Monthly Archives For April 2013

LISTEN: Palms – ‘This Last Year’

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Palms_This Last Year

 

‘Love’ ruled, but the chorus in Palms‘ new track is the biggest thing since forever*.

(*Andrew Stockdale still making music/ local bands producing video clips in VHS format only/ DJs in tropical shirts.)

Thankfully, the loose term can be applied to Red Riders’ first album. It’s the one that still exists somewhere in a pit of 2006-2007 nostalgia (Dardanelles, Bit By Bats, The Scare, Young and Restless, Ground Components, Ghostwood, Mercy Arms etc) where I spend time regularly when I feel like hitching the portal to a happy place. I spent the weekend mourning over Red Riders’ back catalogue, so this new tune from half of their former members is a damn timely drop.

Palms’ new track is also a good stab at bleeding heart, so if you need a breakup song, a reason to tell your bf/gf stuff ain’t cool or just a general reason to cry over 2007 – sit up and listen.

Palms are supporting King Tuff for an I OH YOU / VICE party on Anzac Day eve. If you’re in Sydney and can get down to Goodgod on Wednesday – we highly recommend it.

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LISTEN: Grand Prismatic – ‘Smoke That Thunders’

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Grand Prismatic - Smoke That Thunders

 

‘Smoke That Thunders’ is the new track from Melbourne’s Grand Prismatic. That incredible alt-country fog that got around last year’s debut Birds and Beasts still remains. Brendan Clarkson’s vocals morph more into Glenn Richards (Augie March) as the track rolls along, and paired with lyrical content about going cold turkey and a Wilco groove shaking the whole damn place – it’s all good news, really. A great sound from an excellent band who are deserving of your time, attention and disposable income.

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EXCLUSIVE: North Arm – ‘Quitely Lightly’

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NorthArm_ThoughtLines

 

Those of you familiar with Newcastle-based band Firekites (remember that chalk video that Kanye blogged?), will instantly recognise the warm melodies and sensual, soft-hushed breathy sounds of Roderick Smith. Now, if I were to describe a fellow man, in this tender way out loud on the streets of Newcastle, I’d probably meet the pointy end of a cold chisel. But this gentle artist (accomplished painter), musician (what I’m writing about) and humanitarian solicitor (legal guy behind Renew Newcastle .org) continues to thrive on what is beautiful about the working-class novocastrian city; the sunshine and a community that supports most art.

In his first solo release, Rod explores his childhood dreaming, through memories of his families holiday house in North Arm, the capital of Australia that never came to be. ‘Quietly Lightly’ recaptures a flowing motion like that of the sea or undulating forests and scrub as he takes us through a pop-driven journey of regret, love and longing.

Now because this is an exclusive first listen that will be found nowhere else online for at least an hour, let me leave you with a quotable line that can be recycled in the aggregators:

“Smith delved deep into his young heart for ‘Quietly Lightly’, recovering memories that guide his light and soul in music making”.

That’s less than 140 characters too… *wink*. ‘Quietly Lightly’ is the first single from North Arm’s upcoming 4-track EP Thought Lines, set for release on April 27 through Spunk records.

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LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR: Las Tetas

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“Las Tetas” directly translates to “The Titties” in Spanish. This Kiwi punk three piece are probably are as far away from bosomly or comforting as you’ll get, but we’re giving their gruff sound an E cup. For excellent, duh. Our pal Courtney from UTR is on it again this week for our weekly tune exchange:

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Las Tetas are an Auckland trio made up of three, cool-as-fuck multi-instrumentalist sisters who play in numerous bands, including Drab Doo Riffs and Heart Attack Alley. They’ve released a more recent track than this (and you can have a listen over here) but ‘You’re Not Invited’ sums up their schtick perfectly. Drawing inspiration from a myriad punk-infused places, particularly riot grrrl groups like Sleater Kinney and Bratmobile, Las Tetas are the kind of band who, when playing live A) make you wish you had formed a band yonks ago because it looks like the best form of cartharsis and B) give you an empowered, tingly feeling from the beginning to end of their set and beyond.

At the end of last year they supported Unknown Mortal Orchestra in Auckland and had apparently spent the day before said show recording with the band’s bassist, Jake Portrait. We’re really looking forward to hearing those tracks but in the meantime, check out the unapologetic intensity of ‘You’re Not Invited’.

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LISTEN: Swimming – ‘Triplebrie’

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swimming

 

So this is quite lovely eh. Girls and boys, harmony and heartbeat, spacious but not pretentious. Swimming reside in the wonderful city of Adelaide and ‘Triplebrie’ is the first single from their new recording Yes, tonight. Swimming are sisters, Katie and Angie Schilling + spunky friend, Sam Reynolds. Yes, tonight was recorded in Adelaide by Pat Lockwood who has worked on great releases from Terrible Truths, Wild Oats, and Old Mate. There are plenty of layered vocals, clicks, strums and looped sounds. The record actually gives a pretty good indication of their live performance, which is a relaxed and intimate listening experience.

Swimming have just played shows in their hometown to loving fans and then hit up Sydney and Brisbane. Melbourne should be next so we’ll keep you posted. For now, browse their well designed/branded wares on bandcamp, which include physical products to accompany the digital release of their record. It’s an interesting solution to selling digital products devoid of the tangible and therefore collectable, unique pieces of memorabilia ie. a CDR with artwork or the more expensive production of vinyl. There is a sliding scale on cost for simpler items, like a tea towel + download, which is perfect for well printed artwork, and rise to deluxe T-shirts + download at the higher end. It seems to be working as they have almost sold-out the second run of T’s.

For a little taste of their talent, you can check out a ‘pay whatever helps you sleep at night’ download of the ‘Triplebrie’ single here.

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WATCH: The Stevens – ’Teenage Satellites’

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7 Jacket (Glue Pocket - No Spine) [OB-GD17-001]

The Stevens originally released their self-titled EP on CD-R and cassette but as I mentioned last month, Chapter has reissued it as a sweet 7″ vinyl. Very nice indeed. The video for their track ’Teenage Satellites’ features cool haircuts and dancing, which is banned in some American states. Catch these guys launching their EP here:

Sydney

Saturday April 27, 8pm

The Old Fitzroy Hotel, Woolloomooloo.

with Day Ravies and Adults, $10 on the door

Melbourne

Friday May 17, 8pm

The Tote Hotel, Collingwood.

Guests TBA, $10 on the door

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Shady Lane – ‘Starfish’ Split 7″

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SHADY LANE

Next month, on May 27, four independent international labels are joining forces to release a split 7” of two of their favourite artists. The split 7” will feature this track ‘Starfish’ by Shady Lane and ‘Jollica’ by the UK’s Among Brothers. The labels are all run by smart women so we thought it was worth mentioning these internationals as well as our awesome local gal, Julia Wilson at Rice is Nice.

“Kissability in the UK is run by Jen Long aiming to ‘make the music a little more awesome’, Cardinal White in the US run by Jess Abbott of projects Now, Now and Tancred, Japanese label HOU project, run by Haruna Taira, who is also a key promoter for artists such as Toe”.

Shady Lane hasn’t been featured on who the hell before, I think. I’d have to search to be sure so don’t do that incase I’m wrong but they have been talked about across the blogs and with good reason. The have a great sound. It’s Australian, warm, fuzzy and very sweet. Shady Lane is Jordy Lane, who writes the tunes and plays guitar/ sings those soft but often dark lullabies, together with Pete Avard on drums, Sarah Jullienne on synth and Conrad Richters (Richard In Your Mind) on bass.

After signing with Rice Is Nice Records, the debut album Here We Go, Down The Black Hole was released and a live band was formed to translate the sound to the stage. They released their second long player in 2012, Built Guilt, which featured the JJJ fav, ‘Dumb Hope‘.

The split 7″ is out May 27 and you can check out both tracks here or stream Shady Lane below.

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