You said it’ll be summer…

Lately I’ve been getting into twee pop music. I’ve had fun exploring bands on labels such as K Records and basically listening to anything with a cute name; Beat Happening, Talulah Gosh, The Pastels, Strawberry Switchblade, early Magnetic Fields, Tiger Trap… I’ve even had frequent dreams about shopping for Beat Happening albums and being devastated when I wake up. It’s getting to that pretty-sad stage.

Though all the bands mentioned above are excellent (and I thoroughly recommending you to hop to it and check them out), none of them are Australian. Nor are they modern. Hence why they don’t exactly fit this column. So, I decided to go for a bit of a search (internet search that is), for a current Australian twee band. And I found this little gem via twee.net (yes, there really is such a place). Actually, I’m kind of surprised I didn’t start this search sooner.

Summer Cats

Hailing from Melbourne, they do indeed sound incredibly summery. Swapping between girl and guy vocals, they make that gorgeous kind of pop music that perfectly matches the warmer months (thank you Canberra for finally starting to warm up a bit). Oh and it’s instantly catchy too. If you’re not too sure of what this twee is I’m referring to, think Belle & Sebastian or Camera Obscura; sparkling indiepop. Summer Cats remind me a bit of those bands, in the sense that their music is so pretty yet fun and you just want to leave the house and do something.
So, what are you waiting for? Stop reading this column (well, after this sentence, obviously) and go turn up your speakers and bounce about the house (or outside if the weather is lovely). Go!

http://www.myspace.com/summercats
I’m particularly taken with Let’s Go.

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No old band for this post, think there was an overload of it last time. Though your homework for column can be going to listen to classic Australian pop (note, alternative pop) bands The Go Betweens (Summer Cats have been compared to them quite a bit, see if you can spot why) and The Triffids.
Until next time.

You’re lost, your mind’s in a whirl

First up, apologies for the late second post. Second of all...
 

New Band

A very quick mention of…

Princess 1.5

A slice of delightful Australian, girl-on-vocals indie pop.

Princess 1.5 is made up of Sarah-Jane Wentzk and Richard Andrew, usually accompanied by a assortment of musicians. They make delicate (indie) pop music weaving Sarah-Jane’s sweet, breathless and sometimes haunting vocals into the mix. Lately, they’ve just finished touring their third album ‘Vous Je Vous’.

Take a listen: http://www.myspace.com/princessonepointfive  

Old Band

The Saints

Right. The Saints are a classic Australian punk band and you need to hear them.

They emerged out of Brisbane in the early 70’s, with Chris Bailey on vocals, Ed Kuepper on guitar, Ivor Hay on drums and Kym Bradshaw on bass. Using their own label, Fatal Records, The Saints released their first single, (I’m) Stranded in September 1976. The song summed up the feeling of isolation, becoming an anthem of sorts for the Australian punk movement. Five hundred copies were pressed and sent out to various labels, record stores and journalists nationwide as well as overseas. The single got noticed in the UK, and shot up the charts, reaching the forty-fifth spot. The single was released before any of the major English punk singles, even beating the Sex Pistol’s infamous debut Anarchy In The UK. News of the single’s international success reached Australia, and even made the news, with the ABC radio announcing “an unknown band from Brisbane, by the name of The Saints, has earned rave reviews in England for a record it made itself.” EMI signed the band and brought them to London, but their plan to market them as “punk” backfired when the band refused to wear the new image presented to them by the label. In response, The Saints recorded This Perfect Day, which ironically reached the UK top 30 in 1977.

With raw and somewhat chaotic music, The Saints get named dropped and cited as an influence frequently, from bands and artists from Nick Cave to Sonic Youth.

Really, this has all been said before, so just go listen to them.

Songs to get you started:
(I’m) Stranded
Know Your Product
Demolition Girl
This Perfect Day

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What are you favourite indie/alternative bands at the moment? Even have a few favourite older bands? Go for it, comment away! Because I have no idea what you like… I promise more on current bands next post. Well, maybe..