Mardi Lumsden & The Rising Seas are a pop-folk band from our very own sunny(?) Brisbane town.
The five-piece group released their debut EP 'Going is Finding' back in 2007 earning themselves enthusiastic reviews and earning comparisons to the likes of Joni Mitchell. Since then there's been two east coast tours for Mardi and her friends and they've recently finished recorded their follow up EP, 'Wherever You Go, There You Are' with producer Magoo (Regurgitator, The Gin Club, Operator Please, Kate Miller-Heidke) at his Applewood studio.
As you may suspect Mardi Lumsden is the driving force behind the music, an alt-folk singer-songwriter her lilting voice provides a delightful base for the group's pop folk to build upon. Live, Lumsden has been described as "a sanguine and superb songbird. Her voice has a delightful, whimsical lilt, as do her lyrics, which are about intimate, urbane experiences of late twenty-somethings. Her songs would complement, as a soundtrack, any Nick Earls or Rebecca Sparrow book" (lifemusicmedia.com)
Of course as the name suggests Mardi isn't the only member of this band. The Rising Seas comprises of Andrew Penny (banjo, banjo-mandolin, piano, melodica, backing vocals), David Callanan (lead and slide guitar, glockenspiel, mandolin), Jane McEniery (double bass and bass) and Joachim Alfheim (drums).
The band is set to release their EP 'Wherever You Go, There You Are' and they're launching it as Queensland's Old Museum this Saturday, so have a look at the new video for 'Pieces of the Story below, and get on down there.
Mardi Lumsden & The Rising Seas - Website - Myspace - Triple J Unearthed
There's a new record label down south in that place called Melbourne where trains freely roam the streets, and it's name is Departed Sounds. MMB interviewed the brains behind the operation with a series of intrepid inquiries. So settle down, get some snacks and embrace the scroll button on that mouse of yours cause it's a looong post.
What/Who is Departed Sounds?
Departed Sounds is a record label founded and run by myself, Andrew Keese, a Melbourne based singer/songwriter and my friend, Ashley Sambrooks, a Melbourne based publicist. Our stated aim is to bring the finest pop, rock, folk and noise to the world.
Was there one particular moment or experience that lead to you deciding to form your own label?
There was no pivotal, light from the heavens moment which drove us into forming the label. It was more like a long sequence of small events.
For me, it was the frustration of seeing great bands and artists not getting the recognition I felt they deserved. I was very much of the attitude of "safety in numbers" and the idea that if we could build something centred around shared ideals, it would be to everyone's benefit.
For Ash, I think it was much the same, though I also suspect he also had a life long dream of running a record label. Ash came from the publicity and promotion side of the business and it was obvious he had talent in that area. I guess he wanted to put that talent to good use and invest it into something he really believed in.
Ash was the one who went after the idea with determination, vigour and drive. I was a little reticent at first, being very cynical about the music industry and the treatment of artists in general. But over time, I started to absorb Ash's enthusiasm and once things started rolling, we both threw ourselves headlong into the task.
Departed Sounds professes to believe that 'technology is something to be harnessed rather than tamed'. What do you mean by that and how do you plan to turn that to your advantage?
That phrase, "something to be harnessed rather than tamed", is a coded reference to the behaviour exhibited by the music industry in response to the rise of illegal downloading.
Here was an entire industry that failed to see change coming, did not take advantage of change when it did come and then responded to change by harassing and bullying their own customer base with lawsuits, intimidation and threats.
The fact is that the way in which people discover and consume music has changed forever. Technology has been a significant enabler of that change. But rather than holding technology responsible for the inability to shift massive numbers of units in short periods of time, maybe the industry should be looking at producing small, balanced returns over a longer period of time.
A few weeks ago, we released Lindsay Phillips' debut album "Varning". About a week later, I found it on Rapidshare. The link to the Rapidshare file came from a forum in Spain. And without being particularly well versed in Spanish, I could glean that someone in the forum has discussed the album, then published it on Rapidshare for other in that forum to download. A couple of days after that discovery, we sold both vinyl and digital copies of "Varning" to buyers in Spain. So the fact that someone freely published the album didn't hurt us at all. Matter of fact, I suspect they did us a favour.
That's essentially what we mean by harnessing rather than taming. Labels need to work with, rather than against, current technology. Contrary to what the industry trumpets, I don't believe that sales are dropping as a direst result of downloading. They are dropping because people are getting more and more selective and niche oriented. And shutting down those who download content illegally is ridiculous and it is not a workable solution.
The workable solution is to make great albums at the lowest cost possible and then make those albums completely accessible, so that people don't have to procure them illegally in order to hear them. You then need to sell those albums at a price which is cheap enough the people won't bother to download them illegally.
Were you influenced by other label initiatives from elsewhere?
Any influence we might have had must have expressed itself sub-consciously, because I don't recall specifically discussing which label we wanted to be like, or base ourselves upon.
In retrospect, I think that's part of the reason we're so unique. We've built something based purely on our own feeling and ideas without reference to the past or present.
I do know that we watched Melbourne label 'Mistletone' with interest for some time. We were impressed by their ingenuity, their DIY attitude and consistent work ethic. But in terms of creating Departed Sounds, I think we wanted to stand completely apart from every other record label.
What kind of music are you looking to attract to your label? Is there a typical 'Departed Sounds' sound?
I don't think we have a specific type of music that we want to find or draw to the label.
Our attitude reminds me of what Terry Gilliam said about his film adaptation of the novel "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas". To paraphrase, he said that art is like a flare that you launch into the sky. You let it burn up there and see who the light attracts.
I don't think there is a particular Departed Sounds "sound". I know that we're not really concerned with genre or style. An artist can work in any style they like, as long at they own it, if you know what I mean.
I do think there are a few key elements which link our artists lyrically and musically; soul, inventiveness, intelligence and individuality. But it's hard to say much more than that, because the beauty of music is that it is about aesthetics and emotions. It's about the things you can't really put into words.
If I had to summarise it, I'd say we deal in music that moves.
How has the Melbourne music community responded to your label?
With great interest, encouragement and excitement.
It's as if there was a collective feeling which we somehow managed to tap into and turn into something concrete and visible. In that way, it also feels as though Melbourne is part of the label. I think people feel directly connected to it. At least, I hope they do.
What current Departed Sounds acts are you most excited about?
All of them. We're genuinely excited about all of them.
What are your future hopes for the label?
Naturally, we'd like the label to be a success, for our artists and for ourselves. I don't think you should shy away from wanting things to succeed on some level, as long as that desire is not driven by avarice.
We'd also like to partner with other companies we respect and also expand our ideas into other areas of the industry apart from releasing records.
And, I suppose, we do harbour a secret yearning to take over the world. But you have to remain humble and realistic and take things one day at a time in this business.
And finally, to fit with the whole 'My Music Brisbane' thing, do you have a favourite Brisbane band of the moment?
I'll be perfectly honest and say that my knowledge of new Brisbane bands is limited. We're a bit parochial down here in Melbourne, you know. However, I was sent an album by a band called The Bell Divers a few months ago which I really enjoyed. Very gentle, reflective, off kilter stuff. Well written and very well delivered.
Having said that, if there are any bands in Brisbane who think we really should know about them, well, you know where to find us.
Departed Sounds - Website
Melbourne post-punkers Young Raptors filled out some questions. Check out the all important correspondence below.
1. Who are your heroes?
Anyone able to make a living doing what they love... and Yanni
2. The first band you saw live?
Jack: Tommy Emmanuel in like grade 3. My dad was super psyched!
3. What's your favourite Brisbane music venue?
James: The Troubadour, our friends band, Quebec said it was the beez neez
4. What's the best (or dumbest) thing that's been said to you at/after a show?
Jack: Not the dumbest, nor best thing ever said, but the first thing that comes to mind is, "What were those loud squeely noises? They hurt my ears!"
5. Why 'Young Raptors' as your band name?
James: Because The Dipoladocus' just doesn't have the same ring to it.
6. What makes you cringe?
James: Autotune.
Ben: fingernails screeching down a blackboard
7. Describe the raddest heist you've ever pulled off. What'd you steal?
Jack: Six Curly Whirlys & a chomp bar from 7/11
8. What bands should people reading this be listening to?
Deerhunter, Spoon, Bombay Bicycle Club and Absolute Boys
9. If the members of Young Raptors were to adopt stage names what would they be?
Lovetron5000, Orlando, FoxBox and Thompson
10. You are guilty of shameful things. What are these BAAAAD things?
Jack: Probably the six curly whirlys and chomp bar heist. Oh and that guy we killed. Kind of regret that...
11. You can choose one musician, alive or dead, to perform with Young Raptors for one night only. Who do you choose?
James: Seventies Bowie, from the Ziggy Stardust era.
12. If someone wrote a biography for Young Raptors what would the title be?
"The Raptor Nest - A Fable"
13. That can we expect from Young Raptors in the near future?
Hopefully record a 10" in the coming months and do an east coast tour closer to summer (if anyone up that way is keen to play with us, let us know!)
Young Raptors - Myspace
Young Raptors - Triple J Unearthed
Melbourne duo Super Wild Horses have garnered just a little attention lately after releasing their first single 'Golden Town' from their upcoming debut album 'Fifteen'. Given the production stylings (courtesy of Mike Young of Eddy Current Suppression Ring if you were wondering) you'd be tempted to compare them to Vivian Girls or Dum Dum Girls, but their sound is closer to Kim Deal, The Breeders and the girl groups of the 90's than any other buzz band of late.
'Fifteen' is due for release on July 23
Running Gun Sound are Brisbane's own self proclaimed Mod Soul Punks. Band members Julien James, Jeremy Neale and Michael Fletcher took the time to become 13 Questions more soulful below.
1. Who are your heroes?
Julien: Weller, Lennon and Batman
2. The first band you saw live?
Jeremy: Fleetwood Mac
3. What's your favourite Brisbane music venue?
Julien: The Step Inn. Good Atmosphere. No D!cks
4. What's the best (or dumbest) thing that's been said to you at/after a show?
Michael: "Play some surf music!"
5. Why 'Running Guns' as your band name?
Julien: Shrug. Because James and Mickey couldn't think of anything better?
6. What makes you cringe?
Michael: Orthotic shoes
7. Describe the raddest heist you've ever pulled off. What'd you steal?
Jeremy: Marbles from Mr Toys Toyworld
8. What bands should people reading this be listening to?
Julien: The Sulphur Lights, The Black Lips, The Jam
Jeremy: Spandau Ballet!
9. The Beatles or Rolling Stones?
Michael: The Who - with Keith Moon
10. You are guilty of shameful things. What are these BAAAD things?
Julien: Some Girls is a good song.
11. You can choose one musician, alive or dead, to perform with Running Guns for one night only. Who do you choose?
Jeremy: Steve Norman - it's about time Running Guns got some New Romantic sax solos.
Michael: Enough of you New Romantic rot Jeremy... Bo Diddley
12. If someone wrote a biography for Running Guns what would the title be?
Julien: Running Guns Get Tight!
13. What can we expect from Running Guns in the near future?
Jeremy: Aluminium suits, lasers, phasers, warp drives, flying cars and the re-introduction of basketball cards as a popular trade item. A new EP and album later this year...
Running Guns - Website
Running Guns - Facebook
Jacuzzi Boys are Danny Gonzalez, Gabriel Alcala and Diego Monasterios, a fuzzed out garage rock trio from Miami, Florida. This pupil-dilatingly Nuggets-influenced trio cut their teeth over the past couple of years with a string of seven-inch releases before going on to release the debut album 'No Seasons' in 2009, a record full of fuzz, bad acid, and animal references.
The band rehearse at bassist Danny Gonzalez's place, deep in Bill Baggs State Park, a lush green expanse of wilderness on the outskirts of Miami. Park life has seeped into the band's lyrics, most notably the funkiness of cohabitating with wildlife. ``For awhile, every song had an animal in it,'' says Alcala, 24. ``Rats, possums, snakes, crocodiles . . .''
``I had a snake die inside the walls of my bathroom,'' says Gonzalez, 28. ``It smelled so bad that I didn't even go in there for a week, and then one day I walked by and thought `Hey, the smell is gone' and I walked in, and there was a blanket of flies covering the whole tub and the window.'' His struggle with the funk became the track Smells Dead on the Jacuzzi Boys' debut album, No Seasons.
The band's psychedelic sound is reminiscent of the 13th Floor Elevators or the ‘80s Flaming Lips and is beginning to garner them significant attention. Fellow Miami resident and godfather of punk rock Mr. James Newell Osterberg, Jr. (AKA Iggy Pop) is one of the converted, “There’s a band here in Miami called the Jacuzzi Boys. It’s a stupid name but they’ve got a good spirit. Shout out to the Jacuzzi Boys!”
Brisbane Powerhouse at New Farm is celebrating it's 10th Birthday this Sunday and as part of a day of free events and celebrations two of Brisbane's best bands will be taking to the stage.
Regurgitator need no introductions, being one of Brisbane's most high profile bands of the past fifteen years. The genre-blending outfit started out way back in 1994, storming the alternative music scene with numbers like I Sucked a Lot of Cock To Get Where I Am. Along with the attitude, Regurgitator were blessed with highly charismatic frontman Quan Yeomans. Warner snapped them up for a multi-album deal and soon the boys from Brisbane were sharing stages with Beck, the Chili Peppers and the Prodigy.
Regurgitator hit their peak in 1998 when Polyester Girl - their biggest-selling single - helped push the album Unit to sales of 240,000-plus. They joined Midnight Oil for an anti-uranium mine demonstration at Jabiluka, toured Japan several times and headed to England's Reading Festival. The band has been quieter in recent years but will no doubt draw a considerable crowd this Sunday.
Indie-popster's Last Dinosaurs are one of Brisbane's best and brightest young bands. Having just released their debut EP in February the band's appeal is growing fast thanks to their spritely, youthful sound.
Steve Foster and Ruth Nitkiewicz, the dynamic duo who make up Brisbane band Bonfire Nights (yes the whole band), took some time out from their busy schedules to talk to MMB. They got 13 questions further behind schedule below.
1. Who are your heroes?
Steve: I don’t think I have any, is that weird?
2. The first band you saw live?
Steve: Paul McCartney, when I was about 7 or 8 years old. I remember him playing Live and Let Die and Hey Jude, it was a pretty awesome first gig.
Ruth: Screamfeeder at Albert Park (as it was then known) when I was about 15 years old. I danced on stage like an idiot.
3. What's your favourite Brisbane music venue?
Steve: As an all round venue, it would have to be the Troubadour. The Valley can get a little crazy so going to the Troubadour feels like shelter from the storm. Lofly Hangar is also really cool, it just feels like a massive house party.
4. What’s the best (or dumbest) thing that’s been said to you at/after a show?
Steve: “Hey! Are you that drummer guy from that band, the Mess Hall, you guys are awesome, would you like me to buy you a drink?” To which I replied, “Yes I am, and I would like a drink.”
5. Why 'Bonfire Nights' as your band name?
Steve: We came up with it on bonfire night last year, which is celebrated on the 5th of November in the UK. I remember when I was growing up there, that all the kids would build these huge bonfires and burn effigies of Guy Fawkes. It was always a really exciting time but also a little dark and scary, which in a way is reflected in the music, so it seemed appropriate.
6. What makes you cringe?
Ruth: David Koch. Seriously. Die already.
7. Describe the raddest heist you’ve ever pulled off. What’d you steal?
Ruth: British India’s rider. They deserved it.
8. What bands should people reading this be listening to?
Ruth: At the moment I’m loving Beaches, a band from Melbourne. Five girls that play fuzzy psychedelic tunes; they’re great.
Steve: Band of Skulls. In fact, we like a lot of bands beginning with the letter ‘B’: Blonde on Blonde, BRMC, Butcher Birds, The Beatles (see question 9), Breeders, Bat For Lashes….
9. The Beatles or Rolling Stones?
See question 8.
10. You are guilty of shameful things. What are these BAAAAD things?
Ruth: I vomited in front of Devo, backstage at Splendour in the Grass 2008. Not my finest hour.
11. You can choose one musician, alive or dead, to perform with 'Bonfire Nights' for one night only. Who do you choose?
Marc Bolan.
12. If someone wrote a biography for 'Bonfire Nights' what would the title be?
“Is That It?”
13. What can we expect from 'Bonfire Nights' in the near future?
We’re launching our debut EP in July, and will be touring interstate in the coming months.
Bonfire Nights are playing the Troubadour May 14 & 25
Do you like music? Smoking? Jack Daniels? Are you possessed by a burning desire to quit your day job?
Yes? Then there's a band from Brisbane after you own heart. That band is Blonde on Blonde.
Blonde on Blonde are a five-piece indie rock band formed in honour of the aforementioned vices that drew them together and helped forge one of the best debut EP releases of 2009.
The band's sound is based on male-female vocals, sludgy guitars and tight drums, earning them comparisons with the likes of Queens of the Stone Age and PJ Harvey. Their debut EP "Tease" received rave reviews from street press and the blogosphere including "whothehell.net" and "Time Off" magazine. The EP was also added to high rotation on local Brisbane radio station 4ZZZ, and reached the number 1 spot in the top 20 charts two weeks in a row.
Their next scheduled Brisbane show is May 14 at the Tivoli, supporting psychedelic rockers Tame Impala.
Blonde on Blonde - Website
John Ryan, singer/guitarist for Brisbane's own 'Buick Six' took some time out from taming Griffins to converse with MMB. He just got 13 questions more authoritative below.
1. Who are your heroes?
Tim Rogers, Thurston Moore, Tony Montana, Duke Nukem, Jack White, Simply Red, Stevie Nicks...
2. The first band you saw live?
Sunk Loto. I think my ears are still ringing. One of the greatest gigs I've ever seen
3. What's your favourite Brisbane music venue?
The Tivoli... great sound and great people. Oh, and we loved The Arena because it had this dirty, hollow feel about it. Our friends from Perth, The Silents, put us on the door when they supported the Living End there - still one of the greatest nights I've ever had.
4. What's the best (or dumbest) thing that's been said to you at/after a show?
"I absolutely hate mixing bands like you - you guys all need lessons, especially you with your singing". - sound guy at a particular University bar we played last year. So that's obviously the best thing we've had said to us.
5. Why 'Buick Six' as your band name?
We stole if from a Bob Dylan song of the same name - it's such a great song. We also chose it for the comedic value - plenty of people stuff it up and say "Brick Six" or rude things such as "Buick Dicks" or "Buick Shits".
6. What makes you cringe?
Lemons. And Justin Bieber. Did we mention Justin Bieber? Oh and ants! They're all over my house at the moment.
7. Describe the raddest heist you've ever pulled off. What'd you steal?
This is epic - one time at a Numbers Radio gig on the Gold Coast, I stole a really expensive pepper grinder... one of the big ones! I just tucked it in the arm of my jacket and walked out. To this day it gets used in many of Nick's dishes (he is a qualified chef). I want to follow up with another heist to steal a matching salt grinder. This evidence is going to put me in jail isn't it?
8. What bands should people reading this be listening to?
The Silents - definitely our favourite Aussie band
Young Revelry - write songs that remind us of Jane's Addiction
The Medics - a band from North QLD: talented chaps
Oh Ye Denver Birds - a lot of talent there
DZ - will do huge things in their career
9. The Beatles or Rolling Stones?
That's a very hard question... The Beatles. A band we have grown up listening to and the greatest band of all time. Nick can sing every song word-for-word off Revolver... this is great when we have long car trips together because his singing voice is superb. Ahem...
10. You are guilty of shameful things. What are these BAAAD things?
How did you know about this? We may/may not have stolen some sandwiches that belonged to a high-profile band when we supported them... don't want to mention any names here. We eat lots of carbs - that's really a bad thing.
11. You can choose one musician, alive or dead, to perform with 'Buick Six' for one night only. Who do you choose?
John Bonham. And we wouldn't even play - we'd just let him play the Moby Dick drum solo and sit off to the side and watch.
12. If someone wrote a biography for Buick Six what would the title be?
"A Griffin is not just a dragon - it's also a bass player"
13. What can we expect from Buick Six in the near future?
A lot of new material - fact. We have a new home studio set-up going on, so it's demo heaven right here. Our live show is going to incorporate a bit more variety and we'll be touring Australia by the end of the year.
Buick Six play their next show in Brisbane on June 5 at The Troubadour
Buick Six - Website
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