Congratulations to Sneaky Sound System
If you've never heard of them, Sneaky Sound System are a self-funded Australian independent pop/dance group who've enjoyed quite a bit of success and critical acclaim since they debuted with their self-titled album late last year.
Tonight at the 2007 Australian Record Industry Association awards, despite achieving a hefty six nominations they took home just two ARIAs for Best Breakthrough Album and Best Dance Release.
Winning any ARIAs at all is wonderful, but I concur with the prevalent opinion that they deserved to win Best Independent Release which went instead to the much awarded and over-rated token tree-hugger John Butler, who has proven to be a bit of an industry pet.
Black Angus (Angus McDonald) and MC Double D (Daimon Downey), the guys behind Sneaky Sound System fancy themselves as DJ/Producers and so never intended for the same vocalist to feature on more than one track of their album. This happy accident (which came about as a result of laziness and good fortune) is, I believe, largely responsible for their success.
In my view Connie Mitchell's vocals lend the tracks a depth which makes them interesting to listen to. Without her it's all a bunch of pretty average loops and facsimiles of well-established styles.
They've reportedly been considering ditching her because she's stealing the show. When interviewed Connie often diplomatically avoids commenting on any questions regarding creativity. I find it fascinating that they're so conflicted about having Connie provide their signature sound, given her obvious talent and addictive timbre.
If it turns out that Connie doesn't continue with Sneaky Sound System there will be very little left for me to enjoy about their work.
You can check out samples of their tracks under 'releases' on their website, or watch their videos on their official YouTube page.
I find Pictures and UFO to be two of the better singles.
In my opinion their live medley was the standout performance of the evening. Connie showed that even dance groups should have a lead singer with the vocal chops to sing live, and in the process embarrassed Silverchair who were really mediocre considering their widespread acclaim.
Trackback
Yeah her voice is awesome for sure.
Also on the subject of the arias, I’m probably being a little bit unfair but it irks me a little to see Rove quite so chirpy and newly back in love when its not-quite-a-year since the great love of his life died.
Yeah, her voice is great, but beyond that — I just feel like she’s such a good fit for their style. And she’s quite good live too, which is an unusual bonus for that kind of group.
[gossip]
I’m inclined to agree actually. I’ve been told to chill out about this, but I know what it’s like to love and lose, and a year isn’t a very long time to mourn if indeed we’re to believe the stories of how much he loved her.
I’m inclined to think he was boinking this sheila while his wife was in the hospital. A year is how long you wait for PR purposes. It’s not the magic ‘moving on’ number.
[/gossip]
(I love the gossip brackets - should I be doing this too?!?)
Yep I absolutely agree, and you would think PR is a big thing for somebody with his profile. Even for an unknown person I would like to think my partner would wait at least the obligatory 13 months after I carked it before they move on!! I’m sure I would do the same.
Obviously his “getting away and working through the grieving process” over the summer months well and truly did the trick for removing his sense of loss;
either that or perhaps there is truth in the horrible alternative of him ‘boinking’ this sheila while his wife was dying, how mean of him if it’s true.
[aside]hello again - sorry to off-topicise this thread but just to let anyone who cares know ~ I may be missing for a week or so as I am flying off to Queensland on a much needed stress-buster, which quite possibly involves being offline until Melbourne Cup day ~ but fear not, I shall return :) [/aside]
Have a safe trip and rest up :)
It’s kinda like Rogue Traders… If Natalie leaves, I follow HER not THEM.
Same with Sneaky, Connie is awesome!!
Exactly like that.
I heard more recently that the guys have embraced Connie as a permanent member, so with any luck she’ll be appearing in a greater number of tracks on their next album.
I had the good fortune of inadvertently hearing her in a Sydney bar before they got famous, she really was wow, head-turning material as soon as you hear her voice. Plus shes super cool looking imo.l
Although I have a hunch that Bleachys thing for Natalie B is 90% crush rather than talent =p
Its convenient how one doesnt notice, for example how talented the musicians in INXS are/were when far too busy eye-balling the lead singer. Not me of course…
Musicians are a dime a dozen ;)
Really, nameless faceless people who play instruments pretty well are quite common. The truly exceptional musos rise to the surface, but it’s quite rare to be particularly gifted at anything.
Lead singers are supposed to be memorable either for their unique sound or their ability to engage you with their performance. If that’s not possible, they should be good looking and charismatic enough to draw your gaze on a biological level. That’s certainly easier, at least.
It’s not just about looking sexy though, sounding sexy is perhaps even more important. As a singer, you’re really onto something if you have a voice that can creep into people’s fantasies and do them in unimaginably dirty ways, just by singing a lyric.
Depending on gender, you should either want to be them, or fuck them - and in particularly extreme cases you might want to be them and fuck them.
There’s nothing wrong with aiming to increase audience excitement on multiple levels. Fans who love your music are one thing, but fans who love you are much more likely to buy even your worse material, just because it’s another opportunity to squeeze you into their head for some nasty sex.
So I guess what I’m saying is that I don’t tend to notice the band much either, unless there’s a really good reason. I’m also much more likely to notice Delta Goodrem’s band, because while she has a lovely singing voice and isn’t ugly, her tendency to be (and sound) extremely fucking annoying nullifies any attraction.
That video of them at the ARIAs is awesome.
They are a lot of fun. I love how they’re active on the net as well. I think more bands should devote a little time to hanging out with their fans online.
Does anyone know what Connie Mitchell is saying in her vocals on Kanye West’s hit song, Can’t Tell Me Nothing? Please post if you know.