Mixtape #82 is filled with old and new projects, but all new tracks. Starting off with a brand new piece from Melbourne supergroup Ooga Boogas with ‘Circle Of Trust’, followed on by another Melbourne outfit Lurch & Chief, a first track from hometown duo Tim Shiel and Ben Abraham performing as Telling, Chicago’s Smith Westerns, Wild Belle, Axe Girl, and finishing off with Australian artists Dan Webb and Little Casino.
Ooga Boogas – Circle Of Trust
The bass heavy track from the Melbourne band Ooga Boogas isn’t quite as fearsome as you’d expect from their name. Featuring Leon Stackpole on vocals, Mikey Young from Eddy Current’s Suppression Ring, as well as an all star cast of Australia’s who’s who of dirty rock n roll – including Richard Stanley & Per Bystrom. ‘Circle Of Trust’ is a fun, if slightly grimey (in all the right ways) number sure to get you moving.
Lurch & Chief – On Your Own
As the first taste of the six-piece’s sophomore EP, set for release in June, the single captures your attention with its intense rock rhythms. The dual vocals of Hayden Somerville and Lill Hall is where the band have found their unique point of difference. The contrast of Somerville’s raw growl with Lill’s strong voice is again what takes this song from good to great. The band’s striking guitar riffs only further the sentiment that the band’s upcoming EP should contain even more promise.
Telling – Stella
Made at the request of Bertie Blackman herself, this cover of the standout track from last year’s Pope Innocent X album is the first offering from this Melbourne duo; however both Tim Shiel and Ben Abraham are no strangers to the local music scene. Shiel is known for his work as Faux Pas and as a part of Gotye’s live band, meanwhile Abraham has split his time working between Nashville and Melbourne. The two come together on this gorgeous song reworking the original into a spacious slow motion ballad. Their version only intensifies the track’s sentiments of loss, with Abraham’s voice sounding particularly haunting.
Smith Westerns – Varsity
Following on from the glam rock revival of 2011’s Dye It Blonde, the first taste of its follow-up, this year’s Soft Will, is a lovely taster. Kicking off with an unexpected strings section, the smooth vocal crooning of Smith Westerns’ frontman Cullen Omori is what truly carries the track. The instrumentals are a lovely compliment to the Chicago band’s startling lead singer too. Best to enjoy while the weather is still warm!
Wild Belle – Keep You
A psychedelic trip into the land of reggae folk. The mystic vocals of front oman Natalie Bergman linger over some spaced out, odyssey-like guitar work. The tripped out vibe, bought on by some slow tempo skank chords filled with airy delay aesthetics, feels like a balmy sci-fi trip back to the 60s. Sluggish horns bulge from the seams and hang back from the track, swamping under the reverb like a creature from the deep.
Dan Webb – Riot
The third in in the artist’s ’12 Songs, 12 Months from Melbourne artist Dan Webb’ series, ‘Riot’ features Dan getting back behind the keys and singing along with help from Peter Marin (Passenger, Bertie Blackman) on drums and Joshua Jones (Dan Sultan, Gossling) on bass. With a more chilled out vibe to the first two tracks in the series, ‘Riot’ takes you on trip with meandering jazz drums, heavily affected chorus vocals with groovy keys including a great piano outro to finish off another superb track.
Axe Girl – Ghost Romance
Boom! British singer/guitarist Addison Axe has reminded us how great girls fronting rock n’ roll bands are when it’s done properly. ‘Ghost Romance’ fuses pop/punk with blistering guitar cords, driving bass lines and explosive belting vocals which are all perfectly captured by WA’s legendary super producer Dave Parkin. If you like fast paced rock punchy songs, Axe Girl is for you. Check them out at Cherry Bar in Melbourne on Friday 15th March.
Little Casino – The Village
The first single off Brisbane and Byron lads Little Casino’s new EP, ‘The Village’ is tight and bursting with driving drums, woven with great guitar tones, drones and washed out vocals. Starting off with a hint of psych blues, with what sounds like a harmonica in the form of a keyboard, the track instantly has an array of interesting sounds that quickly kick into a real British vibe from the early 90’s. If their live show is a killer as the recording, it could be a big year for Little Casino!
