TeenWolf
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Wizards of Aux!
Auckland's best loved, theatrical and over-the-top, fun, fanatic and fantastical band TeenWolf have been long-deserved of a post on
Einstein, but the task was avoided until now due to the sheer overwhelming enormity of their awesomeness.
Yes, they are awesome. Some people rate them higher than the Velvet Underground, and that's saying a lot.
For a while the carnival-like super famous super hotties hid away in their suburban bungalows, and it was feared they'd faded into obscurity. But now there is hushed talk in said suburbs of re-recordings taking place of famed and favourite old songs 'Cosby' and 'The Horror'.
There's even quieter talk of massive, magnificent, stupendously awesome [but probably distant] future release videos for the above songs as well! One can only wait, and spin and re-spin the cute little picture discs they released a couple of years ago, and stole our hearts with.
TeenWolf are easily the best and most original band Auckland's ever seen. If you haven't heard them already, I urge you to check out the MP3s below, and come to their gig at Space in Newmarket, Auckland, on December 9.
Long live Michael J Fox!
Panda Riot
Thursday, November 22, 2007
"Like My Bloody Valentine with break beats"
Panda Riot is the creation of Chicago natives Brian Cook and Rebecca Scott. The pair meet in 2005 while working on a galatictly delightful short film set. Inspired by dreamy imagery and blissful underwater scenery, the pair made an executive decision to alter their career paths and start a band. With co-operation from an ever so willing drum machine, the swirl-pop, sonar rock lovers soon gave birth to Panda Riot.
Drawing influences from My Bloody Valentine, Portishead and The Swirlies the pair worked hard to alter their sound to create their own eclectic niche. Fitting comfortably under the shoegaze bracket, but not entirely fixed to the floor, Panda Riot explore the depths extracting an acute textural layer. Scott's wavering vocal sensitivity, stands nicely blended into bleeps and fuzz, wafting effortlessly as each song slides along inside a cylinder of noise.
The band have recently gained a new member, Justin (last name unknown) who joins the duo on bass and have just released their debut album titled She Dares All Things. It's nine songs full of the sensitivity described above. They are one of the best shoegaze bands to emerge in 2007 and come highly recommended with the Einstein tick.
Panda Riot- She Dares All Things: MP3
Panda Riot- Like Flowers At Night: MP3
Panda Riot- Myspace
The Guest Bedroom
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Oral Trash On The Bedroom Floor
Ok Ok Ok! I realise you may have already heard of The Guest Bedroom, that's because they've been around for a while. but I've just discovered them and I reckon New Zealand music fans deserve to hear them. The band are from Toronto, Canada and like most things coming from the north country these days they have a pretty catchy sound. If you are already a fan of You Say Party! We Say Die! or Land Of Talk then The Guest Bedroom should cast a shadow that grips your heals and follows you home. It might turn out to be a horrific experience and you might puke in the corner, but it might just spin you into a frenzy with far more desirable results.
They describe themselves as 'anti-chorus and pro triumph', put that together with a zest to rebel and you get the resulting melting pot of synth pop/ dance punk mayhem. We all know the The Guest Bedroom is a good place to be a little naughty, but this Guest Bedroom will trash the place, smashing walls with guitars and leaving an assortment of cigarette butts and condom wrappers littered across the floor. Dance punk may have moved on, but bands like this keep the attitude humming and the right to party firmly cemented in time.
Their most recent EP titled Movement was released earlier this year and will sends hooks and spikes shooting out from your stereo. The increase in keys and Sandi Falconer shrieking like a wildcat helps increase the intensity and delivers punchier pop with a scent of cigarettes and coffee.
The Guest Bedroom- Fake Flowers: MP3
The Guest Bedroom- We Need Trips: MP3
The Guest Bedroom- Myspace
It's Time To Poll
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Best Up and Coming New Zealand Artist
WINNER
Bang! Bang! Eche!- Nikee: Mp3
The votes are in and with 54% of the vote Bang! Bang! Eche! were comfortable winners. A big thank you to the 100 people who voted. We love all the bands nominated so check them out below.
Tommy Ill- Cloud Is Shaky: MP3
Holiday With Friends- Hot Water Bottle: MP3
Little Pictures- This House Can Fit Us All: MP3
Teen Wolf- Bloxxx War: MP3
Connan and the Teenagers
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Surprise!
Oh my god! this is soooooo awesome. I don't know where this song came from, but on Wednesday it just showed up in my inbox. At first I thought, oh the Teenagers! sure I've heard them, they rule! Before I deleted the email I quickly scrolled to the bottom and what the fuck? A version of the Teenagers 'Scarlett Johansson' remixed with Connan and the Mockasins. I had to hear it; You have to hear it!
So here it is kids, Connan Hosford singing 'Scarlett Johansson'. It's super duper rad!
Connan and the Mockasins- Scarlett Johansson: MP3
The Paper Cranes
Thursday, November 01, 2007
If I Explode It's Because I Love You
For a short period recently I struggled to find a good guitar driven indie sounding pop band. That all changed when I heard The Paper Cranes song 'I'll Love You Until My Veins Explode'. Isn't that the most romantic title, admit it! you know it is....don't be scared to fall in love.
Their simple pop melody is wrapped up in poetic lyrics Ezra Pound would be proud of. The Paper Cranes will clutch onto the heartstrings of every intellectual music fan; perhaps Canada's answer to Belle and Sebastian but without the highland wit.
Formed in Victoria, British Columbia in 2005, The Paper Cranes have gained a steady following of fans throughout their homeland. But despite supporting acts such as We Are Scientists, Pretty Girls Make Graves and Wolf Parade the bands appeal has not yet reached a wider niche. With blogs starting to spread the hype, maybe The Paper Cranes wings will unfold.
The band currently have two releases. An EP titled Veins and their recently released debut full length record, Halcyon Days. In true indie fashion the album is only available at shows, but don't fret, if you're in Canada you can buy it in stores soon. One final interesting fact: Ryan McCullagh (vocals) and Miranda Roach (keyboards) are husband and wife.
The Paper Cranes- I'll Love You Until My Veins Explode: MP3
The Paper Cranes- Milkrun: MP3
The Paper Cranes- Myspace
Auckland's best loved, theatrical and over-the-top, fun, fanatic and fantastical band TeenWolf have been long-deserved of a post on Einstein, but the task was avoided until now due to the sheer overwhelming enormity of their awesomeness.
