INTERVIEW: Blank Realm
Blank Realm received widespread critical acclaim for this year’s Grassed Inn album and with that momentum they were able to travel to Europe for the first time, playing a range of shows from intimate clubs to massive festival stages. Ahead of venturing down the highway from Brisbane to play The Blurst Of Times festival at the Factory Theatre, keyboardist and vocalist Sarah Spencer chats with … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Blank Realm
NEW MUSIC: Chris Forsyth and the Solar Motel Band | The Ballad of Freer Hollow
Guitarist Chris Forsyth widened his audience considerably last year with his album Solar Motel and now, with the band he formed to perform that album live, he has a new record Intensity Ghost which came out last week on No Quarter. Here’s the 11 minute epic opening track from it called ‘The Ballad of Freer Hollow’. Below you can also check out their very cool cover … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Chris Forsyth and the Solar Motel Band | The Ballad of Freer Hollow
ALBUM REVIEW: Tweedy – Sukierae
It’s quite surprising that this is Jeff Tweedy’s first solo album given the extent of his career as frontman and principle songwriter with Wilco. Most would have expected him to develop a solo career on the side. He’s always shown an openness to collaborate (Loose Fur, Neil Finn) and he’s played plenty of solo shows yet this is his first foray under his own name … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Tweedy – Sukierae
NEW MUSIC: Sarah Belkner – With You (video)
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)
ALBUM REVIEW: Jep and Dep – Word Got Out
Writing and recording widescreen and cinematic music, where mood and atmosphere is paramount, and conveying it with minimal instrumentation shows both great restraint and ambition. That is exactly the musical world that Jessica Cassar and Darren Cross (Gerling) have created on their debut album Word Got Out. The cover image of the pair stepping out of darkness and into an unknown light sums up the … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Jep and Dep – Word Got Out
ALBUM REVIEW: J Mascis – Tied To A Star
If you exclude his solo live album and those with The Fog it took until 2011 for Dinosaur Jr’s J Mascis to release his debut solo album (Several Shades of Why) so it’s a pleasant surprise that the followup is already upon us. He follows a similar template with Tied to a Star, eschewing drums for the most part and using a more organic sonic … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: J Mascis – Tied To A Star
LIVE REVIEW: Sunnyboys @ Factory Theatre, Sydney (08/10/14)
Sunnyboys have been on a musical and emotional roller coaster over the last few years since they reformed for the Dig It Up Festival in 2012, the film on Jeremy Oxley and subsequent touring. Now they’ve scaled it back, eschewing extra musicians and venues like the Opera House for a show that focused firmly on the music. Carrie Phillis & The Downtown Three warmed up … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Sunnyboys @ Factory Theatre, Sydney (08/10/14)
NEW MUSIC: POND – Elvis’ Flaming Star
‘Elvis’ Flaming Star’ is the first single from POND’s forthcoming album, Man It Feels Like Space Again, which will be released on Friday January 23. Continue reading NEW MUSIC: POND – Elvis’ Flaming Star
NEWS: Tindersticks release new museum soundtrack Ypres
In late 2011 tindersticks were commissioned by the In Flanders Fields World War One museum in Ypres, Belgium to provide the soundscape for the new permanent exhibition being planned to commemorate the centenary of the Great War and beyond. Ypres was the epicenter of the Western Front in The Great War and was virtually destroyed by the conflict. It has since been rebuilt to its … Continue reading NEWS: Tindersticks release new museum soundtrack Ypres
ALBUM REVIEW: The Datsuns – Deep Sleep
The Datsuns first hit the hard rock scene like like a lit firecracker back in 2002 and now on their sixth time around they’ve released one of their strongest albums. Deep Sleep takes in all the usual elements that make up the band’s DNA – glam, stoner and garage rock with some MC5 ramalama and an endless supply of riffs and yelps and big choruses … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: The Datsuns – Deep Sleep
ALBUM REVIEW: Johnny Marr – Playland
Johnny Marr certainly hasn’t wasted time with his second solo album. When he toured Australia in January it was the end of touring for The Messenger (2013) and he was hoping to get back into the studio as quickly as possible. With Playland he’s made good on his word, continuing to mine big indie guitar sounds, anthemic vocals and now some electronic undercurrents, with mixed … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Johnny Marr – Playland
ALBUM REVIEW: Laura Jean – Laura Jean
On her fourth album Melbourne’s Laura Jean decamped to Bristol, UK to work with producer John Parish (PJ Harvey) and the pair have created a sparse, lilting world of bare-boned, yet emotionally ornate folk music. With her unassuming voice and songs about everyday struggles and successes this is the most direct Jean has been with her songwriting to date. The music and both her and … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Laura Jean – Laura Jean
Doubtful Sounds 