Why on earth don’t more bands use harmonicas? That’s the big question I’m taking from my multiple listens of “I Will Love You Till I Don’t Love You Anymore,” the folky Australiana track from Melbourne outfit Marianne Digs.
The song’s got such visceral lyrics about love and heartache and a real singalong appeal. You’ll want to bust this out next karaoke night with the few bevvies under your belt.
“I Will Love You Till I Don’t Love You Anymore” is one of five tracks set to form Marianne Digs EP when it launches in July. If the other numbers are half this good, it’s going to be worth a listen.
A band called Naked Bodies was probably never going to release an album that was middle of the road. But their name still didn’t quite prepare me for the eclecticism of Piranha, a collection of songs that may be more diverse than any I’ve encountered this year. A harsher critic might say it’s too diverse, but I’ve got to admire its boldness.
The opening “Ugly Morning” has a bluesy gangster feel while the follow-up track “Ride On” has more of a surf rock vibe. “Hollywood Boulevard” feels like a cut from a Tom Petty album, all jangling guitars and easy sun-drenched vocals. The single “Dirty Plate Blues” is every bit as dirty and bluesy as you might expect from its name. “Moonlight Love Song (For the Folks)” feels like it could have come from a classic film score, although it’s got a psychedelic bent that makes it just a little more unhinged than “My Favourite Things.” “Monkey Blues” has the sort of title that makes you think it’s going to be a novelty track, but this proud blues number is so profoundly moving. “Circus Song” is just as kooky as a song closing such an eclectic album should be.
Piranha’s not the perfect album. It’s a bit rough and raw, and it’s so diverse that it risks alienating listeners. However people with an open mind will appreciate that this is an album that pushes the boundaries and always entertains.
Naked Bodies will support Piranha’s recent release with the following shows in June.
5 June 2015 – Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood
6 June 2015 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
7 June 2015 – Barwon Club, Geelong
12 June 2015 – Miami Marketta, Gold coast
13 June 2015 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
19 June 2015 – Rad Bar, Wollongong
20 June 2015 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
21 June 2015 – Front Bar and Gallery, Canberra
27 June 2015 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
4 July 2015 – Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine
Brisbane’s Fox & Fowl are doing their best to cure your Mondayitis with their feelgood single “Eliza.”
The track is the result of a collaboration with Stephen Schram, who’s produced music for Paul Kelly and San Cisco. It’s got such a great indie pop feel that demands repeat listens. Who could curse Monday when you’ve got this to listen to? Image used with permission from Mucho Bravado
Brisbane duo Holy Holy have knocked my fluffy winter-ready socks off with their latest single “You Cannot Call for Love Like a Dog.” It’s got much more than just an impressive name on its side. It’s got an epic feel and driving beat that will get under your skin from the first listen.
It’s got a dark undertone though. Listen to the lyrics and you’ll soon remember love’s not all chocolates and roses.
“We try in our lives to do all kinds of things to control it and manage it and bend it to our wills, but sometimes you just wake up one day and it’s gone…and that’s that. Like ice melted,” explained lead vocalist Tim Carroll. “And the point of that is, if you do find yourself in the enviable position of being ‘in love’ and feeling love – fucking enjoy it. Treat it like a good scotch. Breathe it in deep and wash it round your mouth and take in the bath and get drunk.”
Holy Holy are set for big things, after being named on the recent Splendour in the Grass line-up and locking in dates across Europe and the United Kingdom. No doubt the music lovers abroad are going to be just as taken with this Aussie act.
14 May 2015 – The Great Escape, Brighton
17 May 2015 – London Calling Festival, Amsterdam
18 May 2015 – MTC Club, Cologne
19 May 2015 – Cafe Video, Ghent
20 May 2015 – Comet Club, Berlin
22 May 2015 – Dot to Dot Festival, Manchester
23 May 2015 – Liverpool Sound City, Liverpool (DAY SHOW)
23 May 2015 – Dot to Dot Festival, Bristol (NIGHT SHOW)
24 May 2015 – Dot to Dot Festival, Nottingham
26 May 2015 – Old Blue Last, London
29 May 2015 – Primavera Pro, Barcelona
30 May 2015 – Primavera Sound, Barcelona
Just in time for Mother’s Day, Melbourne songstress Michelle Serret-Cursio has released her debut album Should I Be. Her name might not be familiar to you but her face probably is. Michelle’s been a lead vocalist on Dancing with the Stars for years, and she also performed as part of Team Joel on the first season of The Voice. She’s also provided backing vocals for some of the country’s brightest talents including Tina Arena, John Farnham, and Olivia Newton-John.
Michelle’s skills as a vocalist are undeniable. She effortlessly puts her stamp on mum-friendly favourites like “I Will Always Love You,” “Crying,” “Tennessee Waltz,” and “My Heart Will Go On.” Singing in other languages in the Celine Dion smash, her take on “Crying,” and “La Vie En Rose” also doesn’t seem to phase her.
But it’s when Michelle steps away from the covers that I feel she really excels. The ballsy title track shows much more personality than the predictable numbers mums are sure to love. I’m not as enamoured with the dancy “Here I Stand,” which feels just a little too electronic to gel with the rest of the album, but I’ve got to admire that she’s doing something different.
I’m not sure whether Should I Be will cut through enough to see Michelle move away from life as a back-up singer or TV performer, but it should put smiles on the faces of any mums lucky to receive it this Mother’s Day. And that might be good enough. Image used with permission from McGill Publicity
Never one to shy away from change, Melbourne’s Mojo Juju is experimenting again with the release of her latest album Seeing Red/Feeling Blue.
It sees Mojo playing with longtime friend and producer Ptero Stylus on songs that are a bit more electronic than her earlier efforts, although they’ve still got an accessible pop core. The funky new single “They Come & They Go” is a prime example of the attitude Mojo Juju showcases on her latest release.
Mojo will take the new music to the masses with a national tour kicking off at Sydney’s Vivid festival later this month. Tickets are available now for the following shows.
30 May 2015 – Vivid Live 2015 @ Sydney Opera House, Sydney
5 June 2015 – Solbar, Maroochydore
6 June 2015 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane
18 June 2015 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
19 June 2015 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
20 June 2015 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
21 June 2015 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
26 June 2015 – Pirie & Co. Social Club, Adelaide
27 June 2015 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
3 July 2015 – Spirit Bar, Traralgon
4 July 2015 – Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh
8 August 2015 – Darwin Festival, Darwin
Brisbane trio Avaberée have created an incredible soundscape with their new single “Can’t Get You Off My Mind.” Their harmonies are sublime and chemistry superb. The way their angelic voices combine with electronic beats is truly special. No wonder that they’ve just inked a deal with US label Other People Records.
“When my partner at the label, Jesse Barnett, showed me Avaberée, I was instantly moved,” explained Tom Williams of Other People Records. “Gen, Irena and Aimee have such a profound chemistry with each other, and with In Your Arms I Found my Secrets they were able to harness an energy that is so infrequently tapped into. To be this good, this early on in their career, it is truly exciting.”
“Can’t Get You Off My Mind” is our first taste of that forthcoming EP. If this single’s any indication, it’s going to be awesome.
New Northcote Alma Kalorama are bringing back the grungy sounds of garage rock with their new single “Now and Then.”
OK, technically the song was recorded in the lads’ home rather than their garage, but its rough and ready appeal takes me back to those days before every song was overproduced and soulless.
I really dig it, especially since you know that without a lot of technical wizardry Alma Kalorama are going to be able to produce live. They’re playing Adelaide tomorrow night before returning to their home state for shows in the middle of the month.
2 May 2015 – The Metro, Adelaide
15 May 2015 – The Workers Club, Geelong
16 May 2015 – Grace Darling, Melbourne
Melbourne singer-songwriter Shelley Segal speaks for women everywhere that don’t measure up to society’s aesthetic standards with her gorgeous new single “Sidelined.” The track is lifted from her fourth studio album Strange Feeling, which hits stores on May 8. I loved “Morocco,” the last of Shelley’s tracks that crossed my path, and this is every bit as good.
“The song is my understanding of the nature of our aesthetics while questioning whether we can overcome them,” Shelley explained. The clip is the perfect accompaniment, a video which sees Shelley morphing from a bed-heady natural girl to a more immaculately groomed version of herself. “Subscribing to the visual expectations of others can vastly improve our outcomes, but those that don’t fit will often pay a price or be sidelined,” Shelley admits.
Shelley will promote the single and Strange Feeling album at the following shows.
1 May 2015 – Collins Square, Docklands (FREE)
22 May 2015 – Collins Square, Docklands (FREE)
24 May 2015 – The Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh (Doors open 3 pm)
30 May 2015 – Northcote Social Club, Northcote
27 June 2015 – Paris Cat, Melbourne
3 July 2015 – Wesley Anne, Northcote
I wasn’t aware that they’d gone anywhere, but Sydney indie rockers Hedge Fund are announcing they’re back on the scene with their new single “Look Who’s Back.” It’s the follow-up to their 2014 singles “Outta Sight” and “Object of my Affection,” which both earned attention from Triple J.
“Look Who’s Back” has got a real cool retro vibe that reminds me of The Cure meets New Order. It was clearly a labour of the love for the band, whose vocalist Will Colvin also served as producer. What do you think of the song?
A band called 
Just in time for Mother’s Day, Melbourne songstress