Nikko – About the Spirit – 22nd August 2011

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Cat #: 077TZM

Nikko’s latest release, a double A-side single entitled ‘About the Spirit/Smoke Alarms’, features two new tracks taken from the band’s upcoming sophomore album, due for release later this year. 

The tracks demonstrate a stylistic change in direction that showcases frontman Ryan Potter’s skills as a songwriter and lyricist, along with the band’s collective ability to craft these skills into distinctive and compelling arrangements. 

For special deals with t-shirts go here: 
nikko.bandcamp.com/album/about-the-spirit-smoke-alarms

Limited copies of the 7″ available thru tenzenmen soon.

Nikko: 
Ryan Potter – vocals, electric and acoustic guitars 
Sam Whiting – bass 
Jackson Briggs – lead guitar, slide 
Blair Westbrook – drums, percussion 

Guest vocals on ‘About the Spirit’ by Jacinta Walker 
Violin on ‘About the Spirit’ by Adam Cadell 
Piano on ‘Smoke Alarms’ by Daniel Kassulke 

Recorded by Cameron Smith at The Old Museum and Browning Street Studios in June/July 2011. Mixed by Cameron Smith. Mastered by Naomune Anzai at Reel 2 Real Mix Master. Artwork by Trent Evans. 

Special thanks to Cam Smith, Nao Anzai, Jacinta Walker, Adam Cadell, Daniel Kassulke, Elanor Khan, Trent “Big Dog” Evans, Shaun Tenzenmen, all of our wonderful friends and family, anyone who’s ever bought a recording, come to a show or let us sleep on their floor, and the Brisbane and Australian independent music community. Cheers!

Crouching 80s Hidden Acronym​/​Rara Avis – 11th August 2011

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Cat #: 061TZM

Once described as “feel good hip-core”, ‘Crouching 80s Hidden Acronym’ only resist easy classification through a complete lack of musical attention span. Refugees from the country-music embattled north west NSW, Crouching 80s move with the flexibility and martial arts skill of the movie they are loosely named after (but which none of the members have actually seen). The band’s latest release ‘Truth Masseuse’ could be described as math influenced indie punk. 

The disc is a split EP with ‘Rara Avis’, a shoegaze outfit which includes most members of Crouching 80s and friend Andrew Rutherford. This latter half of the split is called “Itch Bin” and sports chunky 8-bit drum sounds. Completely self produced, this split showcases the creativity, versatility and good humour of this group of guys.

Alternative China – 4th August 2011

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Alternative China tumblr

Hot and Cold, Hedgehog, Carsick Cars, Beijing Gig Guide, Mr Graceless, Residence A, Youxi, D-22, Instigation, The Beat Bandits, Shanghai 24/7, Yan Jun, Artspace China, Sub Jam, Kwanyin, Skip Skip Ben Ben, Taipei Times, Pairs, This Town Touring, Rustic, Maybe Mars, Chairman Ca, Jonathan Campbell, Demerit, Brain Failure, 69, Anarchy Jerks, Reflector, Bearded, Martin Atkins, China Music Radar, P.K.14, Snapline, Subs, Pangbianr, Vans, Warped Tour, Jing Daily, Sulumi, Sun Dawei, Shanshui, Northwest Asian Weekly, F, Xiao Zhong, Beijing Daze, Misandao, Andy Best, Kungfuology, Black Metal, Sinica, Michael Pettis, Kaiser Kuo, Archie Hamilton, Pop Up Chinese, Zoomin’ Night, Zhang Shouwang

Rainbow Danger Club – Where Maps End – 14th July 2011

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Cat #: 067TZM

Who is Rainbow Danger Club? 

RDC is a Shanghai, China-based rock quartet with elements of experimental, indie-pop, post-rock, progressive, and electronica. Their unique brand of “experimental pop” has been featured on international mixtapes and podcasts. Their colourful and bombastic stage-presence makes them one of China’s praised live acts. They have attained critical and popular acclaim for their epic pop songs, fingerpick-style guitar riffage, heavy distorted bass, effect-laden trumpet, vocal harmonies, fantastical lyrics, and unconventional songwriting and production. 

RDC’s first full-length album, Where Maps End, is an ambitious, fully-charged musical narrative ripe with leitmotifs and mythological ingredients. Musically, it melts different styles, instrumentations and moods while remaining sonically focused. WME was released in China in March 2011 and has garnered praise from Chinese and international press and blogs including the UK Guardian, MTVIggy, and CNNgo.

Going off! – 22nd May 2011

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Chatswood Youth Centre went off last night, rammed with kids!

13th May 2011 – Not sure who was playing and I was probably just passing by to grab some dinner but it was great to see kids coming out to check out the music and for a while, shows were happening there almost once a month. Picture is taken from a video of Legions playing there at some other time.

When not found in the warehouses and alleyways – 20th May 2011

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Group: ‘I Want Live Music Venues – So I Go To Gigs

A few bands headed out to Orange last year – I think folks are keen to play outside Sydney even if the audience is small.

Hmm – in the punk scene Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth have new vital music scenes and Melbourne bands travelling to there (and Sydney) say how much better it is than Melbourne. Get out of the pubs and make your own venues.

There’s a whole stack of things on tonight outside mainstream venues. I reckon I’ve been to about 6 shows in the last 18 months at regular ‘pub’ venues but I still manage to get to see bands every weekend. I love Sydney!

I’m mostly at Black Wire (blackwiretocommonground.blogspot.com) when not found in the warehouses and alleyways of Marrickville.

Red Rattler also has a good show tonight with UV Race, Holy Balm and Bed Wettin’ Bad Boys (not far from the international noise conference venues) – redrattler.org