Perth-based New Zealand songwriter Damien Binder has just released his fifth solo album Bright Side. It’s a widescreen indie pop-rock vista populated by sparkling guitar lines, the warm glow of synths and Binder’s astute take on the world around him. Damien first came to fame in the late 80s and through the 90s on the alternative rock scene in Auckland, NZ, as frontman for the … Continue reading Sonic Kicks: Damien Binder
Sydney trio The Electorate release their debut album You Don’t Have Time To Stay Lost tomorrow, via Templebear Records/MGM. It may be their debut album but the band members have a rich lineage through a raft of Australian bands including Big Heavy Stuff, Knievel, The Apartments, The Templebears, Imperial Broads, Atticus and more. The Electorate is: Eliot Fish (Bass/Vox), Josh Morris (Guitar/Vox), Nick Kennedy (Drums/Vox) Guitarist Josh … Continue reading SONIC KICKS: The Electorate
Over the last few months, one of the things many people have been turning to during periods of isolation during the pandemic is music. Music for distraction, companionship, solace and joy. Whatever the reason, putting on a favourite album or discovering something new that pulls you in and hits the spot, intellectually or emotionally, can be a great and wonderful experience. In this series we … Continue reading SPECIAL SOUNDS FOR STRANGE TIMES: Suzie Stapleton
Over the last few months, one of the things many people have been turning to during periods of isolation during the pandemic is music. Music for distraction, companionship, solace and joy. Whatever the reason, putting on a favourite album or discovering something new that pulls you in and hits the spot, intellectually or emotionally, can be a great and wonderful experience. In this series we … Continue reading SPECIAL SOUNDS FOR STRANGE TIMES: Romy Vager (RVG)
Over the last few months, one of the things many people have been turning to during periods of isolation during the pandemic is music. Music for distraction, companionship, solace and joy. Whatever the reason, putting on a favourite album or discovering something new that pulls you in and hits the spot, intellectually or emotionally, can be a great and wonderful experience. In this series we … Continue reading SPECIAL SOUNDS FOR STRANGE TIMES
CABLE TIES, LONG JAMS AND LOUD AMPS Between festival appearances and European tours, Cable Ties’ Jenny McKechnie chats with Chris Familton about their new album Far Enough and explains the band’s 30-minute riff test. Picture three figures, closely grouped between numerous amps and drums, hunched over their instruments in the middle of a large warehouse as heavy guitars at full volume fill the voluminous space … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Cable Ties
Sydney trio Wahoo Ghost have just released their debut album The Eighth Door and the brand new single ‘She Wolf’ (check out the video below). The album is high on atmospheric psychedelia that swirls around the dark poetry of Charli Rainford. Space and texture is paramount, whether it’s raw and bluesy or grainy and dream-laden. The Eighth Door is available now on Spotify, Apple Music and CD … Continue reading SONIC KICKS: Wahoo Ghost
Defiantly independent and creatively driven, Darren Cross is always seeking new ways to translate his ideas and influences into music. Whether it was in the heady days of indie/electro guitar punks Gerling, as a DJ and electronic music producer, as one half of folk noir duo Jep and Dep (with Jessica Cassar) or as a solo artist. Under his own name he’s released two solo … Continue reading SONIC KICKS: Darren Cross
WINKING AT POP MUSIC Matt Corby has come a long way from his solo folk beginnings. Here he takes us into the creative process behind his colourful new second album, Rainbow Valley. by Chris Familton The album title suggests some kind of idealised nature-based community where everything exists in harmony and for Corby and his family, that’s why they’ve settled in the area of the … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Matt Corby
LOVE, POLITICS AND LAST DRINKS On an autumnal morning in Prague during her European tour, Cash Savage discusses the songwriting shift on her new album Good Citizens and talks with Chris Familton about the importance of her band The Last Drinks. The lead-up to the release of a new album can be a tricky period for an artist to negotiate. Some take it in their … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Cash Savage & The Last Drinks
Peabody are now five albums deep in a career that has seen them become a stalwart of the Sydney indie rock scene over the last 24 years. Their latest, A Redder Shade Of Rust (produced by Jamie Hutchings) finds them in fine form yet again. It’s heady, poetic and a really great balance of melody, rhythm, momentum and knotty guitars. It’s dark and churning one minute, … Continue reading SONIC KICKS: Peabody
THE OVERWHELMING SENSATION OF BEING ALIVE Three years on the road with her band Big Thief has been a life changing experience for Adrianne Lenker and as she explains to Chris Familton, she wanted to document and archive her thoughts and emotions through that period on her new solo album abyskiss. I made my first solo record when I was 21 and I was so … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Adrianne Lenker
Doubtful Sounds 