"It was not your fault but mine, and it was your heart on the line. I really fucked it up this time, didn't I my dear."
The London folk scene is out of control. I've already expressed my love for Johnny Flynnand of course Laura Marling. Out of the same city comes Mumford & Sonsand their absolutely delicious song Little Lion Man.
I first noticed these guys on Sydney blog Only An Earthlingand it only took exactly 31 seconds for this track to sweep me away. This is when Marcus Mumford's vocals jump in and join the guitar, double bass, piano, bass drum and banjo and the party really gets started. Sure, its a morose sort of party filled with more painful emotion than most artists can fit in a whole album. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
The question that I'm asking is: who exactly is SidWho? Well, suprise suprise his name is Sid. He hails from Adelaide. He is one fourth of the totally "disco" disco band The Swiss. He is the touring bassist for Mr. Steele and his Empire of the Sun. And he is responsible for one majorly catchy chilled out track in Millionaire. Although less disco than the stuff coming out from his live band; the omnipresent hi-hat, groovy base line and smooth vocals are clearly influenced by this 70s throw back that is quickly seeping into most corners of the music world. Hallelujah, the 80s are finally over.
I love mix tapes. Like so much. I love making them. And I love receiving them.
I was given a particularly amazing one a few months ago and this track was the climactic centre piece and I haven't been able to stop listening to it since. It was my first taste of four piece Melbourne band The Crayon Fieldsand now that I have heard their second album, after which this track was named, I know that these guys are worthy of more than just a one track slot on a mix tape. With its funky bass line, laid back vibe and super cute vocals (reminiscent of The Whitest Boy Alive), this is one of my favourite songs of the year.
There was a period of time in my life where I think I saw the Midnight Juggernauts more than my own mother. Seriously. It felt like at every gig or festival I would end up stomping along to Tombstone, Shadow and all my other familiar friends. Two years later and the three boys from Melbourne are on the brink of releasing their second album. The first single is This New Technology and straight away I am comforted with the same Jugger's sounds I'm used to. Fast rhythm. Big drums. Organ synth. And a dance floor break down. But this time around, the vocals aren't light and breathy but darker and almost more dominant than the music. For me, its business as usual but with enough of a twist to keep it interesting. I'm heaps keen to hear what the rest of the album is going to be like.
No news of a release date (or name, I don't think), so in the meantime you're gonna need to pick up a limited edition 7" from Acéphale Records. Why do this when you can get it here for free? Well, because then you would be able to proudly tell your grand kids that you are one of only FIVE HUNDRED people to own the Midnight Juggernauts first single off their second album. WOAH! Annnd...this nifty vinyl features a remix from my fave New Jersian Weird Tapes.
I love Twilight. I know, I know. Lame alert. I just can't help it. Just like with the other ultra famous fantasy series of our time, I started off being far too cool and thought these books were nothing but childish rubbish. But at the end of the day, I shouldn't even bother fighting it 'cos childish rubbish is what I'm ALL ABOUT. (Meanwhile I'm mega pumped for the Tomorrow When the War Began films to finally be made)
Anyway enough about my shit taste. Death Cab For Cutie has put out the lead track for the second film in the Twilight series New Moon. With a very vampiresque title Meet Me at the Equinox, the song obviously has the trademark Death Cab sound courtesy of Benjamin Gibbard and whilst at first I thought it felt a little nothing, it has slowly grown on me. Obviously I'm looking forward to this flick to come out, but even more exciting is the soundtrack which is set to also include stuff from Muse, Thom Yorke and Bon Iver. Amazing.
I was pretty psyched to be living in Sweden next year, mainly so I could become more like Air France. But alas, I will be spending time in Milan instead. So I thought I should find out a little more bout the tunage coming out of Italy.
Bugo is Cristian Bugatti and has been around since 2000 with his debut release: Bread, Penis, Pan. Charming. Not surprisingly it sounds a little bit more poetic in Italian: Pane, Pene, Pan. Love Boat is off his 2008 release Contatti (Contact) and is all about synths and the language of love. When asked why he sings in Italian, Bugo replied that the world would be a very boring place if all music was in English. So true.
NME gave Disco Drive 8/10. Nuff said? Don't be misled by their name, they ain't disco. They ARE punk, distorted guitars and unlikeBugothey believe rock is best sung in English.
One boy: Clod. One girl: Sofia. One city: Milan. One EP: And Everything Fits in the Yellow Whale. I found out about Iori's Eyesthrough the Music Alliance Pact and I just think their music is so cute. Soft and melodic electronic pop, the type of music that is perfect for a sunny day.
And then of course there is The Bloody Beetroots, arguably Italy's biggest musical export. At least in Australia. And at least right now. And at least that I can think of on the spot. I was never really much of a fan of the dirty electro sounds, but after listening to Warp twice a day every day as it gets flogged on the radio I'm starting to find their sound more tolerable. That said, I prefer the more subtle bass heavy collaboration with The Cool Kids...much easier listen.
About a year ago I discovered Clubfeet and became a little obsessed with scoping out their tracks. Well they're back on my radar and still pretty amazing.
Convaireare John, Jane, Liz and Dan. Right now these kids are gigging around Sydney with their mega cute pop tunes that really do just make you wanna dance, and dance....and dance. They recently made it to the semi finals of the Sydney Uni Band Comp but they lost. Sucks, ey? No, not really. Past losers include Dappled Cities, FrenzalRhomb, Youth Group and The Jezabels. I think its like Australian Idol, your only good if you don't win.
If you're in Sydney, check out Convaire yourself this Thursday at Thai Fisherman's Pants at Hotel Hollywood, Surry Hills kicking off at 8.
"Liz and Jane love it when you bob your heads and get into the groove. John and Dan love it too but they're boys so they don't say it as often" -Convaire, 2009
All music mentioned or linked in this blog is done so with the aim of promoting artists. If you like something you see go buy the album! If there are any problems please contact me at soundstheyleftbehind@gmail.com
The artwork used in the title of this blog is entitled "Left Behind" and more drawings by the artist can be found at http://littleworries.livejournal.com
