Tuesday Covers 14/06/2011

 

To say it’s been awhile since my last covers post is something of an understatement. But I’ll make it up to you. I promise.

The only Splendor Sideshow I’m going to this year will be Pulp. And there’s a 99% chance I’ll turn into a screaming fangirl at the mere sight of Jarvis Cocker. Seeing it’s the first time the band have come to Australia is almost 15 years, I thought I’d share a Nick Cave cover. It’s a little bit sleazy and a whole lot of amazing.

Nick Cave- Disco 2000 (Pulp cover).mp3

How good is the new Bon Iver album? Not that you need to me to tell you, because no doubt you’ve already heard it and swooned to your heart’s content. He’s also released some damn good covers over the years, including a version of Vashti Bunyan’s Train Song, which Feist and Ben Gibbard covered for Dark Was The Night. but really, I just have a soft spot for indie musicians who like cats.

Bon Iver-Train Song (Vashti Bunyan Cover).mp3

New Bon Iver track

The words ‘long awaited’ don’t even come close to describing the upcoming release of Bon Iver’s second album, which is due to be released on 20 June. Since he released For Emma, Forever Ago, which was famously recorded in a log cabin, he’s toured the world, released a Volcano Choir album and an EP and has featured on Kanye West’s My Dark Beautiful Twisted Fantasy. Despite all this, it will be the first time fans have heard a new  Bon Iver album in quite some time and all signs point to it being amazing.

The first track to be released from the album is Calgary. It’s been compared to Coldplay because of its bigger production and atmospheric synths, but don’t let that put you off. Justin Vernon’s falsetto is just as effective and the build up towards the end is nothing short of brilliant. You’ll soon find yourself hitting the repeat button.Multiple times.

You can download the mp3 here.

Hunz remixes Scott Spark

Most people associate remixes with the kind music you hear blaring out of cars at 3am. While that’s often a case, sometimes a remix comes along and adds a new dimension to an already great song.

The latest one to come around is Hunz’s remix of Scott Spark’s track What Is In a World which replaces the keys with synths and is very chilled.

When I saw Scott live the other week he mentioned there would be more remixes like this one and there’s also a remix by The Sweats up on his bandcamp page. A singer-songwriter you can dance to?  Awesome.

Tuesday Covers 7/12/10

It’s about time I started this covers thing again.

The Antlers recorded a cover of The Xx’s VCR quite a while ago, and like everything else they’ve recorded, it’s a tad depressing, but strangely addictive. Sometimes I seriously wonder about Peter Silberman’s mental health.

The Antlers- VCR (The Xx Cover).mp3

A few years ago a Finn Brothers tribute album She Will Have Her Way featured cover songs from female artists. Now a follow-up compilation, He Will Have His Way gives the blokes a go at covering New Zealand’s finest exports. While most of the album is a bit hit and miss, which is to be expected from this kind of thing, Boy and Bear’s cover of Fall At Your Feet is everything a cover should be. It retains the spirit of the original while distinctly being a Boy and Bear Song. If you haven’t heard it yet, it’s a must listen.

Boy and Bear Fall At Your Feet (Crowded House Cover).mp3

 

Have You Heard: Carus

Carus Thompson’s music falls into that awkward gap between folk and country. His music doesn’t sound like it comes from Nashville yet he has too much swagger to fit in with the current crop of folk artists filling the airwaves. He hasn’t been played on Triple J or won a Golden Guitar but he has a very loyal following and is one of the greatest hidden gems in Australian music.

He plays both solo and with his band The True Believers and has released a number of albums, including Three Boxes which is a must-hear for any folk music fan. His songs range from the joys of erm… spare room horticulture (Grow To Overthrow) to the heartbreaking loss of a friend (Thrown) with the odd political song thrown in for good measure.

However it’s his live shows that are truly something else. He seems to have an ability to read the crowd and tailor the gig accordingly. Oh, and he has this habit of playing on a milk crate in the middle of the crowd:

He will be playing some Christmas shows next month and I highly recommend you come along.

December 1: Grace Emily, Adelaide

December 9: Northcote Social Club, Melbourne

December 29: Lost Lakes Winery, WA

January 1: Southbound Festival, WA

January 2: Fremantle Arts Centre

Carus and The True Believers- This Time.mp3

http://carusthompson.com/

The Decemberists Annouce New Album

For many Decemberists fans, last year’s The Hazards of Love was a bit of a disappointment. Colin Meloy and co have always been a bit theatrical but the fairy-tale concept album took to the extreme. It’s a relief then, to hear that their recently announced follow-up The King is Dead will be much more restrained, featuring guest stars such as Gillian Welch and Peter Buck for 10 Americana influenced tracks. The album will be released on the 18th of January 2011 however the first single, Down By The Water has already been released and it is definitely a return to form.

The album’s tracklist is:

01 “Don’t Carry It All”
02 “Calamity Song”
03 “Rise To Me”
04 “Rox In The Box”
05 “January Hymn”
06 “Down By The Water”
07 “All Arise!”
08 “June Hymn”
09 “This Is Why We Fight”
10 “Dear Avery”

The Decemberists- Down By The Water.mp3

Scott Spark Covers New Buffalo

Scott Spark is one of my favourite artists at the moment. Despite the glut of male singer-songwriters in this country, he manages to stand out and his debut album Fail Like you Mean It is quirky, honest and rediculously catchy.

He has finally recorded his version of New Buffalo’s I’m The Drunk and You’re the Star, which he has been playing live for the last little while. Although it isn’t drastically different from the orginal, it’s still a fanstastic listen and if you’re yet to hear any of Scott Spark’s music, I recommend you give a listen and then quickly rush out and buy his album.

Scott Spark- I’m the Drunk and You’re the Star.mp3

Philidelphia Grand Jury Save Our Town

Philadelphia Grand Jury are back!

Not that they ever really disappeared. They’ve been spending the last six months in England recording, gigging and being generally awesome. They’ve released an excellent new single Save Our Town which in true Philly Jay’s style, is upbeat, fun and catchier than herpes.

They’ve also announced an Australian tour for November and December.

THU 4 NOV – Republic Bar, HOBART

FRI 5 NOV – Hotel New York, LAUNCESTON

SAT 6 NOV – Corner Hotel, MELBOURNE

THU 11 NOV – Hotel Gearin, BLUE MOUNTAINS

FRI 12 NOV – Cambridge Hotel, NEWCASTLE

SAT 13 NOV – Metro Theatre, SYDNEY (ALL AGES)

THU 18 NOV – Beach Hotel, BYRON BAY

FRI 19 NOV – Hi Fi, BRISBANE

SAT 20 NOV – Full Noise, TOWNSVILLE (PGJ ONLY)

THU 25 NOV – Beachcomber Hotel, CENTRAL COAST

FRI 26 NOV – ANU Bar, CANBERRA

SAT 27 NOV – Newton’s Nation, BATHURST (PGJ ONLY)

SUN 28 NOV – Fitzroy Hotel, WINDSOR

WED 1 DEC – High Road, RIVERTON

THUR 2 DEC – Prince Of Wales, BUNBURY

FRI 3 DEC – Capitol, PERTH

SAT 4 DEC – Settlers, MARGARET RIVER

SUN 5 DEC – Newport Hotel, FREMANTLE

WED 8 DEC – Level One, GEELONG

THU 9 DEC – Karove Lounge, BALLARAT

FRI 10 DEC – The Gov, ADELAIDE

SAT 11 DEC – Sandbar, MILDURA

THU 16 DEC – Caringbah Bizzos, CARINGBAH

FRI 17 DEC – Mona Vale Hotel, MONA VALE

SAT 18 DEC – Grand Hotel, WOLLONGONG

FRI 31 DEC – Pyramid Rock Festival, PHILLIP ISLAND (PGJ ONLY)

Philadelphia Grand Jury- Save Our Town.mp3

Matt Walters would die for you

Matt Walters is a Melbourne singer-songwriter who has been busy working on his debut album, which is expected to be out early next year. Luckily for us impatient folks he is releasing an EP titled Talking In My Sleep on September 3rd.

The first single Die For You is a gorgeous six-minute slice of folk, featuring vocals from none other than current Megan Washington. Both delicate and vulnerable, it’s a must-listen for fans of Damien Rice and Angus and Julia Stone and will certainly make you swoon.

He’s playing a show on the 25th of August at the Workers Club in Melbourne which I highly recommend you go to if you’re allowed out on a school night.

Matt Walters ft. Washington Die For You.mp3

www.myspace.com/mattwaltersmusic

Tuesday Covers 11/05/10

There are very few bands that can cover The Smiths successfully. They are one of those bands that almost everyone over the age of 14 has loved at some point or another and I have a feeling that in 50 years time miserable teenagers will still be scribbling their lyrics on their school diaries (although Generation Z has Bieber fever so maybe not). It is because of this attachment that very few bands can cover them without failing miserably. Hell, even Radiohead seemed to struggle a little when they covered The Headmaster Ritual. And don’t even get me started on Death Cab For Cutie butchering the lyrics to This Charming Man.

There is one Smiths cover that I actually like. It’s the Lucksmith’s version of There Is A Light That Never Goes Out. Instead of imitation Morissey they turn the song into quite a sweet duet.

The Lucksmiths-There is a Light That Never Goes Out.mp3

As far as most people are concerned Iceland has two things: a unpronouncable, angry volcano and Sigur Ros. Which is more than enough for me to want to go there for my next holiday.

As most of you probably know Sigur Ros’s frontman Jonsi has released a solo album called Go. While it’s a good album hearing him sing in English takes some getting used to and takes away some of the mystery of Sigur Ros, not that they’re a lyrics band by any means.

He’s done a cover of MGMT’s Time To Pretend and it’s pretty good. It’s worth listening to just for his pronunciation of the word “vomit.”

Jonsi- Time to Pretend.mp3