Sydney Esquisse
Posted: November 28, 2003 Filed under: BLOG | Tags: art, festivals, Sydney Esquisse Comments OffI’m a person who’s damn dependent on good weather. A bad day means I’m stuck in doors feeling mopey and downright shitty. But a smashing day like today has me skipping through the streets of inner-city Sydney tra la la la la.
And today was a fabulous day to do a bit of a walking tour, guided by the Sydney Equisse live sites (follow the big orange balloons, follow the big orange balloons). The Sydney Esquisse is a fabulous idea: scatter commissioned design and visual art around Surry Hills, in and amongst the cafes, bar and shops. I managed to cover half of the 40 sites and saw some great pieces of work in the determinedly artsy yet suburban setting that is Surry Hills.
The best part was probably the Clock Hotel (Crown St) in which I emerged to a group of 20 somethings all looking like the very funky “cutting edge” artsy students and designers that they probably are (people who are way too cool, and simultaneously sort of geeky, for me) spray painting a section of the pub. There was another place I went to tucked behind Oxford St (can’t remember the name but its next to Acetate Records) in which I commented to the guy (again, funky looking) how I would never have found the place if I hadn’t been directed here by the festival map. He commented that they avoided Oxford St and Crown St because they’d rather be a place for “people in the know,” which made me laugh and reply “well I’m glad I’m in the know now.”
As great an idea as this is (and by the way it ends on Sunday) how about a festival which is truly infused with the streets and places and people of Sydney? How about a festival that utilises the fact that every single place is imbued with meaning. Examine the events of the past that happened there, or people of the present occupying the space and their attachment to the place and their dreams for the future, or examine its relationship with other places etc. etc. and utilise that as inspiration for on site art/literature/music/film. But pieces which not only comment or represent the stories but actively attempt to create new meanings too.
Sorry Wallabies
Posted: November 25, 2003 Filed under: BLOG | Tags: sport, wallabies Comments OffI’m not a big sports person. But some things transcend their genre and become cultural events (and in Australia they’re usually sports related) which I really get into: such as the Olympics, Tennis opens, Swimming championships, League finals…and Australian Idol Final (I’ll admit it! I’ve never watched a single episode but the final – hey, there’s only so much you can deny culture).
And Saturday night I laughed, cried and almost drew blood from the drama, tension and tragedy that was Australia’s loss to England at the World Cup Rugby Union final. Ten minutes before full time the Wallabies had my brother and I praying to Allah, Buddha, Krishna and God beggin’ for a try (a drop kick goal was delivered instead to go to a draw – the Almighty has a dry sense of humour.)
PS. Head to Medusa on Crown St before Friday – they’re having an incredible sale!
Thanks FBi…
Posted: November 17, 2003 Filed under: BLOG | Tags: competition, fbi Comments OffWas at work the other night, so bored I almost fell into a coma (I can just see the girl coming in the next day to find me perched on the seat, eyes glassy, frozen in a perpetual stare at the computer clock) when they announced on FBi (94.5FM) that they were giving away tickets to Princess Superstar @ Metro for this Friday. Finger on the dial I got through and gave my details only to hear “Oh hangon, we’ve already given them away – sorry!”
Disappointed I began falling back into my state of comatose when the hosts went back on air and said “We’ve just given away our Princess Superstar prize and that went to Monica, sorry we told you that you didn’t win but there was a mixup, so please call that station as you will be on the door!” Woohoo! Hope to see you all there ;o)
PS. Am currently listening to Decoder Ring’s Decoder Ring and am just reminded of how wicked this band is!
Genshen’s Someplace Else (EP)
Posted: November 17, 2003 Filed under: BLOG | Tags: genshen, music Comments OffWritten for Vibewire
No doubt there’s a following of Genshen fans out there who are celebrating the release of their EP Someplace Else and for those not in the know, I’m sure if I played the first track Nothing Quite Like This you’d nod your head in recognition as its been high rotation on Triple J. The four piece are currently on the label Little Big Music (home to The Frames and Eric Bibb) and this EP is a promising precursor to an album.
The four piece indie pop band have a penchant for cheesy 80s synth work, which tends to arise out of solidly structured melody based songs in which the bass carries some interesting hooks and lead singer Quentin confidently struts some New York post-punk vocals which can soar and pout all at the same time. Guitars jangle some incredibly catchy riffs and all the meanwhile they can’t help but have that synth come through once again. Genshen have been paired up with Gaslight Radio and Minimum Chips, so if you’re into those kinds of intricate pop constructions, you’ll get into this.
Their single Nothing Quite Like This is probably the most radio-friendly song off the EP, with every part acting in cohesiveness to create a dark and spacious piece of attitude, each driving bass note lying like a shadowy underbelly while the front man’s vocals oozing cool, but all the meanwhile keeping a sense of fun with a booty-shaking chorus (“nothing nothing quite like this”). A remixed version, which I could undoubtedly see being spun in the murky corners of a poky inner-city venue with a fondness for 80s electro and 90s indie, not to mention girls with severe haircuts and boys in “The Smiths” t-shirts, sits on the tail end of the CD.
For me, Don’t Believe sees the synth come into prominence a few times when it really could have been left as another indistinct (but texture building) layer instead of a more obvious attempt to maintain their pop sensibilities. Meanwhile, Save My Fortune, Sundial and Springtime sees a more mellow Genshen come out, not indistinct from the sonic sounds of Decoder Ring and Full Fathom Five. It hints at there ability to create an intriguingly rich soundscape evocative with mood without being alienating.
Track Listings:
1 – Nothing Quite Like This
2 – Don’t Believe
3 – Save My Fortune
4 – Sundial
5 – Springtime
6 – Nothing Quite Like This (Dance Remix)
Damn that ugly head called racism popping up again
Posted: November 15, 2003 Filed under: BLOG | Tags: asians, racism, Sydney nightclubs Comments OffOf the 20 years I’ve spent in the city of Sydney I’ve rarely experience explicit racism. In fact the only two times I have is when attempting to attend god-awful tacky seedy bars on George St.
Once was trying to enter Pavillion Hotel on a Sunday morning (it is the only place open after a long Saturday night, although now I have half a brain I wouldn’t go there anyway, so seedy!) where I was told “No Asians Allowed”. I of course kicked up a fuss, arguing with the manager who conceded to let me in (I then refused to step in the place) and then emailing several different people and getting printed in various different street press.
Last night I had an English friend wanting to meet up in Star Bar (another awful place, but cheap drinks before 11). But when I got there I was asked if I was there for the “private backpackers function” to which I just nodded, but they refused me entry (I watched as they let anyone non-Asian in and barred any Asians.) Eventually I had to get my friend to come down from the place. They finally let me in, but I said to my friend in a loud voice “why the fuck should I come into this place?”
But it was his farewell so I reluctantly went in, and when I left gave a piece to the security guard who gave me cheek (“You think I care what you think?”). His response makes no difference to me, the fact that nothing I can do will change their policy doesn’t make a difference, I have a moral obligation to myself to stand up for myself and I never accept shit like that.
