We’ve kept a close eye on Melbourne’s Alice Ivy over the past year or two, and it’s been so exciting to watch her gain attention and praise for her new music and live performances. Alice has already been confirmed for a number of upcoming festivals including Strawberry Fields and Paradise Music Festival as well as next week’s Bigsound. On top of this, she’ll be performing a headline show in Sydney and at Make It Work in Melbourne this weekend, alongside ESESE, Charlie Threads and more – more details on that can be found here and below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bBO8YjT0I0
We asked Alice to share three albums that changed her life, and the results are amazing!
Radiohead, In Rainbows
I remember all the hype around this album when it was released and as a young teenager I was curious to check it out. This is my favourite Radiohead album. To my mind it’s the perfect balance between live instrumentation and electronic music. I love the sophisticated rhythms and how each song is perfectly pieced together, layer upon layer. It sucks you in big time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7UKu8s84S0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgXo4ybigpM
Kaytranada, 99.9 %
I think this album is genius and high up on the list of my favourite releases of 2016. I love how bouncy and alive the production is, the collaboration choices, it’s all great. I really love the halfway changes in Track Uno and Drive Me Crazy, they’re almost b-sides to the songs. Listening to this has definitely changed the way I’m producing my own work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTYhEYiqkI0
J Dilla, Donuts
I had to include this album because it really did change my life. I remember first being introduced to this record in a production course a few years ago and it opened me up to a completely different way of music making. I picked up Ableton Live soon after listening to this. I love the way this album has been pieced together. The samples are so clever, it’s as if a full band would easily be able to play this live, despite it being sampled electronic music. The layers on Donuts continue to open up to you every time you give it a re-listen, pure genius.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek_cufWYvjE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLf6hzkeXbg
Catch Alice Ivy Live:
Saturday September 3: ‘Make It Work’ @ Horse Bazaar, Melbourne VIC w/ ESESE & Charlie Threads
Wednesday September 7: 9.10pm @ Wooly Mammoth, Fortitude Valley QLD (Official Bigsound Showcase)
Friday September 16: Waywards @ The Bank Hotel Newtown NSW w/ Mezco & Gusher DJs
Image: Supplied
In conjunction with Sensible Antixx and Viceroyalty, Howl & Echoes is excited to present the third edition of Make It Work, an Izakaya-inspired night of music, food and art. The night will feature performances from three of Australia’s most exciting upcoming names: Esese, Alice Ivy and Charlie Threads.
Each of these artists are bringing new flavour to soul and hip-hop from our own shores, so you can guarantee this is going to be a pretty great night; soulful seven-piece crew ESESE (Eastern Seaboard Electric Soul Ensemble) have made a name for themselves as party starters and sublimely talented tastemakers, with the group, which includes Hancoq and Judson James Jr, gearing up to get the good vibes rolling. Alice Ivy is one of our favourite upcoming locals, with recent singles like Almost Here ft. RaRa and St Germain (found on TEEF Records’ fundraiser compilation) proving exactly why she’s one to watch – she has also been announced on the bill for Bigsound, Strawberry Fields and Paradise Music Festival. Meanwhile, Charlie Threads recently enchanted us with his stunning new EP Palm Trees in Graveyards, paving an expansive and fresh new road for Australian hip-hop.
Throughout the night, Sensible Antixx DJs will be on hand to keep the beats flowing, while visual arts and delicious food will be on offer to round off what’s set to be one incredible evening.
It all kicks off on September 3 at Horse Bazaar, 297 Little Lonsdale Street in Melbourne. Doors open at 7:30 pm.
Head to the official Facebook event for more info, and click here to purchase tickets.
See you there!
Here we are at yet another tail-end of what’s been a horribly cold week in most of Australia. But while the weather might be freezing our toes, the tunes are still flowing freely and warming us right up like a hot cuppa. We do our best to cover as much great new music as we can each week, and here’s a playlist of some of our favourite new tracks that we haven’t shared yet.
Enjoy!
- Rumours, So Bad
We’re starting this week’s playlist with So Bad, a gorgeous, soulful track from the trio of Norwegian and Italian artists, and features on their new EP Shapes. The track particularly highlights the marriage of male and female vocals; Mark’s low voice is rich and full of deep-seated sensuality, while Marion’s is glistening and smooth, traipsing from note to note with honeyed fluidity. - Hockey Dad, Jump the Gun
Hockey Dad return with the perfect track to get the weekend started. as explained by drummer Billy Fleming, “this was written in my room while staring at my Endless Summer II poster, one of our favourite surf movies all the time. The lyrics spiraled off the line “on any day of the year, it’s summer somewhere in the world”. - Vacances, Only You
Vacances (pronounced ‘vacancies’) new track is bright and immediately catchy, with big, bold vocals and warm guitars that ring out and fill up the soundscape, occasionally inflected by synths and bustling percussion. This is their first single, and will be followed up by an EP later this year. - Alice Ivy, Almost Here ft. RaRa
Melbourne’s Alice Ivy returns with a HUGE new track, laden with incredibly funky saxes, wicked guitars and brilliant vocals from both herself and guest artist RaRa. Every single pocket of air is filled with sound, making for one damn enjoyable song from the electro-soul artist. I love absolutely everything about this track, and can’t wait for more. - Litche, Look Up
The opening notes of this song are immediately, powerfully magnetising, crawling right under my skin as new layers of percussion and synth loops slowly build the atmosphere. It breaks into an incredibly smooth, syncopated beat, and continues to play with sound, space and rhythm throughout. I absolutely love instrumental tracks like this. - Thelonious Martin, Bomaye ft. Joey Purp
This week’s Adult Swim Single comes from Savemoney producer Thelonious Martin, atop which Joey Purp shows us what the hype’s all about. The production is brilliant – big, bold and brash, with temperate beats making for a cool contrast against Purp’s wildly impassioned bars. There’s a nice little sample breakdown midway, and once we’re back on board, Purp really flexes his flow – this is a remarkably impressive song. Martin’s dropping his own project, Late Night Programming, later this year – do not sleep on it. - BV, Huh
Formerly known as Black Vanilla, BV return today with their first song of 2016. Huh is a big, many-layered tune that I’ve now spun for about half an hour straight and I still can’t get enough. Deep and seductive, the huge beat and trappy vibes are softened to perfection by Marcus Whale’s stunning vocals. In their own words, the song “is about the world we surround ourselves in. Somehow, while we’re passively summoning our own destruction, we can be optimistic by making ourselves collective, creating solidarity.” - Porsches, Blood to a Shark
Sydney duo Porsches are back with a thumping new tune, Blood to a Shark. I’m not usually a fan of dance stuff around this tempo (a strange comment, I am aware), but the track is packed with shimmering melodies,airy, stretched out synths and a dance-floor ready rhythm that you can’t help but bop along to. It’s already stuck in my head and I feel like it’ll be there for a while. - Flyying Colours, It’s Tomorrow Now
I’ll be honest: I have never listened to Flyying Colours before. But now that I’ve heard this phenomenal new track, the Melbourne band have themselves a huge new fan. Straight away you’re thrust into a heavy as fuck riff, before breathy vocals and a psychedelic melody take centre stage. And that solo? Screeeeech! I can’t wait to explore more on their newly announced debut album, due out in September. This is definitely my favourite track of the week. - Safia, Over You
Finally this week comes a brand new tune from Canberra’s own Safia, and I gotta say, it is damn good. Their sound continues to refine as they progress as a group, and this is one of their best tracks yet. The vocals in particular are spooky and theatrical, a great contrast to the big, bumpin’ bass. They’ve also finally announced their long-awaited debut album Internal, and if this is anything to go by then we’re in for an incredible Australian release come September 9.
Note this track isn’t in the playlist below – listen here.
Image: Flyying Colours – Supplied
Four to the floor, Brisbabes returns once more with yet another killer line up of local lady talent to get you groovin’ and movin’ for it’s fourth instalment. This time helmed by the heavenly Georgia Mae (who we recently chatted to about her favourite albums), this female fronted fun time is set to be even better than the last (and that’s saying something)!
Supporting Georgia on the night will be dream pop six piece Yuuca, the electro-tinged grooves of San Mei, the soulful electronica of Alice Ivy and newcomer Moodie Gloom with her incredible voice filling out the rest of the lineup. Promising to be yet another night of celebration of women in music, Brisbabes serves a showcase to the fair city of Brisbane to highlight just how much talent we have on offer when it comes to the fairer sex.
https://soundcloud.com/georgiamaemusic/time-with-you
As always, Brisbabes is an inclusive night that aims to promote women in music as well as female empowerment. With each event growing exponentially in size, we’re excited to see that the message of supporting women in music is really getting out there. Tickets flew out of the proverbial door last time, so it would be wise to jump on them right now to avoid disappointment. Kicking off from 8pm on July 16, get those dancing shoes shined and ready – this is gonna be good!
Poster by Phoebe Paradise
There is a lot of music around, so it’s okay that you might get a little overwhelmed. Each and every week, artists bring their A game with brand new singles, and we have taken it upon ourselves to select ten of the best to treat you, because you’re good to us. This week is pretty electronica heavy, but the tracks are so good even the strongest of sceptics will be boogying in no time. Have a good weekend!
Sofi De La Torre – 19 in Mexico
Sofi De La Torre has continued her steady but rapid rise to international fame and fortune this week, with another new single in the form of 19 In Mexico. It’s got attitude, a good beat and just enough sultry vibes to reel you in. She is just one week out from releasing her Mess EP, and if her slew of tracks that have trickled out over the past few months isn’t enough to make you excited for that, 19 In Mexico should definitely do the trick!
Sonia Stein – Baggage
Sonia Stein wins the award for “Best Voice” this week. Just have a listen to this track. Soulful, rich, deep and perfectly suited to the bouncy, bassy beats she’s singing over, her range and abilities are on full display here with Baggage. Fierce and fiery, she is putting her foot down here and having absolutely none of your shit. Giving a whole new meaning to electro-RnB, Stein makes it almost sound easy to pull off a song like this, and quite frankly, we can’t get enough.
DiamondDahi – NMDB (ft. Little Simz)
DiamondDahi is a brand new collaborative project from bloodpop (formerly known as Blood Diamonds) and DJ Dahi, who have collectively produced for Big Sean, Lupe Fiasco, Tinashe, Madonna and Grimes, with bloodpop even writing a whopping six tracks on Justin Bieber‘s newly released Purpose. So it’s safe to say that this is really, really well-produced song. N.M.B.D or No More Blood Diamonds, features UK rapper Little Simz, who is probably my favourite rapper to have emerged in 2015. For such a young artist, her flow is so on point, and makes for the perfect top line above the swooping synths and smooth percussion. This is a really, really cool track. I’m looking forward to hearing a lot more from DiamondDahi!
Alice Ivy – Walk on (ft. Indigo Fly)
Melbourne’s Alice Ivy has returned with a wonderful new track, Walk On, featuring rappers Indigo Fly. The smooth electro-soul and hip-hop blend is seriously smooth and so catchy, with intricate brass and scratch-infused instrumentation and a rhythm that you can’t help but bop your ahead along to. I absolutely love that more and more music like this is coming out of Australia. Indigo Fly (Eloji and Branford) steal the show with their wicked, on-point flow – again, an indication that the local landscape is not only changing, but growing up.
Owen Rabbit – Denny’s
This isn’t the typical music that I’m into, but Owen caught my attention with Holy Holy back in August, and I LOVE his latest, Denny’s. A weird and wonderful blend of organic and electronic sounds, the soundscape has been pieced together, growing in intensity, layer by layer, with each sound fitting precisely in with the next. The artist has spoken about how the track was influenced by his experiences with depression and anxiety – and it makes for an absolutely powerful track, emotionally as well as musically.
Cubenx – A Sheltering Sky
This is a bit of a left-field entry, but it’s expansive, psychedelic and utterly electric, filled with all kinds of mysterious intrigue and allure. The track’s Soundcloud description includes the following quote, and instead of reviewing it any more, I recommend you have a think about it while you listen: “We’re not tourists, we’re travellers: tourists are someone who thinks about going home on the moment they arrive, whereas a traveler might not come back at all.” This is a STUNNING release from the Mexican producer, aka Cesar Urbina. It features on the just-released 11-track LP Elegiac, which you can and should listen to right here.
Swick – R6 Wheel (dub)
Swick is one of my favourite producers in Australia. I like to think of him as a King Midas of sorts, except whatever he touches turns into a banger instead of gold (aural gold, maybe). R6 Wheel (demo) is no exception. It’s HUGE. Long term friend and collaborator with none other than Nina Las Vegas, this track comes as his “sampler” in a month long series released by Nina’s label NLV Records to showcase the label’s signings. I mean, there are debut tracks, and then there’s this. We cannot possibly get enough of Swick, or anyone on NLV Records for that matter, so here’s hoping this is an indication that even more new music is on the way!
Lower Spectrum, Proxima
This song immediately stopped me in my tracks. The track begins slowly, with deep, drawn-out notes of all kinds of tone and thickness, coming together to shape one hell of a musical landscape. Once the rhythm kicks in, there’s this ominous, suspenseful drive, before giving way to a delicate melodic section with vocal samples and more. The sections all then fuse together, eventually creating an hazy atmosphere filled with shuffling rhythms, a catchy hook and a beat that’s ready for a late-night dance-floor. This is the lead single on Lower Spectrum’s upcoming EP New Haze, set for a 2016 release via Pilerats.
Clubfeet, We Are Affected
Clubfeet have returned! That’s right. They kind of left fans hanging a little since their 2013 Heirs & Graces LP, so this week we are imagining more than a few Clubfeet faithful would have been pleasantly surprised indeed to see the band finally release a new song. Was the wait worth it, though? Absolutely. This slow jam is a sparkling slice of emotive electro pop, and will have you side stepping in no time. It’s groovy, funky, a little disco and mellow-but-not-too-mellow – all the things that make Clubfeet so great. Welcome back guys, we missed you!
XXYYXX, Red
Any day that includes new music from XXYYXX is a good day in our books, so this week was pretty great indeed. Responsible for some of 2013’s best songs, Red is the first release from the young but prolific producer in quite some time – and it does not disappoint. Big, shifting beats fill the space whilst muffled vocal samples are chopped and changed and scattered throughout. Synths whir, the bassline pounds, the groove makes you sway, and the drop is enough to bring you to your knees. We’re not too sure where he’s been, but we sure as hell are glad XXYYXX is back.
Friday, as usual, brings with it good vibes that just can’t be beaten by any other day in the week. Add to that the fact that each Friday also brings with it our playlist made up of the best songs of that week, and you can understand why this day is such a great day in H&E land. This week we are serving up a electronica-heavy mix, with gems from local talents Golden Vessel, Oisima, Charles Murdoch and more. There is also a stellar new track from Jouk Mistrow, new stuff from MT Warning, a banger from Paces, an amazing collab by Alice Ivy and Chloe Beckwith and an very interesting number from LA Priest. Also joining the ranks is the new song by RW Grace (formerly Grace) and newcomers Noire, so you can rest assured your weekend listening is absolutely sorted. Enjoy!
Golden Vessel Ft. Tiana Khasi – Borrowed Time
Two Brisbane newcomers teaming up on this one. The silky smooth vocals of Khasi soar over Golden Vessel’s heavenly arrangements to create a powerful and intimate track showcasing just how much potential both of them are sitting on. Keep an ear out for the narrow end of the track where Golden Vessel takes over to show off his stellar production chops, and let Khasi’s serene singing wash over you like the beautiful cloud it is. Too much? Not enough.
RW Grace – Shell
Fun fact – this Perth artist was discovered by the late Heath Ledger when she was going under her full name of Grace Woodroofe. After that, she dropped the surname and stepped up her game, but it wasn’t until she changed her name one final time to RW Grace that she really stepped into her own. Shell is a badass, headstrong track that will make you strut down the street like you bloody well own the place. Huge rises and falls, soaring vocals and crashing percussion – Shell is heralding in a new era for the singer, and we can’t wait to see what comes next!
Luke Million Ft. Jesse Davidson – Fear The Night (Oisima Remix)
We featured the original version of this track a few weeks back, but never did we think we’d hear it like this! Oisima is having his biggest year yet, and it’s exciting to see what he can do with his remix hat on instead. Taking the disco floor filler into some sort of Middle Eastern jazz lounge (is there such a place?), the Adeladian breathes new life into the track, spinning it into something that would sit perfectly at home with his new album.
Paces Ft. Reija Lee – Hold It Down
This one’s a banger. There is something about Paces’ music that makes me feel like I’m on a deserted island somewhere. Reija Lee holds it down (pun intended) with her sassy lyrics, whilst Paces keeps it grooving with his hip hop laden, tropical beats. The pair are a match made in heaven, and I am hoping this is a sign of more new tracks to come from the Gold Coast producer.
Noire – Just Like Honey
Even though “dream pop” seems like the latest trend to emerge as of late, I don’t mind it one bit when it sounds like this. Sydney newcomers Noire have just released their debut single Just Like Honey – a crisp, gentle, but slightly melancholy track with emotion to spare. The high pitched guitar in the background drives the track as the drums pierce the wall of sound and the heavenly lead vocals. Totally sublime.
Jouk Mistrow – Oh Well
Brisbane band Jouk Mistrow dropped this bad boy just yesterday, but it’s already become one of my favourites for this week. The sound is huge, the band is tight and that lead guitar alone is enough for me. They’re celebrating the release tonight at The Milk Factory in Brisbane, and rightly so. I’m throwing caution to the wind and saying Oh Well is a turning point of sorts for this band. Keep your eyes peeled for more to come!
Alice Ivy Ft. Chloe Beckwith – Paint Me Blue
This is one of the more beautiful tracks I’ve heard in recent times. Starting off with delicate keys, a pounding bass drum and smoky, soulful vocals, Paint Me Blue had me hooked from about the first 10 seconds. Not that you should need anymore incentive to listen and purchase the track after hearing it, but Alice Ivy has decided to donate 80% of the proceeds to the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. A good song AND a good deed?! Click here to find out more!
MT Warning – When It All Bleeds Out
MT WARNING have been busy readying themselves and their fans for their new EP dropping next month on July 10, but this latest track is definitely my favourite by far. When It All Bleeds Out is unsuspecting and raw, whilst laid back and restrained. Going from a leisurely stroll to a full force sprint, the track gains momentum quickly, snowballing into a powerful, searing roar with delicate harmonies and beautiful lyrics. The band themselves said of the track, “Truth has no advisors, truth has no game plan. When it goes unobserved little pieces fall from you til there’s no pieces left. When It All Bleeds Out is an observation of that notion, waking up to what you really want and standing up for your truth, no matter the consequence.” Powerful words for a powerful song; we can’t wait for this EP!
LA Priest – Lady’s In Trouble With The Law
Former frontman of Late of The Pier Sam Dust has been hard at work with his solo project under the moniker LA Priest, with Lady’s In Trouble With The Law being his third and latest single for the project. Unsurprisngly, each release has been quite different from the rest, with this track being no exception to that. Continuing to reiterate that his forthcoming album Inji “is a record that has its own logic and exists in its own time zone,” this explains a lot about the tracks we’ve heard so far. Taking a step back from his usually frenetic tracks, this track has room for all the elements to breathe and move on their own, sounding slightly “pop-y” without sounding pop at all. Safe to say this is an album I can’t wait for, which drops next week on June 28!
Charles Murdoch – Straws
After keeping to himself for a while, there is no doubt that Charles Murdoch is definitely back with the release of his new track, Straws. Downtempo, deep and so damn groovy, Murdoch keeps it fresh yet dark with this new track – the first taste of his forthcoming debut LP, and his first original track since 2013. He’s clearly learnt a lot in this time, and it sounds to me like he’s ready finally show us all. Welcome back, Charles. Please never go away again.
We’ve got a smooth playlist for you today, the perfect way to kick off the weekend. From sultry electronica to lo-fi indie, sit back, relax and enjoy the best new songs this week.
Alice Ivy, Mean Man’s Bite ft Chloe Beckwith
Step back into a land of day’s past, where glitter, funk and soulful vocals are the hottest thing in town. Melbourne’s Alice Ivy has released this gorgeous new track and it is packed with serious groove. With a light, bluesy voice playfully dancing around guitar licks and a wicked bass line, this track is sure to get you moving.
Club Cheval, From the Basement to the Roof (Oliver remix)
French electro quartet Club Cheval have received the remix treatment from Oliver, and the end result is a tantalising, thumping club-ready track. A catchy, airy vocal loop leads the way, while rich synths splash all sorts of colour into the soundscape. This is really cool, and an interesting interpretation of the heady original.
Chance the Rapper, Jeremih (Planes remix)
Sparse vocals and a distant beat create an instantly cool, intimate atmosphere in what has got to be one of the best remixes around right now. The melody is absolutely beautiful, and as the accompanying synths begin to grow, the rhythm just envelops you. You can really listen to this track on repeat and discover something new each time.
Upskirts, Nothing Happens in Roseville
This is a cruisey, nostalgic track filled with washed-out guitars and atmospheric chords. The vocal melody is warm and hazy, and it really opens up when the huge chorus kicks in. Upskirts are making music of a style that’s hardly groundbreaking, but they’ve injected an impressively fresh sound that really sets them apart from the pack.
Avec Sans, Resonate
London-based duo Avec Sans have released this incredible, uplifting track and I haven’t been able to get it out of my head all week. Like a breath of fresh air, the breathy melody soars up above the shimmering electro-pop synth layers. This song feels like a breath of fresh air. My favourite for the week.
Leisure, Got it Bad
New Zealand’s Leisure have released new track Got It Bad, and it just evokes all kinds of good feels. The atmosphere is seductive and smoky, with a sensual trip-hop vibe, not unlike Glass Animals, coupled with sultry vocals that hint at a Tame Impala influence. The wonderful rhythm is laid back and so smooth, embellished to perfection by chunky chords and sublime harmonies.
Solar Heist, Wait For Love
Opening on demanding piano chords, this funky, disco-inspired track grows bigger and bigger with each phrase. I really love the vocal melody, and when that ridiculously crunchy bass kicks in, the whole soundscape just pieces together to create something really catchy and really strong. The twangy guitars are a great contrast to the synth layers, creating a vibe that’s organic and just so captivating.
MNDR & Sweet Valley, Dance 4 A Dollar (Alt mix)
Another track with a LOT going on, everywhere you look and listen. From the psychedelic, echoey vocals to the experimental synth bleeps and bloops and the subtle beat beneath it all, this track waxes and wanes endlessly between sparse obscurity and gorgeous rhythms. Unique, strange and utterly fascinating, this track just oozes cool from every pore.
Colornoise, Amalie
Colornoise’s new track has serious swagger and seductive temperament. Channeling Siouxsie Sioux in the rich melody and deep bass, the verses contrast with the huge, soaring chorus in a way that has me really mesmerised. Bluesy, powerful and really original, I’m really looking forward to hearing Colornoise’s forthcoming EP, due out later this year.
Last Dinosaurs, Evie
Last Dinosaurs are back, and they’ve got a bright, funk-filled to track for you. A dance-floor ready track that’s so catchy you can’t help but love it, this will undoubtedly translate to the live stage with perfection. And that’s great news, considering the band have just announced a national tour on top of their Splendour in the Grass appearance in July.