JENNY WILSON

THE DEAD WEATHER

Decorated Generals

Sydney has a lot of indie pop bands but few of them are any good.

Enter Decorated Generals. The band is currently undertaking a weekly residency at the home of cool - the Oxford Art factory. They tick all the boxes and are destined for big things. The pick of the tracks is Story About A Rumour.

Dinosaur Jr

I know I'm a bit late on this but the new Dinosaur Jr record Farm is unreal. I've never been a big fan of the band but this really hits the mark. Check them out at www.myspace.com/dinosaurjr

CHAMBERS

Chambers are one of the most exciting acts to emerge from their native Australia.
Their debut EP ‘A Slow Decay’ features five tracks of sonic bliss and is a fireworks display of Chambers touchstones - from the haunting opener ‘Anniversary’ through to the menacing ‘Bonedance’ and chant – laden ‘Quixote.’
The recording took place at the world famous Big Jesus Burger studio in Sydney with producer Chris Townend (Portishead, Wolfmother, D12, Violent Femmes) and was mastered by William Bowden (Kylie Minogue, The Living End).
Chambers have already been tipped for greatness with early demos gaining rotation on national youth network triple j and Sydney taste – makers FBi Radio.

www.myspace.com/chambersband

STRAY & GRASS

Fashion and music have never been in such perfect unison.

Stray and Grass are a music/fashion collective coming straight out of Sydney. The fashion is loud and the music smooth. Containing one half of electro wonder kids Bagraiders the tunes are well produced if not a little tongue in cheek. It's laidback R&B with a synth twist for the Darlinghurst set.

www.strayandgrass.com

UPSTARTS @ SPECTRUM

BIRD AUTOMATIC

These guys create beautiful pop highlighted by delicate vocals and guitar styling. There is a real warmth here with well executed melody. The pick would have to be 'Suburbs' off their debut EP. However, with a new EP just uploaded onto their myspace page and available through Select Music imprint Taperjean Music, there is plenty of Bird Automatic for you to digest.

http://www.myspace.com/birdautomatic

GHOUL

Ghoul are receiving quiet a bit of hype from what I hear. Their unique take on indie pop is very appealing. With haunting vocals and smatterings of electronica the band really hit the mark. They've also released a cover of the Coolio classic Gangsta's Paradise which is an interesting listen.

http://www.myspace.com/ghoulsydney

CANVAS KITES

As you probably know Mercy Arms dissolved a few months ago citing creative differences.It's a shame really for a band with so much potential. So, as not to dwell in the past singer Thom Moore has started a new band CANVAS KITES. It's a lot more pop oriented and definitely does away with the trademark Mercy Arms white noise. It'll be interesting to see if this band lasts a bit longer than Mercy Arms.

http://www.myspace.com/canvaskites

PAUL KELLY & KATY STEELE

If you thought 'Brother' was a great track check out this gem from 2007.

GREAT LAKE SWIMMERS

This Canadian five piece really deliver on their fourth album 'Lost Channels.' Beautiful instrumentation and sublime vocals set this band apart from their folk counterparts. The key track here is 'Pulling On A Line' - full of lush guitars and sincerity.

ONLY THE SEA SLUGS

I have to be honest, i really didn't like this band when I first heard them. However, on repeat listens i really began to enjoy their brand of indie rock. There is something remotely Radiohead about them - but in a good way. Their 3 track EP is very solid and the standout has to be 'Colour Me In'. This Sydney 5 piece is definitely a band to watch

Catch them on their current Dreamstate Tour.

http://www.myspace.com/onlytheseaslugsband

NEW TEMPER TRAP SINGLE

CAMERAS

I can't believe I didn't stumble across these guys earlier. Really cool vocals and a huge sound for a three piece. This is educated pop - spunk records should sign them right now. The band are doing a bunch of shows as part of SAVE FBi. So catch them while they're hot.

http://www.myspace.com/camerasband

MOS DEF

WIM

WIM are good, like really good. I bet they say they make music not songs, albums not singles. But seriously, there is some talent here. Solid vocals and a tight band. They've supported Andy Bull and are playing the Hopetoun for an FBI fundraiser on 22 June. Get there.

http://www.myspace.com/wimtheband

Soul Clap

Stax legend Booker T covers Outkast's "Hey Ya' with Jools Holland on keys.

Winter People

Rick Rubin said it first - the only thing left is a folk revival. If this is the case then welcome with open arms Winter People. This Sydney 6 piece deliver on moody folk stylings. Their 5 track debut EP is available for free download at www.winterpeople.com.au so, as Molly Meldrum says - "do yourself a favour" and download it now.

http://www.myspace.com/winterpeopleband

International Flavour

I came accross English band Golden Silvers today and was really impressed. These guys are rocking some serious Prince vibes. I for one wouldn't be afraid of a Purple Rain revolution - check out the track Arrows of Eros.

http://www.myspace.com/thegoldensilvers

The Spirits

I caught the Spirits at sosoueme last Friday and wasn't disappointed. The musicianship is spot on and the tracks offer beautiful melodies over layed guitars. Their bass player has one of the most unique styles I've seen - it reminds me of Tim Commerford from RATM. Anyway this is a band to keep an eye on - with an EP slated for the second half of 09. Check out their track 'Only Lonley' on their myspace

http://www.myspace.com/thespirits

The Protectors

The Protectors are one of the best live bands in Sydney. Singer Pete Stals is like the bastard offspring of Steven Tyler and Courntney Love. The man oozes stage presence and is backed up by a solid rhythm section courtesy of the Wood siblings and axeman Willy Coleman. These guys are putting the cock back into cock rock.

Check them out at http://www.myspace.com/theprotectors