Monthly Archives For August 2011

sleepmakeswaves – '(hello) cloud mountain' (video)

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Let’s get one thing straight – post rock isn’t elevator music. Sure, some of it’s a little winding & pretentious and there are usually far too many words in post-rock band names (as well as grammatical confusion), but as a style it’s enthralling, interesting and often confronting – when done well.

Thankfully for the Australian post-rock scene, sleepmakeswaves do it well (and in less than 140 characters). (hello) cloud mountain is off their new album, and comes pre-packaged in a beautiful film clip, laden with tidy visual metaphors. It was directed/filmed/edited by Frederick Lloyd, a 20 year old Brit doing amazing things with a camera.  The track itself manages to pull off the epic feel of post-rock without the epic lengths – at just over three minutes, it’s a long step from some other opus’. If I was going to dive into clichés, I’d use words like “sweeping sound-scapes”, “delicate” and “multi-instrumental aural experience, filled with dreams of home and lost love” – but since it’s Tuesday, I’m not going to do that. Instead you get one of the best pieces of post-rock that I’ve ever heard come out of Australia.

If you haven’t listened to much (or any) post-rock, sleepmakeswaves are a great starting point. If you listen to a lot, their new album …and so we destroyed everything is available right now on bandcamp, and well worth the $12-something.

Check out their FB for more details on their (very fast approaching) shows. I know I’ll be there.

Oh and also, if you haven’t already – make the video huge, crank your speakers, and chill. It’s worth it.

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The Delta Riggs – 'Time' (video)

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How much ‘Fitzroy’ can you pack into a garage? Self explanatory salute from Melbourne (via GC) collective The Delta Riggs. FT: large fixie parade, several cute pets, customised denim, one party time hobo + a cameo from a former WTH contributor.

‘Time’ is the first single off Talupo Mountain Music Vol. 1. The band are in the process of laying down ‘Vol. 2′, which is expected to be released late September.

Produced & Edited by Petty Thieves.

www.thedeltariggs.com

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Founds, Tin Sparrow & Tigertown @ FBi Social

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Founds (sans Jamie)

Last night I went down to the Kings Cross Hotel for FBi social and caught Tigertown, Tin Sparrow and Founds – or more should I say, they caught me. Fanboy Alex is on the prowl, again…

Openers Tigertown were totally harmless, rolling out some of the smoothest indie-folk around. The seven piece bask in a couple of  indie cliches – mandolin, extraneous floor toms, pan-pipey keys – but executed them with class & aplomb.  At points I felt like I was floating in and out of an indie dream, nursed by these sweet, rolling tunes. Therein lies the fault of Tigertown – instead of occasionally challenging the audience, they stay firmly within a (albiet, very comfortable) formula. The set seemed to melt into itself at points and lacked discernable climax as a whole. While each song was a catchy piece of indie-folk sweetness, there was no release, and very little development of emotional tone.

Maybe I’m just afraid of things that are pretty, but I don’t want this to happen again. Watch the space, either way.

Tin Sparrow were up next. They’re one of Sydney’s best folk-acts and are really in their prime right now, playing an exceptionally tight, dynamically gorgeous set. Spinning in off the back of their latest EP (and tour), they delivered a whirlwind set. Their performance is laced with emotion and energy, pushing out a sound much bigger than the shape of the band. They also prove that, contrary to popuar belief, drummers can write AND sing songs, following Mark Piccles (the drummer) belting out an amazingly powerful track. Great band, great set.

Now to Founds. They were recently announced triple j unearthed winners of the Bigsound opening spot – and their set proved they deserve it. They’re unique in the Australian music scene, combining indie-folk with soaring Scando-ambiance and subtle post-rock, merging many styles into something unbelievably solid. In some ways, they remind me of Melbournians Alpine – but with balls, and a better drummer. That said, they resist classification so strongly that I’m loathe to compare them to anyone.

Combine all that mystery with a fantastic live show and you’ve got something special. Their opener was a brief and chaotic instrumental piece, really setting the “epic” tone that permeates their set. Their latest single, Holograms, is an absolute killer live – it’s not pop or folk or rock – it’s just a sparkling piece of music, absorbable no matter how you cut your cloth. There wasn’t a single track they played I didn’t love.

Founds are amazing for what they’ve done in such a short time. After twelve months together they’re producing and performing music that is unmatched – and perhaps unmatchable – in Australian music. I’d love to see what happens as they grow as a band and as performers. This is a space that I’m watching, so you should as well.

More photos after the break.

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The Strums – ’2+2=3′ (video)

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The main songwriting team behind The Strums is the same songwriting team that was behind Dead Riot, known for their sharp songs and awesome boat cruises.
Like many Brisbanites, singer Jai and guitarist Eric had their home destroyed by the January floods, and the destruction inspired them to retire Dead Riot and start something new.
Cool video clip.
FFO: The Gaslight Anthem, Bouncing Souls, The Living End.

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Keiiko & MeltPhace – 'Germs'

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I have an undeniable love for artists who use ph (as in phat) in their names. They’re walking a firey knife-edge, balanced between self-deprecation and community disdain – they’re martyrs for naming, blazing a trail for us all.

MeltPhace continues the proud creative tradition in his name and, partnered with Keiiko, has produced some fantastic minimal electronica. There’s a taste of 65dos & Baths – as well as just about any miscelaneous electronic post-rock you can name – which I dig. There’s a dearth of tastey post-rock in Australian music at the moment, as well as a flood of non-committal, bland electronica. Keiiko and MeltPhace are two artists individually & collectively holding the fort for us all.

You can check out Keiiko’s solo stuff here and MeltPhace’s here. It’s not the first time they’ve worked together, either – they both play in Founds, a delightfully undefinable (but nonetheless fantastic) sextet from Brisbane. Good to see they’re spreading the love.

They’re too cool for Facebook.

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Charlie Mayfair – 'Tell Her' (video)

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Charlie Mayfair are the indie-kids you bitch about in your corner of the local hipster tavern, cradling your broken egos over cider and tacos. They’re a reminder that you’ll never be quite as cool or as successful – or as beautiful and surprisingly charming. Unfortunately, they’re also genuinely gorgeous & fantastic musicians who are producing great tracks without fail.

This is the video clip for Tell Her, a song I covered earlier in the year. Director Jefferton James and cinematographer Byron Quandary have delivered a visual feast that compliments the emotional turmoil expressed in the song itself. While it dives into one or two cinematic cliches (e.g. the Sixth Sense dead but don’t know it standard) it’s precisely executed and lovely despite its (tiny) flaws.

I particularly love the moment in the picture below. Words cannot express the hipster poignancy that laces this moment. Plus that not-quite-shaggy-definitely-well-maintained facial hair is delightful to see in real life.

Check Tell Her out, and Charlie Mayfair as they tour near you in the nearest of futures.

P.S. I’m a fanboy, so what? You probably like The Living End and still live with your parents.

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The Rescue Ships – ‘On The Air’ (video)

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The Rescue Ships played Rockhampton once.

It was in 2009 and back then they were (and still are) Elana Stone and Brian Campeau and they were touring with Passenger aka Mike Rosenberg.
The gig was poorly publicised and they ended up scrapping the door price and just playing in the beer garden – their own originals and some tremendous covers.
Everyone had a great time and I ended up driving my (plastered) best friend home, via the supermarket where she berated a shop attendant for not selling “you know… chicken, that’s like, chopped up and already roasted?”
Good times.

Anyway, they’ve pooled their considerable talents and are playing as a duo. I saw them support Scott Spark at The Globe Theatre a few months back and they were still incredible.
If you get a chance to see them live, go and do it. They’re ridiculously talented and do great banter.

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The Frowning Clouds – 'All Night Long'

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Listen to

New jam from the Frowning Clouds ft. typical revival rama-lama.

Last year’s Listen Closelier proved that the throwback aesthetic is what these Geelong kids do best, but somehow this one comes off as predictable as the title.

Cue introductory hollering, splintery solos and mod cuts – all part of the FC’s happy hip-busting modus operandi. Certainly a boppable tune, but against the greasy harmonica of ‘Time Wastin’ Woman’ and the swampier sounds on 2010′s debut, this single grovels over closely to Beatles cover band. Then again, the ‘Clouds aren’t parading as messiahs of new music. If they’re content with provoking freakbeat fan boy/fan girl moves from the collective at most gigs, then I guess they’re doing a good deed.

Catch The Frowning Clouds joining party people Eagle & The Worm on their ‘Good Times’ tour throughout August. The guys will be doing two single launches in Melb & Syd in September. See below for full dates.

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The Jungle Giants @ MUM

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The Jungle Giants are a rolling force of indie-superpop, infused with afro-rhythms and youthful gusto. They’re currently charming their way across the east-coast on tour, hitting up a bunch of quality venues.

When I caught them on Friday night I was blown away – they delivered a rocking show with more class & engagement than many bands with much more experience. It’s very easy to forget how young they are when they take the stage – between their outrageously tight delivery & captivating live presence, they feel like a much older band. Their age isn’t a gimmick, just a side note to some fantastic music.

They’re a real standout in a scene flooded with hipster-pretention. Catch them (live) if you can, or get their new (and glorious) EP.

More photos after the jump.

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