Gig Review - Our Man In Berlin

Our Man In Berlin

Live @ Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane (05/06/2014)

Reviewed by Jo Michelmore

Choices. Everyday so many choices. Wake up? Sleep in a little? Tea or coffee? Turn left or right? Some of them are easy, made without the thought they are even choices and others are more difficult. Some will have seemingly no impact on your existence and others are a little more intense.

All of the choices made have bought us all to where we are, you having chosen to click on this little blog and read these little words, me having chosen to spend the time to write them. Five talented souls from Perth have made the choice to create beautiful sounds and share them with world and last week they made the choice to trek all the way across this massive country of ours and share their lives sounds with the east coast, where I choose to live. Last week, my fellow blogger Matt and I made the choice to visit a venue we haven't always been fans of, to witness what it was about this band that has grabbed our attention for twelve months or so now. 

I don't know what the choices are that Haydn, Justin, Trevor, Dan and Rory have made to create the fabulous sounds they have on their debut EP is it right?, but I dare not question such things, I'm just really, really glad they made them. Having been a fan of their sounds for over a year now, when the opportunity to see them live came my way, there was no way I was going to make any choices that let me miss the show. Other people on Thursday night made different choices. Some made the choice to dress in costume in order to let them into the venue for free, others made the choice I can only assume was to drink...lots, in the lead up to the gig and these are all valid choices. Mine? Mine was to see a band I adore and not let any one else's choices hinder my live music experience. 

By the time Our Man In Berlin made their way to the stage, many choices had been made by the people who attended, the punters in Alhambra had increased and decreased a couple of times and to be honest, I'm really unsure as to how many were there for the choice of booze or music, but once those sweet sounds from is it right? were played, none of it really mattered, because talent like Our Man In Berlin's needs to be appreciated, regardless of surrounds. 

'Airhead' was beautiful, comforting and dramatic and I honestly had one of those little "oh wow" live music moments when Haydn's voice filled the room, the sounds were exactly as they should be, strong and incredibly familiar. The instantly recognisable beats of 'Lonely Arms' took me somewhere far away from my surrounds, somewhere that music is revered and loved and admired, somewhere in my own world, the layered sounds of guitar and keys were a perfect escape from the person who made their own choices and decided Matt was 'the only person they were going to meet that night' while comparing Our Man In Berlin to The Doors and David Bowie, which is probably not a bad compliment, but yes, a view a little shaded in liquid refreshment.


'Flight'; the track that simultaneously surprised and delighted me when I first heard it, almost did the same thing again as a live track, something that I long to hear in a bigger venue, a song that I now know deserves to be played live, it's sounds begging to be appreciated. 'Cirrohsis' let me appreciate the four band members that support the front man that Haydn was clearly born to be, but no front man of any band is any good without an incredibly talented band to support him.This band are more than incredibly talented, they make it difficult to know what I should be watching, what I should be listening to or where my attention should be focused, but they make the choice of enjoying live music an easy one, because it's musicians like this that make drunken punters, annoying conversations and spilt drinks go away, they make the live music experience much better than it sometimes can be.





With all of that, something happened on Thursday night that made me so glad to have made the choice to be a blogger when Matt first asked me to write with him all those years ago now. The first song I heard of Our Man In Berlin was one that struck me at the time but will now be placed in that little (not so little) list of live music moments I adore. The haunting of notes of 'Temaze' pierced through the Alhambra on Thursday night and while a lot of people there made the choice to keep drinking or keep chatting, for those of us who didn't, there was something special that occurred. It was those all familiar, all beautiful goosebumps, the feeling of warmth in the back of my throat, the open mouth wonder of how could I be lucky enough to have chosen to hear something so beautiful that visited me, and nothing, not even the slight technical difficulties took those feelings away. Those are the moments that keep me making the choices of putting up with the punters, of dragging myself out of the house after long days and knowing how tired I'll be the next; they are the moments that make the choice to adore the live music I do worthwhile.


Now I can only hope Our Man In Berlin keep making the choices they have to make the music they do and play the gigs they are and one day those choices will lead to more EP's, more albums, more gigs, more fans and I'm happy to admit, selfishly for me, more mesmerising live music moments.

Gig Review - Chance Waters, The Griswolds and Oceanics

Chance Waters and The Griswolds

@ Alhambra Lounge (04/10/2013)

Supported by Oceanics

Words by Jo Michelmore

Pics by Cordell Sanders

If it's Friday night and The Griswolds are on a lineup somewhere and you like to have a dance when you go to a gig, then it's probably worth heading out of your house to wherever they are. Combine them with Chance Waters and their other friends, Oceanics and you're almost guaranteed to have a good time. 

When the three came together at the Alhambra Lounge in early October, it seemed most of the crowd who came to see them wouldn't disagree. Oceanics played a solid set to a very small group of people, which is a shame, because they're actually really good. By the time The Griswolds hit the stage the venue had filled considerably and they smashed through an impressive set of a lot of unfamiliar songs which I look forward to hearing on their album (when it's finally released) and of course they impressed their (mostly female) fans with crowd favourites 'Missisippi' and  'Heart Of A Lion'.

Chance Waters was clearly the one most came to see, with the venue having filled by the time he got to the stage and while he and his band played the first couple of songs to a welcoming audience it was such a shame the disappointing sound at Alhambra disappointed yet again and his set was cut mid way through by a technical issue. Luckily someone in the crowd had a banana to save the night (who takes a banana to a gig is a question I'm still yet to answer) and a small amount of awkwardness was stopped when the band launched into 'Young And Dumb', before some of The Griswolds were called back to the stage to sing 'Bonnie'. How sweet. 

While it wasn't a gig that would change the world, it's nice to see Australian bands being supported by punters loving their live music on a Friday night. While the venue can often be a little disappointing, it's nice to have a venue that supports punters loving their live music on a Friday night. While there's live music being played, there'll always be something fun to do on a Friday night. So, what are you doing next Friday night?

Gay Paris - BIGSOUND Live 2013 Feature Artist

Gay Paris are coming to BIGSOUND. They're going to rock. They're going to roll. They're probably going to remove various items of clothing (theirs and yours) and they're more than likely going to party harder than any other BIGSOUND act. 2013 has been a big year already for Gay Paris (aka Wailan H Monks, Blacktooth Marks, Six Guns Simpson and Slim Pickins Podmore) with their sophomore album, The Last Good Party, earning rave reviews. And the heart of a certain K-Tizzle who likes to sizzle. 

Like Thelma Plum and Gossling, Gay Paris were awesome enough to take the time to have a little virtual chit-chat with Katie about what fans can expect from them when they takeover BIGSOUND Live, awesome parties, music clip and Ke$ha. Yes. Ke$ha. And don't forget, tickets are on-sale now for BIGSOUND Live, the best two nights of live music in Brisbane all year! You can check out the full program (and get info on all of the fun events) over at the BIGSOUND site and you can grab your one or two day passes through Oztix and QMusic!

Gay Paris

Performing Live: 11:40pm @ Alhambra Lounge - September 11, 2013

as part of BIGSOUND Live

Interview by Katie Langley

Gay Paris, hi! What have you been up to this week? 


Gay Paris: We've been involved in all manner of arcane affairs – music videos, rock n roll shows and dark, boozy rituals are not for the uninitiated (so pony up with the joining fee, we need your money).


You released your second album The Last Good Party earlier in the year. What’s the best party you’ve ever been to? 


GP: Gay Paris is a rolling party, nocte sumus gaudeamus is the mantra of choice, followed by semper celebro! Also, it is always better if we don't have to pay for anything or clean up or explain ourselves to the authorities, moral, legal or otherwise. I think that we proved that as we hit every state and territory in the country on the 40 date album launch tour we finished in July. Please don't tell anyone that we survived, it'll be easier that way.


You launched a campaign to raise money for the production of “The Last Good Party”. There was an offer to complete school assignments in exchange for monies donated. What other requests did you receive and did you oblige?


GP: We faked orgasms in a crowed restaurant, popped, locked and got crunk to technical death metal in a crowded public place, hosted a nightmarish dinner party (featuring hugs, booze and weight lifting), heck, it was all so long ago! I am still writing hip-hop songs for people, we make phone calls to people on their birthdays for the next five years and I think that we owe Satan the souls of our first born children.


The video clip for 'The Demarcation Of Joseph Hollybone' features a big cock. How did the idea for the clip come about?


GP: I think that 1 in 10 of the new 'likes' on our Facebook page have a giant cock as the profile pic. The rest wrote itself.


You recently shot a new video. Can you tell us which song this was for? And is it true there is a cream scene?


GP: The video is for 'Trash Bird At Confessional'. We shot it with Mikey Hamer, who worked with us on the clips for 'Ash Wednesday Boudoir Party', 'House Fire In The Origami District' and 'My First Wife? She Was A Fox Queen'. The whole damn thing is money shots. Gay Paris know what you need, ladies and gentlemen.

Talk us through the live Gay Paris experience. What can the BIGSOUND audience expect? I have been impressed with W.H Monks’ ability to take off his pants without removing his shoes.


GP: Anything done well will change the world, from religion to art, from cheap wine to rock n' roll. We will transform all who bear witness to our awesome moves. We will provoke the violence of the gods (prove that you exist, dudes!) and arouse all manner of loin emotions. We will also ask you to buy our merch, furnish us with drinks and straight out demand that you give us your money. We will high five everyone who deserves it and heap scorn on any cold souled simpleton that doesn't understand the importance of shaking it out. We will polarise the population of all worlds into the 'want to' and 'oh no' factions.


Ke$ha crashed one of your gigs last year. She bit Blacktooth’s beard, and took his shirt. Seeing as though you’ve been up close and personal, tell me, is she clean? Sometimes I’d like to run a brush through her hair. 


GP: You know, I really couldn't vouch for her ratio of cleanliness to filth. She was so twisted up on Blacktooth that I didn't get a chance to do more than give her a brief snuffle, and as everyone knows, the rock n roll dude's olfactory sense is densely compromised by certain lifestyle choices. I was really stressed (not angry) when neither she nor her minder offered to buy me any drinks.


Who are your favourite super famous pals to tour with?


GP: We love touring with The Snowdroppers because they understand what it is like to be lonely sex icons on a pedestal of shame, desire and soiled undergarments. We get down with Totally Unicorn because they let us make fun of Tim and don't make judgements about party abuse problems. Finally, though we've only played with them on two occasions, we enjoy the company of King Parrot because they are such sweethearts.


It’s 2016. Where are Gay Paris?


GP: The year is 2016, the place is international waters, the laws are no laws but those of terror. The Elder Gods have risen and enslaved humanity – everyone works for the two great Cola giants and resistance is futile.. until Gay Paris release their fourth record from the catacombs of Atalantis. This produces an ontological shift that causes the Starlords to buy the band drinks and elevate them to a status normally reserved for the demi-urges of monotheistic religions.


Or we could just be at The Joynt asking Jodi for free drinks. It could go either way.

Well, either scenario seems cool enough. Thanks to Gay Paris for hanging out. You can join in on the fun when the band runs riot as part of BIGSOUND Live! 

It's My Kind of Interview - Half Moon Run

HALF MOON RUN

Canada's new Indie stars...

Artists to watch out for in 2013.
Interviewed by Jo Michelmore

Q. Tell us about yourselves!  Who are you, what do you do and why do you do it?
 

Half Moon Run: Our core is Devon Portielje (lead vox, guitars, floor tom) from Ottawa, Dylan Phillips (drums, keyboard, backup vox) from Comox, and Conner Molander from Comox (guitars, keyboard, backup vox).  We all come from very different backgrounds, both musical and personal, and it makes for a good combination to write and perform our music.  Our sound is very much inspired by folk, but it sounds more like a blend of indie, pop, and electronic… It's also very different from song to song.

 

Q. Your awesome album ‘Dark Eyes’ is full of beautiful and complex harmonies and arrangements. Describe the song writing process to us; is it a beautiful, easy one or do you find it difficult?
 

Half Moon Run: All the above.  Sometimes a song comes as a gift, and none of us really know where it came from.  Often it's very difficult, and takes a lot of bashing heads.  One thing maintain though is that we write together as much as possible.  Most songs are conceived from start to finish as a trio in the jam space.

 

Q. It's hard to define your sound, are there any of your songs that you think represent you best as a band?
 

Half Moon Run: Every new song we write represents us best as a band.  Every old song, as fresh as we can make it, will represent us from another time.

 

Q. All of you are multi-instrumentalists, are there any instruments that you’d love to play but haven’t had the opportunity to yet and are there any instruments you’d like to introduce to Half Moon Run in the future?

 

Half Moon Run: We've already brought in a fourth member who sings, plays keys, and plays a kick drum and snare with sticks and mallets, and we're slowly adding more / cymbals / HH / electronic perc / more vocal fx.  A new song we're working on involves a ukelele… we also bought a mandolin not too long ago.  Conner has lap steel on his mind… maybe a wurlitzer some day.  Of course there are tonnes of instruments we'd like to introduce.  I've been writing parts for strings live, that we will start incorporating into our live show when we can.  I've got flugelhorns and trombones on my mind for a new song idea.

Q. What question have you always wanted to answer but no one’s ever asked before?

 

Half Moon Run: I mostly try to think about music.  I have no idea?  That's a good one...

Q. I’m the musician, you’re the blogger; what do you ask me?

 

Half Moon Run: Wanna jam?
 

Q. The future of Half Moon Run involves….?

Half Moon Run: Lots of touring, lots of songwriting, more touring, recording, more songwriting, with an emphasis on SONGWRITING.  We need to keep writing to stay sane.  We have so many ideas we just haven't had time to bring to a completed state.  We will tour the world before we can get another album out, but at the rate we're going, hopefully that won't be too long.

Half Moon Run's debut album Dark Eyes is OUT NOW and the band is on an Australian tour... RIGHT NOW!

12/1/2013 @ Karova Lounge - Ballarat, VIC

17/1/2013 @ The Byron Bay Brewery - Buddah Bar, Byron Bay, NSW

18/1/2013 @ Alhambra Lounge - Brisbane, QLD

19/1/2013 @ The Loft - Gold Coast, QLD

20/1/2013 @ Cafe Le Monde - Noosa, QLD

24/1/2013 @ Moonshine Band Room - The Steyne, Manly, NSW

25/1/2013 @ The Standard - Sydney, NSW