Hot Little Hands - 'Dynamite in Black and White'

Breathy pop slickers Hot Little Hands are doing more Roxy Music than Roxy Music on 'Dynamite in Black and White'. Frontman Tim Harvey sings a slippery croon over jaunty pop that walks the line between the better two Brit Pop era's (mid '70s, mid '90s) emerging stripped down with the best bits. The track is a precursor to their upcoming album. Suitably cool retro clip to boot. The band are playing a bunch around the traps, including dates in New Zealand before a trip to Japan in October.

www.myspace.com/hotlittlehands


 

Eloquor - 'She's Apples'

Melbourne rapper Eloquor - aka Donny Pelsoczy - is relatively new to the scene despite being a long-time devotee. His MySpace influences speak volumes: Eazy E, NWA, Ice T. It's old-school looking, ego driven hip-hop. Lucky for him his debut Move Up showcases multiple killer beats - from the likes of 76, Evade, Wik, Doc Felix and 16 Barz - to support the tales of DIY optimism and self-motivation that Pelscozy spits over the top. We keep coming back to the tasteful attention paid to these tracks, nowehre more so than in the Massive Attack-esque melancholy of second cut 'She's Apples'. A hint to what we're on about.

www.myspace.com/eloquor1




St. Helens - 'Coffin Scratch'

St. Helens launched their debut album Heavy Profession in Melbourne on the weekend and they were great. Really great. What sounds a little stuffy on record, spilled craggy and snarling and sharp from the stage of the Northcote Social Club. In particular, 'Coffin Scratch' was such a highlight I ran back to the record immediately to reboot the memory. The wonderfully cascading chorus that doubles-back is still there, and while it doesn't have the punk punch so glorious in the live version, it's bones are still strong. Get in to this band.

www.myspace.com/sthelens


 

Potential Falcon - 'On the Road (pt 1)'

Largely a vehicle for Simon Connolly from Aleks and the Ramp, Potential Falcon offers up a more classic/alt-country palate than the spaz pop of his other band. Fleshed out with bandmates Joe Foley, Donovan Martin, Huw Murdoch and Hugo Temby the group have a record in the can and are currently shopping it round. Produced by Connolly's uncle Wayne Connolly, of record producer/moody pop merchants Knieval fame, Connolly jr's croon and tight approach to his craft follows neatly in his uncle footsteps. They've just wrapped up a national tour and you can download this track (and it's B-Side!) at potentialfalcon.com. 

www.myspace.com/potentialfalcon