Blog: Oceans Never Listen

Well this is rather good. But you knew that hey? The National . We all love them.

I'm very excited to let you know that June 18 will see the release of a new album from Hospital Ships . "Destruction In Yr Soul" will be the third album from Hospital Ships, which started as a solo project for Jordan Geiger but has now evolved into a fully formed band. Geiger was a member of Kansas' now defunct Minus Story, one of the more under rated bands of the last decade. The album, to be released by Graveface , contains 8 tracks and is sure to be unique, strangely emotive and very personal. [...]

• Hospital Ships - If it Speaks

I could name quite a few, a lot really, bands that receive more acclaim than Local Natives . Bands that don't possess anywhere near the talent that this Californian five piece does. But let's not be negative. Let's just enjoy this band for what they are and what they bring. A band of immaculate harmonies, supreme rhythms, insane melodies, gut checking emotions and great personality. Yeah, you could say I think Local Natives are ultra special. If you were at Wednesday's night show at the Metro Theatre you would know what I mean. The room was filled [...]

Thursday night at the Oxford Art Factory was a seething, sweaty mass of humanity. We came as one to celebrate song. Passion. Life. Scotland's Frightened Rabbit were finally back in this country and they gave their all and then some. You can best file this band under 'Flying Under the Radar'. They have everything. Great melodies. Euphoric choruses. Passion. Singalongs. And yet they can't break through in a big way. But their fans are dedicated and know their special qualities. This show sold out a while back so there is that. But it amazes me that [...]

SARAH NEUFELD - HERO BROTHER from JASON LAST on Vimeo . Love this! Looking forward to her album!

Tonight I was lucky to be invited to the industry launch of Sydney's latest entertainment venue. Newtown Social Club looks likely to be the best thing to happen to Sydney in quite a while. As you are probably aware the King St institution Sandringham Hotel went into receivership last year and was up for sale. Thankfully the people behind Melbourne's Northcote Social Club and Corner Hotel swooped in and ensured live music would get a big shot in the arm. After months of closure it's finally happening. They have done a wonderful job. Gone are the stale carpet [...]

April 30 will see the much anticipated new album from Colin Stetson . "New History Warfare Vol. 3: To See More Light" contains 11 tracks and was produced by Stetson and Ben Frost and recorded in Montreal. As an added bonus Justin Vernon adds vocals to several tracks. I loved Stetson's previous album so I'm pretty excited to see where the master saxophonist takes us this time. New History Warfare Vol. 3: To See More Light Track Listing 1 And In Truth 2 Hunted 3 High Above A Grey Green Sea [...]

• Colin Stetson - High Above A Grey Green Sea

A great new song from the upcoming Akron/Family album. "Sub Verses" out soon on Dead Oceans .

Last night I figured something out. Well besides the fact that Wilco are truly a seminal and classically great band. I figured out that their Sydney Opera House show was the eighth time that I have seen them live. And each and every time has felt special and just damn wonderful. Tuesday night would be no different. A display of mind bending guitar work, heavenly harmonies and never ending melodies. This show was perhaps different though. Firstly it was in the iconic setting of the Opera House. Secondly it was a shorter than usual set. Most [...]

A truly great song from a simply wonderful album!

Please enjoy a new track from the upcoming Kurt Vile album "Wakin On A Pretty Daze". This album is going to be HUGE!!! MP3: Never Run Away - Kurt Vile

• Kurt Vile - Never Run Away (Single Version)

The Academy Award winning documentary "Searching For Sugar Man" has focused the world's attention on Sixto Rodriguez. So much so that the man has sold out the Enmore Theatre three times in one week on this tour. Last night was the first of these shows and I went along for the ride. Mainly because the girl is a big fan. She has seen him live before and reported that those shows were a bit hit and miss. In fact there was hesitancy to attend this show because of that reason. But sometimes you have to go with the flow. And [...]

He is many things. An entertainer. A performer. A rock star. A man of the people. The last one especially. He connects and enthralls like few others. If he just had almost 40 years of incredible music, then that would be enough. But there is so much more. He roams the stage, looking into people's eyes. Hollering, roaring, screaming. He touches people. Literally. He gives them an experience and a half. But it is real. This is not just a show. It is an affirmation of music. The power of song. Bruce Springsteen is the real deal. A [...]

The best way to explain a Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds show is to describe it as an adrenaline rush. A complete shot in the arm. An infusion of dirty, raging rock and roll. It should be anachronistic but it isn't. These men have been around the block a bit, and some are showing it, but their music feels young and invigorating. And, well, just damn exciting. When the Bad Seeds walk on stage the roar is huge. But then when St Nick enters we go wild and froth at the mouth. For he is the leader [...]

Oh this fills me with such joy! Moonface , other wise known as Spencer Krug, played a solo piano show at the Foodstock Festival in Helsinki, Finland on Friday night. He played for about an hour, all new material that he has recorded recently in Finland. Here are two of the songs. No word yet on an album but I will keep you posted!

Nick Cave is still relevant. Relevant, I say. Well, he's SO much more than that. But after all these years he still matters. Whilst many compatriots from the 80s and 90s have ceased to matter and are touring as part of their pension plans, Nick Cave and his Seeds of Badness are pumping out ferocious and truthful music. I guess maybe a reason is because the band and Nick in particular have stood outside all musical trends. For close on 3 decades they have remained trendless, maybe even timeless. Their music is dark and moody, but also pulsing and [...]

Tomorrow in Los Angeles will see the ceremony known as the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences take place. It will the 85th edition, commonly known as the Oscars . Generally speaking it's one of the more worthy award ceremonies. Normally many winners are worthy and praiseworthy. Having said that there are many decisions that have puzzled. Such as Ordinary People beating Raging Bull or The King's Speech beating The Social Network. Or worse, Paul Thomas Anderson never winning anything. Ever. This year he got totally shafted with The Master missing the boat all together in [...]

On a awful, rainy Sydney day here are some videos that will hopefully brighten your day! Starting with Frightened Rabbit !

Seeing a band or artist so soon after the first time can sometimes make you question why. Is there a need? Especially if that artist has no new material and in this case only one album to play with. But in this case I can answer a big fat yes to all counts. We first saw Father John Misty last July, delighting us with tunes from his wonderful debut album "Fear Fun". Such a fun night. Fast forward to last night at the Metro . A slightly bigger venue and deservedly so. Although basically the same set, [...]

One word was enough. Well, more specifically four words and an explanation mark. Six months ago it was announced that All Tomorrow's Parties would be returning to Melbourne. And on the lineup was the iconic and legendary Godspeed You! Black Emperor . They would appear on the first day curated by ATP. That was enough. Day Two was to be curated by The Drones, but no never mind, it was all about Day One. In fact, if that Montreal giant wasn't on the lineup I probably would not have made the trek to Melbourne. But I'm glad [...]