Best Of SXSW A-Z: "H"

On Jussayin', H.I.S.D. (HUEston Independent Spit District) remind me of LA hip-hop outfit People Under The Stairs in the best way possible. Subtle production, with beats that could not possibly swing more, and samples and brass hits in all the right places make this track a perfect summer track. Their debut album, "The District" is available now.

MP3: H.I.S.D. - Jussayin'

I never knew there was a Jamaica in New York, but there is, and that's where HEAVy is from. They cite their influences as ranging from Minnie Riperton to N*E*R*D, and Sam/Sam's Return makes good on their promise - crisp beats mixed with soulful vocals make a track that is just the right side of jazz hip-hop.

MP3: HEAVy - Sam/Sam's Return

Heavy Claws have a song with a sweet analog synth hook. What more can be said? Except for the fact that they categorised themselves as electronic/dance/DJ, which is kind of a misnomer.

MP3: Honey Claws - Shout Out

Department of Eagles Do Daytrotter

In Ear Park has been on heavy rotation lately, and I must say, I almost like it more than Daniel Rossen's other, more well-known band, Grizzly Bear. Good news then, that Daniel and Fred have recorded some cuts from the album (plus two unreleased tracks) for the Daytrotter guys.

MP3: Department of Eagles - Daytrotter Session

New Video - Minilogue "Animals"

New video created by Kristofer Ström, who also created Minilogue's previous music video, "Hitchhiker's Choice"

Tip: click "HD" in the top right corner of the video to get rid of those jaggy-edges.

BLOC PARTY RELEASE AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES AND BRAND NEW SINGLE

This is getting ridiculous. Bloc Party recently did another BBC Radio 1 countdown in which Zane Lowe unleashed their brand new single, Talons. You read that right, brand new, as in "not previously heard on Intimacy." Apparantley the track was one of the last to be mixed and finished for the album, and will appear on the physical release of the CD in October.

If you pre-ordered Intimacy already, then you can download the track for free here, and a corresponding video is already out too.

On top of all this, the band have announced that they are touring our nation in November, with tickets on sale in late September.

The dates are as follows:
Thu 20 Nov – Festival Hall, Melbourne
Sun 23 Nov – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
Tues 25 Nov – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
Fri 28 Nov – Riverstage, Brisbane
Sun 30 Nov – Belvoir Amphitheatre, Perth

Let's see if BP have any more tricks up their sleeve in the coming weeks...

BEST OF SXSW A-Z: "G"

When it comes to singer-songwriters, it's very hard to stand out out from the endless swathe, unless you have something unique. In the case of Jacob Golden, it's inventive production, intimate performances and a dedicated fan base; and let's not forget his fine lyrical sensibility, given ample demonstration on his second album Revenge Songs.

MP3: Jacob Golden - Out Come The Wolves

Great Lakes Myth Society get their band name, and much of their subject material, from their native state of Michigan. Sufjan Stevens would be proud, though the band's sound recalls a far sunnier Interpol (dress sense included as you can see) or The Arcade Fire. With only two albums to their name, the Great Lakes are quickly garnering attention outside of the Great Lakes state.

MP3: Great Lakes Myth Society - Heydays

Georgie James is actually made up of John Davis (former drummer of Q And Not U) and Laura Burhenn) hailing from Washington D.C. The two claim to share a love of 50s pop music, though i'm not sure that's clear from their modern, choppy (and slightly dancey) sound. Their debut album is released through Saddle Creek Records (former label to Bright Eyes and Rilo Kiley). There you have it, a whole boy/girl duo assessment without mention of The Tings Tings... whoops.

MP3: Georgie James - Need Your Needs

Best Of SXSW A-Z: "F"

Foreign Born originally self-released their first album, On The Wing Now, while touring the US & UK with bands such as Cold War Kids and We Are Scientists. Now signed to Dim Mak Records, their album is described by the band as 'rhythmic and otherwordly, with lots of percussion'. Add to that all the chants handclaps, and wailing vocals, and you have a sound that comes up on the good-sounding side of the rock/folk fence.

MP3: Foreign Born - Union Hall

The Forms recorded their second album with the help of Steve Albini (Nirvana, The Pixies). On his experience with the band, Albini quipped that he'd never worked with a band that had gone over the same piece of tape 58 times. On "Knowledge In Hand", the opening track to their 2nd album, it seems as though everything including every hi-hat hit were carefully mulled over for 2 weeks before being committed to record.

MP3: The Forms - Knowledge In Hand

Free The Robots make hip-hop beats filled with jazz samples and synthesizers. No matter how many times I hear this sort of stuff, if it's done well, it's golden - which is exactly what these guys have done on their EP. Have a listen to more of their stuff at their Myspace, and check out their blog for the latest on Robot Freedom.

MP3: Free The Robots - Jazzhole

Intimacy is out now!

Following the release of new single, 'Mercury', Bloc Party have performed a lightning release of their third studio album, Intimacy, in the vein of Radiohead/Nine Inch Nails/Raconteurs/Girl Talk et al.

The mp3 download is available right now for a small fee, while the album proper will be shipped from October 27 - both are available to order here

Meanwhile here are some first impressions on the album.

MGMT to tour Australia

It's been hinted at for a while, and now it's finally confirmed - MGMT will be touring Australia later this year. Here are the dates:

Sat 6 Dec – Perth (Belvoir Amphitheatre)
Tue 9 Dec – Sydney (Enmore Theatre)
Wed 10 Dec – Brisbane (The Tivoli)
Thu 11 Dec – Melbourne (The Palace)

All dates will be supported by Luke Steele and Tame Impala.

Here is a live video of MGMT performing Kids in a carpark:

Brand New Sigur Rós!

Rejoice! Icelandic Gods Sigur Rós revealed toady, on their newly revamped website, the details for their latest album - including a link to a free mp3 of the first track "Gobbledigook".

The album is called "með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust" (which translates as 'with a buzz in our ears we play endlessly') and will be available from June 23.

For album details check here

MP3: Sigur Rós - Gobbledigook

Best Of SXSW A-Z: "E"

You may already know of Emmy The Great through her association with one Dev Hynes aka Lightspeed Champion. She's the cutting female vocal all over his debut album Falling Off The Lavender Bridge but enough but about him, the Hong Kong born Emma Lee-Moss has also collaborated with the likes of Fyfe Dangerfield (of Guillemots) and Jeremy Warmsley. So with Indie street cred in tow she's crafted a number of acoustic gems and various contributions to compilations, when she finds the time to knuckle down and make an album she'll have plenty of helping hands and eager anticipation from listeners.

MP3: Emmy The Great - Easter Parade

Eagle Seagull already sound a lot like The Arcade Fire, and if they got a few more girls in their ramshackle, art school squad - they'd look a lot like them too. Quick comparisons aside the Lincoln, Nebraska based six-piece have already garnered a bit of buzz on music press and blogs thanks to their punchy and accessible sound, smart pop nous and great song titles (see below).

MP3: Eagle Seagull - I'm Sorry But I'm Beginning To Hate Your Face

He may only be 20 years old, but Eldar has already been signed to record conglomerate Sony/BMG and been nominated for a Grammy. While his background may be in that most unfashionable of circles, 'contemporary jazz', you don't need an inside knowledge of scales or heady solos to appreciate his playing. Bright, catchy and slightly rocking, of course it'd take a fresh-faced Russian to make jazz 'cool with the kids' again.

MP3: Eldar - I Remember When

PIPPED TO THE POST: Edison Glass - All Our Memories
It might take a couple of listens to break through, but persevere with the whiny rock exteriorand you will be rewarded. Smarter than it initially sounds.