The Vanish – ‘Heartbeat’ (mp3)

If you’re a dedicated JJJ or FBI listener, then you’ve probably already heard this track on the wireless. The Vanish are Brooklyn-based, Sydney-raised Mike Elmgreen and Pete Enestrom, who have arrived at nu-wave electro via their tween punk rock days and a mutual stint in starched Manhattan suitdom. Successfully resurrecting themselves from nine-to-five beigeness, these guys have managed to produce some seriously danceable numbers, which I would download right here if I were you.

Sydney peeps can catch the Pete half of the duo, with drummer, at Spectrum on May 13. Check myspace for details.

http://www.myspace.com/thevanishmusic

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The Medics – ‘Yesterday’ (mp3)

There are some fantastic bands coming out of regional Australia at the moment. The Middle East (Townsville, QLD) are playing Splendour, Ellington (Tannum Sands, QLD) have signed a publishing deal with Sony and with any luck, The Medics will be the next band to receive MySpace/Triple J/hipster-fuelled internet love.

Don’t be fooled by the trendy winter clothing displayed in the above promo photo – The Medics are actually from Cairns in tropical North Queensland. Sure, the music has the disco hi-hats, piano and delayed guitars typical of noughties English rock, but the understated melancholy, frustration, passion and honesty of creative young people outside urban areas is present in spades.
The Medics are touring throughout Queensland in June. I’ll be catching them at their Rockhampton show.

www.myspace.com/themedicsband1

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Bertie Blackman – ‘Heart’

Bertie Blackman returns with a new record and new sound. First taste we get of her new material is the upbeat Heart, and it’s great to hear her accompanied by a more modern production than what she previously had on her past releases. I’ve always thought she had a great voice with some endearing singing styles like a minor shake in some phrasings, although in the bridge of the song she goes into a talking-singing kind of mode which I’m still trying to get used to. Her new album ‘Secrets and Lies’ was produced by Francois Tetaz (Gotye, Architecture in Helsinki, Lior) and Lee Groves (Goldfrapp, Gwen Stefani, Depeche Mode).

www.myspace.com/bertieblackman

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The Cairos – ‘Whales’

The Cairos have been getting some buzz around Brisbane for over a year and so have  wisely figured now is a good time to release their debut EP. It certainly capitalises on said buzz by building on their poppier take on post-punk tropes with Aria Award-winning producer Magoo and representing their strongest collection of songs at the peak of their profile in the local scene. ‘Whales,’ with its chorussed bassline directing the song,  has unsurprisingly been courting the most radio attention t. Containing the same washes of guitar delay and reverb that typically colour their songs,  a pounding rhythm section  and urgent vocals, the song has an intensity and sonic depth that a lot of  the superficial style-hacks lack. Importantly, dummer ‘BC’ really knows when to ride those hats. Mmmm.

www.myspace.com/thecairos

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Sherlock’s Daughter – ‘Kids’ (mp3)

Sherlock’s Daughter got some new tracks on their myspace, part of an EP that Jono Ma produced for the band. Kids further highlights just how sweet Tanya Horo’s voice is. They are playing this Thursday 7th May 2009 at the Hopetoun Hotel, I’m keen to check them out.

www.myspace.com/sherlocksdaughter

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Third albums are often the most interesting albums in a band’s catalogue. Lacking the excitement of  a debut and the scrutiny of a sophomore effort, third albums tend to see a musician either revert to their original winning formula, throw caution to the wind or showcase their artistic growth.

‘All I Want’ is the new single from Sarah Blasko’s upcoming third album As Day Follows Night and while it won’t win her any new fans, at least it’ll keep the old ones happy. Bjorn Yttling’s (Peter, Bjorn & John) production leaves the song clear and polished without sterilising the music and the theremin is a nice touch.

Let’s hope Blasko’s newie revisits the quiet intensity of her previous releases without the crashingly boring bits.

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