This week, somehow we’ve opted for an Australian heavy list just by coincidence, highlighting just how strong our homegrown talent continues to be. We’ve got a fresh disco track from Total Giovanni, a beautiful soundscape from Twin Caverns, psyched out pop from Morning Harvey, a slow burner from Flower Drums as well as electro jams from Elizabeth Rose and Japanese Wallpaper. Hockey Dad‘s new track is also in there, as well as new Danish duo The Wands, and some new Jamie xx and Le1f to finish things off. This is probably one of my favourite playlists yet!
1. Total Giovanni – Paradise
I cannot rave enough about this Melbourne band. Bringing disco back in the sexiest way possible, this is their third single in which they have again absolutely killed it. No surprises there, this six minute track is an irresistible disco number makes my heart melt.
2. Twin Caverns – Pyramid
Sydney duo Twin Caverns are experts in creating dreamy soundscapes I love getting lost in. Their latest track Pyramid is one of their dreamiest yet, with a rolling, expansive beats, Lou Millar’s honey voice and a searing guitar solo that I can’t get enough of.
3. Morning Harvey – Smith Street Swap Meet
Brisbane boys Morning Harvey just scored a new manager (Rock Chazan who is also responsible for The Church and Emma Louise) as well as signing to bookers Select Music, so it’s safe to say things are really heating up for them. What better way to celebrate than to release Smith Street Swap Meet – a brilliant exercise in tripped out nostalgic alt-pop, with frontman Spencer White leading the charge with his one of a kind vocals.
4. Elizabeth Rose – Another Earth
Making the wait between releases completely worth it, it seems Elizabeth Rose has been biding her time before releasing her latest track, Another Earth. Teaming up with Chrome Sparks, the pair are a match made in heaven.
5. Japanese Wallpaper ft. Airling – Forces
Melbourne multi-instrumentalist Japanese Wallpaper continues his run of outstanding electronica with the release of Forces. Joining forces (couldn’t help myself) with Airling, this track is packed with intensity, highlighting just how talented and exciting both artists are.
6. Flower Drums – End II End
Perth darlings Flower Drums are definitely one of the more exciting acts coming out of the West. This slow burner props darker, sparse beats against pop styled vocals to make a beautiful, gentle track still brimming with emotion.
7. Hockey Dad – Can’t Have Them
Wollongong duo Hockey Dad just wrapped up a national tour with DZ Deathrays and Bass Drum of Death, but are showing no signs of slowing down! Laid back yet upbeat, Can’t Have Them is probably my favourite of their released singles, and has got me all kinds of excited for what is still to come!
8. The Wands– She’s Electric
Danish duo The Wands are making psych even cooler than it already was with their track, She’s Electric. They’ve also received a nod from NME so it isn’t just us that’s got us hyped up for more music from the pair. Their album is dropping May 1, so keep your eyes peeled and your ears pricked for more blissed out psychedelia.
9. Le1f – Ooh (Truffle Butter)
I love Le1f, so hearing new tracks of his makes me one happy lady indeed. Delivering his unique rhymes over a Nicki Minaj Drake/Weezy featuring number is an ambitious move from the New York rapper, but one that has seriously paid off. FIRE.
10. Jamie xx ft Romy Madley Croft – Loud Places
Words cannot describe how excited I am for Jamie xx‘s debut album (that’s apparently dropping very soon), and his penchant for casually dropping tracks like it ain’t no thing is driving me crazy. This is one of the more beautiful songs released this year in my opinion, and recruiting fellow bandmate Romy from The xx for vocal duties makes it all the more special. It’s just so lovely.
Words by Greg Mackenzie.
DZ Deathrays‘ Get Rich or Drunk Tryin’ tour wrapped up this weekend with two Brissy gigs and an appearance at Wollongong’s Farmer and the Owl festival. Punters who caught the dance-punk duo on Friday night at The Brightside were also treated to some primo support from Hockey Dad, and American trash-blues band, Bass Drum of Death.
Not quite matching the bigger acts in loudness or ferocity, Hockey Dad didn’t quite fit the hard rock bill of the night. Conjuring up a sound not dissimilar to Millions or a myriad of other indie-rock bands coming out of Australia’s suburbs, Hockey Dad aren’t entirely noteworthy. But they did make a pleasant enough start to the night before things turned more aggressive in the form of Bass Drum of Death.
Songs from BDoD’s earliest LP made for some thrashy, discordant fun, but understandably they drew on 2014’s, Rip This, for most of the set. Since their inception, BDoD have tightened up their sound to be less garage, and more refined, hitting home in their latest album with bigger riffs and sing-along-able choruses. It’s a sound that DZ fans should be familiar with, whether or not their tastes agree with the trash undertones that BDoD have retained. At best, it shows strong progression from the band, but you can’t help but feel they’re a little caught between their original sound (one they did extremely well) and their not quite executed aspirations to be the next FIDLAR.
Buzzsaw riffs, danceable hooks, fast paced drums, and aggressive vocals, DZ Deathrays are Brisbane’s Death From Above 1979, combining punk with dance music aesthetics. Two time ARIA winners for Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album, the duo boast a huge repertoire of quality tracks. With DZ classics like Dollar Chills and Teenage Kickstarts, songs from 2012’s Bloodstreams thoroughly suited those in the audience prone to headbanging, while last year’s Black Rat features more danceable tracks.
Joining Shane Parsons (vocals/guitar) and Simon Ridley (drums) were an additional two musicians who added extra thump to the already electric pair. The headliners were also accompanied by a fully hectic, sick brah, light display. Peak way through favourites like Gina Works at Hearts or Reflective Skull it was hard not to lose yourself. Night Slave, with its steady beat, a crowd going nuts in the foreground, and neon blasting behind the band, conjured up images of an electric, zombie horde marching to battle. To be fair, that’s not terribly far from the reality: a couple hundred drunk teens and drugged up twenty-somethings packed into the sold-out Brightside, all losing their shit.
Oh yeah, they also covered Darude‘s Sandstorm for an encore. Nuff said.
I fucking love DZ Deathrays. I’ve seen them six times, and could easily see them another 6000. The energy they bring to the stage is not something that is seen often. From the first note of the first song, it is relentless, face-melting rock that causes all hell to break loose – and everyone loves it! Having caught them at The Blurst Of Times this year, they proved again why they’ve seen the success they so deserve: they fucking rule. Although their jaunt with Blurst was shortlived, and left a lot of us scratching our heads as to why there weren’t more shows whilst in the country. Well ponder no more, fellow thrashers. The two time ARIA winners have since heard our prayers and have announced The Get Rich Or Drunk Tryin’ tour for March 2015!
That’s right! They’re comin’ home and bringing US rockers BASS DRUM OF DEATH (read our interview with them HERE) and local legends Hockey Dad along for the ride. They’ll be destroying intimate venues around the country, so get on those tickets fast!
All three acts have also been announced for the inaugural Farmer & The Owl Festival in Woolloongong, NSW!
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