A really cool hazy sunshine vibe here on Wishes from New Jersey’s Ducktails. I could just put this on repeat and slip into a trance filled with banana lounges, mojito’s, long sunny days, swimming pools, bicycles and polaroid pictures. Yeah…something like that.

Ducktails – Wishes

Luna Park’s Big Top is one of the worst venues i’ve ever attended. Big stale room full of security guards, wristbands and crowd barriers *shudder*, but it didn’t stop me from enjoying Franz Ferdinand last night.

If you’re like me and tend to get into bands 10 years too late, or stray completely away from the hype of massive bands like this, then maybe you should have a closer listen. FF have written some of the last decade’s most classic tunes.

Take Me Out had 2000 people jumping in unison and it reminded me whats so great about this band, amazingly well written, ridiculously catchy songs that have a lot of groove and a lot of style.

I just couldn’t believe no one cared when they played their cover of LCD Soundsystem’s All My Friends… i almost had a heart attack when they started playing it.

Franz Ferdinand – Take Me Out

Melbourne’s Gold Tango released their debut EP late last year, and I’m really bummed I haven’t heard it yet. The first single Telescope, is a killer downbeat keyboard jam, that sounds more 80’s pop on junk than the twee indie stuff that you’d usually here from this kind of sound. I love how this track keeps building but still maintains its slow moving pop-drone the whole way.

EP available now from the wonderful EXO Records.

Gold Tango – Telescope

This is so fucking good. Melbourne’s White Woods are doing a kind of drugged out garage sound that is so familiar, but somehow highly unique. The album is a huge journey through all kinds of garage/psych, shoegaze, and even no-wave-jam kinda paradises. I’ve only had a couple of listens and I already know i’m going to be playing this all year.

Groundswell is track 6 of 7 on this excellent record. Also go to their myspace and check out Ballet Tea and a live version of their nine minute album closer Backyard Blues.

Available soon on Sensory Projects.

STREAMING ONLY

After our sold out FNMC night in December with The Joysticks & Step Panther, we’re back again with a huge lineup that we are very very excited about…..

LOVE CONNECTION from Melbourne, doing thier Sydney album launch.

(Love Connection was released Jan 30 through Sensory Projects)

NO ART. Sydney & FNMC favourites.

TOMORROWS TULIPS from California USA, featuring ex Japanese Motors front-man Alex Knost, on their very first Australian tour.

It all happens on Saturday 27th March at Oxford Art Factory’s Gallery Bar.

Pre-sale tickets are available right here from MOSHTIX.

Get in quick, the venue is tiny and tickets will go fast.

Love Connection on FNMC

No Art on FNMC

Tomorrows Tulips on FNMC

Some new stuff from Melbourne’s Pageants this week, from yet another brilliant Sensory Projects signing.

I’m really digging the lo-fi pop vibe on Drink The World, it reminds me of all the great stuff coming out of the states at the moment, but with a distinctly Melbourne flavour.

Their EP Forbidden Delicious will be out soon. You should definitely buy it.

STREAMING ONLY

Some incredibly fun weirdo electronica here from Baltimore’s Happy Family.

Great sounds… and that jagged bass line is so perfect when it kicks in.

A big surprise is about three and half minutes through when the track seems to rapidly ascend into some kind of higher experience, and the back down again nice and slowly, bringing you out of the trance very comfortably.

Happy Family – Going To

If you’ve been reading much of this website, you’ll see that we have an affinity with a classic pop tune. However, check out this Kinks track from 1969…its a bit different from the usual (and excellent) short garage pop songs we all know and love The Kinks for. Clocking in at 6:42, its far beyond anything from them that you’d hear in any normal situation.

What really gets me every time is when it takes a big turn and get all psych’ on yo’ ass, ending up in an almost 13th Floor Elevators kinda jam…. Amazing!

The Kinks – Australia

Auckland, New Zealand’s 1995 continue their excellent dark-wave post punk stuff here with their latest single Polar Rapid, which is split 7″ with Brisbane’s DZ. A slight change in vocal style here from their previous stuff, and it really works for them.

Polar Rapid, and their previously released Guilt EP, are still available directly from the bands myspace.

Previous post 1995 – Gettin’ Brainz click here

Beach House’s album Teen Dream is out now. They’ve managed to get a well produced clean cut album without sacrificing any of the character that made their old stuff so good. Norway is the first single, and it’s as good as you’d expect and more.

Out on Mistletone in Oz, Sub Pop elsewhere.

Beach House – Norway