Midas.Gold & Tkay Maidza
If you haven’t heard the name Midas.Gold yet, you’re missing out on one of the brightest young talents in Australian hip-hop right now. With just a single EP, For What It’s Worth, under his belt, the young MC is set to take over the country with his infectious rhymes over some stellar and innovative production from studio running-mate Jangus, showcasing his charisma and talents supporting another of Australian hip-hop’s new generation in Tkay Maidza, who continues to win fans over around the world with her fiery and energetic brand of hip-hop that leaves most listeners in an uncontrollable state of dance.
The tour is happening right now, so if you missed catching these two in Brisbane, Melbourne or Perth then that’s unfortunate, but you can still catch them in Sydney, Adelaide and Hobart on these dates.
Thu, Nov 10th: The Metro, Sydney
Fri, Nov 18th: HQ, Adelaide
Sat, Nov 19th: Uni Bar, Hobart
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzODkysbl3c
I Know Leopard & Holy Holy – The Darwinism Tour
Having just signed to Ivy League Records, Sydney quartet I Know Leopard are a band on the up. They’ve got a new single Rather Be Lonely currently spinning and they’re just a few days shy of heading out on tour supporting the always electric Holy Holy, who are continuing to ride the lightning set off by debut album When The Storms Would Come as well as the anticipation for new material with the release of latest single Darwinism.
This one promises to get all kinds of loud.
Fri, Nov 11th: Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Sat, Nov 12th: The Worker’s Club, Geelong
Sun, Nov 13th: Karova Lounge, Ballarat
Thu, Nov 17th: Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
Fri, Nov 18th: Metro Theatre, Sydney
Sat, Nov 19th: Uni Bar, Wollongong
Sun, Nov 20th: The Basement, Canberra
Thu, Nov 24th: Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
Fri, Nov 25th: Solbar, Sunshine Coast
Sat, Nov 26th: The Triffid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7IdTtcgW-Q
Crowded House – Encore
Could there be anything more iconically Australian than a series of Crowded House shows played on the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House in the waning days of Spring? Well it’s 2016 and that is fortunately still a reality, with the legendary group set to punch everyone in earshot in the feels with live renditions of their classics across four separate dates. Neil Finn and co will be playing four consecutive nights at the Opera House and if you’re looking for a live music experience you’d be hard pressed to find one better than this.
Nov 24-27, Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9gKyRmic20
Husky – Late Night Store
Melbournians Husky are heading back out on the road again, their latest single Late Night Store the first taste of the band’s upcoming third record to be released next year. Having spent a year overseas, Husky’s Australian homecoming has been a long time coming for fans, who will be eager to see the effect their gap year in Berlin has had on the band’s live set. We can’t wait to have Husky back home at any rate.
Thu, Nov 17th: Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth
Sat, Nov 19th: Lighthouse Folk Festival, Norah Heads
Sat, Dec 3rd: The Foundry, Brisbane
Wed, Dec 7th: Newtown Social Club, Sydney
Thu, Dec 8th: Fat Controller, Adelaide
Thu, Dec 15th: Howler, Melbourne
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRw8AlwkAaU
Allan Smithy – I See A Palm Tree
Allan Smithy has just dropped his debut EP I See A Palm Tree last week and it’s an absolute gem. To celebrate this milestone, he’s embarking on a free (as in it will cost you not one of your dollars) tour of the East Coast at the end of November. It’s the perfect tour for that time of year when our wallets are all feeling a little pre-Christmas fragility, so if you miss the chance to catch him live and not spend a cent in doing so then you’ve got rocks in your head.
Fri, Nov 25th: Waywards, Sydney
Thu, Dec 1st: Barbara, Brisbane
Fri, Dec 2nd: The Penny Black, Melbourne
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJdTlnkhjI8&feature=youtu.be
Abbe May – Doomsday
Perth’s Abbe May is enjoying a comeback year in 2017, releasing two singles in Are We Flirting and Doomsday Clock. It’s the latter she’s taking out on tour from next week as well as celebrating her fresh WAM awards for Best Single and Best Female Vocalist as well. The Doomsday tour are Abbe May’s final dates for 2K16, as she prepares to release her incredibly anticipated new record Bitchcraft early next year. Possessing one of the best voices in the country, this is one you don’t want to miss.
Thu, Nov 17th: Newtown Social Club, Sydney
Fri, Nov 18th: Transit Bar, Canberra
Sat, Nov 19th: Rad Bar, Wollongong
Thu, Nov 24th:: Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
Fri, Nov 25th: The Grand Hotel, Mornington
Sat, Nov 26th: Queenscliff Music Festival, Queenscliff
Fri, Dec 2nd: The Workers Club, Geelong
Sat, Dec 3rd: The Grace Emily, Adelaide
Fri, Dec 9th: The Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
Sat, Dec 10th: The Bearded Lady, Brisbane
Fri, Dec 16th: Jack Rabbit Slims, Perth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtQ4TgyP340
Methyl Ethel – World Tour
Sticking with the West Coast for this next one, with this year’s breakout darlings in Methyl Ethel. They’re quickly making a name for themselves here and abroad off the back of massive singles like Idee Fixed and the anthemic Twilight Driving. Latest single No. 28 is no different, a warm and foot-stomping rocker that bends and weaves in a myriad of directions, and the Methyl Ethel boys are keen to show it off back home before embarking on a world tour in 2017 at some of the best summer festivals in the country.
They’ll play Woodford Folk Festival, Lost Paradise and Sugar Mountain before what will be a raucous homecoming in Perth and a pair of headline shows. This is your chance to see one of the best new bands in the country on a skyrocketing upswing.
Tue, Dec 27th: Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford
Thu, Dec 29th: Lost Paradise Festival, Glenworth Valley
Sat, Jan 21st: Sugar Mountain Festival, Melbourne
Sat, Feb 18th: Fremantle Arts Centre Courtyard, Perth
Thu, Feb 23rd: Howler, Melbourne
Fri, Feb 24th: Newtown Social Club, Sydney
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glxQCwtDm5Y
PVT
After three years dormant, electro rockers PVT are back in 2017. They have a new album coming, their fifth in New Spirit due for February, and they’ll be taking a quick East Coast jaunt to celebrate its release. If the release of first single Morning Mist, Rock Island Bend, a nine minute sprawler of a track, is anything to indicate, PVT are looking to push a whole lot of boundaries in the new year and we can’t wait to see it.
Fri, Feb 24th: National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Sat, Feb 25th: The Foundry, Brisbane
Fri, Mar 3rd: Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnRhMDlxDq8
Boy & Bear – Regional Australian Tour
If you live in regional Australia, chances are you know all too well the sting that comes when your favourite acts cruelly look over your area in favour of the big three of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. To that end, Boy & Bear are making it their business to cover as much of regional Australia as they possibly can in the space of a month, with a mammoth 20 dates around the country planned.
With the warm glow from last year’s stellar LP Limit Of Love still hanging in the air, this will be a special tour.
Wed, Nov 9th: Regent Theatre, Ballarat
Thu, Nov 10th: Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo
Fri, Nov 11th: Costa Hall, Geelong
Sat, Nov 12th: The Cube, Wodonga
Wed, Nov 16th: C. Ex Coffs, Coffs Harbour
Thu, Nov 17th: Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
Fri, Nov 18th: Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
Sat, Nov 19th: Lake Kawana Community Centre,Sunshine Coast
Sun, Nov 20th: The Mills Precinct, Toowoomba
Wed, Nov 23rd: Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton
Thu, Nov 24th: MECC, Mackay
Fri, Nov 25th: Tanks, Cairns
Sun, Nov 27th: The Venue, Townsville
Fri, Dec 2nd: Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany
Sat, Dec 3rd: 3 Oceans, Margaret River
Sun, Dec 4th: Fremantle Prison, Fremantle
Wed, Dec 7th: Orange Ex-Services Club, Orange
Thu, Dec 8th: ANU, Canberra
Fri, Dec 9th: Waves, Wollongong
Sat, Dec 10th: Wests City, Newcastle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEUY7dXsxrk
Remi – Divas And Demons
Another young star flying the flag for Aussie hip-hop’s new generation is Melbourne MC Remi, whose September sophomore album Divas And Demons impressed in spades. He and PIC Sensible J are heading out on a November tour in support of that album and cracker new Jordan Rakei-featuring single Lose Sleep. Shows are already selling out for this one and tickets aren’t going to last long given his surging popularity so get in right quick if you want a good look at the future of hip-hop Down Under.
Fri, Nov 18th: Karova Lounge, Ballarat
Fri, Nov 25th: Railway Club, Darwin
Sat, Nov 26th: Rocket Bar, Adelaide
Wed, Nov 30th: Transit Bar, Canberra
Thu, Dec 1st: Newtown Social Club, Sydney
Fri, Dec 2nd: Newtown Social Club, Sydney
Fri, Dec 9th: Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
Sat, Dec 10th: Republic Bar, Hobart
Fri, Dec 16th: Howler, Melbourne
Sat, Dec 17th: Howler, Melbourne
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8TjpHcQ8gI
Image: Pilerats
Words by Alaisdair Belling
Last year, it seemed that Sydney’s I Know Leopard would remain would remain one of the undiscovered gems of the underground music scene, only gracing the ears of the lucky ones who really went searching. The past 12 months, however, has put that statement to the sword, with the band touring nationally with both Gang of Youths and Last Dinosaurs, in addition to a slot at BigSound 2015, performances with San Cisco, and a recently-embarked-upon national headline tour. To cap it all off, the band have just released their long anticipated second EP Another Life.
I Know Leopard do not waste any time establishing with listeners what it is they will hear on this disc. Opening track Perfect Picture is beautiful and ethereal, maintaining a steady, driving rhythm, anchoring down the diverse range of instruments above. The mixture of guitars, keys and the odd violin form a rich texture, allowing the vocals a little room to breathe. The main vocal hook “I’ve got the perfect picture of you in my mind, I wanna know how it feels to love you but I’m terrified at the same time” is infectious, and disappears as abruptly as it began, leaving the listener craving more.
Spaceships sees the band rely more heavily on synths, with a 80’s feel accompanying the steady groove. The addition of strings is a bold move, but the band pull back at just the right times. However, it is on Close My Eyes that the talent of this band is truly showcased. The violin is again used, but with greater confidence and assurance, creating a wonderful hook throughout the verse, and a vocal call and response. The song then dips before opening up into a rich, expansive soundscape of a chorus, capped off by wonderful harmonies and controlled energy in the rhythm section. The dynamic changes and instrumental sparkles result in an engrossing song which can be listened to over and over again.
The EP closes with title track Another Life. Again you can hear a more electronic influence, clearly inspired by artists like Tame Impala and Air. A broad, sweeping song, with an echo-laden beat, there’s even a vocoder, adding an extra dimension to the backing vocals throughout the chorus. Whilst the string-led outro of the song admittedly drags, it is a rare fault in a song that displays both the creative capacity and discipline of the band, who avoid crowding the track with too many sounds.
Another Life is a fantastic listen. The worst part about it is the fact that it is only four songs long. Each track has character, life and colour. The ‘I Know Leopard Sound’ is almost impossible to categorise here, with a wide range of influences playing a part in a memorable listen. A huge plus for a rapidly ascending band.
Sydney pop quartet I Know Leopard have dropped their latest single Close My Eyes from their forthcoming EP and it’s a stunner. The real hero of the 70’s inspired dream pop song are the strings. Delicate and balanced, it’s an emotion packed ballad that tempts you to float away with the dreamy vocals.
I Know Leopard have had a busy 12 months with a headline tour and also supporting Little May, San Cisco with a tour with Last Dinosaurs on the cards as well. It’s not hard to see why they are such a sought after band, especially considering they have another EP on the way already. We can only hope that it’s packed with more strings and tight melodies. Yes please.
Take a listen below:
You can buy their tunes right here.
Sydney’s I Know Leopard have been kicking around for a while, and they’re finally starting to see the recognition the deserve. Not only did they get to start the festivities at the Sydney leg of Laneway Festival last weekend, but their bright indie-dream-pop single Perfect Picture has been hitting the Triple J airwaves hard.
If you’re still looking for something to do come Valentines day (which is this Saturday,) look no further: I Know Leopard are playing an intimate, one-off gig at the lovely Brighton Up Bar on Oxford St in Darlinghurst. The gig will feature their brand new fifth band member, and their sparkly tunes are sure to set the mood.
We wanted to get to know them a little better, so we asked what some of their favourite songs were:
1. My favourite track to wake up to is… What a Fool Believes – The Doobie Brothers
2. The best track for cooking is… Build Me Up Buttercup – The
3. The best track for spring cleaning is… Wanna Be Starting Something – Michael
4. The ultimate road trip track is…. Driver’s Seat – Sniff ‘n The
5. My favourite love song is… Into My Arms – Nick Cave & The Bad
6. The best track for sweet love makin’ is… I’m The Man That Will Find You – Connan Mockasin
7. The track that always gets the party started is…Sussodio – Phil
8. The best track to wind down a crowd is… 93 Til Infinity – Souls of
9. My favourite drunken karaoke track is… Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm – Crash Test
10. My favourite song to sing in the shower is… No Rain – Blind
11. A song that always makes me cry is… Disney Girls – The Beach Boys
12. I love going to sleep listening to….. Santo and Johnny – Sleepwalk
13. I Can’t stop dancing when I hear… Lady – Modjo
Listen to it all here:
Sydney indie pop four-piece I Know Leopard have dropped a dazzling and dulcet new single, just in time for summer. Perfect Picture is a more purposeful effort from the band, but one which retains the charm and intrigue of their somewhat scattered lllumina EP, released earlier in the year. While the track is sharp, catchy and extremely promising, the best word to describe I Know Leopard’s latest endeavour is restraint. There is so much potential underlying the band’s work and this is never more obvious than in Perfect Picture. However, it is only in the song’s final third that it blooms; captivating vocals and more free-flowing instrumental elements give the impression that things are just getting started. Perhaps, in the career of I Know Leopard, they are.