tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43483300826896723242024-02-21T18:27:10.484+10:00My Aural Fixationpimping music from the underground since 2005My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.comBlogger125125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-76467476260283024222023-11-27T10:48:00.005+10:002023-12-01T10:38:35.731+10:00RIP Geordie Walker<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/p1r/8581625736" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo of Geordie Walker by Petter Duvander." border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvx9rR601VgbE07dilwmQEVW6NPBDgpcCMBIw-h4wnWnpsfB9ncyf8FM-h1qM1GY_wFGy0zfhO5qbd_ZWsHPyokP4wHZdNdgxXchuztfVoS3Qop7HIuOnKTtXfp5UTzAowH0QPGxCO7vantZpevnaFdj0iPqkvnaWO0SvUIZMUbKwkY-VMQfnXwxx5moM/w400-h400/8581625736_65d5715576_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/p1r/8581625736" target="_blank">© Petter Duvander, 2013.</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Bad news is a given these days. It seems like each day I wake up, something tragic is happening in the world and consequently, I think I'm suffering from a bit of compassion fatigue. So it's rare that I burst into tears when I hear news of a death in the music world...I am usually saddened but not shattered.<div><br /></div><div>But waking to the news that Geordie Walker from <a href="https://www.killingjoke.co.uk/" target="_blank">Killing Joke</a>, one of my favourite bands, has passed away at the young age of 64 has shocked me to the core.</div><div><br /></div><div>The official statement from the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/killingjokeband" target="_blank">Killing Joke Instagram account</a> says Geordie passed away in Prague at 6.30am on 26 November 2023 after suffering a stroke.</div><div><br /></div><div>Kevin 'Geordie' Walker was born on 18 December 1958 in County Durham, England. He was nicknamed Geordie as a teenager due to his Geordie accent.</div><div><br /></div><div>From a young age Geordie wanted to be a guitarist, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geordie_Walker#cite_ref-Kay_4-5" target="_blank">citing the band Love Sculpture as an influence</a> because "it used the guitar as a musical instrument to convey an atmosphere, it wasn't normal guitar playing which people feel they have to play certain rhythms, certain solos, certain scales". In 1973 his mum suggested he try a Gibson Les Paul she saw in a shop. </div><div><br /></div><div>Geordie's guitar of choice was a hollow-bodied 1952 Gibson ES-295. He <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geordie_Walker#cite_note-metalassault-6" target="_blank">liked to tune his guitar a tone lower</a>. "It suits the resonance and volume of the thing and you can use heavier strings. I've got 58s on the bottom. Basically if I play an E-position chord, it's D."</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Geordie moved to London to study architecture and became a founding member of Killing Joke in 1979 when he replied to a Melody Maker ad placed by singer and founding member Jaz Coleman. He'd never played in a band before. Geordie and Jaz remained the only constant members of the band until Geordie's death.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 1980 Killing Joke released their self-titled first album. While the band's style had roots in post-punk, their music had a more aggressive delivery. Over the years their style evolved, incorporating elements of goth rock and symphonic metal. Many bands have <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_Joke" target="_blank">cited</a> Killing Joke as an inspiration, including Nine Inch Nails, Nirvana, Metallica and Soundgarden.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Geordie was also a member of The Damage Manual and Murder, Inc. At the time of his death, Geordie lived in Prague where he cooperated with Studio Faust Records recording other artists' music.</div><div><br /></div><div>My Killing Joke journey began in 1985 when I first saw the music video for ‘Love like blood’. </div><div><br /><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TnpwuRlXbhk?si=G6Gw_nROsygJhDid" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Over here in Australia, sadly exposure to great bands like this only came about through the music video format, such were the times. So my 'discovery' of Killing Joke only occurred for their fifth album, Night Time. I quickly ventured to discover the rest of their catalogue and they firmly became one of my favourite bands. In 1986 when I finally ventured into nightclub land, I distinctly recall the feeling of hearing ‘Love like blood’ over the sound system and dancing to it. Who can forget the opening guitar chords of this song...they still send shivers down my spine, along with <a href="http://www.myauralfixation.com/2007/10/paul-raven-rip.html" target="_blank">Paul Raven's</a> driving bass line.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 2006 <a href="http://www.myauralfixation.com/2006/03/killing-joke-hosannahs-from-basements.html" target="_blank">I reviewed their album Hosannas from the Basements of Hell</a>, and I was impressed to find their music was still evolving, after all these years. And that's something Killing Joke has always done - they've never rested on their laurels.</div><div><br />
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</div><div><br /></div><div>Geordie's guitar playing was a revelation for me. He left space for the guitar to resonate and breathe. There was something majestic about it. Onstage, he was so quiet and still onstage in comparison to Jaz, the wild front man, but never boring. I felt a sense of tension in Geordie’s demeanour, of channeling his energy through the guitar instead of onstage antics; he would just stand and stare at people in a really intense way. Geordie’s guitar skills and style allowed Killing Joke to evolve and manifest into one of the greatest bands on earth, in my opinion. I personally think his guitar playing heavily influenced the shoegaze genre, as well as countless others, including the grunge movement with Nirvana’s ‘Come as you are’ sounding more than a little like the Killing Joke single ‘Eighties’.</div><div><br /></div><div>I last saw Killing Joke in Brisbane in 2013 and was so lucky to meet both Geordie and Jaz outside the venue. While Jaz engaged in animated conversation and hugs, Geordie quietly accepted my praise, smiled, and climbed into their van. My memory of him was that he was a dignified person who was quite humble despite his immense talents.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rest in peace, Geordie. You will always be remembered by the impact your music had on us.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you don't know about Killing Joke, <a href="https://www.killingjoke.co.uk/" target="_blank">visit their website</a> or check out their videos on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/KillingJokeVEVO" target="_blank">YouTube</a>. They're really an incredible band and I mourn for what this means for their future.</div></div>My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-77423695116366552432021-05-22T18:43:00.002+10:002022-04-09T20:27:34.287+10:00The bands that made me a darklingSomething I've been considering lately is how I became the person I
am today.<div><br /></div><div>Some people breeze through life; I'm not one of those people. At
times, life has been traumatic, and the events of 2020 didn't help. However,
through the turbulence of these times, I've discovered an online community of
music fans who've kept me sane and helped me to reconnect with the music I grew up with as a teenager. I firmly believe the music you listen to as a teen stays with you for your entire life, and having conversations with these likeminded - sometimes fanatical - fans has caused me to ask the question: which bands 'corrupted' me, turning me from an innocent teenager into a dark goth fiend?</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>1. Duran Duran</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I'll begin with Duran Duran. In 1981, the first album I ever bought was Duran Duran's self-titled album. It was incredible at the time - no other bands sounded
quite like they did. They created a fun blend of funky electro and glamorous romanticism that
swept me off my feet, as a 12 year old living in nowheresville in Australia. Not
only did they sound different, they looked amazing. All credit to teenage
hormones, no doubt, but John Taylor and Nick Rhodes quickly became my obsession.</div><div><br /></div><div>I lived and breathed Duran Duran, and each month I would stalk my local
newsagent waiting for the latest copy of <i>Smash Hits </i>magazine to hit the stands. Nothing
was as immediate back then as it is now, and patience was a virtue. We waited
for albums to be shipped from the UK or the US to Australia, we waited to read
about bands through magazines from far off lands, we even joined fan clubs that
required a posted letter to the UK to start the membership. I feel like that
created an element of expectation and excitement that's missing in today's
instant gratification landscape.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of all the great songs on the Duran Duran
album, <i>Careless memories</i> was one that stood out. In the music video, Simon Le
Bon was just so dramatic, the band ridiculously beautiful - how could John Taylor's chiseled chin be real, but it is - and yet they seemed self conscious about being in a video. Always joking around, trying
to look serious but not really succeeding. It was one of the attributes I loved
about them and still do: they seem to have a very good sense of humour. It's been
obvious from the get-go that Nick Rhodes has been in charge of their image, and
from day one the band connected into the fashion of the time and were one of the
forerunners of the music video as a mini movie format.</div><div><br /></div><div>Duran Duran awakened
something in me. They were fun, fashionable, edgy and vastly underrated. Thus began my obsession with
striped t-shirts and boys who wore eyeliner and dyed their hair. Although not Blitz kids, Duran Duran had an art-school aesthetic and made me aware of a world entirely different to my own, and infinitely more exciting.</div><div><br /></div><div>Their next album, <i>Rio</i>, cemented by love for the band...and saxaphones...and it wasn't until after <i>Seven and the ragged tiger </i>that my appreciation began to wane.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P6kIZ0BCvUU" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>2. Madonna</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's true: I was a Madonna fan. In my teens I did 'modern dance' - you know the dance style in Billy Idol's Flesh for Fantasy music video?...that - so when I saw Madonna leaping around in her music videos wearing crucifixes, fishnet and lots of eyeliner I was hooked.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In 1983, when I was 14, I bought her self-titled album and used to dance around my lounge room when my parents were out, singing into a hairbrush. Yeah, we really did that sort of thing in the '80s. The album had so many great songs on it: <i>Holiday, Borderline, Lucky star</i>. But it was the <i>Burning up </i>music video that caught my attention.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">She was so sexy, but not in a simpering way. She was strong, sexually aggressive, challenging. I started wearing black eyeliner, tube skirts and lace gloves, and convinced mum to sew me a few batwing fishnet tops. I went to a Catholic shop in Brisbane and bought my first set of black rosary beads.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Madonna and Duran Duran were my gateway to goth. Who knew?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pufec0Hps00" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>3. Sisters of Mercy</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now, when I say I love 'Sisters of Mercy' I mean the line-up before the 1985 split. Integral to my appreciation of the band back then was the juxtaposition of Craig Adams' insistent, scuzzy, dirty bass and Wayne Hussey's ethereal guitar, both of whom later went on to form The Mission UK.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Andrew Eldritch. Say what you may about the dark lord of...no, wait, I can't say 'goth' and Eldritch in the same sentence or he will strike me down. Eldritch had a presence, and he sang about dank reality in a way that was dramatically and darkly romantic. The band's cover of <i>Emma</i> still sends shivers down my spine because it was like Eldritch was giving birth to the song onstage when he sang it live...powerful.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But I digress. I saw the music video for <i>No time to cry</i> on TV and ran out the next day to order <i>First and last and always</i> from my local record shop. You can't imagine how it felt for a lonely, melancholic 16 year old living in a conservative town to hear that album for the first time. It felt like my heart was in sync with this band. They were absolutely brilliant and now, thanks to YouTube I get to discover such gems as the final Royal Albert Hall 'Wake' gig, as well as the earlier gigs from the first formation of the band. They remain one of my favourite bands.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once again hormones had a big part to play in my initial attraction to the band, in particular to Adams. And thus began my obsession with men with long black hair and peaches and cream complexions. (Those British men really were gorgeous in the '80s...) I started wearing little round black glasses like Adams did in the music video, started wearing even more black clothing, and the slide into 'alternative' was definitely in motion.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">To his credit, even without hair these days, Adams is still gorgeous. But I'll leave the discussion about him to another more detailed post...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S9iaqTsU2Gs" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>4. The Cure</b></div><div><br /></div><div>In 1985 I finally got around to buying a Cure album: <i>The head on the door</i>. While The Cure started off as a post-punk band, by this time Robert Smith was displaying his brilliance as one of the best pop song writers of my lifetime. The tracks on this album were whimsical and absurd, with Smith's iconic big hair/red lips a constant image on every music video show.</div><div><br /></div><div>Listening to their music was like floating on a fluffy cloud of the bizarre. It was danceable, fun, crazy, eccentric and the band was fairly androgynous. Smith was the kind of guy we all wished we were friends with. He seemed sweet, silly and quirky with a quick wit.</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>In between days </i>was the first music video I saw from this album and it drew me further into the alternative music scene, but in a completely different direction to Sisters. It astounded me at the time how people would use the term 'goth' to describe any band that sported black hair and clothes, despite the music styles of these bands being so completely different from each other.</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/scif2vfg1ug" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>5. The Cult</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>In 1985 (I mean, what an INCREDIBLE year for alternative music, right?!) The Cult released their second album, <i>Love.</i> From the first jangly guitar notes of <i>She sells sanctuary</i>, what WAS this trippy music, man? At the time, I knew nothing of Southern Death Cult or the band's previous history; a downside to living in Australia at the time. In the music video I saw an absolutely stunning guy with long black hair wailing like a banshee - Ian Astbury - and another guy with a bleached rockabilly style hairdo - Billy Duffy - and LOTS of paisley. Who were these guys??</div><div><br /></div><div>The Cult's special blend of mysticism, tribalism, and 1950s and 1960s music influences - blended with their punk background - created a unique sound that foreshadowed their mutation into a hugely popular anthemic rock band.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I finally had the opportunity to see The Cult perform live for the first time a couple of years later, it was during the <i>Electric</i> tour. The day after the gig, the band signed my <i>Love </i>album at a record fair...although Duffy's signature is missing as he'd injured his foot at the gig kicking something, no doubt. Astbury signed it 'Wolf Child'.</div><div><br /></div><div>My love of The Cult was wrapped up in memories of the music I'd grown up with as a child: my older brother's love of glam rock and '60s music, and my parent's love of 1950s rockabilly.</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZCOSPtyZAPA" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div><div><br /></div><div><b>6. Siouxsie and the Banshees</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I knew that Siouxsie and the Banshees had been around since the late '70s, but the first time I bought one of their albums was when <i>Tinderbox</i> was released in 1986. By that time, I was 17 and well on my way to 'gothdom'. What the Sisters began, and The Cure nudged, Siouxsie finished. Off with my long blonde hair, replaced with a purple and black bob that used to be teased sky-high into a baby hawk. It was all my private school would let me get away with at the time, but it was enough to make me feel like I finally looked on the outside like I'd been feeling on the inside.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe the first music video I saw was <i>Cities in dust</i> and, from what appeared to be boiling blood at the beginning of the clip to the exotic music, it was strange and exciting. It sounded unlike anything I'd heard and Siouxsie's voice was completely unique. With this album the band had revealed a strong sound and sense of identity.</div><div><br /></div><div>This was also the first year I started going to local goth nightclubs, and I remember the thrill of dancing to the Banshees, Sisters, The Cult and The Cure, and feeling that music pulse through the floor into my soul.</div><div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wsOHvP1XnRg" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">PS: Happy World Goth Day to all the fellow weirdlings xx</div>My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-73671890525176985852016-09-09T01:29:00.000+10:002018-02-23T18:07:22.868+10:00Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: One more time with feeling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9iGxoJnygW8?rel=0&showinfo=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
</div><br />
Human frailty can be at once wondrously appealing in its vulnerability and a terrible reminder of how tenuous our grasp is on life. This heartbreaking film, <i>One More Time With Feeling</i>, examines these facets in close-up, sometimes to the point where the viewer feels they are wholly violating the sanctity and privacy of the grieving process.<br />
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Of course I am speaking of the grieving process Nick Cave, his wife Susie, son Earl, and everyone close to them, were hurled into since the death of his son Arthur last year.<br />
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Nick describes Arthur's death as a moment in time they are bound to like an elastic band; life goes on, and everything seems okay, until they are once again snapped back to that moment to relive fears and sadness we can only imagine...<br />
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Amidst the darkness of this period in their lives, Nick still displays his very solid sense of humour and self deprecation, wondering how those bags appeared under his eyes, and asking friend and Bad Seeds musician Warren Ellis if his hair looks okay during filming. In the film, he also interrogates himself, visibly shaken to the core by the loss of his son, about when he became the object of pity. About the realisation that only tragedy can create around one's assessment of friendships and their authenticity. He says that his previous songwriting narrative style doesn't make sense to him during this time, when it seems almost ridiculous that a story would have such a predetermined journey as a beginning and an end. That the trauma of Arthur's death has created a void in which creativity is almost impossible.<br />
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The film, beautifully directed by Andrew Dominik, launched the new Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds album <i>Skeleton Tree</i>. The viewing tonight was the first opportunity anyone had to hear songs from the album, with the film being shown in more than 650 cinemas worldwide for one night only. I feel privileged to have experienced this, as I feel it was much more than an album debut.<br />
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The songs in the film were brutally beautiful, sometimes imperfect, but more evocative for that sense of being right for a point in time. Nick admits he should've warmed up his voice before recording, while we're watching him sing, and it's this voiceover narrative by him during the film that sometimes provides laughter and other times depth and background. The lyrics are plaintive and raw, which Ellis' gorgeous layers of soaring strings and effects wraps in a warm, bearded hug.<br />
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There are many moments in this film when your heart just starts to bleed for Nick and his family, but I don't want to become one of those who pity him with kindness in my eyes. Instead, I note the resilience of his wife Susie by throwing herself into designing beautiful, ethereal clothes when her heart has been broken. The enthusiasm and love displayed by their son Earl, a gorgeous boy with youth and promise in every essence of his being. The brutal honesty and tenacity of Nick opening up his deepest thoughts about such a personal experience, and sharing how this has impacted him and his music. When Susie started to speak about the painting she found that Arthur did when he was a small child, and questioning why it was framed in black, it only touched on the kind of superstitious and dark thoughts people have when someone close to them has died. The self-analysis, the questioning, the doubt.<br />
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The film ends with each person involved in the film being in the spotlight against a wall for a moment, capturing their faces in a raw and truthful manner. Finally, the spotlight is on Nick, Susie, Earl, then...an empty wall where you get the feeling Arthur should be standing. As the sounds of Arthur and Earl singing and playing piano rose through the credits, I smiled, a tear in my eye, knowing this family will make it through to the other side of this time. Because, well, you just have to, don't you.<br />
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Tonight was an incredible experience, made me love Nick Cave even more than I did already, and was the most ingenious method of avoiding invasive journalistic engagement I have ever come across. Kudos, Mr Cave.<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_230421053"><br />
</a> <a href="http://www.nickcave.com/films/one-more-time-with-feeling/">http://www.nickcave.com/films/one-more-time-with-feeling/</a><br />
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My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-75657817201817478302014-08-05T19:35:00.001+10:002014-08-05T19:38:10.747+10:00The Horrors : Luminous<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been through a long period of wondering at the insignificance of reviewing music, or anything for that matter. Every individual has his/her own tastes and honestly, someone else's opinions shouldn't matter. You either love something or you hate it.<br />
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But what I have noticed is the music media writing largely about music I find to be utterly demoralising in its lack of creative flair. So I thought I would write a review of an album that has reached into my being and pulled me out of a personal funk.<br />
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That album is <b>Luminous</b> by <b>The Horrors</b>.<br />
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Some albums were meant to be purchased on vinyl, and I believe this is one of them. Why? Because no matter what changes come in the way of digital formats, if you have a turntable you will always be able to listen to this album and pass it down to your children / friends' children with the message that THIS is what music is all about, right here.<br />
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I've always really loved The Horrors' approach to composing music and how they take inspiration from other decades of music but don't mimic them. I never paid much attention to their early phase of having a really stringent look about their physical selves: the funny names, the dyed black hair, all dressed to match. Still didn't add or detract from how I felt about their sound; it's always filled me with absolute joy.<br />
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This album is something on a different spectrum of brilliant.<br />
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Where do I begin? No, really. The entire album is glorious, with a cinematic approach that builds and crescendos into being, evident in the first track <b><a href="http://youtu.be/CEUxJTulRqE" target="_blank">Chasing Shadows</a></b>. The band's more recent obsession with psychedelic music means there are moments of transcendental devotion in these songs...you can almost visualise the paisley and the kaleidoscope of colours evoked by the sounds. Every sense of my being is stimulated by this album and my mind's eye has once more become aware.<br />
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<b>First Day of Spring</b> reminds me of 1980s alternative bands like The Jesus and Mary Chain, Echo and the Bunnymen, and The Psychedelic Furs. The guitar surrounds the rest of the music, enveloping it in a luscious ebbing and flowing wall of sound. The sounds Josh Hayward seduces from his guitar are brilliant, shining constellations connecting everything else.<br />
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Their single from the album, <b>So Now You Know</b>, is just perfect. Starting off with guitar feedback that lulls into a smooth rhythmic bass line, joined by an '80s synth line, then Faris Badwan's slightly atonal voice enters...then the chorus explodes into pure sunlight...the chord changes create a melody that really appeals to me, not necessarily going in the direction I anticipated. The guitar solo is slow, intentional, harmonising with the vocals. These guys, as musicians and composers, know their instruments, know how to write, know when to go for it and when to hold back. Their sense of dynamics is fabulous.<br />
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<b><a href="http://youtu.be/zjk6mrocc40" target="_blank">In and Out of Sight</a></b>'s bassline is a perfect blend of funk and New Romantic (a little Duran Duran?). The vocals are sweet, and the synth in this song reminds me of the Manchester music movement in the late '80s. The Stone Roses, Charlatans, Ride...are all meshing here into something new.<br />
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Then there are moments in a song like <b>Jealous Sun</b> where I can hear early Gary Numan synths, an intensely Nu-Wave element introduced by keyboardist Tom Cowan, blending with shoegaze and early grunge...the guitar sounding like something from the fingers of Thurston Moore. I really love this song.<br />
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<b>Falling Star </b>has a sweet 'Oriental' synth melody, with shoegaze guitars rising into a warm embrace and yet the chorus sounds very psychedelic '60s. Just a little bit trippy...just a bit. Actually, quite a lot. In fact, if you have a bit of a pot habit, this album would be the perfect soundtrack. Not that I'm endorsing...<br />
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<b><a href="http://youtu.be/4y1Sm7TmYgk" target="_blank">I See You</a></b> begins with an almost Kraftwerk-like synth loop moving into Flock of Seagulls guitars and an addictive bass. Seeing Rhys Webb play this song live is a pleasure...the guy has to be the grooviest onstage bass player I've seen in a long, long time. He dances while playing, which is a fantastic play-off to the downward turned head of the guitarist, Josh, who always seems to be off in his own world, focusing on the sounds his pedals are producing. And Faris' voice and onstage presence is so intimidating, intense and still. Theatrical almost. I dream of seeing these guys perform in person. Thank god for YouTube (especially the recent full gig of their Glastonbury Festival performance). Joseph Spurgeon's drums in this song take it to a new place as the music elevates up the octave. Another favourite...perhaps THE favourite?<br />
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<b>Change Your Mind</b> is a torch song that wouldn't be out of place on a David Lynch soundtrack, with a '50s style vocal. I think of lovers dancing cheek to cheek in a dark and empty hall... Which is funny because I think it's a song about a guy wanting to be with another girl apart from the one he's with.<br />
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<b>Mine and Yours</b> has more of the echo chamber wall of sound Echo/Jesus vibe except for the guitars which again, take their music to a higher place. The distortion makes a pretty song intense.<br />
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The album ends with <b>Sleepwalk</b>. Of course, these guys have been compared to My Bloody Valentine, and I hear that a little in this song. It is the perfect song to end the album on. The mood is warming, becoming more gentle, the almost plodding guitar and bass hypnotic, highlighted with the trill synth. The ending is very psychedelic...But the thing I love about The Horrors is many of their lyrics are quite dark or emotional, beautifully written and disguised but also enhanced by their rainbow cloud of music. The lyrics to this song, I find, I relate to:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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Hey now what did you tell her<br />
Sleepwalking across town.<br />
She's living deep in a spell<br />
Now you're not around.<br />
I wish you could see how she is now<br />
Thinking all about you.<br />
Her world is broken in two<br />
Don't know what to do.</blockquote>
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This album was released back in May. I've been listening to it weekly. It's been like some strange sort of therapy for me. As you probably know, if you follow me on Twitter, the past year has not been the easiest and this band's music has brought me back from the dead. I find myself creating again, painting, writing, wanting to learn new instruments. Isn't it funny how music can do this, and how wonderful that it can.<br />
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There are some bands whose music meets me at times in my life when my feelings are very high or very low, and often these bands are the ones I love forever, because I am connected to them. Like the music you listened to as a teenager...the memories are always entwined with the music.<br />
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So this album is one I can highly recommend you buy, you treasure, you listen to over and over again. And I hope it becomes a shining light in your life as it has become in mine.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thehorrors.co.uk/">http://www.thehorrors.co.uk/</a><br />
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<br />My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-72108684644632980802014-05-11T12:52:00.001+10:002014-05-11T12:52:45.667+10:00Eurovision Song Contest 2014 - Second semi finalAustralians LOVE the Eurovision Song Contest. This year, <a href="http://www.sbs.com.au/eurovision/video/eurovision-2014-semi-final-2-australia-performs_251975235624" target="_blank">we even performed at it</a>...which induced a multitude of cultural cringes.<br />
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As I don't have a television this year, I have been watching online, which means I miss out on the fun of chatting with others about the slightly delayed broadcast on SBS. Listening to Eurovision is not the same as watching it SBS. Get your act together for next year: live visual broadcast with Sam and Julia commentary please!<br />
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My pick to win this year's contest is Conchita. Some ask "Is it a man in a dress or a woman with a beard?" I don't really care, I just know this Austrian contestant is Eurovision's Shirley Bassey and her song could easily become a Bond theme.<br />
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Kudos to Poland for lifting the profile of their country's ... assets. This was the most tweeted about performance after Conchita's. Seems a lot of men really like watching women churn butter. Not sure why...<br />
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Here's the line-up for the finals today:<br />
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1. Ukraine: Tick-Tock sung by Mariya Yaremchuk<br />2. Belarus: Cheesecake sung by Teo<br />3. Azerbaijan: Start A Fire sung by Dilara Kazimova<br />4. Iceland: No Prejudice sung by Pollapönk<br />5. Norway: Silent Storm sung by Carl Espen<br />6. Romania: Miracle sung by Paula Selling and OVI<br />7. Armenia: Not Alone sung by Aram MP3<br />8. Montenegro: Moj Svijet sung by Sergej Ćetković<br />9. Poland: My Slowianie sung by Donatan and Cleo<br />10. Greece: Rise Up sung by Freaky Fortune feat. Riskykidd<br />11. Austria: Rise Like A Phoenix sung by Conchita Wurst<br />12. Germany: Is It Right? sung by Elaiza<br />13. Sweden: Undo sung by Sanna Nielsen<br />14. France: Moustache sung by Twin Twin<br />15. Russia: Shine sung by Tolmachevy Sisters<br />16. Italy: La Mia Città sung by Emma<br />17. Slovenia: Round And Round sung by Tinkara Kovač<br />18. Finland: Something Better sung by Softengine<br />19. Spain: Dancing In The Rain sung by Ruth Lorenzo<br />20. Switzerland: Hunter Of Stars sung by Sebalter<br />21. Hungary: Running sung by András Kállay-Saunders<br />22. Malta:Coming Home sung by Firelight<br />23. Denmark: Cliche Love Song sung by Basim<br />24. Netherlands: Calm After The Storm sung by The Common Linnets<br />25. San Marino: Maybe (Forse) sung by Valentina Monetta<br />26. United Kingdom: Children Of The Universe sung by Molly<div>
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You can <a href="http://www.eurovision.tv/page/webtv?program=102853" target="_blank">watch the Grand Final online</a> or <a href="http://www.sbs.com.au/eurovision/radio" target="_blank">listen to the live SBS audio broadcast</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://www.sbs.com.au/eurovision/" target="_blank">Join in the fun on the SBS website</a>.</div>
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Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/SBSEurovision" target="_blank">SBS Eurovision</a> on Twitter and use the #Eurovision hashtag.</div>
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Who's your pick to win?</div>
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My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-40674260400935540322014-03-02T16:33:00.000+10:002014-03-02T16:33:48.871+10:00Photos : Soundwave Festival 2014, Brisbane<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzeZsg2pQjn_iKNX1sCCQPczvH3wpjNc2-nRKYleHFKVLKUBX7ngC5iJX7hH5uwnH5HRmsZ6o1DA_0NH2sFL_W-mIvHNYbHwt0ecKsOwJwLbtZcOUn6Wy7S583UMYkiajzBQrbjQWLOQ/s1600/crosses1-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzeZsg2pQjn_iKNX1sCCQPczvH3wpjNc2-nRKYleHFKVLKUBX7ngC5iJX7hH5uwnH5HRmsZ6o1DA_0NH2sFL_W-mIvHNYbHwt0ecKsOwJwLbtZcOUn6Wy7S583UMYkiajzBQrbjQWLOQ/s1600/crosses1-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chino Moreno with Crosses proving that those signs only apply to punters, not rock stars ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhkOcex8gv5fd-njYetS_-T9WUo9x81xKFuDaGT4trmFp2ukJSaQzLyHkqDuLHEEFLKmbrMnXQ61YBiheAZUfcV7soKdZKIqWI3AS-iKu22Ys_uHP0V52xbFYrbot7O_qRy0nzegwRt4/s1600/crosses2-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhkOcex8gv5fd-njYetS_-T9WUo9x81xKFuDaGT4trmFp2ukJSaQzLyHkqDuLHEEFLKmbrMnXQ61YBiheAZUfcV7soKdZKIqWI3AS-iKu22Ys_uHP0V52xbFYrbot7O_qRy0nzegwRt4/s1600/crosses2-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chino Moreno fronting Crosses. One of my favourite bands from Soundwave.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-WPkIp4XxPdVRQnO2iDYWtMzWxsNCYyBTHJCyMBYwwzx-iEYcdhufWTF25PRB_SQkVolavy05_rvmLNK73HX4g9017evL443vm8KdILyOJ8Sl8B7wX3mnfZ3mxeiYphTsynM9U1ZztM/s1600/crosses3-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-WPkIp4XxPdVRQnO2iDYWtMzWxsNCYyBTHJCyMBYwwzx-iEYcdhufWTF25PRB_SQkVolavy05_rvmLNK73HX4g9017evL443vm8KdILyOJ8Sl8B7wX3mnfZ3mxeiYphTsynM9U1ZztM/s1600/crosses3-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crosses</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUSIj0pM-jXJjI9GCcBgdF0IZ5NBpSQONKw6cjcc4sZXSRye7GwjzjKuwgK5jvS9VIi_0V3z3lCpgRCAS4HqQOgdw8CeoPk4pzd-M1JUuPltazIt8toDrLYEIqxGPHHG99aNkMJpCib4/s1600/direngrey1-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUSIj0pM-jXJjI9GCcBgdF0IZ5NBpSQONKw6cjcc4sZXSRye7GwjzjKuwgK5jvS9VIi_0V3z3lCpgRCAS4HqQOgdw8CeoPk4pzd-M1JUuPltazIt8toDrLYEIqxGPHHG99aNkMJpCib4/s1600/direngrey1-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" height="640" width="504" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sultry, with great wind machine action - Dir En Grey.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oDkXc5BMlLQkjg8lgkSvuTo-0MOMVC0IYjFydbNJdg9MfjQyypwkd2QnibPurdfttfJu5FCXPoM_C_BrrSP63cGiMZgsXcX7YYpXcI8bWAv6zGaqMNRxt1jT6auIuDCEfgz4_0sxiP8/s1600/filter1-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oDkXc5BMlLQkjg8lgkSvuTo-0MOMVC0IYjFydbNJdg9MfjQyypwkd2QnibPurdfttfJu5FCXPoM_C_BrrSP63cGiMZgsXcX7YYpXcI8bWAv6zGaqMNRxt1jT6auIuDCEfgz4_0sxiP8/s1600/filter1-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Due to equipment failure, Filter only played four songs. But my god, were those four songs amazing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdEPRpEIKxaNfj2Gx9sbhbqT4-GtCbwdQZbt3k3vDvKbMzE9sqZZB9G9uLw573qEYlZLFtKeFGWJpDEhtOMxMd0_3FrXoy13h8Hkv98bxxjzedDLSfwLtVoWadj4EXthGQuiaUVl8LXM/s1600/filter2-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdEPRpEIKxaNfj2Gx9sbhbqT4-GtCbwdQZbt3k3vDvKbMzE9sqZZB9G9uLw573qEYlZLFtKeFGWJpDEhtOMxMd0_3FrXoy13h8Hkv98bxxjzedDLSfwLtVoWadj4EXthGQuiaUVl8LXM/s1600/filter2-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard Patrick...how did your voice get better with age?? Fabulous!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCU7jokFc79XmR0lv0weY3YEXPwy-4bU9P90A5lq57x5QQ30Jzk6iuP12zUCHrsR24JOvZj4sc22cSl1XKpAulVQEwyXp8QUsHIQDWOUnq2pm5Q9EyAPmznFGM0aVM8wZCGu-QMqGtrs/s1600/filter3-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCU7jokFc79XmR0lv0weY3YEXPwy-4bU9P90A5lq57x5QQ30Jzk6iuP12zUCHrsR24JOvZj4sc22cSl1XKpAulVQEwyXp8QUsHIQDWOUnq2pm5Q9EyAPmznFGM0aVM8wZCGu-QMqGtrs/s1600/filter3-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dudes rockin' out. Filter. Haven't lost any of the magic. Check out their new album.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwa7OI8I4Bx1qDsY-u_8RC9X17yGrnPn6RNHYOG_BYTlHg-jIkMnbd3u4bc8LLKCovbKAaU7XYNP5VVJIIkjeFrxEerNc31BF3UQS0C0C2aZQ501mYVP8nuHndvbUpS61VAERC9kUPBY/s1600/filter4-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwa7OI8I4Bx1qDsY-u_8RC9X17yGrnPn6RNHYOG_BYTlHg-jIkMnbd3u4bc8LLKCovbKAaU7XYNP5VVJIIkjeFrxEerNc31BF3UQS0C0C2aZQ501mYVP8nuHndvbUpS61VAERC9kUPBY/s1600/filter4-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" height="464" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filter. Sorry, bass player, but I just kept getting photos of your arse.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_VqwEFSfKhGfYRBabuT7oQGsEztWlpzlwqjxXyI5VHONyP_5IShi9Mc4GhhyphenhyphenF9_5idA85kQNTvltMuYmIJKhC0c2tqu8kpxKV88zdEk9LvsaC1-vxNK9YzBZyxKudXeo2NNI9B8AzIk/s1600/korn1-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_VqwEFSfKhGfYRBabuT7oQGsEztWlpzlwqjxXyI5VHONyP_5IShi9Mc4GhhyphenhyphenF9_5idA85kQNTvltMuYmIJKhC0c2tqu8kpxKV88zdEk9LvsaC1-vxNK9YzBZyxKudXeo2NNI9B8AzIk/s1600/korn1-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" height="462" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korn</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVj6k78kqcqvUZQSYACT9bzRGx6fmZ-hAZ1LuvSwEg4Oyav2DGG-PsTihZT6YuXh9N8ZYaCAo5KYbSGZERoFPArYjOGSt-g0hw15Ks4tfml3wNYSLPeCSWvcNHtzSxZMaKLkHmwg2R0wI/s1600/pulledapartbyhorses1-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVj6k78kqcqvUZQSYACT9bzRGx6fmZ-hAZ1LuvSwEg4Oyav2DGG-PsTihZT6YuXh9N8ZYaCAo5KYbSGZERoFPArYjOGSt-g0hw15Ks4tfml3wNYSLPeCSWvcNHtzSxZMaKLkHmwg2R0wI/s1600/pulledapartbyhorses1-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pulled Apart By Horses. Very cool Nirvana-esque, Brit band.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4HNzvLr6WmyqDVLdyuReKX0aJ-8-DHGrxqMnc_ZzRokeInVh1lQD1HyyrFiDL7lJyY_inddjZ8wZx4iaH5hjclXNt_6s4yVnAWIW9Hox2CbQk-L_uE5mM0UGugOO7tKgpEzQKlGg2uM/s1600/pulledapartbyhorses2-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4HNzvLr6WmyqDVLdyuReKX0aJ-8-DHGrxqMnc_ZzRokeInVh1lQD1HyyrFiDL7lJyY_inddjZ8wZx4iaH5hjclXNt_6s4yVnAWIW9Hox2CbQk-L_uE5mM0UGugOO7tKgpEzQKlGg2uM/s1600/pulledapartbyhorses2-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" height="640" width="518" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pulled Apart By Horses...taking me straight back to '90s grunge...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSf42Lu3Ap1xdQ9T8XWmlLUKIGthz0kUGq3kdWUgcoZR-Yb-UzjmpTjcOLIDOqOgMCIqRoG51jbX1hUjG1AKdT6sa59ocoX3qMh1cffozu5Tg7tUUKqAIXU2kEd_7CbfbKIIv1JXuZnpc/s1600/robzombie1-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSf42Lu3Ap1xdQ9T8XWmlLUKIGthz0kUGq3kdWUgcoZR-Yb-UzjmpTjcOLIDOqOgMCIqRoG51jbX1hUjG1AKdT6sa59ocoX3qMh1cffozu5Tg7tUUKqAIXU2kEd_7CbfbKIIv1JXuZnpc/s1600/robzombie1-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ZOMBIE! Always a great time, when I see Rob Zombie. And Piggy D...*drool*</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTYvu6kbzNNnjH5o7TAdWrwpOzJx0ebCRbXWFqLWdrZRTgqGd0XNOda_cF3nL4tHs04g9zh6fgApHmLmKBEfm644xgWAq3Zk9FtL8hZfMOhh6VXbnYs5OPIRavZdIPY3LhZRZA-NSnkA/s1600/robzombie2-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTYvu6kbzNNnjH5o7TAdWrwpOzJx0ebCRbXWFqLWdrZRTgqGd0XNOda_cF3nL4tHs04g9zh6fgApHmLmKBEfm644xgWAq3Zk9FtL8hZfMOhh6VXbnYs5OPIRavZdIPY3LhZRZA-NSnkA/s1600/robzombie2-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John 5 just shredding his guitar with his teeth. Really incredibly talented.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rob Zombie in front of his gorgeous backdrop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4wxUTTWF-8gBlBpEH_rs69q-HPbrs1zLukVjHgJFwZpBfhAi19JGDMvnDJnZC63b-RyeHqW4V5L0rJCz4VmEuLws_1ynf7fmnE1DbrMDhE1rVbZQdB3QXOf_E1PrhueDURZUikGZY70/s1600/rocketfromthecrypt1-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4wxUTTWF-8gBlBpEH_rs69q-HPbrs1zLukVjHgJFwZpBfhAi19JGDMvnDJnZC63b-RyeHqW4V5L0rJCz4VmEuLws_1ynf7fmnE1DbrMDhE1rVbZQdB3QXOf_E1PrhueDURZUikGZY70/s1600/rocketfromthecrypt1-copyright-amandaschneider-2014.jpg" height="488" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocket from the Crypt. Apart from stories about masturbating to the sound of babies crying...they were awesome!</td></tr>
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<br />My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-19646668812705752582014-02-21T20:12:00.000+10:002016-08-22T13:21:42.839+10:00Touring Brisbane? - A local's guideOne of the things that pisses me off when I travel to other countries is finding out about cool places I should've visited...after I'm already back home. And that plane flight from Aus isn't a cheap one, so once you're gone, you're not returning for a few years.<br />
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With that in mind - and after hearing of all the terrible restaurants people have taken touring bands to, and the general boredom they seem to suffer in Brisbane - I thought I'd put together this little guide suggesting a few places to eat, things to see etc while you're in town for a couple of days.<br />
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If you're after nightlife, you can pretty much wipe the inner Brisbane CBD off the map...unless tacky casinos in heritage-listed buildings are your scene. What you need to do is head into Fortitude Valley (10 min walk from the inner CBD) or over to West End (across the river at the top of the Queen Street mall).<br />
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Fortitude Valley is the part of town that used to be really seedy in the '80s and was a hotbed of corruption (prostitution, gambling etc). Now, it's home to most people under the age of 30 every Friday and Saturday night. It contains a very small Chinatown and lots of great places to have a drink or a spot to eat.<br />
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<h3>
<b>Favourite haunts in Fortitude Valley / New Farm</b></h3>
<a href="http://www.baralto.com.au/"><b>Bar Alto</b></a> - A beautiful spot right on the river to have a drink and a light meal. Gorgeous at any time. Try the saffron arancini. The added bonus about having a drink here is that you can then explore what's on at...<br />
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<a href="http://www.brisbanepowerhouse.org/"><b>The Brisbane Powerhouse</b></a> - An awesome venue for music, comedy and the arts. There's always something interesting happening at this place, which is actually an old power station. Another lovely aspect of this place is that you can stroll outside and take a walk along the river, go for a jog or chill out in New Farm Park, or check out the <a href="http://www.janpowersfarmersmarkets.com.au/whenwhere.html"><b>local markets</b></a> which are held outside the Powerhouse every second and fourth Saturday from 6am to midday.<br />
<a href="http://www.camposcoffee.com/"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><b>Campos Coffee</b></a> - One of those 'best kept secrets' type places in town, located at 11 Wandoo Street, just behind the <a href="http://www.jamesstmarket.com.au/jsm_index.shtml"><b>James St Markets</b></a>. Excellent coffee, tasty treats.<br />
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<a href="http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/ferries/citycat" target="_blank"><b>CityCat</b></a> - The City Cat is what we call our ferries that travel along the river. You can catch a City Cat from New Farm Park all the way down river to the Port of Brisbane. Or you can catch it up river to the Brisbane CBD, SouthBank, the art gallery, or West End. It's a relaxing way to travel, especially on a sunny day. And if you only have a short amount of time to get around, it's the easiest way to get from one side of town to the other.<br />
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<a href="http://www.continentalcafe.com.au/menu.htm"><b>The Continental Cafe</b></a> - My favourite Brisbane restaurant, is a little fancier and features French-style cuisine and an excellent wine list. The Continental is located in New Farm, which is around 30 min walk (very short cab ride) from the Valley mall toward the river.<br />
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<a href="http://www.jamesst.com.au/" target="_blank"><b>James Street</b></a> - A street full of cinema-bar-food-clothing goodness. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.<br />
<a href="http://www.kangaroopoint.com.au/" target="_blank"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><b>Kangaroo Point</b></a> - No, it's not a point with kangaroos. It's a cliff-face on the Brisbane river where you can do abseiling, walk on balance ropes, go canoeing etc. The walk from Kangaroo Point along the river to the Story Bridge is also beautiful. And the Story Bridge itself is pretty neat. Then again, I'm a bridge buff.<br />
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<a href="http://www.newfarmdeli.com.au/" target="_blank"><b>New Farm Deli</b></a> - Best place for breakfast in Brisbane. Also a great spot to buy some picnic goodies so you can then walk down to <a href="http://www.newfarmpark.com.au/" target="_blank"><b>New Farm Park</b></a> on the river, lie down in the sun, and read a good book. <a href="http://www.maryryan.com.au/stores.php?StoreID=5" target="_blank"><b>Mary Ryan's</b></a> book store is located in New Farm Village, where the deli is located.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NewGlobeTheatre/" target="_blank"><b>New Globe Theatre</b></a> - Great spot for alternative live music and cult cinema.<br />
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<a href="http://www.palacecinemas.com.au/cinemas/centro/"><b>The Palace Cinema Centro</b></a> - Lush cinema featuring mostly foreign films. Located across the road from the James Street Markets. Has a few bars around it, as well as some eateries.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thetivoli.net.au/"><b>The Tivoli</b></a> - The goddess of all live venues. If you get to see a gig in this venue while you're here, consider yourself lucky - she's divine. If you're thinking of touring Brisbane in future, check it out so you can consider it as somewhere you might perform one day.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.thezoo.com.au/home.html">The Zoo</a> </b>- One of my favourite live venues in Brisbane, always chock-full of goodness. Check out who's playing if you'd like to catch a local or visiting band.<br />
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<h3>
<b>Inner Brisbane CBD</b></h3>
<b><a href="http://archivesfinebooks.com.au/" target="_blank">Archive Books</a></b> - Found at 40 Charlotte Street, this is one of those second-hand book shops you can get lost in. Has an incredible array of second-hand sheet music out the back.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bonsai-Botanika/132318556964038" target="_blank">Bonsai Botanika</a></b> - My favourite coffee house in the CBD at the moment. Serve an interesting array of drinks - try a Green Tea Latte with Rosemary - as well as flourless chocolate cakes and Blue Cheese and Dark Chocolate ice-cream. Worth a visit. Found at 109 Elizabeth Street.<br />
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<b><a href="http://chatime.com.au/index.php" target="_blank">ChaTime</a></b> - Never had bubble tea before? Try a Pearl Milk Tea or an Iced Lychee Green Tea with Lychee Jelly. Yum! Perfect solution to combat the Australian heat. There are bubble tea outlets all over the Brisbane CBD. My local is in the Myer Centre in the Queen Street Mall.<br />
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<a href="http://www.foliobooks.com.au/" target="_blank"><b>Folio Books</b></a> - I can spend hours here, rummaging through art and sociology books. A beautiful little book store.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JohnMillsHimselfCafeBar" target="_blank">John Mills Himself</a></b> - Every so often a place opens up in Brisbane that screams "HIPSTER!!" and this is one of them. However, I still find myself attracted to its lush, old brick interior and bottled iced coffee infusions. Hidden at the end of a driveway at 55 Elizabeth Street.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/KadoyaJapaneseRestaurantCity" target="_blank">Kadoya</a></b> - Okay, so maybe I go to this place every day for lunch, as I work in the city. Maybe my love of their Japanese curry is my version of a crack addiction. The tastiest Japanese curry in town. Found at 73 Mary Street.<br />
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<a href="http://www.perfectpotion.com.au/" target="_blank"><b>Perfect Potion</b></a> - This is a locally owned company that sells aromatherapy style beauty products, lotions, potions and other amazing smelly stuff!<br />
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<h3>
<b>Across the river, at Southbank / West End</b></h3>
You can easily walk to SouthBank and West End from the Brisbane CBD. Just walk to the top of the Queen St Mall and over the Victoria Bridge. Or over the Grey St Bridge if you're in Paddington. Or over the Kurilpa Bridge, which ends up at the Gallery of Modern Art.<br />
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<a href="http://avidreader.com.au/" target="_blank"><b>Avid Reader</b></a> - Best book store in town!<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.caravanserairestaurant.com.au/">Caravenserai</a> </b>- My favourite local Turkish restaurant complete with belly dancer if you go on a Friday or Saturday night. Located in a beautiful old Queenslander-style house at the top of Highgate Hill, just above West End.<br />
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<a href="http://www.lefkas.com.au/" target="_blank"><b>Lefkas Taverna</b></a> - Great Greek food and seafood.<br />
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<a href="http://www.locknloadbistro.com.au/index.php" target="_blank"><b>Lock'n'Load</b></a> - Nice little bar where you can relax in the rear courtyard with some noms.<br />
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<a href="http://qag.qld.gov.au/"><b>Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art</b></a> - If you're an art buff like me, you like to catch some galleries while you're travelling. These two galleries have excellent collections, and as an added plus, GoMA has its own little <a href="http://qag.qld.gov.au/cinematheque"><b>cinema</b></a> inside which features some very cool films. Check out the exhibitions, as there's usually a major one on display.<br />
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<a href="http://www.sciencentre.qm.qld.gov.au/"><b>Sciencentre</b></a> - Located downstairs from the <a href="http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/"><b>Queensland Museum</b></a>, the science centre is full of fun, interactive games and interesting info. Well worth a play :)<br />
<a href="http://www.visitsouthbank.com.au/" target="_blank"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><b>SouthBank</b></a> - Not many locals bother anymore, but if you're a tourist it might be a novelty...there's a man made beach with views of the river, so if you're desperate and can't make it to the real beach...and it's got a big ferris wheel with great views of the city at night...<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Thebeardedladywestend.com.au/" target="_blank"><b>The Bearded Lady</b></a> - Great alternative venue for live music, if you don't mind getting a bit squishy as it has a very small capacity.<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/337/1361223/restaurant/Queensland/Trang-West-End"><b>Trang</b></a> - The best Vietnamese in the CBD vicinity, in my opinion. Go there and have some pho for brekky. BYO<br />
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<h3>
<b>Inner CBD suburbs</b></h3>
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<b><a href="http://www.eatstreetmarkets.com/" target="_blank">Eat Street Markets</a></b> is a new destination in Brisbane located on the river at Hamilton Wharf. It's held every Friday and Saturday night from 4 to 10pm, and although I haven't been to it yet, all my friends say it's absolutely fantastic.</div>
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A short cab fare/bus ride out of Brisbane CBD to Rosalie is the best Indian restaurant in town, <a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/337/1464277/restaurant/Queensland/Auchenflower-Rosalie/Halims-Indian-Taj-Rosalie"><b>Halim's</b></a>. Across the road is my favourite wine shop, <a href="http://www.wineexperience.com.au/"><b>The Wine Experience</b></a>.<br />
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If you're after a massage due to the stress of performing, I can highly recommend the therapists located up the road from Rosalie at Paddington <a href="http://www.urbanretreatmassage.com.au/"><b>Urban Retreat</b></a>. Just down the road in Paddington is the <a href="http://www.paddingtonclinic.com.au/"><b>Paddington Clinic</b></a> if you're in need of acupuncture, naturopathy or remedial massage.<br />
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Also in Paddington you can find lots of <a href="http://thethousands.com.au/brisbane/shop/retro-metro/" target="_blank"><b>cool vintage clothing stores</b></a> dotted up and down Given Terrace / Latrobe Terrace.<br />
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If you like football, check out <a href="http://www.qldroar.com.au/"><b>our local team</b></a>, who are usually playing a game at Suncorp Stadium in Milton (one suburb toward the Brisbane CBD from Paddington).<br />
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If you're after spectacular night views of Brisbane city from afar, head to the <a href="http://www.brisbanelookout.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=12&Itemid=21" target="_blank"><b>Mount Coot-Tha Lookout</b></a>, about 15min drive from the CBD. It'll be just you, tourists and kids making out ;)<br />
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My local - <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/shadypalmscafe/" target="_blank">Shady Palms Cafe</a></b> - is a great spot in Stones Corner for a mid-week cocktail. Very laidback.<br />
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<h3>
<b>Wildlife</b></h3>
If you're after some wildlife experiences, visit <a href="http://www.koala.net/index.php"><b>Lone Pine Sanctuary</b></a> in Fig Tree Pocket (around 30 min drive from CBD) which features Australian animals or <a href="http://www.australiazoo.com.au/"><b>Australia Zoo</b></a> (over an hour drive from CBD) which also features larger game animals and, of course, lots of crocs.<br />
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<h3>
<b>My favourite beach?</b></h3>
Greenmount Beach and Rainbow Bay at <a href="http://www.coolangatta.net/"><b>Coolangatta</b></a>. <a href="http://www.cws.org.au/"><b>Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary</b></a> is also just a little drive up the highway toward Surfer's Paradise from Coolangatta and is lovely if you want to see some local animals.<br />
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Coolangatta esplanade also has a tasty sushi-train restaurant, <a href="http://www.osushi.com.au/coolangatta-restaurant" target="_blank"><b>O-Sushi</b></a>, where you can eat raw tuna and watch waves, which ticks all my boxes.<br />
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<h3>
<b>So that's it, in a nutshell.</b></h3>
I hope this little list has been helpful. Just remember that Brisbane-ites are pretty friendly people so, if you're wandering around town lost for ideas, just ask a local where they like to go. There is also an <a href="http://www.queenstreetmall.com/VisitorInfo/Default.aspx"><b>information booth</b></a> in the Queen St Mall in the Brisbane CBD to help you with <a href="http://www.translink.com.au/"><b>public transport timetables</b></a>, free maps, <a href="http://www.ourbrisbane.com/"><b>what's on</b></a> etc.<br />
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Most of all, have fun while you're here.<br />
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Amanda xx<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Current as at 21 February 2014</span>My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-55631873371694771942013-12-18T15:39:00.000+10:002013-12-18T15:39:39.665+10:00Nile Rodgers and Chic @ The Tivoli 15 December 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Since I was around 8 years of age, I've been a bit wild about Nile Rodgers. I was a hyperactive little kid, who loved to dance. So imagine my joy when a band released <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOBa_3jIn8g" target="_blank">a song that was ALL about dancing</a>!<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">That band was Chic.</span><br />
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Chic became my favourite band. With their hit songs - <i>Dance, Dance, Dance; Everybody Dance; Le Freak; I Want Your Love; Good Times; My Feet Keep on Dancing; My Forbidden Lover; Real People.</i>.. - flooding the radio, the groove and sheer enthusiasm of the band always made me happy, as only children can be happy. You know, without a care in the world.<br />
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When I saw the clip for <i>Le Freak</i>, I wanted to be one of those glamour girls in a silk jumpsuit pouting and disco dancing.<br />
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Unfortunately, I was too young to go to my local version of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studio_54" target="_blank">Studio 54</a>, so I settled for dancing in the lounge room in my flares.<br />
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Bring on the '80s. Nile Rodgers, the smooth and talented songwriter / vocalist / guitarist from Chic with the cutest smile in the business came into his own as a producer. Did you know that Nile is responsible for songs such as this one?<br />
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...as well as albums by Duran Duran, INXS, and Madonna. He has also produced copious soundtracks, from<i> Coming to America </i>through to the Halo games.<br />
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Nile has a sharp and attacking style of playing funk guitar that you can recognise every time he appears on a song. His energy and excitement are contagious and that comes through his fingers into the music he plays and writes.<br />
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In short, Nile Rodgers has written, performed and/or produced most of the music from my childhood, teenage years, and adulthood. He is, I believe, one of the most important musicians of my lifetime. His influence is everywhere.<br />
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So I was very excited to attend the Nile Rodgers and Chic performance at The Tivoli on Sunday night. It was a dream come true, and that's no lie. Following Nile's cancer diagnosis in previous years, I was worried for his health but this year, he was given the all clear. *fist pump*<br />
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From the second I stepped through the front door of the beautiful Madame Tivoli, there was a thrill in the air. People were pumped. A DJ was playing some great dance tunes and people were already getting into the groove. There were hot pants and sequins and moves I didn't know people in Brisbane had in them. This was going to be a fun night.<br />
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The support band <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mitziband" target="_blank">Mitzi</a> was fabulous. They had a real '80s electronica / funk blend going on, and they were actually quite an impressive local support act. They were followed by a couple of DJs, who were interrupted by cheeky Nile taking photos of the crowd from the stage. People around me in the crowd were going wild at seeing him: "OH MY GOD, THAT'S HIM!!" The women were squealing...I mean, this man still has it.<br />
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Nile came onstage to do a soundcheck - a little unconventional but he cracked some jokes and his approachable and friendly nature relaxed the crowd, only to build the excitement again as the band members eventually joined him and they launched into their set.<br />
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Was there any song he could've played that he didn't? Probably. But he covered a lot in the time he was onstage. Check out <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile_Rodgers" target="_blank">this Wiki listing for Nile</a>...see all those songs by Chic and ones he's written and produced for other bands and singers? They performed most of them. Jealous? You really should be.<br />
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Apart from the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv744Ckqp5U" target="_blank">Chic hits</a>, some of my favourites performed were <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGDmBLAPikU" target="_blank"><i>Notorious</i></a> (I am a major Duran Duran fan, as you may already know...), <i>Let's Dance</i> and <i>We Are Family</i>. The musicians onstage were superb, absolutely superb: two keyboard players, a trumpet and a sax, drummer, bass player and two vocalists. The bass player launched himself physically to the front of the stage for a groove attack each time he had a solo, one of the best bass players I've ever seen. He and Nile riffed off each other something amazing. The backing vocalists - well...there was nothing really 'backing' about them at all. They were up front, singing most of the songs, taking turns and singing duets. Their voices were sublimely beautiful and soared. I just stood there with my mouth agape most of the time taking in their brilliance.<br />
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I've seen a lot of gigs in my 44 years, and this goes down as one of my favourites, definitely my top 5. The vibe was just incredible. People in the audience were dancing and having a great time, Nile's interaction with the audience was personal and so engaging. At the end of the gig, he even asked people to come onstage to dance. Happiest bunch of tipsy half-clothed people I've seen in a long time ;)<br />
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The show ended with the band leaving the stage while Nile did a solo dance-off to Daft Punk's current hit song <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_871872&feature=iv&src_vid=h5EofwRzit0&v=c1QT4VnbQE0" target="_blank">Get Lucky</a> </i>which he was also involved with, the audience chanting along "Go Nile, Go Nile, Go Nile". Fun...hell yes, it was had!<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Nile has promised me on Twitter that he's returning to Australia. He has to - he owes me a hug :)</span><br />
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If you missed this stellar performance, you can <a href="http://nilerodgers.com/nrmedia/videos/2901-chic-ft-nile-rodgers-live-from-sydney-opera-house" target="_blank">watch the live video which was taken at the Opera House in Sydney this year</a>. But nothing beats seeing shows like this in person.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://nilerodgers.com/" target="_blank">Nile Rodgers website</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NileRodgersOfficial" target="_blank">Nile Rodgers on Facebook</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/nilerodgers" target="_blank">Nile Rodgers on Twitter</a><br />
<br />My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-11815944597113805062013-10-29T00:54:00.002+10:002013-10-29T00:54:42.615+10:00RIP Lou Reed<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 March 1942 - 27 October 2013</td></tr>
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Where does this story begin?<br />
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I'm 12. It's 1982. I'm in my first year of highschool. I'm studying art and my teacher has taken our class on a trip to the art gallery, where there is a pop art exhibition. For the first time in my life, I'm in the big city and at an art gallery...and the walls are covered with Lichtensteins and Warhols...my concept of 'art' changed forever.<br />
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I started reading about Andy Warhol and this concept - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Factory" target="_blank">The Factory</a>. I read all I could. The subject matter consumed me. I learned about this band named The Velvet Underground that had existed before and around my birth. Back in the '80s, it was hard to get your hands on music - no internet - so I couldn't actually hear their music. I had no pocket money, no record stores in my town stocked the band's music. But I fell hard for their way of life, for challenging the status quo. For blending music and art, my two great loves.<br />
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When I was 16, bedecked in a black turtleneck, denim jacket, little black bob with bangs atop a child's face, mind open to anything...I heard them for the first time. My sister's friend used to love blowing my mind with music. I was like a sponge. He had the most amazing record collection, and from it he plucked the 1967 album <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Velvet_Underground_%26_Nico" target="_blank">The Velvet Underground and Nico</a></i>. He gingerly slid it from its protective sleeve, and placed it on the record player, careful not to touch the tracks. The needle slipped into place, that crackle at the beginning of all old albums...then...<br />
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Music so gentle, childlike, then this beautiful whispering tone of a voice...it was very different to what I'd anticipated.<br />
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The man was Lou Reed.<br />
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That was the moment he started to mould me in almost every way imaginable.<br />
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This friend also gave me a picture vinyl for my birthday. It featured an interview with The Velvet Underground and a live performance. I still have and treasure it.<br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />When I was 17, the music video for <i>No Money Down </i>was released. I couldn't believe this was my Lou...the video was tacky - filled with the latest in '80s 'high-tech' special effects. I was confused how this could be the same man. Only as I aged did I understand this was just one of the many steps Reed took throughout his career to challenge the norm and to progress with his social commentary.<br />
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Every time I met someone who knew more about music than I did, I'd quiz them about the band. I made another friend when I was 18 who was also a fan, and he would play their music for me on a turntable on the floor as we lay in bed, eyes closed, exhausted from clubbing at 5am, his cigarette smoke drifting to the ceiling. He introduced me to 1970s Reed in the form of an album named <i>Berlin</i>.<br />
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This album introduced me to the darker side of the man I'd begun to know. It was strange and beautiful - two qualities that have forever remained complementary in my mind instead of opposing. It was written in 1973 as a sort of rock opera about a doomed relationship. It merged perfectly with my teenage angst and sadness. It was then that I began to consider Reed as one of the most incredible lyricists I'd ever heard. Stories told to me in that fragile, often breaking voice. As a pianist, it also showed me how that instrument could accompany storytelling in a powerful way. Reed's studies under the poet Delmore Schwartz were evident...the influence remained with him throughout his career as a musician. The story was always the most important aspect to the song.<br />
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Gradually, as music video shows stopped broadcasting only Top 20 hits and began showing older clips did I finally <b>see</b> The Velvet Underground, <i>Walk on the Wild Side</i> and other performances by Reed. My respect for the man and his music grew. I became obsessed.<br />
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I finally had my own money and could buy 1968's <i>White Light, White Heat</i>, which featured one of my favourite songs, <i>Here She Comes</i>. I also bought <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1969:_The_Velvet_Underground_Live" target="_blank"><i>1969 : The Velvet Underground Live</i></a>. What an incredible album. In the late '80s and early '90s, bands started covering The Velvet Underground's music - every band I liked cited them as a major influence - and...for a while...it became popular in the alternative scene.<br />
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I slowly, throughout the years, have worked my way through Reed's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Reed_discography" target="_blank">solo discography</a>, his achievements in The Velvet Underground fading a little beneath the substance and sheer quantity of music he went on to create in his later years. His work has continued to astound and surprise me, and that girl who first heard his voice in the '80s is still present whenever I listen to him.<br />
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While Reed was married twice before, it was his most recent relationship with the respected and innovative musician Laurie Anderson that was a thing of beauty. It seemed so right. These two individuals, both always on the fringes, merging together...<br />
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It's Anderson I think of today. She has lost the one she loves, while we've lost one we admired from afar. I feel for her and for his friends.<br />
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As I write this, I can think of a large number of young bands whose music glistens with the influence of Reed and The Velvet Underground. Singers who don't allow their fragile voices to prevent them from weaving entrancing stories. Musicians who allow the space to speak, and the mood to take effect. I encourage you to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Reed" target="_blank">read more about Reed</a>, to listen to more of his music. To allow it to influence your music, your art, your life. That way, it's as if he never really died...he can just keep on pushing the boundaries through others...<br />
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I'll leave the last word to Reed. Because when he spoke, it often made a whole lot of sense.<br />
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<b>"I always believed that I have something important to say, and I said it."</b><br />
<br />My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-54755380263631136572013-10-07T16:06:00.000+10:002013-10-08T14:37:51.219+10:00The Cult @ Eatons Hill, Brisbane - 1 October 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In their heyday, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cult" target="_blank"><b>The Cult</b></a> were unsurpassable by their peers in the alternative music scene. With their blend of shamanic, natural spirituality grounded with melodic guitars, mysticism and, ultimately, hard rock and dance influences, for decades - in my mind - they were at the top of their game.<br />
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The other night, after a 40 minute drive to the middle of nowhere, I arrived at Eatons Hill venue in Brisbane to see them perform their <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_(The_Cult_album)" target="_blank">Electric</a></i> tour. This RSL with a dirt car park is not what I'd call the best venue. Not close to the city, not easy to get to with public transport, horrible atmosphere. I just wish they'd performed at The Tivoli like a few years ago. But hey, I made it, after numerous car problems which my followers on Twitter are well acquainted with...<br />
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The first people I bumped into at the venue were friends from 1987 who I hadn't seen since I first saw The Cult perform the Electric album at East's Leagues Club that year. I recall being madly in lust with Ian Astbury as an 18 year old swampy, sitting at his feet banging his tambourine. Running to the Ekka grounds the next day so they could all sign my <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_(The_Cult_album)" target="_blank">Love</a></i> album - he signed it 'Wolf Child'. I was a diehard.<br />
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I've seen every Australian tour The Cult has made. They've always been interesting and a fantastic live band, changing like chameleons every tour.<br />
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This gig was no different in that aspect. From the first guitar chords, Billy Duffy gave his all. What an underrated and absolutely stunning guitarist he is...and absolutely drop-dead gorgeous to boot. Not sure how these men do it, but he looks better now than he did in 1987. His charisma positively dripped from the stage along with the sweat from his guitar. I always suffer serious guitar envy when I see him play, and he really connects with the divine instruments that adorn his crotch.<br />
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Astbury didn't seem into the gig as much and his voice wasn't in the best form, although he looked the healthiest I've seen him look in years. He missed a lot of the higher notes, and didn't extend the vocals in songs that really beg for it...sometimes, people just have off nights and also, I've noticed many vocalists experience this problem with higher notes as they get older.<br />
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Emotionally, he didn't seem to connect with the audience or many of the songs for the entire gig, but perhaps this was attributable to the sunglasses, which meant no eye contact. Was it performing the old music that bored him? If that's the case, I would rather The Cult tour and play mostly new music. I want enthusiasm. If a musician isn't enthusiastic...why should I be?<br />
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While writing this, a very devout fan pointed out to me that Ian had hip surgery a couple of years ago, which probably has something to do with his lack of movement onstage. I'm used to the sensual performer, the groover, the shaker. Maybe his limited movement onstage was to do with this surgery...this is quite possible. I was completely ignorant of this fact, as I usually ignore music press (how odd for a music blogger, I know, but I just don't like the gossip factor). <a href="http://www.emusic.com/music-news/interview/interview-the-cults-ian-astbury/" target="_blank">I found this interview from last year</a> in which Ian discusses depression, the surgery, and rising from that situation. I'm glad he did, because he really is one of the most amazing singers I've heard - such a distinctive vocal quality - and that whole self annihilation bullshit is something many of us have battled. The strong survive. I'm glad he's a survivor, like me.<br />
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I wish I could've heard anything Astbury said between songs. The sound on his mic was so muffled and low that I couldn't; he was basically talking to nobody. This pissed me off. I respect the man. When he says something, I want to hear it. I found that he was much more vocal about politics, the world, society etc the last tour, when they performed the Love album. This time, he barely spoke between songs, seemed just disengaged, a little quiet...I wonder what's going on in his world that he was this way?<br />
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[I appreciate that he scolded the 40-something year old men in the front row for taking photos on their iPhones ALL NIGHT LONG. I was second from the front and still spent most of the night staring through iPhone screens. I did my best to get around this by dancing like mad and jostling so nobody could focus their cameras...but they needed ridiculing. People who experience gigs through viewfinders PISS ME OFF. Stay home and watch a DVD of a concert dudes, seriously.]<br />
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John Tempesta on drums was obviously just cruising along. The Cult isn't known for particularly complex rhythms - they've got a solid groove and they stick with it - but John put everything into it, maintaining a solid background for Duffy to riff over. Astbury and Duffy really seemed to feed off his energy at times too, which was great to see.<br />
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I had a fantastic time at the gig. I love The Cult's music so much that even an iota of enthusiasm from them motivated me. I danced my arse off and had an amazing time, met some great fans - Cult fans are the best. When Duffy made eye contact, my pants still dropped to my ankles. The crowd actually started slamming to She Sells Sanctuary, which made me chuckle; I recall the floaty goth dances we used to do to that song and, now the fans are older, they're moshing to it ;) The Cult have definitely still got 'it' and really know how to structure a set list for maximum crowd buzz.<br />
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I know other people probably love hearing all the old songs, but I would've been quite happy for the second set to consist of mainly new music from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTKLJUZcUFw" target="_blank">Choice of Weapon</a>, or at least more of their songs from the '90s (like Star, The Witch, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CosK7kLxgEY" target="_blank">Coming Down</a>, etc). Instead, the band tried hard to please the fans by including most of their older '80s hits.<br />
<br />
I was thinking after the gig, wouldn't it have been amazing if the Soundwave Festival had included them on their line-up for February 2014. Imagine exposing this band to new, younger fans? I think that would re-energise them, and in the process would expose younger people to a great catalogue of songs. I would love to see The Cult play a festival again...they really suit that environment. Last time I saw this was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Day_Out_lineups_by_year#1995" target="_blank">the Big Day Out in 1995</a> when I had to be pulled over the barrier from the front row after being pulverised.<br />
<br />
The support band, <a href="http://redcoatsmusic.com/" target="_blank">Redcoats</a>, were phenomenal. I'd seen them previously at <a href="http://www.myauralfixation.com/2011/09/big-sound-live-20110907.html" target="_blank">Big Sound Live in 2011</a> and they're one of Australia's best at the moment. Their performance was stellar, with singer Emilio wrapping himself around his mic stand like a snake, making love to the music. The band's music is fabulous and they know how to rock out and get the crowd moving. Make sure you see them if you get the chance. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPD6lHup9hI" target="_blank">Check out their <i>Evergreen</i> music video here</a>.<br />
<br />
Yes, this gig was worth seeing. Yes, I loved it. Yes, I still adore The Cult. But did I feel Astbury was 100% into it? Not quite. Did this ruin the vibe of the gig a little for me? Maybe. Did this bother most other fans I have discussed the gig with? Not one bit.<br />
<br />
Do I regret not buying a Meet & Greet package? Uhuh. Although if I had, I'm pretty sure there wouldn't have been enough time for the discussion on spirituality, politics, society and the world that I wanted to have with Astbury. The man's mind and soul...I love them.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thecult.us/" target="_blank">Find out more about The Cult</a>.<br />
<br />
View photos from the night on the <a href="http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/photos/galleries/350545/the-cult.htm#01" target="_blank">Tone Deaf website</a>.<br />
<br />
The set list for the night can be found <a href="http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-cult/2013/eatons-hill-hotel-and-function-centre-brisbane-australia-43c7e327.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Read <a href="http://www.myauralfixation.com/2010/05/cult-tivoli-20100505.html" target="_blank">my review</a> of their 2010 Love tour of Australia.<br />
<br />My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-61680967433853585042013-06-30T18:22:00.000+10:002013-06-30T18:25:19.720+10:00Savages : Silence Yourself<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Today's pick:</b><br />
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Savages <i>Silence Yourself</i></div>
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<b>Self-description:</b><br />
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"Savages' intention is to create a sound, indestructible, musically solid, written for the stage and designed with enough nuances to provide a wide range of emotions. Savages are a self-affirming voice to help experience our girlfriends differently, our husbands, our jobs, our erotic life, and the place music occupies into our lives. Savages' songs aim to remind us that human beings haven't evolved so much, that music can still be straight to the point, efficient and exciting."</div>
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<b>My description:</b></div>
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In June 2012, Shirley Manson from Garbage tweeted about <a href="http://myauralfixation.tumblr.com/post/25717379879/savages-husbands-sounding-a-lot-like-siouxsie" target="_blank">a track called <i>Husbands</i> on SoundCloud</a> by a band that sounded a lot like Siouxsie and the Banshees. As you all know, that's right up my dark alley of influences, so I wanted to find out more. In October, I finally saw the band - Savages - performing the same song on 'Later with Jools Holland'. Visually, they harkened back to the bare minimalism of '90s UK band Elastica, however their music and live dynamic was infinitely more powerful. No laidback, UK shoegazers here.</div>
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It was all enough to make me curious and to keep an ear to the ground for more about this band.</div>
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In April of this year, <a href="http://myauralfixation.tumblr.com/post/48438056945/savages-shut-up-savagesband-debut-album" target="_blank">I saw the clip for <i>Shut Up</i></a> and Savages viciously imprinted themselves upon me. I found myself nodding along to the dialogue at the beginning of the clip. Yes, yes. These women get it. You know, 'IT'. What's wrong with society and the current business of playing the game of life.</div>
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You know those old UK clips from the mid to late '70s, of the Sex Pistols, Joy Division, Siouxsie and the Banshees, the Clash, Southern Death Cult? The ones showing a bunch of musicians who are angry, volatile, passionate, and sick of the status quo...what the music press loosely coin 'punk'. Savages are the first band and 'Shut Up' is the first song in a long time to really make a BIG impact on me. There's a lot of fluff out there, and thankfully this band isn't contributing to the swill in the trough.</div>
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In April with the release of <i>She Will</i>, I predicted <a href="http://myauralfixation.tumblr.com/post/48933285434/savages-she-will-i-predict-these-girls-are-going" target="_blank">"these girls are going places"</a> and they have. All of a sudden everyone in the music industry started tweeting about them. Always the comparisons to Siouxsie; a lot of music writers I know who like '80s goth music are big fans.</div>
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<i><a href="http://myauralfixation.tumblr.com/post/48933470469/savages-fuckers-live-in-london-february-2013" target="_blank">Fuckers</a></i> sealed the deal for me. This band is a new favourite and their album is permanently in my ears.</div>
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"This song is for all the fuckers you've met in your life."</div>
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I saw PiL perform live for the first time this year, and Savages' music and live dynamic reminds me of them. The bass sounds loose and heavy, the guitar on tangents doing its own thing.</div>
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Their songs are about empowerment. About relationship dynamics. About men and women and love and lust.</div>
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<i>Your serious eyes dehumanise</i></div>
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<i>What you wanted was never sad</i></div>
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<i>Who blew the flames out of your eyes</i></div>
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<i>Why do you treat yourself so bad</i></div>
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<a href="http://savagesband.com/lyrics" target="_blank">(from <i>City's Full)</i></a></div>
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Savages are in the right place at the right time with the right messages and the right music. <span style="color: #0000ee; text-decoration: underline;">So, just buy the album, okay?</span></div>
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Here they are performing <i>She Will</i> at <a href="http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/" target="_blank">Glastonbury</a> last night.<br />
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Inconsolata; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">
<b>Members:</b><br />
<br />
Jehnny Beth</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Inconsolata; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">
Ayse Hassan<br />
Fay Milton<br />
Gemma Thompson<br />
<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Contact:</b></div>
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<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Inconsolata; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">
<a href="http://www.savagesband.com/">http://www.savagesband.com</a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Inconsolata;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/savagestheband">https://www.facebook.com/savagestheband</a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Inconsolata;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="https://twitter.com/savagesband">https://twitter.com/savagesband</a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Inconsolata;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/SAVAGESBANDLONDON">http://www.youtube.com/user/SAVAGESBANDLONDON</a></span></span><br />
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My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-9349971666445691682013-05-02T22:17:00.001+10:002013-05-02T22:19:08.033+10:00The Mekano Set : Hahaharem<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="410" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=124834863/size=grande3/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=bb4266/" style="display: block; height: 410px; position: relative; width: 300px;" width="300"><a href="http://themekanoset.bandcamp.com/album/hahaharem">Hahaharem by The Mekano Set</a></iframe><br />
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I'm all about the 'wow' factor. That might sound trite, but it's true.</div>
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I've never written a positive review about music that I don't like, don't find interesting, or don't think holds some potential.</div>
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I'm not attached to genres and actually seem to prefer music that skips around such tags.</div>
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I endeavour to discover music from many different scenes so, hopefully, you -my reader- will find something on here that you enjoy and might be tempted to buy.</div>
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Today's pick is <b>The Mekano Set</b>.</div>
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<b>Self-description:</b></div>
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"Fuelled by a love of extremes, dry humour, dirty bass-lines and swirling white-noise guitars; merging 80's alternative rock and Post Punk sensibilities with modern-day bass / beat driven music, The Mekano Set, smirking at genre."<br />
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<b>My description:</b></div>
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Okay, so you are all aware of my love for 1980s music. The Mekano Set blends elements of '80s electronica with a depressed bass line, echoing vocals and a carnal groove. I'm thinking bass from The Cure with Orange Juice vocals and New Order beats, but bring into that mix a trance-like early '90s Curve aura, and you have something really interesting going on. The undulating melodic motion of this music glides across the skin like velvet.</div>
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<b>Favourite tracks:</b></div>
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<i>Tide House, Steel Comb, Hahaharem (Harley Quinn mix)</i></div>
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<b>Members:</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
Milk - voice / baritone guitar / beats<br />
Lee - guitar / electric 12 string guitar<br />
Justine - bass / vocals<br />
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<b>Contact:</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.mekanoset.net/">http://www.mekanoset.net/</a></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/mekanoset">https://twitter.com/mekanoset</a></div>
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<a href="http://themekanoset.bandcamp.com/album/hahaharem">http://themekanoset.bandcamp.com/album/hahaharem</a></div>
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Bookings: <a href="mailto:mysteriouspackages@mekanoset.net">mysteriouspackages@mekanoset.net</a></div>
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My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-64450173903656047892013-04-22T19:32:00.000+10:002013-04-22T21:28:05.006+10:00RIP Chrissy Amphlett<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This afternoon, my manager at work turned around to me and said, "My god, Chrissy Amphlett is dead".<br />
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As a 40-something Australian, this statement had a massive impact on me.<br />
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I arrived home earlier tonight to <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/chrissy-amphlett-dead-at-53-20130422-2ia30.html" target="_blank">read the news</a>. Yes, Chrissy has died from cancer, a disease she had battled for several years. She was only 53.<br />
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In 2010, Chrissy revealed she'd been battling breast cancer and that, as she'd also been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, she could not be treated with radiation or chemo. Double whammy. But a strong woman, so I believe we all hoped she would survive.<br />
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For people of a similar age to me, who are also Australian, Chrissy needs no introduction. She is an Australian female music legend. For the rest of you, here's what made her so special from my point of view.<br />
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Geelong born Chrissy came of age during the wild, uninhibited 1970s. She travelled throughout Europe as a teenager and in 1980, as a 21 year old, met Mark McEntee at a gig and together with Jeremy Paul, formed Divinyls. In 1982, they wrote <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_Grip_(soundtrack)" target="_blank">the soundtrack</a> for the controversial Australian film <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084350/" target="_blank">"Monkey Grip"</a>.<br />
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That film was pretty shocking to me, mainly because it featured Noni Hazlehurst <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/2798546-3x2-940x627.jpg" target="_blank">from my childhood television show "Play School</a>"in a pretty tough role.<br />
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The song "Boys in Town" - previously released in 1981 - found fame through its inclusion in the soundtrack and Divinyls became a household name.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DMSyumchMWA" width="420"></iframe><br />
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Wearing a school uniform onstage while performing decidedly adult moves, Chrissy became known as the wild woman of rock. She was quite aggressive, sullen and not at all like many other female performers in the post disco era of music.<br />
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Her distinctive singing style became something that I, as a 13 year old, tried to impersonate. She was a tougher Australian version of Chrissie Hynde, in my mind. Superficially, she had the bangs, she was a female singer fronting a male band, she didn't fit any girly stereotypes. I admired her greatly for, well, her balls. She was a gutsy performer. Here she is in 1983's "Casual Encounter" from the album "Desperate", off which also came the massive hit "Science Fiction".<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PavpXtpsM18" width="420"></iframe><br />
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In 1985 they released "What a Life!", which featured the hit singles "Pleasure and Pain", "Sleeping Beauty", "Good Die Young" and "In My Life". Again, the band changed direction and mood, bringing to their fans a more polished yet darker album.<br />
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After a few stop and start efforts at recording, LA producer Mike Chapman finally helped them out, and the album was released almost two years after recording began. It reached number 4 in Australia and number 91 in the US.<br />
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In 1986 and 1987, Divinyls came back from the US to tour Australia as part of the Australian Made tour. I was lucky enough to see them for the first time during this tour, and Chrissy blew my mind.<br />
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After the tour, Chrissy and Mark returned to LA to write their next album, and "Temperamental" was released in 1988. The album reached number 11 in Australia, but was the last to be released through Chrysalis. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperamental_(Divinyls_album)" target="_blank">Chrissy explained</a>:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.1875px;">"We still owed them more than a million dollars – unpaid reimbursement of their advances for recording, distributing and promoting three albums, and supporting all those tours, yet they let us off the hook. Chrysalis knew, as did we, that we'd never be able to repay such a sum. They figured that because </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.1875px;">Temperamental </i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.1875px;">h</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.1875px;">adn't broken us in the States, we were never going to make it there and they'd be smarter to write off our debt as a tax deduction. 'It's time to split', they said. 'We can't do anything more with Divinyls'."</span><br />
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At Expo '88, I was lucky enough to see Divinyls perform again. Chrissy was so sexy and much more polished than I remembered - this happened to a lot of Australian bands in the '80s when they moved to the US to chase the American dream - and I recall all my male friends going crazy for her, but at the same time being a bit afraid of her, which made me laugh...hard. Here they are performing "Back to the Wall" off "Temperamental".<br />
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In 1991 they released "Divinyls" through Virgin Records, which became a big hit and finally made them famous in the US. You all know "I Touch Myself", right?<br />
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If you're really young, you probably first heard the song while watching "Austin Powers".<br />
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I recall revelling in Chrissy's fantastic taste in music when she guest programmed "Rage" in 1991.<br />
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"Me and my girlfriends really like Slash..." :)<br />
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In 1996, their final studio album "Underworld" was released. Here are Divinyls performing the song "I'm Jealous" on "Hey Hey It's Saturday" in 1995. I love this song, and Chrissy's voice is sublimely raw and beautiful in it.<br />
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In 2006 Divinyls were <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beHxcydbyHU" target="_blank">inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame</a>. I was so happy that this amazing band that had been a part of my life for so long were finally being 'officially' recognised by the Australian music industry. In the ARIA 'summary' clip, Chrissy is seen in an interview saying:<br />
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"I see now that individuality of women is expected and it is accepted a lot more than when I was around."<br />
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Her place in the music industry as a groundbreaking buster of stereotypes must never be underestimated.<br />
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In 2007 Chrissy announced that she had multiple sclerosis but, even during this time, <a href="http://au.news.yahoo.com/video/queensland/watch/75b186a8-8fa6-3e7d-8666-ee3ccbb11129/divinyls-star-offers-hope-for-ms-sufferers/" target="_blank">she was brave enough to pursue innovative treatments</a> and discuss the brutal symptoms she experienced. This was followed by <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/celebrity/divinyls-stars-deathly-double-blow-20101019-16sjo.html" target="_blank">another devastating announcement</a> in 2010 that she had breast cancer. She was treated for cancer in New York where she lived with her husband. I remember reading in 2011 that she was free of cancer, and I breathed a sigh of relief, as did many other fans around the world.<br />
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Even when she was quite ill, her humour and resilience came across during a performance on "Spicks & Specks".<br />
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I wish I could've had her sing my Corolla maintenance manual to me.<br />
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Not only was Chrissy a really interesting and intelligent woman, she had a great voice, great presence...an inspiring female performer (both as a singer and an actor). She was by all accounts a lovely person as well, with a fantastic and saucy sense of humour. And she was a survivor of substance abuse. If you haven't read her autobiography <a href="http://books.google.com.au/books/about/Pleasure_and_Pain.html?id=XhTDQAAACAAJ" target="_blank">"Pleasure and Pain: My Life"</a>, do so now.<br />
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During one of their more recent revival gigs, she kissed me on the cheek while I was swooning at her from the front row. I swear, I didn't wash that part of my face for a week.<br />
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So, today is a sad day. If you loved this woman as much as I did, you will continue to love her music until you die.<br />
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Bye, Chrissy.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo source: <a href="http://l.yimg.com/ea/img/-/130422/a_07022000_150_18n9l1t-18n9l21.jpg">http://l.yimg.com/ea/img/-/130422/a_07022000_150_18n9l1t-18n9l21.jpg</a></span><br />
<br />My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-81567509606919829872013-02-25T21:34:00.000+10:002013-03-03T10:06:14.496+10:00Einstürzende Neubauten @ The Tivoli 23 February 2013I saw someone empty a bucket of metal pipes on to a stage and found it mesmerising.<br />
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That, in a nutshell, is the beauty of <em style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;">Einstürzende Neubauten performing a show.</em><br />
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And a show it was, on Saturday night at The Tivoli in Brisbane. I felt like I'd been lured into a smoky, velvety, damask-lined Berlin cabaret club in the 1930s. It was magical. The only things that wrenched me back into modern times were the addition of bass lines lubricated with machismo, keys stretching the very capability of my hearing to the point of near burst eardrums.</div>
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Then there is <a href="http://www.neubauten.org/blixa-bargeld" target="_blank">Blixa Bargeld</a>. The man is a genius. His voice is an instrument: piercing screams one moment...caressing, accented, sonorous tones the next. The man lit a cigarette onstage in such a sensual way that all the smokers in the venue ran outside immediately to indulge.</div>
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The band as a whole presents a controlled performance filled with spontaneity and experimentation. That sounds a bit at odds, but it's exactly this planned conflict that makes their performance so breathtaking. Each band member has his place and each lends a completely different dynamic to the others.</div>
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<a href="http://www.neubauten.org/alex-hacke" target="_blank">Alexander Hacke</a>'s bass playing style is so deviantly, overtly masculine that I found his stage presence to be almost intimidating. His rhythms helped to weave the pieces together and were the reason for the gyrating bodies in the audience. <a href="http://www.neubauten.org/nu-unruh" target="_blank">N.U.Unruh</a> is the mastermind behind the 'noises' onstage. Custom made instruments, pipes, wire...whatever this man can use to make sounds, he does. Guitarist <a href="http://www.neubauten.org/jochen-arbeit" target="_blank">Jochen Arbeit</a> isn't a traditional guitarist. Using ring modulators, e-bows, percussive tapping he created chaos and melody. <a href="http://www.neubauten.org/rudolf-moser" target="_blank">Rudolf Moser</a>'s percussion and drumming was stimulating and tribal, lending a gutteral feel to otherwise complex performance pieces. The lineup was made complete by the addition of Australian keyboard player <a href="http://www.ash-wednesday.com/" target="_blank">Ash Wednesday</a>.</div>
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Standout pieces for me on the evening - an evening spent scanning the crowd for old faces from times gone by - were "<a href="http://youtu.be/hex6IErt9do" target="_blank">Silence is Sexy</a>"...so sexy... "<a href="http://vimeo.com/neubauten/sabrina" target="_blank">Sabrina</a>", and "<a href="http://youtu.be/hLjX8SQm0qM" target="_blank">Let's Do It A Dada</a>". I hope that you caught Einstürzende Neubauten while they were in Australia, as Brisbane was their final gig. If you're fortunate enough to live in Europe, you can see them perform on <a href="http://www.neubauten.org/live" target="_blank">5 April in Amsterdam</a>.</div>
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The combined careers of these band members is astounding. They're all fascinating, accomplished people in their own right, regardless of the band's achievements. They are true artists, experimenting and pushing the boundaries of music performance. It is this which impressed me so much on Saturday evening. They left an indelible mark.</div>
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<a href="http://www.neubauten.org/">http://www.neubauten.org/</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Visit local photographer <a href="http://www.collapseboard.com/reviews/live-reviews/in-photos-einsturzende-neubauten-the-tivoli-brisbane-23-02-13/" target="_blank">Justin Edwards' website</a> for photos from the evening.</span></div>
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My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com0Brisbane QLD, Australia-27.4710107 153.02344889999995-29.275112200000002 150.44166189999996 -25.6669092 155.60523589999994tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-5839304985276076712013-02-24T22:47:00.000+10:002013-03-07T09:00:01.305+10:00Soundwave Festival 2013 - Brisbane<i>Otherwise known as "How I survived the white tiles of Soundwave".</i><br />
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My <a href="http://www.soundwavefestival.com/" target="_blank">Soundwave Festival</a> experience began on Thursday 21 February around 4.30pm as I was running for my bus home in the Brisbane CBD. I saw a bunch of guys with accents wearing black hoodies outside Rocking Horse Records and, as they looked very lost I assumed they were Soundwave musicians.<br />
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"Hi, are you here for Soundwave?" I asked politely. One very sweet guy smiled and said, "Yes, yes we are". Another big smile. I was about to engage him further in discussion but felt I was getting in the way of some tour manager lowdown conversation of where they should meet at what time etc. So I said bye and went on my way. When I got home, I tried to work out what band they were from the photos on the Soundwave website. I narrowed it down to the blonde guy from <a href="http://blog.sleepingwithsirens.net/" target="_blank">Sleeping with Sirens</a>. I sent him a tweet to say "Hi, I think I met you in Brisbane this afternoon?" to which I got no reply. I don't think I'm a part of their target audience. That's okay.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Brisbane CBD from the Grandstand.</td></tr>
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On Saturday 23 February around midday, I set off for Soundwave at the RNA Showgrounds in Brisbane, Australia. It had been raining all week, so I was 'looking forward to' mixing it up with my fellow locals in a mud bath.<br />
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Unfortunately, one glance at <a href="http://www.soundwavefestival.com/sites/default/files/bean-media/SW13-TT%20BNE%20V5%20Lo.pdf" target="_blank">the timetable</a> the night before revealed many clashes. I wasn't going to be able to see all the bands I'd been excited about seeing, so was a bit disappointed. So I picked the one band I absolutely had to see - Tomahawk - and worked out a schedule around that.<br />
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Upon entry into the RNA grounds, the first thing my partner in crime did was head for the food. Why don't we ever eat something BEFORE we go to a music festival? I had a look at the food on offer and wasn't thrilled: your usual festival assortment of fried food and bread and dagwood dogs and more fried food. Somehow, my man found some Manchego meatballs, but I didn't see anything appetising, so opted out. I thought I could last until I made my way around to the other side of the festival to grab some satay or corn on the cob.<br />
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Silly me.<br />
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I made my way to the main stage area and picked a great spot to see Tomahawk from, behind the first barrier but away from the stage. It was hot - damn hot - and the white plastic tiles on the grass to protect it enhanced the glare and heat factor by 10. I thought, "It's hot, but I'm covered from head to toe and it'll be ok...I want to beat the rush for Tomahawk". At around 38C degrees I could feel my body heating up...not good.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The singer taunting the Anthrax fans ;)</td></tr>
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A band named <a href="http://www.theblackout.net/" target="_blank">The Blackout</a> was finishing up their set, well aware that everyone was waiting to see Anthrax. The 100 or so very young fans in front of them were pretty excited but it was the few hundred Anthrax fans impatiently waiting in front of the other stage who the band focused on. Looking at their fans, the lead singer of The Blackout yelled "Sing after me, Woooooo", then looking at the Anthrax fans the singer yelled "Sing after me, Booooo". At least he had a sense of humour.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot. Hot. Hot. Blew me away.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://anthrax.com/" target="_blank">Anthrax</a> came onstage and a band I'd liked back in the '80s renewed my passion for their music. A killer set, an homage to Dio, and possibly my favourite song rendition of the day: "In the End". Fantastic and one of my favourite performances of the day.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White tiles, I officially hate you. Hate you.</td></tr>
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It was getting really, ridiculously hot now. I was covered in sweat already, thanks to the glare. See the photo above to see what I mean.</div>
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Next up, Tomahawk. Yes! I was thoroughly disappointed when this band didn't announce a side show in Brisbane. I'm in my 40s - let's face it, I'm getting a bit old for music festivals - but I'd bought the ticket just to see them perform. I'd seen Patton in most of his other music concoctions, but never Tomahawk. So imagine my excitement? I'm a shorty and I'd got a really great spot, where I'd been standing for ages in the excruciating heat to see this band. I was stoked. I'd be able to get some great shots of them to show everyone.</div>
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Then these two showed up and stood right in front of me.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is after shuffling over so I could see through the gap...I'm so short!</td></tr>
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Too far away from me to ask them to move, as a large gap was between us. So I ended up having to move and stand in front of them to get some pics. By this time, I was feeling a bit lightheaded.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even Patton and Co. copped the white tile death glare!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Tomahawkband" target="_blank">Tomahawk</a> kicked it off with one of my favourites, "God Hates a Coward", and followed with many other fantastic songs such as "101 North" and "Point and Click". An impressive set-list. But midway through, I began to feel a bit off. I spent half the set sitting down on the ground in the shade of the barrier just to get out of the sun. My face was the colour of a beetroot. So as soon as the set finished, I rushed off to the food court again to pay $5 for a tiny packet of hot chips, shove ice down my bra, tip water over my head, take a Panadol and generally act like a 40-something year old at a music festival who should've known better by waiting in the shade until the band I liked came onstage. I also could've worn a hat, had lunch before I left home, drank more water, not worn all black etc etc...</div>
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I contemplated going home, but that's not how I roll. So we ran over to see Kyuss Lives.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqamGeLQycFggtbW92D_rba5R1P5qbxsqygCJjYddVlb-3vNPIOnFxf7yPGkaKzNzISN1yEMdk4QrQvGJMY_QjYyEUvbPXXga4vcK8imd96I7RbZ-y3GnezuqX9VvyiEhGyfHMJIkgQT8/s1600/KyussLives-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqamGeLQycFggtbW92D_rba5R1P5qbxsqygCJjYddVlb-3vNPIOnFxf7yPGkaKzNzISN1yEMdk4QrQvGJMY_QjYyEUvbPXXga4vcK8imd96I7RbZ-y3GnezuqX9VvyiEhGyfHMJIkgQT8/s640/KyussLives-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grinding that bass!</td></tr>
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I don't know much about <a href="http://www.kyusslives.com/#72e/custom_plain" target="_blank">Kyuss Lives</a> apart from the Homme lawsuit, so I was pleasantly surprised to hear music full of heart and groove. They looked and sounded like they belonged in the early '70s and the funky bass lines got my sick arse bumpin. Very cool indeed.</div>
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Next up I battled the crowds to check out who else was playing: too many people in a space not big enough to accommodate them. I shuffled at the speed of a turtle until I eventually made my way to where <a href="http://swordofdoom.com/" target="_blank">The Sword</a> was playing.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGXWVhx9bNGB1vKRlkQl3JBm8b4kQKFOm9nlEUj9gkkRsowf_vYZsVMrsZsZuKidOhhiXZymHqI-BB_DjwUW74I7z7ApT8nppYmkUSYeo7H63PLVK5XhPvvSTs6PsyxY48zUGgCtWaXc/s1600/TheSword3-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGXWVhx9bNGB1vKRlkQl3JBm8b4kQKFOm9nlEUj9gkkRsowf_vYZsVMrsZsZuKidOhhiXZymHqI-BB_DjwUW74I7z7ApT8nppYmkUSYeo7H63PLVK5XhPvvSTs6PsyxY48zUGgCtWaXc/s640/TheSword3-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These guys have so much potential! Keep an eye on them.</td></tr>
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By the time I got there, I caught their last two songs. But they were excellent...a bit like a less seasoned Kyuss Lives, actually. I wish I'd seen more. One thing I did see while watching their set, though, was the best head of hair at the festival. Luxurious and windblown. Lovely.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hair, glorious hair!</td></tr>
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I walked over to where Of Mice and Men were playing, but after a couple of minutes burst out laughing. I'm sorry, fans of this band, but they're just not my cup of tea.</div>
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Back to the main stage to catch A Perfect Circle. Up in the grandstands this time, I settled down to watch <a href="http://www.slayer.net/au/home" target="_blank">Slayer</a> finish up. What seemed like hours later, they eventually did. I'm not a Slayer fan, so their music all sounded the same to me, like they played the same song over and over and over and over... Judging by the crowd, pretty much every other punter disagreed with me.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone loves Slayer! (except me...)</td></tr>
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By this time, parts of the ground were beginning to resemble a swamp. The kids seemed to like getting muddy. Not me. I'm old. And that's something that was beginning to seep in right about now.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqkCZlb6GQslOwcR14Ij45QrZacALId050uWWiYVD9hC7OIYTHhHFkAJH8zIOQu-UQNW9amxCN5E-PLYJpwmsslHKoQMc3c4DUv8bM6TOqUspAeA5NFrc2TfyKwRP7R-LQvWYmQQ7NwI/s1600/DSC08722-S.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqkCZlb6GQslOwcR14Ij45QrZacALId050uWWiYVD9hC7OIYTHhHFkAJH8zIOQu-UQNW9amxCN5E-PLYJpwmsslHKoQMc3c4DUv8bM6TOqUspAeA5NFrc2TfyKwRP7R-LQvWYmQQ7NwI/s640/DSC08722-S.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://aperfectcircle.com/" target="_blank">A Perfect Circle</a> finally came onstage and we were relieved! And then they started playing the type of set that sounded like it would really suit an ambient venue...just not a festival. The mood they were trying to create was lost and I could only wonder why they didn't include more songs from "Mer de Noms" that would've got the crowd moving. I actually cringed at their covers, and wondered again why a band with such a great repertoire would choose to play so many at a festival.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whose idea was it to place those No Entry/Entry signs there...?</td></tr>
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This experience was enhanced by the non-stop drunken rambling of two morons who were in front of us. When I politely asked them to keep it down, they just stared blankly at me. I eventually moved. But that's what happens when you stop having drinking areas for over 18s and instead let people consume alcohol wherever they like. Lots of drunks. Lots of pricks. Also lots of drunk pricks feeding booze to underage girls. Not good.</div>
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Toward the end of A Perfect Circle's set, I left the festival. I'd scored free tickets to see Einsturzende Neubaten at The Tivoli from a lovely photographer friend of mine, too tempting to resist. Because I'm old, I'd already seen Garbage, Offspring, Metallica, Cypress Hill etc in the '90s, so wasn't going to miss much. My one regret was not hanging around for Linkin Park (who I still call the first EMO band, much to the chagrin of people who are EMOs).</div>
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I've heard that <a href="http://tour.ghost-official.com/" target="_blank">Ghost</a>, a band I really wanted to see, was fantastic, but I was just ready to go home, have a shower, something to eat, and go to see EN. It was all a bit much.</div>
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I'd hate to say this was my last Soundwave, but it felt like the last time I went to Livid, the last time I went to the Big Day Out. Too many people. Too little room. Frankly, too many cut-off denim shorts, too many shirtless bogans. Many of the bands on the lineup these days are not to my taste (too much "woah woah woah"ing). And I'm pretty sure I'm not in the festival's sights as the type of punter it caters for. We'll see, next year. I'm sure another band I love won't perform a side show in Brisbane and the choice will be: go to Soundwave or not see the band. I wish it wasn't so. But, sadly, that's the way things roll up here in Queensland.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4qeVzCnwdE6Nldg13cbp0qU9h0u7hyphenhyphensy7Mqy9gC56ozBuruMMHXxCJg1MZJZ5k7ciZwmspxQKwiB93kl0yLPXOeMCY0c36xcNejIpqvIjG2OQSPA-eFuiccxOtAzp9nVAlee61aOOR8/s1600/DSC08682-S.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4qeVzCnwdE6Nldg13cbp0qU9h0u7hyphenhyphensy7Mqy9gC56ozBuruMMHXxCJg1MZJZ5k7ciZwmspxQKwiB93kl0yLPXOeMCY0c36xcNejIpqvIjG2OQSPA-eFuiccxOtAzp9nVAlee61aOOR8/s640/DSC08682-S.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This was just my experience of the festival. I'd love to hear yours! If you're interested in checking out the setlists for the day, visit this site: <a href="http://www.setlist.fm/festival/2013/soundwave-brisbane-2013-43d69397.html">http://www.setlist.fm/festival/2013/soundwave-brisbane-2013-43d69397.html</a>. If you like surprises, don't :)</div>
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For some great photos from Soundwave in Melbourne, check out <a href="http://richardsharman.photoshelter.com/gallery/Soundwave-2013/G0000CrUoWYQdC8E" target="_blank">this gallery</a> from Richard Sharman at Black Shadow Photography.</div>
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My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-47459732769470121742013-02-24T20:27:00.000+10:002013-02-24T20:27:42.677+10:00Photos: Soundwave Festival 2013, Brisbane<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLDYbdjVnBmAuelqbudl_9aG3_nT6PZJNboPU063YocEewsduWI9tJIFWwqgmmKlR84tEP37YCCT0iqxRW6nEojeaam8FuUHbWMp2wi5vkaveOywCiRq5EFj1oXY-6NOXA2Masflj-18/s1600/APerfectCircle2-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLDYbdjVnBmAuelqbudl_9aG3_nT6PZJNboPU063YocEewsduWI9tJIFWwqgmmKlR84tEP37YCCT0iqxRW6nEojeaam8FuUHbWMp2wi5vkaveOywCiRq5EFj1oXY-6NOXA2Masflj-18/s640/APerfectCircle2-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Perfect Circle at Soundwave Festival, Brisbane - 23 Feb 2013. Copyright: Amanda Schneider, My Aural Fixation</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Perfect Circle at Soundwave Festival, Brisbane - 23 Feb 2013. Copyright: Amanda Schneider, My Aural Fixation</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anthrax at Soundwave Festival, Brisbane - 23 Feb 2013. Copyright: Amanda Schneider, My Aural Fixation</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anthrax at Soundwave Festival, Brisbane - 23 Feb 2013. Copyright: Amanda Schneider, My Aural Fixation</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizilNywYY3HPC2a5OCYtESjZI8PMuCX7PS-lz2Rfp9GEwXOMsODWgCIQyMmAHMN5TQdwOWCvyWUOS6MvVIcaxipPf0wOp7wj-s6c0jZV80CkFeex85eks2_t_MXn5C6y23g4nHMvHg06o/s1600/Anthrax3-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizilNywYY3HPC2a5OCYtESjZI8PMuCX7PS-lz2Rfp9GEwXOMsODWgCIQyMmAHMN5TQdwOWCvyWUOS6MvVIcaxipPf0wOp7wj-s6c0jZV80CkFeex85eks2_t_MXn5C6y23g4nHMvHg06o/s640/Anthrax3-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anthrax at Soundwave Festival, Brisbane - 23 Feb 2013. Copyright: Amanda Schneider, My Aural Fixation</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cYe6-z7a3CBys-BsD6wCH-WCaSysvUhKBDh9p0Nw2PZ874unZa1dS0I-UenQ6fyVAhzwF_pNtZtutIvyAx8jEgOyBFB0ACf-VLkgqZFgPQ9VdF26DUH4TWAmLz-brgPiSWGFt2z-c3A/s1600/Anthrax6-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cYe6-z7a3CBys-BsD6wCH-WCaSysvUhKBDh9p0Nw2PZ874unZa1dS0I-UenQ6fyVAhzwF_pNtZtutIvyAx8jEgOyBFB0ACf-VLkgqZFgPQ9VdF26DUH4TWAmLz-brgPiSWGFt2z-c3A/s640/Anthrax6-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anthrax at Soundwave Festival, Brisbane - 23 Feb 2013. Copyright: Amanda Schneider, My Aural Fixation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiMi-2oAtarUQn2tGNeOUEEo_U4qhXqKghpWaPJV4pmasUzCtJMMvlVRAmXVmQIuCcusCmJdUW9hC3VBF_AJYiBm3f0C5KKT8wLBWG3sPUKmRV-qQ5cuQ2aEZ03IJqfShY-2MEOuBBY8/s1600/KyussLives-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiMi-2oAtarUQn2tGNeOUEEo_U4qhXqKghpWaPJV4pmasUzCtJMMvlVRAmXVmQIuCcusCmJdUW9hC3VBF_AJYiBm3f0C5KKT8wLBWG3sPUKmRV-qQ5cuQ2aEZ03IJqfShY-2MEOuBBY8/s640/KyussLives-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyuss Lives at Soundwave Festival, Brisbane - 23 Feb 2013. Copyright: Amanda Schneider, My Aural Fixation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJO7FuhZXQDQo58_n_3fJJgNStyu6HEQ3KcTqg026DeCjLEU-ytQQ8ePbWDs1x1uy7bCVu1uF4JfU_MlEr_MGqkYeh2ZfAetm7xsMXNN4wVuXNTQud7ntXEeVIWDkH7QuiIviqlQa9n58/s1600/KyussLives2-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJO7FuhZXQDQo58_n_3fJJgNStyu6HEQ3KcTqg026DeCjLEU-ytQQ8ePbWDs1x1uy7bCVu1uF4JfU_MlEr_MGqkYeh2ZfAetm7xsMXNN4wVuXNTQud7ntXEeVIWDkH7QuiIviqlQa9n58/s640/KyussLives2-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyuss Lives at Soundwave Festival, Brisbane - 23 Feb 2013. Copyright: Amanda Schneider, My Aural Fixation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJXVFso9hbChzR8EGT_fkfeddMTvTe9mJpUaJn844iVnXP_Hhtl7lxrTZMX2vkUA5_LddvyxTsB6aI7OUpSTprPGwI3zYGk83bymSb_ylmGfN8hfLRu2ss3anChvUfjkVByH7xw3EFAY/s1600/KyussLives3-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJXVFso9hbChzR8EGT_fkfeddMTvTe9mJpUaJn844iVnXP_Hhtl7lxrTZMX2vkUA5_LddvyxTsB6aI7OUpSTprPGwI3zYGk83bymSb_ylmGfN8hfLRu2ss3anChvUfjkVByH7xw3EFAY/s640/KyussLives3-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyuss Lives at Soundwave Festival, Brisbane - 23 Feb 2013. Copyright: Amanda Schneider, My Aural Fixation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR08puoUlM8WDOySEPqdEF3F3DgdwmdjY85c1FtuoFnedKo-S4zgUTbBDDXWDK7OQASjrB4xgGiL4YvWrWSpkx7s9LedOxg84jUYIqtGEyiMpVcaM8U46IjHzv3RjDQbbOKevivLnCj8c/s1600/Slayer-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR08puoUlM8WDOySEPqdEF3F3DgdwmdjY85c1FtuoFnedKo-S4zgUTbBDDXWDK7OQASjrB4xgGiL4YvWrWSpkx7s9LedOxg84jUYIqtGEyiMpVcaM8U46IjHzv3RjDQbbOKevivLnCj8c/s640/Slayer-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slayer at Soundwave Festival, Brisbane - 23 Feb 2013. Copyright: Amanda Schneider, My Aural Fixation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeXUMuQdr0_V1I_K02Pu0XgC0jwQBHRSuIguRhH1W-zhguSSu9FYVr5c7M8fRktQ7Z1L2EwmbdwIUodJIT9DH6uNo5tmj28UPG7K4Wusxg_xdUiec3bB492sn0v14Ao4QfG3FCpWuWg8/s1600/Slayer3-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeXUMuQdr0_V1I_K02Pu0XgC0jwQBHRSuIguRhH1W-zhguSSu9FYVr5c7M8fRktQ7Z1L2EwmbdwIUodJIT9DH6uNo5tmj28UPG7K4Wusxg_xdUiec3bB492sn0v14Ao4QfG3FCpWuWg8/s640/Slayer3-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slayer at Soundwave Festival, Brisbane - 23 Feb 2013. Copyright: Amanda Schneider, My Aural Fixation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUZ-KQ9MSZTSno5Jq6Nw7WiPklwoytLiD1OUNTguGtG7G1r3qvfGPh00jczQedvWkkN6IE937sOXgSg2nRivTPQ29oHt7ydc0-xpXTP9OCmVabML2pkSr5XT0evteTZoLEoZtrVY_d2o/s1600/Slayer2-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUZ-KQ9MSZTSno5Jq6Nw7WiPklwoytLiD1OUNTguGtG7G1r3qvfGPh00jczQedvWkkN6IE937sOXgSg2nRivTPQ29oHt7ydc0-xpXTP9OCmVabML2pkSr5XT0evteTZoLEoZtrVY_d2o/s640/Slayer2-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slayer at Soundwave Festival, Brisbane - 23 Feb 2013. Copyright: Amanda Schneider, My Aural Fixation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyJKllEsp_BRSLK_BA9F-aIoZX6R1mOKe1k3VhMGNHCqnxztufvQh48K4kSUMJcM2e3rURdjfbrs8c2KWeBXJsehR8r8YN2zlKqJ9wOtT2fUQTBbEtSq2r-lbnwZ0KBu9egIwBjTqfbY/s1600/TheBlackout-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyJKllEsp_BRSLK_BA9F-aIoZX6R1mOKe1k3VhMGNHCqnxztufvQh48K4kSUMJcM2e3rURdjfbrs8c2KWeBXJsehR8r8YN2zlKqJ9wOtT2fUQTBbEtSq2r-lbnwZ0KBu9egIwBjTqfbY/s640/TheBlackout-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Blackout at Soundwave Festival, Brisbane - 23 Feb 2013. Copyright: Amanda Schneider, My Aural Fixation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sN5VRx7AjBfsYW7rlJ_RQm0Z_8XMJ02x2vPV3UWMwaZQujcrUVfJ1WvfKzOo4GQFmS0N5Z6PosjS5GNQ1Vv68I2sgYEcGjLhj6HBqPvlE2ZLbTxK4UnsfCT6hIYOwTXtQY8vgMB_LDc/s1600/Slayer4-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sN5VRx7AjBfsYW7rlJ_RQm0Z_8XMJ02x2vPV3UWMwaZQujcrUVfJ1WvfKzOo4GQFmS0N5Z6PosjS5GNQ1Vv68I2sgYEcGjLhj6HBqPvlE2ZLbTxK4UnsfCT6hIYOwTXtQY8vgMB_LDc/s640/Slayer4-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slayer at Soundwave Festival, Brisbane - 23 Feb 2013. Copyright: Amanda Schneider, My Aural Fixation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtO3_aLbveq4BgZYhtc3XsTCJ5CgNSJJ7PQuwE4nf6LJ4oqCNe0UaEZ4HaIKLT_NCumLjyfCTGhWtGz9KoQm6_QWhPbOieItlhGk7u1b76XpMyWGfjqHrIAHTmo0s8jBvpnZNwfqWPJA/s1600/TheSword2-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtO3_aLbveq4BgZYhtc3XsTCJ5CgNSJJ7PQuwE4nf6LJ4oqCNe0UaEZ4HaIKLT_NCumLjyfCTGhWtGz9KoQm6_QWhPbOieItlhGk7u1b76XpMyWGfjqHrIAHTmo0s8jBvpnZNwfqWPJA/s640/TheSword2-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sword at Soundwave Festival, Brisbane - 23 Feb 2013. Copyright: Amanda Schneider, My Aural Fixation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyNCNtEkamwGub-cazgB8tvSLYVG7EmAVIR8cQGHMy0t464V2G7hTIhFgzLJXZim_5gl3fX9BzEF6VavIyFilRyZANBmi5KPENumWVal6YjVUF8MZebxppUI1EHB8_nhvXPa-6r55YZc/s1600/TheSword-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyNCNtEkamwGub-cazgB8tvSLYVG7EmAVIR8cQGHMy0t464V2G7hTIhFgzLJXZim_5gl3fX9BzEF6VavIyFilRyZANBmi5KPENumWVal6YjVUF8MZebxppUI1EHB8_nhvXPa-6r55YZc/s640/TheSword-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sword at Soundwave Festival, Brisbane - 23 Feb 2013. Copyright: Amanda Schneider, My Aural Fixation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDF60MnIK0eUPMakPc5RcyIiMIeQUPdjpEV_DbYg_qLnypkPh-1awMu3s-H4xC2wHHRz7sHSQFN1VeZiNx8iXBbwiTQXg_meODUUCktF24fp1nieUUaVwT1jMLv6VL75q4Z9YhPckeg-k/s1600/Tomahawk-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDF60MnIK0eUPMakPc5RcyIiMIeQUPdjpEV_DbYg_qLnypkPh-1awMu3s-H4xC2wHHRz7sHSQFN1VeZiNx8iXBbwiTQXg_meODUUCktF24fp1nieUUaVwT1jMLv6VL75q4Z9YhPckeg-k/s640/Tomahawk-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomahawk at Soundwave Festival, Brisbane - 23 Feb 2013. Copyright: Amanda Schneider, My Aural Fixation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTla82LUg3oQ9jEbntHXzpgnQkBtXAv9AlW_HQDQksDaThQXhwH-OAu7IMHC9wSkIGIyqlNADZvGcWtNSbmBfHg2WUw6mLGA6mAiqOQrARPmupRybc6VmkVp9uvZam7lAz_kbFL2LXhc/s1600/Tomahawk2-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTla82LUg3oQ9jEbntHXzpgnQkBtXAv9AlW_HQDQksDaThQXhwH-OAu7IMHC9wSkIGIyqlNADZvGcWtNSbmBfHg2WUw6mLGA6mAiqOQrARPmupRybc6VmkVp9uvZam7lAz_kbFL2LXhc/s640/Tomahawk2-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Tomahawk at Soundwave Festival, Brisbane - 23 Feb 2013. Copyright: Amanda Schneider, My Aural Fixation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaKVHsr2GlZ-8X_u8VkMK-Gz1haUaam0iCuPza_aoIaGCdffEDpdBcCSFL6RMQUhGbECcQwU_pRQJtPYSK4TjiV8QqJ2_cqk_7ntBYizGi-PpLjpzX_O4qhOqvLkQ4WZis6VbvxE64IU/s1600/TheSword3-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaKVHsr2GlZ-8X_u8VkMK-Gz1haUaam0iCuPza_aoIaGCdffEDpdBcCSFL6RMQUhGbECcQwU_pRQJtPYSK4TjiV8QqJ2_cqk_7ntBYizGi-PpLjpzX_O4qhOqvLkQ4WZis6VbvxE64IU/s640/TheSword3-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sword at Soundwave Festival, Brisbane - 23 February 2013. Copyright: Amanda Schneider, My Aural Fixation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4uJE2S1hHMDquVILZqBUe74uKbfyhuDlMoEVnm7Whihr64Fya8CNkf4LSvU8NgYIEqWZG64bJkQD9ZHTPQwjHpW_t-WwKrkLAnnW73ItMsK4JErIfwWvNMUhdS4XcwG3vrDVSLpr65M/s1600/Tomahawk3-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4uJE2S1hHMDquVILZqBUe74uKbfyhuDlMoEVnm7Whihr64Fya8CNkf4LSvU8NgYIEqWZG64bJkQD9ZHTPQwjHpW_t-WwKrkLAnnW73ItMsK4JErIfwWvNMUhdS4XcwG3vrDVSLpr65M/s640/Tomahawk3-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomahawk at Soundwave Festival, Brisbane - 23 February 2013. Copyright: Amanda Schneider, My Aural Fixation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAV6MK_c0Zj22Mv7YRZQ21WzWKkEec5XZNTj4_yyO0Xb0Lj0eE6yPSgeo9tVlAV5EiJlZ5q58EAsDm-Sfl0-gwA_LYWIxPOGYzkJktL4L0HMoeHhHd6hPJTdjat4z1m21MeOmwU6xR14/s1600/APerfectCircle4-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAV6MK_c0Zj22Mv7YRZQ21WzWKkEec5XZNTj4_yyO0Xb0Lj0eE6yPSgeo9tVlAV5EiJlZ5q58EAsDm-Sfl0-gwA_LYWIxPOGYzkJktL4L0HMoeHhHd6hPJTdjat4z1m21MeOmwU6xR14/s640/APerfectCircle4-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Perfect Circle at Soundwave Festival, Brisbane - 23 Feb 2013. Copyright: Amanda Schneider, My Aural Fixation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcu4knTkpyOBmDYzjR_5nfgdLyWIxxthem4zFxLgUQ2-venPvNICxWVAbfMeu3vMPqzwNc5epsItGnV9FV9v5JFUB3dA9J89qr1iuCgtUuQkyfGOn8GPmt4aSWgMjR0A6eLmnXKyFbhy0/s1600/Anthrax4-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcu4knTkpyOBmDYzjR_5nfgdLyWIxxthem4zFxLgUQ2-venPvNICxWVAbfMeu3vMPqzwNc5epsItGnV9FV9v5JFUB3dA9J89qr1iuCgtUuQkyfGOn8GPmt4aSWgMjR0A6eLmnXKyFbhy0/s640/Anthrax4-Soundwave2013-CopyrightAmandaSchneiderOfMyAuralFixation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anthrax at Soundwave Festival, Brisbane - 23 Feb 2013. Copyright: Amanda Schneider, My Aural Fixation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com0Brisbane QLD, Australia-27.4710107 153.02344889999995-29.2750492 150.44166189999996 -25.6669722 155.60523589999994tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-25764112757840046472012-11-26T10:24:00.000+10:002012-11-26T10:26:41.415+10:00How To Destroy Angels : An Omen_EP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj038Kp13CwBJWEWCi0qYI76rheKIVT0i6tRb5F2n-8O6RKCEYLwZvP8vQNnu0J3tl7vuiA5Uh8rpgpKIYpZwSyMq_CXQ1m97oL_AO4qpoO-RmFg3fXzd87JTigZByPgJQOP05GKn2ob3g/s1600/51iItNUBNfL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj038Kp13CwBJWEWCi0qYI76rheKIVT0i6tRb5F2n-8O6RKCEYLwZvP8vQNnu0J3tl7vuiA5Uh8rpgpKIYpZwSyMq_CXQ1m97oL_AO4qpoO-RmFg3fXzd87JTigZByPgJQOP05GKn2ob3g/s200/51iItNUBNfL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
It was inevitable that whatever Trent Reznor released under the How To Destroy Angels banner would be compared to his epic achievements to date with Nine Inch Nails.<br />
<br />
I would advise that you forget about Nine Inch Nails. That history is not going to help you to like <i><b>An Omen_EP</b></i>. However, that history may help you to understand it.<br />
<br />
The Twitter conversation about <i>An Omen</i> - because, let's face it, I can't be bothered typing '_EP' after the album name because it seems a tad pretentious - has been torn. Literally. Fans have been emotionally conflicted between accepting this 'new direction' from Trent Reznor, likening it to Massive Attack, or downright despising it. I'm taking a more measured approach.<br />
<br />
To me, this album was a natural progression.<br />
<br />
While <i>Year Zero</i> was a powerful and rather brilliant concept album, we all knew that once the awards started coming for his film score, Reznor would embrace the ambient. Not that he hasn't before.<br />
<br />
He has also married and - if I can believe the music media - is now the father of two children to former West Indian Girl vocalist Mariqueen Maandig. I imagine his life has changed somewhat.<br />
<br />
As consumers of his music, I suppose what I'm saying is you'd have to be daft to expect the same anger and impact from Reznor's music these days.<br />
<br />
Add to the mix the inclusion of producer/programmer Atticus Ross and art director Rob "I'm still not sure what he does in the band besides take photos" Sheridan, and it's bound to be at least interesting.<br />
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I like the single <i>Keep it together</i>, for which you can find the video at the end of this post. It contains the glitchy electronic elements we've come to expect from Reznor but is anaesthetised by Maandig's smooth and rather hypnotic vocals. It sounds sparse, but probably isn't.<br />
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<i>Ice age</i> is a little more difficult to appreciate, sounding like it would fit better in the mid '70s American folk rock scene than on an album related in some way to Reznor. The plunky instrumentation isn't pleasurable to listen to and is, actually, jarring in a bad way after listening to the former song. One might say...and I will...that this song is not very good. In fact, rather bad.<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F66289488&show_artwork=true" width="100%"></iframe><br />
<br />
<i>On the wing</i> has the electronic sounds we've come to expect from Reznor combined with Laurie Anderson-esque processing on the vocals. This, combined with sampled strings and Maandig-on-Reznor harmonies, actually creates an interesting fusion. Disconcertingly, the melody of the song reminds me a little too much of the '70s Johnny Nash hit single <i>I can see clearly now</i>. Probably not intentional.<br />
<br />
<i>The sleep of reason produces monsters</i>. My, we are trying to be all avant garde, aren't we. This song simply sends me to sleep. It's taking minimalism to the extreme and I'm reminded of the $5 meditation CDs my massage therapist uses.<br />
<br />
<i>The loop closes</i> takes us back to the initial experimentation of the late '70s when it comes to using industrial sounds and Kraftwerk-like beeps. Insofar as noise for noise's sake, it's alright. If you're expecting a well crafted song from a musician who has been in the industry since the early '80s, you might be disappointed. It's a bit clunky.<br />
<br />
<i>Speaking in tongues</i> (please be better than the last song...) combines tin drums with badly performed Indian-sounding instrumentation. Whispered, Satanic-like chanting enters the mix and...well...it sounds like music for people on acid. Very early '70s in influence. It IS interesting. At least it's better than a couple other songs on the album. It's not my cup of tea at all. If I want to listen to music like this, I'll listen to The Beatles during their drug experimentation days.<br />
<br />
All in all, I wouldn't waste my money buying this effort. It's fairly mediocre bordering on bad and I know of unknown musicians with more talent in their little finger. But I suppose this is what happens when you're successful and you have nothing to lose: you try something different. What I don't think NIN fans expected was something quite this 'different'. And by different, I mean strange and a bit unnerving and not very pleasant to listen to on any level.<br />
<br />
But that is just my opinion. And noticing the vinyl edition has already sold out, I wonder if anyone cares anymore about the quality of what Reznor produces, as long as they own it.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/52603601?badge=0&color=ff0179" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe> <a href="http://vimeo.com/52603601">How to destroy angels: Keep it together</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/destroyangels">How To Destroy Angels</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
If you're so inclined, you can buy it here: <a href="http://store.destroyangels.com/">http://store.destroyangels.com/</a><br />
<br />My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-11942857602121741892012-11-25T13:22:00.000+10:002012-11-25T13:22:36.673+10:00Bring Depeche Mode to Australia in 2013<br />
I love Depeche Mode.<br />
<br />
To anybody on Twitter, this will be stating the obvious.<br />
<br />
I am 43 years old and I live in Brisbane, Australia. This means I have never seen Depeche Mode perform in my life.<br />
<br />
Yes, since I have been an adult I believe they've toured here once, in 1993. Unfortunately, I was not in the country at the time and didn't know about the tour.<br />
<br />
SO...<br />
<br />
I thought I'd start an online petition to bring Depeche Mode to Australia during their <a href="http://countdown.depechemode.com/" target="_blank">2013 World Tour</a>. After all, it's not much of a world tour if it doesn't include Australia.<br />
<br />
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<div style="background: #e033ff url(http://www.ipetitions.com/assets/images/widgets/magenta.png) no-repeat top left; clear: both; display: block; text-align: left; width: 200px;">
</div>
<br />
<iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.ipetitions.com/widget/view/magenta/524372" style="border: 0; height: 145px; width: 200px;"></iframe><br />
<div style="color: #76009c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11px; margin-top: -5px; padding: 8px 5px 1px 16px; text-align: left; width: 179px;">
</div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="http://www.ipetitions.com/" style="color: white; text-decoration: none;">Petition by iPetitions</a><br />
<br />
If you live in Australia and would genuinely buy a ticket to see Depeche Mode if they announced a tour here, please sign it.<br />
<br />
Ultimately, I would like to reach the goal of 50,000 signatures and more. I would also love it if they played in every capital city but, at a minimum, to play in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.<br />
<br />
I appreciate your support. If you have trouble with the above widget, you can find a direct link to the petition <a href="http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/bring-depeche-mode-to-australia-in-2013/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Please share among your friends and other Depeche Mode fans, and let's see what we can achieve together.<br />
<br />
~A~<br />
<br />My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com0Brisbane QLD 4000, Australia-27.4710107 153.0234489-49.4362707 112.5937614 -5.5057507 -166.5468636tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-14952305136338248322012-11-15T08:03:00.000+10:002012-11-15T08:55:10.242+10:00Blogging for musicians - the basics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiup1Vvw4o2p9bIyT5Hxo50J98kciR3LN54MrFytE8BdRBKJMnAeOyFzgC9vJW2oScWB0hW3hl-gsM6Ug1wowAAnnu_FK8X-kJDgk64KQtUhVSSzaV88Kkl1qNu8Gdm8ziObbKk5PEydmQ/s1600/2010-04-29-b9f6cd4b0a0111e92893e98691316994.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiup1Vvw4o2p9bIyT5Hxo50J98kciR3LN54MrFytE8BdRBKJMnAeOyFzgC9vJW2oScWB0hW3hl-gsM6Ug1wowAAnnu_FK8X-kJDgk64KQtUhVSSzaV88Kkl1qNu8Gdm8ziObbKk5PEydmQ/s200/2010-04-29-b9f6cd4b0a0111e92893e98691316994.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
I recently noticed a similarity between first-time Blogger users at university and some musicians I talk with on Twitter.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
They all seem to HATE blogging.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
"What do I blog about?" the journalism students asked me.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
"Is blogging once a month enough?"</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
My advice to the students was to make their blog their own. In saying that, what I mean is to create a blog that speaks about your life, your experiences, in a way that expresses your passion. If you express your passion, people will engage.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's a similar conversation with many of the musicians I speak with on Twitter.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Marketing is such a chore."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I don't want to sound up myself, so I don't talk about myself very much."</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
"Nobody follows me or Likes my posts on Facebook, so I don't bother anymore."</div>
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<br /></div>
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So I thought - as someone who usually works in marketing and communications - I might be able to give you some advice.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Blog regularly</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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You need to blog regularly to maintain your audience, unless you're someone like Kate Bush whose career flourishes in obscurity.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
When I say blog, I'm talking about writing posts on your website, Facebook, MySpace or whatever social platform you choose to engage your fans. (See infographic at the end of this post for ideas on which platform suits you best.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you're comfortable sharing your life with your fans, use <a href="http://instagram.com/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> to give them a peek into your every day. If you respect your privacy more, you can stick to discussing your music, but enhance it by taking photos of the music-making process, at band practice etc.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Engage your fans</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
How to do this? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When considering playing in a city you've never visited before, ask your fans which venue you should play.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
With album artwork, run competitions to have fans design the cover. Or run competing designs by your fans to let them choose their favourite. Ditto with t-shirt / merch designs.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Run competitions in your downtime (between albums) to reward your fans for continuing to support you.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Respond to fans on Twitter and don't hand your Twitter account over to a marketing person. Why? Because people like me will unfollow the second they discover it's not you tweeting. If I want to read stock-standard marketing spiels, I will subscribe to your PR newsletter on your website.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
(Remember: Twitter isn't Facebook, so you need to treat it differently. It's all about real-time engagement.)<br />
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<b>Take negative comments with a grain of salt</b><br />
<br />
Nobody gets 100% positive comments on blog posts. Read the comments, consider if what the person is saying is valid, take it on board and move on.<br />
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When comments start getting personal or consistently negative, that's when you need to address this with the person posting them. Or you can choose to block them. Because, as The Oatmeal says in this brilliant comic...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfACPkTXC0s08VGPjgP15uC76iJJmmPLi-4SM-m9wp-fd6ccdbyMxbZbxfHU5e5gs-Mnxwu4B4aX-GTEujKgaogQVNyTcncJZmpQSrQZmMZekZ5U2RHVkouJuH3lVijeEPbzYOy-Whoo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-11-15+at+8.44.51+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfACPkTXC0s08VGPjgP15uC76iJJmmPLi-4SM-m9wp-fd6ccdbyMxbZbxfHU5e5gs-Mnxwu4B4aX-GTEujKgaogQVNyTcncJZmpQSrQZmMZekZ5U2RHVkouJuH3lVijeEPbzYOy-Whoo/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-11-15+at+8.44.51+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/making_things</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Don't muddle the message</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you have a few different messages to relay to fans, consider posting each message separately. This way, if someone is scanning your page, they will be able to quickly identify an issue that is of interest to them.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Use headlines that make sense.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Analyse your approach</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you have been posting for about six months and feel it's just not working, step back and analyse your approach.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Is there a disconnect between you and your fans? What type of people are they? What forums do they hang out on? Is your blog design easy to navigate? Are you naming your posts so they will be picked up by Google searches?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Never stop re-thinking your approach and tweaking it to make it work for you.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Plan content</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One of the most important aspects to blogging is planning content to fill the gaps when nothing's going on. As dull as it might sound, write a communication plan for your music / band. This can be as simple as marking down on a calendar when you want to relay certain messages: recording an album, writing lyrics, band practice, creating new merch, releasing an album, competitions etc.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If it's hard for you to write a lot of content regularly, remember to use photography, video and audio to help fans feel as though they're being included in your journey. Space these out in your plan so you're weaving a balanced message, not posting a bunch of photos one week and then none for the rest of the month.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
These are just a few thoughts. If you have more specific questions, post a comment and I'll respond. Hopefully the above notes will get you thinking about what you can do to help promote your music through regular blogging.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>~A~</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>More information</i></div>
<div>
<a href="http://heidicohen.com/infographic-how-to-plan-your-blog/">http://heidicohen.com/infographic-how-to-plan-your-blog/</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://blog.hostbaby.com/2012/01/grow-your-fan-base-with-a-blog/">http://blog.hostbaby.com/2012/01/grow-your-fan-base-with-a-blog/</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://diymusician.cdbaby.com/2012/11/blogging-for-musicians/">http://diymusician.cdbaby.com/2012/11/blogging-for-musicians/</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://musicians.about.com/od/musicpromotion/ht/musiciansblogs.htm">http://musicians.about.com/od/musicpromotion/ht/musiciansblogs.htm</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/grant-cardone/blogging-for-rookies_b_556226.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/grant-cardone/blogging-for-rookies_b_556226.html</a><br />
<a href="http://theoatmeal.com/comics/making_things">http://theoatmeal.com/comics/making_things</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKodt3QD4owC1jp7KHi5udGrZ2Wnc9Oqyd3EUUrbGpPfNEjKahV8vR0077ykPdm-vXl-pKdnlc79By4P1UBu6OH0_h0i5nhu9g0I_1XTTSvo3JD-umKIEtSykzkRH2yhLPuh53GSu3dns/s1600/infographic_blogserviceflow.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKodt3QD4owC1jp7KHi5udGrZ2Wnc9Oqyd3EUUrbGpPfNEjKahV8vR0077ykPdm-vXl-pKdnlc79By4P1UBu6OH0_h0i5nhu9g0I_1XTTSvo3JD-umKIEtSykzkRH2yhLPuh53GSu3dns/s1600/infographic_blogserviceflow.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: http://www.gcflearnfree.org/blogbasics/4.5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-7181661757464831922012-10-01T18:28:00.000+10:002012-10-01T19:20:00.208+10:00Interview : T.S.Moth of Transdusk<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgek0Q58W60MzMT8AjDXgMytzlZoYyyJqxXjPWZt58t6FEtxLfknxYc_5GmLM4bQaFDvku_eRK7CkMd4LRUEYLKpQAwEs6FgByxUiDPmJeALKuOkn_V0l-ZDvHJuaJ4j6ItEMqHWcra2I/s1600/Transdusk+album+cover.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgek0Q58W60MzMT8AjDXgMytzlZoYyyJqxXjPWZt58t6FEtxLfknxYc_5GmLM4bQaFDvku_eRK7CkMd4LRUEYLKpQAwEs6FgByxUiDPmJeALKuOkn_V0l-ZDvHJuaJ4j6ItEMqHWcra2I/s200/Transdusk+album+cover.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
US musician <b>T.S. Moth</b> - the force behind <b>Transdusk</b> - has discussed with me many times how
he wants to move to the American Southwest. You see, Moth yearns for heat and
sun like a lizard baking on a rock, but he lives in New England.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, it is precisely the richly historic backbone of the
New England area that has inspired his creative output: the works of both Edgar
Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft – alongside the lugubriousness of the Salem witch
trials – provide Moth with strong lyrical concepts.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moth’s need to create is a constant companion; he carries a
pen and paper with him everywhere to capture varied forms of inspiration.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I would say that's the main driving force behind
anything I do: facilitating my ability to create,” he says.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What begets that spark to actually make something after the
initial ‘I need to create’ impulse is where I would say the expression part
comes in.”</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From an artistic perspective, horror and neo-noir films of
the late '90s like <i>Lost Highway </i>and <i>U-Turn</i> served as the perfect escape from
Moth’s mundane experience of growing up in the suburbs. With film being such a
large influence, Moth couldn’t help but be affected by soundtracks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“An alternate drive
for me, or at least a goal, is to score a movie and/or have a song or two on a
soundtrack.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When it comes to art and expression, Moth flows toward the
‘anything goes’ school of thinking, but there are a couple topics he steers
clear of.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“First one is relationships. My teen years are over and so
is the angst that tends to go with it, for the most part.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Second is anything extremely topical. I hate it when I love
a song or album, but as soon as the event or people it's mentioning become
irrelevant or are no longer an issue, it's hard to listen to them earnestly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Biggest culprit here (in my eyes) is Ministry for the ‘Bush
bash’ trilogy. Without getting into politics I'll just say I'm VERY liberal.
That and I love those three albums musically and that blaring them at the time
was cathartic as all hell. But because they're so focused on Bush, they feel
dated.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I'd rather an artist talk about the larger issues presented
by topical events. The most powerful and enduring protest songs are the ones
that address the issues rather than the people or events.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Musical influences run far and wide for Moth: Gravity Kills,
Garbage, Marilyn Manson, Treponem Pal and Dir En Grey are but a few. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Tommy Victor of Prong's guitar work has forever been the
base off which I have modelled my guitar tone and, to an extent, riff writing (<i>Rude Awakening</i> is one of my top 10 favourite
albums of all-time). Drew Neumann, who composed the soundtrack for the <i>Aeon Flux</i> TV series, instilled a deep
love of texture-play and strange tonal arrangements in me. Gary Numan...is just
fucking awesome.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moth finds the work of David Lynch to be a major
force of creative spurring.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sound is always a major component of his work, especially
when it's sound you don't necessarily know you're hearing. Lynch also works on
that level visually; he throws a lot in that sticks with you, whether you
notice it immediately or not. I've always admired and strived for that, to say
something or present something that won't be picked up on until later. Or to disturb
people in an indirect way.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But it’s Moth’s mention of the artist H.R. Giger's work where
I see the inspiration is the most powerful: Giger’s mix of base, dark wantonness
with automatonlike forms expresses, to me, Moth’s music in the most succinct way
possible. If you follow Moth on Twitter, you will know he is quite a sensual individual. As he sees it, good sex - he stresses 'good' over 'bad' - epitomises the qualities he values
in life: communication, passion, physicality and expression.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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“I also love the fact that, much like art, there aren't
really any universals as it's a matter of personal taste. So I guess that ties
in to how it drives me. Good sex helps me be creative just as good music makes
me horny.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I ask Moth - tongue in cheek - if he finds anything other than good or bad sex eases or hinders the creative process for him.<br />
<br />
“When I started writing my own songs, I used to always start
with drums, which made sense as I started my journey as a musician on drums,”
he says.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“As I took up new instruments they each had their turn being
the first thing I went to until, finally, I found myself using them all in
equal measure. I've always tried to write more to the song than to any
particular instrument, which is probably the reason I've always sort of hated
guitar solos. Most of the time, I just think there’s something better that
could be done.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moth finds vocals to be the most challenging aspect of the process.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve always been pretty shy, which never worked since I
love the spotlight. So, if anything, Transdusk has been my own personal
development tool.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“As I've recorded vocals for this album, and now as I
practice for the live shows, I've become increasingly more confident as a whole
and that's about as exciting as it gets.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As Moth prepares to launch Transdusk and the fruits of his labor upon the
gig-going public, he discusses with me the live set-up of his band.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I originally wanted to do the whole old-school Ministry
set-up: two drummers, two key players, two guitarists, one bass player, me, and
maybe guests,” he says.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Since then, I've scaled back...a lot. I started trying to
make a four piece (guitar player, bass player, drummer, me singing and
occasionally providing auxiliary guitar with backing tracks) but I haven't been
able to find a guitar player who wants to or can play in the drop A tuning I use.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So now it's me on guitar and vocals, my bass player Kris
(who provided the guest vocals on <i>Cadaver
Junky</i>), my drummer Charlie, and my iPod for the backing tracks/clicks."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moth says rehearsals are well underway, with Transdusk set
to make their debut on 20 October in Revere, Massachusetts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I ask Moth, on a final note, what he hopes to achieve from
the music industry and his place in it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Happiness. As cheesy as that sounds, it's true. I hope that
if anyone gets ANYTHING from my creative output, it's at least joy. What better
is there to receive?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On 13 July 2012 Moth released his debut, self-titled album under the
project name <b><i>Transdusk</i></b>. The album’s disquieting songs are performed at a
frenetic pace, Moth’s guttural spoken tones a form of punctuation eventuating
in a demonic explosion of chorus. This is particularly evident in <i>Deathblow Automatic</i>. On <i>Disappear</i>, I can hear a bit of Rammstein
and even Slipknot in the influence department, although Moth’s sound is
entirely his own.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can’t wait to see the live incarnation of this music. My
prediction is something wild could eventuate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Explore the world of Transdusk and its creator even further
by visiting <a href="http://www.transdusk.com/">http://www.transdusk.com/</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Listen to and buy the album <i>Transdusk </i><a href="http://transdusk.bandcamp.com/album/transdusk">http://transdusk.bandcamp.com/album/transdusk</a><i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<!--EndFragment-->My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-11697294225897538472012-06-28T10:59:00.000+10:002012-06-28T10:59:46.171+10:00A Place To Bury Strangers : Worship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsAui5Vwb2_IIiDFJXZnIuFVwZuFtm9PR2gm_8F6skCEzLBVuy4ydGN_ftgwbF1wCoh2hMjKnZcZqCvukljsfalzS1xsKpEQUzhXBww_Mj-QP41cUyx9tInGu2BfKj1Iu-3-ZVV-DlNU/s1600/a-place-to-bury-strangers-worship-450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsAui5Vwb2_IIiDFJXZnIuFVwZuFtm9PR2gm_8F6skCEzLBVuy4ydGN_ftgwbF1wCoh2hMjKnZcZqCvukljsfalzS1xsKpEQUzhXBww_Mj-QP41cUyx9tInGu2BfKj1Iu-3-ZVV-DlNU/s400/a-place-to-bury-strangers-worship-450.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I've been anticipating this album for a while, being a fan of <b>A Place To Bury Strangers</b>. This band seems to attract fanatical love from music listeners. <b><i>Worship</i></b> is their third studio album and was released this week on 27 June 2012.<br />
<br />
As is often the case with better known bands, when you're an independent blogger it's hard to get a copy of their album to review before it's released. I really wanted to review this one though, to let you know about it, so I've done so by listening to <a href="http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds/spinner#/4" target="_blank">the Spinner stream</a>.<br />
<br />
The album explodes in a fury of echoed splendour, attacking from the get-go with <i>Alone</i>. <i>You Are The One</i> takes it down a gear, a heavily textured piece, until the wall of guitars which annihilate, unexpectedly. The song disintegrates into an Alien-sounding barrage of high-pitched squeals.<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Mind Control</i>'s persistent bass line drives us into the third track, with deep, sonorous vocals riding a wave above the dream-like cacophony. The drumming in this song is solid and takes it to a different level. Yes, this band creates music that is derivative of some punk/goth bands like Joy Division, Echo And The Bunnymen, and The Jesus And Mary Chain for example. But importantly, they make the sound their own. And it's such a sound for now.<br />
<br />
<i>Worship</i> cocoons me in noise; the sound is incredible, surrounding me. Reminds me a little of Sonic Youth in parts, mainly due to the vocal intonation. Importantly, bands of this ilk are taking the best of the '80s and '90s alternative scenes and melding them into a gorgeous new genre. Post-punk/shoegaze/darkwave pop, or something like that!<br />
<br />
<i>Fear </i>again has that very '80s goth-punk bass line which underpins the wealth of experimentation with guitars. The vocalist guides us through this album with a lot of reverb on his lyrics; he's the constant while the music unravels around him.<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Dissolved</i>, a slower song, is more of the same. I could drown in the strange beauty of this music. I am woken from my revery quite suddenly the second <i>Why I Can't Cry Anymore</i> begins, with its insistent beat maniacally shaking me from head to toe. The drum machine seems possessed...the chorus is incredible; guitars pillaging the break.<br />
<br />
<i>Revenge</i> takes a more traditional hard rock attitude, blasting me from my immersion in the wall of sound. This song will make punters / club goers break out in a fit of frenzied hurling of bodily parts otherwise known as thrashing. <i>And I'm Up</i> turns a tribal rhythm and jingly jangly guitars into an intriguingly unpredictable number.<br />
<br />
<i>Slide </i>forces me to acknowledge the influence of My Bloody Valentine on APTBS's sound. Their quiet, slow songs are incredibly atmospheric and I can imagine listening to them in the dark of night. The sort of music that demands, in some way, the elimination of other external stimulae. <i>Leaving Tomorrow</i> blasts me out of that mindset and back into a pogo, making my body shake and convulse.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Worship</i></b> is superlative...I haven't been this overpowered by an album in ages. I will be buying it soon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxk9IXvGMmXzEXtThnoPQHuZmZ1voYcwVrUit4PahBMGnBisAtVmQD7oVA-69QaTCqxFFZykfp0nEAMOSPGSyY2eHdtf9ixhAij_bXk0VerWr2Vj2aMbqKxoHCe2jtRiK-n_oaK0UKhE/s1600/a+place+to+bury+strangers+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxk9IXvGMmXzEXtThnoPQHuZmZ1voYcwVrUit4PahBMGnBisAtVmQD7oVA-69QaTCqxFFZykfp0nEAMOSPGSyY2eHdtf9ixhAij_bXk0VerWr2Vj2aMbqKxoHCe2jtRiK-n_oaK0UKhE/s320/a+place+to+bury+strangers+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>TRACK LISTING</b><br />
1. Alone | 2. You Are The One | 3. Mind Control | 4. Worship | 5. Fear | 6. Dissolved | 7. Why I Can't Cry Anymore | 8. Revenge | 9. And I'm Up | 10. Slide | 11. Leaving Tomorrow<br />
<div class="false tracks trackSelected" id="track_10"> </div><div class="false tracks trackSelected" id="track_10"><b>ABOUT THE BAND</b></div><div class="false tracks trackSelected" id="track_10"> New York–based | Oliver Ackermann - guitar/vocals | Dion Lunadon - bass guitar | Jay Space - drums<b> </b></div><div class="false tracks trackSelected" id="track_10"><b> </b></div><div class="false tracks trackSelected" id="track_10"><b>A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS</b></div><div class="false tracks trackSelected" id="track_10"><a href="http://www.aplacetoburystrangers.com/" target="_blank">Website </a>|<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/APTBS" target="_blank"> Twitter</a></div><div class="false tracks trackSelected" id="track_10"> <a href="http://aptbs.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"> </a></div><div class="false tracks trackSelected" id="track_10"><br />
</div>My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-72634855536800399992012-06-27T15:42:00.000+10:002012-06-27T15:42:12.071+10:00Model Kaos : Ghost Market<div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9ysxU3oHoKhJGTkUUOU8h2BbGXCLaeZtmRV0NBw0oXZ6G2zJM2JV1XvZIpLqgz7Yi_5d8u5PZCx9dEmdVvatpsjc5Qo611BpGul8HY8MunmIHq_N9lTED6nIQnNTY4g6GLuaEcUiuF8/s1600/ghostmarket+album+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9ysxU3oHoKhJGTkUUOU8h2BbGXCLaeZtmRV0NBw0oXZ6G2zJM2JV1XvZIpLqgz7Yi_5d8u5PZCx9dEmdVvatpsjc5Qo611BpGul8HY8MunmIHq_N9lTED6nIQnNTY4g6GLuaEcUiuF8/s400/ghostmarket+album+cover.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
From the first notes of this album, the music of <b>Model Kaos</b> will entice you deeper into their world.</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">In the first track <i>Ghost Market</i>, Middle Eastern sounds delicately flirt and then other instruments join to create a richer tapestry. I am immediately reminded of Gary Numan's <i>Exile </i>album, which is a fantastic start.</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">The reverb on the vocals lends them a grandiose and somewhat commanding character. The overall sound is of late '80s goth electronica, however there is a depth akin to music developed by Sisters of Mercy that creates a darker aura.</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">The synth sounds specifically are what lend an '80s feel to this music - the tone of the keys in the second track - <i>Love is Murderous</i> - resembles '80s hit <i>Fade to Grey.</i> Where the guitar comes to the fore, the music changes mood immediately and becomes more powerful. This is the first single from the album.</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">The third track - <i>The More</i> - sounds like it was created for an Industrial club dancefloor, and the synth sample in the chorus I found somewhat distracting. I found this song to be a little repetitive and much prefer the more complex, rounded out tracks.</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">Lead vocalist Alex Kintner has a luscious - if somewhat monotone - voice which deftly grounds the music as it wafts around him. This is very evident in the fourth track - <i>Break My Heart</i> - which is a slower piece, followed by <i>Drowning in You </i>which is accentuated by divine guitar tones reminiscent of The Cult and even Flock of Seagulls.</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Your Desire</i> picks up the pace again with more prominent guitar but then <i>Emotionless</i> takes us back to New Order style synth dominance. By now the vocals are becoming a little predictable; it would be great if Kintner could stretch his capacity more and bring a little more expression into each piece. <i>Voices</i> is more of the same and didn't really jump out and grab me.</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Goodbye My Love</i> is an amazing song, the vocals resounding with a deep soaring quality. This is more like it. <i>Circles</i> and <i>The Calling</i> are both very '80s style synth dominated and not particularly my cup of tea.</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">Overall, this album was rich with promise and I loved the songs <i>Goodbye My Love</i> and <i>Ghost Market</i>. If you are a fan of dark, gothic music reminiscent of the 1980s with big vocals and a lulling, hypnotic feel, you will love Model Kaos.</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiszt2Z34SGosNbhL6GND8GZMWEbbu9SMbXZTOwiuMffsD9Ii4JS2s7nSPClHeOzhdyeN4R6N_hBL0jcJAAVM9CNNtfhRxDixd4a-6njRB-FRsv6GLBNSUws1PuArHq58E4DcULCaZv4/s1600/model+kaos+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiszt2Z34SGosNbhL6GND8GZMWEbbu9SMbXZTOwiuMffsD9Ii4JS2s7nSPClHeOzhdyeN4R6N_hBL0jcJAAVM9CNNtfhRxDixd4a-6njRB-FRsv6GLBNSUws1PuArHq58E4DcULCaZv4/s320/model+kaos+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>TRACK LISTING</b><br />
1. Ghost Market | 2. Love is Murderous | 3. The More | 4. Break My Heart | 5. Drowning in You | 6. Your Desire | 7. Emotionless | 8. Voices | 9, Goodbye My Love | 10. Circles | 11. The Calling</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><b>BAND MEMBERS</b><br />
Alex M. Kintner - vocals, lyrics, visual kaos | S.E. Rotwang - guitars, backing vocals, visual kaos | K.G. - composer, programming, production, live drums </div><br />
<b>MODEL KAOS WEBSITE</b><br />
<a href="http://www.model-kaos.com/">www.model-kaos.com</a>My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-65981486922152089332012-06-15T10:54:00.000+10:002012-06-15T10:54:29.186+10:00Mr Meeble : Nostalgic for Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSOoHSiUOhCuo8UAgK9FLle18shBX6q1ALHXvdjVc4HAVbzdWVcdBiZu929nTu_fHdbhRu1ppMNjmzCGJlPe5V0mVm6xzQ8Sf1XNJUEEjUkzXXbCzK80onC6HJlatybUEs1HRwyFynzA/s1600/nfn-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSOoHSiUOhCuo8UAgK9FLle18shBX6q1ALHXvdjVc4HAVbzdWVcdBiZu929nTu_fHdbhRu1ppMNjmzCGJlPe5V0mVm6xzQ8Sf1XNJUEEjUkzXXbCzK80onC6HJlatybUEs1HRwyFynzA/s400/nfn-cover.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="rlsPic2" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <br />
Electronic glitch rock group <b><a href="http://meeble.com/">Mr. Meeble</a> </b>has released a new EP, <i><b><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=eH8NOY8fBFE&offerid=78941&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%3A%2F%2Fphobos.apple.com%2FWebObjects%2FMZStore.woa%2Fwa%2FviewAlbum%3Fid%3D524693121%26s%3D143441%26partnerId%3D30">Nostalgic For Now</a></b></i>, on the Phoenix-based label, Absolute Motion.</div><div class="spkr">The duo of Devin Fleenor and Michael Plaster completed the tracks during their European tour in the fall of 2011. In addition to the EP, the band has created a technological spectacle in the form of the <i>Star Power</i> music video (which you can watch at the end of this review)<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlXoWpo5CrY"></a>.</div><div class="spkr"> </div><div class="spkr">“My life is a complicated, intense and beautiful mess - I'm guessing the music reflects that,” says Devin Fleenor.</div><div class="spkr"> </div><div class="spkr">The EP "sounds like remembering", according to Fleenor, who describes it as a more optimistic work than their 2008 full-length debut, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Never-Trust-Chinese-Mr-Meeble/dp/B001CEJIII" target="_blank"><i>Never Trust the Chinese</i></a>.</div><div class="spkr"> </div><div class="spkr">"Our first album...is the dark aftermath of a real life catastrophe. <i>Nostalgic For Now</i> comes from a happier place, but don't expect upbeat. My life is a complicated, intense and beautiful mess - I'm guessing the music reflects that."</div><div class="spkr"> </div><div class="spkr">The EP's six tracks - <i>Liar, Star Power</i>, <i>Gift, Hotel Window, Liar (Soulwhirling mix), </i>and<i> Gift (Sergey vs Meeble)</i> - continue the reputation this band has held in my mind since their first album. Lush, overwhelmingly rich resonance, waves of emotion.<i> </i></div><div class="spkr"><i> </i></div><div class="spkr"><i>Liar</i> has a melancholic air with haunting vocals and a foreboding percussive element. Elements of glitch and a guitar solo towards the end lend an almost aggressive closure to the tale.<i> Star Power</i> has a gentle groove that compliments Fleenor's delicate vocals. This song has the power to transport you beyond your daily grind.<i> Gift</i>'s keyboard melody is hypnotic and Fleenor's vocals on this song are emotive and raw. The percussion's timing is complex and is the star, with guitar and synth gliding above.</div><div class="spkr"> </div><div class="spkr">If you're after comparisons, Mr. Meeble reminds me of several bands, but their sound is their own. There are hints of The Deftones, Massive Attack and Telefon Tel Aviv in the sounds on this new EP, but only hints.</div><div class="spkr"> </div><div class="spkr">Mr. Meeble's live show revolves around captivating visual elements using powerful <a href="http://epiclasers.com/">RGB lasers</a>, videos, and other contraptions like a custom-made infrared-projection bodysuit named the 'ghost portal'. This bizarre visual device is featured heavily in the <i>Star Power</i> music video (below)<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlXoWpo5CrY"></a>. The next wave of <a href="http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/uponsun/2011/11/mr_meeble_at_crescent_ballroom.php">live shows</a> is currently being planned for the US fall of 2012.</div><div class="spkr"> </div><div class="spkr">You can find out more from the <a href="http://meeble.com/" target="_blank">Mr. Meeble website</a>. </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/NlXoWpo5CrY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-55410301616577664762012-06-13T23:26:00.004+10:002012-06-13T23:34:34.497+10:00Blackbreaks : Blackbreaks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhON-e5QlSTtSlfRyBaxM3Z3CXxYkwBL5r8eporCi4Y6vjMS4vJ03Wvxg0d8foXEg3h11u54BsA7q5kBbZdhMp3KcKQWOmdWcCLhbY3_oKvDgXW2L2HYytU8nMv7ERS4o0XIdQoY6pRCbU/s1600/blackbreaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhON-e5QlSTtSlfRyBaxM3Z3CXxYkwBL5r8eporCi4Y6vjMS4vJ03Wvxg0d8foXEg3h11u54BsA7q5kBbZdhMp3KcKQWOmdWcCLhbY3_oKvDgXW2L2HYytU8nMv7ERS4o0XIdQoY6pRCbU/s400/blackbreaks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<i><b>Blackbreaks</b></i> is the self-titled debut EP from this exciting new Australian band. The music industry has needed a kick up the arse for some time, and <b>Blackbreaks</b> delivers.<br />
<br />
Consisting of some well-known musicians from bands such as MM9, iNsuRge and Vae Victis, Blackbreaks' sound is one of gritty politi-punk washed down with a pitcher of arsenic.<br />
<br />
Wailing guitars, passionate vocals, catchy song structures and a driving rhythm section make these four tracks immediately addictive and potentially the objects of aural lust.<br />
<br />
<i>Alienation</i>, <i>Black President</i>, <i>My Kind of Dinner Party</i> and <i>Radicals and Conservatives</i> are all worthy songs in their own right; there are no fillers here. The latter has a bass line that is utterly infectious: dirty, filthy, wonderfully grotty bass.<br />
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You can listen to - and buy at whatever price you want - the EP on <a href="http://blackbreaks.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Bandcamp</a> or discover more about Blackbreaks on their <a href="http://blackbreaks.com/" target="_blank">website</a>.<br />
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Blackbreaks' official live debut will be at the <a href="http://www.wintermagic.com.au/" target="_blank">Winter Magic Festival</a> in Katoomba, NSW on Saturday 23 June.<br />
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Blackbreaks is:<br />
<br />
<span class="less">Kerry Foulke - Guitar/Bleeps<br />
Chris Dubrow - Guitar/Vocals<br />
Kieren Hills - Bass/Distortion<br />
Anthony Matters - Drums</span><br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=3075174480/size=venti/bgcol=000000/linkcol=ffffff/" style="display: block; height: 100px; position: relative; width: 400px;" width="400">&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://blackbreaks.bandcamp.com/album/blackbreaks"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Blackbreaks by Blackbreaks&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;</iframe>My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348330082689672324.post-85847198375371965152012-05-28T16:35:00.000+10:002012-05-28T16:35:01.781+10:00Prince : Brisbane 18 May 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Jeg6bTDG8GZJt0Kpd1-8-9wY8e_A5N-N13aYUC7wmpYGop4UWDIel5Fd4yCI4Oblg2jHSLGCTqoFDy3_k4abDH3ft5xHgU5JerMpFufS6jOH39ctot_vIs1rcdj55O85_AlceMPrTI8/s1600/Prince+by+Amanda+Schneider-DSC06872-S-C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Jeg6bTDG8GZJt0Kpd1-8-9wY8e_A5N-N13aYUC7wmpYGop4UWDIel5Fd4yCI4Oblg2jHSLGCTqoFDy3_k4abDH3ft5xHgU5JerMpFufS6jOH39ctot_vIs1rcdj55O85_AlceMPrTI8/s320/Prince+by+Amanda+Schneider-DSC06872-S-C.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I've waited a while to see <b>Prince</b> perform. 32 years, to be precise. And boy, was that wait worth it.<br />
<br />
Or was it?<br />
<br />
I didn't write a review of this last weekend because I wanted to think about it a little longer. While an absolutely astounding, note perfect, professional performance, there were a couple of aspects lacking from the show.<br />
<br />
<b>1. The Audience</b><br />
<br />
At times, I felt I was the only audience member responding to Prince's pleas to sing along. At one point - during <i>Kiss</i> - I felt I was the only person who knew all the words. Was this actually true? Probably not; I'd say a few hundred people sang along with me. But in a packed stadium-size venue, I expected more from the audience.<br />
<br />
There is an element of gig goer these days who go to see famous performers for the wrong reason: to say they've seen the gig. They want to ensure they've been to every big music event happening so they can brag about it at the water cooler at work, or at their next dinner party. These people can be the reason tickets are so hard to get and why rabid fans miss out. These people don't know the music and they don't know the lyrics. They are of every age group. All they know is Prince is some famous musician so they had to see him.<br />
<br />
<b>2. The Jam</b><br />
<br />
Prince is what the industry calls a triple threat: he can sing, he can play multiple musical instruments, and he can dance. He is an incredible showman; his stage setup blew my mind. It was aesthetically beautiful, as were his dancers. The musicians performing at the concert as his backing band were proficient and impressive. What I missed was the old Prince I had always wanted to see: the wild, sexual, jamming prince of funk.<br />
<br />
The show was flawless. I couldn't find one fault with his performance or any other aspect of the gig. And it would seem strange to complain about this. I just wish I'd seen some element of the Prince punters described seeing at the official after-jam party on Saturday night: that wild, spontaneous master of the guitar going just a little bit crazy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEwUIqzzKB6tLgGgK85gs5jMWoraO-k4UfPlDUOyT_DpNXsOcVqEcV58duwI0hJWlKi5uJ4KEFR96Z3DtnFjQUBYjdRO5usrZAxdtWx137QkoNBLZG9_k1aduEz6YUnOoK5id5VIqHog/s1600/Prince+by+Amanda+Schneider-DSC06850-S-C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEwUIqzzKB6tLgGgK85gs5jMWoraO-k4UfPlDUOyT_DpNXsOcVqEcV58duwI0hJWlKi5uJ4KEFR96Z3DtnFjQUBYjdRO5usrZAxdtWx137QkoNBLZG9_k1aduEz6YUnOoK5id5VIqHog/s320/Prince+by+Amanda+Schneider-DSC06850-S-C.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>That said, I had an amazing experience and breathed in every bit of every second I was looking down at this legend of my time. With songs like <i>Let's Go Crazy</i>, we saw the talented axeman draped by gorgeous dancers, grinding and wailing. With <i>Sign O The Times</i>, it was a more modern, sampled sound. <i>Purple Rain</i> - with Prince alone at the piano - sent shivers up my spine. His voice is splendid; he has an impressive vocal range and can be as delicate as he can soar. He easily manipulates the audience through a vast array of emotions which results in a delirious feeling at times, like you've been spun around a few too many times.<br />
<br />
There was a lot of activity onstage - perhaps a bit too much - as musicians and dancers went off and up and down through a variety of mechanised stage setups. Prince worked the entire stage - in the shape of his famous 'sign' - and the momentum didn't feel as though it let up for one second. It was definitely a performance, a finely oiled stage show befitting a perfectionist like Prince, which reflected the breadth of his incredible catalogue of work.<br />
<br />
My favourite song of the evening was <i>Empty Room</i>. I barely drew breath as Prince delicately plucked my heart strings with this moment.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCox9HTxVvZZ46HkAXxdjeD6w71z_SuA-96tDgG6nz0oM0VU-kk9Gpj9H0KlbikwUq6X2IIt9MJsHHeUzvTKwT5Hg8MMndqymWn2H6Ym1GAdnWpTRVlNDJoTd19HieVYV1luEQjBlj3w/s1600/Prince+by+Amanda+Schneider-DSC06858-S-C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCox9HTxVvZZ46HkAXxdjeD6w71z_SuA-96tDgG6nz0oM0VU-kk9Gpj9H0KlbikwUq6X2IIt9MJsHHeUzvTKwT5Hg8MMndqymWn2H6Ym1GAdnWpTRVlNDJoTd19HieVYV1luEQjBlj3w/s320/Prince+by+Amanda+Schneider-DSC06858-S-C.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>If you were fortunate enough to experience this show along with me, or at any other gig on his worldwide tour, you will understand what I mean when I say this man is one of the most impressive musicians of the past 30 years. His 'strangeness' has at times overshadowed his music. He's made the headlines with name changes and copyright protection. But none of this matters to me one bit. His musical brilliance and the amount of energy he has put into his career and the careers of others he has mentored makes him, to me, a genius. This was a show I won't forget.<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">[Prince performed this gig at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. A full setlist for the gig is available from <a href="http://silvertongue20eleven-purple-house.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/prince-live-entertainment-centre.html" target="_blank">Purple House</a>.] </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJ0EYD1IzDXokYzwGbnZa3Fn9STYBzRb4-yu0gDA5HfYCqbJSGzHh_eJOmaNrXaCBOypYGhHDaTi2-GO1EosXFnTDiJPGuS_rDahjYvdR3mWo7VJFdDzOBXorLPvRMUEnkXmrSkLLvoc/s1600/Prince+by+Amanda+Schneider-DSC06852-S-C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJ0EYD1IzDXokYzwGbnZa3Fn9STYBzRb4-yu0gDA5HfYCqbJSGzHh_eJOmaNrXaCBOypYGhHDaTi2-GO1EosXFnTDiJPGuS_rDahjYvdR3mWo7VJFdDzOBXorLPvRMUEnkXmrSkLLvoc/s640/Prince+by+Amanda+Schneider-DSC06852-S-C.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQpby8NrlxEaKkN0J81jQh1lKuvP7s9JhrQv6e33mMiZQEgtwe302oLVgENAke61yoH8QQHdUPXNEVMdXVJbXAytyM3QFmUfWKe_wBoFjdWgnBEO6gdkJgCORHhoDYsutdzRObkuHVw8/s1600/Prince+by+Amanda+Schneider-DSC06880-S-C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQpby8NrlxEaKkN0J81jQh1lKuvP7s9JhrQv6e33mMiZQEgtwe302oLVgENAke61yoH8QQHdUPXNEVMdXVJbXAytyM3QFmUfWKe_wBoFjdWgnBEO6gdkJgCORHhoDYsutdzRObkuHVw8/s640/Prince+by+Amanda+Schneider-DSC06880-S-C.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And yes, the performance ended with a spray of purple glitter from the ceiling!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>My Aural Fixationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556095730113983925noreply@blogger.com0Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Boondall QLD 4034, Australia-27.34222 153.0711-27.3468285 153.0657845 -27.3376115 153.0764155