You said in an interview last year that although you ‘adored’ the first album, you still felt ‘apologetic’ about it in some ways. How does Great Barrier Grief differ from Privileged Woes?

The difference was I was conscious that I was recording an album. And that Oh Mercy had a platform do to a bit of luck and some hard work around Privileged Woes. I knew people were going to hear the album and take it seriously. That was a great relief.

Why the title?

I liked how it read in capital letters. I like saying it. I like it’s bittersweet connotations. I’m interested in the concept of ‘grief’.

Do you think your writing style has changed much with Thom’s departure?

My writing remains the same. Thom’s writing remains the same. We didn’t actually write songs together in Oh Mercy, although we complimented each other musically and I think you can hear that on the Oh Mercy albums.

What characterizes that token ‘Australian’ sound?

Subtracting ‘token’; the Australian sound is abstract to me. In the 80’s there was an ‘Australian sound’, it had a lot to do with delay, chorus and organ pads. Today, I don’t know. But I understand that there is a certain angle to the lyric writing for some Australian bands. It’s dignified and doesn’t need to show all its cards at once.

Favourite song on the album to play?

Blue Lagoon. The guitar break out of the bridge is a musical highlight on the album for me.

What tunes are playing on tour?

The best of the Bee Gees and Leonard Cohen’s Death Of A Ladies Man.

Last record you bought?

The best of the Bee Gees.

How did you go about pitching the album cover idea to Ken?

I asked nicely. Shared with him my views on art, literature and lifestyle. I feel incredibly lucky that he agreed to work with us…

What’s ahead for Oh Mercy?

A national tour starting mid March. After that I hope to find the time to do some writing.

Ken Done, tea-towels as band merch, what piece of Australiana are you going to nab next?

…Souvenir spoons.

‘Great Barrier Grief’ (EMI) is out now.
www.ohmercy.com.au

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Seekae – ‘Gnor’

Seekae’s new album +Dome is out  on March 25th, and I’m super excited since their previous album, The Sound of Trees Falling on People, is one of my favourite Australian albums of all time. When I say that “I’m super excited,” I am talking on your behalf – I already have a copy of the album and can confirm that it is fantastic. Above is latest single ‘Gnor’, the first ‘official’ single from the album (presumably because the version of 2010 single ‘Blood Bank‘ included here is an updated and better) and is one of the closest thing to first album to appear here.

I don’t want to give any more away (yet), but take my word for it when I say that this is worth getting your hands on. (On a side note – and this isn’t endorsed because I generally think you should support the labels directly and independent record stores – but I notice that if you pre-order the album from JB Hifi you get a free copy of their debut included, which is pretty a sweet deal if you’re just discovering the wonderful world of Seekae).

</fanboy>

seekae.com/

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While it’s understandable things in Townsville do run at a somewhat ‘relaxed’ pace, for the most of us (bloggers/fans/bedtime playlists in need of an update) it’s welcome news that The Middle East have finally announced a release date for their debut record – ‘I Want That You Are Always Happy’.

Recording between tours at the band’s’ Townsville studio in late 2009, the band then shifted to Midlake’s Denton studio in March 2010 after their SXSW stint. Since arriving back home in July 2010, they’ve been putting final touches on the album in a makeshift Cairns-based studio.

While ‘Black Death 1349’ takes on more shadowy tones than previous singles, typical Middle East formalities remain – melancholic themes, brooding instrumentals, vox with xanax properties etc. It’s been a while coming, but if the album is anything to go by the snippets of what we’ve heard, it should be a decent contender.

The track is available as a free download from the Golden Plains website here for a limited time.

‘I Want That You Are Always Happy’ is out through Spunk on April 8

www.themiddleeastmusic.com

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Here’s the new clip for ‘History’s Door’ by Melbourne outfit Husky.

Upcoming record ‘Forever So’ was recorded in lead singer Husky Gawenda’s backyard bungalow and then mixed in LA with Noah Georgeson (Joanna Newsom, Devendra Banhart, Strokes).

The album is set to drop April 5th. I think there’s a unanimous feeling that these guys are going to have a very, very good year.

Husky will be launching the single tomorrow (Sat 26th) with The Hello Morning and Tash Parker at the Evelyn Hotel.

www.huskysongs.com

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The Townhouses – ‘Indian Elephant’ (mp3)

The Townhouses probably take the award for the band who’ve spent the most amount of time in my Drafts folder before making an appearance on the site. I really love this dude (/these guys, I think it’s one guy but I don’t want to commit). From his ‘Islands’ (mini-)LP from last year to his cover of Common. Much like Saint Surly & Monster Monster, it’s a mystery why this music has not appeared on here until now despite my love for it. What isn’t a mystery is the quality of his latest double A-side. It’s the best thing to come out with the The Townhouses name on it. You can grab at the link below. Below is half of that release, ‘Indian Elephant,’ in all of it’s grooving hypnagogic glory.

The Townhouses have one gig lined up at the moment, supportign Yeo’s album launch on March 23rd in Melbourne.
thetownhouses.tumblr.com/

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Olympics Ayres – ‘Black and blue’ (mp3)

I know little to nothing about Olympic Ayres. As far as I know, they’re a newish two-piece that sound like a five-piece, they don’t have a Myspace (wisely devoting their time elsewhere), they don’t play live much, and their recent demo EP is the first thing they’ve ever released. For a band this new, the aforementioned EP is surprisingly tight and confident. Even if they haven’t found their niche yet (to my ears, it sound kinda like Aleks [of the the Ramps] jamming out with Foals), these first tunes have reached a level of quality in the songs and production that more accomplished bands still miss.

Get the whole EP (all THREE songs!) here:

olympicayres.bandcamp.com

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