flashback...1974

Iggy Pop - Passenger

Julian Plenti is...

Interpol frontman Paul Banks has apparently been playing shows under the moniker Julian Plenti for several years now, with some of the songs off his debut solo release 'Julian Plenti is...Skyscraper' written more than ten years ago. although Banks' vocals are so distinctly Interpol, its sad to say that as a solo artist he falls a little short of the bands achievements.

Julian Plenti - Unwind

xx

The xx are a quartet hailing from london who met in school due a shared love of dark 80's music. the recently released debut 'xx' is a soft sounding album that heads in a different direction to the steady flow of noise pop emerging from the u.k.

The Xx - Islands
The Xx - Shelter

moshing is good for your HEALTH

Q. The Antlers are.....

a) an organised group of rowdy University of Missouri student basketball fans known for heckling the opposing team

b) an indie rock band from Brooklyn

c) large and complex bony appendages of most deer species

All are in fact correct however b) is the answer we’re looking for. The Antlers are an indie rock band based in Brooklyn celebrating the second coming of the previously self-released Hospice. Although the lyrical content gets a little heavy at times, that can be expected from an album about the death of a cancer patient. Hospice is the bands first full album and is a slightly confronting, but powerful offering.

The Antlers - Bear

where were you in 02?

i was in high school but i'm pretty sure i wasn't being played on national radio. a finalist in this year's JJJ Unearthed High, Tim & Jean aren't doing anything groundbreaking but they are making some very fun synthy electro-pop.

Tim & Jean - Come Around

while we are on the topic of JJJ Unearthed, melbourne's Seth Sentry has another track on high rotation. probably the only australian hip-hop i have ever been excited about.

Seth Sentry - Simple Game

MGMT woke up in Mick Jagger's bed with Debbie Harry

that's the self proclaimed sound of Austin nine piece Til We're Blue or Destroy. an interesting name brings an interesting take on guitar driven dance-pop and apparently a great live show. don't like the odds of them hitting our shores any time soon, so in the meantime....

Til We're Blue or Destroy - All Shook Up

myspace

the only pain should be champagne

Allure - Champagne

"you are probably sitting in your room listening to instrumental music"

more than two years in the making, Decoder Ring return with a double album full of experimental, atmospheric instrumentals. "They Blind The Stars, And The Wild Team" is out now and the first taste is free!

Decoder Ring - Beat The Twilight

a little something on the side

more beautiful music from Justin Vernon (of Bon Iver fame). so much love for anything he touches. the collaboration with Collection of Colonies of Bees is no exception.

Volcano Choir - Island, IS

jimi liked it loud

this song has nothing to do with Jimi. it's very Booka Shade and needs to be played very loud.

Jimi liked it loud.

Gui Boratto - No Turning Back

kiss of life

keep rolling. keep rolling there

one word
four syllables
sound's like Air France
rhymes with.....nothing
they are spanish though which i found suprising.

Delorean - Seasun

modular gets delphicated on

modular's most recent signing (for australian purposes at least) is manchester trio Delphic. they were invited by Bloc Party to tour with them and have done a good job hitting all the stops on the european festival line. Delphic will be cracking some smiles at modular and 'This Momentary', the latest sound off their forthcoming debut album, cracked some smiles for me. the album is due out at the end of august.

Delphic - This Momentary

songbook of life

six songs for when hump day is just no fun

1. Passion Pit - The Reeling
2. Bat For Lashes - Daniel
3. Silversun Pickups - Panic Switch
4. AmpLive - Video Tapez (Feat. Del the Funky Homosapien)
5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero
6. Band of Horses - I Go to the Barn Because I Like The

and if it was fun, here's a couple more

Passion Pit - The Reeling (Miike Snow Remix)
Simian Mobile Disco - Audacity of Huge (Feat. Chris Keating)

we miss you

our Swedish friend simply wanted to listen to some new songs. these are for you Marcus.

Official Secrets Act - Girl from the BBC

Hockey - Too Fake

Golden Silvers - Arrows of Eros (The Shoes Remix)

Boys Noize - Jeffer

Phoenix - Lisztomania (Alex Metric Remix)

write home soon x

no, they aren't Jewish.

their first album didn't make much noise in Australia for one reason or another. now two years on, The Maccabees will hopefully make a bigger impact with the release of their second album, Wall of Arms.

something i managed to miss on the first album was a striking resemblance to The Arcade Fire in lead singer Orlando Weeks' lead vocals and the supporting choir like contributions from the rest of the band. although 'No Kind Words' is by no means the best example of this (in fact it is not at all representative of the style of the rest of the album), i chose to post it because i think its real good.

The Maccabees - No Kind Words

a community service announcement

Australia's youth continues to pump out epic music that is raising due public awareness of the ever impressive music scene we have. Jonathan Boulet is clearly an ambassador to this with the aptly titled first single, 'A Community Service Announcement', off his debut self-titled album.

Jonathan Boulet is a solo artist hailing from Sydney as well as being a member of the highly regarded (well Kingsmill thinks they're fantastic) indie outfit Parades. at the fresh age of only 20 years old, the young man is creating folky pop sounds that have already started making an impact around the world (find him on RCRDLBL, iTunes, Amazon etc.).

'A Community Service' is a wonderfully soothing track that could turn the dirtiest rave into a tribal slowdance.

Jonathan Boulet - A Community Service Announcement

songbook of life

six songs for when there's no more tanq 10 left

1. bloc party - positive tension
2. bob seger - hollywood nights
3. the chemical brothers - let forever be
4. starship - we built this city
5. snap - rhythm is a dancer
6. kidda - under the sun

xl

supports? more like foundations.

i'd never really heard alex lloyd's music but everyone kept saying it's 'amazing'. complimentary tickets to a gig of his at The Zoo on a quiet friday night couldn't be a bad idea then right? well actually it wasn't and i'm afraid Lloydy, if you are reading this, that had nothing to do with you.

the crowd was bare to say the least however the room was instantly filled with the beautiful rootsy folk sounds of support act Georgia Fair. consisting of two young Sydney lads armed with one acoustic guitar and one electric guitar (which they exchanged from song to song), perfect harmonies and striking stage presence, the boys quickly gained the full attention of the pool hustlers at one side and the chatting socialites on the other.

with obvious Australian influences ranging from Angus & Julia Stone to Crowded House as well as a hint of Ryan Adams (in sound not attitude), it's very pleasant music with huge potential.

experience it for yourself care of Triple J Unearthed

Georgia Fair - Something Easy

Georgia Fair - Picture Frames

http://www.myspace.com/georgiafair

the big pink

i came across a remix of one of The Big Pink's songs a while back which really reminded me of Sunchyme by Dario G. The popular dance track with the video clip of people crossing the african serengeti body painted as creepy looking animals which ends in a raging river party with all the paint washed off to reveal their true colours.

anyway, The Big Pink are a duo from London who have just released their new single Velvet. it's noisy electro-rock with strong vocals and a driving raw guitar sound that hints at My Bloody Valentine. it's already made the airwaves, copped a couple of remixes and gives us a nice taste of what the album will sound like later this year.

The Big Pink - Velvet

The Big Pink - Velvet (Gang Gang Dance Remix)

The Big Pink - Too Young To Love (Delorean Remix)

a new discovery...

where have these guys been hiding? they feature members from Vampire Weekend and Ra Ra Riot and make some funky electronic noise. you might hate it to start but it grows faster than jack's stalk. this one is literally 'So Insane'.

Discovery - So Insane

WE OWN THE long WEEKEND

it's sunday and the weekend is not over. thanks Australian labour movement. enjoy.

Phoenix - Lisztomania (Classixx Remix)

Jesse Rose - Well Now

Dizzee Rascal & Armand Van Helden - Bonkers (Doorly Remix)

Ra Ra Riots - Ghosts Under Rocks (Passion Pit Remix)

deep in the passion pit

they are a five piece from the U.S. they are self confessed dorks. they are going to be HUGE.

they are Passion Pit.

Formed in 2007 by frontman Michael Angelakos, the 'Chunk of Change' E.P was recorded as a Valentine's Day gift for his girlfriend. Now all set for the release of their debut album 'Manners', it's time to get involved...if you aren't already of course.

Joining The Temper Trap on BBC Sounds of 2009 top 15 list as well as being used in a Canadian PSP ad, Passion Pit are really punching their way to front centre of the indie-electro-pop crowd. Sleepyhead has already been marked as an anthem of 2009, well i think there's potential for a few more of those. boy it's good stuff.

Passion Pit - The Reeling

Passion Pit - Fold In Your Hands

Passion Pit - Moth's Wings

p.s. the album has leaked

he owns the sky....WE OWN THE WEEKEND

expo 88'. big sky needle. pretty novel.

six months later.....

brisbane city council - "what do we do with it now?"
stefan - "why don't I buy it and resurrect it at my headquarters 500m away?"
brisbane city council - "great idea stefan!"

twenty years later....

brisbane city council - "what are you going to do with it now?"
stefan - "why don't I try to resurrect my reputation by installing the latest in lighting technology?"
brisbane city council - "great idea stefan!"

so that's what he's done and after months of anticipation, it's alive.

with numerous functions, ranging from that commonly found at the top of a cheap carnival ride to multi-coloured laser beams that dazzle every corner of the brisbane CBD (as well as a strobe effect more than capable of causing epileptic fits), stefan has proven that he is indeed more than a hairdresser.

click to see full-size images - photography care of jonathan clifford

moving on, i'd like to introduce you to WE OWN THE WEEKEND, a weekly friday hitlist with a few bangers to bring in the weekend with the help of a guest programmer. this week's hitlist goes out to stefan and his attempt at starting the west end outdoor discotheque.

M83 - We Own The Sky

Kidda - Under The Sun

Basement Jaxx - Raindrops

Two Door Cinema Club - Something Good Can Work

interesting fact #1 - the sky needle is 88 metres high
interesting fact #2 - it was originally going to be relocated to Disneyland Tokyo
interesting fact #3 - stefan rides a bike

ike & tina, john & yoko, sonny & cher...

... Matt & Kim. a dance punk duo from Brooklyn, which began as an experiment with instruments they didn't know how to play, have landed themselves into what they (and many others) consider the best job in the world.

The cheeky couple (yes, they are bf and gf) are recklessly riding the release of their second album, 'Grand', brimming with poppy synths, simple drum beats and clapping hands. the first track on the album, 'Daylight', has already done the rounds as their first single and now it's time to learn another lesson from the school of Matt & Kim.

Matt & Kim - Lessons Learned

want more? well Matt & Kim are bringing their spazzy sounds to Brisbane's Step Inn on Monday 4th May for what is sure to be an energetic evening to finish off the long weekend.

party tip

i don't always understand the Vice 'DO's & DON'Ts' however this one fell into my inbox and boy did i chortle.


Party tip: Girls don’t like guys who try too hard so be yourself and relax. Soon you’ll be beating back the cooze with a spiked bat.

Head to http://www.viceland.com/int/dos.php for more hot fashion tips.

london calling

it seems like everyone is making the move to London at the moment and The Temper Trap are climbing on the wagon. with the release of their debut U.K single "The Science of Fear" this week and an album due later this year, the Melbourne boys have decided to head for the mother land, taking their enchanting sound to bigger, wetter places.

it's safe to say that Dougy, Jonny, Lorenzo and Toby need not depart with any doubt in mind. charted by BBC's Sound of 2009 as one of fifteen rising stars for this year and leaving 2009's SXSW doused in hype, The Temper Trap are destined to do it right.

although there are currently no Australian tour dates listed on their Myspace, does a gap in their calendar between mid-July and mid-August hint at a Splendour appearance?? here's to hoping.

meanwhile, just enjoy...

The Temper Trap - Love Lost (BBC Introducing Session)
The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition

http://www.myspace.com/thetempertrap

its official...but no foals

the rumours stand true. the official splendour in the grass 2009 line-up has dropped. with Bloc Party and MGMT in the country for splendour shows ONLY, those who manage to get their hands on a golden ticket are in for more treats than charlie.

Augie March

Birds of Tokyo

Bloc Party

Bob Evans

Decoder Ring

Friendly Fires

Glass Towers

Grinspoon

Gutter Twins

Jack Ladder

Janes Addiction

Josh Pyke

Kram

Hilltop Hoods

Leader Cheetah

Little Birdy

Lost Valentinos

Manchester Orchestra

MGMT

Midnight Juggernauts

Polaroid Fame

Sarah Blasko

The Flaming Lips

The Middle East

The Specials

White Lies

Yuksek

Yves Klein Blue

although we seen the return of some regular splendour players (pattern emerging for Bloc Party? 05, 07, 09), a few new faces will help make 2009 as special as any other. set the alarm for 8:45 a.m on Thursday May 14th and put your patient pants on because it could take a while.

far from an error

what happened when Modeselektor and Apparat did it back in '02......Moderat. well its happened again! i stumbled along this little number the other day from their new self-titled album (released yesterday), and it's pretty special. this collaboration between three of germany's top producers spawns danceable electro with a grimey/dubstep twang, well worth a listen.

Moderat - A New Error

http://www.myspace.com/moderat

help i've been remixed

we've all heard it...a lot! obviously it was going to get a working over by someone, why not The Twelves. introducing poppy synth to those sweet sounding Canadian vocals never sounded so good. better yet, the Brazilian duo (The Twelves that is) will be in Brisbane town early next month for Lick It at Bar Soma.

Metric - Help I'm Alive (The Twelves Remix)

who's that hiding in the grass...

...splendour in the grass. with dates locked (25th and 26th july), splendour is creeping. a return to byron's belongil fields and a leaked first line-up suggests oh-9 is looking fine! although the truth around the "apparent" line-up will be told on wednesday morning, this suggests it's going to be another schnit-fight for tickets...

Birds of Tokyo
Bloc Party
Friendly Fires
Glass Towers
Grinspoon
Gutter Twins
Jack Ladder
Janes Addiction
Josh Pyke
Kram
Hilltop Hoods
Leader Cheetah
Little Birdy
MGMT
Midnight Juggernauts
Polaroid Fame
The Flaming Lips
The Middle East
The Specials
White Lies
Yuksek
Yves Klein Blue

http://www.splendourinthegrass.com/

Bloc Party - Flux (Metal on Metal Remake)
Friendly Fires - Skeleton Boy (Air France Remix)
Gutter Twins - Idle Hands
Midnight Juggernauts - Twenty Thousand Leagues(Bag Raiders Remix)
The Middle East - Blood
White Lies - Farewell To The Fairground (Yuksek Remix)
Yuksek - Tonight (RAC Remix)