New Music Wednesday – Steering by Stars

Who are they? Steering by Stars

Where are they from? Adelaide

What do they play? post rock, ambient

You’ll like them if you like: Explosions in the Sky

Steering by Stars are a lot more than just ambient soundscapes. I’m sure everyone will find their own mostly instrumental post rock band to compare these guys to, but like every other post rock band out there Steering by Stars have their own little bits and pieces that set them apart and make them special. Every now and then they’ll use vocals, and sometimes there will be extended almost classical style piano playing. Gorgeous.

Free MP3s:

Steering by Stars – Closer

Steering by Stars – Ether

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New Music Wednesday – Goodnight Owl

 

Who are they? Goodnight Owl

Where are they from? Melbourne

What do they play? electro-pop, folk

You’ll like them if you like: The Postal Service

Literally within about 10 seconds of hearing ‘Maps and Compasses’, I got a smile on my face that I just couldn’t take off. It reminded me of the first time I heard ‘Such Great Heights’ by The Postal Service. It’s upbeat and uplifting but kind of bittersweet at the same time. Electro drum beats, folky guitars and Australian accents are all featured here, and the mix is absolutely splendid.

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New Music Wednesday – Ball Park Music

I ran a bit low on time today finishing up my four assignments for end of semester, so this post won’t be entirely what I wanted it to be unfortunately. But I’d rather be on time and just put my review up tomorrow when it is finished and written properly. So for now we just have a music video and a few notes on how awesome it is.

Ball Park Music are a local Brisbane band that have been absolutely all over the local scene for the past 6 months. They’ve played with just about every well known indie band from Brisbane, and have just released their second EP, Conquer the Town, Easy As Cake earlier last month. ‘iFly’ is their latest single, and no it isn’t just a marketing ploy for Apple! Short for, ‘I Fucking Love You’ the song is a simply adorable pop song that you won’t be able to get out of your head. Ever. Have a watch of the video above, and visit their Myspace or Triple J Unearthed page to have a listen to a few other tracks. Oh, and come back tomorrow for an actual review of their EP!!!

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New Music Wednesday – Hunz

Johannes van Vliet has been performing under the stage name of Hunz since about 2005, but his music was only introduced to me the other week by a co-worker. He makes this amazing indie electronica music, but pigeon holing him into those genres really don’t do his music any justice. His sound is fresh and modern, and some of the music he has manage to create just on the computer is simply astonishing. It’s worth checking out just for that.

He’s from Brisbane, completely DIY and completely independent – and that just makes it all so much more enjoyable. Go have a listen on Myspace or download a few tracks from Hunz’s Triple J Unearthed page. And if you really dig it you can download a full album for free!!

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New Music Wednesday Megapost – The Stress of Leisure, The Boat People and How to Destroy Angels

I really couldn’t figure out which one to post today, so I figured I would just post them all!

(look! he’s in a laundromat!)

1. The Stress of Leisure

I’m surprised I haven’t heard of these guys (or just one guy maybe?) before. Surprised and ashamed. The band is led by local musician Ian Powne, and I’m not quite sure how to pinpoint the style. I’d throw it into the general ‘indie’ bin of course but that really doesn’t do it justice. Check it out.  Seriously.

2. The Boat People

The Boat People have been around for ages. Shame on you if you’re from Brisbane and don’t know who they are. I was excited to find in my Facebook feed this morning that they have a new music video out for their song ‘Soporific’ from their upcoming album. I’m always a fan of Boaties video clips (why oh why didn’t I mention these in my Sunday thoughts!)

3. How to Destroy Angels

Trent Reznor finally has a new project. If you haven’t heard about it yet, it’s called How to Destroy Angels, an electronic/light indstrustiral act with his wife Mariqueen Maandig. It’s all still a little mysterious, but Pitchfork have uploaded the first single, so I definitely recommend you have a listen. But don’t listen expecting another Nine Inch Nails. It’s very different.

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