So sometimes I write about bands who have EP launches or single releases or national tours that I’m not 100% into. Shit I get sent by one publicist or another, something that my mates are into, something that I know will be on Triple J in a few years, etcetera. Contrast, refreshingly, are not one of these bands. I fucking love their shit.
Joining a growing legion of Melbourne bands who are reimagining shoegaze for the digital era, Contrast have finally put together an EP of noisy, swirly jangles and are launching it into space at the John Curtin Hotel tonight (7th March). With vocals that remind me of Placebo’s Black Market Music era and an unstoppable drive that errs on the side of UK proto-britpop like Ride rather than the LSD-headaches of MBV, the four piece have found a sound that they clearly exist in very comfortably.
In support are Happy favourites Atolls, who sound like Dinosaur Jr. played through a broken speaker cone, Hollow Everdaze and something called Sagamore. The former embrace post-rock sensibilities but wrap it up in balladial furs, tied up with heartstrings, while the latter is the full band version of Sambrose Automobile.
Take a listen to Pipe Dreams, the single off Contrast’s upcoming EP – if this is your jam too then hey, we should go bowling sometime and have a mad chat about Pains Of Being Pure At Heart. Oh, and also you should go to this gig tonight. Tix are $10, doors at 8:00pm.
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