The Jezabels have been locked away in Jim Moginie’s Oceanic Studios in Sydney, with producer Lachlan Mitchell, putting the finishing touches to the final collection of songs that will make the third and final instalment of their ambitious EP trilogy release project.

The EP, titled ‘Dark Storm’, is due for release on October 1st, 2010.

It follows ‘The Man Is Dead’ and ‘She’s So Hard’, both released independently through MGM last year with the latter spawning two singles, ‘Hurt Me’ & ‘Easy To Love’ that received high rotation radio airplay on alternative radio nationally, and television love from Channel V, MTV, Video Hits and Rage.

This week the Jezabels also received two AIR Award nominations for Break Through Artist and Best Single/ EP.

“If you thought The Jezabels sounded good on their CD, wait until you see them live.”
THE MUSIC NETWORK

“…judging by the crowd at the sold-out Oxford Art Factory – there’s a lot of eagerness to see them take their next crucial step.” THE VINE

“It’s nearly impossible not to be struck by the band’s energy, imagination and emotional rawness when they take the stage” THE DRUM MEDIA SYDNEY

Check them out next Wednesday night when they play as part of the Big Sound Live showcase.

Wow.

I think that was the only word I could muster after seeing Midnight Juggernauts‘ performance (Friday, August 21 at the Hi-Fi). I generally err on the side of caution when it comes to seeing electronic/dance acts as I worry about a band’s ability to replicate this kind of music on stage – but after this performance I am truly kicking myself for having passed up opportunities to see the Juggers in the past.

As soon as singer Vincent Vendetta entered the stage donning a velvet, star-adorned wizard’s cape I just knew this was going to be a gig to remember. I (along with a sizeable portion of the Australian public) was a huge fan of the band’s original release album Dystopia as, at the time, as the sounds were so original; a new take on electronic music. Their latest work The Crystal Axis falls slightly short of their last success – what was new and exciting from their last album is now a bit tired and overdone on this release.

That being said, the band did a fantastic job of blending the new with the old playing a good portion of their later works to keep the crowd entertained. For me, the standout song of the night was ‘Tombstone’ – a wildly popular song, which was performed perfectly on stage. Much credit must be given to the three-piece (Vincent Vendetta, Andrew Szekeres and Daniel Stricker) for perfectly recreating their songs on stage. Watching this genre of music live often means seeing instrument-less band members fawn about on a stage equipped with only their Macbook and an amp through which their songs are played, but Midnight Juggernauts were quite the opposite. The same kind of music, but with real guitars, a real keyboard and real tambourines!

With a stellar lineup on supports including Dappled Cities, who were mighty fine-sounding, filled with a child-like energy, and the much more quirky Kirin J Callinan who managed to put on quite a display during the Juggers’ finale tune, Into The Galaxy, where in true Blink 182 fashion he stripped off his pants and jacket, and proceeded to ballet-prance around the stage with a tamborine, this  most certainly was a stand-out gig of 2010 to date. I’m looking forward to checking out the Juggers next time they’re in town again.

The Mercy Beat recently debuted their album How to Shampoo a Yak to huge success and rave reviews and are back again give us another taste of their notoriously energetic- and occasionally bloody- live shows.  Labelled “one of the city’s most enduring live acts” The Mercy Beat are a must-see, and when you witness the all out assault, you’ll never wash your looking balls again.

Joining The Mercy Beat are Sparrows (SYD), the offspring of seasoned Aussie rockers One Dollar Short and All In Favour; Hundred Bad Guys with Swords; and Yeppoon natives and experimental party rockers, Cat Rapes Bat.

Friday September 24th – The Zoo, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
w/ Sparrows, Hundred Bad Guys with Swords and Cat Rapes Bat.
$12 | 8pm

www.myspace.com/themercybeat

YOU AM I TAKE COMPLETE CONTROL

YOU AM I clear a new path that see’s them turn The Clash’s dream of Complete Control into a reality.  Taking control of it’s destiny, with a new record in hand YOU AM I have rethought how it releases records in a music industry that is endlessly evolving.

With a careers worth of experience in hand YOU AM I can see how a combination of indie upstart, direct to fan and experienced consultant will provide them with the best connection to their fans, because that’s what this is all about right.

The much-loved four piece have written and recorded their most sonically adventurous album to date.

“Although we’ve had a strong, affectionate, intelligent relationship with EMI for our past two LP’s, the making of this record has been such a unique, bewildering, exciting experience that the band has decided to formalize a release with a hand picked crew that we’ve spent more than a few early hours pontificating about what we love about being in this band, and creating music. After almost 20 years of making records, we found ourselves bursting at the seams with energy, and the people at our new team understand our need to dive in headfirst and get fruity.” – Tim Rogers

YOU AM I are the flagship signing for fast rising Sydney indie Other Tongues and through that, find distribution with the artist friendly team at MGM.

“It’s a thrill to be working directly with one of this country’s finest-ever bands, and one of my personal faves, and at a time of such profuse creative growth for them” – Nick Pontikos, Other Tongues

The new album is a riveting address to the nation. Produced by ARIA Award-winning engineer Greg Wales and mixed by James Cadsky, the album was recorded over various sessions, studios, and combinations to create the band’s most well-woven and expressive record yet.

The band has assembled a crack team for the project, enlisting Footstomp Music’s Graham Ashton as a consultant. Publicity is spearheaded by Other Tongues’ Kym-Louise Barton, together with long time press officer Jo Wilson and The Right Profile’s John Zucco.

The bands self-titled record ‘YOU AM I’ will be released Oct 8.

Fingers crossed that the band will follow with a comprehensive headline tour!

Words: Sophie Hart

Saturday, August 28

I have to admit I walked into this review process a sceptic. I haven’t had much exposure to The Cat Empire outside what I hear on the radio, and may have found the breakout hit Hello mildly irritating after over zealous DJ’s declared it was the only song I needed to hear for most of 2003. So, I wasn’t entirely sure of what to expect from the self confessed “country’s most successful musical exports” (taken from the band’s web site). I was pleasantly surprised. Vocalists Felix Riebl and Harry J Angus took the sold out crowd on a journey through the band’s back catalogue and into their new album Cinema, a sign of their new direction.

The night warmed up with support acts Mama Kin and Clairy Baby Browne and the Bangin’ Rackettes putting on strong opening performances. Stand out moments included renditions of Nancy Sinatra’s Bang Bang, and Dolly Parton’s Jolene, both given a new lease on life by Clairy Brown and her Motown styled and choreographed backup singers. Their contribution had the crowded venue dancing in preparation for the main act.

From the moment The Cat Empire took the stage they had the audience at their feet. The prolific performers have toured across Australia and the World several times over. They even herald their new album, Cinema as the product of a much needed 8 month break after endlessly touring and recording since the bands inception 10 years ago.

It is more than evident that the band are very familiar and comfortable with each other on stage. Their performance was undeniably infectious and well executed, with all 6 performers effortlessly amalgamating their numerous instruments and still having a moment to shine with extended instrumental breaks showcasing each performer.

If I walked into this review as a sceptic, I walked out with a new appreciation for The Cat Empire as live performers. Though they weren’t particularly conversational with their audience, they took them on a musical journey, showcasing a back catalogue of favourites and an emerging new direction that delighted their eclectic and diverse fan base. And all without mega hit “Hello”…

One of Brisbane’s most favourite outfits is back with another release, just as fun and exciting (if not more so!) as the last. Laneous and the Family Yah have spent the last 18 months making sound waves sound so very different and light-hearted all over Australia, through both countless live performances and radio airplay.

Their most recent offering from their album Found Things (to be released in September) is I am Dog. The song gives a feel of dancing like a crazed maniac, and the lyrics tend to lend themselves to this idea. This chipper little tune seems like such an innocent and fun idea at first, but as you listen a few more times, it becomes apparent that the idea that Laneous had was something more complex.

The “lyrics wrote themselves, seemingly shallow and meaningless like a kids song for adults, but lending itself to be read a little deeper, commenting on my, as a human, connection to the animal particularly when it comes to my relation to women.”

This feel-good tune is now available, and you can check out the awesome clip for it right here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n5ED48aL8Q.

Blue King Brown are currently smashing singles out like there’s no tomorrow. Having just released their new album Worldwize, Never Fade Away is already their third single from this one release. Talk about a hard-working act!

Being just as politically loaded as much of their other material, accompanied by an urgency in the melody, this song is one that emotionally attacks the listener, whilst also being danceable and fun in a Jamaican sense.

With ideals such as the importance of support and family, as well as discussing femininity, the song is symbolic of many of the values that the band tend to speak out about on a regular basis.

Never Fade Away is an awe-inspiring, exciteable track that is bound to give you goosebumps upon first listening, and drive you mental (in a good way!) from it being stuck in your mind for hours afterwards. Check it out here if you haven’t already heard it.

Headline show – Thursday, September 2 – The Troubadour