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
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
Moon Duo return with the first of two albums they plan to release in 2017, with both volumes rooted in balanced and oppositional ideas and textures. The conceptual approach of the double album is, in their words “an intricately woven hymn to the invisible structures found in the cycle of seasons and the journey of day into night, dark into light.” That Yin Yang format … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Moon Duo – Occult Architecture Vol. 1
Dylan Carlson (Earth) has once again teamed up with The Bug’s Kevin Martin (Techno Animal, Ice, God, Razor X, King Midas Sound), this time for a full-length LP called Concrete Desert. The album also features guest vocals from Justin Broadrick from Jesu/Godflesh etc on two tracks. Below you can hear the first taste of the album – ‘Snakes Vs Rats’. Martin says that the album is in some ways … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: The Bug Vs Earth – Snakes Vs Rats from their new LP Concrete Desert
Spoon (Britt Daniel, drummer Jim Eno, bassist Rob Pope and Alex Fischel on keyboards and guitar) are releasing their new LP Hot Thoughts on March 17th via Matador Records/Remote Control Records. They’ve already released the first single and now they’ve posted the warped and spooky clip for the keyboard-heavy clip for ‘Can I Sit Next To You’, reminiscent to our ears of The Cure and Prince in the clipped rhythm. Spoon – Sydney & Melbourne … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Spoon – Can I Sit Next To You
Mac DeMarco recently upped and relocated to LA from Queens, NY and the transition to a new city had a slowing effect on his writing and recording process this time around. He sat with the songs a while and then stripped them back to acoustic guitar, drum machine and synth, giving the new album much more of a laidback (is that possible) and skeletal sound. … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Mac DeMarco Announces New LP ‘This Old Dog’
Father John Misty (Josh Tillman) is back with the follow-up to his acclaimed album I Love You, Honeybear. Titled Pure Comedy, the album is due out on April 7th via Sub Pop and Inertia Music and features co-production with Jonathan Wilson, string arrangements by Gavin Bryars and other contributions from Nico Muhly and Thomas Bartlett. The mastering was done by the legendary Bob Ludwig. Tracklisting: … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Father John Misty Announces New LP ‘Pure Comedy’.
Dinosaur Jr, Luluc @ Metro Theatre, Sydney 12.01.17 There had been some worrying moments leading up to the start of Dinosaur Jr’s Australian tour, with news that visa issues for Lou Barlow had meant a delayed flight. It all got sorted but there was more drama to come. Luluc had opening honours, as they have for a number of J Mascis solo shows in the … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Dinosaur Jr
This is Bic Runga’s fifth album in two decades and comes as she is inducted into the NZ Music Hall of Fame. A collection of covers and two originals, it finds her tipping her hat to some of her influences, from the obvious to the obscure. Both originals (the title track and Dream A Dream) are lush rhythmic pop songs with tropical noir textures while … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Bic Runga – Close Your Eyes
Doubtful Sounds 