Posted by Miss Kat Jade on August 8, 2010
Surfer Blood are some sweet looking Californian boys, who sound like a mix of Weezer blended with the Beach Boys, with a dash of falsetto camp added for jazz.
The boys played their last Australian show at the Manning Bar after some hectic touring with Splendor. Manning Bar, slap bang in the middle of Sydney Uni, was teeming with indie kids, students and bad haircuts, throwing me back to the days of beer in plastic cups and hangovers on Tuesdays. A fitting location for this campus-driven rock music.
They seemed a little worse for wear; even ‘Swim’ one of Pitchfork's 100 Best Songs of 2009 sounded a little dull. Regardless, the set was punctuated with great power-cord guitar riffs and hooks that kept you swaying and your foot tapping along. The wild-haired percussion player was the most enthusiastic of the lot, bouncing and belting his cow bell with enthusiasm.
Lyrics about girls, confusion, Twin Peaks and youth make up these simple, catchy songs of summer. With a little more studio time it feels like their music may get another layer of complexity to it, but at the moment it’s unashamedly fist pumping and hook riddled. The future of Surfer Blood shall remain to be seen with a new album and a few years under their belt. It’s not brain surgery, but for indie, heavy, guitar-laden pop songs it fits the bill to a T.
surfer blood, manning bar, splendour, sydney
Posted by Miss Kat Jade on July 4, 2010
On a recent trip to Melbourne this Kluster writer happily indulged in a meal at the Good Food Guide hatted restaurant (two to be exact), Cutler and Co.
Located in the bohemian suburb of Fitzroy, Cutler and Co's dining room combines comfort with familiarity and understated sophistication. Inside the long, gently lit room a semi-open wine store holds more than 1300 bottles. Considering the breadth of their selection it stands to reason that the role of sommelier at Cutler & Co would be filled by an individual who is suitably confident across a range of vino. The aforementioned individual, Sally Humble, was appropriately knowledgeable and accommodating in helping us choose a bottle of Alsace Riesling to accompany our eight course Chef's degustation.
The combination of flavours was generally quite traditional (think: duck with plum), it is the execution that makes this dining experience exciting. Executive chef Andrew McConnell combines high-quality produce to create a multitude of textures in his dishes. Layering taste-upon-taste to create a range of delicately balanced dishes. More...
Melbourne, Cutler and Co, Food, Fine dining, Bars, Eat, Drink
Posted by Miss Kat Jade on March 23, 2010
Vacationing in Vancouver recently, this Klusterette was introduced to The Diamond: a cocktail bar and restaurant nestled in Maple Tree Square, slap bang in the heart of historic Gastown. Hidden on level two, this chandelier lit gem is owned by Mark Brand, Josh Pape and Sophie Taverner (hailing from our home town Sydney). With serious cocktail and food credentials between them, we knew we were in for a ride.
In an impressive room with hardwood floorboards, full-length arch windows and exposed brick archways, we were seated at long communal tables to peruse the well-priced menu of Asian-style sharing dishes ($3-$13 per plate). We started with aromatic pork gyoza dumplings, surrounded with sesame and spring onion sauce, moving onto Moorish and fresh lightly salted edamame beans with prawn, cabbage and roe betel leaves. The pickled beats, quail egg salad and duck sub were extraordinary. Don’t let the small prices deceive you - the portions are well rounded. More...
the diamond, vancouver, restaurants, bars, cocktails
Posted by Miss Kat Jade on October 28, 2009
Sydney's Duke Magazine, known for its independent, bi-annual publication and mad social events, is having a Halloween ho down aka the Mutant Dance Off. Yes, a dance off. The All Hallows Eve eve event combines prizes, booze and the aforementioned monster mash with the ultimate challenge: the quest to crown two revelers king and queen of the dance floor. Solo fliers and couples welcome.
With international dance sensation The House Of Bad Kids rocking out to DJ’s Mike Tyson, National treasure and Sex Azza Weapon, the Oxford Arts factory will turn into a ghoulish monster mash nightmare. Fighting, cheating, lying and scary outfits all encouraged in the quest for dance-floor supremeacy. Get down and Boogie with Duke Magazine on Friday the 30th for a jive, krumping-filled Friday. It’s only $12, fool.
dance, oxford arts factory, duke magazine, the house of bad kids, halloween.