INTERVIEW: Moon Duo
Anything Can Be Psychedelic Moon Duo’s Sanae Yamada discusses their place in psychedelic music, adding a live drummer to their line-up and performing to the ashes of dead people, with Chris Familton. As the name suggests Moon Duo are a musical pairing, the collaborative project of Yamada and partner Ripley Johnson. The latter is best known for his work with San Francisco psych/drone group Wooden … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Moon Duo
ALBUM REVIEW: The Holy Soul – Fortean Times
The Holy Soul have been a constant on the Sydney independent music scene for over a decade with their own releases, countless gigs and collaborations with the likes of Robyn Hitchcock, Damo Suzuki (Can) and David Thomas (Pere Ubu). They should be recognised as heroes of the underground, indeed in many circles they are. This album reinforces and enhances that reputation. The Gareth Liddiard-produced Fortean … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: The Holy Soul – Fortean Times
ALBUM REVIEW: Gold Class – It’s You
Only emerging from the Melbourne scene earlier this year, Gold Class’ art is seemingly fully formed; from the artwork to their visual aesthetic and musical take on the brittle and dynamic world of post-punk. To do so in the contemporary climate where the album doesn’t hold the same cultural and economic cache it once did is an admirable approach. There were no early singles showing … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Gold Class – It’s You
ALBUM REVIEW: Here We Go Magic – Be Small
On their fourth album Here We Go Magic have lost some of their magic. While 2012’s A Different Ship radiated a rhythmic warmth Be Small feels just that – restrained, inferior and a retreat from the potential the band had to step outside of the shadows of contemporaries such as Radiohead and Grizzly Bear. There’s a late resurrection with the nimble electronic pulse of Tokyo … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Here We Go Magic – Be Small
ALBUM REVIEW: You Beauty – Illywhacka
Their debut Jersey Flegg initially received no attention on its release but it quickly built a fanbase around its concept (rugby league) and sonic palette. Illywhacka hits similar territory musically and again they’ve loosely based it around a theme, this time online dating. There are shades of Real Estate, Girls and Mac DeMarco in the trembling and shimmering guitars and the way the bass dances … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: You Beauty – Illywhacka
LIVE REVIEW: The Fall, Gold Class, Orion @ Metro Theatre (21/10/15)
Post-punk was the order of the night and Orion lived up to the label by diving deep into effect-laden guitar, melodic bass and stentorian vocals; the hallmarks of bands such as Joy Division and The Cure. Backed by the cold repetition of a drum machine they impressed in their ability to conjure no-frills melancholic music that hit an emotional sweet spot as readily as it … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: The Fall, Gold Class, Orion @ Metro Theatre (21/10/15)
NEW MUSIC: Tindersticks – Hey Lucinda
Tindersticks rearranged my universe in a small way when I first heard their Simple Pleasure album in 1999. It was around the same time that I fell for Lambchop, Mogwai and various other bands that dealt in graceful musical moods and atmosphere. I’ve followed them ever since, getting that sense of anticipation at hearing that warm melancholic tone of Stuart Staples over his bandmates’ new … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Tindersticks – Hey Lucinda
ALBUM REVIEW: Fat Freddy’s Drop – Bays
It’s only been two years since the release of Blackbird, making this a quick follow-up in the world of Fat Freddy’s Drop. The reassuring thing about the Wellington band is that as their stock has risen they haven’t compromised their musical approach by shortening songs or devolving them to standard structures in the pursuit of hit singles. They continue as they left off on the … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Fat Freddy’s Drop – Bays
NEW MUSIC: Kirin J. Callinan – The Teacher (feat. Connan Mockasin)
Callinan has finally released some new material to follow up his 2013 LP Embracism of which we said “he has been overwhelmingly successful at marrying violent dissonance and the traditional art of songwriting”. ‘The Teacher’ sees him hitting new romantic power ballad mode with an emotional tale of teen lust, role models and positions of power and influence. The tongue in cheek angle has been … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Kirin J. Callinan – The Teacher (feat. Connan Mockasin)
NEWS: Thee Oh Sees Announce Australian Tour
Thee Oh Sees have announced they’ll be returning to Australia in January for a run of shows on the back of their latest album Mutilator Defeated At Last along with a brand new lineup consisting of John Dwyer (vocals, guitar), Timothy Hellman (bass) and double drummers, Ryan Moutinho and Dan Rincon. They’re also releasing a new limited edition deluxe vinyl pressing of Mutilator Defeated At Last on November 20th. You can pre-order the release HERE Continue reading NEWS: Thee Oh Sees Announce Australian Tour
REISSUE NEWS: Flying Nun & Captured Tracks To Reissue Chris Knox & Tall Dwarfs LPs
Flying Nun Records in partnership with Captured Tracks have announced they’re reissuing two seminal New Zealand albums. On November 13th Chris Knox’s Seizure (with the 1st pressing artwork) and Tall Dwarfs‘ first full length album Weeville will be available on vinyl and CD. Artist: Chris Knox Title: Seizure Label: Flying Nun Records Year: 1990. Re-Issued 2015 Cat #: FN125 Formats: 12″ LP, CD + Digital PRE-ORDER Track List: … Continue reading REISSUE NEWS: Flying Nun & Captured Tracks To Reissue Chris Knox & Tall Dwarfs LPs
LIVE REVIEW: Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, HITS, White Dog @ Manning Bar, Sydney (08/08/15)
White Dog were up first and represented the punk end of the musical spectrum on offer. They started off with a straight hardcore delivery and then took detours into post-punk dissonance and angular shapes. From Black Flag to Big Black with a direct attack and socially acute lyrics they certainly primed the energy of the room. HITS from Brisbane are a defiantly rock ’n’ roll … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, HITS, White Dog @ Manning Bar, Sydney (08/08/15)
Doubtful Sounds 