Sydney smart aleck Jonathan Boulet will kick off his virgin headline tour of Australia in February 2010 in support of his wondrously vivid self-titled debut record. The pied piper of bedroom pop will lead his band of the merriest men around the country for 14 of the best, kicking off at the Northcote Social Club in Melbourne on the 12th February and snaking his way around the country before triumphantly crossing the finish line at Fans in Brisbane on 13th March.

Since his emergence in late 2009 with the dashing life-affirming micro-symphony that is A Community Service Announcement and one of the most promising, self-assured debut albums of the year, Jonathan Boulet has slowly but surely converted the masses through a series of compelling, heavy energy live shows.

His joyous explosion of a debut was a feature album on Triple J, the video for A Community Service Announcement was very publicly endorsed by the one and only Kanye West (“Watch this it’s fucking amazing”), and his first ever tour was in support of fellow Modular do-gooders Tame Impala. In short, an excellent start to a potentially brilliant career!

The Jonathan Boulet Australian Tour will be the perfect chance to catch this lightning bolt of electric melody in full flight, tickets are on sale now and catch all his shows right here.

If you haven’t checked out the Podmag, a new online experience combining words, visuals and audio with the first of the series being dedicated to Circa 1979: Signal to Noise by Modular you are missing out.

They are extremely proud to have collaborated with the likes of Severed Heads, John Cale, The Reels and Stephen Mallinder (Cabaret Voltaire) who have all curated issues, showcasing their favourite tracks and videos. The second issue has been put together by Mitch Jones and Michael Tee, founders of cult Australian post-punk label M Squared. Michael Tee will be a panelist during the free Signal to Noise sessions on Saturday 16th January at The Seymour Centre as part of Sydney Festival 2010.

Modular Recordings was established a few hours before the first release was due to go to press in the fortuitous summer of 1998. In the years since the label has gone on to achieve just about every level of success imaginable with acts like The Avalanches, Wolfmother, Cut Copy, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Jack Johnson, Ben Lee, The Presets, Ladyhawke and Chromeo, just to cherry pick a few. The label celebrated a decade in the game in 2008 and sights are now firmly set on the next 10.

Article by Dancing Kiera.

Sydney’s artistic fraternity came together in force this week to reward and recognise the city’s most creative and innovative characters. The 2009 SMAC Awards, held at Helm Bar, saw leading musos Kim Moyes, Kirk Pengilly alongside Archibald prize winner, Del Kathryn Barton and Academy Award winning director, Steven Soderbergh, turn up to honour and celebrate this year’s winners.

Muso turned politician John Wardle, who has tirelessly campaigned to get the POPEs abolished, took home the most prestigious award of the evening, the SMAC of the Year. The SMAC of the Year is awarded to the most outstanding artist, professional, or group/collective in any field in Sydney who forwards the cultural fabric of Sydney. John’s work has since opened the floodgates for Sydney musicians to be able to play ‘string free’ in venues across the state.

Oscar-winner, Cate Blanchett, was awarded Best Performer following her performance in A Streetcar Named Desire for The Sydney Theatre Company – her award was collected by her husband Andrew Upton. Fergus Brown was awarded Best Sydney Song for ‘John, She Was Never Only Dancing.’

In the music categories, electronic trio Seekae won Best Live Music Act whilst the Best Music Event went to Nick Cave’s All Tomorrow’s Parties. The Record of the Year award went to the Lost Valentinos for their debut album, Cities of Gold, whilst The Red Rattler was awarded Best Collective and Sherlock’s Daughter picked up Next Big Thing – Music.

Sydney artist, Wade Marynowsky was given the accolade for Best Artist with Semi Permanent, the annual design convention, winning Best Arts Event and the Sydney Festival winning Best Major Festival. I Heart Kings Cross was awarded the Remix in the City Award for rethinking what’s possible and getting creative within the ever colourful area. The event saw the community come together to knit giving residents and visitors an insight into the creativity of one of Sydney’s best loved suburbs.

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Some old Two Flat Whites favourites the Paper Scissors’ have released a new single from their upcoming album and the lads have announced some accompanying tour dates in addition to their upcoming festival appearances at Peats Ridge and Falls.  Of course what Paper Scissors song would be complete without an accompanying zany film clip too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJpDMjYs_r4.

After the hugely successful single We Don’t Walk, The Paper Scissors released their debut album ‘Less Talk More Paper Scissors’ (LTMPS ) in mid 2007 and the national response was staggering. The Sydney Morning Herald called first single Yamanote Line “The Greatest song ever written. Truly”,  Sydney Magazine made it their album of the month, FBI, RRR, and PBS Fm all made it their ‘album of the week’ whilst We Don’t Walk and Yamanote Line both received a huge national pasting via high rotation on Triple J. We Don’t Walk was featured in CH 9‘s ‘Underbelly’ and amongst such luminaries as Nick Cave and The Easybeats, quickly became the second highest selling song off the soundtrack. In short, TPS became hard to avoid.

The earlier part of 2008 saw the band sell out a national tour with bluejuice, be bestowed with the honour of being asked to program Rage and somehow, fit it all in between festival appearances at Parklife, The Playground Weekender and many more festivals and club shows to boot.

But then the band went quiet. The boys went their separate ways, holidayed, went solo, played in other bands, moved away from Sydney – generally sought a brief respite from the grueling Paper Scissors work ethic. As they say – all good things in moderation, right? Now returned as a re-focused and energized three-piece, they are more driven and disciplined in their sound and approach than ever before. Their two latest singles are a taste of their sophomore album which is busily being crafted between Sydney and the creative outcrop of Byron Bay.

You can hear the bands new single ‘T-T-Time’ here and for tour dates check out their website.

ASTREETLIGHTSONG are an eclectic three-piece act from Sydney who are quickly becoming masters of their trade. Since their formation the band have released two fantastic EPs and a number of radio singles including “I Never Knew” and “Little Mirrors”. ASTREETLIGHTSONG were runners up in 2007 Sony BMG Uncharted and have played on stages alongside great performers such as Belles Will Ring, Cloud Control, Peabody, Wolf & Cub, Steve Kilbey’s Painkiller, and The Church.

Their debut release I Never Knew EP favourably received by radio and music media, was the bands introduction to the world of music lovers and consumers. This effort was followed up by ‘The Ocean Floor’ EP released in 2008, making its way to radio and media throughout late 2008, supported by an extensive and rigorous performing schedule taking the boys interstate, and earning an invitation to support ‘the church’ on their 2009 ‘So Love May Find Us’ Tour. ASTREETLIGHTSONG have had high rotational airplay on FBI Radio (Sydney), Triple J support, community play and ABC Rage Airings for each video clip including Lighthouse as clip of the week, the result of unique online interaction between a Polish visual artist and members of the band.

2009 saw ASTREETLIGHTSONG focus on developing new material for their upcoming album, including their first single ‘Remind Me’ released in August 2009. This young Sydney 3 piece is a creative unit unto itself, being brought together initially by music this trio have mashed up their film making and electronic art capabilities to create a truly unique artistic platform. ASTREETLIGHTSONG are a band to watch. Here’s a link to their recent music video.

Ash Grunwald is a soulful bluesman in the most pure sense. Raised in outer Melbourne, he first picked up a guitar at the sprightly age of ten. Grunwald grew up listening to classic bluesmen like Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson and then later BB King, James Brown and Jimi Hendrix. This melting pot of blues and soul provided inspiration for what would become his signature eclectic style.

Grunwald continues to tour widely, showcasing his unique one man band style of the blues. His latest album Fish Out Of Water is a thrilling hybrid of styles and sounds.

Where did you grow up & where do you hang your hat?

I grew up in the burbs of Melbourne and half in the country when I was in my teens.  At the the moment i’m living on the road with my girl and baby.  We plan to move up around Byron Bay at some stage but its pretty fun living on the road.

In your own words, what do you do?

I’m a one man band that plays groove based modern blues music.   My sounds and themes have a pretty Australian feel.

Where did you learn your craft?

In the inner suburbs of Melbourne.  I used to go to a lot of gigs around town on my nights off and learned a lot about blues from some of the great players there.  I found my own sound out on the road by just gigging as much as I could in as many dfferent places as possible.

Who and what inspires you?

My lyrics are very reflective of my life experiences and the basic human condition so I would have to say, life.  How to live it, whats the best way forward, whats the point of it. These are the kind of questions that inform my music.

Childhood Memories:

TV Show –  The Goodies
Hobby – Surfing
Food – Vego curriesm Morrocanm Thai Indian
Fear – Day job
People – I believe that our love of other people is one of the innate things that allows us to overcome adversity without big teeth, strong muscles or being nimble.
Defining moment – The birth of my daughter.

Schooling memories, chore or cherished?

Chore,  I had a pretty good childhood, but being an adult is heaps more fun.  I play more now than I ever did as a kid.

Tell us about your new album “Fish out of Water”?

I had a great time collaborating with Countbounce who co-wrote many of the songs, created all of the beats and produced the album.  Its got a pretty fresh modern sound, I reckon.  Its my favourite by far.

Who does Ash Grunwald listen too?

I almost never lsten to blues any more, funny enough.  At the moment its mainly groove based stuff.  Fat Freddy Drops latest has been getting a spin while I’ve been touring England.

Where is the most beautiful place in Australia you have visited?

In truth it’s hard to name one.  I love the Australian coast so much and have had good times almost everywhere,  I think around Margaret River and Byron Bay I get the best feeling.

From the hours of 9am to 5pm, what do you get up too?

Usually travel.  If its a day off, and I’m lucky, a surf,  But almost everyday I’ll be hanging out with my girlfriend and our 9 month year old little miracle.

Where can people see you perform?

Australia, England and Canada mainly, but I’ve played in many other places.

For love or money?

If I did it only for the love then I’d have to do a day job for money, and that wouldn’t be nearly as good as doing what I love for the money.

What future endeavors are in the pipeline?

More collaborations and a few more holidays hopefully.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I really don’t know.  Hopefully doing exactly the same thing but at a higher level in the places that I’m developing like England and Canada.  I’d like to somehow create a couple of clones of myself so one could just gig his arse off, one could be living in Byron being the perfect family, and one could be surfing remote point breaks for months on end.

If you could invite 3 people to chat over coffee, who would they be & why?

Tom Waits would be the most interesting dude I could think of to talk to – he’s an amazingly inventive songwriter and character.  In the same boat I’d put Hendrix and Biggie Smalls.

Coffee or Tea?

I’m definitely a coffee dude, basically because I’m always tired.

‘Akina is a villain with a button fetish. She attacks teddy bears to steal their button eyes!’ Our friend Akina has launched a brand new website with lots of new hand made treasures to feast your eyes on.

Also released is the fourth book in her series of sell out releases, Poems for Piotr is Lang Leav’s first venture into her exciting collaboration with music composer Cyrus Meurant. The elegantly hand-crafted book is accompanied by a music album, featuring the voice of Angela Little, (Ophelia of the Spirits) who was hand picked by Baz Luhrmann to perform in his epic movie, Australia.

Contemporary Sydney artist, Lang Leav weaves the enchanting world of Akina. Her imagination stretches across a variety of disciplines encompassing fashion, art, poetry and books. Known for her versatility, Lang has completed a wide range of projects both independently and through a number of exciting collaborations. The distinct nature of her work alternates between the whimsical and melancholy, expressing an underlying complexity beneath its child-like facade.

Lang is a recipient of The Qantas Spirit of Youth Award and was later granted a prestigious Churchill Fellowship. Her fashion label Akina has achieved critical and commercial success, stocked in key boutiques around Australia and later in cutting edge Harajuku, Japan.

Since 2005, Sydney artist Raymond Wassef, a.k.a. Ray Mann, has been making music and art with soul band The Ray Mann Three. His debut into the art world is a retrospective of the gig posters, eflyers, motion graphics and music videos he has produced, presented by Somedays.

Inspired by 1950s music and film, and characterised by the same minimalist, low-fi aesthetic as his band’s music, Ray’s sketches, photography and design retain their original hand-generated warmth right through to the digital finish.

Until now, Ray’s band-related art has only ever been viewed on computer or TV screens, or when projected during the band’s live shows. This exhibition at Somedays marks the first occasion that the physical works will be presented as a collection in its own right.

What: Ray Mann Art Exhibition
When: Up until 12th October 2009
Where: Somedays Gallery
Address: 72 B Fitzroy Street, Surry Hills.

TIME Australia magazine and Customs House have partnered to produce a photographic and multimedia exhibition that pays tribute to Michael Jackson’s life and legacy.

The exhibition is held for 29 days, coinciding with what would have been Michael Jackson’s 51st birthday on Saturday, August 29 and his burial day which is scheduled for Thursday, September 3. Free of charge and open to
the public, all are welcome to both commemorate his death and celebrate his life.

Images from TIME’s Special Commemorative Edition, which was editorially created within 36 hours of his death, are the main showcase in Red Room, Customs House. These poignant and compelling images trace the timeline of a superior entertainer— from child prodigy to international superstar— and are coupled with the text of TIME writers and contributors as well as quotes from those near and dear to him.

To celebrate the life and legacy of a truly inspirational entertainer, sound, light and moving images are employed in a multimedia display to accompany the framed exhibition pieces. DVD anthologies will play and computer kiosks will allow guests to visit TIME.com and see their vast archive of Michael Jackson articles, videos and much more.

What: Michael Jackson: Prodigy to Superstar
Where: Red Room, Ground Level, Customs House
When: Until the 27th September 2009
Cost: Free

To follow up on last weeks bumper mix GLOVES handed us, BangGang 12inches continues their weekly podcast series leading up to the release of their very first BangGang 12inches Compilation this October. This week, baby faced killer Cassian delivers a mind-melting mix that delves deep into the freshest of the fresh, the deepest of the deep and the technoist of the techno. Cassian is the latest Bang Gang 12s signing and makes the synth-heavy feelgood party jammers that have been banned in over 5 countries and counting. After remixing the likes of Bag Raiders, Damn Arms and Empire of the Sun, this bad-boy will drop a single (along with jaws) later in the year.

For the unschooled, Bang Gang 12s is the who’s who of rave caves from across Australia and around the globe, with KIM, Bag Raiders, ZZZ, Shazam, Hey Today, The Lowbrows and Like Woah! All fronting up with the goods time after time, simultaneously setting dance floors and hearts on fire with their own brand of digi-intelligence and tech-yes. What better way to honor the glamour of Bang Gang 12s than to name and shame them with their very own compilation?

The second episode in the BangGang 12s presents mini mix series comes from Sydney wunderkid, Cassian. Not only is a fine keyboard dude, daggerer and all round nightclub cavilier but he has put together a fine lil mix for you…for free! One coming every week until the release of the CD in early October!