Last Dinosaurs

This band divides me in so many ways. On one hand, I've found their sound refreshing and instantly appealing, but at the same time I've been listing the bands they appear to be ripping off. One minute I'll be digging a melody, the next cursing them for repetition. There's so much contradiction going on, I'm beginning to wonder if we're schizophrenic. But whatever the case, this is a band to watch. They have a number of very strong songs that are sure to get some attention. In fact, it's more than likely I'll be hating them in about a year, meaning they're set to do quite well. They hail from Brisbane and will be coming to Sydney soon to play a few shows. Both my selves will be keen to see how they go.

Honolulu - This was the first song I heard and it clearly did something right because it spurred me into further investigation and eventually this post. It's got a nice groove to it, reminding me of Vampire Weekend and the way their songs seem to flow so effortlessly.

Myst - This song is eating away at me! You know when you hear a song that reminds you of something and you try desperately to work out what it is? Well this has been my last half hour. Listening to it on repeat, banging my head in frustration. Its quite a shame, because it's actually a good song. I just need some closure. Feel free to put me out of my misery if you spot the reference.

Myspace

The Motifs

After listening to Jay Reatard, I don't think I could have stumbled across a starker contrast than The Motifs. As 'Matador Singles 08' finished, iTunes moved into 'Matches', easily the indiest indie release I've ever bought. You really can't fault it, with a mini CD, cover made of glued-on pieces, hand-drawn insert, individual message, sticker and even a sleeve hold it all. Believe it or not, the music is even cuter. The 6-track EP comes in at just 10 minutes, but offers an abundance lovely melodies. I think I did this exact post when I bought it a year ago, but the rediscovery was too good to let slide.

Tell Me More

| myspace | weepop |

4 - The John Steel Singers

I wouldn't exactly call this Brisbane band a highlight on the Laneway bill, but after seeing them live recently, I can testify for their worthiness. The first time I saw them, they were a fun six-piece with a sit-down keyboardist (meh). Now they're a rockin' troupe with some killer songs and great live energy. If only their album didn't come in a Jeans pocket.....hehe. Shame on you Levity.

Rainbow Kraut

| myspace |

Flamingo Crash - Triangle Island

Flamingo Crash have been bouncing in and out of my favour for a couple of years now. I saw them once or twice, here and there, but never really followed up. But then I caught them at the FBi birthday gig and was quite impressed. It was a fun, energetic set, filled with some really cool songs. They were like an Australian version of Hilotrons. That probably doesn't mean much to most of you, but for a fanboy like myself, it was great. If these guys had an album, I was buying it. Well that was the plan anyway. Instead, I forgot on the night, and when I went to their myspace I didn't feel the same magic. They were subsequently cast from my mind. Luckily though, things weren't left to me, because a few weeks later my house mate bought the album and I've come to love it.

This album has been fortunate in the attention it has received. It made it into my CD player at a time when I was busy messing around with a new computer. So everytime it finished, I would be so caught up in doing something else that rather than bothering to queue up a selection of albums, or putting on something new, I would just press play again. This happened again and AGAIN. It got to the point where I'd heard it about 15 times in the space of 3 days. I got to know it incredibly well and best of all, I never got tired of it. Flamingo Crash have put together a great selection of 10 tracks, each with its own charm and all combining into a suprisingly killer album.

Beijing Holiday - Possibly the biggest characteristic of Flamingo Crash's sound is the heavy contrast between the sparse rock guitars and the techno keyboards. It's a really jumpy sound and great for getting you moving. I particularly like the way this song builds into the chorus, with a moment of almost heart-stopping silence, before being swept up by some awesome keyboards.

Mountains - Ah the infamous track 8. Everytime it comes on, I snap out of whatever I'm doing and think 'Ooo I like this song. Is it track 8?' And sure enough, it is. There's something really soothing about it, especially in the context of the whole album. A moment of solace in a world of chaos.

This is just a mere snapshot, and to be quite honest doesn't to the album must justice. If you hear anything you like, either here or on the myspace, I'd strongly recommend getting Triangle Island.

Myspace | Website

The Middle East

The beauty of music in today's age is just how easily it spreads. Once upon a time it took money and major support to get your music heard. Such forces still exists, but the internet has changed the game. Music can spread purely on its own merits, independent of the band's efforts. If a song is good enough, the listeners will do the promoting. Take, for example, the song 'Blood' by The Middle East. By all logical explanations, I shouldn't know it exists. The band is based in Townsville, over 1000km away. I had neither heard or heard of them before today. The friend who recommended them, discovered them on an indonesian blog. An INDONESIAN blog! How that blogger came across them is anybody's guess. For all I know, there could be dozens more links in the chain that has carried the music from the band and on to me. But again, thanks to the internet, I probably won't be the last in this chain. Spread, music, spread! It just goes to show that promotional efforts pale in comparison to the importance of composition. Write a good song and it will do the rest.

Blood

This song has an immense power to it. It starts soft, with smooth, honest vocals, accompanied by a subtle array of colourful instrumentation. This builds gradually, finally culminating in a rich vocal chorus, swelling with emotion. It's the sound of a truly great band, entering their element. Who are The Middle East? If only I knew.

The Basics

For those who don't know, The Basics are a band out of Melbourne who are simply oozing with 60s pop charm. Every song they produce is a little gem, filled with swooning harmonies and predictable hooks. Yes, their music may be relatively simplistic, but it doesn't matter when it's this addictive. If you ever need a fix of "come ons" and "oooh babys", The Basics know how to deliver.

This month, they are in the middle of conducting a two-state residency. Every Tuesday, they play in Sydney, at the Hopetoun Hotel and every Thursday, they play in Melbourne, at The Evelyn. If you live in either of these towns, I'd highly recommend going along. The Basics are one of those bands who really shine when they play live. The catchy songs and brilliant voice of Wally (Gotye) would have been enough, but their charm takes the show to a whole new level of entertainment. Catch them while you can!

P.s. Sydney-siders get the added bonus of seeing Cuthbert & The Night Walkers this Tuesday (19th). Woo!

| Website | Myspace |

Little Red

The first time I saw Little Red live, I was blown away. Simple, fun pop songs about love? Four vocalists singing their hearts out? What was this!? Little Red are a band who would have fit right in in the 60s, but here in 2008, there's nothing quite like them. Their set was so refreshing, so unexpected, that I walked away with a great big smile on my face, eager to find out more about this bizarre Melbourne band.

Coca Cola

Sadly, the euphoria didn't last long. After buying their debut album, I only got through 2 songs before a friend intervened and turned it off. We were both in shock. The vocals were rough, the instrumentation cluttered and the whole thing just sounded sloppy. How on earth did this make it to record? I was disappointed to say the least.

Thankfully though, as time has passed, things seem to have evened out and I'm beginning see where Little Red truly stand. Subsequent listens of their album have shown that it really isn't all that bad. And besides, it was never meant to be perfect. Part of Little Red's charm is that there's four regular guys up there having a ball. Don't get me wrong, they can sing, but there's a trace of amateurism that keeps them grounded and in a way adds to their appeal because you can identify with them.

It's Alright

And as their album has gained some ground, their live show has been knocked back a peg or two. Not because its particularly bad, but more because the initial effect wore off. Their show is all about atmosphere. If you're in the mood to have some fun, they know how to deliver. But if you're merely sitting through their show, waiting for a headline band, they can be a bit of drag. It's really up to you.

Little Red may have fallen on middle ground, but I still think they're a great band. Their songs are catchy and performances entertaining. Bands like this will always have a place in the music scene. If you ever get tired of serious music appreciation, turn to Little Red, they'll know how to treat you well.

| Myspace |

Good hip-hop. Huh?

I must admit that I'm not the biggest supporter of Aussie hip-hop. Not that I'm ashamed of this. Most of it is terrible as far as I'm concerned. But every now and then something pops up that grabs my attention. This song by The Herd is a prime example. It's got some great melodies and lyrics that I can get into. It feels weird saying this, but it's a great song! Perhaps if hip-hop was more along these lines, I wouldn't be such a hater.

The King Is Dead - The Herd

"New Zealand's Dappled"

Something about the above words struck a chord with me when I heard them last night. They were used to describe The Boat People. Now considering that they're actually from Brisbane, it was probably the comparison to Dappled Cities that I found intriguing. This may have been a bit of a stretch with some of The Boat People's earlier material, but with this latest single, I can certainly see the parallels. It has me quite excited for the arrival of their new album, Chandeliers, some time in July.

Awkward Orchid Ochard

Also here's the video for this song. I'm not so sure about the "how many band names can you spot" gimmick they're running with, but it's a interesting video nonetheless.



And speaking of their earlier material, it's actually very good. Yesyesyesyesyes is quite a solid album. If you're looking for some quirky pop music, I'd definitely recommend picking it up. Here's a track from it:

Unsettle My Heart

The Boat People are about to embark on mini tour for their Awkward Orchid Orchard single. Check their myspace for local details. Unfortunately for us, the Sydney gig is at The Vanguard, which is way too formal for my liking (tables?). But when you toss in support from Cloud Control (who have a killer new track), it should be a good night regardless.

| myspace | website |

Kes Band

If you're looking for something a little obscure, Kes Band might be the answer. They're a Melbourne band who play obscure pop songs, guided by the very distinct, almost childish vocals of Kes. And that's pretty much all I know about them. They came down to Sydney recently, and though I missed it, a friend went and said it blew him away. He showed me their album and I can see what he means. It's one of those intriguing albums that I keep going back to out of curiosity. I'll certainly be checking them out next time they come round.

Kes Band - Gentle Elf

The Hopetoun Hotel's Melbourne Menagerie!

Just in case you didn't have enough great shows to go to in January, here's another one. This Saturday, three of Melbourne's finest indie-pop bands are coming up to Sydney to play one special show at The Hopetoun Hotel. It's an overdose of super sweet sounds. Melbourne really does beat us hands down when it comes to making warm, energetic and fun music. It's sure to be a treat. Here's some samples by each of the bands:

The Zebras - You Look Ready
Summer Cats - Discotheque
The Motifs - Backwards

Sydney band, Our Monk, will also be opening on the night.

More details here

Can't wait!

The Grates

Like many who have come before me, I’m here to exclaim that Patience Hodgson is one of the best damn performers ever. The Grates played a special Christmas show at The Annandale last Wednesday and it was amazing. She came out bouncing and didn’t stop bouncing. She jumps around like a crazed fan and genuinely gets into her own music. It’s brilliant. With her having so much fun up on stage, it’s pretty hard not to get involved. Her enthusiasm is infectious. For those who find her voice slightly annoying (I was one of them), I’m telling you, it pales in comparison to the energy of their live show. You’d have to be pretty cynical to watch them and not to have a great big smile on your face.

While Patience undoubtedly steals the show, I was impressed by the band as a whole. They had quite a bit of new material to show off, but rather than shoving it down our throats, they played it sparingly, making sure to give the fans what they wanted. Still, my initial impressions of these new songs are pretty favourable and I can see the next Grates album being just as big as the last. If you’re yet to see The Grates live, I recommend you do it as soon as you can, regardless of how you feel about their music.

Brown Bear - Music To Swim To

You’d be surprised how inefficient the promotional process is. Of all the emails and CDs I get sent, rarely does it lead me to discover something I like. I’m not sure if it’s my laziness and meticulous tastes or poor choices those sending me the music, but the success rate is pretty pathetic. However, every now and then, something incredible will land in my lap and it makes the whole process worthwhile. Brown Bear’s second EP, ‘Music To Swim To’ falls into that category. It only took a couple of listens before I realised I had something special in my hands. It was quite unexpected because they have a sound that is much softer than I would normally listen to. But clearly the might of their song-writing won out because I’ve well and truly fallen for them. Their sound is one that manages to combine calming minimalism with a richly textured atmosphere, driven by some excellent vocals. Strangely enough, I’d say their closest comparison would the similarly named Grizzly Bear. There's also a parallel with some of Radiohead's slower numbers, though I'd hate to set the bar too high. With 7 tracks coming in at over 30 minutes, Music To Swim To is more than just your average EP. Incredibly, each song seems to have at least one moment when you feel like you’re witnessing some musical brilliance. Unfortunately, this potential isn’t always met, but it doesn’t stop the EP from being an outstanding effort. It’s early days yet and I’m excited to see what this band delivers in the future. They’re currently based in Brisbane, but will be heading down to Sydney in early January to play a cool 4 shows in as many days. I'd recommend you try to see at least one, I know I will be.

Naked – This song was the first to really grab my attention and it seems I’m not alone. The tranquillity of it is irresistible.

Was That It – At 5 minutes, this song is more reflective of Brown Bear’s typical song length. It further demonstrates how effortlessly they appear to craft these humble, engaging melodies.

Released: 26/10/07 | Myspace

I Heart Hiroshima

When I was asked to name a lesser-known Brisbane band, my first thought was I Heart Hiroshima. This was despite having never seen them live and not really knowing what they sounded like (I’d heard them, but mustn't have paid attention). Clearly they were doing something right on the promotion side of things. Well now I have given them a proper listen and there's certainly no way they’ll be escaping my consciousness any time soon. I recently invested in their debut album, Tuff Teef, and it was one of the most satisfying purchases I’ve made in a long time. At first I was a little put off by the rough edges and raw sound, but this was quickly outweighed by how immersed I became in the energy they create. Their lack of a bass player is often cited as central to their sound, but to be honest, I can barely notice it. For me, the overwhelming factor that defines them is the vocals. To give a rather crude explanation, it’s pretty much two guys and a girl taking turns at yelling at you. In writing, it sounds rather unappealing, but when you hear them and really get to know their music, you’ll understand why I consider it to be a positive. They've found the perfect level of 'in your face' that makes you sit up and pay attention without it getting on your nerves. I must admit that after a good 15 listens in two weeks, it is beginning to wear away at me, but in moderation, this is music to hold dear. I’m really surprised that more wasn’t made of this album, because it’s probably one of the best to come out of Australia this year. I can’t wait to see them live.

Punks – The first three songs on this album are especially strong and of them all, this would have to take the cake. The drums give it a real sense of direction, focusing all their energy into one place. Powerful stuff.
Lungs – As an opening track, this song does the job perfectly. It introduces the softer side of their sound, gradually building the tension before breaking out into a full blown onslaught. All in all, a nice little sampling of I Heart Hiroshima.

Label | Website | Myspace

Monday (+1) Mix #27

Energy – The Apples in Stereo
I’d heard of this band here or there, but it was only very recently that I actually got around to listening to them. As I put in New Magnetic Wonder, their latest album, I instantly liked what I heard. This song sums them up perfectly; powerful, energetic and happy. If you like what you hear, I’d definitely recommend looking further into them.

Let’s Replace The Cityscapes - The Triangles
If you thought the song above was happy, get ready for an explosion of pure joy. I remember hearing and liking The Triangles a while back, but clearly they got lost in the pile. When this song appeared on a mix CD, I was reminded just how much I enjoyed it.

Round & Round – The Smallgoods
That mix CD (Half A Cow compilation) continued deliver as it finally gave me an opportunity to hear The Smallgoods. I’d seen their name on chalkboards and posters around the place, but never actually listened to them. I like what I hear.

Alligator Snap – Tokyo Blonde
I’m still debating whether I like this song or just find it annoying. Tokyo Blonde really impressed me with their last batch of demos, so at first I was a little disappointed by their debut EP. However, the chorus to this song really grabs me so now I’m left unsure. You be the judge. One way or the other, they’re a band to watch and I look forward to seeing them live some time.

The Way – Record Producer
This is a bizarre little song out of Melbourne that has somehow ended up in my possession. I don’t really know anything about the band or what their story is (good luck finding them on the internet), in fact, pretty much all I do know about this song is that I like it. And as far I’m concerned, that’s all that’s needed.

Agnes Kain - Keep Walking or I'll Kill You

It’s weird. I’ve been buying music lately. This shouldn’t be a rare occasion, but sadly it is. I’ll save the whole music downloading debate for another day, but something’s not right, that’s for sure. So whether it’s an act of redemption or simply a reaction to the incompleteness of illegal markets, I’ve been doing my bit and supporting some local artists. Agnes Kain are one of those artists and I am now the proud owner of their debut album, Keep Walking Or I’ll Kill You. Don’t be fooled by the dark title, this is an album filled with warm moments and joyful melodies. Agnes Kain are a Sydney duo who like to keep things simple. The album was recorded in their bedroom and at no time do you feel like you’re being bombarded with excessive production. It is in this open environment that the beauty of these songs really shines through. The powerful female vocals are wrapped in an array of instrumentation, from violins to glockenspiels, transforming their memorable melodies into outstanding pop music. They find the perfect balance between depth and simplicity, producing a light-hearted atmosphere and that seems to float by as you get caught up in it. I’ll certainly be coming back to this album any time I feel like chilling out. Put them on, wait for your smile to arrive and then just relax.

All Time High – This is such a happy and spirited song, I feel like jumping around on the spot. Next time they play it live, they better watch out.

Puddles & Mud – Again, something about their music makes me feel light. This song demonstrates their cuter side, complete with hand claps. It has all the hallmarks of heartfelt home-made recording.

Label | Myspace

No Man's Woman

I’m not sure if a CD that has me singing The Veronicas’ songs is good thing. It may be testimony to the quality of this particular album, but it certainly doesn’t do much for my credibility. For those who aren’t aware of what this album is, it’s basically Australian men covering female artists. All the artists, on both sides of equation, are quite high profile and it’s pretty impressive for Dew Process to have assembled such a line up and made this CD happen. I must admit, I wasn’t very optimistic going into this CD. To me it seemed like a bit of gimmick; an intriguing gimmick, but not much more that. However, after listening through it a number of times, I’ve actually found myself impressed on a number of fronts. For starters, most of the songs being covered (and their respective artists) are ones that I’m not particularly familiar with. So in that sense, I’ve found it enjoyable purely on the basis of it being a nice mix of music. But it actually offers much more than that. It’s great to hear some of my favourite Australian artists, one after another, applying their signature sounds to these songs. Even artists I’m not particularly fond of, such as End of Fashion and Gyroscope have managed to impress me. In fact, there’s only really one track that I don’t thoroughly enjoy. This album provides a great snapshot of Australia’s varied music scene and does so whilst celebrating some music's most prolific female artists. It certainly is much more than just a gimmick.

Tracklist
1. Angus Stone – River (Joni Mitchell)
2. Powderfinger – Glorybox (Portishead)
3. The Vines – 4Eva (The Veronicas)
4. Expatriate – Missing (Everything But The Girl)
5. Lior – Landslide (Fleetwood Mac)
6. Bob Evans – Cars Wheels On A Gravel Road (Lucinda Williams)
7. End Of Fashion – Hanging On The Telephone (Blondie)
8. Dan Kelly – Nothing Compares To You (Sinead O'connor)
9. Whitely – Hyperballad (Bjork)
10. Josh Pyke – Wuthering Heights (Kate Bush)
11. Paul Kelly – To Bring You My Love (Pj Harvey)
12. Gyropscope – Cannonball (The Breeders)
13. Grinspoon – Boys In Town (Divinyls)
14. Tex Perkins – I Am Woman (Helen Reddy)

The CD is out now and comes with a bonus disc containing nine of the tracks by their original artists. You can also catch some of the artists performing these songs as part of the Legs 11 concert. Click here for details

Released: 20/10/07 | Myspace

Plastic Palace Alice

Ah Melbourne. I’ll probably never know if it truly is superior to Sydney, but with all the excellent music I’ve been discovering lately, I wouldn’t be surprised. The latest Melbournians to deserve a mention are Plastic Palace Alice. I’ve known them for a while now (as you may too have), thanks to their song ‘Empire Falls’. To put it simply, it’s brilliant. They’re currently in the process of launching this single and if you haven’t yet heard it, I’d highly recommend it. But with all the attention that gets paid to this one song, you’d be forgiven for wondering whether it was all they had. Well wonder no more because I can safely tell you it’s not true. Plastic Palace Alice deliver a blend of music that combines powerful excitement with delightfully indie sounds. What's more, they do it consistently. It's the perfect fill in this post-Arcade Fide era, where we expect music to be nothing less than emotionally monumental. This strength of theirs especially clear when you go to see them live. The atmosphere is energetic and their songs produce a real sense of movement, taking you along for the ride. I also like the fact that they seem to be made up interesting characters. I won’t go into the details, but they have ‘guitar god’, with his countless pedals and various toys and a ‘crazy bassist’ who goes above and beyond his head-bopping requirements, just to name a few. There’s always plenty going on in a Plastic Palace Alice show. You certainly won’t be disappointed.

The Girl Who Cried Wolf – Just to prove my point that they’re not just a one-song band, here’s something different. It really highlights their vocal abilities, including male/female harmonies and, of course, multi-dimensional medleys. It all comes together into quite a compelling piece of music.

Video: Empire Falls

They just passed through Sydney so you may have just missed them (Brisbane people, you still have a chance). However, they will be back in early December so make sure you check them out. You can get the Empire Falls single (which includes both the above songs) from their myspace.

Yves Klein Blue / Oxford Art Factory

At long last I got to see (and hear) Yves Klein Blue. They developed a bit of name for themselves, winning the MTV Kickstart competition, but as far as the wider community is concerned, they are relatively unknown. I’d been meaning to catch them for a while, but until last Saturday, it just hadn’t happened. I’m glad I am finally acquainted with them because what I saw was quite impressive. Hailing from Brisbane, Yves Klein Blue look and sound like a major band. As I was listening to them, I got the feeling that they belonged on the same platform as bands like Maximo Park, The Fratellis and The Strokes. Their music certainly isn’t of the same standard, but they just gave me that impression. It feels like it’s just a matter of time before the public takes notice or they write ‘that’ song and things take off. I’m not sure how this will pan out, or whether I’ll like what they become, but currently they have my attention. Yves Klein Blue make an infectious, bluesy blend of indie-rock and deliver it in an energetic live show. Provided they play things right, they’ve got the potential to become disgustingly big.

MP3: Polka

The other half of this tale lies in place in which the gig took place. It’s a relatively new venue called the Oxford Art Factory, located on good old Oxford St. I don’t think word’s alone can describe the ridiculousness of this venue. For starters, it is quite big and situated completely underground. Then within this, it seems to contain everything you could want from a venue. The dance floor is spacious, the prices are low and all the rooms are logically arranged. It’s almost as if someone sat down and thought ‘what would be the ideal venue?’ and then dug a giant hole and built it! I can’t even begin to imagine how many millions of dollars this place must have cost. I feel like we have a Hacienda on our hands (I can hope). More likely it will become infected by dirty music and dirty people. We can’t let that happen! People of Sydney, an incredible venue has been dropped in your laps. Let’s make it something we can be proud of!

Oxford Art Factory | Yves Klein Blue

Whitley

I remember when Whitley (not White-ly) first entered my consciousness. I had bargained my way into a band night at Spectrum and was looking forward to seeing The Seabellies. They were great (surprise, surprise), but it was another artist who caught my eye. In between the bands, everyone I chatted to seemed to suggest that this Whitley guy was pretty special. I had no idea what to expect and when I saw him walk out with just a stool and acoustic guitar, I was a little sceptical. But as is so often the case, I was wrong. While I normally need a certain amount familiarity to truly enjoy a live set, Whitley managed to impress me with his soothing folk music. While I didn’t fall in love instantly, he did enough for me to remember him (someone casually crossing the stage behind him mid-song may also have helped to cement the occasion). For a forgetful person such as myself, that’s an achievement.

So with his music somewhere at the top of my todo list, I was understandably excited when I received his brand new album, The Submarine. Almost as if it was destined to happen, it quickly became a favourite. It was all I wanted to listen to. Every time I listened to something different, I would have to follow it up with a healthy dose of Whitley. In fact I listened to it so much that I managed to damage the CD before getting a chance to rip it. Just as I was told when I first saw him, there’s something special about Whitley. I don’t often delve into the world of folk, but he seems to offer something more. His music has the characteristic beauty of folk, yet it also has the suspense and melodies of pop (or some other loosely defined genre). Whatever it is, I like it.

The fairy-tale continued last Tuesday when I unexpectedly got the chance to see him again. I was on my way to a psychology lecture when a very familiar sound drifted towards me. I looked over and saw a band playing inside a giant yellow tent. As I went in for a closer look, I discovered that sure enough, it was my ‘artist-of-the-moment’, Whitley. Rather than calculating the odds of this Melbourne artist starting a show at my university at the exact moment I walked by, I just basked in the fortune of it. This time round, he had a full band, who did a great job and complimented him perfectly. But it wasn’t just his music which impressed me, it was his whole persona. This guy was born to be a musician. At just 22, he seemed so at ease whilst playing to the crowd. Even his stage banter, which so often is either mumbled or lame, added to the experience of seeing him (the Mighty Boosh references were much appreciated). I walked away thoroughly satisfied and completely indifferent to my missed lecture. I even bought a shirt, throwing my principles of financial stinginess out the window.

If you’re looking for a new favourite artist, may I suggest Whitley. I don’t mind sharing him, just as long as his shows don’t become expensive. If you like what you hear, head to his website for plenty of goodies and also consider getting his album, because as you may have gathered by now, it’s pretty good.

The Life I Keep – This is one of the softer songs that I really enjoy. I like to sing along, despite the fact that I’m utterly hopeless at it. Somehow I still manage to get the words ‘looking’ and ‘searching’ wrong more often than not.

All To Whole – This song really shone when I saw it performed live. He was struggling to hit the notes, but by no means failing. It was quite a powerful performance.

Label | Website | Myspace