Shuffle to the shuffle: My music, mixed up.

I love music. There's no ifs or buts about it. I'm a fan of lots of unsigned or not well known Australian bands, and I love discovering new music (or old music). I also love checking out what other people are listening to. So I thought I'd put my ipod on shuffle, and show you guys the first twelve songs that come up.  This could end badly... But we'll see how we go.

(You can click on the link after each song to listen to the song - if they're online, and I'll put each band's social media link as well... All for ease of music stalking!)

1.     The Fallout - Woodlock

These boys from Melbourne have really hit their straps with their recent EP release. Their style is       folky with a bit of a rock/alternative edge to it, and very easy to listen to. (I reviewed the EP here).

     
https://www.facebook.com/WoodlockMusic?fref=ts

2.     Right Through You - Alanis Morissette (video)

A hit from Morissette's Jagged Little Pill album of the late 90's, this song is angsty rock, that is so easy to belt out when you're feeling angry.

     
https://www.facebook.com/alanismorissette?fref=ts

3.     Inside Our World - Bleached Academy

This band sadly is no more, but they had some brilliant pop/punk tracks, with the very talented Hayley Warner as the energetic vocallist.

https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/bleached-academy

4.     Trailed - Gossling (audio)

Helen Croome a.k.a Gossling's unique voice is hauntingly beautiful... Enough said.

https://www.facebook.com/gosslingmusic?fref=ts

5.     We Won't Run - Sarah Blasko (video)

Another Australian songstress with a beautiful voice, Sarah Blasko is a pop musician with a quirky twist.  

https://www.facebook.com/sarahblaskomusic?fref=ts

6.     Different Worlds - Jes Hudak & George Krikes (video)

This song was used to advertise a talent show in Australia, which catapulted it to the top of the charts.  It's such a beautiful song, with a continuous simple piano melody throughout.

https://www.facebook.com/jeshudakmusic?fref=ts

7.     City & Colour - Thirst (video)

This song by music legend Dallas Green (a.k.a City and Colour), is a catchy pop/alternative track, that will have you tapping your foot in no time.

https://www.facebook.com/cityandcolour?fref=ts

8.     The Sun Won't Sleep - New Empire (video)     

Probably the hardest working boys in Australian music, New Empire's new album In A Breath features this upbeat, catchy pop track, with lovely lyrical content.

https://www.facebook.com/newempireband?fref=ts

9.     Carry On - Motor Ace (video)

A song from my favourite band of all time.  This classic Australian alternative/rock song was popular in the early 2000's... It also happens to appear on an album which is very hard to come by nowadays, (I explain why here).

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Motor-Ace/21078711025?fref=ts

10.     Empty Town - Red Ink (video)

This four-piece from Melbourne spent a long time crafting the ideal debut album, and it was worth the wait.  This track is the perfect mix of dreamy, synthy pop, and edgier rock.

https://www.facebook.com/redinkmusic?fref=ts

11.    Siamese - Motor Ace (video)

Another Motor Ace song on the list... Surprise, surprise!  This is my current favourite song.  Again, it's an alternative/rock track.  The lyrics in this are brilliant too.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Motor-Ace/21078711025?fref=ts

12.      Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap (video)

Another Australian band who have taken Europe by storm, The Temper Trap are known for their pop/rock sound, with soaring vocals and killer chorus'.

https://www.facebook.com/tempertrap?fref=ts

So there you go, a taste of what I'm listening to, (I'm surprised there's no Michael Paynter on there though!)  Almost 80% Australian music, (my true love).

What do you think?  Leave any music recommendations below, they'd be much appreciated!

Beth. x

It's the small things.

As New Empire's song 'Imagination' goes: "Simply put I like all the simple things." And that is so true; sometimes it's the smallest things that will brighten up your day.

Here are some things, that make me instantly happy, because clearly I'm:

Small things that make a big difference:

• Compliments from strangers.

• When someone requests the song that you wanted to hear on the radio.

• When a musician makes eye contact with you through the crowd at a gig... And no, you're not just imagining it.

• When people actually help you in a (slightly scary) festival crowd.

• Pretty coloured sunrises and sunsets.

• The smell of rain.

• Looking at the price-tag of something, and seeing that it's reduced.

• A hot shower after a freezing day.

• The moodiness of the sky during a storm.

• When you get every green light when you're driving along.

Sometimes you've just got to sidestep the big picture for a moment, and seek joy in the most ordinary things.  Take time to appreciate the little joys in life, and then get back to the important stuff.

Albums That Lift My Mood.

           So I've just written an assignment for uni that has potentially fried my brain, so what is the first thing I reach for to remedy this?  Music, of course.  Music is something that I know can instantly lift my mood or help me to get over brain strain (as is the case at the moment!)  So I thought I'd introduce you to a few of my favourite albums.... Note few, I have so many LPs it's hard to choose favourites without leaving out something out!

Here goes, my brief list of favourite mood improving albums.

San Cisco - San Cisco

     The debut LP for the WA quartet starts off slow and melancholic with "Beach," but boy does it pack a punch when you get to songs like "Fred Astaire" and "No Friends," which have you bopping away without a care in the world.  The combination of Jordi and Scarlett's vocals make for lovely easy listening, and the catchy melodies have you singing in seconds.

     My personal favourites on the album would have to be the foot-tapping "No Friends" in the upbeat stakes and "Nepal" for lyrics and piano.  However all the songs are worth multiple listens.

      San Cisco's album is extra special - not just because it's signed by the lovely band themselves - but because I got to see them perform it live... Oh the nostalgia.

Motor Ace - Shoot This

   The oldest of my selections, "Shoot This" took a lot of work to find.  It's not online and CD's of it aren't printed anymore, and I was starting to lose hope.  That is until I walked into a second hand record  store one Spring afternoon... I struck gold!

    If you're after classic Aussie rock/alternative Motor Ace is your band, with classics like "Keeping Secrets," "Carry On," and "Ride The Wave" all on the one album, you're in for a great 50 minutes.  

     Favourites on this album, again, are many, but "Keeping Secrets" is definitely number one, purely for the many sing-a-longs it created in the car in the early 00's.  

   "It's the way I feel.  Speak up when you know that it's real."

New Empire - Symmetry 

    Another album of songs that really speak to you is "Symmetry" by the Sydney boys New Empire.  Hope and strength is a theme throughout, with songs varying from the pulsing "Train on Time" to the ballad that is "Ghosts" to the anthemic "Give Me The World."
    Again New Empire is a band I've seen live, and their performance is better than the album, if you can believe that!
     Favourite songs would have to be "Train On Time," "Tightrope" and "Give Me The World."  All for their amazing and melodies, which make them impossible to not sing along to!

Emma Louise - Vs Head Vs Heart

      "Vs Head Vs Heart" is the long awaited debut from Emma Louise, and I have to say it's worth the wait.  Soothing and soulful is how you'd describe it.  All the songs carry a theme of heartbreak or melancholia, but you'd never know if you just listened to the lovely melodies and Emma's voice caressing the notes.  While most of the album is fairly laid back, tracks like "Boy" and "Freedom" up the tempo a bit to a danceable pace.

       Favourites would have to be "Stainache" for it's beautiful piano, and "Freedom" for it's incredibly catchy chorus.

Gold Fields - Black Sun

     Last but not least is the infectious first album by Ballarat boys Gold Fields.  All I can say is that every song will have you nodding your head without you even realising.   Innovative use of tribal beats and harmonies make for an even more exciting experience.

     Favourites are definitely "You're Still Gone," "Meet My Friends," "Dark Again" and "Treehouse"... So most of the album basically.

So there you have it, some of my favourite albums.  Hope you can find some great new music!