We’re huge fans of Perthian shredders Tired Lion here at Howl. One of the most promising young rock bands the country has produced in recent years, Tired Lion spent their 2016 kicking the unholy crap out of it, wowing the country off the back of their second EP Figurine and a trio of singles that hit harder than a sledgehammer in I Don’t Think You Like Me, Not My Friends and Agoraphobia.
Their popularity only surged with spots at last year’s Splendour In The Grass and this year’s Falls Festival as well as opening for Violent Soho on their most recent tour. Not slowing down in the slightest, the quartet have announced they are about to embark this week on the process of recording their hugely anticipated debut album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP421ft4Bk8
Without an official title or release date, there’s not much we know about it right now other than that Violent Soho frontman Luke Boerdam took enough of a shine to the band to volunteer his services as producer for the record. Given Soho’s dominance and their unquestionable Midas touch for the last five years, that’s a pairing every fan of Australian rock and roll should be getting irrationally excited for.
Taking to his social media, Boerdam compared the sound of the new record to The Breeders, Splendora and Basement and did his best to sell the shit out of the record to come. It was one of Rolling Stone’s ’50 Most Anticipated Albums Of 2017′ and this announcement will only solidify that anticipation even further.
Stay tuned for an official release date so you can mark your calendars for this one.
Image: Supplied
Every year when triple j’s Hottest 100 rolls around, there’s an inevitable scurry to express surprise at “glaring omissions” of songs that might’ve seemed like safe bets for inclusion in the countdown. Obviously, since it’s user-voted, we only have ourselves to blame for this (sort of), but it’s always interesting to take a closer look at what made it, what didn’t, and why that might be the case. It’s a no-brainer that tracks that have been spruiked heavily by the j’s are infinitely more likely to be voted in that tracks that weren’t supported quite as much, but that’s not always the case. Here, we take a look at some tracks that were absolutely smashed out on full rotation (specifically, every track on this list received more than 140 plays during the year – for comparison the top 3: Never Be Like You had 134, Adore had 123 and Jungle had 146), but for whatever reason, didn’t quite make the cut.
Lonely Cities, Tigertown
Sydney alt-pop quartet Tigertown released this quasi-tropical belter quite early last year, but not so early that it wasn’t still in the running for the Hottest 100. With a huge, hands-in-the-air chorus like this, you’d think Lonely Cities would be a shoo-in – but even with a whopping 167 spins on triple j, somehow it didn’t show up in the illustrious countdown.
Tremble, Nicole Millar
Nicole Millar’s 2016 began full steam ahead when she released her Tremble EP to critical acclaim, and the title track permeated triple j’s airwaves an absolutely massive 164 times. The song’s sophisticated use of tension and deliriously satisfying release made it a favourite amongst many, but perhaps due to its early release date, it unfortunately didn’t pip the Hottest 100.
Glue, ADKOB
ADKOB aren’t exactly a household name (yet), which could account for their supremely quirked-out chugger of a single Glue not garnering enough votes to nab a spot. Unfair? Yes, especially considering it clocked 162 plays, but hey – Dune Rats didn’t ever make the countdown until last year, and they’ve been nationally recognised for years. Don’t give up, ADKOB! You got this.
Impact, The Creases
Brisbane’s The Creases released this climactic Britpop number in May 2016 and it was subsequently thrashed over 156 times on triple j, and was followed by a national tour and an incredibly fun video clip. Adding to that frontman Joe Agius’ recent win for QMAs Most Promising Male Songwriter, it really looked like this was going to be their year to make the countdown, but sadly they missed out.
Edge Of Town, Middle Kids
With 144 plays, this one was difficult not to take personally because it was this writer’s Fave Aussie Song Of The Year. That slide guitar sounding like a firework going off, those made-for-screaming-along-in-your-car vocals, the lyrics that walked the line between inscrutable and intrinsically relatable so perfectly… but, of course, Middle Kids are still very new on the scene even though their rise is nothing short of meteoric (they’re about to perform on Conan O’Brien FFS). Next year maybe??
Not My Friends, Tired Lion
The relentlessly excellent Tired Lion have been consistently everywhere for a while now, with so many festival slots under their belts it’d be difficult to count. For this single, spun 152 times, to make an appearance in the Hottest 100 would have made all the sense in the world. It was released in May though, so perhaps a touch too early to still be making listeners feel starry-eyed when voting opened.
Nihilist Party Anthem, Ball Park Music
Finally, an anthem we can all relate to. Obviously the j’s thought so too, cos they gave love to this track 147 times over. BPM have made the countdown plenty of times, so maybe it’s a case of listener fatigue, but that doesn’t really make much sense considering how hard they’ve worked to consistently develop their sound and release music that builds on what’s come before instead of repeating themselves. To compensate the band for their loss I propose we make this the new national anthem.
Smoke Signals, Olympia
Olympia f*cking owned 2016. It was her year. She sold out shows, released her debut album Self Talk, and along with it a bevy of intelligent, catchy singles. Self Talk has been shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize, which has previously been won by national treasures like Courtney Barnett and Big Scary. So, yeah. She’s killed it. This song nabbed 142 plays. I’m salty about this. Can you tell?
All these songs had a huge amount of exposure on triple j, so it’s reasonable to assume that they all have a high level of listener recognition. So why didn’t they make it in?
Clearly, release timing plays a massive part here: for anything released too early in the year, it can be difficult for voters to still feel that initial connection that made them fall in love with the tune in the first place when the polls open. Another factor that might be at play here is looking at what else was released around the same time as these tracks that might have overshadowed them. The times each track was played is another element to consider: just because they’ve got 140+ spins under their belt doesn’t mean the majority of those plays were during primetime listener engagement. And, of course, there’s always the possibility that a tune just didn’t quite connect with its audience in the way triple j might have expected it to. Either way, it will be interesting to see which of these crops up in tomorrow’s 101-200 countdown, beginning 10am AEDST.
Photo: triple j / Facebook
After 23 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.
Our final day began correctly with some good honest noise courtesy of Perth locals Tired Lion and New York lo-fi/ punk guys Parquet Courts. AlunaGeorge followed-up by filling out the Forest Stage tent, and DMA’s brought their usual high-energy, homegrown flavour. Thankfully, we managed to catch our breath afterwards and vibed along with Vallis Alps. Things picked up again during Golden Features’ set and by the time Catfish And The Bottlemen took the stage, the stifling heat had well and truly been broken and the rain had set in for the rest of the night. The crowd stood drenched for over an hour while stage equipment was dried off and excess water mopped up, but it was certainly worth the wait. Those brave punters that held out were then treated to a breathtaking performance by London Grammar and muzzed along with Alison Wonderland to close out another amazing Falls Festival.
Read our full review of Falls Festival in Byron Bay
In this gallery you will find Tired Lion, Parquet Courts, AlunaGeorge, Vallis Alps, DMA’s, Golden Features, Catfish And The Bottlemen, London Grammar, and Alison Wonderland.
PHOTOS: Falls Festival Day I
PHOTOS: Falls Festival Day IITired Lion
Parquet Courts
AlunaGeorge
Vallis Alps
DMA’s
Golden Features
Catfish & The Bottlemen
London Grammar
Alison Wonderland
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
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
Ah, feminism, the movement-cum-buzzword of the decade. Thanks to the power of roaring female frontwomen, punk is no longer a genre exclusive to males. The prevalence of females in punk has since skyrocketed – particularly in the last few years. There is a plethora of different tactics that bands can employ to make a feminist statement, some much more aggressive than others.
Tired Lion
A few months ago I went to The Brightside to see kickass Perth punk band Tired Lion. Lead singer Sophie Hopes crept onto stage and launched into a delicious sludgy riff. Playful and warm, she seemed more kitten than lion. Halfway through their set, a small ugly chap decided to yell a slurred comment about her body. The band finished the song and stopped playing. Hopes scowled into the crowd. The punters watched expectantly. After the silence gave all the sludge punks their fourth ear piercing, Hopes growled quietly, “who the f*** said that?” Much to the dismay of the little ugly man, the cat-call did not have Sophie purring like a lion with a jaw full of venison.
The audience were shocked to find the eloquent boy speechless. He stayed mute while Hopes flipped the bird in the general direction of the raucous titty-tooting. Tired Lion played a few more songs – the audience absolutely turnt on Hopes’ badassery. The mosh only consisted of 15 to 20 people but it had started to take the inevitable testosterone turn.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xu-NTKl4b7c
Hopes noticed the girls retreating to the sidelines while the fellas released their inner simians. She responded by telling ALL the males to leave the mosh and let the girls in.
I was almost expecting her to light a candle and read us a chapter from Simone de Beauvoir. Instead she told a hilarious anecdote that we’re all too familiar with. She was saying how annoying it is that even when you go to Woolies in your pyjamas to buy an avocado, there’s always a chance you’ll be pestered.
When every girl groaned in agreement, the tension in the room was so thick the ugly man almost commented on its figure. By this point, Hopes had verbally castrated the heckler without even actively addressing him.
Image: The Music
It’s no secret that over-the-top stunts are an effective way to make a point. That being said, I did feel for the genuine male fans who were quietly bopping in the front and were asked to leave. I guess it’s easier to separate males from females than genuine listeners from sex-depraved hounds, though I do think that associating certain behaviours with gender is a step backwards.
I must admit this show was responsible for making me aware of the potential influence an artist can have. In a measly 2 hours she had empowered every female in the room and robbed a degenerate of his voice and with it, his potential to degrade.
Hope employs a technique that leaves no grey area. It is simple, powerful and to the point. Her music reflects her unapologetic demeanor. She consistently highlights that her views take prevalence over her popularity.
Camp Cope
Melbourne born truth-tellers Camp Cope have enjoyed a sudden burst in popularity this year. They have used their newly found acclaim to launch a range of events to empower females and all members of the LBGTQI community.
Lyrically speaking, their most recent self-titled album beautifully explores the bone-crushing characteristics of anxiety, depression and depersonalisation – only ever hinting at the perils of being female with lines like:
Hearing catcalls from police cars.
And they say “What you gonna do about it dressed the way you are?”
There’s a very common lie.
They say you’re asking for it when you’re walking home alone at night.
To me, this makes the three humble legends even more admirable. This incredible social activism proves feminism is very important to them but instead of perpetuating the stereotype of male-hating butch women constantly looking for an argument, they focus exclusively on empowerment and the shame that comes with being objectified.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qerLCQI_8xQ
Their most recent endearing stunt was organising an all female lineup at Hermanns bar at the University of Sydney to take place on 21st August. As if promoting female artists wasn’t enough, all of the proceeds went to the Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre – an organisation supporting women and children who have been victims of domestic violence.
Flangipanis
The Flangipanis use an extremely aggressive approach to help demystify the female body and destroy the delicate, fragile and hopeless stereotype we’ve been battling for decades. The music video My Period Is Late managed to contort faces all over Australia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk4EBesQv5M
At first glance their shock approach seems like a piss-take, but the three pioneers had the last laugh. Their video left a heap of conservative Australians openly discussing menstruation and feminism. Our little punk band Doozy Daze were stoked to share the stage with these Earth-shaking legends in July. I was shocked to discover Jodie had the gentle persona of a denim-clad puppy. On stage, her raw female power exploded outward with such ferocity I had to keep checking that the roof hadn’t blown off.
Early last month, the Flangipanis were confronted with a less than savoury character who popped his finger into an unsuspecting girls bum. After reading their response, I would not want to be that guy.
Image: Facebook
Almost every female has been affronted with degradation at some point in their life. Whilst there are horrific incidents that most functional humans would agree are fundamentally wrong, it is also important to confront the smaller everyday mishaps that are so entrenched in our culture. Every human being has the right to feel safe and there’s still a long way to go. These three bands are fucking phenomenal, not only at shining light on the issues that compromise women but also offering a solution to them.
Music in itself is a statement but to go the extra mile in social change and awareness is what sets these inspirational women apart from the rest.
Image: Beat
Read more here.
Words by Sarah Timson
Gird your loins, Australia. Brisbane’s favourite rockers, Violent Soho, have announced their biggest capital city tour thus far. Hell fuck yeah! Supporting them are Californian punks (and occasional Mariachi band) The Bronx, the heart-grippingly honest lyrics of Tasmanian legend Luca Brasi, and the catchy sludge-poppers from Perth, Tired Lion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmTFmf8DKBI
Violent Soho infiltrated eardrums and hearts worldwide with their 2013 album Hungry Ghosts, and just as we thought they had peaked, they managed to raise the bar to a phenomenal level with Waco earlier this year (find our review here). They’ve already gone on to blow us, along with the whole of Australia away with sold out shows, but we’re already so ready for more.
The announcement of The Bronx as support comes as extra-exciting news from the band. In a press release, they have said, “We are truly honoured to have The Bronx on board for these shows. There is no band in the world that can put on such a high energy performance the way that these guys do. As a band, we have always looked up to them a hell of a lot. Our friendship goes back over 10 years so to have our big Bros from the USA come all the way across the Pacific to play with us again means the world. Luca Brasi can also be held in the same esteem. For us, they are probably Australia’s best punk rock band by a long shot. And to have this line up complimented by such a class act as Tired Lion just puts the icing on the cake for what is going to be one epic fucking tour. Really, we are just so stoked!”
Exclusive fan pre-sales are available tomorrow (Wednesday July 13th) at 9am (local time), but you’ll need to get yourself signed up at the band’s official website.
General tickets go on sale this Friday 15th July at 9am.
Tour Dates
Friday 28 October – Riverstage, Brisbane
Saturday 29 October – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
Monday 31 October – Festival Hall, Melbourne
Friday 4 November AEC Theatre, Adelaide
Saturday 5 November – Red Hill Auditorium, Perth
If you do happen to miss out on tickets, you can catch Violent Soho and Luca Brasi joining forces again at Unify festival in Victoria on 13th -15th January.
Image: Supplied
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 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:
Shabazz Palaces – Dawn In Luxor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j6TcLiANW8
Starting in Seattle this week with experimental hip-hop duo Shabazz Palaces and their latest video for Dawn In Luxor. It’s a track from all the way back in 2014 and their second album Lese Majesty, and majestic is definitely the operative word here. This is hip-hop soaring with wings, clever bars over a thick backbeat and a wall of noise that’s almost suffocating.
The visuals are an equally stunning accompaniment, gorgeous scenic shots of mountains and raging rivers, sunsets and the great unknown of outer space. The footage comes courtesy of the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Hubble and Cassini missions, which is all so unbelievably cool. The entire experience is just utterly immersive.
Lese Majesty is out now on Sub Pop via Inertia.
MOSSY – Ginsberg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H10z83zcE4
MOSSY has been quite the regular in our video roundup since signing to I Oh You not so long ago and proceeding to drop jaw-dropper after jaw-dropper out of the gate. With his debut EP having just touched down, the Sydney producer has this week released another single in Ginsberg and he hasn’t disappointed.
A slow-burning jazzy backbeat and MOSSY’s gentle crooning create a smoking lounge atmosphere, his pipes soar skywards over the chorus with unexpected power. It’s dark and dusky and yet another solid outing from MOSSY. The video finds the producer suiting up and cutting some proper shapes in a completely blanketed living room before the world’s most adorable baby makes a cameo at the end and yanks on every one of your heartstrings.
MOSSY’s self-titled debut is out now via I Oh You.
Pantha Du Prince – In An Open Space
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ8QWAIjLiQ
German producer Pantha Du Prince has shared his latest in the lead-up to his next album The Triad. It’s called In An Open Space and it’s just gorgeous. A discordant opening slowly blends into a shimmering backbeat under some whisper-soft vocals. It’s a beautiful melody that is perfect for dim lights on a cold night.
The video follows the trail of three mysterious masked figures (who have made previous appearances in Pantha Du Prince’s other videos) who traipse an overcast countryside before meeting and unmasking. It’s a tad creepy and ritualistic in parts (especially those stony-faced reflective masks) but with moments of light-hearted humanity and all wonderfully shot by Cedric Reitzmann.
The Triad is out today via Rough Trade/Remote Control Records.
Foursix – Favors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRuXFSCRsm4
Over to the Big Apple for this next one from music and art collective Foursix. Favors is the name of their debut single and video. Seven members make up Foursix but just two of them feature on Favors in Verdé Madera and J-Payso. Deliberate production anchored by simple piano chords and off-kilter trap beats form the tapestry over which Madera and Payso cleverly flow about the daily grind.
The video is fantastic, a look at Madera and Payso’s initially shitty workaday world before their tight-buttoned office all of a sudden lets their hair down and gets Wolf Of Wall Street messy. It’s as slick a debut as you could ask for and there’s something about these guys that is just magnetic.
Looking very much forward to what the rest of the Foursix collective can do.
Highasakite – Golden Ticket
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2NopIx3sTg&feature=youtu.be
Over the Atlantic to Norway for this next one with dream pop outfit Highasakite. Their new record Camp Echo is out this week and they’ve squeezed out one last single and video before that bomb drops in the glittery Golden Ticket.
It’s an up-tempo electro pop number, driven by a pulsating beat and leading into that absolutely heavenly chorus that will shoot you to the stars. Pop distilled to it’s purest form, I can’t stress enough the near cocaine-effect of that chorus. The video will grip you just as hard, gold and electric purple hues coating some mesmerising contemporary dancing. The entire thing is incredibly satisfying on both sonic and aesthetic levels and it certainly does appear that Highasakite have the golden ticket to spend the rest of 2016 lifting right off.
Camp Echo is out today via Caroline Australia
Tired Lion – Not My Friends
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNKzInyG9n4
Music video homages are always great and this week’s effort from Perth upstarts Tired Lion is no exception. For the appropriately titled Not My Friends, Tired Lion have reimagined the iconic opening credits scene from the mother of all sitcoms in Friends as well as a whole bunch of your other favourite shows of all time including That 70s Show, The Office, Home Improvement and a whole lot of others we won’t spoil, just watch and enjoy.
The song goes all kind of hard (frontlady Sophie Hopes is rock and roll as all fuck) and the gargantuan grimy riffs and lyrical subjects are a heavy pairing, but its all juxtaposed amazingly with the sheer amount of fun the band are having emulating all these classic television moments. It’s videos like this that make these roundups such a joy to write and big ups to Tired Lion for killing it in both audio and visual formats on this latest tune.
You can catch the guys on their headlining Australian tour happening right now before they head to the UK and Europe for a jaunt and then get back here in time for Splendour. 2016 is absolutely shaping up to be the year of the (Tired) Lion.
The Last Shadow Puppets – Miracle Aligner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPsyynjHpbY
Rock super-duo Alex Turner and Miles Kane, also known as The Last Shadow Puppets made their triumphant return in 2016 with their massive sophomore record Everything You’ve Come To Expect. The latest single from that album is the silky smooth Miracle Aligner, gentle crooning over pure rock and roll. Picture mum-rock artists of yesteryear like Bread and Air Supply but with a somewhat dark modern twist.
Looking to emulate the aesthetics of that era, The Last Shadow Puppets set their spray tan guns to ‘kill’ and donned suits and hairdos for their choreographed slow motion dance routine that would make Countdown dancing extras beam with pride. It’s all a bit of a poke at the shallow world of the famous and it’s up there with previous visual efforts Aviation and Everything You’ve Come To Expect for excellence.
Everything You’ve Come To Expect is out now via Domino.
Hockey Dad – So Tired
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xjAS7Q0fmY
Surf punk might be the favourite genre of this writer and there are few practitioners of it in this part of the world more proficient at it than Windang dynamic duo Hockey Dad. That statement rings especially true of their latest single, the hook laden, fuzzed up summer jam So Tired.
Catchy as the clap, frontman Zach Stephenson’s wail is refreshingly unique and hooks you as much as the chugging melody. The video will make you long for summer, awash in pink hues with Hockey Dad and friends jamming out on a sun-drenched beach and having what looks like the single best time ever (while you’re probably watching it from a cold, heartless office desk).
It’s tunes like So Tired and bands like Hockey Dad that have us so excited for the future of Australian rock, and we’re thoroughly fiending for their debut record. It’s called Boronia and it’s out August 12th on Farmer And The Owl via Inertia.
Another week, another fresh crop of tunes to jam into your ears. This week, we’ve got a big mix of the best songs. From Drum and Bass, to 70’s nostalgia, postpunk with Motown influences to in your face rock’n’roll, the first week of May has definitely brought the goods!
The Tambourine Girls, Police
Nothing like a tune positively dripping in psychedelia to kick things off! The Tambourine Girls, founded back in 2014, features two members of Deep Sea Arcade – which makes a whole lot of sense when you hear their music. A throwback to the 70’s, this hazy tune is a relaxed and blissful trip, with a woozy chorus and jangly guitar chords whilst the vocals echo out. Having supported some Aussie staples like The Preatures and Holy Holy, I get the feeling that it’s now The Tambourine Girls’ turn in the spotlight, and given then fact they’ve also just signed to Chugg Music, I’d say that prediction is pretty accurate. A debut album is said to be on the way, and I am just praying that there is plenty more where this came from!
Pacific Heights, So Love (Ft. Shaan Singh)
If I was to imagine the point where the atmospheric and ethereal meets Drum and Bass, I would imagine it would sound a lot like this – and it sounds really good. Remembering the past whilst looking forward, real name Devin Abrams pays tribute to his musical past as Noisey points out, whilst carving out his path for the future. From the rainy samples that open the track, to the eerie instrumentation he expertly lays down, Pacific Heights lulls you into a false sense of security here with the first minute or so. But just as the storm rolls in in his samples, so too does the storm roll in his production. Slowly rising synths whirr and begin to race as the guitar fades away, all the while delicate piano keys play above as Shaan Singh’s gorgeous voice soars. The track kicks into gear and the Drum and Bass comes into play, but Abrams continues to catch you off guard, throwing more and more into the mix whilst somehow still making it work so well. On paper it reads a mess, but when you listen to it, it all makes sense and is one of the best songs I’ve heard in a very long time.
Thandi Phoenix, Tell Me Where The Lovers Have Gone
Talk about impressive! Thandi Phoenix shows what she’s made of with this latest tune, producing it herself alongside the Mac Bothers (Vera Blue, Boy and Bear), UK Drum and Bass producer Dushi. Affirming that she is here to stay, and showing why there is so much hype around her every move, Tell Me Where The Lovers Have Gone starts off slow but breaks loose out of nowhere, utilising her soulful vocals for some added depth to breathe light into the dark Drum and Bass bed. Demonstrating her prowess as an artist, Thandi shifts from up-and-coming status to a bonafide star, and this is just the start.
CHIEFS, Here We Go Again (Ft. MAIA)
Melbourne producer CHIEFS returns with another banger, this time teaming up with Brisbane rising star MAIA. The pair have been bouncing ideas off each other for a while now, and it makes sense given that both artists’ sounds lend themselves perfectly to the other. MAIA’s voice is totally sublime here, as she sings of history repeating whilst CHIEFS holds it down with his emotionally-tinged production that is a step away from his “trap” styled peers. Following on in the same vein as his recent EP, Demon, CHIEFS continues to carve out his own space in the electronic music scene, borrowing from many influences and styles but never settling for anything less than who he is – a trait we also see in MAIA.
LL, Metamorphosis
Newcomer LL has shared her third single this week in Metamorphosis. Borrowing from her predecessors like Kelela or FKA twigs, LL’s voice is like smoke over a thick bed of bassy, erratic production. Taken from her debut EP, Cocoon, LL sticks with her theme of transformation and breaking free, and Metamorphosis details the exact moment she emerges as her new self – a butterfly. Whilst the music scene continues to see the effects of the alternative RnB boom that came from the come-up of BANKS and FKA twigs, it makes it hard to stand out and listeners are looking for something more. LL, sticking to her guns, offers up a refreshing take on this, and Metamorphosis, with it’s reflective and intimate lyrics, paints a vulnerable yet strong picture of an artist refusing to compromise – and that’s what sets her apart.
Christopher Port, Bump
Bump is the first single off Port’s forthcoming EP, Vetement, and boy is it a doozy. A staple in the Pieater family (Tom from Big Scary‘s label that is home to the likes of Airling and #1 Dads), Port is no stranger to the music world, but we certainly haven’t heard him in this capacity before. Controlled chaos is an understatement, as Port expertly commands percussive tangents that quickly stop and start, chop and change whilst atmospheric synths gain more and more traction before blooming enough to totally eclipse the erratic drum patterns and leave you with a calming effect that was pointedly absent for the start of the track – until it all starts again. It’s a captivating listen from start to finish, with nods to UK garage melded with Port’s own unique percussion leanings. If this is anything at all to go by, we are in for one hell of a release ome July 15 when Vetement drops!
Leisure, Nobody (Ft. GOLDLINK)
Recently whilst he was in New Zealand for Laneway festival, Goldlink had a studio session with local band Leisure (who were also playing at Laneway) according to their Facebook. “We got into the studio and vibed together to create something special,” They said, and now that we’ve had a chance to hear the results of this session, we can indeed agree it is exactly that – special. Nobody is a silky smooth love song, with rich sonic textures and Leisure’s own laidback style pairing perfectly with Goldlink’s verses. The vocal harmonies make you weak at the knees, the undercurrent of atmospheric samples keeps you captivated, and the lyrics are enough to make you fall even harder for that special someone. I have been a fan of Leisure for some time now, and whilst I didn’t expect a hip-hop collaboration, I am pleasantly surprised with how well it works. Perhaps we can expect more of this in the future? I sure hope so!
The Gooch Palms, Ask Me Why
The Gooch Palms have a lot to be excited about, and why shouldn’t they? They’re about to join Violent Soho, DZ Deathrays and Dune Rats on their huge national tour, and they’re on the precipice of releasing their second album, Introverted Extroverts. It’s even more exciting when their new material sounds as good as this! Ask Me Why is hooky as hell, with fuzzy guitar, a solid drum kick, jangly bells and sing-songy vocals that are as badass as ever. The Gooch Palms come with a guarantee of a good time, and Ask Me Why does not disappoint. Gritty and in your face but also pleasant enough to play around your mum, this tune is making me so excited to hear what else they’ve been cooking up for their Introverted Extroverts album, which will be out June 15 via their own label, Summer Camp Records. Until then, this is just as good.
Tired Lion, Not My Friends
Tired Lion have already got a lengthy list of achievements, but they’re going to have to make room for more if their latest tune is anything to go by. Not only will they be making their return to Splendour In The Grass later this year having ripped apart the stage last year (on top of taking out triple J’s Unearthed Award and a WAMI), they will also be showing Glastonbury and Latitude what they’re made of this year as well. In between that, they’ve got European dates practically coming out of their ears and for very good reason. This latest belter, Not My Friends, is yet another shining example of just what these guys are capable of – hard hitting rock tunes that get you going within seconds. Considering the potential for a raucous singalong to this number in particular, I’d hazard a guess Tired Lion will be featuring on many “Must See” lists come festival season! Click here to listen.
Cat’s Eyes, Be Careful Where You Park Your Car
This song actually came out last week, so full transparency there. But, I had to make an exception given that I only heard it this week and it sounded too good to pass up. Sounding like a weird combination of postpunk, surf rock and definitely a hint of Motown, Cat’s Eyes take a playful stance on a woman scorned and warn the perpetrator with the song title. “You looked a little too pleased when you saw her cry,” singer Rachel Zeffira playfully sings as nostalgic harmonies interject. It’s almost like the over-the-top playfulness is actually the scariest part of all, as you’re not entirely sure what’s happening but you know it’s not safe. Thankfully, Cat’s Eyes mask their crazy well and have turned their rage into a catchy ear worm that will having you humming someone’s ill fate in no time. Click here to listen.
Adria, Falling
Perth’s Adria (named after the Adriatic Sea) has now released the video for Falling, an otherworldly exploration of sound and rhythm. The dark clip is largely black and white, featuring the singer swimming and singing with grace and emotion. It’s an intimate, interesting clip – the perfect complement to the introverted, beautiful song.
Safia, Counting Sheep
The Canberra trio are back with the video for Counting Sheep. Directed by the , who also directed the post-apocalyptic clip for You Are The One. The spooky clip is eerie and somehow evokes a horror-movie vibe; you never know if something horrible is just about to happen. While this is, admittedly, my least favourite Safia song so far, this is a wholly entertaining video clip.
Szymon, Golden
It can’t be easy to create a video clip for a song that’s been released posthumously, but the beautiful work created for Szymon’s Golden is wonderful. Directed by Emile Frederick, the surreal, intimate clip was filmed in Scotland, with the idea that it’s set in an alternate reality where the sun rises once every 23 years, and is therefore considered a rare, beautiful phenomenon. Vast landscapes and dark blue hues give way to blinding light and fantastical surreality. It’s warm and somehow devastating at the same time.
Tired Lion, I Don’t Think You Like Me
Switching it up a bit, here’s Tired Lion’s video clip for the fuzzy, female-fronted indie punk single. The clip itself is really fun, a visual collage of their experiences on tour – from drinking in hotels to being live on stage, driving around and… eating soup. The track is really refreshing – the sound is bright and exciting, with heavy grunge guitars and wicked vocals. Looking forward to hearing more from these guys!
Darts, Aeroplane
We recently wrote about Darts’ wonderful new track Aeroplane, and now we’ve got a clip to go along with it. The grainy clip is really quite surreal, with the lead star walking for quite some distance to a house, only to see its residents (who are the band members, by the way) deliver her one hell of a death stare. So she leaves, eventually heading to a smoke-filled house party – only to be again confronted by the death stare crew. She later encounters them AGAIN atop a car in the street. Creepy.
Ty Dolla $ign, Drop That Kitty ft. Tinashe and Charli XCX
Well, this is just a bit of fun. Not exactly fitting in with the indie vibe of the above tracks, the high-end clip is tonnes of expensive fun. Ty Dolla’s awfully auto-tuned verses feature him driving around in a car, while Charli XCX walks and rides on a weird tricycle, next to two women with huge cat heads photoshopped onto them. Then you have Tinashe doing a sexy dance, with two backup dancers who, you guessed it, also have weird cat faces. This is just a fucking weird and funny clip. Watch it.
J Cole, Wet Dreamz
I’ve saved the best for last. We loved J Cole’s album Forest Hills Drive, and now we’ve got the video clip for his second single, Wet Dreamz. The track features a special kind of star – the four-egged furry kind! The clip begins with Cole walking a gorgeous canine, and the clip goes on to tell the tale of two lovestruck dogs. The track itself is about how he’s a virgin, and is about to lose, but doesn’t want her to know. Hilarious and incredibly cute all at once – and the excellent soundtrack doesn’t hurt. My favourite this week for sure!
Darts