Issue 1429

FEATURE INSIDE

USURPER OF MODERN MEDICINE

MASTODON

REMI

PARQUET COURTS

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NEWSDESK

THE ONLY LIVING ENGLISHMAN IN NEW YORK As far as iconic hits go, it’s a bang-for-your buck combination, and so it is that Sting and Paul Simon are bringing their acclaimed On Stage Together tour to Australia and New Zealand early next year. The tour will touch down our way on Saturday, February 21, 2014, at Sir James Mitchell Park, South Perth, in a special A Day On The Green event with quality support coming from Sarah Blasko. Tickets go on sale next Monday, July 7, at 10am from ticketmaster.com. au (136 100). For full details head to adayonthegreen. com.au and simonandstingtour.com.

Sting and Paul Simon Pic: Kevin Mazur

LOCAL NEWS

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GLOBAL NEWS

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

BACK TO DAP

ANGUS & JULIA STONE TOUR

Kylie Minogue’s spent an unprecedented amount of time back in Australia this year as a coach on Channel 9’s The Voice and it looks like that’s set to continue in 2015, with the announcement of her Kiss Me Once national tour. Australia’s Sweetheart opens the tour on Saturday, March 14, at Perth Arena. General public on-sale starts at 10am on Monday, July 14, from Ticketek.com.au (132 849). There’s also Visa Entertainment pre-sales from noon, Monday July 7, until noon, Wednesday, July 9, (visaentertainment. com.au) and a Frontier Touring pre-sale from 2pm Thursday, July 10, until 2pm, Friday, July 11 (frontiertouring.com/kylie).

Music fans the world over were shocked last year to learn of Sharon Jones battle with cancer. Almost a year later, Jones is back to wellness and ready to hit the road in support of her most recent album with The Dap-Kings, Give The People What They Want. “My fans are what kept me fighting, and kept me focussed on getting better,” Jones says. “Everything I love can be summed up by the moment I get on stage, and start giving the people what they want. That’s real love. That’s real music.” Jones and band are returning to Australia, and will perform on Monday-Tuesday, September 8-9, at the Astor Theatre, with support from The Bombay Royale and Saun & Starr. Tickets go non sale this Friday, July 4, from Showticketing.com.au.

Angus & Julia Stone recently finished recording their latest album together with enigmatic producer Rick Rubin, who has proven to be quite a fan of the siblings. “This album is extraordinary,” he sais in a statement. “Angus and Julia are truly unique musicians. They are authentic and pure people who do things from the heart. I’ve never worked with anyone like them before.’’

A national tour has been rolled out in support of the forthcoming album, which will see the Stones hit the Perth Concert Hall on Tuesday, September 23, supported by Vancouver Sleep Clinic.

Tickets go on sale from 9am on Thursday, July 10, from perthconcerthall.com.au and ticketek.com.au.

Kylie Minogue

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

Angus & Julia Stone

KYLIE HITS THE ROAD

THE DEAD KENNEDYS ARE BACK!

SPUNK AFTER-PARTY

Hardcore punk rock legends Dead Kennedys have announced their 2014 Australian return as part of their Bedtime For Democracy tour. Klaus Flouride, D. H. Peligro and Ron ‘Skip’ Greer will be taking Dead Kennedys’ message against political apathy right across Australia including a huge show at Capitol on Saturday, October 11, with support The Bennies and Chainsaw Hookers. Tickets are available Friday, July 4 from oztix.com.au.

IT’S KATY

The Spunk Records After-Party for the Tiny Ruins and Shining Bird WA tour is a thing for you this Saturday, July 5, at the Astor Lounge. There’ll be Spunk tunes and giveaways, plus featured performances from Perth’s Turnstyle (Lite) unveiling new songs and past faves in the lead up to recording a new album (yes!), Perth lo-fi poppers Brave, the ever-fascinating Rachael Dease, plus a super secret Spunk band and more.

After a few years spent in New York, songbird Katy Steele is back - for the moment, at least - in Perth.

She’s just announced two special shows to be held at Ellington Jazz Club, where she will sit behind a grand piano and perform songs inspired by her travels as well as some older tunes and some surprises.

Catch Steele at Ellington on Wednesday, August 13, and Sunday, August 17. Tickets via ellingtonjazz.com.au.

Turnstyle, new album!

Katy Steele

Dead Kennedys

PUNKTURED MINI-FEST

SUZI’S LAST RIDE

Punktured Promotions Mini-Fest takes place this Saturday, July 5, at Ya Ya’s featuring punk rock bands from all around the country. The huge lineup will feature East Coasters Nerdlinger (NSW) and Revvellers (ACT) alongside Perth locals The Decline, Scalphunter, Blindspot, Them Sharks and 88 To Yesterday. Entry is $12 at the door from 6pm.

Suzi Quatro will be returning to Australia in January, 2015, for her last tour Down Under as part of her 50 Years Of Performing celebration. Having toured Australia on 30 separate occasions, Quatro’s final run will see her play a Perth show at the Regal Theatre on Wednesday, January 28. Tickets are on sale July 3 through ticketek.com.au.

Nerdlinger

Suzi Quatro

SMOKIN’ JOHNNY

A BRIGHTLY PAINTED RETURN

This Friday is Johnny Cash tribute night at the Rosemount Hotel, Cashed Up features a massive line-up of Perth favourites with The Volcanics, The Painkillers, The Wizard Sleeve, Emu Xperts, Patient Little Sister, Moana and Tom Fisher & The Layabouts merging some iconic Johnny Cash tunes with their own original songs. Entry is $15 at the door from 8pm.

Fresh of a European tour, Tiny Ruins are back in Australia to showcase a new album, Brightly Painted One, including a performance this Saturday, July 5, at Mojo’s Bar. Touring as a three-piece, Tiny Ruins will be joined by Shining Bird, who are also launching a special release of their own 7” single. Presale tickets are $25 (plus booking fee) through oztix.com.au or $30 at the door from 8pm.

The Volcanics, Cashed Up

Tiny Ruins

SOUTHBOUND EXTENDS

GO SET GO! Combining traditional folk instruments with distorted punk guitars and timeless rock n roll energy, Melbourne’s The Go Set have been a powerhouse onstage proposition for the last decade. With a sixth studio album soon to drop, they’ll be heading our way as part of their Chase The Rum tour this month.

Catch them next Thursday, July 11, at the Rosemount Hotel; Friday, July 11, at the Indi Bar; Saturday, July 12, at Mojo’s and Sunday, July 13, at Clancy’s Fish Pub in Dunsborough.

The Go Set 4

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Southbound 2015 will feature huge changes to its camping sites thanks to The City of Busselton, who have approved the opportunity for festival-goers to park next to their camping spots over the weekend! The move will provide extra security for belongings, less walking and more enjoyment over the festival, happening on Saturday-Sunday, January 3-4. For more details head to Southboundfestival.com.au.

Southbound Pic: Court McAllister

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WIN

N E W S L E T T E R - S I G N U P AT W W W. X P R E S S M A G . C O M . A U

PRINT AND DIGITAL EDITIONS PUBLISHER/MANAGER Joe Cipriani

EDITORIAL - 9213 2888

LISTEN UP AND OUT Maybe it’s just the cultural centre ice rink, but right now it seems like Perth is spoilt for left-field entertainment flourishes. As dust from the AJ Maddah implosion settles, boutique music and arts festivals are going from strength to strength. Hot off the heels of Circo and State Of The Art, Parklife impresarios Fuzzy are bringing Listen Out to WA. Featuring a string of big name beat-tweakers including Chet Faker, Zhu, Ta-Ku, YG, Schoolboy Q, and Four Tet, the festival will also be your only chance to catch a Flume gig this year. Pick up your tix from listen-out.com.au and get down to Ozone Reserve on Sunday, September 28. Alternatively, hit us up with your name, address and birthdate at win@xpressmag.com.au - you could win a VIP ticket, which grants you complimentary drinks, express entry, access to a swish bar, and the opportunity to see Listen Out artists tear up a ping pong tournament.

MANAGING EDITOR Bob Gordon: editor@xpressmag.com.au FEATURES & DANCE MUSIC EDITOR Merran Reed: featuresed@xpressmag.com.au LOCAL MUSIC & ARTS EDITOR Travis Johnson: localmusicarts@xpressmag.com.au GIG & EVENT GUIDES CO-ORDINATOR guide@xpressmag.com.au COMPETITIONS win@xpressmag.com.au For band gigs and launches - plugyourgig@xpressmag.com.au

ADVERTISING - 9213 2888 SALES MANAGER AGENCY / MOVIES / ARTS / EDUCATION / SPONSORSHIP / ONLINE MARKETING Craig Mauger - advertising@xpressmag.com.au MUSIC SERVICES / MUSICAL EQUIPMENT / BANDS / RECORD LABELS Stefan Caramia - musicservices@xpressmag.com.au ENTERTAINMENT VENUES / LIVE AND DANCE MUSIC PROMOTERS Tim Milroy - entertainment@xpressmag.com.au CLASSIFIEDS LINAGE classifieds@xpressmag.com.au

PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT - 9213 2854 CONTENT COORDINATOR Anthony Jackson - production@xpressmag.com.au ART DIRECTOR Dwight O’Neil DESIGN + PRODUCTION Andy Quilty, Anthony Jackson, Kasia Mazurkiewicz 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

NORWAY? YES, WAY Are you a film buff worried about that unshakeable post-Revelation emotional drop? Take heart - you can ride it out with the heavy-hitting Scandinavian Film Festival, running at Luna Leederville, Luna SX, and Cinema Paradiso, July 24-30. This year, they’ve crammed in everything you loved about Northern Europe - think Mads Mikkelsenesque charm, hard rock hallelujahs, and those fully sick ruffs worn by Danish priests. Notable mention goes to all three movies in the Easy Money series, chaperoned into the Anglophone world by megafan Martin Scorsese.

Hit up win@xpressmag.com.au if you’d like to win an in-season double pass.

LA FEMME FATALE

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

Luc Besson writes and directs big Hollywood action thrillers with cool Gallic visual restraint. The results: La Femme Nikita, The Fifth Element, Leon The Professional, and his latest, Lucy. After getting mixed up with some dodgy dealers, Scarlett Johansson transforms into the kind of ruthless warrior Tarantino could get behind. With Morgan Freeman thrown in for good measure, Lucy is one seductive package. It’s out on July 31, and you can score yourself a double pass by emailing win@xpressmag.com.au.

CONFESSIONS, PART II For someone whose work is mired in mental illness, sexual trauma, and the occasional apocalyptic disaster, Lars Von Trier can be a lot of fun.

Nymphomaniac, his five-hour double feature, is one of the most bizarre and bizarrely enjoyable films of 2014 - it’s full-frontal, wildly self-indulgent, and crazy-good. Check out Part II, now on DVD, for very literal applications of Talking Heads’ Burning Down The House, an overuse of the word “lubricated”, and Billy Elliot all grown up. Satisfy your curiosity and email win@xpressmag.com.au for a copy.

I WANNA MARRY HUSBAND Perth bluesman Husband has just returned from a busy trip Los Angeles. He’s brought a 10-track LP with him, polished up with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club producer Rick Parker. Husband’s all about the Southern Gothic sound, so if you’re into the tortured Americana of Nick Cave and Cormac McCarthy, make sure you catch him at The Odd Fellow, Fremantle, on Friday, July 4. With help from dulcet folk-popper David Craft and psychedelic folk-rockers The Lammas Tide, he’ll be launching his new single, Caught. RTRFM and Double J are showing it a lot of love, and if you’d like to celebrate with Husband, email win@xpressmag. com.au to win a double pass.

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IT USED TO BE COOL If you’re in hospitality, sometime the downsides (an endless barrage of hostile clients, keg restocking, karaoke night) can seem to outweigh the positives.

The Nocturnal Ball swings the job satisfaction meter back into the positive camp. Now in its 18th year, the Ball is the biggest industry party for you poor, overly patient people in bars, pubs, and nightclubs. Get your ticket for July 7 at Metros, where you can expect fancy dress, live entertainment, and blond-mulleted Sydney Swans star Warwick Capper on MC duties.

We have 2 double passes to give away, so hit us up at win@xpressmag.com.au if you’re down to party like you’re not expecting the market crash of 1989.

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FLESH

NEWS - INTERVIEWS - REVIEWS - CONTENTS

REVELATION PERTH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Goin’ Out West It’s almost old enough to drink! The 17th Revelation Perth International Film Festival kicks off this Thursday, July 3, at Luna Leederville with a screening of Under The Skin, followed by a gala reception with music provided by DJ Jessica Kill. We caught up with Program Director and noted film academic, Dr Jack Sargeant, to chat about this year’s offerings. TRAVIS JOHNSON reports.

You’ve spent a year selecting films for Rev 2014 program. Has a theme emerged as yet?

I think that commonly the themes emerge retrospectively, certain things become prominent not during programming necessarily but during the final weeks. When I’m looking at the whole program I can see various themes emerge. The first, which we are also running a panel on, is the idea of novels that have become films - so we have films of the cult erotic novel Wetlands, of Larry Brown’s Joe, of Joe R. Lansdale’s Cold In July, amongst others. These are all great books, cutting edge novels, and seeing them all adapted is interesting. There are other titles taken from novels too, but these three stick out.

Another aspect is unique individuals.

We have Finding Vivian Maier and The Man Whose Mind Exploded, fascinating movies about fascinating creative people. One, perhaps more deliberate theme is that of old technologies, or unusual technologies, we have Vladmaster’s view-reels show. which is a joy. We have the MuMeson Archives talking about collecting 16mm film and the importance of 16mm culture, we have So Wrong They’re Right, about eighttrack tapes.

It’s hard to play favourites, but what are the standout films this year?

I’m really looking forward to seeing

Jack Sargeant | Pic: Alex Munt

Wetlands. I am excited by the late night horror movie, American Mummy, which is getting a world premiere.

I think The Man Whose Mind Exploded will be powerful with a big audience.

How has the Revelation Festival grown and changed this year?

This year, I think we are bigger, more screenings, more late nights, more talks, the academic side has grown also. It’s like a wild ride at this point there’s so much going on.

The Special Events program is very impressive this time around. What’s the don’t-miss event for you?

The MuMesons are always special and a genuine treasure. Lee Ranaldo and Leah Singer will be a unique opportunity for audiences.

There has been much speculation lately about the future of Rev in light of recent cuts made to arts

The Man Whose Mind Exploded

funding by the Federal Government. Where do you think the festival stands?

I think the people in Perth, in WA and in Australia all know how important Revelation is. On a personal level, I hope that across the board people in the arts continue to function. I hope that anyone in any political position recognises the importance of arts and culture.

What are you, personally, looking forward to the most this year?

I always look forward to the chance meetings, the new friends, new ideas, new films... you know? The point is inspiration, to show things, to get people talking, to make people see the possibilities out there.

Revelation Perth International Film Festival runs from July 3-13. For tickets and info, go to revelationfilmfest.org or lunapalacecinemas.com.au.

BEST OF THE FEST Spoilt for choice at this year’s festival?

These films are worth slapping your money down for.

1. COLD IN JULY 2. JOE 3. TO BE TAKEI 4. WILLOW CREEK 5. ANTARCTICA - A YEAR ON THE ICE Joe

Wetlands

KITCHEN PEOPLE

CONTENTS 4 6 18 10

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Newsdesk Win Flesh Music Mastodon, Reece Mastin, The Strypes Something For Kate, Parquet Courts, Guerre New Noise Eye4 Cover: Calvary Calvary, Hossein Amini, 8 Gigabytes Of Hardcore Pornography Tim’s Vermeer, Yes The Hit List, Fashion, Arts Listings, Scene Cover: Remi News, Crooked Colours, Take 5, Producer’s Cut Sohn, Bass Kleph What’s On In July Live: The Supersuckers, Circo Local Scene: Usurper Of Modern Medicine X-Press Guide Social Pics, Volume

FRONT COVER: The 17th Revelation Perth International Film Festival kicks off this Thursday, July 3, at Luna Leederville and runs until Sunday, July 13.

SCENE COVER: With a new album, Raw X Infinity, just released, Remi hits The Bakery this Friday, July 4.

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Big Splash Heat #4 Winner Timothy Nelson

RUMOURS HAS IT As part of the Newport Hotel’s Record Club, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours album will be lovingly performed in its entirety by Fleetwood Rack, featuring Timothy Nelson, Elliot Smith (ex The Chemist, China Doll), Lucy Peach and friends, this Thursday, July 3.

“As far as songwriting goes, I think Rumours has a real triumphant feel about it,” Nelson told X-Press this week. “The relationships between the band members were so tumultuous that it’s a wonder they held it together to make a record at all, let alone something as classic as Rumours.

“Every song on the record is so well executed, the writing is simple but lyrically, there’s a real weight to the record that thrives on the inner turmoils within the group, but does it in such a way that it can speak to every one, which it pretty much has! Part of that ‘70s thing I love is having really simple pop songs, but then sneaking in some crazy musicianship and getting away with it.”

Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are $10 (plus booking fee) from Oztix.com.au or at the door.

How did you feel about your set last Tuesday night?

Jake: I was pleasantly surprised! I woke up ill and played pretty averagely at our morning practice, but we managed to pull it together on the night. Tom and Vincent played great as usual, I remembered the words and I think we had good live energy; plus lemon water and partaking in a KFC 12-Piece Feed on the night powered me up. I think it’s one of the better, if not best sets we have done... which was convenient.

What acts caught your ear and/or eye?

Tom has been a big fun of Puck (Wild Card Winners) since back when they where a two-piece and it’s always great catching them. Real heavy tunes and respect for being able to drum and sing so well at the same time.

Kitchen People

What are your plans, at this stage, for the rest of 2014?

We started recording some more songs a week or so ago, but ain’t 100 per cent sure what we will be doing with them. We pump songs out pretty quickly so an LP or at the very least a 7” is in the works.

Who else in the Big Splash heats are you keen to get We would like to gig a lot more, but it can be hard with a look at? us all being involved in other projects. Never fear, we Went to Heat #3 and was diggin’ Husband will make time! And we are getting another guitarist, and Stuart Orchid. I remember both bands having really Charles from Aborted Tortoise, yew! talented players. Disappointed I missed Silver Hills in Heat #1 because they are always great. The Mind The Big Splash continues with Heat #6 on Tuesday, July Canary recordings I’ve listened to have me looking 8, at Flyrite, featuring Kid XL, Old Blood, Sam Wylde and Sprawl. Tickets are $5 at the door from 8pm. forward to seeing them as well.

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MUSIC

VIEWS

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INTERVIEWS

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STORIES

“Being heavily conceptual worked really well for us and we dove in together collectively and could focus lyrical contributions that would all fit under the umbrella of what that theme was. Then with The Hunter we decided to scrap that and go free-forall and that was very, very therapeutic to do that, because it was like, ‘I want to write about blank subject matter’.

It was nice to have the freedom to do something like that.”

MASTODON Here Comes The Sun Mastodon have released their sixth album, Once More ‘Round The Sun. JAYMZ CLEMENTS chats with bass player, Troy Sanders, in New York.

Troy Sanders is a bundle of focused energy.

Perched on the edge of a couch backstage at New York City’s Terminal 5 — where, in three hours’ time, Mastodon will play to a sold-out room — he’s just finished soundcheck and wandered off the stage.

The bassist (after sorting through some drying clothes in a road case) is all hair and beard.

As he sits, his intense eyes flash as he talks up his band’s sixth record, Once More ‘Round the Sun. Mastodon aren’t a band to take things lightly, and Sanders speaking about Once More ‘Round the Sun is no exception.

Six albums in, Mastodon are breathing rarefied metal air. Critically acclaimed and commercially viable, Once More ‘Round the Sun is a salvo that befits a band of their ever-growing stature. Having spent their first four records carving out brutal slabs of game-changing conceptual metal chaos, now epic and systematic necksnapping bad-arsery is Mastodon’s main province.

Produced by Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Trivium), the Atlanta four-piece have created a metal record that takes their usual psychedelic meanderings and infuses them with Southern rock and added lashings of classic metal. Writing the album in the band’s rehearsal space in Atlanta, Georgia (named, er, the Thunder Box) in March 2013, Mastodon —Sanders, drummer Brann Dailor, guitarists Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher —pieced together songs from ideas they’d gleaned while spending two solid years on the road touring 2011’s The Hunter.

As with all Mastodon records, all four members wrote songs, with Sanders, Hinds and Dailor each contributing vocals — “we work best that way,” says Sanders — but the big difference is in the tunes themselves. Full of big, shining moments like the chorus of Motherload, lead single High Road, and the outro shout-along of Aunt Lisa, it’s telling that the dark, bizarre psychedelia of Diamonds in the Witch House and Chimes at Midnight actually feel comfortingly familiar. It’s a marked change from the Mike Elizondo (Eminem, 50 Cent, Fiona Apple) produced The Hunter.

REECE MASTIN

THE STRYPES

Teen Wolf X-Factor winner Reece Mastin chats with AARON BRYANS about the growth of his career since winning the reality TV show and the evolution of his music ahead of his upcoming release, The Wolf In The Woods, and a tour which brings him to the Astor Theatre on Friday, September 12.

Rock'n'Roll Up Your Sleeves Their appreciation of the musical forefathers belies their years, along with their musicianship and industrysavvy approach, yet for The Strypes, age ain’t no thing when it comes to good ol’ rock’n’roll on their debut LP, Snapshot.

ALI HAWKEN reports.

As a young group of lads hailing from Cavan, Ireland, the subject of The Strypes' relative youthfulness has rarely escaped an interview, yet with half the band's members having now reached the age of majority, this particular focus seems entirely irrelevant.

You need only look to their influences – t h e b l u e s o f t h e e a r l y S to n e s o r Ed d i e Cochran, the raw punk of The Sex Pistols or The Undertones – to see that much musical greatness over the decades has come from the youth, for the youth.

“I guess it's kind of fallen out of fashion for young bands to be getting their name out at our age,” offers drummer Evan Walsh, when asked what he makes of it all.

“Our big point of reference when people say that is you look at the punk rock bands, the majority of them were under 20 when they were making albums. The Undertones or even The Sex Pistols – I think Johnny Rotten was about 17 when they came out. That's the whole point in that music movements are youth movements as well, so generally it's about teenagers. Rock'n'roll when it came out in the '50s, that's what the whole intention was: it was aimed at teenagers, but as generations have gone on, it's a more broader age that people are interested in.”

H ad t h e i r c h o s e n g e n re b e e n t h e mainstream-manufactured pop of bands such as those generated by the X-Factor machine, perhaps their age would seem of no relevance to the media. Yet attempting to tackle the heartwrenching emotiveness of the blues (in its truest sense) is ambitious for a group of teenagers who, lacking the decades of emotional hardship experienced by other blues artists, might be taken as insincere.

“It's kind of like treating blues music 10

That shift came about, Sanders says, from natural progression in the band, and Raskulinecz’s enthusiasm for capturing them at their best. “Nick is a fan of Mastodon. He was onboard to help us make the best record possible, not only for him and his discography, but for us, because he’s a big fan of our band. He didn’t want to come in and slap something together, because it’s not just his name on it, it’s our name,” grins Sanders. “It was good teamwork – everyone wanted to get the best results possible – and y’know, he’s just a real big rock’n’roll dude.

“Listening back,” he adds, “I really loved the way The Hunter sounded. It sounded probably as big and semi-polished as we’ve had a record sound, but I loved it. Sonically I feel this new record might be a bit more authentic towards our natural live environment.”

In terms of Mastodon’s themes, here and on The Hunter they’ve settled happily into writing about themselves in big metaphors in individual songs, rather than those big proggy conceptual pieces (as on 2004’s Leviathan or 2009’s Crack the Skye), something Sanders argues now suits them “for sure,” he says intently.

“Being heavily conceptual worked really well for us and we dove in together collectively and could focus lyrical contributions that would all fit under the umbrella of what that theme was. Then with The Hunter we decided to scrap that and go free-for-all and that was very, very therapeutic to do that, because it was like, ‘I want to write about blank subject matter’. It was nice to have the freedom to do something like that.

“We tend to work best when we dive in to personal experiences or band experiences that have happened recently and are very fresh on the soul and in the memory, because it’s very sincere and authentic material to pull from… when we take something that’s going on right now and channel something quite negative into something positive, mask it with metaphor and present it with a shred of light shining on it. We seem to work well like that. We don’t ever want to put our heart on our sleeve too much.”

As for that album title that’s so (typically) open-ended, Sander’s interpretation is that the ‘Sun’ in the phrase is “the point, the final hurdle,” he nods.

“I love the fact our record’s titled this, because if you asked all four guys in the band they’d probably give you a different meaning as to what the title means to them,” he grins. “To me it means something very positive; it means we get to do this cycle again, we got to write a batch of songs and record them and now we get to go out and tour them, and be in this very fortunate place.”

It also works as a fitting rejoinder to those who will wonder if this is the record that pushes Mastodon into even more rarefied air. “None of this is guaranteed,” Sanders adds pointedly, perhaps a subtle reference to Brent Hinds’ 2007 coma. “We’re not guaranteed to write five more albums and be in Mastodon ’til we’re 60… this could be stripped away tomorrow. It’s all a very positive thing to me. However, I’m a complete optimist – my cup is always half-full.”

PIC: JILL FURMANOVSKY

in different ways: you can have the power and intensity of someone like Howlin' Wolf, he can be really raw and passion and blues howlin' – we obviously can't do that for a number of reasons – or you can use the basis of it to create your own thing and your own songs,” Walsh explains.

“We were influenced by the music that was around us growing up because our parents were big music fans. We got very heavily interested in rhythm and blues, early '50s rock'n'roll, '70s punk and new wave, bands like Dr Feelgood, the early Stones' stuff, The Byrds and The Animals, punk bands like Johnny Thunders and The Undertones, the original blues singers and real rock'n'rollers like Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and Eddie Cochran.”

The Strypes have always worn their influences from decades gone by on their musical sleeves (even their name is a shout-out to bands like The Byrds and The Beatles), and while they find some of their contemporaries exciting musically, they strive not to be influenced by them.

“While there are people around that we like what they're doing - Jack White, The Black Keys, Jake Bugg, and The Jim Jones Revue are an English rock'n'roll band that we all quite like,” Walsh offers, “we wouldn't take a very strong influence from any contemporary bands because that would seem too easy, to say we're influenced by some of the biggest bands at the minute, you're not digging too deep, not doing your own thing. You can be similar, musically, in some ways or play the same style, but to find our own unique influence is what we'd be interested in."

PIC: ETHAN MANN

2011 was a huge year for South Australian Reece Mastin; who at the age of 17 won the TV talent show, X-Factor.

With a management and recording contract with Sony Music Australia, Mastin left his school days behind to pursue his dream as a musician.

“I didn’t end up finishing school so if this doesn’t work out I’m kind of stuffed,” Mastin laughs. “I was actually still in school when I started the show. I went from five days at school to touring the country, so it was a massive change but I think I’d much prefer that then school.”

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For a Year 12 student, reality TV can be a demanding concept. However, Mastin’s drive and avoidance of backstage drama kept him focused on his musical goals and his winning pursuit.

“I just didn’t really get involved in it,” Mastin explains. “I think I just said things very plainly. I didn’t want to bitch, I didn’t want to get in anyone’s face or annoy anyone. I just gave the yes and no’s that they needed. I think that’s the best way to go about that side of things is to just be yourself and don’t over exaggerate anything.”

With the show behind him, Mastin would go on to release two studio albums that spawned four ARIA platinum singles. As Mastin continued to evolve his music he pushed for a shift from mainstream pop to rock and thus his new album, Wolf In The Woods, was born.

“I’d expect to hear something we haven’t heard for a while. Hopefully it's going to be refreshing to have something that doesn’t technically have a synth or a digital bar in it. It’s got a proper drum kit, a proper band on it and crazy good musicians as well. It’s definitely an exciting album and I think musos will really love it and hopefully the fans will get into the nitty gritty of rock'n'roll.”

“There’s been some small changes throughout the last two years but this last year for me has been a massive one. I’ve really established what I want to do in music and really push the rock side because that is me, and in these songs you can kind of hear it. It’s really me, it’s really rock and I’m loving it at the moment.”

With youth on his side and a musical passion developed from the age of 12, Mastin won’t slow down until he reaches his full potential, taking as much experience as he can along the way.

“That’s the thing that’s cool about music," he notes, "the older you get, the more experience you get and the better your music is going to be. Hopefully over the years I’m going to keep progressing the sound but sticking true to me. There’ll obviously be some big changes or even minor changes, but hopefully we can keep evolving and making the music better.

“There’s a big buzz for the tour so hopefully we’ll get some people out there and they’ll really enjoy the show and it’ll be a lot of fun and people seem to be really excited about it.”

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SOMETHING FOR KATE Paper Giants Celebrating their 20th anniversary, Something For Kate stop by the Astor Theatre this Friday, July 4. Frontman, Paul Dempsey, will also perform a sold-out solo show at the Fly By Night on Saturday, July 5. LACHLAN KANONIUK reports.

20 years strong, trio Something For Kate have reigned in alternative rock where others have faded, still burning bright as a preeminent force across Australia’s musical landscape.

A good reason to celebrate, and celebrate they will. To coincide with their two decades of existence, the band will reissue each of their six full-length LPs, publish the book Paper Trail, and set off on an ambitious nationwide tour – each night consisting of two Something For Kate sets, preceded by a screening of a short film. Speaking ahead of the landmark celebrations, taller-than-life frontman, Paul Dempsey, takes a long gaze yonder to the beginning.

“I’m probably the least sentimental person you’ll ever meet,” Dempsey states. “Looking back to these things, I find it interesting and funny, where we were at different points in our career and different points in our lives. Having been in a band for 20 years, you kind of grow up in public a bit. I was 17 when we started, and that’s pretty young. I guess it’s more commonplace now, but at the time it was pretty unusual to be 17 and being approached by record labels. I certainly felt like I was a very young person in a big industry. It made me really nervous.

“Looking back at some of the stuff, it’s funny to read interviews when I was 19 and basically I was being a grumpy little bastard, basically because I was scared. I felt vulnerable. But it’s amazing to chart how you change, and how we’ve arrived at the band we are today, and the people we are today. It’s been an interesting process.”

Performing two sets on each night of the upcoming tour, neglected gems will no doubt be pulled up from the back catalogue. It’s an uncanny process for Dempsey, but bassist, Stephanie Ashworth, and drummer, Clint Hyndman, might require a slight stretch up before taking a jog down memory lane.

“I can pretty much play anything from our back catalogue at the drop of a hat. I guess that’s

because I’m the main songwriter and the songs have had a lot more time gestating in my brain so I don’t forget them too easily. But Clint and Steph had to do some homework. We’ve been rehearsing already and it’s come together surprisingly well. We’d play these songs a couple of times and they became second nature. There are probably 15 songs that we’ve started rehearsing that haven’t been played possibly in this century.”

After a sorta-hiatus, which saw Dempsey release a well-received solo album, Something For Kate returned stronger than ever with 2012’s Leave Your Soul To Science.

“We didn’t know what was going to happen,” Dempsey recalls. “We certainly didn’t assume there were a whole lot of people out there dying for a new Something For Kate record. But luckily it turned out great. I think the best thing about it was

that I seemed to have carved out a new audience with my solo record, this whole new young audience who I’m not sure if they put two-and-two together and knew I was in a band called Something For Kate.

“So then when we put out Lose Your Soul To Science, our crowd totally changed. Clint and Steph were taking the piss outta me when I did my solo record, because Something For Kate’s audience were predominantly guys close to our age, then suddenly after the solo record, the Something For Kate audience was suddenly more than 50 per cent 20-year-old girls.

It’s kind of funny to watch our audience change.

“The other funny thing about being around for 20 years is that I’ve literally met 18 year-olds at our shows who weren’t born when we started, and their parents were fans. We now have people coming to shows with their parents who have been listening to us for 20 years. It’s an amazing and special thing.”

Needless to say, the musical climate has changed over the past two decades. Could Something For Kate survive if they found their genesis now instead of 1994? “I’m not sure if we could. In a lot of ways, it’s easier to reach an audience these days. It might seem to be easier to get on the radio and get successful. But it seems to me like it’s harder to hang on to that success and make it last. There are still bands with big albums and long tours and that kind of success. But that longevity seems like a much more difficult proposition. I don’t know why that is.

“Attention spans are shorter than they used to be. I think social media makes it easier for people to be judge, jury, executioner and music critic. Social media can be really helpful to promote things, but it’s also a really nasty place. I don’t know if we could achieve the same sort of things… fuck, I dunno. It’s a tough one.”

GUERRE Immigrant Song Guerre has released Ex Nihilo, his debut album of club-inflected down tempo pop. There are, however, other pressing matters, as ALEX GRIFFIN reports.

Considering the gauzy, deep freeze of his productions, it’s not hard to imagine Guerre (aka Lavurn Lee) living inside a smoke machine in a Berlin nightclub, only occasionally venturing out to brood menacingly on the dancefloor.

However, when we speak on the phone, he’s calling from a farm in deep rural New South Wales, where the Canadian expat has been working due to visa requirements. There’s not much sunshine in his music, but he’s been getting a lot of Vitamin D recently.

“I’m on a working holiday visa right now,” he says, “the second one I’ve had. To acquire that, the government needs you to do three months of farm work in a rural area.”

Though Lee has been enjoying the rural environment, it hasn’t all been rosy, with the prospect of having to pack up his life in Australia hanging over him constantly, as well as a few queries over the government’s policy.

“At first I thought it was good because I was getting a new experience and learning more about the country, but it’s a strange way for people to stay in the country. I mean sure, there are lots of backpackers who can do it, but what if you’re disabled or can’t work?

It’s been a draining experience, because if I can’t stay it feels like the end of a lot of things for me.

“I came here when I was 17, so I’m literally losing a huge part of my life.”

Despite the visa limbo, Lee has something to crow about, with his debut full-length, Ex Nihilo, finally reaching the public.

“I feel really relieved,” he exclaims. “It’s been done for a year, so the songs have been sitting there for ages. It’s been mostly laziness though, in trying to get the artwork done and figuring out who to release it with.”

International heavyweight, Remote Control, ended up stepping in, through the work of Matt Blanchard at Yes Please records, who released Guerre’s earliest works (as well as being the home of fellow Aussie luminary, Oliver Tank). Ex Nihilo is another crowning moment in the recent parade of Sydney-based electro producers, providing a darker counterpoint to the work of his contemporaries, like Chet Faker and Collarbones. Lee, however, doesn’t feel like there’s such a scene going on, despite their proximity to one another.

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PARQUET COURTS Be Here Now Seen here in February as part of the Laneway Festival, Parquet Courts have just released their third LP, Sunbathing Animal. AUGUSTUS WELBY chats with vocalist, Andrew Savage.

“I don’t necessarily think that geography means community; the music press here in Sydney really likes to group people together in terms of that because it’s easier and benefits everyone. I don’t necessarily feel like a part of anything with the bigger names, but within my circle of friends making music, there’s a similar attitude in the way we approach writing.”

Guerre’s distinctive visual style (equal parts David Lynch and American Apparel ads) draws out the qualities of his music in a pretty alluring fashion, something that Lee is keenly aware of, having originally come to Australia to study fine art and drawing.

“The drawings, the artwork, they should not detract from the music. The visual side has to inform what the vibe is, that’s the most important thing.”

That vibe is shadowy as hell, which makes Ex Nihilo (Latin for ‘from nothing’) a pretty appropriate title. “I like the idea of looking at my music as if it’s coming out of nothing, which is a bit of a copout!” Lee laughs.

“Because, of course, there’s a source to everything. But working with digital equipment, it does feel like there’s a certain level of disconnect with the machine because you’re not producing these sounds yourself; like, with a guitar there’s an element of physical extraction. With digital equipment, there’s more randomness; instead, you’re choosing these sounds and seeing where they go.”

While Ex Nihilo embraces that limitlessness, he remains locked in a struggle to stay in the country where he’s made a huge and distinctive contribution to the dance music scene. If it’s up to Lee, it’ll just be his music that travels far.

What is it that allows rock’n’roll to remain vitally stimulating after all these years?

Well, just as attempts to calculate creative success hardly offer deliverance, if we knew exactly what justified the proud claim, ‘Rock will never die’, then the music would likely lose some of its power.

Still, it’s no secret that successful rock music is generally modelled on what has worked in the past.

“Rock music is very self-referential in its own history and it’s very sentimental and it’s very rooted in a sort of tradition,” says Parquet Courts vocalist and songwriter, Andrew Savage. “But what makes rock music so exciting is that it makes you feel alive and in the now. Good rock bands do that balancing act well – they take from the past, their favourite parts, then they apply that into a future mindset and make them relevant.”

Parquet Courts are certainly well acquainted with music history. Last year, the New York foursome’s second LP, Light Up Gold, outed them as a group of music lovers and earned comparisons to rock greats such as The Modern Lovers and The Feelies.

“The goal of this band has never been to be a retro band or a band that is inspired by a certain era of music,” Savage says. “The goal of the band is to be representative of the here and now.”

Indeed, comparisons to the aforementioned bands aren’t warranted based on echoic similarity.

No matter how evocative of the past they might be, Parquet Courts present distinct idiosyncrasies that belong to them alone.

Following Light Up Gold, the EP, Tally All The Things That You Broke, came out in 2013’s latter half. And now, despite seemingly non-stop touring, the band’s third full-length, Sunbathing Animal, is here.

Rather than just offering an addendum to Light Up Gold, Savage, co-frontman Austin Brown, bassist Sean Yeaton and drummer Max Savage criss-cross through diverse territory on the new record. For instance, the title track is four minutes of unforgiving garage-

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rock beat poetry, while Instant Disassembly places philosophical impressions atop a lethargic blues chord progression.

“I think it’s a record where its brightest moments are rooted in simplicity and rooted in a minimal approach to making music,” Savage says.

“The instrumentation is very sparse, most songs are recorded live and it’s just the four of us. We all realised the strengths the band has as far as songwriting goes and how we want to explore them more. There are a lot of themes and ideas on this record that will be explored more intensely in the future.”

One thematic mainstay for Parquet Courts is their hometown. Three-quarters of the band are Texans by birth, but they’ve transferred into the lineage of artists energised by life in the curious and sometimes chaotic creative mecca that is New York.

“New York has all the right conditions for being a band like Parquet Courts,” Savage says. “There’s things that you get to see, hear and do in New York that you can’t do anywhere else.

“My relationship with New York is, I want to define it on terms that it hasn’t been defined on yet. I want to create imagery that people haven’t associated with it before.”

When you consider the Big Apple’s rich artistic history and massive tourist appeal, this is no modest ambition. But Parquet Courts aren’t interested in reprising what’s already been done.

“For example, the cover of our first record American Specialties is of a Chinese food plate from a menu. One of the first things I noticed when I moved to New York was how those Chinese restaurants are just everywhere.

“There’s a lot of imagery of New York that gets reused and reused and it kind of becomes tired at a certain point. You have to keep creating new stuff for people to associate with places and ideas and scenes.”

PIC: BEN RAYNER

NEW NOISE

For more album reviews head to xpressmag.com.au

4.5

4

OUT OF 5

OUT OF 5

SLOW CLUB

VOYAGER

Complete Surrender Caroline

V IAV Records/Bird’s Robe

Sheffield’s Slow Club have grown from the pairing of multi-instrumentalists Rebecca Taylor and Charles Watson into a fully formed four-piece band for their third album, Complete Surrender. With the songwriting remaining with the founding pair, the varied influences from Marvin Gaye and Motown to Katy Perry and Taylor Swift are all thrown into the blender to make a stylish record that doesn’t rely too heavily on the retro tag.

Complete Surrender may escape the trap of being overly revisionist but there are some classic sounding tunes from start to finish. Suffering You, Suffering Me would sit nicely in the Goffin & King stable with its clean guitars, stifled strings and Taylor’s rich, warm voice. Mindful not to stay to long in one place, the title track is more akin to a tune from the ‘80s with its hip shaking charm.

When Taylor and Watson share vocal duties for moments such as the breathy Everything Is New, Slow Club have the feel of a more reflective Mates Of State with less sugar in their diet. The Pieces further confirms their medic smarts, but it is Paraguay And Panama that highlights the Slow Club have a knack for also capturing the ache.

Slow Club have made the move from honest folkers to experimental pop duo and now find themselves with a refined and classic sound that ensures Complete Surrender is their most classy showing to date.

In the present day and age, Australian heavy music never fails to impress. Legendary Perth outfit, Voyager, have been plying their world-class trade since the late ’90s, and this is their fifth album. Talk about a band with an absolute grasp of its craft – it’s like all of Voyager’s previous releases were leading up to this moment in time. The planets have aligned for Voyager on this record, and they have created their masterwork.

The songs are meticulously crafted pieces of melodic, progressive metal, set up beautifully by opener, Hyperventilating. The slightly more direct Breaking Down follows, then the magnificent A Beautiful Mistake, featuring the guest vocals of Zemyna Kuliukas.

An unbelievably strong opening, which in the hands of a less consistent band might have been a problem, may have been rather difficult to better.

But not for these guys. The album fairly goes from strength to strength – driving verses cascade into sublime, uplifting choruses; beautifully constructed and delivered melodies abound.

International attention has certainly come their way with their previous few releases, but if there is any justice in the musical world, this should be the album that confirms Voyager as one of the premiere melodic/progressive heavy acts on the planet.

ROD WHITFIELD

CHRIS HAVERCROFT

3.5

4.5

OUT OF 5

OUT OF 5

ALEXIS TAYLOR

SIA

Await Barbarians Domino/EMI

1000 Forms Of Fear Monkey Puzzle/Inertia Sia Furler is more popular and successful now than ever before – so, naturally, she’s not doing interviews, touring or even showing her face. It’s an unexpected move – but, then again, not much about Furler up to this point can be considered conventional. Everything she has achieved thus far has been strictly on her terms, and her sixth album is no exception.

The bubbly pop of her previous album, We Are Born, matures and progresses here with striking, dynamic production and an endless array of hooks and vocal runs that are distinctively hers.

Single, Chandelier, on its own is the performance of a lifetime, but rather than lose steam early, the album develops a consistency that does not waver throughout. Despite her prolific work as a songwriter for the pop world’s top tier, there’s nothing like hearing Furler sing her own songs. It’s a direct line from the heart, and it stirs something within her that cannot compare to merely existing behind the scenes.

Truly, this may be Sia’s best album since her 2004 breakthrough, Colour The Small One. Since contemplating suicide in 2010, Furler has made every moment of her life count. 1000 Forms Of Fear is something worth living for.

There comes a time when bands that push the fringes of their chosen genre can’t even contain the creative outputs of their core members.This has become the case with English electronic trailblazers, Hot Chip.

Nerdy frontman, Alexis Taylor, has again broken ranks for his second solo LP, Await Barbarians.

Those expecting to hear any dancefloor thumpers have stumbled into the wrong solo project as Taylor is the more wistful and intricate personality.

Taylor turns to issues such as mortality and ageing throughout and even draws on iconic figures Dolly And Porter when cooing about the head and the heart.

There are some moments on Awaits Barbarians that are so stripped back that they almost sound unfinished, yet don’t detract too much from the general calmness on display. Taylor even takes the step of putting two versions of one of the album’s stand-outs, Without A Crutch, on the album. It is almost as if the first version is such a lovely slice of pop immediacy that he feels the need to strip it to its bare minimum later in the piece to compensate.

Taylor may be far from carefree on Await Barbarians, but it is not the kind of melancholia that will get you running the hot water taps, just the type that will direct you to the next bottle.

DAVID JAMES YOUNG

CHRIS HAVERCROFT

4

2.5

OUT OF 5

OUT OF 5

MASTODON Once More ‘Round The Sun Reprise/Warner

CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH Only Run Xtra Mile/Shock

While many band’s discographies go through peaks and valleys, it’s more like one towering mountaintop after the next when it comes to Atlanta’s woolliest beasts, Mastodon.

I t ’s h a rd to t h i n k o f m a ny o t h e r contemporary metal bands that have remained this consistently excellent for this long – six albums deep and they’re yet to release anything that could be deemed even remotely sub-par. Naturally, this extends into Once More ’Round The Sun – another fresh batch of expansive, dynamic and throat-tearing metal tinged with psychedelia and prog-rock.

Tracks such as High Road and Chimes At Midnight rank among the best singles the band has ever released, while songs such as the title track and Ember City keep the fire in the proverbial belly aflame.

If that weren’t enough, guest spots from the likes of Neurosis’ Scott Kelly, Valient Thorr frontman, Valient Himself, and The Mars Volta/Jack White keysman, Ikey Owens, add some spice to what is already a very tasty brew indeed.

Nearly 15 years into their career, there’s still plenty left in the tank for Mastodon. As a matter of fact, the trip we take ’Round The Sun might as well be a victory lap.

Three years since their last release and with a slew of line-up changes, Philadelphia-based alt-rockers Clap Your Hands Say Yeah bring us Only Run. Slightly organised noise is what you can expect – that sounds like a diss; it is and it isn’t. Many times on this record, there does seem to be just a lot of distortion, feedback and abstract vocals all slapped together without much structure, but sometimes the result can be aurally pleasing.

Little Moments is one of those times all this incohesive noise comes together with good effect.

It starts off very much like ’80s disco and evolves into a lyrically urgent affair with striking piano parts.

Just as the disc feels like it’s on the up, there’s a very unfortunate and obscure intro on the next track, Only Run. The song seems like it’s going to go somewhere but fails to ever fire.

The album has its moments, such as the atmospheric Your Advice and spacey opener, As Always. However, on the whole it really is mish-mash and not quite what you’d expect after a three-year wait. There are enjoyable songs on this release, but they struggle to hold up on their own when plucked away from the pack.

DAVID JAMES YOUNG

ALEXANDER CROWDEN WWW. XP RE SS MAG.COM. AU

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R U N N I N G U P T H AT H I L L In Calvary, his follow up to his universally acclaimed feature debut, The Guard, writer/director John Michael McDonagh shifts his focus from the police force to another institution deeply rooted in Irish society and culture - the Catholic church.

Brendan Gleeson - who also starred in The Guard - plays Father James Lavelle, a small town priest who, as both he and we are told in the film’s opening confessional-set scene, has been targeted for murder. Not because he is a bad man, mind you, but because he is a good one. Lavelle is to be sacrificed for the institutional sins of the church.

The idea first came to McDonagh during the filming of The Guard. “I was saying I bet they’re gonna be making plenty of po-faced, boring movies about scandals in the church and that we should get in ahead of the game and do the exact opposite and make a film about a good priest, just to wrong-foot people.

I thought, well, they don’t really make movies about genuinely good people. Usually the protagonists of films are antiheroes or

are conflicted in some way, or it’s the villain - usually it’s the villain, in these big budget movies, that drives the story forward. So okay, let’ make it an unironic movie about a sincerely good movie who just wants to do good things but is, basically, surrounded by this cast of eccentric, strange, confrontational characters who try to crush him. So that was kind of the starting point.”

McDonagh worked up a first draft of the screenplay, which he then sent to Gleeson, who had been earmarked for the lead role from the get-go. “I’ve had such a good relationship with Brendan. We became friends and I trusted his instincts. When I wrote the first draft and sent it to him I was happy to get his notes, and his main note was to make it all a bit more emotional.

So I developed more the relationship with the daughter (Kelly Reilly), that kind of thing.”

The heart of the matter, though, remains Gleeson’s Father Lavelle, a good man of conviction and faith. “He is very smart and he is a good man but that doesn’t stop him from being acerbic and sarcastic at times when he has to keep dealing with these fools that surround him. But let’s say the scene with Dylan Moran’s financier: no matter how angry he gets by the way he’s treated, he still wants to help him, ultimately, and is willing to do that. Even towards the end when he meets him and he doesn’t

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know what turn his life is gonna take when he goes down to the beach, up to the last moment he’s still trying to help people. and he’s not a saint - he’s almost broken and he has his own addictions to deal with, but he is ultimately good and his faith is a true one.”

Dylan Moran isn’t the only comedian in the film which, although bleakly funny, deals with heady themes and dramatic situations. Chris O’Dowd, best known from The IT Crowd, also features in a key role. Says McDonagh, “I’ve always enjoyed working with comedy actors. I find that they’re underrated as dramatic actors and they feel that they are, so they’re looking to do meaty, dramatic roles. they’re always really focused and professional and they’re there for you - and they appreciate that you’ve got faith in them. I’ve never had one who has let me down.

I’ve never found that comic actors turn up wanting to be more comedic. They turn up wanting to play the drama of it. They’re not turning up to throw in some schtick to get some cheap laughs.

“And just on a pragmatic level,” he adds. “They’re enjoyable to be around on the set. When you’re done with your week’s shooting and you’re out on a Friday or Saturday night, it’s good fun to be out with them.”

TRAVIS JOHNSON

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Drift, nominated for Best Feature Film - Drama at the 2014 WASAs

WASA ROCKERS?

SHOW SOME PRIDE

The nominations for the 2014 WA Screen Awards have been announced! In terms of nominations, the big winner is Antony Webb’s The Fan, which was produced under FTI’s LINK program. The Fan scooped a whopping nine nominations, including Best Short Film - Drama and Best Script - Short Form. The awards ceremony takes place at the Heath Ledger Theatre on Monday, July 14 and will be hosted by comedian Claire Hooper.

Pride WA is calling for artists, performers and community groups to perform in Pridefest 2014, which runs from November 14 - 23. Registrations close on Friday, July 18, so interested parties best point their browsers at pridewa.com.au sooner rather than later.

Stations Of The Cross Directed by John Michael McDonagh Starring Brendan Gleeson, Chris O’Dowd, Kelly Reilly, Dylan Moran, Aidan Gillen

STEVE HUGHES ANNOUNCES NEW WA DATES He may have pulled the pin on his Perth International Comedy Festival shows, but metalhead comedian Steve Hughes has decided to make it up to us later this July when he brings his While It’s Still Legal show to town. you can catch Hughes do his irreverent, incisive thing at The Astor Theatre on Saturday, July 26. Tickets are available through showticketing.com.au.

CALVARY

The Doug Anthony All Stars

CRYING LIKE A REFUGEE

THEY’RE THE BEST, FORGET THE REST

A powerful photography exhibition documenting the plight of displaced peoples across the globe.

Perth photojournalist Richard Wainwright’s Seeking Refuge runs at Fremantle’s Kidogo Art Institute until Sunday, July 13. Organised in conjunction with Amnesty International, the show aims to showcase the very real issues confronting millions of people in the world today in a very visceral and confronting manner. For more information, go to kidogo.com.au.

The legendary Doug Anthony All Stars are back! Tim Ferguson - who was just here to present his comedy writing master class - Paul McDermott and replacement Richard Paul “Flacco” Livingston are coming to the Regal Theatre on Thursday, September 11 to present the material that offended half the Australian population back in the day while simultaneously cementing them as cultural icons for the other half. Tickets go on sale today, Wednesday, July 2, via Ticketek and are sure to sell fast!

Father James Lavelle (Brendan Gleeson) is a good priest stuck in a perilous situation in this black comedy from writer/director John Michael McDonagh, who previously gave us the excellent Irish cop comedy, The Guard.

Right out of the gate, McDonagh sets up an intriguing premise. In the sanctity of confession one of Lavelle’s parishioners tells him he intends to murder the priest. Not because he is evil, but because he is good, and his death will in some small way go towards making up for all the terrible sins of the Catholic church. Given a week to put his affairs in order, Lavelle meditates on the identity of his executioner while still dealing with the troubles of his largely disinterested flock.

Wry, sharp and bleakly poetic, Calvary is, at its heart, a treatise on faith in the face of adversity. If we were to compare it to any particular part of the bible, The Book Of Job stands out as the most obvious candidate, with Gleeson’s stolid priest being tormented to the point of breaking by his circumstances. Not his impending murder, mind you - that he can deal with. No, Lavelle is scourged by the hypocrisies of the citizens of the small Irish village he tends, including a dim-witted butcher

(Chris O’Dowd) and his adulterous wife (Orla O’Rourke), an obnoxiously atheistic doctor (Aidan Gillen) and a nouveau- riche financier (Dylan Moran) who believes he can buy salvation.

The easiest route through this philosophical quagmire would be to hold up Lavelle’s religious conviction as an object of ridicule - an outmoded form of thought in a the modern, secular world. McDonagh eschews this, instead presenting Lavelle’s faith as something solid, implacable and difficult to grapple with. In Calvary, prayer and theology are not the easy way out, but represent a philosophical choice of real weight and consequence.

Which is not to say the film isn’t funny, although it leans more towards gallows humour. As he did in their previous collaboration, Gleeson once again plays the smartest man in the room and McDonagh milks plenty of laughs out his deadpan reactions to his parishioners petty transgressions and justifications.

Interestingly, McDonagh chooses to employ the two veteran comedians in the cast - O’Dowd and Moran - in largely dramatic roles, managing to draw serious and affecting performances from both - Moran in particular.

In truth, Calvary is an exceedingly difficult work to pigeonhole. By turns hilarious and harrowing, it refutes easy answers to the questions it raises, instead wrestling with the complexities of faith, love, good and evil, while at the same time delivering a moving personal narrative and keeping the laughs coming. It’s a very rare film that manages such a balancing act and McDonagh has now done it twice in a row.

TRAVIS JOHNSON

FILM

The Two Faces Of January

HOSSEIN AMINI Face To Face To Face RACHAEL DEASE AUDIO PORN

In early 1960s Greece, an aimless American grifter, Rydal (Oscar Isaac) crosses paths with a golden couple, the refined Chester (Viggo Mortensen) and his gorgeous young wife, Colette (Kirsten Dunst). Rydal is taken by their glamourous lifestyle, but soon learns that Chester is simply a more successful conman and the pair are on the run from creditors back in the States. He offers to help them but, as the old saying goes, three’s a crowd and soon allegiances are shifting and the double-crosses are piling up.

That, in the shell of a nut, is the premise of The Two Faces Of January, the latest film to be adapted from the works of Patricia Highsmith (The Talented Mr. Ripley). It also marks the feature directorial debut of Hossein Amini, who is best known as a screenwriter (his credits range from the critically acclaimed Drive to, well, 47 Ronin).

Amini has been fascinated with Highsmith’s novel since he first read it while at university. “It was very unusual,” he explains. “These three were very unusual characters at the heart of the crime drama. I love crime dramas generally, but usually the villains are villainous and the heroes are heroic. There was something about this where they were neither – they were neither heroes nor villains and there were these shifting allegiances – you liked one character one moment and another character the next. The unusual way Highsmith portrays her heroes or antiheroes just really got under my skin. Over 25 years it’s taken me, from when I first read it to when it got made. It kept on speaking to me at different stages of my life – those characters wouldn’t go away.”

He admits that he was somewhat daunted by the challenge of translating Highsmith’s layered, deeply psychological prose to a visual medium, where he would not have the luxury of written 16

description of motive and character to fall back on.

“I think that’s one of the tough things about doing Highsmith. She doesn’t follow a lot of the rules of conventional storytelling. The characters are often irrational – they’re often doing unexpected things and often unintelligent things. At one moment they’re kind and in the very next moment they’re very cruel, but I think there’s something very human in that. I think audiences expect cleaner, clearer lines out of characters, though, so it is a challenge. But the reason the book got under my skin is the reason I wanted to do the film – the flaws in the characters.”

Luckily, Amini was able to assemble a talented cast to communicate those complexities.

“Both Viggo and Kirsten read it without me knowing that they’d read it. I was desperate to cast people like them. I think it’s really important because they appear as one thing at the beginning, this golden, F. Scott Fitzgerald-like couple and gradually, through Rydal’s eyes, you begin to discover that they are not who they seem to be and the layers are slowly peeled away. Chester is a god at the Acropolis in the beginning and he’s in a gutter by the end. I think it was important to have characters that they liked.

You see Viggo Mortensen or Kirsten Dunst and you instantly think, ‘Oh my god, I love them!’ but also, they’re brave enough actors to show that uglier side, the weakness and frailty. A lot of actors want to look great the whole time and they want to be admired.

I think with Viggo it was interesting how he really embraced the scenes where he was drunk or paranoid or jealous and petty. I think it takes brave actors to show that side as well as what they’re seen as, which is incredibly beautiful and charismatic.”

TRAVIS JOHNSON

Rachael Dease

A co-production between the Perth Theatre Company and Sydney’s Griffin Theatre Company, Eight Gigabytes Of Hardcore Pornography charts the relationship between two miserable people who find each other in the online dating scene. Perth musician Rachael Dease provides the soundtrack.

"It's essentially about two people meeting online," Dease explains. "It sounds kind of like a simple concept but it's very real - it's definitely based in what's going on in the dating scene at the moment.

The main component is in confronting shame and what we feel about ourselves. It sounds really quite depressing and, look, parts of it are, but quite a lot of it is excellent comedy as well. It's a little bit of everything, I guess."

A veteran of the Perth music scene, Dease has been creating and performing music for some time now, but working in theatrical collaborations is a somewhat new experience for her. For Eight Gigabytes, she spent time in Sydney working with the creative team at the Griffin Theatre Company. "It's a co-production between Perth Theatre Company and Griffin, so I was put forward from the Perth team to go over and work with Griffin. It's a real collaboration between the cities, so there's a real mixture of artists from Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. It's probably becoming more of the future of theatremaking, now - for people to move cross-country and collaborate with different people more often.

Because I'm based in Perth I'm really used to flying over east all the time - it's like going to Bunbury or

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something, it's nothing. I noticed there's more of a block there for Eastern States artists; they're like, 'It's so far away!' and I'm like, 'Pfft! Come on! It's nothing!' But it's definitely happening a lot more.

There's FIFOs everywhere - we're just artistic FIFOs. "I guess haven't been doing this long enough with the same people to really be able to just go with what normally happens," she continues. "I have to very quickly get an idea of how the director wants to work, how they collaborate, how much input they want, dealing with how much input they want... it's kind of like speed dating at the very beginning. You have to really quickly figure out the best trajectory. And music is so often the last thing to be added - not always, but often. With Eight Gigabytes I actually came on quite early, but it was still quite fast and furious to get it finished. It's usually something that has to happen really fast. I go way and come up with something that I think is appropriate and then I hope to God that that's what the director and the other creatives are after. And after that, it's just a negotiation. The conversation is completely different with each project."

TRAVIS JOHNSON Eight Gigabytes Of Hardcore Pornography runs at the State theatre Centre's Studio Underground from July 2 - 12.

For tickets and session times, go to perththeatre.com.au.

FILM

TIM’S VERMEER A Reflective Masterpiece Directed by Teller Starring Tim Jenison, Penn Jillette Obsession can be an interesting thing to observe, given a degree of distance and no personal stake in the matter.

Watching someone demonstrating such complete rapt attention to every minute detail of a thing is fascinating, and if that obsession leads to a greater insight then that is truly amazing. The flip side to this is being bewildered at the sheer amount of time and resources that is placed into these obsessions. Tim’s Vermeer clearly demonstrates both sides of this coin.

Tim Jenison is a business owner, multimillionaire and techno-boffin. Besides being involved in the video software development of his company, he clearly demonstrates a general love of noodling around with inventing that dates back to his childhood. One of his fascinations is the artist Vermeer, who was a master of painting with light. As Vermeer dates back to an age of advanced lens making and early camera technology, Tim wonders if some such technology was used in the creation of his paintings. Following both his own research and that of others in the field, Tim creates a perfect replica of a room in one of the master’s paintings and attempts to recreate that painting, only aided by an optical device of his own invention - a device which he theorises was well within Vermeer’s means to create.

On paper this sounds like a dull premise for

YES Follow Your Lonely Heart Grammy-winning prog/rock icons Yes will play their 1971-72 classic albums Fragile and Close To The Edge in their entirety at Crown Theatre on Wednesday, November 12. SHANE PINNEGAR checks in with singer, Jon Davison.

About to start the US leg of the Fragile/Close To The Edge tour, Jon Davison says that the latter album is honed to perfection after a good workout on the road, unlike the former.

“You know, actually, we haven’t even tackled Fragile yet!” he laughs. “We have all been individually working on it, but we haven’t rehearsed, as a band, any of the Fragile material. Close To The Edge we’ve been performing for about a year-and-a-half, so we’ve grown quite accustomed with that material.”

Born in 1971 - the same year Fragile was released - the softly spoken singer says he was a big fan of the band long before the singer’s position became vacant in 2012.

“Yes definitely were part of my musical journey,” he explains. “My first exposure to Yes was when I heard them on the radio, and that was Owner Of A Lonely Heart (the US #1 hit released in 1983).

Then I went back to the classic years and discovered all the earlier work.

Although he wasn’t involved in the creation of these albums, Davison says he hasn’t needed any special techniques to connect with the material, emotionally.

“I just follow my heart because I’ve always been so enamoured with the music that it’s easy in

a documentary, ready to be bogged down in technical discussions about art history or the state of optics in 17th century Holland. It is a testament to Teller’s direction, Penn’s narrative styling and the quirky subject matter that it is completely the reverse. Tim’s Vermeer is fascinating viewing. Such artistic or historical discussion is not absent, but it never bogs down the storytelling and is often presented with just a mild touch of humour, making it much less dry. Tonally this never shifts into the mayhem of Penn and Teller’s previous work, Bullshit!, rather Teller manages to pitch the balance just right.

However it is Tim’s obsession that is the real engine of this documentary. The lengths to which this drives him are stunning and his solutions are definitely not by the numbers. A lot of art history on Vermeer has not been translated into English yet, so Tim learns to read Dutch. A standard industrial lathe is too small to create an accurate leg for the reproduction furniture, so he cuts the lathe in half. Yet even this dedication is tested by the intensive process involved in the attempt to recreate Vermeer’s artwork, and in the final act of the film we see him pushed to breaking, as the process drags out over almost half a year.

Far more entertaining than the dry synopsis makes it sound, Tim’s Vermeer is an amusing and captivating study on obsession, that makes us question the divide we often place between art and science.

Instead it celebrates inspiration and creativity, in whatever strange form it takes.

DAVID O’CONNELL

one aspect, because the inspiration is there. I truly love the music as my own and then on another wave it’s a bit more technical, with the physicality of it.

“I did put a little bit of spin on interpreting things but they are really minor things,” he continues, talking about adapting the music to his personal singing style. “That just comes natural because I’m my own person obviously and my own unique expression is going to come through. I always make sure I’m rendering things accurately in honour of the original - the original albums are the guidelines.”

The tour will also feature some longawaited new material, with the album, Heaven And Earth – only the band’s second original record in 13 years - to be released later this month.

Having made eight full-length records with his previous bands Sky Cries Mary and Glass Hammer, Davison is no stranger to a recording studio and contributed heavily to both the music and lyric writing on the new album. He says it was easy to slip into working with long-term Yes members Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Alan White and Geoff Downes.

“I just did what I always do,” he notes. “I wrote out of inspiration and brought it to them not knowing if it was going to at all fit in to the creative flow and mindset. Luckily, the majority of my material did, so I would say that it was very much a natural process.”

In addition to the long-term core of the band, most of whom have been with Yes off and on since the early 1970s (Downes first joined in 1980), producer Roy Thomas Baker – overseer of classic albums by Queen, Journey, Cheap Trick and many more – twiddled the knobs. Davison says he was excited to work with the celebrated veteran.

“Absolutely - I was very happy about that,” he says. “I’ve always been a huge admirer of his. I was quiet most of the time - I would just sit in the back of the control room like a fly on the wall and just watch him work his magic.”

Tickets for Yes go on sale Monday, July 7, from ticketek.com.au.

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FAS H I O N

THEATRE/DANCE/ PERFORMANCE Every week we bring you the best in fashion, food, shopping and lifestyle.

Giving Up The Ghosts: The Blue Room Theatre This new work by Perth theatre tearaway Joe Lui tells the story of Steve and Ruth, two lost souls who find each other, with tragic consequences. It runs until July 12. Shoot over to blueoom.org.au for more details.

Tomás Ford - The Final Chase: Rockingham Arts Centre Cabaret king Tomás Ford’s latest show sees the audience-attacking auteur enter the world of international espionage and deadly intrigue. It runs in conjunction with Liz Ford’s exhibition, Embellishment Is Not A Crime, until July 5. Tickets are available through ticketbooth.com.au.

Eight Gigabytes Of Hardcore Pornography: State Theatre Centre Written be Declan Greene, Eight Gigabytes is a funny, dirty, frequently cringe-worthy (in the best possible way) look at love, sex, loneliness and relationships. Starring Andrea Gibbs and Steve Rogers and featuring music by the acclaimed Rachael Dease, it runs from July 2 - 12. Go to perthhteatre. com.au for tickets and session times.

EAT AT: DARLINGS SUPPER CLUB Dumplings and noodles with a 3am closing time - this new eatery has what Northbridge needs.

The Wire Mother - Mow Skwoz

Darlings Supper Club

VISUAL ARTS

DIAL TRIPLE ZERO Fashion Emergencies The most recent Hollywood trend tripping out tabloids is size triple zero, designed for an almost skeletal body SHOP AT: KALEIDO BOOKS & GIFTS shape. Meanwhile, the average size of Make your commute a lot less painful by picking up women in the West is steadily increasing, some stimulating reading material at this small but reinvigorating the plus-size industry. carefully curated book store.

LAUREN WISZNIEWSKI reports.

Kaleido Books & Gifts

DRINK AT: LITTLE CREATURES LOFT Watch the winter storms roll in over the Fishing Harbour while necking some fine Little Creatures beer and sampling their top notch snack menu.

Little Creatures Loft

GO TO: WASA PEOPLE’S CHOICE SCREENING Have your say in the WA Screen Awards by getting along to the State Library on July 2, 4 and 8 and casting a critical eye over the best short films our state has produced in the past year.

Todd Who? - nominated for the WASA People’s Choice Award 18

The triple zero size demands a 23-inch waistline, equivalent to that of a six- to eight-year-old. While the #fitspo and #strongandlean tags have united gym bunnies and bros, it seems like the healthy body trend is teetering back into thigh-gap territory, with celebrities finding they can make more headlines out of being scarily skinny. Kate Moss infamously claimed that “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels” five years ago, and it seems like celebrities have taken her motto to heart. Wake-up-with-abottle-of-Jack Ke$ha,who made her career out of a similarly coked-up I-don’t-give-a-fuck waifdom, spoke last week about her admission to rehab for an eating disorder.“My whole message is to love who you are and accept all your beautiful imperfections,” she said. “When I felt I was slipping into unloving territory with myself, I knew I had to listen to my own advice and correct it.” Despite the self-care advice and Oprahesque wisdom, other celebrities are not following suit.

Yet alongside the rise of eating disorders, we’ve seen the rise of plus-size fashion. The average plus-size model is a dress size between a 12 and a 14.

The average-sized Australian woman is between sizes 14 and 16. In spite of this discrepancy, businesses have found that they can make big money out of selling big sizes.

While once being fat was seen as a sign of wealth, modern society sees it as a disease , and many retailers refuse to stock sizes larger than a 12.

Cutesy-hipster emporium Modcloth has found that its plus-size shoppers spend more than 25% more per order than straight-size shoppers. -most likely because they’re fashion savvy, embracing their shape, and, like most shoppers, trying to look like they aren’t a hausfrau or wearing a tent. Plus-size clothing still makes up only about 9% of the $190 billion spent annually on clothes, but this low figure isn’t due to the fact plus-sized women aren’t into fashion - fashion isn’t interested in them. Modcloth just celebrated its the first anniversary of its plus-size line, with Chief Creative Officer Susan Koger stating, “There’s no other opportunity like this in fashion right now.”

Other brands including ASOS and Forever 21 have followed suit because plus-sized women are throwing their money away.

The triple zero women on the catwalk and in the gossip pages aren’t your average woman, no matter how much big-name designers want you to believe it. Abercrombie And Fitch only offer sizes 0-10, with its CEO notoriously claiming that the chain caters to ‘cool’ and ‘attractive’ kids only.

Yet the “size equals prestige” equation doesn’t add up, especially in the wake of a plus-size industry revolution. More and more designers are featuring bigger models. The industry is waking up, but is it waking up fast enough to change women’s perceptions about dangerous thinness?

Stay Safe: Ruck Rover General Store Curated by Kate-Anna St Valentine, this is a charity exhibition to raise money for SAFE, an organisation dedicated to saving animals from euthanasia. Featured artists include Kyle HughesOdgers, Sean Morris, Mel Stringer, Rose Skinner, Maddy Young, Jessica Horrocks, Chiara Hunwick, Elizabeth Murraffo, Matt Moore and Leonei Brialey. It runs until July 31. Go to ruckrover.com. au for more info.

Dinosaur Discovery - Lost Creatures Of The Cretaceous: WA Museum Combining life-size moving models and 3D augmented reality technology, this world-class exhibition brings the unfathomably distant past to life. There will also be fossils and specimens on display, interactive activities and more. It runs until August 3. Go to museum.wa.gov.au for more information.

Fremantle Realists: Fremantle Arts Centre An exhibition of works by Ray Beattie, Marcus Beilby and Ken Waldrop, three artists who, working from a shared studio space in Fremantle’s High Street in the 1970s, looking at WA through the lens of photorealism. It runs until July 17. Go to fac.org.au for further information.

Nyoongar Stories: Mossenson Galleries An exhibition of works by Shane Pickett, Sandra Hill and Ben Pushman, Nyoongar Stories is held in celebration of NAIDOC Week’s 21st birthday. It runs from July 2 - 28. Go to mossensongalleries. com.au for more.

The Wire Mother: The Bird An exhibition of new works by Mow Skoz. Overtly visceral, at times disturbing but never less than fascinating, Skwoz’s works are unsettling and attractive in equal measure. A limited edition lathe-cut 10” vinyl single, featuring music by Skwoz, Void Manes and Kevin Rutmanis, will be on sale during the exhibition, which opens on July 14 at The Bird.

Placement: PS Art Space Long time local music supporter and poster art collector Nikolai Graham will be exhibiting some of his favourite poster designers. The opening night of this fascinating look at music history features performances from Craig Hallsworth and The Gutterville Splendour Six, hosted by Ross Chisholm. It runs from July 24 - August 9.

Cold in July - playing at the Revelation Film Festival

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Jasper Jones: State Theatre Centre Barking Gecko Theatre Company presents a stage adaptation of Craig Silvey’s acclaimed novel, written for the stage by Kate Mulvany and directed by John Sheedy. It runs from July 17 - August 9. Go to barkinggecko.com.au for more information.

Henry V: State Theatre Centre Bell Shakespeare views the classic tale of courage, military valour and political intrigue through the lens of war-wracked 1941 Britain. It runs from July 23 - 26. Book through Ticketek Patyegarang: State Theatre Centre This new production from Bangarra Dance Theatre tells the story of the eponymous Aboriginal woman who taught her language to Lieutenant William Dawes of the Colonial Fleet. It runs from July 30 - August 2 for five performances only. Tickets are available via Ticketek.

FESTIVALS 2014 Perth Winter Arts Season This seasonal celebration of art and culture is back once again, showcasing a dazzling array of performance, visual arts, film, literature, fashion, food and more. It runs until August 31. Go to perthwinterarts.com.au to start planning your winter.

2014 Perth International Burlesque Festival More than 60 national, international and local performers will be strutting their stuff until July 13, including Germany’s Lada Redstar, US star Coco Lectric, Italy’s Cleo Viper and Australia’s own Bella De Jac and Raven. Go to perthburlesquefestival.com for full details, show times and ticketing.

Revelation Film Festival From July 3 - 13, treat yourself to some of the best in edgy, underground and outré films from across the country and around the globe. For full info, go to revelationfilmfest.org.

The Scandinavian Film Festival T h e f i r s t eve r S c a n d i n av i a n Fi l m Fe s t i v a l brings together the best cinema from Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland. It runs at Cinema Paradiso from July 24 - 30. Go to scandinavianfilmfestival.com or lunapalace.com.au for details.

To have your performance, exhibition or cultural event listed, get in touch via

localmusicarts@xpressmag.com.au For more Art Stories head to

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JULY EVENTS INSIDE

It’s fair to say it’s been a whirlwind period for Melbournian Remi Kolawole. Numerous shows supporting some of urban music’s biggest names under his belt, not to mention dates at revered gigs including Falls Festival and NYE On The Hill - at 22, the youngster is at the top of his game.

RK talks to the up-and-comer about his musical background and the release of his new album, Raw X Infinity.

“From the very beginning, I’ve been playing piano and cello,” explains the upbeat REMI. “It’s something I’ve enjoyed doing since then and it’s something my parents encouraged me to do. Initially, my self-interest was low, but when I got into hip hop I decided I really wanted to pursue a life in music.

I worked with Sensible J and Dutch at the beginning and we’ve been working together ever since.”

Raw X Infinity, just released by the trio on REMI’s own House Of Beige label, captures that REMI effervesence in a not-unlucky 13 tracks. The artist’s second album, it is once again a collaboration with partners-in-crime Sensible J and Dutch. “Sonically, I think it is very similar to our first record and in a sense it remains quite eclectic,” REMI says.

“It’s still quite raw hip hop, with samples of afrobeat and so on. It also jumps into electronic bass with live drums and different ideas. It’s music we’ve released which we’ve also enjoyed producing. We hope others enjoy it too.”

From a writing standpoint, REMI explains the new album covers a variety of issues from race and drugs, to living and ignorance. This is the first release for the crew on the House Of Beige label, a project they’re really hoping to get off the ground. “We want to get things done and all sorts of things are happening there, so we’re super hyped about it at the moment,” he says.

Musically, REMI admits the trio keep themselves in a bubble, but is adamant they aren’t stuck too deeply in a mould. “Hip hop is at the top of our list and we can see it from the cultural influences of our music. But we also have individual tastes, and whether it’s hip hop or something else

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– or even a question of the state of the union in hip hop, who’s fallen off, who hasn’t - we avoid that stuff, you know?

It’s not that simple for us. People look at things in different ways. We’ve had to search harder and dig deeper to keep our music fresh and relevant. It always gets harder to do that, but we dig deeper and make sure that whether it’s cool or weird, we’re across it!”

Finally, REMI shares a few words about their upcoming gigs around the country and what hip hop heads can expect. “We’re definitely going to be playing a lot of songs off the album - it would be wrong to do it any other way! We’re bringing a whole lot of guests with us and we’ve got supports and members involved throughout the whole tour. We’ve got artists from the hip hop genre to the electronic genre and beyond. We’re music lovers first and foremost and we want to keep things quite diverse. For the live show, we’ll be travelling with megaphones and drums – it’s going to be pretty raw!”

REMI drops Raw X Infinity at the Bakery this Friday, July 4, with his good mates KNOE and WZRDKID.

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WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE TIMES Chameleonic R&B legend Bobby Womack has died aged 70. Womack grew up out of the Motown family band tradition, playing guitar with his brothers as The Valentinos. Incredibly versatile, he went from playing an ordinary right-handed guitar upside-down (as a lefthanded ten-year-old), to songwriting for The Rolling Stones, to recording guitar for Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Sly Stone, and Dusty Springfield.

In an industry where you're expected to burn out young or dissolve into a haze of Christmas albums and reunion tours, Womack had the dream retirement: complete, relevant musical reinvention. After 20 years out of the game, Womack was approached by Damon Albarn in 2009. "One day I just said to myself, if I'm still here, I got to be here for a purpose – and the purporse started with tying up with Gorillaz. We did this song Stylo in New York and immediately all the fear went out the way."

In the wake of Gorillaz tours, Womack released the critically acclaimed The Bravest Man In The Universe, merging melancholic Womack soul with introspective Albarn beats. It's an impressive testament to the ingenuity and personal strength of an artist whose legacy remains foundational to contemporary pop.

DAFTUMENTARIES B B C Wo r l d w i d e P r o d u c t i o n F r a n c e h av e greenlighted a Daft Punk documentary, slated to screen next year. It's planned to cover the duo's 20 years of music making, and, now with 6 Grammys under their (utility) belts, maybe Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de HomemChristo will let the motorcycle helmets slip.

Sure, it might not be the BBC, but Vans recently produced a short documentary covering the growth of Simian Mobile Disco's latest album, Whorl!. They're mixing it at Pioneertown, built as a faux-Western tourist trap complete with a saloon where locals dosey-do to the music of autoharps. Turns out people live there. SMD describe it as a "wonky bit of America", and it's worth checking out, especially accompanied by the duo's wonky bit of EDM.

PEKING DUK, PIPING HOT Perth boys Peking Duk have gone from strength to strength. After a string of big festival signings, their shimmery single High just hit double platinum.

If you didn't manage to catch them at Groovin the Moo or what might've been the last Big Day Out ever, Peking Duk are going on a postSplendour tour ending at Villa on August 23 and 24.

The Saturday 23 show has already sold out, so if you're keen to catch their Perth poptronica, now's the time to get on it.

CROOKED COLOURS In Their Bones Having just released their debut EP, Perth-based electro trio Crooked Colours are halfway through a national headline tour which will see them playing Amplifier next Saturday, July 12. JO CAMPBELL has more.

Scoring a national support slot with RÜFÜS and winning Triple J’s Laneway competition last year, Crooked Colours got their big break in 2013. After a busy 2014 performing the major festival circuit and supporting RÜFÜS a second time, the three lads from Secret Harbour have just released their first EP, In Your Bones.

The three-tracker features the alreadyreleased Come Down, remixed by Perth duo Sun City, In Your Bones, and a fresh track, Keep Your Mouth For Lying. Vocalist Philip Slabber cites Come Down, which has already been remixed by a slew of big names including Alison Wonderland and Yolanda Be Cool, as providing the main thrust for the record.

“We had Come Down and In Your Bones done. Come Down was a bit left of field and had been sitting around for about six months - it was just

a guitar part and a vocal for a long time,” he says. “I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with it and when we had a serious look, we added that hectic synth at the end, which kind of pushed the EP in the direction it went in.

“So we did In Your Bones off the back of that. I wanted to make it a bit more central and not too hectic at the back. So Keep Your Mouth For Lying was nutted out in about a week. It was the one that probably had the least amount of work put into it.”

The EP has just dropped on Yolanda Be Cool’s imprint, Sweat It Out, making Crooked Colours and RÜFÜS label-mates. Slabber says touring with RÜFÜS a second time has once again provided the opportunity for mentorship.

“It’s been educational,” he says of the tour with RÜFÜS. “They way they run things is so tight; they are very professional. We were pretty much just taking notes the whole time - they are definitely major role models for us. They do it right.”

Slabber’s humble approach is reflected in his explanation for the band’s quick success, which he attributes to his management, and in the trio’s beginnings in Secret Harbour’s surf scene, a setting that’s worlds away from the vibe of their production.

“We listen to so much music and try to get our hands on as much as we can. I think at the time we were listening to a lot of down-tempo, James Blake kind of electro stuff, which was just sort of a phase. It seems that every month we are listening to something different, so we’ll see where we go from here.”

Slabber says another EP is already planned for October adding that he Leon and Liam would like to start writing an LP next year and quit their day jobs. “I think it’s about staying really proactive,” he says of goal-setting. “Every time we reach a notch, we’re already looking at the next one.”

WITH CRAIG HOLLYWOOD RTR’S CRAIG HOLLYWOOD SERVES UP THE CRÈME OF NEW ELECTRONIC MUSIC. Sigha Loop 1 The Purification Loops Avian

Bodhi vs. George The Poet My City White Label

Shifted and Ventress’ Avian imprint makes space for a full solo debut from London based techno producer Sigha, following his anonymous drop as A Vision Of Love and a handful of previous remixes for the label. Six tracks capture Sigha at his most stripped down and crafty, working a palette of desiccated drums and fibrillating bass into driving, serpentine rhythms. As DJ tools they’re tricky but highly useful little buggers.

Rising over the last two years with material released via channels like Grizzly, Future Classic, and their Welsh counterparts Ten Thousand Yen, Bodhi return with a bootleg of George The Poet’s My City. GTP is a spoken word performer, writer and artist from North West London. At 22 years of age he offers social commentary through poetry and earlier this year performed on Later... With Jools Holland.

Supported by Gilles Peterson, Shadowchild, Machinedrum, Matt Tolfrey, Nic Takser and more, My City is a must have for any self-respecting house fan.

Tessela Rough 2 EP R&S Records

Earning a Radio 1 residency alongside James Blake and a busy gigging schedule, Tessela now serves up Rough 2 an alchemic blend of tripped-out sonics and percussion punishment. Rough 2 opens the release with frenetic drum giving way to unhinged re-pitched synth chords and swirling filter blasts. On the flip, Butchwax provides a muscular drum track and crunched-up, stuttering stabs of funk. The twisted C’mon Let’s Slow Dance sees Tessela dig into a semi-beatless, hallucinogenic laser light show pushing the boundaries of his sound to breaking point.

Bobby B History Icee Hot

The latest release from the Icee Hot imprint comes from Bobby B, a long time Oakland staple who recently left the Bay Area for Brooklyn. It’s always hard when a scene loses one of its favourite artists, but at least we have the History/So True release, which is a 2 x 12 inch effort that includes some of the finest music that wax can handle. Having previously issued a pair of EPs for the 100% Silk label under the same name, History is a slow-burning deep house joint that subtly nods to Detroit along the course of its soul-drenched journey.

The Waiting EP is a self-entangled ride through club culture Midnight Mass via drone and experimental electronica. Midnight Mass Waiting EP comprises of two lone guards who have circumvented the Panther Recordings techno, house and disco scenes for a couple of years, lurking in the shadows and occasionally cracking the charts with left field weapons written from the heart. Title track Waiting features vocals from J Sforza, another outsider from the indie scene walking headlong into the strobe lit electronic world.

Bittersweet, naïve, low-slung hypnoballads for the post-rave romantics amongst us.

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SOHN Reinventing The Wheel Vienna-based music producer and vocalist Christopher Taylor had to go on a journey of self-discovery before he could become Sohn. His adopted moniker, the German word for ‘son’, became one of the most talked-about names in EDM this April with the release of his triumphant Tremors album on UK tastemaking label 4AD. Taylor was in Portland, Oregon when DAN WATT chatted with him about his evolution from a regular teenager playing in bands to an electronic music doyen about to grace our shores for the first time.

Active as both a touring musician and a music producer, Taylor says balancing the two roles can be difficult. “For this particular tour I have actually been really grateful that I haven’t had to write,” he says. “It has been a really nice one-and-a-half month period where I haven’t had to think about creating anything. In the last 18 months I have been so active in the production of the album, from the songwriting to the final touches on artwork. I have been really grateful for a little period to not have to think about that kind of stuff. I was able to recharge my batteries.”

What makes Tremors an interesting dance album is that, essentially, it isn’t a dance album. It manages to balance accessibility with depth and texture – and in order to understand Tremors’ complexity, one needs to understand Taylor’s journey as a musician.

“I was always a singer, that was my first thing, and then I was in various bands as a teenager and I was always the person that wrote everything,” he says. “I am 30 now. Basically throughout being a teenager I was the one pushing the other guys in the band and always wanting to record. So I just started playing around with recording. I had a four-track MiniDisc unit, then eventually a computer. From there it just got easier to make things on the computer than try and record when you didn’t know how to record well. I think that’s often where electronic artists run into trouble, because they think, ‘Oh, I’ll just record

BASS KLEPH Klephtomania

that drum kit,’ but don’t know where to stick the mic, so when they listen back, it sounds terrible but they don’t know why.”

Taylor’s debut release as Sohn, 2012’s The Wheel EP, reeks of genius but also the limitations of a bedroom production. On Tremors, the sound is allconsuming, particularly on the song Artifice, which has resonated with music fans globally.

Moving to Vienna to get a break from his former home of London, Taylor began the evolution from bedroom producer to the live EDM juggernaut that Sohn is today. And while he’s an individual talent to watch, he credits collaborator Albin Janoska with giving him the spark he needed to reach the next level. “My manager was talking about putting together a band to play a show,” Taylor says. “The first show was at a showcase event called Eurosonic, which is quite a big showcase where all the European booking agents and labels are there. I was already working with Albin, my keyboard player, who was helping mix some of the record, and through him I found Woody [Stefan Fulham], the bass player, and we just spent a few months defining what would be our live show.”

Bass Kleph is a year-round touring DJ and an electro/house musician with a slew of Beatport chart-topping singles to his name. Nevertheless, his passion for new and exciting music hasn’t dwindled, AUGUSTUS WELBY reports.

There’s any number of all things that might encourage people to have a crack at the music industry, from parties to self-expression, but perhaps the most common catalyst is a desire to imitate the music one finds so enthralling. This is what sucked Stu Tyson, AKA Bass Kleph, into the world of electronics back in 2000 – and the Sydney-born, LA-based DJ and producer hasn’t considered another vocation since.

“Because I was obsessed with the music, I wanted to learn how to write it,” Tyson says. “Then DJing came about because I wanted people to hear this music that I was obsessed with. I was, like, 16 and I’d just play at everybody’s house party I could for free.”

Alongside his success onstage and in the studio, Tyson presents the monthly online radio broadcast Klephtomania and is the founder and head of Vacation Records. “The radio show stuff came about, again, because I wanted more people to hear [the music I love],” he says. “It’s another way to play to people when you’re not in a nightclub. [It’s] a different format where you’re not thinking about the

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dancefloor, you’re playing the tracks you like.

“The label came about because I was with another label and there were some problems. At one point I was stuck in a contract exclusively and they weren’t releasing my music because they didn’t have their shit together. My friends had similar problems too and I was like, ‘This way all of us can be sorted and we can get our tracks out,’ and you know, ‘Here’s a song I’ve written – now it’s available.’ It should be that simple.”

With all of these responsibilities to take care of, Tyson’s surely at risk of overworking himself.

Conversely, he explains that the separate pursuits exist in mutually contributive accord.

“For me to scour music for my radio show, through promos and through buying tracks, that sets me up with my favourite songs for the next month that I’m going to be DJing. It’s also going to inspire me for what I’m going to be working on writing and it’s going to inspire me for what I’m going to be looking for to sign to the label. Everything crosses over.”

Bass Kleph has been based out of LA for the last two-and-a-half years. A major boost came late last year from a US tour supporting Wolfgang Gartner and countryman Tommy Trash. As well as being Tyson’s good mates, Gartner and Trash are both past collaborators and on the Vacation roster. While he’s not tempted to mimic passing fads, Tyson admits the work of his talented associates is a big motivator.

“They’d play me something they’re doing and I’d just be like, ‘That’s awesome! I’ve got to work harder.’ Me and Tommy used to live together for a year and a half when we were both in Sydney and that would happen all the time. We’d always be playing each other stuff we were working on and be like, ‘You just gave me so many ideas for something, I’m going to go and write a couple of tracks now.’”

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Y O U R G U I D E T O W H AT ’ S O N T H I S J U LY

THE SPOKEN AND THE PLAYED Ships In The Night is back at Four5Nine Bar (Rosemount Hotel) featuring a combination of writers and musicians next Thursday, July 10. The huge line-up features West Australian surfer and Vogel Literary Award nominee, Sam Carmody, poet and musician Jeremy Balius, poetry slam champion Khin Myint, local poet Anna Minska, arts writer Sheridan Coleman, musician Hayley Beth and poet Shevaun Cooley with more musicians to be announced. Doors open at 7.30pm with $10 entry.

ROYALE WITH CHEESE! Devilles Pad are celebrating American Independence Day with an homage to all things Quentin Tarantino...

Royale With Cheese! Dress as your favourite QT character and witness the spaghetti western, surf, cool sounds of Day Of The Dead!

Hosted by Vincent Vega himself, complete with twist competitions, the rogue directors movies on large screen, performances from Les Sataniques Go Go girls and rockin’ DJ’s Moogy Knox, Gogo Yubari and Elle Driver. It’s Friday, July 4, from 6pm ‘til 2am. Free entry all night!

Day Of The Dead, Royale With Cheese at Devilles

GOZZY ROCK The City of Gosnells in collaboration with Gozzy Rock will be running a series of musical workshops throughout July. Workshops will be held at the Don Russel Performing Arts Centre each Thursday in July starting on July 3 with the one and only Joel Quartermain from Eskimo Joe. To secure your place at one of these free workshops, head over to the Gozzy Rock Facebook page for more details.

Joel Quartermain

SUNDAY AT LANEWAY The Sean Little Trio will be reforming this Sunday, July 6, at the Laneway Lounge following Sean Little’s return from New York. Featuring Bronton Ainsworth and Harry Mitchell, the group will be performing a dynamic jazz set for a special $10 entry and drink price for members, $15 for general entry. Tickets can be booked through thelanewaylounge.com.au.

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THE WINTER SERIES

Hot on the heels of the release of the wonderful new album, Brightly Painted One, some stellar reviews and extensive European touring, Tiny Ruins return to Australia to showcase/launch the album with very special performances in each major city. Touring in three-piece mode with Hollie Fullbrook (vocals/guitar) backed by bassist Cass Basil and drummer Alexander Freer, Tiny Ruins play Mojo’s this Saturday, July 5, supported by Shining Bird.

The party people from the Shed launch Copa Cobana, turning the usually ocker-themed venue into a tropical paradise this Thursday, July 3. There will be salsa DJs to get the party started early and live bands later in the night. Free entry from 6pm!

The Mustang Bar have announced their July winter series spread over Thursday nights! Beginning this Thursday, July 3, Rag N’Bone and Sprawl will hit the stage to kick off a month of music. On Thursday, July 10, Matt Angell’s Band and the Chris Gibbs Band will hit the stage as part of the S.L.A.M Showcase; Thursday, July 17, features Custom Royal and One Thousand Years. To conclude the huge month Indigo and Mitch McDonald from the Love Junkies will be performing on Thursday, July 24, and Vida Cain on Thursday, July 31.

For more information see facebook.com/ mustangbarthursdays.

Tiny Ruins

Copa Cobana at The Shed

Custom Royal

TINY RUINS AT THE COPA

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A preview of everything happening in the Perth scene this July! advertise: advertising@xpressmag.com.au

40TH ANNIVERSARY OF AUSTRALIAN ROCK For Those Who Rocked The Bon But Not Forgotten 40th Anniversary Of Australian Rock show at the Charles Hotel this Saturday, July 5, is now something of a tribute to Doc Neeson, who passed away last month.

BOB GORDON reflects with former Angels members James Morley and Bob Spencer.

FUN-DA-MENTALS Mental As Anything have been one of Australia’s favourite rock’n’roll bands for the past 30 years. With the Mentals on stage you’re always assured of a good time and that’s what on schedule for Friday, July 11, at the Charles Hotel. Tickets for Australia’s greatest ever garage band are $30 from the bottleshop, online from Ticketmaster.com.au or $35 on the door. Dinner is also available from 6pm, call the Charles on (08) 94441051.

Mental As Anything

BROWN FOX The Brown Fox in West Perth is on the hunt for Perth’s best DJ – and the prize pool is a good one, Pioneer gear, Kosmic vouchers, Tiger beer packs and everyone’s favourite - cold hard cash. Throughout July and August, they’ll be holding a series of heats, culminating in a grand final where the winner will be crowned!

There’s no limitations on musical styles, but the main requirement is that you can get a dancefloor heaving! If this sounds like you, head over to thebrownfox.com.au and download the entry details.

A TOUCH OF BRASS The Brass Monkey will be host to the official USA v Canada Ice Hockey after-party on Saturday, July 12.

This is your chance to meet the players in the midst of a huge night of entertainment from DJ AEY10, Melotyx and the Jager girls. Free entry from 10pm.

After the ice battle head to the Brass Monkey

As lead singer of The Angels, Doc Neeson was at the forefront of Australian rock’n’roll. And while it may have seemed that we all new him, there were indeed many layers to the man.

“Doc was a complex character on and off stage,” says former Angels bass player, James Morley.

“I remember when I first joined the band I said, ‘it’ll be great to get to know everyone’, he said, ‘You’ll never really get to know anyone in the band’.

“For as many of the crazy ideas Doc had in regards to the show, some of his left field ideas were plain brilliant. Sometimes you would speak to Doc, sometimes to Bernard, it was a Lotto draw.

“He was a kind of gentle giant, hard to get through the big wall, but on the other side was a very caring soul.”

Guitarist, Bob Spencer, has fond thoughts for his old friend and huge respect for him as an artist.

“I think Doc’s lyrics reflected his theatrical side,” Spencer notes, “they conjured up very vivid scenes in the mind. He didn’t set out to change the world, nor make any political comment. Instead, he told simple stories, but in an obtuse way. I enjoyed them and wished that he had kept that up!”

“I don’t think he has left us a legacy in the traditional or commonly accepted sense - at least, as I understand the meaning of the word. What he has left with us is, in my opinion, an entertaining, interesting and unique body of work.”

Saturday’s show pays tribute to The Angels and AC/DC, with Morley and Spencer joined

by Mark Evans (AC/DC), Yak Sherrit (Jimmy Barnes/ Diesel), Jim Hilbun (Angels), Chris Murphy and Skenie (The Poor Boys), plus a special guest set from Custom Royal.

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Bon Scott

Doc Neeson

“I think people can expect to see and hear Angels and AC/DC songs performed in an authentic, respectful and enthusiastic way,” Spencer says. “In light of that, I think this is a very rare opportunity to experience something quite special.

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The Supersuckers Pic: Cole Maguire

THE SUPERSUCKERS Chainsaw Hookers/Legs Electric Astor Theatre Wednesday, June 25, 2014 Self-proclaimed – and rightly so, but more on that later – ‘best rock’n’roll band in the world’, The Supersuckers, finally reached the West Coast some 25 years since they started showed us how it’s done. But it wasn’t easy.

For various reasons there is no other way to write this review but in a personal way, so I apologise if this reads more like a rant. I got turned onto The Supersuckers soon after my arrival in Australia by a good friend. Since then they’ve provided hours of entertainment, through listening to their albums, and later, watching the live clips. There were periods when I would play almost nothing but them, but also times when we parted ways.

The new album hasn’t failed to deliver a bunch of loud rock’n’roll anthems and the band brought it on with this tour – unfortunately, in several disappointing occurrences that night, only live on stage, as they did not have any physical copies of it for sale.

The show was moved from the theatre to The Astor Lounge, which made it a lot closer to the action. Following sets from appropriately rockin’ supports, Chainsaw Hookers and Legs Electric, The Supersuckers walked on stage through the crowd and launched right into Get The Hell. What followed was a set of solid rock numbers off the new album, which was warmly accepted by the punters.

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And that was when the next disappointment kicked in: there were what looked like a few handfuls of people in the audience – in any case, a lot less than such a band deserves, especially on their first visit to Perth. There could be many reasons for this and it’s better not to dwell too deeply into it, but the performance certainly deserved to be witnessed by a much bigger crowd.

There were also some sound issues. The volume was fine, but the vocals were buried too much in the back of the mix. However, none of these stopped the band from having fun on stage and actually showing why they rate themselves so highly – honestly, it’s hard to think of any other band who can claim to be the best rock’n’roll band in the world but The Supersuckers!

All of the clichés were there, but all of them worked and the band was amazingly super-tight. All that was missing were more people, but we who were there had fun. The new songs went really well, especially Pretty Fucked Up. Around a third of the set was allocated to older songs and while it would have been good to hear more material from their first two albums, one can’t really complain.

An hour or so later and it was over. Judging by the turnout, I doubt we will see The Supersuckers back in Perth ever again. Hopefully the minority of rock’n’roll lovers who gathered on a cold Wednesday night share the sentiment that it was well worth going out for.

PREDRAG DELIBASICH

Put the word to the herd about upcoming album, EP, single or video releases by dropping us a line at plugyourgig@xpressmag.com.au

Ryan Hemsworth

Yahtzel & LDRU - Photography by Aaron Corkill

CIRCO Claremont Showgrounds Saturday, June 28, 2014 The last few years have seen the demise of many a festival, giving rise to smaller, boutique events, catering for a more niche crowd. It’s time for a changing of the guard, the next generation of festivals, and Circo is proving to be just that.

Following a successful debut last year at Ascot, Circo moved to the Claremont Showgrounds, specifically two of the big pavilions and a couple outside stages. Local promoters Metric and I.C.S.S.C handpicked another fine selection of local and international talent, from live rock bands to dark, glitchy club beats. With a few big names like Kele, Nina Las Vegas and Violent Soho, the line-up featured a lot of underground, cutting edge, up-andcoming artists. It’s an exclusive WA festival that has the Eastern States jealous, for a change.

A lot of effort went into the production, creating a real old school, warehouse party vibe.

Custom designed stage sets, props and cutting edge lighting and visual projections combined with solid audio to conjure a real sensory experience.

Opening up the Circo festivities on the Carousel stage was Sydney’s DMAs. It was a shame they were on so early, with only a small crowd in the vast warehouse, but that didn’t stop the band playing a brilliant set. The core trio are joined by three more onstage and have a big sound. It’s '90s Britpop influenced, guitar- based, melodic rock with Stone Roses shoegaze swagger, while singer Tommy O’s voice has the soaring quality of Liam Gallagher.

Soon enough it was 4.20, and Australian rising stars Violent Soho were being met by thunderous crowd roars. After James Tidswell and Luke Henery come down for a quick meet-and-great, the Brisbane boys quickly got under way with Dope Calypso. Circle pits, head banging and crowd surfing (including a wheelchair surfer) ensued. The madness extended when a fan jumped the barricade, sang along with Henery and then attempted a poorly planned stage dive. Soon enough the infamous opening riff of Covered In Chrome rang through the pavilion as the ever-growing crowd sang every lyric topped off with a deafening ‘Fuck yeah!’. Soho once again exceeded expectations, proving themselves as one of Australia’s best live acts.

Violent Soho

Sable

Plus, they write great songs: Your Low was a highlight and their big ballad, Delete, had the crowd erupt into dancing as it reached its spectacular crescendo.

A great way to kickstart the day. Meanwhile, part of the UK garage, two-step revival, DJ Q and Sully were getting busy in the Cannonball room with their special brand of bassline boogie.

Perth producer Sable brought his A-game to the Carousel stage. Harnessing remixes of popular songs My Love and Niggas In Paris along with his own hit single Feels So Good; Sable provided a non-stop, dance experience, generating the first rave pit of the day as festival-goers took full advantage of his penetrating bass drops.

Uber-cool Parisian producer Onra laid down a smooth set of cut up global beats, before hot Seattle duo Odesza took over as night fell and lifted things to another level. A definite highlight, it was a huge set of emotional, sweeping, synth music, accentuated with live percussion. Perched atop a futuristic pyramid shape, the DJ booth was illuminated by mind-warping 3D projection mapping and strobes. Even the corridor connecting the two main rooms was decked out in smoke and darkness, with piercing beams of white light scanning around.

It was this attention to detail that made all the difference – like having the set times printed on the wristbands. Genius!

With the band sets done for the day, bass-wielding Touch Sensitive hit the stage with his owning groovy synth and atmospheric tunes. Whilst the set felt a tad uneventful alongside other DJs, the crowd took the opportunity hands on to experiment their own unique dance moves. TC’s booming live bass performance added some spectacle as the crowd continued to build for the night's headliners.

Over on the Small Top stage, Golden Features was bringing the nightclub atmosphere to the showgrounds; drawing a respectable crowd of ravers and fist-pumpers. Unfortunately for the yellow masked producer, council requests had resulted in a diminished sound leading to un-impactful bass drops after minutes of mellow, techno builds.

One of the big drawcards was Kele of Bloc Party fame. While he toured his solo album with a band before, this time he was touring on the back of his recent EP of deep house music, and tonight was just DJing. This left some people who were expecting

a live set disappointed, and this probably could have been made clearer by promoters, but Kele made up for it with a cranking, peak-time house set including big tunes such as Duke Dumont’s The Giver, Julio Bashmore’s Battle For Middle You and a remix of Bloc Party’s One More Chance. Meanwhile DJ Earl tore up the Cannonball stage with some Chicago footwork.

Another headliner people were anticipating to put on a big show was flamboyant NYC transgender rapper Mykki Blanco, but unfortunately Mykki went M.I.A. and didn’t show up, forcing Golden Features to fill in.

Canadian producer Ryan Hemsworth brought his youthful, unique blend of digital sounds into the packed Carousel stage, sending it into a frenzy. With solid tempo and time scale flows; Hemsworth’s ability to move between dreamy atmospheric beats and thumping hip-hop remixes kept the crowd active and engaged with rave pits forming in all corners of the pavilion.

Wrapping things up on the Cannonball stage was prodigal LA producer Nosaj Thing, who’s created tracks for Kendrick Lamar and Kid Cudi.

His glitchy, post-dubstep tunes feature polished production – lush, deep, complex, atmospheric music – but just not that suited to headlining. It was too minimal for most who wanted to finish with a bang, and wandered off to the main room.

To close off the hugely successful Circo festival, Nina Las Vegas took centre stage, Vodka & Coke in hand, bringing her lively and energetic presence to life immediately. As circus performers hung from the ceiling, Nina’s incredible techno breakdowns melded perfectly with her bass drops, providing an hour of progressive club sounds with roaring builds. Keeping engaged with her audience, Nina was chatty and spirited; dancing along to the contagious beats. Incorporating some Chet Faker and Alison Wonderland, Nina would end up bringing her fellow producers onstage for a huge celebration to close both the night and an outstanding festival.

AARON BRYANS & ALFRED GORMAN

DJ Earl

Kele

Gettin’ wheelie high

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A STELLA TIME This Sunday, July 6, Mojos plays host to Stellas for the first time in a while. Formerly known as Stellas Kitchen, the four piece have been out of the limelight for a while, but are now crashing back into the live music scene with a shortened name and take no prisoners attitude. Support comes from The Midnight Mules, Graphic Fiction Heroes and Oak Tree Suite.

Doors open at 6pm, entry is $5.

Stellas

MARY, MARY, YOU’RE ON MY MIND The mighty Mezzanine are launching their new single, Mary, at The Bird this Thursday, July 3. Joining them on this momentous musical occasion will be Puck, Childsaint and Hyla. Doors open at 8pm, entry is $10.

Mezzanine

A QUICKIE WITH... USURPER OF MODERN MEDICINE

CAUGHT IN THE ACT Get down to Fremantle’s The Odd Fellow this Friday, July 4, to get an earful of Husband’s new single, Caught. Having recently smashed it at the third Big Splash heat, it’s clear that big things are waiting in the band’s future. Aiding and abetting the indie rock five piece will be The Lammas Tide and David Craft.

Doors open at 8pm, tickets are $10 on the door.

It’s been a long time coming, but Usurper Of Modern Medicine are finally releasing their debut album, Omniliberation, at The Bakery this Saturday, July 5, with support from Gunns, Rabbit Island and Doctopus. We had a word with Steve Aaron Hughes.

Husband

GAME, SET, MATCH

CONTROLLED CHAOS Saturday, July 5, things get heavy at The Rosemount Hotel with Perth metal machine Chaos Divine headlining a night of noughties originals and covers.

Also along for this night of nostalgic nu metal nightmares are I, Said The Sparrow, Tusk and King Onion. Doors open at 8pm, entry is $15.

Chaos Divine

Magnificent ‘60s garage throwbacks The High Learys will be bringing their great music and great haircuts to The Bird this Friday, July 4, for the unveiling of their newest music video, Two To Match, taken from their debut LP, Here Come The High Learys. Featuring DJs spinning great ‘60s tunes all night and go go dancers doing their thing, this will be an evening of high merriment. Doors open at 8pm, entry is $5.

The High Learys - Photo by Jacqueline Jane

UP THE ACADEMY It’s an all-local lineup at Amplifier tonight, Wednesday, July 2, when Academy showcases the talents of Aeons, Anti-Climax, Branch Circus, Fighting For Ramona, Just Say Mercy, Nucleust and Once Almost Never.

Doors open at 9pm, entry is $10.

Where did you spring from?

From the ashes of a jam project. Chance collaborations of musicians from different walks of life and styles with mutual respect for each other and an intention to experiment.

What’s your sound?

We sound like a condensed supernova blasted out of supercharged magnets. Key influences are higher states of consciousness, surrealist art and subversive humor.

Tell us of the album. Why such a long gestation period?

We all lead complex lives with multiple music projects and creative endeavors. We wanted to take our time to make as great sounding record as possible.

Combine these two and in a flurry of activity and projects, two years pass. The wait was worth it for us.

Give us some insight into your writing process.

Me and Cameron George write our own solo tracks and electronic compositions. These are sometimes given the Usurper treatment where

they are workshopped with the other members into completely different beasts. Most of the tracks for this album were processed by this particular filter. Other tracks come from jams, rare moments of groove that do not fade back into the subconscious and organically grow over time.

What’s up next for you guys?

We have another EP worth of material from these album sessions that we plan to release later in the year. One song possibly as a split single with another amazing kindred band from Perth. We gave all the songs from Omnliberation to different video directors and have a series of music videos coming out soon, each more wildly unique and exciting than then last. What we’ve seen so far has been awesome.

These will be coming out of the coming weeks and months to explore the songs in more detail. Besides that we’re cracking to get working on some new material – we want to really upgrade and deform what we’ve been doing up to this point. Time for a new overhaul. We are brimming with ideas and look forward to developing to a new configuration.

RTR FREMANTLE WINTER MUSIC FESTIVAL 2014 The Railway Hotel, Mojos Bar, The Swan Hotel, North Fremantle Bowls Club Saturday, June 28, 2014 The punters braved the laments in force to catch a bevy of top notch local talent, including Aborted Tortoise, D-Jeong, Ruby Boots, The Insinnerators and more.

Photos by Matt Jelonek

MOJOS BAR THE ROSEMOUNT HOTEL This Wednesday, July 2, sees the monthly Adult Baby night featuring Aborted Tortoise, Tired Lion, Hideous Sun Demon, Man The Clouds and Eerie Serpent, while Thursday catch Orquesta Yambeque with DJ Mateo. Friday it’s Cashed Up: A Tribute To Johnny Cash, starring The Volcanics, The Painkillers, Wizard Sleeve, Emu Xperts, Tom Fisher And The Layabouts, Patient Little Sister and Moana.

Orquesta Yambeque Kirstie, Feriel, Johnny

Jenelle, Jackson

THE NORTHSHORE TAVERN Time flies when you are having fun. Come and join the large following at the first birthday of Northern Blues N Roots this Thursday, July 3. Catch Rick Steele accompanied by the house band, On The Level, plus Mitty Mitch and Nyanda J, along with Singaporean outfit Universal Blues Band. Doors open at 7pm.

Juls, Audrey

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James, Kara

LOCA L & LAUNCHING

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Hannah, Dave

Saturday, July 5, Tiny Ruins return to Australia to showcase the album, Brightly Painted One. Tiny Ruins will tour in three piece mode with Hollie Fullbrook backed up by bassist Cass Basil and drummer Alexander Freer. Shining Bird supports. Presales tickets are $25 plus booking fee through oztix.com. au and $30 on the door from 8pm.

Tiny Ruins

THE LUCKY SHAG The Lucky Shag are giving all of you smart boffins a chance to flaunt your knowledge, have a few drinks and win big! They’ve started up their quiz night, kicking off every Monday at 7pm. And unlike your typical quiz night with terrible prizes, The Lucky Shag are giving winning geniuses something that’s always welcome – cash! They’ve also fired up their winter menu, including some killer pie and mulled wine to keep you warm on the inside. No need to book, just get a group together and head on down.

MEZZANINE Mary Single Launch @ The Bird THE HIGH LEARYS Two To Match Video Launch @ The Bird HUSBAND Caught Single Launch @ The Odd Fellow TEMPEST RISING Devil In Me Single/Video Launch @ Amplifier USURPER OF MODERN MEDICINE Omniliberation Album Launch @ The Bakery SHOCK OCTOPUS Self Titled Album Launch @ YaYa’s THE AUTUMN ISLES Harvest In The Night Single Launch @ The Bird THE BROWN STUDY BAND Imaginations Album Launch @ The Rosemount LIKE JUNK No Silence EP Launch @ Bar Four5Nine DRY DRY RIVER Who Single Launch @ YaYa’s PAPER PLAINS Anaestalgia Album Launch @ The Beat TIMOTHY NELSON AND THE INFIDELS Terror Terror, Hide It Hide It Album Launch @ The Rosemount

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ROY ORBISON & DEL SHANNON TRIBUTE 7 Albany THE 1975 THIS WEEK Entertainment 24 Capitol Centre PHIL JAMIESON DECADE OF VIPER 9 Crown Theatre 2 The Saint George ft.

SLEEPMAKESWAVES 3 Wintersun Hotel MATRIX & 8 Amplifier Bar 4 Divers Tavern FUTUREBOUND, COURTNEY LOVE THE CRIMSON BROOKES 13 Metro City BROTHERS, THE PROJEKCT BOB DYLAN PROTOTYPES & 2 Fly By Night 13, 14 Riverside ROCKWELL + MC Theatre VIOLENT SOHO DELON KATY STEELE & SMITH STREET 25 Metro City 13 & 17 Ellington BAND THE WHITE ALBUM Jazz Club 2 & 3 The Bakery CONCERT TOUR BONJAH (SOLD OUT) 14 Northshore ft. Chris Cheney, THE AUDREYS Tavern Phil Jameson, 4 Fly By Night 15 Indi Bar Josh Pyke & Tim SOMETHING FOR 16 Amplifier Rogers KATE 26 Riverside Theatre 17 Dunsborough Tavern 4 Astor Theatre CORROSION OF HANSON PAUL DEMPSEY CONFORMITY, WEEDEATER & LO! 15 Metropolis (SOLO) Fremantle (CANCELLED) 5 Fly By Night ED KUEPPER 26 Rosemount REMI 15 Fly By Night Hotel 4 The Bakery SPIDERBAIT PELICAN LORDE 15 Astor Theatre 27 Rosemount 5 Challenge Stadium TINA ARENA Hotel 15 Crown Theatre BON BUT NOT THE ANGELS BODYJAR FORGOTTEN 31 Newport Hotel 15 Capitol 5 Charles Hotel BJÖRN AGAIN TINY RUINS 16 Crown Theatre AUGUST 5 Mojos Bar SEEKAE WILLOW BEATS BELL X1 16 The Villa 1 Mondo 6 Capitol ROB SNARSKI THE ANGELS 17 Mojos Bar 1 Wintersun Hotel, LADY GAGA JULY Geraldton 20 Perth Arena JAMES MULLER KATE MILLERKIDS IN GLASS HEIDKE TRIO HOUSES 9 Ellington Jazz Club 1 Astor Theatre 21 Villa Nightclub DAN SULTAN PURE TRANCE THE DANDY 1 Settlers Tavern, WARHOLS ft. GIUSEPPE Margaret River 21 & 22 Astor OTTAVIANI, Theatre SOLARSTONE AND 2 Astor Theatre TIM FREEDMAN 16 Roebuck Hotel, SNEIJDER 22 Ellington Jazz Broome 11 Metro City Club BURIED IN SPARTAK NORTHWEST VERONA, 11 The Bird PILBARA ANTAGONIST AD, CROOKED WEEKENDER STORIES COLOURS 22 – 24 Port 2 Amplifier 12 Amplifier Hedland Turf Club 3 YMCA HQ DEATH DISCO ft.

QUEEN + ADAM THE ANGELS ft.

JUST A GENT LAMBERT Dave Gleeson 12 Capitol 22 Perth Arena 2 Charles Hotel THE KITE STRING HIGH ON FIRE 3 The Ravenswood TANGLE 18 Rosemount Hotel 22 Amplifier Bar Hotel KASABIAN JAMES REYNE GARETH EMERY 5 Metro City 23 Astor Theatre 19 Metro City NEUROSIS THE ASTON METRONOMY 6 Capitol SHUFFLE 23 Astor I AM GIANT 23 Amplifier Bar HUSKY 7 Amplifier Bar RUSSELL MORRIS 24 Rosemount PAUL GRABOWSKY 23 Regal Theatre Hotel 7, 8, 9 Ellington Jazz MELODY POOL Club 25 Mojos Bar 23 X-Wray Café 24 Settlers Tavern, Margaret River FEATURED GIG 26 Ellington Jazz Club KID INK 25 Villa MAN IN BLACK: THE JOHNNY CASH STORY 26-31 Regal Theatre KING BUZZO 26 Astor Lounge GEORGE GARZONE 28, 29, 30 Ellington Jazz Club LORDE THE AMITY AFFLICTION CHALLENGE STADIUM 29 Red Hill SATURDAY, JULY 5 Auditorium

TOURS

LORDE

28

KAV TEMPERLEY 30 Settlers Tavern, Margaret River POP WILL EAT ITSELF 31 Rosemount Hotel SEPTEMBER DIEGO ELCIGALA 1 Regal Theatre ANBERLIN & THE GETAWAY PLAN 3 Metropolis Fremantle KANYE WEST 5 Perth Arena KAV TEMPERLEY 5 Players Bar, Mandurah 6 Prince Of Wales, Bunbury 7 Rumours, Albany 12 Divers Tavern, Broome MARINA PRIOR 5 Albany Entertainment Centre 6 Astor Theatre 7 Mandurah Performing Arts Centre HOWLING BELLS 6 Amplifier Bar THE WONDER YEARS 7 Amplifier SHARON JONES & THE DAP KINGS 8 &9 Astor CANNIBAL CORPSE 9 Capitol ROBBIE WILLIAMS 11 Perth Arena BIFFY CLYRO 12 Metro City CASEY DONOVAN 12 & 13 Ellington Jazz Club UNCLE JED 13 Ya-Ya’s 14 The Indi Bar GRACE KNIGHT 19 & 20 Ellington Jazz Club 360 19 Metro City (18+) 20 Astor Theatre Perth (Licensed all ages) JOE BONAMASSA 19 Perth Concert Hall STICKY FINGERS 19 Settlers Tavern, Margaret River GABRIEL IGLESIAS 23 Riverside Theatre ANDREA BOCELLI 24 Perth Arena INGRID MICHAELSON 24 Fly By Night Club BOY & BEAR 25 Albany Entertainment Centre 26 Bunbury Entertainment Centre 28 Fremantle Arts Centre THE CAT EMPIRE 27 Metro City

WAVE ROCK WEEKENDER 27 - 28 Wave Rock Caravan Park VERUCA SALT 28 Rosemount Hotel RISE OF BROTALITY TOUR ft. I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN, THE GHOST INSIDE, IN HEARTS WAKE 28 Capitol LISTEN OUT ft. FLUME, CHET FAKER, ZHU AND MORE 28 Ozone Reserve OCTOBER THE HIGH KINGS 1 Crown Theatre RICK SPRINGFIELD 7 Crown Theatre JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE 8 Perth Arena SLAVES 8 Amplifier Bar CHRISTINE ANU 17 & 18 Ellington Jazz Club MILEY CYRUS 23 Perth Arena THE ROLLING STONES 29 Perth Arena NOVEMBER THE ROLLING STONES 1 Perth Arena KATY PERRY 7 & 8 Perth Arena JOE SATRIANI 11 Astor Theatre TOXIC HOLOCAUST & IRON REAGAN 13 Rosemount Hotel NICK CAVE SOLO TOUR 27 & 28 Fremantle Arts Centre DECEMBER UB40 & BLUE KING BROWN 5 Red Hill Auditorium THY ART IS MURDER 17 YMCA HQ, Leederville 18 Capitol JANUARY 2015 SUZI QUATRO 28 Regal Theatre FEBRUARY 2015 PASSENGER 7 Red Hill Auditorium ROXETTE 14 Perth Arena THE EAGLES 18 Perth Arena ONE DIRECTION 20 Pattersons Stadium

THE CRIMSON PROJECKT, JULY 2

VIOLENT SOHO, JULY 2 -3

WEEKLY WEDNESDAY 02/07

THE ALBION HOTEL Quiz Night AMPLIFIER BAR Freshman Class Aeons Anti-Climax Branch Circus Fighting For Ramona Just Say Mercy Nucleust Once Almost Never THE BAKERY Violent Soho The Smith Street Band THE BIRD Leg Day Rok Riley Jack Doepel Will Slade Pete Sinclair Andrew Sinclair BRASS MONKEY DJ Vicktor CAPITOL Harlem Back 2 Basics Genga Benny P Pussymittens BMB Jyes Philly Blunt CAPTAIN STIRLING Lokie Shaw THE CARINE Open Mic Night Shaun Street CHARLES HOTEL Funky Bunch Trivia CITRO BAR Seasons Of Perth Dean Anderson CLANCY’S CANNING Chris Davis Luke Dux CLUB RED SEA Cheek CONSERVATORY ROOFTOP BAR Horseplay THE COURT Wicked Wednesdays ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Old And New Friends ft.

Dane Alderson Danny Martin Daniel Susnjar FLY BY NIGHT The Crimson Projeckt GOLD BAR Famous THE GOOD SHEPHERD Thinkfar GROOVE BAR (CROWN) 5 Shots HULA BULA BAR Island Nite INDI BAR Kizzy Escalade Matt Waring LLAMA BAR Akuna Club

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LANEWAY LOUNGE James Flynn Trio LANGFORD ALE HOUSE APL Poker THE LUCKY SHAG Howie Morgan METRO FREO C5 Next Gen MOJOS BAR Elliot Smith Dave Brewer Wayne Freer New Trio Lumpy Dog Nectar Mark Jones THE MOON CAFE Going Solo ft.

Ali Flintoff Fabian Rojas MUSTANG BAR Wild Wednesday DJ Giles Frenzy NEWPORT HOTEL Newport Wednesdays Student Night OCEAN ONE BAR Brazil Night ft.

Xoxote 459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL SC Barendse Elli Schoen Sinead O’Hara Logan Crawford ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Aborted Tortoise Tired Lion Hideous Sun Demon Eerie Serpent Beer Garden Anton Maz ROSIE O’GRADY’S NORTHBRIDGE Laugh Resort Comedy THE SAINT Phil Jamieson Mike Nayar SOVEREIGN ARMS FIVE0 THE SWINGING PIG Open Mic Night Greg Carter UNIVERSAL BAR Virtual Insanity VELVET LOUNGE Welcome To Loco Cavalier Fight The Morning THE VIC Trivia Night VILLAGE BAR Village People Wednesdays YAYA’S Figure 23 Basically Naked Priority One THURSDAY 03/07 THE BAKERY Violent Soho The Smith Street Band BAR ORIENT Acoustic Night

THE BIRD Mezzanine Puck Race To Your Face Hyla THE BUFFALO CLUB Jeremiah Salt Edie Green BRASS MONKEY Rhythm Bound Karaoke BRIGHTON Miss Chief Open Deck Night BROOKLANDS TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke CAPTAIN STIRLING Trivia Night THE CAUSEWAY BAR Xport Thursdays CHARLES HOTEL Comedy Lounge THE CLAREMONT HOTEL Institution Thursdays CLUB RED SEA Thursday Night Revolution CONNECTIONS NIGHTCLUB Bingay Hosted by Hannah Conda CRAFTSMAN FIVE0 DEVILLES PAD Rock’N’Roll Karaoke DUNSBOROUGH TAVERN Open Mic Night Kris Buckle ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Country Rhythm And Soul ft.

Howie Morgan Lucky Oceans FREMANTLE WORKERS CLUB A Song Is A City Sian Brown THE GATE Greg Carter GOLD BAR OG Thursdays GRAND CENTRAL PARK Nathan Gaunt HULA BULA BAR Hi-Fi Lounge INDI BAR Open Mic Night LANEWAY LOUNGE Bernay Trio LEISURE INN DJ Peta LOBBY LOUNGE (CROWN) Jack & Jill LOST SOCIETY The Collective LUCKY SHAG James Wilson MARKET CITY TAVERN Robby Davis Joseph Simmo Jessica Lawrie Nathan Mayers Drawn In The Dark

ROK RILEY, JULY 3

Kane Dodd Ryoji MOJOS BAR Matt Gresham MUSTANG BAR Little Bastard Three DJ James MacArthur THE NAVY CLUB Sarah Pellicano Aborted Tortoise NEWPORT HOTEL Open Mic NORTHSHORE TAVERN Rick Steele On The Level Mitty Mitch Nyanda J Universal Blues Band OCEAN ONE BAR Turin’s Open Mic Night PEEL ALE HOUSE Open Mic ft.

Danny Bau PRINCE OF WHALES (BUNBURY) Deez Nuts Confession In League Beer Fridge PS ART SPACE Shifting Kingdoms Lower Spectrum Hugo Gerani Mei Sarawasati 459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Jamie MunslowDavies Ben Morris Branch Circus Lumpy Dog Noah Skape The Teenage Wasteland ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Yambeque SETTLERS TAVERN (MARGARET RIVER) Open Mic Night ft.

Claire Warnock THE SHED Copa Cabana Thursdays UNIVERSAL BAR Off The Record VERANDAH BAR Let’s Get Quizical WINTERSUN HOTEL Phil Jamieson Leon Tioke YAYA’S Lung Capacity The Worst Blackbird Rising The MDC Amberdown FRIDAY 04/07 THE ALBION HOTEL Jen De Ness AMPLIFIER BAR Sydonia Tempest Rising Pyromesh Dawn Of Leviathan This Other Eden Fridays Are Back Jamie Mac

ASTOR THEATRE Something For Kate THE AVIARY Paradise Paul Micah THE BAKERY Remi THE BALMORAL The Rough Housers THE BAYSWATER Mario Zuli BEAT NIGHTCLUB (DOWNSTAIRS) Play BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Mike Nayar THE BELMONT Light Street BEST DROP TAVERN Rock-A-Fellas THE BIRD The High Learys THE BRASS MONKEY James Ess Vicktor THE BRIGHTON DJ Peta BROOKLANDS TAV Jamie Powers CAPITOL (UPSTAIRS) I Love ‘80s & ‘90s THE CARINE J!mmy Beats CHASE BAR & BISTRO James Wilson CITRO BAR Seasons Of Perth Jeanie Proude CIVIC HOTEL Jahmoko Crooks International CLANCY’S CANNING DJ Boogie CLANCY’S CITY BEACH Stielgutz THE COMO Byron O’Neill CRAFTSMAN Dazman CRUISING YACHT CLUB Grant Hart DAILY PLANET Sundowner Sessions DEVILLE’S PAD Royale With Cheese Vincent Vega Moohy Knox Gogo Yubari Elle Driver DIVERS TAVERN Phil Jamieson DUNSBOROUGH TAVERN Cuddles EAST 150 BAR Adrian Wilson EDZ SPORTZ BAR Two Tenors ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Songs From A Saucy Little Secret Late Night Groove Series ft.

Jade Webb EMPIRE BAR Howie Morgan

Deadline Monday 5pm. X-Press Guide is a service to advertisers listing all entertainment events.

All inclusions are at the discretion of X-Press. Email guide@xpressmag.com.au

TOURS • LIVE • DANCE

THE AUDREYS, JULY 4

EVE NIGHTCLUB Recharge Fridays FLAWLESS Monarch Fridays FLY BY NIGHT The Audreys FREMANTLE ARTS CENTRE Dave Brewer Ruby Boots THE GATE Chris Gibbs GEISHA BAR Rough Love Presents.

Manik Jacky PussyMittens David Robinson THE GEORGE NDORSE GINGER NIGHTCLUB Mondo Dance Party GOLD BAR Vanity THE GOOD SHEPHERD Bad Vacation GOSNELLS HOTEL Everlong THE GRAND Jay Mckay THE GREENWOOD Ryan Webb GREYHOUNDS (MANDURAH) Elemental HERDSMAN Troy Nababan Duo HIGHWAY HOTEL Big Steve Spouse Band HULA BULA BAR Shakin’ It HYDE PARK HOTEL (COURTYARD) Justin Cortorillo INDI BAR Vdelli INDIAN OCEAN BREW CO. Ben Merito JAMES ST. AMPITHEATRE Ice Skating Live DJs KALAMUNDA HOTEL Wesley Goodlet Jamboree Scouts

ABORTED TORTOISE, JULY 2

LAKERS TAVERN Grizzly LANEWAY LOUNGE Amanda Dee Soothe LANGFORD ALE HOUSE Koha Music LIBRARY Sneaky LOBBY LOUNGE Why Georgia?

LONDON CAFÉ AND BAR G & G Acoustic Shenanigans MALT Nu Disco Hip Hop M ON THE POINT Retriofit MAHOGANY INN Fenton Wilde METRO FREO U18 Jocks vs Nerds 4th July Party Rojdar vs Dj Marto DTuck vs Debug Dj Madzz vs Mickey D Frat House Fridays Rojdar Dj Marto DeBug Shane Hewson MINT Club Retro MOJOS BAR Earthlink Sound Ironpalm Fireside Imperial Rasta Fyah MULLALOO BEACH HOTEL Flaunt Fridays MUSTANG BAR Oz Big Band Flash Nat & The Action Men MY PLACE Karaoke NEWPORT HOTEL Karaoke Classic @ The Two Sparrows Bar NORMA JEANS COCKTAIL LOUNGE DJ Damo

FEATURED GIG

BUZZ KILL VAMPS

BUZZ KILL VAMPS THE CIVIC HOTEL SATURDAY, JULY 5

NORTHSHORE TAVERN Justin Burford Chalk N Cheese Fridays THE ODD FELLOW Husband David Craft The Lammas Tide DJ Craig Hollywood PARAMOUNT Paramount Party Crew PEEL ALE HOUSE Siren Song Enterprises PIRATE BAR Dean Anderson PLAYERS BAR DJ Cookie PORT KENNEDY TAVERN Tripwire THE PRINCIPAL Velvet & Stone PUBLIC HOUSE Neil Viney THE QUEENS Jon Ee DJ Reuben RIGBY’S BAR & BISTRO The Hive Tizer Lynx FX ROSE & CROWN HOTEL Kevin Curran 459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Beckon Wisdom2th Strangelove Bax Davis DJ Silence ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Volcanics The Painkillers Wizard Sleeve Emu Experts Tom Fisher & The Layabouts Patient Little Sister Moana SAIL AND ANCHOR Howie Morgan Duo THE SAINT Triple Shots Britty SETTLER’S TAVERN (MARGARET RIVER) Optamus THE SHED Crush DJ Glen SOUTH ST. ALEHOUSE Robbie King Karaoke SOVEREIGN ARMS Lokie Shaw SWINGING PIG Greg Carter UNIVERSAL BAR Nightmoves VERNON ARMS TAVERN Greg Carter THE VIC

BENNY P, JULY 4

Nathan Gaunt WHALE & ALE Henton WINTERSUN HOTEL Leon Tioke X-WRAY CAFÉ Eduardo Cossio Quartet Luis Inglis YAYA’S The Irrationals Stuart Orchard The Southwicks Matt Foti ACE @ YAYAS DJ Pup YMCA HQ Deez Nuts Confession In League Mindless Bounty Hunter SATURDAY 05/07 AMPLIFIER BAR Deez Nuts Confession In League Common Bound Beer Fridge Pure Pop Eddie Electric AVENUE Lokie Shaw THE AVIARY Zel Paradise Paul THE BAKERY Usurper Of Modern Medicine Gunns Dianas Doctopus Rabbit Island THE BALMORAL Wire Birds BAR ORIENT The Reggae Club BEAT NIGHTCLUB (UPSTAIRS) Canvas THE BIRD Mt. Mountain Silver Hills The Wheelers Of Oz BOAB TAVERN Chris Gibbs Duo BRASS MONKEY DJ Peta Grizzly THE BRIGHTON DJ Miss Chief THE BROOK Acoustic Nights CAMELOT THEATRE Worldly Winter Warmers Philip Walley Stack Gina Williams Guy Ghouse CAPITOL (UPSTAIRS) Death Disco B.Voyce Rovy Rush Cream Of The 80’s THE CARINE Craig Ballantyne CHALLENGE

PUSSYMITTENS, JULY 4

STADIUM Lorde CHARLES HOTEL Bon But Not Forgotten CIVIC HOTEL Shredathon Buzz Kill Vamps Alvis Kills The Devil In Miss Jones A Mystery Band CLANCY’S CANNING Zarm THE CLAREMONT HOTEL Antics Grrl Pal DJs CORNERSTONE Danny B CRAFTSMAN Rock Candy CRUISING YACHT CLUB Replika DEVILLES PAD Black Magic Disco JO19 Charlie Bucket DUNSBOROUGH TAVERN The Audreys EAST END BAR Home ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Fiona Lawe Davies 4 C’est La Vie FLAWLESS LQ Saturdays FLY BY NIGHT Paul Dempsey Solo THE GATE Greg Carter GEISHA BAR Element James A Flex Jimi J Ru-Kasu THE GENEROUS SQUIRE FIVE0 GOLD BAR Pure Gold THE GOOD SHEPHERD Chocolate Jesus GOSNELLS HOTEL Third Gear GREENWOOD In The Groove HULA BULA BAR Sailor Saturdays HYDE PARK HOTEL Replica INDI BAR Huge Magnet Day Of The Dead Blind Tiger Blues Box JAMES ST. AMPITHEATRE Ice Skating Live DJs KALAMUNDA HOTEL Celebrations Karaoke LAKERS TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke LANEWAY LOUNGE Fleer Ultra Alcatraz

LANGFORD ALE HOUSE Texas Country Music Club Bad Hearts LIBRARY MKT THE LITTLE WING CORNER GALLERY Console Culture LONDON CAFÉ AND BAR Sax & Axe LOST SOCIETY Chalk M ON THE POINT Rhythm 22 MACEDONIAN CULTURAL CENTRE The Mustangs MERRIWA TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke METRO CITY Metro Saturdays Darren T Benny C METRO FREO Metropolis Saturdays DJ DTuck DJ Wazz Ben Carter METRO FREO C5 I Love ‘80s & ‘90s Dr. Sunich DJ Shane MUSTANG BAR The Continentals Milhouse DJ James MacArthur MOJOS BAR Tiny Ruins Shining Bird NEWPORT HOTEL Karaoke Classic @ The Two Sparrows Bar Gravity Tahli Jade NORTHSHORE TAVERN Howie Morgan Project PEEL ALE HOUSE Byron O’Neil PORT KENNEDY TAVERN Kevin Curran QUARRIE BAR & BISTRO DJ Matty J THE QUEENS Jon Ee Kenny L ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Chaos Divine I, Said The Sparrow Tusk King Onion SAIL AND ANCHOR The Gypsy Minions THE SAINT Crackers SETTLERS TAVERN (MARGARET RIVER) Moondog J THE SHED HUGE SOVEREIGN ARMS DJ Atlus SPRINGS TAVERN Jonny Dempsey

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THE DECLINE, JULY 5

STEEL BLUE OVAL Greg Fleet THE SWINGING PIG Frenzy SWAN HOTEL LOUNGE Powderworks Fuzz Bucket Autumn Falls Highway Breakdown TOUCAN CLUB Alison Wonderland UNIVERSAL BAR Soul Corporation YAYA’S The Decline Nerdlinger Revellers House Arrest Blindspot Them Sharks 88 To Yesterday ARCADIA @ YAYAS DJ Cookie SUNDAY 06/07 THE ALEXANDER Karaoke THE AVIARY NDORSE Ben Sebastian THE BALMORAL Troy Nababan Duo THE BELMONT Acoustic Aly BENTLEY HOTEL Ceol BROKEN HILL HOTEL Kizzy THE BROOK Chris Gibbs BROOKLANDS TAVERN James Wilson CAPITOL Bell X 1 The Phoncurves THE CARINE Luke O’Connell THE CAUSEWAY Acoustic Sunday CHASE BAR & BISTRO Jonny Dempsey CITRO BAR Seasons Of Perth Adrian Wilson CIVIC HOTEL Jamie Powers CLANCYS CITY BEACH Sunday Brekky Sesh The Limelights Jazz Trio CLAREMONT HOTEL Sunday Driver CLUB BAY VIEW Lokie Shaw COMO HOTEL Two Frets Down DUNSBOROUGH TAVERN Kris Buckle ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB The Borrowed Few Ryan Webb Morgan Bain FLINDERZ HILLARYS Adam James THE GATE

Mike Nayar THE GREENWOOD Justin Cortorillo HULA BULA BAR Tiki Time Sundays INDI BAR Jordan McRobbie Band Mister Joe Pule INDIAN OCEAN BREW CO Retriofit JAMES ST. AMPITHEATRE Ice Skating Live DJs KALAMUNDA HOTEL The Mojos LAKERS TAVERN Wesley Goodlet Jamboree Scouts LANEWAY LOUNGE James Cross Quintet LANGFORD ALE HOUSE Gerry Azor LOBBY LOUNGE (CROWN) Thierryno LUCKY SHAG Hans Fiance MOJOS BAR The Midnight Mules Oak Tree Suite Stellas Graphic Fiction Heroes M ON THE POINT Nathan Gaunt MORLEY NORANDA RECREATION CLUB The Mustangs MULLALOO BEACH HOTEL Sunday Sesh NEWPORT HOTEL Deez Nuts Confession In League This Existence NORTHSHORE TAVERN Endless Summer Sessions PADDINGTON ALE HOUSE The Killer Hipsters PEEL ALE HOUSE Bernardine PORT KENNEDY TAVERN Greg Carter QUARIE BAR & BISTRO The Gypsy Minions THE QUEENS FIVE0 Sam Spencer REDCLIFFE ON THE MURRAY Nicky Sandover THE ROSE & CROWN HOTEL Jack & Jill ROSEMOUNT HOTEL (BEER GARDEN) The Get Down ft.

Charlie Bucket Tim King Jim Pearson

MT. MOUNTAIN, JULY 5

THE SAINT Howie Morgan Project Jon Ee Az-T SAIL AND ANCHOR (UPSTAIRS) Childs Play SEAVIEW TAVERN Christian Thompson THE SHED Acoustic Royale SOUTH ST. ALEHOUSE Open Mic Night SWALLOW BAR Sunday Sessions SWINGING PIG Siren & Assassin UNIVERSAL BAR Retriofit VERNON ARMS TAVERN Kevin Curran WANNEROO TAVERN Steve Hepple THE WINDSOR Ryan Webb MONDAY 07/07 BRASS MONKEY Monkey Madness Student & Industry Night ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB James Sandon Trio JAMES ST. AMPITHEATRE Ice Skating METRO CITY 18th Annual Nocturnal Ball MOJOS BAR Wide Open Mic THE ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Bex & Turin’s Wide Open Mic YAYA’S Big Tommo’s Open Mic Variety Night TUESDAY 08/07 BRASS MONKEY Open Mic Night Shaun Street THE CHARLES

HOTEL Perth Blues Club NAIDOC Gina Williams Guy GHouse CONSERVATORY ROOFTOP BAR Rooftop Comedy ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Jordan Murray FLYRITE The Big Splash Band Competition Kid XL Old Blood Sam Wylde Sprawl GROOVE BAR (CROWN) Jack & Jill JAMES ST. AMPITHEATRE Ice Skating LANEWAY LOUNGE Open Mic Night Josh Terlick LOBBY LOUNGE (CROWN) Hans Fiance LUCKY SHAG Ben Merito MERRIWA TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke MOJOS BAR Sam Wylde Sprawl Old Blood Kid XL MUSTANG BAR Danza Loca Salsa Night OCEAN ONE BAR Overgrowth Open Mic Night THE PADDO Quiz Meisters ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Bex ‘N’ Turin’s Open Mic Night SWINGING PIG Siren Song Enterprises YAYA’S Bad China Midflight Parasite The Temperament Flyball Gov’nor

FEATURED GIG

REMI

REMI

THE BAKERY FRIDAY, JULY 4

29

NEWS

|

INTERVIEWS

|

REVIEWS

| B E AT S

|

LIVE

|

EVENTS

I LOVE 80’S & 90’S @ CAPTIOL

THE SHED

AMPLIFIER

DELICIOUS @ ROCKET ROOM

METRO FREO

THE CAUSEWAY

MUSIC GEAR & TECHNOLOGY

|

CLASSIFIEDS

DJ SOFTWARE The Core Of Digital DJing.

Typically speaking, when you purchase a DJ controller, it will come with some description of software. Sometimes, that software will be the only program available to run your gear, and sometimes you will have the choice to use a different program to run the brains of your rig. It is always worth checking to see which software is compatible with your gear, which isn’t always listed on the side of the box, as there is a wealth of other creative options out there.

SERATO DJ TRAKTOR PRO 2

There are three big programs. One of these three will usually come in the box with your gear. The cheaper, entry level decks typically come with either Virtual DJ, Serato Intro, or Traktor LE. These are the cheapest and most annoying pieces of DJ software out there, as they have limited effects, almost no beat detection and only have support for two decks. In this reviewer’s opinion, this crap software is a long and tedious joke at the music industry’s expense, as it puts people who are new to the practice of DJing at a disadvantage creatively and can discourage and disappoint people who are testing the waters before they throw down money on a serious deck.

Traktor 2 is the most popular software on the market, and will come with most intermediate controllers in the $400 - $900 mark. This software is very stable, has great beat detection, a vast library of effects and a great sample deck/remix deck function.

For advanced users with technical expertise, you can even get deep into the midi routing and remap your lighting, response and control midi functions with your hardware. Check out DJ Tech Tools’ website for more info on this, they have plenty of walkthroughs and custom mappings available for free.

The pro level software that you will get on the elite level controllers is Serato DJ. The big benefit of Serato DJ is that it is the software of choice for

Rane DVS systems, and also includes beat detection that operates on a 4/4 beat structure, not just a single beat function. This allows Serato to have some pretty amazing functions, like the slicer, grid rolls, quantized effects, and also has the option to have Serato Video VDJ software added on later. Whilst the midi routing functions are not as advanced as Traktor, it makes up for that by having an expansive, dynamic, and unique suite of remix tools and effects.

This is also the most stable DJ software currently available, and you can purchase mini upgrades for around $10 each that provide it with more stylized effects libraries.

DJ SERVICES

MATURE SINGER/SONGWRITER into 60’s, Folk, Country, seek same for weekly Jamming possible Duo 0420802409 Musicians Wanted for the Next Big Thing! Guitarist, Bass, Keys. Voice to Build a big band behind. No age barrier. Is this you? Get off your bum and live the dream. Ph 0412231126 OPEN MIC NIGHT every Thursday night at Indi Bar. Email Trojan John at trojan_johnmusic@yahoo. com.au for spot Laneway Lounge Open Mic every Tuesday Night. If you’re keen for a spot text Josh on 0430313577 OPEN MIC NITE BAR ORIENT High St, Fremantle.

Thurs 7.30pm - 12.00pm. Golden pic contest now running $500 cash prize. For bookings Joel 0414 239 319 or shadeyrock@live.com.au

ALAN DAWSON’s WITZEND RECORDING STUDIO Prof quality albums or demos, large live room, experienced engineer, analog to digital transfers, mastering..Alan 0407 989 128 or Jeremy 0430638178 www.witzendstudios.com 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 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 SONGWRITERS - BANDS! Great Productions!

London Producer, awesome studio. Call Jerry on 0405 653 338 www.jerichomusic.com.au

D J WA N T E D S e e k i n g D J 1 8 y r s & o v e r w i t h e x p a n d s o m e e q u i p m e n t .C o n t ac t www.dancefloordjs.com.au 0416171883 EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING

Do you know what a roadie is? Have you got any background in AUDIO, LIGHTING or BACKLINE? Are you looking for CASUAL work in the entertainment industry? If that sounds like you contact Events Personnel Aust.

On 08 9361 5005.

J O B O P P O RT U N I T Y FO R E N T H U S I A ST I C PERSON to book bands and music into the Swan Hotel. Contact Mark Neal for more info mark@dayfordiscovery.com or 0417971690 FOR SALE

PRODUCTION SERVICES

HEADPHONES all brands & styles.

2 3 H a r ro g ate S t re e t , We s t Le e d e r v i l l e .

Contact Headphonic 08 93886333 headphones.com.au

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

MUSOS WANTED

ACCOUSTIC OPEN MIC THURS AT OCEAN ONE BAR SCARBOROUGH HOTTEST NIGHT ALL WINTER CALL BD 0447597179 30

RECORDING STUDIOS

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Aside from the two major companies, the most interesting DJ software has to be The One. This software is the most customizable, easy to use, and ingenious software available as a separate product.

Not only can you customize the layout and colours of the work area for maximum visual cohesion, but you can also customize the audio chain, linking together various decks, effects units and mixers, very similar to the way Reason manages its audio chain. Finally, you can also layer inside audio files, one on top of another, inside the audio channel itself, giving you ultimate remixing capability, both for live mashups, or to simply add extra kick or bass lines.

TULLY JAGOE

REHEARSAL STUDIOS

AAA VHS REHEARSAL ROOMS Great facilities, great vibe & great price!!! Unit 5 /16 Peel Road, O’Connor. Phone 9418 5815 or 0413 732 885 BIGBEAT SOUND STUDIO Clean rooms, all new PA systems, air-con and good parking . Willetton Ph: 0425 698 117.

PLATINUM SOUND ROOMS Professional rehearsal rooms, airconditioned, quality PAs mob 0418 944 722 STREAM STUDIO’S 89 Stirling St, Perth. Mobile: 0403 152 009 info@streamrehearsal.com.au TUITION

***GUITAR LESSONS*** The Guitar Institute. New Studio New Times Avail. Online bookings. Beg to prof, all styles. Tutors WWC clearance. Cliff Lynton Guitar Institute. Mt Lawley 9342 3484/ www.clifflynton.com BASS GUITAR LESSONS AVAILABLE by WAAPA tutor.

A practicle approach to learning. .All styles.Years of experience. Tony Gibbs 9470 6131 PIANO LEARNING ON A FAST TRACK Blues, funk and pop.

We teach the fun stuff first. Absolute beginners welcome.

We provide private lessons and group workshops. www.

MusicLearningbuddies.com or call Roger 0488 941 373

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