Recently, one of music’s most outspoken personalities, Noel Gallagher took part in a Reddit Ask Me Anything. Notorious for digging up a bit more than your standard interview, the sessions are a music writer’s goldmine when it comes to further insight into some of music’s biggest names. Whilst Kevin Parker of Tame Impala fame actually opened up a legal shitstorm in regards to ex-label Modular and a scandal surrounding royalties owed, Gallagher’s was – surprisingly – quite tame.
Perhaps because we are so used to his chest-beating brashness, we may have been expecting more, but this more calm side was more than welcome by fans. However, there was one promising little nugget to come from the session. When asked about his favourite modern day bands, Gallagher replied, “There’s a band called Jungle. Fucking hell, they are amazin’.”
Pretty high praise from the man known for ruthlessly slagging off other musicians.
It seems the news has fallen upon open and eager ears, as Jungle have now returned the praise to the Oasis guitarist and songwriter. Co-founder Josh Lloyd-Watson told Loaded just how keen the band would be to even work with him, saying, “Of course we’d be interested in working with Noel. We’d love to get in a room with someone who’s achieved so much.”
Lloyd-Watson admitted to his status as an Oasis fanboy, adding, “We’d need to spend at least 20 minutes quizzing Noel first, about, ‘How did you do that song?’ and, ‘What was the row with Blur really like?’” Fellow founder, Tom McFarland, added further, “It’d be like going back to school. But the question really is: does Noel have any good riffs for us to use?”
So, could a Gallagher x Jungle collab be in the works? Both acts are working on follow up records currently, but Noel DID present the band with the prize for Most Played New Independent Act at the AIM Independent Music Awards in September. The band clearly have his respect, and Noel is known for being slightly unpredictable, so it seems time can only tell. Until then, join us in jamming out to Jungle’s fantastic breakout track, Busy Earnin’ below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcsfftwLUf0
While their Laneway tour has come to a close, we’ve received another gift from Jungle.
This week they released their music video for the latest single, Julia. The track is the fourth single from their self-titled debut album. The video features a complex dance routine by group of male dancers, and little else.
Simple it may be, but boring? No way! The choreography is beautiful and perfectly suits the melody. The power of dance is always strong when telling a story. With a high level of detail, this video is no exception.
This is the fourth collaboration between directors, Oliver Hadlee Pearch and Jungle’s very own J. In the past, they have worked on videos for previous singles Platoon, The Heat, Busy Earnin and Time.
Make sure you stay tuned until the end to see all the people from their previous videos!
Jungle is out now on XL!
Art of Sleeping, Crazy
I fell in love with Queensland group Art of Sleeping last year. Their single Crazy sent me CRAZY! Ha. I was lucky enough to see them at falls Festival, and we also caught them recently in Brisbane. Anyway, Crazy now has it’s own video clip, whhaaaat?
The clip follows the band members through their road trips and songwriting adventures. The band provided creative direction under the helm of editor and drummer Jean Paul Malengret.
BRNS, Many Chances
Described as “progressive pop,” Brussels band BRNS have just unveiled the video for their rich, sweeping, single Many Chances. Featuring delicate guitars, big drums and soaring vocals, it’s a really cool song. The beautiful animated video clip was created by Nicolas Fong, who stated that it “attempts to echo that casualness, the constant internal struggle and vanity of a personal question. It’s about fighting your inner dark demons.”
Jungle, Julia
Miss Jungle on their recent Laneway tour? Never fear, for you now have a super fresh new film clip to enjoy! Directed by band member J and Oliver Hadlee Pearch, it’s my favourite clip this week. Starting with one interpretive dancer, it quickly grows to six and a fully choreographed routine. In fact, it’s the full cast of dancers you’ve seen throughout their earlier clips for Platoon, The Heat, Busy Earnin’ and Time. As entertaining and exciting to watch as the band are on stage, these beautiful, visceral clips never fail to leave me in awe.
Oisima, Sun of Truth ft. Seraswati
A video as funky and fashionable as the song itself, Adelaide’s Oisima has just unveiled the clip for his jazzy new single Sun of Truth. The clip was directed by Tom Wilson, and follows three ladies around a city and its stunning natural surroundings. It’s a fresh track with some incredible flute licks and sax solos, and while the clip does admittedly look a bit like a commercial for a clothing range, it’s nevertheless draws you in to somewhere slightly strange, slightly magical.
Alison Wonderland, U Don’t Know ft. Wayne Coyne
As if a collab with Flaming Lips total douchebag frontman Wayne Coyne wasn’t random enough, Alison Wonderland’s new video clip features none other than Christopher Mintz-Plasse, perhaps best known as McLovin from Superbad. The song is awesome, despite featuring a complete idiot Wayne Coyne. McLovin’s gone a little crazy and has kidnapped Alison in his car. Eventually she escapes and the roles reverse. It’s weird, intense and thoroughly enjoyable.
Tei Shi, Bassically
Tei Shi’s single Bassically was easily one of my favourite electro-pop songs of last year, and now it’s got a funky video clip to boot. Featuring kinds of fashionable military attire (lingerie with goggles and a trench coat) along with swords, fire, guns, bow and arrows and more, it’s pretty cool and totally sexy. What’s more, Tei Shi will be releasing an EP, Verde, on April 17! I’m SUPER excited about this and you should be too.
When you know that Jungle – the band whose videos feature unreal dance crews, five year old breakdancers and rollerskating badasses – is actually two white dudes from London, you wonder how that funk and soul attitude is going to translate when they’re on stage performing their self-titled album. How on earth is the punch and grind of their sound going to work when it’s just the two of them behind the decks? The answer comes in the form of a seven-piece live band, an epileptic light show and pin-point perfect execution.
Oscar Key Sung opened the night with the oversized dress and charisma of a nineties croon star, working hard for a budding crowd and bringing his trademark RnB sensibility to smooth electronica. A Disclosure/Craig David lovechild incarnate, as well producing a mix of snappy beats and chasmic bass echoes Oscar is able to throw his voice around in slips and slides that are, well, to say the least… evocative. On stage the man was dedicated to seducing the crowd not only with his silver-tongued voice but also some next-level dancing, grinding up on the decks and frankly outclassing any electronic act that thinks pumping the crowd up involves a lot of jumping up and down and fist pumping. The crowd was left biting their lips in breathy anticipation as he blasted through All I Could Do, with a dance floor all worked up and ready to keep on gyrating by the time the headliners made their entrance.
Jungle became known in the UK in 2013 not only for their unique sound but their anonymity – for months there were no interviews, no press photos, just some amazing videos and two producers calling themselves ‘J’ and ‘T’ releasing track after track of catchy disco-styled electronica. When they came on stage at the Metro they were shrouded in smoke, backlit and surrounded by their bandmates, opening with a scorching rendition of Platoon, and never seen beyond a dark silhouette for the entirety of the show. Watching a couple of shadows perform for an hour could become annoying, but was saved by nevertheless high energy on stage and the effortlessly sassy back up singers, drawing the audience’s gaze with sharply choreographed moves and the synchronicity that makes Jungle videos so mesmerizing.
The energy of the crowd was high from the get go, with beats specifically targeting the hips and pelvises as we were hit with full-on funk to the face. The Heat and Julia gave us all serious groove envy, reeling us in for the big drops and hooks. I am of the belief that more bass and bongos are always a good thing, and the extended bridges of each song, coupled with a blunt cut off to finish, built up such a tension in the room not one person was left standing still. The most impressive aspect of the show, however, was the execution – Josh and Tom are multi-instrumentalists and how they managed to switch between drum pads, guitars and synth while never missing a beat or high-register note was frankly astounding. There were no breaks while they sorted out the switches, just a seamless transition from track to track, finishing with Hottest 100 #67 Busy Earnin and a deafening encore of Time. Jungle sound exactly they way you hope they will live, and even faceless manage to create a cool and charismatic energy on stage that seeps into the toes and hips of everyone watching. Limber up and bring your goddamn dancing shoes to Laneway, because I can only imagine what an audience of thousands is going to turn into once that soul beat starts.
Jungle is performing around the country with St Jeromes Laneway Festival.
Brisbane – Sat Jan 31
Sydney – Sun Feb 1
Melbourne – Sat Feb 7 and also Wed Feb 4 at 170 Russell (tickets here)
Adelaide – Friday Feb 6
Fremantle – Sunday Feb 8
Since its inception in 1974, Triple J’s crown jewel has easily been the annual Hottest 100 Countdown. The largest music poll in the world, establishing what was truly the best song of the year. That’s not to say the poll is always accurate, with some victors wining in questionable circumstances, however as 2014 draws to a close, its now time to count your votes, and establish who will take out this years crown. In light of this, Howls & Echoes has listed its top picks for the 2014 Countdown. (In no particular order)
Peking Duk: High feat. Nicole Millar
Possibly the only good thing to come out of Canberra since Kevin Rudd’s ‘Sorry’ speech, Peking Duk have had an incredible year. The release of High saw the duo solidify their standings in the shit-fight that is the Australian dance scene. This release resulted in incredible performances at both Splendour in The Grass and Groovin The Moo, and most recently saw the two tear Sterosonic’s main stage a new one. Considering how far these boys have come, and the incredible rotation High has had across the airwaves, we will be very surprised if this doesn’t make top 5, let alone grab pole position.
Chet Faker: Talk Is Cheap
That said, it’s not like there isn’t any strong competition. Chet Faker’s ‘Built on Glass’ saw the Melbournite go from a well kept secret, to Australia’s favourite son. Talk Is Cheap has amassed an impressive 7 million views on YouTube and his debut album reaching Gold status, accompanied with a number one spot. It’s going to be an incredibly close race, however our boy Chet is in with a seriously good shot.
Future Islands: Waiting On You
The fact that Future Islands have been kicking around since 2006 will never cease to surprise us, however its extremely fortunate that their single Waiting On You broke them into the global music scene this year. After their incredible performance at Splendour In The Grass, it would come as no surprise if the American Outfit claimed the number one spot. Accompanied by their incredible performance on Letterman, 2014 has definitely been the year of Future Islands.
The War On Drugs: Red Eyes
Similar to Future Islands, The War On Drugs’ past two albums were not only extremely underrated, but one of the best-kept secrets we had. However in the immortal words of Nelly Furtado, ‘All Good Things (Must Come To An End)’. The War On Drugs’ Red Eyes divided listeners, either deeming it incredible, or incredibly boring. At Howl & Echoes however, we back the Philadelphian outfit and know that the group will feature heavily in this years countdown.
Sam Smith: Stay With Me
Rolling Stone slotted UK tear-jerker, Sam Smith, into their top 15 tracks of 2014 with his heartfelt ballad Stay With Me. Having wowed crowds at Splendour In The Grass, and his debut album, Stay With Me is definitely a change of pace form the upbeat nature of the countdown, but rest assured that it will be in there.
Flight Facilities: Two Bodies feat. Emma Louise
We had Chet Faker, we had The Smith Street Band, however its so profoundly obvious that Flight Facilities album ‘Down To Earth’ was the single most anticipated Australian album of the year. The duo have been kicking around for years, however in 2014 the finally release their hugely awaited debut album. From this album stemmed Two Bodies, featuring Emma Louise. Spearheading the electronic vibe which has taken over Australia, ‘Two Bodies’ has been received with nothing but love.
DMAs: Delete
Before they had released a song, performed a gig, or given the public anything to show – Australia was already talking about Sydney’s DMAs. With several tours and soon to be two groundbreaking EPs under their belt, its no surprise. The unique formula of an Australian spin on that Brit-Pop sound we’d all forgotten has resulted in them being loved the world over. Having just finishing up supporting The Courteeners in the UK to rave reviews, their ballad Delete is a definite feature on this years Hottest 100
DZ Deathrays: Gina Works at Hearts
Having recently taken out the ARIA Award for Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album, the DZ lads are hardly slowing down. The release of Gina Works at Hearts saw a cross-over between their signature hard hitting riffs and a accessible lyrics, accumulating in some serious loving for the song. Here’s hoping that this cross over, which did them justice at the ARIAs, rewards them even further with a top 10 spot come January 26th.
ILLY: Tightrope
ILLY has been kicking around for years, however the release of Tightrope from his album Cinematic, hit a sweet spot with both Triple J and voters alike scoring Platinum status. Having headlined this years One Night Stand, it really has been a jam-packed year for the Victorian rapper, and he is in serious contention to cap it off with taking that number one spot.
Jungle: Busy Earning
The boys from Jungle came out of nowhere, and their self titled debut release took the world by storm. The British outfit have spent the entire year touring, capitalising on what is one of the better albums of this year. Their feel-good downbeat vibes will be making an appearance in this years countdown, the question is where?
Wild Card: Taylor Swift – Blank Space
I honestly don’t care what you say, Taylor Swift’s 1989 was one of the best albums of the year. Yeah it’s pop, but it was genuinely one of the most honest albums we’ve seen in a long time. Unfortunately I doubt that Blank Space will be considered for a nomination, but it should be. Taylor is love, Taylor is life.