MICK.

Happy birthday to Mick Jagger. If I can still be worshipped by women around the world when I'm 70, I'll be happy.


But Davick Jagwie is always going to be a thing. Always.

I also wanted to express how horribly sad I was to finally get the email notifying me of Jake Bugg's secret Sydney show TO FIND OUT I HAD MISSED IT AND CHECKED MY EMAIL TOO LATE.


Turns out he was playing at The Rocks Square at 1 p.m. Yesterday. Excuse me while I go and kiss the floor he stood on.

In the meantime I've found some lovely songs that I had to share with you all.

In particular here is one by Ever Isles.

Ever Isles is the project of Kaitlyn Aureilia Smith, with gentle 'dream folk' that's set to capture listeners. The song 'In A Cave' is the third track on the album 'Cocoon'. 'In A Cave' won the 2011 Blue Microphones Songwriting Competition (and for good reason too!)


The vocal arrangement with the delicate guitar is exquisite, resulting in the most beautiful dreamy feel.

The voices are layered with such an effect that it's like she's singing underwater. Or in a cave.

The poignant mood and otherworldly tone of the song have such a likeable, quirky ambiance.

Have a listen to it here.


Buy the album from Bandcamp here.

Also, just wanted to let you know that the blog has an Instagram account now! All you hipsters (that's all you readers) follow @theoptionale. Pwetty pweese?

SONG OF THE WEEK #16.

This week's song is actually a remix of a Young Dreams song - it's 'Footprints' (Naysayer and Gilsun Remix).

I've never had a strong interest in electronic remixes because I'm not exactly a guru in the art of remixing - I don't even know the basic logistics of it all.

However, it doesn't mean that I don't enjoy listening to them; I really love hearing my favourite songs getting turned into dreamy waftiness or throbbing dance music or wah wah groove.

This remix is of 'Footprints' which is already a really good song. With very earthy, almost Jinja Safari-esque drumming, the dreamy bliss of Grizzly Bear and Animal Collective and the jaunty harmonies of the Beach Boys, the Between Places album is a very good release.

The remix is wafty and open, then at 1:07 enters this throbbing groove that is impossible to resist. It's smooth sailing from here, with tasteful transgressions and segues. Exploring different motifs, this exquisitely crafted remix extends on an already very artful, clever song.

Listen and download it here from Soundcloud, and purchase the Footprints - EP here on iTunes (AU).

This is the original song.

AT FIRST SIGHT.

I've been smugly asking people how they've spent their weekend so far, so that when the question is put back on to me I can say that I went to a record fair.

At First Sight was a lovely fair, with heaps and heaps of vinyls (there were actually so many) and some really good local bands playing sets.

The actual Carriageworks site was pretty cool - Wilson Street in Eveleigh (which was off King Street) and it had this really gritty industrial feel to it.

The bands playing kind of varied in their appeal - I found some to be really spot on and polished while others weren't really to my taste. Best set of the day I feel went to Client Liaison, although Day Ravies and Twerps were fantastic as well.

This was actually the coolest gig around. There were heaps of bands playing:

but I personally prefer more vocal than electronic acts. Super Wild Horses was really quite good but I'm not exactly the biggest fan of Holy Balm.

I did find some amazing Beatles records (still in the shrinkwrap hey!) but I actually didn't buy anything. I was planning on grabbing this Debbie Harry single and a David Bowie/Mick Jagger single (Dancing In The Street) but honestly I was really there just for a browse. I'll get another turntable and then just 

An entire box of Bowie records?!

There were actually heaps of people there although I was a little intimidated by the fact that I was probably the youngest person there. There were a few junior kids helping their parents sell the records, but to my surprise I saw no one of discernible high school age.

 

I was a bit let down because I won wristbands through Concrete Playground but I arrived a bit too late to claim them. Never mind.

 

Carriageworks is a pretty cool venue and now that I know the place I'll probably pop by with some friends or whoever and see the other events they hold there.

 

I'd love to hear the history of the place though so I might lobby Michael of Past Lives/Near Future to do an article. Keep your eyes peeled, people.

MUSIC HAUL #10.

Hi guys! Here we have yet another Music Haul for you, so enjoy :)

Catherine Traicos - Drunk On Your Breath

There is simply nothing quite like when you discover a really good new artist.

But even this isn't as good as finding an artist you discovered years ago but lost/forgot.
Catherine is one of these artists. (Others are MGMT, Bag Raiders and Architecture In Helsinki. Darn them electronic acts - it seems that typing in beep boop blerp into Google doesn't have the same effects as song lyrics.)

Her smoky, crooning voice captures you quicker than you can say her name (which actually took me a while because the ai dipthong is more often than not a very beguiling mystery.)

In fact, I find the bulk of her work a beguiling mystery - beautifully crafted and performed, but it is enjoyed more when you try to unravel the delicious tunes and lyrics.

Here is 'Drunk On Your Breath'. Buy her music from the label An Ocean Awaits here. And the tote bag looks so good.

The Swiss - Elouisa

Bringing back disco with a spectacular vibrancy, The Swiss make impossibly danceable tunes (even for me!)

The shrill vocals push the throbbing bass down with energy, and when the chorus comes back around you know you're hooked.

The feel good, summery vibe of the song has done an awesome job of keeping me bopping through this disgusting rainy weather lately. In fact, the entire EP (which is Elouisa, two remixes and Peach Pit) has such a good feel I am simply dying for Spring and Summer.

Here is 'Elouisa'. Buy it here from iTunes or here from the uber-cool Kitsuné. Seriously. This label is my life (albeit rather expensive. Maybe it's my life if I sold my kidneys or something.)

Van She - Jamaica

I'm still in a bit of a dancey mood so here is my dance jam of 2012 from one of my favourite dance artists. Van She have this rich, luxurious sound that effortlessly combines dance and electronica with experimental indie.

The opening riff and recurring motif of this song, the marimba ostinato, really sets off the Jamaican, exotic aura of the song. It's not so much a song by the chorus but a bright soundscape with the most inspiring, powerful vocals.

The chorus is fun and easy to sing along to (but not in that really creepy Aussie pub karaoke style. Think more anthemic. Or party sing along.) It's fresh, tropical and oh-so-catchy.

This song is fantastic to play at when you're chilling with friends at the beach, or if you're lucky enough to have one, in a convertible with the windows down as you drive down a highway. Not in Sydney of course - highways are more like free parking nowadays.

Here is 'Jamaica', man. Buy it here from Modular People.

Cloud Control - There's Nothing In The Water We Can't Fight

I've been listening to this song as I earnestly await the ocean release of their second album, 'Dream Cave'. The lilting, easy melodic pop of the band has such a strange, otherworldly quality to it, which draws you in and is so beautifully addictive.

The music is exciting, exhilarating and beautifully crafted. It has depth and is grounded, yet the innovative melodies and vocals are a breath of fresh air. The music is rich in texture without being too heavy handed with production or sickeningly decadent.

I was really hoping to catch them in September but since I also have my eye on Jinja Safari a week later (with Cub Scouts supporting) I think I'm going to have to make a very difficult decision. Yet Cloud Control are still such a fresh act, and with such an original, recognisable sound, I think they have the makings of a future classic.

Buy 'There's Nothing In The Water We Can't Fight' or the album, 'Bliss Release' (2010) here from Ivy League Records.

LAZY DAYS.

Today was the most mind-numbingly boring day.

I have to get ready to go back to school so that pretty much warrants a twenty-four hours of non-stop boredom.

It's been an odd three weeks and I guess I would've been glad to see my friends again if I hadn't seen them in a social situation some nineteen hours ago.

I've been doing a bunch of random things for the last few hours - which Beatles wife are you tests (I got Linda McCartney! Yessssssssss - I'm just glad I didn't get Yoko or Heather), searching up cool cafés in Sydney (apparently there is a very nice one in West Ryde called element6 which turns out to be owned by someone we know) and watching the oh-so-addictive reality television that's on (The Block is so hilarious and The Great Australian Bake Off isn't too shabby either. Masterchef is getting a little repetitive but Hamish and Andy probably takes the trophy for plain entertainment.)

And of course, I've been listening to music.

Cub Scouts released their new single onto Youtube about a week ago and in four days you will be able to buy it! Woo!

Have a listen in the meantime. They'll be playing at Splendour and also supporting Jinja Safari on the 21st September at the Metro. I WANT TO GO MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE ARGH.
Well, enjoy, my lovely readers.

UGH.

I don't even know. This week is probably going to be a really dodgy week and I'm completely ambivalent about it because I get to see my friends again but I have to go back to school and I have a party in about twenty minutes but I completely wrecked last night when I was really mean to someone because I was trying to support someone else and I am so excited with all the new music I have but I don't have time to listen to it and it's my friend's birthday today and I don't have credit to text her.

Happy birthday Lillian.

Also I just found out my friend almost died. Great. On top of the fact that I'll never speak to a friend again because I was extremely rude to him and his parents. But then I had the best conversation with a friend I haven't talked to in ages. And a close friend and I sorted out something that's been troubling her for ages.

Ugh.

BUT I'M GOING TO TRY AND BE EXCITED BECAUSE WE BOUGHT TICKETS TO SEE TAVI GEVINSON SPEAK AT THE OPERA HOUSE WHEN SHE COMES TO SYDNEY OH MY GOODNESS. That's right. Tavi Gevinson.

To find out more about Tavi, take a look at this article here.


JOEY GRACEFFA YESS

But back to business.

 

 

I think I'll just leave you guys with a song. Here is Oceanics' 'Chinatown (Is Not Newtown) from their Bright People EP.

Love this song. Stay cool.