backseat downunder
Album Review: Tori Forsyth’s ‘Provlépseis’ is a collection of the most satisfyingly visceral indie rock anthems you could hear this year
‘Provlépseis’ means predictions in Greek, and in the new album from Tori Forsyth, out through Island Records Australia and UMA, becomes a mysterious label for a blistering, visceral piece of work with a pop heart and barbed-wire veins. Combining Forsyth’s swooping, ascendant vocals with chunky, thundering guitars and an insistent driving rhythm gives wings to …
Premiere: Sydney supergroup The Finalists unveil evocative video for the shimmering track ‘Hunting Knife’
Last year’s debut album ‘First’ by The Finalists (reviewed by me here) was a highly impressive entrance: I summed it up as being a collection of deeply personal songs that were heartfelt and passionate, raw and emotional, touched with humour and self reflection. We are very pleased to premiere the new video for the magnificent …
Track: New Zealand’s Voodoo Bloo unleash ‘MMA’: a caustic blast of untrammelled energy and attitude
Like a projectile from a cannon, Voodoo Bloo‘s ‘MMA’ blasts out with indiscriminate intent and an ultimate sense of hedonism and thrills. It’s wild and anarchic, visceral and unhinged and such a relentless piece of anarchy, you’ll be on pills for your nerves after one listen. And then you’ll want to play it again. Voodoo …
Track: Brisbane’s Austen releases a melody-dripping slice of pure indie pop in ‘North South East West’
Brisbane artist Austen has just released a sun-infused blast of pure indie pop in the track ‘North South East West’. Slinky instrumentation and an indelible melody serve together to create something that is vibrant and catchy while retaining an indie edge with the chunky guitars. Austen’s vocals are a delight – shining and bright during …
EP Review: Prudence releases the haunting and enigmatic EP ‘Untitled’ and announces launch gig
When he isn’t providing the bottom line for DMAs, Sydney’s Tom Crandle is Prudence – a dreamy solo project that is ethereal and shimmering. We reviewed his single ‘Heart Sways’ this time last year and Prudence has followed this with the EP ‘Untitled’: a natural progression that sees his song writing craft developing and becoming …
Album Review: The Chills deliver an emotional and shining masterpiece in ‘Scatterbrain’
Deep within the fabric of the lush material in ‘Scatterbrain’, the new album from New Zealand legends The Chills, is an indelible and poignant thread that binds the album together – wry observations on the temporality of life and the transience of existence; delivered with a poetic simplicity and compassion. It is no wonder such …
Track: Astrals releases the gorgeous, shimmering dream pop melodies of ‘Infinity Room’
Dreamy languorous vocals floating distantly above simple dappling guitars sum up the beautiful track from Sydney artist Astrals (Claire Simpson). The track evokes sunbeams and dreams with its delightfully fey vocals – wistful and distant – and indelible melodies. The track shimmers and floats in the air. Astrals says of the track: I’ve spent much …
News: Sydney’s legendary indie giants RATCAT announce 30 year anniversary gig
RATCAT will always have a special place in any indie band’s heart in Australia for the way they muscled their way into the general commercial charts in the early nineties through sheer people power and without any marketing. But then, they were so good. With an insouciant attitude, stunningly good looks, a thundering three chord …
Track: Eilish Gilligan turns up the volume with the delicious dancefloor filler ‘Up All Night’
The last time we visited Eilish Gilligan was in ‘Hospital’ – her epic EP that was a dark and sombre reflection with close and personal imagery born from the claustrophobia and anxiety of a COVID era. In her new single, ‘Up All Night’, co-written with Alex Lahey and Gab Strum (Japanese Wallpaper), Gilligan metaphorically kicks …
See: Brisbane’s iconic The Goon Sax unveil video for track ‘In The Stone’ and announce new album ‘Mirrors II’ and Australian/UK tour
Steeped in the legendary vibes of Brisbane’s proud and influential indie history, The Goon Sax are exemplary standard bearers for the new generation. They have an arch sensibility, a fey and literate approach to their music and in doing so have shrugged off any comparisons to their predecessors and contemporaries: they have forged their own …