Big Strong Brute has channelled Napoleon Dynamite with the fun clip for his new single “Wait.” The song’s great, but this visual feast of a music video adds another level of enjoyment. Is there anything better on a Friday than watching the Brisbane artist let loose in his loungeroom?
“Wait” comes from Big Strong Brute’s new EP Good Work, which will be released on July 31.
The hip hop genre really isn’t known for its love songs, but Coin Banks bucks the trend with his cool new single “Cursive.”
The Perth emcee lays down some fierce rhymes here, and featured vocals from New York City’s Apani B Fly give the track the right amount of sweetness. I also love the film clip, set in Apani B Fly’s hometown. Has there ever been a cuter couple than these kids?
“Cursive” comes from Coin Banks’ Tails EP. He’ll be releasing a full-length album soon, so keep your ears out for that.
I’m a sucker for an interesting tone. I love a voice that’s instantly identifiable, that cuts through everything else and grabs you. I’ve found that in Thandi Phoenix, a really cool new artist from Sydney. She’s just released her new single “Come Around,” and it’s completely entranced me.
I love the way Thandi’s married soul with electronica here. It’s really different and very powerful. Apparently the song came about after Thandi had her first experiences of betrayal, and that emotion really comes through.
Thandi’s artistry doesn’t stop with the music though. She’s also responsible for the single artwork.
Thandi will play Splendour in the Grass this weekend, so if you’re heading along make sure you catch her set!
Image used with permission from Neon Records
The Paper Kites have really impressed me with every one of their singles, so it surprises me to realise I’ve never actually written about them here. The release of their new single “Electric Indigo” and their upcoming Aussie tour is the perfect time to change all that.
There’s such a surety about everything this Melbourne quintet releases, and that makes their music feel comfortable from the first listen. This song is instantly accessible but complex, with lush instrumentation and gorgeous vocals. “Electric Indigo” sounds a bit bigger than their previous releases, but it ticks all the boxes for me.
It’s the first track lifted from The Paper Kites’ forthcoming album twelvefour, which hits stores on August 28. Following that, the band will hit the road and play the following shows all around the country. Don’t wait until then to get your tickets. I predict they’re going to sell quickly.
15 October 2015 – The Gov, Adelaide (ALL AGES)
16 October 2015 – Amplifier, Perth
17 October 2015 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
22 October 2015 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine (ALL AGES)
23 October 2015 – 170 Russell, Melbourne
24 October 2015 – The Workers Club, Geelong
29 October 2015 – Solbar, Maroochydore
30 October 2015 – The Soundlounge, Gold Coast
31 October 2015 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane
5 November 2015 – Lizotte’s, Lambton (ALL AGES)
6 November 2015 – The Metro, Sydney (ALL AGES)
7 November 2015 – ANU Bar, Canberra
8 November 2015 – Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul (ALL AGES)
My love affair with brother-sister duo The Acfields continues with the release of their powerful new song “The Years.” It tells the real-life story of an elderly divorced coupled reunited again after suffering from dementia.
“Once we tell the story live, people tend to fall in love with the message of the song,” explained Hannah, who herself was told the story by a grandchild of one of the song’s subjects.
As the tale goes, the husband and wife married, had children, then separated forty years later. As fate would have it, as dementia took hold they ended up at the same nursing home. Despite losing his memory, the ex-husband really did ask the nurse “Who’s the pretty one?” when he clamped eyes on his ex-wife for the first time in years. The song doesn’t go into the particulars, but apparently the pair was often spotted holding hands and fumbling at each others clothes as they rekindled their romance without the baggage of conscious memories.
The brother and sister act decided to make the song a focus after discovering that the song connected with audiences all over the nation, while touring to promote their self-titled full-length album last year. who was originally told about this true story by her friend, a grandchild of the song’s subjects.
The Acfields will celebrate the release of “The Years” with an East Coast tour, kicking off in Brisbane this week.
23 July 2015 – The Milk Factory, Brisbane
24 July 2015 – House Concert, Lismore
25 July 2015 – Mandala Organic Arts, Mermaid Beach
26 July 2015 – Bohemian Bungalow, Eumundi
31 July 2015 – Pizza Paradiso, Byron Bay
1 August 2015 – Thirty Three on Hickory, Dorrigo
2 August 2015 – Flow Bar, Old Bar
5 August 2015 – Lizotte’s, Lambton
7 August 2015 – Humph Hall, Allambie Heights
8 August 2015 – House Concert, Terara
Melbourne act Animaux has won my heart with their funky new single “Come On Over.” Its hooks are ridiculously catchy and the lyrics should strike a chord with anyone who’s ever felt the push and pull of a difficult relationship.
“I guess it’s about the fine line between giving too much, and losing sight of what you love about yourself, and recognizing your weaknesses, and compromising,” explained the band’s songwriter and saxophonist Ollie.
I’ve heard these guys are exceptional live, so if you’re near any of the following venues make sure you get along and check them out next month.
14 August 2015 – Moonshine Rum & Cider Bar, Manly
21 August 2015 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
22 August 2015 – The Motor Room, Brisbane
29 August 2015 – The Gasometer Hotel, Melbourne
Image used with permission from the 123 Agency
Oh Sons of Rico, I have missed you. I didn’t realise just how much until I heard your new single “What Am I Doing Here?” This cheery indie pop ditty has put a great big smile on my face.
“It’s the question we ask ourselves in moments of discomfort, loneliness, or dissatisfaction, and the confidence it can take to address it,” explained Alex MacRae.
Thankfully there’s more new music where this came from. It’s out first taste of the band’s follow-up to 2013’s In Rico Glaciers. Hometown fans will get a sneak peek at some of the new material when Sons of Rico launch “What Am I Doing Here?” at Melbourne’s Shebeen on July 24.
Image used with permission from Firestarter Music
Get ready to start tapping your toes to Immigrant Union’s new single “War is Peace,” the latest cut from the critically acclaimed album Anyway.
The song’s a great modern twist on an old-fashioned hoe down tune, and the film clip is a brilliant a satire on home shopping networks.
Immigrant Union have earned high praise for their live shows, so make sure you see what the fuss is all about when they head out on their Anyway album tour next month.
7 August 2015 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide
8 August 2015 – The Loft, Warrnambool
13 August 2015 – Transit Bar, Canberra
14 August 2015 – The Lass, Newcastle
15 August 2015 – Gallery Bar @ Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
16 August 2015 – The Junkyard, Maitland
27 August 2015 – Lefty’s Music Hall, Brisbane
28 August 2015 – The Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
29 August 2015 –Solbar, Maroochydore
4 September 2015 – David Bowie Late Nights @ ACMI, Melbourne
5 September 2015 – The Grand Poobah, Hobart
Brisbane band Major Leagues has taken me right back to the 90s with their brand new single “Someone Sometime.” The sweet vocals remind me a little of Juliana Hatfield’s, and those fuzzy guitars are so reminiscent of the garage bands that dominated the airwaves at the time.
“Someone Sometime” is lifted from Major Leagues’ sophomore EP, which was mixed by Jacob Portrait from Unknown Mortal Orchestra. It’ll be released later this year, but you needn’t wait that long to hear more from this band. They’ll play the following shows later this month to support the single’s release.
16 July 2015 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
17 July 2015 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
25 July 2015 – Curtin Bandroom, Melbourne
Image used via permission from Rare Finds
Melbourne synth-pop act Nussy has reunited with her favourite collaborators Michael Paynter and Michael Delorenzis for her brand new single “My Heroin.”
The drug reference is sure to raise a few eyebrows, but I love the way her sugary sweet vocals juxtapose with the dark subject matter. It really helps it stand out from so much mainstream pop.
“My Heroin is about being involved in a toxic relationship,” explained Nussy. “It’s like an addiction where something else within you takes over and you can’t make logical decisions – hence the reference to the drug heroin – that even at the very lowest of the low points, you convince yourself that the highs are worth it.”
Nussy will launch the single with a show at Melbourne’s The Shadow Electric on July 17 and one at the Gallery Bar at Sydney’s Oxford Arts Factory on August 13.