The end of Summer is nigh, and Melbourne is sure letting us know. Sometimes it’s ok to breathe a sigh of relief and decelerate into comfortable leisure attire. Writing while sprawled across my bed is also an acceptable work practise. For this edition there is quite a hefty backlog of tunes in my oversized tote of muzique nouveau, because well, life. Enjoy the toil, in your own fashion, and listen to this.
Vancouver Sleep Clinic: Someone to Stay
We first featured this luscious track in December but it now has a video directed by Georgia Hudson, who has also worked with MØ, Ellie Goulding, Glass Animals and IZZY BIZU. Someone To Stay is the third single from Vancouver Sleep Clinic’s forthcoming debut album.
Future Islands: Ran
Future Islands are set to release their fifth studio album, The Far Field, on 7 April, 2017. We’ve never really recovered from that Letterman appearance, but Ran allows us to sort of move on from it.
Bing & Ruth: The How of It Sped
This is an absolutely stunning soundscape from Bing & Ruth. The New York outfit’s third studio album No Home of the Mind is out now. Directed by previous collaborator Sebastien Cros, the video was shot in the south west of France on the Cap-Ferret peninsula, where the Dune Du Pyla sits surrounded either side by pine forests and the Atlantic Ocean.
Novella: Thun
London quartet Novella recently released their sophomore album Change of State, which was recorded over a few months in the Victorian bedroom studio of James Hoare (Ultimate Painting, Veronica Falls) on an old 1960’s 8-track. Thun is the name of a place in Switzerland the band visited while touring last year. And, though they remember the place for its incredible beauty, the journey there was the most terrifying experience they’ve had, driving through snow, having to turn around and drive back on themselves, navigating narrow roads on cliff edges.
Holy Holy: That Message
To coincide with HOLY HOLY’s new album release, they’ve collaborated with James Drinkwater on the Painting to PAINT Project, where Drinkwater and a selection of artists put to canvas an artwork based on four songs from the album, soon to be released as beautiful short films by award-winning director, Charlie Ford.
The first visual, That Message, was done by prolific expressionist painter James Drinkwater. Read our interview with HOLY HOLY guitarist and producer Oscar Dawson here.
Sam Gellaitry: Jungle Waters
Sam Gellaitry started producing at the age of 12 in central Scotland, where he grew up. Now 20, he is about to present the third chapter in his Escapism saga: a coming-of-age trilogy that shows the young prodigy’s unique, filmic musical productions. Escapism III will be released on 7 April. The EP sees Sam Gellaitry’s sound transcending, invoking a cinematic feel of technicolour-esque scope to his experimental production.
Oliver Tank: Swerve
You will be transfixed. The video for Swerve was directed by Sydney native Aislinn Lowe, providing an enthralling visual interpretation of the single’s melodic vocals and transcendent production.
Catch Oliver Tank at the Secret Garden Festival this Friday 24 and Saturday 25 February at Downes Family Farm, NSW.
Helen Shanahan: I Only Hide
‘I Only Hide’ is a melancholic sprawl offering comfort to those who suffer from anxiety; a comfort that only true empathy can provide. Catch Helen Shanahan live in Perth on Saturday 4 March at the Perth International Arts Festival. Get tickets here.
Run Rabbit Run: We Don’t Know
This Melbourne 5 piece have been working on their debut EP called BLOODLINE. We Don’t Know is dense, dark, and raw. Perfect for all of your overcast, grey sky moments.
We Don’t Know Tour Dates
- 24 February – The Loft WARRNAMBOOL Supports: Dan Hannaford & Cooper Lower Music
- 25 February – Dolly’s Sister Vegan Café & Bar GEELONG (Acoustic)
- 4 March – The Vic on the Park SYDNEY Support: Stockley
- 4 March – Glebe Markets SYDNEY (Acoustic)
Tickets available here.
Fractures: Lowcast
Fractures has just released an excellent debut album called Still Here. The Melbourne multi-instrumentalist has been touring to support his new release with shows in Brisbane and Sydney. Catch Fractures live in Melbourne this Friday 24 Feb at Howler.
Methyl Ethel: Ubu
Methyl Ethel is easily one of my favourite bands of recent times. Their new album, Everything Is Forgotten was written and recorded by Perth-based frontman Jake Webb, the album was brought to life by acclaimed British producer James Ford (Arctic Monkeys, Foals). I’m calling this early in 2017, but Ubu has the “hook of the year.” Listen. It’s a frenetic pop song inspired by Alfred Jarre’s surrealist play Ubu Roi. A self-portrait of self-flagellation and guilt, its companion video, directed by Paxi, takes some of its absurdist cues from Jarre. Everything Is Forgotten is out 3 March. Tell your friends.
- 23 February – Melbourne, Howler, Supported by Totally Mild
Final release tickets here24 February – SYDNEY, Newtown Social Club, Supported by Totally Mild
Final release tickets here - For Full World Tour Dates click HERE
Matteo Vallicelli: Giungla Elettrica
Giungla Elettrica is the newest single from the genius of Italy’s Matteo Vallicelli. The new album, Primo is out 3 February 2017. It is so fa-shun.
The Garb Wire 