The Thousands

Thursday July 1

Issue 033 - Your Pleasure

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OUT: Street Creeps with No Yawk & The Shakes
HEAR: 'LP4', Ratatat
WORK: Right Angle Project Manager, Sydney
HEAR: The Sirens of Venice S/T

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Cover photo by Gladys. If you would like to submit a cover shot email daniel@rightanglestudio.com.au

What:
Dapper Dan, Issue 01

Where:
Extra Newsagency, 164 King William Rd, Hyde Park

When:
Twice a year

How much:
$10.95

I became aware of Dapper Dan some time before he reached our shores, as is often the case with a specimen of his pedigree. On first glance, I wasn't sure what to make of him - the piercing gaze, monochromatic attire and bushranger-like appearance - it was all a little cryptic.

For about a week we exchanged glances in the aisle of the newsagency. I wouldn't have called it flirting but there was definitely a sense of mutual intrigue. After running out of excuses to dally about the men's interest' section, I plucked up the courage to take him home.

For one so young, Dan possessed a remarkable level of maturity. His perspectives on fashion, culture and philosophy were well informed and expressed with a sense of purpose and soul. He had a keen eye for detail and I particularly enjoyed his comments on beard maintenance, vintage chronometry and 'life geniuses'.

His associations include the likes of Jurgen Teller, Damir Doma and Lucas Ossendrijver but Dan doesn't rest on the laurels of such notable affiliations. Instead, he's worked hard to forge his own unique identity - one that eschews ephemeral trends and places imagination above convention.

By Michael Walker

What:
Rewind The Fall

Who:
Box Elder

On:
Independent

Get It:
$5 for a REAL CD from Wholesale Meat at Format, 15 Peel St, City, $3 for digital copy with the 'fivethousand' discount code online at BandCamp

It's difficult for a young band that is clearly influenced by heavyweight contemporaries to shake off those influences, as they form a large part of their discernible identity. Nor is it a given that they will choose to drop them, seeing as it's often all people have to go by. So Box Elder falls pretty firmly on the less approachable side of the indie fence. Their debut EP, Rewind the Fall, reminds the listener of bands like Deerhunter, Liars, and a liberal helping of EVOL-era Sonic Youth.

The usual studio tricks are present, with the three guitars contributing to a layered, shimmering sound. However, what sets these young guys apart is their earnestness and lack of cynicism. Patrick Lockwood does the whole reverb-y ennui thing with aplomb, but doesn't sound grim doing it. He sounds young, and most unlike Bradford Cox. Which, considering he is both of these things, works pretty well.

Rewind the Fall is Box Elders first budding step, and if they keep offering up more songs like Microdots', it'll be worthwhile.

By Mateo Szlapek-Sewillo

What:
Whisper Not To Shout

Where:
Magazine, Clubhouse Lane, (off Hindley St)

When:
Opens Fri July 2, 6pm
Runs until July 16

How much:
Free

Contact:
greenred123@gmail.com

Image:
Laura Haigh

I don't know much about art, but I do know that Chloe Langford knows more about art than me. And unless you're a handful of people, Chloe Langford knows more about art than you, too. I should know - I'm dating her. And if anyone has good taste, it's me.

What?
 
Aside from being the boss of the upstairs gallery at Format Space, Chloe's also pretty well the boss of the art section of this publication. Stick with Chloe, is all I'm saying.
 
Chloe's latest curatorial effort will be at Magazine for the next two weeks - if you haven't yet seen the excellent space this is the perfect excuse. The show features work from some of my favourite Adelaide-based artists, including Laura Haigh's craft-inspired curiosities and the melancholic, nostalgic paintings of Steph Crase. Plus I reckon there'll be cheap drinks, courtesy of the patient and not at all reactionary people from the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner.

By Stan Mahoney

What:
Red Cross Vintage Fashion Store

Where:
284 Rundle St, City

When:
Mon-Thurs 10am-5.30pm, Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm

Contact:
8223 4284

View map

Until yesterday, the best Red Cross I had ever been to was in Cambrai. Records, brogues, nanna cardigans, dresses, oversized shirts, Scrabble sets, cropped silver jackets - an absolute treasure trove of goodies at bargain basement prices. It was the best Red Cross ever. Until yesterday.

Yep, the Red Cross' latest offering on Rundle Street is pretty darn impressive. I'm always a bit sceptical about charities opening 'boutiques' and I shudder massive markups on 'vintage' and 'retro' pieces, but I reckon the Red Cross has got this one right. First, the window display is beautiful. Second, the small touches around the store - cameras, suitcases, wooden deer statues, mirrors, teacups and more - make it a very well curated and merchandised space to be in. Third, their stock is lovingly selected and in pristine condition. Fourth, the prices aren't too overinflated and at the end of the day, all proceeds are going to charity - so you can feel good about blowing your pay packet on a Friday night fashion bender (as if you needed an excuse...).

By Stephanie Lyall

What:
Farewell

Where:
In cinemas from July 1

Watch Trailer:
Here

Win:
Thanks to Hopscotch, we have 5 dbls! To enter, email win@fivethousand.com.au with the subject line I married an engineer, not James Bond!'

Moscow, 1981, and mild-mannered French engineer Pierre Froment (Guillaume Canet) becomes a most unlikely spy. He's the sole handler for a disillusioned KGB colonel, Sergei Gregoriev (Emir Kusturica) who's decided to pass top-secret Soviet tech intelligence to the French. Gregoriev doesn't want money or to escape the USSR: sickened by his country's debasement of Soviet ideals, he wants to topple the regime. He's also nostalgic for the French culture he grew to love during a posting in Paris.

Christian Carion's drama has taken considerable liberties with its historical basis, which undermines its conceit of revealing a "true story". But it's still satisfying as an old-fashioned, deeply sentimental Cold War drama, in the vein of The Russia House or Gorky Park.

Farewell wasn't nearly as triumphal and feelgood as Hollywood whistleblower films. Clammy, dispiriting realpolitik seeps from every bureaucrat and politician, from Fred Ward's pantomime Ronald Reagan to Willem Dafoe's unpleasant CIA operator. By contrast, it's almost pathetic how profoundly aesthetics and ideals move Gregoriev. There's a sublime, sad moment when he sticks his head out his car window while driving, and poignancy in his attempts to reach out to his wife and son with tidbits of decadent Western culture.

By Mel Campbell

What:
Papillionaire Bicycles

Where:
Online here

How much:
Bikes range from $499 to $659 (ex. delivery)

Contact:
+61 468 919 552 or info@papillionaire.com

(The following is an extract from a letter I wrote to my new bicycle. Don't judge me.)

Mi Amore. My sweet little Dutch-style butterfly bike. No other could hold a spoke to you. You're so cool, with your moustache (handlebars) and leathers (grips and saddles); your curvaceous frame (lugged steel) and 3-speed Shimano gears (guess that one explains itself).

You don't grease up my pant leg, like that awful road bike I found next to a dumpster full of papayas and soiled nappies; nor do you break down on Crown, like that 80s vintage I won at a carnival; or abuse my perineum like the fixie I had when I was part of a "douche" (the collective noun for a group of fixie-riders).

Oh baby, I waited so long and then I found you; customised you to my every whim, from your rustic wicker basket to your voluptuous cream tyres, and had you delivered into my arms by Melbourne's newest, fanciest-named bicycle company, Papillionaire.

Oh, my sweet bicycle, I wanna make lov-

Okay this is getting weird.

By Rory Belafonte

What:
Exeter Curry Nights

Where:
The Exeter Hotel, 246 Rundle St, City

When:
Every Wed & Thurs night

How Much:
About $15 per curry

View map

What's the best thing about the Exeter? The bands? The garden? The front bar chats with various wanderers? Nope, it's the curry.

The Exeter's famous curry night is a personal favourite of mine and something I hold near and dear to my heart...and my palate.
Every Wednesday and Thursday night the balcony is filled with everyone from the usuals that haunt the Exeter to ugh 'young professionals', and even families, but that is the appeal of curry night, it is for EVERYONE! The relaxed atmosphere of The Exeter that we all know and love extends to curry night which is loud, fun and usually accompanied by a killer soundtrack, think Neil Young or Dan Crannitch, a staple of the establishment.

The place is always packed, so you should definitely book in advance. Plus, the menu always changes, so you are bound to try something new every time you go, whether it be traditional Butter Chicken, Lamb Korma, or for the more adventurous a Venison Vindaloo or one of their amazing Seafood creations. For you vegos, there is always a great vegetarian option on the menu; personal favourites have been cauliflower and potato concoctions.

Be warned though, sometimes - like all good curries - they are hot, hot, hot and the 5 star system tends to be misleading. Nevertheless, get some roti bread, mango chutney, pappadams, raita and a pale ale and you will be good to go. After your meal your friends will probably be out the front hanging out. Perfect night all round really.

By Jenna Hawkins

What:
The Complete Guide to Rundle Mall Toilets

Where:
Rundle Mall, City

When:
Abruptly

How Much:
Free

When I was a teenager I went into a toilet off Adelaide Arcade cause I needed to wee. As I opened the door, in my direct line of sight was the urinal, where I saw a troll like man peeing from about 1 metre back with no hand on his dick. He turned to me with a big horrible grin, I screamed and ran. This image is permanently tattooed into my brain and comes to me in my darkest moments. This toilet is no longer open to the public, I can only assume I was not the only one to suffer that eye candy.

Naturally I have hoped to avoid that situation since then, and I hope that you too will never have to suffer such a fate, so here is a list of the best & worst public toilets in Rundle Mall for your toileting pleasure.

Worst:
James Place. Scary smelly hell hole.
Southern Cross Arcade. Look like a junkie's paradise.
Citi Centre Arcade. I spent a week in there one poo.

Best:
Toilets above JB HiFi. Well cleaned and roomy.
City Cross Arcade. Maze like and wonderful.
David Jones Food Court. New, clean, and pretty! A MECCA!

By Matt Banham

What:
'Black Water Blues', Paul Sloan

Where:
Hugo Michell Gallery, 260 Portrush Rd, Beulah Park

When:
Opens Thurs July 1, 6.30pm
Runs until July 24

Paul Sloan doesn't need too much of an introduction, but we can tell you this: He's survived a wedge-tailed eagle attack. He also sits somewhere in the crowd of Adelaide artists doing really fine art. Having exhibited widely, with the aEaf here and elsewhere all over the country, this time Paul Sloan exhibits Black Water Blues at Hugo Michell. Photography, painting, and even, a kayak. - DG

What:
Robotosaurus / Coerce split launch

Where:
The German Club, 223 Flinders St, City

When:
Sat July 3, 8pm

How Much:
$12

What do you think about when you hear the word 'hardcore'? Chubby bearded dudes in black hoodies with violent passive aggressive tendancies? Or Black Flag, '80s Dischord, F*cked Up? There's hardcore and then there's hardcore. Some sucks, some is so excellent. Imaginative, creative and straight up guttural in all the right ways. Locals Robotosaurus and Coerce fit pretty nicely into the latter. Good hardcore. -DG

What:
Table Spoon / Substance

Where:
FELTspace, 12 Compton St, City

When:
Opens Wed July 7, 6pm
Runs until July 24

How Much:
Free

No offs Canberrans, but can you give me one good thing that you have given us? Most of you aren't even from Canberra, what does a real Canberran do in a city of cocktail bars, sub-zero mornings and regular visits from Tony Abbot? Well, maybe make some art. Jacqueline Bradley is straight out of Canberra and is notable for her sculptural works. Building materials, fabric, wallpaper, all combined to explore the idea of 'home and a sense of place'. - DG

Are you skinny? Nomatter. No-one will know if you're wearing Skinny Nelson. Jacqui Alexander and Zachary Midalia's tees, tanks, dresses, shorts and loose superfine pants will drape about your bony figure - the clean lines of their natural fiber fabrics allowing you to sweep voluminously into rooms like a Swedish curator who just had Palt dumplings and a Falu sausage for lunch.

Since launching in Australia last year, the label has extended its range from the 100% organic cotton tees that got everyone hyped up about zero shrinkage. The brand's second season, Spring Summer 2010/11, is out now, including new fine cotton knits, oversize tees, loose-line jackets and the magnificent hooded Winter Cape type arrangement you see pictured here. We think it's very 'architect on the bus meets the Spanish Inquisition' or, indeed, 'Red Riding Hood attends an art opening'. Thanks to Skinny Nelson, we also have two to give away! To enter, just answer the following question.

This week's question:
Why are you wearing that hooded cape?

a) all the better to eat you with
b) no-one expects the Spanish Inquisition
c) I am digesting my Falu sausage
d) because it is 6 motherf!*king degrees in here

Send your answer, size, name and mailing address to win@fivethousand.com.au. Winners will be notified by email. Subsciber ony entry! Not a subscriber? It's free you meatballs. Sign up here.