NEW MUSIC: Federale – Trouble
Here’s some cinematic, widescreen psychedelia courtesy of Federale, a seven-piece ensemble based in Portland, OR. Spearheaded by longtime Brian Jonestown Massacre bassist Collin Hegna, the band was conceived as an outlet to channel inspiration from 60’s & 70’s European soundtracks, particularly those from Italy made famous by the Spaghetti Western & Giallo genres. They certainly hit the mark on ‘Trouble’, a song that swaggers along … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Federale – Trouble
GIVEAWAY: Win Tickets to Jamie Hutchings’ Sydney Show with Mark Moldre
Jamie Hutchings is heading out on tour at the end of this month to celebrate the vinyl and digital release of his new live album King Hits and Goldfish Memories. Special guest on the tour is Mark Moldre who has also just released his new album, the critically acclaimed Fever Dreams. Both artists will guest in each others live sets plus along for the ride … Continue reading GIVEAWAY: Win Tickets to Jamie Hutchings’ Sydney Show with Mark Moldre
NEW MUSIC: Dear Boy – Heaven Moves
“A really nice, new English indie guitar tune” I thought to myself when I first heard ‘Heaven Moves’ by Dear Boy. I was wrong though! The band hail from Los Angeles and they’re starting to gain some attention with their mix of English jangly post-punk and pop-tinged melodies. They recently finished a run of dates with James and Psychedelic Furs which gives a further idea … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Dear Boy – Heaven Moves
NEW MUSIC: Under The Reefs Orchestra – Tucuman
Under The Reefs Orchestra are a Belgian trio who certainly know their way around a dark and hypnotic groove. Drums, guitar and bass saxophone combine in a haunting rhythmic mix of post rock and a dash of jazz. It works wonderfully too, conjuring squalls of guitar across a doom-laden desert backdrop. This is a live in-studio version of the song, their brand new single, of … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Under The Reefs Orchestra – Tucuman
NEW MUSIC: Vanessa Van Ness – True True Shot
“Molly Ringwald was my saviour…” Gothic guitar pop with a post-punk twist is the order of the day on this new track from Vanessa Van Ness, a Melbourne-based guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer from Venice Beach, Los Angeles. There’s a roll call of influential women in the song, over a minimal backing of guitar and percussion. ‘True True Shot’ has a really nice mantra-like quality … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Vanessa Van Ness – True True Shot
ALBUM REVIEW: Chastity Belt – Chastity Belt
Music is about mood and the way it sonically hits the ears, heart and mind just as much as it’s about the stories and ideas conveyed by the lyrics. The appeal of Chastity Belt’s new self-titled album lies in both elements but it’s the overall sound and the warm dreaminess that billows out of the speakers that provides the strongest appeal and connection point. All … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Chastity Belt – Chastity Belt
NEW MUSIC: J.R. – PAL
J.R. is the moniker of Ontario songwriter Julianna Riolino and her group that includes musicians who have worked with Daniel Romano. ‘PAL’ is a light and bouncy slice of indie country rock that wins due to her great melodies that she builds into the song’s two and half minutes. It reminded me a bit of Margaret Glaspy. Continue reading NEW MUSIC: J.R. – PAL
NEW MUSIC: Nina Harries – Will, I’m Not
Nina Harries is a British double bassist and vocalist hailing from Northampton and trained in classical music at the Royal College of Music. She dials into a nice dark and moody trip-hop vibe on this track. “I’ve got a bad feeling” she sings in a haunted, Portishead style before the skies darken and thunderous percussion arrives and her vocal is blasted with distortion. The production comes … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Nina Harries – Will, I’m Not
NEW MUSIC: Flaccid Ashbacks – On and On
What at first sounds like a generic noisy indie rock song from New York psych-pop explorers Flaccid Ashbacks takes some really interesting twists and turns over its five minutes. From a Sunny Day Real Estate emotive outlay through to a mid section with sharper edges and into its contrasting country strum that sounds like Pavement. It adds up to a restless yet still captivating sound … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Flaccid Ashbacks – On and On
NEW MUSIC: Mercvrial – Pink Frost
‘Pink Frost’ stands as one our favourite singles, certainly a contender for our favourite New Zealand song of all time. With that in mind we approached this cover by Mexican quartet Mercvrial with caution but they definitely pull it off. They retain that haunting, swirling melancholic mood, inject some electronic elements (sounding like mid-period Depeche Mode) but without sacrificing the sad heart of the song. The … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Mercvrial – Pink Frost
VIDEO PREMIERE: Life Strike – Dear Life
Melbourne post-punk trio Life Strike have a way of combining that genre’s obtuse angles and edges with a jangly lo-fi aesthetic. It positions them somewhere between the Dunedin underground guitar pop merchants of the 80s and a darker, more garage rock attack and smear. Here’s their brand new single and video from the album Primitive Future which came out last month. ‘Dear Life’ clears away … Continue reading VIDEO PREMIERE: Life Strike – Dear Life
NEW MUSIC: Ex Okays – OGIES
There’s a sweet rambling tinge of Blur in the sound of this track from Ex Okays. It’s mainly in the vocal before the song gets all warbly and comforting like a woozy walk home from a late night bar on a warm summer night. The band have an EP out now called Good/Old Days. Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Ex Okays – OGIES
Doubtful Sounds 