William Crighton
Folk
Willy Crighton’s a bit of an outlaw folkie, a bit of a ramblin’ man and a bit of a wistful crooner. He’s got an unmistakable voice that sounds like he’s been smacked ‘round the jaw a few times and like he’s ready to smack someone else in the jaw.
Thursday November 24 – Gasometer Hotel – Melbourne, VIC
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Pop Cult
Indie Pop
I reckon Pop Cult have listened to a fair bit of 80s and 90s indie rock. Probably heard The Smiths, a bit of Orange Juice, perhaps Smashing Pumpkins, maybe a dash of Teenage Fanclub. That’s what their music suggests, at least.
Thursday November 24 – Woolly Mammoth – Brisbane, QLD
Flyying Colours
Shoegaze
Flyying Colours have a hot new album called Mindfulness. Mindfulness is one of those words that makes me cringe a little. Same with words like ‘compartmentalise’, ‘detox’ and ‘gluten free’. The record doesn’t make me cringe, though. The thing’s bloody loaded with gluten and toxins and lots of messy guitars.
Friday November 25 – Crown and Anchor – Adelaide, SA
Pow Negro
Hip Hop
Pow Negro is a six-piece electronically-enhanced hip hop/funk crew. They meld boom bap grooves and chunky bass lines with fuzzed-out lead guitar and forceful rhymes.
Friday November 25 – Mojos – Perth, WA
The Cherry Dolls
Rock
Kings of Leon were great at Big Day Out ’04. The Cherry Dolls remind me of that moment. KOL pumped out one more shit-hot album after that, followed by an alright one and everything since has been total bollocks. Cherry Dolls’ new EP Lone Palm recalls Aha Shake-era Kings. Let’s hope they don’t become total bollocks anytime soon.
Friday November 25 – Brighton Up Bar – Sydney, NSW
The Byzantines
Indie Pop
The Byzantines sound a lot like The Delta Riggs. Both bands are classic rock-heads who inject elements of hip hop and electronica into their tunes. But where the Riggs are massive Rolling Stones addicts, Byzantine are clearly enamoured with Kasabian.
Saturday November 26 – Jive – Adelaide, SA
Spaceman
Psych Pop
Freo lads Spaceman are conjurors of tripped out psych rock sounds. More lethargic daydreaming than brain-melting fireworks, their Palm Haus record contains bits of kraut and shoegaze alongside psychedelic pop. charm.
Saturday November 26 – The Bird – Perth, WA
Andy Clockwise
Indie/Synthpop
About eight years ago a woman expressed interest in managing my band. In pitching herself, she claimed to also manage Andy Clockwise. That turned out to be a total lie, but we signed with her anyway. Suffice to say, we had a nasty split from her a few months later. Anyway, Andy Clockwise has a new EP called The Good Book, which contains a bunch of synthpop bangers – dance music for sensitive types.
Saturday November 26 – Brighton Up Bar – Sydney, NSW
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Slowly Slowly
Emo Rock
Who likes Jimmy Eat World? Bleed American was pretty sick back in 02. What about Brand New? Remember when they supported Blink 182? How about Built to Spill? They killed it at Golden Plains this year. If you’re into these bands, you’ll probably dig Melbourne emo rock dudes Slowly Slowly.
Sunday November 27 – The Old Bar – Melbourne, VIC
FACEBOOK | SOUNDCLOUD | BANDCAMP
Bree Tranter
Alternative/Electronic
Bree Tranter’s Another Night on Earth LP could be one of the most enveloping releases of the year. Tranter’s alternative pop songs sound born of many, many hours of experimentation and fine-tuning. The finished products contain not a single superfluous note, beat or vocal murmur.
Sunday November 27 – The Foundry – Brisbane, QLD
