The Stew - Issue Two [Grapeshot Magazine]

LISTEN

Girl Talk

Let me tell you, this nerdy-looking guy from Pennsylvania sure knows how to rock the beats and is very generous when it comes to reaching the masses. Yes, Girl Talk is a guy – a guy who happens to know how to keep your eardrums very happy. His latest album, All Day, can be downloaded for FREE at the website below and each of the 12 tracks, which are actually meant to be listened to as one long track, will not only wow you but will also have you thinking, ‘I swear I know this song!’ Why? Because Girl Talk is the master of mash-ups. All Day samples well over 300 songs from a plethora of artists to bring us something new and oh-so-fresh. I’m talking, Kanye. Nirvana. Kylie. Outkast. The Doors. M.I.A. Miley. Neil Diamond. U2. Britney. Gaga. Beyonce. Daft Punk. And bundles more. So, with such a mixed bag of tunes available at absolutely no cost to you, Girl Talk is sure to please.

www.illegal-art.net/allday/

WATCH

Californication, Channel 11

This show is smokin’ hot, slightly disturbing and momentarily cringe-worthy. Really, what more could you ask for? The protagonist, Hank Moody (David Duchovny), is an egotistical, self-loathing, womanising and damaged novelist whose daily rituals seem to involve little more than smoking, drinking, engaging in mostly forgettable sexual encounters and battling writer’s block. Throw in a long time ex-girlfriend, a teenage daughter, a couple of drug-dependent yet dependable friends and there you have it – the perfect way to break up the monotony of trashy current affairs programs and exhausting reality TV. But this is a show where absolutely nothing is considered too much so I wouldn’t recommend it for the prudish or faint-hearted.

DRINK

Pimms No. 1

It’s Pimms o’clock! This scrumptious liqueur tantalises the tastebuds with citrus and spice and is delectable during rain, hail or shine. Just mix 200mL of Pimms No. 1 with 600mL of lemonade and then add some mint, cucumber, orange and strawberries for a slice of cocktail heaven. Admittedly, it’s a lot more work than cracking open a beer or pouring a glass of wine but the work really does pay off.

www.anyoneforpimms.com

EAT

Saké Restaurant & Bar

Exquisite cocktails – check. Divine Japanese cuisine – check. Impeccable service – check. Located on super trendy Argyle St in The Rocks, Saké Restaurant & Bar offers a vast range of contemporary Japanese goodies in an atmosphere that is warm, exciting and enjoyed by the likes of Dita von Teese. No, I’m not kidding. Much to my other half’s delight, the minx herself was sitting right behind me. I’m almost positive he spent the whole night checking her out but pretending he was looking at me.

With cocktails starting from $15 a pop, it’s probably not the best place to go for a huge night. But with dishes ranging from $8 - $33, it’s most definitely a hot spot to get a good night well underway. My personal recommendations: Salt and Pepper Tofu ($11) – melts in your mouth. Beef Tataki ($18) – party on your tongue. Chocolate Fondant with White-Sesame Ice-Cream ($15) – absolute bliss.

www.sakerestaurant.com.au

RELISH

Sydney’s Garage Sale Trail

Do you have bits and bobs lying around the house that deserve to go to a better home? Or do you just love digging through other people’s pre-loved treasures and finding the ultimate bargain? Either way, the Garage Sale Trail is just the thing for you. On April 10^th there will be thousands of garage sales all over the country opening their garage doors in order to reuse and recycle their unwanted gems rather than turning them into landfill. To jump on the bandwagon, register your garage sale at the website below. Or, if it’s those vintage one-offs you’re after, the website will point you in all the right directions. And regardless of whether you’re a seller or a shopper, make sure you wear your comfy shoes.

www.garagesaletrail.com.au

CATCH

Every Drop Of The Dwindling Sunshine

It’s that time of year when you can feel winter creeping up on you and summer slowly losing it’s grip. No more thongs and swimmers. No more Zooper Doopers. Just long sleeves, hairy legs and thick socks. Ugh. But before you let the icy chill grab hold, make the most of the bright days and balmy nights that we still have left. Jump in the ocean. Fly a kite. Go fishing. There are a lot of assessments to get through before summer is back again. What a bummer.

Editorial - Issue Two: Take it Off! [Grapeshot Magazine]

Take it off. Take it all off. Actually no, do what you like. Who am I to tell you how to enjoy your freshly printed copy of Grapeshot Magazine? It really doesn’t bother me, as long as you do, in fact, enjoy it. Perhaps this should be the case with all things. ‘Sir, please put your clothes back on – you’re offending the little old lady over there,’ says the police officer. ‘Well officer, I’d really prefer not to because I’m enjoying the fresh air,’ replies the offending individual. Ok, perhaps not.

In actual fact, we’re coming to that dreaded time of year when we aren’t taking it off but putting it on. The bronzed skin and thongs will slowly leave us, and the scarves, tea and muffin tops will start to settle in. So, before we all delve into the doom and gloom of the cooler months, let us use this issue of Grapeshot to delight in stripping down and taking it off.

As a child you learn the vital lesson of Band-Aids – take it off as quick as a flash in order to reduce potential whimpering time. How about the removal of a Band-Aid as an analogy for life itself? If it hurts, close your eyes and get rid of it as quickly as possible.

If you were Taylor Lautner, how would you feel about taking it off? I’m pretty sure I’d absolutely love it. You will be amazed to discover in the following pages the story of a boy with Taylor Lautner-esque abs who dreads taking his shirt off for fear of gawking. If only we all had that problem, hey?

And what better issue to get something off your chest? Figuratively, of course. Picture this. You’re at a festival. It’s smack bang in the middle of the day and well above 30 degrees. You’re trying desperately to look like you’re having a good time. But then, you feel it. The sweaty, hairy chest of the chubby guy beside you. Your whole left side is wet. You think you’re going to be sick. And so, we have our rant.

But that’s only the very start of what this issue has to offer. I urge you to keep turning those pages because there is bound to be something that will tease, tantalise or tempt you to take it off and let it rip. And when that happens, make sure you let us know by writing to grapeshotmq@gmail.com.