hot men look hotter in skinny jeans

Bush + Staind - The Palace Theatre (01.03.12)

2012-03-05T16:29:00.001+11:00

I've been hot for Gavin Rossdale since I was 10 years old. This gig was awesome. He's still a fine specimen of a man and looks every inch the rockstar when he performs. Commentary from my friend and I during the show included:

Ash: he has nice arms, I like arms, they're hot

Me: he should take his shirt off, no seriously why isn't he topless yet?

The man ran through the crowd and was singing a meter away from where we were standing. I almost passed out and Ash did indeed touch those lovely arms. Yes I am a tragic fan girl, and yes it was a fantastic moment. Read the official write up here, it is as swoony as the paragraph you just read.

Closing night of the East Brunswick Club with Oscar 'N' Martin + The Parking Lot Experiments (29.02.12)

2012-03-05T16:13:00.000+11:00

I'll never forget the first time I went to the East Brunswick Club, I was new to this whole reviewing business and had a gig to cover in the bandroom. Unfortunately there was no guest list when I arrived, so naturally I went and sat out in the beer garden with a pint and read Inpress. Sadly 4 pints later there was still no guest list and by the time I had gotten into the bandroom I was so sloshed that I fell asleep on the floor and awoke during the middle of the final bands set. Thus began my relationship with some of the stickiest carpet in town. I've had many a great night at that pub and given that it was the only quality live music venue in Brunswick for many years, it will be sorely missed. Read my official write up of the evening here.

The Night Terrors + Rohypnotise + Pearls - Phoenix Public House (25.02.12)

2012-03-02T11:57:00.000+11:00

Luke Benge’s new project Rohypnotise made their live debut at the Phoenix on Saturday and their particular brand of chilled out dream pop made for pleasant listening. The band had a very relaxed vibe and while they aren’t the liveliest bunch I’ve ever seen, the strength of their music was obvious during the last few songs that I arrived in time to see. They were a fun, technically accomplished band who are definitely worth keeping an eye on.

I found Pearls set to be a bit hit and miss. Their outfit uniformity was amusing and the way they worked their atmospherics with the slow building instrumental climaxes was enjoyable. However I found it difficult to engage with the band as they were quite stand offish and barely acknowledged the audience, seemingly intent on honing their sound. My mind kept zoning in and out during their performance and whether you blame it on the heat, sleep deprivation or the band’s indifference, for whatever reason I could not make myself pay attention to them while they were onstage. Here’s hoping for a better time with Pearls on our next encounter.

I first witnessed the majesty of The Night Terrors at the bar formerly known as Trout in North Hobart back in 2006. Miles Brown had fluoro pink hair and the most amazing presence I had ever encountered that I was instantly smitten with the band. Six years on The Night Terrors live show is still one of the best things I have ever seen. They offer such a unique experience as they fully engage your every sense with both the power of their compositions and Brown’s incredible theremin skills. He is an elegant performer who plays with a subtle grace and the way he interacts with his instrument as though they are one is thrilling to witness.

The Night Terrors are the real deal and they played a mind blowing set that was enhanced by the lighting display and the visual projections at the back of the stage. The band perform as a unified being, exuding a raw energy and unbridled passion the likes of which is rare to witness and difficult to put into words. The way they express through their instrumental compositions floors me every time I see them play and it was a pleasant surprise to discover that their new material includes a few vocals courtesy of Brown.

It’s criminal that The Night Terrors have a more supportive following overseas then they do here in Australia. They are a must see live act who hopefully will soon garner the accolades that their talent deserves.

Written for The AUreview

Neon Indian + Snakadaktal + Miami Horror DJ’s - Prince Bandroom (24.02.12)

2012-02-29T08:29:00.000+11:00

Of all the bars that are currently closing down in Melbourne (farewell The East, Miss Libertines and now RAOB GAB) why the fuck the Prince is still operating as a live music venue is beyond me. They're like St. Kilda's answer to Hi Fi - a whore cellar with bathrooms that wreak of vomit and are inhabited by tragic posing wasted fashion victims look underage and the sound quality is always poor. The gig on Friday was awful. It was one of the worst nights out I've had in awhile. The sound in the bandroom was atrocious and the venue should've been refunding the price of admission for the piss poor quality of their audio and raping the punters ears with the constant deafening squeal of feedback that destroyed the headliners set. I've read a few other reviews of this gig who claim the band just weren't 'feeling it' - pretty hard to build an atmosphere when you can't even hear yourself in the fold back. The band only have a certain level of control over the audio, this is why sound technician's exist. If Neon Indian brought their own then they need to fire that bastard. If that was the venue's soundy then again - they need to fire that bastard. You can read the official write up here. Much like this little rant it is incredibly cranky pants.

On another note Snakadaktal are incredibly bland onstage. No surprises that they're going to do well thanks to Triple J's backing, given how generic their live show is and how meaningless their songs are I imagine their time in the spotlight will be short lived once the bobble heads have moved onto the next over hyped bore fest. Maybe once they've finished puberty and learnt to scratch the emotional surface a bit deeper then a bee's dick they'll be more swoon worthy. As it is their songs are catchy and well constructed but it was like watching high school battle of the bands during their set. Old lady angry whinging done and dusted.

Gosteleradio - "The Somme" free download

2012-02-28T09:47:00.000+11:00

The boys from Gosteleradio have a present for you - a free download of their latest single "The Somme" taken from 2011's self titled EP. If you haven't listened to this band yet then now is an excellent time to acquaint yourself with their music as they do dreamy psych pop very well.

Listen to and download "The Somme" below:

Kool Thing - Light Games Video

2012-02-24T08:47:00.000+11:00

Berlin based duo Kool Thing recently played a few shows supporting Canadian wunderkids Austra who were out on their jaunt for Laneway Festival, and their live show was so intensely pleasurable that I have developed a mild (read that as massive) obsession with the band. Jon Dark and Julie Dance really do it for me with their brooding electronics that are laden with the ethereal atmospherics and sensual enticements that occur with the freedom of the night.

Watch the video for "Light Games" below and grab yourself a free download of the EP from their bandcamp. Fingers crossed they'll play more shows in Melbourne soon.

kool thing - Light Games [OFFICIAL VIDEO] from Claire Kurylowski on Vimeo.

Camden

2012-02-23T09:28:00.000+11:00

Introducing Camden Chan, the front man and songwriter for the Sydney based four-piece Camden. Every piece of press you read about this man refer's to his Morrisey-esque vocal qualities and Smiths influence, but when I listen to Camden I prefer to focus on the sweet sonic bliss and intelligent lyrics that display his biting wit which is backed up by incredibly catchy melodies that make a refreshing change from all of the generic garage, mindless indie pop-rock and cliched synth acts that are currently infecting the airwaves and floating around a band room near you.

Camden rises above his more obvious influence's and his gritty, honest lyrics are very endearing. Head on over to the band's Triple J Unearthed page for some free downloads. "Please Don't Hold Me In Your Arms" makes me rather swoony. Camden are destined for bigger and better things. Jump on board their band wagon now.

The Peep Tempel + Damn Terran + Candy To Claw - Northcote Social Club (17.02.12)

2012-02-22T07:53:00.000+11:00

I really enjoyed The Peep Tempel's album launch on Friday night. The band are more fun then a barrel of monkeys and it was one of those rare evenings where I actually enjoyed every band on the lineup - hooray for not having to endure any shitty support acts. The official write up for the AUreview can be read here. Have a listen to the record below.

Field Trip

2012-02-21T08:37:00.000+11:00

Say hello to Field Trip, a Melbournian four piece who play heart felt indie shoegazey pop that is drenched in romantic nostalgia. They bring to mind the nineties sound of bands like Motor Ace and Ammonia (in their Eleventh Avenue period), with a far more chilled out, melancholic vibe. The jangly chorus' and inherently pretty melodies make for heavenly listening.

Check out their Cream EP which is available to download from their bandcamp page.

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://fieldtripmusic.bandcamp.com/album/cream-ep"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Cream EP by Field Trip&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

Zayd Thring solo record + Pets With Pets for SXSW 2012

2012-02-20T21:36:00.000+11:00

Zayd Thring is an enigma whose artistic power and intense presence never ceases to amaze. The last time I saw him play with Pets was an underwhelming experience to say the very least but I believe in Zayd and more importantly I believe in his music and while his solo record Paradise Living is exceptionally raw and at times caustic to the ears, there are flashes of brilliance that you just know will be amazing live and have the potential to be sheer genius on record if the man had more resources to put toward his recordings. "Bethnal Green Street Hussle" and "A Little Horse" are standout tracks on the release, which is available as a 'pay what you feel' download via Thring's bandcamp page. What I love most about Thring's music is the outpouring of emotions, which come thick and fast and can be all consuming. That combined with his penchance for the weird and wonderful results in music that is fresh, exciting and unlike anything else that is currently floating around out there on the interwebs.

His message from the official press release can be read below:

I have spent the better part of the last 3 - 4 weeks writing and recording this in my room. I have always enjoyed home recordings the most, and when I obtained a free 4 track I started doing some of my own. I have used the inspiration of my recent trip around Europe with my girlfriend Ella for subject matter on most of the songs. Although 'Die Kultur In Berlin' was recorded before I actually went to Berlin, it is not a song about being in Berlin personally. It is the only song that appears that was recorded prior to the last 3 weeks. The rest are things that happen just around the traps. I remember telling someone that I wanted to make a very Australian Urban album that wasn't shitty hip hop..Inner city living in Melbourne. The title of the album I have to give credit for to my beautiful Sydney sages Liam and Lucas. Who's concept of Paradise Living is Living outside of ones means with no money.

This concept translates to the making of this album. I don't have a lot of stuff. Just a Casiotone, shitty guitar , shitty microphone and some free shitty iphone apps. With the help of a delay pedal or two I tried to make the best album with the means that I had. It is always a way to gain some more funds for my upcoming American tour.. The album is free, but I highly encourage you to donate.

Thank You

Zayd Thring
2012

Pets With Pets will be playing at this year's SXSW festival in Texas, and given the footage that has emerged from their most recent run of shows the punters in Austin will be in for one hell of a treat. Watch the clip and prepare to be awestruck.

Slow Chase - The Blind Spot (2012 EP)

2012-02-20T18:15:00.001+11:00

Local duo Slow Chase are locked, loaded and ready to rock with the release of their debut EP The Blind Spot. Adam Gretsy and Emily Shaw have a good thing going on with their catchy hooks that were made for the good times. The three track release packs one hell of a punch, kicking off with the lead single "You'll Never See Me" and its menacing guitars that perfectly compliment Gretsy's vocal snarl as the sinister threats of revenge unfold. "Sweet Fuse" has more of a slow moving, epic feel with the softer melodies offering a moment of contemplative solace before the record ends on the endlessly catchy "Algernon" and it's 'nah na na hey hey' sing along lyrics.

Technically Slow Chase are very tight and they excel in the art of sweaty, rollicking riffs that were ready made for the indie dance floors. They don't offer anything new to the genre and nor does their music have that emotional edge that I crave, but it is jolly good fun that you can thrash around to with beers on sticky carpets which speaks to me of a cracking night out whenever they get around to unleashing their live show on the local scene.

Review Score: 6/10

Grab yourself a free download of The Blind Spot here.

Iluka - Paper Doll Video

2012-02-16T09:07:00.000+11:00

Sydney based artist Iluka is moving from strength to strength, growing from her jazz roots to a more retro-pop sound, her new single "Paper Doll" is a lively number that showcases her fantastic vocal ability with just enough melancholic nostalgia to elevate the track from being merely another pop song to something worthy of your attention.

Iluka has a few dates coming up in a city near you. Check out the details below:

Feb 18 - Brass Monkey, Cronulla

Feb 22 - Goodgod Small Club, Sydney

Feb 23 - Yours & Owls, Wollongong

Feb 24 - Trackdown Studios, Sydney

Mar 01 - The Wesley Anne, Melbourne

Mar 03 - Pure Pop Records, Melbourne

Mar 04 - The Treehouse, Byron Bay

Watch the clip for "Paper Doll", it'll make your day brighter.

Aa + Ladydreams - The Workers Club (13.02.12)

2012-02-15T04:36:00.000+11:00

Those of use who live amongst the local independent scene are well initiated with the many incarnations of Zayd Marcel Thring. There is no denying the effervescent force that exudes from the man when he takes to the stage, whether it be with Pets With Pets, Towels or his latest project Ladydreams.

The music is at times so cheesy it’s almost cringe worthy but live Thring execute’s his tunes with such passionate mayhem that it overrides the cliche. Ladydreams have a weird aesthetic, with half the band looking very into their sound, while the keyboardist and bass player looked to be bored shitless onstage. Technically they play well together with Ash Buscombe leading the charge on drums during the long instrumental pause that ensued while their guitarist ran off to fix his broken string. The sound mix was a bit off, with the vocals at times lost in the guitar fuzz, although with Thring one can never be sure if this was intentional or not.

If Ladydreams spent as much time rehearsing as they do dicking around they’d be a much tighter band, but as it was on this occasion, which was only their seventh live performance, their set was lively and engaging and is bound to improve as they notch more shows into their belts.

Brooklyn’s ever evolving rhythm experiment Aa are the most intense live band I have ever seen. Fresh from their appearance at Camp A Low Hum, the three piece play with such a fierce passion that I was involuntarily convulsing along to the music as I couldn’t stop my body from moving to their sound. They know how to work their atmospherics, building slowly with a long, bell chiming introduction before exploding in a haze of poly-rhythms and electronics that encompasses a little bit of everything from dub step, to post rock to trance and tribal beats.

Aa go nuts onstage, at times enshrouded in darkness before erupting in a sea of strobe and flailing limbs. Their artistry and technical ability is nothing short of amazing and it’s impossible not to loose yourself in their sound as the band transport you to another plane of existence with the fantastical nature of their live performance. They’re one of those bands that need to be seen to be believed as words are not adequate to describe the sweet manic bliss that was experienced during their set.

Written for The AUreview

The Morrisons + Udays Tiger - The Brunswick Hotel (10.02.12)

2012-02-15T04:26:00.001+11:00

A band from Adelaide called The Rules played a headlining gig at the good old Brunswick Hotel on Friday night and they made the rookie mistake of inviting two much better bands to be their supports. I almost felt bad for them with the lack of people who stuck around to watch them play, but then they began to play and the only form of sympathy I had was for my poor, poor ears that were being assaulted by their mundane sounds.

Ahem anyway Udays Tiger are top notch live. They play with oodles of raw energy and their live show makes me want to fuck everything I see before rioting in the streets over how bloody good they are. Their new songs are sounding sweet. End fan girl ravings here.

Bad phone pic of The Morrisons being shirtless and sweaty. No further commentary is required.

Pete Morrison is one hell of a hot motherfucker and he owns the stage with his manic presence and crazy eyes. The Morrisons ball breaking punk is so very good live, they have a frenetic energy and play like every breath will be their last. They've got a residency at The Tote on Saturday arvo's this month. If you aren't stuck at work like I am then you should head along and throw your underwear at the band. They are worth it.

Toro Y Moi + Washed Out - Hi Fi Bar (09.02.12)

2012-02-15T03:54:00.000+11:00

If memory serves it was about this time last year that I jumped the stage at The Workers and bear hugged Chaz Bundick at the end of his gig. That show was more enjoyable then his recent set at Hi Fi purely due to the venue (I loathe Hi Fi in all of its skanky, vomit stinking, bad sound mixing glory), however his Laneway sideshow last week was still amazing. The man is so hot onstage it took all of my will power not to do a stage invasion and mount him. I didn't care much at all for Washed Out. They had a very generic indie synth rock sound. The crowd lapped that up though. Read the official report here.

Girls + Twerps - Corner Hotel (08.02.12)

2012-02-15T03:46:00.001+11:00

I had a great time at this gig. Can't say I care much for Girls on record, they had such a 50's American prom vibe and I doubt the energy they play with translates into their studio work. Their live show was great though and made me incredibly swoony. Twerps appeared to be yet another Chapter Music band who have a patchy live persona and even the addition of good old Uncle Guy on keys did nothing to spark my interest. I guess when your own musical career went nowhere riding on the coat tails of the more successful band's on your label is the next best thing. They had one moment of brilliance which they saved for their last song. All in all their set was an unimpressive effort, but they showed a lot of promise during their last track. Anyway read the official write up here.

Briscoe

2012-02-14T08:14:00.000+11:00

Sydney based six-piece Briscoe do melancholy alt. country lamentations very well and their new single "Animal" is a slow burning, remorseful tune that explores guilt and human inhibitions amidst a backdrop of gentle guitars and wistful piano balladry.

Fronted by ex- Kid Confucius drummer Bart Denaro, Briscoe are embarking on a small tour to celebrate the release of "Animal". If you live on the east coast be sure to head along to the following shows:

16 FEB | GoodGod Small Club (SYD) w/ The Ray Mann Three
18 FEB | Phoenix Bar (CBR) w/ Waterford + Tales In Space
3 MAR | The Great Northern (NWC) w/ The Fearless Vampire Killers + The Owl

Check out the clip for "Animal" below:

Animal from Briscoe. on Vimeo.

I, A Man

2012-02-13T10:44:00.000+11:00

It's not often that colleagues from my day job in the lab have even heard of the bands I listen to, let alone are they able to recommend anything that I may actually enjoy. On this occasion though my friend Jacqui telling me to check out locals I, A Man was a winning tip on her part.

The four piece write integral tunes that disarm the listener with their moving emotional outpouring and gorgeously constructed melodies. Think rich, sweeping arrangements and spectral imagery combined with soulful vocals that pierce right through you.

The boys have recently released a new single entitled "You're Boring Us All" which is taken from their forthcoming EP of the same name. Take a listen to it below:

You're Boring Us All is due for release on Feb 17th through Shock and to celebrate I, A Man will be playing a dick load of shows at a bar near you. Check the details below:

Tehachapi, I'll’s & Neighbourhood Youth
Northcote Social Club – Northcote Vic
Tickets $10 + BF / $15 on the door
northcotesocialclub.com

Thursday 8th March
+ Founds, The Oyster Murders & Sunshine Ensemble
Cobra Kai Club - Oh Hello – Brisbane QLD
treatscollective.com

Friday 9thMarch
+ Tourism & Hope Springs
Solbar – Marchooydore QLD

$10 on the door
www.solbar.com.au

Sunday 11th March
Dan & Ash Acoustic
Pure Pop Records – St Kilda Vic
Free Entry
www.purepop.com.au

Thursday 15th March
+ Special Guests
FBI Social - Kings Cross - Sydney NSW
www.kingscrosshotel.com.au

Friday 16th March
+ Windsor Thieves & Special guests
The National – Geelong Vic
www.nationalhotel.com.au

Saturday 17th March
+ Auberon Dance Academy & Full Contact Safari
Plus On - Ed Castle – Adelaide SA
www.edinburghcastlehotel.com

Saturday 24th March
The Hills Are Alive Festival
Gippsland, Victoria

St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival - Footscray Community Arts Centre (04.02.12)

2012-02-07T22:28:00.000+11:00

I love Laneway. I love it a lot. It is Melbourne's premier hip wanker festival and the lineup is always killer. This year was no exception and while not all of the performances grabbed me, there was not a single bad band on show day (excepting maybe Cults whose performance was so banal I was almost insulted by their lack of effort). Anywho you can read my official write up here, and enjoy a few of the happy snaps I took below.

DZ Deathrays owning it like a boss

Total Control being supremely awesome

I always discover a new band to adore at Laneway, this year it was Givers. They're tops.

Mandatory Laneway shot of my best friend and I being drunk and smiley

Farris Badwan. SWOON!

The Horrors were my favourite on show day. It's criminal that they weren't headlining.

Ali E releases new single

2012-02-04T07:05:00.000+11:00

Local songstress Ali E is quickly becoming my new favourite thing. She sings with raw passion and uninhibited feeling that chills to the bone. Her new single "Landless" aches with a mournful nostalgia that comes with letting go of the past and moving on. The subtle melancholia offers comfort and solidarity for a better tomorrow and your heart will soar as you lose yourself in the sparse melodies.

Ali E will be launching "Landless" during a matinee performance at The Workers Club on March 3rd with support from Ben Salter and Elephant Eyes. See you there for pints and good times.

Have a listen to "Landless" below.

The Wonderful Lives

2012-02-02T15:45:00.000+11:00

Sydney based five piece The Wonderful Lives belong in the class of story telling songwriters who tell daring, heartfelt tales amidst a sea of intricate melodies, the depth and breadth of which take multiple listens for their effect to truly sink in.

Their folk shanties are perfect for fans of Paul Kelly, Tom Waits and The Holy Sea. Their songs speak to me of life's bittersweet triumphs and have been a comforting moment of solace in an otherwise unruly week.

Check out more from The Wonderful lives and listen to a stream of their debut LP The Human Heart Will Take Your Life at their official website.

Cage The Elephant + Loon Lake - Northcote Social Club (31.01.12)

2012-02-02T12:18:00.000+11:00

bad phone pic of Cage The Elephant onstage at NSC 31.01.12

Another Big Day Out festival has come and gone, with this year's event surrounded in controversy as the media hype machine played up to Ken West's erratic rants and severe damage that he's done to his own brand. Obvious attacks and puns aside, for me festival's aren't about the amenities, show rides and party extras - they are all about the music and BDO has been shit for years on that front, but one of the better bands on this year's abysmal lineup were American's Cage The Elephant. Their sideshow at NSC on Tuesday was killer. Loon Lake were exactly how I thought they'd be - inoffensive, boppy, middle of the road and best consumed under the influence of copious amounts of liquor. Read the official write up here.

Farewell the East with Oscar + Martin

2012-01-31T09:08:00.000+11:00

For those not in the know The East Brunswick Club band room is being demolished so Brunswick can have yet another high rise apartment block so a few more hip fuckers with their acid wash vintage threads and asymmetrical hair cuts have somewhere appropriately cliched enough to call home. As such the East is calling last drinks on Wed February 29th.

For the final night of music ever at the East Brunswick Club, Oscar + Martin will headline with their particular cocktail of sweet beats, r&b vibes, heartbreak lullabies and new-hope dopeness. Parking Lot Experiments are bringing the party: filling the East with a manic electronic joy not seen since you got that Gameboy Pocket® for Christmas. Indie-rock stalwarts Milk Teddy will kick off the festivities: bringing their love, songcraft and dedication to open this special, one-of-a-kind night. Three local bands sending off one beloved local venue. This is how you say goodbye.

Tickets are only $10 and will be selling like hotcakes. See you there for one last round of pints on those sticky, sticky carpets.

PBS 106.7FM, APRA and ARTS VICTORIA presents DRIVE LIVE 2012

2012-01-31T08:45:00.000+11:00

It's live, it’s local, and it’s coming out of your radio. PBS’ Drive Live is taking over the airwaves for a full week from Monday February 6th to Friday the 10th during drivetime.

Here’s the deal… three acts, three studios in one Drive Time show, for a full week! Featuring blistering live in-studio performances from a bunch of talent, there’s sure to have a lot of something for everyone. Acts kicking off the opening Drive Live 2012 juggernaut will be Graveyard Train, Howl At The Moon and Ben Salter.

PBS members have the exclusive opportunity to come down to PBS and witness the mayhem, in person and uncut. There’s some Coopers freebies to sink, and a fair whack of radio to watch. You can RSVP from Jan 30 so keep an eye on www.pbsfm.org.au to get your name on the door, or join the convo on #drivelive.

Full program:

Monday 6th February

FIREWATER

Graveyard Train 6:05pm - 6:45pm

Ben Salter 5:45pm - 6:00pm

Howl At Moon 5:10pm - 5:40pm

Tuesday 7th February

MIXING UP MEDICINE

Lost Animal 6:05pm - 6:45pm

Extreme Wheeze 5:45pm - 6:00pm

Pop Singles 5:10pm - 5:40pm

Wednesday 8th FebruaryCITY SLANG

New War 6:05pm- 6:45pm

Spencer P Jones 5:45pm- 6:00pm

Fabulous Diamonds 5:10pm- 5:40pm

Thursday 9th February

FANG IT!

Bob Log III 6:20pm - 6:50pm

The Murlocs 5:35pm - 6:05pm

Brat Farrar 5:00pm - 5:20pm

Friday 10th February

STONE LOVE

The Twerps 6:05pm - 6:45pm

BJ Morriszonkle 5:45pm - 6:00pm

Stella Angelico 5:10pm - 5:40pm

For full Drive Live program details, go to www.pbsfm.org.au

Kasabian + The Vaccines - Festival Hall (28.01.12)

2012-01-29T19:51:00.000+11:00

In spite of the fact that I was utterly exhausted after waking up at 6am, going for a run, working for 8.5 hours and then enduring dehydration in the heat all evening at Festival Hall, I really enjoyed this gig. The Vaccines were mediocre as always. Someone else is going to have to explain to me the reasons why they've been so hyped in the press as their live show is so very middle of the road. They have no spark, no passion and no charisma. They play guitar driven party tunes with very little enthusiasm. Each to their own I guess.

What do you expect from The Vaccines? Not bloody much.

I don't think Kasabian were as great as the last time I saw them but this would be due to me being exhausted and painfully sober and not caring at all for the songs from Velociraptor, which consequently had me day dreaming of comfortable chairs, ear plugs and ice cold beverages during the few quieter moments the band subjected us to during their 1.5 hour set. Kasabian were electric and they even managed to get me dancing during "Where Did All The Love Go?" and "Shoot The Runner". An impressive feat for sure.

The official write up can be viewed here. Check a few pics from the gig below.

Kasabian doing their thing. Tom Meighan is the epitome of a rock star.

Serge looking mighty fine in his skinny pants.

Foxx on Fire + Jimmy Hawk & The Endless Party - RAOB GAB Buffalo Club (21.01.12)

2012-01-26T09:58:00.000+11:00

I shouldn't complain, but every now and then it would be nice if I could go and sit in a pub, by myself, without having a gormless drunk hopeful feeling the need to express his opinions on the world in general to me. Some people like to go home after work and relax by watching television, me - I like to go watch bands on my own, kick back with a beer and loose myself in the sound, this is just how it is. I copped some fantastic verbal abuse last night for daring to say the support act were generic (which they were - when you listen to a band and the first thing that springs to mind is the 10 other bands that they sound like, it means their sound is generic), which brings me to point of this interweb rant - writing reviews doesn't mean writing positive fluff pieces that takes into consideration the feelings of the artist. It entails giving an honest, informed opinion of the performance. If you do not wish to hear an honest, informed opinion then don't invite media to your gig. If you cannot handle hearing that not everyone appreciates your work then perhaps you should consider toughening the fuck up. If you feel the need to become either verbally or physically abusive when an honest opinion is expressed that differs to your own then don't be surprised when a pint glass comes hurtling rapidly toward your head. On this note I present to you my review of the bands at the Buffalo Club last Saturday night. Enjoy.

bad phone pic of Foxx on Fire

There were only a handful of punters present to witness Jimmy Hawk & The Endless Party warming the stage, which was probably for the best as the atrocious work from the sound desk made their set much worse then it otherwise would have been. The band opened with “A Fever” and the sound mix that included distortion and washed out vocals was immediately off putting. This coupled with their lack of presence and Hawk’s vocals that could be heard sounding terribly off key pretty much destroyed whatever hope I had for an enjoyable set. Jimmy Hawk & The Endless Party have some well penned tunes up their sleeve’s but they have a long way to go with their live performance. Even without taking the technical problems into consideration the band members themselves didn’t emote well, they looked bored onstage and made little effort to engage with the people who had turned up to see them play. Here’s hoping they’ll be better next time around.

Foxx on Fire washed away the badness with an electric show that was thrilling from beginning to end. Fortunately the sound was much better during their set, however the vocals were barely audible for the first half of the performance. This did little to take away from the fantastical fun times that is Foxx on Fire live. It’s been a long time since the boys have played locally and fortunately they still kick arse onstage. This is a band that knows how to entertain. Their melodies are well constructed and sound better live then they do on record. They have an immensely fun presence and managed to get the entire crowd down the front grooving along to their new tunes from their March Into The Sun EP. Foxx on Fire had the audience eating out of the palms of their hands as they cajoled us to sit on the floor and then jump around wildly as they went off, obviously having a blast playing their new tunes to a hometown crowd. Go see them play while they’re still in Aus. Foxx on Fire’s live shows are so good they’ll inspire you to get naked and sweaty and jump around in a blissful carefree daze.

Written for The AUreview

The Peep Tempel Album Launch

2012-01-19T08:41:00.000+11:00

To be quite frank, The Peep Tempel are fucking awesome. Their music makes me want to jump around and smash shit up. 2012 marks the release of their debut LP and the boys are having a little launch party at the Northcote Social Club on February 17th. Damn Terran are supporting. The night is going to be epic. Be sure to save the date and head on down for beers and fun times.

Check out this clip of their live show below and get excited:

Udays Tiger new video

2012-01-18T09:46:00.001+11:00

The boys from Udays Tiger have made themselves a snazzy new promo vid showcasing the mania of their live shows. Check it out:

UDAYS TIGER from UDAYS TIGER on Vimeo.

The band have a plethora of gigs on the horizon. Do yourself a favour and head along. They kick arse live. Details below.

23 JAN - Mesa Cosa WORKERS CLUB RESIDENCY
25 JAN - Pony w/ The Morrisons
3 FEB - Gasometer - DAMN TERRAN, SCUL HAZZARDS, White Walls
11 FEB - Red Tape Records Launch - Workers Club
22 FEB - Young Revelry - Workers Club

For more info visit udaystiger.blogspot.com

Monks Of Mellonwah

2012-01-18T08:25:00.001+11:00

Monks Of Mellonwah are a four piece based in Sydney who have been getting a lot of love from the international press after the release of their debut EP Stars Are Out in 2010. The boys have been nominated for best indie rock act and best rock act at the the 2012 Artist in Music Awards and they'll be travelling to the US to play at the ceremony, taking place on Feb 10th at the Key Club in Hollywood. In their case the attention is deserved as Monks Of Mellonwah's mix of prog and post-rock makes for addictive listening. The Stars Are Out EP displays the band's versatility as they range in sound from the sweaty rawk of "Fire In The Hole" to the shoe-gaze romance of "Stars Are Out" to the funkified bass of "Stampede", that engages the listener from beginning to end. They have an incredibly polished, stadium ready sound that is bound to see them moving onto to bigger and better things.

Show the band some love via their Facebook page and keep an eye out for their debut LP which is due out later this year. In the mean time watch the video for their "Swamp Groove" single below:

Patrick Wolf - Brumalia (2011 EP)

2012-01-15T11:24:00.000+11:00

Who releases a fully recognised EP in conjunction with the fourth single from their latest record? Patrick Wolf does of course. Brumalia was released globally prior to Christmas and Wolf explores themes of isolation and winter bleakness that are associated with the season in the northern hemisphere. Romanticism and pop balladry abounds as Wolf’s melodrama reaches new heights and his confessional style lyrics are so laid bare that they are almost cringe worthy with the troubadour’s need to over share his emotional turmoil ever present at the forefront for the listener.

This heady emotional presence is what makes Wolf’s music stand out from the rest as pop stars the world over perfect their public image and wipe away all trace of a typical human personality, Patrick Wolf bares his soul in all of it’s insecure, hormonal, neurotic glory in a whirl of fantastical melodies.

While Brumalia is an accompaniment to Lupercalia it does hold its own as a stand alone release. The name of the record hints at the subject matter with the melancholia of winter intertwined with the celebrating and feasting involved during the Christmas holiday season. Single “Together” is a sweeping affair full of loving sentiments that are made poignant by their simplicity. Lyrics such as ‘forgive my jealousy, that’s not the man I long to be, by your side my whole life, true love knows no sacrifice’ are bound to make ladies swoon the world over. The moody atmospherics of “Bitten” with its resplendent mix of strings and electronics are perfectly complimented by Wolf’s impassioned vocal delivery as he cries ‘now you must love yourself, like you’ve never known hurt before’.

This makes a stark contrast to the upbeat tones of “This Time Of Year”, a blatant holiday ballad where the lyrics belie the carefree nature of the arrangements. Its oxymoron's such as these that makes Wolf’s music so beguiling as he puts all of his idiosyncrasies on display to great effect. The record ends on “Trust”, a beautifully constructed tune brimming with whimsy and longing that will stay with you long after the music ends.

Regardless of whether you’re a long time fan of Patrick Wolf or new to his sound, Brumalia is record that will leave you feeling oddly satisfied. The listening experience is akin to running into an old friend who offers a rare moment of solace in an otherwise dreary existence.

Review Score: 7/10

Written for The Dwarf

Voltaire Twins - Romulus (2011 EP)

2012-01-10T09:40:00.000+11:00

Voltaire Twins are one of the many over hyped Triple J Unearthed bands who had an exciting 2011 playing at CMJ Music Marathon and supporting another very similar act Tim & Jean on their national tour. Listening to their EP Romulus it’s difficult to understand exactly why there is so much excitement surrounding this Perth based four piece as their particular brand of neu-wave synth heavy pop is incredibly bland and has all been heard before.

Opening track “Romulus” is one of the better songs on this release. The driving rhythms are fun even if the lyrical content leaves a lot to be desired with lines such as “follow the ocean and follow your head, don’t worry about us, we’re already dead” making up the bulk of the song. “Animalia” is the saving grace of Romulus. The cliched lovelorn lyrical sentiments combine perfectly with soaring synth and there is a decadently dark undertone running through the music giving it an edge that is severely lacking in the remainder of the EP. “The Wolves in the Walls” sports many a glitchy video game sound effect and simply plods along from three minutes of electronic boredom. “Island Talk” closes the record on an upbeat note and while the track is incredibly bouncy it leaves no lasting impression.

The problem with Voltaire Twins is that they aren’t good song writers. The construction of their melodies is banal and there are no lingering emotional sentiments for the listener to reconcile themselves with - this is meaningless dance pop for you to shake your arse to at 4am under the influence of a heady cocktail of illicit substances, and even then bands such as Friendly Fires, Absolute Boys and Cut Copy would make better party companions. The four tracks on the Romulus EP bleed into each other with their stark similarities making the record sound like one incredibly long 80’s disco song. The music is catchy but grows old quickly and this is definitely a band to go and see live, as their strength doesn’t lie in their studio recordings.

Review Score 5/10

Written for The Dwarf

Prince Rama - Trust Now (EP 2011)

2012-01-06T09:29:00.000+11:00

There are many approaches one can take when attempting to digest the fifth studio release from Brooklyn duo Prince Rama. You could lament at how the band haven’t progressed from the flashes of brilliance that appeared on their breakthrough record Shadow Temple, you could wax lyrical with ironic sentiments about patchouli, acid trips and experimental psych that hasn’t lived up to expectations of the critics and you could make a few inane references to witch craft, the true nature of the witch house genre and the wild results that abound when it’s mixed with video game sound effects and Sanskrit chants. Alternatively you could simply concentrate on how the music makes you feel and how much or little you enjoy it.

It’s endlessly frustrating to read (and occasionally write) reviews where the author spends the bulk of their word limit comparing an artist’s new release to their pre-existing body of work, choosing to focus on the similarities and differences as a means of measuring the worth of their latest creations. Quite frankly as all art is subjective and meaning is inferred by personal intertextuality the listening experience is different for each individual making reviews in general irrelevant. As I sit here feeling like a hypocritical fool for even attempting to marry a group of coherent sentences that may be able to adequately express what this music means to me, I have Trust Now blasting from my stereo and am instantly soothed by the intoxicating vocal work of the Larson sisters on their latest EP.

Yes Prince Rama spent their formative years on a Hare Krishna commune on the outskirts of Florida, yes they have songs entitled “Portalling” and “Summer Of Love” and yes they will most likely enjoy wearing flowers in their hair and feeling at one with the universe as they chant, but none of this detracts from the honest beauty of their music which is no more or less valuable then their earlier releases. Prince Rama’s sonic creations will take you out of your comfort zone as they attempt to open portals to another plane of existence, combining their vast myriad of influences into a whirling miasma of noise.

They play with a darker sound on opener “Rest In Peace” as sinister elements are intertwined amidst the unfolding melodies that combine trance, Sanskrit and pop to great effect. Their vocals are wild and unhinged playing on the primal instincts that lay buried deep within the essence of human nature. The arrangements follow no clear logic and meander into unknown territory, which is particularly prevelant on “Portalling” and “Golden Silence”, screaming of oppression, frustration and discontent.

Whatever your perspective Prince Rama make highly enjoyable music that isn’t marred by their lack of authenticity, but moreso the fantastical nature of their own project which hasn’t bowed to the expectations of the public, but instead reaches for a different level of consciousness altogether and fortunately for the listener - occasionally it does achieve this.

Review Score: 7/10

Written for the Dwarf.

Mushu - Traps (Single 2011)

2012-01-05T09:42:00.001+11:00

Sydney based three piece Mushu have given the world a teaser from their forthcoming EP that is due out later this year. "Traps" offers a richly textured sonic landscape which sees the band unleashing with a brooding sensuality that taps into the darker side of human nature. Simone Macarounas' vocals gently float above the melodies with an ethereal quality that is both chilling and intoxicating. Their particular brand of pulsating gritty blues makes for beguiling listening and is sure to appeal to fans of Wilco, Midlake and Nick Cave. Mushu has a sound that is familiar but not overwhelmed by their influences and are definitely a band worthy of your adoration.

Review Score: 8/10

You can grab "Traps" as a free download from Mushu's Triple J Unearthed page and be sure to show the band some love via their Facebook page.

Check the video for "Traps" below.

Top 10 Gigs of 2011

2012-01-02T16:21:00.000+11:00

I went to 80+ gigs last year, taking in over 150 bands and knocking back countless pints at every single one of them, so here I present the stand out live shows that are still at the forefront of my hazy memory - the 10 gigs that defined a killer year of live music for me.

10) Unknown Mortal Orchestra - The Toff In Town (08.12.11)

Ruban Nielson is dreamy and he straps his guitar higher and tighter then I thought was physically possible. His live show was fantastical. The official review can be found here.

9) Cut Off Your Hands - The Gaelic (17.06.11)

I saw Cut Off Your Hands a few times this year but their album launch show at the Gaelic in Sydney was a cut above the rest. Performing their new sounds live can be a hit and miss, but on that night they were spot on and I had an absolute blast swooning over Nick Johnston in the front row. Read a little something I prepared earlier here.

8) De La Soul - Billboard (10.02.11)

I've had a thing for Posdnous since I was in primary school and getting to meet him at their Billboard show was all of my 90's hip-hop wet dreams come true. They're also one of the best hip-hop artist's around who put all of the Aussie hip-hop wannabes to shame with their incredible live performance's. Read the official write up here.

7) My Disco - The Toff In Town (24.04.11)

My Disco are underrated and their intense live presence simply blew me away. I reviewed this one for AU so a more coherent spiel about the gig can be read here.

6) Does It Offend You, Yeah? - The Prince (05.08.11)

The british electro punks know how to amp up a crowd. I left this gig drenched in sweat, exhausted and incredibly happy with how phenomenal DIOY,Y? are live. My review of the gig can be read by clicking on this link.

5) Pets With Pets - The Gasometer (16.07.11)

The last time I saw Pets play they were utter shit house and I wanted to throw my empties at Zayd and ask him what the hell was going on with their sound. Their encore album launch at the Gasometer was an incredible show that captured their essence perfectly. When Pets are good they play from the raw primal instincts within and let the music unfold organically and take on a life of its own so that no song is ever played the same way twice. I hope in future that they do more of this and less of the generic grunge crap they were spruiking during their residency at the Tote in October. Read my review of the Gasometer show here.

4) The Antlers - The Corner Hotel (09.02.11)

Seeing The Antlers play 'Wake' live reduced me to tears. Words cannot express how much their music means to me and their incredibly emotive sounds are even better live then they are on record. Read my thoughts on their performance here.

3) Phoenix - Good Vibrations Festival, Flemington Racecourse (13.02.11)

Good Vibes is on hiatus this year, which is a shame as it was a very enjoyable festival. Watching Thomas Mars lying on top of the audience crooning the lyrics to "1901" was a special moment, one that I'll never forget. Read the write up I did for the Dwarf here.

2) Interpol - The Palace (07.01.11)

Interpol are my favourite band in the world. I own just about everything they've ever released on both CD and vinyl, have a gigantic framed band poster hanging over my bed and if I ever get around to doing the bit where I settle down and spawn offspring then they will all be called Paul Julian regardless of their sex. Needless to say I loved every second of their show at the Palace and in spite of my obvious bias, they really are an amazing live act. My official review can be read here.

1) Death From Above 1979 - Parklife, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Radelaide (03.10.11)

DFA1979 kept me enraptured for 40 minutes of sonic mayhem. I couldn't move my neck for a few days after the festival due to the retarded thrashing around I was doing in the front row. I have loved them since I got You're A Woman, I'm A Machine back in 2006, their sound completely altered my perspective on music and changed my world for the better. Finally getting to see them play live was the best moment in live music of 2011 for me.

Top 10 Albums of 2011

2011-12-24T14:25:00.001+11:00

There have been many songs that I've loved this year, but not so many albums that I've been infatuated with. This is probably due to my own increasing dislike of popular music in general - all the new music being released sounds like the same generic shit to me and I find it difficult to distinguish one artist from the next. As my sister said to me this morning while we were watching the new Florence & The Machine clip on Rage and I was complaining loudly that all of her songs sound the same - "people don't like to listen to music that challenges them, they want easy familiarity". Which is why I guess bands like Real Estate, Bon Iver and The Jezabels have been making everyone else's top 10 lists. Below are 10 records I've adored that were released in 2011. They may not technically be the most amazing thing you've ever heard (although to me they are), but they've made me stop and think and question myself and the world at large with the themes explored through the sound. If you haven't heard some of these artists then I strongly suggest checking them out.

10) Teeth & Tongue - Tambourine

Tambourine is a gorgeous record that becomes more beguiling with every listen. Jess Cornelius has one of those voices that makes you melt and her kiss off to an ex-lover and exploration of relationship breakdowns makes for the kind of music that doesn't grow old. Key tracks are "Unfamiliar Skirts" and "Vaseline On The Lens".

9) Ernest Ellis & The Panamas - Kings Canyon

I have a tragic girl crush on Roland Ellis, and while his live show leaves a bit to be desired, on record the man can do no wrong. Kings Canyon is a sprawling release full of rich sonic layers that take time to have their full impact. Have patience with this album and you will be rewarded. Key tracks are "Sons & Daughters" and "Great Sky".

8) Neon Indian - Era Extrana

I'm looking forward to finally seeing Alan Palomo live in February. Era Extrana makes me happy. It's 80's synth pop done incredibly well with a running theme that ties it all together. Key tracks are "Polish Girl" and "Arcade Blues".

7) Does It Offend You, Yeah? - Don't Say We Didn't Warn You

Don't Say We Didn't Warn You is a triumphant album that signals the band's independence - splitting from their major label and deciding to do things their own way, all of the time. The feelings of defiance and needing to be free are expressed through their sound, making this a fantastic album to put on and dance your troubles away. It is my favourite dance release of 2011. DIOY,Y? swtich seamlessly from pop ballads to phat beats and glitchy computer effects without batting an eye lid. They are a phenomenal band. You should love them and love them now. Key tracks are "Pull Out My Insides" and "Wrestler".

6) Collarbones - Iconography

The two piece and their glitchy lap top sounds are very easy to love. Iconography was a record born of the internet generation, made by swapping and mixing samples online. The resulting music can often grate, but it doesn't bore and is a lot of fun. Key tracks are "Don Juan" and "Beaman Park".

5) The Antlers - Burst Apart

The Antlers arrange beautiful compositions and Pete Silberman's vocals make me swoon like a tragic teenage bopper. The band refuse to hold your hand on Burst Apart, instead leaving the interpretation of Silberman's oft obtuse lyrics completely up to the listener. Their music breaks my heart and pieces it back together. Key tracks are "Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out" and "Corsicana".

4) Wild Beasts - Smother

The first time I heard this record Hayden Thorpe's vocals made me want to cut myself. I found them to be so grating that I instantly turned it off and didn't give them another thought until I was stuck on a train waiting to go home and "Lion's Share" randomly shuffled onto my music player. In the mood I was in at the time I found the music to be so very soothing that I gave the record another spin and was blown away by the depth of sound and emotions they explored. Hence Smother quickly became one of my favourite albums. Fyfe Dangerfield was right with his recommendation. Key tracks are "Bed Of Nails" and "Albatross".

3) The Paper Scissors - In Loving Memory

The Paper Scissors are another band who I hated upon first listen. Again stuck on a long commute home (the public transport in Melbourne leaves a lot to be desired) I gave the album another listen through and in the mood I was in the music struck me as being a genius mashup of modern indie sub genres. In Loving Memory is pure gold and I sincerely hope that The Paper Scissors will be back in Melbourne in 2012 in a decent venue so I can finally see them play. Key tracks are "Taller Than You Then" and "Drunk Swim"

2) Apparat - The Devil's Walk

I don't care much for electronica but Apparat is something else entirely. Smooth electronics are melded with heart breaking vocals and sentiments so strong that I was reduced to tears on my first listen through The Devils Walk. This is his 8th studio album and my first experience with his sound, which put simply is mind blowingly amazing. I hope they tour next year. Their music is sonic ecstasy. Key tracks are "Escape" and "Your House Is My World".

1) Pets With Pets - Saturday Aquatic Pixie Acid

I got this record back in April and was highly skeptical of a 6 track LP with an opening song that goes for 15 minutes. After listening to the album obscenely loudly on repeat for a solid month I still hadn't grown tired of the mess that inhabits Zayd Thring's mind and I've revisited Saturday Aquatic Pixie Acid countless times throughout the course of the year. Pets With Pets make music unlike anything I'd heard before and are one of the few bands I've listened to who have managed to capture the brilliance and spontaneity of their live show perfectly on record. Key tracks are "Saturday I Died" and "Pixie Child".

Canyons - Keep Your Dreams (2011 LP)

2011-12-21T23:47:00.001+11:00

I blame the digitisation of music and its push for a singles oriented market for the host of bands who have been releasing albums this year that aren’t records in the true sense of the word, but merely a collection of tracks with no unifying purpose featuring a couple of incredibly catchy singles buffered by mundane filler. Canyons debut LP Keep Your Dreams falls into this category and while they do have a cohesive sound that is worthy of the dance floor, they fall short of their contemporaries with their banal song writing craft that does little to project their songs from being 4am booze fuelled party anthems to something that is actually worth remembering.

This is not to say that Keep Your Dreams is an unenjoyable affair. On the contrary Canyons masterful mixing skills makes for some magical moments on the album and their fantastic production is the saving grace of this release. “My Rescue” is the clear highlight of the record with its infectious beat, layered arrangements and emotive vocal delivery. The hypnotic bass on “Blue Snakes” is all encompassing, as is the slow burning build up of “Under A Blue Sky”.

The main problem here is that Cut Copy already made 80’s inspired disco hip back in 2005 and they are a band that have top notch production along with well written engaging tunes, which is not a strength Canyons appear to posses. Keep Your Dreams sports a collection of tracks you can dance to that fail to connect on an emotional level or impress by bringing something new to the table. Canyons aim to make you dance and they achieve this with no worries, but the overall quality of their arrangements are not remarkable and they leave me wanting more then the same old uninspired indie clubbing shit that they’ve released here.

Review Score: 6/10

Written for the AUreview

Gigs of Late

2011-12-20T22:14:00.001+11:00

Summer is my favourite time of year which means I'm out and about a lot (I'm currently in the freezing tundra of Hobart bracing myself for a family oriented alcohol free Christmas that I may not survive) and no longer glued to my PC, as such the blog space is being heinously neglected. So here is a brief spiel about the gigs I've been to the past two weeks that I meant to post about before time got away from me.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra + DZ Deathrays - The Toff In Town (08-12-11)

Unknown Mortal Orchestra

This was a fantastic night out with both DZ and UMO killing it live. UMO are one of the best live acts I've seen this year. Read the official write up here.

The Tiger & Me + Kikuyu - The Phoenix Public House (10.12.11)

The Tiger & Me

This gig was an absolute blast. The Tiger & Me are a raucous bunch whose live presence never ceases to satisfy. Even in their quieter moments they are all consuming. Kikuyu was a pleasant surprise. Her solo work is far greater than anything she's done with Aleks & The Ramps. A more coherent review can be read here.

Expatriate - The East Brunswick Club (15.12.11)

Expatriate

The official press release went live this week and sadly proved the rumours to be true - The East band room is closing its doors in March. Many mourning beverages shall be had prior to the foreclosure. I had a few at Expatriate - a band I've been hanging to see since 2007 and thankfully they didn't disappoint. I look forward to seeing them again when their new record is released next year. Read my words for AU here.

Harmony + Witch Hats - The Phoenix Public House (17.12.11)

Whenever I interview bands I ask them who their favourite live acts are, and Harmony were recommended to me by the Udays Tiger boys and fortunately they were spot on with their glowing review. Witch Hats were not at all what I was expecting, but they weren't a bad live act either, just lacking the intensity I had hoped for. Follow the link to read a little something I prepared earlier.

Alrighty time to catch up on sleep before I am awoken at an ungodly hour by my 2 year old niece jumping on my head. Keep an eye out for more of those 2011 best of lists that will be posted here in the near future.

Heavy Glow

2011-12-12T11:38:00.000+11:00

One of the benefits of having your laptop as an extension of your right arm is discovering new music hidden in the many twists and turns of the interwebs. San Diego based three-piece Heavy Glow released their debut LP Midnight Moan earlier this year and if you happen to be a fan of bluesy, garagey, psych rock then this record is definitely for you.

Jared Mullins, Joe Brooks and Dan Kurtz make ballsy rock with a real old school 70's kind of vibe. The big guitar solo's and brooding bass are very easy to lose yourself in, as are Mullins smooth vocals. They sound like the bastard child of QOTSA and The Black Keys and if you get in quick you can bag yourself a free download of Midnight Moan from their website.

My personal favourite tracks are "Slave Dance" and "Purgatory Blues". If they ever make it out to Australia I reckon their live shows will be killer, however in the mean time be sure to show Heavy Glow some love via their Facebook band page.

The Tiger & Me EP Launch

2011-12-09T09:19:00.000+11:00

The Tiger and Me are launching their new record tomorrow night. Read the official presser below:

The Tiger and Me are architects of singalong good times, dark-edged pop-leaning folk and side-leering swagger. Their feverish live shows wring the full gamut of emotion for their audiences as frenzy gives way to restraint and menace becomes charm.

On December 10 they will release The Silent City, the second in their series of three recordings, which began with the critically acclaimed The Howling Fire in July this year. Produced by Myles Mumford, the new recordings represent an organic evolution for the band, infusing more indie and classic pop influences into their signature sound. In counterpoint to its precursor’s mania, The Silent City, is the eye of the storm – calm and considered but ever hinting at potential devastation, both physical and psychological, to come.

'The Smoke', the first single to be lifted from the forthcoming EP, is a perfect example of The Silent City's comparatively peaceful meter. Whilst typical of The Tiger and Me's musical intricacy, 'The Smoke' finds its strength in temperance. Opening with a delicate twin harmony, vocal and guitar, the song builds gradually as horns and piano creep softly into mix. Showcasing the talents of The Tiger and Me's three vocalists, Ade Vincent, Tobias Selkirk and Jane Hendry, 'The Smoke' is infused with emotion and executed with grace.

The Tiger And Me will launch The Silent City live at Melbourne's Phoenix Public House on Saturday the 10th of December.

What I've always loved about this band are their big, involved arrangements and melodramatic, raucous delivery. The new material seems very stripped back so it'll be interesting to see how it goes down live. Catch you at the Phoenix Public House tomorrow for cheap beers and good times. Listen to "The Smoke" below.

The Smoke by showoffservices

Top 10 Singles of 2011

2011-12-08T19:29:00.000+11:00

There are only 3 weeks left of 2011 and as such the time has come to make the annual 'best of' lists. This time around I'm starting with my favourite singles. I must admit not much thought goes into this as there are just way too many songs released in any given year and I love a lot more then 10. The 10 that made the cut are songs that have stayed with me since their release or songs that made me teary with happiness when I saw them performed live.

10) Loon Lake - In The Summer

I don't know much about Loon Lake and to be honest judging by the overall quality of their sound I don't care to either. However this track is more fun then a barrel of monkeys and I've been singing it all year long.

9) Oh Ye Denver Birds - I Believe In Love, Kid

I've been smitten with Brisbane's Oh Ye Denver Birds since I got this song in a press release a few months back. They do off kilter jangly pop very well and have a ripper live show to boot.

8) Neon Indian - Arcade Blues

Alan Palomo has struck gold with this track. It's happy dancey 80's throwback goodness always makes me smile. As does his talk of dead electric day dreams. Perfect for jumping around and shaking away the pains of a bad day.

7) Texture Like Sun - Bottle

This track is amazing. I regret missing their live debut last week. Jump on board the bandwagon now before he explodes across the interwebs.

6) Love Migrate - Little Kid

This track's been stuck in my head since I first heard it back in June. Hopefully now that Love Migrate have backing from Show Off Services they may get around to garnering some of the recognition that their level of talent deserves
. Little Kid - Love Migrate by showoffservices

5) Big Scary - Mix Tape

This track makes me smile. Fortunately I don't listen to Triple J (or the radio at all for that matter) so they didn't kill it for me as they most likely did for everyone else. The playful piano and Tom Iansek's vocals get me everytime.

4) Jinja Safari - Mermaids

Jinja Safari are amazing live and the vibrant energy in this song makes me want to leap around in fields of flowers communing with nature and being at one with the universe.

3) The Antlers - Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out

In my eyes Pete Silberman can do no wrong. This track is my favourite from Burst Apart. The venomous nature of the lyrics make a stark contrast from the playful nature of the composition. I hope for a 2012 tour so I can see how the new tunes go down live.

2) Does It Offend You, Yeah? - Pull Out My Insides
Does It Offend You, Yeah? channelling The Cure. Perfect.

1) Emma Louise - Jungle

Jungle wins my vote for song of the year purely for the integral nature of Emma's vocals, her breathy delivery and the moving sonic tones which makes this an angsty love song that you can also dance to. It's meaningful indie pop done incredibly well.

The Mad Pride

2011-12-07T10:03:00.000+11:00

Every now and then a band comes along and completely fucks with my head with their obscene levels of awesome. The Mad Pride are one such group who play outsider music with a startling honesty and grace. I find the disconcerting nature of their sound to be soothing and the dark melodrama is heavily intoxicating.

As founder Rowan Galagher says himself "If you're interested in free Australian music which combines apocalyptic folk, psychedelia, darkwave, neoclassical and post-rock (and sounds like Syd Barrett, David Bowie, David Sylvian, Opeth & Leonard Cohen) then you might like The Mad Pride".

Check out their Soundcloud and Reverbnation account for a stack of free downloads and be sure to show them some love via their Facebook band page.

Have a listen to their track "Berserkergang" below and prepare to be amazed by his haunting vocal work.
Berserkergang by The Mad Pride

The Peep Tempel - Howlin' Belle

2011-12-06T19:44:00.000+11:00

‘Howlin’ Belle’ is the second single to be taken from The Peep Tempel’s debut self-titled album due in February 2012 through Wing Sing Records.

A suitable rejoinder to the groundswell of interest piqued from first offering ‘Collusion’, ‘Howlin’ Belle’ is another heart-starting jab of rock via garage, punk and blues from the Melbourne-based trio.

Forming in 2009 as a two-piece, The Peep Tempel developed their distinctive sound in their studio/rehearsal space called the Wing Sing La. Living next door to each other Blake Scott and Steven Carter formed a musical bond that transpired into two 7 inch vinyl releases ‘Thank You Machiavelli’ and ‘Fatboy’. Both 7"s were released through Wing Sing Records, and found a receptive audience on community radio and Triple J.

In early 2011 The Peep Tempel added bass player Matt Chow (of Graveyard Train) who had recorded the band’s first two 7 inches and headed into Sing Sing Studios to record their debut LP with Clinton Kraus. The album was mixed by Casey Rice (Tortoise and The Dirty Three) and mastered by Joseph Cara at Crystal Mastering. The result is a fierce energetic satire of denim, cheap cigarettes and lost men.

‘Howlin’ Belle’ is a three and a half minute blast of frenetic energy. Concise, authoritative and marked by percussive precision, angular riffs and raw power – ‘Howlin’ Belle’, certainly makes up in dynamism what it lacks in subtlety.

Listen to Howlin' Belle below:

Howlin' Belle by The Peep Tempel by showoffservices

The Velocettes December Residency at Retreat

2011-12-06T14:15:00.000+11:00

I am unashamedly a gigantic Brunswick wanker and as such the Retreat Hotel on Sydney Rd is my home away from home and I've been spending far too much time there of late (hence why this blog space has been seriously neglected the past few weeks). Unfortunately for my liver, the Retreat has given me an excuse to spend Thursdays being trashy as local four piece The Velocettes take over the stage with their December residency.

The band recently launched their debut EP Sinnerman's Child which is a ballsy mix of garage and surf with an old school country and western feel. The Velocettes music is a lot of fun and their live shows are bound to be epic. For more information on their Retreat residency visit the Facebook event. I'll see you there for beers and incredibly uncoordinated dancing.

Elephant Eyes - I Want To Know Single Launch

2011-11-30T22:47:00.000+11:00

Weaving their way into a jam-packed Melbourne music scene, Elephant Eyes have finally found their niche. Having spent the last few months rubbing shoulders with the likes of Playwrite, The Twoks, and Duke Batavia, Elephant Eyes are finally releasing their much anticipated debut single.

Earlier this year, their demo version of ‘I Want To Know’ was picked up by Melbourne radio stations PBS, Triple R, and SYN, resulting in a surprising amount of airplay and local support. This December, Elephant Eyes is pleased to release a re-mastered Double A record, featuring the hit track, ‘I Want To Know’.

To celebrate, Elephant Eyes will take to The Empress stage on Friday 2nd December to present a finely tuned live performance, combining eclectic rhythms, soulful vocals and synth sounds. It’s music that moves you, with edge and energy.

Friday 2nd December at The Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy

with Lashes to Lashes, and Laura Smock

Tickets available on the door – $8 or $12 with single

Listen to I Want To Know below:

<p>&amp;lt;a href="http://elephanteyes.bandcamp.com/album/i-want-to-know"&amp;gt;I Want to Know by Elephant Eyes&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;</p>

Damn Terran + Udays Tiger + The Sinking Teeth - The Generator Party Brunswick (19.11.11)

2011-11-25T09:04:00.001+11:00

What do you get when you combine musically inclined housemates with a 1000 watt generator? A grand night of mayhem featuring some of Melbourne's finest unsigned talents playing live in an obscure location near you. The miserable weather did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the revellers who took shelter under tarps and imbibed the free beer in the organisers backyard. The logistics of the party itself was great with the crowd being very well behaved (the distinct lack of fuck wits and posers made me happy) and my own personal fears of being knifed or arrested at an illegal shindig while in such close proximity to the Centrelink building proved to be nothing more then my drunk imagination running wild.

First up were two-piece Udays Tiger who are a big deal in Pullenvale, and given the strength of their live show should be a much bigger deal around these parts too. Nathan Morris and Devin De Araujo have really come into their own since relocating to Melbourne earlier this year and they played a short, sharp set that was thrilling to witness. Morris does well to keep the rhythms in check while simultaneously handling lead vox duties and the boys tore the little laneway apart with killer renditions of "Temptress", "Border" and "Refuge". Udays Tiger are a band that play without pretension and there's a raw ferocity to their sound and enough artistry involved that the music takes a different shape every time they play. Show Udays some love via their Facebook page, their particular brand of ballsy, venomous, grungy, punk is worth having fandom for.

Damn Terran are one of those fiercely intense bands who combine the right levels of grit and distortion and need to be experienced live to fully understand the power of their music. The brothers Ewbank and Ali Edmonds absolutely slayed it with their hedonistic energy that makes you feel inclined to thrash around and smash things. What I love about Damn Terran is the pent up aggression in their sound and the sardonic nature of their lyrics which becomes all consuming in a live setting. If you're yet to experience the lascivious pleasures of a Damn Terran show then catch them playing at Yah Yah's on December 17th. Go here for more info.

Wrapping up the evening was a relatively new act that is led by the Generator Party's Nick Manuell and Julian Doan (Left Feels Right). The Sinking Teeth are a fun band who play a bit of punkish rock designed to get you off as you piss the night away. Their sound was not distinct and still rough around the edges but the premise of the music was enjoyable enough and the boys are all skilled players. It'll be interesting to see how they progress as they get a bit more live experience notched into their belts.

The combination of great bands, free beer and a chance to severely piss of the neighbourhood made for an epic night out. For more info on The Generator Party visit their Facebook page.

Jinja Safari + Albert Salt + Megastick Fanfare - The Prince of Wales (18.11.11)

2011-11-23T08:28:00.000+11:00

It made me incredibly happy to walk into the Prince bandroom to the sounds of Albert Salt belting out "This Is Her". The man is a fantastic performer and seeing him play accompanied by a live drummer to bulk out the sound was great, having previously only witnessed his one-man-band routine. The man has a good sound, a good voice, a hot look and an amazing stage presence so now would be the time to jump on board his band wagon. If you don't believe me then click here for more compelling evidence.

Brisbane's Megastick Fanfare weren't immediately as beguiling but nonetheless their set was enjoyable. The boys are an energetic bunch and their music is very lively, although as a friend pointed out to me on the night - they do have a very similar sound to the headliners and were nowhere near as good, which did dampen my enthusiasm for them slightly.

very bad phone pic of the Jinja Ninja's onstage at the Prince

Luckily Jinja Safari always deliver live with frontmen Marcus Azon and Pepa Knight reigining in the chaos with their infectiously fun presence and happy vibes. The band worked the sold out crowd into a frenzy very early on by beginning their set at the back of the bandroom and marching through the masses to take their places onstage. Jinja Safari are endlessly entertaining to watch as they leap all over the stage and Pepa decided to use the lighting rigs on the ceiling as his own set of monkey bars to swing above the crowd.

The polyrhythms provided by the dual drumming make for hip shaking fun times as the alcohol kicked in and the crowd displayed their lack of co-ordination jumping around to the music. Highlights included fantastic renditions of "Peter Pan", "Forest Eyes", and "Hiccups" before they did the mandatory encore business and left us all on a high with an entire room sing a long to "Mermaids". It was a fantastic evening of beery, sweaty dancing, the likes of which Jinja Safari are expert at inciting. If you still haven't caught them live you're missing out on something truly special.

Dappled Cities + Geoffrey O'Connor + Mildlife - The Phoenix Public House (17.11.11)

2011-11-22T10:06:00.001+11:00

The Phoenix Public House is Brunswick's newest live music venue and it has quickly become one of my favourite's for the $7.80 pints of Boag's and the kick arse selection of talent who grace the band room every week, the added bonus of it being located about three blocks away from my house for ease of the post-gig stumble home is also pleasant.

Mildlife

Locals Mildlife got the party started with their infectious brand of post-rock-dance. The boys have a laid-back presence and play without ego or pretensions. They're simply a group of friends up onstage doing what they love and fortunately for the world at large - they do it very well. Had it been later on in the evening and not the painfully early hour of 9:30pm their set would've gone off. You can check out their stuff on Soundcloud and show them some live via their Facebook page.

Geoffrey O'Connor

The pretentious elitist crowd seem to think that Crayon Fields front man Geoffrey O'Connor is a musical genius. To this day I am still unable to work out why, but I guess I'm just not hip enough to understand. His Vanity Is Forever record was indeed well executed pop where he played the part of the 80's romantic crooner very well. He was not able to pull it off in a live setting though and the combination of thready, washed out vocals mixed with his unconvincing delivery and a very average backing band made for an unimpressive show. It would appear that O'Connor ropes in his friends to help out with the instrumentation live as they did not display the uniformity that an actual band has nor did they seem to care much about the music as they stood stock still onstage looking bored. O'Connor's performance was lacking in enthusiasm and passion, his songs sounded the same as they do on record and he gets points for his attempts to be a crooner by walking out into the audience and singing amongst them and wrapping his mic lead around the photographer, but he appeared to simply be going through the motions and it was rather painful to watch.

Dappled Cities

I've had much girly fandom for Dappled Cities since Falls Festival 2005 in Marion Bay where I first caught their live show. Having not seen them since Laneway 2010 where they were rocking their shiny gold one-piece's I was very curious to see what they're sounding like nowadays. The answer to that is the same as always - Dappled Cities stick to their strengths and still play quirky, intelligent, well constructed pop and their live shows still consist of a gaggle of drunk girls swooning over Dappled Dave. The band are incredibly tight live and played a highly enjoyable set consisting of an even mix of old and new material. Highlights included cracking renditions of "Wooden Ships", "Fire Fire Fire" and "The Price". Dappled Cities were in fine form and the easily accessible sound of their new music may finally bring them the recognition they so rightly deserve.

Left Feels Right - Split (2011 EP)

2011-11-21T11:03:00.000+11:00

Local four piece Left Feels Right take you to nice places on their Split EP. Their danceable post-rock rhythms are easy to lose yourself in. "Eleven : Eleven" starts off slow with the very familiar sounding Temper Trap-esque guitar work - cue soaring, anthemic, emotive arrangements that are highly melodramatic but incredibly lovely - which transforms into a sweaty mosh ready dance fest that is endlessly enjoyable. "Esc" features more the same jangly guitars and moody atmospherics that ends in a drawn out instrumental jam. "Tiger Woods Would" is a brooding affair with its talk of being unable to change set to a back drop of catchy, layered guitars.

I'm not sold on Left Feels Right's ability to overcome being a band who is nothing more then the sum of their influences as my first reaction upon receiving this release was not to reflect on how much I was enjoying the music, but rather going through a mental list of all the other bands they sound like (Temper Trap, Foals etc. etc.). However this does not negate the band's ability to pen an involved, enjoyable indie anthem and when taken for what they are and ignoring all allusions, the three tracks presented here are well constructed pop, with fantastic production and a good vocalist (something that a lot of bands lack).

Visit their bandcamp for a name your price download and judge for yourself.

Review Score: 7//10

Ali E - So It Goes (Single 2011)

2011-11-17T07:53:00.000+11:00

Damn Terran are one of my personal favourite local live acts (one of these days I will be sober enough to write a review of their show) and their bassist Ali E is displaying her versatility and revealing all with her solo work that is worlds apart from the trio's post-punk fury. "So It Goes" is the first single to be released from her forthcoming debut record and the music is raw, impassioned and bold as fuck. The track is sparse with a melancholic guitar fuzz making up the bare bones of the melody along with Ali's contemplative vocals. "So It Goes" is simple and direct and will go down well with fans of stripped back, integral sounds such as those made by Adalita.

Review Score: 8/10

Listen to "So It Goes" below:

So it Goes by Ali E by showoffservices

Celadore - The Bright And Blue (2011 EP)

2011-11-16T08:28:00.000+11:00

Do you remember what Aussie rock sounded like in the days before men started wearing above the knee shorts and carrying Country Road bags? Local trio Celadore does and they feed heavily on their influences on their recently released EP The Bright And Blue.

Produced by Chris Cheney of The Living End fame, The Bright And Blue features four short, sharp tunes that are overflowing with killer hooks and front man Michael Cooper's slightly nasal vocals that are reminiscent of every early 2000's power-pop-punk band that I still have sitting in my record collection.

"Bakery" opens the proceedings with a sense of urgency as the band powers through three minutes of slightly angst ridden rock that is incredibly catchy. Single "Kinks In Armour" is a noteworthy blend of garage fuzz and distortion with a dangerous edge that is clearly the stand out track on the release.

The problem with Celadore is that they offer little new to the already tried and true formula with their simple repetitive melodies, and soaring anthemic moments which have all been done before. However there's no denying the boys ability to pen an enjoyable tune and their infectious hooks are bound to go down well in a live setting.

If you liked Kisschasy, Gyroscope and British India then you'll lap up what Celadore has on offer.

Show the band some love via their Facebook Page and you can stream or purchase the EP from their Bandcamp.

Review Score: 6/10

Emma Louise - Northcote Social Club 12.11.11

2011-11-15T10:56:00.000+11:00

Crowds in Melbourne can be a fickle thing. When going to see live bands of the softer denomination the musicians can often be drowned out by the sound of the paying punters who loudly and rudely converse for the duration of their set, which arguably defeats the purpose of going to see the band in the first place. Saturday night at the Northcote was pleasantly surprising in this regard as the sold out crowd looked on in enraptured silence as Brisbane’s young chanteuse Emma Louise quietly but confidently began to play.

Her set was a thrillling thing to witness as Emma charmed the audience with her clumsy banter between songs and then wowed them with the power of her earnest vocal delivery. Her naive presence and gentle demeanour added to the honesty of her performance as she treated us to some new material mixed in with clear fan favourites “Bugs” and “Jungle”. Her band play well together and compliment each other perfectly, with the spot light firmly on Miss Louise who seemed genuinely delighted and slightly intimidated to be playing in front of such a big, silent crowd.

The night ended with a moving rendition of “1000 Sundowns” before Emma thanked us all for coming and walked offstage to a thunderous round of applause. It was an absolute pleasure to see one of Australia’s freshest talents play a breathtakingly beautiful set in such an intimate setting. Rest assured next time Emma Louise comes to town she’ll be playing a much bigger venue as someone with her level of talent and passionate artistry rightly deserves.

Written for the AUreview

Deep Street Soul - The Order Of Melbourne (11.11.11)

2011-11-14T22:05:00.000+11:00

I don't know much about the origins of funk and soul and as such would feel heinously inadequate writing a review of their record, but I'm comfortable enough with my advanced knowledge of soundtracks made for drunken dancing to tell you that Deep Street Soul's live show is one hell of a fun a party.

Deep Street Soul doing their thing

The band opened with a couple of instrumental numbers to ease the punters in before welcoming vocalist Mighty May Johnston to the stage and she instantly fired up the crowd with her energetic rambunctious presence. The woman has an amazing set of pipes that are perfectly suited to the genre and the way she prowls around the stage and amps up the crowd with her wild antics was endlessly entertaining to watch. I don't think I've danced that badly in a long time, and with the lack of air con in the venue it was a sweaty beer fuelled night of quality entertainment.

I can see why Deep Street Soul receive a lot of love for their shows as they deliver fun tunes with happy high vibes that made for a very enjoyable evening. I look forward to doing that again when they start gigging locally in the near future.

Eliza Hull - Five

2011-11-14T09:49:00.000+11:00

Eliza’s debut single, Five, encapsulates a childlike feel through simple electronic vocal beats and the opening lyric, “I started dreaming big when I was five, the world became my playground”. Eliza tells, “Five begins with a time in my childhood where everything changed. It looks back with bewilderment at how simple everything seemed at that age, even though life altering events were unfolding. Five felt right for an introduction to the album as it takes the listener back to the beginning”. Eliza’s vocals absorb listeners and balance the textured layers of electronic beats, synths, and organic strings to communicate the theme of conserving a star’s energy until the timing is just right, avoiding the pitfalls of getting burnt through temptation of the fast life.

With a vision to capture the sounds and experiences of her mind and translate them to the audio sphere, Five signals the emergence of Eliza’s solo career and her debut album, Hourglass, which includes collaboration with producers Jonathan Steer and Leigh Fisher (Gypsy and the Cat), along with performers Ollie McGill (Cat Empire), Mark Pearl (Texture Like Sun), Cayn Borthwick (Sans Gras), Ainslie Wills and Nat Bartsch. Harnessing inspiration as it emerged; home studios, garages, and churches have been used to produce an eclectic sound, full of string and horn arrangements, and accented by the feel of nineties electronica. The album was produced over several years and was born out of dedication, being completely self-funded.

Through years of involvement in the Melbourne music scene with the band Describe Eliza, national touring, radio support and a strong live following, Eliza is now a valued and respected performer. Supported by a nine-piece band for her upcoming launches, the intensity, emotion, and lyrical story-telling of Eliza’s music will undoubtedly be performed in the manner most befitting – as powerful as her heart.

Listen to "Five" below:
Five - Eliza Hull by showoffservices

Cut Off Your Hands + Albert Salt - The Toff In Town (10.11.11)

2011-11-12T15:18:00.000+11:00

The Toff In Town as a venue irks me for two petty reasons:

1. The pints are $9 - which is standard these days, but being one who spent their formative years in Launceston, paying $9 for Boags Draught will always seem criminal.

2. It averages 30 degrees in the band room so you end up covered in your own and everybody else's sweat and given the nature of the bands who play at that venue, that kind of interaction with the other patrons is really not appreciated. Some air conditioning or even cracking open a window would do well to make the space more comfortable. Given that it was around 15 degrees outside, walking inside to be trapped in a hipster oven was not good.

Albert Salt

Anyway complaints about the stifling heat aside, warming the stage was local boy Albert Salt who is quickly becoming my new favourite thing. Not only is the man a multi-instrumentalist master who multi-tasks on stage like a mother fucker with his one-man-band routine, he's also incredibly hot and has a soulful voice and a vibrant, engaging presence. Anyone who can work beats and a violin and do a successful cover of Gotye's "Hearts A Mess" deserves obscene levels of fandom. His music is lush. Grab yourself some free downloads from his Triple J Unearthed page and prepare to be awestruck.

Cut Off Your Hands - Nick Johnston is smokin

I've been a big fan of NZ's Cut Off Your Hands since I first heard "Still Fond" on the radio many moons ago. I named this blog after Nick Johnston and never pass up the opportunity to see them live. They started off shaky, opening with "You Could Do Better" that suffered from some poor sound mixing and effects. The production on Hollow let the album down and sadly they've worked the muted distortion and washed out vocals into their live show. Fortunately the lads came to life as they tore through their back catalogue and got the party started with a cracking rendition of "Expectations". Their energy is amazing and Johnston let loose onstage, getting low on the floor and gyrating on the mic stand. The crowd went nuts and dissolved in a sweaty sea of disjointed limbs as everybody danced and sang along to the old favourites "Still Fond", "Oh Girl" and "Happy As Can Be". They ended the night early with "You & I" that came complete with a stage invasion from some dude who was offering to play bass for the band, before thanking us all for coming and making a quick exit. In spite of the slow start, Cut Off Your Hands set was mega fun and I hope they'll be back in town soon for more hot skinny jean dance times.

I know I'm a mega fan girl, but in all seriousness Cut Off Your Hands do fantastic things in a live setting.

A brief gig catch up

2011-11-11T17:44:00.001+11:00

The past month has been brutal finishing off final uni assignments for the year while juggling full time employment and endless nights out at the pub watching bands (it's a hard job, but someone's got to do it). I've been to many gigs that I never got around to posting about on here, so I present a quick run down on gigs from the last few weeks:

Big Scary + Buckley Ward - Ormond Hall 22.10.11

Tom from Big Scary playing Falling Away. SWOON.

Big Scary weren't at their best - which I blame on a combination of poor choice of venue, poor sound and a crowd full of plaid shirt wearing dick heads, however their set was still enjoyable. Buckley Ward were a nice surprise. Not the most immediately engaging band I've ever seen but they had a good sound. Read the full review here.

Buckley Ward

Love Migrate + Winter People - The Toff In Town 27.10.11

I, A Man

I walked in as I, A Man started playing their final song, hence they don't garner a mention in the official write up, but I really liked their sound and am looking forward to seeing them again. Winter People didn't float my boat and Love Migrate were great as always. Read the expanded version here.

Winter People

Love Migrate

Udays Tiger + Silo + Slowcombe's Pussy + Dreamtime - The Brunswick Hotel 29.10.11

I never tire of seeing Udays Tiger live, they have so much energy in their delivery and their live show has improved 10 fold since I first saw them back in June. The Brunswick Hotel is a shitty little venue where you are likely to be stabbed, but regardless they played well and no one was assaulted as far as I'm aware. Silo did nothing to hold my attention and their set was spent watching the old school Van Damme movie that was being screened with no volume and making up lines for the actors. Slowcombe's Pussy were an interesting bunch who play old school rock wearing robes. They put on an entertaining show. Dreamtime were worth waiting for. I really enjoy their sound - it's kind of prog, kind of psych, a little bit indie and a whole lot amazing. Read more about them here. Their album is still on my 'to review' list, which is currently getting longer.

Plastic Palace Alice + Gosteleradio + The Twoks - Phoenix Public House 05.11.11

I interviewed Xani and Mark from The Twoks earlier this year and still hadn't gotten around to seeing their live show, so given that the Phoenix Public House is down the road from my place, I sculled a beer, hopped a tram and went to check them out. In short they were brilliant. The Twoks have a fantastic energy and play the kind of show where you can't predict what's going to happen next. They're big on improv which is thrilling to witness and the way Xani wields her violin is just incredible, particularly with the live looping and effects they do. The Twoks are a phenomenal live act. Go see them now. It was nice seeing Gosteleradio again. Their music is so very relaxing and their harmonies were spot on. They're definitely not the most lively act around, but they don't disappoint either. Plastic Palace Alice delivered a sharp set that was perfectly executed and had the crowd up and dancing. Personally I didn't think much of their show - not because their music or performance was bad - just because I could tell that they're the kind of band who rehearse relentlessly and will play the same set every time you see them, which is something that shits me to tears. When I see a band live I want to be surprised and inspired, not watch them dole out another well rehearsed pitch perfect rendition of their more popular singles with no spontaneous artistry involved.

Me being a band aid with Xani

Anyway it's been a hell of a month, with even more gigs on the agenda with the summer festival season kicking off. Watch this space.

I, A Man - Sometimes (Single 2011)

2011-11-11T16:50:00.001+11:00

Melbourne based four piece I, A Man excel in the art of sweeping, spectral indie pop, with a dash of prog and fortunately not a hint of pretension. Their latest single “Sometimes” is a gorgeous tune that features richly layered melodies and a spattering of wistful melancholia. Their earnest delivery mixed with their ear for interesting percussive moments and dreamy vocals makes for a winning combination, with “Sometimes” being the kind of song that can be played endlessly, on repeat without growing old. If you enjoy the sounds of Deerhunter and Ghostwood, then have a listen to I, A Man - you won’t be disappointed.

Review Score 8/10

Head to I, A Man's Triple J Unearthed profile to get a free download of Sometimes and be sure to show the boys some love via their Facebook band page.

Written for The Dwarf

Interview with Warren "Papa J" Hunter of Deep Street Soul (MEL)

2011-11-11T11:12:00.001+11:00

I have a devout love of all things indie and skin tight denim, but I'm also rather fond of grinding to funk music and one of the more exciting acts floating around town at the moment is Deep Street Soul. The band have recently released their second LP Look Out, Watch Out and I had the pleasure of sitting down with bassist Warren "Papa J" Hunter for a quick chat to find out what it's all about.

Tell me a bit abut the band, how did you all meet and start playing together?

The band was essentially three of us - the keyboard player Mon Cherie, the drummer Agostino Soldati and myself and we were just friends kicking around playing together as a lot of bands start. Mon used to do a lot of rock stuff, she was one of the original Triple J unearthed winners and she got asked to do a solo acoustic gig one day and she didn’t want to do it so she was all hey lets just do a funk trio thing and before we knew it, it was six months down the track and we were putting out a 45 and then another 45 and then all of a sudden a nice big funky cool record label from the UK emailed us and said - do you want to be on our label? And I was all - okay this is pretty good. Everything just happened very quickly and now we’re putting out our second album. Good things have happened to this band. I guess we were in the right genre at the right time and good things happen when you love playing and you’re having fun.

How did you meet your singer May?

We were doing a gig supporting Marva Whitney on Christmas eve - she used to play with James Brown in the hey day back in the late sixties - and we were supporting her and after the show this girl came up to me and was all ‘I really love your band, any time you need a singer I’m available’ and at the time I didn’t think anything of it. Then I got back home and I got an email from this girl and a Facebook message from this girl and it was kind of like - yeah nice to meet you and all, but she kept emailing me to the point where I almost had to block her from Facebook. So she basically email stalked us about coming and singing with us. About a year down the track, just before we started work on the new record, our regular singer cancelled 24 hours before the show and I was in a real bind, so I called the girl who kept emailing me and she was all ‘no problem, I’m there just tell me the songs’. We hadn’t even really met her and she showed up before the gig and we shook hands and started playing and I was ‘Oh my God - this girl’s amazing’. She smashed out two sets of songs and that’s it, the rest is history. She’s just an amazing singer and it goes to show that email stalking can pay off sometimes.

I had no idea that stalking could be so fruitful

(laughs) in an ideal world it wouldn’t happen like this, but I’m glad it did, it’s just a beautiful thing - she’s amazing, a world class singer.

What inspires your sound?

It comes out of the sixties. We completely embrace the roots of funk. Initially we started off playing Mr. Reynolds, so we were a Mr. Reynolds funk band and band’s like The Meters and Booker T & the MG’s who have just been in town and obviously the Godfather James Brown and all this sort of stuff that was coming out of the deep south in the sixties so stuff out of Muscle Shoals and Stax Records and Motown to a certain extent and the country funk that was coming out of the sixties. The raw, gritty soulful good stuff.

What’s your personal musical background?

I’m a pianist. I was always in bands and I wanted to play guitar or piano but we were always missing a bass player so I ended up having to play bass in every band I was in and now I love it. I got into playing funk through electronic music. I was always digging for samples and was in record shops on Saturday mornings looking for records and I would always see this other kind of digging going on by the funk guys so I started digging through those and looking for samples on funk records and really got into the music that way. I never really appreciated it until I started listening. It was around 2000 that Ago and I got into collecting and got into funk that way.

Tell me about the new record Look Out, Watch Out, who did you work with when making the album?

The album was recorded at the end of last year over two sessions. It was a collaboration with a core group of Mon and Ago and myself and we had a guitarist at the time, Matt Brown, and we recruited in Tom Martin who plays in The Bombay Royale’s to do the second session. We actually didn’t have a vocalist at the time, so we really just put down the tracks and thought we’d put the vocals in at a later stage. Later on we ended up getting Randa Khamis from Randa & the Soul Kingdom who we toured Europe with last year, and Roxie Ray from a band called Dojo Cuts out of Sydney, and May of course and Shirley Davis who used to sing with us did a few tracks as well. We’re sort of not that picky, whatever sounds good we’re into and they all brought something different to the album. In terms of horn players, when we were in Spain last year touring we ran into one of the horn players from one of the best funk bands in the world called The New Master Sounds. We ran into him at a back street jam in Madrid on our night off and it was the most chance coincidence that we would run into this amazing player and even more amazingly he knew who we were and we got chatting and he ended up coming to play with us at our gig in Madrid the next night and we all got along so well. he basically said when the next album’s ready to go let me know and I’ll play on it and he was true to his word. We sent him all the stuff and he did all the horns on it, I think he played on 6 or 7 tracks. Working with such fantastic people like that made the process so easy.

The album launch is tonight at the Order of Melbourne, are you looking forward to the show?

Absolutely! We’ve got a full horn section on board so that’ll just kick into overdrive. May is like an animal when she plays live. She’s this neat person when she’s offstage, but then she jumps on and she destroys it. She prowls around the stage it’s just crazy and everyone just gets off on it. And we’ve got Chris Gill and Pierre Baroni - two great DJs who have been supporting us for years. So it’s sort of a bit like a family reunion so it should be a really good night. Everyone really loves to dance to this sort of music and its full of happy fun vibes so I’m hoping it’ll be a good night.

This is your first hometown show for awhile, was that a conscious decision to take a break from the local scene?

It’s difficult that one, you don’t want to overstay your welcome and we did consciously take three or four months off leading up to this album launch so we could really focus on getting a good show together. We haven’t played a lot of the songs live since we recorded them so we’ve taken a bit of time to sit down and learn them all cos a lot of the songs were written just a week before we went into the studio. So I think we’ll rectify that in the next few months and we’ll try and get up and play a few more shows here and in Sydney and Brisbane in the new year before heading back overseas.

You’ve had a lot of success with the band internationally, what’s the most interesting place you’ve played?

Without a doubt the best gig that I’ve played overseas was in Bordeaux. For many reasons - firstly touring from the UK to France is always a beautiful thing cos you can go from eating crappy fried food and bad coffee to having the most amazing coffee and the last time we were over there we played in an old converted world war II bomb shelter. It was a Monday night and I don’t know what the promoter’s thought was going to happen but it was just ridiculous - we did an hour encore at midnight on a Monday night with the crowd just going nuts in this space that should’ve been condemned, it looked like it was going to fall on top of us. It was the most amazing night. We did a promo show earlier in the afternoon at this place called the Apollo club on the main street in Bordeaux and we had people cheering through the windows and dancing on the street. It was one of those nights going from dreary England to the South of France and the sun was shining on us - it was magic - and moments like that don’t normally happen as you usually hop in the car and drive for 6 hours and you play and get a bit drunk and then get up in 2 hours time and then drive for another 6 hours, so nights like that are really fun.

What’s the best live band you’ve seen lately?

That’s a tough one. In terms of funk sort of stuff there are so many amazing bands and it’s not fair just to name one but I really love The PutBacks and I saw Saskwatch awhile back and they were great.

Catch Deep Street Soul at the Look Out, Watch Out launch tonight at the Order of Melbourne on Swanston St. Entry is $10 and the party kicks off at 9:30pm. See you there for beers and bad dancing. For more info check out the Facebook event.

Joshua T - Heart Beating

2011-11-11T09:31:00.000+11:00

Joshua T's new track Heart Beating is the product of a unique collaboration with Blank Tape's Cesar Rodrigues and the Berlin-based, Melbourne-born songwriter and musical enigma. Heart Beating is a tactile, heaving electronic anthem; a fearless blend of pulsating and sampled beats, low-res bleeps and hand claps that groove in tandem with its epic delivery of journeying to the brink of life, and back again.

The three and a half minute fist-pumping catchcry, which draws upon 90s hip hop, 80s new wave, and 8bit videogame synths through a prism of hazy indie nostalgia, is redolent of Joshua T's signature approach: genre-defying, hookladen and pop-leaning.

After JT's initial tracking of vocal layers in friends' loungerooms and vintage synths in bedrooms, the song lay dormant on his harddrive and Cesar Rodrigues, being a fan of his work for a long time encouraged him to bring this one out of the shadows. Together they polished the rough edges in the newly established Blank Tape studio in Northcote, producing the track into its final swirling lush mix.

Joshua T is currently working on new material for his debut album with Oscar Dawson and Joe Franklin (Dukes Of Windsor/Planet Love Sound) at the production helm. The trio are currently based in Berlin and the highly anticipated results will be hitting Australian shores early in 2012.

Listen to "Heart Beating" below:

Heart Beating - Joshua T by blanktapemusic

Iluka National Tour

2011-11-10T16:50:00.000+11:00

Bands seem to be changing their names more regularly then the average citizen changes their underwear and the latest on the list is the artist formerly known as Nikki Thorburn - who now plays under the moniker Iluka.

As the woman says herself - ILUKA was born of a chance encounter with a peddler of trinkets. I stumbled upon a stallholder who, for each of his treasures, told the tale of its origin. True or not, the salesman seemed to tell each story with the steely resolve of a man who'd lived it. Of the necklace that drew my eye, the peddler spoke of a singer from a bygone era. A singer by the name of ILUKA who inhabited smokey speakeasys and sang with a captivating jazzy croon. The story of ILUKA soon became legend in the Thorburn house, and as I turn the page on my musical evolution it's time to breathe new life into the ILUKA name.

Iluka is touring the nation this month so be sure to catch her at one of the following shows:

THU NOV 17 - The Clarendon, KATOOMBA

SAT NOV 19 - Hibernian House, SYDNEY

WED NOV 23 - The Empress Hotel, MELBOURNE

SAT NOV 26 - Pure Pop Records, MELBOURNE

THU DEC 01 - The Treehouse, BYRON BAY

SUN DEC 04 - Front Gallery & Cafe, CANBERRA

WED DEC 07 - FBI Social, SYDNEY

THU DEC 08 - Great Northern Hotel, NEWCASTLE

Watch the "Eyes Closed" video below

Saskwatch - Don't Wanna Try/Pushin Me Away

2011-11-10T13:59:00.000+11:00

Resolute and larger than life; Saskwatch are a 9 piece Soul Explosion out of Melbourne, Australia.

Taking cues from legends like James and Aretha, as well as New York’s bangin’ modern soul scene; Saskwatch smash out their inimitable live show, hard, rough and tight - just like the old days. Leading the pack is singer Nkechi Anele, who will take you from the depths of heartache to overwhelming joy in just one night.

Following on from their March “I Thought This Was Love/Kids” 7’’ release; Saskwatch are proud to announce the launch of their follow up 7” over two nights at The Workers Club. The 24th and 25th of November will play host the launch of “Don’t Wanna Try” - a sweet slice of mellow soul, with afro-inspired horns and singer Nkechi Anele’s earnest pleas for peace; and it’s B-Side, the psychedelic, ever-funky “Pushin Me Away”.

In what has been a productive year for the group, celebrating two years of their acclaimed Cherry residency, an album in the can, and a slot at this year’s Falls Festival (amongst two 7” releases); these two nights are a chance to catch Saskwatch at their best, premiering new cuts from their Debut album (due out in early 2012), and in some stellar company.

For more details head to saskwatch.com.au

Don't Wanna Try / Pushin' Me Away by Saskwatch by showoffservices

Lion & The Lotus - We Could Be The Fire

2011-11-09T13:30:00.000+11:00

Lion & The Lotus are a live electronic duo from Sydney who seamlessly blend sample based electronica with hip hop and soul. Their unique sounds make for pleasant listening and if you happen to be in Sydney then you can check out their show at the following dates:

The LoveJam Festival - Bondi Beach Road Hotel November 19th
No Dice Paradise - Oxford Arts Factory December 9th
Peat's Ridge Festival - 29th December - 1st January

Have a listen to their debut single "We Could Be The Fire" below:
We Could Be The Fire by Lion & the Lotus

The Aves - Grow Up

2011-11-09T09:43:00.001+11:00

Adelaide based indie/garage/new wave band The Aves have just finished recording their debut EP Panic with Aria Award winning producer Lindsay Gravina at Birdland Studios in Melbourne.

Opening single 'Grow Up’ is a heady mix of laconic bass groove and sharp concise riffs. With indie rock sensibility at its heart, 'Grow Up' hints at garage and classic influences lurking just beneath the surface.

Front and centre is Lucy Campbell's engaging, almost conversational, vocal. Detailing the travails of a life lived in suburban no man's land, 'Grow Up's tells a story that we all understand. Says Campbell: "I'm a big fan of David Bowie, so I took his cue and wrote the lyrics really quickly and kind of spasmodically, a lot of it was done at the microphone; last second, ball in the back of the net."

As Campbell further explains, that insouciance permeates through the rest of the track. "We wanted something simple and fun, and the end result was ‘Grow Up’. It only took about five minutes to write, and is great fun to play live. We didn't intend it to be the single off the EP, but it ended up being the track that stood out."

The Aves launch ‘Grow Up’ at The Workers Club (Melbourne) on Sunday December 4 with The Pretty Littles and Howl at the Moon in support.

For more information head to facebook.com/TheAvesBand

Listen to "Grow Up" below:

Grow Up - The Aves by showoffservices

Susy Blue National Tour

2011-11-08T07:59:00.000+11:00

It's hard to describe the magic of the circus, when you step inside that tent you are transported to another world - the world of wild animals, wacky clowns and topsy-turvy tightrope walkers. Susy Blue's new single 'Circus' delves into the wonders of the big top spectacle.

A finalist for the Melbourne Music Prize and Darebin Music Feast Songwriter's Award, Susy Blue's unique style and voice have been recognized by critics and music lovers alike. Following the release of her debut album earlier this year which received extensive local and national airplay including Triple J and ABC, Susy Blue embarks on a national tour to launch her film clip and single with shows booked through November.

Funded by her fans, the creation of the 'Circus' film clip was realized by collaborators Paper-Deer and Motive with a troupe of circus folk and friends playing parts of strongmen, acrobats, bears and bearded ladies. Drawing similarities to artists such as Gillian Welch, Laura Marling and Joanna Newsom, Susy Blue's music is a mélange of nouveau-folk, jazz and pop. Her timeless voice conjures imagery of happy childhood memories transcending into moments of mischief and melancholy.

The contributions and support towards the film clip were overwhelmingly generous as many have been eager to see Susy Blue's refreshing songwriting adapted into colourful moving images. Performing at festivals Woodford, Apollo Bay and High Noon, Susy Blue's live show is noted to be cheeky, unexpected and entertaining. Curious? Join Susy and her band of gypsies as they kick off their national tour in celebration of creative collaboration!

Friday 18 November - EXCELSIOR HOTEL - Sydney

w/Achoo Bless You and Special Guests

Saturday 19 November - THE MUSIC KAFE - Brisbane

*Special acoustic show*

Sunday 20 November - DOWSE BAR - Brisbane

With Dan Huey

You can stream Susy Blue's single at

www.soundcloud.com/susy-blue

www.facebook.com/susyblue

Donny Benet - Sophisticated Lover film clip + tour

2011-11-08T07:33:00.000+11:00

Donny Benét returns with a new single, video & tour for ‘Sophisticated Lover’, the second single from his debut album ‘Don’t Hold Back’.

THE VIDEO

Directed by Luci Schroder, the new video for Sophisticated Lover features dancing, dogs, a boat, the Knight Rider car and must be seen. Check it our here.

THE TOUR

Donny tore up Sydney and Melbourne at his album launches where people were compelled to get up on stage and dance with Australia’s best DIY funk machine. Having supported everyone from Warpaint to Aesop Rock in recent times, Donny brings his brand of dance across Australia for the first time on his Sophisticated Lover Tour this December.

*Tickets for all shows include a free download of ‘Amante Sofisticato’ (Sophisticated Lover, Italian language version) and zero booking fee. Available here: http://donnybenet.bandcamp.com

SYDNEY

Friday December 2 - FBI Social, w/ Erik Omen & SunSun (Disco Club)

MELBOURNE

Saturday December 3 - Buffalo Club, w/ Montero & Free Choice Duo

PERTH

Friday December 16 - Ya Ya’s, w/ Andrew Sinclair & DJs Chris Cobilis, Javier Frisco, Richard Sylk

BRISBANE

Saturday December 17 - The Beetle Bar, w/ M. O’Neill, Praxis Axis

Watch the "Sophisticated Lover" film clip below

Donny Benét - Sophisticated Lover from LUCI SCHRODER on Vimeo.

Foxx On Fire - March Into The Sun Video

2011-11-04T10:05:00.000+11:00

In my dodgy younger years I used to live in the Northcote Social Club band room and I still have an old Foxx On Fire single from a show of theirs I witnessed there many moons ago. Turns out the lads are all grown up now and have moved to the UK - which is sad for Melbourne but fortunate for the world in general as their music is still awesome. Their latest single "March Into The Sun" is the perfect soundtrack for the coming season. Drenched in reverb guitars and distant harmonies the track resonates with warmth and will be released via iTunes on Friday, November 25.

Whilst primarily taking influence from psychedelic and classic pop, Foxx On Fire’s European sojourn has clearly sharpened their knives and sense of adventure. Recorded in Sheffield with Colin Elliot (Richard Hawley, Jarvis Cocker), ‘March Into The Sun’ sees the band explore a diverse range of musical identities, from disco noir to krautrock, to create a multi-faced and engaging listening experience.

The Melbourne-formed, but currently UK-based, quartet have already gained a solid reputation as one of the scene’s most incendiary live propositions and have shared stages with acts such as Midnight Juggernauts, John Foxx, Art vs Science and Cloud Control. Most recently they have been touting their wares in the UK and were handpicked to play the Underage Festival alongside Bombay Bicycle Club, Miles Kane & Viva Brother.

With untold miles and a new EP under their collective belts, Foxx On Fire return to Australia in 2012 for a national tour.

Watch the clip for "March Into The Sun" below

Foxx on Fire // March Into The Sun from Foxx on Fire on Vimeo.

Sophie Koh - Lo Fi Video

2011-11-03T09:33:00.001+11:00

The music video for 'Lo-Fi', the first single to be lifted from Sophie Koh's highly anticipated long player, Oh My Garden is as energetic as its soundtrack.

An all singing and (occasionally) dancing affair set in the most unlikely of locations, the video for 'Lo-Fi' capitalises on the song's upbeat vibe and effortless charm.

Directed by Brendan Hay and featuring the choreography of Jade Duffy and dancers from BodyElectric Studios.

Lo-Fi is written by Sophie Koh, Ben Lee and Brad Wood. Song produced and recorded by Brad Wood (Something For Kate and Placebo) at SeaGrass Studios, Los Angeles.

Sophie Koh and her band will take to the Aussie east coast in celebration of 'Lo-Fi' this November.

- - -

Touring in November:

Thursday November 3 - The Northcote Social Club, Melbourne

Friday November 18 - The Basement, Sydney

Sunday November 20 - The Powerhouse, Brisbane

Watch the video below:

Dreamtime Melbourne LP Launch this Saturday

2011-10-26T00:01:00.001+11:00

Brisbane cosmic rockers Dreamtime are headed our way this weekend to launch their debut self titled LP. The three piece weave intoxicating melodies together that are reminiscent of a mind blowing acid flash back and their music makes me want to run wild with the fluorescent ponies into the sunset.

Joining in the celebrations are locals Udays Tiger, Silo and Slocombe's Pussy who are sure to rock your socks off with their killer good time vibes.

Catch Dreamtime doing their thing on Saturday October 29th at the Brunswick Hotel, 140 Sydney Rd, Brunswick. Doors are at 8:30pm and entry is FREE. I'll see you there for beers and more debauched weekend antics.

For more information check the Facebook event here

Check out Dreamtime's music here

Big Scary - Vacation (2011 LP)

2011-10-25T00:04:00.001+11:00

Melbourne based duo Big Scary have finally dropped their debut LP Vacation and thanks to the Triple J hype machine this was a hotly anticipated release. For those of you out there who were expecting a magnum opus or a grand artistic statement that pushes the boundaries of the genre then prepare to be disappointed as Big Scary have never been that type of band.

Vacation is a beautiful album that doesn’t aim to be anything more then highly enjoyable, well constructed pop. The music portrays the band’s influences and their varying state of mind as they’ve transformed from an underground cult act, to receiving critical acclaim and national success. This is an eclectic sonic journey that features rollicking sweaty rock, heartfelt piano ballads and soaring indie anthems which are all held together by Tom Iansek’s impassioned vocal delivery, the power of which will take your breath away.

Opener “Gladiator” is an early highlight which sees the band teetering on the edge of greatness with its grand riffs and grunge-esque angst that are soothing in spite of the melancholic undertone. “Mix Tape” shows the playful side of Big Scary with its lighthearted melodies that are incredibly catchy and even the cliched lyrical content doesn’t detract from the joyous nature of this song. “Purple” is a toe-tapping ditty that sees the band getting funky with the wah wah pedal as they dare the listener not to jump around to the good time vibes.

The real strength of Vacation lies in the quieter moments on the second half of the record where their song writing hits a peak with tracks such as “Got It, Lost It”, a mournful reflection that see’s Iansek’s Buckley-esque falsetto in fine form. The old single “Falling Away” has been reworked for the album to great effect and the moving ballad shows the band at their best with the pretty piano melodies and sweet boy-girl harmonies. “Rolling By” is a gorgeous piece that ends the album on a down beat note with the melodramatic piano arrangements adding an air of grandiose intrigue into the final moments.

Vacation is a bag of mixed treats that grows better with time. Upon first listen it’s easy to dismiss the record as banal, derivative pop as the band have played it safe, reigning in the reckless nature of their earlier releases and replacing it with a cohesive collection of radio friendly tunes that don’t break any new ground. However Big Scary have been true to themselves - making their music in their way. This is not a record that was written to impress the masses with the audience firmly in mind, this is music that was made by the band for the band and should be taken for what it is. This is pop done well and if given the chance it will bring a smile to your face and brighten up your day, and this pleasant side effect of their sound is really all that matters.

Review Score: 8/10

Written for The Dwarf

Snowy Belfast

2011-10-24T14:10:00.000+11:00

Melbourne's Snowy Belfast specialise in crafting imagined musical stories pitted with the occasional truth.

The band's latest single 'Stones' is one such enterprise. Essentially detailing the end of a relationship and the wan hope that both parties will escaped unscathed; 'Stones' creates its narrative layers of dark, brooding melody and incisive lyrics delivered with power and tenderness by front woman Esther Holt. Interlocking multiple layers to create orchestral flourishes over a deceptively simple backing, 'Stones' is captivating and complex, yet not needlessly complicated.

The release of 'Stones' sees Snowy Belfast consciously cross the line in the sand marked out by their debut EP Odds And Ends, which was released earlier this year, to explore new musical terrain. The country-infused folk bedrock is still there but their upcoming release sees it infused with a fiery intensity that will be the hallmark of their upcoming long player to be released in early 2012.

The band will be launching the single November 11 at the Esplanade alongside Tessa & The Typecast, The Tiger & Me and Howlin' Steam Train - all for the golden ticket price of FREE. Be sure to head along for beers and good times.

Listen to "Stones" below:

Stones - Snowy Belfast by showoffservices

King Gizzard EP Launch Tonight

2011-10-21T10:19:00.000+11:00

I love the Gizzard Wizards and have mucho excitemento for the release of Willoughby's Beach. 2011 has been a good year for the band. Recently nominated for an Age EG award, the lads have also landed themselves a plum spot at December's upcoming Meredith Music Festival. To finish off a stellar year in style, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard unleash their latest EP, Willoughby's Beach (on glorious 10" vinyl) this October 22.

Dripping with the sneering insouciance that singles 'Black Tooth' and 'Dead-Beat' had in spades, Willoughby's Beach is as electrifying as a hurtle down the Princes with the brakes cut and the accelerator jammed to the boards.

Siphoned from the fevered mind of Stu Mackenzie and filtered through the sensibilities of the seven-member King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard army, Willoughby's Beach was committed live to tape in one sweat soaked, adrenaline fueled session at Paul Maybury's Fairfield warehouse.

Brave the rain and come grab yourself some vinyl action and help the boys celebrate the release of their debut EP with some mad party times at the Tote Hotel. Set times are below. See you there for expensive pints and quality entertainment.

THE MURLOCS: 8:30

HARRY HOWARD AND THE NDE: 9:30

BAPTISM OF UZI: 10:30

KING GIZZARD: 11:30

Secondhand Heart November Residency

2011-10-20T22:27:00.000+11:00

Go see this lot at their Evelyn residency every Monday night in November. Not only does it coincide with $10 jug night, but their music also happens to be incredibly beautiful. Read the official press release below and be sure to head a long for beers and good times with some of Melbourne's finest unsigned talents.

There’s nothing like the thrill of discovering a limited edition collectors record in the $2 bin at an op shop – this is Secondhand Heart territory and after selling out their debut EP launch in August, Shh headline Monday nights at the Evelyn in November, giving sonic hunters the opportunity to chance upon Shh’s blues infused euphoric pop/rock.

Playing upon the genremesh that is today – each Monday will have a different flavour starting with folk/anti-folk through to Alt-Femme then Blues/Rock before rounding off at Indie-Pop.

The sultry Al Parkinson kicks off the residency on November 7th with her soulful vocals, followed by the light-hearted storytelling of Oh Deanna blending quirky with cute, while folk-pop ensemble Rosie & George charm the audience with a seamlessly interweaving male/female vocal partnership.

On November 14th dream-pop chanteuse Lily Parker opens with her carefully crafted compositions, followed suit by Lashes to Lashes who mix Alt-Femme with multi-layered melodies and Ainslie Wills whose understated rich vocals have captured the hearts of many.

Week 3 will have a raw grittier vibe with Dead River Deeps frontman Lincoln MacKinnon playing solo, the slow seductive swaggered sounds from Eddie & the Prowl blues rock group and Sans Gras with their gutsy energetic performance.

Finishing off the residency Tom Milek’s heartfelt honest songs lead listeners to familiar forgotten places, then lo-fi pop artist Kikuyu (who has recently been featured on triple j’s unearthed station) unwraps her beautiful arranged packages, before indie pop group Tully on Tully offer up their unique and individual tunes.

Every Monday unfolds a new dimension to Secondhand Heart’s original sound. Whether you seek new or old – you won’t spend time sifting shelves here as we’ve found Melbourne’s finest. With $10 jugs and free entry, Monday nights at the Evelyn are becoming quite a deal. Don’t you love a bargain?

Doors open 8pm

Monday 7 November – EVELYN HOTEL - Melbourne

Supports Rosie & George, Oh Deanna and Al Parkinson

Monday 14 November– EVELYN HOTEL – Melbourne

Supports Ainslie Wills, Lashes to Lashes and Lily Parker

Monday 21 November – EVELYN HOTEL - Melbourne

Supports Sans Gras, Eddie & the Prowl and Lincoln MacKinnon (Dead River Deeps)

Monday 28 November – EVELYN HOTEL - Melbourne

Supports Tully on Tully, Kikuyu and Tom Milek

You can stream Secondhand Heart’s EP at

www.secondhandheartband.com.au

www.facebook.com/secondhandheartband

available for purchase at

www.secondhandheartband.bandcamp.com

For more info on Secondhand Heart check out the interview I did with Jess here and their EP review here. I'll see you at the Evelyn next month. Free bands and cheap beer is a combination I can never resist.

Interview with Taraka Larson of Prince Rama (US)

2011-10-20T16:56:00.000+11:00

Prince Rama are one of the few international acts announced for the summer festival season that I'm genuinely excited about seeing and last week I got to have a quick chat with Taraka from the band. The line was bad (as it always is when you're making international calls on a mobile to someone who is driving across the country) but the transcription didn't turn out to weak. Cheers to the AUreview for setting that one up. Read the int below.

American psych rockers Prince Rama will be hitting our shores in January to partake in the MONA FOMA and Sugar Mountain Music Festivals. Kat Mahina caught up with Taraka Larson from the band to discuss the music, cosmic portals and ritual sacrifice ahead of their impending trip down under.

Hi Taraka, how are you, whereabouts is the band at the moment?

It depends on where you are - are you in the future or the past?

I’m trying my best just to live in the present at this point in time

(laughs) Good answer. We’re touring around the states. We’re on the road travelling as we speak.

So all of your press mentions how you met living at a hare krishna commune in Florida during high school, can you tell me what the community and life was like there?

Our parents lived there. We went to high school there. At the time when we formed we were all back home for a little bit and we didn’t really know what we were doing and we were all so bored so we were like - hey lets start a band.

Would you say that there are lingering traces of krishna services in your live shows?

I would say so. Definitely. Whatever experiences you have growing up all leak into the music in one way or another. The sense of community and participation and those ideas are present in the music itself. They do a lot of chants that use call and response that we do like and the delineation blurs when you’re all in it together. It becomes an amorphous mystical kind of participation. I’m interested in that and using the shows to do this. It’s like creating a sacred space, well not creating so much as tapping into the sacredness that already exists in the space and making a harmonious community through music.

What inspires your sound?

There’s no one thing it changes day to day. At the moment we’ve been listening to a lot of Lee Hazlewood and Alice Coltrane. Those are pretty top people I’m inspired by at the moment. I'm inspired a lot by the people in my life and through spending time with them. My friends and the people we play with too are pretty inspiring.

Prince Rama is signed to Paw Tracks - Animal Collective’s label - how did that meeting come about?

It came at a pivotal time, we were broke and about to break up. We were all in these dark places. We were in town at the same time as SXSW and our friend was playing a show. It wasn’t even part of the festival it was at a completely different part of town, and we were all tired but we went to a friend’s show, and when we were there they were like - jump in and play - so we did an impromptu set. There was this guy in the audience who I’d noticed earlier in the night and he came up and talked to me afterward and he was really full on and in my face being all - who are you guys, where’d you come from, what do you and stuff like that. We talked for a while and he told me that we reminded him of Gang Gang Dance and I was all yeah we saw them on tour a few years ago with Animal Collective, you know before they were like ‘woah Animal Collective’ and he was like yeah I’m in that band. It was an Oh my God moment - I was really into the band. It was so awesome. He came to another one of our shows and it all kind of happened from there.

You’re coming to Australia early next year for the MONA FOMA and Sugar Mountain festivals. Have you been to Australia before?

No, never. We’re really excited it’s totally new territory for us. In particular we’re looking forward to visiting Tasmania. Did I say the wrong thing? I know its not always considered to be part of Australia (laughs).

No I’m actually from Tasmania so I’m a strong advocate of the southern state

Oh really? Cool. I can’t wait to visit. I’m excited about the whole experience. I really hope we get to go into the country a bit. I mean I’ve seen cities all over so I’m kind of hoping we can go into the outback and adventure. We were just at Joshua Tree in California and its like this crazy desert that just blows your mind so I’m excited and hoping to be able to go and see what the outback of Australia is really like. I’d love to visit the outback.

Are you doing any solo shows when you’re in town?

I’m not sure at this stage. Honestly we’ve been on tour for the past few weeks and I only really know where we are today, but I hope so.

What can we expect from your live shows?

Don’t expect anything. We don’t want expectations. Be surprised. We’ll be surprised with you.

What’s the best live band you’ve seen lately?

Oh that’s a hard one. The best live band is difficult. I guess one band that comes to mind who are really amazing and special are Sewn Leather from Portland. They’re crazy live. I feel like every time he plays a portal gets opened into a cosmic space. It like the entire room is thrown into a nebula of chaos. It’s volatile and unpredictable like ritual sacrifice. Its like haunted but amazing.

For more information on Sugar Mountain 2012 head to the official website.

Gosteleradio + Wolfy & The Bat Cubs - The Workers Club (15.10.11)

2011-10-19T10:06:00.000+11:00

A tiny crowd gathered early to catch supporting act Wolfy & The Bat Cubs strutting their stuff on stage, which was a shame as their set was highly enjoyable. The five piece play old school psych rock with a passion and they do the thing properly with era appropriate outfits and a staunch devotion to their sound. They had a fun presence and powered through a tight set of rollicking rock that is heavily influenced by The Rolling Stones. If you like 60’s infused rock with a modern twist then check out Wolfy & The Bat Cubs, their live show was made for the fun party times.

Wolfy & The Bat Cubs

Gosteleradio have greatly improved their live show since I last saw them supporting the Night Terrors at the Tote mid last year. Now playing as a four piece, the band were resplendent as they played amidst a wash of beautiful visual projections that were swirling around the back of the stage. They sound even better live then they do on record with their gorgeous melodies seemingly all encompassing as the band concentrated hard on cultivating the intense passion that emanates throughout their music.

Gosteleradio

The boys let their songs do the talking, with minimal crowd interaction and the packed out band room were entranced by their heavenly arrangements, highlights of which were stunning renditions of “Wave”, “Odyssey” and “Ships At Sea”. Gosteleradio make incredibly moving sounds and their EP launch saw their trademark grandiose melodies played to perfection. Their short set was a sonic delight that rounded out another fantastic weekend of ripper live music.

Written for The AUreview