Design Federation took time out to speak to George Basha about his new film The Combination , and like the film he holds no punches. George is the writer, one of the main actors & an executive producer. The Combination hits our cinemas on the 26th February 2009.

This is your first foray into film, why did you choose this story?

Look, it was a story that needed to be told. What really got to me the last few years was most of the ethnic films being made have been spoof films (comedy). This story needed to be told because we have issues, not only in the west, but all over Australia – things such as guns, drugs and the biggest issue is racism, all over the world. It’s a powerful story to show what Australia is really like, this is what it really is. Almost everything I see shown on TV (related to this) is a load of crap… This is how I see Australia.

Check out the full interview on Design Federation here .

Two Flat Whites kicks off 2009 chatting with comedian, writer & broadcaster Wil Anderson . Anderson is a loose cannon, fast, funny and full of razor-sharp observations. He is down to earth and a must see live!

Wil Anderson is renowned for his stand-up comedy. Some of you might know him as “the bloke who sat in the middle” on the ABC’s award-winning, The Glass House for five years or “the one who didn’t know anything about maths” on the much-loved Triple J Breakfast show or even “that bloke who hosts Spicks And Specks”. (That last one is actually Adam Hills, but he does get mistaken for Adam a lot). He is also author of the book, Survival Of The Dumbest which has the proud honour of “being over 250 pages long without photos”. Even though he has spent the majority of his adult life working at the ABC he has watched heaps of ads, and even appeared in a couple!

Where did you grow up & where do you hang your hat?

I grew up on a road called Anderson’s Rd, which was named after my Grandfather who built the road. My Dad still lives there. When people ask if my folks are happy with my career choice, I just reply: “Dude they are happy I am not married to my own sister! (I mean we dated but it didn’t work out!)”

Now the road tends to be my home. I spend a lot of time in hotel rooms taking everything out of the mini-bar and pretending I am a giant. But my house is in Sydney. My heart belongs wherever there is a crowd and a spotlight.

In your own words, what do you do?

Tell Dick Jokes For Cash.

What or who are some of your inspirations?

Billy Connolly, Bill Hicks, Doug Stanhope, Eddie Izzard, Chris Rock, Sarah Silverman, Ross Noble, Dave Hughes, Paul Merton, Hunter S. Thompson and that is just some off the top of my head.

I’m constantly inspired by people who are doing what they love to do, whatever industry, but mostly I’m inspired by my hideous mortgage and lack of other skills.

If you had the power to do anything at all, what would it be & why?

What I do, but better.

Childhood Memories:

TV Show - The two shows that changed my life were The Big Gig and The Money or the Gun.

Hobby - I grew up on a farm so your parents would say goodbye to you in the morning, and expect you back at dark. Your hobby was your imagination.

Food - Toast. The greatest of all foods, so simple, but so delicious. I still love it. When I was at uni I used to make cheese on toast by laying my toaster on the side.

Fear - Being ordinary.

Sport - I played football, basketball and cricket. I was pretty good at football, not bad at basketball, and rubbish at cricket. I would have loved to be good at cricket.

Defining moment - Seeing Billy Connolly with my Mum when I was 17.
Seeing 3000 people in a room hanging on his every word as he swore and joked and all I could think is: “Now this is a job!”

Schooling memories, chore or cherished?

Bit of both. Great family, good friends, but I knew I wanted more, and kept running into teachers who would tell me I couldn’t have it…

You have been on numerous TV shows, done countless gigs but tell us, was the highlight of your career appearing on Hey Hey its Saturday?

Hey if it’s good enough for Bill Hicks and Peter Cook then it is ok for me. Actually my career highlight was getting to the program Rage.

Can you tell us about a young Australian comedian to look out for?

Josh Thomas is great and Felicity Ward I find really funny.

As a comedian, is there a pressure to always be funny, even when you just want to go out and relax?

Nah, not really I think it’s like a chef. You might want to cook at home, but after coming home from work you normally just want someone else to cook for you or grab some takeaway.

The Gruen Transfer, will it be coming back next year, and will you ever look at commercials in the same way?

It is back in March. Sadly these days I end up fast-forwarding through TV shows I have taped just to look at the ads.

Do you miss John Howard?

No, I like to move on. No more John Howard, no more Shannon Noll, no more Amanda Vanstone.

If you could invite 3 people to chat over dinner, who would they be & why?

Dave Grohl, PJ Harvey, Billy Connolly. That would just be an awesome party. Imagine the laughs with Dave and Billy, the tunes with Dave and PJ. And I think PJ is really hot. So that works too. All bases covered.

Coffee, Tea or Bonox?

Coffee. And way too much of it for my own good. But I like tea too. And soup. I enjoy a warm beverage.

Andy Bull talks with Two Flat Whites. It has been an exciting twelve months for the 23 year old singer, songwriter and piano player who began his musical life as a young child playing on the parlour piano and pump organ his keyboard enthusiast father had collected through his travels in the 1970s.

From playing club shows to his hometown crowd in Sydney, signing to Island Records Australia, recording at New York’s legendary Electric Lady Studios and Sydney’s 301 Studios, to touring the country with Little Red and The Holidays. 2008 has been the year where people have had the pleasure to discover the talent and voice of Andy Bull.

Now as Andy is set to release his debut single “Small Town Girl” on September 27 , a song with the rare traits of a true modern classic, people will come closer to answering the question “where does that voice come from?” Click HERE to watch the video of “Small Town Girl”.

Taking his band and a taste of what’s to come from his debut album, set for release early next year, Andy Bull hits the road for his first headlining tour .

Where did you grow up & where do you hang your hat?

I grew up in the suburbs about an hour north of Sydney. I had a beautiful garden and plenty of space to explore! Nowadays I live in Bondi, which is getting more and more beautiful now that the earth is slowly tilting and summer is creeping in again.

In your own words, what do you do?

I learn. Creative development and personal development are parallel processes. I am fortunate in that, through music, I get a chance to express my personal discoveries as they come. I think that everybody needs to be able to express that journey somehow, and I am just lucky that I have music to help me do it.

Where did you learn your craft?

Firstly my dad, then my piano teacher Mrs Smith, then listening to a thousand different records and trying to figure out how to make those sounds, then many hours writing in my back room, then playing with other musicians like my friend and producer Tony Buchen, then playing live!! Still learning though.

Who inspires you?

People who work hard to make things work out. People who say “yes we can do that- lets work out how”… I am inspired by people who walk the talk!

Childhood Memories:

TV Show – Sesame Street… I’m sure every musician says this… it’s just that every kid new it was the place to be. The music!! So much fun. My girlfriend’s niece watches this show, and I still love to sit and watch it with her too.

Hobby –  Drawing. Looooove to draw. Ever since I was a kid.

Food – Kangaroo… high in protein, low in fat, rich in Omega 3, 6 and 9… echo friendly and cheaper than beef too!!

Fear – Being misunderstood.

People – They’re everywhere, but who are they, and where are they going?

Defining moment – they’re happening weekly at the moment…

Schooling memories, chore or cherished?

Equal parts. I’m glad I had the structure. Everybody needs to learn how to deal with a big social system (because so long as there are people, there will be systems), how to stay afloat within it, and how to fit in and stand out when the time is right… Plus, the big bad world is just like one big high school. If you can survive high school, you’re off to a good start.

Where is the most beautiful place in Australia you have visited?

When I was a kid, dad took me to Uluru. Standing on top was breathtaking. Australia is another planet in some ways. It felt like I was standing on the surface of Mars; beautiful and fearsome all at once.

From the hours of 9am to 5pm, what do you get up too?

I used to work two jobs and go to university. I did film studies, which I really miss. It was a dream course. Took so much discipline to fit it all in and make an album too. But that all changed at the beginning of this year. Nowadays, everything is different!

Where can people see you perform?

I’ll be on tour around Australia in October. It’ll be my first national headlining tour. Just came off a really wonderful national tour with Little Red. Can’t wait to hit the road again.

For love or money?

It’s a great TV show, if you’ve ever been into Antiques. Seriously though, if I say love, I seem fulsome and earnest, but if I say money, I look either sarcastic or a prick. Don’t paint me into that corner!

What future endeavors are in the pipeline?

Short term, my girlfriend just had her wisdom teeth out, so after this I’m taking her soup.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Too soon for that, man, too soon!

If you could invite 3 people to chat over coffee, who would they be & why?

The ghost of Christmas past, present, and future. I wanna see the bigger picture!

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee, any time, any how.

In conjunction with Universal Music, Two Flat Whites is giving away a free Andy Bull song. The track is called ‘Young Man’. Simply click on this link .

Two Flat Whites recently caught up with the winner of the 2007 Flake Film Festival Tony Mason of Victoria. Tony has a passion for film & music. His short film ‘131.9 Cents Per Litre’ which was produced & directed by Tony Mason is an extremely funny mockumentary look at life as a surfer! Tony is a surfer, well sort of… he lives over 1 hour from the beach and he’s not very good! Some would even go as far as calling him a “kook”! It is fitting that we caught up with Tony, as the winner for the Flake Film Festival for 2008 is about to be announced.

Where did you grow up & where do you hang your hat?

Grew up in Melbourne, a true city boy, now living in Philip Island making this surf film.

In your own words, what do you do?

I’m an artist. I like to tell stories through all facets of media. Music is such a strong passion of mine but lately filmmaking is taking over.

Where did you learn your craft?

Life…I’ve always observed people, this planet, trying to find the art of it all. I embrace everything everywhere drop it in the memory bank and use it somewhere.

Whose work do you relate to most? Who inspires you?

You know I’m such a selfish artist I try to use my previous work to inspire the next. I’m so self absorbed in it all….so anyone who is like me. My art teachers at school always said never throw out your work as art is a process…really I like any one that has success in this crazy industry. People who are passionate. People like Jamie Oliver. He always inspires me…as far as work I appreciate…gosh what a list. The French. The Japanese…Hollywood…the World!

What inspired you to create?

When I was 5 I decided I wanted to be famous. When I was 18 I decided to stick at the arts. It was always something I enjoyed. In this country I’ve felt so discouraged. Maybe that’s what inspired me. Americans I’ve met have always inspired me. Especially African Americans, they seem to embrace the arts more than the average Aussie battler who says don’t give up your day job.

Childhood Memories:

TV Show – Humphrey B Bear

Hobby – Art

Food – Junk (obviously)

Fear – School

People – My Nan

Defining moment – Rebelling from School

Schooling memories, chore or cherished?

Hated it. Didn’t fit. Bored out of my brains. My year 11 report said Tony Mason spends too much time dancing on the tables…

Where is the most beautiful place in Australia you have visited?

My home.

From the hours of 9am to 5pm, what do you get up too?

Sleeping then what ever art project I’m doing.

Where can people see your work?

Hopefully cinema… www.kookman.com.au , for my latest…

131.9 cents per litre

For love or money?

Love first money second…

What future endeavours are in the pipeline?

More features. A Music Album!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In the media!

If you could invite 3 people to chat over coffee, who would they be & why?

Geoffrey Rush… (need a good Aussie connection). Ricky Gervais… (need a good laugh) and Ben Stiller… (need a good Hollywood connection).

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee

Two Flat Whites recently attended an exhibition by talented designer/ illustrator Kareena Zerefos . We found Kareena to be not only a very talented illustrator, but an intelligent & beautiful young woman. Design for Kareena started in her Pre school days pasting macaroni onto paper plates. This led to an interest in the arts where she studied at the College of Fine Arts in Sydney & also a short stint at the University of Alberta, Canada. We had the pleasure in interviewing Kareena.

Where did you grow up & where do you hang your hat?

I grew up out at Dural, and lived on the northern beaches as a teenager. For the last year I’ve been living in Kirribilli in Sydney.

In your own words, what do you do?

I draw pictures. I work with themes of isolation & escapism to create a bittersweet, slightly unsettling feeling in my pictures.

Where did you learn your craft?

I studied design at the College of Fine Arts, but didn’t do any illustration or painting there, so technically I’m a self-taught illustrator/painter/artist.

Whose work do you relate to most? Who inspires you?

I’m quite inspired by the simplicity of the work of Egon Schiele and Sara Moon, and also their composition and use of white space. But at the moment I love Carson Ellis’ work, for the colours and fine details; as well as Audrey Kawasaki, Cecilia Carlstedt, Edwina white and numerous children’s book illustrators like Eileen Soper, Pierre Probst and Mary Elliot Lacey.

What inspired you to create?

There has never really been one defining moment that has inspired me to create; I’ve always created in one way or another.

Childhood Memories:

TV Show – Astro Boy, The Smurfs and Agro’s cartoon connection.

Hobby – Horse Riding, Climbing trees and swimming at the beach.

Food – Sicilian cheese cake, Ribena and Nutella.

Fear – spiders, ghosts and falling.

People – family and friends

Defining moment – sliding down a fireman’s pole in a playground at a park in Canberra.

Schooling memories, chore or cherished?

A bit of both.

Where is the most beautiful place in Australia you have visited?

Blue Lake in Mt Gambier, South Australia… or the Great Barrier Reef.

From the hours of 9am to 5pm, what do you get up too?

I don’t have a set routine, so I’ve gone with a general day leading up to my exhibition. Drink green and peppermint tea. Deal with emails. Draw some pictures. Tape pictures to the walls. Clean up. Package up prints and posters. Go to the Post Office. Go to Yoga. Check the mail. Draw some more. Research ideas. Read a chapter of Bambi. Change the music. Draw some more pictures. Talk on the phone. Take the pictures down from the walls. Paint the pictures. Eat something. Tape the pictures to the floor. Sit in front of my computer. Scan things. Print things. Draw some more pictures. Get interrupted by my sister. Refuse to go for a run. Drink herbal tea. Get back to drawing…

Where can people see your work?

www.kareenazerefos.com or at the moment at the Red Door Gallery in Edinburgh Scotland.

For love or money?

Love. You don’t decide to draw for a living if it’s about money. But you do need money if you want to draw for a living. Everyone needs to eat.

What future endeavors are in the pipeline?

Taking my solo show down to Melbourne and a few group shows, later in the year.
I’m hoping to spend Christmas in Scandinavia, and return all inspired to start working on a children’s book and some new drawings.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Drawing pictures in a bigger apartment, with an Italian greyhound jumping around, preparing for my third solo show in Paris.

If you could invite 3 people to chat over coffee, who would they be & why?

There are so many people I’d like to chat with over coffee, but I’m going to say Jon, Tina and Fiona… because they’re very creative and inspirational people, and to add a bit of cheese, they’re my best friends!

Coffee or Tea?

Tea. Herbal, green or white. No milk or sugar. I gave up my coffee addiction about 10 months ago.

One of the legends of Australian rock is back! Klaus from Two Flat Whites recently had a chat to Daryl to talk about the music industry & his new acoustic album. Daryl Braithwaite is an Australian icon. He is best known as the lead vocalist of the former Aussie band ‘Sherbet’. Daryl has also sustained a successful solo career, placing 15 singles in the Australian top 40, including the number one hits ‘You’re My World’ & ‘The Horses’.

What challenges are there being a solo artist?

All the usual demands that you would like to think just happen but don’t and being in some ways alone…but not lonely.

Name a musician or band, past or present, which you enjoy and think more people should be listening to?

Sneaky Sound System and Green Day.

What aspect of making music excites you the most right now?

The live aspect has so much appeal as it is instant.

When was the last time you wrote a song? Where did you write it?

5 years back, started it in Longreach QLD

What do you think of the “idol” phenomenon?

It’s a daunting prospect for the participants as they go directly to ‘go’ and possibly miss out on all the GOOD/BAD stuff, which is called experience.

As a musician, are you happy now that there is no smoking in pubs?

I prefer it most definitely yet, it’s sought of weird to see how it upsets two members in my band.

We hear you have an acoustic record coming out; can you tell us a bit about it?

Yes, it’s due for release in mid September. David Campbell and Dale Kruse are playing acoustic guitar and grand piano respectively, it will have 12 tracks, taken from when Dale and I use to play at the Lemon Tree Hotel in Carlton, Melbourne. Also, the early Sherbet period and my solo songs.

Why did you decide after all these years to do an acoustic record?

Ummm… Firstly to have my association with Dale Kruse {1987} and later with David Campbell documented for historic reasons and then to also enable me to play at the Day on the Green gigs!

Will you be touring nationally once the record is released?

Yes, ideally it will be limited to a couple of gigs per state.

Finally, if you could invite any 3 people to dinner (dead or alive) who would they be?

Aung San Suu Kyi
Osama bin Laden
Barack Obama

This interview has been dedicated to our good friend Kathy. We hope you enjoy it!

Two Flat Whites sat down with singer/ songwriter Eleanor Dunlop . Eleanor just released her debut EP ‘Prime’ which is a combination of songs written from the perspective of late teenage angst and early adult convictions. Whilst the lyrics reflect the thoughts and ideas of a young woman still finding her place in the world, the music echoes Dunlop’s early classical training and owes much to composers such as Bach, Beethoven and Litsz.

If you sign an autograph what do you write? And where do you call home?

I haven’t signed an autograph! But if I was to sign one I would just sign my name. Sydney is my home; I currently live either in Seaforth or Surry Hills.

In your own words, what do you do?

I write songs, perform and try to entertain people.

Back in the day, Eleanor began to believe that music might be a viable career and while she continued with her academic studies, she began to think seriously about how to make this happen. She took some singing lessons, a short jazz singing course and made some home recordings.

Realising that she loved performing for a real live audience and taking her cue from modern piano-based singer-songwriters such as Fiona Apple, Regina Spektor and Tori Amos as well as bands such as Coldplay and Bird and the Bee, she wrote her first songs. After recording them at home and posting them on her myspace page, the level of positive feedback was sufficient to encourage her to keep writing and look for a professional producer.

Childhood Memories:

Eleanor, like many young girls, had piano lessons because her parents believed that a musical education was as important as learning to read and write. Eleanor objected to practicing and exams but it was obvious from the start that playing the piano had a positive effect on her mood. It was also obvious from an early age that she could sing but performing in public was not something she was interested in right away.

TV Show – Doctor Who

Hobby – Horseriding

Food – Olives
 
Fear – the dark
 
People – Family, friends, Gwen Stefani from No Doubt

Defining moment – Discovering No Doubt (Gwen Stefani) and Fiona Apple and wanting to sing and perform

Schooling memories, chore or cherished?

Skipping rope, handball, my then best friend Hannah plus all the mean girls at school

From the hours of 9am to 5pm, what do you get up too?

Sleep, uni, study, music, music networking, eat, hanging out with the boyfriend, plus emailing a hell of a lot of people!

Where can people see you perform?

Not performing yet but it will probably be around inner Sydney such as the Hopetoun or the Annandale. You can buy Eleanor’s debut album ‘Prime’ on iTunes .

For love or money?

For love definitely but you still need to live so I want to earn a decent income as well so I can continue with my love!

What future endeavors are in the pipeline?

Recording an album and touring internationally!

I have just started a new band with a guy called Fraser (guitar) called ‘Cameras’ and currently we have been recording some new tracks and rehearsing for some shows (I’ll keep you updated as to when these will be). I am very excited with the new material that we’re coming up with and I’ll put some up as soon as it’s ready!

We will hopefully be recording a full length album by the end of the year. We are still looking for a drummer so if you are a drummer living in Sydney or know somebody give us a yell.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Probably in New York, London or Sydney writing, performing and recording music!

If you could invite 3 people to chat over coffee, who would they be & why?

1. David Attenborough – because I love animals so much and because he just seems like a wonderful human being
2. Ricky Gervais – because he outdoes any comedian I know and because he seems like a nice, intelligent guy
3. Cate Blanchett  – because I am in total awe of her skill

Coffee or Tea?

Tea, but I am slowly being converted to coffee!