backseat downunder
Album Review: The Grogans release the swagger and the rush of ‘Find Me A Cloud’, ahead of UK/European tour
‘Find Me A Cloud’ is The Grogans‘ fourth album, and it shows a band that is willing to push sonic boundaries and explore a range of sounds, all grounded in a common thread of insouciance and swagger. The band says of the album: ‘Find Me A Cloud’ has felt a little different from other albums …
Live Review & Gallery: SXSW Sydney, Young Henry’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus 181023
Tumbalong Park has been transformed into an incredible live music venue as part of the inaugural SXSW Sydney this week. The sun was out and so were music fans, all raring to see what this Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus proudly sponsored by Young Henry’s was all about. “Young Henrys Rock & Roll Circus is a …
News: Meanjin/Brisbane artist Rinse announces new EP ‘Sinker’ and asks ‘Does The World Even See Me?’ in shimmering new single, with live dates ahead.
Rinse – the nom de plume of the multi-talented Joe Agius is a firm favourite of ours here at Backseat Mafia’s antipodean outpost – his 2021 EP ‘Wherever I Am’ has a permanent placement on the turntable. Creating a palpable frisson of excitement here in the offices, Rinse has just announced a follow up EP …
Track: A Swift Farewell return with another thumping emotive track ‘Like This (I Don’t Wanna Die)’
Following a rejuvenation and a welcome return with ‘Sorry’ earlier this year, Eora/Sydney band A Swift Farewell return to say hello with new track ‘Like This (I Don’t Wanna Die)’. With their thumping quiet/loud sound and yearning vocals, the band prove they are in form and as always, the band’s collective hearts are on their …
Track: New Zealand’s incomparable Office Dog are off the leash with new track and video ‘Gleam’ ahead of northern hemisphere release of debut album ‘Spiel’.
There is a lot of justified hype about the New Zealand band Office Dog, signed to the legendary Flying Nun label in the southern hemisphere and with genetic roots to that mecca of indie music, Dunedin. Having expanded their horizons by signing to northern hemisphere label New West Records and releasing their single ‘Big Air’ last month, the band …
Live Gallery + Review: Melbourne’s The Woodland Hunters album launch at The Union Hotel, Brunswick 14.10.2023
The Woodland Hunters launched their fourth album, Small Mercies with much aplomb to an adoring audience at The Union Hotel in Brunswick (Melbourne/naarm) on Saturday evening. Making their way through two sets, the band played the album in its’ entirety before finishing up in the second set with a treasure trove of songs from their …
Live Review and Gallery: Fazerdaze, Enmore Theatre, Sydney, 15/10/2023
I can’t deny my adulation of New Zealand’s Fazerdaze (the project of Amelia Murray) ever since the release of the album ‘Morningside’ on one of my favourite labels, Flying Nun Records back in 2017. I wrote at the time that ‘Morningside’ …reminded (me) of The Jesus and Mary Chain in the album’s delivery – sweet …
Live Review & Gallery: The Ethereal Tia Gostelow at The Lansdowne Hotel -13.10.23, Sydney
Sydney’s iconic Lansdowne Hotel was the scene for a remarkable evening of magic as Tia Gostelow brought her ‘Head Noise’ tour to town. The night, which featured supporting acts Dennis and Pixie, was an eagerly awaited celebration of Tia’s musical journey and her recently released album ‘Head Noise’. Tia Gostelow, an indie powerhouse with Yuwi …
Premiere: The iridescent moonsea may be a little ‘Sensitive’ but her new single is an anthemic pop delight, carried on her celestial vocals.
We are very honoured to premiere today the new single ‘Sensitive’ from Naarm/Melbourne-based indie-pop artist moonsea (Cecilia Xu). Xu’s vocals are radiant – a gossamer presence that floats in the ether, tendrils of silk that weave their way through the delicate melodies and instrumentation. An underlying hint of wry pathos and self-deprecating humour burnishes the …
Track: Jet City Sports Club Releases Dreamy Single ‘My Everything’
Jet City Sports Club is back at it again, proving their prowess in crafting indie-pop perfection with their latest single, ‘My Everything.’ Hailing from Sydney, this band has been steadily climbing the ranks, and ‘My Everything’ is a testament to their musical evolution. The track starts with a dreamy ambience, setting the stage for lead …