Blog — Page 135 of 276

It’s not often that a great band swings by the small town of Olten, Switzerland, and so to have two bands that fit that bill come along to this riverside town is something of a pleasant surprise. Heading to Europe for the first time is Brooklyn’s Sanhedrin and Phoenix’s Spirit Adrift.

Both have released excellent records this year and heavy metal unites the two and where doom influences follow first band Spirit Adrift, Sanhedrin tread a more traditional path. First on stage this evening are Spirit Adrift, who released Divided By Darkness in May of this year and so much of their set is taken from this incredible record. From the heady stomp of “Born Into Fire” to the beautiful message behind “Hear Her,” the band are incredibly tight and incredibly appreciated by the crowd. Those up front cannot contain their enthusiasm and it feeds back into the band who, after an emotional “Angels & Abyss” to close the set, give in to the calls for more and play an encore. It’s an excellent first showing in Europe for this band and will hopefully be the first of many over the years. Divided By Darkness is a testament to hope and to willpower and for founder and frontperson Nate Garrett, it is the beginning of a new cosmic energy. Tonight we all feel it. 

That energy follows Sanhedrin throughout their set with a group up front who can barely contain their excitement. Erica Stoltz’s (ex-Hammers of Misfortune, ex-Amber Asylum) voice carries throughout the small venue and hits with precision. The band have a compelling presence and the songs more than back them up (I must admit here to not knowing the band beforehand and so knowledge of the names of the songs played is lacking) with fiery guitars and a distinct sound that is sure to make their name known in wider circles. Their set is powerful and dynamic and from beginning to end leaves time to pause, to take a breath and so many leave this dark basement in shock and awe.

Tipsy

Clare Burder

Affirm Press

Ah, not sure what your poison is but navigating the world of tipples can prove challenging territory, specifically if one is set in one’s ways. No matter what your go-to is, there have for sure been instances where ignorance has been publicly exposed – be it via odd food / drink pairings or a lack of knowledge as to what a drink is composed off or where it comes from.

In a world that gets more complex and overwhelming when it comes to liquid delectable goods, the vessels they are consumed with and the range of options in which they are presented, a compact book like Tipsy comes in handy for the novice.

In essence, the book is an extensive cheat sheet with short cuts and easy-to-comprehend explanations and background info without getting lost in granular detail.

Now, given that, it will not make you a master of any of the topics it covers – from beers via wines to spirits – but it will aid to give general directions and assistance that is based on research and the extensive knowledge of industry professionals.

With Clare Burder being not only clearly passionate about drinking but her craft having been honed as the lady looking after everything related to sake and wine programs for the alcohol related education system The Humble Tumbler as well as being someone who is actively involved in wine production, she is predestined to give sound advice.

Illustrated in an appealing manner, this nifty book does not only serve as a foundation but is a fun and inspiring launchpad to explore new territory – be it as a current teetotaller or a booze hound that has yet to get his head around not yet tried alcoholica.

Hi-Fructose: New Contemporary Fashion

Thames and Hudson

Chances are that if you harbour a modicum of interest in fashion, art and the interactions of it, you have come across the entity known as Hi-Fructose Magazine, which has firmly established itself on the firmament of boundary pushing artsy and aesthetically exciting visual explorations. I would go as far as claiming that Hi-Fructose has long ago managed to transcend the confines of merely depicting art and fashion and started to exert an active impetus on the contemporary fashion game.

Every now and then, Hi-Fructose emits a book – one that graces coffee tables and the New Contemporary Fashion is not an exception here.

In essence, what we have here are close to three-hundred pages that are filled to the brim with what can be best described at the apex of avantgarde.

Framed by essays and illuminating interviews, this oversized tome embraces fashion in an idiosyncratic way that does not merely live from the mere depiction but shows on every page that skill- and artful composition as well as curation is at work here with an eye for detail that is a joy to behold.

While many art books waste space and indulge in effortful edginess, the DNA that pervades Hi-Fructose and this book is informed by an acute sense for nuances, personal and at times intimate insights, artistic flair and an overall spirit full approach.

Needless to say that at time the exuberant temperament of invested artists and passionate creators shines through, but overall a wide spectrum is documented in an informed, inspiring and coherent manner.

The book is – as everything Hi-Fructose related – a quality product, i.e. the binding, photographic reproductions and materials used have been carefully selected and add to the overall charm.

A book that is testament to what can happen when fashion and art collide.

The Lavazza Italian Film Festival

Palace Cinema

Sydney, Australia

September 17, 2019

Eighteen years since its inception, the Italian Film Festival is going stronger than ever with what can be considered a unique array of over two hundred movie theatres engaged each year.

Gradually grown to a major event, the 2019 incarnation of the festival has grown in both in extent and popularity to a point where it currently manifests the biggest celebration of Catalan cinema outside the confines of the land of calves.

What adds to the charm of the gala is that in Sydney, the home has been firmly established by Palace cinemas, a family business dedicated to showing the cream of the crop of both contemporary and classic Italian flics.

Showcasing more than twenty-six of the newest emissions of the idiosyncratic Italian movie industry alongside classic cinematic gems, special presentations, Aperitivo nights and receptions across screens in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and Byron Bay from 17 September, the Sydney opening proved to be an exercise par excellence for what the ole world has to offer.

Leonardo D’Agostini’s comedy drama Il Campione set the tone of the opening night with a contemporary take on friendship and backstabbing in the context of the multi million-dollar business the sport soccer has become in the current day and age.

With a not exactly heavy plot, D'Agostini’s debut was a light-hearted and accessible moral lesson to ease one into the spirit of this Italian extravaganza, the opening night of which was framed by the best the cuisine of Italy has to offer in terms of food, drinks and music.

There are for sure many ways to pay homage to what Italy has to offer the world but the Australian incarnation of the annual film fest is certainly one of the more accomplished ones.

L

Just when one thought that one had identified pretty much the cream of the crop when it comes to craft beers and specifically IPAs, a contender pops up that one had almost managed to overlook: BentSpoke is a micro-brewery situated in Canberra, Braddon, an environment that lends itself well to the creation of beer because or its pristine water supply.

BentSpoke’s Crankshaft IPA is a hazy beauty with its orangey and amber coloured nuances that hint at the fruity and citrussy aromas that it emits. Not unlike a West Coast IPA it is creamy in texture, the top of the roof is tickled by sweet caramelly notes, which are counterbalanced by a nice bitterness that sandwiches just the right amount of piny hoppiness.

In essence, this is one hell of a flavourful nuance of North American hops create the foundation for a dangerously more-ish experience that ticks all the right boxes on the palate and its flavour profile is calibrated in a manner that is rarely found in the world of Indian Pale Ales.

BentSpoke Big Nut Black IPA is a boutique-y new emission that is, as the name suggests, on the nutty and roasty side of the flavour spectrum. While the aforementioned flavours dominate, the trademark malty notes with resiny and piney hops round out the palate.

The golden BentSpoke Sprocket IPA Review is part of the BentSpoke Drifter Series and delves into aromas of the tropical kind that are again framed by hoppy bitterness of the Mosaic kind without lacking a distinct malt character.

Clocking in at a punchy 7% ABV, this is almost too easy to drink that made a great constituent of a Boilermaker with a whiskey from a Hebridean distillery.

BentSpoke’s Red Nut is a Red Ale with a medium, clear caramel-coloured body with a tan cappuccino foam head that leaves patchwork lace on the side of the glass as it goes down. The spicy aromas are intriguing and are enriched by tropical nuances, which are grounded on a solid malt base.

What tickles the nostrils, is continued on the roof of the mouth with peppery highlights, which are juxtaposed by biscuity malts. Again, a masterstroke in flavour calibration.

Now, let’s culminate this instalment with one of my new favourites: BentSpoke Cluster 8 IIPA

A limited-edition batch Imperial/Double IPA with a whopping 8.8% ABV that combines all the best parts of the brews.

Tropical fruits, resin hops galore and a delicious dankness comprise this beauty, whose IBU is off the charts.

As mentioned in the beginning, in a world of novelty IPAs with eye-catching artwork on their labels, I almost overlooked BentSpoke - a mistake I shall not make again.