by Chris Familton Artists get hyped beyond belief in this day and age so when a true legend whose discography spans thirty two years announces a rare Australian tour, his diehard fans and the wider public quite rightly get excited. Prince’s aversion to the media and interviews has given him an aura of mystique, much the same way as Dylan and over his career he … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Prince @ Allphones Arena, Sydney (11/05/12)
by Chris Familton Definitions of the word bloom include ‘the time or period of greatest beauty or artistry’ and the flowering of a plant. Both feel appropriate in terms of the title of the new album from Baltimore’s Beach House with the songs roaming through themes of living in the moment, self determination and the fleeting temporality of beauty. On Bloom, Victoria Legrand and Alex … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Beach House | Bloom
by Chris Familton Nick Cave and co aren’t known for sending out their songs for remixes but in light of the band’s recent dissolution this is perhaps a loosening of the reins, an opening of arms to collaboration and reinterpretation of songs from their 2010 swansong LP Grinderman 2. The first thing that catches the eye is the list of other artists that have contributed … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Grinderman | Grinderman 2 RMX
by Chris Familton The boom in popularity of psych rock from Tame Impala to Wooden Shjips has well and truly filtered down to the emergence of new local acts like The Laurels and Melbourne’s Iowa. For a genre so firmly rooted in guitars and hypnotic rhythm sections there are surprisingly few bands who can take that simplistic template and create something unique and impressive from … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Iowa | Never Saw It Coming
by Chris Familton Laughing Outlaw Records have already released some fine albums in 2012 and the latest is the debut from Charlie Horse. As the name suggests they are firmly in americana and country rock territory though not of the gentle strum and folk leaning variety. Instead they are riding a more ragged and parched sound that tips its hat to the likes of The … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Charlie Horse | I Hope I’m Not A Monster
The wealth of talent appearing at this year’s already sold out Splendour in the Grass festival has now begun spilling over into sideshows. The first round features the long awaited return of The Afghan Whigs as well as headline gigs from Youth Lagoon and Django Django. Check the details below for all the shows. THE AFGHAN WHIGS WEDNESDAY JULY 25 – THE HI-FI, MELBOURNE Tickets … Continue reading NEWS: First round of Splendour in the Grass sideshows announced
by Chris Familton My Morning Jacket did the early attendees a great service in bringing Dawes down to Australia with them and it was a real shame more people weren’t there to get a taste of their straightforward Americana that caught the ear with its plentiful use of space and some nice power pop dynamics. Fronted by Taylor Goldsmith, the band is definitely more than … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: My Morning Jacket @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney (03/04/12)
by Chris Familton Belgian band dEUS are onto their sixth album in a career that stretches twenty years, yet they have made little impact in this part of the world since their first few albums in the second half of the 90s. Back then they were one of the bands that seemed to straddle the worlds of alt rock, grunge and art rock. They shared … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: dEUS | Keep You Close
written by Chris Familton Despite some sound issues/delays Charlie Horse and Suzy Connolly both played great sets at The Sando last night. Charlie Horse seemed to convert their frustrations into some fiery playing with Paul McDonald throwing rock shapes on guitar and Matt Brown almost overpowering the PA with his superb drumming. Out front Crystal Rose is a captivating front woman showing she can both … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Charlie Horse, Suzy Connolly @ Sandringham Hotel, Sydney (19/04/12)
WATER BIRTH OUTLANDS HAS BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING BUT FINALLY DEEP SEA ARCADE’S DEBUT LP EMERGES FROM THE DEEP. NIC MCKENZIE TAKES CHRIS FAMILTON THROUGH ITS GESTATION. Imagine arriving in the UK for the first time with your band, feeling jet lagged yet full of excitement at the chance to play to people on the other side of the world. Expecting to play pubs … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Deep Sea Arcade
Kody Nielson has a new project of glorious psych pop called Opossom and he has released the first single Getaway Tonight ahead of a run of Australian dates. This will be the first chance for Australia to see the new trio which also features another Mint Chick Michael Logie and Bic Runga who also collaborated with Nielson on her recently released album. Opossom will release … Continue reading NEWS: Opossom (ex-Mint Chicks) release single and visit Australia.
written by Chris Familton The Entertainment Centre had a reduced, curtained off capacity, no doubt due to the lack of a sellout yet those in attendance compensated with deafening screams and applause all night. Up first were local duo Radio Ink who are firmly in the commercial dance pop realm, mixing songs from the likes of Survivor, Bee Gees and Daft Punk into a pretty … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Duran Duran @ Sydney Entertainment Centre, 27/03/12
Doubtful Sounds 