9.8.09
7.8.09
6.8.09
UNEARTHED
Triple J Unearthed:
Exposure For Australian Artists Working From The Ground Up
Triple j Unearthed is a musical platform that has been providing talented up and coming artists within the ever so eclectic Australian music scene to gain exposure through the accessibility of the internet. Visit www.triplejunearthed.com and you could be lost for hours sorting through genre upon genre of over 700 artists that have the potential to strike a chord with your personal music taste and sneakily slide into your iTunes playlist. Last Tuesday eve was my turn, and these are my top three thus far:
The Red Tree
The Red Tree
An indie electronic Melbourne bred and based band consisting of Nick van Cuylenberg, Cameron Gough and Daphne Do. Their debut album “I am not a bird” combines the varying sounds of Animal Collective, Radiohead and Bat for Lashes to eerily resemble French group M83 through smooth layers of electronica, dream like and textured ambience that is supported by haunting and beautifully melodic male and female vocals. Preview tracks ‘Ziah’ and ‘Ivory and Gold’ which are available to listen to and download on ‘Unearthed’ are dynamic and flow to the extent where you don’t want the track to end. Currently touring Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to promote their debut album in local bars, The Red Tree are destined for success. Their sound is sublime.
BrotherSister
Adelaide siblings and musical duo Dante and Xavier produce wholesome, haunting and atmospheric electronica that is textured, craftily minimalistic but beautiful nonetheless. Preview tracks featured on their Unearthed profile Still Run, Guin and Lome project a definitive ambience that stands them apart from the regular electronica that can be tiresome and monotonous. With a shy, artistic image and lyricism, mildly eccentric sound and soft vocals Dante and Xavier could quite easily become the Angus and Julia Stone of their genre.
The Fearless Vampire Killers
With a title like the above, there is a lot of expectation to live up to a band name so bold and to my surprise, The Fearless Vampire Killers themselves, being Sean Ainsworth, Rich Bradbeer, Al Marx and Dylan Lieberman do not disappoint. Channelling a 60s and 70s indie rock vibe, their sound is a mix of The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Jet and Johnny Cash with a slight Hillbilly and Western undertone. Preview track 'Alright Now' immediately transports you to the beach circa 1970s as surfers crash and cruise the waves and George Jung is busy making a living in the cocaine trade. 'Evil Woman' and 'One Day At A Time' follow the same musical path, for more visit their myspace, it's worth it - www.myspace.com/tfvk
Adelaide siblings and musical duo Dante and Xavier produce wholesome, haunting and atmospheric electronica that is textured, craftily minimalistic but beautiful nonetheless. Preview tracks featured on their Unearthed profile Still Run, Guin and Lome project a definitive ambience that stands them apart from the regular electronica that can be tiresome and monotonous. With a shy, artistic image and lyricism, mildly eccentric sound and soft vocals Dante and Xavier could quite easily become the Angus and Julia Stone of their genre.
The Fearless Vampire Killers
With a title like the above, there is a lot of expectation to live up to a band name so bold and to my surprise, The Fearless Vampire Killers themselves, being Sean Ainsworth, Rich Bradbeer, Al Marx and Dylan Lieberman do not disappoint. Channelling a 60s and 70s indie rock vibe, their sound is a mix of The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Jet and Johnny Cash with a slight Hillbilly and Western undertone. Preview track 'Alright Now' immediately transports you to the beach circa 1970s as surfers crash and cruise the waves and George Jung is busy making a living in the cocaine trade. 'Evil Woman' and 'One Day At A Time' follow the same musical path, for more visit their myspace, it's worth it - www.myspace.com/tfvk
28.6.09
26.6.09
21.6.09
Paolo Nutini - Sunny Side Up
The smooth, soulful and Scottish sensation that is Paolo Nutini has finally returned after two years hiatus, whilst touring in celebration of his 2007 debut studio release ‘These Streets’ that saw him dominate not only the UK but also the United States where he can now mark The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin off his list of dream stage partners.
His latest release, ‘Sunny Side Up’ sees a distinct departure from the soft pop-rock tracks that gained popular acclaim from a vast range of audiences around the globe and as such cements Nutini as a true talent who has matured and grown not only as a young artist at the age of 22 but as a person. Possessing a music taste and influence far beyond his years, Paolo gets in touch with his folk roots and has teamed up with the 1970s new wave Irish group The Vipers for this album to produce a new sound that fans will either love or loathe.
Bravely introducing a Blues, Reggae, Motown and Country influence to his already guitar laden and percussive performances, Paolo’s raw and raspy voice continues to ooze conviction and emotion in every song. The debut track from Sunny Side Up, the ballad entitled ‘Candy’ reacquaints fans with his original sound combined with a slight Country edge and reminds them as to why they fell in love with his rich, soulful music and writing in the beginning.
Stand out ballads on the album include No Other Way and Worried Man which contrast greatly to the upbeat and fun-filled tracks 10/10, Coming Up Easy and Pencil Full Of Lead that bare a resemblance to his older tracks Alloway Grove and New Shoes. Paolo Nutini’s eagerly awaited second album is eclectic, passionate, individual and revealing. The first song from the track list is 10/10 and so is the entire album!
5.6.09
Ben Folds Presents: University A Cappella
Don’t underestimate the impact of “doo doo’s,” “wah wah’s” and “tra-la-la’s” in recreating and reinventing the soft pop rock and acoustic songs made popular by Nashville native Ben Folds, and the equally renowned group, Ben Folds Five over the last 15 years.
Collaborating with 14 choral groups spanning the United States of America from Washington to Wisconsin, Ben Folds gets in touch with his inner Choir Master and dares to be different with his latest album release, restoring the faith in many that being part of a choir is not always synonymous with geek as 8 part harmonies, near-perfect diction and pronunciation as well as sharp beat-boxing dominates the University A Cappella record. This departure from earlier works since his decision to go solo in 2001 marks a major change from his debut release “Rockin’ the suburbs” (2001) and last release “Way to Normal” (2008) as he goes back to school to play teacher and music mentor to students who, going by their powerful, melodically smooth and soulful sound, thrive on making music as much as he does, albeit in a much different capacity compared to thrashing the piano, throwing his head and garnering audience participation to sing with him that is seen regularly in his packed concerts.
Collaborating with 14 choral groups spanning the United States of America from Washington to Wisconsin, Ben Folds gets in touch with his inner Choir Master and dares to be different with his latest album release, restoring the faith in many that being part of a choir is not always synonymous with geek as 8 part harmonies, near-perfect diction and pronunciation as well as sharp beat-boxing dominates the University A Cappella record. This departure from earlier works since his decision to go solo in 2001 marks a major change from his debut release “Rockin’ the suburbs” (2001) and last release “Way to Normal” (2008) as he goes back to school to play teacher and music mentor to students who, going by their powerful, melodically smooth and soulful sound, thrive on making music as much as he does, albeit in a much different capacity compared to thrashing the piano, throwing his head and garnering audience participation to sing with him that is seen regularly in his packed concerts.
A collaboration of this nature is not new for Folds, since working with Symphony Orchestras’ throughout America on recent tours but this time; he trades the orchestra for a cappella. Replacing potent and powerful piano for mere voices has the potential not to live up to the high standard and reputation of the man Ben Fold’s himself, however innovatively capturing the balance of emotion, meaning, irony and instrumentation manifested in Fold’s tracks, University Choirs such as Greensboro’s ‘The Spartones,’ Ohio University’s ‘Leading Tones’ and The University of Chicago’s ‘Voices in your Head’ do great justice to tracks ‘Not the Same,’ ‘Brick’ and ‘Magic’ striking a chord with many hardcore Ben Fold fans around the globe as they too, get in touch with their inner baritone, tenor, alto and soprano with the album sitting comfortably at #9 on the ITunes Music Charts in the first few weeks of its release alone.
It is hard to escape the stereotyped mould that a majority of Choirs are glued to today, however Folds attempts to break the mould and despite the odd occasion when the “doo doo’s,” “wah wah’s” and “tra-la-la’s” become a tad monotonous, the beauty of Ben Fold’s latest album release is the great range of audiences it can appeal to, including your own Grandma, if you minus the mild profanity or two. Consider the geek mentality associated with Choirs dispelled, if only all could collaborate with Mr. Folds.
12.5.09
10.5.09
Sidestep: Bat For Lashes 'Two Suns'
British singer-songwriter Natasha Khan, better known as ‘Bat for Lashes’ is enchantingly haunting and melodically emotive and her second album entitled ‘Two Suns’ is no exception. Drawing influence from various artists over time such as the lyricism of Annie Lennox combined with a score-like quality, Bat for Lashes’ sound is invigorating and innovative in a music scene that is becoming increasingly saturated by mass produced pop.
Building on the experimental electronica, poetic piano and soft percussion eminent from her previous album ‘Fur and Gold,’ Khan continues to be musically and visually stimulating and engaging as she follows the same experimental path collaborating again with David Kosten and continuing to produce mysterious, psychedelic and soul wrenching sounds on tracks like ‘Siren Song’ and ‘Pearl Dream’ as well as acoustically endowed piano and percussion tracks such as ‘The Big Sleep’ featuring Scott Walker and ‘Moon and Moon.’
Bat for Lashes’ first track release entitled ‘Daniel’ combines dark electronica and strings with Khan’s lyrical and hypnotic voice featuring an eerie upbeat tempo reminiscent of previous tracks from ‘Fur and Gold’ such as ‘Trophy’ and ‘What’s a girl to do’. Touring Europe at present, increasing in popularity in the UK and recently making her US debut, ‘Bat for Lashes’ is conquering the music scene with her unique and dark dream-like sound and omnipotent presence. ‘Two Suns’ is out now under Parlophone records.
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