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/