I've always been fascinated with Alice Springs since I read Neville Shute's novel "A Town Like Alice". For some reason that place hit a chord, I was also hooked on the movie with Virginia McKenna and Peter Finch back in 1956. And even got into the TV miniseries with Helen Morse, Bryan Brown and Gordon Jackson in 1981. There was just something about this town in the middle of that huge country.
Anyway what's that got to do with the music?
The Lowlakes hail from "The Alice", although nowadays they are resident in Melbourne. But you have to wonder was it "The Alice" that set them into such a frame of mind to produce this wonderful music. Tom Snowdon the lead singer has such an amazing voice, shades of Anthony. Kick back and enjoy their tunes.
Song For Motion
If you are lucky enough to be in Melbourne on St Paddy's day, maybe you could swing by the EP launch.
Buffalo
Madman
Presenting Lowlakes. While the group originally found their home in Alice Springs, don't let that infer 4-wheel drive tours and snake hunters. The band is geographically agnostic, creating music that delves into a rich inner world rather than reflecting their surrounds. This outfit sets out to dictate the new standard for contemplative songwriting, producing work that is an achingly beautiful amalgamation of shimmering ambiance with alternative pop. Relocating to Melbourne to be produced by a Viennese pastry chef (and if you want to know more about that one you'll just have to request an interview!), Lowlakes' new self-titled EP was recorded live and mixed to tape in Kunsthaus Records' private analogue studio. The first feature track from the March 2012 EP, "Song for Motion" showcases a band that is dynamic, unique and evocative all at once. Frontman Tom Snowdon's gripping vocals straddle the line between being earthly and present, but heavenly and dreamlike, and have been likened to those of Antony Hegarty (Antony and the Johnsons), Matt Berninger (The National), and Jeff Buckley. Snowdon's lingering melodies effortlessly skip from a haunting baritone to a husky falsetto, sitting atop delicate guitars, warm piano and subtle yet commanding rhythm sections. This is darker-side-of-midnight stuff, but with all the intensity and presence of full consciousness and feeling. [Press Release]
Check out the Soundcloud version.
