Monthly Archives For August 2010

Monster Monster – ‘Casio’ (Live on 4ZzZ)

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I won’t lie and pretend I listen to community radio that much – or any radio for that matter. I don’t own a radio.* On the odd occasion when I’m forced to drive I might listen to the radio, and I try to stream SoundLab every week, but in general it’s not something I’m prone to doing.

I found the above clip on Monster Monster’s Myspace. Because Myspace is the future.

www.myspace.com/musicmonstermonster

* I know my laptop can act as a radio. But my radio can’t act as a laptop. I choose not to support this uneven relationship.

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My Disco – ‘Turn’

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My Disco – ‘Turn’ (mp3)

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Time for Australian bloggers/blog-readers to get excited. New My Disco tunes are a-coming. ‘Turn’ is the lead single from the forthcoming album Little Joy, to be released Friday the 15th of October – only 6.5 weeks away.

‘Turn’ is based an enchanting and energetic percussion pattern that’s punctuated by moments of trademarked guitar stabs. The guitar work and vocals on display here are still firmly rooted in ‘minamilst punk,’ but the whole thing barely contains a moment of discordance. In fact, it’s a relatively beautiful song – not exactly the first word that springs to mind when you think of My Disco. And not that I ever could/would accuse these dudes of bending to hipster trends, but there’s definitely a bit of an in vogue tribal vibe to ‘Turn.’

It works. It’s a great introduction to their next album, showcasing their strengths as synthesised into a 3.5 minute pop song palatable for those who may not be familiar with/didn’t totes dig their old stuff.

www.myspace.com/mydiscomydisco

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Never judge a CD by its cover #1

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Welcome to 2010, where MP3s cost nothing and are worth as much, and even your Grandma has the skills to record show tunes and hymns before burning them to a CD-R.

It’s no wonder people aren’t rushing out to buy bog-standard glossy jewel case CDs. Sometimes some creative and aesthetically pleasing packaging can be the difference between your CD gathering dust on the shelf and your work of art being exchanged for cash monies.

After the cut are some of the more interesting CDs that have found their way onto my desk in the last few months. If you’re in a band and have a CD that you think I’d like the look and/or sound of, email me at sophie [at] whothehell [dot] net for my postal address.

(more…)

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Flight of the TIN SPARROW

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Tin Sparrow are a Sydney collective fronted by singer/songwriter Matt Amery. ‘The Boat’ is the first single from the band, who have done a fantastic job in bringing Matts songs to life, creating a lushly layered sound which reveals more on every listen (the harpsichord line is reminiscent of a film score that I can’t quite put my finger on..). And despite the dense production, there is still an engaging vocal delivery at the heart of the song. Recorded in Melbourne at Dragon Fly Studios, and recently signed a publishing deal with Sebastian and Wolfgang, keep an eye out for this Tin Sparrow playing near YOU!

Tin Sparrow are another group to emerge from Macquarie University’s music department, alongside Boy&Bear, Made in Japan, and ArtVsScience. Find the label page on FB (Universe-City Music).


Listen to

The Boat

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Philadelphia Grand Jury – 'Save Our Town'

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Philadelphia Grand Jury – ‘Save Our Town’ (mp3)

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Here’s an exclusive of the brand new single ‘Save Our Town’ from the Philly Jays. The track will be released on Side A of a limited edition 7″ vinyl release, and on Side B, the newly recorded version of their cover of Jay-Z’s 99 Problems.

The band are in the middle of a 35 date tour of the UK, but will be returning to Aus in Nov for a string of 26 shows (their biggest tour to date). Joining them will be WTH faves Howl and Bearhug who’ve just come off a run of dates supporting Broken Social Scene.

PHILADELPHIA GRAND JURY ‘ Save Our Town’ tour dates:

Supported by HOWL & BEARHUG (Bearhug all shows except *)

THU 4 NOV – Republic Bar, HOBART *

FRI 6 NOV – Hotel New York, LAUNCESTON *

SAT 6 NOV – Corner Hotel, MELBOURNE

THU 11 NOV – Hotel Gearin, BLUE MOUNTAINS

FRI 12 NOV – Cambridge Hotel, NEWCASTLE

SAT 13 NOV – Metro Theatre, SYDNEY (ALL AGES)

THU 18 NOV – Beach Hotel, BYRON BAY

FRI 19 NOV – Hi Fi, BRISBANE

SAT 20 NOV – Full Noise, TOWNSVILLE (PGJ ONLY)

THU 25 NOV – Beachcomber Hotel ,CENTRAL COAST

FRI 26 NOV – ANU Bar, CANBERRA

SAT 27 NOV – Newton’s Nation, BATHURST (PGJ ONLY)

SUN 28 NOV – Fitzroy Hotel, WINDSOR


WED 1 DEC – High Road, RIVERTON

THU 2 DEC – Prince of Wales, BUNBURY *

FRI 3 DEC – Capitol, PERTH *

SAT 4 DEC – Settlers, MARGARET RIVER *

SUN 5 DEC – Newport Hotel, FREMANTLE *

WED 8 DEC – Level One, GEELONG

THU 9 DEC – Karova Lounge, BALLARAT

FRI 10 DEC – The Gov, ADELAIDE

SAT 11 DEC – Sandbar, MILDURA

THU 16 DEC – Caringbah Bizzos, CARINGBAH

FRI 17 DEC – Mona Vale Hotel, MONA VALE

SAT 18 DEC – Grand Hotel, WOLLONGONG

FRI 19 DEC – Pyramid Rock Festival, PHILLIP ISLAND

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Daniel Lee Kendall – 'Lost in the Moment' & 'The Point in This'

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Daniel Lee Kendall – ‘Lost in the Moment’ (mp3)

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Daniel Lee Kendall – ‘The Point in This’ (mp3)

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Plenty of good music springing up from the Central Coast and you can add Daniel Lee Kendall to that list. ‘The Point in This’ imparts amiable pop electronica that sits nicely under Kendall’s weightless vocals. Nick Drake nostalgia with Postal Service charms on the side, this tune makes for easy summer listening.

If you’re not familiar with DLK’s other stuff, make sure you have a listen to ‘Lost in the Moment’. An incredibly chipper tune with some dapper string samples/xylo arragements in the background, and cheery whistles thrown in for good measure. This track is a good example of understated, contagious pop you’ll want to make friends with.

Daniel Lee Kendall’s debut EP ‘Lost in the Moment’ is out October 1st via Redcat Sounds/MGM.

www.myspace.com/danielleekendall

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