The music scene in Sydney is bursting with talent, but between the plethora of international acts and growing number of lesser known artists performing each week, it can be tricky to choose where to spend your time and cash. Here at the interns, we make it our mission to fit in as much music into each week as humanly possible. So check the best of what’s on this week so you can get your fix of live music without breaking the bank.
Footsie + Sk!tz Beatz
Wednesday 8th April @ Goodgod Small Club
How Much: $10
This Wednesday Goodgod are putting on a GRIME-fest, featuring UK grime lords Footsie and Sk¡tz Beatz. Footsie is one half of the Newham Generals, and has been putting out some of the world’s dirtiest beats for a long time now. Sk¡tz Beatz is also a big name producer in the UK, having been part of the production team for some of the music industry’s biggest names including Dizzee Rascal and Tempa T. Tickets on the door.
Dispatch
Wednesday 8th April @ Factory Theatre
How Much: $44
This week indie roots legends Dispatch are playing their first ever shows in Australia. The Boston three-piece blues and roots group met in college and officially formed as Dispatch in 1996. Having already killed it at Bluesfest in Byron, Dispatch have just announced two shows in Sydney and Melbourne. Tickets from here.
Band Of Skulls
Thursday 9th April @ Oxford Art Factory
How Much: $58.50
After making the journey from England to play Splendour In The Grass last year, Band Of Skulls clearly couldn’t get enough of Australia. As a result, they’re back on a proper tour off the back of their third LP Himilayan. A polished outfit, they bring their sweet melodies and heavy riffs to Oxford Art Factory on Thursday. Tickets are technically a tad over budget, but we guarantee that $8.50 extra will be well spent. Tickets available from here.
Kagu
Saturday 11th April @ Goodgod Small Club
How Much: $12.90
Following the release of his self-titled EP, Kagu brings his lush soundscapes to Goodgod Small Club on Saturday. The project of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Sean Healthcliff, Kagu has been making waves on FBi and Triple J since his first official single ‘Human’ was released this year. His live show will be something to behold, with former Snakadaktal members among his live support band. Tickets from here.
Super Best Friends
Saturday 11th April @ Rad Bar
How Much: $9.60
Super Best Friends will be making an appearance at Rad Bar on Saturday, supported by a huge cast of acts including Atticus, Bollywood Blondes and Shoot The Breeze. Recognised as one of Australia’s most entertaining, politically charged punk rock groups, Super Best Friends recently released their debut album ‘Status Updates’. Checking out their video below is an absolute must! Tickets from here.
Just A Gent Remixes Alison Wonderland's 'U Don't Know'
Alison Wonderland’s debut album Run has only been out since the 20th of March, yet one of its hottest tracks has already been utilised in a huge remix. Fresh off being announced on the bill of the Maitland leg of Groovin’ The Moo, Novocastrian producer Just A Gent uploaded his remix of the dark and bass-heavy track U Don’t Know {ft. Wayne Coyne} on Soundcloud today.
According to Soundcloud it fits in a style of music that Just A Gent has self-titled ‘Lovetrap’. It’s quite different to the original, with the remix loading up on a super filthy drop midway through, whilst makes a captivating use of that echoey big room sound throughout.
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/just-a-gent/alison-wonderland-u-dont-know-just-a-gent-remix[/soundcloud]
What So Not Prepare To Send Flume Off In Style With 'Gemini'
What So Not have released the first single from their final EP as a duo, titled Gemini. Following the release of their EP by the same title and subsequent North American tour (including a set at Coachella), Emoh Instead will become the sole proprietor of the duo, whose fame has been undoubtedly boosted by Harley Streten’s individual success as Flume.
There’s no doubt though, that in What So Not we always saw a slightly more experimental, more fun-loving side of Flume’s production. The release of this incredible first single featuring the irrepressible George Maple shows that if nothing else, Streten intends to go out with a banger or two.
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/whatsonot/what-so-not-gemini-ft-george-maple[/soundcloud]
SBTRKT Shares Three Brand New Tracks
It would appear that SBTRKT has been hard at work recently. Over the last few days he has uploaded three brand new tracks to his Soundcloud page. These tunes can definitely be described as experimental, and have been classified by SBTRKT under the genre headings ‘Doom’, ‘Gloom’, and ‘Tomb’ respectively…
The first track, FLAREtWO was uploaded two days ago. It’s a very cool dissonant jam with no real melody, fusing a huge range of drum effects with some downright weird synth noises. No description here will really do it justice though; it’s very much a ‘you need to hear it for yourself’ type of deal…
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/sbtrkt/flaretwo[/soundcloud]
Roulette was track number two, and uploaded just over a day ago. It’s very different from FLAREtWO, slowly building on a few different sounds, dropping the bass and snare in and out, using repetition and playing with the texture of the sound to create interest.
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/sbtrkt/roulette[/soundcloud]
The third track to be uploaded, just a few hours ago, is aptly titled nO less. Presumably created for those SBTRKT fans that are a bit less adventurous aurally, nO less is a soft and bass-focussed track that is mostly build-up. Shortly before the end the track builds hugely in substance, and will definitely leave you wishing it was longer than two and a half minutes..
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/sbtrkt/sbtrkt-no-less[/soundcloud]
This Week’s 5 Gigs Under $50
The music scene in Sydney is bursting with talent, but between the plethora of international acts and growing number of lesser known artists performing each week, it can be tricky to choose where to spend your time and cash. Here at the interns, we make it our mission to fit in as much music into each week as humanly possible. So check the best of what’s on this week so you can get your fix of live music without breaking the bank.
Wesley College Carnivale
Wednesday 1st April @ Wesley College, USYD
How Much: $42.90
Now I’m not the biggest fan of college parties, but there’s no doubt that Wesley College’s Carnivale has stood out from the pack of over the years, with last year’s event featuring a standout performance by Cosmo’s Midnight. This year will no different, with Carnivale once again securing an enormous lineup. Headlining will be two of Australia’s biggest new talents, Basenji and Sable, both of whom have big festival experience. With the addition of $4 drinks all night, it’s almost hard not to buy a ticket. Tickets from here.
Slumberjack
Thursday 2nd April @ Fusion Nightspot
How Much: Probably fairly cheap 🙂
Despite having no indication on their Facebook page or anywhere else of how much it will be to get into Fusion for this gig, we’re banking that its going to be way less than $50. Slumberjack are another name on the growing pile of Australian electronic talent, but don’t get the impression that they’re just another duo trying to catch a break. They’ve already been named in one of Skrillex’s ‘Skrillex Selects’ playlists, and are currently in the middle of a huge Australian tour. More info here.
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/hegemon/slumberjack-body-cry-ft-father-dude[/soundcloud]
Asta
Thursday 2nd April @ Newtown Social Club
How Much: $18.00
Winner of Triple J Unearthed High 2012, Asta has since wowed audiences around the country with some incredible live shows. Noticeably absent however, has been a big follow up to the huge 2012 hit track My Heart Is On Fire. This Thursday she’ll officially launch her latest creative project, an upbeat, catchy tune called Dynamite (featuring the smooth words of rapper Allday). Entry is $18.00 at the door. Tickets available here.
Rolls Bayce
Saturday 4th April @ Goodgod
How Much: $12.00
Former members of Hungry Kids of Hungary and Millions have bandied together to form psychedelic soul outfit, Rolls Bayce. Now, the boys will be heading out on their first Australian headline tour and hitting up Goodgod. If you’re not already incredibly intrigued by what these guys have to offer, at just $12 entry, you’d be silly not to satisfy your curiosities on Saturday.
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/rolls-bayce/on-my-own[/soundcloud]
Northern Beaches House Party
Sunday 5th April @ Mona Vale Hotel
How Much: $40.00
If you don’t already have plans for Easter Sunday, you could do a lot worse than getting down to Mona Vale Hotel and partying with the likes of Touch Sensitive, Yolanda Be Cool and Mazde. With a huge lineup of DJ’s and bands and with a headliner the quality of Touch Sensitive, it’s sure to go down as one of the more exciting Easters you’ll have as an adult. Final release tickets are still available here.
Japanese Wallpaper Drops Another Chiller: 'Forces'
After winning Triple J’s Unearthed High competition last year as a year 11 student, Melbourne’s Gab Strum (better known as Japanese Wallpaper) released the incredibly well-produced track Between Friends {Featuring Jessie Davidson}. The track went to number 97 in the Hottest 100, but sadly we’ve been left with little else to tie our yearning eardrums over in the last six months other than a couple of remixes he’s tinkered with.
Enter Strum’s latest contribution, a typically mellow track called Forces, featuring the aurally pleasing voice of Airling. Typically smooth production meshes sparingly used vocal effects with a mature combination of ethereal melodic harmonies, and of course the soothing sound of bells that so drew us to his last single. It’s just incredible to think that the dude is still in year 12.
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/japanesewallpaper/forces[/soundcloud]
Kilter Remixes Hermitude's 'Through The Roof'
Ned East (Kilter) has been teasing various live audiences around Australia with a bunch of sneak peeks of new stuff he’s been working on. One of the tracks that’s made its way into his repertoire of late is this remix of one of Hermitude’s latest offerings; Through The Roof. The remix has all the typical trademarks of the hit-pad oriented style that East has made his own over recent years. He messes around with syncopated rhythms and rhythmic space to put his own spin on the track, but it retains a lot of the laid-back Hermitude style.
The connection goes deeper, as East admitted upon posting the track on his Facebook page; “I first saw Hermitude play live as a fresh faced 16yr old and immediately bought their album after the show. Awesome to have them ask me to remix their new tune!” Awesome indeed!
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/kilterbeats/sets/hermitude-through-the-roof[/soundcloud]
JaysWays Drops a Taste of His Debut Album With Snapped Wires \\ Rest Assured
JaysWays has just dropped an amazing new track off his forthcoming debut album Sentrient (release date currently set at “some point in the future”). The now 18 year-old producer has provided glimpses of his raw talent over the past few years, including a few collabs with twin-producers Cosmo’s Midnight. With this single though, titled Snapped Wires Rest Assured, we see a much more mature and level side to his glitch-electro style. One of the highlights of this new track has to be the ear-pleasing vocal lines complimenting a lovely balance between the sound-effect heavy glitch style of his very early music, and the pervasive melodic lines and deeper bass tones that dominate the structure and direction of this track. First hearing this dude when he was 16 I wondered what sort of thing we’d be hearing from him in a couple of years’ time. Now it seems like we won’t have to wait much longer.
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/jaysways/snapped-wires-rest-assured[/soundcloud]
This Week's 5 Gigs Under $50
The music scene in Sydney is bursting with talent, but between the plethora of international acts and growing number of lesser known artists performing each week, it can be tricky to choose where to spend your time and cash. Here at the interns, we make it our mission to fit in as much music into each week as humanly possible. So check the best of what’s on this week so you can get your fix of live music without breaking the bank.
Gang Of Youths
Wednesday 25th March @ FBi Headquarters
How Much: FREE
Having burst onto triple j unearthed in 2013, Gang Of Youths have fast established themselves as one of Sydney’s premier live acts. The indie rockers will be hitting up FBi’s new headquarters in Alexandria on Wednesday for a free show. Get down from 5:30pm for some infectiously catchy tunes.
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/gangofyouths/poison-drum[/soundcloud]
Giorgio Moroder
Thursday 26th March @ The Metro Theatre
How Much: $49.90
Giorgio Moroder has just about done it all in his career as an Acadamy Award-winning composer, DJ and songwriter. Across multiple decades, he is often attributed with bringing electronic music and sampling to the masses, and more recently featured in Daft Punk’s Creators Project in the lead up to the release of their album Random Access Memories. Now is you chance to catch the legend in full flight, at the Metro this Thursday. Tickets from here.
Japanese Wallpaper
Thursday 26th March @ Newtown Hotel
How Much: FREE
17-year old Melbourne producer Japanese Wallpaper won triple J’s Unearthed High competition in 2014, testament to the incredible maturity of his music for someone so young. As part of Spectrum Now, he’ll be playing at the Newtown Hotel on Thursday, supported by up-and-comer Anatole, kicking off at 8pm. As with all Newtown Hotel events, entry is free!
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/japanesewallpaper/between-friends[/soundcloud]
Northeast Party House
Friday 27th March @ Oxford Art Factory
How Much: $18.70
Northeast Party House exploded onto radio airwaves in 2014 with their hit single Sick Boy gaining some serious airtime on Triple J. Following the subsequent release of their debut album Any Given Weekend and a set considered by many to be one of the highlights of Falls Festival, the boys are now playing their own headline tour. Tickets available here.
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/stopstartmusic/05-sick-boy-1[/soundcloud]
Vance Joy
Friday 27th March @ The Enmore Theatre
How Much: $51
On the back of his unbelievably popular single Riptide, Vance Joy has proved over the last year or so that he’s much more than a one-hit-wonder. Having released his debut album Dance Your Life Away in September, he then embarked on a tour of the UK and Europe, and has recently announced a tour of North America later this year. Although this gig is officially sold out, we’ve been informed that additional ticket releases may still be announced via The Enmore Theatre’s Facebook page here.
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/vancejoy/03-play-with-fire[/soundcloud]
