I went to London last week to check out some Aussies and some Americans:
THE VIRGINS
THE TEMPER TRAP
Stream Sessions, London, 23/04/09
Following in the recent footsteps of Sydney bands Angus & Julia Stone and Ghostwood, Melbourne's The Temper Trap (above) have relocated to England. Before embarking on a host of European festivals, including a spot on The Camden Crawl and at Brighton's Great Escape, they touted their talents at an industry session in central London.
Despite bassist Jonny having the handicap of an amp that refused to work for much of the gig, the show was still typically enthralling. Sweet Disposition, as always, was a highlight, and, the longer the set went on, the louder the cheers from the packed room became. "Wow, that free booze is really starting to kick in," vocalist Dougy suggested with misplaced modesty after a particularly lengthy ovation from a crowd that knew little-to-nothing about the Australians before they had hit the stage. On this showing, the Victorians are set to make waves when their debut album hits the shelves later this year and, quite simply, if England doesn't take to The Temper Trap, then England is wrong.
The Virgins (above) arrived on a wave of hype. Frontman Donald Cumming - shirtless and with bow tie - swaggered around stage, hands on hips like the bastard child of Mick Jagger. Maybe it was due to the slightly muddy sound in the room, but their songs lacked the sleazy electro edge of their self-titled debut album. Okay, so there was nothing especially wrong with their show, but it was hard to see why people are getting just so excited about this bunch of New Yorkers. Sure, songs like Rich Girls were fun and, if The Strokes had never happened, then The Virgins could certianly be considered new and exciting. But The Strokes did happen, like, eight years ago, and it's hard to shift the feeling that it's all been done before. And better.
THE VIRGINSTHE TEMPER TRAP
Stream Sessions, London, 23/04/09
Following in the recent footsteps of Sydney bands Angus & Julia Stone and Ghostwood, Melbourne's The Temper Trap (above) have relocated to England. Before embarking on a host of European festivals, including a spot on The Camden Crawl and at Brighton's Great Escape, they touted their talents at an industry session in central London.
Despite bassist Jonny having the handicap of an amp that refused to work for much of the gig, the show was still typically enthralling. Sweet Disposition, as always, was a highlight, and, the longer the set went on, the louder the cheers from the packed room became. "Wow, that free booze is really starting to kick in," vocalist Dougy suggested with misplaced modesty after a particularly lengthy ovation from a crowd that knew little-to-nothing about the Australians before they had hit the stage. On this showing, the Victorians are set to make waves when their debut album hits the shelves later this year and, quite simply, if England doesn't take to The Temper Trap, then England is wrong.
The Virgins (above) arrived on a wave of hype. Frontman Donald Cumming - shirtless and with bow tie - swaggered around stage, hands on hips like the bastard child of Mick Jagger. Maybe it was due to the slightly muddy sound in the room, but their songs lacked the sleazy electro edge of their self-titled debut album. Okay, so there was nothing especially wrong with their show, but it was hard to see why people are getting just so excited about this bunch of New Yorkers. Sure, songs like Rich Girls were fun and, if The Strokes had never happened, then The Virgins could certianly be considered new and exciting. But The Strokes did happen, like, eight years ago, and it's hard to shift the feeling that it's all been done before. And better.
