Sydney DJs Flight Facilities take us back to the disco era with their latest single “Foreign Language.”
I love how authentic this single is, from the sweet guest vocals of Jess Higgs to the sweet retro styled music video. Seriously, if this were a TV program I’m sure it would become my next guilty pleasure. I initially thought it might have been stock footage, but it’s been cleverly shot by French director Dimitri Basil around Waverly Cemetary, Rose Bay and The Ivy.
Honestly I find the music video distracts me from the song, which might not be as fabulous without the footage, but thanks to YouTube the two need not be separated!
Sydney band Mushu are back with their new single “Traps,” our first taste of the indie rock act’s forthcoming EP.
Since the release of their self-titled EP in 2010 the band has been honing their live show with gigs here and in North America, and I think that’s reflected in the single. It’s a bit darker than their previous material, but there’s a spontaneous energy that’s so infectious. I predict that fans of Nick Cave and Tom Waits are going to eat it up.
I’m really enjoying watching the progression of this local act. “Traps” is another stellar single which has me eagerly awaiting the release of that next EP next year.
Regurgitator have taken the cheat’s way out with their fun new film clip for “No Show.”
The single name is pretty appropriate, as the band members themselves were no shows for this clip. Instead they’ve relied on snippets from an old Japanese monster movie to back the single, a track from their brand new album Superhappyfuntimeswithfriends. Personally I’m happy to let them off the hook because that record title might just be the coolest I’ve heard all year.
The song is also pretty brilliant with its big crunchy chords and radio-friendly hooks. It reminds me just how much I missed Regurgitator’s quirky brand of pop. Have you?
Their latest song might be called “Awkward,” but I’d never use the adjective to describe Fremantle indie rockers San Cisco. This unsigned act sounds much slicker than anyone without the backing of a major label probably should, particularly considering all the members are under 18.
The song is so infectious with its retro pop feel. While its sound takes me back to the early 60s, its themes of teen awkwardness and text communication should speak to today’s youth.
Such talented youngsters scare me a bit. If they’re this good now, how mindblowing will they be once they’ve had the chance to marinate?
Describe Eliza frontwoman Eliza Hull is stepping out on her own with the release of her debut solo single “Five.” It’s a chilled out electronic-pop number with lush instrumentation and gorgeous vocals.
The track comes from Eliza’s forthcoming album Hourglass, which has seen her working with Gypsy & The Cat producers Jonathan Steer and Leigh Fisher, The Cat Empire’s Ollie McGill, and Mark Pearl from Texture Like Sun.
It’s a bit of a slow burner, but as soon as I heard it the first time I needed to hit play again. If this single is any indication, we can expect some really exciting stuff from Eliza Hull.
I haven’t heard anything from The Demon Parade since they released their debut EPGod Said It’s Legal last year. But now they’re back on my radar with their new single “All The Cool Kids.”
The Melbourne lads are sticking to what works here, serving up more of the Brit-pop influence psychedelia that first turned my head. It might have been nice to see a little more growth, but this is clearly a band that knows its sound.
Made in Japan are going from strength to strength since they were signed up to General Pants Co’s Major Label last April. They’re preparing to release their debut album Sights & Sounds next February, but are already giving fans a taste with the title track.
I love the tracks cruisy retro feel, which has me anticipating more. If it makes you feel that way too you can check out a few other songs at Made in Japan’s Bandcamp page.
I’m pretty excited at the coming together of one of my favourite Australian singers and my favourite musical decade. After tackling the standards more than once, show tunes, and the sounds of the swinging sixties, David Campbell is setting his sights on the 80s.
Next week David will release Let’s Go, an album featuring covers of tunes by Wham, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, and The Style Council. Oh and there’s this version of Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love.” Not to mention a version of my favourite song ever, “True.” Needless to say, I’m beyond excited.
Let’s Go hits stores on November 18, which is not so coincidentally the day that tickets go on sale for his next Aussie tour. David never does these things by halves; I’m sure you’ll be able to catch him busting out the retro numbers somewhere near you!
16 February 2012 – Belmont 16ft Sailing Club, Belmont
17 February 2012 – State Theatre, Sydney
25 February 2012 – Festival Theatre, Adelaide
10 March 2012 – QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane
16 & 17 March 2012 – Palms @ Crown, Melbourne
12 & 13 April 2012 – Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre
14 April 2012 – Civic Theatre, Orange
19 April 2012 – Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree
20 April 2012 – Glasshouse Theatre, Port Macquarie
21 April 2012 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
27 April 2012 – Llewellyn Theatre, Canberra
28 April 2012 – Regional Entertainment Centre, Bathurst
3 & 4 May 2012 – Performing Arts Centre, Wangarratta
5 May 2012 – Entertainment Centre, Albury
10 & 11 May 2012 – Regional Theatre & Convention Centre, Dubbo
12 May 2012 – West Tamworth Leagues Club, Tamworth
16 May 2012 – Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah
17 May 2012 – Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton
18 May 2012 – Perth Concert Hall
19 May 2012 – Regional Entertainment Centre, Bunbury
31 May 2012 – Performing Arts Centre, Colac
1 June 2012 – Warnambook Entertainment Centre, Warnambook
2 June 2012 – Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, Mt Gambier
7 & 8 June 2012 – Capital Theatre, Bendigo
9 June 2012 – Eastbank Centre, Shepparton
14 June 2012 – Performing Arts Centre, Frankston
15 June 2012 – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat
16 June 2012 – GPAC Playhouse Theatre, Geelong
It’s a pretty special thing to find new music that takes you back, but I’ve found it in Steve Lane and the Autocrats’ new single “Ghost Trains.” It’s got that lovely Paul Kelly storytelling quality about it, with a splash of Weddings Parties Anything thrown in. It’s good honest Aussie pop rock, melodic but heartfelt. Pop’s almost gotten to be a dirty word in the music industry, but this song shows us the term isn’t synonymous with vapid.
The film clip plays up the track’s nostalgic qualities, with vision of the band spliced together with archival film footage.
“Ghost Trains” is our first taste of the band’s forthcoming debut album The Romance of Communication, which hits stores on Friday. Can you believe something that sounds so seasoned comes from a debut?
To celebrate the album’s release, the Steve Lane and the Autocrats will play shows along the east coast, with their first tonight in Warrnambool.
19 October 2011 – The Loft, Warrnambool
20 October 2011 – The Front Gallery & Café, Lyneham
21 October 2011 – The Heritage Hotel, Bulli
22 October 2011 – Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba
23 October 2011 – The Vanguard, Newtown
27 October 2011 – Beavs Bar, Geelong
28 October 2011 – The Northcote Social Club, Northcote
29 October 2011 – TBC
30 October 2011 – The Palais Theatre, Hepburn Springs
6 November 2011 – Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm
Brisbane singer-songwriter The Trouble with Templeton should appeal to all the Twilight fans out there with his eerie new video for “Bleeders.” It’s pretty clever to appeal to the current taste for the macabre, but there’s more here than simply smart marketing. The song’s stunning, a real slow burner than builds beautifully.
“Bleeders” is the title track from The Trouble with Templeton’s forthcoming solo album, which was impressively self-recorded and produced. It doesn’t drop until November 4, but if you’ve fallen for the song you can own it now for free through The Trouble with Templeton’s Bandcamp page. And if you like what you hear you can catch The Trouble with Templeton at the following shows.
21 Oct 2011 – The Vanguard, Sydney (supporting Skipping Girl Vinegar)
4 November 2011 – Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi (supporting Skipping Girl Vinegar)
5 November 2011 – Beetle Bar, Brisbane
11 November 2011 – Fresh, Launceston
12 November 2011 – Republic Bar, Hobart
31 December 2011–2 January 2012 – Peats Ridge Festival, Central Coast
Since the release of