Laneway aptly marked it’s humble beginnings in a Melbourne laneway in 2005. It has since built a reputation as a festival with it’s finger firmly on the pulse of the music industry, despite canning one of Australia’s foremost up-and-coming artists from the bill this year (cc: Kirin J Callinan).
Nevertheless, we savour the release of each lineup with intense anticipation because the event delivers a solid slew of talent from around the world every single year; from artists who we don’t usually see in this neck of the woods, to absolute crowd favourites we can’t get enough of.
Part II had us at Mac DeMarco, who is and always will be a festival favourite with his random tangents, on-stage quirks and warm adoration for his fans. We caught the enigmatic Moses Sumney next who walked out in a black cloak, surrounded in mystery. Anderson .Paak and his band The Free Nationals were arguably the most anticipated act of the day and they delivered in droves. BADBADNOTGOOD served up some sonic smoothness before we caught Father John Misty changing guitars several times due to technical difficulties. “I think ODESZA has, like 60 acoustic guitars. How can I compete?” And, on cue, the Seattle producers took the Garden Stage with their shiny new drumline (sans the guitars) and gave us a taste of their impeccable live show.
Then we headed over for POND who never fail to amaze, with manic frontman Nic Allbrook fawning over the stage and amongst the crowd all at once. Thirsty for some heavy electronica, TOKiMONSTA’s set was exactly what we ordered before we rounded out the night the only way one should, with a wall of hot shoegaze and Slowdive came correct. Another hectic time full of unforgettable moments.
Until next year, Laneway.
Photos: Dani Hansen
Mac DeMarco
Moses Sumney
Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals
BADBADNOTGOOD
Father John Misty
ODESZA
POND
TOKiMONSTA
Slowdive
Photos: Dani Hansen/Howl & Echoes
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:
Club Cheval – Young, Rich And Radical
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LtP9HzdqzY
Kicking proceedings off all the way from Lille in the North of France are electronic music collective Club Cheval and the latest single to be released from their debut album Discipline. The wonderfully-titled Young, Rich And Radical is a certified banger, slow-burning and methodical before the chorus cashes in, all driving beats and soft falsetto.
The video is an interesting concept, showing young people adopting a lifestyle of chastity and sobriety: swapping tie-dye for plain black, water for wine and generally just behaving very, very sensibly. I may disagree with the lifestyle choices but it’s still a wonderfully clever music video.
Discipline is out now via Bromance Records.
Ngaiire – Diggin’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9P7lilYw-c&feature=youtu.be
One of our favourite Australian artists going at the moment is neo soul star Ngaiire. She’s had a huge week, currently roving around rural Australia as part of the Groovin’ The Moo 2016 lineup, she has also announced her next album Blastoma as well as releasing the video for her current single Diggin’.
The song itself is beyond infectious, restrained percussion and throbbing synths, more stellar production with long-time collaborator Paul Mac. The chorus ups the intensity and showcases Ngaiire’s fantastic vocal range. The music video is awash in gold, a pair of contemporary dancers interpreting the narrative with movements convulsive and fluid at the same time, Ngaiire the rightful centre of it all. If Diggin’ on the back of debut Lamentations are any indication of Ngaiire’s trajectory, it’s undoubtedly skyward from here.
Blastoma is out June 10th via Maximilion Brown.
Urthboy – Daughter Of The Light (ft. Kira Puru)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVJm-5AnOYM
Sydney MC Urthboy is out with another single and the third from his huge fifth studio album The Past Beats Inside Me Like A Second Heartbeat. It’s the Kira Puru featuring Daughter Of The Light, a loving tribute to the sacrifices made by Urthboy’s mum and will uppercut you fair in your unsuspecting feels. Big dramatic synths and Kira Puru’s stunning vocal alley oop hammer it home.
The video is full of introspection, Urthboy rapping from a total of six different rooms, each with their own story and meaning to the narrative. Kira Puru belting out the chorus in front of a sea of bright lights, collaborators Broken Yellow (who were also behind the video for Long Loud Hours) have come up all kinds of clutch.
The Past Beats Inside Me Like A Second Heartbeat is out now via Elefant Traks.
Spit Syndicate – Know Better
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsLAm_nrSyY
Sticking in Sydney and sticking within the realm of Australian hip-hop on this next one, the latest single from dynamic duo (Nick Lupi and Jimmy Nice) Spit Syndicate. Know Better is the name. It’s a party track encompassing all kinds of them, ragers, chilled nights with dinner and drinks and friends and everything in between.
If you’ve ever gotten down to any One Day Sundays (put on as part of the One Day collective the duo are a part of) then you might even have a cameo spot in this one, the music video being comprised of footage from some of those events.
Spit Syndicate are touring Know Better around Australia from early June.
Alex Cameron – She’s Mine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHBCMLrW-l4&feature=youtu.be
Not many people have a business partner who is also a saxophonist, but Sydney’s Alex Cameron (who you may know as part of Seekae) certainly does. It’s been a big week for Cameron, he’s just signed to Secretly Canadian and simultaneously released a brand new video for She’s Mine.
A punchy backbeat and some restrained synths form the backdrop for Cameron’s smoking lounge baritone. It’s very early Future Islands-y. The video features the singer-songwriter breaking out some vicious dance moves in front of (and on top of) what looks like an old Buick (I don’t know cars so don’t quote me) and a dreary skyline. Bloody brilliant. Also, few people can make sneans looks quite as cool as Alex Cameron does.
With this recent signing as well as US tour dates on the horizon, Alex Cameron looks about to have a huge year.
Tegan And Sara – Boyfriend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJOHoiPGpac&ab_channel=TeganandSara
Next is the greatest Canadian identical twin sister duo in the history of music in Tegan And Sara. With next album Love You To Death almost upon us, the Quin sisters have this week released the visuals accompanying their first single from that album; Boyfriend.
It’s a three minute synth pop tune full of fire and swagger. The video, directed by Clea DuVall (Chuck’s doctor on Better Call Saul) features the girls at the mercy of a director who just doesn’t quite get directing all that well.
Catch Tegan And Sara when they hit Australia for Splendour In The Grass later this year.
Moistoyster – Repetitive Strain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=ntTsIGrjL_U
Winning two of this week’s awards for ‘Tongue Twistiest Band Name’ as well as ‘Band Name That Sounds Gross But Isn’t’ are Perth surf rock outfit Moistoyster and their new single Repetitive Strain. It’s breezy as all hell and definitely the kind of song that has you lamenting the fact that Winter is coming and the beaches aren’t as inviting.
Speaking of beaches, the accompanying music video is set on an absolutely stunning one for this one-shot clip. The chilled out air of the song becomes juxtaposed darkly and dramatically with the antics of deranged-looking frontman George Foster. It certainly leaves a whole lot of questions unanswered.
If you’re on the West Coast you can catch Moistoyster at a couple of shows they’ve got coming up in June.
TOKiMONSTA – Giving Up (ft. Jonny Pierce)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoNVDKvXYQU
Just done rocking out her home state of California as part of this year’s Coachella, TOKiMONSTA has released a brand new single this week for the breathtaking Giving Up. Featuring Jonny Pierce (who you would know for his stellar work fronting The Drums), giving up is an ode to unrequited love.
With urgent, almost frenetic production and ethereal and evocative vocals throughout, Giving Up will put a lump in your throat. The music video for it documents one man’s spaced out and colourful descent into madness when he realises the love of his life doesn’t feel the same.
TOKiMONSTA’s fourth studio album Fovere is out now via Young Art Records.
It’s video roundup time! Once again, Howl And Echoes are coming in hot with the freshest, most eyeball stimulating music videos to be dropped by the artists you love and some of the artists you don’t know you love yet, of this week. We do all the dirty work and herd them all into one convenient web-based location for you to enjoy every Friday so that you don’t have to. Have yourself a good old gander at the latest offerings from:
TOKiMONSTA – Put It Down (ft. Anderson .Paak and KRNE)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_7Yi7cCHx4&feature=youtu.be
First up is LA producer TOKiMONSTA, who has recruited a couple of big names for her latest. Put It Down features recent Aftermath Records signee Anderson .Paak providing some croons and tag teams the production duties with fellow Californian KRNE for a West Coast extravaganza. The track is the latest single in the lead up to her mini-album Fovere, due out in just a fortnight. It’s a banger alright, the drop before the chorus just superb. It’s hip-hop and electronic combined to perfection.
Red and black is the motif the music video has gone with, full of confronting visuals (the milk squirting out of that one guy’s nose made me feel so very uncomfortable), and watching .Paak get thrown around the dark room he’s dancing in by some unseen force every chorus is some wonderful unintentional comedy.
Fovere is out March 4th on Young Art Records.
MOSSY – Electric Chair
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIyq1HFrclo
A brand new name for one of the best labels in Australia right now, I Oh You, is Sydney producer MOSSY and his debut single Electric Chair. Crafted in a basement in New York City’s Lower East Side, the track is as auspicious a debut as it gets. As someone who appreciates electronic music but leans more towards rock and roll, I absolutely relish hearing producers mixing in big guitars with their synths and MOSSY has done an outstanding job of it here. It’s a twisting, crooked track, anchored by psychedelic vocals, dreamy synths and yes, those big guitars at the end that are just the cherry on top.
Music video is creepy as hell too; a dark and dusty cave, a ballerina dancing with a skeleton in an empty palace and a gloomy forest. It’s a modern interpretation of the Ancient Greek myth of Narcissus and Echo. There’s a tarantula too because of course. The whole shebang is an auditory and visual experience and it looks like I Oh You have struck even more gold here.
MOSSY releases his debut self-titled EP May 13th on I Oh You.
Hoodlem – Kintsugi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro4hXmUj_Us
Just shy of releasing their debut EP, Melbourne-based duo Hoodlem have released a haunting video to accompany their latest single Kintsugi this week. Slick beats and a molasses-thick bassline drive the track along with some cavernous vocals.
Shot in black and white and directed by David Ward, the accompanying video looks like the kind that to watch will ensure a horrible death after seven days. The title of the song refers to the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold dust and the lyrics and video draw focus on this quite heavily. Despite its utter creepiness, it’s still visually stunning with lashings of gold cutting through the monochrome.
Hoodlem’s debut EP is out March 25th via Caroline Australia
Fait – Chasing Youth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwKOeWTruNk&feature=youtu.be
On to Perth and a superbly talented young woman by the name of Elise Higgins, known more commonly as Fait and her latest single Chasing Youth. Currently in London in the process of creating her next record, Fait released the visuals to this breathtaking track all about (obviously) chasing, and capturing, youth.
The song is a multilayered soundscape, moody and atmospheric and uplifting and joyous all at once, the timing and placement of each instrument creating a song able to convey so many emotions without ever saying a word. The video is a heartwarmer, dappled in afternoon sunshine, the adult protagonist capturing that elusive youth we’re all chasing and spending it swinging in tyres and dancing around sprinklers among other activities most of us consider ourselves too old for.
Look out for a new record from Fait in mid-2016.
Loose Tooth – Bites Will Bleed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtOplMDNXdM
Announcing their debut EP Saturn Returns earlier this week, Melbourne trio Loose Tooth marked the occasion by also releasing a brand new single from said EP, the punchy Bites Will Bleed. With riffs that are straight power pop with the feel of a musty garage and a shitbox amp, the track chugs along guided by the ethereal vocals of singer/drummer (boy do I have respect for anyone who can do that) Etta Curry and is some wonderful noise.
The video is centred around a house party that starts out innocently enough with toilet hook-ups and spin the bottle but quickly goes straight to hell when several of the guests turn out to be bloodthirsty vampires (don’t you hate that).
Saturn Returns is out April 1st on Milk! Records.
Surahn – Into The Distance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdFObrhzb9A
From Perth to Adelaide and the latest single by producer Surahn (who you may also know from The Swiss, as Sidwho? and from touring duties with Empire Of The Sun) Into The Distance. It’s the second from his upcoming LP Utopian State and it is a cracker of a tune. It’s jazzy and dreamy, Surahn’s measured vocals wavering melodies over a simple backbeat.
The video is outstanding, adding to the lucid dreamlike qualities of the track itself. It’s a solo dirtbike ride across a beach at sunset, and if it doesn’t make you want to go out and do exactly that right now then there’s something wrong, it looks amazing.
Catch Surahn at WOMAD Festival in Adelaide March 11-14.
Ha The Unclear – Secret Lives Of Furniture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4HPR2MfGP8
Across the Tasman to New Zealand (South Dunedin to be exact) for this one with alt-pop group Ha The Unclear and the latest single Secret Lives Of Furniture. It’s a slow-burning rock number that cranks up the riffs for the chorus, with almost spoken word vocals throughout the verses in that inimitable accent to give it some very unique flair.
Were we expecting a song and dance about furniture that comes to life when its owners aren’t at home? A Chair Story of sorts? Yes, absolutely, and we were not disappointed in the slightest! Everything in the protagonist’s living room has an unsettling level of sentience and have no qualms making things awkward and creepy for their owner after he manages to find himself a date.
Catch Ha The Unclear in Adelaide tonight and tomorrow night!
Cub Sport – I Can’t Save You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh-ggXk5n1M
Back to Brisbane indie-poppers and all around legends Cub Sport, who returned in 2015 with their first single in two years (!). They’re back at it in 2016, with their second single and its accompanying video out this week in the form of I Can’t Save You. It’s from their hotly anticipated next album This Is Our Vice arriving later this year. The track features pulsing retro synths and a chorus that positively soars, a fantastically dance-y number.
The video is a great story, documenting the downward spiral of a soap opera starlet that, in itself, is its own soap opera. Soapception I’m dubbing it, the clip was directed by Joe Agius of The Creases and even features Luke McDonald from The John Steel Singers as the fictional director, to keep it all in the (Brisbane) family. It’s always way more interesting when music videos have such a clear and absorbing narrative like this.
This Is Our Vice is out March 4th via Title Track.
Santigold – Can’t Get Enough Of Myself
This one we don’t have a video link for exactly, given that it isn’t really YouTube-compatible. It’s actually a brand new and interactive video from Santigold for the latest single from her third album, 99¢, that drops today!
Best thing about it? It stars yourself! If you use Chrome and have a webcam (basically everyone who isn’t 10 years ago) you can go here and insert your very own mug into a for real no fooling music video. We won’t spoil it for you, just go have fun pretending that you and Santigold are tight enough to collab.
99¢ is out today via Atlantic Records. See you next week!
TOKiMONSTA is a name that hardly needs an introduction. Having made a name for herself in the LA club scene, she graduated from the Red Bull Music Academy in 2010, before going on to being the first woman to release music from Flying Lotus‘ Brainfeeder label, as well as releasing through Ultra, playing at Coachella, touring with Skrillex and founding her own label, Young Art. Refusing to stick within one genre, her discography spans everything from ambient to hip hop, with or without vocals and using an array of different influences and inspirations. Her third full length album, Desiderium dropped last year, and now she is gearing up to fit a few Australian shows into her ever-increasing tour schedule. We were lucky enough to Skype with her in some rare downtime whilst she was in the studio, and are counting down the days until she finally touches down in Australia. Check the tour dates below and take my advice to jump on the few remaining tickets – TOKiMONSTA is not one to miss!
Ok! Well first off, what’s up?! I’m so excited to be talking to you
Hey! I’m excited to be talking to you too.
I think it’s day time over there correct?
Yeah it’s midday here. What time is it over there?
7pm. Sun’s still up so it’s nice!
Oh that’s cool! Are you getting excited to come to Australia?
Yes! It’s been so long and I have so much new material now. I’m really looking forward to this trip.
It’ll be a bit different to the shows you’ve been playing lately. Slightly more intimate club shows. Do the venue or environment impact you and your set much?
Venues only affect my shows if the sound is poor, which is upsetting for me as I don’t get to play my music at the quality it should be heard.
I really enjoy intimate crowds as I feel as though we are sharing a real moment with each other.
It can be a little strange when people are very close up and have their cell phones in my face, but you know–I have my ways around that 
I can imagine that would be something really strange that you’d have to get used to!
One thing I really admire about you is that you’ve started up your own label. Did you take any important lessons from working with Brainfeeder and Ultra that you’ve put into Young Art?
Lots!
Creative freedom to the artist is important. If an artist wants to work with a specific visual artist for the album art or a particular director for a music video– I want to facilitate that. I really like the idea of a listener having a 360 degree creative experience.
I’ve actually read about how your performances are almost interactive in a way. How do manage to keep listeners or audiences engaged? Surely some nights are harder than others 
A top goal is that the audience has fun, but my next top goal is that I have fun. So in theory, I just want all of us to enjoy each other’s company and share a great experience together.
Some nights can be difficult if I’m opening for an artist that has a completely different fan base than me, but I’ve learned to carry on and find joy in what I do.
I love that! I think that the narrative or story style of your records also comes into play with that experience as a whole. You’ve spoken about not exactly loving touring as it keeps you from making music, which actually makes me slightly concerned for you ahead of your Aus tour! How do you cope with being on the road, especially because you actually tour quite a bit?
thanks!
i’ve actually adjusted to that a bit now.
i am now able to work on music on the road–or at least start strong ideas.
it used to be a pain, but i’ve become quite resilient with all the travel.
All part of adapting and growing, much like all the other factors of being an artist
Speaking of that, I know you are constantly asked about being a female artist, but I just wanted to know because you’ve been in the game for a few years now, and I’ve been a fan of yours for the past two years at least. I’ve seen and heard your music change and develop as you’ve gone along, but what are some of the most notable changes you’ve seen in electronic or dance music in the last few years as an artist?
so many more female producers!
like, respectable ones.
not to put down other female musicians, but i’m speaking as a music lover not as a female music lover.
i feel like the bar was set too low for some females in electronic music.
you can’t create an equal sphere if you make it easier for women.
It’s awesome to see that, even though what you’re saying is true, some females have taken it upon themselves to smash through any and all expectations. Looking forward now, what else can we expect to come from you in the next few months? Do you have any secret surprises for your time in Aus?
I will be unveiling some really new music in Australia that no one else has heard yet.
As far as what to expect in the new few months–releases of the songs I will unveil to Australia first. Hehe
Oh that’s rad! Why did you choose to unveil it in Aus? I’ve read that you’re actually quite fond of Australian audiences, is that right?
yes!
i always have a great time in australia–you all really get me
as far as why in aus? i suppose it’s because i suddenly have a lot of new music. i made a bunch of stff during my break from heavy travels this past month.
Well we can’t wait to have you back! I’ll let you go now. I can’t wait to hear the new material and see you in Brisbane. It’s going to be all time 😀
thanks you for your time!
see ya soon 😉
Bye!
TOKiMONSTA tour dates:
Wed Jun 3
La De Da, Canberra
Details here
Thurs Jun 4
Rocket Bar, Adelaide
Details here
Fri Jun 5
San Fran, Wellington
Details here
Sat Jun 6
Revolt Artspace, Melbourne
Details here
Sun Jun 7
Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Details here
Fri Jun 12
Galatos, Auckland
Details here
Sat Jun 13
Gilkinsons, Perth
Details here
Sun Jun 14
The TBC Club, Brisbane
Details here
In case you haven’t realised yet, Red Bull are one of the biggest and best promoters, supporters and advertisers throughout the music industry today. I know, I know, advertising is the big baddie, right? Well, that’s not always the case, and Red Bull are a pretty shining example of how to absolutely succeed in something much bigger than branded cross-promotion.
They’ve got the Red Bull Music Academy (which my buddies over at Stoney Roads checked out in Tokyo this year!), Red Bull Records, Red Bull Studios and more. RBMA is probably their biggest export to date. Since 1998 the Academy has taken place all over the world, and some of their big name graduates include Flying Lotus, Hudson Mohawke and Katy B.
The project I’m really excited about right now is 20Before15 – over 20 days, Red Bull are releasing one exclusive track per day. It started on December 1 and will cap off on the 20th. I’ve already plugged a few of them in my playlist last week.
So far, releases have included artists like TOKiMONSTA, Compass, Earl Sweatshirt, and Dengue Dengue Dengue, with yesterday’s release being a Brodinski remix of Jackson And His Computerband and today’s coming from Japanese electronic artist Yosi Horikawa.
The daily downloads are limited to 1000, so you need to get in quick, but they’re available to stream right now. Also, the artwork for each track is really gorgeous, so I really do recommend heading to the website to check it out. Here’s a few of the tracks!
Wassup people! Here’s your new weekly playlist, curated by your faithful editor. Got a pretty eclectic selection today. We start with the raunchy sounds of Boss Moxi, before fuzzing it up and washing it down with Crepes and Kagu. From there we travel into weird-electro-land, where my picks this week are all about the hidden layers, subtle delights and subdued power. Topping it all off is a couple wicked hip hop tracks to finish it off. Enjoy!
- Boss Moxi, Nymphomaniac
I can’t get enough of this Brisbane group right now. Their haunting tones lie somewhere in between Nick Cave and Kirin J Callinan, with an indie beat and eerie guitars leading the way. - Kagu, Shadow of the Wind
A really gorgeous track from former-Snakadaktal man Sean Heathcliff. Sentimental and deliberate, the rhythm slowly builds and drops and changes behind the melody, really captivating you through each moment. - Crepes, Ain’t Horrible
The Melbourne act have released a new single that lies somewhere between lo-fi fuzz and summery bliss. Delayed beats and understated vocals, there’s a lot more than meets the eye to this one. - EMRSN, About Love
I can’t get enough of this sound! An absolutely gorgeous future soul track, EMRSN has found the absolute perfect balance between delicately glitch electronic beats, and velvety rich, sensual vocals. - Sizarr, Baggage Man
The swinging rhythm, the melodic bass and the swift rhythm lead the way on this one, while the vocals are warm, husky and seductive. I don’t like the bridge that much, but the rest of the track more than makes up for it. - Spirit Faces, Cloudplay ft. Buoy
This is an utterly strange, utterly beautiful tune. Angelic melodies and lullaby xylophones, grungey guitar crunches and a whole myriad intermittent synth layers makes for something wholly unique. - TOKiMONSTA + Iza, Pinching
A heavenly lilt with perfect harmonies really lead the fairly simple synth and beat layers. There’s a lot of cute little additions throughout, and all in all it’s another track where you gotta look a little closer to find the magic! - Marian Hill, Lips
This is a funky electro-pop track with cheeky vocals and a rhythm that starts simple, but slowly builds into something really catchy. I really like the thinness of Hill’s voice – it’s not often that you find something so fine, yet so strong. - Lil Herb & Earl Sweatshirt, Knucklehead
I love rap collabs where they just trade gritty verses, and this is exactly that. The basic loops leave loads of room for those raspy raps. Both rappers have seriously wicked tongues and they flow so fluidly together. - Danny Brown & Action Bronson, Bad News
This one’s off the EPIC upcoming GTA V soundtrack. It’s an interesting collaboration, but it works. They really feed off one another, surrounded by eerie loops, evil lyrics and clanky beats. It’s dark and demented, so obviously I like it.