Although it totally sucks that they are no more, there’s some exciting new sounds coming out of the alumni. We were lucky to see Jordan Ireland (founding member, voice behind ‘Blood’) at Music Farmers on Sunday eve just gone. Playing to a crowd of less than twenty, Ireland banged out tune after tune of delicious folky goodness – making use of his vocal chords, guitars and some effects to mix up the quiet and pensive with the raucous and noisy. It was an original, un-boring move away from the meditative and ambient noises The Middle East made in their last record (‘I Want That You Are Always Happy’), and although there’s no trace of his tunes available online at present, methinks there’ll be some available soon. It’ll be rad.

Josh Mikhaiel (joshmikhaielphotography.com), photographer extraordinaire was there to take some photos – peruse them below!

Stacie carefully crafts her art into works that are simple and intriguing

Available for viewing or purchase until 30th May.

This fortnight’s tunesday goes out to local gal Bec Sandridge – now a mainstay of the local scene, increasingly getting some good vibes in Sydney-town and further abroad. She’s scored a support slot on the upcoming Husky tour, her latest offering ‘Lyons & Bees’ makes an appearance in this week’s Yen magazine, and she’s heading abroad soon to play some cheeky shows in the UK and the US.

‘Lyons & Bees’ (available on iTunes for the measly price of $6.79, go get up in that) puts you in a good place instantly – it’s not a genre-spanner or ground-breaker, but what it does do, it does extremely well. Bec’s distinctively vulnerable voice is a light touch, sitting almost-precariously atop a veneer of mellow guitars, jangly banjos and jaunty percussion. Well apparent in this EP is a slight penchant for experimentation (see the Imogen Heap-esque opening sequence) and a taste for well-written, catchy pop songs – both of which put Bec far above the boring repetition and sameness proffered by the recent explosion of folk acts.

Make sure you grab the EP – and head off to Yours & Owls on April 29 to see Bec support The Pretty Littles in her last Wollongong show before her overseas travels (click here for more information on the show).

And to Bec, from lee&me… best of luck on your sojourn!

visit bec’s spacebook here.

Cafe Open: 8am – 4pm

Boutique Open: 1pm – 4pm

Anzac day celebrations 25.04.1917

Pull out the teenie bopper mags, cut the pages out carefully and help your girlfriends plaster his face all over the wall (come on, who didn’t love Home Improvement?!).

Our crush on Josie frighteningly goes to similar extents!

Josie is the culmination of Sydney-based fashion veteran Aine McCourt’s lifelong love affair with fashion. From a young age Aine was influenced by her grandmother and namesake – Josie.

Josie embodied the very spirit that the label strives to encapsulate – fun and flirty, a little bit cheeky and slightly quirky.

Collections come alive in a myriad of print and colour with a vintage-inspired mix of prints in easy to wear shapes.

There is no denying the label’s vintage appeal; femininity is key, the look is effortless. Let us introduce you to Josie, we think you’ll like her too.

Wearing instructions:

Suitable for every day use. For best results, wear with other Handsom Garments.

Suitable uses include:

Picnics; Weekends away; Bowling; Playing Frisby; Air travel; Baking (apron advisable);Archeology;               Gardening;Table Tennis; Grocery Shopping; Sunday lunch at grandma’s house.

Washing instructions:

Please see individual labels.

 Pieces from Handsom Ladies AW 12 collection is now in store. 

Not so for Paisley Park, a new folksy-ambient band comprised of members of Bec Sandridge, Bexley de Lion and Elliphant. With their first offering (‘Grand Canopy’) they have completely skipped that ‘embarrassing new band’ stage and have created something hilariously beautiful. Banjos, mandolins, double bass and ambient vocals mix with raucous percussion to bring forth something that quite obviously has roots in the folk scene, but transcends the sometimes-frustrating one-dimensionality of bands aiming to emulate Band of Horses, Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes by incorporating ambience and progressive song structure.

A definite defining feature of Paisley Park’s sound is the vocals. Main vocal duties are handled by the stellar vocal chords of Cal Thompson, with significant assistance from the equally stellar Dave Thomas (of Bexley de Lion fame). Layers mesh with layers to create a vocal sound that, rather than monopolising the hearer’s attention, sits amongst the killer instrumentation quite comfortably. Production is crisp, yet not lacking in character – it captures the multi-dimensional sound of Paisley Park well (the entire EP is self-produced). Lyrics make use of natural imagery without falling into cliche. It’s really quite a package, and I could go on forever with the things these dudes are doing right in this record.

I won’t spoil it all for you. ‘Grand Canopy’ is available for free on the band’s website (www.facebook.com/paisleyparkmusic) – definite highlights of the EP for me include ‘Little Bit’, ‘Forest’ and ‘Bracken Lake’. Get all up in that as soon as possible – they’ll be playing shows soon, and you’ll definitely be wanting to sing along.

hop_ into lee and me this long weekend

Good friday: closed

Easter Saturday: 8.00 – 4.00

Easter Sunday: 8.00 – 4.00

Easter Monday: 8.00 – 4.00

*public holiday 10% s/c applies all weekend

Who the #@!$ is Bonnie “Prince” Billy? I’m sure that was on the mind of at least a handful of the hundred or so folks who were lucky enough to be at his recent secret show at Music Farmers on the 6/3/12. Despite being considered one of the finest singer-songwriters of our time, and having released some of the most beloved and influential albums of recent history, American folk musician BPB (aka Will Oldham) is still relatively unknown to a lot of people. And it’s a real shame. The man can really write a song. A song that will break your heart in two, then lull you to sleep like a lullaby that lingers long in the soul.

Emma Russack, former-local-now-Melbourne-resident, said it was a ‘real honour’ to be opening for one of her musical heroes, and it showed. Playing a few songs from her stunning debut album Sounds Of Our City, Russack delivered an intimate set that showcased her haunting vocals and knack for telling stories that are strangely familiar yet heartbreakingly hers. Simple chord structures layered with violin and lucid guitar lines made the perfect bed for her dark timbre, and although comparisons to Cat Power and the like always abound, I think Russack is creating something completely her own.

Usually playing across the world to sold-out concert halls, tonight BPB and band set up in a small record store in the backstreets of Wollongong and begun what was to be something truly memorable. Backed only by a drummer and guitarist, and with Angel Olsen on harmonies, BPB played a mixture of songs from throughout his 17-year career, each spellbinding in their own way. Songs like New Whaling and the beautiful After I Made Love To You made it clear why he is considered a modern-day master of the genre. His delicate vocals were coupled with amazing three-part harmonies delivered with sincerity and control, and his obvious command of lyrical content when combined with intricate song structures made it impossible to deny his mastery. What was supposed to be a short 20-minute set turned into an hour-long celebration, one that will be hard to forget. By the end of it all, everyone was beaming, even the prince himself. If you weren’t there, find someone who was. This will go down as one of the great gigs. I’m still beaming.

(Photos by Aaron Hughes – inyourshadow.com)

Wolfroy Goes To Town is out now on Spunk Records
Sounds Of Our City is also out now on Spunk Records