RIP

By the way, I know this is a little belated, but I saw this article on Jezebel this morning and thought it was worth a mention.

Psychonanny And The Babyshakers on Celebrity

Let's all participate in a little group activity. Like the ones they used to make you do in school, and probably now at your job, to build up a little "team spirit" (I know, I hate them too. Isn't it ironic how those types of things usually do exactly the opposite? I don't know about you, but I like people a lot more when they're not touching me. And I like my boss a lot more when s/he's not trying to get my co workers to touch me. Or that thing where you buddy up with someone and they're all like, "Okay fall backwards and I'll catch you, thus proving how trust worthy I am! For realsies, go ahead, I'll catch you!" And you're all like, "Of course you're going to catch me, shit brick, our boss is standing right there! Let's get stranded in a cave together and see who takes the longest to try and eat the other person. Then we'll know who's trust worthy!") Anyway, this group activity isn't that bad, because it's more of a collective consciousness activity. Think back to the 21st of May. It was a Friday night. What were you doing? Maybe drinking some Pimms with your posse, watching Full House? Wishing it was still 1995? I guarantee you, whatever you were doing, my Friday night was better. Cuz you know what I was doing? I was interviewing Sonia and Simon from Psychonanny And The Babyshakers! At Buzz Bar! Drinking Bloody Marys!

Do I need to tell you how great Psychonanny And The Babyshakers are? They're great! GREAT! Go and see them on the 26th of June at the Red Rattler, the 1st of July at the Oxford Arts Factory or the 18th of September at the Excelsior. Actually, fuck it, go to all three of those shows. Full House ain't going anywhere.

_{CS: Do you wanna be celebrities?
Sonia: I think I would, actually. Yea.
Simon: I want Sonia to be a celebrity.
Sonia: He wants me to be a celebrity. (To Simon) I want you to be a celebrity too.
Simon: I don't think I'd be very good at it.
Sonia: I think you would. You have really expensive, decadent taste and you're an exhibitionist, you'd be an awesome celebrity. We'd be celebrities in the grand style of celebrity. Not, like, boring celebrities.
CS: Like, plastic surgery, tabloid magazine types?
Sonia: Well, not plastic surgery/tabloid, but you know, old school grand gesture, 1940s celebrities.
CS: So the fur coats and the fancy cars types?
Sonia: Not the fur coats. No, I think it's just all about making grand gestures in public. And have the ability and power to do so. The money to do so.
CS: Do you think becoming rich and famous can compromise musicianship? Like, if a musician gets a lot of fame and attention, how do you think would that affect their output?
Sonia: I read the dude from Portishead was talking about how, before he was famous, he was making this really lo-fi, depressing music. And then after they got famous, when it came to the second album, he was like, 'Suddenly, I had money to pay my electricity bills, had a girlfriend, I was kind of happy. I didn't feel like writing that kind of music any more.' But, I don't think that would necessarily happen. I think that as long as your music's still coming from the same place and it's not, as you grow in popularity, trying to please people, then I think it'll be essentially the same.
CS: Except with more money.
Sonia: Yea, except with more money. Maybe even just more time on your hands to write music and practice it and play it and spend time on recording your album. Not having to go, 'Oh, we only have this much money, and I can't take the day off work.' And, you know, (to Simon) how many times have you wanted to take the day off work and just stay home and play guitar all day or work on a song, and you can't?
Simon: This morning.
CS: What do you think the pros and cons are of being famous?
Sonia: Maybe altering your behavior for the public.
CS: So that's a con?
Sonia: Yea, that's a con. Maybe, trying to like, cater for more people whereas before you might have just written for yourself.
Simon: Or maybe people discovering secrets from your past.
Sonia: Yea... digging up the real dirty shit. And all of your friends from high school coming out in Hello! Magazine, saying that you diddled with them or something.
Simon: What?
Sonia: I don't know! I was looking into your past, you look like you would've been a little pervert. People cashing in on you, not being able to tell who your real friends are... But I think you'd have to be pretty stupid not to be able to tell who your real friends are.
CS: I guess it'd be hard when you're a celebrity though.
Sonia: I think it would if you started believing in your own mythos. Which is, you know... dangerous. If you're prone to flattery.
CS: What do you think it is about regular people, the plebs, that makes them want to buy tabloid magazines and watch reality tv, and just buy into this whole cult of celebrity?
Simon: It's a fantasy.
Sonia: Yea, it's just a fantasy. You know, they're the new gods, the new royalty.
Simon: It's like that game you used to play when you'd imagine you'd won the lotto. And you think, 'What would I do with all that money?'
Sonia: Yea. But I don't like that they're on reality t.v shows and whatnot, because celebrities should be these crazy, well dressed, god like figures who do grand gestures and they live in this realm where... like, you know, in the middle ages where you had the serfs and the peasants and there was this noble class who were allowed to just go about their business and practice stuff and learn languages and become accomplished. And there's that realm of people and once they're separated enough, once they have enough money or whatever, then they can do all of that. You can concentrate on creating something. You're supposed to be a, you know, a light. And all of these other celebrities, they're just boring. Who gives a fuck about Jennifer Anniston, walking down a beach with her dog, looking depressed?
CS: She's probably thinking about Brad.
Sonia: Yea
CS: But yea, there's been a lot of stuff around about the death of the "Star." That there aren't any Stars anymore there's just these dickheads in tabloids. You know, we used to have people like Rock Hudson who could be gay as anything and women still worshiped him because you never heard about that sort of thing.
Sonia: I reckon George Clooney's gay.
CS: Yea, for sure. Maybe he could be the new Rock Hudson. Or maybe not...
Sonia: No, totes. Or, who's another one? Cary Grant. Cary Grant was fine, and then he married Dyan Cannon so he could have the perfect Jewish child. No joke.
CS: What do you think the implications are, though?
Sonia: Of what?
CS: Of having these boring, ugly celebrities who we hear everything about? Of losing the idea of, you know... crazy, enigmatic Stars?
Sonia: It's just boring. It's just photos of Britney Spears dressed like a dairy queen, looking like white trash. Putting petrol in her car or something. It's really mundane. It's like, what do we have to aspire to? That's why I like the Kate Mosses and the photos of her taking coke and... celebrities should misbehave, like rock stars. Like the Rolling Stones.
CS: Do you think that... I mean, I'm probably going on to a different subject now but do you think having these famous people who see pictures of all the time, looking more or less like a regular person on the street, do you think that ever affects the way people dress or act or relate to each other? Like you said, it doesn't give us anything to aspire to.
Sonia: Yea, I mean, it's just celebrating mediocrity. And maybe people, they like that better. The girl next door or whatever. Maybe it's a group thing, but it's still fucking hypocritical. Because people are like, "Jen looks like the girl next door", but she still spends thousands of dollars on a personal trainer, and on her clothing, it's just really boring clothing.
CS: Do you think we tend to project on to celebrities at all? Like, with the whole binary things they set up all the time with Jennifer Anniston v. Angelina Jolie, and Taylor Swift v. Miley Cyrus?
Sonia: I don't know, I think idiots do that. Like, they'd go, "What are you, a Jen or an Angelina?" I don't think it affects as many people, I hope it doesn't affect as many people, as you might think. Simon, do you have any thoughts on that? Am I a Jen or an Angelina? Please say I'm an Angelina.
Simon: I did have a thought, but it's gone now.
CS: What are your thoughts about the celebrity photoshopping stuff?
Sonia: Interestingly enough, I was at my mum's house the other day, and she had this Woman's Day, and they had a photo of Britney like, before and after shot for this new underwear thing she's doing or something. And it really was amazing, like her arse looked awesome in this shot...
CS: Oh, I think I saw that. Is that for the shoes?
Sonia: Shoes or undies, I don't really know.
CS: Well, I saw it, and it's like Britney Spears' new ad for Candies?
Sonia: Yea, Candies.
CS: Yea, but she's wearing that two piece swim suit thing? With her back to the camera? And I was like, how is that advertising shoes? I'm not even noticing the shoes...
Sonia: Yea, you're just staring at her awesome photoshopped butt. But it was dramatically different. Like, in the before shot, she had all of these bruises on her legs and this kind of dimpled arse. And what they could've got for that ad, if they wanted a girl with a perfect arse, they would have just gotten a model. But they just want Britney Spears. And it just shows there's no imagination in advertising, you'd probably rather see something real, like bruised legs and-
Simon: Why do girls have bruises on their legs?
Sonia: They don't always.
CS: Britney probably gets them from falling down outside nightclubs.
Sonia: Yea, totes. Or carpet burn.
CS: Or dropping her children.
CS: Yea, dropping her kids. I loved it when she went nuts. There was this photo of her, and she's get like no hair and she's just going, "RAAHHHHHHHHH". She looks like Sigourney from Alien. But yea, the photoshopping... I think most of the time, these days, you can pick it. Most people assume a lot of things are photoshopped. I mean, of course, it's like, 'Oh, it puts unrealistic, you know, things on women and people' but even a model who's not photoshopped does that.
Simon: And it's been going on for years.
Sonia: Yea, I mean 'lighting' it used to be called.
Simon: Or 'retouching'.
Sonia: Yea, 'retouching'. It's always gone on.
Simon: Anyone who wears make up is basically photoshopping their face.
Sonia: Yea, exactly. Same shit.
CS: Do you guys ever read tabloid magazines? Do you indulge that?
Sonia: Like I said, I read them when I go to my mum's house. Because she, out of habit, just buys one every week.
Simon: When I used to shop at Coles or Woolworths or something, and you're standing in the line with your trolley. That was the only time I really read them. But I don't shop there anymore.
CS: What do you guys think think about them? Have I already asked you that? Sort of.
Sonia: Yea, sort of. I don't know, they're just kind, of whatever. They've got some glossy pictures in them, but I don't know how they come up with writing stuff every week, because there's nothing...
CS: Yea, that's one of the things I really love about them. Because they've got heaps of pictures and words and stuff, and then you look closer and it's like "Sarah Jessica Parker took her dog for a walk!" And that's it.
Sonia: Yea. "A friend says she really likes her dog!" She looks like a horse.
CS: She looks like a foot.
Sonia: Australian ones are the worst. Australian celebrities.
CS: We don't even have any good celebrities.
Sonia: They're just people from Home and Away.
Simon: I said hello to Peter Garrett last night.
Sonia: Did you?
Simon: Yea. He's getting on.
Sonia: Anyway... Staying with the celebrity thing-
Simon: I'd like to buy the Hydro Majestic.
Sonia: In the mountains. Which you could do if you were famous.
Simon: And maybe a steam train. Or maybe, like a (here Simon made an up and down pumping motion with his hands and made some squeaky noises, which I'm assuming is meant to indicate a hand pump rail car, which I've helpfully included a picture of below, for those of you born after 1900).}

HOPPEERRRR

This totally sucks, man.

COLEMAAANNNN

He's cracking wise in T.V. heaven now.

I don't like to end a post on a downer, so here's some good news:

"John Gay and Robin Gray have been forced to step down from the Board of Gunns Ltd and will no longer have any further involvement with the company or its subsidiaries.

This is fantastic news for Tasmania's precious forests - it now creates the opportunity to achieve permanent and lasting resolution to the conflict over forestry in Tasmania."

That's from an email I got from the Wilderness Society this morning.

Tasmania's forests: one. Gunns: shit all.

Well... that's probably an overly simplistic assessment of the situation but their share price is plummeting and pretty much no one wants to get behind them any more. So I'd say they're losing at this one.

Cheer!

SJP: Suck My Wang

So obviously I haven't seen the new SATC movie. It doesn't come out here for another few days. But I have seen the previews, and a few leaked clips. And can I just say that ever since I heard that the retarded, drunk monkeys who apparently own the rights to this sinking ship had decided to make another movie, I've been on a roller coaster ride of emotion.

Yes, I saw the first movie (with my mum) and yes, it was kind of shit and full of gaping plot holes (Carrie's suddenly rolling in money, how? And more importantly, why?) but I gave it a pass because I loved - correction: love - the television series and obviously the movie wasn't supposed to be taken seriously. It was fun and sweet, the clothes were beautiful and whatever. It's Sex And The City. And when I got wind of a second one, I sorta knew it would suck but I was initially planning on just smoking a few bowls with my sister and going to see it anyway because, like I said, I love the television series.

But when I read this review something shifted inside of me. The reviewer had just described what it was, deep down, that had kind of been bugging me about the movie(s). It's that, for so long, I had been a defender of Sex And The City. Pointing out, again and again, to its critics (who usually didn't even watch the show) that it wasn't just shoes and gratuitous boning. That it was a funny, intelligent, sensitive, brilliantly scripted and shot representation of modern female sexuality and human relationships.

Like the episode where Steve breaks up with Miranda because she makes more money than him. Or the episode where Charlotte realises she may never be able to have a baby, at the same time that Miranda finds out she's pregnant and decides to have an abortion. Or the episode where Charlotte gets married and decides to stop working, and feels incredibly self conscious that she's starting to turn into “one of those women we hate”. Obviously, it was limited in that it only really dealt with the relationships of wealthy, white Manhattanites. And it shits me that Big was always a total prick to Carrie and yet she keeps going back to him. And eventually marries him (but not before he abandons her at the altar). But it was a good show, dammit.

But it seems that, with these movies, SJP and her gang of inexplicably fabulously rich “girls” are trying to prove all of the critics right. Saying that, “Yes, we're all vacuous imbeciles who measure a man's worth by his penis and wallet size”, “Yes, all we care about is shoes and cocktails”, “Yes, we diminish the complexity of, and objectify, representations of homosexual and minority characters and are totally classist”. Honestly, taking an all expenses paid trip to Abu Dhabi because marriage and motherhood is just too fucking hard to deal with? In the middle of a global financial crisis? That isn't escapism, it's insensitivity.

And what's even worse is that they're going to make a buttload of money out of it, so none of this will matter. They'll just cash their cheques and proceed to pinch off another steaming cinematic multimillion dollar turd. All of a sudden, I feel like the girl who always defended her drop kick boyfriend, only to turn around and find him sleeping with every pimply, chlamydia-ridden skank on the block. Like, dude, I was on your side! What are you doing??

So I for one, am not going to be a participant in this farce any more. SATC, I am breaking up with you. Because I love you too much to keep watching you destroy yourself, and I've got better things to spend my $15 and two and a half hours on.

Like the Crayon Fields gig tomorrow night, amiright????

Kite Club! Kite Club! Kite Club!

Come forward, my children, and hold out those hideous protuberances you call arms. Come forward and luxuriate in this glowing wordy manna, flowing forth from your computer screen for I have a new interview! I know it's been a while, but things are tough all over, okay? I've been busy, I've had a headache, I just haven't been in the mood. But let's all put that behind us now because I have a squeaky, shiny new interview. And it's with none other than Nicholas Futcher, a.k.a Kite Club! And dood, Kite Club's fuckin' awesome! You can download Kite Club's debut EP totally for free right here, listen to stuff at his myspace, or just go check out his blog. But for now just shut up and read. It's an email one, about control, in case you can't figure that one out by yourself.



Do you ever feel like song writing is helpful in regaining a sense of control over a situation which would otherwise feel out of control? Why/Why not?

Penning thoughts and things into a pad is certainly a release of the otherwise sweltering mind that I carry around. This is also great for the accounting of your thoughts. Some situations require utmost concentration, as opposed to wailing a Dionne Warwick number in your head.

To what extent do you think a musician has control over his or her creative output? Does a song happen spontaneously, or can it be made to happen?

There’s a plethora of artists who are pressured and made to write songs or perform.

I guess this ties in with the first question, as people have lesser control over their art when these things come into account. For me, writing a song is definitely spontaneous, however, there’s usually a dwelled upon concept behind it.

Should a musician’s performance contain an element of control? Why/why not?

As far as skill, and execution of medium (instruments, larynx, turntables), I feel this is very necessary. It’s common sense. There’s is also an aspect that should be completely out of ctrl, this leads to experimentation and further, progression.

Do you think it’s fair that a record label exerts control over a musicians material if they’re (the record label) financing the musicians creative process?

Sure. It’s an investment, and foremost a buisness. One of the highest grossing industries in the last forty years is records. I’ve analysed this big grey area for a few years now, and it seems ‘labels’ can’t sell units as well as the past due to free-source information (Online etc.) What was a bustling trade, where bald obese men in suits can eat lunch at the finest in town, suck back a Cuban, and rake a few bills in, is now a field of dandelion where anything can happen, and usually does. In the late 80’s, an inquisitive hacker named Kevin Mitnick delved head on into a free-source information renegade. He was jailed for this, and now works at the CIA as one of the highest expertise they merit. This is a funny link to the music industry, as major ‘labels’ have less and less control, less consumers and more overheads. On the contrary, there’s countless artists blossoming from the bed of the interweb, (Atlas sound etc.) on next to no budget, through a wonderful concept, free-source information. There’s no possible way to police this, some may profit, but for the all round well-being of musicians and music appreciators, it’s a win. FREE KEVIN.

In what kind of situation do you feel like a loss of control is more important than being in control?

I feel some things should not take a constant conscience, for instance; dancing, sex, swimming, meditation, golf. Making love to your girl is not like driving a manual with a cigarette. Physical control is essential in executing day to day activities, one, so you can get it done right, and two, so you don’t hurt yourself, ha.

Mental control is imperative in not being taken to the funny farm. It takes a few parts reality, one part ambition and a hint of opportunity to pretty quickly realise that there’s more to life than this.

Do you believe that the role of the government and police is more one of control than of protection? Or are they two sides of the same coin?

It’s the same thing, right? Liberal v Labor, Democrat v Republican. They are all in this together. The only difference is either side has a different face, so the masses think they really have a say. There’s so many topics and tangents from this subject e.g.: Illuminate, World Trade Centre, New World Order.. Fluoride.. that I won’t preach on, but think about this;

If the ‘police’ presence helps the world sleep at night, I’m sure they won’t have any problem being controlled.

Do you think that people as a group, subconsciously prefer to be controlled rather than be completely autonomous? Why/why not?

Human nature, I think, is designed (with the instinct) to seek freedom. Whatever form; religion, drugs, commune etc. The subconscious is a powerful force, I would even go as far to say that I don’t think a lot of people can tell the difference (i.e conscious). Many aspects cause us to ‘escape’ whether it be circumstance, financial situation; However, there’s a hell of a lot of folk that don’t mind the simple life. They must have very vivid and awake subconscious. As far as autonomy goes, it’s entirely up to the individual. Some don’t have or want the capabilities to think for themselves. These people commonly take form in bassists ;P x

What are your thoughts on music censorship? Should the government have any control at all over what kind of music people can or can’t listen to?

Content, definitely. There’s a fair and fine line between Zac Delahoya screaming ‘Fuck you I won’t do what you tell me’ into a angsty teen’s ear in his mid 90’s bedroom, and deep gangster rhymes that promote hate, death and misogyny. It’s also up to the individual, but that’s also where curiosity comes into play. Pure self-exposition. As for authority on what one should listen to, from a governing body, is outlandish. There’s again, no way to police such things as long as the resources are still available to share it.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Busy busy busy busy busy. I barely have any time to transcribe the interviews I've done lately, and I don't like doing posts about nothing (like the ones I've been doing for the past month or so) but I just thought I should stick something on here to let you all know that I haven't died or been apprehended by the authorities yet. And to let you all know that I still love each and every one of you. Even you, creepy guy who sent me that email asking if I was a guy or a girl because apparently that kind of thing still matters these days?

Anyway... I'll be on mid year break soon so I'll have some time to work more on this. I'll be posting more photos and shit and working on some different zines (and traveling! Like! Wow!) over the holidays so don't touch that dial! By dial, obviously, I mean URL bar, but... I guess you'll have to touch it eventually 'cause I don't want you just staring at this page and nothing else for ever and ever. I guess you can check your facebook. And check out some of those links I've put up on the right there, they're all pretty nice.

Don't go outside though, the weather's sucking pretty hard today.

There's A Party In My Head And No-One Is Invited

What's up with the dog thing at the end? And why do Can videos always make me feel like I'm being indoctrinated in some way? And how awesome is Damo Suzuki? I can't get enough of that crazy hippie at the moment, I even downloaded the full twenty minute version of that song he did with Now. I can't remember the name of it because it blew my mind right out the window.



I got so distracted complaining about Bondi's hipsters and people not calling me back yesterday that I forgot to talk about fashion week! Fashion week was hectic dudes, we were so inundated with invitations to shows and yacht parties and coke fueled model orgies that we were kind of paralysed into inaction. I had to fit out my house with new security screens to keep Jeremy Scott from breaking the fucking door down. "Ali!", he was screaming, "All you have to do is make an appearance, and then you can leave!! I'll pay for everything, I'll make sure that Camilla lady keeps her hands outside your clothes, just please show up! If these people don't see you at the party, it'll ruin me!!!!" That Susien Chong broad show was blowing up my inbox with an endless flood of texts. "Hey, hope 2 see u teh show LOL!", "why rnt u here yet??? :(" "show went well, u wuldve luvd it lolol :D". Ugh, the fashion crowd, they drive me up the wall.

No, that's a joke. We didn't get invited to anything. Not that I care or anything, I'm too much into burritos, beer and second hand clothes to mix very well with the fashion types. So yea, take that, fashion industry!

Blowing Every Time You Move Your Teeth

Kind of digging Erin Nelson lately. How's your life? How was your weekend? Really? All night?? Well, gosh, I'm sure they'll call back. Mine was pretty dull by comparison. I got stuck in Bondi on Saturday night and reached a new level of hatred for the trendies who live there. Look at you in your fedora and $200 ksubi singlet, you're so real, man. So down to earth.

I've been (sporadically) toiling away at this interview thing and the wheels are in motion for a few new ones. But getting these musician types to return a phone call or reply to an email is like trying to nail jelly to a brick, or however that saying goes. It's an exercise in futility.I comfort myself in the knowledge that one day I'll be famous and then I'll be the one not calling people back. But enough of that noise. Y'know what I heard? I heard the chick who writes I'm Boy Crazy got a book deal. Which would be awesome. Somebody hook that guy Jason Crombie up with a book deal and I'll be one happy asshole.

Anyway, I've only had one cup of tea and I'm still in bed so I guess it's about time I stopped blogging and did something real with my day. Not that this isn't real. I mean, something I can pay my bills with. You know how it is, working for the man every night and day, etc etc. Enjoy your Mondays.

Sorry.

This time I really have been super busy. Do you think I enjoy thinking of you kids tuning in day after day (because I'm sure you check this blog religiously) and getting nothing but Selena Gomez's ugly head staring back at you for weeks? I don't. It's been burning me up inside. Just burning me up, I tell ya! But between uni assignments, my part time job and the million other things that keep me occupied day to day (mostly my Lost DVDs and googling Betty White) (that was a joke) (sorry), these side projects have to be put on the back burner for a while. But things are happening, don't fret.

Shit That Ain't Worth A Dick

I'm sick. As a dog. Which means that in the half hour it took me to create the above pictorial representation of my conviction that Selena Gomez is just a very clever hairless chipmunk in a black wig, six eighths of my laptop got covered in sweat and bile. I'll let that image soak in while you probably curse me out for not putting any real content in this post. Ingrates.

Rapids on Obsessions

You might still be recovering from your weekend of speed balls and freaky prostitutes. You might be on your way out the door to retrieve your car from the ditch you left it in last night when you had to flee the murderous Iranian man who's wife you'd just killed in a bout of ill advised drunk driving. Whatever you've been up to since Friday, it's Sunday now. Which means I won't be giving any kind of preamble or introduction to this interview. Because why? Because fuck off, that's why.

Not that this band (Rapids) really need an introduction. They're brilliant. Go to their myspace, you can download their EP for free. This interview is another email one, so it's kind of brief, but you know. That's the way it is sometimes.

--

1. Do you think music is obsessive by nature? Is writing a song about something an act of obsession, or more of possession?

Sometimes when technical skills, musicianship and inspiration have failed us in the songwriting process, we turn to the Ouija board and ancient tribal medicine for answers. The out of body experiences that follow probably fall under the ‘possession’ umbrella.

2. Do you think our impulse to obsess over things should be indulged or denied? Why/Why not?

We’d like to tackle this on a case-by-case basis. There are those out there whose job it is to obsess over certain things, like climate change and how to fix it. This is a good obsession that should be indulged in. There are those who obsess over sex with midgets. We encourage people to draw their own line on that one.

3. If an obsession is mutual, do you think that makes it healthy? Or even more destructive?

Rapids love cake. But we also realize that cake cannot actually love us back with the same youthful vigor and mutual emotion. The day we believe otherwise will mark our spiraling descent into destructive obsession.

4. What are your thoughts on the sometimes obsessive relationship between musicians and their fans? Would this be inherently destructive because the fans' feelings can never be fully returned?

Mark David Chapman.

5. Do you think it takes a certain amount of self obsession to want to pursue a career in music? How do you feel about musicians being often lambasted for being narcissistic or self-indulgent?

Yes and no. We believe there are two personalities in music: there are those who concentrate on the music alone and shy away from the publicity that comes hand in hand with mainstream exposure. On the other hand, of course you have the musicians who use personality, image and ‘self obsession’ as a tool to further their career. Neither should be counted as more or less legitimate than the other, and it’s worth noting that sometimes bands with the biggest ‘personas’ are mild souls when off tour (The Hives enjoy gardening and living the quiet life when not on the road). An image is only an image, not necessarily the truth.

6. What are Rapids' current obsessions?

We’re obsessed with messing our house up until it can’t get any messier, then cleaning it until it can’t get any cleaner. It’s a weekly cycle. We also obsess over the current state of the summer cockroach invasion. This may or may not have a causal relationship with our previous obsession.

7. When do you think an obsession stops being healthy? Or is obsession never healthy?

Everyone has their own obsessions in life, both big and small. But when these obsessions start to take over, hindering a person from functioning normally and effectively in day-to-day life it might be time to take a step back and reevaluate the important things. Have you been paying your bills? Are you neglecting your wife? Are your obsessions driving you to taunt your own children and gamble your savings on cockroach races? You are not alone, and there is help out there.

8. What do you think it takes for a person to properly rid themselves of an obsession?

A good distraction and an expensive therapist.

9. Do you think an obsessive relationship is inherently hierarchical, with the obsessor on the bottom and obsessee on the top, or vice versa? Or is it more linear?

Of course it’s hierarchical. There are things that we want to do to people we obsess about that they would not want to do to us.

10. Where do you think obsessions come from? Some sort of fault in our personality? Do you think we use obsessions to fill the gaps in who we want to be, or how we see ourselves?

Obsessions come from the mystical Obsession Falcon. Like his close cousin, the Stork (where babies come from) the Obsession Falcon attacks your subconscious first, with his fierce talons and conceited beak. Before you know it your life is turned upside down and nothing else exists except for the vessel of your obsession. Beware that fucking bird, man.

100%

Oh, hi Internet. I forgot you existed for about a week there. I wish I could spin some bullshit about how busy I've been but I'm not in the habit of insulting my readers.



Throw that in with a couple of Neil Young records, some whiskey, a cardigan or two and general inactivity and you've got a pretty accurate picture of my week. And a few days ago I got a copy of Showgirls on VHS which has been keeping me pretty busy, if you know what I mean (I mean sex). I know what you're thinking, and the term you're looking for is "Living The Dream", compadre.

Remember the other day how I said there were fresh interviews coming? I wasn't lying, they're coming. And from now on I'll pay more attention to the Can't Sleep readership, I really will. I'll take you out to dinner and ask you about your day. We'll sit on my couch and snuggle in front of a movie with a bottle of red wine while the rain beats rhythmically against the window pane. I might even take you to Perth to meet my parents, let's see where it goes.

So stick with me, I won't let you down.

WTF

First the Hopetoun and now this????????????? Somebody has to take a stand, friends. It can't go on any longer.

Made In Japan on Politics

One of my housemates is called Michael. Michael, if that's you, this is a very yellow bellied and grammatically incorrect way of airing your grievances about my work standard. Oh, and I found your What's Eating Gilbert Grape? DVD, it was under my bed. I forgot I was watching it in my room the other night, sorry. Is the actress who plays his mum really that fat? I heard somewhere that she was. Didn't she die though? Anyway, I saw it was a rental so I'll take it back and totally pay any late fees you get on it. Sorry.

But if it's not Michael the housemate then, hi there Michael the valued and beloved Can't Sleep reader. What's with all the bad energy? I'm just trying to live my life over here, man. But yea, all the interviews on here were done either earlier this year or late last year. We decided to start putting all the old stuff online because the print version of Can't Sleep had a pretty limited circulation and we wanted more people to be able to read the interviews we'd done. But fresh ones will be coming soon, they really will. And when I say fresh I mean FRESH. Fresh enough to make Justin Bieber look like wrinkly old dogs' balls. So keep tuning in.

But on that note, here's an old interview which actually didn't make it to the printers. So it is kind of new in that none of the general public have read it yet. It was done with Mike from Made In Japan via email. You can catch Made In Japan at Spectrum on Friday night, and you should because they're marvelous. First rate, if you will.

Mike left the band late last year so... I guess that casts the interview in a poignant new light. Hopefully you'll enjoy reading it anyway.

--

Can't Sleep: Do you guys have any faith left in politics at all? Or do you think it's an inevitably corrupting force?

Mike: Yes we do have faith in politics. There will always be corruption in any organisation, but to just say let’s scrap it because of some corruption doesn’t make sense. Would we scrap the police force because we know there will be some form of inevitable corruption that will take place? There will always a certain percentage of baddies and that’s human nature but I think the goodies out weigh them. So really what I’m saying is we have faith in humanity

CS: Would you agree that every social/economic interaction is a form of politics? Or do you see at as something higher up, that doesn't involve the every day people?

M: No to both I guess. I don’t see every social interaction as politics and I don’t see it as something high up that doesn’t involve every day people. To say politics doesn’t involve everyday people anymore is a ridiculous statement, our democratic system is rooted in what people want and you only have to take one look at a Newspaper or News report to see the influence the people have. It’s the reason why the media scrutinises politician’s actions and thousands of dollars are spent on political surveys – people give a shit and their opinion matters to the decisions that are made.

CS: What are your thoughts on the current political climate? Do you think we're heading in the right direction, or just spiraling downward in a slightly different fashion?

M: When our band first started out we were in the middle of the end of the Howard era (late 06, early 07). As a band we got behind the Rudd and the Labor party, even some of our early songs lyrics reflected how much we hated Howard; “When will we finally get away” was one chorus that stuck out. So to criticise Rudd now would be almost hypocritical. The thing with any government, and something my mum always says when I complain about what we’re having for dinner is ‘you can’t please all of the people all of the time’. What I mean is it’s impossible to keep everyone happy with every single issue but when you look at the alternative I think we’re in safe hands right now – safer hands than Turnbull or the Libs that is.

CS: How important is politics? Do you think it's essential to have some kind of structure and rules in place for humanity to function at its best, or would we be better off with out and out anarchy?

M: Hahahaha. This one’s pretty easy – YES. Do you remember when your parents went out for the night and it was just you and your brothers and sister home and there was no rules?? It always ended in tears. Sure it’s easy to criticise the system and complain but I refer to my last answer – think of the alternative. One criticism I DO have about the system is this, politicians know they are only going to be in for a short period of time and this leads to short term decisions that keeps everyone happy. These decisions are obviously not the best long term decisions. Here’s a possible solution – King of Australia? Crazy I know, but it would mean you’d be thinking in terms of long term what’s best for the country which I think politicians don’t and can’t always do.

CS: Is it human nature to want to put their own political agenda in place? Are some people born rulers, while some are born followers, or do you think it's more complex?

M: When I was in scouts the troop was divided in patrols of about 4 -8 kids that had a patrol leader and seconder. I remember one patrol council the leader said that none of us were born leaders and he talked about the born leader. I remember thinking this is a crock of shit. And I still think it is. It’s really a classic nature VS nurture debate, I won’t go into what that means if you don’t understand but basically I think it’s more complex than you’re a ruler, you’re a follower. Sure people are born with their personality and inherit behaviors from their parents but it’s SO much more complicated than that.

CS: Do you think religion and money should be separated from politics, or are they fundamentally related?

M: NO. This is such a highly contested question and I strongly believe they are fundamentally related. You’ve got a political issue right, a decision to be made about what’s best for Australians you have to incorporate all facets of that decision. People think decisions should be objective political ones – well let me say this honey, there’s no such thing as a pure ‘objective’ decision, everyone has their agendas so stop trying for this objective perfection. Let me be more specific with an example; in times past (incl when I was in class discussions) when Christians make a comment or put in their 2 cents their opinion is automatically rejected because it’s Christian. But when an atheist puts in there opinion that’s fine, because it’s supposedly objective, BUT IT’S NOT! Because they have their opinions and prejudices about religion so how is it objective? This is why all opinions, including religious ones need to be considered at equal value, especially considering Australia is built on Christian values (weather you like it or not, honey).

CS: Do you think a nation's politics is a real reflection of its people? Why/why not?

M: Yes and no. No because a lot of them are cashed up educated suit-wearing liars. But at the same time yes – have you heard Julia Gillard speak lately?

CS: Are we due for a revolution in Australia? Do you think we need one?

M: The real question is what sort of revolution? And why would Australia need one? Personally Australia is in need of a Hawaiian shirt revolution, you know these things come round in circles and their such colourful, happy garments to wear, especially in Summer –Alright that’s it I’m starting one, who’s joining me?

CS: Where do you think the place of music is in politics? Do you think it's proved itself an important political force, or should the arts keep out of political affairs? Why/why not?

M: Politics, as is everything, is subject to the arts. This is the beauty of art – it’s mediums to talk about and express anything you want, often issues that you couldn’t talk about in any other way BUT art. I’ve had a few conversations with Jono our guitarist about this issue, look at politics and music over the past 60 years, it’s obvious that political movements reflect the music and art of the time (or vice versa even). Music in particular is an important political force and it will continue to be one and I’m perfectly OK with that.

CS: Do you guys feel like we're becoming too apathetic in our view of politics? Does this worry you? Why/why not?

M: By we I’m assuming you mean the current young adult generation and I think everyone loves to have a hack at us for not caring about what’s going on in the world around us. I disagree, now with internet and instant news young people are more connected and informed than ever. It’s also shows like the Chaser and more recently the Hungary Beast that have packaged political issues into a format that younger people can relate, understand and form an opinion –without these shows we would have never even heard about many issues, let alone form an opinion on it.

Disclaimer!

Please note for the record these opinions may not be the entire bands, just mine the lead bass players – Mike ‘ace of bass’ Williams

The Wait Ups on Obsessions

Look alive, son! Jin Hien Lau's first solo exhibition is opening tonight at the Galleries Victoria. This is great on a number of levels (I bet you like Happenstance magazine, right? He does illustration for them), the least artistic ones being the fact that those artsy openings nearly always have free booze. Y'know what else? It's a public holiday tomorrow. Draw whatever conclusions you want from those two facts but I urge you not to get hammered at an art opening. Nobody does arrogant scorn like the arts crowd and I've been on the very unfortunate receiving end of it more than once.



Easter. No work, no uni classes, carbs, chocolate, alcohol and I'm celebrating good Friday by going to see Taxi Driver at the Chauvel tomorrow night. I think it's better than Christmas.

Today's interview is taken from the same issue as the one with Her Faktory - the Obsessions issue - and it's with a really awesome band called the Wait Ups. How am I going to tie that in with Easter, you ask? Just watch me!

The Wait Ups have a song called 'It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over', which is most likely what Jesus was thinking when he came back from the dead. Which is why we celebrate Easter today. You like that? They don't call me Segue Jane for nuthin'.

--

Can't Sleep: Do you guys think it takes an obsessive person to want to write music? Do you think song writing is an act of obsession?

Nick: I'm pretty obsessed with writing songs, yea. (To Mike and Pete:) What about you guys? You aren't obsessed with writing songs, you never write songs.

Mike: I think it does, I think you have to have that (obsessive) thing in you.

N: I think it's more an obsession with having an outlet for the kind of things you don't want to talk about.

Pete:And you can be obsessive about songs, when you're writing a song, and if you're obsessive about it maybe that's not the best thing, you sort of have to finish it and let it go. So you're obsessive about it in the initial stages maybe, but when it's finished, that's it. You let it go, you move on to the next one.

CS: Do you think an obsession can ever be a healthy thing? Or is it just inherently unhealthy?

M: Of course it can be healthy.

N: I guess it depends what you're obsessed with. If you're obsessed with heroin, that would be...

M: Obviously very healthy.

N: Yea, extremely healthy. But if you're obsessed with, I don't know, banana smoothies...

CS: That's very unhealthy.

N: Yea. Well, it depends if you use yogurt or ice cream, I suppose.

CS: So, for example, the relationship between fans and musicians, do you think that's healthy?

P: It's not hurting anyone.

N: I've definitely been obsessed with a few musicians.

Which way would you say obsession goes? Is it a one way relationship or is there always a bit of give and take?

P: I think a lot of performers are obsessed with the idea of fans and...

M: Fans being obsessed with them, almost.

P: So it's probably not a bad thing that they have obsessive fans.

CS: So you think they sometimes encourage it?

M: Oh, absolutely.

N: Definitely.

P: I always think that the best bands have a cult following, usually. Not really a general, sort of semi-interested audience. The best bands usually have really obsessive fans.

N: Maybe not the largest fan base -

M: But one they keep forever.

N: Yea.

P: That's definitely the kind of band I obsess over, rather than just being vaguely interested in a lot of bands.

CS: So you think it's easier to obsess over a band if not as many people are into them? A lot of bands lose their old fans when they hit the big time...

N: Definitely. I think a lot of people get attached to a band, they feel they have some kind of possession over them, until they become really popular. Then they usually blame the band for changing.

CS: What is it in human nature that makes us want to obsess about things? Do you think we just get bored with our own lives?

N: I think there's an element of wanting to fantasise about having some sort of connection with a band, even though you don't. It probably makes you feel a bit better about yourself.

CS: So it's just a way of filling a gap in our lives?

N: Yea, probably.

M: I think so.

CS: Where would you draw the line between having a strong interest in something, and being obsessed with something?

N: If a band was playing four shows in a row, and you went to one show, that would be vaguely interested. If you went to two shows, then you're a big fan. But if you went to all four shows, you're a bit obsessed.

M: How many did you go and see?

N: Only two.

CS: Can I ask which band it was?

N: You Am I.

M:... And maybe stealing a poster from a learning institution. That would be a bit obsessive.

N: Maybe if you know every member of the band's birthday.

M: And bought them gifts.

CS: So it'd just be the amount that the interest intrudes into your own life?

M: Yea, if you start to include them in your life, I think that's where it starts to become a bit obsessive. Like if you're celebrating their birthday.

CS: Like they're a member of your family or something.

M: Yea. Or you start to talk about them by their nickname or something like that.

P: But when you're growing up, having bands that you strongly identify with is a good thing, I think, if you're a musician. All bands talk about being obsessed in one way or another with their favourite bands when they were a kid. I'd be worried if a band said they were never that into music (when they were young).

CS: I read an interview with Dappled Cities the other day, and they said they'd never listened to much music when they were a kid, and that's why they don't really have any obvious references. I thought that was a bit weird.

M: Yea... But it's obviously working for them.

N: But I guess your identity as a musician comes from all the obsessions that you had when you were growing up. Even if you don't want to admit that no one particular artist had a huge impression on the way you make music or write music; they probably have.

CS: What are your thoughts on hate just being another form of obsession? Do you think love and hate are two different extremes on the obsession scale, or are they more closely related?

P: There's a certain amount of passion involved in either one, it's pretty similar. In varying degrees.

N: I think sometimes people will pretend to hate something when secretly they're obsessed with it. They just don't want to admit it.

M: Like your guilty pleasure or something.

N: (To Pete): Like how you're listening to...

P: Lady GaGa

N: There we go.

CS: Everybody has Lady Gaga as their guilty pleasure!

P: I watched the new film clip today, she has a new album coming out. She's 23! She's only a year older than us!

CS: She's amazing... Do you guys have any current obsessions? Beside Lady GaGa?

N: (To Mike): You've been a bit obsessed with the Beatles lately.

M: Yea yea, that'd be true. I wasn't into them three months ago and now I know everything about them.

N: We've been obsessed with uni lately.

M: But that was forced upon us.

N: Yesterday I was just obsessed with consuming a lot of alcohol. What are you obsessed with, Pete?

P: I'm still thinking about Lady GaGa.

CS: Do you guys think it's natural to obsess about things? Is it just human nature, or is it a fault in our psyche?

N: I think pretty much everyone has an obsession about something. Like, people who are really high achievers; you wouldn't have high achievers in any field if they weren't people with obsessions.

M: I think it's the thing you obsess about that's the problem, not the obsession.

What do you think is the best way to get rid of an obsession?

N: Find something else to obsess about.

M: Yea, just moving on to a new obsession.

But that's not really getting rid of an obsession, it's just replacing it with another one.

N: Yea.

CS: So you think it's inevitable that we're always going to be obsessed with something?

P: If that's your personality type, yea I guess so.

N: Yea, I guess there isn't really any way of getting rid of one. That's just the way it goes.

Straight Arrows on The Future

Wouldn't it be cool if TV was more like it was in the fifties? Have you guys seen those shows that they had back then where there was some dude in an armchair, to introduce the show? Like Rod Serling on the Twilight Zone? (I know the Twilight Zone came out in the sixties, but I'm just trying to illustrate my point. Geez, you can be pedantic sometimes).

And sometimes they would do the thing where they'd be reading the paper or filling their pipe or something and then glance at the camera and be all like, "Oh, hi there. Didn't see you come in. On today's episode..." etc etc, you get my drift. Instead of nowadays where it's all flashing lights and annoying idiots and Sean Micallef trying to be as funny and clever as he was on the ABC, then watching in disappointment as his perfectly delivered wit and soliloquy goes straight over his commercial audience's collective head.

I don't know why I'm saying all this. I guess I'm pretty fed up with TV right now. Which is why I decided to watch a movie last night so started going through my housemate's DVDs and ended up seeing one in particular and thinking,"Requiem For A Dream, hm? I've heard that's pretty good, I should probably watch it." Which then resulted in me wanting to go outside to get some fresh air and perspective, then being given the hairy eyeball by a family of magpies who have colonised my back yard and... long story short, I just wanted to go back to a time where things were simpler and there were friendly looking guys in armchairs with pipes to warn you about what was about to come onto your screen and into your living room.

Which is ironic, because today's interview is about The Future, with Owen from Straight Arrows. You're a pretty up on it, ear-to-the-ground kinda person so I probably don't need to tell you how good Straight Arrows are. But I will anyway. They're really, really good.

This interview took place in a pokies lounge which was kind of weird and distracting, but pretty cool in its own way. Being from Perth, I haven't really gotten used to poker machines being everywhere so it was probably more of a novelty for me than it was for him. But I'll shut up now. Enjoy the interview.

--

Can't Sleep: Speaking generally, how do you think the future looks?

Owen: It looks interesting, you know. I'm always happy to hang around and see what will happen. Stuff's changing everyday and I'm sure we're all going to die before a lot of really interesting stuff happens.

CS: So you don't believe in the whole “Live fast, die young” thing? You're optimistic about the future?

O: I'm sure it's pretty cool to die young and beautiful but I kind of want to see what happens.

CS: Do you think “what happens” will be something really bad and destructive, or will we move past all of that to a better world?

O: I don't see there being much of a Utopia, I can see like a... rise of the machines.

CS: What do you think the future of music will be?

O: I think it depends what kind of music. Like, pop music is always going to try and find new elements to include. You know, things will progress but there's always going to be, you know... areas to be explored.

CS: So when you're writing music do you usually look to the future for inspiration?

O: No, I definitely look backwards. I don't know what's happening in the future, but none of my favourite music has come out of the future yet, you know. All my favourite records came from the past, so that's where you get ideas from and draw from your surroundings. There was a time in the 50s and 60s where technology and music were progressing at the same rate but technology has taken over, and it's very difficult to stay aligned any more.

I think the two (technology and creativity) can work hand in hand, (but) technology's progressing so quickly it's difficult for people to use it as a tool. It's updated so quickly.

CS: Do you think we have any ability to predict the future? As a group?

O: No, not really. You can look to the past to get ideas about social situations, and how they'll pan out, but no one's ever really predicted the future very well. The world hasn't been destroyed yet.

CS: Do you think, in terms of politics and the environment, we're sort of on the right track? Or are we just self-destructive by nature?

O: I mean, what's the right track? There are so many different paths, and it's never going to be possible to really go in one particular direction. People seem to be wising up to the destruction that our parent's generation were largely involved with. But, you know, people are becoming more aware of their surroundings... working to sustain their life. Becoming more self-aware.

CS: Do you think we'll ever get the flying cars?

O: It'd be really cool, but I don't see that happening in a functional way in my lifetime. It would be very cool though.

CS: Why do you think we do that? Imagining these crazy futures, none of which make any sense when you actually look at the present?

O: I think it's the role of authors to imagine the future, whether it's idealistic or not, to show any image which they consider as the future. With regard to the internet, there's a lot of science fiction books which predicted that.

CS: What do you think about fortune tellers? Do you think it's immoral, telling somebody's future when we can't really know stuff like that?

O: To be honest, I don't think it's any more immoral than converting people to your religion. It's all just false hope. I know people who have visited fortune tellers, and they all seem to be a lot more level headed than people who are deeply into religion. A fortune teller's basically just a fucking psychologist or something like that.

CS: In what way is it the same as converting someone to your religion?

O: It's the idea of telling someone, “This is the future, this is how you should live”. But in religion, they're a lot more toxic because you're being told, in a lot more round-a-bout way, “This is what you have to do, otherwise you're gonna die or go to a terrible place”.

CS: What about those ads that tell you to send a text to some number and it'll tell you how you'll die or who you'll marry? I mean, people are obviously buying into that, otherwise the ads wouldn't still be coming on. Do you think that's indicative of our desperation to know what's going to happen to us?

O: I think some people do, I think it's sort of the same thing as religion. Some people are very insecure, and yea... no-one's ever going to be able to predict the future. I don't know, it's just fucking weird.

CS: Do you think history's going to repeat itself? You know, we've been here before, with all the 60s idealism, do you think that'll just rise and fall away like last time?

O: I guess, I mean the 60s did change a lot of things. I don't see now having as big an impact as the 60s did. It's always good to have an idea of the past, just so you know how things will pan out in the future.

CS: Do you think Barack Obama will get assassinated like JFK?

O: I think the American government's a lot better at protecting their presidents now. Unless they wanted to kill him themselves.

CS: Do you think long playing albums are going to die off?

O: No, I don't think so. I think there's always something really satisfying about finding an album that, as a whole, is really great. Singles are awesome too, but I don't think that (the death of the album) will happen anytime soon. Sure, as technology becomes more and more involved in our lives, people's attention spans kind of decrease. But I think there will always be a place for albums.

CS: What about education? Do you think people are just going to get stupider and stupider?

O: Well, there's always going to be stupid people and not stupid people. Education's very important but I guess it depends on how much the government wants to put it in a position of importance.

CS: And in language? Do you think the shortened, text-message speech is going to really take off? Because people already do that in conversation, say stuff like “cbf”, “lol”... Do you think that's indicative of how it'll be in the future or is it just a phase?

O: I'm sure shit will change. Hopefully it won't be like that forever... But, you know, the English language has evolved for a long time and it will continue to evolve

CS: Do you think that's a good thing or a bad thing?

O: Change is inevitable. People are always going to need words to express themselves and using acronyms is always going to be, you know, descriptive, so there's always going to be a space for that.

CS: How do you feel about the way mobile phones are developing now? It's starting to feel like, in the future, humans will only exist to carry their phones around to meetings and stuff. They pretty much do everything by themselves now.

O: Oh, I don't know about that. I'm more excited about the time when we'll just be brains in jars, floating around.