Liam Finn

One of my favourite live performers, Liam Finn, will be playing at the Corner Hotel September 18. I can't wait!

You Make Me Crazy When You...

Here are some photos I took last week at the Presets. The whole gig, I was just ecstatic -- apart from when Architecture in Helsinki were playing, they were rather dull. I know that I would only bore you with all the superlatives if I tried to put those feelings in writing (yes, I am aware that I gush a lot in this blog but really, when I love a band, I love a band), so hopefully the photos will speak for themselves.

I'm looking for a live recording of their set from this tour, can anyone help me out? Triple J?

Did I mention I love Melbourne?

Falcon Jab

Monday night was my second time seeing Ratatat. Even though I knew that the gig would be amazing, I was a little anxious that it wouldn't be nearly as amazing as last year's and would feel lame in comparison (CSS, anyone?). Turns out I needn't have worried. I got up close since I love watching how musicians translate what they recorded in studio to a live performance. Especially with Ratatat, with all their intricacies, distortion, pedals and loops. 

When I'm listening to Ratatat I tend to make the guitar sounds with my mouth, it's my way of singing along to their layered instrumental music. At the gig I was pleased to find that I'm not the only one who does it. I could hear the people around me do the same thing, noodling along with the guitarists on stage. 

Set List (which I stole):

Shiller

Crips

Mumtaz

Lex

Grapejuice

Flynn

Mi Viejo

Mirando

Loud Pipes

Falcon Jab

Wildcat

Gettysburg

Shempi

--------

Brulee

Seventeen

I thought Flynn was an odd choice for their live show, since it's so downbeat in comparison to the rest of their stuff, but I soon realised it was like the calm before the storm when they launched into their most dancey tracks: Mi Viejo, Mirando and (my three favourite Ratatat songs), Loud Pipes, Falcon Jab and Wildcat. Anyone who knows my full name might realise why I have a particular fondness for Falcon Jab, hehe.

Olwyn and I, taken by fasterlouder.com.au

Ratatat are playing in Wellington tonight, before coming back to Melbourne tomorrow night for their second show, followed by an afterparty at Roxanne Parlour. You can buy tickets here: moshtix.com.au. I really really hope they play some of their mixtape remixes, especially Party and Bullshit and Fix Up, Look Sharp.

I Put a Spell on You

As soon as I heard the first dial tones of U.R.A. Fever and the Kills walked on stage, I knew that the gig was going to be amazing. Stalking and circling each other like feral cats, VV and Hotel put on a performance that was one of the best I have seen in a looong time. The crowd was electric, everyone was dancing and having a good time. It had been four long years since the Kills last visited our antipodean shores and Melbourne was definitely glad to have them back, even if it was just for a night. The drought was over! Let's celebrate. I would say that the show was phenomenal, but I could tell that it was nothing out of the ordinary for the Kills who put on an extraordinary show every night. 

Their rise in popularity has been gradual (and perhaps even further boosted by Jamie's relationship with Kate Moss) but all their successes are well deserved. Before Cut Copy's In Ghost Colours came out, Midnight Boom was my favourite album of 2008 and I still listen to it regularly. I might even go as far to say it's my favourite of their albums. Key word being might. Their live performance is renowned for being rock n roll at its best: it's all about the intensity, the grit, the drugs and the sex. You really don't know it until you see it. 

Alison whips her hair around, clearly still enjoying the songs they must have played hundreds of times by now. She lit up a cigarette numerous times throughout the night, sometimes only having the chance to take two puffs between songs before she had to stub it out. What is it about beautiful girls and cigarettes that makes smoking look so darn (dare I say it?) ... cool?

Jamie was standing closest to me and I really enjoyed watching him distort the sounds coming out of his guitar. Sometimes he rapped on the guitar with his knuckles so hard that the strap fell off. 

No doubt the highlight of the night was in the middle of the set when they put their mic stands in the centre of the stage so they were facing each other as they sang. It was clear that this was a regular part of their show, to play up their reputation and to stir rumours, but the crowd loved it none the less. The best part came at the end of Last Day of Magic when Alison leaned over and kissed Jamie on the lips. I nearly died.

It was interesting seeing a band play without a drum kit, but the drum machine thingy worked well and I was so focused on watching Jamie and Alison that I never really noticed its absence anyway. There's no room and they don't need it. All of that sexual tension takes up the whole stage and a drummer would only feel left out as the two front people teased and flirted with each other. 

Now that I have seen them live, I know that next time they are in the same city as me I will do anything to see them perform again. I really wish I hadn't let a small thing like being underage stop me from seeing them last time.

Because I was on the far left of the stage, the side lighting often thwarted my attempts to take a photo. But sometimes they made a cool effect, like this one.

Moments before the kiss...

I love this moment. Jamie played the wrong part, again.

When I saw Alison come back onstage wearing this floral blazer, I knew I had to find one for myself.

I seem to have developed quite the gift for getting set lists. I thought I saw the girl next to me brace herself to jump on stage and as the Kills were walking off stage so I told her if she wanted it, I would give her a lift up. She looked at me, horrified by the idea and said I could have it. I didn't hesitate, and crawled across the stage to get it, pissing off the roadies on the way. I probably should be embarrassed by my actions but hey, I really wanted it and I wasn't going to let anything stop me.

From where I was standing, I could see straight into the backstage area. Louis XIV (who were not noteworthy) stuck around after their set, a couple of beautiful girls were making them laugh. I recognised the bassist from the Killers amongst the people backstage and I told a girl next to me, "The Killers are backstage!" She looked at me as if I was the stupidest person ever and said, her words dripping with animosity, "... The Kills." Before rolling her eyes. "Uuum, no I just saw the bassist from the Killers... "

I Want you to be Crazy cause you're Boring Baby when you're Straight

Last Wednesday the Kills played at the San Francisco Bathhouse in Wellington. A lot of my friends went and told me of how good it was later. It hurt my heart knowing I was unable to party to this fantastic band with some of my favourite friends. In the lead up to the gig, I heard from numerous people that Kate Moss was rumoured to be coming to Wellington for the gig. I laughed it off, saying it was impossible because of the opening of the New York Topshop store, but secretly I hoped it wouldn't happen otherwise it could have been my first strike against Melbourne! I will be going to see them this Friday in Melbourne, but it would have been cooler to see them in Wellington, with my closest friends and at a relatively intimate venue like SFBH. I could almost imagine I was there, thanks to some photos that were up on Neon Sleep.

This photo reminds me of one time a few years ago when I was being lead through the back corridors of Auckland's St. James, only to come across Nick Zinner smoking in his dressing room. The law had just gone through a few months previous, but he didn't care. Nick Zinner and Alison Mosshart: Quintessential rockstars.

I have been searching for that perfect leopard print coat for years now. Turns out VV had it the whole time. Yeah, she's a minx.

I know they're not actually kissing but still, Kate who? I hear there is some intense on-stage chemistry that goes on between these two. Meow! I can't wait to hear No Wow, Cheap and Cheerful and Black Balloon live.

(repost) Light, Sound, Dance

The last time I saw the Bang Gang DJs play was August '07 in Sydney. There is only one word to describe that night: loose.
Question: can you say you saw a group of DJs "play"? It's not like they're playing any instruments. Or even their own songs. Can you call it a gig? I struggle to find words that suffice.
Despite only getting 2/5ths of the Bang Gang, last night at Good Luck was sufficiently awesome. More so, even. Since they're with Modular Records, they have the pick of the crop when it comes to great dance music. Hoodrat (or Angus as I learnt later) responded to my shouted requests for Cut Copy and/or the Presets with a grin. So you can imagine my euphoria when they put on Lights and Music and then My People within the space of 15 minutes.

Last night I christened my brand new camera, a Sony a350. I was taking photos for a secret squirrel mission that I may or may not tell you about later and I had great fun doing it. It was interesting observing the way people treated me because I had a camera in my hand. Everyone pouted and posed when I pointed the lens their way. I was treated as a friend rather than a stranger all because people wanted me to take their photo. Hardly anyone asked why I was doing it. I kinda felt like they each wanted their own 15 seconds of fame by being caught on camera at some cool bar where some cool DJs were playing. That's not to put down anyone that I took a photo of though, they were all really lovely and everyone was having a great time. Heck, I've posed for those kind of photos before. At fashion week there were numerous times when someone would come up to me and ask if they could take my picture. Before they could even begin to say "I'm from (insert publication here)" I was already smiling for the camera. I have no idea where most of those photos turned up.

I got asked last night if I was Neon Sleep. Haha! No, I'm not.

That weird situation was almost as perplexing as the time I went up onto the street to get some fresh air. I was by myself and sitting on the stone wall outside Good Luck, watching the interactions between drunk groups of people - always a fun way to pass the time. I had my camera in my hands and some guy came and sat next to me asking me questions about my camera. I was polite and answered all the questions he had but I would have preferred to be left alone. Out of the blue he said "So you like me and I like you, why don't you come back to my place?" I was all "Huh?!" It was sick, I think he was hoping that I was more drunk than I actually was and wouldn't be able to remember what I had been saying to him. So he said, "Yeah, you just said that you're interested in me, so how 'bout it?" I was completely dumbfounded. I didn't know what to say. Did he really think I was so stupid/drunk that I would fall for it and say "Well okay, if you say that's how I feel, then it must be true." Needless to say, I vacated that stone wall pretty quickly.

Good Luck often turns into a rather sweaty affair (Hawnay Troof anyone?) because of its low ceilings and restricted space and this time was no different. Fringes can be a bitch in those situations.

When the lights were turned on and we were all told to leave, I was still keen to party. Thank goodness for San Francisco Bathhouse!

Speaking to them afterwards, they said the Wellington show was better than the Auckland one. Haha. Hopefully I get to see them again soon, since they're always so much fun. Whether that's in NZ or Australia or somewhere else altogether, who knows?

Cat and the Eye

I almost gave up trying to find Roxanne Parlour, but I'm so so glad I persevered. Numerous times I walked up and down Lonsdale and Russell streets, hoping to find Roxanne's laneway that Google Maps had told me was somewhere near. I was going in search of this:

The bouncer at Emerald Peacock (another bar I must check out sometime soon) told me I would find it in Chinatown, but wasn't exactly sure where. I dodged girls in traditional Chinese robes trying to stuff pamphlets in my hand, all the while keeping an eye out for Roxanne. I knew I was getting near when I found myself behind a group of well dressed people singing  "Roxanne, you don't have to put on that red light... " in the tempo of um, drunk. 

There was no signs in the laneway (see, already adapting to the Melbourne lingo!) apart from one for a strip club, so I tentatively asked a bouncer if he knew were Roxanne was. He laughed at me, opened the door and pointed inside. I caught the lift upstairs, it was one of those really awkward ones, where we all knew we were heading to the same place and therefore had some common ground, but weren't sure whether to make polite small talk with each other. What would we say? I'm particularly bad in awkward lifts, all I want to do is laugh out loud at the situation.  I bit my lip. The music that was seeping down the lift shaft from the bar was the only escape from the awkward silence. As soon as the elevator doors opened everyone went their separate ways without looking back. 

I don't know a lot about Australian bands outside those who have been on bfm, played at Camp a Low Hum or those who are on Modular's roster, but I am very very keen to get to know them. I am keeping an open mind, not wanting to judge a band based on their name. I didn't flinch when I heard the band on stage were called 'Scientists of Modern Music'.  I arrived just as the Scientists were ending their set, at which point they announced that their next song, "is called Generic Dance Music." Oh, haha, I get it. Irony. I like it. Unfortunately for them, it actually was generic. I think it was made for people who have never listened to a Kraftwerk or Devo album. It was a lite version of Kraftwerk. Even their synchronised dance moves seemed totally pathetic to me after seeing Metronomy only a few months before. The crowd loved it, everyone seemed to be having a great time, getting all dancey and sweaty and stuff. They have an album coming out later this year so who cares about integrity or originality when you're rolling in it, right?

Van She was the headlining act and the fact that they were late on stage did not sit well with some people. I managed to squeeze my way to the front, right next to the huge speaker that was hanging from the ceiling. Some guy behind me kept getting more and more aggressive as time went on and the sound guys were still setting up. It was pretty rude, he was abusing the people on stage as if it was their fault the main stage was running late. I ignored him, apart from occasionally swatting away his elbows when they got a little too close to my head. When Van She finally got on stage the first thing I noticed was what the lead singer was wearing. Now I know musicians generally dress well in a "skinny black jeans and cool vintage clothing" kind of a way, but this guy had an eye for detail I haven't really seen in a singer before. I was impressed. When he crouched down to plug in his guitar, I noticed tartan socks poking out from his jeans. The girls next to me noticed too and practically swooned at the sight. He was wearing a really nice jacket too, which reminded me of this Karen Walker coat, only a male version of it: 

Here's a picture I took, to give you some idea what it looked like: 

They played all my favourite songs, including Virgin Suicide and Changes. Of course they left Strangers and Kelly 'til the end. The whole time I was just grinning. I had been told that Van She put on a good show, but boy, you really don't know it until you see it. I love them even more now. Here are some more photos I took:

Seeing Sounds was a benefit concert hoping to raise awareness about youth violence and drunken violence at gigs.  Unfortunately the crowd at Van She was exactly that, aggressive and drunk. No one was really looking out for each other and it was a bit of a mess. The speaker next to me was swinging dangerously for most of the gig, I narrowly missed getting hit in the head. Idiots.

Van She Tech played a few hours later, a DJ duo consisting of Van She's singer and synth player/guitarist. Van She Technologic remixes are some of my favourites, especially their reworking of Feist's 1 2 3 4, and Klaxon's Gravity's Rainbow. I ended up dancing til the wee hours, it was the perfect ending to an already great night.

That was just a Dream

Some photos I took of Cut Copy at Rhythm and Vines:

Tim was the only Cutter to come on stage to help set up beforehand and some guy behind me (who was wearing a Cut Copy t-shirt, he was a fan, obviously...) pointed at Tim and yelled "I can see Dan!"

The whole band was full of energy, Tim especially. They seemed as electrified by their music as we were. I'd seen in an interview with them that they do sometimes get bored of playing the same songs night in and night out, as you would expect, but if they were bored during this performance they certainly hid it very well.

"One thing that I just can't conceive is how to let you go..." (Far Away was one of the highlights of their set)

I never truly appreciated Strangers in the Wind until I saw it live.

Fight!

I didn't see it since I was right up the front, but a friend who was standing at the back told me that by the end of Cut Copy's set, everyone who had been sitting down were up and dancing.