This week is brought to you by low key sounds, delicious melancholy, punk rock and the wonderful ‘Johnny’ video from Melbourne artist Tanzer, which will make your day.
POPPONGENE: Do It Girl
POPPONGENE is the solo project of musician and artist Sophie Treloar, who is only the second label signing to Melbourne independent record label Our Golden Friend. Original from Byron Bay, she also plays in Melbourne dream-pop outfit Sunbeam Sound Machine and lives in the the rainforest in Belgrave. ‘Do It Girl’ is a mesmerising psych floater.
Benjamin Francis Leftwich: Tilikum
Benjamin Francis Leftwich is a 26 year old singer-songwriter from York in Northern England, whose indie-folk sound is inspired by the likes of Nick Drake, Bob Dylan, Elliot Smith, Ryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen and Arcade Fire.
His forthcoming album After The Rain is due out on 19 August. Produced by Charlie Andrew (Alt-J, Money) the album captures Benjamin finding peace with himself and his loss after the death of his main musical influence – his Dad.
Oh Pep! : Doctor Doctor
Melbourne duo Oh Pep! are on the verge of their biggest year yet. They recently signed to Dualtone Music Group (The Lumineers, Shakey Graves) in the US, and have announced major plans for shows across Europe, America and Australia.
‘Doctor Doctor‘ is the first taste of their indie-pop masterpiece album called Stadium Cake, which was recorded in Echo Lake, Nova Scotia with Canadian producer Daniel Ledwell. Stadium Cake will be out in July. Pre-order here.
Jeff Buckley: Just Like a Woman
This is an interactive video for Jeff Buckley‘s recording of Bob Dylan’s Just Like a Woman, which is included on his new album You and I – a collection of previously unheard material from Buckley, only recently uncovered.
The animated video takes you on a journey that you control through a relationship between a man and woman. Set to Buckley’s stirring rendition of the Bob Dylan classic, you can click on a scroll of animated cells to decide the fate of the two—sometimes the woman is alone, sometimes the man is alone, sometimes they are together in love, and sometimes they are together in misery.
Along the way the video offers the option of creating a unique mix of the song, from Buckley’s original solo performance on vocals and guitar, to a piano, to a full orchestration and a choir. Each choice alters the mood of the story, adding emotional new layers to the experience. Watch it here.
The John Steel Singers: Can You Feel The Future
Years in the making, the new single Can You Feel the Future from Brisbane band The John Steel Singers has endured quite the creative process. Explains Tim, “The song started as a loop on my Digitech PDS 1002 back in 2010. We jammed over that for a bit. Then a couple of years later Scott remembered it and came up with the funky bassline. We then took those new funky guts to a Welsh barnhouse and continued to refine it with the help of Jonathan Boulet on percussion. Finally we brought it back to the Plutonium and after a million hours noodling then whittling then noodling then whittling we finally settled on the best song we’ve ever put on tape.”
Their forthcoming album Midnight At The Plutonium, will drop later this year.
Modern Baseball: Tripping In The Dark
This mini documentary tells the story of Philadelphia indie punk quartet Modern Baseball, including the making of their third LP Holy Ghost which is out on 13 May.
Directed by Kyle Thrash, who has also directed all of the band’s music videos, Tripping in the Dark provides a window into the inner workings of the young band.
Pierce The Veil: Misadventures
Tanzer: Johnny
Assembling an array of Melbourne’s biggest personalities including her favourite queer performers and creatives, Tanzer brings the glitter in her nostalgic music video for ‘Johnny’.
The video stars the dashing Zak Pidd (Sex on Toast) as Johnny, and drag/dance hot property Karen From Finance, Benjamin Hancock, James Andrews and Dandrogyny in the dual roles of the Girl Gang/Biker Boys. The video features fashion from local designers EDGELEY and The Huxleys.
Tanzer will launch her debut EP Four Love Songs by Tanzer on heart-shaped, scarlet glitter vinyl (seen at top) at The Toff in Town on Saturday 28 May, with Melbourne’s most magical stars of music, drag, and otherworldly performance assembled to celebrate. Buy tickets from Moshtix.
The Garb Wire 