Welcome to the wintery weekend. Hopefully we have some tunes to keep you warm, starting off with Brisbane surf-rock band Go Violets and their new single ‘Josie’, followed by banjo loving Sydney band The Mountains, we then visit Amsterdam with a new track from The Child Of Lov, before a trip down memory lane with Chris Shlarb who has covered ‘Til I Die by The Beach Boys which features Sufjan Stevens. The second half of the mixtape includes new songs from Clare Bowditch, Big Black Delta, Sweet Jean and Matt Corby.
Go Violets – Josie
Surf-rock is back, well did it ever go away? Maybe it did, but one thing is for sure, Brisbane all girl quartet Go Violets have delivered a catchy little surf-rock track from their upcoming debut EP that doesn’t disappoint. ‘Josie’ the bands second single has taken the band in a new direction with sweet vocals and harmonies teamed with rock n roll hand claps, that sit amongst distorted guitars and bouncy drum beats that leaves you with no choice but to bop and sing along.
The Mountains – Loose Jaw
Sydney four-piece Folk/Country band The Mountains, sure know how to utilise the banjo, an instrument that not enough young bands play. The warmth of the banjo carries all the way through their current single ‘Loose Jaw’, as does the vocals of Peter Avard and the subtle underlying backing vocals doubled up throughout the track, that are teamed nicely with pounding drum beats, making it making the track fast paced and upbeat. Catch The Mountains on tour this month with Achoo Bless You!
The Child Of Lov – Fly
Amsterdam-based Cole Williams, a.k.a. The Child Of Lov’s first single from his debut self-titled LP is an uplifting, hook-laden hip-hop pop track. With perfectly timed heavy bass drops and his soulful voice working its way into your brain, this funky number masterfully combines elements of electro and Gospel (yes, Gospel) that make body-rolling almost obligatory.
Chris Shlarb – ‘Til I Die (Beach Boys cover) feat. Sufjan Stevens
Haven’t heard of Chris Schlarb yet? You’re gunna wish you had. Having put out his first record under Sufjan Stevens’ label Asthmatic Kitty, the composer/singer is back with ”Til I Die’. Featuring Stevens’ himself as well as a veritable who’s who of the indie music world (Mars Volta’s Ikey Owens is on organ and Paradise’s Nedelle Torrisi also appears), this original and spacey cover of the Beach Boys classic has us all excited for the upcoming album Paradise City II.
Clare Bowditch – Thin Skin
Flame-haired beauty Clare Bowditch offers a sincerely earnest tale of falling in love and wanting to be happy. Her clap-along ditty is taken off last year’s ‘The Winter I Chose Happiness’ and sees the soulful lass draw us in with her catchy hooks yet again, her folky pop showing off an impressive maturity and range. Check out the NSFW clip for people getting naked and jumping on trampolines!
Big Black Delta – Side Of The Road
Taken from Big Black Delta’s bold debut album, ‘Side Of The Road’ is a slice of euphoric, uplifting electronica that could potentially quench the thirst of Daft Punk fans before the release of Random Access Memories. The track doesn’t waste any time warming up but instead lunges straight into its massive sound led by an ear-worm melody and jerking synth line. Complete with a killer chorus, this one will have you chanting along in no time.
Sweet Jean – Tomorrow Morning
Complementary harmonies are what define this Melbourne duo, and their latest release “Tomorrow Morning” does not disappoint. With a sound as fresh as a dewy meadow full of lilting expansive strings and tinkering piano, even the mellowest of folk fans will be hightailing it pronto to the closest record store when this track is released as part of the upcoming debut album Dear Departure later this year.
Matt Corby – Resolution
Aussie song-writer wunderkind, Matt Corby, is bound to leave listeners salivating over his debut album taster track “Resolution”. Marked by dark permeating piano and belting vocal runs, perilous peaks are met with equally dramatic free-falls. A rustic ballad with gospel harmonies,this song will surely satisfy the Corby congregate.
