Wednesday 9th April
We haven’t reached our sesquicentennial. If had we’d probably be wheezing, spluttering and arriving in your inbox with a ‘thunk’ instead of a ‘ping’. But this baby is one-fiddy-weeks old and we’re proud of the hair in strange places and the newfound wisdom that comes with age. This week we’re whipping the cream of the crop into the one hundred and fiftieth issue of ThreeThousand. So find milky hues, imports from the land of many cows, someone who used to like coconut milk, and a spot to sip on alcoholic moo juice.
ThreeThousand 150 – with cream?
Cover shot by Lia Steele. If you would like to submit a cover photo, that would be rad. Email photo@threethousand.com.au.
Beneath the Roses
Gregory Crewdson’s Beneath the Roses reveals his elaborately choreographed, large-scale photographs which blur the line between cinema and photography.
His new pictures take place, often at dusk, in unnamed American towns, streets, and homes which show subjects caught in transition and laced with ambiguity. A woman sits on her bed having dragged a rose bush through her house, a man in a forest is digging up suitcases, and a little boy stares up at a bridge as his friends vanish in the mist. The effect is both mesmerising and unsettling as a heady cocktail of anxiety and intrigue is created. Crewdson’s talent lies in making the immediately epic become painstakingly intricate. He encourages readers to look around corners, peer into windows, and look around trees, even if they are somewhat worried about what they might find.
Included towards the end of the book are production stills, lighting charts, sketches, and architectural plans that provide an insight into the man behind the pictures and raise appreciation for the creative exertion the shoots require. There's also an essay by acclaimed fiction writer Russell Banks who has much more room to articulate the genius of Crewdson’s work than we do here.
Format: Book
Motivation: Pimp your coffee table
Keywords: Russell Banks, Photography, Gregory Crewdson
El Guincho, Alegranza
What:
Alegranza
Who:
El Guincho
On:
Mistletone
Where:
Mistletone Shop/ TITLE / Missing Link
MySpace:
here
Links:
El Guincho's blog / mp3s at Off the Record
Win:
We have two copies if Alegranza to give away. To enter email win@threethousad.com.au with subject "internet-slaves playing bongos"
Recent outbreaks of Internet-slaves playing bongos, all hyphy "like Fela" reeks of moneyed putrefaction - at best reminding of C. Thomas Howell's character in Soul Man, who overdoses on tanning pills in an effort to 'get down' with his college basketball team. It's imperative Alegranza - the debut record from Barcelona's Pablo Diaz-Reix, aka El Guincho -is not confused with this vapid trend. Newly released in Australia by Mistletone, it's a genuinely breezy party record that transcends so many re-upped, hackneyed remakes of Tropicalia and Afro-beat's rhythmic glee.
Every track is a basket of cheers packed with steel drums, sunny instrumental samples and Pablo's ecstatic chanting in Spanish. Openers 'Palmitos Park' and 'Antillas' have the jungle-fun feel of The Lion King minus the naff (miraculously), and when, in 'Fata Morgana' a rare sample in English declares, "All of the joy of young people in love is conveyed in this delightful and simple melody", it's entirely justified. The issue isn't authenticity - all of Alegranza is sampled anyway - it's integrity and unforced fun, and El Guincho has it as much as Deelite did, or Kid Creole and the Coconuts.
Release: Album
To Cure: An empty dancefloor
Keywords: Mistletone Records
The Aura
What:
The Aura
When:
Out now
Watch the trailer:
Here
Win:
We have five copies of The Aura to give away. To enter, email win@threethousand.com.au with the subject line 'imagine if Beckett wrote a play about taxidermist werewolves'
Remember Nine Queens, the con-man caper flick from Argentina that lingered in small cinemas back in the early ‘00s? Director Fabian Bielinsky followed this debut with The Aura, receiving a handful of glowing reviews and sweeping the local awards before he suffered a fatal heart attack in 2006.
Even without the subtext of vanished potential, The Aura is a film in which envelopes are left unopened and mysteries go unexplained. Ricardo Darín gives a Mitchum-worthy performance as Esteban, a taxidermist who is so reclusive he might be mute. He dreams of committing the perfect crime - and then coincidence gives him his chance.
Lazy film-makers often rely on cheap ambiguity to make the audience do all the heavy thematic lifting. (Use your knees, people.) The Aura, though, ripples with things unspoken, sitting just under the surface. One reviewer described it as possessing a "Beckett play or a werewolf movie" waiting to burst free. It's deliberate, slow, and unsettling.
The Aura never managed a cinema release in Australia, and that's a damn shame - but much more of a shame is that Bielinsky won't make another film. This is all you get.
Format: DVD
Mood: Rad
Keywords: Fabian Bielinsky, Madman
The heart-shaped sunnies
What:
The heart-shaped sunnies
Where:
Top Shop, Oxford St, Paddington, UK
Online here (not right now but soon, hopefully)
How much:
£ 18 (plus £ 3 for the case!)
Win:
The pair pictured here. We have one to give away. To enter, email win@threethousand.com.au with the subject line ‘Lesley Arfin may be a reformed heroin addict but she has excellent taste'
OK tell the truth, Ruth - ever since Lesley Arfin came here on her book tour, you have secretly wanted a pair of those heart-shaped sunnies she was wearing in the press photo. The bad news is, Top Shop have them in, so they are headed out of style in approximately three days. The neither-here-nor-there news is that Cutler and Gross have a version out, but they're a bit too Dame Edna. The good news is, our London correspondent* has bought some and knows where the post office is in Paddington.
*That's me! Heh heh. I deserve a fancy title though, since I risked my life going into Top Shop on a Saturday. The apocalypse will be wearing Kate Moss denim shorts.
Product: Accessories
Theft: Theft is likely
Keywords: Leslie Arfin, Sunglasses, London
Ye Medieval
What:
Ye Medieval
Who:
Alex Vivian
Where:
Joint Hassles, 2a Mitchell Street, Northcote
When:
Launch Fri 11 Apr 6pm-8pm
How much:
Free
Alex Vivian is a name appearing in so many cracks, crevasses and one-man acts; no one is finding it easy to keep up. He may have caught your attention some time ago with his noise art, and then, while you were letting yourself be sucked into the whirring hypnosis, Vivian tapped you on the shoulder to invite you to Sydney. And while you were in Sydney he was drawing together a pool of over twenty artists for a show in Melbourne.
Between stumbling about and following him around like a blinded-by-lust fangirl, we've caught our breath to tell you about just one of his umpteen endeavours. His latest feat, Ye Medieval, Vivian exposes his deep-seated nerdy tendencies by presenting a collection of collages and drawings based on Dungeons and Dragons and Medieval themed comic books. These illustrations resemble images from the magic eye phenomenon in the style of LSD blotter sheets. So, when you're cross-eyed and freaking out because you can't see the D&D cockatrice when your friend can, who knows what Vivian might be up to next.
Medium: Mixed
Drink: Long neck in a paper bag
Keywords: Black and Blue, Joint Hassles, Alex Vivian
Toolz
What:
Toolz
Where:
120 Smith Street, Collingwood
When:
Tues-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat-Sun 11.30-5pm
Contact:
9419 1645
Five degrees can make all the difference in Melbourne: five degrees this way, and the humid streets are transformed into Henry Miller’s World of Sex. Five degrees that, and hands not stuffed into pockets are busy stirring fondues, mulling wine, thumbing Picador Classics and caramelising figs. Toolz, the newest inhabitant of Smith Street, offers clothes for the latter state.
Imported mostly from Japan and South Korea, the pieces buck this winter’s pervasive aesthetic of black leather, latex and lace. Here, jazz shoes are the colour of Wedgewood plates and just-ploughed fields; the leather jackets the hue and texture of toffee; the black dresses smocked and as silky as the gathering dust, and the striped tees perfect for picking apples in. It is, as Nathan Barley might say if he lived in Daylesford, well bucolic.
Product: Fashion
Anatomy: Heart
Keywords: South Korea, Japan
All the Kings Men
What:
All the Kings Men
Where:
16 Errol St, North Melbourne
When:
Tues-Wed 9am-6pm, Thurs-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-4pm
How much:
$25 and no appointment necessary
Contact:
9328 5599
Haircuts. We all require one from time to time if only to smarten things up a tad. Disheveled charm only goes so far and when a fellow looks in the mirror and realises the ‘mid-period-Beatle/maths teacher’ look just isn’t working for them, decisive action must be taken. But where to go? We’ve all been burnt before, shamed into weeks of hat wearing while a trim ‘grows out’.
The smart option is to visit Nick at All the Kings Men who manages to combine the unpretentious charm of an old-school barbershop with the reassuring artfulness of a ritzy salon, without all the hair tonic, herbal tea and unsightly fauxhawks.
One gets so caught up marveling at how damn cool the place is and how one is actually enjoying oneself, one hardly notices Nick is going about his business, making one look presentable. The results speak for themselves – one hasn’t worn a hat since!
Ambience: Indoor
Difficulty: Won't hurt a bit
Keywords: Hairdresser
The Sweatshop
What:
The Sweatshop
Where:
The basement of Seamstress, 113 Lonsdale St, Melbourne.
When:
Mon-Sat 5pm-1am
How Much:
Cocktails $17, beers around $8
Melbourne's latest nook-and-cranny bar The Sweatshop welcomes you with all the warmth of a Thai callgirl. Owners Jason Chan and Anthony Herzog have recreated a Bangkok factory basement, complete with seedy red lighting, wilting ferns, and rolls of oriental fabrics suspended from the ceiling alongside exposed power cables. Perch on dismantled shipping crates to down a minty cocktail or, for the latest in hobo-chic, a Little Creatures Pale Ale served in a paper bag. Cling to one of these as the sweat trickles; with little ventilation this bar is sure to live up to its name.
DJ decks were recently installed to replace a large fern that tragically died; you know it's a real sweatshop when even subtropical plants give in. Music-wise, there are plans for French hip hop/new disco themed nights to come. Being the bottom layer in the Tiramisu-style building, the bar also offers bits and pieces to snack on from the delectable Cantonese menu from the Seamstress restaurant upstairs. The Sweatshop offers all the excitement of a trip to Thailand, minus the food poisoning and venereal disease.
Venue: Bar
Meal: Where everybody knows your name
Keywords: Cocktails, Seamstress
Boolean Values by Jonathan Zawada Opening Night
What:
Boolean Values an exhibition of new works by Jonathan Zawada
Where:
Lee Gallery, 491 Chapel Street, South Yarra
When:
Opening night Thurs Apr 10 6pm-9pm
How much:
Free
Description:
He’s jazzed up the album covers of The Presets, Dardanelles, Expatriate and Ground Components. But his repetoire bounds beyond making boys in tight pants look good. This Thursday his exhibition Boolean Values launches and Lee, Monster Children and Zawada invite you to look at his art, share your thoughts and then get loose on the sweet, sweet nectars of Asahi.
Event: Launch
Stimulus: C
Keywords: Lee Gallery, Jonathan Zawada
Double Trouble
What:
Double Trouble
Where:
Robio, 73 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
When:
Fri 11 Apr, doors 6.30pm
How much:
Free
Description:
In a story to last the ages, Hank and Matlock met in hospital. They were so inspired by each other's creative genius they began collaborating together to produce artwork. These boys are aficionados at sketchy street art-style images, with bursts of colour like a melting pack of skittles. We are assured they are fully rehabilitated, and are now holding a show of their paintings in honour of their good health. So come down to Robio this Friday and raise a toast to two men who ate compartmentalised hospital food and lived to tell the tale.
Event: Launch
Stimulus: W
Keywords: Robio, Hank and Matlock
Fred Falke
What:
Fred Falke
Roxanne, Level 3, 2 Coverlid Place, Melbourne
When:
Fri Apr 11, doors 9pm
How Much:
$26 from Central Station Records, 2 Somerset Place, Melbourne
Description:
You probably know him best for his production work and smoking remixes for the likes of Goldfrapp and Kelis, so this is a rare opportunity to catch Fred Falke as a lone cowboy. With a new solo EP, Music For My Friends just out on vinyl, Fred is ready to flex some muscle and show off his prowess behind the decks and on the bass. That's right, Mr Falke was originally a funk bass player before his own 'digital revolution', so really you can expect a little bit of everything at this show. If the thought of being separated from his usual posse is all too much for this French national, he can hold the hands of any of the other worthy locals that fill the massive support bill, including Knightlife and Kablam! It's not quite croissants at the Louvre, but this slice of French culture won't go to your thighs.
Event: Party
Stimulus: E
Keywords: Fred Falke, Roxanne, France
The Reptiles
Description:
You know you’ve reached a pivotal milestone for your band when asked to play the 2am slot at Pony. It’s well recognised as so ridiculous, you need to erase the next day from your week. This Saturday, find a nook at Pony and only get up for intermittent beers and pee breaks. It’s going to be a long night in one Little Collins street hovel for Reptiles play at 2am and they’re preparing themselves now for post-play boozing.
Event: Bands
Stimulus: S
Keywords: The Reptiles, Pony
Yves Klein Blue
What:
Yves Klein Blue
Where:
The Tote, 71 Johnston St, Collingwood
When:
Sat 12 Apr, doors 9pm
How much:
$10 at the door
Win:
We've got a copy of the boys' EP Yves Klein Blue Draw Attention to Themselves to give away. Simply email your details to win@threethousand.com.au, with the subject line 'Too hot for indie rock'
Description:
It's hard to churn out indie rock in Bris-Vegas. It seems everything's against you. For one, tight jeans and leather jackets don't breathe very well. Not to mention reckless hairstyles. So kudos to Yves Klein Blue, who have pumped out their debut EP without working up a sweat. These kids are excitable, fast-paced and melodic, with jazz influences and the sort of music you can dance around to. To celebrate their new album, YKB are gracing Melbourne town for a launch party at The Tote this Saturday. Supported by Aleks and the Ramps and Big Cats, their music will take you back to the good ol' days of hyperactivity and hormones.
Event: Bands
Stimulus: C
Keywords: The Tote, Yves Klein Blue
Once upon a time we relied on our photographic memory to capture spectacular moments. But some crazy Russians came along and invented this and a dude named Steve invented this. They all jumped into bed together and someone thought a digital camera phone would be awesome.
Sony Ericsson has developed this gadget since then and have come up with a new toy. The K660i is a pocket-sized gadget that will prompt more, ‘woahs’ and ‘no ways’ than a game of Wii tennis. You can take a picture using the 2.0 megapixel camera (see the super-sharp shots we took at V Fest) and upload it to the web faster than you can de-tag evidence of your sleazy weekend on Facebook.
We have one Sony Ericsson K660i with a Virgin Sim start me up pack to give away. To be in the running, just answer the following question…
This week’s question:
I need a Sony Ericsson K660i so I can...
a) quit scratching messages on my friends’ front gate to communicate with them.
b) learn more about you, human. I must upload images of you to my alien blog for my alien boss to see.
c) take photos of myself making ‘pouty-pouty I look like I’m going to pash you’ shots.
d) have some technological dignity. I’m still lugging around one of those Russian devices.
To be in the running send your answer AND postal address to win@threethousand.com.au. Winners will be notified by email.
ThreeThousand is a weekly snapshot of Melbourne's subculture, fired by email into the loving arms of people who realise that the best things in life are often hard to find. It is compiled by an amorphous gaggle of writers, stylists, designers and photographers who all like huddling under that big umbrella we like to call creativity. Without editorial independence ThreeThousand has nothing. All editorial you read is featured because it's worth it - not because it's paid for.
Advertising Partnerships:
ThreeThousand is a trusted and proven medium for advertisers to engage with Melbourne's most elusive individuals - our subscribers. Each issue offers one advertiser the opportunity to have sole presence in the e-newsletter. A variety of placements (three, to be exact) are also available on threethousand.com.au. For more information on advertising with ThreeThousand contact Francesco at frunch@rightanglepublishing.com and Robbie at robert@rightanglepublishing.com.
Feedback:
Have something to say? Then say it by emailing talk@threethousand.com.au
Disclaimer:
The information in ThreeThousand is subject to change. Although we attempt to ensure that the content at the time of publication is correct, we do not guarantee its accuracy or currency. Right Angle Publishing accepts no responsibility to you or anyone else arising from any use or reliance on the information contained in ThreeThousand or any inaccuracy in the information. The views and opinions expressed on material included in ThreeThousand may not reflect those of Right Angle Publishing.
Contact:
Right Angle Publishing
Level 6, Curtin House
252 Swanston Street
Melbourne, 3000
+ 61 3 9662 1657
ThreeThousand's MySpace:
myspace.com/threethousand
Group Publisher:
Barrie Barton
barrie@rightanglepublishing.com
Editor:
Penny Modra
penny@threethousand.com.au
Acting Editor:
Isabel Dunstan
isabel@threethousand.com.au
Acting Assistant Editor
Sophie Gaston
sophie@threethousand.com.au
Film Editor:
Martyn Pedler
martyn@threethousand.com.au
Music Editor:
Mark Gomes
mark@threethousand.com.au
READ Editor:
Kirsten Law
kirsten@threethousand.com.au
Design Monkeys:
tin&ed
Image and Web Monkey:
Remi Carette
Taran Hubbert
STREET Pics Monkeys:
Mia Mala McDonald
Jamima Wu
Contributing Monkeys:
Nadia Saccardo
Gabriel Knowles
Kate Scott
Keiran O'Shea
Robbie Coleman
Lauren Roe
Chris Barton
Thomas Jeppe
Max Olijnyk
Dylan Rainforth
Check out our 'Meet Me for a Drink' column in The Age EG liftout every Friday...
Meet Me For a Drink Monkeys:
Kirsten Law
Penny Modra
Simon Godfrey
Mark Gomes
Matt Hurst
Josh Gardiner
Isabel Dunstan
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