Marc Regueiro-Mckelvie, AKA Popolice, is probably the most underrated Melbourne act around, producing some of the most mesmerizing pop/shoegaze. I honestly cannot sing this guys praise enough. Creative genius. Every time I see him play is a treat, even if my eardrums do suffer a little afterwards from the wall of noise. These recordings don’t really do him justice, and you should do yourself a favour and pop on down to his next gig, wherever it may be. Some of you may have heard a track of his on the Cut Copy So Cosmic mix last year too.
I am incredibly jealous of Zach Condon. Not only did he start producing his own music at 15 (as Real People), he began the San Fe band Beirut and produced two albums and was touring the world by the time he was 21. They were fantastic at Golden Plains this year too. This track is a beautiful little downtempo electronic track, complete with Condon’s soaring vocals, from his solo work.
Canyons will be big. Theyre already billed to play Nevereverland, Laneway Festival, supporting Lost Valentinos and Tame Impala. They even have the Jonathan Zawada (pretty much everything modular) artwork stamp of approval. Apples & Pears is a pleasing funky, disco track that reminds me a little of some of The Avalanches more upbeat numbers.
Hushie, the awesome mp3 search-engine that wasn’t hype machine, has been forced to shut down. Another amazing service, like muxtape before it, becomes a casualty in the battle between corps and the internets. If you didn’t know it existed then meh, but if you did… a moment of silence.
On a happier note: B/E/A/T/B/O/X, Glass Candy’s fantastic LP from last year is finally available in that most special of formats: Vinyl.
Newly available to order via troubleman records, it comes with a bonus 7 inch of two unreleased tracks that are not available on the digital release. Also available is the Deep Gems CD, a collection of singles, b-sides and rarities to tide you over until the next Glass Candy LP.
And in unrelated (or is it?) news, Grace Jones is back in the music biz after a 19 year hiatus with her 10th studio album Hurricane, released last month. Below is the video for lead single Corporate Cannibal which goes to show that being 60 doesn’t make you any less scary. Maybe more so…
GENEVA JACUZZI - LOVE CABOOSE Directed by Travis Peterson 2008
You know when you have that deal with your girlfriend / boyfriend that if you ever get the chance to sleep with someone famous you can? Like Scarlet Johanson or Crispin Glover.
I really don’t know to much about this girl, except that she has collaborated with Ariel Pink from haunted graffiti. Besides the amazing vhs aesthetic in this video, I’m also quite attached to anything with a tape deck/lo-fi feel. Love it!
There is a limited Edition hand made CD available on her myspace “KOOZE CONTROL” for $18.
John Maus, when he’s taking time out from Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, has found the time to release some great solo records. 2007’s Love is Real was described as ‘an upbeat Joy Division’ which isn’t true but it gives you an idea of the sound. Like being deep in an an ocean of synths where everything echoes and everyone’s sad.
Do Your Best is a standout track and Too much Money is by far the most up-tempo track on the record.
Similarly, I’ve been obsessed with this Laurie Anderson track for weeks now. Dark, moody, seductive and apocalyptic, it like a neon light on a hot summer night. Love you Laurie.
Winners of Glastonbury Unsigned 2008, London based Golden Silvers have fast become my most anticipated ‘band-to-watch’. I heard ‘Arrows of Eros’ about 6 weeks ago and was instantly in love.
Summery doo-wop-brit-pop with soaring harmonies, a bouncing bass line and a simple yet infectious synth riff make it a strong early contender for my ‘Song of the Summer 08′.
Proving to be more than one-hit wonders, Golden Silvers are releasing their excellent, but crusier, second single ‘Magic Touch’ on November 4th. Available through Rough Trade and Pure Groove.
Animal Collectives 07 album, Strawberry Jam, was a strong contender for my album of the year. That and drummer Panda Bear’s solo album, Person Pitch. So its no surprise I got really excited hearing news of a new AC album early 09. Named ‘Merriweather Post Pavilion’, the album features some really trippy artwork (above).
Tracklisting:
1. “In the Flowers”
2. “My Girls”
3. “Also Frightened”
4. “Summertime Clothes”
5. “Daily Routine”
6. “Bluish”
7. “Guys Eyes”
8. “Taste”
9. “Lion in a Coma”
10. “No More Runnin”
11. “Brothersport”
Manchester group, Cats In Paris, remind me a bit of the fun, dance you ass off parts of Architecture In Helsinki, a bit of the eccentricity of Animal Collective and a bit of that Dan Deacon colour. Now if only theyd come down to Australia…
Next up is some fucking great California fuzzed-out beach-punk noise-pop from Wavves (Nathan Williams). If you dig early Sonic Youth, Teenage Jesus and The Jerks or even some of the early punky MBV stuff, you’ll like this.
