press play.

Bethany Cosentino is a rock goddess. 

That’s what I took away from last night’s gig.

Sure, I jumped on the bandwagon when they were announced as one of the best new bands of 2010 by NME Magazine. “When I’m With You” impressed me as a single, its got the buzz of lo-fi indie pop the carefree feel of nostalgic surfy vibes of summer and the cute rhyming lyrics are simple and to the point. This appears to be the theme of their record “Crazy for You”. The record went on to do quite well. However I did find it to be a tad repetitive and tiresome after heavy rotation on my playlist. So I didn’t go into the gig expecting great things, just to be entertained by catchy dreamy indie pop tunes.

We missed the first opening act, but arrived just in time for Dune Rats. Dune Rats were impressive with banging, dirty and raw garage punk. The Boyfriend thought they reminded him of Sex Pistols and The Clash. I agreed, although I thought some songs reminded me of Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti and GIRLS. Pogo was the standout track for me. They had a great stage presence and the audience were thoroughly receptive, evident in the headbanging, jumping and dancing. I guess there was a surfy theme to their tunes consistent to Best Coast’s. Hailing from Brisbane, Queensland I hope to see them more in the Australian music scene.

Best Coast took the stage at around 11 pm. Bethany commanded the stage as soon as she walked up to the mic, Bobb Bruno by her side taking turns throughout the night playing guitar, bass and drums. As usual they have a full touring band to complete the lineup. Launching straight into The End, Bethany looked like every inch of the frontwoman she is, in a simple black tank top and floral shorts complete with windblown effect from the giant fans on stage to make the hot balmy Melbourne night a bit more bearable. Following up the opening song with Wish He Was You, the audience sang and danced along. Bethany has a strong, likeable and charismatic stage presence, smiling and joking around, she expressed her preference for playing venues instead of festival as there are more egos apparently in music festivals. Considering they’re currently playing in Big Day Out with some of the biggest names in music, she’s probably right. Bethany and Bob has great chemistry, exchanging friendly banter throughout the set. At one point someone in the audience yelled out “Marry Me Bob” to which she coyly informed Bob and responded  ”That’s why we don’t give Bob a microphone”. 

Midway through the set Bethany informed that she had a surprise for us, namely the Chip Shot, of which her Twitter followers should be familiar with as it was invented by hers truly. The Chip Shot involved a salted tortilla chip, a tequila shot and some lime, which the band proceeded to lick the chip, take a shot and suck on the lime, to which the audience cheered. Actually the audience cheered throughout the set, in which they played favourites from their album and EP such as, Crazy for You, Summer Mood, Bratty B, Honey, Our Deal, Something in The Way and my personal favourite, Boyfriend. They also cheered when Bethany and Bobb proclaimed their love for Vodka Cruisers. Best Coast oast also introduced some new songs from the new album, currently under recording process.  They closed the set with When I’m With You, thanked the audience and hastily left the stage. The audience immediately chanted “Best Coast! Best Coast!” and they didn’t disappoint, reappearing at the stage within minutes. Their encore set was a sneak peek of two new songs from their upcoming album, which by the sounds of it will be more interesting and comprehensive than Crazy for You. 

No prizes for guessing which song it was. Congrats Gotye and Kimbra!!

G’Day!

Australia is a wonderful wonderful land. The best thing about it? The people. Australians know how to live.

The best way to celebrate Australia Day? A brekkie of vegemite sanga, barbie with your best mates in the arvo, a few cold bevvies and crank up triple J’s hottest 100.

I’m tipping Gotye (feat. Kimbra) - Somebody That I Used to Know to be #1.

To celebrate I will be posting some of my favourite music videos from a selection of Australian talent.

I just realised that 3 of my top 5 breakup songs are by blur.

I think I relate to them because they would have been written based on Damon and Justine’s long term relationship. Having been in a couple of long term relationships, I know how excruciating it is to slowly drift apart while being too attached in one’s comfort zone.

Blur’s songs perfectly capture this feeling, particularly No Distance Left to Run and Out of Time.  Anyway, here goes the list:

1. Blur - No Distance Left to Run

This song breaks my heart every. single. time. You can clearly tell this is written out of love and loss. After you had exhausted all means to keep the relationship alive, realising that there is no way you could keep each other happy anymore. There is nothing left to do but let each other go and hope that both of you would find happiness with someone else. You know that you’ve tried.

2. Blur - Out of Time

“Tell me I’m not dreaming, but are we out of time” Need I say more?

3. Blur - Tender

When I first heard this song back in high school I could not believe that it was Blur. How fragile it was, the choir and Graham’s “oh my baby” parts. I wasn’t a fan of the song when it first came out. When the band got back together and released No Distance Left to Run (DVD) and I revisited this song again, that’s when I got it. This song is heartwrenchingly beautiful because it does not just talk about loss but about the loved that was shared and also about hope of finding something like that in the future again.

4. Bright Eyes - Lover I Don’t Have to Love

The last time I went through a break up, this song was on repeat. There’s something about the way Conor Oberst’s voice breaks when he sings “Love’s an excuse to get hurt and to hurt”. Tell me that doesn’t tug your heartstrings?

5. Bon Iver - I Can’t Make You Love Me

Yes, I have professed my love for Bon Iver over and over again, but this is the ultimate heartbreak and letting go song. So beautiful yet sadomasochistical if you listen to it after a relationship breakdown.