This is the first solo project for Step-Panther main man Steve Bourke and it finds him shelving the noise and sci-fi surf rock of that band for a gentler, pastoral approach. The nervous energy and frantic flailing has dissipated into six lazily strummed and finger-picked songs that bring to mind Kurt Vile and Christopher Owens. There is still a stoned vibe to Bourke as the … Continue reading REVIEW: S M Jenkins – Out There In The Zone EP
Sydney folk-noir duo Jep and Dep have released their first new music since their stunning 2014 LP Word Got Out. Honeymoon is a cover of the Lana Del Rey song which the pair have transformed into an epic and stirring track, overflowing with swooning heartache and lush drama. The echoes of Mazzy Star, Cocteau Twins and Julee Cruise are hanging in the air as the … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Jep and Dep – Honeymoon (Lana Del Rey cover)
James Harrison is a busy musical man. When he’s not writing, recording and performing solo or with bands Charm and Old Etiquettes he’s putting together great bills for tribute shows (Bowie, The Smiths, PJ Harvey). He’s about to release his debut solo LP Tales Surround The Lighthouse Lamp and to celebrate that he’s heading up the Hume to play a show at The Vanguard on Friday, April 8th … Continue reading SONIC KICKS: J M S Harrison
This was a night for the guitars. Loud, textural and visceral six-string magic. Opener Ben Salter had a keyboardist in his live band who added some fine organ and synth sounds but the Gin Club head honcho showed that his solo material leans more towards rhythm-heavy, guitar-led rock songs. Not in a primitive sense though, Salter’s fine way with words and his voice, which only … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Built To Spill @ Manning Bar, Sydney (10/03/16)
Low Life ambled on stage and lurched into a 30 minute set of songs that swung from Black Flag punk to Bauhaus goth dirges, often within the same song. You got the feeling the songs could fall apart at any time yet the rhythm section was solid – allowing the guitars to dispatch primitive punk bar chords, heavily chorused textures and squalls of feedback. Low … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: METZ, My Disco, Low Life @ OAF, Sydney (10/02/16)
Taken from their excellent new LP Fortean Times, here’s the video clip for The Holy Soul’s single ‘There’s A Hair On The Soap’. Filmed in a shower, it’s a disconcerting concoction of hair, noodles, painted toenails, blood and grinding guitars. Continue reading VIDEO: The Holy Soul – There’s A Hair On The Soap
Opening this evening of psych rock was Glass Skies who whipped up a hard stoner/space rock barrage of riffs and grooves for the few early arrivals. The singer/guitarist overplayed his hand with teeth and behind-the-head solos but they nailed the ‘rock’ aspect of psychedelic music convincingly. Grinding Eyes enhanced the tripped-out mood of the evening with a a sea of projected images flooding the band … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Moon Duo, Grinding Eyes, Glass Skies @ NSC, Sydney (10/12/15)
This was a night for a light to be shone on the more distant edges of pop music, where obtuse angles and bold and wilder imaginations take flight. Marcus Whale had emailed Julia Holter requesting a support slot and his wish was granted. Holter and local label Mistletone’s trust was more than rewarded with a riveting opening set that took militant drums, a caustic electronic … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Julia Holter, Marcus Whale @ NSC, Sydney (09/12/15)
MERCURY REV, JAMES DELA CRUZ (DJ SET) @ Oxford Art Factory, 07 December 2015 Eschewing the usual opening band, the warm-up honours went to James Dela Cruz (The Avalanches) who played an eclectic hour long DJ set that stretched from Neil Young to warm techno flows and some fine turntablism skills. Mercury Rev hold a fairly unique position in music with their fantastical, dramatic sound that hits … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Mercury Rev @ OAF
Thurston Moore, Gold Class @ Metro Theatre, Sydney (05/12/15) When you have half of Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine’s bassist on stage one would expect the venue to be fairly brimming with indie rock fans right? It was a surprise then, and somewhat disappointing, to be greeted with a curtained off and reduced capacity theatre that still only made it to two thirds capacity. … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Thurston Moore @ Metro Theatre
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
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
Doubtful Sounds 