Harri Gibson
Listen: Julia Brown – “library”
You can download one of the songs off the upcoming release called library. It was released through a friend of the band, Mat Cothran’s (Coma Cinema/Elvis Depressedly) blog. Compared to Teen Suicide this track has a much more pop aesthetic with both male and female vocals creating a completely different sound and an all together beautiful track. Fans of any of the bands affiliated with the Unlimited Free Milkshakes Label or part of the 420 Love Songs compilation should definitely check this band out. You can listen to a Julia Brown B-side song titled dizzy below.
Track Listing:
1. ‘im falling in love’
2. library
3. how i spent my summer
4. i will do this for the rest of my life
5. 5/21/11
6. i was my own favorite tv show the summer my tv broke
7. virginia
8. to be close to you
Listen: The Strokes – “One Way Trigger”
Listen: Camper Van Beethoven – “Someday Our Love Will Sell Us Out”
Listen: Wil Wagner – “Laika”
After being blown away by Wagner’s lyrics and sound on The Smith Street Band’s latest album Sunshine & Technology, I am excited to hear this collection of new acoustic solo songs. You can order the 12″ vinyl and CD from the Poison City Records Store and listen to two of the tracks below.
Listen: The Arab Springs – “Radost Moya”
The Arab Springs, Ross Devlin’s ambient experimental pop project recently unveiled their debut album Radost Moya. Devlin known for his work under the Wolf Fluorescence moniker, crafts drone-filled numbers with the vocal stylings of Ellery Roberts formerly from the now deceased WU LYF. Similarly Devlin uses his voice as an instrument to compliment the tracks’ layers swapping between airy and impassioned vocals. Combining drum loops, a variety of synthesiser melodies, and surreal lyrics Radost Moya floats seamlessly from track to track in a dreamlike sonic journey.
In Devlin’s own words about the release, “I recorded everything myself – some digital and some analog – mostly over this past summer. I was inspired to not really care if there’s a little bit of ugliness in my music which is always something that I’ve been conscious of. If you read any of the lyrics, the songs are mostly pretty gloomy, but there’s hope in them, and that’s where the name The Arab Springs came from.” You can download the album on a ‘Name Your Price’ basis from The Arab Springs’ Bandcamp and stream it above. For more information follow their Facebook page.
Listen: Pairs – “If this cockroach doesn’t die, I will.”
This Australian and Chinese duo create garage sounding post punk, with an element of hardcore in it. Vocalist and drummer Xiao Zhong yells out his simple yet inspiring lyrics, accompanied by guitarist F’s constant distortion filled strumming which keeps each track moving along. Lyrically, I was surprised to hear references to The Smith Street Band, which made me like Pairs even more. You can pick up their new album on their Bandcamp page along with many other previous releases.
Listen: Whale Fire – “Wild-Eyed Mistake”
Referring to their upcoming material in John’s own words, “We recently finished recording material for a 7″ and a full length album with our good friend Michael Stephens mostly between his spare bedroom and our practice space. The process ended up taking a little longer than we thought it would after the laptop we were using broke and it hit another snag when Michael had to move to Shreveport, LA, but we are finished now and happy with the results.”
Pick up their single Wild-Eyed Mistake for free on their bandcamp page now and check out their website for tour dates and more information.
Listen: Red Alder – “Empty Staircases”
Kelsie Brown, a Washington-based solo artist has put out her fourth and final release, “Empty Staircases”, under the new moniker, Red Alder. Red Alder produces ambient atmospheric music, with an influence from classical music which can be definitely heard while listening to her songs. The mood created from her music is unique as you seem to become emotionally gauged with it, as it draws you in.
As she says in her own words, “I put my soul into this album and I am so proud of what I have created and I can only hope that others appreciate it as well.” Fans of Ricky Eat Acid will definitely enjoy this release as it creates the same atmospheric vibes. You can listen to the new release below and download her entire discography on a “Name Your Price Basis” from her Bandcamp page.
Listen: Ricky Eat Acid + Arrange – “Sketches”
The roles they each played in the collaboration explained in Sam’s own words, “Malcom recorded the vocals for these songs, as well as a lot of the instruments and synths, while I handled the production aspect mostly, contributing guitars, (some) pianos, pads, bass, (some) synths and most of the drums. We shared a lot of the mixing duties as well. The cover art is also by me, and is composed of four photos I’ve taken (and subsequently re-printed and scanned again to achieve a textured effect.)” You can see a lot more on Ray’s tumblr.
Their distinct styles seamlessly work together to a produce an excellent experimental ambient collection of four songs. Sketches is available both at Ricky Eat Acid’s Bandcamp and Arrange’s on a name your price basis.
Review: The Smith Street Band – Sunshine & Technology
The Smith Street Band – Sunshine & Technology
Released: August 24, 2012
Label: Poison City Records
Purchase: Poison City Records
In the past year, I have become very fond of the wave of bands coming from Australia, with a folk-punk aesthetic. In particular, The Smith Street Band, a five piece band from Melbourne whom I interviewed earlier this year which can be found here.
Their sophomore record, Sunshine & Technology, released on August 24th, has had high expectations after their first LP No One Gets Lost Anymore which didn’t have a single track that disappointed. Self-described as “Folk Party Punk” with the most honest lyrics I have ever heard, Wil Wagner, does not take the same approach to his songwriting as many current day bands do. Instead of arrogantly trying to make his lyrics appeal to every listener, he writes very personally about emotions, mishaps, parties, and his views of society. In “I Want Friends”, he howls out social commentary and a way to live life through “exist[ing] between the margins, not between the lines.”
Sunshine & Technology is more band orientated than their debut album, as opposed to solo songs With added guitars and drums, each song now is much fuller and definitely written with the entire band in mind. The beloved, distinct Smith Street Band sound with their addictive folk melodies, backed up by punk-esque sounding guitars and a rhythmic drum beat is present in this release. My personal favorites alongside “I Want Friends” which I mentioned previously, are “Tom Busby” and “Don’t Mention The War” for their sound and Wagner’s lyrical genius. “The things you loved started gathering dust years ago. You know more than anyone would give you credit for, we’re killing ourselves to live the best life possible.” (Tom Busby). The final song that allows the album to end with a bang, “Don’t Mention The War” escalates to a cohesive masterpiece with each instrument playing loudly as Wagner cries out above everything.
The Smith Street Band are first doing a national tour of Australia which has already commenced, followed by a nine day stop over in China for six shows and then a month in the U.S. Tour details can be found on their Facebook page, and the Poison City Records website.
This album, alongside their debut album, are my version of the 90’s generation’s Nevermind by Nirvana. Sunshine & Technology is an album not to be ignored, and is sure to receive critical acclaim. It can be purchased in mp3 format from iTunes and in CD and vinyl record from the Poison City Records website. You can also listen to a free stream of the album here.
9.0
Standout Tracks: “I Want Friends”, “Tom Busby”, “Don’t Mention The War”
Tracklisting:
1. Sunshine & Technology
2. I Can’t Feel My Face
3. I Want Friends
4. Why I Can’t Draw
5. Stay Young
6. What’s Changed
7. Tom Busby
8. Young Drunk
9. When I Said Us I Meant Them
10. Don’t Mention The War
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