Babaganouj and the bohemian post punk heaviness of "She Wears Velvet"

 

"she knows the names of all the constellations in the sky..."


At this point in time, at my age, at my stage of purpose when listening to new music it has to not just be a catchy piece of sound but it has to push buttons in my brain, needs to trigger memories, needs to inspire, needs to feel like a discovery of hidden Polaroid pics in the attic, needs to feel like a zoetrope of revolving emotions that shape shift. For me, "She Wears Velvet" by Brisbane, Australia's curious Babaganouj. The sound here, part shoegaze, part 90's bohemian alt pop / post punk / indie rock is capable of pushing me back to youthful places. Places that might touch on lost love, found lust and pools of melancholy that somehow makes you feel alive and dead at the same time. 

 While swimming in "She Wears Velvet" with a lead vocal by the band’s founding bassist Harriette Pilbeam (aka Hatchie), weaving around the voice of guitarist Charles Sale against angst ridden drums, keys and bottom heavy bass lines (and more) I somehow, inexplicably thought of an amalgam of artists like The Velvet Underground (with Nico, of course), The La's, Built to Spill and The Cardigans. You may think of other such artists but whomever you see in your head, the track will take you away. 

This track is from the bands debut album "Jumbo Pets". Babaganouj is Charles Sale (guitar/vocals), Ruby McGregor (guitar/vocals) and Harriette Pilbeam (bass/vocals), with George Browning (drums).

 

-Robb Donker Curtius 

THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM 

https://www.facebook.com/thenouj/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/59fChK2HXXj8cm282gSssL

https://babaganouj.bandcamp.com/track/what-planet-do-you-come-from

https://www.instagram.com/babaganoujband/


Brisbane indie rock outfit Babaganouj’s epic debut Jumbo Pets is finally arriving in April! Featuring the triple-threat attack of Charles Sale (guitar/vocals), Ruby McGregor (guitar/vocals) and Harriette Pilbeam (bass/vocals), all nailed down by the propulsive drumming of George Browning, on their debut the 'Nouj take us on a captivating sonic adventure that veers between atmospheric dreamscapes, crunchy indie rock and bubblegum pop perfection with consummate ease.

It's an absorbing journey of sounds and sensations that's both thrilling and immersive but beyond this ability to elevate above the mundane these are songs of genuine substance, for while the lyrics betray an emotional vulnerability above all else they portray real heart amidst their modern examinations of love, loss and levity.

After forming back in 2011, Babaganouj made waves across the Australian scene with their distinctively dreamy, harmony-laden brand of power-pop. During their initial tenure they released a string of well-received EPs and singles such as ‘Too Late For Love’, ‘Bluff’ and ‘Do Rite With Me Tonite’ which saturated radio airwaves and found them sharing stages with international acts such as The Lemonheads, Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, Veruca Salt, The Wedding Present and The Coathangers as well as Aussies faves such as Smudge, Palms, The Preatures, Northeast Party House and countless more.

During their brief hiatus Babaganouj’s bass-player Harriette used her time to forge a huge global fanbase as her dream-pop alter-ego Hatchie, but still found time to help piece together Babaganouj’s epic first long-player, prepare yourself for the age of Jumbo Pets!

Babaganouj’s debut album Jumbo Pets is to be released by Coolin’ By Sound/Redeye Worldwide on Friday 31 Mar, 2023.

Babaganouj, Brisbane, Australia, indie rock, post punk, art punk, nostaligic, 90's post grunge, "She Wears Velvet", new album "Jumbo Pets",