Monday, 20 July 2009

Stutter this week

Ahead of their headline slot at this week's Sabbatical show, Canberra's Spartak are performing in improv duos at Stutter. Sabbatical's own Leith Thomas will perform with Spartak's Shoeb Ahmad.

From the folks at Stutter:

his Wednesday the 22nd of July @ Stutter...

@ Horse Bazaar
397 Little Lonsdale Street
Melbourne

8:30pm start.
$10 (full) + $5 (conc)

Click here for Stutter Myspazz

Wednesday, 8 July 2009

Sabbatical presents: Spartak

Canberra's own Spartak return south for the second time in as many months. Sabbatical is presenting the final show on their Lost Signal EP launch tour. The group will be fighting fit from shows across Australia, as well as Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

On this occasion Spartak will also perform seperately, in duos with two icons of Melbourne improvisation. Shoeb Ahmad will take on Dave Brown's mighty Candlesnuffer in a wave of guitars, while drummer Evan Dorrian partners with the esteemed Adam Simmons. Opening the night will be the kraut-jams of Snawklor, in full swing with the extended 'big band' line-up.

As always, it's happening at the Old Bar (74-76 Johnston Street, Fitzroy), doors at 8.30pm, first group on at 9pm.

Spartak (ACT)
Candlesnuffer vs Shoeb Ahmad
Adam Simmons & Evan Dorrian
Snawklor

Copies of Spartak's Lost Signal wil be available on the night, along with the Sabbatical catalogue. Or, if you can't wait, pick a copy via the hellosQuare website.

Wednesday, 1 July 2009

Vital Weekly review 'Palisades'

The European-based review staple, Vital Weekly, has reviewed Sabbatical's latest release, Palisades, from James Rushford & Joe Talia.

JAMES RUSHFORD & JOE TALIA - PALISADES
(CDR by Sabbatical Records)

From downunder, Melbourne to be precise are James Rushford and Joe Talia. Together they play prepared viola (Rushford) and spring tank, beatsink, cymbals, woodblock, floor tom (Talia). That I would have never guessed. The four pieces here are highly drone based and work extensively in the field of overtones. Lengthy sustaining music of long held tones, and with a strict minimum of changing the menu of sounds. Only in the third track things are stretched apart and we can note the scraping of viola. The fourth piece (all untitled) sees them exploring this further with sounds that swirl loosely in a mass of natural reverb. The music below sounds like it has been made with sine waves, but I guess it isn't. Highly refined music this is. No doubt created through improvisation, but then I guess this is not their first result in doing so. I think after hefty experimentation they came to these results. An excellent release at that. Great music at work here. (FdW)


Sign up to Vital Weekly here.

Palisades is available from Australian independent record stores or direct from us here.

Wednesday, 24 June 2009

Absoluten Calfeutrail at Tape Projects

Last weekend Absoluten Calfeutrail performed an amazing set at the wonderful Tape Projects space in Melbourne. Here's a photo and an audio sample from the proceedings.



Stream or download the brief audio clip here.

Monday, 22 June 2009

Sabbatical presents: Naked on the Vague

Sabbatical is proud to present a special early evening show for Sydney’s Naked on the Vague while they’re in Melbourne launching their new 7”. Sporting a newly expanding line-up the now four-piece will grace the Horse Bazaar stage with a cast Melbourne musical misfits. The vocal ferocity and assault of Kusum will be tempered with the intertwining voices of Gugg, while Eastern Grey open proceedings.

The last copies of Naked on the Vague’s almost sold out ‘Sad Sun’ EP will be available at the show.

First band on at 6pm sharp, six dollars entry.

Friday, 19 June 2009

Sabbatical presents: Isomer

Isomer is the moniker adopted by South Australian native David Tonkin for his one-man sound explorations. After quietly tinkering away in Adelaide for the last decade Tonkin has built up an international following for his dark and ambient soundscapes and earned the respect of artists such as the legendary Merzbow and Death In June.

An infrequent live performer, Isomer has supported such legends as Merzbow and Death In June. Sabbatical is proud to present this rare live opportunity in Melbourne.

Supports on the night come from new classical reconstruction trio Golden Fur, harsh noise unit Absoluten Calfeutrail, and the powerful collaboration of Anthony Pateras and Marco Fusinato’s Poletopra.

Six dollars entry, 9pm start

Saturday, 6 June 2009

Sabbatical presents: Aux Assembly

This month's show sees the welcome return of one of Sabbatical's groups, Aux Assembly. Dimitra and Elise will bring their beautiful, haunting soundscapes to the Old Bar as headliners of a diverse night including Kristian Roberts (harsh solo noise), A. Wallace & Tom Hall (found sound experiments) and J.L. Dimmick (endless saxophone excursions).

Sabbatical presents:

Aux Assembly
Kristian Roberts
A. Wallace & Tom Hall
J.L. Dimmick

The Old Bar - 76-78 Johnston Street, 76-78 Johnston Street, Fitzroy

Doors at 8.30pm, first act on at 9pm.

$6