Volume 5 of Diggin’ Melbourne is out today. To coincide with Record Store Day, the map has also been published in today’s BEAT Magazine (Wed. April 16) as part of their Record Store Day liftout. The Beat version features all stores, contact details and trading hours. For the complete store maps and listings you’ll need to seek out a copy of the Diggin’ Map. Both the new Diggin’ map and Beat magazine are available at all the usual outlets.
Our website will also be updated prior to Record Store Day (Sat. April 19). In the meantime you can download a PDF version of the complete Volume 5 right here. Make sure you check in with your favourite record stores prior to Saturday to stay up-to-date with all the Record Store Day events, performances and special offers happening across the city.
Addendum to Beat + Diggin’ Melbourne Vol. 5: Please note RECORD PARADISE new contact details: Tel: 03 9029 6393 | info@recordparadise.com
Thanks to Madman Printing, Plakkit and The Office of Public Works for their assistance in making Volume 5 a reality. DIG.
With Record Store Day almost upon us, it’s time to update the Diggin’ Melbourne map again. If you’re a new store, or know of a new store not currently listed it’s time to send us the details. Submissions and payment for the 2014 Map close on Friday April 4. Please contact Northside Records for more details – tel. (03) 9417 7557.
We will once again be launching the map in the week leading up to Record Store Day (Sat. April 19), along with a Record Store Day collaboration with Beat Magazine to be distributed on April 16. The Diggin’ Sydney map is also launching their 2014 edition in the next couple of weeks. Watch this space for more details.
Dual Planet is a relatively new Melbourne-based record label established in 2013 by Rocket Distribution and curated by James Pianta and Mike Lenton. Describing their new venture as “dedicated to exploring the electronic otherworlds”, Dual Planet is primarily focussed on electronic recordings – both vintage and contemporary. Those of you familiar with Votary and Roundtable Records will recognise James Pianta’s involvement as a quality guarantee, and give you some idea of what to expect from Dual Planet releases in the future.
The first four releases from the label include the reissue of Steve Maxwell Von Braund’s 1975 Monster Planet and Sunday Night at the Total Theatre (live recording from electronic duo Cybotron), plus two albums from Italian library composer/musician Tiesco. Based on these releases one may assume the label is all about vintage electronics? Don’t be fooled – Dual Planet are developing a contemporary side to their label, with recording of new music already underway in Melbourne and abroad.
Diggin’ Melbourne recently had a chat with Dual Planet’s James Pianta about the new label and what we can expect in upcoming months. Read more below.
INTERVIEW James Pianta of Dual Planet with Diggin’ Melbourne
DM: Aside from yourself, who is involved in Dual Planet
JP: Dual Planet is managed by Mike Lenton and myself. We are curating the label under Rocket Distribution.
DM: Tell us a little about the new releases. These are all relatively rare and obscure titles, and only ever pressed in limited quantities – what are they worth these days and just how hard to find are the original LPs?
JP: Prices always fluctuate for records so it’s hard to pinpoint a price. But yeah they are all rare. Especially the Cybotron Total Theatre LP as only 100 copies was originally pressed.
DM: … and Monster Planet? – never seen or heard of this before the Dual Planet release? Was this record ever sold outside gigs, and the inner network and band/fans/family? JP: Monster Planet was originally issued on the Clear Light Of Jupiter label. CLOJ evolved from Pipe Records in Melbourne and released a string of electronic and Prog records in the 70s. The label then developed into the Cleopatra label who was responsible for many great Melbourne recordings throughout the 80s.
MONSTER PLANET: Steve Maxwell Von Braund
DM: I’m also intruigued by Tiesco. I know Italian Library records (Liuto, Flower, Octopus etc) are dope, but that’s where my knowledge ends… what Italian label was this collection of works gathered from? Just how obscure and difficult to find are these records? JP: Well Italian library is amazing but Teisco really transcends any familiar notion of Library music. Generally speaking Library composers were professional classically trained composers or jazz musicians. Teisco is a different story as he was a young amateur bedroom musician who fortunately was able to get his compositions released, as his mother owned the label. While his compositions were issued as “production music”, his music is really something else entirely; Outsider Cosmic/DIY Punk/Mutant New Age is a good place to start!
DM: You always seem to achieve a fantastic level of sound quality with your releases; are you using only original masters when manufacturing the reissues? Have you had to revert to recording in the original vinyl in any cases because original tapes have been destroyed? JP:It differs from project to project. Sometimes we get the master tapes, sometimes we have to resort to using vinyl as the master. Not necessarily that the masters are destroyed, it’s just that quite often there is no record of where the tapes ended up. For example, when I first released Sven Libaek’s Inner Space soundtrack on Votary in 2006, the general consensus was that the tapes were lost – but I persisted for years and ended up locating them and we were able to use the tapes for the second press in 2012. When dealing with the artist themselves or small labels the likelihood of getting access to tapes to greatly higher than when dealing with major labels.
Unreleased Cybrotron tapes – coming in 2014!
DM: No doubt you’ve heard of Jeff Crozier… Musician, magician and electronics guy? Can we expect to see Dual Planet digging up lost tapes of these mysterious times in Australian music? JP: Interesting you mention Jeff Crozier/Geoff Krozier. Stay tuned for news on that! One thing that I’m very excited about is one of the next Dual Planet releases, the work of Melbourne Anaesthetist come electronic music pioneer Val Stephen, an incredible composer who’s music went virtually unknown throughout his lifetime but recorded a large body of unpublished home recorded Musique Concrete experiments. Amazing and important Australian music.
DM: Are you manufacturing the reissue vinyl here in Australia?
JP: Dual Planet titles are manufactured in the US. This is because we use a particular style of sleeve only available from one company in the US. On saying that we have just released another LP on a Dual Planet side label, which we pressed locally at Zenith (Melbourne).
DM: Are the current releases also available on CD/digital download?
JP: We only make some titles available on CD. Depends of the titles. All titles are available as digital download.
DM: Your artwork for Dual Planet is great. The overall look of the label and first four releases is on the money! Is this Callum Flack at work – restoring and creating? Yeah, I was always manage to drag Callum into anything that I do across all labels. Callum worked on the first four Dual Planet LPs, as well as Martin Young from Sound Awareness who designed the logo.
DM: Who is your creative director at Dual Planet – how do share the duties around? JP: Callum has taken a break and we have another talented designer Luke Fraser on board for the next round of releases.
TIESCO: Musiche de Tiesco
DM: Now, on a digging tip… I know you go deep! Are you still ‘discovering’ records that you probably overlooked in the past? JP: Sure always. The majority of music is overlooked. I was up in Queensland over the Christmas period and the amount of weird shit that can be found in rural areas is phenomenal. Not that everything needs to be re-documented but for my own personal interest I’m always fascinated finding forgotten and antiquated recordings.
DM: What’s your latest notable record find? JP:Well recently I got into this untapped op shop basement in rural Queensland and I was pulling all kinds of great records! Syrius, private Australian jazz from Ron Falson (one of the players on Inner Space), Egyptian synth music, soul 45s, lots of custom advertising stuff… makes a visit to the in-laws all worthwhile!
DM: What’s coming up in 2014 ?
JP: Something I’m really looking forward to is archiving all the unreleased Cybotron material. Some superb forgotten Australian electronics coming up on Dual Planet. Another thing I’m very excited about is a new side label of Dual Planet called Monster Skies, a project between Andy Votel and myself. Look out for some mindblowing music on both labels in 2014.
This is a big week for fans of funk, soul and good music. We are super excited about Lee Fields & The Expressions playing their first ever Melbourne Show at the Corner Hotel on Wednesday Jan. 8, and we’re equally stoked about the return of Japanese funk machine Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro the following night, Thursday Jan. 9, once again at the Corner. Both of these bands are driving forces in the global funk & soul scene – and creators of some of the finest vinyl records to hit our shores in recent times (Truth & Soul, Daptone, Black Fire Records).
Adding to the excitement is the debut performance of Melbourne’s own Zillanova who recently released the critically acclaimed ‘Suicide/The Time it Takes‘ debut single. Featuring vocals from Cisco Tavares and Jess Harlen, Zillanova promises to bring a new dimension to Melbourne soul! Zillanova are supporting Lee Fields – on stage at 8.30pm.
The following night HopeStreet Recording label mates, The Cactus Channel are supporting MMK – showcasing their unique cinematic soul sound that has caused a soul-commontion across the planet. Their second album ‘Wooden Boy’ has been voted the No. 2 on the top 50 album releases of 2013 by ParisDJs. We should also mention that Zillanova’s one and only release made it into London’s 22tracks.com – the best 22 of 2013. Congratulations to the team at HopeStreet Recordings.
Lee Fields & The Expressions: There aren’t too many artists making soul music today who had a release in 1969, back when R&B was first beginning to give the drummer some. Lee Fields, however, is one such artist-or maybe he’s better labeled a phenomenon. Since the late sixties, the North Carolina native has amassed a prolific catalog of albums and has toured and played with such legends as Kool and the Gang, Sammy Gordon and the Hip-Huggers, O.V Wright, Darrell Banks, and Little Royal. With a career spanning 43 years, releases on twelve different record labels, and having toured the world over with his raucous-yet-tender voice, it’s mind-blowing that the music he’s making today with Brooklyn’s own Truth & Soul Records is the best of his career.Read more
Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro:From the outskirts of Tokyo. The six-piece phenomenon, the nasty groove-making cats, the deep-dapping and history changing dogs call themselves the Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro. Well dressed, slick but playing some of the rawest and deepest funk that would shake anyone’s booty, and add that with furious energy of a rock and roll band , and you have these amazing gentlemen. Playing around relentlessly across clubs of all sizes in Japan, as well as rocking a packed house at Fuji Rock Festival 2008 and countless festivals around the country, they have built a reputation as one of the finest funk units kicking it today. Read more
Saturday the 2nd of November sees a super-charged night of music at The Shadow Electric – Open Air Cinema and Bar at The Abbotsford Convent with freakadelic Bollywood goodness from The Bombay Royale, hot salsa and Latin funk from San Lazaro and a selection of rarities, versions and remixes from the funk and soul closet with Karate Boogaloo ( The Cactus Channel rhythm section) and their guests. It’s all in aid of launching HopeStreets Tropical Brunswick Mixtape, mixed by DJ Jumps.
Unreleased gold from HopeStreet Recordings’ 2014 release schedule and hits and obscurities from the back catalog rub shoulders in the mix under the deft hands of DJ Jumps. Latin and afro bump up against funk, soul and spaghetti cinematica. It’s that hot analog sound you love! The first 50 through the door receive a Hopestreet showbag containing the mixtape by DJ Jumps and a free 7″ vinyl from the catalog.
Check the Hopestreet site, or facebook event for more info. You’ll have to be early to score that free Showbag and 45!!!
The Diggin’ Sydney website is back online after our hosts kindly deleted our site. They are obviously not fans of vinyl… But enough about that!
If you’re headed for Sydney – here’s all the essential info to make your next trip a nightmare for your girlfriend, unless of coure they too know the virtues of the vinyl. The new Sydney Guide and website cover the CBD, Inner East and Inner West… so at least your girlfriend/partner/wife/children can find something nice to amuse themselves while you do!
Thanks to Stephan at The Record Store in Darlinghurst for his efforts in making Diggin’ Sydney a reality. Thanks also to Inertia and all the stores who are participating in the new map.
Diggin’ Tip: I know for a fact you’ve got to get out of bed early to get the good records in Sydney… don’t sleep.
Welcome to Diggin’ Melbourne – The Record Lovers Tour Guide. The Store Guide has now been updated with all the new info for 2013. Each store listing includes a map link, along with all contact details and a detailed description of the flavours on offer. For more information contact stores directly.
There are some interesting new stores in the current Map, including Poison City Records in Fitzroy, Bounce Audio in Prahran and Audiophile Reference Recordings in Burwood – and that’s not all. Check the full Store Guide if you have not already downloaded the map. Keep on Diggin’
The 2013 Diggin’ Map is ready to download. Follow the links to the download page – or just browse the store guide here. The PDF is up-to-date with the latest info. The store guide will be updated in the next couple of days. There’s just too much Record Store Day action get make it happen right now!
The new Diggin’ Maps for Sydney and Melbourne are in production and due to hit the streets any day now (already available in Sydney). Official launch day for the Sydney and Melbourne maps is Record Store Day, Saturday April 20.
Many of the stores listed in the maps are participating in Record Store Day – with live performances, exclusive Record Store Day releases, instore signings, DJs, local legends and more. Check your local guides and street press for the full rundown. The record stores behind these maps will also be celebrating Record Store Day. Northside Records in Melbourne has the usual onslaught of soul goodness, featuring international sensationHiatus Kaiyote, Brunswick sensations The Putbacks ,and a full day of DJs, music and soul. The Record Store in Darlinghurst is also turning up the heat with a day of DJs, special guests and storewide specials ( Street Party Alert! )
Website updates will also coincide with Record Store Day – with a new Sydney site coming this week (www.digginsydney.com), plus a full update to our Melbourne site. Watch this space.
Sydney’s new map features 22 stores across the city and inner suburbs; Melbourne presents the biggest listing yet with 53 stores. That’s a lot of records! Copies of the maps are available at all good record stores, and most places that music matters ie. your local bar/cafe. Dig!
The inaugural Diggin’ Sydney Tour Guide is arriving soon. Record Store Day in fact! Saturday April 20, 2013. Dig it.
Huge thanks goes out to Stephan at The Record Store (recordstore.com.au) and all the stores who are participating in the initiative this year.
Look out for yours – in all good record stores and music emporiums. Website coming soon.
Dual Planet is a relatively new Melbourne-based record label established in 2013 by Rocket Distribution and curated by James Pianta and Mike Lenton. Describing their new venture as “dedicated to exploring the electronic otherworlds”, Dual Planet is primarily focussed on electronic recordings – both vintage and contemporary. Those of you familiar with Votary and Roundtable Records will recognise James Pianta’s involvement as a quality guarantee, and give you some idea of what to expect from Dual Planet releases in the future.
DIGGIN' MELBOURNE 