Lanie Lane

Lanie Lane is a spunky little songstress from Sydney. She has a unique voice with sultry tones and an alluring huskiness which is a refreshing contrast to some of the more generic vocalists getting plugged on the airwaves. The track compliments her voice and enhances the nostalgic theme of the lyrics ( love the broken glass/metal chain sound combined with the snare). She played at good god a few weeks back with Tin Sparrow supporting but I missed it like a disorganised fool. Some might think it sounds derivitive but I like it a lot.

It might also help that she sure is one sassy babe.

Her debut album comes out mid-year. In the meantime…

What Do I Do – Lanie Lane

What Do I Do (Lanie Lane) from Lanie Lane on Vimeo.

Mitzi

Mitzi might sound like the name of your next-door neighbour’s cat or your first born daughter if your were Scandinavian, but that’s wrong. Mitzi actually sound like groovy, upbeat disco-pop of an impressive standard for a young band from Brisbane. Their sound comprises dreamy synths and twangy guitars over melodic basslines coupled with some tight drumming. The occasional faux horn is thrown in for good measure too.

I caught them on Thursday supporting Strangetalk at Good God. To my surprise they had quite a good crowd for the start of their set and quickly had the dancefloor moving (including myself and my severely inebriated friend). I mean genuinely dancing up a storm, their potent grooves even afflicted the cynical hipsters and piss-guys in the place. Really impressive to see, especially for a “smaller” support band. Strangetalk unfortunately were quite disappointing. Just too keen it seemed, they played climbing walls twice which I think is just a tad self-indulgent. Mitzi definitely outshone them.

Here are some good tracks for your consumption including a top remix from Cassian and another good Strangetalk track.

India – Mitzi

Morning Light – Mitzi

All I Heard – Mitzi

All I Heard (Cassian remix) – Mitzi

Eskimo Boy- Strangetalk

Seekae

Seekae are an excellent Sydney Band signed to the Rice is Nice record label, alongside Seja, another excellent Australian artist. They produce ambient non-linear shoe-gaze electro made in the bedroom (well that’s what I’m calling it) of an enviable pedigree. They played Manning Bar over the weekend, which was an excellent gig expect for the smoke machine setting off the fire alarm and telling everyone to “evacuate in an orderly fashion, whoop whoop”. Mild OH&S threat aside, it was an industrious performance from the trio.

Their second album +Dome has just dropped and is receiving much deserved acclaim. It is an accomplished equal to its predecessor The Sound Of Trees Falling On People. Both are available for purchase HERE, and are wise investments.

Void – Seekae. Off “TSOTFOP”

Bloodbank – Seekae. Off “+Dome”

We have made contact

Contact High from Architecture in Helsinki on Vimeo.

This was easily the best Australian song of the last month.

Moment Bends is out now.

Contact High – Architecture In Helsinki

Tin Sparrow

Tin Sparrow are a quaint four-piece folk-pop outfit from Sydney’s northern beaches. Not to be confused with Tim Sparrow, or indeed Jack Sparrow, Tin Sparrow make music that exceeds their youth and relative inexperience.

I hear shades of Crowded House, Neil Young, and The Beatles, what do you think? Strong melodies and effective, intelligent lyrics create simple sounding yet genuinely sophisticated little pop gems. Throw in the odd guitar solo and it makes a pretty neat package. I quite like it.

They recently played the Peats Ridge music festival over New Year’s in front of several hundred people, not bad for such a fledgling group. They even handed out free demos, which I have sampled for you below. They play The Roxbury Hotel in Glebe this Friday the 21st as part of a charity fundraising night, how generous.

Fool’s Gold – Tin Sparrow

The Boat – Tin Sparrow

More New Cut Copy

More newness from Cut Copy. Seems like they are enjoying releasing the singles for their upcoming album at a glacial pace, Where I’m Going was dropped way back in July. Take Me Over is more typical electro mixed with some blatant 80’s pop-ballad vocal melodies. Lovely stuff.

Zonoscope is out on Feb 4th in Aus. Only 3 more months.

Take Me Over – Cut Copy

Falls Festival 2010

The Falls Festival recently announced their line up for the 2010 edition and most festival enthusiasts will not be disappointed. Arguably the premier New Year’s holiday music festival and multi-day festival of the summer the Falls Festival looks set to be another must-event do for the break.

Artists on the bill include: Angus & Julia Stone, Jamaica, The Rapture, Klaxons, Paul Kelly, Sleigh Bells, The Living End, Interpol, Hot Hot Heat, Tame Impala and The Middle East just to name a few. You really can’t complain about that now can you?

If you were organised and managed to subscribe and enter the ballot then good on you. For those who are sloth-like in their action worry not, tix go on sale to the general public on Sept 9th so you still have time to get your shit together.

If you miss out on falls then you might want to consider the Pyramid rock festival which is also an annual occasion of excellence.

Some samples for your interest.

Shampaign – Marina and the Diamonds

Secrets – Jamaica

Strange Talk?

I heard Strange Talk last week on Triple J being plugged as the week’s Unearthed featured artist. Their track Climbing Walls is sheer electro-pop rock band perfection with pleasing vocals and rising synth melodies. These guys could easily be Australia’s version of Phoenix and have clearly drawn great influence from the French group, not bad for a group that only formed in Melbourne 6 months ago.

Check out their interview on Triple J here.

Climbing Walls – Strange Talk

New Cut Copy

‘Nuff said.

Where I’m Going – Cut Copy

Flight Facilities

I like this song. Been getting plenty of play on Triple J. Seductive songstress Giselle Roselli provides vocals on this house jazz/house number.

Loving the sax.

Crave You – Flight Facilities