It's a bit of a different approach this week. See what you think...



SubPop always maintain a pretty cool roster of bands all across the indie spectrum, and right now it is no different, with great acts like The Shins, Loney Dear, Iron and Wine and Band of Horses on the books. (Incidentally, another SubPop band Shout Out Louds are at the Corner on Friday). One of SubPop's latest signings, breezy and intricate girl-boy pop duo The Brunettes, are here in Melbourne this weekend from across the Tasman, touring in support of their new record, Structure and Cosmetics. I haven’t heard this record in full but the songs I’ve heard have impressed me so I’m keen to seen them live.

This gig will also be a good chance to also hear Melbourne harmony popsters The Smallgoods who have just released their 2nd album Down on the Farm through Lost and Lonesome. But don’t stress if you can’t make it because they've scheduled more gigs later this month including an album launch on September 28.

Who: The Brunettes (NZ) + The Smallgoods + The Rise and Demise
When: Saturday, 8pm
Where: The East Brunswick Club
How Much: $15+bf



2. Love of Diagrams @ The Tote, Friday

After signing to Matador Records about a year ago Love of Diagrams became Melbourne's latest major indie export. But it’s not all hype, their urgent and jerky no-wave style produces some great tracks. Their album of this year Mosaic has been given a good rotation on my CD player over the last few month, Monika Fikerle is a extremely accomplished drummer, and the low end bass and distressing shriek of Antonia Sellbach gives the music a pretty distinct and harrowing texture.

They are pretty good live act too. If I had any criticisms though I would say they are a bit too one-paced and don’t engage with the audience enough. I personally think they should do a short set ala My Disco. Definitely worth catching though if you haven’t seen them before.

Who: Love of Diagrams + Panel of Judges + St Helens + Straight Arrows (NSW)
When: Friday, 8:30
Where: The Tote
How Much: $10+bf


3. Mercy Arms @ Northcote Social Club, Friday

This one’s all about the hype. Mercy Arms were on Capitol Records before being being dropped when they shed lots of acts late last year. They got a very positive live review in mess and noise last week, but when I saw them a few months back I thought they were pretty meh. Stylish post-punk but energetic, screamy, and quite theatrical. Of course it was much more polished than what you'd usually get for about ten bucks, but forgive me for sounding like I'm 65 years old, I found them a bit too noisy, and it was hard to see how there could be such a buzz around them.

Ghostwood are a recent Modular signing, also from Sydney and have just released a new EP. I haven’t seen them, but they’re also of the post-punk ilk.

I assume this gig will pull a great crowd so local art-rockers Bachelor of Arts who have just released an EP have been lucky enough to score the other support slot.

Who: Mercy Arms (NSW) + Ghostwood (NSW) + Bachelor of Arts
When: Friday, 8:30
Where: Northcote Social Club
How Much: $10+bf


4. The City on Film @ Northcote Social Club, Sunday

According to the Northcote Social Club website, The City on Film were one of the first emo bands. Don’t let that put you off though. For starters the first wave of emo was pretty different to the newer stuff. More intelligent lyrics, catchier tunes . See Sunny Day Real Estate for instance.

The second reason why this gig interests, are the local supports. I’m a big fan of melodic and heartfelt acoustic country pop group The Small Knives. I caught them last week at the Toff, and their new tunes of their soon-to-be released second record Smoke and Mirrors sounded pretty sweet. We’ve rabbited on all year about the other support - Pikelet.

Who: The City On Film + The Small Knives + Pikelet
Where: Northcote Social Club
When: Sunday 8pm
How Much: $15


5. Ned Collette @ Manchester Lane, Thursday

Ned’s back from his tour overseas with Joanna Newsom, has got a band now, and a new album coming out soon.

If you’ve seen him before it will be interesting not only to hear Ned’s new songs but also to see how he integrates his loopy delay pedal with a live band. If you haven’t, just enjoy the tunes of one of the finest contemporary musicians in this town.

Who: Ned Collette + Conway Savage + Andrew McCubbin and the Hope Addicts
Where: Manchester Lane
When: Thursday, 8:30
How Much; $10


6. Francis Plagne - Album Launch @ The Toff, Friday

Francis Plagne’s acoustic guitar pop and introspective sound art didn’t grab me at all when I caught him a few months back at Cloud City. But, he’s only young so probably prone to some bad nights, and some good people with respectable opinions think he has got the goods. Make up your own mind at the Toff on Friday when Francis launches his self-titled debut record.

Who: Francis Plagne + Barrage + more
When: Friday, 8pm
Where: The Toff in Town
How Much: $10


7. Mach Pelican – Farewell Show @ The Tote, Saturday

Visa issues are the reported reason for this farewell gig from Japanese punk rockers Mach Pelican. This is their final ever show in this country after spending more than ten years here. I’m can’t remember when I’ve seen this band before, but from memory they were very entertaining. Could it have been on Hey Hey It’s Saturday? Maybe Recovery?

A wide range of support acts will join them for the final show including fun fun fun from The Spazzys who appear to have scored the support slot for Marilyn Manson (?) for his Melbourne show on his upcoming Australian tour.

Who: Mach Pelican + The Spazzys + The Volcanics (WA) + The Shimmys
Where: The Tote
When: Saturday
How Much: $12+bf


8. The Pictures - Album Launch @ The Toff, Saturday

With You Am I on temporary hiatus, Tim Rogers has recorded a solo album due out later this year, while guitarist Davey Lane turns his attention to The Pictures.

Earlier in the year when The Pictures supported Canadian power pop pioneers Sloan I thought they stacked up pretty well. While you are unlikely to uncover any musical surprises with The Pictures, it’s unprententious, hook laden three minute rock 'n roll done very well. As Davey says on their myspace about the new record:

‘If it pisses off the 'mess and noise' types (which is probably a given anyway) we will know we have carried out the task at hand with GREAT SUCCESS!’

For everyone else, this gig’s destined not to disappoint.

Who: The Pictures + Chuck Jenkins
Where: The Toff in Town
When: Saturday 8pm
How Much: $12


9. 4x4: Four myspace songs from four bands @ The Tote, Thursday

Myspace has certainly been a useful tool for musos and music fans alike. For the artists it provides an wider opportunity to be heard, and cheaper way to promote. For fans it is amazing resource for learning and discovering new artists. In all likelihood this site would have struggled to get off the ground without its existence.

The theme of Thursday’s gig at the Tote illustrates the important role of myspace in the local music scence. Four local artists, Humansixbillion (composer of the soundtrack for new budget feature film Burke and Wills), Seagull, It’s So F**king Great to Be Alive and Touch Typist each will play the four songs they have posted on their myspace sites. Nothing more, nothing less.

Us Rooftoppers have never seen any of these guys live. I could post my initial thoughts after listening to each of their myspace tracks, but, instead I’ll let you guys follow the links and make your on mind up.

Who: Humansixbillion + Seagull + Touch Typist + It's So Fucking Great To Be Alive
Where: The Tote
When: Thursday, 8:30pm
How Much: $5


10.Owls of the Swamp - Album Launch @ Gertrudes, Friday

Owls of the Swamp (Pete Uhlenbruch) was unearthed last year by Triple J. A single of his, Heart of the Mountain had some airplay, and now he is about to release his debut album Smoky Bay.

His tunes are quite mellow, mostly finger picked acoustic guitar but generate plenty of atmoshpere. A major stated influence is a trip to Iceland last year, also where he formed a friendship with Svavur Knutur, who is on a brief tour of Australia and a support for tonight.

This one’s a bit too quiet for me for a Friday night, but the guy definitely has talent so if you're up for something more sedate on Friday then check this gig out.

Who: Owls of the Swamp + Svavur Knutur (ICL) + Young Weather
When: Friday, 8pm
Where: Gertrudes Brown Couch
How Much: $8