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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ibis’ are the worst.
‘Bird Attack’ is from Frenzal’s new album “Smoko At The Pet Food Factory”.
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…