Sydney band The Holy Soul are back with ‘747’, the new single from their forthcoming Robyn Hitchcock-produced LP Get Old! Coming six years after their superb album Fortean Times, the track has a heavy psych garage feel with a bassline that lurches and rumbles with melody and menace in the verses before the song blossoms out of the shadows into a damn sweet descending, jangly … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: The Holy Soul – 747
Guitars, amps, effects pedals and volume were the order of the night for Swervedriver’s return to Australian shores. Local rock ’n’ roll fringe dwellers The Holy Soul were the best of the support acts with a raw, brittle and at times brilliantly inventive set. They showed once more why they are the city’s best kept secret with their fusion of Pere Ubu, Television, The Gun … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Swervedriver @ Factory Theatre, Sydney 25/06/16
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
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
Emma Swift’s opening set and one of her last in Australia for the foreseeable future was a stark contrast to what was to follow. In a slowly filling room she kept the audience enthralled in eerie silence as she played songs from her debut mini-album plus a cover of Gram Parsons’ Brass Buttons. Over 30 minutes she sang sad songs of heartache with that voice … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Robyn Hitchcock & The Holy Soul, Emma Swift @ The Factory Floor, Sydney (12/03/15)
This was my second album release gig in the last 6 days, the previous one being The Scare show at The Annandale. Both were hugely celebratory affairs that highlighted both the pride the bands have in their efforts and the high level of support they have from fans, friends and family. Sydney crowds are often accused of passive reactions to live rock n roll shows … Continue reading REVIEW: THE MALADIES @ OAF, Sydney (05/11/09)
The Mess Hall have had an extended break from live shows to record their new album For The Birds (out next month) so their show at the intimate Oxford Art Factory was a great opportunity to check out some of the new songs and see where the band is heading. Daisy Tully opened the night to a sparse early crowed and showed her talents extend … Continue reading REVIEW: THE MESS HALL live @ OAF, Sydney (16/10/09)
Doubtful Sounds 