New Music

LISTEN: Sarsha Simone ‘Gold’ EP

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I feel there could be a turf war between Melbourne and Sydney soul soon. Down here, we’ve got a knack for big brass; as Saskwatch, Clairy Browne, and The Cactus Channel have gone on to reflect the city’s penchant for gritty live shows. And in true form, Sydney’s hit back with something slick. That person behind it all is Sarsha Simone.

Previously front woman of Dojo Cuts—a revivalist funk outfit—Simone has brought out the Gold EP: five tracks that serve up a mix of neo-soul, hip-hop, and contemporary RnB. But, Simone’s voice is hard to place.  It’s raspy in part, but it’s smooth as well — almost like Winehouse’s raw voice on her debut Frank. You can her this more clearly on Jazz Soul Scent, Simone’s recent collaboration with French artist DJ Moar. And, in the vein of your neo-RnB revivalists, she can rap to boot.  This could raise ire in others, but she seems to rap in a style that’s akin to spoken word poetry on tracks like ‘All Night’. And of course, you could look to the likes of Candice Monique for further comparisons.

The EP ticks all the boxes of the RnB tragic. Gold presents themes of lust, sensuality, and sultry nights out in language of the genre. You’ve got your usual dose of heavy bass, with Simone directly addressing you on tracks like ‘Move’.  And while it’s safe to say that Hiatus Kaiyote has broken the ceiling for local neo-soul, this EP doesn’t seem to following its direct path. On ‘Gold’, the EP ramps up the electronica, with vocal lines distorted and melodies that break out of RnB’s DNA.

But, ‘Goin On’ seems to be the front-runner. With a bass line that subtly references funk, this track illustrates why future soul has become as big as it is now. This reminds me of ‘Everytime’, a track from British producer Eric Lau, precisely because production takes a back seat to vocal agility. Here, Simone’s voice is allowed to fully branch out as you’re enveloped in her vibrato.

On the whole, Gold is a tight release that knows how to play to its strengths. Considering the sheer amount of acts that have spawned from the neo-soul trip, Simone’s yet another welcome addition to a scene that’s hitting its stride.

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INTRODUCING: Mallee Songs

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The first Mallee Songs material was recorded by Michael Skinner, alone in his room, with an acoustic guitar and whatever equipment was to hand. The result is an introspective collection of songs, rustic and close sounding – like he were strumming quietly to himself from the armchair in the corner of your bedroom.

 

Becoming tired of the constraints of bedroom production, Skinner recorded this year’s Stolen Flowers b/w Egyptian King with his brother, Lucas (Atolls, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard), and friend Stu Mackenzie (King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard) on guitar and drums. Elaborated by a full band, Skinner’s songs achieve a balance between intimacy and squall similar to the work of Phil Elverum (the Microphones, Mount Eerie). On ‘Stolen Flowers’ guitar feedback hangs low over Skinner’s acoustic guitar, with the incremental addition of bass and a rumbling kick drum coming before a cathartic outro that sounds like the whole edifice is collapsing.

 

Skinner is currently working on a full-band album to be released in 2014. In the meantime he’ll be putting out a compilation of remastered early solo demos. Mallee Songs will be playing their last show before heading into the studio this Friday, 27 December, at the Post Office Hotel. Both sides of Skinner’s project will be on display, the band kicking off at 9.30 p.m. with two sets – one quiet and harmonious, the other a showcase of the noisier, more badass collaborative material. Details here.

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LOOK: Fifth Floor Warehouse Party II

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(Photos: Vlad Chant)

Last month, we put on a thing in a warehouse with FIFTH FLOOR in Brunswick, Melbourne. A twelve band line-up including Wolf & Cub, Damn Terran and Hollow Everdaze took to a half-pipe transformed into a stage for the night. Kaleido visuals from Astral Projection Artwork kept everyone occupied, while everyone else was content flailing around to Mangelwurzel –  the funktoid, girl version of Fugazi throwing up jungle punk in a trashcan. Saw some guy in the room wearing a leopard bucket hat. What year is it?…

The Fifth Floor team are in Berlin at the moment, where they put on a show with local expats Ascetic two weeks ago. We’ll have photos from the event soon.

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INTRODUCING: Driffs

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Driffs are four housemates from Sydney who make loping pop of the supine kind; the sort of thing critics like to call ‘the soundtrack to summer’ (see? couldn’t help myself). Their music does have a beach-ridden feel. I imagine that when they decided to form a band they were reclining with the sun in their eyes; someone tried to say the word ‘drifts’ but couldn’t quite be bothered.

New single ‘Back to Bellevue’ was recorded at their home in Annandale and mastered by Mikey Young. These guys clearly have a thing for Underwater Peoples (the US label that handles Real Estate, Julian Lynch and Australia’s own Free Time and the Twerps). Their bell-toned guitar is heavily refracted, like a glimpse of something discarded on a creek bed, and the vocals are gentle and hazy. ‘Back to Bellevue’ is a pleasing step up in tempo for Driffs; sharp, cheerful and concise.

 

Driffs have an official release slated for early 2014.

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GUEST: Hot Mosh

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Hot Mosh is a new(ish) publication out of Sydney. Run by Fin Duggan and Emmeline Peterson, the humble zine features a whole host of point and shoot snaps documenting all the grot-glamour of local music. Previous issues have featured everyone from The Gooch Palms to Donny Benet’s revered bald spot. The Hot Mosh team have teamed up Deep Sea Arcade to present their first curated gig ‘Visions’ this Saturday at Oxford Arts Factory.

Cruising down the line up alongside Deep Sea Arcade will be Shining Bird, The Tsars & Preatures DJs.

We cut Hot Mosh’s curatorial skills by asking them to pick out their favourite new Oz artists. Emmeline gives us the low down on her top 5 below.

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Black Soul – This guy is a newcomer on the scene. I’m pretty sure he’s only played one gig, but I was there… and it was awesome. One of few Sydney artists experimenting with the witch house genre right now; chopped and screwed beats and slowed down hip-hop. At least that’s what he sounded like when he was going under the name BLVCK. Now he’s Black Soul. It could be very different. HE’S A MYSTERY.

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Lunatics On Pogosticks – When I first heard their song ‘Freud And The Nazi’s Go Surfing’ 12 months ago, I proceeded to find the band’s Facebook to tell them how amazing they are. That’s when I found out they were 17 year old babies. I wish I asked them if I could be their manager right then because since then they have gone on to release a bunch of amazing tracks and win Triple J’s Unearthed High. This is how everyone who saw The Beatles at The Cavern Club felt in 1962 I bet.

Zeahorse  – One of those bands that has been kicking around for ages but has consistently ruled. Go buy their album on vinyl right now and just pay whatever the record store wants ok?!

 

Housewives – These guys are releasing some of THE BEST punk in Sydney right now. The band have released a sick EP called Lick The Pip. Title track closes in at 1 minute 30 seconds, which means you can hear it 960 times today. GO.

Chicks Who Love Guns – Full disclosure, this is my boyfriend’s band. But he’s only been my boyfriend for about 1/4 of the time I’ve been obsessed with this band, so really I’m just a groupie who hit the jackpot. This year they released their single ‘Pencil Neck’, a total step up from their thrashy punk beginnings, accompanied with a clip created by Manuela Leigh, which involves food being thrown on some hot babes.

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LOOK: Major Leagues

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I ran out of lazy adjectives and miscellaneous blogger labels to describe Brisbane bands a long time ago (see also ‘tweewave,’ ‘summertime pop’ etc.). Here are some awesome studio photos Major Leagues sent us recently. All the usual studio behaviour here; drop tuning, fondling pets and gazing dreamily into the camera while hanging off a wooden slat from the roof.

The band are capping off a big year touring with Jeremy Neale, The Preatures, landing the Australian support slots for Beach Fossils & Wild Nothing – and releasing their excellent debut EP Weird Season a few weeks ago. Not to mention, putting together the most appeasing video clip you’ll ever watch of a bunch of young people slobbering over tacos. A national tour has just been announced for early next year and Wagga via Osborne St pals The Ocean Party are tagging along for the ride. Contrary to the smug faces that appear in all of their press shots.. this looks like fun! Tour dates below.

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INTRODUCING: André

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After he released Do Whatchya Wanna in February this year, André (solo project of André Vanderwert from Pencil and Hot Palms) is back already with debut single ‘Friends’ from his upcoming album Smooth Move.

If the promo pictures are to be believed, André is nothing but a tousle-haired bandit afflicted with a thousand-yard stare, who never strays far from his trusty motorised stallion. Along with his band, which features members of the Ocean Party, Soda Eaves and Hot Palms, he makes slow-burners heavy on the fuzz and meandering guitar solos.

Previous single ‘Mend’ was one of my favourite tracks of 2013; its washed-out cynicism permeating every chord change and crack in Vanderwert’s delivery. ‘Friends’ is executed in similar style, with Vanderwert crooning, ‘You know it isn’t easy to be your friend’. It’s perhaps less nihilistic than the chorus of ‘Mend’ – ‘I’m staring at the ceiling’ – but it’s up there.

 

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