After 24 glorious years, Falls Festival continues to provide us with the most unforgettable moments across the New Year festivus. The 2016-17 lineup saw some major international names, as well as our best local acts rounding up another year in style. In Byron Bay, it was a balmy 33 degrees across the three day event and climaxed with a torrential downpour for the very last performances on day three.
Day one got the party started with festival favourites Northeast Party House, Hot Dub Time Machine and Client Liaison, who have time and time again proven that they know how to get the crowd going better than just about anyone. Joining them was the one and only scratch maestro and hip-hop pioneer Grandmaster Flash, who, at 59 years young, showed off his skills to the young crowd. Ringing in the new year, the legend that is Donald Glover AKA Childish Gambino brought his phenomenal new funk album Awaken, My Love! to life, as well as delivering a bunch of his older hip-hop tracks to keep the rap-loving fans in check.
In this gallery you will find Northeast Party House, Mallrat, Spit Syndicate, Client Liaison, Broods, Grandmaster Flash, Hot Dub Time Machine and Childish Gambino.
PHOTOS: Falls Festival Day II
PHOTOS: Falls Festival Day III
Read our full review of Falls Festival here!Northeast Party House
Mallrat
Spit Syndicate
Client Liaison
Broods
Grandmaster Flash
Hot Dub Time Machine
Childish Gambino
Photos: Dani Hansen/Howl & Echoes
With this year’s edition of Falls Festival somehow only a week away, we’re all getting very much ready for Christmas to be over and the end of the year upon us, going mental at a festival a damn sight more fun than awkward family gatherings. We’ve looked at ten acts from around the world that you need to catch at this year’s Falls, today we get a little closer to home with five local acts you’d be a fool to miss as well. The likes of:
Violent Soho
Look, if you’ve been to a single music festival in Australia this year then there’s a very strong likelihood that you have seen Violent Soho at some point, they have just been everywhere on the live circuit this year touring the heck out of their outstanding latest album WACO.
Even if you’ve seen them more times than your own grandmother this year, few things are as earth-shaking as a Violent Soho festival show on home soil, they’re up there among the biggest bands in the country and when they play absolutely nothing gets left in the tank, from the band to the raucous crowd. You know new hits like Viceroy, Like Soda and Blanket are going to go off like frogs in a sock, but who could pass up the euphoric singalong to Covered In Chrome that will surely end the set (and possibly the entire festival in a smoking crater) with a bang.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFbbZuO7f4E
DMA’s
Violent Soho’s I Oh You labelmates in Sydney’s DMA’s are also touching down at Falls after having themselves a ripper year too. They released their long-awaited debut album Hills End earlier this year, a record that won them swathes of new fans and solidified their status as one of the country’s best exports in one fell swoop, the trio on a meteoric upswing ever since.
They’ve expanded their sound on the new record and it’s a sonic experience that should transfer to the festival stage naturally, their signature Brit-pop throwback wall of sound made for seething outdoor crowds. Delete is a festival favourite that everybody in the country should know the words to like the national anthem at this point and DMA’s should be a highlight for everyone in attendance. If they love us unconditionally they might give their spellbinding cover of Cher’s Believe from their stint on Like A Version this year a red hot crack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmwFnoMoDDg
The Avalanches
What a return 2016 was for The Avalanches. They were heralded as conquering kings at their first stage show in years at Splendour, a true spectacle that showed The Avalanches still have it in spades. Their sophomore album Wildflower, released 16 long, bleak years since their debut Since I Left You is one of the records of the year and live renditions of Frankie Sinatra and Because I’m Me blended seamlessly (and delightfully) with old hits like Since I Left You and the titanic Frontier Psychiatrist when they unveiled them live at Splendour.
Special guests, mash ups and enough dancing to send shockwaves to the core of the earth will be the order of the evening when The Avalanches take to the stage at Falls Festival.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpqm-05R2Jk
Tired Lion
Perth’s Tired Lion came to kick ass and chew gum and they’re fresh out of gum. They’ve enjoyed a breakout 2016 as part of the new wave of feminism taking the Australian punk scene by storm. They hit absolutely huge on just about everything they released, including the snarling I Don’t Think You Like Me, the anthemic Not My Friends and the darkly personal Agoraphobia among others.
They’ll be rocking Falls a new one this year as well leaving no ear within about 200 feet of them un-defeaned. Frontwoman Sophie Hopes is without doubt one of the best in the business going at the moment and Tired Lion will be a must watch as they take to one of the nation’s biggest stages to solidify their place on it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNKzInyG9n4
Middle Kids
Sydney trio Middle Kids are playing their first ever Falls Festival as well. They’re a fantastic new name in Australian indie rock, finding success and racking up plays with hit singles Your Love and Edge Of Town in 2016.
Frontwoman Hannah has a set of pipes that will haunt you in your dreams. If you’re feeling like just chilling out for a little while amidst an otherwise hectic and debaucherous festival, Middle Kids will be there to give you the good vibes in spades.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d5IIgGucaw
Mallrat
Last but certainly not least is upstart young Brisbane talent Mallrat, whose name has been heard with increasing frequency throughout the year off the back of fantastic singles like Inside Voices and the deliciously off-kilter Sunglasses.
Dancing the line, with nothing short of aplomb belying her incredibly young age, between hip-hop and electro-pop, her tunes are beyond infectious and Falls will be her chance to make her mark even bigger in the wider consciousness of Australian music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0sD0Tm7aCk
Image: Music Feeds
Welcome to The Soundtrack, a column where we plumb the depths of our musical knowledge to bring you the best* (subjective) music to listen to for very specific life situations. This week we encourage you to spend some time looking after yourself and provide you some tuuuunes for doin’ just that.
It’s been a long year. The environment is a mess. World and national politics would be laughable if they weren’t so scary. David Bowie is dead. I wouldn’t want to assume, but I’d be willing to bet that you probably had your fair share of personal challenges, no? We live in a culture that glorifies stress and glamorises problems/drama. It’s considered desirable to be run off your feet constantly because that means you’re #killingit. Not to say anyone shouldn’t be endlessly proud of their achievements and hard work, but it can be all too easy to get caught up in a stress-head cycle that seems impossible to escape from. Pretty soon you’ll even be fooling yourself that you’re okay, you’re not that tired, you’re not overworked, you’re fine. And that’s a biiiiig problem, because you can only trick your body and mind into a state of anxious energy that actually allows you to function properly for so long. And when it all catches up with you? That could have some serious repercussions for your physical and mental health, long and short term. My advice is to turn off your phone if you can and make it your weekly (at least) mission to practice some radical self-care. My personal fave way to do this is to fill the tub, drop a bath bomb in, pour myself a glass of wine and read a good book while listening to some nice music – but you don’t even need to be that extravagant. Self-care can be as simple as drinking herbal tea and doing breathing exercises before bed. It can be driving out to a secluded rural place and sketching the trees. Whatever makes you feel calm and at peace with yourself. If music features in your perfect self-care vision, here are my suggestions.
Best Coast – Feeling Ok
Leave it to music’s queen of Feelings to get you in the right headspace to be nice as fuck to yourself. Sure, many of her tunes are so depressing that they’re probably a valid excuse to call in sick to work (Sorry boss, can’t come in, Bethany Cosentino spoke the truths of my soul and I wept) – but this isn’t one of them. Feeling Ok is not outwardly, transparently uplifting. But it is honest, and that’s better. If you’ve been neglecting yourself emotionally, a trite Walking On Sunshine-esque effervescent tune might just kinda feel like being beaten over the head with a fish. Gee thanks, undisclosed artist, you might think to yourself. You’ve really driven home just how displaced and adrift I feel. Not so with this. It sees your dark times, validates your feelings, and encourages you to achieve “ok” status and feel proud of it, even if it doesn’t seem like much. “But I’ll keep trying to stay this way/I know it’s love that’s got me feeling ok”. BTW for the purposes of this playlist, I am ruling that the “love” BC talks about is “self-love” not romantic love in this case so don’t even start.
Totally Mild – When I’m Tired
I had a good day, todayyyyyyyy. Sometimes hearing someone say the words can help make them true, or maybe they can be aspirational. There’s nothing in-your-face or obnoxious about the statement, either. Elizabeth Mitchell’s dreamy vocals pair with beautiful lilting guitar work and the rest is woozy bliss. This is the one to chuck on just as you submerge yourself in the tub with Lush bath bomb remnants fizzing away at the bottom (or you know, whatever your fave self care activity is). Lyrically, When I’m Tired could even be seen as a bit of a Super Polite Fuck You (TM) to the things/people/thoughts/feelings that have been messing with your vibe lately.
Le Pie – Better The Devil You Know (Kylie Minogue cover)
Before I begin here I want to emphasize how Important it is for Le Pie to release more music soon, thank you for your time. I realise the irony of saying that and including a cover rather than an original in this playlist, but holy smokes it’s such a bloody lovely cover. This might be one to skip if you’re down in the dumps about a specific on-off toxic relationship thingy, but otherwise you can just tune into the blissful nostalgia and keep your distance from the literal meaning. Le Pie’s doo-wop sensibilities shine through and you’re going to be physically unable to restrain yourself from a lil sing-a-long. Which is perfect – singing releases endorphins and you deserve to feel nice. If you haven’t really got on board with Le Pie before I’d recommend checking her out – start with Mio‘s Neverland (on which she features) and her own bangers Secrets and Up All Night. This cover isn’t on Spotify, so you can stream below.
Mallrat – For Real
This one comes with a little content warning for suicidal thoughts, but – stay with me here – the context is largely positive (You didn’t even wanna die once this week/And when you’re around I feel less of a freak). The Hannah Montana of the rap game herself once said she’s not sure if this song is happy or sad, and that she’d like to leave it open to individual interpretation. To me, this is a perfect self-care song. It appears to address the messy, wonderful bond of female friendship, but could just as easily be a love letter to oneself. If you can talk to yourself through this song, there’s a pretty sizeable chance you’re going to feel very warm and fuzzy afterwards. How could you not, with all them relentlessly uplifting synths? Giving me major early nineties movie female empowerment montage vibes.
LAZERTITS – Boss Bitch
Time to shake things up right at the end here (sadly also not on Spotify). Floaty, dreamy tunes are all well and good, but sometimes you need brash punky attitudes and crass language to remind ya just how capable you are. LAZERTITS, who are relentlessly excellent, smash through patriarchal structures and attitudes all while reminding you that you’re a fucking boss. This can be tough to swallow when you’re feeling anything but, which is why this song is sitting where it is, a bold cherry on top after strategically-placed layers of gently encouraging icecream. Yes, that analogy is weak as piss (especially because most people would eat icecream from the top downwards). No, I’m not apologising for it. I’m a boss. And so are you.
Image: Purple Clover/Pretty Woman
Parramatta’s premiere summer festival The Plot returned this year ready to bring Plotters some of the biggest up and coming names in Australian music. Part I features Froyo, Mallrat, Amy Shark, Dorsal Fins, BUOY, The Belligerents, Bootleg Rascal, EAST, Tired Lion, LANKS, Running Touch, A.B. Original and Nicole Millar. Check out the shots below.
Continued in Part II featuring Allday, The Bennies, Indian Summer, Alex Lahey and more.
Froyo
Mallrat
Amy Shark
Dorsal Fins
BUOY
The Belligerents
Bootleg Rascal
E^ST
Tired Lion
LANKS
Running Touch
A.B. Original
Nicole Millar
Photos: Teresa Pham/Howl & Echoes
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
If you’re looking for the perfect blend of pop and rap, Mallrat is your girl.
The young Australian musician releases her debut EP Uninvited to introduce us to her world and her great talent. After a listen, we can’t wait to keep hearing from her and see her grow.
Tokyo Drift is the perfect example of what a pop and rap infusion sounds like. Her vibrant voice raps over the top of the sweet electro sound; she has a great flow as her strong accent glides smoothly through the track. Its upbeat sound and lyrics bring an uplifting attitude. “Laughing for a long time // think it’s gonna be alright,” she sings.
The album is well-produced overall; the cool sounds will flood your earphones over and over again. Her latest single Inside Voices shows this off with the beating percussion and great dance beat. Her singing voice is as good as her flow, it shines with a sweet tone and lightness. This was the first song I heard of hers and was immediately intrigued. If you’re unsure, I suggest you do the same before you check out the whole album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0sD0Tm7aCk
The title track’s strong beat echoes that of a nightclub soundtrack. As we listen to the lyrics, we realise she is likening an unwanted relationship to a club she doesn’t want to be in. “Get me off the list // I’ve got nothing on my wrist.” It’s a great track to play when you’re getting ready to take on the town as the night grows dark, the perfect song to get you in the party mood.
Sunglasses switches the subject to a bad habit many people in society take on at some point in their lives. It’s often difficult to tell whether people are being genuine now that we have screens to hide behind and aid them as they manipulate the way they are viewed by others. “Classic, plastic// everyone around you wears the same sunglasses.” She provides an upbeat, interesting way to tackle the idea, as well as a catchy tune to sing along to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJCEPE0IJ8Y
The marriage of percussion and synths never seems to fail as we hear in Suicide Blonde. Mallrat shows off her versatility, rapping and singing throughout. The slow beat picks up when she raps to emphasise the different methods that help her tell the dark story of a girl who commits suicide after dealing with addiction problems. “Michael Hutchence could never save you, I’ll never hate you // you just let me run away// we’ll put the rum away.”
The final song For Real sums up the joy of being with someone who makes to feel good about yourself. “Didn’t want to die once this week// and when you’re around you make me feel like less of a freak.” The clicking sound combined with the piano creates a mellow, yet upbeat sound that leaves us with some good vibes.
Although it’s short, the EP is filled with some great tracks that will remind you why we listen to music when we’re down. Let it lift you up after a bad week and take you into a great weekend.
Uninvited is now available.
Image: Tone Deaf
Manu Crook$
Mallrat
Gill Bates
Dylan Joel
Tuka
Spit Syndicate
Allday
Drapht
All photos: Danielle Hansen / Howl & Echoes
Here are some brand new tunes for your earholes. Featuring Aussies only out of pure coincidence, this week is a perfect example of just how strong our musical exports are right now. Take a listen below!
Tré Samuels, Flying Without You
In between jetsetting across the world to feature in fashion shows for some of the biggest names in the business, and possessing one of the best voices to come out of Australia in recent times, it’s safe to say Tré Samuels is a pretty busy 17 year old. Flying Without You is a smoky RnB song where Samuels asserts his independence, recognising fakers and haters and saying he’ll be just fine without them. Taken from his debut record which is out May 27, he’s teamed up with a who’s who cast of Melbourne’s musical elite for his album including Sensible J (House of Beige/Remi), Anthony Liddell (Opiuo/Kimbra), Silentjay (Rhythm Section/Hiatus Kaiyote) and Rachel James (Creamy Spies). Looks like we’ve got ourselves another star in the making!
Canary, Fickle Heart
Melbourne quintet Canary return in style with this latest single, the first cut from their incoming sophomore record, I Am Lion. Dynamic, chaotic, but expertly laid down, Canary really show what they’re made of in Fickle Heart. Self-aware, introspective and reflective, Canary contemplate themselves here and how their brains and hearts work. Looking inwards, as a form of catharsis, they pair their reflections with raucous rock and quiet, gentle pauses, flicking between the two with ease that always sounds good. Described as culminating in “roiling chaos; something recognisable to anyone who’s felt righteous in their bitter self-destruction following a breakup,” Fickle Heart gives us a pretty fantastic preview of what else is to come with I Am Lion, and we can’t wait to hear more.
Native Spirit, Look Around
Starting off with a heartbeat-like thump and some static rain, Melbourne electro pop trio Native Spirit hit the ground running with their latest tune, Look Around. Borrowing elements from frontrunners like Miami Horror, RUFUS, Cut Copy and more, Native Spirit sound like they’ve teleported from 2008 to 2016 with their electro pop sounds, but they’ve picked up a few modern touches on the way. It’s a total earworm, and certainly a go to to warm up any dancefloor as we head into winter. Begging for some remix treatment, Look Around is an impressive release from a rapidly rising trio.
Marcus Whale, Vapour
When releasing his latest single, Marcus Whale also provided a little prelude as to what Vapour is about: “Imagine two convicts, who’ve travelled for a year across the ocean to this place, Australia. Vapour illustrates them magically coming together as bodies of water and disappearing, transcendentally escaping the oppression of the state. There’s also a bit of a clue in there, that they are vapours – a former sea, a kind of union from the past to the present of all queer bodies – that we’re all made of water.” Right. On that note, Vapour is yet another super solid dance track with an experimental edge from one of Australia’s most prolific electronic musicians, and also comes with the announcement that his debut album, titled Inland Sea, will be out for your listening pleasure come June 10. Given his already impressive slew of solo singles, Inland Sea is already shaping up to be a formidable release.
Mallrat, Inside Voices (Prod. Casper Zazz + Tigerilla)
Mallrat is set for big things this year, mark my words. Teaming up once again with best pal/producer Tigerilla as well as Melbourne producers Casper Zazz, the Brisbane emcee has shared another chill af tune this week with Inside Voices. Alongside announcing that her debut EP, Uninvited, is also on the way (out July 1 via Create/Control), Inside Voices is actually my favourite of Mallrat’s work so far. Bouncy beats, sing-songy vocals and a certain self-awareness that hasn’t really been seen before, is this Mallrat growing up? It’s been great to watch her go up until now, but I can’t help but feel that this is a turning point for her to go from ~internet star~ to fully fledged artist. Time will tell!
BANFF x Caitlin Park, My Love, My Lover
Brisbane singer-songwriter BANFF (aka Benjamin Forbes) and Sydney subtronica artist Caitlin Park have teamed up to release their debut collaborative single, My Love, My Lover. Sounding like the likes of The War On Drugs, the driving drums and easy-going guitar strums making for a beautiful tune only amplified by both artists’ incredible songwriting abilities. The duet is a quaint, relaxed song that still encompasses some of the excitement that is met when you are falling for someone. It’s gentle but captivating, and it’s power is in its delicacy. Here’s hoping we hear more from these two together!
Swick, Ticketz (Ft. Spank Rock)
Melbourne producer Swick released his latest EP, Stamina, just today, and it’s already landed itself on high rotation in my listening schedule. The five tracks are huge, showing once again that Swick isn’t messing around. Personal favourite, Ticketz, features none other than Spank Rock on vocals for added steez, and the big room bass and tinkering percussion provide a writhing bed which Spank Rock makes his own. Released via his good friend Nina Las Vegas’ label, NLV Records, Swick has a one way ticket to the top and this EP is just another example of just how good he really is.
Cub Sport, Come On Mess Me Up
Brisbane darlings Cub Sport shared another shining cut from their latest album, This Is Our Vice this week, as well as announcing their first headline tour in THREE YEARS! Come On Mess Me Up was one of the standout tracks on their latest record (read our review here), so it’s awesome to see it released as a single. Paired with a simple, yet beautiful, video of lead singer Tim Nelson singing in black and white with some fantastic visual effects, its simplicity amplifies the shimmering vulnerability and intimacy to take it up more than a few levels. You can see the clip here, and check out their tour dates here. Welcome back Cub Sport – we missed you!
Bree Tranter, Tuesday Fresh Cuts
You may recognise her voice from the glory days of The Middle East or even her work in Matt Corby’s band, but it’s time to make way for Bree Tranter as a solo artist – and a formidable one at that. Singing over splashy cymbals, smooth sax and delicate drums, Tranter’s heavenly voice soars as she sings about her honey having the blues in this latest single, Tuesday Fresh Cuts. Coming alongside the news that her debut album is finally on it’s way and will be out in the world June 24, something tells me we haven’t even seen half of what Tranter can do yet, and this album (titled Another Night On Earth) is going to show us! Watch the video here.
Rising Brisbane emcee Mallrat is quickly becoming a name you either are familiar with, or you should be if you aren’t. She does things her own way and, since linking up with Tigerilla, has really started to come into her own as a force to be reckoned with on the local electronic/hip-hop scene.
Now, she is set to take the next step up in her career, by joining none other than Allday on a few of his gigs on his national tour. Thanks to the viral success of her songs like Sunglasses, which became a summer anthem of sorts, it’s no longer a question of “if” she will break through, rather than “when” that will happen, as all signs are pointing firmly to a bright future for the Brisbanite.
Before she well and truly blows up, we asked Mallrat what three albums changed her life. Check out her answers below, as well as the dates she will be joining Allday for.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJCEPE0IJ8Y
Flume, Flume
This album made me fall in love with electronic music and the album cover has been my screensaver for as long as I can remember.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aynV4UOU-As
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3fdE2hca8Y
Florence + the Machine, Lungs
The week I graduated grade 12, I won tickets to see Florence live and got to go with my two best friends. Such a cool time! I’d always prayed to see her live but had never been able to afford tickets, so thanks to the angels who made it happen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6ozSBEc814
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0BVLPm2zrQ
Allday, Startup Cult
I went to Allday’s concert for this album just over a year ago, and left realising that I wanted to make music as a career and could probably actually do it. This album got me through a super weird and tricky time and taught me that honesty and reality are beautiful. Blessings was my 4:45am alarm for like a year. The only album that might replace this as my favourite album ever will be Allday’s next one. I’ve heard some sneak peaks and it’s beautiful as fuck.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAMEls7RYoc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8b0Bu8Avoo
It’s video roundup time! Once again, Howl And Echoes are coming in hot with the freshest, most eyeball stimulating music videos to be dropped by the artists you love and some of the artists you don’t know you love yet, of this week. We do all the dirty work and herd them all into one convenient web-based location for you to enjoy every Friday so that you don’t have to. Have yourself a good old gander at the latest offerings from:
Lostkeyz – It’s Funny
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QogfYxdoySw
We first caught wind of Sydney rapper Lostkeyz last year with the release of his debut mixtape Organic Narratives, a record full of stellar production, clever rhymes over the top of smooth and jazzy backbeats. It’s Funny was one of the standout tracks from that mixtape, Lostkeyz’ uniquely deadpan delivery masking a rather upbeat song exploring the fluid dynamics of relationships.
The video depicts Lostkeyz taking what looks like a thoughtful stroll around what might be his native Bondi at dusk, a fitting visual effect for such a cool and breezy track. He’s a name to look out for in the future, and you can stream It’s Funny and the rest of Organic Narratives on his Bandcamp.
Beaty Heart – Flora
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKE7agmaiMU
Travelling from Bondi to South London next, with trio Beaty Heart and their latest single Flora. Coming in the lead up to their second record, which is as yet untitled, Beaty Heart have crafted a deliciously dark electro pop song here, punchy beats and click percussion tangoing with staccato synths and muffled vocals, it’s an all-nighter that would work a treat with the lights down low.
The accompanying video is a mesmerising snapshot of after-dark London, dancing on urban rooftops and deserted basketball courts, the songs titular subject alluring the viewer and the band to what looks like their end, writhing along to the fantastic electronic soundscape. Also, look at that dog!
Mallrat – Sunglasses
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJCEPE0IJ8Y
Keeping with the after dark vibes, albeit a lot more locally is Brisbane MC Mallrat. Sunglasses is the name of her latest single, held down by off-kilter trap beats and some jarring but cool production from frequent collaborator Tigerilla.
The video is about as lo-fi as it can possibly get, shot on an old VHS camcorder (Jesus, they’re still around) in a dimly lit backyard. Mallrat and co. look like they’re having a whale of a time, donning sunglasses and face masks and dancing up a storm. They’re doing more for Ribena than the last decade of its own advertising has too, drinking what looks like enough to fill a swimming pool and looking cool af doing it.
Another exciting young Australian artist to expect big things from in 2016, keep them coming Mallrat.
Peaches – Free Drink Ticket
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZEtQTGtD-Q
Perhaps someone the aforementioned Mallrat may take some inspiration from is legendary electro-queen Peaches and her latest incredibly Peaches video. It’s for the newest single from her 2015 LP Rub. I shouldn’t even have to mention how NSFW the video for Free Drink Ticket is, but I will just in case.
There’s so much simmering anger below the surface of this almost darkwave-style song, which centres around a less than amicable break-up. Peaches described it thus
“…It was important to demonstrate that if you hold onto the bitterness you that you feel from a monster who has hurt you, then you will become the monster that you are trying to shed”
The video definitely gets that point across in as provocative a fashion as it gets, a naked Peaches going back and forth with some kind of monstrous pig snake uh… thing? It’s overtly sexual and confronting, which seems like exactly her intention. Totally badass.
Kevin Gates – Pride
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUvcbT7-KCA
Coming out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the latest single from Kevin Gates. Taken from his debut album Islah, a record that ended up above Adele and just behind Rihanna and ANTI when it dropped last week, Pride takes a pretty harrowing look at life behind bars.
Starting off with Gates being arrested and dragged from a palatial mansion and his wife and daughter, winding up in a jail cell in an orange jumpsuit. It’s one of the more emotional tracks on the album, exploring themes of drug abuse, depression and anxiety, Gates weaves a tale of sorrow at having left his family to fend for themselves on the outside.
Islah is out now via Bread Winners Association/Atlantic Records.
Kool A.D. – Santeria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu2B-nMkuMM
From the bayou to Mexico we go next with Bay Area rapper Kool A.D.,who you may also recognise as a member of rap crew Das Racist. Featuring production from Toro Y Moi, Santeria is the latest single from Kool from his 2015 mixtape O.K.
That Toro Y Moi production, coupled with Kool’s snarky and snappy flow make for a fantastic partnership, but the real treat here is the utterly fun video. Before the first bar even begins you’ll be hooked, simply because there’s a dog riding a donkey that’s painted to be a zebra (I seriously thought this was just an Eastbound And Down joke but apparently it’s a real thing) and it’s awesome.
The rest of the video is a lo-fi and motion sickness inducing look at Kool’s new life in Mexico, where he is a new resident. The psychedelic lens through which simple things like walking the dogs or the arcade lights of the carnival are viewed is about 500% of your recommended daily eyeball stimulation in just under six minutes, but it’s all part of the charm.
Timbaland – Servin (ft. Blaze Servin and Tweezie)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoOx-7jL9hI
Coming off his Christmas Day mixtape King Stays King and in the lead up to his next album Opera Noir, producer king Timbaland has dropped a video for one of its tracks this week in Servin. Featuring a pair of up and comers in Blaze Servin and Tweezie, the track features beats of the thickest variety and looks like a return to form for Timbaland, who seems to be jumping all over the trap train that hit full steam in 2015.
The video is your standard hip-hop fare, alternating shots of different combinations of the trio dancing for the camera spliced in with shots at a club that unquestionably has bottle service. There’s plenty of fire as you can probably guess too.
Tyler, The Creator – PERFECT (ft. Kali Uchis and Austin Feinstein)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIqVCJWSoeE
Following a tumultuous year seeing the release of his long-awaited third studio album Cherry Bomb and his simultaneous banning from Australia, Tyler, The Creator is back with a brand new video landing this week for Cherry Bomb standout PERFECT.
It’s a split-screen duet between Tyler and featured artist Kali Uchis, Uchis surrounded by sunflowers, Tyler covered in Monarch butterflies. Los Angeles indie rocker Austin Feinstein eventually joins Tyler on the right to inject some laidback surfy guitars into what was already an eclectic mix of jazz and hip hop. It’s a simple concept but an effective way of visualising the very huge stylistic contrast between the artists.
See you next week!