he wrote, directed, and stars in this vehicle to do exactly that. The thing is, Fading Gigolo works so well, it proves it. With his business having failed, former book store owner Murray (Woody Allen) takes an off handed comment by his dermatologist (Sharon Stone) to heart and ends up pimping out his friend Fioravante (John Turturro). Fioravante needs little convincing due to his own financially desperate situation and finds himself taking to the job like a natural. However he soon starts to develop feelings for a client (the widow of an orthodox Rabbi) and quickly finds himself in the cross-hairs of the Hasidic Jewish police force. Willing suspension of disbelief is a hill that many a movie can die on. Turturro as an irresistible ladies man, Allen as a pimp (yep - Pimp Daddy Woody), and Sharon Stone and Sophie Vega unable to organise a threesome without paying – these should be the north face of K2. Yet somehow Fading Gigolo quickly bulldozes through its ridiculous premise
and uses witty banter, an excellent cast and smooth cinematography to relax the audience right into it. Turturro remains enigmatic as Fioravante, releasing so little of his character that he is almost a cipher. Yet that aura of mystery and quiet kindness work well in the context, allowing the clients to read what they want into the situation. Allen is as usual playing Woody Allen, but there is much comedic mileage to be made out having that neurotic character handling the everyday business of pimping. Stone and Vega, look like they are having fun with Vega vamping it up and Stone playing to neuroses. However the real plaudits must go to Vanessa Paradis as her portrayal of the widowed Avigal is so gently moving as to add emotional depth to this slight but enjoyable tale. Her scenes with Turturro give this comedy an extra level, actually giving a reason for Fioravante to pause and re-examine his decision. Indeed it is only in the appearance of this romantic arc that Fading Gigolo really cements what it wants to be. Entertaining though the rest of it may be, it is this relationship that gives the film direction and adds any degree of tension to the script. It almost seems a different movie from Fioravante and Avigal’s meeting as the laughs lessen and the audience becomes more charmed with the lead characters. Ultimately this is a slight film, its script never really moving beyond a frothy comedy romance. Yet the cast imbues Fading Gigolo with such a depth of character, the dialogue contains so many sharp one liners, and its vision of New York is so lovingly rendered, that it captivates the audience. Like it’s lead character, it may not say much, but it just oozes charm. DAVID O’CONNELL
MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK AUSTRALIA MBFWA is the highlight of our nation’s fashion calendar, where the perfectly groomed, impeccably styled and Instagram glued fash-pack flock to Surry Hills to see what’s on offer for the following summer in style. There are the debated trends, the ‘it’ models, the ever present weight debate (this year spear-headed by Marie Claire editor Jackie Frank) and the sought after street style snaps that dominate our social media feed for weeks following the five day event, JOSIE CLOUGH writes. The key trends emerged include sheer fabrics, metallic accents, feathers and lace, structured and tailored styles, bold colourful injects and a move towards more wearable and feminine looks than we’ve seen in previous seasons. There have been lots of legrevealing and plunging necklines strutting the runway with the safe and ever-so-elegant black and white staying as popular as ever. However it’s hard to tell these days where the main focus of trend spotting should be when it comes to Australia’s annual fashion extravaganza… Whilst designers spend months preparing for their 10-minute shows the rise of fashion bloggers, instafamous fashionistas and stylish celebrities have broken the traditional focus being solely on those strutting the runway to those pounding the streets. Even in the seriously competitive street style stakes, WA didn’t disappoint with Claremont boutique owner Poppy Lissiman being snapped by Style.com, Tommy Ton, Vogue, Asos and NY Times. Back on the runway, Aurelio Costarella launched us into the crazy schedule first thing on the Monday morning with his beautiful red-carpet-ready eveningwear. Costarella incorporated his perfectly structured feminine lines with sheer fabrics, trademark feathers and thigh-high slits in muted tones and varying shades or fuchsia, orange and red hues. Perth-born Kym Ellery kept the fashion stakes high with international supermodel, Julia Nobis who is the current face of Celine, Dior, Lanvin and Paul Smith (in an exclusive appearance) opening the show in an all white outfit at Sydney hotspot Bondi Icebergs. The stunning collection included her signature bell sleeves, tunics, heavily detailed pieces, clean lines 16
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Kym Ellery
and plunging v-necks with black, white and cream dominating the colour palette. With a crowd including the likes of Gerard Butler, Jessica Mauboy, Cheyenne Tozzi, Tommy Ton, Emma Booth and Bambi and Dan Single it also made for great people watching. Zhivago kept their perfectly sexy style with low necklines and short hemlines on their metallic, black looks that had colour injections of yellows and blues, perfectly accentuated with ‘70s style big hair. Ae’lkemi maintained his contemporary elegant aesthetic incorporating sheer fabrics, lace and feathers in feminine yet structured designs. Betty Tran maintained her couture glamour appeal with more metallic and sheer looks walking down the runway with strong colours of red and blue incorporated in the collection. We then move onto the more edgy WA brands including Dyspnea who showed it’s seriously cool summer 2014/15 collection Paralysis in the New Gen show which incorporated sheer fabrics, midriff baring tops, red flare pants and pom-pom adorned outfits. Desert Designs showcased their fashionforward yet wearable collection that features prints heavily inspired by aboriginal art with hints of neon and bold colour patterns. All in all MBFWA 2014 was an event that lived up to it’s reputation as being the fashion highlight for the Australian calendar showing us what’s to come, on the runway, and what’s cool now, off the runway.
THEATRE/DANCE/ PERFORMANCE Elephents: The Blue Room Theatre This first production by new theatre company The Last Great Hunt uses song and allegory to examine the things everybody knows that we just don’t want to talk about. Written by Jeffrey Jay Fowler and directed by Kathryn Osborne, it runs until May 18. Go to blueroom.org.au for session times and tickets. Fights And Flights: State Theatre Centre A stunning mixture of dance, theatre and kung fu from Steps Youth Dance Company. 65 performers, ranging in age from seven to 30, work together to celebrate the challenges and victories of life. It runs from May 10 - 11. For tickets and session times, go to ticketek.com.au. Uncle Jack: The Blue Room Theatre An autobiographical work that sees a young man sent to work the land with his uncle, a war veteran, this coming of age tale features extracts from the real wartime journal of William Lonnie. It runs until May 10. Go to blueroom.org.au for tickets and info. Twelve Angry Men: Melville Theatre Directed by Vanessa Jensen and adapted from the original Reginald Rose teleplay by Sherman Sergel, the timeless locked-room legal thriller comes to the Melville theatre from May 2 - 17. Go to meltheco.org.au for info and tickets. As You Like It: State Theatre Centre Shakespeare’s beloved romantic comedy comes to the stage once more courtesy of Black Swan State Theatre Company. Directed by Roger Hodgman and starring Jovana Miletic and James Sweeney, it runs from May 17 - June 1. Visit bsstc.com.au for more. Fans - Emma Hack
VISUAL ARTS Ukiyo-E - Japanese Prints Of The Floating World: Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery An exhibition of Japanese woodblock prints from the collection of Ronald and Catherine Berndt. It runs until June 28. Head over to lwgallery.uwa.edu. au for details. Year 12 Perspectives: The Art Gallery Of Western Australia This annual exhibition of the best work that our graduating Year 12 arts students have to offer runs until May 5. Go to artgallery.wa.gov.au for further information. Drive Through The City’s Edge: Perth Centre For Photography Consuelo Cavaniglia’s new collection references the narrative and formal conventions of film noir. It runs until May 5. Go to pcp.org.au for more. Dinosaur Discovery - Lost Creatures Of The Cretaceous: WA Museum Combining life-size moving models and 3D augmented reality technology, this world-class exhibition brings the unfathomably distant past to life. There will also be fossils and specimens on display, interactive activities and more. It runs until August 3. Go to museum.wa.gov.au for more information. Emma Hack - Florence Broadhurst Archive And New Works: Linton & Kay Galleries Perth A combination of painting, body art and photography, Emma Hack’s work conceals models in the wallpaper designs of famed Australian designer, Florence Broadhurst. Hack is probably best known for her work in Gotye’s Somebody That I Used To Know music video. The exhibition runs until May 14. Go to lintonandkay.com.au for more information. Of Spears And Pruning Hooks II: Spectrum Project Space Run in collaboration with the WA Police and Bright Blue - Police Commissioner’s Fund for Sick Kids, this biennial exhibition sees Perth artists creating works from weapons collected by the cops. It runs from May 2 - 16. Head for ecu.edu.au for more information.
Patyegarang: State Theatre Centre This new production from Bangarra Dance Theatre tells the story of the eponymous Aboriginal woman who taught her language to Lieutenant William Dawes of the Colonial Fleet. It runs from July 30 - August 2 for five performances only. Tickets are available via Ticketek.
FESTIVALS Perth International Comedy Festival Our annual explosion of stand up excellence runs from May 1 - 18 and features performances from Julian Clary, Bob Saget, Chris Franklin, Michael Workman, Eddie Ifft, Felicity Ward, Hannah Gadsby, Jim Jefferies, Lawrence Leung, Mike Epps, Sami Shah, Stephen K. Amos and more. Go to perthcomedyfest.com.au for full details. Spanish Film Festival A veritable feast of film plays at Cinema Paradiso from May 6 - 21, ranging from the multipleaward-winning opening night film, Living Is Easy With Eyes Closed, to the uproarious closing night horror comedy, Witching And Bitching, from shock and schlock specialist Alex de la Iglesia. Go to lunapalace.com.au for tickets and session times. Perth International Jazz Festival Over 30 jazz performances over 12 venues across the city will be happening from May 9 - May 11. Key acts include Kate Ceberano, Greg Osby, Peter Bernstein, Kristin Beradi and Rai Thistlethwayte. Perthjazzfestival.com.au has all the info. The Australian Tattoo & Body Art Expo 2014 A celebration of skin art, rockabilly and alternative culture, burlesque and more. Over 200 tattoo artists and guest will congregate at the Perth Exhibition And Convention Centre from June 6 - 8. Go to tattooexpo.com.au for more. To have your performance, exhibition or cultural event listed, get in touch via
localmusicarts@xpressmag.com.au For more Art Stories head to
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Witching and Bitching - playing as part of the Spanish Film Festival WWW. XP RE SS MAG.COM. AU
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PERTH COMEDY EDITION
SAM SIMMONS Riding The Wave With a recent appearance on Conan O’Brien’s show, Sam Simmons (comedian and total windsurfing legend - perhaps not the latter) may be on the cusp of big things. Instead he will be “...blown out to sea suffering a mid-life crisis” for your entertainment at the Perth International Comedy Festival. Before this inevitable tragedy happens X-Press had a chance to catch up with him. This upcoming windsurfer accident is of course part of Simmons’ show, Death Of A Sails-man. “A man, loosely based on myself, is forced to have an existentialist mid life crisis on a windsurfer. It’s just dumb, windsurf culture versus culture elite. I was trying to channel a bit of 1980s Peppermint Grove in Perth into the narrative with my weirdo protagonist.” With audience participation a consistent part of his show, Simmons has had to develop the ability to read the crowd. “It’s really important, choose your targets wisely, I look for a kind face. Overenthusiastic volunteers are the worst - you have to have a bit of reluctance to really get into it. The more awkward the exchange, the funnier it is.” It’s a skill that has been a combination of trail and error and instinct. “You just have to trust your gut. It’s gone wrong only a handful of times in hundreds of shows. The best worst was the time I unknowingly pulled up Kit Harrington (Jon Snow) from Game Of Thrones. He was way too famous for people to concentrate.” Simmons’ style of comedy that has been described as absurdist, a term which he is not overly partial to. Instead he prefers to think of it as honest. “I think being silly and finding the ridiculous in the mundane is a lot more real than being negative or snarky about life, then wrapping it up in stand up. I do enjoy confessional stand up, but for me, being a dickhead just seems to work.” As for what attracted him to comedy initially, “I fell into it by accident. I adore it. I love presenting an idea that I feel no one has done before,
I love risk and I love finding a funny moment in something totally unexpected verging on mundane.” With his first big break coming from being a Triple J announcer, Simmons managed to transition to stand up, but he still manages to use some of the skills he acquired in those days. “I use a lot of audio in my shows. It suits my style of comedy to over complicate with music and sound. “I have had three big breaks in my time.: Triple J and then finding a wide audience, then being nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award which is The Oscars of live comedy, I finally felt validated internationally and getting on Conan in the US. All have given me the confidence to stick to my guns and retain my individuality. The Conan appearance has made me realise this is real now. I’m back to live in the states after May and I have lots of opportunities to chase, I’m in a great position, I’m writing better than I ever have before, my head looks stupid and I’m ready to get weird.” DAVID O’CONNELL.
Sam Simmons performs Death Of A Sails-man at The Astor theatre this Friday, May 2. For tickets and info, go to perthcomedyfest.com.au.
BOB SAGET - THE DIRTY DADDY TOUR
BOB DOWNE - BOB, SWEAT & TEARS
Bob Saget is best known as Danny Tanner in Full House and as the original host of Americas Funniest Home Videos, two family friendly shows. His standup, however, is another story. He is known for his hypervulgar comedy and his show The Dirty Daddy Tour will be no different. Best leave Grandma Ethel at home with that nice lady from the telly Tracy Grishaw for this one. Sunday, May 18 @ The Regal Theatre.
Bob Downe’s been lying to us. But mostly to himself. His secret is out in his new show, B o b , S w e a t & Te a r s . S p e a k i n g f r o m h i s luxury Murwillumbah penthouse Bob says: “The show is a roller coaster ride of shocks, new frocks, fabulous music, surprise guests and the usual laugh a minute. Get in first - before Today Tonight or A Current Affair bash down my door!” Saturday, May 10 @ The Astor Theatre
Bob Saget
Bob Downe
FELICITY WARD - THE ICEBERG
LAWRENCE LEUNG - PARTTIME DETECTIVE AGENCY
Ward’s had a stellar couple of years, and her new show The Iceberg, which is sadly not about Titanic but about perceptions - what we see, what we think we know and what is actually going on. Icebergs are deceptive and the sneaky chumps only show a fraction of what is really going on. Felicity and her show aren’t chumps though, so you should see it immediately. Thursday, May 1 until Sunday, May 4 @ Mount Lawley Bowling Club
Lawrence wants to be a detective. Like Sherlock, and why wouldn’t you? Benedict Cumberbatch is very dreamy. Lawrence just needs an assistant, a nemesis and a case to solve. Can anyone become a great detective or is he just deceiving himself? Wednesday, May 14 until Saturday, May 7 @ Mount Lawley Bowling Club Lawrence Leung
Felicity Ward
MATT OKINE - HAPPINESS NOT INCLUDED Chris Taylor and Andrew Hanson
ANDREW HANSEN Sketchy Business Andrew Hansen and Chris Taylor, mainstays of crack Australian comedy squad, The Chaser, present their confusingly named One Man Show as part of the Perth International Comedy Festival. One Man Show represents a change of pace from the satirical, up to the minute, no-prisoners comedy that characterises the bulk of Chris Taylor and Andrew Hanson’s television work, with the pair aiming for silliness rather than savagery with this show. “It’s an old school sort of British review show with sketches and songs,” Hansen says by way of explanation. “It’s quite different in a way to what we do on TV, but hopefully it’s an amusing and funny experience for people. It has been great fun, the tour, so far, people have responded really well to the show, actually - we’ve had lovely audiences. I think once people get used to seeing Chris and me dressed up as countless different characters wearing silly wigs and putting on silly voices - it’s a parade of ridiculous characters with different obsessions. Everything 18
from how to use Facebook in the most annoying way possible to how to conduct a national outrage campaign over a joke that people disapproved of which is an area that interests me, obviously, so I have a whole song on that subject. There’s an outrageously insane principal of a private school who has outrageous uniform standards that he bangs through - it’s a whole mixed bag of these scenes and songs and there are a lot of false moustaches involved.” Indeed, it sounds like it’s drawing on a long tradition of British silly dress-up troupe comedy everything from The Goodies to Monty Python to The Comic Strip to A Bit Of Fry And Laurie. “All that kind of stuff is what Chris and I loved when we were growing up - and more so than the other Chaser guys, I think. He and I were really into that kind of British silliness. Some people have said it reminds them of those kind of live shows that Rowan Atkinson did. I guess it is in that territory. It’s nice to be able to step away from TV where, in a way, we’re kind of expected to do a certain type of comedy show and to do more of this sort of stuff in theatre. There are some typical more Chaser-y type jokes in there for people who are a little desperate for topical comedy - we have thrown that into the show, it is there, but there is a lot of madness and silliness besides. So it might appeal to people who hate The Chaser, and it is a huge audience! In fact that’s nearly everybody - everybody on Earth!” TRAVIS JOHNSON
One Man Show is on at The Astor Theatre this Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4. For tickets, go to perthcomedyfestival.com.au
Award-winning comedian and triple j breakfast show host Matt Okine has travelled across the globe and received rave reviews. But reviews won’t pay the bills. So you should see his show, OK. Friday, May 23 & Saturday, May 24 @ The Astor Theatre
PAUL FOOT - WORDS Accolade laden and weirdly wonderful, Paul Foot is a man who needs no introduction. Thursday, May 1 until Sunday, May 4 @ Mount Lawley Bowling Club Paul Foot
Matt Okine
TOM BALLARD - UNAUSTRALIAN(ISH)
RONNY CHIENG - CHIENG REACTION
Tom Ballard quit his gig as triple j breakfast show host last year to pursue his career in comedy. Also, the First Australians lived here for generations. In 1995, Tom and his family travelled around the country on holiday. Last year Tony Abbott became Prime Minister. Wednesday, May 7 until Saturday, May 10 @ Mount Lawley Bowling Club
Star of ABC’s It’s A Date, Legally Brown and Have You Been Paying Attention? Ronny Chieng has been invited to perform at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the SOHO Theatre in London’s West End, and he is bringing his show to Perth just for you. Thursday, May 1 until Saturday, May 3 @ The Astor Theatre
Tom Ballard
Ronny Chieng
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PERTH COMEDY EDITION
SAMMY J AND RANDY Double Act Sammy J (the human) and Randy (the purple, penis-shaped puppet) took a few rare and valuable spare minutes to answer some questions for us ahead of performing their new show, Difficult First Album. It did not go as we expected. You were just in Perth for FringeWorld. What brings you back so soon? R: I was at Perth Fringeworld doing my solo show. Sammy J got jealous and demanded we come back together. SJ: I didn’t “demand.” R: He begged. SJ: I wouldn’t call it “begging.” R: He sobbed uncontrollably, lay on the floor, pissed his pants, and told me he would hurt someone close to him if we didn’t return. SJ: It worked. Here we are. Tell us of this Difficult First Album. SJ: Where to start? There are so many highlights! My personal favourite tracks are Happy New Year, The Winner Takes It All and The Piper. R: Sammy, those songs aren’t on the album. SJ: Yes they are. R: No, they’re not. SJ: What album are we talking about? R: Our Difficult First Album. SJ: Oh! Sorry, I thought we were talking about ABBA’s penultimate album, Super Trouper. How have audiences been reacting to this show? How has it developed since it debuted? SJ: Since debuting at Eurovision in 1973 we garnered quite an extensive following, although it took another year for us to actually win the contest with our hit single, Waterloo. R: That’s true. They were dark days, but ultimately we prevailed. SJ: Other European pop groups, keen to share in our limelight, quickly copied our progressive sound, as well as our two-boy/two-girl format. R: In January 1979, we performed Chiquita at the Music For UNICEF Concert, donating all royalties for
FRANK WOODLEY - FOOL’S GOLD the song to the children’s charity, in perpetuity. SJ: We really should stop that arrangement; we’re haemorrhaging profits by the day. R: I’ll make a phone call. How did the two of you begin working together? SJ: We actually met at a Melbourne comedy gig; Randy was the MC and I was performing on the same bill. We liked each other’s stuff, and started doing late night gigs together. R: Sammy was hungry to break into the UK and US markets. He was becoming tired of the lengthy band name, so - using an acronym of the first letters of our names - started referring to the band as ABBA.
EM RUSCIANO - DIVORCE THE MUSICAL
Woodley is allegedly handing out hefty bullions of gold at this show. His trademark physical comedy will be on display, too. Come for the gold, stay for the comedy. Saturday, May 10 @ the Astor Theatre
Divorce is an ugly business. But not when Em Rusciano’s talking about it. Divorce - The Musical will get you in the feels and the lolz as Em shares one hella-cray life passage. Wednesday, May 14 until Saturday, May 17 @ Mount Lawley Bowling Club
Frank Woodley
Em Rusciano
How often do parents mistakenly bring their children to your shows? R: All the time. SJ: If they didn’t, I don’t think our tours would break even. R: We definitely rely heavily on the accidental parent dollar. SJ: Wouldn’t you agree, Björn? Björn: Totes. Anything else we should know? SJ: I’ve played all my cards and that’s what you’ve done too. R: Nothing more to say, no more ace to play. SJ: The winner takes it all. TRAVIS JOHNSON
Sammy J and Randy present their Difficult First Album at The Astor Theatre on Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4. For tickets and info, go to perthcomedyfest.com.au.
GENEVIEVE FRICKER - THE PINEAPPLE
LAWRENCE MOONEY - STUPID LIAR
Pineapples are a ridiculous fruit. Finalist in 2011 Triple J Raw Comedy competition Fricker is a regular on the ABC and her newest show will teach you the way of the pineapple and also, life. Friday, May 9 @ The Flying Scotsman
Stupid Liar is an examination of the myths men need to stay alive. This is Lawrence doing stand up and telling stories in his much celebrated style about some mega fails in the social stakes. Friday, May 9 until Saturday, May 10 @ The Astor Theatre
Genevieve Fricker
Lawrence Mooney
SAMI SHAH Migrant Song Pakistan-born , Northam-dwelling comedian, Sami Shah, brings his awardwinning show, I, Migrant, to the Perth International Comedy Festival. We had a quick chat about shows, settling in and learning to be laid back. Sami Shah’s profile has risen dramatically since he first started doing regular stand up shows after moving to Western Australia from his native Pakistan. Already an established performer there, he came equipped with the performance chops and stage presence of a veteran, allowing him to jump from no-name to big name in record time. Of course, it also helps that he’s a tireless worker, always polishing his act. “I’ve been working on some new stand up material.” he tells us. “I’ve slowly been developing a new hour now because I’ve kind of done this one a lot. I’ve done a comedy album - I put that up on my website. I have zero skills in selling myself, like marketing? Self marketing, I find it too shameless an act for me to do well. I’m trying to overcome that to see if I can make some money off of it, but it seems unlikely.” It’ll be a while before we see that now stuff, though. For his run at the Perth International Comedy Festival, Shah will be presenting the show that saw him playing to packed houses at the 2014 Fringe World. “I did 10 nights there and I was shocked that every night sold out completely. It was pretty insane. The Perth Comedy Festival people asked me if I has new material ready and I said there was no way I could do a new hour right after that, in that time, but I figured that what I could do is the Fringe show, I, Migrant, one last time in WA. It’s a full hour, it’s about moving to Australia, living here, it’s about my perceptions of that and then a lot of other random things like what it’s like being married, being a father. The reviews were good and it’s won a few awards now, so I’m hoping the luck holds with that one now.” In the mean time, Shah has settled in to life in Northam, where he must stay as part of his process of immigration and whose idiosyncrasies have provided much grist for his comedy mill. Indeed, Shah can be downright ruthless when it comes to making fun of his adopted town. “Oh yeah,” he agrees. “Absolutely. But I also ruthlessly take the piss out of Pakistan when I’m there. If I moved to Melbourne, I’d probably ruthlessly take the piss out of Melbourne. It’s just part of my act. But no, I’m very settled in. The people at Woollies 20
MICHAEL WORKMAN - WAR War is no laughing matter. Unless you’re Barry Award Nominee Michael Workman. War is about a correspondent battling addiction, who is assigned to cover the conflict and unwittingly discovers a terrible new weapon: a bomb that turns the waking world into a dream. Tuesday, May 13 until Saturday, May 17 @ The Astor Theatre Michael Workman
REGINALD D HUNTER - WAKE IN SLEIGHT In just over a decade Reginald D Hunter has become one of comedy’s best-known and most distinctive performers. He is often brutally honest, frequently controversial but always meticulously measured and thought out. Reginald D Hunter makes his Perth debut with brand new show, Wake In Sleight. Saturday, May 17 & Sunday, May 18 @ The Astor Theatre Reginald D Hunter
know me, the people at the butcher shop know me, half the town likes me and the other half doesn’t like me and everyone’s kind of settled in to their opinions. We’re very well placed here now.” But there are still elements of Australian life he has trouble adjusting to. “I think things are more laid back, they’re more relaxed. I think that’s a wonderful thing but it takes some getting used to when you come from a place like Karachi where everything is insanely frantic all the time. Over here people do things in their own time, and you have to realise that that’s okay and there really is no hurry. At first that really kind of drove me insane but I’m settled into that now. That whole Wait Awhile thing that WA supposedly stands for, I don’t think that’s an insult - it’s something to revel in.” TRAVIS JOHNSON
STEVE HUGHES - WHILE IT’S STILL LEGAL
Steve Hughes returns to Australia with a brand new show which features Sami Shah’s I, Migrant is on at The Velvet Lounge more thoughtful, outspoken social commentary on Thursday, May 8, Friday, May 9, and Saturday, courtesy of a masterful, erudite and provocative May 10. For tickets and session times, hit up performer. perthcomedyfest.com.au. to purchase his comedy Saturday, May 17 @ The Astor Theatre album, I, Migrant - Live At The Noodle Palace, go to Steve Hughes samishah.com. WWW. XP RE SS MAG.COM. AU
TOM GLEESON - QUALITY Gleeson is a stalwart in the Australian comedy scene, a true master of his craft. He does quality shows for quality people. Friday, May 16 until Saturday, May 17 @ The Astor Theatre Tom Gleeson
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Bartenders take note: Dizzee Rascal would like his champagne served in the traditional fashion when he returns to Bunbury to play Groovin The Moo, Saturday, May 10. The East London rapper’s latest album, The Fifth, came out in September, and introduced the 28-year-old to a range of new experiences, PAUL McBRIDE writes. “This was the first one I actually did in there, and it just felt nice to record out there and America, jumping from studio to studio, working be out of the way. And then obviously – in LA with different big producers and other pop artists,” especially – there is a lot of big music being made he says. “I’ve never done that before; everything there; it’s one of the key music places, as well has always been done at as Atlanta and a few other home or in-house up to this spots. But LA is the serious one. Going to the clubs out one – when you’re there “When there’s a girl in a rubber there and seeing the music you can bump into anyone. dinghy delivering champagne to a in its environment can be I walked into the studio one an absurdity – the crazy, day and Chris Brown was table full of fucking drug dealers over-the-top-ness, especially there talking to Spike Lee. and rap superstars in the middle of within the music industry. There’s random shit like I’ve seen things like that a club while they play the Superman that, know what I mean? in London, don’t get me [My music] was always music, it’s a bit much, you know?” wrong, but when there’s influenced by American a line of 15 girls with 15 music, but the last few years bottles of champagne with I’ve spent more time there, sparklers in them that cost a few grand each, or on my own even. From 2002 I’ve always spent time a girl in a rubber dinghy delivering champagne there to do shows or a few little tours, but it was to a table full of fucking drug dealers and rap always just in and out. All I knew about America was superstars in the middle of a club while they play just from TV, music and movies, and it wasn’t until the Superman music, it’s a bit much, you know? the last few years that I actually got to absorb it.” “I’m just kind of starting to understand [America] a little bit, so I was linking up with people CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
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Continued from cover. A seasoned touring artist and grime pioneer, Rascal is confident of putting on a good show. “There’s lots of energy in our show, and we’ll be bringing it all to Australia,” he says. “There’ll be material from all my albums, from the first up to The Fifth … For the festivals, it’s all the big stuff; things that will work in a festival environment. Big sing-alongs and things that will make people jump up and down, basically. [The new material has] been going down alright. To be fair, we played a lot of the stuff before it came out anyway. A lot of it was debuted in Australia as well, and it’s going to be nice to come back there after the album has actually been out and people have got to absorb it, so I’m looking forward to it. The thing is, for the last few albums, because of the time of year they have been ready to be put out, the music was tested out in Australia and New Zealand first.” Despite having been a recording artist since the age of 16, and already a veteran of the scene at 28, Rascal still feels the pressure of releasing new material. “There’s always pressure,” he says. “It’s always one of the most stressful things, anticipating how it’s going to do and all that. But once it’s all
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over, I just want to get stuck in and do it all again. I know what it’s like, but I just love doing it and seeing how far I can go. If it works, wicked. If not, I’ll try something new. There’s nothing worse than thinking you’ve got a big tune and when you play it live it’s not quite going that way, and everyone’s looking at their watches. That’s never any good. You got to work harder to perform those songs and get them across, but you live and you learn, innit? Some songs don’t come across as well live either; some are better for radio or albums, and vice versa as well.” While his earlier career was peppered with controversy, mainly surrounding an alleged feud with fellow grime MC Crazy Titch, Rascal insists the future is all that matters. “I’m just trying to make good decisions and stay out of trouble,” he says. “The biggest thing for me is just trying to not do too much dumb shit – that’s what ruins a lot of artists in this day and age especially. Information gets out there so quickly and people can change their minds about you so quickly. Sometimes it works in your favour, because a lot of people seem to like the whole fucking reality TV idiot thing, but people can get really tired of you quickly as well. The best thing to do is to stay out of the way and let the music do the talking.”
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HEY YEO
A SWAGGY SAFARI
To celebrate the release of his latest single Kobe, which has amassed almost 50,000 plays on Soundcloud in the two weeks since its release, enigmatic Melbourne producer/musician Yeo (pronounced Yo) is setting off on a national tour. In October last year, Yeo presented yet another incarnation of his career-defining musical evolution in the form of a lo-fi, proto-R&B jam called Girl. While the single may have caught some familiar with his past works by surprise, Girl was met with instantaneous approval from countless blogs the world over as well as drawing praise across-the-board among the taste-making jocks at triple j. See Yeo DJ at The Lost Society Bar, Saturday, June 14. Tickets at the door.
Swagger, the gay R&B hip hop party, is coming back to Perth on Friday. May, 16 at Villa Nightclub and it’s safari theme. So throw away your inhibitions and release your wild side. Wear your best leopard or tiger print, faux fur or come as a hunter on the prowl. Shit, you could slather yourself in ambergris for all we care. It’s all about letting instincts take over while the Swagger DJs play only the best jungle groove until late. Need more encouragement? Well then you’ll also get to see the endangered species otherwise known as the drag queens Milk and Yara Sofia. Rarely seen outside of their natural environment or away from their mother Ru Paul this will be your chance to see them in the flesh.
Yeo
Swagger
DJ RASHAD FOUND DEAD DJ Rashad, a pioneer of Chicago’s footwork scene was found dead in his home Saturday afternoon following a suspected drug overdose. The loss of the 34-year-old DJ has left Chicago in profound shock. Representatives of DJ Rashad released a statement on Monday, it read: “DJ Rashad...passed away around 1:30 PM Saturday, April 26, 2014 on Chicago’s Lower West Side. He leaves behind a nine-year-old son, Chad and his parents, mother Gloria Harden, and father, Anthony Harden. The cause of his death has not yet been determined. Rashad’s father told the Chicago SunTimes on Saturday: “Since he was a kid, he’s been doing this. He knew what he wanted to do, and a lot of us don’t get a chance to make our dream come true.”... DJ Rashad was a quintessential figurehead in the evolution from Ghetto House to Chicago Juke to Footwork and one of the artists to have to consistently pushed the evolution of the Footwork genre forward...His music will live on eternally.” DJ Rashad
BEHIND THE DECKS
Tools of the trade: My ears, USBs and music selection. Also my hands and the club’s set up; CDJs and mixer. Favourite new track? Zhu - Paradise Awaits
HTRK
Best track to clean the house to? AC Slater - Roll Up
CHET FAKER
Psychic 9-5 Club Ghostly International
Built On Glass Downton / Future Classic
Everybody copes with grief differently, psychologists say. Some retreat from the world. While others want to, need to, create art. In 2010, HTRK’s (pronounced Hate Rock) bassist Sean Stewart killed himself while the band was recording their second album, Work (work, work). But Jonnine Standish and Nigel Yang pushed through the pain to release the dark and doomy Work the following year. Psychic 9-5 Club is HTRK’s first release as a duo, and Standish and Yang have produced a less melancholic but still haunting album. HTRK fasted while making the album, “trying to be creative... where your body’s in trauma mode…we found that… pleasant,” Standish says. The Body You Deserve explores western society’s obsession with thinness, with Standish gloomily singing, “You’ve been lied to for years / you can now get the body you deserve / the body of your dreams”, asking you to love yourself for you. Self-love is front and centre on Psychic, with tracks like Wet Dream opening with Standish purring, repeatedly, “I’m in love with myself.” Psychic is a brooding but charming release from HTRK, that’ll hold hand your hand through grief and loss.
You have to hand it to Chet Faker; he’s cultivated an accessible and inspired brand of soulful electronic music, and his voice seems as though it was especially designed for this mellow sound. The effective simplicity of his music, interestingly, induces complex emotions. To Me fits this bill, nudging listeners in the direction of pondering and contemplation, a song to accompany any raw feeling felt at the time. Similarly, Melt is what the name suggests; a slow, burning groove that drags you into a hypnotic space of feeling, a reaction now synonymous with Faker. Talk Is Cheap and 1998 reinforce Faker’s penchant for low-key party tunes; emblematic of the Chet Faker paradox, the musician who somehow manages to sound aloof while never disconnecting from his listeners emotionally. This effortlessness is his biggest feat. Cigarettes & Loneliness is a highlight; its organic use of samples brings forward whimsical melodies that are a pleasure. The downfall of wowing us all with his 2012 EP Thinking In Textures and his meteoric rise ever since, was that expectations were very high for Built On Glass. Chet Faker’s debut album certainly meets these expectations but unfortunately, doesn’t exceed them.
ROY MILTON
NAOMI FAYE
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KELIS Food Ninja Tune Featuring horns, brass, and toe tapping percussion; Kelis’ sixth studio album Food connects the old with the new, melting smooth soul with funky electro. Produced and recorded by TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek, his influence is clear, pushing the boundaries just enough without making Food hard to consume. Warm with essence and sophistication, 24
first single Jerk Ribs is emblematic of what the rest of the album has to offer. Floyd and Runnin’ are deep, meaningful love songs. Hooch, Cobbler, and Rumble are effortlessly cool, capturing Kelis’ charisma and Change ends in epic darkness. There are cute little diddies too; making sure the tempo of the album doesn’t fall into monotony. Heavily orchestral, then twisted into the modern, the music on Food complements the singer’s gravely vocals. Food feels intimate, and this is authentically expressed by the vast array of the Kelis’ impassioned deliveries. With its catchy hooks, melodies, and arrangements, this record is certainly clever but unfortunately doesn’t present us with any standout tracks. It also runs a little too long, reducing its impact somewhat. Nonetheless, whether you’re a Kelis fan or not; Food is a sincere release, and definitely worth a listen.
Weirdest tune you have ever played? The amazing reception I get from anything by KC And The Sunshine Band. Favourite track to make out to? Route 94 ft Jess Glynne - My Love You’re huge in: The Copter Game and Curveball high score ladder. What’s next on the cards? I’m looking at releasing a track within a couple of months and I’m DJing fortnightly at Ahoy. Plus I will be playing my dream gig at Ambar’s Fresh Produce, May 16. What’s the strangest thing that’s ever happened to you? A complete stranger took control of the decks during a set before I realised he wasn’t a DJ.
BUTCHERSKANK AKA JACK PENNIKET Describe your genre in a few words: Future bass wobble party. Overview of 2014 thus far: I was a finalist in Into The Limelite DJ Comp and had massive success with the launch of club night Ahoy at Bar120. I have also played gigs at Father and Cheek, Ambar’s Fresh Produce, Flawless and Curtin University. How long have you been DJing for? 18 months. Best track to open with? What So Not - High You Are (Branchez Remix).
NAOMI FAYE WWW. XP RE SS MAG.COM. AU
Most exciting moment behind the decks? Actually making it as a DJ. Getting compliments from Purple Sneaker DJs. Also hearing the lyrics belted out by a full capacity club to KC And The Sunshine Band’s Give It Up. Anything else you want to tell us? Look out for [Ahoy promoters] The Vandal Society, [Perth music label] Cyclus, and for some original tracks from me this year.
THUNDAMENTALS REALTALK The long wait for a new Thundamentals album will finally be over on Friday, May 2, when the hip hop trio from the Blue Mountains will drop So We Can Remember. In addition to the new album, the trio is bringing their slick lyricism and funky beats to Flyrite, Thursday, May 8. Despite a three-year hiatus with no projects released due to other commitments, the group has been able to remain in the spotlight, CHRIS McCLAIN speaks to MC Jewson of Thundamentals. “In an ideal world, we would have liked to have the album out a little bit sooner,” Jeswon says. “I think just other commitments have kind of spiced things up to a certain extent.” Jeswon believes that fans of the trio known as Thundakats - have reacted positively to the two singles released off the album and expects So We Can Remember to be a hit. “Despite the fact that we haven’t released a full project in three years, we’ve released a few songs that have actually brought more attention to what we’re doing than our previous two albums and EP,” Jeswon says. “We’ve kind of been lucky like that and I feel like anticipation for this album is at a really good level. I feel like we’ve got more people checking out our music than we ever have.” After seeing their lead single off the album, Smiles Don’t Lie, create a #5 position on iTunes Hip Hop Charts and earn a position at #32 on triple j’s Hottest 100 countdown, the trio has now released Something I Said as their second single off the album. The song features fellow Blue Mountain musician Thom Crawford on the vocals. Crawford, a friend of Thundamentals, brought his vocalist expertise to the song to help develop it how Thundamentals had imagined. “It’s a very organic kind of thing where Thom was just around and we were hanging out and we said ‘look, we wrote this chorus, written this melody, we’d love to have you have a crack at singing it,’” Jeswon says. “He just came in and nailed exactly what we wanted. It was exactly what we had imagined on the track. He came in, and within a few takes, he brought the vision of it to life.” The trio prides themselves in their ability to deliver lyrics that people can relate to as opposed to the “braggadocious” hip hop that is so common in today’s music culture. “[It’s] kind of a mix between sample-based and live instrumentation and just trying to bring a positive vibe and an honest vibe as well - I think that’s what we’re trying to do with our lyricism,” Jeswon says of the trio’s music. While the trio experiences many of life’s difficulties just as most people do, Jeswon wants the album to deliver an uplifting message that will help
RAINBOW CHAN Since releasing her EP Long Vacation last year Sydney-based synth-pop artist Rainbow Chan has travelled to Asia, toured Australia, had her heart pulverised by love and managed to release a steady stream of remixes and bonus tracks. MERRAN REED speaks to Rainbow about romance, breakups and her debut album, pegged for release next year. Heartbreak, huh? We’ve all had people we aggressively cared for reach deep within our chests, laugh manically and rip our souls out. It’s a universal experience. But only some are brave enough to put pen to page and document the whole traumatic experience. For Rainbow Chan, it’s a way to survive, to live through the breakup. Bonus track Fruit was released at the start of April and it tells the story of a relationship falling apart. “Fruit is about when you might be in a really great relationship with someone but just feeling that sense as if you’re falling out of love but not knowing how to control those feelings,” she says. Rainbow’s work is mostly autobiographical, when asked if she’s
motivate listeners and remind them that good things can come, especially if you work to better your life. “Overall, I think it’s a positive thing and we realize that life isn’t rosy 100 percent of the time and this music can hopefully lift people up,” Jeswon says. “We understand what you’re going through because we are going through it as well and we are trying to make this music to remind ourselves that life is good and that each situation can get better, it’s just a matter of working through the bullshit and pushing to the other side.”
recently gone through a breakup she answers, jovially, “Oh, I’m always going through a breakup. I try not to make it too obvious that I am writing a breakup song about a particular person. “’Cos I think maybe the person will hear it and feel sad or offended. I try to do it in an fairly anonymous way, so it’s shrouded in a bit of mystery. It’s actually the only way I can deal with a breakup that’s traumatic, maybe tramautic is a dramatic word, but those heartbreaks when I’m feeling lost and lonely. The only thing I can turn to is making music and trying to make sense of it all, knowing that there are other things in life not just romances.” Along with sourcing heartbreak as material for her debut album, Rainbow’s travelled over to Hong Kong, where she was born, and to Japan. “It’s like a big family catchup in Hong Kong,” she says. “But that was my first time in Japan, I spent a week in Tokyo, which was really inspiring because I have always been attracted to Japanese culture. The urban landscape is claustrophobic, but there’s is a nice balance between it being hectic and peaceful. “I wrote a bunch of music when I was travelling. And I collected a lot of field recordings, which have found there way into the album. I had a microphone and I used my phone so if I heard a little sound I liked I would record it. I recorded the sounds of a train station, or crowd noise or gongs at a temple. So I’ll have it in the background of a track of it’s appropriate or I’ll take snippets of it and manipulate it and turn into a percussive element in a song. For me, it’s like a personal memento or souvenir, even if it’s not apparent to the listener, it’s a document of places I have been that I can put it into the textual fabric of songs.” So when can we expect to hear some of these tracks? “You might start hearing some singles towards the end of the year,” Rainbow says. WWW. XP RE SS MAG.COM. AU
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WED 30/04 AMPLIFIER BAR Academy ft. Sienna Skies Finders Dropbears Exanimis THE BEAT (DOWNSTAIRS) Street THE BIRD HamJam Fam DJs Stephen Bellionaire BRASS MONKEY DJ Vicktor CAPITOL Harlem Wednesdays Genga Peter Payne J.YES Philly Blunt Lenox Ave: Pussymittens BMB Benny P XowlX CAPTAIN STIRLING Lokie Shaw CLUB RED SEA Cheek CONSERVATORY ROOFTOP BAR Horseplay THE DEEN Manic Mondays GOLD BAR Famous THE GOOD SHEPHERD Thinkfar GROOVE BAR (CROWN) 5 Shots HULA BULA BAR Hula Bula Madness LLAMA BAR Akuna Club THE LUCKY SHAG Howie Morgan METRO FREO C5 Next Gen Tomorrow Beats Zane Liebenberg Michael Bell
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MUSTANG BAR PUMP DJ Giles NEWPORT HOTEL Newport Wednesdays PICA BAR Sorcha Albuquerque’s Trio New Mexico Alana Macpherson’s 9 lives SHAPE BAR Dimension The Switch Crew SOVEREIGN ARMS FIVE0 VILLAGE BAR Village People Wednesdays THURS 01/05 THE BIRD Oscar Key Sung Mei Saraswati Sid Pattni BRASS MONKEY Karaoke THE BRIGHTON Miss Chief THE CAUSEWAY Xport Thursdays THE CLAREMONT HOTEL Institution Thursdays CLUB RED SEA Thursday Night Revolution CONNECTIONS Bingay THE CRAFTSMAN J!mmy Beats THE DEEN Chase The Sun Thursdays DJ Don Migi Nano Surge DJ Flex GOLD BAR OG Thursdays THE GOOD SHEPHERD Juice Ft. Bax Davis Odette Mercy
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MY PLACE
HUSH
DELICIOUS @ ROCKET ROOM
Huxley
NEWS
GROOVE BAR (CROWN) Hero DJs LEISURE INN DJ Peta LIBRARY Sneaky LOST SOCIETY The Collective LUKCY SHAG James Wilson MUSTANG BAR DJ James MacArthur NEWPORT HOTEL Mills Culture Clash JOOLS Steve C T-Mac Bockman THE QUEENS FIVEO Az-T THE SHED Midnight Rambler VELVET LOUNGE Next Gen Comedy Sam Cribb Simon Etheridge Louise Cook Paul Liddle G Norman Andrew Portelli Daniel Delborrello Gerard Maroney FRI 02/05 AMBAR Monarch Launch Night AMPLIFIER Fridays Are Back ft. Kia THE BAYSWATER Mario Zuli THE BEAT (DOWNSTAIRS) PLAY THE BEAT (UPSTAIRS) Ragdoll Emerald City Lipservice Sleepfreak THE BIRD Mudlark Pre-Tour Party Witt X Kucka The Many Guises Of Rod Stewart Mudlark J Tristan Fidler THE BRASS MONKEY James Ess DJ Vicktor THE BRIGHTON DJ Peta CAPITOL Death Disco CAPITOL (UPSTAIRS) I Love 80s & 90’s ft. Darren Tucker
THE CARINE J!mmy Beats THE COMO Philly Blunt DAILY PLANET Sundowner Sessions THE DEEN Student Night EVE NIGHTCLUB Recharge Fridays FLAWLESS Monarch Fridays GEISHA BAR CULT Paul Devins Optomal Basic Mind Craig Hollywood Clint W & Puff GINGER NIGHTCLUB Mondo Dance Party GOLD BAR Vanity THE GOOD SHEPHERD Throwback Fridays GROOVE BAR (CROWN) Hi-NRG THE GRAND Jay Mckay LAKERS TAVERN Grizzly LUCKY SHAG DJ Richie G MALT Nu Disco Hip Hop METRO FREO Say Cheese ft. Dr Wazz METRO FREO C5 Royalty Launch Night ft. Olithagod Slykidd Peter Payne MINT Club Retro MULLALOO BEACH HOTEL Flaunt Fridays DJ Darren Wize MUSTANG BAR DJ James MacArthur Swing DJ MY PLACE Karaoke THE NEWPORT HOTEL Salitos Cerveza Beer Launch NORTHSHORE TAVERN Chalk N Cheese E.M.B.T Hykus Pierce Ericson Liquid Culture Kritikool
PARAMOUNT Paramount Party Crew PARKER inthemix Get Local M4SONIC Not So Hot Axen Franchina THE QUEENS Jon Ee DJ Reuben THE SAINT Britty THE SHAPE BAR Black Sun Empire SIGNAL PARK, BUSSELTON Bliss N Esso Horrorshow Seth Sentry SOVEREIGN ARMS Lokie Shaw WHALE & ALE Danny B YAYA’S ACE Fridays SAT 03/05 AMPLIFIER The Menace Tour ft. Citizen Kay Tkay Maidza Pure Pop ft. Eddie Electric Pure Pop ft. Eddie Electric AMBAR Japan 4 ft. Mo’FLY Micah Dead Easy Philly Blunt Tee El AVENUE Lokie Shaw THE BALMORAL Back To The 80’s BAR ORIENT The Reggae Club BEAT NIGHTCLUB (UPSTAIRS) CANVAS BEAT NIGHTCLUB (DOWNSTAIRS) Live Floorshow Protagonist BRASS MONKEY DJ Peta Grizzly THE BRIGHTON DJ Miss Chief CAPITOL Death Disco CAPITOL (UPSTAIRS) Cream of the 80’s ft. DJ Roger Smart
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THE COMO Moe-Hee-Toe CORNERSTONE Mario Zuij THE DEEN Saturdays EAST END BAR Home FLAWLESS LQ Saturdays FLYRITE Father GEISHA BAR Huxley ParaKord vs Eyan Shaddow Brothers Tom Love GOLD BAR Pure Gold THE GOOD SHEPHERD Chocolate Jesus GROOVE BAR (CROWN) Hero DJs LIBRARY MKT LOST SOCIETY Chalk LUCKY SHAG BAR DJ Richie G MATCHES LOUNGE Lunatek Presents Jamie Stevens Optomal Paul Devins METRO CITY Armada Night ft. Andrew Rayel Jorn Van Deynhoven Marlo METRO FREO Metropolis Saturdays ft. Wazz DJ Shane
Tkay Maidza
Bliss N Eso
METRO FREO (C5) I Love 80s and 90s ft. DR Wazz DJ Shane MUSTANG BAR Shotdown from Sugartown Milhouse NEWPORT HOTEL Gravity DJ Tahli Jade NORTHSHORE TAVERN Local Heroes ft. Two Plus One PARKER Parker Saturdays ft. Some Blonde DJ Troy Division Paul Scott Wasteland Jackness PARAMOUNT Saturday Nights ft. Felix THE QUEENS Funky Bottoms Jay Lee Lloyd THE SAINT Crackers THE SHED Huge DJ Andyy SOVEREIGN ARMS Jinx Project VILLA NIGHTCLUB Fred V + Grafix Ekko & Sidetrack Gracie & Sistym Dvise & Maker Darren D MCs Xsessiv + Stylee THE WHALE & ALE Jools YAYA’S Arcadia SUN 04/05 CLAREMONT HOTEL Sunday Driver CLUB BAY VIEW Lokie Shaw
FLYRITE DAY-WOO LUCKY SHAG BAR Sunday Session MULLALOO BEACH HOTEL Sunday Sesh DJ Slick MUSTANG BAR DJ Holly Doll NEWPORT HOTEL The Menace Tour ft. Citizen Kay Tkay Maidza THE QUEENS FIVEO Sam Spencer THE ROSEMOUNT (BEER GARDEN) The Get Down THE SAINT Jon Ee Az-T MON 05/05 THE BIRD On The Grid Exhibition Shu Daniels BRASS MONKEY Monkey Madness THE DEEN Manic Mondays THE ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Bex & Turin’s Wide Open Mic THE SHED The Healy’s YAYA’S Big Tommo’s Open Mic TUES 06/05 THE BIRD The Bird’s Open Mic Night BRASS MONKEY Acoustic Open Mic Night MUSTANG BAR Danza Loca Salsa Night
Deadline Monday 5pm. The Club Manual is a service to advertisers listing all DJs & Dance Music. All inclusions are at the discretion of X-Press. Email guide@xpressmag.com.au
CAPITOL
THE COURT
THE SHED
THIS WEEK
OSCAR KEY SUNG 1 The Bird DJ PREMIER & PETE ROCK 1 Capitol MONARCH LAUNCH NIGHT 2 Ambar CULT 2 Geisha BLISS N ESO, HORRORSHOW, SETH SENTRY 2 Signal Park, Busselton 3 Wellington Square HUXLEY 3 Geisha ARMADA NIGHT ft. Andrew Rayel, Jorn Van Deynhoven & Marlo 3 Metro City FRED V + GRAFIX 3 Villa Nightclub JAPAN4 3 Ambar CITIZEN KAY WITH TKAY MAIDZA 3 Amplifier 4 Newport Hotel, Fremantle MAY
THUNDAMENTALS 8 Flyrite
OSCAR KEY SUNG
Oscar Key Sung
RL Grime - photo by Daniel Craig
THURSDAY, APRIL 1 @ THE BIRD
THE PRESETS, WORDLIFE, DJ BENI 8 Capitol VANCE JOY & GOSSLING 8 The Bakery YAYO : HOUZ OF WATERMELONS 9 Ambar HOLY FUCK 8 The Rosemount 9 The Odd Fellow DISCLOSURE 9 Metro City 10 Groovin’ The Moo, Hay Park, Bunbury GROOVIN THE MOO ft. Disclosure, Dizzee Rascal, Holy Fuck, Illy & more 10 Hay Park, Bunbury
FRESH PRODUCE ft. Jay Francisco, Nate Whiskey, Dean Tracey, Butcherskank, BannGr 16 Ambar
RuFuS 30 Players Bar 31 Fremantle Arts Centre
JUNGLE FEVER FT NICKY BLACKMARKET + MC FATMAN D 17 Villa Nightclub
THE PRESETS (with the Australian Chamber Orchestra) 4 Concert Hall
HARDSTRAYLIA RL Grime, Destructo, Oliver, Motez, Mr Carmack Slumberjack/Peter Payne Port Beach Sandtracks Sunday, April 27, 2014
JUNE
ALISON WONDERLAND 23 Secret Location
SCHOOLBOY Q 5 Villa Nightclub
L-FRESH THE LION 24 Mojos
TLC 13 Metro City
LAURYN HILL 24 Fremantle Arts Centre
CHET FAKER 19 Astor Theatre
ELLIE GOULDING 28 Challenge Stadium
THE ASTON SHUFFLE 23 Amplifier
AUGUST
Los Angeles based HARD teamed up with Origin to host its own mini-festival HARDstraylia at the Port Beach Sand Tracks on Sunday. Origin is well-known to punters for its NYE events, but this is the first time HARD have hosted an event of its own on our shores, previously being restricted to only a stage at Stereosonic. And it was quite literally our shores they were coming to, with waves crashing not far from the shipping containers set up as a windbreak at the makeshift venue. Despite inclement weather a decent crowd was on hand to witness hometown talent Slumberjack and Peter Payne open. These numbers only increased for last-minute announcement Mr Carmack, who kept the energy high with his set. Enter South Australian Motez, who kept close to the deep house blueprint that has been dominant lately. Although it was perfectly competent, his set tended to be a bit one-level. Dropping a remix of Madison Avenue’s Don’t Call Me Baby, however, was a step in the right direction, the crowd voicing their appreciation. Next up was HARD act Oliver, who certainly lived up to his brand’s name. Taking quite a leap away from output recorded as a duo, Oliver’s solo set was filled with pressing techno that suffered the same problem as Motez, in that it wasn’t terribly dynamic. This didn’t affect punters enjoying it, however, nor did the rain, with a sizable crowd of diehards getting down in the sand outside of the tent.
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Destructo took to the decks next and quickly mixed things up with the welcome addition of Schoolboy Q’s Man Of The Year. The HARD founder clearly knows what works and what doesn’t, teasing the crowd with House of Pain’s Jump Around and introducing a remix of AC/DC’s TNT. He finished with Snoop classic The Next Episode as shout-out to his LA origins. Whilst it was cheesy at times, Destructo’s set was the work of an experienced hand at the top of his game and it’s not hard to see how his company has built such a reputation. It was the time for the main event, with RL Grime, or Henry Steinway to his mum, bouncing out on stage in a grey hoodie. His energy on stage was infectious, and he backed it up with his selection of tunes, setting the bar high early with remixes of Nero’s Crush and Chief Keef’s Love Sosa. He could seemingly do no wrong, with an impeccable selection of remixed bangers (Work, New Slaves, FDB) interspersed with his own dream-trap. The excitement proved a bit too much for a select few fist-pumpers, with a makeshift circle pit forming in the sand. Grime knew how to please the crowd, throwing down his Mercy and Satisfaction remixes in quick succession, transitioning Mercy masterfully into the YYY’s Heads Will Roll. A downtempo encore gave a good backing to the exiting crowd, with the tide in and waves lapping ominously at the shipping containers. HARD and Origin should certainly be commended on the original choice of venue and careful use of cover that prevented HARDstraylia from being a Listen Out-style washout. Sean McEwan
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LOCAL NEWS
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INTERVIEWS
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REVIEWS
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Q & A
Ball Park Music - Photo by Rachael Barrett Tame Impala - Photo by Dan Grant
TAME IMPALA Koi Child/Leure Hotel Rottnest Sunday, April 27, 2014 Braving the tempestuous surf like a throng of dishevelled Captain Ahabs seeking their psychedelic Moby Dick, Tame Impala fans were seen en masse braving the (sort-of) high seas to Rottnest Island. The rocking boats and police presence did little to quell the spirits – or quell the consumption of spirits – of the ANZAC weekend revellers. With the ferries reaching the island a couple of hours before the first act began, punters were left to their own devices to enjoy the idyllic reefs, island wildlife and hotel bar. The smooth down-tempo beats and ethereal vocals of Leure eased fans into an afternoon of music. The songstress, armed with a guitar and beflowered DJ desk, crooned track after track with transcendent mystique. The courtyard acoustics, which proved to be somewhat muddy with following acts, complimented the clarity of Leure’s minimalistic setup. The music was alluring, though suffered from a lack of dynamic and variety in songs, which caused the set to blur. The incestuous offspring of local bands Child’s Play and Kashikoi, Koi Child, marked a change in the evening’s festivities. Frontman, Shannon Cruz Patterson, warmed the crowd up with his restless
onstage antics and confident lyrical spin. The band itself laid down solid hip hop grooves – the interaction between drummer, Blake Hart, and bassist, Yan Isaac, being one of the highlights – augmented by intelligent jazz harmonies. The set itself was somewhat lethargic and unsure, and the reverb-laden horn lines felt diminished, mirroring the island’s chaotic, swirling eddies when pumped out into the open space courtyard. The set itself was a constantly moving, risk-taking journey with generous improvisation and musically sensitive band interaction. Shortly after, the front-of-stage crowd swelled as Tame Impala donned their instruments, backed by a looped synth line. The introverted charm of frontman, Kevin Parker, set the tone for the introspective, psychedelic journey backed by an acid track of technicolour visuals – though songs themselves felt over-rehearsed and reserved, with stilted segues. Tame Impala fans got what they came for, with extended versions of their back catalogue doing the album versions justice. However, there was little in the set that felt unique or inventive. That being said, the maelstrom of reverb vocal effects and rich, phaser-heavy guitar riffs of songs such as Solitude Is Bliss washed over the crowd, creating a heady musical experience. The four-song encore was kicked off by Feels Like We Only Go Backwards’ trademark falsetto, before the inclusion of Half Full Glass Of Wine (with its thunderous, garage rock riff polarising Parker’s placating vocal lines) provided a refreshing end to the set. SHAUN COWE
BALL PARK MUSIC Jesse Davidson/Papa Vs Pretty The Astor Thursday, April 24, 2014 Beginning with an impromptu jam, albeit a quick sound check for the band, South Australian youngster Jesse Davidson moved quickly to set a definitive standard of quality music for the evening. Davidson’s brand of contemporary indie delved into a ranging scape of musical texture, interlacing elements of pop, melancholic rock, tradition R&B and jazzy overtones, ensuring each track stood well individually and as a collective set. One of the highlights of Davidson’s set was his cooling interpretation of James Blake’s Falling From My Dreams, with the drummer’s change from sticks to trumpet. Jesse’s song writing and performance tonight unveiled him to be a young talent with a maturing musical sensibility. Tonight marked Papa Vs Pretty’s first return to Perth since their national White Deer Park album launch tour in February. Singer and guitarist Tom Rowle led Papa Vs Pretty to quickly earn the house’s undivided attention from the onset. There was a good diversity in Papa Vs Pretty repertoire tonight, from guitar laden numbers that meld into melodic pop inspired songs like To Do and Million Different Ways. My Life Is Yours proved to be the band’s opus for the evening; Rowle’s tongue in cheek ode to the poor snare drum that suffered a technical malfunction earlier. Through Liang’s piano work, the
MOANA The Floors/SpaceManAntics/ Catbrush/David Craft Mojos Friday, April 25, 2014
Moana - Photo by Rachael Barrett
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Fresh from launching his first solo release and playing a string of shows in Melbourne, David Craft got the night underway with his deep, smoky baritone. Accompanied by violinist Maddy Blue’s sweet backing vocals, the duo conjured up wonderful brooding and intricate songs. Up next were Catbrush, who were quick to pick up the pace with guitarist and lead singer Ellen Oosterbaan’s angelic but raw howling voice and guitar riffs. Combined with drummer Anetta Nevin’s seemingly effortless percussion and Ben Rose’s complimentary bass, the trio brought a strong and captivating energy to the stage, and you couldn’t help but hear the likeness of PJ Harvey. With SpaceManAntics came a wave of hot fuzzy psychedelic rock. The throbbing bass, smooth synth and hook after hook they had the crowd
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band worked symbiotically to the building crescendos. Ball Park Music were focussed on delivering an eclectic mix of their favourite material and bringing their newest music into the live fold. The Brisbane indie pop quintet were not short of musical offerings for the amassed crowd who had eagerly awaited their return to the west coast. Ball Park Music did not put a foot wrong in tonight’s standout performance. Coming Down, Surrender and All I Want Is You proved to be the faithfuls’ sing-along favourites. Struggle Street was a psychedelic inspired organ number that sat favourably well with the audience. She Only Loves Me When I’m There was atmospheric in styling, although a little too akin to Radiohead’s conquests at times. Fence Sitter was one of the band’s hardest hitting rock numbers which had the audience moshing; a standout track of the set. Ending with Bohemian Rhapsody as an encore, on paper at least, would make any Queen diehard cry shenanigans. To BPM’s credit, they made the song work well in their style and favour and it was embraced by the audience. The showcase of contemporary Australian indie material on offer tonight was nothing short of quality. From the band’s performances tonight, there are enough reasons to say each are deserving of their successes thus far and need to be kept in any indie/ pop fan’s line of sight. ANTHONY LIONETTI
swaying and head banging in union with their music. The Floors have earned themselves a well deserved spot in Perth’s prominent local scene. It didn’t take much to prove why, punching out loud and gritty bluesy rock, riddled with complicated riffs, throbbing bass and powerful drums the Dux brothers and Ashley Doodkorte had complete control of the crowd. Having spent the past year gigging around Perth, Moana have drummed up a fair bit of hype for themselves. From the very moment of stepping into stage, lead lady Moana Lutton had punters captivated with her haunting beauty. Launching into their set with an intro and then their first song, My End, the band quickly proved they were worthy of the acclaim. Joining in for a song was Lutton’s mother Jen Stevens on flute and the affectionately coined “local band whore” Jamie Canny on the saxophone, who had just earlier joined The Floors for a song. The sparse guitar and Javan Gorman’s punchy bass, combined with Lutton’s intoxicating and evocative voice, drove the crowd into a frenzy and left them begging for more. It was hard to single out one song from the night as a standout. However, with Hyena Lutton, oozing raw energy only accompanied by her tambourine, had me on the edge of my metaphorical seat. RACHAEL BARRETT
LOCAL NEWS
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A QUICKIE WITH... PATIENT LITTLE SISTER
THE YARD WAY
Duck into Mojos Bar this Wednesday, April 30, for a great night of local blues talent, including Luke Dux & Todd Pickett, with The Bonekickers & Matt Waring also gracing the stage. Doors open at 8pm, entry is $8.
Yardstock is on again this Saturday, May 3. This boutique event, which sees a number of free gigs taking place in various domestic settings throughout the inner city, this time around boasts a lineup that includes Felicity Groom, Hayley Beth, Race To Your Face, Smrts, Rabbit Island, Doctopus, Fucking Teeth, Brown, Shit Narnia, Dix, Mudlark, Reptilluminati, Rag N Bone and King Crime. Full details can be found by picking up a flyer from Strummers Store on Cowle Street in West Perth.
Luke Dux
Felicity Groom - Photo by Amber Bateup
Now having doubled in size to a four piece act, Patient Little Sister unveil their new single, What A Fool I Am, at Moan Coffee this Saturday, May 3, with support from Childsaint and Husband. We caught up with singer and violinist, Eliza Rogers. You guys recently played for some very famous faces, we hear. We opened for Adrian Edmondson And The Bad Shepherds on Saturday night at the Rosemount. My brother James and our drummer Alex, as soon as they got within a foot of Adrian, started stuttering and blushing like school boys, and from somewhere James whipped out a very battered VCR of The Young Ones and mutters into his shoes something about Adrian maybe signing it. As the horrible sister I am, I proceeded to make fun of him about this all through soundcheck. However I was informed about half an hour later that Adrian was in fact married to Jennifer Saunders and best friends with Hugh Laurie, who were both on the door list and scheduled to arrive later in the evening. I pretty much exploded with fan-girly-ness, instantly surpassing James and Alex, and when they arrived I literally stalked them around the Rosemount. Tell us about What A Fool I Am. The single What A Fool I Am we wrote almost two years ago, and we knew it was meant to be a single because we’ve been playing it for at least 18 months now and still aren’t sick of it! That’s generally a sign that you’ve got an alright song. When we decided it would be our first single we also took it to our friend Steve Parkin, who helped us tweak a few things that weren’t quite gelling. How did recording go? We recorded with Daniel Carrol at RADA Studio about eight months ago now, and since then we’ve been going into the studio every so often to overdub things we’ve come up with and make little changes that we’ve decided are absolutely necessary and mix the songs.
MORE MUSIC AT MOJOS
DIP INTO DIANAS Following on from their captivating performance at the recent In The Pines, Dianas continue to weave magic at The Rosemount Hotel this Thursday, May 1. Also along for the ride are The Fortunados, Rabbit Island, Flower Drums and Hamjam. Doors open at 8pm, entry is $8.
Patient Little Sister - Photo by IZO Photography
Dan has been so accommodating and patient and mediated all our sibling disagreements! It’s just been really nice to work with someone who is also a friend and is very familiar with what we’re trying to produce sound-wise. It makes the whole recording experience a lot more relaxed, which is so nice!
Dianas
LO CAL & LAU NCH ING
What’s up next? For the rest of this year we’re going to be working towards releasing the rest of this second EP. We’re going to head out on a regional tour in June/ July, and hopefully get over east just after that as well. We’re also pretty sure Adrian Edmondson and Hugh Laurie are going to call us up and get us to come on the road with them on an international tour, but for now we’re just focusing on our single launch at Moana this Saturday night!
FINKLE FINKLE, LITTLE STAR Sweaty, sexy rock ‘n’ roll four piece Ray Finkle are gonna make YaYa’s their own this Tuesday, May 6, with a little help from fellow powerhouses Matt Passmore, Mossy Fogg, The Monicans and Beverley Thrills. Doors open at 7pm, entry is $5. Ray Finkle
02/05
Avastera Breathing Hope Album Launch @ Villa
02/05
Lionizer Come Home EP Launch @ Flyrite
03/05
Patient Little Sister What A Fool I Am Single Launch @ Moana Coffee
04/05
Tashi Gratitude EP Launch @ Hyde Park Botanical Gardens
08/05
Morgan Bain What You Believe EP Launch @ Indi Bar
17/05
Legs Electric Self Titled EP Launch @ The Rosemount
18/05
Tahlia Jaye Birdy Single Launch @ YaYa’s
30/05
Our Man In Berlin Is It Right? EP Launch @ Amplifier
30/05
The Disappointed Weird Peace EP Launch @ The Rosemount
31/05
Ruby Boots Self Titled EP Launch @ The Astor Lounge
14/06
Arkarion Lessons In Futility Album Launch @ The Rosemount
ANZAC DAY BREAKFAST
THE ROSEMOUNT HOTEL
The Lucky Shag Friday, April 25, 2014
This Wednesday, April 30, catch Delay Delay, The Lammas Tide, Kashikoi and Silver Hills. Then on Thursday, May 1, it’s Dianas, Hamjam, Flower Drums, Rabbit Island and The Fortunados. Friday, May 2, sees Russian Circles play their only WA show with support from Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving and Drowning Horse, while Saturday, May 3, local heavy-hitters Darkenium launch their new EP with special guests Cold Fate, Weapons, Amidst The Broken and Constructs and on Tuesday Bex and Turin’s open mic night continues.
Following the King’s Park Dawn Service, a hungry horde descended on the popular waterfront spot to take advantage of their special ANZAC Day breakfast menu. Photos by Matt Jelonek
Mike, Stacey
THE SWAN LOUNGE This Saturday, May 2, The Swan Lounge will be swimming with female talent as soloist Tracey Barnett headlines a fantastic foursome of local female talent including Nicky Sandover, Tashi Hall and Rachel Dillon. Kicks off at 7:30pm with a $10 entry fee.
Andrea, Declan
Tracey Barnett Schaelynne, Sam, Michael, Lauren
MY PLACE Saturday nights can be big nights, so make sure you start them right at My Place bar and restaurant! Whether you want to dine like royalty or party like an animal you can make a night of it under one roof. The restaurant is open all day until 9.30pm an there are amazing drink specials going all night. Resident DJ Louis will be cranking the best beats to date from 8pm.
Lauren, Brendan
Sinoun, Phanath
THE NORTHSHORE TAVERN
MOJOS BAR
Northern Blues ‘n’ Roots WA meets on the first Thursday of every month, starting at 7pm sharp. House Band On The Level will kick you screaming straight onto the dance floor with a salute to ‘50s and ‘60s rock ‘n’ roll! Then Amber Fox And The Pistol Packin’ Daddies will get down and dirty with some rockabilly blues and Kiniki And The Mike Beal Project will take you home again with some true blues.
Thursday, May 1, sees Matt Gresham take to the stage. Having scored gigs all over Australia, Matt’s appearances at Mojos have become less frequent and even more awesome. Catch him solo and then with his new band, The Freedom Antics. Entry is $20 from 8pm.
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Matt Gresham - Photo by Rachael Barrett 29
TOUR TRAILS
THE JEZABELS, MAY 9 THIS WEEK BOY & BEAR 30 Divers Tavern, Broome DJ PREMIER X PETE ROCK 1 Capitol KANYE WEST (POSTPONED) 2 Perth Arena RUSSIAN CIRCLES 2 Rosemount Hotel JAMES REYNE 2 Charles Hotel MKTO 2 Crown Theatre BLISS N ESSO 2 Signal Park, Busselton 3 Wellington Square ARMADA NIGHT ft. Andrew Rayel, Jorn Van Deynhoven & Mario 3 Metro City CITIZEN KAY 3 Amplifier Bar 4 Newport Hotel LEE KERNAGHAN 6 Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany 7 Bunbury Entertainment Centre, Bunbury 8 Mandurah PAC, Mandurah 10 May Queens Park, Geraldton ORIGIN 6 Amplifier Bar MAY GIDEON 7 Amplifier Bar 8 YMCA HQ ELLA HOOPER 8 Artbar VANCE JOY & GOSSLING 8 The Bakery KARNIVOOL 8 Metro Fremantle THE PRESETS 8 Capitol 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER 8 Riverside Theatre THUNDAMENTALS 8 Flyrite 9 Mojos Bar MISERY SIGNALS 8 Amplifier Bar 9 YMCA HQ HOLY FUCK 8 Rosemount Hotel 9 The Odd Fellow DISCLOSURE & WAVE RACER 9 Metro City LEE KERNAGHAN 9 Crown Theatre THE JEZABELS 9 Astor Theatre THE JUNGLE GIANTS 9 Rosemount Hotel
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TOURS LIVE
BRITISH INDIA, MAY 15 RED X 9 Prince Of Wales, Bunbury 10 Settlers Tavern, Margaret River 11 The Newport Hotel JASON DERULO 10 Perth Arena PAUL WOSSEN 10 YaYa’s 11 Mojos Bar GROOVIN THE MOO ft. Andy Bull, Architecture In Helsinki, Disclosure, Holy Fuck, The Jezabels, The Jungle Giants, Karnivool, Kingswood, The Kite String Tangle, Loon Lake, The Naked And Famous, Parkway Drive, The Presets, Peking Duk, Robert Delong, Thundamentals, Vance Joy, Violent Soho, Wave Racer, What So Not & more 10 Hay Park, Bunbury THE NAKED & FAMOUS 11 Astor Theatre ARCTIC MONKEYS 13 Perth Arena JONNY CRAIG 14 Amplifier Bar 15 YMCA HQ BRITISH INDIA 15 Freemasons Hotel, Geraldton KIMBRA & JANELLE MONAE 16 Challenge Stadium KING PARROT 16 Amplifier Bar PETULA CLARK 17 Perth Concert Hall SEPTICFLESH & FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE 18 Amplifier Bar HITS & PITS ROUND 3 Strung Out, Face To Face, Unwritten Law, Implants 18 Capitol & Amplifier Bar JAMES VINCENT MCMORROW 21 Astor Theatre WILL PUGH (CARTEL) 21 Amplifier Bar 22 YMCA HQ THE WAIFS 21 Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre 22 Astor Theatre 24 Kimberley Moon Experience, Kununurra 25 Fly By Night DANIEL CHAMPAGNE 21 Mojos Bar 22 Four5Nine Bar DZ DEATHRAYS 22 Prince Of Wales, Bunbury 23 Indi Bar 24 Amplifier Bar 25 Newport Hotel
WAGONS 23 Fly By Night FUNKOARS 23 Capitol 24 Studio 146, Albany THE ENGLISH BEAT 23 Rosemount Hotel MANGO GROOVE 23 Metro City 2014 AIRNORTH KIMBERLEY MOON EXPERIENCE Eskimo Joe, The Waifs, John Williamson, 42 Decibel 24 Jim Hughes Amphitheatre, Kununurra MS. LAURYN HILL 24 Fremantle Arts Centre GARY NUMAN 25 Astor Theatre ELLIE GOULDING & BROODS 28 Challenge Stadium LARRY CARLTON 28 Astor Theatre ALLDAY 29 Breakers Bar, Geraldton 30 Flyrite RÜFÜS 30 Players Bar, Mandurah 31 Fremantle Arts Centre WE ARE SCIENTISTS 31 Amplifier Bar THE BEARDS 29 The White Star Hotel, Albany 31 Prince Of Wales, Bunbury THE HARD-ONS 30 Prince Of Wales, Bunbury 31 Margaret River Football Club, Margaret River JUNE THE HARD-ONS 1 Railway Hotel THE BEARDS 1 Astor Theatre DARREN MIDDLETON 1 Mojos Bar MEAT PUPPETS 2 Astor Theatre PROPAGANDHI 3 Amplifier Bar KIM CHURCHILL 4 Indi Bar IN HEARTS WAKE 4 YMCA HQ 5 Amplifier Bar YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE! 7 Riverside Theatre FRENTE 7 Astor Theatre LA DISPUTE 7 Rosemount Hotel 8 YMCA HQ DEAD LETTER CIRCUS 4 Pier Hotel, Esperance
GARY NUMAN, MAY 25 5 The White Star Hotel, Albany 6 Settlers Tavern, Margaret River 7 Prince Of Wales, Bunbury 8 Rosemount Hotel CARCASS 12 Capitol JAMES BLUNT 12 Crown Theatre 13 Riverside Theatre DUNE RATS 12 Mojos Bar 13 Amplifier Bar RON POPE 13 Astor Lounge TLC 13 Metro City JOSH PYKE 15 Divers Tavern, Broome EARTH 18 Rosemount Hotel BASTILLE 18 Challenge Stadium CHET FAKER 19 Astor Theatre THE PAPER KITES 19 Artbar 20 Prince of Wales, Bunbury SAFIA 20 Mojos Bar LITTLE BASTARD 21 Mojos Bar GRAVEYARD TRAIN 21 Rosemount Hotel 22 Mojos Bar FINNTROLL 22 Amplifier Bar MONDO ROCK 22 Regal Theatre SASKWATCH 27 Settlers Tavern, Margaret River 28 Amplifier Bar 29 Mojos Bar KEITH URBAN & SHEPPARD 29 Perth Arena JULY THE CRIMSON PROJEKCT 2 Fly By Night VIOLENT SOHO & SMITH STREET BAND 2 & 3 The Bakery (SOLD OUT) THE AUDREYS 4 Fly By Night SOMETHING FOR KATE 4 Astor Theatre HIGH ON FIRE 18 Rosemount Hotel THE WHITE ALBUM CONCERT TOUR ft. Chris Cheney, Phil Jameson, Josh Pyke & Tim Rogers 26 Riverside Theatre PELICAN 27 Rosemount Hotel SASKWATCH 27 Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
28 Amplifier Bar 29 Mojos Bar THE ANGELS 31 Newport Hotel AUGUST THE ANGELS 1 Wintersun Hotel, Geraldton DAN SULTAN 1 Settlers Tavern, Margaret River 2 Astor Theatre 16 Roebuck Hotel, Broome THE ANGELS ft. DAVE GLEESON 2 Charles Hotel 3 The Ravenswood Hotel ROY ORBISON & DEL SHANNON TRIBUTE 7 Albany Entertainment Centre 9 Crown Theatre HANSON 15 Metropolis Fremantle TINA ARENA 15 Crown Theatre LADY GAGA 20 Perth Arena THE DANDY WARHOLS 21 & 22 Astor Theatre NORTHWEST PILBARA WEEKENDER 22 – 24 Port Hedland Turf Club THE ASTON SHUFFLE 23 Amplifier Bar SEPTEMBER KANYE WEST 5 Perth Arena MARINA PRIOR 5 Albany Entertainment Centre 6 Astor Theatre 7 Mandurah Performing Arts Centre ROBBIE WILLIAMS 11 Perth Arena BIFFY CLYRO 12 Metro City ANDREA BOCELLI 24 Perth Arena VERUCA SALT 28 Rosemount Hotel OCTOBER RICK SPRINGFIELD 7 Crown Theatre JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE 8 Perth Arena THE ROLLING STONES 29 Perth Arena NOVEMBER THE ROLLING STONES 1 Perth Arena KATY PERRY 7 & 8 Perth Arena
TO U R TA L E S
LEE KERNAGHAN Girls, Cars, Guitars You would be hard pressed to find a man who loves his ute as much as Lee Kernaghan. There are few that can touch him when it comes to his popularity in rural Australia (and he has a cabinet full of Golden Guitars to prove it). CHRIS HAVERCROFT speaks to the former Australian Of The Year about his latest album Beautiful Noise and his current tour which stops by Crown Theatre this Friday, May 9, (full WA tour dates to the left). Although the name may be familiar, Beautiful Noise is anything but an ode to Neil Diamond. According to Lee Kernaghan, the beautiful noise in question is the sound of a thumping V8 on an open road and the pounding of a heartbeat as your girl moves a little closer to the driver’s seat. “That song is a bit like Gettin’ Gone (from 1998’s Hat Town LP) and this is like the same guy but 10 years later,” suggests Kernaghan of the tune Beautiful Noise. “He finally got the old car fixed up and off blocks and on the road. He got the girl as well. “The song was very much inspired by the V8 supercars. The organisation asked me to write a theme song to celebrate the 50 year anniversary of the Bathurst 1000. I did that and performed it at Bathurst and when the time came to do the record, I wrote another version of the song for the album, which is more of a love song. It’s a love song for your car, your girl and the open road.” Kernaghan has been said to be the voice of the new generation of people who work and live on the land. Songs like She’s My Ute and Outback Club, validated and celebrated the lives that they were living. Kernaghan has documented the transition of the days from when the ute was just a farm vehicle and now where it is a status symbol. After growing up with songs about American cities, honky tonks and American culture, Kernaghan made it his mission to write songs about the Australian way of life which has meant the call from Nashville has eluded him to this point.
“I have always been happy to keep the music based here at home, because the music is about my country, our people and our way of life, so it doesn’t really translate to the international market. It all feels real to me to sing songs like Baptise The Ute or The Outback Club. Those songs are about real life and real people. I wouldn’t make records for the American market because I would have to give up something that I have at home, which is my love for all things Australian and I wouldn’t change that.” There has been no shortage of accolades for the leading man of Australian country music with each venture to an awards night appearing to see him come home with more Golden Guitars. The first one Kernaghan received was for Boys In The Bush and it changed his life by giving him a career in music. There may be no shortage of trophies in the cabinet but Kernaghan isn’t taking them for granted and can never pick when he is likely to win and when he will get passed over. “It is probably harder to win them now because when you have been around for a while the landscape changes. The industry - including myself are keen to see new artists recognised because that is how you grow the genre. Never take one second of it for granted. I have never been able to predict it. You do have to keep your package wrapped reasonably tight at those functions. There are so many ways that you can shoot yourself in the foot in this business that it’s not funny.” Speaking of new talent, joining Kernaghan on this current tour over the past year has been budding new group from Tasmania, The Wolfe Brothers. The aspiring country rock act were spotted on Australia’s Got Talent on Channel 7 and Kernaghan organised to meet the boys and have a jam session. It turned out that they had been fans for years and been in the moshpit at many of his shows. “I offered them the job of joining me on tour and they quit their day jobs and we’ve hit the road. It’s been 18 months of touring now and it’s been brilliant. We are now really great mates so after this tour I hope we still get the chance to be able to play together in the future. I am sure they will be doing more and more touring in their own right. They have notched up a couple of number one songs already and I am predicting lots of success for them in Australia and beyond. There is huge potential for the boys to be very successful in America as well.”
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GIG GUIDE
AVASTERA/VILLA NIGHTCLUB/FRIDAY 2
WEDNESDAY 30/04 THE ALBION HOTEL Quiz Night AMPLIFIER BAR Academy Hawaiian Luau ft. Sienna Skies Finders Dropbears Exanimis THE BIRD Hamjam Stephen Bellaire BRASS MONKEY Sugar Blue Burlesque THE CARINE Open Mic Night Shaun Street CLANCYS CANNING Songwriter’s Night Lightning Jack CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Chet Leonard’s Bingoteque DIVERS TAVERN (BROOME) Boy & Bear Patrick James ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Perth UNESCO International Jazz Day Concert Night Cap Sessions FRIENDS RESTAURANT James Reyne THE GREENWOOD Bernardine GROOVE BAR (CROWN) 5 Shots INDI BAR Tashi Mitty Mitch Trio Melanie Amy Hall LANEWAY LOUNGE Penny King Trio LANGFORD ALE HOUSE DJ Illicit Chognee LOBBY LOUNGE (CROWN) Decoy Duo THE LUCKY SHAG Howie Morgan MOJO’S BAR Luke Dux Todd Picket Bonekickers Matt Waring THE MOON CAFE Going Solo ft. Jordan McRobbie Fabian Rojas MUSTANG BAR PUMP DJ Giles OCEAN ONE BAR Brazil Night ft. Xoxote
THURSDAY 01/05 ASTOR LOUNGE Wil Sylvince BAR ORIENT Acoustic Night THE BIRD Oscar Key Sung Mei Saraswati Sid Pattni BRASS MONKEY Rhythm Bound Karaoke BROOKLANDS TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke CAPITOL Collusion DJ Premier Pete Rock CAPTAIN STIRLING Trivia Night THE CAUSEWAY BAR Xport Thursdays THE DEEN Howie Morgan Project DEVILLES PAD Rock’N’Roll Karaoke DUNSBOROUGH TAVERN Open Mic Night Kris Buckle ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB The Hounds Night Cap Sessions THE GATE Greg Carter
WHITE OAK AND STUYVESANT
WHITE OAK AND STUYVESANT CUSTOM ROYAL BEVERLY THRILLS THURSDAY, MAY 1 THE ODD FELLOW
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THE LITTLE LORD STREET BAND/THE PADDO/WEDNESDAY 30
THE PADDO The Little Lord Street Band Jacob Diamond Emily Joy Cribb 459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL DJ-JEONG Boost Hero Man Kaminari Knight Tanaya Harper ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Delay Delay The Lammas Tide Kashikoi Silver Hills THE SWINGING PIG Open Mic Night Greg Carter UNIVERSAL BAR Retriofit X-WRAY CAFE Singer/Songwriters Showcase Darryn Foote Paul Davies YAYA’S Giggidy! The Best of Open Mic Last Week’s Heroes World-A-Fuzzy SC Barendse Three Hands One Hoof Ollie Regal Noah Skype
LOCAL GIG
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GENERAL SIKORSKI POLISH CLUB The 12th Guitar Guinness World Record GRAND CENTRAL PARK Justin Burford GROOVE BAR (CROWN) Decoy INDI BAR Open Mic Night Two Dollar Dog LANEWAY LOUNGE Jessie Gordon LOBBY LOUNGE (CROWN) Jack & Jill LUCKY SHAG James Wilson MARKET CITY TAVERN Ryoji Yully Paradox Ebonnie Clare Cooper Alicia Risk Vita Taylah Cox MOJO’S BAR Matt Gresham The Freedom Antics MOON CAFÉ The Fix Chris Foster Ricky Malet Daniele DiPaola MUSTANG BAR DJ James MacArthur NORTHSHORE TAVERN Northern Blues N Roots WA Amber Foxx Pistol Packin’ Daddies On The Level The KNiKi and Mike Beale Project OCEAN ONE BAR Turin’s Open Mic Night THE ODD FELLOW White Oak And Stuyvesant Custom Royal Beverly Thrills PEEL ALE HOUSE Open Mic Danny Bau 459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Hannah Mae & The Hoodwinks Holly Norman Trio Sam Wylde ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Dianas HamJam Flower Drums Rabbit Island The Fortunados ROSIE O’GRADYS FREMANTLE Clayton Bolger SETTLERS TAVERN (MARGARET RIVER) Open Mic Night Claire Warnock SWALLOW BAR Shotdown from Sugartown UNIVERSAL BAR Off The Record X-WRAY CAFE Jack Doepel Quartet YAYA’S Sly Withers Rum Punch Watermelon Sunset Elise Hudspith
FRIDAY 02/05 THE ALBION HOTEL Jen de Ness AMPLIFIER BAR Death Dependant Enforce Earth Rot Red Descending ASTOR LOUNGE Wil Sylvince
RAGDOLL/THE BEAT NIGHTCLUB/ FRIDAY 2
BAILEYS BAR Mod Squad Brighton Horns THE BAKERY RAW – Evolution Showcase THE BALMORAL The Mojos BEAT NIGHTCLUB (DOWNSTAIRS) Play BEAT NIGHTCLUB (UPSTAIRS) Ragdoll Emerald City Lipservice Sleepfreak BEAU RIVAGE Courtney Murphy BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Mike Nayar THE BELMONT Electrophobia BEST DROP TAVERN Pretty Fly THE BIRD Mudlark Ben Witt Kucka The Many Guises Of Rod Stewart THE BOAT Acoustic Duo BRASS MONKEY Acoustic Aly THE BRIGHTON Ross Lowe THE BROOK Ade Payne BROOKLANDS TAV Light Street THE CARINE Frenzy CHARLES HOTEL James Reyne CHASE BAR & BISTRO James Wilson CIVIC HOTEL Little Teardrops Band Craig Pickett Phillip Walley Stack Knowledge Bones CITRO BAR Jeanie Proude CLANCY’S CANNING DJ Boogie CLANCY’S CITY BEACH Russel Holmes Trio CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Squid & Angus Diggs COMO HOTEL Fiona Lawe Davies 3 THE CORNERSTONE Keira Jane Duo CROWN THEATRE MKTO CRUISING YACHT CLUB Louis Machado DUNSBOROUGH TAVERN Cuddles EAST 150 BAR Adam James ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Rachel Claudio Joe and Sam’s R ‘n’ B Birthday Jam EMPIRE BAR Howie Morgan FLY BY NIGHT Perch Creek Family Jug Band FLYRITE Lionizer Axe Girl Rag n Bone Flowermouth Yian Solo THE GATE Choppa Duo GOSNELLS HOTEL Vanerty Bros THE GREENWOOD Ryan Webb GREYHOUNDS (MANDURAH) Elemental
GROOVE BAR (CROWN) Hi-NRG THE HERDSMAN Chill Divine HIGHWAY HOTEL Big Steve Spouse Band HYDE PARK HOTEL (COURTYARD) Justin Cortorillo INDI BAR Vdelli INDIAN OCEAN BREW CO Ben Merito KALAMUNDA HOTEL Vendetta LANEWAY LOUNGE Amanda Dee Duo Why Georgia? M ON THE POINT Retriofit MAHOGANY INN Leah Grant MIGHTY QUINN TAVERN Indigo Duck MOJO’S BAR Fisherman Style 8th Birthday KBI Soundcrew DJ Corby Choppa Crucial Busha D Rasta Fyah Fireside Imperial MUSTANG BAR Oz Big Band With Swing DJ Flash Nat & The Action Men DJ James MacArthur NORTHSHORE TAVERN Two Plus One Chalk N Cheese OCEAN ONE BAR Mad Agent THE ODD FELLOW Stew Sparkles Mitty Mitch Tootie Pies DJ Cooker PEEL ALE HOUSE Siren Song Enterprises PERTH ARENA Kanye West PIRATE BAR Justin Kutylowski PORT KENNEDY TAVERN Tandem THE PRINCIPAL Blackbirds QUARRIE BAR + BISTRO Siren & Assassin ROCKET ROOM King Of The North Legs Electric Hailmary 459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL The Tenderhooks The Coalminers Sect The JAC City Views ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Russian Circles Tangled Thoughts of Leaving Drowning Horse ROSIE O’GRADY’S FREMANTLE Madam Montage ROSIE O’GRADY’S NORTHBRIDGE Wesley Goodlet Jamboree Scouts SAIL AND ANCHOR Howie Morgan Duo SIGNAL PARK (BUSSELTON) Bliss N Esso SETTLER’S TAVERN (MARGARET RIVER) Rastarix THE SHED Crush DJ Matt
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CHAINSAW HOOKERS/YAYA’S/FRIDAY 2 SIGNAL BAR (BUSSELTON) Bliss N Esso SOUTH ST. ALEHOUSE Robbie King Karaoke THE SWAN BASEMENT Lakeside Lifespan The Right Way Up Ben Elliot SWINGING PIG Greg Carter UNIVERSAL BAR Nightmoves VERNON ARMS TAVERN Stu Mckay THE VIC Jonny Dempsey VILLA NIGHTCLUB Avastera Masketta Fall The Sweet Apes I, Said the Sparrow Finders WINTERSUN HOTEL Leon Tioke YAYA’S Chainsaw Hookers The New Husseins Creature King Crime Ace @ YAYA’S DJ Pup
SATURDAY 03/05 AMPLIFIER BAR The Menace Tour Citizen Kay Tkay Maidza ASTOR LOUNGE Wil Sylvince ASTOR THEATRE Sammy J & Randy THE AVIARY Just For the Night THE BALMORAL Wesley Goodlet Jamboree Scouts BAR ORIENT The Reggae Club BEAT NIGHTCLUB (UPSTAIRS) Canvas BENTLEY HOTEL In The Groove THE BIRD Long Gone Midnight Bobby Burgess BOAB TAVERN James Wilson THE BOAT Acoustic Duo THE BROOK Tandem THE CARINE Craig Ballantyne THE CHARLES HOTEL Rocking For Donna Siren Divinyls Tribute Hells Bells AC/DC Tribute The Australian Santana Experience CIVIC HOTEL Zemlja CLANCY’S CANNING Rae & Natalie Mae CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Jordan McRobbie Band Ellie Schoen THE CLAREMONT HOTEL Antics Three Hands One Hoof The Autumn Isles DEVILLES PAD Black Magic Disco DUNSBOROUGH TAVERN Steve Spouse EAST 150 BAR Jonny Dempsey ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Rachel Claudio Odette Mercy FLY BY NIGHT TLA Quartet
DARKENIUM/THE ROSEMOUNT HOTEL/ SATURDAY 3
THE GATE Greg Carter GOSNELLS HOTEL Almost Famous GREENWOOD Passionworks HYDE PARK HOTEL Afterglo INDI BAR The Perch Creek Family Jug Band The Fancy Brothers KALAMUNDA HOTEL Celebrations Karaoke LAKERS TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke LANEWAY LOUNGE Trevor Jalla Miami LUCKY SHAG DJ Richie G M ON THE POINT Rhythm 22 MERRIWA TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke METRO CITY Armada Night Andrew Rayel Jorn Van Deynhoven Mario MUSTANG BAR Rockabilly DJ DJ James MacArthur MOJO’S BAR Blue Shaddy Old Blood NORTHSHORE TAVERN GrooVe OCEAN ONE BAR Desert Bells THE ODD FELLOW Aborted Tortoise Ghetto Chrystals Childs Play THE PADDO Cheeky Monkeys PADDY MAGUIRES Madam Montage PARAMOUNT NIGHTCLUB Felix PORT KENNEDY TAVERN Stu Mckay QUARRIE BAR & BISTRO DJ Eugene 459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Pissedcolas Shit Narnia Mad Rabbit Beau Jones ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Darkenium Cold Fate Weapons Amidst The Broken Constructs ROSIE O’GRADY’S FREMANTLE Flava SAIL AND ANCHOR The Gypsy Minions SETTLERS TAVERN (MARGARET RIVER) Tony Land Electric THE SHED Huge SPRINGS TAVERN Luke O’Connell THE SWINGING PIG Frenzy SWALLOW BAR DJ Peas Of Soul Purpose Radio THE SWAN BASEMENT Nicky Sandover Tashi Hall Tracey Barnett Rachel Dillon THE SWAN LOUNGE Tracey Barnett Matt Cal Rachel Dillon Jordan McRobbie UNIVERSAL BAR Soul Corporation WELLINGTON SQUARE Bliss N Esso
YAYA’S Mitchell Friend Tourist Trav & Jay ARCADIA @ YAYAS DJ Cookie
SUNDAY 04/05 THE AVIARY Aviary Rooftop Sessions Reilly Craig Troy Division Paradise Paul ASTOR LOUNGE Wil Sylvince ASTOR THEATRE Sammy J & Randy THE BALMORAL Andrew Winton THE BELMONT TAVERN Sophie Jane BEAUMARIS SPORTS ASSOC. Light Street BOAB TAVERN James Wilson BOUVARD TAVERN Tracey Barnett THE BRIGHTON Danny Bau Jasmine Atkins BROKEN HILL HOTEL Trevor Jalla THE BROOK Kevin Curran BROOKLANDS TAVERN Gerry Azor THE CARINE Mike Nayar THE CAUSEWAY Acoustic Sunday CIVIC HOTEL Kizzy CLANCYS CITY BEACH Sunday Brekky Sesh The Limelights Jazz Trio Salt Shaker Sundays DJ Boogie The Salt Shaker Selectors CLANCYS FREMANTLE The Zydecats COMO HOTEL Ansell & Fretall CRUISING YACHT CLUB Guy Tucker DUNSBOROUGH TAVERN Kris Buckle ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB WAYJO – Young Women in Jazz David Hyams And The Miles to Go Band FLINDERZ HILLARYS Bernardine FLY BY NIGHT A Night in Havana Son Trees Buena Vista Turvo Martinez Dance Company THE GATE Choppa Duo GOSNELLS HOTEL Frank G GROOVE BAR (CROWN) Peace Love HYDE PARK HOTEL (COURTYARD) Steve Parkin INDI BAR The KNiKi And Mike Beale Project Men In Blues INDIAN OCEAN BREW CO Retriofit KALAMUNDA HOTEL The Mojos LAKERS TAVERN Wesley Goodlet Jamboree Scouts LAST DROP TAVERN Rick Twine LOBBY LOUNGE (CROWN) Thierryno LUCKY SHAG Dean Anderson
LUMPY DOG/459 ROSEMOUNT/SUNDAY 4
MOJO’S BAR MOJO’S Monthly Market MOUNT HELENA TAVERN Kerry B Ryan Hotspot Blues M ON THE POINT Great Gable NEWPORT HOTEL Citizen Kay NORTHSHORE TAVERN DJ Andrew C Sessions OCEAN ONE BAR DJ G-Martin Tahnee OCEAN VIEW TAVERN One Trick Phonies PADDY MALONES Gary Fowlie PEEL ALE HOUSE Keira Jane PORT KENNEDY TAVERN Greg Carter QUARIE BAR + BISTRO The Gypsy Minions THE ROSE & CROWN HOTEL Blackbirds 459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Lumpy Dog Nevada Pilot Necter Piano Donkey ROSEMOUNT HOTEL The Get Down Charlie Bucket Klean Kicks ROYAL PALMS RESORT Dutchie THE SAINT Howie Morgan Project SAIL AND ANCHOR (UPSTAIRS) Childs Play SEAVIEW TAVERN Christian Thompson SETTLERS TAVERN (MARGARET RIVER) Acoustic Sessions The Brothers Thin THE SHED The Healy’s Renogade SOUTH ST. ALEHOUSE Anthony Nieves SWALLOW BAR Brendom Smith SWANBROOK WINERY Timothy Nelson Steve Hensby Courtney Conway SWINGING PIG Siren & Assassin UNIVERSAL BAR Retriofit VERNON ARMS TAVERN Anthony Buttaccio WANNEROO TAVERN Luke O’Connell WHISTLING KITE Jonny Dempsey THE WINDSOR Justin Cortorillo
MONDAY 05/05 BRASS MONKEY Wire Birds ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Trinity College Jazz GROOVE BAR (CROWN) Justin & Mike MOJO’S BAR Wide Open Mic ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Quiz Meisters YA-YA’S Big Tommo’s Open Mic Variety Night
TUESDAY 06/05 ALBANY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE Lee Kernaghan AMPLIFIER BAR Origin A Million Dead Birds Laughing Eternal Rest DeathFuckingCunt Dawn of Leviathan BRASS MONKEY Open Mic Night Shaun Street THE CHARLES HOTEL Perth Blues Club Perth Blues Club House Heavy Hitters Big Boss Beaver CLANCYS FREMANTLE Quiz Night ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Ms Paula GROOVE BAR (CROWN) Jack & Jill LOBBY LOUNGE (CROWN) Hans Fiance LUCKY SHAG Ben Merito MERRIWA TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke MOJO’S BAR Kings Justice MUSTANG BAR Danza Loca Salsa Night OCEAN ONE BAR OVERGROWTH Open Mic Night THE ODD FELLOW Mexican Bingo ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Bex ‘n’ Turin’s Open Mic Night SWINGING PIG Siren Song Enterprises YAYA’S Beverly Thrills Ray Finkle Matt Passmore
LOCAL GIG
THREE HANDS ONE HOOF
THREE HANDS ONE HOOF THE AUTUMN ISLES SATURDAY. MAY 3 THE CLAREMONT HOTEL
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THE SOUND FACTORY Making Music First established in Bentley in 1991, The Sound Factory is a part of the Perth music scene’s bedrock. We spoke with the studio’s owner and operator, Wayne Smith. “I am the owner of The Sound Factory. There are three of us working here and we each take on the role of producer/engineer. “The Sound Factory has been in business since 1991. Beginning as a 24 track tape based studio in Bentley, we have since moved to North Perth then to our current location in Bayswater where we have been for almost 15 years now. “The Sound Factory now houses two studios, both tape based, one being 16 track the other 24 track. As well as investing in new technology, we have retained equipment from the beginning, much of which was sourced second hand at the time. After 23 years, we now have a wide selection of equipment dating from the 1960s to the present. “The recording area is about 10 by 8 metres, so is well suited for bands that want to track live and then overdub as required. Though the
established bands are great to work with, the best thing about newer bands is that they usually are up for trying new things and the studio is full of vintage toys to play with - heaps of old valve amps, a couple of old organs and a 40 year old Gretsch drum kit. It’s the coolest thing to finish a recording where everyone has had a great time and learned something along the way, then seeing bands successful and knowing that you helped them achieve that. Every time you listen to the CD, you remember the fun and energy in the studio. “We have just completed albums from local band Arkarion, as well as Jaxon Louix, who is based in Melbourne. Next will be Penny Ikinger, another Melbourne artist who will be touring here at the end of May and recording a solo project. “Everyone at The Sound Factory is passionate about local music and always happy to help Perth bands in any way we can.”
YAMAHA DRUMS TAKE INTERNATIONAL PRESS AWARD The Absolute Hybrid Maple drum set from Yamaha picked up the prestigious Musikmesse International Press Award for Best Acoustic Drums recently. The award, voted on by over 100 international music magazines, was warded at the Musikmesse 2014 trade show. The kit, which debuted at NAMM 2014, has drawn praise from drummers and retailers alike. Built from a combination of wenge and North American maple, the drums are known for their wide tonal range and acoustic flexibility. Yamaha Absolute Hybrid Maple Drum Kit
ROCK SCHOLARS OFFERS NEW RCORDING TECHNIQUES COURSE Studio engineer and Ableton guru Mike “Jelly” Jelinek will be offering an eight week course on recording techniques at Rock Scholars in Osborne Park. The course will cover the whole gamut of technical and artistic recording considerations from finding good tone to microphone selection to editing and mixing. The class size has been limited to seven in order to insure plenty of one-onone coaching and assistance is available,, so anyone interested had best move on this sooner rather than later. The course runs from Wednesday, May 14, until Wednesday, July 2. Go to rockscholars. com.au for more information.
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FOR SALE HEADPHONES all brands & styles. 23 Harrogate Delivered at WAM’s Annual General Meeting last Street, West Leederville. Contact Headphonic week, WAM’s 2013 general report demonstrated 08 93886333 headphones.com.au the high level of engagement with both the MUSOS WANTED community in general and the music industry in particular that the organisation is known for. B A S S P L AY E R WA N T E D t o j o i n 4 p i e ce In addition to directing close to a quarter of a orig band Est since 2000, alternate/ million dollars to Western Australian musicians co m m e rc i a l ro c k m u s i c . M u s t h ave g o o d and performers, WAM saw a 33 per dent increase gear & a love for music, EP recorded and in membership, a 13 per cent increase in Song ready. Email david.saunders1@iinet.net.au or Of The Year engagement, drew more than call 0410 723 738 15,000 attendees to the WAM Festival and WAM KEYBOARD PLAYER with good lead and backing Business Conference and upped the attendance vocals wanted for establ country rock/retro at the popular Music Industry Sundowner Series END OF THE QUEST band. Must be reliable and have professional workshops by 18 per cent. Top marks all around. The winners of the The Quest Final Fairbridge attitude. Contact Stephen 0419 996 411 or To read the full report, go to wam.org.au. Songwriting Competition performed on the email: stephentaylor304@yahoo.com.au Youthtopia Stage at Fairbridge Festival on Saturday, OPEN MIC NIGHT every Thursday night at Indi CAN WA NEEDS YOU April 27. Eloise Coomber won in the 12-15 age Bar. Text Josh on 0430 313 577 for a spot. C o m m u n i t y A r t s N e t w o r k WA , t h e k e y category for The Two Devils, while the five piece PRODUCTION SERVICES organisation for community arts and cultural band, Raksha’s Losing Control topped the 16 - 18 CD & DVD MANUFACTURE Check out our latest category. Meanwhile, Cameron Hurst took home the development, is seeking expressions if interest from possible project coordinators to fill one Exceptional Merit award. Congratulations to all - we CD & DVD specials online at www.procopy.com. au 9375 3902 permanent part time position. For full details, go expect big things in the future. to canwa.com.au. DISK BANK Perth’s premier CD & DVD manufacturer, Raksha at Fairbridge Festival with options for all budgets. (08) 9388 0800. www.diskbank.com.au/specials. MATRIX PRODUCTIONS AUSTRALIA Lighting, staging, sound systems, smoke machines, night club FX, intelligent lighting, strobes & mirror balls, crowd barriers, video projectors. 9371 1551 PA HIRE Working bands looking for PA hire with lights & engineer? Batta-Boom Sound offers all this from $150. Call Byron 044 8886 501 RECORDING STUDIOS A L A N DAW S O N ’s W I T Z E N D R ECO R D I N G 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 ANALOG MASTERING VINTAGE TAPE, TUBES & TRANSFORMERS with the latest state of the art digital converters. Clients include: Melody’s Echo Chamber, Pond, Gossling, Knife Party, Felicity Groom, The Floors, Jeff Martin & The Panics. World class facility, World class results. Www.poonshead.com. 9339 4791 SANDGROPERS REPRESENT AT OZ HIP HOP AWARDS ANDY’S STUDIO International multi award Among the West Australian talent that took home honours at the 2014 Oz Hip Hop Awards were Dialectrix winning songwriter / producer. No band required. for Best Verse, Flu for Best Album (Flu Season), Best Beat (Arrows) and Best Wax (Flu Season), Mr Grevis Broadcast quality. A songwriter’s paradise. Ph 9364 3178 for Best Cover Art and Maundz for Best film Clip (Maundzilla). Congrats to all. GOLDDUST Production Mixing, recording and composition. Leederville $80 p/h. 0408 097 407 Dialectrix
WAM ANNUAL REPORT
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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 - BANDS! Great Productions! London Producer, awesome studio. Call Jerry on 0405 653 338 www.jerichomusic.com.au REHEARSAL STUDIOS AAA VHS REHEARSAL ROOMS Great facilities, great vibe & great price!!! Unit 5 /16 Peel Road, O’Connor. Phone 9418 5815 or 0413 732 885 BIGBEAT SOUND STUDIO Clean rooms, all new PA systems, air-con and good parking . Willetton Ph: 0425 698 117. P L AT I N U M S O U N D RO O M S P ro fe s s i o n a l rehearsal rooms, airconditioned, quality PAs mob 0418 944 722 STREAM STUDIO’S 89 Stirling St, Perth. Mobile: 0403 152 009 info@streamrehearsal.com.au TUITION ***GUITAR LESSONS*** The Guitar Institute. Online bookings. Beg to prof, all styles. Catering to WAAPA and AMEB standards. All tutors have WWC clearance. Cliff Lynton Guitar Institute. Mt Lawley 9342 3484 / www.clifflynton.com BASS GUITAR LESSONS AVAILABLE by WAAPA tutor. A practicle approach to learning. .All styles. Years of experience. Tony Gibbs 9470 6131 ELECTRONIC MUSIC PRODUCTION LESSONS For those who may need help making a start and finding their way around Ableton Live. $50 per hr and may come to you. Ph; Danny 0408 909 928 PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP FOR SINGERS Learn stage craft, mic technique and how to engage your audience. Beginners welcome. www.singerssecret.com
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