Thursday, August 20, 2009

Bridezilla


Consisting of Holiday Carmen-Sparks (vocals, guitar), Daisy Tulley (violin), Pia MayCourtley (guitar), Millie Hall (saxophone) and Josh Bush (drums), Bridezilla have become one of the most talked about new bands in Australia thanks to their unique sound and compelling live performances.

Releasing their 2007 debut EP while still in high-school, Bridezilla have become a favourite at Triple J and independent radio, garnering comparisons to everyone from the Dirty Three and Cat Power to PJ Harvey.

Two years later and now signed to respected indie label Inertia, the band are now free from school, exams, and all the corresponding pressures that once demanded their time and attention.

Bridezilla are now singly focused on taking their twisted blend of jazz, folk and pop to the next level.

The Sydney based band have been holed up in a barn in rural NSW recording their debut with iconic US producer Kramer. Recording has finished, and the album is set to be released in the US in 2010.

An industry legend, Kramer has played as part of bands including Ween, Bongwater and Butthole Surfers; spawned his own label & recording studio; as well as produced for the likes of Galaxie 500 (whose entire catalogue he produced), Low (whom he discovered and produced), Daniel Johnston, Palace Songs (aka. Will Oldham/Bonnie “Prince” Billy), King Missile, Half Japanese and Urge Overkill.

The band was hand picked by Nick Cave to play at the Australian ATP Festival and will now share stages with some of the world's biggest acts at ATP Festival in up state New York in September.

With ATP's international endorsement signaling a rapid expansion of Bridezilla’s profile, and Kramer’s involvement on their album hinting at a dramatic extension of their already remarkable sound, you can bet that 2010 will be a big year for Bridezilla. Recommended!

Bridezilla - Brown Paper Bag
Bridezilla @ MySpace


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SONG OF THE DAY: The Postmarks - My Lucky Charm
(from Memoirs At The End Of The World, out August 25th on Unfiltered)

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Friday, August 14, 2009

Historics


It may seem as if a cosmic aligning of the stars is the only explanation for how the men of Historics came together to release their compelling debut album, Strategies for Apprehension. It’s difficult to imagine what a collaboration between Don Devore (Amazing Baby; Ink & Dagger; The Icarus Line), Josh Grubb (VietNam), Mickey Madden (Maroon 5), Jeff Knutsen (Fast Fourier), and Matt Werth (Favourite Sons) may sound like. Despite their disparate backgrounds, Historics’ have created a meticulously crafted and inimitable sound.

Recorded over the last year in New York and L.A., Strategies is a collection of art-damaged pop that’s as catchy as it is experimental. Over the album’s 45 minutes, the band drifts between sun-kissed psychedelia, pulsing slowcore, shaggy garage rock, and droning electronics. Strategies opens with “Skin Orders,” a tug of war between angular acoustic guitar strums and swirling keyboards, before shifting into a dream-pop chorus. “Taverns” is ripe with bittersweet bliss, where Devore’s melancholy lyrics linger over Grubb’s hypnotic guitar licks.

The most unique moment on Strategies might be the guest appearance by hip-hop’s original extraterrestrial, the legendary Kool Keith,. Keith’s bizarre flow on “Take it to the Top” is complemented by a scattershot pastiche of quirky sounds that defy categorization.

All twelve tracks are rich with sonic detail, a testament to Devore’s abilities behind the board. Devore, who helmed the album’s production with help from his band mates, shape and focuses seemingly incongruous sounds into one mystical, unified vision. Highly Recommended!

Historics - Skin Orders
Historics @ MySpace




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SONG OF THE DAY: Meat Puppets - Rotten Shame
(from Sewn Together, out May 2009 on Megaforce)

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Monday, August 03, 2009

Mickey Gang


Straight from Colatina on the eastern coast of Brazil, these four teenagers are set to break hearts all over the world. Arthur, Bruno, Ricardo and Joao Paulo play with a full throttle lust for life. Fresh faced and armed with killer pop hooks, they are ready to take this all the way.

Their songs are manifestos – witness the brilliantly titled ‘Born In The 90s’ that lit up the blogosphere earlier this year, being lauded by BIGSTEREO and NME. Making Julian Casablancas and co look positively old aged, these teenagers are set to blow everything away this year. Brilliantly simple, they are the hottest set of South Americans since CSS burst out a few summers ago. They make future anthems that fire body into action. Recommended!

Mickey Gang - Horses Can't Dance
Mickey Gang @ MySpace


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SONG OF THE DAY: Baxter - Standing On The Edge Of The Tide
(from End Of The World EP, out August 17th on Malloty Up Records)

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