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WATCH: Big Scary – ‘Luck Now’

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Big Scary keep going from strength to strength. I vaguely recall the duo playing a friend’s mini music fest at Grumpy’s Green down on Smith St four years ago. Now they’ve got their fine NYC mugshots in Interview mag and are taking stabs at Phil Collins’ repertoire, coz they can.

The pair are ready to drop their new album Not Art in just a little over a month (snippet preview here). It sounds excellent, of course. Not that you’d expect anything less from these guys. Big Scary’s sound has left a big impression on me since those ‘Apple Song’ days. But y’ know, stuff like that never really falls too far from the tree.

I’ve always warmed to these guys; Jo on fun drums + Tom’s fluffy piano pageantry and wavering vocal that kinda always sounds like he’s about to crack. The pair are pretty good at being stoic. Or trying to be. Bets that the new record is going to be just as beautiful and emotionally eye-gauging as the last. And if that doesn’t happen (which it won’t) – you’ll still be guaranteed the audio/visual equivalent of a hug anyway.

Big Scary are playing a sold out show in Sydney at Goodgod tonight and another sold out gig in Melbourne at the Corner this Saturday.
If you’re in Brissie though, there are still tickets to their Friday show at Ahlambra available for purchase here.

Not Art is released June 28th (Pieeater/Inertia)

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LISTEN: Palms – ‘This Last Year’

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‘Love’ ruled, but the chorus in Palms‘ new track is the biggest thing since forever*.

(*Andrew Stockdale still making music/ local bands producing video clips in VHS format only/ DJs in tropical shirts.)

Thankfully, the loose term can be applied to Red Riders’ first album. It’s the one that still exists somewhere in a pit of 2006-2007 nostalgia (Dardanelles, Bit By Bats, The Scare, Young and Restless, Ground Components, Ghostwood, Mercy Arms etc) where I spend time regularly when I feel like hitching the portal to a happy place. I spent the weekend mourning over Red Riders’ back catalogue, so this new tune from half of their former members is a damn timely drop.

Palms’ new track is also a good stab at bleeding heart, so if you need a breakup song, a reason to tell your bf/gf stuff ain’t cool or just a general reason to cry over 2007 – sit up and listen.

Palms are supporting King Tuff for an I OH YOU / VICE party on Anzac Day eve. If you’re in Sydney and can get down to Goodgod on Wednesday – we highly recommend it.

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LISTEN: Grand Prismatic – ‘Smoke That Thunders’

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Grand Prismatic - Smoke That Thunders

 

‘Smoke That Thunders’ is the new track from Melbourne’s Grand Prismatic. That incredible alt-country fog that got around last year’s debut Birds and Beasts still remains. Brendan Clarkson’s vocals morph more into Glenn Richards (Augie March) as the track rolls along, and paired with lyrical content about going cold turkey and a Wilco groove shaking the whole damn place – it’s all good news, really. A great sound from an excellent band who are deserving of your time, attention and disposable income.

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EXCLUSIVE: North Arm – ‘Quitely Lightly’

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Those of you familiar with Newcastle-based band Firekites (remember that chalk video that Kanye blogged?), will instantly recognise the warm melodies and sensual, soft-hushed breathy sounds of Roderick Smith. Now, if I were to describe a fellow man, in this tender way out loud on the streets of Newcastle, I’d probably meet the pointy end of a cold chisel. But this gentle artist (accomplished painter), musician (what I’m writing about) and humanitarian solicitor (legal guy behind Renew Newcastle .org) continues to thrive on what is beautiful about the working-class novocastrian city; the sunshine and a community that supports most art.

In his first solo release, Rod explores his childhood dreaming, through memories of his families holiday house in North Arm, the capital of Australia that never came to be. ‘Quietly Lightly’ recaptures a flowing motion like that of the sea or undulating forests and scrub as he takes us through a pop-driven journey of regret, love and longing.

Now because this is an exclusive first listen that will be found nowhere else online for at least an hour, let me leave you with a quotable line that can be recycled in the aggregators:

“Smith delved deep into his young heart for ‘Quietly Lightly’, recovering memories that guide his light and soul in music making”.

That’s less than 140 characters too… *wink*. ‘Quietly Lightly’ is the first single from North Arm’s upcoming 4-track EP Thought Lines, set for release on April 27 through Spunk records.

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LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR: Las Tetas

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“Las Tetas” directly translates to “The Titties” in Spanish. This Kiwi punk three piece are probably are as far away from bosomly or comforting as you’ll get, but we’re giving their gruff sound an E cup. For excellent, duh. Our pal Courtney from UTR is on it again this week for our weekly tune exchange:

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Las Tetas are an Auckland trio made up of three, cool-as-fuck multi-instrumentalist sisters who play in numerous bands, including Drab Doo Riffs and Heart Attack Alley. They’ve released a more recent track than this (and you can have a listen over here) but ‘You’re Not Invited’ sums up their schtick perfectly. Drawing inspiration from a myriad punk-infused places, particularly riot grrrl groups like Sleater Kinney and Bratmobile, Las Tetas are the kind of band who, when playing live A) make you wish you had formed a band yonks ago because it looks like the best form of cartharsis and B) give you an empowered, tingly feeling from the beginning to end of their set and beyond.

At the end of last year they supported Unknown Mortal Orchestra in Auckland and had apparently spent the day before said show recording with the band’s bassist, Jake Portrait. We’re really looking forward to hearing those tracks but in the meantime, check out the unapologetic intensity of ‘You’re Not Invited’.

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LISTEN: Swimming – ‘Triplebrie’

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So this is quite lovely eh. Girls and boys, harmony and heartbeat, spacious but not pretentious. Swimming reside in the wonderful city of Adelaide and ‘Triplebrie’ is the first single from their new recording Yes, tonight. Swimming are sisters, Katie and Angie Schilling + spunky friend, Sam Reynolds. Yes, tonight was recorded in Adelaide by Pat Lockwood who has worked on great releases from Terrible Truths, Wild Oats, and Old Mate. There are plenty of layered vocals, clicks, strums and looped sounds. The record actually gives a pretty good indication of their live performance, which is a relaxed and intimate listening experience.

Swimming have just played shows in their hometown to loving fans and then hit up Sydney and Brisbane. Melbourne should be next so we’ll keep you posted. For now, browse their well designed/branded wares on bandcamp, which include physical products to accompany the digital release of their record. It’s an interesting solution to selling digital products devoid of the tangible and therefore collectable, unique pieces of memorabilia ie. a CDR with artwork or the more expensive production of vinyl. There is a sliding scale on cost for simpler items, like a tea towel + download, which is perfect for well printed artwork, and rise to deluxe T-shirts + download at the higher end. It seems to be working as they have almost sold-out the second run of T’s.

For a little taste of their talent, you can check out a ‘pay whatever helps you sleep at night’ download of the ‘Triplebrie’ single here.

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WATCH: The Stevens – ’Teenage Satellites’

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The Stevens originally released their self-titled EP on CD-R and cassette but as I mentioned last month, Chapter has reissued it as a sweet 7″ vinyl. Very nice indeed. The video for their track ’Teenage Satellites’ features cool haircuts and dancing, which is banned in some American states. Catch these guys launching their EP here:

Sydney

Saturday April 27, 8pm

The Old Fitzroy Hotel, Woolloomooloo.

with Day Ravies and Adults, $10 on the door

Melbourne

Friday May 17, 8pm

The Tote Hotel, Collingwood.

Guests TBA, $10 on the door

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