It’s that time of year again when rain, shine and music collide to bring us the ultimate summer experience at Falls Music and Arts Festival. One of the largest events happening across the New Year period, Falls has been going strong for a quarter of a century and still never fails to amaze. The bill for the 2017/2018 tour included a bunch of stellar international names including Fleet Foxes, Run The Jewels, Vince Staples, Liam Gallagher, Foster The People, Glass Animals and The Kooks, as well as homegrown favourites like Flume, Angus and Julia Stone, Methyl Ethel, Allday, The Jungle Giants and Julia Jacklin. And that’s just a preview.
Of the four idyllic locations the festival plays, we made our annual pilgrimage to Byron Bay which delivered its usual medley of hot, balmy weather, rainy afternoons and… mud, lots of mud. Clearly it’s our favourite way to ring in the new year.
Day III saw sets from West Thebarton, Dave, Ecca Vandal, Bad//Dreems, Winston Surfshirt, Methyl Ethel, Angus and Julia Stone, Liam Gallagher and The Kooks.
Photos by Dani Hansen.
Check out our galleries for Day I and Day II!
West Thebarton
Dave
Ecca Vandal
Bad//Dreems
Methyl Ethel with Stella Donnelly
Angus and Julia Stone
Liam Gallagher
The Kooks
Photos: Dani Hansen/Howl and Echoes
2017 is already off to a huge bang, with new music, new videos, new tour dates and album announcements coming out of our ears. Here’s some of our favourite Australian news and new releases from the past week!
New video: Cloves, Better Now
Cloves has one of the most stunning voices I’ve heard in a long time, and I highly encourage everyone to take notice. This week, she released the video for recent single (and the first taste of her upcoming debut album) Better Now, adding a gorgeous visual accompaniment to the melodically captivating track.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mepUaXoo8wc]
New video: Cameron Avery, Wasted on Fidelity
The Tame Impala and POND luminary has been busy promoting his new solo album, Pipe Dreams, out March 10. Sandwiched in between a solo tour and Tame’s headlining slot at Laneway, Cameron has somehow found the time to also release this lovely new video.
Oh, and you can check out our exclusive photo shoot with the Perth-bred artist right here.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdN7bhUIOQw]
New album & single: Methyl Ethel, Ubu
What is it with all the references to cutting hair in songs right now? (We’re looking at you, Camp Cope). Methyl Ethel have a new album out – Everything is Forgotten, out March 3, and lead single Ubu is honestly my personal favourite that they’ve released in their career so far, so here’s hoping that the album follows suit.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P56OpE_qDo8]
New EP & single: Rolling Blackouts C.F, French Press
Everyone who has had a friend who has travelled the world will identify with the words of French Press, which tells the story of a Skype call between two brothers in wildly different circumstances. Rolling Blackouts C.F. are set to release their sophomore EP The French Press on March 10 through Ivy League Records.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEZm7BGvryg]
New single: Winston Surfshirt, Be About You
Blending delightful dream-pop with Aussie Hip-Hop, Winston Surfshirt is a new name on the scene, and one we’re really keen to keep an eye on. Don’t miss the Be About You single launch at Newtown Social Club on March 25.
New single: Vincent Sole, The Game
Setting up a huge 2017, Vincent Sole has blasted out of the gates with new single The Game. Another new artist with quite a unique and exciting sound, 2017 is looking pretty damn promising already in terms of upcoming talent. Keep an eye on him too, he’s sure to be working his way into your ears over the coming year.
https://soundcloud.com/vincent-sole/the-game-1
New single: Fractures, Lowcast
The third single we’ve heard from his upcoming debut album, Lowcast is a mellow but engaging offering from Melbourne-based Fractures. His sound has certainly progressed and expanded in the years since his formative early releases releases, and he’s clearly spent a great deal of time moulding and crafting the sound that we’ll be hearing on Still Here come February 10.
Image: Fractures, Supplied
Ugh, it’s Monday. Five more days until the freedom of the weekend. But have no fear, because there’s already something to look forward to doing this Friday.
A collective of music photographers, writers, a label and artist management group to boot, Rare Finds has been helping young and upcoming artists, like Dune Rats and The Griswolds, find their feet over the last four years. This Friday the 24th marks the launch of their own club night, out of the lockout zone, at the Sly Fox in Enmore. Oh yeah and it’s completely free.
Headlining is Sydney’s Jenny Broke the Window, who last year scored a spot on triple j’s Top 20 Airplay list, and are now headed into the studio to record their debut album. Fingers crossed they bump some of those new tunes on the night. Local-legends, Food Court, Hedge Fund and Winston Surfshirt will be on support duties for what should be an incredible evening of up and coming Sydney talent.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/113597899″ params=”color=e66b2e&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
With so many clubs and venues closing as the result of lock-out laws and licensing, it’s great to see a night completely starting fresh. Especially outside the pressures of the lockout zone. It’s free, starts at 8, and you should be there. Support your local.
Check the event here, and get keen for the weekend.