Not long now until the end of 2012, and not long now until a whole bunch of awesome bands grace the shores of Australia for the summer festival season including Django Django who will be returning after sold out shows earlier this year. The band have a new single aptly title ‘Life’s A Beach’, Jonti also has a new little track ‘Christmas Worm’, we came across the new PVT remix of label mates Ultraista, we have a track from Perth newcomers 44th Sunset, a Something For Kate cover of a Divinyls classic and a dreamy new track from Sydney’s Toucan.
Django Django – Life’s A Beach
Decidedly 60s, the latest track from the Mercury-nominated Django Django is a great step forward for the upbeat foursome. Incredibly beachy and bound to get you dancing, lead singer Vincent Neff’s vocals suit the fast-tempo yet croony nature of the track. Taken from their eponymous album which dropped early this year, ‘Life’s A Beach’ has come out just in time for the Aussie summer. Get it stuck in your head voluntarily before inevitable massive radioplay does.
Jonti – Christmas Worm
Featuring more instruments than you can count on both hands, the quirky psychedelic track features a mind bending journey through warping vocal phrases to percussive electronic breakdowns. Layer upon layer of sound effects combined with a unique instrumental combination gives ‘Christmas Worm’ a flavour like none other. Jonti welcomes listeners into the vast fantasy world with this tripping tune.
Ultraista – Bad Insect (PVT Remix)
When news broke that Nigel Godrich (the unofficial sixth member of Radiohead) was partaking in a side project withJoey Waronker and Laura Bettinson, two other big names in music, fans of each of the three musicians were justifiably excited. While the self-titled record was impeccably produced and each of the tracks stand alone well, many (including Tone Deaf’s own review of the record) deemed it bit samey. Enter PVT. The world-class remixers tried their hand at Ultraista’s track ‘Bad Insect’ and gave it exactly what it was missing: dirt. The bigger, messier sounds the remix has afforded the cut is exactly what many expected from Ultraista initially. Perhaps more collaborations between the British 2-piece and the Sydney remixers are in order.
44th Sunset – Caesar
Having scored rotation on Triple J and also winning a comp to play at Southbound, it’s fair to say 44th Sunset are in for a big 2013. With the release of their latest single ‘Caesar’ and accompanying DYI video these youngsters are sure to be on the minds of local music lovers this summer. Showing a maturity and knowledge of pop music well beyond their years the instrumentation drop out at the beginning of the chorus as group vocals sing ‘Caesar!’ is an inspired move.
Something For Kate – Pleasure & Pain (The Divinyls)
The Melbourne trio (and particularly the dapper Mr Dempsey) have a fine history of cover versions, and their latest interpretation – featured as the b-side to their latest single, ‘Miracle Cure’ – certainly doesn’t disappoint. The Divinyls’ signature hit is subtly transformed from urgent, chart-bothering anthem into a slower, dusty paean in a smart update to the cautionary original. The bluesy piano lick that danced across the verse is morphed into a scarring, buzzing guitar, and the driving rhythm is supplanted by a tumbling, rolling drum part; while Dempsey’s falsetto channels Chrissie Amphlett’s urgent delivery, but plays up the vulnerability. A fine tribute performance.
Toucan – Warrior
“Warrior” is the new single from boy/girl duo Toucan, released in preparation for next year’s Big Day Out. Working with a chamber orchestra and a choir to produce the track, the Sydneysiders have created a shimmering, ethereal shot of wonder. Jess Pollard’s child-like vocals bound over a wide soundscape, before a gentle drum beat joins her for the chorus: “Whoa oh oh, warrior, in the dark”. The song builds and builds, as the refrain is reprised again and again. This’ll go down nicely on a bright, sunny day at the Big Day Out.
