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THE BIG MAG FOR CLUB CULTURE2.

THE BIG MAG FOR CLUB CULTURE 3.

UP TO DATE4.

Party Profi le: Pardon My French

It sounds like: A grand opening.DJs/live acts playing: Mark John, Henrique Santos, Baz Emara, Jesus Loyola, Bongo, David Dekdrum Kirsner, Chloe Maggs and Steve RichardThree records that’ll rock the fl oor: Usher – DJ, Chris Brown – Turn Up The Music, Rhianna – Only Girl In The WorldAnd one that you’d rather die than play: Shit music.Sell it to us: Don’t like going to a place where you feel that you are too dressed up? Don’t worry, now there is a place where you can: welcome to Pardon My French with the best of Melbourne’s crowd with fashion edge. A night not to be missed!The bit we’ll remember in the AM: Music, vibe, crowd with fashion edge, concept cocktails, etc.Crowd specs: The best of Melbourne’s crowd with fashion edge. So dress to impress!Wallet damage: $15/$20. Like the Facebook fan page to get on the guestlist.Where and when: Circus Bar. Grand opening this Saturday October 27.

REAL TALKMoodymann. Golden Plains. There are no words. This will be the end of me.

Tyson Wray

STEVE RACHMAD [NED]Friday October 26, Brown AlleyCHRISTOPHER RAU [GER]Friday October 26, The Liberty SocialMARSHALL JEFFERSON [USA]Saturday October 27, New GuernicaMADLIB [USA]Sunday October 28, Prince BandroomLIKNUTS [USA]Thursday November 1, Prince BandroomARRESTED DEVELOPMENT [USA]Friday November 2, Prince BandroomJAMIE JONES [UK], DJ W!LD [FRA], MARGARET DYGAS [UK]Sunday November 4, Brown AlleyNICK CURLY [GER]Sunday November 4, Revolver UpstairsDELANO SMITH [USA]Monday November 5, New GuernicaLONDON ELEKTRICITY [UK]Monday November 5 at The EspyGARETH EMERY [UK]Monday November 5, The PalaceYOUSEF [UK]Friday November 9, Brown Alley. ROBERT HOOD [USA]Friday November 9, TBAOLIVER LIEB [GER]Friday November 9, Royal Melbourne HotelMOULLINEX [POR]Saturday November 10, New GuernicaECLIPSE: PERFECT STRANGER [ISR], OLIVER LIEB [GER], ADAM FREELAND [UK] + MORESaturday November 12 – Friday November 16, TBASCNTST [GER]Thursday 15 November, Royal Melbourne HotelD-NOX [GER], KING UNIQUE [UK], LUIS JUNIOR [ESP], PSYCATRON [IRE]Friday November 16, New GuernicaHOUSSE DE RACKET [FRA], PILLOWTALK [USA] + MOREFriday November 16, Where?HouseBATHS [USA], PREFUSE 73 [USA], SYNKRO [UK] + MOREFriday November 16, Brown AlleySMOKE DZA [USA]Saturday November 17, Laundry BarMIKE HUCKABY [USA], BEN SIMS [UK] + MORESunday November 18, Where?HouseSUBB-AN [UK], MIGUEL CAMPBELL [UK] Sunday November 18, RevolverBOYZ II MEN [USA]Sunday November 18, BillboardTYCHO [USA]Wednesday November 21, The Hi-FiRICHARD DEVINE [USA], VLADISLAV DELAY [FIN]Wednesday November 21, Where?HouseESMKO [USA], TIPPER [UK] + MOREThursday November 22, Where?HouseGERD JANSON [GER]Friday November 23, Mercat BasementHOPSIN [USA]Friday November 23, Prince BandroomTEENGIRL FANTASY [USA], TIM SWEENEY [UK]Friday November 23, National Gallery Of VictoriaTROY PIERCE [USA], RADIO SLAVE [UK]Friday November 23, Where?HouseFREQ NASTY [USA], CULTURE SHOCK [UK]Friday November 23, Brown AlleySTRAWBERRY FIELDS: JAMES HOLDEN [UK], TYCHO [USA], PREFUSE 73 [USA] + MOREFriday November 23 – Sunday November 25, TBAFLOATING POINTS [UK], ALEXANDER NUT [UK], TEEBS [USA], PREFUSE 73 [USA]Saturday November 24, Where?HouseMATIAS AGUAYO [CHI]Sunday November 25, Where?HouseMICHAEL MAYER [GER]Friday November 30, Prince BandroomBORIS BREJCHA [GER], ANNA [GER], KHAINZ [SWI]Friday November 30, Brown Alley

STEREOSONIC: TIESTO [NED], AVICII [SWE], CALVIN HARRIS [UK] + MORESaturday December 1, Melbourne Showgrounds2MANYDJS [BEL]Sunday December 2, Red BenniesFOUR TET [UK]Thursday December 6, Prince BandroomNICK WARREN [UK]Friday December 7, BillboardTODD TERJE [NOR]Friday December 7, The Liberty SocialMEREDITH MUSIC FESTIVAL: FOUR TET [UK], DJ YAMANTAKA EYE [JAP] + MOREFriday December 7 - Sunday December 9, Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre KENDRICK LAMAR [USA]Thursday December 13, Prince BandroomTERRENCE PARKER [USA]Friday December 21, TBAFALLS FESTIVAL: SBTRKT [UK], COOLIO [USA] + MORESaturday December 28 – Tuesday January 1, LorneTOTALLY ENORMOUS EXTINCT DINOSAURS [UK]Saturday December 29, Corner Hotel LET THEM EAT CAKE: KERRI CHANDLER [USA], THE GASLAMP KILLER [USA] + MORETuesday January 1, Werribee ParkSUMMERDAYZE: THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS [UK], M.I.A [UK], MARK RONSON [UK] + MORETuesday January 1, Sidney Myer Music BowlMARCELLUS PITTMAN [USA], PSYCHEMAGIK [UK]Tuesday January 1, The BridgeSBTRKT [UK]Wednesday January 2, BillboardHOT CHIP [UK]Wednesday January 9, The Palace CRYSTAL CASTLES [CAN]Tuesday January 22, BillboardTHE BLOODY BEETROOTS [ITA]Thursday January 24, The PalaceRAINBOW SERPENT: GUY J [ISR], CHRISTIAN SMITH [SWE], PETER VAN HOESEN [BEL]Friday January 25 - Monday January 28, LextonBIG DAY OUT: THE BLOODY BEETROOTS [ITA], KASKADE [USA], CRYSTAL CASTLES [CAN] + MORESaturday January 26, Flemington RacecourseABOVE & BEYOND [UK]Saturday February 2, Hisense ArenaMACKLEMORE [USA], RYAN LEWIS [USA] Saturday February 16, The Corner Hotel GOLDEN PLAINS: MOODYMANN [USA], JULIO BASHMORE [UK] + MORESaturday March 9 - Monday March 11, Meredith Supernatural AmphitheatreFUTURE MUSIC FESTIVAL: THE PRODIGY [UK], DIZZEE RASCAL [UK], BOYS NOIZE [GER] + MORESunday March 10, Flemington Racecourse

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Managing Editor: Ronnit Sternfein ronnit@beat.com.au Editor: Tyson Wray tyson@beat.com.auListings: club/promoter submissions clubguide@beat.com.au - now online at beat.com.au - it’s free! Production: Pat O’Neill art@beat.com.au Typesetting: Rebecca Houlden Cover Design: Pat O’Neill Advertising Senior Sales: ronnit@beat.com.au (03) 8414 9710 Taryn Stenvei taryn@beat.com.au Fashion and Beverages: Tamara Perenic tamara@furstmedia.com.au Ph: 03 8414 9732Deadlines: Editorial Friday 2PM – absolutely NO exceptions. Club photos Monday 9AM (email only clubpics@beat.com.au). Advertising artwork Monday 12PM. Photographers: Callum Linsell Contributors: Rezo Kezerashvili, Miki McLay, Shane Scott, Simon Traspi-er, Brian Rotide, The Knowledge, Ellen Devenney, Dan Watt, Aaron Ralston, Birdie, Liam Pieper, Simon Hampson, Chad-Michael Michaelson, Mikolai, Reuben Adams, David Edgley.Publisher: Furst Media, 3 Newton Street Richmond 3121 Ph 03 9428 3600 www.beat.com.au

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FOR MORE UP TO DATE NEWS GO TO BEAT.COM.AU

Macklemore and RyanLewis: Stealing TheSonicsphereSeattle hip hop duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have announced their debut Australian tour. Macklemore released his debut record, The Heist, in early October to critical and commercial acclaim, with an excellent review in popular rap publication XXL complemented by the record reaching number 1 on iTunes in the US and number 1 on the Australian iTunes Hip Hop/Rap Charts. Macklemore will be accompanied by producer Ryan Lewis, who in October 2010 teamed up with DJ Ryan Lewis to create the VS. Redux EP. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis play The Corner Hotel on Saturday February 16.

Golden Plains:Supernatural SoundsHnnnnnnnng. You all know how magical the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre gets after dark, yeah? Well next year’s edition of Golden Plains is no exception, with ol’ Aunty Meredith curating one of her fi nest lineups of acts to take over the Meredoof. Leading the charge is Detroit’s fi nest, Kenny Dixon Jr. aka Moodymann. He’s joined by bass prodigy Julio Bashmore, the legendary Keb Darge and local heroes Flume and Post Percy plus a few more still to come. Unf. Golden Plains takes place on Saturday March 9 - Monday March 11 at the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre.

Michael Mayer:MantasticalLegendary German DJ and co-owner of the iconic Kompakt Record Label, Michael Mayer, will embark on his most ambitious world tour yet in support of his sophomore full length Mantasy out now. As a DJ, label owner, producer and remixer, Michael Mayer remains one of Germany’s core celebrities in dance music, spending his weekends travelling around the globe and his weekdays overseeing Kompakt’s output as well as its distribution wing – the home to over 50 independent record labels. Mayer has been readying the long-awaited release of his sophomore album Mantasy, an indispensable update of his production sound and an essential releasefor Kompakt. Michael Mayer plays Prince Bandroom on Friday November 30.

Christopher Rau: Cloud NineFirst coming to light through his co-owned label Dérive Schallplatten with his track Ne Travaillez Jamais, Christopher Rau wowed audiences with his sound fi lled with subtle intricacies and overtly soulful melodies. Since this release, Rau has refi ned his aesthetic as a producer and also as a DJ, culminating in his debut LP on Smallville Records, Asper Clouds. Christopher Rau plays The Liberty Social on Friday October 26.

Hot Chip: In Your HeadUK dance-pop sweethearts Hot Chip will be hitting the country over New Year’s for the massive Falls Festival, and now Melbourne can expect some headline action. This year saw the band release In Our Heads what many have called the best album of their career. Expect to hear choice cuts from that record as well as their impressive back catalogue of modern classics. Hot Chip perform at The Palace on Wednesday January 9.

Kendrick Lamar: The Man From Mad CityOne of the hottest rising US rap talents has announced his Australian debut, with Kendrick Lamar announcing a run of shows this December. Kendrick Lamar has been in-demand in 2012, gracing the Coachella stage for the gamechanging Snoop and Dre set as well as being joined by Lady Gaga for a set at this year’s Pitchfork Festival. Make sure you check out Kendrick’s verse on the just-dropped A$AP Rocky jam Fuckin’ Problem, also featuring Drizzy and 2Chainz. Kendrick Lamar appears at Prince Bandroom on Thursday December 13.

DJ Profi le: Thorpy

Where’s the strangest place you’ve woken up?Someone’s front yard about 1km away from my house. Describe yourself using the title of a song.Mint Royale - Sexiest Man In Jamaica What was the weirdest thing you believed as a child?If I didn’t eat my beans my feet would fall off. The most awkward moment you’ve had as a DJ?None at the moment.What would be the worst dance track in the world to be tortured with on repeat? Any remix of Call Me Maybe. What’s the most played record in your bag? Son - Monkey Safari What question would you like to ask an omniscient, all-knowing being before you die? What the answer is to relativity and quantum mechanics working together.If you hadn’t made it as a DJ, what job would you choose to work in instead? A tasting judge at the Ice Cream AllianceWhen and where is your next gig? Thursday October 25 at Hoo Haa. 9.30pm ‘til late.

DJ Profi le: Katie Drover

Where’s the strangest place you’ve woken up? Hobart.Describe yourself using the title of a song. Nina Kraviz - Pain In The AssWhat was the weirdest thing you believed as a child? I was absolutely convinced my stuffed toys came to life at night time – even to this day I still make sure the ones I own are put away so they are comfortable – just in case. The most awkward moment you’ve had as a DJ? A guy who worked at a record store put a pretty well known track on the shop’s loud speakers and asked my opinion. I was a total smartarse and bagged it (at length), and yep, the producer happened to be standing right behind me. Oopsy.What would be the worst dance track in the world to be tortured with on repeat? It’s actually a pretty sick track, but Up by Fractal and Perc would defi nitely melt your brain after a couple of repeats. What’s the most played record in your bag? I’ve been giving Rabbits In A Hurry - Superpitcher a bit of a workout for a while now.What question would you like to ask an omniscient, all-knowing being before you die? Is the Hokey Pokey really what it’s all about?If you hadn’t made it as a DJ, what job would you choose to work in instead? The person who rubs baby oil on male swimsuit models before photo shoots. When and where is your next gig? Revolver Fridays, TFU and Tramp Saturdays, Big Doof at The Bottom End, Cup Eve at Revolver and Derby Day at The Leveson.

Animals Dancing:Marcellus Pittmann andPsychemagikAnimals Dancing have announced some deets for their annual New Year’s Day party, bringing in 2013 at The Bridge South Wharf. This year they’ll be presenting Detroit legend Marcellus Pittman and London’s balearic wunderkinds Psychemagik. Having left a serious impression on Melbourne after 2011’s enlightening marathon set, Marcellus Pittman returns to Melbourne for his second stint following the release of his fi rst album Pieces on his own Unirhythm label. London’s Psychemagik released nine EPs on their own label in the last few years, and have been on remix duties for Metronomy, Time & Space Machine, Azari & III and Crystal Fighters. Also joining the party will be the Animals Dancing DJs: Andee Frost, Otologic & Tornado Wallace, and Bamboo Musik’s Roman Wafers. Earlybirds are on sale now at Moshtix. It’s all goin’ down at The Bridge South Wharf on Tuesday January 1.

THE BIG MAG FOR CLUB CULTURE 5.

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LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLTUTUTTUTUTUTUTURRURRRRURURTTUTTUTUTUURURURURTUUUUURUUURURUURTURRTUTUUURRRUUUUUUUUUU EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE 555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555.................THETHETHTHETHTHETHETHHETHETHETHEEEEEET EE BBB B BIBBBIBBIB BIBIBI BIB G GG G G G G G MG MMMG G GG MGG MGG MG MGGG MMG AAAAAG AG AG AG AG AG AG GAAAAAAAGAGAAAGGA FORFORFORFORFORFORFORFORFOFORFORFFFFO CL CL CL CLC CLCLCCLCLCLCLLUB UB UB UBUBUUUB UBB UUU CCUCUCCUCUCUCUCUCUCUUCUCCUCUCUCUCUUCUUCCUCUCCUUCMUSIC / ART / LIFESTYLE / PERFORMANCE / RELAXATION / HEALING / CAMPING

MASSIVE INTERNATIONAL LINEUP INCLUDING: ����������AES DANA

(ULTIMAE, FRANCE) HARDFLOOR (HARDFLOOR,

GERMANY) HALTYA (PLANETARIA, FINLAND) FM RADIO GODS (BAROQUE,

CANADA)

LISH (IBOGA, ISRAEL) TIM HEALEY (SURFER

ROSA, UK) YOTOPIA (IBOGA, ISRAEL) DEEDRAH (HOMMEGA,

FRANCE) SHIFT (RSA, NEXUS MEDIA, SA) NERUOPLASM (24/7,

UK)

THE COMMERCIAL HIPPIES (NANO, SOUTH AFRICA) TRANSWAVE (3D VISION,

FRANCE) ECLIPTIC (UNDERGROOVE MUSIC, MEXICO) GUY J (LOST & FOUND /

BEDROCK, ISRAEL)

PETER VAN HOESEN (TIME TO EXPRESS, GERMANY) CHRISTIAN SMITH (TRONIC MUSIC,

MOBILEE, SPAIN) EELKE KLEIJN (OUTSIDE THE BOX MUSIC)

OLIVER KOLETZKI (STILL VOR TALENT, GERMANY) MATTHEW DEKAY (ALL DAY I DREAM,

INNERVSIONS, NETHERLANDS) LOVE AND LIGHT (SIMPLIFY, MUTI, FRESH BAKIN’, US)

KALDEN BESS (GROUND FACTORY RECORDS BOSS, CANADA) QUANTA (ENIG’MATIK

RECORDS, UK) TRIPSWITCH (SECTION RECORDS, DRAGONFLY, IBOGA, UK) AKASHA (FREE SPIRIT

RECORDS, UK)

STEREO TALK (IBOGA, ISRAEL) LUNAR SOUND (UNDERGROOVE

MUSIC, MEXICO) RULS & NAVARRO (UNDERGROOVE MUSIC, MEXICO) DAYAN & JOHN (IBOGA,

ISRAEL)

CHRISTOF ABSOLUM (3D VISION RECORDINGS, SPAIN) D-SENS (BUS RECORDS /

AQUA-VEDA, FRANCE) BAKKE (ECHOES RECORDS/SPIRAL TRAX, SWEDEN) HYPNOTECH (ADDICTECH,

US) � ����� �������������������������������������

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COVER STORY6.

TZU“If coming together and jamming and making music didn’t feel good, we wouldn’t have made another album. But those initial

sessions were really fun, and it made it worth pursuing!”

MOMENTOUS: MILLIONS OF RHYMES

stemmed from a pretty simple need – the need to make music. He’d been travelling quite a bit; living in China, roaming through Mongolia and spending some time in Paris and Berlin, whereas Norman had been up in Darwin, “smelling the roses and making babies”.“Making music, that’s the bottom line,” Ma explains matter-of-factly. “And we came back. We didn’t really know what the nature of TZU was going to be, but we decided to [try and] make some music. The fi rst sessions we had were very much without an outcome in mind; the idea was just to come together and play! And although this album is really different to those fi rst sessions, it was the feeling in that session that, ‘Ah, this is cool, we can still make music together and we can be creative’. Then it was, ‘Let’s do an album’.”Norman nods his head and concurs vigorously. “That’s what makes us tick,” he adds. “But seriously, if coming together and jamming and making music didn’t feel good, we wouldn’t have made another album. But those initial sessions were really fun, and it made it worth pursuing!”TZU has always been a band that doesn’t do what it says on the tin – because more often than not, that tin read, “hip hop”. And TZU, while engaging in music that embraces hip hop sensibilities, are so much more than that. Take their new record, Millions Of Moments, for instance. It’s an utterly crazy and demented concept album, a bit like collecting the works of science fi ction masters Neil Stephenson, Iain M. Banks and William Gibson and then hurling them into a Cuisinart, blending those themes of alternate realities, out-of-body experiences and perceived consciousness with a steadily pulsing soundtrack of new wave, synth-pop, trance, driving metal and – yes – hip hop. It’s an exceptional piece of work, that breaches the boundaries of what “hip hop” really means.Essentially, the album takes place in the indeterminate future, where the protagonist, a young woman by the name of Persephone, test-trials a consciousness-altering drug called Chronos, which propels her through the time-space continuum into the minds and bodies of an odd assortment of folk. For instance: a ghost in a pub, the last man on Earth, an 18th Century stalker with an obsession for opera and an escaped cannibal convict in Tasmania. You get the picture. It’s weird, and it’s fun, and it’s completely mental. When I ask where the idea for the drug Chronos came from, Ma tells me it came from his travels in Asia. “I was constantly in front of screens,” he tells me. “Laptops and phones and being outside the environment I was in. Like being in Mongolia on a train and still being in front of my laptop! Chronos became this idea of being addicted to experiences that aren’t yours – the idea of Chronos is that you’re inside the consciousness of someone else in a different time period, so you’re not actually an active participant of that person’s experience … you’re just a passenger to what’s happening to them.”A bit like Being John Malkovich, then?“Exactly!” Ma exclaims. “Watching things happen, and understanding the conscious – the way their minds are working and as to why they’re making those decisions; and that gave us liberty to write [Millions Of Moments] in the fi rst-person … it was really fun to get into those minds and to write in that [fi rst-person] perspective.“So how do you do that, with a thought-pattern or some sort of narrative for the whole record; that was the whole idea. But Chronos is administered through the eye – it’s a drug, but not a drug. It’s taken like a drug, but isn’t it also just acting on the brain patterns that are already there? Is it ambient consciousness or is it … I’ll let you fi gure out all that stuff!” he fi nishes with a laugh.When I tell the lads that their new album reminds me of the darker synth-wave tracks from the mid to late ‘80s, they’re very pleased, and explain to me that they’re intensely willing to explore any new territories they may come across in their music. Norman laughs when he tells me that TZU don’t even have discussions about what

genre they are.“It wasn’t that we didn’t want to make a hip hop record,” he explains, “as much as it was that we just followed our noses into the sound of the record. It wasn’t like trying to alienate ourselves from our past or anything like that – it was simply…” he pauses for a moment, trying to fi nd the right word. “I reckon the reason this album particularly is very un-hip hop, at the heart of it,” he continues, “is that there’s always been this side of the band where we get together and do all the out-takes from our old albums in these slow, sort of instrumental jams. And in every album, there’s probably three or four slow, psychedelic songs that never got released; unfi nished, quite electronic and a bit nerdy!“When we came together for those fi rst few weeks [of recording], that was the side that – you know, if there wasn’t going to be any outcome from this, let’s do what we’ve always wanted to do. ‘Set up at your station with your synths and your samplers and let’s jam!’“That was the spirit of it, and that’s what led us to not do a hip hop record; we’ve really got to indulge that side of us.”Ma looks at his mate and giggles. “Yeah,” he smiles. “There’s always been a brooding krautrock band inside of us!”He turns serious. “I suppose every group gets told what they are by lots of people,” Ma explains, “and sometimes you feel like you are that, and sometimes you really feel like it’s missed the mark. But to circle back to one of the reasons why we got [back] together and wrote the record and wrote music again – was because the chemistry of the four individuals over ten years…there’s a real propulsion to challenge each other, and introduce each other to new music and we never were a group that just found a formula and stuck to that. It was all about what was next, and what was exciting!”So now that Millions Of Moments has been released, and they’re gearing up for their album launch, I have to ask if the live show is going to measure up to the epic-ness of the music. Are we in for some bells and whistles, fellas?Ma assures me that that’s the case. “We’re working on making the live show as ambitious as the record! We’ve been working with a visual artist, a lighting guy – it’s going to try to incorporate some of the abstract ideas from the story and the album into a live show!”Somehow we end up talking about the futuristic consciousness-hurtling drug called Chronos. I’m curious to know – is it an illegal drug? To which Ma replies, “I suppose it’s similar to bath-salts … or, what’s the other one?”“Meow-meow?” offers Norman.“Yeah. People can’t really get a grasp on whether it’s illegal or not, because no one can actually prove what it’s doing!”Like that guy in Florida who chewed off that homeless guy’s face, I mention. Ma breaks off into a story he has about the future, and how latent chemicals in mobile phones and other pieces of commonly used electronics could possibly have the effects of bath-salts – but the effects wouldn’t be known until years later! Then it would be a zombie apocalypse of epic proportions!Norman’s more curious about the Florida cannibal – “What happened again?” he asks. Ma tells him how this dude was naked on top of another homeless guy, chewing off his face. “The cops found him on a bridge, and they tasered him – and he just turned and growled at them!” Ma tells him. “He rushed them, and they shot him.”“Did he die?” asks Norman.Yep.“Fascinating shit,” says Norman. We all laugh.Fascinating shit, indeed.

Thomas Bailey

TZU [AUS] launch their epic album Millions Of Moments at The Hi-Fi on Monday November 5. They also play the Queenscliff Music Festival which takes place from Friday November 23 - Sunday November 25. Millions Of Moments is out now through Liberator Music.

It’s impossible to accurately pin down exactly when the Chinese philosopher and thinker Lao Tzu, author of the famed Tao Te Ching, was active. Chinese legend puts him at the 6th Century BCE, but other plausible sources claim the 5th-4th Centuries. Needless to say, he was a central fi gure in the lyrical and paradoxical ideologies of early Taoist philosophy – by putting across his lessons in a method of repetition, lyrical waxing, rhyme and symmetry, he was, in a way, a precursor to the hip hop movement of the 20th Century AD.Which – of course – brings us to 21st Century Melbourne, Australia and the forward-thinking, genre-defying hip hop band who bears his name, TZU. Back from a

somewhat lengthy hiatus after the release of their terrifi c third LP Computer Love in 2008, they’ve returned at last with their new album, the mind-bending and epic concept album Millions Of Moments.Sitting in the Mushroom Music offi ces with MCs Joel Ma (AKA “Joelistics”) and Phillip Norman (AKA “Seed MC” or “Countbounce”), our conversation is a fl uid and strange thing that moves from one topic, say, Alan Moore graphic novels, to the effects of bath-salts, and how it may have caused some lunatic in Miami, Florida to chew off 70 per cent of a homeless man’s face before being killed in a hail of cops’ bullets.According to Ma, the reason for getting back together

THE BIG MAG FOR CLUB CULTURE 7.

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$6 MINIMUM SPEND. CONDITIONS APPLY. LASER TAG NOT AVAILABLE AT STRIKE QV.

FREE BOWLINGOR LASER TAGWITH EVERY DRINK SOLD!FROM 5PM SUNDAYS AT STRIKE MELBOURNE CENTRAL OR STRIKE QV, MELBOURNE CBD

ESSENTIALS8.

WEDNESDAY24THSOUL ARMYWith more fl avour than a chocolate pizza, the Wednesday Soul Army throws down raw, uncut funk next to smooth soul grooves and rare blue jams. Bring that special lady because when the boys lay down the love it could be the difference between ‘we’re just friends’ to ‘let’s get it on’. PBS stalwarts Vince Peach and Miss Goldie accompany Prequel and Black Diamond Kicks weekly. Free.Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy

LAUNDRY WEDNESDAYSDeep, dark, minimal dubstep and drum and bass.Laundry Bar, 50 Johnston Street, Fitzroy

THURSDAY25THBIMBO THURSDAYSTigerfunk brings with him his full band of travelling gypsies, hip-sters and middle class executives, all of whom are prepared to de-liver the most excitement you can have this side of the weekend.Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy

FREE RANGE FUNKFunk up your Thursday nights with Free Range Funk at the Wind-sor favourite Lucky Coq. Grab a couch early and enjoy one (or more) of their famous $4 pizzas from 7-11pm. Meanwhile DJs Who, Agent 86, Lewis CanCut and special guests tempt you into the night with their eclectic bag of treats. Setting the mood early is delightful jazz, deep soul, and funk. Later it’s fruity disco, choice house, and hipster dance drops. Free entry every Thursday.Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor

FUN HOUSECelebrate Thursday night at Co. with club classics and dance fl oor anthems.Co., Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank

FRIDAY26THBUHLOONE MINDSTATE“It might blow up but it won’t go pop” is the philosophy at Buhloone Mindstate and features Melbourne’s fi nest bands and DJs playing every Friday night, late. That’s just how we roll.

We’re all about the late night boogie. Expect all things funk, hip-hop, soul, reggae, disco, boogie and house.Lounge, 243 Swanston Street, Melbourne

FORBIDDENForbidden’s venue is going to wow all those that attend through its state of the art sound and lighting system, an amaz-ing balcony overlooking Russell and Bourke Streets and is lo-cated in the heart of the city. Forbidden will feature some of the hottest DJs in Melbourne including Anyo, Rufi o, Stefan C, Alex Da Kid, Galo, Timmy Edgell and Azza-M. Forbidden is the hottest place to be on a Friday night – the location has just changed. Free entry applies to everyone between 8pm – 9pm and happy hour will run for 3 hours!Eden, 163 Russell St, Melbourne

FREEDOM PASSFridays at Freedom with 2 premier clubs, 5 huge rooms, 10+ local and international DJs blending their unique sets across countless styles of tunes – vocal house, smooth R&B, electro and commercial top 40. Throw in a few sexy podium dancers, a world-class lights show and drink specials, the Freedom Pass is your personal ticket to a night you won’t soon forget!Fusion, Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank

PANORAMAStart your weekend on a good note with Panorama Fridays at Lucky Coq. DJs Matt Rad, Mr George, Tom Meagher and Phato A Mano transform the upstairs area into one hell of a house party with Hip Hop, Funk, R&B, Disco and House. Meanwhile, downstairs gives you a secluded wind down atmosphere with cult fi lms as background visuals and quality cocktails to sip on. Let the new coqtail list wash away a crappy week!Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor

SATURDAY27THEDEN SATURDAYSSmashing it every week at Melbourne’s hottest looking venue! Top 40 dance, house and R&B 9-3am, then electro from 3am - 5am. DJ On-time, DJ Ryza, Scotty Erdos and Azza M. $15/$20, free entry after 4am.Eden, 163 Russell St, Melbourne

HOMEMADEAustralia’s biggest club night – Homemade Saturdays (the weekly club night at the world famous Home nightclub in Syd-ney) – has launched in Melbourne. Chasers was chosen as the

venue due to its ability to mimic Sydney’s version, ie the best multiple rooms and a large capacity that enables Homemade to provide its mansion of music styles that built the club night up in the fi rst place. Initially, Melbourne will be exposed to all the big gun DJs from Sydney’s Homemade and over time, a blend of DJs from Melbourne and Sydney will belt out the tunes in both cities. Down the track there are plans to have one room in each city broadcasting live music from the opposite main rooms, giving clubbers the opportunity to dance to the tunes from another city in full digital quality. For guestlists this weekend, email party@promotersinc.com Chasers, 386 Chapel Street, South Yarra

HOT STEPGoogle Hot Step and you’ll get a bunch of Vietnamese game reviews and Balkanese dances on YouTube. But that’s nothing like what you can expect to fi nd within the confi nes of Bimbo on a Saturday night. Developing thick and heavy but altogether groovy, enjoy an eclectic mix of fairy fl oss funk, doom disco and monk movement minimal every week. Free.Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy

PARDON MY FRENCHSupporting the local Fashion Australian designer, Pardon My French is a new, innovative concept ready to hit the streets of Mel-bourne. Incorporating the latest fashion edge, stylish females and local socialites, PMF will create a desirable atmosphere and trendy appeal through weekly events and gatherings. However, it is more than just a gathering, more than just an event…it is an experience. Every female dresses up and puts a lot of effort before they go out, but more often than not they leave un-rewarded. Circus Bar, 199 Commercial Road, South Yarra

SOUND EMPIRECo. At Crown’s Saturday night party Sound Empire this week features mega sounds from resident DJs Tate Strauss, Miss Sarah, Nova, Johnny M, Matty G, Dean T, Joe Sofo, Marcus Knight, Dinesh, Chris Ostrom, B-Boogie and Sarah Roberts.Co., Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank

TEMPERANCE SATURDAYSDJ Marcus Knight & DJ Xander James drop sexy house, dance and drum and bass all night from 8pm. Free entry.Temperance Hotel, 426 Chapel St, South Yarra

TEXTILESaturdays at Lucky Coq tick all the boxes so start your night early and stay til close! Famous $4 pizzas from 7-9pm (that’s dinner sorted) then from 9pm spread over two levels with DJs playing hip hop, funk, disco, house and electro. Rotating guests on both levels keep the tunes fresh. Free entry.Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor

WAH WAH SATURDAYSJust when you thought Wah Saturdays couldn’t get any bet-ter, this week Rob Pix (Beng) kicks off a new rotating residency down Waratah place. Get down early to avoid the queue or alternatively you could come down very late for the infamous recovery kicking off at 4AM!Wah Wah Lounge, 185 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

SUNDAY28THSOUTH SIDE HUSTLEThe perfect Sunday soundtrack with DJs Askew, Peter Baker, Booshank, Paz, Miss Butt, Junji, Disco Harry and guests. They will be laying down disco, afro beat and deep house til 3am. For lovers of good music - South Side Hustle.Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor

SUNDAE SHAKEOur Signature serve. Each and every Sunday we play host to a self professed vinyl junkie caught between the golden years and boogie wonderland. A mouthful? Perhaps. Phato Amano perfectly sets the mood for an audio-adventure that redefi nes the dance fl oor weekly. Our Sunday afi cionados Agent 86 and Tigerfunk stir up a full cream shake to the fl avour of your liking. Forget everything you thought you knew about losing yourself to the grooves.Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy

MONDAY29THIBIMBOHave you always wanted to be a DJ but been cruelly cursed with tone deafness and a general inability to version excursion? Well Bimbo Deluxe saves the day once again.. All you need is an iPhone and you’re set. Just download the free ‘remote’ application from the app store, log into the Bimbo DJ wireless network and you choose which song plays next.Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy

TUESDAY30THBIMBO TUESDAYSBimbo Tuesdays have long been the discerning DJs midweek breath of fresh air. An opportunity to indulge in, and to each parade their individual takes on music. A night where the weird and wonderful is not frowned upon but rather celebrated. Resi-dent selectors Matt Radovich, Andras Fox and Henry Who draw from a colourful array of sounds that warm your midweek blues. From 8pm, free.Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy

To be the new face of the Australian urban scene is risky busi-ness. In the past, channeling the R&B vibe within Australia has never proved too successful. Signed to Sony and proving the industry wrong with his debut single Set It Off going triple platinum, reality contest star Timomatic is soaring through the charts aiming for global success. He speaks with 100% about his migrant experience in Australia, his insight into the globali-sation of the music industry and that time one of Flo Rida’s entourage members got arrested on the road.The Nigerian-born Australian moved here with his parents when he was ten months old. “It was interesting, being in Aus-tralia at the time,” Timomatic says. “I was the only black kid at school, apart from my siblings. Sometimes it was tough, but all in all it was a good experience. My dad was studying at the time and Mum was working too. They had four kids so we were on Struggle Street for a while.” Describing how he settled into Australian culture, Timomatic laughs. “Being kind and funny,” he explains, “I was always funny as a kid… Kids don’t really get taught that well how to deal with people who are different, it’s something people mature with. So it was tough for a while, but as I grew up and pop culture began to infl uence school kids, black became cool. Suddenly I was the cool kid, but I was still

isolated, just up on a pedestal.”His earlier involvement in music was initially entrenched in Af-rican traditions, particularly percussion. From there he became involved in his church’s music team where he was drumming and singing before he began writing music. At 16 he made the decision to pursue music professionally. We came to know him through reality contestant based shows such as So You Think You Can Dance and Australia’s Got Talent. When asked wheth-er these types of shows limit artists, Timomatic says, “Nah, the opposite. Australia’s Got Talent helps to form a very creative packaged kind of artist. Given the free nature of the show, I was up against magicians and other unusual types of performers. This show embraces what you are and exactly what you want to do unlike other shows like [Australian Idol] where you’re told what to do. I performed original songs and developed my own choreography. I was involved in every kind of creative level, which was great.”His debut single Set It Off was certifi ed triple platinum by the Australian Industry Recording Association, which was a re-sponse most were happy, but surprised about. “I was expect-ing a good response,” he explains, “But I did not know how it would go. It was my debut single with a label so I didn’t know

Despite having amicably parted with partner-in-crime Stephen Fasano, Vito Deluca is still a pilot-in-command. He is comfortable with the choices he now has, describing with eagerness the freedom he has to work independently when called for. Likewise, he enjoys the willingess to work with particular artists when the need arises.Doubtless, his essential disco sound continues to be as lush and fl uid as it is blissful and it’s nice to know that the good sound is around to be enjoyed despite the split. Letting bygones be bygones, Deluca gives some insight into what he has been up to more recently. “I’m home. In fact I’ve just been on a tour of the USA. I got a little sick – which is a bit boring, but I’m still working, so things are all good.”In fact, Deluca has been getting his act together on his own imprint – Aeropop. “I’ve just received the test pressings and it feels great. I’m taking it easy though because tomorrow I’m going to Romania for more shows. But it’s great – these are things that I want to be doing.” In between, he adds he wishes he could give up on the coughing and sneezing – other than that things are still on the up and up.So in 2012, Deluca is still enjoying the lifestyle in his native Brussels – a place he describes as a ‘neutral city’. “It’s awesome for travelling and you can fi nd everything if you know what you want and need; if you compare it to London or New York where everything is constantly in your face, it is a lot more relaxed.

The music scene is great there and a lot of people are making good music.”Today, the Aeroplane name continues to be associated with feel good music that is more about quality than quantity. His discography is extensive but has been built carefully over the last half-dozen or so years. And his studio is getting a fair bit of his attention for various reasons: “I’ve got a lot of great gear in the studio, but it is a slightly interesting space – the acoustics in the room are weird in the lower spectrum, which can give me a hard time, but apart from that, it’s cool.”Indeed, the We Can’t Fly LP was the fi rst album from Aeroplane and fi rmly placed the name in the hearts and minds of punters everywhere, and more recently, We Can’t Fly – The Remixes was released as a means of encouraging people to rediscov-er that album. “I did it because I thought the remix cast for the album was really amazing,” explains Deluca. “We added some awesome exclusives for the remix album too – songs like Joakim’s remix of Caramellas and Cassius’s remix of We Can’t Fly. Also, the long awaited Oliver’s remix of We Can’t Fly will be out on a compilation for the ten years of Eskimo Records that will be released soon too.“In terms of production, I’ve been making some music for my label Aeropop and working with many people. I prefer to keep the specifi cs of that a surprise because it could change at any moment, but that’s the advantage of having your own label!

TIMOMATIC

AEROPLANE

SETTING OFF: THE SCENE

AERODYNAMIC EXCELLENCE: BEAT PILOT

what to expect. Considering the climate of Australian music, I was one of the fi rst R&B artists to come out, which hasn’t worked in the past. It was a big step for everyone and a big deal for Sony to trust us.” Commenting further on the Aus-tralian music industry he says, “I think it’s in the best state it’s been in, in a long while. We are learning and we are adapting to where the global scene of music is. The world is embracing global music, and artists who are from different parts of the world. Most of the biggest DJs in the world are not from the states. [There is defi nitely a] globalisation of the music industry. Gotye has been shining light in the past year.”Honing in on elements of performative singing and dancing, he looks to none other than Michael Jackson, “I watched the Spike Lee Bad documentary and Quincy Jones made the per-fect comment, ‘Michael created the perfect balance between science and soul.’ For me, Michael is the blueprint of all enter-

tainment.” Padding his resume with an impressive collection of openings for major artists including Pitbull, Nicki Minaj and Flo Rida during the Australian leg of their world tours, Timomatic has been mastering the arena performance. He is also seeing the dark side of the moon when it comes to being an enter-tainer, specifi cally that of scandal. “When I was on the tour with Flo Rida one of his dudes was arrested for having a taser gun along with some weed,” he explains. “There were cops running up and down all the corridors of the hotel. It was crazy.”

Tamara Vogl

Timomatic [AUS] plays Sound Empire at Crown this Saturday October 27 and The Palms at Crown on Saturday November 10. His self-titled album is out now through Sony.

It’s all good stuff; I can say though that it’s different and not re-ally something people would expect. In terms of remixes, I just did a remix for Kimbra and there is another coming on Owsla, Skrillex’s label. I also remixed a Giorgio Moroder classic and did one for Boyz Noize Records. They’re all different though. The next step for me is another album. I’m just getting the label started fi rst and then I’ll jump straight into it. I have a more precise view of the way it’s going now but it will defi nitely be more focused and electronic.” And with that, Aeroplane has received some pretty big props from some pretty big names in the business, yet despite all the attention, the lad remains grounded and focused. “I obviously didn’t expect any of this to happen. I was in New York playing for 800 people and I remembered when I was younger, I would have never even thought I would go somewhere like that. It was inaccessible. I only hope that I can keep making music and making a living out of it for as long as possible – that for me is the real dream.”

To celebrate, the distinct Aeroplane brand is heading back Down Under for a series of dates around the country, and as always, expect a performance straight from left fi eld. “I play the records I like and do it without any real boundaries. Sometimes there are songs that you can mix together and other times there are some that you can’t – but it’s ok. I feel I’ve evolved as a DJ but I’m still pretty old school. There are no pyrotechnics yet and I have to step up my skills as an MC but who knows what I’ll come up with between now and then?”Not surprisingly, the fans are standing by – and the anticipation is building.

RK

Aeroplane [BEL] plays alongside M.I.A. [UK], The Chemical Brothers [UK] and heaps more at Summadayze at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Tuesday January 1.

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THURSDAY25THMOTOWN THURSDAYSKick start your weekend with Melbourne’s newest Thursday night! Motown Thursdays caters to all true music lovers. Join us on an eclectic musical journey of soul, funk and disco through to early R&B. A live Soul Band features some of Melbourne’s most talented musicians; Carmen Hendricks, Laurent Soupe, Duncan Kinell and Aaron Mendoza just to name a few. DJs keep the records spinning into the early hours; residents are Reg-e, Lee Davies, Kalepe, Dinesh, Suga, Rubz and Alwin Rafferty. Join us around a big, shiny disco ball or two, for free entry, soulful tunes, drink specials all night and a dance fl oor full of friends!Fashion Lounge, 121 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

RHYTHM-AL-ISMStart the weekend early with Fusion’s Resident DJs. Music for your funkin’ soul. Special guests every week! Fusion, Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank

FRIDAY26THFAKTORYThis is it. Faktory Fridays are open for business at Melbourne’s home of R&B, Khokolat Bar. Where else? Damion De Silva, Ken Walker, Durmy, K Dee, Simon Sez, Yaths and Jacqui Dusk spinning all night long.Khokolat Bar, Basement, 43 Hardware La, Melbourne

LIKE FRIDAYSLike Fridays at La Di Da serves up R&B and electro house across two rooms giving you a fun fi lled end to your week. DJs Dinesh, Dir-X, Sef, NYD, Shaun D, Shaggz,

Broz and more. La Di Da, 577 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

LIGHTWe celebrate everything that has made Light at Red Love, kicking off with our after work drinks session from 4pm. Our DJ lineup includes each and every one of the Daddy Mack’s who have helped lead Light into our 5th running year of old school R&B. Harvey Yeah, Ripz, TMC and Stel Kar locking down that Old School Flava with guest appearances by G.A.K. & The Seminar of Funk and Nick K. It’s all happening this Friday as we celebrate 5 years of doing our do and bringing that Red Love!Red Love, Level 1, 401 Swanston Street, Melbourne

THE LOOSE GOOSEThe Loose Goose is focused on providing a wonderful array of cocktails and offers a great CBD location to lounge and relax in while overlooking busy Flinders Lane. A small plates menu is available to graze on whilst trying our delicious cocktails from the classics to contemporary, beer on tap and a wide range of beers, wines and spirits. Every Friday evening DJ Jumps of The Cat Empire will take to the decks at the bar spinning his rare afro Latin funk vinyl collected from around the world from 6.30pm until late.Papa Goose Cocktail Bar, 91-93 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

SWEET NOTHING FRIDAYSDJ Marcus Knight and DJ Xander James spin hip hop, R&B and house tunes all night from 8pm. Free entry and early drink specials.Temperance Hotel, 426 Chapel St, South Yarra

THE NICE UPTom Showtime presents The Nice Up. All fl avours of hip hop, ghetto funk and reggae niceness provided. Sailor Jerry nice up the cocktails, Dos Blockos nice up the $5 beers. Fridays done proper.George Lane Bar, 1 George Lane, St Kilda

With their powers combined, two legendary hip hop crews have created a new supergroup. Tash, J-Ro and DJ E-Swift of West Coast party marshals Tha Alkaholiks, together with JuJu and Psycho Les of the East Coast sample lords The Beatnuts, have teamed up to bring the world killer jams (as well as an amusing band name) in Liknuts.Tha Alkaholiks were born in LA during the ‘90s when the Likwit Crew – with members like Xzibit, Defari, King Tee and Lootpack – were pretty major players in the scene. It’s an experience that DJ E Swift says stays with you for life. “There is nothing like being around the golden days of hop hop in LA in the ‘90s. Not saying today ain’t all good, but to understand and appreciate it you really had to be there and experience it for yourself. Despite a few ups and downs along the way we’re still all family and it’s Likwit till the end.” They still get the gang together to relive the magic once in a while, too. “Everyone’s still cool: me, J-Ro, Tash, King Tee, Xzibit, everyone. We was just all together at Rock The Bells performing, and shit was crazy! I mean everyone’s got their own thing going on here and there, but in the end it’s still all good.”Legend has it that the other half of Liknuts, The Beatnuts (then playing under the moniker Beat Kings), got their start when

they were crate-digging and ran into Afrika Bambaataa, who introduced them to the Native Tongues crew including De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest and Jungle Brothers. Apparently Mike Gee and Afrika Baby Bam of Jungle Brothers declared that Beat Kings weren’t in fact kings, but rather “nuts” for their comical nature and the way they carried so many records to their gigs, and the name stuck. The fi rst track from their combined effort is the grumbling Grumpy Crocodile that ruminates on the youthful bravado and inexperience that characterises much of hip hop today, while still managing plenty of egotistical references to sex, drugs, and violence. It’s an exercise in restraint beat-wise, with sparse production allowing the often-outlandish lyrics to take the spotlight. The next drop is Bang, a hazy, hedonistic ode to partying with an earworm hook. As far as the production-versus-lyrics debate, JuJu says, “They both play an important role. There’s a lot of n****s around that spit so nice on a track and the production lets them down, or it can be the other way around, you hear a track and think ‘Damn, if only that n****s spat a little nicer that would have been a hit’. You really need both ingredients to bake the perfect cake.”Liknuts are about to embark on their fi rst Australian tour, and

In an era of paper cutter music, safe choices and mundane aesthetics, it is important to backtrack and reminisce on times when artists were making the shift between almost famous to Grammy Award winners through their ability to not only draw from their roots, but to do so with purpose, substance and an unwavering devotion to their craft and message.Arrested Development is testament to this since the inception of their hip hop outfi t in 1991. Having championed consciousness, culture, beats and melody through their critically-acclaimed releases and boisterous live shows, Arrested Development have proudly produced music with a sole purpose of addressing themes of equality, love and spirituality. Discussing Arrested Development’s infl uence, lead emcee Speech speaks with me about his parents’ involvement within the Civil Rights Movement, the twentieth anniversary tour in Australia and fi nding your voice.“We tried gangsta rap,” Speech begins. “We didn’t know what we wanted to rap about. We were imitating others and it wasn’t our true voice…We started drawing upon our own upbringings. My parents were Civil Rights activists and I decided I wanted to bring about change through music.” Seeing his parents fi ght against denied civil rights including the right to vote, the access to equal opportunities, to schooling and to jobs, affected Speech in a very real way. Recalling on his earlier childhood memories, he says, “Growing up in Milwaukee I saw our neighbours destroying our property. They also physically beat me and my brother up.” These events transpired to his music, and now his biggest advice for unsigned artists is to connect with your own voice and to fi nd something that you’re supposed to be doing, which is totally unique. He explains, “It is easier to gain an audience, to get a record deal and maintain a career in the long haul when you bring something to the table

that is very rare.”Speech’s introduction to music was through his father’s R&B and disco nightclub in the late ‘70s. Not knowing how to play an instrument, he began dabbling with the art of DJing which he soon fell in love with. Pursuing music at a professional level became his focus, saying that nothing else gravitated towards him in the same way music did. He was passionate about teaching too, but music was more special. “I loved to express myself and I saw music as a real outlet to do that,” he says.Arrested Development’s Grammy winning debut album 3 Years, 5 Months, 2 Days In The Life Of… was astutely named after the amount of time it took to land a record deal. Speech says of the experience, “There were defi nitely times we thought we were going to quit. I promised my parents if nothing happened with Arrested Development within two years I would go back to school and study education. Two years passed and there was no record deal. Then within that third year and fi fth month it so happened we did get a record deal when I was already back at school.” Their fi rst studio album received a glowing response, garnering Arrested Development with a bevy of accolades – a Grammy included. “We saw ourselves as a trend setting group,” he explains, “We knew we would get respect but we were not sure people would gravitate towards it…MTV changed the game when they picked up the video. Our lyrics had maturity, but we were a young hip hop group. MTV gave us the audience we were looking for.” When they were awarded with the Grammy for Best New Artist, Speech says they were beyond shocked as they were the fi rst hip hop group to have ever received the award. “It was something we needed. A lot of black radio stations weren’t very supportive at fi rst, despite our lyrics concerning the community. Many were wary of…our

LIKNUTS

ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT

LEGENDS: REBORN

TWENTY YEARS: IN THE LIFE OF...

style. The Grammy was a confi rmation and we were grateful because it helped us to do better in the black community ironically.” Despite the awards, his most signifi cant musical achievement was when he wrote Tennessee. “I lost my brother to an asthma attack when he was 29 and I had lost my grandma to a heart attack the week before. It was such a traumatic week. Tennessee was the fi rst single and the fi rst hit so it means the world to me. I’ll never forget that moment in time.”Keen to arrive in Australia for the Twentieth Anniversary tour, Speech says, “I really love Australia, so does the whole group. The people are what interest us most...There is a laidback feel in Australia, sort of relaxed. They are very open and accepting and we like that.” Commenting on their twentieth anniversary he says, “As a hip hop group it’s rare that we get to celebrate 20 years. Music and artists are so disposable in hip hop so the 20 year landmark is amazing…We are excited to celebrate the

experience with our fans in a spiritual union; people coming together and jamming to the music. We are celebrating a time period when music was so bold and innovative. It’s really just a special tour, especially because the hip hop scene has changed so much towards a celebration of ignorance and of degradation of women.”Connecting music back to politics, Speech is still adamant it can help to reduce apathy within younger generations. “Music has united people too, in a way that has never been done before. Hip hop particularly united whites or blacks more than any other tool can and has helped race relations.”

Tamara Vogl

Arrested Development [USA] play the Prince Bandroom on Friday November 2.

along for the ride are hardcore-Queens-dudes Onyx, who’ll unleash their ruthless rhymes on Australian audiences. Onyx’s Sticky Fingaz is pretty modest about how it all came about for his crew: “Jam Master Jay got our demo and out of like 15 songs he picked one song and said, ‘Give me ten more like this.’ He brought in Russell Simmons and they gave us a single deal, which turned into an EP deal, which turned into a album deal, which turned into legends… and the rest is history.”

These guys are old school, nasty and they obviously know how to rock a gathering. With all of these hip hop legends under one roof, I think it’s safe to say things are going to get crazy.

Natalie Amat

Liknuts [USA] play Prince Bandroom on Thursday November 1.

MC Profi le: Jimmynice (Spit Syndicate)

Where’s the strangest place you’ve woken up?I once woke up in the boot of a car parked on the side of a highway outside Canberra. We then had to go bail our mate out of a police holding cell – true story. This was our fi rst experience touring. We’ve never looked back.Describe yourself using the title of a song.The theme song to Maverick.What was the weirdest thing you believed as a child?No weird beliefs but I was convinced that my year six teacher was the witch in Roald Dahl’s The Witches. I know that shit for sure.The most awkward moment you’ve had as a performer?We played a show with Illy in Melbourne a few years back, it was sold out and the vibe was crazy…and then our laptop exploded two songs into our set. It turned into an acoustic set pretty quickly.What question would you like to ask an omniscient, all-knowing being before you die?How do my earphones manage to get tangled beyond belief after being in my pocket for no longer than three seconds? If you hadn’t made it as a musician, what job would you choose to work in instead?I feel like we have achieved some great things in music but I defi nitely don’t feel as if we’ve ‘made it’ as of yet. I enjoy taking photos so I’d have to say photography would be my plan b.When and where is your next gig?Saturday October 27 at Laundry Bar as part of our Beauty In The Bricks National Tour. Looking forward to it!

SATURDAY27THKHOKOLAT KOATEDAll new experience, same great location with a fresh koat of Khokolat. Restless Entertainment reloads your favourite Saturday night party. Damion De Silva, K Dee, Jay Sin and weekly guests playing R&B & ol’ skool sounds strictly for the urban elite.Khokolat Bar, Basement, 43 Hardware La, Melbourne

REDLOVE SATURDAYSRedLove Saturdays is all about solid classics from the ‘80s, ‘90s and into the ‘00s! Dropping beats of retro pop, disco classics, old school funk, and certainly some of that old school R&B and house to kick! RedLove Resident DJs Phil, HB Bear and Da Gato bringing down the house every Saturday night. If you’re looking for quality service, music to rock, sumptuous drinks and just a cold hard good time; look no further!Red Love, Level 1, 401 Swanston Street, Melbourne

SHAKA SATURDAYThe newest R&B Superclub Shaka Saturdays grand opening is set to hit Melbourne over two massive weeks. The northern suburbs newest, freshest club playing all of your favourite R&B, hip hop, old skool and reggae. Shaka Saturdays is showcasing Australia’s newest and favourite R&B DJs, including DJ C-RAM bringing video mixing to Melbourne and special guest hip hop band Yellow Cake. Set at one of the most amazing venues Melbourne has to offer with two levels, good music, great ‘Shaka’ atmosphere and cheap drinks, we are hoping to pack it out and create a night for people to remember.Level 2 The Club, 2 Arthurton Rd, Northcote

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