ROCKIN’ THE RECITAL HALL Ben Folds talks with Chris Familton about the current collaborative project he has termed ‘chamber rock’ and his personal and professional connection to Australia. In composition and performance the piano is one of the few instruments that works effectively and consistently across the spectrum of musical genres, from blues to jazz, rock to classical. In the indie-rock world one of the … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Ben Folds
It took 16 years for them to follow-up their groundbreaking sampledelic debut LP Since I Left You but finally Sydney’s The Avalanches (Robbie Chater, Tony Di Blasi and James Dela Cruz) have released their first song and video from their forthcoming album Wildflower. Frankie Sinatra is built on a sample of Wilmots Houdini’s Bobby Sox Idol and features Danny Brown and Madlib with some tripped … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: The Avalanches – Frankie Sinatra
For total indulgence and unabated dance floor pleasure you can’t go past this compilation of French soul, pop, funk and disco tracks from 1975-1984. Selected by Charles Maurice, the album was released last year on the Favorite label. Hit the Bandcamp link below to stream and/or buy the album on 2LP, CD and digital formats. In their words: Helped by a close connoisseur friend, DJ … Continue reading French Disco Boogie Sounds (1975-1984)
Dan Kelly has hit his finest streak of songwriting on his latest solo album. There’s a sense of pop wonderment about these songs as they diversify into all kinds of colourful shapes. Sometimes it’s dripping with sweet soul ‘(Haters’), drifting on a cloud of dream-pop (‘National Park‘) or hitting interstellar overdrive on the epic pulsing krautrock of the opening track. The psychedelic flavour of Kelly’s … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Dan Kelly – Leisure Panic
New Zealand has always produced a high ratio of literate indie pop music, from the brightest corners of Flying Nun to Lawrence Arabia and The Phoenix Foundation. Anthony Tonnon is another in that lineage and on Successor he weaves fascinating tales of wit and tragedy without, importantly, ending up sounding twee and smug. Characters are established in all manner of situations as he sings their … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Anthonie Tonnon – Successor
Matthew Mondanile’s (Real Estate) side project Ducktails can’t really be called that anymore. Now he’s on the verge of releasing his fifth solo album St. Catherine which features guest vocals from Julia Holter and James Ferraro. It follows The Flower Lane, one of our favourite albums of 2013 and Ducktails’ finest to date. Below you can hear ‘Headbanging In The Mirror.’ 1. The Disney Afternoon 2. … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Ducktails – Headbanging In The Mirror
Dogheart are a trio out of Portland who are about to release their debut full-length What Burns The Best on February 17th. They cut a freewheeling guitar pop swathe through jangling guitars and sometimes distorted melodic vocals. There’s that slacker vibe that makes it all sound slightly DIY and homespun. You feel like you’ve heard it all before and you kind of have but on the evidence of their … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Dogheart – Holding Out
As Radiohead prepare to start work on their ninth studio album, Philip Selway is quietly enthusiastic as he talks to CHRIS FAMILTON about the writing and recording process of his second solo album, scoring for contemporary dance and pauses to reflect on nearly thirty years as a member of the Oxford quartet. Philip Selway first emerged from behind the Radiohead drum kit in 2010 with … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Philip Selway
You Beauty released their rugby league-themed album Jersey Flegg earlier this year and it slowly but surely garnered attention leading to its imminent vinyl pressing. Their opening set showed they can nail the sound of the album in a live context with chorused guitar picking out lazy hooks and the rhythm section hitting a ‘Strokes and The Cure on the dancefloor’ sweet spot. Frontman … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Donny Benét, You Beauty @ Brighton Up Bar, Sydney (10/10/14)
Sarah Belkner has completed her transition from her previous incarnation as Miss Little. Now recording under her own name the New Zealander (based in Sydney for the last 7 years) has released the clip for the first single ‘With You’ from her forthcoming album – the recipient of an Australian Council Of The Arts New Work Grant and Pozible crowd funding. The song is a wonderfully poised … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Sarah Belkner – With You (video)
In a haze of a neon-lit smoke machine comes the new Jonny Telafone single/video ‘The Prayer’. The smeared and dubbed-out electronic lothario doom-pop is the first taste of his new album Romeo Must Cry, out on Chapter Music early in 2015. Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Jonny Telafone – The Prayer
On his second solo album O’Connor has again created a retro-futuristic album of constructed and knowingly-crafted songs. Musically he digs deeper into the well of primitive 80s electronic landscapes and soul-tinged new wave. It’s a pastiche of everything from Pet Shop Boys to New Order with one ear to contemporaries like Xx and Austra and an overall sonic vibe reminiscent of Underground Lovers’ ‘Cold Feelings’. … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Geoffrey O’Connor – Fan Fiction
Doubtful Sounds 