A good old fashioned crowded rowdy friday night at the pub… with added string section!

The Brutals opened up with much quirky harmonic sweetness ‘n twang

Ross was in fine form (performance and banter wise)

and Link chimed in for the obligatory Beatles cover (”I Feel Fine”)

This fantastic free festival is held in La Villette, a previously derelict suburb of Paris by the canal which has been transformed into an arts precinct. The French government obviously put a serious amount of money and resources into music and arts. Pretty cool to see so many excellent (but relatively obscure) artists in such a beautiful outdoor setting for free.

We were devastated that Dan Deacon had cancelled from the festival but joy of joys, he was replaced by High Places! “It’s like being asked to fill Santa Claus’ shoes,” Rob quipped. This was a sit-down afternoon show with the first sunshine Paris had seen in a week and kids running round under a trellised garden… the most enchanting setting ever. High Places were wonderful… hadn’t seen them since their second-ever show at a Silent Barn party in Brooklyn over a year ago and things have come a long way since then! I loved the new songs.

El Guincho put on an awesome set. Some interesting remixes of Alegranza tracks and the continuation of the “rave” directions we heard in Australia. It was really cool to see Pablo performing in such a different context to the Australian tour; sold out club shows in dark bars compared to sunshine, greenery and an audience who had probably 90% not heard of El Guincho, but were quickly won over and dancing in the sun. So good!

After party: Felix, Rob, Mary, Sophie, Ash + Pablo

The day before, we saw Health and Chromatics. Health are certainly a spectacle; earnest, theatrical and LOUD!. I really liked Chromatics - slow weirded out disco, perfect hazy afternoon outdoors music.

The sound was not all that one would desire but it was a magical show…

We also saw Beach House at ATP which was wondrous… I didn’t bring my camera but one of the most memorable, heart-in-mouth gorgeous shows I have ever seen. Now that I’ve finally seen Beach House live after loving the songs so long, and having met Victoria and Alex (the loveliest folk you could hope to meet), I am more excited than ever for the Australian tour.

How is it possible to see all these amazing bands in one night at a tiny club? This was such a great gig with the vibe of a loungeroom party, full of happy friendly people going totally nutso on a wednesday night. The answer can only be thanks to the awesome and inspiring people of Upset The Rhythm

Here is a No Age clip

and some pics…. the very excellent Soiled Mattress & the Springs

Next up Jay Reatard. So insanely good!

It must be daunting to follow Jay Reatard but Times New Viking did a rad job of it. I really like this band.

No Age = so, so amazing. And the kids were going crazee! This was a “secret show” but everyone seemed to know about it. Adam picked up some No Age sunglasses. Rock!

The best times ever… sold out shows and wonderful people. Thanks so much to the good folk of Architecture In Helsinki for making this happen and for their friendship and fun. Pablo and Felix, we love you guys, come back soon!

Here is some crappy vision from my phone of El Guincho performing Cuando Maravilla Fui at the Metro Theatre, Sydney (an all ages show supporting Architecture in Helsinki).. filmed from a long way away but you can see the crowd going nuts!

East Brunswick Club pics by Aaron Chua 

Qua (James Cecil, Cornel Wilczek):

Field trip to Healesville: Felix, Pablo, Nat, Ash, Amy & Matt

Supper Club, Sydney: (more great pics at Roanna Manlutac’s blog)

Metro Theatre, Sydney * if anyone has better live pics, please email me! sophie(at)mistletone.netFront row at the MetroAIH at the Metro Pablo & Felix & Sophie on Bondi Beach :Felix, Cameron & PabloFelix contemplating The GapFarewell dinner at Billy Kwong’s (YUMMY!): Ash, Felix & Pablo

A packed out Corner last night for the My Disco launch. Their album artwork (with awesome photography by Warwick Baker) looks amazing on the gatefold sleeve:

Fabulous Diamonds played a great opening set. They are sounding cool, a bit more dance-oriented than last time I saw ‘em.

Kes Band played some old faves & tunes from the forthcoming album… I can’t wait for the launch!

From the TITLE instore:

Farewell Tote show: from the lens of Ben Butcher

Wowzer. It was like the future… as imagined 20 years ago… or something. Awesome! 

My favourite sandwich in, I won’t say the world, ‘cos I have such fond memories of certain sandwiches abroad, but definitely Melbourne. Abiding by the principle of “do one thing and do it well”, Greg at La Paloma makes salad sandwiches and they are perfect. Crusty bread, tasty euro cheese, cucumber, cos lettuce, tomato, basil, a delicious drizzle of olive oil and (if you ask) fresh chilli… ain’t nothing better. And he DJs whilst assembling from a fine vinyl selection. Bless. So good.

La Paloma, 259 Albert Street, Brunswick.

I filled in on Incoming, the Australian music program on Triple R FM today. Here’s the playlist:

Wagons - Jail, It’s Hell

Dave Graney - There He Goes With His Eye Out

The Brunettes - Loopy Loopy Love

Sly Hats - I Am Ready To Fake For You

Machine Translations - You’ll Change

The Rectifiers - Blackbird (all that’s old is new again) 

The Tigers - Names & Things

Sun - Mosquito

Alex Jarvis & Friends - Sackville St

Pretty Boy Crossover - Bruises

Faux Pas - Bug In Mouth (Pikelet remix)

Destination Moon - Clear

Touch Typist - A Laughing Mouth

Nick Huggins - The Movie We Made

Barrage - Shift / Unconvinced

Actor/Model - I Dot Heart

Popolice - Middle Ground

Summer Cats - Super Computer

Tugboat - Two Summers

The Zebras - Three Minutes

The Lucksmiths - Good Light

The Lucksmiths - To Absent Votes

Mid-State Orange - Pathways

The Smallgoods - 100 Red Buttons

Kes Band - Gentle Elf

Birth Glow - Too Slow

Kiosk - Validator

Spider Vomit - No Way

Baseball - Soft Boy Factory

Love Of Diagrams - All Over The World

Always - Di-Ye-Yah

The Sun Blindness - It’s Only 3am