Radiohead - Lotus Flower

I hearby declare that a dance off must occur between Thom Yorke and Matt Berninger. At the earliest convenience.

Song is dope, still need to check the album, but from here it seems like they're still very much in that In Rainbows sorta sound. Moreover I really don't have any real insight on Radiohead. I grew up reading music magazines and internet lists that constantly put Radiohead albums at number one (obviously with good reason), so they've always had some sort of legendary status in my mind.

I've always just had them pegged as a great band, without really thinking as to why. Despite having an OK Computer poster on my wall, they're not a band I listen to alot of. I go through phases really, of playing bulk Radiohead, then none at all. I remember there was a year in high school where i had 2+2=5 on constant repeat, with a few other songs. Since going to university, I've been in a happier place so my listening has dropped, though I still love the band. Gonna spend some time with this album I reckon. Looking forward to it.

Top 10 Moments of Southbound 2011

For the uninitiated and foreign, Southbound is a 3 day camping and music festival about 3 hours south of Perth. Its about a third of the size of a festival like Bonnaroo, but keeps a similar chilled vibe, yet far stricter and has a major population of those under 18. None the less its fun weekend and a great way to start the year. Here are my top ten moments from this years edition.

10. Cloud Controls use of Pepper by Butthole Surfers for ‘Gold Canary’. 90’s gold, pure and simple. Expression of pure joy on my face, confusion for everyone else around me.

9. The Bamboos covering King of the Rodeo by Kings of Leon. God I miss old Kings of Leon. Aha Shake Heartbreak sound tracked the end of high school for me. This was a reminder of better times.


8. The sing-a-long to Morning Benders ‘Excuses’. The friends that I was staying with taught me this song over the weekend. They’re harmony nerds, but even I can appreciate how dope this song is. Even better live too with a virtuosic use of a loop pedal.


7. Interpol actually acknowledging the crowd. OMG THEY SPOKE TO US!!!!!

6. Sampology’s amazing VJ set. Saw the crowd probably quadruple in size over the course of his insane party. Highlight would have to be the Dr. Dre vs Tom Hanks section….


5. Tame Impala's sublime sunset set on the final night. Just too good. Perfect timing. Loved the ten minute jam during Half Full Glass of Wine.


4. The bulk cowbell dance session for The Rapture. We were knackered after 3 days of music. Still managed to find a bit more energy for a dance to the boys from NYC


3. A–Trak's closing set insanity. The final act for the festival saw the tent transformed into an impromptu beach rave with giant beach balls, a large beach umbrella complete with an absolute clinic in DJing from the Fool’s Gold bossman. Set had to be stopped momentarily due to one punter thinking it was a good idea to climb one of the 30m pillars of the tent. Trizzy did an excellent job of talking him down with promises of icecream.


2. Matt Berninger's onstage drunkenness and banter. A National gig is always an excersize in controlled insanity with the lead singer, as my mate put it, being like a Labrador puppy in the care of the two sets of brothers, and often likes to go walkabouts and occasionally misbehave.


1. A strangely clock-less Flava Flav asking the crowd to do his catchphrase before revealing the clock he had hidden under his shirt all along. Crowd proceeded to go ham, myself included.

Lemon in the Shade with my Feet Up

Every now and again I become absolutely obsessed with a song. The last instance of this happening (and frankly its still going) was while I was traveling, when I became obsessed with Gucci Mane's ode to all things yellow, Lemonade. What gets me isn't so much the lyrics, which by the way are almost hypnotic, but rather the genius beat from Bangladesh.

Bangladesh, who rose to prominence for his beats for Lil' Wayne and others, has crafted this beat which upon first listen, is just annoying, but upon repeat, is sheer brilliance. It's deceptively simple with repeated keys, gradually building with a clap/kick combo and what sounds like an actual bass guitar. But when the keys and bass finally start spiraling upwards with children singing about lemonade, I'm totally geeking out.

Since it sounds completely unlike anything else in rap at the moment, like A milli before it, its become the beat of choice for all rappers to try their hand at free-styling over. Particularly choice is the recent Major Lazer mashup/remix of it with La Roux, which totally shouldn't be this good, but is. Also killer and unexpected is the White Lions remix of the original which slows it down into a total disco jam.

My recommendation, just let yourself go and get sucked into it. Those keys will rule your life from now on.

Gucci Mane - Lemonade
Gucci Mane - Lemonade (White Lions Remix)
Curren$y - Lemon Kush
Major Lazer and La Roux - I'm Not Your Lemonade + Heroes n' Villains Remix
Yelawolf - Lemonade Freestyle
The National - Lemonworld(Has nothing to do with Gucci, but hey, all lemon everything! BURRRRRRRRRR)

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