LIVE REVIEW: Jack Colwell & The Owls, Brendan Maclean, Packwood @ Goodgod (07/06/12)

by C. Familton Goodgod may not have been host to such fragile music as was on display from Packwood. Featuring Bayden Packwood Hine on banjo/vocals and some wonderful violin and cello accompaniment the trio silenced the small crowd with a handful of songs from Packwood’s debut EP. Space was the key to their appeal and generous helpings of it were used to accentuate what was … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Jack Colwell & The Owls, Brendan Maclean, Packwood @ Goodgod (07/06/12)

ds recommends: Beach Pigs

Beach Pigs are a quartet of melodic noise popsters out of Auckland, New Zealand who have been making waves with their early single releases and their self-titled EP . You can order their releases direct from their label, the most excellent Arch Hill Recordings . Dahnu Graham:Vocals Daniel Kerr: Guitar Suren Unka: Drums Billy Robertson:Bass Guitar. Continue reading ds recommends: Beach Pigs

2012 | Twenty First Half Favourites

We’re already half away through 2012, crazy huh? It felt like it was a slow start to the year in terms of standout album releases but slowly things have picked up pace and some (in our ears) essential purchases have emerged. Here, in no particular order are twenty LPs that have captured our attention over the last six months.   LAMBCHOP | MR. M This … Continue reading 2012 | Twenty First Half Favourites

LIVE REVIEW: Zola Jesus, Light Asylum, Forces @ Sydney Opera House Studio (31/05/12)

by C. Familton Forces were up first in this evening that showcased the darker side of contemporary electronic music. The Melbourne duo made great use of the Opera House’s exceptional sound quality and seemed to win over a large portion of the audience with their industrial post punk electro set. They combine a bunch of sounds from the past, particularly the early 80s, yet it … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Zola Jesus, Light Asylum, Forces @ Sydney Opera House Studio (31/05/12)

NEWS: Harvest Festival 2012 first line-up announced

The Harvest Festival is back for its second year after proving to be the perfect middle ground between the likes of Splendour In The Grass and Laneway Festival in 2011. With such a stellar list of bands in its debut year (Portishead, Mercury Rev, Flaming Lips, The National, Mogwai etc) it was always going to be a hard act to follow but the initial announcement … Continue reading NEWS: Harvest Festival 2012 first line-up announced

ALBUM REVIEW: Opossom | Electric Hawaii

by C. Familton Opossom is essentially Kody Nielson, formerly of The Mint Chicks. When they split, his brother Ruban formed Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Kody retreated to his bedroom to write, play on and record Electric Hawaii. The album retains much of  the bright energy of Nielson’s former band but it also decidedly more trippy and psychedelic, awash with an array of electronic and tropicalia … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Opossom | Electric Hawaii

WATCH: The Cure unveil new guitarist Reeves Gabrels

The Cure played PinkPop Festival on the weekend and as well as playing a stellar set of hits and and few surprises (Bananafishbones from The Top) they also debuted their new guitarist Reeves Gabrels who is best known for his work with David Bowie in Tin Machine and on his Outside, Earthling and Hours albums. At this stage it is unclear how long Gabrels will … Continue reading WATCH: The Cure unveil new guitarist Reeves Gabrels

ALBUM REVIEW: Father John Misty | Fear Fun

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

LIVE REVIEW: Prince @ Allphones Arena, Sydney (11/05/12)

by Chris Familton Artists get hyped beyond belief in this day and age so when a true legend whose discography spans thirty two years announces a rare Australian tour, his diehard fans and the wider public quite rightly get excited. Prince’s aversion to the media and interviews has given him an aura of mystique, much the same way as Dylan and over his career he … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Prince @ Allphones Arena, Sydney (11/05/12)

NEWS: New releases from The Beatles, McCartney and Harrison

There is (as usual) much happening on the Beatles-related front with upcoming releases of Paul McCartney’s RAM, George Harrison outtakes and Yellow Submarine. Paul McCartney | RAM – released May 22nd, 2012 Standard Edition: 1 CD digipak Single disc, digitally remastered 12- track standard edition Special Edition: 2 CD digipak Remastered album and 8-track bonus audio CD including rarities, b-sides and the hit single, ‘Another Day’. … Continue reading NEWS: New releases from The Beatles, McCartney and Harrison

NEWS: Street Chant return with two new singles

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