Browsing Tag

sydney

From Sydney with fury: Bambibrains releases his new track Postcode

Posted on 14 May 2020

From Sydney with fury – not quite, probably ardour – Bambibrains has released his new track Postcode.

There’s a halo of 80’s wrapping the arrangement and the overall structure of this song, whether it is for the reverbed drums or the studio maneuverer used to compress the vocals. Whatever it is, there’s a vast harmony made up of a mixture of keyboards that’s best appreciated if listened to in stereo – a very contemporary (and original) pop trick.

Production-wise, it’s an impressive recording effort powering up on the song’s memorable melodies that although essential and catchy, still contain lyrics that don’t merely describe commercial topics but dig deeper for both internal and external contemplation.

Even though Bambibrains claims not to be everybody’s cup of tea, Postcode proves he can appeal to a wide range of audiences.

Check him out for yourself on Soundcloud.

Review by Jim Esposito.

Jecht_0 drops his single Right Past You: A rather intriguing piece of music

Posted on 16 April 2020

Jecht_0 has dropped his single ‘Right Past You’, this enticing piece filled with soothing vocals and incredible instrumentation.

Having this gentle beat of the drum as humming begins to take over, to introduce the rather unique vocals that are rather compelling to listen too. Adding in the clasp of the strings on the guitar, as the tone of voice begins to lower and the instrumentals cut through the voice, swaying in and out of one another and gradually getting louder.

Every part of this song is different in its own way, it has this overpowering use of the high-pitched hum that mixes in with the pluck on the electric guitar strings, the vocals begin to fade into the distance as the instrumentation shines again until it all comes to a rather smooth end.

Be sure to check this one out by Jecht_0, he really lets his impressive talent excel through this.

Listen to Jecht_0 Right Past You by heading on over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Karley Myall

Sam Saint Jones – You: Dive into Some Psychedelic Indie Swamp

Posted on 28 December 2017

Sam Saint Jones track “You” helped me to forget everything that I thought I knew about music.

His sound can’t be confined to a genre, it’s much more of a feeling, and experience that you’re dragged along on through the power of his Swampy Psychedelic love song. The soothing sound guides you through the arrangements that lead you into warmth and uncertainty as the track unfurls in a Shoegaze way, that Mercury Rev, Slowdive & My Bloody Valentine would be proud of. The reverberation on the instrumentals is resonant and reflective which set the perfect stage for the melancholic flow of the vocals to create a cacophony of ambience.

The Sydney, Australia based artist defines style as Indie Swamp, Psychedelic, but that doesn’t even come close to hitting the nail on the head of this awesome instrumental mix, that’s been painstakingly polished after the heavy production.

Jones doesn’t have to tell you that his heart and soul went into this track, you can feel it through the sonorous vibe.

If you discover one more artist in 2017, make it Sam Saint Jones, check out his debut track You using the SoundCloud link below:

https://soundcloud.com/samsaintjoness/you

Ante – Places I Go: Surprisingly Sweet Hip Hop

Posted on 28 December 2017

Ante isn’t your usual Hip Hop rapper, no the Sydney, Australia based artist oozes in soulful, boundless lyrical amiability. His latest track; Places I Go, is the epitome of short and sweet. Luckily, Places I Go is just one of the stand out tracks off his debut EP “This World” which was released on the first of December 2017.

Ante is probably the only rap artist that your parents would be happy for you to date, he has a surprisingly sweet stance when it comes to the underground urban genre that’s usually flooded with angst, violence and grandiosity.

You just can’t help but fall in love with his sound. The ambience is amplified by his simplistic, yet resonant back beat to the track in a ubiquitously Trap fashion. Places I go is a strong contender for the most romantic Hip Hop track of all time, the tender humble attack on the genre has an entirely unique reproach to the genre which other artists have dabbled with in the past with their token love songs such as Snoop Dogg – Beautiful, Ghostface Killah – Jellyfish & 2Pac Do For Love.

Check out Places I Go on SoundCloud now:

https://antetheartist.bandcamp.com/track/places-i-go

Alternatively, you can listen to the Places I Go EP on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7ANg6GlNZs0dZpDuW9mZ7a

You Don’t Have To Be Beautifully Mad To Work Here, But It Helps



Posted on 9 November 2017
Silhouette by Beautifully Mad

The best music connects with you at a subconscious level. You can analyses, deconstruct and debate the merits of it till the cows come home but real genius is already talking to you on an altogether more subtle level. In fact not just talking, the best music will have knocked on the door of your subconscious holding a bunch of flowers, wined and dined it and will be curled up on the sofa with it before your conscious half has even managed to get out of bed.

And so it is with Silhouette, the titular offering from Beautifully Mad’s latest album and the real genius is that you have been listening to this band all of your life, you just may not have realised it. You have heard them in the lyricism of Leonard Cohen, the drunken grooves of Tom Waits, the sass of a whole range of blues divas and the virtuosity of blues informed rock guitarists. It is timeless and inevitable but still brilliantly original and totally necessary.

Acuity releases Crawl (Out of My Mind)

Posted on 10 August 2017
Nature | Nurture (Standard Version) by Acuity

Nature/Nurture, the album that Crawl comes from, is a poignant and timely reminder of a very serious subject. Written against a life long backdrop of depression and the related fall out, the recent loss to the rock community of a couple of its key players adds even more weight to the subject matter here. But Crawl and its parent album doesn’t dwell in the darker depths but instead attempts to bring the conversation into the light, and for all the weight of its subject matter it offers hope and positivity to a debate which we should be more and more willing to be part of.

Musically it is the perfect blend of melodicism and technicality, power and deftness, it blends the hard edge of the likes of Tool, the soaring majesty of Queensryche and the hook and immediacy of more accessible classic acts such as Def Leppard. This combination of poignancy and power makes for a great sound.

A&R Factory Present: Sparrows

Posted on 6 October 2016

Following on from the release of her stellar new single ‘Get To Know You’, Sydney-based songstress Sparrows has just revealed the accompanying music video and news that she will be launching the new cut live at Oxford Art Factory.

Shot in the picturesque NSW Blue Mountains and directed by Nick McKinlay, the clip stars Sparrows herself and a group of actors sporting hand-made animal masks. The ensemble prowl the streets with their instruments exploring the town, jamming and dancing along their journey.

Sparrows explains the motivation behind the clip –

“I found myself in a magical festival setting, letting loose with a bunch of partygoers decked out in crazy costumes. Whilst we were all strangers, we were having the time of our lives and I think the costumes certainly played a role in us being able to express ourselves freely. The video is a fun extension of this experience, whereby the masks and styling creates an other-wordly feel. It’s funny, all the people wearing the masks in the clip, were complete strangers to me but as the day went on I got to know them and they really are an interesting, talented bunch of people. I often find myself eavesdropping on strangers’ conversations and daydream about who they are. What was their last meal? Are they in love? When did they last cry? We are all strangers but could easily get to know each other if we wanted too, but we often don’t and I wish we would more.” 

Since the track’s release, ‘Get To Know You’ has been embraced by tastemakers far and wide including support from triple j, FBi, 4ZZZ, SYN, worldwide blogs and Spotify via their New Music Friday and Indie Pop playlists.

To coincide with the release of the song and music video, Sparrows will play a free entry show at the Oxford Art Factory as part of their ninth birthday celebrations, which will also feature Skegss, Dorsal Fins, ADKOB and Good Boy.

A&R Factory Present: Dappled Cities

Posted on 1 June 2016

Taking cues from the likes of David Bowie, Spoon, and Todd Rundgren, the quintets new cut ‘That Sound’ melds 70’s-inspired pop with modern day indie-rock and sees the band move away from the strictly produced material of previous records.

Vocalist / Guitarist Tim Derricourt describes the writing and recording process –

“We found ourselves in Byron Bay making a fittingly relaxed and positive record, taking all that we love about weirdo indie rock and adding some of that sweet 70s good time vibes to it – mellow beats, plenty of cowbell, layers of harmonies – true splendour.”

Since their first single ‘Be Engine’ hit rotation on triple j in 2002, Dappled Cities have continuously put out critically-praised and fan-adored records, toured USA, UK and Australia and pushed the boundaries of their music with every release.

Their studio albums A Smile (2004), Granddance (2007), Zounds (2009), and Lake Air (2012), as well as Many Roads: B-sides & Rarities (2014), have placed the band firmly in the spotlight of the Australian music scene. They have received high rotation on triple j and community radio, triple j feature album (three times), and picked up two ARIA nominations over this time.

To coincide with the new release, Dappled Cities announce two shows: Northcote Social Club, Melbourne on Friday July 15 and Oxford Art Factory, Sydney on Saturday July 16.

Tickets to the upcoming launch shows are on-sale June 1 and will be available from www.dappledcities.com

‘That Sound’ is available 1 June 2016

A&R Factory Present: Why We Run

Posted on 27 May 2016

A few years back, Nic Cogels packed up his life and moved across the world from Brussels to Sydney – a city where he knew no-one. Searching for new beginnings, by chance he met brothers Ed and Lloyd Prescott, and together with guitarist Nick Langley they started a band.

Why We Run’s debut single ‘Comfortable Lie’ arrived in early 2015. The song was accompanied by a distinctive “mobile camera obscura” video which caught the attention of a diverse range of people, including Gotye and Rob Thomas who both shared it with their fans. Since then, Why We Run have released several further singles which together have amassed over 400,000 streams across Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud and YouTube; while also enjoying significant radio airplay and 4 or 4.5 star reviews from six different Triple J presenters on Unearthed.

In March this year, inspired by a near-drowning experience, the band revealed a touching second video for ‘A Moment to Return’. ‘Holograms’ is their debut album. Produced & mixed by Wayne Connolly (Paul Dempsey, Paper Kites, Cloud Control), it’s set for worldwide independent release through Double Drummer/Kobalt on June 24.