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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Website/Soundcloud

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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Facebook/Label

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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Facebook/Soundcloud