It was a bit of a blast from the past for me on the weekend when I spotted the new video for The Last Kinection. The single “Are We There Yet?” sees band member Naomi Wenitong reunited with her Shakaya sister Simone Stacey, who handles the track’s chorus.
I remember marveling at the harmonies of these girls way back in 2002 when they shot up the charts with “Stop Calling Me.” I was upset to see them part ways, but thrilled to see they’ve lost nothing over the years. It might be for a short time, but I’m glad to see these girls working together again.
I’m probably too old to be falling in love with them, but try as I might I can’t resist the charms of The Never Ever and their brand new single “At Sixes and Sevens.”
This simple but ridiculously catchy slice of power pop is the first track to come from The Never Ever’s forthcoming EP, Breathe. That disc won’t hit record store shelves next April, but until then we’ve got the single to tide us over.
The Never Ever will also launch the “At Sixes and Sevens” for hometown fans on the Rocks Rhythm Boat in Sydney Harbour on February 12. That’s one of the more unusual spots I’ve heard for a single launch so it should be a night to remember.
Merry Christmas Sounds of Oz readers. I hope that whatever you’re doing for the holidays you’re enjoying it.
I’ve probably been up since the wee small hours, because I’m still a big kid at Christmas. I’m wearing oversized bell earrings and a tacky necklace with flashing lights which is likely to annoy my younger sisters immensely. I’m sure I’m drinking and eating too much, but sometimes that’s the best way to deal with the small children that inevitably come with family get togethers. I’ve also probably been thoroughly spoiled by my husband and parents. They’re good like that.
I’m certainly not working. I wrote this post well in advance so I could take the day off. I think after a busy year of blogging I deserve the rest, don’t you? I’ll leave you with The Bedroom Philosopher’s very unique take on “12 Days of Christmas” which comes from his A Very Beddy Christmas EP. With a vengeful ex-girlfriend sending the “gifts”, it’s far from the usual seasonal fare!
Its release is accompanied with this music video which is every bit as whimsical as I hoped it’d be. Remarkably the clip was shot in just one take on one camera. They just don’t make them like this anymore.
Again The Trouble with Templeton worked with his brother Josh on the clip, just as he did on the “Bleeders” video. I think they’ve done a great job, don’t you?
The Trouble with Templeton will play at the Peats Ridge Blues and Roots Festival over the New Year, so if you’re there make sure you head on down to the Chai Tent and check him out!
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.
Boy & Bear and Gotye were the big winners at last night’s ARIA Awards ceremony. Boy & Bear took home five awards for their stunning debut Moonfire, including best album and best group. Gotye scooped four, including male artist of the year and best single for “Somebody That I Used to Know.”
That’s all the stuff you’ll read in all the other media outlets, so I thought I’d much rather talk about the way I saw this year’s awards. Honestly, it was pretty bloody good. Admittedly anything would look like a world class production compared to last year’s shambles, but I was impressed by the way things went off.
I’ve heard criticisms that some of the jokes fell flat, and some of the irreverent spirit of Aussie music was missing. Maybe. But most important for me was that the ceremony had real heart. I found myself genuinely moved at several moments: when Billy Thorpe’s wife and daughters accepted his posthumous ARIA for Tangier, when former Wiggle Greg Page stood with his fellow skivvy wearers as they were inducted into the Hall of Fame, when Delta Goodrem sang “The Day You Went Away” against the backdrop of the images of people the industry has lost, and when Missy Higgins joined Gurrumul for a gorgeous duet. I have no clue what they were singing about but it was the most touching musical number of the night.
For those moments I loved these ARIAs. They reminded us that the night should be about recognising and celebrating the amazing music we make as a country. We punch well above our weight, and we deserve a night that acknowledges that, without bringing in too many international guests or getting too fancy with the staging.
Last night wasn’t perfect, but it was certainly a step in the right direction. I’m not sure how much Go had to do with the broadcast, but I take my hat off to them for whatever part they played. Even if it was just ensuring these awards stay on free to air, it was important. And how refreshing to see the channel being the youth station it originally set out to be and offering something new rather than the countless Big Bang and Two and a Half Men reruns.
Boy & Bear and Gotye may have taken home the lion’s share of the pointy things, but as clichéd as it sounds, Australian music was the big winner last night. Click below for the other winners!
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