Salad Boys - Psych Slasher

Salad Boys are an indie rock band from Christchurch, New Zealand. Psych Slasher (Nov’17) is from their second album This Is Glue (Jan’18). They sound like R.E.M, The Bats or The Clean. Some of their influences include Blink-182 and Yo La Tengo. Psych Slasher is reminiscent of the lo-fi alternative pop of early Flying Nun; but with punk urgency and more sophistication. It might not be love at first sight but this song is worthy of a meaningful relationship.

The Beths - Happy Unhappy

1.    Who are The Beths?

The Beths are an alternative pop band from Auckland, New Zealand, who bring together influences from 90’s guitar music, 2000’s pop punk and mix it together with 60’s pop harmonies. Happy Unhappy (June'18) is the third single from their debut album Future Me Hates Me (Aug'18).


2. What kind of tune is Happy Unhappy? 

An irrepressibly bright and bubbly alternative pop song led by a captivating vocal soaring lightly above bittersweet lyrics and with delicious phrasing. A little guitar noise, especially in the coda, keeps the song grounded and juxtaposes well with the cute harmonies. A great mood maker.


3. Who do The Beths sound like?

Sixpence None The Richer, Alvvays, and Loose Tooth. 


4. What have the press said about Happy Unhappy?

“The Beth’s ‘Happy Unhappy’ is the song of summer” – Rolling Stone. 

“It’s really good” – Noisey Vice.

“Brilliant slice of sunshine filled alternative pop” – It’s Too Loud. 

5. Which bands have influenced The Beths? 

A few of their influences are Death Cab For Cutie, Rilo Kiley, Bright Eyes, Courtney Barnett, Alvvays, The Cars, Weezer, The Modern Lovers, and Cole Porter. 


6. Why should I listen to Happy Unhappy? 

For the phrasing in the verses and the wry lyrics. 


7. Do The Beths have any other good tunes? 

Whatever brings a harder alternative rock sound to play. 


8. Any more words? 

All four band members studied jazz at university. 

Alvvays are an indie pop band from Toronto, Canada. They started playing together in 2011 and have recorded two albums. Alvvays sound similar to The Primitives, Best Coast, and Camera Obscura. They are influenced by Teenage Fanclub, Magnetic Fields, and The Smiths. Plimsol Punks (Aug'17) is the third single from their second album Anitsocialites (Sept'17). River Front Times thought Plimsol Punks is, “irresistibly catchy with a sugar filled chorus.” It's also a song, that is, as the title suggests, about pretentious cunts.

Broods - Free

1.    Who are they?

Broods are an indie electro-pop band from Auckland, New Zealand, who fight out of Los Angeles, California. Playing since 2013 they have one long player in the vault. Free (April'16) is the lead single from their as yet unnamed second album.


2. What kind of tune is on offer?

Free is a pure pop ego booster led by Georgia Watts varied vocals and a bombastic, yet brooding bed of synths.


3. Who do Broods sound like?

DIY compared Free to Chvrches.


4. What is the good word from the press?
 
“A big burst of synth-pop, wrapped in meaty chords and dark undertones” – Indie Current.

“Broods go straight for the jugular” – Clash Music.

“A turbo-charged banger” – DIY.

5. Which bands put the passion and prance in Broods’ pop?

Broods influences are Bat For Lashes, Imogen Heap, Lykke Li, Banks, Danger Mouse and Gnarls Barkley.


6. Why should I give Free a twirl?

Free is a pop banger co-written and produced by Joel Little who put his shoulder to the wheel for Lorde. Everyone loves Lorde right? You know what Swifty says, don't be a hater.


7. Do Broods have any more blinders?

Free is the best.


8. Any more words fool?

Broods will be supporting Ellie Golding on some of her North American dates later this year.

Brother and sister Caleb and Georgia Nott grew up in a musical family that played in an ABBA tribute band.

 

“Don’t want your opinion or your fee”

 

North Shore Pony Club are from Auckland, New Zealand. Starting in 2005 the indie electronic dance-pop duo have only one self-titled EP to their name, North Shore Pony Club (2006) and a couple of singles. Sex, Drugs & A Drum Machine (2010) is a party anthem, a chaotic dance floor filler and eblematic of North Shore Pony Club's off-kilter genius. The Corner called North Shore Pony Club, “sassy as hell” and “decent”.

“Yeah bitches I’m living the dream”

 

Dave Dobbyn - You Get So Lonely

 

1.    Who is this elder statesman of rock'n'roll?

Dave Dobbyn. Dave Dobbyn is the rock legend and national treasure responsible for Bliss, Th' Dudes (1979) a national drinking anthem in New Zealand. You Get So Lonely (March'16) is the lead single from Dave Dobbyn's ninth solo album Harmony House (March'16). Dave Dobbyn has seventeen long players, by my count, in his storied career. Music Net NZ put it best, “In the world of pop music, longevity is rarely achieved but Dobbyn’s talents have consistently charmed their way into the consciousness of New Zealanders. This is a national treasure who keeps on shining.”


2. What does Dave have left in the tank?

You Get So Lonely is a timely reminder of Dave Dobbyn's heroic, ineffable, rock genius. You Get So Lonely is the sweetest, morish, pop rock you can imagine. Heartfelt, honest, and emblematic as always of Kiwi's national identity.


3. Who could you possibly compare to Dave Dobbyn?

Crowded House or Split Enz.


 4. What have the press said about You Get So Lonely?


“Empathetic and reassuring” – Elsewhere.

“Poppy new twist” – NZ Herald.

“This here is the gold” – Off The Tracks.

 

 

 

 

5. Which bands cast the light of brilliance on Dave Dobbyn’s music?

Mr Dobbyn said a love of Brian Eno was pivotal in the recording of Harmony House. Dave Dobbyn's first, iconic, band was Th' Dudes and their pivotal influences were The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, The Stranglers, Roxy Music and The Clash.

 

6. Why should I dabble in Dave Dobbyn’s magic?

 

You Get So Lonely is a master songwriter throwing his fans, a nation, a bone. You Get So Lonely is a rock solid pop gem from a musician who wrote a national anthem (Bliss). Rejoice.

 

 

7. Does Dave Dobbyn have any more great songs?

 

Yes. Be Mine Tonight elevates a love song to surreal heights, captured better only by The Beatles. Slice Of Heaven is the best reggae song NZ ever produced, from a nation that embraced Bob Marley as one of their own, a brother to another mother. The title is a precise description. Walking In Light is the pinacle of post-punk.

 

 

8. Any more words fool?

 

Dave Dobbyn's new album Harmony House is produced by Samuel Flynne Scott and Luke Buda from the famous Kiwi progressive indie rock band The Phoenix Foundation.

 

 

“There’s line in the sand that you can’t avoid”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIX60 are a band from my hometown Dunedin, New Zealand, home to influential Kiwi bands The Clean, The Chills, Snapper,The Verlaines and Straight Jacket Fits, to name but a few. SIX60 are local legends who embrace rock, reggae, soul, dub-step and drum and bass. The band had “a meteoric rise to fame” in NZ in 2011 with the release of their debut album, the self-titled SIX60. The album debuted at number one and the singles Rise 2.0 and Don’t Forget Your Roots were number one and two respectively. Don't Forget Your Roots is a reggae classic that doesn't just pay homage to our musical ancestors and the land that shaped them, an anthem of pride, it surpasses them. Don't forget your roots my friend.

“Armed with the power of his homeland,

And with his boots laced tight and a ticket in his hand”