LOST AND FOUND VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5

Guest Editor, Super Wild Horses

Our guest editors this issue are Amy Franz and Hayley McKee. Together, they are Super Wild Horses – a Melbourne-based garage pop duo whose sweet, post-punk sounds have been described as ‘Phil Spector and the Ronettes on a budget in a No Wave tin shed.’ They’ve just launched their debut album Fifteen and are booking a US tour, but they took some time out to tell us about their favourite Melbourne venues, the cake supply shops they generally hang out in, and that place they bought a weird sculpture of a monkey in women’s clothing reading sheet music.

ARTS – Harrell Fletcher: The sound we make together (Melbourne)

Known for his collaborative approach to contemporary art, Harrell Fletcher is setting up camp in the hallowed halls of NGV Australia this spring. The US-based artist, most widely known for his work with Miranda July, has assembled a roster of community groups and artist-run-initiatives to help him create a new exhibition. Opening on 11 September, The sound we make together (Melbourne) will use the gallery in a completely new way and highlight Fletcher’s humble aim: ‘Pointing at things that I think are interesting so that other people will notice and appreciate them too.’

DETAILS
11 September 2010 – 10 January 2011,
Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia,
Fed Square, Melbourne.
Tel: 03 8620 2222.

Amy:
My favourite gallery in Melbourne is Hell Gallery in Richmond. They have amazing exhibitions, support great local artists and their openings are more like parties. The guys who run it are some of the hardest working, down-to-earth and brilliant folks going around.
Hayley:
Some really talented friends have had their works exhibited there, including Brendan Huntley and Dan Moynihan. We’ll be DJ-ing at Hell on 10 September for the opening of Brianna Martin’s first solo show.

EVENTS – MIAF Beck’s Bar

Shamanism, cult bands, music as religious experience. No, it’s not a short film by Kenneth Anger – it’s the Beck’s Bar series at this year’s Melbourne International Arts Festival (MIAF). Curator Hannah Fox has brought together everything from the free-ranging percussive madness of Japan’s Boredoms to the stoner-rock-meets-psychedelia of LA’s Dead Meadow for a seven-day program of gigs in the itself-somewhat-mystical Forum Theatre. Don’t miss locals Pikelet, Kes Band, The Drones and Bum Creek – none of these guys are shamans, but at least three have been seen wearing grass skirts.

DETAILS
9–13 October during the Melbourne International Arts Festival.
Forum Theatre, 154 Flinders Street, Melbourne.
Tickets phone 1300 723 038.

Amy:
I’m really looking forward to seeing Jensen Tjhung’s exhibition at VCA Margaret Lawrence Gallery for the Melbourne International Arts Festival in October.
Hayley:
We’re heading to the US in early September for our album launches over there and to play Gonerfest in Memphis and the Maximum Freedom Festival in Sacramento. But we’ve got our farewell show coming up in Melbourne on 3 September at the John Curtin Hotel. (Shameless plug!)

RETAIL

Computers are wonderful things – in fact, you’re staring at one right now! But they can also be a bit, um, anti-social at times. Danielle and Nic from Speakr Box have created a portable wooden stereo speaker that brings the sounds from your laptop or mp3 player out from your headphones and into the ex-cranial realm. Perfect for office workers, tram DJs and picnic enthusiasts, these little guys are made in Melbourne from Australian hoop pine and top-notch components. Buy them online, or enhance your social life by testing them in person at OK OK store.

DETAILS:
OK OK, Shop 16, Hardwick Building,
Sparta Place, 459 Sydney Road, Brunswick.
Tel: 03 9347 9840.

Amy:
My favourite Melbourne record store, bar none, is Missing Link in the city. I also really love the jewellery of William Griffiths – an incredible local maker whose stock you can find in places like Alice Euphemia. I’m really excited about a new Melbourne label by the aforementioned Brianna Martin. It’s called Bleem Weaver and she makes BEAUTIFUL bright hand-woven and leather bags.
Hayley:
I’ve just started my own made-to-order cake business called Sticky Fingers, so most of my spending is done at cake supply stores like Cake Deco. I really love Savour Chocolate and Patisserie School , Casa Iberica and Laurent for cake instruction, ideas and inspiration. Alice’s Bookshop on Rathdowne Street is my fave Sunday book hunt spot.

NIGHTLIFE – Disco Beans

Not many gallery/bandrooms can say that they’ve spawned largely organic, vegetarian Japanese cafe/bars. But Disco Beans owner Yuki has done just that. She’s transplanted her hymn to home-style Japanese deliciousness from downtown Osaka to an art/music venue in Northcote. You can rest assured the food at Disco Beans is entirely free from hallucinogens, though the artwork by Shigeru Nakano on the walls might cause you to feel otherwise. Just the place if you feel your sukiyaki udon needs a little sound and fury on the side.

DETAILS:
238 High Street, Northcote.
Tel: 03 9077 4772.

Amy:
We go out a lot to hear friends play at places like the Tote, John Curtin, the Evelyn and the Birmingham. All these venues are great fun to play at.
Hayley:
Gerald’s on Rathdowne Street has been my number one bar for years. They always dream up delicious boozy treats like Fig Liqueur with Wild Turkey or Saffron Gin with soda and cucumber. I want to move in. Also, the Empress is a great local, as is Bar Fred for cold beer and $5 pizzas that don’t taste like cardboard.

Amy:
Melbourne rules! We’re from Perth and having grown up in a small town you really notice the vibrancy of a city like Melbourne. I’d recommend getting out to as many small independent venues as you can and support all the local dudes doing it for themselves!
Hayley:
Outside of the city, Hanging Rock is still a favourite getaway and an easy last minute escape for when you’re fed up with the Bourke Street rave buskers. Stop at Woodend to visit an awesome junk shop (I bought this weird sculpture of a monkey in women’s clothing reading sheet music) and grab a pint and a meaty pie at Holgate Brewhouse.