Fascinator
Indie/electronic
It’s been four years since the latest – and final – Children Collide record. Frontman Johnny Mackay has spent most of the ensuing period living in New York and cultivating his eccentric electronic persona, Fascinator. Despite the patent stylistic differences, CC fans will find familiar comfort in Mackay’s melodic formations and rasping vocals on the new single, ‘Time To Go’.
Thursday September 8 – Woolly Mammoth Alehouse – Brisbane, QLD
BANDCAMP | FACEBOOK | SOUNDCLOUD
Shelley Short
Folk/ alt country
We don’t usually include international visitors in this column, but Shelley Short qualifies as an honorary Aussie by virtue of her relationship with dink-di troubadour Darren Hanlon. Like Hanlon, Short communicates tales of empathetic human association via acoustic guitars and recognisable folk melodies.
Thursday September 8 – Northcote Social Club – Melbourne, VIC
Kira Puru
R&B
Novocastrian shape shifter Kira Puru first made her name alongside backing band the Bruise. In recent times she’s collaborated with Paul Kelly and Urthboy, but she’s making the biggest advances on her own. Her recent solo single ‘All Dulled Out’ is a feisty electro-R&B number with a yearning chorus of celestial proportions. Thursday September 8 – Heya Bar – Brisbane, QLD
White Bleaches
Rock/psych
Melbourne psych rock dudes White Bleaches are hopping about the place armed with a new self-titled EP. The band’s fuzzy garage belters should please fans of the Growlers, the Sonics, and local acts such as Living Eyes and the Murlocs.
Friday September 9 – Barwon Club – Geelong, VIC BANDCAMP | FACEBOOK
Mosquito Coast
Indie pop
These kids are alright, eh. Perth duo Mosquito Coast are fresh out of high school and toting the new single ‘Let’s Be Friends’. It’s a finely manicured indie pop tune built on an insistent bass line and Naomi Robinson’s relaxed, but-forceful, high register. Friday September 9 – Brighton Up Bar – Sydney, NSW
Flowertruck
Indie rock
Headlining Bigsound’s closing party at the Triffid are Sydney indie rockers Flowertruck. The band is simple in design, but potent in effect. There’s a touch of Springsteen to their heartfelt indie rock numbers, providing cathartic sing-alongs and a lot of messy guitar noise.
Friday September 9 – The Triffid – Brisbane, QLD
Tiny Giants
Garage rock
Tiny Giants are the latest bunch of ‘60s loving mop-tops to burst out of the southern Victorian seaside town of Ocean Grove. Their latest single, ‘Suicide’, suggests seaside living mightn’t as idyllic as it’s often depicted. While it’s a jangly, lackadaisical tune, the song has no scruples about underlining the fact that “We’re all just avoiding suicide.”
Saturday September 10 – Yah Yah’s – Melbourne, VIC FACEBOOK | BANDCAMP
Peter Bibby
Folk rock
It’s a couple of years since Peter Bibby’s debut LP, Butcher/Hairstylist/Beautician. He gives the impression of being a dedicated ramblin’ man; someone compelled to voice his impressions of the world via song. If this is the case, another release shouldn’t be too far off. Meanwhile, Butcher hasn’t lost its captivating character and a hometown show always promises to be a drunken romp. Saturday September 10 – The Bird – Perth, WA
Polish Club
Rock/soul
Sydney duo Polish Club call themselves a soul outfit, and you couldn’t criticise them for a lack of gusto. However, theirs isn’t a traditional soul music presentation – rather they play four to the floor rock’n’roll numbers that portray a never say die attitude.
Saturday September 10 – Republic Bar – Hobart, TAS
SOUNDCLOUD | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK | UNEARTHED
Creature Fear
Alt rock
Capping off the weekend at the Oldie in Melbourne we have Creature Fear. They’re a bunch of twenty-somethings with a patent curiosity for rock’n’roll in all its various forms. For instance, their new EP covers alt-country, raspin’ blues rock and gentle folk rock.
Sunday September 11 – The Old Bar – Melbourne, VIC
FACEBOOK | UNEARTHED | SOUNDCLOUD
