Thomas

Wearing Lacoste trousers, Fred Perry shirt and shoes, with a bowtie from Godwin Charli

Picture – Kirsty Umback

Renee

Wearing a Burberry trench, vintage jumper and shoes, Sportsgirl jeans and Cambridge satchel

Picture – Kirsty Umback

With it’s haunting melodies and a deep undercurrent of love and loss, Dawn is a fabulous collection of songs from the local singer, and (as we discovered recently)the perfect musical accompaniment to a Winter’s afternoon.

We couldn’t resist the opportunity to catch up with Eliza and ask her about the new release, her upcoming gig at The Toff and the link between music and poetry.

Here’s what she had to say.

Your new EP ’Dawn’ is very atmospheric. What were the major sources of inspiration behind the tracks?

The tracks just seemed to develop that way naturally. Myself and the two producers who worked on this release really wanted to combine electronics with live instrumentation like strings and horns and what developed I feel is something quite moody, which I love. Artists like Bjork and Lamb inspire me, all of those great nineties sounds mainly coming from London at that time.

You obviously have a strong passion for poetry – What was the writing process like for ‘Dawn’, are you someone that needs to lock themselves alone in a room to write or do you wake up in the middle of the middle of the night to write down lyrics?

A bit of both, my lyrics always start as a poem and then as I am writing I can figure out if the words would suit to be songs. Sometimes ill wake up from a dream and need to write down my ideas, other times It’s more of a ritual where I make myself a cup of tea, get my typewriter out and actually sit down to write. I prefer impulsive writing though, that feeling of being really drawn to write.

Do you have a favourite track on the EP, if so why is it so special to you?

My favourite track is ‘Hold On’ it was written when I was housesitting for a friend, I packed my keyboard and took it to her house, I was having a hard time in life at that stage and that song came out in one night. Then Jono Steer and Leigh Fisher added some beautiful textures to the track, but it’s still really stripped back and simple. I felt the song should be a duet so I ended up getting Mark Pearl from Texture Like Sun to come and perform on the song. He is great and I have always loved his voice, when he arrived to the studio he said he had only listened to the song once, but he absolutely nailed it in the first take. That’s what kind of singer he is though. Amazing!

Could you please tell us about the recording process for the EP?

It was a fairly long, drawn out process. Especially the hours spent working on the beats. We would all sit in the studio for hours at a time. Going over and over the sounds. The actual recording part was fairly quick though, we recorded strings and horns at the Base Studios, then vocals in the Northcote Uniting Church, harp and horns and all other parts at home or in garages. I owe a lot to Leigh Fisher and Jono Steer they are very talented musicians and producers and they added a lot of depth to the songs.

You’re playing at the Toff on May 31st, do you have any pre-gig rituals that you can tell us about?

I don’t really. I guess just breathe! I need to remind myself to breathe!

You won an Australia Council ARTSTART grant last year, how did that impact your work and what opportunities did it offer you?

It was an amazing opportunity and it gave me the freedom to spend time on what I love to do, writing! I wrote poetry, lyrics and gave workshops in Cambodia at the Happy School in poetry and music. That was a life changing experience. I still think of those beautiful kids when I sing certain songs of mine and I can hear their voices singing along.

Would you recommend that other emerging artists apply for government grants?

Absolutely. It allows you to make art!

What does the rest of 2012 hold for Eliza Hull?

After the launch at the Toff, ill be also launching Dawn in my hometown of Albury, then a date in Sydney. I will also be speaking at the Emerging Writers Festival in Melbourne about cross platform art (telling my story through song and poetry) Then after that I would like to record my new songs for another EP.

Eliza Hull launches ‘Dawn’ at The Toff in Town on May 31st supported by Sophie Koh.

Brian

Wearing Paul Smith

Picture – Kirsty Umback

Tian

Wearing a skirt she purchased in China and a shirt from Korea

Picture - Kirsty Umback

The trio have spent much of the past two years living in their adopted ’second home’ of Berlin, Germany, busy self-producing two EPs in amongst supporting many international acts, such as Warpaint, Karen Elson, and Holy F#@k.

They have now returned home to Melbourne and their new single My Shadow is the second offering from their current EP, the aptly titled Part 1.

The EP is the first taste for Australian audiences of what this three piece have been working on whilst living overseas. Part 1 was recorded and produced by the band themselves, and mixed and mastered in Stockholm, Sweden, by producer Magnus Lindberg (Cult of Luna, Tehachapi).

The new single ‘My Shadow’ comprises sweeping theatrical vocals over lo-fi organic electronica, teetering between gothic extravagance and the bittersweet subtlety of the final Moloko record. The single showcases a synergy between psychedelic band
elements, hip-hop laced grooves, tribal vocals and synth-based beats.

We recently got the chance to spend an afternoon with Planet Love Sound as they prepared for their single launch at the John Curtain Bandroom on April 27th. Here’s what the trio had to say.

Hey guys thanks for chatting with MoM. First up, how did Planet Love Sound form?

The band formed when Tina and Joe started to play music together. This was really just a natural evolution, there was no thought involved! Then Oscar wangled his way into the picture, probably thinking quite hard about it. What started as a fun outlet for friends, soon turned into a fun outlet for friends in front of other people – who we also consider friends. Therefore, it is just big old fun outlet between friends. As for the name, we weren’t sitting down trying to come up with a name. Tina was rhyming, and subconsciously those three words came out. They are quite important in our lives (in everyone’s lives, really…). they are everywhere, all around us, so combine them and you’ve got an interesting band name.

What are you currently reading/listening to/watching?

The three of us are constantly on the exploration for growth and we are all reading material that in some way help us with that. Joe is reading about the source field investigation, palmistry and Chinese astrology. Oscar is always reading ten books at once, and studies Philosophy. So that is eternally enlightening and confusing. Tina is reading a book about Karl Jung and the New Age movement, as well as a Jung biography. We all listening to bin-aural beats, often late at night. This helps sleeping and does amazing things to your mind.

What were the sources of inspiration behind the new single ‘My Shadow’?

We are all going through a kind of metamorphosis when the song was written, living together in Berlin away from the comforts of home. We formed our own little family, and that was at times tricky, especially when you’re trying to allow your own identity to take shape in a new city. The dark corners of our apartment and the silence at night provided inspiration, along with the moon shooting through the bedroom window. We didn’t have any curtains at the time – everyone should try that! Let the darkness in, don’t shut it out. It’s not so different from the light anyway! We looked into the shadow of one’s personality. The side of you that only you know, that enters your mind just before you sleep and just before you wake. The dance of the inner dialogue everyday – trying to be honourable, yet finding that the shadow demands something else.

Can you please tell us about making the film clip for ‘My Shadow’?

The making of this clip was done in two countries, on two separate shoots, with a collective of creative brilliant people who brought their own emotion and desire for the song. The first shoot was improvised on Tina’s birthday in Berlin. We organised a dance studio for her because she was so inspired by the film ‘Pina’ by Wim Wenders. So fifteen of us turned up at this big dance studio. Amongst us were a bunch of fellow Australians, including the amazing visual artists James Drinkwater and Lottie Consalvo (you can see them in the clip!).

We danced all night in leotards and tights to an assortment of Tom Waits, William Ketteridge, Philip Glass, et al.All night.

The modern world being what it is, luckily there was a handy 5D hanging around (“oops, is that a Canon 5D just sitting there? Another one…?? Oh, we better capture some footage…!”) and we all took turns filming. There was no intention for a video clip, just a desire to capture that very special spontaneous moment of authentic movement. We lost ourselves that night in each other with our shadows and light. What a journey. It was wild. When we returned to Australia we looked at the footage and felt that encapsulated the feeling of the song. Something was missing though so we called on director Josh Dawson (Melbourne) and photographer/film maker Astrid Salmon (from Germany) to add the final piece to the puzzle. Two nights of shooting in a warehouse and experimenting with light, movement and expression. It was very DIY and luckily for the skills and talents of Josh and Astrid the piece was almost complete. Finally, we called on board editor Ask Koek who – with the help of dance director Chafia Brooks – completed the clip. We are so happy with it and feel it totally encapsulates the song for us.

You’ve spent the last couple of years living and recording in Europe, do you consider Planet Love Sound to be an Australian band?

To some extent, but we don’t necessarily identify with any particular place as a band. We are Australians as indicated by our passports, but Oscar has an English one, Tina and Cristo both have Greek ones… So Australian-ness only tells part of the story. These days, the world is very small and we consider ourselves to just be a part of the whole globe, not any one particular place. Having said that, Australia is our home and we feel very comfortable here – but information disseminates so easily in this world and we can tap into different cultures, different ideas, different sounds and different movements so easily. Being in Australia is just a geographic moment really.

The EP ‘Part 1′ was recorded in Berlin and then mixed in Stockholm. What’s the music scene like in those two cities and how do they compare to Melbourne?

Part 1 was recorded in Berlin and in Melbourne over a long period of time. It was mixed in Stockholm. So yes, you are basically correct there (to be honest, we have trouble remembering exactly what was recorded and where…). Those cities are indeed very different to Melbourne in many ways. Australian cities are set up in a more ‘American’ style, with lower density housing and sprawling suburbs. So naturally, these sorts of differences filter down to cultural differences. Melbourne has an amazing music scene, especially for local bands. There are so many places to play, so much happening, so many great little venues. We didn’t tap into this in Berlin nor in Stockholm (that’s not to say it wasn’t there – but we suspect that Melbourne is more vibrant on a grass-roots level like that). The European capitals generally have more medium to large bands coming through – bigger touring acts that don’t necessarily make it as far as Australia. But in general, it’s hard to find gigs as a band in Berlin – better off being a DJ! In short – Melbourne is a wonderful and vibrant live music city and it’s great to be a part of that. Berlin is a great place to go to write an album and live cheaply for six months! And Stockholm is awesome for Mid-Summer- because the sun doesn’t really set!

Have Stockholm and Berlin played a big influence on the overall sound of the band?

Certainly, to some extent. Not directly through soaking up sounds though – more through life experience, being away from home and out of our comfort zone. Having to make do with what we’ve got and being immersed in another culture – that’s the best creative journey you can go on.

How does the band relax when you aren’t recording and performing?

Well, we struggle to relax in general! Tina dances – I guess that’s kinda performing, but it’s mainly a brilliant release and such an important relaxation technique. Joe and Oscar have started doing Aikido, the Japanese Martial Art. This all filters into our music, in different ways – we see music as a part of the greater unity of life, so in a way nothing we do is separate from music, and no music is separate from anything we do. So when we aren’t recording or performing, we’re doing something that will filter into our recording and performing.

Are you still living in Berlin or is the band based in Melbourne now?

We’re in Melbourne for the foreseeable future. Who knows what might be around the corner though…

What are your favorite “secret” Melbourne places?

Well, it’s not really a secret at all… but the State Library is pretty rad. I don’t care if you think I’m a nerd! I’m proud!

Click here to view the embedded video.

For more information on Planet Love Sound (including upcoming tour dates) check out their website here

Yeng

Wearing Friends of Couture and Melissa shoes

Picture – Kirsty Umback

Marcus, Blogger

Wearing a Givenchy shirt with trousers from ASOS, a Sass and Bide necklace and UNIF Hellraisers

Picture – Kirsty Umback

One such designer is the established bridal couturier Mariana Hardwick, who unveiled her highly anticipated ready-to-wear collection titled ‘Hardwick’ on Wednesday 2nd May at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia to the fashion industry’s leading buyers together with local and international press.

Straight from international runways in Europe, Australian model Rose Smith opened the Hardwick by Mariana Hardwick show. Makeup was supplied by Shu Umura and hair by Redken. With Jolyon Mason behind the overall creative styling of the show, the audience was in for a real treat.

Displaying a ‘Day into Night’ pallet of the white, creams, golds, black and silver and a range that depicted relaxed silhouettes and intricate detailing, inspired by sunrises and sunsets, the show drew inspiration from the beautiful natural wonders of the Australian landscape. Rocky out crops, long horizons, salt plains and water reflections created by the striking southern sun were all translated into metallic laces, laser-cut leathers and lavishly beaded tulles highlight the eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary applications. Designs included cocktail dresses, tailored jackets and fitted skirts, all executed with the impeccable craftsmanship that is signature to a Hardwick garment.

‘Hardwick’ by Mariana Hardwick was delighted to be part of the inspiring line-up of established and emerging designers at MBFWA – an event that has significant history supporting the Australian fashion industry.

“We were thrilled to launch the debut ‘Hardwick’ by Mariana Hardwick collection at MBFWA. The event provided us with the perfect platform to present the ready-to-wear collection to media and buyers in a unique installation that showcased the garments together with the inspiration for the range”, said Managing Director, Rebekah Hardwick.

The ‘Hardwick’ ready-to-wear collection will be available in the Mariana Hardwick flagship store from August 2012, and prices range from RRP$95 to RRP$1495.

If any of you are  yet to visit Marais (on the first floor of Royal Arcade) we highly recommend paying the high-end clothing store a visit next time you’re in Melbourne city.

Quintessentially French in outlook, Marais takes the diversity of the Marais quarter to heart, introducing for the very first time to the Melbourne market an exclusive range of distinctive International designers each handpicked for their sophistication, individuality, and flair. Like its namesake, a visit to Marais holds a sense of mystery and intrigue, tumbling you into a world far removed from the every day.

On Thursday April 26th, the store hosted an exclusive VIP evening to unveil the latest range of PUMA by Hussein Chalayan. The night payed tribute to the designer and his heritage, with a Turkish themed menu, and music and drinks that were  personally selected by the designer himself.

This latest PUMA collection is titled SECURED SPEED, and explores the velocity of sport, kites, and sailing, and how their industrial details and dynamics can transform traditional tailoring.

Apparel fuses classic shapes with the modernity of mesh, nylon, and Tyvek. Footwear is distinct and methodical, capturing the interplay of sport, motion, and speed through lightweight materials and simple yet supportive constructions. The final touch is the use of Kabuki color, inspired by the theatrics and movement of Japanese dance. Mandarin reds, grey violets, and rusts take the collection to a distinct height and reflect on the rapidity of everyday life.

The PUMA collection is in store now