CLAIRE & THE COPS
Garage Rock
Claire and the Cops are a pretty relaxed bunch who’re not afraid to get a little dirty. The Sydneysiders sound like a more lo-fi, less serious and slightly friendlier Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. That said, the melodies are serious business, ready to arrest all of your attention.
Friday July 24 – Waywards – Sydney, NSW
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THE MOVING TARGETS
Folk/Country
This is some good honest songwriting from a bunch of the best musos that call the Top End home. Led by David Garnham, The Moving Targets take a dash of folk, a dash of country, an earful of melody and infuse it with a whole lot of heart.
Friday July 24 – Darwin Railway Club – Darwin, NT
BATPISS
Sludge Punk
The reason Batpiss have managed to enter the ‘Melbourne’s favourite sons’ category is the fact that, while they’re full on heavy heads, they’re not too goddamn serious. Their songs aren’t tightly packaged, don’t fuck with us, missives. They look at some pretty dark subject matter, but the trio’s sludge punk sound also wants you to have a fucking good time.
Friday July 24 – Club 54 – Launceston, TAS
YAHTZEL
Future Bass
Should Yahtzel be classed as a guilty pleasure? Yeah, probably. The NSW beat maker uses some synth sounds that are only a couple of wafts away from Hardwell cheese and some of the vocal/found-sound samples can start to grate. But these are just minor hangups. The dude’s a patient producer who comes across as genuine and overall that makes for some pleasant listening.
Friday July 24 – Oh Hello – Brisbane, QLD
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LE PIE
Indie Pop
Le Pie has got something going on. The Sydney indie pop songwriter doesn’t employ too many tricks, but she gets the job done. Her songs step forward with calmly sung instantly nourishing melodies and understated live band arrangements. It’s easy to dig, but difficult to kick out of your head.
Friday July 24 – Newtown Social Club – Sydney, NSW
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HUGO RACE AND THE TRUE SPIRIT
Dark Psych
Hugo Race had a brief stint (two albums) as one of Nick Cave’s Bad Seeds, but he’s spent a lot more of his music-making years producing records backed by The True Spirit. The latest, The Spirit, dropped last month and it’s a work of seedy surrealist blues. Race sings in a dry rugged baritone akin to Mark Lanegan and the True Spirit provide solid, gang-like support.
Friday July 24 – Brisbane Hotel – Hobart, TAS
GOLDEN STRING
Dream Pop
Why is it the tag ‘dreamy’ is usually only applied to things that sounds light and breezy? A lot of dreams aren’t so easy-going. We’re even talking about nightmares; dreams can often be challenging things to endure. Perth’s Golden String make a form of dream pop that hazily documents some of the mind’s darker or more confused impulses.
Saturday July 25 – The Bird – Perth, WA
WABZ
Experimental House
The folks at Solitaire Recordings are well on the way to assembling a very impressive niche roster. Along with I’lls and Good Morning, Melbourne producer Wabz is a master of understatement. His chosen medium is deftly detailed experimental house music and his new LP Argyle is a beguiling listen.
Saturday July 25 – Hugs & Kisses – Melbourne, VIC
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VERGE COLLECTION
Indie Rock
Verge Collection aren’t afraid to admit it, they write songs to make us feel bad. Though, it’s not clear what part of the band’s Wilco-esque pop rock is supposed to make us feel bad. Maybe it’s just the fact that we didn’t get in first and write such neat little rock tunes.
Saturday July 25 – The Good Shepherd – Perth, WA
LUCKY SEVEN
Swing/Rock’n’Roll
Lucky Seven play ol’-timey swing music and they play it with ol’-timey style. It’s pretty remarkable actually; the Adelaide band’s music transports you to a 1940s mob run Chicago ball room. The only thing to do when you get there is grab a partner and dance the night away.
Saturday July 25 – The Gov – Adelaide, SA
