Pop Fix: AlunaGeorge

AlunaGeorge

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"Little grey fairy tales
And little white lies
Everything you exhale is attracting flies

And you can go off the rails
And you can cry your eyes out
But everything you exhale is attracting flies"

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Uber cool English electronic duo AlunaGeorge, comprised of vocalist Aluna Francis and producer George Reid, casually entered the UK charts and airwaves last year and are now becoming regulars on stations across Australia.  Cheeky lyrics and a unique 90s RnB inspired sound has AlunaGeorge grabbing attention of lovers of pop, soul, house and rnb genres alike.

Collaborating with UK House DJs Disclosure for the smash hit "White Noise," saw AlunaGeorge make their mark on the musical map, and with their follow up single "You Know You Like It," the duo are working to truly cement their unique and funky sound.

Their debut album "Body Music" was released here in Australia July 26th, 2013 and has been lapped up by Aussie fans, currently holding a 4.5 star rating on itunes.  Reviews are so far positive and full of high praise for the duo, however many critics interested to see how AlunaGeorge will be received in the long term and if their music and sound will resonate with listeners over time.

"The entire album is sexy and strange and sugary all at once. That these songs were recorded over the course of a couple years (straddling a major-label deal) and still maintain total fluidity throughout speaks to the strength and maturity of the duo’s initial formula." - Pitchfork, 2013

AlunaGeorge will be coming to Australia very soon, along with collaborator Disclosure, for Listen Out Festival which will be taking place across the country throughout late September and early October.  When asked what fans can expect at a live show AlunaGeorge responded, "A louder, slightly more acoustic version of our songs. We try and keep as close as possible to the original recordings. We’ve got a live bass player, a live hybrid kit, live keys. It has some softer moments here and there."  But with Disclosure also on tour, who know - perhaps a joint onstage performance can be expected?

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Read the full interview with AlunaGeorge in anticipation of their Australian tour at the AUReview.com.  Find AlunaGeorge on Facebook and Twitter. 

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Daft Punk - Random Access Memories

French musicians Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter

"Loaded with guest starts and dazzling hooks, Random Access Memories is the long-anticipated return of Daft Punk. For their latest album, the French duo calls of a list of collaborators that's every bit as unexpected as the music itself, including legendary Italian electro producer Giorgio Moroder, vocalist/producer Pharrell Williams and Singer Julian Casablancas of The Strokes."

So, that's what the description on iTunes tells us, but have you heard the new Daft Punk album?

The album 'leaked' online earlier this week, and sure enough shortly after the album was available for streaming online across the globe whilst the duo launched their album at a celebrity filled shindig at The Shard right here in London Town.

Random Access Memories Track listing:

1. Give Life Back to Music feat. Nile Rodgers
2. The Game of Love
3. Giorgio by Moroder feat. Giorgio Moroder
4. Within feat. Chilly Gonzales
5. Instant Crush feat. Julian Casablancas
6. Lose Yourself to Dance feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers
7. Touch feat. Paul Williams
8. Get Lucky feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers
9. Beyond
10. Motherhood
11. Fragments of Time feat. Todd Edwards
12. Doin’ It Right feat. Panda Bear
13. Contact feat. DJ Falcon

And what did we all think of the music?  Well it's safe to say a fair few million of us were blown away.  Reminding us exactly why they are so awesome, Daft Punk's house music roots are evident throughout the track, with tracks injected with enough disco and funk to keep your body groovin' into the wee hours of the morning. (yes - "groovin")

Give Life Back to Music Feat Nile Rodgers - The song that featured on the Random Access Memories  teaser trailer - is almostly ridiculously epic but the build up is warranted being that is has been 8 years since the duo's last studio album. 

The Game of Love, the second track on the album is slow, passionate and deep but stays true to the signature sounds of Daft Punk.  Classic disco drum kit dance beats take you to a dark room where music is being played live and drinks are served on the rocks.  So many of these songs transport you to another place and time - Random Access Memories perfect mix of classic and modern music.  Timeless.

Daft Punk - Coachella - 2013

By now we've all heard the smash hit Get Lucky ft. Pharrell Williams and the funky riffs have a presence throughout almost all the tracks on the album.  Vocals aren't constant throughout the album, but even without the lyrical elements and even without the monoluges it is as if a story is being told through the entire album, and as well as individual songs.  Touch in particular takes you right back to another time. It's romantic and beautiful.

Giorgio's monoluge is gorgeous though, inspirational and passionate. He speaks of disco techs and the desire to create music with the sounds of 50s, 60s,  70s and the sound of the future.  Enter the syntheniser -  the sound of the future, the sound of Daft Punk.

STAND OUT TRACKS? Runners up to Get Lucky include Lose Yourself To Dance and Doin' it Right.  Clearly the best tracks on the album.*

There are so many good tracks on this album - keep an eye and an ear out for remixes which no doubt will be hot on the heels of the album release, happening 17th May 2013.

Can't wait till then? stream the album here

Also, check out interviews with all the collaborators on Random Access Memories
at www.randomaccessmemories.com

*according to Zach Camilleri.

UK Music Fix: Bastille

For those left wondering whatever happened to good, original pop music - i give you Bastille.  With an indie - rock vibe, Bastille's catchy and heartwarming songs have allowed them to break into the commercial market both within the UK and internationally 

The English band Bastille seem to have appeared out of no where, suddenly filling airways of multiple commercial radio stations and even having a remix featured on Adelaide's Dance Music Station Fresh 92.7 FM. After hearing and enjoying their track "Pompeii" i felt compelled to download this track, as well as see what other tracks may be available by the band.  Upon doing this i was able to read numerous reviews of their breakthrough single. One fan expressed that the song was so beautiful that it had brought her (or him) to tears.  Listening to more music by the band Bastille,  I would personally still describe their music as pop, but by no means should this leave a bitter taste in the mouth.  It's refreshing, it's unique and it is hands down good music. 

Bastille was initially a solo concept created by the crazy haired Dan Smith, who later turned Bastille into a band, joined by Chris 'Woody' Wood, Kyle Simmons and Will Farquarson.  Since working hard throughout 2011 and 2012, February 2013 saw the track "Pompeii" shoot up the UK charts to no 2., reaching no. 1 in Scotland. 

I am willing to argue that Bastille's popularity is attributed to more than just their catchy melodies, after all, if catchy melodies all that defined good music, some might say that Pitbull and Christina Aguilera sampling Aha's Take On Me was actually a good thing. (they would be wrong.)  With Bastille, there is meaning behind the lyrics, and a passion behind the vocals that can often be forgotten or overlooked.  It would be intriguing to see how Bastille's emotive performance on record translate in a live environment.   The harmonies and rhythms created by Bastille are reminiscent of Mumford and Sons and comparisons with The Fray and The Script could be made - it will certainly be interesting to see how Bastille's music and image develops with future records.

With Pompeii as a reference, other songs on the album are certainly fruit of the same tree.  Bastille have their sound defined and have managed to display creativity and variety within that scope. 

The band's next release will be "Laura Palmer" - a very similar track to "Pompeii".  Listening to the entire album is encouraged to get a more holistic Bastille experience.

Key tracks on Bastille's "Bad Blood" Album?  As well as their smash hit "Pompeii", check out "Flaws" and "Things We Lost in the Fire." 

Find Bastille on Facebook / Follow Bastille on Twitter

Artist Profile: HAIM

Haim; a new kind of girl group.

Out of Los Angeles, California comes a new kind of girl group: HAIM.  Their sound has been described as "Nu-folk-meets-90s-RnB" and their songs have the attention of hipsters everywhere. 

When you first hear all girl group HAIM you may think you're hearing something old for the first time. That's at least how I felt the first time I heard their track "Forever."  With funky guitar riffs and melodies I was convinced this was a song from the late 80s/ early 90s or at least belonged on the Pretty Woman soundtrack.  Some would say Haim's sound is reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac.  Although the music sounds from another era the songs themselves are fresh and exciting.

Vocal harmonies are frequent in Haim music - raw sounds seem to be their forte, and they have this  mastered; and you may expect as much after 6 years of being together prior to releasing music in 2012.   The girls in Haim however have known each other much longer than that.  The band consists of sisters Danielle, Alana and Este Haim, as well as Dash Hutton, the group's drummer.

It's obvious the girls are a little bit cheeky, like to have a bit of fun and are wildly passionate for music.  Touring with Julian Casablancas (of The Strokes), Danielle has had extensive experience in the industry, also having played with Cee-Lo Green.  As a group, their quirky style has had them supporting everyone from the likes of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros right through to pop sensation Ke$ha.

The contemporary pop beats created by Haim are addictive, and now managed by Jay-Z's label ROC NATION there's no doubt it is only a matter of time before Haim break the mainstream market.  In fact earlier this year BBC announced that Haim was number one of the music industry poll to find 'the most promising new musical act for the coming year'.

On April 1, Haim's latest EP will be released on itunes - the feature track, sharing the title of the EP, "Forever" is already available and currently playing on Australian airwaves.

Find HAIM on Facebook or Twitter

www.facebook.com/haimtheband

www.twitter.com/haimtheband

QandA with...Full Tote Odds

Full Tote Odds

Adelaide has become synonymous with the genre of music known as "Aussie Hip Hop," since the Hilltop Hoods made it big on the commercial scene with their hit single "Nose Bleed Section" (2003.) 

Since then, more hip hop artists have come to surface and the genre has been prolific; now a common feature on music festival line ups, and with sharp lyrics and catchy beats, are often the soundtrack to summer for Australian youths every where.

Now, a new group from the Adelaide Hills are making their own impact on the music scene. The four piece group, "Full Tote Odds" are regulars on radio stations both local and national and are showing no signs of slowing down any time soon. With the launch of their album "Place Your Bets" happening in a number of days, Levelheaded, Slats, Eslev, Ross Read and DJ Hacksaw took some time out to talk about their craft.

RTM: How did  Levelheaded, Slats, Eslev, Ross Read and DJ Hacksaw all get together to create Full Tote Odds?

FTO: Levelheaded, Slats and Hacksaw started Train Of Thought in 2000. They released a Demo in 02 and a full length LP Moving Heads in 04. Eslev and Mix Zagger joined in 09 and FTO was born.

RTM: Is there a story behind the groups name?

FTO: It's mainly about taking a gamble in music. We have invested a lot of time (10 years) and money into this art and we just hope it pays off... Kinda like gambling.

RTM: Aussie Hip Hop has blown up in the last decade.  What do you think it takes to stand out as an aussie hip hop artist?

FTO: Production quality. A lot of solid MC's aren't getting the recognition they deserve because their music is not at the level it needs to be to compete on the national stage.

RTM: How would you describe Full Tote Odds' sound?

FTO: Soulful, funky Hip Hop with a twist of boom bap.

RTM: Do Full Tote Odds' follow any formulas when coming up with new tracks?

FTO: Not really, every track is so different, they all come together randomly. The only formula is to continue working on a track until we love it. 

RTM: To someone who had never heard of 'aussie' hip hop, what would you say is its' core? How would you define it?

FTO: The core is truth. You need to be honest and tell it how it is...

RTM: What are the boys from Full Tote Odds' most looking forward to with the release of 'Place Your Bets'?

FTO: Getting out on tour.

RTM: Full Tote Odds are scheduled to tour early 2013 - what can people expect from your live shows?

FTO: Expect a big sound. We have 3 mcs, 2 singers, a DJ and a sound engineer ready to blow the speakers. We are headlining schoolies festival on the 18th and playing Hombake festival on the 8th December, followed by a full national tour in Feb/March 2013.

RTM: Where do you hope to see FTO at this time next year?

FTO: Touring extensively and punching out a new album.

Full Tote Odds are:

Levelheaded

Slats

Eslev

Ross Read

and DJ Hacksaw

Connect with Full Tote Odds on Facebook, Twitter and Triple J Unearthed

Gig Review: Hey Geronimo

Hey Geronimo

Saturday October 6th

Jive, Adelaide

While outside the streets were teaming with the living dead, last Saturday Nat and I headed to Jive to see one of the band's I have been dying to see since first getting their hit "Why don't we do something?" in my head - Hey Geronimo.

Back in June, Hey Geronimo were the first band to Q and A with RTM and I'd asked the guys exactly what people should expect from one of their live shows.

"You can expect us to put on a high-energy, fun show. We're still learning our craft, but we want everybody to have a good time. Have a few drinks and bring your dancing shoes!"

Well, we certainly did bring our dancing shoes and we were not disappointed.  The band and their support acts, (including a super-cute Adelaide outfit called "Hurricanes," who were performing their first ever gig, - kudos guys!) definitely deserved a larger audience, but this didn't phase Hey Geronimo at all - or if it did you couldn't tell.  Opening with Carbon Affair, Hey Geronimo performed as if they were playing to a full house, each member more full of beans than the next.  

Highlights included a surprise cover of the Talking Heads classic, "Burning Down the House,"  giving Tom Jones and The Cardigans a run for their money - this performance was funky as, and the guys nailed it.  After the show when asked separately, the fellas from Hey Geronimo all said the same thing - that they'd had fun; and this was so evident when watching the band perform on stage.  The onstage chemistry between each of the members let's you know that these guys are going to be around for a while and their EP (available now) is only a small taste of the great great things to come from this Brisbane act.  The chemistry was not just displayed in the on stage interaction but also musically with powerful harmonies both vocally and instrumentally - Hey Geronimo are certainly talented musicians.  

While the band head to QLD for their last two shows, which I strongly encourage you to get along too if you can, - I for one can not wait to see these guys at a festival in 2013 or on their next tour.  

Nat with Ross from Hey Geronimo

Ran with Andrew from Hey Geronimo

You can follow Ran, Nat and Hey Geronimo on twitter, or find them on Facebook

Alt-J (∆): An Awesome Wave.

Dreamy melodies, buzzing harmonies and heavy guitar riffs. Poetic lyrics and piano chords, ambient noise and that feeling in your chest from the bass, when you play it nice and loud.

Alt J's debut album "An Awesome Wave"
is on sale now.

Oh, and that voice.

Alt-J gives it to you hard. Their debut album, An Awesome Wave, is undeniably addictive – it’s the noticeable cool and frenetic, yet relaxed, energy of the album that does it to you.

The first release, Breezeblocks, lyrically punches you in the heart. It grabs at you and demands you feel it too. And you do. There’s no wonder they chose this as the virgin release. It’s a mix of everything this album is about.

Alt J (∆)'s debut single - Breezeblocks

Something Good takes you on a little wander through highs and lows. Twinkling notes leading you from verse to bridge to chorus and back again. It’s happily mellow. The interludes (there are three) help weave the story of an album laden with clever, tight, expressiveness – with or without words. Song after song, a stimulating, vivid picture is painted of whatever you need it to.

Fitzpleasure is a little heavier, a little more rock, and a little bit sexy. It’s littered with dirty crooning harmonies, building to an unmistakable climax of rhythm and motion. It drags you in. Before you know it, you’re pulling right into the perfect barrel of an awesome wave.

Paddle your heart out and get on it.






Follow Nat Brunoli on Twitter

Alt J (∆) are

Gwil - guitar/vocals 

Joe Newman - guitar/vocals

Gus Unger-Hamilton - keyboards 

Thom Green - drums

http://www.altjband.com