LIVE REVIEW: Trixie Whitley @ The Basement, Sydney (19/04/14)
Trixie Whitley’s musical journey to-date has taken some interesting and different directions, from the soulful dub excursions of Black Dub with Daniel Lanois and others, to forging her own solo career and its rich melting pot of soul, jazz, funk and blues. She treated the Basement audience to all of that and more, particularly with her newer songs. Playing two sets, Whitely set about showcasing … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Trixie Whitley @ The Basement, Sydney (19/04/14)
ALBUM REVIEW: The Horrors | Luminous
The Horrors were a band that first appeared on the music scene in 2007 like a gothic cartoon brought to life. Ridiculed in some quarters for their solemn appearance and Bauhaus/Birthday Party’isms they seemed consigned to the shadowy perimeters of popular culture, flavour of the month at best. Somehow though they clawed their way onwards and upwards through Primary Colours and Skying, bursting through the … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: The Horrors | Luminous
ALBUM REVIEW: The Afghan Whigs | Do To The Beast
Many thought that it was well and truly the end of the line when Greg Dulli, John Curley, Rick McCollum and drummer Steve Earle went their separate ways in 2001. Their dark and mysterious chemistry felt like it had probably run its natural course yet they went out on the back of their three finest albums. It was therefore a surprise to many when The … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: The Afghan Whigs | Do To The Beast
NEW MUSIC: Sleaford Mods | Tied Up In Nottz
Duo Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn are starting to make waves with their new album Divide & Exit and they’ve definitely got a great no wave, krautrock/post-punk sound going on with Lydon/Mark E. Smith type rants splattered on top. They describe themselves as electronic munt minimalist punk-hop rants for the working class and under from Nottingham, UK. Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Sleaford Mods | Tied Up In Nottz
NEWS: Glide/William Arthur tribute show
Glide were one of Sydney’s best loved indie guitar bands of the 90’s, led by singer, guitarist and principal songwriter William Arthur. Sadly Arthur passed away 15 years ago leaving a big hole in the local music scene so it is no surprise that an impressive line-up of musicians are gathering at The Vanguard on August 22nd to pay tribute. Artists performing include Knievel, Croons … Continue reading NEWS: Glide/William Arthur tribute show
NEW MUSIC: Guerre | Deatheat
I saw this Canadian/Australian artist Guerre perform live a while back and was impressed by his ability to marry soulful vocals with experimental electronica. The good news is he finally has a debut album Ex Nihilo about to be released on Friday 4th July via Yes Please / Remote Control. Check out the first taste of the album in ‘Deatheat’. Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Guerre | Deatheat
LIVE REVIEW: Sunnyboys @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney (29.03.14)
The Frowning Clouds played an opening set that would surely have won them a barrel of new fans with a sound rooted in 60s beat and garage rock. They’re only a young band with one album under their belt yet their air of self-assurance and equally self-deprecating nonchalance perfectly suited their melody-rich guitar pop. They were a near-perfect package both visually and sonically with the … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Sunnyboys @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney (29.03.14)
ALBUM REVIEW: Grayson Gilmour | Infinite Life!
This is Grayson Gilmour’s second album and it shows a marked advancement in poise and maturity. The drums are pulled back and instead the focus is on a rich and ornate palette of guitars and synths that provide a cinematic and immersive backdrop for his considered vocals which bring to mind fellow art-pop luminaries such as Wild Beasts, Talk Talk and Scritti Politti. This is … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Grayson Gilmour | Infinite Life!
ALBUM REVIEW: East Brunswick All Girls Choir | Seven Drummers
Take one part The Drones, one part Neil Young and a touch of raw guitar-driven soul and you’re on your way to getting to grips with the sound of this Melbourne band. Their attraction lies in the mellow/intense mood shifts of songs like Darius, the cathartic wailing angst of Dirty Bird and record’s skeletal musical bones. Seven Drummers, named for those who’ve occupied the drum … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: East Brunswick All Girls Choir | Seven Drummers
ALBUM REVIEW: Trixie Whitley | Fourth Corner
Trixie Whitley emerged as the singer in Daniel Lanois’ Black Dub project a few years back and her voice immediately stood out as a versatile, emotional and powerful instrument. Here it is given all the space and time it needs and for the most part Whitely nails it both vocally and as a songwriter. ‘Pieces’ in particular is a classic slice of jazz and blues … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Trixie Whitley | Fourth Corner
ALBUM REVIEW: Eagulls | Eagulls
The curse of the ‘next big thing’ has been the downfall of many a band, particularly those coming out of the UK indie scene over the last few decades. The latest to get the media leg-up are a quintet from Leeds called Eagulls and the immediately refreshing aspect of the band is that they haven’t polished their rough edges to gain acceptance, instead they’ve left … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Eagulls | Eagulls
NEW MUSIC: 2nd single from The Jeffrey Lee Pierce Sessions Project: Axels & Sockets
Glitterhouse Records are about to release the third volume of The Jeffrey Lee Pierce Sessions Project where incomplete or unrecorded Pierce songs have been finished with a superb cast of singers including Iggy Pop, Nick Cave, Deborah Harry, Thurston Moore, Mick Harvey and many others. Axels & Sockets is out May 2nd in USA/Europe and locally in Australia shortly after May 5th. ‘Constant Limbo (Constant Rain)’ is the … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: 2nd single from The Jeffrey Lee Pierce Sessions Project: Axels & Sockets
Doubtful Sounds 