Rock n’ Roll: A music photography exhibition

Photo: “Press Passes”, Stephen Booth

If there is a music gig on, chances are Brisbane photographer Stephen Booth is in the crowd snapping the excitement and energy through his camera lens. Since the mid-90s, Stephen has taken more than 30,000 shots and during March the Brisbane Powerhouse will be showcasing 50 of his favourite photos in a unique exhibition called “Rock and Roll”.

The photos featured in this very special show range from intimate gigs in long lost venues, through to huge stadium extravaganzas – from a punk show in a car park to U2 in an enormodome. “Rock and Roll” will rekindle those musical memories we all have.

The exhibition will be at Brisbane Powerhouse from March 2 until April 5, 2010 from 9am – 5pm weekdays and 10am-4pm on weekends. Plus it is free entry!

Be sure to check it out.

For more information go to www.brisbanepowerhouse.org

WIN Ok Go tickets!

Youtube sensation (and worldwide music rock hit) Ok Go are hitting our shores next week! Excited?! We sure are.

To celebrate News Unlimited have a double pass to give away to their Hifi Brisbane gig next Wednesday 17th Feb, courtesy of Chugg entertainment. The US rockers will be supported by Brisbane’s love-children Hungry Kids of Hungary as well – talk about a great gig!

To enter the competition, just send us through a link to the best thing you’ve seen on YouTube (not inclusive of Ok Go video clips; that’s cheating, guys!). Send your entries to kate@newsunlimited.com.au – we look forward to seeing your entries!

Check out their new single WTF? here!

Bells and Whistles @ the Zoo’s 17th birthday

Words and Pictures: Kate Scantleton

Friday December 11

The valley is hot, steamy and pumping with people and music. It’s the holiday season. Everyone is out, as there’s no time like the summertime to hit the dance floors, drink up and just be downright Aussie.

This was somewhat the case last night as the Howling Bells hit the stage with their signature sound of indie pop-rock in a swarming, exciting spectacle. The crowd was a-plenty, almost at capacity, although there was something in the air: they were all quiet and complacent in comparison to what one would expect at such a gig.

The eeriness didn’t bother the band all that much, who worked hard to build morale amongst the audience, which was effective and built to a crescendo encore performance.

Howling Bells have it all – the hot band members, their classic, unique sound, the cult following, and the international cred. Having moved to the UK from our grand land a number of years back to kick-start their musical careers, the band have achieved exactly what they wanted to, just jumping off the Coldplay and Snow Patrol tour buses for their own headlining tour.

Last night, they managed to smash out a great set, demonstrating all that has made their name grow so quickly. Mixing beautiful, fresh lyrics and melodies with Juanita’s delightful vocals and the awesome sounds from the guys in the band, every song was mind-blowingly wondrous. The addition of fantastic stage presence from the band including little fits of dancing, some entertaining banter and a short drumming session made sure to keep the quiet crowd interested. Set favourites include Nightingale and Cities Burning Down.

In addition, it was a night of birthday celebration, as the Zoo turned the ripe old age of 17, and drummer Glenn also celebrated his birthday on this night of nights in style whilst rocking out in the only way that would seem fit.

6.5 writing tips

I was in a seedy bar in Kings Cross when I heard one of the best pieces of advice I have ever received. I was discussing my literary ambitions with a very successful commercial photographer and he said to me,

“When I first began studying photography, I was in a class with twenty other people who all had talent, top of the line equipment and real ambition. I’m now the only graduate of that class earning a living as a photographer. You know what the difference between me and them was? I knew I was a photographer, not just a person who takes photos. It’s what defines me. You have to know the same of yourself as a writer.”

About twenty minutes later he invited me to snort speed with him in a toilet cubicle and started hitting on my girlfriend. These rather damning personal flaws notwithstanding, he gave me a piece of advice that I’ve kept with me to this day. I’m going to outline a few other ideas that have helped me along the way in the hope that they’ll be of some assistance to you as well.

1. EMULATE, DON’T IMITATE

There isn’t an artist in the world that hasn’t borrowed in some form from their heroes and/or predecessors. There’s no shame in that. However, it is important to distinguish between being influenced by another artist and being downright plagiaristic. I once had a friend who was a huge silverchair fan who flagrantly ripped off one of their riffs in his demo. He asked me what I thought of it and I told him I liked it better the first time I heard it; on Neon Ballroom. Just remember, you don’t want to end up like this guy.

Study the techniques and methods of your heroes and learn form them, then synthesise those ideas into something of your own. I’m inspired by the way that Neil Gaiman creates in so many formats (screenplays, comics, adult novels, kids’ novels, picture books etc) and that is something I also hope to achieve. During my three years of studying literature at university I had the fact that you must p-l-a-n e-v-e-r-y s-e-n-t-e-n-c-e hammered repeatedly into my brain. I was thus very relieved to learn that one of my favourite authors, Tom Robbins, doesn’t plan a single thing before he starts attacking his keyboard (you can read that quite fascinating, if badly formatted aricle here.) This article by Chuck Palahniuk also offers some very sage and succint advice. Bear in mind that both of these authors have an approach to writing that is appropriate to their style. An important part of learning how to write is learning what does and doesn’t work for you, and the only way to know for sure is to try everything.

“Maybe one day you’ll write a book as good as Fight Club,

and then Hollywood can fuck you over with a horrendously inappropriate

and unsuccesful marketing campaign too!”

2. BE CONFIDENT, NOT ARROGANT

One concept that gets thrown around a lot in my circle (or hexagon, or trapezoidal pyramid) of friends is the concept of confidence vs arrogance. As an artist, you have to know that what you are creating is important, original and exciting. If you don’t believe that then it’s highly unlikely that other people will. However, this doesn’t mean that you should make the mistake of thinking that you are the greatest writer since Tolstoy or people will slap you down faster than you can say the Death of Ivan Ilyich which, granted, isnt all that fast. No one wants to work with jerks; not publishers, not agents, not publicists and not that hot girl with the unpronounceable Slavic name who answers the phone at Allen & Unwin.

“If that arrogant bastard calls me again, I am going to

shove a bottle of my unkle Petrov’s cheap vodka up his conceited ass.”

3. USE SOCIAL MEDIA

A lot of authors talk about how useful social media are for marketing and promoting their work, but it seems to me that their collaborative benefits are often unwisely overlooked. Recently I was researching for my next book God in a Coma and I asked for suggestions of strange and interesting medical conditions to afflict one of the central characters with. Within MINUTES I had dozens of replies for everything from Jerusalem Syndrome to Teratoma. Two minds are better than one they say, and the several hundreds or perhaps thousands of people in your personal network are better still.

4. READ WIDELY

+ +    =         

This might sound overly simplistic, but if you are a sci-fi writer who reads nothing but sci-fi or a crime thriller writer who only reads crime thrillers then your work is going to reflect that, and not in a good way. Personally, I think writers who only write in one genre or style are crazy. If imagination is limitless, why would you then elect to shackle it with artificial constraints? Then again, I’m forced to describe my novel as a ‘dark comedic philosphical travel fiction novel’ and there’s no denying that’s a mouthful, so each to their own. However, having a broad artistic palette of styles and concepts to mix into your work is going to produce a piece that is interesting and diverse. Read trash as well, so you can learn what makes it trash and make sure your work doesn’t start inadvertently heading in the same direction. I try to read a mix of fiction and non-fiction to harvest ideas and concepts for stories. I just read a book on neuroplasticity that was a veritable gold mine for character concepts. Sound/colour synesthesia anyone?

5. CHOOSE THE RIGHT NAMES

This is something that is often overlooked, but choosing the perfect name for your character is essential; just think of the iconic examples like Anna Karenina, Gandalf and Jane Eyre or more modern ones like Juno. A name that is not only interesting but suits the protagonist can define the way the story takes shape. I like to use imdb.com to search for interesting names, or else scan those baby name sites (if you can endure the unceasing onslaught of pink borders and nappy ads). Once you find a name that you think fits, google it and see what it comes up with. I thought ‘Lenka’ was going to be perfect for one of the characters in A Beginner’s Guide to Dying in India until I googled it and found out that popular media is currently associating that particular moniker with the twee pop songstress. Highly unacceptable for a sassy German philosophy student with a penchant for hallucinogens.

“Imagine if my name had been Stacey. That would have been balls.”

6. WRITE WHAT YOU LOVE

A lot of people will tell you to write what you know. But guess what? Tolkien never actually met a single hobbit, elf, or dragon and look how his writing turned out. I think a better piece of advice would be write what you LOVE. Kate Morton, who was my tutor in first year Introduction to British Literature, told me that. To be honest I didn’t pay that much attention in first year as I was too busy getting drunk and (unsuccessfully) chasing after girls in my history classes, but thankfully I retained that one piece of advice.
Be aware that this doesn’t mean you should launch into something you have no idea about. It’s important to research thoroughly, audiences are smarter than a lot of writers (especially TV writers) give them credit for. The days of erroneously labeling your characters with multiple dissociative personality disorder ‘schizophrenic’ are long gone thankyou very much wikipedia.
Write what you have a genuine interest in creating, not what you think the audience wants to read. If you don’t have a personal connection to the material then that will show and your work will suffer as a result. I can only pity the hundreds of hack writers currently scrambling to cobble together some sort of tepid vampire romance in order to ride the coatails of Twilight.

6.5
One of the best pieces of advice I have ever heard is also one of the most common, and for good reason. If you’re going to embark on a journey that is going to take years to complete, you want to enjoy yourself along the way, so remember this above all else:
“Write the book that you want to read.” If you can do that, then let me know when you finish and I’ll look forward to reading it too.

***

Josh Donellan is the author of the award winning novel, A Beginner’s Guide to Dying in India. The book has been described as “part comedy, part tragedy, part henna-drawn thriller peppered with romance and intrigue” and according to a review at Amazon.com, the book “made me laugh, ponder, and feel proud of my generation”. Grab your copy today at Amazon.com or the website.

Josh is also a poet, musician, installation artist, teacher and event manager. He was almost devoured by a tiger in the jungles of Malaysia, nearly died of a lung collapse in the Nepalese Himalayas, fended off a pack of rabid dogs with a guitar in the mountains of India and was sexually harassed by a half-naked man whilst standing next to Oscar Wilde’s grave in Paris.

Jezabels EP launch with SONGS @ the Clubhouse

Saturday November 28 2009

Words and pictures: Kate Scantleton

I am a very picky gig-goer when it comes to venue. Normally, I steer well-clear of any place that will be full of rude, selfish and uncaring-when-it-comes-to-music members of the general public. Walking into the Clubhouse, this is EXACTLY what I was expecting, being a small portion of the Family/Empire franchise and my previously bad experiences with such places. Much to my surprise, it was the opposite. Nice people, nice venue, nice gig all round.

Having never seen the Jezabels before, I can tell you now they are either a band that you will love to death or not appreciate at all. They have a very specific, artistic style of music – the kind of you can hear playing whilst looking out the window of a speeding train disappearing into the country-side at dusk on a sunny day. It certainly has a magic about it, and the mixture of beautiful, feminine vocal melodies, clean and delightful piano backing and fast-paced drumming creates a perfect melding of rock, pop and musical genius.

Touring off the back of their latest EP release, She’s So Hard, it is apparent that the Jezabels are a very hard-working, The set was beautiful, delicate, interesting and dramatic, the highlights being Disco Bisuit Love, Be A Star, and Unmarked Helicopters. It was easy to see that the crowd was awe-struck after the set finished, with people still milling around, waiting for more.

Next up was SONGS, whose mix of old-school pop and rock had the entire crowd entranced throughout the set… once the sound guy got things sorted. Having just released a new album, they had the repertoire to show their abilities as a serious pop/rock group, which they did with ease.

The night was one filled with the basic, no-frills pop/rock tunes that we seem to lose track of nowadays. Without bothering to embellish music with the synthetic sounds that we all find too common in this day and age, these two acts have managed to create their sound with the simplicities, and not compromise integrity whilst doing it in style. Nice people, nice venue, nice gig all round.

Blitzen Trapper Blitzes the Hifi Bar Brisbane

Saturday November 14, 2009

Words and Pictures: Kate Scantleton

It’s great when you enter a live gig with no expectations and walk out having been blown away. Such was the case of US band Blitzen Trapper @ the Hifi Brisbane last night. The Hifi Brisbane has, until this point in time, not stood up to the expectations of many (including myself) in terms of providing a great show. It can be safely said that after watching last night’s gig, the Hifi Brisbane has finally found its mojo. It was only a matter of time!

The ‘Trapper are the kind of musicians that refuse to be ‘boxed’ into any particular category, mixing country with electro-pop, grunge-esque guitar licks with sweet harmonies, and a capella melodies with synthetic noise. They make it work. Let me give you the heads up, these guys are destined to be the next big thing. Jump on the bandwagon now while you’re ahead.

Let me set the scene for you: Trapper are a six piece, all members of which chip in all over the place – drummer Brian Koch and guitarist Marty Marquis create the most amazing harmonies with lead singer Eric Earley, whilst the rest of the band, Erik Menteer, Michael VanPelt, and Drew Laughery, jump between bass, guitars, synth, keys and percussion. Mix these amazingly talent gents with catchy tunes and an hour and a half of non-stop music, and you have yourself one hell of a gig.

Blasting onstage with Sleepytime in the Western World, the band made it blatantly clear what the audience was in store for. Filling the rest of the set with songs from their numerous releases, highlights being Black River Killer, Silver Moon, Furr and Big Black Bird, the set was filled with both sweet, soft melodies and intense crescendos.

It was surprising to hear of a not-so-well-known abroad band touring Australia, and leading up to the gig I was a little unsure of whether their performance could actually warrant an international tour. I can certainly say that my attitude has completely done a 180. This is one band who have managed to capture the hearts of good music followers, and I personally have not been able to remove them from my mp3 player since. I’m very much looking forward to their future return to our welcoming shores.

Josh Pyke: The One-Man Show

Words: Leah Holdsworth
Pictures: Kate Scantleton

Memories and Dust as well as other less known (but no less enchanting) songs, he seemingly created an effortless calm ambience. One amazing thing about this talented young man was his ability to wholly enthral the crowd throughout his whole set. Dancing slowly on the spot, singing the lyrics softly under their breaths, the audience gazed up at him with total admiration. It was clear that this audience felt a personal connection to the words that he sung. Pyke himself seemed to be genuinely enjoying his own performance; it was particularly sweet to see the satisfaction on his face after every time he sung ‘I’ll just hold you tight and we’ll not let those fucker’s in’ during his rendition of The Lighthouse Song.

Josh Pyke started the evening with a solo set. Singing catchy tunes such as

Though the audience was certainly not becoming edgy, and in fact were rather visibly enjoying his soft performance so far, a set change took place and soon Pyke was joined onstage by a select few of his fellow band members. A quirky element soon became clear on stage, as little and cute instruments were used by the other band members. These additions included a toy piano (that had the musician hunched over in an eccentric, but nonetheless adorable, fashion), a miniature guitar, as well as Pyke’s own signature harmonica. The energy soon began to build, finally reaching a peak during the crowd favourite, Middle of the Hill. The song and the atmosphere was unreal and climactic – the audience truly ‘went off’.

And, though it did not seem possible at the time, a third set change occurred with yet another change to Josh Pyke’s performance taking place. A harder, rockier sound was added as another element to the evening, which created a delicious, delicate balance between soft acoustic, quirky rock, and an alternate rock sound. Overall, the evening was thoughtfully planned out, and Josh Pyke’s performance certainly satisfied the masses. Indeed, Josh Pyke managed to do more than just satisfy the audience; he created an evening that will surely be remembered fondly by all, as was clear by the smiles that played on each of the faces I glimpsed as I left.

Painting the town Red

Red: A Choose your own Adventure Musical – The Cement Box Theatre – Saturday 5^th September

The ingredients for a good night out are numerous and varied, but ultimately always include the following: Good music, interesting people, and laughs.  Thankfully all three are supplied by the cast and crew of Underground Productions latest offering.  Musical misfits unite as the Brothers Grimm classic Little Red Riding Hood is given a modern and adult twist.

In the grand and increasingly popular tradition of fractured fairytales the scene is set by a vaudevillian inspired Narrator.  His classic one-liners are delivered with a smile that augurs mischief to come as he’s joined on stage by the Prologue Girls for a witty musical number.

Indeed all the music and dialogue portrays an eclectic mix of satirical, adult witticism and references to popular culture.  Composer Joshua Adams came up with the theme tune ‘We’re off to Grandma’s House’ whilst twinkling the ivories garbed in fishnets.

Henceforth it’s no wonder the production pays homage to the Rocky Horror Picture Show, particularly through the character of The Wolf.  Although the notion of a cross-dressing wolf isn’t new, Josh Pearcy certainly imbued the character with idiosyncratic elements that made it his own.

Julianne Clinch was charming as the 21^st century Little Red, whose performance was reminiscent of a young Judy Garland.  We first meet the heroine of the tale whilst listening to her iPod and being scolded by Ma Red, thus establishing the petulant basis for her quest to Grandma’s house.  Upon the way she is met by a gaggle of characters dependent on the audiences choosing.

Audience participation is what sets this production aside from other adult variations of fairytales.  Although democracy reigns supreme and I was unfortunately denied the chance to witness the Prince slay the Wolf using nothing but his wit, the version I was able to witness was in no way disappointing.  Far from it I’m now aware of how best to brandish a pool cue in defence of a sword.

Jessamy Ross’s performance as Rap’n'Rizzle was another highlight of the production.  Her interpretation of the character seemed effortless and combined with her strong vocals; one wonders if she secretly desires a career as the female Eminem.

Not only was the audience treated to witty repartee between the stage manager and the Narrator, but a horde of pirates with one confused ninja, sensually clad whores, and original musical numbers that had your feet tapping along with the beat.  The chorus were able to seamlessly change character and present several high-energy musical routines without loss of enthusiasm.

Red is playing at the Cement Box Theatre, UQ St Lucia, Wednesday 9^th September to Saturday 12^th September 2009.  To book tickets leave a message at or text 0433809256 or email contactus@undergroundproductions.org.au.

Morning Glory

his & hers have been frequenting breakfast joints of a Saturday morning for about a year now and have decided to unleash their eggy hotspots to rumbling Brisbanenite tummies. The breakfast dining craze has grasped the River City by the stomach of late and is the trend-setting, fancy-sounding place to be seen. Watch out for their tastebud-tantalising weekly reviews.

Venture to…

The Little Larder, New Farm
Salt, Rosalie
Pearl Cafe, Woolloongabba
Brown Dog Cafe, Woolloongabba
The Alibi Room, New Farm

Where the wild things are… a travel memoir

I’m playing with a pink dolphin, there are piranhas snapping at my heels and 20m down the river, a 10ft alligator prowls hungrily on the shore – where the bloody hell am I?

This is the story of a seven-month trip around the world, as experienced by me, Melissa Spurgin and my big sister Hayley. The itinerary? Asia, South America and the UK, with a few side-trips. The objective? To see and do things that will make our friends at home writhe with jealousy. The result? You’ll have to read to find out…

First stop… Malaysia

then onto… Vietnam

next… Laos, Cambodia and Thailand

and then…Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia

Bolivia Part II, Bolivia Part III

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