“Zack Kouns is from some small town in the US. He plays music with voice, tenor and alto saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, temple blocks, chinese opera gong, tape manipulation, violin, banjo. It’s weird shit, some dark neofolky gothic shit, some totally fucked up noise, some angular no-wavey shit, some Leadbellyesque blues and Woody Guthrie folk, some beautiful piano ballads, and plenty of free jazz all through it. He exists in a realm somewhere near Jandek, I suppose – completely outside of everything, and basically impossible to compare to everything. You can download one of his whole albums free here” (Cut and paste straight from the mouth of Alps aka Chris Hearn)

Zack Kouns will be touring the country with Alps as support over the next few weeks. They will be ending the tour in Canberra at Smiths Alternative Bookstore on Saturday the 31st so come along and pick up a copy of the tour 7″.

Zack Kouns – 7″ Sample

• Release Date: 2010
• Label: Past Futures Presents
• Genre: Folk, Experimental, Psychedelic

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Here is the new collaboration from the guitarists of Teddy Trouble and Emerald Cities called Readymen. With subtle hints of dark folk and early 60s pop, the two have woven their styles into something both warm and unsettling. The dueling guitars and chilling chorus make this one of the more interesting things to come from Canberra in a while. Plan on seeing more of these guys as I hear they are working on a live show and will be playing soon.

Readymen – Save that Baby

• Release Date: 2010
• Label: Self Released
• Genre: Pop, Folk, Pop

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Dream Damage Records is proud to announce the release of Jonny Telafone’s new album Wherever the Wind Blows. Now available to order online, Wherever the Wind Blows sees Telafone turn to folk with a collection of ballads and acoustic pop songs about un-requited love, mental illness and werewolves. The artwork was done by the always amazing Andrew Darragh who is currently in the early stages of putting together the Dream Damage Zine. A launch show is being planned for late April and we’re only able to put out 50 copies of the tape so get in quick.

***Other updates with the label: Both the TV Colours 7″ and Assassins 88 7″ have had big delays with the mastering and pressing. The tracks are ready to go and I’ve almost finalised all of the cover work (which look dope) so fingers crossed these will be out soon! Also it’s early days but we’re looking to help put out tapes for ///▲▲▲\\\ and Summer Vacation in the very near future! Stay tuned.***

(Image by Fenkee)

Jonny Telafone – Wherever The Wind Blows

• Release Date: 2010
• Label: Dream Damage Records
• Genre: Folk, Pop, Blues

Purchase – $5AUD

Brisbane’s Kitchen’s Floor are currently out on an East Coast tour this month to promote their new self titled 7″ put out by R.I.P Society (hot shit). Fronted by Matt Kennedy, Kitchen’s Floor write pop songs wallowing in raw anxiety and heavy distortion. It’s a dank and dark trip. This EP was recorded back when the band was an acoustic two piece. These days they play with Glen from Marl Carx, another sweet Brisbane band. You can get both the 7″ and album, Loneliness is a Dirty Mattress, from R.I.P. Society Records.

Kitchen’s Floor – Kitchen’s Floor EP

• Release Date: 2008
• Label: Self Released
• Genre: Garage, Rock, Folk

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“Voss’ shimmering debut ‘The Inland Sea’, filled with treasures, maps and adventures. If you want to go on a post-colonial trip without leaving the comfort of your rising-damp bedroom walls, Voss will trundle you somewhere you’ve never been to. You’ll find harangue guitar-work and lilting fiddle-folk. You’ll unearth buried histories you won’t hear anywhere else in Canberra. You’ll get close if you go to one of their live shows. But there’s no promise they’ll take you back to where you came from, and that is a comforting thought.” (From Birds Love Fighting)

Primarily made up from Ex-ManKilled members, Voss’ long awaited (overdue) debut album is a finely crafted musical journey. Wedged somewhere between other notable Australian acts such as Dirty Three and The Drones, Voss’ The Inland Sea is now available to buy through our online store for $15. It comes with a free poster by the amazingly talented Alice Carroll (and free shipping). Get on it!

Voss – The Inland Sea

• Release Date: 2009
• Label: Self Released
• Genre: Folk, Country, Fake Explorer Music

Purchase – AUD $15

The Bionic Hearts – Untitled

• Release Date: 2008
• Label: Self-Released
• Genre: Indie, Folk, Pop

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