edgemag.com.au | june 2009

Splendour In The GrassRoyal Treatment PlantHelp Save FBi radio

Sarah BlaskoKarl BroadieTemper Trap

The GratesCarl RisleyWhite Lies

Wagons

The first album I bought was Tears On My Pillow

by Kylie Minogue ....

Kate Miller-Heidke

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Simon & GarfunkelA lot of water under the bridge but still old friends

win tickets

Simon & Garkunkel

Australian tour

(see page 7

for deta

ils)

mus i c >> a r t s >> e n t e r t a i nme n t >> mon t h l y

Publisher/EditorLeigh Harris

Sub EditorMatt Brodtke

Contributors:

Stephanie YipLouisa Andrews

Denning IslesAnna BoltonKate LeaverNikki Friedli Barry BissellAndrew G

Jono ColemanGrace Harris Galbraith

Matt BrodtkeLucy Vader

Kirily SuggettSam Balzac

Matt Brodtke

Design & Layout

Leigh Harris

Contact

Leigh HarrisTel: 02 8006 7755

leigh@edgemag.com.au

PO Box 476Darlinghurst NSW 1300

Distributed exclusively via the Leading Edge Music retail network, Australia’s independent music retail experts.

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Five tours not to miss

Australians of all musical appreciations will be satisfied with Simon & Garfunkel, Pink, Seal, Beyonce and Liza Minelli all touching down on our shores in the next few months.

5

Wrap

2 June 2009 | edgemag.com.au

Classy jazz & soul singer, an ‘act of god’ greek boy, some Black Ice rock gods and the golfing shock rock original... plus the rest.

Welcome, Alice CooperLock up your chickens and sharpen the guillotine because that celebrity golfer, radio DJ, master of shock horror rock is heading our way. Since the 1970’s hits I’m Eighteen, School’s Out and Welcome to My Nightmare Cooper has continued to delight fans for over 30 years. Considered by Rolling Stone Album Guide as the world’s most “beloved heavy metal entertainer” and credited with transforming rock’n’roll with his horror imagery and stage shows, Alice Cooper is nothing if not an original and well worth the ticket price.TOUR DATES8th August -WIN ENT. CENTRE, WOLLONGONG 21st August- NEWCASTLE ENT. CENTRE 22nd August - BRISBANE CONVENTION CENTRE 24th August - SYDNEY ENT. CENTRE26th August - ROYAL THEATRE, CANBERRA27th & 28th August - PALAIS THEATRE, MELB.29th August - THE BARTON THEATRE, ADELAIDE 1st September - CHALLENGE STADIUM, PERTH

Bookings: Ticketek 132 849 or ticketek.com.au or Venuetix (08) 8225 8888

BeyonceThe highly anticipated I Am… tour is almost upon us. Make sure you have your tickets in advance as these shows are sure to sell out fast. ticketek.com.au.

Simon & GarfunkelThe 5 time Grammy Award winning duo are back for their brand new Old Friends tour. There are only 9 shows Australia wide and tickets will be selling fast. ticketek.com.au

PinkPink’s Funhouse tour, is her second sell-out tour in Australia and not to be missed. Don’t hesitate or you’ll miss out on the best show this year.ticketek.com.au

SealWith two already sold out shows in Sydney and a third just unveiled, Seal’s Soul tour has been met with spectacular world-wide reviews. ticketmaster.com.auticketek.com.au

Liza MinelliAward winning, iconic, a life like few others, Liza with a Z will be touring in October and November. This tour is set to be one to remember. ticketmaster.com.au or 1300 883 622

Paul Capsis at the Vanguard

Paul Capsis, who recently played Riff Raff in cult classic stage show The Rocky Horror Show, is returning to The Vanguard for two solo shows, his first in Sydney, in over two years. Capsis has captivated audiences in Vienna, Edinburgh, New York, London, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Australia with his high energy blend of pop-rock with his extraordinarily soulful, award winning voice. An iconic actor, Capsis starred alongside Alex Dimitriades in Aussie cult film, Head On, as well as a number of theatre performances such as, Absinthe, The Lost Echo and Boulevard Delirium, the latter for which he scored the Helpmann and Green Room awards. After selling out his last Sydney shows, tickets for these shows will be selling fast.

Tickets are on sale now for $36 ($40 at the door) for Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd of July . Tickets (02) 9557 7992 or www.thevanguard.com.au

Geyer’s Renéesance continuesOur favorite “white Hungarian Jew from Australia sounding like a 65-year-old black man from Alabama”, Renée Geyer, is currently touring the country doing what she does best, delighting audiences with her stunning voice and soulful performances. If you haven’t already gone out and bought your own copy of Renéesance, Renée’s new album from Liberation Blue, we suggest you go directly to your local Leading Edge Music store right now and get one! For tour details check out www.reneegeyer.com.au

AC/DC Black Ice TourTickets went on sale on May 25th for AC/DC’s 2010 Black Ice tour and 15 minutes later they’d sold out! More shows have been added and they contin-ue to sell. When the Black Ice tour winds up in 18 months, the band are estimated to have played to over three million peo-ple.. With over 200 million album sales worldwide, AC/DC can surely claim to be true rock music royalty. Wolfmother are set to join AC/DC on the Australian tour and with 48 semi-trailers of staging and equipment the Black Ice tour will hit 5 capital cities with one of the largets outdoor stadium stage productions ever seen. Debuting in the number one spot in 29 countries, the Black Ice album was released in Australia last October by Albert Productions and distributed by Sony Music. The album proved AC/DC are still the masters of rock.For tour information acdctour.com.au

3edgemag.com.au | June 2009

BLACK SORROWSHARLEY AND ROSE(1990)

Joe Camilleri recently celebrated his fantastic 45 years of making music with a special anniversary gig at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre. The night was filled with sensational songs, from the Pelaco Brothers to the Falcons and, of course, The Black Sorrows. I’ve always loved the Sorrows – I used to see ’em on Sunday afternoons when they were starting out, at a little place in Melbourne called Café Neon. Sometimes I’d have a few too many drinks and, by the end of the day, I’d find myself on stage! Joe reached a commercial and creative peak with the Sorrows – both 1988’s Hold On To Me and 1990’s Harley and Rose went triple platinum. Harley and

Rose was released the year that they took the trophy for Best Group at the ARIA Awards. It featured just two top 40 hits – the title-track and Never Let Me Go, featuring the powerhouse vocals of Vika Bull – but it’s an album of remarkable depth. Nearly two decades later, it’s still a joy to listen to. Just check out tracks such as Hold It Up To The Mirror, Tears For The Bride and Baby It’s A Crime. An Aussie classic from the Maltese Falcon!

It’s been another busy month on The Jono & Dano Show. One of the highlights was when Scott Carne (Kids in the Kitchen), Brian Mannix (Uncanny X-Men) and Dale Ryder (Boom Crash Opera) joined forces to perform a very special Gimmy Jimmy. This is when our favourite artists play us a version of one of their favourite Cold Chisel or Jimmy Barnes songs. The guys chose to do ‘Good Times’ and it was amazing.

Jono & Dano also got to chat to the stars on the 51st TV Week

Logie Awards red carpet. However the glitz and glamour proved all too much for Dano and he collapsed on his way to the function room. Dano is all well and good now, however Jono will never let him forget that he ruined his night at the Logies.

Don’t forget to tune into The Jono & Dano Show weekday afternoons from 4-7pm across Australia.

Jono & Dano

G’Day, Andrew G here with your update on what’s happening at Take 40.

We’ve just kicked off our second series of the Take 40 Live Lounge with Wes Carr taking the stage on May 11! Coming soon we’ll have Short Stack and Evermore - make sure you head to take40.com to find out how you can get tickets to one of these exclusive gigs AND to check out Wes Carr’s fantastic performance online!

We’ve also been busy catching up with Green Day for the release of

their brand new album ‘21st Century Breakdown’ which you can listen to at take40.com. While you’re there you can watch my interviews with Hugh Jackman and Eric Bana and of course many many more!

Tune in to the nation’s biggest countdown, Take 40 Australia on a radio station near you every weekend - AND get exclusive video updates on your compatible Telstra Next G mobile!

Observers may have seen Riseley back in 2007 present himself as Australia’s answer to Michael Bublé and Harry Connick Jr. But to listen to his album The Stillest Hour, he is much more textured than the straightforward pop-jazz of those two. And he is the first to agree. He explained to me that on Idol, ‘That was the simplest way to describe where I was coming from, most people know or have heard Bublé’s and Connick Jr.s music… but by no means does it end there!’ Some fine jazz standards dovetail with the velvet touches of J.J. Cale and James Taylor, and hint towards something uniquely ‘Riseley’: something we will have to wait for, as he is currently working on his third album of originals. The Stillest Hour nicely whets the appetite.

Riseley also is defined by his time as a trumpeter for the Australian Navy (check his seriously good horn playing on My Funny Valentine). His time with the Navy saw him serve in the Middle East and do all those boot camp things, and he retains a deep respect for the Navy.

The first thing you notice about Carl Riseley is his disarming and forthcoming sweetness. Without any pretence, Carl welcomes me with a ‘Hey Lucy!’ like we were old friends, and sets an affable tone for our interview about his second album, The Stillest Hour. From a snug café in Melbourne, Riseley spoke to me about his rather elegant career to date, from his musical intentions to an impromptu, if a little tipsy, performance for his girlfriend on a steamboat on the Mississippi.Lucy Vader: Tell me about your new album.Carl Riseley: The Stillest Hour is my second album and it’s basically a return to romance. It’ll get you laid! It’s a snapshot of my musical influences, maybe hinting

where I’ll be going with my next album, and kind of describes who I am. LV: Can you guarantee it will get me laid?CR: Maybe not you. But it is romantic, which is cool. Romance is pretty scarce these days, with J.T. “bringing sexy back”, people have forgotten to make room for romance. So I’m bringing romance back. LV: So The Stillest Hour is your second album, it’s got some great covers and some really quirky surprises in there. I won’t lie – I was afraid it was going to be saccharine or overly commercial, but it’s neither! Some elegant jazz choices and some other timeless pieces. CR: Uh – thank you? I wanted to make an album filled with complex sounds, music and jazz that I really love and means something to me. Brian Jones the album producer has been amazing to work with, and the musicians – Bill Risby, James Muller, Hamish Stuart and Jonathon Zwartz have all been inspiring. In a break from the jazz I was able to integrate some of my long-time musical inspirations like JJ Cale and James Taylor. LV: It was great to hear that hint of diversity in your song choices. Hearing your take on My Funny Valentine and just your sandy velvety tones both in voice and horn throughout the album makes for an album and an artist who has longevity. When are we going to hear your very own diversity: some originals?CR: That’s next! I’m working on originals and this current album is kind of a necessary step in that process. It has to be right, be good. It takes a little time to build up the ear of those I play to, to be able to define myself as an individual voice – which incidentally has taken some getting used to. Coming from the Navy, being part of “the band”, to being the headline act, that has really taken some

getting used to. But I’m getting used to it. LV: There’s some great horn playing by you on the album: are you missing the Australian Navy? CR: I wear the uniform around the house sometimes if I get a little nostalgic. Rachel [Riseley’s girlfriend] loves it. Nothing kinky though. But really, I love the Navy. If I wasn’t doing this, I be doing that. LV: You’re looking, shall I say, pretty bloody dashing on your album cover. Does Rachel have to keep you safe from adoring fans?CR: Totally. She’s my protector! She keeps me safe. LV: So what have you two been doing lately? You can’t just record albums all year can you?CR: I took Rachel to New Orleans recently, romancing her. All that music and roots stuff over there was great for me to absorb. I arranged a special dinner steamboat trip for the two of us, with a special little band. I pictured us drifting down the Mississippi on a magnolia night listening to jazz... It was meant to be something perfect for the two of us – but… the band missed the boat, all but the sax player! So I had a few too many glasses of champagne and I just got the sax player and I sang for Rachel myself. It was actually pretty special.LV: And a bit corny!CR: Hey, romance is back, babe.

CARL RISELEY THE STILLEST HOUR is released through Universal Music.

Bringing back the romanceCarl Riseley is an escapee from Australian Idol, and a very talented one at that writes Lucy Vader

Barry Bissell

Andrew G

Lucy Vader: Well hello. What’s this new album all about? Where’s it come from, where’s it going, and where does it stand in relation to the universe?Karl Broadie: Branches is new for me, a change, which was basically all brought about by my Texan producer Craig Ross. He inspired and influenced me to an utmost degree.LV: You had quite an intense rapport with Ross didn’t you? Was it a sort of Karate Kid / Yoda and Luke Skywalker association? Like ritual discipline and all that mother jazz?KB: Yes! The album was a Ross-method, a method I had to commit to entirely or not at all. Very Zen… or a benevolent dictator. Sometimes if I was having trouble with a recording he would say, “Go out and take a walk in the bush. Clear your head.” It was just the two of us up in the bush doing two-week dense recording

sessions together, very isolated. It was metaphysical. LV: Branches is about growing. Is that something that’s been on your mind and that you’ve been actively doing for yourself?KB: Subconsciously I am continuously doing that, making things move, change, shaking things up. I actively made this album happen with a few words to my publisher in Melbourne, instigating a growth. I’m a bit of a hippy really.LV: A bit!KB: The song on the album Once In Your Life is about initiating your destiny, like I initiate my life through meaningful gestures towards ultimate destinations. I like everything hippy. I’m into the reincarnation thing. LV: Do you know who you’re a reincarnation of?KB: Well… Not wanting to say too much, but… I have the same birthday as Jimi Hendrix, and… He died

prior to my birth, so… LV: Wow – Hendrix. Moving on – you’re a singer-songwriter: how do you compose your songs? A few chords first, or do the words come first?KB: Two basic ways, for me. One is spending time alone scribbling ideas as they come and letting my hands wander anywhere on the guitar, searching sounds. The other way is with the guitar, finding a progression or a riff, and then mumble a bit of stuff. Occasionally it works differently, such as in Once In Your Life. With that song I actually had the line going around it my head and it forced its way to a song, as though it had to be written. LV: You’re self-confessed “extremely private”, yet you reveal your vulnerability through your music on stage for people’s entertainment. How do you explain that paradox? Is it a thrill or a social duty?

KB: It’s a funny one that, but it is to be true to being a songwriter. I am a songwriter and a singer – not a painter or an interpretive dancer (though I wish I were). It’s me being real… It’s an urge. A cringing urge. LV: Hmm. I wonder if that’s a result of having grown up in a family of Scottish philosophers and artists. I suppose you’ve been an existentialist since the age of four?KB: Of course. My childhood environment inspired and informed much of my creative choices later in life.

KARL BROADIE BRANCHES is released through Universal

Karl Broadie is an award-winning singer-songwriter originally from Scotland, and has been living in Australia for the last ten years – thankfully retaining that sexy Scottish accent. His new album Branches is his latest creation, a poetic yet tough series of roots folk fusion, writes Lucy Vader.

4 June 2009 | edgemag.com.au

Denning Isles: So what’s been going on with the band lately? Paula Steel: We have just been recording actually. Last week we were in the studio, working on our second album. We’ve been recording a lot and getting new songs down. DI: When are we going to be able to hear some of those tunes?PS: Well, I put one song up on the My Space last night. I haven’t mixed it properly, but I just stuck it up. We’re hoping we can do some releasing towards the end of the year, definitely in the U.K and hopefully at home (Australia) as well. Hopefully around August or September. DI: How has the album been going so far?PS: Yeah, pretty good actually, we’ve been pretty surprised and excited about the take up in Australia. There’s been heaps of positive feedback and lots of people interested in the album which is really exciting for us. We’re very DIY and based in the U.K. For us having Universal pick up on the record in Australia was really exciting. So were just seeing how it goes and enjoying the ride. DI: How did you score a record deal? How did that come about?PS: We released the album here ourselves on our own kind of label and Universal here (U.K) gave us a licensing deal, as in they put us in the shops, which was fantastic as it was sold thought the U.K. But the Australian guys heard it and thought ‘This is great, let’s release it in Australia and give it a bit of an airing.’ But they just sort of contacted us and said would you like to do this and we like fantastic, its very exciting for us and you know, great for us to get stuff out. For me it’s kind of a recurring theme, I find that with Australians in general, if they really like something they’ll go for it, but in the UK it’s a bit like you’ll go for it if you’re told its cool. And at home I’ve always felt that even with, just like Triple J, the new music scene works, so what people just really dig they’ll go for. I was just really chuffed to have support from home. DI: Where’s home for you?PS: I guess home is Australia. I’m not sure what part though because my parents moved and my friends have all moved. But I guess Sydney, Newcastle, that kind of area. I always see my home as in Australia. but I don’t really have a permanent base there anymore. I’d really like to, but I’m based here with the band. DI: Where abouts are you living now?PS: I live in London, in north west London. It’s a bit different to home, but it’s fine. I love it. DI: Did you met the band over there?PS: Yeah. I met DJ the bass player a bit randomly actually. I met him at a bus stop a little bit out of London and he had a bass guitar on his back. I was looking for a bass player, at that point I was just doing acoustic stuff on my own and we just got talking and luckily for me he was just really up for playing stuff. My strength has always been in that I like to write songs and that I really enjoy song writing, but I’ve never

been the world’s most genius guitarist and certainly hadn’t played with a drummer or a bass player. So he was gentle on me. And from there we met our drummer and our guitarist. And finally from there our keyboard player Tom. It kind of all fell into place, but at the beginning it was just me and DJ and a couple of acoustic numbers. Very different from where it is now. DI: How did you go about getting the name?PS: Umm, yeah. (Laughs) A lot of

people are like what a stupid name! At least its not like a ‘The’ name. Not another The Kooks, The View. You know?!It’s really funny, people either really like it, or they just think ‘you idiots’. I guess for me, it was a real play on words. An Aussie friend of mine was talking about needs and he was talking about the royal treatment. And we kind of had this idea of a treatment plant, where you go to get treated or have treatment for the mind or treatment for the body or treatment for the soul. Almost like an institution and The Royal Treatment Plant ,a place where you go and you get treated and get it all off your chest. And I really like the imagery of all that. Although my friend said you’re basically just posh poo. And I was like ‘yeah…thanks for that’.So it’s a bit off the wall, but I quite like it. I like the imagery around the album, we designed it. We chose a chain link fence. I guess it is a little bit symbolic of a chain or fence around a prison or a treatment plant. It’s kind of alluding to that. It’s a little a bit imprisonment as well.DI: How does that relate to the music?PS: I think personally, I would never

have really thought I would play guitar and be in a band, but I am so far removed from my childhood and the way I was brought up and being in a band is definitely something I want to be doing, but for me it’s finding a place where I can air my thoughts and my views and be free. And it’s all tied in a little bit. It’s treatment plant for my mind and my creativity and I don’t really have any other way of doing that. But I’m sure the boys would say, ‘Oh it doesn’t really affect the music at all, we just

play the drums, yeah’. They’re just following me, crazy crazy girl. DI: What made you choose music as a career?PS: I have always done music all my life. I’m classically trained on piano and flute actually, and that was something we were allowed to do in the church I was in at the time. But you couldn’t do ballet, and you couldn’t do sports. Because the religion that I was in, was Seventh Day Adventism, as a kid there were a lot of things you couldn’t do, like sports, coz most things you do were on the Saturday. So that really wasn’t an option. But the church really encouraged music. And that’s what I did. I joined the school orchestra and that school band and things like that. And I think it wasn’t really a choice, it was just one of those things we were allowed to do. But during those teenage years I stuck my fingers up at music a bit and thought screw this, I’m bored of practicing and the pressures of that. I did it for my HSC but did it half heartedly really, and then it wasn’t till I started doing my own music that I actually felt like this is what I want to do. It was never convincing when I was playing a piano piece or giving a flute recital.

I always enjoyed music, but this is the first time that I found it was me. DI: Are there any other things that, when you were little, you had wanted to be, like a fireman or something?PS: I really wanted to be a ballerina. It’s so pathetic. Like every girl, I really wanted a pony and I really wanted to be a ballerina but we weren’t allowed to dance in the church that we were in. It was like dancing leads to sex. I was like ‘Really? Even ballet? Surely that’s just disco dancing.’So, I really wanted to do that but I did do a lot of dancing later on. But at the time I wasn’t really allowed to follow my dreams. But I’m kind of glad in a way. Not crippled from pointed shoes. When I first came to London it was to dance over here, because I finally rebelled enough to be allowed to dance. DI: So back to the music. Do you have any up coming shows? Or a chance for Aussie sto see you?PS: Oh, I wish. We haven’t got anything lined up, like an Aussie tour yet but it would be awesome to do that. I might try and do some acoustic shows when I go home for Christmas. I might try and drag the boys over too. We’ll just have to cross our fingers, it would be fantastic to play at home. DI: Have you been touring much?PS: We’ve been kind of busy actually working on new stuff at the moment. We’re playing a few low-key festivals in the summer and just doing some London based gigs and we’ll see about Europe. It’s interesting, we’re very chuffed about the album coming out in Australia, but here we’re very DIY. So we do a lot of things ourselves like little tours up north and things like that. But there’s not some kind of huge machine behind us throwing us on world tours. But it would be really good if that happened. At the moment we’re just focusing on new stuff and seeing how it goes down in Australia. DI: Hey, do you guys have a My Space or a website?PS: Yeah, it’s just myspace.com/royal treatment plant and I’m a bit on facebook, although I tend to sign us up to stuff, and then I forget and can’t be bothered doing it, and then I’m left with all these weird looking profiles with profiles that are just rubbish. But MySpace is good. And we’re on Facebook as well. Although I haven’t ventured to Twitter. Do you have atwitter account?DI: No, I was about to ask you if you have Twittered yet? You know, it’s the thing. PS: (Laughs) Have you done it? DI: No, I draw the line at twitter. PS: (Laughs) Well I just can’t bare the thought of something else I have to update. I get the guilt’s. I just never use the Facebook and never really update my profile. Do people really care? I don’t know?I just don’t have enough to say to the world I think. DI: It’s all on the album. (laughs)PS: Oh that’s a good point.DI: Cool. Well that’s it from me. So thank you for your time.

Royal Treatment PlantPaula Steel from Royal Treatment Plant found Myspace and heading to London helped get a record deal writes Denning Isles

Temptations of the Temper TrapBy Anna Bolton and Louisa Andrews

Melbourne band The Temper Trap has recently departed our shores to base themselves in the UK. We were lucky enough to catch up with Dougie and Toby from the band before they jetted off. The Temper Trap made their mark on Australia with their single Sweet Disposition, and their new album Conditions is due to be released here on June 19th.

As hard as is to up and leave your home

country, the Temper Trap have indeed set off to merry old England to make a name for themselves over in Europe. Obviously, Australia’s distance away from… well… ANYWHERE, makes it “really inconvenient to be here and try to promote your music in that part of the world”, explains Toby, “so you have to relocate yourself so you’re only two hours away from Paris or three hours away from Belgium, or wherever.” Having moved half way around the world myself (in fact, the exact reverse move to what they’re doing!), Dougie’s intention to “squeeze in family time when I can, because I’m not going to see my Mum for a while” seems entirely logical and well thought out.

“I want to be successful,” Dougie ponders when questioned about his ambitions, “Whether that’s monetary success or just a sense of… achieving success in my own terms.” Success is certainly something that the band has been experiencing a fair bit of recently, playing at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas in March this year alongside bands such as Birds of Tokyo, Third Eye Blind, The Proclaimers and Razorlight, and approximately 1800 other musical acts from around the globe.

“South by Southwest was one of the most fun things to do, and the responses were really good.” Toby recalls, “It’s opened up doors to a lot of things. We applied for South by Southwest two or three times before and got rejected a couple of times. And there’s always been a bit of disappointment, like we tried to go overseas a couple of times and it got cancelled at the last minute, but generally we’ve been pretty lucky with the opportunities that have come our way… If people haven’t heard of us before, they might think that we’ve just come out of nowhere. But it’s been, you know, 4 years as a band and our whole lives learning our instruments and putting all that hard work and dedication that it takes to get anywhere.”

That hard work and dedication has been keeping the boys very busy, and as the rain continued to pelt down outside, Toby mentioned how nice it was to just be able to “zone out and listen to the sounds of the world.”

The Temper TrapConditions liberation - Out Now

Royal Treatment Plant’Not Enough Out nowBacklight Music/Universal Music Australia.

The Truth Behind White Lies

By Anna BoltonLondon trio White Lies has burst into the spotlight in a flurry of dark-edged, pulsating, danceable rock. As part of their world tour that sees them perform in Japan, New Zealand and around Europe, as well as in LA alongside Kings of Leon, the trio will be stopping in Australia to play at Splendour in the Grass before setting off on a series of sideshows in Sydney and Melbourne.

‘We put some songs out on the Internet,’ the band’s bassist and lyricist Charles Cave recalls when I ask him about their first big break,‘ then our first show was in February last year at Hoxton bar, in Kitchen, in London, which had a capacity of about 300. We rehearsed for 4 or 5 months beforehand, and when the show came we were horrifically nervous. It sold out in a day, and we had 500 or so people trying to cram in. We got signed to a record deal a few weeks after.’

Their debut album, To Lose My Life, went straight to #1 in the UK, and led to a string of appearances and headlines around the world, including at Lollapalooza, Fuji Rock, SxSW and the Leeds and Reading Festivals. ‘I think we’re doing really well. We’ve been playing at a lot of festivals, and want to build up a foundation around the world.’

‘We had no ideas for the first record. We never really discussed what it would sound like. We went with our instincts, our intuition.’

‘A lot of things on the first record we were really excited by, like experimenting with violin and strings.’ Their second record, that Charles assures me will be released, hopefully in the first quarter of next year, will follow on from the first in a kind of ‘natural evolution.’

When I ask about the depth to their sound that is often described as being quite dark, and even gloomy, Charles opens up about their vibe and inspiration.

‘It really exposes you as a person… It’s emotional music, but not negative. We take little things from different places, and try to write our music organically, without trying to copy anyone.’ ‘We know each other so well that we’ve learned to be influenced by each other, and inspired by the way each other works.’

‘People say we have quite a mature sound for only 21, part of that is growing up in London. Children in London grow up faster, I think. Kids in London discover drugs and alcohol at 13 or 14, whereas kids growing up in the country don’t discover them until 18 or so. We had to use our imagination to make our fun.’

‘None of us have [been to Australia],’ Charles says eagerly when asked about their upcoming appearances, ‘but we’re all really looking forward to it. We’ve heard loads about it. It should be great fun. Splendour will be our first show in Australia, then we’re doing some shows in Melbourne and Sydney, then going to New Zealand I think. Then back to America for a few days, then Europe… We’re touring non-stop until Christmas.’

6 June 2009 | edgemag.com.au

Whenever I stare into my goldfish pond and think about what I’d like to do if I could be someone else, I invariably imagine myself in The Grates. I’m absolutely serious – I always picture them in their music video for Aw Yeah; surrounded by colours and magic and shiny skin-tight jump suits. So when I was given the opportunity to speak to Alana Skyring about the band’s upcoming tour and success in the US, I was pretty damn excited. And the best part was that she was exactly like I’d hoped she’d be – okay, so she was freezing in a crowded van in New York City; not exactly the ideal atmosphere for jumpsuits, but after our twenty minute phone conversation, I was almost ready to call her back and beg her to be my new best friend!

The Grates have built up quite the die-hard following here in Australia since first being featured on Triple J in 2004. The Brisbane band’s live shows have become legendary for their boundless energy, and vocalist Patience

Hodgson’s quirky stage costumes, and their most recent album, Teeth Lost, Hearts Won featured three singles that have found places on Triple J’s 2008 Hottest 100 list.

However, this year The Grates left their familiar, lyric-screaming Australian audiences behind to perform at the renowned South by South-West music festival held in Austin, Texas. Playing alongside the likes of Tori Amos, Ben Harper and Metallica, the three-piece consisting of Patience, Alana and John Patterson received rave reviews from US critics and with rumors of an album in the States heavily circulating, it would definitely seem that The Grates have tapped into the notoriously tricky American market – a feat many Australian artists have failed to achieve.

Now The Grates are returning triumphant from what would appear to be a very successful US debut, and jumping straight back into the Australian touring circuit. In the upcoming months the band is scheduled

to release a tour edition DVD of Teeth Lost, Hearts Won, perform at the Groovin’ the Moo festivals and on Rove as well as headlining their own national tour – aptly titled the Biggest and Longest Adventure Tour- supported by Children Collide.

Despite the band taking off internationally, Alana was very quick to tell me that The Grates in no way considered themselves rock stars, and you know what? I totally believed her. For me, the band’s appeal certainly lies in the fact that The Grates have maintained their shiny quirkiness and colour regardless of critics and the New York weather. Indeed, Alana appeared to be as eager telling me all about the massive variety of food available in New York as she was talking about the success of the tour.

The Grates concerts combine brilliant indie rock tunes with electric showmanship (and fabulous costumes!). For those of you who have yet to see them – do it soon before you miss out; it should be huge.

Hearts Won – The Grates in Concert

Henry Wagons is a man of many paradoxes. To start, he’s a country singer who’s spent little to no time in the country. So, does he reckon this makes his music any less authentic? Not in the least. “Country’s unadultered, crazy, heart-wrenching narrative-based music and it doesn’t matter if you’re from the country or not. There’s also a tradition of calling upon the land and living on a farm and working the land. I’m of the opinion that my experience with the outer suburbs of Melbourne when I was growing up are just as desolate and isolating and frustrating as any experience in the country. I may not have got my hands dirty quite as much, but I have a feeling that the emotions of country folk and city folk, when it comes down to it, aren’t that different.” From the looks of the audience and their checked shirts, he’s probably right.

Wagons’ latest album The Rise and Fall of Goodtown is another strange paradox about a town that is far from “good.” “It’s basically a made up place, but it’s based on the idea that there’s something grand over the hill, but when you actually climb over it after going to all the effort to pack your backpack and get there, it’s actually shit and you wish you’d stayed home and played with your dog,” says Wagons. “It’s a bit of a depressing thing to name an album after, really.” This negative

take on death’s grass-is-greener ideal is not singular however, as death is a running theme in Wagons’ music despite his positive personality.

“When I first started Wagons, there were a whole lot of relatives dropping, and friends and so on,” explains Wagons. At the time he was listening to country and southern rock music, enthralled by their death ballads and haunting gothic sounding tracks. “I thought the songs were cool and I was being surrounded by death.” So he used this as inspiration. “Also, there’s this aspect to it where I get to exorcise all my demons in song. I’m a pretty happy guy, by and large, and I think maybe part of it might be that I get to sing about all my morbid thoughts in song and get them out there and not bottle them up.”

And Wagons is well aware that once the songs are out there, there’s no turning back. The only thing you can do is either shy away from them or embrace them. Wagons does both, making it a point never to listen to his music after it’s been recorded because he’s always worried he’s going to find something that he wants to change. “You always have regrets. I politely ask people to turn off my music if I walk in and hear it being played. I really don’t like it. I get a bit embarrassed.” It is at this point where he recollects, “although I’m more than happy and in fact

enthusiastic over playing my music live in front of as many people as I can. I love playing with my band and treading the boards on stage.” Needless to say Wagons are well worth catching live if you get the chance.

The Rise and Fall of Goodtown is Out NowSpunk/EMI.

www.wagonsmusic.com www.myspace.com/wagonsmusic

By Louisa Andrews

Wagons on the rise By Stephanie Yip

7edgemag.com.au | June 2009

The evidence speaks for itself. Tickets for their tour, their first of Australia since 1983, are in hot demand. And its not only ageing baby boomers who want to see them. Simon & Garfunkel’s music also resonates with the children of baby boomers, who respond to the harmony, emotion and timelessness of their classic repertoire. It is something very special which sustains that level of stardom.

As a duo, Simon and Garfunkel have sold more than 40 million albums in the U.S. alone; received five Grammy Awards - including the 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award - and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. They supplied the soundtrack for an era, punctuating the years from 1964 to 1970 with their poignant, sensitive tracks. They put exquisite poetry to song and once it became popular it stayed that way. Show me another pair of melodic poets so successful they can tour as white-haired men onstage with little else than their vocal chords, their words and a guitar.

Members of Gen Y know the music of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel through osmosis. Classics like Mrs Robinson, Homeward Bound, Bridge Over Troubled Water and Sound of Silence have played in movies, on parents’ playlists and remixed in elevators - the final frontier of cultural permeation, says Art Garfunkel. Gentle icons of the ’70’s, there really is no modern day equivalent to Simon and Garfunkel. That’s why they’re still touring; two old men recreating the magic they first made as teenage buddies.

The Old Friends in Concert Tour through Australia and New Zealand next month is a celebration of friendship as much as it is music. Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel have been friends now for half a century. Solo careers and disagreement have threatened their friendship over the years but something about their transcendental music and tessellating creativity has brought them back together.

Listening to a rare interview with the two men from a few years ago, on The Weekend Edition with Scott Simon, it’s obvious how much respect and well-worn affection there is between them. “He’s my oldest friend,” said Simon, “it doesn’t make sense to remain estranged. It’s more important to repair the friendship”. Garfunkel echoes the sentiment: “Paul Simon has enriched my life.” They are familiar but polite with one another, asking “Should I answer?” before they respond to a question. It’s an old fashioned kind of

politeness, the likes of which are not heard often on radio waves these days.

According to Paul Simon, it was Art’s singing in a grade four talent competition that inspired him to get into singing. They wrote and performed music throughout school, but by the age of 15 had decided to give up on making it big. They paid the seven dollars to lay down a track in a recording studio and like all good tales of musical destiny, someone happened to hear them and signed them on the spot. At this stage they were using pseudonyms

Tom and Jerry and their first hit was the age-appropriate Hey Schoolgirl. They recorded the song on a tape player and then harmonised with themselves as they recorded on a second tape player. This simple, beautiful layering of vocal parts would characterize a lot of their music, though I imagine they had more sophisticated equipment.

To do justice to the song Sound of Silence onstage, Simon and Garfunkel said they slow it right down, draw out the introduction like is only effective with epic, recognizable classics

audiences are yearning to hear. “It gets so liquid in the guitar part” says Paul Simon, who wrote the song when he was 21 years old. The haunting lyrics ring true in many a scenario, but they were written originally to capture the aftermath of John F Kennedy’s assassination in the early 1960s. It was inspired by the bewildered mourning of a country whose leader had been taken away too soon. Like a few of their songs, Sound of Silence struck a chord both politically and emotionally.

As ever, the intricacies of the music are best described by the artist. Art Garfunkel describes it thus: “The heightened intensity of The Sound of Silence gives way here to a gentle mood, and the melody is once again a soft, smooth vehicle. It is a painting that sets a scene, sketches some details and quietly concludes.” Paul Simon says the lyrics “burst forth, practically writing themselves”. Such was the flow of inspiration, writing about the lull in societal conversation within a distressed public after JFK died.

The soundtrack for the movie The Graduate, starring Anne Bancroft and Dustin Hoffman was supposed to have three songs from Simon and Garfunkel. The boys ran out of time to write that many songs and ended up adapting a song originally written about Mrs Roosevelt. The song Mrs Robinson was split up and played throughout the movie as somewhat of a fractured theme song. Rather than the original political message, the song now followed the title character through an adulterous affair with a much younger man, who is engaged to her daughter. The plays on religious guilt - “Here’s to you Mrs Robinson, Jesus loves you more than you will know”- and timely references to political figure Joe DiMaggio made it a complicated but wildly popular song.

The joy and wisdom of Simon & Garfunkel’s songs is universal. This has never been more evident than when Art Garfunkel was traveling in the Amazon. He was visiting an isolated village, and heard a girl playing a guitar. He went to listen to her, and they communicated through chords as she spoke no english. They played a South American tune together and then he gestured for her to play a song, any song. She played The Sound of Silence. She did not know who she was playing it to, she did not know the meaning of the words. It was a tune that had seeped so far into global culture it somehow reached a small Amazonian village.

Kate Leaver was yet to be born the last time Simon & Garfunkel toured Australia in 1983.

SOUND OF A GENERATIONSimon & GarfunkelSimon & Garfunkel are each other’s oldest friends. After a 40 year career, their fans feel pretty much the same way about the legendary duo and their songs writes Kate Leaver

WIN GOLD TICKETS TO SEE SIMON & GARFUNKEL IN CONCERT

Brisbane - Entertainment Centre: Wednesday 17th JuneSydney - Acer Arena : Saturday 20th June

Melbourne - Rod Laver Arena: Thursday 25th June Adelaide - Entertainment Centre: Tuesday 30th June

Perth - Burswood Dome: Thursday 2nd July

Two (2) GOLD tickets to each Australian show valued at $259 each to be won by readers of THE EDGE.To win, email or write to us in 25 words or less, tell us why you deserve to win. Every entry must include the name of the Leading Edge Music store where you picked up your copy of THE EDGE, your full name,

address, telephone number and which show you want to attend. Entries close 5pm June 15th 2009.Email: win@edgemag.com.au or mail to THE EDGE PO Box 476 Darlinghurst NSW 1300

The FrayThe FrayPopSony Music/Epic

I was pretty certain I knew what I was going to get before I even started listening to The Fray’s new self-titled album. I was pleasantly surprised. To be honest, I don’t know why they chose to release ‘You Found Me’ as the first single for the album, because, frankly, the rest of the album is a lot more exciting. It still has that Fray sound that we’ve come to expect, but this time around there’s more energy, more force behind the music, more experimentation with a bit of a different sound. Definite thumbs up. [AB]

EminemRelapseUniversalHip Hop/Rap

Yes, he’s still singing about his Mum...Well, if you’re a diehard Eminem fan you’ll enjoy this album. I was hoping the long-awaited come-back album might’ve held something new and exciting but I feel like I’m listen-ing to the same Mum and politics fuelled gaglines. Eminem still seems stuck on the whole Mum issue with track three titled My Mom and centred all around his Mom and all why she’s the catalyst of the screw-ups in his life. Mate, move on. Then some more Mum-burning on track four. I still feel like I’m listening to any other Eminem album – but it’s not all bad. The tracks are actually a little infectious and you can bop along on the odd occasion. Despite having had a few years off, don’t think Eminem has grown up much – he’s still aiming for shock value with confronting lyrics and backing them with the standard catchy hook. Overall, not impressive but not a complete failure. [Nikki Friedli]

8

REVIEWS

albums

June 2009 | edgemag.com.au

Daniel MerriweatherLove and WarRnB, Acid JazzMarlin Records / Universal

This may be first time you’ve heard of Daniel Merriweather, but I’m sure that it wont be the last. This Melbourne born singer is well on his way to becoming a household name with his latest release ‘Love And War’. It’s a smart, classy, piano driven album that parallels the success of the retro-retrieving artists such as Amy Winehouse (except without the issues).Merriweather has already had international success with his first single ‘Change’, featuring Wale, which has paved the way for a similar reaction here in Australia. He presents himself with a class and style that is refreshing to see. But despite what I say, the simple fact that Daniel is a dashing 20-something makes him a prime candidate for poster-plastering teenagers as well as the Starbucks-drinking, Grey’s Anatomy fans. An album not to be missed. [Denning Isles.]

Maximo ParkQuicken The HeartIndieWarp/Inertia

Produced by legendary Nick Launay (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Nick Cave, Talking Heads), the third installment from Maximo Park is set to cement the band’s already staggering success as U.K indie-rock gods. Their first album, ‘A Certain Trigger’, was voted Triple J’s Album of the Week and after sell out shows nationwide, their vast fan base will be ecstatic with this new arrival. With punky guitar backing, air-raid sirens and intense drums, Wrathlike is the nearest the band comes to an anthem song from this album. The technical advances the band has made are well represented with the robotic rock in Let’s Get Clinical. Recorded in Los Angeles, the album has a dark and gloomier edge to previous releases, and the first single, The Kids Are Sick Again, demonstrates Paul Smith’s vocals brilliantly, epitomizing the album’s darker nature. The twelve tracks on the album are grittier and packed to the brink with catchy hooks, poetic lyrics and infectious beats. ‘Quicken The Heart’, will do exactly as promised, and get your heart pumping and your head banging. [Matt Brodtke.]

Grizzly BearVeckatimestIndieWarp/Inertia

Hailing from Brooklyn, this quartet’s newest album is a cultivated step forward for the already successful band. Combining spiraling harmonies and mainstream pop sensibility with a soulful independent edge, Grizzly Bear are baby steps away from international super-stardom. Channeling a Buckley-esque pristine quality to these tracks, it’s no wonder, that this album is a likely contender for Album Of The Year. With dazzling string arrangements, choir backing and a synthy indulgence, ‘Veckatimest’ is without a doubt, one of the most anticipated released this year, and deservedly so. [MB].]

Ronan KeatingSongs For My MotherFolk / Easy ListeningPolydor / Universal. Ronan Keating is done trying to convince us he is cool with his latest release Songs for My Mother. A compilation of songs by artists that inspire memories from his life with his mother (who recently passed away). Songs such as Time After Time, I Believe I Can Fly and Suspicious Minds are revisited with ac lass and style not often seen in music these days. Each song has a description as to why it was chosen for the album. The booklet features a paragraph on each song giving insight to their life and the significance. The songs are sung with a respect and warmth. I get a sense that Keating is finally not trying to reach an younger audience he is more or less out of touch with. This is an honest effort and is evident through the music. A surprise success not to be missed. [DI]

Green Day21st Century BreakdownPunk/rockWarner Following up from Green Day’s highly regarded (and hugely popular) masterpiece American Idiot was never going to be easy, but the trio from Berkeley, CA have produced a most worthy record: a pop punk explosion called 21st Century Breakdown, another concept album that follows the story of two young lovers – Christian and Gloria.21st Century Breakdown features the trademark rumbling shuffle beats from Tre Cool’s drums, and high caliber machine gun fire from Billie Joe’s guitar.It’s like someone has let a hand grenade off in a can of spray paint. Highlights include American Eulogy, Before The Lobotomy, the Middle-eastern inspired Peacemaker and the ballad 21 Guns. [Martin Gallery]

DatarockRedPunk/FunkEtcetc

Datarock are back, with a follow up album to their 2005 self titled release. Red is aimed to be a concep-tual guide to a far out and alternative reality open-ing the album with a sci-fi adventure with the entire album hanging only loosely in this dimension. “The Pretender”, has an unasham-edly Bowie-like sound, while the morality-meets-disco rant on “Fear Of Death” is musical juxtaposition at it’s best. The Norwegian band have al¬ready been smeared all over our televisions with their first single, Give It Up receiving major airplay on Triple J, Channel V and MTV. The single also has received major internet cult status with the video clip featuring amazing dance moves and, as the album title suggests, red everything. Red is a retro-futuristic album with a unique sound which will be burning up the airways and underground clubs every¬where. The band are touring nationally in June and their album comes out June 12. [MB]

Alela DianeTo Be StillFolkRogue Records/Inertia Alela Diane’s follow up album to her initial critically acclaimed debut, ‘The Pirate’s Gospel’, is nothing short of breathtakingly spectacular. Her mournful and refreshingly unique voice is cap¬tivating from start to finish with obvious and welcomed influ¬ences from the 60’s. This album encapsulated sounds from every corner of the earth, with an ingenious mandolin in ‘Tattered Lace’, and a harmoni-ous pedal steel on the title track. Lyrically speaking, this album is as close to perfection as one could hope, with lines like, “Night can’t hide a man when his eyes are tearing, the night can’t hide his cries”, creat-ing pure poetry. Baring more of her soul on this album than her previous, we wonder what else she has lurking in that petite yet formidable frame. This album is a must have for any person who truly loves and appreciates beautiful and touch¬ing music. [MB]

RelapseEminemUniversal Music Australia

Songs For My MotherRonan KeatingUniversal Music Australia

You’ll Never Walk AloneAndrew RieuUniversal Music Australia

21st Century BreakdownGreen DayWarner Music

Together Through LifeBob DylanSony Music

top albums

1

2

3

4

5

We Made YouEminemUniversal Music Australia

Love StoryTaylor SwiftUniversal Music Australia

Boom Boom PowBlack Eyed PeasUniversal Music Australia

Right RoundKeshaWarner Music

LovegameLady GaGaUniversal Music Australia

top singles

1

2

3

4

5

Live In LondonLeonard CohenSony Music

CathedralThe PriestsSony Music

Live In AustraliaAndre RieuUniversal Music Australia.

Twilight (2008)Kirstin StewartDV1

AustraliaNicole KidmanV2M

top dvds

1

2

3

4

5

FunhousePinkSony Music

The PriestsThe PriestsSony Music

It’s Not Me, It’s YouLily AllenEMI

FearlessTaylor SwiftUniversal Music Australia

Session 6Varioious ArtistsUniversal Music Australia

6

7

8

9

10

charts

Armin Van BuurenA State Of Trance 2009 DanceStomp/Armada

This two disc annual release continues to pump out the latest and greatest in trance hits. Split into two segments, On The Beach and In The Club, Van Buuren seamlessly blends his craft into an amal-gamation of greatness with remixes by Cosmic Gate, Nick Chagall and many oth-ers. Van Buuren’s strangle-hold on trance compilations has never been more appar-ent, and this double disc, packed with both popular new wave trance and some of the rising tracks, will be filling our dance floors in next to no time. [MB].

9

(FBi radio is) “the finger in the dyke of the flood that is globalisation”

Paul Mac

albums

edgemag.com.au | June 2009

Keith UrbanDefying GravityPop/Rock, Country. Capital Records / EMI We all know Keith Urban for his winning smile, Hollywood hair and that career boosting Marriage, that all in all (despite playing Country music) has made him inconceivably famous. His latest collection of tunes is entitled ‘Defying Gravity’. I waned to like it, I really did, but with the majority of this album featuring mediocre love songs I found it hard to stay engaged. I have seen him do some incredible musical things in his time. It’s a real shame that it doesn’t show on this album. For what it is, it’s good. But nothing really grabbed me or made me want to come back for more. With a solid fan base alrea y in place I believe this will do well, but id be surprised if it got him many more fans. [DI]

True LiveFound Lost

True Live presents an interesting mix of genres and sounds, all mashed together into one action packed album. They present a sound that they’re proud to say doesn’t fit into one specific genre- more like a combination of many. Overall, this works pretty well for them, though there are a few interestingly placed piano melodies and some of the tracks just didn’t really do it for me. [DI]

MC LARSThe Gigantic Robot Kills.Post-Punk/ Electro/ Hip-HopTaper Jean / Shock Records From out of the scene known as Nerd Core comes the Electro/Post-Punk/Hip-Hop mastermind MC Lars. The Stanford College Graduate speaks to the teenage generation like no one else. With numerous pop cultural reference and a clever social commentary ‘The Gigantic Robot Kills’ hits home with some deep issues and some absolutely hilarious songs. Tracks such as ‘It’s Not Easy (Being Green)’, which looks at Global Warming in an honest and true but light hearted way, are juxtaposed to songs such as ‘MC Lars Facebook Friend Count, Your Facebook Friend Count’. I don’t know how he did it, but he pulled together some big names to feature on this record such as; Simple Plan, Wheatus and Weird Al Yankovic (to name a few). You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll finally understand your own kids. This is album not to be missed! MC Lars; [SB]

Jamie HutchingsHis Imaginary ChoirShock

Jamie Hutchings of Bluebottle Kiss has released his second solo record – His Imaginary Choir. He sings about driving down the Hume Highway and the Harbour Bridge, and he sounds lovely, with an acoustic rock sound that is easy to listen to, and lyrics that are sure to mean something to most Sydney-siders. My personal favourite track is number 2 – You Don’t Dance, which alternates between being sweet and funny. Whether driving through Sydney or at home, His Imaginary Choir is a good, appropriate album that is sure to put a smile on your face. [Anna Bolton]

Bertie BlackmanSecrets and LiesForum 5/MGM

Sydney-based singer-songwriter Bertie Blackman burst onto the Australian music scene with the release of her first album, Headway, in 2004. Since then, her original acoustic folk origins have grown and evolved to take a more pop-orientated focus, without losing any of her infectious and unique sensitivity. Her newest album, Secrets And Lies (released May 8 2009), delivers track after track of deep and chilling honesty, beautifully marrying synths, keyboards and samplers. Her truly angelic voice tops off the impressive album, produced by Lee Groves (Gwen Steffani, Aqualung) and François Tetaz (Gotye, Architecture in Helsinki). Despite having been influenced by acts such as Radiohead, Iggy Pop, Eurythmics Bjork and Erykah Badu, Bertie has created a very distinct sound of her own that marries each of these styles with her own intrinsic pomp. It’s one of those rare albums that you can play and play again without getting tired of it.

The album opens with Sky Is

Falling, hauntingly moody and dreamy yet chillingly soothing. Thus begins the impressive journey that is Secrets and Lies. Track two, Thump, takes a sudden step forward in a much more upbeat direction and from there, the album is a beautiful mesh of her distinct styles and influences as it leaps and glides effortlessly through genres, moods and tempos. Track three, Black Cats, again takes us in another direction as the electronica influences of Radiohead kick in. As the album twists and turns through the depths of psyche and desire, you’re taken on a sensory and highly visual journey, through the ghostly Shout Out and Town of Sorrow to the livelier, vibrant Heart and Byrds of Prey.

Bertie explores mood and sense in a highly original way. Pop takes on a whole new meaning with this deep, dark and insatiably alluring album. The album’s first single, Heart, has already won the hearts of many, receiving much airplay both on community and commercial stations.

Hilltop HoodsState of The ArtHip-hop / RapGolden Era Records

Its been a long time since we’ve heard from aussie hip-hip group the hilltop hoods But their recent hiatus has successfully paved the way for their incredible new album ‘State of The Art’ Three years in the making, State of The Art takes their music, and the genre of hip-hop, to a whole new level. Encompassing their familiar award winning sound and drawing inspiration from classical, reggae and even their own fans, this album has the heart, depth and maturity needed to becoming an instant classic. Their first single ‘Chase That Feeling’ is a perfect example of their well produced and well though-out sound. This track also features similar string arrangements to their remix album The Hard Road Restrung, which the band recorded with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra in 2008. Other stand out tracks include ‘last confession’, where MC’s Pressure and Suffa are rapping as if they’re in confession booths. And ‘She’s so ugly’, discussing the brutality of the music industry, features sampled music created by an 18 year old German fan State of The Art is nothing short of an incredible album from the always fresh and innovative Hilltop Hoods. If your not a lover of the band, this is definitely worth a listen. But for those who are, State Of The Art is most definitely worth the wait.

Cage The ElephantCage The ElephantIndie RockSony Music

As the sounds of Cage The Elephant seeps into your ears, you instantly get a little cynical. It can’t really be this good can it? But yes, it really can. Their single release Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked isn’t even the best part of the album, surprisingly. Cage the Elephant leaves you with an Arctic Monkeys aftertaste but still have their own wonderful tang. From begin-ning to end this is a brilliant album; plenty of guitar and hooks more infectious than that nasty strain of cold that floats around the office every winter. Cage the Elephant is polished enough to be a nicely pulled together enough and rusted and gnarled enough to keep its quirk and energy. Get in early while you can still say “I was into them before they were cool” and while their concert tick-ets are still cheap. [NF]

William FitzsimonsThe Sparrow & The CrowFolk/RockMercer Street/Inertia Fitzsimmons’ first studio album has already won the coveted title of Number 1 Folk Album of 2008 by Itunes with its digital re¬lease. The Sparrow and the Crow is essentially a divorce album, where Fitzsimmons unleashed the barrage of emo-tions he’s left to face after he and his wife separated. The divorce album is rock’n’roll tradition which Fitzsimmons takes to grand new heights. The surprise to this album is that, while it is in essence a dark and hopeless voy-age of divorce, the feeling of hope returns within the arrangements. The singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has a cap¬tivating and soulful voice which he show-cases brilliantly with his intensely deep and provoking lyrics. Fitzsimmons has received acclaim for his songwriting by Billboard and Paste Magazine and handful of his songs have been featured on television shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, One Tree Hill and Army Wives. A practicing therapist raised by two blind parents, Fitzsimmons has that soulful edge that will blindside millions and unknow¬ingly turn them into true folk fans. [ [MB]

Leader CheetahThe Sunspot LettersEMI

This Adelaide band has definitely shot off to a good start with The Sunspot Letters. Perfect beaches and lazy afternoons shoot- or rather, amble- to mind when listening to Leader Cheetah’s debut album. Folk rock meets surf rock in an impressive collection of endearing tracks, highlighted by fantastic guitar and great vocals. One to look out for! [DI]

Jesse HarrisWatching The SkyInertia

Jesse Harris, the legendary songwriter responsible for Norah Jones’ ‘Come Away With Me’ album success, has launched an undeniably brilliant piece of music history. The album is a ro¬mantic and original compila-tion of immediately treasured gems. The inclusion of Norah Jones on the “It Will Stay With Us” track is a subtle addition and creates a beautiful harmony. The simplistic nature of the arrangements such as “Looking Back” allow for Harris to shine above the backing and create that seamless and harmonious feel. Harris will undoubtedly win fans over with John Mayer-esque vocals and legendary Grammy award winning songwriting. This album is calm and beautiful al-lowing one and all to fall in love with it indiscriminately. ‘Watch-ing The Sky’ is an emo¬tive and provoking album with a jazzy-pop-rock fusion, which unashamedly has this reviewer dancing around his bedroom. . [MB]

album of the month

Hey MondayHold On TightSony Music

Hey Monday’s debut is a fast paced and upbeat adolescent dream. Front-woman Cassadee Pope will command the attention of teenagers world-wide with this angst-ridden and decadent album. The first single, “Homecoming” builds to a spectacular bridge and combines the fast past-high energy flare that will ensure this band’s success. In the wake of bands like Paramore’s success this album will be well received, making a demi-God of Cassadee and sending the band to sub-atomic heights. A pop-rock album, lyrically strong with catchy hooks and awesome guitar backing, Hey Monday are kissing the weekends goodbye. [MB]

BLOC PARTYFollowing on from their history making set at Splendour in 2007, British band Bloc Party returns to Belongil Fields in Byron Bay for what can only be an amazing second round. Bringing back their spiky rock guitars and electro-pop mega manipulations in their only Australian show this year, the ensemble promises to impress. Bloc Party catapulted themselves into the spotlight back in 2005 with their debut album ‘Silent Alarm’, and certainly impressed Australia when they played at Splendour in 2007. Their newest and ‘most exciting’ album to date, ‘Intimacy’, reveals a new dimension to their music, uncovering their experimentation with distinct instrumentation without losing any of their zest or intricate attention to detail that bubbles underneath each track. THE FLAMING LIPSRenowned for their elaborate live shows with spectacular light configurations and trippy projections, The Flaming Lips return to Australia to demonstrate exactly why they have managed to survive for over twenty five years. Their current psychedelic alternative rock sound has evolved through eras and trends from their punk beginnings, showing their innate ability to transcend the evil forces of time while simultaneously keep their listeners happy. Forerunners of musical experimentalism throughout their careers with tracks such as ‘Yeah Yeah Yeah Song’, The Flaming Lips don’t stop there. Their live shows always get audiences pumping, while their gurgling electricity and densely textured tracks exhibit a raw energy that grabs your attention and won’t let go. JANE’S ADDICTIONAfter close to seventeen years since their last performance, the original line up of Jane’s Addiction have once again reunited and prepare to prove to Australia why they have such a reputation for legendary live shows. The Californian alternative rock quartet emerged in 1988 with the release of their debut album, ‘Nothing’s Shocking’, and since then, their punk, rock and metal inspired tracks and phenomenal live shows have resulted in the band being dubbed ‘icons of the Alternative Nation’. This most recent tour follows on from a 5-year hiatus, and their performance at

Splendour is greatly anticipated.MGMTLast year New York-based psychedelic pop band MGMT’s Australian tour sold out phenomenally fast. Since then, the band’s 2008 album ‘Oracular Spectacular’ went Platinum on the ARIA charts in Australia, saw three singles achieve top 20 positions on the Triple J Hottest 100 list (including #5 for ‘Kids’, and #2 for ‘Electric Feel’), and was hailed by NME as the best album of the year. So it would seem that MGMT are pretty popular here in Australia, and well deserving of their headlining spot on the Splendour bill!HILLTOP HOODS2009 is set to be a massive year for Australia’s most successful Hip Hop group. Following on from the long awaited release of their fifth album, ‘State of the Art’ in June, and the launch of their own record label, Golden Era Records, the Hilltop Hoods have embarked on a national promotional tour, headlining at the Groovin’ The Moo festival as it travelled down the East Coast, and taking the stage at Splendour. The Adelaide-based group pack a soulful punch with a broad Aussie accent, demonstrating the talent most deserving of their two ARIA Awards. The Hoods have almost single-handedly created the Australian Hip Hop scene, and continue to nurture it with constant support of up and coming bands. MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTSDescribed as ‘Australia’s masters of intergalactic space revelry’, Melbourne-originating band Midnight Juggernauts are bringing their gritty/psychedelic/electro/synth sounds to Splendour in the Grass. After receiving a massive reception alongside Klaxons, !!! and Holy Fuck in Europe and the UK, as well as playing the main stage at the Big Day out in 2007, Midnight Juggernauts will surely show the Byron crows what made their hugely acclaimed release ‘Dystopia’ so exceptional.THE SPECIALSAfter seven consecutive UK top 10 singles between 1979 and 1981, and having influenced renowned electronic bands such as Air, in 2008 it was announced that iconic English ska revival band, The Specials, would reunite for a 30th Anniversary tour. They have. And they’re coming to Splendour.

SARAH BLASKOSarah Blasko is without a doubt one of the most talented singer-songwriters Sydney has to offer. Her unique voice, combined with a soulful array of pianos, guitars, woodwind, strings and synths, projects heartfelt emotion in every song. Her most recent album, ‘What The Sea Wants, The Sea Will Have’, debuted at number 7 in the Australian Album charts, and exudes class and seamless composition, while her most recent work, produced in Sweden, is scheduled for release later in July. She’s toured with the likes of James Blunt and Martha Wainwright, and has gained the reputation of being one of Australia’s best live performers.AUGIE MARCH Augie March takes you on a lyrical and melodic journey into a fantastic rock n’ roll inspired world, churning out distinctive and unpredictable tracks. The unique voice of Glenn Richards reverberates through every one of their tracks, alongside a refreshing guitar, drum and keyboard core. Their first two albums, ‘Sunset Studies’ and ‘Strange Bird’ in 2000 and 2002 paved the way for ‘Moo, You Bloody Choir’, which won the 2007 Australian Music Prize and was nominated for 7 ARIA Awards and pushed the band into the mainstream, with the single ‘One Crowded Hour’ receiving critical acclaim. Their most recent album, ‘Watch Me Disappear’, released in 2008, continues to present intricate, lush and poetic vocals with arcing pianos and melodic acoustics.FRIENDLY FIRESWith their debut self-titled album going Silver in the UK, being nominated for a Breakthrough Artist Award at the Southbank Awards and the award for ‘Best Dancefloor Filler’ at the NME’s as well as being listed second on the bill of the NME Awards Tour this year, English shoegaze band Friendly Fires are coming to Splendour so we can see what all the fuss is about.LITTLE BIRDYAfter an awesome performance at this year’s Sound Relief Festival, which saw them lined-up alongside the likes of Coldplay, Olivia Newton-John and The Presets, Perth four-piece band Little Birdy should mesmerize the crowds at Splendour in the Grass. The ARIA Award nominated and WAMi Award

winning band has consistently seen singles in the Triple J Hottest 100 list since 2003, and with a new album, ‘Confetti’, on the way, Little Birdy are sure to deliver at Byron this year. BIRDS OF TOKYO Perth outfit Birds of Tokyo prepare to make their first performance at Splendour in the Grass this year. Combining talents from bands such as Karnivool and Tragic Delicate, the Birds unite melodic vocals, captivating guitar hooks and a dynamic pulse in each explosive track. Their debut album, ‘Day One’, released in 2006, debuted at #3 on the AIR album charts, while their most recent album, ‘Universes’ debuted at #3 on the ARIA album charts and #1 on the AIR album charts. They followed the release of ‘Universes’ with national sold-out tour, and embarked earlier this year on their sell-out Wild Eyed Boy tour, supported by Trial Kennedy. Their live sets are renowned for their raw energy and captivating vibe.THE GUTTER TWINSThis dynamic collaboration between Mark Lanegan and Greg Dullihas resulted in the beautiful lovechild that is The Gutter Twins. Intense emotions lurk beneath the surface of their debut album, ‘Saturnalia’ (released March 2008) as beefy guitar and earthy vocals serenade the eardrums. The album was met with consistently good reviews, being described as “a feast- but one where the dishes are served delightfully raw”. Both members bring a sense of soulful satisfaction to their alt-rock band, emanating an untapped honesty and sense of dark desire that never stops rockin’. MANCHESTER ORCHESTRABlasting out raw, firey rock and hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Manchester Orchestra is a far cry from what their name suggests. In 2007, their debut album, ‘I’m Like A Virgin Losing A Child’, commanded attention, while their most recent production ‘Mean Everything To Nothing’ has shifted up a gear, containing everything a rock record should, with upbeat tracks, gritty guitars, blasting vocals and heavy percussion assaulting the senses. After touring with bands like Kings of Leon and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Manchester Orchestra prepares to take the stage at Splendour and YUKSEK

10 June 2009 | edgemag.com.au

BLOC PARTY THE FLAMING LIPS JANE’S ADDICTIONMGMT HILLTOP HOODS

MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS THE SPECIALS LITTLE BIRDYBIRDS OF TOKYOTHE GUTTER TWINS

POLAROID FAME

JOSH PYKE

GRINSPOON

JACK LADDER

Splendour In The Grass 2009 - Byron Bay

Creating an astounding fusion of electronica and hip-hop, French performer Yuksek inspires a fantastical journey into the depths of his music. A far cry from his classical piano background, he began remixing club hits before taking the leap and producing his own. His debut album, ‘Away From The Sea’ unites pulsating dance beats with tantalising melodies, dynamic guitars, keyboards and vocoders. Hits like the single ‘Tonight’ blasted him into the global spotlight, while his live shows have gained the reputation of being dynamic and exhilarating. Explosive energy radiates through his music as tracks bounce, swirl and dip into each other. BOB EVANSPerhaps better known in his role as Jebediah front man, Bob Evans (aka Kevin Mitchell) is coming to perform at Splendour after the release of his latest album, ‘Goodnight, Bull Creek’. Following his critically acclaimed ‘Suburban’ records; Evans’ third solo offering has already received significant recognition as a more ‘rock-band’ album which ‘leaves the suburbs behind’. No doubt Bob Evans will be a welcome addition to the Splendour in the Grass line-up this year.WHITE LIESWith a debut album going straight to number 1 in the UK, the guys that make up White Lies are certainly ones to watch. Bringing back old school guitar licks coupled with a very danceable, cheeky yet melancholy indie-pop flavour, they harness the influences of bands such as Talking Heads. The group, originally called Fear of Flying, took a new approach to their music in 2006, and their first album as White Lies shows the result, with deeper, darker ballads such as ‘Death’ and ‘Farewell to the Fairground’. But the sombre subject matter doesn’t put a damper on the music, with each track having an endearing energy that permeates the darkness. KRAMAfter hitting up national radio stations as the drummer and singer of Spiderbait as well as valued contributor to ‘supergroup’ The Wrights, Kram (aka Mark Maher) has just released his solo debut, ‘Mix Tape’. His subsequent tours are selling out incredibly fast, so the lucky ones that go to Splendour this year will be able to see first-hand what

the long-haired percussionist can do!YVES KLEIN BLUEDrawing inspiration from a range of timeless acts including Bowie, Nirvana and The Clash, Brisbane-based indie/punk/pop band Yves Klein Blue are set to rock out at Splendour this year following the release of their debut album, ‘Ragged and Ecstatic’, in June. The band are currently featuring at Brighton’s Great Escape Festival, and touring throughout the UK, whilst back home in Australia their singles are getting significant airplay on Triple J. With such a successful introduction into the industry, YKB’s performance at Splendour should definitely be one to remember.DECODER RINGForerunners of Australia’s experimental electro rock scene, Decoder Ring effortlessly churn out hypnotic rhythms and entrancing sound scapes in what they identify as their own brand of visual psychedelic rock. Combining their innovative electro-pop at live shows with mesmerising video projections, the group transforms music into a visual experience. Merging echoing guitar notes, glockenspiels, organ chords, xylophones and an array of other instruments, the group presents a refined and emotive journey through the imagination. Their current single, ‘Beat the Twilight’ is out now, and after touring with Coldplay on their Viva La Vida tour, Decoder Ring once again returns to hypnotise the crowds at Byron Bay.LOST VALENTINOSSydney indie/dance band Lost Valentinos are no strangers to Splendour in the Grass. After a slot at the 2007 festival alongside Arctic Monkeys and Bloc Party, an extensive tour of Japan and the UK as well as supporting Van She on their national tour, the four-piece are back to wow the crowds with what NME Magazine described as ‘a skittering shitstorm of punk fury, disco beats and psychedelic excursions.’ LEADER CHEETAHHailing from the City of Churches, Leader Cheetah pump out country-infused rock ballads and cruising, smoky jams with an endearing 70s vitality. Their debut album, ‘The Sunspot Letters,’ was recorded by legendary US producer, Kramer, who has produced such talents as

Low, Robert Wyatt and Galaxy 500. Brooding harmonies and beautiful melodies combine in a gutsy and original album, with tracks like ‘Alibi’ leaving behind a solid musical footprint. They unite their unique Australian roots with traditional folk Americana in a way no other band can, presenting an impressive cascade of catchy melodies and twanging guitar licks. JACK LADDERPresenting a cascade of classic charm and alt-country ballads, Jack Ladder captures a certain honesty in his music. Exploring the facades of love in a rich blend of folk, blues and country sounds, he effortlessly portrays a sense of brooding, lovelorn balladry with a vintage edge. His debut album, ‘Not Worth Waiting For,’ was released in 2005, while his latest work has undergone significant transformation, adding a touch of raunch and swagger. ‘Love Is Gone’ was released late last year to rave reviews, and his debut appearance at Splendour is not to be missed.THE MIDDLE EASTPurveyors of laid-back indie folk tunes are The Middle East, bringing to the stages of Splendour a fantastic arrangement of acoustic guitar, lively percussion and intimate harmonies. After a brief hiatus, the band is back and in full swing, churning out charming melodies influenced by artists such as Bob Dylan and Sigur Ros. Their soothing, balanced vibe and intricate chords has led to a sell-out EP, with another available in stores as of May this year, and bound for even greater success.POLAROID FAMEThis upbeat indie rock band from Byron Bay has strayed away from the coastal cliché of rootsy acoustic rock by belting out fresh hooks and charismatic electric riffs. Their latest EP, ‘Another Place To Live’, hauls out catchy, feel-good tunes with early ‘80s pop influences, while remaining distinctly modern and inventive. After releasing their first single, ‘Facing Extinction’, they’ve teamed up again with Anthony Lycenko (The Beautiful Girls, Pete Murray, Elvis Costello) to work on their debut album to be released later in the year. Portraying an honest charm, Polaroid Fame is sure to wow their home crowds at Splendour.

GLASS TOWERSFormerly known as ‘The Stains’, young indie psych-pop ensemble Glass Towers churn out energetic and captivating tunes possessing a maturity well beyond their years, influenced by acts such as Arctic Monkeys, Pink Floyd and Sonic Youth. Driving, introspective tracks such as ‘Castles’ and ‘Adventures in Hedgerows’ have captured attention, projecting the youthful band’s talent and ambition. With an EP on the way, Glass Towers are sure to continue to grow and develop their unique sound, enchanting fans with their mesh of tambourines, keys, guitars and earthy vocals. Keep an eye out for them at Splendour!GRINSPOONARIA Award-winning Lismore indie rock group, Grinspoon, return this month from a hiatus from the spotlight to rock the stages of Byron Bay. Since winning the Triple J Unearthed competition in 1995, Grinspoon have continued to entertain audiences with throbbing riffs, cryptic lyrics, heavy beats and explosive sets abusing the eardrums and tackling the emotions. While they’ve changed their sound a few times over the years, going from deep punk roots in ‘Guide to Better Living’ to a more mainstream rock with ‘New Detention’, the band has lost none of the vigour that has won so many fans. Having been compared to other Aussie bands such as Silverchair, Grinspoon certainly will be a hard act to follow.JOSH PYKEARIA Award winning guitarist and songwriter Josh Pyke will be sharing his unique acoustic sound with the crowd at Byron Bay this year. After the whirlwind of success that his multi award-winning debut, ‘Memories and Dust’ achieved, Josh’s newest album ‘Chimneys Afire’ has already met high praise, with singles ‘The Lighthouse Song’ (which is beautiful, poetic and slightly unexpectedly obscenity-laden) and ‘Make You Happy’ (which has gained quite a lot of notoriety as ‘the guitar-boat song’), achieving top 30 places in the Triple J Hottest 100 for 2008. Already well known and appreciated on the national touring circuit (including a memorable performance at Sound Relief), this year’s Splendour-goers are in for a treat.

11edgemag.com.au | June 2009

This year Splendour in the Grass tickets sold out in one hour and seventeen minutes, which is pretty amazing by any standards. With yet another amazing line up to boast about, Splendour 2009 promises to be one of this year’s highlights.

SARAH BLASKO

AUGIE MARCH

FRIENDLY FIRES

MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA

BOB EVANS WHITE LIESKRAM

YVES KLEIN BLUE DECODER RING

LOST VALENTINOS

LEADER CHEETAH

THE MIDDLE EAST

GLASS TOWERS

YUKSEK

watch this on dvd...

Go Tell The SpartansShock EntertainmentDirector: Ted PostGenre: Drama/War

This low-budget, critically-acclaimed 1978 American war film based on Daniel Ford’s 1967 novel Incident at Muc Wa, about U.S. Army military advisors at the beginning of the Vietnam War in 1964. Burt Lancaster then 65 years old, stars as Maj. Barker limps throughout the film (Lancaster was recovering from a knee injury) Calling the script brilliant, Lancaster agreed to star in it, and, when the 31-day production budget ran short, he paid $150,000 from his own pocket to complete it. The younger actors cast were Marc Singer as infantry Captain Mark Olivetti, a gung-ho career officer seeking to earn promotion and glory, and Craig Wasson as Corporal Courcey, the idealistic college-educated draftee who wants to see what a real war is like. The film’s title is from Simonides’s epitaph to the three hundred soldiers who died fighting Persian invaders at Thermopylae, Greece: “Go tell the Spartans, passerby, that here, obedient to their laws, we lie.”

Sam Balzac

4 4 4 4 4

Meerkat Manor, Series 3Shock EntertainmentGenre: Family

Meerkat Manor Series 3, is a delightful doco for the whole family. In this creative series we follow the activities of a group of meerkats called The Whiskers through dangers, triumphs and some unusual activity you never knew Meerkats got up to. Series 3 is narrated by Bill Nighy (The Boat That Rocked, Valkyrie), who gives us an insight into the daily lives of The Whiskers family. From why they stand on their hind legs or why they bob their heads up and down when under threat or attack. These Meerkats are a highly studied group; they have been watched for ten years by the Cambridge University Collage and the findings presented by Chris Parker, who is the series producer. The series is a light-hearted look at one which captures our imagination and gives us something to laugh about, and teaches us many things about meerkats, the tiny inhabitants of the Kalahari Desert..

Grace Harris Galbraith

4 4 4 4 4

Seven PoundsSony Pictures Home Ent.Director: Gabriel MuccinoGenre: Tear-jerking Drama

Will Smith has really stepped up to the plate with Seven Pounds and blows the audience away with a dark and heartfelt performance. This exposes a whole new exciting and intriguing side to Smith's career. Seven Pounds also managed to avoid being excessively clichéd and has some genuinely heart-wrenching moments. The love story is actually touching rather than an eye-rolling oh-how-tacky add on. Seven Pounds keeps the viewer completely riveted and absorbed to the point that you get entirely wrapped up in the characters plights you're almost a little disappointed when the credits start rolling. The only downfall this film has is how the plot unfolds; at times it feels a little jerking and probably could have been revealed at an earlier stage in the film. Although, if you pay attention, it isn't too hard to suss out. This film had so much more beauty and pain than I thought a Will Smith film was capable of. delivering Nikki Friedli

4 4 4 4 4

The WrestlerRoadshowDirector: Darron AronofskyGenre: Drama

While this film isnít perfect, Mickey Rourke delivers a fantastic performance as aged and dejected wrestler Randy “The Ram” Robinson. Aronofsky obviously saw this and clung to it for dear life because this film is very bare-boned considering his other films. It’s not imagery laden, rather Rourke laden. Although, this is reflective of his barren and battered life. The film isn’t bad, it just borders on cliched at times. Rourke falls for a stripper (as Adrian was to Rocky) and he has an estranged daughter who he tries to win over etc. Aronofsky still manages to sprinkle some magic in there and pull it all together. It wasn’t unenjoyable by any stretch of the imagination; it was still harrowing and somewhat depressing as I’d hoped it would be I just hoped it’d steer clear of the Rocky-esque cliches. This said, the story is told with an exaggerated sense of simple quietness that gives it a humbling air rather than a triumphant “Hollywood” aura. Overall, worth the watch (definitely tugs at the heartstrings) but do not expect another mind-bending Aronofsky film.

Nikki Friedli

4 4 4 4 4

film review

12 June 2009 | edgemag.com.au

My Bloody Valentine, 3DSony Pictures Home Ent.Director: Patrick LussierGenre: Horror

This is a slasher film, presented in the 3D format to add an extra thrill for the viewer delivers the usual expectations of this genre; gory murders, pursuits of witless victims, sex and nudity and humourless lead characters. Some scenes are executed well enough to make you think about dodging the weapon, but the 3D could have been used a little more, even with scenes that weren’t focused on murders. The characters and reactions were stereotypical, I look forward to the day when a screen writer can create a slasher film where the murderer doesn’t stand and glare at its prey, and the lead female is not witless enough to point a gun at the murderer and not have the balls to do anything but stare as he tries to strangle her lover. For a stereotypical and predictable slasher flick, fans will enjoy the ironic humour thrown in, the gore and blood of the murders, and the satisfaction of the imagination used to kill some of the victims.

Kirily Suggett

4 4 4 4

Wrestlemania 25th Anniversary 2 disk SetShock EntertainmentGenre: Sport/Fitness

It’s a pop culture phenomenon entering its 25th year as Houston prepared to contain the Superstars of Raw, SmackDown and ECW. Twenty five years of WrestleMania built up to this year’s event, which saw over 70,000 passionate fans from 24 countries flock to Houston’s Reliant Stadium on April 5th 2009… Everything is bigger in Texas, especially WrestleMania! The triple DVD set comes in a metallic slipcase and includes the Live Main Event WrestleMania 25, plus bonus backstage interviews & more. The triple DVD package also includes the 2009 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in its entirety, which saw this year saw the induction of Stone Cold Steve Austin, Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat and Koko B Ware amongst others. Definately for devoted fans of the genre and those of us curious to watch the most entertaining ‘sports and fitness’ DVD available.

Sam Balzac

4 4 4 4 4

WIN A DISGRACE PRIZE PACK

BOOK, SOUNDTRACK & MOVIE PASS

Plus FIVE (5) runners up in-season double passes to the film to be won by readers of THE EDGE.To win, email or write to us in 25 words or less, tell us why you deserve to win. Every entry must include the name of the Leading Edge Music store where you picked up your copy of THE EDGE, your full name, address, telephone

number and DISGRACE in the subject line (email). Entries close 5pm June 15th 2009.Email: win@edgemag.com.au or mail to THE EDGE PO Box 476 Darlinghurst NSW 1300

Major Prize* Official soundtrack of the motion picture Disgrace* Disgrace, the Booker Prize winning novel, by J M Coetzee* Double in-season pass to the movie

The literary works of Bryce Courtenay and J.M Coetzee have personified the horror of Apartheid for Australians and allowed a seemingly first-hand glimpse into the disastrous events and aftermath. Coetzee, the Booker Prize-winning novelist behind such literary gems as, In The Heart Of The Country, Age Of Iron and groundbreaking and prize winning, Disgrace, has seen the latter novel translated for the screen under the direction of Steve Jacobs.

Disgrace deals with a broad range of issues, covering animal cruelty, family relationships and of course, the overpowering racial suppression and tension. The film is a co-production by the South-African and Australian film industries and screenwriter Anna Maria Monticelli has beautifully and truthfully translated the epic into a relatable and powerful piece of movie literature.

The film follows the story David Lurie (portrayed brilliantly by John Malkovich), who, as a Cape Town University professor,

is forced to seek asylum in the rural Western Cape, after a very public affair with a black student. Adjusting to the rural atmosphere, Lurie spends more time with his daughter Lucy (Jessica Haines), and through this budding relationship, the paradox of life is highlighted.

We understand from the beginning that Lurie is well absorbed in the comfort of the city, far from the feats and faces of the Apartheid. His racist and sexist nature is balanced brilliantly by his poetry lectures so it’s difficult to either love or hate him.

Lurie begins to understand that the goings-on in the cities do nothing to reflect the true nature of the Apartheid movement, yet in the desolate and rural Western Cape, the significance of these events is harrowing.

When Lurie and his daughter are faced with an excruciating encounter, (physical cruelty and violence involving persons and animals alike), the steady resolve of the two begins to weaken and they are cast asunder into more emotional turmoil and inner questioning.

It’s not until this point that Lucy begins to show her dominance and strength as a woman, and actress Jessica Haines demonstrates her growth impeccably.

The metaphoric metamorphosis of Lurie throughout the movie demonstrates the nature and effect of the Apartheid on all South African’s and the connection and continually developing relationship between father and daughter is credit to this.

With incredible cinematography by Steve Arnold, the South African landscape is visually stunning, immediately enveloping you in Jacobs’ world. The supporting cast shines magnificently and while Malkovich’s performance is brilliantly portrayed, he never outshines his co-stars, creating the perfect balance and portraying Coetzee’s novel true to form.

Beautifully written and portrayed Disgrace will shock, educate and inspire, and ultimately, teach us to accept, once and for all.

DisgraceICON FilmsDirector: Steve JacobsStars: John Malkovich, Jessica HainesRelease: 18 June 2009

14 June 2009 | edgemag.com.au

Denning Isles: Thank you for you time. How’s everything going?Sarah Blasko: Good thanks. Just getting the artwork ready for the record. DI: How has the writing process been for “As Day Follows Night’?SB: Well, your looking at the place where I did most of it. The piano here is basically where I wrote most of the record. I guess it took about a year to write the album. I adopted this weird sort of nine to five approach and I found it quite comforting to feel that there were other people working near by. It kind of felt like I was providing background music. But they can’t really hear me through that door. DI: Do you have any favourite tracks?SB: I think ‘All I Want’ is one of my favourites. That has been the song out so far. (the single). ‘Down on Love’ is one of my favourites as well because its sort of sums up some of the ideas on the rest of the album. DI: The song ‘Is My Baby Yours?’ seemed to stand out a little more from the others. What’s the story behind that, musically and lyrically? SB: With all the songs I really wanted them to have a slight feeling of an old song or an old standard. Where the structures are very simple and the themes are really universal. Most of them fairly simple songs about love or heartbreak. That song is meant to be my kind of version of a blues song. The production is very simple, like an old Leonard Cohen recording. For me it’s quite different having classical guitars. I really just wanted all the songs to be very natural. DI: I recently found out that you worked on Bell Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The program states you as a ‘Player’. SB: Yeah, I’m a “player” in the music industry. (Laughs). DI: How was this experience for you?

SB: It was amazing. It’s really weird how it all kind of came about. It’s something that I though I wasn’t sure I was capable of doing. I’ve never really just written music. So it was really scary for me. I worked way harder than I actually needed to, just out of sheer panic. But it was good because it made me feel like I had a job again. Having deadlines, going to rehearsals and meeting people who were really amazing at very different things, like acting, lighting and set design. I find that really inspiring to just be around and see that sort of work ethic. It was kind of like my dream come true. Just sitting and watching actors all day. Just watching them rehearse. It’s interesting watching the process and how it all comes together. It was hard, but good. DI: What was your role?SB: Well I wrote all the music. It was all piano music. I actually wasn’t going to be in it to begin with. I was just going to write the music but the director wanted a female player to be in it and we tried to find people and she talked me in to it, which did make the workload a bit more difficult. But it did make it easier too, because it (the music) is hard to explain to people sometimes. DI: Speaking of being a player. The other day I came across a CD single of up and coming aussie rapper BukkCity and his single ‘Nobody Wanted This’, featuring you. How did this come about?SB: He sampled my song ‘The Gardens End’ and sent me a copy of it and asked me if it was okay. And I was like ‘Yeah, sound cool’. I loved it. DI: How has it been received so far?SB: I actually have no idea. I haven’t really heard much about it. I haven’t even got a copy of it. DI: So What’s next for you?SB: Well, I’m just getting ready for the album to come out. And I’m just about to play at Splendour in the Grass. And there will be another song and a video clip before the album comes out.

DI: Are you going to be touring?SB: No, I’m not going to tour until later in the year. But it’s really just Splendour until then. DI: How has touring been for you in the past? SB: I’ve done some pretty varied tours. One time we did a string tour, another was more of just straight up band tours. Yeah, I really enjoy it. That’s what I started doing before recording, just playing live.DI: Do you have any highlights or low lights? SB: Yeah. A lowlight was when we were booked to do this show and we weren’t told that it was a University themed dress-up ball. And everyone was dressed as school kids. And there is something about a whole bunch of university students when they dress up in school uniforms that they go back to being twelve year olds. They were really drunk twelve year olds. And if you can picture that, it was 1,500 people acting like that in combination with my music. And I’m not exactly going to shout them down. But it was like hell. I felt like I was in hell. But when I think of the gigs when I started, it was actually relatively good. I had one gig once, where there were two people in the audience. It was the most bizarre gig. There were two people who were my friends and for some reason, in this little pub, the most gigantic cat you have ever seen in your life. I still, to this day, can not even believe that I saw it, it just walked past. Then these two people walked past with a big pram. No one was interested in seeing me play. Then a third person with all these beers elbows me as he walked past. There as been plenty of highs though. DI: What are the high points?SB: I’ve had plenty of great points. Playing at ‘Splendour’ last time was great. And that string tour that I was telling you about was great. We did it in two sets and it was really beautiful. With a French horn, double Bass and cello. It was very respectable.

DI: Have you embraced new social technology? SB: Oh, I’ve embraced them yeah. Just recently I’ve started twittering or tweeting or ... is that what you call it? Yeah. I kind of hate technology, I’m at a point where I’m regressing. I just want things to be easy. I want things to just have a knob and a couple of buttons. I feel quite behind. But I have been blogging, twittering and myspacing. I love how that’s a verb now. (Laughs) Yeah. But I don’t Facebook. There is something about the title that sounds so superficial. It’s a good thing, but I think people abuse it on a regular basis. I think if you just use it as a little text message, just before your about to do something, it is good. DI: What are you fans like?SB: I don’t meet them very often. I’ve never really had much perspective on that to be honest. Only what friends say to me when they go to concerts. They think that there are a lot of women in their early twenties. But then other people have said to me they are quite surprised to see people from twenty to sixty. I’d like to see people seventy, maybe even eighty years old. Try and capture a new market (laughs). But it’s a weird thing. It’s hard to realise who or what or why people like what you do.

As Day Follows NightDue out 10 JulyDew Process

Sarah Blasko makes new music with an old feel, magicIn the very room where most of her new album ‘As Day Follows Night’ was written, Sarah Blasko talks about the album and a few surprising projects that have kept her busy writes Denning Isles

SAT 13 JUNE – THE FORUM - 6PMINTHEMIX.COM.AU Presents... Do The Dance: The Save FBi Allnighter:Australia’s dance community gets it on, throwing a massive party for FBi, with a huge lineup of electro, disco and well, dance at The Forum. Infusion (live club set), Lost Valentinos, Art vs. Science, Ajax, Bag Raiders, Van She Tech, Canyons, The E.L.F., Yacht DJs, The Vanish, Spruce Lee, So I’m Jo, Magic HappensTickets $25 + BF available from www.moshtix.com.au or Moshtix Outlet

FBi FRI 19 JUNE - METRO THEATRE - 8PM STARTTIME OUT SYDNEY Presents:Join some of Australia’s finest singer-songwriters as they rally together in support of FBi. Little Birdy’s Katy Steele headlines a diverse bill with a rare solo set, Old Man River, Kid Confucius, Dave McCormack & The Polariods, Andy Bull, Laura Imbruglia, Bird Automatic, Pip Branson Corporation, Cameras+ Special GuestsTickets $25 + BF available from www.metrotheatre.com.au or 02 9550 3666

Big N Bashy - Save FBi BashmentDancehall, Reggae, Soca, Ska and Reggaeton - Some of Sydney’s best Reggae DJs together on one night!, Basslines, Nick Toth, Dynamite Sound, Spin D Music, Ro Sham Bo, Judgement, Shantan Wantan Ichiban, Featuring Dance Studio 101 performersDoors open 9pm, $10 - 53-55 Liverpool St, City.

SAT 20 JUNE – SPECTRUM - 8PM STARTFaster Louder Presents:Key players in Sydney’s burgeoning rock and psychedelic scenes unite for a killer benefit at Spectrum. The Dolly Rocker Movement, Matthew J Tow (The Lovetones), Flying Foxes, Warhorse, Joysticks

Tickets $12 + BF available from www.moshtix.com.au or Moshtix Outlet

SAT 20 JUNE – 202 BROADWAY - From 9pm - 3am,Cnr Broadway and City Rd, ChippendaleVoid Presents...Harmonic 313, Ro Sham Bo, Garage Pressure, Lorna Clarkson, Stu Buchanan, VictimMax Gosford, Andrew Maxam, Westernsynthetics, Jonny Faith, Monk FlyTickets $15 on the door

SAT 20 JUNE – MELT BAR - Doors open 9pmOff The Beat – Save FBi Funk RaiserKatalyst, Frenzie, Huwston, Tyson Koh, NaikiShantan Wantan IchibanTickets $10 on the door - 12 Kellett Street, Kings Cross

MON 22 JUNE – HOPETOUN HOTEL - 8PM STARTDrum Media Presents:The Hopetoun Hotel is already donating $1 from every door sale during May and June to help save FBi, but they love the station so damn much they want to do MORE. The Protectors, Lions at Your Door, Sideways Hitchhiker & Wim join forces to help make that dream a reality. Protectors, Lions at Your Door, Sideways Hitchhiker, WimTickets $10 & available at the door

TUE 23 JUNE – HOPETOUN HOTEL - 8PM STARTDrum Media Presents: Jamie Hutchings & His Imaginary Choir, Daisy M Tulley (Bridezilla), Art Rush, A Casual End Mile Tickets $10 & available at the door

WED 24 JUNE – ANNANDALE HOTEL - 7.30PMThe Brag Presents:A huge team of Sydney’s brightest young indie bands

are forming like Voltron to save FBi! Catch a bumper lineup including The Seabellies, Traps, Bridgemary Kiss and plenty more.The Seabellies, Traps, Canvas Kites, Made In Japan, The Model School, Le Kingste, Bridgemary Kiss, Strange Reactions, Where’s JeromeTickets $12 + BF available from www.annandalehotel.com or 02 9550 1078

THUR 25 JUNE – THE GAELIC THEATRE - 8PM STARTIvy League Presents: A League Of Their OwnThose smart guys at Ivy League were listening to FBi when they heard a demo from a little band called The Vines. The rest as they say is history, and we’ve been friends ever since. Behind some of Australia’s finest indie talent, Ivy League are bringing the family together on stage to support FBi. The Mess Hall, Red Riders, Cloud Control, Cabins, Aidan Roberts & Liam Judson (The Maple Trail + Belles Will Ring)Tickets $18 + BF available from www.moshtix.com.au or Moshtix Outlet

THUR 25 JUNE – theclubFrankie Magazine, Popfrenzy and INCU Clothing Present...Cheap drinks, late nights, BBQ, great DJs., DJs Berko (FBi), Blake Thompson (FBi), Jinx, Red Peugeot, Animal Chin and Kick Me + more special guests 33 Bayswater Road, Kings Cross

FRI 26 JUNE – MANNING BAR - 8PM STARTStolen Records Gala BallStolen Records, FBi’s hip-hop specialists, are bursting out of your radio and into Manning Bar for an FBI fundraiser massive! Catch Sydney’s finest MCs along with the Stolen Records Skrillionaires holding it down on the decks. Things are going to get messy…Urthboy, Def Wish Cast, Hau (Koolism), Hermitude,

Last Kinection, Spit Syndicate, Killa QueenzHorrorshow, That’s Them, Nikkita, DJs: Stolen Records SkrillionairesTickets $30 + BF available from Manning Bar www.manningbar.com or www.moshtix.com.au

FRI 26 JUNE – MUM, SYDNEY - 8PM til lateMum and The World Bar Present: Over 3 levels...The World Bar knows how to throw a great party, not least of all our 4th Birthday party last August. And to support FBi, they’ll be opening up all three levels once again. Get prepared to party with some of Sydney’s best indie bands and djs., Jordy Lane, Parades , We Say Bamboulee, Waysiders, Fait Accompli, Zeahorse, Shakin Howls, Megastick Fanfare, Sherlock’s Daughter , Richard In Your Mind, One Glove, The Laurels and more special guests to be announcedTickets $15 on sale at the door

SAT 27 JUNE - BIG TOP, LUNA PARK - FROM 2PMVarious Artists and MySpace Music Present:We wind up the month with a BANG in Sydney’s original fun destination. Muscles makes his long-awaited return to a Sydney stage alongside local stars Grafton Primary, Decoder Ring, Dappled Cities, Architecture in Helsinki DJs and plenty more. Come blow your top at the Big Top with us. Midnight Juggernauts (JUST ANNOUNCED!), MUSCLES, Dappled Cities, Decoder Ring, Grafton Primary, AIH DJs, Pivot DJs, Cassette Kids, The Jezabels, Palace Of Fire, Catcall, Ernest Ellis, P.A.S.H, HOOPS, Dangerous Dan, Jack Shit, Kato, P*A*S*H, Purple Sneakers, Ro Sham Bo, Wax Motifand more special guests to be announcedALL AGES EVENTTickets $59.40 + BF available from www.bigtopsydney.com or Big Top Box Office Mon – Thu: 9am – 5:30pm or on 02 9033 7600 or 1300 BIG TOP

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15edgemag.com.au | June 2009

Holy shit - everyone’s on it! The whole of the music industry has donated their talents to play, promote & party all through June to raise much needed funds for FBi 94.5FM. If you’re in Sydney, get out and see some live music across the month and do your bit to keep FBi on the air! Every single dollar raised goes to FBi. All the cents too.