Flying Foxes – ‘Napoleon’ (mp3)

Flying Foxes – ‘Everything Will Change’ (mp3)

Everything is better when it’s free, that’s a scientific fact. The Flying Foxes debut was probably going to be pretty good anyway, but by the aforementioned logic my appreciation for it has been heightened by roughly 20% since you can get your dirty mouse-clicking mits on that shit for free from their website right now. Yup. They’re calling February ‘Free Album Month’ or something, which would suggest that you have 28 days (well, only 20 now) to get a-downloading – but then maybe March will also be ‘Free Album Month,’ I haven’t asked. Don’t risk it, head over to flyingfoxes.tv to get in on this socialist cultural exchange.

The above songs are both pulled from that debut, Ticking Boxes. ‘Napoleon’ is the opening number and gives a pretty good idea of what Flying Foxes are about for the uninitiated. A mix of sparse, brooding, and upbeat sensibilities; simple guitar playing mixed with slightly-weak-but-in-a-cool-way vocals; a big chorus that never sounds too big thanks to the understated instrumentation.

Then ‘Everything Will Change’ is about the least Flying Foxes-esque track on their, sounding more like a post-punk band reinterpreting a BRMC cast-off. It’s nonetheless a catchy song and represents probably the most use guitar distortion on an otherwise restrained record. If you like these tracks then you’ll probably like everything in between too. And when all it costs is a fraction of your time and download quote, why not hit it up?

flyingfoxes.tv

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The Thin Kids – ’23 Things I’d Change About The Brisbane Music Scene’ (mp3)

You probably already know what this song is about just from reading the title – it’s not meant to be clever or ironic, just an accurate description of the lyrical content therein. What you might not know is that The Thin Kids is a new project from (in)famous British music critic Everett True (pictured above), now a restless Brisbane-based academic and “fading critic,” mainly of Pitchfork and Animal Collective. The band also features actual Brisbane folk in Edward Guglielmino, Margaret Collins and Scotty Regan – but it’s Everett who has the wikipedia entry so, you know, he gets some special mention. Plus it’s him doing most of the ranting in the above song.

The tune is apparently named for an open letter True published upon first arriving in Brisbane that singled a number of venues, publications and bands as being fairly crap – fellow Thin Kids member Ed G among them. But then other Thin Kids member Margaret Collins supposedly helped them make peace etc etc.  I’m not sure how much of the bio on their MySpace is for shiz but, like this song and most things True touches, it stirs curiosity and interest regardless. Head over there to hear some of the other tracks available for streaming (two of which are called ‘We Never Rehearse’).

The Thin Kids make their live debut at the Troubadour in Brisbane the 24th Feb. I assume Mr True won’t have see cause to complain about this through song, but I wouldn’t put it past him.

www.mypace.com/thethinkids

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The new clip from Deep Sea Arcade, one of my fav young bands at the moment. This song is the jam and the film clip is equally striking and nostalgic. It was also animated and directed by the band’s multi-talented singer, Nic McKenzie. Check it out below.

Deep Sea Arcade – Lonely In Your Arms (Official Video)

Deep Sea Arcade | MySpace Music Videos

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New Perth label Heartless Robot Productions is releasing a split 12″ featuring above bands. It will put out as a limited edition vinyl/DVD/mp3 package, which can be purchased through their website here. The DVD portion contains the clips below.

Without wanting to totally overshadow Injured Ninja, I fucking love French Rockets’ music and lighting stuff, which is here translated into a film clip that could be pulled right from the early 80s when people with money discovered video synthesisers. Nowadays, people without money can achieve the same effect but with added nostalgia value. FUNTIMES.

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My Disco – ‘Young’ (mp3)

Australian blogger types have been getting moist with anticipation ever since it was announced a while back that My Disco would be putting out a new single in Feb ’10. That single has arrived. In digital, mp3 form anyway. And it’s not just a throwaway single, a studio leftover, a single that you’ll absorb in a few minutes and forget about – no. ‘Young’ goes for 11 solid minutes, which would alleviate any potential disappointment based purely on value for money. But it’s also a bonus that each of those pounding 11 minutes is pretty fucking good. It opens with a bang (ie. loud, scrappy, wirey guitar over a driving rhythm section) and continues to chug along to the point of ferocious monotony. This is one of those jams that will probably reach borderline transcendence when played live on stage.

Given the buzz around this band I assume blog readers have probably already heard this track elsewhere since an FTP failure on my part prevented this monster of a song from getting uploaded correctly the other day. But for those who want another taste or need to catch up, here it is.

www.myspace.com/mydiscomydisco

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Seja Vogel – ‘Sing Me The Song Like You Said’

Uber-label Rice Is Nice  recently signed Brisbane’s Seja Vogel of Sekiden and Regurgitator (c. 2006) to their already-impressive stable of artists (Seekae, Talons, Spod, Richard In Your Mind et al). In keeping with her synth-playing roles in those bands, Seja has produced an album of songs based almost exclusively around her vocals and synth playing that display not only a proficiency at playing the instrument but at also wringing effective sounds out of it.

I’ve seen Seja live and must admit that I’m still getting used the whole ‘play along to an iPod’ style of performance. But hey, it took me a while to warm to the idea of samplers as an instrument so I’ll probably come around. Regardless, the songs were rad, her vocals were near flawless and there was even synchronised dancing (with ex-Rational Academy’s Meredith McHughe).

Looking forward to checking out this album. In ‘Sing Me The Song Like You Said,’  Seja has not only captured a cool tune but totally nailed the production as well (assuming she did the production, which is unconfirmed). Check the eerie vocal breakdown a minute in – can’t go past that old ‘tear it down, build it up’ trick. Sweet stuff.

www.myspace.com/sejamusic

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