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5fashioncollabs2
fashion

Top 5 Music & Fashion Collabs

Kermit Cintron vs Walter Mathysse

Fashion and music often collide, sometimes with great success, sometimes with well, none at all. Cue, Tiesto and Guess’ collaboration. With the news Solange Knowles is following in Zoe Kravitz’s footsteps as the covergirl for ASOS’s June magazine, we decided to have a look at our top five music X fashion collaborations that leave the rest for fashion dead. Yes, Kanye and his t-shirt made the cut. Yes, we’re not sure how to feel about that either.

 

Amy Winehouse X Fred Perry

Kermit Cintron vs Walter Mathysse

The late soul songstress released a total of four collections with iconic Brit-boy label Fred Perry that featured argyle sweaters, short-shorts and polo tops inspired by the singers personal style. Notably, the fourth and final collection was released mere months after the singers passing with all profits being donated to the Amy Winehouse Foundation, a charity for at-risk youth.

 

Rihanna X River Island

Give me a piece o’dat Ri Ri! Not only did Rihanna’s 3 season strong (Spring, Autumn, Winter 2013) collaboration with the British fashion house mean fans had direct access to the starlet’s flamboyant style, it also demonstrated to the family-run business that expansion into Australasia and the US is definitely on the cards. Good news all round, right? The collections included over-sized everythings alongside barely-there nothings in a range of floral, tartan, metallic and camouflage prints. Check out her winter collection if you’re in the market for a ball gown or two.

 

A.P.C X Kanye West

Proving to the fashion industry that he has more to give than that one very white very t-shirt-like t-shirt, Kanye West announced his second collaboration with French brand A.P.C at their capsule collection party in January this year. Featuring military inspired trench coats, American denim-on-denim and a casual blanket or two, West’s latest designs will be available in september this year. Hooray for blanket fashions!

 

PUMA x Solange Disc Collection

My desire to be Solange has just sky-rocketed to new heights. Recently named as Puma’s Creative Consultant, her first undertaking was the “Girls of Blaze” project that saw three New York Designers reinterpret the brand’s iconic Disc System, a tightening system that did away with traditional shoelaces in the 1990s in favour of a rotating dial, via the vibrant street life of Brazil.

 

Adidas X Pharell

Look this is neither here nor there, and we don’t really know what to expect from the collaboration other than it will be gooooood. And probably feature an oversized hat or two.

michelleobama
features

Couples that need to tour together

Beyonce and Jay Z have announced their On The Run tour which will see the two travel the US together for the first time since they got together and became the tour de force of the music industry. Crazy and Drunk in love, the self-proclaimed Bonnie and Clyde ‘03 will likely deliver shows that make everybody feel that their current and future relationships are not worthwhile.

Following a well-trodden path laid out by Sonny and Cher and Ike and Tina Turner, Mr and Mrs. Carter are not the first couple to tour together and won’t be the last. We’ve compiled a list of a few couples we believe would make just as worthy tour buddies- for better or worse.

Barack and Michelle Obama

Kermit Cintron vs Walter Mathysse

Who better to rival the first couple of music than the President and the First Lady of the USA. While the pair are not specifically known for their music, each of them have proven ability. Barack infamously sang Let’s Stay Together before his 2012 re-election while Michelle is an avid dancer. Alongside Beyonce, she’s shaken her booty around the country with her Move Your Body fitness campaign and would be the perfect candidate to accompany Mr. President’s soulful crooning. With Barack’s final term in office coming to an end, they will need something else to do. George Bush turned to painting, the Obama’s can turn to Arena RnB.

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian

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Kimye on tour = dollar signs. West is a formidable, stadium rapper and Kim is, well, anything but. In 2011, she released a heavily auto-tuned debut called Jam but nothing has followed since. It’s time she re-lit that flare for music on stage with Yeezus. There would be a live rendition of Bound 2 while she would have to dance alongside Kanye rapping “My trophy on that Bound bike, I gave you only pipe / If people don’t hate then it won’t be right” in I Won. It would be awkward, arrogant and feature plenty of booty. Get me my Gold Meet ‘n’ Greet ticket now.

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban

Kermit Cintron vs Walter Mathysse

If we can’t get a live duet of Something Stupid between Nicole and Robbie Williams then this will have to do. Nicole’s performance in Moulin Rouge had her belting from Parisian rooftops while Keith’s polite country tang caters for the daggy Mum in everybody. We imagine the Urban Nicole tour being produced by Baz Luhrmann and landing somewhere between a country hoedown and Bewitched. If it didn’t end with an encore including Islands in the Stream, then everyone would be handed refunds.

EDIT: Our prayers were answered. Amazing.

Rihanna and Drake

Kermit Cintron vs Walter Mathysse

We haven’t read Perez Hilton of late but last we heard these two were dating. Rihanna has already toured with Chris Brown so a joint tour would be the best way to consummate their new found love. They’ve already featured alongside each other on Take Care and What’s My Name, so a joint set list wouldn’t be a stretch. Rihanna could stand next to Drake during his set and hand him tissues as he wallows in self-pity about how he started from the bottom AKA. Degrassi.

Calvin Harris and Rita Ora

Kermit Cintron vs Walter Mathysse

This is very scarily a possibility. The dance king and pop princess worked together on Rita’s latest single, I Will Never Let You Down, which would probably be the name of the tour, just to reassure people that they’re committed. Harris would pump out pulsating beats while Rita would try her best to sing Rihanna’s part in We Found Love before realising that she’s still a good girl, caught in the awkward phase before the good girl goes bad. #badgalriri

Matt Bellamy and Kate Hudson

Kermit Cintron vs Walter Mathysse

Muse frontman, Bellamy, is no stranger to Arena rock. Kate however, although used to the bright lights, is a less than competent musician. That’s exactly why this has to happen. She last tried her hand at singing in the film, How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days, proving that she’d be perfect for screeching the guitar riff of Knights of Cydonia or humming the piano line of Starlight. Given Muse’s self-indulgent Coachella performance, her version of You’re So Vein would be a perfect addition to the set.

Chad Kroeger and Avril Lavigne

Kermit Cintron vs Walter Mathysse

If this prediction comes true, then the(in)terns were the first to break the news of an impending apocalypse. Imagine Chad Kroeger’s concrete laden vocals alongside Avril’s bratty chanting and then imagine the two of them serenading each other at a piano to a lounge version of Sk8er Boi. It would be the worst thing to happen to audiences since Ke$ha toured with Pitbull, made even worse by the fact that there would be possible canoodling.

 

freelistening2
new music

Stream new albums from Lily Allen, Lykke Li and Tune-Yards

Kermit Cintron vs Walter Mathysse

There was a time when avid fans of an artist would wait outside a record store on the release day to be the first to listen. Well now thanks to the internet, everybody wants everything free, apart from when they don’t know they want it and it falls on their lap (#Beyonce). To cater for Generation Now, albums are streamed to stop people downloading illegally, or on the downside, convince people the album is good enough to download illegally. Today, the album streams for some of the most anticipated artists have dropped and we’ve presented them below for your disposal.

Lily Allen- Sheezus

So far the songs released off Sheezus have taught us it’s hard out here for a bitch, that we all get periods and that it’s far more peaceful in an air balloon than on earth. With that in mind, Sheezus will naturally be a pretty educational listen. It’s her first album since her short-lived retirement and venture into vintage clothing and is full of Lily’s trademark quick wit and smut. It seems like all we’ve spoke about in the past week is Ms. Allen and we’re sure to be talking about it a whole lot more following a quick listen to Sheezus.

Listen on iTunes radio.

Read our lessons learnt from Sheezus here.

Lykke Li- I Never Learn

Poor Lykke Li is a bit down in the ditches. Previous to the creation of the album Li said, “I’ve immersed myself in trying to figure out what actually is going on inside of me when the lights go out and the music stops”. What has emerged from that soul searching is a collection of nine ballads featuring a seemingly troubled Lykke Li. It’s not guaranteed to be an easy listen but given Li’s track record it’s not likely to disappoint.

Listen on NPR.

Tune-Yards- Nikki Nack

Merrill Garbus is pushing the boundaries on her third albums. Her first two albums, Bird-Brains and whokill were critical darlings but it looks as if Nikki Nack will push her forth to a wider audience. Speaking of the album, Garbus told Fact that she had to “push myself in new directions and trust that my audience would come with me. And that was a terrifying leap.” That has been seen so far on the colourful Water Fountain and the RnB flavoured, Wait For A Minute. If you’re feeling a little down after listening to Lykke Li, pop on this one for a colour explosion of loops, experimental instruments and playful melodies.

Listen on NPR.

Read our review of Wait For A Minute in Musical Speed Dating here.

Movement- Movement EP

If you’re strapped for time, listen to this shortie from Aussie boys, Movement. The trio is signed to Modular (Cut Copy, The Presets, Tame Impala) and have been a real hot topic overseas of late. Their song, Us, was labelled best new music by Pitchfork as was their latest, Like Lust. If you’re looking for some steamy, after dark music there isn’t a better place to look than right here.

Listen on Soundcloud.

Read our review of EP track Ivory here.

musicalspeeddating2
first impressions / reviews

Musical Speed Dating 25 April

musicalspeeddating4

Another week, another bunch of unsolicited attacks on unsuspecting musicians in the form of the Musical Speed Date. The selection this week is a hot and sweaty mix of RnB, electronica and rock spiced up with some hands-in-the-air 80’s nostalgia. Sit back and we’ll take you on a cosmic journey through the week’s best (and worst)- just remember to scroll.

Jamie xx- Girl

Sam: The vocal sample is super nice but I feel like the rest just plods along unambitiously…until the end when the drums kick in. I like that. A lot. 3.5

Bianca: More like Jamie XXX. Dayuuumm Girl, that was smooth. 4

Lizzie: Bit too slow for me. The start grabs you but then I feel it slipped away very quickly. Vocals are echoey and cool but not his best. 3

Hannah: The walking bass runs through this track at that perfect, effortlessly cool tempo. It’s a deeper, darker, offering from the DJ and in many ways more concise, dare I say even more predictable than what we’re used to receiving from him.  With its big brass samples and tongue-in-cheek play with soulful blues rhythms it has me even more excited to hear what’s in store from his forthcoming release. 4   HANNAH’S PICK

Movement- Ivory

Sam: Movement are just the most exciting thing in Australia right now. Not only is the voice unbelievable, but the music is also dark, creeping and alluring. When the piano kicks in and the vocals take it up a notch, I get a little bit clammy. And then that guitar. Someone get me water. 4.5   SAM’S PICK

Bianca: Haunting and breathy vocals transport me to the dark, tattooed alleys of NYC. In a good, non-rapey kind of way. The guitar riff is an interesting touch to the finale. 4  BIANCA’S PICK

Lizzie: Great pace in this song. Simple, beautiful voice, and love the rocky guitar solo! 4.5   LIZZIE’s PICK

Hannah: It’s 3am and the throbbing bass is the highway that stretches infinitely in front of you while the world around you changes, throwing up new towns and strange characters. The only speed bump is that god awful guitar solo, but other than that it’s smooth sailing to dawn. 3.5

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/modularpeople/movement-ivory-2[/soundcloud]

Twin Shadow- To The Top

Sam: It’s so explicitly ‘80s that it falls into Simply Red territory and I’m not sure that’s a good thing. When he pulls it back a bit in the verses I follow, but the chorus is OTT. Add black cat, wind and a smoke machine for full effect. 3

Bianca: The chorus is too John Farnham on his fifth (and final) comeback tour. He’s the voice and I’m trying to understand it. 1.5

Lizzie: Errgggh. Not my style at all. Go back to the ‘90s Baywatch film set. 2

Hannah: This just in: Twin Shadow announces John Farnham collaboration. 2.5

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/twin-shadow/to-the-top[/soundcloud]

TALA- Serbia

Sam: A tribal expedition through R&B, TÃLàpulls all the tricks on this one. The percussion hits hard, the vocal manipulation tugs at the ears and the brassy synths rattle the bones. It’s a melting pot of all the right sounds. 4

Bianca: The intro gets straight into it and sets the scene for good things to come. Energetic drums and poppy vocals ensure that dance, tribal and R&B lines are blurred harder than Robin Thicke. 4

Lizzie: I like the layering in this song – not too much to irritate the ears, just enough to keep you bopping. I like the male/female dynamic in the vocals, really works for this track. 4

Hannah: I don’t know what this is? Vaguely drum and bass, electronica, indie? I initially thought it was going in Lykke Li direction before it took what was the first of many turns and left me stumped again. Whatever it is, I like what TÃLÃ Is doing here. 3

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/talaofficial/serbia[/soundcloud]

Chromeo- Ezra’s interlude

Sam: There’s a lot to be said for a simple piano and vocal line. Ezra’s falsetto is like honey and is complimented beautifully by Chromeo’s subtle guitar stabs. My only problem: I want more. It’s like buying anything under a king-sized Cadbury bar. You’re always gonna want the extra inch. 4

Bianca: From the get-go, Ezra’s voice melts in my ears. Chromeo adds a groovy touch to his chocolatey falsetto. Short & sweet. 4

Lizzie: A little too corny for me. Yeah, ok, his voice is sweet. Sickeningly sweet. 3

Hannah: Chromeo do Chromeo so well their obsession with the sweet sound of the ‘80s can be forgiven. Happy memories from Coachella may have me a little biased. 3

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/chromeo/ezras-interlude[/soundcloud]

The Black Keys- Turn Blue

Sam: It’s nice and polite. My problem is the Black Keys are seemingly on the Kings of Leon path to rock n roll beige. RIP. 2

Bianca: Would probably press ‘next’ on iTunes Shuffle. 2

Lizzie: Not what I am used to from the Black Keys, but I am pleasantly surprised. This belongs in a smokey downtown Jazz club, but not something to go and rave about. 3.5

Hannah: Psychedelic surf rock. Been there done that. 2

FASHION2
fashion

Fashion on the Field – Coachella Edition

Coachella is the festival of fame, fashion and fortune. However, many took the arid landscape as an excuse to temporarily hang up their yuppie status in order to express their inner freedoms and undying love for dear old Mother Earth. Not simply concerned with music (well that’s a lie), the(in)terns witnessed a plethora of questionable fashion choices over the three days, from Kimonos and Indian Head dresses to boot-scooting boots teamed with tropical bikinis. With little care for the accessory’s heritage, it seemed fashion was truly a cultural peace maker amongst musos this weekend.

Want to try out some desert-inspired fashion and bring out the #freespirit in you? Click the image below to download your very own Festival Paper Doll to cut and fold into your favourite fashion attire.

 

Fashion on the Field - Coachella Edition

Fashion on the Field – Coachella Edition

lily2
albums, songs, eps / new music

Lily Allen – Sheezus

lily_listenup

Lily Allen has been running her mouth a lot lately about how her latest material is not up to scratch and that her record label has prevented her from releasing the real stuff. After the polite Air Balloon and the party-anthem Our Time, it was looking unlikely that Lily’s quick wit and spite was ever going to make a reappearance. Thankfully, the title track to her forthcoming album, Sheezus, dispels that fear. The song is littered with Allen gold, but we’ve fished for five of the best nugs.

“RiRi isn’t scared of Katy Perry’s roaring”

Lily’s astute observations of the celebrity world are insightful, but is anyone scared of Katy Perry’s roaring? Isn’t it more like a cat’s meow? Badgal RiRi once proclaimed that she was “yeah, yeah, yeah, so hard” so surely she’d be even geared up to take on Perry’s new beau Diplo.

“Lorde smells blood, yeah she’s about to slay you. Kid ain’t one to fuck with when she’s only on her debut”

Out of all the divas mentioned on Sheezus, it looks as if Lily wants to recruit Lorde as her 2IC. She’s obviously impressed by her post-goth look and badass teen vibe, but we’re not sure Lorde would be too keen to be associated with the ‘queen’ given her sentiments in a little ditty called Royals.

“Queen B’s gone back to the drawing Lorde”

Lol. She replaced board with Lorde. Great use of poetic license. But seriously, don’t mess with B. One minute, you’re sitting comfortably on the throne and the next Yonce drops a surprise the size of an atomic bomb.

“Give me the crown bitch, I wanna be Sheezus”

Kim Kardashian may have something to say about this but we think Mr and Mrs Yeezus would make a great couple. Both have skipped any sort of media training and run their mouths as much as, well, Jesus. The only problem is, Kanye has his sights set on being a God, while Lily wants to be a queen. Surely at 88 years of age, Queen Lizzy would be an easy one to knock from the throne.

“Periods, we all get periods. Every month, that’s what the theory is”

This is more than I could’ve ever learnt in sex ed. Thanks Lily. Got it.

spaceman
features

How the Brits won Coachella

spaceman

The Americans have always been traditionally cold on the Brits. While The Stone Roses and Blur headlined the festival last year, The Stone Roses pulled a paltry crowd proving that Americans just weren’t that interested. A year has gone by and it seems that the US crowd have become infatuated by the artists from over the pond ever since.

Calvin Reigns Supreme

Of course, the prevalence of EDM in the US currently has a lot to do with it. Scottish DJ/producer (that’s British really, isn’t it?) Calvin Harris impressively pulled the second largest crowd in Coachella history. The sounds of Florence and the Machine and Ellie Goulding permeated his set, providing hands in the air sing-a-longs to songs that barely scratched the surface of the US charts only a little over a year ago. It was proof that while EDM may be losing its mainstream appeal elsewhere in the world, America is still well and truly in love with it.

It’s quite an experience to see a field once filled by fans of Red hot Chilli Peppers, Arcade Fire and Tupac (albeit delivered by a hologram) being shredded by bass-heavy EDM sounds.

Ellie is queen of the desert

Ellie Goulding found success in the US with her track, Lights, which reached the top ten- a rare achievement for a British female artists in 2010 (apart from Adele). Goulding filled the famous polo grounds, providing a much-needed anthemic pop moment on the first day. As a well polished pop star, she surprisingly fit the Coachella mould well, thumping drums and sending the set home with an inspired guitar solo. The US may have Rihanna and Katy Perry but Goulding radiated an air of ability that the crowd lapped up. Finisher, Burn, was enough indication that despite not being born in the hosting country, Goulding has the goods to reach pop queen status in the US- perhaps the first female Brit in as long as we can remember.

Brits show-off their electronic music prowess

Countless British acts joined the Coachella line-up this year and the crowds flooded in. The most notable was Disclosure who mustered a mighty crowd on the Outdoor Stage both weekends. Their set was a star-studded affair, colliding a European aesthetic with US appeal. They were joined by Sam Smith, AlunaGeorge and Mary J. Blige. Blige was a timely example of the happy medium that has been met between American R&B and the British deep house dance culture. The two melted together, stirring the crowd into a mix of hip-hop induced grinds and EDM fuelled fist pumps. The energy garnered during the set made it hard to imagine the Disclosure brothers generating the same excitement at a British festival.

Rudimental have had mass exposure in both their homeland and in Australia, however, the US have not welcomed them into the mainstream quite as much. You wouldn’t have known from their Coachella set. Their drum n bass-heavy rampage had the crowd in fits. In another example of the America/Britain meld, the Rudimental gang pulled out Lauryn Hill for a drum n bass twisted version of Ready Or Not.

AlunaGeorge also impressed with a set made up of a good portion of new material. The new tracks carried a heavier hip-hop weight seemingly tailored at an American audience. Given the crowds reaction, there was no reason for them to doubt the aesthetic of their previous work as it received just as an excited reaction. A bassed up version of Lost & Found was a particular treat, along with Disclosure’s White Noise.

Muse’s over-the-top Saturday night headline

Muse seemed to fit like a glove with an American audience. Their Global financial crisis-inspired set was anxious, speculative and dramatic, straight out of The Wolf of Wall Street. Actors on stage ate money, drank gasoline and contended with rampant flames that shot out. While many may have thought the theatrics were far too much, majority of the audience remained fixated. Songs like Time Is Running Out and Knights of Cydonia boded well for them as did the literal visual portrayal of Uprising which saw Matt Bellamy lifted on a forklift above the audience.

While the near two-hour set was seemingly a critique of America, the crowd was more interested in the howling vocals and screeching guitar riffs than their nationalistic pride. For their debut headline at Coachella, the band gathered a healthy cluster of screaming punters, proving that it wasn’t just the Yanks creating vivid memories on the main stage.

2014 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival - Day 2

 

tunnels2
albums, songs, eps / new music

Tourist (feat. Lianne La Havas) – Patterns

tunnels

British producer Tourist has flooded the internet with remixes of HAIM, London Grammar and Chvrches over the past year, but now it seems he’s ready to deliver some original material with the same pop-potential. Patterns is off his upcoming EP of the same name and features fellow Brit Lianne La Havas. It’s everything you’d expect from an all-British affair. He lays La Havas’ voice over a Disclosure-esque voice and peppers it with a choir-driven chorus. Despite the grandeur of the chorus, Patterns maintains a steady level of subtlety before ramping up the bass and subsequently taking it to the club.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/soulblime/tourist-patterns-feat-lianne-la-havas[/soundcloud]

 

dosanddonts2
features

Coachella Dos and Don’ts

dosanddonts

Coachella Weekend Two is upon us and those who are lucky enough to get their hands on the hottest festival tickets of the season are gearing up to face the best weekend of their lives. Notoriously cursed Weekend One turned out sun, sandstorms, Gwen Stefani, Beyoncé, the epic headliners Arcade Fire and comeback kids Outkast. So, with Weekend One done and dusted relatively injury free, let’s learn from their mistakes and don’t fuck it up.

dont2

Do: Ooooh and Ahhhhh at the celebrities

This is one of the only festivals where celebrities brave it to walk amongst us plebs in the light of day (minus the epic security entourage). Best advice, buy VIP tickets. Worth the price if you want to rub shoulders with the rich, famous and D-class celebs. Alternatively, you could just go and enjoy the music and not fork out the $1000 in a celeb-spotting fueled moment of spontaneity.

Don’t: Go and talk to them

What do you expect? They are going to turn around and hug you and say, “Hey Jimmy-Jo, so nice to see you! Thanks so much for coming up and disturbing me while I’m with my actual friends, whom I know. Good on you!”  It’s not going to happen. Leave them in peace and respect that they have been paid $20,000 plus, to just be awesome and eat cheeseburgers (cough, Vanessa Hudgens).

Do: Take photos

What the heck. Memories! You may never be there again. We all know that how good would the X-pro filter look with the backdrop of the desert and the Ferris Wheel. Take photos with due care and remember phone batteries do not last these days!

Don’t: Video your favourite artist’s entire set on your phone

A) YOU ARE MISSING YOUR FAVOURITE ARTIST

B) When you try and show it to your mates back home it’s 95% of the time going to turn out fuzzy and inaudible. Plus they don’t give a shit, they weren’t there.

Watch, listen and feel what’s going on around you. That’s what sticks in your memory more than anything.

Do: Show the Love!

This is a new and exciting environment- New people, new vibes and a place where everyone shares the same undying passion…MUSIC. Chat to people in the toilet line, dance with the random next to you because you never know what cool and interesting people you might meet.

Don’t: Mack face in front of everyone

There’s love and then there’s love. No one ones to see you and your boyfriend consummate your relationship on the dance floor. Leave it to the confines of your 1-man tent, quietly. Please, for everyone’s sake.

Do: Make a memorable meeting spot

No matter how hard you may do the “chicken hands”, “Alan….Steve, Alan” or stack on each other shoulders to find your friends, no one wants to lose a mate on the field. Agree on a solid meeting spot as soon as you enter the festival day one.

Don’t: Make your “memorable meeting spot” the Giant Astronaut

Do not be fooled by his size, you are not spacing out – what would appear to be the crème-de-la-crème hotspot, the inescapable Giant Astronaut, makes out to be a hilariously bad meeting spot. Spoiler: This wise guy slowly roams the grounds of Coachella, so it’s best to choose a better stationary giant intimate object.

Do: Make a plan

Ohhhh the clashes! The almighty clashes! It may seem a little over whelming when the set times come out: Muse is clashing with Skrillex, and Pharrell Williams. And oh god! You have to see Flume, you have to see Fluuummmmeee! Print out the timetable, fight it out with your mates, best of three wins. Get over it.

Don’t: Stick to your plan

With more artists, surprise artists and side attractions than ever before, go explore!! Stick to your essentials *cough* OUTKAST, ARCADE FIRE, GIRL TALK *cough cough,* but make leave room for frolicking around the polo grounds of Coachella. Our pick: the Heineken dome. They are churning out some exciting surprise sets, over the whole weekend.

Do: Dress for the occasion

It’s a festival. Be festive. Hats, bohemian dresses, sandals, whatever floats your boat BUT remember it is also in a desert. Warm days and cold nights. Try and pack a bandana, just for the potential of dust storms.

Don’t: Dress like a skank

Do not be fooled into thinking that covering your private parts with a flap of material and two stickers on your nips is acceptable. This is not a trailer park; Coachella is one of the classiest festivals on the circuit and you need to treat it with respect.

Those girls who want to sit shoulders – great for the Coachella after movie – but sheer misery for everyone behind you. Cover your “hoo-haa” please, is that too much to ask?

Do: Flag your tent

There are 90,000 odd people attending Coachella this year, and many of them will be sharing the cosy camping grounds with you. And believe it or not, they may have the same discount green two-man tent you bought from Walmart last week. Flag your tent with fluro, flags, fury toys, whatever floats your boat really or else risk wandering the campsite until next Tuesday.

Don’t: Pass out just anywhere

Do not assume that any piece of unclaimed land, tent or tee-pee is yours to claim. No one wants to come back to the big bad, beer-faced wolf and sleeping in their bed. Do what you can to make it home. Skip, crawl, roll.

Do: Bring Toilet Paper

Trust Us.

Don’t: Hate Girl Talk for stealing all the toilet paper for his set

MSD2
first impressions / reviews

Musical Speed Dating 19 April

singlesclub_week3_final

This week there’s some serious love in the air, while some songs go down like a gluten intolerant person eating a croissant, others stir the emotions, setting hearts a flutter. It was a week of Hip-Hop, RnB and light indie-pop, all of which got us moving but some in the wrong way.

Bayou- Airlock

Sam: This is jittery and anxious track coated in confusing twists and turns. It sounds like your favourite RnB smashed by a hammer and then put under water. And the result is pretty damn mesmerising. Perfection. 4

Lizzie: Janet Jackson song gone wrong. I struggle to see sense in this muffled mess of a song. 1

Hannah: This song is a conglomerate of perfect moments. Moments that some how shine brighter individually than together. In the name of team spirit… It’s ok I guess. 3

Bianca: Gurgly voice reminds me of the voiceover for old school Playsation game ‘Abe’s Oddyssey.’ I however enjoy the breakdown where the song mellows into a calm but steady pace which I can nod my head to. 2.5

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/bayyyou/airlock[/soundcloud]

Boots- My Heart Is A Stone Today

Sam: This song reminds me a lot of Haunted from Beyonces surprise drop. The trap influences are ever so subtle but just enough to turn this song from a snooze fest into a jam. I think this is the best we’ve heard from him yet. 3

Lizzie: I am broken with this song. At the start, I stopped what I was doing and got lost in the moment. Then he brought in this layered trap sound which really lost my vibe.  3

Bianca: Agree with Lizzie on the Radiohead part. The breakdown at the end is very reminiscent of Paranoid Android which is a very, very good thing. 3

Hannah: I want more from this song. It’s neither big enough nor stripped back enough to fully accomplish what it sets out to do. Instead it sits in that awkward zone of mediocrity and unfulfilled potential. 2

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/bootsonboots/boots-my-heart-is-a-stone-1[/soundcloud]

Little Dragon- Paris

Sam: Once again they prove all you need is a minimal collection of instruments to create some serious booty-shaking. A problem they may have forever- it ain’t no Ritual Union. 3.5

Lizzie: Put on your gym gear ladies. This a boppy tune, with its slick lyrics and ‘80s vibe – great upbeat song. 3.5

Hannah: Enough motivation to move to Paris. I adore the latest offering from Little Dragon. It’s struck the ever appropriate balance between total party starter and total chiller. 3.5

Bianca: Like Khaleesi and her little Dragons, this song starts off confident and ready to lead us, vibrant and well-dressed, to the very end. 4  BIANCA’S PICK

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/hillydilly/little-dragon-paris[/soundcloud]

Tune-Yards- Wait For A Minute

Sam: This is by far the most straight Forward melody I’ve heard from Tune Yards so far and it works so well. It’s so nuanced and yet still left of centre enough to fulfill her wacky image. 4

Lizzie: I love the smooth swoops and swings of her words. Her sound is fresh and effortlessly cool. 4  LIZZIE’S PICK

Hannah: Dreamy and miles away. Anything that takes you out of the moment and into another world altogether is fine by me. 3.5  

Bianca: She carries this track with melodic ease, keeping the listeners interested with unexpected vocal loops and heavy bass strums. 3.5  

Future- I Won (Feat. Kanye West)

Sam: I think Future has been a key player in the RnB revolution both as a producer and artist. It’s part Drake, a little bit ASAP Rocky and a touch Ciara but mostly it’s quintessential Future. Kanye’s rap is as cringe-worthy as ever. But, hey, Kimye is a modern fairytale isn’t it. 4.5  SAM’S PICK

Lizzie: From what I can gather, this guy is hot property on the RnB scene at the moment, however, how is this song standing out? It’s not. Sounds like another “I got 99 problems” rant. Kanye….nothing special either. 2.5

Hannah: This song has a dark quality to it that I can’t help resist. It’s like that bad boy you’re told to stay away from but keep gravitating back to time and time again. He’s not good, he don’t love you and he won’t treat you well, but right now he’s perfect. 4.5   HANNAH’S PICK

Bianca: I find nothing unique about this song. Mentioning of ‘pussy’ is never a good quality in a song in my opinion, no matter how hard that pussy is auto-tuned. I can’t see this song winning any trophies. 1

Rainbow Chan- Fruit

Sam: It’s such a polite piece of pop that I feel rude for not personally thanking her. It’s so clean and well ordered but at the same time it sounds so freeken delicious. Fruit, sugar. Rainbow Chan, sugar. Who said you can have too much of a good thing? 3

Lizzie: Hello Australia’s answer to Lily Allen. If only I could understand what she is singing (minor detail in releasing music). Cute and inoffensive. 3

Bianca: Fruit graphicsFruit graphicsFruit graphics 3

Hannah: Dare you to swear. Double dare you. 1

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/siloarts/rainbow-chan-fruit[/soundcloud]

Duck Sauce- NRG

Sam: I hate ducks and I find quacking the most awful sound on earth ( second to Barbara Streisand ) but strangely I’ve fallen for this one. Don’t get me wrong, it’s an 80s reject that sounds so distasteful and out of place in 2014 but give me a few vodkas and my NRG is all yours. Dem synths too. 2

Lizzie: Fist pump fist pump! Inside a nightclub, perfect for a dance marathon. In the real world, feels like I am continuously hitting my head against a punching bag. 3.5

Hannah: Like an over-excited virgin on his first time this song is all high NRG all of the time with no real climax. And like an over-excited virgin on his first time… a whole lot of awkward thrusting ensues. 2

Bianca: Goes down like a Jager Bomb. Awful tasting at first but gather a few friends together to partake in the activity, get that energy-filled sucker into your system and soon the dry-retching will cease and the party will begin. 3

anatomy2
features

Anatomy of a Travel Playlist

anatomy

With Easter holidays fast approaching and a substantial amount of music heads jetting off to the U S of A to partake in Coachella frivolities, we, the(in)terns, anticipate long plane, train and automobile rides ahead for many of our readers. Accordingly, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to help you construct the ultimate playlist to accompany the long hauls and sleepless journeys. Here are 8 songs that need to be included on all travel playlists.

The ‘Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow’ Song

Maybe it’s your family, maybe it’s your cat, maybe it’s your bed and favorite granola. Whatever the case may be, one thing assured by all travel plans is that you will inevitably be leaving someone or something you love at home. Pack your bags, put them at the front door, do a couple of last minute checks (do a couple more) and pause for a moment to remember all the good you have to come back to.

The ‘Lets Get This Party Started’ Song

Enough of that. Lets blow this joint!

The ‘Everyone Knows the Words to This Bad Boy’ Song

Because, Beyonce.

The ‘Where the snacks at’ Song

No matter how long the journey, snacks are a must. There’s something strangely hopeful about catching that first whiff of a sweet, sweet sugary snack or hearing the first crunch of a salt and vinegar chip, distant on the backseat. Snacks promise a fulfilment on what can often seem like a never ending road or long haul flight… That is until the sugar high crashes and all hope is lost.

The ‘I Never EVER want to Hear This Again’ Song

In years to come, when this song finds its way onto mix 106.5, and it’s library of great classic hits, you’ll be driving your kids down the dusty road to suburbia and its promise of yet another game of soccer, football, netball, <insert cursed extra curricular activity here>, when suddenly you’ll be thrust back in time to a trip you took one Easter break with your BFFs – wait, where are they now? – and reminded of your wayward youth and that time you lived off salt and vinegar chips for 16 hours. This will be your Easter anthem.

The ‘White Noise’ Song

Unlike the bombastic nature of songs 2 through 5, consider this song a bit of a ninja. It’ll sneak in, anonymously fill the cracks of excited conversation with an innocuous hum and without you knowing, soon form the backing track to your journey.

The ‘I’m Going to Take This Opportunity to Contemplate Life, the Universe and Everything’ Song

While road trips lend themselves to countless rounds of eye spy and fun games of who can remain sane the longest, they also lend themselves nicely to sitting back and indulging in a little bit of “me” time. This is a song to break out about midway through your journey; that place happily located somewhere between the initial excitement of embarkation and the frustration that inevitably creeps in when you realise it’s been a solid two hours since you last felt your ass. *Stares dreamily off into the distance*

The ‘Maybe if I Go to Sleep, We’ll Get There Faster’ Song

Born from pure boredom-come-frustration, this track is pure tactic. Put it in on, fall asleep and, just like your own personal time machine to utopia, wake up somewhere free of cramps and the smell of unwashed armpits.

The ‘OMG There’s Only Half an Hour Left Until I Can Stand Up and Do Something About the Pins and Needles in My Ass’ Song

This one is all about anticipation, baby! YOU’RE ALMOST THERE! Almost time to shake ya booty.

Side note: Premature booty shaking should occur in a manner conscious of all safety restraints, road rules, and/ or the person you’ve been fighting over the armrest with since before the dawn of time.

splendourboots2
features / Uncategorized

Our Splendour in the Grass predictions for 2014

splendour

It’s that time of year again. The rumour mill surrounding Splendour In The Grass is running in overdrive and while some acts have confirmed that they will make the trip, many are still just possibilities. Never ones to back away from a guessing competition, we’ve compiled a list of some names we expect to see on the line-up when it is released next Wednesday, April 23.

The Black Keys

The Black Keys still owe Australia. Despite touring Australia nationally in 2012, they cancelled on a heartbroken BDO audience in 2011. With the new album, Turn Blue, on its way, a headline set at Splendour would be a glorious return for the duo.

Chances: Their last festival is Latitiude in the UK on the 20 July- plenty of time to head down under for some Byron sunshine.

Outkast

Outkast are another hot contender for the headline spot. They reunited for their 20 year anniversary at Coachella this month and are set to play over 40 festivals over the globe. There is a Splendour-sized hole in their touring schedule too.

Chances: Lock it in, I’d say.

The Preatures

Straight off the back of a stellar slot at Coachella and an American tour, The Preatures could make a heroic return to Australia capped off by a set at Splendour In The Grass. In the past, Splendour has booked many artists (The Jezabels, Chet Faker, Flume) that have their ultimate live breakthrough and splendour and Isabella Manfredi and co. could just be the next one.

Chances: Count on a mid-afternoon sing-along to Is This How You Feel? In Byron.

MØ

Danish pop star, MØ, did a short jaunt around the country last year, however, she is yet to play it a festival crowd here. With her debut album, Mythologies To Follow, out, she could fill a Splendour up and comer slot easily.

Chances: Her schedule says, yes, it just depends on whether she’s Splendour material.

Blood Orange

Dev Hynes is due for an Australian tour. He hasn’t been here since he supported Florence and the Machine in 2012 and with a new album out he’s got plenty of material to flaunt. He’s impressed festival audiences across America and Europe. Maybe it’s about time he did so here.

Chances: Fingers crossed, but no certainty.

Cut Copy

They played Future Music Festival but surely Splendour is their more favoured stomping ground. They killed it back in 2011 and would do the same again in 2014 armed with a whole new bag of tricks off the new album, Free Your Mind.

Chances: Their national tour in May suggests that it may be a big ask to come back again in July but they must be used to the jet-lag by now. It would require a hasty turnaround to play Osheaga Festival the weekend after.

Foster The People

With a new album out, Foster The People will no doubt be trying to fit in a trip down under. Splendour, which they played as youngens in 2012, could be the perfect place for a main stage debut in Australia.

Chances: Every other festival will also be trying to snap them up. Splendour could be too early in the promo cycle.

Duck Sauce

With a new album Quack out next weekend, A-Trak and Armin Van Helden could be up for a jaunt down-under. They would be a perfect addition to the dance line-up and would likely pull a large crowd.

Chances: A possibility if they haven’t already been snapped up by Stereosonic or Listen Out.

Courtney Barnett

Barnett is possibly the biggest Aussie name in the international music scene at the moment. She’s become an NME darling and is booked to play some of the largest festivals on the circuit including Coachella and Sasquatch. It could be a triumphant glory-run, if she returned home for Splendour.

Chances: She has July off so it could be a good chance to pop back home.

Modest Mouse

This one could be a long shot but the band are playing a number of festivals this Summer and have a touring gap to play Splendour. The only way we’d excuse the absence is if they were holed up recording their sixth album. It’s been nearly seven years since their last, We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank.

Chances: Slim but a definite potential none the less.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62zslOQLuQ8

SBTRKT

The masked producer was in Australia last year for a quick visit, but a big festival show is long overdue. Particularly when he has just released a new EP, Transitions.

Chances: He’s playing Fuji Rock in Japan the same weekend. Splendour has been known to share acts with Fuji. Pencil him in.

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