A Good Four More: Twin Haus - Street Chant - Verge Collection - San Mei

Twin Haus - I Used To Think.

Background words - Recently signed to Brisbane indie label, Bedlam Records, Twin Haus now look to their fourth successful national run this April, bringing an energetic and mesmerising live show to stages around Australia.

The band’s diverse brand of psychedelic and ambient rock has recently seen them perform in support of acts such as; Tonstartssbandht (USA), Viet Cong (CAN), Dune Rats, Millions, Gang of Youths, Tijuana Cartel and The Medics, to name a few.

2015 saw them headline Brisbane’s renowned Psych Night, perform at Port Macquarie’s Festival of the Sun, as well their most recent single ‘I Used to Think’ premiered on Rolling Stone Australia which continues to receive attention nation-wide from the likes of Triple J, FBi, Triple R, PBS Melbourne and 4ZZZ.

The band’s awaited follow up EP ‘Nothing Lavish' recorded by Steve Kempnich and produced by ARIA award-winning producer Tim G Carr, is scheduled for full release March 2016.

One of four songs on the EP 'I Used To Think' has also gained a lot of attention as a single. The band drift across genres and styles that loosely can be described as Psych orientated. The featured song gives a glimpse of the diversity in sound and also the potential of this band. I will leave you to decide on any comparisons, however the creativity alone deserves full credit, as does the beauty in their sounds.

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Street Chant - Insides.

Background promo - In a post-internet era of short attention spans and jarring sonic changeability, the consistent tone and content of Auckland three-piece Street Chant is as refreshing as their songs are unsettling. Following a half-decade that’s seen them tour internationally in support of bands as acclaimed as The Lemonheads, The Dead Weather and The 3Ds, as well as multiple trips to SXSW, CMJ and Big Sound, the very-long- awaited release of second full-length Hauora on iconic New Zealand indie Flying Nun finds the band picking up where their lauded, New Zealand Music Award-winning debut Means (2010, Arch Hill) left off.

Set to be released on 1 April 2016, Hauora is a compact, energised and complex set of songs plumbing the intriguing depths of the Urban New Zealand Condition in the early 21st century. From the Saturday night booze binges of Sink to the petty shared-house bleakness of Pedestrian Support League, the album explores in sardonic humour and hook-laden melodies the highs and woes of creative life in Auckland City.

Street Chant’s Hauora is to be released 1st April 2016 on Flying Nun. The band are on tour in New Zealand through April and have more international dates planned for later 2016. 

'Insides' is the new single from the soon to be released 'Hauora'. The album has eleven songs of which the single shows off the punkier side of the band. There is more depth to the album, but also plenty of high energy, in your face numbers. Lively and incredibly pleasing, if you like the single, grab the album.

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Verge Collection - Class Of '09.

Background promo - "Wasn't high school hard?" Verge Collection tackle spoilt brats, the transition from adolescence to adulthood and the class divide in new single 'Class of 09'.

Following their quintessentially Aussie debut 'Our Place' - which received heavy airplay on triple j and became somewhat of a suburban summer anthem - these gents from Perth have earnt plenty of mates for their matter-of-fact lyrics and dole-wave sound.

2016 is already looking massive for Verge Collection, with some big shows on the horizon including festival slots at Groovin' The Moo and RTR FM's In The Pines, plus upcoming supports with Cold War Kids, Skeggs and plenty more soon to be announced.

'Class of 09' is the new single from the band's forthcoming debut EP Open Plan Living, scheduled for release mid-year along with national touring to follow. In the meantime, Perth & Sydneysiders can get on board the hype train for a handful of April shows.

Live Dates:
Apr 07 - Marlborough Hotel, Sydney w/ special guests
Apr 08 - World Bar, Sydney w/ special guests
Apr 09 - Captain Cook Hotel, Sydney w/ Pat Chow
Apr 13 - Mojos, Fremantle w/ Skegss
Apr 14 - 459 Bar, Perth w/ Skegss
Apr 23 - The Bird, Perth w/ Hip Priest
Apr 24 - RTR FM In The Pines, University of WA
May 07 - Groovin' The Moo, Bunbury

The newly released single 'Class Of' '09' has plenty of indie folk & rock vibes to it. Delivery is superb, there is an informal and relaxed feel and melodic hooks that dig right in!

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San Mei - Revel.

Background promo - Gold Coast based artist San Mei is set to release her new single 'Revel' April 22nd.

2014 and 2015 saw San Mei (Emily Hamilton) garner both international and local praise with her debut singles 'Wars' and 'Brighter' from taste makers NME, Indie Shuffle and Nylon Magazine tipping her as an artist to watch.

San Mei returns with 'Revel' produced by Emily and Sean Cook, (Babaganouj, Jungle Giants), and mastered by Ben Feggans (Rüfüs, Ngairre, Willow Beats, The Kite String Tangle and Dustin Tebbutt) showcasing her lush melodies, and progression beyond the bedroom and into the studio. Revel evokes the progressive-pop of Little Dragon and Ladyhawke with the guitar saunter of Mac De Marco.

'Revel' has layers of beautiful music and dreamy vocals. Atmospheric and melodic, it demonstrates just how good pop music still can be.

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Saturday Double: Joana Serrat - Jon Meadows

Joana Serrat - Tug Of War.

Background promo - Talking about Tug Of War Serrat says; "Tug of War is a song that talks about the people of my generation that once followed all the paths we were told to walk. We did obey, believing in what we've been told. At the end of this road we were supposed to find the good life and all that we end up seeing is a death land. We are going to be the first generation that won't surpass our parents."

Cross The Verge, just as its name promises, shows us another side of Joana Serrat, who so enchanted audiences on her 2014 album Dear Great Canyon. On Cross The Verge, her third album, Joana lays bare all the cracks, inconsistencies and fears that come with life, with the album revealing itself to be an especially beautiful tribute to the acknowledgement of loss and the acceptance of the uncertain.

To record this album, Joana Serrat travelled from her home in Vic, near Barcelona, to Montreal, Canada to team up with producer Howard Bilerman (Arcade Fire, The Barr Brothers) in his analogue studio, The Hotel2Tango. In the recording process Joana was joined by the likes of Gavin Gardiner (The Wooden Sky), Aaron Goldstein (Daniel Romano, City & Colour, Cowboy Junkies) and the acclaimed Canadian auto harpist and vocalist Basia Bulat. Elsewhere, Neil Halstead (Slowdive, Mojave 3) and Ryan Boldt (The Deep Dark Woods) joined Joana in two duets from two different approaches; the shimmering pop of Cloudy Heart and the wrought Americana of Black Lake.

Howard Bilerman’s approach results in Cross The Verge feeling like a natural progression and a show of real maturity. Her ability to never waste a lyric or syllable where something need be said and never miss an opportunity to breathe life into a song’s darker corners, illustrates her creative growth. Cross The Verge is a beguiling collection of songs that move with great ease between the precious evanescence of Lonely Heart Reverb, Oh, Winter Come or Flags, and the vigorous guitar sound that predominates in Desert Valley, Tug of War, and the moving Black Lake. There’s elegance in the trotting Americana rhythms of Saskatoon (Break of Dawn), I Follow You, Child and the crystalline Cloudy Heart.

This year sees a return to Primavera Sound Festival for Joana, with the festival’s El Segell del Primavera label releasing the album in Spain. Loose were quick to sign her up for the rest of the world, thereby providing Joana with her dream home for her unique talents.

'Tug Of War' opens with a rich musical texture, ideal for Joana's absorbing vocals. The songs fairly brutal message is delivered with warmth, and a sense of need to get the point over. It also suggests we are in for a real treat with her third album.

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Jon Meadows - Mojo Rising.

Background promo - From the home of innovative pop music - Nub Music - comes the New EP from self taught, Indie Rocker Jon Meadows – ‘Hymns’. Fresh from achieving a top ten album in 2015 award, Jon Meadows bridges the gap between albums with an EP of biblical proportions; 'Hymns' explodes with the anthem '1234' and reignites track after track. Standout track Mojo Rising has the grit and hard edged sound expected from Meadows whilst 'Mirror Sidewalk' shows a songwriting craft is being mastered. 

Jon Meadows released his debut album 'Escape' on Nub Country Records on the back of the success of the raw and powerfully melodic single ‘Days Like These’. Voted on of the Top 10 Albums of 2015 by the renowned reviewer Mike Koehler; From the Kasabian sounding 'Pirates and Cowgirls' to the typically Liverpudlian sounding 'Break Me In Again' and the epic ‘Velvet Sky’, this album leaves you with hooks and melodies that you will be humming day after day.

Drawing inspiration from Kurt Cobain and Elliot Smith to Josh Homme and Lee Mavers, Jon effortlessly blends styles together to complete an entertaining and promising debut. Jon has been playing guitar since the age of 15 and decided at the age of 30 to start writing songs. 3 years later he has a catalogue of over 50 songs, receiving airplay on a multitude of radio shows.  Totally self taught on the guitar, drums and bass, Jon has a passion for creating soundtracks to people’s lives and memories.

This is one feisty EP. 'Mojo Rising' typifies the raw potent power that makes every track demand some attention. It's indie rock with a 'hard edge' to borrow the expression in the promo above. The other four tracks on the EP are no less passionate, albeit one called 'Mirror Sidewalk' allows you to catch your breath and suggests that Jon has a lot more to his musical creativity.

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Another Genre Wander: Step Rockets - Gris-de-Lin - CeaseTone

Step Rockets - West Coast.

Background bio - It didn't take long for Step Rockets to take off. Their self-released single “Kisser”found its way to #1 on the Hype Machine charts just two weeks after its release despite virtually no publicity. The track has since garnered over 5.5 million plays on Spotify and catapulted the band onto the international music scene. With appearances at Firefly Festival, Summerfest, SXSW, CMJ, Canadian Music Week and a slew of other festivals and major venues across North America, Step Rockets have developed a reputation as one of the most exciting new live bands on the scene, seamlessly blending wailing guitar solos and anthemic melodies with infectious dance grooves. Step Rockets continue to push the boundaries of indie pop with unique instrumentation and progressive song writing. The band's music has been featured in TV shows and commercials, including placements in Showtime's Shameless and ABC's Cougartown.

Their music exemplifies a cosmic divergence of the past, present and future, focused around memorable melodies and powerful lyrics. The band has released a collection of popular singles including "Kisser" and“Turning Tides (By Your Side)” –as well as remixes and videos –that all lead up to their highly anticipated debut EP, Future Nature, scheduled for an early April 2016 release (on Harbour/Caroline).  Step Rockets will be on tour this spring in support of the new EP and the first single, “West Coast”.

To say that Step Rockets are on a lot of peoples radar would be a pretty big understatement. So apologies that this is my first listen to the band, but there you go. Musically 'West Coast reminds me of Duran Duran (at their best), I guess it's the upbeat nature and power of the song. It's the sort of song UK top forty radio would benefit from, if they were not seemingly always targeting the under teen age group (how about where you live?).

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Gris-de-Lin - The Kick.

Background promo - Gris-de-Lin's music combines elements of post-rock, blues and alt-folk, peppered with twisted electronics.?? 'The Kick' is Gris' first solo project and was recorded in a nursery school in Dorset where she worked with producer Cee (aka Chris Hamilton). His recent credits have included the acclaimed album by American artist Torres as well as new material by Savages off-shoot Kite Base.?? Gris also collaborated on the EP's title track with producer Clyma, previously of The Infadels.

‘The Kick’ started out as a musical improvisation combining a rugby report from the local newspaper, home-made music samples and experimentation with different instruments. In addition to Cee and Clyma's involvement, Rob Ellis (Anna Calvi/PJ Harvey producer/collaborator) played drums on ‘Fireworks Begin’.

Two tracks from the EP ‘Your Ghost’ & ‘Birthday’ will be released on hand screen-printed 7” yellow vinyl on 1st April. The 7” vinyl will include digital downloads for the whole EP. The song ‘Birthday’ is also being featured on a vinyl compilation for Record Store Day that has been curated by Radio 1 DJ Alice Levine and will be given away in Richer Sounds stores throughout the UK.

Gris-de-Lin is currently touring with Bronzerat artist Joe Gideon and drummer Jim Sclavunos (Grinderman, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Sonic Youth) promoting Joe Gideon’s new album Versa Vice. The tour runs from 15th – 30th March nationwide and follows their recent live session for Marc Riley on BBC 6 Music.

Regular visitors here, may have noted that the occasional 'alternative' song strikes home in a big way. 'The Kick is one of four songs on the EP and it's one of four songs that have really got under my skin.

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CeaseTone - The Bright Side.

Background promo - Four piece Icelandic electro-rock band will have you simply addicted to each and every one of their songs.  With mesmerising vocals, soft synths and playful guitar strums, Ceasetone packs the floor with fans who never stop dancing.  

Their single “Full CIrcle,” released in September of 2015, hit the national radio’s top charts along with the band winning All Tomorrow’s Parties festivals “Unsigned Talent Competition.” Ceastone’s fresh sounds continue to lure fans in quicker then ever and 2016 is the year to ride the waves with them.

This is a really nice song. 'The Bright Side' is full of beautiful vocals, combining with a melodic and rich musical soundtrack. It's a case of please just listen.

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Genre Wander: Robert Nix - James Edge And The Mindstep - Missing Sibling - Jake Meadows

Robert Nix - Won't Go With The Flow'.

Background promo - Robert Nix is largely recognized as an innovative alternative artist, incorporating alternative, postpunksynth, new wave, pop, classical and progressive rock into his songs and appealing to the 'intelligent alternative music fan'.

With his unique songwriting style, musical approach and distinctive haunting voice Nix stands out from the rest of the crowd.

"Once in a Blue Moon", Robert's latest release, is his 5th. The album reveals an artist dedicated to recording his own brand of song. Nix handles all aspects of the album's writing, performance and production.

OK the album was released back in January, so late to the party again! However it's such a good LP that a quick mention seems only fair. The featured song gives a hint of what's in store, expect a lot more.
 
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James Edge And The Mindstep - On A Red Horse.

About James Edge and the Mindstep - "I want to change the way people think about acoustic music and start redefining what it can be. I am pleased to have found, in Folkstock Records, a label brave enough to take on the challenge of releasing something as unusual and abrasive as On A Red Horse".

James Edge is already a studious musical maestro and a top drawer composer. The Kent-raised musician studied composition to master’s degree level under Joe Duddell - arranger for the likes of Elbow and New Order. After moving to London and starting to gig in 2006, he formed James Edge and the Mindstep to record 2010 debut album ‘In The Hills, The Cities’. The working relationships he built around this time would provide him with some dependable collaborators, including regular engineer and occasional co-producer Tom Aitkenhead, best known for his work with Laura Marling and Bloc Party. A core jazz-folk trio of Edge, double bassist Andy Waterworth and drummer Avvon Chambers materialised. Together the trio started recording second album ‘Machines He Made’ over a five day period tracking everything live and only overdubbing the backing vocals. The songs were largely unrehearsed, with band members and additional session players mostly having not heard the pieces before. This spontaneous hodgepodge has resulted in some of the most whimsical and deeply experimental music to come out of the capital in a while. The eerie acoustics of Nick Drake inform the atmospherics of much of James’s songwriting, but his sheer compositional nous - which draws on aspects of jazz, modern classical music and punk rock and roll - elevates songs like ‘On A Red Horse’ to a place far above any glib and generic categorisation. He is closer to a modern day Zappa, channelling his eccentric art through folk arrangements to create something deeply surprising, raw, and unnerving.

The On A Red Horse EP is released 15th April 2016 on Folkstock Records. An award winning independent label, they have achieved over 20 plays on BBC Radio 2, 3 and 6 Music over the last year, receiving positive Sunday Times reviews for their compilations and charting albums in The Telegraphs's Top Folk Albums of the Year for 2014 and 2015.

There is real nervous energy etched into this song. Chamber music meets folk music via all manner of directions and yet some how the whole thing ends up in a coherent and really good song.

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Missing Sibling - Mary's Rashers.

Background bio - Missing Sibling is a five-piece indie rock band from North Texas known for melodic, guitar-driven rock songs that are anthemic and sometimes melancholic, but always meant to be played loud. Their sound has been described as “a less grumpy Pixies” and like “Sleater-Kinney meets Bruce Hornsby.”

After spending 2015 playing regional shows to promote their 2015 EP, Commiserate, Missing Sibling will be expanding to national and international touring in support of their self-titled debut album, which will be out on Idol Records in April 2016.

Members: Drew Gabbert (lead vocals, guitar), Todd Walker (vocals, bass), Steph Buchanan (vocals, guitar), Kevin Buchanan (synth), Josh Hoover (drums).

There's a robust feel of  "this is our way of playing, so get over it" as Missing Sibling rip their way through 'Mary's Rashers' a song that demands the volume is notched up for your complete attention. It's a gutsy no nonsense rock'n'roll piece and it works!

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Jake Meadows - Echo Of Tomorrow (feat. Daniel Johns).

Background - Sydney artist Jake Meadows has a new track that features Daniel Johns who collaborated with him on his upcoming EP. Echo of Tomorrow is Meadows' debut single was released on March 11th

Echo of Tomorrow is a clear and honest portrait of the artist’s imprint. With Daniel Johns as an honoured collaborator, Meadows has created a modern marriage of true analog and electronic

His signature sound has been built from years of experimenting with modern electronic techniques, classical harp and rich harmonious layers has featured as part of John’s recent shows as well as with Angus & Julia Stone, Eves The Behaviour, Paul Max, Thelma Plum and many other  Australian artists.

'Echo Of Tomorrow' has layers of calming sounds and a real atmospheric feel. Vocals are a perfect fit for the music, whilst the rhythmic beat ensures the whole piece flows just right.

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L Is For An Australian Double Play: Little Coyote - Lama

Little Coyote - Neverending.

Background promo - Emerging from the sands of Sydney’s Northern Beaches, alternative-pop-rockers Little Coyote have been playing venues since their first live show at Upstairs Beresford mid-2014.

Combining thumping beats (Anto Dinh, drums) and funky resonance (Gareth Bussey, bass), with a vintage-feel 6-string twanging fluidity (Matt Coates, guitar) and powerful, rich poetics by (Judd English, vocals), Little Coyote has ripened into an ability to create quality alt- rock music with an honest lyrical content.

Their debut EP Howl was quoted as having “a healthy dose of rock that has just about the perfect amount of attitude" [Ted Rogan, The Equal Ground]. Neverending will be the lead track on Little Coyote’s second EP scheduled for release in early 2016. Written by Judd English and Anto Dinh. Neverending was recorded and mixed by Wade Keighran at Linear Studios in Leichhardt, Sydney and mastered by Steve Fallon at Sterling Studios in NYC.

Their recent show highlights included monthly residencies at The Steyne Hotel’s Moonshine for May & August 2015 including supporting The Hinds (as part of their International Tour) and headlining Next Wave Youth Concert at Manly Jazz Festival; headlining the Cancer Council’s Relay for Life charity fundraising event, and a plethora of shows across Sydney including gigs at Oxford Art Factory, The Standard, Narrabeen Sands, Spectrum, World Bar, Mona Vale Hotel, The Newtown Townie, Brighton Up Bar, Manly Food & Wine Festival and Newport Festival. Catch them live when you can. “Neverending” by Little Coyote will be released 25th of March 2016.

The opening drumbeats lead into both soaring guitar play and the distinctive vocals of Judd English. The 'alt rock' swagger is notable as 'Neverending' builds into a fine rock number.

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Lama - Wolf.

Background promo - Lama are the enigmatic 7-piece originating from Melbourne (AUS), whose unorthodox line-up dips its toe in the orchestral pool. Pitting a flute, trumpet and violin against a killer rhythm section, underneath some powerful bearded vocals, the result is exactly what you’d expect: nothing like what you’d expect. 

The new and revamped line-up is fast becoming known around the traps for their vivacious and colourful live show.

Their explosive set has proven to be acquiescent to the festival stage, with a number of Australian appearances under their belt including Strawberry Fields, Folk Rhythm and Life, Cool Summer and Brunswick Music Festival. Sporting a jazzy, psychedelic glam-rock set of tunes, Lama pack a certain whimsical absurdity as well as a punch. 

Lead singer Dave Adams takes the audience with songs of loss, anarchistic rants and psychedelic adventures - whether it be the plight of a French burlesque dancer (a fugitive from death) or an obscure primary school tale of disappearing into the grass... 

The lead single to be lifted from the bands upcoming debut album is “Wolf”, a tongue-in-cheek and candid song that, well, struts. Delving into some facetious social commentary, the themes are not to be taken too seriously. 

“‘Wolf’ started off as a political rant...now it’s just a rant” – Dave Adams (singer) The track showcases some filthy guitar riffs, punchy horns and a ballsy vocal performance, with a cheeky Hammond organ solo that comes out of nowhere. 

“Wolf” was produced by Jonathan Dreyfus (French Ave Studios) and recorded with Craig Harnath (Hot House Studios) and Nick Herrera (The Grove Studios), mixed by Craig Harnath and mastered by Tony “Jack the Bear” Mantz (Deluxe Mastering). Artwork by Sebastian White. “Wolf” by Lama will be released 8th of April 2016.

Upcoming Shows 
Sat 9th April @ The Retreat Hotel, Brunswick, VIC 
Fri 15th April @ The B.East, Brunswick, VIC
Fri 13th May @ Bar Open, Fitzroy VIC 

Lama unleash uncompromising full on, powerful rock and more, with the song 'Wolf'. The song skips genres as it develops, the power is refined by the mix of vocals and instruments, it's a cool track.

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