Underground Lovers, Simon Holmes @ Leadbelly, Newtown, May 18th, 2017 With an excellent new album in tow, Underground Lovers finally made it back up the highway to Sydney after a few years absence. They’ve clearly retained and widened their audience too, with two sold out shows to celebrate the release of the new record. Simon Holmes of The Hummingbirds had to battle the restless and chatty … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Underground Lovers
THE JOY OF HUMAN IMPERFECTION Underground Lovers return with their second post-hiatus album Staring At You Staring At Me and a run of live shows. The band’s Vincent Giarrusso talks with Chris Familton about the theme of the album and harnessing the human element in machines. As is their trademark, Underground Lovers have created a new album that draws from a wide range of styles … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Underground Lovers
There’s an inauspicious start with the BD-by numbers Johnny Irony but any doubts of a sophomore slump are quickly quashed by first single Mob Rule which utilises gang chants and pub rock bar chords to rail against the narrow-minded, pack mentality sub-cultures in Australian society. That sentiment permeates much of the album, blatantly and subtly. It’s their statement of sorts and it comes at a timely … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Bad//Dreems – Gutful
Here’s another track off Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever’s consistently excellent French Press EP, out now on Sub Pop. Tumbling, jangly guitars and that incessant drum beat are the backdrop for young lust… “I want you, I want you, I want you, I want you, I wanna see you smiling on a blue afternoon dreaming of the ceiling and the smell of your room cuz I want … Continue reading VIDEO: Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever – Sick Bug
Spoon + Mike Noga @ Metro Theatre Sydney, Australia, March 23rd, 2017 Mike Noga has stepped things up and fleshed out his live show with a full band that at times featured a triple guitar approach. The transition from solo performer to band leader mean he’s lost a bit of that Dylan-esque raconteur vibe but one can see where he’s taking it – giving the … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Spoon
Belles Will Ring + Le Pie + The Wednesday Night @ Factory Floor, March 17th, 2017 Three shades of psychedelia ruled a wet and windy Sydney night as Belles Will Ring triumphantly returned after a five year absence from the stage. The Wednesday Night recently released their debut LP and through shifting lineup changes have been refining their live show, becoming more nuanced and hypnotic … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Belles Will Ring
Thurston Moore has been teasing his new album in interviews over the last few months and today we get the official announcement of Rock n Roll Conciousness, due for release on April 28th via Caroline Australia. It’s a five track album (track listing below) which features Deb Googe (My Bloody Valentine, Snowpony) bass, James Sedwards (Nøught, Chrome Hoof) guitar and Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth, Crucifucks) drums and was produced by Paul Epworth (Adele, Paul McCartney, Glass Animals) … Continue reading NEWS: Thurston Moore announces ‘Rock n Roll Consciousness’ LP
Returning for their fourth post-reunion Australian tour, Pixies have a new weapon in their arsenal in the form of last year’s album Head Carrier which saw a balanced return to their classic sound with fresh songwriting and a renewed edge. In support, The Murlocs fulfilled their obligations but a 40 minute opening slot of mid-paced bluesy garage-rock fell flat ahead of the headliners dynamic onslaught. … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: PIXIES @ Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, 07.03.17
Margaret Glaspy + Slow Dancer @ Newtown Social Club, 6th March 2017 Slow Dancer had the task of warming the crowd and for the most part the Oh Mercy guitarist (Simon Okely) caught and maintained their attention with his brand of solo, soulful indie music. He has a fine line in emotive chords and a guitar sound like garage rock filtered through a slowed, stoned and hazy … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Margaret Glaspy
Big Thief + Gabriella Cohen + Body Type @ Newtown Social Club, 1st March 2017 Three shades of emotive indie guitar music were on display this evening with Body Type the most conventional of them. The quartet boast three lead vocalists and a fine line in songs that ranged from swerving slacker rock in the vein of Courtney Barnett, to the dreamier climes of bands like … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Big Thief
BALANCING INSTINCT AND REASON Margaret Glaspy has had a career-high last 12 months that has seen her go from working long hours to pay New York rent to touring large venues with The Lumineers. She takes Chris Familton through the creation of her debut album and the changes it has brought her. With so much work going into the writing, recording and producing of Emotions … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Margaret Glaspy
Bad//Dreems have released the second single from their forthcoming new LP Gutful (out April 21st). Feeling Remains is reliably and solidly straight from the BD songbook. It has those tension-filled verses they do so well, full of tumbling toms and rolling bass, with Alex Cameron’s guitar clipped and urgent downstrokes carving out a stacatto rhythm that contrasts with a Saints/Sex Pistols descending chord progression. It defines their … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Bad//Dreems – Feeling Remains
Doubtful Sounds 