‘Wintercoats’ support slot at The Toff

Matt posted details of the last Wintercoats ep here.

I caught his excellent support slot for Julianna Barwick at The Toff in Melbourne.

Check the Wintercoats bandcamp page here.

Interview w/ Husky Gawenda

Following on from Mel T’s interview with Geoffrey O’ Connor. I spoke to Husky Gawenda of Husky, another Australian band set to play the Laneway Festival circuit this summer. Husky have had a lot of love on the site for their singles and live shows. In October they released their debut record ‘Forever So’ and have been touring the country playing to sold out crowds and very happy fans.

I started by asking about the release of ‘Forever So’.

We finished the record last year so we were sitting on it for a little while. We’d spent a lot of time and energy and love on the record so waiting to release it was a bit hard in a way cause we really wanted to get it out there and have people hear it. So to finally put it out and start to get feedback in all sorts of different ways – on Facebook and twitter and all the ways you get feedback these days – it’s been quite amazing. The fact that there are people out there connecting with it and enjoying it is an amazing feeling.

and having that direct connection with fans?

Yeah, its a beautiful thing because in the past the only feedback you get other then meeting people at shows, which is a great way to get feedback but other then that the only feedback you get is from critics. That’s all good but it’s a different sort of feedback I think. So to be able to just read people responses to the album on our Facebook wall is great. It’s a great way to gauge how people are feeling about it.

How has playing shows and the time since writing the record changed the way you feel about the record ‘Forever So’?

It’s interesting, I don’t listen to the record. I don’t think that much about the actual record. Obviously we’ve been playing and touring a lot so the record has become a live creature. It’s a thing we do live, we’ve had to work on translating the recordings to a live setting and we’ve had a great opportunity to do that this year because we’ve had so many support tours and now we’ve had our own tour. I’m still feeling really good about the songs, I still feel that most of the time I can connect with them while I’m playing them. Sometimes they mean something different to me while I play them to perhaps what they meant when I wrote them but there is nothing wrong with that, that’s the nature of songs and any sort of art. I’m really enjoying playing the songs and seeing how people respond and connect with them – it’s great fun.

The arrangements on the record are quite unique, have you had trouble translating that to a live set – you have a lot of scope to play around with? … Continue Reading

Boy and Bear Touring ARIA Album of the year ‘Moonfire’ at The Palace

Boy and Bear continue the tour right through to the BDO in 2012. Dates here http://whothehell.net/JUH more pictures after the jump

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‘Emma Louise’ photos from Northcote Social Club show

Emma Louise is touring around the country at the moment. Next stop is in Queensland then off to Adelaide and on to WA. Be sure to check out the dates here http://whothehell.net/rpNN and get along.

Don’t look back – photo review

I have been posting on WTH for 2 years so for my 50th post I thought I’d share my top 5 gigs over that time. Thanks for getting out and seeing live music, it’s a joy to cover for you.

Let’s kick off with Brendan Suppression riding the crowd during an Eddie current suppression ring gig at Billboard on the 18 December 2009. It was so damn hot that night, I thought I was gonna pass out. I couldn’t find my way out when trying to leave and had to have a bouncer walk me out as I was so freakin delirious. These guys sent the crowd into a frenzy and to get this shot I jumped up onto the stage and faced back into the crowd. I wouldn’t advise doing that but at the time it felt right and I’m pretty happy with this picture.

This shot is of Tim Jenkins of Parades and I think it’s fair to say he was in the moment. Parades were a pretty nice surprise for me as I had not heard any of their music prior to this gig at the East Brunswick Club 4 May 2010. From the get go I was hooked into the melody and their energy on stage was intoxicating; these guys were young and having loads of fun. I really enjoy shooting at the EBC as there is plenty of light and a wide stage to shoot back across to get a clear frame like this – signature EBC photography.

Before Kimbra did that catchy tune with that guy who’s gonna win all the ARIA’s she supported Little Red at the Forum on the 29 Oct 2010. Whoah… hot damn! I was so impressed by her voice and presence on stage that I considered going home after. It was a real shame for Sparkadia and Little Red as those guys seemed dull compared with the sparkle of this glamorous diva. Her very photogenic posing with full stage lights made the hardest part choosing which image to post.

I love festivals and Good Vibes on the 4 Feb 2011 was a great summer day that kicked off with Melbourne band Strange Talk. These guys have picked up on the popularity of dance/rock or indie/electro as the critics prefer but for me it is simply feel good tunes. Strange Talk had the kids dancing before anyone was peaking and during the self-conscious opening slot in the middle of the day. I really enjoyed shooting Strange Talk plus a crowd reflection in sunglasses is photo gold! Expect to see more of these guys during the summer.

As for the camping festivals, I’d recommend Tassie Falls as my fav but on the mainland, Golden Plains in March takes the cake. This may come as a shock to cool indie folks but Airbourne were probably one of the most exciting acts at this years Golden Plains. The very hip Wavves was so lazy and boring compared to the riot these guys brought for 45 minutes of musical mayhem. I loved everything about this set - the sneakers with torn jeans and no t-shirts. The beer blasts and crazy nonsense screaming at the crowd. The shit load of marshal amps and the guitarists running back and forth across the stage like lunatics. Airbourne played their guts out and everyone that let themselves enjoy it, did so with a huge grin.

‘Ernest Ellis & the Panamas’ – Kings Canyon LP launch

You can buy the record here – http://whothehell.net/1pF

Watch their last video here – http://whothehell.net/KzR

Lastly, you can read all the nice things Matt has to say about them here – http://whothehell.net/zbb

Full set of live pictures after the jump – enjoy.

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‘Caitlin Park’ launching debut LP Milk Annual

Gorgeous set last night by ‘Caitlin Park’ at the Toff in Town, Melbourne.

You can check her out here - http://whothehell.net/D6P

Links to the new record here - http://whothehell.net/Cbwy

More pictures after the jump.

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‘The Frowning Clouds’ pictures from the Buffalo Club

Mel T. called it when she said these guys provoke “freakbeat fan boy/fan girl moves from the collective”. This gig was fun for sure and this cool new spot has had some sweet shows with more to come.

The only downer is that I can’t really remember any standout tracks.

I’m not saying it all sounded the same, just that it all sounded like something I’ve heard before.

But hey I’m old man so y’know… whatever. you’ll probably love em or be too drunk to care either way.

You can stalk them here – http://whothehell.net/85K

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‘Stilldream’ debut at the Evelyn Hotel, Melbourne.

Stilldream played their first show at the Evelyn Hotel last weekend. First impressions count and these folks made a good one on me.

To check out one of the upcoming shows about town, keep an eye on the Stilldream tumbler – here.

Harmony – launch self titled LP at the Tote

I thought i’d never have to go back to the Tote when it closed its doors last year – I was wrong of course. It is still an ear deafening band room with shit stage lights but on this occasion I didn’t care. Harmony are a welcome relief to the usual pup rock that infests this Collingwood landmark. I have written about the 7″ so I won’t go on but it was great to hear a full set. This is dark stuff but by adding the gorgeous vocals of three women, Harmony make you feel that a tragedy had to happen and it becomes a beautiful experience.

I’ve added Black Bobs as a taster but you can buy the limited (only 250 copies) LP here  - http://whothehell.net/1eL and try not to murder anyone for fun after you hear it.

Harmony – Black Bobs (mp3)

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