_anticipation - VANSHE MIX

Got an email from MODULAR this arvo, stoking my already red hot anticiation of the upcoming VAN SHE release.

In preparation for the LP release, the band have also recorded + mixed their very own mixtape of some of their favourite tracks from today and yesteryear that have come to influence their new record in some way, making it an eclectic journey that buzzes at every corner.

The mix is some loose change over an hour long, and is typical of the ‘Hey kids, I just threw this together’ mix we have come to expect from artists like this ( Hear that Justice? ) - its a crackin’ mix with sublime production. If these bastids didn’t slave over this for days they’ve just made my shit list.

Check it out:

_triplejaysus_exclusive - The Fairline Parkway

Next in the series of triplejaysus exclusive interviews isThe Fairline Parkway, following the release of ‘A Memory of Open Spaces’.

The Fairline Parkway’s second album is a breezy summer affair, perfect for lazing back on a sunny Sunday and having music wash over you. On Album opener ‘Westward Bound’, intimate vocals are gently whispered over the delicate filigree of drums and keys. This sets the tone for the next ten tracks, with crisp production keeping the album moving forward rather than getting caught up in its own swirling melodies.

‘The Great Plain’, an instrumental track, evokes images of frontier country but also marks a change of focus for the remaining tracks. The Fairline Parkway prove that they can capture your attention with smooth indie pop melodies, so they set out to push their boundaries ( with varying degrees of success) on Side 2. ‘Nowhere to Be’ is a composition that takes a few listens before it reveals it’s charms, while ‘Movie Stars’ offers little more than the name implies.  

A Memory of Open Spaces is for the most part a beautiful album, and not a challenging album. The Fairline Parkways success lies firmly in what they do best, and bar the odd misstep, they deserve success because they do it better than most.

Raj takes some time to answer my questions after the jump:
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_triplejaysus_exclusive! - Motocade

We receive a lot of emails from bands, labels and websites here at triplejaysus, asking us to listen and if we like, to share the music they have sent us. Most of what I have received to date, while really good, doesn’t quite fit in with what we’re trying to do with this site. Motocade are different.

Motocade are a rock band from NZ, that have built up a following with great live shows and EP’s filled with quality tracks of tight, catchy rock. They are recording their debut full length album at the moment and asked triplejaysus to check out the first two tracks completed.  

Needless to say, the fact that I’ve featured them means that I really dig their stuff. Motocade manage to find the perfect balance between catchy riffs and substance. Their sound is crisp and clean on ‘Soap Opera’, yet they still manage to keep a rock edge that gives their music longevity. ‘Come back Kid’ opens with a  thumping bassline that grabs you immediately, countered by falsetto guitars.

Overall, I think that the two tracks featured give plenty reason to consider Motocade’s debut a highly anticipated release. Although the band couldn’t give me details of a release date yet, Eden did take time out from recording to answer a few questions.
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A quick recap: Trent tells sydney fans to steal ‘Year Zero‘, Radiohead self release InRainbows, NIN give away 1/4 of Ghosts for free, The Charlatans give away an entire album for a week, Coldplay give away their first new single for free, followed by NIN, who then give away ‘The Slip’ as a thank you (nothing to do with the $1.6M they made on the other 3/4’s of Ghosts). There. You’re up to speed.

Well, you were.

The Knife have lifted the game. Not content to give their music away for free to humans, they’ve decided to give away “Music for Alien Civilisations” to …eh…..alien civilisations - for free! Lets see how the blood-sucking-record-label-bastards take that!

The 12 tracks, compiled and some featuring Hakan Lidbo of The Knife, will be beamed into the great black yonder with the help of the Swedish Space Corporation on June 4th ( Missing out on all those May the 4th be withyou gags by one lousy month!).

And here’s the rub -  If us regular gravity pinned terrestrials want to hear it we have to shell out some of our earth money to buy one of those archaic compact discs things - technology developed twenty six years ago - the same year they invented the milk carton!

The truth is out there over here *

( * - not my joke)

“And this just in: renowned music site and podcast host, Triplejaysus.com has launched a new side bar. They reportedly listen to a new album a day, but review only one a week in their popular _wednesday_weview feature. Earlier this week they launched a ‘What I’m listening to now:’ feature you can see on the right side bar of this site. Featured are up to 10 recently released albums, complete with album art, a taster mp3 and a rating.

This reporter suggested that the ‘crow‘ rating system be replaced with the ‘Kent‘ system, only to be shouted down and asked to leave. So there you have it folks, 10 new albums rated each week, and ten new mp3’s for you to wrap those lazy ears of yours around.

I’ll see you after the movie….