Tiny Little Houses
By LACHLAN BRYAN New indie bands appear almost every week in Australia’s capital cities, but few can lay claim to the kind of early success and momentum experienced by Melbourne’s own Tiny Little Houses, who’ve already gained high rotation airplay on triple j, mass support from community radio and a prime spot at Brisbane’s Bigsound conference. “We actually hadn’t played a gig until after we’d recorded,” says frontman and...
Tom Dockray
By LACHLAN BRYAN Originally from Tasmania, singer-songwriter Tom Dockray is just about the most authentic old-timey guitar picker and songwriter a Melbourne gig-goer is likely to encounter. Tom’s songs have their roots in the country-blues of Mississippi John Hurt, but the wit and wisdom of his words conjures up comparisons to John Prine, Kinky Freidman and Australia’s own Don Walker. In 2014 Dockray released his debut EP Iron Suit –...
Rock ‘n Roll excess (baggage)
By STUART McCULLOGH I take it all back; every last word. For years I have poured scorn on anything that looked like a boy band. I have derided their musical output and questioned their artistic integrity. I have dished out piping hot spoonfuls of opprobrium. I ridiculed the way they dressed, danced and the dreadful songs they sang. Not anymore. I have officially seen the light. For I am now convinced that these confected groups are...
Alpine: ‘Just a beautiful mess’
By ANDREW DIXON Andrew Dixon interviewed Lou James from the Aussie six-piece group Alpine as they prepared for their new album Yuck to hit the shelves, and readied themselves for the global Foolish tour. Alpine pay more than just lip service to their cross-continental success. Their sound’s changed noticeably since their first full-length studio album, A is for Alpine, as have the group’s creative dynamics. “After touring with each...
Tracer make grand entrance
Rock’n’roll is a never-ending celebration: of life, of good times, of the healing power of overdriven guitars. But while everyone is invited to the party, only a select few are able to tap into rock’n’roll’s spirit and essence. Formed just over a decade ago in Adelaide, South Australia, the mighty Tracer plainly have access to that hotline to rock’s heart and soul. With a sound that takes the bluesy core of the finest hard rock and...