So it's November and you've probably already spotted Chrissie decorations popping up around malls and shopping centres. But before you get all panicky thinking about your ever-expanding pre-Christmas to do list, remember that the warm summer months also mean that music festivals are starting to spring up (so you can get drunk, dance and procrastinate just a little bit more). In celebration of this fact, here are our next batch of local artists worth keeping an eye out for on the festival bills.
Who: Emma Louise
From: Brisbane
Playing: Gorgeous Festival,
Falls Festival, Southbound
Emma Louise's debut single 'Jungle' is one of those songs that latches to your thoughts and refuses to budge for days. Just one listen and you'll find yourself humming it at work or warbling the chorus while driving your car - you know the one, "my head is a jungle, jungle" (it's been thrashed on triple j and featured on the promos for ABC's
The Slap, which seems to air once every fifteen minutes). The song's vocal hook packs more punch than a heavyweight boxer while being more infectious than the tinea growing between your hygienically-challenged housemate's toes. 'Jungle' is plucked from Louise's debut EP,
Full Hearts and Empty Rooms, which found its way to the #1 spot on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts. Having toured alongside the likes of
Boy & Bear and
Josh Pyke recently, her profile is steadily on the rise and she is winning crowds over by the dozen. One not to be missed.
Recommended listening: 'Jungle'
Emma Louise myspace
Who: The Bamboos
From: Melbourne
Playing: Shine On Festival,
The Mullum Music Festival,
Queenscliff Music Festival,
Pyramid Rock Festival
"They are the tightest Funk act in the world..." - Tim Ritchie, ABC Radio National
Praise doesn't come much sweeter than that, ey? Indeed, Mr. Ritchie is certainly on the money with the that comment: the eight-piece funk and soul outfit from Melbourne who call themselves the Bamboos have been raved about the world over for their energetic blend of old school funk, soul, hip hop, mod rock and psychedelia. BBC Radio 2's Mark Lamarr says, "They are about as good as it gets," while the man himself, funk and soul legend Syl Johnson, has described them as "bad mother -****ers!" (in the most positive way possible, natch). Led by vocalist Kylie Auldist and guitarist Lance Ferguson, the Bamboos have stirred up dancing masses at festivals including
Parklife,
Byron Bay Blues & Roots Festival,
Falls,
Meredith and
Golden Plains, to name only a few. They are funk and soul veterans with a recipe that is guaranteed to get you movin' and groovin'.
Recommended listening: 'Keep Me in Mind'
The Bamboos official website
Who: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
From: Melbourne
Playing: Meredith Music Festival
Let's be honest, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have one of the most ridiculous names buzzing around the local music scene at the moment, but rest assured, these seven lads won't be a well kept secret for long. KGATLW have been together for just over a year now. Living next door to one another in share houses in Carlton while studying at uni and playing in separate bands, the members of King Gizzard were drawn together when they were invited to jam at a warehouse party on Lygon St. With a mutual love of
Pavement,
Thee Oh Sees and Nuggets Comps, their casual jamming soon blossomed into a dynamic surf, punk and psychedelic ensemble. Regular gigs at Melbourne pubs followed, before the guys were snapped up to appear at this year's
Meredith Music Festival. King Gizzard's
Willoughby's Beach EP is full of scuzzy rock 'n' roll that is wrapped up in a very retro and psychedelic coating. It's gritty and unpolished, warts and all stuff, and that's what makes it so damn great. Head over to their website to stream the EP in its entirety.
Recommended listening: 'Black Tooth'
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard official website
Who: DZ Deathrays
From: Brisbane
Playing: Laneway Festival
Wielding a fuzzed out, distortion-drenched mess of thrash punk are DZ Deathrays: two blokes from Brisbane on a mission to make a hell of a lot of noise and to stir up a hell of a good time while they're at it. Throw the chaotic dance punk of
Death from Above 1979 in a blender with the off-the-wall antics of
Dananananaykroyd and you're getting close to the mayhem of the DZ Deathrays. It's shake your hands in the air stuff that has caught the attention of NME, who named them in their Top 50 Bands of 2011. Check out their totally irresponsible music video for 'The Mess Up' (we don't endorse binge drinking, but if you can throw shots back like the drummer in this clip and still keep your cool, then we want in on your next party).
Recommended listening: 'The Mess Up'
DZ Deathrays tumblr
By
JACKP, 07 November 2011