New Noise: Roland Tings, Snowy Nasdaq, Thee Hugs, Mallee Songs

Melbourne, Brisbane and adopted Australian city Berlin are all represented in this week’s roundup of new music.

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– Fresh from his senses-tickling duo turn in Tings & Savage, of-the-moment Melbourne producer Roland Tings will release a 12” next week through Club Mod, the Modular side label described as a “booming baby brother.” Out Monday (Aug 12), the EP pairs the percolating, Berlin-recorded A-side ‘Tomita’s Basement’ – a “roundabout” tribute to Japanese composer Yann Tomita – with the John Cage-punning ‘Cagean Sea’. The tracks also get remixed by Junior Boys’ Jeremy Greenspan and Future Times’ Maxmillion Dunbar, respectively. The 12” follows recent Tings releases on the linked US labels 100% Silk and Not Not Fun.

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– Liam Halliwell has added one more project to his crowded CV, which already includes The Ocean Party, Pencil and The Menstrual Cycle. A play on his nickname among friends and bandmates, Snowy Nasdaq is responsible for the four-song, seven-minute EP Periods. It tweaks a not-unexpected guitar-pop yen with a stuttering New Wave verve. The EP launches tomorrow (Aug 9) in Melbourne at a yet-to-be-disclosed warehouse alongside Major Napier (launching his own EP) and DJ sets from Habits and Oscar Key Sung. Watch here for updates. For now, behold the anxious opener ‘Limited Stock’.

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– Maybe you slept on the bizarre video for ‘Somebody Pooed in the Pool’. That doesn’t mean you can’t still catch up on Thee Hugs, Brisbane’s “drug-induced surf-rock” reprobates. Likened to The Cramps, The Misfits and Link Wray, their four-track-recorded album Drug Use & Alcohol Abuse is out now on vinyl through Long Gone, complete with action-packed cover art by Sam McKenzie and a download code. The band are already busy recording a follow-up 7” at Nowhere Audio. Continue your introduction with the typically smeared tune ‘Babysitter’ or, really, any song from the album.

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– Once the bedroom recording project of Michael Skinner, Mallee Songs began with more than 20 tracks inspired by Palace Music and Jackie-O Motherfucker. As a live quartet now it’s become a bit different and definitely fuller, with the A-side of a new single showcasing that move. Recorded with Lucas Skinner and Stu Mackenzie of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, ‘Stolen Flowers’ channels a real Galaxie 500 peacefulness until a big guitar solo shoulders its way in. The flip’s ‘Egyptian King’ is self-described as “a melancholy and absurdist lament.” Skinner and band will launch the CD single, sold in hand-printed sleeves, on Friday, August 23 at The Grace Darling in Melbourne, with support from Tim Richmond Band and Sleep Decade. It’s $8 on the door from 9pm. More info here.

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To nominate new music for this column email us at news@messandnoise.com.