BLANCHE DUBOIS

Building Bridges

Perth sisters Nadija and Adriana Begovich make up Blanche DuBois – who have been performing around Australia for over a decade. Ahead of their performance at The Ellington Jazz Club on Thursday, March 8, one half of the duo, Adriana, sat down with JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD to discuss their sisterly relationship and why it took them four years to release new album Young Heart.

FRIGHTENERS

Bearing the terrible clichéd nature of this question, how would you describe your band’s sound?
In the past we’ve been described as moody indie rock and I think that’s a fair comment. When we started our sound had a dance/punk vibe to it but as we’ve matured as song writers our music has changed and opened up; we’ve become more melody-driven. Isaac (Smith, Guitarist and Synth) played a huge role in how melodic we have become though we’ve tried to keep a fraction of up-tempo beats in our current repertoire. For this EP we drew inspiration from a wide range of genres, from shoegaze to pop music each member’s individual music influences have shaped the writing of these songs.

GRIM FANDANGO

Rough Diamonds

Grim Fandango are keeping the spirit of pop-punk alive with their primal raunch‘n’roll. JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD caught up with vocalist Tom Ware ahead of their launch shows for new 7”/Digital EP, In The Rough, on Friday, February 3, at The Rosemount Hotel and Saturday, February 4, at The Prince Of Wales in Bunbury.

INJURED NINJA

No Rest For The Wicked

Getting one album a year set up and released is enough of a chore amid the smoking ruins of the music business, but local experimental rockers Injured Ninja have defied the stereotypes by releasing three records in less than 12 months. Ahead of the launch for their latest EP, Superluminessence, at The Bakery this Friday, December 23, JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD spoke to vocalist Dominic Pearce about the band’s hectic year.

THE GIZZARDS

Around The Bend

With a cult following around Perth and beyond for their circuit bent jams, The Gizzards launch their second album Man Probes The Universe at the Velvet Lounge this Friday, December 9, with support from Adem K’s Tape Recorders, Ermine Coat’s Alex Griffin and Chimp. Main Gizzard Chad Jane talks to MATTHEW HOGAN.

GRACE WOODROOFE

The Roofe Is On Fire

After releasing her debut album last year, Grace Woodroofe has kept busy in 2011 with a highly successful return trip to the USA. She chats to MATTHEW HOGAN ahead of her homecoming headline slot at Norfolk Lanes this Saturday, December 3.

HUSBAND

Newlywed

Consisting of many familiar faces from around the local scene, Husband is an epic indie rock band led by Michael Paolino. MATTHEW HOGAN chats to Husband ahead of the band’s debut EP launch at Mojo’s this Friday, November 18.

SHAMEEM TAHERI-LEE

Hey Soul Sister

Perth singer-songwriter Shameem Taheri-Lee is set to release her debut album this Saturday, November 19, at the Hyde Park Hotel. Shameem took her band to Soundbaker Studios to lay down 10 tracks of smooth soul-funk and R&B, an exciting follow up to her 2009 EP Universe For Afternoon Tea. PATRICK MARLBOROUGH chatted to Shameem about the album, her upcoming shows, and where her music fits in the Perth scene.
Born in Australia to a Chinese-Malaysian father and an Iranian mother, Shameem Taheri-Lee is an expressive musician who has been wowing crowds with her soulful voice. Over the phone, she is as infectious and calming as her music. She begins discussing the recording process of her new album.

THE SURE-FIRE MIDNIGHTS

Midnight At The Oasis

Launching their second album Strike At Midnight this Saturday, October 22, at the Rosemount Hotel (with support from Project Mayhem, Black Buzzard and The Shakeys), The Sure-Fire Midnights remain among Perth’s premier rock’n’roll bands. Frontwoman Clair Sargeant talks to MATTHEW HOGAN.

DIAMOND EYE

The Sound Of Silencers

Heavy rockers Diamond Eye have been slaying Perth audiences for five years, and now they’re taking their music all over Australia. Ahead of launching new EP Sound Of The Guns this Friday, October 14, at Amplifier Bar (with support from Ragdoll and Amberdown), lead guitarist Greg Fawcett chats to MATTHEW HOGAN.