After a three year break, PVT made their triumphant return last year with the epic nine-minute journey of a tune, Morning Mist, Rock Island Bend. They recent followed this up with the stunning Another Life, and are on the bring of releasing their new album – their fifth – the appropriately titled New Spirit. 

The group have been around for well over a decade, and have managed to maintain a reputation as one of the most riveting and exciting electronic groups, each album delivering something new, intriguing on many different levels – musically and thematically, and utterly engaging throughout.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WGwtjF74Wg

Ahead of the album release this Friday, Feb 17, we decided to find out a little more about the influences behind the music, so we asked frontman Richard Pike to share three albums that changed their lives.

Enjoy!

Bjork, Post

I guess I was 17 or 18. I didn’t really listen to female singers, I was into metal bands or jazz guitarists. Real boy-ish stuff. My high school girlfriend played me Bjork and I didn’t understand it at first. I then saw her live and it was like a demi-god had dropped in. She’s been that way since to me, kind of untouchable. She just kind of floats above it all. I did like ‘Debut’ – it was weird but still conventional. But ‘Post’ was far more risky and artful. I wanted to make music like that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1QtZqCiP7s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0Pv-UkoRC4

Autechre, LP5

I was still a nerd playing jazz guitar around about 19 years old, I didn’t really like much electronic music. House music was big. I hated it. A friend played me Autechre – LP5 and I thought I was hearing alien party music from 100 years in the future. Unbelievable. I played it to some jazz purist friends at a party and it took 1 and a half tracks before someone took it off to play more Miles Davis. I thought, but this is jazz from the future. Miles would’ve liked it.

Every track on this album seems to have it’s own language. Drums that are pure electricity, or recorded by banging a fence – you just can’t tell. How is this even made. Any ideas? Nope? Me neither.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUpLTk-2kPY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W94eOWwkQSE

Talking Heads, Fear Of Music

We did an interview in France once, this guy who looked about 12 asked “so, I heard you like Talking Heads. What the fuck is with this band? I don’t understand why people like them?” Oh man. If you have to ask why people like them, well, I guess you’ll never know. This record sounds like the band of all bands, at its peak. David Byrne is half-talking, half-singing, in dada inspired nonsense – it changed the whole idea of what a song could be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51IZG6Ryeis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obAtn6I5rbY

Image: Supplied

We needn’t look further than our own backyards for amazing new music across pretty much every genre there is. Sure, there’s great stuff coming from overseas too, of course, but we’ve seen an incredible run of fantastic tunes from upcoming and established Australian acts over the last few months, and it’s only getting better. Here’s some of our favourite recent Australian indie and electronic releases.

PVT, Another Life

All hail PVT, who are about to release their first album in three years, New Spirit. Last week they dropped this video for recent single Another Life. It’s the second taste of the album, following from last year’s triumphant nine-minute epic, Morning Mist, Rock Island Bend. The pristinely produced video, directed by Jim Pillion, is an utterly engaging visual accompaniment to the layered, dynamic, fairly ominous single. It was filmed in central Romania, and is absolutely magnetic.

Joyride, Twilight Driving (Methyl Ethel cover)

One Dayer Joyride returns with a cover of a track a little out of his comfort zone, revamped the eerie 2015 indie track with a bright and bouncy electronic treatment, while keeping it still fairly sparse and understated. Joyride’s airy vocals and spritely synths transplant the track into a completely new, unexpected environment – and that’s the best kind of cover. This is the first in a new series for Joyride, who has selected a few of his favourite Aussie songs to rework – we’re excited to see which tune he picks next.

Ali Barter, Cigarette

Ali Barter has today announced her debut album A Suitable Girl, set for release on March 24. The 11-track offering features, among other tracks, Girlie Bits and the newly released Cigarette, which furthers her dynamic, bright grunge-pop sound. Her high, dulcet lilt is a beautiful contrast against heady, distorted guitar chords and chugging riffs, making for another jangly, catchy tune from the upcoming artist. Already known for her energetic live performances, we have no doubt that Barter’s album will be a heartfelt, acclaimed debut.

Oliver Tank, Swerve

It’s been a full three years since we heard from Oliver Tank, once touted to be the next big thing in Australian electronic (unfortunately his rise was largely eclipsed by that of another young electronic gun emerging at the time, Flume). New single Swerve sees him expanding on that gentle atmospheric sound he became first known for, taking things even slower and more ambient than before, injecting Bon Iver-type harmonies into the sparsely used vocal layer. We’re looking forward to see how this sound develops, assuming a new EP will be on its way in the coming months.

Fierce Mild, Solaris

Fierce Mild’s new single Solaris sort of cherry-picks elements of many of rock’s most epic genres – Pink Floyd–esque chanty bits and pained yells, postrock-inspired flickery guitars and huge-crescendos-followed-by-instant-breakdown, a little metal percussion for added ferocity. Fierce Mild clearly have a lot of talent for emulating their favourite artists, and though they currently wear their influences a little too proudly on their sleeves, I genuinely feel like they will craft something quite special once they come into their own.

Wet Lips, Can’t Take It Anymore

Can’t Take It Anymore is a fantastic feminist punk anthem from Melbourne’s Wet Lips, an aggressive, partially tongue-in-cheek take on how the band found themselves getting booked as the “token girl band” on all-male lineups. Sonically it’s simple and bouncy in the best way possible, awash with the energy and punch of a band like Sleater-Kinney and a Siouxsie-style singalong chorus. The lyrics are hilarious at times, pointed at others, and make a damn important point about how female bands are still perceived by so many today.

The Brouhaha, Audrey’s Song

Audrey’s Song is a gorgeous, soulful piece out of Adelaide. Kelly Breuer’s velvety smooth vocals are not only rich and jazzy, but sincere in a way that really does make you believe “we’re gonna feel alright,” as the chorus insists. The folk instrumentation is simple and sunny, but the flippant twists and twirls of the melody, along with the backing vocals, serve as the perfect embellishment to the playful, feel-good tune.

Image: Wet Lips c/o Future Popes

Midas.Gold & Tkay Maidza

If you haven’t heard the name Midas.Gold yet, you’re missing out on one of the brightest young talents in Australian hip-hop right now. With just a single EP, For What It’s Worth, under his belt, the young MC is set to take over the country with his infectious rhymes over some stellar and innovative production from studio running-mate Jangus, showcasing his charisma and talents supporting another of Australian hip-hop’s new generation in Tkay Maidza, who continues to win fans over around the world with her fiery and energetic brand of hip-hop that leaves most listeners in an uncontrollable state of dance.

The tour is happening right now, so if you missed catching these two in Brisbane, Melbourne or Perth then that’s unfortunate, but you can still catch them in Sydney, Adelaide and Hobart on these dates.

Thu, Nov 10th: The Metro, Sydney

Fri, Nov 18th: HQ, Adelaide

Sat, Nov 19th: Uni Bar, Hobart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzODkysbl3c

I Know Leopard & Holy Holy – The Darwinism Tour

Having just signed to Ivy League Records, Sydney quartet I Know Leopard are a band on the up. They’ve got a new single Rather Be Lonely currently spinning and they’re just a few days shy of heading out on tour supporting the always electric Holy Holy, who are continuing to ride the lightning set off by debut album When The Storms Would Come as well as the anticipation for new material with the release of latest single Darwinism.

This one promises to get all kinds of loud.

Fri, Nov 11th: Corner Hotel, Melbourne

Sat, Nov 12th: The Worker’s Club, Geelong

Sun, Nov 13th: Karova Lounge, Ballarat

Thu, Nov 17th: Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle

Fri, Nov 18th: Metro Theatre, Sydney

Sat, Nov 19th: Uni Bar, Wollongong

Sun, Nov 20th: The Basement, Canberra

Thu, Nov 24th: Miami Marketta, Gold Coast

Fri, Nov 25th: Solbar, Sunshine Coast

Sat, Nov 26th: The Triffid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7IdTtcgW-Q

Crowded House – Encore

Could there be anything more iconically Australian than a series of Crowded House shows played on the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House in the waning days of Spring? Well it’s 2016 and that is fortunately still a reality, with the legendary group set to punch everyone in earshot in the feels with live renditions of their classics across four separate dates. Neil Finn and co will be playing four consecutive nights at the Opera House and if you’re looking for a live music experience you’d be hard pressed to find one better than this.

Nov 24-27, Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9gKyRmic20

Husky – Late Night Store

Melbournians Husky are heading back out on the road again, their latest single Late Night Store the first taste of the band’s upcoming third record to be released next year. Having spent a year overseas, Husky’s Australian homecoming has been a long time coming for fans, who will be eager to see the effect their gap year in Berlin has had on the band’s live set. We can’t wait to have Husky back home at any rate.

Thu, Nov 17th: Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth

Sat, Nov 19th: Lighthouse Folk Festival, Norah Heads

Sat, Dec 3rd: The Foundry, Brisbane

Wed, Dec 7th: Newtown Social Club, Sydney

Thu, Dec 8th: Fat Controller, Adelaide

Thu, Dec 15th: Howler, Melbourne

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRw8AlwkAaU

Allan Smithy – I See A Palm Tree

Allan Smithy has just dropped his debut EP I See A Palm Tree last week and it’s an absolute gem. To celebrate this milestone, he’s embarking on a free (as in it will cost you not one of your dollars) tour of the East Coast at the end of November. It’s the perfect tour for that time of year when our wallets are all feeling a little pre-Christmas fragility, so if you miss the chance to catch him live and not spend a cent in doing so then you’ve got rocks in your head.

Fri, Nov 25th: Waywards, Sydney

Thu, Dec 1st: Barbara, Brisbane

Fri, Dec 2nd: The Penny Black, Melbourne

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJdTlnkhjI8&feature=youtu.be

Abbe May – Doomsday

Perth’s Abbe May is enjoying a comeback year in 2017, releasing two singles in Are We Flirting and Doomsday Clock. It’s the latter she’s taking out on tour from next week as well as celebrating her fresh WAM awards for Best Single and Best Female Vocalist as well. The Doomsday tour are Abbe May’s final dates for 2K16, as she prepares to release her incredibly anticipated new record Bitchcraft early next year. Possessing one of the best voices in the country, this is one you don’t want to miss.

Thu, Nov 17th: Newtown Social Club, Sydney

Fri, Nov 18th: Transit Bar, Canberra

Sat, Nov 19th: Rad Bar, Wollongong

Thu, Nov 24th:: Northcote Social Club, Melbourne

Fri, Nov 25th: The Grand Hotel, Mornington

Sat, Nov 26th: Queenscliff Music Festival, Queenscliff

Fri, Dec 2nd: The Workers Club, Geelong

Sat, Dec 3rd: The Grace Emily, Adelaide

Fri, Dec 9th: The Beach Hotel, Byron Bay

Sat, Dec 10th: The Bearded Lady, Brisbane

Fri, Dec 16th: Jack Rabbit Slims, Perth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtQ4TgyP340

Methyl Ethel – World Tour

Sticking with the West Coast for this next one, with this year’s breakout darlings in Methyl Ethel. They’re quickly making a name for themselves here and abroad off the back of massive singles like Idee Fixed and the anthemic Twilight Driving. Latest single No. 28 is no different, a warm and foot-stomping rocker that bends and weaves in a myriad of directions, and the Methyl Ethel boys are keen to show it off back home before embarking on a world tour in 2017 at some of the best summer festivals in the country.

They’ll play Woodford Folk Festival, Lost Paradise and Sugar Mountain before what will be a raucous homecoming in Perth and a pair of headline shows. This is your chance to see one of the best new bands in the country on a skyrocketing upswing.

Tue, Dec 27th: Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford

Thu, Dec 29th: Lost Paradise Festival, Glenworth Valley

Sat, Jan 21st: Sugar Mountain Festival, Melbourne

Sat, Feb 18th: Fremantle Arts Centre Courtyard, Perth

Thu, Feb 23rd: Howler, Melbourne

Fri, Feb 24th: Newtown Social Club, Sydney

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glxQCwtDm5Y

PVT

After three years dormant, electro rockers PVT are back in 2017. They have a new album coming, their fifth in New Spirit due for February, and they’ll be taking a quick East Coast jaunt to celebrate its release. If the release of first single Morning Mist, Rock Island Bend, a nine minute sprawler of a track, is anything to indicate, PVT are looking to push a whole lot of boundaries in the new year and we can’t wait to see it.

Fri, Feb 24th: National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne

Sat, Feb 25th: The Foundry, Brisbane

Fri, Mar 3rd: Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnRhMDlxDq8

Boy & Bear – Regional Australian Tour

If you live in regional Australia, chances are you know all too well the sting that comes when your favourite acts cruelly look over your area in favour of the big three of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. To that end, Boy & Bear are making it their business to cover as much of regional Australia as they possibly can in the space of a month, with a mammoth 20 dates around the country planned.

With the warm glow from last year’s stellar LP Limit Of Love still hanging in the air, this will be a special tour.

Wed, Nov 9th: Regent Theatre, Ballarat

Thu, Nov 10th: Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo

Fri, Nov 11th: Costa Hall, Geelong

Sat, Nov 12th: The Cube, Wodonga

Wed, Nov 16th: C. Ex Coffs, Coffs Harbour

Thu, Nov 17th: Miami Marketta, Gold Coast

Fri, Nov 18th: Beach Hotel, Byron Bay

Sat, Nov 19th: Lake Kawana Community Centre,Sunshine Coast

Sun, Nov 20th: The Mills Precinct, Toowoomba

Wed, Nov 23rd: Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton

Thu, Nov 24th: MECC, Mackay

Fri, Nov 25th: Tanks, Cairns

Sun, Nov 27th: The Venue, Townsville

Fri, Dec 2nd: Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany

Sat, Dec 3rd: 3 Oceans, Margaret River

Sun, Dec 4th: Fremantle Prison, Fremantle

Wed, Dec 7th: Orange Ex-Services Club, Orange

Thu, Dec 8th: ANU, Canberra

Fri, Dec 9th: Waves, Wollongong

Sat, Dec 10th: Wests City, Newcastle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEUY7dXsxrk

Remi – Divas And Demons

Another young star flying the flag for Aussie hip-hop’s new generation is Melbourne MC Remi, whose September sophomore album Divas And Demons impressed in spades. He and PIC Sensible J are heading out on a November tour in support of that album and cracker new Jordan Rakei-featuring single Lose Sleep. Shows are already selling out for this one and tickets aren’t going to last long given his surging popularity so get in right quick if you want a good look at the future of hip-hop Down Under.

Fri, Nov 18th: Karova Lounge, Ballarat

Fri, Nov 25th: Railway Club, Darwin

Sat, Nov 26th: Rocket Bar, Adelaide

Wed, Nov 30th: Transit Bar, Canberra

Thu, Dec 1st: Newtown Social Club, Sydney

Fri, Dec 2nd: Newtown Social Club, Sydney

Fri, Dec 9th: Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane

Sat, Dec 10th: Republic Bar, Hobart

Fri, Dec 16th: Howler, Melbourne

Sat, Dec 17th: Howler, Melbourne

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8TjpHcQ8gI

Image: Pilerats

There aren’t many bands that can say they’ve been making new, consistently innovative music for ten years. PVT have been doing exactly that. As pioneers of the Australian electronic scene, their trajectory has been smooth, seamless, and constantly evolving. This year they will be celebrating one decade of creating music by reissuing their debut album Make Me Love You, as well as a collection of unreleased demos and B-sides from their early years.

Make Me Love You – 10th Anniversary Edition will be released on 180 gram clear vinyl, along with original art. Available free with the vinyl purchase, or as a bonus disk Make Me Love You – B-Sides & Demos 2003-2005′  will contain a whole album of previously unreleased tracks from their earlier years.

The band’s producer, guitarist and singer Richard Pike spoke about the way that he began working with both live music and electronic, marrying digital tracks with analog sounds in the beginning of his career.

“Make Me Love You was a real attempt to make something we had never heard before. We did some live sessions in a Sydney studio which doesn’t exist now. I edited the audio on a second-hand beige Apple G3, in my parents house. I was intent on marrying digital tracks with analog sounds. The album was even mixed on 24-track analog tape, which no-one does these days. There was an attention to detail I’m still proud of. At the time we had grand delusions that we were forming a new kind of tradition. Electronic and live music were very separate 10 years ago.”

Make Me Love You really was a revolutionary album of its time, it was nominated in the very first Triple J Radio J awards in 2005. The trio, which began as an instrumental five piece under the name Pivot, have since released three more incredible albums, O soundtrack My Heart, Church with no Magic and Homosapien. PVT was the first Australian band in history to sign with Warp Records in the UK, they’ve been chosen as FBi’s Album of the Decade and have performed at iconic venues such as the Sydney Opera House, and oversees at Glastonbury.

You can purchase PVT’s 10th anniversary package at their very own store, as well as heaps of other albums and t-shirts. Go wild.