MAYFAIR KYTES RELEASE NEW ALBUM Melbourne four-piece, Mayfair Kytes have today announced the release of their debut album, Animus, alongside quirky and musically dazzling single, Sleepyhead. The folk-art-pop band will hit the road to celebrate the release with album launch shows at The Workers Club in Melbourne on 8th April and The Vanguard in Sydney on the 28th. Layered with exquisite vocal harmonies and opulent string scores by Willow Stahlut, the single is perfectly textured by bold, discordant guitars accentuating the song’s inimitable musical brilliance. “Sleepyhead is a meditation on two themes, one being the creative process versus the logical world and how choosing your own destiny can lead you down a long road of self-discovery that might clash with more pragmatic streams of life,” lead vocalist and songwriter Matt Kelly explains, “and secondly, it is about dealing with the depression that often comes with such a way of being.” Storyboarded, hand-animated, filmed and directed by Melbourne artist, Thomas Russell (Hiatus Kaiyote, Chet Faker, Flyying Colours), the fittingly-artistic video for Sleepyhead follows contemporary dancer Geoffrey H. Watson as he saunters his way around an empty white room, tearing off layers of bulky clothing in an act of defiance, musing as his
heavy steps become joyful skips with each layer shed. “The film-clip is about coming out of a dark place, shedding the things that hold you back, not being constrained by male stereo types… shedding the past,” says Kelly. Recorded in just over a year with close pal, Nick Herrera between his notable home studio and a converted chapel in Melbourne’s inner-north, the album features performances from string players from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, as well as extra synths and production added by Hiatus Kaiyote’s Simon Mavin and Paul Bender. “We employed Nick for his highly creative streak, his love and respect of tonality and the way he works hard to achieve sounds,” enthuses Kelly, “We used the chapel to record all the string scores as it had a long reverb and delay so we could use the authentic room sounds in the recordings, no extra effects needed.” As you can imagine, fans should expect a very distinctive live set, showcasing interesting and different vocals and harmonies, otherworldly guitar sounds, captivating ambience and explosive-to-the-point-of-post-rock climaxes, as well as a dense layer of modular synths.
LOCAL DJ
TESS VOCKLER Think being a DJ is all about hardcore electronica, cramped and sweaty clubs and intoxicated eight-hour bump-n-grind sessions? Think again.
Tess Vockler is no stranger to the party-hard bars and colourful clubs around town, but she’s equally at home as the MC for corporate events. “I’ve always been musical... I was a singer and violinist in my school years, but when I finished I wanted to pursue music on a different level.” A different level indeed – Tess now DJs for the likes of David Jones, Bardot, Bentley and Polo Ralph Lauren on the corporate side, and has scored residency at Crown Casino and Club23 in Melbourne. She’s had regular gigs from the Portsea Hotel all the way to the Argyle in Sydney. With so many people hitting the decks and distributing their mixes, mashups and other music for free as a parttime hobby, getting regular gigs interstate is a big deal for the local DJ. But the ambition doesn’t end there – Playa d’en Bossa boasts the most popular resort on sandy, sunny Ibiza: “On the beach, I saw a DJ playing at 11am and people were just drinking their coffee and reading the paper while listening to thumping, irresistible deep-house beat playing out to sea. Follow Tess on social media (Instagram / Facebook / SoundCloud) for a taste of her latest in tunes and fashion, or check out her website: www.tessvockler.com.
music | arts | events | entertainment
visit mintmagazine.com.au | like us at facebook: mint mag
13