Having kicked off last Friday, Melbourne Music Week is currently in full swing. With events like Music + Food and the iconic Tram Jam, 2015’s festival is a truly weird and wonderful celebration of Australia’s largest creative incubator. To assist in your festival revelry, Howl & Echoes have curated a list of 5 essential acts to get you through the week.
5. Foreign/National
Blending an eclectic array of musical influences into swirling psychedelic pop, this jazzy five-piece have been kicking around the Melbourne music scene since 2013. Tracks like Paris and The Hedonist are enticing examples of the group’s infectiously washed-out and melancholy signature sound, backed up by a formidable live set.
Foreign/National will be playing a free concert alongside Dorsal Fins at the Toff on the Town on Thursday, November 14th.
4. Banoffee
Melbourne’s Banoffee, aka Martha Brown, has established a name for herself as one of Australia’s most intriguing upcoming producers. Establishing a name for herself as an exciting live performer, she’s really stepped up her game with the recently-released Do I Make You Nervous? Off the back of her national tour, Banoffee will be laying down her soul-infused dance tracks at the festival hub on Tuesday the 17th of November. Tickets here.
3. Habits
Melbourne has a longstanding reputation for playing home to the bohemian and eccentric. Considering this, things would be a little amiss if festival patrons didn’t take at least one opportunity to bask in the presence of the truly bizarre. Self-classified as ‘sad goth rave,’ Habits weave new wave synth hooks and grinding industrial drones into bleak dance tracks which appeal to the inner goth in all of us.
On Friday, November 20th Habits will be joining a collection of Melbourne’s most provocative underground acts for LISTEN, a free event purposed with cultivating discussion about the role of women in the Australian music industry (we covered LISTEN’s recent weekend conference here). Throw on your Doc Martins and hit the dance floor.
2. Totally Mild
It’s been a big year for underground label Bedroom Suck’s Totally Mild. Releasing the critically acclaimed Down Time the group’s sugary vocals and melancholy guitar jangle have consistently sold out shows across the East Coast. Put together by the inspired minds behind St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, the group will be joining Fractures and Crepes at 1000 £ Bend for a free gig on Thursday, November 19th.
1. Interwoven Showcase: Ella Thompson, Woodes & more
On Tuesday, the 17th of November, Interwoven will meld art, music, fashion and floral design into one dreamy installation. The event will feature no less than 5 of Melbourne’s finest female acts, melding the music of each artist into a single continuous performance. The Interwoven line-up will include Ella Thompson, Woodes, Tash Parker, Sui Zhen and Eliza Hull. Perfect for those pressed for time.