Whimsical lyrics, wistful vocals and the occasional banjo twang make up the sound of Primal Rumble, the newest release from Yellow Humphrey’s Gretchen Lohse. With less of a warrior-like growl and more of a breathy, melodic sigh, Lohse tells folksy stories of heartache, pining, loving and longing that are as undeniably pleasant as they are…
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Despite the evening’s sweltering heat, the Corner Hotel was almost packed by the time opening band New War took the stage. It must be difficult to open for a band with such a strong fan base, but the local four-piece seemed to take it all in their stride. Their shoegaze-synth style was an appropriate mood…
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One of alt-soul’s brightest stars, Ngaiire draws inspiration from her mother. When speaking about strength, she cites her as a role model. ‘My mother is quite a strong woman and has definite beliefs about being ambitious and getting where you need to be, regardless of circumstances. She’s got a doctorate in environmental science and is…
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Definite Blue is a remarkable first release from Melburnian Nicholas Costello, who at only 22 has a surprising maturity in his music. Sheer talent is evident from the first listen. Having previously fronted local bands, this is Costello’s first foray into the world as a solo artist and if this effort is anything to go…
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2013 produced some great music, which saw us crooning along, dancing up a storm or feeling inspired. Here’s Lip’s songs of the year! Applause – Lady Gaga ‘Not only is her music great, her video clips are a visual buffet!’ – Yalei Wang, Lip Writer Don’t Save Me – Haim ‘To me, this song is…
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Beyoncé released a surprise visual album last week and broke the internet. iTunes crashed and social media lost its collective shit. The sheer magnitude of Beyoncé’s star power is such that she doesn’t need promo. She doesn’t need to slowly drop singles one by one, or sell merchandise, or convince everyone to buy an…
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La Musique Nouveau. The New Music. A bold statement of intent. Particularly so, given The Dunes’ chosen genre. The often potentially confining sand-box of dream pop / dream gaze has historically allowed little in the way of innovation or experimentation. So does the Adelaide band’s third EP live up to the promise of its title? Opening track…
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Tasmania’s Asta was blown away by the reception she received on her East Coast tour, which took place earlier this year. ‘I’ve released three singles, but I’d been behind the scenes a lot and I haven’t really been out in the open’, she says. ‘For me, that tour was such an amazing experience because I…
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Here’s what we’re listening to at Lip this week! Ride – SLK ‘Ride’ is the debut single from SLK, an Alt-Soul singer from London, who has taken the dark and seductive R&B popularised by The Weeknd and put her own unique spin on it. ‘Ride’ is the soundtrack to a slow embrace, one that’s seductive…
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Stefani Germanotta, otherwise known as Lady Gaga, has never been shy of turning heads through her individual brand of provocation. In the past, she has worn a dress made entirely of meat, arrived at awards shows in giant eggs and worn shoes with heels so high her ability to walk has been compromised. In her…
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The annual ARIA awards took place on Sunday, with all the big names of Australian music frocking up and hitting the red carpet. Indie dance/electro goodness provider, Flume (AKA Harley Streten) took out the awards for best male artist, best dance album, breakthrough artist and producer of the year. Tame Impala won best group, best rock…
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The first sounds we hear on Oliver Wilde’s A Brief Introduction to Unnatural Light Years are pulsating vibrations, closely followed by delicate instrumentals, after which Oliver’s voice fills the spaces these sounds are creating. The lyrics are languid and the track, called ‘Curve (Good Grief)’ is a pretty good indicator of what’s to come. Previously…
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Oliver Tank’s second EP, Slow Motion Music is dramatic from the first few notes of ‘Stay’. The track, featuring the ethereal vocals of Fawn Myers, employs the use of percussion, synth and reverb to create a sonic landscape full of open spaces. Right from the outset, it is clear that this EP will be a…
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After Pony shut I vowed I would never step foot in that building again. I broke that vow last week to see Pronto play a cracking midnight set, and then again tonight for The Harpoons Melbourne Music Week jaunt. I am pleased to say that the choice to resist stubbornness based on nought but misplaced…
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