Paper planes fly at Croxton High School Assembly, Fri June 24th

Back at high school was not exactly where I had planned to be on Friday night, but was where I found myself... at the Croxton High School Assembly listening to The House Cats (the school band) doing their version of Radiohead songs.
Ok so it was not actually a school assembly and The House Cats are actually Sex On Toast, but at times it did feel that is was a real mid-year assembly and I was cringing! What was presented as Year 10 Drama really did feel like Year 10 Drama and the Thornbury Theatre did look a little like my high school's hall...

Ben Pobjie did a great job as Principal (M.C) for the night, telling off naughty students in the audience, and introducing the guests. The guests included the superb Tripod, DC3 and The Bedroom Philosopher, with his band The Awkwardstra.
Tripod were fantastic as usual. Amusing the audience with such comedy gems as an ode to Sunny Boys and a song dedicated to a horrible P.E teacher. The highlight was a romantic tune about setting down, buying a massive four-wheel drive, moving in to the inner city and closing down all the local music venues! Hilarious!
The Bedroom Philosopher (Justin Heazlewood) did his thing, strutting around the stage like Jarvis Cocker back in the day and singing his very funny hits 'Northcote (so hungover)' and a very sad song about leaving his hairdresser.
This was much more exciting than anything I ever saw while in high school!

If there is another Croxton School Assembly, I suggest you don't wag!

That time of the year again...

when my friend C wants suggestions on where to drink away the years on her Birthday...
my suggestions for cool as fuck places in Melbourne:

Loop

Art space and bar combined, sounds good right..it is.
23 Meyers Place, Melbourne town...


New Guernica

This place gets some great djs playing there, and feels like you're in a cubby house... what more could you want?! 322 Little Collins Street (upstairs)


Horse Bazaar

Their manifesto: "Horse Bazaar is driven by keen interests in culture, technology, politics, music, and the arts."
397 Little Lonsdlae Street

This week...

The 2011 Parklife Lineup was announced!
Some acts I would happily pass on, BUT some others will be amazing- including Santigold (pictured above), The Streets, The Gossip, Lykke Li, Crystal Fighters, Adrian Lux and Little Dragon!
Could be a fun day... ticket price yet to be announced, you can register for pre-sale at:
http://www.parklife.com.au/

R.I.P Gil Scott-Heron

This weekend the world lost the amazing poet/rapper, Gil Scott-Heron. Who has passed away in New York at the age of 62.

His work is truly meaningful, honest and inspirational.

This is one of my favourites:

Also...

thought I would share just a couple of examples of what comes out of my amazing friends with you...

A friend of mine (Sophie) takes rather rad photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shoot_at_everyone/

A friend of mine (Nathan) opens his mind to you:
http://curiouserthanusual.blogspot.com/



(photo from Nathan)

This week...

Am digging the latest Tv On The Radio album '9 Types Of Light', especially loving the track 'You', amazing!
Ok so this clip is kinda shakey, but close your eyes and listen bitches...so cool...

or even better, just go and buy the album and listen to the studio version!


Also enjoying the new album 'Blood Pressures' from The Kills. Can't wait to see them do their thing in Australia in a couple of months!

Darwin Deez at the HiFi....

here's a review I did for thedwarf.com.au....
Darwin Deez
HiFi Melbourne 29/4/11
By Annie Mullen




I was skeptical, surrounded by a crowd of fashionable moustaches and all the hype that the New Yorkers Darwin Deez bring. Although the show was not sold out, the HiFi was packed with trendy Melbournians and an energetic buzz.
Opening was Owl Eyes, an up-and-coming Australian chick and her support band. Although they may not have captured the whole audience (which is hard for any support act), they were quite sweet and agreeable. Her, Brooke Addamo aka Owl Eyes, has a lovely, interesting voice which presents simple and relatable lyrics. The general vibe was upbeat, cruisey and cool. I am sure we will be hearing more of her name in times to come.
Soon after an extremely lanky, skinny man with an amazing set of curls, neat moustache and a brown typically ‘retro’ jumper enters the stage to adjust guitars and sound pedals. It’s him, the face of Darwin Deez, Darwin Smith! He fixes stuff, looks around then leaves the stage again.
About 5 minutes or so pass and he returned, with the band; guitarist, bassist and drummer. They rock onto stage to a mash up of noise and voices before opening with ‘Up In The Clouds’. Darwin’s skinny legs wrapped in skinny jeans energetically bounce around the stage as he belted out the songs from their self-titled debut album. Lead singer Darwin clearly relishes in being on stage, so it’s easy to get swept along and enjoy watching him enjoy himself.
The band was tight, the backing vocals were great, there were choreographed synchronized dance moves, and a pretty hilarious rap.
The audience ate it all up, and it was clear Darwin and the band loved every second of the set too.
The only let down was Darwin telling everyone to “Buy a t’shirt”….umm…not necessary, just tacky. Stick to the music, leave marketing to someone else.
As expected the poppy hit ‘Radar Detector’ was last song of the set. But was then followed by an encore which ended with another hit- the upbeat and fun ‘Constellations’, in which both the band and the audience really let loose. It’s poppy, but with a lot of quirkiness chucked in there for good measure.

There is a very talented (and fun) man behind that indie mo of his!