Performance Guide

Maximum Arousal continues its monthly series of "YOU DON'T HAVE TO CALL IT MUSIC: music by visual artists" curated by Marco Fusinato. From Duchamp through to Fluxus through to the plethora of post-60s practitioners there has been a long history of visual artists making music, often challenging our perception of what music could be. This series continues this exploration where visual artists have been invited to perform outside of the gallery space in a live music context.

Domenico de Clario: seven songs as yet unformed.

MofFarFarRah (Christopher LG Hill): Moffarfarrah tranverses time pushing bending and proding time within the space of the mouth and pedals, precusion, organs, and amplifires, casting spores of posi-charged change in little and big omnipresent ways, gurgles, squeaks, moans, new languages, abstract opera, moduals of existence, tea swilling, friendly chat and chants. SIDE PROJECTS: Krvstoffkrystoffiston, Paeces, Shawl, Bohemian Knights, Slotholith, Castle Mice, Galactic locksmith, Mandelbrot, Urchin, St Johns Ambiance and dumb crystals.

Rod Cooper: Since 1988, Rod Cooper has transformed traditional instrument designs into new metallic hybrids. Each sound sculpture has a large range of sounds, incorporating percussion, bowing mechanisms resonant springs and acoustic noise.
  ( link: http://youdonthavetocallitmusic.blogspot.com/ )

Ending 2007 at a crackling pace, Perth’s Institut Polaire and Sydney’s Cuthbert and the Night Walkers join forces to tour nationally in May.

With a palette of sounds ranging from country tinged psychedelia to 60’s soundtracks, Institut Polaire take little pieces of each genre to create a special blend of their own. Pulling off these ambitious layered wall-of-sound aspirations does take a lot of sonic firepower. As a result, the band has grown from humble three piece roots into a full-blown collective who currently number between 7 and 9 members. Their debut EP The Fauna and the Flora was released in October 07 to rave reviews. They’ve additionally taken out the prestigious WAMI award in 2008 for the Best Indie Pop Act.

Creating their own musical bubble where the orchestration is laid on thick around a joyous brand of lyrical earnest, Cuthbert and the Night Walkers have been creating gleeful chaos on stages around Australia with their skewed pop majestic. Harnessed by combining a traditional rock band elements with an all-girl choir, the result is an energetic, colourful and joy provoking live show. After signing to ABC Music, the enigmatic ten-piece bottled their spirit into their critically acclaimed long player, Love Needs Us (ABC/ Warner). This glorious debut has secured Album of the Week airplay on FBI 94.5, Indie Album of the Week in Brag and Faster Louder, and a host of national rave reviews.

Late last year, both Institut Polaire and Cuthbert and the Night Walkers were nominated for the inaugural Triple J Unearthed J Award, igniting the idea of a combined tour. Now, from opposite sides of the continent this natural union will be unleashed nationally in May.  ( link: www.myspace.com/institutpolaire )

Having received acclaim for their debut single White Skin, Melbourne Indie outfit Basic Shape launch their highly anticipated debut album "Boat Without a Sail". Renowned for their excellent musicianship, the band will deliver their brand of delicately crafted songs which have seen them acclaimed as one of Australia's most exciting new bands. For those unfamiliar with the Basic Shape gospel, the band delivers a smorgasbord of richly textured brooding songs with gorgeous harmonies having previously been described as a mix of Gomez, Augie March and Crowded House. The boys will be joined by special guests, the wonderful Jack's Castle and Peregrine in a special treat.

  ( link: www.myspace.com/basicshapemusic )

Philip Jeck studied visual art at Dartington College of Arts. He started working with record players and electronics in the early '80's and has made soundtracks and toured with many dance and theatre companies as we as well as his solo concert work. His best kown work "Vinyl Requiem" a performance for 180 '50's/'60's record players. This work won the Time Out Performance Award for 1993. He has also over the last few years returned to visual art making installations using from 6 to 80 record players including "Off The Record" for Sonic Boom at The Hayward Gallery, London (2000).

He works with old records and record players salvaged from junk shops turning them to his own purposes. He really does play them as musical instruments, creating an intensely personal language that evolves with each added part of a record. He records for the Touch label and makes geniunely moving and transfixing music, where we hear the art not the gimmick. This will be his first Australian appearance & is not to be missed!!!  ( link: www.philipjeck.com )

The Verses are a country/soul/rock/blues sextet. Formed in 2007 by Ella and Jesse Hooper, with Madeleine Davey, Brett Langsford, Matt Watson and Jorge Rodrigues. Inspired by Harvest era Neil Young, The ‘Stones, Gillian Welch and Sharon Jones, the band has spent the past few months recording in a 100 year old Church in rural Victoria and are now ready to unleash their live show. ‘The Toff in Town’ shows are The Verses first foray into the CBD and promise to provide lovers of classic old school song writing and stellar playing a good reason to go out on Tuesday night!  ( link: www.myspace.com/theverses )

Melbourne’s favourite vocalist Paris Wells plays two special shows on consecutive Thursdays in May at sister venues Revolver Upstairs and The Toff. On Thursday 15th May Paris plays a full band show at Revolver and then on Thursday 22nd May a stripped back mix-tape performance promising to get your booty shaking with the infamous DJ Thief in the intimate surrounds of the Toff. Paris Wells a singer in the mould of the great soul vocalists of the last century, drawing influence and style from artists such as Betty Davis, Renee Geyer, Annie Lennox and Janis Joplin. Paris sustains a contemporary style with her live toasting performances, mix-tapes with popular local DJ’s, guest vocals to her full live show with band. Catch Paris Wells in acoustic mode at The Toff on Thursday 22nd May with special guests to be announced!  ( link: www.myspace.com/pariswells )

Two of Melbourne's most cutting-edge acts team up for one extraordinary night of pop-flavoured fusion. Rising stars Me and the Grownups defy classification with their unmistakable mix of jazz, classical, folk and pop. Soaring violin, haunting vocals and pulsing rhythmic guitar blend to create the Grownups' hypnotic sound, promising a romantic and unique musical experience. Ocean's Baroque (aka the Melodics' Hue Blanes) is even harder to pin down - is it gospel, dance, soul...? Driven by Blanes' unforgettable vocals and ingenious songcraft, Ocean's Baroque return from a long sabbatical with new songs from their highly anticipated second album.



www.myspace.com/oceansbaroque
  ( link: www.myspace.com/meandthegrownups )

Fresh from North American tour and a LOAD records showcase at SXSW, Lucas Abela is launching his new JUSTICE YELDHAM LP; BIRTHDAYS. The record consists of two live sets by the maverick amplified-glass player recorded during his & Keg's recent tour of Europe.

His sets have been described as "a trumpet player trapped in a two dimensional universe". By pressing his face and lips against the glass whist employing various vocal techniques ranging from throat singing to raspberries, he turns disguarded household windows into crude musical instruments. Resulting in a wide variety of cacophonous noises that are strangely controlled and oddly musical.

Always confounding & on-the-edge this will be Abela's only Melbourne performance! Also appearing are ethnic hiphop legends Curse Ov Dialect with an all new show and the always entertaining and enthralling Hi-God People.  ( link: http://dualplover.com/justice.htm )

The Verses are a country/soul/rock/blues sextet. Formed in 2007 by Ella and Jesse Hooper, with Madeleine Davey, Brett Langsford, Matt Watson and Jorge Rodrigues. Inspired by Harvest era Neil Young, The ‘Stones, Gillian Welch and Sharon Jones, the band has spent the past few months recording in a 100 year old Church in rural Victoria and are now ready to unleash their live show. ‘The Toff in Town’ shows are The Verses first foray into the CBD and promise to provide lovers of classic old school song writing and stellar playing a good reason to go out on Tuesday night!  ( link: www.myspace.com/theverses )

To celebrate the release of her debut album “Here Be Dragons” on May 10th (Inertia), singer/song writer Krista Polvere will be launching the album Wednesday May 28 at The Toff. “Here Be Dragons” was recorded in New York and features some well known artists, including Ryan Adams, Grasshopper and Adam from Mercury Rev. Krista has also worked with Australian artists Monique Brumby and Mark Lizotte. On working with Ryan Adams Krista says “It was an incredible experience. Being able to collaborate with someone of such prolific ability sheds light on a lot of new avenues for me, gives me an approach to the song writing process from an unexpected angle”. Supporting Krista at her launch will be Rushcutter.  ( link: www.kristapolvere.com )

Guy Blackman, the "everywhere 'It Boy' of the Melbourne indie scene" (according to a recent review in Beat Magazine) launches his debut solo album Adult Baby with full band in tow. Adult Baby is the result of almost three years of steadfast toil, full of lush strings, dynamic horns and shimmering vibes, plus a host of special guests queuing up to lend a hand. Besides a steamy duet with Swedish pop star Jens Lekman, and a fragile girl group vocal from Art Of Fighting’s Peggy Frew, the album also includes cameos from members of the Dirty Three, Crayon Fields, Pikelet, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Ground Components, Fabulous Diamonds and many more.

Guy is driving force behind Chapter Music, one of Australia’s best-regarded independent labels, with a free-ranging catalogue of artists from places as far-flung as Tokyo, Connecticut or Stockholm. He also served in fondly-remembered Melbourne groups Sleepy Township and Minimum Chips, who released records on labels all over the world. But since returning to Melbourne in 2004 after a life-changing 18 months in Japan, Guy has focused on his intricate and melody-rich work as a solo artist.

These days, he presents himself as a balladeer, playing deftly constructed songs on piano and guitar that deal frankly with issues of love, sexuality and commitment. He describes his music, tongue-in-cheek, as “M.O.R. D.I.Y.”, and his songs evoke comparisons to Brian Wilson, Tim Hardin, Serge Gainsbourg and The Left Banke. Honesty, emotion and personal revelation are the focal points of his work.

In Australia, he has shared stages with the likes of Vashti Bunyan, Joanna Newsom, Bill Callahan, Jens Lekman, Calvin Johnson, Mt Eerie, The Blow, Karl Blau, Josephine Foster and Dear Nora, while his former bands supported Cat Power, Stereolab and Elliott Smith, amongst others. Elsewhere, Guy has played festivals from Arhus, Denmark to Anacortes, Washington, braved the icy streets of Sapporo, Japan and the elegant, former Communist ruins of East Berlin. Supports on the night come from Laura Jean and her Eden Land Band, and Always.  ( link: www.myspace.com/guyblackman )

Masters of great atmosphere, Paprika Balkanicus are fast becoming one of the hottest newcomers in world music. These virtuoso musicians from Romania, Serbia and Slovenia on violin, guitar, double bass and accordion play a fiery blend of traditional and Gypsy music from the Balkan Peninsula’s incredible musical history.

A smashing gypsy riot of electrifying musicianship. From silky-smooth stroking tones to lightning-speed furious arpeggios, violinist Bogdan Vacarescu's blurred fingers lure some of the most beautiful and passionate melodies ever written for violin. Next to him Jozef Secnik on double bass and Vlad Jocic on guitar provide an intriguing harmonic foundation of frequently odd rhythms with unpredictable solo eruptions. Flanked by Milos Milivojevic on accordion, the band can sound as soft as a whisper or larger than life.

Seducing the masses at international festivals including Glastonbury, Kingston Green Fair, Balkan Fever London, Secret Garden Party, Diaspora Music Village (Hyde Park), Exit (Serbia), this gypsy trip is Paprika Balkanicus' first live dates down under. Supported by the notorious and legendary gentlemen Ollie McGill -Keys, Ryan Monro - Bass, Will Hull-Brown – Drums as The Genie. This is The Genie’s last gig until August.  ( link: www.myspace.com/paprikabalkanicus )

The Verses are a country/soul/rock/blues sextet. Formed in 2007 by Ella and Jesse Hooper, with Madeleine Davey, Brett Langsford, Matt Watson and Jorge Rodrigues. Inspired by Harvest era Neil Young, The ‘Stones, Gillian Welch and Sharon Jones, the band has spent the past few months recording in a 100 year old Church in rural Victoria and are now ready to unleash their live show. ‘The Toff in Town’ shows are The Verses first foray into the CBD and promise to provide lovers of classic old school song writing and stellar playing a good reason to go out on Tuesday night!  ( link: www.myspace.com/theverses )

The Verses are a country/soul/rock/blues sextet. Formed in 2007 by Ella and Jesse Hooper, with Madeleine Davey, Brett Langsford, Matt Watson and Jorge Rodrigues. Inspired by Harvest era Neil Young, The ‘Stones, Gillian Welch and Sharon Jones, the band has spent the past few months recording in a 100 year old Church in rural Victoria and are now ready to unleash their live show. ‘The Toff in Town’ shows are The Verses first foray into the CBD and promise to provide lovers of classic old school song writing and stellar playing a good reason to go out on Tuesday night!  ( link: www.myspace.com/theverses )

Basia Bulat hails from the forest city of London, Ontario, where she found her songs and stories dangling from the trees. Her debut album Oh, My Darling was engineered and produced by Howard Bilerman (Godspeed You! Black Emperor, The Arcade Fire, British Sea Power), and was released in Australia through Rough Trade/Remote Control last year. Basia has begun bringing her unique blend of folk and chamber pop to audiences across Canada and the UK and she’ll be coming over to play her very first shows in the Australia this June.

Basia’s songs are infused with sweet ragtime piano melodies, tender-hearted string arrangements, and a voice that has been compared to Elyse Weinberg and Leslie Feist. Don’t miss Basia Bulat as she performs an intimate show at The Toff on Wednesday June 11th during the Oh, My Darling Australian promo tour.  ( link: www.basiabulat.com )

On the eve of releasing his 8th studio album “Days Like These”, Diesel playing electric guitar with his three piece band road test tracks and re-visit back catalogue making for an eclectic and electric set. Don't miss this rare opportunity to catch Diesel in the intimate surrounds of The Toff on Saturday 28th of June with special guests to be announced.  ( link: www.dieselmusic.com.au )

Following 2006's acclaimed album Echo Other, All India Radio return with a sparkling new album Fall. Mixing a little Portishead with a dash of Boards Of Canada & Cinematic Orchestra, Fall is the first album with new singer/song writer Leona Prue whose thoroughly entrancing voice adds a new focus to the band's lush cinematic soundscapes. Guests include Graham Lee (The Triffids, KLF) who plays some stunningly atmospheric pedal steel guitar and experimental cellist Emily Williams.

All India Radio have had a very busy 12 months after signing to legendary Chicago label Minty Fresh (The Cardigans, Veruca Salt), a successful US tour, soundtrack work for Michael Moore's Sicko, Bondi Rescue, Canal Road, Passionate Apprentices, Big Brother and a collaboration album with The Church's Steve Kilbey.

All India Radio will launch Fall at the Toff In Town Saturday 19th July, playing two full sets – one featuring their older instrumental material and the other highlighting the brand new vocal tracks from Fall. Get there early!  ( link: www.myspace.com/allindiaradio )