Richard In Your Mind
Psychedelic Indie pop
Pop intellect and flamboyant silliness aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, the presence of both often ensures that a song’s sense fun remains effective again and again. This is exemplified by Sydney’s Richard In Your Mind; keen explorers of pop psychedelics (a la Rubber Soul and Piper at the Gates of Dawn) who aren’t afraid to play in their underpants.
Thursday May 28 – Rad Bar – Wollongong, NSW
https://www.facebook.com/richardinyourmind?fref=ts
https://richardinyourmind.bandcamp.com/
https://twitter.com/richardinyrmind/
ALPHAMAMA
Funk-soul/ Hip-hop
Combining pop and soul with hip-hop ‘tude, Sydney’s Alphamama has been kicking around for a handful of years, but kept all too quiet lately. It’s a relief to see that she’ll be launching a new single at Marrickville’s LazyBones Lounge this Thursday. It’s an intimate setting, and the new release has been touted an emotional one, but expect elements of spectacle nonetheless.
Thursday May 28 – LazyBones Lounge – Sydney, NSW
https://www.facebook.com/ALPHAMAMAMUSIC
https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/alphamama
https://www.youtube.com/user/alphamamamusic
Fazerdaze
Lo fi pop
Fazerdaze is the solo outlet of Auckland native Amelia Murray. After spending an unhealthy amount of time holed up in her bedroom concocting delightful lo fi pop, Murray has presented us with her self-titled debut EP. While her tunes have been birthed in isolation, Fazerdaze’s infectious dream pop sound – equal parts Beaches and Beach House – is set to positively blossom on stage.
Friday May 29 – John Curtin Bandroom – Melbourne, VIC
https://www.facebook.com/fazerdazemusic
https://fazerdaze.bandcamp.com/
https://soundcloud.com/fazerdaze
Zanzibar Chanel
Electronic jam funk
The latest EP from Melbourne duo Zanzibar Chanel is called Drunk at the Jazz Club. It’s an apt title for the sort of wonky and indulgent, yet deftly musical electronic pop that the duo excels at. This Friday, Sydney house of fun par excellence Goodgod are taking over an Opera House studio for Vivid Live, and with Zanzibar Chanel on board, it’s certain to become more than a little bit wild.
Friday May 29 – Sydney Opera House – Sydney, NSW
https://soundcloud.com/zanzibar-chanel
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zanzibar-Chanel/429213757096740
https://zanzibarchanel.bandcamp.com/
The Sin & Tonics
Rockabilly
The Sin & Tonics like their rockabilly played hard. The Tassie lads are less influenced by the slick ‘80s sounds of the Stray Cats than the desperate grit of Revered Horton Heat and Gene Vincent. They’ve taken it upon themselves to give rockabilly a 21st century update, making it sound all the more sinful.
Friday May 29 – Brisbane Hotel – Hobart, TAS
https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/sin-tonics
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Sin-Tonics/254093840746
http://www.reverbnation.com/thesintonics?page_view_source=facebook_app
Red Engine Caves
Riff Psych
OK, Wolfmother are crap and we’ve all known it for a while. But when ‘Apple Tree’ came out back in 2005 (ten years ago, shit), a few of us got pretty excited. Alas, ego and plenty of just-plain-dumb songwriting ensued, and that initial excitement soon turned to resentment. But if Wolfmother had continued with pure, joyous psychedelic riffing, it might’ve sounded something like Perth’s Red Engine Caves. Saviours of rock? I think not. Unashamed rock’n’roll gluttons? Yes indeed.
Saturday May 30 – The Odd Fellow – Perth, WA
https://soundcloud.com/redenginecaves
https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/red-engine-caves
https://www.facebook.com/redenginecaves/timeline
https://redenginecaves.bandcamp.com/
Mary Webb
Folk
The sacred union of acoustic guitar and voice is regularly exploited for cheesy, self-indulgent purposes. In fact, the line between powerfully intimate communication and earnest self-seriousness is so frequently crossed that we’ve been trained to dismiss solo acoustic songwriters. But there’s nothing overbearing about Mary Webb. Her songs showcase a wonderful melodic poise and an entirely unpretentious, relatable voice.
Saturday May 30 – Exeter Hotel – Adelaide, SA
https://www.youtube.com/user/marywebbsings
https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/mary-webb
KUČKA
Future pop
Bloggers have been bursting out of desk chairs and proclaiming the ground-breaking, next-big-thing merits of Perth pop futurist Kucka for a couple of years now. With each new release – including her latest single ‘Recovery’ – Kucka proves them right. ‘Recovery’ displays that the next-big-thing tag ain’t going to stop her from laterally experimenting with glitch-y electronics and dilapidated pop melodies.
Saturday May 30 – Black Bear Lodge – Brisbane, QLD
https://www.facebook.com/iamkucka?fref=ts
https://iamkucka.bandcamp.com/
The Furrs
Fuzz love
Ah the sweet sounds of fuzzy psych revivalism, will we ever tired of thee? Well, in actual fact, this sort of music can very easily become tiresome (does anyone remember Temples? Didn’t think so). Luckily, Brissy duo The Furrs offer not just an exposition of sticky melody, but also a display of individual vulnerability. The result is a warm and welcome addition to the neo-psych ranks.
Sunday May 31 – The Brightside – Brisbane, QLD (w/ King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard)
https://thefurrs.bandcamp.com/album/more-furrs
https://www.facebook.com/thefurrsrevolution
https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/furrs
Terrible Truths
Post punk
Adelaide doesn’t get much credit for churning out garage rock freaks and quality post punk bands. But the problem is they tend to only get noticed once they’ve moved elsewhere. Melbourne-based trio Terrible Truths are a case in point – two girls, one guy, two Adelaideans, one Brisbanian. Regardless, this is all class. The band’s take on post punk incorporates Cramps-like riffing with enveloping female vocals reminiscent of Siouxsie Sioux.
Monday June 1 – Northcote Social Club – Melbourne, VIC
https://www.facebook.com/terribletruths?fref=ts
https://terribletruths.bandcamp.com/
https://soundcloud.com/bedroomsuckrecords/terrible-truths-false-hope
