Archive for November, 2014

Two Minutes With Golden Bats

Saturday, November 29th, 2014

We spend a couple of minutes with one-man noise machine Golden Bats ahead of his support slot for Sleep on Thursday December 11 and find out what’s new …

What’s going on in the world of Golden Bats?
I’ve been studying so Golden Bats has been somewhat on hold. I’m finished now so by the time the Sleep show rolls around I should have finished some tracks I started working on earlier in the year. They’ll go towards a couple of different releases including a second 7”. The first Golden Bats 7” should be out on Coffin Cut Records in January if all goes well. Other than that, getting ready to play with Sleep and record a 12”.

What motivates you to make music?
I’ve never really been any good at much else. It could be argued that I’m not much chop at music either, but the “creative process” is very rewarding in itself. I began Golden Bats to try something different and wasn’t really sure if I would even play it to anyone else. The song writing and recording I still do mostly for myself but it’s a massive bonus that some people seem to dig what I’m doing.

What have been the high and low points of your musical experiences so far??
High point will be opening the Sleep show in Brisbane, unless something goes horribly wrong.

Low point would have to be the second show I played. I had some technical difficulties and learned some lessons the hard way. Other than that, Golden Bats has gone pretty smoothly. People have been very supportive considering that I don’t have a real drummer.

What music are you listening to at the moment?
As per usual, a lot of Harvey Milk, Autopsy, and Totalitar. Lately a lot of Internal Rot, Raw Power and Squeeze as well.

If you were stranded on a desert island, which member of the band would get eaten first?
Being a one man band, things would get pretty ugly pretty quickly. I’d probably eat my left arm first; after that I’d have to just go with the flow.

Here’s an opportunity to bitch about something, whether music related or not. What really pisses you off?
Bands and musicians more concerned with gear and tones than the songs they’re writing. While it may not be apparent, I put a lot more thought into the music than what gear I’ll record or play with. I’ve been lucky enough to use and borrow some awesome gear but it’s not that important to me.

You’re putting together your perfect gig featuring Australian artists. Who would you get to play and where? Feel free to include acts/DJs/bands/venues that no longer exist.
I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by a bunch of talented bastards so despite the temptation to play with Midnight Oil, I’d probably just pick a bunch of friends’ rad bands like Last Chaos, Zodiac, Frown, Kromosom, Shackles and Internal Rot, and I’d have it at Burst City, Brisbane’s best DIY venue that I miss horribly.

Golden Bats join Frown in support of Sleep at The Hi-Fi on Brisbane on Thursday December 11. Tickets on sale now through lifeisnoise.com.

James Blake debuts new track + Gorillaz remix

Friday, November 28th, 2014

As we eagerly await a new album from UK electronic producer James Blake, he’s just previewed a track called ‘200 Press’. It’s deceivingly deep and house-y sounding cut until the breakbeats kick in, the rapping gets more gritty and things turn discordantly weird.

But you’ll have to wait until December 8 to wrap your ears around the whole thing, which will be available digitally and on vinyl via Blake’s 1–800-Dinosaur imprint. Note: as the track title reveals, they’re apparently only pressing 200 copies. Collectors item already?

In other James Blake news, an unheard remix of Gorillaz’ ‘Feel Good Inc.’ under his Harmonimix pseudonym has popped up on the FABRICLIVE x Hit & Run Mix by Rich Reason, who states the remix is “from back in the day”.

Blake’s third album will apparently be released in April 2015 and may or may not include collaborations with Kanye West and Justin Vernon from Bon Iver.

Two Minutes With Iron Worzel

Thursday, November 27th, 2014

We spend a couple of minutes with Iron Worzel before their support slot for Sleep in Adelaide on December 9 and find out what’s new …

What’s going on in the world of Iron Worzel?
The last 18 months have been a little difficult for us. We’ve only been able to play a handful of shows due to our previous vocalist’s problems with his throat. Nigel unfortunately left the band and our bass player took over vocal duties and we brought in Josh from a local band called Mammoth to play bass. Currently we are writing new material for a possible release next year and thoughts of maybe touring Europe or Asia.

What motivates you to make music?
Some of us guys have been playing for over 20 years. You get to meet some amazing people, share your views and thoughts of the world and experience amazing bands. Being part of a community I guess.

What have been the high and low points of your musical experiences so far?
High points — I’d say just getting on stage and playing live whether it’s in Adelaide or interstate. Supporting international acts like Macabre and Poison Idea or getting positive feedback from folk all over the planet about our music.

Low points — losing our vocalist. It was a difficult time but besides that it’s all been good.

What music are you listening to at the moment?
Gator Nate Augustus — Only Child Family Band
Cathedral — Statik Majik
Electric Light Orchestra — A New World Record
Robert Johnson — The Complete Recordings

If you were stranded on a desert island, which member of the band would get eaten first?
Well if I wanted to get drunk I’d eat Shep ’cause he’s got a gut full of whiskey. I’d eat Shane if I wanted to get High and I’d eat Danny If I wanted to eat because that man can eat like no other human being!

Here’s an opportunity to bitch about something, whether music related or not. What really pisses you off?
Redfoo. He is the beacon of everything I hate about commercial music. Oh, and I hate public transport. Saw a guy taking a shit at the Adelaide Showgrounds train station on the steps. Trains in Adelaide somehow attract freaks and all sorts of weirdos!

You’re putting together your perfect gig featuring Australian artists. Who would you get to play and where? Feel free to include acts/DJs/bands/venues that no longer exist.
Squatters Arms Carpark, Adelaide, with:
AC/DC
Heads Kicked Off
Johnny O’Keefe
Icehouse
Christbait
Rose Tattoo
The Saints
Daddy Cool
Joe Dolce

Iron Worzel join Hydromedusa in support of Sleep at Fowler’s Live in Adelaide on Tuesday December 9. Tickets on sale now through lifeisnoise.com.

Fvnerals — The Light

Wednesday, November 26th, 2014

Brighton’s Fvnerals describe themselves as “dark ambient post-rock”. That may rather succinctly get to the heart of their sound, but neglects the other fine details of soporifically loopy doom, shoegaze, and drone that permeate their music. The trio first released a 2-track EP, The Hours, in 2013 via Eerie Echoes. Bearing promise aplenty, a brief hiatus followed the EP’s release before the band moved in together to work on an LP. With the band having spent much of the year involved in the creation of their debut full-length record, The Light is due out on December 1st. And my oh my, what a stunner it is!

There is a lush gloom wrought from the minimalism and repetition in Fvnerals’ compositions on The Light. The expansive sound created by hypnotic synths, guitars that drift between deliberate dirge-like mantras and shimmering jangly strums, and down-tempo drumming is crowned spectacularly by the haunting, sensuous surrender to despair of vocalist Tiffany. Together, the three musicians have swept well beyond the suggested potential of their EP. Their capacity for deep, meditative mood of such moreish grimness is impressive.

The record begins with ‘Oath’, Syd’s guitar ringing notes slowly like death knells, before Tiffany’s solemn and ethereal grief heralds the arrival of a glorious tract of DOOM. The following track, ‘Vakna’, exemplifies one of Fvnerals’ greatest skills as demonstrated across the entire album: the ability to produce subtle distinctions with such an overwhelming singular mood. Indeed, whilst such atmospheric and introspective craft can merge the album as a listening experience into a single tower casting a vast shadow, each song stands alone as high quality, and different in what it explores. A shiver is eaten away by warmth. Emptiness brings space to be filled with intense emotion. Beauty gives itself up to monstrous drones. The third track, ‘Aryd’, serves to emphasize this even more strongly. And so it continues…

Given the tag “dark”, the subtle variety ends up being the album’s most unlikely surprise. At the first whirl, this may not be so apparent. But, with greater involvement from the listener, it becomes so obvious. Within Fvnerals’ style, this is a difficult success to achieve, and one for them to celebrate.

The opening two tracks are currently available to listen to on the band’s Bandcamp website. Meanwhile, vinyls are busily being pressed through Throne Records. If you can’t wait one more week for the album’s release, Cvlt Nation is presently streaming The Light in its entirety as an exclusive preview. Fans of Chelsea Wolfe and True Widow will probably really love this record. If you can add a doom kink to that list, then it’s a guaranteed winner. The Light is one bloody impressive debut LP. Do not pass it by!

Two Minutes With Bonnie Mercer

Tuesday, November 25th, 2014

We spend a couple of minutes with Bonnie Mercer ahead of her support slot for Sleep on Saturday December 6 at The Corner Hotel.

Photo credit: Daniel Oh

What’s going on in the world of Bonnie Mercer?
I’ve been playing quite a few shows around Melbourne over the last few months. I’ve also been jamming with friends, and doing heaps of home recording. Working on releasing some new solo stuff is definitely the priority at the moment. I’m also working out the logistics of doing some more touring in 2015. It’s been a bit too long between lukewarm bain-marie fried food. I’m keen to hit the road again.

What motivates you to make music?
It’s a question I often ask myself, and I guess I’m still trying to figure out the answer. Most of the music I make is predominately improvised, and generating loud, unpredictable sounds from a guitar, some pedals, and a big amp and attempting to reign it all into something hopefully interesting and beautiful is an enjoyable and satisfying process. For some reason I find the whole process to be both extremely nerve-wracking but extraordinarily fulfilling, strangely even when it doesn’t necessarily work out as “planned”. Overcoming the fear of putting myself on a stage in a rather unpredictable position and being able to successfully share that journey with the listener/audience is certainly intense but also rewarding…

What have been the high and low points of your musical experiences so far?
Getting to travel to new places, meeting like-minded people, and forming great friendships through playing music is a big high. I’ve been very lucky to cross paths with many musicians that have inspired and influenced me over the years. Playing guitar with Dumb Numbers and supporting My Bloody Valentine for five shows in North America last year was particularly special. Having Kevin Shields tell me that J Mascis said that he thought I sounded great and that he was happy to see me playing one of his signature guitars was definitely a bizarre experience. Touring with Earth and getting to know those guys over the last few years has also been lovely. They’ve all been extremely friendly, talented, and supportive.

The bad parts occasionally happen when I get sucked in to ‘the matrix’ of my 9 to 5 job, have a momentary lapse of reality and forget that I live for playing music…not a pay check.

What music are you listening to at the moment?
I’ve been on a bit of a 90’s ‘slowcore’ bender at the moment, lots of Codeine and Low. I’ve also been listening to a lot of Underground Lovers, Angel Olsen, Skullflower, Swearin, Grouper, and a band from Olympia called Broken Water. Locally I’ve really enjoyed seeing Little Desert, The Loveless, HITS, Tangrams, Laura Jean, Eves, and ZOND.

If you were stranded on a desert island, which member of the band would get eaten first?
Haha… so this would be one of the major downfalls of playing solo I suppose. Band members are clearly beneficial for many reasons. You can get lonely and hungry playing solo, but the drink rider usually works out kind of well for one. I’ve been playing quite a few shows with Steve Patrick on bass recently. He’s an amazing bass player, and I’m more than happy to share the rider with him. He’s too good of a sort to eat though.

Here’s an opportunity to bitch about something, whether music related or not. What really pisses you off?
The current state of Australian politics really upsets me. I find it incomprehensible that such a racist, sexist and self-interested government could have been voted into power. It makes me worried about the rise of conservatism in this country and all the terrible things that come with it. The Liberal government apparently don’t give a damn about human rights and civil liberties, it’s all about the dollar. May the so-called metadata of this interview be forever enshrined in the databases of ASIO, and may they all rot in hell.

You’re putting together your perfect gig featuring Australian artists? Who would you get to play and where? Feel free to include acts/DJs/bands/venues that no longer exist.
Magic Dirt, Bored!, Coloured Balls, Little Ugly Girls, plus all of the current local bands mentioned above. The Old Bar is my favourite local venue to see bands, but since we have the Dolorean available for time travelling purposes, let’s make it all happen at the Sarah Sands Hotel, Brunswick, 1991. I was too young to ever see a gig there, but as a kid I would see their gig guide in the newspaper and fantasise about having a fake ID. Who knows, it could’ve been a shit hole, but I’m willing to take the chance.

Bonnie Mercer joins Horsehunter in support of Sleep on Saturday December 6 at The Corner Hotel in Melbourne. Pre-sale tickets for that show are sold out though there may be a handful of door sales on the night. Pre-sale tickets for Sleep’s second Melbourne show on December 7, along with the rest of the tour, are on sale now through lifeisnoise.com.

Soundgarden — Kristi

Monday, November 24th, 2014

To coincide with their rarities collection Echoes of Miles: Scattered Across The Path, which is coming out this week, Soundgarden have put out this unreleased gem entitled ‘Kristi’.

Recorded in 1996 but never released, this brooding rocker showcases Soundgarden in their prime. Full of relentless riffs and the snarling Cornell vocals, it really does seem strange that this beauty has only now seen the light of day.

Anyway, you can listen now — and get info on the new collection of rarities — through Interscope.

Two Minutes With Hotel Wrecking City Traders

Sunday, November 23rd, 2014

We spend a couple of minutes with Melbourne power-duo Hotel Wrecking City Traders ahead of their support slot for Sleep on Sunday December 7 at The Corner Hotel.

What’s going on in the world of Hotel Wrecking City Traders?
We just wrapped up a recording session with Jason PC (Blood Duster) in September which was really productive. The fruits of our labor will come out in the form of 2 full-length album releases, one on Bro Fidelity Records and one on a UK label, as well as a split release on Wild Animals Records with our UK buddies Hey Colossus. So there’s tonnes of new music to be released in 2015 as well as a national tour and possibly a return to Europe for more shows, too.

What motivates you to make music?
Necessity. It keeps us sane. It keeps us stimulated. Really it’s just a joyful experience and the creative aspect of it has always been very rewarding when the two of us get in a room, on a stage or in a studio. It’s a form of creative expression and a shared experience that is rarely matched by other pursuits in life.

What have been the high and low points of your musical experiences so far?
High Points:
Touring Europe this April and being the first ever Australian band invited to play at London’s Desertfest — alongside Boris, Spirit Caravan, Weedeater, and tonnes of other killer bands. That was a great tour and we played 22 shows over a 3 week period and had a great time. Our last album and EP were both met with really good reactions and we’re stoked to be releasing an album in the UK next year as well. That kind of came about from the Euro tour and it’s refreshing to know that people care about what we do. We also had Raul Sanchez (River of Snakes, Magic Dirt) play 2nd guitar on a few tracks on our recent recording which turned out great. So they were all really cool things that happened this year. In the past we have got to play with some great bands like Earthless, Om, Saint Vitus, Russian Circles, Eagle Twin. All of those shows were fun.

Low Points
None really. Other than the usual stuff that bands like us experience from time to time (poorly promoted shows, people getting violent at shows, people with egos). But we’re easy going people and we enjoy doing what we do, the way we choose to do it. It takes a lot to bum us out. We’re positive people, or at least we try to be.

What music are you listening to at the moment?
Off the top of my head:
Roomrunner — Separate
Mutoid Man — Helium Head
The Cosmic Dead/Mugstar — Split
Kandodo — Kandodo
Old Man Gloom — The Ape of God
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs — Psychopomp
Stars of the Lid — The Tired Sounds of Stars of the Lid
Earthless meets Heavy Blanket — In a Dutch Haze
Kerbdog — Congregation Live

If you were stranded on a desert island, which member of the band would get eaten first?
Probably me (Ben) as I would be trying to make friends with the native wildlife and might get chomped by a beast or something in the process.

Here’s an opportunity to bitch about something, whether music related or not. What really pisses you off?
I think both of us can safely say that our day jobs are a fuckin’ pain in the ass most of the time. Inefficiency and poor management of simple tasks tend to fuck us off pretty quick. That and racism.

You’re putting together your perfect gig featuring Australian artists. Who would you get to play and where? Feel free to include acts/DJs/bands/venues that no longer exist.
Probably an outdoor show somewhere near a waterfall in a picturesque remote location. Would be cool if we could have: GOD, Magic Dirt, Coloured Balls, Rowland S Howard, Muffcake, Cosmic Psychos, Spider Goat Canyon, Bonnie Mercer, Alysia Manceau, Breathing Shrine, Little Desert, Justice Yeldham, Hate Sax, BUDD and Cocks Arquette would make for a pretty mind bending day of music.

Hotel Wrecking City Traders join MAMMOTH MAMMOTH in support of Sleep on Sunday December 7 at The Corner Hotel in Melbourne. Tickets on sale now from lifeisnoise.com.

Sounds Like Hell: Atriarch

Saturday, November 22nd, 2014

Sounds Like Hell is an irregular feature on new and old noise rock, doom and sludge.

On An Unending Path – Atriarch’s third record and their first for the venerable Relapse Records, the Portland quartet sound as though they’re channeling the apocalypse. That’s obviously well-chartered territory for any artist with doom tendencies, but Atriarch deliver their end times prophecy with an otherworldly weight, like the psychic burden of Neurosis filtered through the gloomy and gothic textures of Peter Murphy oeuvre to craft a record that’s ruthlessly nihilistic.

These are sounds not of this realm. Flurries of noise, black metal and sludge rise and fall, underpinned by a constant sense of dread. This is not for the faint of heart: it’s hard not to fall into a paranoid tailspin listening to the hypnotic incantations of vocalist Lenny Smith over the thorny bed of down-tuned atonal guitars and syncopated rhythms. For fans of Lovecraft and psychosis.

A Minute With Mt. Mountain

Thursday, November 20th, 2014

We spend a minute with Perth’s Mt. Mountain ahead of their support slot for Sleep on December 8 at The Bakery…

Describe your music in five words or less.
Mid Tempo Psychedelic Rock.

What’s going on in the world of Mt. Mountain?
We recently recorded the first half of a full-length album along with a new single that will be out on the 1st of December that we’ll also be releasing on a 7 Inch with another new track later in that month. We’re currently busy writing and getting the rest of the tracks together to finish off the record early next year and getting ready to support Sleep on the 8th of December at the Bakery.

What motivates you to make music?
I would say most of the time, hearing music from bands that are doing something different and interesting and maybe not doing it the “conventional” way. It’s always instantly inspiring and will make me want to pick up the guitar or what ever is on hand and explore new sounds.

What have been the high and low points of your musical experiences so far?
Opening for OM and Earthless were both big high points for us last year. I don’t think any of us expected to be sharing the stage with those legends. Also the launch of our EP mid this year was a very special one along with the very recent winning of the WAM breakthrough artist award a couple of weeks back was definitely a surprise and the highpoints of our year so far.

Low point was losing when trying to compete with the Freo Dockers for a crowd at Wave Rock last year when we we’re playing during the final quarter of their first finals appearance. It wasn’t all that bad though and they definitely made up for it at this years Wave Rock!

What music are you listening to at the moment?
Sharon Van Etten & Sun Kil Moon.

If you were stranded on a desert island, which member of the band would get eaten first?
Anyone but Brendan — he could keep us all entertained by reciting whole movies and TV episodes from memory all day long.

Here’s an opportunity to bitch about something, whether music related or not. What really pisses you off?
People taking their shoes off to play on stage barefoot. Maybe I’m missing something but I don’t really get it… Isn’t it easier to leave your shoes on? I think Ozzy played barefoot… when he couldn’t afford shoes.

You’re putting together your perfect gig featuring Australian artists. Who would you get to play and where? Feel free to include acts/DJs/bands/venues that no longer exist.
Going to keep it current with a bunch of bands that need to come out west again or for the first time — The Murlocs, The Laurels, The Citradels, The Grand Rapids, Contrast & King Gizzard in between the trees at Somerville Auditorium.

<a href=“http://mtmountain.bandcamp.com/album/ep” mce_href=“http://mtmountain.bandcamp.com/album/ep”>EP by Mt. Mountain</a>

Mt. Mountain join Puck in supporting stoner doom legends Sleep at The Bakery on December 8. Tickets on sale now from lifeisnoise.com.

KU?KA debuts new single Divinity

Wednesday, November 19th, 2014

Coming off the heels of a triumphant showing at the WA Music Awards that saw victories in the Best Single, Best Electronic Act and Best Experimental Act categories, Laura-Jane Lowther-led Perth outfit KU?KA premiered the entrancing new single ‘Divinity’ overnight. Marked by Lowther’s angelic and ethereal half-whispered delivery, ‘Divinity’ is rich with synthetic sophistication, as densely textured as it is sparse; as danceable and catchy as it is introspective. Check out the track below:

Catch KU?KA at The Bakery with Sacred Flower Union and more in support of UK post-industrialists Factory Floor on Saturday December 13. Tickets on sale now through lifeisnoise.com.