Interviews

Late last month, Above & Beyond moved up two places from number 6 in the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs listing to number 4. They are set for world domination – literally. They have one of the most comprehensive web presences known to man. They have Facebook, MySpace, Blogger, YouTube, a podcast… you name it, the trio that is Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness and Paavo Siljamäki have their fingers well and truly on the technological pulse. It contributes to a large part of their success. Now, as they prepare to wow Australia at Global Gathering, Tony McG took some time out to chat to OUTinPerth about what it’s like to be in the top 10 of the world’s best DJs. (more…)

Ben Lee is coming to Perth this month for the Escape in the Park Festival. He told OUTinPerth’s Zoe Carter about crafting performances for festival events…

‘I aspire to create something that’s both intimate and communal at the same time. And the intimate side I don’t really need an audience there for … It’s just about me singing, intimately, from the heart. But there’s a whole other side to my music that’s like ‘We’re all in this together’ and ‘Catch my disease’ and songs like that, that are hopefully giving people a sense that they’re part of a community and feeling connected to each other. Often what I’ll do for those kind of songs, is I’ll bring a lot of friends into the studio, because essentially you’re trying to create your own festival vibe. It has to work with 20 of your friends before it will work with 20,000 people! (more…)

Bob Evans is the darling of earnest Australian acoustic guitar playing men… or rather was. The Bob Evans you used to know, the one that croons his way through Don’t You Think It’s Time, is about to get a slight image overhaul. You see, he’s back from Nashville with a new album – Goodnight, Bull Creek! – which will be released April next year. But if you can’t stand the wait, then fear not: Evans is coming to town to play snippets from the new album, which is packed with treats. It even sees Evans trying his hand at a haunting duet… and some rambunctious bossanova lounge, a style he says that fits him like ‘a flesh tuxedo’. (more…)

When asked what the highlight of the upcoming West Australian Symphony Orchestra season is, WASO’s Executive Manager of Artistic Planning , Marshall Maguire, simply says ‘everything’. Pressed further he’ll let you know that the calibre of visiting artists working with the orchestra this year is quite spectacular, but you can’t keep Marshall Maguire’s enthusiasm for everything WASO from spilling over. Zoe Carter caught up with Maguire for a little insight into upcoming season.. (more…)

Known not only for his dark brooding good looks but his dark brooding good music too, Jeff Martin – former lead man of The Tea Party – is about to make a triumphant return to the forefront of rock music. He brings with him The Armada, his new heavy duty rock outfit that incorporates the deep, dark, swathe of moody blues and fuses it with Middle Eastern influences, not forgetting of course a huge crash of rock and big swell of roll. The result is achingly ballsy and beautiful, just the kind of music we’d expect to hear from Martin. (more…)

This month WA Opera presents Aida at His Majesty’s theatre. Directed by Graeme Murphy, the production features a stellar international and local cast. Conductor Richard Mills, AO, told OUTinPerth’s Zoe Carter about some of the highlights of WA Opera’s latest production…

‘Our tenor has sung the role at the Metropolitan Opera and is a regular guest artist there, his name is Eduardo Villa; our baritone …Anoosha Golershorki, he’s also sung the role at the Met. Our Aida is an outstanding young Perth based artist, Avale Cole, who is going to have a great career internationally – she already has a London agent. She’s a very fine artist indeed. This is a role debut for her, and the role suits her completely. She has the vocal ability to sing the role, which is a very rare ability, and she brings great grace and subtlety to her portrayal of her character.
[The fourth member of the quartet] is the great Australian mezzo soprano, Bernadette Cullen, who is a legendary artist at the height of her powers. (more…)

One of the emerging trends in movie theatres seems to be the professional production of recordings of theatrical Productions. One of the latest productions to be filmed for cinematic release is the Australian musical biopic of Johnny O’Keefe, ‘SHOUT! The Legend of the Wild One’. Starring as Johnny O’Keefe is Tim Campbell – the long time star of stage and screen otherwise known as Mr Anthony Callea. Zoe Carter caught up with Tim to find out more about his brush with the Wild One … (more…)

This weekend, The Potbellez will find out exactly what Australia thinks of them when the ARIAs hit. It’ll will hopefully be a defining moment in the life: at current they’ve been nominated for three ARIAs, including Breakthrough Artist Single, Highest Selling Single and Best Dance Album (ironic considering their self-titled debut album isn’t out until November 1 – yeah, it’s that good). There is the possibility they might win, even if it’s only one out of the three (OUTinPerth’s money is on Best Album – you’ll love it). (more…)

DJ Feadz is bringing about the revival of Baltimore’s black underground sounds and the gogo beats from the ‘80s, all filtered through the technology and communications driven global sampling of the ‘00s. This pastiche pop infusion is endearing him to the global scene, so much so that he is one of the many stellar acts lining up for Global Gathering on November 23rd. Feadz told OUTinPerth’s Zoe Carter his thoughts…. (more…)

Harry Angus (The Cat Empire) and Jan Skubiszewski (composer and hip-hop producer) teamed up for their debut album, Fire is on the Bird, in 2007. Offbeat and deliciously savage, it included masterpieces of wit like a homage to wannabes everywhere, The International Society of Bad Dancers.