Hi internet, I’d like to introduce you to the new/next Kisschasy. They’re called Finabah, they’re from Toowoomba in south-east Queensland and they’ve worked very hard for a very long time in this silly industry. They also won the rock category of last year’s New Artist 2 Radio initiative.
Busby Marou – ‘Banjo’ (mp3)
Remember back in 2004 when acoustic singer-songwriters were seriously in vogue? The commercial success of Missy Higgins, John Butler, and Pete Murray turned the time-honoured practice of honing your craft and touring your arse off into an honourable pursuit. Eventually the zeitgeist moved on in the direction of Natalie Bassingthwaite and the singer-songwriters went back to the slog, unrecognised and slightly appreciated.
Busby Marou know all about the slog. Forming in my beloved hometown of Rockhampton, they’ve spent years playing pubs, clubs and theatres, recording at Pete Murray’s home studio along the way. Thomas Busby’s voice is similar to Murray’s, but the addition of a co-writer in Jeremy Marou saves the music from becoming dirge central.
Busby Marou launch their single at The Globe Theatre in Brisbane on Saturday night, with Cairns band The Medics also on the lineup.
This is DLC’s first music video as a major-label band and the increase in budget is pretty apparent, not that their old videos didn’t have their charms.
It’s a tonne of animation in the same artistic style as their album art. Watch out for the awkward nudity.
Cola Wars – ‘Giving It Up’
Last year, after more than a decade of riffs and tours, singer/guitarist Cam Baines and drummer Shane Wakker called time on their seminal punk band Bodyjar. Their new vehicle is former side-project Cola Wars, and if you’d told me this was new Bodyjar I wouldn’t have blinked an eyelid. It’s in the Hot Water Music/New Found Glory/Polar Bear Club vein of melodic punk, which basically guarantees fun shows and crowd singalongs. If you liked Bodyjar, you’ll like this. In fact, if you squint your eyes you could almost pretend it is Bodyjar.
If you sign up to the band’s mailing list on their website, you land yourself a free mp3 0f the above track.
It’s not often two rock front men form a side project and make it work, but Jake Grigg from Something With Numbers and Shawn Harris from The Matches are giving it a red-hot go. Is this the pop-punk version of Empire of The Sun? Possibly.
Instead of the bog-standard EP with single + video clip, they’ve utilised the power of the internet to make what they’re calling an “extended play video” – basically one continuous and changeable video for the four songs on their debut EP. It’s a little bit hard to explain, but really effective – check it out here. No really, you should do it right now.
Once you’ve recovered from the novelty of the EPV, have a look on the site for a link to the band’s MySpace profile. Couldn’t find it? THAT’S BECAUSE THEY DON’T HAVE ONE. The music is pop-rock that is pleasant enough, but the marketing is a step forward for the music industry. Nice one.
PS – I know The Matches aren’t an Australian band, and I don’t care. It’s relevant.
Cameras – ‘June’ (mp3)
Sometimes I like to listen to music that soothes my rage rather than feeding it. Sydney’s Cameras make music that is perfect for this, with the added bonus of a heavy Tori Amos influence. Boy do I love me some Tori.
‘June’ is anchored by a piano part that sounds heavy on the hands and the sustain pedal, as vocalist Eleanor slurs her way through the song, picking up tasteful flourishes of guitar and drums along the way. It’s about as ambient as a pop song can get, really.
If you’re interested in the large amount if ‘industry’ ups they’ve received, check out their MySpace.
If you’re interested in seeing them live, they’re supporting Big Scary in the next couple of weeks.
Cat Rapes Bat – ‘Grease and Sugar’ (mp3)
DZ and Howl have thrown party rock back into the zeitgeist and I, for one, am thankful. I’m also of the firm belief that city-dwellers don’t know how to party anywhere near as hard as country bumpkins, so it’s only fitting that my new favourite party-rockers are from a place well outside the reach of reliable public transit.
Cat Rapes Bat are a three-piece from a little town on the Capricorn Coast called Yeppoon (ya mum’s poon!) and frankly, a breath of fresh air from a scene more used to metal bands of dubious quality.
Sure, they wear their influences on their sleeve, but this sort of music isn’t about innovation as much as it is about good times.
Latest Comments
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Still trying to purchase!!!ANTHONY J LANGFORD
Cool track. Congrats Joshua. Hope the release is a success.Tristan
Man I love these guys. I can't believe they are not releasing any new music. I've been to so many…sophie
^^ I love Grimes! Banoffee is one of my new favorite music artists! :) I love With Her, Reign Down,…Ace
Read your review then listened to the EP. Fantastic ! Different to most hardcore punk I listen to. Somewhat more…