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Texture Like Sun – 'Bottle'

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‘Bottle’ (mp3)

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Local hip hop isn’t something in my scope, but this guy’s solo material is a far pitch away from highlighting the best parts of our already uncouth accent. Back in 2007, Mark Pearl was part of a collab with Pip Norman (TZU) called The Commas. Although he’s lent his raspy vox to a handful of Urthboy and Mantra tracks recently, he sounds much more at home on ‘Bottle’, the first track under the moniker Texture Like Sun.

Pearl’s husky tones are a subtle opener to the track before banjo and whistles get thrown into the arrangement, setting the drift somewhere between Scott Matthews and Andrew Bird. It’s clearly a well thought out tune, and it works. Although I reckon this guy would thrive if he went all Patrick Watson and dabbled in orchestral samplers and perhaps some chamber pop, there’s still a wonderful pastoral quality about his voice that would sound pretty special pared back in a surburban lounge room.

A nice sampler of his record which is due out early next year.

Lonely Kids Club Launch @ OAF

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Do you like to have fun? Do you like to dance and Roll in good times? Drink merrily with your stylish friends while bathing in some of Australia’s finest music at one of Sydney’s greatest venues?

The answer is probably yes, ‘coz you’re here. The Lonely Kids Club are doing us all a favour and putting on a show at the Oxford Art Factory, featuring Rufus, Collarbones, Fishing and Albatross (alongside many others), launching their summer lineup.

October 16 is the date, Oxford Art is the place. I’ll be there, and I’m a charmer, so you should be there too. While you’re waiting, listen to/watch this stunning clip from Rüfüs. I’m in love.

You should check out Lonely Kids Club as well – their clothes are pretty and their attitude balling.

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Dead Letter Chorus – 'All Mine'

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Earlier in the year, in the depths of winter, Dead Letter Chorus dropped one mighty-fine, super-summery clip on our doorsteps, accompanied by one darling of a film clip. Now, as we’re launching back into the warmer months, we’ve got a wistful-wintery tale, accompanied by a suitably darker clip. The track is All Mine and it’s the perfect follow up to Yellow House, as well as a rolling, harmonious, heart-wrenching ballad that deserves more adjectives than I could ever think of.

Both tracks are off Yearlings, Dead Letter Chorus’ recently released third album. Usually I avoid reviewing albums but this one deserves an extended mention. The album has a lot of guts, rolling deep in quality tracks and feels truly complete – every song owns its place.

It’s easy to harp on about the death of Australian folk music (and who can blame those who do?) but listening to the musical and lyrical scope of Yearlings, I’m less inclined to beat my head against the nearest hard, wall-like object. You can pick it up now, so you should. Personal favorite is I Belong With You, but honestly – it’s all fantastic

As an added bonus, they’re on tour right now – FBi Social this Saturday in Sydney and next Thursday at The Old Museum alongside favorites of mine Founds. More details, tickets and information for all y’all that like that kinda stuff is available here..

Check out Dead Letter Chorus on FB/Twitter

Oh Ye Denver Birds – 'I Believe In Love, Kid'

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So many happy tones wiggling their way brain-wise from this tune ‘I Believe In Love, Kid‘. Oh Ye Denver Birds made the song, Allyson Alapont made a clip and it was pleasant and exciting for everyone involved (I assume). Electronically affected indie is all over the place and largely gross, foul and uninspiring – not so of Oh Ye Denver Birds. To quote, this shit is bananas – and bananas are good. Plus the clip is a smiley, pleasant walk through indie-fun-times.

Oh Ye Denver Birds are radcore, and have a funtastic (albiet small) back-catalogue. They’re supporting Megastick Fanfare all over the country right now until the end of October, so you’ll get your chance to feast on these fowl. Thank me later.

Check out Oh Ye Denver Birds on FB/Twitter/Bandcamp

Epithets, Virginia Sook, To The North.

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The last time I wrote something nice about Epithets, lead singer/guitarist Nick Smethurst was so stoked that he invited me to move in to his house.
I’d just come out of hospital to find myself homeless, with all my things packed into a storage unit in Milton. We met for coffee, talked music, and I mentioned I was couch surfing. Before I knew it I had a key and a shelf in the pantry.
It was a ramshackle Queenslander in the inner northern suburbs of Brisbane, walking distance to public transport and parks.
There were five people paying rent when I moved in, but often up to ten people living there. We had a lounge room and a band room and  it was awesome.

The thing I loved best about the house (other than the sweet-natured cattle dog who lived there) was the sheer amount of music going on. The paying residents of the house have changed a few times since I moved out 12 months ago, but they’re all still playing music in some form.

Epithets – ‘Blacklisted’ (mp3)

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To The North – ‘No Alibi’ (mp3)

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Virginia Sook – ‘The Hours’

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Note: That is not the bathroom at the house I used to live in. This bathroom is way nicer.