Get your boots on, baby
Early New Year's Resolution: Update journal more often.
Last Saturday night I went to Heligoland's new single launch at the Rob Roy, with Ash as special guest on keys. The new songs sounded wonderful, and I can't wait for the new album to come out next year. Ash's contributions were lovely (in my humble, unbiased opinion), although I found it hard to hear his parts on two of the three songs. I completed (I think?) my Heligoland collection by purchasing a copy of the new single Nearly Everything is New along with the two older singles on 7 inch.
I was also blown away by one of the supports, The Red Tree. I'm assuming their name is taken from the children's picture book by Shaun Tan (incidentally one of the most insightful, thought-provoking children's books I've ever come across). I can't wait to see these guys play again. Think Portishead/Decoder Ring/Silver Ray/ninetynine musically, with a vocal lying somewhere between Katie Noonan and Lora MacFarlane. Oh, and an electric drum machine which I covet somewhat (but probably moreso the skillz to play it). Great night. I had one too many bourbons and Ash had to deal with my drunkenness, as usual.
Speaking of Portishead, I have made a few purchases at JB HiFi in the past week, not the least of which is The Dusk Sessions by Spook. Some of you may remember Chanel Cole from Australian Idol, and Spook is her doing what she does best: breathy vocals with a sultry electro-jazz feel. Daniel Belle does harmonies on a few tracks, but he needn't have bothered. Spook is clearly all about Chanel. I'm in love with a track called Faster which sounds like PJ Harvey if you close your eyes. By far the best release ever to have come out of Australian Idol (how's that for an achievement?). I also bought Gillian Welch's Revelator Collection DVD featuring live footage of songs from Time (The Revelator) as well as some video clips. She is one of those musicians who can just pull my heart right out with one note (See: Revelator, Everything is Free, I Dream a Highway).
Last night Matt and I went to the Northcote Social Club to see Gorgeous play their final Melbourne show. So it was a night of firsts and lasts for me. They were supported by the surprisingly endearing The Guild League. Melbourne brought out its worst weather just for Matt's visit, and it turns out Northcote was one of the worst-affected areas last night, and the flash floods resulted in the death of one man. So there was no meandering through the city alleyways to be done after the gig, but rather a somewhat rushed search for a decent open bar. Pony was closest, so despite the metal crowd that was where we stayed until tiredness set in. I'm hungover today.
This week's weeklies are The Dreamers, Y Tu Mama Tambien, City of God and The Rage in Placid Lake. Perhaps I am becoming a recluse.
Last Saturday night I went to Heligoland's new single launch at the Rob Roy, with Ash as special guest on keys. The new songs sounded wonderful, and I can't wait for the new album to come out next year. Ash's contributions were lovely (in my humble, unbiased opinion), although I found it hard to hear his parts on two of the three songs. I completed (I think?) my Heligoland collection by purchasing a copy of the new single Nearly Everything is New along with the two older singles on 7 inch.
I was also blown away by one of the supports, The Red Tree. I'm assuming their name is taken from the children's picture book by Shaun Tan (incidentally one of the most insightful, thought-provoking children's books I've ever come across). I can't wait to see these guys play again. Think Portishead/Decoder Ring/Silver Ray/ninetynine musically, with a vocal lying somewhere between Katie Noonan and Lora MacFarlane. Oh, and an electric drum machine which I covet somewhat (but probably moreso the skillz to play it). Great night. I had one too many bourbons and Ash had to deal with my drunkenness, as usual.
Speaking of Portishead, I have made a few purchases at JB HiFi in the past week, not the least of which is The Dusk Sessions by Spook. Some of you may remember Chanel Cole from Australian Idol, and Spook is her doing what she does best: breathy vocals with a sultry electro-jazz feel. Daniel Belle does harmonies on a few tracks, but he needn't have bothered. Spook is clearly all about Chanel. I'm in love with a track called Faster which sounds like PJ Harvey if you close your eyes. By far the best release ever to have come out of Australian Idol (how's that for an achievement?). I also bought Gillian Welch's Revelator Collection DVD featuring live footage of songs from Time (The Revelator) as well as some video clips. She is one of those musicians who can just pull my heart right out with one note (See: Revelator, Everything is Free, I Dream a Highway).
Last night Matt and I went to the Northcote Social Club to see Gorgeous play their final Melbourne show. So it was a night of firsts and lasts for me. They were supported by the surprisingly endearing The Guild League. Melbourne brought out its worst weather just for Matt's visit, and it turns out Northcote was one of the worst-affected areas last night, and the flash floods resulted in the death of one man. So there was no meandering through the city alleyways to be done after the gig, but rather a somewhat rushed search for a decent open bar. Pony was closest, so despite the metal crowd that was where we stayed until tiredness set in. I'm hungover today.
This week's weeklies are The Dreamers, Y Tu Mama Tambien, City of God and The Rage in Placid Lake. Perhaps I am becoming a recluse.