Santigold and Miike Snow, labelmates of Mos Def’s at Downtown Music, also have Music Tees on the way. It’s a pretty innovative way of distributing music. A physical product, yet digital music! Hopefully we’ll see more and more interesting ways to get music out there.

Music Feeds: So first off, tell us a bit about the band. How did you guys get together? Had you played together before?

Lani Bagley: Our drummer Steve and I had played together on a few of other projects previously, but none of them had quite made it to fruition. After our most recent project wrapped up, neither of us had anything in the pipeline, so we just started working on some material that I had been writing. We started off jamming with a few people to develop our sound further, but nothing quite slotted into place until Ben our bass player came onboard. The line-up was finally cemented once Andy our new guitarist joined us a couple of months ago, and now I think we are definitely settling in to some solid songwriting.

MF: Having been in a diverse range of bands, was it hard to get an idea of what kind of music you guys wanted to play? How did you decide on the sound of The Sooks?

LB: When we first formed we were working on a bunch of songs that I had written as a creative release for myself. It was quite chilled out, acoustic folk pop by default. However our sound really started to evolve with Andy’s arrival – his guitar style really permeates the songs I’ve written with a tasteful complexity… not to mention the songs he writes! Andy’s material props up the sound with his upbeat pop/rock sensibilities – with the occasional exception of course.

MF: Further to that, how would you describe that sound? What is it that separates The Sooks from other bands out there?

Steve Cardwell: It’s an Indie Pop Rock explosion all over your shirt with a few Eastern influences to give that lasting savory flavouring in your mouth… right up until the psychedelia arrives – enter stage left.

MF: So who takes the reigns in the studio? Is it a great big collaborative effort, or is the song writing side of things more of an individual thing, with everyone else adding their own parts over the top?

SC: It’s an organic mix of song writing and jamming. There’s a number of tracks that Lani and Andy have completely pulled together on their own, then there’s several which just started off as ideas and eventually wound up in a song. It’s all very democratic; everyone has a hand in structure, style and harmony.

MF: What’s been the hardest thing about establishing yourselves as an independent band? I’ve read that you’ve only really been playing live together for a few months. Was it hard to get out there and start booking gigs? Is the Sydney scene healthy for new and upcoming bands at the moment?

LB: There are plenty of gigs out there, just not so many venues willing to show their gratitude. So yeah, I think finding the funds to progress is probably the biggest challenge. We haven’t had problems finding venues that will give us a chance to have an audience, that’s a great thing about the Sydney scene. The recently publicized venue closures definitely suck balls, but it shows that we have to keep encouraging people to actively support the live music scene in order for it to thrive.

A wise punter once said ”If all the people who moaned about venue closures actually got off their asses, went to live gigs and bought a drink, the venue wouldn’t need to close in the first place.”

MF: Now, you’ve been writing and recording your debut EP recently. Any word on when that comes out?

LB: We’re aiming to release the EP early in the New Year. The recording process has been more about gradually collecting tracks we’re happy with rather than getting them all done at once, so there’s never really been a date set in stone as yet (Watch this space for an early 2010 release from The Sooks).

MF: What are you most looking forward to in the coming months, as far as the band is concerned? Any grand plans on the horizon?

LB: Finishing the EP is definitely a priority for sure, and we’ve got some great gigs coming up that we’re pretty damn excited about…

There’s Thursday 12th November at The Abercrombie Hotel in Chippendale (The Abercrombie and I go way back, so that should be awesome) and the other one I’m really looking forward to which is the Beach Road Hotel in Bondi on 5th January. I always love playing there because all the Eastern suburbs kids who don’t dare venture into the Inner West come out to play, and it’s always great to see them.

Catch The Sooks, with very special support acts The Morning Papers and BMXicans, at the Abercrombie Hotel on Thursday 12th November. $10 entry, doors open 8pm.

It is fair to say there was a reasonable amount of nostalgia wafting through the venue, as Tumbleweed put on a tight, slick performance – they’ve still got what it takes. The bulk of the set was made up of songs from their first 2 albums – 1992’s Tumbleweed and 1995’s Galactaphonic.

A highlight of the night was the back-to-back performance of the stone cold Oz rock classics Sundial and Acid Rain, responsible for catapulting Tumbleweed into the national music scene. And what about the heavy hitting crunch of Daddy Long Legs – jeez, that was just something magical. The epic prog rock dirge of Ocean had us all spilling our drinks in a messy mosh, as did everybody’s favourite slacker anthem Hang Around.

Tumbleweed are still as fresh as they were back in the day – look no further than the pummelling Gyroscope, its twisting guitars and ultra cool vocals beat the shit out of half the music we’re currently listening to on the radio. Tumbleweed were relentless as they dished out their top-shelf material like Atomic, God, Carousel, and the upbeat boogie of Stoned. Special mention must be awarded to the wail of TV Genocide, where has that sound been this decade? Also Nothing To Do With The Weather was just, well, fucking lovely. However there was a sour note: despite the constant requests for fan favourite Silver Lizard, it was not forthcoming – Tumbleweed you bastards, how can you tease us like that? Next stop Homebake, and more chanting for Silver Lizard!

Who knows where this reunion is going after Homebake – a national tour, new album? Such a hugely influential band would be more than welcome with young fans and bands everywhere. Tumbleweed are a great reminder of the 90s when bands like Magic Dirt, Powderfinger, Custard, Spiderbait and Regurgitator were finding their feet. Be sure to catch Tumbleweed at Homebake, and relive some of those grunge classics – or experience it all for the first time.

Joining the tour on the Australian dates is Melbourne’s LAURA.
Tickets on sale Wednesday 2 September.

THURSDAY 3rd DECEMBER
BACCO ROOM
AUCKLAND
plus guests
tickets from venue and usual outlets

FRIDAY 4th DECEMBER
THE HI-FI
MELBOURNE
plus guests LAURA
tickets from The Hi-Fi, www.thehifi.com.au , phone 1300THEHIFI, Greville Records, Polyester Records and www.consume.com.au

SATURDAY 5th DECEMBER
MANNING BAR
SYDNEY
plus guests LAURA
tickets from www.manningbar.com (ph 1300 762 545) and www.moshtix.com.au (ph 1300 GET TIX)
and www.consume.com.au

SUNDAY 6th DECEMBER
THE HI-FI
BRISBANE
plus guests LAURA and DEL TORO
tickets from The Hi-Fi, www.thehifi.com.au , phone 1300THEHIFI, Rocking Horse, Butter Beats, Kill The Music, Sunflower Pacific Fair, Disasterpiece, Most Pit Music, Gooble Warming, Rockaway Records
and www.consume.com.au

Hailed by punters and media alike as ’the revelation of Fuji’ during their 3 show booking at the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan 2 months ago, TIC are heading back to Australia this summer to play both The Falls Festival (Lorne, Vic) and Southbound Festival (Busselton, WA) and have just announced a run of showcase sideshows in and around their festival appearances:

Tue 29/12 @ The Espy” (Front Bar), St Kilda, VIC
Wed 30/12 @ “The Falls Festival”, VIC
Thu 31/12: NYE – “AMPED”@ Dreamworld, Gold Coast, QLD
Sat 02/01 @ Club 299, Brisbane, QLD
Wed 06/01 @ Beach Road Hotel, Bondi, NSW
Thu 07/01 Sydney @ The Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills, NSW
Sat 09/01 @ “Southbound Festival”, Busselton, WA

A truly influential band who have pioneered the genre, Obituary are returning to Australia for a headline tour this November.

Featuring a full touring line up consisting of metal legends John Tardy (Vocals), Donald Tardy (Drums), Trevor Peres (Lead Guitar), Ralph Santolla (Rhythm Guitar) and Frank Watkins (Bass), Obituary will be playing tracks from Darkest Day as well as highlights from their celebrated back catalogue.

Wednesday 18th November
The Hi Fi, Brisbane (18+) Doors @ 7:30pm.
Tickets on sale from www.stomp.com.au, www.thehifi.com.au, 1300-THEHIFI (1300-8434434) & Oztix Outlets (Rocking Horse Records, Kill the Music, Butter Beats, Gooble Warming, Moshpit Music Maroochydore, Sunflower Music Pacific Fair)

Thursday 19th November
The Corner Hotel, Melbourne (18+) Doors @ 8:00pm.
Tickets on sale from www.stomp.com.au, The Corner Box Office (03) 9427 9198, www.cornerhotel.com & Missing Link (03) 9670 8208

Friday 20th November
Manning Bar, Sydney (18+) Doors @ 8:00pm.
Tickets on sale from www.stomp.com.au, Ticketek Outlets, www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849, Moshtix Outlets, www.moshtix.com.au or 1300 438 849, Oztix Outlets, www.oztix.com.au or 1300 762 545 & Manning Bar, www.manningbar.com or 1300 762 545

Saturday 21st November
The Gov, Adelaide (18+) Doors @ 7:30pm.
Tickets on sale from www.stomp.com.au, Venuetix Outlets, www.venuetix.com.au or (08) 8225 8888 & Moshtix Outlets, www.moshtix.com.au or 1300 438 849

Sunday 22nd November
Amplifier Bar, Perth (18+) Doors @ 8:00pm.
Tickets on sale from www.stomp.com.au, Moshtix Outlets, www.moshtix.com.au or 1300 438 849

The Al Green announcement comes as Ray Mann prepares to support US songstress/pianist Tori Amos on her national tour this November. The eight-date stay in Australia sees Tori and Ray playing some of our most-elegant and prestigious performance spaces, including Melbourne Regent Theatre and the Sydney Opera House. The Tori Amos support slots are a rare opportunity to catch Ray performing solo.

Ray has also recently been taking the art world by storm, his exhibition at the Somedays Gallery in Surry Hills attracting rave reviews. The exhibition has since been picked up for a second showing at High Tea.

Ray Mann solo ‘Tori Amos’ supports
Thursday 12th November
Regent Theatre, Melbourne
Tickets through www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849

Friday 13th November
Regent Theatre, Melbourne
Tickets through www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849

Sunday 15th November
Canberra Theatre, Canberra
Tickets through www.canberraticketing.org.au

Monday 16th November
Opera House Concert Hall, Sydney
Tickets through www.ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100

Tuesday 17th November
Opera House Concert Hall, Sydney
Tickets through www.ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100

Thursday 19th November
Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
Tickets through www.venuetix.com.au

Saturday 21st November
PCEC Riverside Theatre, Perth
Tickets through www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849

Tuesday 24th November
QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane
Tickets through www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849

The Ray Mann Three January ‘Al Green’ supports
Monday 11th January
State Theatre, Sydney
Check www.sydneyfestival.org.au for details

Tuesday 12th January
State Theatre, Sydney
Check www.sydneyfestival.org.au for details

Thursday 14th January
Palais Theatre, Melbourne
Tickets through www.ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100

Sunday 17th January
Perth Zoo, Perth
Tickets through www.ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100

Tuesday 19th January
Convention Centre, Brisbane
Tickets through www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849

Their new EP Higher Than The Stars, recently released locally by the Lost & Lonesome Recording Co, is a four-track rush of dream pop with a blissed out dancefloor remix by Saint Etienne. Overflowing with exuberance, charm and songcraft, the Pains breathe new life into indie pop. For this tour The Pains of Being Pure At Heart will be a five piece band : Peggy Wang (keys + vox) , Alex Naidus (bass), Kurt Feldman (drums), Kip Berman (guitar + vox) and Christoph Hochheim (guitar).

TOUR DATES
MELBOURNE – Wednesday 17th February
East Brunswick Club w/ Crayon Fields and Summer Cats.
Tickets on sale on Friday from www.eastbrunswickclub.com (Presented by 3RRR and Inpress)

PERTH – Friday 19th February
Perth Festival Beck’s Music Box. Special guest Bachelorette.
Tickets on sale Monday 9th November from www.perthfestival.com.au

BRISBANE – Saturday 20th February
The Zoo w/ Crayon Fields.
Tickets on sale Friday from www.thezoo.com.au (Presented by 4ZZZ and Time Off)

SYDNEY – Sunday 21st February
Oxford Art Factory with Bachelorette (NZ) and Canvas Kites.
Tickets on sale Friday from www.moshtix.com.au (Presented by FBi Radio and Drum Media)