Music news
Seattle has quite the illustrious history when it comes to indie music. Let us not forget the 90's grunge movement's alternate tag of "The Seattle Sound"? And that particular era birthed Subpop Records, i.e, indie lifestyle brand and rasion de'etre for iPods of alt-kids around the world. More recently, the port city has layed claim to two more wonderful music exports; Tiny Vipers and Fleet foxes. The stage name of singer/songwriter Jesy Fortino, Tiny Vipers relies on minimal guitar chords and Fortino's remarkable voice (one with a slight Beth Orton quality) to create the most melodic, emotive and quietly epic music your likely to ever cry to after a bad break-up. Tiny Vipers released her first full length album, Hands Across the Void, through - you guessed it - Subpop late last year. Another sweet sweet Subpop signing is Fleet Foxes. With three out of five band members sporting the shaggy hair and Jesus beard combo and all exhibiting a penchant for plaid. Fleet Foxes are begging for a hippie tag but instead play the most wonderful brand of harmonic pop that's reminiscent of the Beach Boys or Crosby, Stills and Nash. Fleet Foxes released their debut album earlier this month.
As you may well know, Converse recently turned 100. Rather than being satisfied with a slice of jam roll, a sherry and a letter from the Queen, the iconic footwear label created the "Converse Century" campaign that you see above. However (as interesting as seeing various cultural "icons" lined up like a human paper-chains is) this is only a small part of the campaign. Three Artists, One Song is a collaboration between Converse and some of the world's most favourite, Hype Machine approved musicians. Julian Casablancas, Pharrell and Santogold are the first three artists to collectively attempt the one song. The track is called "My Drive Thru" and you can hear it here. Other musicians and Converse fans we can expect to hear from include Eleanor Friedberger of the Fiery Furnaces, Kid Sister, MGMT, Deerhunter, YACHT, Atlas Sound and Does It Offend You, Yeah? If only I could get these bands to play my birthday!
Alice In Wonderland, allegedly the result of an opium induced state of euphoria, just got a little trippier. With every man and his dog getting in on Alice mania as of late (Marilyn Manson and Tim Burton are each recreating their own Wonderland, and two certain newlywed pop stars had a whole Alice in Wonderland themed wedding), budding photographer/DJ Nick Bertke (alias Pogo) has remixed sounds clips from the 1951 animation and created a four track album of electro-Disney madness. Experience Alice in Wonderland as you never have before via Last FM.
Wow, how had I not heard of this band before now? Tame Impala are from Perth and used to go by name The Dee Dee Dums (until they decided it was Dee Dee
Dumb. Tee hee hee). Monikers aside, the band consists of three shaggy-haired young men who make the best fuzzed-out. funked-up pyschedelic Rock and Roll I've heard coming out of Australia, or anywhere, in a long time. If your one of those people who swear they were born in the wrong generation; who couldn't say who Justice is but could rattle off the date of every single released by Cream or the Electric Prunes then you will love love love this band.
Oh those crazy MGMT kids! What with their post-apocolyptic fantasies and stoner sensibilities and propensity for headscarves and waaaay F***ed up videos. They are the real deal man; even before they had a five-album deal Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden were signing off on clips that only the most THC addled minds could conceive - click here and here for evidence (p,s these two tracks are waaaay different from the MGMT you're used to). Now the world's favourite band have done it again with the clip for "Electric Feel"; a Prince-esq, psych-groove that was one of the stand-outs from debut album Oracular Spectacular. Think Midsummer Nights Dream x Lord of the Flies x a Williamsburg club-nite and you're just about there.
Presented by Levity Records (the label behind Cut off Your Hands and Mercy Arms) in association with YEN; "Levity Nights" is your new Thursday night go-to for a cold beer and some most excellent independent music. Held at Surry Hills' fantastic - and reputedly haunted- Hollywood Hotel, Levity Nights kicked off last week with Sydney band The Holidays as well as resident DJ's Vivienne Kingswood and PHDJ (of Purple Sneakers fame). This week the headliner torch is in the hand of DJ Sleater Brockman; a prolific young man who's had residency at every club-night worth it's cover charge and who's spun tracks with the likes of Diplo, MIA and Bond Do Role. Levity nights is on tonight from 8pm and is five clams on the door.
It's not uncommon to hear Armageddon-esque cries by music enthusiasts who claim the end of the Sydney independent scene is imminent. And it's up-and-coming bands like The Small Hours that immediately disprove any such pessimism. The fresh faced ensemble of Western Suburbs gents produce a quality of sound well beyond their years; dreamy, melancholy layers of synthesised reverberations punctuated only by the clean, crisp vocals of frontman Mark Smithers. Immersed in the nostalgic musings of suburbia, they explore issues of youth and companionship via thought-provoking imagery, which is often devestating without being maudlin. Songs like
Arks embody an evocative lyrical intimacy that is characteristic of the band's self-relavatory musings. The Sydney music scene isn't in shatters, it's only just blooming.
Sydney-siders can check out The Small Hours, Bird Automatic and Parades on Thursday 5th June, 8pm at Hopetoun Hotel.
