Local Music: Greenthief

Friends, it has been a while. Unfortunately, the twin gods of extreme essay writing and procrastination have preordained my absence. You see, I have the relatively simple task of writing 11,000 words of academic-standard essay writing in the next two weeks. This means that I have a heap of blogging backed up in my ‘drafts’ folder that I hope to complete in November sometime. Until then, humble reader, bear with me.

However, I just thought I’d pause to mention a local band that I heard on 4ZzZ the other week while driving about town called Greenthief. I can’t recall now which song I heard exactly (perhaps ‘Morning Sun’), but their songs are none too shabby. I’m kind of reminded mid-to-late 90s Indie pop music, and being a child of the 90s, I guess you could say I’m somewhat inclined to such a genre.

They’re playing a few shows in the next month or two (including the curiously named 'Bitches Be Crazy'), so perhaps it merits a trip out to the Valley (somewhere I’ve increasingly avoided of late, I think I’m getting too old). They’re a local band and we should all support the local scene.

That's our Steve! Oh, and Foucault

Everett True mentions a small bit regarding a very interesting article by Steve Albini - one of my favourite producers (Pixies, Nirvana, Mogwai). Great read.

*edit*....And he is the man with the links tonight - another interesting article linking Foucault's Discipline and Punish to Last.fm.

Felinedown Digital Re-Release This Saturday

I think someone will have to explain to me the precise meaning of their name but regardless, I have it on good authority that Felinedown are a capable, up-and-coming local act. If you need some direction as to what their sound is think a blend of Garbage and Nine Inch Nails (alternatively, you could just go listen at their myspace).

Anyway, they're playing a showcase on Saturday night to digitally re-release their EP that was recorded early this year. Also on the bill are the more than capable Grand Atlantic and Moon Jog.

It is being hosted at Top Floor, 99 Elizabeth Street in Brisbane Citay. It is $15, BYO alcohol (which means, $15 plus the the benefit of getting boozed super cheap - what Valley venue can offer THAT?! If you ignore the Valley Studios that is!) So, if you're not doing much come Saturday evening, I implore you to "come on down", price is right style.

Pivot turn to Grizzly Bear

I actually meant to post this a week or two ago but it slipped my mind until I received a facebook prodding from Australian experimental-rock act Pivot. About a year back, they have recorded of 'Colorado, the final track of Grizzly Bear's 2nd LP, "Yellow House" but it just seeing the light of day on a Warp Records compilation.

Seems like Pivot have been doing a bit of globe-trotting, recently playing All Tomorrow's Parties in New York City. Hopefully they are making waves - they really are a quality band (if you haven't seen them live, then do so at your next possible opportunity).

The cover is slightly more minimalist than the original track, and features a 'pivotised' drum beat and some gated synth effects. It is not a hugely different interpretation from the original but worth a look if you're a fan of either band.

The cover is available for download from this link.

Local Natives: New Tracks

Yes, I know I should be writing my essay, but I thought I’d pause to mention a great set that you can obtain (for free) by Californian band Local Natives. I’ve talked about these guys a few times in the past, and I really think they might be 'the next big thing'. So, don’t you want to be one of those guys who ‘were fans before they got big’, ignoring the fact that those kind of fans are usually total assholes. (ha, like me!)

Anyway, the band recorded four tracks for LA Music blog Aquarium Drunkard and included some great songs like “Stranger Things” and “World News”. There is also a Talking Heads cover "Warning Sign" included in the session. You can have a gander over at Aquarium Drunkard. I encourage you to check them out!

As far as I know, you still cannot buy any Local Natives music, so it is a blessing that they are recording for blogs and music sites. If you like this session, check out the Daytrotter Session as well which features the great "Airplanes", the song that first got me into them.

Brisbane Gigs, Boat People, Mastodon

Hrm, yes. I'm writing this, procrastination from the mountain of work that I have to complete.

This weekend sees a variety of great gigs by both local, interstate, and international bands throughout Brisbane city (and if you're not here, why the bloody hell are you not?).

Tonight you can see the Vivian Girls, supported (I believe) by Everett True at the Step Inn (who assures us he is cooler than us for doing so. Well, thats all well and good, but cop this - one of the Veronicas turned up at my band's gig on a Monday night several years back, so I am way cool too....nghaaah!). Also, psychedelic group Tame Impala hit the HiFi Bar in West End (a gig I really would love to go to!).

Saturday Night sees Oh Mercy play at the Globe, whereas the Butcher Birds and SixFtHick occupy the Zoo.

I'm not even mentioning that NoFX and Bad Religion are at the Riverstage. God damn it!

So many great bands playing, but unfortunately I have a large essay to write for Monday afternoon (the causes of jihadist terrorism - joy).

Anyway, the Boat People have a new song out called "Echo Stick Guitars", which you can preview over at the Home and Hosed page. For some reason, this song sounds really familiar. Perhaps it sounds a bit like the Magnetic Fields? Hrm. Not sure. It is not too bad at all.

Oh, and if you haven't heard the latest Mastodon album, you really should do yourself a favour and give it a whirl. It is radical.

So What Will Be The Best Records of 2009??

Well, we enter the final quarter of the year, and come the end of December many people will be back into listmaking mode, and I'm no exception.

To be honest, I haven't listened to a heap of '2009' records this year. As usual I'm still stuck several years back. There are a few that I really like, but I thought I'd ask YOU what ones I'm missing out on. So please comment and suggest any records that have been released thus far that you think have been outstanding. It would be great to see some Australian or Brisbane suggestions.

I have set up a poll on the sidebar to the left and will attempt to add some of your suggestions, should you have any.

For me, I'm undecided yet, but I'm inclined towards the debut record by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.