RAWARDS 2013

Flowers by Julia Rose

WORDS |  Thea Halpin

RAW has been kicking around in Australia for a little over a year and a half now and held its 2nd annual Rawards in Brisbane on 10 January. The showcase encompassed two stories and seemingly countless hidden rooms full of the best and brightest local talent.

LANEWAY FESTIVAL 2014

WORDS // Caitlin Puplett

St Jermone's Laneway Festival, 2014 is set to be one of the biggest ones yet. With acts like Haim, Lorde, and The Jezabels topping the list, it's no surprise it's a woman-dominated scene this coming year.

LESSONS I LEARNT AT SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS

WORDS | Nicole Pires

Before attending my first ever Splendour in the Grass, I scrambled for advice from those older and wiser than me about what to bring and what to do. After going myself, I complied a list of lessons I learnt throughout my experiences.

I USED TO SKATE ONCE

I Used to Skate Once is a sick event curated by the even sicker Brisbane store, The Outpost. Jamming together music and art, the ninth year of IUTSO was held at The Zoo on 20th June.

After looking through all of the artists on board, I realised one thing in common: they were all ladies. The art component of the show featured a stack of amazing skateboard decks individually designed by all the artists. They lined the walls of The Zoo and were a prominent part of the evening. The decks were on sale during the night leaving some very lucky attendees with happy purchases. Apart from the plethora of these talented artists, UK artist Chrisssie Abbott had a full show on display also.

The bands also followed suit with the ladies theme. IUTSO has  a knack for choosing small bands on the cusp of breaking big into the Australian music scene. In a past year they had a then relatively unknown Royal Headache grace the stage. Unfortunately the headliner of the show, Terrible Truths, had to pull out at last minute so Brisbane outfit Mega Ogre stepped up to the plate to support Major Leagues. For a last minute change of performance, the two bands that played the evening complemented each other perfectly. Mega Ogre is primarily male but is fronted by female singer Sam George-Allen. Sam had an ethereal sounding voice that carried through the whole venue. Along with the other talented musicians (or ogres) in the band, Mega Ogre are definitely a Brisbane to keep your sights lock on.

Long time IZE favourites Major Leagues followed with their dreamy, nostalgic ridden sounds. Consisting of three chicks and a guy drummer (who wore a blonde wig to disguise his maleness), Major Leagues put on a great show as per usual. Whilst playing old hits Creeper and Teen Mums, they also pulled out some new material including soon to be released Endless Drain. Major Leagues will be touring new material interstate in August.

IZE X JESSI JAE JOPLIN X JEAN GRIEGE

IZE teamed up with blogger/founder of The Fabulous Stains, Jessi Jae Joplin and her best friend and fellow fashion blogger Madeline Pendleton (of Jean Greige) to take these awesome photos in Los Angeles, CA. Read on to read our interview with Jessi and the rest of the collaboration!

PHOTOGRAPHER | Nick Ottaviano
WARDROBE |  O! Mighty Weekend
PHOTO CUSTOMISATION |  Jana Terblanche

TRACK & FIELD #3

Track & Field is returning to Brisbane, hurrah! Taking place at Electric Playground and the Rev Alley (known to most as the renovated Church come nightclub come music venue on Warner St) the boutique music event harbors artists from all around the county. There's nowhere else you're going to want to be this Friday, so read below about the artists who will be appearing.

IN THE GENES

WORDS | Thea Halpin

Music taste is definitely hereditary.  The songs and albums that formed the soundtrack to your childhood live forever as a more than a simple taste, but ingrained in you psyche.  I think you can tell a lot about a person by the music their parents listened to.  Your parent’s taste in music doesn’t just become your taste, but it is as if you have no choice.  I can’t even tell if I really like all these artists.  I’m pretty sure I do, but part of me thinks it is some kind of folk-rock indoctrination and now I will live forever as a victim of my parent’s weakness for male musicians that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s.  Here are some of the best of the best from my parents CD collection.

INTERVIEW: THE RUBENS

//Source//

WORDS | Nicole Pires 

The Rubens may be humble about their fame, but the truth is they’re one of the best Australian bands to erupt in the last couple of years. And erupt is the best word to describe the way they shot from their rural hometown, Menangle, NSW to the Big Apple within their first year of forming. They recorded their debut album in New York with a big American record producer, which came out in September 2012. The Rubens will be hitting Brisbane shores next week 1st February making an appearance at Laneway Festival.

IZE got the chance to speak to Elliot Margin (keys/vocals) of The Rubens about Laneway, recent accolades, the dreaded Hottest 100 countdown, fighting over girls and everything in between.

TRASH PLAYLIST

Summer Playlist #1 from izemagazine on 8tracks Radio.

Our Summer playlist as seen in our latest issue - Trash.

TRASH

Open publication - Free publishing - More art

TRASH ISSUE ONLINE NOW!

RAW SHOWCASE PROVOCATIONS: Part 1

IT'S HOT - SHORT FILM

The evening kicked off with a short film It's Hot by Stewart Reeves written by himself and Sean Dennehey. Dennehey also acted as the main character in the film. The audience were first presented with the image of someone scooping his fingers in a tub of Western Star butter. The noise this made was unparalleled  and I can't imagine anyone not squirming at the thought of gloopy butter under their fingernails. Even more startling, he then proceeds to rub the butter all over his bare chest. The film started with the signature line "It's hot". As the film progressed, it became apparent that it was all in rhyme. The dialogue was witty and well timed and had the audience laughing at its absurdity. It's Hot packed the comical punch that only a short film can deliver. 

SPRUNG HIP HOP FESTIVAL

SPRUNG hip hop festival is invading our city once again on Saturday 10 November bring a stellar line up of some of the best Aussie hip hop artists the country has to offer. It’s pretty sick that one of the biggest Aussie hip hop line-ups in the country is housed here in humble Brisvegas. Not to mention it's an ALL AGES festival for the affordable price of $77 a ticket.

The line-up is insane, but IZE have chosen our top five must see artists of the day.

THE BLUE HOUR: 2high Launch Party

Who doesn't love a party with great live music, DJ sets, artworks and rocking performances?! The 2high Festival is throwing a pre-party at The Box this Saturday 13 October to give an exclusive preek of what's to come at this year's festival.

RAW:Brisbane 'Radiate' (PART II)

 

WORDS | Melita Collins

 

RAW Brisbane creates a brilliant opportunity for local musicians to showcase their talent in front of a live, responsive audience.

NICOLE'S WINTER PLAYLIST

When the days are short and cold, there’s nothing better than listening to music that you can crawl up to under the warm sheets. My winter playlist is filled with songs that epitomise the chilliness of winter. Sometimes a bit dreamy and nostalgic with undertones of sadness, these are my top picks for songs this winter.  

LOCAL NATIVES: Brisbane's Best

Check out all the Brisbane music that IZE can't stop listening to right now. Aren't we a talented city?


The Princess EP - ZOOEY

LOCAL NATIVES: Atripwithsid EP Review

WORDS  |   Nicole Pires

The long awaited self-titled EP by Atripwithsid is finally finished and is available for pre-order now! Their full and explosive sound comes through in their debut record, which is effortlessly prosecuted by the five talented musicians that make up the band.

KODIAK EMPIRE

Kodiak Empire is the freshest Alternative Rock band Brisbane has to offer. With an EP currently on its way, the boys are looking to make their mark on the Brisbane music scene. IZE interviews them on all things band (and Mighty Boosh) related when the boys fill in the gaps.

CARMEN by LANA DEL REY

It’s always interesting to see what direction artists take in composing the accompanying video clip to a great song. Maybe it will be a story told through a literal interpretation of the lyrics. Or if you’re Lana Del Rey, maybe there’s a pre-existing formula that your film clips take. 

The video for her latest single Carmen is a compilation of short clips, not dissimilar to that of her hit Video Games. However, unlike the former, Carmen tells more of a story that reflects the lyrics. Lana Del Rey portrays the illustrious girl depicted in the song perfectly. It's believable that it's actually her and she's singing about herself, the girl that everyones wants to be.

She gives them butterflies

Bats her cartoon eyes

She laughs like God,

Her minds like a diamond.

A collection of beautiful and nostalgic imagery, Del Rey’s flawless face also makes appearances throughout. Whilst it may just be collection of short clips, it's arranged extremely well. The video even has a beautiful outro to finish it off, and ends with the French word Fin. For all those lucky enough to see Lana Del Rey grace the stage at Splendour at the Grass, it will be exciting to see what she brings to performance. 

ZOOEY: Secret Show 14/04/12

From left to right: Nic Brassil, Mike Day and Mark Day

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY |   Nicole Pires

A secret show, how illusive I thought? I had only ever dreamed about going to a secret show, such as the one that takes place in Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Whilst the address was released the day before the gig, it was exciting nonetheless and Zooey exceeded all of my expectations