Australia

I’m Just Ken wins Best Song at critics choice award.

17th Jan 2024 — Leave a comment

but Ryan Gosling couldn’t have done it without Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie and American Ferrara.

Ryan Gosling reacting to the news at the CCA January 2024

The 2023 blockbuster Barbie revived Cinema, set TikTok Trends and soundtracked our 2023 . It had us singing, dancing and crying all in one sitting.

Personally ‘I’m Just Ken’ sits pride of place in my frequent plays on Spotify, it is also one of the few songs I can proudly play on piano and I completely understand and truly believe it is deserving of the award. However not everyone shares this view and after seeing his reaction to the award perhaps Gosling himself  is amongst those on TikTok that do not think it was worthy of the win. Adversity to the award choose to highlight h the cruel parallels  between the meaning of the Barbie and a song about a man complaining he is not the protagonist in a woman’s story, arguing that ‘I’m just Ken’ , a song produced by a man, sung by a man, wining this award is considerably quite ironic. Perhaps they have a point and that is fine, I just don’t agree.

I’m Just Ken scene from Barbie July 2023

‘Dance the night away’ by Dua Lipa and ‘What was I Made for? ‘By Billie Ellish (Both from Barbie) were also nominated with many arguing that they should have won for the sole reason they were sung by a woman,  personally the gender of the writer behind a song should not factor whether it is a success, its success should be measured by its popularity, its relevance to the film and its resonance with the audience and although what was  I made for hits bulls eye, it was I’m just ken that had us bouncing, revving us up for a workday, creating kitchen dance routines and filming TikTok’s.

Fuel to this fire was poured earlier last week when host of Golden Globes Jo Koy made a pretty low-brow and rushed joke at the origin of the film comparing it to Oppenheimer which was ‘base doff a 721 paged Pulitzer prize winning book about the Manhattan project and Barbie is on a doll with big boobies” a childish and sexist reduction to what Gerwig’s creation actually depicts, its complexities too deep and expansive to cover in what is meant to be a music review… although Gerwig herself has offered a sympathetic response saying ‘well he’s not wrong she was the first doll mass produced with breasts’

Access Hollywood Jo Kay Golden Globes Speech 2024

‘I’m just ken’ allows Barbie’s ‘love’ interest a voice, giving him a narrative in a film that is supposed to be about female actualisation, empowerment and self discovery. It not only allows him power over his won story allowing him to just be ken rather than Barbie and Ken but also demonstrates how many men also struggle with their own identity, their own emotions rarely being taken seriously. it is his redemptive arc, allowing viewers to empathise with I’m, for that is the true definition of feminists, creating equality between men and women to better the situation, 

Produced by Mark Ronson and written by Andrew Wyatt ‘I’m Just Ken’ is a modern masterpiece, with 80s influences. On the surface a fun throw away song, an excuse for a comedic choreographed dance break and for Gosling to show-off his range. The whole weight of the song is in its own inability to take itself seriously, the duo paired with visuals becomes a distracting display of thoroughly refined dance moves taking away the attention from how ken is truly feeling, detached from reality, alone in his feelings and powerless in the face of an overshadowing figurehead for his own society, it is a truly feminist anthem. 

Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers

6th Oct 2023 — Leave a comment

So this is what it means to be all grown up…

Teen Jesus and Jean Teasers taken by Michelle Pitiris

Doodles in your daily planer, a pen leak in your zoom meeting, ruler drumsticks at grey desktops. When did life get so dull? You swear you used to be fun.

Australian band Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers know all about this rude awakening called adulthood, the daunting realisation that you’re on you’re own and all your friends live far away.There’s food in the fridge going out of date and you’ve got bills to pay, but who’s to say you’re no fun anymore?

I Used To Be fun by Teen Jesus and The Jean Teasers 2023

Made up of Anna Ryan (guitar and vocals), Scarlett McKahey (guitar), Jaida Stephenson (bass) and Neve van Boxsel (drums) the band are setting the tone for new wave indie pop. Formed during a sleepover when they were all in their mid teens back in 2015 in which the teen friends were watching Richard Linklater’s School of Rock. Their song I Used To Be Fun is an allegory of growing up.

From their latest album I LOVE YOU, I Used To Be Fun utilises jagged vocals and shredded guitar riffs the band dissect the notion of ageing, stripping back the once comforting embrace of childhood for the island of independence only to realise , the choices and decisions we make now impact our own lives and shape our future. Embracing adulthood means embracing the uncertainties and complexities that come with it, as we learn to navigate the intricacies of relationships, career paths, and personal growth. It is a time of transformation, self-reflection, and personal growth, where we come to understand that being an adult is not merely about age, but about taking ownership of our lives, embracing our passions, and charting our own course in this vast and ever-evolving world.

Up for almost anything now

Everything’s too much

Got one foot out the door I guess this is growing up

No excuses or reasons for why I couldn’t come

Should I leave the lights on?“

With an electrifying display of musical prowess and unparalleled harmonies, this talented band captivates audiences with their unique blend of self-deprecating humor and heartfelt songwriting. Their evolved sound has expanded the boundaries of their music, showcasing a newfound confidence that resonates throughout their diverse repertoire.

Their duet with The Grogans on track ‘Salt’ a sound makes strength out of sand after a situation left a soul stranded, scrabbling for something to keep them in place, so beautiful and raw, Salt has depths flooded with both direction and desperation a powerful allegory of building yourself up again, a testament to resilience whilst the title track I ❤ You aches over fixation and unrequited love and the subsequent regret navigated in Never Saw It Coming. Band dynamics, personal relationships and camaraderie all feature strongly, demonstrating that through union, good humour and self awareness can overcome adversity’, that a voice that is heard becomes the most powerful weapon against the disbelievers, sometimes to heal our wounds is to show them.

Salt by Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers. 2023

This follows on from the vulnerable elements effortlessly explored their rambunctiously passionate and poignant debut EP Pretty Good For A Girl Band. It lays the foundations for who they are as a band and what they stand for, challenging any preconceived perceptions this band creates their own prophecy.

Escaping the boundaries of gender identity, they are simply the defining sound of the new era of the music industry, a witty two fingers to those that have denied them the voice to their own musical prowess, their auditory abilities simply because who they are does not fit with predetermined ideals.Despite these prejudicial conceptions the EP is not filled with bitter bangers instead using the opportunity to hold up a mirror to the naysayers, trailblazing the way for a constructive conversation that challenges these archaic beliefs that is holding the industry back.

 Scarlett McKahey (guitar) ,Anna Ryan (guitar and vocals), Jaida Stephenson (bass) and Neve van Boxsel (drums) make up Teen Jesus and Jean Teasers. Credit to Ruby Boland.
Miss Your Birthday by Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers 2022

One of my favourite tracks on this EP the infectious ‘Miss Your Birthday’. This anthem is not just about catchy beats and addictive melodies, it’s a powerful reminder of finding strength when you feel powerless. With their unbreakable bond, undeniable passion, and raw talent, this band is about to blow your mind! Despite the energetic elevation of the track it covers deep distress felt by those facing independence and isolation for the first time, evocative of the lockdowns of 2020 as well as the daunting planet of adulthood.

‘I need a break from living near the freeway

All the high beams keep me up too late

Don’t take this the wrong way it’s not to do with you but I’m running out of clothes and I need a clean bathroom

Need a break from living out a suitcase‘

Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers captured by Michelle Pitiris

Guitarist Scarlett McKahey explained that it was a haomge to homesickness, the fine edge between ‘wanting to be back at your Mum’s cosy house without abandoning your new ‘grown up’ life. “. Sometimes to go home does not mean to give in, it allows you to get back to your roots so you can grow again.

Navigating adulthood often feels like being trapped in an intricate escape room, where the clues are written in a language you struggle to decipher. Despite having a place to call your own, you find yourself living out of a suitcase in your childhood bedroom, longing for the comfort of your mother’s cooking. Your housemates, who often seem to be in a perpetual state of chaos, add to the overwhelming journey of adulthood. Although you may have convinced yourself that you’re ready to be a grown-up, deep down, you realize that you’re still a child trapped in a 20’s something’s body, trying to make sense of it all. It can be quite overwhelming at times, so sometimes you have to miss someone’s birthday, if only you could miss your own.

Since 2015 the band has built up quite a repertoire full of soul wrenching ballads, energetic anthems and choral inspired pop classics. Supporting Foo Fighters in Melbourne in December they are on to BIG things and should be on your playlist, especially if you’re not quite ready to grow up yet and you’re definitely still fun…

dust ANNOUNCE UK TOUR FOR OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER

6th Sep 2023 — Leave a comment

A dive into personal depth

dust by Charlie Hardy April 2023

Welcome to your psyche, as we explore the dimensions of your soul and the layers to your being, enjoy the jazz infused symphony of syncopated beats and kick drum lulls that defines the sound that is ‘Dust’.

Australian Alt-Punk band dust are making a comeback to the UK after a slew of successful shows earlier this year. The quintet will be hitting  Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow, Leeds and Birmingham, culminating in a slot at Pitchfork Music Festival London. Tickets to shows can be bought here.

The Gutter by dust

Known to promote positivity, reduce anxiety and improve concentration, slow flow house music ,such as that featured on dust’s debut EP ‘Et Cetera etc’, invites a deeper connection between your consciousness and subconsciousness, encouraging self reflection. Trippy techno and experimental electronics fuse together over a unique punk rock drive to create the transportive narrative that is this new release.What is music but a testament to human resilience, perseverance and passion?

The band have described how this EP was fused with, imagination, creativity and friendship; “it’s cemented our friendship and given us the foundation to build upon our relationships with each other, Et cetera, etc is a step in the direction of the sound we’d like to carve out in the future”

dust taken by Charlie Hardy April 2023

Dual vocalists, Gabriel Stove and Justin Teale, share the lead microphone, each a collective voice, defining the charisma of a band connected through the sonic maelstrom. The ‘Et cetera, etc’ EP was recorded in its entirety on guitarist-saxophonist Adam Ridgway’s family farm in Edwardsville. Bassist Liam Smith and drummer Kye Cherry complete the 5-piece.

Through warbling saxophone solos and electronic ambience a spiritual yin and yang manifest to demonstrate the power of interconnected forces coming together, this philosophy drives the atmospheric energy of the band’s live shows.

Ward 52 by dust

The singles are improvised and innovative, an exposure of the skeletal routes of the conscious plane. Gentle synths swell, and  ambient interludes, morph the self into everything else, a harmonic hand into a higher realm. dust eloquently energise, an audible sip into personal potential.

The band have described each track on the e.p:

“The singles taken from the EP -‘Joy ( Guilt )’, ‘Ward 52’ and ‘The Gutter’ illustrate et cetera, etc’ scollage-like nature, including Justin and Gabe’s trade of vocals. Alternator’s wailing saxophone gives an eerie and unexpected edge to the release, tension breaking, frustration easing, growing and firing back up again in time with the story of a broken down car, waiting for roadside assist ten hours from home. ‘False Narrative’ comparatively showcases our warmest melody yet, as a whole transposing the familiar yet introspective energy of King Krule, Aphex Twin.”