The Shadow Electric Open Air Cinema and Bar is now in its third year. For the uninitiated, could you tell us a little bit about how these events go down?
We started out with that films should be a show.
Getting back to the days when people went to see a film as both a social outing, and an exciting event, as opposed to the hum drum, sheep herding experience offered by the multiplex cinemas. The Abbotsford Convent provided us with the perfect place to get this happening. The 1800th Century architecture, grounds and entrance to the site all provide an awesome sense of anticipation on arrival at each film or band show.
We actually measure when to start each show by the line of thousands of bats which fly directly over us every night. Its the equivalent of our curtain.
After our first season we were encouraged by the Abbotsford Convent to push music in the old industrial school that houses our bar. It really is an bloody great room for music, as it is big enough for us to put a mammoth audio system, get good profile acts but intimate enough to be up and close to the bands. It really is very unique as a music venue and a cinema.
What’s the concept behind the programming?
We have a pretty long winded programming directive that we have developed over the last 3 years. But in short we want to show quality, innovative and entertaining cinema. We try to have a really rounded program and also try to get as much independent content as we can, whilst still attracting an audience.
We would often like to put on some really obscure cinema, but at the end of the day we need to fill 300 seats, so we balance our smaller and more niche film titles with some quality films that have major releases. High on the list of things we will NEVER SHOW is films containing Will Smith, Sarah Jessica Parker or Ben Affleck. We have an auto destruct mechanism on our projector if any of those dudes hit the screen, it’s like a mechanical gag reflex.
Did you have a certain criteria in mind when putting this year’s line-up together? Was there a certain vibe you were aiming to achieve?
We wanted big bold and entertaining artist for this year, and wanted to go more rock than we did last year; Bombay Royale, Palms, Bored Nothings, The Hello Morning and Tex Perkins have really filled this out well.
This might be like picking between children, but are there any shows in particular you’re dying to catch?
Yep, all for different reasons. Little Scout will really fill the room with their atmosphere, I expect to be mesmerised. It is the PERFECT venue for the raucous “dumb rock” of The APE. (Pat from The Ape’s words not mine). The double header of Palms and Bored Nothing will be a really really fun night.
What has been the most memorable moments from the showcase over the past two year?
Definitely when their was a power failure for all of Abbotsford and Collingwood . We had Worlds End Press and Collarbones for a sold out show and no power mid set for Collarbones. Our audience were so awesome and just chilled out under the emergency lighting listening to my battery powered boom box. It had this awesome vibe, like when it’s a rainy day at primary school and lunch is inside. People were passing notes and shit.
Then, literally while John (WEP) and I were delivering the sad news that we would have to can the show, the power came back on and Worlds End Press got on stage, tuned up tore the place a part!
How much preparation goes into the actual events in terms of production and installation?
It takes 4 of us 4 months of preparation for each season.
We are literally turning what is essentially an empty old warehouse and Convent school yard into a world class band room and cinema installation.
We are getting very good at it though.
Tell us why we shouldn’t miss this year’s list of shows.
How often do you get to watch touring artists play in an up until recently abandoned convent, with better production than traditional venues?
One week a year, at the Shadow Electric Band Room.
The Shadow Electric Band Room 2013 Program
2nd November 2013
THE BOMBAY ROYALE (presented by HopeStreet Recordings)
Doors at 7pm.
3rd November 2013
LITTLE SCOUT
With special guest I, A Man
Doors at 7pm.
4th November 2013
THE APE
Featuring Tex Perkins, Raul Sanchez, Gus Agars & Pat Bourke
Supports TBA.
Doors open at 7pm.
7th November 2013
PLUTO JONZE
With special guest, Tin Lion
Doors at 7pm.
8th November 2013
COURTNEY BARNETT
Courtney Barnett and special guests.
Doors at 7pm.
9th November 2013
PALMS & BORED NOTHING
Doors at 7pm.
Tickets at shadowelectric.com.au
