Haha - almost had you. Sensationalism aside, Moore has actually just made the soundtrack to one. Actually, not even that - apparently Richard Kern’s Extra
Action and Extra Hardcore is to be referred to as an artful piece of cinema based on "unpretentious, unadorned, and definitely undressed real women" who, I can only presume for arts sake, will each "roll around and do something interesting for a few minutes." Hmm. Anyone who’s picked up a copy of VICE in the past couple of years should be familiar with Kern’s soft-lit, porny inclinations – the guy has actually been around for years (he’s previously directed two of Sonic’s video’s and is also responsible the album cover of 1986’s Evol) but has seen a recent rise in notoriety as the world’s young tastemakers start to get a bit “over” Terry Richardson. The “non-porn” is due for a DVD release in the U.S this March; however, I’m sure will also be circulating the internet in no time – much to the delight, I’m sure, of discerning indie boys the world over who appreciate fine cinematography and the musical talents of Mr Moore.

One of my favourite new local bands, Songs, is playing their first show of 08 this Wednesday at Consolador de dos Caras. Presented by record label DualpLOVER (“voted best label in all Chinatown 06/07"), Consolador de dos Caras is a weekly night celebrating all music eclectic and all related ventures DIY. Jack Mannix; photographer, band member of Kiosk and Circle Pit and all around talented guy, will curate this week’s event. As well as Songs, the night will also see performances from noise band Onani and the satisfyingly named (go on, just say it!) and causative Moon Milk, as well as a DIY market place filled with independent music, publications and clothing. Consolador de dos Caras is being held at La Campana in the Spanish quarter (in my opinion a totally under-utilized part of town) and entry is only $5. Whoa!

"I don't know where this guy comes from, but he just shows up with some clothes and then off he goes. I don't even know if he lives around here, in fact I don't know where he lives?
Someone said he lives in a cave," says Carly owner of gallery/mens boutique The End Collective about artist/ designer Teeroy of label Debris Blanc. Tucked away from society in a cave on top of a mountain, right by the industrial part of town, lies the headquarters, the "Laboritorium". It is a thought manufacturing plant, there are no assembly lines, no 8-year-olds sewing sequins and rhinestones to classy department store's evening wear, just 1 lone designer, ideas, inspirations from friends, some implements of art and a few sewing machines. The laboritorium is a place to create, not just clothing and art but ideas, it's a place for artists to come together and exchange ideas, with these ideas we hope to boost the collective creative consciousness of those around us by sharing what we have and what we know.
Finally a clothing label that isn't about consumerism, isn't about putting its brand over everybodies chest, i'ts about getting them to think `I could do this'. If this sounds like you, head to The End Collective at 1/3 Marvell St, Byron Bay. All artwork and clothing will be on display until January 31.
By Sascha Watson

Crystal castles is Canadian duo Ethan Kath and Alice Glass. Together they make glitchy electro-pop that’s built on sonorant drum-beats and riddled with video game references (the name Crystal Castles comes from the Atari game that preceeded Pac-Man). Record label ado has been hanging around CC for a while now and, having completed tours with Australia’s own Presets; as well as These New Puritans and The Teenagers, the duo is set to release their first L.P in March. The single “Air War” is expected to appear on afformentioned long player – above is the video which features Kath and Glass (who are apparently wary of showing their faces) with ice creams for heads, yes, ice cream heads!!!!

A good friend of mine (who's musically taste I trust implicitly) has thrust upon me a band that he reckons will become my new favourite in the '08. The Portland, Oregon origins of Glass Candy kind of betray their music -  which I will describe to you as weird ass, swoony Euro- Disco by way of The Knife, Indeep and Lucky-Star era Madonna. Glass Candy are signed to music label Italians do it better who, going from the other acts on their roster, appear to specialise in this kind of mind-f**k electronica.  And while I'm no authority on this particular genre (or any dance genre for that matter) club favourites Simian Mobile Disco are apparently all about it – citing Italians do it better, and Glass Candy in particular, as a major inspiration behind their new work. The fashion world has also caught on (always a good barometer for a musical trend  - Nu-Wave/ anything produced by Pete Doherty anyone?) with Chloe using GC single "Broadway Girl' to open their most recent runway show. So maybe the music of Glass Candy will become the soundtrack of 2008? You can always determine that for yourself when they tour here with CSS in March. Are they my favourite band yet? Well, they're growing on me.

Soooo, in case you haven’t already heard, the enigmatic and amazing cat power (a.k.a the object of my major girl-crush) is touring Australia in March. OMG. This will be Chan Marshall’s first national tour since 2003 and the very first time she has brought her full-time band, Dirty Delta Blues, with her (the band named after it’s member's musical lineage: Dirty Three drummer Jim White, Greg Foreman of Delta 72 and Blues Explosion guitarist; Judah Bauer). Having put a well-publicised battle with alcohol and depression behind her - and found herself a glove-like band arrangement - Miss Marshall is said to be connecting with her audience better than she ever has (with none of the mid-set walkouts that fans had witnessed on previous tours). Cat Power has also become quite the fashion plate recently; with Unkle Karl announcing her as the face of the new Chanel campaign and inviting her to perform during the label’s fall runway show (Well known as a music fan, Mr Lagerfeld apparently modelled the show’s hair and make-up on that of another female performer: Amy Winehouse). But anyway bla bla bla, the point is: CAT POWER is coming to AUSTRALIA. So get in there when tix appear on the 21st of January.

Remember the sweet and naïve Cindy Campbell from the Scary Movie franchise? Or Kelly; the vapid actress (and thinly veiled Cameron Diaz dig) in Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation? Both characters were played by Anna Faris who, following those roles, had quite the cloud of next-big-thing conjecture hanging over her head. The rain of magazine covers and movie credits never really eventuated though which - considering she is a comic gold and cute as a button also -  still confounds me. Hopefully all that will all change with the release of Smiley Face; a new film from cult "queer cinema" director Gregg Araki in which Faris sports a cloud of a different nature -  a perpetual ring of skunk smoke. As part-time actress/ fulltime waster Jane.F, Faris plays the bong-coddling protagonist in what critics from the NY Times to Time Out Magazine are hailing as a stoner film for a new generation. Faris has other films out this year including Mama's Boy with Diane Keaton and Kids in America, from It's all Gone Pete Tong director Michael Dowse. Maybe 2008 will be her year?