Kate Miller-Heidke
Let me begin my introduction to the music of Kate Miller-Heidke with a profession of total swoonage for the brand of delectable witty pop she is creating. Her new album Curiouser came from a burst of inspiration. Working with her husband Keir Nutall to unabashedly exploit her “experimental, hooky, unashamedly pop” charm. She dosen’t strive to be too obtuse with her orchestrations but doesn’t shy away from indulging in a good bit of wit. Some of the tracks, “Can’t Shake It,” have a strong electronic component that plays well with her strong distinct voice.
Miller-Heidke isn’t cutesy; she has total confidence in her pop sensibilities which gives her the room to be playful. She has some fun poking fun at Facebook with her live cut “Are You F*#king Kidding Me.” Yet proves she can slow things down as well with “The Last Day On Earth.” She has had a following in her native Australia for a while but with this gem of an album she is trying to earn her place in American hearts. From the looks of her video’s she knows how to give a stellar live show too! She is playing Philly Sunday [at World Cafe Live] then moving on up to New York to play with Ben Folds. Get out and get atter.
Saintseneca
Saintseneca are a gang of Ohioans that have come together by chance to stomp, fiddle, strum and warble. The product is most enjoyable. Although there music rolls out with a backwater ease it would be doing them a great disservice to suggest their isn’t a lot of skill that goes into their music. Far from it; in fact, I’d say the skill is in making it sound so easy.
There is a lot going on in their arrangements – at various times you’ll hear violin, banjo, dulcimer, hand claps – but the center point are the groups vocals. Lead Zac Brown has a very unique voice that, when standing on its own, triumphs over the instruments but when the group harmonizes it all bleeds into lushness. They have just released their first EP Grey Flag on Paper Brigade and hopefully they’ll be touring soon to support it.
Come On Caboose
Another fresh act out of Ohio these four fellas are taking a note from mid-ninties alternative acts and putting an aussie new wave spin on it. A solo project that has grown organically to include a three other like-minded musicians. The group, in this incarnation, is still relatively new but seems to have found sure footing in where they want their sound to go. Come On Caboose’s guitars are the heart of their arrangements from which simple bass lines and punch drums take their lead. Lyrically they are also a step ahead of the average young band. Dynamic verses and subtly catchy choruses are sung primarily by Coran Setter but boosted at times by the others. The still have some work to do on carving out their own recognizable place in the indie market but their new album Wave Maker is a good step in that direction.