EP 233: Sunscreen; Soda Eaves

Photo: Ted’s Records (Sunscreen), Justin Edwards (SE)

Sunscreen

Recorded and mixed by Branko Cosic
Recorded at The Brightside Brisbane, 27th August 2017

Sunscreen is a band from Sydney’s Inner West. Fronted by Sarah Sykes (from Flowertruck) and Alexander McDonald, Sunscreen’s emotional guitar-pop draws inspiration from bands Mazzy Star and The Go-Betweens, delivering ultimate UV protection for the emotions and soul.

The band has supported promising acts including The Ocean Party, Rolling Blackouts C.F, DMA’s, RVG and Jade Imagine. As well as headline shows to support the launch of their debut EP, Just a Drop, a split between Dinosaur City Records and Spunk.

Soda Eaves

Recorded by Reuben Aptroot and mixed by Branko Cosic
Recorded at Sonic Masala Fest, Brisbane, 19th August 2017

Primarily the solo effort of Jake Core, Soda Eaves features contributions from a number of friends, including Jordan Ireland, Alec Marshall (Hot palms, Sui Zhen) and Oliver Mestitz (The Finks). They play distinctly Australian folk music, incorporating atmospheric blues, lucid dream pop and warped found sounds, releasing two LPs – 2013’s ‘Like Drapes Either Side’ & 2016’s ‘Murray, Darling’.

Airing details: Originally via Zed Digital, 7-8pm, Sunday 14th of January 2018.

Show production and engineering: Reuben Aptroot.

EP 232: Radio Birdman

Photo: Emmy Etie

Radio Birdman

Recorded and mixed by Branko Cosic
Recorded at The Tivoli, Brisbane, 23rd June 2017

Radio Birdman was one of the first Australian independent bands to carry the punk label. The name comes from a misheard The Stooges lyric from the song “1970” (the actual lyric is “radio burnin’”).

They formed in Sydney, 1974 with Deniz Tek and Rob Younger wanted to create a band that challenged the commercial mainstream whilst being completely uncompromising. With the addition of Pip Hoyle on keys, Ron Keeley playing drums and bassist Carl Rorke, Radio Birdman started playing DIY shows in rented garages and community spaces after being rejected from multiple venues.

Once signing with Trafalgar Records, the band released their debut, 1977’s Radios Appear to critical acclaim, leading them to expand their touring circuit to include Melbourne, Canberra and Adelaide. When Sire Records president Seymour Stein came to Australia to sign Brisbane punk band The Saints, he saw Radio Birdman and immediately invited them to join his label.

The band moved their base of operations to London, and toured extensively in the UK and Europe, both headlining and as support for Sire label-mates the Flamin Groovies. Their overseas success was short-lived as Sire Records began having financial difficulties and were forced to drop Radio Birdman and many other bands from their label.

Without a label, with no tour support and no distribution for Radios Appear, the band continued on, while suffering deteriorating interpersonal relations. Radio Birdman played one last show at Oxford University in June 1978, after which the band split up – on the eve of an explosion of independent music in Australia, which they had played a large role in creating.

Airing details: Originally via Zed Digital, 7-8pm, Sunday 7th of January 2018.

Show production and engineering: Reuben Aptroot.

EP 231: Best of 2017 Pt 2

 

 

Part 2 of our 2017 highlights special includes some of our favourite sets from 2017 featuring In Each Hand A Cutlass, Budd, I Heart Hiroshima, The Go-Betweens, Red Riders, Even, The Ocean Party, Clowns, The Dollar Bill Murrays, Grenadiers, FOAM and The Scientists.

Airing details: Originally via Zed Digital, 7-8pm, Sunday 31st of December 2017.

Show production and engineering: Branko Cosic.

EP 230: Best of 2017 Pt 1

 

 

Part 1 of our 2017 highlights special includes some of our favourite sets from 2017 featuring Sweater Curse, Some Jerks, Shrapnel, Cash Savage and the Last Drinks, Hownowmer, Hoodoo Gurus, The Drones, The Peep Tempel, RVG, Empat Lima, Verge Collection and The Laurels.

Airing details: Originally via Zed Digital, 7-8pm, Sunday 24th of December 2017.

Show production and engineering: Branko Cosic.

EP 229: Ali Barter; The Cutaways

Photo: Liam Thomson (AB), Allan Allport (TC)

Ali Barter

Recorded and mixed by Reuben Aptroot
Recorded at the Brisbane Festival, Brisbane, 23rd September 2017

Melbourne singer/songwriter Ali Barter’s musical career prospects showed promise at a young age, singing with the Australian Girls Choir until the age of 16. After a stint of partying and “running amok” in her early twenties she began to refocus on music releasing her debut EP Trip, produced by Steve Mowatt, in 2012.

2 EP’s followed, working with now partner and longtime collaborator Oscar Dawson, as well as playing the Laneway Festival and support slots for The War On Drugs and Husky. 2016 saw Ali release her debut album “A Suitable Girl” through Inertia Records which gained her huge popularity throughout the country and abroad.

The Cutaways

Recorded and mixed by Reuben Aptroot
Recorded at Crowbar, Brisbane, 5th May 2017

A relatively new band, The Cutaways have just one release to   their name. Their self titled EP was released in September 2016 and the band have been hard at work, performing their impressive live shows ever since. The Cutaways are one to watch for the future.

Airing details: Originally via Zed Digital, 7-8pm, Sunday 26th of November 2017.

Show production and engineering: Reuben Aptroot.

EP 228: The Scientists

Photo: Mark Louttit

The Scientists

Recorded and mixed by Branko Cosic
Recorded at The Triffid, Brisbane, 4th November 2017

The Scientists first formed in Perth as The Exterminators and then The Invaders in 1977. Once they became The Scientists in 1978, they then released their first single “Frantic Romantic”/”Shake (Together Tonight)” in June 1979 on the D.N.A. Records label. After a debut LP (commonly referred to as The Pink Album) and a number of lineup changes, the band relocated to Sydney in 1982.

This change in scenery and lineup also saw The Scientists change musical direction. Pop-infused punk rock was traded in for a more psychedelic style of swampy, blues rock n’ roll. The band was signed by Au Go Go Records who released two singles as well as the influential “Blood Red River” LP in the space of a year, making them one of Australia’s most popular independent bands at the time. But another move was soon on the cards.

Like many Australian bands, London came calling for The Scientists and they migrated to the UK recording and touring there from 1984 to 1987. In that time they released another five albums, finally returning home to tour The Human Jukebox LP and disbanding shortly after. The 1985 lineup reformed for a set of exclusive shows late in 2017.

Airing details: Originally via Zed Digital, 7-8pm, Sunday 19th of November 2017.

Show production and engineering: Reuben Aptroot.

EP 227: Grenadiers

Photo: Will Anlezark

Grenadiers

Recorded and mixed by Reuben Aptroot
Recorded at Crowbar, Brisbane, 5th May 2017

Formed in Adelaide, Grenadiers are a powerful 3-piece outfit, straddling the line between punk and rock with a distinct swagger that separates them from rival bands. Their first album “Songs The Devil Taught Us”, released in 2010, established them on the national music scene, touring throughout Australia including many regional dates.

A four and a half year wait came before their sophomore effort, 2014’s “Summer” was released, due to a drastic line-up change which left singer and guitarist Jesse Coulter the only founding member of the band. The critically acclaimed album won them a legion of new fans and heavy radio rotation nationally which led to touring the country with international acts Millencolin, Strung Out, Every Time I Die and Shihad as well as playing Big Day Out and making a trek to the UK’s The Great Escape festival.

In this time, Grenadiers have developed into one of the country’s must-see live acts, combining catchy melodies with unbridled energy. Coulters lyrics are a thoughtful, and sometimes brutally honest commentary on Australian culture, matched with a passionate vocal delivery.

Airing details: Originally via Zed Digital, 7-8pm, Sunday 5th of November 2017.

Show production and engineering: Reuben Aptroot.

EP 226: My Disco

Photo: Jesse Booher

My Disco

Recorded by Branko Cosic
Mixed by Luke Thomson
Recorded at The Foundry, Brisbane, 28th January 2017

My Disco are a three-piece post-punk/minimalist band from Melbourne. Formed in 2003, the band became known for their use of unconventional performance spaces such as warehouses, art galleries and sidewalks. They soon released their debut 7inch “Collapse Of An Erratic Lung” and began touring extensively through Australia, Southeast Asia and Mexico.

My Disco’s debut LP “Cancer” was released via Temporary Residence Limited in 2006. This saw them expand touring to the UK and the US, before heading to Electric Audio studios to record with legendary producer and Shellac band member Steve Albini. These sessions produced the band’s second album “Paradise”, which was released in 2008 and described as reductive art rock.

Since then, My Disco have released 2 more albums; 2010’s “Little Joy” and 2015’s “Severe.” Severe saw the band explore the minimalist musical aesthetic that’s been their hallmark since formation, creating an at times confronting record.

Airing details: Originally via Zed Digital, 7-8pm, Sunday 29th of October 2017.

Show production and engineering: Reuben Aptroot.

EP 225: FOAM; Morning Harvey

Photo: Stuart Sevastos (F) Linda Dunjey (MH)

FOAM

Recorded by Eileen Tierney
Mixed by Branko Cosic
Recorded at Woolly Mammoth Alehouse, Brisbane, 15th September 2017

FOAM are a three-piece garage rock band from Perth, WA. Their heavy live performances deliver a filthy wall of sound reminiscent of the alternative rock boom of the late 80’s/early 90’s. Since the release of their first EP Sarpa Salpa in July of 2012, FOAM have released a total of four EP’s, including a split with fellow Perth locals Puck.

During this time they have toured the country on numerous occasions playing festivals such as MATES Sydney,Big Day Out and Groovin’ The Moo, as well as headlining their own shows and supporting acts such as DZ Deathrays, Wax Witches and Sleepy Sun. In February of 2017, FOAM released their long awaited debut album Coping Mechanisms. The album was written in the basement beneath a toasted sandwich shop in Perth. It’s about coming to terms with yourself, the world around you, and the ways we try to make it work.

Morning Harvey

Recorded by Reuben Aptroot
Mixed by Luke Thomson
Recorded at Valley Fiesta, Brisbane, 29th October 2016

Morning Harvey was formed in 2013, consisting of brothers Spencer and Jackson White and close friend Steve Kempnich. Their debut EP Well For Wishes was released the same year and since then they have gone on to release another EP in 2015 titled “Love&Loveand” as well as a string of singles.

Morning Harvey have supported acts like Dandy Warhols, Band Of Skulls, The Charlatans, and Royal Blood on stages around the country. Their single “Smith Street Swap Meet” also gained them attention from John Richards of Seattle radio station KEXP with a Song Of The Day placement leading to support from numerous US College Radio Stations.

Airing details: Originally via Zed Digital, 7-8pm, Sunday 22nd of October 2017.

Show production and engineering: Reuben Aptroot.

Ep 224: Cool Sounds; The Ocean Party

Photo: Justin Edwards (CS) Kurt Eckardt (TOP)

Cool Sounds

Recorded by Reuben Aptroot
Mixed by Luke Thomson
Recorded at Sonic Masala Fest, Brisbane, 13th August 2016

Cool Sounds are a 6 piece “Jazz-gaze” band from Melbourne. They released their debut record “Dance Moves” in June 2016 via Deaf Ambitions. The album consists of 10 tracks filled with gloomy, atmospheric arrangements and emotionally charged pop hooks which has seen them gain attention from music lovers around the country.

The Ocean Party

Recorded & Mixed by Reuben Aptroot
Recorded at Sonic Masala Fest, Brisbane, 13th August 2016

The Ocean Party are a 6 piece band featuring members of Cool Sounds and Ciggie Witch. The Melbourne-via-Wagga Wagga group released their 7th album “Beauty Point” in August 2017 through Spunk, making it 9 full lengths in the past 7 years. Their signature DIY sound of summery pop hooks layered over mellow guitar jams has continued to develop on these releases as well as seeing them tour the country on numerous occasions.

Airing details: Originally via Zed Digital, 7-8pm, Sunday 15th of October 2017.

Show production and engineering: Reuben Aptroot.