Kes Trio

Kes Trio - Thieves Beat (mp3)

Upon sifting through albums a few weeks ago I was at first puzzled by multiple releases by bands with "Kes" in their name. What insanity, I thought, that there should exist bands called the Kes Trio when acts called Kes Band play music in a similarly M+N-approved style in the same damn town. Don't they have myspace?! Didn't one do a cursory search for "Kes" bands before deciding on their band name?! Alas, I am the idiot, for they are all connected projects led by 'Kes', aka Karl Scullin, who would otherwise be familiar to listeners through his time with the excellently named Mum Smokes.

Of the two more or less concurrent releases he's produced this year, it's his album as Kes Trio 'Black Brown Green Grey White' that stood out to me. It's full of distinct, off kilter vocals and some really eclectic instrumentation all wrapped an odd, laid-back but always intriguing sense of composition and melody. Highlights include the chunky stabs of acoustic guitar and layered, Sparkelhorse-esque vocals of 'Thieves Beat' . Second track 'Body Time' is also incredibly cool.

And best of all, across his many projects there's at least four albums worth of recent material to bite into once I inevitably overplay this one.

myspace

Not Given Lightly

The Wooden Birds - Afternoon In Bed (mp3)
The Bats - Two Lines (mp3)

Recently I stumbled across a recent compilation album from the stable of German label Morr Music. The album's thirty four tracks are for the most part a tribute to bands of the late beloved New Zealand indie label Flying Nun Records and its celebrated and influential roster of artists. I'll be honest in saying my familiarity with Flying Nun artists is a little lacking, but the tracks on offer do provide a good starting point to dive in.

One track from Texas duo The Wooden Birds stood out in particular as they turned in a downbeat but utterly pristine cover of The Bats' Afternoon In Bed that ends up in a similar vein to locals Firekites. Earthy sounding percussion and a slightly crunchy bassline ground an airy, kind chant-like wordless melody. The track is enough to provoke anyone to delve into The Bats back catalogue, a rewarding endeavour in itself as songs like 'Two Lines' from their last album 'The Guilty Office' will attest.

It's A Musical - All My Hollowness To You (mp3)

Elsewhere German slash Swedish duo It's A Musical throw in some playful irreverence with an infectious rendition of 'All My Hollowness To You' by Little Dwarfs.

Not Given Lightly is available in Australia through the prolific newish label Other Tongues and it's a fun, diverse listen.

The Wooden Birds myspace
It's A Musical myspace
The Bats myspace