Thursday, December 29, 2005
Well speak of the devil! More Crayon Fields/Sly Hats!
Not long after posting news that Crayon Fields playing in Sydney (see last post), I recieved the latest Popfrenzy newsletter and would you look at that.. Geoff is doing a Sly Hats show the night before!
It's at the Mandarin Club, supporting Minimum Chips as they launch their new LP "Kitchen Tea Thankyou". Also on the bill is Rand & Holland.
Minimum Chips recently expanded to a 4-piece with the addition of Guy Blackman, who himself is quite well known as founder of Chapter Records and as a solo musician, on bass. This should add a bit of density to their live sound.
I don't have any recent Minimum Chips to post, but i'm going to post a song from Guy Blackman's most recent EP, "Guy Blackman In Japan". I picked this up when he recently supported Smog & Joanna Newsom, and it contains some nice, slow lo-fi songs recorded, as the title suggests, in Japan, and is out now on Chapter Music
Download "Guy Blackman - There Without Me"
On a related note, Crayon Fields should be doing an instore on the afternoon of the 14th.. details when available.
Speaking of Melbourne singer-songwriters, Augie March frontman Glenn Richards has been gigging and has recorded a solo EP while Augie March are in downtime with an album in the can.. damn record company release schedules.
His solo EP bears the title "Closed Off, Cold & Bitter - Life As A Can Of Beer" - i don't know what to make of that title. The EP itself is quite interesting, with Glenn experimenting with some sounds not really seen in Augie March's releases, to varying degrees of success.
Although it is quite good, and certainly reccommended for Augie March fans, it's not really essential in the way that Sunset Studies, Strange Bird and Waltz are. But it's a nice little teaser for the upcoming Augie March album.
The highlight of the EP in my opinion is "Bottle Baby", a song that is actually going to be included on the upcoming album (i would guess in full-band mode).
Whether it can compare to this stripped-back version, though, is another question - Glenn's voice is given room to soar in this song, giving the song an intimacy that isn't really seen on the Augie March material.
Download "Glenn Richards - Bottle Baby"
The EP was available at Glenn's solo shows, and is now available from Augie March's store at Love Police. I personally can't wait for the new Augie March album - the new songs that have been played live sound fantastic.
That's all for today!
It's at the Mandarin Club, supporting Minimum Chips as they launch their new LP "Kitchen Tea Thankyou". Also on the bill is Rand & Holland.
Minimum Chips recently expanded to a 4-piece with the addition of Guy Blackman, who himself is quite well known as founder of Chapter Records and as a solo musician, on bass. This should add a bit of density to their live sound.
I don't have any recent Minimum Chips to post, but i'm going to post a song from Guy Blackman's most recent EP, "Guy Blackman In Japan". I picked this up when he recently supported Smog & Joanna Newsom, and it contains some nice, slow lo-fi songs recorded, as the title suggests, in Japan, and is out now on Chapter Music
Download "Guy Blackman - There Without Me"
On a related note, Crayon Fields should be doing an instore on the afternoon of the 14th.. details when available.
Speaking of Melbourne singer-songwriters, Augie March frontman Glenn Richards has been gigging and has recorded a solo EP while Augie March are in downtime with an album in the can.. damn record company release schedules.
His solo EP bears the title "Closed Off, Cold & Bitter - Life As A Can Of Beer" - i don't know what to make of that title. The EP itself is quite interesting, with Glenn experimenting with some sounds not really seen in Augie March's releases, to varying degrees of success.
Although it is quite good, and certainly reccommended for Augie March fans, it's not really essential in the way that Sunset Studies, Strange Bird and Waltz are. But it's a nice little teaser for the upcoming Augie March album.
The highlight of the EP in my opinion is "Bottle Baby", a song that is actually going to be included on the upcoming album (i would guess in full-band mode).
Whether it can compare to this stripped-back version, though, is another question - Glenn's voice is given room to soar in this song, giving the song an intimacy that isn't really seen on the Augie March material.
Download "Glenn Richards - Bottle Baby"
The EP was available at Glenn's solo shows, and is now available from Augie March's store at Love Police. I personally can't wait for the new Augie March album - the new songs that have been played live sound fantastic.
That's all for today!
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Jack Ladder, Crayon Fields, Sly Hats
I thought i'd start with what is perhaps my favourite new local artist this year.
Jack Ladder is one of the most promising singer-songwriters in Sydney, and has a big year this year, releasing his debut album "Not Worth Waiting For" and gaining some high-profile international supports including Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, Feist and Okkervil River.
The album itself is a stunner, and complements Jack's live sound well (live he is more minimal than the album, which has some fuller arangements).
One of the standout tracks for me is "Up", and it's here for your downloading pleasure.
Download "Jack Ladder - Up"
Jack's next scheduled performance is on January 14th at the Hopetoun Hotel in Sydney, supporting Kelley Stoltz. The other act on the bill is Melbourne's The Crayon Fields.
The Crayon Fields are a great indiepop band who are in the process of finishing off their debut album after numerous EPs and some lineup changes.
Their most recent EP, and the only one available as far as i know, is The Good Life EP. It's well worth a look, and I look forward to their album.
Download "The Crayon Fields - The Good Life"
The lead singer of The Crayon Fields, Geoff, is working on a solo project by the name of Sly Hats. The songwriting is quite similar, but the Sly Hats material is a bit more minimal and acoustic-based.
Sly Hats released a lovely CDR EP earlier this year on Melbourne DIY label We Fear Conspiracy, and an album is also reportedly in the works.
Download "Sly Hats - You Will Be"
Jack Ladder is one of the most promising singer-songwriters in Sydney, and has a big year this year, releasing his debut album "Not Worth Waiting For" and gaining some high-profile international supports including Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, Feist and Okkervil River.
The album itself is a stunner, and complements Jack's live sound well (live he is more minimal than the album, which has some fuller arangements).
One of the standout tracks for me is "Up", and it's here for your downloading pleasure.
Jack's next scheduled performance is on January 14th at the Hopetoun Hotel in Sydney, supporting Kelley Stoltz. The other act on the bill is Melbourne's The Crayon Fields.
The Crayon Fields are a great indiepop band who are in the process of finishing off their debut album after numerous EPs and some lineup changes.
Their most recent EP, and the only one available as far as i know, is The Good Life EP. It's well worth a look, and I look forward to their album.
The lead singer of The Crayon Fields, Geoff, is working on a solo project by the name of Sly Hats. The songwriting is quite similar, but the Sly Hats material is a bit more minimal and acoustic-based.
Sly Hats released a lovely CDR EP earlier this year on Melbourne DIY label We Fear Conspiracy, and an album is also reportedly in the works.
Welcome to Straight + Narrow
I'm new to this Mp3 blogging thing, but hopefully in the coming weeks i can post some good stuff for you all.
This was pretty much born out me wanting to share the music that i'm getting into, and also the lack of australian-based mp3 blogs.
Hopefully i'll also be able to let you all know about good upcoming gigs, review some gigs, and we can discuss other musical matters on here.
So on that note, add us to your bookmarks, let me know what you think, and hopefully we can make a good and long-lasting blog.
Thanks!
-adam.
This was pretty much born out me wanting to share the music that i'm getting into, and also the lack of australian-based mp3 blogs.
Hopefully i'll also be able to let you all know about good upcoming gigs, review some gigs, and we can discuss other musical matters on here.
So on that note, add us to your bookmarks, let me know what you think, and hopefully we can make a good and long-lasting blog.
Thanks!
-adam.
