The Panics

Now in its 7^th year in Sydney, Laneway proved just why it’s gaining a reputation as one of the summer’s better festivals. However, don’t assume that its punters and organisers want it to become the next Big Day Out. The event has a much more chilled out and low-key vibe than most, and there’s no doubt that for many, this is very much part of the appeal.

In a summer that could only be described as shithouse, Sydney put on a stunner. With not a drop of rain in sight and temperatures even climbing into the 30’s (shock horror), the charming grounds that are Sydney College of the Arts, all sandstone buildings and glass windows, were adorned with floral dresses and hats galore. Vintage, of course.

Definitely one to watch this year, Austra put on a solid performance and the crowd’s reaction to current single ‘Lose it’ would suggest the album, due to be released within the next couple of months, is going to be quite a success. Singer Katie Stelmanis’ voice is strong and powerful as was the whole set and minds were cast back to Florence and the Machine’s appearance at Laneway a mere two years ago. It’s a big call but the similarities in sound and reception could be an indication of this band’s future.

Despite being a MEGA BABE, Laura Marling can also sing. Well. She proved that with a set that attracted a large crowd, even as the sun blazed down on the open and relatively shade-free Carpark Stage. She was followed by The Panics whose brand of easy listening, indie rock was the perfect way to bring in the evening.

The Horrors (also MEGA BABES) were definitely one of the most anticipated acts of the day attracting as big a crowd as any. There’s no doubting this band has stage presence. Lots of it. They certainly got the crowd moving too, most notably during ‘I can See Through You’ off their most recent release and  ‘Mirror’s Image,’ one of the singles from their 2009 album.

As perhaps the ultimate hipsters, The Drums were always going to be a hit and they were. Yet those further back in the large crowd struggled to hear the band and this acoustics issue is something Laneway will have to reconsider next year. That’s not to say the fans didn’t make up for it themselves, singing (and surfing) to the band’s hits.

M83 and SBTRKT were the most popular of the final acts and while the hefty delay in getting SBTRKT onto the stage had the crowd more than a little on edge, all was forgotten as the dancing began and the night came to a close.

With countless other quality acts including Feist, Girls, Cults, Yuck and many more, Laneway was undeniably a treat for any music fan.

Since being Unearthed by Triple J in 2009, the Shiny Brights have had some pretty exciting things happen. They’ve played the Big Day Out, Southbound, Parklife, WAMI and Fuse Festivals and they’ve supported the likes of The Wombats, The Vines, The Living End, The Grates, Children Collide and British India. They also toured nationally with You Am I.

Now, the indie rockers have a new single called ‘Run With Scissors’ that comes with a pretty cool film clip too.

Check it out right…here.

http://www.triplejunearthed.com/theshinyBrights

http://www.myspace.com/theshinybrights

In lead up to the these two very shows, undergroundLOVERS will be giving their fans a chance to name one of their newest tracks, offering a sneak peak to a rough mix of the track on their Facebook page from this Friday. Fans will be asked for their feedback and track title ideas. The winner will receive two free tickets to their choice of either show.

Pretty cool, right?!

TICKETS TO THE FOLLOWING SHOWS ARE ON SALE NOW!

undergroundLOVERS – Last shows in support of Wonderful Things

Friday February 17 – Oxford Arts Factory, Darlinghurst NSW

www.moshtix.com.au

Moshtix Ph: 1300 438 849

Saturday February 18 – Northcote Social Club, VIC

www.northcotesocialclub.com

Ph: 94861677

2011 was Jack’s biggest year yet with numerous headline Australian tours, festivals, supports for the likes of Matt Corby, Alex Lloyd and Ingrid Michaelson and appearances at Toronto’s Canadian Music Week and Austin Texas’ famous SXSW.

The Sydney singer’s latest album is said to be darker than his previous release, exploring themes of heartbreak, displacement, loss and learning.

“Jack Carty emerged from the back of the pub with a beer in hand, and shoeless-ly stepped onto the stage… His vocal lines are strong and consistent and his lyrics have an intrinsic, wholesome feel. Something about the way he performs is humbling… 10/10” – The AU Review.

TOUR DETAILS

January 31 – February 4: SYDNEY, Bondi Open Air Cinema, Bondi NSW

February 6 – February 9: MELBOURNE, St Kilda Open Air Cinema, St Kilda VIC

February 11: MELBOURNE, The Toff In Town, VIC

February 12: CANBERRA, The Front Gallery, ACT

February 14: SYDNEY, Cafe Lounge, NSW

February 16: BRISBANE, Beetle Bar, QLD

March 3: CORINBANK FESTIVAL, Brindabella Mountains ACT

March 8: PERTH, Ellington Jazz Club, WA

http://jackcarty.wordpress.com/

To coincide with the Dusty Midnight Cowboys Tour the band will be starring in their very own Comic strip; a story of four outlaws who wreak havoc on the Wild West. Check the Drawn from Bees website for weekly updates on the outlaws’ adventures.

With a well renowned live show that has been crafted over countless tours both here and abroad at the likes of SXSW, Canadian Music Week, and Music Matters Hong Kong, makes the Dusty Midnight Cowboys Tour one to check out.

Drawn From Bees Tour Dates

Saturday 4^th Feb – Oxford Art Factory (Gallery Bar), Sydney w/ Our Monk

Sunday 12^th Feb – St Kilda Festival, Melbourne

Friday 17^th Feb – Woodland, Brisbane w/ Green Stone & Howling Rabbits

Sunday 26^th Feb – Move Mountains Music & Art Festival, Toowoomba

Saturday 3^rd Mar – Gold Coast Arts Festival, Gold Coast

www.drawnfrombees.com

The exhibition is an insight into the world of BrightSide (Katie Bright) and will showcase works that are screen printed onto mirrors, lighting instillations and live performance.

BrightSide uses her passion for fancy dress to reflect her feelings and current personal issues. Her images are loosely based around connections to both pre-existing animation characters and those from her vivid imagination. BrightSide’s characters act as a reflection and observation of desires, drawn together by the desire to shift, change or indulge.

DETAILS

Where: aMBUSH Gallery

4a James Street, Waterloo.

When: Opening Night February 14 6-10pm

Exhibition continues daily until February 19

Cost: It’s free!!

www.ambushgallery.com

Image courtesy of Amanda Davenport

Born in NSW, the son of Ministers, he’s been playing the guitar since he was young. For me, his guitar is his supporting instrument – his voice is undoubtedly his finest asset. Imagine the range and soulfulness of a Buckley (Tim or Jeff), mixed it up with a bit of Bob Dylan and the occasional deep gravelly sound of Kurt Cobain and you have something pretty special. Steve is one mighty fine troubadour.

Over the last few years Steve has been travelling around Australia and Europe, touring with the wonderful Angus & Julia Stone, Howling Bells and Ben Harper. He’s now on the road with Kitty, Daisy and Lewis.

A: Let’s start with a little bit of background. Have you always wanted to be a singer/songwriter/musician?

S: Always, there’s never been anything else I’ve wanted to do. When I was younger I did my fair share of time washing dishes, serving coffee, even cleaning and restoring yachts in the Sydney harbour, but music has only been my passion.

A: You’ve been living over in London for the last year or so, what prompted the move?

S: Various things, but largely because I believe change can be good. I like to ramble, I’m a wandering soul. Seeing new places and experiencing different cultures is important to me and London gives me a good base to tour around Europe.

A: Where do you think 2012 will take you, back to London?

S: My life seems to be in a state of perpetual TBA, and I’m happy with that. I’ll probably be moving around a lot, so no fixed abode. I’ll go wherever my music takes me.

A: You’ve been a solo artist for some time, do you ever get lonely?

S: Yes, a little. But all in good time. I’m very happy with my life right now, and loving doing my own thing. Don’t get me wrong, being in a band can have it’s benefits, but it’s a bit like a good song – you need to keep to the same beat. Being solo, you experience things differently and can be more expressive.

A: If you could choose between short-lived fame and a lot of money, or a lifetime of just about making a living from your music, which would you take?

S: I wouldn’t. I’d choose both (he says with a smile). The longevity of my music is what’s truly important to me. I couldn’t ever see myself doing anything else. I love playing at intimate venues, connecting with people in the audience and stumbling upon new artists. Some of my best nights have been in the smallest if places.

A: What’s your style when you’re penning new lyrics?

S: I usually just sit down and start writing. Travel has definitely had an impact on my lyrics. I wrote “Bar Made Blues” when I was living in Cambodia for a month. I was sat at the bar, not feeling like I was getting anywhere in life. Drinking, getting thrown out of bars. I saw some kids playing in the streets with their kite. For a country formerly under Khmer Rouge rule, to today, seeing these kids smiling with such a sense of freedom. Something just clicked inside me. The lyrics just started flowing.

(Steve then apologises for getting a bit deep and meaningful. He’s so polite!)

A: Please don’t apologise Steve – I’m not here for an interview with Britney Spears.

A: Who do you rate today as a great musician?

S: I really like Chilly Gonzales and I admire TV On The Radio. I also think Jack Ladder is amazingly talented and doesn’t get the recognition he deserves.

How do I rate Steve Smyth?

Nothing less than 5 stars. My favourite track is probably “Stay Young” , which is a duet with Juanita Stein.

Do yourself a big favour and see him before he returns to colder climates.

Upcoming local tour dates

Wednesday 25th Jan. The Study @ The Gaelic Hotel. Surry Hills.

Thursday 26th Jan. @ Festival of The Voice  The Rocks.

Sunday 29th Jan. @ The Vanguard. Newtown.

Debut Album “Release”

Take a listen for yourself!

Having just played Falls Festival over the new years period, Alpine returned to a venue they’ve played before, and while I didn’t get to see them at Falls (devastated!), I’m going to say a venue that’s probably more suited to their style of music. They’ve been compared to bands like Phoenix and The xx and their sound is not unlike the experimental, psychedelic tunes of all girl gang Warpaint. As such, the intimate space that is Oxford Art Factory suited this co-ed team well.

The band’s female lead singers, Lou and Phoebe, graced the stage with glittered faces, swapping frequently between lead vocals and harmonies as well as coming together in unison at times. This variety is a strength of their music. The girls were obviously enjoying themselves, dancing in a free-flowing and floating style that was, if not for the inhibitions of most audience members, rather infectious. They even brought out a triangle at one stage, and played it in a similarly dream-like fashion.

‘Too Safe’ from the band’s EP Zurich was an early highlight of the evening, while the recognisable strum of ‘Villages’, another track off the band’s 2011 release, was obviously one of the more recognisable tracks of the set as far as the audience was concerned. Concluding a relatively short set, to be expected given the band’s short history, it was certainly a crowd pleaser and a good note to finish on.

If the band were to be criticised for anything it would be their lack of stage presence. Their performance was polished and measured but they weren’t all encompassing and whatever it was that was missing, meant there was some chatter amongst the audience throughout the evening.

Alpine are still finding their feet and stage presence will more than likely come as they develop their live shows. If the cheer let out by the audience – the loudest of the night – as the band commenced their newest single ‘Hands’ is anything to go by, they’re definitely on their way up and a band to watch in 2012.

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