We are honoured to bring you an exclusive look at the new video for an old track called ‘Iron Rose’ by the band Milk Teddy. The track comes off an album ‘Time Catches Up With Milk Teddy’ released by Milk Teddy six years ago, but the band has got back together for the remarkable 25th birthday celebrations of the ultra cool boutique Melbourne label The Lost and Lonesome Recording Company, and the newly created video is a fitting celebratory gift.
‘Iron Rose’ is a delightfully wistful piece of antipodean indie pop that positively shimmers with a sort of low-fi jingle jangle flow and half spoken lyrics in a broad Australian accent. The music bubbles and flows underneath with an ambulatory pace, reminding me a little of Belle and Sebastian with its dry observatory style and Flying Nun label bands such as The Bats and The Chills.
The new video is a delight. Directed and edited by Thomas Mendelovits and starring Cecilie Bjørn and Jonathan Mendelovits, it is a simple journey with a couple walking together across various landscapes – there is a carefree innocence and joy about it which perfectly suits the track:
This is a band I want to explore more, and here’s hoping the reunion reignites something, because there is something special here.
The 25th birthday celebrations of Lost and Lonesome Records promises to be something quite spectacular, with a full day of the label’s impressive roster performing – see the set below.
Split across an afternoon and an evening session at Brunswick Ballroom, the ten-hour party will see label stalwarts like The Zebras, Mid-State Orange, The Smallgoods and Last Leaves (ex-Lucksmiths) along with newcomers The Small Intestines and fresh new acts from band with a past including Cheeses (ex-The Foots, Hurdy Gurdy), Alluvial Nuggetts (ex-Cannanes, Ashtray Boy, Ekranoplans) and Hot Coppers featuring producer Gareth Parton (Breeders, Foals, Big Scary).
There will also be performances by The Icypoles, Milk Teddy, Tim Richmond, Fred Astereo and newly reunited 90s indiepop heroes The Cat’s Miaow.
Established in 1998 by Mark Monnone and Jane McCracken, Lost and Lonesome Records has gone on to release over 130 titles and been home to some of Australia’s most impressive indie, folk and experimental artists, some of whom we have covered here at Backseat Mafia (see our reviews of Hot Coppers and Monnone Alone).
The label has remained uncompromisingly independent and DiY over the years, sticking to the original plan to release great music by largely unheralded artists and, in the process, forged a community based on creative synergy and longstanding friendships, both amongst the artists and fans alike. Tickets are available here.
Performers and set times are:
12:30 – Milk Teddy
1:10 – Hot Coppers
1:45 – Alluvial Nuggetts
2:20 – Cheeses
2:55 – Great Earthquake
3:30 – Cayn Borthwick
4:05 – Monnone Alone
4:40 – The Cat’s Miaow
5:15 – Anthony Atkinson & The Running Mates
~ Half-Hour Break ~
6:10 – Fred Astereo
6:45 – The Small Intestines
7:20 – Tim Richmond
7:55 – The Icypoles
8:30 – Last Leaves
9:05 – The Zebras
9:40 – The Smallgoods (Duo)
10:15 – Mid-State Orange
