In the early 90's, everyone dressed like that, right?
I'll Trade You TLC, For Cee-Lo Green
by Jo Michelmore
We ended on the
Red Hot Chili Peppers last week and my slight obsession with Flea's teddy bear pants. Flea. He
was always a bit crackers. That's what I like about him.
Who doesn't like a guy who likes to shove stationery in various orifices?
Who doesn't like a guy who famously played a gig with a giant light bulb on his head?
Who doesn't like a guy who likes to play bass nude?
OK, maybe not that last one, but who doesn't like a guy who looks like this in a blonde wig, a silver dress and fishnets? Look at those legs (and don't look at Anthony Kiedis' weird knees).
Oh, whatever. Get him or not, you can't deny,beside all that, he's an amazing bass player. A-may-zing. Love or hate the Chili Peppers, you can't deny Flea's incredibly talented musically inclined fingers. Which reminds
me of someone I used to know who played bass. He was kind of cute, a little bit
quirky, a little bit of a jerk and he lived in a basement that smelt a little bit like
a toilet. It's funny the things you overlook when you find someone attractive.
He may also have had a love of a certain song, which brings me to where my mind is
this week.
Waterfalls - 1995
by TLC
'Waterfalls' covered all sorts of social issues, the clip won all sorts of awards at the time and TLC were a girl group that paved the way for a whole bunch of other r'n'b and rap girls after them. They were like Destiny's Child before Destiny's Child (which one was Michelle is your guess). For me, the thing about this song is that no matter when or where I hear it, it reminds me of a jerk, even though he had nothing to do with the song itself. Speaking of jerks, you know who sings backing vocals in this song? Yep. I present you with...
F**k You - 2010
by Cee Lo Green
Yep. That guy. That guy in the pink suit, he sung backing vocals on that TLC track fifteen years earlier. Funny how, even though I am not a fan of Cee Lo Green's, he co-wrote a song that I should think of when I think of that jerk who liked 'Waterfalls' in the first place. Hey! 'Waterfalls' guy! You! Yeah you! I've had enough of you in my life soundtrack! I'm taking back 'Waterfalls' and I'm giving you that little fat man instead. Take that!
Brisbane's young talent are getting some big chances to shine over the next two months. First up there's Little BIGSOUND on July 12 and early August sees the 4 Walls Festival return to the Queensland Academy for Creative Industries. Run by Youth Music Industries, the all ages event is put together and promoted by young peeps for young peeps. Notice my use of 'peeps' suggests I am in fact not a young person, but that doesn't mean I'm not hip to what the young kids are doing these days... right? Probably shouldn't have said 'hip'.
This year there's a focus on bands that showcase the best Brisbane's emerging music scene has to offer. Cub Scouts are having huge year, winning fans all over the world with tracks like 'Told You So' and 'Pool'. Jeremy Neale and his multitude of pop gems will be taking one of the three stages and he'll be joined by two other acts with incredibly bright futures; Go Violets (making waves with the track 'Josie') and the energetic, electronic awesomeness of Pigeon.
4 WALLS 2013
The full line-up includes...
Cub Scouts
Jeremy Neale
Pigeon
Go Violets
Tourism
Tundra
Stephen Smith
Wilderness
Twin Haus
Sleepy Circus
The Good Sports
Surfer Cats
Chinatown Car Park
Sports Fan
The Missing
And DJ sets by...
Teen Girls
Baby Making DJs
Laroche
Buddah Bros
Sticky Lips
DJ Bodi Tree
You know what
I can’t stand? When people say “oh, to be young again.” Remember what it was
like to be under 18? Remember what it was like to be, oh even 20? I do. I hated it. It kind of sucked. I couldn’t wait to be
older. Then when I was older, I couldn’t wait to be older again, because the
older I was the further away from being young and awkward I would be. Little did I know the awkward didn't leave with age. Oh well. I had a unique way
of looking at things. Whatever. You read the blog, you already know that. You
love it.
You're under 25 now? Love it or hate it, it gets even better. It gets amazing. Just saying. Read on...
You know what
one of my least favourite things about being that young was? Gigs. I had so many
bands and musicians I loved and so many of them played 18+ venues. Everything
music was awesome, but everything seemed to be set up for people over 18, with lots of cash. Why
oh why? I loved music as much as, if not more than someone older than me (I probably
still do).
You know what
I’m jealous of? People who are under 18 now. People who are between say, 15 and 25
and live in the place I grew up, Brisbane. Fans of music who are between 15 and 25 and
live in (or near or far from) Brisbane; listen up! I present to you something fabulous!
Welcome to Little BIGSOUND!!!!!
You recognise
that name, because it’s a close relation to BIGSOUND, the massive and awesome music
extravaganza that happens across Brisbane in September, but this one is just as
impressive and you don't have to wait long for it. It’s a one day forum of all things music for creative youth who have
dreams of working in and breaking into the music industry. What that means is every aspect of the industry – we’re talking event and tour management, songwriting, marketing and
social media, photography and videos and all sorts of career paths you never knew existed. Your fave band? There’s a whole heap of people involved in getting
them to play that gig at that venue you've not been to yet.
The
most exciting part of this year’s Little BIGSOUND are the people involved; for
the first time ever I kind of wish I was under 25. I’m talking Jon Coghill from
Powderfinger, Patience Hodgson from The Grates (who is also amazing barista and
all round nice gal from The Southside Tea Room), Zoe Davis from Cub Scouts, Kahl
Wallace and Jindhu Lawrie from The Medics and Seja Vogel from Seja and
Regurgitator, among others.
Not into the actual music making part? Well then you should be listening to Sharna Krikku from the Caloundra
Music Festival, Mark Picco from the Big Pineapple Festival, Dom Miller from
Bluebeard Music (they’re the impressive peeps who look after It’s My Kind Of
Scene faves Texas Tea) or maybe a guy from BigSound itself; Graham Ashton.
Then when you
think it can’t get better, there’s actual live music to see. I know right? This
year it’s Stephen Smith, Hannah Karydas and Keep On Dancin's as well as others.
You’re
interested. I know you are and if you’re over 25 you’re jealous. Right then,
the deets. They are this:
When? Friday, July 12
Where? The Edge, Stanley Place, Cultural Centre, Southbank.
Tickets? We’ve
made this one easy for you. They're here.
You know what
I can’t stand? Being over 25 when something uber cool is designed for people younger than me.
Molly Contogeorge follows up 2011's Glasshouse Living with a slightly wilder outlook on Dames, an EP that finds her sitting pretty alongside the likes of Gin Wigmore and Clairy Browne. Taking on the role of femme fatale in 'Bang, Bang!' we're treated to Contogeorge's most engaging track yet. The piano line holds a sense of danger that becomes the perfect foil for the sweet and soulful voice singing about how you shot a bullet into your own head. "I didn't do it, I didn't do it, I didn't do what you did to yourself," is her line of defense before she throws down (with a whole bunch of attitude) that, "the truth of the matter is I don't know who the real shooter is."
Contogeorge develops a taste for a 'Bad Boy' on the second song, that seemingly balances pop, jazz and an excellent RnB-ish bridge. A 60s girl group inspired ending which sees the word 'bad' constantly repeated in the background as our starlet breaks it down and shows off her vocal range is Dames' standout moment. We arrive at the ballad 'Brother' (written by Contogeorge's mother, Catherine McSoriley), which offers us a welcome moment to catch our breath and focus our attention on just how enjoyable Contogeorge's voice really is. Despite her young age, she confidently sells the emotion the lyrics would evoke in writing. "Age has passed since I saw you last, I can see that you've grown in the time on your own."
We arrive at the final number and it's the title track, 'Dames'. Immediately grabbing your attention with a simple piano motif and the line, "shrinking violets never looked so good, they never looked as good as her." 'Dames' is full of snappy lyrics that had me coming back for more to make sure I caught them all. Contogeorge will receive a lot of deserved attention for her voice and the music, but she deserves applause for showing she continues to grow as a songwriter too. Much like Glasshouse Living, the Dames EP tells us that Molly Contogeorge has a bright future ahead. Her sound is different, but not alienating. Just because the music is quite 'smart' doesn't mean there aren't catchy pop hooks and lyrics to sing along to. There are. And they're pretty awesome. Also, we might have to look into bringing in a special award at the end of the year for 'Best Cover Art.' That Dames image cracks me up every time!
Matt Bond gives the Dames EP four Shirley Manson heads out of five...
Tennis Court
by Lorde
EP: The Love Club (out now)
'Tennis Court' is the hotly anticipated single from Kiwi sensation
Lorde. After the success of chart topper 'Royals' I was excited to see
what would follow. Suffice to say I'm still in love with Lorde.
'Tennis
Court' proves that Lorde has staying power. And although I will admit
it doesn't drive me to obsession like 'Royals' did, it's still an
incredibly catchy song.
The video clip is hypotonic, although
initially I felt afraid. Lorde stares into the camera only saying 'yeah'
at points throughout the song. Personally I find it refreshing to see a
clip without booty shaking hos in every frame.
My own personal
test of a song is whether or not it makes me nod my head. Did 'Tennis
Court' pass the nod test? You betcha! There was even a little shoulder
popping.
Katie Langley gives 'Tennis Court' four Lady Gaga heads out of five...
Glitter And Gold
by Little Daylight
EP: Tunnel Vision (August, 2013)
Little Daylight are two guys and a girl from Brooklyn who are creating all sorts of hype amongst people who like to talk about music. We like to talk about music, so let's add to that. They feature on our top 25 this week and their track 'Glitter And Gold' proves why there's so much hype; it's adorable, full of addictive synths and catchy beats. It's electro pop with a smile, a song I can't help but bounce along to. Little Daylight is a name you're going to have to get used to hearing, with their debut EP to be released in August, if all their tracks are this gorgeous, the hype is going to quickly turn into lots and lots of fans. I'm already one of them.
Jo Michelmore gives 'Glitter And Gold' four Lady Gaga heads out of five...
Bind Me
by ETML
While we're on the talking about 'hype', let me introduce you to ETML, an 18 year old Londoner who seems to have impressed a lot of people on the magical world of the internet recently. His track 'Bind Me' is four minutes of what one would label electro/house/garage, but labels are so boring, let's put this in real life situations. You're either going to consider it cafe music to be played while you're waiting for your coffee at your favourite caffeine dispensing outlet or you're going to absolutely love it, probably download it and dance, lots. Me? I can see it sitting in either part of my life, I do love coffee but I also like to dance every now and then, so it fits nicely.
As for the clip, it's something you'll want to watch the entire way through because there's going to be someone you know who dances like someone in there (for me, I'm sure I could know the guy in front of The Clash poster). 'Bind Me' is not life changing, but it's a nice piece of electro goodness that is more than welcome in my collection.
Jo Michelmore gives 'Bind Me' three Kylie heads out of five...
St Clarity
by The Paper Kites
Album: States (August, 2013)
The Paper Kites have developed a dedicated following over the past couple of years. Their ethereal and calming music makes you feel like you're in a beautiful dream that you never want to end. That hasn't changed on 'St Clarity', the first single to be lifted from their upcoming debut album States. Existing somewhere in the middle of overwhelming joy and crushing heartbreak, here we have a song that puts you under a near four minutes spell. Each time I listen to 'St Clarity' I feel like I get just that little bit more lost in it. I honestly don't see how anyone will be able to resist its charms, especially when watching director Natasha Pincus' uplifting/engrossing/tearjerk-ing clip that accompanies the track. The Paper Kites are elevating themselves to another level with 'St Clarity'. Consider this a sure thing for end of year charts the world over. And here's hoping (like their track 'Featherstone) they get some more Grey's Anatomy exposure. This is exactly the kind of song I can see myself crying to while Dr. Bailey delivers a deeply personal/highly inappropriate-for-a-doctor monologue/breakdown scene.
Matt Bond gives 'St Clarity' five Nick Cave heads out of five...
What You Want
by Haarlo
EP: Dreamlands (July, 2013)
‘What You Want’ is a new track released by Australian “Dream-pop”
duo, Haarlo. I don’t know what dream-pop is exactly, though it sounds an
awful lot like some of my fave electronica/trip-hop acts hailing from
the nineties (think Supreme Beings Of Leisure, Thievery Corporation). If
your thing is soulful, smoldering vocals and tight production that
simply glides, then ‘What You Want’ is a plate serving smooth, silky,
dark, down-tempo goodness. It’s probably just me but these sweet, laid
back tunes make me want to break into some sexy interpretive
dance, draped in black chiffon.
Haarlo are multi-instrumentalist
and producer Jono Steer and vocalist/co-writer Stacey Gardiner who
conspire to create the sparse, dreamy, beat heavy arrangements of ‘What
You Want’ with Gardiner's vocals soaring high and landing light. I know
I’m onto something good when music gives me full body chills. Haarlo,
I’ll be watching you.
Nayt Housman gives 'What You Want' four Roisin Murphy heads out of five...
Keep an eye and ear out for Haarlo’s first EP Dreamlands being launched 11 July 2013 - the Northcote social club, Melbourne.
NEW MUSIC VIDEOS OF THE WEEK:
Bring The Noize
by M.I.A
Album: Matangi (TBA, 2013)
I love 'Bring The Noize'. Love it. It's not just that it's good, catchy music... it's kinda dangerous and she's rapping like a maniac and just saying f*ck you to everyone. And I like that. In a visual capacity, following in the footsteps of 'Bad Girls' (It's My Kind of Scene Video of the Year, 2012) was going to be no easy feat. M.I.A steps up to the plate and knocks another one out of the park. She's got a knack for creating clips that perfectly match the tone of the music, making the listening experience even better. Girl looks good with pink hair too. M.I.A cops a lot of criticism for not playing within the expected confinements of today's female rapper. Look at the YouTube comments (for your daily reminder that people are just the worst) and see the constant comparisons to Nicki Minaj (ha!). The bestest music is a reaction to the world around the artist. M.I.A tends to extend her vision a little further than most; an easy feat I suppose, given the close proximity to war throughout her young pre-London life. The video blends hip hop and dance with the reality of war. 'Bring The Noize' delivers the goods. It's not quite as excellent as 'Bad Girls', but hey... there's still some time left in 2013 and this is only our second taste of Matangi. Bring more noise!
Matt Bond gives the video for Bring The Noize four Missy Elliott heads out of five...
Despair
by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Album: Mosquito (out now)
I want to write a thousand words about this clip and this song, about the meanings behind the imagery and the story of the Yeah Yeah Yeah's. I want to write a thousand words about the lyrics that mean so much and I know are going to remain some of my favourites of all time. I want to write a thousand words about how I wish I was Karen O the rockstar, how I wish I was as talented as Nick Zinner or lived the musician's lifestyle of Brian Chase. I want to write a thousand words about the intensity of this clip perfectly matching the power of the song. I want to write a thousand words...but ultimately, my words don't mean much. This is a clip you need to see yourself. You'll either get it or you won't. I want to write a thousand words about how some clips you get and some songs get you, but a thousand words can't begin to describe this clip, or this song. Only one really works for me. Love.
Jo Michelmore gives 'Despair' five Karen O heads out of five...
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