Tagged By pop

LISTEN: Johnny and The Fembots

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johnny and the fembots

(photo by Thomas Oliver)

Johnny And The Fembots are an annoyingly talented group of youths from Brisbane, featuring members of Go Violets and Jeremy Neal’s live band. I knew I was gonna like them when they released their first single (a Christmas song) – the delightful  ‘(I Wish It Could Be) Christmas Forever’. Their second single ‘Hey, Don’t!’ Has the same breathy, effortless harmonies and naive 60’s pop aesthetics. Coming in at just over a minute, it’s a short and shiny gem of a song. The video to this track also features some swooning over 50c soap in a laundromat. It’s charming…check it out.

Keep up with Johnny and The Fembots while they do great things here.

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LISTEN: The Stevens

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I’m so fucking homesick right now. And then I hear this EP and it just crushes me. Up tempo guitar-pop that is as catchy as early Twerps on ‘Dance Alone‘. Alex MacFarlane and Travis MacDonald put this together and released a 6-track EP The Stevens last year. Originally released on CD-R and cassette but now it has won the seal of approval from Chapter music who are reissuing the self-titled EP on 7″ vinyl. Very nice. So pencil in the 5th April, which is a Friday, to get a jump on the weekend and pick a copy up from all good record stores or here.

I made the tough call of running ‘Teenage Satellites’ but I would plug any track of the EP… it’s that good. The debut LP is in the works with Mikey Young at the control desk. So we know it’s in safe hands. You can check them out supporting ‘The Wedding Present’ from the UK at the NSC but hopefully more local shows to follow.

Feb 27 –  Northcote Social Club, Melbourne.

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Polo Club – ‘She Will Never Know’

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‘She Will Never Know’ is the title track from the new EP from Polo Club. This clip was released earlier this year but I couldn’t resist the East 17/ new wave swoon. The other hit will be ‘See You Again’, a more dance based single that reflects the live energy of Polo Club. Catch them on their ‘She Will Never Know’ EP Tour.

Dates:

Fri 10 AUG: Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
Sat 11th AUG: Great Northern, Byron Bay (tbc) Fri 17 AUG: The Bended Elbow, Geelong (tbc) Sat 18 AUG: The Toff, Melbourne City
FRI AUG 24: FBI Social, Sydney
SAT AUG 25: Oxford Arts, Sydney
FRI AUG 31: Can’t Say, Melbourne
FRI Sept 21: MUM @ World Bar, Sydney

Check their page here – http://www.facebook.com/PoloClub

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Amanda King – ‘Yellow Velvet Mountain’

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Amanda King – ‘Yellow Velvet Mountain’ (mp3)

Amanda King has just released her new EP Rapids. ‘Yellow Velvet Mountain’ is the first track on the release and I was quite taken by her gentle vocals. Having been captivated by First Aid Kit earlier this year, the “produced in Stockholm” line in King’s bio, peaked my interest. King has a similar folky story telling ability but there is a lot less country in this release. Instead its a winding journey of guitar amplification and feedback looped into an atmosphere that allows King to use a tone that describes vast lanscapes and disparate climate. Really nice cover art by Danilo Stankovic adds additional charm to this fine release.

Follow her page here – http://www.facebook.com/amandakingmusic

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The Field Trip – ‘Give Me A Break’ Video

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The Field Trip – ‘Give Me A Break’ video looks like a collection of Super 8 shots but given the jello effect I’m gonna go ahead and guess it was shot with a DSLR and then given a ‘vintage look’. Please tell me if I’m wrong. Either way these kids are from Melbourne and have adopted the 60’s surfer fuzz sound that is easy on the ears just as the video is easy on the eyes. Nice work, look forward to more from these dudes.

FaceBook them here – http://www.facebook.com/fieldtripbandpage

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New Estate – ‘Parallel’

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New Estate – ‘Parallel’ (mp3)

‘Parallel is lifted from the latest record by New Estate called Recovery. It was recorded in the band’s home studio over two years on GarageBand. Oh so DIY. They took their time, hanging out and making tunes which sounds very nice. It’s sloshy pop-rock that is easy to get into and the tracks sung by Mia, including ‘parallel’, are quite sweet.

Band page here – http://www.facebook.com/newestate

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