An A-Z of Melbourne Music: Dwarf Style
Ctrl + P this if you’re ever in rambunctious Melbourne town. Probably almost as renowned for its killer music scene as for its ridiculous weather, Melbourne has a breadth of bands from all genres on display to take your mind off the fact that a typhoon has emerged from nowhere. Keep an eye for these little-known but hugely talented Melbournites.
A- Although originally from New Zealand (hey, what better do Australians do than claim successful Kiwis as their own? Russel Crowe was a true-blue Aussie when he won an Oscar but when he started hurling phones at people, we sent him right back like soup with a hair in it) Anna Gilkinson has been wowing Melbourne audiences in the town’s rich jazz and blues scene for years now. Her voice is reminiscent of history’s pioneering female vocalists, floating on air like a plastic bag in that scene in American Beauty. As well as an established solo artist, Anna also fronts Rhymes with Donkey with fellow Melbourne jazz muso Henry Manetta and heads AGQ with acclaimed pianist Adam Rudegeair. Phew!
http://www.myspace.com/annagilkison
B- (The) Barons of Tang: I can’t say enough about these guys. Having touted their wares on the Dwarf before (http://www.thedwarf.com.au/nd/bands/australian/b/barons_of_tang_the) I can only continue to forcefully recommend that everyone check these guys out (I may use violence if need be...or will I? Nah, I won’t. Or will I...?) Their gypsy-punk style of swing/tango music makes for quite the dancin’, shakin’ night out. It’s like an excited Spanish villa where everyone drinks Carlton Draught!
http://www.myspace.com/thebaronsoftang
C- Already reaching radio success and enjoying massive kudos from her debut album All The Way, CC Martini is Melbourne’s favourite ginger. Destroying rooms like Revolver and First Floor, CC punches up with her hip-hop/ pop-rock crammed with catchy and humorous lyrics and irresistible beats. The chick is an entertainer.
http://www.myspace.com/ccmartini
D- Defend The Melody are a five-piece from Melbourne. Sounds boring, right? Well, you’ll most certainly eat those words like so much Elizabeth Street pizza when you hear them. The luminary of the show is frontwoman and heart and soul of the gang, Carolyn, who incredible vocals will give you shivers. Swinging between ambient-esque pop to trip-hop, DTF will send away on a cloud soaked with wine.
http://www.myspace.com/defendthemelody
E- “Andrew Bolt will die in the left wing of the hospital”. Emilie Zoey Baker is Melbourne’s own John Cooper Clarke; fiery, candid and hilarious. Emilie speaks openly about the dregs and delights of society and pop culture, from Bratz to Bolt of the Andrew variety. Dwarfly recommended!
http://www.myspace.com/emiliezoeybaker
F- Flap! are a cult Melbourne act; spreading their jazz-cabaret and covering the odd Steve Miller track (Abracadabra) and generally inciting good times wherever they may roam. Frontwoman Jess has the delicate, bouncy voice to make you boogie (for lack of a better synonym). The band’s varying influences and instrumentation allow for a sumptuous medley of carnival music and speedy jazz; a cabaret- style hoedown.
http://www.myspace.com/weflapon
G- George Kamikawa may be a completely unfamiliar name to most of you; though many, like me, have stumbled upon George’s insane slide-guitar action, distinctive cowboy hat and rusty blues vocals on the Bourke Street Mall in Melbourne City. Melb’s favourite busker, he is able to master the blues despite his thick Japanese intonation, his fingers whirr across his lap-steel like speedy flies, and his covers of blues and country standards (especially Elmore James’ Shake Your Moneymaker) can even rival their original versions. Meet Victoria’s Japanese Blues Cowboy.
http://www.myspace.com/georgekamikawa
H- Horse Competition may have an odd name, but their music is...well, a little odd too. Check out their ‘Space for the blinder Doors and Windows, and be sure to keep an eye out for these guys; with a little preen and polish, HC could be invading your radios with their chaotic rock-noise any time soon.
http://www.myspace.com/horsecompetition
I- (The) Ins And Outs make me smile. Their pleasant rock-blues reminds me of the funk of old and the carefree summer nights you might spend spilling beer at the Espy or trolling the beach for shells, trying to step over broken bottles (hey, Melbourne never claimed to be perfect). Their slower balladry is humble and peaceful like James Taylor with balls.
http://www.myspace.com/jordanville1
J- Harmoness Jesse Whistler was unknown even to me until the glory of MySpace shone the light (the only thing the ‘Space is ever really good for). Jesse is a diamond in the Melbourne rough; fronting King Tebbutt & Whistler as well as her solo endeavours, her voice is glittering and sleek even amongst the harsh Victorian weather.
http://www.myspace.com/jessewhistler
K- Oh man, it’s been so long since a decent pop-rock act made me bop. Kingbayler, a relatively quiet but intriguing Melb band, haven’t been on the gig scene so for a while, but the songs on their ‘Space are anticipatory enough. Check out the smooth So Long for some trouble-free, funky action.
http://www.myspace.com/kingbayler
L- Lady Lash is the kind of act I would even recommend to my stuck-in-the-rnb-phase sister. Though her MySpace songs don’t do her enough justice, Lash embodies some of the best in urban ladies, from Aaliyah to TLC. When not fronting Funk in Public, Lash has her own success as one of Australia’s upcoming hip-hop promises.
http://www.myspace.com/187lash
M- Melodious Melbourne mistress (alliteration is my bitch!) Maudita is our own adorable little uke-strumming harmoness. With a tiny, melodic voice and that weightless, fluffiness to her music, I guarantee she will put you in a better mood in minutes. Tea and Maudita is my recipe for the day- go forth and devour!
http://www.myspace.com/mauditauke
N- The words “country pop” may bring about visions of chequered-apron-wearing farm wenches milking cows and having hoedowns, but one listen of Nici Blues Eyes changes everything. Sweet without being saccharine, strong without being aggressive, Nici Blue Eyes is headed by, prizes for whoever guesses it, Nici Blue Eyes and her down-home country charm that’s smooth like buttah.
http://www.myspace.com/niciblueeyes
O- Ouch My Face apparently grew out of “three country kids who, through necessity, found themselves in a little concrete shoebox in the inner suburbs of Melbourne”. This explains a lot; fierce and energetic, OMF are a punk detonation the likes of Melbourne’s quiet streets may live to regret (but not likely). Spiky Celeste heads the band and, with her piping screams and shredding prowess, splits your face right up. Maybe that’s where the name comes from? Worst. Pun. Ever.
http://www.myspace.com/ouchmyfaceband
P- (The) Pryor Theory make jambalaya music. That is, their tunes blend together a great mess of genres from jazz, electronica, rock, pop and soul and most planets in between. Sampling and scratching, crooning and rocking; these guys are showing massive potential to sock Melbourne right up inside itself.
www.myspace.com/thepryortheory
Q- Rock and roll may not be dead, but it’s losing a lot of blood. Some bands need to step out of the skinny-legged lazy neon jumping castle of trend and pull Melbourne back to its original city soundtrack: rock and roll. We have never needed bands like Quadraphonic more. I won’t say they and bands of their ilk are doing anything hugely original or groundbreaking but, the fact of the matter is and always will be; they rock out. Head down to the Espy any night of the week and you’ll see this is what punters need. Quit crying on stage, emo kid, and let professionals handle this.
http://www.myspace.com/quadraphonictheband
R- ROOT! have assembled from the fires, like a phoenix, or a raincloud, from the ashes of Melbourne cynic darlings TISM; if there’s one band that need not (and never will) mince words, it’s ROOT!. Their country-rock compositions and vitriolic, satirical lyrics on everything from Caroline Springs to Tex Perkins and they’re funnier than a bag of snakes (have I got that euphemism right? Snakes in bags are funny, right?).
http://www.myspace.com/rootthemusic
S- (The) Sugarfree Masons’ genre on MySpace is apparently “Indie” though their music tells a decidedly different story. Though their ‘Space only bears one song, the pure pop strength of this track makes me adore them already. They have a kind of break-out-into-song-spontaneously feel about them; they’re all horns and head bobbing drum beats to your delight. Do yourself some happy and check out these cats.
http://www.myspace.com/sugarfreemasons
T- Like dirty, chick-garage rock? Then check out Melbourne firestarters Trash Ivory. Though TI have been quiet on the gig front of late, having seen their ferocity in the flesh, I can vouch for them. Taking leaves from the Joan Jett and Slits trees, and painting them greenish orange (alright, obscure reference: Kurt Cobain once not-so-famously said, on grunge; “isn't that some gross shade of greenishorange?” Now you know), and serving it all up cannibal-girl style.
http://www.myspace.com/trashivory
U- Holy shit. That’s the first thing I thought upon hearing Unrequited’s singer Heather. Jesus Christ, this chick is amazing, why don’t people know about this band? If only I were in some sort of position to let people know about new and/or unknown musical acts in Melbourne and beyond. Oh, wait, I totally am! Unrequited mix soaring electronica-rock and classical qualities to produce this serenely comforting yet, at the same time, perfectly devastating sound. It’s beautiful, like Delirium and Depeche Mode having sex in a forest while the better songs of Tori Amos watch on.
http://www.myspace.com/unrequitedtheband
V- And now for something completely different. Vardos may not be playing Revolver every other Saturday, but their success is dependent on far more than beats and rhymes. Part of Melbourne’s unique multicultural musical subculture, Vardos play “traditional Hungarian and Romanian music”. That probably sounds like a bad wedding reception to you, but, once again, do not be fooled by their commonplace appearance or the unjust account I am giving. Vardos, like the Barons of Tang earlier, play genuinely energetic, exciting and rabble- rousing music to get your feet offa the ground and your skirt- should you be wearing one- spinning like a....er, some European spinning toy.
W- (The) Wayward Fancies are as whimsical as their name predicts; bluegrassy guitars and earthy, country-tinged vocals from the two ladies that make up TWF. Fiddles, ukes and sharp-retro style leaves a minty taste in your mouth. Minty nice, not Peppermint. That shit is gross.
http://www.myspace.com/thewaywardfancies
X- Yes, actually, it was quite difficult to find someone whose alias, name or stage persona began with X. Especially one that wasn’t “X-TREME” something, eugh. Luckily, the X I found was the lovely Xana; a self-made down-to-earth artist of scrappy charm and divine lyricism. Like everything Missy should’ve been, Xana has sweetness and maturity in wheelbarrows, where most have in spades. That’s another pun. I’m hilarious. Xana impressed me so much, actually, I asked the lady to post the Dwarf a copy of her EP so I could review it, a review she nicely linked on her ‘Space. The system works!
http://www.myspace.com/xanatunes
Y- Yohosie remind me of several things at once; Acid. An American band called The Vincent Black Shadow. The beach. Gin. They have managed to collect a mass of varying influence and sounds in their pursuit of the Yohosie personality; and it’s working a treat. Built on improvisation and melding rock with classical elements (that’s Xani Kolac on violin, say hello!) with a kind of undercurrent of the more underground “avant-garde” bands...you know, bashing pans and kicking guitars and that. In a good way.
http://www.myspace.com/yohosie
Z- Zzzz....huh, what? Yeah, look, you try and find a decent Melbourne band starting with Z. Were Zed from Victoria? They had that one song, Renegade Fighter, which was kinda catchy. Why do Zed remind me of John Farnham’s son’s band? Nana Zhami? Are they still around? Man, I really dig Oingo Boingo.
