DJ TR!P
by Scott McLennan
Back in the 1980s, Tyson Hopprich had the coolest grandma in town. While other nannas were busy making macramé toilet roll holders to give their grandchildren for Christmas, Tyson’s granny was introducing him to the world of electronic gaming, unintentionally setting the youngster on a career path.
“For me, my dad and grandma were gamers and they both had machines called ColecoVision, which were like home consoles that came out around the same time as Atari 2600s but were a lot more powerful,” Tyson, AKA DJ TR!P, explains. “They got me into gaming as they were always trying to beat each other.”
Coleco tournaments with his family led to weekends in high school spent with friends making video games and demos on Amiga computers.
“We’d have nerd nights and it was this community that got me into it. I felt like I was a part of something and it kept me motivated and moving forward. I really wanted to be a visual artist rather than a musician, but after high school music always made me happy.”
Initially making a name for himself as a member of acclaimed local duo The New Pollutants, the artist’s initial electronic dabbling now forms the basis for his sought-after skills. Earning praise for his theatrical soundtracks as well as his DJ sets, TR!P now returns with Sid Vicious, his first solo CD in five years.
“There was that period where I was doing a lot of theatre and dance [scores] and the Metropolis project was our last big project with The New Pollutants. It took a year to do and it was pretty heavy duty getting it to the quality we wanted. All the other scores and commissions are good fun, but they are quite intense. The next show I’m doing, Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen, I have three-and-a-half weeks to make an hour’s worth of music. When you make a solo album you give yourself nine months or a year, but I’m pumping out this music in short bursts with hardcore deadlines. In between commissions you feel like you don’t want to make heaps of music because you already have been.”
Rather than merely sampling existing 8-Bit games from the era of the Sega Master System and Nintendo Gameboy, Sid Vicious finds Tyson composing his own sounds using the vintage technology.
“I don’t actually sample any games, I make original sounds with the Gameboy or Commodore 64. I love the sounds from these machines and I want to create that kind of vibe. I am paying homage to the soundtracks these machines. It can be pretty primitive and hardcore. For one of the tracks on Sid Vicious I used a little composer on the Gameboy to make the beats, bassline and melody and then I sent it to my PC and used some Commodore 64 sounds.”
A participant in the successful Game On video game exhibition at Melbourne’s ACMI earlier in the year (where his personal collection of antique gaming peripherals such as the Nintendo Power Glove drew the attention of crowds), Tyson admits with good humour that he’s still a nerd.
“The music on Sid Vicious has a serious side in terms of production and trying to make unique sounds, but it’s about having fun and it’s dance music, basically. I was a nerd in high school and am still a nerd now, so why hide it? You’ve gotta have fun.”
DJ TR!P launches Sid Vicious at the Crown & Sceptre on Sat Sep 6 with a live set by Subsketch and DJs Jayar and Alistair Cookie.

TALIA WITTMANN
by Robert Dunstan

Locally-bred country singer Talia Wittmann was the 2008 Toyota Star Maker winner at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. As part of her prize, she has just released her debut album, Reckless Side Of Me, on Compass Records and having recently supported James Reyne, is now looking forward to performing in her hometown with Mark Seymour.
Talia, who was schooled at Modbury High, has always been a fan of country music.
“I grew up listening to country music because dad always had it blaring out of his shed. And I loved dancing when I was a kid. I was always dancing around and gradually grew into the singing side of it.
“I’ve got two older sisters and an older brother so I’m the baby of the family,” she adds.
Talia had a hand in writing many of the songs for her debut.
“[Producer and Compass Records boss] Graham Thompson and I sat down and I showed him some of my songs and he made some suggestions about what I might like to record. So, collectively, we worked out what would sound best for an album. And I’ve to six of my songs on there which includes the co-writes. I actually got to do some songwriting with some pretty amazing people.”
These included Michael Carr, Lianna Rose, Dai Pritchard, Karl Brodie along with locally-based writer John O’Dea.
“And working with Karl Broadie was amazing,” Talia enthuses. “I just rocked up at Karl’s place one day feeling a bit nervous but I told him a bit of my story and then he said he’d like to write a love song so we came up with I Can Say That Now.”
Nashville writer Angeleena Presley penned Ladylike and Ain’t No Man.
“She wrote  a lot of stuff for Kirsty Lee Akers’ debut album,” Talia said of the previous Toyota Star Maker winner. “So Graham put a few of Angeleena songs to me and I really liked them. I just like her clever lyrics. And Ladylike is such a cheeky little song.”
The album was recorded in Australia utilising some of this country’s top session players..
“I just rocked up at the studio and met all these amazing musicians but they all made me feel comfortable.”
US pedal steel legend ‘Dangerous’ Dan Dugmore, who plays on The Waifs’ latest studio album and on many of US singer Linda Ronstadt’s recordings, added his instrument over in Nashville.
“We just sent the tapes over there,” Talia says, “and he sent them back pretty much straight away after he’d added his bits. It was pretty cool having someone from Nashville playing on my album.”
Talia, who is now based on NSW’s central coast, officially launched her Reckless Side Of Me debut at the recent Gympie Muster in Queensland and is looking forward to returning home to perform with Mark Seymour.
“It was great supporting James Reyne so I can’t believe I’m supporting Mark Seymour,” Talia laughs. “And that kind of thing certainly opens up a few doors. Hopefully I’ll do that with my band, Overdrive, who are all local boys.”
Talia Wittmann supports Mark Seymour at Norwwood Hotel on Thu Sep 11 and Fri Sep 12. Reckless Side Of Me Is Out now via Compass.

LOCAL HYPE

JAHMIN’S 700TH
Ben Jahmin, from local band Poetikool Justice, will be celebrating over 700 shows in seven years at 100.5 WOW FM! A major force behind getting WOW broadcasting 24/7 in 2002, Jahmin has been involved in programming, publicity and training. His massive input has seen WOW move forward very quickly for a community radio station, which was initially only meant to serve the north western suburbs of Adelaide. Join the mayhem with many guests, local bands and those party seagulls on Tue Sep 16 from 5pm until late on 100.5FM or live online at <stream.wowfm.org>. Join in on all the celebrations!

DJ TALENT
Crown & Anchor is currently looking for new DJs for a range of weeknights and weekends, so if you think you’ve got what it takes, listen up. They’re searching the streets of Adelaide for the finest DJ talent and here’s the deal. They’re looking for people to compliment the plethora of original live music at the venue, so if you are original, interesting and fantastic at spinning tunes and making people get their dancy pants on and you want to get paid for it, email Chelsea at <crankabookings.on.net> or call 0409 222 383. 

MTV KICKSTART
Adelaide locals Skye Harbour were recently crowned as winners at the third heat of MTV’s national band competition, Kickstart. Congratulations guys! Skye Harbour will continue on as the Adelaide representative at the Kickstart Grand Final to be held in Sydney on Tue Sep 9. Held at local hotspot Rocket Bar, the Adelaide five-some, Josh Hardy, Matt Nicholas, Beefy, Frank Sweet and Jack Arentz, were voted the favourites by the expert panel of judges including Taasha Coates Of The Audreys, Tim Borgas from Three D Radio, Scott McLennan from Rip It Up and MTV Communications Manager, Laura Vozzo. Skye Harbour battled it out against The Touch, Zeta, The Keepsakes and Battery Kids to take the winner’s crown. Battling out at the finals to receive the Kickstart Grand Prize including $15,000 cash, introductions to Australian music label A&R departments, publicity support from MTV Australia and involvement in The MTV Red Carpet Show at the 2008 ARIA Awards broadcast, it’s a huge one! Make sure you get behind our boys by voting online at <mtv.com.au/kickstart>. Voting will commence on Mon Sep 15 and will be open until Fri Oct 10. The MTV Kickstart winner will be announced live online at <mtv.com.au/kickstart> on Wed Oct 15.

ROBYN HABEL
Robyn Habel has just completed recording her third original album at Love Hz Studios in Sydney. Catch Robyn and her band in full flight performing new songs, songs from her previous CDs, and a few tunes with Bert (her double bass), on Sun Sep 7 from 6pm at The Trinity Sessions, 318 Goodwood Rd, Clarence Pk. Also performing will be the fabulous community choir Nobody’s Fault But Mine. A top night not to be missed! Bookings can be made at <dramatix.com.au> and more information is at <myspace.com/robynhabel>.

EROSION
Looking for a new job and can sing? Erosion has been tirelessly looking for a fresh, talented singer for over two months now, so maybe you could make their day! They are a three-piece heavy alternative rock band. To register your interest, head to <myspace.com/rockinerosion>, email <tazaz@optusnet.com.au> or ring 0433 726 862.

GUITAR SAFARI
Guitar Safari is a local ensemble consisting of Chris Finnen, Josh Bennett, Tim Bennett and Paddy Montgomery. Each member is a recognised, practicing artist in his own right and busy schedules mean they only come to the stage as Guitar Safari two or three times each year. Formed as a vehicle for fun, musical camaraderie and creative expression, Guitar Safari plays acoustic world music and makes full use of each member's background in multiple instrumentation and diverse genres. They’ll be coming together on Fri Sep 5 at The Wheatsheaf Hotel, so head along and experience their tunes.

SPRING EQUINOX CELEBRATION
The Equinox crew are in bloom once more with the annual Spring Cycle Equinox arts-hybrid festival, which will be coming together on Sat Sep 20 at host venue the Jolly Miller Hotel from 7pm till 5am. Focusing on progressive visual and performance art forms such as live projection, electronic music, illusionism and of course some rocking bands for your entertainment, join in with live acts such as Trixie Plain, Space Monks, The Flying Colours and HyperSpatial with DJs Mr Young, Goanymph and DJ LX. Also marvel at V.J Lumen’s and Nebula’s visuals and effortless magician DeeJay Lloyd and much more. A mini arts market will colour the chill out beergarden area also home to tasty BBQ treats (including vege options). Tickets are on sale now through VenueTix and direct from all performers. For regular updates head to the official online site at <equinox2008.tk>.

DJ TR!P
DJ Tr!p is launching his first solo CD in five years this weekend, so make sure you head along to the Crown & Sceptre on Sat Sep 6. Tr!p will be performing live grimy 8-bit electro, beats and breaks with a laptop, game boy, PSP, decks and effects! Supporting him will be Subsketch performing live hip hop and beats plus DJs Jayar and Alistair Cookie on the decks. Doors open at 9pm sharp and entry is just $5 or $15 with SID Vicious CD.

PURGATORY
We heard on the grapevine that one of South Australia’s local talents is heading to Sydney after having won the Global Battle Of The Bands! Congratulations to Purgatory, who played their very first gig at this event and walked away with the winning accolades. They’re heading to the east to the national finals, so let’s hope they walk away with those kudos and end up representing SA in London. Good luck!

SATAN’S CHEERLEADERS
We’ve just got word that Satan’s Cheerleaders have completed their debut album Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea. In support of its release, Satan’s Cheerleaders will be playing a launch show on Fri Sep 19 at Queens Arms Hotel. Doors will be swinging open at 7.30pm and all you have to do is fork over $10 or $20 for entry and a CD. They’ll be supported by Sons Of Sun as well as real cheerleaders and a magician! That’s right - real live cheerleaders. And a magician doing magic tricks! All in all, the night will be swing dancing, cheerleading magic, trickery-ing madness and fun. Much like the garden of unearthly delights but at a fraction of the cost and with three different kinds of entertainment before the cheerleaders even play. There will also be a mystery guest speaker at the beginning of the night. Who could it be? What will they say? So get involved with Satan's Cheerleaders!

THE PLEASURE OF RECORDING
Having recorded their forthcoming debut EP at Broadcast Studio in late July, The Pleasure Of Books are gearing up to an official launch in late ’08 with a series of gigs. You can catch the band at Rundle St’s the Exeter Hotel on Sat Sep 6 for a two-set fest of goodness. The band has posted a ‘teaser’ track for the EP on MySpace and invite all and sundry to go to <myspace.com/thepleasureofbooks> for a listen.