SONIC MASALA: Peter Kernel

Wednesday, 5 October 2011

Angular Death Hearts, Dressed in Black And White

Swiss-Canadians Peter Kernel have just launched an angular, aggressive little number in LP White Death Black Heart. I played their first single 'Anthem Of Hearts' briefly here, and it is a weird one - Barbara's chants are kinda off putting to me. Well, the rest of the album explodes. Caught between the crossfire of Blonde Redhead at their most Sonic Youth (in no small part to both Aris' nonchalant snarl and viscous guitarmanship), and the Coathangers, White Death Black Heart is a roiling ball of kinky aggression, one that grooves and thrashes in equal measure. I liked the band before - I love their moxy now.

White Death Black Heart is out now on AfricanTape. Its a nice piece of vinyl, for an electric release. Get it.

Peter Kernel - Panico! This Is Love
Peter Kernel - I'll Die Rich At Your Funeral

Friday, 12 August 2011

Video Vacuum - Wooden Shjips, Brain Idea, Hymns, Peter Kernel

Ah, what a picture. A wooden vacuum? With a video from Wooden Shjips? How delightfully silly of me! Well, we are in the last vestiges of a Friday before it's weekend time... Anyway, Wooden Shjip's impending album West is looking an absolute belter, Ive had a listen and can't wait to share more... But until then, here is the video from album track 'Black Smoke Rise' - it's in true WS style too...

Wooden Shjips - Black Smoke Rise from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo.

Brain Idea really connected with me. The Chicago band seem intent to fuse washed out fuzz Armageddon with Krautrock-canoodling, Flying Nun nuance and giddy grins, and you can't help but love a band for trying such a heady mix. I haven't heard much beyond this song, but have heard good things about their Cosmos Factory EP that came out earlier this year, so might have to hunt that down...

Brain Idea - "Oh I'm Free (Earn Your Card)" from Mexican Summer on Vimeo.

Hailing from the UK Midlands, †HYMNS† (yes, not the crosses - they aren't witch house/gaze/whatever, so go figure...). have emerged out of the band Blakfish that split in 2010. I liked the video for this. Am still unsure if I like the band though - I guess you could say, the clergy is still out? Oh dear...

Hymns - A Punch To The Temple from Luke David Bather on Vimeo.

And finally we have Peter Kernel. Ive intended to focus on these guys for one hell of a long time - sorry guys! - so here is a little bit of info about em:

- they are a noise pop trio from Sweden
- they are releasing stuff on cool French label AfricanTape
- Italian blog Rockit calls 'Anthem of Hearts' “one of the most engaging and interesting pieces of the summer,” whilst French blog the Drone has compared their sound to Sonic Youth and Blonde Redhead.

Now Im not that far up the championing pole, but this track is pretty good, and Im watching what they do next...

NOW GET BACK TO WORK!!!

About

It was early on a Sunday morning at ATP - A Nightmare Before Christmas 2009. After downing a fair few, at 4am we decided to cook a curry. It was during the consumption of this drunkenly delicious breakfast treat that we decided to actually do something about the music we talk about all the time.

So we started a blog – and Sonic Masala was born. Now into its seventh year, the blog has spread out to call both Australia and the UK its home (and the rest of the world), and has expanded to include gigs, festivals and a record label under its black umbrella. Come on, eat the noize.

If an mp3 is up here, it's because we have been talking about it, and think the whole world needs to know more. It's there to give you a little taste. Then, if you like, check out the band live and spend all your hard earned cash on their records. If we've posted up an mp3 of your stuff and you're not too keen on the idea, let us know and we'll happily take it down pronto.