10 and 1 - Reasons To Go Splendouring In The Grass

SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2013:

10 MUST-SEE ACTS

Well, the Splendour in The Grass lineup has been announced and it promises three days of musical highs and musical lows. For the low, low price of $350 (plus a $9 booking fee, plus $99 for camping [plus a $6 booking fee], plus an undisclosed amount to obtain a parking permit if you're taking a car, plus you can offset your freaking carbon emissions for $3 a ticket - thank you for flying Splendour air) you get to enjoy the new permanent festival home at North Byron Parklands, some of the best new Australian acts, a handful of incredible established Aussie heroes, some international heavyweights, the company of your friends (if you so have any) and the company of a bunch of either a) hipster music snob fairies, or b) a bunch of wankers that will spend all of Friday complaining about how they are ready to see Mumford and Sons because "they did real good like on the triple Jays!" before seeing them live and complaining about what a boring way to finish the night they were. Substitute Mumford and Sons with The National on Saturday and Of Monsters and Men on Sunday. I've got nothing bad to say about Frank Ocean. 

You've got your heart set on going to Splendour In The Grass in 2013? Well here's ten acts I'd highly recommend you take the time to see. Ten reasons why you should go to Splendour. As is the tradition of the '10 and 1,' I'll leave you with one reason you shouldn't. Enjoy. 

THE 10:

Friday 26 July...

Cub Scouts

This will be the funnest way to kick off your festival experience. Cub Scouts and their dreamy, indie goodness will bring a smile to your dial as they bop around the stage to infectious tracks like 'Told You So' and 'Pool.' There's even a chance they'll wear those synchronised swimming outfits from the 'Pool' video. But I doubt it, because it's winter in July and that would be crazy. Just crazy.

 

Clairy Browne and The Bangin' Rackettes

So you want to have fun? I mean, real fun, where you get to have a dance and laugh and enjoy the sounds of talented musicians playing real life instruments and a singer with a booming voice a la Winehouse. There's three ridiculously fun back-up singers/groovers and shakers too. Oh, and there's sequined outfits and big hair and more old time charm than you crazy dubstep kids could shake a stick at.

HAIM

The BBC Sound of 2013 comes to Australia's shores in July and you can be sure the Haim sisters are going to go out of their way to deliver a festival stopping performance. Often described as Fleetwood Mac with a 90s R&B twist, HAIM have already been named the next big thing and you don't want to miss being part of the show where they could truly break on through (to the other side?). 

Saturday 27 July...

MS MR

You can already expect the rush to see MS MR to be huge. Triple J have been firmly behind this New York duo, Game of Thrones fans hold a special place in their hearts for them and they have a reputation for bringing their A-game to festival shows. Get excited; like Lana Del Rey last year, MS MR could offer the the most surreal crowd experience in 2013.

 Sarah Blasko

It's Sarah Blasko. Sometimes you don't need to sell someone, their performances sell themselves. 

The Polyphonic Spree

Normally I wouldn't encourage this sort of thing, but they're doing The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I repeat, The Polyphonic Spree are performing The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Did I say MS MR would offer a surreal crowd experience? Go ahead to this. If you're lucky, there'll be some old dude dragging up the place Frank'N'Furter style. 

Bernard Fanning

Powderfinger may be no more, but Bernard Fanning is ready to get back on the solo horse. Already widely acknowledged to be one of the best live performers Australia has to offer, Splendour will be the perfect chance to warm up to the sounds of his second solo album. Expect it to kick all kinds of butt. 

Sunday 28 July...

 The Jungle Giants

Brisbane music is the best! Woo! Anyway, these guys (and gal) are the bomb. Jump around to 'She's A Riot' and 'You've Got Something' and say hello to your new favourite band. 

The Presets

Even though this is their 75th appearance at Splendour in The Grass, The Presets still offer the greatest live music experience. No, no just in Australia. Yes, possibly in the entire world. Except for The Flaming Lips, but they kinda cheat with the whole giant hand lasers and giant balloons that appear out of nowhere and the giant hamster ball Coyne runs over the crowd in. What were we talking about?

Frank Ocean

Do I think he's an exciting way to bring a three day music festival to an end? Not particularly, but Frank Ocean is one of the greatest singers and songwriters to emerge in the past couple of years and it's expected he'll provide a masterclass is music performance so all in all, it's not the worst way to end your Splendour 2013.  

THE 1:

 Fat Freddy's Drop

Just kidding (but not really)... it's actually,

$350, plus a $9 booking fee, plus $99 for camping (plus a $6 booking fee), plus an undisclosed amount to obtain a parking permit if you're taking a car, plus you can offset your freaking carbon emissions for $3 a ticket.

Which almost sounds like a Fiona Apple album title, yeah? No, you're right... it's much too short. I stand by my belief that Splendour is way too overpriced. Even if you carpool, you're still looking at over $500 per person to camp. Coachella this year had Blur, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Phoenix, The Stone Roses, The xx, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Vampire Weekend and a host of Splendour acts like James Blake, Passion Pit and Robert DeLong. It's a four day festival and it costs $349 USD for entry and camping (I'm assuming plus booking fees). It had the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Blur. Splendour has The National and Mumford and Sons. Yeah. 

Brace yourself, for Splendour is coming. While it's definitely going to be worth the ticket price, the question remains - should we have to pay that much? What are your thoughts - in or out for Splendour In The Grass 2013? 

   

Listen Or Die? #10 - Brilliant Corners...

Listen Or Die? Our weekly examination of the albums listed in the book, 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. Must you hear them? We'll be the judge of that...

BRILLIANT CORNERS

by Thelonious Monk (1957)

Running Time: 43:08

1. Brilliant Corners

2. Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are

3. Pannonica

4. I Surrender Dear

5. Bemsha Swing

While I know the man's name, I can't say I've ever taken the time to listen to Thelonious Monk. That all changes tonight as I listen to the jazz pianist and composer's album, Brilliant Corners. The idea of listening to another 50s instrumental music album isn't exactly making me scream, "BEST TUESDAY EVER," but open heart, open ears... que sera sera or something. Let's do this, so I can see if you should give it a listen as well or just wander through life thinking Thelonious Monk is the title character of the Tony Shalhoub television series, Monk. It's plausible. Do you know anyone who actually watched Monk? 

(Excuse me for forty-three minutes, as I listen to Brilliant Corners)

Now, I've made it no secret that 50s instrumental jazz holds no special place in my heart, but Thelonious Monk... his music might have slightly softened that once hard stance. Recording not with an orchestra like his contemporaries (Duke Ellington and Count Basie), but with a smaller jazz band spares the listener from being bombarded with too much at any given time and it works. It works quite well. You can focus your attention on Monk's brilliant piano work and single out Ernie Henry on the alto sax when listening to the album opener and title track, 'Brilliant Corners.' We're also treated to a piano solo from Monk on the album's most memorable track, the beautiful ballad 'I Surrender Dear.'

At just over thirteen minutes, you'd be forgiven for reaching for the skip button after reaching the halfway mark in 'Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba Lue-Are,' but getting to the downward mood-altering 'Pannonica' that follows is worth it. At times the 'Bemsha Swing' sounds like a big jam, by which I mean a bunch of muso's just doing whatever they feel like without any real sense of cohesion. However, these are minor negatives. The good outweighs the bad, three excellent tracks to two average ones and on that ratio I'd say you're good to give Brilliant Corners a LISTEN. 

The tally...

LISTEN - 4

DIE - 6 

New Music Monday #49

Roll It In EP
by Brothers Grim and The Blue Murders (2013)





 

There’s a certain swagger to Brothers Grim and The Blue Murders that makes them easy to love. Their songs pack a dirty blues punch straight to the heart. And the band’s recently released EP, Roll It In is no exception – it’s a sexy party from start to finish. James, Matt, Stephen and Dominic are the perfect hosts kicking off proceedings with the toe tapping 'Been A While'. The lights are dim and the whisky is flowing. At least, that’s how it should be when you’re listening to this song! The party is in full effect for 'Ease On In,' with its hypnotic charms causing involuntary hip thrusts and circles. James’ husky growls only add fuel to the fire.

By the time the EP’s final track, 'Baby Girl' is reached there’s no question that it’s time to dance. And the boys give plenty of opportunity for hair twirling, head nodding and booty shaking. Like all good parties you wish there was more time and that you could continue the fun all over again. Never fear, Brothers Grim and The Blue Murders are providing plenty of whisky drinking opportunities after announcing a number of tour dates across the country in the coming months.

Katie Langley gives the Roll It In EP a 'never to be seen again' four howling wolves out of five...

Get Lucky

by Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams

Album: Random Access Memories (21 May, 2013)

 

When you adore an act and wait eight years for a new track (soundtracks and scores aren't counted - I'm looking at you Tron Legacy), it's hard to press play. What if it sucks? It was likely something from Daft Punk wasn't going to suck, but whether I love it or not is a whole other story. I held my breath and pressed play. I was met with the sounds of a disco inspired track, which sounds more actual disco than inspired and shouldn't be surprising, considering the awesome guitar of Nile Rodgers, who played with disco heroes Sister Sledge in the 70's. Pharrell Williams' familiar voice sings the earwom inducing lyrics "we're up all night for good fun, we're up all night to get lucky," and even though the track is more disco than electronic, the typical Daft Punk touches are included, which fans will be happy with. Me? I'm not so sure I love the robots becoming more human. Do I love it? No. Do I hate it? No, definitley not. Will I love it in three weeks time? Probably. Will it become one of my fave Daft Punk tracks? Probably not. How much am I looking forward to the rest of 'Random Access Memories'? Lots. How many times am I going to play this track until May 21? Lots.

Jo Michelmore gives 'Get Lucky' three Kylie heads out of five... 

Howl

by Hamish Anderson

EP: Hamish Anderson (19 April, 2013)

Aussie rock meets American blues on 'Howl,' the first track to be released from emerging Melbourne artist, Hamish Anderson's upcoming self-titled EP. Contemporary comparisons could be made to The Black Keys and Matt Corby, but there's a distinctive quality in Anderson's voice that ensures he has his own unique stamp to put on this blend of rock, blues and soul. There's an attitude in lines like, "from the break of day, until the fall of night, burning with the fire, that only you ignite," that Anderson carries with the kind of sex appeal you'd expect from a Michael Hutchence or Lenny Kravitz. This mix of blues-infused rock and charisma should take him far.

Matt Bond gives 'Howl' four Kurt Cobain heads out of five...

NEW MUSIC VIDEO OF THE WEEK:

Back 2 The Wild

by Basement Jaxx

Album: TBA (???, 2013)

I have no idea what I just watched... but I like it. You can always count on Basement Jaxx for a visually appealing music video and they haven't disappointed with 'Back 2 The Wild.' Its use of bright vivid colour and animal paraphernalia match the fun, upbeat and ridiculous music and lyrics, making the song much more appealing. Which it needs to; 'Back 2 The Wild,' while not terrible and probably taking on a back-to-basics approach, is sadly not Basement Jaxx's best work.

Matt Bond gives the 'Back 2 The Wild' video three Britney heads out of five...

     

 

 

Top 25 - 21 April, 2013

Ella Hooper!

Songs of the Week, 21/04/13 from itsmykindofscene on 8tracks Radio.

1. Ella Hooper - Haxan (NEW)

2. Pigeon - Encounters (NEW)
3. Crystal Fighters - Wave
4. Buchanan - Human Spring (NEW)

5. Jessie Ware - Imagine It Was Us (NEW)
6. China Doll - She Don't Need To Know
7. Lissie - Shameless
8. Wolf Alice - Bros (NEW)
9. Curxes - Further Still

10. Talib Kweli ft. Miguel - Come Here
11. The Growl - Liarbird (NEW)

12. Chvrches - Now Is Not The Time (NEW)

13. Owl Eyes - Nightswim
14. Queens of the Stone Age - My God Is The Sun

15. Empire of the Sun - Alive (NEW)
16. The Knocks ft. St Lucia - Modern Hearts (NEW)
17. Banks - Before I Ever Met You (NEW)
18. Little Boots - Broken Record
19. Big Scary - Luck Now (NEW)
20. Kid Cudi ft. HAIM - Red Eye

21. Basement Jaxx - Back To The Wild (NEW)

22. Susanne Sundfor - White Foxes (NEW)
23. Bastille - Laura Palmer (NEW)
24. Amanda Palmer - The Thing About Things
25. Fe - Let It Go (NEW)

Gig Review - The Griswolds

The Griswolds

X&Y Bar, Brisbane (12/04/13)

Review by Jo Michelmore

Pics by Nayt Housman

I walked in the doors of the X&Y a little confused on Friday night. I felt like I was going to a festival, having an intense bag search before I walked in, which was interesting, considering my bag was the size of maybe two envelopes…and was incredibly fabulous, as was the rest of my clothing, but that’s another story. Maybe that’s why they searched it, they just wanted to see the awesome fabric lining….oh wait, I’m not reviewing my style here, so I digress. Anyway, after being frisked, I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but like I don't like judging a book by its cover (this is a riduculous saying, who does that anyway?) so I learnt not to judge a gig by its bouncers and sauntered on in.

The Oceanics

The first band I caught, Oceanics, are a four piece from the Gold Coast and one I wish I’d seen a long before Friday night. Playing tracks from their EP ‘Bright People’ and hopefully some that will appear on their full length album at some stage, they filled X&Y with a full sound and tight melodies; they had remnants of the best of 90’s brit pop, with some American 60's surf images popping up every now and then, all bright guitars and fun beats. Their set is full of sway along rhythms and punchy pop and a set I’d be more than happy to have seen much more of. Thirty minutes was not enough for this much great. 

Some time for free soft drink and people watching when The Griswolds appeared quicker than I expected. This made for a fun time trying to squeeze through the incredibly small and packed dance floor in front of the stage. After two or three songs I managed to make it to the front, where I found what was a little Griswold’s following in the form of a devoted indie girl audience. This was unexpected, interesting and somewhat distracting, I don’t necessarily go to a gig to avoid the splashing beverages of drunk girls beside me and to watch them fawning over a guitarist and pawing at the lead singer, like twelve year olds after 1D, but after a song or two and time to focus on the band on stage, I realised this was a group of musicians that were good. Really good. Really, really good.  

They play through a set that involves the crowd pleaser 'Heart Of A Lion' and the song that named the tour they were playing; ‘The Courtship Of Summer Preasley’ and they also cracked out a couple of covers, mashing together The Jackson's ‘Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough, Regurgitator’s ‘The Song Formerly Known As’ and Ben E King's ‘Stand By Me’. It’s an interesting choice of songs, but one’s that works incredibly well together and ones the band clearly enjoy playing. The crowd singalong during 'Stand By Me' is less sing along and more random humming, but the band seem to love it nonetheless. As soon as the covers are finished, they launch straight into their own tracks with as much energy as ever and a bunch of beautiful giant smiles.

 The Griswolds

I've said it so many times, I go to see a band to be entertained, so I expect to be entertained and it is such a pleasure to watch a band who are clearly enjoying themselves, a band who play their material like it's the first time they've hit a stage, with huge smiles and eyes closed, they're a band who seem to have a lot of fun and actually, genuinely enjoy what they do. If this is the show The Griswolds play all the time, this is a band I'd be happy to see again and again and again. In fact, where are you Griswolds? Come back, immediately.....!