Author Archive

Book Reviews

Dark Bright Doors
by Jill Jones
Wakefield Press

Jill Jones is an award winning Australian poet and one of the two brilliant minds responsible for the country’s first comprehensive anthology of lesbian and gay poetry, Out Of The Box.

Dark Bright Doors is a book seemingly populated with identity, with a central voice, yet at its core it is unsettled and unnerved. It tetters on the edge of things with a sensual energy. (more…)

Seasons
The Verses
Warner
Remember Killing Heidi? Brother sister duo Jesse and Ella Hooper are back and have reinvented themselves as The Verses. Gone are the rock electric guitars and catchy as hell hooks that embodied their youthful energy of that time. This is a more mature, acoustic, country-tinged offering. Very easy listening and still catchy with a Fleetwood Mac, Ryan Adams kinda feel. - Nat Ripepi (more…)

CD Reviews

Christina Aguilera
Bionic
RCA / Sony
In 2002, when Christina told you she was ‘dirrty’, she wasn’t kidding. Marriage and motherhood haven’t extinguished the sassiness of this songstress. This bizarre collection of tracks left me a little confused. Woohoo is all about eating out. Nope, not at a fancy restaurant. She sells it with ‘you don’t even need a plate, just your face ha!’ But wait! A few tracks in and she’s singing about her son Max. The sex laced album is even dedicated to her son! That said, I liked it. Her unique voice is undoubtedly bold and clean, unlike the album, which is filth. – Ollie Pincott (more…)

Book Reviews

Love Machine
by Clinton Caward
Hamish Hamilton / Penguin

While not gay per se, Clinton Caward’s debut novel Love Machine has enough queer content to make it appealing across the board. Character driven, frank and composed with an amazingly understated tempo, Caward tells a tale of Kings Cross that should be sordid but comes across as surprisingly tender. (more…)

Sport Shorts - July

Wins and Losses for Convicts
Australia’s only gay rugby union team the Sydney Convicts narrowly lost the prestigious Bingham Cup title last month but took home the Bingham Bowl. Held in the US town of Minneapolis, the Cup’s grand final was close but the New York Gotham Knights just edged out the Australian side in an 18-15 loss, the Convicts webpage said. However, the Convicts B-side played a confident Grand Final and took out the Bingham Bowl in a 10-7 win against the Washington Renegades. Both Convicts’ sides held significant leads throughout the competition, winning 10 out the 12 games played. (more…)

Book Reviews

On Passion
by Dorothy Porter
Melbourne University Press

It’s a little eerie reading a new work from Dorothy Porter after her death, but apparently there’s another three potential works to emerge, which means that the legacy of this phenomenal Australian poet will live on.

What makes this book so unique is that it’s Porter writing in a voice which specifically addresses the reader, discussing in depth the sources of her passion and inspiration in the field of writing. (more…)

CD Reviews

Jónsi
Go
EMI
Instantly recognisable, Jónsi’s voice is the fuel that has made Icelandic band Sigur Ros, one of the most beloved groups heralding from the frozen tundra of Northern Europe. Here, Jónsi – an openly gay artist – is venturing out on his own, throwing some rugs on the sleigh for a sonic journey through the landscape of his angelic voice. He soars, lilts, twists, plays, falls in love and tinges at melancholia, highlighting the evocative scope and beguiling majesty of his singing. This is the album you should by this year if you want to imbue your life with magic. – Scott-Patrick Mitchell (more…)

Tories Turn a Pinker Shade of Blue

Three months ago opinion polls suggested the British Conservative party was set to sweep into power in the forthcoming May 6 elections with a commanding majority.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown was apparently losing popularity with large sectors of the populace and the consequences of last year’s global financial crisis were still being felt throughout the UK. (more…)

Joel Creasey

The Wild West Comedy Festival is rolling into town soon for two weeks of comedy gold. OUTinPerth spoke to local comedian Joel Creasey about his upcoming show and his celebrity acquaintances.

So what are you doing as part of the Wild West Comedy Festival? I’m putting on my own show called Slumber party which has just come back from the Melbourne Comedy Festival, so it’s an hour of me basically. (more…)

Smashing Dance Stereotypes

If traditional ballets are not your thing, look out for the Bad Boys of Dance as they thrust their way through the boundaries of conventional ballet. Coming to Perth next month is internationally-acclaimed Rock the Ballet direct from New York and sell-out seasons throughout Europe. This energetic production lavishes in its pop-rock soundtrack and pool of talented young, male dancers and one woman. (more…)