Longtime Perth guitar-wizards
Umpire (above, left) have a new album out. The Adam Said Galore/Mukaizake affiliated group's third record,
Now We're Active, finds the group reconfigured, having added new drummer Josh Watkins to replace Michael Lake, who has moved to second guitar. As ever, it's an inventive blend of guitar smarts, robust arrangements and Geoff Symons' oddball take on the world.
Umpire - 'Green Light District'
Now We're Active is out now via Hidden Shoal. Listen to (and buy) the record on
bandcamp.
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Jonti is the new moniker for the South African-born Australian, Djanimals—formerly Danimals—who was forced to change his title after being threatened with legal action by a
French food-products multinational corporation, with a product toting the same name. Yep. His first outing as Jonti (not to be confused with Sigur Ros' Jonsi) is 'Firework Spraying Moon', a barely-there piece of squelchy psychedlica that oscillates between pleasant and forgettable. As a the winner of a competition to record with famed producer Mark Ronson, 'Firework Spraying Moon' betrays none of the intrigue that might have gotten him there. Perhaps on the album then.
Jonti - 'Firework Spraying Moon'
'Firework Spraying Moon' is out digitally on August 9, and comes from his forthcoming debut
Twirligig, out October 11.
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Mildlife are a Melbourne quartet who play moody, fiddly tunes with a cut n' paste approach to live instrumentation; not at all unlike Sydney's Ghoul or a more relaxed PVT. No reports on when the group might be releasing an album but there is a bunch of things to hear over on their Soundcloud (see below). Good stuff. 'Milk & Wool' was launched as a single in Melbourne last week:
Mildlife - 'Milk and Wool'
A more tropical, dancier (though still just as moody) track, 'Be More Pacific' is the b-side to the single. Listen below but get 'em at
bandcamp.
Be More Pacific by Mildlife
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The new signing for Sydney label Elefant Traks, is a little different for the traditionally hip-hop collective—
Sietta (above, right) are an electronic/soul duo from Darwin
made up of producer/instrumentalist James Mangohig and vocalist Caiti Baker, who's first single 'What Am I Supposed To Do?" boils down the slinky, sleaze of NIN's 'Closer' to something more lite and dancefloor friendly.
Sietta - 'What Am I Supposed To Do?'
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Melbourne rapper
RAED has a new single and promo video. We saw the man filming a new clip in the sidestreets of Melbourne a month or so ago, but couldn't bring ourselves to approach him for a vox pop. Now there's no need, with the below "press conference" featuring the kind of wide-eyes, shirt-pulling and narrative that would make Tim & Eric proud. Batshit crazy:
RAED - 'You No I Must Diliva'
RAED - "Rap news"
This guy...
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