the tallest teepees

The Pierce Brothers are a lively duo, stepping out on to the stage at Ding Dong Lounge on Friday night and immediately having everyone on side with their infectious energy. The Pierce Brothers are twin brothers Pat and Jack - Pat with dreadlocks to make it easy for us. Jack had enough beans for the both of them - starting the show by playing a didgeridoo while holding a harmonica for Pat, who played while continuing on with his guitar. Xavier Rudd would be proud!

You can't help but draw Mumford and Sons similarities through their songs, and like Mumford a lot of songs start similar and build into some foot stomping glee. Only difference is there are only two of these guys and their sound is just as big. Their songs are much more uplifting and you felt like you could watch them into the early hours. The crowd were treated to some new songs as well - It's My Fault and The Tallest Teepee In Town, and a gorgeous song written especially to be performed at their sister's wedding called Genevieve. 

Jack was literally bouncing off the walls, almost swinging through the room like a monkey and finding anything he could tap his drumsticks on - usually Pat's guitar but then galloping in to the crowd and on the booth tables, tapping the roof. All the while the whole room keeping beat. 

The strobe light was a random and constant addition to the set, the lighting chump's first night may have added to his enthusiasm. By the end as everyone jumped and stomped you could actually feel the floor shaking. Note to Ding Dong..please check structure! The Brothers met the most deafening encore cheer I have actually ever heard; and once again the floors shook and bounced with us. 

I could totally see these two getting a tap on the shoulder from Aunty Meredith soon, if they haven't already.  A must see live act!

one step at a time

The Kite String Tangle is having a dream run at the moment. Making number 17 in the 2013  Triple J Hottest 100 with his sweet tune 'Given The Chance' and now a sell out tour.

Also in electro pop group Pigeon, Danny Harley calls Kite String Tangle a side project, although given the growing success he may be spending more and more time on the Kite String ride.

Clearly stoked to be out and touring at the Northcote Social Club, he excitedly tells the crowd about when his booking agent had told him every single ticket had sold for the tour, "I haven't even released an EP yet!"

An amazing voice and quite a joyous guy. Looking forward to the EP. Check his Like a Version treat below, starts at 00:49:

when a fire starts to burn

Arcade Fire last night. Sidney Myer Music Bowl. I'm a bit speechless...stay with me! AF were nothing short of amazing and by some form of miracle we got a spot up front in the stalls. We stood there dumbfounded with this gawky smile on our faces the whole time. No heads in the way, just looking down the barrel of one the biggest bands going around. Let me count the ways in which I love thee, Arcade Fire.

Diplo was announced as their support the day before the show. What an awesomely random addition to the night! Diplo is in town with Major Lazer who is also doing the Big Day Out rounds and it's great AF got someone out there who wasn't going off the prerequisite of a 'band that sounds like Arcade Fire'. He warmed the crowd up nicely with his set, having us all ready and raring.

Out came the familiar Beavis and Butthead looking bobble heads that have been synonymous with the Reflektor album and everyone started screaming, only for the band to follow out a little later. Good jokes guys! I love that through all the promotion of the Reflektor Album/tour their sense of humour has shone through. They are not taking themselves too seriously. Apparently they walked out to Blur's Song 2 at the Gold Coast Big Day Out, a cheeky nod to the withdrawal of the band from the festival.

AF had suggested to its fans a dress code of 'formal attire or costume' for the tour, in order to create a carnival/party sort of feel. There were a few of these glittery fans sprinkled through the crowds looking fab. AF were all looking sharp; even the runner was wearing a colourful onsie. No need to wear black and be invisible here!

AF put on such a big, strong performance. So much presence, energy and depth. They all played at least three different instruments each, just rotating around the stage and mixing it up. Lead Win Butler worked the crowd, jumping in and joining us, throwing out instruments, taking phones from the crowd to use as props...he definitely earned the bra thrown at him! What a star. The Bobble head came out again as they did a rendition of INXS' 'Devil Inside'. 

The only problem I had with the night is they couldn't play all their songs. Yes, I'm still drunk on love for these guys and I'm all giddy! With such a solid catalogue there are always going to be songs that don't make the cut, it's not exactly a bad problem to have. My favourite song for the night was 'The Suburbs' which is from my favourite album of theirs, that familiar piano at the start came in and you couldn't wipe the smile off my face. They stayed slightly off the usual 'set list formula' and after the Diplo announcement this is no real surprise. 'Wake Up' was played very early and like I said they have so many songs to dig out they had the luxury of keeping us guessing. The last song choice probably surprised most with 'Power Out' giving us the unexpected right to the end.

AF have been on my wish list for some time now and they lived up to everything I had heard about them live. They had everyone eating out of the palm of their hands singing, shouting, dancing, clapping...it certainly had the carnival feel they were shooting for. Epic!

Set list was (via @arcadefiretube): https://twitter.com/ArcadeFiretube/status/425964288243539968/photo/1

come and save me

Jagwar Ma have spent the past year making waves in Europe and US, getting loads of folk excited at Glastonbury and they have just been announced on that ever-so-hard-to-read Coachella line up. Noel Gallagher said he is “too busy talking about fucking Jagwar Ma” with his former Oasis band mates to talk about reforming. The boys are back in town for Laneway festival and started the tour at the HiFi in Melbourne last night. The good old 44 degrees heatwave had many of us worried about what sort of sweat pit the HiFi would fester but I’m happy to report HiFi were all over it and we avoided melting. Enough #weatherbanter that’s saved for my Melbz Weather blog.

We had a fun night watching these guys. Lead Gab Winterfield stepping out straight from the 90s with a tie dye t-shirt, ripped jeans and a bucket hat. The shirt looked very cool with the lighting actually...would be some great photos kicking around. Jono Ma was bouncing around and well into his production in the background sliding, tuning and bopping with great energy.  I don’t know how bass guy Jack Freedman didn’t pass out with his jeans and long shirt on, but he jumped around in spite of the heat. Jagwar Ma are tight  – apart from the obvious that they have been touring a shitload, I choose to also believe they just play without filter.  You could tell they are doing what they love. Their music is exciting and interesting with elements of some good ol’ electro making me flashback to 2005, layered with a bit of a britpop sound, and psychedelic waves in there for good measure. Told you it was interesting! It works so well and they sound great.  I'm envious already of the Laneway crowd who will hopefully have fairer conditions to jump around and enjoy their sweet sounds. Believe the hype friends!

you're gonna sing the words wrong

I have completed my obligation as an Australian citizen and shortlisted my Triple J Hottest 100 selection. What a can of worms. It was hard enough to get it to 20 and felt impossible to get it below 13. I am frazzled and feel anxious I left something out but I did it people, and you can all breathe your sigh of relief!
My votes:
Arctic Monkeys - Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?

Born Ruffians - Needle

Daft Punk - Lose Yourself To Dance

Disclosure - When A Fire Starts To Burn

Foals - My Number

RAC - Let Go {Ft. Kele; Mndr}

Rudimental - Waiting All Night {Ft. Ella Eyre}

RUFUS - Desert Night

Vampire Weekend - Step

Vance Joy - Riptide (I've used the youtube clip that I think should have been the official-how awesome is this chick?!)

My number one went to Vance Joy, he has had an amazing year and deserves the credit! My prediction for the top five is: 

Lorde - Royals;
Daft Punk - Get Lucky;
Arctic Monkeys - Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?;
Vance Joy - Riptide;
Haim - The Wire (never really warmed to Haim...THERE I SAID IT!)

With lots of the Indie 'heavyweights' releasing albums and dominating my iPod this year there wasn't a lot of room for some gems in my top ten. I found it hard to leave these guys out so I'm throwing them on the end for your listening pleasure:

Max Frost - White Lies


Unknown Mortal Orchestra - So Good At Being In Trouble 
(swooooon)


The Kite String Tangle - Given The Chance


Bring on Australia Day! Can't wait for the countdown to unravel with the accompanied debates- music geeks united! What did y'all vote for? Predictions? Life aspirations? Hit me...

oh but we go out at night

What better way to bring in New Years eve-eve then a bit of a boogie? Born Ruffians hit up the Northcote Social Club in between their Falls Festival hopping and there was a lot of excitement in the lead up for this. I've been loving their inclusion in Triple J rotation this year and was surprised to learn they have been around for nearly 10 years. What indie rock have I been under? Thanks Dad! Their energy was infectious with Luke Lalonde on vocals and Mitch Derosier on bass both bringing buckets of charisma. Derosier's backing vocals resembled that of a Ghoul - we couldn't tell if he was just doing it for his own entertainment or if he was for reals! Guessing the former and hoping the latter. Lalonde's voice packed an effortless punch, similarities with Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend.

The guys have four albums to choose from so they kept the energy high and the pace fast, opting to leave a slower but personal fav out in 'Little Garçon'. Their lyrics are as clever as the tunes are catchy and sometimes the tunes fooled the crowd as they tackled more sinister subjects. I was amused at one point as everyone bopped along happily to a pop hook as Lalonde sweetly considered cheating on a girlfriend. 'Needle' was saved until the official last and didn't disappoint. Catchy and uncomplicated, it's a great tune. After a quick exit they reappeared for an encore. Just stay out guys, you barely waited for a cheer! Encores be gone. Hopefully the Falls crowds gave them the love they deserve, a fun live band to check out.