POP NOISE VS NOISE POP GIG OFF: My Bloody Valentine (Tivoli, 20th Feb 2013) VS. Deerhoof (Zoo, 1st Mar 2013)

It's a gig off everyone! Who will win between two bands I don't know enough about: veteran adored noise shoegazers MBV and quirky noise pop tunesters Deerhoof? GUITAR SOLOS OF ANTICIPATION!

My Bloody Valentine

source: thequietus.com

Every indie music fan has to respect and hopefully love this band to have any credibility (it seems), since Kevin Shields and co. propelled the shoegaze genre with their airy, wall of fuzz creations. I've only listened to Loveless a handful of times and of course the song in Lost In Translation; all enjoyable listens, all with something to come back to. Shoegaze as a genre is something a tiny little lost on me, as repetitive fuzz is a little....repetitive and fuzzy, for me. Nevertheless, I was happy to see them for their first live Brisbane show in  a million years, joining my companion after a day of excess due to my uncle's wedding.
We arrived not long before the band came onstage, greeted by a Tivoli audience not as filled out as I expected. Kev and the Gang, all looking a little old and weathered but not distastefully so, started their set with the blaring feedback filled drones of "I Only Said". We were given earplugs when we went in, and I didn't really expect to have to use them as we weren't very close, but Great Odin's raven I came close. All I could really hear was the distorted reverberating guitars, and really not much else. Even as "When You Sleep" started, the only song I proudly recognised off the bat, I still could only imagine the vocals rather than actually hear anyone sing. I know MBV is a noise band and there was definite noise, and in that manner they delivered, but due to the distortion, whether you want to blame it on the Tivoli or the band, it was difficult for this casual listener to differentiate song from song. After a tiring day, I needed more to stimulate me than just blare. 
I kept my feelings quiet until my companion shared the same ones... and sadly, during the repetition of one thunderous note during "You Made Me Realise" which could only be described as eardrum rape, we caved into our feelings and made to leave a little early. Ahh, quiet bliss. I know it's what fans of the band probably jizzed over, and reading a few reviews suggest this last (apparently TWENTY MINUTE LONG) one note session called "Holocaust" was incredible and thrilling and 'had to be there' type stuff, but for me it was more like a real holocaust, which I assume is similar to what hell is like. 
Speaking of hell, I'm probably going to reviewer hell for this, but it definitely wasn't the most enjoyable show of my life. Unfortunately MBV you get like maybe one star for being so influential to begin with. 

Really too cool to give a fuck about what I think anyway.

V.S. !!!!!!!!!!!!

Deerhoof

It turns out I have had an album by Deerhoof on my itunes for a while, but didn't pay enough attention to know how I felt about them. Turns out, I would probably dig them. This time, said companion scored some free tickets from the shop The Outpost (Save all your money and go there sometime). We headed over in time to check out a little bit of support acts Primitive Motion and all of Blank Realm. I had seen Blank Realm at Black Bear Lodge a while back and really enjoyed their sonically shifting sound, and tonight was no different. Their set was warming and empowering, a great mood setter for the night ahead. 
Deerhoof are fronted by one of the cutest ladies to hold a bass guitar, Satomi Matsuzaki. Satomi with her sweet upbeat vocals and energetic jumpy stage behaviour, held a lot of the presence onstage. The jangly pop of the band was instantly attention grabbing, and got the crowd, again quite small, moving along in time quickly. Jovial, harmonic poppy numbers accompanied noisier synthy jams, with entertaining results. Deerhoof definitely have a distinctive style, and though there were some brief change-ups in the pace and mood, it was all of a similar high energy. However, the best way to tell if a band are any good live is if you can enjoy it without knowing any of their music beforehand, and in that way they were definitely a solid live act. Knowing that neither Satomi nor a few of the other band members had any real musical background before becoming Deerhoof, also makes me want to join a band more than ever... and in that way they were also inspiring. 
Listening back, the cutesiness of the Japanese-poppy voice of Satomi is a little overpowering, but they're a band I can definitely get into. Their live show is however something you really have to see, and I was disappointed to see so few people there. Having said that, the Stone Roses were playing that same night... a band I really wish I hadn't missed (look, I'm too poor). But another defining feature of the band is how much they seemed to really enjoy just feeding off each other onstage to put on a show for us anyway, which is another thing I didn't really get from MBV. So, for an unexpectedly excellent experience, Deerhoof gets 7.5 out of 10 flashing kanye sunglasses.

YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS! DEERHOOF WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Oh nice, cheers Steph!

INDEPENDENT! LOCAL! BRISBANE! OVERSEAS! get into it!

Hi everyone. I have been going to a few things here and there over the year thus far that have been more social events than "OH MY GOD I AM GOING TO SEE THIS BAND TONIGHT" which often tends to happen when you're out and about and you end up seeing a local band play a drinking venue. The best part about going out to meet up with friends and seeing some music along the way is you often find yourself really enjoying the band and you get something extra out of your night. It's why I prefer to go to a gig than go to a club, and it's why you should too! Anyway I thought I'd discuss some of the local bands I've seen so far over the past six months, or that I've noticed on the radar and would like to see. Come with me. 

LOCAL

Please click the names for links to bandcamp or similar artist pages! I've thrown in a couple of videos which happen to have been directed by very talented people I know, and I know it may seem like a great big plug but I honestly also think they're excellent.


Astrid and the Asteroids
I saw Astrid and her fellow Asteroids at the Zoo months back, and have wanted to write about them since. Simply put, they are a goddamn talented crew of musicians (mostly Conservatorium graduates, so figures) lead by the enigmatic and vocally marvellous Astrid. Not only do they put on an energetic and powerful live show, decked out in out-of-this-world space costumes, but their music is catchy, infectious and brilliant, in it's brassy, groovy style. I had some super mad fun at this gig. 


Cub Scouts
Cub Scouts have been touring with the likes of Brisbane darlings Ball Park Music and getting quite the name for themselves. They have a very Holiday's feel to me, blissful jangly pop with sweet lyrical moments. I can see them becoming the next indie pop faves on the Triple J circuit and beyond, and it's not hard to see why. Try not to get their song below stuck in your head, I dare ya. 

videoclip directed by world's greatest housemate Sam Rogers

Tiptoes
Tiptoes is a one man band here in Brisbane who specializes in electro-post-pop with the essences of Pulp and Prince, mixed with some Microphones-esque folk. His subject matter is often psychadelic, existential and apocalyptic, with lyrics of depth and complexity hushed in a contemplative croon. His work is both unique and brilliant, and he can even play two far-apart synths at the same time while singing, as I had the priviledge of witnessing at a show at a Real Bad Music gig in February. I'm looking forward to the split single he is currently recording with fellow musician Perpetual Nervousness, and hopefully a 6" EP later in the year. 


Mindjar
I caught Mindjar at the Zoo a few weeks ago and was pretty impressed with their tight set, reflective of old school 90's and 00's alt-rock with dashes of metal-lite. Lead singer Corrie has a superb voice, belting out heartfelt lyrics, sometimes with a screech, others a whisper, and was completely immersed in his performance. The band itself is well in sync and with thumping drums and growling bass, play tight together- but this is clearly Corrie's avenue to shine, sliding himself around the stage like a good frontman should. 

Blank Realm
Blank Realm were part of the third annual Deadshits festival, held at Black Bear lodge, at which I was eager to see label mates Kitchen's Floor for my first time. However good they were, it was Blank Realm that stuck in my memory, so much so that I considered checking them out again at Record Store Day (but did catch some very good Jungle Giants before departing instead). Very electro-ambient, full of reverb and fuzz, but also with some infectiously gritty rock moments, they also managed to entertain me most with a positively charged set. I expect they're already 4ZZZ old hat faves.

Royal Zephyr
Royal Zephyr are a bunch of suave Brisbane gents (I should stop typing the word Brisbane. They're all from Brisbane. Gah) who I'm yet to see live, but they channel some serious 60's - 80's punk rock in their songs; drum fills, electric riffs and all. One track sounds like it could have been a long-lost Doors recording, another is like something Tame Impala wishes they'd created. Whatever their influences are, they have a very retro feel which I have a feeling will be a lot of fun live.


Skypilot
Skypilot is a very easy to enjoy alt-rock band, made up of a group of excellent musicians around Brisbane. They've been compared to the National and U2, and while I'm not a huge fan of either of those bands, they have a similar vocal and musical style.. while in my opinion, being much more enjoyable. They have an excellent range from slow burning lovely acoustic moments, to intensity building drum-pounding guitar-screeching energy. 

videoclip directed by world's best brother and girlfriend, Nic F and Lydia H. I'm also in it!

...

OVERSEAS

Additional to some excellent local bands, are some fantastic international (namely US) musical acts I have come across via internet befriending and some that have travelled. These are all independent, local artists in their area, unsigned and completely excellent. I'd encourage you to check them out and support original, independent artists, also they're just freaking good. 


Pocket Vinyl
This Connecticut piano-rock duo has some clear influences, such as Ben Folds, Beirut, but with a fresh and unique passion that makes them stand out. Their songs are beautifully produced and coupled with frontman Eric's brilliant emotive voice and lyrics. Their shows are something I would really like to see over here, in which Eric plays and Elizabeth paints to the music, always something beautiful and inspired (no Red Paintings jokes). They auction off the painting at the end of the show, so the audience may get even more than just a performance. They're also husband and wife too. It's cute.


Clotworthy
Clotworthy, a young musical genius from Philadelphia, makes music I wish I could make (but I'd have to be the female version). Clotworthy tells the familiar story of what it's like to be a dude, trying to make a life, get a girl, maintain a friendship, chase that neverending carrot that is success, but not always make it. Also, what it would be like to be Bill Murray. Along with the relatable lyrics sang with his excellent and unique voice, his synth-driven electro rock music carries you along, and is destined to stick in your head. 


The Uncle Steves
The Uncle Steves, from Illinois, seem to have taken Beck's "Mellow Gold" era and taken it to a whole other level, turning it into their own unique genre. They excel at mixing hip hop with gritty rock, harmonies, acoustic ecstasy and some excellent handclapping. The Uncle Steves style is infectious and powerful, and stays with you for days... There are moments of melodic bliss amongst moments of raw shoe gaze, and it all ties together brilliantly; with heaps to discover upon repeated listenings. 

Max Hay
Away from his home of Montana, Max actually toured Australia in April and played a gig at the Dowse bar as part of their Wednesday event 'The Round.' The Round involves 3 musicians playing a number of songs each, in a round as it suggests. While the other musicians, Brad Butcher and Sam Buckingham, were quite good, Max was the clear standout. His style could be described as Bill Callahan meets Henry Wagons (except less Australian of course), with a tongue in cheek sense of humour peppered in between. Tying together his deep voice with acoustic guitar, harmonica and DIY percussion, his live performance was pretty mesmerising, and I hope he makes the trip back again. 

I'm sure I'll write about many more artists to come! I hope you like them.

So... guess what my next review is going to be of? The motherfucking man in purple himself, Prince. Never thought I'd ever end up at a Prince concert, but there I will be tomorrow night, hopefully in some faux leather, frills and purple eye shadow. Can't wait.