Oct 31, 2006

M. Ward and other snippets

Exciting News - M. Ward is returning to Australia in January. Already pegged to play at the Falls Festival, the Portland, Oregon based singer will play at the Metro early in the New Year. I regard "Post-War" as one of the finer records released in 2006, so i am definitely looking forward to the husky voiced singer gracing our shores again. You can read all about it here.

  • Animal Collective are playing @newtown this upcoming saturday night. Don't miss this genre breaking Brooklyn outfit.
  • I received Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin's re-release of their formerly self released debut Broom in the mail this morning from Polyvinyl Records. I will review it soon.
  • I was excited to hear a new Dappled Cities Fly track from their eagerly awaited upcoming release Granddance. You can find out more at A-Reminder.

Oct 30, 2006

My Morning Jacket

Okonokos is a testament to the greatness of My Morning Jacket as a live band. I truly love this band and this record only cements the relationship. A 2 disc set it covers a lot of last year's wonderful release Z, but still manages to delve into their back catalogue especially It Still Moves. Played with great ferocity and skill, the band has made releasing a live album worth the exercise, with Jim James remarkable vocal talents soaring on every track, particularly my favourite the closer "Mahgeetah". I had the pleasure of seeing them live at Bonnaroo in Tennessee in 2004 and it was a performance i will never forget, especially after being drenched in a fierce thunderstorm as the band played on.
You can go here for a collection of wonderful stuff.
Also here are some photos from my Bonnaroo Experience.

Oct 29, 2006

Neko Case

I recently purchased Neko Case livefromaustintx and i can highly recommend it as a must have for any fans of the great singer. Recorded for Austin City Limits in 2003 it is now only receiving a commercial release. Neko is in fine form, with her amazing soulful voice resonating through the Austin studios. Backed by a trio playing only bass, steel and banjo she includes a Dylan cover, Buckets of Rain and Maybe Sparrow which would appear on this year's excellent Fox Confessor Brings the Flood.
I bought it from Fish Records but you can also purchase it here at Amazon. Also i heard today that she could be taking her part in The New Pornographers when they tour in December.
MP3: Favorite.

Oct 28, 2006

Swan Lake

I would have to say that my most anticipated album this year will be Swan Lake's Beast Moans. As mentioned before i am a huge fan of the genius that is Spencer Krug (Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown), then combine him with Carey Mercer (Frog Eyes) and Dan Bejar (Destroyer,NewPornographers) and hopefully this is a potent mix. All Fires has been doing the rounds of many blogs and i definitely approve of that moving song.
Here is a another track to try out. I'm digging this one too. I look forward to reviewing the full record in November.
Mp3: Are You Swimming in Her Pools?

Cold War Kids - Hang Me Up To Dry

A quickie, i love this video and song, it just makes me feel like
dancing.

Oct 26, 2006

Ohbijou

I recently received the very first cd by Toronto six piece Ohbijou. Swift Feet For Troubling Times is a very fine debut. The songs were written by lead vocalist Casey Mecija who sings with her sister Jennifer. Their vocals provide an ethereal mix with the mainly orchestral music created with a variety of instruments including ukulele, banjo, glockenspiel, cello and mandolin. The music, self released, is at times melancholy but still leaves you with a nice fuzzy feeling. Another fine product from the burgeoning Ontario scene, the Mecija sisters also sung on the latest Final Fantasy record "He Poos Clouds."
Here is a track to try. Misty Eyes.
Broken Social Scene Live


The best show i think i have ever seen was Broken Social Scene back in march at the Metro. Lasting nearly 3 hours, it ran the full gamut of emotions and left me with a smile on my face that took a long time to leave. Reportedly their show at Lollapalooza this year was one of their best ever. Now thanks to Bradley's Almanac you can listen to their recent show at Brandeis University in Boston, plus a heap more stuff.

Oct 25, 2006


Band Of Horses - The Funeral

Although this song came out earlier this year, i think its worth another viewing, one of the best this year.

Oct 24, 2006

CMJ Music Marathon

This caught my eye recently, i have been to the big apple 3 times, but boy would i love to be there next week for the CMJ Music Marathon Oct 31-Nov 4. This event was a coming out party for The Arcade Fire in 2004 and these are just a few of the bands that would be great to see next week.
Aloha, Annuals, Birdmonster, The Black Angels, Bound Stems, Califone, Chin Chin Up, Cold War Kids, The Decemberists, French Kicks, Magnolia Electric Co., Plus/Minus, The Shins, Silversun Pickups, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Tapes 'n Tapes, The Thermals, Tokyo Police Club.
Here is a track i like from Bound Stems: Western Biographic.

Oct 23, 2006

Annuals

Annuals are currently receiving a lot of attention with the release of their first record "Be He Me". After hearing a few tracks on various blogs i ordered the cd last week from Ace Fu Records.
Not only was i very happy to receive it in a very prompt 3 days but i was pleased with what i heard. Annuals have been compared to quite a few bands but the one i hear the most is Animal Collective. Not that they are derivative of that great Brooklyn band but they share a free flowing and joyous style.
The stand out track for me is "The Bull and the Goat". A very fine and promising debut, its hard to believe that no one in the band is over the age of 22, given the skillful playing and intense emotions on display.
MP3: Brother.

Oct 22, 2006


The Dears - 22 The Death Of All The Romance

For those that quite rightly love Gang of Losers, here is a great video from their previous record. Great song, so sad, it still shivers up my spine everytime i hear it.

Oct 20, 2006

Modest Mouse


This is my Modest Mouse story. You know how there are bands that you have heard about in and out for several years but never got round to investigating them. Well Modest Mouse fit that bill for me. Then early 2004 i saw someone wearing their t-shirt at a My Morning Jacket show at the Gaelic Club and i thought, thats it, i need to buy some of their stuff. I bought "This is a long drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About" and "The Lonesome Crowded West" and loved both, then eventually bought everything else in their catalogue and kept wondering why i hadnt done this earlier. Then i read how a young Isaac Brock growing up in Washington had been a huge Built to Spill fan and that sealed the deal as the Boise legends are my all time favourite.
Now the exciting news, as has been reported everywhere today, they are coming to Australia. Read full details here.
A great song from "Building Nothing Out of Something"- Interstate 8.
By the way another only recently discovered band Aloha, i will write about soon.
The New Pornographers


Those purveyors of immaculately crafted pop The New Pornographers are coming to Sydney. Already booked to play at the Meredith Music Festival in Victoria they now have plans to play 2 shows in Sydney. Thanks to Onehundredscenes for the tip.
Twin Cinema was one of my favourite records of 2005, but i love everything have they done.
Go here for a list of dates.
Here is a classic from Electric Version. The Laws Have Changed.

Oct 19, 2006

Explosions in the Sky


This news has me quite excited. One of Texas' finest bands Explosions in the Sky has finished their new album. It's been too long since their latest, the epic The Earth is Not a Dead Cold Place. You can read about it here.
MP3: Your Hand in Mine.

Oct 18, 2006

The Mountain Goats


Make sure you buy a ticket when The Mountain Goats return to Sydney in January.

Who
The Mountain Goats (USA)
With
John Vanderslice (USA)
When
Saturday Jan 6
Where
Metro Theatre
624 George St City
Sydney NSW
Price
$36 + bf
Tickets
www.moshtix.com.au, ph: 9209 4614 & all moshtix retail outlets

Oct 17, 2006


Okkervil River - Kansas City (Live in Madison)

The audio is a little scratchy, but i think its still worthy for this great song.
Sunset Rubdown


Its finally here, "Shut Up I Am Dreaming", is now available in Australia on Spunk Records. I bought this record via import back in May and it has been a constant favourite since then. It became an inspiration for the name of my blog, which takes its name from a line on the last song "Shut I Am Dreaming of Places Where Lovers Have Wings", an epic song which will leave you gobsmacked. As you might know by now Sunset Rubdown started as a side project for Wolf Parade member Spencer Krug, but is now a full band in its own right. Krug really puts his stamp on this record, his unique voice makes this a memorable listen. It will take a great record to top this in 2006.
MP3: Stadiums and Shrines II

Oct 15, 2006

Sketches of Frank Gehry


Sydney's Pollack first documentary about world renowned architect Frank Gehry is a fascinating insight into the mind and life of an artistic giant.
The film is more like a conversation between two old friends. Pollack admits he knows little about architecture, but he obviously knows alot about the creative process, so we see how Gehry goes from an idea germinating in his mind to the end product. When he creates something as dazzling as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao you can see that journey is worthwhile.

Oct 13, 2006

The Decemberists


The Decemberists new album is a stunning tour de force. Following on from their 2005 release Picaresque, this new one represents their debut for Capitol Records. It opens with "The Crane Wife 3", which is a great introduction to the band's unique blend of baroque pop, folk and rock. The second track, "The Island" is a highlight, an amazing song which is divided into 3 parts and takes you on a journey through prog rock and folk. The other highlight is "The Crane Wife 1 & 2" which is a touching and superb song adapted from a japanese folk tale. Co-produced by Chris Walla, this record is a major triumph that reveals itself more after each listen. You will not be disappointed if you buy this unique and eclectic record.

Okkervil River


In early september i headed to @newtown to see austin, texas band okkervil river.
i had seen them last december at the hopetoun hotel and enjoyed them immensely. They were just as good this time around. Will Sheff is a magnetic presence on stage, he gives himself fully to every song and was in fine form this night. They opened with a new song, "The President's Dead", before going onto "No Key, No Plan"and "Lady Liberty". Another new song which made an impact was "Love to a Monster", a dark and sad song which is right up there with any of their back catalogue. I was also pleased to hear "Blanket and Crib", one of my favourites.
One of the highlights was a stunning version of "So Come Back, I'm Waiting" and then the show was topped off by playing their classic "Westfall" in the encore, which sent the audience home deeply satisfied. We now await a new record, hopefully sometime in 2007.

MP3:Westfall
Live Reviews Archive

2013
Deerhunter @ The Hi-Fi
Mikal Cronin @ Goodgod Small Club
Neutral Milk Hotel @ Enmore Theatre
Fuck Buttons @ Oxford Art Factory
Calexico @ Sydney Opera House
Laura Marling @ St Stephen's Church
You Am I @ Enmore Theatre
Dick Diver @ Red Rattler
Matthew E. White @ Sydney Opera House
Sounds Of The South @ Sydney Opera House
Kraftwerk @ Sydney Opera House
...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead @ Metro Theatre
Local Natives @ Metro Theatre
Frightened Rabbit @ Oxford Art Factory
Wilco @ Sydney Opera House
Rodriguez @ Enmore Theatre
Bruce Springsteen @ Allphones Arena
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds @ Enmore Theatre
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds @ Sydney Opera House
Father John Misty @ Metro Theatre
I'll Be Your Mirror Melbourne (Curated By ATP)
Godspeed You! Black Emperor @ Enmore Theatre
Two Gallants @ Annandale Hotel
Divine Fits @ Manning Bar
Sydney Laneway Festival 2013
The Men @ Goodgod Small Club
Woods @ Goodgod Small Club
Perfume Genius @ Famous Spiegeltent
Mount Eerie @ York St Anglican Church
Vampire Weekend @ Metro Theatre
Dirty Projectors @ Sydney Opera House
Animal Collective @ Enmore Theatre
Sharon Van Etten @ Famous Spiegeltent
Beach House @ Enmore Theatre

2012

Father John Misty @ Oxford Art Factory
Sydney Harvest Festival 2012
Grizzly Bear @ Metro Theatre
The War On Drugs @ Oxford Art Factory
Radiohead @ Sydney Entertainment Centre
Billy Bragg @ Enmore Theatre
The Paper Scissors @ The Standard
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks @ Factory Theatre
Father John Misty @ Oxford Art Factory
Jack White @ Hordern Pavilion
Jonathan Boulet @ Metro Theatre
Charge Group @ Red Rattler
Stop The Virgens @ Sydney Opera House
Planetarium (Nico Muhly, Bryce Dessner, Sufjan Stevens @ Sydney Opera House
The Mountain Goats @ Metro Theatre
Blitzen Trapper @ Oxford Art Factory
My Morning Jacket @ Enmore Theatre
Dirty Three @ Sydney Opera House
Bon Iver @ Sydney Opera House
Real Estate @ The Standard
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy @ Sydney Opera House
Ryan Adams @ Sydney Opera House
Dan Mangan @ Notes Newtown
Youth Lagoon @ Oxford Art Factory
Feist @ Enmore Theatre
Sydney Laneway Festival 2012
Girls @ Oxford Art Factory
Eleanor Friedberger @ Famous Spiegeltent
Kanye West @ Sydney Entertainment Centre
Sam Amidon @ Famous Spiegeltent
A.A. Bondy @ Idolize Spiegeltent
PJ Harvey @ State Theatre
Dan Deacon @ Keystone Festival Bar
Beirut @ Sydney Opera House
Fleet Foxes @ Sydney Opera House

2011

Explosions In The Sky @ Metro Theatre
Kurt Vile @ Oxford Art Factory
Grinderman @ Factory Theatre
Harvest Festival (Sydney)
Okkervil River @ Metro Theatre
Will Sheff @ Toff In Town
Charge Group @ Goodgod
The Paper Scissors @ Kings Cross Hotel
Sebadoh @ Metro Theatre
Grouplove @ Oxford Art Factory
Modest Mouse @ Enmore Theatre
Charge Group @ Kings Cross Hotel
The Felice Brothers @ Annandale Hotel
The Hold Steady @ Metro Theatre
The Books @ Seymour Centre
Deerhunter @ Metro Theatre
Menomena @ Factory Theatre
Sydney Laneway Festival 2011
Grinderman @ Enmore Theatre
Sufjan Stevens @ Sydney Opera House
Beach House @ Beck's Festival Bar
Owen Pallett @ Famous Spiegeltent
The National @ Enmore Theatre

2010

Built To Spill @ Metro Theatre
Tim Rogers Christmas Show @ The Vanguard
The New Pornographers @ Manning Bar
Sarah Blasko @ Enmore Theatre
Titus Andronicus @ Webster Hall
Pavement @ Rumsey Playfield
Broken Social Scene @ Metro Theatre
Frightened Rabbit @ The Factory
Laura Marling @ Metro Theatre
Dead Letter Chorus @ Sandringham Hotel
Emily Haines @ Sydney Opera House
Richmond Fontaine @ Notes Newtown
Spoon @ The Forum
Wilco @ The Factory
Wilco @ State Theatre
The Mountain Goats @ Manning Bar
The Avett Brothers @ The Factory
Pavement @ Enmore Theatre
The Dodos @ Oxford Art Factory
Frightened Rabbit @ Beach Road Hotel
Sydney Laneway Festival 2010
Dirty Three @ Enmore Theatre
The Decemberists @ Metro Theatre
Joanna Newsom @ Sydney Opera House
Grizzly Bear @ City Recital Hall (Second Night)
Grizzly Bear @ City Recital Hall
Neko Case @ City Recital Hall
Andrew Bird @ Sydney Opera House

2009

Why? @ Annandale Hotel
Akron/Family @ Annandale Hotel
Animal Collective @ Enmore Theatre
Blitzen Trapper @ Metro Theatre
Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks @ Metro Theatre
Handsome Furs @ Corner Hotel
Charge Group @ Hopetoun Hotel
Doves @ Metro Theatre
The Flaming Lips @ Hordern Pavilion
Vic Chesnutt @ The Factory
Deerhunter @ Manning Bar
The Middle East @ The Factory
Dead Letter Chorus @ Notes,Newtown
Okkervil River @ Annandale Hotel
Dan Auerbach @ The Basement
Augie March @ The Basement
Darren Hanlon @ Petersham Town Hall
Black Mountain @ Annandale Hotel
Mogwai @ Enmore Theatre
Dan Deacon @ Serial Space
Jolie Holland @ The Basement
Born Ruffians @ Oxford Art Factory
The Hold Steady @ Metro Theatre
Ani DiFranco @ Enmore Theatre
Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova @ Sydney Opera House
TV On The Radio @ Metro Theatre
My Morning Jacket @ Metro Theatre
Bon Iver @ City Recital Hall
ATP Festival Australia '09; Sydney
Bill Callahan @ Famous Spiegeltent
Dr Dog @ Beach Road Hotel
Fleet Foxes/The Dodos @ Metro Theatre
Frightened Rabbit @ Manning Bar (Purple Sneakers NYE)

2008
Dead Letter Chorus @ The Basement
Final Fantasy @ The Vanguard
The Mountain Goats @ Manning Bar
Dead Letter Chorus @ Annandale Hotel
Augie March @ Metro Theatre
Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band @ Enmore Theatre
Mount Eerie @ Paddington Uniting Church
Robert Fisher (Willard Grant Conspiracy) @ Clarendon Guesthouse
Death Cab For Cutie @ Enmore Theatre
Band Of Horses @ Metro Theatre
Cold War Kids @ Enmore Theatre
Sigur Ros @ Hordern Pavilion
Snowman/Baseball @ Annandale Hotel
Bruce Springsteen Tribute Night @ The Vanguard
The Black Keys @ Manning Bar
Basia Bulat @ The Vanguard
Dead Letter Chorus @ The Vanguard
Whitley @ Annandale Hotel
Plastic Palace Alice @ Hopetoun Hotel
Kaki King @ Oxford Art Factory
Eels @ Enmore Theatre
Modest Mouse @ Big Top, Luna Park
Patty Griffin @ Enmore Theatre
New Buffalo @ Factory Theatre
Wilco @ Enmore Theatre
Images And Memories Of The Live Music Year; So Far, So Good
Iron & Wine @ Manning Bar
Cat Power @ Enmore Theatre
Playground Weekender Festival
Beirut @ Manning Bar
2008 St Jerome's Laneway Festival
Feist @ Metro Theatre
Broken Social Scene @ Manning Bar
Okkervil River @ Manning Bar
Stars @ Spectrum
Interpol @ Hordern Pavilion
Sonic Youth @ Enmore Theatre
Explosions In The Sky @ Manning Bar
Andrew Bird (Solo) @ The Vanguard
Joanna Newsom @ Sydney Opera House
Spoon @ Annandale Hotel
The National @ City Recital Hall (Third Night)
Arcade Fire @ Enmore Theatre
The National @ City Recital Hall
Low @ Famous Spiegeltent
Sufjan Stevens @ State Theatre (Second Show)
Sufjan Stevens @ State Theatre
Andrew Bird @ Famous Spiegeltent (Second Show)
Andrew Bird @ Famous Spiegeltent
Built To Spill @ Metro Theatre

2007
Jose Gonzalez @ Enmore Theatre
Homebake Festival 2007
Patty Griffin @ Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba
The Panics/Whitley @ The Annandale Hotel
Newtown Festival
Bill Callahan @ The Factory
Darren Hanlon @ The Factory
Ben Kweller @ Gaelic Club
Cloud Control @ Oxford Art Factory
Silversun Pickups @ Annandale Hotel
The Paper Scissors @ Spectrum
Marrickville Festival
Pickathon Roots Music Festival
Wolfe Island Music Festival
Old Man River @ The Vanguard
Whiskey Go Go's @ Hopetoun Hotel
Walrus & Dead Letter Chorus @ Hopetoun Hotel
Sandwich Club @ The Loft, UTS
Dead Letter Chorus @ Hopetoun Hotel
South By Inner West Festival @ Annandale Hotel
Cold War Kids @ The Forum
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah @ Enmore Theatre
The Black Keys @ Enmore Theatre
The Dolly Rocker Movement/Richard in Your Mind/The Years @ Hopetoun Hotel
Wilco @ Enmore Theatre
The Great Escape
Augie March @ The Metro
Playground Weekender Festival
2007 Sydney Laneway Festival
Calexico @ The Basement
Adrian Klumpes/Seaworthy @ The Stone Gallery
Neko Case @ The Annandale Hotel
Andrew Bird @ The Basement
Joanna Newsom/Bill Callahan/Andrew Bird @ NIDA
Laura Veirs @ The Basement
M. Ward @ the Famous Spiegeltent
The Mountain Goats @ Metro Theatre
M. Ward and Band @ Metro Theatre
Modest Mouse @ Enmore Theatre

2006
Laura, Pivot, The Instant @ Spectrum
New Pornographers @ Gaelic Club
Tapes 'n Tapes @ Gaelic Club
Band of Horses @ Gaelic Club
Midlake @ Gaelic Club
Jason Molina @ Hopetoun Hotel
Dappled Cities Fly at Red Eye Records
Animal Collective @ newtown