Review of “New Music To Fall Asleep To…(Lullabies by Justin Ashworth)”

When new members join the merry band of Absinthe.com.au subscribers, occasionally one observes that the email with which they have subscribed deserves further investigation. It is with no small amount of pleasure that I have discovered that we have a broad church of libertarians under our humble canopy, from visual artists, poets, magicians, distillers, dancers, authors, actors, courtesans, journalists, the odd dominatrix or two, and importantly, musicians.

One such Australian musician, and dedicated absintheur, that I would like to bring to your attention is Melbourne based Justin Ashworth.  I have for many years been a devotee of the dark ambient and experimental soundscape genre, and certainly Australia has had no shortage of exponents of this particular craft over the decades.  The opportunity then to explore new work by a local artist over a glass of absinthe or two is a welcome one indeed.

Being armed with droning loops, acoustic neo-folk attitudes and unpredictable acts of psychadelia, he is actually a hard artist to buttonhole through comparison. A good thing I say. You can hear a track or two from the following reviewed album on Justin’s MySpace page - maybe pour yourself a glass before you click through.

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The Dark Cabaret musical genre continues to grow from strength to strength, and shows itself not to be a passing fad riding on the heels of burlesque, but the genuine discovery of a style and approach to song-writing that balances the historical and contemporary.

One such artist worth investigating as the soundtrack to your next absinthe imbibing is the brooding but sultry Nicki Jaine, who’s commanding voice is seemingly far greater than her diminutive stature.

Mesmerising cover versions of German cabaret songs from the 1940s emerge from within, along with her haunting original material. You would probably be forgiven for picturing in your mind something of a Marlene Deitrich-type with an acoustic guitar. And, in case you needed convincing of her credentials, in this genre through a good back story her musical education arose from individuals such as her grandfather, who reputedly learnt the fiddle from Transylvanian Gypsies.

Any more noir and it would hurt, no?

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Ok, we have been a little quiet lately - what, with one of us in a study frenzy while the other is still catching up on life’s demands after a trip to the US.

But here, this week, in Enmore, old Sydney town, its new, its blue….

its the Blue Moon Cabaret!

(And apologies to members who received multiple emails from us on this - we had some slight technical difficulties)

There will be burlesque, magicians, music, and our fine friends at Absinthe Salon will be lubricating the evening with the finest of the green muse.

And all you can eat. All for only $45 a ticket. This Thursday, 7th June.

Buy your tickets on line now at Under The Blue Moon.

Time for your monthly cross-promotion. Yes people, NeoTokyo, that decadent, Libertine, dirty electro night at Club 77 is upon us again, Friday 2 May.

I, once again, will be your host and, along with my dear associate Mr. Kasdeja, will be on hand to make sure everyone is having a lovely time of it. This months DJ talent includes the handsome Mr Disorder and Donnie Blood of Starfuckers, Ash Le Rouge of Midnight Express and Electro Pussy and, of course, our own NeoTokyo. The April party was a smash hit, and next months’ is set to be even bigger.

…and yes, there will be absinthe.

NeoTokyo at Club 77, 77 William St Kings Cross, Sydney.
10pm til 6am. $10 door entry.
Limited edition A2 poster prints will be for sale on the night.

Today is the last day of the Fringe, so if you haven’t been out to see something yet, for god’s sake log on and check out what is left with the remainder of the day - there is entertainment aplenty going until the wee hours of the night.

To round off my 2008 Fringe Experience I went to the one of the showcase Fringe Club nights this week at the Higher Ground Theatre. Built amongst the remains of what was once the Night Train Theatre Restaurant (although I remember its hey day as a laser tag venue 20 odd years ago), the Higher Ground Theatre is an incubator for new and established artists to present their work in the realms of theatre, circus, dance, music, cabaret or experimental acts of exploration.

Needless to say, post-Fringe, this is a venue to keep an eye on - permanent creative artspaces are becoming something of a rare bird in many cities.

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NeoTokyo, our ridiculously talented graphic designer, is more widely known as one of Australia’s leading Industrial/Electro DJs and club promoters. Along with fine friends Sveta and Pornstar, NeoTokyo will be taking over Sydney’s notorious Club 77 on Friday 4 April.

Crunchy, dirty, sexy electro with bohemian loveliness to ensue. See you there.

Through the good support of the fine folk at the Adelaide Fringe, Absinthe.com.au were fortunate to attend a ‘dinner date’ performance of cabaret & burlesque with the delightful Lorelei & Sarina at the deliciously 100% vegan & vego friendly/performance space venue - Sarah’s Cafe.

Compered by the hostess with the mostest, the infernally witty Gabrielle, the girls put on a highly polished performance that broke out of the standard conventions of ‘burlesque’, and took us on a journey to more unexpected places, to the festive Copacabana, and even the sex & glamour of 1970s drag strip racing.

We are also big fans of Lorelei (bom bom)

Lorelei was able to take time out of their busy schedule to give us her thoughts on the future of cabaret & burlesque, and a glimpse behind the golden curtain into the realities of the profession.

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Absinthe.com.au has received the first suggestion for an unholy alliance of absinthe and bacon vodka… yes, people. Un Cochon Vert is one step closer to hideous, chthonic existence.

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Floating on a couple of glasses of absinthe each, we made our way back to the CircuiTree installation being put on as part of the Fringe. As it would turn out the hazy warmth of the green fairy would be conducive to appreciating what was ahead.Entering through the back of the church, the amosphere had dramatically transmuted from the pre-preparation stage we saw earlier in the evening. With the sun almost about to slip below the western horizon, the darkened twighlight allowed the glow of black lights and cacophony of thumping Trance music to emerge into its own.

What struck us immediately was the sense of familiarity about the place. At one stage my brother and I had been sharing a house in Adelaide (that probably deserved demolition) , that was often ‘creatively’ decorated with indian print sheets, incense and odd lighting - it was like we had stepped back 15 odd years into our old abode.

But the effort before us was an installation of a much grander design than anything we had attempted in our own home. The first room we entered was adorned with hanging lamps, strung up sheeting, artworks on the walls and cushions strewn about the middle like a giant chill out room.

Ajoining side rooms bathed in harsh red lights and gentle blue tones were filled with original artworks, wall hangings by artistic collective Izwoz and canvases that displayed words of spirituality and philosphy - the words themselves hanging in midair to be studied like one would study the brush strokes or techniques of an artist. Painting with letters.

Onward into the depths of the installation, the mood would start to become more intense, more biomechanical and primal.

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It has been hideously hot in Adelaide this week, pushing in the high thirties, and I have dragged my way into the city to meet up with my brother to go see the Fringe art installation CircuiTree (which I will cover in more detail in part 2).

We arrived a little early at the installation site which is a old church on Grote Street that is currently up for lease and makes for an excellent art-performance space. We manage to get a peek inside before it begins, and quickly decide that we probably need to come back later when darkness descends to fully appreciate it.

At a loose end we decide to get a drink, and being on Grote Street this gives me the opportunity to finally check out a little cafe-bar a short stroll away call La Boheme. From what I have read, the premises used to be an old tobacconist - the heavily curtained windows in the external facade highlighting the delightful 19th century architecture of the building, already promoting a sense that this is something of a discrete and intimate salon.

We enter into a cool and comfortable space, and find ourselves an empty table before the small stage where a pair of performers are belting out what my brother refers to as his ‘old busking repertoire’ - so he likes the venue already. In fact it is rare to find a place where the musicians are so close, but the volume controlled suitably for the size of the venue (which is quite small - but deliciously so) such that one can enjoy music and discussion concurrently.

As I had entered my eyes had immediately shot to the back wall to identify the absinthe bottles. My brother has not had absinthe before, and so the setting, the ‘green’ hour of the day and the opportunity was perfect for his introduction.

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