New music round-up
Our selection of the best new music across a range of genres for the week ending 18 October 2019.
Australian musician Vancouver Sleep Clinic – a.k.a. Tim Bettinson – has released his much-anticipated album Onwards to Zion. This latest installment of dreamy melodies captures melancholy and sentimentality. Onwards to Zion unfolds the musicality first revealed on his 2017 debut Revival. On this new work Bettinson seeks to completely revamp the sound to “capture a distinctly collagic sonic palette that encompasses everything from ethereal atmospherics to psychedelic synth tones to hazy samples of ’60s jazz-pop records”.
Aussie fans will have the chance to hear these new tracks live throughout November, on Vancouver Sleep Clinic’s upcoming mini-tour:
Sydney – Tuesday 5th November @ The Factory Theatre
Melbourne – Wednesday 6th November @ Corner Hotel
Brisbane – Thursday 7th November @ The Triffid
Perth multi-instrumentalist Tanaya Harper returns with “Crash Pad”; from her forthcoming EP Slow Motion Breakup. Since going solo in 2017, after forming indie-rock outfit Bells Rapids, Tanaya has been active in Perth’s indie music scene. Her music chronicles living with depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. “Crash Pad” was produced and mixed by Perth’s Dave Parkin with mastering completed by William Bowden.
When I Say to You Black Lightning is the debut album from Montreal band Common Holly. In 9 labyrinthine tracks, Devon Bate, Hamish Mitchell, and Brigette Naggar observe the complexities of mental health, the precarious nature of life, and the challenges of finding strength in the face of grave misunderstanding.
Mosquito Coast are Naomi Robinson and Conor Barton. the duo from Perth were fast-tracked into the Aus music scene in 2015 when their first song – “Call My Name” won Triple J’s Unearthed High. They followed up with singles “Commotion”, “Let’s Be Friends”, the Television Love EP, tours and festival appearances. Now their debut album Kisses is out now via The Orchard. A lover’s kiss, a goodbye kiss, or une bise (‘a kiss on the cheek’) Kisses is about intimate relationships. The crushing and worrying about reciprocity, heartbreak, guilt, and learning to accept the fleetingness of some romances.
Naomi and Conor recorded the album in New York City with renowned French producer Nicolas Vernhes, who’s worked with some of the world’s most inspired artists including Moodoïd, The War On Drugs, Animal Collective, Dirty Projectors and Deerhunter.
Brisbane indie-folk luminaries Hollow Coves have today released their album Moments. The album features “all the classic elements of indie folk; lyrics capturing a reminiscent recount of a youthful past, gentle vocals, captivating acoustics, minimal percussion and subtle orchestral instrumentals”. Aiming to bring their own optimistic and hopeful outlook on life to the forefront, the band wrote the single “Anew” with the intent to change the perspectives of those who need a touch of brightness.
One of the most successful and best-selling artists of his generation, Lenny Kravitz will return to Australia in April 2020 as part of his “Here to Love” World Tour. The tour, presented by TEG Live, will be Kravitz’s first time back to Australia in more than eight years. Pre-sale tickets are available via Telstra Plus from Friday 18 October 2019, before the general public on-sale at 11.00am AEDT Thursday 24 October 2019 from Ticketek. In addition to tour dates in Sydney, Newcastle and Melbourne, Kravitz will make a headline appearance at Bluesfest in Bryon Bay on April 10.
Tour dates 2020:
Sydney: Qudos Bank Arena – 3 April
Newcastle: Newcastle Entertainment Centre – 6 April
Melbourne: Rod Laver Arena – 8 April
Bluesfest Byron Bay – 10 April
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- Monique Clare on tour – music news
- Polish Club on tour – music news
- The Sea Gypsies (album + tour) – music news
David Edwards is the editor of The Blurb and a contributor on film and television