Totally Mild Down Time

One of the albums I'm anticipating in 2015 is Down Time, the debut longplayer from subdued pop chanteuses (and boys) Totally Mild, who are the latest converts to the Bedroom Suck religion. I saw them play at Bar Open back in 2013, directly after obliterating my headspace all day at ATP - I think TM were supporting Liam 'Snow Nasdaq from The Ocean Party' Halliwell's solo thing The Menstrual Cycle - I don't truly remember, I was pretty shattered. The band is the brainchild of Elizabeth Mitchell but also enlists the aid of Lehmann B Smith (if you haven't heard his stuff before, goddamn rectify that asap), Ashley Bundang (Zone Out, Hot Palms) and Zach Schneider (Full Ugly). The first taste off the album is 'Christa', and it's a languid corker. The band are about to embark on a national tour with best buds The Ocean Party (I feel like a mouthpiece for those guys!), and you can catch 'em at the following places:

Thurs, Jan 29 – The Phoenix, Canberra, ACT [w/The Ocean Party, Black Springs + Eadie and the Doodles]

Fri, Jan 30 – The Lansdowne, Sydney, NSW [w/The Ocean Party, Black Springs + King Single]

Sun, Feb 1 – Black Bear Lodge , Brisbane, QLD [w/The Ocean Party, Workshop + Curlew]

Sun, Feb 8 – Ceres, Melbourne, VIC [10am, w/The Ocean Party, two sets each]

Sat, Feb 14 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart, TAS [6pm, w/Bitch Prefect, Peter Escott, Old Mate, Superstar, Pines, Small Black Lambs + All the Weathers]

Tues, Feb 24 – Howler, Melbourne, VIC [w/The Ocean Party + Real Estate]

That Brisbane show with Workshop and SM faves Curlew looks fantastic... Get along you donkeys!

Quaffing The Healing Crystals Down For Those Cool Sounds

Barely six months have passed since Melbourne dudes Cool Sounds brought us Melbourne Fashion, and yet here is another album to light up and take in. Healing Crystals is eight songs of blissful, sanguine pop, an easy glide down the backstreets of your town. Snowy (The Ocean Party et al) has become more of a fixture on this album, his saxophone lending a warm hum that at once refreshes and lightens the load. There are additional vocals lilting in the background too from the likes of Amanda Roff (Harmony), Ashley Bundang (Zone Out, Hot Palms, Totally Mild) and Zac Denton (The Ocean Party, Ciggie Witch) to add to the wash of sultry sounds. In fact this reminds me a lot of last year's Ciggie Witch record, Rock and Roll Juice. There is an ease and familiarity with all of this, that doesn't feel as put on (or put upon) as other players in this crowded tavern. Especially when they get into storyteller mode, like closer 'Pizzas', which plays out like a vignette of a bit player from Edward Scissorhands, if the film was shot in Coburg. Which to me should be the focus of more jangle rock albums - concept it the fuck up.

Seriously though, Healing Crystals is a lovely record. The fact that French label Beko Disques (who put out the Excusers EP I mentioned recently, as well as Day Ravies and Nathan Roche releases) are putting this out is doubly exciting - grab it here. The boys have had a residency this month down at the Tote - and are finishing up this Sunday with Palm Springs and Tam Vantage in support - get along.

Tempura Rots Your Brain(roof)

Just a quick night trip of slightly brooding jangle from new(ish) Brisbane band Tempura Nights. Rising from the ashes of Go Violets and featuring members from Major Leagues and The Good Sports, Tempura Nights bring us 'Brainroof' which follows the current penchant for moody 90s guitar indie rock (one I have been very partial towards I must admit), and the Speedy Ortiz parallels are present and accounted for. The feedback about 2:15 in really hammers that home - its a wonderful sound. The song is a simple pleasure, but sometimes they are the best. I still haven't decided what a brainroof really is though.



Having played alongside the likes of Tomorrows Tulips, Palms, Bad//Dreems, Snowy Nasdaq and Emma Russack this year, with a gig alongside Richard In Your Mind in the near future, expect to hear from these guys.

Twelve Months Of Snow Nasdaq Part Two - The One Where Snowy Gets a Wristy From George Michael

It's February. How do we know? Because we have a new single from Snowy Nasdaq, that's how! And it's simple, gossamer pop, albeit dripping in slight (or not so slight?) sordidness and silliness. Well, most of the time...

Twelve Months Of Snowy Nasdaq Starts - Let's Get Physical

Apparently 2014 is the Year of the Nasdaq - Snowy Nasdaq AKA Liam Halliwell (The Ocean Party/Zone Out/Mining Boom/Pencil/etcetfuckingera) is releasing a single a month over at Why Don't You Believe Me? Records. January's kick-off is 'Physical Parts', a pop confection littered with disco simplicities, sampled quirks and sonic sleights of hand, culminating in a cute pop jam that nonetheless takes you down dark, hallucinogenic side alleys in the process. This promises to be a very interesting journey indeed...