Track: Tangents – Stents and Arteries (EP)
It’s hard to describe the sound of Sydney-based quintet Tangents – a sort of free form jazz meeting electronica but avoiding any form of excess or preciousness while maintaining a link to acoustic instrumentation and tight song structures. It is hypnotic music with structure and texture enough to please three-minute long indie song lovers with …
See: Didirri – Formaldehyde, plus tour news
Didirri‘s single ‘Formaldehyde’ was reviewed by me last month where I wrote that the song is a slow-burning fuse that lights up with its intelligent thoughtful lyrics. He’s just released a stunning live performance of the song on video before he embarks on a tour around Australia. The video highlights the strength of Didirri’s unadorned …
Track: Michael P. Cullen – Do You Believe
I was hugely impressed by Michael P Cullen‘s album ‘True Believer back in 2014, and it is great to see him back with a new track, ‘Do You Believe’. Cullen, based in Sydney, has one of those enigmatic, baritone voices that recalls Nick Cave, Leonard Cohen, Tindersticks and The National, and, like those singers and …
Track: Gurrumul – Djolin (Musical Instrument), plus album and film news
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island readers of this post are advised that the following media release and links within contains images and voices of people who have died. The family of Gurrumul have stated: “The family have given permission that following the final funeral ceremony, his name and image may once again be used …
Track: Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Everyone Acts Crazy Nowadays, plus tour news
‘Everyone Acts Crazy Nowadays’ is the third track to be released off the forthcoming album by Unknown Mortal Orchestra called ‘Sex & Food’, due out on 6 April. Unknown Mortal Orchestra is the work of artist Ruban Nielsen. It is a funky disco-infused track from the New Zealander who is based in Portland, Oregon: smooth …
See: Sarah Mary Chadwick – Sugar Still Melts in the Rain, plus album news
Sarah Mary Chadwick has one of those voices that are soaked in emotion, balanced on a gritty and whiskey-soaked knife edge yet so sweet and mesmerising: fragile yet ever so strong. In the vein of Patty Smith or P.J. Harvey, her songs are poetic and personal. ‘Sugar Still Melts in the Rain’ is the title …
Track: Low Cut Connie – Beverley and album and tour news
I confess I am new to Low Cut Connie but their new single, ‘Beverly’ is fantastic. It’s a slice Americana with a rolling, rumbling piano and an Elton John quality about the vocals and melody (the good version of Elton John) with just a touch of alt.western sleazy rock n roll. In fact apparently Elton …
Track: Scratch – Soak/Newer Things
Bridging the gap between Perth (Australia) and New York (USA) is no mean feat, but due to the wonders of modern recording technology it has been artfully done by duo Scratch. They have just released two songs that have been written and recorded across the great divide. ‘Soak’ – the standout track – manages to …
Track: Amusement Parks On Fire – All The New Ends (EP)
Amusement Parks on Fire began as the solo project of teenager Michael Feerick in 2004, who wrote and recorded nine songs on a small budget. A couple of well-received albums with a full band followed, culminating in a hiatus in 2013 before the band returned with a single, ‘Our Goal to Realise’, in late 2017. …
Track: Chakra Efendi – Waste of Space
At the age of 18, Brisbane-based artist Chakra Efendi had already attracted considerable interest on his SoundCloud page for his series of self-produced homegrown demos. These demos clearly indicated a talent for low-fi, enigmatic and deeply personal songs as well as a bright future ahead for Efendi. ‘Waste of Space’ represents his first official release …