Seekae hear The Sound Of Trees Falling on People
by Sydney band Seekae started playing together at the beginning of 2007. Initially Commander Keen, they changed their name after they noticed a band in Aberdeen who used that same moniker and ‘who played really nice music’, says one third of the group, George Nicholas. They obviously didn’t think they needed the competition. In their early 20s and relatively new to the Sydney music scene, Nicholas and bandmates, John Hassell and Alex Cameron, have an accomplished and mature sound, making Gameboy inspired ambient electronica similar to Electric President and Prefuse 73. Currently they’re writing and recording a new album titled The Sound Of Trees Falling on People and plan to release it at the end of this month.
Where do you place yourselves in the Sydney music scene?
‘At the very top, looking down at all the other bands and artists, who look like ants from up here. Umm I don’t know, I sort of feel we are halfway between the Sydney electronica scene — which is small but mighty — and the indie and the psychedelic scenes’.
Have you have any problems performing your music live?
‘It can often be difficult to make songs with a significant production element work live because we use a lot of different types of software like Pro Tools, Ableton Live and Reason, which I don’t really think excites your average punter. On stage we use a fair amount of instruments and hardware though, which makes things more exciting. Recently we have been playing with more acoustic instruments, like flute, cello, xylophone and melodica, which is fun. I guess DJing would be fun and easy, but also kinda lame playing pre-recorded tracks’.
Tagged: electronica music, Sydney bands
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The Presets are a Sydney-based electronic duo, consisting of Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes. In September 2005 they released their debut album, Beams, to positive critical response. That same year Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes also toured with The Dissociatives, which is co-fronted by Daniel Johns of Silverchair and Australian dance producer Paul Mac. Johns also played guitar on Presets single Cookie. Hamilton and Moyes are also members of Sydney instrumental group Prop.
Listen to The Presets song, My People.
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Debut album from Sydney band Quiet Evenings
After a day in the studio, I sometimes struggle to fall asleep due to the music still going around in my head. The debut album by Quiet Evenings has been an antidote to this audio overload. They provide a perfect ambient grace that allows me to drift off into slumber. Out now on Sydney based label, Preservation.
We checked in with Sydney-band Cassette Kids, who have been creating quite a buzz of late, and asked them about the highlights of their extensive touring over the past six months: ‘We literally just stepped off a plane from LA. We played at SXSW in Austin over the last week and it has probably been the most awesome experience to date. It’s amazing being able to play shows and go and see shows non-stop over five days’. Read more
Also by MICHAELLA SOLAR-MARCH
Johanna Billing’s You Don’t Love Me Yet
As a component of Tiny Movements by Swedish conceptual artist Johanna Billing, the performance piece, You Don’t Love Me Yet, has been presented in over twenty countries since its conception in 2002. Scheduled for August 16, Billing has invited a diverse and exciting collection of Melbourne bands to reinterpret the ever-hopeful tearjerker which was originally recorded by Roky Erikson in 1984. Among those taking part in the event are Beaches, Henry Wagons, Super Wild Horses, Fabulous Diamonds, Tic Toc Tokyo, Francis Plagne, and Teeth and Tongue, each challenged with the task of making something familiar, unique. Read more
More often than not, internet-only hip hop mix tapes are released by wannabe rappers whose lyrics and delivery are derivative and uninspired, and who’ll never get enough weight behind them for a full length release. 24 year-old Washington MC Wale Folarin is different. Mixed by one of New York’s best hip hop DJs, Nick Catchdubs, and produced by 9th Wonder and Mark Ronson (who signed Wale in 2007 to his Allido label), his latest offering Back To The Feature solidifies Wale as a confident, engaging lyricist with a true talent for cross-genre appropriations. Read more
Samuel Hodge and Rainoff Books
For the next fortnight, independent Sydney publishing collective Rainoff Books has set up a temporary curated bookstore in Surry Hills. The store launched last week with a party celebrating the release of Pretty Telling I Suppose, the new photographic collection by Sydney artist Samuel Hodge. Hodge’s photography allows us short glimpses into his subject’s most intimate experiences, enabling us to experience life as someone else. But only for a moment. Hodge renders permanent those everyday fleeting moments often forgotten: a lover’s admiring glance, a sibling’s warm touch, grandfather’s knowing look. Read more
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WE'RE POSTING / SOME OF THE BEST
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Pencils made from recycled newspaper
The problem with awesome things like these pencils made out of recycled newspaper is that you almost don’t want to use them.
Christoph Niemann illustrates a nightmare flight
New York Times illustrator Christoph Niemann has created a brilliant visual diary outlining the peril and pitfalls that beset the everyday passenger based on his recent experience flying from New York to his home town of Berlin. Read more
On this Virgin Mary HaloTech watch, the dial is a modern version of the nineteenth century art form of lithophanes, carved porcelain sheets that, when lit, deliver astoundingly detailed images. When the pusher is activated, the dial springs to life in 3D. The watch features a light-up dial, LED light, and afterglo effect. Read more
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