Brisbane band Dead Letter Circus have unleashed the video for their single “Big,” the first from their debut album This Is the Warning. I am love with this clip; it’s taking the music video back to its artistic roots. It’s a bit of a trip, and I love being taken on that ride. What a welcome change from all those uninspired film clips with tedious live footage!
Category: Film Clips
Chemical Transport Get Down, Down With a Panda
Chemical Transport has unleashed the film clip for their debut single “Down, Down.” This song was one of my favourites from their We’re Not Alone EP, and with the addition of that panda it’s even cooler. Check it out, and if you like what you hear make sure you catch the band playing the following shows next month.
3 June 2010 – Hot Damn! @ Spectrum, Sydney
22 June 2010 – The Excelsior, Surry Hills
Happy Mother’s Day!
It’s mother’s day, the day that all good children spoil their mums. I’ll be doing just that, making the drive down the Pacific Highway to have lunch with her, and my grandma. While we spent a lot of my teenage years wanting to kill one another, today I’m lucky enough to consider Mum one of my best friends. I don’t always want to hear what she has to tell me, but I always know where I stand with her. She shares my passions for live music, good wine, and sparkly jewellery. She’s a lot of fun to be around, and I’m definitely looking forward to our lunch.
Anyway, I got to thinking about Mother’s Day, and what songs might be appropriate to share with you before settling on Bachelor Girl’s “Buses and Trains.” How I miss Bachelor Girl. This is one of the most honest songs about a mother-daughter relationship that I can think of it. It’s not overly sappy or sentimental, and thus comes closer to real life than most of the mother songs around. So enjoy this one. And if you are a mum, I hope you have an awesome day!
Bodyjar Boys Back with Cola Wars
Just months after wrapping up their final tour with Bodyjar, Cam Baines and Shane Wakker are back with their brand new outfit Cola Wars.
The lads are joined by Mikey Juler, formerly of For Amusement Only, and Mark Brunott. The new single “Giving It Up” is our first taste of Cola Wars’ debut album Invader, which will hit Australia music stores on June 18 with a Japanese release to follow. It’s got some great hooks and a fantastic energy. And it seems the lads themselves are just as pleased with it.
“We are fully stoked with this recording. I reckon it packs a real punch,” said guitarist Cam Baines. “We produced the whole album with Kalju Tonuma (The Living End, Temper Trap, Evermore) and it came together without a hitch. Some of these songs have been in the incubator for a few years now so it was great to finally do them justice.”
This is the sort of music which will really come alive on stage, so make sure you stay tuned for details of Cola Wars’ first national tour soon!
New Song Obsession: “Waiting For You” by Basement Birds
“Waiting For You” is the first single from Aussie supergroup Basement Birds. With Josh Pyke, Kav Temperley, Kevin Mitchell, and Steve Parkin all lending their creative talents to the project I knew I’d love it. And I do, even though it’s not the sort of song that grabs you by the throat. It’s perfect Sunday arvo fare, the kind of thing you’d stick on while entertaining friends or recovering from a big night out.
Stan Walker Releases Great New Song, “Unbroken”
I didn’t really care for Stan Walker’s debut single “Black Box,” but his follow up “Unbroken” is great stuff.
Although once you look at the songwriting credits, it’s no surprise. Ryan Tedder knows how to craft a hit, from his work with Leona Lewis, Beyonce, and Jordin Sparks to material for his own band One Republic.
The track tells the story of strength and survival, something Stan knows about all too well. While his personal struggles were documented during his Australian Idol journey, he also came face to face with human tragedy on a recent visit to Haiti.
“Unbroken” will feature on Stan Walker’s first album of original material, due for release later this year.
New Song Obsession: “We Could Get Lost” by Mark Sholtez
When I first encountered Mark Sholtez some years ago he was supporting Human Nature. He was the sort of jazz artist I might expect to see in Las Vegas; I could tell he was good but he was also incredibly cheesy. Still, he must have been doing something right because I remember his name all those years later. And now he seems to have reinvented himself as a mellow singer-songwriter type. I must say, the makeover’s working for him. “We Could Get Lost” is the first taste of Mark’s upcoming album The Distance Between Two Truths. Mark penned the track with Iain Archer of Snow Patrol. I think this is gorgeous, and I can’t wait to hear more!
New Song Obsession: “Time to Smile” by Xavier Rudd
There’s something special about finding a song which just makes you feel good. I caught Xavier Rudd’s latest tune “Time to Smile” for the first time on Video Hits a couple of weeks back, and I haven’t been able to get it out of my head since. That’s a very good thing, as it’s one of those tracks which actually makes you break out in a wide grin. I love the way Xavier’s earthy blues sound merges with the African grooves of bassist Tio Moloantoa and percussionist Andile Nqubezelo. It feels like a modern-day “Graceland.” I hope it brightens up your Sunday!
Horsell Common’s Mark Stewart Goes Solo with Jonesez
Out of the ashes of Horsell Common comes Jonesez, the new solo endeavour for singer and guitarist Mark Stewart.
Jonesez spent this summer recording a debut album with the help of Kisschasy’s Darren Cordeux. It was a bit of a milestone for both acts; Mark had never written an entire album on his own, and Darren had never produced one.
The first song to come from the release is “The Money Will Roll Right In,” a cover of Fang’s underground hit. Just like the album, this video was filmed in Mark’s basement. He takes on the roles of four different characters, which sees costume and hairstyle changes aplenty!
The Jonesez album will hit stores in the middle of the year, but we’re promised a sneak peek at shows along the East Coast to be announced shortly.
Emily Barclay Stars in New Angus & Julia Stone Video
As a one-time disenchanted checkout chick, the new video for Angus & Julia Stone’s song “Big Jet Plane” struck a bit of a chord with me. Emily Barclay stars in this poignant music video shot by Kiku Ohe. What stunning work. And the song’s not bad either!