August 2023 Mixtape | maximum tilt
As we pass the solstice and endure our furthest distance from the sun, the waters may be cold but let's bring you some warming fuzz during this maximum tilt of our little planet. Here are the the latest tracks of signed and unsigned artists from the our edge of the world along the cool vibes of the Illawarra.
Lizzie Jack & The Beanstalks, a four-piece indie rock band from Wollongong, share their latest track Small Town Life ahead of their next gig at Ryan’s in Thirroul. A bouncy slice of relatable festival rock we can all toe tap along to. If you miss them this week then you can catch them at Wollongong Uni bar on 14th October with nine other bands courtesy of local uber legends, Yours & Owls.
Maina Doe’s new track, Let Her Be, is getting sweet rotation on the UK’s breaking music station BBC 1 Extra. Her blend of rocky Lilly Allen-esque punk-pop emanates from our next door neighbour metro area but hey, check her out when she comes our way.
Kiama legends, The Vanns, continue to promote their new album and we have chosen another track, a romantic builder perfectly made for stadiums called Collide. The first of a collision of two tracks of the same name this month. It must be a theme.
Kesmar continues his assault on the 70s crate of vinyl with a deviation from yacht rock to a more Rhodes keyboard infused Lennon/Leo Sayer-esque of easy listening, in a shag pile rug of sonic loveliness.
We then wake your senses with a relentless explosion of Ferny Fairway and their track Brain Zap. A frothing mosh pit of pool punk guaranteed.
Brining the tempo back down to a heartbeat is the glorious The Morning Star, who have featured heavily in our playlists this year with good reason. The track Scarlet’s Bracelet offers a Topanga Canyon vibe with those decade defying Nico-esque vocals.
Hellcat Speedracer, well what can we say. Their new track and the second Collide of this mixtape celebrates great news for these Illawarra warehouse gig regulars of Holy Pav, with this signing to Island Records. We see their compass pointing (see what we did there) to the global north with them representing Australia in all the best dance tents.
Body Type have been developing a solid following and from the latest batch of tracks we have chosen Sha La La for its Courtney Love flavoured sulky philosophy. They are unmissable on their national tour with a hot stop at our favourite Port Kembla venue, The Servo on 13th August. Get those tickets booked pronto as this will sell out.
Sunfruits bring that 90s baggy vibe with Reeling, which we love as they blend late 60s California Monkeys with some groovy wah wah peddle pogo. Just listen to that bass and feel good about the world. A most excellent track.
Lochie Brooks shares his latest track, Aimless Dog and if you like this then check out his You Tube channel to see him cover so many amazing tracks with his guitar and keys virtuosity.
In our international section we begin with Canadian born but long-time resident of the Illawarra, Chris De Souza. We have featured him many moons ago but he has given us first listen to a new track, You Can’t Make Someone Happy. Recorded in his home studio in Wollongong, Chris and his band will be playing for promoters Echo & Salt on Saturday 26th August at the stalwart of the northern villages, Ryan’s in Thirroul.
Madeline Berry, the Aotearoa singer-songwriter from New Zealand with her heady brand of soulful neo-pop, inspired by classic art and literature, questions timelines and runs from tradition, conjures this new track, The Illawarra. We have a sneaking suspicion that the name relates to a local nightclub rather than the region itself but hey, it’s all good in the hood so it was a hard add to this mixtape.
And that’s a wrap for August 2023, folks.
