Blog — Page 213 of 277

The infrequently-updated site blog, featuring a range of content including show reviews, musical musings and off-color ramblings on other varied topics.

Design-Made - Sydney

Posted by T • November 2, 2017

Design-Made.

Sunstudios

Alexandria, Sydney

October 27-29, 017

Milton Glaser claimed that there are three responses to a piece of design – yes, no and WOW!

Design-Made. definitely aims for the latter as. 

Founded by Kobe Johns of FACTORY DESIGN DISTRICT and JP Finsbury Bespoke Joiners (left) and AUTHENTIC DESIGN ALLIANCE director Anne-Maree Sargeant, Design-Made. is a three-day celebration of design for Australia and proved that design is not meant to be something just for an alcove for the well-heeled and blessed, but makes it accessible for everyone:
 
Independent in nature, produced independently and informed by a careful curation, it expands on the solid foundation built by the Australia Design Australia and Factory Design District to educate the broader Australian community about the importance of supporting original design.

The event aims to stimulate “design  thinking by unmasking and demystifying the design process.”

Showcasing a wide spectrum  of contemporary design it promotes and builds a better understanding about the nature of of design in Australia, a desired side effect of which is to move consumers to look into the process and buy locally and sustainably.

Held over two locations in Alexandria, visitors to Design-Made. have the opportunity to directly engage and connect – be it with the emissions of exhibitors, participate in Q & A sessions, floor talks, meet main protagonists and learn from them in workshops or have their books signed.

Opportunities to indulge were plentiful, specifically the well-curated dining experiences are worth a mention and the food trucks that proffered local craft beer and organic food.

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Photos by KAVV

Gallery: Design-Made @ Sunstudios (8 photos)

T • November 2, 2017

The Bronx @ Oxford Art Factory

Posted by T • November 1, 2017

The Bronx

Oxford Art Factory

Sydney, Australia

October 30, 2017

 

Tonight was a side-show from The Bronx’ current Australia tour with Pennywise and how great it was to see incarnate them within the intimate confines of the sold out Oxford Art Factory.

Devoted to punk rock with rough edges even in their more tempered, melodic moments blended with a healthy dose of detached garage rock swagger and infused with the essence of what fueled early hardcore bands – The Bronx are in fine form.

Frontman and focal point of the band, Matt Caughthran did the Caesar thing in his own mischievous way – veni, vidi, vici – he inhabited the stage, declared the objectives of the night and jumped straight into implementation phase – literally, as he preferred the pit to the stage and spent a good deal of the show either crowd surfing or amidst the crowd, evoking reckless levels of energy in his wake and creating special moments galore that the audience lapped up.

An evening with no barriers, no pause for breath, just a sheer endless barrage of vitriolic LA punk with explosive finishes.

The Bronx is a rare breed: A soulful, violent, passionate and furious beast with a tinge of melancholy that is a lot of fun to ride with.

With a knack for song-writing and chant-worthy music, having found their niche with their fast obnoxious emissions that pay homage and respect to a myriad of punk territories, in a live environment The Bronx delivers the perfectly calibrated dose of showmanship and thrilling music.

An evening heavy on audience participation that cements The Bronx’ powerhouse status.

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Photos by KAVV

T • November 1, 2017

Jewish Film Festival Opening Night - Sydney

Posted by T • October 31, 2017

Jewish Film Festival Opening Night

Cinema Bondi Jumction

Sydney, AU

October 26, 2017

A jam-packed Event Cinema Bondi Junction played host to Jewish International Film Festival Opening Night, as the 2017 Jewish Film Festival was kicked off in style with a Premiere screening of the extraordinary Yiddish feature, Menashe, with jazz and klezmer tunes from Marcello Maio and Mark Ginsburg, drinks and finger food preceding.

The stories of this year’s incarnation reach far into history and deep into human experience: from the cornerstone achievements of Sigmund Freud, Karl Marx, J.D. Salinger and Joseph Pulitzer to the quirky detail of Louis Armstrong with his Magen David ode to the Jewish family that bought him his first trumpet.

The tradition of screening the cream of the new crop of Israeli films continues with over 30 Ophir (Israeli Oscar) award nominations amongst them.

Another endeavour JIFF is the support of Australian filmmakers with their first Short Film Fund: a funding initiative aimed at encouraging and supporting the production and exhibition of short films on themes that engage with Jewish life, history and culture.

The high caliber entries from around Australia were adjudicated over by industry professionals Mike Selwyn, former Managing Director Paramount Australia, Vice President Australia / New Zealand and current Distribution Consultant, and Israeli producer Gal Greenspan, Managing Director of Green Productions.

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Photos by KAVV

T • October 31, 2017

Ministry Show No Signs Of Stopping In Denver

Posted by Kevin Fitzpatrick • October 30, 2017

Ministry

Fillmore Auditorium

Denver, Colorado

Oct. 28, 2017

 

With the passing of Lemmy Kilminster, Al Jorgensen has become the last man standing in regards to what amount of excess the human body can endure. And when Ministry rolled into town on Sunday, Uncle Al made it clear that he’s not ready to pack it in yet.  With a sly grin and an assumed twinkle in his eye behind those ubiquitous sunglasses, the band tore through an all-too-brief and interestingly selected set.

Ministry has had a long and storied history throughout the years with some ups and downs in their recorded legacy. But since the departure of original members Paul Barker and Bill Rieflin, one would think the real task over the years would be to find musicians capable of bring these songs to the stage.

in this instance, Jorgensen has assembled a smaller group (by Ministry standards) of folks up to the task, beginning with guitarist Sin Quirin who, bookended with guitarist Cesar Soto provided all the speed, precision and aggression needed to hammer home their point.

Ever the rapscalion, Jorgensen flanked the band on either side of the stage with two enormous inflatable chickens with the all too prevalent nazi-punks-fuck-off symbol and on top of their heads, the just as familiar coif of a current sitting president.

Opening with Let’s Go from the band’s 2007 album The Last Sucker, the 1st half of the set was comprised of latter-day Ministry, from albums like Rio Grande Blood and Dark Side of the Spoon - also including two songs from their upcoming album Amerikkkant - Wargasm and Antifa, one of the highlights of the set, with balaclava-clad protesters marching behind. 

Never a band to shy away from making political statements, the screen images projected made their stance on the current administration crystal clear, which can be a downer for some folks in these divisive times, but with Ol’ Uncle Al stalking the stage with a genuine affection toward the crowd like a less-hunched Ozzy Ozbourne, it becomes a party.

 

Setlist 

Let’s Go

Punch In The Face

Antifa

Señor Peligro

LiesLiesLies

Wargasm

Bad Blood

N.W.O.

Just One Fix

Thieves

So What

Encore

Gates of Steel (Devo)

 

Gallery: Ministry - Denver 2017 (10 photos)

Kevin Fitzpatrick • October 30, 2017

Time Out Sydney/Young Henrys Hop Up Review

Posted by T • October 30, 2017

Time Out Sydney Hop Up – Young Henrys

World Square

Sydney, Australia

23 October 2017

Ah, Young Henrys.

Young Henrys is the household name of Sydney craft breweries, an impressive feat for the staunchly independent brew house that has only been operating for four years.

These guys went from being one of Sydney's first in craft to a nationally celebrated company — and they somehow managed this feat without diluting their DNA.

The YH brews are not only well-represented across Sydney's craft brew pubs, but they are a regular facet of the beer scene across Australia — including loads of unassuming pubs that otherwise only have the likes of Tooheys (for the uninitiated: that’s the Australian equivalent of Pabst Blue Ribbon) and Carlton on draught. From launching their very own festival, to their endless artistic collaborations brewing band-specific beers, to sponsoring events – Young Henrys just seems to be omnipresent.

The story has worked out well for the Newtowners, who almost set up shop in Surry Hills.

Luckily, the space in Newtown saved YH from the lockout laws and also put them smack dab in the middle of an incredibly creative and likeminded community.

Part-brewery, part-gallery space, the tasting bar is a laidback (but always busy) hangout where music blares and beer's a-flowing.

Young Henrys' artistic collaboration game remains strong with the recent DZ Deathrays collaborative brew, Pils 'n' Thrills, as well as your humble narrator’s favourite, the unfortunately long gone collaboration with an iconic Australian band, i.e. Brew Am I.

The brewery is constantly trying out new angles as well, like chef-inspired beers, restaurant collaborations, promoting band tours and community contests and events.

Having recently celebrated their birthday with the Four More Beers hoppy amber ale, the team at YH is full steam ahead.

A lot has changed in four years — from going solar-powered to successfully trying their hand at distilling.

They've now expanded to ten brewers and are launching a dedicated brewer's tank that will allow the team to try out their own recipes.

Among these class brewers is Agnes Gajic, one of Australia's few professional female brewers and a recipient of the Pink Boots Society award.

The Newtonian masterminds haven't just limited themselves to beer — their cider and spirits game is strong as well, with their Noble Cut Gin recently awarded the Gold Medal from the World Spirit Awards.

Now both brewery and distillery, YH plans to continue to develop in the spirits direction and their current collaboration with Jameson is the result:

Jameson Caskmates Young Henrys Edition is a barrel ageing collaboration between Jameson Irish Whiskey and Young Henrys.

Firstly, Young Henrys beer was barrel aged in Jameson whiskey barrels - the product of this exercise was the Young Henrys Craic and Barrel Aged Irish Red Ale.

Now, the long-awaited Jameson Caskmates Young Henrys Limited Edition has been produced by barrel finishing Jameson Irish Whiskey in 10 Young Henrys fresh craft beer seasoned casks that were shipped back to Ireland from the beer barrel ageing project.

When the fresh casks are re-hydrated, they retain the flavour profile of the Irish Red Ale, resulting in a whiskey that has new notes of caramel, malt and subtle hops all supported by a mild pot still spiciness.

This release of the Caskmates edition brings you a unique Triple Distilled Jameson Irish Whiskey experience with a twist from the heart of Sydney, Newtown.

As part of Sydney’s beer week, Time Out’s Hop Up set up shop at World Square and celebrated all things Young Henrys, Grill’d Burgers, the release of their 2017 Bar Guide and an ample chance to try Jameson Caskmates Young Henrys edition whiskey, serenaded by killer tunes from the outfits Los Tones and Moon Brain.   

Another praiseworthy, well organised and geschmäcklerisches Time Out Sydney Event.

All photos by T

T • October 30, 2017

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