Australia’s Wolf & Cub is one of those rare bands that somehow inhabits multiple genres and gets away with it. Judging from the diverse mix tape the band members collectively made for MAGNET, there are clearly a wide variety of artists influencing them and causing them to constantly evolve their sound. Fans can expect to hear the next “piece of the puzzle” (according to guitarist/vocalist Joel Byrne) with Wolf & Cub’s sophomore full-length, Science & Sorcery, which will be released October 26 via Last Gang Records.
“One To The Other” (download):
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/OneToTheOther.mp3
Joe Cocker “Woman To Woman”
Joel B.: My brother is a DJ so he has a pretty extensive record collection. Whenever we’d be hanging out listening to records, he’d use it as an opportunity to try to “school” me—and anyone else, for that matter—on musical knowledge. One thing he would do would be to play an old track and ask me what part of the song had been sampled or reworked for a new song. This seemed to be the track that would always get played when he was in “teacher” mode. Video
Björk “Declare Independance” (Live On Jools Holland)
Wade: I was in Birmingham, England, on tour and really struggling to keep my head above the water when I saw this on TV and thought I’d stepped in to the future where everything was better. I met Björk backstage at the Big Day Out in Australia, and she touched my face and called me beautiful. Video
Martha Argerich “Ravel’s Jeux D’eau”
Marvin: This is Ravel’s best solo-piano composition, played by the greatest pianist to have ever lived. Not only is this particular video amazing, but Martha is so very foxy that you will enjoy the performance regardless. Sometimes I say to myself, “I would marry her in a second, even though she is now very old,” and I actually mean it. Video
Charlie Feathers “Can’t Hardly Stand it”
Joel C.: Video
The Fall “Dr Buck’s Letter”
Joel B.: I’ve been aware of the Fall and Mark E. Smith for a while but never been a massive fan. This track was on a compilation that one of the bosses at our Australian label put together. When I heard it, I figured it was a track done by someone else that Smith provided the vocal for, so it came as a bit of a shock when I realised it was a Fall track. Video
Serge Gainsbourg “L’hotel Particulier”
Wade: Part of the Melody Nelson series of his work, this is a sexy beast of a song. Most of this track is begging to be sampled by some massive producer and brought back to the world. It’s my favourite Serge song. Huge fan. Also, Mick Harvey from the Bad Seeds does a really evil cover of this song on his Pink Elephants album, which are English translations of Serge songs. Video
Miles Davis “Bitches Brew”
Marvin: Such an obvious choice, but this song is fucking electric. It’s just one chord, 12 guys of all different races and some of the best loops ever. When I listen to this song by myself, I always put my hands up to my mouth and pretend to be playing Miles’ trumpet lines, and it never gets tiresome. I’d love to have this song playing as my bride enters the church on my wedding day, but I can’t see it happening. Video
Naked On The Vague “Treading Water”
Joel C.: Video
Bill Conti Rocky Original Soundtrack
Geinō Yamashirogumi Akira Original Soundtrack
Vangelis Blade Runner Original Soundtrack
Neil Young Dead Man Original Soundtrack
Ennio Morricone The Good, The Bad And The Ugly Original Soundtrack
Etc.
Joel B.: To be honest, all I really want to do is make music for films. I’d say that the majority of the greatest films out there wouldn’t be considered great without the soundtracks that accompany them. Video
Portishead “Machine Gun” (Live In Berlin)
Wade: I. Fucking. Give. Up. Video
