a little mixtape vol. 10 (summer edition)

hello, here is a selection of a few wonderful songs to really make your summer that much better.

Picture courtesy of Tchmo on society6

1. Fitz & the Tantrums - MoneyGrabber

2. Real Estate - It's Real

3. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Round and Round

4. Band of Horses - Dilly

5. The Beach Boys - Don't Worry Baby

6. Cut Copy - A Dream

7. Deerhunter - Don't Cry

8. M83 - Steve McQueen

9. Poolside - Do You Believe?

10. Grouplove - Tongue Tied

11. Kisses - People Can Do The Most Amazing Things

12. Neon Indian - Polish Girl

13. Animal Collective - Bluish

14. Florence & the Machine - Dog Days are Over 

15. Pinback - Non Photo-Blue

16. Wild Nothing - Summer Holiday

17. Foster the People - I Would Do Anything for You 

18. Seabellies - Armour

19. Boy & Bear - Golden Jubilee 

20. The Middle East - Blood 

Everything is available on iTunes. Farväl. 

Bon Iver - Bon Iver (video form)

Here is Bon Iver - Bon Iver in deluxe video form. Enjoy. 

1. Perth 

2. Minnesota, WI 

3. Holocene

4. Towers

5. Michicant

6. Hinnom, Tx

7. Wash. 

8. Calgary

9. Lisbon, OH

10. Beth/Rest 

triple j hottest 100 2011 - my vote

This year was hard because the songs that I originally wanted to include by some certain artists (Washed Out, Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver) weren't available to vote for and I figured that the ones that WERE available had a better chance of a spot in the top 100 so I went for them. Overall, I think I have a pretty great list, I'm looking forward to the countdown on Australia Day!

my top 10 albums of 2011.

my what a year it has been for music! It was so hard to choose my final 10 favourite releases of the year but I think my choices are pretty great. There should be no surprise as to who I chose for the number 1 position...


10. The Middle East - I Want That You Are Always Happy

I Want That You Are Always Happy was a brilliant first and last album for The Middle East. It really upsets me to know that such a wonderful band had such creative differences and that we'll never hear the beautiful "Blood" from their EP played live again. That said, I'm so glad that they released this, absolutely lovely.  Listen to "Jesus Came To My Birthday Party"


9. Real Estate - Days

Days is such a chilled out album, it has a beach-y, summery vibe that you can dance to. The tracks are lovely and include a handful of instrumentals, my favourites from the album include "Easy", "It's Real" and "Kinder Blumen". 


8. Foster the People - Torches

I was so keen on Foster The People when I first heard Pumped Up Kicks in the hottest 100 countdown in January. Ever since then I have been smitten and have seen them at the Metro; they are a fun, infectious band with their instantly likeable tunes and surprisingly deep lyrics at times. An absolute must in your record collection, we should expect big things from this bunch of boys! My favourite tracks are "I Would Do Anything For You", "Houdini" and "Pumped Up Kicks" 


7. Portugal. The Man - In the Mountain in the Cloud

I think I first heard of Portugal. The Man when I was procrastinating whilst studying for uni exams. I wish I had have heard of them earlier but I have since made up for the lack of them in my life and own all of their albums. This particular album, their 7th album is wonderful and the band have already forged a pretty little career for themselves and their artwork (done by lead singer John Gourley) is always wonderful.  My favourite tracks are "Got It All (This Can't Be Living Now)", "So American", and "You Carried Us (Share With Me The Sun)"


6. Boy & Bear - Moonfire 

The long awaited album debut from Boy & Bear won 5 arias and it's no surprise - this album is wonderful and deserved all the awards they received. Boy & Bear have a kinda country-esque, folky vibe that is great to have a dance to or have playing in the background or wherever. The only way is up for these boys, for those of you lucky enough to have seen them play live - they're something special right? Tracks you need to hear are "Feeding Line", "Golden Jubilee" and "Milk and Sticks". 


5. Gotye - Making Mirrors 





The long awaited follow-up to the beautiful "Like Drawing Blood" finally came to fruition this year. Upon my first listen at the Sydney Opera House of all places where Wally played two sold out shows, it was clear that this album was definitely going to appear high on my list. How 'bout that popular single huh?! If "Somebody That I Used To Know" isn't number 1 in Triple J's Hottest 100 for 2011, I'll eat my hat. Tracks you need in your ears are "Eyes Wide Open", "State of the Art", and "I Feel Better". 


4. M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming 

Let's just take a minute to discuss how immense this epic 1 hour, 22 minute double album is. From the first track, Intro (ft. Zola Jesus), to the 22nd track, Outro, this album is incredible. 


Notable tracks include "Steve McQueen" (my personal favourite), "Splendor" (sic), "Midnight City" and "Reunion". Such a stellar release by Anthony Gonzalez - you need to check it out if you haven't already. 


3. Washed Out - Within and Without

I say it a lot but I love chill-wave music, there's something dreamy about it and I picture myself in the summertime lying on the beach or diving under waves. Enough of that reverie, this album, Within and Without, the debut LP from Washed Out's mastermind, Ernest Greene is my number 3 because it is everything that you would want from a chill-wave album and more. Listen to "Olivia", "Eyes Be Closed" and "Far Away" 


2. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

I love Fleet Foxes. If I were a fox, I would listen to Fleet Foxes. You should listen to Fleet Foxes as well. Robin Pecknold and his band of lovely rugged men are incredible. Helplessness Blues is the second delivery by the boys and it sees them go from strength to strength with Pecknold clearly growing as a singer/songwriter. Each song is impeccably finished from the first track, "Montezuma" to the closing track, "Grown Ocean" everything sort of clicks. This album is in need of a spot in your record collection - go and get it. Listen to "The Shrine/An Argument", "Battery Kinzie" and "Helplessness Blues". 


1. Bon Iver - Bon Iver

There should be NO surprise that I chose this album as my number 1 of 2011, in fact I think it may even be one of my favourite albums of all time. What I love about this album is that it is so rich in its melodies and feeling that you kind of get lost in it and can turn this experience in to whatever you want for yourself. Cosmic? Don't care - it's brilliant. My favourites? "Calgary" and "Beth/Rest" 

a little mixtape vol. 9

here are some great tunes I'm listening to at the moment. 


on a side note, how awesome is the new M83 album!?!? 

1. Neon Indian - Mind, Drips

2. WONDERFUL - Rainbow Color 

3. The Rapture - Whoo! Alright - Yeah...Uh Huh

4. Black Kids - Hurricane Jane

5. Washed Out - Amor Fati

6. Architecture in Helsinki - Escapee

7. The Avalanches - Hearts in 3/4 Time

8. M83 - Reunion

9. Jens Lekman - The Opposite of Hallelujah

10. The Seabellies - Armour

11. The Jungle Giants - Mr Polite

12. Beirut - Vagabond

13. Papa vs Pretty - Sleep (Again) 

14. Yeasayer - Ambling Alp

15. Guineafowl - In Our Circles

16. Born Ruffians - Badonkadonkey

17.  Oh Mercy - Lay Everything On Me

18. Papercuts - White are the Waves

19. Fleet Foxes - The Shrine/An Argument

20. Bon Iver - Beth/Rest 

Enjoy.  farväl.

2012 + Laneway Line-up

Hello there. 


It seems that the first few months of 2012 are shaping up to be a very exciting time for music indeed!


Last week we had the momentous 9:00am rush for Bon Iver tickets (thank god I got some - phew) for his shows at the Opera House and tomorrow we have Fleet Foxes tickets being released (I hope the rush isn't as soul destroying as it was for Bon Iver). 


Later on in the month they release the Sydney Festival schedule which is also very exciting! 


Today we had the release of the Laneway line-up and I always get a little too excited about it... this year is no different folks because we have a pretty stellar line-up! Laneway is of course my favourite Summer festival! 

isn't it beautiful? I am keen to see Washed Out, M83, The Panics, Toro y Moi and Portugal. The Man... Ahhh how exciting!

What are your thoughts? 

farväl

a little mixtape vol. 8

1. Kisses - Kisses

2. YesYou - Half of It 

3. Portugal. The Man - You Carried Us (Share With Me The Sun)

4. Liam Finn - Cold Feet

5. Metronomy - The Look

6. Beirut - Santa Fe

7. Surfer Blood - Catholic Pagans

8. Gotye - Eyes Wide Open

9. The Shins - Turn On Me

10. Boy & Bear - Milk & Sticks

11. The Panics - Majesty

12. The Thrills - The Midnight Choir

13. Washed Out - Eyes Be Closed

14 .The Vaccines - Wetsuit

15. Metronomy - Everything Goes My Way

16. Neon Indian - Terminally Chill

17. Pinback - Syracuse

18. Your Nature - Forward Motion

19. Kimbra - Cameo Lover

20. M83 - Midnight City 

All songs are available for purchase on iTunes. Enjoy! Farväl 

hiatus

Hello there,


It seems I have neglected this blog for entirely too long. That's about to change!


I have been flat out with university work and the like with little time for anything else. 


Stay tuned for some exciting stuff! 


Farväl!

a little mixtape vol. 7

here's a list of some old and new songs that I love...  I hope you love them too!

1. The Avalanches - Since I Left You

2. Kisses - Midnight Lover

3. Washed Out - Olivia 

4. Yeasayer - Madder Red

5. Animal Collective - My Girls

6. Shout Out Louds - Tonight I Have to Leave It

7. Washed Out - Far Away

8. Kisses - Bermuda

9. Bonjah - Go Go Chaos

10. Leader Cheetah - Our Love

11. Foster the People - Call It What You Want

12. Noah & the Whale - 5 Years Time

13. Strange Talk - Climbing Walls

14. Drag - You and I 

15. Buchanan - Moon

16. Cloud Control - There's Nothing In The Water We Can't Fight

17. Camera Obscura - French Navy

18. Gotye - Somebody That I Used to Know (feat. Kimbra)

19. Deerhunter - Helicopter 

20. Portugal. The Man - Got It All (This Can't Be Living Now)

Farväl

colour

It's winter in Sydney and it has been absolutely awful.

I thought I'd post some colourful things and design inspiration to cheer myself up and cheer anyone else who needed a splash of colour in their lives!

Mixed media by Clark Goolsby

Back to Basics on Behance

Enjoy! Farväl

artist spotlight: Kisses

I have found the perfect band to listen to whilst wishing my Winter blues away.

Kisses 

Kisses - The Heart Of The Nightlife LP  

What can I say about this duo? From the first listen to their LP I was hooked. It was pretty crazy I could have SWORN that it was Jens Lekman singing however was surprised to find it wasn't, in fact they aren't even a European band but one from Los Angeles, they are Jesse Kivel and Zinzi Edmundsun. 

It is impossible to feel blue when listening to them... all I want to do is dance and I crave summer afternoons where I'll be blasting Kisses on my balcony in the sun. 

Filed under the genres "Chill-wave", "Chamber Pop"and "Light Synth pop" they have an 80s vibe going on which is always welcome in my boat! They also have really cool lyrics

so keep your heart strong

and love long

and give kisses when you can

(kisses) 

Listen to "Bermuda" for a summery vibe and "Kisses" because it has good advice and for a more laid back vibe listen to "On The Move".

Kisses have now sky rocketed to one of my favourite finds of the year, I recommend getting their LP and having a listen and a dance...

You can listen to them here, become a fan of them here  and you can buy their LP off iTunes and for Australians you can get it at JB Hi-FI.

Now for some ear candy... (Bermuda)

Enjoy! Farväl

Bon Iver - Bon Iver (a review)

Way back in May, when I first wrote about the building anticipation that I had for the release of Justin Vernon's band, Bon Iver's self-titled second album, I wondered whether it could ever surpass all of my wildest expectations...

Sometimes when a singer or band comes along that you have never heard anything like before and you listen to them... and you feel something so raw, sweet, haunting and brilliant that makes something click for you like For Emma, Forever Ago, and you wonder whether anything could ever match or even better the work of art that is that masterpiece of an album, you wonder whether the long awaited follow-up will be "all that" and you're pleasantly surprised that yes, 3 years wait does pay off and that yes, Justin Vernon is without a doubt a talented artist.

Bon Iver - Bon Iver

1. Perth

2. Minnesota, Wi

3. Holocene

4. Towers

5. Michicant

6. Hinnom, Tx

7. Wash.

8. Calgary

9. Lisbon, Oh

10. Beth/Rest

"The process wasn't that unlike the first album... it's just that we decided to make it sound a little denser and sort-of a little less achy and empty...we wanted it to be full" 

Purposely stepping away from where For Emma, Forever Ago left off, Vernon shows off his versatility as a musician whilst still utilising his ability to weave beautiful stories around his melodies. Vernon has been heralded as a brilliant lyricist however some can argue that his lyrics are vague and don't mean much

"I don't know what the songs are about really... the songs sort-of reveal themselves I guess... they just kind of meld together as we go along... on this record you don't need to hear them or understand them (the lyrics) to get the feeling"

The idea is to weave a meaning for yourself.

The album starts with "Perth" named after Western Australia's capital city. Vernon states that "the song and the way it sounds and where Perth is, it's like the world's most isolated capital city, I think that spoke to me... the whole record starts in Perth. Perth can be the beginning of stuff, and for me Perth is like birth in this record - the whole chaotic aspect of being born and how messy it is, I guess." 
With it's haunting and eerie drum beats and searing hook "still alive who you love", Perth is an unforgettable and brilliant introduction to the luscious journey that lies ahead.

Calgary. "Calgary is more about longing for a place you've never been or someone from a place that you've never been..." The first single released off the album was a delicious teaser as to what lay ahead for eager listeners. An instantly likeable track with the familiar achy and urgent strains of Justin's voice guiding us through a story with infinite possibilities in regards to interpretation of the lyrics.

And finally, Beth/Rest.

The juxtaposition of sound that Vernon has created from the Birth (Perth) to the Rest (Beth/Rest) is extremely brave and interesting, the 80s vibe is one that takes a few listens to get used to but is a destination well worth the journey which the album takes you on to get to. It is the letting go of things he attributes to being able to write this song - one unlike anything he had ever written before and he states that "just like Perth is the beginning of things, Beth/Rest is a place where you rest... it comes to a place and you just sort-of let go..." 

http://boniver.org/

Farväl

teaser.

here is a teaser for a blogpost that I'm working on...

Farväl

a little mixtape vol. 6

1. M83 - Kim & Jessie
2. Metronomy - The Look
3. Bon Iver - Towers
4. Architecture in Helsinki - Escapee
5. Washed Out - Eyes Be Closed
6. Buchanan - Teachers
7. WIM - See You Hurry
8. Loon Lake - In The Summer
9. Late of the Pier - Random Firl
10. Waylayers - Fires
11. Wild at Heart - Get Related
12. Bon Iver - Beth/Rest
13. Fleet Foxes - Mykonos
14. Death Cab for Cutie - Codes & Keys
15. Ghostwood - Ghost
16. Grizzly Bear - About Face
17. Fleet Foxes - Your Protector
18. Mystery Jets - Two Doors Down
19. The New Pornographers - Sing Me Spanish Techno
20. Oh Mercy - Seemed Like a Good Idea 

all songs available on iTunes. 

Farväl

artist spotlight: Washed Out

Because I have just finished my first semester at uni ever (I'm a late starter), I am in total relaxation mode. This week I plan to do the absolute minimum when it comes to physical activity, a challenge that I accept wholeheartedly before I venture back to work next week... Anyway, I thought I'd write a post about one of my favourite dreamy bands, Washed Out who are probably one of the best bands to listen to when... well doing nothing.

Washed Out stems from the brain child Ernest Greene. Greene started out in June 2009 messing around with sounds and eventually posting them online. He was soon on the radars of music bloggers  and there begun the "chillwave" musical journey that is Washed Out.

His first two EPs were released in August and September 2009 and have garnered Greene quite a reasonable following.

His EP, Life of Leisure is a mix of dreamy chillwave with distinct summery and dance-y vibes similar to the ilk of Neon Indian. Notable tracks include "New Theory" and "Feel it All Around". He has had great success with touring all around the world and I had the pleasure of seeing them last December at the Oxford Art Factory in Sydney and met the band after spending an hour or so discussing different keyboards and synths and all sorts of things - a very lovely and friendly bunch of people who make great music - all good in my books!

One of my most anticipated album releases Within and Without is due to drop on the 12th of July, I can't wait to hear the new tunes the band has come up with but here is a delicious teaser of "Eyes Be Closed"

The Life of Leisure EP is available for purchase on iTunes and the album will be out next month.

What do you think of Washed Out? Send me some feedback!

Until next time, Farväl.

artist spotlight: Buchanan

hello folks,
I'm going to write a little bit about an up-and-coming Australian act who go by the name of Buchanan.

This little band comprised of Josh Simons and John Bara formed in 2009. They hail from Melbourne and are an active part of the Triple J Unearthed project.

They have a great 60s-esque vibe and have been likened to the band Phoenix amongst others and their tunes are definitely ones you can dance to on a Friday night... or whilst cleaning your room... either/or.

With excellent reviews on their 5-track EP (with a bonus 6th track), "No Photo", their second EP release, a mini-tour with Gypsy and the Cat in Melbourne and Sydney, and a slot at the Melbourne St Jerome's Laneway Festival this year, Buchanan are set for more high praise and undoubtedly set for future success.

The "No Photo" EP is available for purchase online from iTunes and you can get it JB Hi-Fi, it's worth a spin on the old decks, each track has a special something for everyone with a layered composition effect, this band is a refreshing new addition to my music collection. Check here for upcoming gigs and events from them!

Check out "Moon" and "Mr Keeperman"

Farväl

a little mixtape vol. 5

Dedicated to my friend, Matt. 

1. Bon Iver - Calgary
2. Papercuts - White are the Waves
3. Beach House - 10 Mile Stereo
4. Ernest Ellis - Won't Grow
5. Noah and the Whale - My Broken Heart 
6. Guineafowl - Botanist
7. Sparkadia - Mary
8. Peter Bjorn And John - Objects of My Affection
9. Bombay Bicycle Club - Always Like This
10. YesYou - Half of It
11. The Vaccines - If You Wanna
12. Boy & Bear - Feeding Line
13. Fleet Foxes - Battery Kinzie
14. Bear in Heaven - You Do You
15. Foster the People - I Would Do Anything For You
16. The Drums - Book of Stories
17. Born Ruffians - Nova-Leigh
18. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Round and Round
19. Cold War Kids - Mine is Yours
20. The Shins - Caring is Creepy 

Farväl

artist spotlight: Georgia Fields

Since I'm on a roll with the artist spotlights, I thought I'd move a little closer to home and do one on a marvellous young lady called Georgia Fields.

Georgia is a young singer/songwriter from Melbourne who made her debut in 2007. She has a couple of releases under her belt and can be compared with the likes of Indie darlings Clare Bowditch and Sarah Blasko.

Her self titled LP, Georgia Fields has 14 tracks full of whimsy, and sees her experimenting with a multitude of sounds, all to a great effect.

 Tracks to listen out for are "All the Kings Men", "Two for Tea" with their lovely use of ukelele and the wittily titled "Sinking Relation Ship".

Perfect for listening to on a cold winter's evening (or any time for that matter), her lyrics are full of lovely tales and if you dig a little deeper you can find quite interesting stories in them.

Her tunes are available for purchase on iTunes and you can check out her myspace here, look out for the self titled LP and her EPs, "Drama on the High Seas of Emotion", "Something Borrowed, Something Blue", and "One Finger"

A delightful lady with pretty tunes, definitely worth a listen!

Farväl

artist spotlight: Fleet Foxes

It should come as no surprise to people who read my blog regularly (I don't even know if that's what happens, I may just be broadcasting this to give myself an ego boost...) that I love Fleet Foxes, so I decided to write a little post about them and gush about their latest album... here goes...

Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes (2008)

So many things can be said about Fleet Foxes that I barely know where to begin. I think a lot of people became affiliated with their music after the release of their first album, Fleet Foxes in 2008, however months prior to this stunning album they put out their Sun Giant EP which had a handful of delicious teasers of what was to come of their future releases.


From their first album, Fleet Foxes tracks you should listen to are "White Winter Hymnal" and "He Doesn't Know Why"as well as "Mykonos" and "Drops in the River" from  the Sun Giant EP.

I was following the,
I was following the pack,
All swallowed in their coats
With scarves of red tied 'round their throats
To keep their little heads
From fallin' in the snow
And I turned 'round and there you go.
And, Michael, you would fall,
And turn the white snow
Red as strawberries in the summertime. 

They are similar to Bon Iver and bands of that ilk and have stunning lyrics that tell the most beautiful and enchanting stories - you can find them if you listen just that little bit more intently to what Robin Pecknold (vocalist+lyricist) sings so sweetly in their songs.

In the morning waking up to terrible sunlight
All diffuse like skin abuse the sun is half its size
When you talk you hardly even look in my eyes
in the morning, in the morning

In the doorway holding every letter that I wrote
in the driveway pulling away putting on your coat
in the ocean washing off my name from your throat
in the morning, in the morning

in the ocean washing off my name from your throat
in the morning, in the morning
(the shrine/an argument)

Pecknold, in an interview for Uncut magazine in May explained the meaning behind The Shrine/An Argument - "It describes four stages of a break-up - contemplation, anger, frustration and solitude." 


They have some of the most beautiful album artwork with so many intricate details they are indeed a feast for the eyes as well as the ears.

One of the most delightful album releases that I've had the pleasure to listen to this year has been their second album entitled "Helplessness Blues"

Helplessness Blues (2011)

I guess it can be mentioned here that there is always a doubt as to whether a band can top such a fantastic debut with their follow-up, however, I can safely say that they managed to pull it off.


Fleet Foxes have stayed true to their roots but have still managed to make an endearing, beautiful and interesting album. Opening with the song "Montezuma" and closing with "Grown Ocean", the 12 song album is a delight from start to finish and I'm just going to put it out there that Helplessness Blues is definitely going to be in my top 10 album list of 2011... and by me saying that in May with 7 more months of music releases, that's a pretty big call!

Tunes to listen to include "The Shrine/An Argument", "Battery Kinzie", "Someone You'd Admire" and "Bedouin Dress" but singling out tracks on a special album is hard, those are just my absolute favourites!


I just can't wait until they hit my shores so I can finally hear them play live!

Farväl and happy listening!