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Pear Shape

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Pear Shape – ‘Staring Competition’ (mp3)

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The only info I could dredge up about these guys is that they’re a four piece from Sydney who have a thing for overzealous seasonal fruit references.This tune is very Vamp Weekend, and I wasn’t really bothered for another invite to the chino+deck shoes bourgeois on first listen. Says I. A week later, it’s lodged itself into my subconscious and probably won’t exit until another twee indie pop group decides to eat away at free matter in my brain.

Lyrical nonchalance is flailing around in the air here but Riordan has the whole wandering Ezra Koenig vox thing going on, which will probably appeal to anyone who’s jumped on that bandwagon (Cloud Control loyals take note). Crunchy riffs, fun pop contours and a song about freshmans watching SBS and doing body shots can’t be too harmful, really. Kind of like those annoying college kids who find it necessary to petition their cause in the middle of the footpath, it takes a few beats over the head with the clipboard before I eventually give in.

Pear Shape are playing Oxford Arts Factory with Guerre, Boats of Berlin & Fjords on May 5th.

www.pearshape.bandcamp.com

Amaya Laucirica – 'Sleeping In Your Shadow' (video)

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Making dimly lit videos of chicks wandering through sparse forest seems to be Adam Harding’s forte (see also here, here and here).

The clip was shot over two nights at ‘Camel’s Hump’ in Mount Macedon, Victoria with Melbourne photographer Ben Butcher assisting on lighting.

Amaya’s on the road with Adalita over the next few months, click here for the full run of dates.

Khancoban – 'Until It Takes You Over'

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Khancoban – ‘Until It Takes You Over’ (mp3)

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‘Limbs May Fall’ was a well crafted record, and I’m sure many have been hanging out for the follow up. Earlier material along the lines of early Augie was more subtle in aesthetic, but the band haven’t completely discarded their roots. It’s Khancoban in the way that it doesn’t need to overcompensate to prove it’s point. And it still gets it across. In two lines.

Sure there are big drums and meandering atmospherics that do tab out a few pages of ‘Neon Bible’, but Khancoban have managed to verge on ‘epic’ without coming out too overtly pomp. There’s plenty of room for repetitiveness, but Hooke’s delivery and a build up of nice progressions pull this tune through three min. For what it lacks in lyrical diversity, it makes up for as a good opening track. New album ‘Arches Over the Sun’ only drops in July. Until then, this one will be a good excuse to wake up early and mull over my cereal to.

www.khancoban.bandcamp.com

Betty Airs – 'She's the Juan'

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Betty Airs – ‘She’s the Juan’

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If you count yourself among the masses who’ve been cruisin’ the current penchant for ‘doo-wave’, releases featuring palm trees and/or household pets on the cover + all round happy vibes (hands up) then you may dig this one from Betty Airs.

Ex Vines/Youth Group member Patrick Matthews recently joined these guys on bass.

If you’re in Syd, get down to Goodgod tomorrow night, deets below.

Thurs 24th March, CREEPIN’ IT REAL EP LAUNCH Goodgod Small Club w/Guerre, Unity Floors

Sat 2nd April, Glebe Clubhouse Fundraiser w/Made In Japan


www.bettyairs.bandcamp.com


‘Golden Plains’ 2011 Review & Pictures

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Airbourne-David-Payne

There is no denying it, Summer has been and gone – well in Melbourne it kinda never really began but that’s another story. As far as festivals are concerned, there is no better way to wrap up the season then at Golden Plains in Victoria.

I headed along really excited about catching The Middle East and a few of the big internationals.
The physical layout of Golden Plains has been truly finessed. I had no problem arriving and finding a great camping spot in a lush grassy field. So within the hour I was set up and in the Supernatural Amphitheatre to catch the Cosmic Psychos. It’s never too early for dirty pub rock and these guys have it down pat. I had the feeling this crowd wasn’t too familiar with their back catalogue but their energy was enthusiastic.
Saturday passed pretty quickly with an international heavy line-up. Joanna Newsom was definitely a highlight for me but I understand there were sound problems for most of the crowd. From the pit it was a real treat, unfortunately I think it may be the last time we see Newsom do this kind of festival. An alternative to the chilled evening came in the form of screaming rock pigs Airbourne. Despite being a pretty strange choice for the indie crowd, Airbourne were easily one of the most entertaining bands of the weekend. Plenty of theatrics, crowd screaming and a set full of thundering guitar licks and fist pumping adrenaline. I felt bad for Wavves who came across pretty soft after seeing Airbourne – mind you, he was wearing track-suit pants.
Sunday threatened showers but apart from a sprinkle here and there it was another sweet day. The line-up kicked off with Melbourne ‘death country’ band Graveyard Train. These guys would be better suited to a dark pub as their style came off a little lame in the morning sunshine. They did sound good and anyone drinking cans at 10am gets bonus points. Boy and Bear enjoyed more love and played a nice set. Nice is all I can say about these guys as this was the fourth time I’ve seen them and I can’t remember any distinguishing moments. Maybe the Crowded House cover was something special for some, I for one am keen to see these guys develop a little more.
A swedish couple by the name of Wildbirds and Peacedrums took over and their improvised drum and vocal duet was unbelievably thrilling. The Middle East played next with a heavier sound then the last time I saw them. Their sound is really intense and brooding, playing tracks off previous ep’s and new tracks from forthcoming and very highly anticipated debut LP. Best Coast was my final highlight playing late in the afternoon to an excited crowd. Admittedly, not everyone seemed impressed by the her sunny love songs but I developed a major crush. Best Coast hasn’t reinvented the wheel but she has penned some catchy tracks and I look forward to her next record.
I had to head back to Melbourne without catching Architecture in Helsinki and World’s End Press but I trust they wrapped up a great weekend in style. Some more photographic highlights after the jump –

Boy-and-Bear-David-Payne

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Tin Arts Oxford Sparrow?

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Sydney quintet Tin Sparrow have delivered a new tune for our listening pleasure, Fools Gold, a swinging and memorable Indie Folk gem, now featuring 20% more guitar solo! These guys are building their arsenal for an E.P release in time for winter, and from what they’ve been playing at shows lately, it promises to be an excellent release no doubt.

For the month of March you can shimmy on down to Oxford Arts gallery bar on any given Friday night, and catch the Tin Sparrow show! How much is this FREE gig you ask?!

Get involved! Myspace/tinsparrow
Fools Gold