Let's end on something Grate

To finish off our stylish artists bio's from Splendour in the Grass we are going to end with the newly turned duo.. THE GRATES

Two of my favorite people in music are back to tear the place apart with what we could only imagine would be a freakin awesome show this weekend! Patience and John have now put the finishing touches of their third album, Secret Rituals which was released last month and are hitting the stage in a new way. This is their first album as a duo, since Alana has left to focus on a new career in the culinary arts. We had nothing to do with that decision FYI. She didn't leave music entirely though, she is now the drummer for Neil Finn's latest project, The Pajama Club. The band also consists of Neil's wife Sharon and Sean Donnelly.

As for The Grates, who are graduates of the School of the Performing Arts, they recorded their new album in Brooklyn with producer Gus van Go (The Stills). The fruit of an intensive period of time locked up in the studio in Brooklyn is that the album is  a well-groomed, alt-rock meditation that marks a distinctive turning point in their career. The sound is blistering with compressed distorted guitar, mature lyrical vocal arrangements, adding keyboardist and session drummer to (blasphemous) bass guitar, and is slickly produced by John O'Mahoney (Metric, Coldplay). 

So now they are back in their native Australia for now to promote the new album and tour with The Hives as well as rock the stage (as they always to) at Splendor on Saturday Night. The Grates with Secret Rituals are confident enough to play around with their own sound that they have dared to ditch much of what made them The Grates.  Can they survive this critical rebirth and find a wider audience? Only time and patience will tell; Pun intended.

Peace x

Foster Care

images courtesy of Google/Images

Indie rock trio Foster the People make atmospheric, psychedelic, and dance-oriented pop. Formed in Los Angeles in 2009, the band is made up of keyboardist/guitarist/vocalist Mark Foster, bassist Cubbie Fink, and drummer Mark Pontius. Foster hailing from Cleveland, OH had been writing and recording music since his youth but it wasn’t until the three members came together that Foster’s music for the bands upcoming debut release, Torches, was ready for friends to hear.

In early 2010, Foster The People posted their first song “Pumped Up Kicks” on the internet. Days later it was used to score a friend’s fashion video, days after that it showed up on Hype Machine and a year later it had seemed to make its way into the ears of millions of listeners around the world.

Foster The People released their first EP this January to give fans a taste of what they’d hear on Torches which was then released in May. The band has since been on the road playing their first U.S. tour with stops included SXSW, Coachella and Sasquatch music festivals.

Their sound, which has also been compared to other artists such as MGMT and Bjorn is definitely more than a clever noise. Their catchy songs and dance inspiring rhythms are a radio favorite and audience pleaser, which will likely keep the band on the charts for the remainder of 2011. Their album “Torches” holds a promising future for the band and we look forward to seeing what else they can bring.

Peace x 

Tis the season

As Splendour really kicks off the festival season in Oz, we look to our trend setters General Pants Co. for help on what we should wear!

This year General Pants Co have got it covered from head to toe..literally! They have got their online store stocked full of festival-style and appropriate items that deliver the next day (when ordered before 2pm!), "survival packs from guest festival goers Jessica Hart, Hamish Rosser (The Vines), Myth and Tropics and more plus daily photo blog that showcases the outfits and trends at Splendour in the Grass over the weekend.

Images courtesy of General Pants Co website. Click to see more 

Not only have the covered all bases on what to wear, they have got amazing blogger Emma Lucey from Spin Dizzy Fall as the General Pants Co. on-the ground-roving blogger! We can't wait to check out her blog when she gets back to report on what we have missed out on! Emma is a very talented blogger featuring posts about fashion, vintage, trends and anything in between. I can imagine that most people have read her blog before, if they are not following her already as she has a massive following and is so highly respected by her peers! Be sure to watch out to see what she had to post about her experience over the weekend!

Images from spindizzyfall.blogspot.com 

To check out the fashion highlights and pick out your outfit for the next festival we'd suggest heading to General Pants Co. for some serious shopping and inspiration!

Peace x

The perfect jean

To continue on with our spotlight on stylish Splendour artists, let us introduce to you..

Tim & Jean 

images courtesy of google/images

Tim (Ayre) & Jean (Capotorto) are an indie-pop duo from Mandurah, Australia. Groawing up together, they began their band by recording demo tapes Capotorto's bedroom studio in Mandurah. After posting their music on MySpace 2 years ago, the band then entered Triple J's Unearthed High School competition for unsigned bands, which they made the finals with their track "Come Around”. They were later selected by Triple J to play at Parklife Festival.  Since their performance the duo have toured across America and supported veteran dance and ambiance artist, Moby. Despite their small amount of time on the music scene, the band has already been compared to outfits such as US sensations, Passion Pit.

The title track kicks off the album with a nice little punch. There is quite an MGMT feel about this single, with its laid-back beats and expressive synth chords that seem to echo endlessly. The track marks a promising start to the album for the pair. It’s not surprising that Tim & Jean have thrown a cover on their album. After a few seconds of listening, it is even less surprising the guys tackled Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Everywhere’. What a cover, they just have such great energy and have done a great job of adding their own flare to it.

As well as the cover, the duo has taken the time to record a number of acoustic versions of tracks on the album. The contrast between the intensely polished pop and the pair’s acoustic vocals is extremely stark yet utterly delightful. It’s so interesting to hear these brilliant pop songs in a completely different light with the stripped back versions uncovering the incredible singing talent of the pair. Tim & Jean have more than delivered with this their debut album. It is such a treat, and an incredible discovery listening to these fellows. What a talent they are. Definitely check these guys out!

Peace x 

Send us to London Fashion week!!!

Courtesy of Sportsgirl, Antipodium and STA Travel!!

We are doing everything we can to SHOUT to the world that Sportsgirl Like: Antipodium is coming!!

Can you help us?

All you have to do is upload a pic of you/friends/family/randoms "SHOUTING" and tag pastpresentfuture in the photo (so we have access to it).

You must "like" our page in order to tag us

We will then turn all the pictures into a youtube clip and post it online! The faster we get your pics, the faster we can post so PLEASE HELP US

They can be old pictures already uploaded (EVERYONE has at least ONE candid shot of them shouting/singing when they are out), or take one NOW or ask a random to shout on the street and snap it with your phone.. We don't care! Just help us spread the love!! 

Check out some of the amazing pieces Antipodium and Sportsgirl have out atm and just some of the great deals STA Travels has for us!!

Antipodium 

Sportsgirl

STA Travel

Please support us! I promise if we win we will take some amazing shots and blog at least TWICE a day about our experience!! 

It wont take long to take a photo you've already got or if you wana have fun with it, do one with some mates on saturday night. ACTUALLY you should all make that the theme when your out and about this weekend, to take some shouting photos and upload them sunday/monday.. We'll be out on the look out!

Peace x 

The grass is always greener ...

As Splendour In The Grass kicks off tomorrow we have decided to showcase some of the unique, talented and stylish line up that is 2011. Be sure to check out our tumblr page as sometimes we just post things that come to mind and as some artists need no introduction it will be easier for you to access videos without having to go through the blog each time. 

To kick it off heres Kanye West:

style of Kanye West courtesy of Google/Images

There are a lot of ways you could describe Kanye West; rapper, producer, egomaniac, innovator, fashion icon, philanthropist, controversy-starter, genius. But no matter what you think of his provocative behaviour, there no denying his musical talent. Considering his number of hits and fan following West has had since releasing "The College Dropout" in 2004, it's no surprise that a diverse and high profile group of artists have covered his tracks. West is known for his diverse catalog of collaborators, and his admirers are just as widespread, from a Chris Martin (Coldplay) to Kid Cudi to Beyonce. Symphonic, orchestral and surprising are a few words to describe West's Latest album "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy". It's his display of talent that slaps those of us in the face who scoffed at his previous album 808  & Heartbreak (by us i don't mean PPF, we love his music). He proves through his use of lyrical talent and production skills that he is the beholder of an ever-evolving brain that doesn't "just do ordinary". The most impressive tracks are likely to be "Dark Fantasy" and "Lost in the World", but frankly, almost all songs on his album have a high rate of reprise. 

photos courtesy of Google/Images

Symphonic, orchestral and surprising are a few words to describe West's Latest album "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy". It's his display of talent that slaps those of us in the face who scoffed at his previous album 808  & Heartbreak (by us i don't mean PPF, we love his music). He proves through his use of lyrical talent and production skills that he is the beholder of an ever-evolving brain that doesn't "just do ordinary". The most impressive tracks are likely to be "Dark Fantasy" and "Lost in the World", but frankly, almost all songs on his album have a high rate of reprise. 

Amazing work Mr. West as per usual and we are oh so jealous we don't get to see you preform live again.

Peace x