The Greeks.

Ahh the days of being a kid. Remember playing war games with your toy guns pretending you were in the middle of some battlefield? Well thanks to some crafty animation and one very creative video clip, those days have come to life once again. Possibly my favourite clip of 2011, so many good memories to accompany a great song by Is Tropical in The Greeks. Enjoy.

Update.

So incase you haven't noticed, over the past month I've been pretty much over this whole blogging thing. Yes, I've still listened to many hundred songs in that time but sometimes the effort to sit down, write about them and post them just all sounds like too much. So here it is, in an effort to please my four dedicated readers per day who for some unbeknown reason have persisted with this blog, I bring you an update.

That pretty face belongs to Melbourne's own Owl Eyes (aka Brooke Addamo). The 20yo singer/songwriter is onto something with her dreamy, intelligent indie-pop that has so far seen her release two highly successful EPs. Whilst I wasn't huge on the Faces EP, new song Raiders has seen her produce a far more matured sound and has definitely won me over. The clip was released today, and sees her capture the breezy and catchy vibe of the song perfectly. The fact that she's incredibly cute doesn't do her much harm either. Look out for her at The Espy this Friday 10th June, and all over the radio no doubt!

Groovin' the Moo @ Bendigo Showgrounds (30/04/11)

Bringing a complete review together of a music festival is a tough job at the best times. Mix in a whole lot of alcohol and some very hazy memories, and the job becomes a tad more difficult. And with that in mind here it is, my attempt to review an epic day that was Groovin the Moo 2011, or parts of it at least.

New Music.

So I realise it's been a while in between posts, mainly because I've been lazy but also because I've been busy moving to the party capital of Victoria in Mildura. Anyway, somewhere amongst my hectic schedule I've found some new tunes to listen to.

The first is by newly formed band Cat's Eyes. If you recognise the vocals it's because the guy is Faris Badwan, lead singer from The Horrors. Bit of a darker tune but I'm just loving the harmonies of the overlying chorus sung by the relatively unknown Rachel Zeffira, apparently a renowned opera soprano and classical multi-instrumentalist. Hmm. Good tune anyway and thanks to Zan Rowe for the tip!

 Cat's Eyes - Face in the Crowd 

New music from UK band Cults has been doing the rounds on the blogosphere also. You might remember their track Go Outside from my list of last year's top 100 songs. They play a simple yet unique brand of 60s-inspired indie pop and it's just fun to listen to. This is newest track Abducted, and will be on the forthcoming debut release in June this year. Wait for it to really kick in around the 40 second mark.

 Abducted by cultscultscults 

And finally, to make up for the lack of posts over the past two weeks here's a new track from seasoned indie act Metronomy. Their latest release 'The English Riviera' has so far seen the band produce a more chilled sound but still of the highest quality. This is The Look. I remember being a bit indifferent at first but give it a few listens and it will definitely grow on you! You can also check out the video here.

 Metronomy - The Look  

new arctic monkeys.

You've gotta love the Arctic Monkeys. The band sure as hell know how to create hype around their releases, and even though 'Humbug' wasn't everyone's cup of tea the excitement building around forthcoming album 'Suck It and See' is hard to ignore. Okay, it's terribly titled, but give the guys a break. This is the first official single off it in Don't Sit Down Cause I've Moved Your Chair, and since yesterday's release it's been played over 160,000 times on the band's Soundcloud page alone.

Whilst it's a bit darker than the shambolic indie rock most of their fans are yearning after, it's certainly promising and will no doubt grow on you with each listen. 'Suck It and See' is out June 7 worldwide.

Update: Arctic Monkey's have mysteriously removed the song from the band's Soundcloud page. Here's the official clip instead :)

Groovin the moo map & set times

The set times and maps for regional Australia's biggest music festival Groovin the Moo have finally been released! Whilst many would be hoping that organisers have learned their lesson after last year's debacle, the latest release makes me think that may be wishful thinking. One has to question the idea of starting festival drawcard The Jezabels at 12.35pm, with once again only a single entry point for the thousands who will no doubt rock up at or around Midday. Oh well, the one major change they have appeared to make is renaming the Myspace stage to 'The Udder Stage'. Hmmm. Here's to hoping my cynicism is proven wrong!

You can check out the set times for Bendigo here. Stay tuned for a full review after the festival.

I think I'm in love.

far from home, all alone, but we're so happy

No prizes for guessing here, I'm speaking of Icelandic band Of Monsters & Men. You'll perhaps remember that I posted a recorded home video for their track Little Talks a while back, one that has been on repeat on my computer and I dare say yours for quite sometime. Hell, I refuse to believe anyone can listen to that song and not instantly fall in love. Well they're back again, and again I seem to have fallen for them. Their perfect blend of indie folk has me singing along, smiling and enjoying music like I never knew I could.

After exercising my googling skills to the full extent, here's a newish track of theirs called From Finner. Whilst it's a tad more stripped-back than its predecessor, it contains everything that makes them sound so damn good from the first listen. Can't wait to hear more from these guys, enjoy them before they get the inevitable popularity they deserve.

I want that you are always happy..

There's something strangely soothing about this band. Put me in the worst mood, take me to a place I absolutely hate, yet if The Middle East are playing you can bet I'll be having a good time. Their debut EP was of the highest quality, so it is with great anticipation that we await the debut full length release from the Townsville collective.

'I Want That You Are Always Happy' is out April 8, and if hype is anything to go by you can bet this will probably be featuring on a few 'best of' lists come years end. For now you'll have to settle with the ever so pleasant Land of the Bloody Unknown, the latest track coming our way off the record. They play the Corner Hotel on Saturday 11th June in support of the release, highly recommend checking them out if you're about! Enjoy.

New Music Fridays!

Friday arvo, great sunny day, aged care done and dusted for another week - reason enough to celebrate for me! In what is fast becoming a weekly tradition, here's another bunch of brand new tunes I've been enjoying to take you to the weekend. Some new stuff from Death Cab and Example (love kickstarts again...) in there, plus a couple of newbies. Enjoy :)

 Death Cab For Cutie - You Are A Tourist [Album Version]

 Example - Changed The Way You Kiss Me

 Wye Oak - Civilian

 YACHT-Dystopia

Seabellies.

Been looking for this one for a while! Seabellies are an impressive indie act out of Newcastle, and even though they've been around for a while they've somehow still managed to slip under the radar. They produce this somewhat unique indie sound which is so easy to listen to time and time again, yet for some unbeknown reason they always seem to be the answer to the question 'who sings this song?'. This is Board the Apartment Up, it's from their LP released last year and I dare say you'll probably recognise it from triple j. Hopefully you'll remember them for next time!

New Justice!

At the risk of conforming to just about every music blog on the internet, I bring you the latest song to go viral in Civilization, the brand spanking new single from French dance duo Justice. If you're an electro house fan then I dare say you'll absolutely love it. With funky synths and a mesmerising chorus, these guys sure as hell know how to produce great music. If you're not, perhaps move right along..

Justice - Civilization

moment bends

"glued together with a dynamic bounce and compelling romanticism"

That's Melbourne band Architecture in Helsinki describing how they went about forming their much anticipated fourth studio album 'Moment Bends'. According to songwriter Cameron Bird, the LP is all about “being at one with our ideas, obsessed with popular music and falling in love with our hometown. We wanted to build a record to get lost in. A record that always feels exactly what you are feeling.” Touching hey. But it seems for all the crap they talk and the hype they build, AIH can actually back it up with some exceptional music. The insanely catchy Contact High has been the sweetest taste of what we can expect come April 8, where the bands latest release will finally hit the stores.

They play Groovin the Moo in Bendigo on April 30th, and for those who missed out they can catch them at the Hi-Fi Bar on Thursday 26th May. In the meantime, here's another taste of what we can look forward to in new track Escapee.

Yelle.

She even looks cool, right? That's Yelle, the gorgeous but outlandish French artist who brings you the title track off her forthcoming record, Safari Disco Club. This chick has an uncanny ability to produce infectious electro-pop of the highest quality (remember Cooler Couler?), and this time is no different. A very catchy song from a very talented artist, although I still have absolutely no idea what she is saying..

new stuff

No write-up here, just a bunch of quality new tunes to take you to the weekend! Loving the new Friendly Fires sound just quietly. Enjoy.

 Fleet Foxes - Battery Kinzie

 Friendly Fires - Live Those Days Tonight

 Papa Vs Pretty - One Of The Animals

 Oh Land - Perfection

Conversation 16

You can't help but feel The National are taking the piss on this one. And if you watch it with that in mind, their clip for the undeniably brilliant Conversation 16 is far more enjoyable. It stars the ever so eccentric Kristen Schaal (of Flight of the Conchords fame) as, wait for it, the President of the United States. Hmm if only that's where the peculiarities ended. Enter Roger Sterling of Mad Men. He plays a lonely bodygaurd desperate to win over, you guessed it, the US president. What ensues is a story of love, heartbreak and jealousy, somehow ending with the Russian president wrestling a man in a bear costume. Hmm. Did I miss something? Not sure how it relates to the song but quite entertaining nonetheless, and it's great to see a band not taking themselves too seriously!

Bag Raiders.

when i see your face, it's like sunlight dripping

Okay, I realise I'm bit slow, but for some reason or another this track has only recently come to my attention. And excuse the language but fuck it is good. Bag Raiders have been around the dance scene for a while now, but their recent self-titled debut album appears to take them to the next level. This track is Sunlight - it features the ever so talented Dan Black, and is sure to get any party going/be on repeat on my computer for the next few weeks at least. Probably could've chosen any song off their record to feature (try Snake Charmer for instance), but this will more than do for now. Enjoy!

ps. thanks for the tip Ida :)

Jonaaa, Jona Vark!

Ahh Jona Vark. Great song, great band, great video? Mm not convinced on that last one. Melbourne boys Gypsy & The Cat have belatedly released the official clip for their hit song Jona Vark, one that featured on many 'best of' lists at the end of 2010, although after the first couple of views I kind of wish they'd waited a little longer. The song has such dreamy vocals, so many different dimensions that you feel would come out so well on screen. But, it doesn't. Instead we are left with far too many close-ups of Xavier Bacash's face showing a facade of emotion (see above shot for example), and a clip that essentially goes nowhere. Oh well, they're still awesome, and I guess the lighting is kinda cool. They'll be touring in May for anyone interested (I'll be in Mildura, yay!).

unearthed.

So it's Thursday, which means it's almost Friday, which means it's almost the w/e...Reason to celebrate? Sure, here's a couple of finds from triple j unearthed to help you along the way, no doubt one of the better music websites getting around if you want to waste a few hours. The first are called Busby Marou (the surnames of the band members apparently, how original) - very Josh Pykey, worth a listen. The second are The Little Stevies - they've been around a bit longer, releasing an album soon, some fun indie pop. Not suggesting either are Boy & Bear or The Jezabels material, but pretty easy on the ears nonetheless! Enjoy.

 Busby Marou - Biding My Time

 The Little Stevies - Feel It

the words that maketh murder

Bit creepy hey? That's PJ Harvey, the seasoned UK songstress who brings to you a rather dark but strangely enticing new track The Words That Maketh Murder, the first release from her eighth studio album. Whilst not your typical summery indie tune that might find its way onto this blog, I find myself drawn in by the ominous and political overtones of song, and I guess it's kinda catchy in its own strange twisted way. Not sure if my one reader in Malaysia will appreciate it, but have a listen anyway and see what you think!

We Say Bamboulee!

Okay, so their name needs work, but Sydney outfit We Say Bamboulee have officially won me over. Their track Waiting in Wisconsin has somehow managed to produce a perfect blend of dreamy, surfy indie pop akin to something you'd expect to come from years of experience, not a band from triple j unearthed. Check them out below, they play the Northcote Social Club this Friday (18/03) with fellow Big Day Out competition winners Ball Park Music and Eagle and the Worm. Something tells me these guys might just be the best of the bunch..

friend crush.

I wanna be your friend/wanna ask your advice on a weekday/wanna plan something nice for the weekend

Well this is nice. A band called Friends, singing about a Friend Crush. It's a mystery how they make it sound so damn cool. Perhaps it's the haunting bass lines, pulsating drumming or strangely beautiful vocals that tease you with the thought of more? Whatever it is, it works. These guys are from Brooklyn, and after recently signing to a major record label I dare say we can look forward to hearing a lot more from them in 2011. Just don't try to google them.

Who the fuck are the Arctic Monkeys?

Remember them? After their brilliant debut 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not', they followed up soon after with the above titled EP. Way back then the indie rock world was essentially salivating at every word that came out of Alex Turner's mouth, and for good reason. Fast-forward to 2011 and has anything changed? Well it's been a good two years since they released the not so brilliant 'Humbug' LP for starters. Okay, so maybe I'm being a little harsh but I really wasn't feeling the whole Josh Homme/QOTSA vibe. Anyway I'm rambling.

Last week they dropped this little teaser from their forthcoming album out sometime this year (in time for a Splendour tour perhaps?). Really interested to see which direction the album takes, although this song doesn't seem to make it any easier. It's called 'Brick by Brick' anyway, make up your own mind below...

cutest girl getting around..

Is it wrong to describe her like that? I don't think you can argue to be honest after watching this video. Apologies if you're one of the 8 million plus who have already seen it, but try watching this video without smiling.

Oh My Gosh!!!

Apologies about the gay title. No, I have not suddenly become a 13 year old school girl intent on using an excessive amount of exclamation marks on her msn/twitter/whatever is cool these days. Instead, I bring you a lyric from an awesome new electro song by LA DJ Skrillex (aka Sonny Moore). Don't know much about the guy apart from the fact I love this song, been getting a heap of airplay on JJJ and for good reason. You know the tune - a heap of bass, lyrics played backwards, with that interrupting girl screaming "YES, OH MY GOSH!!!" (apologies again). No? Have a listen below. Seriously, I'll wait.



Not bad hey. Except I couldn't get my head around that lyric for aaages, until I stumbled across this video...love your work Sonny. Warning: it does get annoying very quickly.

Best Coast @ East Brunswick Club (06/03/11)

      

Possibly one of the biggest hype bands on the indie-rock scene in 2010, US natives Best Coast have effortlessly established themselves a solid fan base all over the world, and judging by the adoring crowd tonight, Melbourne may very well be at the forefront. As it turned out, they were a lot more 'rock' than 'indie', but more on that later.

Tim & Jean

So I first heard of these guys back in 2009 when they were in Triple J's unearthed high competition. Whilst they didn't quite get over the line in that comp, they have certainly surpassed the winners in Howl (although they were probably always a bit better). Awesome indie-electro tunes anyway, saw them support Two Door Cinema Club a while back and definitely recommend seeing them live. This is 'I Can Show You' - latest song getting a bit of airplay on the jays.

Of Monsters & Men!

Iceland. Wiki tells me it's renowned for its glaciers, snow fields and volcanos. But indie-folk? It seems so in my latest musical discovery 'Of Monsters & Men' (although credit must go to the hype machine/music blogs). Think Mumford & Sons mixed with Boy & Bear, and a touch of Edward Sharpe and the Xx. Not a bad combination hey? Check them out for yourself, love bands that are that laid back and can sound so good in their lounge room...

Welcome

Welcome to turtle&co's new music blog. Over the coming weeks I'll be posting new tunes from some of my favourite bands, live reviews, music news etc..pretty much anything to do with good music. Stay tuned...