Music news

YEN, in associtation with Triple J, Home & Hosed and Street Press Australia, are proud to present Holly Throsby's A Loud Call tour. Holly is one of Australia's finest female performers and for A Loud Call (her third studio album) has teamed up with musical luminaries such as US artists Lambchop and Will Oldham (aka, Mr Bonnie Prince Billy). Throsby's tour Kicks off in Alice Springs on August 22 beforte exploring all the wee nooks and crannies of Australia. Keep an eye on YEN presents for further tour dates.

A 14 week experiment in cold beer and excellent local music, Levity Nights is on again tonight, Thursday July 24. Headlining the DJ booth this week is Simon Carter, of critically acclaimed Sydney band The Cops -  a guy who I imagine as having a pretty solid record collection. Levity nights is $5 on the door, so head to the Hollywood Hotel from 8pm

Say what you will about Crosstown Rebels boss Damian Lazarus, but one thing is for certain: he knows a good tune when he hears one. His recent, snazzily named ‘Lazpod 08’ podcast takes all the nicest bits from his recent trip to Latin America and juxtaposes the political differences between the old and new, rhythmic and lethargic, electronic and organic. I’ve got it on heavy rotation, though it may also have something to do with the fact that fav Peruvian producer, Matias Aguayo’s, electronic Rumba of a track ‘Minimal’ appears 4mins in. Or perhaps it’s the fact that someone has finally sung the praises of impassioned, potent, political and unwaveringly beautiful voice that is Argentine singer Mercedes Sosa. Google away.

Is it just me or does Natalie Portman always appear on the verge of tears? As you may know, the perenially moist-eyed beauty has been going steady with freak-folker and women's lingerie fan, Devendra Banhart, for a while now. As all talented couples eventually do (John and Yoko, Spike and Karen/Sofia, Jordan and Peter) the two have teamed up creatively (and follicly?) for Banhart's latest video. Entitled Carmentsita the single has a bit of a 60's Punjab-pop flavour to it (p.s if you have never listened to any Indian discoe music before then you must!!! )and the video has been crafted as some sort of homemade, Bollywood spectacular - complete with Barnhart as our love-struck hero and Portman the wistful princess.

OK, so I have to admit that upon first listening to Scarlett Johansson's debut album, Anywhere I Lay my Head featuring a collection of Tom Wait's covers, my first reaction was 'why imitate perfection?'.
To be quite honest, her voice seemed dull, flat, monotonous and I really wasn't that into it.
But on second take, let's have a think about who she's covering for a second.
Tom Waits is hardly the most incredible singer of all time. His husky voice doesn't really venture into the many of the various upper and lower ranges of the music spectrum.
So really, when you think about it, when covering his songs, there isn't too much variety in the melody to work with, which means Scarlett really did capture the essence of each song considering what she had to work with.
So with that in mind, the actress turned songstress has worked genuis on this collection.
To be honest, it was really after reading an interview with her written by the formidable April Long of Nylon magazine, that I was quietly converted.
The shy, whimsical Hollywood glamour actually has an underground, indie cool about her.
The album was recorded in Louisiana with none other than producer Dave Sitek of TV On the Radio fame and starred Nick Zinner of Yeah Yeah Yeah's and Celebration's Sean Antanaitis to deliver a hit small scale studio supergroup.
AND to add even further cred, David Bowie deemed the album `mystical and twice cool' on his website after adding back-up vocals to two of the album's tracks.
Here's the first single, you be the judge.

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British India are back with their joyous blend of urgent alt-rock, and they've just unleashed their second album, Thieves. They're currently gallivanting around the nation on a frenetic tour, which includes Byron Bay's Splendour in the Grass. Thieves is out now through Flashpoint/Shock. The raw, poignant "Said I’m Sorry" is the first single from the album; enjoy its video.

 

The falling, flailing, climbing, screaming fire ball that is NZ's Cut off you Hands return to tour Australian shores this week. Joined by exciting new act, Violent Soho, COYH will be spruiking their latest single "Expectations"; showing crowds why their considered on of Australasia's best live acts with a performance honed by recent tours in Europe and the US. the Expectations kicks off this Thursday, July 24 at Adelaide's Rocket Bar. Other dates are:
Friday 25th July  at the Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Saturday 26th July, Transit Bar, Canberra
Sunday 27th July, XrayspeX (Matinee: all ages) + Headline show that evening, Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
Friday 1st August, Amplifier Bar, Perth
Tickets available from moshtix or the venue.