Who The Hell melbourne Archives

LISTEN: Circular Keys – ‘Eurogrand’

July 23, 2013, David Payne, No Comment

An older track from Melbourne’s Circular Keys called ‘Eurogrand’ has been released on 7″ vinyl through Bedroom Suck Records. Circular Keys are Phillipa O’Shea and Dennis Santiago and despite having been working on plenty of music and playing shows, this is their first commercial release. It follows an initial digital-only release of ‘Possessed’, which is now the accompanying B-Side track chosen for the ‘Eurogrand’ vinyl.

It’s another well-produced, atmospheric track. I like this sound and love the haunting riffs and jarring vocals but I’m quite nervous that this can translate in a live environment. It’ll take considerable patience from an audience that I’m not sure exists in this country… I see Berlin on the horizon.

The accompanying video was made by Santiago’s brother Alberto, using footage shot on holiday in Vietnam. I guess there’s a parallel in that it flows like the track but otherwise it’s just nice footage. Set adrift in the ocean with this one:

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PREMIERE: Damn Terran – ‘Lost’

July 19, 2013, Melissa Tan, No Comment

Damn Terran are first and foremost, a live band. That’s their currency, and they’re not compromising that for anything else.

Their new track ‘Lost’ is essentially…Damn Terran. What else did you expect? There’s no mulling around here. ‘Lost’ is a pulsating post-grunge number – wrought by layers of drone-like guitar and the usual splattering of guttural vocal exchanges between Lachlan Ewbank and Ali E (Heavy Beach, Little Athletics, mag publisher, lady crush). The thing I love best about this track is that there’s hardly filler – it’s indicative and true to what you’ll get in a live setting from these guys. The ink blowing video accompanying the track by Grant Joslin is hell neat too.

Damn Terran have been recording their self-titled debut with the excellent Nao Anzai, with the 20th of September set in as a launch date. Get around it.

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SEQUENCE: Naysayer & Gilsun

July 15, 2013, Alan Weedon, No Comment

Photos by Alan Weedon

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WHO THE HELL PRESENTS: ‘130 Bullets’

July 4, 2013, Melissa Tan, No Comment

Any reason to hold a casual gathering down a dark enclave with a steel board as an excuse for stairs is anyone’s concept of a decent Friday night out in Melbs. We bandied together with the kids from Bonny & Clyde recently and somehow put together a warehouse party in around two weeks. If severely bruised feet, a string of free Sailor Jerry’s and a warehouse filled with our favourite people + favourite local garage/psych bands count, then we had a rad time.

Thanks to Bonny & Clyde, bands (The Living Eyes, Strangers From Now On, The Laughing Leaves, The Grand Rapids, Pronto), party folk and the general enthusiasm for the giant participatory art wall we had going. All those tattoos, misc. poetry and versions of genitalia were appreciated, but as for the guy who ripped the eyes out of the installation – we think you just need a hug.

Biggest props to The Living Eyes for playing their last show (for a while) and spurring on a communal jive pit. But mostly, for dedicating their set to “everyone on Centrelink”.

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Photos by Alan Weedon

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LISTEN: Back Back Forward Punch – ‘Don’t Stop Now’

June 28, 2013, Melissa Tan, No Comment

Not enough ‘disco’ happens on this blog. I’m not averse to the stuff. Don’t hate Fridays either. My penchant for disco/pop resurfaces once a year when a good track or remix comes around. For the rest, it’s subtle repression.

After being born to immigrants who conceived me over a syncopated bassline and a 4/4 beat, growing up listening to Disco made Melbourne’s Western suburbs a lot less shit. My earliest music memories involved the ass end of the Bee Gees era, Diana King and a lot of Gloria Estefan’s ‘Turn The Beat Around’. There was nothing ‘Australian’ about my childhood. There is nothing Australian about growing up watching your old man mow the lawn singing Donna Summer either. I’ve had a bittersweet affinity with the wider genre, but here’s trying not to hold it against anyone.

Depending on what your Friday vibe feels like, this is essential listening. ‘Don’t Stop Now’ is a smooth groove by Melbourne duo Back Back Forward Punch. There’s a faux-sax, laser synths and a general schmooze that could only really tag along with band name that sounds like a naff move on a Tracey Anderson workout DVD. Laura Boland’s voice reminds me of Giselle Roselli on Flight Facilities’ ‘Crave You’ (minus the twee). I’m slowly trying to be less deducive about anything electro-disco, so this one gets points for feel good tunes to tide over the week with. Excellent production and Groove Armada stamped all over this one. Still love Gloria, BTW.

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INTRODUCING: Just A Touch

June 20, 2013, Celline Narinli, No Comment

Melbourne production duo Just A Touch (Denis Arbatov and Nick Fankhauser) have whipped up this funkalicious gem. You’ll also hear a familiar voice throughout – the one-man wolfpack, Alan Garner. Naturally titled ‘Wolfpack’, this is the first single from the duo. There’s a lot to feast on in three minutes; the Nile Rodgers flavoured guitar chords, the jolty bass line, the smirk of that cowbell – which all makes for a highly addictive disco jam.

‘Wolfpack’ is the only song available so far on their Soundcloud page, but I’m excited to see what else these guys come up with. For novelty’s sake, you know.

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WTH PRESENTS: Warehouse Party

June 6, 2013, Melissa Tan, No Comment

We’re throwing a warehouse party in Melbourne next Friday.

WHAT THIS MEANS:

High ceilings, psych+surf coast garage bands, art installations, one Collingwood warehouse + a large flight of stairs you’ll probably mount on. Do the math.

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+ THE LIVING EYES

+ STRANGERS FROM NOW ON