The Shuffle is the part where we get bands we’re currently loving, to talk about some of the music they’re currently loving. Which obviously is an awesome idea for a feature.

I always wonder what it must be like to be in a band in Australia, with such a big island and such a small population it must be hard to get anywhere. Even if you do tour, everybody would be too busy having barbies on the beach or doing something else stereotypically Australian. It’s easy to forget bands such as Architecture in Helsinki, Even As We Speak and Cut Copy have all come from this island and left a mark on the western world and hopefully The Joysticks will be the next to join them. It takes some talent to masterfully blend post punk, garage and pop and this is exactly what The Joysticks have done with their debut single; which sounds a bit like The Horrors meets Fire Engines.

MP3: The Joysticks - It Makes Me Sick.mp3
VISIT: The Joysticks on myspace

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click titles to listen on spotify

1.) Eddy Current Suppression Ring - Anxiety
I don’t know if these Melburnians have reaches UK ears yet, but it’s some of the best Aussie garage we’ve got to offer. This is a bloody ripper of a tune.

2.) These New Puritans - Drum Courts-Where Corals Lie
I’m so in love with where these guys are going. The live chamber instruments adds so much warmth to already very interesting textures. Wild rhythms and synths fused with sweet Baroque sounding wind instruments.

3.) Daniel Johnston - My Yolk Is Heavy
Edwin (my co-songwriter and The Joysticks guitarist) rekindled our interest in this guy. He had been talking about him a bit and I thought I’d catch up and listen to a couple of songs to get the vibe. 3 albums later, I’d lost track of time and I feel like I’ve grown up with Johnston and moved into his house.

4.) Charles Mingus - Haitian Fight Song
I’m the bass player and singer in our band, and I love a bass player who can be kind of melodic without being tacky or overcooked. My favourite recording of this song has Charles playing a really emotive solo at the start full of attitude, then it just explodes into this frenzy of brassy noise. It’s best listened to stoned and really loud.

5.) Django Reinhardt - Night and Day
Apart from being one of the most technically gifted guitarists, who’s fingers know no limits, Django really knows how to hold one note. A jazz wank statement, yes, but have a listen.

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Previous editions of the shuffle