A group of unlikely friends and musical mercenaries.
Somewhere between the Miles Davis Quintet and Cold Chisel, these outsider virtuosos traverse the full spectrum of musical paradigms – from Jack Ladder’s surrealist croons to Donny Benét’s Italo street funk, Kirin J Callinan’s perverse guitar noise and Laurence Pike’s futurist rhythms with PVT.
For one night only, they plan to share the spotlight, revealing the four-headed beast of their creative output – each member’s individual and collaborative efforts – all the while exchanging songs, stories and solos. Imagine The Band’s Last Waltz featuring the cast of Seinfeld; it’s the Twin Peaks Red Room meets Red Faces.
To celebrate their coming together tomorrow night, January 16th, we asked the guys to they pick their favourite songs from each other’s repertoire and explain why, this is what they chose. More information and tickets at sydneyfestival.org.au/dreamland
Donny’s picks
Jack Ladder – ‘Love is Gone’
This was Kirin J Callinan’s golden touch on an already winning song. Jack, Laurie and I had already established a real strong three piece band and recorded the track on Jack’s album Love is Gone.
It was one of many great songs written by Tim and completely changed direction once Kirin joined. Touring the album Kirin was brought along and his presence and musical contributions played a role in influencing how to reinterpret the songs from “Love is Gone”. We’d hit the studio after doing an Australian tour and re-recorded a whole bunch of tracks, giving us Counterfeits.
Kirin J Callinan – ‘The Teacher’
Kirin played this to me before it was released and I loved it. As usual, Kirin tells a story in a captivating and charismatic manner. I was fortunate sit in with his hot band and play some fretless bass on this song at his recent Sydney show. Was a real hot time.
Having made a strong statement with Embracism I’m really looking forward to what’s coming next..the few flashes he’s given me suggest a real winner on its way.
PVT – ‘Shiver’
I love the ambience and space in this track – just takes its time and leaves you satisfied like a Japanese businessman at a Keith Jarrett concert. PVT’s 10 year anniversary is a testament to their dedication and contribution to making interesting and innovative music.
Laurence’s attributes as an improvising and creative musician allow PVT to stand out in both the Australian and International music scene. He brings that same warmth and musicality to every ensemble and project he’s involved in, especially with Jack Ladder and the Dreamlanders.
Jack’s Picks
Donny Benet – ‘You’ll Make it in LA’
Don wrote this for Kirin and I on our first trip to the City of Angels together. It was a difficult time in the history of the band as we were all starting to do our own thing (as we continue to do).
But Don had us in his thoughts and sent through a demo of this track to keep our spirits high as we took a deep breath in Los Feliz and hoped for the best. Heading his advice to “remember to wash everyday”. Almost.
Laurence Pike & Mike Nock – ‘The Beginning and End of Knowing’
Never underestimate Pretty Pikey. He’s one of the hardest working musicians in the biz and his vast output shows it. I’m in awe of his collection of records that HE’s played on. And also the quality of the recordings. There’s practically no stink.
For his latest offering he went to flipping Norway in the winter to record an album with 70 year old pianist Mike Nock. The results: two motherfuckers playing music together of the highest order. It’s mesmerizing and beautiful like staring at a fresh spring and wondering where all the water is coming from.
Kirin J Callinan – ‘Scraps’
When Kirin moved up the Blue Mountains he bought himself a Nissan Pintara, started coaching an under 15’s soccer team and working as the maitre d’ at the local bowling club. It seemed a suitably absurd thing to do. So when it all fell apart he wrote a song about it, his past life “compacted in the scraps of the Nissan that I’m missin'”. And that my friends is poetry.
Laurence’s (PVT) picks
Jack Ladder – ‘Cold Feet’
Difficult to choose a favourite Ladder song. I’m gonna play the straight man here and go with the obvious choice. I’ve gone on record before and said that ‘Cold Feet’ is a bona fide Oz Classic, and I’m happy to do so again here.
You don’t get to make many recordings that you feel are so strong that you almost disassociate yourself with them, but that’s how I feel about this song, and the ‘Hurtsville’ album generally. When I hear it I feel a bit like an impartial observer to the mystery of making music.
Tim’s demos from this period were pretty complete in themselves, so the challenge to transcend them for the album was considerable. Here’s testament to what you can achieve when four healthy Australian boys lock themselves away in a freezing house in the middle of nowhere and hit record on a magnificent piece of songwriting.
Kirin J Callinan – ‘Mary’
Whilst I would say the track ‘Embracism’ possesses a true zeitgeist quality, and is Kirin J’s most singular recorded moment in my opinion (and the ‘WIIW’ 7″ also has a photo of him naked in my backyard holding my beloved cat Mr Susan), I’m going to make a slightly more nostalgic choice for him and go with the B Side ‘Mary’.
I remember my brother Richard (from PVT) telling me in 2007 he went and saw this band called Mercy Arms, and saying ‘They were shit, but the guitar player is a motherfucker’. A few months later we heard Kirin had a solo project, so we immediately asked him to open for PVT at the Oxford Art Factory in Sydney.
All I remember about the gig was Kirin in a black lace dress and lipstick cutting the room in half with these guitar chords and wailing ‘Maaaaaaary. Maaaaaary. Don’t go down to the basement. GOD IS BURIED THERE.’
The start of a beautiful friendship.
Donny Benet – ‘She’s Too Much’
Donny and I have been playing music together in one capacity or another for about 15 years. Don’t let the overwhelming power of his sexuality alone distract you, the guy’s a musical juggernaut.
Having said that I was still surprised when he came to a Dreamlanders rehearsal a few years ago and handed everyone a CDR of an album of songs he had made at home within the previous month.
‘Don’t Hold Back’ seemed like Donny had finally arrived, an instant classic, but I’m going to go with ‘She’s Too Much’ from his second LP for this selection. We listened to this track first thing every morning in the van for an entire US tour with PVT. Delaying the chorus so long is pretty genius, and the key change and obligatory searing moog solo really works up the heat. A powerhouse cut for body and mind.
Kirin’s picks
Donny Benet & Jack Ladder – ‘Only Child’
From Don’s unbelievably overlooked collaborative 3rd album “Weekend @ Donny’s”. Lyrics include “When we go to dinner, You’re cutting up my steak, You’re feeding me my meat like it’s some kind of bait” & “You didn’t notice that I’m growing, I can stand up on my own, Let me be the man I am, Take you to the danger zone”. A triumph.
PVT – ‘In The Blood’
Bloody brilliance. Remember clearly the first time I saw this video, early morning Rage, long before Larry & I became blood, and the affect it had on me. Instrumental music can say something too!
Jack Ladder – ‘Two Clocks’
A beautiful song taken offa the first Jack Ladder record ~ Not Worth Waiting For ~ long before I was involved. My favourite version remains unreleased, a live version from our “Counterfeits” session in ’09 @ Big Jesus Burger, Rest In Peace. Having just come off our first tour together, the bond was strong, the spirits were high & The Dreamlanders sound was born. Four Clocks, ticking in time.
