Ben Mason's Favourite Things
Image courtesy of the artist
Ben Mason is a Melbourne musician. Formerly of Melbourne psych-pop group the Smallgoods, Ben has also released two a'capella albums in his Acapulco series. In 2013 he also released The Odessey Odyssey, a song for song, note for note re-recording of the Zombies' album Odessey and Oracle, playing every part himself.
Holes and Corners is Ben's debut solo release, which he recorded and produced at home before sending it to Portland, Oregon for mixing by Adam Selzer (M Ward, Laura Gibson).
Listen to the album and watch the clips for "Avoiding A Fight" and "Black Sky, Yellow Moon" here.
Holes and Corners is Ben's debut solo release, which he recorded and produced at home before sending it to Portland, Oregon for mixing by Adam Selzer (M Ward, Laura Gibson).
Listen to the album and watch the clips for "Avoiding A Fight" and "Black Sky, Yellow Moon" here.
Emily Ulman & Major Tom's, Kyneton
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So, when I'm not being a famous rock'n'roll star, I work with kids. Any time I ask them what their favourite colour is, they tell me about seven colours! I don't think they get that you can't have more than one favourite of something.
I'm going to do the same. I'm going to tell you a bunch of my favourite things. Musical things. Songs, albums, videos, venues, places to get music. All my favourites. Oh yeah, and my favourite colour is red. My favourite female Melbourne based singer to sing duets with would have to be Emily Ulman. You'll be seeing her cute mug all around town soon, because she has a new album coming out. |
Recently we played together at a great new venue in the Central Victorian town of Kyneton, called Major Tom's. It's my new favourite regional venue. You should have been there!
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Zeus and The Muses
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My most favourite thing ever is music. When I was younger, I used to love finding new bands and becoming totally obsessed with them. Buying everything they ever released. Buying their tshirts. It's been a long time since I've been obsessed with a band like that.
Then Zeus came along. It all started with this music video. My friend Paul from The Muses (my favourite place to buy music) got me into them.
They have a new album out now, called "Classic Zeus". I'm waiting for my copy to arrive. If you don't have Spotify, you can stream it here. I've only heard it a few times so not sure if it's my favourite of the year yet, but their last album was my favourite of that year, so here's hoping! |
Zeus image courtesy of canvasmedia.ca
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Rachel Blumberg
I want to talk to you about my favourite musician friend.
Her name is Rachel Blumberg and she is from Portland, Oregon.
Rachel has played drums in bands such as the Decemberists, Bright Eyes, Norfolk and Western and M Ward.
Her name is Rachel Blumberg and she is from Portland, Oregon.
Rachel has played drums in bands such as the Decemberists, Bright Eyes, Norfolk and Western and M Ward.
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Artwork by Rachel Blumberg
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I met Rachel when my old band, the Smallgoods toured with Jolie Holland and then again with Mirah.
Rachel makes her own music under the name Arch Cape and is also a fantastic artist, stop motion animator and beautiful human being. Check her out! 
Artwork by Rachel Blumberg
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Clue to Kalo
Clue to Kalo - The Motives Records
I went to the launch of Clue to Kalo's new album, The Motives Records on Saturday night. It was a small affair. Small and intimate. My favourite kind of show.
Clue to Kalo is one man band, Mark Mitchell. Originally from Adelaide, but now living in Melbourne. His 2005 release, One Way, It's Every Way is one of my favourite Australian releases of all time. An amazing mix of acoustic and electronic with clever and insightful lyrics.
The new album is only available digitally at this stage. He gave out download codes with entry to the show last night. I'm yet to download it or hear it, bit if last night was anything to go by, it's going to be up there in my faves for the year.
You can hear some new tracks on his Soundcloud page or stream his earlier stuff on Spotify or Rdio. "Seconds When it's Minutes" is one of the greatest songs ever written.
Clue to Kalo is one man band, Mark Mitchell. Originally from Adelaide, but now living in Melbourne. His 2005 release, One Way, It's Every Way is one of my favourite Australian releases of all time. An amazing mix of acoustic and electronic with clever and insightful lyrics.
The new album is only available digitally at this stage. He gave out download codes with entry to the show last night. I'm yet to download it or hear it, bit if last night was anything to go by, it's going to be up there in my faves for the year.
You can hear some new tracks on his Soundcloud page or stream his earlier stuff on Spotify or Rdio. "Seconds When it's Minutes" is one of the greatest songs ever written.
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Beck "Blackbird Chain"
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I sometimes wonder if I'm the only one that obsesses over particular songs or albums. I know I'm not. I remember someone telling me in Uni that their friend had a cassingle in their car that they had on repeat all the time. It just kept flipping sides and playing the same song over and over and over again. That would drive me insane. They probably didn't even listen to it after a while. Just had it as background noise. Like turning the telly on when you get home.
Beck's new album, Morning Phase is pretty good. Really good actually. I've been listening to it a bit. But there's one song on the album that I'm obsessing over. "Blackbird Chain". As soon as it finishes, I hit the back button and play it again. Sometimes more than once. Sometimes, when I put the album on, I skip all the way to track 9 to play it first, then start the album from the start again. OCD? Maybe! But who cares! It's such a great song!! |