My interest in Courtney Barnett was first piqued because she reminded me of fellow Melbournians, Lower Plenty. I fell swiftly in love with her music because it is strong, wry and steers clear of the ‘music for the masses, perform and grin routine’. Sometimes I Sit And Think and Sometimes I Just Sit is Courtney’s…
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There was once a troubadour named John Darnielle. As a child, he found his heroes in the ring of professional wrestling. There, fearless warriors played their part in a system of justice as black and white as the screens of the televisions upon which they appeared. Years later, that childhood fire of passion still burned bright…
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To coincide with International Women’s Day, Melbourne collective Women of Soul have released ‘Women Got Soul’, their first single available for purchase on the group’s Bandcamp page. During the month of March, all funds from the sale of the single will go to the Domestic Violence Resource Center Victoria, an invaluable organisation that will benefit…
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Those who aren’t familiar with the music of Azealia Banks will likely have seen her name somewhere on the internet. Most of her notoriety has stemmed from her ongoing beef with Iggy Azalea; a lot of which has been carried out over a series of tweets fired at each other. The rest of her notoriety…
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People are probably surprised when Leah Capelle tells them she’s 19. Not that she doesn’t look the part, but the Chicago native has a voice that carries the sorrow, heartbreak and wisdom that come with age and experience. Her debut, self titled album is a solid offering of introspective tracks, both pretty and full of…
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The Beautiful Girls’ fifth studio album, ‘Dancehall Days’ does what it claims on the box – it provides the perfect feel-good, toe-tapping music for the Australian summer. Mat McHugh’s eclectic vocals make a welcome return on the crowd-funded album, after the festival favourites’ hiatus. In the band’s down time, McHugh has been ‘’exploring a life’’…
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The Morning Birds ‘Bloom’ isn’t an album you sing along to, or even one you put on when you’re getting ready to go out for the night. It is, however, sonically compelling. ‘Bloom’ is a concept album, brought to life not just by the Californian trio, but by noted DJs from around the world. I’ve…
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It has been two and a half years since tUnE-yArDs last came to Australia, and so much has changed for the band since then. They’ve grown both musically and in number with their latest album ‘Nikki-Nack’ and punters were buzzing around the packed-out venue in anticipation of what would come. One-man band Oliver Hugh Perry,…
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I recently discovered Le Butcherettes through listening to Teri Gender Bender’s other band Bosnian Rainbows. Now, their new album ‘Cry Is For The Flies’ has been on repeat for the last month. Released on Omar Rodríguez-López’s label, Nadie Sound, the sophomore album is an evolving mix of dark 90s rock, PJ Harvey vocals and punk….
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1000 Pound Bend on Lonsdale Street in Melbourne’s CBD is packed when I arrive to chat to Fiona and Sharna of The Fabric Social, a startup born from the feminist peace movement that is currently doing the rounds on crowdfunding site, Pozible. In the backroom of the café, the opening night of the Emerging…
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Like This – Al Parkinson Al’s music will make you smile, cry or both. Whether she’s strumming her uke or a capella, stark and bluesy, Al’s performances are staggering. You’ll know what I mean if you’ve ever seen her perform ‘Story Song’. It’s the sensual blues and Johnny Cash simplicity which form the footings…
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Four years since they first exploded onto the live music scene, wowing audiences with their dirty blues beats and swampy guitar slides, San Diego duo Little Hurricane are back with their newest LP. Currently touring the States with home-grown roots heroes, John Butler Trio, Gold Fever represents the sophomore efforts of a band that has…
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When I first listened to Lowell, it was on my laptop while visiting friends in Newcastle, so predictably what I heard was terrible. Tinny laptop speakers can make a pretty bad first impression. I’m so glad that I then made the effort to listen to this substantial EP, I Killed Sara V through decent…
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If you know Taylor Momsen from Gossip Girl but aren’t familiar with The Pretty Reckless, you might be surprised to know that it’s her voice you’re hearing when you press play. She is often compared to Courtney Love, perhaps because she’s a blonde with feisty vocals and killer stage presence. The Pretty Reckless made a…
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