Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween!


In honor of Halloween, I could think of no band more fitting than The Cramps.

So today over at Aesthetes Anonymous, I'm going to relive my childhood by eating too much candy and getting a stomach ache to the sounds of The Cramps -- fuck yea adulthood!

Abbe May – Karmageddon


Australia’s preeminent rock goddess Abbe May is back with” Karmageddon,” the first cut off her forthcoming album Kiss My Apocalypse.

In a radical departure from her searing guitar lines and diesel fueled first album, Abbe May opts for a dark and moody electronic-laden sound on her latest single. Weaving a murky vision of a mysterious apocalyptic world filled with primordial sea creatures, May’s vocals churn and roil the dark, inky waters of Armageddon. Like Portishead and Massive Attack on absurd amounts of mind-altering psychedelic drugs on a collision course with a portal to a hellish world, “Karmageddon” will leave you shaken, but quivering for more.

Have a listen to the track below and if you haven’t seen the album trailer have a gander and watch as this dark siren slinks back to the sea.

 Abbe May - Karmageddon by Aesthetes Anonymous


Tuesday, October 30, 2012

The Paper Kites - Woodland


Adorable doesn't even begin to describe The Paper Kites. Quiet, dreamy, and charming as all hell, this quintet from Down Under sound like a basket of kittens crossed with Zooey Deschanel. Not to say that they’re a freakish Dr. Moreau human-cat hybrid, the point is that they churn out some seriously catchy indie folk jams that are perfect for ushering in the Fall. 

Bad analogies aside, have a listen to my personal favorite of theirs, “Woodland” as well as the amazing video for “A Maker Of My Time,” which is taken from their latest EP Young North.  



Monday, October 29, 2012

Briscoe - B.O.T.S


Get ready for a rollicking good time with “B.O.T.S,” the latest single from Briscoe’s debut album Friends Ago.

Frenetic and boisterous at times while subdued and languid at others, the track manically oscillates between fevered guitar lines and dreamy opium-laced vocals before exploding into a frenzied foot-stomping finale. Needless to say the track is masterfully built and the juxtaposition between the intense peaks and deep valleys make for some serious aural pleasure.

Friends Ago is out now via MGM.


Thursday, October 25, 2012

Desert Noises – Oak Tree


I was tooling around on US Royalty’s Facebook the other day and stumbled across Desert Noises.

Just like US Royalty, Desert Noises brilliantly captures that folksy, adventure-riddled Americana/Fleetwood Mac infused sound that just screams cannonball run through the heart of America.Seeing as I couldn't put it more eloquently than the band, I’ll just borrow their words. “Desert Noises make music for shouting into canyons, jumping into rivers, and getting married to the wide-open road.” 

Have a gander at the video for “Oak Tree” below and be sure to head over to their bandcamp for more musics (yea I know that’s not a word, thank you Microsoft Word).


Wednesday, October 24, 2012

The Kills @ Third Man Records


Have a gander at some amazing photos of the always photogenic Kills taken from their live show at Jack White's Third Man Records, courtesy of Jamie Goodsell. For those poor souls who couldn't make it like myself, the word on the street is that Third Man will be releasing a live vinyl recording of the show, so keep your eyes out for that.

In the meantime, have a look at my favorites below or head to Third Man to see the full gallery.




Oh yea, and how effing amazing is this show poster?!


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Clowns – Eat A Gun


Loud, brash, and petulant, Clowns is the perfect soundtrack for a night full of staggering mischief. These four scalliwags from Australia know how to rock and they’re not afraid to thrash around.

Have a listen to “Eat A Gun” and be sure to crank up the speakers to 11 because that’s the only way Clowns should be heard.


Monday, October 22, 2012

Savages @ Mercury Lounge 10/19 [Show Review]


Silent, enigmatic, and vicious, Savages sonically obliterated Mercury Lounge last Friday. With hardly a word between songs and barely a moment’s rest, Savages launched barrage after barrage of rhythmically brutal, bass heavy, post-punk malice.

In an attempt to stand out from the cacophony online, bloggers readily veer towards ridiculous hyperbole, however I mean this in the sincerest of ways – Savages’ set at Mercury Lounge was an event, a rare moment in time that will doubtlessly be talked about as the band hurtles onward to dizzying levels of indie darling-hood. Like the name of an exotic cheese loudly uttered at pretentious parties, hepcats will be telling anyone that will listen about the time they saw Savages at Mercury Lounge.

Never before have I witnessed such a minimal set. No banter, no small talk – just wave after wave of music that left eardrums tattooed and perforated. Bathing the audience in their heavily Joy Division inspired sound that’s been updated with the guitar screeches and howls of shoe gaze, Savages left no time to catch your breath, let alone process what was occurring.

It’s rare to see bands today that can cut through our collective consciousness that has been deadened by the ubiquity of readily available caffeine, prescription drugs, cheap booze, and sex, but Savages is a flurry of fresh air that stands a cut above the rest of the bands out there right now.

No obvious jangling 50s rock references, no sugary sweet 60s pop inspiration, no dance floor ready electronic beats, Savages inhabits a unique space in the current world of music – similar to Television in the mid-70s, Joy Division in the late 70s, and dare I say it, the Strokes in the early aughts. Lofty references I know, but since that moment, just a few months ago, when Savages burst from out of nowhere as a fully-formed band replete with a coherent sound and aesthetic they’ve pummeled growing audiences with their audacious brand of post-punk.

In the span of only a few short months, they’ve released a freakishly good EP, sold out shows faster than Swedish House Mafia (not that I like the band, it’s just absurd how quickly they can sell out shows), and have been the subject of Hedi Slimane’s lens. Needless to say, this band’s headed places. My only fear is that the intense adoration, rocket-like rise, and close scrutiny in such a short amount of time will have an adverse effect, but I’d love to be proven wrong. Well, if their star does ever burn out, we’ll always have Mercury Lounge.

Have a gander at some raw footage taken by some nice folks who took the time to film it, I on the other hand, was far too busy thrashing about like a mad man to do anything. 



Friday, October 19, 2012

Thursday, October 18, 2012

NO – What’s Your Name


Opening with a monstrously powerful heart-beat like drum line, NO’s “What’s Your Name” only builds to ever greater heights on this sweeping epic.

Stream the insanely good single from LA’s NO along with the B-Side "Eleven Eleven," which is available now on White Iris Records.


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Old English – We’ve Been Here Before


Who says there aren't happy accidents Mom! (I’m just kidding Mom if you’re reading this, I know I was hand-made in the USA under ideal conditions, at least that's what I've been led to believe.)

Sorry where was I? Oh right, Old English, self-proclaimed “accidental band” recently released their lead single and it’s a doozy. Opening with spacey-synths, this New-Wave tinted banger quickly builds to a gorgeous, and oh so catchy, crescendo.

Have a listen below to what began as a solo project consisting of a dud and his synth, guitar, and loop pedal, but quickly ballooned into a revolving 15-member band. Oh and be sure to check out the remix by Allosaurus, which just so happens to my most favorite badass dinosaur.

If you like what you hear, head over to bandcamp to score a free download and keep an eye out for the LP Prose and Kahns, which is expected to drop early next year.




Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Wolf and Cub - Shut Me Out


Watch out now, Wolf and Cub are about to assault your ears with all the fury of a meth-addled gang of bikers screaming through the California desert.

Just like proper rock and roll should sound, their brand of buzz heavy southern blues rock is filled with guitar lines that drip with skuzzy sleaze, the drums are punishing, and some serious wailing.

Have a listen to “Shut Me Out” below and head over to bandcamp to snatch your free download.



Monday, October 15, 2012

Gypsy and the Cat – Sorry



Have a listen to the brain searingly catchy “Sorry” from Melbourne’s Gypsy and the Cat.

With its ghoulish synths, manic transitions, and childish vocals, it’s like MGMT and Hot Chip collided on Halloween night for a monster b(m)ash.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Paris!!!

Lily Donaldson by Skye Parrott for Dossier

Off to Paris!!! See you in a week!

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Nirvana

"Jocks have completely taken over music... And just to get back at them, I’m going to start playing basketball." - Kurt Cobaine

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

The Rest - Hey! For Horses (video)


Hey hey hey, The Rest have just released their music video for the absurdly good “Hey! For Horses.”

Featuring “puppet sex and murderous horses,” their words not mine, there’s pretty much no other way to describe it other than oddly hilarious.

Stay tuned for an additional nine videos from the rest of the killer album SEESAW.



Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Dominique Pruitt – Fallin (Connie Francis Cover)


*Swoon.  Dominique Pruitt, that vivacious red-head, is back with a feisty cover of Connie Francis’ “Fallin.”

One part Nancy Sinatra twang, two parts Wanda Jackson rockabilly sass, and all Dominique Pruitt-laden swagger, this cover will have all the boys in town ready to rumble for a chance to take this charming lass to the school dance.

Have a listen below, and if you haven’t already, have a gander at her debut single “To Win Your Love.”



Monday, October 1, 2012

Life in Film – Needles & Pins


Just working through the backlog of emails I’ve been getting and came across this gem from Life in Film, a four piece from London.

Mellow Johnny Marr-esque guitar lines, catchy melodies, and forlorn lyrics about lost loves – what’s not to like.

Have a gander at the video for “Needles and Pins” and stream the rest of the EP below, where you can also score a free download of “Needles and Pins.”