W♥M (Archive)

Splendour in the Grass - Update

So Splendour in the Grass is getting closer (29th to 31st of July) and we've got a little teaser video for you.

Have you forgotten who's playing?

How could you?!?

You can see the likes of Coldplay, Kanye West, Pulp, Janes Addiction, The Hives, Mogwai, The Living End, The Grates, Glasvegas, DJ Shadow ... oh loads!

There are some tickets still available for the days only (not camping). You can get them through moshtix here. 

For the full line up and all the information you need to sort it out head over to: http://splendourinthegrass.com

Also, have a listen to Vu and Sally talk about the festival and some of the bands that you'll see there (amongst other fabulously interesting things) here: W♥M109

 

Sally

[email protected]

Splendour in the Grass - Line-up announced today!

SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2011 

“…you could barely wipe the smiles off our dials. Thank you Splendour for anticipating our every whim, and fulfilling them. A truly unforgettable weekend.” Groupie 

SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS - the annual, ephemeral city of sounds that exists solely for sweet music and good times will transform Woodfordia, near Woodford, south east Queensland from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 July. 

The eleventh SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS event will see 81 acts giving their splendiferous best across three stages.

COLDPLAY (only Australian show) * KANYE WEST (only Australian show) * JANE’S ADDICTION * THE HIVES * PULP * THE LIVING END * THE MARS VOLTA * REGINA SPEKTOR (only 2011 show…anywhere) * BLISS N ESO * PNAU * MOGWAI (only Australian show) * DJ SHADOW * GLASVEGAS * THE GRATES * DEVENDRA BANHART AND THE GROGS* MODEST MOUSE * THE MIDDLE EAST * KAISER CHIEFS * JAMES BLAKE * KELE * THE VINES * ELBOW * ESKIMO JOE * NOAH AND THE WHALE * CHILDREN COLLIDE * THIEVERY CORPORATION * CUT COPY * ISOBEL CAMPBELL AND MARK LANEGAN * BLUEJUICE * THE KILLS * BLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEYBEARS (featuring THE RELATIVES) * ARCHITECTURE IN HELSINKI * FOSTER THE PEOPLE * THE PANICS * FRIENDLY FIRES * JEBEDIAH * THE VACCINES * GOMEZ * BOY AND BEAR * GOTYE * DOES IT OFFEND YOU, YEAH? * CLOUD CONTROL * MONA * SPARKADIA * WARPAINT * MUSCLES (Live) * FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS * THEJEZABELS * DRAPHT * BRITISH SEA POWER * TIM & JEAN * LEADER CHEETAH * GROUPLOVE * SEEKER LOVER KEEPER * YELLE * KIMBRA * PHRASE * OH MERCY * DANANANANAYKROYD * THE BLACK SEEDS * MARQUES TOLIVER * THE HOLIDAYS * GHOUL * LIAM FINN * THE HERD * YOUNG THE GIANT * GUINEAFOWL * HUNGRY KIDS OF HUNGARY * JINJA SAFARI * WILD BEASTS * ILLY * CUT OFF YOUR HANDS * GARETH LIDDIARD * ALPINE * WORLD’S END PRESS * MOSMAN ALDER * LANIE LANE

 

Pretty exciting right?

So for further information (including ticket prices) head this way: http://splendourinthegrass.com

The Grates at 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis (11/03/09)

The Grates - Burn Bridges The Grates    The Grates Setlist ♥ 7th Street Entry,  Minneapolis (11/03/09). Tour Dates 11/05/09 Radio Radio Indianapolis, IN 11/07/09 Schubas Chicago, IL 11/08/09 Magic Stick Detroit, MI 11/14/09 Bowery Ballroom NY 12/31/09 Purple Sneakers Sydney Read More the Grates http://weheartmus... Look at these guys, awww.... everything appearance-wise about The Grates oozes cuteness and fun (...

Patience in the Audience ♥ 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis (11/03/09)

Patience Hodgson, from the Grates, tells me for Halloween, she dressed up as a cowgirl. She went into a store and saw a guy working there, all decked out in a cowboy outfit. She complimented how great his costume was, only to realized that it was how he's normally dressed. That's Texas for you.

That's the kind of weird stories you hear from her, even on stage, they're referencing strange things like trying to hi-fi-ing the "fat guy with the beret" or asking if there were any vikings in the audience. But before I get to all those crazy details from the 7th Street Entry last night - opening up for them was Zoo Animal (official / myspace). I had seen singer Holly Newsom before, but as a soloist. This time, she's doing Zoo Animal songs, not just her solo material.

Holly made some jokes, like how 'grate' the Grates should be to noticing that They Might Be Giants were playing next door and how "we might be miniatures". Most of the audience that showed up early, I think showed up because of Zoo Animal and possibly Ice Palace.

Unfortunately, at the last minute, Ice Palace canceled (I am told the singer was sick), they were replaced by Story of the Sea (official / myspace). Bassist John admitted that they only had a five hours notice. Despite the feedback and false starts, I thought they held up pretty well all things considering.

I will say that they seem older, for the kind of crowd that was there last night. Their music sounds like classic progressive rock. I don't know any of their songs, but I did like the song that had something to do with eyes and being gone. 

The Grates came on with full energy with their often-intro song "Trampoline". Yes, Patience does do that weird rabbit hopping dance, as seen on their Til Death Do Us Party: Live At The Forum DVD. Patience is now a blonde, dressed in a gymnastic outfit.... making her look even more child-like than ever. Which may sound quite weird to hear her talk about wanting a baby of her own (I thought to myself, well there's always cloning...)

Other things I learned from Patience: if you eat enough of your hair, you'll have to take a pill to poop out the hair. Hence "hair butt". Fist-bumping, she tells us is called "boning". She likes to climb onto things, or jump into the audience and singing... while using a twirling baton. Fun to watch, but they also require audience interaction.

"It was this big!"

I thought the highlight of their set was either "Howl" or "19-20-20". I'm not that familar with their new material, but I did recognize their single, "Burn Bridges", from the setlist.

If you are looking for a good time or see cuteness in action, check out Brisbane's export, The Grates touring through your area. They are quite approachable, so please have a friendly chat with them after the show. Their lastest album is called Teeth Lost, Hearts Won, which if you get it on vinyl, will come with a bonus CD. I might also suggest checking out their debut album, which four singles from that album made it onto Triple J Hottest 100. I'm sure Sally will keep us informed of the 2010's Hottest 100.

Bonus: Enjoy "Trampoline" from Til Death Do Us Party: Live At The Forum DVD

The Grates - Trampoline

 11/04/2009 04:57:32 ♥ vu () ♥ thegrates.com ♥ myspace.com/thegrates 

 

The Drones - Dappled Cities - The Grates - The Scare

The Drones

 

 

The Drones - Nail It Down

The Drones

Just a quick one here. After being on the scene for quite a few years now, I've never been a huge fan of the Melbourne band, The Drones; just not my thing. But don't get me wrong, The Drones do what they do (epic, dreamy, well-constructed rock) extremely well. So they are very much worth a mention. The news that I'm wishing to share with you is that although their latest album Havilah was released months ago (March 2009) in Australia The Drones have added US dates to their upcoming Havilah Tour. Support includes Model/Actress (USA) and Bridezilla (Aus), so well worth nipping along.

 

 

 

There's no shortage of dates, so whether you be in the US or, it seems, in any city in Europe (slight exaggeration), you'll get a chance to see them in the near future. Some of the closer dates include:

September 9 - Bell House - Brooklyn, NY
September 15 - Schuba's - Chicago, IL
September 16 - Tractor Tavern - Seattle, WA
September 17 - The Echo - Los Angeles, CA
September 18 - Cafe DuNord - San Francisco, CA

 

Just a little sample to whet your appetite, have a listen to the tune, Nail It Down, from their live album recorded at The Hi Fi Bar in Brisbane. The live record is set to be released later this year. 

 

http://thedrones.com.au/
http://www.myspace.com/thedronesthedrones
http://atpfestival.com

Dappled Cities
I've always had a soft spot for Dappled Cities although I must admit I've kinda let me interest slide over recent time. Have they been hiding? or has living in suburbia alienated me that much?

What's to love about Dappled Cities? Well... many things. What I mostly value about their music is the variety in their songs. From mellow, soothing, chill-out type tunes to feel-good pop songs that force you to get up and have a little dance. I must also say that, as a bonus, they do put on a splendid live show.

So what's the news? It seems I haven't really been that out of touch after all, the band have been spending time in the US... I can't be expected to be keeping up with all this news!. The big news is that this Sydney band have recently released their third album, Zounds, which happened to debut at #1on the Australian Independent Music Charts... and will be released in the US on September 15th. (An interesting fact: all 12 songs on the album feature the sounds of a "Gakken" – a $40 build-it-yourself cardboard synthesiser from Japan)

 

Dappled Cities - The Price

Dappled Cities

The first single, The Price, has a bit of a disco feel. But what's new about this track, to me, is the inclusion of a string section, intermingled with that infectious indie pop that they are best know for. I'd have a dance. I have yet to hear the entire album, but off the back of their first single, I'm sure to be hunting it down in the near future.

If you happen to be in Perth, you are in luck. You can catch the final show of their Wall of Zounds tour tonight at the Norfolk Basement in Fremantle... run!

http://www.myspace.com/dappledcities
http://www.dappledcities.com

The Grates
Look at these guys, awww.... everything appearance-wise about The Grates oozes cuteness and fun (feel free to look at their website for further evidence), but don't be fooled too easily. There's a definite rawness to The Grates, guitar-rich pop songs, complimented by the voice of Miss Patience Hodgson, which can sway from sugary sweet to rock vixen-esque in a matter of seconds within the same song.

 

The Grates - Burn Bridges

The Grates

Since bursting on to the scene several years ago (with their debut album Gravity Won’t Get You High) The Grates rose to an immense level of popularity in Australia and not for the first time, they are set to head overseas on the back of their latest, self-co-produced album, Teeth Lost, Hearts Won. (Due to be released in Canada and the US on September 15th)

I can assure you that these guys put on a splendid show and i whole-heartedly advise you to pop along if they happen to be swinging through your neighbourhood. Check there website (or their MySpace page for show dates).

http://www.myspace.com/thegrates 
http://www.thegrates.com
http://www.twitter.com/thegrates

The Scare
Originally from Queensland, The Scare now spend a great deal of time in the UK. The other day i managed to pop along to the album launch of their new release Oozevoodoo. I must say I was concerned that I'd have a terrible time. Just reading about them before the show... "It is abrasive but clear, we like being noisey but channeling it in a fashion that you can still make out the melody", I was a little apprehensive that it'd be some kind of horrid punk monstrosity. But what do you know! It was excellent. I haven't heard the album itself, but what I can say is The Scare are an excellent live band. The tunes are a bit more heavy than i'm used to, but there was no absence of melody, which i loved.The frontman, Mr Kiss Reid, channels enthusiasm and entices the crowd to feel the tunes rather than just stand there watching like a stunned mullet.

The Scare - Could Be Bad

So, on that note.... here are some live dates that I feel you should pop along to:
Sept 5 - Hobart - Republic Bar Sun
Sept 6 - Launceston - Hotel New York
Sept 9 - Albury - Sodens
Sept 10 - Wollongong - The Harp
Sept 11 - Sydney - Gaelic Club
Sept 12 - Central Coast - Coaster Festival
Sept 17 - Adelaide - Fowlers Live
Sept 18 - Perth - Rosemount Hotel
Sept 19 - Bunbury - Prince of Wales
Sept 20 - Fremantle - Newport Hotel
Sept 24 - Maroochydore - Sands Tavern
Sept 25 - Gold Coast - Miami Tavern
Sept 27 - Brisbane - The Step Inn

http://www.myspace.com/thescare
http://oozevoodoo.blogspot.com/

And with that... it's time to bake some scones.

Sally
[email protected]

The Grates - Trampoline

 

 

The Grates - Trampoline

The Grates are from Brisbane, Australia. I guess they are huge in Australia (as demonstrated by the video that I'm accompanying in this post). And the singer, Patience Hodgson, seems to be having a lot of fun dancing and prancing as a dog or a wolf (in a tutu). And I'm told that they design all the concert set as well as design their own clothes to wear on stage.

Although, it looks like there are just three members in the band, when they tour, that they have a fourth member (he plays keyboard). I don't know if you can see him in the video clip, but he's wearing a bear costume.

There is one thing that you need to know: the DVD is in PAL format. Just make sure your DVD player can handle switching from NTSC to PAL if you live in North America. Other than that, the concert DVD seems to play just fine for me.

Since the actual DVD doesn't have a track listing on the back, here is that information, courtesy of www.jbhifionline.com.au.

TRACK LISTING 1. Trampoline 2. Howl 3. Lies Are Much More Fun 4. Rock Boys 5. Nothing Sir 6. Wash Me 7. Message 8. Little People 9. Sukkafish 10. Seek Me

11. Pain 12. I Am Siam 13. Science Is Golden 14. Inside Outside 15. Start Her Up 16. 19-20-20 17. Video: Science Is Golden 18. Video: 19-20-20 19. Video: Rock Boys PAL | Aspect radio 16:9 | DVD5 | All Region | Approx Running Time: 64 mins

 

destinationmetz wrote: Apr 13, 2007 at 7:31 PM

I would say this is filmed a festival or something. They have a good reputation and a lot of fans, but not big enough to fill a huge venue like that. I used to like them, but some of their songs are kind of Yeah Yeah Yeahs rip offs, and I hate that she sings in an American accent.
The only bands that ever get big in Australia are usually the bands that sound like other bands, ie Wolfmother. Which is sad.
But anyway, they have some cute songs.

England Calling replied to crankypants’ comment: Apr 15, 2007 at 12:22 AM

I saw them in concert- Patience jumped up and down for the entire gig, which as an athletic feat was fairly amazing. And then she handed me a blue balloon afterwards because she said it matched my hair. The drummer, who is very shy, also had a panic attack when called upon to do an impromptu solo. It was a very fun, silly night.

Crankypants, The Sleepy Jackson are actually fairly big in Australia on the fringe scene- they were a little over-hyped, so there is a bit of a backlash in the 'oh god, not them again, 14-year-old girls think they're great now' vein- but in mainstream terms I'm afraid Dest is right. First Jet, then Wolfmother- sigh.

vu thanks to brody