New Music.. Monday?: Lisa Hannigan's Parachutes

So it seems that after a week away, I have missed some pretty big news. I found out about the death of Steve Jobs a few days later than everyone else. But also, this was a pretty big week for Irish music. Lisa Hannigan, who made her name collaborating with fellow countryman Damien Rice, released her second album since the musicians drifted apart in the UK (interestingly it was released three weeks earlier in the US). The album isn't available until November 4 in Australia, however you can listen to excerpts from it on her website.

BUT

Lisa is coming to our fine country very soon (although not playing her own material) for "Way to Blue: The Songs of Nick Drake" in Sydney and Melbourne. So get your skates on, it's gonna be epic.

Well, it's bye for now. I've left you with quite a long video on the making of Parachutes, because frankly I really.. really like Lisa, so I enjoy watching/listening to her. If you don't have a spare seven minutes however, go here for a short taste of what Ms Hannigan is all about.

Enjoy.

New Music Thursday: Kate Martin's Apples

Do you like apples? Well how do you like them apples? (I apologise for the swearing at the start of the clip.. but it's a great scene from a great movie)

Good Will Hunting references aside, Kate Martin's song 'Apples' is oh so sweet. Her Unearthed profile calls it "experimental pop". I don't really agree, in my opinion it's hardly experimental, but it's definitely solid, well-made indie pop. It's the first single from Kate's second album, but that's not due to be released until February 2012, so watch this space.

Anyways enough of me talking, let's all watch a video!

Enjoy.

Kate Martin 'Apples' from Timothy Melville on Vimeo.

New Music Thursday: New videos for Big Scary and Youth Lagoon

Hey guys, just a quick one tonight. It seems that in the last few days two songs that I have previously blogged about have had videos made for them. And get ready for variety because they're entirely different at odds with each other.

First up we have the dorky, fun video for Big Scary's 'Gladiator'. Their album is out October 7.

And next, just in case that video made you feel too happy, we have the moody, brooding video for Youth Lagoon's 'Montana'. His debut album 'The Year of Hibernation' comes out in Australia tomorrow. I'm pretty excited. But if you're cheap (yet can somehow afford fast internet), you can stream a few tracks from it on Spin.

Enjoy.

Youth Lagoon - 'Montana' from Spunk Records on Vimeo.

New Music Thursday: Youth Lagoon's 'Montana'

Last night I stumbled upon this track, and I immediately knew it was worth sharing. Trevor Powers, known by the pseudonym Youth Lagoon, is a 22-year-old from Idaho, USA. During uni holidays he locked himself in a room for some time, and a collection of dreamy, ambient, melancholy, beautiful songs resulted.

'The Year of Hibernation' is a pretty powerful debut album, especially since Trevor self-produced it. It will be released in Australia on 23th September, and I'm pretty pumped to get my hands on it.

Luckily for us, Mr Powers has given a peek into what we can expect. Two tracks from the album, 'Canons' and 'July', can be downloaded for free or streamed on Soundcloud (along with 'Montana').

After being signed by Fat Possum, Youth Lagoon's ditched uni and hit the road with a band, promoting his upcoming album. Hopefully he comes to Australia soon!

Enjoy.


Montana by Youth Lagoon

Bon Iver's Holocene

Just saw this for the first time, and I need to share it. Beautiful song, beautiful landscape, beautiful concept, beautiful video! It's set in Iceland.. (wow, I need to go there sometime) and directed by Nabil Elderkin, an Aussie who's also done stuff for some other pretty big names (check out his site for music videos he's directed for Kanye West, Seal, Bruno Mars and many others).

I hope you enjoy it!

New Music Thursday: Vows

Well, have I been waiting for this one. Ever since seeing her last year I've been following Kimbra's progress. It seems she's getting pretty big now. You know you've made it when Katy Perry misspells your name in a tweet.

And (finally), her debut arrived last Friday. If I wasn't already convinced of her amazing musical talent and versatility, the album put forth a pretty convincing argument.

It begins on familiar ground, opening with her first single Settle Down, followed by Cameo Lover. Then we're introduced to the new stuff. Highlights for me include the smoky, cabaret-infused "Good Intent" (the video of which I'm sharing with you tonight), the very funky "Call Me", and the relaxed groove of "Wandering Limbs" (a duet with Melbournian Sam Lawrence that reminds me a little of Zero 7).

I have to say that as good as the music on the album is, her live show is something else entirely. There's just something about her on-stage energy and super-talented, super-tight band that is impossible to capture in the studio. And I think that's something you could be pretty proud of.

I hope you guys enjoy the video for "Good Intent". I've gotta say that I dig it a lot. If I could ever dance in anything actually resembling a "style", then this would be it. The guys in this clip definitely know how to move.

Enjoy.

P.S. If you want to listen to Kimbra's album right now, you can stream it online.

New Music Thursday: Big Scary's Gladiator

I really enjoyed watching Melbourne duo Big Scary tonight in their support slot for Liam Finn (son of Kiwi music royalty Neil Finn. His backing band also includes two other members who are children of ANZAC music royalty: his brother Elroy on drums, and playing various percussion instruments and providing backing vocals is Eliza-Jane Barnes, daughter of none other than Jimmy Barnes. But I digress...)

At the start of Big Scary's set I was reminded of another man-woman duo from California named Mates of State, however these guys quickly proved me wrong by stamping their on unique style on the evening. While Mates of State make fairly bright pop music, Big Scary seek every opportunity to rock out, despite having only two on stage. A lot of their songs contained enough dynamic and tempo changes to give you a blood nose, however they also played some that were more beautifully brooding, such as the one I'm sharing with you today.

'Gladiator' has just been released as a single for their upcoming album 'Vacation', which is due to be released early October.

Enjoy.

Gladiator by bigscary