Globetrotting: Matt Townsend - The Proper Ornaments - Kamaliza - The Insatiables

Matt Townsend - Came Down From The Mountain.

Background - The Drifter and the Dream (Part I) is the first installment of a two-part EP series. It features some of Western North Caroli-na’s finest musicians, such as Bill Berg (Drums on Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks) River Guerguerian, Kat Williams, Franklin Keel, Jackson Dulaney, Carly Taich, Charles Gately (Doc Aquatic), Ryan Burns.

With his distinctive voice, and a world weary insight, Matt Townsend delivers his original songs, formed in the wells of Folk music, 60’s rock and pop, indie rock, ambient music and the American songwriting tradition.Live, his band flows from high energy rock and roll, to quiet folk tunes and back. Bob Dylan, Neutral Milk Hotel, Neil Young are counted among some of his musical guiding lights.

The Asheville, North Carolina-based musician has been performing across the country since 2012. 2016 marks the anticipated release of Townsend’s latest work, The Drifter and the Dream (Part I), a five-track EP, which is part one of a double EP series. The songs were recorded at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville with producer Michael Selverne (Welcome to Mars Productions), and features Bill Berg (The drummer on the Minnesota sessions for Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks, Cat Stevens, Leo Kottke). The first EP explores the personal relationship to social and political issues, spiritual connection, and humanness in a de-humanizing society. Along with recording and touring, Townsend is also the the founder of Eternal Mind Records, a new arts collective and record label in Asheville, NC. Website here. Facebook here.

The second of five songs on the EP 'Came Down From The Mountain', is a good indicator of the quality to be found on 'The Drifter and the Dream (Part I)'. Mixing lighter acoustic songs with more expansive pieces, the wonderful vocals of Matt Townsend are just a gift for this type of music. The craftsmanship of the musicians and the quality of each song, make this a must have for me.

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The Proper Ornaments - Cremated (Blown Away).

Background - The Proper Ornaments – the project of James Hoare (Ultimate Painting, Veronica Falls) and Max Oscarnold (Toy) – will release their sophomore album 'Foxhole' on January 20 via Slumberland Records (US) and Tough Love Records (ROW). This week the band shares album standout "Cremated (Blown Away)".

James and Max started out writing Foxhole, the follow up to the bands 2014 released debut album ‘Wooden Head’, in January 2015. On ‘Foxhole’ they’ve sliced away a whole stratum of their sound, removing some distortion and lowering the frequency of plectrum strokes to allow more nuanced, piano-led ideas to emerge. The title isn’t a reference to Television’s jaunty proto-punk record but seems to be more of a dark, protective interior, a head space sketched out on ‘Jeremy’s Song’. While their particularly recognisable production style remains, three things stand out as likely reasons for the shift in mood. By the time they got around to recording again in James’ bedroom in Finsbury Park that Summer, the instability around the recording of ‘Wooden Head’ (and the five years before) had slid into a deep and seething acrimony. Second, they both bought pianos. Third, when the band, with Daniel Nellis and Bobby Syme joining on bass and drums went to record at Tin Room in Hackney in June, the pinch wheel on the 8 track machine was broken and somehow no one noticed. All but one recording, ‘The Frozen Stare,’ was hopelessly warped, so they went and did it all again from scratch back at James’. Facebook here.

Tour Dates:
01/22 Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club (Games Room)
01/23 Glasgow, UK - Mono
01/24 Birmingham, UK - The Hare & Hounds
01/26 London, UK - Moth Club
01/28 Lille, FR - Le BiPlan
01/29 Lyon, FR - Sonic
01/30 Luzern, CH - Gewerbehalle
01/31 Lausanne, CH - Le Romandie
02/01 Winterthur, CH - Albani Music Club
02/02 Heidelberg, DE - Karlstorbahnhof
02/03 Berlin, DE - Marie Antoinette
02/05 Hamburg, DE - MS Stubnitz
02/07 Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso
02/08 Utrecht, NL - ACU
02/09 Rotterdam, NL - V11
02/10 Paris, FR - La Mecanique Ondulatoire.

'Cremated (Blown Away)' has a distinct sound and feel to it, one that has that timeless element. Keeping the arrangement quite simple results in each instrument standing out and the refined vocals are a really good fit. Another fine musical example of  "less is more".  

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Kamaliza - Zermatt.

Background - London-based company, Cape & Monocle do a fantastic job of creating a video that is just as mesmerising as the song. Switching between a series of complex visuals that encompass a spectacular world of beauty inspired by Kamaliza's travels through Switzerland.

The visual art of Kamaliza's "Zermatt" mesmerises, its vivid colors encompassing a spectacular world of beauty. Inspired by his travels through Switzerland, Kamaliza describes the simple joy of a holiday with a loved one, contextualised by the natural wonder of Zermatt's majestic Matterhorn. In the video, landscape transforms into abstraction, colors distorted yet thoroughly breathtaking. The music, fittingly, is a contemporary blend between electronic and alternative, as refreshing as the crisp air of the Alps. Website here, Facebook here.

The video is a spectacular collection of creative images, where vivid colours and artistic montages combine to create an intriguing series of moments for the song 'Zermatt'. All that's needed is the right music, and Kamaliza is a natural for that, with a beautifully produced track that comfortably builds around the electronic framework.

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The Insatiables - My Dear.

Background - The Insatiables launch summery new single 'My Dear' Following on from their May 2016 EP release 'Impatient Creatures', Perth three piece The Insatiables have wasted no time and are set to launch their wonderfully crafted new single 'My Dear'.

In letter writing My Dear is an opening line used for a more intimate and affectionate approach and the same can be said of the delivery of this slice of indie-pop. A penned letter to a love accompanied by rhythmic guitars, driving sixteenths and commanding vocals, The Insatiables' writing chops step up a level as they channel textural specialists The Jezabels.

Previous single 'I Know My Scars' from the EP 'Impatient Creatures' introduced audiences to The Insatiables and scored community spins Australia wide along with commercial exposure through Perth's Mix FM. As the band prepare for a 2017 EP release, 'My Dear' will be available via all digital retailers from November 24 with a live launch date of December 17 at favourite watering hole 459 Bar in North Perth. My Dear is out November 24 via all good digital retailers. Website here, Facebook here.

'My Dear' has some notable and powerful upfront chord changes that are delivered with vibrancy. The audio production is superb, and whats more the song just happens to be one very fine indie piece.

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Quality Not Quantity: The Insatiables - Stillwater Giants - ISLES - The Broadcasts

The Insatiables - I Know My Scars.

Background promo - Perth based indie-popsters The Insatiables are gearing up for the May 9 release of their second EP 'Impatient Creatures', with a live launch May 22 at everyone's favourite watering hole The Rosemount Hotel.

Spearheaded by lead single 'I Know My Scars', the six track EP was recorded at Underground Studios with resident producers Mark McEwan and Brody Simpson. 'Impatient Creatures' treads the alternative path, not shy of a trumpet melody or a cinematic sub effect, ultimately providing an expansive landscape. The moodier tracks could sit on a shelf with artists like Lana Del Ray and London Grammar where cyclical guitar and piano riffs swirl around a commanding vocal line.

Following on from their debut 'Let Go of Limbo', which quickly saw the group play the 2013 WAMi Saturday Spectacular showcase, The Insatiables are now armed with an inviting 2016 release that is both lyrically and musically passionate.

'I Know My Scars' is the second of six really good songs on the forthcoming EP. The band have a distinctive indie pop sound that runs through the collection, plenty of melody and well crafted material.

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Stillwater Giants - Montage.

Background bio - Gearing up for the imminent release of their debut album, lovable Perth scamps Stillwater Giants announce the release of 'Montage', the second single from the upcoming LP.

Brotherhood. It’s a word thrown around often, but for Stillwater Giants, it’s now gospel.  These days, two years can seem like a lifetime between new releases. For this Perth four piece it was a necessary hiatus that’s helped to turn them from boys to men, both within their song writing and the mateship that hard times bring. After originally being Unearthed by triple j in 2012 to play the Groovin' the Moofestival, this group of young guns from Margaret River began their steam rolling journey across the country. Swiftly finding themselves warming up the stage for the likes of The Delta Riggs, Birds of Tokyo, Stonefield, Ball Park Music, British India, The Rubens and Regurgitator, they also clocked festival time at Future Music, Parklife, Southbound, St Kilda Festival,as well as heading to US taste maker festival CMJ. The lads were even given the unique pleasure of being the first ever band to perform at the brand new Perth Arena when it opened.

With an intention to head back into the studio for a quick six month follow up to their hugely successful single and EP ‘Fly Under the Radar’, things went slightly awry as they sometimes do. This once cheeky group of musos - who were famous for their happy-go-lucky attitudes and not taking life too seriously -turned. Internal conflicts ensued, university degree debts went up and personal differences almost drove the band apart. Then, something amazing happened. They began recording. The decision to record all parts to their new album live at RADA Studios with Matt Gio (Birds of Tokyo, Katy Steele, San Cisco) presented a chance to bond but also to write new material, together. Inspired by the rawness and evidence of mistakes heard by other artists who recorded live such as Eddy Current Suppression Ring and Parquet Courts, they began.

Continuing to write helped pull the band back from a period of stagnation and the results are stunning. With their fun-loving attitudes back in-tact and a polished new live show,complete with equally polished Dad jokes,this certified party band are finally ready to unleash the very first Stillwater Giants full-length to the world. Long live the Stillwater Giants wolf pack.

Indie rock song 'Montage' is one catchy piece. The band have kept things simple and concentrated on making a foot stomping number, with vocals and harmonies providing as much melody as the perfectly timed chord changes.

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ISLES - The First Act.

Background promo - London-based ISLES are set to release their new single The First Act.


The indie-pop quartet is made up of Goldsmith students: Amber, Luke, Miles and Oliver - a 75% Northern group of friends who now reside in South London.

Taking references from bands such as Orange Juice, Neil Young and REM, the band manage to perfectly blend art school sensitivities with an alternative, bluesy sound. The band spent most of 2015 writing and touring across the UK. Bury Me is their first track of their double A –side single Bury Me / The First Act which will be unleashed on line over the coming month.

Bury Me, the first track to be released, is a soulful song with rugged, dreamy vibes. The melancholy female lead-vocals work perfectly in tune with upbeat guitars, ambient drums and backing vocals from fellow band mates.

Despite being described as indie pop in the press release, ISLES could slip into a number of genres quite comfortably. As regards 'The First Act' vocals are dreamy and delightful, and the music is bright and breezy, almost hinting that summers on it's way. Looking forward to hearing more.

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The Broadcasts - This Is Life.

Background promo - The Broadcasts are a four piece Alt Rock/Acoustic band who are based just outside of Cardiff, South Wales. Previously signed to indie label Right Recordings, the band released a double A side single recorded by legendary producer Stuart Epps (Oasis, Elton John) before leaving their label to pursue an alternative path.

Since forming in 2012 The Broadcasts have played at the BBC Club, London in front of music industry professionals, supported bands like Press To Meco, Dead! and Owen Paul in Cardiff as well as sharing the bill with BBC Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens at Newport Student Union. The boys recorded their debut nine track album in May 2015 at the beautifully scenic Mwnci Studios in Pembrokeshire, embarking on their first UK Tour shortly afterwards. Adam Walton of BBC Radio Wales' Introducing Show, described their music as "Heart on your sleeve, gritty Rock" and that's exactly what to expect from this storming eponymous debut album.

The album is released digitally on June 3rd and will be available on CD from June 17th.

One of nine songs on the new album, 'This Is Life' gives a good flavour of the alt rock side of the album, with super tight musicianship and gutsy vocals. There are some more acoustic based songs that add to the whole in a very positive way,  indeed the band seem quite happy to explore different ideas. It's creative without being pretentious, and there is plenty of good old feisty rock'n'roll.

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