Perth Music

The Sleepy Jackson are on the brink of worldwide fame. The little band from Perth that split in half a few years ago to create End of Fashion are releasing their second full length album: Personality (One Was A Spider, One Was A Bird) on July 1st. Drummer Malcolm Clarke gave Justin Middleton this exclusive interview.

PM: First of all, congratulations on the album Mal, it is quite exceptional. Can you tell us how was the experience of making the album?

Mal: Well it was a different experience than recording our first album Lovers. This time round we didn’t have Justin and Rod to contribute which did limit us but made the whole process much more interesting and challenging. Luke had new songs in acoustic guitar and some lyrics to start songs off and we did the demos in about 3 weeks in the studio. The recording process these days makes it necessary to have almost complete songs demoed to show to the record company so everything can be planned for the album recording period. In the old days bands like Pink Floyd would just go into the studio and create the entire album as they record and the record companies were happy with that.

PM: Tell us about the title: Personality (One Was A Spider, One Was A Bird).

Mal: Well the Personality bit has to do with all the people that were involved in making this record and the different aspects that they brought along. The Spider/Bird bit has to do with some religious symbolism. It shows the two different sides - God/Devil, Good/Evil and leaves it up to each person to make up their own mind. Some people might see the Spider as evil and the Bird as good, other people might see the complete opposite.

PM: While The Sleepy Jackson consist of only yourself and Luke Steele at the moment, the band is a 5 piece while touring. Will the band ever have five people in it or will it just stay that way for touring?

Mal: We would definitely consider other people for the band. The way it has been in the past is that we have had very creative people in the band so I guess they can feel limited and restricted in staying in a band with other highly creative people. Everybody likes to have control over what they create so when there are a few people creating together, eventually someone will feel like they don’t have as much control as they’d like.

PM: I guess that can be one reason for creating a side project such as End Of Fashion or your new side project From the Skies.

Mal: Well when I started End Of Fashion with Justin and Rod it was just to have some fun and to play some different music to the Sleepies. We never intended on it becoming as big as it is now and I never considered leaving The Sleepy Jackson for it. I’m very glad that the guys are doing as well as they are and it’s the same type of thing with From The Skies. I use From The Skies as an outlet for myself to write music and it will only ever be a side project. Maybe one day From The Skies could release something but it is very different from The Sleepy Jackson and right now I’m happy just putting demos and stuff on MySpace.

PM: Speaking of MySpace, I see that The Sleepy Jackson have the entire new album on there for people to listen to for a limited time. The listening party is an awesome idea. Do you think MySpace is a great thing for the music industry?

Mal: Yeah it’s a great way for fans to interact directly with artists and we know if we have anything to say to the fans we can just post it to our friend list. It’s easy to use, which is good for me coz I can’t get into the whole website design stuff, I can just log onto MySpace and post stuff.

PM: I believe that one song on the new album (’Don’t Say’) was co-written by The Veronicas. How did that come about?

Mal: Well we met with their manager in the US, this was before they had broken out and they were about 17. They seemed like cool chicks and Luke and the girls decided to write a song together. Originally they were going to use the song on their album but then decided against it. Luke really liked the song so re-recorded the vocals and changed it a bit and now it’s on the album. A lot of people give us hassle about the fact that they co-wrote a song but it’s just like co-writing a song with a friend. They were involved so are credited for that.

Luke really likes collaborating with other artists and has done a bit of it in the last 12 months with people like Daniel Johns and Paul Mac. Things are getting set up for when we are in New York in a couple months for Luke to do a collaboration with Yoko Ono which will be very cool.

PM: That would be very, very cool. There are a few songs on the Personality with strings and orchestral sounds. Are you considering doing any live shows with a live orchestra?

Mal: Yeah we would love to do that. We thought about while recording and are hoping to do it at some stage, it’s just a budget issue which might stop it happening. But it would be great to do something like what Ben Folds did with the WA Symphony Orchestra.

PERSONALITY (One Was A Bird One Was A Spider) instore July 2006 worldwide.

For more info visit thesleepyjackson.com or their MySpace page.

Emerging from Fremantle, WA, Double Entendre are young, energetic and a bit different, playing a dynamic mix of acoustic melodies that blend folk rock with jazz, roots, flamenco and a good danceable beat. With four versatile musicians and a worldly muse, this multitalented band keep it interesting with bursting barbershop-style harmonies and a lot of instruments including ukulele, melodica, mandolin, sax and didge.

The band made it to the National Campus Bands competition State Final in 2004 and was later invited to tour with Mark Hoffman’s didge ‘n drum group, EmDee. In 2005, they sparked interest from London & New York based manager Mike Dixon, who is closely involved with artists such as Ryan Adams, Butterfly Boucher and The Spinto Band. The band have recently made it into WA’s Next Big Thing competition and are planning to release a debut EP and organise a tour before the end of the year.

The band are taking a dive back into the local music scene with their first major showcase at Kulcha in Fremantle on the 14th of July. Since returning from travels, the band has been working on creating more of a jazz & world influenced sound by introducing a double bass and three-part vocal harmonies. At Kulcha they will bring you a night of dynamic acoustic melodies blending jazz, folk, roots, flamenco and strong, healthy rhythm that is sure to set the dance floor on fire. As a multitalented four-piece, Double Entendre get mind and body moving with ukulele, melodica, mandolin, sax, didge and various other instruments. Supporting Double Entendre is the beautifully haunting and soulfully raw sound of NSW’s, Loren Kate.

For more info on the band visit their MySpace page.

Nelson Clemente is an emerging Perth artist who wrote his first song in 1996 after being given a guitar as a gift. At the tender age of 15, he found solace and release in an art that was quick to reveal a hidden talent: a natural ability to write heartfelt and haunting music.

In 2002 Nelson grasped the opportunity to collaborate with producer / composer James Tauber, forming pop duo Nelson James. This tuneful teaming helped form a fantastic foundation; not to mention an array of great 80s style pop music.

2006 saw Nelson venturing out on his own, compiling his efforts and emerging as a highly self motivated solo artist. Working with Rob Agostini (Blance DuBois, Jessi London) and Steve Scanlon (Danni Minogue, Tina Arena, Tommy Emmanuel) to produce his debut EP. His “velvet voice” has been unleashed into a fury of dark electro pop tracks that has already sparked the attention of musical collaborators and admirers worldwide.

To hear some of Nelson’s music and for more info visit his official site here.

Hot on the heels of their whirlwind sell-out Australian and World tours to promote their new album “Personality (One Was a Spider, One Was a Bird)”, The Sleepy Jackson will be signing copies of the album and playing a few tunes at 78 Records in Perth on Saturday July 1st at 2pm.

So don’t forget the album “Personality (One Was a Spider, One Was a Bird)” is out July 1st and the first single “God Lead Your Soul” is out now through EMI.

For more info visit www.thesleepyjackson.com

The first Metro heat of Next Big Thing saw Mojos packed out last weekend with loads of punters witnessing some of Perth’s best. Congratulations to NBT winners so far who will go on to compete in the semi-finals…

Metro Heat 1 - 1st Streetlight, 2nd Love You Not
Margaret River - Gemma Stacey
Karratha - Theresa Hillhouse
Albany - The Flaming Sheilas
Mandurah - Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving

And there’s a lot more to come -
Heat 2 - Fri June 23 - Rosemount Hotel
Heat 3 - Sat June 24 - Mojos
Heat 4 - Wed June 28 - Rosemount Hotel
Heat 5 - Sat July 1 - Charles Hotel
Heat 6 - Wed July 5 - The Foundry
Heat 7 - Sat July 8 - Swan Basement

Regional Heats
Esperance - Fri June 23 - Esperance Motor Inn
Bunbury - Sat June 24 - Prince of Wales
Geraldton - Sat June 24 - Queens Park Theatre
Unfortunately the Broome heat has been cancelled this year.

Semi Final (Metro 1) - Fri July 21 - Rosemount Hotel
Semi Final (Metro 2) - Sat July 22 - Amplifier Bar
Semi Final (Regional) - Fri July 28 - Swan Basement
State Final - Sat July 29 - Rosemount Hotel

Two winners from each metro heat will join the eight regional finalists in the semi-finals to find the 2006 Next Big Thing in original music!

Congratulations to Ampfest Battle of the Bands winners The Bullet Holes who automatically gain entry into the NBT semi-final!

Presented by Drug Aware and Healthway, all gigs are smoke-free and drug-free.

For further information visit www.nextbigthing.net.au

Red Shell (aka Red Shell Storm) are an entertaining three-piece band, consisting of female vocals, keys, bass and drums.
With deep soulful vocals, energetic bass riffs, together with a raw diverse range of drumming and percussion, this captivating, very original sound is polished further with the jazzy tinkling of keys.
Not conforming to a specific genre, this band has a unique style. Many songs would fit into a blues & roots category, while others reflect a ‘dancy folk-rock’ sound. Jazzy undertones are maintained throughout the music. With three very different musical influences combined, the music is original, entertaining, with a sound that is timeless & suited to a wide demographic.

Red Shell have been playing original music at venues in Perth, for around 3 years now.
Formerly a 2 -piece, with Skye on vocals & keys and Rob on bass, Red Shell expanded to include drumming, percussion & backing vocals. About 10 months ago Beq joined the band, her drumming & singing harmonies completing this enticing line-up.

Red Shell adds a fun funky, yet relaxed atmosphere to any venue, from intimate indoor settings to high energy outdoor events. They love to get people involved in their music.

Upcoming gigs -
Sat 24th June - Thornlie Tavern 8pm

For more info visit www.redshellstorm.com

Already confirmed as one of the international highlights for this years Splendour in the Grass, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are pleased to announce they will also be performing club shows around Australia and New Zealand this coming July.

Currently touring across Europe and the U.S., the band make a welcome return to Australia in July for what will be their third Australian visit. The world tour is their first since 2004, and sees the band showcasing songs from their latest album Show Your Bones.

Show Your Bones is the follow-up to the bands 2003 debut album, (the critically acclaimed Fever To Tell) and was one of this years most hotly anticipated albums. Showered with 5 star reviews, Show Your Bones is sexy, dark, and insanely great. Like their debut album, their latest effort careens between art school punk and achingly beautiful pop songs, and has the unmistakable stamp of one of New York’s finest musical exponents, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Renowned for their blistering live shows and over the top antics of front gal Karen O (who can forget her headlong tumble from the stage in Sydney on their last visit to our shores) the forthcoming shows promise to be a must-see on every gig goer’s rock’n’roll calendar.

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs latest album Show Your Bones is out now thru Modular Recordings.

Dates and venues for the forthcoming Yeah Yeah Yeah’s national tour below:

WEDNESDAY JULY 12TH - St James Theatre, AUCKLAND, NZ
FRIDAY JULY 14TH - Metropolis, FREMANTLE
SUNDAY JULY 16TH - The Governor Hindmarsh, ADELAIDE
TUESDAY JULY 18TH - The Forum, MELBOURNE
WEDNESDAY JULY 19TH - The Enmore Theatre, SYDNEY
SUNDAY JULY 23RD - Splendour In The Grass, BYRON BAY

Tickets are on sale Monday June 19th

Come see the youngest, newest, and greatest bands in one night! The Flairz, Mink Mussel Creek and Dom Mariani and The Rippled Souls, Saturday June 24 at the Norfolk Basement Lounge.

WA’s brightest talents will be taking to the stage in a night showcasing the amazing music made right here!! It may not be New York, but the music being created is, and always has been, on par with anything around the world!! Our Generation, featuring The Flairz, our youngest rockers, Mink Mussel Creek, WA’s most exciting up and coming band, and Dom Mariani and the Rippled Souls, Australia’s virtuoso of pop song and first home show after successfully touring around the world!

The Flairz recently celebrated 50 shows and credit every show as a milestone. This year The Flairz have already wowed audiences in the U.S. receiving rave reviews of their performances in Los Angeles and in Texas, as well as garnering interest from major players in the music industry, come and see what the fuss is about, The Flairz Rock! See www.theflairz.com, or www.myspace.com/theflairz for more details.

Mink Mussel Creek won the Ampfest Clash of the Bands Festival 2005 and are going from strength to strength, blowing away audiences and the music industry with their incredible live performances and original sound. The future looks exciting, and like nothing we have ever seen before for Mink Mussel Creek- remember the name if you know what is good for you. See www.myspace.com/minkmusselcreek for more details.

Dom Mariani and The Rippled Souls have recently returned from a successful tour of Europe, Scandinavia and Japan where Dom is widely recognised for his pop sensibilities and musical genius. Dom Mariani and The Rippled Souls are looking forward to their homecoming performance, without doubt a show not to miss. See www.dommariani.com or www.myspace.com/dommariani.

The Flairz, Mink Mussel Creek and Dom Mariani and The Rippled Souls,
With special guest rockin’ DJ’s Funkarse Phil and The Government.
SATURDAY JUNE 24, Norfolk Basement Lounge
The Flairz on at 9pm.
Smoke free until 10.30pm.

Broome in Western Australia is hearing Triple J for the first time on 98.1FM!

The people of Broome have got together and installed their own radio transmitter, just so they can listen to Triple J, so welcome aboard! To celebrate, Jay & The Doctor are dragging Robbie Buck to the Cable Beach Amphitheatre in Broome for a concert you won’t forget. Starring the Hilltop Hoods!

Friday June 9 is the day to put in your diary. It all kicks off from 1pm so take the arvo off work and be there! And if you’re nowhere near Broome, the whole thing will be live on your radio from 3pm!