The Only Way To Heal Is To Rip The Tape/Off

Back In February, I had been in Brisbane for about a month when I went to local band (and good mates) Nova Scotia's album launch at the Lofly Hangar. It was a great night, filled with fun, frivolity and highlights (including a stellar show by are they/aren't they defunct Arbuckle) - but one act I found underwhelming. They may have been energetic, but Tape/Off just didn't do it for me. I haven't endeavoured to see them since...

But I think that may be a massive mistake, if their new EP is anything to go by. Recorded by the band's drummer Branko Cosic, ...And Sometimes Gladness opens with a killer track - 'Backseat' is late 90s loud languid indie by proxy, all 5 and a bit minutes of it surround-sound glory. It goes on from there - 'Something That We Know' muddied up the Pavement short thrashy number routine, the brilliantly named 'Hell Comes To Frogtown' (so named after a filmic Z-grade schlocker) is anarchic with some lovely Sand On Seven era Not From There affinities (and great bass throughout), 'Botanical Gardens' muddy shoegaze in a corrugated iron shed, and closes with 'Happen Now', a beauty that also includes Kellie Lloyd (Screamfeeder) in cameo mode. Seriously guys, way to kick a preconception in the guts. This EP fucking slays.

Branko and co - will you ever forgive me???

Gig - Nova Scotia (album launch) - The Hangar, Brisbane 26.02.11

A little over a month ago Brisbane indie pop wunderkinds Nova Scotia launched their long-gestating debut longplayer, effectively titled Nova Scotia. It is an amazing little album, a true testament to how much these guys have grown over the five or so years they have been floating around, and justifying the praise that is occasionally thrown their way, hopefully opening the door for far wider reception and recognition. Buy it here...

They had a little launch at the Lofly Hangar, which was a fantastic night - we saw the Hangar open up its doors once more for a fantastically fun night; perennial Queensland slackers Arbuckle reformed for a "one-off" show that was so effortlessly awesome that there is talk of more shows later in the year; and seeing Nova Scotia finally bring their efforts to a genuinely grateful public in a wax format, baptising it all with a memorable, fun and sweaty show that shone despite the attractive pull of seeing Third Eye Blind at the same time down at the Riverstage...

Their endless comparisons to the likes of Pavement are slowly being put to bed, as the boys have embraced their love of 90s rock, their adept manhandling of tight pop structure and throwaway whimsy now yinning with the yang of sprawling instrumental epics that hold all in thrall. There is much love - held by the opening track that exudes the bromance towards their own bassplayer - yet this doesnt get in the way of a great set of beautifully constructed, eclectic rock tunes that will only get better as they are aired out to dry. All in all, if you missed this one, you missed something a wee bit special.

Nova Scotia - The World Is Not Enough

Photos by Vanessa Cook