Australian Birds

23 Aug 2008 at 10:18

A Free Man

Or Sheilas if I can continue with the vaguely sexist (and potentially hackneyed) metaphors. But it makes a catchy title for A Free Man’s musical picks of the week, both of whom happen to be Australian women.

I probably should have already heard of Missy Higgins, the 24 year old Melbourne based singer-songwriter. Her 2005 debut, “The Sound of White” got a fair bit of attention Down Under and last year’s follow-up “On A Clear Night” went triple platinum here and got her an ARIA award. But, if you’re outside the Antipodes and outside of that earnest female singer-songwriter sphere, you may not have heard of Missy Higgins.

I certainly hadn’t and came in blind when I cued up the first track from “On A Clear Night” and was pleasantly surprised. Higgins is polished, country tinged pop. It all comes off a bit too sincere sometimes, but Higgins definitely has a set of pipes and a clever pen. Highly recommended for fans of Sheryl Crow, Kathleen Edwards, and their ilk. Higgins’ sophomore record is out and available from .

MP3: Missy Higgins – “Sugarcane”

The more compelling, musically and personally, of the pair is Sophie Koh. Melbourne based, New Zealand born of Malaysian parents, Koh represents 21st century Aussie culture at its most wonderfully diverse. Her sophomore record, “All Shook Up” came out earlier this month and the more that I listen to it the more sublimely beautiful it sounds. Koh’s got a wonderfully sweet voice and it’s accented by the minimalist, yet engaging instrumentals. Outstanding from this record is “Gan Lan Shu (The Olive Tree)” a reworking of a Chinese folk song.

Koh is a little reminiscent of Suzanne Vega, but instrumentally stripped down and without the vocal (and emotional) fragility. “All Shook Up” is A Free Man’s pick of the week. It came out earlier this month and is available at finer record stores in Australia. No U.S. or U.K. release date yet, but keep your eyes peeled.

MP3: Sophie Koh – ” Gan Lan Shu (The Olive Tree)”

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9 Comments

by arizaphale

23 Aug 2008 at 11:39

Her first big hit here was Scar (that I was aware of). I LOVE the lyrics

“a triangle trying to squeeze through a circle
she tried to blunt me so I’d fit”

There’s more but you kind of have to hear the whole thing..

arizaphales last blog post..Just An Excitable Girl*
by arizaphale

23 Aug 2008 at 11:41

err..sorry, I meant to say I was talking about Missy Higgins.

arizaphales last blog post..Just An Excitable Girl*
by Agnes

23 Aug 2008 at 17:53

Saw Missy ‘before she was famous’ at A Day On The Green some years ago. She played ‘The Special Two’ (probably my favourite Missy track) and when I saw her again last year that was a the highlight of her set, with everyone singing along under the stars. Was lovely.
I also need to give you some serious applause AFM – firstly for your rapid grasp of the Aussie vernacular. Secondly, for introducing me to an artist I probably should know already…it’s kinda cool that it’s taken an American who’s recently moved from the UK to Oz to make me aware of an artist performing in my own backyard! Thanks!

Agness last blog post..Trawlin’ the Blogroll
by Angel

23 Aug 2008 at 23:36

I’m a Sheryl Crow fan. Seriously. She was a coming of age type thing for me, and I’m still loyal to this very day. I was young and impressionable and didn’t hear a female singer I didn’t like, basically. Back then her songs were just rebellious enough to make me feel brave without making me feel sinful. (If you grew up in a strict religious household the way I did, you know what I mean.) I am loving Missy Higgins. Never heard of her, so again, thank you thank you, AFM, for making my musical day!

I really like Sophie Koh, too. Her voice is beautiful. I definitely want to hear more.

Is it just me, or does it seem all the good, really good, female artists are from outside the U.S.A. these days? Inside, they all sound like bubblegum pop princesses or gangster wantabes.
by maggie, dammit

24 Aug 2008 at 05:36

Allow me to contribute to the ‘Americans are idiots’ stereotype with what I am about to say.

So, THAT’s what the bird in Finding Nemo means when he talks about ‘Sheila’s.’

Yeeeah. I learn something new every day.

Crawling back into my hole now. Thanks for the musical recommendations.

maggie, dammits last blog post..Elephant in the room acknowledged
by Angel

25 Aug 2008 at 19:12

Maggie, better than you than me. I thought the same thing!

We’re not idiots, really. We’re just… sheltered?
by A Free Man

25 Aug 2008 at 19:37

Angel, Maggie – c’mon, did you not see ‘Crocodile Dundee’? That’s how I learned to speak like a native.
by Chris

26 Aug 2008 at 00:49

Very nice. BTW, though I read Jared Diamond, still interested in any digestible science books, any ideas?

Chriss last blog post..Viva Las Vegas
by Mike from the Newborn Identity

26 Aug 2008 at 08:46

I know there is the outback in Australia, but it is interesting how many country-esque artists there are in Australia. Casey Chambers is another one.

Thanks for the suggestions! But what, no Kylie?