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New Music: Polyphonic Christmas

Posted in Australian, British, MpFree, Music, Polyphonic Three, radio, tagged , , , , , on December 17, 2010 | 2 Comments »

Christmas is just around the corner, music blogs throughout cyber space are churning out lists like suburban houses churn through giga-watts of neon christmassy goodness. Not to be out-done we present our choice of brand new indie music slash Christmas song goodness Polyphonic Three style. It’s true you can’t go past the classics at Christmas but these guys are giving it a shot and not in a crappy pop idol way either! Strawberry Whiplash, The Wave Pictures and a Surprise Wham cover by Florence + the Machine await you…

Strawberry Whiplash

Strawberry Whiplash

First up is a neat little track from Strawberry Whiplash, full of fuzz and buzz. In all honesty it’s perhaps not the greatest track ever form the duo who are normally superb at creating the indie equivalent to hubba bubba. The track is sweet and bubbly lo-fi music which has just enough jingle jangle winter fun to pass itself of for a Christmas song. Taken from the festively fuzzy Matinée EP which features five new tracks from the Matinée collectives most beloved artists. The Strawberry Whiplash track – Santa Needs a Holiday is available as a free mp3 nestled alongside Math & Physics Club, Bubble Gum Lemonade and Champagne Riot. Check it out, it’s better than Cliff Richard and is available free from the nice folks at Austin Town Hall

Second up on the festive Polyphonic offering are The Wave Pictures with their fun ditty ‘We dress up like snowmen’. They’re a London based trio who’ve been knocking out tunes for the last ten years or so. Veterans for the brand new music pages of norm. Like a well worn pair of sports shoes their music is grubby, slightly shabby yet it feels so good it’s hard not to like it. 3 chord indie tunes at their best, bringing it back to it, honest, bare and most basic but fun. Like Oasis before the chav’s got a hold and ruined them with their fake Burberry and really white trainers, or long forgotten groups like Octopus or Bluetones – The Wave Pictures are fun, innocent and raw, better still they’re singing Christmas hits. Nice.

Lastly I was going to post Sufjan Stevens ‘This was the worst Christmas’… it’s touted as being beautiful… I’m not entirely sure I’m feeling it? Will give it a spin on the show this weekend and see what you all think before continuing.

UPDATE:

Sorry Sufjan keep your humble Christmas twee, with soft lyrics and musing melodic charm to yourself.  We have an instant winner. I saw this online and needed to share immediately. Florence + the Machine singing Last Christmas. The Wham anthem for all things festive, kitsch and right with the world. Florence recorded the track at the BBC for Fearne Cotton’s Radio 1. Nice one Flo

Happy Christmas people!

Peace Out!

Peace Out!

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Interview with Two Hours Traffic

Posted in Canadian, MpFree, tagged on December 5, 2010 | 1 Comment »

Two Hours Traffic

Two Hours Traffic

Canadian quartet Two Hours Traffic have been supporting the  Jezzabels as they tour the nation. The final gig was today was up in Brisbane and both bands have been receiving rapturous reviews and praise for their on-stage performances. Blazing guitar riffs loaded with fiery pop melodies put the in the same fields as Weezer and The Go-Betweens happily stoking the flames of Canada’s musical uprising.

Two Hours Traffic have come of age with their latest album Territory, after their previous album Little Jabs gained nominations and turned heads around the world. Territory, their third offering, has earned Two Hours Traffic spots on the O.C and (Tim’s favourite) Gossip Girl.  WE were able to send them a bunch of questions which Liam, the founder, vocalists and guitarist kindly answered:

What bands have had an impact on forming your Band’s sound?
We had a gig playing mostly cover songs when we first started out, so I guess we learned a lot from how those songs were put together.  We played songs by many artists, including the Pixies, Radiohead, Spoon and Beck.  It was just the stuff we were listening to at the time, and it helped shape our own writing style.

Was there a specific moment or turning point when you decided to go for it as a band?
We started playing in University, and after we graduated we had a big decision to make: continue on as a part-time group or try to make a career out of it.  We decided to give it a shot and we moved up to Toronto and eventually secured a label and manager.  I wouldn’t say we have a ‘career’ just yet, but we’re still going strong.

Three albums in, a bunch of nominations & awards tied in with heaps of recommendations, as a band you seem to have found your way, kept your sanity and still had a lot of fun along the way… What keeps you going?
Creating new music is what keeps us motivated.  It can be very exciting. We love writing songs and we take pride in it.  Of course, the other ‘best part’ is hitting the road and playing for a room full of people who are dancing and singing along to your tunes.  This certainly doesn’t happen all the time, but it’s beautiful when it does.

Where’s next after Australia?
We go back to Canada soon and we are planning on doing a lot of writing in the next few months.  We are planning on doing a short US tour in February, but aside from that we will be focusing on new material.

As you’re coming to the end of the Aussie leg of this tour what’s been the high point?
Our show in Sydney at the Gaelic House was a highlight.  It was a fantastic stage to play on and there was a great atmosphere in the room.  I also have to mention the three nights we did in Melbourne at the East Brunswick Club…we were treated very well by the staff and we did our damndest to win over a few of the Jezabels’ faithful.

Have there been any ‘Walk of Shame’ moments you’d like to share on this tour… (Or in general)
We are a very PG band and therefore our road stories are too embarrassing to mention; embarrassing in that they are incredibly boring and completely free from rock star excesses.

Have you had much of a chance to enjoy the fruits of the local music scene whilst being on tour, and stand out acts?
We have been exposed to a wealth of great Australian music.  We were lucky enough to catch Dan Kelly opening up for Dappled Cities and both acts were fantastic.  We have also picked up albums by the Triffids and You Am I.  I cannot forget the Jezabels either – they are truly a magical act to watch and I’m not just saying that because we are on tour with them.

Quick fire round:
First album – something by Raffi, probably “baby beluga”
Book that changed my life – sirens of titan by Kurt Vonnegut
Favorite film - life with mikey starring Michael J. Fox

Two Hours Traffic’s third album Territory is out now and the new single is yours for free right here: twohourstraffic.com

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New Music: Polyphonic Three 27th Nov

Posted in Australian, MpFree, Music, Polyphonic Three, tagged , , , , on December 1, 2010 | Leave a Comment »

I’ve been left to my own devices with the polyphonic three picks this week, with Tim away and no bands around to pick up slack! Eclectic as always, the Walk of shame is bringing music that’s blogged about to the airwaves, long before the big guys get a hold of it.

Kisses are a LA duo who are knocking out bite sizes pieces of sunshiny happy sad music… Not melancholic, or overly pop-tastic, but happy sad: Imagine Kings of Convenience beats with Belle & Sebastian’s sense of humour and you’re on the right track. Yet while either of those bands could well be pictured on a beach in Speedo’s and cardy, Kisses would no doubt be wearing those funny trunks that Italian looking guys wear. Y’know the kind of tight, huggie undies that people tend not to sit down in and perhaps have too much hair gel going on up top. They’re the sound of sunshine and Vespa’s with hot girls in bikini’s all come to mind. The first single from Kisses, Bermuda, was played a lot at pool parties everywhere so we played the follow up and it’s evidence, as if any were needed, that these guys are here for the duration. Get a free download from the official Blow Kisses website.

We feature Brisbane bands a whole lot. Accidentally mostly but there’s so much good music happening up there right now it’s just oozing over the boarder. The latest wave of bright faced musical goodness has come from Blame Ringo. Bright breezy indie pop tunes, nicely constructed and chipper lyrics bristle over 60 style guitar riffs.  We discovered them through Music for the Laundromat blog, and have since found out that their name comes from a spat with Ringo Starr’s lawyers after they initially tried to go with the name  “Goodnight Vienna” which is, apparently, the name of Ringo’s fourth studio album? So now they’re Blame Ringo… Either way these cheeky chaps have just released a brand new album and it’s pretty awesome! Grab for the bargain price of $9.99 online now! We played the single ‘I’m a Hurricane’ and we thank Ringo for forcing the name change, this is much more fun.

Treefight For Sunlight wrap up this weeks dip into brand musical goodness for your listening pleasure. Hailing from Denmark, a first for the Polyphonic Three. Sugary smooth indie pop melodies are crafted together expertly, yet none to seriously, to produce seriously catchy upbeat pop hooks. They’re out on Bella Union home of John Grant, Heidi Spencer & Alessi’s Ark with an album due out in the new year Treefight For Sunlight are overflowing with potential and well worth keeping an ear out for. Possibly the best video clip of the week above too!

There is so much new music  out now it’s hard to keep track, feel free to send us any suggestions for your picks and we’ll play them on air every Saturday on the Walk of shame.

There’s no show this weekend as we’re all at the Bondi FM warehouse party the night before so no chance of early rising… Stay in bed and avoid the rain I say… Till next time dudes!

 

Treefight for Sunlight

Treefight for Sunlight

 

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Polyphonic Three feat. Jenny & Johnny, Mr Little Jeans & Lanie Lane

Posted in MpFree, Music, Polyphonic Three, tagged , , , on November 20, 2010 | 2 Comments »

After a mini absence from the airwaves we’ve returned with three break through tunes we think you should have a little listen to. Let us know what you think and feel free to suggest any new bands from your local area you think we should be playing on the Walk of Shame.

Jenny & Johnny

Jenny & Johnny

First we feature long time friends and collaborators to each other’s music, Jenny and Johnny. She is the prolific singer songwriter from Rilo Kiley, Jenny Lewis, and he is a long time band member, boyfriend and writer, Johnathan Rice, of which not as much is said. (Tough gig)

The Album ‘I’m having fun now’ bursts full of insidiously catchy melodies bursting with pop sensibilities that betray the often acerbic lyrics. Drifting in and out of 70′s West Coast style guitars their vocals combine to create perfectly matched harmonies well suited to beach side listening. The pair have announced a couple of side shows following on from their upcoming Laneways performances in Sydney & Melbourne. Get in quick as they’ll no doubt sell out fast!  Find out more through their giant pink cassette tape or hit up their website from free MP3′s and more.

Mr. Little Jeans

Mr. Little Jeans

Next up from Norway the ever quirky Mr. Little Jeans. Highly glossed, quirky, electro charm oozes from this little bundle of musical joy. Breathless, almost whispered, vocals seductively break over filthy synths and blazing drums juxtaposing her sunshiney pop with a sinister backdrop of beats. Imagine a cross between Kylie & Lykke Li taking only the good bits and leaving behind all of the idiosyncrasies. Sixties girl groups, sunshine & lollipops all spring to mind but that’s not to belittle the little minx.   Mr. Little Jeans, real name Monica Birkene, has worked with some of the best new producers in L.A and London, writes all her own materials and plays more than a small part in their production. You can download a free track here and get  more info from her facebook page. Also of note is her version of Beyonce’s All the Single Ladies, which will be getting regular air time on The Walk of Shame just for a glimpse of the temptress that lies within Mr. Little Jeans!

Lastly and locally we have the dulcet tones of Lanie Lane. A smouldering bluesy, roosty chic from Sydney who’s carving a name for herself as a voice to be reckoned with.  Her bio describes her sound as that of “Erykah Badu singing to herself as she does the housework” and it summarises her sound perfectly.  50′s style southern belle sounds of toiling in the sunsets, tending to bee’s wax and backing key lime pies are conjured up through her latest single What I do. It reminds me of someone, I can’t quite put my finger on, like a cheekiness waiting to be set free, like an itch that can’t wait to be scratched. It’s not just the old school Billie Holiday, Nina Simone or Ella Fitzgerald comparisons that follow her online, but someone newer contemporary and popsy.  Maybe I’m missing something, but I really like this song and being a local lass am happy to play her songs as many times as necessary to help her cause. Check out her facebook page for all the info and live listings.

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Polyphonic Three 9-10-10

Posted in Australian, British, MpFree, Music, Polyphonic Three, tagged , , , , , , , , on October 13, 2010 | 1 Comment »

After a slightly troublesome morning on the wheels of steel (read laptop), our deadly duo struck gold with three brand new(ish) bands to boast and brag about on the Polyphonic Three.

First up we had some fresh Kiwi sounds from  The Naked and Famous. Summer anthems, beach parties and big festival dance halls will all strike gold with their killer single Young blood. Crazy cliché sounds that somehow sound sincere will leave you smiling, sweating and dancing with your hands sky bound every time. Classic pop at it’s best, I just wish the weather was better so we could get out there and feel it in all’s in glory. The single can be found entirely free over at Pretty Much Amazing and perhaps never has one song fit so well under their banner. Put it on, and dance yer pants off.

Israel Cannan is a young man on a mission:  “I have never wanted to wait around for some elusive big break that may or may not come. There is a whole world of people out there that will connect with what I do, I just have to find them…” And so with that armed with a friend, a video camera and a bunch of songs he set off travelling across this great land to share his music, and his tales with the world.  His debut album ‘Walk’  on which he’s  written, engineered and played every instrument on is  out now through his own label Poets Corner. Rich sounding roots music, melt under Cannan’s mahogany vocals which are as warm as treacle on a smouldering log fire.  Load up the combi and head into sunset, this guy’s got your soundtrack. It’s out now in iTunes or though his website for a real copy. Video’s and more of a flavour of what this man’s all about can be found on his YouTube channel. Go be inspired…

If things got too hot for you with Isreal Cannan then you may need to cool off in the pool.. but where is the pool or to put it another way “ou est le swimming pool” Which brings us neatly to our next artist on the Polyphonic Three “Ou Est Le Swimming Pool” (see what we did there?)
This group are a cheeky elcotro-pop style group from Camdan Town, London. They have been making ripples on the UK scene for some time now and became a huge hit on this years festival scene. The band were dealt a sudden blow earlier this year after the lead singer of the group, Charles Haddon committed suicide this August. The debut album “The Golden Year” has been released in his honour and the music shines through as a true testament to his character.  It’s available as a stream through Facebook or as a purchase through all of the normal online stores. Check it out.

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