The Australian band The Church, best known in the U.S. for its 1988 hit “Under The Milky Way,” has a new album (titled Further/Deeper) and a new guitarist, with Ian Haug replacing founding member Marty Willson-Piper. In this episode of World Cafe, singer, bassist and songwriter Steve Kilby presides over a set of new and old songs. During the church’s successful North American “An Intimate Space 30th Anniversary Acoustic Tour,” the band recorded a session for NPR’s World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, PA. The popular program, hosted by David Dye at the WXPN headquarters, can be heard on over 200 NPR stations nationwide
Kelsie Rimmer is a singer-songwriter from Melbourne who’s made her start in music creating a predominately acoustic-led folk sound, but now we see a switch-up with her latest track, “Lose Your Love”, that cites influences from FKA twigs and BANKS. Kelsie’s past material can definitely be appreciated for what it is , but we’ve got to admit, this new direction is one we think would suit her best moving forward.
“Lose Your Love” is a patient listen, there’s no doubt about that, and if you’ve a penchant for slowed-down sounds, this track is perfect. It’s flickering, and its washed-out production is eerie enough to put you on edge, but absorbing enough that you won’t fall asleep, either. Kelsie’s effect-accented vocals top off the track in excellent fashion, and will ensure that you won’t forget about “Lose Your Love” any time soon.
Bad Dreems are from Adelaide. There’s no time to wallow in the mire. If you do you’re just gonna get sucked away. Bad Dreems know this. That’s why they got together the summer before last. Scratch the surface here and you find another world, far removed from the leafy inner suburbs. The empty jail on the edge of the city. A decade long bikie war. The Family. This is the weird murder capital. The weed capital. It is this world, constructed or not that Bad Dreems attempt to capture in their debut EP, Badlands.
The last 12 months have seen Perth’s Tired Lion begin to stand out as one of Western Australia’s most exciting new bands – touring nationally for their debut EP All We Didn’t Know, supporting the likes of Gyroscope, The 1975, Kingswood, Luca Brasi, and Velociraptor, and being nominated for ‘the most popular live act’ at the 2014 WAM Awards.
Recorded with Dave Parkin (Emperors, Snowman, Karnivool) in their home town of Perth, the first single of their upcoming second EP is “I Don’t Think You Like Me” is a fresh take on 90’s nostalgia that will ring both true and loudly to the ears.
“We’re all about the raw honesty in the music we make. If you sit back and take in the energy of what we are playing and what it’s all about, it’s a direct view into the looking glass that is collectively our lives – be it happy, sad or confusing. We’re passionate about bringing to people a fresh take on what is a nostalgic sound, keeping the guitars loud and trying to evoke some kind of feeling for the listener with dynamics and melody.”
Fronted by the enigmatic Sophie Hopes, Tired Lion’s infections melodies are brought forth with raw honesty and intensity, calling back to the rich tradition of strong Australian front women. Acting as the perfect ying to her yang, Sophie is backed Matt Tanner, Ethan Darnell and Nick Vasey who play with passion, precision and a ‘take no prisoners’ approach, making Tired Lion a powerful act worth keeping your eyes (and ears) on.
“What If” is the latest video from The Kite String Tangle. The single is off The Kite String Tangle’s debut EP “Vessel”. After the success of its first single, you’d be hard pressed to find a more anticipated record than The Kite String Tangle’s debut EP Vessel. With “Given the Chance” catapulting the project of Brisbane’s Danny Harley to heights even he could not have anticipated, his growing legion of fans will now be treated to an extended view of the undeniable talent’s work.
The anticipation we now see speaks volumes about the incredible rise Harley’s career has taken, and also the ascending trajectory it will undoubtedly continue on. The past 12 months has seen peak after peak, with “Given the Chance” amassing well over 1 million Soundcloud plays.
He’s grown as a live performer too, with two sold-out national tours slotting in between appearances at Byron’s Falls Festival and the Groovin the Moo Tour seeing fans flock in their thousands to experience his captivating live show. This year also saw him take the US by storm, playing a number of showcases at the highly-regarded SxSW before dropping in for a guest appearance at the star-studded Coachella Festival.
Amidst this unbelievably demanding schedule, Harley has managed to put the finishing touches on his debut record, with Vessel showing all his early promise was far from a flash in the pan. Current single “Arcadia” again displays Harley’s ability to produce delicate electro-pop, which explores his own feelings of nostalgia and introspection in a way that will reach all music lovers.
What makes The Kite String Tangle phenomenon even more impressive is the fact that it’s entirely his own design, operating as a unique triple- threat in today’s industry as a singer/songwriter/producer. From the playful “Stone Cold” (featuring Vocalist Tiana Khasi) to the driving synth-wave epic “What’s the Point”, the EP flows effortlessly from the start, with each track a carefully crafted musical gem in its own right.
This is a truly special collection of music from an artist clearly at the peak of their powers. The anticipation has not been for nothing, The Kite String Tangle is here to stay.
Contrastare from Melbourne and describe themselves as ‘a coupla blokes who like skateboarding and local music’. Of course. But as bored as you might be with all the ‘regular guy’ modesty going around at the moment, these dudes are making music that’s interesting enough to reveal actual underlying ambition and talent.
Listening to their new EP, Less Than Zero, you’d believe they were the latest English buzz band: a bit shoegaze-y, kind of punk, with smart lyrics and delivery that effortlessly transitions from snide to sincere. There’s Primary Colours–era Horrors in the expansive intros and atmospherics, echoes of Major Leaguesin the sweetness of the guitar lines and apathetic vocals, and of course all the usual ‘80s shoegaze references – but with enough of their own pop smarts that it’s hard to care much about who’s done it before.
The Dandelion are a psychedelica band from Sydney Australia, The Dandelion is lead by transexual woman Danatalia de Silver who began her life/musical career as Daniel Poulter aka Daniel Darling and lead previous groups such as The Dolly Rocker Movement and Kill City Creeps.
She recorded the first Dandelion album titled “Strange Case of The Dandelion” (2013) entirely on her own and it was originally intended to be just a solo/studio project. An offer came along in early 2014 to support long-time friends The Frowning Clouds and this enticed Danatalia to get a group together and start performing again.
The first line up of The Dandelion included Stella Rennex on Bass, Alison Hobbes on Organ and Joshua White on Drums.
The music is an old kind of magic. A mix of musical spells not unlike those woven in the 1960’s.
With a sound like seeds turning into flowers
This record is quite irresistable with its massive psychedelic overtones. My favorite track “Here Comes Love”.
You probably won’t like this unless you’re over 50. But hey this is trippy and psychedelic. “I Turned On As You Turned Around”. Great hippie-folk-psychedelic album of The Dolly Rocker Movement’s leader A side project. I like all that makes DanielFavorite track: Ships to Tarshish. My favourite Australian musician and performer. This album is trippy and awesome.
Our music is a little bit atmospheric and has some sweet-ass electronic moments. You have a listen and decide for yourself, Sleepy Tea are from Brisbane , Australia. Sleepy Tea began as an experimental solo project for musician Tom Wearne, and has since expanded to a creative 5 piece of talented musicians who have released their unique stylings of dream-pop to the world in their first album. The Song “Hold On To Your Breath” kicks off with the melodic line ‘there’s no looking back from here’ and I instantly know that I’m hooked. With dreamy vocals and swirling instrumentals, the band captures me and takes me away into a divine daydream state. ‘Hold Onto Your Breath’ is the first single from the new album and has already gained the band nationwide community radio play and helped them sell out two hometown shows. With the marching band drum beats that add that little bit extra to the intensity of the song and help drive towards that all important crescendo, it’s not hard to see why audiences are infatuated with their style of music.
Fronted by the one and only Danatalia de Silver, who began her life/musical career as Daniel Poulter aka Daniel Darling and lead previous groups such as The Dolly Rocker Movement and Kill City Creeps, The Dandelion are four piece from Sydney who weave retro nostalgia with swirling, driving psych rock and pop.
A follow on from their 2013 release “Strange Case Of The Dandelion” their new single ‘In The Shadow Of Light’ the quartet bring their own mix of musical spells with a sound which they describe as like “seeds turning into flowers they bring gifts for the Goddess of magical powers.”
Check out the single below, and if you like what you hear be sure to visit the band’s Facebook and Bandcamp.
The Fat Angel Sings 