‘Diaspora’ is the recent collaboration between The Townhouses‘ Leigh Hannah and Guerre (Lavurn Lee). Mixed by Two Bright Lakes’ Nick Huggins, ‘Diaspora’ is the title track from The Townhouses’ upcoming album of the same name. Leigh notes that the track is an “open letter to refugees coming to, and currently living in Australia”. ‘Diaspora’ casts an ambient vignette – a beautiful string section from Wintercoats and Guerre’s vulnerable vocals further fuels the poignant narrative of the track’s topic matter.

There’s something undoubtedly organic, or better put, acoustic about ‘Diaspora’, despite it being anything but. It’s here where I think Hannah’s fascination with Ethnomusicology becomes strikingly clear. It’s ambient, but not restrictive, which other electronic-ambient-come drone like acts tend to do (we’re looking at you Sunn O)))). What I think is more pertinent to this track is the ambiguous melancholy that lingers underneath its tranquil facade. It’s akin to the melancholic electronica the likes of which Seekae have gone on to refine.

Having said that though, it’s hard to really pin down music like this. With ambience striking a chord within recent trends in electronica, it’s difficult to describe the sentiments contained within this subjective musical style. When taking the neo-RnB resurgence of late into account, this subtle, softly spoken aesthetic articulates itself. Think How to Dress Well, Oscar + Martin, or Collarbones. Granted, it may not be traditional RnB when considering this interview, but this musical aesthetic forms part of a current mood nonetheless.

There’s definitely a groundswell in this current generation of artists re-working contemporary RnB’s heyday. When translating that sentiment into ‘Diaspora’, maybe it’s cathartic in a sense. I guess this track is not just another little ditty churned out by Leigh or Lavurn. I think it’s all the more important to hear this track in its current context – in lieu of the movements that seem to be informing electronica at this present moment.

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Diaspora is released through Yes Please on Nov 20.

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Here’s a new track from our favourite beat-maestro, Guerre. Taken off his Revels 12″, ‘Cannibal’ is a down-tempo track which steers softly-spoken vocals throughout. In parts, it broods with subtle melancholy, only to be left unresolved. Restrained is what this track really is. It simmers, teasing you with the possibility of the beat dropping – and it doesn’t. Space is key here. Even, dare I say…trip-hop.

Guerre, a contemporary of the beat makers emanating of Melbourne and Sydney, has forged a welcome presence on the scene, with a recent collaboration with Collarbones raising his profile quite a bit. His  latest 12″ is just another case of keeping our blog favourites close to our hearts. Get on it.

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Guerre – ‘Cannibal‘

Bandcamp

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Ahh. Atluk. It’s time you two got acquainted.

A five piece based out of Melbourne, the band produce the most beautiful folk I’ve heard this year. Australiana is one genre-specific vein that they fall into. Think Sally Seltmann, Sarah Blasko (without the melodrama), and hints of The Waifs, and you’ve got a basic picture of their sound. Chuck in some quaint boy girl vocals – ala Belle and Sebastian – and you’re presented with something special. Vocals are their strong suit.

It’s also worth mentioning that Atluk aren’t shy of accentuating their Australian vocals. They’re quintessentially Australian, and that’s not a bad thing in this case. It’s natural, they doesn’t sound tokenistic – it just clicks. All power to them. Just don’t mention Angus and Julia Stone.

If you’re in Melbourne, they launch their debut EP this coming Saturday at 1000 £ Bend.

‘Woody’

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Look. Winter’s about mid-way through. And thus, awaits the clichéd Australian summer. Do broken train lines, pink British ex-pats, and that distinctive smell of bluestone cooling on a hot summer’s night ring any bells? (Well, if you’re in Melbourne at least).

Here’s an outfit which should hopefully ease us into what’s headed our way. Velma Grove, also out of Melbourne, echo the sounds of the British nu-folk scene, only with a distinctive Australian touch. Gentle guitars, sombre vocals, and muted percussion form their broader sound. Think Jose Gonzales, Laura Marling, and even a little bit of Cloud Control. You can almost imagine it now, a cooling summer’s night, Velma Grove’s gentle harmonies lapping at your ears, the sun forming an orange arc over the horizon – yep, I know you’re there.

And that’s all you need to do, take a listen to their EP, Head for Heart. Velma Grove play Collingwood’s Grace Darling Hotel on Thursday the 30^th of August.

velmagrove.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/VelmaGrove

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