Screamfeeder just released Pop Guilt earlier this year. We previously made sure you heard first single “All Over it Again,” and now we’re bringing you a new mix tape from the Brisbane veterans. Check out these picks from Kellie Lloyd and Tim Steward.
Grouper, “I’m Clean Now”
Lloyd: I have so much respect for people who can make super quiet, really intimate and restrained music like this. I can’t find restraint like this; get me on a guitar and I want to play it with distortion and wah-wah pedal. This is so dreamy, so pretty with an edge of danger and sadness. The video is perfect with it, too. Video
Camp Cope, “Done”
Lloyd: The revolution is here. Where are you? Video
Moreton, “The Water”
Lloyd: This swirling, melancholic song flies close to the ground but soars all the same. It’s sparse, with this mesmerizing slow groove, Georgia Potter’s voice a gentle touch. I just love this so much. The video, too; it’s so engrossing. “I can dig my way out of here if I want to/I can run my own race if I’ve already lost.” Video
Gareth Liddiard, “Strange Tourist”
Lloyd: This song defies traditional structure and pushes the boundaries of songwriting into the most sublime place. It’s like a bastard Nick Cave song, strung out, epic and biblical in proportions. I often listen to this as I drive between Toowoomba and Brisbane from visiting my home town. Gareth’s solo album creates all sorts of images in my mind. How does he write songs like this? It’s dark magic. Video
Headland, “Remain On Stop”
Lloyd: You may have heard of Joel Silbersher from the Australian band GOD, Murray Patterson who plays with Tex Perkins in the Dark Horses and Skritch from Brisbane’s Gota Cola and Mary Trembles. You may not have heard of this project though, and it’s music set as the soundtrack to 16mm film footage of early Byron Bay and Lennox Head surfers. It’s a beautiful historic document and just beautiful to watch. The music is gorgeous laid-back surf/Americana. If you’re a fan of Califone, you’ll love this. Video
In Each Hand A Cutlass, “Sartori 101”
Steward: I usually avoid instrumental navel-gazing bands like the plague, but this Singaporean band actually transcends the “prog” genre and combines enough smart rock and pop hooks to make it a really rewarding listen. No one song represents the album, The Kraken, as a whole, so if you’re going for a long drive, do yourself a favour. Video
Worst Party Ever, “Kicking Myself In The Face”
Steward: You know those bands that make you go, “Ah fuck that’s why I love music—that’s what writing songs should be about” and remind you that all your minor 7ths and songs with more than three parts are a waste of time and writing and performing a song should be a simple expression of joy. Lo-fi punks from Florida. Video
Ben Ely, “Goodbye Machine”
Steward: Another voice reminding you why simplicity is so great. This level of purity is so hard to achieve. Brisbane guy Ben has distilled his thoughts down to the bare bones and still managed to make it lush and deep. It’s totally captivating. Video
Kill Dirty Youth, “Pay The Man”
Steward: These Melbourne punks are playing up to all the clichés of the scene with tongue firmly in cheek, but they’re actually the sweetest most genuine punk lifers and music-lovers I’ve met in a long time, total disciples to the cause. Like all Nirvana’s most atonal moments wrapped into every song. Super young, they get better with every release and every gig. Video
TV Haze, “Laundry Day”
Steward: These guys’ melodies are right out of the ballpark. They sound like Neil Young fronting Swervedriver. Flag flyers for noisy dirty pop. I love them. C’mon, feel the noise. Video
