Metals [pictured right] is Christopher Coe and Candice Butler.
Chris is a Melbourne based producer/writer/DJ who has been composing, performing and releasing recordings under the Digital Primate moniker for several years now. His most recent release Keep Calm and Carry On was mixed by The Mad Professor.
Raised in South Australia, Candice was a published poet at age 11 and grew up on stage and TV, performing as a dancer and actor throughout her childhood. Finding her heart in hip-hop and neo-soul, she performed with local musicians and by chance came to the attention of Professor Griff of Public Enemy and was invited to perform live with them during their Australian tour. This led to an invitation to record her first demo in Atlanta, produced by Professor Griff himself. Candice jumped at the chance, fully immersing herself in the alternative hip-hop and soul scenes and traveling with Griff and PE in the US.
On returning to Australia, Candice made Melbourne home and began singing and working on many diverse music projects from rock to house, techno to deep funk. After being spotted MCing at an all female hip hop event in Melbourne, Candice was linked up with Digital Primate. The two then decided to write and record.
Ahead of their appearance at the One Movement industry showcases in October 2010, One Movement Word caught up with Metals’ producer Christopher Coe for a quick chat on all things music.
What’s your favourite song of all time, Christopher?
‘French Kiss‘ by Lil’ Louis [embedded below], because it is a classic floor filler every time!
But I also love ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ by Joy Division because I have experienced it.. I am old.
Favourite musical moment of 2010 so far?
Seeing Massive Attack perform ‘Unfinished Sympathy‘ live with the woman I love next to me (Hang on, maybe that’s my favourite song of all time!)
You’re a musician. Why? What compels you?
Originally, ego.. now.. creative output, a desire to have creative success and also to contribute to world peace!
What’s more important to you: living comfortably from your art, or artistic integrity? Is it possible to have both?
Artistic integrity but I believe it is possible to have both if you live in a bigger country and you have different values.
Social media for musicians: friend or foe?
I don’t buy it. But Candice does. She loves chatting and putting up status reports.. I see that there is a balance needed and I like mystery.. however, I do love the fact that it can be a leveler and I love the idea that we can have more direct contact with the artists we admire.. as a fan I am into that…
Favourite music video of all time?
‘Window Licker‘ by Aphex Twin [embedded below]. Chris Cunningham is a genius.
Your recorded music is an advertisement for your live show. You should not expect that people will buy your music. Agree/disagree?
I don’t mind giving some music away but there is a real art in recording great work and as such it needs to stand on it’s own merits. Music will get out there way easier nowadays, but I think there needs to be a way to reward the artist for his/her labours in the studio.. this is where magic of a different kind happens. I think the ISP’s and Telco’s should pay a royalty that is distributed directly to the rights holder and then for a minimal fee pass on the right to users to download to their hearts content. As long as everything is tagged, it should not be a big issue to figure out who is owed what.. should it? The interweb is out there man! Let’s use it for good!
What do you hope to achieve as a result of playing at One Movement?
FUN! World Peace and sexual favours.
Finally, please recommend our readers an amazing band/artist from your hometown, and tell us why you love their music.
From Melbourne: We Are Fans are really great, also Ehsan Gelsi is an amazing electronic artist, Digital Primate is a legend and I love Acid Jacks cos they are very naughty and make jackin’ tunes!
Thanks for your time, Christopher.
Metals are appearing in Perth at the One Movement industry showcases on Saturday 9 October at the Wolf Lane Carpark, at 10.00pm. For more details on the festival, including artist and ticketing details, click here.
Eli Wolfe [pictured right] is carving a name for himself in 2010 as one of the country’s most distinct troubadours on his ‘Community Australia Tour’, with standout performances across every state and territory.
Notching up 80 shows over eight months, Eli is taking audiences on a truly captivating musical journey with his hypnotic acoustic songs and dynamic instrumentals.
The Maton-endosed artist started the tour in Perth, and has since travelled anti-clockwise around the country in the tour van he painted with his own brightly coloured artwork, including almost a month in Tasmania. His arrival to Perth for One Movement for Music completes the impressive national tour and a full lap of Australia.
Ahead of his appearance at the One Movement industry showcases in October 2010, One Movement Word caught up with Eli for a quick chat on all things music.
What’s your favourite musical moment of 2010 so far, Eli?
Playing an instrumental and some songs in a submerged glass-viewing chamber on the Great Barrier Reef to a multi-cultural community of fish along with a humongous groper called George, at night.
Why? The chamber snapped and crackled with the sounds of growing coral and sea green, and the reverb was nice too. I was pleasantly surprised when a large gathering of fish, George included, had gathered to hear my tunes and feel the vibe. Fluorescent lights shimmered through with the ocean current. It was quite surreal.
You’re a musician. Why? What compels you?
You can explore and say so much emotively through music and sound. You are the wave you ride. Playing is necessary in my world daily for fun, release and a way to free my mind and find truth to what I’m feeling.
What’s more important to you: living comfortably from your art, or artistic integrity? Is it possible to have both?
I think the two can work hand in hand as an act of living and creating. It’s up to you and what you’re saying and doing and how you integrate as a person in this multifaceted world of ours.
Social media for musicians: friend or foe?
It’s just there, social media, not friend, not foe. It’s simply another tool of choice to connect with others. While it hasn’t the ambiance and the exchange of a great live show or a personal moment in time with someone you like, it is a place to put up info and connect with people in that particular environment.
Favourite song of 2010 so far, and why?
‘Revolution‘ by John Butler Trio [embedded below]. I saw the clip just up in Coral Bay last week where I was playing. Feels good!
Your recorded music is an advertisement for your live show. You should not expect that people will buy your music. Agree/disagree?
If you like the music you hear and feel, you’ll buy it and probably want more than just an mp3. You want more of the experience and its different forms like live shows, live recordings, artwork, vinyl and anything else that keeps the vibe going for you. That’s what I do anyway.
I think recorded music has more dynamic to it than just being an advertisment to your live show and is an important part of the collective cultural landscape, along with being a way for artists to sustain themselves and their music through great work.
It’s simply exchange and that’s what this society has based itself on for everything – at this point in time.
As an artist, do what you want and what feels best with your music, have fun and create because you’re alive and the only direction you’ve really got is around the sun!
What do you hope to achieve as a result of playing at One Movement?
I hope to meet with music fans and some great artists and connect with people who can open show, tour and management opportunities here and abroad. I’m looking forward to playing and having a good time.
Favourite music video of all time?
I always like seeing ‘Heart Shaped Box‘ by Nirvana [embedded below].
I love the saturated colours and it makes me feel like chewing a plastic cup. ‘Suck My Kiss‘ is great, and more recently, ‘Broken Leg‘ by Bluejuice.
Finally, please recommend our readers an amazing band/artist from your hometown, and tell us why you love their music.
Dan Sultan - I saw him play at Broome’s Shinju Matsuri Festival a few weeks ago and really enjoyed the show. Great singer too!
Thanks for your time, Eli.
Eli Wolfe is appearing in Perth at the One Movement industry showcases on Friday 8 October at the Amplifier Laneway, from 10.45pm - 11.15pm. For more details on the festival, including artist and ticketing details, click here.
Visit Eli Wolfe on MySpace here. Live footage of Eli performing ‘The Longing‘ live in Broome on his ‘Community Australia Tour’ in September 2010 is embedded below.
With just under a week until the event kicks off, check back in on One Movement Wordregularly as we continue to publish exclusive interviews with festival and showcase artists.
Subscribe to the blog via RSS, follow us on Twitter, or ‘like’ us on Facebook to stay abreast of the latest One Movement news.
Meet Guineafowl [pictured right], who were brought into conception only this year in Sydney. Starting out as a soloist, Guineafowl quickly grew into a sextet to help bring to life the quirky indie-tronic songs.
The band manage to balance deep earthy harmonies with soft, electronic bubbles that are seemingly weightless. Guineafowl have only recently made the jump from backyard performances to bars, yet are already selling out Sydney indie venues.
Guineafowl won a Triple J Unearthed comp in which the means to produce a video clip was awarded to them. “Botanist” was the tune selected for the clip and subsequently came in # 48 in RAGE’s top 50 clips of 2009. Beating Britney Spears, no less!
The band have already picked up some notable international supports namely The Magic Numbers & Fanfarlo and have been touted as a band to watch by whothehell.net among others.
Ahead of their appearance at the One Movement industry showcases in October 2010, One Movement Word caught up with Guineafowl himself.
What’s your favourite song of all time, Guineafowl?
That is the hardest question you can ask anyone ever. The reason for a song being important to me, is it has a strong memory or emotion attached to it, and when I listen to it, I am instantly transported back to that place. But I cannot really pick a favourite as so many songs have great attachments, so if I could do a mash up with a bunch it would be called… “This Charming ManClose To Me, aParanoid Androidthat Should’ve Come OverLast Nite… One Crowded HourorThis Modern Love? ” [Audio for 'This Modern Love' by Bloc Party embedded below]
Favourite musical moment of 2010 so far?
Is Glee a musical moment? If so… it is not my favourite…
You’re a musician. Why? What compels you?
As simple as it may seem I am compelled to make stuff. I cannot help it. As a result, making things, whether that thing be a song or a robot made of Champaign wire tops, is the best way in which I can communicate and express myself. I am a Musician because out of all the things I can make, my songs seem to be clearest in the way in which they communicate my ideas/thoughts. That and my Champaign wire sculptures of robots don’t sell very well.
What’s more important to you: living comfortably from your art, or artistic integrity? Is it possible to have both?
They are both important, and I do not think they are at all mutually exclusive. My Mother is a painter, my brother is a painter, my stepfather is a painter, one of my sisters operates an Art Gallery and my other sister makes films. My family demonstrate to me that it is very possible to have both immense artistic integrity and make a living though pursuing your art/passion. On the flip side of that my Father sells clothes, and my other brother fires people.. but there is artistic integrity to firing people and clothes as well.
Favourite song of 2010 so far?
Again, tough question. I think ‘Dance Yrself Clean‘ by LCD Soundsystem [audio embedded below].. Mainly because when I was first listening to it, a friend of mine leaned over to me and said “I have an electric Boner right now”.. The song will always be quite special to me as a result. Also.. it is fantastic.
Social media for musicians: friend or foe?
Friend. I don’t think you do have to share everything all the time to engage in social media. You are more accessible as a Musician, but that is a good thing. It means that those individuals that engage with your music, can actually engage with you personally as well.
Your recorded music is an advertisement for your live show. You should not expect that people will buy your music. Agree/disagree?
My recorded music, is currently VERY different to the performance that we deliver when we play live. And I would expect that to continue in the future. I don’t expect anyone to buy my music, I would like it to happen when I feel my recordings actually have some monetary value, and when that happens I would hope that my recorded music offers such a different experience to my live show that the two are both separate and desired components of my work.
What do you hope to achieve as a result of playing at One Movement?
I want One Movement to cement both my/our live show and the recordings as being new and exciting Australian music.
Favourite music video of all time?
For me it is a tie between A-ha’s Clip for ‘Take On Me‘ [embedded below] and Radiohead’s clip for ‘Just‘.
If you just pay attention to the clip for “Take On Me” and ignore the crazy Nordic Lyrics of A-ha, then you get this great little love story that is told in such an Iconic and innovative fashion. I love animated videos that one is by far the best one I have seen. And even though “Just” is not my favourite Radiohead song by any means, every single day since I first watched it, I have asked myself “What the Hell does that guy lying on the ground say at the end of the song?!”
Finally, please recommend our readers an amazing band/artist from your hometown, and tell us why you love their music.
Sydney act Not Painters. These guys are pretty unknown and have never performed live, but the two songs on their myspace are beautiful and truly unique. Give them a listen.
Thanks for your time, Guineafowl.
Guineafowl are appearing in Perth at the One Movement industry showcases in October 2010. For more details on the festival, including artist and ticketing details, click here.
Visit Guineafowl on MySpace here. The music video for their song ‘Botanist‘ is embedded below.
Having been busy the last couple of years, writing and recording a staggering 16 unreleased albums in his own home, frontman Thomas Rawle has spent a lot of time honing his sound.
His band is Papa Vs Pretty[pictured right], where Rawle plays alongside bandmates Tom Myers and Angus Gardiner. Their sound is post-shoegaze, cherrypicking the best bits of ‘60s and ‘70s pop and peppering it with frantic guitar rock. Papa Vs Pretty might transcend their sweet melodies with raw grunginess, but they make no apologies about it.
The band have made a whole lot of waves with their intensely energetic live act, but now they are on the brink of releasing their debut EP, Heavy Harm.
Ahead of their appearance at the One Movement industry showcases in October 2010, One Movement Word caught up with Papa Vs Pretty’s frontman, Thomas Rawle.
No other song has ever moved me more. I remember the first time I heard it, the transition from the the introduction to where the piano first comes in always affects me. I’m not sure why, that song just kills me every time, in the nicest way imaginable. If you haven’t heard it please go out and listen, it will change your life. Words cannot describe it.
Favourite musical moment of 2010 so far?
I’m not sure, I’m really quite terrible at ranking things in a particular order.
Touring with Paul Dempsey was amazing, recording the EP with him as well was fantastic. The Surfer Blood tour was heaps of fun as well, really sweet guys. Supporting Phoenix was a bit bizarre, in a good way of course! We got to meet Jonsi as well at his Enmore show, that was pretty amazing, he was the nicest man I think I have ever met. DFA party was surreal as anything.
I have no idea - it’s all good!
You’re a musician. Why? What compels you?
It’s what I’ve done since i was like 4, its like my oldest dearest friend, always there. Im not the best social character either so I love to spend days and days just lost in recording, its really really relaxing. Im happy when I play music, feels like I am myself.
What’s more important to you: living comfortably from your art, or artistic integrity? Is it possible to have both?
It’s definitely important to have both to me. It’s possible as well. If you make something truly honest, it resonates. I could never sacrifice artistic integrity because I can’t write songs for a purpose, it just happens. I just write with what Ifeel, I can’t devise a song to be popular, I just hope what that enough people like what I do to make a career out of it. I suck at pretty much everything but music so I have to try my best to make it work as a job.
Social media for musicians: friend or foe?
I guess its a friend and a foe depending on who you are. It’s great to chat to people who like your music, but you can’t always be happy and bouncy and you don’t want to leave like sad sack replies to people who are keen on your stuff. So it can be a bit draining i guess, I find twitter pretty confusing. I just use it to post youtube videos I find funny or say, if we are playing a concert. I wouldn’t tweet about what I’m about to eat for dinner, unless it was lobster or something really cool, I might then MAYBE get my tweet face on.
Favourite music video of all time?
‘Just‘ by Radiohead - watch it and you’ll understand [music video embedded below].
If you’ve already watched it you will understand. Such a strong concept and its pulled of flawlessly, it helps that the song is amazing as well! Haha.
Your recorded music is an advertisement for your live show. You should not expect that people will buy your music. Agree/disagree?
I still buy records cause I love the experience that comes with getting a new record. The physical product is always something awesome and as an artist you can work that physical product to look the way you like. If records where free they couldn’t be a physical product, how would you pay for them to get pressed etc when you know your getting no money back? I can understand digital music being free to a degree if the artist chooses for it to be. But physical records should always cost monetary value, I think music is something worth paying for. It is a new time though so I can’t say what the solution is.
What do you hope to achieve as a result of playing at One Movement?
For overseas and national industry folks to see us and like us enough to want to collaborate with us.
Favourite song of 2010 so far?
This year, well probably ‘Answer To Yourself‘ by The Soft Pack, I’m not sure if that was released this year but I heard it for the first time this year [music video embedded below].
I’ve been obsessing over the lyrics of that song for months now its like my musical conscience, “You gotta answer to yourself, you can’t depend on anyone else”. Its so simple but its such a good line, I wish I thought of it! It’s so loose as well, the chorus is amazing, the whole song just hits the nail on the head. I’m gutted I missed their show at OAF, hopefully I’ll see them live soon!
Finally, please recommend our readers an amazing band/artist from your hometown, and tell us why you love their music.
They’re not together anymore but I used to be in love with Mercy Arms.
Thanks for your time, Thomas.
Papa Vs Pretty are appearing in Perth at the One Movement industry showcases in October 2010. For more details on the festival, including artist and ticketing details, click here.
Visit Papa Vs Pretty on MySpace here. The music video for their song ‘Heavy Harm‘ is embedded below.
Funky. Groovy. Eclectic. Vicious. Happy. Mellow. Furious. Quirky. Angsty. Bouncy. Think of a musical recipe which has a healthy dollop of all these ingredients and you’re thinking The Circus [pictured right]. An Indian band that believes in ferocity of intent and perfection of execution, and an absolutely take-no-prisoners attitude when it comes to their original music.
The eldritch, beaming wails of Abhishek Bhatia, the left-field pummeling guitar attack of Arsh Sharma, the ridiculously complex bass work of Abhinav Chaudhary and the tireless groove machine of Anshul Lallput together create some of the most refreshing and original music to emerge out of the Indian subcontinent in years.
Live, they are the essence of what rock and roll is all about, and bring the fun and decadence that has all but died out in a scene where bands sound increasingly manufactured in an attempt to be appreciated. The Circus are none of that. This is no-frills rock and roll at its finest, and it has only been two years into their existence. With a debut full-length album scheduled for imminent release, the band is set to go places. You would be wise to show up at the next gig.
Ahead of their appearance at the One Movement industry showcases in October 2010, One Movement Word caught up with The Circus’ singer, guitarist and co-manager, Arsh Sharma.
Playing a sold out show at a festival at the beginning of the year, the fact that i injured my back while playing the show due to excessive stage “antics” is just a testimony to how much fun the show actually was.
You’re a musician. Why? What compels you?
Despite being a professionally certified architect the will to be a musician and being at it professionally is the only thing which compels me to go forward, the fact that as a career option it is uncertain and adventurous adds to its charm, and the fact that a person can feel absolute love by their own creation completes the package, and leaves one with no option but that of being a musician.
Favourite song of 2010 so far?
‘Fur Lined‘ by How To Destroy Angels [audio embedded below], because it’s the return of Trent Reznor in some brilliant musical form.
What’s more important to you: living comfortably from your art (financially), or artistic integrity? Is it possible to have both?
The charm of being a musician is the pursue of living comfortably from your art while retaining your artistic integrity, and the endeavour to achieve a balance of both is what makes this pursuit challenging yet fulfilling.
Social media for musicians: friend or foe?
Definitely friend. I buy into the whole facebook,twitter side of things as it rids us of the middleman between musician and listener, and allows for actual unprejudiced growth of a musician’s art, where absolute honesty is conveyed one on one between artist and listener.
Your recorded music is an advertisement for your live show. You should not expect that people will buy your music. Agree/disagree?
Definitely. In today’s day and age, music cd’s are outdated as a medium for spreading of music and act only as a representative of the band at the particular point of time, it is now definitely an advertisement as well as an accessory for a complete live performance.
Favourite music video of all time?
‘The Perfect Drug‘ by Nine Inch Nails [embedded below], because it is the perfect blend of Dali-esque landscapes in poetic visual motion.
What do you know about Perth, Australia? Got any plans for your Australian trip, aside from playing One Movement?
As yet, nothing much, but the endeavour is to have a great experience there.
What do you hope to achieve as a result of playing at One Movement?
International exposure and an opportunity to learn from playing at a completely foreign festival are some of the primary goals of the band as far as what we are taking back from the festival is concerned.
Finally, please recommend our readers an amazing band from your hometown, and tell us why you love their music.
Undying Inc. from New Delhi. An absolutely phenomenal metal band whose music is probably better than anything I’ve heard in recent times. As a band they are truly the torchbearers of the Indian metal and underground scene.
Thanks for your time, Arsh.
The Circus are appearing in Perth at the One Movement industry showcases in October 2010. For more details on the festival, including artist and ticketing details, click here.
Visit The Circus on MySpace here. Live footage of their song ‘F.O.P.S.‘ is embedded below.
A gathering of deviants, delinquents and deadbeats, The Lost Souls Club [pictured right] is a musical home for the heartbroken and the dreamers. This is the sound of rock n’ roll as it should be; pure fire delivered with the cool, hard stare of a band who know exactly how to seduce you, to soothe you then set your soul alight.
The band may be less than a year old, but they’ve already played their debut show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, supporting Kill Hannah and My Passion. The next few months sees them releasing their first two singles, tour with Acey Slade in the UK, then head to Australia to play The One Movement industry festival.
The band formed from the ashes of electro rock n roll band, Plastic Toys, who received critical acclaim for their debut album, charted with a self released single and toured the UK and Europe before going on an indefinite break in 2009. The Lost Souls Club is a musically more organic affair, with hints of bands as diverse at The White Stripes, The Raveonettes, BRMC and The Jesus and Mary Chain appearing in their big, reverb-laden rock sound.
The Lost Souls Club have recently finished recording with Sam Bell (Bloc Party, R.E.M.) and are getting ready for the next release at the end of August/early September 2010.
Ahead of their appearance at the One Movement industry showcases in October 2010, One Movement Word caught up with the band’s singer/guitarist, Jon Tufnell.
What’s your favourite song of all time, Jon?
‘Baba O’Riley‘ by The Who [audio embedded below]. It truly makes me feel alive, the power, the simplicity and the performance blow me away. When I listen to that song I feel like I’m 10 feet tall and nothing is beyond me.
Favourite musical moment of 2010 so far?
Nothing famous. Just my band rehearsing and writing new music. When it comes together I get chills and feel proud. Those are my favourite musical moments.
You’re a musician. Why? What compels you?
I sometimes wonder this myself, but then I realise its just there, its inside and is as impossible to ignore as a need for sunlight or for friendship.
What’s more important to you: living comfortably from your art (financially), or artistic integrity? Is it possible to have both?
Ideally both. However I genuinely don’t think i have the ability to write outside of my own tastes. If I could write music I didn’t like and make money? Yes, I’d do it. Using your skills to make money is what 99% of the population do after all.
Social media for musicians: friend or foe?
I have to admit I don’t like it. It has opened doors to some bands, however all it has done is confuse the message to the fans. It’s hard to cut through the noise to say “Hi, Real Music Fan, we’re a Real Band!”
Favourite song of 2010 so far?
‘Sweet Feeling‘ by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club [audio embedded below]. This is one of my favourite bands and is the highlight of their latest album. I like hearing ‘tough guys’ sound vulnerable.
Your recorded music is an advertisement for your live show. You should not expect that people will buy your music. Agree/disagree?
I think the music being an advert for the live show is just a situation we have to deal with as musicians. Ideally it’d not be the case, but if John Lennon couldn’t get people to give peace a chance, how will we get kids to give paying for music a chance!
What do you know about Perth, Australia? Got any plans for your Australian trip, aside from playing One Movement?
I know very little about Perth other than I hear it’s very different to the East Coast which I have already visited. I’m excited to find out what it’s like and meet the locals.
What do you hope to achieve as a result of playing at One Movement?
We hope to pick up fans, make friends and open doors to Oz and Asia.
Favourite music video of all time?
‘The Perfect Drug‘ by Nine Inch Nails [embedded below]. An incredible song, but the video just put it in a place that felt otherworldly.
Finally, please recommend our readers an amazing band/artist from your hometown, and tell us why you love their music.
The Melodramas from Portsmouth. One of the few local bands who know how to entertain.
Thanks for your time, Jon.
The Lost Souls Club are appearing in Perth as part of the One Movement industry showcases in October 2010. For more details on the festival, including artist and ticketing details, click here.
Visit The Lost Souls Club on MySpace here. Their song ‘Romeo‘ is embedded below.
Meet MM9 [pictured right], who first brought their brand of hard-edged electro-rock to the stages of their hometown of Sydney, and created a groundswell of support that has firmly established them as one of Australia’s premier touring acts. Uniquely combining elements of heavy rock & electro, littered with guitar-driven melodies; MM9 is a band whose versatility is matched only by the sheer potency of their stage presence.
After strong sales of their debut, self-titled EP and their follow-up Prosthetic Boulevard, late 2007 saw the band taken on board by New World Artists (Silverchair, The Living End, Sneaky Sound System) as part of their exclusive live representation roster.
While maintaining a tireless schedule of touring throughout 2008/2009, MM9 - now in partnership with Sydney-based independent label Red Recordings – finally release their highly anticipated first full length album, The Air Between, in March. The album was mixed by Mike Barbiero (Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Anthrax) and co-produced by Daniel Sutherland and Evan McHugh.
It’s an ambitious project, one that further refines MM9s pulsing, electro-rock sound and melds it with solid pop sensibilities. Constantly looking forward, constantly evolving, MM9 are a band to listen to, witness, and lose yourself in.
Ahead of their appearance at the One Movement industry showcases in October 2010, One Movement Word caught up with MM9’s guitarist Kerry Foulke.
What’s your favourite song of all time, Kerry?
Wow… That’s a pretty tough question to open up with! Actually, I don’t think I could name just one song as being my all-time favourite. I gave up making Hi Fidelity style top-lists a couple of years ago when I realised that my favourites tend to change daily depending on what kind of mood I happen to be in. The lists get longer every year too!
Deftones’ ‘Be Quiet and Drive‘ [music video embedded below]; Future of the Left’s ‘Arming Eritrea‘; Gnarls Barkley’s ‘Going On‘; pretty much anything off of Prodigy’s Fat of the Land album; ‘Speculator‘ by Insurge; Cream’s ‘White Room‘… Seriously, if I keep going we’ll be here all day!
Favourite musical moment of 2010 so far?
Finally releasing our first full-length album and having it hit #10 on the Australian Independent Record charts has been a highlight. When you work really hard on an album for so long it’s inevitable that you’re going to feel a certain degree of trepidation about how it’ll be received by the public. In this case, it was definitely worth the wait! The fact that so many people actually went out and got it straight away was amazing. So yeah, seeing the album chart was definitely a proud moment!
You’re a musician. Why? What compels you?
I have to say, I love getting up in front of a huge group of people and basically setting the tone for everyone there to lose themselves and just have a good time. It’s hard to beat the feeling you get when you look out into a crowd of people who are just completely getting off on a song that you and your bandmates wrote together. Actually, that’s another side of it too. The songwriting thing blows me away sometimes. To have the opportunity to express yourself creatively with a great bunch of musicians, and watch a song grow from scratch out of that expression, is something almost magical… That sounds totally glib, but it’s kind of hard to articulate!
What’s more important to you: living comfortably from your art (financially), or artistic integrity? Is it possible to have both?
I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive. I mean I come from a punk rock background, but I never really subscribed to the ‘only sellouts make money from music’ ethos. At the same time, if you’re too focused on making money it can be really easy to lose sight of what you originally set out to achieve as an artist. If it was just a job I don’t think we’d find it very fulfilling as a band, but then again if you’re not making money you’ve got to work a day job to support yourself, and that means that you’re inevitably not going to be putting all of your energy into your art. So it’s kind of a Catch 22, but I think there’s a happy medium.
Favourite song of 2010 so far, and why?
Pendulum’s ‘Watercolour’. Lots of hooks, great production, really well structured, it’s just an awesome song.
Social media for musicians: friend or foe?
I think in general, social networking sites are a very positive thing for bands and artists these days. It’s harder than ever to break through into more traditional commercial media (be it radio, TV or whatever) and there are some genres of music that are never going to break through into the more mainstream outlets. Assuming they’re talented and tech-savvy enough, social media definitely gives musicians the opportunity to find their way to a wider audience that would have been impossible for them reach even ten years ago.
It’s great for punters too, who are able to connect on a more personal level with the bands they like, and are also able to discover tons of new music they might not otherwise have been exposed to, simply by checking out links and comments posted on the page of a band they’re into.
Having tracks available for free online is also a great way for a band to advertise their sound. People may not be willing to go out and buy an album after hearing one track from a band they’ve never heard of before on the radio; but if they hit up that band’s site and find there are two or three more solid tracks on there, they can often be way more inclined toward handing over their hard earned cash. I’m not giving a blanket endorsement of Internet piracy here! But I do think that, in a lot of ways, the good aspects of social networking outweigh the bad for musicians.
Potentially controversial statement: your recorded music is an advertisement for your live show. You should not expect that people will buy your music. Agree/disagree?
Well, there are some pretty interesting philosophical implications here… The origins of music are very tribal – singing around a campfire and banging sticks together if you like – so in its most primal form, music is definitely a shared, communal experience and not a commodity. I think that the reality these days is a bit different though. A carpenter is an artisan, but no one expects a carpenter to give away the things they make for free.
At the end of the day, musicians have to eat too, so if you like the music they make, you should really want to support them so they can continue to be creative. Obviously the amount of support someone gives is going to be dictated by how much they value the work though. If you only ‘kind of like’ a band, by all means, just go see them play every once in a while. But if a band really speaks to you and you want to take their music outside of that communal experience, then you should maybe think about buying their album.
Favourite music video of all time?
Can I choose Bjork’s entire catalogue? Every video of hers is a completely engrossing, well thought out, perfect visual companion to the track it accompanies. A lot of artists have come out with terrific clips here and there, but hers are consistently mind-blowing.
I guess if I had to pick one though, I’d say All Is Full Of Love [music video embedded below]. Great concept, beautifully shot and animated with production values that are off the scale but at the same time, don’t overpower what is a very subtle, beautiful song. It’s just impossible to look away from that clip.
What do you hope to achieve as a result of playing at One Movement?
We’re always excited about the prospect of playing in front of new audiences. That’s the main reason we love touring as much as we do! I mean we’re on the road almost constantly it seems, so getting the chance to come back to Perth and play at a truly global event is just too good an opportunity to pass up!
Finally, please recommend our readers an amazing band/artist from your hometown, and tell us why you love their music.
There’s an awesome Sydney band called Self Is A Seed that everyone should check out. Superb musicians who play with plenty of aggression, but they really temper it with great melody and great songs. Look ‘em up! [Music video for the Self Is A Seed track 'Say Something' embedded below]
Thanks for your time, Kerry.
MM9 are appearing in Perth as part of the One Movement industry showcases in October 2010. For more details on the festival, including artist and ticketing details, click here.
Visit MM9 on MySpace here. A live montage of tracks from The Air Between is embedded below.
Brisbane-based rock quintet The Bloodpoets [pictured right] released their debut EP Fire In Erlangen in 2006 to rave reviews. Its success saw them become a staple to the Brisbane music scene, performing on the mainstage at the Turbot Street Party and at the Valley Fiesta. Following this success, the band continued heavy touring in Australia to greater acclaim.
Fast forward 3 years later, The Bloodpoets released ‘Borderline’ as a single from their debut album Polarity; immediate responses came from Triple J Unearthed, which saw the bad being featured artists 2 months consecutively, and receiving a large circulation of play over the summer of 2008/2009. Richard Kingsmill (Triple J Music Director) was quoted as saying the ‘Borderline’ single was “Catchy and a brain sticker for sure.”
From the large volume of Triple J airplay, The Bloodpoets were named as one of the hot bands in Australia by Radar Radio and Channel V which saw them play relentless amounts of shows with Australia’s biggest name bands. Additionally, Triple M radio added ‘Borderline’ to numerous shows. To seal this success off, the band were then picked up by Channel V and ‘Borderline’ was the most requested song on Channel V online for 2 weeks running. The Bloodpoets began recording their second album with ARIA award-winning producer Magoo in 2010. Lead single ‘Dance‘ was released mid-year.
Ahead of their appearance at the One Movement Music Festival in October 2010, One Movement Word caught up with The Bloodpoets’ vocalist and guitarist, Thomas Murphy.
What’s your favourite song of all time, Thomas?
‘Real Love‘, by The Beatles [music video embedded below]. It has so many complicated layers, like the chord progression and harmonies, but it’s so simple.
You’re a musician. Why? What compels you?
It’s an effective way for me to get my point across as clearly as possible while still attaching emotion to a message. It’s also a lot of fun, and has been since I was very young. Meaning I’ve been having fun my whole life, which is thanks to music.
What’s more important to you: living comfortably from your art (financially), or artistic integrity? Is it possible to have both?
You can have both. You can make the album that you want, but then also release accessible songs to your crowd. In the end, you’re really only in music to promote your message, if you aren’t considering your fanbase and writing to them at least once or twice per album,then you probably won’t have a fanbase. It all comes down to not writing something that has no link to the rest of the album. You can write financially viable songs without sacrificing your artistic integrity, it just might take some time. I think some of our favourite bands are bands that don’t appear to have compromised over time and still manage to keep you guessing as the listener.
Favourite song of 2010 so far?
‘Many Of Horror‘ by Biffy Clyro [music video embedded below]. Really love the interesting form and feel, and how it’s still catchy.
Social media for musicians: friend or foe?
Twitter is weird, it’s not really there for interaction, it’s more like a reporting tool for bands. Which is a bit soulless. Facebook at least allows fans to interact with photo’s directly to your page, and you can interact with other fans on there too which we do enjoy being actively involved doing. I think there is a fine line between it being a friend or a foe (when you are telling people what you had for breakfast, it’s time to go outside).
Having said that, it can definitely be a positive (and free) way for bands and music industry folk to keep people in the loop and people have chosen to “like”, “join” or “subscribe” or whatever to your page so you at least know you are communicating with people that have some sort of interest in what’s going on.
Favourite musical moment of 2010 so far?
The 5 of us getting the opportunity to see a reformed Faith No More at this year’s Soundwave Festival. [footage of Faith No More playing 'Easy' at Soundwave Brisbane 2010 embedded below]
Potentially controversial statement: your recorded music is an advertisement for your live show. You should not expect that people will buy your music. Agree/disagree?
I expect people will buy the music to firstly see the contrast between the live and cd, but also to find out if they support the band. I would also expect them to buy the CD simply for the support factor.
It can also work the other way in people seeing you live having not heard or purchased any recorded material and when you look at it that way, your live show is promoting your recorded material. It can be a very chicken/egg scenario for both fans and bands. I personally have often explored a bands body of recorded work after having seen them live (as well as the other way around.) I’m sure certain bands and people within the music industry operate and see things totally different at times also. I think you would have some people out there measuring success or progress by the shows they are playing, and some by charting and record sales and what not.
Favourite music video of all time?
‘Just‘ by Radiohead. [music video embedded below] Brilliant storyline without having a storyline.
What do you hope to achieve as a result of playing at One Movement?
To be able to make a network of support in the industry to assist us in providing potential fans a chance to hear our music. We aren’t looking for favours or the big break etc, we’re just looking for the opportunity to access audiences and allow them to make their own decisions.
Finally, please recommend our readers an amazing band/artist from your hometown, and tell us why you love their music.
There’s a band in Brisbane called The Clues who are super tight. They’re a jammy kind of lounge piano-type band. Good for any mood.
Thanks for your time, Thomas.
The Bloodpoets are appearing in Perth at the One Movement industry showcasesin October 2010. For more details on the showcases and music festival, including artist and ticketing details, click here.
Visit The Bloodpoets on MySpace here. The music video for their song ‘Dance‘ is embedded below.
Meet Brisbane art rock band Drawn From Bees [pictured right], whose career-so-far has been a measured exercise in the art of contrast and contradiction. Formed in early 2008, the band’s brief career has been consistently defined by an ongoing negotiation between breathtaking ambition and unpretentious humility.
The band’s four members (vocalist/guitarist Dan James, bassist/vocalist Stew Riddle, guitarist/vocalist Raven Jones and drummer/vocalist Matt Wedmaier) came together over a mutual distaste for the direction of their then-current outfit, veteran prog-rockers Glasshouse, and eventually discarded everything attached to the band – from major label interest to their entire second album – in favour of more honest and open territories.
The irony being that, while the band’s members shunned the trappings of record industry success accrued by Glasshouse, Drawn from Bees have proven infinitely more ambitious and exploratory. The group opted to independently write, record and release four records within two years on their own record label Bonefinger Records, which culminated with the release of their debut album, Fear Not The Footsteps Of The Departed, released in May 2010.
Ahead of their appearance at the One Movement 2010 industry showcases in October, One Movement Word caught up with Drawn From Bees‘ lead singer and guitarist Dan James.
I have always admired Bowie’s experimental nature and I have spent entire nights sitting with the lights off and my headphones on just listening to the beautiful world he creates sonically. There are so many things about this specific song that I love from his voice phaser flowing through my head to the forlorn choir at the end. The thing that really sticks with me from this song is the matter of fact way that he describes an encounter with what I can only describe as the Judas of humanity.
You’re a musician. Why? What compels you?
I grew up in a musical house and played music games as a kid. My father was an Opera singer so I grew up singing parts from Carmen or La Boheme. My sister lives in Italy and is considered one of the top young sopranos in the world so I guess music has always been in my blood. I have often thought that my parents would have been really confused if I turned up with a medicine degree and a BMW. I am compelled towards rock music because I love listening to sounds and creating textures, I could sit for hours just listening while someone hits a drum or plays a guitar. I often get so focussed on sounds and music that I forget to eat or communicate with people which has occasionally landed me in trouble…
Social media for musicians: friend or foe?
I think social media is just another form mail listing, it is stupid for musicians to ignore it because, if you do you will get left behind. As a result of our travels I have met new friends from different countries and I use social media to keep those relationships alive, so I don’t think social media is just about telling people when and where your gigs are. As far as the share everything all the time mentality I don’t care one way or the other because it is always my choice to read it or not.
The one thing I dislike about social media is that people are starting to develop, antisocial behaviour as a result of checking Facebook on their phones. It is something I am trying really hard to stop doing because I am checking nothing and neglecting my friends right in front of me. I also think people need to wake up a little and realize that they are being obviously boring when the stand in a dark room at a gig and have an ugly blue light shining up on their face that says “look at me! I couldn’t want to be here less.”
Favourite song of 2010 so far?
So far I love Bonfire Nights’ song ‘Own Worst Enemy‘ [audio embedded below]. It really speaks to me and it’s delivered like a beautiful punch in the guts. It’s one of those songs that I can’t help but scream out when I see it live.
Favourite musical moment of 2010 so far?
Playing at the Whisky a Go Go in LA for MUSEXPO. I was standing on the same floorboards that have been stomped on by Jim Morrison. We had one of those soundchecks before the gig where everything that could go wrong went wrong. As a result we walked on stage not knowing if anything was going to work, we were absolutely terrified and playing to a packed and buzzing room. Luckily, from the first chord to the last of the set everything worked perfectly and we had one of our most awesome nights ever just after our worst soundcheck of the year.
Your recorded music is an advertisement for your live show. You should not expect that people will buy your music. Agree/disagree?
I don’t mind if people steal our music because the only way to connect with a band is to listen to them. However it really irritates me when people steal one song. If you’re going to steal, take a whole record and really immerse yourself in the band, take time to sit with your “purchases” and really grow to love them. Bands put a lot of work into assembling collections of work and that cannot be captured in a single song. So if you are going to swipe music, take the time to listen to it and appreciate what you have srolen, if you love it then get off the couch and go and see the band, I guarantee you that the band will sound way better live through an amazing PA system then they will in a crappy set of iPhone headphones.
I really wanted to know why the guy was lying down and it torments me to this day. I also love the way that everyone in the video must know why even though the guy on the pavement was obviously distressed. The lyric “you do it to yourself” is so poignant in that video.
What’s more important to you: living comfortably from your art (financially), or artistic integrity? Is it possible to have both?
I don’t know because I have never really felt that it is possible to sell out as a musician (which I assume is what the question is getting at). I have always felt that truly great music is genuine and impossible to fake. If an artist is great at writing pop songs then they are doing what makes them happy, if an artist is amazing at creating a beautiful song like Bright Eyes then that is what they do.
You can’t change what you are as a songwriter for money or integrity because you will always be chasing something that isn’t you and I have always believed that the best music is made by musicians who are doing what they do best. If you are trying to change your style to get ahead then you won’t be writing your best music so what is the point?
What do you hope to achieve as a result of playing at One Movement?
We hope to achieve the same thing that we have achieved through playing previous MUSEXPOs. We want to put on the best show of our lives and inspire people with our music. We are also there to start new friendships and develop the friendships we already have. I say friends because I often think that it is overlooked in a business forum.
One Movement is not just about business for us, because what we do is very personal and we are always looking to meet people who think in a similar way to us but are challenging to us on a business and intellectual level. One of my favorite moments in MUSEXPO LA was when a Canadian publisher got a little emotional at the end of the conference because he didn’t want to leave his new friends.
Finally, please recommend our readers an amazing band/artist from your hometown, and tell us why you love their music.
I recently discovered a band in Brisbane called The Slow Push and while listening to them live I forgot where I was and found myself lost in the performance of Chris Hetherington. I imagined this was how it felt if you accidentally stumbled on an early performance of The Happy Mondays. I couldn’t look away because the performance was so unashamed and intense, while at the same time vulnerable. I am always searching for something genuine in music and I really loved being transported to another world by this band.
Thanks for your time, Dan.
Drawn From Bees are appearing in Perth at the One Movement industry showcasesin October 2010. For more details on the showcases and music festival, including artist and ticketing details, click here.
Visit Drawn From Bees on MySpace here. The music video for their song ‘Run Away‘ is embedded below.
Metals [pictured right] is Christopher Coe and Candice Butler.
Meet Guineafowl [pictured right], who were brought into conception only this year in Sydney. Starting out as a soloist, Guineafowl quickly grew into a sextet to help bring to life the quirky indie-tronic songs.
Having been busy the last couple of years, writing and recording a staggering 16 unreleased albums in his own home, frontman Thomas Rawle has spent a lot of time honing his sound.
Funky. Groovy. Eclectic. Vicious. Happy. Mellow. Furious. Quirky. Angsty. Bouncy. Think of a musical recipe which has a healthy dollop of all these ingredients and you’re thinking 
A gathering of deviants, delinquents and deadbeats, 
Meet 
Brisbane-based rock quintet 
Meet Brisbane art rock band 
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