Ned Collette – ‘The Country With A Smile’

Victorian singer/songwriter Ned Collette got to support Joanna Newsom when she toured here recently and after seeing him she asked him to join her Europe/UK tour. He then got on to other shows, supported Camera Obscura and played a few solo shows before coming back to Melbourne to record his second album at home (reportedly on top of a Chinese restaurant). The new album titled Future Suture will be out on late September, this is his first single. He sounds a lot older than he looks.

www.myspace.com/nedcollette

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photo by Sir Wheatley

Muscles – ‘Sweaty’

Last Friday I went to an industry shindig at the new Lee Jeans store/art gallery on Chapel St in South Yarra. I was told the free booze might dry up early so when I turned up true enough seasoned early birds scenesters were already downing Jamiesons and dry. Funny thing is about 7 or 8 of them were wearing flanel jackets/shirts, a true sign that grunge fashion is making real headway into a comeback. Grunge music however isn’t that successful at coming back because the soundtrack for the party was provided by Ajax and Jamie Doom of the ravy Bang Gang crew, one time whothehell.net poster Levins (DJ Sleater Brockman) and trance revivalist Muscles. ‘Sweaty’ was the first song that he played. The only copy I have of the song is a cheap sounding myspace rip but if you turn it up you can really tell that this man is on a mission to remind all of us how good it is to be peaking. On top of worldwide buzz and an upcoming debut album, he has been announced as support for the Daft Punk Australian tour in December!

To spice things up the organisers of the party arranged some wildlife attractions in the form of snakes including a big Phyton, creepy crawlers and a baby Alligator to be held and cuddled in the crowd. Would Steve Irwin have approved of this party trick? I would like to throw this prickly question to a new favourite blog Movestill, started up by former whothehell.net blogger Sophie Braham and her FBi posse in Sydney: DJ Anna Lunoe, celebrity confidant Nina, radio star Michaella and superfunster Neha (recently returned from exile). Check it: movestill.blogspot.com

www.myspace.com/musclesmusic

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Ricki-Lee – ‘Can’t Touch It’

Ricki-Lee’s another Top 40 baby worth backing. One of the most successful Idol experiments, the hippy brunette was on a steady climb towards pop legitimacy with her debut, and the first single from her second album slams her right up there in the big leagues. Fierce, infectious and sophisticated pop, Ricki-Lee has delivered the Holy Grail to Australian chart music acolytes with this tune – the local artist that sounds just like her multi-platinum sisters in the States. A quick survey of available friends confirmed my suspicions: everybody thought they were listening to Beyonce. Considering how much money is lavished on the Destiny’s Child diva to make her records sound that way, this is no mean feat. Go Ricki.

www.myspace.com/rickileeofficial

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Dappled Cities – ‘Fire Fire Fire’ Live

Looks live I’ve been missing out because this track is a few weeks old already, but US site Daytrotter.com has the band in their studio recently recording a few tracks straight to tape, four of which are downloadable. Their short set was recorded in Illinois when the band toured with Tokyo Police Club. Great to hear that more people in America are discovering the Dappled magic.

www.daytrotter.com

www.myspace.com/dappledcitiesfly

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Photo by Monique Kawecki 

Jackson Jackson – ‘The Future Is The Past’

When I saw them at the Corner more than a month ago, my date asked me “How would you describe this music in your blog?” Hmmm. Couldn’t answer the question then. But since they’ve been nominated for the Australian Urban Music Awards, I’m just gonna be lazy and slap that ‘Urban’ description to their music. There you go Mon.

www.myspace.com/jacksonjacksonmusic

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