The Rubens at The Corner

Last Tuesday, regional bluesy rockers "The Rubens" graced a packed The Corner to put on their biggest live show yet. I was there to capture as much as of the action as possible. It was a passionate, fun gig - these guys are going places.

All images shot on a Pentax K7 with a 50mm/f1.4 lens.

Emma Louise at Northcote Social Club

It's been so long I'm not even going to acknowledge it!

"Hmmm, did I just walk into a private game of pass the parcel?" I thought to myself as I stepped into Northcote Social Club's band room. I was wayyyy too early and those that were even earlier than I had lined the perimeter, silently daring anyone to be enthusiastic (and by that I mean a. stand, and b. move ever so slightly into the centre of the room). Silly hipsters. Then again, I was wearing maroon pants, a jumper adorned with sheep and was toting a 50mm lens. 

Luckily, as support act 'Argentina' took the stage, security ushered everyone to their feet, and I no longer felt like it was "mat time" in kindergarten. From the beginning of this Brisbane band's set, it was clear they were not from Melbourne's dreary climate. They were delivering songs that could only be described as effervescent pop rock, songs that put you on a beach and make you dig your toes into the sand. They played the kind of music you'd put on on the home stretch of a road trip - Argentina takes you to a place that's both familiar and heart warming. As more psychedelic orchestral sounds found their way into the set, I imagined their music behind a crackling 8mm film montage, your heart soaring and weeping in one brilliant beat. Do you see where I'm going with this? Argentina make you feel as if you have everything and nothing, as if nothing could better this day, except the hope of tomorrow.

But onto the main event! The beautiful  Emma Louise. 

Having not seen much visual media of her, except for what I now know to be a deceiving video clip, I was at first blown away by her size. She was tiny! Especially as she was being dwarfed by her band, who all seemed to have some kind of giant DNA lurking in their blood.

None of this mattered once she opened the show. Her voice, pitch perfect, transported us to a place where she held our hands through the delicacies of her life. Truly, she was like a fluffy pair of ear muffs in a blustery wind, or the first sip of hot tea on a frosty morning. Her warmth was clear to the entire audience, and her banter between songs was awkward but endearing.

Her latest single "Boy" was well received by the, in her own words "quiet but attentive" crowd and most would have had no idea it was the first time she had played the song live (she gave away quite a bit between songs). "Jungle" was great as well, although I feel slower paced songs are where her strengths really lie.

Emma Louise closed with the song, "1000 Sundowns" (a personal favourite), a tribute to her uncle who passed away from cancer. It was incredibly heartfelt and her performance left not a dry eye in the house.

Emma Louise's music is the type of phenomenon that swells your heart and begs you to fall in love. The kind of love where everything is perfect and you're swimming through perfumed days, coated in each other's smiles.

So get out there, fall in love!

The People's Market.

Docklands has always gotten a bit of a bad rap from Melbournians. "There's nothing there", they'd moan. "It's a ghost town", bitched the others. And I must admit for a while I was somewhat on their side, despite the fact that I thought conceptually Docklands was awesome.

That's all changing though ladies and gents, with an injection of some much needed Melbourne personality into the area. The People's Market has set up shop and although still in its infancy, provides some much needed edge to the waterfront suburb.

Driving down Docklands Drive, it was fairy easy to find (and central, which is a definite leg up over say, Camberwell Market) but a little bit scary. My Hyundai Getz rattled along the gravel road, feeling dwarfed as we traversed underneath the Bolte Bridge. Yes, directly underneath, with great big stones, abandoned warehouses and grasslands to keep us company. It was interestingly sparse and, well, very in line with what one has come to expect from Docklands, but all the same I appreciated the ample and cheap parking on site. That, in itself, runs rings around the Victoria Market. So, tick for convenience.

Jumping out of my car, I suddenly became hyper aware of my camera, 50mm f/1.4 lens attached. Markets, especially ones teetering on the 'shabby chic' end of the scale, attract hipsters like sharks to blood. And here I was, playing right into their palm. I ignored the urge to seek out the nearest chai soy latte. But I was pleasantly surprised at the crowd. Plenty of young families, plenty of twenty somethings and a healthy sprinkling of middle aged market veterans.

Being able to see Melbourne's docks from the site, it seemed fitting that the entrance of the market is decorated (adorned?) with great big shipping containers, a theme that continues throughout the space. The market is set up into two sections; a courtyard boasting some of Melbourne's best street food in restyled shipping containers (it's like what would happen if Section 8 and The Taco Truck had babies) and then aisles of second hand/flea goodness.

Going by Tessa time, it was early in the morning (12pm) and I was desperately seeking a coffee.  The League of Honest Coffee had me covered. Although, on second thought, having the word "honest" in a business name is like a greasy haired second hand car saleman telling me to trust him. 

My naive, trustful nature was rewarded however, with a perfectly extracted and textured latte, sweetened by cafe staff that were unpretentious and helpful. Kudos.

There was a great selection of food on offer, including $5 Grill'd burgers, paella, tacos/burritos, hot dogs, those twisty potato things and noodles, with a focus on fresh, relatively healthy foods. The market is licensed, letting the creators of St Jerome's Laneway festival, prop up a portable Thousand Pound Bend bar. Bring on the sangria and beers!

On to the (arguably) more important stuff, SHOPPING!

Plenty of vintage garb for those who watch too much Mad Men, but also plenty for those who love to play the voyeur, trawling through people's unwanted goods. Feel no shame, fellow dumpster divers, for at the People's Market, there were many treasures to be found. I loved that - a flea market that was true to its name.

Above, the creepiest toy I have ever seen. It just rode around in circles on its little bike. Again. And again. And again. Until it decided you were pissing it off at which point it got off its quaint little tricycle and stabbed you in the calf. 

I should also mention that the organisers put together some fantastic live music which gave the former carpark space a softer, cushiony feel. Adam Eaton literally put a tear in my eye, unusual for twangy acoustic rock but his voice just...ahhh. I think it reminded me too much of Firefly. And if you haven't heard of Firefly the TV show well, until you find out what it is, we can't be friends... 

 Check him out at adameatonmusic.com.

The fresh produce section of the market, although small, held some nice surprises. Flowers beautiful enough to brighten anyone's day, cheap veggies and from what I could see, a wine stand that was very liberal with their samples. 

So get down there people.

The People's Market at Docklands is on Docklands Drive literally under the Bolte Bridge.

They are open Saturdays from 10am, and the best bit is, the courtyard with the food and drinks stays open late!

Stay peachy!

www.peoplesmarket.com.au

Von Follies by Dita von Teese for Target

Look, it's going to be really difficult for me to not spend this entire blog post salivating over what a goddess Dita Von Teese is. Her stage presence makes Robin Williams look like a wallflower and the way she exudes femininity basically makes my ovaries explode. Gorgeous, with a penchant for danger (her relationship with Marilyn Manson, am I right?) her self made success puts her in excellent stead as an 'alternative' role model.

Moving on...

The appearance of Von Teese drew a refreshing crowd to Central Pier. We were treated to old world glamour- tailored pieces and structural lines that, unbeknown to us, would mimic Von Teese's collection. 40's hairstyles were abound, many throwing caution to the wind, combining their lacquered look with fabulously coloured locks - fire engine red, fairy floss pink, I think I even saw sky blue on one girl. It was rockabilly for the modern day - women celebrating their shapes, without being demure.

Dat Corset.

Dat Coat.

Dat Suit. 

Dat Skirt.

Dat WHOLE OUTFIT!

So yes, success all round for the festival goers.

As the time trundled closer to 8.30, I wandered over to the press entrance. You know, whatever, I had a Media Pass, no biggie. KDGJSDGJLVLMSHQIFJKL.
 I was excited. I was even more excited when I turned around and none other than JOSH FLINN from Australia's Next Top Model was behind me.

I had a total geek out, nearly cried, and refused to take a photo with him. First world success? I think so.

 He was so tiny in real life, he looked as if he should have had a FRAGILE sticker plastered across his forehead. A little frail man, in an astounding leopard print blazer - could anyone have blamed me if I'd tore it off his back? I don't think so.

 Once seated, (without a gift bag, sob, although we had conspired to steal one), I had a good forty minutes or so to consider my circumstances - the show was going to be fashionably late. 

Here I was. Media Pass around my neck, lauded journalists to my right, noses buried in their smart phones, soaking up The Bourne Book. I was about to see Dita von Teese in the flesh. The dress I was wearing was amazing. I knew I could actually afford the designs I was about to see, rather than having to stick pictures of them on my wish board. Bloody fantastic.

And then the show began.

There Dita was, strutting to a brassy big band soundtrack, sauntering down the runway. The woman knows how to pack a punch. She worked every inch of that runway, hips swaying, as she pumped her Christian Louboutin's (and the crowd) into a frenzy.

As I said earlier, Von Teese brought something new and visceral to LMFF. Never have I seen a fashion crowd so engaged. That could have just been the girls in skimpy underwear, but when there's wolf whistles and cheering throughout the show, you have no choice but to imagine that the Dita brand is taking off. There is no shame in vamping it up and this 'vintage for the modern era' is certainly beginning to resonate.

 Black lace, leather gloves, whips (all taken from Von Teese's personal collection) adored the models, who were of all shapes and sizes. All of them looked fabulously confident. 

The designs themselves were stunning, fit for any wannabe burlesque star (or ringmaster). 

I left feeling satisfied, albeit never wanting to see another model's thinly veiled ass again.  The collection gave off a sense of luxury coupled with accessibility. Von Teese is a fantastic saleswoman. 

Von Follies by Dita von Teese is available at Target.