classic and rare Australian popular music from the 1950's, 1960's. 1970's and beyond..including rock and roll, pop, beat, rock, surf and progressive, plus contemporary artists, new releases, reviews and other fun stuff
Austen recently uncovered the vibrant video for her empowering new anthem 'Money', alongside her genuinely anticipated debut EP 'Passenger Seat'. The video embodies what you see isn't what you always get, lulling viewers into a false reality. Working with director Jeff Anderson Jr, Austen explains the theme behind the clip saying "We wanted to poke fun at the “opulent” vibe, and the contrast between the way people portray themselves as cool versus the reality. It’s a combination of a dark, alluring fantasy and an underwhelming, funny reality which really sums up the whole song (and my whole personality)."
'Money' is another feather in this flourishing pop-electro artist's cap, leaving the listener feeling liberated rather than discouraged by her powerful pop prose. Dark and menacing synths rumble under Austen's infectious melody before erupting into her signature anthemic chorus full of self-empowerment and shout-ability. Consisting of five moody-electro tracks 'Passenger Seat' couples authenticity and self-love into undiluted, everyday anthems and features previously released tracks 'Too High To Cry', 'Anthem' and 'Money'.
Recently debuting with their DIY EP titled k-block, Melbourne smooth wave indie duo Verbrasco, consisting of two 19 year old Uni students Ethan Bowman and Brody Verhagen, have set out to release a collection of easy listening, spaced out songs with memorable melodies and easy going lyrics. Marty's review: Verbrasco's debut EP is a 3-track collection of beautiful, dream like tunes that have a surrounding ethereal quality and a chill effect which is easily accessible and listenable. These guys are unique and original, and certainly have a handle on creating sounds that are conceptual and creative. stream on Spotify and YouTube
Brisbane-based millennial rock band Liquid Friends recently released their debut EP entitled "Birds". The EP was recorded at Tall Poppy Studios with Nathan Woodrow engineering producing mixing and mastering. They draw influence from Blink 182, The Smith Street Band, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Courtney Barnett and The Hard Aches. The EP was originally recorded as a four piece but after parting ways with their bass player they are now are a 2 guitar, 1 drummer group with a DZ Deathrays/ Hockey Dad type pedal setup. The songs are mainly about Curtis' girlfriend Bridie who's nickname was birdie, and then it also has the double meaning of just being about girls in general, with birds being a very Australian term. Artwork was done by Curtis. They've been a band for about 2 years so the next lot of songs are already ready to be recorded and they hope to make this year a big one. facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/liquidfriendsband/
Marty's review: Liquid Friends' debut EP is a dose of high energy alternative/indie punk/grunge-rock that has attitude, confidence and is in your face from start to finish. These guys play tight and loud and know how to get their message across. They deserve attention and will certainly receive it with this impressive debut.
Sydney-based indie rock group CREO recently released their debut EP ‘Subtitles For X, Y, Z’, five hard-hitting tracks of gripping indie-rock - engineered and produced by Nathan Sheehy (Dune Rats, Birds of Tokyo, Bluejuice). Harnessing structure and dynamics with finesse, the band inhabit songs and make them breathe. Walls of intricate guitars meld with strong rhythmic sections and the endearing vocals of front man Jorjee Haman, to deliver a compelling maiden record. Haman describes the creative process behind the record – “The making of this EP was a very cathartic experience. We decided from day dot that we were going to make a record that would encapsulate the journey we’ve had as a band and young adults to date. So, we allowed the songs to be driven emotionally. I touch on things like my desperation to achieve and prove myself, the constant struggle to find my feet throughout my twenties, and the pressures of juggling an aspiring career as an artist with the (sometimes) burdening responsibilities that come with growing up. To be honest, nutting it all out allowed us to process some of the shit we’ve struggled with, not only as a group but personally”.
The band have also revealed the accompanying music video for the title track - directed and shot by Rod Enriquez at an abandoned and burnt-down school in Western Sydney. Keeping in line with the themes of the song, the location choice aims to capture an apocalyptic-like aesthetic.
“The song is all about escaping the constraints our mind sets on us. The apocalyptic setting is meant to be symbolic of the maze that are those thoughts, and I'm trying to find my way out of it” - says Haman. Since its release, the song has garnered strong support from the likes of triple j, community radio, worldwide tastemaker blogs and Spotify via their ‘Rock Out’ and ‘Local Noise’ play lists.
“2017 has seen this band step up their game in a huge way. I'm super impressed with what they're doing and this new song could fill big rooms”. – 4/5 Stars Dave Ruby Howe – triple j (AUS)
“With big drums, soaring vocal work and stadium-ready guitars, ‘Subtitles For XYZ’ isn't mucking around with its ambition”. Pilerats (AUS)
Wolves In Fashion (WiF) are a Sydney band proficient in the art of groove-rock. Made up of five quirky, sometimes charming men in their twenties, WiF fuses a plethora of different musical influences to generate sounds that are both immediately familiar yet distinctly their own. From awkward encounters with the opposite sex to lonely nights spent contemplating their mortality, the music is honest, memorable and distinctly unique.
Their Debut EP "Dance With Your Shadows" came out July 7th and was produced by Nathan Sheehy (Birds of Tokyo, Dune Rats). The first track "Moving On" has already been added to a number of Spotify/Soundcloud playlists including ndiemono(1.1 million Followers) and Spotify's Fresh Finds list as well as added to rotation on UK radio and sat in The Unearthed top 10 for over a month. FULL EP Stream HERE
