Jaala Archives • Howl & Echoes

Your favourite garage-psych group King Lizard and the Lizard Wizard know a thing or two when it comes to pioneering in the world of production. They recorded and distributed their first EP entirely off their own backs, went on to release 8 albums in about four years, have five more projects lined up for 2017, they’ve just won an ARIA, and have also managed to gift Australia with its very own psychedelic festival, Gizzfest.

After debuting last year, Gizzfest’s sophomore undertaking has seen a bunch of national and international acts hopping around our shores, including the legendary White Fence, POND, Stonefield, Los Angelenos Mild High Club, ORB, The Murlocs, and funk master Boulevards. We blissed out to all of these and more at Sydney’s Luna Park.

Check out Gizzfest Part II featuring Body Type, White Fence, Greta Now, Dinner, POND, Boulevards & King Gizzard.

ORB

Jaala

Stonefield

GUM

Mild High Club

The Dandelion

The Murlocs

Photos: Dani Hansen/Howl & Echoes

When she’s not busy fronting the sensory overload that is Mangelwurzel, Cosima Jaala is busy embracing her artpop side with another project. Named after her surname, JAALA is equal parts jangly indie-rock, nostalgia-tinged psych and cathartic soul, and their latest single Salt Shaker is a unique blend of these three sounds.

Showcasing her one of a kind voice and left-field tendencies, JAALA are a breath of fresh air in the local – and soon to be international – music scene. Sticking to what they know, and what they’re good at, the band are set to show everyone just what they’re made of this week when their debut album, Hard Hold, is released.

We can’t get enough of JAALA, so we asked leading lady Cosima all about her favourite tunes to get to know her a little better. Given the abstract and eclectic nature of her music, it’s unsurprising that her answers were much the same. From Iron Butterfly and Frank Zappa all the way to Candi Staton’s Young Hearts Run Free, these are JAALA’s favourite tunes! They’re playing a few shows at the end of the year, as well as supporting The Internet next year for their Laneway sideshows – all dates can be seen below.

My favourite track to wake up to is…Iron Butterfly, In A Gadda Da Vida

In a Gadda da Vida does something to my brain, it reminds me of being a little girl when I lived in a purple house on a patch of bushland. The koalas made terrifying mating calls and a tree delivered papayas to the back door which my mum would cut up and squeeze orange juice all over. When I listen to the song a warm catharsis tickles all my synapses. It’s also totally rockin’ and goes for ages. Long songs can be really great because they don’t finish as quick.

The best track for cooking is…Bjork, Venus As A Boy

The beat is slow and methodical similar to how you would prepare a meal, she is also cooking in the clip which is very appropriate. My favourite part is when she burns the butter and cuddles a lizard.

The best track for spring cleaning is…Atlas Sound, Quick Canal

This is such an uplifting song, it really gets me in the mood for life and spring cleaning. Laetitia Sadier of Stereolab features on this tack and her lyrics herald such truth… “I thought saints were born saints/ I looked in the dirt/ And found wisdom is learnt/ Through a costly process/ Of success and failure”

My favourite love song…Burt Bacharach, Close To You

This is about as pure and devotional a love song can get. Sometimes I hum it under my breath when I think about my love. Sometimes I sing it out really loud when I walk home late at night, guts full of loudvoicejuice.

The best track for sweet love makin’ is…Frank Zappa, Baby Snakes

This the best song for sweet love making because you can serenade a real life baby snake about baby snakes. Frank Zappa taught me that it’s really important to be who you wanna be, especially in the bedroom. If you sing baaaby snaaaayaakes in the mirror five times whilst fondling yourself through tiny holes in your pocketses, the ghost of Jimi Hendrix will appear, that’s how magic works.

The best track to wind down a crowd is…Bob Marley, Waiting In Vain

This song makes my heart weep, wind down, I realise I don’t want to suckle from a goonsack at three in the morning with other lost souls. I should go home right now and formulate a plan to get that schmuck to love me.

My favourite song to sing in the shower is…Daniel Johnston, Some Things Last A Long Time

A song that always makes me cry is…Lonnie Holley, All Rendered Truth

This song makes me cry because it is a perfect work of art; also a song about A.R.T and the word itself an acronym for All Rendered Truth. Lonnie sings direct from his heart, but it feels like he is singing on behalf of everybody’s hearts. I’ve witnessed a few people cry to this song. What a beautiful man, Lonnie Holley, I love you.

I love going to sleep listening to…Fripp and Eno, Evening Star

This track helps me to sleep because it serves as a landscape you can nest inside of. It’s even called Evening star; maybe Fripp and Eno are actually wizards that have lived for thousands of years soothing mankind with their sonic incantations.

I can’t stop dancing when I hear…Candi Staton, Young Hearts Run Free

Young Hearts Run Free makes me kinda hip thrust and jiggle. If that’s dancing, then this song is the catalyst for a good time. I believe 100% in the song’s message about running free and love and it’s all good and I’m humping the pot plant at work and I couldn’t care if I tried. What a good song.

JAALA TOUR DATES

*Headline show
**Special guest for The Internet

27-29 November
Paradise Music Festival, Marysville, VIC
Tickets

Saturday 5 December
John Curtin Bandroom, Melbourne VIC*
Tickets

Saturday 12 December
Brighton Up Bar, Sydney NSW*
Tickets

Wednesday 3 February
Oxford Art Factory, Sydney, NSW**
Tickets

Thursday 4 February
Oxford Art Factory, Sydney, NSW**
SOLD OUT

Tuesday 9 February
Corner Hotel, Melbourne VIC **
SOLD OUT

Hard Hold is out November 20th via Wondercore Island/Warner

There is something about the weather heating up that makes me really excited, and it could have something to do with the steadily increasing amount of new music we are now hearing as the year comes to an end. With everyone racing to get one final release in before the year is out, it can get hard to sift through all the new material. Thankfully, we’ve got you again and have put together the top 10 songs that you should, you MUST listen to from this week. Man, we’re good to you!

Jaala – Salt Shaker

This track actually came out last week, but I heard it this week so it technically falls into this category? Either way, there will be no argument of technicalities when you hear it, because from the first listen you’ll be just as hooked as I am. Jaala’s unique voice, the jangly chords and evocative lyrics will leave you begging for more.

Moonbase Commander – Southpaw

I’m calling it, Southpaw is a straight up banger. Sometimes bigger is better, and that is definitely the case with this one. Hard hitting, bouncing, bassy and down right dirty in all the right places, Moonbase Commander certainly knocked me for a six when I heard this track, and made me very sorry for missing him at BIGSOUND. I’m predicting big things to come from this guy!

Tourist Dollars – End of Times

An exercise in out to pull off guitar pop in fantastic fashion, Tourist Dollars have dropped a doozy in the form of End of Times. Vocals soar over the tight guitar melodies and jangly beats, the light cymbal work keeping it fresh as the harmonies swell and the track drives along. It’s an incredibly tight, solid track and one that has made Tourist Dollars one act I’ll be keeping an eye on.

Suiix – Alright

Fresh off from showcasing their music BIGSOUND last month, Sydney four piece Suiix have released Alright, a shimmering pop song with a unique flair. With warped noises and hard hitting drums, the echoing, dreamy vocals lay soft over the almost psychedelic track as it swells and blooms. However, it’s the chorus that really gets you. Sounding like a combination of Alpine and Ratatat, Suiix are onto something really good with Alright.

Spelles – Wild Heart

This track is utterly mesmerising. Steadily building, the track goes from delicate piano keys to a swirling, blooming masterpiece as more and more is added to the fray. Careful and considered, Spelles commands the instruments with her incredible voice; drums, strings, searing guitar and more slowly coming together in a graceful waltz. It’s a gorgeous song that takes leads from the likes of Florence + The Machine, but putting her in a league of her own.

Leisure – All Over You

Leisure are one of my favourite discoveries of this year, and this is their third single. Each one has spread like wildfire across the internet as soon as it’s released, and All Over You is no different. Laying down a solid groove, this New Zealand band know a thing or two about making good songs and their natural talents are fully on display yet again here. Soulful vocals, funky beats and sensual lyrics, Leisure have once again taken one step further to total global domination.

Mila J – Hotline Bling Bling

I won’t deny that Drake’s Hotline Bling has been my jam since it came out, so I am enjoying the steady stream of remixes that keep popping up all over the internet. Last week, we featured Erykah Badu’s rework in this very playlist, but now this week the crown must go to Mila J. A lot more downtempo than the original, Mila J’s distorted lyrics float above a bed of pounding, bouncy bass and skittering beats, providing a sexy, steamy alternative to the original.

Hermitude – Ukiyo (YUMO Remix)

Brisbane producer YUMO is the latest in a slew of producers and DJs to take on Hermitude’s Ukiyo. However, there is something about this one that really caught my attention. It’s groovy, slowed down, emotive and fun, and sees the producer completely in his element. This is definitely one of my favourites I’ve heard, and should make for a perfect introduction to the mellow, soulful world of YUMO. You’re welcome.

Slum Sociable – Paradigm

There is really no one else that sounds like Slum Sociable. I could try and draw comparisons but any such effort would be undermining the totally original, unique sounds they consistently offer up, and Paradigm only reiterates this. One of the most innovative acts in Australia right now, it’s really only a matter of time before these two really blow up – especially if they keep putting out songs like this one.

Raleigh Ritchie – Bad Place

There is more to Raleigh Ritchie than Game of Thrones, and this track shows that off in all it’s glory. Short and sweet at not even three minutes long, Bad Place is a thumping, cool-as-fuck track taken from the film Just Jim and is where we can really hear Ritchie in his element. This is a track for strutting down the street or driving with the windows down and the volume up LOUD.