Best Collaboration of 2009: Burial & Four Tet

Runner Up: FlyamSam (Flying Lotus & Samiyam)



Arriving somewhat out of the blue, and under a shroud of mystery (the vinyl has an all black case and contains no liner notes or any information other than the artists names and the names of the two tracks, Wolf Cub and Moth) which should be expected as Burial is in the picture, Burial and Four Tet's 12" was always going to be something else.

Initially people were unsure as to exactly how the split was made - were both tracks collaborative, did each only make one, or was one worked on together and the other worked on separately? The last could have been a good guess, with Wolf Cub containing signatures from both artists, though not in an entirely cohesive manner (not, in anyway, implying that it is bad), while Moth sounds like what could have resulted with both artists sitting in the studio together. Kieran Hebden later confirmed that both tracks were, in fact, created collaboratively.

But all that really matters is the music. And it is phenomenal. If you are a fan of either artist (or both), or just a fan of alternative electronic music in general, this is one of the must hear releases of 2009.

Best Club Gig of 2009: Kode9, Harmonic 313 & Steve Spacek @ Villa, 27/6/09

Runner Up: Flying Lotus @ Ambar, 10/1/09

Getting to see Kode9, owner of the awesome Hyperdub label, and a pioneering dubstep DJ/Producer in his own right, in Perth was something to look forward to indeed. And the night did not disappoint.

Arriving late and thus only catching the very end of Harmonic 313's set was to be the only disappointment of the night, as Kode9 took all present on a dark journey. And I mean literally dark. What was initially thought to be a mistake on behalf of the lighting crew later turned out to be a request of Steve Goodman, to leave him surrounded in darkness, which definitely added to the mystique of the night.

Kode 9 likes to keep it dark - his decks can just be made out here.

Playing a range of bass heavy tracks, including not only dubstep but also oldschool jungle and UK garage, the Villa dance floor was rife with stepping the whole night long, as Kode9 delivered an absolutely banging set.

Big ups to local boy Rekab who came on after Kode9 and continued the hectic pace, right up until sunrise.

Best Festival of 2009: St. Jerome's Laneway Festival @ Perth Culutural Centre, 6/2/09

Runner up: Low:Fi Festival @ Aberdeen Street, 25/10/09


Setting an alternative boutique festival in the heart of the Perth Cultural Centre in Northbridge seems to be such an obvious formula for success, it's a wonder it took until 2009 for it to happen.

Perth's inaugural Laneway Festival took place in 2009, and had an awesome line-up, that allowed me to see Stereolab, The Hold Steady, The Drones, Four Tet, Buraka Som Sistema, Pivot, Born Ruffians, Still Flyin', and Daedelus. All in the one day. Amazing.

The location was beautiful, with stages set up amongst heritage buildings and the art gallery, the vibe was amazing, as being a more boutique festival, the crowd actually went to listen to and watch some amazing artists, rather then walk around with their shirts off until they were at an adequate level of sweatiness to begin rubbing up against other punters.

There was not a bad act the whole day, and none of the dramas witnessed at the Eastern States shows (where the laneways containing the stages became too crowded, so people missed the acts they wanted to see) were anywhere to be seen.

And although not technically part of the festival, the after party was amazing too - walking in to the Bakery to see Daedelus jamming with Pivot is a memory I will never forget.

Bring on Laneway 2010!

Best Concert of 2009: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds @ Belvoir Amphitheatre, Perth, 20/1/09

Runner up: Of Montreal @ Becks Music Box, Perth 28/2/09

At the start of the year, Belvoir Amphitheatre played host to Nick Cave and his Bad Seeds, touring off the back of their album, Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!. The fact that he is now over half a century old has not slowed Mr. Cave in the slightest, as he and his spectacular band tore through a set of not only great songs from Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!, but a whole host of other classics, including Red Right Hand, The Mercy Seat, Tupelo, Deanna, and Into My Arms, enthralling the audience for over 2 hours.

Most shows at Belvoir are usually quite special, due to the intimacy of the venue, but this show was just amazing, as Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds proved not only that they definitely still have it, but also why they are one of the most critically acclaimed Australian groups of all time. Adding to the mystique of the night was the announcement just 2 days later that Mick Harvey was leaving the Bad Seeds after 25 years, meaning this was his last ever show.

I can't wait to get the oppurtunity to see this band again, hopefully sooner rather than later.

Best of 2009 (a.k.a. My Favourite of 2009)

December is officially upon us, so I have decided now is the time to start compiling a list of my favourite music related happenings from over the course of the year.

The categories will consist of best (and a runner up for each):

- Concert
- Club Gig
- Festival
- Collaboration
- Local Release (Perth)
- Australian Release
- 12"
- EP

And culminating in my favourite top ten albums of the year (of which are not in previous categories).

Stay posted!