Its the Calzone, not the dance...
Welcome to the next riveting Heapsaflash installment...
It's been a hazy week in Brisbane and i'm not just talking about the transitory weather. I know Queensland has a reputation, living in the States for over 10 years if i had a penny for every person i met who knew what the great Barrier reef was but couldn't tell you much else about the country in general...well you know the saying. It's not really ignorance, because there are of course trillions of places which i have no conception of, it just always used to irk me that people i'd meet in Massachusetts would know more about the great barrier reef than i did (or even possibly have been there whilst i myself, had not.) Yet these people didn't know that Steve Irwin and Paul Hogan, whilst respectable in their own ways, are just as funny and over the top to most Australians. Or that No, hardly no-one drinks Fosters in Australia. I only mention them here to illustrate a point - and one i have only just come to fully appreciate - Queensland's beaches are honestly everything they are cracked up to be, unlike pretty much every other stereotype about Australia i've ever heard. Take the David Lowe Highway from outside Mudjimba up to Noosa and you'll see what i mean.
The other reason i bring up these grave stereotypes that all people everywhere have to deal with in some form or another is to make some further comments on Aussie music. I've heard from foreign individuals that they think it's harder for a band to make it if they're Australian because they don't have the clout say a English band does, which i find hard to stomach. I say this for two reasons, firstly in places like the U.K. and the U.S.A. bands have big shoes to fill and there's just a ridiculous amount of competition. Secondly, many Australian bands have and are making it in a big way overseas: for example my weeks pick Cut Copy
Or what about Skip-Hop, controversial i know and unlikely to sway any die hard Hip-Hop fans, but still valid, especially if given it's proper Australian context, and not seen as as simple emulation of the American ideal. Check out 'The King is Dead' by the Herd, Written about John Howard's final retirement. Incidentally this also happen's to be Ev's pick for the week:
And i know we've posted it before but as per the request of our resident junior correspondent here's Skipping Girl Vinegar with 'One Chance'
I'm not nearly done with my indignation on this topic but i am extremely tired...so stay tuned for the next post where i will hopefully expound these views further with additional solid evidence and more unecessarily personal anecdotes...
Peace out from Brisbane.
Friday, 17 October 2008
Friday, 26 September 2008
It's been a little like...
Well to be honest, its been like <<Dà Nào Tiān Gōng,>> or for those of you who can't read my poor pinyin Chinese, "Monkey King creating Havoc in Heaven." Many fellow Australians of generation Y will remember watching "Monkey Magic" which was loosely based on the Monkey fables from Chinese folklore, but done by a Japanese production company and dubbed in English. So now that i've got you all wondering what in god's name i'm going on about let me just conclude with, it's been crazy round here the past few weeks! like Monkey Magic crazy...
We've had Big Sound come and go a couple of weeks back with three of our favorite artists up in Brisbane for the festivities. I had a chance to meet Mark and the Gang from Skipping Girl Vinegar on the Thursday night and see them play to the largest showcase crowd of the summit. Without mincing words, they absolutley smashed it and it was fantastic to see them play at the Troubador in such an intimate setting. (Can't wait to pull that experience out of the bag a few years from now!). SGV's performance at Big Sound also summoned the release of their debut album "Sift the Noise" which has been receiving a good deal of attention here in Oz, being placed up on the itunes Asutralia homepage, it has been sybaritically encroaching upon the lifestyles of music fans and aficionados alike. If anyone's interested in giving it a listen you can find it on itunes or buy it here.
If i may be allowed one moment to digress and indulge myself here too... Can i just say a big up to Skipping Girl's Keyboardist Amanthi Lynch, proving like so many other Linguists out there, that it's not what you do with a linguistics degree that counts, provided that you finish it! Thanks Amanthi for showing me i'm not the only one who wondered what on earth i'll do with it!
Big Sound also saw bluejuice playing at the Valley Fiesta to what i hear was a great show with all the usual antics, but thankfully without any broken bones this time. Pinky Beecroft himself also graced Brisvegas with his presence (and was back up last weekend to actually play). Pinky Beecroft and the White Russians are actually on the tour path atm so be sure to check out their website here for upcoming tour dates as they surface. I had the good fortune to Meet Pinky at the SGV show and in response to his last comment if he's still keen - Count me in for the next video clip - screen center - killing people...saying nothing. They say beauty is life's easy pass but apparently it's just looking like you're Russian. если я только знал это раньше!
Besides Big Sound the usual wheelings and dealings going on, only more fast paced and aggressive than normal. Technology chose to smite us down but we smoted it...
I'll leave you with an artist we've been listening to alot lately - Sophie Koh. Sophie now hails from Melbourne, but was born in New Zealand from Malaysian parents, and grew up in Singapore. She was “Unearthed” by JJJ in Darwin and has played with everyone from the Eels and Paul Kelly to Pete Murray and Alex Lloyd. For more information check out her website. In the Meanwhile check out "Objects in this Mirror":
And Finally what post would be complete without the weekly fail...without Further ado:
see Sarah Palin pictures
Peace out from Brissie,
Will.
We've had Big Sound come and go a couple of weeks back with three of our favorite artists up in Brisbane for the festivities. I had a chance to meet Mark and the Gang from Skipping Girl Vinegar on the Thursday night and see them play to the largest showcase crowd of the summit. Without mincing words, they absolutley smashed it and it was fantastic to see them play at the Troubador in such an intimate setting. (Can't wait to pull that experience out of the bag a few years from now!). SGV's performance at Big Sound also summoned the release of their debut album "Sift the Noise" which has been receiving a good deal of attention here in Oz, being placed up on the itunes Asutralia homepage, it has been sybaritically encroaching upon the lifestyles of music fans and aficionados alike. If anyone's interested in giving it a listen you can find it on itunes or buy it here.
If i may be allowed one moment to digress and indulge myself here too... Can i just say a big up to Skipping Girl's Keyboardist Amanthi Lynch, proving like so many other Linguists out there, that it's not what you do with a linguistics degree that counts, provided that you finish it! Thanks Amanthi for showing me i'm not the only one who wondered what on earth i'll do with it!
Big Sound also saw bluejuice playing at the Valley Fiesta to what i hear was a great show with all the usual antics, but thankfully without any broken bones this time. Pinky Beecroft himself also graced Brisvegas with his presence (and was back up last weekend to actually play). Pinky Beecroft and the White Russians are actually on the tour path atm so be sure to check out their website here for upcoming tour dates as they surface. I had the good fortune to Meet Pinky at the SGV show and in response to his last comment if he's still keen - Count me in for the next video clip - screen center - killing people...saying nothing. They say beauty is life's easy pass but apparently it's just looking like you're Russian. если я только знал это раньше!
Besides Big Sound the usual wheelings and dealings going on, only more fast paced and aggressive than normal. Technology chose to smite us down but we smoted it...
I'll leave you with an artist we've been listening to alot lately - Sophie Koh. Sophie now hails from Melbourne, but was born in New Zealand from Malaysian parents, and grew up in Singapore. She was “Unearthed” by JJJ in Darwin and has played with everyone from the Eels and Paul Kelly to Pete Murray and Alex Lloyd. For more information check out her website. In the Meanwhile check out "Objects in this Mirror":
And Finally what post would be complete without the weekly fail...without Further ado:
see Sarah Palin pictures
Peace out from Brissie,
Will.
Friday, 1 August 2008
Friday, 25 July 2008
Friday July 25th
In between the random acts of general tomfoolery (yes its a real word, if you don't believe me check here) today we've been hard at work gearing up for Pinky Beecroft and the White Russian's new album. For those of you who don't know - Pinky Beecroft, from what was Machine Gun Fellatio is due to relase his first solo album on August 23rd. The response so far has been great and i know many people have been eagerly waiting, especially since the band's been doing live shows all over the shop, giving the priveledged few a chance to get a sneak peak.
Now completely randomly, here's a few words from the man himself:
Meanwhile our very own Nate has shown us what i believe to be one of the funniest sites on the web today. For those of you who haven't been to www.failblog.org yet, do it now, you won't regret it! Here's a little taste:
see more pwn and owned pictures
And for one more little rib tickler enjoy...
more
Happy Weekending,
Will out.
Now completely randomly, here's a few words from the man himself:
Meanwhile our very own Nate has shown us what i believe to be one of the funniest sites on the web today. For those of you who haven't been to www.failblog.org yet, do it now, you won't regret it! Here's a little taste:
see more pwn and owned pictures
And for one more little rib tickler enjoy...
more
Happy Weekending,
Will out.
Friday, 18 July 2008
Friday Tunes 18/7/2008
Heaspafriday at Heapsaflash again, it's been a busy week punctuated by upcoming work with Pinky Beecroft of what was Machine Gun Fellatio, Sophie Koh, the Paper Scissors, Skipping Girl Vinegar and of course Bluejuice. i recently found this following video on youtube with Jake and Stav and couldn't stop laughing at the boy's response to Vera's question "Why does no-one take Bluejuice Seriously?"...I think the answer is self evident...
Needless to say we've all heard of The Shins before, but (besides the fact we all love them) as this is a blog on Australian Indie music, i thought it only fitting to include a song called Australia which has, in fact, possibly nothing to do with Australia by an American band. I must admit i wonder why they called it Australia after all. If anyone out there in the blogosphere has any light they can shed on this i'd love to hear it. ( I read they wrote it on tour here but i've yet to see any verification for this claim)
Finally given Paul's noticable absence from the office this afternoon i feel it necessary to reaffirm Heapsaflash's electronic contigency with the following video, just to show you all out there that not only do we support all kinds of music here but we have proper respect for the New Zealand Drum and Bass scene (and dub scene). Hope you dig one of Concord Dawn's chiller tracks - You Don't Have to Run.
Will Out.
Needless to say we've all heard of The Shins before, but (besides the fact we all love them) as this is a blog on Australian Indie music, i thought it only fitting to include a song called Australia which has, in fact, possibly nothing to do with Australia by an American band. I must admit i wonder why they called it Australia after all. If anyone out there in the blogosphere has any light they can shed on this i'd love to hear it. ( I read they wrote it on tour here but i've yet to see any verification for this claim)
Finally given Paul's noticable absence from the office this afternoon i feel it necessary to reaffirm Heapsaflash's electronic contigency with the following video, just to show you all out there that not only do we support all kinds of music here but we have proper respect for the New Zealand Drum and Bass scene (and dub scene). Hope you dig one of Concord Dawn's chiller tracks - You Don't Have to Run.
Will Out.
Friday, 11 July 2008
Is it Friday Again Already?
So another Friday's rolled around here at Heapsaflash, it's still too cold but not as cold as Melbourne thankfully where Skipping Girl Vinegar has just released their new video clip for "Sift the Noise."
Although their debut album's still pending (due out September 13th!) i can't help but feel the pre-release jitters escalate since "Sift the Noise" follows from the success of "One Chance" which we posted on this blog ages ago, with only a minutely smaller degree of anticipation. Once again the band has done a superb job with the animation, combining classic movie references ranging from my personal favorite Mr. Myagi to E.T. and King Kong all in a truly unique style. And sorry but I have to mention to the "Mangez the Wagon Wheel" innuendo here too...something all good one-class-of-highschool-french-watched-too-much-T.V.-during-childhood observer can appreciate. Wagon Wheels, for those of you outside Australia the U.K. and Canada, can easily be defined as possibly the best reason to stay part of the commonwealth:)
So check out the new Skipping Girl Vinegar video for "Sift the Noise:"
And for those of you still dealing with John Howard seperation anxiety heres a little clip with a backing track by Adelaide boys Sonic Animation. Def. one of my favorite Australian electronic acts.
Loving the Weekend,
Will Out.
Although their debut album's still pending (due out September 13th!) i can't help but feel the pre-release jitters escalate since "Sift the Noise" follows from the success of "One Chance" which we posted on this blog ages ago, with only a minutely smaller degree of anticipation. Once again the band has done a superb job with the animation, combining classic movie references ranging from my personal favorite Mr. Myagi to E.T. and King Kong all in a truly unique style. And sorry but I have to mention to the "Mangez the Wagon Wheel" innuendo here too...something all good one-class-of-highschool-french-watched-too-much-T.V.-during-childhood observer can appreciate. Wagon Wheels, for those of you outside Australia the U.K. and Canada, can easily be defined as possibly the best reason to stay part of the commonwealth:)
So check out the new Skipping Girl Vinegar video for "Sift the Noise:"
And for those of you still dealing with John Howard seperation anxiety heres a little clip with a backing track by Adelaide boys Sonic Animation. Def. one of my favorite Australian electronic acts.
Loving the Weekend,
Will Out.
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