Pepper Rabbit

No, this has not transformed into a food blog. Pepper Rabbit are a super quaint (I’m too manly to write cute, especially in reference to other men) duo from the states that make excellent music. Avant-garde folk is how one critic describes it, but I prefer to call it folk music with balls and substance. Forget your tame Mumford & Sons and the over-rated and underwhelming Angus & Julia Stone for their piss poor tunes (the latter duo being just a whiny gypsy wannabe and Australia’s national Piss Guy champion).

Pepper Rabbit are the goods. Two lads that are talented multi-instrumentalists, their sound has strong tones of Grizzly Bear in there and hints of Radiohead’s more subdued tunes. A fine combo. They impressed at SXSW earlier this year so maybe you should see what the hype is about below.

Pepper Rabbit – “Harvest Moon” Video from stereogum on Vimeo.

You can pick up their album Beauregard from Kanine Records here for only $10!

Older Brother – Pepper Rabbit

Red Wine – Pepper Rabbit

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

Christmas Cheer from Summer Camp

A tad late on this one, seeing as the festive season is over already, but good music is always a gift worth giving and it’s always a good time to receive. Summer Camp popped out a little cover of The Waitresses cynical Xmas pop tune late last year.

I like this song very much, mainly due to the smart lyrics and the original description of the joys of the festive season. Summer Camp’s typical subdued electro pop style suits the track very well, although I have trouble deciding which one I like best.

You can have both for your enjoyment.

Christmas Wrapping – Summer Camp

Christmas Wrapping – The Waitresses

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

Washed Out Bliss

Washed Out is the solo project of Ernest Greene. Ernest Greene, at the ripe old age of  22, is the kind of person who makes you ask yourself what you have achieved with your life as you approach your own 23rd birthday. Not enough, it would seem.

One of the premier young exponents of the Chillwave sound (along with Toro y Moi and Neon Indian), Washed Out produces music so warm and inspiring it just makes you want to live your life, more. The aptly titled Life of Leisure EP summarises Greene’s sound perfectly. Laid-back, warm electro sounds with soothing vocals and tranquil melodies create the perfect cathartic summer sound track.

Watch this in 720p, please. An ideal visual accompaniment to the track.

Fortunately for us Sydneysiders Ernest will be visiting very shortly. $40 ain’t cheap for a gig at the Arts Factory but when you consider what you get for your money it is easily great value. I’ve been looking forward to this gig for a while now.

Feel it all around – Washed Out

You and I – Washed Out Feat. Caroline Polachek

You’ll See It – Washed Out

Summer Camp

Summer Camp are a quaint duo from London. They make nostalgic pop music fused with soft-rock and synthetic tinges. Blending some of the best elements of the 50’s through to the 80’s, their sound is remarkably pleasant to the ear.

Whilst they may fall into the “Dickheads” sub-culture, Summer Camp sure do make excellent music. Their lo-fi, hi-charm sound belies their genuine ability and strength in composition. Elisabeth Sankey busts out a surprisingly powerful voice and when she harmonises with counterpart Jeremy Warmsley the sound is just right. The highly relatable lyrics and fairly universal themes make the tunes even more accessible.

I listened to these guys almost exclusively throughout September, such is the potency of their charm. One of my favourite Artists of this year.

Their latest EP Young was released last month and is pure quality. A few of the highlights are available below. They also have an odd tendency to title songs with full names of their theoretical protagonists, interesting.

Jake Ryan – Summer Camp

Veronica Sawyer – Summer Camp

Round the Moon – Summer Camp

Broken Bells sound surprisingly good

Broken Bells is the collaborative brain/love child of James Mercer and Brian Burton of The Shins and Danger Mouse respectively. The new group sees the duo

Mercer’s distinct melodies and faint vocal style still feature prominently which should keep most Shins fans satisfied. This guy has an innate ability to write almost flawless pop tunes so it is pleasing to see this continue with Broken Bells. Burton’s influence is evident through the variety of sounds and instruments used that offer more diversity than the standard Shins record.

Broken Bells self-titled debut LP was released earlier this year in March on Columbia Records and is available here.

Enjoy.

The Ghost Inside – Broken Bells

Vaporize – Broken Bells