The Inaugral Dinner Music Awards 2009

Well.... with only one more day of 2009 to go it is a time to reflect on the year that was

and so in the land of blog the best was for me to express this to you is to give you....

The Inaugural Dinner Music Awards 2009!

A Self Indulgent List of the Highs and Lows of the year through the eyes of a usually humble blogger... well at least as humble as a blogger can get. And as a New Years gift to you fine readers... a Final Mix Tape, a compilation of the Winners of 2009...

And so... with the expectation of much debate and arguing and down right violence (hey its Christmas again...) Let's get this show on the road...

Best Folk - Mumford and Son

This was a hard choice for me, as 2009 really has been the Year of Folk, i have been introduced to so many new bands in this genre that picking one out was not easy... but really all i had to do was look at the amount of playtime i put to each act, Mumford and Son won that by a mile, the great rolling banjo sounds, the eerie vocals... this would have been my artist of the year but it came in a close second.

Best New Find - Tim and Jean
I am a weekly subscriber of Triple J's Unearthed podcast, a sort of selection of the best of the unearthed songs uploaded to the Unearthed Website, and usually these are pretty good... but they never wow me. When they played Tim and Jean's track "Come Around"... i was wowed.

Best Rock - BlueJuice
In 2008 i cannot say i was a big fan of these guys, i liked vitriol but the rest of their album was not really appealing to me... but when "Head of the Hawk" Came out i took on a whole different view.   
This is not a technical feat in music production, its not a deel lyrical look at society and its ways... its just fun pop/rock/hip hop/ funk... etc.

Drummer of the Year - Mike Portnoy (Dream Theatre)

Think what you will of Metal... Mike Portnoy is widely regarded as one of the best in the business when it comes to Drumming, the double kicks, the awesome Fills, you just need to look at his kits to see why. When i saw Dream Theater at the later half of this year i already knew what to expect, but he still blew my mind. (I have tried to pick the least non-metal head offensive track that would express Mike Portnoy so give it a listen even if you don't like metal)

Guitarist of the Year - Chris Cheney (The Living End)

Chris Cheney will always be my Favorite Guitarist... but he won't always make my awards... this year i have seen him play more than one festival, do amazing work on some of the more guitar heavy songs on the ever famous White Album, and release an awesome album called "White Noise"... enough said.

Vocalist of the Year - Florence Welch (Florence and the Machine)

I am not sure exactly what it is about Florence's voice that makes it so amazing... its vewry similar to the sound of Patience Hodgson and Karen O... that sort of fun loud rock that makes you just want to jump and scream. I must remember to play some Florence on New Years Eve...

Album of the Year - First Days of Spring (Noah and the Whale)

This album really stuck with me, the intrumentals, the atmosphere that it creates.. This was my album of reflection and calm... and thats what 2009 was for me... a year of changes in who i want to be. There you go... personal facts as a bonus.

Female - Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
When thinking about who would best fit the role of best Female Artist for me it didn't take long for me to come to find Karen O, This year i have not only become a fan of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs but have also discovered one of my all time favorite soundtracks to be "where the wild things are" Performed by the lovely K.O. She is extremely talented and has a lot more to give for 2010. 

Male - Ben Folds
I don't need to justify this.... especially to you readers... 

The All Time Artist of 2009..... Pheonix

This is the band that has really made it for me in 2009, they are to say the least Amazing and although they are not the band that has had the most plays on my ipod of truth they truely represent what 2009 was for me, a mix of rock and electro two genres that have been my year.






The List can be Downloaded Here


So thats it for dinner music for 2009... i hope you have enjoyed reading and listening at least 10 times as much as i have making and compiling...
Bigger and better things for 2010... so till then Happy new year and keep listening...

Mixtape: Tis the Season to be Mixtape

Ho, Ho, Ho and Ho.... thats right, its Christmas which means a lot of things to a lot of people... The stores are that much more violent, snow covered scenes on television have increased exponentially and for some reason the mix tape scene has become that bit more festive... This mix tape i am about to give you is no different.... My present to you all... my christmas mix tape!


1. Is this Christmas - The Wombats
This song came out last year and really got me excited, i am a big fan of the Wombats and they really put a lot of themselves into this track, it's fun dancy Brit Pop and i love it!
Also the music video is awesome... here it is

2. Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End) - The Darkness
Like most Darkness songs, this is Epic, Its Rock, Its an Anthem.... awesome!

3. All that i Want - The Weepies
Toning it down a bit from the last two tracks this is a nice simple duet pop track, makes me feel all warm inside when i hear it, great for calming you down when that Christmas rush gets too much.

4. Carol of the Bells - The Bird and the Bee
No competition to the Carol of the Meows on Swa's Mix, but still a nice take on the classic track.

5. Christmas Time is Here - Vince Guaraldi
Fans of Charlie Brown or Arrested Development will know this track well, poor George Michael...

6. You are my Joy - The Reindeer Section
Great uplifting track, the Reindeer Section for those who dont know is a scotish rock supergroup of sorts featuring 36 members from bands such as Snow Patrol, Idlewild, Teenage Fanclub, Mogwai and Belle and Sebastian... most people may have already heard this track before as it is commonly used in TV, great song and great lyrics.

7. Put the Lights on the Tree - Sufjan Stevens
There were so many tracks to choose from when deciding which Sufjan song to use, he has released 5 Christmas albums and each are filled with goodies... this was just picked at random.

8. The Blizzard - Camera Obscura
Great bit of Chrissie Folk, great cover of a Jim Reeves classic... and in my opinion a great improvement.

9. Christmas Time Again - Tom Petty
Speaking of Classics....

10. A Christmas Duel - The Hives and Cyndi Lauper
This is a really strange one, i think the lyrics really make this a special Christmas tune for all the Family.

11. It Feels like Christmas - The Muppets
I think by far the best version of Charles Dicken's classic "A Christmas Carol" has to be the muppets one, so full of magic and inventiveness and the songs....ohhh the songs....
For extra joy heres the Video

BONUS TRACK:

12. Boy Lilikoi - Jonsi
The new single from the Sigur Ros vocalist, amazing stuff can't wait for the new Album in March next year... magical

Download it Here

A Merry Chritmas to all, there'll be one more mix tape for this year, my big one... The Dinner Music Awards... Stay tuned!

Liner Notes: A Little Respect in the Pit You Shirtless Bogan!

You're at a Concert, your favorite band... Arena Venue, 80,000 people...

The band come on stage with a bang, pyrotechnics blast as they burst into the first song, you are in the front section of the moshpit, jumping, screaming, singing along... you know all the words, two more songs pass...

The band decides to play an older song, a classic, the lead singer looks down at the audience and shouts "who wants to come up and sing this one?" You Scream loudly.... he looks at you and points...  You're lifted up on stage, lights on you, people cheering. You're given a microphone and the music starts...

"People have paid to see the band, they havn't paid to see you" you think to yourself, but for some reason they are cheering, cheering YOU!

This is what happened at Green Day's concert last Friday, it is actualy a common thing for the band to do at their gigs and it is a reflection of something which seems to be slowly fading away in the live music scene... Crowd Comradery...

A moshpit used to be the greatest place to see a band, you were right near the front of stage, the performers staring right at you and in most cases it still is, but it seems that there is something dissappearing from the pit, the mateship, it is becoming a place for violence, to hurt others. This is not what the mosh is about.

The mosh is a place to release energy, to jump... sometime people collide and this is usually mutual and well really not that full on, it is a place where everyone has a shared joy, music. But in recent years a new type of mosher has appeared, they are usually shirtless, they think they are the only one there and they are a complete and utter tool.. they are the Southern cross bogan.
These are the epitomy of what a mosher is becoming, they will force their way into a pit, their sweat brushing off onto others who dont want to be covered in it, they will form "Death Circles" a practice where they will force a circle in the middle of  the mosh and proceed to use it as a barrier of people to hurl themselves at full force... guys or girls. They are the exact opposite of what music is all about, they are there to make everyone else's experience a bad one becuase thats what they get off on,

The truth is that these people are so far only seen at Festivals and some concerts, but their attitude is one that may spread and so i write this to use the Green Day Concert as an example... Music is a thing to share, it is a common ground, Support your fellow fans, unite... and go fucking nuts Together!!! Because thats what the mosh was created for, a unison of enegergetic fans, jumping together..

A note from the Author...

Hello Blogosphere!

I have finally got myself a computer of my very own... this means i can blog more, think more about what i am going to blog about... and well.... make this a more quality publication (i dont have to look over my shoulder as i secretly type away at work.... ahem.)

So Expect new and better things in the coming month leading up to 2010!


Now to a request from you guys.... i am going to take a leaf out of Nicks book and ask you to give me music, think of it as a christmas present of sorts... i am trying to expand my music horizons and the only way i can do that is for you guys to give me a shitload of education... fill up a CD/DVD with anything you think i might like, even if you are not sure just throw it on there (mp3 format please).... cheers!

Anyways expect a new mixtape up soon and something special in the leadup to Christmas!

Track 3 - Julian Velard

Just a few vids from a guy i just found named Julian Velard... he is pretty talented and reminds me of something midway between Ben Folds and John Mayer....


This is a piano cover of Emire of the Sun's "Walking on a Dream"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdVAARJXCFg&feature=related

"Love for the First time" Music Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jwn88DsW1c

"Steve McQueen and James Dean" Music Vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaQtTByLMQQ&feature=fvw


I am going to definatly look into this guy some more, and he will probably make the next mix tape.

Wills Mix Tape... Travel Edition

Ok guys, it seems that there has been mass outbreak of the travel bug going round, while some have stayed immunne thanks to vaccinations of "lack of money" it seems a large amount are already infected. Myself included.

And so i give you my late night attempt at... the Travel Mix Tape....

This is a bit more specific than a simple bunch of tracks to take on a trip, these tracks are for one type of moment that all us travellers will face, the long waits...
Sitting on a train between countries, waiting at a terminal or station, Jetlagged alone in your room. These are songs for reflection and observation, to watch the surroundings and soak it all in. They are not party songs, they are not motivaional songs, they are songs to calm and inspire you. Well at least thats what i was hoping for.
I have to tell you that it is late and i am tired so i am sure that this list could be better.... and i will endevour to make a second list which is a bit more planned. But as a tired worn out individual at the moment these songs playing as i type are inspiring me... they are making me think... they are making me think of travel... so i guess they can't be too bad. And so.... i give you....  My Travel Mix Tape...

1. You Could Make a Killing - Aimee Mann
This is a morning after song, it is for recovery.... it's from Cruel Intentions.... the thinking bit....

2. Nothing Happening - Ben Kweller
This song makes me think of travelling through countryside... Dont actually know why....

3. Watch over me - Bernard Fanning
This is possible the most peaceful song i know... it makes me relax in my most stressful moments, something about Bernards voice and the simplistic arrangement. No matter how much of a wanker people may think he is, he is bloody talented.

4. Moab - Conner Oberst
Connor oberst is a traveller, his songs are all based on exploration and the Road. And this song is no different.

5. She moves in her own way - The Kooks
I once put this song to music of a friends trip to Europe and it really worked...

6. Television Theme 43#- My Friend the Chocolate Cake
Really like the build up in this song, very upbeat and makes me think of sitting on a park bench watching the world go by.

7. Hoppipolla - Sigur Ros
This is probably the most well fitting track for this mix tape, this is a song that makes me want to go out and explore, the uplifting orchestral arrangement is beautiful and would make any trip seem at least 10 times more majestic and beautiful... if you only take one track from this list take this one.

8. The Heart of Life - John Mayer
John Mayer was not somone i really liked until he released his album Conntiunum, this is a great song off that album and is a great chill song to sit back and listen to in the more stressful of moments.

9. The Cave - Mumford and Sons
I love the drum and banjo combinations in this song, its got a real travelling feel to it, through some rolling hills or over a lake....

10. 5 Years Time - Noah and the Whale
Pretty much the same sentiment as the one above, great travelling song and i love the vocals from Laura Marling.

11. I am Siam - The grates
Cool chilled track, a soak in the surrounding type of track, a song to think to.

12. Wake Up - The Arcade Fire.
Most people know this track... i think its awesome and it reminds me of just about every concert i have ever been to at the Entertainment Centre. But i think it would make a great travelling song too.

13. Long Distance - Nizlopi
I like the upbeat feel, and the lyrics about travel.... and love.... and the trumpets.

14. Mexico - James Taylor
Nothing screams peaceful travel like James Taylor.... enough said... and if you are going to mexico its just like a travel guide... but poetic.


Once again, i am very tired.... and so i apologize for the lack of writing skill.... there will be a pt 2 coming later when i find time.

Download it 

This Weeks Mix Tape - Part 2

This was my second list, more of a sentimental one, these are songs that come back into circulation every now and then for me. You will probably already know them, you will probably hate them... but they played a part of my musical upbringing and thats all that matters.

1. Chicago - Sufjan Stevens
This was the first time i ever heard Sufjan, i was in the car with a friend listening to whatever crap commercial station he had set it to when i finally decided i'd had enough and changed it over to the J's, this really awesome chorus of people were singing this orchestrated head bopping number. I was blown away quickly slapping away his hand as he tried to change the station (because he didn't know who it was) and just fell in love with Sufjan after that. Its a great song and one that lasts with you.


2. The Way it is - Donovan Frankenreiter
I have a soft spot for artists like Jack Johnson and Xavier Rudd, Surf pop i guess you could call it, And Donovan is that and more, think Jack Johnson with some orchestrations and a bit of Jazz.... In 2008 i saw Donovan Frankenreiter live at Falls Festival, it was a rainy New years eve and the sun was just setting, but this only made the crowd go even more nuts as Donovan and band jammed, improvised and just had fun, the instrumental work was amazing and you could tell they were just letting go. It was one of the best performances i have ever seen and the fact that i was soaked meant nothing.

3. Closing In - The Living End
Chris Cheney has to be number one on my list of favorite guitarists, and this song shows exactly why, and this was off the debut album... enough said.

4. Don't Start a Band - Reel Big Fish
I went through a really big SKA phase. I couldnt stop listening to it, punk rock with horns... awesome. Since then i have moved into less 90's stylings but i still always keep a spot free for SKA.
Why this song? I dunno... its fun.

5. Pretty in Pink - Dresden Dolls
This song is in here for two reasons, one... i love the dresden dolls, Amanda palmer is an awesome lyricist (i know... this is a cover... not her lyrics i get it!) as well as a musician. The other reason is that i never got a chance to grow up with John Hughes films... in fact the only one i really ever watched was Ferris Bueller...until now. I just got a box set and i am finally watching  The Breakfast Club and well.... Pretty in Pink.

6. Bottle Rocket - The Go! Team
This song is pure motivation... funky dance tunes over cheerleaders, what could be more uplifting. This is one of my top Gym songs, makes working out so much easier.

7. Shizukana Hibi No Kaidoan Wo - Dragon Ash
This was the end track from Battle Royale... this film was awesome. Battle royale was the first film to get me into asian cinema and now i am surrounded by it. As for the song itself, although i dont understand it i have to admit it is really catchy. Go Japanese Hip Hop!!

8. Run Free - Hanz Zimmer
For a long while i had an obsession with Film scores and in some ways i still do. Hanz Zimmer is the master of action scores, he knows how to bring up images of chases and explosions through music as well as emotion. This was the score for the Animated Film Spirit : Stallion of the Cimmaron, (i think thats what its called) its a great peice of music and made up the soundtrack for many a trip with certain friends.

9. All coming back to me - Meatloaf
This was just a really unexpected find for me, Originally this song was written for meatloaf to sing on Bat out of hell 2.... however it wasn't and so it was given to Celine Dion... But in Bat out of Hell 3 it was returned to Meatloaf. This was an exceptional album, and i would reccomend people listen to it. Throw away your pre conceived notions, he is awesome! This song is a good example of that.

10. Scatmans World - John Scatman
I dont really have an explination for this... apparently he stuttered and thats why john scats.... enjoy. Scatfest is coming!


Sorry this is poorly written... i am still shaking from having just met MC Hammer!!!! You can find all the songs here as well in Zip.

Liner Notes: Chocolate Covered

I listen to a number of Podcasts, i am addicted to them. Mostly they are just hour long conversations about nothing important that serve as mindless litening, but one is different, its a podcast of Song covers called Coverville.

Song covers are amazing things, the ability of one artist to take anothers song and make it their own, not out of greed but out of respect and tribute. A Musical way of saying "good work". Now i know there are exceptions to this and so in my mind i created the three rules which define a cover song to me:

1. Must not sound exactly like the Original
This is a given, but is very regularily overlooked. A cover needs to be an artists interpretation of the song, it needs to be every bit a part of themselves as it is of the original artist. When Joe Cocker did his cover of the Beatles "Little Help from my Friends" he didnt make it sound like the Beatles, he didnt perform it note for note. He made it his own, (in fact it is one of the only covers i can think of in which the cover version was better than the original.) The song became a Joe Cocker song in its own right while still being fathful to the original.
On the other end of the scale, Brittney Spears's Cover of "I love Rock and Roll" or Spiderbaits "Black Betty" are not covers, performing a track just like the original is not a cover, its just theft.

2. A Cover is a B-Side
If you are covering a song with the intention of making it a single, you are not making a cover, you are just greedy. I am not saying that your song cannot become famous, number 1 or whatever, but if you record it with that intent then you are not doing it for the right reasons. A song cover is a bonus, it is a short tribute to another performer. I will accept people like Michael Buble etc who only really have their voice to work with, but i wouldnt really classify them as cover either. A cover is a specially done track by the artist to display their repect and love for another artist.
Once again Brittany Spears's Cover of "I love rock and Roll" is not a cover. Spiderbait... i had  faith in you....tsk tsk..

3. Respect is Key
Whether the song is done in jest or not a certain amount of respect needs to be had, if you are playing a song because you know it will be popular, or you know you can just make a mockery of it then become a Commercial radio DJ, to perform a cover you should like the song you are performing, whether it be sentimental, nostalgic or personal to someone you know, you need to respect the song and put effort into the recording. I will just put it out there that i dont like Wierd Al Yankovich for this reason.


When a cover song is done just right it is amazing, when performed live it is something that makes you feel you are witnessing something special, a cover song is a pure form of creativity that shows of an artists talent more than anything else because it is the ability to take the essence of a song and give it new life.

And so i leave you with two Covers that i really like... eventually i will make a covers mixtape... but not now cos i cant be bothered....

The Fresh Prince of Bel Air - Kay Pettigrew
This cover is great, i love acoustic renditions especially of rap songs. This is a prime example of an artist putting their own style into the song. Enjoy.


Somewhere over the Rainbow - IZ
A lot of people would have heard this cover before, it was featured in the movie Finding Forrester and now it seems to be featured in westfield playlists.... nonetheless it is a great cover and is most definatley done with amazing passion and respect and gives the song a whole new feel.


This is a very limited list in terms of showing the scope of what a song cover can do... so wait for the next playlist where i'll try and give you a wider spectrum.

Will's Mix Tape Volume 1 - A Mixed Bag

Ok... time to deliver some music from my itunes to your ears.... enjoy.

1.  All is Love - Karen O
Catchy Song from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs singer, will have you singing along in no time.

2. You Wouldn't Like Me - Tegan and Sara
An older song from T and S's debut album, cool build up and as usual great harmonies.

3. Love of an Orchestra - Noah and the Whale.
Madly in love with this song at the moment, thinking of running to vegas with it.
Epic and uplifting with that Noah and the Whale charm.

4. Sundial - Wolfmother
Say what you want about Wolfmother but they do know how to create an awesome riff. This song is no exception and the i love the use of piano.

5. Work - Bluejuice
This i just couldnt get out of my head, great beat and piano, catchy simple lyrics... very chilled and head nod-able.

6. Ampersand - Amanda Palmer.
Moving piano pop, heavy lyrics, great vocals. Amanda Palmer is an aquired taste but if you like Ben Folds then you will at least like the piano as i am pretty sure its him.

7. Get Well Cards - Conor Oberst
I really enjoyed Conors solo work away from bright eyes, he is an amazing lyricist and this song is not exception...

8. I Just Don;t Think i'll Ever Get Over You - Colin Hay
Taken from the Garden State soundtrack this is a moving peice of music, Colin still has it and some.


9. Claudia - The View
Something about the heavy scotish accent really works for me with this band. Love the guitar solo.


10. Not worth waiting for - Zoe Gault.
This is a little plug for a friend of my brothers, she is really talented. This recording was from the performance she did at the Opera house for an HSC showcase and really shows off her skills having composed not only the song but the orchestral backing for it.

I've put into a .rar file....
Download it Here


OK... thats my first mix tape... hope you enjoy it... Lemme know what you think.

Liner Notes: Soundtracks

I have always had a bit of a soft spot for soundtracks, it seems that they are the equivalent in music as Music videos are to Feature films... the sort of creative breeding ground where artists can leave convention and try new things, cover their favorite artists, leave their genre comfort zone, anything...

And so i bring you my top 5 soundtracks as of today...
(please note, this comes off a download session the other night, so most of these soundtracks are recent listens... this is in no way a best soundtracks of all time blog, also this is in no order... i am not that picky)


1. Where the Wild Things Are - Karen O and the Kids

I have not yet seen this film (its isnt out yet) but the fact that i loved the book as a kid and this soundtrack is so awesome i will most definately be there opening night with much anticipation. There is something about soundtracks to kids films that really rev me up, so much energy, you just want to bounce around the room, and this soundtrack lives up to that and more.
Karen O as most of you would know is the lead singer for the Yeah Yeah Yeah's, and she has a very distinctive style that comes with that, loud, enegery fuelled screaming. This however is not the Karen O that we hear on this soundtrack, she has toned down, calmed down and it pays off because in doing this she brings out the innocence of a kid in herself.
Alongside her she has assembled a pretty decent band lineup with Deerhunter's Bradford Cox and the Bird and the Bee's Greg Kurstin, bandmates Brian Chase and Nick Zinner and former touring guitarist Imaad Wasif, Liars' Aaron Hemphill, The Dead Weather's Dean Fertita, and Jack Lawrence from The Raconteurs as well as a chior of Kids.

This soundtrack really blew me away, i am a big fan of Karen O but the new sound she brings to this soundtrack as well as the instrumentals has made this album sit on repeat ever since.
Sure the lyrics are aimed at Kids, but they are still well written and great for all ages.

Reccomended Tracks: All is Love, Worried Shoes, Igloo, Rumpus


2. Garden State - Various

Zach Braff has a talent in picking music, the soundtrack to this film was derived from the mix CD that he was listening to when writing the screenplay and so in terms of working alongside the film itself they are almost perfect. But as a CD on its own this is possibly one of the best compilations i have heard in a long time.

If you havn't seen the film i first suggest seeing it, but the basic premise is that its about the main charachter (played by Braff) and his dissconnection to emotion and the outside world. And this music portreys that in its own way, the music is chilled indie rock, slow beats. And this dissconection in the music does to you what the medication does to Braffs charachter in the film... it takes you away from the world, which in Music terms is a good thing.

The Artists included are impressive, The Shins (who got their break from this release), Zero 7, Coldplay, Colin Hay (you's know him from Men at Work), Nick Drake.... to name a few and a really good cover of Such Great Heights by Iron and Wine.

This CD for me has been awesome train music.. a whole journey will pass as i listen to it and i wont even notice it going. Listen to it anywhere it is an awesome mix-tape from Zach Braff to you.

Reccomended Tracks: Caring is Creepy, In the Waiting Line, Such Great Heights.


3. (500) Days of Summer - Various

This soundtrack is really fresh in my mind at the moment, i only just listened to it this morning but it is already up the top in terms of soundtracks for me... it is also a film i have not yet seen and so the music has no reference for me in terms of usage in the film itself. But that doesnt matter because this is a great collection.

It is mostly older indie songs with tracks from The Smiths and Hall and Oats, but it also features some new stuff from Regina Spektor and The Temper Trap. I was grinning wide when i saw the inclusion of Please Please Please, Let me get what i Want by The Smiths, this song has always had a place in my heart and is what got me into The Smiths to begin with... and then on the last track a cover of the same song by She and Him... awesome.

This is a different compilation to Garden State, the songs focus on the theme of Love. The Classic indie love songs included are the perfect soundtrack to any relationship and if i were to ever make a mix tape for my one true love it would probably be very similar to this album.

The one down side to listening to this is that it makes me wish i saw the film even more... and that hurts.

Reccomended Tracks: Please Please Please, Let me get what i want, Us, You Make my Dreams, Quequ'un M'a Dit


4. Finding Neverland - Jan A.P Kaczmarek

Now onto the Classical, i do like film scores but i find with most that i get bored really quickly, Not with this one though, the use of choir vocals and smooth interweaving strings gives this the magic of a burton film with the drama of something from Speilburg.
The tracks hold up on their own as if from a symphony and even without knowledge of the film itself this soundtrack plays out as a nice peice of classical music in itself.

I dont really know what else to say about this album except listen to it, if you need to relax, study, think this is a great thing to have playing, it is motivating, soothing and well... amazing.

Reccomended Tracks: Its all good


5. I am Sam - Various

The Beatles have a very strange rule... no music is to be used in Film, that is... no Original recordings to be used in Film... covers on the other hand....

This soundtrack is the work of good mathematics... take one of the greatest bands in history, add some of the greatest artists of present day.... the result. Soundtrack to the power of awesome.
Artists such as Sarah Mclaughlin, Rufus Wainwright, Ben Folds, The Vines, Ben Harper etc.. doing covers of all the most popular beatles tracks in pure style... they add their own style to create something truely unique.

Originally Sean Penn wanted to put original tracks in the movie, he was declined. I somehow feel that the album is better because of it. This is not a beatles best of... its a tribute and it is done in style.

Reccomended Tracks: Golden Slumbers, Blackbird, I'm Looking Through You




Other Soundtracks that are well worth checking out:

Over the Hedge - Ben Folds
Great soundtrack, awesome cover of the Clash's "Lost in the Supermarket"... Ben folds is a legend, and it shows in this soundtrack.

Hancock: John Powell
John powell is one of the top when it comes to action scores, not at Zimmer level yet but great nonetheless...
This score is top notch, great fast paced action scores alongside heartfelt emotional tunes.

Wall-E: Thomas Newman
Pixar know emotion... and they also know who to get when they need that emotion expressed through music. Thomas Newman is a great composer and he shines in this soundtrack. The inclusion of songs from Lois Armstrong, Peter Gabriel and Michael Crawford from his Hello Dolly Days makes this a treasure part of my collection and a reminder of a great film.

Big Day Out 2010 Artists: Ladyhawke

It is Impossible for me to write a Music Blog without seeming pretentious, and so in a bid to lessen this i have decided to take a new approach... and so i present to you now the second of the Big Day Out 2010 artists... Ladyhawke...

hmmmm.... maybe i should avoid poetry...

In all seriousness i do advise people to go see ladyhawke, she has a cool 80's vibe to her music and it should make for some good dancing!


Reccomended Tracks:
Paris is Burning , My Delirium , Back of the Van

Website: www.myspace.com/ladyhawkerock

Liner Notes - Don't Start a Band... Dream about Starting a Band

For a long time i have wanted to be in a band...

The Fans, the songs, the gigs... the thrill of being able to perform for people and for them to repect you back... Heaven.

But what irks me is the sheer logistics of this dream. First i would have to learn an instrument, my choice at the moment is Bass, my fingers are a bit too big for guitar and i cant work out how i could learn drums without being murdered in a bloody household massacre.
So i go buy a bass... starter kit is 600 bucks... not too bad... looks reasonable, comes with an amp and bag and training stuffs, sweet... the one next to it is 4 grand... its shiny, its new...its magnificent. Suddenly my training bass looks like it will get me nowhere... how am i meant to achieve stardom with cheapness?

Ok so now i'm broke, but i've got an awesome axe! Ok... sit down and learn... get the first notes out... sounds good... hmmm... how long do i need to train for? Most big name artists start playing at around the age of 12-16... seeing as most of them reach their peak at the age i am now it will take me till the age of almost 40 to be any good.... 40.... i will have a wife and kids at 40... i will have a career and no time for music... let alone the fact that rock might no be so popular in 12 years time... i will be out of date...
Noone will want to hire a 40 year old newcomer... i'll be playing RSL cover shows, watching old retirees dance along to powderfinger... the young people laughing in disgust as they listen to their nu-techno...

Back in the present i think again about going to the store, buying a guitar and joining a band... it still seems kinda cool... in theory.
Who wants to be in my band?

Big Day Out 2010 Artists: Calvin Harris

It turns out that the 70's are dead.. in fact it seems they died over 30 years ago... people have mourned, they have said their goodbyes and moved on.

But the 70's havn't fully departed, parts of it have hidden away, lay dormant, waiting, changing, adapting...

Disco is not dead.

Gone are the mirror balls, the platform shoes, the Travolta, Disco or Nu-Disco as it likes to be called is a totally different beast, its punchier, more electronic and most of the time you don't even know you're listening to it.

Disco has hidden itself in the world of Dance, it is disguised as being Electro, Trance, House...etc. But it is Disco my friend, and it is awesome.

Jamiroquai, Daft Punk, Armand Van Heldon, Bob Sinclair, Lady Ga Ga, Datarock, Justice...etc. all these artists are disco... and in amongst this re-emergence is Cavin Harris.

Hailing from Scotalnd Calvin Harris is a producer as well as a recording artist, he has produced two albums, I Created Disco and Ready for the Weekend. He has recorded alongside Kylie Minogue and Dizzee Rascal and has only been in the industry for 3 years.

Anyone who has any interest in Dance music probably already knows all they need to know about Cavin and in turn they have already decided if the like him or not... but if you are new to the scene and for some reason that i cannot think of, havn't heard of calvin harris then i really reccomend you check him out. He is very easy to listen to, and even easier to dance to, and he is popular enough to make his stuff easy to find and try out.

When you listen to his music (mostly the stuff not on the radio) you can definatly hear the Disco elements, the beat, the synths... Calvin is definatly making disco.

Get out your shoes with fish in them, that rhinestone gun and the plain white flares and burn them, because disco is back but not the way you know it.

Now lets work on getting over the 80's...


Reccomended Tracks: Acceptible in the 80's, Merrymaking at My Place, I'm Not Alone

Website: http://www.myspace.com/calvinharristv

Also check out this remix of I'm Not Alone by my mates Three Fingers, awesome!

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=a747b5158e2d538f1bee9a6e9edd9c7685aa1592b5cbabe3a9a26c4ed87536eb

Song Intro: A Guide to the Big Day Out

Hey guys just a quick update... i have decided to write up a guide to this years Big Day Out..

I'll be doing a bio page for each of the artists in the First Release so that people can get a better grasp of who to see... (like i'm some sort of expert)... i've decided not to write reviews like i have been doing, i read these back and cringe with the wank that i am seeing... so its gonna be in a more encyclopedic style with some personal opinons and stories.. and as always a illustration from yours truely.

Hope someone finds this helpful.... First post soon.

Liner Notes: Festival Tips and Etiquette

With all the Festivals coming up i just thought i'd provide you with a community service announcement for both my comfort and yours...


1. Pace Yourself: There is nothing worse than passing out before the headline act. Festivals are long, and the amount of good talent that just screams moshpit is huge. Make sure you prioritise, make sacrifices...
Can you sit back for these guys? Have you made time for food?...because at the end of the day you are there for the headline, and when they play, you will want to go nuts.

2. Eat and Drink: you might get to about 1 or 2 and develop sunstroke... this is common due to the fact that festivals usually end up on the hottest days (or the wettest... sorry parklife..). The last thing you will want to do is eat, but this is a lie... eat dammit... because once that heat stroke wears off you will feel more tired than ever. Lunch is important, Water more so.

3. Aim for the middle: You're standing in the mosh, to the right... or the left... the speaker is right next to you... the band plays.... you go deaf. Enough said?

4. Don't feel bad about straying from the group: There will be disagreements, it comes with the territory. Not everyone will want to see the same band. That's ok. Go on your own. You are in Festival land,  everyone is just as into music as you are and so it wont be hard to make friends, and when your favorite band comes on you won't care a bit that your mates are off somewhere else... its just you and the music! Just make sure you can find them after. Its all about the music.

5. Don't be a Douche: I had to break this one up... its a big subject.

  - Keep your fucking shirt on: It's hot, we all feel it... what we don't want to feel is your sweat, which is what you are rubbing all over us, sure you have been at the gym all week, good for you. Noone cares.

  - You are not the only one here: Just because you think you're top shit does not make you invincible to me knifing you. If you are in a mosh and need to get out the simple words "excuse me" are enough. Don't just walk through people like you are the only one there, you are not... and in terms of importance i think i just stepped in something more important than you on the way in...

  - Stop beating women: Mosh circles are something that noone can stop... but if you feel the need to run into someone for the sake of it make sure they want you to run into them. Girls don't like to be bodyslammed. Think you fucking morons.


Hope this enlightens and educates... have fun, be cool, respect your fellow music lovers... peace in the Fest!

Track 2: Amanda Palmer

What is it about the piano that makes it so good for rock and roll?
Something about the complex wavy chords floating in between drums and guitar that adds a richness to the sound, a catchy melody that makes a song stick. Maybe its the fact that the piano doesn't need any other instruments, as Ben folds has proven with his latest tour.

Amanda Palmer knows this too well.
One half of the Brechtian punk cabaret duo The Dresden Dolls Amanda temporarily strayed into solo work in 2008 with her release of Who Killed Amanda Palmer. Assisted by Ben Folds on keys this album showed that Amanda was just as strong on her own as she was in the Duo. The Deep sounding arrangements of heavy pounding piano work overlayed with equally rich but ever so bitter lyrics this was a really well produced album that always left you finding new things within it each time you listened.
Amanda knew about the secret of piano rock. She hired one of the best.

To me Amanda Palmer has been my anger middle ground. If i am really pissed off i will listen to Rage against the Machine or Metallica.... if i am happy i will listen to Ben Folds, or the Beatles. But if i am neither, if my day has been lousy but i am heading home away from it all, nothing is better. The lyrics are so well crafted, songs ranging from someone playing Guitar hero... to a jaunty tune about getting drunk and taken advantage upon at a party. Amanda definitely has a thing for words.
She doesn't let you  get used to what you are hearing, just when you think she is cold and dark she throws in a cover of Rodgers and Hammersteins 'What's the Use of Wond'rin', a light piece that when juxtapositioned against the other tracks has an entirely different, possibly darker feel to it.
And throughout this, the piano makes itself known. Ben folds accompanies amanda really well... not overpowering, but still making himself known, and it couldn't be a better team up.

I am happy Amanda Palmer is back with the Dresden Dolls... but i am also glad she gave this one peice of herself... listen to this and judge for yourself.

Triple J Unearthed Search of the Week:

"Sounds like" - Amanda Palmer

 

 Girl with Cake (Brisbane QLD)

http://www.triplejunearthed.com/artists/view.aspx?artistid=498

Song:Dead Girl

Website: www.myspace.com/thenancies

Sounding more like the Yeah yeah yeahs these guys have got some good sounds. The Lead singer Sarah Vardy definatly has takena cue off of Patience Hodgeson, her voice high in range and emotion. Would be great to see in concert. Lovin the angry chick rock!

Kage: (Central Coast, NSW)

http://www.triplejunearthed.com/artists/view.aspx?artistid=876

Song:6-21

Website: www.headmess.com

Great cinematic sounds, rolling piano and a heavy dance beat. Harmonies between the two vocalists are effective and this band seem comfortable in this style. A lot of potential here.

 

 

Liner Notes: Festivals.

Well that time of year is coming upon us again... Festival Season.

The Big Day Out lineup was released today and i couldn't be happier... MUSE headlining!

Festivals are a strange thing... the best ones are on when the climate is least tolerable... Summer.
Days reach 40 degrees and everyone flocks to an open location to squeeze up close and share body heat. Energy is expelled as more heat as we jump synchronusley together, sweat coating everyone around us.

We drink heavily, sugary drinks which only add to the dehydration, causing us to answer it with more drinks of the same sugar content. Snacks with high salt, drugs that make us want to snack... an endless cycle of bad consumption choices.

Music Blares out of the speakers loudly... bursting our delicate eardrums, reducing the amount we can hear the next time round.


We leave the festival medically unfit, full of alcohol and drugs, sweating profusely and exhausted. Sunburnt and Tired. And the next year we do the same again.... why?

Because it's Fucking Awesome!

Rock on Festival Goers.... i'll see you in the Sun!


Reccomendation:

Tim and Jean
http://www.triplejunearthed.com/artists/view.aspx?artistid=28341
Track: Come Around
Website: www.myspace.com/wearetimandjean
Sounding like a mix between Miami Horror and Bag Raiders these young guys have created possibly the most well produced track on Unearthed i have ever heard. These High Schoolers have created an amazingly well produced track that is catchy and pleasant to listen to, reminding me of chilling on a beach, beer in hand waiting for a big night ahead.  This song is a great lead up to summer and has been on very high rotation on my computer. Enjoy with a cold beer and dreams of holidays!

"Now by the last day your probably thinking summers the worst
coz all that time out in the sun left you covered in burns
and smothered in dirt, the site of all the dunnies is worse
and all the food shops are gone when your so hungry it hurts
all you wana do is sleep but you’ve got packing to do
squash up in that car and jump back in the queue
yeah i no we all complain about the pain when it ends
but next year we’ll save up and do the same shit again"
- The Festival Song - Pez

Track 1: Children Collide

It is not uncommon for bands these days to copy the artists of the past. Bands such as Jet, Wolfmother and Little Red have this down to an art. But is it a bad thing?

The way i see it is that it all comes down to interpretation. Some bands are basically copycats to the past greats, they just take an old song and re word it. I cannot remember the names of any of these artists however because they usually disappear quickly without a stir.
The successful artists are the ones who take a sound from someone they respect and then add something to it, make it their own.
Sure bands like Wolfmother sound like most long haired guitar noodlers of the 70's, but when you hear a Wolfmother song you know its a Wolfmother song, because they have made a style for themselves.
Most bands start out sounding like someone else... The living end started out covering the Stray Cats, Oasis constantly sound like the Beatles, Little Red sounds like the Four Seasons and Wolfmother sounds like Led Zepplin.

Children Collide however sound like it all.

Although it is obvious that they sound 70's, it is very hard to pin them down to one style. In their album "The Long Now" the songs jump around from a head banging classic with haunting guitar and dance beat to a Bowie-esque ballad about two lovers finding a new planet to live on.
They have taken elements of the 70's and made it their own and it seems to be working perfectly.

I first saw these guys last year at Homebake. They were playing towards the end of the day at a tent in the back section of the park, the stage nominated for newcomers.
The tent was packed by the time i got there, people were flooding out the doors as others stood behind them tip toe-ing to get a better look.
The band had already started and they were going off... the energy was high and the crowd soaked up every minute of it.
A guy in front of me grabbed his girlfriend pulling her in front of him so she could see,
"Babe you have to hear this song, its awesome!"
The girl who was mid conversation when grabbed looked up at the stage, not a minute went by and she was hooked. Children Collide put on an amazing stage show.

The end of the gig was pure rock and roll... Johnny MacKay the lead singer/guitarist swung the guitar from the top of his head down strumming distorted finishing notes in frenzied style. the last note causing the body of the guitar to smack him mid forehead, Johnny grabbed his head and stumbled off stage. Rock and Roll!

Its this type of show that has propelled the band to where they are today, they are getting radio play and playing at pretty much every festival in Aus. They have toured with the Grates and are now doing their own show, and at every venue or festival i have seen them at one thing is for certain... they will be packed.

Their sound is very inspired by the past, they have the trippy guitar solos, the long fantastic lyrical journeys and the Dance inducing bass lines and beat buts its a richness in their sound that bring them out from the rest, whether it is the vocal stylings, or the grungy overtones i don't know but they don't sound similar to anything i have heard before, and this in my opinion is how older music should be interpreted into the present, enough so that you can identify the influences, but not so that you can classify them to the style.

"They sound like the 70's but better" was a comment from a work mate. Although i probably wouldn't agree with this statement, i cant help but see where they are coming from.

Triple J Unearthed Search of the Week:

"Sounds like" - Children Collide:

1. GrannyFlat (Adelaide, SA)

http://www.triplejunearthed.com/artists/view.aspx?artistid=5061

Website: www.myspace.com/grannyflat

Track: All Things said and Done

Catchy Riff, Solid lyrics, Dancy beat. Very well produced and written, sounds like something from the late 90's, would be awesome to hear in a live venue. Kinda like Kings of Leon meets Jebidiah...

2. HighJinks (Mid north Coast, NSW)

http://www.triplejunearthed.com/artists/view.aspx?artistid=26617

Website:www.myspace.com/shaunhollywoodmusic

Track: A Hundred Million Bombs will Fall Tonight

Slow emotive track, simple but effective. Soft vocals that compliment the acoustic guitar sounds. Great song to relax to and sing along to.

3. Opallarma (Illawarra, NSW)

http://www.triplejunearthed.com/artists/view.aspx?artistid=26565

Website: www.myspace.com/opallarma

Track: My Friend the Ghost

These guys fit into a "has potential" category, they have elements of Queens of the Stone age and Nirvana and with a bit more production values might sound pretty decent.

This song is heavy, the bassline is deep and droning and makes for some good Rock, the vocals need to be heavier but are cool as are the lyrics. Very Rough but good.

Disclaimer:

If this sounds pretentious or wanky i assure you, i know nothing about music, i am not better than you and really i just know what i like.

The Liner Notes: why a Music Blog?

I love Music

Most of my friends can't stand my choice in music.

"What the Fuck is this?"

A slow monotonous song drones through the car stereo speakers, drab, bleak, repetitive. Almost as if someone had started the drum track but then forgot the rest leaving audio filler spilling across the airwaves.

"Triple J" i sigh searching for some way to back up how this music is good. It's not. Triple J has let me down again.

I reach forward stabbing at a random number on the dash, knowing full well what i am about to hear, and this radio station doesn't let me down... catchy...pop...country...crap. Taylor Swift.

Sweet sappy lyrical nonsense floats through the speakers, something about romeo and Juliet and some sort of fairytale surrounding, i lean foreword to select another number in the hopes of something better...

"Good Song!" my now suspiciously heterosexual friend says moments away from the button push, his voice with an air of certainty, he knows what he likes and this is it. I slump back into my seat. Car rules, driver has final say.

Eyes foreword... look at the road.... I can sense him looking at me, he wants approval, he wants me to turn to him and tell him how amazing this song is... i can't even lie to him... i keep my mouth shut. The song will be over soon and i can try Triple J again... i can't let go that easily.

The song end, i switch the station... the drone is still going... "What is this crap?"

There is a LOT of music these days... and a lot of genres being created to fit these songs....

"And now here's the latest in bohemian sub-pop trance metal!"

and anyone can become a musician... all you need is a computer and a social network and you already have what constitutes a basic record label.

While this is great for struggling musicians to get their stuff out there it soon becomes a double edged sword as people begin to stop looking.

The Ratio goes like this: for every one decent artist there will be 5 shit ones beside it.

The good songwriters/singers/bands are getting lost in a world of wanky art students who have just perfected their 20 minute ode to the sound of rain, distorted in such a way that it does significant earlobe damage but breaks social barriers nonetheless.... it is depressing to turn on the radio and continually stay vigilant as song after song of pure annoyance plays out of the speakers, the one thing looping in your mind... "it's OK... the next song will be good".

And so commercial radio comes along to save the day... they have the answer... THEY will pick for you. All you have to do is tune in and trust in them that this is the best the music industry have to offer.

"Pink is awesome... nothing better than pink... she's the hottest artist right now! whats that? this kid rock song does sound awfully like "Sweet home Alabama" meets "werewolves of London" but who cares about those songs, we don't play those songs..."

No longer do people have to think for themselves, if its catchy and talks about sex its good!

People have given up caring about music, they no longer listen to music and then judge, but the other way round! They will love the song before they have even heard it, and why? Because some jerk off shock jock told them to.

I will only briefly add here that most of the actually good tracks that seem to be played on these stations have mostly been played to death on triple J beforehand.

And so what is to happen to this music industry of ours... will a database of wannabe artists like Triple J's unearthed stay alive whilst most of the population tune over to hear about what shit Kyle Sandilands has to say next?

I most certainly hope not.

I will still listen to Triple J because when that droning half hour set of drum machine finishes and a purely amazing song plays... it will be magical!


Through this Blog i hope to introduce you to band thats i find and like, you may not like them, you may downright hate them... but somewhere along the way you might find a band that you really connect with, and trust me when i tell you that there is nothing better than that.




Now to switch back to Triple J and see whats on...