ReviewsAlbum Of The Week: The Paper Kites 'twelvefour'
Melbournian folk gods have weaved together a textual folk masterpiece as The Paper Kites return for record number two. ‘twelvefour’ brings together the solitary silence of the midnight to early morning alone time as lead Sam Bentley creates a concept album that pushes himself and the ensemble into a realm they haven’t reached before. Writing songs solely between the hours of midnight to 4am, Bentley has selected 10 tracks that encapsulate a quiet brilliance unlike anything they’ve done before.
Album Review: Oh Wonder’s Self-Titled Debut
The UK duo behind Oh Wonder have been making waves in Europe with their unusual approach, releasing one track every month for a year on Soundcloud. It seems to have worked for them, with thousands of fans following their journey and a great deal of critical acclaim. The culmination of their “challenge” is the self-titled debut album ‘Oh Wonder’, to be released on Friday, September 4.
Live Review: Pesci's Club Night Feat. Ecca Vandal, WAAX, MKO @ The Foundry, 27.08.2015
Pesci’s Clubnight is a brand new live music night dedicated to providing the best experience for both performers and punters. Taking residency at Brisbane’s hottest new re-opened venue The Foundry, the clubnight has the potential be a popular fixture in the Valley’s live music scene. Ecca Vandal headlined the debut clubnight supported by Brisbane bands MKO & WAAX.
Live Review: Moses Gunn Collective & Black Zeros @ The Brightside 28.8.2015
Celebrations for the fresh LP Mercy Mountain commenced at The Brightside in Fortitude Valley. Slowly filling with punters, the movement may have been pretty placid, the energy was electric.
Opening the night was Sydney Black Zeros, a trio comprised of vocals/guitar, bass and drums, fronted by the solid ten in sass and talent, Joe Jackson, although fairly unknown to most, they've shared the stage with the likes of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Hinds and other National acts, so learning this, we were definitely in for a treat.
The crowd was slow to the calling, with the floor taken up by only a few bopping bodies, though it didn’t take long for the wave of fast and messy surf garage pop to fill the ears of punters outside and around the bar, dragging them to the floor, and amping the vibe. Their set was filled with fast and grimy guitar twangs and a constant drum beat, complimented by Joe’s badass stage presence, which unfortunately emphasized the bassist’s slightly uptight demeanour, and only seemed to loosen when the tempo was taken down a couple of notches towards the end when debuting latest track Ride which channels a Best Coast and Lana Del Ray vibes. Eyes certainly fastened to these up and comers!
10.45pm hit and the glitter-bombs blew up, revealing the psych-pop quintet that is Moses Gunn Collective. After the raucous crowd settles after a loud welcome home to our multi-talented lead local favs, who have just returned from an East-Coast tour, the group launch into 'Mary' an ‘oldie but goldie’ giving the crowd a taste of what they know and love before diving head first into their debut album and the reason we’re all here, Mercy Mountain.
Grasping the crowd by the soul strings, the 5 blonde groovers keep bodies moving, with spritely guitars and fast chorus of tracks like 'Hot Mess' and 'Back Into The Womb', bringing the blues with 'Desdamona' and slow-burner title track 'Mercy Mountain'. The crowd was sure as hell rowdy, with the first 5 rows (at least) boogieing up a storm. Punters were losing shirts, and minds, with sweaty hugs and love was being thrust upon the packed out venue
Set highlights can be found from their 2014 Morning Shakes EP, with 'Ghost Life' and it's tempo changing madness, encompassing slow groove to all in bounce, and the set closer, falsetto baby doll sing-a-long ‘Shalala’, warming down what was an intense hour of raucous guitar, dreamy vocals, and forever fab, never drab stage presence MCC does best.
Before you know it, it’s all over. Banter was minimal between songs, but their music spoke volumes, doing what they do best and proving to us all, Moses Gunn Collective have a lot higher to go, than just Mercy Mountain.
Live Review: Avaberee, Mid Ayr, Capre, Clea @ The Triffid 27.08.2015
Avaberee kicked off the launch tour for their new EP, ‘In Your Arms I Found My Secrets’ Thursday night at The Triffid. They were supported by three kick ass, but very different acts, Clea, Capre and Mid Aye that warmed the crowd up for lots of dancing with electronic-poppy goodness.
Album Review: Cast of Yesterday- Tim Wheatley
It’s long been held that to achieve major commercial success as an Australian artist, you need to eventually relocate, either to America or the UK. The Go Betweens, the Saints- I mean, before Splendour in the Grass it had been years since we’d seen Kevin Parker. Just ask Powderfinger; while you can wow Australian audiences from overseas, you can’t wow audiences overseas from Australia. Fledgling Australian alt folk singer-songwriter, Tim Wheatley, has reversed this process somewhat, having visited the US extensively since 2012 and making that relationship a more permanent one with a move to LA after recording his debut LP ‘Cast of Yesterday’ earlier this year.
EP Review: Ainslie Wills 'Oh The Gold'
Golden indie girl Ainslie Wills just doesn’t stop at anything! I must say, her EP ‘Oh The Gold’ is a real treasure.
Live Review: 4ZZZ Presents Pleasant Valley Sunday @ The Triffid 23.08.15
There was a little confusion surrounding this 4ZZZ event on Sunday, with two Facebook events stating shows at the Triffid on the same day, at the same time. But it wasn’t a mistake, there were two events at the one venue, one outside in the beer garden, and the 4ZZZ Radiothon and 40th birthday event inside. The only problem was that everyone was outside and no-one was inside.