If you like a mix of soul, blues, rock, folk, psych and chill-out tunes, than wrap your ears around mixtape #81. Starting with Melbourne’s favourite soul band Saskwatch and their new track ‘I Get Lonely’, next up, a track from Dutch rockers Dewolff who are Australian bound for their first tour. Next stop is back in Melbourne with new tracks from Money For Rope, Dirt Farmer, Fractures and House Of Laurence, followed by West Australian native James Teague before we head to the UK with Empty Pools.
Saskwatch – I Get Lonely
They’re back! Everyone’s favourite soul rockers have returned with a new cut produced by Eddy Current Suppression Ring’s Mikey Young. The rock n roll influence is definitely there with louder instrumentals to support lead singer Nkechi Anele’s dulcet tones. With a kicking horn section and a twangier than ever guitar tone, ‘I Get Lonely’ is a fantastic step forward for Melbourne’s favourite purveyors of soul.
Dewolff – Voodoo Mademoiselle
The Dewolff youngsters have been kicking around since 2007 and they’re still only teenagers! ‘Voodoo Mademoiselle’ is taken off a special Three Studio Albums release to accompany their first ever Australian tour commencing mid March. Drenched with Hammond organ, accompanied by muddy guitars and screeching lead vocals, and throw in a massive dose of 70s psychedelia and you get a Dutch three-piece who know how to rock!
Money For Rope – Common Man
Just ahead of their appearances at the Hills Are Alive, Boogie AND Golden Plains, Money for Rope frontman Jules McKenzie thought it’d be a good time to get hit by a car and break his ankle. Not that it’s going to deter him or his troops, the band are going full steam ahead with their tour, and to celebrate they’ve released new single ‘Common Man’. It sees McKenzie continue to use the dynamics of his voice, starting as a baritone crooner before spending the tail-end of the song wailing about as he surely did when hit by a car in South Yarra. The song’s driven by Rick Parnaby’s organ, and builds to the kind of over-the-top hollering we’ve come to expect from Money for Rope.
Dirt Farmer – Delilah Lightening
Melbourne/Albury 5-piece Dirt Farmer are back with an upbeat, glistening “slacker pop & roll” single. With sunshine guitar hooks, light percussion and Stuart Barlow’s dreamy vocals, it’ll have you forgetting that summer is on its way out. The song features a midway break down then picks up again, adding a touch of the psychedelic in the second half. Press play and shake away your new Autumn blues.
Fractures – Twisted
Fractures is the solo moniker of Melbourne singer and multi-instrumentalist, Mark Zito. On ‘Twisted’, Zito takes a minimalistic approach to his electronic production that invokes an aural quality of James Blake or The xx; bold but entirely warranted comparisons to throw onto the young producer. ‘Twisted’ oozes by fluidly, at times dripping away into dark, ominously silent breakdowns as Zito’s fragile vocals stand alone, before lifting again, his repeated cries of “I’m lonely” complimented by the oscillating, potently sparse rhythms.
House of Laurence – Such A Fool
Melbourne’s House of Laurence emerge from beneath the psychedelic light with ‘Such A Fool’ a haunting dream-like number that draws on influences from hype bands Tame Impala and Pond and early psychedelic rock. The wailing guitars and enchanting vocals take you on an acid trip of emotions with dream-like melodies and rhythm. We’re certainly looking forward to hearing more from the promising House of Laurence especially if all of their tracks make us feel this good.
Jame Teague – Where Sorrow Is Forgotten
Hailing from Western Australia, the epicentre of all of humanity’s paradoxes, James Teague addresses the bizarre in this track from his debut Lavender Prayers. Orchestrating a confluence of hillbilly slapstick banjo and bluesy fast-paced keys, which is then overlaid with treble electric guitar. The song title says it all in a nutshell. It’ll get you up there jigging till you bleed from the soles of your feet, and then leave you flayed on the limestone streets of Fremantle staring moodily out towards the expansive Indian Ocean.
Empty Pools – Small Talk
Hailing from Bristol, Empty Pools are making music that isn’t necessarily typical of their surroundings. With heavier than usual guitars for an indie track, the female fronted band manage to surprise listeners with every listen. With super jazzy drum beats and a 90s singing style, ‘Small Talk’ will keep you guessing in the best possible way.
