Review: Little Scout - The Dead Loss EP

Back at the start of the year I posted a list of bands to keep an eye on in 2008. One of those bands was Rooftop Nightwatch, who played a number of excellent gigs last year, but have since slipped beneath the waves. Fortunately, the band lives on in the guise of Little Scout, which features Rooftop Nightwatchers Mel Tickle and Pat Elliott, as well as new additions Kirsty Tickle and a part-time drum machine.

The result of this collaboration is The Dead Loss EP, which features 5 songs, some which are old Rooftop tracks and some that are newer ones. The opening track, 'Festival' is part of the former group. The graceful tale of love and loss at a carnival begins with understated electric guitar and beautifully subtle vocals, before moving into a chorus reminiscent of Broken Social Scene's more upbeat moments. Trombone and backup vocals from Elliott help to give the song a misleading amount of size, with the song segueing between the quieter and louder moments with ease.

The second track, 'Dead Loss' starts of with a minutes worth of Eno-esque synth swirls before the motorik-style drum loop kicks in. Mel Tickle's vocals swerve 'Dead Loss' in a direction other then Berlin, however, and by the time the extra drums appear halfway through (actual drums, not a machine this time) Little Scout have stamped out their own little slice of pop. The result is that the impressive 'Dead Loss' comes off as the perfect middle ground between the twee rave-up of Belle and Sebastian's 'Electronic Renaissance', and Slowdive's shoegaze come down 'Catch The Breeze'.

The last three tracks of the EP come close to reaching the potential of 'Festival' and 'Dead Loss'. 'Train On Time' is the best of the three, with Elliott and Tickle splitting the vocal duties for this wistful ballad full of chimes, glockenspiel, and even a bit of a capella towards the end. 'The Dress' is another duet, but this time with a bit more pace, and is reminiscent of The Lucksmiths (but again with extra glockenspiel!). 'Seven Day Week' works well as a closing song, with the production leading the song to sound somewhat distant, and, combined with Tickle's resigned vocals, the song manages to convey quite a lot of emotion.

It will be interesting to see what future course the band takes. While the majority of the EP sticks to the acoustic twee pop that Rooftop Nightwatch came up with, Little Scout's dip into electronica on 'Dead Loss' results in the strongest song here, and if the bands recent live shows are anything to go by then that might be the direction they are headed in. But in the meantime the Dead Loss EP provides a nice combination of both styles, and any fan of indie pop will certainly enjoy this release.

N.B. You may have noticed that I haven't posted much in recent times. Well that's because I'm now living in China! I plan to continue writing, however, as I have about half a dozen albums I still havent reviewed. This review might also seem a bit disjointed as well. I began writing it a month and a bit a go, but due to the move I had to put it on hold.

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Bands To Watch In 2008

A happy new year to all our readers! We here at Before Hollywood are hoping for 2008 to be a big year for this blog and Brisbane music. With a massive amount of artists puring out of the woodworks in 2007, I've made an attempt at whittling it down to a select few who are likely to kick it loud in 2008. This list is by no means definitive, but if I can introduce you to one or two new favourite bands then my mission is accomplished.

Influenza

Influenza are a band you'll either really love or really hate. Combining a sound reminiscent of Crystal Castles with a irreverent dose of late-1980s East Coast hip-hop thrown in for good measure, this duo has sneaked into this list on the back of a trio of good gigs this month.


Rooftop Nightwatch

Rooftop Nightwatch have been attracting a lot of attention (including from us), and there is no doubt they keep on rising in 2008. As this article is being typed the band is recording its debut EP with producer Miro Mackie. With the wealth of great songs the band already has in its repertoire you can expect the EP to be a keeper.

Shakes

Any mention of Shakes is bound to be accompanied by Arcade Fire comparisons. But there is so much more to the band than that. Shakes combines that current indie pop sound with layers of atmospheric distortion and off kilter drumming. Betony Dircks' haunting vocals tie together the awkward combination to create music that is just screaming to be put on vinyl.

Shakes - Don't Let The Wicked City Get You Down

Shiver Like Timber

Not one to rest on her laurels, Betony makes another appearance on the list in the guise of her solo project, Shiver Like Timber. While an EP was released in 2006, it has taken a while for Shiver Like Timber's music to catch on. A number of mentions in interstate blogs and street press' are sure to propel her into 2008, however, and hopefully will be a catalyst for further recording.

Shiver Like Timber - Arctic Esplanade (Live At The Harvest Room)

Capital

Capital have been a bit silent in recent times, but don't let that fool you. This is a band full to the brim with Beatlesque guitar hooks and vocal harmonies, and anyone who has caught them live will attest to their ability to make the punters dance. If the band can continue to write pop gems like 'On My Way' then they could turn out to be a formidable force.

Capital - On My Way


Monster Monster

Daniel Wright, a.k.a. Monster Monster is the black sheep of this list. Instrumental hip-hop isn't widespread at the best of times, and in Brisbane it is next to non-existent. This makes the beats and bleeps of Monster Monster's music all the more endearing. Between sampling Dr. Karl and releasing songs on SD Card's, he has had the time to create the truly epic 'Nine Minutes And Fifty Something Seconds', a composition that comes off as a miniature Endtroducing. The track will be the first of what will hopefully be numerous releases from Monster Monster in 2008.


Re:Enactment

The Re:Enactment are quite obviously influenced by Nine Inch Nails, but rather then simply going for a straight out industrial sound the band takes that sound and mashes it up with the current electro-rock trend doing the rounds. While the effect is not yet consistent, when things come together the Re:Enactment really shine. Shambolic vocals and 8-bit beeps give way to Rhodes organs and searing guitar with nimble ease to create a unique palette of sound. Having just recorded an EP you'll be sure to hear more about the Re:Enactment in 2008.

Re:Enactment - Arctic Circle


A Man Called Son

Including A Man Called Son, a.k.a Simon Pearlman, in this list might be cheating a bit. Simon has spent the last couple of months in Europe, and apparently has the intention of moving to Melbourne once he returns. But credit where credit is due, A Man Called Son creates some of the most beautiful music with even one foot in Brisbane at the moment. If the songs 'Been Here Too Long' and 'Sundogs' are anything to go by then A Man Called Son's Survive In The Shadows EP and debut album, both to be released in 2008, are certain to be well received.

Arrows

Arrows sound like a less whiny Smashing Pumpkins (I don't really like Smashing Pumpkins, I quite like Arrows however). They also sound like a more up tempo Slint. This combination works wonderfully as anyone who has heard the 12" they released with These Hands Could Separate The Sky back in October will attest. Having just signed to Victorian-based Hobbledehoy Records, Arrows are preparing to record their debut album which will hopefully build on their promising sound.

Arrows - Don't Interrupt Me While I'm Working

To The North

To The North also seem to utilise Slint as a touchstone, but end up spinning it off into a post-Hardcore sound in the vein of Fugazi or Big Black, with a little bit of jazz influence thrown in for good measure. The result is a sound as intriguing as it is messy. Although having just released an EP, To The North plan on returning to the studio in January. Keep an ear out for the results of this venture.

To The North - We Are Not Ashamed (Live)

Do The Robot

If you felt the need to pidgeonhole Do The Robot you would most likely go straight for the Shoegaze tag, and you probably should given guitarist Matt's penchant for Kevin Shieldsesque guitar antics (My sincerest apologies for using that expression). But leaving it at that would fail to do justice to Do The Robot's unique sound, a sound that melds indie pop, trip-hop, and shoegaze into a beautiful, yet noisy affair.


Feathers

Sounding like some unholy trinity of The Stooges, Bauhaus, and The Slits, Feathers are following that long upheld tradition of Brisbane bands: making a lot of noise. This all female trio have yet to have a release yet so keep an eye out in 2008.


Willows

For a band that has only been playing live since September, Willows have a very unique sound, taking the sound of early 90's lo-fi bands like Archers Of Loaf and Guided By Voices and twisting into epic post-rock arrangements. If they can build on that sound they could turn out to be a major player in Brisbane music by the end of 2008.

Nova Scotia

No guessing where Nova Scotia's influences lay, as it blatantly states on their myspace, "sounds like (a) Pavement ripoff band." And while it is difficult to not conjure thoughts of Pavement while listening to Nova Scotia, it isn't difficult to realise that their debut EP, Bear Smashes Photocopier, was one of the best Brisbane releases of 2007.

Secret Birds

I can't admit to knowing a lot about these guys, but from the random tidbits of information I've gathered I really like the sound of them. Comprising of members of a number of good Brisbane bands from the past and present (On/Oxx, Stature::Statue, John Steel Singers) and excessive amounts of percussion, the Secret Birds ply a sound reminiscent of the new wave of psychedelic rock bands like Comets On Fire. I promise to catch them live early this year and give you some more solid information.

Let's Not (But Say We Did)

Let's Not (But Say We Did) is the vehicle of Nick Smethurst, a folkster of quite some talent. Trying to think of a comparison to his lyrical style my mind continually returns to Grant McLennan (and I don't say that lightly). While the band had planned to release its debut album in 2007, a lineup rotation with the addition of three members has lead to delays. The album, Epithets, will be recorded early this year.

Let's Not (But Say We Did) - Now See The Film (Live At The Troubadour)

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Weekly News - December 7th

• Its December and that means end of the year lists, and locally there's none bigger then 4ZzZ's Hottest 100. Anyone can vote, however 4ZzZ subscribers go in the running to win 10 CD's. Entries close Christmas Day, so get in quick and vote here.

• Undertow, the Gold Coast's resident street press, is releasing a compilation showcasing the city's musical talent. The featured artists cover the spectrum of the Gold Coast music scene, ranging from the internationally and nationally recognised (Operator Please, Winnie Coopers), to local favourites (The Daisycutters, The Presidents Bush). Proceeds from sales of the CD go to charity so make sure to pick up a copy when its released next week.
  

• Garage-punks The Busymen are launching their debut album this week (a decade after they formed!). Distort All Levels is being released on Turkeyneck Records and promises to serve up a uniquely 'Brisbane' take on the proto-punk sound of the 60's.
  

• Things are on the up and up for Del Toro. The band have recently finished recording their debut album, Hydra, with veteran producer Casey Rice (Tortoise, Veruca Salt, Dirty Three). The first evidence of this is the stellar track 'Unlimited', available to hear on the band's Myspace. The trio have also scored support slots in January for US alternative heavyweights Low and Built To Spill.

• Brisbane's very own supergroup (of sorts), Rooftop Nightwatch, have unleashed a bunch of demos. Don't let the tag put you off though, these are excellent quality recordings so be sure to check them out.

• For those lamenting Brisbane's prodigal instrumental hip-hopper's Briztronix (Who have recently released their debut LP), I suggest having a listen to the latest release from Monster Monster. The track 'Nine Minutes And Fifty Something Seconds' is to be released as a single in the future, but for now you can listen to part of it in the Monster Monster's myspace.
  

• Bit of a public service announcement to finish off. Mary Trembles bassist Tanzie had three guitars stolen last Saturday in Bowen Hills and would probably like them back. Check out the details here if you know anything.
  

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Mt. Augustus, Rooftop Nightwatch @ Ric's Bar (9.8.07)

Quick disclaimer on this one; one half of this blog is the creative talent behind Mt. Augustus, the other half of this blog is the author of this review however, so no bias I swear.

This was the debut performance of so-called 'Brisbane super group' Rooftop Nightwatch. Sporting members of John Steele Singers and Roman History, I had reasonably high expectations for the band, however I was blown away by how tight the band was for their first show. Visibly nervous about their debut, the band showcased a sound somewhere in between alternative-country and indie-pop and came off something akin to The Lucksmiths or Augie March. Having said that, they didn't stick with any one formula for a song. The constant switching of instruments and vocalists (Pat E and Melissa both sung beautifully) left each track feeling as fresh as the previous. While there were stand out songs, the lack of titles as of yet makes them hard to identify; the second song (which the band claims was an attempt to channel Burt Bacharach)was an excellent piece of pop songwriting, while a later track had Pat M switching bass for guitar and producing a sound Stephen Stills would be envious of. With such an excellent start for the band I can only see Rooftop Nightwatch becoming a scene staple.

Mt Augustus kicked off with 'The Warmest Winter', a track which is my favourite of the bands, and proved straight off the mark why they are one of the best bands kicking it around Brisbane at the moment. Cam vocals sound like some sort of unholy union of Jeff Magnum and Gareth Liddiard, while Pat E (also of the aforementioned Rooftop Nightwatch), Daniel, and Simon, back him up with a sound that channels but never clones the sound of the bands main influences, Neutral Milk Hotel and Okkervil River. The bands set was almost chronological, with earlier tracks such as 'Edith' and 'Mt Augustus' being brought out earlier. Towards the end of the set the band delved into tracks of their new EP, Monolith. It was hard to pick my favourite songs of the night, however new track 'Club Soda', the epic 'Reverend Storm', and the musical saw-accompanied '12 Hour Trip' were all excellent.

Keep an eye out for a review of Mt Augustus' Monolith EP. as soon as I can get my hands on the damned thing!

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