New Music Monday #66

Tie That Binds (EP) 

by The Hello Morning (September 2013)

When I saw The Hello Morning at BIGSOUND Live last year, I remember really liking them. I remember thinking at the time that I wanted to hear more and I wanted to see more. Like, not literally more of The Hello Morning, there's already six of them, but more of what they could do. Their self titled debut album released last year was one I grew to love, so when I got my hands on a copy of their latest EP Tie That Binds, I must admit, I was pretty darn happy. I couldn't wait to see what it was and where it took me. I wasn't prepared for how much I was going to love it and the beautiful places it took me to.


One of my favourite places to listen to music is in my car, so it seemed like the perfect place to hear The Tie That Binds first. I started the engine, put on the CD and was immediately overcome with a feeling of happy and a smile. At the very first notes of the first track; 'Tie That Binds' was a sound that had me hooked. The swinging beat, the twangy guitar, the intense vocals; this was a sound I was comfortable with and my car was the perfect place to hear it. It immediately had me nodding and clamouring to turn the volume up, this was a song made to be heard and made to be played loudly. It took me straight to happiness, I knew from this first track I was going to love wherever I ended up next. I was so very tempted to hit repeat, but then it started, track two...


"How did I ever run so long by myself?" is the question posed at the start of 'Stay Awake' and the deep, solid drumbeats at the start were enough keep me listening and see where else these fabulous musicians were going. They took me to long drives and open roads and they took me a place completely by myself, where I got a little lost in the melody and a little lost in my own thoughts. I love music that does that, I love songs that ebb and flow and allow me to be lost until the end. I was jolted back to truth and the reality of driving with the opening line of track three; "age doesn't make you smarter, just gives you more time to regret..." but it was a line that made me wonder where the six band members; Steven, Matthew, Dave, Joe, David and Matt were headed to next. I'm going to admit when I saw them play late last year I was bewildered by the amount of band members, I was sure they could maybe lose one or two and still be awesome, but 'The Closer' proved that every single member is important, the sound of each of them so strong and so rich, so many instruments layered upon each other makes for an incredibly energetic yet solid song. The sudden ending of track three had me wondering where they could possibly end an already awesome EP. The end was a place I wasn't ready for but fell in love with completely.


I had no idea the impact 'Jackson' was going to have. A cover of Johnny Cash and June Carter's incredible tale of a couple longing for more from their relationship, this is the song that got me, right how music should. I literally stopped my car in the dark and listened to this three times in a row and I've done the same countless times since. From the tingles on the back of my neck to the goosebumps on my fingertips, The Hello Morning's version of this beautifully heartbreaking tale is breathtaking. With guest vocalist Ali Barter starting the converstaion, the restrained instruments are a departure from the rest of the EP and it's the incredible vocal play of the smooth, delicate voice of Ali's against the slightly husky and heartfelt vocal of Steve Clifford that really make an imapct. If you get to the three minute mark and haven't felt your heart beat a little slower and your eyes get a little watery then listen again. And again. And again...until you get it. This is what beautiful, honest music sounds like. I don't know where Jackson is, but if it's where The Hello Morning are going to be hanging out, then I'm going to Jackson and I ain't ever comin' back.

Jo Michelmore gives 'The Tie That Binds' five Michael Hutchence heads out of five...

I'll Wait
by Bebe Black
EP: Deathwish (out now)

Who is Bebe Black? This new Brit talent is something of a mystery right now, but the track ‘I’ll Wait’ promises big things are coming her way. “Didn’t take the test that I was supposed to, didn’t turn up when I know that I was meant to.” A moody, atmospheric intro builds and builds towards the chorus, with Black showing off some gorgeous vocal skills. There’s something incredibly appealing about ‘I’ll Wait’ and I think that very soon we’re going to be finding out a whole lot more about this Bebe Black.

Matt Bond gives 'I'll Wait' three Kylie heads out of five...

Everything

by Nine Inch Nails

Album: Hesitation Marks (September 3, 2013)

What is going on here? While I feel like a little part of the angry teenage me has been lost forever, I feel like the party pop teenage me is really happy and jumping about quite excitedly. This is certainly not what I expected from Trent and friends as the latest NIN release, but, well, while it's not amazingly great, it's also not bad either. I can't believe I'm about to compare the Nine Inch Nails to some of pop's princesses, but like the Gaga/Katy Perry releases of last week, this is another case of not worrying about what an artist has done before and just listening to the track as a track, on it's own. On their own; Gaga and Katy's tracks are perfectly reasonable pop music. On it's own, 'Everything' is a very listenable, almost danceable track. I could tap away to this in the car, I could sing along to this on the radio. It might even be a nice introduction to NIN for those who don't know much about the history of Trent and his projects, but if you know someone who doesn't know NIN and likes this, then just don't play them anything Mr Reznor has done between, let's say...1989 and 2012 until they're prepared for what they're going to hear.

Jo Michelmore gives 'Everything' three Karen O heads out of five...

NEW MUSIC VIDEO OF THE WEEK

 

Rock N Roll

by Avril Lavigne

Album: Avril Lavigne (27th August 2013)

HOW OLD ARE YOU?! Seriously. Does Mrs. Kroeger ever age? Av-Lav is back with another new single showing that she does what she wants, 'coz she don't, but she does or something and you know what... I secretly like the catchy little chorus that is kinda more satisfying than anything offered up on Katy Perry and Gaga's new tracks. It's the type of chorus I'd unashamedly sing along to really loud like when driving until another car was within sight. As for the video, I can't deny it made me smile. A Billy Zane cameo here, a Winnie Cooper there... it's just silly fun. The Wonder Years gag isn't new, but it worked and Avril's overacting was slightly endearing. Gotta love that slow Canadian drawl too. Who would have thought I'd be putting 'Avril Lavigne and 'endearing' together in a review in 2013? A nod to Slash came out of nowhere, but you get over that when the Bear Shark shows up. Screw it, I'm putting up a middle finger with Avril Lavigne. Haters be damned, this ain't so bad...

Matt Bond gives 'Rock N Roll' three Britney heads out of five...

 

Gig Review - The Hello Morning

The Hello Morning

with Grizzly Jim Lawrie, Ali Barter and Winter Boy @ Northcote Social Club (24/08/2013)

Words and pics by Lou Endicott 

I always enjoy watching live music at The Northcote Social Club. The band room here is relatively intimate and comfy with its carpeted floors and old tattered upholstery benches on the outskirts of the room, which are always nice to sit back on and absorb the music. When the room gets filled, you can sit up on the back of the benches and look above the heads. There are no pretentions here. The venue is about show casing music and supporting emerging artists and not much else and I love this. I took my housemate with me (a fellow lover of live music) and we settled in to enjoy the night on a bench - me with a nice wine in hand and her (the driver) with a fine h20.

The first support act of this gig was Winter Boy - a solo singer guitar player. Winter Boy delivered his acoustic songs with a deep low and husky voice that had strains of a very young Tom Waits perhaps mixed with a little Bruce Springsteen. Country, folky and a little heart wrenching in delivery and style, this act was a perfect start to a night of music. The highlight of this set was a rather ingenious and unexpected cover of the Outkast song 'So Fresh, So Clean'. With guitar, that husky voice and this quirky choice, the crowd were won over. Winter Boy warmed us on this cold Melbourne night with the feeling of sitting near a campfire listening to a balladeer sing his heart out to the moon. I joked to my housemate that a more appropriate beverage to accompany the music would be a whiskey served straight up - perhaps out of a flask. She agreed. About this point I decided to categorise ALL the music of the night based on suitable beverages to accompany. Because - why not?


So..... Winter Boy Beverage: Whiskey in a hip flask.

Next up we were treated to the Melbourne singer/songwriter Ali Barter. I had been sitting next to a stranger earlier who told me that he was there to see Ali - and it would be the second time he had seen her in a week. I think Ali has that effect on listeners. Her growing number of fans are passionately moved by her sweet yet powerful delivery and her heart felt and personal lyrics, her electric guitar work used as a distortion on top which was a big juxtaposition to the smooth voice behind it. Perhaps this is why it took a little while for the crowd to come around. But by a few songs in, the room was quiet and people moved closer to be a part of the magic.

Barter's moody, soft and somber wails shone like a gaslight lamp on the pavement of a cold and wet night. I was reminded of Cat Power and even a little of Patsy Cline. My favourite song in this set was the haunting 'Marigold'. Ali Barter let us know that she has a Pozible crowd funding campaign to release her first album. Get on it - a bright future lays ahead of this songstress, so help her if you can!


Ali Barter Beverage: Mulled Wine served in a terracotta mug.

Our third act of of the night was Grizzly Jim Lawrie. Lawrie’s band - consisting of Jim on acoustic guitar and vocals, a drummer, bass guitarist, lead guitarist, trumpet player and keyboardist - got us into the full band mode for the rest of the evening. They were also a delight and a true highlight of the night delivering us a full, bright sound that hinted at visions of road trips and summer days somewhere way out of the city's bounds. I had flashes of Otis Redding, Neil Young, Dylan and Credence Clearwater Revival through out the set. There was even a feeling of Bacharach in the song 'What Did We Do?'

The trumpet added such a distinct and epic layer to the mix in this set and blended well with that Amerciana 60s ilk that the band create so well. I’m not sure if he has received this comparison before, but Jim Lawrie’s voice is eerily similar to Robin Pecknold of the Fleet Foxes. Being a fan of the Fleet Foxes, I was won over instantly. It was only when they played their single 'Midnight Run' that I realised I had been playing this song over and over in the last few months in a collection of new singles I had created. I was indeed already familiar with this band and stoked to see them live. I hope this band receives the attention they deserve; they are fantastic and get better with each listen.


Grizzly Jim Lawrie Beverage: A mexican beer with a lime wedge in it drunk straight out of the bottle.

So our final and headliner act for the night: The Hello Morning. First up I have to mention the shoes. I just have to. All black. All leather. Cavern style (think Beatles) boots. Each a little different to the other members. From the ground up, these boys exude sophistication and class. Make no mistake, they are rockers, but they approach their music in the same way as their shoes: it’s polished, sits well with other elements of the outfit and well, just darn fine really.

The Hello Morning consists of Steven Clifford (lead vocals/guitarist), Dave Manton (guitar/vocals), Joe Cope (keys), David Oxley (bass) and Matt Vance (drums). Together they created an atmosphere of a country rock opera with delicious harmonies, epic instrumentals, unexpected (yet just right) rhythm changes and those delicious - DELICIOUS - swirly keys. Now, I might be a bit biased (being a sometimes keys player myself), but Joe Cope owned the keys in this gig. I wanted to eat the swell that the organ brought to the sound. Not to say that the sound was overpowering. Clifford’s rounded vocals had a Johnny Cash prowess to them - which was even more evident later in the set when he brought Ali Barter back on stage. Together they sung the Cash and Carter duet: 'Jackson'. It was slowed down with a dreamy feel and goosebump worthy harmonies. This was a highlight of the set and Clifford knew it. He admitted to the crowd that he wasn’t sure if it would fit in the set but our response to it regained his confidence. “It’s all easy sailing from now on” he told us and easy sailing it was indeed.

Another highlight amongst the originals was the beautiful Wilson and Pickett cover 'Don’t Let the Green Grass Fool You'. All the pop was removed from this song and replaced with deep driving soul and heart achingly beautiful piano sounds as Clifford sung with that beautiful voice that would make Nashville claim him as their own. And of course, the band joined him with harmonies to sigh to. Music Bliss. The other highlight of this set for me was the catchy 'Stone Cold Lover'. The chorus just begs you to sing along with the pumping “Oh yeah!” and the ebb and flow of the dynamics of the verses.


All in all a great set from these guys. I look forward to hearing more of them on the airwaves and seeing them live again.


The Hello Morning Beverage: Scotch and dry with ice, served in sturdy glass tumblers.


You too can catch The Hello Morning at these places on these dates, at these places:


Thursday 29th August at The Phoenix Bar, Canberra ACT'
Friday, 30th August at the Cougee Diggers, Cougee, NSW
Saturday 31st August (early) at the Old Manly Boatshed, Manly, NSW
Saturday 31st August (late) at the Brighton Up Bar, Darlinghurst, NSW
Sunday 1st September at the Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland, NSW
Saturday 7th September at the Baha Tacos, Rye, VIC

Gig Review - The Stiffys

The Stiffys
Live @ Rics, Brisbane (24/08/2013)
Review by Katie Langley

My love affair with The Stiffys only began a few weeks ago, but boy, has it been intense. They’re my ultimate band, really – two bearded men in sailor outfits singing songs about sexy lemonade and erections. What’s not to love?

Walking into Rics I couldn’t help but scan the crowd, curious to know what sort of fans The Stiffys attract. There was a group of about eight people decked out in shirts that read “GREAT JOB EVERYBODY LOVE THE STIFFYS”, a muscled man with a Mohawk wearing a spiked Ministry leather jacket, and a gaggle of fat women. It’s fair to say it was a mixed crowd.

After noticing a sign taped to the microphone stand which read “THE STIFFYS KINDLY REQUEST THAT EVERYBODY HAS AT LEAST A COUPLE OF DRINKS AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES” I stocked up at the bar, just in time for the bands opening song ‘Champagne’.

'Champagne' is the song that likens those delicious bubbles to sexy lemonade and encourages sexy dancing. I question the sexy dancing of the audience, but was impressed with the hair windmilling of a woman in the front row.

The Stiffys kept us all bopping, drinking and laughing to ‘Ranger Stacey’. Other gems included ‘You Are Beautiful (Stiffies Are like Magic)’, and ‘Erection! Everybody!’.

The band was very complimentary, telling us between songs that we’d all done a great job. We were also encouraged to believe in ourselves. Aww, thanks guys! The crowd were suitably liquored up, with The Stiffys t-shirt wearing fans sculling beer from jugs.

When the band finished their last song the crowd erupted, not ready to let the sailors go. A man at the back of the room began pounding the wall screaming “encore” frantically. Rics, if there are holes in that wall I know who was responsible.

The band performed ‘Call and Response’ as their encore. This song basically consists of the band yelling things like “love”, “romance”, “kitty cats” and “underage” to which the crowd shout “stiffys” in response.

Look, let’s be honest people, this show was absolute stupidity, but I was laughing and dancing the entire show. Great job The Stiffys! Now it’s time for some Red Rooster.

Gig Review - Kira Puru + The Bruise

Kira Puru + The Bruise

w/ Julia and The Deep Sea Sirens and Post Paint
Live @ Polish White Eagle Club, Canberra (23/08/13)

Review by Matt Bond

I have a confession to make… I live in Canberra. Gasp, feigned surprise. Yes, it be true. I traded in the deliciousness of Brisbane warmth for the bitter cold that permeates from our nation’s capital. After over six months of living in the ‘Berra, I realised I had yet to venture out and experience what it is to see a gig in the place I now call home. Perhaps it was the previously mentioned ‘bitter cold’ keeping me from getting up from under the covers and out into the dark, freezing night. Or, I’m just a bit lazy. Either way, when I saw Kira Puru and The Bruise were heading to Canberra on Friday, I knew I was going to have to suck it up and get the hell out of the house. Because everything is better with Kira Puru.

The night got off to a bit of a late start, with Julia and The Deep Sea Sirens entertaining their hometown crowd with tracks from second album Family Pets, and a striking cover of The Drones’ ‘Shark Fin Blues’. Julia Johnson’s voice live was really quite breathtaking, even if she was sadly in the midst of losing it. Rosie Stevens and Eloise Menzies added sweet harmonies to tracks like ‘Little Surprises’ and Stevens busted out some beautiful cello work throughout too. Canberra people, I hear these guys play a lot around town, so do yourselves a favour and go see them and support your local artists. After another arduous sound check, Sydney’s Post Paint took to the stage to do their thing. Highlights included ‘Crest of the Wave’ and ‘Flickering Flame’, with Kira Puru joining the band for those tracks. Because everything is better with Kira Puru.

After a painless sound check, Kira Puru and The Bruise took to the stage and delivered what can only be described as a flawless performance. Seriously. This band is the real deal and the next hour of doom pop extravagance was easily the tightest, greatest set I’ve seen in a long time. The response from the previously docile polite crowd following ‘When All Your Love Is Not Enough’ was something to behold. I think even the delightful Ms Puru was taken aback from the appreciative roar. Having been blown away by the band at BIGSOUND Live last year, I was keen to hear something new and get an indication of where KP+TB were heading musically and that came in the form of ‘Water’. As heavy as anything we’ve come to expect, with gorgeous vocal delivery and an extra infusion of ‘Wade In The Water’ soul. “My soul is diseased, just bleeds and bleeds and bleeds.” My immediate reaction was, “holy [insert swear of choice], that’s good music,” and the crowd obviously thought the same. Everyone in the room was on their feet and dancing like there was no tomorrow. If there’s a new EP coming out soon, it can’t come soon enough.

“Don’t ask me what I’m thinking, I got answers up my sleeve, and you and your denial ain’t worth my while.” Have you heard ‘The Liar’ live? The way Puru delivers her lines demands your attention, before Geordie Shaw and Jamieson Shaw completely let loose with unbelievable guitar work. This song is the sex. It’s so sexy it hurts and upon hearing those opening lines I was completely lost in the performance. This was definitely the highlight of the night for me, but it was challenged by a cover of Kylie Minogue’s ‘Confide In Me’.  Yes, you read that right. Kira Puru and The Bruise tackled Kylie’s seductive ballad and it was magic. If you think Kylie created pop perfection with the track, wait until you hear it tackled by a more than capable Kira Puru.

It was great to see the band clearly enjoying themselves on tracks like ‘Ragdoll Baby’ and another newer track ‘Step Into The Light’, but nothing says fun like mashing up Portishead’s ‘Wandering Star’ with Eminem’s ‘Lose Yourself’. Yeah buddy, Kira got her rap on and the crowd were eating it up. The crowd were eating the whole performance up and were rewarded with two knockout encore performances to send us home more than satisfied. I don’t think I can stress this enough… if you see that Kira Puru and The Bruise are going to be performing in your town, city, whatever – you have to make an effort to go see them. They’re worth going out in the freezing cold, scorching heat, a snowstorm, a sandstorm, a thunder storm. I think you’re picking up what I’m putting down. All you need to know is that no matter situation you find yourself in, heading out to see Kira Puru and The Bruise is worth your time and money. Because everything is better with Kira Puru.

Top 20 - 25 August, 2013

Anna Calvi!

Songs of the Week, 25/08/13 from itsmykindofscene on 8tracks Radio.

1. Thelma Plum - Breathe In, Breathe Out





2. The Preatures - Manic Baby (NEW)





3. Phebe Starr - The Worst Part





4. The Jungle Giants - Skin To Bone





5. Haim - The Wire

6. Janelle Monae ft. Miguel - Primetime (NEW)





7. Astrid and The Asteroids - Autopsy





8. Anna Calvi - Eliza (NEW)


 


9. Rainy Day Women - Ain't It Time?





10. Lady Gaga - Applause

11. London Grammar - Interlude (NEW)





12. Chela - Romanticise (NEW)





13. Passerine - Ready To Begin





14. Cub Scouts - Paradise





15. Eminem - Survival

16. Seekae - Another (NEW)





17. Manor - Architecture





18. Mr Little Jeans - Oh Sailor (Re-Entry)





19. Emma Louise - Pontoon (NEW)

20. Gin Wigmore - Kill of the Night (NEW)





21. Cloud Control - Dojo Rising





22. Banks - Waiting Game (NEW)





23. Abbe May - Perth Girls





24. The Paper Kites - Young (NEW)





25. The Trouble With Templeton - You Are New

The Candy Shop #17

Supermodel Dysmorphia (It's Real, Guarantee)

by Nayt Housman

When people ask me about the ‘90s and what influence it had on me there’s usually one word that would come to mind first, “Supermodel”. Let’s face it; I was an awkward kid/teen in this decade of glamazons and when I didn’t feel so glamorous myself I escaped into their world. I was (if you ask me) most like Linda Evangelista and would spend hours looking at photos of her and pretending to be her and when I think about it, her ability to morph her image for which she was dubbed “The Chameleon” still has influence on me now.


These bitches were fierce! They had attitude, everyone wanted to be them, be with them or know them and many obsessed over them. I would draw them, imagine them as my best friends and secretly dress up like them, pretending to be them, while posing in the mirror. I would even edit photos of myself to look like them. Crackers? I doubt it…


Sure a psychologist would probably have a field day going through my case file and hopefully I’d be diagnosed with “Supermodel dysmorphia” (it’s real I guarantee) but I knew I was as fabulous and fierce, I just needed someone to discover me so I wouldn’t have to get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day.

Wicked Game by Chris Isaak

featuring Helena Christensen

 

 

Another musician introduced to me by my father, Wicked Game was released in ’89 but didn’t become a hit until its feature in some movie in ’90. It featured a young and topless Helena Christensen frolicking on the beach with Chris while he manhandled her and groped her neck with his lips (lucky girl). 

Freedom '90 by George Michael 

featuring Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Tatjana Patitz, and Cindy Crawford and some hot no-name male models.

Oh George did you think you were kidding us? You were lusting after the male models while gushing over how pretty the girls are and how much you wanted to wear their outfits. I’m not judging. I feel the same way…

Too Funky by George Michael 

featuring Linda Evangelista, Nadja Auermann, Tyra Banks and others that don’t matter.

When you’re onto something good, keep the ball rolling. George was obviously as obsessed with Supermodels as I was it’s just that he had the cash to splash and the celebrity status to make them his best friends. Kudos to you George… kudos… you jerk. One day Linda will know me.

I’m Not Perfect (But I’m Perfect For You) by Grace Jones  

featuring Grace Jones and Andy Warhol. 

 

Now this fox knows what she got. I know her heyday was during the 80’s mostly but I wasn’t aware of her until the ‘90s. Grace features probably one of my fave ever models in almost all her music clips, HERSELF! Grace Jones don’t need no models because she can get pop culture icons to appear in her video’s because, well, she is one herself. “Oh hi there Andy Warhol.”


Grace my Queen, I am forever in your debt because you said, “Fuck you!” to the world and became famous along the way. Gushhhh.


Although many musicians are still featuring models in their video clips these days it rarely has the impact it once did when “high paid clothes horses” had the industry in their hands and could sell just about anything with a flutter of their lashes and a “come hither” sideways glance.


Supermodels of the ‘90s RESPECT! Now where did I put my wig and heels?