Snowman – ‘You Are A Casino’

Three weeks ago I’ve moved from Sydney to Melbourne for work reasons. It’s quite fun being in a completely new scene with all the unfamiliar faces and new bands to see in venues I’ve never been. There was nothing wrong with my life in Sydney, but I suppose it got a bit too easy and I stayed in my comfort circles most of the time. Here everything is new. I get lost easily, wander around in circles and it’s great. New is good.

On average I go to 3-4 gigs a week, more if there’s touring bands in town. On Sunday I had the pleasure of seeing such a touring band in Snowman live again at the East Brunswick Club, this was their last stop of their album tour before heading back to Perth. It wasn’t sold out like their Sydney gig days before, but nearing capacity. Vocalist Andy Citawarman is extremely animated on stage and really is the central figure of the band. ‘You Are A Casino’ is their next single out to radio, grooving in the same surf rock horror movie vein as the rest of the album. Play it in the car and you’ll start dreaming you’re in a car chase sequence.

Previous posts: Snowman, Snowman: ‘Smoke & Mirrors’ clip, Snowman Q&A

http://www.thesnowmanempire.com/
www.myspace.com/thesnowmanempire

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Die! Die! Die! – ‘155’

‘155’ is Die! Die! Die!’s first single of their new EP Locust Nights. It was recorded during their stay in New York at The Walkmen’s studio Macata with producer Kevin McMahon. The boys will be back in Australia and New Zealand doing a few shows including a stop at Homebake, before heading to Japan early in the new year and possibly to Europe again. This is the first release from their new label Etch n Sketch. An album is in the plans after promo for this EP is done.

www.diediedie.net
www.myspace.com/diediedienz

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photo by boudist.com

Vendettas – ‘Too Many’ (mp3)

Since posting their party track ‘Running’, Vendettas has been picked up by several blogs and got airplay on Caroline Tran’s Australian music show Home and Hosed on Triple J Radio. I have had the pleasure of a short conversation with Larissa Rate, vocalist for the five piece band based out of Sydney. Larissa’s background is in acting and theatre which she did for three years but quickly found out wasn’t for her, so she fell into music. In 2002-2003 she joined the band Prostitutes which was Simon Day of seminal Aussie band Ratcat. Last I heard of this band it evolved into The Subtitutes but I am uncertain if they are still active now.

Larissa went to school at Barker College in Hornsby, where she met Pete Mayes of PNAU. Pete got together with Canadian John Hardy of Soundworx Studio and they had the ideas of Vendettas for a number of years now, although probably with a different name. At one point they even considered doing stuff with Sia (now based in the UK), and rumoured to have a record deal in the works with a major for this project. Whether that’s true or not doesn’t matter because with recording this good it’s bound to be released soon. In the mean time enjoy this track and hit their MySpace for a couple more tasty tunes.

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www.myspace.com/vendettasrock

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HTRK – ‘Kiss Before The Fall’ (mp3)

More moody music from this Berlin based trio, this one has some lyrics in it unlike the last post’s. Thanks to 20jazzfunkgreats for posting this song up. Their music reminds of those Australian movies like Somersault that focus on moments and breathtaking landscapes rather than plot twists or character driven storylines. HTRK are Jonnine Clementine Davis, Nigel Yit Mern Yang and Sean Stewart. They are releasing their album Mary Me Tonight next February in Australia. They’ve got shows coming up in the UK and Germany, supporting fellow Aussie expats The Devastations.

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www.myspace.com/htrk
http://www.yourcomicbookfantasy.com/

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Sia – ‘Sunday’

I know I just posted on her but I couldn’t resist this song. Much more upbeat this song will definitely make it into a lot of hangover/come down compilations. I was just talking to Sophie and we were surprised at her relatively low profile locally, considering her popularity elsewhere in the world and the calibre of talent she’s worked with. Usually Australia would be quick in claiming such an artist in the name of national pride. Perhaps she has not done enough tours here? Maybe Australians don’t dig the post trip-hop songs that she linger on. Whatever the reason, her story is yet another example of how moving out of such a small and restrictive town as Adelaide could be the best move any musician can make. As musically diverse as Australia wants to be the small population and isolated location restricts any ambitious artist. Sia is currently on tour all over UK and the US, check her site for details. She’s got a pretty cool video too.

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siamusic.net
www.myspace.com/siamusic

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A cut from their older repertoire this was the first song from the Juggers that earned rotation on Triple J and put the national spotlight on them. They are currently touring the world, bumping into other Aussie bands breaking in the UK such as Children Collide, The Valentinos and Bang Gang DJ Ajax.

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