As people around the world came to grips with 9/11, one particular piece of music that drew people in was William Basinski’s The Disintegration Loops [listen]. Somewhat of an accidental piece, its resonance was not only musical (though its mournful repetition is certainly both comforting and haunting), but also due in part to its near-mythological context - birthed through physical decay, it was said to be completed the morning of the attacks, and played on Basinski’s Brooklyn rooftop as he watched the towers fall.

The Wordless Music Orchestra’s decision to perform what is essentially a tape loop on the 10th anniversary of the attacks struck me as a curious one, but now that it’s performed, it makes sense. They re-invent it into a majestic sequel, the slowly dying tape replaced by a sustained, strong orchestra, and the recreated tones of the original providing a backbone to fresh, reinvigorated yet nonetheless reflective instrumentation.

It’s one of the most moving pieces I’ve heard, and it’s available (as part of a concert) as a free download/stream from NPR for a week only. Check it out.

Picture source.

He may be stealing names from The Boss, but one-man orchestral pop dreamboat Wintercoats can afford to when he’s creating such gorgeous music. Now he’s paired it with some fittingly pretty visuals for this instrumental. It’s the lead single from his Sketches EP, which is out in November on Mistletone (Aus) and Cascine (US). Good pilates music.

Next week I’m putting on the first Radiant show outside of FBi Social - LA Vampires’ first and only show in Sydney, along with three fantastic Sydney supports: Holy Balm, Kirin J Callinan and Guerre.

Should be a huge night - hope to see you there. Tickets are $20+bf and onsale now from Moshtix - make sure you lock yours down!

Full info as follows:

Radiant and Room40 are very excited to announce that LA VAMPIRES (USA) will be performing in Sydney for one night only on September 8, 2011.

LA VAMPIRES is the shapeshifting soundsystem universe of Amanda Beth Brown (co-runner of Not Not Fun Records and ex-Pocahaunted voodoo-ist). Hers is an evolving vibe, utilizing a web of slowed/screwed tapes, boombox Casio FX, low end theories, and bleached voice patterns to conjure a reverb chamber’s worth of dance floor mirages. To date she’s released four collaborations, each more different than the last, with underground luminaries Zola Jesus, Ital, Matrix Metals and Psychic Reality.

Touring for the first time outside of the US West Coast, she’ll be performing live with Britt Brown (co-runner of Not Not Fun, Pocahaunted bandmate and Robedoor member) and Nick Malkin (Queen Victoria).

They will be joined on the night by psychedelic dance jam trio HOLY BALM, the intimate and spectacular KIRIN J CALLINAN and ambient R&B maestro GUERRE.

LA VAMPIRES
w/ Holy Balm, Kirin J Callinan & Guerre
Goodgod Small Club (55 Liverpool St, Sydney)
Thursday 8 September, 8pm
Tickets $20+bf through Moshtix

EXCLUSIVE: Kitchen’s Floor - Needs

Great, propulsive punk from one of Brissie’s finest. It’s from their newie Look Forward To Nothing, which sports a new lineup (inc. Liam from Bitch Prefect and Joe from Per Purpose), the best recording they’ve had yet, and most importantly… the best songs yet.

Pre-order the CD/LP from Bedroom Suck.

Their US tour kicks off today, and they’re touring Australia from late September. Go see them.

It’s the next Radiant Live! Poptastic! See you there?

Two songs from Kitchen’s Floor’s live performance on Radiant. This video contains “Orbit” and “Lander”.

The full set in audio format can be downloaded here.

A part of Angel Eyes’ gorgeous set at Totally Autumn, back in April.

Seriously, Moshtix? Your latest spam:

• Celebrates festival dickhead culture
• Direct markets teenage binge drinking (there’s literally no other way that a cheap bottle of red will be drunk by this audience)
• Is full of boring rock cliches

Making, live last night at about 2am. Super loud, super good. 

Here’s the next Radiant Live. Come along?

Facebook Event

Hi all,

There’s a bunch of podcasts that still need to be edited (hopefully this long weekend), but I thought i’d go ahead and put tonight’s Neil Finn interview up, as there’s people asking for it!

This was such a blast. Without wanting to get too sentimental, I’d joked about one day having Neil on the show, as if that was the ultimate aspiration for a show where I talk to antipodean singer-songwriters. And I’m still not sure that there’s anywhere bigger to go from here, but luckily there’s exciting music all over Australia to tackle. Oh, and I wouldn’t mind Robert Forster, too ;)

Big thanks to Neil for taking the time out to chat! Make sure you head along to his new band Pajama Club’s show at Oxford Art Factory on Monday 13 June, and download their new single here. It’s a cracker.

There’s lots of great music coming soon to the site too - tonight’s interview with Pat of The Falling Joys, as well as live sets and interviews from Jack Ladder, Mike Noga, Moth Larf and Naked On The Vague are forthcoming. Yay!

Come to this.

It’s the next Radiant Live! Head down next Thursday May 26 to catch Megastick Fanfare’s album launch.

Megastick Fanfare’s album has taken forever to come out, but now it’s dropped and it’s full of amazing, warped psych-pop. I’m betting it’ll sound amazing in the small confines of FBi Social.

Parking Lot Experiments follow a similar vein, and were a riot last time I saw them in Melbourne. Make sure you catch them.

New kids on the Sydney block Sealion are sounding mighty fine too, with that grandiose pop sound that mates like Parades, Jono Boulet and Kyu have already put on the map.

It’s a killer bill, and the poppiest edition of Radiant Live that you’re likely to see anytime soon. Some come down and have a dance. It’s gonna be killer.