Einstein Music Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Fulton) — Wed, 07 May 2008 03:32:00 +0000

It's Ready
www.einsteinmusicjournal.co.nz

Finally! our new website is ready. We will no longer be updating this blog, so you should all come over to www.einsteinmusicjournal.co.nz and see what we are writing about. All the content from this blog has been put onto the new and improved EMJ, so you won't be missing a thing.

Thanks, and please do come visit.

Ratatat & I Heart Hiroshima Live Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Gooding) — Mon, 05 May 2008 10:24:00 +0000

Ratatat & I Heart Hiroshima
at the Kings Arms, Auckland
30/04/08

-----
I Heart Hiroshima

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Ratatat

The Kids Are Alright

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Gooding) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:59:00 +0000

Happy NZ Music Month!

Moron Says What?!?! jump for joy!

It’s that time of year again: another May, another New Zealand Music Month. An opportunity for emerging local talent to share the spotlight with established Kiwi greats, NZMM is rediscovering that schools are fertile stomping ground for young bands bored with the Top 40 constantly thrust upon them in the guise of originality. In a special EMJ report, our favourite young bands who are steadily gaining momentum, Moron Says What?!?!, The DHDFDs, Teacups, and Christchurch’s Bang! Bang! Eche! tell us how they view NZMM and the school curriculum, and whether or not they think it helps their bands get out of the practice room and onto the stage.

Bang! Bang! Eche! – the coolest cats in all of Christchurch

“We didn’t think it was relevant to us until last year,” say members of MSW?!?! about NZMM. “(But) when Real Groove came out with the Awesome Feeling compilation CD, it changed our lives!” they say hyperbolically. The New Zealand Music Commission-run NZMM has grown from a mainstream behemoth into a counterculture cheerleader, inspiring young bands. But said bands won’t necessarily use the Commission for their promotion.

Teacups enjoy handclaps (photo: Tania Setyady)

“We’re not so sure that NZMM really affects our gigs,” say MSW?!?!, “because we’re not playing any official NZMM gigs. We don’t really know how NZMM gigs work, we are just going to continue playing the gigs we usually play like we would any other month. We do believe in promoting NZ music though.”

Moron Says What?!?! because they're worth it

The lack of understanding about the function of NZMM could be put down to schools’ music curriculum, which many say is outdated. B!B!E! says: “Music in schools does not focus on performing at all, it’s all about being able to read Mozart. That’s rad, but it puts you off at an early age.” MSW?!?! agree, saying, “High school should offer things such as basic music production courses.” School curriculum needs to evolve as NZMM has. “I remember when two or three years ago it (NZMM) used to be about only bands like Steriogram and Elemeno P and all those mainstream bands,” MSW?!?! continues. “Now it’s expanded so much more.”

Teacups like to have fun in photo booths (with Matt Costa)

A lack of venues has been a tough obstacle though. Christchurch’s central city reportedly houses just two at present – “by far not enough,” says B!B!E!. Then there’s age-restriction. “Sometimes we have trouble playing in bars and we have to bring parents,” MSW?!?! says, “but we’re often alright. We manage to twist the law, a lot of times people don’t realise we are underage, but audiences treat us like any other band.”

The DHDFDs as talented as they are extroverted
(photo: Brendan Chan)

The DHDFDs’ vocalist Kudaranee Brown says “Heaps of venues wont book us again as soon as they find out we are young. I’m not sure if that’s from our age or the damage or noise we make!” But ageism won’t dampen Brown’s spirit. “Old people don’t write good music cause they are old, it’s just an excuse to find a reason to dislike our sound,” he says. “It’s kind of uncool to be young, we are just known as the noisy, young, crazy band from Pt Chevalier. But I think when we are 30 years old we will still be called that young band, ha ha!”

Your face hurts when you see The DHDFDs live –
'cos you can't stop grinning (photo: Brendan Chan)

And Music Month will still be ticking away. So what’s next, Atlas? Op Shop? Or a psychedelic explosion the likes of our recent SXSW invasion? Teacups' singer Chelsea says the support systems are in place, they just need to be utilised. “I think it (NZMM) is wondrous! I imagine the others would join me in harmonised chorus at this,” she adds cheekily. “There is no downside to exposing New Zealand music exclusively, there are a zillion amazing New Zealand musicians that are not recognised nearly enough.” It is to these unsung heroes that young bands look for inspiration – not their distinguished elders – for the excitement is literally everywhere.

Bang! Bang! Eche! out-of-control awesome
(photo: thebigcity)

Moron Says What?!?! – Wikipedia (The New Mixup)

The DHDFDs – Pompino's Magical Blast

Teacups – Ducks In The Park

Bang! Bang! Eche! – Time Mismanagement

NZ Music Month – website

Din Glorious

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Fulton) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 05:15:00 +0000

"Sounds like Nervous Gender ass-raping the Dead Kennedys"

EMJ managed to have a brief email chat with Daniel from New York band Din Glorious. We got the inside scoop on the band's future plans and a special track off their debut album.

Thanks to myspace and good old friends-of-friends sifting, I stumbled across Din Glorious. After about an hour of listening and dismissing a number of bands, their track 'I Drive Dinosaurs' jumped out at me. With piercing laser-beams and spastic synths fused with horror-film style vocals, Din Glorious were the exciting band I was looking for.

So, about Din Glorious! They formed like many bands, I suppose: "As a result of being bored on a Saturday night."
"I was drinking Vermouth with my friend John, and we decided to make our own fun" explains Daniel. "He said 'hey let's start a band' and the idea just took off! We wrote some basic ideas out for songs, improvised some lyrics by intentionally mishearing conversations and snippets of other songs, and sent the word out."

Before long, the word was out that Daniel and John had something cool going on; helped by the vast array of musicians living in New York city, the band started to evolve. "We were contacted by two fine young fellows who took an interest in our young project; a synth player named Zac and a drumming fellow named Justin. After adding and dropping various other people, we eventually got our final member, the dynamite Kyle, and we started writing actual songs."

Fast forward to 2008; the band has just finished and had a limited release (300 copies) of their debut album Blump Up The Jamz! The first run of CDs has already completely sold out, mostly due to fans who turned out to see them play on their recently completed West Coast tour. Another run of CDs will be released shortly.

Blump Up The Jamz! is an extremely well-crafted, mish-mash, whopping great mess of an album. Influenced by bands like Crystal Castles, Strip Mall Seizures and HEALTH, Din Glorious fits the mold, but like the aforementioned, they have unique, well-defined characteristics.
"The types of instruments we use can be anything from radios tuned to static, oil drums, power drills, vintage synthersizers, umbrellas, tennis rackets, saxophones...we like mixing noisy and discordant (sounds) with found sounds and objects, interesting electronics, guitars being used in unneccessary ways and goofy idealism."

In the mean time the band is already hard at work on new material: "I've started work on some new songs, and we're planning on doing collaborative split 7"s with some of our favourite bands" says Daniel.

Din Glorious- I Drive Dinosaurs: MP3

Din Glorious- TV Dinner: MP3

Din Glorious- Myspace

Tiger Tones

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Gooding) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 22:14:00 +0000

Let's Get MINCED!

One of the country's most exciting, innovative, danceable bands is finally coming to Auckland, playing their album release party at Whammy Bar! Expect to stay up all night under the Parisian lights with Christchurch's Tiger Tones, supported by Frase+Bri, Golden Axe and Mean Street. I had the pleasure of interviewing guitarist James Grant from the seriously photogenic band, here are some excerpts!

Finally the album is released! How did the making of it go?

We recorded it all ourselves in our singer Mark’s lounge, just onto his laptop. Frase from Frase+Bri helped us out with a couple of tracks and there was one track that we did in a studio. We knew this guy and he teaches an audio course, and he said 'come in and I’ll record you guys and do a track for free', so we did that.

We had a song, The Siamese Republic, and we hadn’t got a structure for it, we just played it live. So that was kinda handy to have it done in the studio, cos we didn’t have the gear and everything else ourselves.

Then we got it mastered by Steve at Flagtown studios here in Christchurch and it was really amazing! I didn’t realise how important mastering can be, but it made it sound so much more like a whole, you know?

The band had been recording on and off
until about two or three months ago...

Tim from Pinacolada records first talked to us in about September last year, and originally we were gonna have it out in November last year, but we got a bit of an extension on that because we didn’t wanna rush it. We thought that would be a bad idea, cos we started recording and we thought 'damn, we didn’t even think about recording an album!'. So we just had a whole lot of bits. But then when we got the extra time we started to focus on making it more of a cohesive whole.

This doesn't look like a band that
jumps on the bandwagon...

We might jump on a bandwagon for one of our songs but when it comes down to it we just play what we want to play.
We're not consciously weird; we do other stuff, we're not one-trick ponies.

And we don't always wanna play a really intense gig, sometimes we just wanna have a party!

The song Forever has a nice connotation to it: do you think you'd like the band to go on forever?

Somedays that sounds like it could be really nice and other days it would be hell, so I don't know.

You look like a band that has a lot of fun – do you have a mantra?

Just to try not to take ourselves too seriously... and have fun!

I'm VERY excited about this band.
Make sure you check them out!

Tiger Tones– Let's Get Minced: MP3

Tiger Tones– 17: MP3

Tiger Tones– Dismay: MP3

Tiger Tones– Myspace

Holiday With Friends

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Fulton) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:23:00 +0000

HWF

We Can Never Thank You Enough

It's with deep regret that we announce Holiday With Friends have taken an indefinite hiatus. In an email to EMJ earlier this evening, vocalist and keyboard player Gemma Syme said , "I really enjoy HWF (obviously), but I think we need at least a break from each other for a while...the future is rather unclear, but none of us will stop making music. I know that!. It ain't over to the fat lady sings, and fat ladies are quite easy to see- and I can't see one at the moment". In another email, guitarist and vocalist Buck Beauchamp said "We thought we'd be like an old crusty rubber band, stretching and stretching and raising tension but never breaking. Hey guess what, it broke."

Through these photos, we hope to pay tribute to one of Wellington's most loved indie bands. Over the past few years HWF have provided so many people with amazing memories. For an indefinite term, they will be sorely missed.

The one positive is that the band should still release their EP. I heard it last week and can report it sounds pretty damn good, capturing HWF live energy and so much more.

All photos from Neon Sleep

Holiday With Friends- Home is no Holiday: MP3

Holiday With Friends- Hot Water Bottle: MP3

Snowfield

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Fulton) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:46:00 +0000

Roll back Neo-Fascism
it's not what we voted for
*****

About a month ago I meet Snowfield in a Wellington cafe. Over a cool bottle of Foxton Fizz and a warm vegetarian samosa we chatted about music, politics and his latest zine.

Snowfield is Alex Mitcalfe Wilson, a shy, well mannered and extremely down to earth young man from Wellington, New Zealand. Earlier this year he released his first album called Obvious Errors: Poor Execution and recently he has put out a split 7" with Alps of NSW. As well as this, Alex writes his own zines, Cupcake Monsters and Hectic Lifestyle can be found in selected shops around Wellington or alternatively you can contact Alex via myspace.

Through his music and his zines, Alex has found a forum to express himself and his concerns about humanity. As we sat there talking, it became apparent to me that I was sitting next to an extremely motivated and compassionate person. Alex talked about his concern over the recent terrorism raids in New Zealand, speaking with a clear understanding and compassion towards the people caught up in the raids (some of whom were his friends). As a strong advocate for indigenous rights, he spoke of the governments imperialistic style rule over the Tuhoe people, seeing the terrorism raids as yet another example of racism and the breach of peoples civil liberties.

As a liberal minded young man, Alex is unafraid to put action into song. His topics range from pro-abortion and indigenous rights to his disgust over the government tapping phones and turning activists into criminals. He's DIY and proud of it, creating uncomplicated music with a clear message to educate people young and old. Whether you like his music or not, Alex Mitcalfe Wilson is an outstanding person. A fine song writer and wonderful primary school teacher, Alex's gentle words are extremely sincere.

Snowfield- If This is Liberty Then Give Me Death: MP3

Snowfield- The Shape of a Wolf: MP3

Snowfield- Myspace

HEALTH

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Gooding) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:34:00 +0000

Saturday's Coffee

No amount of nature's nectar
can wake one as much as good HEALTH

Some people take their HEALTH too seriously. The "extremely pleasant noise" band (as Vice put it) is not 'going disco'; their forthcoming sophomore album just so happens to be named HEALTH//DISCO.

In keeping//with that forward///slash/trend,//HEALTH//have been previously//described as/encompassing////ethereal chanting/screeching noise/gauzy atmosphere/, and is most easily comparable to Liars, the most brutal of Animal Collective's work, and Black Dice (note: the latter Black Dice period, according to Dave Clifford from Fanatic Promotions). I think they just sound like a big rock falling into the ocean and hitting a few hundred squids along the way down to the murky ocean floor, where deep sea trawlers have devasted the population and it's like the apocalypse, or something.

HEALTH//DISCO, to be released on May 13, is a collection of remixes – a first, for the band. In an open letter to fans, they said: “This is not your typical remix album. Every artist on the record was hand-selected and contacted by us with the hope of combining our sounds and musical ideas with those of electronic artists we admire, several of them doing remixes for the first time. It is not about market saturation or crossover appeal. It is purely about the music, and we are proud of it. This is an album, and meant to be listened to as one. The goal of this record is not only to present all these songs at once, but also to ensure that they are not forgotten in the constantly updating, content hungry internet music world.” Here, here.

And in keeping with that tradition of continuous celebration, allow me to once again extend my unfaltering, everlasting love for Crystal Castles. Their fucked up beats drive most of my days, and I couldn't be happier for it. Thanks to them I became aware of HEALTH, and seeing the two collaborate together and then go on to do a massively successful tour of the states recently is just all too awesome. Listen to the tracks below (they're from their first album), if that coffee isn't quite giving you the kick you need. Though they're fairly slow and sombre in pace, they are unashamedly jarring and will kick your hangover out of your head, I swear!

HEALTH– Crimewave (Crystal Castles remix): MP3

HEALTH– Triceratops: MP3

HEALTH– Perfect Skin: MP3

HEALTH– Myspace

My Disco

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Gooding) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:26:00 +0000

¡Achtung!

Is German For Attention

Cheerleaders for good music unite: An exciting, jarring and arresting listen from the get-go, Melbourne's My Disco have come up trumps with their sophomore album.

An amazing prog-punk/experimental/drone/minimalist rock band with elements of jazz and Die! Die! Die!-esque loops, My Disco are approximately five years old and hail from Melbourne. They put on an absolute killer live show and are as relentlessly, exhaustingly entertaining as they are technically proficient, which is sort of a hard combination to maintain, if you ask me. They're not really like any other band I've heard. They're probably the most exciting band you'll hear today. I hope. Because I really want them to succeed even more than they have done already and I really want to relive that glorious gig in 2006 at Hamilton's Ward Lane. Clambering for the ceiling in a sea of psyched-out Hamiltonians, the only relent was if the band paused between songs to have a sip of water.

The new album highlights these efforts; so layered and elaborate in attack, it is ice-cold and punchy to the core, with guitars threatening to sear through your ears. Fortunately this LP is just short enough to leave you wanting more, as I have read remarks of this abbrasive sound wearing thin on some people. But those people can't handle the truth!

Though abstract and alienating in delivery, they make up for it in the strength of their human elements. Reeking of desperation and desire, these traits shine through the foggy befuddlement of the tangents of twisted Wire-sounds, and automatically erases any inklings of pretension.

Hopefully the release of this, their epically awesome and intense sophomore album Paradise (out on Stomp/Numerical Thief and distributed in New Zealand by Rhythmethod), will see them embark on a trans-Tasman tour. After all, it's been a while since that infamous gig at Hamiltron's Ward Lane! But it sure was a good one. Welcome to Paradise... (sorry), and congratulations My Disco on an outstanding album!!!

My Disco– You Came To Me Like A Cancer Lain Dormant Until It Blossomed Like A Rose: MP3

My Disco– A Christ Pendant Comfort Her Neck: MP3

My Disco– German For Attention: MP3

My Disco– Myspace

The B-52's

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Fulton) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:26:00 +0000

Do All 16 Dances

After sixteen years, one of most influential new-wave bands of all time is back. The B-52's have re-emerged to prove they still have the goods to make everyone dance. Funplex, the bands new, exciting album, has been described by many critics as the band's best album since their ground breaking debut way back in 1979.

The original members have all returned, Katie Pierson and Cindy Wilson continuing to spread sweet harmonies, Fred Schneider again bouncing back and forwards with some rather silly splashed out lyrics and Keith Strickland finding more catchy guitar hooks to catapult the band into the 21st century. The synth-pop, dance-irific B-52's are back, sounding like it's been weeks rather than years since they last popped into the studio.

Funplex can not just be dismissed as 'nest-egg' album, the band have definitely made this because they want to shimmy and shake. "It's loud, sexy rock and roll with the beat pumped up to hot pink" says Strickland, who is the bands main songwriter. And like the B-52's of old, Funplex is full of dance floor anthems, "I had been listening to a lot of electronic dance music and early rock and roll. I was inspired to use these two aesthetics together with our own sound to make some shameless dance-floor party music" explains Strickland.

The B-52's will be forever remembered for their influence on alternative music, but while they have been away from the spotlight they have themselves been influenced. Leaving with a final quote from Schneider "Funplex sounds like us, updated...it's the B-52's now- or fifteen years from now".

The B-52's- Hot Corner: MP3

The B-52's- Funplex: MP3

The B-52's- Myspace

The Hungry Caterpillar

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Fulton) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:10:00 +0000

West Coast Hip Hop
Meets
The Little Drummer Boy

Graphic artist, spherical engineer, contemporary soul singer, blues guitarist, hip-hop masher-upper and one of the best drummers on earth...Ben Thompson, this is your life!

If you haven't heard The Hungry Caterpillar yet, you better get right clicking. Since early 2007 I've been obsessed! No one makes spacey, midi sci-fi electro soul like Ben Thompson. The Melbourne-based Kiwi, originally from Hamilton has so many things on the go it's hard to keep up. The Hungry Caterpillar is his solo project, combining elements from all facets of the musical realm and all fragments of his imagination land.

Essentially his music is a fast, beautiful mess, with tangled synths, futuristic softly-spoken vocals and live drumming that will blow your mind. Who'd have guessed he's a shy, twee indie kid. So shy, that some of his hip-hop mash ups sit on Sarah's computer, remaining unheard and unspoken of (until now).

The first Hungry Caterpillar album, Weekend, can be downloaded free from his myspace page. It was released last year and is only available as a download. His second album, titled Patchworks, from which two songs can be downloaded here, will be available soon. In the meantime, Ben is working hard on other equally important projects; like his own design project Simian Lines, designing for Vice magazine and drumming for his long-time band Amy Racecar (who are touring New Zealand in early May!).

There are rumours that Amy Racecar may play some Hungry Caterpillar songs live. Check out the gig poster further down this page and make sure you head along.

The Hungry Caterpillar- Supply and Demand: MP3

The Hungry Caterpillar- Odessy Of Fire: MP3

The Hungry Caterpillar- The Observer: MP3

The Hungry Caterpillar- Slip Into The Mould: MP3

The Hungry Caterpillar- Myspace

Kimya Dawson announced!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Gooding) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:05:00 +0000

Remember That I Love You

KIMYA DAWSON NZ DATES finally ANNOUNCED!!!

The inimitable, wordy and undeniably adorable twee Queen Kimya "both my thumbs are opposable" Dawson has finally announced her tour dates in New Zealand! The wonderful Galesburg is bringing the indie idol and anti-folk hero, who has been brought to mainstream attention of late with her sizable contribution to delightful indie-darling film Juno. Now we can finally experience her pants-wetting wit and delightful charm all for ourselves! (Gosh I'm excited!!!)

Tickets are $30 + booking fee and are available now from Real Groovy and Slow Boat Records. This one's sure to sell out, with the ex-Moldy Peaches singer and soon-to-be Sesame Street singer proving a firm favourite in strange cults of people who like their singing obnoxiously fast and funny... Check out the track below and you'll understand, *hopefully* :)

Tuesday 24 June at Auckland Girls Grammar Hall, Auckland! - interesting venue?!?!

Wednesday 25 June at the Paramount Theatre, Wellington!

Kimya Dawson– Loose Lips: MP3

Kimya Dawson - I Like Giants: MP3

Morons Say CSS Suxxx

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Fulton) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 03:11:00 +0000

From Sao Paulo to New Zealand

'You know you wanna dance'

CSS was recently in New Zealand for two shows with Glass Candy; we were there, and so was Moron Says What?!?!. It was one of CSS's last shows before the release of their highly anticipated second album, which we can reveal is going to be called Donkey. The exact release date has not yet been revealed, but the two new songs they played live in Auckland were the best songs of the set.

So, what do we know about the new CSS album? Adriano Cintra recently said in an interview that the band are tired of being dubbed an "electro" band by the press, "Live, we are a rock ’n’ roll band and that’s how we want to be known. It’s really stressful to read 'electro' band". Perhaps then we can expect a rock 'n' roll album from CSS, after-all the new tracks they played live in Auckland did have an obvious rock 'n' roll jive. One thing definitely noticeable was the band's maturity, after spending the whole of 2007 touring they are now a much tighter unit, Cintra saying "live, we are really organic".

Two new songs have done the rounds since their 2006 debut. We have already posted their take on Sleater Kinney's 'I wanna be your Joey Ramone', cleverly twisted to be 'I wanna be your J-Lo' and they have also recorded a cover of L7's 'Pretend We're Dead'. Now we've got our hands on a recent cover of Grizzly Bear's 'The Knife'. The song appears on Grizzly Bear's Friend EP.

CSS- The Knife: MP3

CSS- Myspace

While CSS were conquering the world last year, Auckland band Moron Says What?!?! were dreaming of one day doing the same. Yesterday MSW?!?! sent us two, brand new, fully mastered recordings. We can report that they are super rad, and exceeded even our expectations. At just sixteen years of age, the girls have such an amazing future ahead of them. The mere fact that we are mentioning them on the same post as CSS must mean something.

I was lucky enough to hang out with the girls last weekend when they played in Wellington, and was so impressed by their maturity. Drummer/vocalist, Alessandra, told me about their first ever show with So So Modern, saying they told her to remember to always have fun, and reminded her of the importance in remaining true to their fans and to never become pretentious. Words clearly evident in their stage performance and enthusiasm for life.

Right now their biggest obstacle seems to be playing in bars. At sixteen they still need their parents present (luckily enough they have wonderful mums), but after recently supporting Architecture in Helsinki hopefully things will change.

We have talked a lot about MSW?!?!, and now we finally have the recordings to back up our claims. If you were one of the skeptics when we first posted on MSW?!?! in December 2007, please download these mp3s and give them another chance.

Moron Says What?!?!- Sleep: MP3

Moron Says What?!?!- Wikipedia: MP3

Moron Says What?!?!- Myspace

Soundpool

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Fulton) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:20:00 +0000

Close Your Starry Little Eyes

******

Soundpool is a five-piece shoegaze band based out of New York City. Their music can be described simply as dream pop, pulled together with saturated guitars, sweet girlie vocals, lush synth arrangements, and set to a backdrop of self produced psychedelic effects.

Formed in 2005, Soundpool’s achievements on the shoegaze circuit have passed by relatively unnoticed in New Zealand. That aside, their chart topping debut record On High, released in late 2006, gained a cult following and received extensive airplay on alternative radio stations throughout North America.

Their recently released sophomore album, titled Dichotomies & Dreamland, sees the band continue their work as a cult shoegaze band, with sharp, whimsical dreamy rhythms, laid over a danceable foundation of keys and drums. Keeping to a formula firmly cementing them in the shoegaze genre, Soundpool don’t offer much to convert new fans. But for fans of ethereal, densely layered noise pop, Soundpool do demand attention.

Soundpool- The Divides of March: MP3

Soundpool- Pleasure & Pain: MP3

Soundpool- Myspace

Child Bite

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Fulton) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 07:55:00 +0000

The miniaturization sequence in “Innerspace”
******

Detroit, the city famous for The Stooges and the MC5, has again spawned another great band. Child Bite is an experimental, no wave, post punk outfit who's unafraid of being abrasive and comes backed by one of music's most famous legacies. It's official! PUNK is still alive and well in the motor city.

Their nervous, disjointed guitar rhythm is the driving force that attracts me to Child Bite. While obvious comparisons can be drawn to ¡Forward, Russia! (a band that I find quite unassertive), it's the attention-grabbing, angular rhythm section and smooth vocal melody that gives Child Bite some sensibility.

The band's debut LP Wild Feast was released in late 2006 to a limited audience in North America; one reviewer describing it as "spastic sped-up funk". Their second record, titled Fantastic Gusts of Blood, is to be released in the coming months. Mastered by Roger Seibel, who's also worked with Modest Mouse and Tortoise; it concentrates more on No Wave guitar-driven rock, with the funk substituted for a bouncier, bone-crunching dance beat. Fans abroad of Devo or Block Party should have no problem being comfortable in the company of Child Bite's angular, disjointed melody.

Child Bite- Banana Gordon: MP3

Child Bite- I Like Friends: MP3

Child Bite- Myspace

Fuck Geography, Pt. 1

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Gooding) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 04:26:00 +0000

"Dashel was an extra in
10 Things I Hate About You!"

There's so much good DIY Indie/Punk music pouring out of the proverbial gutters, I tried to create a cohesive, geographically-thematic post but it was just too hard. As I linked from band to band, I discovered that the certain kind of music I was seeking wasn't just focused in certain areas (I was intending the East Coast of the US) – it's all over the show! So from Seattle to San Fransisco to Nevada to Kansas, whatever. Here are some amazing bands that deserve your attention...

* * *

TacocaT
"my vagina is defected"

Their press release is so well-written one hardly needs to write their own prose about them, but then wouldn't that be shallow? TacocaT sparked my interest because of their novelty name but also because their lo-fi girl pop was played up by having one token "large American male", as they call him. The odd formation brings to mind CSS, but ultimately that silhouette is the only similarity between the two bands. TacocaT's fiery blend of sugar-coated fem-pop with smatterings of Nirvana, Fugazi and Bikini Kill will ignite a dance-a-thon in your parent's basement not unlike the first time you heard Nevermind. Listen to the "palindromic quintet from Seattle with members of The Trashies and Os Coyotes" on Myspace now! (Sorry I couldn't help but re-quote).

Check out Bike Party for super loud fun,

Peeps for cute sing-along grunge-pop
and Uti for super gross/super awesome femme pop!

TacocaT– Myspace

* * *

Thunder Thighs

"I may rock an eye patch...
when you're cruising space/ protecting the human race"

Sounding sort of like the band of skateboarders that tried to shoplift soul records for their girlfriends from the record shop in High Fidelity, Thunder Thighs are bristly punks with attitude. Though some of their songs border on 80s era untuned no wave, Glimerance has definite hints of Joy Division (whether they like it or not!) and there are some real standouts. If they keep up the noise they're making they're bound to get more attention!

Check out Take Back The Night & Skull Squadron!

Thunder Thighs– Myspace

* * *

Little Teeth
"I framed Mom and Daddy's handshakes..."

The lead singer always looks drunken and dishevelled, maybe as if she's been up all night writing ballads into her gin, but that's all a bit presumptuous of me. Perhaps she doesn't drink gin at all? Perhaps the music is more important than this anyway. Which it most definitley is! Little Teeth make some of the most intriguing music I've heard in a LONG TIME, and I was genuinely very surprised and impressed and a little bit scared of their music. A little bit folk, a little bit circus freak, a little bit horror, a little bit riot grrrl wail, the squonky, strange but utterly heartfelt balladry of Little Teeth is never dull but always intoxicating.

Check out Between My Ears for a Tegan And Sara-esque ballad or Sideways for a more hip hop flavoured Neutral Milk Hotel-esque quiet chaos!

Little Teeth– Myspace

* * *

Baby Birds Don't Drink Milk
"Eek Shriek Beak!"

Part shoegaze, part Sonic Youth immersed in fuzz, part Radiohead in their early days, BBDDM defy expectation, demeanor, grandeur, definition... But they are really fucking good so you should give them a good listen!

Check out the wailing Helicopter Soup,

the Radiohead-esque Dry Depths and the
confoundingly good Panda Bear-esque Our Girls!
These guys are gonna be big someday...

Baby Birds Don't Drink Milk– Myspace

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Lullatone- Live Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Fulton) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 02:30:00 +0000

Lullatone
Whammy Bar, Auckland. 24-03-2008

Here's To Future Days

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Fulton) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:51:00 +0000

Forward to the Future

Starting tomorrow night is Here's To Future Days, a three day music extravaganza featuring some of New Zealand's best up and coming musical talent. Hosted by the wonderful people at Bar Bodega, and in conjunction with Vorticon Productions, the event features 30 bands across an eclectic range of musical genres. Tickets are $35 for all three nights or $15 per night.

We've selected a few artists who we think you should check out. There's a selection of MP3's available for download and myspace links for all.

SNOWFIELD

Snowfield is Alex Mitcalfe Wilson, a solo musician with a heart for politically-inspired protest music. Taking a minimilist approach, he plays keys, guitar and sings vocals over a range of self-recorded backing tracks. See Snowfield on Friday 28, downstairs in Bodega 101.

Snowfield- The Shape of a Wolf: MP3

Snowfield– Myspace

TOMMY ILL

Einstein's favourite New Zealand hip-hop artist will drop his rhymes just after Snowfield. Taking serious subjects and turning them into playful adolescent hip-hop beats, Tommy can be compared quite easily to Lupe Fiasco. See Tommy Ill on Friday 28, downstairs in Bodega 101.

Tommy Ill– Myspace

Tommy Ill- Toast and Tea Kettles: MP3

CHERRY'S GEMSTONES

The adorable Hannah Cherry has been around the Wellington music scene for several years now. Her riot grrrl style pop/rock offers an opportunity for the not-so-serious hipsters to get their groove on and join Hannah and her band in having a cheeky little laugh. See Cherry's Gemstones on Friday 28, on the Bodega main stage.

Cherry's Gemstones– Myspace

Cherry’s Gemstones- Triangle Bone Thing: MP3

HEAT LIKE ME

Electronic act Heat Like Me make sythesised new rave dance pop wrapped up with sweet female vocals. The band's production is super slick, most probably thanks to band member James Goldsmith, who many will know from his sound duties at the San Fransisco Bathhouse. HLM have also worked with Tommy Ill, so you may get to see a little cameo. See Heat Like Me on Friday 28, on the Bodega main stage.

Heat Like Me– Myspace

Heat Like Me- Running Out Of Time: MP3

FLICK

Matt Brennan is the psychedelic grime metalist known as Flick. He produces all the music himself using drums, guitars, bass, synth and vocals, and plays free of loops or backing tracks. Flick is one of four Auckland artists visiting for the event. See Flick on Friday 28, on the Bodega main stage.

Flick– Myspace

ALEX THE KID

Techno kids from a technological age, that's one way to describe Alex the Kid. Their Kraftwerk style electro pop will teleport you back to the 1970's, a time when synth pop changed music forever. See Alex the Kid on Saturday 29, on the Bodega main stage.

Alex The Kid– End of Miracle Land: MP3

Alex The Kid– Myspace

MORON SAYS WHAT?!?!

The most exciting band of the festival just happen to be four sixteen year old girls from Auckland. The girls' energetic dibly-dably pop is super-duper cute and us at Einstein are their biggest fans. Come and dance with the Morons cose it's going to be so much funnnnn! See Moron Says What?!?! on Saturday 28, on the Bodega main stage.

Moron Say’s What- Wikipedia: MP3 (Home Demo)

Moron Says What?!?!– Myspace

Lullatone

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Fulton) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 09:20:00 +0000

Is anything as cute as Japanese pop?

Music-wise, maybe not! But you can judge that for yourself. The Japanese bubblegum pop duo of Shawn James Seymour and Yoshimi Tomida is hitting our shores next week for four shows. They are playing two shows in Auckland (including Tuesday 25 March with CSS and Glass Candy) as well as in Christchurch and Dunedin.

The duo's minimalist dream-like pop is packed with smiley, head-bopping beats. Tomida provides Care Bear-cute vocals to accompany Seymour's delightfully whimsical melodies. Together the pair are cuter than candy floss and tastier than pumpkin pie. To prove this all true they have made this sweet little commercial to advertise their New Zealand and Australian tour.

The tour down under coincides with the release of their sixth album, titled The Bedtime Beat. On their website they describe it as "Our strangest and most pop CD yet, featuring the sounds of bathtubs, underwater humming, snoring cut up into drum beats, Yoshimi's human beat box and much, much more." On the downloadable track below you can hear evidence of this, most notably Yoshimi drumming on water.

Lullatone- The Bathtime Beat: MP3

Lullatone- Myspace

You won't wanna miss Lullatone, so check out the dates below and make sure you're there.

March 24
Auckland- Whammy Bar

March 25
Auckland- Kings Arms
(with CSS and Glass Candy)

March 27
Christchurch- The Physics Room

March 28
Dunedin- The Dunedin Public Art Gallery

Punk's Reign of Terror

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Fulton) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:40:00 +0000

Scared Yet?

Music from the darkness

The Holy Kiss

The goths you see in the mall probably wouldn't like The Holy Kiss, but their appeal to the indie music connoisseur is undeniable. Their tight gothic rhythms and crystallised belts of dark shadowy post punk will be most appreciated if you're a fan of The Birthday Party or The Horrors.

The Holy Kiss- Black etc: MP3

The Holly Kiss- Myspace

Lipstick Terror

Hardcore synth horror music from Mexico. These guys are truly awesome! Their experimentation with screamo, synth based rock has lead them to SXSW, where they will most probably frighten the daylights out of many unsuspecting music critics. Even if you aren't a fan of hardcore music you should take a listen, the chemistry these guys create is electric.

Lipstick Terror- Myspace

The Creeping Nobodies

Not necessarily the scariest band, but the Toronto natives do have some pretty haunting characteristics. The vocals of Derek Westerholm combined with layers of distorted feedback give a sense of stormy weather; the type that makes you hide under the bed sheets late at night. The Creeping Nobodies can be described as a darker, denser version of bands like The Guest Bedroom or You Say Party! We say Die!

The Creeping Nobodies- The Sound of Joy: MP3

The Creeping Nobodies- Your Likeness: MP3

The Creeping Nobodies- Myspace

Adjective.

Insomniacs be warned, we have a band just for you. Adjective are a shock tactic, post punk band from Vancouver, Canada, and there's a chance they worship the devil. If you ever make a crazy art house horror film you should probably consider these guys for the soundtrack. Not only do the girls scream, the guitars do too.

Adjective- Myspace

Little Pictures (Limited Edition)

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Fulton) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 07:51:00 +0000

Little Picture Disc

Little Pictures have made 15 limited edition picture discs of their debut EP You + Me + My Amplifier. Each disc is individually hand drawn and has been designed to remember the fun times had at Camp A Low Hum 2008.

They are strictly limited, so go to the bands myspace page now and get your copy. When they are gone there will be no more made. You can use your credit card, so if you live outside of New Zealand it's no problem.

Little Pictures- Myspace

Lawrence Arabia

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Gooding) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:41:00 +0000

Fondly fondling the Flora & Fauna

Multi-instrumentalist and multi-talented and super-awesome wearer of short shorts at Camp A Low Hum, according to many reports, Lawrence Arabia, is set to leave New Zealand's shores once more. But that doesn't mean he hates us, quite the opposite, actually. The expat delivered one final ode of love to Kiwiland in the form of a stunningly shot video. It was described by the man himself in a Myspace bulletin last night as depicting his high regard for "the flora, fauna and topography of New Zealand's South Island". Rather intimately, I might add. No, not like that. The super special surprise video for Talk About Good Times features our Lawrence likely scantily clad in fashionable attire: white gumboots and a checkered red farm jacket. Directed by Stephen Ballantyne, it showcases superb Alice In Wonderland-esque bunny rabbits – with a deadly twist! – by the inimitable Greg Chapman. Watch the new vid below, and bask in the glory of the good times!

And for those of you locals who can't bear to part just yet, there is one final soiree at Whammy bar this Wednesday. This even features a diabolical debut set by Joe 90s, who Lawrence says is "threatening magnificence"! Lawrence and band's recent set at the Auckland Zoo with the Phoenix Foundation was so enjoyable – and that wasn't just because of the spider monkeys! See you at Whammy, then!

Lawrence Arabia – Myspace

It's a d.a.n.c.e. Revolution!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Gooding) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 02:30:00 +0000

It's a D.a.n.c.e. Revolution!

FLAIRS!

Everyone loves a cocky Frenchman. How about two? Two cocky Frenchmen who make synthetic, sappy, tangly wires of beats and wandering, lurching basslines? With robot voices ranting about their sexual prowess? You know you want it. Providing ample foot-jiggling madness in Truckers Delight as well as the aforementioned song that got bloggers' tongues wagging, Better Than Prince, Flairs are like sooo hot right now. I'm sure I've heard Truckers... on student radio before, but either way you ought to check it out. That elastic rhythm and spicey beat, peppered with crazy computer freakouts, it wont make your headspin, it'll just make you smile and nod your head and go "yeahhhhhhhhh".

Flairs – Truckers Delight: MP3

Flairs – Myspace

REVOLTE!

Revolt against generic mainstream dance culture! Observe the crazy Europeans' dance sensibility in employing "bone-crunching" riffs and disco-happy tones! Freak out with the glorious alien-vocals and robo-references! It's in no way passé, call it 2008!

Revolte – Unit 1 Lesson 2: MP3

Revolte – Myspace

GHOSTHUSTLER!

Super smooth disco driving retro synth tones in Ghosthustler's recent track Only Me To Trust were enjoyable enough; then they had to go throw something like Someone Else's Ride in our faces! Bringing a whole new level of sappy happy noise, Ghosthustler's new track is probably best enjoyed either cruising down a Cali freeway in a Cadillac, or sipping cruisers in a sleazy bar – but all the while laughing at yourself and the absurdity of the fun and carefree nature of it all. Allllllllright!

Ghosthustler – Only Me To Trust (demo): MP3

Ghosthustler – Someone Else's Ride: MP3

Ghosthustler – Myspace

CHROMEO!

These guys have been a buzz band on bloggers' lips for a while now, but with each listen they retain a super fresh and appealing sound. Much like how you feel if you eat some fruit in the afternoon after a rather dreary, druggy morning.

Chromeo – Bonafied Lovin': MP3

Chromeo – Fancy Footwork: MP3

Chromeo – Myspace

LUPE FIASCO!

Okay, so not entirely "dance" per se, but totally fun and catchy and I tend to think that qualifies as dance music anyway, so, whatever. I don't know. All I do know is that it's fast, topical and abrasive, but wrapped up in Lupe's understated, King of Cool facade. It's everything you could've wanted. Garnering five-star reviews around the world, Lupe needs no justifying, just enjoy it. He even makes Snoop Dogg sound cool!

Lupe Fiasco – Go Go Gadget Flow: MP3

Lupe Fiasco – The Coolest: MP3

Lupe Fiasco feat. Snoop Dogg & Pooh Bear – Hi-Definition: MP3

Lupe Fiasco – Myspace

GIRL TALK!

When Gregg Gillis toured here (Auckland, New Zealand, for those unaware of Einstein's origins), it was the sweatiest, funnest dance party we'd had since 2004, or the last D-Rad party. Or the last Pig Out party. But I digress. Bringing it back to dance, Girl Talk know how to rock the party right. With his saran-wrapped industrial design laptop and 80s throwback knowledge, flingin' his hands in the air like he just don't care and dropping beats faster than hipsters dropped drinks in awe at his show, Gregg Gillis is the coolest kid of all. Observe!

Girl Talk – Knife remix: MP3

Girl Talk – Myspace

THE TING TINGS!

What better way to end a dance post than with a remix? The Ting Tings has been making waves on student radio and is a band I have been meaning to look into for a while now, upon one much-respected person's recommendation. Their breakout single Great DJ seems to work even better as a remix, which is done brilliantly (even if it's a little on the long side) by Calvin Harris. Expect more from Einstein on The Tings Tings in the near future, but for now check out this odd – but extremely promising – introduction to one band with a very bright future.

The Ting Tings – Great DJ (Calvin Harris remix): MP3
The Ting Tings – Myspace

Now look into my eyes and
tell me you love dance!!!

Hayden

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Fulton) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:39:00 +0000

A Real Indie Folk Hero

Hot news! Galesburg and Strange News have announced the return of Hayden. The indie folkster will be in New Zealand crafting his magic in both Auckland and Wellington later this March. Fresh from touring across Europe with The National and prior to touring the US with Feist, Hayden is ducking down under to pedal his fifth studio album In Field & Town.

If you are unfamiliar with Hayden then here is some background. Hayden Dresser hails from Toronto, Canada, and shares a record label with fellow Canadian songstress Basia Bulat. Since 1995 Hayden has released five full-length LPs, his latest In Field & Town, however, marks his return after a four-year absence. Critics worldwide have jumped all over it, The Onion proudly proclaiming that "his ragged, harrowing concoction of acoustic gentility and electric anarchy stands as a genre all its own".

Since 1995 Hayden has shown the world his exceptional talent as both a musician and songwriter. His folk ramblings and wavering falsetto have drawn comparisons to Neil Young and Leonard Cohen, allowing audiences young and old to appreciate his often-intimate performances.

Tickets are $25 plus booking fee from Slow Boat Records in Wellington and Real Groovy in Auckland.

Thursday March 27

Happy- Wellington

Friday March 28
Whammy Bar- Auckland

Hayden- More Than Alive: MP3

Hayden- In Field & Town: MP3

Hayden- Worthy of Your Esteem: MP3

Hayden- Myspace

East London Represent!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Gooding) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 21:44:00 +0000

East London Represent!

Grime/Electro/Pop/Remix

TAPE DECK

With remixes for Kate Nash, Mystery Jets and Holy Fuck under their belts, Tape Deck is one hell of a mighty music machine. Making Love Is All sound like Björk leading an aerobics class in the 80s, injecting spastic life into Semifinalists and grime-ifying Klaxons into a stupefied robo-glam nintendo jazz stomp, they're totally thrilling and every bit worthy of the hype dumped on them, probably at least in part because of their totally sweet professional pictures and Ed Banger art. Word!

The Kate Nash remix below is genius – keeping Nash's pure voice prominent they underline it with sizzling synths and a deep rolling bassline, towing it along to another male vocal that backs it up every other verse. Very cool!

Tape Deck – Kate Nash remix: MP3

Tape Deck – Myspace

RUN HIDE SURVIVE

A fruitier, fresher Justice, freshly-squeezed and bursting with citrus energy, Run Hide Survive create chaos via blender and Casio PT-80.

Their Dyson Demo v1 is a heady and sweaty mix of dance rebellion, rubbing shoulders with Kitsune and Ed Banger's ilk to provide fun party good times! And the Lemond remix is equally funky with a heartfelt vocal tumbling down the bassline. Their other two tracks are of a similar order; a slightly more subdued remix of Bolt Action Five is just as enthralling even if it's a little slower.

Run Hide Survive – Myspace

GUCCI SOUNDSYSTEM

Why someone would name themselves after this fashion house is beyond me, but Gucci Soundsystem do some sweet remixes. Though simple and not differing very far from the original, this is a welcome reprieve from the scores of remixes we are subjected to, that do the original no justice. Instead, laying down the odd fresh synth line, chopping up the beat a little, and keeping the most favourite qualities down pat – even though these may be slightly hidden they're appreciated. James Murphy's vocals stay in tact on LCD Gucci RMX, as does the chunky bassline. Added synth spatters near the end are awes, too. Check it out!

Gucci Soundsystem – Myspace

BOLT ACTION FIVE

A productive and mutually beneficial friendship between Trent Reznor and Prince. Big Black and Les Savy Fav have popped in to just say hi and shit, but promise they are not staying long as they have a new album to promote, Les Savy Fav want to see the zoo later anyway and it shuts at five.

"No thanks Trent, Tim is off the Kool Aid for a while..."

Soreen is had and spirits are high. They discuss french house, Rob Zombie and John Carpenter's 'The Thing' at length, but Prince and Trent really need to get on with their music. Big Black and Les Savy Fav eventually depart, but Big Black realise they've left their glasses. Les Savy Fav are like "God damn it Steve" but it's cool- they'll pick them up tomorrow when they go round again 'cos Trent is watching his Lost dvds.

"No Trent, seriously he doesn't want any fucking Kool Aid. Leave it. Jesus Trent...

Any band that concocts such a detailed story about french house, Trent Reznor and Lost gets my vote. More post-punk than electro or grime, I accessed this band the same way, through a vein of Myspace top friends in that genre school. However these guys proved themselves to be most different of all, and the more I listen to them the more I absolutely LOVE them. Their posturing is obscene, the synth riffs obscure, but they'll get your legs kicking for sure!

Bolt Action Five – Standby: MP3

Bolt Action Five – Face of the Beast: MP3

Bolt Action Five – Myspace