MACKLEMORE - New tour dates

Seattle’s Macklemore & Ryan Lewis have been at this music shit for the past few years but with the release of their latest album The Heist they have blown up like nothing before, and there is nothing stopping them now! On their way round the globe on their world tour this independent duo are making all the right moves. With their latest single being added to the J’s high rotation and many other major commercial radio stations.

The Australian leg of the tour started out with a small gig in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. The Sydney gig was almost immediately moved form the Oxford Art Factory to The Metro as ticket sales were huge in the first day. With second shows just announced in both Sydney and Melbourne this tour is set to blow your mind. Grab your tickets NOW this is one that you don’t want to miss!

Macklemore aka Ben Haggerty works with Ryan Lewis (producer), Andrew Joslyn (violin),Owour Arunga (trumpet), Zach Fleury (drums, guitar, bass), and Noah Goldberg (piano) to create a wholly rich and satisfying brand of rap music. Macklemore released his debut album titled The Heist on October 9th 2012, which reached #1 on iTunes in the US and #1 on the Australian iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap Charts.

Growing up on Capitol Hill in Seattle, Washington, Macklemore attended Garfield and Nathan Hale High Schools, and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree at The Evergreen State College. Interested in reaching a younger generation through his music, he took a job at a juvenile-detention facility. There, he was a part of a program called Gateways, which was organized around rap.

Macklemore recorded an EP titled Open Your Eyes in 2000 under the name Professor Macklemore, which he distributed himself. Macklemore dropped “Professor” from his name, and released his first official full-length album, The Language of My World in January 2005. In September 2009, he released The Unplanned Mixtape. In October 2010, he teamed up with DJ Ryan Lewis to create the VS. Redux EP. Macklemore used his experience with substance abuse to create the mixtape’s critically acclaimed songOtherside, which samples the Red Hot Chili Peppers song of the same name.

Proving that interesting and intelligent voices can find an audience without label support,Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are paving the way for a new generation of artists and gaining attention from a wide variety of press including Hip Hop heavyweights XXL and left-slanted major American news argent Huffington Post. Don’t miss these shows, they are destined to be special; the first glance at an artist poised to take the world by storm.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis + Special Guests

12th February, 2013 – The Metro – Sydney
13th February – The Corner – Melbourne
14th February, 2013 – Coniston Lane – Brisbane
15th February, 2013 – The Metro – Sydney – SOLD OUT
16th Feburary, 2013 – The Corner – Melbourne – SOLD OUT
17th February, 2013 – Festival Gardens, Perth Festival – Perth

I FORGET SORRY CHRISTMAS SALE!

Hermitude - Villain Tour

Villian Tour

Its almost been a year since Hermitude toured the country on their album tour. It seems the boys think that a year without playing a show is to long! So Hermitude are proud to announce their east coast tour (+Adelaide) as they hit the road in January on their Villain Tour. To get you ready for the tour, kicking off on Australia Day the boys have just dropped this dope little video for their track Villain. Make sure you get down to the gigs to catch Hermitude and Jonti on support smash it.

Sat Jan 26 – Oxford Art Factory – Sydney

Sun Jan 27 – The Zoo – Brisbane

Thurs Jan 31 – Republic Bar – Hobart

Fri Frb 1 – The Corner – Melbourne

Sat Feb 2 – Jive Bar Adelaide\

Grab your tickets here now!

Get ready to "Groovin The Moo!" in 2013

ROUNDING UP THE BEST SOUNDS, CREW AND ALL THINGS MOO FOR 2013

Groovin’ the Moo (GTM) loves this time of year! With fond memories of GTM 2012 still fresh in mind, from Maitland to Canberra, Bendigo to Townsville and Bunbury, new music is pumping through the offices, bands are being booked, artwork is being crafted, event site planning is underway and the team is coming back into the GTM fold.

And while all the good news can’t be shared just yet, GTM can hatch a handful of the plans in store for 2013 around Australia’s regional centres and the centre of the ACT region.

Signalling a return to its roots, Maitland Showground NSW on Saturday 27 April hosts the first event on the 2013 tour, followed by University of Canberra ACT on Sunday 28 April. Then it’s off to Bendigo’s Prince of Wales Showground VIC on Saturday 4 May, Townsville’s Murray Sports Complex QLD on Sunday 5 May and last but certainly not least, Bunbury’s Hay Park WA on Saturday 11 May 2013.

To experience this trademark fun and value-packed day complete with a twist of country hospitality, Groovin’ the Moo is pleased to announce tickets will be on-sale from Tuesday 5 February and Wednesday 6 February 2013 for $99.90 + bf with the 2013 Artist Line-up coming to life on Wednesday 30 January. Be first to get all the news and festival updates, by signing up for the Moos Flash at www.gtm.net.au. Sign up by 5.00pm, 31 December 2012 and by the time the New Year ticks over you could have won tickets for you and two friends to your local GTM, a merch pack and a poster signed by artists from the 2013 line-up.

"....Groovin’ the Moo was a great success that packed a hell of a punch for its price tag… the efficiently run venue and friendly crowd is what sealed the day’s success. The festival was an udder triumph and hopefully it doesn’t moove on anytime soon” - Faster Louder 

In the meantime, GTM is inviting all local artists, graphic designers, students, professionals and amateurs to submit work for the annual cotton and ink muster – GTM TEE. In 2013 GTM is asking participants to respond to the theme “Homegrown” for a single sided t-shirt graphic. Whether you graze in the grass or pound the pavement GTM wants you to share the informal, local, homespun, warm, old-school, daggy and wonderful world of your homeland – it could take in sustainability, agriculture, sport, nostalgia, local history or celebrities.

Along with a swag bag full of prizes for a major winner, a runner up from each state, the mini moo for the young people and the people’s choice award - the lucky major prize winner will have their artwork etched in GTM “merch-lore” for the 2013 events. Entries for GTM TEE open 28 January 2013, for further information and to get your creative juices flowing visit the Competitions page atwww.gtm.net.au.

Something Special!

Something Special. That's what Stories For Nothing has pulled out on this one. His recording re entrance into the hip hop scene has been a strong one with this new remake of Heavenly by Pez. 

He has completely flipped it up and shown his quality both lyrically and in delivery to tell a simultaneously breathtaking and heart warming story about his family in France. When he first told me that he was going to do a remake of Heavenly I was  hesitant at first to say the least, Pez had already created a track that was remarkable and this new version had to be on par if not of better quality. Ill let you be the judge but in my opinion it defiantly sitting on par if not above par. 

Kelton’s delivery, passion and story telling abilities have come a long way since I first interview him back in July 2011. Check this one out and check out his music. He is an upcoming force in Australian Hip Hop.

Download Special Here Now!

Bad Meet Evil

Its been a while since ive had the chance to catch up with a hip hop group and interview them, but now that uni is over for the year i'm more dedicated then ever to jump back on my blog shit and keep it up to date. So to kick off the next series of interviews i've decided to turn to another element of hip hop, street art and street ware. I was fortunate to steal some of Joseph Fonti, founder of Bad Meet Evil to ask him about past works, what the future holds and how the clothing label came about. Check it out below, and if you like what you see head over to www.badmeetevil.com and pick up some fresh threads or head to Facebook to stay up to date with whats new.

Firstly you started Bad Meet Evil in 2010, what was it that made you take your drawings, which at this stage was nothing more than a hobby to something that you wanted to display and distribute on the public scale?

I think it was a combination of two things. Firstly, I’d always loved streetwear- the graphics, the attitude, everything about it appealed to my personality heavily. So naturally, to own my own label was my ultimate ‘dream job’. The other significant ‘kick starter’ was the fact that I could never see myself working for a boss. I don’t like being told what to do or how to do it, so I thought that combining my artwork with a label could be a ‘way out’ of the system.


The name Bad Meet Evil, is one that will come to be a household name in the future. Where did it originate from and what is the philosophy behind it and the label as a whole?

Haha. Cheers for the confidence booster dude. The name was actually inspired by the track, ‘Bad meets evil’, by Eminem and Royce. Back when I chose the name, the duo was really underground, and I thought that track captured my artwork and the essence of what I was doing at the time perfectly. I didn’t know that a year later they’d bring out a commercial album together- that really fucked with my head for a while. In fact, I’m very close to just changing the name of the label to ‘BME’. It’s been known as that for a long time now, and I think it’s time to break free of any associations people might think the label has with Em and Royce. 

Anyone who has followed Bad Meet Evil over the past few years will know of the battle you have put up to the major labels in the industry and various street ware stores around the country. What is it that drives you to push on through when so many stores and labels have rejected you as a designer and as a label?

I wouldn’t say that they’ve ‘rejected me as a designer or a label’. Id say that what I do, and how I do it, is something completely new to what most stores and labels are used to. People are always hesitant to break away from what they know, and street wear/ fashion is no different. I like to show people ‘behind the scenes’, because it’s something that I really struggled to find out about when I was first entering the market. The fact that ‘JRF’ is very closely associated with the label also means that white BME is a ‘brand’, it also has a living, breathing, contactable entity behind it. The majority of other labels like to keep this side of things hush hush. But I believe giving people an insight into the inner workings of what I do allows them to appreciate it on a whole new level. 

In the early days of Bad Meet Evil you did some design work for 360, this would have been an amazing platform to launch BME into the public eye. How did the relationship between BME and 360 form?

I actually went to a gig of his at the Evelyn in Fitzroy one night. It was a really small show, maybe 50 – 100 people? I was hanging out printing tees at the time with a friend of mine, and I decided to print his name on one of the earliest BME designs for shits and giggles. I gave it to him at the concert while he was on stage, and the next day he hit me up on Facebook asking me to do the illustration for his merchandise. And that’s how it all began.

Until the end of 2011 all of the designs had been your work but in early December of 2011 you collaborated with Melbourne based artist, Malicious. What prompted you to collaborate on this work? Was it a challenge to let go of the creative process or did you still have some control over the work?

I was definitely a little hesitant to let someone else have creative control. But I had a gut feeling that Malicious understood the message I was trying to convey, and would do an amazing job. Evidently he did, and ever since I’ve really enjoyed getting other artists on board from time to time. I’m very picky with my collaborations- the artist has to bring something new to the label that hasn’t been seen or done before. Everyone Ive worked with so far has nailed their graphic.

The introduction of color into each of your designs is done in a subtle manner to compliment the black and white design. With this work we can see that color is more present and that the image is on a greyscale base compared to many of your other works which are based on black and white. Was there a reason for changing this formula that had clearly been successful in the past, or is this the style of work that Nick normally produces?

Rik is an amazing artist. He usually works with colour so I told him to go right ahead and do what he usually does. Because I normally work with only black and white, I was really looking forward to doing a piece with colour in it. I love black and white because of the ‘haunting element’ it evokes. It also strips the artwork back to it’s rawest form, and in my opinion, can sometimes convey the most powerful imagery. It also looks dope on white tees.


What is the process that normally occurs when another artist designs a piece for BME? Who approaches who or are you generally mates with them before commencing work with them?

It varies from artsist to artist. I saw some of Malicious’ work at a gallery and hit him up from there. As for Rik and Ben, I’d always been fans of their work, and just reached out, hoping they’d dig the idea. Sarah and I have been pals for a while, so that one was a little more chill. 


Recently you posted a status on Facebook explaining the pressure that you put on yourself and the expectations you have of yourself. When designing a work how much of an impact dose the public have each design, do they influence the content, style etc.

I definitely consider whether or not my fans will dig what I’m planning on drawing before I start a new piece. At the same time, you can’t please all the people all the time, so I have to find a happy balance between what I think looks dope, and what others will like too. At the end of the day, my artwork is still an expression of who I am, and people are either going to connect with it, or they won’t.

The Mr Squiggles work is one of my favorite designs as it brings back memories form when I was a kid watching it. Its designs like this and the Evil Mickey Mouse, and Ninja Turtles that I so many of your fans love. I feel as though putting these cartoon characters we grew up with as innocent children in a not so innocent situation reflects so the changes we go through from children to adults. What is it that makes you drives you to take these childhood characters and reproduce them?

Yeah I’ve always loved messing with childhood characters. I’m not sure why I do it to be honest. Maybe it’s a subconscious thing. I love the line work for many of these characters- they’re simple but bold. Ultimately I think I’m a massive kid at heart who dosen’t want to grow up. I collect toys and still watch cartoons. Sometimes I really question whether I’m mature enough to run a label.

The Nasty Naz artwork is simply amazing. Naz is one of Hip Hop’s godfathers and has done so much for what we take for granted today. There is no doubt that Sarah McCloskey has done it justice to this image. There are many other figures in the Hip Hop scene that you could have easily chosen weather they be Australian or American. What made you choose Naz over others and can we expect any more BME prints with other Hip Hop greats?

Nas has always been one of the most influential artists in my life. I specifically chose him over others for a number of reasons. I felt that Biggie and tupac, while amazing artists in their own right, had been done to death in the street wear industry. I also think that a whole heap of people just jump on board with the Biggie and Tupac thing, not because they appreciate their music, but more so because society has generally accepted them as being ‘cool figures’. I chose Nas because he isn’t as well known, and for someone to buy the tee, they’d really have to appreciate what he’s done for hip hop, on a ‘real’ level. I basically wanted to eliminate any posers wearing my shit.


It seems as though that every time i check back to the BME Facebook page that you have always got something new on the go weather they be a new set of limited edition pocket tees, space caps or an amazing design for you next tee. So I have to ask whats in the pipelines for the next bit for BME? 

Cogs are turning. Minds are churning. This new shit that I’m working on is going to put anything else I’ve ever done to shame. I’ve got a whole heap of new projects going on at the moment, some of which I’m really hoping will change the industry. I’m just hoping to get everything out on the market before this candle that I’m burning explodes. Fuck it, hey.

Chance Waters, Young & Dumb

After smashing out two awesome gig's in Port Macquarie and Brisbane, supported by Stories for Nothing last weekend Chance Waters is playing a home town gig tonight at Sydney's Good God Small Club. There are limited tickets still available so get down early and grab your tickets on the door!

Chance's album dropped last Friday and debut at number 1 on the iTunes Hip Hop Charts and in the top 10 of the overall iTunes charts.Check out his latest film clip for his hit single Young & Dumb below and see if you can spot yourself in it! Chances are many of you are!

See you all at the gig tonight and tomorrow night in Newcastle!

Smiles Again!

For those who don't know, Smiles Again (one half of Mind Over Matter) has been living on youtube for the past 12 months keeping fans entertained with his offensive and weird videos. This new film clip from his upcoming solo EP has changed tone dramatically and has gotten everyone super excited for the Mind Over Matter record set to be released late next year. Check it out!!!