Lot's Wife Edition 8 2013

MUSIC
the face of revolution. Jen’s poignant lyrics focus on the powerful image of
love as a tool of resistance. The words are supported by a beautiful piano
composition, a string section and light percussion. An anarchist’s anthem,
‘Kissing in Tutus’ celebrates infinite, universal emotion in a chaotic and
uncertain reality. The idea came to Jen when she was recording The Jane
Austen Argument’s debut LP in Seattle. “We lived in Seattle for around
six weeks and it was just when the Occupy Wall Street movement was
kicking off. It was really inspiring to see this totally like, complete grassroots
swelling of resistance. I was really fascinated. The single came to me
because I had the idea of this power of people who come together to resist
something and want to change something rattling around in my head.”
When she was at University, Jen was also a radical cheerleader for the
G20 protests, another image of resistance that inspired the theme of the
single. One particular image of the G20 protests stands out. “A while ago,
I discovered a photo – which I haven’t been able to find since – of me and
my partner at the time kissing in the street in our tutus. I just remember
one of the cheerleaders saying that that was her favourite moment from
the whole thing.” The beauty of ‘Kissing in Tutus’ is further solidified by
this deeply personal recollection.
While ‘Kissing in Tutus’ sees its official launch on Friday October
25, Jen’s debut solo EP, The Lotus Eaters, teases us a little more with its
release date. Expected in March, maybe even early April, The Lotus Eaters
takes its title from a much-loved story which Jen discovered as a child.
The Lotus Eaters, a short retelling of Homer’s original story of the same
name from his classic, The Odyssey, tells the tale of what happens to Odysseus’
men on a small island dominated by lotus plants. These plants are
narcotic and cause the men to become stoned, happily content in their
apathy. By using Odysseus’ men as a metaphor, Jen’s EP is fundamentally
about overcoming obstacles and temptation, avoiding indifference and
lethargy and being enlightened about a specific purpose, “waking up from
a dream that is keeping you down.” Funnily enough, most of the tracks
off the new EP came to her in a dream, hence the essential themes of the
record: Dreaming and awakening.
Before we round up our interview, Jen lets slip of a little teaser that
is only mildly exciting: “One of the tracks on the EP is going to be an instrumental
improvisation to a spoken word piece that I wrote and which
Neil Gaiman will narrate.” Seeing as Mr. Gaiman is married to Jen’s good
mate Amanda Palmer, this collaboration really doesn’t come as a surprise.
Oh man, March/April is too far away, what a tease.
Jennifer Kingwell will be launching her brand new single ‘Kissing in
Tutus’ at the Evelyn Hotel on Friday October 25. Her debut EP The
Lotus Eaters will be released next year.
ANIMAUX
Live @ The Workers Club
Leah Phillips
‘Alaska’ is the latest single from Melbourne’s Animaux (pronounced
an-ee-mo) produced by John Castle and Rosce James Irwin (The Cat
Empire). The band of seven know how to pull a crowd, after countless
packed out residences at The Evelyn over the past year or so. Tonight’s
gig was no exception, with the band comfortably selling out The Workers
Club a week before the show. Come 9pm, bodies’ filled the band room
to its stylishly exposed wooden rafters, and there was a distinct feeling of
relaxed excitement among the masses.
Supporting acts included self-proclaimed ‘progressive cosmic soul’
band Ghost Orkid, and eight-piece folk troupe Velma Grove. There was
a bit of a sad vein through Velma Groves set, as it was the last show for a
few members of the band. Nonetheless, the optimistic bunch played songs
from their debut album, Older, with enthusiasm. The lush vocal harmonies
they produce live are beautiful, led by vocalist and banjo player,
Maxie Roberts, with an Angus Stone-esque tone.
Animaux hit the stage and BAM, a huge force field of happy sounds
filled the room for the solid hour-long set. You couldn’t help but be taken
along for the ride with the boppy, carnival-sounding sax and trumpet interaction
on ska soaked ‘Paradise’ and the popular ‘Lie To Me’ and ‘Wave
Of Change’ had fans singing along. Mid-set they covered American
sisters, Haim with a gutsier version of ‘The Wire’.
Animuax’s infectious tunes had people crowd surfing, jumping on
mates’ shoulders, and dancing uncontrollably. They ended their set with
the new single ‘Alaska’ featuring the best percussion instrument going
round, the cowbell. Before coming back for more in an encore shortly
after, they rounded up the night with a huge rendition of ‘Questions &
Exclamation Marks’. With members of Velma Grove and the audience
jumping up on the tiny stage and playing whatever instruments they
could find, or just dancing along with them.
After the euphoric set, Animaux, Velma Grove and Ghost Orkid
members mingled with punters and friends, while most just headed to the
bar to rehydrate.
Animaux launch their EP Vale Street at The Northcote Social Club on
December 5th with Albert Salt, and are also playing at this years Inca
Roads Music Festival, Nov 29 - Dec 1.
LOT’S WIFE EDITION 8 • 2013
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