[thegracewastelands]

GIG REVIEW: Pluto Jonze with Hey Gerinomo @ Alhambra Lounge. 22/08/13

On a cold winter night in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane-based Hey Geronimo and Pluto Jonze attempted to heat up the Alhambra Lounge with their warm indie pop tunes.

While this was my first ever gig review, it wasn’t my first ever trip down to Alhambra Lounge. I had definitely been there before on a few Saturday nights where the vodka is cheap and the music is somewhere between trashy and the kind of trashy that makes me want to dance after I’ve had a few shots. At first I noticed there were no crowds to push through or indecisive girls staggering between the DJ booth and the smoker’s area. I could in fact see Alhambra in its entirety. It was definitely a lounge on Thursday. The people were there to recline into a beautiful leather couch and take in some of Brisbane’s best independent music scene.

  The members of Hey Geronimo strode onto stage and swiftly took their respective positions. This wasn’t their first time in Alhambra. After chatting with the crowd like there wasn’t a stage holding them up, they burst into their set with an upbeat energy that would continue for the rest of their time on stage. It’s that energy which has been making waves in the Australian music scene for well over a year now. It was a performance that could best be described as indie pop at a beach house in the summer.

  The vocals were loud, the instruments were plugged in and the timing was solid but the band was soft in movement. Occasionally they would sing into each others microphones or throw each other a smile and the crowd reciprocated by standing still too. I couldn't tell whether or not this was a deliberate move, but I had no problem with sitting on a bar stool and mouthing along to the lyrics between drinking and chatting amongst the audience. It wasn't until halfway into their set, as they began Dreamboat Jack, that a crowd began to gravitate toward the stage. 

  Their latest single, Lazer Gun Show, stood out with its fresh sound and pulsing rhythm. This pop anthem, which is also the title track of their next EP, could easily soundtrack the upcoming summer festivals early next year. Triple J seems to like it too, so expect to hear it on the radio for at least the next few weeks. I'm not a fortune-teller, but it does make you want to dance on the spot.

  After Hey Geronimo closed their set with Why Don't We Do Something, the obvious crowd favorite, they conceded the stage to Pluto Jonze and his Theremin. Jonze was familiar to me because his single Eject, from his album of the same name, has had pretty heavy rotation on Triple J for a while now. He was dressed like he had just stepped out of a 'thrift shop' themed garden party and proceeded to pleasantly surprise fans with his unique brand of indie pop. Like Hey Geronimo before him, it's difficult to describe his eclectic style of music. Each song was unique in its own way but a heavy lo-fi guitar sound, sample board, Jonze's luscious vocals and trusty Theremin tied each tune together. He effortlessly danced, bobbed and strutted around the stage, managing to get most of the crowd groovin' to his collection of musical fever dreams. Song titles Plastic Bag in a Hurricane and Speak With Your Feet should clue you in on the aesthetics of his live performance. Jonze’s set ended on a high with his hit single Eject forcing everyone who casually listens to Triple J to belt out the chorus. Although the team-up tour has hammered out its final show, make sure you catch Hey Geronimo and Pluto Jonze wherever they may pop up next. Until then, check out their official Facebook pages for some sweet tunes.

  Pluto Jonze: https://www.facebook.com/plutojonze

Hey Geronimo: https://www.facebook.com/HeyGeronimo

[thegracewastelands]

GIG REVIEW: The Love Junkies @ Alhambra Lounge, 27/06/13

The three-piece, hailing from Perth, are comfortable with the guitars-bass-drums-yelling mixture when it comes to producing their music; it’s a blend that many can relate to and one that works well when done properly. The Love Junkies, a humble group with stilted banter throughout the show, have proved both in the studio and onstage that they know what they’re doing and damn, are they good at it.

With Brisbane locals Babaganouj warming the crowd, the music they list as being influenced by many things, including “spending all my tax return on paying for my rego for my stupid car,” was the perfect introduction to the night. The night, of course, which can only be best described in a quote taken from the stage banter of The Love Junkies’ vocalist Mitch McDonald, “I… Yeah, I don’t know what to say. Fuck.”

Opening their explosive set with Heads Down, the first track of recent release Maybelene, the set list was successful in building the energy of the crowd as the members of the band reflected the energy thrown at them by punters.

It was the grins shared onstage between McDonald, bassist Robbie Rumble and drummer Lewis Walsh that showed the members were more than happy to be playing the interstate show. This, perhaps, was the only suggestion that they weren’t the brooding boys they’d have you believe if you never bothered to look further than the lyrics of their debut full-length.

Even their stage clothes appeared to be an accurate reflection of the genre one would attribute the band to, with McDonald in stovepipe jeans, a black and white striped sweater – reminiscent of the clothes attributed to Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain – and Vans. Despite closing his eyes, a move usually attached to being lost in the music, the lead vocalist would have struggled to see the people standing before him, swaying in time to the music, through the strands of hair that obstructed his vision. Tonight, appearances were not deceiving and The Love Junkies played their part with utmost dedication.

Working through their setlist, composing of Maybelene favourites, including title-track Maybelene and Oxymoron, the band explored their sound and their ability to wind up the audience until even those most reluctant of dancers were moving in their spot. The moshpit, formed stage-left at the feet of Rumble, featured an array of dance moves from full-body thrashing to synchronized swaying taken directly from the Lollapalooza episode of The Simpsons.

Oxymoron was the clear favourite amongst attendees, with the single having seen heavy radio play on Triple J. Though, each song evoked similar reactions, showing that the fanbase of The Love Junkies are of the dedicated kind.

Most importantly, the show was exactly how one would expect after listening to Maybelene. The album itself was raw though still perfectly recorded, and the live show was a direct contrast to this. By no means was it anything less than perfect, but live shows require a different gauge than studio albums, especially when the music in question is of a genre that’s constantly called into question whether or not it is still ‘alive’. It’s the energy of the show that went from strength to strength, and the way the sound complimented the venue and the surroundings and the people in attendance, that shows The Love Junkies are on the rise to becoming a well-known band in the scene. It’s their humble stage presence, the message clearly screaming they’re in it for the music, that made Thursday’s show a signifier of the success that’s yet to come.

[thegracewastelands]

REVIEW: The Love Junkies – Maybelene

Opening with Heads Down, McDonald opens almost delicately in comparison to the rough, yet fitting, recipe of guitars-bass-drums-yelling which steadily follows throughout Maybelene.

The tracks flow easily from one to another without seeming repetitive or creating a lull in terms of energy. Hitting the halfway point of the record, Hurt Youis the song of deceit with honest and sweet vocals crooning about praying on your barely beating heart.

Title-track Maybelene is a clear standout on the record, taking an edgier route in terms of sound as opposed to what was heard on Hurt You. McDonald’s vocal range is explored with childlike wonder, angst and just one or two temper tantrums that leaves the listener eager for more. Fool I Knowis another one of these tracks, heavy with the emotions that could only be suited to lines like, “Always a sucker for the worst kind of things.”

Then, closing track, Ashtray, begins slowly, providing a few moments to take a breath, rest your voice after screaming along, and work out the kinks in your neck that you ended up with from headbanging. Maybelene, as a whole, is an interesting piece of music that can easily be listened to on repeat, or with just a choice few selection of songs. No track is begging to be skipped, and the exploration of genre, sound and the like makes the record as good as any studio album can be. It’s the sound of a record that fills you with the need to see the band live.

[thegracewastelands]

GIG REVIEW: Strange Talk with Hey Geronimo, The Lesser Bilby @ Alhambra Lounge. 14/06/13

There's something in the pattern of fresh Australian music that keeps us coming back time and time again. It's there within the experience of heading to a bar on a week night, perching yourself somewhere comfortable and enjoying an array of new invention. It's in the homely yet energetic feel that makes its presence throughout a room by connecting an audience. Dismissing not one of these characteristics, Hey Geronimo and The Lesser Bilby performed at Alhambra Lounge alongside Strange Talk last Friday night.

To follow, Hey Geronimo encouraged those who had been drawn in after the former performance to deliver somewhat of a Zumba class as combat against the 700 paparazzi’s that had immediately flocked to the stage after the first strum. Hey Geronimo establish such a fun vibe about their live music. Incorporating horns, keyboards and even tambourines with traditional instruments, it becomes easy to understand the interest growing among their fans. With a bright essence about everyday life, the band sang on topics such as Griffith University’s campus book shop in a song titled Co-Op Bookshop as well as girlfriend’s cars taking underwater adventures. Even when looking at Hey Geronimo's subject matter in their music, there’s a humour and delight in their recorded stuff that only shines brighter when performed live.

After an intense battle for front of house between the flashing cameras and the eager dancers, the latter finally had their way with the floor and the band played a few more crowd favourites. Along with Co-Op Bookshop, the boys also performed The Dan Kelly Song, Carbon Affair and finished up with Why Don't We Do Something - a song which has attracted over 800,000 YouTube hits since releasing the video on their channel. Hey Geronimo make their live performance something exciting, special and fun to be part of with their danceable tracks and the alternative crowd drawn in by the sound.

Keeping in line with the dancing fever that overwhelmed the venue after The Lesser Bilby and Hey Geronimo departed stage, Strange Talk brought it home and welcomed fans with their title track Cast Away. With such an exciting time for Strange Talk having only released their very first studio album this year (which charted, by the way!), the enthusiasm from the band to share new music was prominent. The whole band came to life as they performed "Climbing Walls," "Falling In Love" and "Picking Up All The Pieces" as well as touching on nostalgia with "Sexual Lifestyle", all the while vocalist Stephen Docker broke loose on the crowd. Strange Talk are a turbo-energy-accelerated group of performers who know how to work up a crowd and are definitely not to be missed.

It is encouraging not only as an enthusiast of live music but also as someone who may be looking to break into the industry to become part of this experience. Watching smaller bands may deliver a connection of inspiration to a musician in a way that a larger band may not be able to. It’s raw, it’s exciting and it’s tangible. Smaller venues and intimate performances allow for an audience to see just how stoked bands are to perform before them. From the ear-to-ear smiles and the lame jokes between members to the determination of jumping around at full capacity in such a confined space, the audience feels at one from beginning to end. Between the performers and the punters who come to life through music, The Strange Geronimo bill is one you don't want to pass up, so make sure to check out the dates below. The STRANGE GERONIMO Australian Tour dates:

WED 19 JUN: Beach Road Hotel, Sydney FREE ENTRY! THU 20 JUN: Transit Bar, Canberra TIX: http://bit.ly/18Q6Uey FRI 21 JUN: The Small Ballroom, Newcastle TIX: http://bit.ly/13GMsd4 SAT 22 JUN: Winter Magic Festival, Katoomba TIX: http://bit.ly/15uaRrz THU 27 JUN: The Hi Fi, Melbourne TIX: http://bit.ly/11oxzjk SAT 29 JUN: Eureka Hotel, Geelong TIX: http://bit.ly/14yhaE4 THU 11 JUL: Newport Hotel, Fremantle TIX: http://bit.ly/176Rp3L FRI 12 JUL: Prince of Wales Hotel, Bunbury TIX: http://bit.ly/ZLOqWS SAT 13 JUL: Amplifier Bar, Perth TIX: http://bit.ly/176SuZo

[thegracewastelands]

INTERVIEW: Enjoying the ride with Hey Geronimo.

With the Indie-Pop scene beginning to really take off in Australia, each band that begins to be labeled as such need something that makes them stand out from amongst the crowd. Hey Geronimo have their retro influences, and their “despise” for “that modern ‘indie’ sound”, which Kilroy is, self-admittedly, “really hanging out for everybody to move on from.”

Then, they also have their personality, which is sure to attract your attention the second you click onto their Facebook page. With an ‘About’ section taken from a line in an AC/DC parody song, “It's a long way to the shop if you want a sausage roll” is one of the best introductions a band could ever give. In a scene that, at times, takes itself far too seriously, it’s nice to know that there are others out there who just want to share the joy of parody, and also just want to remind everyone of that one time their guitarist used his shoe as a pillow.

Other intentions lay in the recent release of the Dan Kelly song, which Kilroy defines as “a bit of a love song.” On the approach of writing the single, he says, “It’s a bit of a love song, and I thought – How would Dan Kelly write this? I suppose that’s why the style is very controversial. I’m not talented enough to cook up amazing similes and metaphors, but that felt a bit contrived anyway. After the song was written then the next step was to make all the production err towards the [Dan Kelly] style too. It was fun!”

The first day of release found the single making it’s way online for free download, which is a method every musician ever has an opinion on. Constantly suffering from the effects of music piracy, bands have had to find new ways to get their music out there and heard amongst the thousands of other bands that too can be illegally downloaded. While some turn to ‘set your own price’ releases, others, such as Hey Geronimo, embrace the free download to give incentive to new listeners. It’s a tactic Kilroy believes is, unfortunately, necessary.

“Because people can get your stuff for free anyway,” he says, “ if it’s not free from you, it’s free from someone else. I think you have to really earn a dollar, and if that’s by spending years building up fans who are willing to pay, then so be it.”

It’s only been a little over a year since Hey Geronimo formed, a year filled with “not repeating those mistakes” the members made in their respective previous bands, but the indie rockers are already well on their way to building a dedicated fanbase. Maintaining that not repeating those mistakes has “made life a lot easier for [them] this time around”, the band are enjoying their ride toward bigger shows and recording new material, with a release of an LP due next year. Though, for the time being, they’re focused to kick off the Strange Geronimo tour with Strange Talk, starting next week.

When asked if he’s looking forward to the dates, Kilroy responds, “Super pumped. Our last show was with the Presidents Of The United States of America and while it was fun, the tour was a little grueling. I was really sick and battled to get through it. Once a few weeks passed [off tour], we all got itchy feet again. It’s going to be great!”

Taking a lot of pride from playing a good show, the vocalist says the live shows result in a “good workout” and the knowledge of being able to pass on that feeling of watching a great show.

“I’m a big music fan,” he explains, “and I love that feeling of watching a great show. It’s nice to be able to pass on that feeling. We want everybody to have a good time and we play accordingly. Lots of energy, big choruses, dancing, drinking. All the things a good show should be.”

To find out exactly what Kilroy is talking about, check out Hey Geronimo when the national tour kicks off next week: June 14: Alhambra Lounge- Brisbane QLD June 15: Sol Bar- Maroochydore QLD June 19: Beach Road Hotel- Sydney NSW June 20: Transit Bar- Canberra ACT June 21: Small Ballroom- Newcastle NSW June 22: Baroque Room- Katoomba NSW June 27: Hi Fi- Melbourne VIC June 29: Eureka Hotel- Geelong VIC July 11: Newport Hotel- Fremantle WA July 12: Prince of Wales Hotel- Bunbury WA July 13: Amplifier Bar- Perth WA

[thegracewastelands]

Channeling All Upcoming Australian Artists

We're always told of great, exciting music brewing in Australia. At times we will hear familiar accents floating through radio airwaves, we will see it featured on television or even rank in charts. Perhaps the most exciting part we are missing out on is Australian music as it establishes itself. We miss out on the guts and glory of trying musicians and trade it for the final product - success via mainstream. We're always hearing about all of the exciting music Australia has to offer, but we're never really hearing it. It's time to stop and smell the roses. 

Promised Miracles are welcoming all Australian artists to take part in a mixtape which will explore a different genre of music each month. "We take submissions every month for new & upcoming artists that want to be featured on the mixtape, we also take submissions for cover artwork from photographers, illustrators, painters etc."

The project is a fantastic opportunity not only for artists, but for listeners to immerse themselves in all that is upcoming Australian music. You can check out first project, Basements, featuring some great folk and indie music from a selection of Melbourne artists by checking out the stream below.

BASEMENTS by Promised Miracles

Next month's project is due for release on June 7th and will feature more electronica and ambient music. If you're keen to get on board with a future opportunity, be sure to send your submission to Promised Miracles.

[thegracewastelands]

REVIEW: Eisley – Currents

The Texan five-piece, which consists of four siblings and their cousin, played their first set of shows at the Brewtones Coffee Galaxy, a coffeehouse owned by the parents of the DuPree siblings. Everything about Eisley speaks of comfort –from reading about the history of how they formed, to how, at first, Stacy DuPree wasn’t allowed to join because she was too young at just eight years of age – and this is a reflection of the sound they offer. Having initially been inspired by The Beatles, Jeremy Enigk and Radiohead, this comes as no surprise.

Opening Currents, the title track instantly makes it clear why the record is described as “a study in contrasts”. This is a band of adults, but their music doesn’t yet sound like they’ve been stuck, ‘stuck’ being the operative word, in a monotonous routine for years. Generally, you can tell from the very get-go if a band is proud of the album they’re pushing, or if they’re just pushing it because it’s their job. Currents, however, very clearly isn’t that. The creativity is clear, the comfort is clear and the air of maturity that the band holds is subtly laced with childlike curiosity.

Following Currents, Blue Fish grabs your attention from the very first note if not from the title of the track itself. Distinctive vocals have you following the narrative of the track, with the tight instrumentals lighting the path you’ll eagerly follow. It’s a track to listen to with your eyes closed, to get lost in and to smile at the repetitive chorus of, “We all fall down.”

Drink The Water is slightly faster in tempo in comparison to Blue Fish, really playing on the playful pop and indie pop category the band so often finds themselves being labeled as. Save My Soul follows similarly in terms of its pop nature, the distant sound of the vocals adding to the dream-state energy the record conveys.

Wicked Child appears as another clear highlight on the record with Merriment featuring on the track. Serving as a family affair of sorts, Merriment’s appearance on the track brings another two DuPree siblings, Christie and Collin, into the picture. The sound of Wicked Child is similar in nature to the previous tracks, though never does the record sound overly repetitive or like you’ve accidentally pressed the ‘repeat item’ button. Throughout this track, the sound is particularly strong though difficult to label as belonging to any one genre.

Find Me Here leaves you feeling warm and comfortable, the kind of song you’d listen to while cozied up beside a fire place, drinking coffee and reading your favourite novel in the middle of winter.

The opening of Wonder English introduces a variation of the indie rock sound, offering a temporary solace before the record begins to feel repetitive. Lost Enemies shows an increase in the tempo once more, before The Night Comes which furthers the sound and vocal range explored in Wicked Child.

Closing Currents, Shelter makes the record even more difficult to define in terms of sound. Showcasing a collaboration of sounds, each one having been explored in the previous tracks, the listener can’t help but keep attention and hold onto each word, reluctant to let go until that very last note.

Of the record, vocalist and rhythm guitarist Sherri DuPree-Bemis said, “The title Currents, to me, is relevant to how we feel as band at this point in our career. The current is constantly moving and flowing no matter what, and that’s what we’ve always done together and plan to keep doing.”

It’s a fitting explanation that ties in the sound of the record to the meaning behind each individual sound to the history of the band. Currentsis a definitive album in the career of Eisley, an illustration of how great they’ve been, are, and will continue to be.

Currents is out 31 May via We Are Unified Records.

[thegracewastelands]

INTERVIEW: Kristen May of Flyleaf embarking the journey along new horizons.

Imagine the fulfillment in saying that the first time you traveled to a country was when playing before thousands of passionate, inspiring music enthusiasts. Having never been to Australia before, Kristen May is among the hard working artists who can declare this phrase with pride and honour as she prepares for the journey before her.

"I've been touring the States now for about ten years, so I think it's time," says May, and we couldn't agree more. Flyleaf have announced their return to the country to deliver its first headline experience and May couldn't be more excited to meet the adoring fans who continue to inspire them.

It's hard to believe that although Flyleaf have delivered for over ten years, this is the first time Aussie fans will enjoy a show where the band is top of the bill. Throughout the anticipation, we've watched their tour videos, we've seen clips from fans and we even saw them at Soundwave back in 2007. Now that we've got a full set approaching us in August, how do we prepare ourselves for all we've been waiting for? We can expect a "good, positive, fresh energy" as the band catches up on our years spent apart, says May, the most recent addition to Flyleaf. "I think it's still a new horizon for us. I think you can expect a band that feels new again. I just joined, we're having a great time and I feel really inspired by the music we're writing together." Although faces may have changed since we last watched them belting out tunes, we can remain in a complete state of excitement knowing the new vocalist position has been undertaken by someone with such an incredible talent and passion for music. May has perhaps been approached with a little uncertainty by some as she stepped in for previous vocalist Lacey Sturm, but she has poured her heart and soul toward filling this position to reassure fans that Flyleaf never skipped a beat. "This is the first time I've joined a band that had a previous singer. I've always been the writer or been the voice and it was about where I was coming from. So joining a new band, I definitely have to understand the band's fans from ten years of doing this. And they've established something really special and really beautiful. I spent a lot of time listening to the songs and watching videos and first off understanding where Lacey was coming from as much as I could and where the guys were coming from. But, for me, I think I have to move forward with this, that knowledge, and also where I'm inspired and what inspires me to bring out there too, cos I think we all have a story. For me, I have to be true to myself and share what I have to share so we can evolve." Amidst the announcement of the band's Australian headlining tour, May is determined to showcase Flyleaf's ability to deliver at full capacity. "When I play shows, you know, I really try to give it my best no matter where I am. I will definitely use this new opportunity in singing for a new band and going to a new country I've never been to before as inspiration for me to play the best I can." Having toured the United States with her previous band Vedera and now with Flyleaf, May is excited to explore Australian cities on their whirlwind tour but is most excited to connect with fans at shows. "I think Flyleaf has really devout, unique fans so it's been totally exciting to meet everybody and just experience the kind of fans that Flyleaf has. "On this last tour it was like small enough venues, but big enough that I could come down and on this song called Broken Wings I would stand with the crowd and hold their hands and sing along with them real close. So, that was probably my favourite song because I really like the communion with the fans and the band when you're playing. I played a lot of small venues in my last band and the solo stuff I'm doing. I really like connecting and the song Broken Wings is a song that I always came down on and hung out with the fans as close as I could. I also am a fan of a stripped down song where you can hear the vocals a bit more and I think Broken Wings is a really beautiful sentiment about friendship, so that was my favourite song on that tour. "I think it's really important if you care about your music and you want to kind of have a message that goes along with it, it's really important to connect with fans." Kristen May will bring everything Flyleaf has previously offered and so much more on their Australian tour this August. You can catch them on the following dates: Flyleaf – New Horizons Australian Tour 2013 Thurs, August 15 – Brisbane - Hi Fi Friday, August 16 – Melbourne - Hi Fi Saturday, August 17 – Sydney Metro – All Ages

Image via Love and Noise.

[thegracewastelands]

INTERVIEW: Millie Tizzard - self-managed and self-motivated.

With the Internet at our fingertips no matter where we are in the world, it could be said that technology and media have taken over the way we live forever. As we distribute more and more of ourselves online hoping that one day we will be "found out" much like Justin Bieber or Rebecca Black (both horrible and unoriginal examples, I know), the concept of "putting in the hard yards" becomes more and more distant.

Despite what we may think of music as a result of a technologically evolving world, it is a commitment requiring much dedication, time and focus to name a few attributions. Some will rise to the challenge of the long road before them and some will become lost stragglers along the way. But before you throw your hands in the air and surrender to the pressure, turn to independent artist Millie Tizzard for inspiration and reassurance that the effort you put in is truly worth the reward. Naming Tizzard a musician would only scratch the surface of her dazzling display of achievements. Keeping busy and focused has never really been off of her schedule as a self-produced, self-managed and self-motivated artist. Even from a young age, she learned what it meant to push her goals. "I remember in Grade 3, that only the kids who did really well with their homework were given the option to participate in the instrumental music program. I was frustrated because I felt like the standard of homework was irrelevant. So I went to the office and told them that I had a violin at home and that I wanted to play."
 "I guess I’m lucky that I started early because it feels like music has been a part of my life forever. It’s kind of like your eyes or your hands. You just get used to them being there and you use them because it is a part of you. I think that is the same reason that I’m passionate about it – it is just a part of me and I wouldn’t be the same without it." Having said that, Tizzard doesn't necessarily believe it is something you have to be born with. "I think you can still be committed to music without it being (without sounding cliché’) something that is in your ‘soul’. There are plenty of people who pick up an instrument because it’s ‘cool’ and then find that it provides a connection that they may not have felt before. I think if you are driven enough then you can be committed, but playing music because it’s ‘trendy’ will definitely become a chore if you don’t really love it.
" Growing up learning to play music, she described her experience as slightly different to someone looking to teach themselves today. In a recent interview, she mentioned that she hadn't learned songs by Googling tabs or chords. Instead she learned by ear, practice and chord books, adding that when she found the notes she could "look up what the actual chord was called". Speaking on the topic, she says, "I think there are pros and cons to the usage of ‘tabs’ and how a lot of people are learning these days. It’s easy, and it’s fast. But you’re just copying an image; you’re not actually learning what it means and how it can be used in other ways. I guess that’s just my opinion, and there are plenty of musicians who are amazing and don’t necessarily have the technical training behind it." Being an independent artist is a big job, but with many other artists also looking to get their hands dirty in doing the work themselves, supporting each other becomes very important. "I think the hardest thing is not knowing what to do next and not having someone to push you. I can get very unmotivated which is difficult. But at the same time, it means I can do things at my own pace and my mistakes aren’t a burden to anyone else. "I do everything myself, but I definitely seek advice from others in my position. It’s hard working by trial and error sometimes, so if there are people around you that can eliminate some of that, it makes life much easier." Although being an independent artist has its ups and downs, Millie Tizzard's love and passion for music is her driving force. She advises aspiring independent artists to "stay positive, motivated and true to yourself and your music. You play because you love it and that should be the driving force behind your motivation. Work hard and put yourself out there." You can check out Millie's music on her Facebook page or her YouTube channel.

[thegracewastelands]

TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT: A DAY TO REMEMBER returning to Australia!

Soundwave Touring have just announced A DAY TO REMEMBER are returning to Australia. They will be accompanied by THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and Australian locals DREAM ON DREAMER.

It seems Aussie crowds have a way with these boys! They will be touring on the following dates:

FRIDAY 12 JULY BRISBANE, THE RIVERSTAGE – LIC A/A www.ticketmaster.com.au SATURDAY 13 JULY SYDNEY, HORDERN PAVILION – LIC A/A www.ticketek.com.au SUNDAY 14 JULY MELBOURNE, FESTIVAL HALL – Licensed and Unlicensed Areas www.ticketmaster.com.au TUESDAY 16 JULY ADELAIDE, THEBARTON THEATRE – LIC A/A www.venuetix.com.au THURSDAY 18 JULY PERTH, METRO CITY – 18+ www.oztix.com.au

Tickets on sale FRIDAY 24 MAY, 9AM. Click here for Soundwave's full release on the tour!

[thegracewastelands]

INTERVIEW: Dave Witte of Municipal Waste

Console the genre as classified on Facebook to find a band fitting within the frame of "Speed Metal Punk". Console dedicated fans and the ache in the back of your neck after a show of vicious headbanging to reveal the more widespread term, "Thrash Metal". But when you ask Dave Witte, drummer of Municipal Waste, he'll tell you the band "ride the line between punk and thrash". He'll also tell you they are absolutely comfortable with that, because music isn't about conforming to one umbrella phrase or the other. It's about expressing yourself the only way you know how. "We've always been a band who did what we wanted and still uphold our values that we've had since the beginning. Other people can do as they wish, but they're fly by night in the end."

Genres supposedly allow us to decipher black from red, right? They serve as a categorization which guides us toward something we're likely to enjoy. But here's a wild concept for you to consider; what if what I saw as red was what you saw as purple? Would that deem genres completely pointless?

  In Witte's view, "there's too much emphasis on what is punk and what isn't". If we have spent all this time picking out bands that fit within what we define as a genre, could it be that we have never really stopped to smell the roses? If we shut out one artist because they are hip-hop rather than metal, we are potentially limiting ourselves within a whole world of creativity that is just waiting to be explored. This isn't to say that genres should not exist at all, however more so that we should perhaps not cap our tastes at what we think is a category of music.

  "Pissed Jeans I would call punk, but hey that's me. They have that raw, dark vibe just dripping with heart. They are doing what they want and don't care much about what else is going on (rebellion)." All musicians and all artists are influenced and inspired by different people, places and things just as listeners interpret different messages and sounds within music.

"Punk is something inside you as far as I'm concerned and I'm the least punk in the band.  Punk music and lifestyle wasn't really present in my life growing up music wise. In my narrow minded youth, I was a metalhead who was fixated on bands that could really play their instruments and in my mind all punk bands couldn't play. I was wrong, cause I didn't pay close attention," says Witte.

  Witte's words are those of experience, and perhaps music lovers who are less familiar with the works of Municipal Waste should consider them in the coming months. The band is making their way out to Australia for the first time since Hazardous Mutation, which was released in 2005. Having released three albums worth of music since then, the band are stoked to catch up with fans, brush off some older tracks and smash out some new ones.

  "We [are] still the same guys, playing the same music and we still love it. We love the people who come to see us and we put 100% into every set still. That's what is great I think. We've released more albums and more and more people are coming out to support us, but we haven't altered our music style or changed as people. We're a bit more professional about how we handle our show, but at the end of the day, we want to have fun and that's why we are there. If it wasn't fun, there would be no point in doing it. People can expect a bunch of songs we've never played in Australia before and a good time, that pretty much sums it up."

  If you're a fan of new music, partying, and listening to people who are passionate about what they do, don't keep your back to the wall just because you're not watching Eminem. Municipal Waste are a bunch of dudes who are dedicated to their fans and their music, so much so that they've opened up a free Meet and Greet event at Eureka Rebellion in Melbourne to ticket holders of any of their shows.

  "In short, if you buy a ticket to one of the shows, you get to attend the meet and greet. That's it. This meet and greet is capped at 100 persons only, as that's all that the venue can hold, so get there early!"

  Excited for what sounds like "a killer party," Witte says he is not surprised by Australian enthusiasm to "go big," adding "it's kinda like Jeff Rowley at Jaws!"

  "Sometimes I sit and wonder to myself, who the hell wants to meet me or us?" says Witte. "Then I realize and remember when I was in that line. It's amazing that people are so supportive and care about what we do, without them, we'd be nothing. It's a really great feeling meeting a young person who is just overflowing with enthusiasm for music and the desire to learn honestly.  That makes my day, talking to someone and sharing things that I do with them and it makes them truly happy or they learn something from it."

  Excited to perform before Australian fans once more, Witte says we can prepare for the thrashing upon us by cranking up some Slayer and to "celebrate Jeff Hanneman's passing.  A true innovator and hero of thrash music. That guy raised the bar and changed the game. If it weren't for Slayer, who knows if MW would be what it is. Slayer changed my life and they always get me pumped up for a good time. You can also watch our "You're Cut Off" video and us playing "Monster With 21 Faces" in the Vans Parade for Vans Shoes. They are a hoot and capture a lot of great energy! See you soon, can't wait!"

  Municipal Waste's New Zealand and Australian tour kicks off next month. Check out all dates, ticketing information and more about their Meet and Greet event on their Facebook page.

[thegracewastelands]

INTERVIEW: The Wonder Years string their hearts on clothing line for you

The band’s fourth studio full-length, The Greatest Generation, started streaming online last week, and the support of The Wonder Years’ fanbase couldn’t have been stronger.

“The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive,” Campbell says, “I really think that everyone’s going to love the record. We wouldn’t put it out if we didn’t feel that way. We don’t half-ass anything, so if we didn’t think that it was going to go really well you’d never hear it.”

This is the sort of message that Campbell wants listeners to take to heart. You don’t have to half-ass anything, and you shouldn’t even attempt to. We could be the greatest generation that’s ever been, but we just need to act instead of sitting at home on our blogs and waiting for what we want to be handed to us.

“I have nothing but respect for everything that’s come before us,” Campbell says, “I just think that we should always be expanding. That’s what the record says… I have nothing but respect for every previous generation, but I want my generation to be the best there is. I want the generation after us to be better than we were, that’s how it should always work.”

In terms of motivating ourselves to be the best generation there was, The Wonder Years frontman states that the pressure put on him through this record, by being as honest and open as he is, is incentive to live up to being the best version of himself.

“[There, There] has a lyric that says, ‘I’ve got my heart strung up on clothing line through tenement windows in mid-July,’ which is the idea that I’m just hanging myself out there for everyone to see all the things that I think are wrong with me. It almost forces you to fix it because you’re saying, ‘Here are all the things that are wrong with me,’ to hundreds and thousands of people. So, it’s kind of like a good pressure to make good on your promises and better yourself.”

Eight years into the bands career, it’s hard to believe just how far they’ve become, and how far they’re going to keep going if the response they've received so far to The Greatest Generationis is any indication. Recently, they’ve become seen as one of the canonical pop-punk bands in the scene, which doesn’t quite make a whole lot of sense to the band members themselves.

“When we started we didn’t really think we were going to play a show,” he admits, “to go from not thinking we’ll ever play in front of people to people calling us a canonical pop-punk band is a crazy thought. A lot of the time I don’t really think about it, just because it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me.”

Though, something that does make sense, and something that the musician is extremely grateful for, is the way kids look up to the band. They've been there too.

“I remember waking up in the morning and thinking, ‘Shit, I’ve got to go to school today,’” Campbell recalls, “and I’d be thinking, ‘At least I get 20 minutes in the car to listen to The Starting Line, or Saves The Day, or The Get Up Kids,’ and it would be okay, it’d be alright, ‘it’s not so bad, I’m going to get up and start my day.’ The thought of kids driving into school listening to The Wonder Years is a really nice thought for me. I remember those days where you’d get out of the school doors and listen to your favourite band and drive home with that great feeling, and knowing that kids have that feeling with our records is really awesome for me.”

The support the band receive is overwhelming, but so is the way that each member appears to genuinely care about their fanbase. On each record we’re given an insight into how the other side lives, and at shows and meet & greets, the fans reciprocate these feelings.

The Greatest Generation can be pre-ordered via iTunes, or streamed in its entirety.

[thegracewastelands]

INTERVIEW: Abbe May, take her or leave her.

“I think it’s just take me or leave me,” musician Abbe May says when we sit down to chat with her, “If you can’t handle it, I don’t really give a rat’s ass. If you can’t handle it, my music isn’t for you, you know? If you’re bothered by someone’s sexual preferences and sexual freedom, then maybe you should be listening to Gregorian chanting rather than pop music.”

It’s a busy day for May, having done twelve back-to-back interviews before she has to head off to a fitting for some shoots. Though, with Kiss My Apocalypse having been released just a few days later, she’s more than happy to discuss why exactly it’s been labeled ‘unashamedly sexual’, and how her change in sound came about.

“There’s a big risk in putting it [Kiss My Apocalypse] out,” she says of the obvious change in her sound from 2011’s Design Desire, “and I’m just really glad people are interested in listening to something new. Especially since it took eighteen months to make. It would have been terrible if nobody wanted to hear it.”

Though, the fear of not being heard is something May doesn’t have to worry about. Gaining attention for her FasterLouder article, Why I’m Not Interested In Being The Next Chrissy Amphlett, the Australian rocker assured fans that she had no interest in being anything other than herself. With outspoken tendencies and an ability to grab your attention just a few syllables into a sentence, May could easily be pegged as a “wild woman of rock 'n' roll”. Though, she is not. Nor is she a dainty little flower, softly singing to the twangs of an acoustic guitar. Simply, she is Abbe May.

“Rock 'n' roll was about freedom and abandon. It’s always changing,” she explains, “Pigeonholing women [in the music industry] is either in dainty little flowers, soft-voices like Sarah Blasko, or they’re wild women of rock 'n' roll. I think there’s much more space for the many colours in between those two shades.”

With rock 'n' roll being seen as freedom of expression, May has chosen Kiss My Apocalypse to cover a topic she never previously saw as something of interest: her sexuality.

“I find both men and women attractive,” she says, “I don’t feel the need to call myself gay, straight or bisexual. It makes me feel really confined and restricted if I have to label myself in that way. I think other people have every right to label themselves if it feels right for them. For me, it’s more about being free to discuss sexuality, to have no shame attached to it.”

And that’s a message she intends to spread over the dates of her upcoming Australian tour. She’ll be playing in front of an audience for the first time in six months, and it’s something she couldn’t be more excited about.

“I finally get to get out of the studio and out of my little community. I get to go out and meet and connect with people who are connecting with the music,” she answers, when asked what she enjoys about playing live shows, “I get to deliver these songs with an intensity that is not reputable by just listening to the CD. I’m certainly proud of what we’ve done in the studio, but there’s something about live shows and that exchange of energy between yourself and the audience, and knowing that we’re all there and we’re all having a good time celebrating music.”

Kiss My Apocalypse can be purchased via iTunes, and more information on Abbe May can be found here.

[thegracewastelands]

INTERVIEW: Cub Scouts, Internet Friends and Splendour In The Grass: What more could you possibly want?

It’s a day off in Majorca, Spain, when we get a chance to catch up with Nelson. He’s spent the morning walking around the local area, picking up necessities like beer and strawberries from the supermarket, before heading off to “amazing beaches” that afternoon. Truthfully, I’m jealous, on the opposite side of the world, playing the role of Tim Nelson’s ‘Internet friend’ for the time being.

Having recently wrapped up the Pool! Tour, Cub Scouts were announced as part of the Splendour In The Grass 2013 lineup, before jetting overseas for a UK tour. It’s from one exciting moment to the next for the Brisbane locals, but at no point does it appear they’re beginning to take their success for granted.

“We’re ridiculously excited,” Nelson admits when asked about Splendour, “I’ve always wanted to play Splendour, for so long, and I really never thought it would happen. I’m super happy.”

Of the 70+ bands on the lineup, Nelson is particularly looking forward to catching the sets of Frank Ocean, MS MR, Haim, James Blake and Mumford and Sons during his downtime. Though, when Cub Scouts hit the stage, it will be their time to appeal to the ticketholders who list the Brisbane five-piece as the reason they purchased Splendour tickets in the first place.

From a typical Cub Scouts show we’re told to expect “a lot of happy-sounding pop and, sometimes, some Destiny’s Child”, which is enough to convince any punter to check out the band. While we get to hear the band’s take on everyone’s favourite R&B girl group, Nelson gets to enjoy simply “playing on stage with [his] mates and seeing people enjoy [their] music.”

With the Pool! Tour highlights including “lots of people singing along and going pretty crazy”, it’s no surprise to us, the outsiders, that Cub Scouts are quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with. Though, to the five kids hailing from Brisbane, who just wanted to “have fun playing fun music”, it’s still a shock to look out and hear the crowd singing their words back to them. Even more of a shock was last year when Cub Scouts took out Song Of The Year at the Queensland Music Awards for their single, Do You Hear.

“That was a huge shock,” Nelson says, “There have been so many big surprises over the last 18 months. Hopefully our luck continues.”

With “more new music and hopefully many more tours” to be expected in the future of Cub Scouts, we’re sure there will be plenty of surprises heading toward the band’s way.

Check out more on the Cub Scouts here.

[thegracewastelands]

NEWS: Warped tour Australia dates announced!

Soundwave Festival's promoter AJ Maddah has announced the official dates of Warped Tour's Australian leg! Expected to take a more DIY approach with less formalities, Warped will take place on the following dates;

Aus Warped Dates Are:FRI 29 BRISBANESAT 30 COFFS HARBOURSUN DEC 1 SYDNEYFRI 6 CANBERRASAT 7 MELBOURNESUN 8 ADELAIDE#WarpedAu

— AJ (@iamnotshouting)

May 2, 2013

Those in despair with the lack of light shone upon Perth, never fear. AJ has tweeted that the gap between Sydney and Canberra dates will see a few bands making trips to our Western regions and also to New Zealand.

@theatticdemos Most bands are doing NZ dates in the middle. Some doing Perth

— AJ (@iamnotshouting)

May 2, 2013

Are you as excited as we are?

[thegracewastelands]

INTERVIEW: The Trouble With Templeton

You know that wholesome feeling of discovering music you genuinely enjoy from the first bar of the first song you listen to? It’s accompanied by an attachment towards artists who have been able to deliver such a completely satisfying, perfected composition. What’s more is when the journey has only just begun and you have stumbled upon them at the beginning of something beautiful. If you’ve yet to experience any of these things, it is with complete guarantee that you will find everything you are searching for in The Trouble With Templeton. Having just performed in the United States and Canada for SXSW and Canadian Music Week whilst progressing with work on their second record, it seems as though the Brisbane locals can only go on a complete upwards vertical from here. Sam Pankhurst, bassist of The Trouble With Templeton spoke with THE GRACE WASTELANDS to reveal his experience performing overseas and excitement surrounding the upcoming album.

Transforming from a concept of singer/songwriter Thomas Calder to a group of five talented artists, The Trouble With Templeton have certainly proven to the world that their acceleration is beyond containment and they're ready to drop the clutch. Having the opportunity to showcase their work overseas has allowed the band to flaunt their energetic performance and fire the warning signal of what's yet to come.

Although they were perhaps thrown at some harsh critics, the reaction was all they could've hoped for. "I mean, it's pretty different [to performing in Australia]. I suppose Americans in general - totally generalizing, but - the experience seems to come across as more... they're sort of the first people to tell you what they think of something. Whereas Australians can often be much less forthcoming. You know, people will say to you after something that they loved it and had a really great time, but you might not be able to tell [if they actually did]. I mean, it's good if they like it and everything but I suppose if they don't then that can be kind of brutal," admits Pankhurst. Rising to the challenge and performing much of their new content, The Trouble With Templeton basked in the positive reactions of overseas listeners. "It was fantastic - people loved it! We have some really amazing things that came out of it," he says.

After their overseas showcases, the band ran a quick leg of tours up the east coast of Australia before settling back in to the process of finishing the new record. "We've still got a few little finishing touches," says Pankhurst. "We want to have it all polished off and finished around mid-May." With two singles from the new record currently available to stream on TTWT's Facebook page, it is clear that this is a very new approach to their sound in comparison with Bleeders.

Incorporating much more of a Rock n' Roll, DIY sound with their newer works, singer Calder said in an interview with Carson Daly that their influence was now taken from other people's perspectives. "A lot of [Bleeders] was written from me and a lot of it was very personal experiences. This [new record] is far more looking at things from other people's eyes and a bit more storytelling," he said.

Pankhurst mentions that this change of scenery was a result of the bands growth in members and consequently opportunity for more sound. "It's gone from being very singer-songwritery, you know, just Tom with a guitar to being a full band making quite different music. It hasn't ever stopped being positive, which is really good.

"I guess it just isn't personal anymore. It's a full band, so it sort of brings the songs in. They end up very different once they go through the process of tuning through a bunch of people who have different ideas of what it should be like."

Pankhurst confirmed that the sound of the new record is relatively consistent with "Like A Kid" thus far in the way that it is much different to Bleeders. In that regard, we can get an idea of what's yet to come, however "there's a lot of different stuff on [the new record] in terms of the songs aren't 'samey'" he said.

You can listen to the two most recently released tracks on The Trouble With Templeton's Facebook page here, however Pankhurst says his favourite tracks are yet to be released. Keep an ear out for "Whimpering Child" upon the album release and your eyes peeled for more information on the eagerly awaited second record from The Trouble With Templeton.

Jess Morman.

[thegracewastelands]

NEWS: Tyler, the Creator and Earl Sweatshirt to TOUR IN AUSTRALIA

That's right, the deadly duo are headed to our shores. The Eatons Hill Hotel have just announced a Brisbane date proposed for Saturday the 8th of June and tickets go on sale NEXT WEEK! All Australian dates as follows:

Tue 4 June   Perth, Capitol (18+) www.oztix.com.au  Thu 6 June  Sydney, Enmore Theatre (All ages) www.ticketek.com.au  Fri 7 June   Melbourne, Palace Theatre  (18+) www.ticketek.com.au  Sat 8 June   Brisbane, Eatons Hill Hotel (All ages) www.oztix.com.au