Music news

Tegan and Sara are coming to Australia. When I found this out I was more than excited. I was ridiculously excited. I must have been hiding under a rock when the sisterly duo came out in February of this year . . . but my prayers have been answered and they have returned, just for me (or so I like to tell myself). It's funny when reading interviews about the girls, many of the interviewers like to refer to their sexuality. It's true, they are both lesbians but are very comfortable about it. The thing that amazed me though is I was in love with their music for over two years without even knowing this 'fact'. They want to be known for their music, not for which way they swing. Their music is raw, it's detailed, and it connects with those who let it, even if they don't understand its intended meaning. Tegan and Sara are somewhat hidden gems. You can see them shining next month promoting their new album The Con, stopping for gigs in Fremantle, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Rest assured if you're at the Sydney gig, somewhere in the front seating section, you will be seeing me. I will be the one with their tee-shirt on, singing loudly and proudly and 'woooooo-ing' for a prolonged period of time at the end of every song! Oh Bless <3

Bondi progressive-rock trio COG have released their new single, “What If” nationally.It’s punchy, melodic and thought-provoking, thematically recalling Lennon’s 1971 utopian anthem, “Imagine”.
Unlike many songs that appeal for change in the world, “What if” takes a few listens to appreciate; it’s not damning or overly preachy (ala “Dear Mr President”) but rather optimistic and down-to-earth, and before long, the simplicity of vocalist Flynn Gower’s lyrics becomes strikingly effective.Don’t expect to hear it on mainstream radio anytime soon (or anytime at all), but check out their Myspace page for a listen.Cog are currently touring Australia to coincide with the single’s launch.

 So, you remember that young girl that held Jake Gyllenhaal's hand throughout a series of some rather phantasmagoric happenings in Donnie Darko? annnnd, er, she kinda got run over?...ah. Anyway, Jena Malone is that same said actor, and she's just fine now. Trust me.
Since her time sharing the screen with the broken backed one she's done pretty alright for herself. Recently in favour at Sundance 2007, for her turn in the indie flick The Go Getter with Zooey Deschanel (awesomeness), she's also got a couple of top roles nestling nicely in some Hollywood post production suites.
What you mayn't know, however, is that she's also got this cool, off kilter folk group called Jena Malone and Her Bloodstains (amazing name huh?). Inspired by Animal Collective and the buzzing freak-outs of Atlantan flower-punks Deerhunter and Black Lips it's totally kooky stuff. But man it's great. She's even roped in the drummer from Blues Explosion. Dear friends in high places...  Actor/Songstresses Jennifer Lopez and Mandy Moore, eat yer heart out I say.

You may not have previously given it much thought, but it sucks to be a Bornean Orangutan right now. Thanks largely to the corrupted logging of the Borneo rainforest (the orang-utan’s “protected” home), there are now only 20.000 left in existence and experts believe we will be witnessing the animal’s extinction within the next ten years. The Borneo Orangutan survival foundation (B.O.S) was set up in 1990 to “raise funds and educate the local people on issues vital to the survival of the orang-utan and the forest eco-systems”. On Wednesday 5th December, some of Sydney’s best musical acts and party-starters will be “raising money, raising awareness and raising the roof’ for B.O.S. Bamboo Banger will kick off summer with performances from soft tigers and APSCI, plus DJ set’s from the Bumblebeez, Jaime Doom, Anna Lunoe and more. Each person through the door equals three-square meters of Borneo rainforest protected from logging, on behalf of B.O.S. Tell your friends then!

Get your rocks off to LIARS at the Bloomsbury Ballroom on December 3^rd! SUPERSWEET.org. has come of age in the UK and wants to celebrate their digital, musical genesis with you at this hotly anticipated launch party. As a firm advocate for the magazine, I promise you all a genuinely fantastic night, with a fashion show for the first 60 entrants, followed up by dancing, drinking, Prinzhorn live act & Liars Headlining… et all interspersed with 3 glorious DJ sets by our very own Cooper Temple & Raaaaaary Deci Hells. Not to forget folks that this is all under the roof of a stunning Art-Deco Ballroom. For tickets, go to www.supersweet.org and knock yourself out.

 

We all know shoegaze is back in a big way. Bands left, right and centre are layering their tunes with waves of otherworldly pedal effects. And so they should. It sounds amazing!
For all those drone masters out there with their eyes cast eternally downward though, here's a little, um, heads up. If you haven't heard, the band that helped define the movement and gave you raison d' etre have returned. The one and only......let me just catch my breath here... My Bloody Valentine are to reform. Booked for Coachella 2008, wow, they are also set to release a brand 'new' album before the year's out. Touted to be made up of material worked on circa 1995 and a few recent extras, the band claim it'll take up where their seminal Loveless left off. Listen and learn, kids.