These guys have been on our radar since Matt got on the Mosman Alder wagon early. The Brisbane 6 piece have been busy recording over the last few months at Airlock Studios in  Samford Valley with Sean Cook, Yanto Browning and Tony Espie on mixing duties. The guys are about to release their debut EP Burn Bright and are heading out on a string of tour dates – presented by yours truly.

I had a chat to Kat from the band about playing Splendour, the new EP and getting acquainted with secateurs for studio time.

How long have you guys been playing together?

We formed in January 2010 and instead of actually playing gigs straight away we tried to do a lot of writing to begin with. We tried to get some demos out there first but our first show was around August 2010.

You’re all playing Splendour again in Byron this year, but what was it like playing at Woodford for the first time last year?

We were the first band on the Sunday. I could never afford to go to Splendour so it was amazing. The vibe was great! Huge adrenaline rush. Playing in that amphitheater was just incredible.

It was intimidating, there’s massive foldback from the stage and I’m just not used to hearing myself that loud. But it was pretty amazing, it all happened very quickly!

Were you all in different bands before?

I moved to Brisbane in 2009 and before that I played in a folk rock band for a short amount of time on the Gold Coast. Jackson, Liam and Damo were also in a prog punk band together.

With Valdis reading Kafka and using ideas of mythology as an influences, was it instinctual for you all to follow that up with a moodier sound? Were you guys averse to making a lighter record with those themes?

No not at all. We never really thought of what direction we were taking it, it just happened.‘Raisin Heart’ was written when Valdis was travelling through Germany and reading Kafka and those kind of authors. We didn’t do anything purposely, it sort of just fell into place.

Is it chaotic trying to get everyone together, with six of you in the band?

It can be chaotic with communication between six of us, comprising between work schedules and such. The songwriting process can differ – it might be Valdis and Jackson having a skeleton of a song, then having the rest of the band piece it off. But there’s been other times where we’ve been jamming and we’ll just experiment and improvise.

I was reading in your presser that you guys were offered free studio time for yard work?

Yeah! Ian Haug’s been really wonderful to us and very helpful. So that’s what we did in exchange for studio time, a lot of gardening. We still need to do a little bit more I think, but yeah that was a really awesome deal and we didn’t think twice about it.

Apart from pulling out weeds, what was the most challenging thing about recording the EP?

We were trying to get the EP done in 15 days but it stemmed over a 6 month period.
It’s all a blur for me because it was so all over the place! There were a few months were we had to reschedule because of other people’s schedules and renovations happening at Airlock Studios. We wanted to release it last year but we’re really happy now that it’s finally coming out.

The clip for ‘Raisin Heart’ is quite cinematic…

We worked with Dylan Wiehahn, he was great. When you can see us performing in the video we went out to a lovely property and we were doing some shooting out there. But Dylan had to do another day of shooting and Jackson and Valdis went out to the Wivenhoe Dam. I think the guy who acting in the time lapse video spent about 10 hours in the water to get the right shot.

People have described your tunes as dark and brooding and I’m reading some of the titles on the EP – ‘Mr Pickney and the Beast’ and ‘Ice Queen’ etc. You all seem like a real serious bunch.

We’re serious when we need to be. But really, not at all.

‘Burn Bright’ is released May 25 through Dew Process/Universal. Catch the guys playing Splendour In The Grass 2012 or at one of the dates below:

We have a double pass for the Sydney and Melbourne ‘Damn Terran’ shows, thanks to ‘Show Off Services’. Just send us a message on Facebook with the show you’d like to go to and we’ll send you and a friend along to one of these kick ass nights!

Be quick as we only have one double pass for each show -

APRIL 28 – OLD BAR, MEL w/ SCUL HAZZARDS, CHICKS WHO LOVE GUNS, BODIES

MAY 18 – FBI SOCIAL, SYD w/ CHICKS WHO LOVE GUNS, CORPUS, SWEET TEETH

What’s that? THE SOUND OF EARDRUMS AROUND THE NATION BLEEDING IN SYNCHRONISED JOY.

We’re psyched to be presenting Damn Terran’s upcoming ‘REBELS’ tour throughout April and May.

Brothers Lachlan and Leigh Ewbank and Ali Edmonds who make up Damn Terran have been jamming since ‘07. They’ve shared the stage with Ouch! My Face, Die! Die! Die!, DZ Deathrays and Children Collide and are packing their gear for headline tour of their own next month. While these dudes can vouch for ‘hardest working Melbourne band’ in my books, their extra curricular activities are just as impressive – between the three, they play in six bands, commentate on climate change, publish zines and are dropping a glorious solo record this month.

The Melbourne three piece are releasing their debut album later in 2012. GET ALONG.

‘Rebels’ (mp3)

DAMN TERRAN ‘REBELS’ TOUR

APRIL 13 – THE ZOO, BRIS w/ DZ DEATHRAYS, VELOCIRAPTOR + more
APRIL 14 – TYMS GUITARS, BRIS (ALL AGES in-store)
APRIL 28 – OLD BAR, MEL w/ SCUL HAZZARDS, CHICKS WHO LOVE GUNS, BODIES
MAY 05 – THE GRACE EMILY, ADEL w/ THE AVES, SINCERELY GRIZZLY, HORROR MY FRIEND
MAY 18 – FBI SOCIAL, SYD w/ CHICKS WHO LOVE GUNS, CORPUS, SWEET TEETH

Dune Rats - ‘Pogo’

Proudly presenting the sweet new track from DUNE RATS before it gets shipped off to radio. Vacation vibes all ’round, ‘Pogo’ is the first single off the band’s second EP Social Atoms, which is set for release this month.

To co-incide with the release of Social Atoms, the Brissie duo will be cutting loose on the East Coast for a select number of dates in Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Goldcoast, Toowoomba, Brisbane and Byron Bay.

Hit it up!

Dune Rats FB

The fine folk across the blogosphere at East To West and Life Aquatic are bringing Guerre, the lomo cam and some serious aqueous ambience to Melbs this weekend. Naminé, The Townhouses, Felix Weatherbourne & Kharkov round up the lineup playing at Loop Bar this Saturday.

Local party collective I OH YOU are putting on another reasonably docile event featuring OFWGKTA DJS + Rat Vs. Possum on the 3rd of June.

We’ve got double passes for both shows at our disposal. See below for details.

Hit up rsvp@whothehell.net with your details, preferred show and why we should give you the tix by 5pm Friday 27th of May for some free lovin’.

The Maple Trail - ‘Highwire’ (mp3)

Caitlin Park - ‘Warriors With Wild Hearts’ (mp3)

Sister Jane – ‘Great Highway’ (mp3)

Magnetic Heads – ‘ In The Name Of Fame’ (mp3)

Broken Stone Records are shipping off a handful of bands to Melbourne next week for one night only. Stoked that one man dynamo Aidan Roberts aka. The Maple Trail will bringin’ along some picturesque folk to the bill. Last year’s ‘Highwire’ EP was a good spin but will be swell to hear some oldies also. Also expect jangly Triffids-type pop from Magnetic Heads and tunes from Caitlin Park. Joining them will be Sister Jane (ft. members from Bells Will Ring) who’ve just put out their debut ‘Mercy’.

Happenings are at the Empress Hotel on Friday the 4th of March @ 7pm.

As per usual, we’ve got free stuff for y’all and we’re handing out a double pass. Want it? Hit up rsvp@whothehell.net with your details by 5pm Thursday 3rd March.

www.brokenstonerecords.com

Kids climbing trees, coppers herding a few hundred out of a Richmond backyard before 12 and waking up with considerable bruises the following morning after being pelted in the face with lemons. A year, a few more yard/warehouse shindigs and a few band signings later, I OH YOU seem to understand what productive partying really is. If grinding up against international visitors (Yeasayer/Foals) in a foam pit takes your fancy, or alternatively if you’re in it for the tunes (DZ/Ships Piano/Loon Lake etc.) hit us up at rsvp@whothehell.net by 5pm this Thursday with your best party antics and your details to go in the running for a double pass.

Dappled Cities – ‘Answer is Zero’

Guineafowl – ‘Guilllotine’

The Laurels – ‘Turn On Your Mind’

Last Dinosaurs – ‘Honolulu’

Fishing – ‘OOOO’

Magnetic Heads - ‘Blind’

Sydney’s gig features the phenomenal line-up of all the bands featured above (and Spod, whose song wouldn’t upload for some reason. I blame my work computer. Check back tonight for some Spod love).

Anyway, you gotta dress up and get in the swing of things because all the bands will be dressing up as a deceased band and beginning their set with a cover of that band. It’s like a Phish Halloween gig, but without the hippies-cum-lawyers. And about two hours shorter.

Anyway, we have a prize pack for one reader than includes a double pass to the gig + a copy of Dappled Cities’ Zounds + a Dapplied Cities tea towel, to help bring the Oz indie rock to drying the dishes yo.

If you’re keen, email rsvp@whothehell.net with the subject “SYDNEY HALLOWEEN” by 5pm today. You know you want to. Do it. Include yr name and all that as well.

Oh Ye Denver Birds - ‘Walls’

Ghoul – ‘Swimming Pool’

Toy Balloon – ‘Balloon Force’

Tiny Migrants - ‘HoneyComber’

Meanwhip, Brisbane’s gig has the above four bands doing their thang. It’s also a dress-up so you gotta get yr costume on. Anyone coming as Twilight characters gets a cronch punch.*

We’ve got a double pass for the gig on offer. Again, email rsvp@whothehell.net with the subject “BRISBANE HALLOWEEN” by 5pm today. Make sure you give us your name etc.

SEE Y’ALL THERE

*Not officially endorsed by the other people/bands affiliated with this gig.

Fresh off from hitting the stage at Parklife, Brisbane kids The Cairos and Melbourne’s Young Heretics are venturing out this November for Who The Hell.

To coincide with the tour, we’re giving away a rad prize for a lucky reader and a friend.

The winner and a mate will be taken out to dinner by The Cairos and Young Heretics before the show and in addition, the night will be made into a feature on the official Young Heretics blog.

Make sure you enter only if you’re from Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne unless you’re up for a bit of travel.

Keen? Drop us a line at rsvp@whothehell.net by Monday November 1st, and tell us why you want The Cairos and Young Heretics to take you out….

THE CAIROS & YOUNG HERETICS TOUR

Friday 5 November – ROCKET BAR, Adelaide
Tickets through www.oztix.com.au

Friday 12 November
LAMBDA @ ALAHMBRA LOUNGE, Brisbane
Tickets on the door | Say The Cairos or Young Heretics for cheaper entry

Friday 19 November
PURPLE SNEAKERS @ MISS LIBERTINES, Melbourne
Tickets on the door | Say The Cairos or Young Heretics for cheaper entry

Friday 26 November
MUM @ WORLD BAR, Sydney
Tickets on the door | Say The Cairos or Young Heretics for cheaper entry

www.myspace.com/thecairos

www.myspace.com/youngheretics

Sony Music, Groupie Mag and Who The Hell are throwing a bash as part of the BIG SOUND 2010 festivities in Brisbane.

Glenn Richards (Augie March) will be showcasing material from his new ventures, as well as Sydney songsmiths Georgia Fair.

The event isn’t open to the general public, but we’re kind folk here at WTH and are giving away a handful of passes to the night.

Want in? Shoot your name and contact details to rsvp@whothehell.net by Tuesday 31st of Aug to go in the runnings. Yeeeeeba!

Pluto Jonze – ‘Starts To Your Feet’ (mp3)

We are proud to present another Communion night, this time at new venue MELT in Kings Cross. If you’re wondering what happened to the other venue, well like all good party joints, it got shut down eventually. Fire hazard or something. This time, The Seabellies are playing, along with Lanie Lane, Cameras, Wade Jackson, Champions League, and these guys here Pluto Jonze.

UPDATE: Communion are offering discount $10 entry to whothehell.net readers, if you’re interested please send an email with your full name to info@scorpiomusic.com.au

Check out this track from Wade Jackson – ‘I Believe In You’:

Get your tickets here

myspace.com/getcommunion

The unique Left Coast festival is launching tomorrow night at Sedition barbershop in Darlinghurst Sydney. It’s a 50 day festival celebrating cross disclipinary arts in the city, created by artist Robyn Wilson who runs the Views Of Courage website. Everyone interested in attending the launch party is encouraged to wear Red.

Views of Courage & Sedition present

LEFT COAST FESTIVAL
LAUNCH OFFICIAL. RED IS.
+
ROSE VICKERS
‘FLOHAWK’
OPENING RECEPTION
+
The NOISE play live

Wednesday 12 May
6 – 8pm

Sedition | Barber shop, record store & gallery
275 Victoria Street
Darlinghurst
Sydney Australia

The official spiel:

One of the most significantly unique and culturally vital spaces in Sydney will host the latest in a series of cultural happenings spanning the last 10 years.

These, amongst many other experiences, will be offered, with spots on the schedule kept free to allow spontaneous performances and presentations my creative Sydney figures as well as those visiting for the Sydney Biennale.
__

Check out the program

Guineafowl – ‘Guilllotine’

Another track from new Sydney favourite Guineafowl, this Sydney seven piece is playing at the second Communion night next week at Goodgod small club in Sydney, 31 March. Also on the bill are the very talented Bridezilla, newies Magnetic Heads, Daniel Lee Rendall and Wade Jackson and the Champions League. Tickets for sale here.

www.myspace.com/guineafowl

If you like local music you will like this festival.

If your weekly disposable income is spent on rent, goon, Ikea furniture and cheap Thai food, leaving you no money for play – you will like this festival.

If you sound like Maculay Culkin and are still waiting for your southern regions to develop properly, you will like this festival.

If your athletic ability has been reduced to jumping fences at gigs and if you take pride in ripping off door stamps with thick texta, then you will also like this festival.

Fresh off the demand for some decent FREE all ages gigs -comes the brand new SOUNDS LOUD FESTIVAL 2010.

A decent stash of Triple J favourites are headlining the bill; Bluejuice, Philadelphia Grand Jury and Calling All Cars. Joining them will be Hungry Kids of Hungary, Behind Crimson Eyes, Yacht Club DJS, Scientists of Modern Music, Seth Sentry, and more.

Check out www.myspace.com/soundsloudfestival for all the details.

Sydneysiders: we have a double pass to giveaway for you thanks to Smirnoff Festivals Experience and Future Music Fest in Sydney. The vodka people are setting up a bar next to the main stage so you and a friend can check out Empire Of The Sun, Bag Raiders and Jump Jump Dance Dance, as well as internationals such as The Prodigy, Franz Ferdinand and Bookashade. All you have to do, is wait for the question we will send through our mailing list and be the first to email me that answer. Of course you will have to join our mailing list first if you’re not there already. GOOD LUCK!

Well I’ve been smitten by Danimal’s production recently, so I was pretty happy that they won the competition run by Tooheys (yep another one), but the prize of this is that they got flown to the US to work with Mark Ronson for a week, with artists like Santi(o)gold, Kaiser Chiefs and others dropping in to make a new jingle for Tooheys. The whole thing is being documented and I’m guessing will be sold to some tv network soon for all of us to see. In the meantime, they are putting on a show next week in Spectrum. I’ll be going to this show so let me know if you’d like to come along they are giving away a double pass, send rsvp@whothehell.net an email with ‘DANIMALS AT SPECTRUM’ (yes you may email in caps) on the subject line.

www.myspace.com/jontidanimals

The Sydney Bicycle Film Festival is having an opening party! Bikes Rock is on Wednesday November 11 at the Factory Theatre and features the following rad artists:

Bridezilla
Jonathan Boulet
Deep Sea Arcade
Lions At Your Door

Tickets onsale now through Factory Theatre (http://bit.ly/3Q8xlx) and Moshtix (http://bit.ly/MTW5t).

Young Heretics – ‘Bones of a Rabbit’ (mp3)

The Young Heretics are launching their self produced EP at the Newtown Workers’ Club on December 4th in Melbourne. To win tickets to this show join our mailing list!

www.myspace.com/youngheretics

We are having a party!

We’re ganging up with the MUM people and having a night on Friday 25th September with our pick of the crop bands: Megastick Fanfare, Fergus Brown, Melbourne’s Rat vs Possum and Winter People + whothehell.net DJs.

And it is F R E E  if you join our mailing list and RSVP your full names to rsvp@whothehell.net.

YEAHHHH!

One of my favourite Sydney bands of the moment Sherlock’s Daughter are touring with the Devoted Few.

We are giving away a double passes to each of these shows, to win join our mailing list!