The Underground StageEssential new music from Australia’s most exciting artists
“The Gooch Palms roar back with their sights set on the fire and the smoke and the politics of this long, hot, Australian summer. There is nothing overdone here, just brutal simplicity. This is a primal, desperate anger at the deniers and the procrastinators, alongside a deep sadness at how the sound and fury only […]
An occasional roundup of tracks I can’t get enough of, by bands I’ve somehow not got round to seeing live yet. Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers – Desk Chair “With that immaculately bonkers name, it’s perhaps surprising to discover the craftily-tailored songwriting that accompanies it. While this is largely made from the flavours du […]
“And thus, E^ST wins Valentine’s Day with a poison arrow fired direct into Cupid’s eyeball. The chorus here sounds like the soundtrack to Dolce Vita-era Italy, while the sentiment is pure Fellini – the light of love given set against the grim reality of treatment received. Bellissima, bravo.” Learn More: Facebook – Instagram Latest Posts
“In the 90s, Blur’s “Charmless Man” was how we did poppy, social satire. In these more politically-charged times it’s the I’m-alright-Jack maintenance-men of inequality that get it the neck. There’s no jaunty indie and gentle mockery these days though – Cable Ties’ weapon of choice is thundering, driving, screaming contempt. A tale of our time, […]
“Misty Lanes’ new one sounds like a demented fairy-tale, where toothy smiles might become a fanged snarl any second. The sixties throwback vibe is warped and exaggerated like a funhouse mirror, a carnival atmosphere with the potential to turn into a horror story. It’s as jaunty as a cocked hat, but it’s for damn sure […]
“Like a stage whisper in a library, that Robert Irish baritone may be quiet but it’s the only thing you can hear. Taking cues from Leonard Cohen, this is a track of dark and smoky beauty – it’s hard to grab ahold of, but it wraps all around you, smothering the noise outside.” Learn More: […]
An occasional roundup of tracks I can’t get enough of, by bands I’ve somehow not got round to seeing live yet. Wing Defence – Bob “Wing Defence roar back with another slice of lo-fi fuzzy storytelling, a hilarious-but-touching letter to the just-born baby of Wing Defence’s Skye Lockwood. While avoiding the trite, maintaining their maddeningly […]
“After hearing this, I went back to Sleepy’s 2015 belter “The Ride Up”, and what strikes hardest is just how much range this three-piece has in its battery. While they’ve most often been capable of scuzzy-wuzzy big-guitar songsmithery, they’ve also got this sort of smarty-pants Smudge / Lemonheads / Hatfield precision in their trick set […]
“Bruise Pristine’s trademark chainsaw guitars and 90s nods blaze through on their latest angry-miserable slice of raw moodiness. This is not a band that makes it easy on you, but – as always – the tough yards you put in are the ones that end up rewarding you the most.” Learn More: Facebook – Instagram […]