On a gorgeous night at an amazing open-air venue under the stars, The xx took Sydney’s breath away. The indie London group returned to Australia this month on their headline tour for third album I See You, a mere six months after appearing at staple festival Splendour in the Grass. So spoiled are we that they also brought along special guests Kučka and Kelela to kick things off.
Filling in for rapper Earl Sweatshirt (who unfortunately cancelled due to personal matters) Kučka is certainly a name you should have heard of by now. The Perth singer has recently collaborated with Cosmo’s Midnight, Andrei Eremin and Flume, and has supported the latter and fellow protégé Vince Staples on their latest Oz tours. As the sun set over Hyde Park, her distinctively soft treble vocals floated over minimal, industrial electronica that squared perfectly to draw in the crowd.
Next, R&B queen Kelela sounded off with some velvety harmonies. The buzzed-about up-and-comer exuded a magnetism that was impossible to ignore as she belted out that dreamy post-millenial soul she has become known for. With her DJ and singers in tow, she hypnotised the crowd.
Finally, the stars were well and truly twinkling in time for the main event. The stage was illuminated and singer Romy Madley Croft’s barebones guitar set the tone on apt opener Intro. Bassist Oliver Sim then lunged into a matching choreography, dipping his bass, grinning mischievously and shuffling to the pulsating rhythm provided by producer Jamie xx, who was poised behind a transparent altar placed upstage centre. The set design was one of the most detailed and dramatic witnessed in recent memory; crystalline floor tiles lined with LEDs and pillars of mirrors that spun climactically.
It was an unexpectedly thrilling display – Sim’s flamboyant dancing and Madley Croft’s messy-haired thrashing played perfectly to what is otherwise some of the most optimistically soporific music to ever hit the mainstream. The xx produce a sound that is reputedly soaked in melancholy set to breathy, vaporous beats, but here, on this stage and in this light, it was exceptionally grand.
Kučka
Kelela
The xx
Photos: Dani Hansen/Howl & Echoes
Flume‘s early days of uploading to MySpace and writing bits for his dad’s commercials as a 14 year old seem humble if not prodigious. The Northern Beaches native became an international sensation with his debut self-titled album which yielded four ARIA awards, a slew of big name collaborations and remixes, and the de-throning of One Direction and Justin Bieber off the charts to boot. Four years on, following some staggering stress and writer’s block, his second full-length creation Skin is whipping anyone left on the fence into a rippling laser-induced frenzy.
As a producer, Flume’s style is distinctly innovative, infusing electronic and dance music with warm, organic elements and behind-the-beat, off-grid Hip Hop swing. While his debut was smooth and melodic, he wanted to take his next project to a more challenging level. His latest album Skin not only won him seven ARIAs but has now been nominated for two Grammys. It contains an almost overwhelming mix of heavy, experimental electronics, blissfully radio-friendly pop and abrasive Hip Hop. Opener Helix is one of the most ethereal and spine-tingling numbers in recent times, and experiencing this song open a live spectacle to stadiums full of screaming fans is unbelievable to witness.
Since his last headline tour four years ago, which involved little more than a laptop and some brazen festival lighting, his live sets and stage design have exploded into a Tron-esque dream of blinding strobes, laser light cages, LCD lit decks and epic artwork displays by fellow Australian marvel Jonathan Zawada. And Flume’s on-stage presence has certainly come into its own accordingly.
Joining Flume on the night was rapper Vince Staples. Staples has also had an incredible year, including the release of new EP Prima Donna. It feels criminal to see Staples as just the opening act, but he certainly delivered one of the best opening sets you’ll ever see.
Vince Staples
Flume
+ Vince Staples & Kučka
Photos: Dani Hansen/Howl & Echoes
The ambassador for Australian electronic music known as Flume has dropped by Triple J to do Like A Version for the very first time. Currently on his biggest Australian tour to date, Flume showed up with a whole bunch of friends – Vince Staples, who is in town as the main support act for Flume, Vera Blue, Ngaiire, Kai and Kučka. Staples, Kai and Kučka all feature on Skin, while Vera Blue and Ngaiire joined him on stage at Splendour in the Grass.
Although Vince and Kučka were both in tow, he didn’t play [my personal favourite track on the album] Smoke & Retribution. Instead, he delivered a really beautiful rendition of smash hit Never Be Like You with Kai in the lead and Vera Blue, Kučka and Ngaiire on backup vocals.
For his cover, Flume brought Ghost Town DJs’ My Boo to life, with the help of Vince Staples and Kučka, along with Vera and Ngaiire on backing vocals. Watch both here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqdAc56tfSM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miqsQf7ZvCU
Not only did Flume finally release his sophomore album this year, the extremely packed in follow-up to his genre-defying eponymous debut, but he’s just released a short companion EP too, which included a collaboration with Preatures singer Isabella Manfredi.
Read our in-depth review of Flume, Skin
Flume is currently on tour in Australia along with special guests Vince Staples and SOPHIE. Check out the remaining dates below:
December 2 | Brisbane, QLD | Riverstage (SOLD OUT)
December 9 | Sydney, NSW | Qudos Bank Arena (formerly Allphones Arena)
December 10 | Sydney, NSW | Qudos Bank Arena (formerly Allphones Arena)
December 15 | Melbourne, VIC | Sidney Myer Music Bowl (SOLD OUT)
December 16 | Melbourne, VIC | Sidney Myer Music Bowl (SOLD OUT)
December 17 | Adelaide, SA | Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Image: Triple J/Twitter
2016 has flown by and it is already almost time for the best event on Brisbane’s musical calendar; BIGSOUND. It seems like the happy, hazy buzz of last year’s event has only just worn off, with many of the bands coming up through the festival’s ranks and rising to success in recent months. Remember when Tiny Little Houses were still just a blip on the indie radar? Or before Baro burrowed his way into your head for days?
The three day music industry conference and showcase will take place from the 7th-9th of September and is this year spanning across a mammoth fifteen venues, with over 150 bands creating an orchestra of mid-week madness for professionals and music lovers alike. Not to mention the pre/post/lunch time parties that promise around the clock frivolity throughout the entire week.
We know as well as anyone how hard it is to break out those highlighters and commit to a schedule dictated only by your inability to clone yourself, the disappointing lack of technology to speed up or slow down time, and the lack of super human speed to transport you between stages. To help you along the way we have compiled our list of ten moments that are not to be missed at this year’s event if you want any bragging rights for the next twelve months.
BIGSOUND is where the world discovers Australian music and in case you haven’t noticed, we are a little bit excited about what this year is going to bring.
Get all your ticket info here.
Mushroom Free For All
Tuesday 6th September, 8pm – The Flying Cock (Free entry)
In the pre-event to make the next few festival days a guaranteed struggle, Mushroom are again throwing their free and fabulous party to kick off BIGSOUND on Tuesday night. Featuring the likes of ALTA, Kyle Lionhearted, The Belligerents, Tiny Little Houses, I OH YOU DJ’s and Soothsayer DJ’s, RSVP’s are essential so be sure to register here.
https://youtu.be/CjWIakdCWzc
Secret Sounds ‘The Night Before BIGSOUND’
Tuesday 6th September, 7pm – The Foundry (Free entry)
Remember how we already decided cloning isn’t a thing? It will be a tough call to decide how to divide the time between these two epic Tuesday night shindigs. Another free event with an even bigger lineup including A.D.K.O.B, Alice Ivy, Austen, Ayla, Born Joy Dead, Braille Face, Coda Conduct, Confidence Man, Leena, Gideon Bensen, Ivan Ooze, Mid Ayr, Naations (US), Robbie Mill, Verge Collection, WAAX, Woodes and a bucket load of DJ sets, register your space on the dance floor here.
https://youtu.be/0iNf-1Gfq_s
Mallrat
Wednesday 7th September, 8:50-9:20pm – The Elephant Hotel
Described as the Hannah Montana of the rap game, sixteen year old Mallrat will make you lament your wasted youth with a slew of tracks that are creating hype worldwide. With stunning production and lovely lyrical insights, she’ll make you feel like the most unsuccessful adult around, but it’s worth it.
https://youtu.be/PqlGSQgcL7I
Flowertruck
Wednesday 7th September, 9:40-10:10pm – New Globe Theatre
Hailing from Sydney, this throwback four piece bring a powerhouse of emotions evoking Morrissey or Brisbane’s own The Go-Betweens. Poignant and sway-worthy with plenty of audience banter, cracking single Sunshower is a damn near religious experience live. Be sure to catch them on their way to greater heights and check out their debut EP Dirt here.
https://youtu.be/yvT1J4-H_Wo
Polish Club
Wednesday 7th September, 10:40-11:10pm – Woolly Mammoth Alehouse Stage
Polish Club sound like the cassette you found in your dad’s shoebox and played twenty years later marvelling at the excellent taste he had before he tortured you with Shannon Noll. Their scuzzy haze has all the charm of a pop song and all the vitriol of a late night brawl. Catching these guys live for the first time might be a bit like drinking the first beer on a Friday; unparalleled satisfaction.
https://youtu.be/E-iy8ns0CLg
Kučka
Wednesday 7th September, 10:50-11:20pm – The Flying Cock
It’s a voice that you couldn’t have possibly escaped this year, featuring on Flume’s smash hit track Smoke And Retribution alongside Vince Staples. This singer also has plenty of her own to offer. Get a taste of those angelic sounds and R&B stylings before Kučka heads overseas for the remainder of the year.
https://youtu.be/ZoiBN8QdDu0
Pandora Lunch Party
Thursday 8th September, 2:30pm – Ric’s Big Back Yard
Featuring APES, Young Tapz and Ecca Vandal, this promises to be an afternoon of raw energy. From the hard hitting guitar rock of APES, to the smooth flow of Young Tapz to the infectious raucousness of Ecca Vandal, this will get your final BIGSOUND night off to the right kind of start.
https://youtu.be/wbkJsg9w4hU
B Wise
Thursday 8th September, 8:50-9:20pm – The Elephant Hotel
B Wise has broken out on the local MC circuit in 2016, scoring supporting slots for huge names like Tuka (Thundamentals), Vince Staples, Yelawolf and Freddie Gibbs. The Sydney-based rapper lays his slow swagger atop luscious production and is sure to bring a glow to The Elephant stage.
https://youtu.be/WEs_jPyORDc
Terrible Truths
Thursday 8th September, 9:40-10:10pm – The New Globe Theatre
Our calendar couldn’t be complete without some DIY bedroom jams, and Terrible Truths bring just that in spades. The Melbourne three piece ooze 70’s post punk and riot grrl charm on their self titled debut and will bring all that fuzzy goodness to the stage on Thursday night.
https://youtu.be/sHX_r1oXn4s
Sampa The Great
Thursday 8th September, 11:20-11:50pm – Oh Hello!
Undoubtedly one of the most exciting voices in Australian hip-hop, Sampa The Great will be bringing her fusion of poetry and rhyme to the stage, transcending definition and connecting on every level. Off the back of her debut release The Great Mixtape, this might be the most anticipated set at this year’s event.
https://youtu.be/lHoE43gcB1A
Well that was extremely difficult and we’ve only just scratched the surface! Pumped yet? 7 days and counting!
Image: Sampa The Great
Another week, another week’s worth of songs to listen to. Don’t worry though, as we’ve once again narrowed it down to ten of the best songs you need to hear! Enjoy!
BUOY, Clouds & Rain
Sydney artist BUOY finally makes her return with this latest single. Following on from her astounding EP, Immersion, last year, I’ve been eagerly waiting new music from BUOY thanks to her impressive beats, incredible voice, and impossible knack for tying together elements that wouldn’t work anywhere else but under her guidance. Clouds & Rain once again sees her delve into a multitude of styles and sounds, throwing parts and fragments together to create a beautiful arrangement. From the sombre, slow opening to the garage-y, bouncy hook (I guess you could call it a hook?), BUOY is the master of controlled chaos and Clouds & Rain once again shows that off.
KUCKA, Honey (Time Pilot Remix)
Time Pilot make some of the biggest tunes in the country, but are sorely not yet receiving the cred or hype that I truly believe they deserve. However, with each release they slowly creep onto more and more radars, and soon I hope they’ll achieve the recognition they should. It helps when their releases sound as good as this latest one. Remixing fellow Perth native KUCKA, Time Pilot take her Honey and turn it into a futuristic jaunt with booming thick bass, shuddering synths and huge drops. In a time where the electronic scene is absolutely saturated in acts believing the bigger the drop, the better, Time Pilot stick to their guns and it’s this integrity that will see them through. Yet another impressive remix from these guys!
Peter Bjorn & John, Breakin’ Point (Miike Snow Remix)
Ahead of their return to Australia later this year for Splendour In The Grass, Peter Bjorn & John have now shared their second single from their forthcoming new album (their seventh), of the same name. In the same day, fellow Swedish maestros Miike Snow also released their own remix of this latest tune. The two bands are in the same artist collective, INGRID, and they were both using the same studio to make their respective new albums. A coincidence or not about this outpouring of creativity, but Miike Snow’s take on Breakin’ Point just about takes the cake for my favourite track of the week. With a moog bass line and grooves amped up more than a few levels, they take Peter Bjorn & John out of the pop environment and into alternative dance, and it sounds great.
Samm Henshaw, Our Love
Melding R&B, soul, gospel and more, Samm Henshaw gets better and better with each release. Our Love is a liberating, expressive, emotional celebration of love between two people, and will have you dancing around the room within seconds. It’s big-band feel practically guarantees it will be an outstanding number to see live, and Henshaw’s almighty voice gives it even more of a soulful feel. With a catchy riff, splashy drums, euphoric screams and good vibes a-plenty, Our Love is up there with one of the best Henshaw tracks we’ve heard, and – as always with his music – has us so excited to see what he does next!
Golden Vessel, Never Know (Ft. Lastlings)
Brisbane up-and-comers Golden Vessel and Lastlings have teamed up for this beautiful new track. Golden Vessel is a rising star as a producer/solo act, whilst Lastlings are forging their own path as an electronic duo, and both shine so bright on Never Know. With beautiful, swirling production and blooming atmospherics, oriental influences and shimmering guitar, Amy Dowdle’s voice is gentle and enticing, and matches up perfectly with Golden Vessel’s intricate production. Inspired by the drive out to the Gold Coast Hinterlands, the three make some real magic here. We’re predicting big things to come from both artists in the next few months, and if this is anything to go by, they’re sounding like they’re about to prove us right!
LUCIANBLOMJAMP, The Overman (Ft. Lower Spectrum)
Having just toured around the country together on a joint headline tour, it’s only fitting that one would remix the other when it comes to LUCIANBLOMKAMP and Lower Spectrum. The former being from Melbourne, the latter from Perth, the two are at the top of the game when it comes to left field electronic music in Australia. With their own unique brands of electronica, involving dark and brooding sounds with hypnotic tendencies, the two sound even better when on the same track with Lower Spectrum reworking LUCIANBLOMKAMP’s stand out tune, The Overman. Already serving as a highlight on Lucian’s latest album, Bad Faith, Lower Spectrum puts his own spin on it to make it a trance-inducing, break neck tune that is as unpredictable as it is impressive – just like both of these artists are. Sublime.
Elk Road, Lights (Ft. Oly)
Another Perth producer, Elk Road returns with a brand new song, this time teaming up with Oly for added vocals. The result is yet another step up for the upcoming producer as he continues his stellar run of releases. Elk Road said of the track, “I wanted to make something fun and energetic that contained all my favourite elements – soaring guitars, pounding basslines, steel drums, vocal melodies and so on. It started out as a really chilled track and as I worked on it over 6 months it progressively became more and more dance-floor.” “Dance floor” indeed. Lights is an upbeat floor filler with sensational vocals from Oly and a drop that will bring you to your knees. Elk Road works best in the big room sounds, and Lights is a perfect example not only of where he is heading, but where he belongs.
Miel, Deep Water
Brisbane alt-pop band Miel have released their latest single this week, titled Deep Water, and it takes the prize for smoothest track of the week. Drawing heavily on influences like Hiatus Kaiyote, the band lay down some succulent grooves here. Meticulous guitar, sublime vocals and jazz influences to take it over the edge, Deep Water is an impressive release from an impressive band. Front-woman Adelina describes the song as “dripping with metaphor, toying with tension and release to immerse the listener in themes of religion, loyalty and friendship,” and all is this is represented beautifully here. Quickly becoming a staple in the live scene of their hometown, it’ll be exciting to watch these guys continue to grow!
Stay At Home Son, Tired
Stay At Home Son has shared his second single, Tired, this week via Japanese Wallpaper‘s own label, Neat Lawn. Following on from the success of Bluffs and Blocks, Tired coincides with Stay At Home Son’s self titled, debut EP (which also serves as the first release from the Neat Lawn label), and sees real name Jesse Martin-Allan delve even further into the emotional side of electronic music, with intimate lyrics and gentle arrangements that carry his vocals. A really beautiful song, Tired is a calculated and considered song that Martin-Allan has clearly spent some time working on and honing. It’s an impressive song, not just from an upcoming artist, but from an upcoming label too, and should serve both parties very well for the near future.
Loyle Carner, Stars & Shards
Loyle Carner fuses a lot of genres together to get his own, unique and fresh sound and it works so well every time that he makes it all sound easy. Stars & Shards once again shows off his storytelling lyrics and his amalgamation of East Coast hip-hop and South London jazz, tied together with his soulful influences. Raw and honest, he keeps it light whilst discussing dark topics over a breezy guitar riff and drum beat. Debuting on Annie Mac’s Radio 1 show as her Hottest Record, Carner is set to have an even bigger year this year, even though last year saw him embark on two sold out tours and acquiring a loyal and rapidly-growing fan base. It’s no surprise though, as his real rhymes and easy-going flow would do it for just about anyone – us included.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGNMTGh6JZY
Last week, Sydney producer Dro Carey (real name Eugene Ward) was announced as the newest signing to new Melbourne label Soothsayer, only the second artist on the new roster after Roland Tings. Now he has shared a new collaboration with Perth singer-songwriter Kučka, along with details of a new EP entitled Dark Zoo, set for release on May 20.
Premiering on Triple J last night, Queensberry Rules is the first cut taken from Dark Zoo. Though his past work on labels like Greco-Roman, TTT and Templar Sound have predominantly been instrumental tracks, Queensberry Rules a completely fresh sound brought together by two of Australia’s fastest emerging names. While much Australian electronic music seems to be going for brighter feelings, Dro’s work has always been more in line with grime and UK garage, and Queensberry Rules sounds damn fresh. Kučka’s vocals bounce high up over the low thumping synths and bass, with a shifting drum beat that just begs movement.
Dro Carey explains the lead up to the collaboration, saying he “came across Kučka’s SoundCloud around the same time that she was building up to her Unconditional EP, maybe a little before that. She was on my radar as a really interesting artist but this was back before there was even the sense that the next Dro release would have any vocals. Later after I’d done some demos that were looking like potential vocal collaborations, I saw her name come up again one day. I always thought of her as a kind of dream collaborator to take a shot with, so I was honestly a bit surprise when she came straight back after the track and was keen to work on it!”
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/260298956″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=’166′ iframe=”true” /]
With Dark Zoo out May 20th, Queensberry Rules definitely sets the tone for what should be a phenomenal first release on the Soothsayer label. Check the tracklist down below, and pre-order Dark Zoo right here.
Dro Carey, Dark Zoo track list
- Queensberry Rules (feat. KUČKA)
- Signal Mash
- Dark Zoo (feat. FKL)
- Grow Lithe
- Hidden Halls
Image: Supplied
To tie in with shows in London, Paris and Belgium over the next few days, today saw Flume jumping onto Annie Mac’s BBC Radio 1 Show to talk and demonstrate his ever evolving live performances, and his second, highly anticipated album, Skin.
Before getting stuck in, Annie quizzes Flume on his live performances, which he says involves a keyboard and APC40. Following on from a live rendition of Never Be Like You featuring Kai on vocals in studio, he also played a few cords to demonstrate how it sounds solo. Never Be Like You live is as you’d expect; impeccable, with Annie commenting that it sounds exactly like it does on the record. That’s only before we got another look at a track Flume has only thus far played in his Laneway sets, currently untitled.
It’s dark, slow and brooding, with some really thick synths coming in to pick it up about halfway through. Kučka is back on vocals, with her and Flume thus far being a winning combination, and her voice getting deeply manipulated alongside some spacey vocal samples. It’s a seriously slow burner, maybe some of the darkest stuff we’ve heard from Flume – but it’s seriously sick stuff. Annie took some name suggestions from the audience as well, with “Synth”, “The Fly”, “Bamboo Chime”, and “Underhand Emotions” being some of the ones that got a mention, but not particularly tickling Flume’s fancy.
He and Annie spoke more about Skin’s direction, with Harley again coming back to the idea of it as headphone music rather than festival bangers – “I kind of started this project and decided that most of it would be headphone music stuff, so when I do see people going nuts at festivals it’s kind of crazy.” He also mentioned how his live show has changed, with a new deck and visuals for his upcoming shows. Finally, they finished with a cover of Canadian Alessia Cara’s Here, with beautiful stuff happening between Kučka and Kai over some swelling synths.
Check the stream out here
Doing tonnes of shows in the coming months over Europe and the U.S, as well as wowing audiences at Laneway last month, no doubt there’ll be plenty more to hear from Australia’s greatest electronic export. Keep it locked here to stay up to date.
Photo:BBC1
Montaigne – In The Dark
I’ve long swooned over the upcoming Sydney artist, and already described this track as perhaps her best yet. The visual accompaniment is now upon us, adding yet another intriguing and beautiful element to the piece.
This is a really weird clip, and absolutely my favourite for the week. Totally surreal, it’s packed with physical and symbolic power. The clip almost exclusively features Montaigne in a bare, dark space. Soon, we begin to see gold liquid oozing from her skin, eventually enveloping her completely, burying her in a shallow grave.
This track was amazing on its own, and this video only makes it that much better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6c5daSKVRw&feature=youtu.be
Vera Blue – Settle
Just last month saw the release of a wicked BV remix of Vera Blue’s debut track Hold, which was first released late last year. Now, the 20-year-old artist is back once more, with a really stunning new track and accompanying video, Settle. The track was produced by Gossling and Andy Mak, while the video was produced by Sydney’s Paper Moose. The soft black and white clip has a really similar aesthetic to that for Hold, and the relatively simple concept sees Vera traipsing through tunnels, streets and stairways across the city, engulfed in a contemplative, pensive atmosphere.
Settle is the second track released from her upcoming debut EP, due for release some time later this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6BFbesATTU&lf=9510dd3fac4be7fc2219448cd0cee539
Kučka – Honey
Having just enjoyed a meteoric jump in recognition thanks to her feature on the explosive new Vince Staples-featuring Flume track, it could not be a more perfect time for Kučka to release something new of her own. This week saw the video release of her track Honey. The video, directed by Julia Ngeow, takes a really, really intimate look at the human body. Skin, fingers, eyes and lips are almost removed from their context and meaning as a body part, instead looking like strange landscapes and other unidentifiable shapes.
The artist will be releasing a series of Honey remixes on April 8.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLEP0ceIc88&feature=youtu.be
Flume may have just dropped his best song yet. Big call, sure, but I’m going there.
Following on from his recent new single Never Be Like You (ft. Kai,) the Manly-born producer has just stepped up his game about ten notches, with new track Smoke and Retribution, featuring Perth singer Kucka and rapper Vince Staples.
Opening on a massive beat, the pendulum swings across the rhythm as Staples spits pure fire up above. But before long, the entire track changes – rhythm, atmosphere and melody, with a brief glimpse into a spacey soundscape and Kucka’s almost childlike bridge. I’ll be honest, this is by far my least favourite part of the track; the breakdown feels like a necessity more than a strong addition to the track. But Vince soon returns to the spotlight, and boy oh boy, does he deserve it.
https://soundcloud.com/flume/smoke-and-retribution-feat-vince-staples-kucka/
Myself, and much of the music world, have long considered where Flume would take his immediately identifiable sound on his second album. Considering the quality of the two tracks we’ve heard so far, this is shaping up to be one hell of a follow-up.
Flume and Staples are both set to perform at Laneway Festival this year, so one can only assume that lucky attendees will be among the first in the world to hear the pair collaborate on this incredible production live.
Flume will be releasing his new album Skin later this year via Future Classic.
Dates and venues:
Friday 5 February – Harts Mill, Port Adelaide (16+)
Saturday 6 February – Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane (16+)
Sunday 7 February – Sydney College of the Arts, Sydney
Saturday 13 February – Footscray Community Arts Centre And The River’s Edge, Melbourne
Sunday 14 February – Esplanade Reserve and West End, Fremantle
Written by Sam Armatys & James Tait
This week saw us drowning under a mountain of video clips so good we just had to share them all in a super sized edition of our round up. ALL OF THE VIDEOS. Expressionistic dance, stunning landscapes, public park rage, regurgitated spaghetti, and 90’s revival; we’ve got it all.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre – Pish
The video to accompany single Pish off upcoming oddly titled Mini Album Thingy Wingy, has all the trappings of a cinematic epic contained in just over five minutes. About to embark on their 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee tour, the track throws back to the classic BJM shoegaze sound, with drawling vocals and guitar lines for days. Frontman and mastermind behind the band, Anton Newcombe, has expressed a strong interest in creating soundtracks to films, and this video obliges with a beautifully shot exploration of a Japanese woman’s obsession with dance. It is a story about being consumed by your passion night and day and all the joy and madness that ensues. With a brilliant performance from actress Hinako Matsumoto, it is a must see.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlwQVZUTdJA]
Toiné Houston – Summertimmme (Reminiscing Part 1)
If your days have been warming up and you have been searching high and low for some smooth sounds to groove away a sunny afternoon, then look no more. Toiné Houston brings a silky anthem for the summer with her latest track, and has a video that is just too damn cute to pass up. The clip traces the blossoming of a childhood romance with a 90’s production quality that makes it feel like a cross between a Brandy video and the movie My Girl. It’s full of nostalgia and a great track from the neo-soul songstress’s upcoming Love States EP.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_9qhQGPGdc]
Floating Points – Nespole
Remember when Sia released the Chandelier video and everyone was blown away? Well, it seems she has opened the door for more and more music to be brought to life by expressionistic dance moves, with varying levels of effectiveness. One of the best to follow the path has landed this week, with the latest clip from Floating Points, for single Nespole. Every sound of the minimalist electronic track is mimicked by two ballerinas (both played by dancer Kiani Del Valle), with hypnotic motions that explore the malleability of the human body. Light and dark, they spar off against each other across a vast auditorium in a beautifully choreographed sequence. The track comes from EP Eleania, out November 6th.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfYP7uTZX8Y]
Hedge Fund – Boyfriend
Sydney indie post-punkers Hedge Fund have released a video for new track, Boyfriend, that demands your attention. If you have ever felt so sad and angry you want to rip up the grass, roll in the dirt and beat the shit out of tree, then this is the clip for you! The clip follows YouTube sensation Jordan Markovina (you might know him better as the hilarious and awesome friendlyjordies) as he goes on a shirtless rampage in a public park, and you can’t help picturing bewildered passersby marvelling at the scene. The high energy track is fistfuls of fun to match and will be stuck in your head for days.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rzk0Lt1jaI]
Loose Buttons – Thrill
These indie rockers from NYC released new single Thrill last month and have followed up with a video that embraces their sound, with lo-fi hues that bring back memories of blowing on VHS ribbons after too many plays. Director J.D. Aronson says of the clip “I think we ultimately stayed true to the notion of ‘the thrill’— living in the moment, and being the most authentic version of yourself.” The video traces a night of shenanigans from skating behind cars, to dancing in the street, to the kind of night swimming that would make R.E.M. proud. If you ever taped Rage and re-watched it, you will be oh so familiar with those streaky lines and yellow hues, and it’s a fun little exploration into creating memories.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDXxKRtLN-A]
Elk Road – Not to Worry feat. Governors
Not to Worry is the first track from young Perth producer Elk Road that was released earlier this year and has since received loads of attention. The video clip to accompany it was released this week, and plays like a post card to the artist’s hometown. With stunning landscapes that could find themselves in a tourism commercial, it’s beautifully shot by production duo Matsu & Parks. Juxtaposing the vertical lines of feeling trapped in café’s and office buildings with the horizontal lines of freedom on wide open roads and fields of flowers, it’s an ode to stepping out of the monotony of daily life. You can check out Elk Road at Your Paradise festival next month, Sydney’s Electronic Music Conference in December.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNSnxC7QkwQ]
Cosmo’s Midnight (feat. Kučka) – Walk With Me
I’m not usually one for pop music, but this is a damn near perfectly crafted slice of the artform from Sydney twins Cosmo’s Midnight. The vocal assist from Perth electronic songstress Kučka is a sugary falsetto delight that never threatens to become sickly sweet. The dream pop beat is infectious, the synths all kind of lush and the chorus guaranteed to stick in your head. The video is the perfect accompaniment too, Kučka lazing around her bedroom with a Husky, the Cosmo’s Midnight boys riding scooters around an affluent suburb in a pair of tracksuits robbed straight out of the lost property bin at a 90s squash court. There’s pickup basketball, scooter rap squats and Kučka in a kiddie pool before the trio meet up to throw down some of the sweetest choreographed suburban street dance moves you’re likely to see all year. Perfect.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLXJzKdIlXE
Frøkedal – First Friend
Sticking within the pop world, although dialing it back just a little bit, is this absolutely NSFW video from Norwegian artist Frøkedal to accompany First Friend from her debut I See You EP. It starts out innocently enough, a young couple (portrayed by a pair of Norwegian actors) getting all touchy-feely in the late afternoon balcony sun, I can dig that. But then all of a sudden there’s a hand spider-walking with the creepiest of movements across the railing and then she’s regurgitating spaghetti into her partner’s mouth like some kind of messed up but honey-throated mother bird. The lyric ‘in an ordinary world I want nothing more than having you inside me’ is taken to graphically visual heights, with the woman spending the last minute of the song literally eating her partner, blood everywhere and grinning like a maniac. Shit escalated quickly, but it’s a cool and quirky film clip that swipes right with an ice cold pop song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jts61jbBeCk
Little May – Seven Hours
Just shy of releasing their debut album For The Company this week, Sydney trio Little May have given us an absolutely stunning music video for their song Seven Hours. The song is rock at its most hauntingly beautiful. The video features a back and forth living room ballet between a couple tangled up in their emotions. My favourite part of the entire thing is the menacing black storm cloud hanging above them as they lay on the bed together before the dude wakes up to find his bed out to sea and a humpback whale almost blowing him out of the water. Even if the song was garbage (and it is the absolute polar opposite of that) we’d watch this video over and over again just for the mindblowing visuals. Amazing.
G-Eazy – You Got Me
Sordid is probably the best way to describe the latest music video from Oakland born and raised G-Eazy. The trap beat is positively grungy, the bass turned all the way up as G-Eazy and his entourage enjoy a seedy night out on the West Coast. They visit (and eventually are thrown out of) a dankly fluorescent strip club, choosing instead to roam the streets in the wee small hours clutching bottles of champagne and riding around with the windows rolled down. It’s ratbag and it’s glorious.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3wlroM2gZ8
L-Fresh The Lion – Get Mine (feat. Parvyn Kaur Singh)
If you don’t watch this video and immediately wish you had a crowd around you to start a slow clap then I don’t know what to tell you. L-Fresh The Lion comes straight out of Sydney’s southwest with a pretty simple message (if you read between the lines of his verbose and socially conscious rapid fire flow) for the sadly perpetual horde of un-Australian racists and bigots he probably has to deal with on a daily basis: fuck off. The video features L-Fresh looking dapper as all get out, delivering an address to an unseen crowd with Australian flags adorning the background, interspersed with grainy television footage of past Prime Ministers (Tony Abbott’s shit eating mug getting quite a look-in), as well as from dark days in our recent history like the Cronulla race riots and those fuck-awful Reclaim Australia rallies. And the man is a goddamn talent, sharp as a tack. He wrote an op-ed piece to accompany the release of this video that is absolutely spot on; highlighting how the words and actions of our political leaders have a poisonous trickle-down effect on our national narrative.
L-Fresh The Lion, doing Australian hip hop proud and a name you need to watch out for.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiIj-enNs34