Secret. Untapped. Unearthed.

So let’s try this again. I just finished my entry for today when KABLAMO! Web decides it can’t publish my post and that it is lost forever… I don’t know how, and I don’t know why but it is, so let’s try again!

Wassup?! How are we on this freaky deaky Friday? If your answer is not “Awesome captain awesome!” well read on, because it will be because today is… **anticipated gasp, no breathing, heavy air, sore chest, pains in leg** New Music Day!! **insert young child – “Yay mummy, can I have some new music on new music day?” – “No Tommy, we have your fathers record collection at home”** Guess you miss out today Tommy. Now who provides new Aussie music better than any other person you know, you don’t know and maybe even better than those that don’t exist? Triple J Unearthed that’s who. You know’em, they brought you so many bands who make your blood boil, your sweat turn to air and your teeth almost fall out from smiling so much. Grinspoon, The Middle East, Missy Higgins, Philadelphia Grand Jury and Art vs Science are just a tiny, minuscule few of those they have discovered and they continue to do so every day. While live venues around Australia close down and being heard becomes harder, Triple J Unearthed fills the void in the digital landscape and provides a tree to be climbed, an avenue to be walked, an apple crumble to eat and the glass of wine to go with it. Thank you Triple J for helping us hear what talent resides upon our shores and what untapped, undiscovered resources we have. YEOW!

Now, enough of a love-in for one day, let’s talk music. Firstly, lets kick it off with these lads from WA who just smashed onto the scene with a couple of gems a while back but I just can’t get enough of. Still super crazy young, and so energized it puts batteries to shame, Tim & Jean have got talent falling out their skin holes and music you taste with your soul. With the track Come Around they encapsulate a generation of festival going, electro individualism loving peeps who live for the music and the experience it allows them to have with those they love. Like a slurpee in the sun, or a whippee on the run, check’em out. If you likey you have to watch this cover of Dave Mathews Band’s Crash, totally out of whack with the audio and not really what you would expect from other tracks, but it kind of adds to its goodness me thinks.

Alright alright, now the gents I never tire of mentioning because they just keep giving me reason to, Boy & Bear, have wrapped up their UK tour with Laura Marling (who may I add has the most beautiful, resonating tone of which I heart) and are about to embark on their tour supporting Lisa Mitchell (also lovely, see earlier posts for appreciation) with good friends Georgia Fair. These guys have had a massive year, coming in at around 153* on triple J’s Hottest 100 (* thereabouts) and having sell out shows all year including one show in Melbourne where this amazing fan-recorded video was shot featuring Laura Marling and Marcus Mumford on their track Mexican Mavis while touring together. Check it, seriously wicked stuff. On top of all this, like a little cherry on your weat-bix sundae, these guys are just about to release their debut EP, so for details hit them up on MySpace, Facebook or even Twitter (tech Savvy Gen Y Artists dude… they got everything). And if you need more persuading, watch this beautiful cover of Bon Iver’s Flume. Love it.

Now let’s keep this train rolling, or steaming, or pouring or whatever. You may or not have heard of these guys, but either way I am sure you will not turn their song off if you hear it. I am talking of course about the awesome sounds of Deep Sea Arcade for which you should take a deep breath, buy some scuba gear or just marry a shark and get under water now to visit this mesmerising place and partake in some sweet sweet games. They can turn your dial and by your smile my friend. My favourite is the highly hyped Lonely In Your Arms as it taps my tapping tapper nicely, but this is followed closely by the lovely yet surprisingly saddening Don’t Be Sorry. On top of this, about a month ago a little birdie dropped a disc on my lap which set alight. I proceeded to shout, scream, pant, cry… until I shouted what it said on the disc… Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire!... Now if you listen to Triple J you would have heard one of two tracks me thinks but man can these guys set you and your theory alight with rockin, unique distinguished sounds that set them apart and straight up on fire. A six piece from beautiful NSW these guys and girlie whirlies are just straight up awesome so check’em out.

Blam so that be it peeps. Like a camel in the dessert, I am sweet as a nut and I am sorry for delays in posts of late, I have left my job, started a new one and just got plenty of biz biz mark going on right now so bare with me and all shall be bowling again soon. Thanks peeps and don’t forget Boy & Bear EP launch so hit them up and get on the wagon before it turns into a bus, then a plane and then a jet-ski carrying, aeroplane fuelling, car mega yacht YEOW!

New news is way better than old newspapers...

So peepety peeps, a bit of music news to get your day going and going and going and going... etc.... Stumbled across two interesting pieces of news which I found quite amusing, distressing, exciting, tear-jerking, ecstasy-evoking and shock-worthy all at the same time.

The first, FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS NO MORE!!! I know we all knew this was coming as they were reluctant to even do a second series in the first place, but after its success I am sure you would agree there was a small David Bowie like voice in your mind singing of another season. But, all to no avail as they have decided to call it quits. Reading on Triple J news there is a quote that actually epitomises the kind of humour seen in each and every episode since its inception "While the characters Bret and Jemaine will no longer be around, the real Bret and Jemaine will continue to exist." For all you conchord lovers, here is my selection of greatest hits.

The second piece of news is that Laura Marling is coming back to our shores for a quick qhirlwind tour ahead of the release of her follow up album, “Alas, I cannot Swim”. I heard the news as the band I have been raving on-and-on about, Boy & Bear, are the support act. Check out this news feed if interested, otherwise you kids have a lovely awesome day, and quiche can cause pain in the dead of the night so approach with caution. YEOW!

LAURA MARLING Welcomes Special Guests BOY & BEAR this January!

Goodbye England, hello Australia! The new single ‘Goodbye England (Covered in Snow)’ brings Laura’s trademark dulcet tones through our airwaves, just in time for Christmas. Secret Sounds are also pleased to announce special guests Boy & Bear to join her upcoming shows in Brisbane and Melbourne. Triple j unearthed favourites, Boy & Bear bring together the talents of four former frontmen and songwriters ¬¬– Dave Hosking, Jake Tarasenko, Killian Gavin and Tim Hart – building a unique partnership that echoes Marling’s own knack for emotive, complex songwriting that sounds so effortless. Boy & Bear recently won the coveted unearthed slot on the Homebake festival, after their singles ‘Mexican Mavis’ and ‘The Storm’ garnered critical acclaim and led Richard Kingsmill to give them a five star review: “This is brilliant. Simple as that.”


Marling’s Sydney Festival appearances sold out within hours, and a second Melbourne show at the Corner Hotel January 24th goes on-sale this Thursday, December 10. Limited tickets are still available for her debut Brisbane show at The Zoo on January 20th. No further tour dates will be added.


As evidenced by the haunting swell of ‘Goodbye England’, Marling’s follow up album to “Alas I Cannot Swim” takes a darker turn. With the new album due out in early 2010, these performances will be the first time the new songs will be heard live in Australia.


Secret Sounds Presents Laura Marling With Special Guests Boy & Bear:
JANUARY 20TH: THE ZOO, BRISBANE - SELLING FAST!
Presented by Rave MagazineTickets from OzTix, Ph: 1300 762 545, or www.thezoo.com.au


JANUARY 22ND: CORNER HOTEL, MELBOURNE - SOLD OUT!
Presented by Beat Magazine


JANUARY 24TH: CORNER HOTEL, MELBOURNE – 2ND SHOW ADDED!
Presented by Beat MagazineTickets from Corner Box Office (57 Swan St Richmond 12-8 Mon-Sat), Ph 03 9427 9198, or www.cornerhotel.com ON SALE NOW

Girls rolling in flowers + New Judge YAY!

So my pretty's, how are we on this fine summer evening? Average you say? Well, expect that average to get a sweet kick up the old bee sting and be turned from an average tO SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT BETTER!... LIKE ABOVE AVERAGE... or something.... sorry for getting too excited...

So I have the flu.... Don't worry, you can't catch it by reading about it. I would never put you at risk like that, I mean without you guys, what have I got? The flu, that's what. Bet anyway as a result of said flu and his deadly masked flunkies, I spent most of my weekend on the couch... YAY!!! WOOO!!! YowZAAA! Yes that's correct these are all words you would use to describe a weekend of illness right? guess not but get excited because I at least listened to some sweet sweet musaic and went on a killer journey I wish to share with you like cake at a birthday party!

SO I started by listening to some little red because I thought their groovel-mc-50-rockin-awesomeness would wipe that sniffle from my nose, oh but to no avail. This was followed by a walk down the alley of the universe with The Mars Volta, thinking their synchopated rhythms and sweet sweet solo's would shock the bad out of my system, not to mention their super-creppy-uber-awesome-freakadelic video... Ohh the humanity, once again I face failure.... I thought all was lost when not even the the beautifully simple live recording of Ben Harper and Jack Johnson on local radio in the states bounced away from my ears as though it was allergic to my presence. The world of musical goodness avoiding me like a shy boy to the girl of his dreams. All she wants? His affection yet all he knows to give is harsh words, harsher actions and ignorance. I feel lost and divided.



I enter the Merriweather Post Pavilion. The crowd rise, the stands face near destruction from the thudding feet of my senses running intently up and down in anticipation as the mystic sounds of In The Flowers build, diminish, build, diminish then eventually speak to me in a near alien like voice. The repetition, then sudden explosion of mysterious beauty forcing my mind to voyage far, far away on the ship that is Animal Collective and be lead toward a climax of near silence and a farewell message from those visiting and frolicking in the pasture.

My body and mind have felt the relief required to ensure this flu does not stick like honey to a bee and promises light into the otherwise gloomy day that has been bestowed upon me. This light comes in the form of the next giant leap into this wild animal collective, this untamed beast hoard, this musical voyage taking control of my mind and soul. My Girls have arrived and they feel like taking me on a trip. At the end, they tell me, I will be at least 50% better than a frog in a pond. I agree to join them, and I can now tell you, no need to pack for this as they have everything you need. This album has saved me on this flu ridden day, and I am sure can save many more purple people eaters if called upon. The ease with which it sways me side-to-side, then throws me down the rabbit hole into the world unknown yet doesn't allow me to hit the ground, protecting me from the unknowns harshness.

What a trip this has been. Thank you.

Now, a moon and sun later and this young admiral is in the need of letting peeps know about it, so I hope your trip to visit me has yielded dividends and allowed you to trek deep inside the flu ridden mind of a music loving child. Speaking of music lovers, should I not mention our lovely new Judge, Mia Mcleod? With such a claim to fame as boogie-woogie-rockin it with JK? Dude, you can judge me all you like, actually you could even call me names and I would think you are awesome just for having done that. However, if I ever meet you I will request you show me the moves you taught him, and vice-versa as I think you must have some sweet dancing shoes on you to achieve such a feat! Canned heat perhaps?

Anyways my lovelys this birds gotta fly, and also has to listen to some sweet sweet music. I know it is only a shortie tonight, but some short stories are my favourite, just look at what happened with Where The Wild Things Are. Later rabbit head wearing, bicycle riding, red-riding-hood loving awesome peepety peeps. Yeow!

Weekend shinanigans! Pt 2.

Break-dancing killed this lil ol radio star, yeow!

So like a kid hungry for cartoons on Saturday morning, yearning for mums pancakes, pleading to have friends stay over after baseball and hungry hungry hungry to ensure his weekend is absolutely filled to the brim with activity, so too do you yearn for the second instalment. NEVER FEAR. I hear your cries, and feel your tears fall upon my paper. Here is the second instalment of the weekend that was, the weekend that bore fruit to such events as row-dogs uncles combie stalling on the bend, my bro putting on The final Scenario of 09 and the anticipated return of the irreplaceable Jess to the shores of Australia. “Perfect timing” I say, “you can come to The Scenario at Melt and get your b-to-the-oogie-woogie on! YEOW!!!”

Friday, 4-12-09. As I exit the combie which has stalled and spluttered its way to the Cross and parked right outside the entrance to Melt, Row-dog and I look at each other, smile and get ready for what we know will be a killer of a dessert treat after the Boy and Bear gig we just witnessed. The funked up Boom Box at the entrance lets me know I am here and ensures I am ready to witness some of the finest Hip-Hop talent in Sydney. Greeted with man-hugs from my brothers and the usual crew including Bravo, Sandy-scand-hole and el-capitan-Phil, followed by a kiss or two (Awww schmucks) from a couple’o’girlies I know, I am welcomed by the realisation that tonight isn’t just the usual Scenario crew, tonight is Battle Night... Time to watch some full on radical, flippin crazy, unmentionable and unimaginable movements by some fine fine talent on the dance floor and cast my vote by cheering and going bananas for those who I think deserve to win. Tonight, I am told we have been blessed with a guest appearance by two representatives from The Vagabonds, 2006 B.O.T.Y Winners. With Bboy Abd-L and Bboy Mounir in attendance this night was shaping up to just get better and better, and dude... These guys can dance. Check out some of their videos but I am pleased to say they didn't just walk in and destroy the guys who show up week in and week out, the faced some stiff competition and eventually made it to the final where the faced the winners of The Scenario's last battle night, and the final heated up to the last round and the Vagabond boys just threw everything at it and came out on top with some of the sweetest moves I have ever seen. Even if Hip-Hop is not your bag, briefcase or even shopping trolley you have to agree that to be able to manipulate your body in the way and with the ease with which they do so is ridiculously amazing! If you are interested The Scenario will be back first Friday of February so hit me up with an email and I will get you some info. Blam!

Now while conducting a bit of research, I had the thought, why not try and find out a little bit more about my judges and how they may be able to help. After all, they are deciding who wins this thing, and they are gods in their own right. So I started with Kate Vale (Hi Kate! just in case I do receive the pleasure of you reading this). And upon searching google I found a page which had an interview with Kate, and while reading this I realised she started her career (after an initial stint in HR at a Law Firm) at TMP Worldwide.... Wow Kate... I think you have to hire me as this is where my career started... YAY!!!! So I kept looking at some more and I realised Kate, as el-numero-uno in the digital world at Google as far as Youtube goes, I realised her personal mantra is “TEST TEST TEST! Make sure you test different creatives – different ad creatives can represent a four-to-five-times difference in your click-through and post-click conversion rates. As with keywords, the only way to know is to experiment. Do you want ads with catchy slogans, or ones providing “just the facts” of your product and price? It depends on the industry and the product. Test numerous creative approaches, and track results.” Now I thought about this and realised it is very relevant to this competition. We need to be trying different things, gauge results based on comments/profile views etc and then make changes dependant on what it seems people want to read about/watch/look at and this will enable us to win this competition. I think if people are really trying they will be replying to messages, they will be genuinely interested in other entrants not only on a competitive level but also as a music lover and as someone who values the opinion of others. Honestly, I hope it helps me win this competition but if someone uses this awesome info to beat me, well I can't complain as it would be a job well done.

Anyway my lovely coco-pop munchin kiddles, that is it for now. I will update this post with video content of the Scenario battles as soon as I get it off my flippin busted phone, so until next time, “You Stay Classy San-Diego”... YEOW!

Clickety clickety like bones on a notebook

Some things have such a distinct sound you could pick it out of the busiest street-noise soundtrack ever created, yet others just whisper past your ears and only the ears that truly seek it will find the source in the messy crowds. That’s source, as in where the sound is coming from, not sauce like tomato, BBQ, hollandaise or any other form of relish for that matter. However this being said, when your ear does pick up that source and can track it, this is an opportunity one should relish and endeavour to hold on to like a good meal with a delicious sauce.

ANYWAY!!! What I am trying to get to is some music that has been following me around the last couple of months. It has sweet undertones and it’s harmonious beauty was delicate and hard to track through the deep dark musical forest. I was however informed by our good friends trip-trip-jiggety (triple J), that the sounds I seek are indeed that of Dead Man’s Bones. As I was writing this I actually stumbled across another blog discussing these guys, and though I do not wish to copy, I feel as this site is dedicated to blogging I should not hold back in writing about that which inspires me, so Lee52, I am sorry, but I am just going to mention them quickly not go into too much deets about it as you covered them beautifully. You should all check out her amazing writing/videos also, I am jealous of her abilities and she is really good at this stuff http://www.myworldtour.com.au/member/default.aspx?mid=25440

So as I was saying these guys are awesome! They are doing a bit of what seems to be the in thing at the moment, which is using kids choirs to add texture to their tracks, but I think it is well executed and works well with their overall style. I think a personal favourite would have to be Name In Stone, awesome!

And perhaps My Bodys A Zombie For You

Anyways, as Lee52 discussed and described these guys so beautifully I will not go too far into this but I do do do really really really enjoy their music and style!

Now tomorrow I am hoping to hook you kids up with a nice review and hopefully some new pics as I am going to the final gig for “The Slightly Mexican Tour” from local Sydney artists Boy and Bear. This is the last show and if anyone is keen on going along you will also be able to see Paper Scissores and The Boat People. It’s at the Stag in Leichardt and should be a cracker. If you wanna check em out I mentioned them in an earlier blog or you can see them at http://www.myspace.com/boyandbearmusic

That’s it for now, now go check on your pancakes, they could be burning. Looks like you fogot to feed the cat too and Uh Oh! I think I smell off milk... YEOW!

Funky like a duck

Good afternoon/evening/morning/afternoon again, dependent on when you are reading this. I hope all is well in your respective worlds and you are ready for yet another installment of Mind Music and Me, YEOW!

Jelly legs and throat of a sick bird. Thudding head and echoes of "my shout" still going around and around in my head. Monday's have become something more like a bad dream than reality as the sun is not welcome on my face and the sound of speech seems almost too much to bare. Rargh Rargh the bear grumbles and is ready for the meal so far avoided. Inspired by kitchen dude.

Can I just start by congratulating Boy and Bear (See first Blog) on their recent news, winning the Triple J unearthed competition to play with the likes of Powderfinger and SIA at the upcoming Homebake festival! Nice one lads. I am sure this opportunity as well as the upcoming Slightly Mexican tour http://tiny.cc/Uj9GP will be the ripe reward for all the hard work. YEOW!

Also, sorry all for the delay in producing this post. The weekend may have been filled to the absolute brim so very little time was spent on el-computer-io. However I have some sweet as tunes and some even sweeter candy to share with you all so listen up and get your musical taste-buds tingling cause this is about to get tasty.

So a good friend of mine from Norway introduced me to a musician a couple of years back called Erlend Oye and I remember straight away saying this is awesome, however for a little while I totally forgot about him. That was until I heard the new project, The Whitest Boy Alive. As soon as I heard a track of the new album Rules, I had to get back on the wagon and listen to as much as I could! So so so good. Totally love the singers style and the electronic feel is nice and relaxing but not put-you-to-sleep-style. Check it http://tiny.cc/KyU9X

Also, while I was listening to some of their stuff, Youtube suggested I listen to this track http://tiny.cc/XIQYB it is only short but for some reason I listened to it probably five or six times, love it! I don't know anymore about this song other than I enjoyed it so I hope you do too.

Now, an artist that has somehow not had a mention throughout my posts to this date but has been on constant rotation on my walkman/discman/ipod since I got my first in 1999, is Mos Def. No idea how he has not been mentioned as of yet as he is one of my absolute favourites. Black on Both Sides released in 1999 is still one of my most played albums and his singing ability during choruses is something I have come to love. Something you do not hear every MC touching on, and just another element he adds to his tracks. His latest single to hit the aussie charts is is a collaboration with Slick Rick, and as my brother will attest I have been absolutely obsessed with this track for months now! http://tiny.cc/hV4nG Madlib's presence is notable as soon as the track kicks off and no one need question either Mos or Slicks MC-ability. The three collaborate so smoothly and Slick Rick's unique style is just as fresh as the first time I heard his voice. Love it.

If you need any more persuading or just want to hear a couple of little snippets of Mos and his abilities check out these videos of him freestylin against close friend Kanye West http://tiny.cc/pSURM http://tiny.cc/ZEPYw

Okelie so that is another super awesome blog diggety done, and I hope you all appreciated it. If not I am sorry but the only way I know to fix it is if you tell me,so access my twitter account as above if need be. Always happy to hear feedback, tips, opinions or even suggestions for topics. But, for now, I'LL GET YOU NEXT TIME CAPTAIN PLANET! Jeni's out.

Yeow!