Recent signee to local trendsetters I OH YOU (DZ Deathrays, Violent Soho, DMAs) solo artist Montgomery has burst onto the scene with her angelic electropop tunes. Her recently released debut EP New Clear War was met with critical acclaim and she’s been hailed by many as a really exciting upcoming Australian act. There’s been one burning question on everybody’s lips (and laptops) for some time now: when are we going to see this girl in action?

Well following a cryptic note on her socials:

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The question has been finally answered. Her first run of national shows has just been announced. Hooray!

It’s not often that you can lay claim to the fact that you saw an artist play one of their first ever gigs, especially one with the kind of potential that Montgomery has. But this is your chance.

Tickets go on sale on March 5 and you better snap ‘em up soon because they aren’t going to be available for long.

 

Montgomery: Act I

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Here’s some of my fave videos from this week!

1. Grace, Pluto

Perth’s Grace came onto my radar late last year, and I was lucky enough to both ask her some questions and catch her opening for Glass Animals. The team behind the video are the same guys behind Chet Faker’s Talk Is Cheap and Flume’s Infinity Prism, meaning one thing: it’s absolutely phenomenal. Check out the intimate, stunning clip for her strange, equally stunning debut single Pluto right here.

2. Zola Jesus, Hunger

I adore Zola Jesus. Her rich voice and beautiful, often strange music has managed to mesmerise me both on record and on stage for years, and I’m always happy when we get something new from the US artist. The director, Allie Avital Tsypin, wrote something really beautiful about the clip and I can’t put it better myself: “The video for ‘Hunger’ is essentially a sculpture project… an exploration of a life form: both raw and refined. A negotiation between form and inner life, movement and stillness, desire and satiation.”

3. Purity Ring, Push Pull

Swirly, trippy, colourful, ethereal, gorgeous. Yes, I’m describing Purity Ring’s new video clip with exactly the same terms that I describe their music, because that’s what it looks like. I don’t have many other words to desribe the album, I only recommend that you just watch and enjoy. Their forthcoming album Another Eternity is out March 3!

4. Kanye West, Only One

Kanye West is always amazing in my eyes, and this track is so beautiful (and hopefully an indication that we’ll be hearing his new album some time in 2015.) Directed by Spike Jonze, it features little baby North West and Yeezy taking a walk down a muggy road. Ye has a genuinely happy, loving smile on his face – something that isn’t captured too often, so it’s special for that alone. Click here to watch the video.

5. Courtney Barnett, Pedestrian At Best

This song was only premiered this morning on Triple J, but I already love it, and this film clip is brilliant. Bright colours galore, it features Barnett dressed up as a clown, essentially being treated like shit by everyone she’s trying to entertain. With lyrics like, ‘put me on a pedestal and I’ll only disappoint you,’ it makes you wonder whether it’s a bit of a spit back at her recent burst of fame and recognition. The single is the first off her forthcoming debut album, but I’m sure you’ll be able to hear this, and more new songs, during her sets at Laneway over the next week.

6. Montgomery, Not Around

When I OH YOU signed Montgomery, it was onehell of a curveball for the label known for it’s heavy roster of DZ Deathrays. DMAs and Violent Soho, but she’s held her own, and I really love her debut EP New Clear War. The melancholy clip was directed by Jessica Lawton and filmed in the beautiful, historical city of Warsaw, Poland.

Finally, Run The Jewels also released a fantastic clip this week for Lie, Cheat, Steal, check out our news and watch it here

Here it is, your weekly playlist! We’re starting off with a couple of really cool pop tracks, before going down into indie territory. We end up on a couple of electronic tracks, but everything it really smooth, really chilled and really soulful. The perfect start to a chilled weekend. Enjoy!

Genevieve, Colors
I’m opening with this one as it’s definitely my favourite track of the week. LA-based Genevieve is about to release her debut solo EP and this is one of her first singles. It’s big, it’s fun, it’s bright and it’s absolutely glorious – an addition to every summer playlist, no doubt. Indie pop at it’s finest.

Eleanor Dunlop, Rollin’ On
Sydney’s Eleanor Dunlop is definitely one to look out for in 2015. The track opens with roaring drums and a driving guitar riff, while the husky melody really hits all the right spots. A feel-good track if ever there was one, there’s something sweet, yet in-your-face about this track.

Twin Lakes, Wolf Hall
I’m only new to Twin Lakes, but I’m really enjoying the chilled vibes in this tune. The gorgeous vocals are gorgeous and so rich, while the melody is catchy and really enticing. I’m not so big on indie rock, but I really like this and I think you will too.

Seafret, Angel of Death and the Codeine Scene (Hozier cover)
I’ve spent a lot of time getting into Hozier this year, and I’m really enjoying this stripped back cover from Seafret. Recorded live, it’s an intimate, powerful performance showcasing some really beautiful vocal tones, backed by acoustic guitar and a small string section.

Cherokee Red, Far From It
This is a lazy blues/folk/country track. Usually if you said that to me, I’d fall asleep instantly, but not the case right here! There’s a lot more going on than what meets the eye – a lot of guitar layers, slides, twangy chords and more, topped off by an wonderful dulcet melody.

Jeremy Neale, The News
Ah, what’s not to love about Jeremy Neale? His new single is punchy and fun, with (obviously) excellent vocals and some wicked instrumental riffs. I really like the punchy beats, and the female backing vocals. This is a lot more than your average indie pop tune.

La Mar, Anchor (GRMM remix)
I love this remix. Delicate vocal loops create a delicate atmosphere, and it feels a lot more stripped back than the original. Slight tweaks and flickers shine through, until the beat drops down into a cool, syncopated vibe. There’s a LOT to like about this six-minute remix.

Orches & Caruso, Raise
I’m really loving the bass in the opening of this track, and the way it opens up with a swift yet distant beat. There’s something really quite emotional about the melody. The vocals have a gorgeous intimacy to it, really carrying the rhythm as it builds and grows.

The Kite String Tangle, Stone Cold (Hermitude remix)
I love TKST and I love Hermitude, so I was hoping I’d like this remix – and I really do. It’s seductive and driving, with a hollowed bass and great use of vocals, both as melody and samples. Hermitude have really outdone themselves on this one.

Montgomery, Pinata (Japanese Wallpaper remix)
I OH YOU signee Montgomery has been remixed by Gab Strum who, despite only being 17, has such a knack for mellow electronic tunes. There’s such a smooth, chilled vibe to this remix, the perfect complement to Montgomery’s angelic, almost childlike vocals.