HAVE YOU DISCOVERED... GYPSY & THE CAT?

I can't begin to tell you how excited I am about the month of March. Apart from the obvious reasons like, ahem, it's someone pretty awesome's birthday (I'll give you a hint: ME, and it's today even!); March has produced some pretty amazing findings for my music collection.

I've discovered albums that are produced by brilliant singer/songwriters like Clare Maguire; been tainted by the beauty and talent of young Yasmin; and of course, finally got my hands on the outstanding follow up to a sensational debut album - Adele's 21.

So, let's talk about my next discovery. Welcome, Gypsy & the Cat.

Gypsy & the Cat are made up of two wonderful boys by the names of Xavier Bacash and Lionel Towers, who both hail from Melbourne. Over the last twelve months they have had a pretty whirlwind period which includes the following achievements:

+ Relocating to London, the boys were signed with UK record label Young & Lost
+ Their debut album, Gilgamesh, was produced by David Fridmann (producer for MGMT, Flaming Lips) and Rich Costey (producer for Muse, Franz Ferdinand)
+ They earned a nomination for the Triple J Unearthed J Award in 2010, narrowly missing out to Boy & Bear
+ Their first demo, Jona Vark, was picked up by Triple J and landed in at #64 on the Triple J Hottest 100 for 2010
+ Gilgamesh debuted in the top twenty in the ARIA Albums Charts late last year

AND - did I mention that these boys are only 21 years old? Same age as me!*

* so maybe I'm just a little older... shut up.

The sound of Gypsy & the Cat is a little bit of Empire of the Sun, with added acoustic folk. It's a little dream-synth, with added electro funk. And if you ask me, it's certainly a great sound - let's just say it's very 2011. Talking of very 2011, the guys have just been announced as Kylie Mingoue's support act for her Aphrodite Les Folies Tour 2011 here in Australia!

Whilst I'm yet to listen to the album in full, after hearing Jona Vark, Time to Wander and The Piper's Song; I like. I've attached a soundcloud set below for you to preview some of the tracks from the album...

Gilgamesh clips by Gypsy & The Cat

I think we have a winner here people... WINNING!

A video for Jona Vark was recently shot and released online only in the last couple of weeks (below). Take a listen and tell me your thoughts - do you like?
Visit Gypsy & the Cat's digital profile to purchase Gilgamesh today [ITUNES]

How did I miss The Naked and Famous?

The Naked and Famous are an indie pop/rock band who originate from Auckland, New Zealand.

Triple J listeners will be familiar with the tracks Young Blood and Punching in a Dream, both released in 2010, and both of which made the Triple J Hottest 100 for 2010.

Their debut album, Passive Me, Aggressive You, was released late last year, giving the guys a #1 album in their homeland and a top 40 album here in Australia.

So, knowing all of that - how did I miss these guys? I love their sound (it reminds me a little of MGMT Oracular Spectacular era) and their feel (raw, fresh and very catchy). Young Blood, which was originally released in June last year, is finally getting some decent airplay and is racing up the Australian charts as we speak.

I've just got my hands on their album - and so far, I like I lot. Check out Young Blood below... it's a great preview to the album, which I think, is going to get some decent spins on my iTunes.

Purchase Passive Me, Aggressive You digitally today [ITUNES]