→ ↑ → (pronounced as three clicks of the tongue, often written as Tsk Tsk Tsk or Tch Tch Tch) was an Australian experimental music project formed in Melbourne in 1977 and led by Philip Brophy. Sometimes compared to Andy Warhol's Factory collective, the group produced experimental music, films, videos, and live theatrical performances exploring Brophy's aesthetic and cultural interests, often on a minimal budget. Musically the group touched upon a wide range of styles including minimalism, punk rock, muzak, krautrock and disco, usually with no vocalist.
In 1980, Brophy co-founded 'Innocent
Records' with David Chesworth. The label featured many performers connected
with the Clifton Hill Community Music Centre (CHCMC), including → ↑ →, David
Chesworth, Synthetic Dream, Essendon
Airport and The
Dave & Phil Duo. Most recording was done at La Trobe University's
8-track studio where Chesworth was studying. Concurrent with the management of
the label they also co-edited, published and distributed the 'New Music' magazine,
which documented work from CHCMC. The magazine, funded by benefit concerts,
helped shift work from the centre into a more public arena. Concerts included
those at the Guild Theatre at Melbourne
University and the
Glasshouse Theatre at RMIT. Two compilation albums of performers featured in New
Music were also released on Innocent Records. By 1982 → ↑ → had ceased live musical performance and concentrated on film and
video production, mainly because the group was producing a great deal of work
that remained undocumented, and fewer people were involved in productions.
Over the ten years of the groups operation it involved over sixty of Brophy's friends and acquaintances including musician David Chesworth, and visual artists Maria Kozic and Jayne Stevenson. They performed in a wide range on Australian venues including pubs, galleries, university campuses and the Clifton Hill Community Music Centre. They also performed or exhibited in Europe, including London's Institute of Contemporary Arts and Paris's Museum of Modern Art. Brophy dissolved the group in the late 1980s, issuing a retrospective book in 1983: 'Made by → ↑ →'. He continued to work with his then partner Kozic for some time, prior to her relocation to New York.
For a full discography click HERE
Tsk Tsk Tsk key line-up from 1977 - 1986 included: Philip Brophy – Drums /Synthesizer, Ralph Traviato – Synthesizer /Saxophone, Leigh Parkhill – Synthesizer /Guitar, Maria Kozic – Synthesizer, Jayne Stevenson – Synthesizer. For more participants click HERE



Oomgawa wana tuba bibi - Tsk-Tsk-Tsk.mp3



- Main Image - Tsk Tsk Tsk performing - Courtesy of David Chesworth
- Background Image - 'Pop Art' single 1979, Crystal Ballroom - Courtesy Blog
- Arrows - courtesy Journal Fibreculture
- 'Venetian Rendezvous' cover 1979 - Courtesy Striped Sunlight
- Pop Art single cover 1979 - Courtesy Blog
- Tsk Tsk Tsk live - Courtesy Journal Fibreculture
- Philip Brophy & Maria Kozic 1981 - Photos by Robert Rooney - Courtesy National Portrait Gallery
- MP3 Track - 'Oomgawa Wanna Tubba Bibi', New Music 1978/79, Innocent Records 1981 (Brophy)
- http://www.philipbrophy.com/
- http://journal.fibreculture.org/issue7/issue7_tofts_print.html
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsk_Tsk_Tsk
- http://www.rainerlinz.net/NMA/22CAC/brophy.html
- http://www.micksinclair.com/nme/tsk.html
- http://www.discogs.com/artist/%E2%86%92+%E2%86%91+%E2%86%92?noanv=1
- http://mutant-sounds.blogspot.com.au/2007/03/aka-tsk-tsk-tsk-kims-21st-birthday.html
- http://www.philipbrophy.com/projects/rstff/ThingCalledDisco_M.html