backseat downunder
Live Review + Gallery: MONA FOMA festival – Mogwai, Kutcha Edwards & The Australian Art Orchestra and The Shruti Sessions MONA Lawns, 23.02.2024
An eclectic mix of artists played the Friday edition of The MONA Sessions, with headline act Mogwai being joined by indigenous star, Kutcha Edwards (accompanied by the Australian Art Orchestra) and The Shruti Sessions. First up was The Shruti Sessions, an ensemble of Hindustani/Rajastani musicians (Anandi Bhattacharya, Asin Khan Langa, Debashish Bhattacharya, Sadiq Khan and …
News: ‘Doesn’t Matter’ – the magnificent HighSchool announce new EP ‘Accelerator!’ and release haunting atmospheric single ahead of tour.
The London-based Melbourne post punk duo HighSchool – much loved and admired here at Backseat Mafia – today announce the release of a new EP entitled ‘Accelerator’ – their second – due for release through [PIAS] Australia on 19 April 2024. And to increase the levels of anticipation, a new single entitled ‘Doesn’t Matter’ is …
Live Review plus Gallery: MONA FOMA Festival – Shonen Knife, Wednesday and Little Ugly Girls, MONA Lawns, 25.02.2024
The stunning run of shows at MONA FOMA continues with the Sunday line up of Michael Rother celebration of Neu!, Shonen Knife, Wednesday and Little Ugly Girls out on the bucolic lawns of the world famous MONA Museum in the outskirts of Hobart. We covered Michael Rother’s celebration of the legendary Neu! on his Australian …
Track & News: Hollow Coves Unveils Enchanting Single ‘See You Soon’ Ahead of ‘Nothing To Lose’ Album + Aus/UK/US Tour Dates
Hollow Coves, the talented folk duo hailing from the picturesque Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, is set to make waves with their upcoming album, ‘Nothing To Lose‘. In anticipation of its release on Friday, March 1st, the duo has recently dropped a soul-stirring single, ‘See You Soon‘, and revealed an extensive international tour that promises …
Track & News: Newly Released ‘Dance With Me’ Leads the Way for Sophian’s East Coast Tour
Sophian, the indie rock sensation hailing from Boorloo/Perth, is setting the scene ablaze with their latest single, ‘Dance With Me‘ and the announcement of their upcoming East Coast tour. Comprising members Sophian, Michael, Tyler, and Julia, the quartet has crafted a punchy and refreshing track that showcases their musical prowess and high spirit. Frontman Sophian …
Live Gallery: Michael Rother 50 Years of NEU! at the City Recital Hall, Sydney 22.02.2024
Michael Rother’s pioneering work in crafting the mesmerizing soundscapes of Krautrock has left an indelible mark on the evolution of modern music, inspiring generations of artists to explore new sonic horizons.
News: Girl and Girl announce debut album ‘Call A Doctor’ and spark things off with a very fine anthemic ‘Hello’.
Garage rock four-piece Girl and Girl today announce that their debut full length album, ‘Call A Doctor’ will be released on Friday, 24 May via Virgin Music Australia (AU/NZ) and Sub Pop (rest of world), and is available now for pre-order. To celebrate, the band release lead single and accompanying video ‘Hello’ as a rather …
Track: Arty Ziff spins another floating electronic dreamy cloud in ‘acetone ft Cry Club’
Arty Ziff, the nome de plume of Naarm/Melbourne producer Mitch Kelly, has released the summer spinner ‘acetone’ with the assistance of band Cry Club. It’s an aquatic delight that positively beams rays of sunshine as it bubbles along with the sweet, melancholic vocals of Cry Club’s Heather Riley. According to Art Ziff: ‘acetone’ is about …
Album review: Giving It Away by Claire Anne Taylor
If there is one name that is synonymous with independent folk and folk-rock in Tasmania today, it is Claire Anne Taylor. The girl with the fiery red hair and the smoky, gravel-tinged voice has announced her third long-player in the form of her latest offering, Giving It Away. Following on from her 2016 debut, Elemental …
Track: Polly Rekindles Her Past In Her Euphoric ‘We’re not really strangers’
Layered in a sonically rich atmosphere of bubbly synths and irresistible rhythm, Naarm/Melbourne-based electro/indie pop artist POLLY has returned with her soaring sophomore single ‘We’re not really strangers’. After releasing her debut single last year, the artist has teamed up with Melbourne-based producer Jeremy Drakeford, known for working with artists like Lachie Gill, Carda and …