We’re happy to announce the beginnings of The Mucho Tapedeck this week – an ongoing fortnightly playlist of 10 tracks curated by one member of our extended musical family. Mucho’s own Will Weightman is kicking things off this week.
Almost a year since her debut hit ‘Raiders’ made our ears happy, Owl Eyes is back with yet another sweet-as track, ‘Crystalised’. She’s going to be running up the east coast in May in support of it and you can check out all the dates HERE. Our good friends Art of Sleeping will also be going along for the ride for some fun-time-tour-times.
Owl Eyes, aka Brooke Addamo, took time out of her busy tour preps (we hear she’s got some surprises up her sleeve) to spend a few minutes with us.
Who? Owl Eyes. What do you do? Make music. City you call home? Melbourne. The best thing about being you right now? Getting to travel. Tea or coffee? Tea. Life changing record? Beach Boys: Pet Sounds. Dream collaboration? Sbtrkt or Jamie xx. What inspires you? Music, film and art. If not playing a gig where can we find you? Shopping. I’m buying drinks, what’s your poison? Fruity cocktails. Best record right now? Chairlift: Something. One song to guarantee a private car sing-along? Elton John: ‘Tiny Dancer’. Childhood crush? Leonardo Di Caprio. Which band would you die to play for, if not your own? The Gorillaz, crazy a million piece band! Favourite, quirky possession? Little Owl nic nacs. Guilty pleasure? Chocolate and Rom coms. There’s a mini, five-band festival at yours, who’s playing? Foals, sbtrkt, Arcade Fire, The Flaming Lips and Kate Bush. Tell us one odd thing we don’t know? I hate tucked in beds so much that in hotels I un tuck the whole thing. Worst. Movie. Ever? The Human Centipede and I haven’t even seen it!! You and the other half are breaking up, which one record do you fight for? All the Beatles ones! It’s Christmas eve – Die Hard or Home Alone? Home Alone! Most diva-like demand? m&ms on the rider. Most embarrassing stage moment? I’m not sure but I did have a dream that I was on stage and all my teeth fell out, that’s bad right?!? The world’s ending and Denzel Washington is no where in sight – what do you do? Probably be scared and hide under my covers. Favourite cafe anywhere? 4 ate 5 in Sydney. Favourite shower croon? Somewhere over the Rainbow. Song most likely to get you onto the dance floor? Outkast: ‘Hey Ya’ or Jay Z: ‘99 Problems’. Favourite composition of your own? ‘Pices’. What are you doing after answering these questions? Doing another one of these but I’m sure it won’t be as fun as this one 
When your baby, when your baby smiles at you, you go to…..THE CANDY SHOP!
DZ Deathrays have been killing it overseas and rightly so because they put on one of the best live shows you’re likely to see. Bloodstreams, their debut album, has recently been released and we’re not going to lie, it’s pretty freakin’ good.
Guitarist Shane Parsons recently took time out of his busy touring schedule to spend 3 minutes and 52 seconds with us.
Who? Shane. What do you do? Guitars / yell. City you call home? Brisbane. The best thing about being you right now? Sitting on a couch. Tea or coffee? Coffee. Life changing record? Death From Above – ‘You’re a Woman I’m a Machine’. Dream collaboration? Soulwax. What inspires you? Beer and ice Cream. If not playing a gig where can we find you? My place. I’m buying drinks, what’s your poison? Sailor Jerry’s shots. Best record right now? Pulled Apart By Horses – Tough Love. One song to guarantee a private car sing-along? Motley Crüe – ‘Home Sweet Home’. Childhood crush? Neve Campbell. Skrillex? I guess? Roulette, cards, pokies – red or black? Blackjack. Which band would you die to play for, if not your own? Motley Crüe. Favourite, quirky possession? Chrome piggy bank. Scrunch or fold? Scrunch. Guilty pleasure? Sugar. There’s a mini, five-band festival at yours, who’s playing? Trash Talk, Violent Soho, Pulled Apart By Horses, Baby Godzilla, Damn Terran. Tell us one odd thing we don’t know? If a cat eats licorice while watching ‘The Ring’ it implodes. Two minute noodles, Mac & Cheese or baked beans on toast? Beans on toast. Worst. Movie. Ever? Titanic. You and the other half are breaking up, which one record do you fight for? Ahhhh Rumors. It’s Christmas eve – Die Hard or Home Alone? Home Alone. What’s on your rider? Beer rum vodka tequila bananas sandwiches. Most diva-like demand? Beegees. Most embarrassing stage moment? Pedals breaking. The world’s ending and Denzel Washington is no where in sight – what do you do? Call Liam Neeson. Favourite cafe anywhere? Little Larder in New Farm. Favourite shower croon? Dunno. When I grow up, I want to be….? Fat. Song most likely to get you onto the dance floor? GG Allen – ‘Bite It You Scum’. Favourite composition of your own? LA Lightning. One apprehension about your album? Getting tired. What are you doing after answering these questions? Back to recording. When your baby, when your baby smiles at you, you go to….. Spain.
Congratulations are in order for New South Welsh indie kids The Rubens who have recently signed to Ivy League joining the likes of Lanie Lane, Alpine, Deep Sea Arcade and Josh Pyke.
Before their lives get really hectic, the brothers took some time out to answer a few simple questions for us.
Who? Three Brothers, Sam, Zaac, Elliott and our friend Scotty. / City you call home? Menangle. / Tea or coffee? Coffee. / Best thing about what you do… Playing Live. / Favourite cafe anywhere?
McCafe in Narellan. / Dream collaboration? Mos Def. / Can you tell a lot about a person by their bedclothes? Nup. / What about you? Huh? / What inspires you? Never having to have a 9 to 5 job. / If not playing a gig where can we find you? McCafe in Narellan. / I’m buying drinks, what’s your poison? McMocha. / Last movie you saw? The Inbetweeners. / Any good? Funny moments. / Best record right now? Big Boi vs The Black Keys – The Brothers of Chico Dusty. / One song to guarantee a private car sing-along? The Who – Baba O’Riley. / Favourite Beatle? Bertie. / Prince or MJ? MJ. / One band – old or new – you’d murder to play for? The Rolling Stones. / Favourite, quirky possession? A gigantic waterbomb slingshot. / Scrunch or fold? Fold. / Guilty pleasure of late? 99c hotdogs in NY. / There’s a mini, five-band festival at yours, who’s playing? The Black Keys, Cold War Kids, KOL, The Rolling Stones, and Tame Impala. / Tell us one odd thing we don’t know? The combined weight of all of the ants alive today, is greater than the combined weight of all the humans that have ever lived. / Lollies or chocolate? Chocolate. / You and the gf are breaking up, which one record do you fight for? Not sure. / What’s on your rider? Beers. Bottle of Scotch. Mexican food. / Most diva-like demand recently? Haven’t had the opportunity to make diva-like demands yet.. but we will. / Most embarrassing stage moment? A badly out of tune guitar on the first song. / The world’s ending, what do you do? Panic. / Favourite shower croon? Probably a Sinatra tune. / Who did you want to be when you grew up? A pilot. A photographer. An Olympian. A musician. / Last thing you stole? A Snickers in mexico. The Guy tried to rip me off. / Cartoon character? Greased up deaf guy. / Best Christmas present ever received as a child? Roller Blades. / Favourite place in the world that’s not home? New York. / Song most likely to get you onto the dance floor? Neptune’s Remix – ‘Sympathy for The Devil’. / Life changing record? The Rolling Stones – Exile on Main Street.
Brisbane friends Last Dinosaurs have just released their debut album In a Million Years, filled with seriously danceable tracks including the incredibly infectious single ‘Zoom’. They’ll be heading right around the country in April in support of the album, no doubt playing at a venue near you. Their Brisbane and Melbourne shows have already sold out though, so make sure you head to their Facebook page to get tix quick sticks.
Sam Gethin-Jones took time out from strumming his bass and stroking his cat to spend 3 minutes and 52 seconds with us.
Who? Sam Gethin-Jones. What do you do? Play Bass in Last Dinosaurs… and care for an enormous cat that is currently sitting on my lap. City you call home? Brisbane. The best thing about being you right now? I’m stoked at the position we are in right now, we’ve just released our album and are about to head out on a big national tour with some great friends (millions and Gung Ho). We’re going to be heading to the UK and Europe for the first time ever in May for three months… I’m just extremely excited! Tea or coffee? I’m a veteran water drinker… not big on tea or coffee. Life changing record? D’angelo: Voodoo. Dream collaboration? Would love to even just sit in on a song writing session with Phoenix… see how they go about crafting such amazing pop gems… watching a documentary they made the process sound almost mathematical! If not playing a gig where can we find you? In bed, watching Seinfeld. I’m buying drinks, what’s your poison? Bundaberg Rum… and I speak for 3/4′s of our band there! We’re good little Queenslanders! Best record right now? Drake: Take Care One song to guarantee a private car sing-along? Mario: ‘Let Me Love You’. Childhood crush? Olsen Twins. Skrillex? Not for me, thanks for the offer though. Roulette, cards, pokies – red or black? Split my chips evenly half on each… I like those odds! Which band would you die to play for, if not your own? I played drums with Gung Ho when they supported Whitest Boy Alive at the Tivoli… it was the best gig I’ve seen in ages, so I’ll say Whitest Boy Alive. Favourite, quirky possession? A little frog toy that my best friend got me when she came back from Japan… I’m a sentimental kinda guy. Scrunch or fold? fold… heaps civilized. Guilty pleasure? Watching YouTube videos of kids hurting themselves and adorable cat/dog videos. There’s a mini, five-band festival at yours, who’s playing? Anthony Hamilton, Erykah Badu, Q-Tip, Outkast and D’angelo… can you imagine… CAN YOU IMAGINE?!? Tell us one odd thing we don’t know? Old people fucking love me… oh and did you know Oprah has six toes on her left foot? Worst. Movie. Ever? Ghost Rider… it was so bad that my friend bought it for me on DVD for my 21st to honor the time we witnessed the worst movie of all time together! You and the other half are breaking up, which one record do you fight for? Twin Shadow: Forget. It’s Christmas Eve – Die Hard or Home Alone? The Office (Christmas Special) is what you’ll be watching at my house come December 24! What’s on your rider? Pretty standard requests… spirits, beer, sandwiches, hookers, fruit… you know… the usual. Most diva-like demand? People can’t look me in the eye before a gig and I am to be referred to as “The Jackhammer”. Most embarrassing stage moment? My bass pedals kept cutting out at our show in Brisbane [at Oh Hello], was pretty devastating! The world’s ending and Denzel Washington is nowhere in sight – what do you do? Find Jeremy Lin… he seems to be the hero at the moment! Favourite cafe anywhere? Bean Temple… It’s this cafe in Sydney near where Big Jesus Burger used to be, we’d go there every morning when we were recording our album to get bacon and egg wraps… so amazing. Favourite shower croon? ‘Me And Mrs. Jones’. When I grow up, I want to be….? When I grow up I assume I’ll want to be young… those young bastards with their hip hop and their music television. Song most likely to get you onto the dance floor? Phoenix: ‘Lizstomania’. Favourite composition of your own? Repair… it’s the last track on In A Million Years, we wrote it a few days before we began recording the album and it came together extremely natural. What are you doing after answering these questions? Sitting down to watch the Waratahs play the Melbourne Rebels… just warming myself up for the Red’s game tomorrow night! When your baby, when your baby smiles at you, you go to….. the nearest possible exit… babies are too loud!
ERYKAH BADU // SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE // SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19 // REVIEW BY ANDY BULL
It’s been a while since I’ve seen Erykah Badu play live. For years, I had lived and breathed her records – they were really formative for me – and I’d seen her play twice before in the States. Neo soul, though, is a dubious thing – as a genre it seems especially at risk of falling into cliche; for instance, I recently saw John Legend play a show that, to my mind, demonstrated why nu-soul is often considered extinct. Soul is a long way from punk, the “great leveller”, but with its tightly arranged rhythm sections, keyboard heavy arrangements, vocal chops and its requisite technical proficiency, it’s often at odds with the sort of “anyone can do it” aesthetic that drives our largely indie-rock industry. Folks are suspicious.
So. It’s been a couple of years, and I didn’t want to expect too much. Perhaps some nostalgic feelings. We are told that Erykah is running late, and I say something droll to my friend about waiting two hours for her last time I saw her – SXSW 2009 – but then, happily, Erykah arrives. I get that little electric pulse from seeing her so close again. Once in 2005, I shook her hand after this show in LA.
Tonight, she is Shiva and Shakti all at once. The band begins to play, she begins to sing, and in one divine motion she has obliterated soul music and has begun renaming its pieces. For those of you who have seen Feist play recently, this is probably the best comparison I can make. I had gone to see Feist, anticipating delicate beauty, and was exhilarated to discover instead Joan of Arc. Badu, who is an “artist” and who’s charisma must therefore lie between the promise of creation and the threat of collapse, is focused and raw. She has now so much more than just youthful conceits; the self-proclaimed “analog girl in a digital world”, who at age 41 looks suspiciously like she did at age 26, when she released her debut, Baduizm, has taken the nascent ideas of that first album, drawn and evolved them through five studio albums and a decade and a half of touring and into the present, maybe the future. The test has worked.
Sitting where I was, I could see the faces of the crowd and their expressions said it all. She’d mainlined our hearts. Crucially, she had the band to facilitate this. Soul gigs are notoriously over played and sometimes unwatchable for that reason (see one John Legend) but for the most part, restraint is shown and the band stay not just relevant, but powerful (some forgiveness is perhaps needed for the odd moment. There was *gulp* briefly, a 6-string bass on stage).
Erykah has, thankfully, apparently outgrown and outlived the scene which claimed her as its queen over a decade ago and much of the fat and flab has been cut away, replaced with something immensely tougher than what you might expect. Not to say the theatrics are gone however; thankfully the profound sense of occasion remains – we are not seeing a gig so much as an event, and though this event may have been created around the world countless times, the thrill and danger are undiminished. Even moments that might obviously rankle some critics are pure. Erykah sings a partial rendition of Lena Horne’s ‘Believe in Yourself’ to a floral piano arrangement and miraculously it comes across here not as twee, but on some unexpected level, moving; some hard won, old fashioned wisdom, resonating throughout the concert hall like a prayer. And every push in one direction is matched by a pull in the other. The show has dynamics and swagger, Badu’s trademark live 808 programming, the grinding on the mic stand, singing as she walks through the audience (by now all standing), the curious stage banter, blazing in-time-out-of-time hip hop interpretations of songs from across her entire catalogue; all of this demonstrates a standard of naturalness and awareness that are not easily matched. We are transfixed by a vulnerable girl, a ghetto lioness, a bewildered observer and a cosmic seer seamlessly integrated, and the effect on us, the audience, is extraordinary. The entire thing is like a blazing meteor, visceral, moving; tearing fearlessly into the new decade. Could soul be dangerous once more? Erykah, for the first time in a long time, made me want to believe again.
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