Half Moon Run

Indie folksters Half Moon Run seem to attract good press where ever they go. Unsurprisingly for the Montreal trio the same thing seems to be unfolding here in Australia. After playing Woodford, Peats Ridge and a string of smaller gigs up and down the coast  it’s easy to understand why The NME called Half Moon Run “one of the most important bands débuting an album this year.”

Their minimal but textured sound fizzes and bubbles under serene melodies and heart crunching lyrics; often rising to surface of their live shows adding to the much talked about buzz.

Sydney folk can catch Half Moon Run this week playing at The Standard. Which is, by the way, an awesome venue space in Surry Hills!

Check out their Band Camp page for details of their upcoming début Dark Eyes out soon

Thom Yorke via Dazed & Confused

Those lucky buggers at Dazed & Confused have gone a got themselves a big bundle of magical remixes by Thom York & Nigel Godrich. Created specifically for the D&C mag the collection contains unreleased versions of tracks from Radiohead’s The King Of Limbs and brand new project, Atoms For Peace, combined with a  sprinkling of unreleased Thom Yorke solo material.

The Thom Yorke fronted, Atoms for Peace, will be releasing their much anticipated long player, Amok, on 26th Feb via XL Recordings. You can pre-order a copy via their site here.

Via Dazed & Confused

44th Sunset

Since kicking off the blog postings this year with Perth act, 44th Sunset, I thought I’d try and find out a bit more about this group for us all. Nik Thompson, the bands lead singer & guitarist took a little time out after playing the mighty Southbound festival to let me on the frustrations of being young and in Perth.

First up – How was Southbound?

Southbound was wicked! I turned 18 on the day that we played so it was the best birthday I’ve ever had! …Also the first show I’ve ever been able to drink my rider haha!  

Through your own bio 44th Sunset have drawn comparisons to Cage the Elephant, Arcade Fire, Group Love the Pixies and Nick Cave how do all these differing strands come together to make your sound.

It’s kind of like songs written by Nick Cave, Arcade Fire and Grouplove performed by Cage the Elephant and Iggy. Though it’s not really that cut and dry. I’m not very good at explaining influences. 

A fair bit has been mentioned about Nik’s age – How does this impact the band. Is it annoying, or just one of those things (lazy bloggers like myself recycle)…

It’s irritating when it influences peoples opinions of our performances or tracks. But if it’s just being used as something to talk about, I don’t really mind, I’m just used to it. It amuses the band a bit though, since most of the guys have been over age for quite a while. One of my biggest aims during shows is to avoid being thought of as a ‘school band.’ I really hate that title. I tend to go a little Iggy Pop on people when I can see on their faces that they’re judging us because of the age…. I should really stop that though….

How is the Perth music scene?  Over here on the East coast we’re pretty self contained in our local musical outlook. 

The Perth music scene is good in some ways, but is also a pain in the ass. There’s some great bands doing their thing over here, a lot of suppressed frustration as well I think. That frustration makes some wicked music and some great shows. But it’s pretty small and there’s enough little feuds that you could make a decent soap out of it. Actually, that’s a wicked idea! 

Is there another Perth band you look forward to playing with most – Or take most inspiration from currently?

Well, I’m really looking forward to playing with the Love Junkies, because they are really, really good. If you get the chance to see the Love Junkies, see them,they’re awesome. We recently did a show with the Brow Horn Orchestra and I want to do another really bad, (last time I was too young to be able to party with them afterwards!)

    Oh and Abbe May!

           …And The Panics!

Sorry, I kind of hi-jacked that question, I got a little excited.

 Looking further afield, who’s your top 3 artists to watch for the year ahead?

Watch the Brow Horn Orchestra, Alt-J, Cloud Nothings and someone should come to a 44th show

…I don’t think that’s what you meant in your question, but I always make really bad calls about who will catch on and who won’t haha.

Lastly With your current single going pretty strong what’s next for the band? Any plans for a Sydney tour? 

Dancing. And sleeping a bit too. We’ll be releasing our ‘Boa Constrictor Hat’ EP really soon and then hopefully we’ll tour it. We’re actually just in the middle of trying to sort out a plan for this year at the moment. There’s definitely plans to be playing at as many places as we, (and our parents,) can afford to get to. 

Thanks a lot for the interest,
Nik

Find out more from 44th Sunset via their website & tune into yours truly every Saturday morning on Bondi FM to hear their  music. 

Them Swoops

OK – so it’s technically not that new any more, but that doesn’t stop it being that amazing.  Fuzzy indie dance music is something that gets done well here in Australia and Them Swoops from Melbourne are a mighty fine example of Aussies doing it well.

The band was formed by Dave McGann and Chris Goff in early 2012 after working on a bunch of blissed out, electro-indie, pop  music–they  formally released their first single, Work around it, at the tail end of last year. The band quickly racked up air time both home and away, rampantly racing up the top twenty most request songs on US radio in November.

After playing only a handful of live shows they have quickly amassed a strong following among the industry and it’s peers. Fasterlouder gushed: ”Frontman Dave McGann led the four piece with an effortless, charming swagger that would rival Jagger”… Them boy’s got swag!

Check out the the clip for Work around it below and lemme know what you think in the comments below

Pulp – After You (image BBC Radio 6 Music)

Determined to go out on a high note—Pulp have released their first single in ten years. ‘After you’ a new recording of a demo from the year 2000 was finalised on-board the SS Coachella.  James Murphy  from LCD Soundsystem  was at the helm during production, breathing new life into the track which was released on Christmas day 2012. Cocker’s awkward wit and dry humor that characterise his songs is surfaced up once again in ‘After You’ a track that is sure to gain to widespread pick up.

Having reformed to play a string of successful European shows in 2011 Jarvis Cocker lead his band of merry men aboard the floating festival for what many are predicting to be a last hoorah.

Some of my formative teenage years were spent bopping along to Pulp in many an indie disco and have managed to see them play live a few times which were always enjoyed. And while we never did meet up in the year 2000 it’s good to meet the band here 13years on.

If you’re a fan of Jarvis Cocker check out his Sunday Service show on BBC Radio 6 Music for musings, poetry and cool laid back tunes from the Sheffield superstar.

44th Sunset

Welcome back to a brand new year of top tunes and good times on The Walk of Shame. I’m kicking off this little blog-a-log off with a Perth Group 44th Sunset:

Young as he may be, Nik Thompson, brings talent beyond his years to the group as lead vocalist, songwriter and guitarist, talents which are expertly demonstrated on their latest single Ceaser. The song has been bubbling around for a month or two now scoring a high rotation on the J and getting strong pick up around the trendiest playlists online.

The home made clip, underlines the energy that seems to flow from 44th Sunset like the sugary drop from a lemonade icy pole. Deliciously refreshing and full of musical goodness keep your ears peeled for this mob as they look set to make 2013 a big one.

Check out the interview with lead singer Nik here.

Bluesfest 2013

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better Bluesfest Byron Bay, have added yet more amazing musicians to their lists.

Headlining this announcement is no other than Grammy winning singer/songwriter Jason Mraz whose song ‘I’m Yours’ has captured the hearts of millions of people across the globe.

To add to this Manu Chao and his band La Ventura have been included in the ever expanding line up described as one of the most charismatic and energetic musicians around today. His anti-Globalisation and Anti Free Trade stance has won him legions of fans around the world.

Already headlining the Dream Bluesfest Line-up are Paul Simon, Robert Plant presents Sensational, Space Shifters, Santana, Ben Harper, Steve Miller Band, Iggy & The Stooges, Wilco, Rodriquez, Chris Isaak, Roger Hodgson from Supertramp and so, so many more.

Secure your Bluesfest tickets on bluesfest.com.au or by phoning the office on 02 66885

Tokyo Denmark Sweden

Sydney trio, Tokyo Denmark Sweden, burst onto the scene late last year and have since blazed an electro-pop trail into the hearts and minds of indie dance fanciers around Australia. After the success of their debut single, Little Quarters, their latest tune, When It Breaks, has been added to triple j, Unearthed and Radar as well as receiving love on community radio stations like ours around the nation.

I caught up with Tom from the band to discuss the Sydney music scene, life on the road and the upcoming tour dates.

Sydneysiders can catch Tokyo Denmark Sweden at Peat’s Ridge over the New Year or at the Beresford on the 6th Jan.

For more things Tokyo Denmark Sweden head their facebook page to find out more, and tune into the Walk of Shame next week on Bondi fm to hear their sounds.

Interview was first broadcast on the Saturday Walk of Shame 8th December 2012. Recorded live in a phone conversation at Rose Bay Beach, NSW.

Go ahead – Like the shit out of it!

Evile Eddie

Evil Eddie, a name synonymous with the DIY ethic, classic beats with a pop edge, and all out fun, has been holed up in his own studio for the past year or so, tinkering away like a mad professor and putting the final touches on his debut opus. Now, as Eddie emerges from the lab, he is ready to show the world what he’s been hiding with his crowd funded body of work, Welcome To Flavour Country. Evil Eddie will be showcasing the new tunes in Sydney’s iconic Annandale Hotel TONIGHT as he wraps up the NSW leg of his tour.

His latest single Golden age is a classic blend of beats, samples and pure hop hop magic as he weaves lyrics round the undeniably catchy melody. Check out the tune below and tune into the show this Saturday for more Evil Eddie tunes!

Head to the Evil Eddie website for more info, awesome digital downloads and more news!

The girls are working with Matthew Redlich (Ball Park Music, Emma Louise) to produce their forthcoming EP due for release in 2013. With plenty of clips on YouTube, including possible the Dizzee Rascal  cover ever, there’s plenty more to explore ahead of that release. Stay up to date with the band by hitting like on their FB page… or stay tuned to the WoS where we’ll be keeping an eye on this musical treat.