A Guide to Love, Loss and 2008

So it's that time of year again when the Christmas decorations come out and every one gets silly for the loose end of the year. 2008 was an epic year for the Australian music scene with bands like Cut Copy, The Presets, The Midnight Juggernauts, Ladyhawke and Van She all releasing acclaimed albums and making serious dents into the international music scene. The amount of great music coming from all over Australia is fucking ace and I can wait to see what 2009 brings.

As the other half of made the grade has decided to go to the Congo for the uni break and I'm off the US and Europe its going to be pretty quiet around here with infrequent posts. Hopefully we can find some time to keep our own part of the internet here at madethegrade updated but as always time will tell!

B1 & B2's Favourite albums of 2008 - Very roughly done :) Merry Christmas and happy new years to everyone!

11. Tokyo Police Club – Elephant Shell

Coming in at just over 28 mins Elephant Shell delivers a sweet slice of indie pop rock proving to be both a lyrical and musical delight. One for the Sunday afternoon drives.

Myspace: Toyko Police Club Purchase via Amazon: Elephant Shell

10. Ra Ra Riot – The Rhumb Line

The Rhumb Line is the full length debut from Ra Ra Riot and is filled of upbeat indie rock. Wes Miles sweet voice is complemented by their very own strings section comprised of violinist Rebecca Zeller and Cellist Alexandra Lawn. WTF you say? Strings in indie rock? Ohh Noes every1 iz goin all arcade FirE on Our ArsE (that’s not a bad thing by any means). However Ra Ra Riot are not bandwagon jumpers and pull it off delightfully making one of the debuts of 2008.

Myspace: Ra Ra Riot Purchase via Amazon: The Rhumb Line

9. Lykke Li – Youth Novels

Another debut jumps in at number nine. This time from Swedish 22 year old Lykke Li. She approaches her music with a stripped back minimalist approach which enhances her enchanting and delicate voice. Her lo-fi pop is probably not everyone’s cup of tea but with songs like Little Bit and Dance Dance Dance being highly catchy in her own unorthodox style I found Youth Novels to be highly enjoyable.

There are heaps of good remixes floating around of her songs but this mash up/cover is pretty fucking dope if you’re a fan of her or the Kings of Leon.

Lykke Li V. Kings Of Leon - Knocked Up via HIPSTER RUNOFF

Myspace: Lykke Li Purchase via Amazon: Youth Novels

8. Ladyhawke – Ladyhawke

Ladyhawke is the cat obsessed kiwi who cranks out 80s tinged pop tunes. Her debut on modular is full of killer pop tunes filled to the brim with catchy hooks and oodles of synths. I honestly recon there isn’t one filler on the whole album as its all v good pop. Miss Pip Brown lives up to the hype and does not disappoint!

Myspace: Ladyhawke Purchase via Amazon: Ladyhakwe

7. The Killers – Day & Age

I’m not going to lie; I was very sceptical about this latest offering from the killers. Truth be told, I thought Sam’s Town was a bit of a piece. Yeah, some good songs but filled with a fair amount of wank. It sounded almost forced. I don’t think I could have been more surprised. The Killers actually sounded like, well, The Killers and not some impersonation of greats gone by. Day & Age presents an eclectic mix of tracks, both upbeat and solemn, a pastiche of a band exploring their musical boundaries yet not straying too far from the proven formula that brought us one of the debuts of the decade. Fucking kudos.

Myspace: The Killers Purchase via Amazon: Day and Age

6. Mercy Arms – Mercy Arms

Going from buzz band to almost forgotten it seemed Mercy Arms had really shot themselves in the foot. However, after dropping the single Half Right (possibly my favourite track of the year) the album release garnered a fair bit of anticipation. It did not disappoint. Not quite as upbeat as the first single the album displayed luscious amounts of reverb, depth and a song-writing maturity far beyond its years. I don’t think Australia has produced anything as unique and majestic sounding as Mercy Arms in a long while.

Myspace: Mercy Arms Purchase vi Waterfront Records: Mercy Arms

5. Late of the Pier – Fantasy Black Channel

Where do I begin with these guys! Their debut Fantasy Black Channel is so all over the fucking shop I don’t even know where to start. First and foremost Late of the Pier don’t sound like anything around at the moment and the closest band I could draw parallels at would probably be klaxons. However even this is clutching at straws. Late of the Pier want to make music which makes drugs redundant. And after listening to Fantasy Black Channel that next white line may just be redundant. LOTP sound schizophrenic. Their sound is always progressing and changing leaving you guessing where it’s heading next. It’s full of energy from the heavy guitars, blasting synths and other eccentric sounds from random electronic bleeps to glass smashing, spoons hitting cups and drum sticks being beaten on the wooden slats of a bed! Why stick to the book when you sound this good. Late of the Pier do things their own way and the result is fucking ace!

Myspace: Late of the Pier Purchase via Amazon: Fantasy Black Channel

4. Cut Copy – In Ghost Colours

Blog darlings – yep. Scene – yep. Fuck the backlash, its just so damn good. Light, confident and optimistic. The singles alone laid the foundation of every night out I had this year. The perfect summer pop record combined with the perfect club room jams.

Grab sands of time over from hyperbole. serious next level shit, wait for drop at 1:06 fuckin epic!

Cut Copy - Sands of Time

Myspace: Cut Copy Purchase via Amazon: In Ghost Colours

3. Mystery Jets – Twenty One

The Mystery Jets return for their second album with a full blown, unashamed 80s inspired pop record. With their new more radio friendly sound they have made a seriously awesome album. There’s the indie pop of young love with Laura Marling, the tear jerker veiled in grey and even a Christmas carolesque epic song by the name of flakes. Twenty One is filled to the brim with catchy choruses and well crafted pop songs about love and life and Mystery Jets have surprised everyone with a splendid pop album.

Mystery jets covering bleeding love by leona lewis via the world forgot.

Myster Jets - Bleeding Love

Myspace: Mystery Jets Purchase via Amazon: Twenty One

2. Foals - Antidotes

Foals distinctive sound is not the most approachable and I recon would polarise many people’s opinions. But to me I find it just mesmerising. From the eerie drones of sound on the first track “the French open” which slowly builds up to the drums kicking in and the chanting begins. The music seems to have mesmerising urgency and rhythm which just takes me away to another place when listening to it. Antidotes is jam-packed full of high energy and spaced out tracks filled with mirrored guitars, repeated lyrics, tribal rhythmic drums , blasts from horns with electronic beats scattered around for good measure. This combination makes a highly addictive and mesmerising sound which takes you away from where ever you are to a different place. And a journey with foals is a very enjoyable one indeed.

Myspace: Foals Purchase via Amazon: Antidotes

1. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

Who gives a fuck about an oxford comma?

Who gives a fuck about anything when you have Vampire Weekend?

I don’t think I have ever seen so much happiness, so many smiles, than at the Vampire Weekend set at Splendour in the Grass this year (not just due to certain substances). With their afro-beat inspired brand of pop Vampire Weekend will arguably go down as the band of 2008. Their debut sounded so refreshingly laidback and uncomplicated it stood out like, yes, Is This It did back in 2001. Thankyou Vampire Weekend for providing a decent 21^st soundtrack.

Heres a couple of covers including a radiohead and fleetwood mac cover and the unreleased track ottoman via The World Forgot

Vampire Weekend - Ottoman

Myspace: Vampire Weekend Purchase via Amazon: Vampire Weekend

Final thoughts on whos going to be big next year or release killer albums next year:

- White Lies

- Magistrates

- The temper trap

- The Holidays

- Passion Pit

- We Have Band (maybe?)

Peace out ya'll and have a good christmas and new year and an awesome 2009!

Everything's Got To Be Love Or Death

It’s not all that often that a band makes you feel like your hurtling towards the earth, unable to do anything about the fact, but at the same time, not actually wanting to do anything about it. I don’t know how much sense this makes to you.
Maybe it’s the feeling of getting lost in a song.
Maybe it’s euphoria.
Anyway here it is. A much safer option than jumping out of a plane.

White Lies - Death (Demo)
Zshare doesn't like that so check it out over at their myspace!

White Lies formed out of the ashes of Fear of Flying earlier this year. The single Death was released a couple of months back and along with the singles Unfinished Business and To Lose My Life will proceed the debut album set to be released early in the new year. If these tracks are anything to go by White Lies will be making a very large splash in 2009.

Fingers crossed for an Australian tour.

DeVotchka + Fake Blood

Don't know fuck all about gypsy indie rock but that's what DeVotchka supposedly sound like.
Sounds haunting.

DeVotchka - How it Ends

Im loving the Fake Blood remix of Hot Chip's Touch Too Much over here. Ohhcrapp with the goods again!

Australian Music Month

As it is Australian Music month over on triple J, I thought I would do a quick list of my favorite Australian artists that i'm listening to as of now.

Mercy Arms

There is no one I have listened to in the Australian music scene that sounds quite like mercy arms. This either shows my musical ignorance or the fact that mercy arms are a unique little gem. Their music sounds atmospheric and haunting with a possible influence being “my bloody valentine” with their white noise sound . However this is not a defining characteristic of the album as it also filled with shimmering guitars which remind me of snowfightinthecitycenter and catchy choruses. This all combined with Thom's quiet vocals which compliment the overall sound give mercy arms a very distinctive sound in the Aus music scene. They have released their self title debut album this year independently through MGM and It’s one of my favourite debuts of the year. I’m not going to post any songs cos they are independent so go BUY the album. Or hit them up on myspaz.

Mercy Arms are playing in Perf on dec 13^th at the bakery so go see them if you feel that way inclined alternatley you can catch them at the big day out. Thanks to Mr Brenden Brown for getting me into these guys!

Bag Raiders

According to their interview on Inthemix “Our sound is adventure… We make adventure music. Sometimes modern, sometimes historical… Often Exciting. This pretty much sums them up perfectly. The Bag raiders music makes me feel happy. Pretty much like the time when I was 8 and my dad brought me back a red power ranger action figure from Japan. I was happier than every single person in the world that day. Their Turbo Love EP is fucking banging and shooting stars is one of the most uplifting songs i've heard all year. I already posted the instrumental version earlier but Rhys from the duo Ted & Francis has lent his vocals to the EP version and boy does it sound nice. Go grab it from OhhCrapp in all its 320kbs glory! You can buy the Turbo Love EP over at beatport.

Ladyhawke

Ladyhawke Is modular’s new poster child and is from across the Tasman in lord of the rings country. Her self title debut album has been hyped to no end and luckily (well in my opinion) it’s pretty damn good. It’s been stated all over the interwebs that her songs draw on 80s pop but I can’t seem to hear these links in her songs as a) I don’t listen to 80s pop and b) Iwas only alive for 3 years that decade. Pretty much every song on the album could be a single as their all v good and the album is definitely up their with the mystery jets as the best pop album I’ve heard all year! Ladyhawke plays modulars 10 year party never ever land with the rest of the modular crew this December so if your keen there’s a chance to go check her out! You can grab my favourite song off the album "magic" over at ever awesome hyperbole.

More Aussie goods to check out:

- The Holidays

- The Temper Trap

- Miami Horror

Semester Over

I have not posted here in quite a while because of the twice yearly plague otherwise known as uni exams. However finally uni is over for the year OHH YEAH! and it is time to relax.

First thing of the block the guys over at ignition are throwing an end of semester beach party.

Featuring LA RIOTS and JOAKIM on the decks it should be a banging night. You can grab Joakim's recently released "My Best Remixes" over here thanks to indie passion!

more coming soon im just having a afternoon nap and getting wink to re-pierce my ears! brb ppl

Passion Pit - sleepyhead video

PASSION PIT - SLEEPYHEAD from FunkySpaceMonkey on Vimeo.

The Video to Passion Pit's song Sleepyhead. You can grab the double A side of sleepyhead/ better things over @ neon gold records as a 7" vinyl. Enojoy!

Reka One @ Wasteland

Ps. If your wondering what actually happened to fuck over the US economy here it is in it's simplest form as stick figures in a nice powerpoint! enjoy! >>>>>>>> BusinessAmericanStyle

Coming to Perth St Jerome's Laneway Festival

This is just AWESOME. What began in one of Melbourne's many city lane ways between dirty bins and Asian restaurant has become one of Australia's (or should that be the world's) most unique music festivals. The St Jerome's Laneway Festival is an experience. A music festival in a laneway. Sounds crazy? Looks awesome!



But the crazy locations are all part of the fun. St Jerome's Laneway Festival is a indie rocks fans dream an intimate and boundary-pushing event. It Is a boutique street party that delivers an amazing line up of indie bands in inspired city locations. The festival also includes an indie cinema, art installations, ten pin bowling, boutique fashion markets and cocktail bars.

This years lineup includes:

• GIRL TALK
• STEREOLAB
• ARCHITECTURE IN HELSINKI
• THE HOLD STEADY
• THE DRONES
• CUT OFF YOUR HANDS
• FOUR TET
• TAME IMPALA
• EL GUINCHO
• JAY REATARD
• BURAKA SOM SISTEMA
• THE TEMPER TRAP
• NO AGE
• THE JOHN STEEL SINGERS
• CANYONS
• PIVOT
• PORT O'BRIEN
• HOLLY THROSBY
• BORN RUFFIANS
• MOUNTAINS IN THE SKY
• TIM FITE
• STILL FLYIN'
• DAEDELUS

And It's all coming to Perth to our very own Perth Cultural Centre! For the uninformed that is the pedestrian thoroughfare linking the train station concourse level to both ends of the James Street Mall, Francis Street and Beaufort Street. What an awesome location. The perfect use for this public open space!

So if your indie rock inclined and like stellar live performances this would definintely be an event not to be missed! More info at the official page over here.

Introducing The Holidays

The Holidays comprise of four former Sydney Uni students who are in the search for the perfect colonial pop. The Holidays as a name apart from being fucking awesome is very in sync with their musical sound as they play happy upbeat melodic indie-pop and listening to them is a pleasure. Musically they draw influence from all over the shop including brit-pop (arctic monkeys, bloc party) , colonial cousins the strokes and many other indie/alt/garage rock bands. In Precedence of this (I'm a lawyer bitches...... not really) they sound distinctly familiar but still have their own definite sound. Their songs are full of catchy riffs and hooks and make you want to get on the dance floor. After seeing them earlier this year at the Norfolk basement they sound fucking tight live and are a blast to see!

You can catch them with Yves Klein Blue on The Immaculate Confection Tour all over Australia this October. Their playing at amplifier tonight and in Fremantle on sunday so head down and check them out as I'm sure they wont disappoint.

Also their second EP - When the the ship goes down is due out tomorrow!
You can hear all of the new EP on their myspace over here.
Overall their pretty fuckin awesome!

Bag Raiders

This is straight from the HipsterRunoff via havefunclub so head over their to check it out. It's a new tune from Bag Raiders and it's an awesome way to get back into the swing of summer. It reminds me of being on a tropical beach, drinking out of a coconut and makes me fucking amped for this summer! Im off to the beach over and out.

Bag Raiders - Shooting Stars (Instrumental)

Bonus: very funny stuff about dating.

Perth is Getting Taller

Hey Perf Kids,
This is your newest tallest building and it's getting built right now! It's called BHP tower/City Square and it will be fucking massive. When its done it will be the tallest OFFICE tower in all of Australia and comes in at 270 meters to the spire! Take that east coast cousins we now have:

1) Better Beaches and weather (manly beach is still awesome)

2) The tallest office tower (when it's finished)

3)The richest man, Mr Andrew Forrest the CEO of Fortescue Metals Group but cos the world economy is going down, down, down and even china town may not save our arse he has lost about $6 billion dollars over the last 6 months and now is number 2. It's okay mate your still worth infinitley more that me at around $6 billion dollars.

4)The bell tower which is retarded. It's too small to be a icon and has bells in it FUCKIN WOOP DEE DOOO.

5) Ben Cousins on the gear and still winning brownlows your the man Benny! (even though he's no longer an eagles he's still a West Australian)

Yeh so pretty much Perth is the shit yeh and we should abandon the east coast and become our own country!

A trip on a Yellow Submarine

So its just an ordinary day like every other one................ until out of nowhere a MAGICAL FUCKING GARDEN GNOME runs out a bush in your sunny backyard and asks you to take a ride in a magical submarine. At the start your like WTF man, this is some Harry Potter styled crazy shit going on and then you think to yourself OHWELL FUCK IT, this will have to be more interesting than university any day.

+ +
=


Finally after a crazy as fuck trip you arrive in your submarine to the land of RAINBOWS and UNICORNS and damn it looks pretty. Just like the magical forests in all the Disney movies, this place is like the garden of Eden but even better. As you gather yourself together you think to yourself? In this enchanted fairyland what type of music they play? Then out of the forest your ears are filled with only the best euphoric and blissful pop you've ever heard!!!!!

Passion Pit - Sleepy Head
Boy Crisis - 1981 featuring Cake on Cake
Friendly Fires - Jump in the Pool


After hours on end of a blissful afternoon, finally you know your time is up. The gravity disappears and slowly you begin floating up into to the heavens and into the star filled sky.
If this ever actually happens to me (and I'm not as high as a kite) the only music i want to be listening to as I'm watching the star filled sky and the curvature of the earth is memory cassette! Listen to the fantastic lo-fi disco bliss on the memory cassette EP for free off their awesome blog.

Im outta here to go stargazing and munch some tasty acid, later people!

Kaiser Chiefs - Never Miss A Beat (Yuksek Remix)

Howdy Everyone.
After Seeing Yuksek at Parklife I thought it was time to put up one of his awesome remixes. This ones totally legal and from the the awesome rcrdlbl. In my opinion I prefer this to the cut copy remix but their both good! Yuksek turns this into a dancefloor hit with a heavy bassline and cos' I'm a bit of a Kaiser Chiefs fan this was always gonna tickle my fancy!

Kaiser Chiefs - Never Miss A Beat (Yuksek Remix)

Kings of Leon - Only by the Night

The Kings of Leon surprised everyone with such a quick return to the studio to produce their fourth album "Only by the night" which is due out tomorrow the 23rd of September ( Fuck Yeh!). It came as a big surprise to me as its only a year and a half after one of my favourite albums of 2007 "Because of the times" was released. Here are some reasons why I'm stoked!

1) Both the new tunes on their myspace are fuckin awesome.

2) Last year when they headlined South-Bound festival they totally killed it and were the best live act I saw all year!

3) Im amped to see which way they take their musical sound forward.

From what I've read on teh_interwebs suposebly they have moved away from their southern rock sound of their debut album and Aha Shake Heartbrake to a sound more in line with their previous release Because of the Times. You can check out Sex on Fire and Crawl over at their myspace and go and buy the CD tomorrow!

ps. this post is biased as, cos im an unashamed Kings of Leon fan. Also check out this years South-Bound line up which includes some awesome new and established artists including Lykke Li, Late of the Pier, Franz Ferdinand, The Kooks and Mystery Jets (check out their album Twenty One which is one of the best pop releases this year IMO).

Kaaaarrrnye West v. Peter Bjorrrrn & John

Ahoy thar mateys there be treasure in this post. Today for the uninformed is international talk like a pirate day. OMG, no i am not making this up: proof . So ladies and gentlemen get your best pirate talk on and make the most of the day cos ya'll be waiting a whole year til September 19th comes around again! Moving onto business I am not the biggest fan of Mr Kanye West and his overinflated ego (is it justified? you tell me? after seeing him at good vibes it's left me puzzled) anywho that is beside the point. Heres a tune for ya'll to plunder which definantly madethegrade.

MP3: Kanye West - Young Folks (media-fire)

Cheers and have a good weekend everyone.