MUSICOLOGY


Issue # 10

July / August 2024



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It has long been the focus of Musicology to delve deep into the minds of musicians, explore their stories, understand their processes, and bask in their creative works. In this issue, we share some brilliant interviews that accentuate the commonalities and idiosyncrasies of various artists. Across the spectrum of talented musicians whom we speak with, we gain an insight into the emerging talent of Arizona-based songstress Victoria Bigelow, hear the honest reflections of Jack Manley and his battle-hardy tale of recovery to redemption and speak with elder statesmen Vince Giarrusso about the enduring legacy of Melbourne outfit Underground Lovers. We also chat with indefinable Brooklyn band Gustaf on their latest record and posthumously recall an interview with Steve Kille of the influential act, Dead Meadow. The tenth installment of Around The World In 80 Festivals, sees us heading to Chicago, Illinois for Riot Fest to discover its origins and how it remains one of the few truly independent festivals. And from the long-standing to the inaugural, we look back In Hindsight to Pandemonium which featured a diverse lineup spanning multiple genres and generations. Special features include snippets of an interview with the hyper-amazing Ghost Piss as she shares with us what makes her signature sound and the background to where the music video Rude Dudes was filmed. We learn more from experimental Austin folk artist Jenny Parrott and the background to each track off her upcoming album. As well as understanding what was behind some tracks off upcoming South Australian act West Thebarton’s new album as they join us for Mixed Tapes. All this plus so much more. It's time to start turning the pages and get immersed in Musicology.


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Issue # 9

May / June 2024



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As we near the midpoint of the year it is time we take stock of the hits and misses, winners and losers so far and to see if it is any gauge for the remainder of the year. A prime example is that of our regular showcase, Around The World In Eighty Festivals, and as we preview the next instalment of the long-running Governors Ball in New York, the three-day event is set for another amazing year with high attendance and a diverse lineup. On the other hand, and on the other side of the world for that matter, the equally long-standing and multi-day festival in Australia, Splendour In the Grass recently announced its shock withdrawal despite its impressive lineup and electric range of artists from across the generations. Its departure from the events calendar is not an isolated affair as its precursor festival, Goovin The Moo similarly announced its absence this year after poor ticket sales. An area that knows no bounds right now is that of album releases and the staggering number of superb records that are coming out this year from around the globe. We highlight some exceptional albums that are out now in Catch and Release as we review works by St Vincent, Bnny, and The Jesus and Mary Chain and Wine Lips. Talking music, we have the delight of speaking with emerging English artist Ella Smoker who goes by the moniker of Gglum as she discusses her debut record and how one event leads to another. Also joining us is Maya Bon, one half of the duo Babehoven, who from their Hudson Valley residence, produced arguably one of the finest albums to have come out this year so far. From a little further north in Ontario, we chat with Ellis about her record No Place That Feels Like and how her childhood in the prairies shaped her life and signature sound. Also, we have deep insights from Schande and the work she is producing alongside the innovative project by Sonic Youth frontman Thurston Moore. As well as the instrumentation and recording processes used throughout the new album by Dr Sure’s Unusual Practice in our Making Tracks segment. All this plus loads more so time to start turning those pages.


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Issue # 8

March / April 2024



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It is Pride month and in this issue we have some amazing artists from around the world joining us to share their insights and to discuss how music is the great unifier and ultimate in cathartic expression. Recently announcing his new EP acclaimed playwright/songwriter/performer Dan Fishback shares his views on life as a chronically ill, queer Jew living in an age of rising fascism. Musical legend and cult figure Kid Congo joins us to talk about his life and times as a queer, Chicano whose extensive career has included stints in The Cramps, The Gun Club and Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds. From the other side of the planet, we have Lauren Hammel of Australian noise outfit Tropical Fuck Storm. Talking from behind the kit, the energetic drummer informs us of her signature style and performing from an abandoned television station. And from The Archives we have Miles Francis on his debut Swimmers as he speaks with us from New York about the fundamentals of recording. As the Northern Hemisphere winter bites hard, a mass exodus of artists looking for warmer conditions and summer shows, saw an influx of incredible artists travelling south to perform. Our roving photographers captured some phenomenal shows including Anoushka Shankar, the daughter of the iconic Indian sitarist and composer Ravi Shankar, Britain’s unstoppable Stormzy, desert rock originators Queens of the Stone Age plus a whole host of exceptional gigs. We continue our travels around the world in our festival focus and this time round take a trip to Italy. The Ypsigrock Festival is a boutique festival with the most stunning Italian backdrop and a curated lineup that keeps fans coming back year after year. So much to discover and no time to waste.


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Issue # 7

January / February 2024



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Welcome to 2024, a year that already holds so much promise for huge releases, epic tours, and exciting festivals. There are already some fine candidates for albums of the year, and it isn’t too early to start chalking up some top contenders for end-of-year lists. We review some amazing new albums in this issue as well as well as looking back at some recent performances and festivals. Continuing our exploration of interesting and amazing festivals from around the world, this time we focus in on Iceland and its now legendary Airwaves Festival. Staying with the festival theme, In Hindsight, we take a look back at Afropunk, the iconic festival from Brooklyn that celebrates black culture and diversity through music. Our two feature articles in this issue both demonstrate the importance of collaboration. Firstly, with the incredible Andy Schiaffino of Body / Negative who with the help of artist and friend Midwife, produced her achingly beautiful new record. Marred by tragedy and loss, the album shows the strength of music and the cathartic power that can be harnessed from within. The second article with Church Chords showcases the enduring legacy of friendships made across cities and how collective creative processes can carry over into musical projects, even at times when it doesn’t seem logical or possible. Not to forget our regular features; we hunt out new and emerging artists in The Radar, discover some cool podcasts and documentaries to catch, as well as get an insight into each track off Montreal psych-rockers Elephant Stone’s new album in Making Tracks.


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Issue # 6

November / December 2023



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As we move to the back end of the year and meet the bookend of 2023, it is a time to pass over what has come and also what is new. In this issue we focus on some great music festivals and new features. In our ongoing series, Around The World In 80 Festivals, we take a look at the inaugural Cruel World Festival that took place in Los Angeles. On the other side of the hemisphere, it’s Australia’s iconic three-day Splendour In The Grass as we sift through the huge array of international and local artists who graced the stage In Hindsight. Pre Good Times festival, we speak with Fletcher Dragge of the genre-defining post-punk outfit Pennywise ahead of the tour which includes rockers Fall Out Boy and the seminal Devo. From regular features such as Mixed Tapes, a personal insight into the meaning and construction of five songs from Bar Pandora, Musical Cities, an artist’s local knowledge of venues around their home city, to new features including The Radar and Behind The Merch Desk. Digging a little deeper into all of the creative pursuits artists enjoy, the multi-talented Lo Carmen shares her artworks and we explore some emerging sounds and talents from across the globe. In this jam-packed edition, we speak with Canadian outfit Pony Girl and look ahead to some amazing tours that will be happening in 2024 from all around the world. No matter where you are and where you may be reading this issue from, some exciting acts will soon be arriving in your city and Musicology will be there to share the news and capture them on tour.


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Issue # 5

September / October 2023



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Musicology has always focused on delving into the minds of musicians. Unearthing an artist's creative processes and internal drives is endlessly fascinating and always enlightening. From concept to concert, the journey may be a long one, but we cover all aspects of the artistic voyage and in this issue, we have some particularly special interviews, insights and highlight reels. Beginning with the iconic English outfit Inspiral Carpets, we speak with founding member Stephen Holt ahead of the band’s first southern tour that has taken as many years to arrive as it is hours to fly from London to Sydney. Fellow nationals Hot Chip electrify Scorrier House in the Cornwall countryside as Alexis Taylor speaks to us pre-festival and shares his humble thoughts about their rise and rise. Hopping across the Atlantic, D.C trio Requiem unleash their mind-altering record, and the two savants behind the musical project, Doug Kallmeyer and Tristan Welch share their intimate life stories. Showing how tragic events through the cathartic filter of musical expression can lead to exceptional highs, their pair explains every element to their staggering magnificent debut record. From debut to prolific, Holy Wave released their sixth studio album. A record that almost never was, Five of Cups marks the triumphant return of the Austin quartet. Each member took the time out to share their insights into what made this record and how the dynamism between them carried the project and the band ever forward. So many remarkable tales and without further ado, it is time to jump in and discover the inner workings of some exceptional minds.


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Issue # 4

July / August 2023



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Welcome to the mid-year edition of Musicology. As we explore all corners of the musical world both literally and figuratively, a common dominator uniting us all can be found in celebrating the shortest and longest days of the year. In musical terms, this means enjoying the Southern delights of Dark Mofo and the winter solstice through to the anticipation of summer festivals such as Lollapalooza in its ancestral home of Chicago. In this issue, we continue to explore such festivals in our ongoing series, Around The World In 80 Festivals, and look back In Hindsight at some recent festivals. On the artist front, it has always been the aim of Musicology to delve into the minds of musicians and unearth all the processes, thoughts, and nuances that make an artist tick. Interviews featuring the incomparable Kevin Morby and former The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart frontman Kip Berman as The Natvral, show the inner psyche of two exceptionally talented musicians. Unique features including Tiny Leaves and his pursuit of capturing the sonic landscape of the Shropshire countryside through to the tram track-laden streets of Melbourne in Music Cities, all make for a fascinating read and a jam-packed issue of Musicology.


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Issue # 3

May / June 2023



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Celebrating the width and breadth of the musical spectrum this month, we cover a broad range of artists and events. From the safe space of Seán Barna’s Brooklyn, comes An Evening At Macri Park. The outspoken queer artist provides a deep insight into his phenomenal new record and keeping up with the punishing pace of his lifestyle in New York City. The wise old heads of Australian instrumental main stays Xylouris White, discuss how their creative partnership works and recall their once in a lifetime performance at the mesmerizing Pink Lakes. In Hindsight, our festival flashback, we capture all the best moments from metals highly curated event, Knotfest. On the other side of the globe, we discover emerging artists creating beautiful works of art ahead of the highly anticipated Primavera Sound Madrid. it is a packed issue so let’s jump straight in.


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Issue # 2

March / April 2023



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As we begin to settle into delivering regular issues and featuring new music from around the world, it feels as if we are doing so as the (musical) world returns to normal. No more delayed production in making records, a resumption of on-time distribution, dwindling interest in streamed concerts, lyricists writing out of freedom rather than forced enclosure, and touring acts traversing the continents. In this issue, we look back as we look forward. We have From The Archives featuring Penelope Isles as they discuss their debut record during the height of the pandemic as well as Lael Neale who takes a retrospective look at how the pandemic affected her soon-to-be-released album. Insights by Liam Goodrum-Bell from Tape Runs Out details the meaning behind each of the ten tracks on their latest release. Plus, a Laneway Festival recap, the first since its pandemic shut down, showing the many great artists who performed at this year’s festival. Enjoy.


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Issue # 1

January / February 2023



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Welcome to the inaugural edition of Musicology. It is a pleasure to write these opening words as this moment has been a long time coming. Ten years in fact. The Musicology universe now includes every facet of music journalism and creative content, so It is now with immense joy that we can formally throw open the doors to our first publication. An idea long thought of as only a remote possibility, now a reality, and within these pages we wish to share with the world what we consider some of the best indie and alternative music. Through engaging interviews, stunning concert photography, interesting stories, features, exclusives, and tour news, Musicology goes global and is happy to have you on board with us. Let’s ride.


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