Head OWT. To Newtown Social Club

March 3, 2016 | vinylgarden

There’s a new party scene heading to the Inner West, and word on the street is the visuals are gonna be epic at their launch party.

OWT‘s all about a great time with upcoming DJs (which we’re all for), drink specials and epic apparel giveaways!

Plus, we’re stoked they’ve got LO’99, Acaddamy and Double Agent on the line up for their launch party this Saturday March 5– there will be dancing. Check out these deep house tunes:

So if you want to steer clear of the crowds for Mardi Gras and take advantage of the no lock-out law zone this Saturday night, then head to Newtown Social Club!

Song of the Week: Arrival by Japanese Wallpaper

June 28, 2015 | vinylgarden

If ever there was a soothing song for your Sunday, it might just be this startling track, “Arrival” from Japanese Wallpaper. The tune caps off the Melbourne producer’s solid five track EP Japanese Wallpaper, with some incredible collabs, including Pepa Knight, Airling and Jesse Davidson.

This particular song features vocals from one of our faves here at Vinyl Garden, Sydney artist Dustin Tebbutt. The two artists are a match made in heaven with this collab, with Japanese Wallpaper adding colour to Dustin’s wistful melodies. They are both very gentle in their songwriting and performing styles, so it really is a treat to listen to:

I was lucky enough to catch Dustin Tebbutt at the Metro Theatre on Thursday in his collaboration show with The Kite String Tangle, and one thing I really took out of it was how wonderful it is, this trend emerging in the Australian music scene of collaboration over competition. Artists helping each other out, making incredible stuff together.

Japanese Wallpaper has been very smart about this in this EP, and at only 18 years old, I’m just keen to see what he will do next, and who we might see on his next track.

By Erin Rooney

Producer Spotlight: Petals by Basenji (Ft. Scenic)

June 11, 2015 | vinylgarden

Basenji is definitely a quality over quantity kind of guy. He’s teased us with his release of “Heirloom” last year (one of our recommended songs for a ‘1 minute dance party’) and a delightful Sable remix, but after about a nine month wait he has finally released another original track, and good lord is it a beauty.

“Petals” features the ethereal vocals of Adam Tucker from Perth band Scenic and Basenji’s production, which is so careful and composed that it’s like a breath of spring in winter – you can drift off in its simple prettiness. But don’t take my word for, enchant your ears right now:

“Heirloom” is Basenji’s first release after signing with Future Classic last year, and you can hear how polished his tracks have been since, which is why we just can’t wait for the release of his upcoming EP. Bring it on!

By Erin Rooney

Song of the Week: The Giver by Duke Dumont (Wave Racer Remix)

May 10, 2015 | vinylgarden

After almost a year of near silence, Wave Racer has gone ahead and transformed Duke Dumont’s track ‘The Giver’ into an explosion of sparkling, dancing, pulsating musical glory. The thing about Wave Racer tracks is that they transport you into a video game-like world where you feel like each dance move you do takes you further and further through the levels until you’ve reached this incredible sense of achievement. As with most of his music, it could easily be mistaken for a song in the soundtrack of a Nintendo game.

This take on Duke Dumont’s track is just restrained enough to be easy listening, yet bouncy enough that it could light up a dance floor. Perfect way to finish the weekend? Yep:

By Erin Rooney

Artist Spotlight: Yugen Drop Spooky First Single “Calgary”

April 23, 2015 | vinylgarden

Melbourne duo Yugen‘s path to music was somewhat unconventional – just two months after Edwin and Abbey joined creative forces, Edwin fell critically ill and Abbey lost everything she owned to thieves. But despite these adversities, the pair decided to give their music all they had, and throw themselves into their collaborative project, Yugen.

Last week, their efforts paid off as they dropped a very promising first single, “Calgary”. So Vinyl Garden chatted to Edwin and Abbey about their music and what it means to them.

E: Describe your musical style in five words.

Yugen: Insomnia meets diaristic, synth-centric sleeping-pill.

E: What inspired you to write “Calgary”?

Yugen: Girl meets girl. Girl moves to Calgary. Girl gets sad about it and writes song to make her come back.

E: If you could tour with any band/artist in Australia, who would it be and why?

Yugen: Rowland S. Howard for two reasons:

Because it would mean he’d still be gracing the Earth with his post-punk brilliance.
We feel we could learn from his artistic attitude toward music and performing. He’s just a downright babe.

E: What’s your favourite thing about the Melbourne music scene right now?

Yugen: The sense of community between a lot of artists and bands we’ve met lately has been really endearing. Everyone is keen to go along to one another’s shows, stand front and centre, and pay a big, encouraging grin.

E: What’s your favourite album for a rainy day?

Yugen: Aaliyah‘s self-titled album, Aaliyah (2001).

“Calgary” will float around in your head like a dream – I love its simple, yearning lyrics. Worth a good listen:

Looking forward to hearing more from this intriguing duo in their upcoming EP, Comatose in Altona.

By Erin Rooney