by Chris Familton Many will know Josh Tillman as the ex drummer for Fleet Foxes but for those who have followed his solo work over seven albums of stark folk music will know him better as a fine purveyor of intimate and emotional songwriting in the vein of Will Oldham, Vic Chesnutt and Damien Jurado. Now Tillman has taken lead from Oldham (Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy) … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Father John Misty | Fear Fun
Royal Headache are about to head back to the USA for some shows (after they sort out some visa issues) so in the meantime you can get your fix with the video of all 1:35 of the track Girls. Continue reading WATCH: Royal Headache | Girls [Video]
by Chris Familton Definitions of the word bloom include ‘the time or period of greatest beauty or artistry’ and the flowering of a plant. Both feel appropriate in terms of the title of the new album from Baltimore’s Beach House with the songs roaming through themes of living in the moment, self determination and the fleeting temporality of beauty. On Bloom, Victoria Legrand and Alex … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Beach House | Bloom
by Chris Familton Nick Cave and co aren’t known for sending out their songs for remixes but in light of the band’s recent dissolution this is perhaps a loosening of the reins, an opening of arms to collaboration and reinterpretation of songs from their 2010 swansong LP Grinderman 2. The first thing that catches the eye is the list of other artists that have contributed … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Grinderman | Grinderman 2 RMX
by Chris Familton The Wedding Present are back with their eighth full length album and somewhat of a return to the sound of their glory years in the late 80s and early 90s. The band has always revolved around main-man David Gedge, he of the strangled vocal style and love song obsessive and on Valentina he shows he still knows how to write a visceral … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: The Wedding Present | Valentina
by Chris Familton When news began to spread across the blogosphere that Lee Ranaldo had a new solo album coming out there would have been mixed reactions for fans of his work in Sonic Youth. Would this be a showcase for his esoteric experimental guitar-scapes (like 2008‘s Maelstrom From Drift) or a journey deeper into his poetry-laced art rock songs that pepper the many Sonic … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Lee Ranaldo | Between The Times And The Tides
Street Chant toured the hell out of their debut LP Means, in NZ, Australia and the USA and after spending the better part of the last year writing and recording its follow-up they have today released a double A-side single featuring the songs Frail Girls and Salad Daze. Both will feature on the new forthcoming LP which is due for release via Arch Hill Recordings … Continue reading NEWS: Street Chant return with two new singles
Sydney duo Valar have been making a name for themselves with their dreamy, hypnotic indietronica. If you are in Sydney you can catch them at the Paddington Uniting Church this Thursday but in the meantime check out a live in studio video of them performing Anoesis and listen/buy last year’s The Belly of the Whale and other releases over at Bandcamp. Continue reading ds recommends: Valar
by Chris Familton Belgian band dEUS are onto their sixth album in a career that stretches twenty years, yet they have made little impact in this part of the world since their first few albums in the second half of the 90s. Back then they were one of the bands that seemed to straddle the worlds of alt rock, grunge and art rock. They shared … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: dEUS | Keep You Close
written by Chris Familton Despite some sound issues/delays Charlie Horse and Suzy Connolly both played great sets at The Sando last night. Charlie Horse seemed to convert their frustrations into some fiery playing with Paul McDonald throwing rock shapes on guitar and Matt Brown almost overpowering the PA with his superb drumming. Out front Crystal Rose is a captivating front woman showing she can both … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Charlie Horse, Suzy Connolly @ Sandringham Hotel, Sydney (19/04/12)
On the 4th/5th of June 2012, New Yorkers The Walkmen will release their new LP Heaven via Fat Possum Records and Bella Union. Recordings took place in a studio outside Seattle with Phil Ek (Fleet Foxes) producing a reportedly full and lush sound for the band. PREORDER Continue reading NEWS: The Walkmen release trailer for new album Heaven
WATER BIRTH OUTLANDS HAS BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING BUT FINALLY DEEP SEA ARCADE’S DEBUT LP EMERGES FROM THE DEEP. NIC MCKENZIE TAKES CHRIS FAMILTON THROUGH ITS GESTATION. Imagine arriving in the UK for the first time with your band, feeling jet lagged yet full of excitement at the chance to play to people on the other side of the world. Expecting to play pubs … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Deep Sea Arcade
Doubtful Sounds 