Music Mondays: We Are Scientists review

** We Are Scientists - photo by ME! **

Ahh We Are Scientists - is there anything better?

I went to this show on behalf of Rave Review (even though I had already bought a ticket - my friend Lauren enjoyed it for free) and my review of the evening is up for all to enjoy.

ASH and WE ARE SCIENTISTS @ Billboards 04/08/10

WORDS BY: Brooke Jagoe

WOW! Check out the full gallery HERE! (Photos by Laurence Barnes)

Co-headlining shows don’t work properly in Melbourne. It’s a fact – especially when the bands are not really similar enough for the co-headline label to be used.

This was the feeling of many people who turned up to Billboards on Wednesday night for the W.A.S.H double header. While this combination would have worked in the UK, it didn’t here. Those who were there early were only there for We Are Scientists and those who turned up later were only there for Ash – there was no middle ground, at least not from the people I spoke to.

Read the rest here...

I realised after it was posted that there are some grammatical errors in the review (going from present to past tense etc) but I'm blaming the excessive tiredness that had worn me down last week. I'm only just starting to catch up on the sleep I've been missing out on.

Glitter Sparks & Happyness

x x x

Brooke

Music Mondays: British India

So I'm using one bullet to hit two points today with Music Mondays - both an update on band photography and introducing a band I've been going to see live well before they released any of their albums or EP  - British India.

*As always - click on the above image to be taken to the gallery for more shots*

On Saturday night I had the pleasure of photographing British India at The Corner Hotel for Rave Review. British India are a 4 piece hailing from the suburbs of Melbourne. I first stumbled upon this band when they played support act at a show in April 2005 and it was instant intrigue. Their music had an energy and fervour that I hadn't yet experienced in a local band and their shows soon became a regular feast on the local live music menu.

We were lucky enough to catch them near the beginning of their journey (and get a little thank you on their first EP) and have since seen their shows transform from 20 people in a small room to selling out venues around Melbourne with crowds of people singing along.

I've seen them too many times to keep track of anymore and the thing that keeps me coming back for more is that every show is fun. It's a simple reason but a true one. I always have a blast when I see them - even though I can no longer dance around and jump around with space at their shows anymore, it's nice to sing along and have other people singing along too.

It's still amazing to me to see the different reactions that some of the newer fans have to these guys - on Saturday night while the support band was on I heard some girls squeal when they saw some of the members of the band show up on the side of the stage. These girls were decked out in British India t-shirts and were bubbling with anticipation (I'd guess it was their first time seeing them live). It makes me smile to see that these guys are getting the recognition they so greatly deserve.

They've just released a new album (the reason for the tour) and are still travelling around Australia. Tour dates can be found on their myspace page.

They're the one of few local bands who I can always rely on to put me in a good mood. I can always guarantee that I will have a fun time at their shows and I will always be at the front singing along. It was a different experience to photograph them this time around - but it was nice to be able to capture a little piece of their show to share with everyone.

Find them on:

Myspace

Facebook

Twitter (but I don't think they really use this)

If there's one thing I'd like to see in their current setlist is just a little taste of their first EP - those songs brought so much dancing and so much joy into my life and it'd be nice to see how the new legion of British India fans react to a real "old" song played live. Just a little bit of "Counter Culture" next time boys and I'll be going home very happy.

Glitter Sparks & Happyness

x x x

Brooke

Music Mondays: I'm writing for Rave Review!

Welcome to Music Mondays! Last week I kicked things off with an interview with Robert Scwartzman from Rooney and this week I'm introducing you to a new project I am a part of and letting you know of two gigs I attended last week.

Last week was a fantastic week in Melbourne for music. I had the pleasure of going to see two absolutely amazing bands and I've written reviews of both shows for Rave Review

Who are Rave Review?

They are a local Melbourne based online music source. The site covers everything from music news to photography from local gigs and many many reviews of gigs and cds. It has a wealth of information on all things Melbourne and I'm now officially a part of the team.

Here are the start of the two pieces I have written for them so far (click on the “keep reading” to be taken to the full reviews). I'm sure there are many more to come and I'm excited for this opportunity.

(This was seriously the ONLY photo I took at Vampire Weekend – I didn’t charge my camera before the show and my camera died after this shot. Don’t the chandeliers look darling)

Vampire Weekend @ The Palace 04/05/10
WORDS BY: Brooke Jagoe

Arriving to the Palace at 8pm it was clear we had a long wait ahead of us before the main act. Doors at 7.30pm - support band starts at 9pm. Luckily I had people to entertain me, but the sparse crowd that was there early relied on staring blankly at the stage, reading books (!) and listening to their iPods to pass the time.

By the time Cloud Control started the crowd had grown substantially and were ready to be entertained. With a hand written sign stuck to their keyboard they began a multi layered, harmonic, lively set that fit perfectly with what you'd expect from a Vampire Weekend support band.

By 10pm the sold out crowd was getting restless - the stage was set with five chandeliers hanging from the roof and the Contra cover art of a blonde, tanned beauty hanging in the background. Sporadic cheers and clapping started and when the lights dimmed the crowd erupted as the four members of Vampire Weekend emerged from the darkness onto the stage. They kicked it off with two songs from their new album - White Sky and Holiday – and the enthusiastic crowd sang and danced along before they delved into some of their much loved hits from their self titled debut album.

Keep reading here...

(I know these are blurry – but I like the way the colours look – plus it was super dark and I only had my “point & shoot”)

Julian Casablancas @ The Palace 07/05/10

WORDS BY: Brooke Jagoe

It was another night of waiting at The Palace on Friday night. For some strange reason this venue likes it’s punters to wait an hour and a half before any act begins. This creates a kind of boredom and impatience amongst an eager crowd. It’s been 5 years since Julian Casablancas has graced our shores and everyone in that room was ready for his return.

At 9.30pm Andy Clockwise wandered onstage to a less than interested crowd. It was clear from their reaction that everyone was there for one reason and anything else that evening was going to be sub-standard and a waste of their time.

Keep reading here...

It was a busy crazy week at work last week - hence the reason why the posts didn't happen. We've been under-staffed due to people being away on leave so whenever I got home I just wanted to stop my brain from working. I polished off the first part of Glee and watched a couple of movies on the nights I wasn't out.

My little niece Bridie also was rushed to hospital with a lung infection so that didn't help with the distractions. She is fine now - it was just a little scare.

I'm going to attempt to keep a bit more up to date this week. It’s hard to stay motivated during the cold but I’ll push through it.

Glitter Sparks & Happyness

x x x
Brooke