Sounds They Left Behind

Jonas Alaska

2011-02-25T18:34:00.000-08:00

"Been a lot to the movies lately, the last one ruined my heart"

Whata-hunk-a-spunk! His name is Jonas and like the only other person I know by that name he comes from the land called Norway. I have a huge place in my heart for Scando's...so any food, clothes, art, literature or music that comes from this area of the world will always have a pretty big head start in finding their way into my list of preferences. But in this case, the music feels less like its from the place of all year tans and more straight out of the London folk scene where Jonas currently studies. Think Johnny Flynn, Noah and the Whale and Laura Marling, but maybe with a tad more positivity. Awesome lyrics, awesome layered vocals and awesome use of the harmonica.

Jonas Alaska-In The Backseat (mp3)

Husky

2011-02-24T23:52:00.000-08:00

Who is Husky? No idea. But this track is epic and beautiful and just generally my new favourite song. The influence of Jose Gonzalez is pretty strong and I also have no doubt that these guys have the Boy and Bear bandwagon clearly in sight. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to push play fifteen times today.

The Heavenly States

2011-02-24T23:22:00.000-08:00

The Heavenly States have been making music out of Oakland, California for almost ten years, but this is my first little taste and it may just be the perfect first introduction. Model Son has a unique structure: a slowly increasing tempo and more and more layers being coming in throughout the four minutes, giving a real sense of a story being told through the music. Check out their EP Oui Camera Oui coming out in April.

The Heavenly States-Model Son (mp3)

Architecture In Helsinki

2011-02-24T22:47:00.000-08:00

Return to form for this Melbourne five piece...in my opinion...with our first taste of their fifth album Moment Bends that's due out in April with Modular. This track is less the erratic and aggressive sounds that found their way onto Places Like This through tracks like Debbie and Lazy (Lazy) and so much more the relaxed but still very kookie vibe of the earlier releases. And oh what a key shift!

Architecture in Helsinki-Contact High (mp3)

Philadelphia Grand Jury

2011-02-24T22:18:00.000-08:00

"All the best things fall to pieces, there's not point stopping now"

A few years ago I made myself a mix tape called "Driving Sing-a-Longs" and this new tune from Philadelphia Grand Jury would definitely feel right at home on this CD. The Philly Jays are going from strength to strength. After delivering us their debut album Hope is For Hopers earlier this year, they're back for a second dip of the guacamole with a split 7" featuring the very catchy Save Our Town and a classic cover of Jay-Z's 99 Problems. They are just about to depart on a tour around all of Australia, supported by the always awesome Bearhug. Go.

Philadelphia Grand Jury-Save Our Town (removed)

Fisherking

2010-09-02T23:58:00.000-07:00

Fisherking have been swimming around the Sydney music scene since before 2008, but its taken until now to produce a debut long player. Islands gives a good indication of what these guys are all about: the brush of the snare, measured guitar, brooding vocals, a soothing tempo. And if you can find your way through all of this, you'll also be rewarded with some pretty beautiful lyrics.

This album WILL be the talk of the town come November 5.

Fisherking-Islands (mp3)

Little Red

2010-08-17T02:09:00.000-07:00

I had a truly lovely day today. Didn't do anything remarkable or particularly enjoyable, but it was just a nice day. The only thing that potentially marred this was hearing the start of this track whilst driving but not having the time to stick around and hear who was responsible! I knooow its not anything new but I'm slightly out of touch at the moment. Turns out Little Red have moved on from the burger and fries 1950's diner pop that was their debut Listen to Little Red and have replaced it with banging keys and a catchy bass. Don't worry the perfectly pitched boy harmonies are still there and so is the cutest drummer in the southern hemisphere (but now he looks less geek and more sleek!) This track made my day and I hope it makes yours too!

Little Red-Rock It (mp3)

Jenny and Johnny

2010-07-24T02:24:00.000-07:00

Jenny Lewis + Johnathon Rice = cute girl friend/ boy friend duo that is going by the name of Jenny and Johnny. It's happy pop music with a driving guitar and sing-along lyrics. Can't you just feel the love?

Jenny and Johnny-Scissor Runner (mp3)

Cut Copy

2010-07-17T15:06:00.001-07:00

Breath shortened. Heart beating faster. Massive cliche I know, but this is literally what happened the second I saw Cut Copy had released a track from their upcoming third album. Obviously I was excited, but also prepared for the new stuff to fall maybe a little short of the greatness that has been the past two albums. Nup! This track is amazing. The harmonies immediately make me think of Animal Collective so totally not surprised to see the boys are working with the same producer Ben Allen. The really really 80's vibe of previous stuff has gone, but it's still a massive throw back to the past few decades, it's just a little harder to pick exactly where it fits in. Can't wait to: (a) hear some remixes, (b) get my hands on the album and (c) see the new stuff in the flesh.

Cut Copy-Where I'm Going (mp3)

One Happy Island

2010-07-12T09:05:00.000-07:00

"It seemed like a good idea at the time...make like a tree and please go away"

One Happy Island's debut release is 15 pretty different tracks. Some are sorta sad, some are manically happy, but all are kooky and cute with lyrics that make you want to smile. Although the electric ukulele goes a long way, it is most definitely the switches between boy and girl vocals and the harmonies that come between that make these guys so much fun. For me, it's the "girl" tracks How to Hurt and Nomi, You're a Star that really hit the spot, but that doesn't mean that Kuduzu Girlfriend (a "boy" one) isn't damn sweet as well. Makes me want to nod my head side to side, whilst sitting in a diner drinking a milkshake and eating fries. Yup!

One Happy Island-Kudzu Girlfriend (mp3)

School of Seven Bells

2010-07-12T08:23:00.000-07:00

The second album from School of Seven Bells is out, it's called Disconnect From Desire and it's a lovely listen. Some tracks are more upbeat than others, but with the soft and sorta eerie harmonies of the Deheza twins each of the 10 tracks is relaxing enough to send you into a blissful summery dreampop sleep. The lead single Windstorm is pretty representative of the whole album. Very very catchy melody, give it three listens and you probs won't be able to get it out of your head.

School of Seven Bells-Windstorm (mp3)

Sticky Fingers

2010-07-08T14:10:00.000-07:00

Who are you Sticky Fingers? I'm out of the country right now so maybe I've missed the buzz you've been creating. And if there hasn't been buzz then there's something seriously wrong. I've been trying real hard to like most stuff that is coming my way, which isn't necessarily a bad thing...but with Juicy Ones there was no effort needed. None at all. I love this track and cannot wait to get back to Sydney and see their much hyped live shows.

Sticky Fingers-Juicy Ones (mp3)

Young Heretics

2010-07-03T15:40:00.000-07:00

Mathew and Kitty from Melbourne self produced and self funded an album they called We Are The Lost Loves and put it up for free grabs on their website way back in April. But it took four more months for their polished set of 11 tracks to make their way to my ears. I keep reading that these guys are twins, and for a while I even convinced myself that you could see the genetic similarities. But apparently there is no blood shared, as they are simply step siblings. Embarrassing.

Their music is good and you can tell that the Young Heretics are two talented people making some very listenable acoustic electronic combos and cute boy girl harmonies. The problem is I can't seem to shake a kind of of emo thing I get from their stuff. Maybe it's just cos Mathew was once the lead singer of The Getaway Plan. Or maybe it's the at times overly earnest lyrics and dramatic compositions. But we shouldn't let stereotyping get in the way of good music, should we?

Second single Risk/Loss has just got to be a conscious Crystal Castles reference, but regardless it is still heaps catchy and comes with a bonus creepy video!

Young Heretics-Risk/Loss (mp3)

Steering By Stars

2010-07-03T15:03:00.000-07:00

Adelaide four piece Steering By Stars have just put out their independent debut album Cables. The lead single, Closer took my liking right away (hectic intro, eerie vocals and some really beautiful keys) but the rest of the tracks are so diverse that its taken me a little while to take it all in. The album seems to start of with large stadium drums and an almost progressive feel but then quickly becomes more and more driven by the strong melody of the piano and it's sorta nice to get the real thing for a change rather than the electronic or synthesised version. Which is really true for the album as a whole: there aren't really any bells or whistles, it is stripped back and raw...what you hear on the record is just the music.

Steering By Stars-Spirits (mp3)

Good Old War

2010-06-22T13:26:00.000-07:00

"Oh it's the last time I'll fall in love, yeah its the last try to break apart"

Keith, Tim and Dan are Good Old War. Like most folk, it took me a few listens to get into their self titled sophomore album. But now that it's gotten into--I'm never getting out. Some have likened them to Simon and Garfunkel and with their subtle harmonies, heartbreaking melodies and a gift for story telling this is no surprise. Stand out tracks are My Sinking Ship, Making My Life and That's Some Dream. Each equally depressing (as the world of folk tends to be), but each showing how damn good these guys are. Grab the album which is out on the pretty awesome Sargent House.

Good Old War-My Own Sinking Ship (mp3)

Tortoiseshell

2010-06-22T12:22:00.001-07:00

"Started living in each others world, I took to you like no other girl"

You may have come across a Sydney based band called Tennis. It was full of brothers and cousins and put on some pretty fun filled and whacky shows. I saw them open for Lost Valentinos at the Annandale early last year. Unfortunately, Tennis is no longer (possibly due to hype surrounding Denver based husband/wife due by the same name). So instead we have the same line up going by the name of Tortoiseshell (incidentally my favourite animal print) and putting out a super duper track called My Girl. The release in on Canyons label Hole In The Sky, which means punters get an even sweeter deal of a Canyons dub to play around with. This version is even more disco, chilled and summery. And with the same truly epic vocal.

Tortoiseshell-My Girl (Canyons Dub) (mp3)

N.B. Just realised this band could actually be called Tortoises Hell as opposed to Tortoise Shell

Miami Horror

2010-06-19T15:28:00.000-07:00

I wanted so bad for Yacht to be the one. After falling for them big time after they opened for LCD Soundsystem in Berlin, I wanted their remix of Miami Horror's new piece of pop to be the bestest. But unfortunately, for me that honour goes to Sam La More. But I'm pretty sure this preference is just cos it takes me so heavily back to the sweaty clubs of 2006. Whichever version takes your fancy, this track is fun. The Melbourne based quartet is set to release their debut LP Illumination this year, and if it's anything like Moon Theory and last year's key banging Sometimes then its sure to be a cracker.

Miami Horror-Moon Theory (Sam La More Remix) (mp3)

Miami Horror-Sometimes (G.L.O.V.E.S Remix) (mp3)

M.I.A

2010-06-18T03:15:00.000-07:00

There was a time when seeing a new M.I.A track pop up on the blogosphere was enough to send my heart racing. But now it just makes me laugh as I anticipate how totally below average it's gonna be. Scrap that. How bad it's going to be.

I even began to believe that maybe these were fake tracks as part of a dramatic ploy to make the eventual REAL release of third album Maya look mindblowingly amazing next to the crap that is Stepping Up and Born Free.

But unfortunately, I just got a sneak pick at the new album (due out on July 17) and I can safely say that unless she has created an entire fake 12 track album-it's time to farewell the M.I.A. we knew and loved. It wasn't til the 11th track Tell Me Why that I fully realised what was wrong with the first 10: you can barely here Maya's vocals over all the weird heavy industrial noise. Where are the massive beats? The catchy lyrics? The fun vocals? Goooone. The last two tracks are the closest we get.

In all fairness I have to add that I don't totally hate the lead single XXXO. It's cheezy and it endlessly reminds me of Gossip Girl, but I can't get it out of my head which must say something. The Jay-Z "remix" manages to just tip this one over into the diminutive "good" pile.

M.I.A.- XXXO (Remix. Feat. Jay-Z) (mp3)

LCD Soundsystem, Again.

2010-06-10T07:20:00.000-07:00

Is this the greatest LCD Soundsystem tune of all time? Yes. Is that a big call? Yes. The show in Berlin was nothing short of what you would expect from James Murphy and crew: both wildly entertaining and musically brilliant. Listening all at once to a mash of old and new it becomes so startling clear how diverse their stuff is. It reminds me of way back when and trying to find LCD at the record store, and being genuinely confused about which genre I needed to look in (NB: Dance apparently). But of course there was dancing at this show. All kinds. From the simple head nod and eyes-closed-at-one-with-my-body sway to the circle pits and hair thrashing that are obligitory at any show in Germany. LCD Soundsystem are the type of band that make you NEED to go to their show. Sure, their albums are good, maybe even great. But to see them live is what it's all about.

Arcade Fire

2010-06-02T14:52:00.000-07:00

It definitely doesn't have the grandiose and almost orchestral arrangement that usually comes with anything Arcade Fire touches. In fact, I was totally convinced that this was a fresh new band coming up the ranks. But now, I don't know how I could've been so stupid-we all know there is only one Win Butler.

It's a sentimental track about the Butler brothers growing up in plain old suburban California. Which is sorta funny because when I think of Arcade Fire I think of them as being intrinsically Canadian, but I spose they still can be. Like I said before, the music totally takes a back seat to the vocals in this one, but with a falsetto chorus as catchy as this one I guess it's ok.

The album by the same name is due out on August 3. In the meantime they've given us a 12" with the title track and a B side Month of May which sorta sounds like the Foo Fighters...

Arcade Fire-The Suburbs (mp3)

Bearhug

2010-06-02T14:23:00.000-07:00

The boys have stepped right off their back foot and into some much more up tempo beats. The laid back/slow burning essence still remains but it seems Bearhug's signing to Spunk has not only upped their recording quality but also sparked a more enthusiastic sound.

Grapefruit starts out heaps indie with that cute tinny 'lil riff...before reallllly breaking down to some melchonic guitar that matches Ryan's vocals kinda perfectly. Then. It crashes to life like Bearhug have never done before.

Bring on June 25 and the release of the bands debut EP To Anything.

Bearhug-Grapefruit (mp3)

Coachella 2010

2010-05-03T15:20:00.000-07:00

Guest Post: Alex M. Back

There is something spiritual about Coachella. Don´t misunderstand. It is not a religious experience per se, although one imagines there would have been a few hallelujah experiences, of minds lost in bubbles of unadulterated bliss...bodies bathed in the most ethereal of glowing lights (and epilepsy inducing lasers).

It is also not political. This claim that one associates with the archetypal music festival Woodstock, that collective generation turning around and giving the finger to their war mongering Mums and Dads, and then getting nude and wasted, just to piss them off.
No, it´s not nearly as serious as all that. Coachella is first and foremost an occasion, kindly prepared for us common folk, over two hundred thousand of us, 99.8 percent of us strangers to one another, to gather together, get delirious, get down and get dirty.

I mean really filthy. Obscene shower queues dictated that most campers bathed with shower wash and a bottle of water. Admittedly desert heat and dust made bathing nearly useless, a half hearted grasp at human decency, just before one traipsed into the dusty whirlpool of sound that were the festival grounds, already clothed in garments that were unrecognizable after three days of dancing. Sleeves scissored off, dirt smudged in the creases of shorts and singlets practically melted on to backs, you can forget the merest hint of trend or fashion. The occasional flannel shirt and black jean combination was briefly acknowledged more as "you're-gonna-faint-mister" than, "wow-you're-such-a-hipster". It's the desert fer cryin' out loud.

Ah and the music, so much to say, yet so difficult to fully comunicate the elaborate sounds and beats one one experiences for a near constant seventy two hours...beginning with morning bass throbbing through your air mattress which, combined with the greenhouse like heat your tent has accumulated after two minutes in the Californian sunrise forces you out of your tent and into your coffee...or your first beer. Hell, it´s hot. But allow me to attempt to explain

Tiesto orchestrated an arms up heads down open air RAVE with the population of a not too small city on the Saturday night. I imagine there were many thousands of aching biceps in the morning as a painful result of several hours of fist pumping to his beat dropping. Epic.

Tiesto-Feel It In My Bones (feat. Tegan and Sara) (mp3)

Miike Snow revved up their entire tracklist to put the sun to bed and was the perfect transition from chilled out day to electric evening.

It felt like Fever Ray was melting the air with her voice only to have it frozen again by her bands pounding jungle beats. Way cool.

Deadmau5 was confined to a tent that unfortunately couldn´t contain him or the crowd he was puppeteering. Such a shame would have been something else on the main stage. Doesn´t change the fact he makes some tunes that are perfect for throwing shapes on the dance floor slash dance field slash whichever patch of Earth you happen to be standing on. Yeah and a glowing mouse head bouncing to the tunes. Yes.

Calvin Harris-I'm Not Alone (Deadmau5 Remix) (mp3)

I'd love to expel more detailed accounts of each and every band and DJ I witnessed. I discovered new ones simply by following friends and following up with a sober listen test. There were stages for every mood. The sun set slowly whilst watching bands like Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros through the haze and once night descended glow sticks circled heads like halos, floating and bopping happily across the grounds. World class tunes beaming from every speaker, every face in the crowd beaming back.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros-40 Day Dream (mp3)

Picking up minds and faces and various accouterments from around the campsite, the absent early bass thumping was actually missed even through the fog of a three day hangover hovering quietly over the camp...thoughts of ¨but i could do another day¨ pierced that fog like shards of sunshine.

On this morning of departure, I acknowledged that I had learned two extremely important, life-recalibrating things from Coachella.

One, getting dirty is both fun and liberating and a way to blend with the environment and people and intensify the musical experience. With the shield of cleanliness smashed to smithereens nothing stands between your enjoyment of the music and your dancing ability and your neighbours and music really does sound better.

Secondly, and careful, this will really fuck you up, I learned that Disneyworld is definitely not the happiest place on Earth, Indio is.

Peace kids.

LCD Soundsystem

2010-04-16T03:04:00.000-07:00

You can usually tell when I don't like a new release. Not cos I openly bag it out (cos I don't really like that), but simply cos you won't find it anywhwre on here. LCD Soundsystem's first single Drunk Girls was a massive disapointment for me-it plays more like part two to North American Scum rather than the Someone Great or All My Friends that I wanted so bad. I was also even more bummed cos I had already bought tickets to a Berlin show in May.

Lucky for me, I reckon the other 8 tracks on This is Happening are bloody fantastic. The opening track and second single Dance Yrself Clean is a really slow building 9 minutes of amazingness that suddenly crashes to life a third of the way with dirty synths and excited James Murphy vocals. Perfection!

LCD Soundsystem-Dance Yrself Clean (mp3) (link removed, chill out DMCA)

Album: Goldfrapp

2010-04-12T11:40:00.000-07:00

Head First (2010) plays like a medium paced jog. Seventh Tree (2007) is much more of a relaxed yoga session. Personally, I would choose the yoga every time, but thats not to say we don't all need a bit of cardio every now and again.

Alison Goldfrapp is quite possibly the coolest person I don't know. In fact, the live rendition of lead single Rocket on some British talk show (below) actually made me imediatly like this album ten times more than I previously did. That dress! That hair! The drummer's hair! The keytars! The whole Stevie Nicks thing is so clearly intentional. But be warned-this 80's glam pop thing isn't just for show. Each and every one of Head First's nine tracks is smothered in wobbly synths, driving drums and heavy bass. The fine line between awesome and tacky is heavily trodden on.

But, this music is fun. Highlights include: (a) the totally catchy chorus of I Wanna Life, (b) the very Stevie Nicks feel of Dreaming (c) the general amazingness of the vocals (d) a neat little remix from Richard X One Zero that darkens the vibe of Rocket and makes it perfect for the dance floor.

I do miss the feathery lightness of the last album. But I should have known Goldfrapp have always been about the disco.

Goldfrapp-Dreaming (mp3) (link removed)

Goldfrapp-Rocket (Richard X One Zero Remix) (mp3)

Carl Fox

2010-04-04T16:17:00.000-07:00

If Guineafowl and Jonathan Boulet are your sorta men then it's about time you met Carl Fox. He comes out of Perth and usually works in three piece called Good Little Fox, but the recent release of solo disc Chunky Rainbow has allowed him to exchange his strings for some keys. It's full of the "inditroninca" required oohs and ahhs, a few glitches, some cute female back up and a generally down tempo relaxed sorta feel. Oh and he's a babe.

Carl Fox-Chunky Rainbow (mp3)

Eagle and the Worm

2010-04-04T15:16:00.001-07:00

Eagle and the Worm is essentially the musical child of Jarrad Brown-who also has his feet in a couple of other Melbourne based bands like: Joe Neptune, Custom Kings and Your Animal. But. As one listen of this track confirms, Mr. Brown does not do it alone. Rather, he gets together with 9 of his closest mates and lays down some pretty awesome sounds complete with piano, horns and cow bells. They've just released a 7" double with Futureman/Goodtimes through Melbourne based indie label Smiley McSlidey...and that first track is really really worth a listen. The self proclaimed Rolling Stones influence is hard to miss, but on top of this the band also delivers a colourful piece of music full of a whole heap of happy.

Eagle and the Worm-Futureman (mp3)

Eagle And The Worm- Futureman from Jarrad Brown on Vimeo

Tame Impala

2010-04-01T05:08:00.001-07:00

The first track off the debut Tame Impala album InnerSpeak was played for the first time on Australian radio station Triple J today. It's called Solitude is Bliss and you can catch it on their myspace. Thank god it seems the Perth boys have stayed pretty true to their 70's stoner rock, and I'm super excited bout hearing the remaining 10 new tracks. Album's out May 21 in Australia and June 28 everywhere else. But I know where you can get a sneak peak of the new stuff...

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti

2010-03-31T07:57:00.000-07:00

Sorta after the jump, as (literally) the whole blog world has been talking bout this one for the past 18 days. But this track is just so far up my alley that it would be a massive diservice to this blog not to give it a mention. I feel like this sound could accompany the opening credits of a cheezy 70's movie about good times and good friends. And so it doesn't really surprise me that Ariel Pink has been deemed part of the new wave of Yacht Rock. How can anyone resist that disco beat, uplifting vocal and the constantly changing tempo? Questo è impossibile!

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti-Round and Round (mp3)

Sensual Harassment

2010-03-29T12:28:00.000-07:00

Sensual Harassment are three dudes coming out of Brooklyn making fuzzy disco pop/rock. Think Metronomy meets Soulwax meets David Bowie. So far, only a three track EP has materialized from these guys but it was produced by Jesse Cannon (The Cure, Animal Collective) so I'm thinking we might be on to a good thing. But if your not convinced, check out the video of them doing it live. It's pretty awesome.

Sensual Harassment-Fever (mp3)

The Delta Riggs

2010-03-23T03:24:00.000-07:00

It starts out like your average indie track with the tap of the hi hat and the organ keys. But where it ends up is no where near indie, and rather in a world of bluesy rock 'n roll. This is kinda refreshing when you find yourself listening to some very similar stuff most of the time.

The Delta Riggs hail from the Blue Mountains. So do Belles Will Ring, Cloud Control, The Maple Trail. Quite clearly the eucalyptus haze of this 'hood helps make some pretty nice music. In three days time these guys are releasing their debut EP The Delta Riggs Ep as well as a 7" of lead single Soul Train. In the meantime you can stream the EP from their myspace or pick up the single below. But if you do anything at all, I recommend you watch the video for Soul Train. It's beautiful and it feels straight from the summer of love.

The Delta Riggs-The Soul Train (mp3)

Danimals

2010-03-22T10:15:00.000-07:00

On first listen I was like: "yeah its ok". Then it popped up randomly in my itunes ten minutes later and I thought: "woah, what is this? It's amaaaazing". And now after 37 or so listens I am totally hooked on the Danimals sound, after not giving them much thought for the past year or so. Danimals was once the side project of Sherlocks Daughter member Jonti Danielwitz and is now a quartet and probably the next big thing to come out of Sydney.

In keeping with their heavily music based marketing (think UncharTED and 6 beers of separation), Tooheys Extra Dry picked one Australian band to fly to New York and work with John Taylor (Duran Duran), Nick Hodgson (Kaiser Chiefs), Sean Lennon (son of John) and Santigold. Oh yeah, and the track was to be produced by this dude called Mark Ronson, who was responsible for selecting Danimals because he reckons they are "one of the most interesting things" he's heard in a while with awesome beats and "harmonies like the Beach Boys". He's not wrong. It's dreamy. It's complex. It's poppy. It's happy. It's brilliant.

Danimals-Fox (mp3)

Yeasayer Gig

2010-03-17T10:14:00.000-07:00

I saw Yeasayer play yesterday at Tunnel in Milan. Now, some people who actually live in this city don't know this venue and so chances are if you are not part of the 1.4 million Milanese population you've never heard of it. But let me tell you its a bloody good venue for seeing live music, and I feel very lucky knowing that if I had been in my hometown of Sydney I would have been squashed in somewhere with three of four times the capacity. Intimate, well layed out, friendly promoters etc etc.

"I'm gonna lick it up, I'm gonna spit it out...I'm going down, down, down, doooown."

Anyway, the music. Firstly, the support MUST be mentioned. Hush Hush is his name and fucking weird as rap/songs is his game. Think Abraham Lincoln singing about: getting his period, wet panties, making pretty babies and wanting to "69". This is all backed by tinny 1980s cassette quality backing tapes and accompanied by totally killer dance moves. I couldn't shake the feeling that this guy was Berlin's answer to Spod.

Hush Hush-Yin-Yang (mp3)

"Stick up for yourself son, never mind what anyone else done!"

Now for the main dish. Yeasayer looks like a very different band then the one who toured their first album All Hour Symbols: the bassist cut his hair (thank god!), they have a new drummer and have recruited one of the suavest looking dudes around to work their laptop. This guy was obviously a necessary addition with the more dancey electronic vibe of their second album Odd Blood. Going into the gig I wondered whether this new stuff and the more African-Indian organic sounding tunes off the first album would work together in a live setting, or would it feel like two totally different/opposing sounds. However, the band managed to seamlessly mesh their stuff together: from the hyperactive Rome (which was clearly the Italian crowds fav) and motivational Ambling Alp to the golden classics of Sunrise and 2080. The variety in pace allowed the crowd to both do some dancing and stand watching in awe this mega talented group of boys. The flawless falsettos from Ira Wolf Tuton and Anad Wilder outshone the lead vocals of Chris Keating every time. What fun!

Yeasayer-Ambling Alp (REMOVED)

Album: Angus and Julia Stone

2010-03-08T06:37:00.000-08:00

It's no secret that I love everything about Angus and Julia Stone. I love their gentle lullaby-like tunes, totally cute album art, always quirky videos, Sydney northern beaches vibe and of course Angus' side stuff as Lady of the Sunshine.
And to that pretty substantial list I can now add the duo's sophmore album Down The Way, which sees an Australian release in just 3 days. Each track is very different from the next. Maybe because it was recorded all around the world: Brooklyn, Coolangatta, Cornwall, London and Queens. Or maybe it's because they don’t write their music together. It's really just an Angus song with support from Julia and vice versa. I reckon this only works because they're siblings and thus are intuned with each other enough to bounce off the others creativity and prevent the album from splitting in half.
Off the back of Angus' solo stuff, the amp has definitely remained plugged in. This is most noticeable on the epic seven-and-a-half-minuter Yellow Brick Road which features a nice little guitar solo as Angus reminisces about getting high in California. This transition from acoustic to rockier occurs more subtly on the second single to come off the album Black Crowe. This is probably my favourite track as it has the heavier guitar sound, but this still plays second fiddle to the soft Stone vocals. But for fans of the bands more melancholic without being depressing sorta sound, there is still plenty of simple acoustic folk. It is here, in tracks such as Walk It Off and I'm Not Yours, which highlight the magic that comes from the simple combination of Angus' rustic surfer voice and the kookier vibe from Julia's vocals.

Angus and Julia Stone-Black Crowe (mp3)

Mayer Hawthorne

2010-03-07T13:05:00.000-08:00

Every time I hear a track from Mayer Hawthorne I think "Damn, who is this? Killer voice. Great vibe." But for some reason I haven't ever sat down and given him an intentional listen, it's always just brief moments of radio bliss. So I was very happy to find Hawthorne and his Stones Throw label-mate James Plant have done a little swapsies and each put out a cover of the other's track as promo for their SXSW show. The typically jazzy efforts of Hawthorne in reworking Thin Moon are nothing short of blissful, and speak to me of drinking beers on summer afternoons .

Mayer Hawthorne-Thin Moon (James Plant Cover) (mp3)

Foals

2010-03-07T12:22:00.000-08:00

Sorry to be highly unoriginal, but this track is just far too sensational to not give it a mention. I liked Foals' debut 2008 release Antidotes, but I always felt as though they were just a less melodic and more frantic Klaxons. But the total adoration for these Oxford fellas that so many people I know expressed, told me that I was clearly missing something pretty crucial when listening to their stuff. And now I see the light. Spanish Sahara is a seven minute taster from their upcoming album Total Life Forever that is set to drop on May 10. It's a slow burner that finally crashes with the beautiful vocals of Yanis Philippakis and the bands trademark tinny guitar after an epic four minutes. Slow, eerie and brilliant.

Foals-Spanish Sahara (mp3)

Active Child

2010-03-03T07:41:00.000-08:00

The music world generally becomes obsessed with four letters when we reach this part of the year:

S. X. S. W.

And for me it's always fun to try and pick out the quality newbies from the try hard hanger-onners. I reckon one-man-band Active Child slots himself pretty firmly into the former category with his woozy synth rich pop that immediately made me think of Bon Iver on an acid trip.

Active Child-When Your Love Is Sa fe (mp3)

Cold War Kids

2010-02-28T08:02:00.000-08:00

Somehow I missed both the hype and the arrival of the Behave Yourself, the new Cold War Kids EP. The word on the streets (read: web) is that this marks a return to form for the Californians after the poor reception of their 2008 release Loyalty to Loyalty. I tend to agree. Despite considering myself quite the fan, I don't actually own their second album-which must say something. On a night where I discovered a whole heap of new tracks, Audience was the only one that completely grabbed my attention. It very much takes me back to those days when We Used To Vacation. Oh and the video is very pretty too.

Cold War Kids-Audience (mp3)

Fyfe Dangerfield

2010-02-28T07:32:00.000-08:00

"In this moment no one is pulling me down into the ground. I can't help it if I'm happy, I can't help it if I'm happy not to be sad. 'Cos when you walk in the room I see things that I can't understand."

Such a happy song! Makes me smile every time. Fyfe Dangerfield (that can't possibly be his real name??) is apparently best known as one part of English indie band Guillemots. But his debut release, Fly Yellow Moon, is my introduction to ol' Fyfe and I like it this way. It is so obviously an album made with love-about love....and the super emotive poppy vibe is so infectious that you can't help but feel in love too.

Fyfe Dangerfield-When You Walk In The Room (link removed)

Local Natives

2010-02-23T04:31:00.000-08:00

I made a mistake. I told the door bitch that 25 euros was too much to see a band I’d never heard of. My first mistake was not knowing who the Local Natives were and obviously my second mistake was not taking a risk and opening my wallet. These LA dudes have been frequently likened to Fleet Foxes, and whilst I get this comparison, I can’t shake the feeling that they sound like a less kooky Dappled Cities with their fast drum beat and falsetto “ooh’s”. So if ever you have a chance to see these guys please don’t make the same mistake as me! In the meantime their debut record Gorilla Manor just dropped in the U.S., including a pretty sweet Talking Heads cover.

Local Natives-World News (mp3)

Lo-Fi-Fnk

2010-02-19T14:52:00.000-08:00

Three years ago Lo-Fi-Fnk's debut album Boylife was pretty much on every one of my playlists for every single occasion, so I got quite excited to see the Swedish duo put out a new track. It's different to their old stuff with an almost disco beat and some awesome vocals from Maya Godicke. Despite sounding remarkably like the Skins theme song, I really like the new vibe and am also liking the rumors of a new album in 2010.

Lo-Fi-Fnk-Marchin' In (mp3)

Album: Noah and the Whale

2010-01-28T10:12:00.000-08:00

"Everyone has one chance to fuck up their lives.."

The First Days Of Spring breaks my heart every single time I listen. At first, I thought it was the type of music that would happily send me to sleep-with its gentle vocals and non offensive melodies. But it contains far too much emotion for this. All it does is make me toss and turn thinking about how I never want to feel as shit as Charlie Fink did when he wrote these 11 tracks. In all honesty I don't think I have ever heard such brutal honesty, most people aren't willing to expose themsleves without the safety blanket of metaphors and clever rhetoric. Laura Marling must be really something.

"This is the last song I write while still in love with you..."

Noah and the Whale must be standing around wondering how they got jipped...fellow London folk scensters Mumford and Sons have stolen their lime light and their girl.

Noah and the Whale-I Have Nothing (mp3)

Laura Marling-Goodye England (Covered in Snow) (mp3)

The First Days of Spring - A Film By Noah And The Whale from charlie fink on Vimeo.

Relator

2010-01-18T09:15:00.000-08:00

"Now You're Away and I Write Home Every Day"

It's hard to find the time to listen to new music when you're travelling, let along write about it. But it's also hard to watch television in a country where you don't speak the language. Which is why stumbling accross an hour or so of music videos is a rather magical thing. I wish I could say that as a result I have fallen in love with Parisian rap or a grunge band from Lyon...but alas not yet. I have, however, developed a bit of a fondness for Scarlet Johansson's duet with singer songwriter with Pete Yorn which has apparently only just found its way into the French mainstream. Relator was released on the album Break Up almost a year ago...so no prizes for spotting the "next big thing" but regardless, this track is very much sexy and soulful, so get into it.

Scarlett Johansson & Pete Yorn-Relator (mp3)

Album: The Black Ryder

2009-11-17T21:59:00.000-08:00

It was my favourite time of the day. It was probably yours too: that period in the late afternoon when the sun just hangs in the sky and the air has lost its bite and only a cool breeze remains. How poetic. Anyway, I somehow got my hands on the Buy The Ticket, Take The Ride which is the debut release from Sydney kids The Black Ryder and so as I sat in my car killing some time I decided to give it a listen. Knowing they had already supported Brian Jonestown Massacre and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, I knew before hearing the first guitar reverb that this should be good. And by the third track, Sweet Come Down I was totally convinced that this psychedelic throw back to 70's intensity are gonna make waves in the international scene soon. Big waves. Real soon.

The Black Ryder-Sweet Come Down (mp3)

Philadelphia Grand Jury

2009-11-17T21:33:00.000-08:00

I'm a covert. I'm now officially in love with Sydney duo Philadelphia Grand Jury. I know, I know, I'm sorta slow on the uptake cos the rest of the country has been frothing over these guys at least since their 7" Going To The Casino was released in June. But I dunno, the throaty over excited squealing didn't really do it for me. But nowwwwww, The Philly Jays can do no wrong. Their debut full length Hope is for Hopers is really just epic. To prove this fact, check out their film clip for the first single off the album The Good News which is so simple but so good. I may be bias as it is filmed predominantly in my child hood stomping ground. East side 4 life.

Philidelphia Grand Jury-The Good News (mp3)

Montpelier

2009-11-10T22:39:00.000-08:00

Montpelier Street
Brisbane
Australia

...is where four guys formed a super melodic indie pop band that sits heavily on keys and a double whammy of male vocals. Cryptically, Montpelier has said that they have toured under a different name all around Australia...but no word on what this name was. They have just finished recording their debut EP with LA producer Kevin Augunas, and if their stuff turns out anything like the stuff he did with Yves Klein Blue's release earlier this year then watch the hell out.

Montpelier-The Rafters (mp3)

Whitley

2009-11-03T00:49:00.000-08:00

I really really love Whitley. Since the debut 2007 release The Submarine, barely a week has passed where the hushed distinctively Australian vocals of Lawrence Greenwood have not somehow made a way into my musical life (check out a cool video for one of the tracks below). The second album is called Go Forth, Find Mammoth and it's a bit different. Expect more layers, more volume and more energy. Gone are the gentle almost Elliot Smith sounding tones, and instead we are greeted with an uptempo collection of 12 tracks that make you wanna dance rather than contemplate the world.

Whitley-Head First Down (mp3)

Das Pop's Growing Pains

2009-11-02T23:55:00.000-08:00

As soon as I heard this track (which was actually very recently despite the fact that it was released more than a year ago) I thought: boy that sounds exactly like the Growing Pains theme song. I don't think the average person would ever make a connection between Belgium band Das Pop and this late 80's/early 90's sitcom greatness. And in fact the similarities really are minimal (but i do maintain that chord progression on the keys is almost the same). It's just that I just find the television from this period of time so immensely entertaining that any chance for a textual reference is exciting. Check it out for yourself.

Das Pop-Underground (mp3)

Bon Iver & New Moon

2009-10-27T05:30:00.000-07:00

It's pretty clear that I am in a rather unique position: both a guilty Twighlight fan and lover of almost every artist that features on the soundtrack for the upcoming second installment New Moon. Whilst those who are keenly awaiting the films release on November 20 probably don't see much to get excited about beyond champions of the emo Death Cab For Cutie, music aficionados around the world are unanimously asking how such a shit movie can have such an awesomely good soundtrack?

The Bon Iver track was always going to my favourite, it would have to be a total stink pot not to be as Justin Vernon really is my number one man. Adding the mega talented singer songwriter St. Vincent to the track doesn't really change the feel of the sound much, probably because Vernon already sings like a girl! F.Y.I. non Vampire lovers: Roslyn is the icy cold eldest member of the Cullen Vampire sibblings...which could possibly explain the chilly vibe of the track? Or maybe its just stock standard Bon Iver.

Rosyln's greatness may not have come as much of a surprise to me, however the consistent quality of the whole album sorta did. I've read some people say that all the songs are dull, depressing and sound the same. Firstly, they're not. Secondly, yes they do all have a common feel of sadness, love and longing but this is what the film is about. A soundtrack should play a little bit like an art exhibition is viewed: artists exploring a common theme in different ways. So what would the point be if each track was completely different and had nothing connecting them? Lykke Li (who's track Possibility is my second favourite contribution) has said that she only wrote the hook of the song after watching an early version of the film, and that it was the tortured love between Edward and Bella that ispired her (awwww!), which supports my idea that the film is what draws all the artists together. Thom Yorke, Grizzly Bear and The Killers are the standouts for me...but really its only the awful Muse effort that lets the team down.

Bon Iver & St. Vincent-Roslyn (mp3)

Sound Casino

2009-10-20T22:36:00.000-07:00

Sound Casino are four blokes from Sydney who skipped school to make music and haven't stopped since. They've just put out a debut release The Show, but bizzarley this particularly awesome track Seven Seas doesn't make an apearance. If you like your rock served up with a catchy melody and a 90s guitar solo, then take a bite of this one.

Sound Casino-Seven Seas (mp3)

Florence Does Candi

2009-10-18T01:53:00.000-07:00

'Time after time, I think oh Lord whats the use. Time after time, I think its just no good."

Some songs you like, some songs you love, and some songs can be said to truly be the soundtrack to your life. You're not allowed to have too many of the last category, that's just the rules. But I can safely say that Candi Staton's 1991 dance anthem You've Got The Love makes the cut...if I could wake up to it every morning I would probably be a happier prerson.

Because of this I was a little aprehensive when I heard a cover of this imense track towards the end of Florence and the Machine's debut release Lungs. But I shouldn't have worried, as this ladies 'lungs" were born to belt out gospel ballads just like this. She stays pretty faithful to Staton's original, but chops out the long instrumental sections to make a sharper track with Florence's vocals obviously the focus. Making this the fifth single of the album is a pretty bizarre choice if you ask me, when The Source version is so fresh in peoples mind, but if meant a beautiful film clip like this then so be it.

London's current "it" band The XX stripped back the intensity of the track in a major way to put out a totally fresh take on the anthem. I don't really understand why it's being called a remix, when its clearly a cover...at least for the first two and a half minutes. But whatever, I like it. (P.s. I swear I can hear some very Gotye like sounds underneath, no?)

The XX-You've Got The Love (mp3)

Teenagers In Tokyo

2009-10-06T22:54:00.000-07:00

Teenagers in Tokyo were quite the musically promiscuous members of the Sydney scene before they fled to London town. And yet I never once saw them, just one of those things...meant to and wish I did. Anyway, the girls (and boy) have dropped a double A side single on 7" that you can pick up through Rough Trade. The first track Isabella has the rolling drums and punk rock sound that comes straight off the bands first EP, but its the more chilled out, down tempo and overall fresher sounding Long Walk Home that really stands out for me. More pop and less grunge, complete with a nicely melodic synth and sprinling of "oohs" and "ahhs".

Teenagers in Tokyo- Long Walk Home (mp3)

Mumford & Sons

2009-09-28T07:10:00.001-07:00

"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 Flynn and of course Laura Marling. Out of the same city comes Mumford & Sons and their absolutely delicious song Little Lion Man.

I first noticed these guys on Sydney blog Only An Earthling and 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.

Mumford & Sons-Little Lion Man [mp3]

SidWho?

2009-09-28T06:05:00.000-07:00

"Everybody wants to be a millionaire..."

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.

SidWho?-Millionaire [mp3] [BUY]

The Crayon Fields

2009-09-23T00:29:00.000-07:00

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 Fields and 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.

The Crayon Fields-All the Pleasures of the World (zshare)

Midnight Juggernauts

2009-09-22T23:37:00.000-07:00

Let it slide or take it by the throat?

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.

Midnight Juggernauts-This New Technology (zshare)

Death and Vampires

2009-09-16T00:14:00.001-07:00

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.

Death Cab For Cutie- Meet Me at the Equinox (zshare)

Viva Milano!

2009-09-09T18:21:00.000-07:00

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.

Bugo-Love Boat (zshare)

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 unlike Bugo they believe rock is best sung in English.

Disco Drive-It's A Long Way To The Top (zshare)

One boy: Clod. One girl: Sofia. One city: Milan. One EP: And Everything Fits in the Yellow Whale. I found out about Iori's Eyes through 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.

Iori's Eyes-Anchor (zshare)

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.

The Bloody Beetroots-Awesome (ft. The Cool Kids) (zshare)

Clubfeet #3

2009-09-08T23:32:00.000-07:00

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.

Three boys. Melbourne. Disco. Super.

Clubfeet-Edge of Extreme (zshare)

Convaire

2009-09-01T23:20:00.000-07:00

Convaire are 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, Frenzal Rhomb, 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.

Convaire-Gate Track (zshare)

"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

Fergus Brown

2009-08-31T19:54:00.000-07:00

"We're nerds in love, we're one plus one. Playing magic cards from dusk til noon."

Not a recent track, but a pretty one. Can't stop listening to the debut album from Sydney's Fergus Brown rather humorously titled Burgers Frown. It was released earlier this year and I'm going to put it out there: its gotta be one of the best Australian albums of 2009. Each of the ten tracks are almost painfully heartbreaking, but with lyrics such as these you just have to smile while you listen.

Fergus Brown-Nerds In Love (zshare)

Paul Dempsey (and me)

2009-08-31T05:04:00.000-07:00

I think when I first heard Ramona Was a Waitress by Paul Demspey I liked it. But for some reason I was reluctant to admit it. Nostalgia is a weird thing for me, more often than not it makes me love something that my brain knows is utter crap. But every now and again it encourages me to section off emotions into periods of time. Confused? In 2001 Something For Kate's Echolalia somehow made it in to my battered discman and stayed there for quite some time. I think it was probably the first decent CD I ever owned (though like I said there is a part of me that says "All 4 One" was a great release). But since these days of 14 year old obsession I haven't thought much of Paul Dempsey's seductively croaky tones. So when I started hearing his voice again I sort of freaked out and thought no no no, Paul you need to go back to 2001. To a world without terrorism, and facebook, and swine flu. And so I shut him out. How rude!

Then I heard this remix by Melbourne's Faux Pas and through the synths and vocoder I saw the Truth: Paul Dempsey should once again reign as my God and this song is beautiful.

Paul Dempsey-Ramona Was a Waitress (Faux Pas Remix) (zhare)

The Big Pink

2009-08-24T19:36:00.000-07:00

A lot of my music listening happens as I drive around the streets of Sydney listening to my shitty car radio far too loudly. It is here that I form some pretty instantaneous opinions: flick the channel? Stick in a Cd? And I find it oddly satisfying when I later find -these fleeting thoughts are shared by others. When I first heard The Big Pink Dominos I (a) liked it (b) sung along and (c) got a major MGMT vibe. Surprise suprise, I'm not the only one who thinks this.

The Big Pink-Dominos (zshare)

Down to the river to pray...

2009-08-22T01:46:00.000-07:00

You could basically work out who Paris Wells is by tracking the various advertisements her soulful voice has been used for. Way back in 2008 Grace Baby was featured on a Myer commercial. Which would most likely make her Australian. Six months later the feisty awesomeness of Fuck Your Soul appears in a promo video for the new Bettina Liano denim collection. Hmmm, so she's probably from Melbourne. Whatdya know, three months after she's swapped the angsty threats for a beautiful cover of the classic folk song Down to the River to Pray for the always charming Victorian Tourism campaign. Ok, so maybe all this really tells you is what state she lives in.

Gotye + Passion Pit

2009-08-19T21:34:00.000-07:00

What's more exciting than the release of a hotly anticipated second album? More hype producing than a leaked track from one of the biggest names? And even better than discovering the next big thing in your local bar? Well. It's when two of your very 'bestest' musicians collide together, especially when it's totally unexpected.

Gotye + Passion Pit= learnalilgivenanlovin amazingness

Most Australian's know and love Gotye to bits, but Wally's school report card would say he is yet to live up to his "international potential". Enter learnalilgivenanlovin 7" stage left. This is his first American release and to sweeten the deal and create some buzz they have included the Passion Pit remix. Not reaaaaaally what I expected when I heard bout it. Think more of a classic dance vibe and less the kooky hand clap pop-ness of Manners. But hey, its a whole lot of fun.

Gotye-learnalilgivenanlovin (Passion Pit Remix) (zshare)

Memory Tapes

2009-08-18T22:50:00.000-07:00

I'm one of those crazy kids who totally love rain. Rain sound. Rain smell. Rain feel. All of it. Don't get me wrong I love beautiful bright sunny days too, but you won't find me complaining about a week full of storms either. The only thing I don't rate about wet weather is the horrible smell of damp clothes. Possibly my least favourite thing in the world, but we cant really throw the baby out with the rain water now can we? Speaking of rain, this is how the smooth Horrors rework of the Memory Tapes track Bicycle begins, and by the time it clears the track has grown out of its grumpy minimalism and into a punchy piece of a disco. Magic.

It's taken me a while to work out who Memory Tapes actually is. At first I thought it was the collaboration of two different dudes: Weird Tapes and Memory Cassette. But after reading "Memory Tapes is Weird Tapes is Memory Cassette" on his blog I think its safe to say that we're talking about one dude: a stay at home dad named Dayve Hawk from New Jersey. Well done son. Pumped for a full release real soon.

Memory Tapes- Bicycle (Horrors Cosmic Dub) (zshare)

Memory Tapes-Bicycle (zshare)

Daft Punk Does Disney?

2009-08-12T00:11:00.000-07:00

There is a new Disney film coming out called Tron Legacy, which is the 25 year follow up to the 1982 cult classic Tron. So what? Well other than being a pretty cool looking flick, the sound track is being done by none other than Daft Punk. Who woulda though? Disney doing it harder, better and faster. That was lame.

Moving along. What appears to be the theme to the film has recently been leaked in various states of length and edit. There is a little bit of debate going on regarding whether this is actually Daft Punk, with the general conclusion being that it is a Cryda Luv rework of the original. Take a listen for yourself. Although classically a lover of the Frenchies more upbeat and cutsie tracks, this dirty and bass heavy taste of whats to come is quite nice indeed.

Daft Punk- Tron Legacy Theme (zshare)

The Smoke

2009-08-05T17:30:00.000-07:00

The Smoke are five piece indie band from Melbourne who's sound I'm having a hard time defining. Blood Orange is their debut effort and it moves between tracks like Defeat Retreat which to me sounds like early Green Day, title track Blood Orange with its almost Santana-like riffs and personal fave Sweet Spanish which at times croons like Frankie.

Live, these guys have the stage presence that many experienced bands can only wish for. Vocalist Dane Robertson groves along with a total wackiness that I can only think to describe as a cross between Sarah Blasko and Anthony Kiedis. Guitarist and songwriter Luke Cartwright is captivating whether he is tweaking his peddles or smashing through his awesome solos. I sorta feel these guys are under-hyped. Maybe in their hometown there is some talk, but I think there might be some big things to come for The Smoke.

The Smoke-Sweet Spanish (zshare)

We Were Promised Jetpacks

2009-08-05T00:06:00.000-07:00

"My body it was black and blue"

For some reason I really really want to go to Scotland. Not sure why...I mean England and Ireland and Wales don't do it for me. But Scotland, WOOOOAH!

So it makes me happy to hear some sweet tunes coming out of this nation-which-i-love. We Were Promised Jetpacks were formed in Edinburgh (my favourite Scottish city) but now live in Glasgow (my least favourite Scottish city, though it is fun to say)*. The music is at times beautifully simple and then surprises you with a massive crescendo of crunching guitar and crashing drums. But the Scottish twang courtesy of singer Adam Thompson is what makes me really want to stick around for every track of the bands debut These Four Walls.

* I know absolutley nothing about Scotland, I base these judgements on movies I've seen.

We Were Promised Jetpacks-It's Thunder and It's Lightening (zshare)

Music Alliance Pact

2009-07-22T06:36:00.000-07:00

The Music Alliance Pact (MAP) began in October 2008 as an initiative to facilitate the spread of local music to the ears of others around the world. It started with 12 country specific blogs who each selected one hot local track that was posted on the sites of each of the other members of this "union". Now there are 26 countries included and I'm loving the diversity of the artists that get chosen. It's such a great idea--it makes heaps of sense that someone who lives and breathes a countries music, culture and language would be the one in the best position to recommend the must have song in that place at that time. Here are my favourite tracks included in the MAP for July:

Boat Beam-The Rain Pauly (zshare)

Boat Beam is an interesting choice of contribution to the MAP from Australian blog Who the Bloody Hell Are They? Sure it includes former member of Sparkadia Josephine Ayling, but they seem pretty damn Spanish. You gotta love how Australian's claim anything and anyone as there own. I would love to be the exotic type who raves about the latest Venezuelan breakthrough artist...but I must confess that the Australian choice was my favourite submission this month. Such a beautiful track. With sweet harmonies and a peaceful lullaby like rhythm.

Neufvoin-Robot (zshare)

Finland seems to have their answer to Red Riders in indie rockers Neufvoin. Oh God, am I turning into a "country specific" blog...all of my references are so Oz-centric. Anyway, this is is a fun upbeat track that I'm sure could become quite the sing along. And its Finnish, how exotic!

Rah Rah-I've Got Faith (zshare)

I find this track both brilliant and odd. Funny lyrics, jarring noise, pretty violin and a catchy chorus. I do get an Arcade Fire vibe in places, but maybe that's just cos they're Canadian, ay?. They also remind me a bit of Architecture in Helsinki. BUT they are neither of these. They ARE Rah Rah. AND they are worthy of checking out.

Crying Lightning

2009-07-19T05:43:00.000-07:00

The first single of the Arctic Monkeys third studio album is called Crying Lightning. It was released almost two weeks ago and ever since I've been trying to work out what I think of it. I haven't really come up with much except (a) It really grows on you (b) I now really like it and (c) It sounds really familiar in the middle, maybe a similar guitar to one of their other tracks. The album, Humbug, is set to be released sometime around the end of August.

Arctic Monkeys-Crying Lightning (zshare)

Coin Laundry Video

2009-07-16T05:43:00.000-07:00

As is probably obvious to anyone who regularly follows this blog, I really love good video clips. Why can't I just enjoy the music? I could psychoanalyse my need for a visual companion for hours. But at the end of the day I think I'm just part of the MTV generation (from when they still played music, obviously). Pure and simple. Anyway, this is the new Lisa Mitchell video. Feels a little bit odd that the video is being released about 4 months after the single, but I suppose this can only boost her recognition. The footage is stunning, and was directed by Vanessa Caswill who also shot Mitchell's previous clip for Neopolitan Dreams. This was no surprise, as both capture the mysterious, feminine and off beat personality of Mitchell completely.

Lisa Mitchell-Coin Laundry (zshare)

Lisa Mitchell-Neopolitan Dreams (zshare)

Meanwhile, the clip also utilises the talent of London folk singer Johnny Flynn. And my what talent that is. I first heard his name from Laura Marling when she covered his track The Wrote and The Writ for Triple J's Like a Version. She gave him big props and from what I gather this is one very underrated artist. And very gorgeous. Check out this duet with Marling herself:

Johnny Flynn-Leftovers (zshare)

Ze Remixes

2009-07-15T00:30:00.000-07:00

Although for some reason I get a bit if flak about it, I love Van She and sorta raved about their 2008 debut release V. I was in Brisbane over the weekend and was hoping to catch the boys play on their Ze Remixes tour. Basically, they have done what Duran Duran, Soulwax and Bloc Party have done before them and remixed their album (almost) in its in entirety. To be honest, this would be far from a challenge as the four piece as they spend a good deal of their time working the club scene as Van She Tech, and it is this dirty techno sound that appears on most of the tracks. However, they aint just a one trick pony as they have also thrown in a pretty sweet acoustic version of Virgin Suicide and a total newy Techno Music.

Van She-Changes (Van She Tech Remix) (zshare)

While on the topic of Van She and remixes, I thought it might be a nice time to put forward a few of my favourites over the years. In no particular order (spot the contentious one):

1. Van She-Kelly (Breakbot Remix) (zshare)

2. Van She-Kelly (Cut Copy Remix) (zshare)

3. Van She-Kelly (Fred Falke & Alan Braxe) (zshare)

4. Crystal Castles-Vanished (zshare)

5. Van She-Sex City (The Teenagers Remix) (zshare)

Blue Juice-Broken Leg

2009-07-08T07:21:00.000-07:00

Photos courtesy of A.Rhodes

Broken Leg is the brand new single from Sydney boys Bluejuice and it sounds like it's going to reach the same great heights that Vitriol did in 2007. The first time I heard it I definitely got an 80's rock pop vibe...and I just couldn't shake the feeling that it sounded vaguely familiar. Then I read the boy's blog only to see that this throwback to the original fluro era was somewhat intentional and a possibly humorous reference to Rick Springfield got me thinking rather seriously about ol' Jesse's Girl. I truly think there are some similarities in sound. But maybe that's just cos I love this song!

Caught these guys playing a couple of weeks ago and they totally boomed and had everyone in the crowd transfixed as the duelling vocalists Jake and Starvos worked the crowd like experts. I really love how Australian they sound/feel. They make you just wanna grab a schooner and jostle with the crowd. Spoke to Jake after show and he said they had to be back the next morning to the same venue (Metro) to film their new video clip...so look out.

Blue Juice-Broken Leg (zshare)

2009-07-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

"This is Dirt Child ready to rumble in the jungle, wearin' my King Gee and my mother fuckin' mongrel"

By day, Dirt Child is a sculpturer from Mudgee. By night, she is a fast talking, bad mouthed and rather witty rapper. There aren't a whole lot of big name females in Australian hip hop right now. Sure, there are probably a heap in the underground scene. But for every Hilltop Hood, Bliss and/or Esso and Snob Scrilla I can't really think of any chicks (whoops, Killaqueenz.) Maybe Dirt Child can fill this gap with her tracks that are more like Peaches and less like what you would expect from Aussie Hip Hop.

Dirt Child-Golden Tooth (zshare)

Discovery

2009-07-02T07:51:00.000-07:00

I love Vampire Weekend, but I sorta hate autotune. So what am I to do? Ra Ra Riot vocalist Wes Miles and Vampire Weekend keyboardist/producer extraordinaire Rostam Batmanglij have teamed up to put out an album under the name Discovery. This collaboration is kinda like the hot young secretary (always blonde) the married man goes off with. So different from his homely pleasant wife (always brunette), and yet isn't this what makes the affair appealing to begin with? Sure, you can still hear some African inspired Vampire Weekend beats in tracks like Can You Discover? And of course there is the distinctive and always welcomed guest vocals of Ezra Koening on Carby (which incidentally, is one of my least favourite tracks despite being the one that drew me in). But overall, Discovery is totally not what you would expect when considering the bands these boys came from. I can just picture them all giggly sneaking around behind their band mates backs making music...shock horror...without guitars!! But seriously, this stuff is synth heavy, with cute little boy vocals (when their not auto-killed), major 80's throwbacks with words like "discotheque" and generally just a whole heap of kitch. The weirdest bit? The eighth track is a grimy futuristic cover of Jackson Five I Want You Back. Eerie.

Discovery-Orange Shirt (zshare)

Just for fun here are some clips from the respective homely pleasant wives these guys came from:

Matt Corby

2009-07-01T08:15:00.000-07:00

"Love is like a letter wrote, and life is like an envelope. Be careful who you give it to, they might not give it back to you."

As I've said before, Australian Idol is one of my guilty pleasures. I particularly enjoyed the 2006 season that saw bright eyed Matt Corby finish in second place (Natalie Gauci was the winner for Pub trivia's sake) and thus successfully avoided the horrors of releasing a rushed pop manufactured album at the hands of the shows people. Instead he has been laying low, gigging around the place and now releasing his debut EP Songs For...

Predictably, Corby has gone down the folky singer songwriter pathway with his soft vocals and acoustic guitar interrupted only by some nice backup. I'm really liking the peacefullness of the lead single Letters, and the lyrics are quite beautiful. And it is no surprise to find that he has been working with Josh Pyke and Lior. But, it would have been nice to hear some diversity like the Zeppelin, Beatles and Wolfmother he played on the show that made him a household name.

Matt Corby-Letters (zshare)

video killed the radio star

2009-07-01T06:55:00.000-07:00

In all the hype surrounding the death of Michael Jackson, one thing that has resonated with me is the impact he had not just on music, but on music videos. It has been said that he was responsible for changing the humble music video from being a simple promotional tool into an art form. It's true. Think Thriller, think Bad...this is where the film making/story telling era of the videos started. I mean, Martin Scorsese directed Bad....did you know that? Would Michael Jackson be as big a "thing" if we didn't know about his killer dance moves. Maybe not. These days-these youtube days, if you wanna be noticed as an artist it seems that it's 60% about having a good sound and 40% about having an awesome video that gets people talking.

Enter Red Riders centre stage. You've Got A Lot of Nerve is the first single of their second album Drown in Colour, and whilst catchy and enjoyable it is a little repetitive. However, the accompanying video is pretty neat. The clip is filmed in stop motion, meaning that it took several weeks of early morning filming on a Surry Hills rooftop to create something quite beautiful.

The next single to drop off the album is Ordinary, and in contrast to its title I'm loving this one much more than the first. The film clip is the age old concept of lead singer Alex Grig strolling down the streets of Sydney...but nothing seems to be ordinary, gettit? The best bit of the video? Campos coffee cup of course!

Red Riders-Ordinary (zshare)

Sherlock's Daughter

2009-07-01T00:28:00.000-07:00

Absloutly loving Sherlock's Daughter right now. I saw them on Friday at one of the many Save FBI gigs that have been pumping through Sydney the past month. They played in the sweaty, crowded backroom of World Bar and they totally made my night. There was one point towards the end of the set where my feet got sore...and I thought to myself, I can either retreat back to the comfy seats surrounding the bar and miss the rest of the set or I can keep just plonk myself down in front of the stage and keep watching this killer show. Let's just say I chose to embarrass myself. And it was worth it.

The single that's doing the rounds right now is Kids, which you can listen to on their myspace. And whilst this is a beautiful track, its definitely Songs For Old People that does it for me big time when they do it live. The group vocals. The tambourine. The minimal breakdown. The buildup. The lyrics. All super beautiful.

Sherlock's Daughter-Song For Old People (zshare)

Major Lazer

2009-06-25T06:55:00.000-07:00

The two words on everyones lips are Major and Lazer. The hype is prett-y mass-ive for Gun's Don't Kill People...Lazer's Do, the debut collaboration from Diplo and Switch. The first real track to drop was Hold The Line featuring vocals from Mr. Lex and Santogold. Suprise, suprise. Being a huge fan of Santogold I was pretty stoked. But shock horror, I don't rate this song! The phone vibration and ringing effects irritate me to the max and so I have trouble appreciating anything else.

But never fear, I'm really liking some of the other tracks off the album. I heard Keep It Going Louder on the radio today and instantly fell in love. And whilst I still love it right now, I cant help but wonder (...yes Carrie?...) that this could ALMOST be a Rihannon feat. T.I. or Neyo feat. Kelly Rowland. Autotune and all. You know what I'm saying? Tracks like When You Hear The Bassline are definetly about bringing reggae and dancehall to the Diplo/Switch loving masses. Where as Keep It Going Louder feels like the reverse-bringing the sugar sweet pop to the DJ's. That don't matter, I still love it. I'm just saying.

Major Lazer-Keep It Going Louder feat. Nina Sky & Ricky Blaze (DISABLED)

Mr Ed. Disco Mix

2009-06-25T03:59:00.000-07:00

Moroco Markets at Midnight courtesy of A. Back. 2009.

Brand new mix from the one and only Mr. Ed.

40 Thieves / Don't Turn It Off / People In The SkyMetro Area / Orange Alert - DFA Remix / Source UKFive Letters / Tha Kee Tha Tha / Altropa RecordsFaze Action / Hypnotic - Disco Mix / Faze Action RecordsKathy Diamond / All Woman - Vocal Version / Permanent Vacation Jackson Jones / I Feel Good, Put Your Pants On / Rams Horn RecordsAnthony Mansfield, Nick Chacona / Oh Snap! - Greg Wilson Remix (Edit) / Hector WorksChaz Jankel / Get Myself Together / TirkSon Of Sound / No Retribution / TirkOnly Fools And Horses / Spectacle Wins - Holy Ghost! Remix / Permanent Vacation Mekon / Boy Bitten feat. Rita Brown - Padded Cell Remix / [PIAS] Recordings

Mr Ed-3:am Mix (zshare)

Songs for Study

2009-06-21T05:04:00.000-07:00

"It's all in my head, it's all in my head. All I've ever been to myself is my own enemy"

Did you know that sometimes in summer I think dreamily of the time when I can curl up on the couch with the heater on, a cup of tea, a mint slice and countless text books? Needless to say I don't know who that crazy crazy person is right now. Some people say that it's impossible to study in the company of music. I disagree. Obviously I wouldn't recommend rocking out to metal or hardcore trance (though it works for some), but if you have the right sorta stuff it can set the mood and make the whole thing slightly more bearable. Here are some of my picks.

Angus & Julia Stone could be considered one of the classics of study music. Along with Simon and Garfunkel, Regina Spektor, The Shins and Deathcab for Cutie, this brother and sister duo's debut release has definetly kept me going the past few years. Unfortunately, there comes a time when all great albums just need a rest. Never fear! Angus has released a solo effort under the name Lady of the Sunshine (weird, I know, it took me a little too long to work out that this was actually (a) a man and (b) a Stone). Off the back off the first single White Rose Parade, the album Smoking Gun was marketed as more rockier than the collaboration with his sister. But in reality, the album has the same beautiful softness that we have come to associate with the Stone name, just with the amp plugged in on a handful of tracks.

Lady of the Sunshine-Silver Revolver (zshare)

"Now Have a Break"

The Whitest Boy Alive is another one of those artist that has been on the periphery of my music awareness for quite some time but only recently have I given them a good go. Now I'm totally immersed. Don't let the name deceive you. That's four white boys, not just one. They're from Berlin, they're signed to Modular and I'm having major deja vu. No seriously. Strange. Anyway, I can't help but think they sound like Phoenix before Phoenix discovered their guitars.

The Whitest Boy Alive-1517 (zshare)

And here is one you should maybe save til the study is over. What an absolutely massively amazing track. Gotta love Falke. Have a dance.

The Whitest Boy Alive-Golden Cage (Fred Falke Remix) (zshare)

Iron & Wine is amazing. And everyone around me totally loves this song. You've probably heard it...and so are also probably listening to it right now. If you haven't it was released on a compilation of his b-sides and previously unreleased stuff Around the Well. Quintessential study time music, so long as you can stop yourself thinking about the words and focus on the equations.

Iron & Wine-Trapeze Swinger (zshare)

I Love Ryan Adams. There I said it. I go to bed with him most nights. He's the one I turn to when I'm stressed or sad. You could even say he's my rock. And yet, for some reason I'm ashamed to say this out loud. Gee, I feel a bit like Judas. It's just that he's so country! And I'm so not. Clearly, this is a fault on my behalf, it's got nothing to do with Ryan. Ryan is perfect. I was crazy about his 2007 release Easy Tiger, and his latest Cardinology is not too bad either.

Ryan Adams and the Cardinals-Fix It (zshare)

June Evenings

2009-06-11T00:17:00.000-07:00

Was listening heaps to the Air France the past few weeks cos their second album No Way Down is so bloody beautiful. Then the horrible accident happened with the Air France flight and it became sorta eerie to listen to these tracks. Sure, this 23 minutes of laid back groove filled electronica has nothing other than a name in common with the tragedy, but it still feels a little sad somehow.

I have been walking around Sydney streets listening to the second track June Evenings quietly laughing to myself (yes, im THAT person.) Whilst I'm wearing ski socks under my jeans and at least two jackets, the "June" that this song was written about is vastly different. It is such a distinctly Summer song that conjours images of frolicking through grassy fields filled with chirping birds and giant sunflowers. How wrong am I. Just found out that Air France are from Gothenburg, Sweden, where today's max temperature was 14 degrees....the exact same as Sydney! So much for my vision...if all goes to plan I will be in Sweden next June to experience some evenings of my own. yay.

Air France-June Evenings (zshare)

They also did a remix of Skeleton Boy from British boys Friendly Fires. You've probably seen the clip floating round and it is one of the more awesome ones don't you think? Great song but if you ask me it's made even better by the Air France treatment.

Friendly Fires-Skeleton Boy (Air France Remix) (zshare)

Dappled Cities

2009-06-10T06:51:00.000-07:00

I used to live next door to this guy. He was at uni and I was in high school. Some mornings we would catch the bus together and he would tell me all about life after the dreaded uniform years and how he was in a band. And every time I would ask what the name of his band was and he would reply: "Dappled. Cities. Fly." He was very patient, even though it would have been the tenth time he told me that year. Some time later I was in my first of many festival portaloo's, staring at the poster on the back of the door, when I realised that one of the names at the bottom of the bill was the very one I heard on the bus. They made it! I got so excited that I consumed more alcohol than my 18 year old body could take and passed out under a tree during Wolfmother. True story. But years later, I'm much more responsible and the Dappled Cities boys clearly took my market research very seriously and dropped the last syllable. I wont ever forget them now.

Their new single The Price has been the song I've woken up to almost every day this week (Triple J is loving it...and rightfully so). What a unique sound, especially the vocals that move from the well pronounced to the eerie falsetto to the powerful staccato to the "oohs" of the backup singers. Super excited for the release of their third studio album Zounds, which according to their site is set to launch in 58 days, 17 hours and 51 minutes!

Dappled Cities-The Price (zshare)

Lawrence Arabia

2009-05-21T21:45:00.000-07:00

"We love each other. But we hate each other. We're afraid of each other. Because we want to screw each other."

I know him as the creator of the ever catchy 60s inspired Apple Pie Bed. You might know him as former member of the Brunettes, the Ruby Sun Band, or touring member of Okkervil River. I was slightly disheartened to learn that James Milne was not actually born a Lawrence Arabia...I was having a great time imagining the moment hippie parents Mr. & Mrs. Arabia realised naming their son Lawrence would be quite fun.

Chant Darling is the second album from Lawrence Arabia and was recorded partly in Stockholm, partly in London, partly in Auckland and partly in Wellington. A mongrel album. The more and more I think about the way I listen to music, the more I realise that I'm a words kid. Sure, if a track has a bangin' melody and some beautiful riffs I'll dig it. But ultimately, it only takes one striking lyric and I'll fall madly in love with anything. In the case of The Beautiful Young Crew, maybe there isn't much to what is said, but the little that IS said is quite memorable.

Meanwhile, don't you think he looks a bit like Josh Pyke? Or is it just the beard? Check out a recent live performance of Apple Pie Bed at a gallery.

Lawrence Arabia-The Beautiful Young Crew (zshare)

Ghoul

2009-05-21T03:35:00.000-07:00

This is such a beautiful song. When I first heard it I thought it sounded a little like Bon Iver, but maybe a remix or something. But no. It's Ghoul! Now, don't get them confused with the U.S. death metal band Ghoul...because they're not the same. This is Ghoul, Sydney as they have come to be know. Hmmm...I don't know where the line gets drawn. Like, The Valentinos had to change their name because of a soul artist from the 1950s, Bobby Womack & The Valentinos. Obviously the confusion was just too great. So I would assume Ghoul will one day become Missing Ghoul or something equally ridiculous.

I digress. Like I said, Swimming Pool is a beautiful song. Eerie electronic minimalism builds up to a sensational guitar solo that comes out of no where and is just magnificent! Combine this with the previously mentioned falseto vocals of the Bon Iver-esque Ivan Vizintin that contains a whole heap of emotion and voila you have a perfect little poppet of a pop song that stands at a tiny 2:31.

The rest of their debut EP A Mouthful of Gold is a nice little 9-tracker that is short but sweet. S'cuse the cliche. And the best bit? Well it's free! Download it from their myspace. This is the way of the future people. I have a dream that one day all music will be free....

Ghoul-Swimming Pool (zshare)

Snob Scrilla

2009-05-20T23:40:00.000-07:00

"Heartbreak Scorsese! I'll never change, I'll never change, I'll never change...."

There is really not enough hip hop on here....actually I don't think there is ANY hip hop. Unless you include Girl Talk, does he count? I'm not sure. Mostly I don't love hip hop but more and more lately the deep bass lines and heavy beats just really appeal to me. Maybe I'm pregnant.

Anyway, you've probably heard of Snob Scrilla who put out that track last year "There You Go Again" and played Parklife, Homebake and with Faker. I think he's sorta cool...born in California, came over here and just couldn't leave. Now he can be seen cruising round Netwown and making some nice beats and rhymes.

This is Mr. Scrilla's most recent (though not so) offering. Look, I'll be honest. I'm still trying to work out what a "Heartbreak Scorsese" actually is. I'm totally stumped. The best I can come up with is some sort of link between heartbreak and director Martin Scorsese who according to dictionary.com is "known for his psychologically complex films." Soooooo what I'm thinking is that a "Heartbreak Scorsese" is a person who over dramatises their loves and losses. Thoughts?

Snob Scrilla-Heartbreak Scorsese

The Reeling

2009-04-30T00:44:00.000-07:00

This is the song that I woke up to today....so its sorta fitting that I post it now. As you may remember I totally loved the first single off Passion Pit's Manners and have been really looking forward to hearing the rest. And then a funny thing happened...I read a blog bout this song and it was a bad review. And so I thought...no...you know what I won't listen to it. Strange I know. And thhhhen...I heard it on the radio a few thousand times and realised that I really do love it, maybe almost as much as Sleepyhead. So the moral of the story is quite simply: Don't believe everything you read, and always check it out for yourself.

This one has been given the Calvin Harris treatment. It's good.

Passion Pit-The Reeling (Calvin Harris Remix) (zshare)

Sarakula

2009-04-29T23:53:00.000-07:00

"You told me all the pills were gone, but I saw you drop another one! Why you're always holding out on me??"

Joel Sarakula sometimes likes to think of himself as The Piano man...both because he reckons seeing Billy Joel as a kid was a big musical moment and because he has been known to travel around from London bar to London bar performing...on...the piano! His tunes, incidentally, are heavily anchored with piano melodies. But this is not all Sarakula's got going for him. With a strong masculine voice and pretty sweet lyrics...this dude is seriously quite the complete indie pop package. I say that a lot...I'm sorry, but I think it's true.

Sarakula- Caught in the Middle (REMOVED)

Little Boots

2009-04-23T02:21:00.000-07:00

"I wanna take you out tonight. I wanna make you feel alright. I don't have a lot of money but we'll be fine. No I don't have a penny but I'll show you a real good time."

This is exactly how I feel right now. I really really wanna go see School of Seven Bells tonight...but I just don't have any money. And unlike Little Boots, I sorta feel like money is important to have a good night, no?

Move over Myspace, Little Boots launched her career by documenting her bedroom music making via YouTube and quickly became the most subscribed artist profile in the UK. Her music is pop, her influence is disco and her future is probably going to be pretty massive. Her stuff sort of sounds like Lily Allen on crack...oh wait. No seriously, she has cute and honest lyrics with an appealing electronic pop backdrop. Her debut album Hands is set to hit on June 12, and seeing as Hot Chip's Joe Goddard and Greg Kurstin are producing...it's pretty safe to say that its going to be worth a listen. Maybe even two. Check out one of her many YouTube videos below...this one is a cover of Hot Chip's Ready For the Floor, in which Little Boots shows she has an awesome live voice and some pretty hectic skills on the 'ol Tenori-0n.

Little Boots-New in Town (zshare)

Introducing Jonathan Boulet...

2009-04-16T06:27:00.000-07:00

Introducing Jonathan Boulet who hails from Castle Hill in Sydney. I don't know much else, except that this track off his self titled debut is absolutely killer. It easily stands up to any indie pop coming out of any studio, let alone bedroom, in the world. Mixture of a great uplifting beat and strong happy vocals makes this a MUST LISTEN to track...I promise.

I have been under quite an attack lately, like half my posts are getting removed. Why not just disable the download link (or better yet ask me to), rather than just mysteriously destroying whole posts without warning? Oh well...without spending too much time on the tiresome music piracy debate...it seems pretty clear that within a few years the world of music will be separated into those who have gone with the flow of technology and those who have not. And Ill bet its the record companies and artists who have floated along that will do best.

Jonathon Boulet-A Community Service Announcement (zshare)

Lisa Mitchell on Washing

2009-04-09T00:59:00.000-07:00

Apparently this is the first single off Lisa Mitchell's debut album The Attic Space, though in that case Im not so sure where Stevie comes in.

Regardless, a very cute song-which is exactly what we would expect from Mitchell. Has she finally shakes the Australian Idol tag?

Lisa Mitchell-Coin Laundry (zshare)

Bat For Lashes

2009-04-03T20:39:00.000-07:00

Bass player/singer Natasha Khan a.k.a. Bat For Lashes brings us her second album Two Suns, which follows on from her well received 2006/2007 debut Fur And Gold. Although she has stated that this album is a bit of a departure from the themes of the last one, the characteristic sparse arrangements and haunting vocals are still there. This means that those who loved her previous work won’t be disappointed. Part of what makes Khans music so special is that she understands the importance of silence in song writing, and is able to perfectly use it as a tool to add depth to her music. That being said, the lead single Daniel is a small deviation from her usual sound in that it is slightly more (for lack of a better word) complex in that more instruments are used and layered. First time listeners will find it a lot easier to get into this than some of her other songs. However, to get a better idea of what to expect, Travelling Woman is more what you should expect the album to sound like. Mr. Ed

Bat For Lashes-Daniel (zshare)

Mr Ed's Flapping Gums Mix

2009-04-03T19:50:00.000-07:00

Guaranteed Peanut Butter Quality Tastiness

A funky little mix filled with obscure and forgotten tracks. It has been put together by Sydney's Mr Ed, who is currently doing some dates down in Melbourne and is totally a name to watch for the future.

Track List:

1. Don't Turn It Off - 40 Thieves feat. Qzen

2. Signals (Emperor Machine Vocal Remix) - They came From The Stars I Saw Them

3. General - Buraka Som Sistema

4. Start Something (40 Thieves Remix) - Morten Sornesen

5. Until We Bleed - Kleerup feat. Lykke Li

6. Destroy Everything You Touch (Hot Chip Remix) - Ladytron

7. Oldschool, Baby (Piano Mix) - Westbam & Nena

Mr Ed-Flapping Gums Mix (zshare)

Bearhug

2009-03-26T04:56:00.000-07:00

Bearhug (formerly Skeletal Explosive...how long does it take to shake the whole "formerly" thing? Maybe they could think about incorporating it in to their name ala Prince) are doing some big things. Firstly they're playing all around Sydney at venues like the Beresford and the Burdekin (and all other places starting with B.....). Secondly, and even more excitingly they are lucky track number 7 on the recently released Spunk Singles album with other great artists like Megastick Fanfare, Leader Cheetah and Seekae. This compilation is most definitely a great place to find some massively awesome emerging Australian artists, of which Bearhug is a shining example.

Bearhug-Snow Leopard (zshare)

Where the Wild Things Are

2009-03-26T04:35:00.000-07:00

It seems it would almost be sacrilegious not to mention the release of the Where the Wild Things Are trailer. I think we have a new definition for cult classic on our hands. Directed by Spike Jonze and given the Jim Henson muppet touch it is an adaptation of the much loved children's book that follows Max's imaginary journy into the land of Wild Things. Whilst I'm not quite as psyched for this as some other very over-excited people, I am looking forward to a walk down memory lane and think its awesome a whole new generation will be exposed to this adventure. Putting Arcade Fire Wake Up on the trailer also helped me get excited just that little bit more.

Seekae + Teenagers in Tokyo = Sydney Delight!

2009-03-26T03:55:00.000-07:00

You could look at bands as being products, each competing against one another to get you to see them, buy them and like them. If this is the case then I would suggest that Seekae has done a very good job at branding their product with a sound that is so clearly their own. Here we have these emerging Gods of electronica remixing fellow Sydney siders Teenagers In Tokyo. Whilst I think the track works, I also think it sounds a little bit like an awkward mash-up. Maybe if I wasn't so in love with these acts individually, I wouldn't be so fond of this remix. Make sense?

Anyway Teenagers in Tokyo have ventured of to the UK to finally lay down a debut, which I am sure will be awesome. Hype, hype, hype.

Teenagers In Tokyo-End It Tonight (Seekae Remix)

Words Keep Talking

2009-03-24T04:22:00.000-07:00

A nice little tune from Minneapolis based duo UltraChorus. It's gotta strong crisp beat and smooth vocals (courtesy of auto-tune?). I like this a lot and It is out on 7" so go get.

The boys have also done a remix of the first Phoenix single 1901 (check out the original here). I'm less a fan of this one with its imitation 90s trance vibe. I would expect that the remix is more of a platform to gain attention for UltraChorus, rather than a serious effort.

UltraChorus-Words Keep Talking (REMOVED)

Phoenix-1901 (UltraChorus Remix) (mp3)