ThreeThousand

Intro:

Wednesday 6th – 13th September

If this week has told us one thing it’s that the world is a dangerous place. Sometimes you just got to play it safe, stick with what you know, listen to good advice and if you’re going to take risks, make sure they’re worth it.

Issue 071 tries to take the danger out of your days, what we feature is tried and true, tested on animals and, we’re pleased to tell you, with very few side effects.

So like a lollypop lady let us you usher you across the road with Ratatat, The Brilliance, Nom*D, jewellery from Blanche Tilden and a city retreat. Safety is our middle name.

ThreeThousand Issue 071- playing it safe

Cover Photo, sting ray muffins by Ed Janssen, available from jungle juice. If you would like to submit a cover photo, email photo@tinanded.com.au

Howling
The Pop Manifesto
Oxy Cottontail
Show bags
We Are Different
aNYthing
Larrikin Love
Monster Children
Dot Dot Dot

Tell us what's cool cool@threethousand.com.au

Growling
The Communist Manifesto
Ox tails
Show offs
Same same
It
Jerks
Brats
Exclamation marks

Tell us what's fool fool@threethousand.com.au

There is something immediately unsatisfying about calling a piece of art abstract expressionist, and perhaps that's the point. You are using the strictures of language to talk about explosive, visceral forces; the role of the critic and writer is to invent ways to avoid talking about it. If we had the luxury of invention, Noël Skrzypczak's work is perhaps better described as 'paint art' than painting itself, and we'd have to use poetics to arrive at satisfactory descriptions.

Bleeding, alien globs coruscate and moan while nearby, intricate filigree long dripped down into ugly chaos. Skrzypczak's styles move from canvas to wall to installation, but consistent across them are the same luscious, lysergic and sometimes paranoia-inducing patterns of colour and flow. Images blend, burst and appear in a carnivalesque atmosphere. This kind of art can sometimes signify mere chaos (and render itself mute in the process), but Skrzypczak's work screams physicality, noise and energy, and vibrates the body of the visitor. Come on, feel the noise.

What:
"Dark, shiny" by Noël Skrzypczak

Where:
Neon Parc, 1/53 Bourke Street, Melbourne

When:
Wednesday – Saturday
12 - 6PM or by appointment
9663 0911

How much:
Free

Contact:
Neon Parc or Noël online

Image by:
Noël Skrzypczak

ThreeThousand isn’t sure what ‘lampworked borosilicate glass’ is, but we like the fact that Blanche Tilden’s line of jewellery looks like a bike chain for your wrist – minus the grease.

Utilising mid-steel, sterling silver and glass rods, Blanche’s pieces are moulded link by link to last forever, not just until next season. If you want to seem a little tough, without resorting to spike studs or a massive beard, then these technical pieces should be right up your bike alley.

What:
Blanche Tilden Bracelet

Where:
The National Design Centre, Federation Square (cnr Russell and Flinders St), Melbourne

When:
Mon-Sun 10-5

How much:
$100-$150

Contact:
The NDC online, or 9645 6335

As ‘alternative’ fashion is continuously embraced as mainstream around Melbourne, it’s becoming difficult to dress without looking like you stepped out of Supre.

Step in NOM*d. From the dark city of Dunedin the streetwear label referencestraditional tailoring combined with a style unaffected by ‘fashionable’ whims. Sometimes androgynous, but always wearable, the label’s trenches and über-sweet dungarees can be found alongside pieces from the Nom*d archives like bomber jackets, box-pleat skirts and slim pants. Vandevorst shoes, Zambesi and soft knitwear from Belgian label Lout round up the mix, guaranteeing a wardrobe that ain’t no passing phase.

What:
NOM*d

Where:
203 Gertrude St, Fitzroy

When:
Tues-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5

Contact:
9416 3500

There’s no shortage of ethos options being slammed in all directions at any given moment. Let alone the hounds of ‘culcha’ who are only too happy to advise that you obey your thirst, or think different, or just do it. You can go the Kleindestine culture-jam option or you can filter out what inspires.

Enter The Brilliance. A not-so-humble site of cultural review, The Brilliance is NYC’s time capsule for genre-now. Arts, entertainment, fashion, gourmet, home life, tech, travel and interviews make up Chuck, Benjamin and Virgil’s coherently eclectic sphere of interest. The posts on the site are as varied as the individual styles and personalities of the three writers. Their backgrounds cover information architecture, death metal and freelance musing to name but a few. Doing it just for the hell of it, these kids are defining culture from behind the scenes.

What:
The Brilliance

Where:
www.thebrilliance.com

Not since a grade 5 music recital have we been subjected to an instrumental, and although this is probably not a good point of comparison Classics, the second album from Brooklyn’s Ratatat is much less painful, with an intensity and maturity that 11 year olds simply couldn’t achieve.

While Classics may not have a track that compares with their attention grabbing ‘Seventeen Years’ the album is still an articulate response to the hyphen-saturated-world-where-subtlety-is-a-dying-art. Many of the tracks could host vocals yet are dressed down (no headbands here) with a modesty that the title of the album doesn’t suggest.

In keeping with Evan Mast and Mike Stroud’s programming backgrounds, Classics has samples, layers and instruments a-plenty. The tracks may grate at times in an awkward middle-ground between anthem and atmospheric, but overall the flow of the album makes it to the big city what Múm’s Finally We Are No One is to the country. That’s a big call, but you know what we mean.

What:
Classics

Who:
Ratatat

On:
XL Recordings

Myspace:
here

Hollywood is clearly cashing in on terrorist-induced, media-enhanced paranoia with upcoming cockbuster World Trade Centre. Soon, we’ll be able to get our 9-Eleven fix at the multiplex the way we get our 7-Eleven slurpie at the mall.

Until then there’s a small, cynicism-free window in which to catch United 93 from British filmmaker Paul Greengrass (Bloody Sunday). Unfolding in real time and pared down to the bare essentials (no special effects, no name actors, no music) this is a gritty drama about what might’ve happened on flight 93, which crashed in Pennsylvania that fateful day.

Recreating the scene from transcripts of the calls made from the plane, and enlisting flight-controllers on duty that day to play themselves, United 93 captures the chaos and despair with frightening authenticity that’ll leave you shaking like a leaf. This is gut-wrenching cinema, but for once the stale popcorn’s not to blame.

What:
United 93

Where:
Most major cinemas

Watch the trailer:
here

Maybe it’s the proximity to the Collingwood Children’s Farm, but the milk in the chai tea at Lentil As Anything’s Abbortsford cafe tastes creamier than usual.

A Melbourne institution as revered by vegetarians as it is repugnant to carnivores, the non-profit association has consistently carved a reputation for organic prowess. Nestled beneath the concrete grandeur of Abbotsford Convent, if there’s any chance of turning vego then it’s here, with green as far as the eye can see and Bella the cow within charging distance.

Come weekends and the meals disappear faster than a two year old on a sugar high, when the expansive grounds become a family haven. But in the mornings or on weekdays you’ll find the space a sanctuary in which to lean back, smell the cut grass and inhale the country without leaving the city.

What:
Lentil As Anything at Abbotsford Convent

Where:
1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford

When:
Everyday 9am-9.30pm

How much:
”Pay as you like”

Contact:
9419 6444, bookings for groups of four+ only

What:
Wolf and Cub official album launch and tour party

When:
Saturday September 9

Where:
Black Night Crash, Rochester Castle, 202 Johnston St, Fitzroy

How much:
Free

Description:
Wolf and Cub team up with Black Night Crash to celebrate the release of their debut rekkid "Vessels" and their upcoming Melbourne tour with an official album launch and tour party at Black Night Crash. Ds Leroy and Clef.B, who spend almost more time on the dance floor themselves than behind the decks, will be featuring tracks off 'Vessels' and other Cub tracks. There’ll also be Wolf and Cub giveaways and a special 'Wolf Pack' to be won. Aroooo.

What:
What We Do Is Secret

When:
Saturday September 9, 8.51pm

Where:
Pony, 68 Lt Collins St, Melbourne

How much:
$7

Description:
What We Do Is Secret magazine presents the ‘doom laden post-rock’ of trio Seppuku, the jaw-dropping MAPS, Reign of Paranthropus - in their first show in over a year and Mof-Far-Far-Rah an eighteen minute sample experimentation from Chris Hill. DJ Disinfectant hasn’t been informed of the theme yet but he will be there too.

What:
Lost in Alpha60

When:
Until September 15

Where:
ShowBox Gallery @ The National Design Centre, Federation Square, Melbourne

How much:
Free

Description:
Alex and Georgie from Alpha60 go inside themselves in an exhibition that explores their fascination with fictional character and graphic pattern. The darkened ShowBox provides a heady atmosphere for around 300 figurines. Stop by the exhibition then head to Alpha60’s guerilla store opening at Alice Euphemia this Thursday September 7, 6-8pm.

What:
Midnight Juggernauts

When:
Saturday September 9, 8pm

Where:
Hi Fi Bar & Ballroom, Basement 125 Swanston St, Melbourne

How much:
$15 + b/f from the Hi Fi, Polyester and Missing Link.

Description:
A line-up of some of Melbourne (and Sydney’s) music best for a tiny price.
The Jugs are supported by Damn Arms, The Valentinos, Talkshow Boy, DJ Ajax and Pepperoni (the Avalanches).

What:
‘Take me with you’. New photographic work by Fiona Wood

When:
Thursday September 7-16

Where:
Kick Gallery, 239 High St, Northcote.

How much:
Free

Description:
In her first solo exhibition, New Zealand-born photographer Fiona Wood uses images to make sense of place and identity in our world by capturing human relationships with natural and constructed environments.

ThreeThousand featured meet me at mike’s a little while back, but now we want to give you a piece from the store of your very own. Mike’s ringer tees are created using prints from out-of-date children’s books raided from the local Salvos. Usually $39, we have one M-L to give away, which is a perfect fit for girls, or a skinny boy.

This week’s question:
Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?

a)	Bert Newton
b)	Renee Zellweger
c)	Kirstie Alley
d)	Pauly Shore

Issue 069 winner Matthais is looking sharp in his Gunboat Willy shoes, this week it might be you, or it might not. To be in the running send your answer to win@threethousand.com.au

ThreeThousand is a weekly snapshot of Melbourne's subculture, fired by email into the loving arms of people who realise that the best things in life are often hard to find. It is compiled by an amorphous gaggle of writers, stylists, designers, photographers, sub-cultural attaches and a large troupe of monkeys who enjoy working for peanuts.

Without editorial independence ThreeThousand has nothing. All editorial you read is featured because it's worth it – not because it's paid for.

Advertising Partnerships:
ThreeThousand is funded in full by one advertising partner per issue. We warmly invite advertisers who see the benefit in speaking to Melbourne through a trusted and targeted medium to contact Francesco at frunch@rightanglepublishing.com

Editorial Submissions:
The editorial team at ThreeThousand may know a lot - but they don't know everything. Feel free to send information on events, venues or anything else to chris@threethousand.com.au

Feedback:
Heap praise, sling abuse, ramble inanely – if you have anything to say to us please send it directly to talk@threethousand.com.au

Disclaimer:
The information in ThreeThousand is subject to change. Although we attempt to ensure that the content at the time of publication is correct, we do not guarantee its accuracy or currency. Right Angle Publishing accepts no responsibility to you or anyone else arising from any use or reliance on the information contained in ThreeThousand or any inaccuracy in the information. The views and opinions expressed on material included in ThreeThousand may not reflect those of Right Angle Publishing.

We Built this City on Rock n Roll

Right Angle Publishing:
ThreeThousand and TwoThousand are published by Right Angle Publishing.

Right Angle Publishing:
Level 6, Curtin House
252 Swanston Street
Melbourne, 3000
(03) 9662 1657

Group Publisher:
Barrie Barton
03 9662 1657
barrie@rightanglepublishing.com

Editor:
Chris Barton
chris@threethousand.com.au

Deputy Editor:
Nadia Saccardo
nadia@threethousand.com.au

Design Monkeys:
tin&ed
www.tinanded.com.au

Contributing Monkeys:
Josh Gardiner
Jessie French
Remi Carette
Luke Brown
Jonah DeMallory
Lauren Hawthorne
Reuben Ruiter
Tom Jackson
Kath Loftus
Charlotte McInnes
Nigel Carboon
Martyn Pedler
Woody McDonald
Christian McCrea
Kirsten Law
Thom Grogan

ThreeThousand's MySpace:
myspace.com/threethousand