by Chris Familton In both popular and fringe culture the dark has been rising steadily over the last decade and it is showing no signs of retreating into the shadows. Fascination with death, ghosts, the dark arts and melancholy have always been important signifiers of all art forms yet this current trend in Hollywood movies and in many musical genres is tantamount to a gothic … Continue reading FEATURE: Why So Glum?
In the last five years an increasing number of female artists have been making themselves heard above the generic indie clatter. Many of them have stepped away from the softer folk leanings of artists like Feist and Cat Power and established a stronger, more assertive aural template. In the electronic realm the likes of Austra, Fever Ray and Zola Jesus are creating dark electronic pop … Continue reading FEATURE: Girls Aloud
BREAKING FREE IN AUSTRA, TORONTO NATIVE KATIE STELMANIS HAS FOUND THE PERFECT VEHICLE FOR HER BEGUILING VOICE. CHRIS FAMILTON DISCOVERS HER MUSICAL JOURNEY FROM OPERA CHILD TO CRAPPY SYNTHS. Canada isn’t renowned for its electronica outside of recent tourists Crystal Castles and Holy Fuck yet their indie scene has experienced a boom time in recent years thanks to bands like Arcade Fire and Broken Social … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Austra
So many people are starting to base their listening on songs these days, such is the reduction in attention spans, the proliferation of YouTube browsing and the ease of compiling ones own playlists featuring the best stuff you want to hear. Separate to my Top 50 LPs of 2011 I’ve also put together a list of songs that caught my ears and became hard to … Continue reading Favourite Songs of 2011
They’ve been coming thick and fast all morning so here is a summary of the Laneway sideshows. As per usual there are the horrible clashes like The Horrors and Girls playing the same night as well as Yuck/EMA, M83 and Austra all on the same night in Sydney… GIRLS Thursday, 2nd February 2012 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney Wednesday, 8th February 2012 – Corner Hotel, … Continue reading NEWS: Laneway Festival sideshows announced…
Laneway today announced its line-up for the 2012 event and it’s a damn impressive one. Sure there are the buzz bands of the moment like Washed Out and Active Child who don’t don’t really measure up to the hype tossed their way but the list of bands promises to be one of the best that Laneway has hosted to date. Note to organisers – make … Continue reading NEWS: Laneway Festival 2012 line-up announced…
written by Chris Familton We’ve seen a steady influx of strong, theatrical voiced female singers emerging in electronic pop music over the last few years with the likes of Florence & The Machine, The Knife and Zola Jesus rising to prominence. Now you can add the rather plainly named Austra to that list. Austra is primarily the vehicle for the songs of Katie Stelmanis, a … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Austra | Feel It Break
Doubtful Sounds 