The Montreals - The Sea Birds

The Montreals - Y2K.

Background - The Montreals’ incorporate sleazy R&B hooks, So-Cal rock, and a dash of disco blended into your favourite smoothie. Their stand-alone singles deadheads and Sardines were positively received nationally and internationally, cartwheeling the line between polished and raucous, with the former attracting multiple radio plays on Triple J (Australia) and KCRW (United States). Y2K, the latest track from The Montreals, is now available.

Collectively, their music has clocked over 800,000 streams on Spotify and been consistently added on coveted international playlists including Fresh Finds and Indie Arrivals. The new single, Y2K marks an exciting shift in direction which will turn heads and break beds :)

Y2K combines bedroom pop with sleazy R&B hooks, and a dash of jazz hands. “It contains a bunch of weird samples (cc: lazers) - it was a G time weaving lots of subtle nick nacks in the track.” Y2K was recorded in a humble home studio in Thebarton, SA. It incorporates shitty GarageBand synthesisers and direct-input guitars with zippy, polished production. It was mixed by Steve Schram (San Cisco, Paul Kelly) & mastered by Studio 301’s Steve Smart (Vance Joy, British India) and we think it is damn wild.

Angus: “This one time at a festival, we asked the sound engineer if we could do a kazoo-based cover of Sandstorm, he said no. We said Y2K (Yes 2 Kazoo)”. Stefan: “Shower thought - what if we all died tomorrow? Y2K is about wasting all ya time when ain’t got much.”

The Montreals’ eclectic style has garnered sold-out support slots with internationally successful acts across a variety of genres, including Duke Dumont, Alpine, North East Party House and Last Dinosaurs. As well as performing at Oh Yes Festival to over 5,000 patrons alongside Pnau, and SAFIA to name a few. Their breadth of audience has allowed the band to develop a devout fanbase which traverses traditional music demographics, nationally and internationally.  FACEBOOK.

We have featured The Montreals a couple of times in the past being impressed by their fresh indie music. 'Y2K' is delightfully quirky as the band venture into new musical territory, mixing their notable bedroom pop sound with more funky and jazzy vibes, doing so in a highly contagious manner.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Sea Birds - The Coastline

Background - The Sea Birds second single from their debut album …blue or grey tells the intimate story of two lovers and a relationship fraying at the edges.

The Coastline’s rhythmic energy drives you to a familiar holiday destination. As the tension builds, the lovers’ emotional baggage unfolds. The chorus brings relief like rain on a stifling humid day. You’re left hopeful and contemplative. Does the couple work out their differences or call it quits after longing for the summer break?

The Coastline is The Sea Birds’ first vinyl release. The B-side features new tune Am I Over It Now available exclusively with the single. The two songs showcase the band’s indie pop rock sound, stunning vocal harmonies and a glimpse into the evolving work of this Melbourne five-piece.

Featuring a new band line up including dual lead vocalists Lara Wentworth and Loic Mamet, lead guitarist Michael Amarant and rhythm section, James W. du Plessis on drums together with Paul McAleer on bass.

The Sea Birds launch The Coastline at The Grace Darling Hotel with headline performance by Dave Arden and the Kokamara Band, and guest DJ Ritchie 1250 from PBS 106.7FM. The Coastline was produced by David McCluney and The Sea Birds, recorded at Atlantis Sound. Am I Over It Now wasproduced by David Warner and The Sea Birds, recorded at Studio One.Be. WEBSITE.

'The Coastline' is our second song feature for The Sea Birds (the last was in November 2017). This time around there is something of a rhythmic indie rock feel, with the vocals and harmonies carrying more of the melody, it's catchy and makes for a fine single from the bands admirable debut album.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cosmic Strip - La Lusid - Mark Sultan

Cosmic Strip - Sugar Rush.

Background - Dreamy shoegazers Cosmic Strip share their latest irresistible dose of psychedelia in new single Sugar Rush, taken from the band’s debut EP Heavenly out now.

Marshalled by supremely talented frontwoman Camella Agabalyan, the London outfit have already attracted a ton of praise with widespread acclaim throughout the online community and encouraging festival displays at the likes of The Great Escape, Citadel and Wilderness.

“I wanted to write a song about the feeling of addiction whether it’s sugar, love, a drug, whatever your vice is”, Camella stated. “I personally really connect to dreamy, druggy songs like Air, My Bloody Valentine, Beach Fossils, Slowdive, The Jesus & The Mary Chain etc so I wanted to inspire myself from that feeling but also show the darker side of addiction that you might not always get from those types of songs”. TWITTER.

Opening layer by layer with some gorgeous and refined guitar work 'Sugar Rush' builds into a dreamy and powerful rocker, where the vocals softly whisper and charm, adding even more atmosphere.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

La Lusid - Gran Canaria.

Background - La Lusid, who released a string of glittering singles in 2017, is now starting to approach a long- awaited debut album. The latest release, ”Empty Bones" and "Safe & Sound" quickly became a favorite of the Swedish national radiostation P3 and music blogs around the world. They also made top spot on Spotify Viral and the Student Radio in Sweden.

Warm, melancholic and dynamic, it’s impossible not to get drawn into their dreamy soundscape. With a sound that is reminiscent of what we love most about 60’s and 70’s analogue music, La Lusid presents themselves with high quality songwriting and sublime vocal arrangements.

They move seamlessly between genres and languages, the debut album contains songs in both Swedish and English and is as much introvert as extrovert. The debut album is recorded, mixed and produced by the band themselves, in their studio that they call ” The Ghost House”. With thoughtful, intelligent pop and clever arrangements, La Lusid has made it into the hearts of many.

"Gran Canaria" is the final single before their self-titled debut album drops on the 28th of September. FACEBOOK.

We have already featured 'Empty Bones' and 'Safe & Sound' this year and 'Gran Canaria' is yet another fabulous song from the very talented La Lusid. Once again the melodic hooks, timeless pop sound and beautiful musical presentation make this band totally standout from the crowd.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mark Sultan - Coffin Nails.

Background -  “Coffin Nails”, is taken from forthcoming record ‘Let Me Out’ due out October 12th on Modern Sky USA / Dirty Water Records. “Coffin Nails” features Sultan’s signature soulful vocals alongside winding harmonica and a toe-tapping guitar line, with full band instrumentation by Sultan himself. Crafted and produced in his own Imperfection Studios deep in the forests of Berlin, ‘Let Me Out’ is a return to form by the rock and roll legend whose adventurous decades-long career in music has never sounded more cohesive.

Cosigned by celebrated labels In The Red, Last Gang, Crypt, Fat Possum, Dirtnap, Goner, Sub Pop, Vice, Bomp!, Norton, Sympathy For The Record Industry, and Wick (Daptone Records), Mark Sultan has compiled an impressive discography of collaborations, side projects and solo efforts taking classic garage rock sounds and contorting them in experimental and twisted new ways.

Deep in the forest outside of Berlin, one of rock ’n’ roll’s most under the radar yet omnipresent figures is putting the finishing touches on his latest solo record, but in fact traces of Mark Sultan can be found around the world. Cosigned by celebrated labels In The Red, Last Gang, Crypt, Fat Possum, Dirtnap, Goner, Sub Pop, Vice, Bomp!, Norton, Sympathy For The Record Industry, and Wick (Daptone Records), you’re bound to have come across something with Sultan’s name on it, where over the course of multiple decades he’s compiled an insane discography built from the strength of multiple albums, side projects and top-shelf solo efforts, always with a strong deposition towards taking classic garage-rock sounds and contorting them in experimental and twisted new ways.

For this most recent effort, written, recorded and produced in his own Personal Imperfection studio in Germany, Sultan once again ups the ante, working to implement a full band and fully fleshed out instrumentation. Still encompassing the ethos of individuality and charisma that has lent him a sound that has transcended any era by which you might try to nail him down, it may be his most cohesive statement yet. FACEBOOK.

Described as 60's Garage Wop (complete with hashtag) 'Coffin ''Nails' actually fits that description superbly. Mark Sultan vocals are just right for this kind of music, his commitment to creativity that revolves around old school garage rock, is more than worthy. He is another talented artist that gives credence to the notion that the best rock and roll is always found under the radar.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grizzly Coast - FRITZ

Grizzly Coast - Zuzu's Petals.

Background from Grizzly Coast - My background as a poet, mixed with my lifelong affinity for playing music, lead me to blending the two mediums on my debut album Gold Lined Path. 

My new single, “Zuzu’s Petals,” showcases my expansion into a full-band sound, and my commitment to free-falling even deeper into my lyrics.

“Zuzu’s Petals” is about the feeling of self-assurance – something that struck me on a refreshing upswing that I rode after going through a breakup. Finding simple luxuries in both solitude and community, and really focusing on music were what brought me back home to myself. With the song’s upbeat tempo and lyrics, I aimed to evoke the excitement that you feel when you’re inspired by the boundless possibilities that exist in your future.

This video attempts to capture the growth and joy that solitude can bring, and frames it in a single summer’s day, FACEBOOK.

Grizzly Coast's vocals are quite beguiling as well as beautifully melodic. With 'Zuzu's Petals' we also have intelligent lyrics, a simple and attractive musical backdrop, that when combined together give us a fresh and uplifting song.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FRITZ - Summer Holiday.

Background - FRITZ takes on teenage heartbreak with the release of dreamy new single 'Summer Holiday' and the announcement of a debut headline tour and appearances at Brisbane's BIGSOUND.

Drenched in 90s VHS hues, the video features FRITZ (Tilly Murphy) and her band mates as indifferent members of the living dead in idyllic, (and normally) happy locations around Newcastle. Directed by FRITZ and Lazy Bones (Bronte Godden), the sinister visual undertones are inspired by FRITZ's admiration for The Cure's knack for seamlessly combining dark and poppy moods.

Lyrically, 'Summer Holiday' touches on incredibly relatable teenage emotions. "it's about losing friends, a boyfriend, and inner confidence, consecutively," says FRITZ. "It’s very over dramatic and naive though, considering I’m only 18 and basically singing about how being dumped by my first boyfriend was the worst thing that has ever happened to me, when really it wasn’t. 'Summer Holiday' is my favourite song I’ve written, or maybe just my favourite riff.”

'Summer Holiday' follows the huge success of FRITZ's 'Biggest Fool In The World', the hilarious video for which premiered on triple j Unearthed. Piquing the attention of taste-makers nationwide it gained multiple spins on triple j and was added to Spotify's Fresh Finds and Chords and Cardigans playlists in its first week.

2018 is clearly heating up for this bubbly dream-pop newcomer whose secret weapon is A+ on-stage banter and an infectious laugh. Following a huge formative live year supporting the likes of Fazerdaze, WAAX, Jess Locke, Cub Sport, Middle Kids, RAAVE TAPES, The Belligerents, Ruby Fields and FRITZ is finally taking her own show on the road.  Following two BIGSOUND showcase parties and a spot on the sold out Yours & Owls festival lineup, the Newcastle native launches her first ever run of headline shows this October at intimate venues across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Wollongong. With so many shows up and down the Coast, there's no excuse for skipping that 'Summer Holiday' this year.

A bright dream pop song with more than a hint of slick indie rock 'Summer Holiday' is as infectious as it is charming. The video images bring out the songs retro vibe, one that gives this track even more character, concert goers down under have yet another sparkling band to enjoy in the coming months.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dead Naked Hippies - Hero Fisher - Linda Em

Dead Naked Hippies - Rare.

Background - With an angular opening riff that batters its way into your head and stays rattling around in there all day, Rare is the ferocious new offering from Leeds art-rock trio Dead Naked Hippies. Don't be fooled by the initial ferocity, Rare serves to empower others and front woman Lucy Jowett is not holding back:

“It is a song about self love. I think we're quick to judge the term & deem it laughable or irrelevant in fear of being arrogant, or weird. But if you take a hard look at the society we live in, it's clear to see why so many people struggle to feel content in their own minds and their own bodies. I've always struggled with myself and it sickens me to think that so many other people feel the same. It needs to change.”

Expanding more on the band’s mission, and where latest release Rare fits in – Lucy says: “We're used by advertising companies, so they can make money out of our discontentment. Bombarded with images of fake realities, only to make us feel like ours isn't enough. We're made to feel like our creativity and passion will never be as important as serving a functional purpose in society. It's dull, boring and I'm ..king mad about it. Most importantly, I want people to know that they're not alone.”

By creating a vehicle, alongside band mates Joe Clarke (guitar) and Jacob Marston (drums), through which Lucy can express and tackle her own internal issues, Dead Naked Hippies offer a space for others to do the same. Rare is a cathartic rallying call in the form of pounding drums, guttural guitars and righteous vocals. TWITTER.

Following on from the song 'Guillotine' which was our first taste of Dead Naked Hippies back in June we now have the chunky and somewhat rambunctious follow up track 'Rare'. A loud alt rocker that takes no prisoners, it's hard to ignore and easy to embrace.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hero Fisher - If I Die and Nothing Happens - (Warning - Flash Video).

Background - With it’s heavy dub bass and raw distorted vocals, the sound of ‘If I Die And Nothing Happens’ belies Hero’s playful lyricism. The dark spectral soundscape she builds evokes a deep volcanic winter as her ambient instrumentation facilitates the telling of a fundamentally human story. Hero’s lyrical quest for light also serves as an affirmation of life, and a recognition of the beauty around us. Moreover, it showcases Hero’s unique dynamism as a songwriter.

There are light moments within the dark, as in her canny layered vocals and the sublime motorik outro. The glacial production style shines with the same vitality that Hero has carried through all her work. Ultimately, ’If I Die And Nothing Happens’ is a heady reminder of the heights of alternative music and its limitless potential to tell new stories and explore new ideas. Hero’s influences are vast, but she distils them into a sound that feels both effortless and rare.

British-born, French-raised and London-based, Hero Fisher (yes, that’s her real name) is returning to release her sophomore LP Glue Moon. Hero’s career has so far seen her collaborate with Alison Mosshart and Boy George in the Mark Ronson-scored ballet Carbon Life, open for The Rolling Stones and Neil Young at Hyde Park, and get shortlisted for the 2014 Glastonbury Emerging Talent Prize. In 2015 she released her debut album, the critically-appraised Delivery which won her fans in The Horrors and Blur.

By turns a blistering rock and roller in the vein of Patti Smith and PJ Harvey, and an experimental folk storyteller à la Jeff Buckley, Hero Fisher resists easy generic categorisation with her protean and cinematic musical storytelling. Able to expertly strike a variety of different narrative poses, she is at once the spurned lover and the fired-up rabble rouser, predator and prey. With Glue Moon previous singles ‘Sylvie’, ‘Push The Boat Out’, ‘I Let Love’ and ‘Lonely’ Hero’s lyrical imagination proved unique and bountiful. ‘If I Die And Nothing Happens’ takes her sound into unchartered territory. It’s a testament to her resplendent artistry, and a display of her limitless potential to find new sonic avenues. WEBSITE. 

'If I Die and Nothing Happens' is our fourth feature for Hero Fisher who continues to impress with her imaginative and intriguing music. There are some clever melodic hooks that contrast well with the dub bass and ambient backdrop, and Hero Fisher's vocals once again are just so engaging, that it leaves me simply wanting to hear more.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Linda Em - Two Hands.

Background - London-based Irish-born songstress Linda Em presents her new single 'Two Hands' ahead of her ‘London Irish’ EP, to be released on September 21 via Talking Elephant Records. This new single comes on the trail of her blazing ‘Wild Fire’, a sultry earworm of an EP teaser.

This EP is the first step in a different direction for Linda, towards a more atmospheric and spacious sound and vocal performance. It is both poetic and storytelling while still being brutally honest and personal. Her pure and raw vocals beautifully convey a nostalgic lyrical narrative, her warm endearing vocals drawing the listener into her musical story telling.

The ‘London Irish’ EP was recorded, produced and mastered at Orphan Recording, Dublin by Gavin Glass (Paul Brady, John Grant, Lisa Hannigan, Mundy), who is also music director for John Carney's film ‘Sing Street’). It was mixed by Scott Halliday (John Grant, Lisa Hannigan and previously guitar tech for Prince and James Vincent Mcmorrow). 

‘Two Hands’ is about seeking a safe, quiet space in which to gather strength when the trials of your everyday life feel overwhelming. Linda Em co-wrote this song with Ian Montague.

“There was a particular point in my life where I felt very alone just been kicked out of college and my mum and brother were both in hospital. I was the main caregiver. I went into the church at the end of the road and sat asking for something (I didn’t know what). You light a candle and expect god to be at the end of the bed that very night. I used to search for churches in-between the madness” is me reflecting on those moments. When we cannot fix something, we always try to go to a higher place for help and as a young person whose family was not “normal”, I looked for that more often,” says Linda Em.

“As we grow and work on self, we realise that the higher powers we are seeking are not some greater godlike figure but something within ourselves, even if it’s just simple acceptance. That’s why the end of the song refers to that “bitter sweet surrender” of letting go and letting go of ego “humiliate me slowly” of being willingly open to vulnerability and letting go of pride. And also of being reborn spiritually “open me unholy again and again“, each able to become our own superhero.” WEBSITE.

We featured 'Wild Fire' back in the middle of July and the second single from the 'London Irish' E.P. due later this month is 'Two Hands'. It's another gorgeous modern folk song where Linda Em's vocals are so full of emotion and personal feeling. The musical arrangement is sublime giving even more passion to this truly beautiful song.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------