Category: 1/2/3/4

I’ve unlocked the old time machine and we head back to early 2014, when I had more hair and a full time job to explore some excellent releases that you need to hear. Won’t you join me?

Heather Maloney’s “Soil in the Sky” is a collective memory. Stitched together from personal and universal ecstasy, loss both intimate and ancient, Maloney’s fourth full-length release is a collage of tremulous folk, existential ballads, and assertive rock. She’s an excellent storyteller and it’s album I recommend. Plus plenty of new tunes, from funk to psych to R&B.

Over the last few years there has been an explosion of new bands paying homage to the killer sounds that emerged in the late ’70s early ’80s dubbed Post-Punk. With throbbing bass lines, scritchy/scratchy guitars and shouty vocals it was a genre that covered a lot of ground and with loads of energy. On this edition of 1/2/3/4 we pay attention to some of the acts who are making everything old very new and exciting again – albeit with their own twist.

We might have hit the cooler part of the year but Bonniesongs latest track Ice Cream hits the spot! Described as “dreamy experimental indie folk” and compared to artists such as Bjork and Joanna Newsom, Bonniesongs is creating a unique sound in the Sydney songwriting scene. This new track signals her more ‘rock’ collection of songs after her gorgeous chamber folk release from last year. Her album Energetic Mind will be out in September. It’s just one of the highlights on this edition of 1/2/3/4.

Vanishing Twin are one of the incredibly exciting ensembles to emerge from the UK, though their members are from across the globe – Belgium, Japan, Italy, France and America. Their new album, The Age of Immunology features a diverse selection of sounds, from muscular Krautrock mantra, Morricone-esque lounge to fried-out electronic pop. You’ll hear an essential track from this release plus Monnone Alone, Doug Tuttle and more.

Kate Burke and Luke Plumb share a love for 1970s Irish folk revival music, having obsessively absorbed the music of the era – in particular Planxty’s revolutionary treatments of traditional songs. Kate & Luke now bring their formidable instrumental skills, strong vocals and creative minds to making groove-based, complex interpretations of traditional song on their self-titled debut album. Also, the brilliant new single from Melbourne songwriter and in demand talent, Clio, ‘Silly Girls’ is an ode to all women who have been made to feel undermined. Plus much more…

Seven amazing women songwriters featured on this edition of 1/2/3/4 including the gorgeously melancholic title track from Emma Russack’s upcoming (can’t wait!) album, powerhouse vocalist Dana Gehrman with her boogie infused rock and one of this year’s essential releases from BATTS.

Two years ago, Nick Lowe had almost convinced himself that his days of making records were over. The much loved artist, producer and one of the most-revered songwriters, a forty-plus year career, however he started taking stock of his situation. “And then along came the Straitjackets.” He teams up with those wonderful surf loving, Mexican wrestling masked musicians – Los Straitjackets – to create another selection of fine tunes.

Plenty of great new music to share on this edition! The Maes are back with an excellent new album which is a return to the sisters’ folk music roots. Gentle, intimate and conversational, the album is an unadorned showcase of Maggie and Elsie’s superb songwriting as well as honest, relaxed and stunning vocal and instrumental performances. As well, Tobias Hengeveld releases his follow up to his fantastic 2014 release, The Daylight Express plus essential new tracks from Cate Le Bon, Doug Tuttle and Esther Rose.

Daniel Norgren is a Swedish songwriter from the tall woods of the northwest of his homeland. His album Wooh Dang, is his first worldwide release and reveals an artist who is skilled at intertwining analog instrumentation, live performance, and rural field recordings. It was recorded with his friends in a 19th-century farmhouse and is a quirky amalgam of blues and folk that generates a homely sensation. Top notch Americana from a non-American. Plus new tracks from Kaurna Cronin and Barbarossa..