It is Wilco Week in Brisbane

This week I'll get the opportunity to finally get to see Wilco live for the first time ever (thanks to Kate for the birthday present!). "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" is right up there as one of my favourite all-round records.

I'm not sure what to exactly expect of Wilco in the live arena, but I've only ever heard that their shows have all been exceptionally good. However, despite my gushing about "Yankee…", my familiarity with their other records is unfortunately not as strong. As a result, I've been manically listening through Wilco's rather large back catalog and I came across this little gem in which Feist features. Check out the Letterman performance of the song (which I don't actually think is as good as the album version, but you get the gist).

Not From Here, Not From There

Remember Not From There? Remember their great debut record "Sands on Seven"? Remember the heady days before the Valley got invaded by hordes of dickheads? Those were the days.

I do recall the good times I had during my late teens. I do remember the time when Not From There tore up a stage at the University of Queensland Big Gig. Sich Offnen.

The Stress of Leisure

Local group The Stress of Leisure sent me an email the other day talking about a few gigs they had coming up in May. I'd never heard of them before, but I took a few moments out of my daily grind to have a quick mosey about their website. Promoting themselves as the bastard child of the Go Betweens and Pavement, the sound is reminiscent of many of those early 90s Australian alternative rock bands that I used to enjoy listening to so much. I don't mind it at all.



They have a song available from their website that I've linked through below, that you may enjoy. They've also have a few videos on their youtube channel. Otherwise, catch them performing a free gig at the Powerhouse on May 23rd. They have a new record coming out in June.

The Stress of Leisure - Calm It Down

Yeehaw.

Live Review: Seja, Otouto @ The Troubadour

It has been a while since I've been to the valley for a gig. You can insert the typical excuse of a full time student / misanthrope here. But given that I needed a break from the usual drag of my life, I was compelled to pay a visit to the Troubadour to witness Seja perform tracks from her debut record "We Have the Secrets but Nobody Cares". Along for the ride was a couple of friends including fellow blogger Ling Ling of Passionate Sounds. Due to a late dinner of vietnamese (food, not people) and a few brews at the "new" Rics (my first visit since its revamp, I'm a bit taken aback by the changes), I missed the opportunity to see BigStrongBrute perform the opening act. Apologies.

Dressed something akin to the twins in Kubrick's "The Shining", the twins of Otouto play an interesting set of dreamlike pop music featuring many strange keyboard noises. There is something beautifully eerie about this set: it was hypnotic, it was bjork-ish, it was grand. 'Spot' and 'W.Hillier' were highlights, and the performance was strong enough to convince me to look into purchasing their record. While I got the feeling some of the crowd didn't know exactly what to make of the trio, I believe that this could be a group to keep an eye on in the coming months and years.

Local girl Seja is well known in Brisbane city. Part of the strangely-absent Sekiden and keybasher for institution Regurgitator, she's put out a pretty interesting debut solo record which includes the stellar single "I'll Get To You". Merideth, from the sadly defunct Delpino, joins Seja on guitar, keyboard and handclaps and the group sway through the majority of the tracks from the record.

It is a synth fest tonight. While there seems to be a few small technical hitches that occasionally break the flow of the set, there are highlights to be had, particularly the German-spoken "We Haben Geheimnisse" and "Sing Me the Song Like You Said" and of course "I'll Get to You". Seja also switches to guitar to perform a great Arbuckle cover whose title eludes me (anyone know which one it was?). Concluding with a 'We Can't See Past Our Hands', Seja and Merideth perform a strange little dance which looks like a combination of that playground slap routine kids played in primary school and the macarena. It must be seen to be believed.

A bit rough around the edges, but a fairly worthwhile evening out. I was satisfied, yet weary from the late finishing time. I guess I'm getting old.

You may like to have a listen to Seja's debut record which is available in all good records stores.

Oh Youtube! And Miscellany.

Yes, I only just found out the other day that the youtube videos I post occasionally don't format correctly with this blog layout in firefox. I use safari and chrome - and they always format correctly (well it seems). I should have checked that, eh?! Better get cracking on fixing that.

Well, soon anyway. Unfortunately, I'm deep in an exploration of korean economic development hence the relative lack of progress on any music related blogging. I'm going to Seja on Thursday night though at the Troubadour, and mostly likely I'll be at Die!Die!Die (supported by Sleepwalks, if you didn't remember).

Oh, and thanks to CityKat (AKA Katherine Feeney) of Brisbane Times repute - she gave this 'humble' blog a shout out in a column on the Brisbane blogosphere this morning. I sound like some kind of 'Zorro' character....

"He's masked, he's from Bardon and he writes Brisbane music reviews with the odd cultural reference thrown in for good measure."

Bwahah, I only just found out!

And I can't get enough of Die!Die!Die!. As I said above, they play this weekend. Here's a teaser.

Effin Tune: The Mountain Goats - 'Ethiopians'

I love the Daytrotter Sessions. For those not 'in the know', Daytrotter is a website that offers free mp3 downloads of 'the best emerging bands'. They even have a studio where bands and artists come in specifically to record sessions and offer them up for public consumption. A lot of them are not actually 'emerging' but fairly well established, and there are couple of absolute gem sessions lurking amongst an impressive back catalog. The Mountain Goats set is one I recently came across.

I'm not too familiar with the Mountain Goats. I did really like that song 'Alibi' from the Babylon Springs EP, but other than that I've not really listened to them that much (and yes, I know it is led by John Darnielle and the band roster changes constantly).

Anyway, the Mountain Goats' Daytrotter session features a great little tune. Darnielle explains that it didn't make the cut of 2002's "Tallahasee", but I really like it. It begins with some chord changes that sound very like a sped up version of Radiohead's 'True Love Waits' before diving into a entertaining story about the seemingly dysfunctional relationship between two people. I particularly like the chorus lyrics.

"Good things never last, bad things never die."

You can have a listen to 'Ethiopians' by clicking on the link below.

The Mountain Goats - Ethiopians [Daytrotter Session]

You can also have a look round the impressive Daytrotter backcatalog by simply signing up at their website.

Seja! You're Getting to Me!

Oh yeah. This is a gem. Brisbane's very own Seja Vogel is playing at the Troubadour on the 22nd of April in support of her 'solo' album (warning: may or may not have solos). You may remember Seja from Sekiden and Regurgitator and a few other Brisbane acts. Enjoy 'I'll Get to You' clip embedded below and get the hell out to the gig!



Good stuff. I'm buying the album.

Review: Sleepwalks "Clicks"

You know a song is good when you feel compelled to place it on your portable music-playing device without the feeling that you’re obligated too. You know the band is good when you choose to repel the drudgery of your work commute by listening to their music. These two anecdotes sum up my experience of listening to Sleepwalks newly released mini-ep “Clicks”.

Sleepwalks are a three-piece alternative rock act from Brisbane who have released what I think is a very solid three track mini-ep featuring ‘Clicks’, ‘Pith’ and ‘Negative’ in that order.

‘Clicks’, evokes memories of sweaty mosh pits filled with flannelette-addicted teenagers though it’s clear that certain pop sensibilities lurk somewhere under the distortion. It’s the standout tune of the release and probably the most accessible. That’s not to say that the other tracks are less worthy; indeed, my favourite moment of the entire release comes a third of the way through the second track ‘Pith’ in the form of a distorted and isolated mclusky-esque bassline.

Stylistically, this release speaks directly to my own sense of musical appreciation. I’m a sucker for those grunge hooks, the quiet-loud dynamics of bands like Nirvana, Dinosaur Jr, the Replacements and a legion of other grunge and punk acts that have clearly influenced Sleepwalks. My only real criticism is that the release is slightly on the short side – just as they drag you in, its over. However, it’s a more of a case of ‘taste of things to come’ that makes this band one to keep an ear out for in the coming year.

Regardless, I heartily endorse this local produce. It’s a solid first release and worthy of your attention (and your money). If you don’t believe, have a listen to the ‘Clicks’ above (the band have kindly given permission for you to ‘borrow’ a copy for yourself – the link is below).

Sleepwalks - Clicks [Song]

Sleepwalks support Die!Die!Die! on the 23d of April at the Coolangatta Hotel and again at the X&Y on the 24th of April. You can purchase their EP through Tym’s Guitars, Violent Green or the Outpost or by contacting the band directly.

Ps: You can listen to a live bootleg of Sleepwalks Browning Street Studios show from just last week over at Turn it Up!

Acta Est Fabula, Finger

It may surprise you, but Brisbane musical institution Powderfinger have called it a day.

Although not my favourite band in the universe, they’ve been the flag bearers of Brisbane music for longer than I care to remember. Apparently this will be announced today on their website, but its racing around the twittersphere like Amy Winehouse on methamphetamine.

I’d like to thank you for inspiring one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. Back in highschool my friend chose your song ‘Return of the Electric Horsemen’ to perform a off-key serenade to some girl he liked.

Fortunately for me, I happened to be in the room when this event took place (which was strange enough). Now I have the privilege of being able to bring this incident up at the most inappropriate moments, of which I’ve indulged in on at least five different occasions. Oh, and the girl didn’t buy it, unfortunately for Steve.

Well, toodles ‘Finger. I only really liked “Internationalist”, “Double Allergic” was not too bad, but apart from that, it was all pretty pedestrian to be honest. A host of other people liked your music and you made a bunch of money but I think you failed to build on the direction “Internationalist” may have pointed you towards.

Last Dinosaurs - Honolulu Video

No time for any serious blogging effort today. This essay on development economics is seriously kicking my proverbial arse.

In the meantime, enjoy the newly released video clip from local indie starlets Last Dinosaurs.



Don't ask me what the hell its all about though.

Thanks to Who the Bloody Hell Are They? for the heads up.

Effin Tune: The Delgados - 'Coming in from the Cold'

It seems that Scotland has a love affair with indie pop music. I mean, how many awesome pop acts come out of this magical land? Off the top of my head: Teenage Fanclub, Belle & Sebastian, Camera Obscura and many more. And why does it keep producing such quality? I wager a pouch of guineas that it is the haggis. Or perhaps deep-fried mars bar. Or some other stereotypically Scottish cultural object.

Anyway, I quickly want to chat about a great little ditty from The Delgados, a band that I have not had the pleasure of listening to in some time. I revisited them en route to work just this morning, which spurred on this ramble.

‘Coming in From the Cold’ from “Hate” has always been my favourite Delgados tune. I say this for a number of reasons. Firstly, it was the song that introduced me to the band. I do still recall the exact moment it first graced my eardrums - I was working with my father painting someone’s apartment and listening to Triple J during the summer of 2002 when it came on the morning show. I was immediately smitten.

Secondly, well, I just love the wide-eyed optimism encapsulated most clearly in the uplifting guitar melody that plays over Emma Pollock’s vocals during the chorus. While I think that "The Great Eastern" was a better record, I don’t think any individual Delgados song ever got much better than this one.

Die-hard Delgados fans may disagree with my over-the-top blushing. arguably I’ve picked the most palatable and 'mainstream' song of The Delgados discography. But fuck it, I like it and I don’t care (am I wrong? Please tell me I'm not :D). I was fortunate to catch one of their last ever shows when they toured Brisbane in early 2005. Weeks later they broke up and that was that.

Deadriot & Hangar.

Ahoy mateys, a quick word out to all you aspiring buccaneers who may, or may not, be stuck for activities to do this upcoming Saturday.

Local punk group Dead Riot take to the high seas of the Brisbane river with a boat cruise around the city. Witness midshipman Harry throw his bass guitar at a City Cat during the encore*, so violent an act even Sid Vicious might wince**. This musical armada will also feature supports Isaac Graham, Fushia and Manners. Cost is $15, it’s both licensed and all-ages, and the boat sets sail from the area near Brisbane’s version of the millennium wheel at Southbank circa 6:30PM this Saturday.

Alternatively, you can head to the Lofly Hangar in Red Hill to catch Love Connection, Toy Balloon, Danimals and BIGSTRONGBRUTE in a night of gig-bitching that promises to be a hipster's wetdream. No doubt that their unwashed, soiled pants will be on sale at the Valley markets for triple the price come the next morning (the hipsters I mean, not the bands). Cost is as super cheap as the similarly named autoshop and its BYO beer and wine and grandmas.

* Not an actual feline but a catamaran.
** May not actually happen. Parallel Lines On A Slow Decline does not encourage the use of violence except against Stephen Conroy.