Making dimly lit videos of chicks wandering through sparse forest seems to be Adam Harding’s forte (see also here, here and here).
The clip was shot over two nights at ‘Camel’s Hump’ in Mount Macedon, Victoria with Melbourne photographer Ben Butcher assisting on lighting.
Amaya’s on the road with Adalita over the next few months, click here for the full run of dates.
Khancoban – ‘Until It Takes You Over’ (mp3)
Sure there are big drums and meandering atmospherics that do tab out a few pages of ‘Neon Bible’, but Khancoban have managed to verge on ‘epic’ without coming out too overtly pomp. There’s plenty of room for repetitiveness, but Hooke’s delivery and a build up of nice progressions pull this tune through three min. For what it lacks in lyrical diversity, it makes up for as a good opening track. New album ‘Arches Over the Sun’ only drops in July. Until then, this one will be a good excuse to wake up early and mull over my cereal to.
If you count yourself among the masses who’ve been cruisin’ the current penchant for ‘doo-wave’, releases featuring palm trees and/or household pets on the cover + all round happy vibes (hands up) then you may dig this one from Betty Airs.
Ex Vines/Youth Group member Patrick Matthews recently joined these guys on bass.
If you’re in Syd, get down to Goodgod tomorrow night, deets below.
Thurs 24th March, CREEPIN’ IT REAL EP LAUNCH Goodgod Small Club w/Guerre, Unity Floors
Sat 2nd April, Glebe Clubhouse Fundraiser w/Made In Japan
There is no denying it, Summer has been and gone – well in Melbourne it kinda never really began but that’s another story. As far as festivals are concerned, there is no better way to wrap up the season then at Golden Plains in Victoria.
I headed along really excited about catching The Middle East and a few of the big internationals.
The physical layout of Golden Plains has been truly finessed. I had no problem arriving and finding a great camping spot in a lush grassy field. So within the hour I was set up and in the Supernatural Amphitheatre to catch the Cosmic Psychos. It’s never too early for dirty pub rock and these guys have it down pat. I had the feeling this crowd wasn’t too familiar with their back catalogue but their energy was enthusiastic.
Saturday passed pretty quickly with an international heavy line-up. Joanna Newsom was definitely a highlight for me but I understand there were sound problems for most of the crowd. From the pit it was a real treat, unfortunately I think it may be the last time we see Newsom do this kind of festival. An alternative to the chilled evening came in the form of screaming rock pigs Airbourne. Despite being a pretty strange choice for the indie crowd, Airbourne were easily one of the most entertaining bands of the weekend. Plenty of theatrics, crowd screaming and a set full of thundering guitar licks and fist pumping adrenaline. I felt bad for Wavves who came across pretty soft after seeing Airbourne – mind you, he was wearing track-suit pants.
Sunday threatened showers but apart from a sprinkle here and there it was another sweet day. The line-up kicked off with Melbourne ‘death country’ band Graveyard Train. These guys would be better suited to a dark pub as their style came off a little lame in the morning sunshine. They did sound good and anyone drinking cans at 10am gets bonus points. Boy and Bear enjoyed more love and played a nice set. Nice is all I can say about these guys as this was the fourth time I’ve seen them and I can’t remember any distinguishing moments. Maybe the Crowded House cover was something special for some, I for one am keen to see these guys develop a little more.
A swedish couple by the name of Wildbirds and Peacedrums took over and their improvised drum and vocal duet was unbelievably thrilling. The Middle East played next with a heavier sound then the last time I saw them. Their sound is really intense and brooding, playing tracks off previous ep’s and new tracks from forthcoming and very highly anticipated debut LP. Best Coast was my final highlight playing late in the afternoon to an excited crowd. Admittedly, not everyone seemed impressed by the her sunny love songs but I developed a major crush. Best Coast hasn’t reinvented the wheel but she has penned some catchy tracks and I look forward to her next record.
I had to head back to Melbourne without catching Architecture in Helsinki and World’s End Press but I trust they wrapped up a great weekend in style. Some more photographic highlights after the jump –
Sydney quintet Tin Sparrow have delivered a new tune for our listening pleasure, Fools Gold, a swinging and memorable Indie Folk gem, now featuring 20% more guitar solo! These guys are building their arsenal for an E.P release in time for winter, and from what they’ve been playing at shows lately, it promises to be an excellent release no doubt.
For the month of March you can shimmy on down to Oxford Arts gallery bar on any given Friday night, and catch the Tin Sparrow show! How much is this FREE gig you ask?!
Get involved! Myspace/tinsparrow
Fools Gold
You said in an interview last year that although you ‘adored’ the first album, you still felt ‘apologetic’ about it in some ways. How does Great Barrier Grief differ from Privileged Woes?
The difference was I was conscious that I was recording an album. And that Oh Mercy had a platform do to a bit of luck and some hard work around Privileged Woes. I knew people were going to hear the album and take it seriously. That was a great relief.
Why the title?
I liked how it read in capital letters. I like saying it. I like it’s bittersweet connotations. I’m interested in the concept of ‘grief’.
Do you think your writing style has changed much with Thom’s departure?
My writing remains the same. Thom’s writing remains the same. We didn’t actually write songs together in Oh Mercy, although we complimented each other musically and I think you can hear that on the Oh Mercy albums.
What characterizes that token ‘Australian’ sound?
Subtracting ‘token’; the Australian sound is abstract to me. In the 80’s there was an ‘Australian sound’, it had a lot to do with delay, chorus and organ pads. Today, I don’t know. But I understand that there is a certain angle to the lyric writing for some Australian bands. It’s dignified and doesn’t need to show all its cards at once.
Favourite song on the album to play?
Blue Lagoon. The guitar break out of the bridge is a musical highlight on the album for me.
What tunes are playing on tour?
The best of the Bee Gees and Leonard Cohen’s Death Of A Ladies Man.
Last record you bought?
The best of the Bee Gees.
How did you go about pitching the album cover idea to Ken?
I asked nicely. Shared with him my views on art, literature and lifestyle. I feel incredibly lucky that he agreed to work with us…
What’s ahead for Oh Mercy?
A national tour starting mid March. After that I hope to find the time to do some writing.
Ken Done, tea-towels as band merch, what piece of Australiana are you going to nab next?
…Souvenir spoons.
‘Great Barrier Grief’ (EMI) is out now.
www.ohmercy.com.au
Latest Comments
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Still trying to purchase!!!ANTHONY J LANGFORD
Cool track. Congrats Joshua. Hope the release is a success.Tristan
Man I love these guys. I can't believe they are not releasing any new music. I've been to so many…sophie
^^ I love Grimes! Banoffee is one of my new favorite music artists! :) I love With Her, Reign Down,…Ace
Read your review then listened to the EP. Fantastic ! Different to most hardcore punk I listen to. Somewhat more…