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...