Hypothesis: partying with Beck, Justice and The Libertines is the most ideal way to kick a new festival off the ground. By all calculations, it turns out that reality lives up to the theory.
Sydney City Limits is Australia’s answer to the renowned Texas event that has become a cornerstone of America’s festival circuit. Like Austin City Limits, SCL is set to make its mark on the industry here at home. The event came out swinging in its inaugural year with a glittering lineup that echoed festivals past (Big Day Out, Soundwave), beckoning some big acts who haven’t been this side of the shoreline in a while (what we like to see).
Brit punk icons The Libertines, the infinitely talented Grace Jones, mastermind Beck, and French electro/indie powerhouses Justice and Phoenix all joined a rich and diverse bill of local and internationals acts. Aussie wares like Gang of Youths, Stella Donnelly, Winston Surfshirt, Alex Lahey and The Avalanches sat alongside comfortably showcasing staggering talent.
The kick-off was a one-day affair set to four stages and was peppered with boutique food, beverage and retail stalls, including The Grove VIP section, for anyone malcontent with the sweaty mosh life. While around 14,000 turned up to muzz, the Centennial Park space was easy to navigate between stages and the lines for food and drinks were spread out and moved quickly, thanks to the abundance of vendors. It was a jam-packed schedule which meant that we weren’t bored for a second. We’ll definitely be back next year.
Photos by Dani Hansen.
LDRU
Stella Donnelly
Tkay Maidza
Sigrid
The Head And The Heart
Allday
The Libertines
Car Seat Headrest
Photos: Dani Hansen/Howl & Echoes
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
The rise of Tkay Maidza has been undeniably mammoth. From her breakout hit Brontosaurus to Switch Tape and now to her debut album TKAY, she has gone stride to stride in becoming one of Australia’s biggest exports. Last week, Maidza brought her high energy show to Melbourne’s 170 Russell for one night only; her last visit to Melbourne saw multiple sold out shows at the Northcote Social Club, so you knew the night was going to be lit. Supported by Midas.Gold and Sable, lit is putting it mildly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXKN_IBdhRA
Midas.Gold was first up, opening up the ceremonies for the night. Gold is one of the most promising hip-hop acts in the game today, so it was a little disappointing to see a relatively small crowd vibing with him. “Some of you may know me, most of you don’t.” Gold joked on stage before launching into another high energy track. Fresh from dropping his For What It’s Worth project (read our review here), I highly recommend turning up early to catch him, you won’t be disappointed.
Sable sent the crowd into a frenzy with his tropical and house reworks and live electronic instrumentation. Tracks like his remix of Jack Ü‘s Where Are Ü Now? and The Throne‘s N***** In Paris were crowd favourites, with the beats growing more and more intoxicating as the set progressed, becoming more hip-hop heavy throughout, ending on reworkings from the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Skepta.
The room imploded when Tkay Maidza appeared on stage. Flanked by her DJ and drummer (Tim Commandeur, best known from Operator Please) she launched into the album’s lead track Always Been, blending seamlessly into her collab with Killer Mike Carry On. Something that I’ve always enjoyed about a Tkay Maidza show is there’s very few rest periods. Maidza moves like lightning through the songs, whipping the crowd into a frothing mess of arms and jumping. It’s been roughly a week since TKAY dropped but the fans were already across it, screaming lyrics back at her throughout. Tkay’s ability to blend hip-hop, dance and pop music makes her music so accessible to so many people and she brings people together to do one thing: party.
“We think you might know this one,” Maidza beamed at the audience as M.O.B began to screams and cheers. She then moved flawlessly into new single Tennies, which oozes M.I.A vibes but is still 100% Tkay. Every track was a banger and Maidza kept up the energy for her entire set. Switch Lanes brought the house down, self-described as the “reason you know me”, before closing with latest single Simulation, triggering waving hands in the air and arms around friends. Always leaving the crowd wanting more, she departed the stage and the, as I like to call it, “get the fuck out” music began to play. Standard cries for an encore rang out and were rewarded when Maidza and co. reappeared on stage to perform Brontosaurus. The DJ spent some time trying to find the track in his mix, as Tkay joked that normally they don’t return, but Melbourne went off. After goading the crowd more and more, as the stomping feet reached a peak Brontosaurus started and was the perfect end to an amazing gig.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7zU29NSQmk
Catch Tkay Maidza on her remaining tour dates:
05 Nov, Capitol, Perth, WA
10 Nov, Metro Theatre, Sydney, NSW
18, Nov, HQ, Adelaide, SA
19 Nov, Republic Bar, Hobart, TAS
For more details, go here
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 bring you music to spin while you’re playing out your very own shopping montage IRL. Also, this time, ALL of these tracks are from artists based right here in Australia.
It’s a very, very tired trope. Person has important thing to go to. Person needs to buy a new ‘fit for the occasion. Person traipses to the mall with zany BFF in tow to try on a series of clothes. Some are gross. Some are hilarious. And then one is just right. It’s like Goldilocks, but with more capitalism! Yay! Played-out romcom montages aside though, this is actually a real situation that most can probably relate to, but on a much less ~quirky~ level. Like, the thing you have to go to more than likely isn’t all that pivotal. You kinda don’t need new clothes but you just want em. Your BFF maybe isn’t that much of a crazy character and their reactions to your various sartorial options are almost definitely mostly subdued. And the outfit that you eventually pick is, in all likelihood, gonna have some kind of fundamental flaw whether you notice it in-store or not (probably that it was made in a sweatshop). Political commentary aside, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to inject a bit of whimsy and humour into the situation by just leaning into the montage cliche as hard as possible and Soundtracking it.
Pluto Jonze – Hispedangongonajelanguiro (Capiche?)
Let’s face it: no matter who you are, trying on clothes is objectively horrible. Sizes are not standardised, the changing rooms have questionable stains on the carpet, it can take HOURS to find what you’re looking for, and literally NOBODY looks good under that god-awful harsh fluorescent lighting. You’re gonna need pepping up pretty much straight out of the gate. This song is complete nonsense and that’s why it’s so entertaining. It is total chaos and so eccentric it’ll make up for the fact that the mate you tagged along is kind of vanilla. Fun fact: Pluto Jonze is now a member of Hey Geronimo. Not-so-fun-fact: he hasn’t released anything as Pluto Jonze in roughly 5 million years, or at least that’s what it feels like. #ComeBackPluto
Tkay Maidza – Uh-Huh
There is actually no disputing that Tkay Maidza is a literal queen. Her rise has been so meteoric and her presence so constant that there is actually no denying this objective fact any longer. Lucky for us, she is a kind and benevolent ruler to us all and uses her sovereignty to bless us with multiple bangers. This particular banger is (IMHO) the best “feelin’ myself” song to come out of this country in years. I don’t care what your gender or level of kinetic intelligence is, you WILL be booty-popping to this song in the jeans you just tried on. Hopefully ur mate takes a video because this song is known to increase dancing ability approximately one hundred fold.
Loon Lake – Cherry Lips
RIP to a very fun band who wrote an even more fun song. This one’s perfect for your personal shopping montage – it really has it all. Cheesy lyrics like “shake your sexy hips“, a wailing guitar solo, and a driving groove that’ll have you turning that awkward dance everyone does to get into slightly-too-tight pants into something a bit more suave. This is a good time for you to oh-so-hilariously suggest to your buddy that they also try on a crazy outfit, preferably a matching or horribly clashing one, and then you both bust out of your respective changing rooms and strike ridiculous poses.
Ash-Leigh – Never Been
This track is an iridescent, so-bright-it-hurts-to-look-at f*cking pop GEM. Don’t be fooled by the subdued start, because this baby houses one of the most absolutely insane, completely perfect choruses not just from Australia, but on the entire planet. Maybe that’s hyperbole, but look, probably not. Chuck it on when you’re getting changed out of a “no” outfit and are about to try on what looks like it’s gonna be a “yes”. Even if it doesn’t look as slammin’ as you’d hoped, I promise you, you are NOT going to care. All you’re going to care about is twirling around with your arms in the air while other shoppers call you a fucking crumb behind your back. Sadly this one is not on Spotify, but you can listen below. I promise you it’s worth it.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb4u3IKyhAM]
Babaganouj – Can’t Stop
Get it? Because you can’t stop thinking about when you’re finally going to find the right damn clothes for your purposes and get away from all the mallwalkers and weird mingling food court smells. No, but really, every shopping montage needs a cute as hell track like this. It’s actually a crime that this song isn’t famous the world over. Who doesn’t love a good call and response? During this song, you will find what you are looking for*, so put it on last otherwise you’ll miss out on all the other incredible tracks on this playlist (*not guaranteed).
Image: Paramount
It’s time for your weekly dose of the hottest new musical visuals, and this week we’ve got a bit of everything, including healthy doses of nostalgia, action and surrealism. Some of these videos are truly cinematographic while others are a bit of fun, either way they’re made for solid viewing, so you best pull up a seat.
Kllo – Sense
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSPETjXwLOA
First up for this week’s collection of weird and wonderful videos is the new one from Melbourne duo Kllo, off their EP Well Worn. A hazy meander, the video for Sense opens with a shot of the instantly recognisable Royal Arcade off Bourke Street. From there,the duo travel through the suburb they grew up in and wrote a majority of their music and other parts of the city they hold dear – everything from a typically chilly coastal adventure to restaurants, arcades, shopping centres and blossom dappled, homely gardens. The muted tones (courtesy of the Super 8 camera the entire thing was filmed on) of the video offset the nostalgia dripped mumble of the track, the piecing together of the different locations calling to mind the duo’s knack for blending pop and r&b. Intentionally unrefined, the duo have said that the am of the video was to “capture the honest aspects of our life at the moment,” in the same way they do their music.
Rainbow Chan – Pearled Into
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbifrpOlWOg
Headed to Sydney now with Rainbow Chan’s new visuals from her debut album Spacings. Her clip for Pearled Into is decidedly minimalist and plays with blank space. Dressed in all black, she pulls shapes around a stark white box of a room. The simplicity of the clip is captivating and calls attention to the crux of the song, which about working to rebuild yourself. With Rainbow’s angular, interpretive moves and the song’s themes, there is a wonderful marriage between the idea of dancing as though no one is watching and the line “Wear it with pride, girl/ Nothing can hurt you now”. Directed by Rainbow’s frequent collaborator Ellie Graham, the dance was choreographed by Amrita Hepi and while at first it seems simple and perhaps delicate, as it progresses it becomes clear that there is a certain strength at play here.
Tkay Maidza – Carry On ft. Killer Mike
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXKN_IBdhRA
Back down to Adelaide and we’ve got a fresh clip from the wonderfully talented Tkay Maidza. The first single off her highly anticipated, upcoming debut album TKAY (out October 28) Carry On was already a beast of a track and now it’s got a video equal parts gritty and vibrant to go with it. While the song features one half of Run The Jewels, Killer Mike, who was quoted last year singing the praises of Tkay, he doesn’t make an appearance in the clip. Rather, the video focus on Tkay and a small troupe of dancers as they switch up outfits, stomp around what looks like a makeshift photoshoot set and unashamedly make their presence known, as Tkay so often does. Filmed in London during her recent UK & European tour, the clip is a frenetic flurry of colour, style and shape that calls to mind Tkay’s live show and makes you want to dance like nothing else.
L-FRESH The Lion unBECOME ft. Jimblah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry4YrknLDdU
While Sydney’s L-FRESH The Lion has just finished a national tour, that doesn’t mean he isn’t taking time off. He’s just dropped the video for his Jimblah featuring track unBECOME. A captivating gray scale simplicity, the clips follows L-FRESH and Jimblah as they explore the implications of burnout that is often experienced by activists and social workers. Speaking about the concept, L-FRESH said that upon first approaching Jimblah to feature on the track, they spoke about “balancing your own expectations with other people, including you own community’s… We’d spoken about all of this a few times in the past.” The song itself discusses the anxiety that can come with trying to balance all those expectations while still doing the work to be a better person every day and how “many times, we are our own worst enemies.” The stripped back approach to the video allows the lyrics to really come across on their own.
Ta-ku & Wafia – (m)edian
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSQUYCh1rd-SSrQW6ckOofOtIDovWEiVh
Not content with selling out a New York date on their maiden US voyage, for their next trick Australian duo Ta-ku and Wafia have presented not one, not two, but three new videos for an EP they’ve titled (m)edian. Comprising of three tracks, the videos were co-directed by Ta-ku (his debut) with Collider’s Damon Cameron. A surreal, a cool-toned three part series, videos for the songs Treading Water, Meet in the Middle and the inescapable Love Somebody make up (m)edian. As the videos progress, we follow a number of central characters on their strange adventures that are best explained through simply watching the videos themselves. A highly stylized aesthetic which showcases Ta-ku as a multi-talented and yet utterly focused artist, the series feel more like a short, wordless and wonderfully perplexing film than video clips.
Sampha – Blood On Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oM1DFL43Lk
The international entry for this video roundup comes courtesy of one of the most intriguing acts out of the UK, singer-songwriter Sampha. Having collaborated extensively with a number of widely acclaimed artists (we’re talking everyone from FKA twigs and SBTRKT to Beyonce, Kanye West and Frank Ocean), Sampha has given us a frankly stunning piece of film which cuts together a number of threatening and somewhat bizarre scenarios. Perhaps most fitting thematically is the shot of Sampha running on a greyhound track before eventually collapsing, however it is the dramatic ending to the entire piece that tends to stick with you, giving off a sort of Weasley’s-flying car-meets-macabre-Green-witch vibe.
Pixx – Grip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4kONnKvqG0&feature=youtu.be
Also out of the UK is the new offering from Pixx (real name Hannah Rodgers), titled Grip. The song is lifted from her debut album slated for release early next year. Through a series of angular yet fluid movement and a forever twisting and turning camera, the song shows Pixx in what appears to be an abandoned home. Of the song and video, which seems to defy gravity, she said that “we go through life facing backwards, moving forwards without a clue what is in front of us.” much in the way we did watching the video, she said that is a concept she finds herself getting lost in.
Flatbush ZOMBiES – Trade-Off
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPYsfMd16JQ&feature=youtu.be
Finally, we wind things up in Shanghai with the new video from Flatbush ZOMBiES and the short film that provides the visuals for their track Trade-Off. Titled 65 to Life, the film was written and directed by British filmmaker Jayga Rayn and produced by his Shanghai-based production house. The video follows a, perhaps unlikely, duo as they embark on a night’s wicked antics. From a convenience store hold up to the drunken outing that ensues to the call into work the next morning, the film is fast-aced and utterly frenetic and makes for entertaining, enthralling viewing.
Image: Pixx (supplied)
With the release of her new album officially fast approaching, Tkay Maidza has dropped a new single featuring none other than Killer Mike.
Carry On has a fresh, upbeat tune that flows on from the confronting sounds of sirens blaring. The percussion holds the breezy melody with a great amount of strength, compelling us to imagine what power it would bring to a live performance. Killer Mike supports her with his familiar and influential voice, stopping the listener in their tracks and adding more power to the song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeiIvureL-k
Maidza describes the song as being about those who bring her down, something that a lot of people struggle with during their journey to success. “I guess what I’m trying to say is I have bigger issues that only matter to me as a youngin at this point in my career and Killer Mike is reinforcing that,” she said.
In relation to her “respected and loved” collaborator, Maidza has these words of admiration and gratitude to say. “It was really cool that Mike listened to what I was saying in my verse as his verse is a conversation to mine… to him I must sound like I need guidance, and what he said was really reassuring and relevant for me,” she said.
Mike has given some love to Tkay before, giving her a shout out during a talk at MIT last year:
“I remember thinking to myself, I’m in Australia, I’ve been here for two weeks, and not one person talked about Iggy Azalea – and I’m at a music festival! Not one person! The person that all the Australians were talking about was a black girl! Her name was Tkay something, I saw her perform, she rocked the house! So here I am in Australia, and the biggest rising star here is a pie-faced girl with a round nose and beautiful coco brown skin – that’s a compliment in my opinion, I think having a round face and a round nose is beautiful – so in America, people are asking me to be angry about the whole cultural appropriation of a white woman from Australia who just grew up liking hip hop… I’m angry and raging about that because I believe the whole world is American, and in Australia… there’s sold out shows for a little black girl who can dance her ass off. And she’s actually saying stuff when she raps!”
Tkay Maidza’s eponymous debut album Tkay will be out on October 28, around which a full headline tour has also now been announced – full details below.
Wed 26 Oct – Cassette, Auckland, New Zealand (Door sales only)
Thurs 27 Oct – Empire, Christchurch, New Zealand (Door sales only)
Thurs 03 Nov – The Triffid (Lic / All Ages), Brisbane, QLD (Tickets)
Fri 04 Nov – 170 Russell Melbourne, VIC (Tickets)
Sat 05 Nov – Metropolis, Perth, WA (Tickets)
Thurs 10 Nov – The Metro (Lic / All Ages), Sydney, NSW (Tickets)
Fri 18 Nov – HQ Adelaide (Lic / All Ages), Adelaide, SA (Tickets)
Sat 19 Nov – Uni Bar, Hobart, TAS (Tickets)
She also has a few other shows scatted around September and October, before hitting Falls at the end of the year.
Tues 6 Sep – Secret Sounds BIGSOUND Pre-Party, The Triffid, Brisbane, QLD
Wed 7 Sep – BIGSOUND Showcase, The Flying Cock, Brisbane, QLD
Sat 1 Oct – Mountain Sounds Presents, The Beery, Central Coast, NSW
Sun 2 Oct – Yours & Owls Festival, Wollongong, NSW
Thurs 29- Sat 31 Dec – The Falls Music And Arts Festival, Lorne, VIC
Thurs 29 – Sat 31 Dec – The Falls Music And Arts Festival, Marion Bay, TAS
Sat 31 – 02 Jan – The Falls Music And Arts Festival, Byron Bay, NSW
Her self-titled album will be released on October 28.
Image: Fashion Journal
George Maple has returned to her home country Australia for a headline tour. Fresh from releasing new track Buried with What So Not and featuring Rome Fortune, as well as a remix package for her single Sticks and Horses, also featuring Rome Fortune. After performing to sold out crowds across the USA and beyond, this week saw her return to Australia for a headline tour, with support from UV Boi and Jia Lih. A special cameo from Tkay Maidza also gave the crowd an unexpected surprise!
I can admit, I had underestimated the powerhouse that is George Maple going into last night’s show. Sheer brilliance is the only way I can describe her as a performer, with both incredible stage presence and the most amazing costumes I’ve seen in a long while. The strength of her voice is undeniable with an already solid repertoire of songs that kept the crowd wanting more by the end of her set. Watch this space, this girl is going to be massive.
You can read our full review of Maple live in Sydney here, and you can click here to check out our full interview with this wonderful artist.
George Maple’s tour continues on to Oh Hello in Brisbane this Friday, July 15, before wrapping up at Jack Rabbit Slims in Perth on Saturday July 16.
UV Boi
George Maple
All images: Michelle Grace Hunder / Howl & Echoes
Tkay Maidza, she of relentless bubbly energy and endless #bangers, has been nominated for the Viewer’s Choice “Best New International Act” at the illustrious BET Awards.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGW2_CWChzB/
Maidza’s name is absolutely a household one in Australia at this point, but she’s been making waves globally for a little while now. She’s worked with huge names like Mark Ronson, Charli XCX and Rita Ora, played headline shows in Europe & Les Printemps des Bourges Festival in Paris, and has been added to the #NewNames list by Radio 1’s Annie Mac. Her recent collaboration with Martin Solveig Do It Right has only awarded her more buzz. This nomination marks another tick on Tkay’s “To-Do” list on her way to world domination.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQRV5omnBBU]
Being nominated for a BET Award holds particular significance to Maidza. “Being nominated for an event that I’ve watched and heard about since I was 12 is pretty surreal,” she told Pedestrian.TV. “No idea how it happened but I’m super grateful.”
The BET Awards have been around since 2001, serving the specific and very important purpose of celebrating and rewarding black talent, achievement, culture & art. The Awards have had an immeasurably huge role in shaping the modern zeitgeist (Beyoncé performed solo for the first time ever on the BET stage), but they’re just as crucial on a socio-political scale. Who could forget #OscarsSoWhite? The unfortunate truth remains that racism and discrimination are far from over, and it’s not only unfair but unhealthy for anyone to not see representation from people who are succeeding & being praised and depicted in a positive light. There certainly isn’t any lack of talent – and the BET’s mission is to provide a platform for rewarding that.
If, like us, you couldn’t be prouder of Tkay Maidza, you can vote for her by tweeting the BET Awards (@BETAwards) with the hashtag #IPickTkay.
Image: Lady Drewniak/Howl &Echoes
More: Photo Gallery – Tkay Maidza Live at Howler, Melbourne
More: Watch Killer Mike give Tkay the greatest shout-out ever
It was tough to get this playlist down to ten tracks, as once again the music industry has delivered the goods. But, you have to be cutthroat about this – so these are ten of our favourites that have come into the world this week. Enjoy!
Marcus Whale, My Captain
One half of Collarbones/one third of Black Vanilla Marcus Whale has shared his second single this week, and has once again shown just how much musical prowess is surging through those veins of his. We first had a taste of his solo project with his debut release, If (demo) and then another glimpse with his remix of Lucianblomkamp‘s Comfort, and now we have a third look in My Captain. Showing off his impressive set of pipes more than ever before, his voice soars over a bed of uneasy and metallic sounds that show him taking lead from forefathers Seekae. It’s his most impressive release yet and has us aching for his upcoming album, Inland Sea.
Mat Zo, Soul Food (Club Mix)
Mat Zo is nominated for a Grammy for his album, Damage Control. Just going to put that out there. And when you listen to any of his songs, you know why. He has now returned with Soul Food (Club Mix), and what a track it is. Groovy as hell, he keeps it light whilst commanding you to carve up on the dancefloor with his modern house stylings. Zane Lowe himself described it as an “absolute banger”, and that basically hits the nail right on the head. Just TRY not to dance when this comes on, it’s impossible.
LANKS, Golden Age
Melbournian LANKS makes some really, really beautiful music, so whenever he releases any new material, we get really excited indeed. He has returned after a banner year last year that saw him reach the top of the Hype Machine charts with his Just A Gent collab and accrue a few casual hundred thousands listens to his Banquet EP, and his new track has him sounding better than ever. It’s a little different to what we’re used to from LANKS, but we don’t mind it at all. It’s groovy, upbeat and captivating, and has us really keen to hear what else he’s been working on.
Nadia Nair, Something Something Something
Swedish newcomer Nadia Nair has released Something Something Something this week, and it wins the prize of best track not only of the week but quite possibly the month. Maybe even the year. Gentle, intimate and so special, Something Something Something is as powerful as it is delicate. A soft and warm synth line provides the quiet backdrop for Nair’s incredible vocals, and the simplistic composition makes for a very commanding and spellbinding song indeed. She’s already got a bit of a buzz about her, but things are surely set to take off soon if she is putting out songs like this!
Ben Abraham, Hyperballad with Tim Shiel
This is a cover of Bjork‘s track, and whilst nothing can ever really come close to the original, this rework is a beautiful rendition. Ben Abraham actually loved the track so much he released two covers, but this one with double J host Tim Shiel is stunning. It’s soft and gentle like morning dew, and creates powerful imagery thanks to the gentle, serene vocals. It really is a beautiful job, albeit an intimidating one, and one that has us seriously impressed with Abraham. You can here the other one with Luke Howard here.
Vallis Alps, Young (Feki Remix)
Our favourite Brisbane producer has once again knocked this one out of the park. Jumping on remix duties for Vallis Alps’ Young, he has turned the track into a dreamy number that once again shows off just how promising this young gun is. He had teased this a little while ago, and now we can confirm the wait was well and truly worth it. Dark and brooding, but with his signature twinkling flourishes, Feki really makes this track his own. We can’t say it enough, this guy is the real deal!
Le Villejuif Underground, On The Seine
Anyone that sounds this much like Lou Reed already scores pretty high in my books. Add to that how great this song is and you’ve found yourself a winner! This is frontman Nathan Roche’s reincarnated band, and he is back sounding better than ever. Teaming up with local legend label Rice Is Nice, there are definitely big things in the works for these guys, and judging from this track – they’re going to be sounding really nice too!
Motez, Down Like This (Ft. Tkay Maidza)
Two of Adelaide’s hottest exports have teamed up for this absolute banger. With Motez on the beats and Tkay on the mic, Down Like This is an instant classic. Heralding Motez’s long awaited return to the game after his amazing Vancouver EP last year, he’s employed Tkay (who is currently riding a wave of hugely deserved hype herself) to bring an extra element to his bassy house music. With a dirty bass line, a hook that embeds itself in your brain for days on end and ‘Tez’s penchant for perfectly crafted dance tracks, this is a total winner!
Carmouflage Rose, Dreams (Prod. Drumm & James Angus)
This is the first single ever from Brisbane rapper Carmouflage Rose, and what a track it is. Huge bass, hard hitting drums, lyrics that will get you pumped up to take on the world and a flow that shows he is set for big things, Dreams is a total banger. He’s been kicking around his hometown for a while now so it’s good to see him with an official release. Let’s just hope there is a lot more where this came from!
Major Leagues, Better Off
Brisbane darlings Major Leagues have released their first single of the year in the form of Better Off. The track comes alongside the announcement that a new EP is slated for release come April, and that they’ve been working with members of Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Bored Nothing for the record. If that isn’t impressive enough on it’s own, the track definitely is. Sticking to their indie-pop guns, Better Off is hopefully the sign of big things to come!
Ever since first single Brontosaurus dropped back in 2013, it’s been a continuous upward journey for pint-sized Adelaide MC Tkay Maidza. Her Paces-produced single Switch Lanes squeezed into the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2014, she’s already played some the country’s biggest festivals, including Listen Out, Splendour in the Grass (twice), Groovin the Moo and as a last minute addition to the Laneway dates earlier this year. She also stepped up for an extended versions of Hilltop Hoods’ Cosby Sweater at Triple J’s Beat the Drum concert alongside Illy, Horrorshow, Drapht, Seth Sentry, and Thundamentals.
Now, she’s shared what is possibly her most impressive cut to date. Between her commanding verses, the hefty trap beats and Tkay’s melodic singing injected throughout, Ghost is a fucking beast of a track. Premiered on Pigeons and Planes yesterday, the new song is already being slated as the rapper’s finest offering to date all over the internet. Ghost is produced by electronic/bass heavyweights Baauer, What So Not, and George Maple. With the track come hints of an album dropping some time next year, with Tkay confirming she does have one in the works. In the meantime however, she’s got an EP ready to drop in the US (Downtown Records) and Europe (Kitsune) real damn soon.