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HELL CONCEPTS™ - #1.0001 VIRTUAL CONNECTIVITY Gates at 10pm Bridging the gap between URL and IRL June 5th 2015 The Mercat 456 Queen St Melbourne
Citation preview
VIRTUAL
CONNECTIVITY
A zine collaboratively written, compiled,
edited and designed by Ellie Nik and Paul
Gerostathos for HELL Melbourne
We see examples of it every day, it is all around us
and consumes us. Virtual connection is the beeping of our
phones, in fact the simultaneous beeping of tens of phones
when we look around our bleak train carriages in peak hour
on Monday mornings. It is the repetition of orange and white
hearts and their complimenting “1”s that affirm our egos, it is
the notes and follower counts on our Tumblrs and the
comments on our selfies. Virtual connection is our fan mail,
our anon hate, the constant ebb and flow of feedback to
everything we emit in an online environment that never ends.
Digital connection in the new age seems to be ever-
expanding, terrifying and yet excitingly unpredictable. It
affects us so much that a simple layout or interface change on
some of our favourite social media networks causes eruptions
of outrage - and less than a week later, just as easily
forgotten. Technology spreads and grows layers and layers of
complexity at exponential rates - yet do we ever take stop and
take notice of the process as something that propels and
drives our imaginations?
The Internet. The smartphone. The proliferation of social
media.
Innovations that become vehicles, assist and accommodate
our ability to work, our desire to socialise, to create and
destroy, all without leaving the well worn space behind our
device screens. Whilst those in creative industries don’t think
twice before using such technology in our current climate,
these are relatively new innovations in the way in which we as
humans communicate with one another. Upon reflection, we
might ask ourselves, "have these advances in communication
helped or hindered human interaction, and to a further extent
creative industries?”
Imagine a concept in which we see these advances,
particularly the use of social media, as a positive force on the
creative landscape.
Rather than denouncing platforms such as FB and IG for
dehumanising communication, this event acknowledges all that
is made possible through the use of these mediums, a world of
VIRTUAL CONNECTIVITY.
It is the SYNRG between man and machine, bridging the gap
between URL and IRL.
Can we build off these foundations, giving likeminded
individuals, perhaps with little mutual association, the ability
to congregate and network, build friendships and explore
their own creative tastes together; in turn generating results at
the forefront of modern thinking?
Whether it is across cities, states, countries or continents, this
movement is global and we aim to create a space for this to
flourish. Virtual connectivity is the future of creative industries,
bringing together alternate subcultures to unite against
mainstream media.
In recent history a shift in technology has brought the role of
tastemaker to the consumer, rather than it be dictated by
radio play or major label support; fashion week models are
being cast via Instagram hashtag competitions, Youtubers are
publishing novels and going on book tours, and blog fame
gives individuals platforms upon which to launch their own
stores or personal brands for financial profit and legitimate
careers.
Imagine a situation in which two artists on either side of the
world are working on similar work independently with no
knowledge of the other’s existence. Through virtual
connectivity these artists are not only able to discover each
other, but the potential for collaboration becomes very real.
This capacity for connection and collaboration between
parties opens up an endless amount of possibilities for the
futures of art, fashion, music, design, science, and the
advancement of any and all fields. Digital connection yields
unfathomable possibilities, unimaginable creations and
potential that knows no bounds. So why not celebrate it?
Run by power woman Ashiya Omundsen, House of Cards is
a thriving Queensland label that shows a love for whimsical
prints and motifs, wearable art for the modern cyber gal or
guy. The current collection, IN TOO DEEP, shows a heavy
digital influence recalling an early Macintosh era framed in
boxy silhouettes and painted in pastel unicorn tones. Ashiya
spoke to HELL about her label in anticipation of the
upcoming pop up store she will be hosting at HELL concepts
on Jun 5th at The Mercat.
Tell us about the beginnings of House of Cards - where
did your initial ideas spring from, and what made you
want to start the label?
I loosely started with small capsule collections while I
was at University, once I was done I had a few
corporate clients (I was working as a freelance graphic
designer, this is what I studied at Uni) and realised I
was frustrated with working creatively for corporations,
which is when I decided to try doing fashion full time.
As with most creative industries, the market can be
competitive - what advice would you give to young
women starting up their own labels and projects?
Talk less, make a plan & follow through.
To date, what achievement in your career are you most
proud of?
We opened our Brisbane Flagship store in late 2013,
but I think the best is yet to come.
Which piece in the new collection, IN TOO DEEP, is your
favourite?
I love all the mens tees, which is silly because they are
the least work in terms of pattern making etc. But they
are just so easy to wear and pair back with.
Do you have any role models who you look to for
inspiration?
Not particularly but my friends and family are a great
source of inspiration.
What does "virtual connectivity" mean to you?
A connection between people without human
interaction.
House of
Cards
Catch NULL’s DJ set at HELL Concepts
June 05 The Mercat
PIP PELL
@_p_c_p_
Design mage Phillipa Pell joins us for VIRTUAL
CONNECTIVITY, exhibiting her 3D prints as our
feature artist for the event. We sat down with Pip to
play a little game of word association:
MUSE
The muse used to act as a platonic ideal and was often
essential to the ideation of art in earlier centuries but
in what form does this exist today? Does the “modern”
muse aim to create new insights and creative form or
just to inspire imitation: New age mass-muse. By that
measure, can a brand act as a muse?
MELODY
Any sort of Disney movie
Unchained Melody / Righteous brothers
Silky smooth tunes
CRAFT
KRAFT FOODS
STUDY
Colonel Mustard in the Study with the Candlestick
ART
A subject of constant contention
Objective vs subjective
Critical reflection on culture vs sensory contemplation
But also, Word Art
HELL PRESENTS...
D I G I T A L R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
PHOTOS BY NAOMI RICHMOND
Rose @rosepophalf
Kevin @kevincheung__
What's your ideal style destination?
Harajuku -Tokyo. Having just come back from a trip
through Japan I can say Tokyo is the most magical
place I've ever visited. Tokyo on the whole provides
an environment where I feel literally able to wear
anything I want whenever I want, the ability to truly
express myself through an item of clothing while
feeling both accepted and embraced is literally
heaven.
The city leaves me speechless, Harajuku specifically
is kinda my style, I love weird colors and shit so I felt
at home, I literally spent 5 of the 7 days I was in
Tokyo in Harajuku. I felt myself truly accepted there
as if I was almost local, it's an experience I'll never
forget and I cannot wait to be back.
You create such strong looks with what you wear, do
you find the general public in Melbourne can be
intimidated by alternative/post-internet fashion, or
is it generally accepting?
In my experience, I find Melbourne's general public
is not so much intimidated, more so judgmental. I
cop a heap of stares and the occasional comment or
so. I completely understand the judging though
cause I generally wear shit pretty far from the social
norm lol. To be honest though I love the stares and
shit, I feed off it haha, I guess you kinda have to
turn the stares into a positive to feel comfortable
and confident. In the same breath though I've found
Melbournians can just as easily embrace what I
wear, weirdly mostly older people, I get stopped a
lot asking where I get clothes/wanting to take
photos which is pretty baller!
Where will we see you in 5 years time?
100% Tokyo! I hope to be living there within the
next 5 years, am currently learning Japanese (shout
out to Sensai @ktenologics) and am studying
commerce/law so ideally I'll finish this and cop some
mint job in Tokyo haha! Once I'm there I hope to
take up a fashion course locally and pursue my
creative side more! Either way whether I stay here
or end up in Tokyo I'll be pursuing fashion one way
or another!
What part of VIRTUAL CONNECTIVITY are you most
looking forward to?
Honestly the entire night, everyone needs to realize
this night is organized with love, everyone who has
a part in it’s set up is doing this to provide an
environment to facilitate creativity where everyone
can be themselves and literally just be happy. That's
what it's all about, being yourself. The team at
VIRTUAL CONNECTIVITY are some of the most
gorgeous people I've ever had the chance to meet
and I can't thank them enough for the opportunity to
be a part of this.
I'm so looking forward to do all I can on the night to
spread the love and embrace all of you! Come and
say hi!!! I wear weird shit but I promise am nice!
SAEED // @ASTRO.BAE
You make and sell quirky accessories for your etsy
store, from badges to earrings made out of fishing
lures, to purses with eye-catching news headlines
hand stitched onto them. How do you get the ideas
for your creations?
I was always inspired by 70s punk, and I’ve done a
lot of badges with beer bottles or bongs or slightly
insulting slogans. I got some angry messages on
tumblr over CRACK BABY. I like to make things that
people will find funny or interesting, and I get a lot
of my inspiration from things I see online.
What are you casting as the must have item in your
wardrobe this winter, and do you have a certain
winter look you're looking forward to emulating?
Huge fur coats, I have about 5 in different colours,
its getting out of hand.
I’m feeling the post apocalyptic Mad Max vibes at
the moment, animal teeth accessories, fur, platforms
& DIY.
You're currently studying fashion design, tell us
about your future career aspirations;
I’d like to start my own label, but tbh my life isn’t
that sorted I had ice cream for dinner I don’t plan
that far ahead.
What part of VIRTUAL CONNECTIVITY are you most
looking forward to?
Metaverse Makeovers looks really interesting, but
it’s the end of semester so I’m most looking forward
to leaving the house and going somewhere that
isn’t uni.
LUCY // @MAKEMELOCO
Your label Penny Drop was at the HELL Bazaar a
few months ago - what's been happening for
Penny Drop since then, and what's coming up for
Penny Drop next?
Penny Drop has been on hiatus since the
bazaar, and it’s time to crawl out from under
that rock. I’m working towards officially
launching the label and my first directional
range, fingers crossed by the end of the year.
I’ll be at Strawberry Fields with stock and
samples, so come play!
PENNY // @PENNYDROP
If you were a fictional character, who would
you be?
I always thought I was Kevin, from ‘Up’. A
snipe.
When you're sketching, what do you look to for
inspiration for your designs?
I’m now trying to work towards practical
solutions. I try to evolve my current favourites,
make them comfier, exaggerated, multi-purpose,
or if all else fails, colour popping and pleasing
to the eye. It’s always a matter of making use of
what I have at hand. That thrifty element doesn’t
always gel with being practical (especially when
it comes to using sheep bones, human hair,
dental impressions and the like) so it’s a matter
of juggling and seeing what I can come up with.
What part of VIRTUAL
CONNECTIVITY are you most
looking forward to?
Meeting Ashiya. I
feel like our brains
may have been
separated in utero.
Brittany @ktenologics
Lucy @makemeloco
Kelly @glitterousclitoris
Gemma @conceivedsorrow
Brittany @ktenologics
You're quite active in local political protests and
causes, how do you find your beliefs translate into
your artwork?
It has only been over the past year that I’ve become
interested in making art. I used to think that visual
art was a luxury that I couldn’t afford to participate
in. At university I majored in anthropology which
encouraged me to question inequality from a new
perspective. I could no longer ignore how power
served to separate the subordinated classes from
the ruling elites. I was frustrated, angry, and
depressed. The world felt like a helpless place. My
only release from this tension was through creation.
Art has provided me a means to communicate. Art
isn’t a solution, but it provides relief when that
solution is far away.
You have a great penchant for accessorising and
styling different pieces together, what one tip or
rule do you generally go by when putting together
an outfit?
Style is confidence, but you can’t be confident
without being comfortable. An outfit must be easily
adaptable. When I feel uncomfortable I like to
change an aspect of my outfit so that I can feel
comfortable once again. Sometimes I’ll take
something off. Sometimes I’ll put something
additional on. It is comforting to match your
exterior to your interior.
Which mediums in your artwork do you find you
prefer to explore? Tell us about which aesthetics
seem to manifest most regularly in the work you
produce
Currently my favourite element to manipulate and
explore is light. My visuals tend to be driven by my
attraction to objects that interact with light in an
interesting way. For example, I really like reflective
things, translucent materials, and glowing neon. My
aesthetic tastes largely rely on juxtapositions. I like
putting contrasting things next to each other. The
notion that two objects don’t belong together makes
me want to force them together. Juxtaposition gives
an opportunity to create something new.
What part of VIRTUAL CONNECTIVITY are you most
looking forward to?
I’m most looking forward to the intersection of the
IRL and the URL. I plan on entering a dimension of
freakiness that I’ve never entered before.
KELLY // @GLITTEROUSCLITORIS
Tell us about your artwork;
Well I've created a unique style for myself, it's a mix
of traditional and digital. A lot of my inspiration
comes from the positive outcome that my work has
on others.
What inspires your sense of dress?
The whole underground fashion scene in Japan
GEMMA // @CONCEIVEDSORROW
If your life was an anime, which one
would it be?
Welcome to the NHK
What part of VIRTUAL
CONNECTIVITY are you
most looking forward to?
Meeting all the amazing
people that are involved
and making your HELL
experience one that's out
of this world
Saeed @astro.bae
Gemma @conceivedsorrow
Brittany @ktenologics
You often work collaboratively in your photographic
projects, what is it about working with others that
you enjoy the most and which collaboration is your
favourite to date?
Every time the project concept and aim is different, I
often come across to something that I never thought
I would take part of, it’s like a new challenge,
something to get my mind open. All my work that
I’ve done is my favourite.
Your visual signature is quite distinct, and your
photos have a trademark clean, minimal quality
about them. What draws you to this particular
aesthetic?
My surrounding. Pretty much for my entire
childhood, I grew up in a densely populated urban
area. As a kid, I always tried to search for places
that are isolated from any human activities which is
impossible. Because of this, I always look at my
surroundings differently, I want to take the most
simple element from these environments and shape
them in a minimalist way, I want them to become a
different world when captured inside a frame.
What projects do you hope to see yourself working
on in the future?
Definitely anything that relates to moving images.
What part of VIRTUAL CONNECTIVITY are you most
looking forward to?
The people.
ROSE // @ROSEPOPHALF
“Juxtaposition
gives an
opportunity to
create something
new”
If you had to describe your style in one phrase,
what would it be?
Hi-tech anime-street goth.
You study Japanese - tell us about where you see
yourself after your studies!
Ideally I want to really liaise Japan and Melbourne
more. Being able to speak Japanese has really
helped me to make some great friends in the
fashion industry over in Japan and I’d love to see
more stuff over here. One of the things that really
draws me to Japan is the “anything goes” fashion
policy of Tokyo – you can wear your own style, as
crazy as it might be and it's guaranteed someone is
going to appreciate it, so you feel brave enough to
do it. I really want to run a shop that stocks crazy
Japanese clothes from small independent artists
that influence my style of clothes and art, and then
at night, it will become a bar; think 1990’s hi tech
Tokyo with lots of neon and manga everywhere,
funky tunes, great Japanese craft beer and
cocktails and the staff can only be dressed in the
craziest style. I don’t want a huge career out of it
but I would love to bring the craziness of Japan to
Australia and share my love and what drives me.
One item of clothing you can't live without?
Definitely my MYOBNYC black coach jacket –
literally goes with anything and isn’t too warm/not
warm enough. Will probably never go out of style
either.
What part of VIRTUAL CONNECTIVITY are you most
looking forward to?
Getting to meet people is the most exciting thing for
me! There are so many talented, creative and
interesting people out there and I’m looking
forward to the sharing of ideas and collaborative
things that come from this.
BRITTANY // @KTENOLOGICS
You explore a number of artistic disciplines with the
work that you do, including design and
photography. Which is your most preferred and
why?
I don’t have a preference I guess because I do
enjoy both design and photography. I try to
incorporate any type of media (including
photography) in my design, because I love being
practical rather than just creating graphics on a
computer. There is just so much more creative
freedom with mixed media design, I love it!
We see an emphasis on the relationship between
space and form in your work, what are some key
ideas you strive to convey visually in your projects?
I don’t try to convey anything specific, I usually just
do whatever pops into my head, with design I
approach it with an open mind and just get straight
into it and it usually just takes it’s course. With my
photography I try to keep a consistency through all
of my snaps, most of my photos are often just from
spaces I stumbled upon that spark my interest,
which is why I guess there’s an emphasis on space
and form in my work.
Who are some local up and coming creatives you
think we should keep our eye on?
There are so many upcoming and talented local
creatives in Melbourne! My list could go on forever!
But just to name a few, my great friends Angie and
Adrian from PAI (@helloimpai) are doing amazing
things with their label, Claudia Lau (@claud______)
who is just starting up but creating the most
beautiful ceramics works from home! It’s so amazing
everyone should have them!
What part of VIRTUAL CONNECTIVITY are you most
looking forward to?
I’m just looking forward to meeting some creative
like minded people! And having a boogie!
KEVIN // @KEVINCHEUNG__
Kevin @kevincheung__
“I guess you kinda
have to turn the
stares into a positive
to feel comfortable
and confident”
SIDECHAINS
@sidechainsclub
We introduce S.Y.N.R.G, our patented virtual DJ
experience coming to you this Friday June 5th at The
Mercat. Streamed over the world wide web, we
feature a set from an act not physically present at the
event itself. The very essence of virtual connectivity,
collaboration from across the nation.
In doing so we would like to share with you the
representatives of our aesthetic sister brand in Sydney,
Sidechains DJs.
Firstly the question we’ve all been wondering, why the
name Sidechains? Do you even compress?
Sidechains was based on the idea of providing up and
coming producers that we respect and love, a platform
and space to perform. Being producers, music was such
a important part of the inception process. The term
‘sidechain’ is an electronic music production/
compression term (i’ll let you google it to understand, its
a bit difficult to explain). It was kind of an in joke and
when a producer sees the name, theres an immediate
association of the party with producer focus. And yes,
terribly on questionable 808s and also on the legs.
Who are the real Sidechains DJs, what are some things
your mum doesn’t know bout chu?
The Sidechains DJs are Christian (Grasps_), who’s mum
doesn’t know he’s actually a full time burner and myself,
my mum doesn’t know people call me Mercedes Denz
and I’m actually sponsored by nike. Oh and DJ Lockouts
but no one knows much about them.
Your Sidechains compilation was exceptional, the art was
slick and there were so much GOLD on there. Is this a
direction you see the brand going in? Branching out from
parties into a record label? Give us your 10 year plan.
Grace/Deburg Boolean is such a talented 3d artist, I’m
lucky to have run into her!
Yep! Basically with this compilation, it marks our
transition into a record label (while still keeping the party
bumpin), doing regular releases (Singles, EPs,
Compilations), as well as artist management (we are
now managing Recluse, Grasps_ and Manbat). Our first
single release will be out soon from Recluse called ‘Path
of Wind’ which we’re super excited for.
In the future we’re looking towards doing more interstate
gigs as Sidechains DJS (one day we will make it over to
perth and learn to rinse), having our first international
artist, boiler room sets, growing to have a second
sidechains party in another state etc. We have lots of
plans for the brand but theres still a lot of work to do!
How did you start running parties? What’s your rags to
riches story?
Basically it started from a friend of ours posting in a
group saying they got offered to run a party on a
Thursday night but he didn’t have time to commit to it.
Myself and 3 other guys (Nick, Joe and Tom, shoutouts.)
stepped up and said we’d put a pitch together for the
club thats where the concept arose. The first party went
really well (especially for a Thursday night in Sydney)
and we got offered a Friday night spot at Kit &
Kaboodle, our current residence. Nick and Joe had to
bail out after the party due to personal commitments and
about 2 months ago Tom also had to bail for his own
personal work. But over the last year, I ran into Lillian,
(y’all know her as @flex.mami) a really passionate girl
working in PR and Christian (@grasps_) who have been
big helps as well as my girlfriend, Jess (@sortagoth),
who’s been helping out behind the scenes since and
supportive since day 1, she’s the real MVP for putting up
with me :^)
You SLAYED it when you played for us a few months ago
and we’re super pumped to have you onboard for our
upcoming Virtual Connectivity event.
What was the best moment of your Melbourne trip?
What are you looking forward to the most in your
upcoming Melbourne trip (via the web)
Hell was a real experience. Our favourite part had to be
seeing just how alive and vibrant the night life in
Melbourne is. Walking out of Hell at 4am and everyone
saying ‘lets head to ____’ was surreal.
We’re also just really excited to be apart of Hell again &
to be able to do our first virtual set! Wish we could have
made it down this time, looks like there’s going to be so
much cool stuff happening!
Is there much of a difference in nightlife in SYD compared
to MELB? Your scene seems so cohesive even if you have
to close early!
There really is. Its a combination of things like the strict
regulation of drinks past certain times, ID scanning,
1:30am lockouts, the intensity of bouncers in clubs (not
necessarily for the safety of everyone but more to be kill
joys/staunch). But overall theres feels to be more of a
culture in MELB, its got much less of that 'lets go where
the cheapest drinks and loosest chicks are'’ feel and
more of an appreciation for being social and enjoying a
social atmosphere (& a+ fashion). Since the introduction
of these laws, Sydney nightlife feels like we’re being
treated as children at an underage house party with
chaperones and not responsible adults who know our
limits. Sydney's spirits have been dampened by the laws
but it's time to hype them up and we’re trying our best to
contribute to that.
On the topic of club lockouts, explain DJ lockouts to the
uninitiated.
DJ Lockouts is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an
enigma. Its not easy to explain, you just have to stay
past 1:30am & witness it to be initiated.
In your event photos we notices your shine to the sad
boy, If you could meet Yung Lean what would you say to
him?
Where’s Rainworld?
Model: #babeofhell Karlie Roberts @whoreseatsmores
Photography: Willow Darling
You're building quite the profile for
yourself over a number of different
creative areas. Do you have a favourite
you like to work in? Music, VJing,
Fashion or events? If so why?
To be honest I really find it to focus on
which direction I want to head in with
Velatix, but if I had to choose I really
love DJing/Music. I find it the most
challenging and rewarding. After
witnessing the quality and creativity of
DJ's internationally I want to raise the
bar in some respects here in Melbourne.
Your work focuses heavily on anime and
hentai, how did this come about? Have
you always been interested in Japanese
culture?
Before I was any of this I was a sheltered
nerd who watched anime and played
games non stop. My first trip to Japan
was in early 2013, I only intended to visit
to go to anime stores and the like. It was
during that trip that I stumbled upon a
Maltine Records party (a label I'm a fan
of) at a club in Akiba called MOGRA, it
was a really life changing night for me, I
saw the how vibrant every one was,
everyone was making something or
contributing something. And anime and
other subcultures what brought everyone
together.
I guess my main aim is to show that you
can like anime a be a cool dude (haha).
Your Cold Tech parties seem to be going
global! Tell us about them!
Cold Tech is going off, We've been
throwing parties here and in Chicago
since November and each party is
bigger than the last. Our aim with these
parties is to focus on bass music (Jungle,
Footwork, DnB, Dub, Garage, etc) and
make it approachable to the average
club goer, sort of like going oput to a gig
but in a club/dance environment.
By the time you've read this we will have
hosted our biggest Cold Tech over in
Chicago featuring TRAXMAN (!), Violet
Systems and out very own DJ INNES
(who has played at Hell before.
Check out www.coldte.ch for more info!
What is coming up next for you? We
seem to keep so busy we can't even
speculate.
I'll be going to Japan again in July to
play gigs and hang out, when I return I
plan to release the new clothing that I'm
working on and work even more on
getting myself out there in the local
scene.
What does Virtual Connectivity mean to
you?
Bringing everyone together to create
something exciting, regardless of
distance or language.
VELATIX+
COLD TECH
We spoke to Lincoln Donelan, aka
VELATIX about his numerous creative
projects and his raging COLD TECH
parties. Catch VELATIX playing at our
HELL concepts event this Friday June
5th at The Mercat.
Photo by Rose @rosepophalf
@
R
E
T
R
O
R
A
I
D
U
R
R
Our favourite new Swedish sad
boy Ian van Kempen contributes
artwork from his AQUATIC
TECH series to exhibit this Friday
June 5th at our HELL concepts
event at The Mercat
STUDIO TOUR
WITH
GLASS MIRRORS
PHOTOS BY NAOMI RICHMOND
In this article we are
invited by our musical director Glass
Mirrors into his home studio, to
discuss the creation of his new EP,
DOT_COM_ROM_COM.
We slid into his DMs with a few
questions about the process.
HELL: Hi Paul, how are you?
GM: Hello HELL. I’m feeling drippy,
How are you?
HELL: We chill.
GM: Right on.
HELL: Tell us about your upcoming EP
- conceptually, what influenced it and
what can we expect?
GM: This EP was born out of my
nocturnal existence and new
exciting pastel visions replacing the
otherwise greyscale world I’ve been
living in. My influences for the EP lie
in lying awake at 2AM on digital
devices indulging in futuristic
aesthetics, exposing myself to the
innovative musical ideas of gods
such as Lido, Canblaster, AG Cook
and Doko, plus of course the feeling
of my girl’s soft skin on silk.
It marks the unfortunate progression
of the move from writing soppy 80s
synth music about my relationships
to my current love-life being seen as
a romantic comedy, played out in
the digital domain for all to see
have an opinion on.
Dot_Com_Rom_Com is an
acknowledgement of this, that if you
put yourself out there in cyber space
people will either love you or hate
you, and thus here is my musical
expression of these feels. No shade
here, no shade.
It was an experiment into uncharted
territory for me, compositionally I
wanted to craft sound that was
different to my previous work, music
with more emotion and feeling.
A move away from the dark yet
simple synthpop minor scale solos of
my earlier work and into something
brighter yet more musically
complex.
The sole purpose of this EP is
experimentation in its purest, in 4/4
yet with no clear rules on form or
convention.
Rather than a body of music with a
clear direction, it is a collection of
sporadic ideas and feelings,
dabbling in a concoction of future
beats, jersey club and piano driven
rnb ballads.
It isn’t exactly geared towards the
dance floor and it is quite self
indulgent, but I wouldn’t have it any
other way.
HELL: You seem to have an organised
studio set-up. What equipment did
you use on this EP?
GM: Gear used:
iMac, MacBook Pro, KRK 5”
monitors, Propellerhead Reason 7.0,
Avid Protools 9, Waves plugins,
Moog Voyager Performance Edition,
Korg Arp Odyssey (Rev III model),
DSI Prophet 08 PE Edition,
Oberheim DX drum machine,
Moogerfooger MF101 Filter +
MF104m Delay + MF108 Cluster
Flux, Heil Talkbox, Behringer
Eurodesk, AKG C214
I recently offloaded a large portion
of my studio gear to streamline my
production process - until recently I
was also using a Korg Poly61,
Yamaha DX7, Roland JX8-P, Roland
Alpha Juno 1. Whilst I loved the
signature sound of each piece of
gear, I found working with early
MIDI (or as with the Poly61 no MIDI
at all) and the temperamental nature
of this older gear to be a hindrance
to my creativity. I have hearing
damage and can’t expose myself to
loud sound for anywhere near as
long as I used to, so having a
streamlined workflow is vital to my
studio process.
HELL: How did you go about the
composition of the EP?
Did you set out to write in any
particular genre or tempo?
GM: Since I am using a hybrid
studio set up, I used my MacBook to
write each song in Reason, before
re-recording instruments using
outboard gear and mixing /
mastering in ProTools. I wrote
mainly in the 150-160BPM range,
using a simple piano patch and
playing the notes on my laptop
keyboard. I found that working with
a simple palette enabled me to find
what notation worked best musically
before creating the sounds.
Rather than use basic triads and
inversions in my previous synth pop
work (done as I was learning to
write music) for this body of work I
made heavy use of rnb / gospel
and jazz chords structures and
progressions, utilising 7ths, 9ths and
11th, augmented 4th, suspended
2nd chords and differing modes to
add variety and interest to the
sound.
HELL: How did you create such a
diverse yet striking selection of
sounds? From the teaser we were
able to listen to, everything seemed
so powerful and clean!
GM: In my earlier work I had relied
on ‘creating a soundscape’ through
layering and basically soaking
everything in reverb to create
~drama~.
With this EP I aimed to ensure every
instrument had it’s own unique sonic
character and place in the mix,
working on each patch to ensure it
had the maximum impact.
I created a basic palette of sounds
in Reason as a guide, before
replacing most synthesised
instruments with my keyboards.
Working with my new Arp Odyssey
was invaluable, it’s such a portable
and diverse synth! Even though
tuning it was an issue I was able to
work with it no matter where I
happened to be.
I programmed all sounds on my
outboard gear from scratch,
initialising patches and building
them up based on the rough guides
I had used.
I utilised modulation heavily on this
EP, routing LFOs to filters and
creating interesting chord sequences
using this.
In doing so I also alternated
between basic playing of chords,
modulating them or using
arpeggiation to create as much
interest as possible.
HELL: How did you mix the EP? Were
there any techniques used you can
fill us in on?
GM: Once I bounced out the stems I
then mixed the song ITB in Protools.
I exclusively use Waves plugins for
this as I am familiar with them and
find them to be quite effective!
Having come from a background
studying audio engineering and
using outboard EQ, compression
and mixing consoles, emulating
some of these processes with Waves
has yielded the best results ITB I’ve
found.
For every track I split the mix into 6
distinct sub-groups, drums, bass,
chords, melody, leads and vocals.
Working from left to right I built up
the mix, working out levels, pan,
EQ, compression and aux FX as I
go.
I often set up a bus to use parallel
compression on tracks to bring out
some dynamics, boosting the drums
and bass with this frequently.
I loved running through SSL
channels with SSL dynamic and EQ
control, before running some
channels through tape emulation to
dirty the sound a little.
HELL: Do you have a secret
mastering chain we should know
about?
GM: I actually like to keep my
mastering chain simple. If the mix is
good, the chain on your master
should just be to slightly boost and
smooth the mix
For this EP i used an EQ. Stereo
Imager. Multiband Compressor or
Bus Compressor. Limiter.
I also used PAZ Analysier to
crosscheck and ensure there were
no phase or clipping issues.
HELL: Do you have a favourite piece
of gear you used on the EP? If so,
why?
GM: My favourite piece of gear I
used on the EP would probably
have to be the Voyager! Such a
strong bass sound and strong
modulation possibilities, while it can
easily take over a whole mix, with
careful use of EQ it can add instant
power and NRG to any track.
HELL: Do you have any plans for
collaborations at the moment?
None at the moment, although I’m
constantly inspired by local friends
and acts like Dugong Jr, Tag Shai,
Recluse and Headstone.
HELL: Thanks Glass Mirrors! That
was very insightful!
P e a C e
Glass Mirrors will be releasing his
DOT_COM_ROM_COM EP at
Sidechains (SYD) on July 12th, but
expect some sneak previews at our
HELL concepts event this June 5th
at The Mercat Basement.
The melting pot that is Melbourne and the even hotter Hell
Melbourne
Submission by Luke Tipping
Melbourne has been known to be more diverse compared to the other cities in Australia
with it's fashion, food and music. A place where Melbourne's fashion reaches it's peak in
diversity of style and origin. When HELL was on every week you only had to attend the
event or look at the photos from the previous weekend to know what was on trend in almost
every aesthetic you can think of. It was a very nice deviation from spending hours on Look
Book, 4chan/fa or pinterest. With attendees wearing brands local (House of Cards,
Discount Universe, Tilly Me and YuYu) and international (Dynasti, MYOB, Whatever 21 and
Hellboy Gear).
Although Hell is back for one night, the styles seen from the event and promo material are a
great indicator of what is on point this Winter.
Rose @rosepophalf
Kevin @kevincheung__
Saeed @astro.bae
Photo by Naomi Richmond
Julia for HELL x METAVERSE
Photo by Sam Orchard
The Technicolor Dream Coat
Prose submission by Ariane Virgona
The walls were splattered with photos of women dressed in designer gowns, framed in
exceptional lighting and flattering lipstick. I foUnd myself standing between life-size figUres of
women bejeweled with seqUenced mermaid tails and thick shoUlder pads, the rotating rUnway saw
demin jackets, raw expression of pUnk rock mohawk hairdos and thick metal bracelets and
chokers, whips and leather straps. Polished white walls contrasted the intensity of the coloUrs and
the statement the artists were intending to shoot forward.
I foUnd myself starting at the details in the embroidery of the fabrics and the layers of clothing the
mannequin wore, layers of trUths and ideas that were piled Up waiting for someone to wade
thoUgh- to notice.
There are endless possibilities to the design of the cloak we can choose to sew together. The variety
of trUths, interpretations, ideas and Understandings are so vast, mUch like the selection of clothing
we can choose to pUt on each day. Fashion becomes an identity deeper than the exterior. Look
fUrther than the fibers we cover oUrselves with and notice that yoU reflect what yoUr soUl wears.
Unexpectedly we bUmped into each other. My hand brUshed his shoUlder and the vibrant coloUrs
of the walls and fabrics distracted me from meeting his eye. I was captUred by the simplicity of his
answers and the trUth to which he spoke. The pictUres on the wall were Up for interpretation mUch
like the expression on my face and the smile on my lips. We critiqUed the materials and fabricated
a mUtUal Understanding of oUr world’s spider-web reality of sUffocating boUndaries, synthetic
smiles and empty promises; we were motivated by the hUnger behind of each of the answers we
shared. I was swimming with bUoyancy in a pool of possibility, sUpported by the weight of the
words he passed onto me; he trUsted me. Ideas are like fabrics and I am the designer, constrUcting
a cloak for my shoUlders to wear. CarefUlly in my life, I woUld select patterns, textUres and shapes
in the form of words, philosophies, ideologies and realisations to create a transparent covering to
carry. It becomes too easy to let the stereotypes, toxic energy and destrUctive expectations to
spread over oUr soUl, obstrUcting the radiation of oUr pUre intentions. This dark, dreary covering
limits Us from expressing oUr trUth and we fall fUrther away from the concept of oUr ideal reality.
And so we stood there bare, in a room filled with potential, inspired and ready to sew together a
manifestation of all that we are. YoU are the designer. Design yoUrself.
Metaverse Nails™ (patent pending) is the only product in the
WORLD that allows you to adorn your digital and physical self
with customisable holograms. It’s glam wearable tech.
Their wearable appcessories are collectible fashion accessories
that interact with the Metaverse Nails app, a 3D social app that
triggers a dazzling range of futuristic, interactive holograms
which can be shared in real time to social networks - directly off
your #nextlevelnails .
Brittany, Sarah, Julia and Jacob for HELL x METAVERSE / Photography by Sam Orchard
HTMLflowers
June 05 The Mercat
Hell Concepts
# H E L L V CGates at 10pm
The Mercat Basement456 Queen St Melbourne
Thank you to all the creatives and talented souls
who contributed to the creation of this event
Saeed @astro.bae
Kelly @glitterousclitoris
Rose @rosepophalf
Photo by Naomi Richmond