Gang of Youths Archives • Howl & Echoes

Hypothesis: partying with Beck, Justice and The Libertines is the most ideal way to kick a new festival off the ground. By all calculations, it turns out that reality lives up to the theory.

Sydney City Limits is Australia’s answer to the renowned Texas event that has become a cornerstone of America’s festival circuit. Like Austin City Limits, SCL is set to make its mark on the industry here at home. The event came out swinging in its inaugural year with a glittering lineup that echoed festivals past (Big Day Out, Soundwave), beckoning some big acts who haven’t been this side of the shoreline in a while (what we like to see).

Brit punk icons The Libertines, the infinitely talented Grace Jones, mastermind Beck, and French electro/indie powerhouses Justice and Phoenix all joined a rich and diverse bill of local and internationals acts. Aussie wares like Gang of Youths, Stella Donnelly, Winston Surfshirt, Alex Lahey and The Avalanches sat alongside comfortably showcasing staggering talent.

The kick-off was a one-day affair set to four stages and was peppered with boutique food, beverage and retail stalls, including The Grove VIP section, for anyone malcontent with the sweaty mosh life. While around 14,000 turned up to muzz, the Centennial Park space was easy to navigate between stages and the lines for food and drinks were spread out and moved quickly, thanks to the abundance of vendors. It was a jam-packed schedule which meant that we weren’t bored for a second. We’ll definitely be back next year.

Photos by Dani Hansen.

Check out Part I featuring LDRU, Stella Donnelly, Tkay Maidza, Sigrid, The Head And The Heart, Allday, The Libertines and Car Seat Headrest

Thundercat

Gang of Youths

Oh Wonder

The Avalanches

Future

Ocean Alley

Grace Jones

Justice

Phoenix

Photos: Dani Hansen/Howl & Echoes

It’s Friday. It feels like ten thousand songs have been released this week, and you know what? A whole lot of them are pretty damn good. We posted up a some of our favourite new Australian music just a few days ago, but we’ve got a bunch more for you right here, right now. Enjoy!

Fortunes, 501 (Remix ft. Dai Burger)

Electronic duo Fortunes caught our attention last year, when they were announced as the first new signing to Future Classic in well over a year. Their big Future Classic debut was the slinky, seductive killer 501. Now, they’ve released a new version of the track – its second official remix – chopped, beat-ier, and packing a fresh verse from Queens rapper Dai Burger – who was just in town last week. Dai’s flow is light, natural and packed with a sensual confidence that couldn’t fit the track’s vibe better. This was already a great track, and it’s now been made even better. One of the best we’ve heard all year.

Gang of Youths, What Can I Do If The Fire Goes Out?

Following a roaring performance at Laneway Festival, the mighty Gang of Youths have now returned with a brand new single, and the exciting news that their sophomore album Go Farther In Lightness will be out later this year. The track is frenetic and wild – with huge, epic guitar chord smashes that remind me of some of my favourite Pixies moments, all drawn back into line when juxtaposed against sparser vocal-driven verses. Having absolutely found their feet as a band and live act throughout last year, they’re really starting to expand and nourish the elements that make them stand out. Not many bands can feel so wild and sentimental all at once, again cementing Gang of Youths as one of the best rock bands we’ve got right now.

All Our Exes Live in Texas, Boundary Road

The four girls that make up All Our Exes are among the greatest talents in Sydney right now. With their debut album When We Fall just a few weeks away, they have now debuted a new track, Boundary Road. I’m not usually one for softer folksier tunes, but there’s something about this band that keeps me engaged and enraptured. The track has a slightly ominous, telling sentimentality to it, musically aligned with its lyrical themes of dealing with others’ emotions while keeping your own in check – most of the time. “What if I wanna be the one to fall apart once in a while?” it asks.

Moonbase, It Don’t Matter ft. Anderson Paak

It’s always exciting when a local artist gets a big name feature on their track, and this might be one of the best in recent memory. Moonbase, formerly Moonbase Commander, returns today with this dark, slinky new track featuring none other than Anderson Paak, who seems to be just about everywhere lately. The track was conceived online, with the artists communicating from Sydney and Los Angeles. It’s a seductive, understated banger with a deep growl of a bass, brightened by trappy synths, with unsettlingly flitting snares blurring the gaps between. Paak, of course, takes centre stage, with his verses and choruses markedly different to most of what we’ve heard from him so far. While his unique voice feels extremely familiar by now, it’s thrilling to hear him on a track with such a dark, dangerous atmosphere.

The Cactus Channel & Sam Cromack, Sorry Hills

This is the first new track in a while to be released by Melbourne collective the Cactus Channel. It features the immediately recognisable voice of Ball Park Music’s frontman Sam Cromack, and the pairing is immediately magnetising and seamless – a good thing, considering they’re releasing a full six-track collaborative EP later this year. This track is incredibly soulful, with honeyed chords, a syncopated rhythm and smooth bass setting the scene, embellished by brass layers, perfectly utilised at all the right moments throughout. This EP is going to be really special.

Image: Moonbase, supplied

How do you write the follow-up to an album that was full of songs about your ex-wife’s battle with cancer and your own personal struggles with drugs and mental health?

How does one take into account a debut album that is so beautifully crafted, recorded and performed, as was the case with last year’s The Positions, and not feel any pressures when it came to thinking about putting out new music?

It must have been these questions that tortured Gang Of Youths front-man and song chieftain Dave Le’aupepe, and to counter it, he seems to have followed an age-old axiom:

“If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it.”

The bands brand new EP Let Me Be Clear is a sort of epilogue to The Positions, with Dave noting that “It’s a collection of songs…serving as a bookend of sorts to my early 20s, and the final chapter to the part of my life I spent in love with someone fighting cancer.”

The same raw emotion heard on that first album returns instantly here, with the opening lines of The Good Fight evoking memories of the heartbreaking ballad White Knuckles Dry.

True to the GOY handbook, the song introduces a dynamic pallet of sounds and colours, with strings, acoustic guitars and percussion gently swelling below the tender lines of Dave, climbing ever so slowly towards the heavens. It takes awhile, and threatens to peter out, but gloriously explodes at the end, with Dave singing incredibly fast over the cacophony beneath him in a nod towards the world of slam poetry.

What The Good Fight promises the rest of the album delivers. Native Tounge wastes no time kicking into gear, with guitarist Joji Malani combining with keys player Jung Kim to keep the song at a steady pulse before allowing it to build to the stadium-sized sing along of “I’ll say fuck you and I’ll tell myself.”

Let Me Be Clear has no shortage of crowd pleasing moments, with the bands previously released single Strange Diseases further reminding listeners why GOY are the perfect fit for any festival.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZAP0SE82ic

Gang Of Youths know how to build a track too. A Sudden Light begins with glitchy synths, glittery acoustic guitars and airy harmonies before settling into a vast groove led by a booming tom march. From there the song develops into a syncopated jam filled with trumpets, strings and layer upon layer of vocal harmony.

The sheer amount of musical influence the band have is also apparent. Soft bongos and acoustics carry the first half of Still Unbeaten Life, with Dave’s brutally honest lyrics capturing a true moment of creative beauty: “Stark in my naked pose, with your arms upon my sides, lend to me your frame tonight.” A flurry of harps, strings and synths later and the song begins to purposely march towards its triumphant end.

A cover of Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell sees out the EP, with Dave and his guitar strumming listeners softly to sleep. After the bombastic content of the previous five tracks, it’s the perfect way to end a whirlwind musical journey.

Let Me Be Clear is everything a Gang Of Youths hopeful could want. It shows that the band have lost absolutely none of their creative flare, maintained their broad range of influences and are developing their sound at an exciting pace. These tracks are going to blow your mind in the live arena, and now is the best time to get used to hearing them.

Image: Supplied

Words by Dani Hansen and James Tait.

With this year’s Splendour In The Grass happening in just a few days time, our excitement and anticipation levels are in overdrive. You may not have had the chance to peruse the timetables for each day and plan out who you’re going to see. We personally think you should be able to catch every single act on the Splendour bill, but that would be impossible without a time machine and a great deal of patience. Instead, our own recommendations are:

James:

Gang Of Youths

Sydney quintet Gang Of Youths are responsible for some of the most emotional and evocative rock and roll to come out of this country. A huge wall of sound, probing and introspective lyrics, huge soaring choruses and, most of all, raw energy. Frontman David Le’aupepe is as captivating a performer as you’ll ever find and his vocal range is enough to induce goosebumps.

There will be plenty of raised fists and hearts on sleeves as they rip through a ferocious Saturday afternoon set at the amphitheatre.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJzLc8Cj-AY

City Calm Down

Melbourne quartet City Calm Down had a breakout year in 2015 with the release of their album In A Restless House to rave reviews off the back of singles like Rabbit Run and Son. Giant synths buoying songs full of twists and turns and clever pop melodies that grab you and take flight, they’re a part of the new wave of Australian rock but City Calm Down are a band who play with the aplomb of a group well beyond their years and their live set will keep you mesmerised from start to finish.

Catch City Calm Down dishing out the chills like candy to many a weary head on Sunday at the amphitheatre.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26AQCCQKkcc

Spring King

Heading out to Australia for the very first time are Mancunian energy fiends Spring King. Having just released their debut album Tell Me If You Like To and blowing up in a big way after singles like City, Detroit and Rectifier took off. Harnessing the sound of the swinging 60s, yanking it into the 21st century and infusing it with so much raw energy and aggression, the mosh for Spring King on Saturday in the GW McLennan tent promises to be just ludicrous. There’s also something special and awe-inspiring about a drumming frontman and Tarek Musa’s ability to sing while his limbs are flailing almost impossibly everywhere will drop jaws.

Check out our interview with Tarek from Spring King.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yONyEewXraU

The Preatures

Sydney four-piece The Preatures are another frenetic and infectiously energetic live experience. Frontwoman Isabella Manfredi is rock and roll to her absolute core, able to alternate between the lightness of Stevie Nicks and the swagger of Joan Jett on a whim. The Preatures’ sound harkens back to a golden era for rock and they’re four of the best young musicians in the country to boot.

Good luck trying to watch their Sunday night set at GW McLennan and without dancing uncontrollably.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtDXezAhes8

Violent Soho

There may be few moshpits larger and more frantic in the history of Splendour than the one that will greet Mansfield heroes Violent Soho for their set this year. Having released one of the hottest records of 2016 with the devastating WACO, the Soho boys somehow survived a national tour with Dune Rats and DZ Deathrays and are here to leave a crater in their wake. Seriously, The Avalanches may not have a stage to play on after Violent Soho get done.

Look out for the return of the fabled gumboot bong as Violent Soho cause carnage on Friday night at the amphitheatre. Read our interview with guitarist James.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRWi-SvzviY

Dani:

The Strokes

Simply legendary. We saw guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. hit up Mountain Sounds Festival in February flying solo (what a set), and with the release of the band’s comeback EP Future Present Past in May, rumours were flying that we might just see The Strokes come to Splendour.

The same rumour seems to go around every year and we’ve been left disappointed, but now it’s actually, really, truly happening and you finally have your chance to see a piece of New York indie rock history in the flesh. Don’t mess this up, guys.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT68FS3YbQ4

Flume

Our forever-21-year-old-electronic-savant Harley Streten, the man otherwise known as Flume, has made it through his self-described “dickhead phase” and emerged… a genius (what we already knew tbh). Released in May, Skin is the highly-anticipated and very solid follow-up to his self-titled debut. After a four year hiatus, Harley recently announced a massive world tour to unveil his new live show, which we already received a taste of earlier this year at Laneway.

Let me tell you, folks, I was shooting at Laneway and never have I seen a photo pit so packed in my life, staying and watching the entire set just mesmerised. Compared to the last live performance from three years ago, his live show and on-stage presence have considerably evolved to be simply incredible and the beats are second-to-none. Also, a highly collaborative album means a high chance of special live guests, as we saw at Laneway with Kai, KUČKA and Vince Staples all joining Flume on stage. Best buckle-the-hell up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fAzM5cI5FM

King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard

Melbourne garage rockers King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard are no stranger to hard yakka. Over the span of their four year career, they’ve released a ridiculous eight studio albums, with another four projects supposedly set for release next year alone. Nonagon Infinity, released earlier in April, is a much heavier answer to 2015’s all-acoustic Paper Mâché Dream Balloon, with frontman Stu Mackenzie maintaining it’s “not really metal but… inspired by stuff like that.”

Where these guys seriously impress though (that is beyond their insane artistry), is seeing them in their sweaty, bent-over, hair-flying, psychedelic glory onstage. If Mac DeMarco crowdsurfing during their Falls set in Marion Bay earlier this year isn’t any indication of what to expect, I honestly don’t know what is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f78_Tf4Tdk

Fat White Family

“The most rebellious act is to revel in your own misery and patheticism,” chimes Lias Saoudi, frontman of this raucous five-piece from Brixton. The band had barely released their first album before they were swaddled and hailed on high by the likes of NME, Rolling Stone, even Letterman.

Anti-establishment, anti-gentrification, anti-Arctic Monkeys, they’re overly portrayed as some kind of Sex Pistols-esque train wreck whose implosion is imminent but, honestly, who doesn’t appreciate a bit of sobering vulgarity? Their reputation as a brilliant live band is to be seen in their constant crowdsurfing or stripped naked guitar playing or the general ramshackle and extremeness of any given performance of theirs. If you want a band that’s not there to run through the motions, Fat White Family are what you’re looking for.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKNt_qq6N7o

Green Buzzard

Fresh meat from the I Oh You family who have been working with some amazing acts of late (DMA’s, Violent Soho, MOSSY, City Calm Down etc.), Green Buzzard are a five-piece Sydney garage outfit who, I swear, get better every time I see them.

I caught their second ever gig supporting Palma Violets and The Vaccines on their Splendour sideshow last year, so for them to be playing at the festival this year is a huge step up. Live, they’re a wall of utterly satisfying fuzz, smoking speakers and all. Their newly released EP Eazy, Queezy, Squeezy is a lo-fi delight, reminiscent of the whole 90’s Britpop thing, as well as Dinosaur Jr, Weezer, Sebadoh etc. Worth the watch and worth the listen.

Check out our interview with Green Buzzard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtMbPm7Q8Ec

Image: Your Friends House

Photos by James Simpson

Spookyland

Day Wave

Gang of Youths

Music touches us all in different ways, and it’s bittersweet that it takes the loss of a legend to make us all realise how connected we truly are. As the world’s tears still fall in mourning for the late, great David Bowie who passed away earlier this week, we are reminded everywhere of just how many of our lives were touched by him and his genius, no matter if you’re the editor of this website or an international rock star yourself.

The tributes have been pouring in thick and fast over the past few days, and in many different forms. From obituaries to twitter messages, tribute shows, rehashing old emails or even giving a tribute from space, it seems many people across the world have put their own spin on how they would like to give thanks to Bowie. One of the most beautiful ones, however, comes from Australian band Gang Of Youths.

It’s not sure which member of the band wrote it, but a touching message was posted on their Facebook page today along with a cover of Heroes. “I wish I had some ornate or choice words to express how sad I am at the moment but I don’t,” it read, “So I figured the best way for me to remember David Bowie was to cover the first song of his that I ever heard.”

“At the risk of being trite, Heroes changed my life. The melody accompanying ‘I, I will be king / and you / you will be queen’ is to me, not only the finest melody the thin white duke ever wrote but among the finest ever written period.”

The results are amazing. Raw, powerful, vulnerable and exposing, the band leave it all out for you to see (or hear), and openly grieve. Frontman David Leaupepe shines, his voice totally captivating over the sparse string section and piercing claps that make up the rest of the track. It’s one of those covers that stops you in your tracks, and has you reaching for the play button again and again and again and again.

BIGSOUND is once again upon us here in Brisbane, and soon The Valley will be swarming with delegates and punters trying to catch a glimpse of the next big thing. Two nights, 12 stages, over 150 bands and too many beers; it’s safe to say this is our favourite time of year. But, it’s a pretty hefty task to take on that timetable, so we took it upon ourselves to give you our top 10 must see acts for this year. Take it from us, you CAN’T miss these acts!

Green Buzzard

One of the great unknowns of this year’s Bigsound, they’ve scarcely played any gigs together and the only song they’ve released is the (utterly ridiculous) Brit-rock garage throwback Zoo Fly. They’re freshly signed to I Oh You though, who are behind relatively unknown acts like, oh, Violent Soho and DMA’s, so they aren’t known for being here to fuck spiders and I’m happy to assume they’re bringing the goods once again with Green Buzzard.

Wednesday September 9th, The Winn, 8:50pm

City Calm Down

Speaking of I Oh You, City Calm Down are also a recent addition to that label. If you’d dig some kind of a love child between The National and New Order then City Calm Down are the stork, bringing you that baby real hard. They create an immense wall of post-punk meets electro noise and they should be a bloody joy to catch live.

Wednesday September 9th, The Winn, 11:20pm

Skegss

These Byron Bay dudes are Dune Rats-endorsed (they’re the first artists to sign with old mates Dunies’ very own Ratbag Records) so you just know they’ll be an absolute mental party of a live show. Their sun-drenched surf punk is utterly perfect to boogie down to and they should be well worth a look.

Thursday September 10th, Ric’s Bar, 11:30pm

Holy Holy

If you missed their disgustingly good set at Splendour this year then you should be ashamed, but whatever blows your fur back I guess. These Melbournites bring gargantuan throwback riffs and songs that are larger than life and their live show will knock your socks straight off, guaranteed.

Wednesday September 9th, triple j Unearthed stage (Oh Hello), 11:30pm

Gang Of Youths

Son of a bitch. SON of a bitch. I am absolutely fiending to see these guys live for the first time ever, with their debut LP The Positions still on insanely high rotation in my life. Monstrous guitars, gorgeous synths and, above all else, heartfelt lyrics that cut to the bone, their set promises to be full of absolute belters like Magnolia, Radioface and the raucous Poison Drum. Miss them at your absolute peril.

Thursday September 10th, The Zoo, 11:30pm

Pearls

Melbourne indie outfit Pearls has been on high rotation in my house, my work, my car, and well everywhere, with their debut album Pretend You’re Mine. Their foot stomping glam rock is more infectious than the common cold, and you would need to be a little bit insane not to see them play.

Wednesday September 9^th, Elephant Hotel, 9pm

Banff

Benjamin Forbes might just be one of the most exciting names in Australian indie music right now, with debut EP Future Self out last month. With stellar production and languorous vocals his set will be a moment to catch your breath and soak up those blissful atmospheric vibes.

Thursday September 10^th, Elephant Hotel, 8:20pm

Big White

Big White make you feel like you have been transported into a John Waters film with 80’s drenched melodies aka The Psychedelic Furs. I am very much looking forward to throwing my hair back to their infectious throw back ditties. Who doesn’t love a good old bit of pan flute?

Wednesday 9th September, The Zoo, 8:10pm

Hockey Dad

Hockey Dad make fun, boisterous garage surf anthems ala Wavves or Cloud Nothings with a distinct local flavor. As this years Unearthed winners there is a lot of hype surrounding these guys, and I’m pretty sure they will more than deliver even in a timeslot directly competing with Gang of Youths.

Thursday 10^th September, The Alehouse @ The Wooly Mammoth, 11:20pm

Tiny Little Houses

With only a single track that I have been able to track down, this might just be my most anticipated act. These lo-fi bedroom guitar melodies have been swimming in my head for days and it’s pretty exciting to imagine what else the set my hold.

Thursday 10^th September, Black Bear Lodge, 10pm

State of Origin is here. That time of year when New South Wales and Queensland sports teams don their colours, go head to head and battle it out on the field – while the rest of us shout profusely at the television. And it’s bloody fun.
Of course, not all of us love sport. Some of us love music – and some us love music AND sport. SO we thought, why stop the rivalry there?
So in true Howl & Echoes style, we have decided to create our very own Musical State of Origin, where we pit the bbest NSW music against the best from QLD.

The competition runs in four categories: Rock, Electronic, Hip hop and Nostalgia.

We’re leaving the winners up to you – there’s little polls next to each category. May the best state win!

Rock

QLD – VIOLENT SOHO

There are a lot of sweet maroon-bleeding bands we could have picked for this: Velociraptor, Dune Rats, The John Steel Singers among a whole bunch of others, but we can’t go past Mansfield’s favourite sons; Violent Soho. Possibly the hardest rocking band to come out of this great nation. Shove that up you, everybody south of the border.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN9NC4iQcsA]

NSW – GANG OF YOUTHS

First of all, Gang of Youths frontman Dave Le’aupepe already has the distinct advantage of already playing NRL as his alter-ego, Kevin Gordan.

Hair that luscious is hard to disguise.

Gang of Youths also has a serious leg up in terms of stamina – these guys put out seven minute tracks like it ain’t no thing, and their live energy will knock your teeth out. If this was coming towards you, I don’t care who you are – you are going down.

Their sound, too, is ground-shakeable. A mix of soaring Kings of Leon peaks and gravelly, The-National-esque lows, Gang of Youths have the scope of a much more mature band and can take you on journeys you didn’t expect. They’re rabble-rousers in Poison Drum¸ heartbreakers in Knuckles White Dry, cosmic rockers in Radioface. Gang of Youths are the NRL side’s all-rounders. Put them anywhere on the field and they’ll smash through the opposition, and best of all with a smile on their face and a smack on the back. Off the field, these are the guys you want giving you the pep talk in the locker room that will inspire the second-half comeback – these guys have been through some shit, and come out stronger on the other side. Look out QLD – Gang of Youths may be the youngest on the field, but if their debut is anything to go by they’ve got big things ahead.

Electronic

QLD – THE KITE STRING TANGLE

Some would say Danny Harley, aka The Kite String Tangle is the Jonathan Thurston of electronic music. That is to say he is a leader of the game, who crushes souls with his sheer awesomeness at any given opportunity. Harley’s own favorite track What If from debut record Vessels is stellar and is bound to leave those southerners crying big, sad, blue tears of defeat.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t37aseIe9E]

NSW – GOLDEN FEATURES

Every team needs someone absolutely huge. Someone to intimidate the other team and know that they shouldn’t be fucked with. For New South Wales, that person is Golden Features. Huge huge sounds, bass whose filth cannot be rivaled, and an emergence onto the scene much like his tackles on the field – out of nowhere. In only a little over a year, Golden Features has proved that he’s one of the biggest on the Electronic field, and now one of the biggest in the Music State of Origin as a whole. Most recently playing a string of club shows Australia wide to promote his latest EP XXI, and yesterday revealed to be returning to Listen Out Festival for the second year in a row, his reputation as a player is well known. If Queensland thinks that they can get past the New South Wales defense, they’d better think again. Golden Features is the big wall of sound that none can penetrate, with the weak being crushed under the weight of his bass. For his teammates, he’s the one who gets them ready for the game. Listen to final track of his latest EP then tell me you that you’re not going to win whatever you’re doing – you’d be lying.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/210339716″ params=”color=5f5f5f&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Hip Hop

QLD – ASTRO TRAVELLERS

There is no question that there is a bit of a stigma attached to Aussie hip hop, but up in the Sunshine State, that’s starting to shift. More and more acts are challenging your standard raps and rhymes, pushing boundaries with their beats and defying expectations and vocabularies with their lyrics. Brisbane 7 piece Astro Travellers bring it home for me. A bunch of classically trained jazz musicians from the Conservatorium, two astounding emcees and a formidable force with their female singer, I don’t see an act further south than the River City to bring it home for us Queenslanders! Check their first single Future Supernova and try to defy those grooves. Impossible. Take that, NSW!

NSW – THUNDAMENTALS

Do I even need to explain why Thundamentals are our choice to represent New South Wales in this epic head-to-head battle? Lyrically dense and musically brilliant, the beloved hip hop trio have undoubtedly proved themselves to be one of the greatest rap groups in NSW, if not the whole country. With the strength, stamina and lyrical muscle to kick serious hip hop ass, it’s hard to think of a worthy opponent. They’re the only rappers around who can spit rhymes about beef noodle soup, and make it sound badass.

Everyone knows the best thing about going to a big sports game is the electric energy in the audience. In that sense, anyone who has ever been to Thundamentals show knows that there’s many similarities between it and State of Origin: the thunderous cheers, the singing and chanting from the crowd, the sweaty men on stage and (for the winning team anyway) heading home with a beaming smile.

We actually contacted Thundamentals for a comment, and Tuka (who also has some pretty bangin’ solo work out now by the way), sent us back the ultimate pre-game song to get PUMPED UP:

Let’s be real here: anyone who uses the Beastie Boys to pump it up, is gonna go hard as hell. Queensland: watch out.

Nostalgia

QLD – THE BEE GEES

This one was really tough, because when it comes to amazing nostalgia acts there is no drought in the Sunshine State. We have everything from the seminal Brisbane indie outfit The Go Betweens, to the party inducing tunes of Regurgitator, to the classic rock of Powderfinger. But, if you want to win at the nostalgia game you have to go back – way back. Right back to the smooth toe tapping melodies that got your parents bopping at the Redcliffe RSL. That’s right. We have the BeeGees and we are proud. Let that sweet hook carry you all the way back to the locker rooms NSW. See you next year.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNfFZULPcgk]

NSW – SILVERCHAIR

Daniel Johns may have moved onto to different things, but Silverchair will forever be the absolute greatest New South Wales rock band. Dubbed Nirvana in Pyjamas when Frogstomp blasted its way around the world 20 years ago, Silverchair went on to be one of the loudest, angst-iest riff rockers we’ve ever seen. It would be a Pure Massacre on the field. You’ll be wishing it was already Tomorrow, because some freakin’ Madman is coming right for you. You’ll be feeling (Dearest) Helpless, because you know the other team is just a Freak of nature.

So, who is the winner?

You be the judge. Either way, we are pretty sure the real winner is music.

So you just read our feature on the worst songs of 2015 so far, and I know that you heard some things you can never un-hear. You might be wishing that you’d googled the crimes of a serial killer instead – it might have been less disturbing. You might have even preferred to read about this creepy thing going on in Sweden right now. But, just like that time you drank a bottle of Passion Pop and vomited all over your best friends favourite shoes, some things just can’t be undone. Turn off that Ed Sheeran track you have been listening to on repeat to heal your pain. You’re better than that. We can get through this together.

Our “worst of” list gave you six tracks, and I am a strong believer that there must be at least twice as much good in the world, so let’s look on the bright side with the 12 best songs of 2015 so far.

12. Holy Holy: You Cannot Fall For Love Like a Dog (Album: When the Storms Would Come)

Holy Holy are already making massive waves and their debut album isn’t due out until the 17^th of July. If this track is anything to go by, it is going to be expansive and powerful – a crowning achievement for the Brisbane/Melbourne duo. The pair, who we interviewed last year, produce a sound that is sophisticated and effortless, with sublime melodies, amplified by driving guitars.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrVadO8BHRk]

11. The Chemical Brothers: Go ft. Q-Tip (Album: Born in the Echoes)

Daft Punk did it with their album Random Access Memories and The Chemical Brothers do it again with Go. Listeners are transported to a sleazy jaw-clenching nightclub in the best possible way -The kind of place where open chested shirts and questionable facial hair choices are not only accepted, but encouraged. And it sure as hell is better than the goddamn Salmon Dance

If it was a club from Saturday Night Live character Stefon, it would be the one called: “Thank You! Located inside a crashing blimp, this Eurotrash utopia is the creation of beatnik doctor Soul Patch Adams. This place has everything: Zip lines, fish food, that fat Hawaiian guy that no one invited, an old Pakistani woman that looks like a California Raisin…”

From album Born in the Echoes due out on July 17, I’ve got my dancing shoes ready for a marathon. Pre-order it here.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO2RPDZkY88]

10. Gang of Youths: Vital Signs (Album: The Positions)

Australian indie rock outfit Gang of Youths are just killing it with their vibrant chorale sound. They have all the weight and depth of bands like The National or Arcade Fire, but with far fewer collective years – so just imagine where they’ll end up! Vital Signs is an epic track spanning seven and a half minutes with a pulsing drumbeat and an anthemic build that reminds me of everything good about indie music. As wonderful, if not more so live than on record, make sure you get to a GoY gig as soon as you can.

9. A$AP Rocky: L$D (Album: At.Long.Last.A$AP)

To be honest, I wasn’t sure about A$AP Rocky’s latest release until I heard this track (but read our album review here to judge for yourself.) My best advice: turn it up loud. Real loud. You don’t just want to hear those sweet opening bass notes, you want to feel them right down in your toes. Overlaid with some saucy vocals from A$AP it’s enough to make a nun hot under the collar. It’s slick, smooth and surprisingly lovely. Considering it’s the only non-rap track on a sprawling rap album, we’re thinking A$AP could even consider a career move to making indie-psych music in the future. Oh, and for a stunning live rendition of this track, check this video out from A$AP’s recent performance on Jimmy Fallon’s late night talk show.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feDLr_e4v5A]

8. Torres: Sprinter (Album: Sprinter)

Torres weaves a story with her voice in a way that evokes PJ Harvey or Fiona Apple, but has a sadness that is all her own. Considering that Torres, aka Mackenzia Scott worked with PJ Harvey producer Robert Ellis and Portishead’s Adrian Utley, it’s not surprise that this is one hell of a gorgeous sound. Sprinter is a complex, emotional and enthralling track that makes you feel everything. I may be a glutton for punishment but I can’t stop listening.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6SIw30IOt8]

7. Alpine: Foolish (Album: Yuck)

The first taste of sophomore album Yuck, Foolish (which was appropriately released on April Fool’s Day) is very much the opposite. Sweet, syrupy and delicious, it’s a track that will no doubt leave you on a sugar high. Foolish sails you down a little river of good vibes and leaves you feeling toe tappingly blissful. The follow-up to their chart topping debut album A is for Alpine, Yuck officially dropped last week – purchase it here.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6I4MZUtCCo]

6. Editors: No Harm (Album TBC)

Some songs just can’t be summed up in words. I could try and say it’s like the genetic recombination of Nick Cave and James Blake but it still wouldn’t sum up the cold, dark, haunted beauty in a way that does justice. Having been around for a lot longer than other artists on this list, it’s pure bliss to see bands who can consistently release songs of this calibre, four albums and more than a decade into their musical career. Deep, rich and seriously powerful, you need to listen to this track.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/200911419″]

5. Tyler, The Creator: The Brown Stains of Darkeese Latifah Part 6-12 (Remix) (Album: Cherry Bomb)

Sometimes he can be hard to love, but when Tyler the Creator is on, he can also be hard to hate. The Odd Future ringleader, (who will be visiting our fair country later this year) just dropped his new album Cherry Bomb, and this is easily our favourite song from the release. On The Brown Stains… he is all the way on. It’s not ground breaking, sure, but it doesn’t need to be. Loud and obnoxious and raw in a way that’s really quite unique to the gravel-voiced rapper, there’s so much to love about this track.

4. Tame Impala: Cause I’m a Man (Album: Currents)

Kevin Parker and co. keep on dishing out their own brand of chill psychedelic licks that melt faces like ice cream on hot pavement. If I had to sum this track up with a picture it would look like this:

Their HIGHLY anticipated new album, Currents, is due out July 17^th (the same day as the Holy Holy record, so it’s going to be a great day for Aus music!) If you need me, don’t, because I will be very much unavailable. Let’s hope that they actually see money from the sales this time. The internationally renowned psych-rockers will also be headlining July’s Splendour in the Grass, meaning that we’ll be among the first in the world to hear the new material performed live!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hefh9dFnChY]

3. Courtney Barnett: Pedestrian at Best (Album: Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit)

I love our homegrown rock poet Courtney Barnett with a big heart and a healthy dose of jealousy. Who doesn’t? We love her so much that we’ve not just taken photos of the Melbourne artist rocking out, but we’ve reviewed her live show twice.
I often find myself wondering why I can’t be witty and profound while making catchy ballads about smoking weed and tending to my garden. Why can’t I be a modern female Bob Dylan with a great haircut? The answer is because she already does it so well, and deep down I think I am ok with that. Pedestrian At Best was one of our first tastes of her brilliant album Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, which has gone on to become one of our absolute favourite albums of the year so far.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-nr1nNC3ds]

For now I will just make do with singing the lyrics really loud. Do it with me: I’m a Scorpiooooo!

Feels good right?

2. Alabama Shakes: Don’t Wanna Fight (Album: Sound & Color)

Brittany Howard can do no wrong. When the first single off Sound and Color, burst onto the airwaves in February I was a little nervous. I loved the band’s debut Boys & Girls so much I wasn’t sure they could live up to the hype. But all my expectations were turned on their head with that husky squeal, that soft growl, that old soul bursting from her 25 year old body. It’s pure ecstasy. If you loved their first album, you’ll love their second offering even more. Brilliantly complex and overwhelmingly diverse, it’s another one of our absolute highlights of the year so far.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nin-fiNz50M]

1. Kendrick Lamar: King Kunta (Album: To Pimp a Butterfly)

Was there ever any question that this would be at the top of the list? Kendrick Lamar is the golden goose with the Midas touch in 2015. Yes, that’s a lot of references to gold, but probably not enough to summarise how amazing this song is. It is smart, soulful, catchy and everything you want from a “song of the year.” Plus, if that isn’t enough it also incites some amazing dance moves, even from a rhythmically impaired white girl like me. As politically and culturally powerful as it is musically brilliant, this was a shoe-in for our top choice.

Try NOT dancing like Taylor Swift every time it comes on.