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LOCAL NEWS
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GLOBAL NEWS
THE RISE OF THE 1920S, ELECTRO SWING PERTH
SAM SMITH RETURNS TO AUSTRALIA
If the ‘20s prohibition era of underworld crime, speakeasies filled with gangsters, brooding millionaires and sexy upper-class women piques your interest, then we’ve found the perfect excuse for you to delve back into the epoch of Moonshine and swinging good times. Electro Swing Perth, a rapidly-growing underground music club event first held at The Ellington, presents the second instalment of its UnderFringe 1920s themed event on Friday, July 3, at Jimmy’s Den. For a night back in the roaring Volstead era and some real moonshine, Electro Swing is the place for you. Doors are open from 7pm, with Jessie Gordon Quartet Featuring The Cottontail Trio, Nicola Milan & the Stray Cat Club and DJs Invoker and NDORSE, free swing dance, shoot-out re-enactments and a strict ‘20s Gangster dress code comin’ right at ya.
Having missed most of his Australian tour dates earlier in the year to undergo surgery due to a vocal chord haemorrhage, the breakthrough young talent that is singer/songwriter Sam Smith is ready to head back to Australia in November/December. Playing shows at all major cities in their biggest venues, Smith will be performing at Perth Arena on Saturday, November 28. Pre-sale tickets for his national tour will be available via Frontier for members on Thursday, June 11, and available to the general public on Wednesday, June 17. Head to frontiertouring.com/samsmith for more details. Sam Smith
Nicola Milan, Electro Swing Perth
RTR FM 2015 DONOR DRIVE
DEAD LETTER CIRCUS ANNOUNCE NATIONAL TOUR Queensland-bred band Dead Letter Circus have announced a national tour to promote new single, While You Wait. The band have spent months meticulously honing and refining a new currently title-less album. The comparatively stripped-back While You Wait has been praised as being, potentially, the band’s biggest hit in their surging prog-rock career. So, to contrast this new stylistic direction, the tour will be built around both the new single and Dead Letter Circus earlier on in their career. Dead Letter Circus will perform at much more intimate locations with on average a mere 300 tickets being sold per venue across the capitals, including Perth’s Rosemount Hotel on Sunday, July 19. Tickets still available via Oztix.com.au
Perth community radio station RTRFM 92.1 has announced the week-long Donor Drive 2015. With 50 office volunteers, nine core staff members and more than a whopping 250 volunteer presenters, RTRFM is in need of your help to maintain its ageing kitchen and lounge facilities. With just $5,000 the station can re-vamp nearly-deceased furniture, add storage, Wi-Fi and a bit of paint. Donations more than $25 will be entered into the draw to win a party with local band Kitchen People in your kitchen and a mystery RTRFM DJ... and what would that kind of party be without a few cold beverages (hint). The Donor Drive will be running via a daily segment on Breakfast With Caitlin. For more info you can head over to rtrfm.com.au/donordrive2015.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
UK DJ CHRISTOPH ANNOUNCES DEBUT NATIONAL TOUR
CATCH HIS DISEASE Catch My Disease singer Ben Lee, with a music career spanning close to 25 years, returns to Australia with his tenth studio album, Love Is The Great Rebellion. Lee is re-embracing his effervescent and catchy indie-pop after experimenting with the meditative exploratory LP release, Ayahuasca: Welcome To The Work. Stylistically, Lee’s prolific musical lifespan has jumped into arenas we never expected, so delving back into pop after feeling ‘exhausted’ with it in earlier years took both Lee and his fans by surprise. With appearances from wife and actress Ione Skye, 5-year-old daughter Goldie and ‘60s folk icon and father-in-law Donovan, his new album couldn’t be more heartfelt. Love Is The Great Rebellion is out now. Ben Lee performs at the Astor Theatre on Saturday, October 17. Ben Lee
CRAIG DAVID AT METRO CITY TS5 presents the long-awaited return of worldwide chart topping DJ Craig David at Metro City on Wednesday, June 24. David is one of UK’s international class acts in the UK garage/dance-pop scene, selling more than 13 million albums with 11 top 10 singles and a debut album that sold more than 8 million singles worldwide. Fast-selling tickets range from $40 to $80, hit up metroconcertclub.com for more details.
With recent bookings in Ibiza and across Europe, emerging UK-based DJ/producer Christoph is finally getting the global recognition he deserves. Following his Shelter EP in late 2014 with remixes from Sante, Josh Butler and Snilloc, Christoph has begun to establish himself in the deep-tech-house music scene as an accomplished international act. Christoph is coming to Australia, landing in Perth on Friday, July 3, at a venue to be announced. Deep-house enthusiasts and industry experts (like English BBC 1 radio DJ Pete Tong) have identified up-and-comer Christoph as a promising international DJ with big things headed his way. Christoph
DR SKETCHY’S HAS MOVED After losing its home following the demise of both The Bakery and The Fly By Night (R.I.P), Dr Sketchy’s Anti-Art School has been reborn at Connections Nightclub in Northbridge after a hugely successful opening night. With a sketchpad and any creative medium of your choice, Dr Sketchy’s offers an artistically inspired space for a kick at the can to broaden and advance your work. For its second event at Connections on Wednesday, June 24, Dr Sketchy welcomes a live harp performance from the stunningly curvaceous Audio Erotica – a high-demand world class performer with a ‘Best Original Score’ WASA nomination. To become a part of this alternative drawing movement, whether you’re a high end gallery artist, art student or drop-in concretejungle accountant, get your tickets for this event at Eventbrite.com.au.
Help renovate the RTRFM kitchen
Dead Letter Circus
TALKIN’ ‘BOUT THE BLUES The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion will make a welcome return to Australia in August, stopping by our way at the Rosemount Hotel Tuesday, August 11. The trio have just released their new album, Freedom Tower – No Wave Dance Party 2015, recorded at the Daptone House Of Soul. Tickets are $50 (plus booking fee) fromfeelpresents.oztix.com.au, 1300 762 454 or from Oztix outlets. Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
WHEATBELT TOURING CIRCUIT IS BACK
ROCKIN CIRQ
Roll up, roll up! Rockin Cirq will be a night of garage Sprawled across three categorically sensational days rock’n’roll and cabaret this Saturday, June 13, from at various locations across WA’s Wheatbelt, WAM has 6pm-12am at Perth City Farm, East Perth. A unique and immersive event experience with a variety of unveiled the 2015 Wheatbelt Touring Circuit. Headlined by multi-award winning local talented artists , it’s hoped that Rockin Cirq will songwriter, performer and vocalist Morgan Bain fill the void created by much-loved venue closures supported by Lauren Arthur plus some guest across Perth, if only for a night. The Caballeros, Junkadelic and Thee Gold Wheatbelt locals. From Friday, June 26,to Sunday, Blooms will provide diverse flavours of live music, June 28, across Freemasons Hotel, Grass Valley with The Beehives Go Go Dancers and fearless feats Tav and Quindanning Inne, this event provides free of excitement coming from Ivana B and Reverend entertainment from some of our best local acts at Butcher, overseen by ringmaster extraordinaire, three great locations. Magnus Danger Magnus and DJ Primal Vinyl. Tickets Head over to the wam.org.au for more info. available via eventbrite.com.au. Morgan Bain
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WIN
N E W S L E T T E R - S I G N U P AT F O R E X C L U S I V E C O M P S
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INSIDE OUT After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness - conflict over how best to navigate a new city, house and school. Inside Out is Pixar’s 15th feature-length animated film and is released on Thursday, June 18. We have 10 movies passes to give away via the X-Press App. Inside Out
BABYLON Coppers. Plods. The Old Bill. London’s police force – the oldest in the world – is in need of a public image revamp And Chief Constable Richard Miller (James Nesbitt, The Hobbit) has found just the woman to do it. Introducing Liz Garvey (Brit Marling, Arbitrage) – an American visionary from the world of new media parachuted in to revolutionise the force’s PR department. In an age of rolling news, smart phones and an information-hungry public, Liz preaches transparency and honesty. But as an outbreak of violence erupts across London – and internal back-biting begins, led by overlooked colleague Finn – Liz’s vision for the future of the world’s oldest police service faces its greatest test. Fast-paced and razor-sharp, Babylon takes a wry look at the people and politics in the command rooms and on the frontlines of a modern police force, as it attempts to uphold the peace under constant scrutiny in one of the world’s busiest capital cities. We have five DVD copies to give away via the X-Press App. Babylon
PRINT AND DIGITAL EDITIONS
NOCTURNAL BALL
PUBLISHER/MANAGER Joe Cipriani
The WA Nightclub Association proudly presents The 19th annual Nocturnal Ball. Each year, the bars, pubs and nightclubs of Perth come together to celebrate the most eagerly awaited industry bash of the year. The Nocturnal Ball is the industry’s night of all nights, and is arguably the biggest Monday night of the year as the industry comes together for a night of fancy dress, stage performances, live entertainment, fundraising, and a few surprises! It is the one night of the year when all those in ‘the biz’ get the chance to let their hair down and party together. We have a double pass to give away to this night of nights. Enter via the X-Press App.
EDITORIAL - 9213 2888
Nocturnal Ball
MANAGING EDITOR Bob Gordon: editor@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
ADVERTISING - 9213 2888 LIFESTYLE STRATEGY MANAGER – AGENCY / DIRECT Zac Nichols - entertainment@xpressmag.com.au Jennifer Groves - advertising@xpressmag.com.au ENTERTAINMENT ACCOUNT MANAGER ENTERTAINMENT / VENUES / LIVE AND DANCE MUSIC PROMOTERS / RECORD LABLES Zac Nichols - entertainment@xpressmag.com.au CLASSIFIEDS LINAGE classifieds@xpressmag.com.au
PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT - 9213 2854 CONTENT COORDINATOR Anthony Jackson - production@xpressmag.com.au DESIGN + PRODUCTION Andy Quilty, Anthony Jackson, Lauren Regolini PRINTING Rural Press Printing Mandurah DISTRIBUTION - 9213 2853 - distribution@xpressmag.com.au ADMIN / ACCOUNTS - 9213 2888 Lillian Buckley accounts@xpressmag.com.au EDITORIAL DEADLINES General: Friday 5pm, Eye4 Arts: Thursday 10am, WIN: Friday 5pm, Salt Clubs: Monday 5pm , Local Scene: Monday Noon, Gig Guide: Monday 5pm ADVERTISING DEADLINES Cancellations: Monday 5pm, Ads to be set: Monday Noon Supplied Bookings / Copy: Tuesday 12 Noon, Classifieds: Monday 4pm
TURKEY SHOOT In the wake of a shocking civilian massacre in a foreign war zone, disgraced Navy SEAL Rick Tyler is sentenced to rot in a maximum security military prison until he is offered the opportunity to put his life on the line to win his freedom. A one-man force of nature, Tyler will have to take-on and take-down some of the world’s most ruthless killers in some of the world’s most brutal locations to win the game, obtain his freedom and find out why he was set up. The question is - can he accomplish all of this before ‘Game On’ is ‘Game Over’? Starring Dominic Purcell (Killer Elite, Prison Break), Viva Bianca (X, Spartacus), Robert Taylor (Longmire, Focus) and Belinda McClory (The Matrix), we have three DVD copies of Turkey Shoot to give away via the X-Press App. Turkey Shoot 6
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Published by: Columbia Press Pty.Ltd. A.C.N. 066 570 803 Registered by Australia Post. Publication No PP600110.00006 Suite 55/102 Railway Street, City West Business Centre, West Perth, WA 6005 Locked Bag 31, West Perth, WA 6872 Phone: (08) 9213 2888 Fax: (08) 9213 2882 Website: http://www.xpressmag.com.au
WARRANTY AND INDEMNITY Advertisers and/or their agents by lodging an advertisment shall indemnify the publisher, and its agents, against all liability claims or proceedings whatsoever arising from the publication. Advertisers and/or their representatives indemnify the publisher in relation to defamation, slander, breach of copyright, infringement of trademarks of name of publication titles, unfair competition or trade practices, royalties or violation of rights or privacy and warrant that the material complies with revelant laws and regulations and that its publication will not give rise to any rights against or liabilities in the publisher, its servants or agents. Any material supplied to X-Press is at the contributor’s risk.
33,560 OCTOBER 2012 MARCH 2013 - AUSTRALIA’S HIGHEST CIRCULATING STREET PRESS
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FLESH
NEWS - INTERVIEWS - REVIEWS - CONTENTS
MUSIC: HOW HAS IT CHANGED FASHION? Music and fashion have always been connected. Just look at this issue of X-Press! JOSEPH HILL counts the ways. A still from the Fashion Revolution Day video
FASHION REVOLUTION DAY The T-Shirt Experiment
Whether it’s as simple as in-store music, accompaniment to catwalk shows, or teaming up with emerging talent to produce exclusive content or acoustic sessions, music has proven to be a great way at creating a vibe or atmosphere for the fashion industry. But how has it changed the fashion industry?
Friday, April 24, was Fashion Revolution Day, held in memory of the 1,129 workers killed in 2013 when the RanaPlaza garment factory in Bangladesh collapsed. As part of TRANSITION FROM MUSIC TO FASHION a social experiment conducted by Fashion Revolution in collaboration with the German BBDO agency, a bright turquoise vending machine, offering t-shirts for 2 Euros, was There are plenty of fashion lines by music artists these days. From Pharrell’s label Billionaires Boys placed at the Alexanderplatz in Berlin, to test whether people would purchase upon Club, Redfoo from LMFAO with LA Freak, and even Gallagher who founded his line, Pretty Green, being confronted with the conditions in which it was produced. It quickly went viral Liam back in 2009. on You-Tube with over 6,000,000 hits. BOB GORDON chats to Perth’s Jessica Witt, a Since the birth of rock’n’roll in the late ‘50s, British street culture has been influencing fashion Junior Art Director at BBDO, who was involved in the production. and music worldwide. Named after a track by The Describe the original brief then the creative process that followed. Our brief was to spark discussion about how our clothes are made and raise awareness for Fashion Revolution Day. The most important part of our creative process was to be informed. We tried as much as possible to understand where the veil had been pulled, how much was concealed and did consumers care? Upon realising and confirming the concept, what were the biggest challenges when it came to production? Timing. As always is the case. However, we worked with Unit 9 in Berlin who took care of logistics, resourcing and production of the vending machine for the day of the shoot. From the creative perspective, our difficulty lay in delivering a complex issue to an unsuspecting consumer. The balance between simplifying the issue too much and keeping the consumers attention was easy to tip. Describe the shoot. It must have been monumental. We began at 8am at Alexanderplatz, Berlin, to set up the vending machine and the hidden cameras. After one last test to make sure the machine was working we just had to wait. The most exciting part of the day was not knowing exactly what results we would get - of course we knew what we hoped for. As the day progressed it became apparent that if we are given the choice, we would rather buy clothes made in ethical conditions. That was encouraging to see. You must have known that it would be a provocative video, but were you prepared for the ensuing reaction?
The response online was exactly what we hoped for; the video proved a catalyst for productive discussion and awareness. What have been the best outcomes in terms of reaction? The best outcome was that people empathised with the campaign and acknowledged the immediate need for change. The message went viral within the week and was endorsed by celebrities and organisations. Most importantly, people used the video to speak directly to brands, and the brand responded. And the worst? I’ve read knee jerk reactions claiming that it’s shame-marketing. The intention of the experiment was not to shame anyone but to connect the consumers to the people making their clothes. The worst outcome would be if we did not acknowledge the individuals subjected to dangerous working conditions in order to meet the demands of the fast fashion industry. Is it more important for fashion buyers or the mainstream fashion industry to take note? Both play a powerful role in shaping the future of the fashion industry supply chain. Change can only truly occur if companies take responsibility for their methods of production. As consumers, the solution is not to boycott clothes produced in sweatshops, but to put pressure on larger companies to create better working conditions for their employees. For more information head to fashionrevolution.org.
Jam, Pretty Green has an authenticity born of a deep understanding of that culture and the things that make it relevant today.
IN-STORE VIBES Many brands use music in-store to create a particular vibe. As a brand strongly associated with music, Superdry influences the music scene from the ground up, and tries to support artists through their global presence. Utilising its SoundCloud channel, Superdry uses this music as the playlist for all of the brand’s stores. With this global playlist, it doesn’t matter whether customers visit a store in Australia or a store in Europe, they will all hear the same tunes. Through supporting artists in their stores globally, as well as promoting them on their SoundCloud channel, Superdry are helping to spread the word of emerging talent, giving new artists a springboard and the chance to be heard.
ENDORSEMENT Fashion and music tend to mirror each other, with musicians often the driving force behind the latest fashion trends. Strategic brand partnerships can cause a snowball effect on the popularity and success of artists, and vice-versa, proposing many opportunities that otherwise would not be made available to them. The birth of hip hop culture has been partly credited to Run-D.M.C, and the 1986 track, My Adidas. The popularity of this iconic song triggered a paradigm shift in the rap and fashion worlds, with the first ever endorsement deal between a music act and an athletic company. Impacting the sportswear fashion world, it brought about modern hip hop sensibility, sneaker culture and product endorsements. “Music and fashion have had a kind of incestuous relationship since the ‘50s. It started with people like Elvis Presley and pop icons like James Dean. Then it exploded in the MTV days. Now, with the internet, it’s instantaneous.” – John Varvatos
LIVE PERFORMANCES Music accompaniment in this sense is nothing new, and can be used to convey a designer’s work in ways
Liam Gallagher, not that green at all, apparently
which the aesthetics and the visual element cannot do alone. More traditionally, fashion designers have used music as a backing track for catwalk shows, but there has been a recent shift to involve live musical performances. Designer Prabal Gurung has previously noted the importance of music to his shows, saying “each season we want to tell a story for 10 minutes… the perfect harmony between clothes and music allows [this]”. Similarly, lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret, consistently uses live performances at their catwalk shows. Most recently, artists such as Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Ed Sheeran and Hozier dazzled the crowd at the 2014 Victoria’s Secret show, enhancing an event that draws the attention of large audiences from around the globe. In many ways, music has changed the fashion industry, and vice-versa. The opportunity of a global platform, to spread the word and give artists a springboard, is changing the emerging music scene for the better. Not only can fashion act as a platform for emerging talent, but the status of the industry can really influence the music scene, and support it from the ground up.
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Newsdesk Win Flesh Music The Vaccines, The Black Dahlia Murder, Graham Greene, Def Leppard, Harts New Noise
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Culture Hub Cover: The Graduates 2014 Feature: Winter Fashion Lifestyle, Hitlist Arts Listings, Lloyd Langford Entourage, Strangerland, Turkey Shoot,
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Scene Cover: Seth Sentry Jamie xx Local Scene: Brufield Live: I’m Flipped Out Over You, King Parrot, Methyl Ethel, NIGHTMRE
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X-Press Guide Social Pics/Volume Feature: ETC Education & Training
Top Knot Detective, nominated for six WASAs
WASA NOMINATIONS On Monday night FTI announced the 2015 nominees for the 27th annual WA Screen Awards (WASAs) at Lot 20 Bar in the Perth Cultural Centre. FTI received a total of 479 entries from 162 screen projects across 33 categories. The Beyond West-produced documentary Prison Songs directed by Kelrick Martin and produced by Harry Bardwell, received six nominations. The film explores the lives of inmates in Darwin Prison in a unique and new light, in Australia’s first ever documentary musical. The ABC mini-series, The War That Changed Us, written and directed by Don Featherstone and produced by Andrew Ogilvie and comedic short film Top Knot Detective, directed by Aaron McCann and Dominic Pearce and produced by Lauren Brunswick, also received six nominations respectively. The short film OnO, produced by Georgina Isles, written and directed by Lauren 8
Brunswick and starring Ben Sutton and short film Karroyul, written and directed by Kelrick Martin and produced by Jaclyn Hewer and Melissa Kelly, received five nominations each. The web series Greenfield, produced by Daniel Tenni, starring best actor-nominated Ethan Tomas, Liam Graham and best-actress nominated Marthe Snorresdotter Rovik, received for nominations. The nominees for the Young Filmmaker of the Year are Jess Black, Joe Henderson, Lauren Brunswick and Ruben Pracas. Hosted by Joel Creasey, the awards night will be held at the State Theatre Centre of WA in the Heath Ledger Theatre as an opening event to the Revelation Perth International Film Festival on Monday, June 29. Tickets are on sale now from ticketek.com.au.
Parkway Drive
RAISING IRE Heavy music heavyweights, Parkway Drive, have announced that their highly anticipated fifth album, Ire, will be released on Friday, September 25, via Resist Records. What’s more their heading to Australia to give it the right royal launch treatment. Catch Parkway Drive with special guests Suicide Silence, Memphis May Fire and The World Alive on Wednesday, September 23, at Red Hill Auditorium. Tickets are available from redhillauditorium.com.au.
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Front Cover: The Vaccines have just released their third album, English Graffiti. Scene Cover: Seth Sentry is on a massive national tour in support of his new album, Strange New Past, and will stop by the Astor Theatre on Saturday, August 22.
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“‘Saviours of guitar music’ – what does that even mean? Does guitar need to be saved in that way? I don’t think so.”
THE VACCINES The ADD Generation The Vaccines have recently released their third album, English Graffiti, and are confirmed for the line-up of Byron Bay’s Splendour In The Grass. AUGUSTUS WELBY reports. It seems strange to say, but every time some new UK band gets touted as the future of rock music, it’s reason enough to turn away. The superlative-happy UK music press has a history of nominating ultimately inadequate rock music saviours, who tend to fade from view within six months.
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Back in 2011, London outfit, The Vaccines, were subjected to this sort of aggrandising treatment. Pounding into view with a brash indie rock sound, The Vaccines mightn’t have been the second coming of Oasis, but their savvy songwriting prevented them from drowning in the whirlwind of hype. In fact, the band’s debut, What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?, pulled off the remarkable double act of charting in the UK Top 10 and gaining positive critical feedback. It’s a testament to The Vaccines’ career ambitions that they’ve just returned with their third album, English Graffiti. Looking back on the buildup to What Did You Expect...?, co-frontman Freddie Cowan has no lingering misgivings. “I don’t think I was aware of it to the level it was going on,” he says. “In hindsight, it was massively hyped. The speed at which we grew in the UK was insane. They’ve touted a couple of bands since, but I don’t think I’ve seen anyone do it and ride that wave like we rode it. We were so lucky for that, really.” Cowan’s grateful attitude is somewhat surprising. See, while embracing such lofty praise might seem natural, the motives behind this acclaim
warrant scepticism. It’s impossible to ignore the nostalgic bent to a statement like ‘saviours of guitar music’, and in this respect, Cowan is less compliant. “‘Saviours of guitar music’ – what does that even mean? Does guitar need to be saved in that way? I don’t think so. It seems like everyone wants it to be the ’90s again – people who talk like that, ‘Go back to the good old days when people who played guitars made more money’. I don’t want to go back to that. I love where pop music is at and I really understand why guitar has taken a back seat.” With this in mind, on English Graffiti, The Vaccines break away from the formula that birthed their first two guitar-loaded records. “When we were touring (second album) Come Of Age we thought, ‘This doesn’t represent us at all or what we’re listening to’,” Cowan says. “We were really hungry to get out of what we were doing. The whole Ethan Johns, plug in and play, totally live, raw – we just said, ‘Why are we doing this to ourselves? Why are we making it so hard for ourselves?’ At that time it was 2012 and we were recording a record like it was 1971.” The consequences of this realisation are stamped all over English Graffiti. Encompassing added diversity and dynamic scope, the synth-heavy
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album recalls everyone from TV On The Radio to Simple Minds and The Strokes. The band’s penchant for high-speed pop numbers is still in effect, but with help from producer Dave Fridmann (The Flaming Lips, Sleater-Kinney), the CBGBs grime has made way for neo-Spector gloss. “We didn’t really set ourselves any rules with it,” Cowan says. “We’re the ADD generation and we’re like the worst culprits of that, so we just followed what was of interest at the time. It’s dangerous to have too much of a mission. If you over-conceptualise before you walk the path, it’s not natural. “We listened to a lot of pop radio making this record. But also someone would just come in and be like, ‘Oh, have you heard this song?’ Deerhoof put out their new album and there was a song called Big House Waltz, and we went, ‘This is fucking really inspiring music’. Everything about it was just so right-on. Then there was an older song from this Billy Cox album, Nitro Function, with this girl on guitar, Char Vinnedge, and this song called Powerhouse. It’s insanely musical, insanely brilliant, wild-sounding.” One of the primary flaws in the nostalgiadrenched ‘bring back the guitars’ argument is the fact the guitar itself is simply a tool. With English Graffiti, Cowan and co. set out to demonstrate that it’s more important to communicate something forceful and exciting, regardless of your chosen tools. “When Kanye West put out All Day, it was like, ‘What the fuck?’ It sounds like someone did it in five minutes, but it sounds like that person was genius. They’re raw sounds and raw hooks and so throwaway but so catchy, and these stupid little vocal noises that become huge hooks people will sing at stadiums. It ties your head in knots. It’s like, ‘This is the rock’n’roll. This is what people must’ve heard when they heard Link Wray’. When jazz was big, this guy’s playing three chords through a busted amp, but it worked. “The pop world is living on the edge and it’s dangerous and heavily referential and so fastmoving. I love that. It’s great just to experience that. So when it comes to bringing the guitars back, I have no interest in going back to that era. I still think there’s a place for guitar music, but I think it’s a place that requires a bit more thought.”
MUSIC
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INTERVIEWS
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GRAHAM GREENE Orchestral Manoeuvres
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER Everblackened American melodic death metallers The Black Dahlia Murder have been keeping the development of their seventh album under lock-and-key. JESSICA WILLOUGHBY drills vocalist, Trevor Strnad, for details ahead of their show at Capitol on Thursday, June 18, supported by Malignant Monster, Iconoclast and Earthrot. Pressure is something all musicians feel at one time or another in their career. Whether it’s from record labels or fans, feeling the heat is not the most pleasant thing in the world. But what if this stress is self-imposed? “I think I feel it more and more with each album and as the band achieves more success,” Black Dahlia Murder frontman Trevor Strnad tells X-Press. “I just feel there’s more eyes on me to come up with more scary lyrics that’ll make your skin crawl. We have almost 100 songs now, I think, and that’s a lot of songs about chopping people up. You have to be creative within the world of the macabre. I do enjoy the challenge, but there are times where the whole thing gets to me.” With internal tensions mounting, these Michigan metallers decided to make the writing and recording process for their upcoming seventh album as ‘chill’ as possible – taking an extended break from
touring and laying down sessions in Strnad’s very own home. “I did vocals in my closet and it was the first time I got to record at home, so I was pretty stoked,” he says. “It’s nice to be comfortable when you have to do that kind of thing because it’s a pretty stressful time. It was recorded with the same studio we always record with, but we had them come here this time. We were also working with our old bass player Bart (Williams) and he helped record a lot of the album. He was also involved in Everblack (2013) and he was a good force to have because he’s an engineer himself. Having him still be around and putting in his two cents about things is really an asset to the band. He worked with Mark Lewis from Audio Hammer in Florida. We’ve known these guys for a long, long time now - so we just had a really good time.” “Before, we normally worked with Mark and Jason (Suecof) together. But when we heard the latest Cannibal Corpse record and it just sounded so awesome, we thought we would just try Mark and see what he’d do.” With the title of the album and its contents kept under tight lock-and-key throughout the development process these last few months, Strnad believes it is important for bands to retain ‘the mystery’ when it comes to new releases. “Some bands kind of walk you through the whole thing,” he says. “I think by now, our fans have sort of figured it out because we are always sticking to the same album cycle. Touring for two years, then an album. So far, our albums have always come out on odd years too. So it’s about time for a new one. “Our last album (Everblack) did better than I had imagined. Coming from Ritual (2011), which was such a big success for us at the time, it seemed really intimidating to put another one out after that. For fans to really grab on to two albums like that was awesome. It made us happy. Ritual was a door opening for us; incorporating samples into the music and different kinds of instruments – and being able to recreate that stuff live. We took what we learned from that and Everblack and applying it to this new one.”
Fans of Graham Greene’s virtuoso guitar work have been thrilled by his burst of creativity of late. SHANE PINNEGAR speaks to the guitar shaman about his new (mostly) instrumental album, Down Devils Road. Formerly the guitarist with early ‘90s hair rock heroes Ice Tiger, Graham Greene released The Tale Goes On EP in partnership with wife Donna (one of the country’s most underrated vocalists) as The Resonance Project, and released his own solo instrumental EP, Lord Of Misrule, last year. He also played with local AC/DC tribute band, Hells Bells, as well as staging several highly successful charity gigs with Donna as Siren in support of Multiple Sclerosis, which Donna was diagnosed with a couple of years ago. “I had a feeling that it was good,” he says humbly when I suggest it’s his best work yet. “The album wasn’t actually an album project from beginning to end. “I’d been inspired by learning all the Accadacca stuff, because I’d only ever played a couple of AC/DC tracks. I started writing a few things like that and that’s where Hand On The Handle (the only non-instrumental track on the new album) came from. I’d written the thing because it was fun, then Donna was listening to it one day and started singing some stuff. Before we knew it we’d written a lyric and we were in the studio slapping it down. “The last few tracks that I’d written for Down Devils Road were written while I was really going through (the process of) finding my own place in our ‘new normal’. I was spending so much time caring for Donna. The last four tracks that I wrote, they’re almost like a chronicle, in particular Through The Dark. That is probably as much of a personal statement as I’ve ever put into a piece of music.” As emotional as this creative process sounds, Down Devils Road is uplifting and exciting, with Greene trying a few different things - there’s some horns and strings on the album, a piano solo on Chicken Soup For The Soul, and some jazzy and bluesy touches here and there. It’s something of a departure for the man dubbed ‘the Satriani of the South’.
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“I’m not really aiming at a demographic. I don’t have an A&R guy that I have to please.” “I think that came from the fact that I wasn’t planning an album and I wasn’t thinking at all who was going to listen to it,” he explains. “I’m not really aiming at a demographic. I don’t have an A&R guy that I have to please. Essentially I was doing the tracks for myself it was therapeutic for me to get the feelings down and when I got into the flow of putting the feelings down, that was when it got real. “Back to Through The Dark there are sections there that are musical sections and there’s no soloing over the top. The music stands alone. You listen to some of the great symphonies, there are long passages of music where there’s no solo. It’s the orchestra playing the music. I think that’s how I approached a couple of parts. “I really wound up getting into the orchestration side of things and some people were leaving comments on Facebook and we started joking about wouldn’t it be fun to do something with an orchestra and I said, ‘yeah, I would love to do something but finding an orchestra is difficult to do’. This guy said, ‘well what about WASO (Western Australian Symphony Orchestra)?’ I said, ‘if I was going to pick an orchestra, that would be it’. He said, ‘leave it with me’. “I have no idea how it would be done, whether it would be a performance or whatever, and working with orchestras is really hard because there’s a lot of people and they need to be paid. If someone came along that thought the idea was good enough to underwrite it, I would probably be willing to go through the work required - because it would be a lot.”
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MUSIC
VIEWS
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INTERVIEWS
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NEW NOISE
STORIES
HARTS
For more album reviews head to xpressmag.com.au
4
4
OUT OF 5
OUT OF 5
The Internationalist Touring in support of his Breakthrough EP (released this week) Harts will be head to Amplifier on Friday, June 12; Settlers Tavern, Margaret River, on Saturday, June 13, and the Newport Hotel on Sunday, June 14. LUCY RUTHERFORD reports. A one man music-making machine from Melbourne, Harts has big ambitions. “I’d love to play with Stevie Wonder,” he says. For Darren Hart, the man behind Harts, this dream is more than realistic than it sounds. Last year Prince himself heard his music and invited Hart to play with him. “The Prince thing was such a big thing for me. Like that was a huge dream and once that happened all of a sudden dreams started to feel more like goals.” It’s Hart’s mix of funk, soul and rock in singles such as Red & Blue and Lovers In Bloom from his debut album, Daydreamer, and his latest single, Breakthrough, that has got him such star attention. And also the fact that every instrument you hear on is played by Hart himself. But for someone so driven and musically ambidextrous, it’s surprising to hear that these musical ambitions arose relatively late. “I got into music just for fun, when I was in high school and I was about 16. I didn’t really have an interest in it until I saw my friends playing guitar and drums and learning instruments. I got drum lessons and through the internet and books I was able to teach myself how to play guitar. It was more after I started learning an instrument that I actually started really liking music and appreciating music.” Hart certainly has ambition now. Having released music almost every year since his first demo in 2010, his hard work has paid off having had opportunities to play not just Australia wide but world wide. “I want my music to be an international thing because I don’t think it’s specifically an Australian sound,” he says. “A lot of people in France really love me for my funk and disco stuff, whereas a lot of people in the UK really loved the old school indie rock stuff I was doing. I really want to explore those different genres and be one of those artists, like Prince and Stevie Wonder, where you can put out an awesome rock track
DEF LEPPARD Taste The Cake Some 28 years after the world-enveloping success of their ground-breaking Hysteria album, Def Leppard are returning to Perth for a show at Red Hill Amphitheatre on Saturday, November 21, with Live and Baby Animals in support. SHANE PINNEGAR speaks with singer, Joe Elliot. Having Last toured here in 2011 with Heart, Joe Elliot maintains Def Leppard thrive on offering a show with world-class support acts, and as most Australians know, there’s no doubt Baby Animals will give them a run for their money. “Good, we like that,” he enthuses. “Because if you look through the history of this band, in the last 10 years or so, we’ve had Journey, Cheap Trick, REO Speedwagon, Foreigner, Styx, Poison, Heart. We always like to take a band out with us that are (a) a good band, and (b) a band that the audience have heard of and know. It’s that old cliché: one and one making three. It’s value for money. “In this day and age, the competition out there is immense, because touring has become the most consistent part of this fucked-up record industry that we are working in. If you’re going to do what you do, you’ve got to put on a great show, and you’ve got to put on a great evening.” Despite swearing off albums a couple of years ago, Elliot promises that Def Leppard will release a new one before the tour starts. “We started on it 14 months ago, just out of... I don’t know... curiosity more than anything else,” he explains. “We weren’t touring, it was like, ‘let’s see if we can write something’. We were going to do an EP – because, 14-15 months ago, we were convinced 12
JEBEDIAH
THE VACCINES
and it can be a hit and you can also put out a funk track and it can be a hit.” On Hart’s upcoming EP, Breakthrough, however, there is a distinctly more rock-driven sound compared to his previous work. “I really wanted to hone and focus the specific sound with this EP more towards the rock direction,” he says. “I really wanted to make sure that the EP was coherent and that it had a particularly branded Harts EP type sound as opposed to extending that over a full-length album and delving into different genres.” With Hart the sole performer on his records, the process of working out how to recreate his music live is tricky. Although for his upcoming tour he will be bringing a drummer along. “You can’t really have the impact and the power from a drum machine that you can from a live drummer, so that was the first step in expanding my band,” he says. “We spend a lot of time rehearsing. And I spend a lot of time figuring out loop machines and samples. It has been a bit of a challenge, but ultimately I think we got there.” Hart’s tour takes him to all corners of Australia, finishing up with playing Splendour In The Grass in July. “I’m super excited for Splendour, it’s one of the things I’m looking most forward to this year because I didn’t think I was going to get that opportunity. The buzz was building and my songs were getting on the radio but I thought it would probably take another year to get on a big festival like Splendour In The Grass. But I’m so glad it happened this year.” He continues: “Some of the places I’m playing on this tour are places I’ve never been to. Some of those regional places there’s not a whole lot of bands that go there. And people are just so thankful that you come out and see their town and play for them. To see that real appreciation for what you’re doing is awesome.”
“If you’re going to do what you do, you’ve got to put on a great show, and you’ve got to put on a great evening.” that the album was a dying thing, and maybe the way to go was an EP - just with two or three new songs, like how we put three new songs on the end of Mirrorball. “That was the way to go, so let’s come in and see what we’ve got. We hadn’t written any songs together for Leppard since about 2007, when we were prepping for the Sparkle Lounge album that came out a year later. Consequently, when you haven’t written an album for seven years, everybody’s backed up and stuff, they’re just teeming with ideas. We all played each other what we’ve got, and the three songs that we were going to do turned into 12, and then we wrote four more! “We ended up with a fantastic record, 14 songs that represent us collectively and individually, because everybody brought finished stuff in and we also wrote things together. The variation within the songwriting is immense, but it still comes under the umbrella of Def Leppard, which is always going to be energetic, hard-pumping melodic rock with big vocals and large guitars and drums, and a few other things thrown in for good measure.” What it won’t be – and Elliot maintains the band never have been – is ‘heavy metal’. “Seriously, I just think that some people only look at the surface. They see, like, a cake and they kind of forget that underneath the icing there’s some substance, otherwise the whole thing would collapse. Have we done heavy metal songs? Yeah we have. I would suggest that maybe something like Stagefright - or part of it anyway - is heavy metal. The same way that you can say that Immigrant Song is heavy metal, but is the rest of Led Zeppelin III? “Of course not. When you do songs like, say, Love Bites, or Two Steps Behind, or even stuff like Promises which is just phenomenal pop rock in my eyes, or another song off Euphoria called All Night, which could have been... Christ, it could have been Toni Braxton for what it’s worth, it’s just a great song. We happened to play it on guitars, and people kind of confuse guitars with heavy metal.”
English Graffiti Sony
20 Sony
Three years following the release of their Come Of Age album in 2012, The Vaccines have unleashed not just a new album, but an entirely new, unfamiliar and enlightened sound. The Vaccines have averted their creative ambitions in English Graffiti and broken the self-limitations that their angsty-indie-rock was beginning to inflict upon them. The quartet is moving on from garagerock-revival and onto a formulaic post-punk-revival sound, leaving us with only a small aide-memoire of the old Vaccines. With fuzzy, barb-wire-plectrum baselines, Graham Coxon/Jarvis Cooker like vocals and fantastically over-produced, distorted sonic 60s pop synths (to the credit of Fridmann), the Vaccines have created something timeless and indefinable. Handsome and 20/20, though sounding like the soundtrack to a sappy, ceremonious ending to a Disney family movie, are incredibly well-fashioned and leave us with the same gleeful, inspired feeling as their past three albums. Though The Vaccines previous work conformed fantastically to its garage-pop-rock genre, the band jumped out of the tight-forming stereotype and into an entirely different realm of music. ‘What did you expect from the Vaccines?’, so they asked us in 2011, we can tell you that it probably wasn’t this.
We were all so young. And Jebediah were even younger. Back in the mid ‘90s, when Perth darlings Jebediah were winning long before hashtags became a way of life, this writer pondered how this music would age. Given the energy and utter youth of it all, I was unsure how well it would age across time. These were young years. And here we are some 20 years after it all started and I’ve never been happier to say how wrong that theory was. Jebediah have never broken up, but did other things when callings came, and have weathered two decades to emerge upon this year’s 20th anniversary with an air of excitement that rivals the first flash of their extraordinary ride. This release pieces together 20 tracks from those 20 years, and for many they would be regarded as the soundtrack to growing up. Songs such as Harpoon, Feet Touch The Ground, Yesterday When I Was Brave and Run Of The Company seem to these days reveal the intents and maturity that Kevin Mitchell would show in his solo career as Bob Evans. Meanwhile songs such as Jerks Of Attention, Fall Down, Leaving Home, Military Strongmen and Teflon are just as fun now as they were then. Good times for a long time. It’s totally possible.
CLAUDIA NATHAN
BOB GORDON
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1
OUT OF 5
OUT OF 5
THE VIOLENT CRUMBLE
PALACE Chase The Light Caroline Records
40 ° In The Shade Independent
Will Oldham puts out a bucketload of records and you can be excused for not being able to keep up with his catalogue (it’s likely he doesn’t even know his release schedule himself), so there is a considerable amount of excitement when you are confronted with a CD by a band called Palace. Has the bearded one joined up with his brother and a drum machine again? So it is hard to explain the depth of disappointment, when putting the disc in the player to find that this isn’t Oldham revisiting his former life, but in fact an English outfit that make Coldplay sound cutting edge! This London four-piece live and record in their studio space meaning that they are rarely far from being emerged in their music, delivering a second EP Chase The Light hot on the heels of their debut. It is this all encompassing sprawl that appears to give little space for perspective and the band meander through tedious slow paced dross like Settle Down. Kiloran is stadium pop in an over earnest fashion that has front man Leo Wyndham whining his way through this nondescript music for parents. Listening to Chase The Light is like finally coming home to a warm bed after a day in the rain, only to get in and find that the cat has pissed in it.
The recent re-appearance of seminal Perth outfit The Rosemary Beads back on Perth stages has come with another bonus - singer/guitarist, Tim Underwood, has finally given a proper release to the solo album that he has been working at over the years. Underwood is nothing if not total; when he played in the Beads and Valvolux back in the ‘90s he was prominent, in some respects a dominating presence, But when he withdrew from the Perth music scene, it was a total withdrawal for a long time and that’s why it’s so good to place this album on and here a song like Echo come out of the speakers - a strident mix of cheek and world-weariness, catchy melody and darkness. The second track is entitled The Story Of My Life, but in many ways it could’ve been the album title as that sentiment appears in pretty much all the songs. Wry assertions, regrets, absurdities and perhaps some amount of peace being reached through songs such as Kiss Fuck Fight, Temper, Time To Go and Totally Fucked, a repetition that says on simply thing (yet so much more). It’s good to have Underwood back and at it. He deserves an audience now as much as he did then. BOB GORDON
CHRIS HAVERCROFT
3
OUT OF 5
3
OUT OF 5
SOPHIE HUNGER GATEWAY DRUGS Majick Spells Dine Alone Records
Supermoon Caroline
Living up to the musical limelight of The Knack’s My Sharona is no easy task, however Gabe, Noa and Liv Niles, like true spawns of a one-hit-wonder, did not care to take on such a task. Emerging from the ever-growing L.A. shoegaze-alt-rock scene is a band consisting of Prescott Niles’ three kids and friend/bassist, Blues Williams. Gateway Drugs recently collaborated with producer Christopher Thorn to create, Magick Spells. With feedback-heavy guitars and distorted, angsty-teen sounding vocals, the new album can be likened to the works of Sonic Youth (Mommy), My Bloody Valentine (Head) and The Raveonettes (Echolalia). For the most part, this new album does not rise above and beyond the tired traditions of Smashing-Pumpkins-in-a-toilet-cubicle acoustics and easy-core, noisy acid-rock (or ‘drug pop’ as they have referred to on their Facebook page). However the band has managed to be synonymous with the words impassioned, noisy, reckless and melodic all at once. Whilst delimiting themselves on any particular genre on a song-to-song basis, they do not scatter too far. With fuzzy vocals and a particularly well-curated ensemble of instruments, Gateway Drugs have created a quintessentially, interestingly quality album.
Sophie Hunger is the Swiss daughter of a diplomat who spent her youth in the UK and Zurich where she developed an appreciation for jazz, hip-hop and eventually folk. Hunger fronted a few indie bands before putting her first solo record together in 2006. Supermoon is her fifth album. Hunger became exhausted under the weight of a constant touring schedule and took a break from music. A luna exhibit in San Francisco awoke the spark inside her and a meeting with Jon Vanderslice lead to the making of Supermoon. The title track is dark and moody - sitting somewhere between Suzanne Vega and Beth Orton, with Hunger showing off a husky voice over traditional folk sounds. Supermoon then takes the listener through twists and turns with Mad Miles having synths, dynamic percussion and a chorus that screams radio, whilst somehow making the perfect soundtrack to a mouthful of mushrooms. Superman Woman name drops Courtney Barnett on its way to brass inspired pop jauntiness. Die Ganze Welt is a chance for Hunger to show off another of her many spoken languages to a jazz soundtrack. Hunger shows herself to be a jack of all trades on Supermoon with an album that shows all of the variation of a night in front of Eurovision. Supermoon sounds unfocussed, but has slightly more good moments than poor ones.
CLAUDIA NATHAN
CHRIS HAVERCROFT
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CLASS OF 2 014 The cold season is upon us but we’re happy in the haze of winter wears and accessories. Wintertime provides the perfect opportunity to get your style on all season and here at X-Press Fashion we’re just lovin’ that warm glow. Inside we look at the best of winter and its accessories, celebrate the work of X-Press’ handpicked 2014 fashion graduates - Rini Teng, (Central TAFE), Maegan Da Silva (Curtin University), Jessica Jones, (Polytechnic West) and Joana Ehmes (ECU), find out all about fashion up-cycling and much more.
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X- P R E S S FAS H I O N - W I N T E R 2 0 1 5
NAOMI CRAIGS
FITNESS FIRST
Shooting The Breeze
The Rise Of Fitnesswear
The Graduates - Class Of 2014 shoot features on pages 16-17. Naomi Craigs was our guest photographer and stylist for the spread. BOB GORDON chats to Craigs about photography, fashion and artistry.
Say goodbye to office chic and beachside boho, there’s a new fashion trend in town, and sweat is a prerequisite.
When did you first know you wanted to become a photographer? I started taking photos for fun when I was a teenager. I never thought much of it then, I just took photos in my garden of bugs, flowers and then self portraits. I never really tried to improve but I found it incredibly relaxing. It wasn't until I was 19-20, I met a few people who were interested in photography and they asked me one day, 'So you're going to be a photographer, right?' I hadn't thought about it as a job until someone actually asked! What inspired you then to become one? Very, very slowly I started getting more interested in it becoming my job title. I never enjoyed working 9-5 and it excited me to work odd and often long hours doing something I genuinely enjoy doing. I had a strange phase where I got a little lazy and stopped enjoying it, but I feel the fire has returned and I'm starting to commit to every project 110 per cent again. Maintaining my other artistic passions has started to bring everything to light again. What inspires you now to keep doing it? Being able to achieve the point in which I can't even recognise my own photos... sometimes. As in, from an external perspective I think the image on its own is a really good photograph and I'm like, 'woah, I took that?' It's happened a few times when I've put my mind to it. That, and the thought of using my photographs to provoke change. Photography is - obviously - a very visual medium and such a great way to get your point across or to provoke thought. What are your favourite things to shoot? Describe the challenges of each... I love photographing fashion, people and musicians. I photograph a lot of tattooed women/
Naomi Craigs Self-Portrait
models- something that tends to be very different from photographing fashion. Fashion/editorial can be more of an art form, whereas photographing alternative models is more similar to glamour photography in the sense that you're really trying to accentuate the beauty of the subject and often their body artwork. What were your thoughts going into the X-Press graduate shoot? I really wanted the graduates to like the photos I've taken of their garments. After all, it's about them and I was/am hoping they will think I've done a good job of showing their work off. I'm a fan of avant garde/darker work, so I just wanted to keep it simple but keep it somewhat true to how I like my work to look without going overboard with an artistic post-production. What do you have in the pipeline for the rest of the year and beyond? I actually feel like I will be stepping back a little into my artistic bubble for a while. I've just started a personal project that involves some of my old artistic talents (writing) as well as photography. This has been in my mind for around two years and I'm finally ready to put it into action. It feels like the right time. It's pretty exciting as this project originally started off as an idea for a simple photographic exhibition which has now snowballed into a much bigger project. It's all in drafting stages still so it's still a long time coming, but it is very exciting and I'll be posting about this little journey more and more on my Instagram (@naomixcraigs). Simultaneously, I would love to work more with the local fashion scene on new work. I am working with companies like PMA (Perth Modelling Academy) for the first time this week. PMA work with exceptional Perth creatives, especially their photographers, so I'm blessed to have been asked to be involved. As well as continuing on with my contribution to publications like Inked Magazine and music work for Australian heavy music musicians, there's always something going on!
Walk around town during peak hour and you’ll notice less suit-clad business folk flooding the streets, and more people dressed in colourful lycra and retro joggers. ‘What’s going on?’ you might ask. No, you haven’t been transported back to the '70s, nor are you on an acid trip (or maybe you are –who are we to tell you otherwise?). The truth is, there's a new outfit in town, and it comes straight from the gym. Fitness gear, in its many shapes and forms, has now become the chosen wardrobe for many-a-person. Take your average, hipster-infused café on a Friday morning. No longer is it filled with suits from the law firm down the road, but instead, young, fit-looking guys and gals that just came from a ‘prework’ work out. It’s becoming increasingly common for people to wear said clothes outside the walls of your local gym or fitness centre, and it’s thanks to our cultural push to be fit, healthy and happy. It stems from the fact that - stop short of actually looking like a giant, red-faced sweat ball that smells worse than your teen brother’s sock drawer
“The truth is, there’s a new outfit in town, and it comes straight from the gym. Fitness gear, in its many shapes and forms, has now become the chosen wardrobe for many-a-person.” - being dressed in gym gear means you’ve at least thought about heading to the gym, and gives others the perception that yes, you are one of those ‘fit and healthy’ people. And our view is changing, so much so, that it’s become socially acceptable, if not encouraged, to
COOL, CALM, COLLECTED
PENNY LANE
The perfect cure to solving the ‘it’s too hot to wear a jumper inside, but too freezing to go without’ situation, the coat adds that extra protection from the bad weather, as it conceals your sexy outfit (clothes or none at all) until it’s time to be revealed. We love the double-breasted basket weave coat to see you through the day, and Lipsy’s bikey-inspired coat to take you to the bar.
HICKEY BLOCKER It wouldn’t be a winter wardrobe without at least one woolly knit, and our pick is Zulu & Zephyr’s Seeker Knit Jumper. Chuck this gorgeous baby blue on with your favourite pair of jeans, and you’re all ready to go.
wear exercise clothes wherever we go. Brands such as Lorna Jane and Lululemon have certainly helped promote this trend. These fitness giants are the pioneers of fashionable gym clothes, promoting exercise in the 21st century through activewear that makes you look and feel sexy. And what’s more inspiring and motivating than looking hot in fitness gear all day every day? They’ve even got your boss on board – yep, he’s just rocked up to your coffee meeting dressed in the latest, quick-drying board shorts, boasting a record of 100 chin-ups during his 10-minute break before downing that espresso and getting straight to business. So satisfy yourself in the fact that you no longer have to walk to meetings in uncomfortable heels and breath-restricting ties, you can find 30 and not be judged during your lunch break, and that finally, Skins can become a part of your everyday wardrobe.
THE COAT
These winter threads will have you looking cool and keeping you warm all winter long.
THE COSY KNIT
Lorna Jane activewear
Ah, scarves. What would our love bitecovered necks do without you? This lifesaving, grounding-preventing device is essential to every winter wardrobe. There’s everything from bandana and snood styles, to shoals and the good old d knitted variety, so make sure you have a selection to cater for your daily wears. Bardot Iceland Snood Spot Fringe Scarf, Portmans
Basket Weave Coat With Belt, TopShop Ksubi Hi & Wasted Jean Ksu
NOSTALGIC HIGHS Keep retro alive with the high-rise jean. Think That 70s Show and combine with summer crops and a jacket. Buy them in a colour that’ll match the most of your wardrobe, and you’ve got a failsafe for those days you forgot to plan ahead for.
Zulu & Zephyr Seeker Knit Jumper
THE BOOT Boots will forever be a winter staple, taple, cting thanks to their tootsie protecting o turn super powers and their ability to any outfit from casual to chic. Want to turn heads on the weekend? Chuck ss and on your favourite little black dress e-high slip on a slinky black pair of knee-high boots – don’t underestimatee the have allure of a little bit of skin can have, especially when being naked seems ms to be the new norm. Bardot Over The Knee Boots
MAD HATTER Hats aren’t reserved for summer, they can be a handy companion come winter, too. Aside from the obvious benefit of protecting your luscious locks from those nasty wet drops we call rain, they’ll keep your hear warm and really complete your outfit. Hat not your thing? Try a beanie instead – but beware, hat hair is compulsory. Felt Blow Cloche Hat 14
X-RAY VISION Don’t underestimate the need for shades in winter. The sun might be gone but the glare certainly hasn’t, so make sure to protect your eyes all year long with Le Specs latest range. Le Specs Halfmoon Magic
Rachel Walker, Chilli Couture
DENIM FRIEND
THE HAIR
Nothing says classic preppy like a knitted jumper pulled over a long-sleeved collar shirt. Keep it cool with a dark denim number, and team with plain black pants or leggings.
Fancy a new doo or perhaps some extensions for the winter season? Look no further than Chilli Couture, headed up by the multi-talented Rachel Walker, who has more than 25 years experience as a colourist and stylist (not to mentioned a fashion photographer and stylist). Her boutique has an extensive and loyal clientele and for good reason, given the impeccable standards reach - and indeed kept in the last four years. “We are a dedicated team of creative stylists who bring together their passion and experience for hair, focusing on delivering a level of service and care to our clients which is consistent, professional and of the highest achievable standard,” says Rachel. Head to chillicouture.com.au to find out more. WWW. XP RE SS MAG.COM. AU
SKINNY SKIVVY Refresh the turtle-neck with a sexy, long-sleeved skivvy dress. The figure-hugging dress accentuates the best of your booty, while keeping your neck and arms nice and toasty. Bardot Rib Skivvy Dress
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THE THREADS PROJECT The Dawn Of A New Era
is twofold - not only are we preventing this waste from entering landfill, but we are also bypassing the resource use that would be required were we to use new materials.” Due its large and ever-growing number of first-year sustainability students, Fashion Manager Kerry Banyard has stated that as a result of Polytechnic West’s project, over 250 garments were prevented from entering landfill. “Sustainable fashion, also called eco fashion, is a part of a growing design philosophy and trend of sustainability. Up-cycling is one avenue of
Students at Bentley’s Polytechnic West recently took part in The Threads Project, an activity combining fashion and sustainability. CLAUDIA NATHAN reports. The fashion industry is one of the biggest business industries in the world. We have new clothes coming out of our eyes and ears, with new textiles being mass-produced on a season-to-season basis faster than we can keep up. Our obsession with keeping up-to-season is beginning to threaten our environment and the sustainability of the fashion industry as a whole. There is, however, a new form of fashion bubbling at the surface that is soon to break through into the high-end fashion industry of the 21st century. This is the concept of Up-Cycled Fashion. Polytechnic West, as part of the Diploma in Applied Fashion Design and Technology course, recent allowed for its fashion students studying sustainability to bring their creativity to the forefront in a hugely successful activity called The Threads Project. The Threads Project was based around the concept of up-cycled fashion, where students were challenged to work with a set of four laundered, worn, faded and recycled industrial garments (linen, medical scrubs, aprons). We spoke with Fashion Business Lecturer, Lisa Piller, about up-cycling and the purpose of The Threads Project. “Up-cycling is the process of taking unwanted textile products or waste and reinventing it into a desirable product, as the creation of fabric is intensive and heavy on resource use. One t-shirt uses 2,000 litres of water to make, and travels once around the entire globe during its production supply chain and distribution. “100 thousand tonnes of clothing end up in landfills in the US alone. The value of working with textile waste for a project such as The Threads Project
Happy Coat inspired jacket with a three-dimensional appliquéd koi fish embellished using deconstructed miners overalls on the back. “As a designer I am heavily inspired by Japanese craft and artisans,” he says. “The Japanese would create everyday clothing by collecting fabric scraps and create what they called Boros, worn by peasants and artisans.” Vanshika Grover, another first-year student, was inspired by zero waste production. All remnants were ‘stuffed’ into the circles on her design. Recycled fashion (vintage) was our first semi-sustainable trend. Op-shops became fashionable and the entire fashion industry began to recycle itself. However, this obsession was universalised and one-off vintage clothing is now being manufactured from scratch to sell in the bulk. Up-cycled fashion is not to be confused with this global trend of recycled fashion. Recycled clothing is selected, taken apart and completely redesigned. “I feel the end results were far more contemporary than vintage,” says Piller. “So much ‘vintage’ fashion now is actually new fabrics styled in an old retro-inspired design, and genuine vintage fashion is normally directly recycled garments. The redesign of these garments took on a very contemporary edge.” Overall, The Threads Project was successful in both challenging its students and creating awareness about the deterioration of our environment as a result of the mass-production of fashion in this
“Sustainable fashion, also called eco fashion, is a part of a growing design philosophy and trend of sustainability. Up-cycling is one avenue of a more sustainable approach to fashion production.”
Designer: Vanshika Grover, zero waste production
Designer: Adam Sugiarto, Japanese Happy Coat
a more sustainable approach to fashion production,” says Piller. “I feel very passionately that the most basic of ingredients sometimes give life to the most incredible creative results. We need to work more innovatively, because our resources are more limited. And there is something meaningful about giving a second life to an object that is seen as worthless or lacking in value”. With an in-depth understanding of the purpose of this project, students utilised all their talent and dedication, rising far and beyond the challenge that was set out to them. “We ran this project with first-year students in first term. These were students that had only basic pattern-cutting and construction skills. As a result, the students were forced to work much more innovatively and use their industrial waste garments cleverly.” Student Adam Sugiarto created a Japanese
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era. With a rapidly burgeoning population, this may be the start of a new trend in the 21st century fashion industry with growing concerns about the sustainability of our planet. This could be one of the most sustainable fashion movements we have yet seen. “The project concluded with a photoshoot where we photographed their designs,” Piller says. “That day was one of community, laughter, chocolate cake and joy. A celebration of a culmination of creativity and industriousness, and the conclusion of five weeks of hard work and passion. I cannot imagine the result would have been half so satisfying if we’d started the design process with a length of polyester cloth.”
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CLASS O F 2 014 Last year the fashion team at X-Press picked their favourite collections from Perth’s university and TAFE fashion graduate shows. PENNY LANE reveals the concepts, inspirations and beginnings of the winning designers.
JESSICA JONES POLYTECHNIC WEST Vanitas is a collection that reflects the transient nature of life and the inevitability of death. Inspired by the art movements of Vanitas and Memento Mori, both of which are concerned with the fleeting nature of life and the impermanence of earthly goods and pursuits, Jessica combined delicate fabrics, feminine silhouettes, romantic styling and a darker conceptual element to explore the beauty that can be found in decay. Rather than seeing death as a negative thing, the designer highlights the importance of enjoying and appreciating life while it lasts. 16
JOANA EHMES ECU It’s surprising to hear that studying fashion was never really on X-Press’s ECU graduate winner Joana Ehmes’s radar, that is, until she was forced to take Textiles and Fashion as electives. The designer was soon captivated by the conceptual approach designers take to developing collections, which she applied to her latest pieces. Featuring a natural pastel skin colour palette and stemming from the relationship between the ‘lived in body’ and the garment, the series investigates how body and garment can be influenced and changed over time. WWW. XP RE SS MAG.COM. AU
Styling/Photography: Naomi Craigs Model: Montanna Jackson @ Scene Model Management Shoes: Lipstik Shoes Hair/Makeup: Simone Cohen @ SC Artistry Photography Assistant: Megan Krohn
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MAEGAN DA SILVA CURTIN UNIVERSITY Seduced by the often romanticised, ancient civilizations of the Americas, Maegan Da Silva spent many years researching Mayan, Aztec and Incan history. It was this fascination that led the designer to develop Mystery of the Maya, a collection that explores not only a way of life, but the art and architecture that comes with it. Through the use of hand-woven silks, sheep leather, feathers and handmade brass and copper accessories, not to mention a rich colour palette of cobalt blue, orange, teal and turquoise, Maegan presents a contemporary portal in which she entices and encourages others to explore these traditional cultures.
RINI TENG CENTRAL TAFE Rini Teng sourced materials from places you would otherwise forget about to produce her 2014 collection, Captured Moments. It was her intention to take something that was under appreciated or ugly and turn it into something that was beautiful – she achieved this by creating garments made up of layered pieces of white material, creating depth and texture to what at first seems like a simple design. For Rini, each layer of her work represents a memory or important event that has joined us together, a wearable, organic art collection.
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Every week we bring you the best in fashion, food, shopping and lifestyle.
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WINTER BEER ROUNDUP Rainy Day Brews With the mercury dropping and the wet weather settling in for the long haul, we take a look at some of the best beers to keep you warm through the winter - or at least comfortably numb.
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Eagle Bay Cacao Stout Dunsborough, WA 5.3% ABV Stout
Boatrocker Ramjet Braeside, VIC 10.2% Whisky Barrel Aged Imperial Stout
This annual winter release is made in collaboration with local bean-to-bar chocolatier Bahen & Co. Brewed with cacao husks from selected beans, flavours will vary from year to year depending on which husks are used. This years release is expected mid-late June.
Released annually in limited numbers to be enjoyed now or cellared for a couple of years if you can resist. Cherry, plums, vanilla, port, chocolate and burnt caramel are all in this beauty. Beware the long moreish finish that will leave you wishing you had bought more.
Nail Oatmeal Stout Bassendean, WA 6.0% ABV Oatmeal Stout Packed with super smooth coffee and chocolate, it’s like a loving cuddle for your palate. No wonder this beer just won another gold medal, this time at last month’s Australian International Beer Awards. Available all year round.
Whatever the weather it is hard to go past a beautiful hoppy IPA. Since its release this cat has been dragging in medals and awards, most recently a gold medal from the Australian International Beer Awards this year. It’s a punch of juicy tropical fruit closely followed by a cuddle of caramel malt to balance things out.
Feral Boris Swan Valley, WA 10.1% ABV Russian Imperial Stout
Pirate Life Double IPA Hindmarsh, SA 8.8% ABV Double IPA
Once upon a time this was only available at the brewery but Feral released Boris into bottles in mid2013 and made them available all year round. Expect rich and dark flavours like chocolate, caramel, licorice and roast with a smooth dry finish.
EAT AT: CHOPHOUSE PERTH
Bootleg Raging Bull Margaret River, WA 7.1% ABV Robust Porter
The Sydney steakhouse now has a presence on St George’s Terrace, serving up some of the finest cuts of meat we’ve ever seen.
As the name suggests this beer is a complex beast. Rich red fruits, chocolate, coffee, plums, spice and biscuits, it’s like a party in your mouth but everyone is dressed in black. Available all year round.
Eagle Bay Cacao Stout
ART’S Mealtime In Mosman Park
DRINK AT: ETRO BAR & BISTRO This familiar King Street venue is perfect for a winter sundowner or liquid lunch.
Buzz about Art’s in Mosman Park— on the terrace of the Memorial Hall building many know as Camelot—is growing, especially among foodies. “We’re having a play and bringing some new things to the table,” says owner and operator Renato Fabretti when asked what makes the cafe stand out from the crowd. “Listening to the locals as to what they’re liking, and testing their boundaries a little if they’re keen for adventure.” Why call the place Art’s? “One, it is short for Arthur, as in Arthur of Camelot,” explains Fabretti. “Two, we hope the traffic the cafe generates will help engage people in the fine art we hope to display as a part of a residency program within our gallery spaces, also with the theatre, dance, film, and music that the venue plays host to. Three, the cafe works hand in hand with MosArts, who manage the building. And the business functions as the ‘Arts Bar’ for audience and performers of shows in the building. Lastly,
SHOP AT: THE LITTLE DELI Get out to Guildford far all your continental and smallgoods needs. Artisanal food and beverages, gourmet meats and cheeses, and much more.
GO TO: TOMAS FORD: THE FINAL CHASE Cabaret king Ford’s weird spy spoof hits the Subiaco Arts centre this Wednesday, June 10, and runs until Saturday, June 13. 18
Food at Art’s
we hope the food will grow more and more adventurous and live up to the artiness of the name, but on a gastronomic level.” He says currently the venue is focused on starting with the early risers (7.30am to 2pm): brekky, brunch, and lunch to begin with. “I think brunch is something well celebrated in a town with such long sunny winters and beautiful blue skylines.” At this point he says there are whispers of a few long table degustation dinners with an
AIRYOGA Flying High “Aerial yoga itself has been around for a while, It got really popular in the states back in the late nineties so it has actually been around for a while and there are a few brand names that have popped up, but AirYoga is our specific brand,” says AirYoga co-owner and instructor Ashley Lau, who describes it as “...a very particular style”. When asked why aerial yoga has become so popular, he says, “I think people are interested in moving in different ways now, they’re sick of just running on treadmills or lifting weights - movement for movement’s sake, I guess? This is quite different, it feels great, the inversion in particular takes a lot of pressure off the body so people with back pain or whatnot can still enjoy exercise, and it’s fun more than anything.” The story behind the studio is an interesting one. “Trevor and I (Trevor Aung Than) are old friends. When I left to join the circus just by chance he also got a job offer and wanted to take a bit of a break. He went to work with Circe, so he sold up his business and moved to Macau, worked as a physiotherapist on their resident show there, and pretty much in tangent I went to China to
Mash Copy Cat Swan Valley, WA 6.8% ABV American style IPA
Aerial Yoga - Photo by Tracey Incau
study at the Chinese Acrobatics School and then both of us moved around internationally for a while, myself training and performing, him working as a physiotherapist with athletes and performers. “Then when we came back to Perth we wanted to find a way to leverage some of the things that we’d learnt, and that’s where we started AirYoga. In many ways, it’s a less intimidating way of
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For a brewery that has only been operating for a few months these guys have made a whole lot of noise and some kick ass beers to back it up. This is some heavy hop drinking, think citrus and pine, balanced with a heap of malt for a vicious and downright gorgeous brew. Homestead Black Swan Swan Valley, WA 7.0% ABV Black IPA It’s everything you’d want from a black IPA, the marriage of dark roasty malts and lively tropical hops is spot on. Dark, refreshing and slightly dangerous to be so drinkable at 7.0% ABV. PIA POYNTON
exciting guest in the theatre (as he calls it, “gentle whispers in the wind”). Currently evenings are reserved for one-off events and the theatre and cinema season in summer. Chef Zac Wilkinson has two decades front and back of house in restaurants under his belt, including experience working at The Ivy in London, and was previously a sous chef at a two star Michelin restaurant in Northcote in the UK. “We’re keen to showcase some of WA’s wonderful produce, talented Perth folk and the Great Southern’s ridiculously wonderful and sometimes overlooked wine producers,” says Fabretti, who points out the baristas and floor staff are entirely made up of local young performers. “Actors, writers, musos and filmmakers we are training up to engage with the building both on the cafe and theatre side.” So far Fabretti cites the lunch menu’s Gochujang Snapper with cauliflower puree and kimchi as a standout crowd pleaser. “The fish is cured in incredible Korean spices and miso and is cooked delicately before laying down on a light, buttery cauliflower puree with the balancing zing and acidity of our house-made kimchi chilli pickled cabbage.” In terms of who Art’s will appeal to, Fabretti believes “...anyone sick of places that can only accommodate one pram before war breaks out, those who want to enjoy the open air and the art deco surrounds, art lovers who want to hear about the next thing happening in town before the papers print, or who want to meet the next wave of artists who in the real world have to work to afford to make the work they care about! Also those who just love food and a good chat.” GILLIAN O’MEAGHER
getting people into our style of training. Sometimes people see the stuff they see on stage and it looks very intimidating and they think ah, no there’s no way, but the AirYoga hammock makes that style of training very accessible, and fully regressible- there’s always ways to make it easier and there’s always ways to make it more challenging as well.” For those versed in ground-based yoga, what differences can be noted after their first aerial session? “Whenever you start any active you’re always going to find it difficult, you’re always going to feel more sore than you usually do,” points out Lau. “That’s not usually an indication of how hard the work out is—it’s usually an indication of moving in patterns you haven’t moved before, so there’s usually that aspect. “Yoga on the ground with no props pretty much means that you’re exclusively pushing, you don’t get an opportunity so much to do the pulling work, and that’s one of the big advantages of any sort of suspension work—you can start to move, you can pull as well and you always want to be moving, pushing and pulling. You want to be doing both aspects. You’ll find even if you’ve been pushing your entire life, your pull will be weak. One doesn’t necessarily help the other, they are different types of strengths, and so you want to stay balanced like that. “The other big thing you can’t get with any other form of exercise is that inversion so when you’re hanging from the hips you’re pretty much doing it effortlessly which is great because you can feel that extension through the spine specifically.” For information on the various services offered at the AirYoga studio located in Leederville, go to airyogaperth.com.au GILLIAN O’MEAGHER
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FREE WIL WITH EVERY PURCHASE Australian comedian Wil Anderson is once again winging his way to the west coast with a brand new show. Free Wil took out the People’s Choice award at the 2015 Melbourne Comedy Festival and is sure to impress fans here. Anderson plays the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday, October 9, and Saturday, October 10. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketek. Wil Anderson
START ON ART WITH ART COLLECTIVE WA Art Collective WA launches its new Benefactor program on Saturday, June 13. Designed as an accessible way for art lovers to start an artwork collection, or to build on an existing one, Art Collective WA Benefactors offers subscribers high quality artworks. Each artwork is donated by an impressive group of the state’s finest artists. A $2500 subscription to the program entitles each Benefactor to two tickets to the launch and an artwork valued at $4000. An exclusive cocktail party will take place at the gallery on Saturday June 13, with Henry Boston, 2015 Western Australian of the Year Arts and Culture award winner, on hand to allocate the lucky benefactors with their prime artwork. For more information, go to artcollectivewa.com.au.
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN SCREEN AWARDS NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED Perth’s film community came together at Lot 20 on Monday, June 8, to hear FTI CEO Paul Bodlovich read out this year’s WASA nominations. The 27th annual WA Screen Awards received a whopping 479 entries from 162 projects across 33 categories. The Best Feature category is set to be hotly contested, with Kill Me Three Times, Paper Planes, Pinch and The Reckoning vying for the prize. X-Press readers will be keen to know who takes home Best Music Video, which is being contested by clips for Mathas, San Cisco, The Weapon Is Sound and Willow Beats. The WASAs, hosted this year by comedian Joel Creasey, take place at the Heath Ledger Theatre on Monday, June 29. Tickets are available through Ticketek. To see the full list of nominees, go to screenwest.wa.gov.au. Paper Planes
ARTBAR SEASON 7 LINEUP ANNOUNCED The next set of artists to grace The Art Gallery of Western Australia’s ongoing program of musical performances has been made public. The Preatures play Thursday, August 20, while actor turned musical artist Guy Pearce Thursday, October 15, performing music from his debut album, Broken Bones, with Powderfinger’s Darren Middleton. San Cisco return to Perth for a special show on Thursday, October 29, and Calre Bowditch & the Royal Jelly Dixieland Band play on Thursday, November 26. For tickets and info, go to artgallery.wa.gov.au.
The Duke Of Burgundy - screening at Revelation Film Festival
VISUAL ARTS For Love Of Country: The Art Gallery Of Western Australia Commemorating the centenary of World War One, this exhibition draws various works from the State Art Collection to present a fascinating look at how art has responded to war and conflict over the past century. It runs until Monday, July 20. Go to artgallery.wa.gov.au for full details. Rebirth: The Art Gallery Of Western Australia Japanese artist Mariko Mori has created Rebirth, an immersive experience comprised of installations, LED sculptures, photographs, drawings and videos. It’s on display until June 29. For more information, go to artgallery.wa.gov.au Wilderness User: Paper Mountain Landscape artist Sheridan Coleman’s new solo show is a collection of multimedia works, including painted and molded miniature pieces and large photography and video works to examine the changing way we interact with the landscape in a digitally dependent society. It runs until Saturday, June 21 - go to papermountain.org.au for more. Hyper Vision: Midland Gate This year’s exhibition of works by local young people is built around the theme of “What’s Missing”, with the artists broadly interpreting it in a range of media. The works stay on display at Midland Gate from Monday, July 6, until Sunday, July 26. Go to hyperfest.com.au for more details.
The Preatures
THEATRE/DANCE/ PERFORMANCE The Epic - Blue Room Theatre Storytellers Finn O’Branagain and Scott Sandwich dig deep into the heroic tradition, picking apart ancient myths and new stories to explore the common elements that unite them. It runs until Saturday, June 13 - book through blueroom.org.au.
LLOYD LANGFORD NT Newbie Welsh born comedian Lloyd Langford is getting his first tour of Australia as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow. Sharing the stage with the likes of the immaculately welldressed Rhys Nicholson and American stand up star Tommy Dean, Langford will grace His Majesty’s Theatre from Thursday, June 18, until Sunday, June 21. With appearances on Never Mind The Buzzcocks and QI, we find out how the tour is shaping up for him by comparison. For a first time visitor to Australia, Langford didn’t get eased slowly into the culture. “My first show was in Darwin, so thrown in at the deep end. I was jetlagged and surrounded by crocodiles. I’ve never been in a theatre before and looked down at the front row to see everyone wearing thongs.” However, for the comedian that has also been an opportunity to garner material for his show. With much of Langford’s humour arising out of observational comedy, the tour has started to provide a fair amount of material. “I’ve been on the road for weeks, so I am starting to write jokes about New Zealand and now Australia. I’m writing jokes about the places I visit. It makes it fun for me to write some jokes in the morning and perform them in the evening
and see how it works. I draw from a wide variety of different sources, things that happen to me as I travel around. As a comedian one of the things you need to carry around is a pen and a bit of paper.” For a man that has seen a mob of Oompa Loompas deliver a swift kicking to a Thunderbird and once beat David Tennant in an arm wrestle while covered in feathers and crustaceans, Langford’s life has certainly never been void of material to draw from. “There are certain things you come back to over and over again, due to the lifestyle - like travelling, because you are on the road a lot. You pick up on your own experiences. It involves a lot of people-watching and eavesdropping out at cafes and bars. Things that you pick up by osmosis from what other people have said.” From the sound of it, this road show has definitely provided more grist for the mill, with Langford discovering more of the local colour. “The show is kind of different as well, as you do a meet and greet after. That can be... interesting. Like at Alice Springs where a woman came up and said my penis looked odd in my jeans.” Langford paused a moment in disbelief before continuing, “The phrase she used was ‘camel toe!’ Apparently I was really funny so she wasn’t going to heckle me and point it out. I was wondering what she was doing looking at my crotch, but to be fair my face is not much to look at.” As for what his show will have to offer, it will depend on what happens to him between now and then, as well as how he reads his audience on the night. “I might have a story to tell about a man who had sex with a pigeon. It depends on how the audience are and how rude I can be.” DAVID O’CONNELL
Glengarry Glen Ross: State Theatre Centre Director Kate Cherry brings to life David Mamet’s prowling, venal powerhouse of a play with an all-star cast that includes Luke Hewitt, Peter Rowsthorn, Damian Walshe-Howling and Will O’Mahony. It runs until Sunday, June 14. Go to bsstc.com.au for full details. The Song Was Wrong: State Theatre Centre An epic love story spanning three generations, Perth Theatre Company’s production of Melissa Cantwell’s
new play stars Astrid Grant, Felix Jozeps and George Shevtsov. It runs until Saturday, June 20. Got to perththeatre.com.au for more. Summer Of The Seventeenth Doll: The Old Mill Theatre Written by Ray Lawler, this classic of Australian theatre comes to the Old Mill courtesy of director Trevor Dhu. It runs until Saturday, June 20. Go to oldmilltheatre.com.au for session times and tickets. Wicked: Crown Perth The smash hit musical, which chronicles the exploits of the Wicked Witch’s exploits prior and parallel to the events of The Wizard Of Oz, runs until Sunday, June 28. go to wickedthemusical.com.au for session times and tickets. Jesus: No Ordinary Life: The Blue Room Theatre Damon Lockwood’s sketch comedy looks at the religion of celebrity and the celebrity of religion in a wonderfully weird scenario wherein a PR outfit is hired to find just the right Jesus to promote the church’s brand. It runs from Tuesday, June 16, until Saturday, July 4 - go to blueroom,org.au for tickets and session times. The Real Thing: Stirling Theatre Barry Park directs this production of Tom Stoppard’s meditation on love, infidelity and truth, presented by the Graduate Dramatic Society. It runs from Saturday, June 19, until Saturday, July 4. for tickets and session times, go to grads.org.au Cirque Du Soleil - Totem: Belmont Racecourse The latest show from the renowned circus troupe traces the evolution of the human species from our distant amphibian state to our ultimate desire to fly, drawing inspiration from numerous creation myths along the way. It runs from Friday, July 31, until Sunday, September 20. Go to cirquedusoleil.com/ totem for full details.
FESTIVALS Revelation Perth International Film Festival The 18th iteration of Perth’s best film festival runs from Thursday, July 2, until Sunday, July 12. Sprawling across four venues - Luna Leederville, Luna on SX, Cinema Paradiso and The Backlot Perth, this year’s program features such cinematic delights as the provocative The Duke Of Burgundy, HR Giger documentary Dark Star, musical docos The Wrecking Crew, Industrial Soundtrack For The Urban Decay and Theory Of Obscurity, and much more. Head over to revelationfilmfest.org for tickets and session times.
Wicked WWW. XP RE SS MAG.COM. AU
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KIM FARRANT Strangerland
ENTOURAGE True Bromance Directed by Doug Ellin Starring Adrian Grenier, Jeremy Piven, Kevin Dillon A cross between a cutting satire from a Hollywood insider and a stealth biopic about the day to day life of Mark Wahlberg, Entourage graced HBO for eight seasons. Now, four years after wrapping up, it is finally getting the big screen treatment. Following the events of the series finale, movie star Vincent Chase’s (Adrian Grenier) marriage lasts a total of nine days before being mutually dissolved. Not bad when you consider it outlasted Ari Gold’s (Jeremy Piven) retirement, as he is lured back to Hollywood with the promise of being head of a studio. For Ari’s first project he wants his friend Vince to star in a futuristic adaptation of Jekyll And Hyde, an offer Vince is willing to accept as long as he can direct. With the status quo restored the group soon falls back into their old ways of partying and helping each other out with girl trouble, be they a movie star, a pregnant ex, or an MMA fighter. Now with the release date for Hyde growing near and Vince going further and further over budget, Ari is beginning to panic about the capabilities of his former band of brothers. There is more than a little bit of an extended episode feel to Entourage. Each of the characters get an arc, but it is hard to escape the fact that Turtle (Jerry Ferrara) and Drama’s (Kevin Dillon) plots are
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mainly padding and not that relevant to the overall story. That’s not the worst situation, as their antics are amusing and over its run Entourage has created a collection of characters that are actually engaging to watch. Overall, this is just more of the same from the TV show. The stakes have been upped a bit (with Vince’s directorial debut, and Ari’s new “King of Hollywood” status), but the same frat boy mentality is there, as well as the close and supportive group of friends. From the first couple of minutes of the film all the character growth of the finale episode is dismantled, setting us back at the beginning and establishing business as normal. For those of us that are first time Entourage viewers, the film also uses this time to re- establish the characters via a helpful run-down from Hollywood insider Piers Morgan, getting everyone back up to speed. It is the first in a long line of cameos that fill the Entourage movie, some of them callbacks to the series, others new, while still others are just egregious (Wahlberg, I’m looking at you). Although continuing a tradition of the show, it clearly overplays its hand here and adds to the overall sense of filler. Entourage is everything you would expect from the TV show’s transition to the big screen, maintaining all the character notes of the original and expanding the story further. It may be the very definition of an unnecessary exercise, but it is still likeable for all that, primarily due to the charms of the circle of friends presented here. DAVID O’CONNELL
Having worked extensively in documentaries and television, Australian director Kim Farrant makes her fiction feature debut with the outback mystery Strangerland. In Strangerland, the marriage between pharmacist Mathew Parker (Joseph Fiennes) and his fading rose wife, Catherine (Nicole Kidman) is already on shaky ground when their children, young Tommy (Nicholas Hamilton) and sexually precocious teenager Lily (Maddison Brown) run away from home. As the search for the missing children, lost in the limitless desert that surrounds the outback town of Nathgari, proves fruitless and the likelihood of the pair being returned diminishes, the tensions underlying their relationship threaten to tear it asunder. “I actually had a theme that I wanted to explore around how we act out in times of crisis,” director Kim Farrant explains. “So I found a writer, Fiona Seres, and approached her about exploring that through the vessel of a family who with secrets, a family whose children runaway. From there we developed an outline together, and then she wrote the screenplay.” Over the course of the development period, Strangerland began to change in numerous small but significant ways, as Farrant and her collaborators learned more about the outback environment and its history. “The main change that became apparent as we were researching the story, once we decided we wanted to set it in the outback because it was a place that would put more pressure on the characters. When we went out there on location recces, we discovered that the population blend of
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these communities was way more mixed than we’d thought in terms of white people and Aboriginal people. It seemed that, in order to be true to that, we needed to look into the Aboriginality, the kind of spirit of the place.” That also meant looking into the cultural myths that have propagated around the notion of children going missing in the bush - an occurrence that is still all too common. “What we found was when the colonials came way back when and took the land from the original owners, the Aboriginal people, when their own white children would go wandering off into this vast landscape, they felt that somehow the land was publishing them by taking their children. So that whole element, we wanted to permeate through the script, and to really highlight this kind of white anxiety.” The film also tackles the complex subject of female sexuality, contrasting Lily’s adolescent explorations with her mother’s frustrated desires. “There’s something that can happen if you’re a woman who has been sexually objectified by the sheer fact that you’re pretty. We were interested in a character who had been incredibly beautiful growing up and then traded on their currency of their body and what happens when they hit their 40s when things start to sag and you start to wrinkle and you’re less visible to the male gaze. “So, Catherine’s in her mid to late 40s, she’s no longer needed as a parent, and she can’t trade on her looks as much and her husband is estranged from her emotionally. So she’s kind of at a place of loss within herself and a bit lost as to what to do with herself. So when her kids go missing, all those feelings start to surface.” TRAVIS JOHNSON
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THE SONG WAS WRONG OPENING NIGHT Studio Underground, State Theatre Centre Friday, June 5, 2015 Written and directed by Melissa Cantwell, the generations-spanning love story The Song Was Wrong impressed the packed crowd of opening night theatre-goers. It continues until Saturday, June 20.
Jenelle, Candice, Serina
JON HEWITT Turkey Shoot Starring Aussie tough guy actor Dominic Purcell Turkey Shoot is an updating and reworking of the notoriously violent 1982 Ozploitation flick of the same name. Director Jon Hewitt tells us the story behind the movie. Jon Hewitt has made six feature films since he made his debut co-directing 1992’s Bloodlust with MUFF founder Richard Wolstencroft, but his latest, Turkey Shoot, harkens back to the golden age of Ozploitation: a time when lucrative tax breaks saw a tsunami of cheap, sex and violence-filled movies of widely varying quality come out of our production houses. “I saw it when it was first in cinemas in Australia in - I think it was ‘82 or ‘83? - in Melbourne.” Hewitt recalls of the original film, directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith. “I just thought it was... in those days it played as a really schlocky, confrontational exploitation film that was completely over the top. It had a political message to tell in an interesting way - this was before The Running Man and movies like that started to come out. It seemed very fresh and
original, especially for an Australian film, and really cool. I mean, you watch it now and you go, ‘Holy shit! It’s so tacky and over-performed!’ which is why you love it, but I can’t remember feeling that way when I first saw it. It was confronting and different.” In Hewitt’s reimagining, Dominic Purcell plays Rick Tyler, an elite soldier who is framed for a crime he didn’t commit and forced to participate in a violent reality television show - if he survives, he wins his freedom. The new version comes to largely courtesy of Antony Ginnane, a veteran figure in the Australian film industry, who also produced the original. “He recently returned to Australia and been thinking about remaking or doing something with his back catalogue. He did Patrick with Mark Hartley a few years ago, and the theory is that he’s in a position now to get some movies made based on some of his old work - there’s some desirability, internationally, to put some money up for this film or that film, because there’s a lot of recognition in the world market for those titles. “And we decided on Turkey Shoot. It was one of my favourite films of his, and I thought it was a film that could do with a bit of an intervention or a bit of a remake - the themes were essentially very contemporary. Obviously the whole Hunger Games franchise thing was about to start when we started thinking about doing it, and that also Tony a bit of an in to the international marketplace. We’ve probably piggybacked on that huge Hollywood franchise’s massive success, a little, in getting the film made.”
Alison, Chris
Kimberley, Tim, Rachael
Ashleigh, Dane
Turkey Shoot is out on DVD and Blu Ray now. TRAVIS JOHNSON
Jacinta, Renee
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Liam, Sarah
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“Whatever came to mind when I first heard the beats that we were working on, that’s what I knew the song had to be about. I didn’t struggle for topics once.”
Seth Sentry is on a massive national tour in support of his new album, Strange New Past, and will stop by the Astor Theatre on Saturday, August 22. DAVID JAMES YOUNG reports. You’ve probably read so much about sophomore slumps and second album syndrome by now that you’ve caught it by proxy. One might have suspected Seth Sentry would be no different when it came to following up his incredibly popular debut effort, 2012’s This Was Tomorrow – the album that brought him a top 10 chart position, an ARIA nomination and a US television appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! At least, that’s what you’d think.
“If anything, I felt that pressure before the first album,” says the Aussie hip hop star, taking some time off in Melbourne before the new album’s release. “I had an EP (2008’s The Waiter Minute EP) that had The Waitress Song on it, which did really well. It’s weird – that kind of expectation and the notion that you’re following up something really important is what I had when I was making This Was Tomorrow. “For this album, it actually felt a lot more free. I wasn’t worried about over-thinking it – I just let it come to me. That’s not to say I didn’t think about the lyrics, mind you. I put a lot of effort into that part of the music; it’s a huge part of what I do. When it came to the subject matter, though, there wasn’t a looming idea of what I should or shouldn’t be doing, or what people would respond to.” Continued on page 24.
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Continued from cover. The album in question, Strange New Past, sees the man born Seth Marton reflect on his upbringing, his immediate relationships and his own particular way of seeing the world. “This record’s creation is based a lot around following your instinct,” Sentry says. “Whatever came to mind when I first heard the beats that we were working on, that’s what I knew the song had to be about. I didn’t struggle for topics once.” From The Waitress Song and Float Away right up to recent single Run, which details growing up as an anti-authoritative youth, a lot of Sentry’s songs rely heavily on personal anecdote and deep levels of introspection. It’s a little surprising, therefore, that Sentry has been inundated with people writing to say they’ve been through the exact same situations as he raps about. He admits that, while it can be a peculiar thing to encounter, it makes him feel as though what he is doing with his music is making some kind of difference. “I think it’s validating, in a way. When you’re having a conversation with someone, you might bring up something that you’ve done or said in a certain situation. If that person responds by saying ‘me too’, you develop an affinity with that person. Just imagine being able to do that on a level of complete strangers. It’s a surreal experience.” It’s been said that you have your entire life to write your first album and a year to write your second. While that may be true to a certain extent when it comes to Sentry, he stresses that having Strange New Past formulate within a specific time period made it much more resemblant of an album in the traditional sense, as opposed to merely being a collection of songs. “I wrote a bunch while I was touring the first record, but I don’t think I ended up using any of those verses,” he says. “The bulk of the record was all written in an 18-month period, whereas the first record came together over the course of four years. I can actually hear it when I listen back to these songs – this feels a lot more connected.” When Sentry appeared on Jimmy Kimmel just over two years ago, it was considered a major step forward for the visibility of Australian hip hop on a global scale. Presently, the genre is getting more international exposure than ever before. Sentry offers his view on the current state of affairs. “I like where it’s at now,” he says. “I like that there are more people pushing the envelope. There was a period there where things were quite stagnant – I don’t know if that was to do with a comfort zone or maybe it was to do with fear of breaking out of a certain mould. I think now people are doing whatever the fuck they want. That 24
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appeals a lot to me. I should say that I didn’t grow up listening to Australian hip hop – there’s still a lot of it that I don’t listen to now.” So does Sentry consider himself an outsider to hip hop culture in this country? “I’m not sure,” he replies after a pause. “Don’t get me wrong – I love a lot of crews over here, and I’ve made a lot of great friends. Horrorshow, Grey Ghost, the Hoods… I think I’ve been really lucky to get to know people like them. I think, for a while there, people in Australian hip hop were stuck just solely listening to one another. It was that whole ‘support Australian hip hop’ movement, with the stickers and stuff. “Australian hip hop is definitely a grassroots movement, and I think supporting one another is an important aspect of it – I’m really excited to hear the new Drapht record for that very reason. I just feel as though we were too caught up in that whole thing for a while. It kind of held us back a bit.” Sentry will kick off a tour in support of the album, but it’s not just a quick jaunt through the capital cities. His Australasian tour will stop at not one, not two, not even 10, but 47 different places. To paraphrase Talking Heads, you may ask yourself, how did we get here? “We do a lot of regional shows when the opportunities come up – more than most, I’d say,” says Sentry. “We’ve built up really strong audiences there over the years. We figured if we were going to go out and revisit them, we should do it all in the one hit. Of course, it built up into something way bigger than I could have ever anticipated.” From Noosa to Nowra, Thredbo to Townsville, it feels as though there is nowhere that will be left untouched on this exhaustive schedule. There’s even one stop on the tour around the middle of July that holds a particularly special place in Sentry’s heart. “There’s a show on the tour happening in Sorrento, which is in the Mornington Peninsula where I grew up. Not only did I used to work at the venue we’re playing, I also used to live there.” No way. “Way, man! There was staff accommodation, so you could stay upstairs above the place. I’m basically going to be playing at my old house, which is a total trip.” Seth Sentry’s WA visit also takes in Judd’s, Kalgoorlie, on Wednesday, August 12; Pier Hotel, Esperance, on Thursday, August 13; Studio 146, Albany, on Friday, August 14; Settlers Tavern, Margaret River, on Saturday, August 15; Dunsborough Tavern on Wednesday, August 19, and the Prince Of Wales, Bunbury, on Thursday, August 20.
NEWS
JAMIE XX True Colours Jamie xx has juts released his debut solo album, In Colour. AUGUSTUS WELBY reports. The recent announcement of In Colour, the debut solo LP from Jamie xx, stirred anxiety in the hearts of diehard fans of The xx. Were the relationships between the band members in a state of decline? Did this mean that the producer/ percussionist (also known as Jamie Smith) was exiting the trio? Thankfully, these worries were soon alleviated, first by In Colour’s lead single, Loud Places, which features the unmistakable vocals of The xx’s Romy MadleyCroft, and then the full album tracklist, which finds xx co-vocalist Oliver Sim taking the lead on Stranger In A Room. While Smith confirms the band members are still the closest of friends, his solo debut was bound to eventuate sooner or later. “Pretty much since making the first xx album, I’ve been working on this music,” he says. “The way that I ended up joining The xx is because I was making the backing beats on CD for them to play along to in bars and pubs – I wasn’t going to be onstage – but I was making my own stuff on the side at the same time.” Smith’s production and drum programming has been an integral feature of The xx’s two incredibly well received LPs, 2009’s xx and 2012’s Coexist. However, while the band’s recorded work leans towards an organic indie pop aesthetic, In Colour is indebted to classic UK electronic music. In this respect, Loud Places and Stranger In A Room are something of a revelation, exhibiting a complementary unity between Smith’s electronic production and his bandmates’ vocals.
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even aware of it because I was just working really hard and not doing what I love, not actually making music. “Maybe after it was all over, then the fact that it was well received helped me. But I think it was more just growing up and getting the confidence. Like any other person going from 17 to 26, I’ve just become more confident in myself.” Hefty workload aside, Smith’s extensive DJing commitments weren’t totally counterproductive. In fact, In Colour is structured to reflect the nature of his DJ sets. “ M y f avo u r i te s e t to s e e i s w h e n somebody can surprise you and take something in a completely different direction,” he says. “Because the album is quite varied, I needed to find a way to do that, but for it to still sound like a coherent body of work.” The remainder of 2015 will involve plenty of touring behind the record, as well as finalising the third xx album. Oh, and Smith’s also scoring a ballet adaptation of the Jonathan Safran Foer novel, Tree Of Codes, to be presented at the Manchester International Festival in July. It’s a pretty impressive outlook, and it far exceeds what Smith anticipated while making the first xx album. “I didn’t even think about the prospect of it actually being on a record, in a record store,” he says. “I just thought about putting all of this music that we had into a computer or something. I never Jamie xx | Pic: Flavien Prioreau thought that far ahead.”
“The way that I ended up joining The xx is because I was making the backing beats on CD for them to play along to in bars and pubs – I wasn’t going to be onstage – but I was making my own stuff on the side at the same time.”
“At the same time I was making my album, we were making the third xx record,” he says. “What my album has allowed us to do is work a little differently to the way we worked on the last two albums, and be a bit more open to the process in which we work and the sounds that might come out in the end. This next xx album has the potential to be a hybrid of my album and an xx album.” In Colour features heavy use of samples, masterful programming and instrumental tidbits, plus Young Thug and Popcaan show up to add rhymes and melodies to the late-album party rejuvenator I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times). Throughout, Smith steers clear of obvious hooks and song structures, and instead employs a minimalist touch that allows major impact to stem from small textural embellishments. It’s plain to see that In Colour is the result of countless hours of studio labour. “I’d been working on this music without the intention of it becoming an album,” Smith says. “I needed to tell myself in the end that it was going to be an album, because that was the only way I was going to finish with this music and stop fiddling.” While a lot of In Colour was produced in isolation, Smith wasn’t fiercely independent when it came to getting the record finished. “I still needed the help that Romy and Oliver can give,” he says. “Because we know each other so well, I needed them just to listen to it. Even just to sit next to somebody who you trust and listen to the album in its entirety, you don’t even need them to say anything because you can pick out all the parts that you are cringing at.” The prospect of a Jamie xx solo LP has loomed ever since the release of We’re New Here in 2011. We’re New Here – a remix album of Gil ScottHeron’s I’m New Here – not only drew attention to Smith’s underground electronic panache, but it grabbed him a fan base in his own right. The record’s positive impact, though, also had certain side effects. “I ended up DJing a lot, doing the circuit every Thursday till Sunday, being exhausted, and that actually hindered my creativity. I was really happy it was well received, but I was almost not WWW. XP RE SS MAG.COM. AU
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TIMOTHY NELSON GETS RESIDENT STATUS
SURF INTO THE VELVET LOUNGE
ARE YOU READY TO CRUMBLE?
...at the Hyde Park Hotel, that is. The impressivelycoiffed singer/songwriter/bandleader will be playing solo every Sunday in June, serving up old gold and new material across three sets from 4pm-7pm. Entry is free.
Self-described “surfer-pixie-punk” outfit Surf Rabbits will be gracing the stage of the recently refurbished Velvet Lounge this Saturday, June 13, where they’ll be making full and frequent use of the new sound system, along with Doctopus and The Darling Rangers. Doors open at 8pm, entry is $10.
The Violent Crumble is Tim Underwood from The Rosemary Beads 'other' band which also features bassist Mark Cruickshank (Red Jezebel) and drummer Warren Hall. Their album, 40 ° In The Shade, is reviewed this week in New Noise, but you can catch them live this Thursday, June 11, at Mojos. Support comes from Sugarchild, Gretta Little (Rosemary Beads, doing the solo thing on bass) and Los Porcheros. Action stations from 8.30pm.
DIANAS GET SINGLED OUT No, Dianas have a new single out - at least they will once they launch Good Enough Girl at The Bird this Saturday, June 13. Support comes from Rat Columns and Cold Meat. Entry is $50 from 8pm. Nyanda J
INDI/ACOUSTIC
Timothy Nelson - Photo by Rachael Barrett
The regular Club Acoustica night at Indi Bar is happening tonight, Wednesday, June 10, from 7pm. This week’s roster is an impressive one, with Mitchell Jones, Nyanda J, Tim Roose, Minky G and Rosco Dwyer all doing their thing. Entry, as ever, is free.
The Surf Rabbits
Dianas - Photo by Lewis Potts
THE PLAYOFF BAND COMPETITION HEATS UP Heat 5 of the Playoff Band Competition hits Rockingham’s Bar Indigo tonight, Wednesday, June 10. Lost For Reason, Aaron Gwynaire, The Hunting Birds and The Flying Embers will go head to head for the opportunity to proceed to the finals on Saturday, July 4, where the winner will walk away with $5000 cash, a Castlerock Institute of Music sponsorship package, $200 worth of gear from Guitar World Rockingham, a promotional package from us here at X-Press and more. Doors open at 6.30pm, entry is $5.
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2015 has seen us grow and evolve the music which finally led us into the studio to lay down this EP.
BRUFIELD Welcome Stranger Brufield launch their debut EP, Cracked, at Jimmy’s Den this Friday, June 12, with help from The Milkmen, The Silent Deeds, Ghupi Street Illusionist and Diamond Dance. BOB GORDON chats to vocalist, Lisa Caulfield. Your founded the band with Andy Brunn two years ago, what was your vision for Brufield from the outset? Andy and I started out as a duo just mucking about with some songs and soon realised that there was something special and that they needed more like-minded musos on board to bring them to life . Once we had the full line-up and the five of us got in a room together, we knew we had to take this as far as we could. Describe the road so far for Brufield leading up to this debut EP? So far, Brufield have had amazing opportunities here in WA. Gaining a spot at Big Day Out 2014 amongst the likes of Pearl Jam, Snoop Lion, Arcade Fire... to name a few. Having played other local festivals like Midlandia and Mandurah Crab Fest, 2014 was a busy but successful first year for the band.
Given it’s your first extended release, what did you want to convey of the band? The band has organically transitioned from pop/rock to being predominantly nostalgic rockthemed on this EP, as it’s where the foundations of Brufield began. Performing pop music is something we thrive on, however the rockier edge shows the true talents of the band as a whole and grips the listener from the get-go. We want the listener to feel every word, not just listen and sing along - and these songs do that. When you see a stranger at a gig sing back the lyrics at the end chorus, you know you’ve done your job as a writer. What have been your best live performance experiences so far? The best live performance so far would have to be the BDO. What makes it more special is that it was the last one held in WA, so that’s something we can tell the grandkids. Not many bands having been only together a few months can say they played BDO with such massive musical legends With the EP now released, what are the plans from here? Now that we are launching this longawaited EP it’s time to get on the road and get into people’s ears that haven’t heard about us . We are planning some travel to promote the band and the EP then hopefully gain some exposure to further our musical love around the globe.
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Teischa
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Brufield Cracked EP Launch @ Jimmy’s Den
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The Leap Year 7” Launch @ The Astor Lounge
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Teischa Couldn’t Care Less Single Launch @ Indi Bar
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Dianas Good Enough Girl Single Launch @ The Bird
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The Decline Resister Album Launch @ Jimmy’s Den
04/07
French Rockets Arc Album Launch @ Jimmy’s Den
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Diger Rokwell Seeds EP Launch @ The Bird
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I’M TOTALLY FLIPPED OUT OVER YOU Rosemount Hotel Saturday, June 6, 2015 James and Cath Baker tied the knot last Saturday morning and the best way for them to celebrate was to invite a cavalcade of friends to the Rosemount for a big rock’n’roll party. Many of those friends just happened to be the people that Baker had played drums with in such historic bands as The Scientists, Le Hoodoo Gurus, The Dubrovniks, The Painkillers, The Television Addicts (hey it’s basically The Victims!), plus old friends such as Spencer P. Jones and Greg Dear. Much merriment was had and some great times had as many fun and important tunes were played loudly (of course) from the Rosemount stage ending in an all-star finale. Congratulations James and Cath!
NGHTMRE
NGHTMRE Ambar Saturday, June 6. 2015 ‘Straight Fire’ is really all that needs to be said about NGHTMRE’s performance on Saturday day night. However, details and evidence to support this claim shall be shared for those less fortunate to attend the night’s display. Warming up the night saw Micah, a Japan 4 regular laying down some slick House with his usual breakbeat/ factory-esque spin. A start time of 2am for the main act was an interesting choice, but the die-hard fans were there patiently waiting in anticipation. At the chime of that San Franciscan accent everyone’s attention was averted to the booth as a low frequency filled the underground chamber and wolf whistles bounced off the walls. Off the mark, NGHTMRE was laying down the hits one after another without holding back. He managed to create a perfect balance between grime and melody, which made it, not only danceable but also so smooth on the ears. He moved quickly throughout the night from his favored trap to future bass onto some
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deep House pulling out his remix of Only Getting Younger by Elliphant featuring Skrillex and his own collaborations Warning and Gud Vibrations featuring Slander. For kids who didn’t know much of his own stuff he made sure to throw in some of the ol’ pop classics such as Cee Lo Green’s Fuck You and Blink 182’s All The Small Things, which shook up the style and allowed for him to follow it up with even more dirty synth and bass lines. If there were any criticisms to come from his performance it would be only that he didn’t let us rest. From one extremely tight song to the next, it was a non-stop barrage of drops and mind explosions. Maybe you could say it hindered the flow and the effect of a great chill-trap section, which in turn saw a lack of anticipation and build up, but either way it kept us moving throughout his one and a half hour set. A s a h u g e l y u n d e r r ate d ( o r j u s t undiscovered) LA artist, NGHTMRE gave Perth clubbers an experience to seriously cherish as he continued to bring the heat time and time again with his steaming set absolutely chockers-full of bangers. As the night ended on a high, I believe everyone had completed their full rinse, clearly indicated by one last poor soul crossing the dance floor missing his pants.
Photography by Kelvin Craig
MIA CAMPBELL-FOULKES
The Scientists
Television Addicts
Television Addicts’ setlist
Le Hoodoo Gurus
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The All-star jam
Playing Times
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King Parrot - Photo by Denis Radacic
KING PARROT Methyl Ethel - Photo by Tashi Hall
METHYL ETHEL The Bird Saturday, June 6, 2015 Seems Methyl Ethel have a devoted fan base in Perth and that all of them and then some were packed like sardines into The Bird on Saturday night to hear their new album, played in its entirety. Despite the discomfort of standing uncomfortably close to strangers I enjoyed the music to the extent where this didn’t really matter, I even had a little bit of a dance as they pumped out their various mix of synth pad sounds, distorted and filtered guitar, sometimes hypnotically rhythmic, sometimes upbeat as all get out, often dark and murky in an ‘80s-esque smooth kind of way. Their radio friendly single, Rogues, the third track on the album, sounds very much like a channelling of all that is glorious about Stevie Nicks. This is the first song of theirs that I heard and that got me interested in this band, but they have far more going on than this sound alone,
and their overall sound in the flesh felt like an amorphous and flexible thing, at times incredibly funky, sometimes feeling a little like Paul Simon’s band and singers from Graceland fronted by Prince had snuck their way subtly into the music we were hearing, living somewhere in the back of the lead singers mind, mixed in perfectly with all of the other things circling around in there. On top of obvious influences like The Triffids and The Go Betweens, and maybe even a hint of Robert Smith, Methyl Ethel has definitely got, it would seem, the ability to channel their influences into a sound that feels at once comfortably familiar but also very much like a new thing, an extension on the past rather than a rehash. There was a fascinating moment where lead singer Jake Webb played a song to a specific girl in the room, “...the girl from Melville Street is here, so this can be for her.” He then literally sang about meeting this girl, an undeniable chemistry and going by Melville Street just in case he bumped into her. To me, this band is a one hundred percent must see live act. Next time they’re playing you should be there, and you should also buy their album, Oh Inhuman Spectacle, because it was a beautiful thing to witness and I will be flooding my home with it as soon as I can. COREY MARWICK
Malignant Monster/Collosvs/High Tension Amplifier Bar Saturday, June 6, 2015 A long line leading out of the darkened alleyway that hides the Amplifier Bar entrance is always a sign of a promising night. Excited fans ate sliced pizza and shot the shit whilst waiting for the doors to open on the much anticipated King Parrot show. Before most of the punters could get in the door Malignant Monster took to the stage. Their music is a brutal assault to the senses, and certainly the heaviest of the night– a sort of twisted death metal blended with thrash and grind. Frontman Cain Cressall is a true performer, never once breaking character, screaming and growling through every pleasantry and song introduction. Collosvs, fronted by triple j’s very own Lochlan Watt, took the stage next. Their dark blend of hardcore and metal resonated well with the crowd – their approval represented as cheers and screams at the close of each song. With a line-up featuring so many great bands it can be hard for an act to distinguish themselves, but High Tension managed to pull it off. The pure intensity of their performance was astounding, vocalist Karina Utomo leaping into the crowd, wrestling with the locals time and time again. The band has an amazing rhythm section, drummer Damian Coward manages to deviate from blast beats into syncopated rhythms that helped create an amazing dynamic in their music. By mid-set the crowd started to lose all inhibitions, with more than a few people hitting the floor during their escapades.
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With that in mind, Coward called out to the crowd asking them to take care of the ladies in the mosh, and while it was a nice sentiment I am quite certain that all the girls in the crowd, at least at the front, were giving it as hard as they got. Fans of King Parrot got an early surprise with vocalist Matt Young joining Utomo on stage for a song, which gave the fans a taste of things to come. King Parrot wasted no time in setting the mood - “Oi dickhead I can see you’re not clapping” bass player Slatts antagonising the crowd as Young walked on stage. The band launched into their opening number, Stench, and things went completely insane. Fans rushed the stage, diving off and taking other people to the floor with them. Others shouted along to Young’s screaming vocals as he showered the closest fans with what seemed like an endless supply of bottled water. After a couple of older staple songs, they played Anthem Of The Advance Sinner and Need No Saviour from their latest album, Dead Set. The crowd only got crazier over their hour-long show, one lucky fan managed to kick Slatts in the head on his way into the crowd, but if Slatts was fazed he didn’t show it. King Parrot not only thrive on this sort of mayhem, they downright encourage it – Young pulling fans onto the stage and helping them dive into the crowd, but even without his help there was almost always someone from the crowd on stage. But it wasn’t just fans, Young himself spent some time crowd surfing, at one point even walking over the heads and backs of fans. As the night drew to a close, High Tension vocalist Katrina Utomo jumped on stage to help out with the fan favourite, Shit On The Liver before the band finished with Silly Ol’ Mate. King Parrot are a band with a lot of hype about them right now, and after seeing them perform live I can understand why. Get yourself to one of their shows if you get the chance. DAVE MULLINS
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HERMITUDE, JUNE 12 & 13.
DEAD LETTER CIRCUS, JULY 19.
TO URS THIS FORTNIGHT DEEZNUTS 10 Amplifier BRIAN KENNEDY 10 Victoria Hall THE GETAWAY PLAN 12 Rosemount Hotel BRUTALISM 101 12 Civic Hotel HARTS 12 Amplifier 13 Settlers Tavern 14 Newport Hotel HERMITUDE 12 & 13 Metropolis Fremantle KARISE EDEN 12 Ravenswood Hotel 13 Charles Hotel THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER 18 Capitol ART OF SLEEPING 20 Amplifier KHAN MANUEL 20 Astor Lounge KUCKA 20 The Bird EMMYLOU HARRIS & RODNEY CROWELL 21 Perth Concert Hall SCHNEIDER KACIREK 21 Four5Nine Bar CHEECH & CHONG 22 Perth Concert Hall JUNE 2015 CRAIG DAVID 24 Metro City (DJ Set) SONGS IN THE KEY OF MOTOWN 24 Mandurah Performing Arts Centre 25 Astor Theatre BE YOUR SELF 24 – 27 State Theatre Centre of Art JEBEDIAH 26 - 28 Astor Theatre 1927 27 Charles Hotel 28 Ravenswood Hotel 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER 29 Perth Arena MACHINE HEAD 29 Astor Theatre JULY 2015
TITLE FIGHT 1 Amplifier 2 YMCA HQ THE CLOWNS 3 Prince of Wales 4 Four5Nine Bar 5 Mojos DEAN RAY 3 Charles Hotel ALPINE 4 Metropolis Fremantle YELLOWCARD 4 Metro City AUSTRALIAN ROCK WITH ANGRY ANDERSON 4 Charles Hotel THE MANFREDS 4 Astor Theatre TIM ROGERS & THE BAMBOOS 4 Rosemount Hotel COSMIC GATE 5 Metro City JIMMY BARNES 10 Crown Theatre STONEFIELD 11 Four5Nine Bar 12 Mojos THE CHURCH 16 Settlers Tavern 17 Prince of Wales 18 Rosemount Hotel LITTLE SEA 16 Astor Lounge SAN CISCO 17 Settlers Tavern 18 Bunbury Entertainment Centre JOHNNY MARR 18 Metropolis Fremantle CLARKSON, HAMMOND & MAY LIVE! 18 – 19 Perth Arena DEAD LETTER CIRCUS 19 Rosemount Hotel ADAM HARVEY 22 Albany Entertainment Centre 25 Astor Theatre JAY ELECTRONICA 22 Capitol MARK RONSON 22 Metro City TIGERS JAW 22 Amplifier 23 YMCA HQ THE WOMBATS 23 Metro City
FEATURED GIG
THE GETAWAY PLAN ROSEMOUNT HOTEL JUNE 12
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DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE, AUGUST 6.
JOSH PYKE with WASO 24 Perth Concert Hall VINCE JONES 24 Fly By Night 25 & 26 Ellington Jazz Club JA RULE & ASHANTI 25 Metro City EARL SWEATSHIRT 29 Villa BLUR with JAMIE T 30 Perth Arena AUGUST 2015 RUBBER SOUL REVOLVER 1 Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre IAN MOSS 1 Charles Hotel KITTY, DAISY & LEWIS 5 Rosemount Hotel PHIL JAMIESON 5 Dunsborough Tavern 6 Highway Hotel 7 Leisure Inn 9 The Saint Hotel DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE 6 Metro City HOODOO GURUS with ESKIMO JOE 8 Cable Beach Amphitheatre BEATS IN THE HEAT 8 Karratha Leisureplex … AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD 12 Rosemount Hotel GOOD RIDDANCE 12 Amplifier SETH SENTRY 12 Judd’s, Kalgoorlie 13 Pier Hotel, Esperance 14 Studio 146 15 Settlers Tavern 19 Dunsborough Tavern 20 Prince of Wales 22 Astor Theatre THE AUSTRALIAN BEE GEES SHOW 15 Regal Theatre 16 Albany Entertainment Centre YOB 19 Rosemount Hotel PEACE TRAIN: THE CAT STEVENS STORY 21 Astor Theatre 22 Albany Entertainment Centre LLOYD SPIEGEL 21 Settlers Tavern 22 Indi Bar 23 Mojos 25 Perth Blues Club JAMIE LAWSON 22 Jimmy’s Den ANDREW MCMAHON 26 Amplifier THE BEATLES FOREVER 27 Albany Entertainment Centre ELVIS MEETS THE BEATLES 28 HBF Stadium HIATUS KAIYOTE 29 Rosemount Hotel HELLYEAH 31 Capitol
SEPTEMBER 2015 THE STORY SO FAR with MAN OVERBOARD 2 Amplifier 3 YMCA HQ JAMES REYNE 5 Astor Theatre TYLER, THE CREATOR 8 Capitol TYLER OAKLEY 9 Perth Concert Hall BLOOD SWEAT & TEARS 9 Regal Theatre JULIA MORRIS 11 Regal Theatre ROY ORBISON & THE EVERLY BROTHERS 12 Crown Theatre XAVIER RUDD & THE UNITED NATIONS 23 Goldfields Arts Centre 24 Esperance Civic Centre 25 Albany Entertainment Centre 26 Belvoir Amphitheatre 27 Three Oceans Winery, Margaret River THE TEN SOPRANOS 25 Astor Theatre CELTIC WOMAN 25 Perth Arena BEHEMOTH 29 Capitol JOAN BAEZ 30 Perth Concert Hall OCTOBER 2015 KISS 3 Perth Arena BEN LEE 17 Astor Theatre AT THE GATES 28 Amplifier 10CC 28 Astor Theatre HOZIER 28 Belvoir Amphitheatre FLEETWOOD MAC 30 Domain Stadium NOVEMBER 2015 ANATHEMA 1 Rosemount Hotel NEIL DIAMOND 14 Sandalford Estate 16 Perth Arena AC/DC 27 Domain Stadium UB40 28 Metropolis Fremantle DECEMBER 2015 ED SHEERAN 2 NIB Stadium THE SCREAMING JETS 5 & 6 Charles Hotel CHRIS CORNELL 8 Perth Concert Hall JANUARY 2016 NIGHTWISH 15 Metropolis Fremantle
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HARTS, JUNE 12.
SKULLCAVE, JUNE 12.
AMPLIFIER Harts & special guests ASTOR LOUNGE WEDNESDAY 10/06 THURSDAY 11/06 The Leap Year AMPLIFIER AMPLIFIER (Single Launch) Deez Nuts Last Night BABUSHKA & special guests DEFECTORS BAR Skullcave (EP CLANCY’S Songwriters Klub Fundraiser) CANNING THE ELLINGTON Foxes BRIDGE Night Cap Sessions Shit Narnia Songwriters Night ft. The Worst Luke Dux Tim Jago CLANCY’S CLANCY’S CITY Ben Falle CANNING BEACH FLYRITE BRIDGE Quiz Night Big Splash Band DJ Boogie THE ELLINGTON Comp 2015 Heat CLANCY’S Night Cap #2 ft. FREMANTLE Sessions ft. Cool Band The Fling Georgia Meredith Hindley THE ELLINGTON FREMANTLE MUGWUMP The Vanguard ARTS CENTRE The Wheelers Sessions ft. Steve Parkin of Oz Howie Morgan Davey Craddock THE GOOD Troy Roberts THE GOOD SHEPHERD Danny Martin SHEPHERD Little Sounds ft. GEISHA Bliss in Berlin Xanthea Kolsch Sunshine Punch Riley Pearce GINGER Fine Court The Drools NIGHTCLUB The Durongs Great Gable Mondo Fridays Yalla Yalla Braves HULA BULA BAR HULA BULA BAR GOLD BAR Fox Fridays Island Nite Rhum Club HULA BULA INDI BAR INDI BAR Friday Frendzee Club Acoustica Open Mic INDI BAR METROPOLIS MOJOS BAR Morgan Bain FREMANTLE Violent Crumble JIMMY’S DEN Next Gen Los Porcheros Brufield (EP MOJOS BAR Sugarchild Launch) Michael Triscari Gretta Little The Milkmen Mihndel ROSEMOUNT The Silent Deeds The Scared HOTEL Rattler THE LIBRARY Real Friends THE MOON CAFÉ With Confidence Dorcia Mitch McDonald METROPOLIS (NSW) Big Jesus Columbus (QLD) FREMANTLE MUSTANG BAR Hermitude One Last Thing Wild Wednesday MOJOS BAR Dan Cribb & The Backpacker & Hussle Hussle ft. Isolated Student Night Casual Sets Calm Collected NEWPORT Mei Seraswati SETTLERS HOTEL (solo) TAVERN Newport Open Mic Night ft. The Weapon is Wednesdays Sound Claire Warnock ROSEMOUNT NEWPORT SWAN LOUNGE HOTEL HOTEL Mhorgl Rock n Roll Friday Fiesta Medusa’s Gaze Karaoke ft. THE ODD Necromancer Magnus Danger FELLOW Stone Cold Magnus Wanderlust Shoulder ROSEMOUNT & guests Remission HOTEL (BEER ROSEMOUNT VICTORIA HALL GARDEN) HOTEL Declan Florez Student Night ft. The Getaway Plan DJ Anton Maz Gatherer FRIDAY 12/06 VICTORIA HALL Freeds AMBAR Brian Kennedy SETTLERS Jackal TAVERN Dilip N The Davs SWAN LOUNGE FEATURED GIG The Lucys & guests VILLA Cookie Monsta Funtcase
WEEKLY
SATURDAY 13/06
BIG SPLASH BAND COMP 2015 HEAT #3 THE ODDFELLOW JUNE 18
AMBAR Japan 4 ASTOR THEATRE Miss Africa 2015 THE BIRD Dianas (Single Launch) Rat Columns Cold Meat CLANCY’S CITY BEACH Fifi Mondello Trio
THE WEAPON IS SOUND, JUNE 13.
CLANCY’S FREMANTLE West Coast Saloon Shaker ft. Sian Evans Tom Fisher & The Layabouts Stoney Joe EAST END BAR & LOUNGE Home THE ELLINGTON Howie Morgan Cian Caton Katherine Curnow FLYRITE Father GILKISONS DANCE STUDIO TOKiMONSTA GOLD BAR Pure Gold THE GOOD SHEPHERD Chocolate Jesus HOTEL ROTTNEST Darren Gibbs GOLD BAR Pure Gold THE GOOD SHEPHERD Chocolate Jesus INDI BAR The Weapon is Sound JIMMY’S DEN Saturday Night Psychout ft. French Rockets Silver Hills MUGWUMP Thyrd Pseich LLAMA BAR Laundry METRO CITY Blackout ft. Black Sun Empire State of Mind Neonlight Trei MC Lowqui METROPOLIS FREMANTLE Metropolis Saturdays Hermitude MOJOS BAR The Galloping Foxleys The Rogues & more THE ODD FELLOW Chicks with Decks DJs ROSEMOUNT HOTEL DJ Ultra-Sonic DJ MC Mallorca Lee SETTLERS TAVERN Harts SHAPE HUSH SWALLOW BAR DJ T King SWAN LOUNGE Blues Confusion Andrea Tal & guests THE VELVET LOUNGE Doctopus
The Darling Rangers Surf Rabbits VILLA What So Not SUNDAY 14/06
ASTOR THEATRE Amir Blumenfeld, Jake Hurwitz & Streeter Seidell from CollegeHumor THE BIRD LCBC’S FOURTH MEET CLANCY’S CITY BEACH Limelights Jazz CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Old Blood CLANCY’S DUNSBOROUGH Michael Triscari DEFECTORS BAR Open Sesame – Mt. Lawley Open Mic Night FLYRITE MVMNT HULA BULA BAR Tropical Sundaze INDI BAR Little Lord Street Band MOJOS BAR Mayor Dadi Moist Oyster Sam Atkin NEWPORT HOTEL Harts NORTHBRIDGE PIAZZA Sunday Sounds ft. Lauren Kent The Wildflowers ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Champagne Hoovernosa The Mansized Roosters ROSEMOUNT HOTEL (BEER GARDEN) Get Down ft. Aslan Klean Kicks Pawel Good Company DJs Sleepyhead Beni Chill Jo Lettenmaier Tim King SETTLERS TAVERN The Brothers Thin SWALLOW BAR Voudou Zazou SWANBROOK WINERY Matt Waring MONDAY 15/06
BRASS MONKEY Monday Madness Student & Industry Night CLANCY’S CANNING BRIDGE Scotty’s Quiz Night MOJOS BAR Wide Open Mic
ART OF SLEEPING, JUNE 18.
ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Comedy Trivia TUESDAY 16/06
CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Quiz Night THE ELLINGTON Andy Scott LLAMA BAR Ruby Tuesdays MOJOS BAR Custom Royal Childs Play NEWPORT HOTEL Quiz Show ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Bex & Turin’s Open Mic Night TORCH BAR Quiz Meisters WEDNESDAY 17/06
CLANCY’S CANNING BRIDGE Songwriters Night ft. Tom Fisher Brayden Sibbald CLANCY’S CITY BEACH Quiz Night THE ELLINGTON Night cap sessions The Grid FREMANTLE ARTS CENTRE Dom Mariani Felicity Groom HULA BULA BAR Island Nite INDI BAR Club Acoustica METROPOLIS FREMANTLE Next Gen MOJOS BAR Bedhead THE MOON CAFÉ Ruby Boots Lee Jones METROPOLIS FREMANTLE Next Gen NEWPORT HOTEL Newport Wednesdays ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Rock n Roll Karaoke ft. Magnus Danger Magnus ROSEMOUNT HOTEL (BEER GARDEN) Student Night ft. Anton Maz THURSDAY 18/06
AMPLIFIER Last Night CAPITOL The Black Dahlia Murder & special guests CHARLES HOTEL Deepest Purple CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Kallidad DEFECTORS BAR Songwriters Klub
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SEX PANTHER, JUNE 19.
HULA BULA BAR Rhum Club INDI BAR Open Mic MOJOS BAR Art of Sleeping (Single Launch) Jess Davidson Sunbeam Sound Machine THE ODD FELLOW Big Splash Band Comp 2015 Heat #3 ft. Elli Schoen Galloping Foxleys Mister Wolf Psychedelic Porn Crumpets 459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Ships in the Night ROSEMOUNT HOTEL The Anarchy Audio Showcase Bury The Heard Snake Reviver Graphic Fiction Colour Control SETTLERS TAVERN Open Mic Night ft. Claire Warnock FRIDAY 19/06
AMBAR Senor Roar Philly Blunt Kachina DJs Childish Antics Bags & Mash AMPLIFIER Big Four Tribute ft. The Furor Enforce Cold Fate Lets Kill Uncle Death Dependent THE BIRD Ghostdrums Rat Columns Golbert Fawn DJ Jimmy’s Choice CAPITOL Mouse Trap & special guests CLANCY’S CANNING BRIDGE DJ Boogie CLANCY’S FREMANTLE The Fling GINGER NIGHTCLUB Mondo Fridays GOLD BAR Fox Fridays HULA BULA Friday Frendzee INDI BAR Morgan Bain JIMMY’S DEN The Decline The Hard Aches The Bob Gordons Alex The Kid Blackwitch THE LIBRARY Dorcia
MOJOS BAR Kill Devil Hills David Craft band Moana Lucy Peach Trio NEWPORT HOTEL Friday Fiesta THE ODD FELLOW Sh’Mon DJs ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Sex Panther Rag n Bone The Long Lost Brothers The Pissedcolas Ursula Dead End Brawlers SETTLERS TAVERN Mooditji Brothers SWAN BASEMENT Indecision Moylers Sunshine Punch Robby Davis VICTORIA HALL Motown & Soul VILLA JPhelpz (USA) SATURDAY 20/06
AMBAR Japan 4 AMPLIFIER Art of Sleeping & special guests ASTOR LOUNGE Khan Manuel ASTOR THEATRE Perth Blues Club’s 12th Annual Memorial Showcase THE BIRD Kucka CLANCY’S CITY BEACH Fifi Mondello Trio CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Kallidad CLAREMONT HOTEL Bak 2 Skool EAST END BAR & LOUNGE Home FLYRITE Father GOLD BAR Pure Gold THE GOOD SHEPHERD Chocolate Jesus HOTEL ROTTNEST Christian Parkinson HULA BULA Sailor Saturdays INDI BAR Wanderlust JIMMY’S DEN PULMAC ft. Meredith Daniel Ray Dirty McQueen The Disappointed LLAMA BAR Laundry
WANDERLUST, JUNE 19.
METROPOLIS FREMANTLE Metropolis Saturdays MOJOS BAR Kutmah Mei Saraswati Bahasa Malay DJ Rok Riley Ben Taaffe MUNDARING SCULPTURE PARK Pipelines Battle of the Bands ft. Enemy Minds Back Up Plan Roundabout Midnight Estrella Luna Tell the Shaman Grass on Mars THE ODD FELLOW Dream Rimmy Kitchen People Late Night Hysterics Apollos Son 459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Robert Hinton Bernardine Turin Robinson Leoh ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Her Majestys SETTLERS TAVERN Tired Lion SWALLOW BAR Nick Sheppard SWAN BASEMENT Punks for West Papua Benefit Show ft. Yob Mob Stumped Bikini Cops Ocean Drive Scyatic & more SUNDAY 21/06
CLANCY’S CITY BEACH Limelights Jazz CLANCY’S DUNSBOROUGH Kallidad CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Old Blood DEFECTORS BAR Open Sesame – Mt. Lawley Open Mic Night FLYRITE MVMNT HULA BULA BAR Tropical Sundaze INDI BAR Blues Night MOJOS BAR DJ Drummy THE MOON CAFÉ Golden String NORTHBRIDGE PIAZZA Sunday Sounds ft. Johnny Cash & Co. Morgan Bain 459
ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Schneider Kacirek Alex Dew Decimal System Original Past Life ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Record Collector ft. DJ Sandy ROSEMOUNT HOTEL (BEER GARDEN) Get Down ft. Aslan Klean Kicks Pawel Good Company DJs Sleepyhead Beni Chill Jo Lettenmaier Tim King SETTLERS TAVERN Chief Monkey SWALLOW BAR Jessie Gordon Duo MONDAY 22/06
ASTOR THEATRE Cheech & Chong BRASS MONKEY Monday Madness Student & Industry Night CLANCY’S CANNING BRIDGE Scotty’s Quiz Night ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Davey Craddock Matt Cal Trevor Jalla Ella E. MOJOS BAR Wide Open Mic ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Comedy Trivia TUESDAY 23/06
CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Quiz Night LLAMA BAR Ruby Tuesdays MOJOS BAR Splattergunk NEWPORT HOTEL Quiz Show 459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Rock Scholars ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Bex & Turin’s Open Mic Night NEWPORT HOTEL Quiz Show 31
NEWS
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INTERVIEWS
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REVIEWS
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EVENTS
BOTANICA
DELICIOUS @ ROCKET ROOM
ROSEMOUNT HOTEL
THE GAME SPORTS BAR
MUSIC GEAR & TECHNOLOGY
The Song Shop Legendary Perth singer/songwriter Steve Parkin is once again sharing his prodigious knowledge with the masses. All through June he will be running a series of song workshops for beginners, professionals, and everyone in between, helping musicians and singers hone their work to a razor edge. What kind of clientele are you open to? Beginners to bands recording EPs. I’ve worked with high school kids, Gossling, Paul Mac, Josh Pyke, Eskimo Joe - whoever needs to nut out a song! What kind of material and skills will your workshops be covering? Industry information, lyric writing and vocal phrasing, melody hooks, arrangement, getting to the core of what the songwriter wants to say - all that stuff.
PRODUCTION SERVICES CD & DVD MANUFACTURE Check out our latest CD & DVD specials online at www.procopy.com.au 9375 3902 MATRIX PRODUCTIONS AUSTRALIA Lighting, staging, sound systems, smoke machines, night club FX, intelligent lighting, strobes & mirror balls, crowd barriers, video projectors. 9371 1551 RECORDING STUDIOS ALAN DAWSON’S WITZEND RECORDING STUDIO Prof quality albums or demos, large live room, experienced engineer, analog to digital transfers, mastering. Alan 0407 989 128 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
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CLASSIFIEDS
bands (not Steve Parkin!), workshops in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne, and writing the Great Australian Novel. Oh, and collecting Beatles MOGG. files to obsessively remix Beatles Songs - I’m a nerd!
STEVE PARKIN
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To book Steve for a workshop, email him at steveparkinmusic@gmail.com. What kind of preparation will students find useful? Just bring something or a few things you’re playing with, or go write something new! What would you say is the biggest misconception that musicians have about the craft of songwriting? That a jam is enough. That once you write a song it’s set in stone and you can’t craft it any more. That somehow it’s cheating or not cool to work on your song as long as you can to make it something in five years you’ll still smile about. What is the workshop process like for you? Does it tend to follow a set structure, or is it more tailored to the individual? All depends. I work off whoever turns up. Everyone is different and that makes it the most fun for me. What else have you got going on now? The Newport Record Club, several secret
ANDY’S STUDIO International multi award winning songwriter / producer. No band required. Broadcast quality. A songwriter’s paradise. Ph 9364 3178 GOLDDUST Production Mixing, recording and composition. Leederville $80 p/h. 0408 097 407 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
WA ACTS SET TO TAKE SINGAPORE BY STORM This Thursday, June 11, The Good Shepherd plays host to Little Sounds, an evening of music showcases and industry discussion. This is the first of a fortnightly residency by Perth Music Business students, aiming to raise funds to get them to BIGSOUND in September. Bands managed by the students, including Braves, Great Gable, The Drools, Riley Pearce and Xanthea, will be playing on the night, and a panel of industry bods, including Luke Rinaldi, Hayley-Jane Ayers and Jake Snell, will discuss the vital topic of How To Get Booked. Entry is $10 from 6.30pm.
Three WA bands have been picked to take to the stage at Singapore’s Beerfest Asia 2015. Thanks to the Singapore WA Music Exchange (SWAM), The China Blue Experiment, Foreign Architects and Jake & The Cowboys will be making their way to the festival, which runs from Thursday, June 25, until Sunday June 28. SWAM is an initiative created by WAM and Timbre Music and is supported by The Government of Western Australia’s Department of Culture and the Arts. The aim of the program is to promote local acts in the rapidly expanding Asian marketplace, as well as to allow artists to meet key figures in the Asian live music scene.
Braves
Foreign Architects
LITTLE SOUNDS
TUITION ***GUITAR LESSONS*** All styles, all levels. Children & adults. Beg to adv. AMEB and WAAPA accreditation.Online bookings. 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
GUITAR LESSONS Learn guitar in a modern BIBRA LAKE REHEARSAL STUDIO Air studio in Belmont. Learn finger style, classical, Conditioned Room. Great Facilities. Superior rock & blues using state of the art techniques. sound to hear yourself and your band. 10 mins Great rates. Call 0433042503 from Freo. Phone Nick: 0410 485 588. VOICE COACH SINGING TEACHER PLATINUM SOUND ROOMS Professional rehearsal rooms, airconditioned, quality PAs 30 years experience. All levels, all styles. Student discounts. NOR 0407 260 762 mob 0418 944 722 REHEARSAL STUDIOS
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E D U C AT I O N , T R A I N I N G & C A R E E R S F E AT U R E
> Jesse Hutchings
> Ruby Boots
> Lesley Gissing EDITH COWAN UNIVERSITY
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E D U C AT I O N , T R A I N I N G & C A R E E R S
KNOW YOUR OPTIONS If there are any words of wisdom we can impart, it’s to always shop around! Three years of your life and a likely HECS-HELP debt means you’re going to want to compare apples to apples and check out who’s lecturing, the course structures, the campus and its location – to work out the best option for you. Here’s a snapshot of the universities and institutes on offer.
Edith Cowan University
EDITH COWAN UNIVERSITY Known For: Engaging with the community. FYI: Awarded university status in 1991, ECU has developed innovative and practical courses across a wide range of disciplines, established a vibrant research culture and attracted a growing range of quality research partners and researchers. ECU has more than 23,300 students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Approximately 3,600 of these are international students originating from 104 countries. Study Options: full time, part time, on or off campus. More Information: ecu.edu.au. Mid year entry: Applications are still open.
ACAE Known For: Awesome hospitality and tourism training, along with business and management courses. FYI: They’ve got purpose built training facilities with commercial kitchens, hotel reception, restaurant, bar as well as library, cafe, IT rooms and student services. Study Options: Full time, on campus. More Info: acae.edu.au
Central Institute Of Technology
CENTRAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Known For: Its hands-on approach which encourages students to forge industry connections while studying. FYI: Western Australia’s largest TAFE institution has five campuses in the heart of the Perth: Northbridge, East Perth. Nedlands, Mt Lawley and Leederville. Central offers more than 400 nationally recognised courses in areas including business, management, finance, creative art, digital, engineering, building, science, resources, english, health, sport, education, community, tourism and languages. Study Options: Full time, part time, flexible. More Information: central.wa.edu.au Mid year entry: Applications officially closed Friday, June 11. But they are accepting late applications, so get to it!
CURTIN UNIVERSITY Known For: Its impeccable reputation for technical education, one helluva tavern, hands-on courses in architecture, fashion, design and more. FYI: Main campus is in Bentley but they do have campuses in Kalgoorlie, Margaret River, Northam, Singapore, Sydney and more. Study Options: Full time, part time, on campus, off campus. More Info: curtin.edu.au
UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (UWA) Known For: Being one of the world’s top-ranked universities, offering top notch degrees in medicine, law, finance and engineering. Boasts one of the most historic and beautiful campuses in Australia. FYI: They’ve got a bunch of residential colleges for those who want to live on campus. If you’re looking to do a specialist course (like medicine or law, for example) you’re going to have to do an undergraduate degree first. They’ve got four undergrad degrees in areas of sciences, arts, business and design which are available for mid-year entry. Check out their open day. Study Options: Full time, part time, off campus, on campus. More Info: uwa.edu.au
PARAMOUNT COLLEGE
POLYTECHNIC WEST
Known For: Study Courses in Nutrition, Natural Medicine & Naturopathy. FYI: Paramount College of Natural Medicine offers select Bachelor, Advanced Diploma, Diploma and Certificate IV Programmes in accordance with the government accredited Health Training Package. Their nationally endorsed qualifications are recognised in Australia and internationally and will equip graduates the ability to provide a range of natural therapy treatments on a sound basis of Biological Sciences, Herbal Medicine, Homoeopathy, Massage & Nutrition, according to their chosen studies.
Known For: Technical learning in a diversity of fields. FYI: Polytechnic West is one of WA’s largest training providers, with over 30,000 students per year studying a huge range of courses. They are committed to enhancing education and training options though cutting edge facilities and technology, lecturers with real industry expertise and learning programs designed with significant input from industry to ensure highly skilled, jobready graduates.
Study Options: Full-time, part-time. On or off campus. More Information: paramountcollege.edu.au Mid-year entry: Applications are open now.
Study Options: Full-time, part-time. On or off campus. More Information: polytechnic.wa.edu.au Mid-year entry: Applications are open now.
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME Known For: Having a cool campus down in Freo and being a Catholic higher education provider. FYI: Law, health science and nursing are popular courses chosen at Notre Dame. Notre Dame also has a number of partner universities overseas (Boston College in America is one of them) and in Broome and Sydney. Study Options: Full time, part time, on campus, off campus (Broome only). More Info: nd.edu.au
SAE INSTITUTE Known For: Audio, film and tech education FYI: SAE is all about audio, film, design and games, covering all aspects of audio engineering, live sounds, post-production, mixing, acoustics, filmmaking, games design, animation and more. Study Options: Flexible. On campus, off campus. More Information: sae.edu.au. Mid year entry: Applications are open now. 34
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E D U C AT I O N , T R A I N I N G & C A R E E R S
LESLEY GISSING
DANIEL LI Daniel Li recently won the LA Judge Award in Sydney, which recognises the best apprentice baker in Australasia. He is currently enrolled at Polytechnic West and has an apprenticeship with Bakers Delight Noranda.
Presently a student at Paramount College of Natural Medicine, Lesley Gissing is enrolled in a Bachelor of Health Science Naturopathy.
What made you decide to become a baker? I finished my engineering degree at UWA and I decided to take a break and pursue one of my passions. I started an apprenticeship on a whim for a bit of fun, never intending to take it seriously. I’m one and a half years in now and I’m enjoying it more than ever with no plans to stop. Do you feel your course is helping you find your future path? For sure, the skills and knowledge I’ve gained in my course were essential for my field of work. Coming to Polytechnic West has also given me the opportunity to participate in various baking competitions, which have given me the leg up in my baking career. What was the hardest thing about the LA Judge competition? Time was not my friend. Just like in a real bakery, we were constantly working against the clock trying to get things done on time without compromising on quality. The competition was not just about how good your final product was, but took into account all aspects of being a baker including theoretical knowledge, time management, work flow, teamwork, hygiene and more. What has interested you the most in terms of the course content you’ve studied? My favourite part of the course was probably learning about the process of creating artisan breads like baguettes, ciabattas and sourdoughs, but getting to make and eat sweet buns and danishes is pretty high up on that list as well. Have you made any mistakes along the way that you now find quite humorous? If we ever forget to bring our own aprons, we have to wear disposable plastic aprons that are essentially huge plastic bags. They look ridiculous, are extremely noisy and everyone hates wearing them.
Needless to say, I’ve forgotten my apron more than a few times. How is the course structured, in a day to day sense? I was learning through an apprenticeship so I came in one day every week, which was considered paid work by my employer. We started the day with a quick brief and calculations for what we were making that day, then spend the rest of the day creating/ packing the bread and fitting some theory in any free time we had along the way. What are your plans after you finish at Polytechnic West? I plan to travel to Europe to learn and experience the authentic breads. If possible I’d love to get into some European bakeries and pick up some of their trade secrets. Any tips for someone starting a Polytechnic West course? If there’s anything you want to learn but there’s something holding you back from starting or continuing a course find someone or call up and ask. It doesn’t matter if it’s money, time, or if you’re just afraid of doing something new, there’s always a way. Every person I’ve dealt with at Polytechnic West has been extremely helpful. Keen on a career in catering? Point your browser to polytechnic.wa.edu.aus/content/hospitality-andculnary-arts
Why did you choose the course you’re currently studying? I wanted to find a new direction in life and do something that I love for a living. Growing up I was fascinated by flowers and have always loved nature. When I had the opportunity in my life to go back to school I decided to do naturopathy as I already had a love of plants and wanted to learn more about their healing nature. What is a standout element you’ve learned so far that’s really captured your attention and inspired further thought? How much our health relies on us having a healthy intestinal system and that so many diseases stem from an unhappy “gut”. What does your day to day schedule consist of? After school drop off for my daughter I’m either at the college or back at home doing either my online courses or studying and assignments for the face-to-face classes. Classes are only two or three days a week and finish in time for school pick up. What has surprised you most, in terms of living to a schedule of classes and studying? That it works well for me and I can fit in family time as well as study time. When my daughter is at school I’m doing schoolwork too and when she’s doing her homework I’m doing mine. In what way does the course bring you closer to your long-term goals? It will enable me to work for myself and do consults on my own time and work around my family. Do you feel the course has widened your understanding of the field you want to work in, and the opportunities therein? Definitely. Being a naturopath doesn’t mean that there is only one outcome as a practitioner
MEAH SPIRIDONIDIS
ZAL KANGAPARABIA
Meah Spiridonidis completed a Certificate III/Certificate IV in Fitness at Central Institute Of Technology, and offers her thoughts on the experience.
Zal Kanga-Parabia is a photographer and musician (The Woods) currently enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts and Communications Double Degree at Edith Cowan University.
What appeals to you most about a career in sport/ fitness? Health and fitness has always been important to me and realising that I could potentially build a career in the industry really inspired me to take on the challenge. I wanted to open up opportunities in which I would be able to demonstrate the benefits of healthy living, while being able to support others on their journey to a healthier life.
Has your perspective on your own personal fitness/ work out been influenced/altered by the course you’re studying? My perspective on fitness has evolved since studying, the course opened up a range of different areas of health, fitness, and nutrition. Whether it was things we learnt in class that I could implement or topics that I further researched. Being in an environment where the lecturers had a wealth of experience and knowledge to share also really helped with this side of learning and growing as a personal trainer. How would you describe your course load? The course was six months of full time study. Regularly attending class and completing work was manageable. 36
For more information on available course, head to paramountcollege.edu.au
What advice would you give to someone considering taking the course you’re currently studying? Go for it! You have nothing to lose, learning never stops no matter what age or path you are on. You will never lose from having another qualification under your belt and you never know where it might take you.
Why did you choose the course you’re studying? At first I didn’t really know exactly what I was doing. Coming out of high school and deferring my acceptance to go travelling, I was a little unsure. While away, I took a long hard look at the course outline and matched some units to the things I liked. I tried those out when I got back and realised I really loved the photography and culture units, so I changed my degree to a Bachelor of Arts and Communications Double Degree to accommodate that. It’s pretty great how flexible and helpful they are, especially in those first few unsure semesters. What has been the most interesting part of the experience so far? I have loved being immersed in an environment with inspiring and influential creatives and artists. Some of the friendships I’ve made have lead to amazing roles. I’m currently working with the Graduate Research School photographing some amazing ECU staff and students who have a great deal of impact on our society. I learn something new every time I speak to a researcher and always try to find ways to apply their knowledge or philosophy to my life. What are your goals in the long-term, and how does your current course help you achieve them? I’m currently a musician, photographer and creative director and my long-term goal is to be able to do this for my whole life. I don’t like doing one thing for a long period of time and I’ve realised this. My degree definitely allows me to be diverse in the knowledge I’m learning and therefore put my mind to different ideas one semester at a time. What’s been the most fun part of student life so far? I’d have to say watching documentaries and using the dark rooms as part of the photo work unit. I found both of these experiences deeply influential to the artist I am today.
with a lot of theory have been the most enjoyable. Apart from that, the lecturer is probably the most important thing to me when picking a unit. I’ve actually chosen units just because a certain person I find inspiring is teaching it and have automatically enjoyed learning because of this! How do you find the university experience different to a high school experience? At high school I was around the same people every day who I was lucky enough to form really strong bonds with. At uni you are often put in new scenarios with new people all the time. The bonds are formed by being proactive and not only creating in class but also outside of class. This is also the best part about uni—creating new things with new people all the time!
Want to make the gym your office? Check out the sport and recreation courses on offer at central. wa.edu.au
Have certain units appealed more than others? I actually don’t really like doing heaps of practical work. I’ve found that the photography units
For information on the huge variety of courses of course available at Edith Cowan University, head to ecu.edu.au
How does what you’re studying at present line up with your eventual career goals? Fitness study at Central integrated the theoretical concepts of learning together with practical skills and on the job training. After finishing the course I felt like I had a well-established base for entering the industry. I have had a fantastic start working in the Central Vibe gym where I can further build my experience and knowledge and long-term, I would like to build my own business offering health and wellness services, to provide a holistic service for the mind, body, and soul of my clients. Has the experience proven more or less challenging than you originally envisioned? Studying at Central was one step on a career change journey for me. As with any change parts of this journey have been a challenge but as the saying goes, ‘find something you’ll love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.’
at the end of the course. There are so many other opportunities and fields to branch into. What have you discovered about yourself as a result of taking the course? I have found it easier to study and remember information as I am doing something I have an interest in. I work well under pressure. When people considering the course ask for your feedback, what do you tell them? It is a very intense course. Not only do we have to know the how and why of plants as medicine but also for nutrition, human biology, pathology, pharmacology, and a whole host of other subjects. It is an absolutely amazing course and I learn new things every day.
Would you consider further study after finishing this course? I have considered further study since finishing my course. I would like to further complement the skill set I acquired from fitness with nutrition or massage qualifications. I have also thought about returning to University to study a health related topic.
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E D U C AT I O N , T R A I N I N G & C A R E E R S
JESSE HUTCHINGS
THIS LEARNING LIFE
Jesse Hutchings is presently enrolled in an Advanced Diploma in Live Sound and Theatre at WAAPA.
The Metriculation Game
Time spent as a student, whether months or years, can host some of the best memories. People sign up to courses for a lot of different reasons. If enrolment included a multiple-choice question asking why, the answers would read something like: a. b. c. d. e.
I know the industry I want to be a part of (but haven’t quite figured out my role in yet). This is stage one in the professional life I’ve mapped out. I’m a mature ager changing direction. The course will help me reach the next level in my career. More than one of the above.
Whatever the motivation, focused study is a decisive way to set yourself on a professional path. If you’re used to high school the experience can be a bit of an eye opener. Expect to be treated like an adult; you’re responsible for how much you get from the course. Moving from working full-time to studying? Many discover while the hours might be similar, the days become as much about learning as doing. The previously unemployed suddenly find their days filled, making for a shift. Kind of scary, but freeing. Doors are opening. Spending time in the company of people who share the same interests proves surprisingly intoxicating. When you talk about the units you’re studying, no one zones out. Fellow classmates are on the same page and over time study buddies can become close friends.
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While you might not be at your financial best, there are heaps of ways to save cash. The student market is big and many venues offer concession rates or special events. After a while you’ll be sniffing out student discounts like a bloodhound. (Eating a lot of noodles seems to be par for the course these days.) Chase up all the benefits you can. Most of all, soak up the learnin’. Instead of only reading what you have to, read on. Remember that those brave enough to pose questions in a place of learning are rewarded with informed answers (Seriously, this could be a mantra). Be determined to master the techniques and practical skills you’ll need to stand out in the workforce. You’re spending large chunks of hours in a place designed to help the enrolled reach their potential. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Be bold. Revel in the energy, vibe, whatever you want to call it. We often hear experience is important, and while you might not have it yet, many of the instructors do. Take advantage of the opportunity to learn from professionals who know what’s waiting out there. Don’t overlook networking opportunities. Talk to lecturers and students alike—at some point you might cross paths again. If you’re going for a job interview, nothing’s better than having someone in the building put in a good word. Sure, some days can be hard work, but that’s because you’re honing skills in a concentrated burst. Studying is about investing in your future. Life throws us a lot of unexpected challenges, but deciding what to study is a way of ensuring your feet are set on a path of your choosing. GILLIAN O’MEAGHER
What do you think the musically inclined are most likely to gain from your course? So many things. For me personally it was learning from other guys who’ve been in the industry for a long time, just the information they can pass on. There’s a lot of technical stuff, how things are set up in the professional world. I’ve met so many different producers and recording artists who have their way of doing things, and you can grab little bits here and there and form your own style, I guess. Ideally, what would be your area of focus after you finish studying? It would be live sound: concerts and festivals and stuff. I wouldn’t mind to some point going on big touring shows, and then in the long-term the future plan is to have my own recording studio or at least work at some of the bigger ones. What has surprised you about the course? Just the level of exposure and how much they helped network me with other creatives, not just in Perth - I’ve worked with director’s that are based in Sydney (Ed Wightman, The Comedy of Errors, The Fremantle Arts Centre) and that’s led to other jobs and show offers that I never thought I’d get. We did a show last year, WAAPA In The Park, the big sort of the start of the year concert, and we had an audio company, Phase 1 Audio, provide the gear, and just through that one gig I’ve lined up work with them. Have you learned something completely new to you that you’re glad you discovered? I wouldn’t say any one thing in particular. It would have been one of the lecturers last year we had for sound recording - his class was easily my favourite and it wasn’t just any one thing that I learned. He probably still has a wealth of knowledge that I haven’t really tapped. Just a new way of looking at things that I wouldn’t have gained had I not perhaps taken the class. Also, the theatre front. Theatre is something I’ve never really had much exposure to, other than going to a few musicals and stuff, I never
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really knew much about how theatre sound works, so designing a couple of theatre shows was a big learning curve for me. Just understanding and grasping the concept, and breaking down text, sound cues, and what sort of underscore, if at all, would suit the mood the play was trying to convey. That sort of stuff was the big eye-opener for me. What would you say to someone considering your course? I would say if you’re interested in sound, do it. It’s one of the best places to be. Everyone is very friendly, if you’ve got a question no one is ever going to laugh at you or take the mickey out of you, they’re just going to sit down and tell you till you know it. And everyone’s just very friendly and very easy to work with. That’s what I’ve noticed. And there are opportunities to meet actors, up and coming actors and up and coming musicians, who are some of the most talented people I’ve ever met, and I would not have met them if it wasn’t for coming here. There’s a few of them actually I’m going to be making music with later down the track, and once again that connection would never have been made if it had not have been for coming here. For info on the courses available at WAAPA, go to waapa.ecu.edu.au
E D U C AT I O N , T R A I N I N G & C A R E E R S
BEX CHILCOTT Bex Chilcott, aka musician Ruby Boots, gives us the rundown on her education experience at Central Institute of Technology, where she studied Performance and Music Business, and the myriad ways it helped her as a performer. What originally inspired you to take the course, and when did you complete it? I returned from two years of travelling and intrinsically knew that playing music was something I wanted to pursue enough so that I could hopefully spend most of my time doing so right then and in the future, so the course seemed like the perfect start for that path. My time at Central was extended because I was diagnosed with vocal nodes just as Cert 4 in Performance had began, so I moved over to the business course. Both courses played a big part to the early development of my now ongoing career in both areas. Overall I spent three years at Central, finishing in 2008.
you feel like you’re losing steam you are able to look around find new inspiration. It’s a hive for that. At the time, did the course help broaden your creative vision? I t h i n k i t h e l p e d m e re a l i s e w h at directions I didn’t want to take, as it was time where I was trying everything. Here I am, a country singer now, but at school I was fronting a funk band. Not especially well, I’d have to say, but it steered me toward where I wanted to be because I knew what didn’t feel right by trying it out, which is the beauty of the course—you have the freedom and are encouraged to do so. When the time came for me to work on what I wanted to alone, it was easy to feel what felt right! What is a standout element of the course that sticks in your memory? The courses I took at TAFE helped build my confidence in all aspects of the music industry. I was always passionate but it gave me the opportunity to make mistakes before I was working in the “real world” and the music industry is a small one, so having that and mentors around me was priceless really. Is music your life? Take a look at the courses on offer at central.wa.edu.au
Bex Chilcott/Ruby Boots
Looking back, how do you feel the course helped you develop as a performer? The Performance course gave me the space to perform in a safe place where I was able to develop my skills as a performer and songwriter, with focus and time to do such things—providing you give it 100% of yourself you can only learn and grow. Doing so before playing on open mic stages and then eventually stages around Australia is a rare thing, that combined with the guidance of the lecturers (some of whom I play with live now from time to time and others who I still go back to seek guidance and perspective from) is the type of platform that nurtures a strong foundation, and a platform that you can launch from into industry. It’s a very special thing!
“I was always passionate but it gave me the opportunity to make mistakes before I was working in the “real world” and the music industry is a small one, so having that and mentors around me was priceless really.”
What did you like most about student life? I look at student life like it’s the one true chance you get to focus as much of your energy on the thing you are most passionate about—in this instance it’s music. Speaking from experience, being a student is the only time you’re able to do that: once you are out practicing your trade, i.e. recording and touring and trying to turn that into a career, in today’s industry you’re often expected to be so much more than just the musician. It’s a tough path, there are so many bands out there and you’re expected to be across running your social media, booking shows, promoting said shows, sending your music to radio—that’s just scratching the surface, but you catch my drift. So the time to study your passion is paramount and priceless, because it’s all circus tricks and professional juggling from there! Did you meet people during this period of studying that you’re still friends with, or have interacted with professionally, since then? Absolutely, one person in particular (who I was in a school band with) I have a very strong friendship with: Tegan who plays in Voltaire Twins. Although we are worlds apart in genre, we’re very supportive of each other’s careers and you need people like that around you in this game, you need your rocks around you who know of your journey and where it is you started. Aside from that I still keep in touch with the lecturers at the course, they are great mentors and great people. Being around people as passionate as yourself when it comes to music - was that a bonus? Absolutely, especially when it comes to creativity. There’s a real energy that comes when you are surround by everyone working creatively on their projects all of the time, there’s a lot to draw from that and it also fuels your fire; when WWW. XP RE SS MAG.COM. AU
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