Hidden Shoal Recordings [HSR] are an independent music label based out of Perth, Western Australia. It is run by a very small group of creatives [which includes my good friend Stuart Medley]. They are responsible for basically everything from the signing to packaging design. HSR has been going since 2006 and currently has 41 or so bands on its roster. Great effort in such a short period.
HSR has a big international listening body and they get a lot play on Perth’s RTR-FM station. In terms of sound and character, HSR describe on their website that: ‘Hidden Shoal Recordings’ current catalogue includes releases that slip between the edges of experimental ambient work, shoegazing pop, post-rock and indie rock. The label has earned a reputation for releasing exciting and engaging new independent music unbound by genre or style. Hidden Shoal Recordings was recently chosen as one of the top ten favourite labels of 2007 by Textura magazine and has been dubbed “This generations 4AD” by prominent New York radio host DJ Mojo.” [HSR]
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One of the groups signed to HSR is Stuart’s own My Majestic Star, fronted by Chris Mason. A four-piece group which is described as: “Shades of ambience flow into moments of shoegaze rock, turning through melancholic piano arcs and following the well-trodden path of obscure narrative. No manifesto, no thesis, no all-encompassing mantra. Just experimentation with guitars, keyboards and samplers, and a feeling that music should, in some instances, be allowed to evolve as an entity of itself.” [MMS about]
MMS have just released their third album, I Haven’t Got It In Me, which has been met with strong reviews. The second track from the album, Crampling, is available from free d/l on the HSR site. Give it a go and if you enjoy it, buy the album. D/l free track here
It is alway great to come across new music and labels and to support those independents which don’t have the stacks of money that facilitates big exposure. I like that any discovery such as this label particularly feels like it destined to be. Consequentially you feel honoured to share in their musical love by being part of a small but informed community and spreading around what they have to offer.
To get a greater sense of other artists on the label, you can download 5 different HSR Sampler from their site. [link to d/l and store]
Die Antwoord – Reprazent South Africa culture! All dez things but in one person! Safa hiphop at its greatest! Weird creepy funny!
I know we are probably pretty sick of all the Michel Jackson stuff recently, with his unfortunate passing but here one snippet of intersting which I thought I would quickly pass on…
The art of David Nordahl has cropped up in the internet news recently, because of his large body of commissioned paintings for Michael Jackson. The Telegraph UK posted a gallery of his MJ work which, to say lightly are shocking and creepy but not wholly surprising.
For someone (MJ) who controlled his image so closely during his career, these works definitely show his strong direction. Predictably a lot of the paintings feature young children, where they show him in a fatherly way; frolicking, loving, and nurturing. The other most dominate and more interesting feature are the far-fetched historical themings, such as MJ being knighted [or with excalibur?], in Renaissance or Elizabethan get up or as a draped deity surrounded by cherubs. <Shudder>. The paintings, technically are beautiful and not to take anything away from Nordahl, are crazy. Note also that Nordahl is only one of many artist MJ used throughout his life. Here’s a sampler of Nordahl’s MJs [I think most of these are his]:
Modelled on Michelangelo’s David
and ET?
MJ leading a bunch of kids along a yellow brick road…
Last year I kicked off this weblog with a post on my favourite music of 2008. That time has come around again, with 2009 safely behind us to give bouquets to the best of 2009 in music [according to my obvious biases + listening habits] and other stuff I listened to + more. Instead of doing a large spiel as I did last year I’ll forgo this time any length description and leave the comments section free for debate and conjecture. Anyway, lets get this proverbial party started:
Album of the Year
Mastodon – Crack the Skye
No surprises here. I’ve alluded before that I rate Mastodon as the biggest thing going in heavy music at the moment.
Even the TIME Top 10 Everything of 2009 agrees.
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Song of the Year
Mastodon – Oblivion
Runners – up:
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Title Track of the Year
Alexisonfire – Young Cardinals
[from Old Crows / Young Cardinals]
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Best Follow-Up Albums of the Year
Lily Allen – It’s Note Me, It’s You
Bats For Lashes – Two Suns
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Best Album Art of the Year
Baroness – Blue Record
Elvis Costello – Secret, Profane and Sugarcane
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Best Music Video of the Year
Charlotte Gainsbourg and Beck – Heaven Can Wait [directed by Keith Schofield]
watch video here
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Best Finds in 2009
High on Fire – Death is this Communion
Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
Behemoth – Evangelion
Fever Ray – Fever Ray
The Cave Singers – Invitation Songs
The Sword – Gods of the Earth
Baroness – Blue Record
Dodos – Visitor
Revolution Mother – Glory Bound
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Biggest Disappointments of the Year
Greenday – 21stc Breakdown: solid but I expected a lot more as a followup to the great American Idiot. A little samey.
Marilyn Manson – The High End of Low: I think it’s safe to say MM has lost his/its edge. Mediocre.
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Don’t Believe the Hype in 2009
Muse – The Resistance
I don’t see what the big deal is. Unimpressed and uninspiring. Nothing new. I resent that this band is headlining the Big Day Out too with Mastodon and The Mars Volta barely rating a mention.
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I Know I Shouldn’t Like it But I Do, So There in 2009
Paramore – Brand New Eyes
Pop Punk isn’t my preferred music genre but I like Paramore. There I said it. I realise this is the music of 16 year girls but I actually think its quite musically sharp, with goodish lyrics, and catchy. Hayley Williams is also cute.
Lady Gaga – The Fame Monster
I tried to resist, but Lady Gaga has won me over with Bad Romance. Her music is best to sing to in the shower. She is like Madonna but good, and Gwen Stefani but more interesting.
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Second Time Around in 2009
The Bronx – The Bronx [2006]
when this came out in 2006 I couldn’t quite latch on to this but knew it was pretty special. This year I finally realised why it’s great. I especially like the track ‘History’s Strangler’.
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Digging the Oldies in 2009
Thin Lizzy and Talking Heads
Both of these groups I could never place but would always hear played [for good reason]. This year was the first time I took the effort to listen to them both carefully. Great.
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Saving for a Rainy Day in 2010
Lamb of God – Wrath
This came out in February of 2009 but I haven’t actually ventured into listening to it yet. All reviews say it is great so I’m leaving it till I can give it its due.
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Isis – Wavering Radiant
For whatever reason, I have always avoided Isis [mainly I don’t like the name of the band because it is the same as a gay piano bar in Dunedin]. This album has appeared on many a best of metal list for 2009 so I’m going to give it ago.
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A Return to Grace in 2009
Megadeth – Endgame
The Megadeth line-up has finally settled down and is into its work. Although the previous effort United Abominations was good, it was a bit patchy with a couple of kinda average songs. Endgame definitely feels much tighter and with Chris Broderick hitting his strips with some major riffage it is definitely a return to form for the deth.
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Its About Bloody Time in 2009
Mew – No More Stories Are Told Today, I’m Sorry, They Washed Away
This is the first album for Mew since 2005 and it was worth the wait [pretty much]. Although not quite as sharp as And the Glass Handed Kites, it’s a good listen.
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Biggest Music Tragedies in 2009
Jimmy ‘The Rev’ Sullivan’s death [December 28th]. The Rev was the drummer for the American Metal band Avenged Sevenfold. He died of natural causes, aged 28.
Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch cancer – In July, Yauch announced he was being treated for a cancerous gland and lymph node and was to undergo surgery. All was treatable fortunately and didn’t, from reports, effect his voice. This has delayed the release of new Beastie Boys album which is now pitted for sometime in 2010.
Jim Lineberg leaving Pennywise – in August Jim Lineberg, the vocalist for Pennywise announced he was leaving the band. Lineberg vocal sound was so central to the bands effect. I’m not sure they will recover unless they recruit another vocal heavyweight.
Chi Cheng’s car accident – this was actually late 2008. Cheng, the bassist for Deftones was in a automobile accident which left him in a coma and with near fatal injuries. He is currently in a “minimally conscious” state. A site, One Love for Chi and concert series has been launched to help support his medical bills and promote awareness of his condition. Show your support here.
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Back Together in 2009
Alice in Chains – A.I.C. actually reformed unofficially in 2005 with William DuVall replacing the late Layne Staley on vocals. It wasn’t until 2009 though that they would release a new album, Black Gives Way to Blue [the first in 14 years]. It’s really strong too, and definitely at home with the older A.I.C. catalogue. DuVall vocals even chillingly feel similar to that of Stately’s.
Faith No More – back together and touring the world. No reports of a new album yet.
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Most Anticipated in 2010
Aesop Rock – Ian Mavitz [Aesop Rock] hasn’t released anything since 2007 but is set to bring out an album in 2010. Aesop Rock, for me, is the best and one of the most influential and original entities in hip hop.
Limp Bizkit – I admit I was fan to start with but haven’t followed them now in years. My interest has perked up again recently with Wes Borland rejoining the group after his stint fronting Black Light Burns [who I really liked]. They will be releasing a new album in 2010 and I hope Borland takes more creative control on it especially with the lyric writing department. Fred Durst is a good frontman but a terrible lyricist. We will see.
Korn – Korn has gone through a fairly shaky time lately. Head left after finding God. Fieldy also found God but is still around. Dave Silveria left to open sushi and grill restaurants apparently. And Jonathan Davis and Munky have both done their own thing. Things seem to be settling down though with Ray Luzier joining to replace Silveria on drums and the band now in the studio for their 9th album. With Ross Robinson producing hopefully it will be as heavy and less processed than their earlier releases.
Deftones – with Eros, the bands sixth studio album on hold while Chi is in recovery, what will be of Deftones in 2010? The bands previous release was in 2006.
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Best Music Totty of 2009
Natasha Khan from Bats for Lashes & Katy Perry
…. each to their own …
My new toys arrived! This is the Age of Metal In Crowd series by James Jarvis / Amos Toys. All the figures are modeled off iconic metallers / rockers – left to right – Lemmy Klimister [Mötorhead], Kerry King [Slayer], Axl Rose [Guns n’ Roses], Ozzy Osbourne, I think? [Black Sabbath], Alice Cooper, and Angus Young [AC/DC]. Wicked.
Recently, Wooden Toy Quarterly posted on their site they had a few pages free in their next issue and wanted people to submit work to fill it up, so I decided to give it a go. The next issue has a music theme so submissions obviously had to address this. I didn’t really have any existing unpublished work of this nature so created something from scratch. I only found out about it two days before it was due so I rushed something together with the time I had.
The design I came up with was a pattern which is built using 30 different electric guitar silhouettes. I don’t play guitar but I am quite intrigued by the various forms of guitar body, especially electric ones.
The pattern was intended to work on a macro and micro level. It probably works more on the macro though where the individual guitar forms almost blend visually into something else.
Here is a detail of it, alternating blue and white ground.
The pattern revolves around a basic diamond shape, roughly symmetrical, with guitars at different sizes.
There are 30 guitars I drew up. I think it is a good cross-section between traditional, metal, jazz, classics, and different slash ugly ones.
I haven’t heard back yet but won’t be bummed if it doesn’t make it. It’s a bit of weird concept and a not so elegant pattern.It’s also a bit flat for a full-bleed printed page. It was fun anyway. If it doesn’t get in, i’ve still got myself a collection of guitar vector graphics I can use for something else.
I think my favorite guitars to draw were these three; the Ibanez K7, the Yamaha CV820 WB and the Dean ‘Dimebag’ edition Razor back. Basically because they are played by great guitarists [or similar models] and have elegant distinctive bodies.
I came across this one later which definitely would have made the cut if i’d found it in time. It’s a SC-608B Stephen Carpenter Signature Baritone Electric Guitar. Eight strings! Hells yeah! Tuned Low to High: F#/B/E/A/D/G/B/E. I want one just to look at. Isn’t it pretty? I think it’s inspired or a least similar too the Ibanez 8 string played by Mårten Hagström and Fredrik Thordendal from Meshuggah. I think I would feel a bit weird owning it though, like those who have a skateboard but can’t skate [I can’t skate either].
During my recent trip to Melbourne for the Semi-Permanent conference [which i’ll jot about soon] I made it along to a couple of pretty epic concerts. The first being Slayer and Megadeth on the 9th October at the Festival Hall and the second Elvis Costello on the 13th October at the Palais Theater in St Kilda. Both starkly different but both pretty outstanding.
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Slayer / Megadeth was the first concert I’d been to in a different country and it was amazing how different the behaviour of the crowd was compared with NZ. I usually find NZ crowds pretty bolshe and well just pushy but maybe thats to do with the music I normally go see. Although this was a metal show, everyone was pretty courteous and friendly; no real dickheads or drunks. I got asked about five times ‘hows its going mate’. I guess not surprising it was both a pretty young and pretty old crowd [lots in their 40’s] and not too many in between. And in terms of crowd tee-shirt ratio, it was about 50% Slayer, 48% Megadeth, and 2% other metal bands [Motorhead, Cannibal Corpse, Metallica, Iron Maiden] + one weirdo in a Wilco tee.
The Festival Hall venue was pretty solid and is definitely set up well for quick entry [taking into account every on is metal detected and patted down]. One warning though if you are booking your tickets online for here is that the seating graphic for the venue does not accurately match how it really is. What I thought, when ordering, was going to be a prime ticket on the side, close but in front of the stage, ended up being directly adjacent to it. This meant the view of the stage was impeded by the sound guy, gear boxes and lighting rig which was pretty stink. But oh well you live, you learn. I’d recommend, If you don’t want to be in the main mosh part here definitely go for the middle tier drinking section. What is nice about the venue is it is purpose fit for shows and not some makeshift sporting venue. It is ideally wider than it is long, with good acoustics.
I missed the warm up act Double Dragon [Adelaide-based] – the concert was on the same day as the first day of Semi-Permanent so had do a made dash up there after the last speaker. I wasn’t there to see them anyway, so wasn’t too bummed. I’m sure they were good though.
Anyway, Megadeth were up first [of the 2 big acts] and they were absolutely brutal! I think this is the best band dynamic they have had in years with especially Chris Broderick on board. And no matter what people say about Dave Mustaine, he is a amazing frontman who can definitely work to the crowd with wit and respect. I particularly like during the beginning of their set they were having feedback issues and after one of the songs he said “we have come so far that we can’t let this get between us. Your are too important”. That was pretty cool to say. Overall it was a really solid set with a good mix of tracks, and definitely didn’t seem like they were foaming any of it in. I would have liked them to have played ‘Never Walk Alone’ and ‘Train of Consequences’ but they did have a shortened set with sharing honors with Slayer. Anyway we got a predictably awesome version of ‘Holy Wars’ and ‘Headcrusher’ off the new album ‘End Game’. So I was happy.
Set list – Megadeth: Set the World Afire, Wake Up Dead, Devil’s Island, She-Wolf, Hangar 18, In My Darkest Hour, Rattlehead, Headcrusher, Tornado of Souls, Symphony of Destruction, Peace Sells, Holy Wars
Mustaine was a bit miffed at the crowd who didn’t know the chorus to Headcrusher well enough to scream it out. Jokingly he threatening to leave the stage after the pitiful audience effort which was funny but the album had only been out for two weeks, so he was probably expecting a bit much. Here’s the video for the track, very metal:
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Although I was MORE there for Slayer than Megadeth I must say I enjoyed that later much more. The sole reason here being that Tom Araya had pretty much lost his voice and sang very little. He spent most of the time stalking around the stage feeling sorry for himself and complaining to the sound guy. Not metal at all! For some songs they got randos from the crowd up on stage to sing. Lets just say, although they were keen, they ALL sucked arse. Also at the beginning of the show someone went OTT with the dry ice / smoke machine. Basically I couldn’t see anything from where I was for the first two songs. Not cool Slayer road crew.
I guess one nice thing with Araya out was that without that vocals it did highlighted how important they are to the balance of a Slayer song. Otherwise things begin to sound pretty repetitive or samey. It did heighten though the emphasis of every other instrument especially the drumming of Dave Lombardo who is probably the best in metal and has been for a long while.
Set list – Slayer: World Painted Blood, War Ensemble, Jihad, Born of Fire, Psychopathy Red, Mandatory Suicide, Chemical Warfare, Ghosts of War, Hate Worldwde, Dead Skin Mask, Disciple, Hell Awaits, Angel of Death, South of Heaven.
The highlight of my Slayer experience was actually two days after the show when I saw Kerry King on Elizabeth and Bourke Street. I proceeded to stalk him covertly for about half an hour [I had some time to kill]. For a big tough-looking fella he is surprisingly pretty small and short. I followed him into a underground bookstore called Angus and Robertson. He was talking on his iphone most of the time but was standing in front off and flicking through dog breed and grooming books. I didn’t bother him for a real photo and signature but did get this slightly blurry one of him from the back:
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Elvis Costello – Costello is one of those artist that everyone knows but few know well. I had never listened to him much before before going on my trip but when I saw he was going to be playing at my favourite building in Melbourne, The Palais Theatre, while I was there, I thought, why not, give a nudge. This was my excuse to finally get inside the building too. The Palais, although a bit run down is a gorgeous off-white theatre sitting on the beach right beside Luna Park in St Kilda. It has this grand victorian art deco frontage and is the biggest seated theatre in Australia. Inside it is sorta romantic like the Regent in Dunedin but a hell of a lot bigger and well way more ornate and just better.
On the night of the performance is was raining which didn’t dampen by spirit [sorry for the cliche]. Got the tram out to St Kilda and as I tend to alway do I overcompensated for the time and ended up waiting around for about a hour before the show [but you don’t care about all this shit so I will spare you the details] .
The show – Wow, brilliant, what a consummate professional. Such a tight and lively set [23 songs in total] of just him on stage surrounded by about 10 guitars for different songs. Amazing to think he has been singing some of these songs for 30 odd years now and still with such enthusiasm. He so seasoned a sharp and didn’t get distracted by this one fuck-knuckle who kept screaming some illegible phrase out during pretty much every song. What a tool. Anyway, he was sooo cool, in his purple suite and top hat and his funny stories. Not much more to say than this, other than it was great, you should have been there. It was a really mixed good set. The popular hits, more obscure tracks and few off the new record. Bit gutted he didn’t play ‘Accidents will Happen’ or ‘Green shirt’.
Set list – Elvis Costello: Blue Chair, Rocking Horse Road, Harry Worth, Veronica, Down Among the Wines and Spirits, Suit of Lights, So Like Candy, Everyday I Write the Book, Bedlam, Rope, One Bell Ringing, Hand in Hand, High Fidelity, Watching the Detectives, God’s Comic, Radio Sweetheart, Oliver’s Army, Alison … Encore: Sulphur to Sugarcane, All or Nothing at All, She, Pump it Up, I Want You.
My favourite songs from the night and probably of all time were ‘Watching the Detective’ and ‘I Want You’. Here is original music vid for ‘Watching the Detective’, pretty sweet:
… and a wicked live version of ‘I Want You’ with the gorgeous Fiona Apple:
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Costello was supported by Shelley Harland. She I think is originally from Australia but also now lives in London and New York. She did a fantastic thirty minute set with a three-piece band [I think guitar, double bass and electric keys]. She has a strong beautifully distinctive voice though lyrically the songs are quite straightforward and a bit poppy for me. She is incredibly sexy though so that makes it all ok. I wish I was closer to the stage.
She’s worth a listen, if you like alternative/ indie pop. Harland has just released a new album ‘Red Leaf’ from which the following track ‘Friday’ [which she played in concert] is from:
Mastodon are pretty much the biggest thing in heavy music at the moment [well for me they are at least]. They have the right balance of heaviness, rhythm, vocal range [+ all 4 members of the group sing significantly], difference, complexity, mastery, dirt and overarching conceptual and lyrical interest which all excites me in a giddy way. I’ve already alluded to earlier to their beautiful album covers too by Paul Ramano. So the complete package, you could say.
They have worked with some great people on some of their tracks also like Scott Kelly (Neurosis) on “Aqua Dementia” and “Crystal Skull”, Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) on “Colony of Birchmen” and Cedric Bixler-Zavala (The Mars Volta) on “Siberian Divide”.
I think that Crack the Skye will take the prize as my favourite album release of 2009 and Oblivion as my favourite single song release. Checkout the sick video for Oblivion:
A sweet perfomrance on Jimmy Fallon’s show too of Divinations:
I imagine they would be epic live in a huge arena judging by this performance of their earlier tracks off Blood Mountain, Crystal Skull and Colony of Birchman:
Its a shame in formats like the Big Day Out [for 2010 they will feature] they will be completely overshadowed by other shitter bands like Muse. This I guess, is probably a good thing, as you would like to think that those who actually know anything of the band are true fan [hopefully] and not just there as result of them being popular and have a cool name. I would love to see them but can’t justify it yet [especially with putting up with all the shit that goes with the Big Day Out]. If another big heavy band came on the bill in the 2nd and 3rd announcements, maybe [like Deftones, Machinehead or Lamb of God].
I can’t say enough good stuff about Mastodon. Fucking amazing and an absolutely necessary band for the genre. Link to Mastodon’s site
love and bandwidth 