MATTadors's Top 12 of 2012!

2012,  it's been pretty epic in the world of new music and I'm about to give you my top 12 of 2012 but before I do I need to send out a massive, massive thank you to every one who has taken the time to read my blog and support my FB page.  Lets just hope 2013 can stand up to the tall expectations set by the past 12 months.

Here we go in no particular order, (click the link for a direct link to the song) Peace!

12 - Chet Faker - "I'm Into You"   I'm starting here and setting the bar extremely high, this man is a genuine troubadour who swooned and seduced his way into my heart with this beautiful song. Expect massive massive things to come from this guy, after all before 2012 he was widely unknown!

11 -  Ball Park Music - "Coming Down" This Brisbane outfit just keeps on producing, 2nd album in 18 months and the quality just keeps on improving.  Harmony oozes from their bones and spills all over this track - love it - well done to my home town band!

10 - The XX - "Chained" From one of my favourite albums of 2012 picking just one song was the hardest part.  Beautiful Lyrics and simply stunning sounds define the XX, dreamy and discreetly powerful - lock this into the list.

9 - The Bamboos - "I Got Burned" Coming straight at ya with the bluesy funk that only Tim Rogers could deliver, the bamboos could not have chosen a better guest to perform this song.  The longer the year went the more and more I played this song.  Old school groove with a 2012 twist - sweet sweet vibes!

8 - The Mystery Jets - "Someone Purer" I fell in love with this track the very second I heard it, vocally it absorbed my attention completely and musically it builds up and up until it erupts like a volcano - I said it at the time via this blog - easily one of my favourite tracks of 2012.

7 Flume - "Holdin On" - This song came from nowhere and held off some serious competition for it's spot (artists like Rudimental), but this unassuming laid back artist from Sydney Australia is world class and deserves everything that comes his way - kudos to you Mr Flume!

6 First Aid Kit - "King of The World" - Everything I love about folk music (and Sweden), Beauty pours from the souls of these two sisters.  Harmonies, acoustic guitars and a lyrical base that drives each and every verse.  Add to that a cameo from Conner Oberst (best known as "Bright Eyes") and the MATTador is a very happy man!

5 Tuka - "Die a Happy Man"  - A fresh change for the Aussie Hip Hop Scene Tuka has produced a cracker of a tune, questioning the simple and complex issues that we deal with every day and what it takes to die a happy man..... simplicity is the key, Jane Tyrrell backs up the tune with angelic interludes, perfect!

4 Frank Ocean - "Lost" - Mr Ocean..... you own the new age R&B, never a favourite genre of mine but converted I am!  This track is dripping with sex appeal and creates an atmosphere of it's own, soft and smooth beats consealed in well constructed lyrics - holds a firm place in my top 12!

3 The Trouble with Templeton - "Six Months in a Cast" - If you told me he was from New York I wouldn't have questioned you, However Sam and his 4 piece band are from my back yard, Brisbane, Australia.  This track has everything, powerful and emotional lyrics, absorbing music progression and an intimate feel that offers the illusion of a one on one performance, get lost in this and enjoy!

2 Jack White - "Love Interruption"  Short and sweet this musical genius has laid a track that blames love for getting in the way of love, slightly confusing yes, but its quality.... unquestioned.  This song came out early in 2012 and has never waivered in my eyes, love this song!

Although this list is in no particular order there is a reason I have left this next track till last....  Triple J's Hottest 100 is the world's largest music poll and as I cast a vote each year for my top "10" I am asked for my Number 1 Track of the year and why - in 2012 this is it...............

1 MS MR - "Hurricane"  With the lyrics "Welcome to the workings of my mind" this song instantly struck a chord with me, from that point on nothing has reviled it for originality.  I love the lyrical content as it stretched my thoughts to places it had been before, but this duo penned it in ways I couldn't have described.  The music is amazing with strong beats and beautiful silences where the voice takes control.  I also loved the the ambience this song created - almost cinema like, Thank you MS MR you win, The Music MATTadors' favourite track of 2012.

Notable omissions -

Rudimental
Macklemore & Ryan Harris
Chance Waters
The Lumineers
The Medics
Hayden Calnan
Alt-J
Cosmo Jarvis
Django Django
The Rubens
Of Monsters and Men
Dirty Projectors
Something for Kate
The Black Keys
Asta

And many many more..........  Take care in the new year and Ill check ya all soon Peace!

Robert DeLong

2012 has been a pretty amazing year for new music but I think that one of the most original artists has been left to top it all off!  Robert Delong, a name that in no time at all will be universally known across every dance party playlist and atop the requet hotline of every radio station game enough to play his tracks!

A Genre jumping mix up of folk inspired lyrics, exotic drum beats and electro house rythems blend up better than your favourate Christmas inspired cocktail. 

This baby faced music visionary has kicked off his journey as a solo artist after saying goodbye to his day job as the drummer in a folk band.  His stage setup will blow your mind, full drum kits, drum pads, laptops, keyboards and wait for it..... a Wii and Sega game controllers that alter the effects via his movement.   This one man seamlessly loops his electro beats, sweet as lyrics and his high energy stage show as good as any four piece band that has come before him!

Meandering around the stage from one piece of equiptement to another he consumes the crowd with the beat while conecting soulfully with the lyric, this kid is something special!

Not for everyone and defiantly not for anyone offended by an expletive or ten but seriously this tune will get stuck in your head and make you want to dance!

The lyrics in this track are thought provoking and intuitive, the complete opposite to the norm when you speak of dance music, take the time to have a read while you listen.  The second vid below is a short piece recorded live which gives you a bit of a teaser to his live performance!  Hope your ready....

Plan B

The artist in this link is a man by the name of  Benjamin Paul Ballance-Drew, otherwise know in musical circles as 'PLAN B'.   An English artist that decided on his  name after initially trying his hand at R&B (as an 18 year old) then later deciding that this was not his thing.  Plan B is one amazing guy that when you sit back and think about exactly what he can do it should truly inspire you all to give something new a go.  When you think of most musicians you would probably assume that they can sing possibly play an instrument or 2 and maybe even write a few songs.  Well....

Check this out for a resume - Singer, Songwriter, Musician (gutair - self taught at 14), Rapper, Poet, author, actor, movie writer, movie producer and as he describes himself a 'Real life storey teller'.
 
This week I have two songs for you - the first was the one that took my attention about 18 months ago it is a live version of a song that came out in 2010 that I really loved, quite honestly I thought it was two totally different people singing until I dug a little deeper.  Performed from 'RAK' studios in London , this is a unique version of his song  "She Said".  

The second is the latest single of his 2012 critically acclaimed album "Ill Manors", once again he uses a broard range of skills with heart and soul singing matched up with some English flavour Rapping.

                        

Flight Facilities

Not a lot is know of this Sydney Duo, they have managed to hide their identities extremely well deep in the abyss that is the eletro-pop underground.

Their initial offerings to the musical world came in the form of mixing tracks for other Australian artists including Bag Raiders and Sneaky Sound System.  They made a name for themselves on the airways with their first release 'Crave You' that featured the beautiful voice of Giselle Rosselli and drew critical acclaim across not only their homeland but the US and Europe alike.

Their latest release 'Clair de Lune' is simply magical, seven minutes long and so perfectly constructed that it will ease you into a false sence of serenity before dropping you by way of the accompanying film clip.  I'm not going to spoil it but whatever you do don't become attached to the outcome as reality has a funny way of letting you know its there at the seven minute mark!

'Clair de Lune' - French for Moonlight but this phrase has as many other meanings as there are guesses as to Flight Facilities true identity - search it and you will discover that this title is somewhat symbolic of the two themselves, elements of simplicity combined perfectly with true mystery and beauty!

It will say no more other than wow, Australian music is not only holding it's own but punching well above it's weight with world class tracks like this - please enjoy...

Tuka

So I'm a bit late but it's gota be Friday somewhere in this wide world of ours right?  I am gunna mix it up a little this week and hit you up with my favourate Aussie Hip Hop track of 2012.

Tuka (pronounced tucker) is one third of the acclaimed crew from NSW, Thundamentals.  After releasing their sucessfull second full length album last July they hit the road, and Tuka (in between gigs) hit the note pad day and night penning his latest release "Feedback loop'.  After an age of hitting the stage and wowing  Australian audiences as a member of Thundamentals, rumpunch and Sketch the Rhyme, his time has come to take the lead.

Tuka has delivered an album that strives to seek out the deepest of his inner thoughts, he gives you his insight into the world and his interpretation of the society in which we live.  The title and lyrical content strewn throughout these songs appealed to me straight away as it asks questions of the listener, either by making bold statements or subtle suggestions,  it not only makes you smile but it makes you think and question your beliefs.   
 
This track is an instant head nodder, "Die a Happy Man" the second release off the album sucks you in with a big band sound and simple but additive beat.  It moves almost unnoticeable through slight piano loops and movie soundtrack sounding interludes before the angelic voice of Lauren Tyrell takes you on a magic carpet ride through the corus.

I'm sure this wont tick the boxes for you all but for anyone ho can appreciate the talents of those that call themselves MC's this one is for you, get ready to bounce!

   

Ball Park Music

Its pretty hard to avoid the barrage of kickass tunes making it's way out of my home town at the moment.  That's right, good old Brisbane town is setting the standard and ever since I voted this band into my hottest 100 last year they have been demanding more and more attention.

This week I want to introduce you all to the indi rock/pop five piece know as "Ball Park Music".  With the release of their debut EP in 2009 these guys have been gathering momentum at a ridiculous pace, right now after their second full length album release in twelve months their future is as bright as any band in this country, seriously I don't see not much standing in their way to the top of the Aussie indi music pedestal.

Thier latest offering 'Museum' is a slightly more serious take on their previous work -  I get the feeling it delves a little deeper into their conscious without taking out the fun element they have made their own.  Thier third release off the new album is a cracker, 'Coming Down' it's a subtle example of the bands slight shift in direction.  It's built around the mesmerising vocal of lead singer Sam Crowmack, it's simple but incredibly effective in drawing you in and feeling the pain that he describes.

Take a listen and more importantly take note of this killa Brisbane outfit, Prediction- this is your new 'Powderfinger' (for anyone overseas reading this do yourself a favour and look them up) this band will be knocking ya socks off for many, many years to come.

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First Aid Kit

I'm willing to bet that there are a handful of you who have already heard of this folk due from Sweden? However, being that their latest release was earlier this year I'm going to draw a long bow and attempt to label it as 'new' music, for this week I hope that you can allow me to indulge.

I had always planned to cover these guys at some stage but the longer time went on the less 'new' I felt they were. It was a song called 'Lion's Roar' that first took me by surprise, a completely honest and beautiful approach to music that in this day and age is almost a forgotten art.

Simplicity is the backbone of folk music, the combination of a heartfelt story, a guitar and a voice that captures the imagination.  The difference between this folk act and most is almost indescribable, it's a touch of musical magic that you very rarely find, a believability that is unquestioned and the ability to force the listeners eyes closed as they deliver a story that is not only being told but has also been lived.

First Aid Kit is the collaboration of Klara and Johanna Söderberg, a sister act that began performing and composing music together in 2007 before a YouTube cover of "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" by Fleet Foxes went viral and ultimately led to them performing the song on stage with the band.  Their vocal harmonies are sublime as their voices complement each others' to perfection.  Put in it's simplest form First Aid Kit have everything that is inherent with all the great folk singers of days past, and being that they have only just begun there are big things in store for them in years to come.

The final straw that lead to this review was the track 'Wolf', the more I hear the more I fall in love.....  Below is two links, the first is the Title track to their 2012 release 'Lions Roar' and the second is their latest release 'Wolf'.  If you've made it this far please leave a comment and visit my facebook page to share your support!

HAIM

Those who know me best would be well aware of my feelings surrounding the 80's music era, lets just say it's not my favourite.  If your a fan of the 80's and The MATTador then don't despair, this week is for you.

'HAIM' (pronounced hime)- a Californian based sister trio (and a male drummer), attribute their musical influences to their parents or as they are affectionately know 'Momma and Papa Haim'.

Information, details, influences and all the other info that comes to the for when a new band hits the scene is like trying to find a guitar pick in a mosh pit, however I am willing to bet my rep on the fact that there will be a flood of press and hype on these girls over the next 12 months.

The sisters Alana (19), Danielle (22) and Esta (24) have it all, the looks the voices and to top it off quality musical skills.  Music played a major part in their upbringing, they played in a family band known as 'Rockinhaim through middle school touring the local fares and charity learning their craft.

More interested in the pop music being played on local radio than their parents folksy band caused the 3 to break loose and form their own band four years ago.  Ever since they have been working hard on forming their own sound and in my humble opinion have done a smashing job of it.

Blending the synthy pop feel of the 80's & 90's, a touch of R&B and the structure of an old rock band HAIM have a sound that is all of their own.  Beautiful voices, guitar and insatiable pop hooks have these sweet Californian girls standing at the top of the new music tree.   

The 4 track EP 'Forever' (their only release to date) is available through iTunes and is definitely worth the coin they are charging.  So put ya leg warmers on and get a bit of HAIM into ya lives!

Of Monsters and Men

So many options this week with lots of Aussie artists to cover but for now, I have to get this O/S artist featured.  Did you ever sit at home and wonder when you would hear of an amazing new kick ass catchy band come out of Iceland? Me either!

Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir (lead singer and songwriter),  started off as an acoustic act know as  'Songbird' (great name), after deciding that her live show needed an extra boost, she went on a recruiting mission where she uncovered (co-singer/guitarist) Ragnar “Raggi” Þórhallsson . The chemistry was magical, and before they knew it they were writing songs together, in 2010 'Of Monsters and Men' had officially formed.

After winning their national Battle-of-the-bands competition know as Musiktilraunir in Iceland the now 6 piece folky pop sensation was born into a whirlwind of hype.  A bidding war ensued for the bands signature that had been dubbed by those 'in the know' as the next 'Arcade Fire'!

These guys not only caught my ear but twisted it to the point where I had to say 'WOW' out loud to myself.  Musically they are 'tight as', acoustic guitar, dream pop keys and solid rhythmical drums tie it all together. They morph in and out of soft and subtle harmonies while at times their big band sounds explode with horns and a plethora of energy!   The combination of the two leading voices match perfectly with lots of back up sound while their vocal harmonies bounce back and forth of each other as well as any other duo.

Their debut album 'My Head is an Animal' was released earlier this year and for those lucky enough to be hitting up one of the 'Laneway' shows across Australia early next year, you will be graced by their presence for the first time on our shores. 

Wrap your ears around this cracker of a track called 'Little Talks'!

couldn't resist the live acoustic version enjoy.....

The Trouble With Templeton

If you are one of the those who has read this blog from it's beginnings then you would have a pretty good idea by now about what music really brings out my passion, if your new to the blog then you have stumbled upon it in a week that has me very excited.

The Trouble With Templeton - if it rings a bell it's probably because you grew up in the nineties and saw an episode of the cult sensation The Twilight Zone, let me introduce you to Brisbane band of the same name (and yes they have confirmed the direct link between the two)!

The Five piece Indi Rock group that was formed around the versatile vocal skill of Thomas Carter has everything it takes to make a name for themselves on the big stage.  Independently, Carter is a guitar playing singer songwriter that can match it with the best, if fact I would put him above and beyond many with much higher credentials.  Combine this immense talent with his relatively new band and you have a sound that is a pleasure to the ears of anyone looking for some sensational new Australian music.

Described by Carter himself as "A headphones  album" the debut release 'Bleeders' is a powerful and bold introduction to the music world.  Intense, chilling and incredibly absorbing, this album floatsseamlessly between sweetly soft vocalsand emotionally driven rawness.

The Trouble With Templeton is gripping, it's a bit acoustic, a bit folky, a bit Indi Rock and rests somewhat perfectly in a big old cloud of melancholy....

This track is called 'Someday Soon', my pick of the album.

The second track is their latest release 'Six months in a cast', a little more upbeat and rocky and yet another cracker of a track! (you can also follow the link below the video to the bands website where you can listen to the entire album).

http://thetroublewithtempleton.com/

Jones jnr.

If you haven't yet been introduced to the amazing weekly segment 'Like A Version' hosted by Australian alternative youth radio station Triple J than do yourself one of the biggest musical flavors of you lifetime and chase it down on YouTube!  Each week an an artist will perform an original track followed by a cover live to air, no seconds takes, just straight up.  Honestly some of these covers are very firmly cemented in my favourate live tracks of all time.


Recently 'Thundamentals' took to the Triple J studios to perform a cover of Matt Corby's brother, Ev Jones was invited by the Hip Hop crew to performs the vocal harmonies on that track that blew all of the listener's away.  Have a listen to this before we go on.....

Now that you have an idea who Ev Jones is, it's time to introduce you all to his latest musical venture 'Jones Jnr'.  Teamed up with Thundamental's 'DJ Morgs' this unlikely duo has ventured into an even more so unlikely genre 'Gospel/soul'.      There is no question, Ev Jones has a voice that would melt the heart of a concrete statue, but combine that with a twist of a subtle beat and you have Jones Jnr!

The tracks are short but oh so sweet, soft harmonies that wouldn't be out of place in the hands of any gospel or soul greats of years gone by.  This is not an album that your going to put on before you cut loose on a night out but as a sound track romance it would have Barry White being pushed to the side of my record collection.

The album is called 'Soultape' and if you were to judge this book by it's cover I reckon you would get it just about spot on, the icing on this sugary little treat is the cost of the album - It's free!

Follow this link to your free down of some very sweet new tunes...
http://jonesjnr.bandcamp.com/album/the-soultape-2

Check out the track 'Do you really feel the way I do'.

Sticky Fingers

After a couple of weeks swimming in the blissful depths of the folky acoustic singer-songwriter pools I felt it may be time to turn it up just a little.

Sticky fingers is an eclectic four piece out of Sydney that could be labeled with as many genres as you can put together in one sentence, indi pop, surf dub, with a hint of soul, funk and reggae would be a start.

These crazy mofo's made their mark at the Woodford Folk Festival over the 2012 new year with a performance that was apparently show stopping.  Independent and hard working these guys are a stable piece of furniture among the pub and back street live music scene's in Sydney.  They and have used all that practice to glue together a sound that is vaguely familiar yet totally original, add to that the mere fact their tunes are as catchy as a cold and you have a combination that works, somehow!

You get the feeling from their appearances they could break up and go their separate ways as quickly as they have come together,  they come across as a grunge band from the early 90's yet the underlying certainty here, while they are together we will see some special things come from their stable.

The track I am featuring has been around for a couple of months and every single time I hear it it grabs me instantly with it's romantic opening vocal before it perfectly morphs into a sweet reggae like rhythm that is unstoppable. 

Caress my Soul is the first release from this awesome new Australian band's debut album due in early 2013, if it is any indication of the rest of the record these guys might need a rather large box when returning from the ARIA's in 2013...

Hayden Calnin

I'm not usually excited by an artist that draws comparisons to others however in this case I'm eating my words.

Big call I know, comparing a young inexperienced kid from Melbourne to an international musical genius such as Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) and one of Australia's biggest names at the moment Matt Corby BUT, before you scoff, have a listen and judge for yourself!

The refreshing and reassuring part of this story is it's individuality.   Hauntingly sparse at times yet  powerfully and emotionally intense, Calnin blends the two extremes of the spectrum seamlessly. 

Lyrically he paints his pictures beautifully and his use of empty air space and all the technology of the day (loops of voice, keys and beats) enables him to create his own pidgeon hole to sit in.

Hayden Calnin is an unassuming kid who's talent that is almost incomprehensibly, for someone so young to understand the use, or even more so the deliberate abandonment of sound is something to behold.

Find a quiet place with some quality speakers then immerse yourself into the blissful space that Hayden Calnin has left for you in his music.  This song is called Summer, perfect for us here in Australia as our spring has just sprung and just long enough still for you all on the other side of the globe to bask a little longer.

Just another exaple of this amazing artists skills.....

Jordie Lane

This week is a little different, while the artist is not new to the industry I think he may be new to most of you.
I am also choosing a song this week that is not technically 'new', it is in fact  a cover, but in saying that I think it will still be a track that you have not yet heard as for some reason it failed to gain any significant airplay.   So here goes nothing, have a read then lend your ears the the beautiful sounds of this wonderful Australian artist.

Jordie Lane is an amazing Australian singer songwriter in his own right with a much celebrated career spanning 3 albums so far.  He pens his songs in a style sometimes compared to Billy Bragg and Bob Dylan, at times almost reverting to spoken word to accompany his range of guitars. 

It was however his voice in full melody that demanded my attention driving home from work late one night.  Within seconds I had my phone out attempting to 'Shazam'  a piece of musical mastery that had graced my ears.

Upon further research I discovered the song was actually a part of a tribute album dedicated to the late Jesse Younan, an Australian artist who in 2008 finished his last album 'Good day for a Migraine' only days before he tragically passed away of acute myeloid leukemia aged only 35.  The album is called 'Take Something Beautiful: The Songs Of Jessie Younan and hosts artists including Jordie Lane, Abbe May and many other Australian musicians.

Jordies' version of 'Swing' is a dead set masterpiece, it takes a few seconds to kick off but when it does you will be told a story through song that will have you enthralled. A heartbreaking tale of the pain addiction can have on ones self, friends and family, beautifully presented with a tender resignation.  Jordie will have your eyes closed and head swaying,  maybe with a tear in your eye if you've been unfortunate  know this pain.....

There is no clip for this song but once again a picture painted in your mind is the best kind, so close your eyes  and take the journey,    Por favor disfrute.....

http://soundcloud.com/takesomethingbeautiful/swing-jordie-lane

Tom Milek

It's artist's just like this guy that give me the inspiration to write this blog and share it with you all every week.  Every now and then I feel like I have the privilege of stumbling onto a piece of gold, a musician that truly excites me and stirs up the emotions that define my love and passion for music.  This guy has done it, he has put a smile on my dial and lifted my spirits, I hope he does the same for you......

Tom Milek possesses crazy amounts of raw talent, the exciting part is he is a long way from reaching his full potential.  That being said, his maiden voyage as a singer songwriter is fantastic! The debut EP Love & Ambition was released earlier this year and contains songs originally written as a 16 year old!

His songs are simple and honest, his story telling ways directly reflect his life experience and he hides nothing in describing them.   Love and longing, depression and drowning of sorrows are depicted perfectly throughout his music, he places himself front and centre and invites the listener straight through the front door of his heart and mind.

Melancholy and honest are two of the most common adjectives used to describe Tom Milek. He walks you through that 'all to familiar' period when you were young and the life lessons were unknowingly being taught and were still being learned.  His song writing skills scream maturity however lyrically his music corals the innermost private thoughts of the youth.  He pens his songs with clarity, describing the battle with first loves, lust and self doubt so vividly it will have you wiping your brow with relief that this incredibly intense part of growing up is in the past.

The song I am introducing you to is called 'Viscous Curves' (click on the link below) and is a perfect example of Tom's skills as a musician and also his vulnerability and honesty as a person.  Unfortunately there is no video yet (not even on youtube) but I promise you don't need it, this song is amazing.  He delivers this love story from both the boy and girls perspective, if you only listen to this only once I will be extremely surprised!

Por favor disfrute....

http://soundcloud.com/tommilek/vicious-curves 

The Rubens

Below is a piece that I wrote approximately 10 months ago, at the time I couldn't stop talking about this band and I eventually listed their song 'Lay it Down! as my favourate track in the 2011 hottest 100 voting.  That being said it was one of their lesser know tracks that I fell in love with "My Gun", almost one year on and it has finally been released as a single and I would love to share it with you all.  It is slightly fuller in its production and a few of the wrinkles have been ironed out since the original was released on Triple J's 'Unearthed' website but DAM it's still just as amazing.....

(written 3/11/2011) "The Rubens"!  This fantastically original group of three Brothers and a childhood friend formed only 9 months ago and have already began to create waves the size of a tsunami on the Australian music scene.  Hailing from the tiny town of Menangle NSW and to this stage only releasing five songs it feels to me like being at a magic show, you know something amazing is about to happen but your unsure of what. 

These guys bring almost a new genre of music to the table combining a backbone of blues (Tremolo) guitar with a soulful and pop style of lyric.  The recording studio is a family bedroom in a bush house which seems to add to the rawness, add to the mix plenty of reverb and some organ sounds and you have the my new favourate band.

Their debut album will be recorded in New York by a "Big Name" producer in the music industry and will be released in 2012, not bad for a few blokes from country town in NSW.

Ladies and Gentlemen I give to you THE RUBENS,

Por favor disfrute!

 

 

Come visit on Facebook!!

Hey there Everyone,

If you are enjoying what you read in my posts then jump onto Facebook and like my page, a link to the blog is posted every Friday to make it even easier to follow.

I have posted some awesome images of my favourate artists taken by the master of photography Mr Greg Dries for you to view (Like this one of Bree Tranter - Taken during Matt Corby's Winter Tour at the Tivoli in Brisbane) and many more will follow shortly.   Coming soon there will be a sweet prize give away and the opening of the Music MATTador Store so stay tuned!!

Lots of Love,
The Music MATTador

The Medics

The Medics, Hazey and emotional with a great big rock sound goes some way to describing this Brisbane based Cairns four piece.  Their debut album was released only a couple of months ago and has gained widespread acclaim since earning them the titles' of best new talent, album of the year, and song of the year at the second annual National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA).

The originality of the lead vocals is what grabbed me straight up, there's a soft and mysterious tone to his voice that guides this band and delivers a  unique sound in a genre that is very densely populated.

The track (NIMA song of the year) that I am sharing with you all today is called 'Griffin' and should have your attention from the first word.  It tells a story in a way Paul Kelly would be proud, painting a picture of desperate aboriginal youth caught up in the real world issues of crime.  These boys clearly draw on issues that effect them and their culture and deliver it with passion and strength.

What I truly love about music is a song or an artist that can draw on my emotions, The Medics bring this in truckloads and wrap it up in an honesty that is unquestioned.  I am usually one to forgo the filmclip and let the music paint it's own picture in my head however this is very much an exception.  Within the space of four minutes you will ride the emotions of 'Griffin' in the same way you would on the big screen, so grab some popcorn (a small bag) and, Por favor, disfrutar de...

I have decided to add a second version of this song simply to showcase the emence talant of this amazing Australian band - this version was recorded live to air for Triple J's 'Like a Version' segment and is running very close to the top of my favourate songs of 2012!!

 

 

Cosmo Jarvis

It's fair to say that most of musical listening time is not spent (wasted) listening to POP however every now and again a song will jump out and demand attention.  This is not a song that will get played on commercial radio tomorrow but I have doubt it will so jump on board before the blood sucking commercial radio curse strikes!

Cosmo Jarvis is a singer songwriter that has carved a very unique little burrow for himself and his music.  Alternate pop, if that makes any sense at all?? His versatile sound and clever lyrical writing ability tricks the listener into believing it's music for the masses, however, it's slight obscurity gives it that edge of unpredictability that turns the norm into amazing. 

The more I searched the more excited I was by what I found. Cosmo, born Harrison Cosmo Krikoryan Jarvis is one seriously talented guy.  He plays multiple instruments including guitar, ukulele, piano and mandolin, produces his own music video's and is currently in the process of producing his own feature film.

Today I will give you the links to two very different songs-

firstly the reason I wrote the blog this week, a pop song with a difference, good luck getting it out of your head!

Secondly a piece of gold that I found of Cosmo playing acoustic in his studio that just blew me away!

I cant wait to delve a little deeper and spend a lot more time getting to know Cosmo Jarvis in the future, but for now here's your introduction!

Por favor, disfrutar de.......

 

 

The Tallest Man on Earth

He is anything but, however don't judge this book by it's cover!  This Swedish musician makes up for his lack of stature with a big voice and the ability to fulfil the age old meaning of the troubadour - 'A poet who writes verse to music, often about courtly love.

Kristian Matsson grew up playing guitar from a very early age, he spent his teenage years covering Bob Dylan, an influence that laid it's seed soul deep,  musical critics have compared the two both lyrically and vocally ever since.

Classically trained on the guitar his skills form the backbone of his folky style, equally as blessed with his ability to pen a poem, the combination is extraordinary!  Matssons' initial two full length albums pulled on the heart strings, taking you on his travels deep into sadness and lost love, yearning and pain defined the track list.

The latest offering is a breath of fresh air, the injection of positivity and happiness lifts the album to a joyous place!

Although I never reveal my sources of inspiration the credit for finding this amazing song has to be given to Mrs MATTador, every now and again she finds a true ruby in the sand and this is definatly one of them!


Have a listen, I'm sure your day will be better because of it, This track is called 'Leading Me Now'

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New Facebook Page!!

Hola,

Just a quick post to invite you all to visit and join my new Facebook page.  It will make it easy for you all to follow the blog and allow you to view some amazing images taken by the amazing master of photography Mr Greg Dries.

In the future you will also have the opportunity to purchase some very limited release prints of Greg's images, signed and numbered of course! 

As the page is brand new it would be very much appreciated if you share the page with your facebook peeps and invite them to join the new music journey by clicking like then share!

A big big thank you in advance, I look forward to sharing some amazing new music with you starting this Friday ;)

The new Music MATTador page - please like and share!

Mystery Jets

I've been sitting on this little gem for a couple of weeks and it's finally time to share it with all of you.  This song initially caught my ear because I was certain it was a new offering from a band that released one of my favourate albums of 2008 - 'Slipway Fires' by UK rockers 'Razorlight'.

Although initially I was a little taken back by the similarity of the lead vocals, the power and undoubted quality of the song didn't take long to emerge.  The single 'Something Purer' now sits very firmly in my top songs play list of 2012!

Mystery Jets are a British band that were originally know as the Misery jets until the then drummer Blaine Harrison accidentally misspelled it on his drum kit! They first began writing tracks together in high school and have since released four full length albums, most recently 'Radlands' (2012) which in my opinion is by far their best.

A combination of piercingly clear vocals with an English twang and strong guitar riffs defines their sound, however at times throughout this album they seem to venture into the storytelling folky styles of Cat Stevens and Simon and Garfunkel.  This track has intensity from the get go, drawing you in like a vacuum with the vocal  and holding you there until it's finished with it's simple but almost hypnotic beat.
 
This is defiantly one of my favourate releases of 2012 so far, take a listen to the 3rd track and first single 'Something Purer' and if you like the track as much as I do don't forget to share it with your friends via facebook!


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Vance Joy

This week I would like to introduce you all to an artist at the very beginning of the musical journey.  There is no fancy side projects or media driven hype that souround him, just one song posted on Triple J's Unearthed website, one super awesome song!

Vance Joy is the name,  James Keogh and  Ed White are the artists, apart from this and the fact that he is from Melbourne, the rest is a mystery.  

I dare you not to enjoy this song, produced in a bedroom and driven by a ukelali and a simple foot tapping beat, it delivers a 70's feel that would have fit straight onto the bill at Woodstock, a free and easy feeling of 'Joy', how ironic!  The track is beautifully constructed, the lyrics are strong and emotional, and it has an almost earthy feel to it which adds to it's original and exciting flavour! This is a track that is certainly not overproduced, infact it's lo-fi feel is strangly reassuring, just a couple of musicians creating beautiful music without all the added extras,


Although I would never admit to being the first person to spread the word of Vance Joy I can tell you one thing, with only 177 'Likes' on his facebook page this is certainly one artist that you can follow and know you were a fan from the beginning.


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Riptide by Vance Joy

MS MR UPDATE!!

***Hot off the press***

Less than 1 week after I told you that MS MR were all about the secrecy and media driven hype surrounding their unknown identies they have officially unveiled themselves to the world, this morning!!  If you enjoyed the MS MR post than this should (if my reaction is a guide) blow your mind.  Their very first live recording of 'Hurricane' was recorded on the 8th of June, 2012 at Electric Lady Studios, New York!

So take a breath, follow the link and,  por favor, disfrutar de ......


http://vimeo.com/45383151

MS MR

I cant tell you what they look like and I cant tell you their real names, what I can tell you is that the are creatively insane and musically brilliant!  MS MR (pronounced Mz Mister)- are a  boy/girl duo that hide among the 2.5 million residents of Brooklyn, New York and have kept the world in a cloud of darkness as to their true identity.

These guys fascinate me, when you search their name you find a 'Tumblr' page (http://msmrmusic.tumblr.com/) strewn with photos of glam rock, soft porn and bizarre clips of old movies, this is before you even find a song to listen to.

Eclectic Pop is the easiest way for me to describe this unique duo, they spin their web of mystique and fantasia all the while gaining fans more quickly with every note they release.  Their songs are a combination of impulsive pop beats and hooks wrapped in an eery feeling of empty space and intrigue.  Lyrically superb, the lead voice is angelic, but don't be mistaken there is an originality and edge here that is extremely refreshing!

Currently on their inaugural tour in the US I would like to place a substantial bet on them gracing our shores for one of the many summer festivals???

Images and tracks are very limited so please take a listen to their latest release "Hurricane" and if you enjoy it help to spread the word of this new talent by sharing this via the links in the side panel above.....

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Re-Post #1 City and Colour

I thought I would keep the ball rolling with the first of the "Re-Posts" and wait until next week for the next new music post.  Why did I choose this one to re post?  Because it is possible my favorite band of all time and having seen them live for the first time in May I thought it would be the perfect band to introduce to you all.


If you have never heard of "City and Colour" prepare yourself for greatness, if you are already a fan then simply enjoy!!
 


 This Artist (and his band) produce almost soul cleansing music that for me took time to show it's true quality.  At first glance it almost hides it's beauty behind a melancholy feeling of simplicity.  However the further you dig the greater the treasures that lie buried. 


Alexisonfires' (post-hardcore Canadian rock band) lead singer Dallas Green fronts 'City & Colour', a side project that couldn't be more diversified if he tried.  From hard rock to lyric driven acoustic/rock magic, Green delivers on a level that I don't think even the true musical critics could have fathomed.  Dallas combines guitar perfection with vocal clarity that is crystal clear yet hauntingly emotional.  Their latest release "Little Hell" was recorded in an old friends' (now deceased) studio  that was once a church, it's hard not to feel connected, at least in some way, to the heart and soul that is obviously invested into this album. 


The lyrics put quite simply are extremely raw, they detail many of Greens' relationships with his family, his friends and indeed the personal battles within himself.  green was quoted as saying  “You have to go through those little hells to get to the really great parts of love and life.” A theme that tends to underline the feeling of the album as a whole.


The first link below is a 15min interview with Dallas, filmed in the Church where the album was recorded offers insight from the horses mouth.  If you are a true lover of music and enjoy understanding the what and why of a song and/or album than you will seriously enjoy this.  If you would rather jump straight in and listen to the brilliance that is City and Colour jump to the second and third Video's.
 


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This track is Called "Northern Wind" and can be found on the album "Little Hell".

This track is Called "The Girl" and can be found on the album "Bring Me Your Love".

Chet Faker

Hola!  Welcome to my first official post as the Music MATTador.  For those of you who don't know I have previously had my work posted on Greg Dries' blog (from Moods Photography- check him out!) in an attempt to spread my love of music to his devoted followers.  However, I have decided it is time to create my own page and see how you all like it!!

Please make a comment and let me know what you think!

 

After an extended lay off,  buried deep in the love of our new baby boy, the urge to pass on the amazing music I have been listening to lately has returned!
Hopefully I can make up for the delay by introducing you all to some truly amazing Australian and International artists,  artists that may open your eyes to a world of music not always delivered in the pretty packaging of commercial radio.

I would like to introduce you all to a very humble and unassuming gentleman that hails from our very own back yard, Melbourne.  He is only 22, (remarkable once you have heard him sing) and has one serious indie Beard!  


Nick Murphy as his friends know him, plays his unique blend of low fidelity minimalist sounds with gutsy lyrics under the alias "Chet Faker"!  His vocals are pure and honest and he delivers them with a beauty that can only be seen when an artist gets completely immersed in their music.  His live performances are gripping, as he takes you on the journey with him offering insights to his vulnerability and true emotions. The songs seem to be wrapped up in cotton wool and delivered as soulful yearning's straight from his heart.


Chet Faker is defiantly one to watch out for, only playing his first festival (South by South West no less) earlier this year and yet to release a full length album he is perfectly positioned to set the indie music world alight!  If you love listening to something different that screams originality then take the time to listen on some quality speakers (possibly with a glass of your favorite) and prepare to melt a little!


The Music MATTador.........................  por favor, disfrutar de.


This clip was recorded live at South By South West (Austin Texas, USA) earlier this year and is called "I'm Into You".


Dont forget to support the artist by visiting iTunes and purchasing his EP 'Thinking in Textures' -  http://itunes.apple.com/au/album/thinking-in-textures/id510838210  :)