best Australian rock Archives

Best music from Australia – Wolf & Cub

Published by Adam on May 15, 2015

Welcome to final edition of Best Music from Australia, highlighting some of the best young musicians from the land down under.

You may have heard that I’m leaving Australia. After spending three amazing years in the land down under, my wife and I are moving back to the United States. While I’ve been here, I’ve tried to check out as much of the local rock scene as I can.

In previous posts, I’ve featured Tame Impala, The Delta Riggs, Seth Sentry, and Cloud Control. Not heavy enough for ya? In that case, I think you’ll really dig this week’s band.

Wolf & Cub

I only found out about Wolf & Cub recently, and regret to say I won’t see them live before we fly back to the US. This band from Adelaide just rocks, period. The closest band in sound I can think of is Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, but Wolf & Club doubles down on the psychedelia. And when I say double I mean that quite literally–there are two drummers!

They’ve got three albums. My favorite is their latest, Heavy Weight for its variety but their sophomore release Science and Sorcery is also pretty trippy, and a lot of people like debut Vessels for its balls-out rock.

Here’s how you listen to Wolf & Cub. Start out by closing your eyes and shaking your head slowly to the bass. As the music builds, open your eyes and start jumping. Fist pumping optional.

I mean, dance however you want to. But that’s how I’ll be doing it.

Check out the video for “I Need More” to see what I mean. And yes, you will need more.

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Best music from Australia – Cloud Control

Published by Adam on May 8, 2015

Welcome back to Best Music from Australia!

In previous posts, I’ve featured Tame Impala, The Delta Riggs and Seth Sentry. Today, I give you a great indie band hailing from the breathtaking Blue Mountains just outside Sydney.

Cloud Control

I’d heard of Cloud Control before arriving in Sydney, but it wasn’t until the release of their second album Dream Cave that this band became one of my favorites. You may remember I listed that album as one my top discs for 2013.

There is something darkly hypnotic about this band’s boy-girl harmonies and twinkling guitars. On track of track they show their songwriting chops, whether it’s the anthemic “Scar” or the dark groove of “Island Living.”

You know, I always love a band with a sense of humor. That comes through especially on “Happy Birthday,” which features the boisterous lyrics, “I hate my birthday it’s true / A happy thought here for you.”

Check out the video for “Scar” above!

Check back next week for another great Australian rock band!

Best music from Australia – The Delta Riggs

Published by Adam on April 24, 2015

Welcome back for part two of my series on top Australian music!

Last week, I featured Tame Impala from Perth. Today, we travel east to hear…

The Delta Riggs

I think I must have seen Delta Riggs at least three times already. The first time was in Newcastle at a homely bar with a hunting lodge that actually had sofas and carpeting! The next time I saw them, they were opening for Divine Fits, the side-project of Spoon’s Britt Daniel and Wolf Parade’s Dan Boeckner.

Delta Riggs are one of those bands that just rocks live. They’ve got a real traditional rock ‘n roll sound that’s sometimes a little bluesy and sometimes a little punk. I don’t think they’re too well-known outside Australia, but I really think they’ve got potential to blow up.

While their first couple releases didn’t really capture Delta Riggs’ live energy, I really enjoyed last year’s album, Dipz Zebazios. The above video for “The Record’s Flawed” is a particularly rockin’ jam from that one.

Check back next week for another great Australian band!

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Best music from Australia – Tame Impala

Published by Adam on April 17, 2015

In this multi-part series, I’ll tell you about my favorite Australian musicians. First up…

Tame Impala

All right, so I knew about this band before I came to Australia. But in my mind, Tame Impala truly broke out while I was here, releasing an amazing second album and playing a bunch of killer shows. Hailing from Perth, these lads have a sound that’s big enough for large venues, but the tunes are so multi-layered and intricate, you’ll want to play their tunes through some good headphones, too.

Singer Kevin Parker also appears on three funky tracks on the new Mark Ronson album, Uptown Special.

I got to see Tame Impala live for the first time at the Enmore Theatre in Newtown and they just destroyed.

If you like psychedelic rock music, you owe it to yourself to check this great band out. Here’s a video for “Elephant,” the big single off of 2012’s Lonerism. Tame Impala is expected to have a new album out later this year, so stay tuned.