BLUE KING - Warp Magazine

14 Music
INvISIBLE BOy
LOCAL INDIE-FOLKSTERS, INVISIBLE BOY HAVE HAD A
BUSY 2011 TO DATE – BUT THAT’S NO SURPRISE GIVEN THE
LATE-MARCH BIRTH OF THEIR SECOND ALBUM, ABOVE THE
GROOVE OF A LONELY LIFE.
What might surprise, however, is that the
band’s live set doesn’t reflect as much of the
new material as you might expect. According
to Daniel Townsend, this is far more to do with
the players themselves – not the material.
“We only include two or three songs from the
album in our set,” Daniel said. “It’s not the
songs, it’s us. We’ve moved on. We’re happy
for the songs to start seeing other people and
we’re still friends, it just didn’t work out.”
Having started life as an acoustic duo, it seems
Invisible Boy has definitely grown up a little,
now playing live as a four-piece with a couple
of albums to their credit, airplay on more than
50 community radio stations nationwide and a
boatload of live experience.
Picking up compliments from reviewers at the
likes of DrumBeat Magazine and The Dwarf,
Invisible Boy has earned comparisons with
the likes of Eels, Damien Rice and Australia’s
current folk darlings, Angus & Julia Stone.
The new album was recorded during an
18-month period which saw the development
of an exciting new sound including danceinspired
rhythms, edgy electric guitars, plenty
of strings and stacks of harmonies.
“When it comes to how people respond to the
new album, our audience is split down the
middle,” Daniel said. “The new album has
MAY
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more furrowed brows, a few upside-down smiles,
and asks some pretty tough questions, but
there’s also the kind of songs we’re known for.
“So, some people want more of the sing-along
stuff and some people love the musical variety,
the dynamics, the electric guitars.”
Despite the seemingly conflicted views over
the content on the new album, there’s no doubt
about it marking a special time in the history of
Invisible Boy and potentially opening new doors
as they go about getting as much as possible
out of this lonely life.
“It’s been special touring for this album,”
Daniel said. “We’ve been over that watery ditch
three times in the past year, and the response
is pretty consistent wherever we go, whether
we’re in living rooms, folk clubs, pubs or
festivals.
“We’re chatting with a promoter who has
asked if we could perform the songs from the
record, start to finish, for a live recording later
in the year. It’s nice to be liked. But it’s more
important to be worth listening to, so we’ll
focus on that.”
STU WARREN
Wed 11 Marita Mangano + Bill Kelly
Thurs 12 Linc Le Fevre in the Bar
Friday 13 Ill Starred Captain in the Boatshed
Sat 14 Smokin Elmores in the Boatshed / $5
Sun 15 Open Folk Group
Wed 18 Shakabula in the Bar
Thurs 19 Matthew Fagan in the Boatshed
Fri 20 Taberah, Future Recollection and Wizard
in the Boatshed / $5
14 Brisbane St Launceston Tasmania 7250 - (03) 6331 5346
Sat 21 Luke Parry in the Bar
Sun 22 Open Folk Group
Wed 25 Open Mic Night Returns
$12 Jugs Boags Draught !
Thurs 26 Dave Adams in the Bar
Fri 27 Wagons in the Boatshed / $5
Sat 28 Wheezy Hours Feat. Heloise Sowerby
Crazy 88's, James Parry & Charles Ducane / $5
Sun 29 Open Folk Group in the Bar
IMAGE: MANDY MALAZDREWICH
pROpAGANDHI
AS PROPAGANDHI GET READY TO INVADE A VENUE NEAR
YOU, THEIR BASSIST TODD KOWALSKI TOOK TIME OUT TO
HAVE CHAT WITH WARP FROM HIS HOME IN WINNIPEG,
CANADA.
Watch out Australia. The Canadians are
about to invade. Prepare yourself for a full
frontal aural ttack. Brace yourselves as
your ethics will be tested and your beliefs
questioned. Strap yourselves in,
because the socially aware, political activists
that are punk rockers Propagandhi are
touching down.
Its been two years since Propagandhi graced
our fair shores and the boys are back to
road test their upcoming album, visit a few
familiar places and make new friends as
they travel to new destinations.
Propagandhi have been bouncing around
the punk scene for over 20 years now and
don’t seem to have lost any of the spark or
enthusiasm they had when they began in
Praire, Manitoba in 1986. Chris Hannah and
Jord Samolesky are the band’s founding
members, with Todd Kowalski joining the
core line-up in 1997. Then, in 2006, the
decision was made to add guitarist David
Guillas to the mix.
Propagandhi are arguably one of the most
socially aware bands going. There’s no
compromises with Propagandhi as
they lay their thoughts and beliefs bare.
A brief glance at their website gives you a
rundown on all the causes they support. You
only need glance their Resources tab.
“We try to be conscious of the world we live
in,” Kowalski states, “and actually look at
what’s going on around us.
We may not always understand it, but we
need to be aware of it.”
“We try to be conscious of the world we
live in and actually look at what’s going on
around us. We may not always understand it,
but we need to be aware of it.”
Beyond mere talk, Propagandhi offers their
financial support to their respective causes.
Prior to the release of their 2009 album,
Supporting Caste, fans were given the option
of receiving two songs from the upcoming
album in return for a donation of $1 to
$10 to one of a specified group of activist
organisations supported by the band.
“We like to help out when we can. What goes
around,” Kowalski shares. “In my time with
the band, I don’t think we’ve ever done a gig
in our home city that wasn’t a benefit gig.”
Kowalski boasts many passions alongside
his beliefs and his musicianship. It has been
revealed that he created the compelling
artwork for Propagandhi’s latest release
using a computer programme called Corel
Painter, an application that works very
closely along the concepts and methodology
of traditional media. The work was produced
meticulously stroke by stroke using a
graphics tablet.
“It’s easier to make corrections when your
using a computer,” Kowalski jokes.
Meanwhile, there’s also a new album in the
works that Propagandhi plan on recording
upon their return to Winnipeg. “We’ve
got about fourteen songs on the go at the
moment, so we’ll see what makes the cut,”
Kowalski reveals. “We’re trying to keep
more creative control with this album and
keep our own vision about what it should
be like.”
For now, however, the band have the chance
to try out their latest material on the road.
Propagandhi will be spending May crossing
the length and breadth of this vast land on
a rather extensive tour. They have toured
twice before, adding a few extra shows this
time to take in places they haven’t been
Music 15
PROPAgANDhI play the Brisbane Hotel in
Hobart on May 20. Tickets available now.
to before.”We’re really looking forward
to it,” Kowalski affirms. “I like exploring
new places the best and Tasmania sounds
amazing - beautiful.”
Kowalski also has his fingers crossed for
a unique experience. “On our tour in 1997
I actually got to see a koala in the wild, but
even though I stared out the window for
most of the trip, I never saw a kangaroo,”
he reveals.
It seems everyone’s excited for
Propagandhi’s Australian assault. But don’t
leave it to long to get your tickets: their live
shows are renowned for their energy and
vibe. Not only that, their first Melbourne
show has already sold out and others are
selling fast. So what are you waiting for?
kYLIE COx
The Southern Most Blues Festival in the World
The Adventure Bay
Blues & Roots Festival
presents: Guthrie, Full Tilt Boogie
Wonderwall, The Firmm, Wahbash Avenue
The Dudley Nightshades, The Johnny Cash Converters and more
Sunday June 12
Licenced Event 18+ Only. 1:30pm til Late
$30 from Republic Bar and Adventure Bay Store
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