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The Thin Kids – ’23 Things I’d Change About The Brisbane Music Scene’

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The Thin Kids – ’23 Things I’d Change About The Brisbane Music Scene’ (mp3)

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You probably already know what this song is about just from reading the title – it’s not meant to be clever or ironic, just an accurate description of the lyrical content therein. What you might not know is that The Thin Kids is a new project from (in)famous British music critic Everett True (pictured above), now a restless Brisbane-based academic and “fading critic,” mainly of Pitchfork and Animal Collective. The band also features actual Brisbane folk in Edward Guglielmino, Margaret Collins and Scotty Regan – but it’s Everett who has the wikipedia entry so, you know, he gets some special mention. Plus it’s him doing most of the ranting in the above song.

The tune is apparently named for an open letter True published upon first arriving in Brisbane that singled a number of venues, publications and bands as being fairly crap – fellow Thin Kids member Ed G among them. But then other Thin Kids member Margaret Collins supposedly helped them make peace etc etc.  I’m not sure how much of the bio on their MySpace is for shiz but, like this song and most things True touches, it stirs curiosity and interest regardless. Head over there to hear some of the other tracks available for streaming (two of which are called ‘We Never Rehearse’).

The Thin Kids make their live debut at the Troubadour in Brisbane the 24th Feb. I assume Mr True won’t have see cause to complain about this through song, but I wouldn’t put it past him.

www.mypace.com/thethinkids

White Noise @ Brisbane’s “The Edge”

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Located at the State Library in South Bank, The Edge is the shiny new home of creativity in Brisbane, with plenty of computers and communal space for creative types to do their thing.
Brisbane digital distributor Musicadium is running a series of workshops at the facility under the name White Noise, with goal of educating musicians on the best ways to promote and manage their music.

From the presser:

White Noise consists of a series of free workshops for up and coming artists to be held at the Edge, a brand new state-of-the-art creative facility in South Bank.
The two sets of three-day sessions, now looking for applicants, will include workshops and seminars on song-writing, recording, distribution, management, marketing and promotions.
Local and national music industry professionals will host each seminar or workshop, passing on invaluable insight and information to the young artists.
The sessions will culminate in a showcase held in the Edge auditorium, which will provide an opportunity for the public to see the progress made by the artists over the course of the program.

They’re looking for applicants now, so head to their website to apply.
The sessions run 15th-20th of March and applications close 28th February.

The Gifthorse & Break Even, East Brunswick Club 30/1/2010

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I don’t usually take photos at shows, but then again I’m not usually at shows in Melbourne so I thought I’d make an exception. Brisbane’s The Gifthorse and Perth’s Break Even have been supporting New York band Polar Bear Club on their Aussie tour, which wound up at the East. To be honest, I wasn’t a  fan of the venue; Brisbane does small grungy venues better, and with cheaper drinks.

The Gifthorse:

Break Even:

See my Flickr for more.

Big Day Out 2010

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(photo: Daniel Boudist)

In just a merry quarter of an hour in the queue, being smacked on the face with Australian flag paraphernalia, beer breath on the back of my neck and the distinct waft of other…organic substances, I’m given a true blue, cordial welcoming to the Sydney Big Day Out.

Still yet to pinpoint what it is exactly that attracts so many to this annual festival of beer, bogans and breasts. If you are aching to read about the unskilled offspring of Keith Allen, Matt Bellamy’s vibrato or any of the other international acts on the bill, you should stop reading now.

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French Rockets/Injured Ninja split 12″

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New Perth label Heartless Robot Productions is releasing a split 12″ featuring above bands. It will put out as a limited edition vinyl/DVD/mp3 package, which can be purchased through their website here. The DVD portion contains the clips below.

Without wanting to totally overshadow Injured Ninja, I fucking love French Rockets’ music and lighting stuff, which is here translated into a film clip that could be pulled right from the early 80s when people with money discovered video synthesisers. Nowadays, people without money can achieve the same effect but with added nostalgia value. FUNTIMES.