The Jezabels 5/5

in case you haven't noticed, i only review artists i think are spectacular, and my rating will never be less than 4/5. the jezabels are no exception.

i have not yet asked this band for an interview - so this will just be a review - i only came across them recently, and thought they were amazing, so i decided i would write a quick review seeing as it has been a long time since my last post.

move aside florence and the machine - and make way for the enchanting experience you are about to embark on.

the first song on their myspace 'easy to love' made the jezabels stand out instantly. with an addictive rhythmic pulse, and a perfectly simple repeating progression on keys,this number is one you cannot deny.

the dynamics are what make this such a powerful piece. it constantly builds and then fades.

my favorite part of this track, is towards the end, when everything breaks down into a soft bridge-like section 'when you get your grove on, i lose my mind...'

throughout all of their songs - you are kept on the edge of your seat, waiting for the next melody, the next beat that will convince you more and more of the versatility of the art these guys have created.

thank you for making music. thank you for inspiring me.

http://www.myspace.com/jezabelsband

Drew Danburry 5/5

First let me say that Mr. Danburry has been very accommodating. This is a review regarding his latest release Goodnight Gary. I was also very excited to see that Drew has been involved with the Daytrotter Sessions. WHAT ARE THESE DAMN DAYTROTTER SESSIONS? you scream at me. Well many of the artists that you know and love (Bon Iver, Death Cab for Cutie, Fleet Foxes) have been invited by the site to come and record a fairly acoustic set which is then posted to the website for fans to come and listen to.

http://www.daytrotter.com/al/artists/alphabetical.html

'The religion of me' sets the scene, the chorus reminds me of a Gregorian monk chant. It's a brief but pleasant experience, and fits perfectly as an introduction to the beautiful melodies that will follow.

There's one thing that I love hearing when I load a record up on my Itunes and the hard drive starts spinning, and my old Yamaha amp clicks in, converting the digital signal into analog sound sound that my ears can understand. It's this -

Imperfection. That may sound strange to some, who want every note to be pitch perfect, but for me, it brings back the humanity. The second song on Goodnight Gary reminds me so well of why I love it. The first sound you hear is an electronic 'beep' that puts an image in your head of Danburry pressing record on an old tape deck, or leaving a message on a friend or lovers answering machine. The vocal 'yelling' as the song turns back into a studio recording reminds me of early Brand New, and if you haven't caught on yet. I love Brand New.

As you travel throughout this record, the percussive experimentation, and strong lyrical content is obvious.

My favorite pick is

'you're blocking the doorway and your shadow is disallowing me to join with the light'

This song reminds me of The Early November. I'll have to ask him if this is slightly intentional. There's also some cool reverse reverb effects which makes it all that much cooler, and the little trinkets played on the piano sound great.

Anyway let's talk to Drew shall we, and see what he has to say.


1. What is it that makes a track timeless for you?
When you hear a song and don't automatically pin the song to a specific movement or time period, I would probably say that it has transcended it's place in time and become "timeless". That's what I think. Though I imagine it's slightly based on perspective as to what represented a place in time more than anything.


2. What is your favorite artist at the moment?
There is no way I could properly address this question fairly, I wouldn't even know where to begin.


3. How are you finding promoting right now?
Same as always. lots of work. little response. I suppose that's why I'm so grateful to those who treat me with the courtesy of a human being. Even if someone hates my music but finds the time to tell me I tend to be appreciative, though I can't blame anyone for not responding to one of my promotional emails when they're caught up in a landslide of updates from publicists.


4. What is the hardest part about making your music heard?
The most frustrating thing is that despite how accessible good music or even factual information may be on the "internet" no one seems to be able to break through the many thick layers of "other information". It seems to me, that the internet serves as a perfect example socially of what we want as a culture.

With that said, self-promotion remains as an interesting animal, because how do you convince other people that you're worth listening to and supporting without coming off arrogant or insincere? Which is why an unbiased opinion of what you do is helpful (ie blogs) to those who want to know good music. I guess achieving


5. If you could play anywhere, to anyone - where and who would they be?
I'd like to go back to Europe again. I'd like to live there for a time, tour around and play shows. But as for anyone or anywhere specifically, I can't think of much. I'm more interested in who people REALLY were, like, would I really think George Harrison is the best Beatle if I spent time with all of them? What would I think of Bob Dylan or Thom Yorke if I really knew them? And can one even establish a "normal" relationship with a person who deals with celebrity? a positive balance of power will always be somewhat of a struggle, and maybe that's good.

Drew also requested that I pass this information on ;

I'll be giving away 100 dollars, 50 dollars and 25 dollars. Anyone who posts all three links below is submitted to win all three. Anyone who posts the first two links is submitted to win 50 dollars and 25 dollars. Anyone who posts the first link can win 25 dollars. I would appreciate it if you wrote some kind words when you post the links as well (ideas are listed below) That's not much effort for that kind of money right? And I'm too broke to afford more than that. Ha ha.

So here are the links:

1. Website - http://www.drewdanburry.com

2. Album Purchase Link - http://www.amazon.com/Goodnight-Gary/dp/B00345F9M2

3. Facebook Fan Page - http://www.facebook.com/drewdanburry

To participate - click on this link ;

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=299048388583




Neal out.

Sammy Baker and Elise Hudson

I haven't posted anything here in a while - we have been recording and writing, and in between life and everything else - I have just not had the time lately to chase bands on the internet. This will all change shortly, I'm going to fill some inboxes until I get a reply. In the mean time - I think you should go and listen to both Sammy Baker and Elise Hudson. Two young artists I have been working with.

They are both extremely talented singer songwriters - Elise with her unique vocal sound, and Sammy with his ability to put together a simple, but incredibly catchy song. Both play the acoustic guitar and whisper words into a microphone to bring you enjoyment.

Check them out here -

http://www.myspace.com/elisehudsonmusic

http://www.myspace.com/sammybakermusic

So Long Safety! 4.5/5

Remember what you liked about the heavy bands with amazing vocal layers? Remember what you liked about the breakdowns, and then the integration of synthesizers and ridiculous production?

Introducing So Long Safety! An Australian band that has accomplished the former.

If you like your post hardcore, and you love your melody, then this is the band for you. Most of the bands I conduct interviews or reviews for come from an entirely different genre - but when you look at the crossovers, that is, the similarities or relevant influences, you can expand your horizons ten fold. I used to listen to a vast array of heavy bands when I was younger, and So Long Safety! is one that I can still appreciate.

I'm a pushover for a good beat, loud guitar and synth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1NKkIim0UI

'You'll Never Beat Me, I'm Hydrodynamically Designed'

This is a really innovative video - and a kick in the balls song. The keys player, Jamal Sabet, really knows how to complement everyone else in the band, he doesn't get in the way, and like a lot of other bands - doesn't get lost under the rest. A good engineer, a good band, some catchy melodies - and you've got So Long Safety!.

Here's the interview section of the review for a bit of insight,

1. What brought the band together? how did you all meet - what does the band name mean?

- Like pretty much any band we started out because Coops and Joel were best pals in high school and thought it would be cool to start a band. Unfortunately it was of the screamo hardcore variety of the time, and then through various name changes and line up changes the band came to what and who we are today. The name doesnt particularly hold any special meaning it was the name of a song we once had, coops was ripping off thrice's album name; illusion of safety (coops worships them), and yeah at the time we needed a new name and thought that so long safety wasnt too bad. In hindsight we wish we had gone with something cooler.



2. Are you planning to build a solid fan base and long career with many albums a long the way? how is the band getting along (be as honest as possible). What does the future look like?

Answering these types of questions with out sounding pretentious is pretty hard to do. Obviously it would be in all of our dreams to build this band into a career with many albums along the way. However our plan at the moment is to play shows and build up a lot of experience, build a fan base up, have a buttload of fun and in a few months time spend a lot of time and money on a really high quality EP which will hopefully get some labels interested in us. But yeah at the present time, playing awesome shows is our main focus. In terms of how we are getting along, we're 6 bestfriends. We fight and we all have various tastes in music and life, but its ideally the same which is what is the most crucial thing.



3. What defining moments have you had so far - moments that you can all relate to as being amazing - during the writing process, promotions, big breaks etc.

ummm, not really sure. spending time with closure in moscow and having them stay at our house was wicked...Its pretty hard to isolate a particular time as of yet that has been really amazing, man, the band has its highs and lows but i guess we're still hoping that something comes along that makes us all sit back and really feel amazed.



4. Where did you record, home studio or major studio?

We recorded our EP; Bear in mind im a lion, at chartsong studios up in Brissy last year. The production was amazing, the guy; Stuart Stuart (yeah his first and last name are the same) knew his stuff, but once we had recorded it all, we all kinda just had this same idea that the music wasnt what we wanted to be making, yeah it was fun and pop, but we kinda wanted to make it more. And it sucks that its so hard to be in this sort of genre where if you experiment a little with song structure and sounds that you're pretty much void from any radio station except triple J, which pretty much only focuses on Indy and hardcore (dont get me wrong id much rather listen to that then the crap on other stations). So anyway, our songs that are up on our myspace now were recorded in Sydney around March at Electric Sun Studios, they are a rad bunch of dudes. I think pretty much every band in NSW now uses them, and you'd be stupid not too.
Sweet.

http://www.myspace.com/solongsafety

Rosie Catalano - 4.8/5

This girl is a gem. She's polite, inquisitive - and passionate. I just think it's equally important that an artist is level headed as well as extremely talented.

Rosie Catalano recently won a competition in which she was able to record her demo professionally with the Little Birdy band members.

She hasn't got much exposure yet - but I can see it really taking off down the highway of fame for her. I mean the song - which is named 'Where did I go wrong' not only sounds beautiful - but she is a natural lyricist as well. 'I feel like I fell off the wagon, now everybody's made it to town'. To be honest she writes in a very similar style to myself. This song could not have been any better - when you read this Rosie - you've already made a perfect song - it can only go up from here.

As you will hear by listening to her music she is also A great guitar player - crafting sweet melodies - with intricate vocal lines to match.

See the video here of where did I go wrong and listen to her other songs.

http://www.myspace.com/rosiecatalano

She is also offering her music for film makers to download for free - so if your studying film or know someone who is - go to her myspace and click on the link.


I asked her the same questions as I asked Hungry kids of Hungary - I left the initial part of the message in because it gives you an idea of her quirky, and polite attitude.

'Ah - sorry for the delay. I thought I sent this yesterday but I only pressed 'Save Draft'. Oops.'


1. Why, why do you play, why do you write?

'I was definitely a writer well before I ever picked up the guitar. I used to rush home after school with stories and characters just bursting to come out, so back then I wrote as a form of escapism. When I picked up the guitar in my late teens and began writing songs they were like diary entries and were very personal - I'm still embarrassed that I ever sung them to my friends! These days I write for all sorts of reasons, and sometimes I only discover the meanings as I go along. It can be quite a fun process when the song tells *you* what to do.'


2. Are there any significant events in your life that have led you down a path that relates to your musical existence.

'My 'singing existence' certainly didn't start with a bang; I got rejected from the primary school choir after auditioning with the classic tune 'Twinkle Twinkle'. Luckily I stumbled into acting at Shopfront Theatre and had this fabulous director who gave us singing classes. They were so much fun that I was happy to sing whether or not anyone thought I was any good.'


3. Why do you fit into the genre that you do? why the style that you are??

'I fell into the folk/pop genre without consciously planning to. I once tried writing a dance song on my nylon-string guitar, plucking the E-string in the hopes that it would sound vaguely like a bass or drum beat. Needless to say it didn't turn out quite the way I'd imagined in my head. I think that being limited to just my guitar and vocals has meant that my songs have been led down the folk route, although I don't mind so much any more. My music tends to be a bit pop too, which I suspect is because of my shocking memory; only the strong poppy melodies stick. I'm pretty keen to learn some new instruments and start experimenting with a loop pedal, so we'll just have to wait and see how that turns out!'


Thank you Rosie for an amazing listening experience. I hope this blog helps you gain even a tiny bit of extra exposure. In the end though I doubt you will need it.

Hungry Kids of Hungary 4.5/5

Welcome back, if you haven't been here before - the blog has been revamped.

Our first review with the new design is the Hungry kids of Hungary.

Here it is.



I'll start with the response they politely gave me.

This is what I asked

1. Why, why do you play, why do you write?

2. Are there any significant events in your life that have lead you down a path that relates to your musical existence.

3. Why do you fit into the genre that you do? why the style that you are??

This is what was said

1. I write because i'm an obsessive compulsive and I need to get that stuff out of me if its there. Its usually melody, hardly ever words. That certainly doesn't mean all the stuff that comes out is good either or even suits the hungry kids! But its better out than in I suppose

2. I really think its just growing up and absorbing what around you. My dad played a lot of late 60s and early 70s harmony music in the car / around the house when i was little. I guess that stuff rubs off on you eventually. However, I was seriously into Pantera in highschool, but everyone in my grade was.

3. We play a fairly eclectic mix of pop, soul and indie rock. I'm not sure how we arrived at this. But, the last band I played in was more jazzy and soulful. The last band Dean (singer/vox) played in was much more rock. I guess they have merged into something in between perhaps?haha


cheers bro,
kane (keys/vox)


Now for the review,

There are two things that I first noticed when I listened to this wonderful band.

Firstly - the production is amazing. Every instrument is beautifully spaced. There's one musician that doesn't get mentioned on any myspace or last fm page, or in the majority of interviews for that matter. The engineer/s. I'll find out who is behind the recordings and edit later.

*EDIT Matt Redlich at his home studio in brisbane *

The drums throughout their tracks are really thick and punchy - exactly what you want, I'm not sure if they have side chained compressors to make them stick out, while keeping them out of the way of the rest of the band - whatever has been done - has paid off, because it just molds perfectly together.

The second thing I noticed was the wide - and I mean wide, dynamic range, and disregard for a single genre. Their pieces spill out into your ears. From peak to peak, and not one number sounds the same as the last.

To find out what I mean - go to the myspace - and just listen to the first two songs - 'old money' and 'scattered diamonds'. It takes you from a modern British sound, straight into an American rock ballad. They even have an amazing electro indie remix of scattered diamonds.

If you listen to our music - she's themorning and thenight is similar in this way - and it's something I believe a band should be able to do - while still sounding like the same band and keeping a strong core, and feeling, but making music that is constantly changing and evolving - only looking back to find out how to move forward.

Diversity. It's what makes the world interesting. Keeps us all from wearing the same clothes day in and day out - and watching the same TV show as everybody else, at exactly the same time.

If you want to have a great musical experience, listen, buy, see the Hungry kids of Hungary live. You won't be disappointed.

Call to Action

http://www.last.fm/music/Hungry+Kids+of+Hungary

Their latest release is Mega Mountain

The Middle East - 4.9/5

'Blood' by the middle east from their self titled EP is a song that defines a moment. A song that when you listen to years after you first did, you get a nostalgic feeling, and you remember exactly where you were and how you were feeling when you first heard it.

So here is my question - and a response.

Me ----->'I'd love to hear about what originally inspired you to make the music you do - and a drive to keep going,to be different.

Bands like yours obviously represent the more creative and inventive side of the music industry. would you agree?'

The Middle East ----> 'I think it's just music that we like. We listen to other peoples music, take it in and then make our own. I don't think there's a mystical process or secret inspiration for writing the music, it's just what comes out. We don't drop acid or anything....

Yeah I think the band is pretty creative, but if you look hard enough there's always someone who's done most of it before. I guess the music industry has a big uninventive side.'


There are beautiful female harmonies, throughout their pieces, creative and dynamic guitar work. If I could make a comparison I would say that if you like music such as Cassino, The Snake The Cross The Crown, Fleet Foxes, then you will adore the Middle East.


(I might have to update this review, make it into two parts - because there's a couple of things I really want to know. But I'll work with what I've got so far)

Having a name like 'The Middle East' was either strongly thought out, or a mere coincidence, but gaining popularity, this band has made a very good marketing move.

Anyone who wants to know more, about one of the biggest places of cultural significance today, from little Billy who has to do a History assignment for his year 9 class - or a university student who's task is to give a 2000 word essay explaining in their own words, the turmoil in the middle east and why it is what it is. Anyone who types the middle east, might just come across this band.

I hope they do.

CALL TO ACTION
http://www.myspace.com/visitthemiddleeast
http://www.last.fm/music/The+Middle+East



Buy some of their music on Itunes.