ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY WE WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN BY ACKNOWLEDGING THE TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS OF THE LAND ON WHICH WE WORK TODAY, THE WURUNDJERI PEOPLE OF THE KULIN NATION, AND THAT SOVEREIGNTY HAS NEVER BEEN CEDED. WE PAY OUR RESPECTS TO THEIR ELDERS, PAST, PRESENT AND EMERGING. ALWAYS WAS, ALWAYS WILL BE ABORIGINAL LAND.
Been affected by the 2020 shitshow and need some pep? Hit us up at [email protected] to feature in our next issue. There’s a real joke that if the apocalypse But, as we all know, it’s been a clusterfuck. came, zombies took over and all hell broke Not everyone’s come through unscathed. loose, we’d be useless. Nothing to contribute. And it’s not because of their talent, No real-world skills, nothing transferrable to their drive, their skills or their incredibly help in times of need. Just a bunch of creative competitive day rate. It’s because of people armed with their crayons, looking a shitty situation that’s collected an like idiots. And there’s a grim truth to that. insane amount of victims. 82 We’re not really candidates for one of A scroll on LinkedIn proved just how ENTRIES those secret government hideouts where fucking dire things were. Colleague after they gather the best from all kinds of skill colleague, friend after friend, all suddenly sets to help rebuild society. Mostly because out of work, ‘looking for opportunities’, we don’t do science things and we’re not or at the very least seeing a drop off really huge on roughing it in the wilderness. in sales, bookings or gigs. The perfect summation is that we’ve got The shittest part was seeing it, and an office hammer (it’s the only off-screen not only feeling completely helpless, but tool we own), but it’s a novelty one with knowing that this wasn’t just a list of names. a bottle-opener on it. These are people we know. People we’ve And recently, we’ve had to come to terms worked with. People we’ve hung out with. 7 with the fact that when the chips are down, People that we ourselves would vouch for. CREATIVE INDUSTRIES it’s highly doubtful anyone’s going to need So we thought, fuck it. Let’s celebrate a logo for the side of their ark, or that the them, their work, and give some people zombie hordes will need a 360 integrated that need it, some PEP. And then we got digital campaign because they have low greedy and thought we should celebrate brand recognition with millennials. all the creatives in Melbourne (Naarm). The truth is, world events have pushed Like, all of them. Any skill set, any field our talents down the list of priorities. That’s how PEP came to be. Its purpose So when COVID-19 hit, we got to work is to look after our own, celebrate the our only hammer—drinking heavily. finest work in Melbourne, give out some It was terrifying to realise how fragile positivity during an increasingly negative 9 our lives were, and that in the space of time and hopefully get big enough to INTERVIEWS WITH no time at all, our livelihood could come need a launch party that warrants a beer UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES to a complete halt. We also realised that sponsor. A Melbourne beer sponsor. to truly give something your all, means So have a read, find some inspiration, making a conscious decision to not even find some new favourite creatives, hit them consider a plan B. That’s what our creative up and give them a share. Let them know careers had done to us. As it turns out, we you think they’re awesome. Buy a print, buy can’t complain. Our personal business will an artwork or an album, commission some A HUGE THANK YOU TO survive (statement true as of publish date), stuff, or at the very least, buy them a beer. PEP’S GENEROUS SPONSORS. and more importantly, our people, every single one of them, will stay employed. Art Film DANIEL RIGBY56 LYDIA GRACE 126 PARI CORBITT 8 ALEX CARDY 76 56 128 On how COVID-19 has impacted tattooing, fuelling J&CO On her delayed film premier ‘Bender’, ADRIAN WHEAR his creativity in lockdown and what the future looks like. turning passion projects into commercial DANI LAROSA 56 work and queer representation in film. SEBASTIAN JARMULA 128
SORCHA MACKENZIE 14 CREATE & CO 57 PHILIP BOON 128 On her process and practice, how the pandemic ROXANNE HALLEY 84 will shape the art industry, and what she’s been DAISY KANNIS 57 ZATHIA BAZEER 129 up to in lockdown. RYAN BRETT 86 AVALON MCWHA 57 BIANCA MURPHY 129 88 STEVE LEADBEATER 22 JIM MUNTISOV KATHLEEN PRENTICE 58 SARA UDUWELA 129 89 SAM KARIOTIS 26 MICCA DELANEY FLSY STUDIO 59 OLI WENSING 130 89 STEF HARRIS 27 SCOT EDWARDS JACQUI NORMAN 59 MATT SOLOMON 132 NICOLA & MARTINA 28 NICK CLIFFORD & Advertising ELISE TRENORDEN 90 PIER CARTHEW 133 ISABELLE SEETHO 32 ANGHARAD SIOBHAN JARRAH GURRIE 93 NEIL BAILEY 134 60 FITZGERALD TONY SIMMONS 93 MISS BOSSY BOOTS 134 NEAL-WILLIAMS 32 On her journey to Creative Director, launching Gaberish, and her new venture The Good Bits; Photography CARMEL GOHAR 135 OLIVIA WOOD 32 a good sex story platform for women. WREN STEINER 135 CLAIRE MCVEA 33 CHRIS TOVO 94 GUILLERMO On his award-winning exhibition ‘American African’, RYAN CREEVEY 136 JULIA CARVAJAL 66 the new studio and staying afloat in 2020. SCARMOZZINO 33 Music RAFAEL MARTINS 68 BRI HAMMOND 102 TRACEY MALADY 33 138 OLIVIA ROMAS 68 106 FELIX RIEBL CHRIS BUNJAMIN On his recently cancelled world tour, the 34 ‘Black Room White Walls’ EP, passion project ED BECHERVAISE 69 ANDREW BOAL HEATHER DINAS 108 Spinifex Gum and what’s up next.
Design AARON LIPSON 69 JAY HYNES 112 JOEY COCO 146 38 QUAN PAYNE RUBY & LEE 70 THOM RIGNEY 116 On his time as a DJ, producing his first track, and getting On running his own studio, the future of brand and by while the Melbourne music scene is on pause. how the pandemic will shape things moving forward. Literature JAMES GEER 118 NOTE TO NOTE MICHAEL PHARAOH 46 MIKOLAI CHARLIE HAWKS 122 BOO SEEKA / HANIA SYED 150 72 CASEY SCHUURMAN 50 NAPIERALSKI MARC BUCKNER 123 ALICE SKYE / MELISSA TOH 151 On her journey to becoming a Lettering Artist, GOLDING / GENEVIEVE PHELAN 152 74 her ‘Type In The Wild’ collection and the role DOSSIER INDUSTRIES JONATHAN RANDS 124 KAYROY / OLIVIA ROMAS 153 typography plays in times of crisis. Design — Interview
three years ago and met my partner ago and met my years three and have then started a life here, Europe all over been of I’ve do. tattooists and done a bit of Anywhere the US. always and is exciting overseas that’s a shout out give a highlight, and I’d to host happy that’s convention to any one say an international artist. I’d part of of I’m most fond career my in was the New Plymouth convention less about the much New Zealand. It’s as a the tattooists for clients and more kind of It’s get together. like a relaxing involved. with tattooing away weekend been working here ever since. since. ever here been working of done that’s One thing I’ve note the be travel would the years over a lot which doing guest spots, world
Pari, to kick things off, could you tell could to kick things off, Pari, began, career your us a bit about how it is now? to where and eventuated Well around 10 or 11 years ago now, ago now, 10 or 11 years around Well apprenticeship. I took on a tattoo Western I’m actually originally from Perth, It all started off in Australia. visual studying I spent a few years Edith Cowan at art, along with a year graphic studying design. University informedAll of way, in its own that It led me to just I do things now. how and hanging out with some tattooists, I just then getting an apprenticeship. mostly been I’ve lucked into it really. various at since then, working in WA and here around moved I’ve but shops, to Melbourne move I made the there. INTEREST INTEREST INTEREST
2,786 day On what feels like to chat I sit down of lockdown, Australian Corbitt, a Western to Pari one of Melbourne’s now tattooist who’s most sought after artists. Of all the the COVID-19, industries impacted by tattoo been industry has arguably hit does literally What Pari the hardest. be contact that can’t on-skin requires so I’m pretty a 1.5m distance, done from been up to. curious to hear what he’s to to investing drawing From done to gaming, find out what he’s channel his creativity, utilise his time, while money some extra and make his industry is shut.
AUSTRALIAN TATTOOIST PARI CORBITT PARI TATTOOIST AUSTRALIAN HAS PANDEMIC THE HOW ABOUT TALKS RELIES THAT AN INDUSTRY AFFECTED HE’S AND HOW TOUCH, ON THE HUMAN HIS CREATIVITY FUEL TO BEEN ABLE IN THINGS LATERAL PASSION AND FIND FOR WHILE WAITING TATTOOING, TO UP AGAIN. OPEN BACK TO THE WORLD
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DRAWING DRAWING DRAWING DRAWING From a practical perspective, things have changed so much. We’ve got to do contact tracing on everything, be hyper aware of where we’ve been, where a client has been, how many people they’ve been in contact with. People aren’t allowed to bring guests into the shop. We’re getting used to it now but compared to what it was prior to COVID, it’s still a bit of a shock to the system. Everything just takes longer. The only thing I’ll never be able to fully acclimatise to is wearing face marks, that will always annoy me. It just hurts my ears. PEP is all about giving the community a boost, and inspiring them through an absolutely shocking year. From your personal perspective, do you have any advice or encouragement for other creatives to stay inspired while they’ve got more time on their hands? Firstly, I don’t think creatives should put pressure on themselves. In my opinion, that’s not where creativity comes from. I’d say, get comfortable, and establish your new routine. It took me a while to be able to create in the same way with a new frame of mind, that didn’t involve me going to work everyday. I mean, for the last few months, every day has somewhat been a Sunday. At the moment you’re a sole trading as an alternative art practice Initially, I spent heaps of time on artist. Before all of this happened, for when I can’t physically be social media. Too much. After a while would you say that one day you’d around other people doing what I’d be scrolling and see the creatives aspire to open your own shop? I normally would. In that sense, I follow had become hyper productive. Yeah, I guess one day that’s like it’s been really interesting. I think for me, that was demoralising an end game. Since COVID and the But, to answer the above, I don’t in a sense, like ‘I should be getting lockdown happened, however, we’ve know about opening a shop in the myself out there too’. So, I took the had a lot of time to think. I think a current economic climate. It doesn’t time to go for walks and use that time lot of people have been able to spend feel like the correct time when so to try and do things productive. it reflecting on their income, their many people aren’t sure about when One other thing I’d say about this, main source of cash, and how they the next meal might be coming. and it might sound funny, is enjoy earn their money. Personally, as a Now that the world, at least for it. I’ve spent a fair bit of time soaking sole trading tattooist, everything was it up. I ended up using my time to shutdown, so it was all gone. It was the immediate future, has somewhat returned to normal, have things be creative, but have enjoyed the a total loss of income. I always had break in a lot of ways. a sense that that was one of the risks started to go back to the way they involved with my industry, but COVID were for you and the industry? You said you’d figured out ways to made it really become a reality in just Well, when the first lockdown make money laterally to tattooing. a week’s notice. So one thing I, and ended, the workload sprung back Can you explain what you’ve been up to? I think a lot of people in my position immediately. I don’t know if that’s Well, when everything was taken were forced to do, was figure out a reflective of people just waiting to away, and we’re a part of an industry way to make money lateral to the go and get tattoos, but I’m personally that’s on a knife’s edge, we don’t have career we had that couldn’t operate. not entirely relying on it. I don’t know any superannuation. It’s one of those One of the first things for me how sustainable it’s going to be. But things that goes under the radar the is creating my prints, selling them, for now, we’re busy. I mean, tattooing whole of your career, but when this and doing a lot of commission work as a whole is as big as it’s ever been. happens you realise that you need 10 Page 9 to make money for life one day. Fair enough. Well, I’d love to talk about A spread of Pari Corbitt’s work. So, you’re on your own and have your prints. How do you find promoting Page 10 ‘Liquids’ by Pari Corbitt. to look out for yourself, and no one that to people, are they getting around it? Has it been lucrative, or just a Page 11 is going to mentor you or help you ‘Fluid’ by Pari Corbitt. through that part of things unless personal thing? Left you seek it out for yourself. I think it’s a venture more for me. A forearm tattoo by Pari Corbitt. Once your income goes, you have I wouldn’t base my sole income on Below to pay rent. I know a lot of people Pari Corbitt pictured in his home. it, but I do find that people are quite that are far worse off than I was. responsive when I put something out I know a lot of families that consist there. And they’re responsive in terms of two tattooists as parents, and of buying them too. They’ve come they’ve got no income to support from all over Australia and the world. their kids. That’s where not having It definitely gives me impetus to keep a contingency plan gets scary. doing it. I’m spending my time doing It was worrying for a moment there. large scale drawings and stuff, then So, I literally just started reading, working towards dividing my time and decided to invest. I taught myself. between the three. Tattooing, I noticed the market had taken a huge drawing and investing. plunge, and everything was way cheaper. So it was cheap to buy in. Apart from the professional I had a heap of savings from over side of things, which part of COVID the years, and I was like, well what did you struggle with most? are the odds? It’s been an interesting Not being able to see my family. thing, doing something completely Without a doubt. Family and friends. separate to tattooing that I’m really Obviously, like everyone, we did the fascinated by. The whole world of Zoom thing, and everyone is happy investing and research and shares and healthy. But they’re in WA, and and trading and all that, it’s a new the distance never really felt this far. part of my brain which I didn’t It ruined a few planned trips, but even know I had. I guess there’s nothing we can do, Any stock tips? and everyone is in the same boat. No. Absolutely not. And, for you, what’s been the best thing to come from COVID-19? I think it’s given me time to figure out my next move, and the direction I want to go in. I think that’s about dividing my time. That includes everything I’m doing now but, perhaps in different denominations. Tattooing, drawing, and investing, something I do for work, something I’ve always loved doing, and something that’s completely different, that I’ve been able to discover through this.
To check out Pari’s work, or book in a tattoo for when all this is over, follow @pari_corbitt via Instagram. 13 As Melbourne settles into T a new 8pm curfew, H we caught up with Artist, E globe- trotter and soon-to-be F Musician, Sorcha I Mackenzie.
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Artist, Printmaker, Illustrator, Designer— So Sorcha, you’re an Artist, and as of recently Musician and Animator; Printmaker and Designer. Can you is there anything Sorcha Mackenzie can’t tell me a bit about your practice? do? I highly doubt it. Having completed How would you describe your art? a Bachelor of Fine Arts at VCA in 2014, I’d say my main thing is printmaking. and then undertaking artist residencies That was what I studied and what I’ve across the globe, Sorcha has been one continued. More recently I’ve tried to to watch in the art scene for quite some expand my practice. Now it includes oil time. Her work can only be described painting and video work along with some as breathtakingly intricate. music stuff. I really do enjoy printmaking Composed of fine line strokes and but I’ve tried to expand it to different details, she transports you into a whole mediums. The main idea behind my new world within every piece. Needless practice is my interest in the relationship to say, I’m very keen to unpack how between nature and architecture and how she achieves such refined beauty. they interact. I think when you explore those interactions, you inadvertently start exploring things like the psychology of ruins and the psychology of architecture, 15 and the concept of nature becomes regenerative as a force. I think with COVID-19 and everyone being locked inside, this concept resonates with quite a few people. The idea that we can use nature as a salve against the monotony of urban life. For people now, getting out and going for a run or a walk is almost the highlight of the day. You seem to mix up your medium a fair bit. Do you think it’s important to challenge yourself? I think it’s really good to try and explore, and speak about your Your work is extremely ideas in different ways. I guess every detailed and beautifully intricate. medium has different strengths which What’s your process to create you can work with. When you start one of those huge pieces? exploring your ideas, you’re able to It changes every time I start. create new ideas and conversations. I realised recently that when I’m trying It’s good to do experimental stuff to make an artwork, I’m always trying to develop new skills. to create a visual narrative, especially in the more figurative pieces which are quite detailed. I love medieval tapestries because you can see quite a linear narrative of what’s going on. Page 14 ‘A Soft Place To Fall’ I would begin by creating a visual Where do you get your What’s your earliest memory of How did you get from that realisation to That’s super exciting! Speaking by Sorcha Mackenzie. collage, which I would sketch elements inspiration? Do you look at photos realising you loved art or creativity, becoming the creative you are today? of uni, you mentioned you’ve done Right of and put them together, then just or does it just come to you? and that it was the path you were a lot of residencies around the world. ‘Stars Fading, But I Linger On’ I was very lucky when I applied for by Sorcha Mackenzie. continue adding in detail on detail Well after uni, I was lucky enough going to take in life? uni. I applied to a competitive school, Can you talk a bit more about where on detail. At the end I’d have what to travel for a long time and do a lot Well, when I was a kid, I always VCA. When I got in, it gave me the art has taken you? seems like a really complex image, of residencies. When I was doing those drew. It was my favourite thing to confidence and network of people to I’ve been to Japan a few times to but I’ve just broken up elements art residencies overseas, I was learning do, just draw by myself. When I had be able to understand how I could do printmaking and art. I was lucky, individually and placed them skills from people in those places, free time I’d be drawing or reading do it professionally in the future. because our university took us, which throughout over some time. and was running around doing lots or playing music. I actually wanted I still do design and video work wasn’t a usual thing. We were just That’s my process for those kinds of sketches and taking photos of to be a vet until I was in year 10, for people. My work isn’t solely lucky enough to have a nice professor of pieces. For the oil paintings I’ve places. I think when you see some or a biologist. Then, I remember selling paintings every day just yet. who had a lot of connections there. been doing, I’ve been making lots of my prints from over the years, I cut something open in a biology class But yeah, I think I was lucky having So we got to exhibit which was again, of structures which look like concrete. they have little elements of nature and I went to the bathroom and just that confidence. That’s one of very, very lucky. I really liked working I started using these architecture or animals or architecture from those threw up. At that point I was like, the advantages of going to an art there because I’d studied Japanese. programs to build 3D models, and places. I usually just have a lot of “I can’t do this. This is fucked. I can’t institution, you can see the pathway. All those years of having it under I’ve been making things from that, sketchbooks around, so I’m always be a vet. I can’t.” But I didn’t think If you do it all on your own it’s very my belt allowed me to work at print sketching them and then combining drawing things and writing down I wanted to do art or music. I really difficult, without that big community studios and places that were otherwise those sketches into a painting. So ideas or looking at photos. enjoyed playing music, but I had a around you and people who are like a little bit inaccessible. You needed that’s one of my new processes. I also really do love reading. lot of friends who were a lot better you. As well as that, I was speaking a common conversational level of For maybe the last year and a half, than me. I also remember auditioning to some friends recently and I’m language to work with the machines a lot of my pieces were inspired to be the piano player in our orchestra. actually applying to do my master’s and the people. I went to Barcelona from Irish mythology. This other friend of mine—an insane next year. I actually miss that which was exciting. That was a really lovely residence. I went to Finland. I’d think about imagery and piano player—he knocked me out the community, I love writing and In 2018, I went to Venice which was would be like, “I want to talk about park. So I decided I wasn’t going to I’d love to study to become really special. I spent a whole month this.” I also try and refer to older go to university to become a session a better professional artist. on the Island of Venice printmaking, printmakers like Gustave Dore who musician, I thought the process would which was magical, a very surreal did a lot of really dramatic, theatrical, kill the joy of playing for me. I decided place. The whole time I’ve been doing almost biblical etching or engravings - to pursue art; I really liked doing it too, these trips, I’ve been lucky enough things like Paradise Lost and Dante’s and I just wanted to be doing creative to travel all around Europe, so it’s Inferno with devils and angels and work all the time, because I think definitely taken me to interesting places stuff. When I get stuck, I always look “that’s what I’m good at”. and encouraged me to travel by myself, back at that imagery and think, “I can which is such a good experience. think about it in the context of this”. 16 17 It’s nice that you were able to get How has COVID-19 impacted art Yeah, it’s all those little things that help! those trips in before COVID-19! residencies and funding? Has there In your opinion, what do you think is It might be some time before you can been much support for the sector? going to be the impact of this period for do that again. Speaking of, how has the At the start of it, there was a COVID the wider art industry in the future? pandemic impacted you personally? artist grant. I applied and like, five to It’s tricky. There’s lots of different It can be really polarising. I’ve been so 10 people I knew did too. None of components that make up the art lucky to have a pretty good time with us got it. It seems like there is some industry. For people who are just it. But I’ve had friends who’ve had a support, but I don’t think there’s much. sole trader artists, it’s going to be horrible one. Some haven’t been able I know there’s galleries and institutions quite difficult. Some of the bigger to get any support because they’re not which have been very supportive with organisations should be okay. Australian citizens. I think I’ve had it the people they manage, especially in I’m sure they’re kind of just waiting pretty easy in comparison to some. promoting artwork. But then again, until they can plan bigger things again. The main thing was obviously one of the galleries who represent This whole period kind of made business went down. But it was weird. some of my work had to just shut for me decide to push myself to do a Not as many people needed design the period because there wasn’t enough master’s next year. The limitations jobs. I had like a couple of people money coming in. It’s definitely hard. of travel are going to affect us a lot. message me saying they were taking I think it has been quite hard on We can’t exactly know what’s next, a hiatus for a couple of months. all creative communities, but then but you just hope that there is some I was working with one studio who at the same time you have people sort of government support into the does fashion stuff. She had a lot of banding together and lifting each arts. People at the moment are mostly jobs that we were going to do together other up. I know I was really lucky at home, consuming things. And for that we had to cancel or postpone. because I felt like when it all happened, all the creative industries that come One of the things I do, which I I suddenly had an influx of messages together to create a Netflix show or couldn’t because of COVID-19, from all of these people on Instagram anything like that, or anything vaguely was design commissions. or something and were trying to find artistic, you need a lot of support. So I became more focused on building work for me which was very kind. Creativity is a lot of work. skills and developing a bigger body One of my friends in New Zealand of work. In a way, it was when I was asked me to send some work over so less locked down that I felt I could try we could organise a little show too. to do more. I remember I did a job It was nice having people do that. filming for a brand. They were doing I think everyone is trying their best to a fashion shoot, an advertisement of get through it, but it’s a difficult time. all of their different looks. I did video work for that and wrote music for their campaigns, which was fun. I’ve tried to do more things to become a musician and songwriter. My friend Liam and I have been making an animation too. He’s a singer/songwriter and has written the animation. Even though we haven’t been able to hang out, we’ve learned all these programs together while working on it, which has been really exciting and also really fun.
Left ‘Axiom’ by Sorcha Mackenzie. Right ‘Betwixt’ by Sorcha Mackenzie. 18 19 Yeah. Definitely. Do you think that, I know we’ve briefly touched Back to your art, the last time, I also like Otomo Katsuhiro, like the great Renaissance, this on this, but aside from oil painting you exhibited work was in January, who did Akira. Looking through era of darkness might birth really and animation, what else have I believe, at The Gasometer. That was Manga influenced my style for spectacular creative work? you been up to in isolation? a month before COVID-19 reared its years on end. The way that he draws I think in order to reach an artistic I’m in a little band with a friend I write ugly head. Thinking back on life, pre- buildings and creates an atmosphere. renaissance we need to all look music with, and we’ve been writing pandemic, now that you’ve had time In the same vein is Cami Roja. I love inwards, and try to understand our music and sending it back and forth to reflect, what do you think has been Studio Ghibli and all that stuff. the highlight of your career? own privileges, and how we can use to one another. I’ve also been doing I’ll finish up with one last question, those privileges to uplift people in our video work, which is like my design Oh, that’s tricky. I think the last what can we expect to see from you in society who have been marginalised work. When people have wanted show I had in Japan—I was there by the future? What are your goals and due to systematic racism, oppression certain videos from me, instead of myself, and it was very stressful—but what are you looking forward to? and colonialism and prioritise those me having to find a song or get music I remember I worked so hard to get voices that have been silenced for from them, I’ve started to write music people to come. I had these little white I’m really hoping that I get better too long. I think that there’s a lot of for the videos. I’ve also been trying to purse cards that were invitations and at oil painting. I’m excited to continue important conversations happening make a little library that I can just pull whenever I’d go out and hang out with that. There’re some amazing at the moment, especially Black Lives out for people. I’ve tried to do little with people, I would shamelessly hand oil painters in my studio, the one Matter in America and Australia too. bits of creating or drawing. Even if them out. I remember thinking about next to me is called Matthew Quick, who paints these out of control, In this period there’re a lot of issues it’s just something I hated every day. how hard I’d worked on that. So many surrealist, realist, classical sculptures being raised that haven’t been visited people ended up coming. That was a What’s the name in a contemporary setting. I’ve been by the whole of society before, and really great feeling, because I felt like of the band that you’re in? very lucky because he’s helped me they’re things that we need to solve. I was there all by myself and I’d done learn to create oil paintings. I really I think in periods when you have these It’s called Swimsuit Edition. it all by myself. I felt really proud. want to just get better. I’m also keen big changes, there is always a potential We haven’t released any music Off the back of that, who have to get this animation done. It’s a lot for amazing art to come out of it. yet, but we currently have a song or been your biggest influences of hard work, but I really want it You’d hope so as well. The thing is, two that we’re going to get produced. in your career, art wise? to come into fruition. you have to hope that everybody has This COVID thing has put a bit of the resources and ability to create the a nail in it because we aren’t really I’m a sucker for the old masters work in a really shitty time and I think able to meet up and record some of printmaking. Katsushika Hokusai, the only way we can ensure this is to parts we’ve needed to. Hopefully Utagawa Hiroshige, Gustav Dore, work collectively to a shift in society when this is over we can finalise Francisco Goya, Jean Duvet, Maria where people actually have equal everything and leak some stuff. Cosway. In terms of contemporary opportunity. BIPOC people have artists, I always really love Julie What instrument Mehertu, an artist from New York, not for a very long time and do you play in the band? we need to change that. she does really beautiful work. In I play piano. I’ve actually played piano 2017, I was actually lucky enough Do you see any trends emerging since I was seven. At the start I was to go to her house, which was my Above ‘Crepuscule Waltz in A Minor’ in the art space and creativity forced to play an instrument, but then dream come true. Other artists I’ve by Sorcha Mackenzie. in general right now? I ended up really enjoying it. I played been particularly inspired by recently Right Some more of my friends have saxophone for about six years and include Chloe Wise, Jacob Van Loon, Sorcha Mackenzie inside I play bass. I’m also learning guitar and Ariana Papametropolous, her old studio in Docklands. been working in the digital space because they haven’t been able to at the moment, but piano is my main I’ve definitely been quite inspired go into studios. I’ve had my studio jam. In the band I play the synth by architects. I love Frank Lloyd for most of it, but I’ve gravitated to technically. So I’m in charge of all Wright and his Prairie style learning a lot more digital programs the big beep boop synth controls architecture; it’s always been really because it’s just easier, especially if in the back with the computer. fascinating to me. It’s in a lot of my you’re starting to do things from home. drawings. I love Paul Rudolph and In terms of subject matter, I’ve seen the Brutalist architects. I was always a lot more art about isolation, and really interested in the weird Soviet Step into the world of some more uplifting illustrative work. architecture, especially the Soviet bus Sorcha Mackenzie via It’s on Instagram a lot, things about shelter. From that I was interested in @sorchamackenzie or home, things with domesticity, Googie architecture – which is futurist sorchavalon.com making a home a nice place. architecture inspired by car culture. I think those are new trends. 20 21 Independent Melbourne artist transforms his suburban STEVE experience into primal, deeply affecting work — C. Yestadt Like many visual artists I’ve been drawing as long as I can remember. Since the early ‘90s I’ve been LEADBEATER exhibiting my art. For over 20 years I’ve worked as a Graphic Designer which has given me a deep Artist understanding of visual communication.
@leadbeater Although my themes are universal, it’s often difficult [email protected] to divorce the work from the suburbs where it’s created. Expressive mark making gives my subjects a kind of wild energy. That’s important when I’m trying to convey a raw emotion. This could be why the work polarises most who see it, they either love it or fear it. I can’t control what an audience feels, I’m just glad they’re moved. I want my work to serve as a reminder of the immense power, vulnerability and mystery of being human.
22 23 24 Currently based in Melbourne, Australia, Sam Art — Best of Melbourne Kariotis is a multidisciplinary Artist, combining forms SAM KARIOTIS of digital and traditional collage with projection and mixed media installations. Multidisciplinary Artist His works are centred around the LGBT community @samkariotisart within the framework of the Romantic movement. [email protected] Often featuring both Christian and Pagan motifs, his works aim to dissect the often inherent homoeroticism of both communities throughout time.
As the lockdown began I needed to open up. STEF HARRIS I needed to take the negative energy and convert it into something positive. This piece is one in a series Artist of works I have been creating during COVID-19. This body of work is the visual account of my @stefharrisart resistance against the urge to shrink and fade. [email protected] Instead I chose to expand. Instead I chose to flourish. Working big I made bold movements across the canvas. In long continuous strokes I allowed the shapes to grow and stretch, enjoying the evolution of the forms as they playfully intermingled and overlapped. The feeling I was looking for in creating these works was freedom. Working with bright, vibrant colour combinations these pieces are designed to energise and invigorate. Through my own biomorphic language this is what I hope to convey to the viewer. 26 27 @kumaniko, @mdc_illustration [email protected]
NICOLA BERNARDI & MARTINA DIRCE CARCANO Artist & Photographer
Nicola and Martina are madly in love and in (30 days of portraits and illustrations) they decided a long distance relationship across the planet. to tackle new ideas that would ultimately take the They met two months before Nicola moved to shape of physical artworks with their talents combined. Melbourne in July 2019 and from the very beginning, Thus TETRIS was born: each piece is a A3 Paper canvas dreamt of a life together. While distant, they found solace with printed photos and physical (and material) illustration. in working creatively together on projects that would see In each portrait, the two disciplines and styles blend them produce photography and illustration from afar. seamlessly to the point where it’s impossible to recognise which is which at certain points. The photography part Between December 2019 and January 2020, the two is 3 10x15cm prints from a portrait Nicola shot, with some finally spent over a month together in Melbourne and, facial features cut with a scalpel and then recreated and after already finishing their first project “Closer To You” enhanced by illustration and painterly techniques. 28 Art — Best of Melbourne 31 ISABELLE CLAIRE Art — Best of Melbourne
SEETHO2D Animator @seethroughiz MCVEAPhotographer @claireoart / Illustrator [email protected] [email protected] ANGHARAD JULIA NEAL- SCARMO-
[email protected] [email protected] Illustrator Illustrator [email protected] [email protected]
Photographer @artsunsh0w3rfl0w3rs Woodturner @maladydesigns [email protected] [email protected] OLIVIA TRACEY WOOD MALADY 32 33 Ed Bechervaise is an Artist and Creative Director living in Melbourne. Originally from Adelaide, Ed grew up ED painting graffiti, interested in art and creativity. Ed discovered street art after coming to Melbourne in 2003, BECHERVAISE and from 2004 onwards produced artwork under his urban art name ‘Unwell Bunny’. In recent years Ed spends a lot Artist / Creative Director of time creating art in a studio. And while not working on a show, creating artworks, or involved in the art community, @unwellbunny [email protected] Ed is most at home working on projects that have a purpose. And even more at home using creativity for good. Ed loves creativity that leads to community initiatives like sustainability, better health outcomes, or innovation. For this reason Ed loves to collaborate with like-minded people that think creativity is about making things better, inspiring new ways forward, generating social change, or shifting perceptions. Not just creativity for the sake of it. Ed also has a deep interest in culture and sub cultures. For this reason he loves to travel and understand more about cities, and what motivates people culturally.
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WE CAUGHT UP WITH QUAN PAYNE, FOUNDER OF STUDIO PAYNE, ON STARTING HIS OWN STUDIO JUST ONE YEAR BEFORE A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, HOW HE THINKS THE LANDSCAPE OF THE INDUSTRY HAS CHANGED, AND WHAT THE FUTURE OF BRAND WILL LOOK LIKE.
Quan Payne’s illustrious resume growth and continuous improvement. and body of work precedes him. For a lot of agencies, losing clients He shot LeBron James for Nike at and staff can be symptomatic of this the 2012 London Olympics, evolved pressure to deliver growth and revenue, the iconic Swarovski swan, created clients become numbers. The care campaigns for the likes of Chobani and support gets lost because and Calvin Klein, and most recently it becomes transactional. held the title of Executive Creative In my career, I’ve seen how a lot Director at Cornwell design studio. of agencies get run, the pros and But you wouldn’t know it. He’s cons and the different personalities reserved, and humble. And right involved. The thing that I’ve always before COVID-19, he decided to found challenging and led me to both walk away from the big agencies, resign and open the studio, is that I and start his own . don’t love company politics, and I don’t After founding Studio Payne, love individuals doing things within COVID-19 was a spanner in the works a business that don’t benefit the team to say the least. But he’s managed in a way that will foster growth and to come through the other side and deliver the best possible outcome. has a wealth of advice on the future What was interesting about me of brands, and how the pandemic starting my own studio, in comparison will shape things moving forward. to the ones I’ve been in, is the ambition for the agency. For most people that Can you tell us a bit about your start their own, they have the goal journey to starting Studio Payne? to eventually sell it to one of the big How did it come about, and what holding companies. But for me, the did you want to do differently from work comes first. That’s the priority, where you’d worked in the past? and I’m passionate about it. My first and foremost priority in starting my To cut a long story very short, own place was to provide the support, after many years of working overseas feedback and guidance to the team to for many companies, I came home ensure the work is as good as possible. and took a job as Executive That doesn’t mean sacrificing your life Creative Director at Cornwell for the work—because there’s a limit to design studio. It was about a that. My second priority and something 30-40-person studio, initially that I love is seeing the team grow. I like owned by a company called to give them the best opportunities STW, which was eventually I can, so that if they leave the studio merged into WPP. I came whether in a year or ten, they can into Cornwell as a brand find work anywhere. caretaker. By that, I mean that I was trying to build on what the brand Initially, I didn’t know about had stood for for so long, which only starting my own studio, I had a few gets harder the bigger you get and the conversations about working for other longer the brand exists. In Melbourne agencies, and working with clients especially, there’s a roof on how much I’d had at Cornwell that had since business you can do whilst retaining moved on to new agencies. I ended quality, focus and delivering it in a up consulting for a lot of them, and timely fashion. The bigger you get, helping them with their new agencies, the harder it is to do. And at Cornwell and creating better ways to work and I feel we were at the very edge of that, relationships between the two. caught in the struggle for continuous 39 Right Art direction for 80 Collins St by Studio Payne. Shot by Isamu Sawa. Far Right Brochure design for 80 Collins St by Studio Payne.
When it came time to open the studio, everything started from word of mouth. Not only from new clients, but from staff. What’s been interesting is we’re focused on fantastic relationships with our clientele, and growing depth, rather than just getting as many clients as we could. That’s not what I’m interested in. It was cool when we decided to actually start the studio and do a business plan. One of the main things we wanted to say is ‘no dickheads’— In regard to both who we work with, but also in regard to how we ourselves act—It’s easy to become one without knowing it. That’s been really positive, to more implementation based. terms with the fact that we might because we have created incredibly It’s safer. That’s actually what I saw not be face to face for it anymore. strong relationships with supportive across a lot of our industries. People It’s definitely harder to manage clients that care about us, because were still busy, but doing things just people remotely. You almost have we care about them. We always try to keep busy. More practical than to do double the amount of work our best to go above and beyond, conceptual, which is understandable. to properly articulate yourself or explain feedback. for what they can give us, it becomes Speaking on that, do you think a mutually beneficial and mutually clients are still going to take risks One of the biggest challenges about inspirational relationship. And because after this is all said and done, or that working from home is that it formalises of this we don’t have any problems practical output will be the new everything. Everything has to be a with clients paying their bills on time normal moving forward? Zoom meeting or a call or whatever. or debtors, which I’ve seen a lot of in If you’re in an office or studio and other agencies. It’s funny, I have clients When we come out of this fully, we’re you’re going through the creative emailing us asking to pay their bills. going to see much more risk taking. process, you can just talk about it But, while we are here, I’d say no. straight away. Not having that has From a business standpoint, Everyone is so busy trying to sort taken some getting used to. how has Studio Payne been their own stuff out and make sure impacted by COVID-19? they’re in the place to be able to Is there anything you have been I guess at the beginning of the move forward as a business, no one working on through this time that year, there were the fires. You’d is thinking about the kind of work you’re particularly excited about? probably say, from our end, there that could blow everyone’s socks off. Surprisingly, we’ve had a lot was a slower start to the year than It’s also a timeliness thing, people of very different and interesting normal. Business naturally has peaks are dying. To come out with a clients and jobs come in. and troughs. I’d say that our business creative campaign and go ‘here’s When I left Cornwell and decided was impacted in the sense that our the best idea ever’ would just feel to start Studio Payne, I didn’t know trough just lasted a lot longer. It’s a bit inappropriate. the kind of clients we’d get. A lot of not that we weren’t still profitable, the things I’d worked on in recent years we were, which is really lucky. Back to your management at your own studio, as an agency owner, were property, or at least property We’re still really small, and our how have you had to adapt your adjacent. So, we’ve been doing a lot overheads are the same. What was management style to working of mixed-use spaces and that kind interesting to hear from talking to from home in a lockdown? of thing—gyms, hotels, bars—which people, was that the scope of the is predominately lifestyle work. work has fundamentally shifted, at To be honest, we’ve always been And all of which was unfortunately least for a while. It’s beginning to flexible. I’m a huge advocate of hit the hardest by Coronavirus. change back now, but the work has human interaction in the creative changed from being more creative, process and have had to come to 40 Left Cover for the Little National Post by Studio Payne. Right Spread from the Little National Post by Studio Payne. Next Left Brand experience for Play-ground by Studio Payne. Page 48 Quan Payne pictured.
But, in turn, we’ve been doing Now, what’s important for brands is they have huge athletes like Alyson a heap of random things, and that that they have a platform to talk about Felix boycott the brand because they really excited me. We did a high-end their values, and particularly right didn’t support maternity leave in a childcare centre. We’re doing a job now, we’re in this period where brands meaningful way. Obviously, these for Visit Victoria. We’re doing small need to have a true set of values that kinds of things provide and push restaurants. There’s now a massive align with customers’ mindsets and be change within organisations, and variety which we weren’t used to or able to communicate it across multiple that’s fantastic. We will always try maybe didn’t have before COVID. different channels. It’s interesting to find an authentic positioning for seeing this shift. 10 years ago, ads brands. It goes back into some brand On a personal level, and brands were about entertaining schematics but that’s something how has COVID-19 affected you? —let’s have a joke from a certain point I can truly talk to, because it is really There’s a natural progression of of view—but that’s changing. important to walk the talk internally. phases for everyone. There’s that Hopefully, brands will embrace It’s interesting in these times to watch initial depression, then hope that a little more of a diverse point businesses shift too. The C-Suite you’re getting out of it, then denial. of view and bring that out. We’re has changed in terms of the age My wife is due to have a baby in working on a couple of projects at demographics and beliefs and cultural the next two weeks, we were in this the moment and they’re about how background, we’ll see that continue, position where we were hoping that we can create true change in regard as everyone becomes more and more these past couple of months would to the perception, integration and vocal about what brands represent, be the time when we actually could interaction between our Indigenous the brands themselves will have to go out and enjoy just being the two heritage and culture, and make that make meaningful change. They’ve of us. But now that isn’t the case. a part of the current conversation that always been buzzwords up until this To be honest, it would’ve been far exists within business communities. point, but now there’s this huge push more daunting if we’d been severely On that, a lot of work in that for brands to have a social statement affected from a business perspective. vein also has to be more than just in regard to what they stand for as a business, and how they act accordingly. You’ve worked on local and a band aid statement, but a brand international brands; do you have any permanently and actively helping How do you think the luxury thoughts on the future of the brand? to create meaningful change. and lifestyle brands will need to What’s the new normal after COVID-19? Do you think the line between internal adapt to a pandemic environment First and foremost, there will and external communications will and post COVID? be a shift in how brands interact. dissolve through this period, where Well, it’s going to be interesting, That has thrown a lot of agencies, businesses are having to back up and I don’t know if I know the answer. especially the traditional ones. Our external views inside the business? It’s something we’ve talked about a industry was set up on this archaic Absolutely. We’ve seen that a lot. Social lot. At the end of the day, when you’re structure—TV, Print, etc. Now we’re media gives platforms to people that talking about luxury, high end brands, going almost purely digital for a lot historically have not had one before. the thing that defines them is service. of communications, everyone is on When it comes to luxury experience Vogue has historically made it the phone, people are sitting at home brands, you don’t necessarily pay incredibly difficult for non-whites to and can’t do anything except interact for something physical, but rather progress within the ranks. Nike makes digitally with the world around them. a differentiated service. campaigns based on women but then 43 We’ll probably find that it will pivot was a childcare company, Finally, what do you see as being continue to just exacerbate the things who started a subscription service key opportunities for brands during that we talk about as being luxurious, for these educational box kits that are this time, and beyond COVID-19? which is time and space, and less of delivered every month to the parents, Having strong values and a strong the gaudy glitz and glamour. And also, so that they could actually help their proposition is really key. People have the fact that hygiene and cleanliness children learn from home and go to trust your brand. No matter what, will become a greater part of that through the structured course program trust is going to be the most important world will be really interesting. that aligned with what was happening, thing, because in times of uncertainty, It’s a pretty ambiguous question all on a digital platform. It was kind of they want to know that the service that because I guess after all of this is one of those things that will continue they get is of a standard and quality done, would you trust an Airbnb or and be a long-term initiative and that they won’t get sick, and that a high-end hotel that you know is going be successful and a positive. they’ll be safe. It just goes back to the to have thorough hygiene measures in For the more traditional hierarchy of needs. It’s all about just place? COVID may be a huge factor retail to survive, how will the making sure that you can deliver those in shifting away from the whole gig experience have to change? key things before you actually can economy and the democratisation have any other conversation. We were already on the downward of personal assets, and back to more There’s no point in talking about spiral for retail, and COVID-19 was of a traditional approach, which as something different until you actually a pretty big nail in the coffin. We’ve I said, could be very interesting and can address that. There’s a time and been talking about retailers shifting a positive for these places and brand. a place for changing the conversation. from a transactional experience to In the next couple of years, we’ll We’re all a little bit fatigued and being more of a brand experience probably see hotels and destinations depressed. A lot has happened this a lot. There are many brands that not offer refunds, so you have to year. In the right context and the actually are struggling, ones that you book in advance and pay in advance. right mindset, you can still offer a wouldn’t expect. However, there are That might be an issue that everyone little bit of inspiration or positivity, others where bricks and mortar are will have to get used to again because or a bit of a dream in there, to take beyond a transactional investment. everyone’s gotten so used to this people on a journey. ability just to change their mind It’s really about presence. It’s about half-way through things. status. It’s about ‘we’re here in this part of the city that represents X How do you think brands will have and people come to this place because to pivot their comms or strategy it says something about them’ — it’s during this period, and have you aspirational in regard to what they seen anyone do it particularly well? want to do. When you look at retail, When COVID happened, I saw a lot there’s been retailers that have been of design studios say, “we’re working incredibly successful over this time. from home and we’re still offering JB Hi-Fi’s sales went up. Supermarkets services”. Maybe it’s just a personal went up. They had Christmas numbers thing, but I’m not one for too much because people were buying. broadcasting. That’s more of a But then you look at other brands relationship issue with your clients. that are almost going out of business. I feel it’s better suited to a discussion Because obviously, not only is no one versus a statement. This kind of caught going to work and buying clothes, everyone off guard and obviously you but the fact that you have a general have a lot of the digital brands that internationalisation of fashion where have done incredibly well out of it, people can buy something from but they weren’t expecting it or ready overseas and it’s delivered to them for it. It’s just a natural outcome for in a week. What we’ll see is the middle what has happened in terms of the drop out and it’ll probably just be process. Everyone was just doing what the high end and the low end that they could to keep their head above continue. You’ll probably see the water. We had hotel clients that were low end trickle out as everyone goes just trying to change from selling more and more online, but there’s hotel rooms to going to government still a place for a lot of other retail contracts to do quarantine rooms components where people want to see To keep up with Quan and Studio or becoming accommodation for physical things. It’s still an experience Payne’s work, or healthcare workers. People were doing factor and what might be interesting get in touch, visit studio-payne.com or what they could in an awful situation. after COVID, is that people might follow @studio.payne People as a whole are getting more really want to get out there and touch on Instagram. and more used to digital experiences. things and walk around and have One brand we work with that did that experience again. 45 I’m a freelance Graphic Designer. MICHAEL During COVID isolation I started a creative side project—Plant World. It’s an outlet to create stuff I want to without any parameters or brief, and PHARAOH it has been super fun and fulfilling to see other people enjoying it too. Graphic Designer
@plant_world_studio [email protected]
46 Design — Best of Melbourne 49 now. So, let’s say Tokyo. I would These days, I also do quite a bit of My interviewee, Casey Schuurman, keep my eye out for so many live work (when events are happening). is a Lettering Artist, Typographer different things now. In terms of ‘Live lettering’ is when a brand or and Designer, whose work is English-speaking countries, maybe business hires an artist for a particular characterised by lush letterforms, even somewhere like New York. event; maybe it’s a promotional night bold brush strokes and fine-tuned In a lot of ways, it’s not somewhere or a store opening or an exhibition curves. Her work has a warm, retro I’m dying to go back to but there’s and they want to offer customised feel to it that I love, and her craft is so much influence—the signage is products, or have someone there that’s THE just so high quality and versatile. engaging with people and offering grounded in the purist nature of hand done type – something she’s passionate A lot of the photos that I’ve mementos. Working live isn’t always about sharing with the world. snapped, were taken there and easy—I’ve got to practice and stay on I was only in New York for four top of my skills. It definitely keeps me She also happens to share my niche days. So it’s still a favourite. But on my toes. Then sometimes I get to passion of photographing typography then when I think about it more, do actual painting, mostly assisting, on out in the world, with a dedicated New York has its own culture, large scale murals. I really love helping collection on her website called, ‘Type SILENT but it doesn’t really have the same other artists bring their creations to In The Wild’. Needless to say, I’ve been element of history. Some of my life and the feeling of getting back looking forward to deep diving into other favourite photos were taken to basics with a brush and paint. the world of type with her. And after a in parts of France, where there’s few technical issues on either end (why just ridiculously cool Art Deco What was your pathway into all does Zoom insist on being updated styling and any particular sign these different things? Did you every single week?), I finally can. itself might be 100+ years old. always know that lettering was I love that kind of thing. what you wanted to do? SILENT It’s one of those things that’s always I noticed you like to take pictures Can you tell me a bit more about what of typography in the wild, a lot of been there, but it takes a really long you do as a Typographer day-to-day time for you to see the connection signage. It’s a personal favorite and what jobs you’ve been working on? activity of mine so I was wondering, and join the dots. It’s super cliché what’s been your favorite piece? I count myself as a Lettering Artist, but when I look back to year four or I suppose. It’s probably the most five at school, I was the person doing That’s a hard choice! I’m definitely accurate title for what I do. There bubble writing on everyone’s folders drawn to the more decorative ones. are so many terms within ‘typography’ and notebooks. You look back and SILENT In the gallery on my website, there’s and it can be tricky understanding you realise, there’s signs in the form a ‘decorative’ collection that I refer some of the differences or deciding of ‘I love drawing’ going back to back to all the time. The first sign in what you want to lean into. I think what feels like forever. there, ‘gelato’, is one of my all-time lettering for me has just felt more STRONG favourites. It’s mostly art deco or I always knew I wanted to be natural over the years as it’s really creative in my future job. I studied older cool stuff, just really bizarre stuff the technique of drawing as opposed that grabs my eye. Signs that in any Communication Design at RMIT to writing. I love that with lettering, straight out of high school and it was other context you would think, for the most part, you’re focused on ‘god that’s weird’—but it just works. within that course that I did a subject SILENT ‘this looks cool and works well and on typography and had that moment Sometimes removing the context communicates what it needs to’ changes everything. I have a whole of ‘that’s what that is!’ I then started in this exact context—whilst also to weave a bit of lettering into different category dedicated to signage I saw knowing that what I’m drawing in Japan that highlights exactly that. briefs. I remember one really vividly, here wouldn’t necessarily work during my second year at uni; we I actually learnt Japanese in high as a font or something like that. school. So I can speak and read a bit. designed a magazine and I had lettered Knowing the alphabet and looking at In terms of my day-to-day, I spend the masthead of this fake cover and We caught up with some of those signs I thought, “that’s most of my time on lettering the lecturer was like, “You’ve lettered insane”, the way they push legibility commissions completing one-off it.” I told her, “I couldn’t find the CASEY to the edge. You see it only for the artworks for clients. As an extension font that I wanted, it just felt natural design or the aesthetic—the way that of that, I do a little bit of branding to do it myself.” She told me it was lettering sits together—and appreciate and identity work. Very occasionally actually quite good, and it felt like SCHUURMAN it for something else entirely. I dabble in calligraphy, with traditional the validation I needed to ask myself, to talk about her journey nib and ink and in type design (font ‘am I good at this?’ I went into the to becoming a Lettering Obviously we’re in lockdown. creation) too. It all sounds so linked, course feeling that I didn’t fit and so No international travel. But if you and it is, but they’re all such different I massively over-corrected trying to Artist, type in the wild, could visit one city for its type post skills under the banner of ‘typography’ be more of a digital designer. After and the role typography lockdown where would it be? that require their own techniques and that brief, I had the realisation and plays in times of crisis. There are so many different answers ways of thinking. I try to mix it up for motivation to say, “This is what I’m for different reasons. I’m dying to get myself because although lettering is good at and this is actually something back to Japan. I wish I could go back my one true love, every now and then I love. Let me find out everything I think, ‘I need to do something else’. I can about it right now.” 51 Fast forward, I graduated uni and some stability. I went from working at I’ve always felt that the design Left Monaline artwork by that stage I’d focused on lettering home for two days a week, to spending industry isn’t really valued as it should by Casey Schuurman. much more. I participated in an every minute at home. It was and be by a lot of people. I don’t know Right intensive course on typography here still is, challenging. I’ve had difficult whether this time of uncertainty, ‘Happy Earth Day’ in Melbourne, and spent a couple moments with mental health working interruption and reassessment is by Casey Schuurman. of months learning all kinds of from home in the past while spending making that value more apparent Next left ‘Game Over Or Game On’ by different styles and techniques— so much time feeling isolated. or whether the general attitude coming Casey Schuurman as part of the trying font design, painting, calligraphy Overall, I had to reassess things out the other side of all this will lean Planet Before Profit exhibition. and so on. At that stage I was like, pretty quickly. My income pretty much more towards ‘well, we’re not going Next right Casey Schuurman pictured. “I can do it all. I love it. It’s all so fun.” halved, probably even more than that, to hire a Designer/Artist/Creative But I very quickly learnt that there straight away. It’s been a day-by-day until we’ve got excess budget’. are so many niches within the niche effort and evaluation since. I’m hoping for the best though! of typography and most artists end up specialising in one, maybe two. The wider design industry has Have you been working on anything That’s why it’s lettering for me, but been pretty heavily affected by this, personal during isolation? I still like to experiment with other do you have any thoughts on what Bits and pieces. Mainly getting skills and styles. I also completed the long-term impact might be? around to artwork ideas I’ve had the government’s business program, Do you see your work changing floating in the notes of my phone N.E.I.S. that teaches the basics of drastically post COVID-19? for ages. I’ve been doing quite a lot running a viable business as well as I think it’ll take quite a long time of portfolio and site maintenance supports you financially while you’re for the industry to fully recover in some too. My biggest accomplishment in starting out. While that was happening, ways. Naturally, budgets will probably isolation has been starting a newsletter. I continued freelancing and started be non-existent or really low for a Its creation wasn’t tied to COVID— teaching lettering workshops. Teaching little while until events are back up a newsletter is something I’d been has kept me practising my skills and and running. I’m realising, events are wanting to do for a really long time. message that next step, or really meeting new people, I love it. a huge part of the creative industry— It was a goal I had on my list for last What’s the newsletter about? It feels really interesting that people speaks to what the message is about. who perhaps haven’t had any thought Every client job that I’ve worked on not even necessarily just design—but year, but it didn’t feel right at the time. The newsletter, itself, titled ‘Rise You don’t see people using swirling around typography, or what font or in the last 4-5 years has helped me all of the creative industry. I think it Early this year I told myself, “Okay, and Shine’, usually starts with a little scripts on protest signage, for example. colours to use, have a message they edge a little closer to where I want will affect people on both ends of the this is the year of the newsletter.” intro, maybe a new piece of work It’s usually quite impactful and strong want to communicate and so now to be, essentially. I’m still freelancing ‘designer spectrum’, meaning people I put it all together in January and or a new project. I share updates, to match the mood and wording. see type as a tool to help them. presently, but funnily enough and with who are multi-skilled within the design settled on sending the first issue out resources and links to all kinds of I’ve seen a definite shift towards the the weirdest timing, right as COVID industry will probably push that even in late February, then everything things—some fun, some informative, It’s so interesting how innate type is in ‘call to action’ style, especially on hit, I got a part-time job as a Designer. further. They’ll take advantage of started to change. I ended up sending some useful. I suppose the initial some ways. People learn to read and Instagram. Lots of artists are creating I’m now balancing the two, which feels their skillset and get work wherever the first issue out in early March reason for creating it was tied to the write at a young age, but we’re never posters and allowing free downloads good because I have the best of both it comes. Whereas people that rely instead, so it feels somewhat tied workshops I teach. Things can get really taught how to use typography. for people to use at rallies for instance. worlds; versatility and some stability. more on a niche or a really specialist to isolation and COVID now, which missed so easily on social media. As I’ve mentioned, I wasn’t taught about More recently, the way people are skill will likely have to market the hell wasn’t the initial intention, but it’s I’ll make a post about a project that it until my time at university. If you’re using Instagram to call out certain It’s obviously been a pretty intense out of themselves or try to find work turned out to be a really nice thing to I’m really proud of and often it feels lucky, you might learn a little bit here behaviour and educate more deeply couple of months with COVID-19 in different avenues. It’s hard to know work on while lockdown is happening. as though the algorithm just tosses and there in high school. That wasn’t on big topics, is something I’d never and the lockdown situation. how it’s all going to play out. it to the side. To me, a newsletter the case for me—I definitely set some How did it affect you? feels more meaningful and personal. really seen before this movement. school essays in Comic Sans. Later I’m moved by the way information Pretty massively. It’s tricky to gauge. I’m hoping over time, as it evolves, on, I’ve learnt maybe why that wasn’t is spreading and being shared across Privilege is something that’s spoken it becomes a bigger source of the best choice, but it’s still fascinating all kinds of accounts recently, rather about a lot at the moment, I’m aware connection and collaboration. to me that people, for the most part, than Instagram being a place typically I’m in a privileged position, where understand the inherent tone or ‘vibe’ I’d like to chat a little bit about hung up on pure aesthetics. I have some savings to lean on and of a piece of typography or font. the recent climate development in a good ‘work from home’ set up. I’ve always loved that, while not Australia and overseas, the Black Lives Historically the strength of protests I can afford groceries, internet, everyone’s a Letterer or Designer, Matter movement. I guess typography was unity across type and visuals. rent and things like that. But on and they might not even know the historically had a role in people-led It’s really interesting that now perhaps the other hand, before we’d even term ‘typography’—everyone has movements and protests in general. the strength comes from everyone’s gone into official lockdown, as soon access to fonts, and everyone has Obviously, there’s been a change in different messages and the uniqueness as things were starting to look a little their own individual handwriting. how it’s been used historically and how of everyone’s signs and posts. bit uncertain, any jobs I had coming I’ve always thought of typography it’s used today. What role do you see What do you think? up were cancelled. Most jobs I had as really diverse and quite inclusive— type playing in modern protest? lined up (and so many jobs in general) everyone has some kind of access I think it’s really great that people are tied to events, so all of those were A big role! It’s not the easiest thing to it at a base level. I love seeing feel that they want to say something put on hold, postponed or cancelled. to articulate. Defined in the simplest the different ways that people make so much, that they’ve got something Very quickly, I had no freelance work terms, I’ve always seen type as the signs and the way they use typography to communicate so strongly that they at all which is where having the design ‘tone of voice’ of a communicated and fonts. It’s really highlighted find a way—any way—to do it and job that I’d only started two weeks message. It can be really impactful on such a larger scale during that often takes form with pen to paper. before lockdown became crucial for when the typography pushes the times of protest and unity. Whereas in the past, even as recently 52 53 as some of the climate protests, I’ve taken the road of sharing the the time from people scoffing at I’ve seen people really designing work of others that is educational, the price of a logo, for instance. posters. When I’ve attended, I’ve thoughtful and useful, while I focus on I smile with amusement every time loved seeing that most people have self-education and sitting back to listen. I teach a lettering workshop and made their own posters. The unique I don’t want to be silent but more than there’s at least one person that gets voice of individuals is more present that, I don’t want to be needlessly so frustrated by how much harder that way, I think. It seems the attitude speaking and not contributing in it is than they thought. There’s that of, “I know what I want to say, and a meaningful way either. realisation that lettering is a skill you I’m going to express it in this way” hone, a brush pen is a tool you learn is more present. There’s a lot of Over the past few years, I’ve noticed to use. I would love to see a shift in the strength in that. hand-generated typography has had perceived value of typography and a bit of a resurgence in culture. Now from that, more tangible opportunities, Do you think maybe this period with COVID-19 we’re seeing a lot of such as grants for people using design will change the way people see type aspects that traditionally are done in and type in interesting ways. It’s one and design in the future or do you person become digital. Do you think of those things, the more people that think it might shift back? your practice will have to change in have access to it, the more experiences I feel there are people that have any way due to this digitalisation? and opinions you see expressed, and been irreversibly affected during this To be honest, when it comes to all of a sudden there’s more diverse period, they’ve opened up a new visual my personal workflow, not really. perspectives and stories that exist world, an aesthetic world, and new way Drawing by hand is still something more openly and visibly in the public to communicate. For those people, I that I love to do and will continue sphere. Yes, Instagram often shows imagine it would be a change that they to do. Although I’ve definitely been output of the exact same style again will take with them moving forward. on a bit of an iPad streak for a while and again, but I still think more people For some, I think it’s something that now. I’d say most people working learning about type, and having access they will use while it makes sense to professionally within the commercial to it can only be a good thing. To me, them and then they’ll probably just art and design realm are aware that typography has the power to bridge adapt to whatever happens in future. most work these days ends up digital, a gap and connect people more. For the most part, even if people don’t because a lot of the final application It’s one of my favourite things about actively do anything differently in for creative work is digital. I think it (that I could go on about forever) regard to type, I think what people hand-done and handmade work will but I won’t—this time! are seeing and what they have always attract people that are looking exposure and access to will for, and appreciate, craft. The people continue to grow and change. that attend my workshops are usually looking for a chance to get away Have you made any work specifically from the screen, a chance to connect for protest or times like this? with something else. I think that will Not too much honestly. Most continue to be something that people recently, I lettered ‘Black Lives search for, in both their personal lives Matter’ during Blackout Tuesday. and professionally, whether they’re I do occasionally put things out there; on the side of commissioning on issues I feel strongly about, like work or creating work. ‘Change The Date’ around Australia Day for example. I was involved in Do you think there’s going to be any the ‘Planet Before Profit’ exhibition opportunities for hand lettering and late last year, to raise awareness and typography or any that you hope for? funds for climate action. I submitted More education around it! an artwork for auction, as well as I’d love to see type education be volunteered my time live lettering more widespread, at a base level. on the night. When things are close To contribute in some small way to to my heart and I feel really authentic that; I have thought about teaching a about the way that I’m participating ‘Type 101’ workshop that covers some or communicating then of course, of those basics, in the hope that people I want to create work in support. could learn from there and take it At the moment, as a white female, wherever they want it to. Typography Explore Casey’s I’m painfully aware of the privilege is just something that people interact work and sign up that I have had and continue to have. with so much in their daily lives! to her newsletter In terms of opportunities, I feel the ‘Rise and Shine’ at It’s not like me to put something out caseyschuurman.com there, just for the sake of it. I’m a very majority of people still don’t really or keep up to date via intentional person, an over-thinker, acknowledge the craft behind hand @caseyschuurman and I’m not into virtue signalling— lettering and type—or the history it’s painfully transparent in my eyes. of it or the use of it. It’s seen all 55 DANIEL CREATE Design — Best of Melbourne
RIGBYMultidisciplinary @lukerr.design Graphic Design & &createandco.com.au CO Communication Designer [email protected] Brand Strategy Agency [email protected] DAISY
Branding, CreativeJ&CO @jandco_melbourne KANNISpostscripterrr.wordpress.com Graphic Designer / & Marketing Agency [email protected] Finished Artist / Retoucher [email protected]
Graphic Designer @danilarosadesign UX Designer @bento.solutions [email protected] [email protected] DANI AVALON LAROSA MCWHA 56 57 Design — Best of Melbourne 59 @jacquithedesigner [email protected] JACQUI NORMAN Art Director / Brand Designer / Brand Art Director I’m an Art Director/Brand Designer based in Melbourne. I’m an Art Director/Brand Garden the ‘International is for Rose The project that A Gippsland town Victoria. in Morwell, Festival’ did the I being the heart of for is known the valley. out designs. roll branding and collateral @flsy.studio [email protected] Fully Agency Creative Stacked FLSY Studio is a collective of Melbourne’s finest freelance of Melbourne’s Studio is a collective FLSY of dance music. a common love united by creatives, make We no rivals. have We bosses. our own are We specialise in delivering We do. we in everything music conventional go beyond that ambitious digital projects (top), an online database like WIP Project themes, of artists and industry & GNC dance music female equality and with a mission to improve professionals, UX Branding, Our capabilities include, diversity. Motion, Photography, Development, Design, Web Film & Media. for StrategySocial and Music Production FLSY STUDIO
Kathleen Prentice is a Melbourne based Prentice Kathleen Designer. Industrial and materials with diverse working She believes unique something to creating is key experimentation meaningful original, Kathleen values and interesting. balance and demand. Harmony, a serves design that approach. within her design notions key storytellingare of the forefront sustainability is at on A focus her creative design can ways at looking and critical exploration, designs Kathleen’s future. on our impact a positive have herself either by in Australia produced are or local design should strengthen She believes manufacturers. design an inclusive and create the local economy alike. women men and for culture the last two for her work Kathleen has been exhibiting Canberra and Melbourne. in Sydney, nationally years her in furnitureHer passion resides design, however turnmedium has taken a realm entering the digital in. Digital design are times we due to the current this might ofhas the flexibility remotely, working in the future. she goes down be the path
@kpvd__, @kathleenprenticedesign @kathleenprenticedesign @kpvd__, [email protected]
Industrial / Visual Designer Industrial / PRENTICE KATHLEEN KATHLEEN 58 FOR THOSE THAT DON’T KNOW, SIOBHAN FITZGERALD IS AN ADVERTISING CREATIVE AND WRITER. SHE IS ALSO THE FOUNDER OF GABBERISH (CREATIVE THERAPY FOR CREATIVE MINDS) AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE GOOD BITS, A GOOD SEX STORY PLATFORM FOR WOMEN+.
She has also been actively to anyone bringing ideas to the table. together to make a case for it and involved in achieving greater female That was a really fantastic community they listened, and full credit to them, representation within the Australian to be a part of, and it taught me a lot still an independent agency then, creative industry. Ahead she talks about trusting myself, and my ideas. they implemented it. I also wrote about her own career, where she But it’s funny the way your life an article for AdNews that argued finds the starting points for personal travels, because the week after that if we were to achieve greater creativity, and the importance I started working at The Monkeys, female representation in the ad of female empowerment both I went to Tasmania with my partner, industry, agencies would need to in and out of the office. and he proposed to me. So, from start granting paid maternity leave the very beginning of working at the —it was one of the most read opinion For everyone out there that hasn’t best agency I’d ever worked at, I was pieces that year. Of course it was the spent time following your career, moving into a different phase of my zeitgeist, but it was great to be part could you give us a run through life. My time at The Monkeys was of the conversation. It helped me of your advertising journey, and interspersed between being really understand the power of my voice, where you think your career exciting creatively, to being exciting and gave me confidence in my really began to blossom? personally, with a wedding then a writing outside of advertising. honeymoon and then falling pregnant I used that voice to launch Gabberish. Reflecting back on my career today, pretty quickly afterwards. I was having a tough time at work it certainly doesn’t feel particularly and chatting to a whole bunch of glorious! It’s hard to pick a starting Then of course I was pregnant for other creatives about it at a Christmas point. I think probably I felt I landed nine months, and it can be really hard party, I realised I wasn’t alone in when I started working at The Monkeys to find energy to get through the day. feeling crippled by anxiety at times. in Sydney. All of a sudden I was in It’s interesting to reflect on all these big They were all like, ‘I totally get it, an environment where if you had a life changes that happened to me while I know where you’re coming from’. great idea it could get made, and I I worked in that office, but they were I stepped back and thought, this is was working around really inspiring always so supportive of me. so common but we don’t talk about people. Whatever side project or idea For example, very few agencies it unless we’re drunk. So I had the you had, they really encouraged the were offering paid maternity leave idea, it was literally after the entrepreneurial spirit, and were open at the time, but I got a presentation 61 ONE DAY, I HAD THIS JOB, THEN IT WAS PRETTY QUIET, AND THEN THE NEXT DAY I DIDN’T HAVE ONE SO, I WENT ONTO LINKEDIN AND GAVE MYSELF A PROMOTION, TO CO-FOUNDER AND CCO OF THE GOOD BITS. SHOWTIME AN EXERPT FROM THE FLING BY STEFANIE LONDON
Christmas party, I went home drunk creative skills. If we have the time or job, then it was pretty quiet, and then He also said he was going to go home and wrote this poem about being inclination to focus on problems that the next day I didn’t have one. So, I and get off while thinking about you. rejected, called Seeking Approval. we come up against ourselves, I think went onto LinkedIn and gave myself Pulling open the sliding door to the balcony, Images swirl of him in the shower, water streaming The poem asked again and again, there’s a real opportunity to follow a promotion, to co-founder and CCO I almost sigh in relief when the cool air hits my skin. over what I know will be a rock-hard body, while he is this okay? Am I all right? Will that. Maternity leave is a pretty bloody of The Good Bits. And thankfully, at The rain has stopped and it smells glorious—like springtime reaches one of those strong, long-fingered hands you accept me? All the internal busy time in many ways, but creatively, a time when everyone is stuck at home and wet grass and jasmine and life. This apartment is on the down between his legs… questions you are constantly asking it’s not very inspiring. So if you’re a and the sex tech industry is starting to corner of the building, with the balcony facing the back of I shiver. in the advertising industry. I’d be creative person and you start to catch boom, I had this side project ready to the property. The garden below is lush and beautiful, and checking my emails at all hours looking up on a bit of sleep, all of sudden launch. And here I am, a prude with I can totally see why my friend bought this place. The figure is still standing there. Unmoving. Waiting. for approval from my CD, my ECD, you’ve got time on your hands to be a sex site. It’s been a wild ride. I lean my forearms against the railing and suck in a big Waiting for me? the client. It was that desperation able to pursue your own passions. breath. I’m wearing an oversized white T-shirt, which the It’s a silent standoff. I should go inside before I embarrass for approval that birthed the From a young creative, it’s a pretty During my last maternity leave, breeze flutters around my body. I have no idea how long myself further in front of this guy…but something keeps idea for Gabberish. inspirational career. COVID-19 has I started a sex site. Not that sex was presented a lot of challenges, and I stand there, leaning and trying not to think. Just feeling. my feet rooted to the ground. Desperate desire winds The response was a lot bigger than a passion of mine, quite the opposite. adaptability is more important than Eventually I’ll need to get back to bed, but as I turn, I catch through my system, slow and steady like the drip of I thought it would be. People kept But I realised it wasn’t just me—in ever for agencies. How do you think a glimpse of something. A warm light emanating from the condensation down a glass on a summer’s day. I want him. coming and saying, ‘yes’, ‘I get this’, every family with young children, the future is going to look for creative apartment next to me. I want the feeling of hot, confident hands roaming my ‘we need this’. Or ‘we go to the pub it’s hard to find time or energy for agencies? Is the traditional model I can only see into Mr. Suit’s place because of the angle body and stubble-roughened kisses on my neck. and drink our woes away, but we sex. The Good Bits came out of dead? May it go back to normal? of the corner apartment, and even then it’s not a full view. When the shadow disappears into the darkened apartment, do need to start talking about this finding a solution to that problem Only a sliver. But it’s enough for me to the see the glow I think the show might be over. Disappointment stabs me stuff’. I felt like finally, through my and then delivering it to the world That’s a really good question. I have of a room inside the otherwise dark apartment. A door in the gut. I’m definitely going to have to avoid this guy openness about rejection, I finally in a way that feels different from no idea what the answer is. I know a is open, and light spills from what looks like a bedroom. in the elevator until I skip town. Lord, what am I going felt accepted and seen. anything else online. lot of publications are collapsing right now because the advertising spend is A shadowy figure emerges, momentarily blotting the to tell my friend when she comes back? I think if you’re given the opportunity Maternity leave also gave me the room so low. And I think that agencies need light with its broad frame. to step away from the industry, that’s and opportunity to start to bring that to provide greater value online, beyond My breath catches in my throat as the figure stills. Continue reading at the thegoodbits.com really healthy. We are so constantly to life. And it was good to have it as a banner ads, which often don’t yield the Can he see me peering in? For a second I freeze, focused on our clients’ problems, but sideline as well because COVID-19 hit kind of results that publications need mortified at being caught looking like some peeping while we’re doing that, we’re developing not long after I came back, and I was to stay alive. So if publications aren’t Tom. What the hell am I thinking? It’s a total invasion all of these great commercial skills and made redundant. One day, I had this going to pay for that traditional style of his privacy, especially after he said no to me. 62 Left sexy excerpts when they’re going to Do you have a favourite piece or writer? do you think are the things that I, ‘What Zapped my Zeal?’ from The Good Bits. bed at night so they can re-establish My personal favourite was Showtime. and others like me can do to propel closeness in their relationship’. That I liked that one. To be honest I couldn’t the industry forward from a diversity was the initial inkling of an idea that do the more hectic categories. and female empowerment perspective? I had at the time. Then I was like That’s so interesting, that’s exactly The advice I’d give you is the ‘there is no way I can do that’. what I would’ve said, I love that story. advice I’m giving myself in regards Still over time I started talking to It’s actually the story that our up-and- to Black Lives Matter. mum friends about it. They all got coming podcast is leading with. I’m the problem, everyone was in the the same with the more intense stuff. When I first saw the #BLM movement same boat. There was a lot of But everyone’s different. For me, that’s gain traction, I was advocating from support for the concept. the right level of graphic and intimate. the sidelines. Then an indigenous friend of mine wrote on Facebook, Most things online are exploitative But everyone has such different ‘if you haven’t posted about Black and hardcore. Even beyond porn, taste—that’s why we divide up into Lives Matter you’re a [expletive]’. if you want to search for erotic content the categories of hot, hotter, and And obviously I felt like I was you have to go through a bunch of hottest. One of the things we learned advocating for them, but how much tags that say, ‘sex with your mum’ and early on, is that you never yuck had I really done? Nothing, so what ‘incest’, stuff that puts you off, instead someone else’s yum. use am I? None. I am learning to of turning you on. Women—and men, If someone else thinks something become an active ally. You can do and everyone else—are being asked to is great, like bondage or threesomes the same, for women and for people relate to sex in terms of an increasingly or whatever, we need to be able of colour. Lean into conversations, violent and exploitative porn industry. to represent that. Male gay romance share content, and whether you’re There’s room to talk about this in a is actually a popular sub-genre hiring or networking, actively look different way and to create a different of romance writing. out for people of colour, and women. language and imagery around it. A consciousness throughout your The idea was to create a ‘safe for work, Where do you draw the line on career of leaning in to those who not safe for work’ site. Really, the size appropriate? Because I completely may not be adequately represented of the opportunity is what gave me agree with how important it would be will do you, and the whole industry, the guts to start working on it. I met up to say, ‘don’t yuck someone else’s yum’, a lot of good. with another mum friend, she’d worked but is there a point where you say no? of advertising, a lot of them will move I’ve always found it hard to make So I think being vulnerable is an in start-ups before, and thought it was Absolutely. We outline a few different to subscription where they don’t have myself proactive for the sake of important in. In advertising, we a great idea. She had the business side things. We want everyone to feel good to rely on ad industry. I don’t know a ‘proactive idea’. Ideas normally look for insights from a brief, but of things and I had the creative side of without feeling gross in the process. where that’s going to leave the ad come from somewhere, rather than you can look internally at insights. things, so we went into a partnership. Things like underage, incest, beastiality, industry. I think we’re going to see an saying ‘I’m going to be proactive’. And even if they feel really scary We’ve just signed a commercial along with a few other different clauses evolution across numerous industries You need a starting point to apply that to own up to, if they resonate with distribution deal for our podcast, so of extreme things are not allowed. We over the next few months and it’s a to. I think you can look to your own life other people, then there’s probably that should hopefully be getting some are also very picky about enthusiastic great time to innovate. I’m interested for a starting point for your own ideas. an opportunity to do something attention too, which is really exciting. consent. But generally we just follow to see where everything ends up. Both Gabberish and The Good Bits about them. our guts. Things that make us feel were born from problems that I saw As an art form that was birthed in uncomfortable, we don’t allow or share. Earlier you briefly spoke about and wanted to try and solve. That was a fantastic answer. I do a patriarchal society, how important redundancy. It’s happened to a few want to talk a bit about The Good do you think it is to hero females And, what are you doing in isolation people in the last little while. Do you I recently came across Brene Brown apart from The Good Bits? Whether talking about being vulnerable, and Bits. As a down to earth bloke with within erotic writing but also have a recommendation for people no experience in erotic reading at all, female erotic writers? it’s professional or personal or both, that are in that position of something realised that it’s what I’ve been doing. what’s keeping you entertained? Putting my inner fears out there and I couldn’t be further from the target Interesting question. Women have that they can do? It seems like you’ve audience. I’d love to know how a project I have two small children and a always found the energy within yourself trying to face them. With Gabberish, really had a seat at this table for a it was my insecurities growing so large like that comes about? What makes long time, but they have of course startup. I have no time. I barely to go out and start things—Gabberish, you sit down and go, ‘erotica, have time to sleep. now The Good Bits. What can other that I needed to own up to them. been writing from a patriarchal I want to do that’? There has been one upside through people do to amp themselves up It can feel scary to tell the world that society that we still live in now. WFH, in that my commute time professionally in a time when it might you’re insecure, but when you find I guess that’s the thing. I’d never read The Romance genre is full to the brim out everyone else gets it, then it takes erotica, and I didn’t know anything doesn’t exist. I was commuting for The Good Bits has be hard to find work for a while? of sex written by women. Romance partnered with the you to a healthy place. Then with about it. But, I have read lots of books. novels are not something that I’d ever 2.5 hours a day, then I want to see my iHeartPodcast Network I think the world is undergoing The Good Bits, when I had the idea Basically, for months after having taken seriously, but then I realised that kids. I just haven’t had time to exercise. Australia to launch a huge evolution at the moment, But I ran seven kilometres the other a sexy stories podcast for that site, I thought ‘there’s no a baby I had no sex-drive—which the reason I didn’t take it seriously is this September 1st. and if you’re at a loose end it’s way I can do this. It’s a sex thing. is totally normal—but I was reading because of the patriarchal society that day. That was amazing. I hadn’t done In the meantime, you worth looking for problems to solve. that since before I had my eldest. can see what Siobhan I don’t do sex things!’ I’ve always been this book one day and came across we live in. It is such an interesting and has been building for If you come up against a problem the last little while and a bit of a prude. But my prudishness a sexy scene and thought, ‘oh, hello. evolving landscape—a billion dollar This is a personal question for me. and a solution that you think works is what makes the site unique; there read some good sex That part of me still exists.’ industry, where the female imaginary As I said, I’m a young male creative. stories at thegoodbits.com to solve it, then I would encourage are many other people who have or get in touch via Then I thought, ‘God, there should is re-imagining sex and power I’m straight and white. I’m the furthest you to deep dive into that and see the same sensibility, they just don’t [email protected] be an app that feeds tired mums little dynamics post #MeToo. thing from a minority group. What whether or not you can make it work. normally make sex sites! 64 65 gc-ad.com [email protected]
GUILLERMO CARVAJAL Art Director
I’ve always been amazed by the power of a simple idea. purpose. Why do I do it you might ask? I’m not sure really, Like creating a series of anti-tourism postcards during but I consider myself to be like any other person. I put my a pandemic with zero production and zero media budget pants on one leg at a time, just that when my pants are on, that created a national conversation and ended up in a I come up with amazing ideas that will make you want to collection at the Melbourne museum. (And upset a roll your Rs and yell “Rico, Suave!”. mayor or two but you can’t please everyone.) I guess it’s all about thinking ‘outside the box’ in order As a kid, I grew up dreaming about making my unique to connect with people through unique stories and ideas come to life. Since little Pedro got a gold star for experiences. Once you have seen one house with a drawing that house with a sun and a dog and my florescent sun and a dog, you have seen them all. Can you say Amazonian armadillo didn’t, I knew I needed to find a the same about a fluorescent Amazonian armadillo? path that allowed me to explore my peculiar imagination. Take that Pedro, whose work ‘lacks depth’ now?! My obsessive pursuit of this dream led me to follow a career as an Art Director in advertising, where I finally found my 66 RAFAEL OLIVIA ANDREW AARON Advertising — Best of Melbourne MARTINS ROMAS BOAL LIPSON Multidisciplinary Creative Creative Copywriter Creative Director / Art Director Creative Director
raffimartins.com livromm.com @pnky.co aaronlipson.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
We’re living in an apocalyptic world, post- HOWDY. I’m Olivia Romas, a Creative Copywriter Punky is run by Andrew Boal, who has been in I’m an art-based Creative Director, most notably advertising era where even Art Directors from VICE and their creative agency, Virtue. advertising for longer than he cares to admit, working at McCann and Cummins&Partners. can write (or at least should). Recently, COVID came along and cock-blocked as an Art Director and Creative Director. Combining While I take pride in the many shiny awards my Although so much has changed, the one thing that my dreams when the shock decision was made to scale a love of advertising with an equal love of all things ads have achieved, it’s business wins and sales results has stayed consistent is that everything starts with back the VICE AU business by 95%. It meant most of tech, the main focus of Punky is to leverage CGI I’m most proud of. Like reversing the flailing fortunes an idea. The singular line that summarises a complex the workforce, including myself, were made redundant. to create beautiful advertising experiences. of Australia’s former suburban bourbon, convincing thought conceived during your morning shower. Sob stories aside, a favourite piece that came out of my We use the power of motion picture VFX to create more kids to pick up a tennis racquet than a Gameboy Yes, I could write about how international I am (but time at VICE/Virtue is the ‘How to Hibernate with eBay’ advertising cinematography that is usually impossible, (do they still use those?) and helping an A4 office I may end up sounding like a spoiled rascal). Or I could series, with Christian Hull and Karen from Finance. or too expensive to create in a traditional studio. paper brand trend on Twitter. easily tell you about all the “awards” and “recognitions” Coming from a traditional agency background, writing Woodstock Bourbon: We uncovered a product truth: I’ve achieved during my “x” years of experience in episodes for, and working closely with, famous comedians in Woodstock, the more they turn the barrels, the better advertising. But I would much rather leave you with are few and far between. Creating some light-hearted the bourbon tastes. Shot on location in the small town this thought: If you’re looking for a humble, passionate, content during isolation sweetened the deal. Working of Woodstock, Kentucky, this is the story of how the multidisciplinary Creative, I am your guy. Throughout with my legendary creative partner, Sascha Wilkosz, townsfolk take their craft very seriously. So much so, my career I’ve worked in Brazil, the US, Germany was the sugar on top. So during these dire times, please they travel by barrel. and Australia in well-known advertising agencies such have a giggle and enjoy the episodes on livromm.com. as Ogilvy NY, Wunderman Thompson São Paulo, Serviceplan Hamburg, Isobar Melbourne to name a few. 68 69 behance.net/rubyboyntonboardman leespencermichaelsen.com
RUBY BOYNTON-BOARDMAN & LEE SPENCER-MICHAELSEN Creative Team
Lee’s a copy-film-music-article-zine-livestoryteller- had announced his $213.6 billion economic stimulus poetry-weddingspeech-writer. Ruby’s an art- package. So, we decided to announce one of our own nudespainter-ceramicist-DIYpowerhouse- —The Wild Secrets Stimulus Package—a free delivered interiordesign-director. box of sex toys to keep quarantines company. A week before ‘the rona’ locked us up, Wild Secrets, We asked people to claim their stimulus package with Australia’s largest adult toy retailer, came to us with kinky official government radio, outdoor and social ads, a pitch. How can vibrators help people explore which included a coat of arms made of butt plugs, their sexuality in isolation? That morning ScoMo dildos and anal beads. 70 I’m a Copywriter who spent several years working with Literature — Best of Melbourne MIKOLAI museums in the Middle East before returning to Australia. My friend’s name is Noko. She’s a Melbourne-based creative who’s had her work exhibited in various japanese NAPIERALSKI galleries. A while back I was bored and hopped up on just the right combination of coffee, Red Bull and cold-n-flu Copywriter tablets. So I wrote her a nonsense story about her plans NOKO AND MOCO. to become minimalist. It’s sat on my hard drive because @mikolai_to_the OR THE PERILS OF MINIMALISM [email protected] I don’t know what else to do with it. But I figured you might appreciate it. So I asked Noko to provide an illustration and here we are. IN A CONSUMER SOCIETY.
Artwork by @papertrumpets By Mikolai. With illustrations by Noko Washiyama.
One morning Noko awoke and decided to be minimalist. Instead, she went to her closet and began working on “There are too many things in my life,” she declared, her minimalism. She started with her clothes, because while eating breakfast with her cat, Moco. “I should get that seemed the logical thing to do. Also, because her rid of at least half.” The cat looked up from his coffee closet was deep and overflowing. One time she had and toast, let out a yawn, then turned back to the reached for something towards the back and found crossword puzzle he was attempting with little success. herself tumbling through space and time for several hundred years before she eventually found a Zara “You could also benefit from a little minimalism,” she top that had fallen apart after one wash. said, while watching the cat light its 5th cigarette of the morning. “I didn’t want to say anything, but you’ve become Luckily, she was a freelancer, because even the most dangerously obese, and I fear for your health. One day generous employer would have taken issue with that kind you’ll have a heart attack, or get caught in the cat door, of chronic absenteeism. But that’s not the point of this story. and that will be the end of you,” she said, before continuing And neither is the ethnical quandary of the Zara business on. “And who will pay half my rent if your lifeless body model, so we’ll skip that, and just talk about how Noko is in the rubbish, waiting on the garage man to arrive cleared several hundred bags worth of handbags, shoes, and take you away?” and tops from her wardrobe. When she placed them all outside for the council to pick up you could see them Moco ignored his owner and absent mindedly smoked from earth with a beginner telescope. his cigarettes while staring at the birds through the window. Lately they had developed new confidence and had taken Noko wasn’t sure if she was a minimalist yet, but it felt like to openly mocking him from the sill. “You’re a fat piece she was on her way. And as Moco watched from the hallway, of shit and you haven’t sold a screenplay in three years,” she started minimising the house, one room, one item at a they would chirp as he sat at his typewriter. time. The DVDs were the first to go, because it was 2020 and they made no sense. Next came the books, because They were right of course, but he was a cat, and that came she had already read them, and once she started she found with certain professional disadvantages in the film industry. it was easy to simply keep going, and throw things away. Not least his complete illiteracy, which meant pages and pages of utter gibberish. How he sold those early works As the days turned into weeks, and then years, and then remained a mystery, but everyone was too polite to ask, millennia Noko kept removing things from her life, and and as long as the royalty cheques kept arriving it seemed Moco watched, and smoked his cigarettes, and cashed best to leave things well alone. his royalty cheques and wondered how long it would be until he was also removed from the equation. “I can’t talk to you when you get like this,” Noko despaired, clearing away her breakfast, and grabbing And then one morning Noko awoke in a plain a handful of black garbage bags from under the sink white vacuum, with nothing as far as the eye could see. and retreating to her bedroom. All minimalism, all everywhere. Except Moco, who sat next to her on his old typewriter, with his cigarettes, >>> and his illiterate story about Noko, and her minimalism, The rent for the house was very cheap. But that was and how she had made the whole universe disappear. because Noko and Moco lived in an old American Gothic Noko turned to him then, scratched behind his ears, and homestead that had somehow founded itself perched on the said finally, “I think we’re done here. We’re minimalist now.” edge of the moon. There was a shed in the backyard that transported her to an abandoned shopfront in Abbotsford, And Moco just looked back at her. Melbourne, and none of this made any sense, but Noko Because of course he was just a cat. wasn’t in the business of asking awkward questions. 72 73 Dossier Industries is an experimental publishing imprint and collaborative design practice, founded DOSSIER by Annette Dennis in Texas in 2017. Now based in Melbourne, we create tactile and INDUSTRIES engaging printed literature on a wide variety of subjects, through both commissioned and self initiated work. Publishing Imprint / Collaborative Design Practice We see Dossier Industries as a research facility to experiment with visual language and the printed page. @dossierindustries [email protected] Our approach to publications and design projects can be defined as thoughtful, collaborative, and aesthetically exploratory. Our small catalogue of publications are available in some of the best art book stores in the world, including Tate Modern, The Photographers Gallery, MagCulture and Artwords, just to name a few. In addition to book design and publishing, we also produce brand identities, printed matter and websites for clients in Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
74 Alex Cardy chats about her delayed film premier, turning passion projects into commercial work and queer representation in film.
It’s a respectively warm winter afternoon Can you tell us a bit about and I find myself huddled in the plainest ‘Bender’? How was it conceived? corner of my bedroom, with the hope So basically, it was developed of evoking some sort of professionalism through inspiring visuals, locations in this new working-from-home world. and an Instagram-saved cast of people I await the virtual arrival of Alex Cardy, that I thought looked really great. an award-winning DOP and Director; When it started off, I thought it could whose work focuses on queer narratives be a fashion film because it was just and spans across video, feature film, coming from such a visual place, but short film, documentary and expanded then I teamed up with the co-director, online projects. Bonny Moir, who I work with a lot. What I didn’t know about Alex, is She had some really great ideas and it that I’m actually a fan of hers from way turned more into a narrative, especially back. It didn’t take much of a stalk when we cast Lucas Pittaway who was to realise I’ve seen and loved her work in ‘Snowtown’ a long time ago. The lead before; an ad about consent launched actor, I came across his profile. He’s a on International Women’s Day back in jockstrap designer and has one of the 2018, ‘50 shades of No’. Fast forward best asses in Melbourne. So, I was like, to the present and Alex’s latest project, save! He looks great, but I guess, it was ‘Bender’, a short film, is set to premier at a film where I could have ultimate the Melbourne Queer Film Festival. control over what was being selected as a DOP. I shot it and directed it. And we shot it around the plebiscite and all that came in… It was pretty loose. We didn’t work from a script. It was a visual treatment with an arc of feelings and we separated the shoot in a way where we shot the first half and then I kind of cut that and then re-developed the second half a bit. And then the plebiscite stuff just felt really right. I guess that was important to me, to sort of bring that in as well. You would probably watch it and go, oh it’s a load of bums and nakedness and banging. But it’s actually about tenderness and vulnerability. And it’s essentially like, these guys don’t get along, but I guess for me and what 76 Prev Right A scene from the short film ‘Bender’. Left A scene from the short film ‘Bender’. Right Scenes from the short film ‘Bender’.
I saw around the plebiscite was, you sound. It was just as much sound the prime minister defending some funding for another series. It’s a that was one of my first jobs... know, within the community we’ve driven as it was visual and there’s them like they have a right, which six-part series that I’m making with six the producer liked me and started got so many perspectives, different hardly any dialogue in it, but I would was really most of the debate and other queer directors and it’s all to do pushing me in the line of scenes and privileges, different voices, different say about six months. And everyone is infuriating to say the least. with queer elders. So, we’re going up to films and then [I] kind of moved into everything, but it really united us. on the crew, well the majority, there shoot and I am actually directing this documentary, and now here we are was one sound guy that didn’t identify Now you actually directed episode along with the subject in [it], shooting a lot of films, music videos, There was a camaraderie that was ‘Bender’ as well as being the DOP. going on and I think everyone was as queer, but it was mainly made by who is a Tiwi Island sister-girl, Crystal fashion things. And yeah, Sissy Screens all queer identifying crew as well, It is pretty cool that for your first Love, and it’s all to do with her work has kind of been the next thing. Sissy waking up and suffering. I think there’s directing piece you were nominated a lot of people in the community which was great. with the sister community. She lives up Screens is a big excuse for me to shoot for the Melbourne Queer Film Festival in Darwin at the Tiwi Islands. So, I will whatever I’m passionate about with that experience all different types of I was watching the trailer and there and the St Kilda Film Festival. homophobia and transphobia and no very much enjoy working with her… no one telling me what to do. was a snippet of dialogue that was used. How are you feeling about that? Like she’s marvellous, not only is she a one was left [out] in that. If you had Someone was saying, “But that’s where So Sissy Screens is a curated platform the most privileged queer life, you Yeah, I was really happy with it, talented artist, but she’s also an activist I stand,” and that sounded to me as but it’s been a real downer because and does so much for her community you founded for queer creatives to were still going to work and hearing if it was a politician talking there. showcase, discuss and premiere their bigots on the radio. So, that’s kind all the screenings got cancelled and is really changing the way people Where was it taken from? and no one has been able to see it. in the community are supported if you work and ideas. Can you tell us more of the undertone of the film, that about that project? these guys don’t like each other, but It’s Malcolm Turnbull’s speech where Hopefully the Queer Film Festival are trans. She’s an amazing activist. something happens and there’s a he’s kind of apologising for no voters. will go on and have their screenings We have a trailer up on Sissy Screens, So, yeah, me and my partner run it. little understanding and empathy. So, he’s talking about… basically later this year. But you spend all this it’s called ‘Crystal Love’. She works in film festivals and events everyone is entitled to an opinion, time and money and energy and and programming. So, she’s the smart Well the project sounds really cool like the essence of it is, you know, everything on these things and it’s such With so many amazing projects, one and I’m the one with the skills, and it sounds like such an interesting ‘all Australians should have an an honour to have these in a cinema I would love to learn a little bit about kind of thing. She picks all the films way of working. How long did it opinion and that’s the Aussie way’. and to be able to invite the family and your journey, how did you get to and the articles and gets all of the actually take to create? It’s tongue in cheek. It’s a fuck you. friends and crew cast, but hopefully where you are today? writers and I make the movie imagery It took maybe like six months. It’s quite subtle in the film. He’s driving they have it. So, it’s a little bittersweet. I started out shooting documentary and work with the photo editor Parker I worked with an amazing sound somewhere, and he is listening to it. I guess it’s great, but no one has seen it. type projects. I moved into magazines Blain and Creative Director Amery designer, Lachlan Harris and he is just It sets the scene because it’s going, I’m directing something else for Sissy and then, I guess, the last five to Johnston as well. But it absolutely a freak and is extremely talented and okay, why are all these homophobes Screens, which I am proud to say I’m seven years I have just been strictly started off as an excuse to shoot cool can create amazing scores of natural and people with different agendas a director of, and we just recently got cinematography. ‘The Great Gatsby’, shit without having a client tell you having a say in this and why is what to do. You have control. 78 Right A scene from ‘What If ’ by The Kite String Tangle.
And just making things that I’m How important are platforms like Looking through your work, I noticed Nowness called, ‘Zef ’. And that’s coming back now, which is really It’s great that you had a project to work passionate about, like the voices in Sissy Screens in terms of visibility and that you have a team that you work with a queer short documentary that she’s good. I think [it’s] getting a lot of on and it will be really cool to see what the queer community and people voice, and encouraging the film scene quite a lot, Bonnie Moir and Jessica now developing, with the support of people, like a lot of filmmakers, to comes out of that as a result. that inspired me and all of that. to use LGBTQIA+ talent and crew? Barclay-Lawton. What’s your working various bodies, into a longer narrative. reflect on what they enjoyed making. Yeah, trying as much as possible, That was kind of where it came I think that representation is relationship and what is it like having But, yeah they are amazing really. I think because it stops people working but you know, there was that whole from and now it’s a real thing. It’s empowering. LGBTQIA+ representation them by your side? I have shot a few films for both of on commercial stuff a lot, that people thing about not trying to put too much a not-for-profit organisation, we have in the media is important because it Yes, Bonnie worked with me as a them and we are developing one right now seem to be really excited pressure on yourself because it was a platform, we have a team and there builds awareness and empathy. Like co-director, but I work with them of these with both of them and they because they’ve had the time to a fucking terrifying time. I think it’s a are people that are a part of it, and the fact that LGBTQIA+ representation only as a DOP, they are the directors. are just definitely ones to watch. develop something that they are bit weird to try and achieve so much we are just basically a bunch of queer on TV affects how they treat us on It’s a creative collaboration, but I They are doing pretty amazing passionate about. as well out of COVID, seems tacky screen culture artists that wanted the street. But I think in saying that, work as the DOP. That’s actually things and it’s great. Well this is I guess for me I did have Sissy when people are dying. So, it probably a platform to promote, premiere you can have queer stories and queer work I’ve got coming up. So, Bonnie [what] I was saying before about Screens and that’s something that wasn’t the most productive time, but and discuss queer screen culture. characters, but it’s also not enough just just recently auctioned a book called, working with that sort of diversity; was relevant, and I was very fortunate I think that when I saw a lot of people to have that. You need these creatives ‘Pain & Prejudice’, which is all to do it’s like I am completely employed to have that because I know a lot being like ‘if you haven’t used this time And what’s it like working behind the camera as part of the with the history of female prejudices and surrounded by women and of people really struggled. And that you are just not a motivated person’, with your partner? cultural production of it. in medicine. So that’s getting produced queer artists. And when people struggle is going to remain and the I was like fuck off, everyone is dying... say, ‘I can’t find someone’ that’s I love it. A lot of people are like, There needs to be more of a by Kate Laurie for Arena Media financial stress that’s had on people we don’t know if there are zombies just so boring and lazy. ‘ah that must suck like do you fight responsibility for these people to and it’s all to do with how medicine is going to be there for a long time. going to be going down the street. and stuff’, but it’s really good. have control over telling their stories. has fucked women over for a long, Let’s chat a little more about COVID. But having Sissy Screens, and we Do you know what I mean?... Look She’s really smart and she’s got There are so many perspectives; long time. So we are starting to shoot Aside from the film festival, how just launched, and we had a lot I definitely baked, learnt how to cook the best taste ever and I get to gender, sexuality, race, class, and that now. Jess and I, we just actually else have you been professionally of work, I just kind of focused on bread, but I think it was like, get some see that every day and so it’s hot. they need to be in control of them. launched a short film that we worked impacted? And how has the wider that in developing the next things perspective. If that worked for you on in North Queensland that is industry been impacted? that we were doing. and that was an opportunity and if currently premiering on you are in a position where you could All my jobs were cancelled over self-isolate and take that time and the last few months. They are whatever, but there seemed to be this 80 81 weird pressure to come out the then we pitch it. So, I had a cut of it Sissy Screens is definitely something end with something. It was like, just and I pitched it to The Kite String for me that’s a heart project that I do what you need to get through it Tangle, Daniel. He liked it and we did want to do for the rest of my life and and if you need to sit and drink wine the pick-up shoot of him singing and in a way that, I guess, I can just keep and eat bread that’s just as good as then that was it. It’s one of my favorite working for the community. It’s given if you come out with a script. things and I think as well ‘Bender’ me an excuse to reach out to all of was kind of the next step from that these different artists and I just want I would love to chat about one of your because that was a music video that to continue doing that, meeting people, commercial projects that you did ages I directed again all based on visuals, working with people and talking ago. I’m actually a big fan of the music all based on people that I was inspired about their work. video for ‘What If’ by The Kite String by and then it was made authentically Tangle. The clip appears to have some Representation is empowering and it how I wanted it and attached after makes me so happy. We get messages queer themes. I imagine some projects to a musician. I also worked with a act as purely the commercial side of from 16-year-old little girls that go this great colourist, Kali Bateman, on both looks great, I love this magazine and your business, but it really felt like this projects, she brought a lot of creativity was almost your two worlds coming I didn’t have anything like that when and intuition to the projects and we I was a teenager and, I guess, Sissy together. When you get a commercial both connect on a similar aesthetic. project like that, do you find you’re Screens is kind of made from the fact more passionate about it? I’ll finish up with one last question, that all of us didn’t have representation when we were coming out and thought You’re going to love it when I tell you what does the future hold for Alex Cardy? What are you looking forward that—well for me—a lesbian only this. So that project I shot is a passion looked a certain way or a queer person project and then [I] sold it to them. to, where do you want to go in terms of what you’re doing? only looked a certain way. That’s the It was me playing around shooting heart of it is, going like, look at all things that I thought were interesting. I guess there’s two parts of what these fucking killer LGBTQIA+ artists The leads in that, Lily Sullivan and I’m doing. I’m really excited to be and look at their work, but also look Toby Wallace, they are big famous working with Jess and Bonnie on their how great they are and there is a actors now and they were in Barcelona next thing. So, there’s a lot of long place for you, and you exist. at that point. They were in a film film projects. I am also working with called ‘Galore’ that got into the Berlin a director, Rhys Graham, on his next Film Festival and that footage, it looks feature film. So as a DOP, I’m really really considered; that’s us really drunk excited to be doing all of that. And as in Barcelona and they are just making one of the founders of Sissy Screens, it up. And the girl was my ex-girlfriend I want to basically make it a really and that’s her housemate and they inspiring hub for people all around While we can’t tell were doing real stick and poke tattoos the world to see queer screen culture you when ‘Bender’ for the camera. And then the fighting... artists and I want to continue growing will be available to view online, you can that was the guy that was graffitiing that organisation and continuing to be the first to find in my alleyway one night and I just work with people in the community out by following Sissy Screens at liked his look and I’m like, “Can I on different pieces. @sissyscreens film you beating up your friend one and Alex Cardy night?” And he was like, “Yeah, okay.” at @alexcardy They were just mates and I thought he was interesting. He’s like some guy from Baldwin that’s a plumber. It was literally me standing in an alleyway with his kit off and that was it. So, we just kind of shot it all or I shot Lily and Toby’s things first. Yeah, Toby is really famous now. It’s really funny that music video. It comes up every now and then because I forget that Toby’s doing well. It’s like, oh my god, Toby’s so hot, and I’m like, he’s a little punk, he’s a friend of mine. So I think that’s what happens, every Left time I direct something it comes first Scenes from ‘What If ’ by The Kite String Tangle. as something that I’m passionate to Right shoot and then I find a way to give it Alex Cardy & Jessica a life. I don’t care about actors, I don’t Barclay Lawton on the set of ‘Where Not Here’, a care about scripts, I just care about project released last year. shooting things that inspire me and 83 @rhalley_film [email protected]
ROXANNE HALLEY Director
Roxanne Halley is a Melbourne-based Director. ABC Rage, Reel Good Film Festival and Australian Over her 8 years in the industry she has directed short Music Week Film Festival. As a commercial Director, films, web series, music videos and commercials Roxanne specialises in connecting with professionals across Australia and Asia. and non-actors through improvisation to create honest Roxanne’s work is character-driven and focuses on human and engaging stories. Her clients include Qantas, connection and culture. Her background in improvised Medibank, Cricket Australia, Arné and Skin+Pepper. comedy and performance lends her projects an imaginative In 2018, Roxanne completed a Commercial Director’s edge, and she frequently employs dreamy visuals to create Attachment at Sweetshop Melbourne through Film a sense of playfulness and childlike wonderment. Victoria’s Gender Matters program. During this placement, she filmed and directed a short documentary Roxanne’s shorts have screened at Cannes Film Festival, for Snowdome Foundation, which contributed to them St Kilda Film Festival, Made in Melbourne and the raising over 1 million dollars for blood cancer treatments. Environmental Film Festival Australia. Her music videos Roxanne currently works as the in-house Director’s have featured in NME and Rolling Stone Australia, Assistant for Sweetshop Asia. 84 manimalpost.com.au Watch ‘Rival’ [email protected]
RYAN BRETT VFX / Editor / Colourist
This project was conceived by Blood UTD and Filmmaker / the framework of the edit while working at home alone, DP, Joel Egan, in collaboration with Co-Director Juzzy Kane. although the Manimal team stayed in daily contact and Shot pre-COVID-19 with post completed during lockdown. viewed WIPs together, just like we do when we’re in the ‘Rival’ is a story of inner belief and faith, narrated and office. As the story evolved, and pickup shots and revised performed by Michael ‘Pretty Boy’ Zerafa, Australia’s VO were delivered, Emily had to start working closely with No.1 middle weight boxer. Joel, but both being visual communicators, they found that Originally planned to complete all post production face feedback solely via phone and email wasn’t cutting it. to face at Manimal Post, the project turned into a lesson As soon as we held remote Zoom sessions with screensharing in completing post remotely. and it felt like Joel was in the room with Emily, the edit came “The project started pre COVID-19, so thankfully we together really quickly. Joel is very hands-on which is great, got to have some quality time with Joel at Manimal early so once this remote workflow was established, it made grade on while he was shooting and soon after the first lot of and online with Ryan Brett a breeze. It’s a beautiful film and rushes were delivered. There was a lot of footage—all of we’re so happy to have collaborated with such a focussed it stunning—so Manimal Senior editor Emily Robb had and appreciative Director.” a big job ahead of her to select the best shots and build — Hannah Byrnand, Post Producer at Manimal. 86 My name is Jim Muntisov, I work as a Writer and a Director. Film — Best of Melbourne JIM I’ve spent the last three and a half years working on my MICCA SCOT first feature film ‘Daydreams’, which we released in April for free whilst in isolation. As a writer, I try to focus on making MUNTISOV films that are small and intimate, especially experiences and DELANEY EDWARDS characters that I haven’t seen on screen before. I have been Writer / Director doing a lot of writing lately in isolation and working on Director / Creative Creative / Director / Editor pitches for grants from government bodies. @okay.fantasy miccadelaney.com scotedwards.com.au [email protected] We shot ‘Daydreams’ over two years ago and spent [email protected] [email protected] a long time in post-production fine tuning the film to make it flow as best as it could. Most of the scenes used improvised dialogue so there was a heap of footage to work with. I spent most of my spare time juggling the edit and release prep for the film between shifts at my retail job. Having now released ‘Daydreams’, I’m eager to get back into production on another project, it’s just hard to know at this point when work on that could start. You can see the film atvimeo.com/ondemand/daydreams/
My filmmaking journey began in the early I’ve been in creative services and production for 90’s with an epic stop motion action film called over 20 years. As an accomplished Director and Editor ‘The Illegal Fighting Tornament’. I have extensive experience in a wide range of formats: It starred a collection of G.I. Joe action figures TVC’s, promos, branded content, documentaries, and it was shot on a very modest budget using string, reality, sport & my name! Yes the 2nd ‘t’ got cut in Blu Tack and my mum’s camcorder. It was sick. my teenage years, it didn’t seem necessary to the story. Since that adrenaline-fuelled debut I’ve directed Most recently I worked at Foxtel as a creative where numerous TVC’s, lead a team of broadcast content I really refined my style, winning Promax awards (global creatives and starred in an Australian feature film as and ANZ) and getting a few promos pulled from the a silent yet pivotal background character called Bret air for making the big boss nervous. the Mute. I’ve now thrown my Detroit Pistons New Era I thrive on creative development, writing, directing, cap back in the ring for freelance directing projects. editing and collaborating. I am also prone to approaching Please see my website for examples of what I do. projects from unusual angles (which comes naturally And please, stay off the hydroxychloroquine. for a left hander). Unless of course you have malaria. 88 89 Film — Best of Melbourne
to be shot locally in country Victoria. We finished post- finished We countryto be shot locally in Victoria. 2020, signing on multi-award- in February production hit Lights On. Then ‘rona winning Italian distributor the With into the works. an almighty spanner and threw (‘The Dressmaker’, It stars Alison Whyte the talented Dean and Nathaniel Incident’) ‘TheKettering (‘Sommersault’, ‘The Nightingale’) and was edited by 2017 Monte The the AWG’s script won Arc. Dan Lee at to be shot in the It was originally written Miller Award. Truce team and the Clifford but Quebec winter, snowy life in 2019 and adapt the script decided to bring it to out to festivals currently we’re film industry up in the air, feet in these strange times. also still finding their are who eventually. you all the film with wait to share can’t We our incredible some stills shot by please enjoy now, But for had an amazing crew photographer Stolz. We Nathan the full list. for Check out the website on this. work The Handyman is a short film written and directed film written is a short The Handyman Clifford, Nicholas Director Tropfest-winning by Elise d’Or-winner Palme Short Film produced by Sarroff Charlie by with cinematography Trenorden, Films. at Truce — all partners
thehandymanfilm.com [email protected]
TRENORDEN Producer & ELISE & ELISE CLIFFORD CLIFFORD NICK NICK 90 Film — Best of Melbourne
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YouTube: Mahn Overboard Mahn YouTube: [email protected] TONY SIMMONS Creative for their fans, and spinoff series, Ray Mahn’s Isolation Isolation Mahn’s Ray and spinoff series, their fans, for could write and As quick as we live. went Yarns Showbiz glory webcam in all their raw be up, them, they’d record army growing of Ray’s for But most importantly, fans. this awful to try and get through used creativity we’ve a few laughs along the way. and have time, It turned was right under their out the subject matter Mahn Ray became soon producer intrepid and their noses, not Alf(no, a cop Stewart): a former played TV star who three over big break his next still looking for in the 80’s, was The mockumentary Mahn Overboard decades later. born. Scripts written, filming started, and with a lot of hit. Great. into 2020, COVID-19 momentum building now? What is the perfect time to get it now answer: The obvious But ofout there! episodes only planned, we the many feet, and thought on our So we could complete. had 3 we home videos at join in with celebrities recording had Ray A few years back, at a distillery – where all good all back, at a distillery ideas – where years A few and senior ad Creative Ian Reiser should start – Director series together. a web Simmons decided to make Tony
jarrahgurrie.com [email protected] JARRAH JARRAH GURRIE Film Director I recently returned to Australia after living and working after living and working returnedI recently to Australia Then this COVID 16 years. and LA for in New York a focus transitioning from shit happened. I’m currently & documentary) into (narrative on traditional film projects ofthe development content. and experiential immersive format on large working by I guess this was inspired as Madonna, people such concert visuals for multiscreen Nicki Minaj and Ricky Martin. I think it also taps into an parents architect my design instinct, passed on by innate of captures and husband. These are video portraits shot this series to create I hope to continue living room. in my a ‘hall of should be The end result portraits’ installation. element. The perhaps with an interactive fully immersive, fake a show to video is a loose commentary on our choice I continue broadly, More self. our true reveal to or, front my post practitioners through screen other with work to Self ‘Second a newcompany developing currently are ’. We with working continue to and hope in Geelong space studio our family of the USA and Melbourne from collaborators the world. around as new friends from as well My name is Jarrah Gurrie I’m a gaysian filmmaker filmmaker Gurrie I’m a gaysian My name is Jarrah based in Geelong.currently 92 THE PICTURE
We caught up with Christopher Tovo to talk about his award-winning exhibition, the new studio and staying afloat during COVID.
Christopher Tovo’s fascination Firstly, you’ve got to tell me the story house, and it dawned on me what he with photography and art started of ‘Leopard on Toilet’. How on earth meant. I’m like, “Fuck. Okay.” My wife at a very young age through the did you get that shot? who’s obsessed with animals, dogs and influence of his father. Travel and I was four-wheel driving around cats, just fell in love with this thing. a love of street photography fostered Namibia, South Africa with my wife. How did it get there in the first place? Just shooting, taking pictures. This guy his uncomplicated, ‘gut instinct’ told us that he’d take us to a friend’s There was a leopard. Not this one, approach to his work, driven by house that had a cat. I thought he [it] was walking around near their a subtle appreciation for life in all meant a domestic cat. I was like, property. They could tell that it was its diversity. Today, he’s an award- “Oh, yeah. That’s kind of bizarre...” quite sick and it was getting very winning Photographer, Director, I should have known. We were driving aggressive, so they shot it. They realised it was pregnant, and they and DOP, and I get to (figuratively around for like 10 days. We’re in the middle of the desert. He took us to gave it a caesarean and pulled out three speaking) sit down with him, to this farm in the middle of nowhere, cubs. Two of the cubs died within find out more. The award winning in this desert home environment. a few weeks and that one survived. ‘Leopard on Toilet’, is something We got out of the car and we walked They nursed that one into an adult. I’m very keen to delve into. in, and this leopard walks out of the They had a cot next to their bed 94 Prev Right ‘Leopard on Toilet’ by Christopher Tovo, part of the ‘American African’ exhibition. Left ‘Desert Kid’ by Christopher Tovo, part of the ‘American African’ exhibition. Right ‘A Fruit Shop In Milan’ by Christopher Tovo.
where it used to sleep. It followed environment like travel or street neck stand up, that’s actually the and freedom and renowned for its coming from a whole bunch of other it’s not really having a big effect on the wife around everywhere and photography or out in nature. photograph that you need to take. incredible eyesight. The way they’re places as well. She stepped into the me. I’ve got representation in North used to follow her into the bathroom I think if you go in with too much In my opinion, you’re never supposed symbolically intertwined brought new cross hairs of multiple beams of light. America. They’re not even shooting and watch her go to the toilet. So, focus and put your crosshairs on an to sit there and intellectualise a scene. meaning to the work. I thought it It was like this magic moment for now anyway and to the point that this leopard started sitting up on the idea, you’re potentially missing the life I think it’s an obnoxious trait. was a really interesting combination both of us because... I took the photo I’m actually bidding on jobs to shoot toilet every time it needed to go to pee. that is actually happening around you. At the end of it all I had built up this of photographs and an interesting literally as I saw her and she saw me at here for them. The union won’t They’re telling me this story and I’m That was one of the things that really pretty big library of images where way to present them in terms of an that same time. We locked eyes and we let anyone shoot over there at the going, “Bullshit. She seriously sits on drew me to street photography. Is that there were two kind of opposing exhibition… It came very naturally. made a photograph of the moment. moment. We’re bidding on jobs the toilet?” They’re like, “Yeah.” I I could go in there and just see what countries that are intertwined in because they actually want to shoot said, “You’ve got to yell out to me was happening. Pay attention and find So, you allow the shots to come I wanted to touch on how COVID-19 here for two reasons. One is that they a historical sense and I saw these naturally and you don’t set out with will affect the travel component of if she goes while we’re here.” the most interesting thing around incredible juxtapositions between can’t shoot there and over here the and that would be my subject. an agenda. Is there a particular shot your work. Quite a bit of your work dollar’s quite strong for them. Sure enough a couple of hours later the two places. Like a lady with the that really resonates, with that idea has been travel-focused, do you feel and a few beers in, the wife is yelling We went to America and then Africa short chubby legs and she’s sitting of being in the right place at the right a bit worried about when the next time Do you feel like you felt a sudden at me from the kitchen, “Come in,” straight afterwards. I just shot anything down in Coney Island drinking time? Something you may not have you’re able to travel again and capture impact when COVID hit? and there it was. I think I only took that looked interesting. It would be from this water bottle. Only a few captured otherwise. shots overseas might be? one frame by memory and that’s the like a bag of donuts on the ground. weeks later I’m in the middle of the Fucking oath. Yeah. Everyone was one. Just out of respect for its privacy. It could be a guy sleeping outside Namibian desert with a Himba tribe There’s a ton but one that springs The honest answer is no. Because shitting bricks straight away... I was It’s a different photo. It’s different to ‘The Lion King’ Broadway show. I just and there was this little boy, barely to mind is one in New York where it’s been out of my head to travel for watching it unfold in China. It was anything else I got, that’s for sure. shot everything that I thought would with enough water. “Or a guy getting this old lady, she’s got one of those a little while. Part of me really wants just getting bigger and bigger and make a good shot and left it at that. his eyes checked in Africa on a train wheelie trolleys and having just to be with my family at the moment bigger. It didn’t feel like it was losing And that photo was just one part The beauty of street photography is platform from a 14-carriage train crossed the road she steps up onto the and be with the studio and concentrate momentum. It felt like it was gaining of a wider exhibition, ‘American that if you start to pontificate anything that’s converted into a hospital, that sidewalk. The light was coming from on getting this place the way I want momentum. I was like, “Wow. this African.’ How did that whole that you’re looking at, more than travels around the country offering free a bunch of different directions—it was it. Building a bigger base here and is potentially going to change the exhibition come to life? What likely you’ve just missed the shot. health checkups and surgery to people ricocheting off windows from buildings working more on my personal work world and it really has. It’s literally was the motivation behind it? The moment before pontification or from underprivileged communities. all round her. One from behind her and the exhibition side of things. changed the world. I felt like I had to I generally find exhibitions in the edit. interest, that’s the photograph right Then I’m looking at the this shot as a backlight, whilst another [was] I want things to go back to normal understand how severe it was, and I I rarely go in with a plan especially there. The second it makes your brain of an eagle that’s the American bouncing off another building that was for everybody’s sake, but at the think we were all doing that, but just when entering an unpredictable tingle and makes the hairs on your emblem that represents strength lighting her face and simultaneously moment in the sense of travel, my process was, I felt like I had to 96 97 Far Right ‘Anina’ by Christopher Tovo. Right ‘2020 Fashion BTS’. Christopher Tovo on set in his studio.
understand how contagious this Did you find that was a better way of me and knowing how I work and my thing was. Then when we felt like working, without clients in the room? reliability, to some regard, that they we got our head around that, it was, Yes and no. Yes because having just could bank on me. The reality is that if I’m the only person in the room one representative from the agency there’s a lot of photographers in this taking photographs, how do I involve and one from the client side created industry, there’s a lot of DPs, there’s my client? How do we involve a sense of accountability on set. a lot of directors and there wasn’t people in that environment? The approval process in some ways enough work to keep everybody super busy pre-COVID but now when What’s that been like shooting has become much smoother with less cooks in the kitchen. So it’s good COVID hit it really hurt a lot of with these restrictions? You have people’s lives. I’m devastated for them. such a large studio, this new studio. to have some people here that were happy to be responsible for what we I’m an incredibly competitive person You’re lucky in a way that you do and I always want to get the job over have the space. captured and then other people who could just dial in and observe remotely anyone else that I’m up against, but Absolutely. Yeah. The studio has and provide feedback when necessary I never want to see someone’s career been a double-edged sword because whilst getting on with other work from bottom out, ever. People have lost there are major overheads to pay for the comfort of their own home. their studios. Homes. It’s been very but I’ve been able to attract work traumatic for a lot of people. I just For the most part, they let the person because I have my own space and can feel awful for them. It’s just horrible. who was here on set really do their guarantee that it’s been cleaned down thing. I really noticed people embrace The part I haven’t spoken about after and before every gig. I’ve been that system and accountability. is that, after building up a bit of a able to secure that work because the reputation as a Director and DP, I kept social distancing—four people to a Looking at your mates in the industry bouncing into this guy called Jason square metre—means that I can get and your colleagues, and other Byrne who part owns Guilty Films. seven people in here. That’s a good photographers and cinematographers We realised pretty quick that we’re very size crew. Then what we did, [was] out there, do you feel they’ve felt more like-minded in some ways and very a share screen with clients, as well as of an impact than you? opposite people in other ways, but the cameras on the set, as well as their I’m super cautious about the way I one thing that was really clear was that own split. Clients were really having answer that question as none of us are we really loved each other’s company, an interactive experience and in real out of the woods yet. Some of them so I joined his roster of directors. time providing feedback and approvals, have yes. I really feel for them because We’ve become very close friends over opposed to seeing screen grabs or I went through that time, just lying in the years so it was really great having jpegs that you email and then going, bed going, “What’s going to happen. a friend that was going through very “Was the performance okay?” “Yep.” This is actually really terrifying. I’ve similar things when COVID hit and “Trust us. It will be fine.” been renovating the studio for a year we spoke every day to discuss how to It was a really immersive experience and a half and I might lose it before manage our way through this both as for them to actually understand the I get to open it.” I’ve been blessed to family men and on a business level. day, what we got and how we got it. have a really loyal client base, who And how do we contribute to help get It was a lovely way to embrace the tech saw the systems I put in place early the industry back on track? It wasn’t available to make them feel included. on to deal with COVID and knowing just about us scooping up the work that was available. It was like, how do we 98 together be the tide that rises all boats equally? How do we bring the people we care about up out of this shit? The simple answer was to spread out the budget to start trying to hire as many people as we can legally hire for the job. I credit Jason with that, and it showed what an amazing human he is to be that selfless in such vulnerable times. So, we became a little socialist in the business model and approach.Work creates work. If we get more people saying that they’re working, more people are going to work. It really is that simple because what it does, it stimulates confidence, and it stimulates trust, and it stimulates the industry. We found that’s really, really worked. Looking into the future, how do you think it’s going to impact the industry? Do you think people are still going to be recovering or do you feel things are going to start to pick up? I’m really cautious about being self- congratulatory about things picking up for me because I think there’s going to be a little bit of a slump maybe or of how to handle whatever size that here. We went bananas over I think it was just beautiful. a second hit again. I think it will flatten budget you have, whether it’s a toilet paper. They have more of a I hope that things start to pick up out eventually and I think we can million bucks or whether it’s $60,000 communal attitude and they know for everyone across the board. I’m probably loosen the belts a little bit to make something look mint. We how to bunker down. They know how hoping the whole industry is going over time. Whether that’s a year, or got good at that prior to COVID, to ration. It’s in their DNA. With all to start experiencing that slow pick a year and a half, or two years [to] which was a massive advantage. the wars they’ve been through, and up and we can all start recovering. bring us back to normal. I don’t know In some ways I’ve noticed a lot the hardships that those countries in Look, in some regards it’s given us if anything is ever going to be back of creatives and myself, I’m talking Europe have been through. A lot of a kick in the arse that we all needed. to normal after this. about art directors and advertising them, I thought, showed a great deal And you can quote me on that. agencies, in some ways I’ve noticed of honor and resilience throughout it Do you feel from a shooting perspective them develop a deeper bond with their and I’m incredibly proud of them. that things will stay like this; capped families because they’re not spending numbers in a space, sanitising hands, two hours in transit every day getting Any final words about COVID-19? taking those precautions? to and from work. At the same time, The one really, really amazing Until they find a vaccine or herd one guy told me he was doing thing about COVID is, and I’ll speak immunity works I think we will always 10-12 hours on Zoom a day. about my advertising community, have to be really cautious. I think it’s I’m incredibly proud of the way entered our psyche at the moment. I know your dad is Italian, do you we’ve behaved as human beings. I think sets will ease up a little bit. It have family in Italy at the moment? I never expected to feel the need to Above was weird timing the way COVID hit How do you feel about the contrast call so many people to see how they’re ‘Passing Portofino’ by because budgets had been tightening with what’s happening there, going, at the same time so many people Christopher Tovo. vs what’s happening here? Right up so much over the last decade, crews call me to see how I’m going. It was ‘Big Boys at Work’ by have been getting smaller and smaller They got hit real hard. My God. so clear so early on that everyone was Christopher Tovo. and the expectations are still the same I’ve got 38 cousins and relatives over going to do everything in their power if not higher. There’s a classic case there in Northern Italy and that’s to help you out and if you needed of champagne taste and beer pocket where it hit hard, right in their towns help to call, I’m here for you. I really You can find Christopher Tovo’s kind of budgets. I’ve got to say a lot up in and around Veneto. It’s been thought we saw the best in ourselves. work, including my of people in the industry were pretty very difficult for them. I worry about I know there was the whole ridiculous personal favourite, match fit in terms of how to get jobs them. However, you’re also talking thing about the panic buying and the award winning, ‘Leopard on Toilet’ via done with small crews for a long time about incredibly resilient people who all that, but that aside, the one thing christophertovo.com now. Nearly every Melbourne agency understand famine, who understand I really hoped for is that we maintain or @christopher_tovo on Instagram. production company, especially Guilty war, who know how to live off the land. that sense of care and love for one Films, we’re pretty match fit in terms They’re fucking tough. We don’t have another, that I saw across the board. 100 101 Over the last two months I have made a portrait series of people self isolating due to travel, sickness or vulnerable BRI health, and had a little chat about their experiences in isolation during the COVID-19 outbreak. HAMMOND I’ve found the project to be a beautiful way to connect with people (safely), and share their stories to others Photographer who might be feeling alone. A little reminder that we’re all in this. Read the individual stories and see more here. brihammond.com [email protected]
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I am a Lifestyle Photographer based in Melbourne now, away from my home, Jakarta, Indonesia since CHRIS the COVID-19 outbreak. I went to photography school at Sheridan College, BUNJAMIN Oakville, Ontario, Canada. With a background in commercial and high fashion photography, I am familiar Photographer (Lifestyle / Commercial / High Fashion) with a world of set-ups and staging. But I also yearn for the authentic. To “catch the things in life that others @chrisbunjamin [email protected] don’t see”, through capturing the unique characteristics of individuals within my frame. Being an active observer of the surroundings in my everyday life, I always try to keep an eye out for spontaneous opportunities to create connections with my subjects. Whether constructing personal shots of fleeting moments or framing the grandeur of nature alongside details of modernity, I would say my aesthetic is “vast, yet intimate”, acknowledging different kinds of lighting to capture colours that are subtle and harmonious.
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HEATHER DINAS Photographer
During iso the world stopped and took a breath. rather than walk on by. The serendipity of these fortuitous After the initial shock and fear dissipated we were left meetings, made us feel welcomed and enhanced our sense to find a new rhythm and time slowed down. As the parks of community. “I like this feeling of not being divided, and amenities were all closed my 3 year old daughter and I do. If we can open up a bit more with each other and I walked the neighbourhood streets. The public golf course share stories, our real stories, that’s what breaks down became a haven, repurposed as the new local park. Ava’s barriers. But in order to do that you have to believe up close enthusiasm created connection and drew us into that your story has value.” — Michelle Obama. the present moment. Passing strangers would stop and talk 108
Jay Hynes is a commercial Photographer JAY & Director with a passion for ideas and storytelling. There is an honesty to his work that brings his subjects to life, whether they be part of a conceptual campaign HYNES or a portrait series. In 2019 Jay was awarded a finalist place in the prestigious National Photographic Portrait Prize, and Photographer / Director his work has been featured in the Huffington Post, Frankie magazine, and two solo photography exhibitions. jayhynes.com [email protected] Recently, he wrote, shot and directed ‘Staying Open’, a mini documentary series profiling three small businesses that had adapted to survive the COVID-19 lockdown. Before transitioning to photography, Jay spent over a decade as a Senior Art Director at leading ad agencies, and from 2010 to 2012 he co-headed Melbourne’s AWARD School.
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For over 10 years, I’ve teamed up with art directors and THOM creatives to turn briefs into visually compelling campaigns. Over that time, I feel fortunate to have worked with some great minds around the world as well as having kept the RIGNEY good company of local brands and government agencies. For the sake of a good photograph for my team Photographer and clients, I’ve deployed gas rigs, nosed around kitchens thomrigney.com in Cambodia, dived down gold mines, scaled wind turbines [email protected] and spent far too many nights in cramped hostels. But that’s half the thrill—the journey. While I turn my hand at all types of work, I have a penchant for portraying the untold narratives that underlie the unassuming and eclectic characters and landscapes around us. The aim being to create original and authentic work. I love to work with people who value that, too.
116 jamesgeer.com [email protected]
JAMES GEER Photographer
James Geer has been captivated by photography and graphic style. His work has been exhibited at various since he first picked up a camera at age 10, a formative art galleries and museums internationally. James’ work experience which set him on a course to a successful (until recently) takes him around the globe, however his commercial photographic career. real passion is documenting Australian lifestyle, travelling Over the past two decades he has been commissioned frequently to produce some of the finest representations by the most distinguished publications, advertising agencies, of our unique culture. James’ clients include: Nike, New entertainment and corporate companies worldwide. York Times, Lexus, Country Road, Levis, Swisse, Hermes, Over the years James has been privileged to photograph Jardan Furniture, Vogue Living, Belle magazine, Gourmet some of the most important and influential figures of our Traveller, BONDS, Myer, and Monocle magazine. time. His design background is still evident in his clean 118
Photography — Best of Melbourne 123 This series of double-exposure photographs are seriesThis are of double-exposure photographs in Tasmania Park Field National at Mount taken land fires the main from Smoke 2020. in January that day. on in a thick layer the area covered buckner.tv [email protected] MARC MARC BUCKNER Photographer
through problems and experiments that I’ve had on the I’ve that and experiments problems through The to biggest experiment a long time. back burner for out ofgrow of the hundreds has been revisiting this years ofold photographic process Using printmaking. cyanotype ofa combination inkjet printed medium format negatives, collected from I have and flora that negatives, transparency prints and eventually the neighborhood, I began to create garments using a one of a kind unique UV sensitive love my papers on fabrics and to move process dye of in a new direction. photography ofThe process cyanotypes to best produce figuring out how been giving to people I have clothing that and the resulting me to start has enabled new social circles I meet in my of a new group establishing by to be inspired creatives with, making Melbourneand collaborate and more feel of regardless me, for like a new home more the insanity us. around taking place in the world Photographer
CHARLIE HAWKS
@chawks @chawks [email protected]
years but was looking for a change. Moving here blind blind here Moving a change. was looking for but years and doing a big jump, connections was already with zero so in the middle of cut me off from a pandemic that opportunities seemed networking virtually any here. I arrived when insane downright of with the power social media and working However, a sense of started to cultivate I have connections, mutual scene in Melbourne is like and am already the creative what been I have During quarantine and isolation, inspired. very for here moved partner who apartment with my in a tiny relocation our entire grad she being the impetus for school, photographic main subject for Using her as my to Australia. ideas and work me to exercise has allowed explorations I had been practicing my photography in New York in New York photography I had been practicing my the past nine for Wyoming Hole, City and Jackson I relocated the United to Melbourne States from of COVID-19. 19th, right in the midst on March 122 I’m a Senior Art Director in advertising JONATHAN and an amateur Photographer on the side. I recently moved to Melbourne in March from Wieden+Kennedy London. ‘Vulnerable People’ RANDS is a series of pictures I captured in central Melbourne. Right in the middle of lockdown, Art Director / Photographer these shots are my first glimpse of my new city.
jonnyrands.com [email protected]
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and photography styling projects. and photography She’s incredibly passionate about creating and finding about creating passionate incredibly She’s Through projects. emotion in creative meaning and connect with people to feel and she wants her work In her brands. by expressed and desires the stories of sewing is one time, spare interests. Lydia’s Lola instilled in her her Nanny age, a young From ofa love with fabric and the ability to make things in art direction— is experienced Lydia her hands. global industry for brands in the advertising working In addition to this, and Slurpee. Schweppes as such design event various for as a freelancer worked she’s Lydia Grace is an Art Director and freelance freelance and Director is an Art Grace Lydia based Melbourne. in Stylist
@lydiagracecreative [email protected]
Art Director / Stylist Art Director GRACE LYDIA 126 ADRIAN ZATHIA Photography — Best of Melbourne
WHEARPhotographer @adtamo BAZEERPhotographer / @zathiaxbazeer (Street / Documentary) [email protected] Journalist [email protected] SEBASTIAN BIANCA
JARMULAVisual Artist sebastianjarmula.com MURPHYPhotographer @bianca.murphy.photography [email protected] (Fashion / Beauty) [email protected]
Stylist / @missbossybootsagency, @philipboon Photographer @saranaliniuduwela Creative Director [email protected] (Travel) [email protected] PHILIP SARA BOON UDUWELA 128 129 My name is Oli, I’m a Melbourne based Photographer OLI that focuses mainly on a digital and film medium. Trying to work around this pandemic at the moment is certainly a challenge but it’s good to have something switch WENSING up your way of thinking. I hope you enjoy my work! Photographer
@oliwednesday [email protected]
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Pier’s photographs balance a unique and striking and striking a unique balance photographs Pier’s underpinnings. conceptual aesthetic with strong in contemporaryHis background performance and still life clients. and acting shines through in the wry in the humour and through acting shines and of nature atmospheric He is able his photographs. of a sense to convey in the and playfulness wonder of range diverse he shoots. matter subject portraiture location, advertising, Pier shoots for piercarthew.com [email protected] PIER CARTHEW Photographer (Advertising / Location / Portraiture / Still Life) Photographer (Advertising / Portraiture / Location
My name is Matt Solomon, I am a Photographer My name is Matt Solomon, I am a Photographer I shoot Melbourne. what I call Australian from on film. Landscapes, shot exclusively sort of some The landscapes I shoot all involve impact infrastructure be through that whether humans, from or environmental damage. I also use it to explore the I also use it to explore damage. or environmental ideals ofdogmatic and what dream” “the Australian held close. and previously now generations values my landscape images because offor film I choose for and allows it takes to get all aspects correct the care ofreflection my images. in I am looking to convey what Landscape)
@mattsolomonfilm [email protected]
Photographer ( SOLOMON MATT 132 NEIL MISS BOSSY CARMEL WREN Photography — Best of Melbourne BAILEY BOOTS GOHAR STEINER Photographer Photography / H&M / Styling / Production Agency Creative Stylist Photographer (Portraiture / Commercial)
cocoproductions.com.au @missbossybootsagency carmelgohar.com @wrensteiner [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Working either off the back of TVCs or with our Miss Bossy Boots is a well established Melbourne-based I’m a Melbourne-based Creative Stylist that specialises Wren is a Photographer experienced in portraiture own dedicated stills unit, I shoot quirky characters photographic and production agency representing some in food, prop and product styling. and commercial photo & film content. and narratives in a sympathetic style. of Australia’s best Photographers, Stylists and Hair & I am a conceptualist at heart, having started a career in Having been mentored by major international fashion Collaborating with a great team of producers, location Makeup Artists. advertising as an Art Director which naturally progressed and advertising photographers, Wren has a sharp sense of finders, stylists and H&M artists. We spend time researching The agency has a 20 year history working with local, into Styling. Having worked in advertising for over 17 years, professionalism balanced with remarkable creative insight. and planning the best creative solutions to all our clients’ interstate and international advertising agencies. For co- I’ve been noted for my technical proficiency and ability Wren has a thoughtful and practical approach to his work. briefs. That preparation allows us to be time effective on owners of Miss Bossy Boots, Veronica and Garry Moore, to think beyond the square. I have a meticulous eye for His affable, unpretentious nature and absolute commitment shoot days, in capturing numerous options. This gives it was important that the Miss Bossy Boots community detail with mad communication skills and keen as mustard to his vocation inspires confidence and brings out the best me and the models time to explore their personas and remain connected, engaged and creative during this period problem-solving abilities. I have insight, instinct and a desire in the talent he works with. “The creativity in the images is create slightly absurd scenarios from the everyday. of isolation. Equally important was the opportunity to to create more than the mediocre. I love to create beautiful what needs to shine,” says Wren, “but for that to happen, share real and inspiring work with their clients and the pictures that are a feast to the eyes and my passion lies I work closely with the client so we share the same intent from wider community. So they created the The Faces of Miss in creating food typography, paper artistry, food patterns the beginning.” Wren has worked and lived internationally. Bossy Boots. A series of self portraits of MBB artists which and images for editorial and packaging. He currently resides in Melbourne, Australia with his share an insight into their stay at home worlds with you and My experience has led me to work on imagery partner and children, a little too much dark chocolate allowed our artists to work together through collaborative for FMCG, TVCs, outdoor media, social media, and the occasional nip of single malt. phone and Zoom meetings. editorial and marketing campaigns. 134 135 Ryan Creevey is a Melbourne based advertising Photographer specialising in the genres of food, RYAN beverage and still life. Ryan’s work is characteristically striking with an individual CREEVEY flavour. His bold use of colour, highly polished lighting techniques and meticulous attention to detail culminates Photographer (Food / Beverage / Still Life) in lasting, iconic imagery. Many of Ryan’s latest campaigns have a strong social conscience. From ‘The Half Biscuit’ ryancreevey.com [email protected] commemorating Anzac Day to the ‘Heroes Gold’ beer by Gold FM raising profits for the Victorian bushfire appeal. In an unfortunate turn of fate, Ryan’s debut solo exhibition ‘The Natives’ was postponed due to government restrictions in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak.
136 IN THE MIDST OF Meet Felix Riebl; a singer, songwriter, the last shows that we did were LOCKDOWN NUMBER and composer, and the co-founder, quite fun, but everyone knew TWO, WE CAUGHT UP leader and principal songwriter of something was changing. WITH FELIX RIEBL TO the internationally acclaimed band, We got the last flight out and there CHAT THROUGH HIS The Cat Empire. Since starting The Cat were people in radiation suits on the RECENTLY CANCELLED Empire in 2001, Felix has released airline, and there were people that WORLD TOUR, AND 7 albums and 2 live albums with the were very nervous about this virus that WHAT’S NEXT. band, as well as 3 solo albums, and now had broken out. Everyone in the band a new EP. He also co-founded Spinifex reacted very differently. We’d had two Gum, an all-indigenous, all-female years planned out in front of us, of group, whose music is so powerful, you shows and ideas, and that changed find yourself entranced in wall-to-wall overnight. We suddenly had a very album listening. As a kid growing up in different outlook on what the next the northside of Melbourne, Felix was few years would look like. both a local legend and a household name. The Cat Empire was the first Arguably COVID-19 is affecting the concert I remember attending and so music and entertainment industry e-meeting the man himself is a bit of a more than any other industry. What do moment, and one that my childhood you think will be the future impact? self would be very envious of. The truth is, we don’t know. I’m not happy about it. I love performing, I would love to start by chatting about I really miss it. The Cat Empire is such the band, because you were actually on a live band, so to not have a touring the ‘Stolen Diamonds’ tour in Europe market and an audience to play to is when COVID-19 broke out. Can you tell a very strange proposition for us to be me a bit about that? in. But it’s probably quite artistically important to roll with the punches It was a very crazy time. We were at and say, “Well, we can’t know what’s the very end of the ‘Stolen Diamonds’ going to happen.” Eventually I hope run, which involved about a year and tours will happen again, and there’ll a half of traveling extensively overseas. be some sort of a pickup. I don’t have We’d performed about five shows in an awful lot of faith in the virtual the UK and the atmosphere on the show thing. I’ve done a few but as far street, the atmosphere on the news, as I’m concerned, there’s nothing that just started changing dramatically. replaces the immediacy of people There was this very uncertain time being in a room together, and the where we were trying to hold our necessary germs that pass from one nerve and do the shows, but at the person to the next. I hope that we same time, we started to research can get back to that space. the reality of the situation and the extended effects of people gathering. Has COVID-19 had much of an impact We were supposed to head into Spain, on your solo music career? and then within days borders closed. It’s been a big year. At the start Spain was on lockdown, the numbers of it I was recording a solo album started escalating and it was just a very with a bunch of musicians who I love strange time. Especially for a band very much; Ollie and Ryan from The like The Cat Empire, because what Cat Empire, as well as other musicians The Cat Empire does is brings people I’ve known for a long time. It was an together. They come with this real amazing time, but I was riding to the sense of occasion to our shows. They studio in the mornings through a haze have drinks in the park beforehand, or of smoke. You forget that in January they get together. It’s a real community, this year, it felt like half of Australia and that’s what we’ve always done. It’s was on fire. It’ll probably come out always been about that lively moment; sometime early next year. coming together, forgetting the rest I also have an EP called ‘Black Room of your life and enjoying the chaos of White Walls’, which I’d already recorded live music. So, it was an interesting and hadn’t found time to release. This experience to be on the precipice of seemed to be the right time for it. trying to celebrate something while this great uncertainty was taking over everywhere. Having said that, Also, a project called Spinifex Gum 138 139 that I’m passionate about had been for you.” But often you write it for Images Felix Riebl pictured in the playing shows at WOMAD and the the unknowing love for the world. campaign for his ‘Black Room Perth Festival earlier this year and was White Walls’ EP. Shot by Christopher Tovo. going from strength to strength. I came I loved the EP by the way. It’s home and almost took the energy of really energetic; such a powerful that tour and put it into the studio. performance. Your vocals really I had to isolate anyway, so I wrote a drive all of the tracks. Do you feel lot of songs for Spinifex Gum and like this music is quite different some new songs for me. It was quite to your other solo work or more a bountiful time. It probably was for of a natural progression? a lot of musicians actually. Having I’m really glad to have this EP out, their outward life reduced, a lot of and I’d love to perform it live. It would people looked internally to their be heaps of fun to have something as own space. The second lockdown direct as that to really smash out. in Victoria has probably cast a bit My other solo work is probably a bit more of a depressive blanket over more winding. It goes in roundabouts, everything, because people are not and stylistically it moves around really seeing an end in sight. quite a bit as well. Let’s chat about your new EP, I’ve never been very good at having ‘Black Room White Walls’, which is a sound that people can say, oh, that’s out August 21. What an interesting just what you do. Maybe my voice is time to be releasing an album with that unique, but I’ve found it interesting to name. Obviously, the EP wasn’t written see what was going to come next, and with COVID-19 in mind. What was the surprise myself as much as I could. actual inspiration for this EP? At least, that’s been the trajectory so far. I think if you’re looking too closely I was listening to a lot of early at something, you go, that’s really ‘80s electro-inspired rock that my contrasting to this. But when you draw brother Max had been getting me back and see lots of contrasting things onto. At the same time, I was learning next to each other, there’s an object this piece by Rachmaninoff on piano, that’s interesting and curious to look at. ‘The Prelude in C-sharp Minor’, That’s how I’d say my music fits within which took me ages to learn. I’m not itself from one album to the next. It a classical pianist but it was important doesn’t always make sense, if you just for me at that stage. I wanted to learn put two of them next to each other. more harmony through my fingers. There was a time where I thought So, I slowly hacked my way through that songwriting had to make sense. this piece. That seemed to open up You had to try and say something, a sort of harmonic minor world for and it had to add up. The more I’ve me. Big splayed chords and a sense moved away from that, into a space of drama. It had an optimistic spirit that’s based on utterances, sounds, to the feeling of the music, it felt good and contrasting images or words or to listen to, but the world and the things that excite something in me, words that were coming out seemed that’s actually helped me write things to be of a crumbling old world falling really clearly as well. It’s like that apart. Which I found to be quite Talking Heads line, isn’t it? colorful and fun to write about. Just stop making sense. Often music doesn’t really add up to a time and place. You can write You mentioned Spinifex Gum earlier, something, and then it makes a lot which is a musical collaboration more sense years later when you between yourself, band-mate Ollie come across something else. Music is McGill, and Marliya Choir from Cairns, interesting like that, because it can hit conducted by Lyn Williams and you from different angles, and you can choreographed by Deborah Brown. draw different meanings or inspirations And the music is part protest, part at different times. I think the trick as a celebration. Can you tell me more about songwriter is not to understand your this project and how it came about? own music too well. Occasionally you It started about seven years ago now. can write a song for someone, which is I was asked to go to the Pilbara with a love song, and you can say, “This is the Gondwana Indigenous Children’s 140 Choir that Lyn Williams had been perform at an extraordinary level, working with for some time. We and the show’s just a very special one. went over there, and I met a lot of The project has brought me deeper these young singers —they were at into the country and has also raised that stage probably about 12, 13— a lot of challenges that I think are and I loved their sounds. important as a songwriting creative I was fascinated by the area in in Australia. the Pilbara, part of Northern You mentioned ‘Miss Dhu’ from Western Australia, because it’s the the first album ‘Spinifex Gum’ which iron ore industry capital of Australia. is about the death of an indigenous There’s a very broad, old landscape woman in custody. The next song on and culture in the Yindjibarndi the album, ‘Locked Up’, opens with community. I was drawn to the rapper Briggs asking, “Why are the clashing of those two worlds. Quite kids locked up?” Those songs were literally how an iron ore train cuts released in 2017, but in 2020, those through a landscape that you can’t issues are still prevalent and we’re really define by Western parameters. seeing more and more of it talked That turned into a project many years about currently. Can you talk a bit in the making. I had to spend a lot about the political side of the project? of time getting to know people in the Yindjibarndi community. There was What I’d say about the protest songs a lot of trust to be built up; a lot of on that album is that, when I was personal questioning in terms of how growing up, on the news there was I sat in that space as a non-indigenous this idea of ‘indigenous issues’ or songwriter. Where it landed was, at ‘indigenous affairs’. And it was this first, through utterances or sounds. category that was separate. So, if an A lot of field recordings became indigenous person died in custody, it drum machines, so the rhythmic was an indigenous affair. I know that texture grew in that way. Iron ore we’ve come a way since then but at trains were tuned to different notes, the same time, the statistics are still and bouncing basketballs became absolutely damning on our country. bass drums. Somehow the landscape And this is a non-indigenous story was able to do that. Then I did a lot to tell, this isn’t an indigenous affair. of research and tried to tell stories This is a blot on who we are as that were about that middle ground Australians. The incarceration rates of between the two industries; a Western young indigenous people are shocking. industry and a different way of It’s unacceptable, it’s just appalling. living. The question of a law in the The death in custody of Julieka Dhu, Yindjibarndi sense and a law in the and the hundreds of others that have Western sense. There were several happened; these are stories we have instances in the area of shocking to tell as non-indigenous Australians. Western political systems letting down We have to actually front up to that in young indigenous people, in particular, order to move forward and become the case of Miss Dhu. So, all that a better, richer, more proud country. happened naturally over a few years. We have to recognise that, and I’m Essentially, it was born from an incredibly fortunate to firstly have absolutely wonderful choir that this extraordinary group of creatives I was thrilled to work with musically, around me, experienced people, who brilliant creatives, both indigenous are really at the top of their game, and non-indigenous, and a drive to and also this incredibly powerful say, we’re going to tell a story, which young group of women. is Australian. It’s been a phenomenal When they sing, there’s a group project. They’ve sold out the of them. This is a strength of a Sydney Opera House, brought choir, and in this case, we really try it to its feet. They’ve been in to invert the cliché and the semi- front of 80,000 people for racist undertones of a colonial choir. Dreamtime at the G. They’ve This polite, very conservative nature never done a show that a choir seems to represent. We give hasn’t absolutely brought them individual microphones. the house down. They 143 Then I met a man called Michael never a substitute for being in the Empire early next year. Looking Woodley, someone who’s creating a room, but in terms of being able to put forward to a solo album, full solo true self-determination for his people it on, the sound quality is incredible. album, that’ll come out over the next and the country that he’s responsible The performance is really strong. year as well. I think it’s a really strong for. He’s become a very good friend And we’re in the writing stage. album. In terms of my songwriting, and a collaborator. He’s very good with I’ve been working pretty hard with I’m writing as well as I ever have at the words. He does all the translations for Ollie and Michael Woodley on a moment. I’m in a good space in that us, so Michael’s been my songwriting whole collection of new songs. I think way, and I feel very confident, which companion in this. this album will go back to the Pilbara isn’t always the case. The album has The way that it happens is again. It’ll feel like the third album got great musicians on it, and it’ll be I choose stories I think are interesting of a trilogy insofar as it’s got a bit a lot of fun to perform that one live from the perspective of both sides. more darkness in there and that edge. and to bring it out into the world. I’ve never written a song for Spinifex It feels like it’s very alive, this third There are a few things on the Gum in the first person from an album. It may be a double album immediate horizon, and what indigenous perspective. Spinifex packed with some theatrical moments COVID’s doing for everyone is Gum is a coming together of two as well. I guess we don’t even know. creating a moment in time where places, and so, with the Miss Dhu We can’t travel interstate at the some sort of a paradigm shift might song, I researched. I looked at all the moment, and Marliya is based up happen. That might be happening court transcripts for that song, and in Cairns. There will be a fair bit collectively in a lot of different ways. I quoted those. I looked at all the of rehearsing involved for this music, But it might be happening in more articles. I really tried to tell the because we keep on raising the bar. subtle ways in people’s own lives story as clearly as I could. And I credit Lyn Williams who where they have a chance, even if And with the Yurala song, that’s conducts young people in a way that it’s an anxious chance, to really look the story of a Yindjibarndi rainmaker I’ve never seen anyone else be able at what’s next, what could be next. who fought for a long time to stop to achieve, she’s just so inspiring. And maybe the outward unknown the damming of the Ngurin, the Let’s chat a little more about you of what’s going on at the moment will Harding River, unsuccessfully. personally. I have the inside scoop actually let everyone take a breath He was responsible for that part that you’re now a father to your second and say, “Okay, I’m going to be of the country.. It was a really sacred child. How has the first few weeks been? uncomfortable in the unknowingness”, part of the country there, and that and see what emerges for themselves. You go into a haze in the first few was the point where his responsibility I’m trying to take that approach in They’re wearing hoods. They’re over them. I can’t take credit for that. foyer of Parliament House. weeks, even the first few months, before was to increase the rain. That was terms of the next period of my creative incredibly tough when you see them I can just say that it’s been a really It was an amazing turnout actually. you rear your head again. We’re very also considered part of his body, life. I’ll see what’s waiting for me. on stage. But there’s also that beauty fortunate combination of elements And a lot of tears, and a moment much in the thick of it. We seem to this old rainmaker. He tried to fight I don’t know yet. We’ll see. of a choir; a collective. If there’s one that have come together to make where we could actually be in front make really lovely, exciting kids, but it for many, many years, the same person on stage, saying this is wrong Spinifex Gum a very moving project. of potential policymakers in the area. they’re just terrible sleepers. For me, bureaucratic loopholes and denials or this is how it is, then there’s always It was a way for us to do something there’s a lot of walking around with I’d love to touch on the 2019 and divisions in the community which someone who says, “Oh, that’s your musically quite moving. To invite a baby late at night. Our first child, ‘Dream Baby Dream’, where you guys have happened all over the country opinion.” I disagree with you because people in to not just click a button she actually travelled a lot that year, actually created this vocal petition since colonial days. And that became of my own prejudice, or whatever it is. on an empty, silent screen, but to because my partner Eloise was doing and handed it to The Minister for a dam, the Harding Dam, which was Whereas [with] a collective singing at go through that vulnerable moment shows in France as a theatre actor. So, Indigenous Affairs at the parliament principally built for mining purposes you, you’re denied that moment where of actually singing with the choir. when I was touring The Cat Empire steps. Can you tell me a little bit about in the Pilbara. Shortly after that, this you can say, “Oh, I disagree with that,” And then singing for Minister Wyatt at that stage or Spinifex Gum even, I that project, the petition, and the rainmaker died, according to the because there’s this single voice and Senator Dodson, which was was over there walking this few-month- journey you guys went on for that? Yindjibarndi community, of a broken coming out of the collective. very moving, and was a way for us old child around Paris or wherever she heart. So, it’s a protest song, and It’s also so beautiful to look out in We did a national tour that started to actually be in a place that can was touring. Just a lot of miles on the it’s a story song. the audience at a Spinifex Gum at Garma, went back through the potentially create something new. legs to get them to sleep, that’s pretty show, and see what look like white Pilbara, then to Darwin, then finished much it. He’s a beautiful boy and you in Canberra. In Garma, we launched I wanted to touch on the use of What can we expect to see from businessmen, weeping, because they’re Yindjibarndi language in songs like Spinifex Gum in the future? forget with kids you’ve got to get to caught. Because the paradigm’s being a petition in support of the ‘Uluru know them as well. Their personality ‘Yurala’, for example. What was the We just finished editing a version shifted. And also, just because it’s very Statement From The Heart’ around evolves and it’s an exchange. There’s process when writing those songs? of the Sydney Opera House show. beautiful. I’ve never been in an artistic reconciliation week and the very an unconditional love, and there’s also There’s going to be a live album that project that’s actually moved people cynical way in which that statement From my perspective, it started with one which is earned over a long time. in that way. They’re seeing something had been addressed by the politicians the Juluwarlu texts, which have been comes out quite soon and a concert they don’t know if they agree with or of its day. We invited people to sing created by the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal show, which sounds amazing and What’s up next? Check out the first track on this trek, and by singing, they were Corporation. There are about three looks fantastic. Sydney Opera House from Riebl’s upcoming not. They’re fronting up to a story, What are you looking forward to? EP via @felixriebl and all channel is going to premiere [it] in which is too unbearable to hear from lending their voice to a petition. We or four books that I read the hell out We spoke a lot about Spinifex Gum. upcoming Spinifex Gum collected all those voices as recordings, of for a long time. And I did some trips August, and then the full show will be releases by following one person, but they’re also being I’m looking forward to those releases. @spinifex_gum released later this year. It translates moved in a way that they find beautiful found a way to put them into a track, in country with a guy called Clinton I’m very much looking forward to beautifully as well. Some concerts you and that’s optimistic and that washes presented them to Minister Wyatt and Walker, the Yindjibarndi cultural doing some shows with The Cat Senator Dodson and performed in the guide. Those were the opening stages. really need to be there, and there’s 145 On the morning after JON MOHAN, You were doing heaps of gigs before you did at Revolver with Luke FR the announcement of our STAGE NAME JOEY we shut down so you’ve lost a huge part Vecchio. What made you take E tightest restrictions yet, COCO, is a DJ and Producer of your life and a big source of income. the plunge and step outside f we chatted to local who’s no stranger to the Melbourne How has that impacted you? of the decks with a keyboard? ree E music scene. He’s played at some of fr legend, DJ and I’m one of the really blessed lucky We actually got asked to play a MIND T e the city’s most iconic venues, including E H e producer, Joey ones. I’ve got some other stuff that show at My Aeon a couple of months H A fr Y Coco about Revolver, Glamorama and Brown Alley, D T ee I do as well, on the side, so I’m really before that show and that was all live. T and released his debut track ‘Free f life before lucky in the fact that I’ve still got a job. It was all electronic artists who can E R re COVID-19, Your Mind’ on Refuge Recordings in N ind m E e O A lot of my friends don’t have the same play a live instrument, or even just G nd m ind and now. December last year. What his bio won’t I i m F f sort of affordances, which really sucks. play a live producer set. We thought N m in r tell you, is that Joey is one of those d d U e It gets very, very gruelling. But yeah, about it. We were like, “Would it be in e people who radiates energy, whether A m ur mind — I had a lot of goals as well, which that good?” We weren’t really sure. 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N Recordings. Can you tell me a bit about T N r
D we will see those sweaty, jam-packed
f
F I doing music,
dance floors again. As a world, we’ve this funky, energetic house track. G
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E there’s no doubt
e made it through so much. We can get What was the inspiration for it?
r E
R
f about it, but in
Y
back to a sweaty dance floor I’m sure. Actually that track came from one of T D e
T what kind of mode,
e
H
r A the jams that I had with Luke and I
f
E or what kind of
H
E Let’s talk about your time pre-COVID
e T
M was just jamming some cords and I
e I D N
r way… it’s going to be
f because you were doing some cool stuff.
really liked them, and I put a track e e r a bit different I think. f I want to talk about that live show that
O down and I actually made an original 146 J 147 fr ee T yo IND HAT ur M R m E E i H F n D U d
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OE demo. The one that Whatever sounds good to me and Right
J Y E Joey Coco supporting N
f we released is quite whatever I feel and I like putting The Martinez Brothers C S r I e at Brown Alley. e jackin house. But the out. So, anything could happen.
O T y original demo [is] That’s what I like, the freedom
o pretty left wing. to be able to put out whatever. O u M
C r Kind of micro house.
Have you been working
m Kind of lo-fi. The
C on anything in isolation? O i same cords, [but] R n
H The thing about me is, I’m pretty goal F d different bassline
U and everything. driven and ambitious, so I always put R
— A O I sent it to Oscar at pressure on myself. But I realise you E
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can’t really push it sometimes. The last E F F Refuge and he was
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i like, “Yeah, yeah, lockdown, I sort of pushed myself and
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I really liked. So I was like, “You know E E a little bit more.”
o
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u I’m still obviously what, if anything right now, time is
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i
just messing with on my side”, which is really cool. So n
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different ideas and I’m not going to push it, and when
Y Y
i
n
m things like that, and inspiration strikes, that’s when I’ll just
O O d
i he was like, “Let’s send get into that and ride that inspiration
n
— What is your all-time favourite
d Also for me, I’ve never really done to this gig and this and that”, and d U
U this to Pinto.” Pinto kind wave. I’ve definitely been trying my
n
m
i of changed it up and I hardest to do new mixes. I’ve got heaps this before, but I started just writing you just end up leaving your car there. gets-everyone-to-the-dance-floor
R R
i m
f
n
r track to drop? d
d was like, “Yeah, whatever. of new mixes, just waiting for a good down goals and thoughts, not really Sometimes I’m happy to play those n
e i m
D D
i m
n d e
M
M time to publish them and put them out, journaling or anything like that, but late night gigs. For example one of
It sounds dope.” So, that’s Tough one and is always changing.
y N N
o
I
I just writing things down. I’ve got a my favorite gigs [is] playing the close
I
I what we went with. but other tracks as well. I sent a track Anything Floorplan always works well.
u N N
r big whiteboard in my room where at Glamorama on a Saturday night. M
M off to a guy... I just listened to the demo
D D I love ‘We Magnify His Name’ or ’Tell
m There’s a couple of vocals on R R
F
F that he sent back, which is sounding I can write stuff down. I’ve got a little Oh, I will 100% love to keep playing i You No Lie’. I was also playing ‘Bogus’
U U R R n
O O E E
Y Y E E the track, I think one’s a disco queen,
d really cool. So there are tracks that notebook where I can write notes that. Even close at The Carlton Club by Johan S a lot last year, which was
— and then you’ve also got this male I’ve been working on. down. That really helps me. But yeah, on a Friday night. Those go really late, also very dope on the dance floor.
f
r vocal driving the track. Where did
e talking it out. Finding someone that but I’m happy to keep doing those,
e
y
o Can we get a bit of sneak peak
u the vocals come from? Thanks for the hot tip! Speaking
r you can confide in, and writing things but it’s the ones before it, or even the
m i n d
— I think it might be Aretha Franklin. info on that one? down. That’s worked for me. party afterwards that needs to stop, of getting the d-floor going; when I’m not sure. I got the male vocalist, I’ve got probably two tracks that for me at least. Hopefully that will everything’s back and kicking, what You mentioned earlier that you’ve he’s just like a preacher, I got it off are sort of semi-ready to drop. snowball into big opportunities do you hope to achieve in the future had time to reassess what you want YouTube. So the preacher’s name is One is called Ascending... I’ll say and things like that as well. under Joey Coco? to do. Moving forward, what does that TD Jakes and it’s funny because I tried this much. It channels a very popular, look like, and what role does music Let’s talk shop. I have some I just hope I get to see the people to go to the depths of YouTube so that OG neo soul singer. I’m working on move more. I really want to put out play in that? DJ to DJ questions for you. it would be different to other people, that one with a guy called Donald Who’s your all time favorite? more tracks that people enjoy, listen because there’s a lot of like preaching Lester from the Refuge team. Yeah, this is still a moving target of to, move to. I’d love to play some house sort of tracks, and I tried to find Can’t wait to put it out. sorts. I feel like I’m getting a little bit I’d probably have to say Moodymann awesome gigs. I had a lot of interstate something that I really resonated with, older as well, so I have different goals or Robert Hood. Yeah, they’re elite stuff planned and I was even going to You’ve always been such an upbeat just like what he was talking about. that I want to attain in life. Usually artists. Moodymann I think, because try and tee up a few international gigs guy, happy-go-lucky, a breath of fresh I found that clip, and then I remember they were all music based, but now he makes whatever he wants to make, as well this year. That will need to be air in the scene. What would you say listening to a track, or finding a track I guess I want to move into doing as a producer, and he DJs whatever pushed back. Hopefully it happens. to any of the other people around on Instagram, and then even a mate different things, but obviously music he wants to DJ. He does it so well. So, I’m sure I can work and make some you that are maybe having a tougher of mine, Morning Maxwell, released is there. I definitely don’t want to play that’s really why I picked him. Robert things happen. Moving forward, time right now? a track. It was the exact same sample. as many gigs as I was, just for health Hood because he’s a master. He’s a I want to just keep putting stuff out I was like, “dang”, because he’s Yeah, even though I’m a pretty reasons really. Not that my health master at whatever he does. there that makes people feel good naturally got that preachy, deep bass upbeat, positive, happy guy, I still was in super bad shape, but the sleep and makes people feel positive, and have tough times and I’m really lucky deprivation really got to me. I loved Can you give us some new release voice. People are drawn to that. That’s plugs? What have been your favourite makes people move. That’s about it. cool though, they’re all good tracks. in the fact that I’ve got an excellent every moment of being out there and group of mates around me as well. having fun and playing this and that, tracks to drop since isolation? So, moving forward, would you say The thing about this whole COVID but I think I just need to relax a little Difficult one! I enjoyed Moodymann’s house is going to be your genre? situation is, it’s put us on a level playing bit and I would like to focus more new album. I’ve been listening to a lot Yeah, I love making house music. surface I guess. Even though it’s hard, on production, definitely more on of different stuff, hip-hop, soul, jazz, I like making everything. Whatever I think for me it’s talking to your mates. production. I still want to play gigs, and from a lot of underground artists. strikes. Whatever inspires me at that Find someone that you can talk to definitely, just not as many. I have a mate Blake Bailey who released time, I’m down to make. But coming and someone you think that might It was ridiculous, because it’s hard to an offering all made in isolation which You can check out Joey be a good listener. I’m always here is great. Drum Authority stuff on Coco’s Debut track, ‘Free from a hip-hop background I’ve been have self-control at times. You can be Your Mind’ and stay up to date rapping and stuff on house beats and to listen. I love listening. like, “Oh yeah, I’m going to drive Refuge is extremely dope too. with his upcoming releases via melding different things together. @joeycocodj on Instagram. 148 149 NOTE Music reviews by creative writers. TO NOTE post-lockdown exuberance. crowd chanting thewords backin you canalmost hearamusic festival Written by HaniaSyed “take alookat menow” isbold– listener. repeated The assertionof flows, completelyenveloping the consuming asthesongebbs and electronica isdreamy andall- soulful uniquebrandof Their sophomore album. a teasingview intotheirforthcoming with thepulsating“Take ALook”, Newcastle return Seeka duoBoo [email protected] haniasyed.com TAKE ALOOK by Seeka Boo
summer festivals andtours. audience needsasthey holdoutfor Look” isthecathartic anthemthe for release later this year, “Take A leaf. With thealbum beingscheduled anew of marksthe single the turning theduothemselves, In thewords of head a bettermomentinmy theyear than: through therest of What totakeus betterenergy don’t wannacomedown I’m happy inthecloudsI’m happy by Skye Alice IDEAS GRAND Written by MelissaToh [email protected] Behance: melissatoh28a1 do for us? I’m adding this to my list of grand ideas. grand do for us?I’maddingthistomy listof to ourloved onesduringtheirbadtimes, justlikethey strength lifewhere we may serve of aspillars train wreck of are beyond ourcontrol. why Then notcontinue onthis not cripplelives. We unfortunately can’t change thingsthat whoothers consistentlysupportus, andthat badtimesneed times, there are reminds usthat even duringthehardest of ‘GrandIdeas’ anearworm. make uptheclassicrecipe of anything but. With catchy beats andsimplemelodies, they about complicatedness, thetempoandinstrumentalsare chaos. Having writtenasong frustration, andvisualsof of expresses thesehonestpainsthrough herraw vocals, lyrics minds orfindourselves at oddswithour realities. Skye feel immense, we sometimesfeeltrappedinourown But escapismisrarely ever theanswer. Whenproblems lines we scream outloudinourheads. deal withallthat mess;sheserenades uswiththeexact fantasy. To drop everything andleave, toletsomeoneelse pressuresexternal may overwhelm us, Skye vocalises our priorities, discovering and oneself, managinginternal Life isn’t easy. Onthis bumpy train ride where balancing dark thoughts. black holeof effect that keeps you from spirallingdown yet another seem likeanoddjuxtaposition,but creates agrounding uplifting, head-bobbing indierock tune. may This about troubled, uneasybut very real emotionstoan proudThe Wergaia /Wemba Wemba woman sings far more relatable thanexpected. of 2020, AliceSkye’s new single‘Grand Ideas’turnsout releasing hernew quarter Despite singleinthesecond
151 You’ve got a gauzy sheen on your forehead from the fire, Written by Olivia Romas or the wine, or the dancing. livromm.com The lickety-split limerence of this song lulls you into [email protected] a state of sweet solipsism as you sway on linoleum floors and slip on the stubborn corner of a cheap Kmart rug. You surrender wholly to the Right Now, a time bereft of blistering bass and sticky dance floors spent simply imbibing, jiving, surviving. The music syncopates with a sinking feeling and stirs something up inside of you. Four walls contain you and your lockdown lover, incarcerated but incantatory. You’re pining for a fleeting flirt with escapism and this could be it. The transportive thud of synth and smooth, tipsy lyrics reverberates until you’re in a dreamworld, nostalgic of sweat-drenched Alt-J gigs in a bygone era. Eyes closed, you reminisce grimy nights spent throwing ALONE. shoulders against oscillating, desperate bodies in a crowd. Now, it’s just the two of you and interminable time. But maybe for this song’s duration, that can be enough. TOGETHER. These beats flutter like moths flocking to the Diptyque by Golding candle you’ve been too precious to set alight until tonight. The music mellows and 3:03 more minutes of purgatory are complete. But those ones felt nice. You fall back into Written by Genevieve Phelan familiar dents in your couch cushions, cocooned in cabernet sauvignon and the arms of your pandemic paramour. @genevieve.phelan [email protected] It’s all so oxymoronic and intoxicating as pleasure percolates in pain. Alone. Together.
IMAGINARY EXPEDITIONS by KAYROY
If you’re trying to train your posture or type with precision, Catchy synth melodies paired with driving beats and be warned, this music is not for you. Personally, I’m finding ambient layers makes track ‘Galapagos’ something it difficult to maintain an upright spine as my head bops. of a tropical island dream. Close your eyes. I look like a chicken. The incessant finger tapping Did you just see a giant tortoise lumbering by? isn’t really helping either. No, but the song took you there. That’s because Kayroy’s new EP titled ‘Imaginary We venture further into jungle-inspired sounds as the final Expeditions’ is a groovy little number. ICYMI, Kayroy tune and shake-up of the opening track ‘Imagine (Dawn is a Melbourne artist loved for his fusion of disco and Again Remix)’ stirs up drums, deep base lines and vocals dance tunes. He blessed us with this recent release that hail from a place that’s far away—and COVID-free. in July, as we ventured deep into iso 2.0. Overall, ‘Imaginary Expeditions’ by Kayroy was The opener ‘Imagine’, a collab with GREETINGS, worth throwing my back out for. I implore you to pop is a dreamy collision of ambient synths and disco beats your headphones on and do the same. Happy listening. that really get you going. Track two, ‘Orbitale’, isn’t far behind with an upbeat electrofunk vibe, that’s somewhat reminiscent of racing Daytona at Galactic Circus. Don’t ask me why. 152 153 SO YOU’VE TAKEN THE TIME TO READ PEP (THANKS!). BUT, WHAT NOW? WELL, IF YOU’RE IN A POSITION TO PEP UP ONE OF OUR TALENTED ENTRANTS, WHY NOT REACH OUT? YOU WON’T REGRET IT. OR IF YOU YOURSELF HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE 2020 SHITSHOW AND ARE IN NEED OF SOME PEP, HIT US UP AT [email protected] TO FEATURE IN OUR NEXT ISSUE. OTHERWISE, YOU CAN SIMPLY SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER AT PEP.MELBOURE TO KEEP UP TO DATE WITH FUTURE RELEASES. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, REMEMBER TO STAY SAFE, MASK UP AND KEEP CREATING. WE GOT THIS MELBOURNE. WE GOT THIS.
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