Whalehouse
Garage punk
Brisbane trio Whalehouse know how to churn out spirited and shambolic garage punk numbers. But they’re also prone to getting a bit deep, such as on ‘Good Christian Girl’ – a truly cathartic song that could be perceived as an instance of primal scream therapy.
Thursday August 18 – The Foundry – Brisbane, QLD
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Elizabeth Hughes
Alt pop
Sydney’s experiencing something of an alternative pop renaissance at present, but a lot of the artists responsible actually hail from the Blue Mountains. Much like Phantastic Ferniture and Julia Jacklin, Elizabeth Hughes grew up in the Mountains but has now brought her elegant and inquisitive songwriting to the big city.
Thursday August 18 – Brighton Up Bar – Sydney, NSW
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The Lampreys
Folk
Lampreys are frightful looking things. Seriously disturbing jawless fish known for sucking the blood of other fish. I’m getting nauseous just thinking about them. The Lampreys, the band, are a personable two-piece folk outfit from southern Queensland. With a bit of luck they’ll become huge and the word lamprey will no longer cause images of horrifying sea creatures to inundate my mind.
Thursday August 18 – Black Bear Lodge – Brisbane, QLD
Ivey
Indie pop
Ivey are a sprightly bunch. They write jangly indie pop songs that carry wafts of a life spent frolicking by the seaside. They’re not a bad fit, then, for a slot at Gold Coast’s NightQuarter night market.
Friday August 19 – NightQuarter – Gold Coast, QLD
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Destrends
Post-punk
You can’t imagine anyone particularly enjoys being described as “showing potential”, but hitherto that was the feeling evoked by Melbourne goth enthusiasts Destrends. However, on their latest single, Papa, the black-clad trio make a leap forward, recalling the punchier early work of The Horrors and adding a healthy dose of melodrama.
Friday August 19 – St Kilda Pier – Melbourne, VIC
Juliette Seizure and the Tremor Dolls
Power pop/punk
Juliette Seizure and the Tremor Dolls wear their influences loud and proud. This is punk in the tradition of the Ramones and Buzzcocks – big hooks and harum-scarum delivery. By their own reckoning, their new LP Chewing Out Your Rhythm On My Bubblegum will appeal to fans of The Muffs and Nikki and The Corvettes, and we tend to agree.
Friday August 19 – Grace Emily Hotel – Adelaide, SA
The Royal Jellies
Jazz
Eight-piece jazz collective The Royal Jellies are avowed Dixieland tragics who seek to imbue the New Orleanian tradition with a touch of modern Melbourne. They’re launching a new single at the Gaso. Bring a candle; it’s going to get romantic.
Friday August 19 – Gasometer Hotel – Melbourne, VIC
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever
Indie rock
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever are conjurors of lovely melodies, which are presented with a contemplative tint. They’re not purveyors of neat pop songs, however, preferring to surround their melodies with garagey grit and a bleared eyed wobble.
Saturday August 20 – Globe Warehouse – Melbourne, VIC
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Rackett
Pop punk
Rackett would’ve fit in just fine on Channel V circa-2002. They make agreeable pop punk that’s just as likely to please the masses as piss off your neighbours.
Saturday August 20 – Brighton Up Bar – Sydney, NSW
Koi Child
Hip hop/jazz
Koi Child’s self-titled debut album hasn’t quite been a blockbuster hit, but they have gathered a loving international fanbase over the last 12 months. It’s not surprising given the band’s penchant for jazz-inscribed hip hop; a sound that’s been riding a wave of popularity in recent years. Sunday August 21 – Mojos – Perth, WA
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