Josh Pyke's 6 Favourite Records Of 2014

One of Australia’s favourite singer songwriters Josh Pyke had just embareked on the third leg of his national Lone Wolf tour.

So far the Lone Wolf tour has been a year-long pilgrimage for Pyke, selling out capital city theatres in February and March, followed by an extension on demand to another 12 towns and regional centres mid-way through the year.

Somewhere in between, Pyke has managed to circle the country with the The Beatles White Album Concert and find time to campaign and perform via his project Busking For Change to collect desperately needed funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Pyke has exceeded his goal of raising $50,000 for ILF through Busking for Change events over the past five-years.

We caught up with Josh ahead of this next leg to fin out what he’s been listening to on the road this year, and it’s a pretty impressive list. You can check out his favourite records of 2014 below. For more info or to buy tickets for the Lone Wolf tour, you can visit www.joshpyke.com.

Morning Phase – Beck

Capitol Records
“I love this return to the Sea Change vibe of Beck. Beck is a funny artist for me, because when i listen to the songs critically, i don’t always love what i hear analytically. But, when i just let the music wash over me, and enjoy it in a non-cynical way, I love the sound, his voice, the arrangements. I guess it’s that mind-splitting vibe that makes it one of my favourites.”

Warpaint – Warpaint

Rough Trade Records
“This is one of my faves of the year, but I admit to enjoying their previous album The Fool more.

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I particularly like the drumming in the band. There’s a kind of angular dissonance in the sound that reminds me of Radiohead and even some of Helmets early work. I dig it.”

Cloud Nothings – Here and Nowhere Else

Carpark Records / Wichita Recordings
“My mate Dan turned me onto this band describing them as “pretty much every band we’ve ever loved”. I get that.

Sometimes you hear bands doing the “grunge” thing and it sounds way too studied. But Cloud Nothings sound like they’re influenced by the same bands that Nirvana and The Pixies and Sonic youth were inspired by, as opposed to being inspired by the afore mentioned bands. There’s a depth of musical bloodline there.”

St. Vincent – St Vincent

Caroline/ Loma Vista/Republic Records
“I first Saw Annie Clarke (AKA St. Vincent) as the guitar player for Sufjan Stevens, and thought she was amazing. After that I got the chance to see her perform her own songs in Texas, and was again blown away.

I loved her collab with David Byrne from the Talking Heads, and in general think she’s doing some of the most interesting stuff around today.”

….And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead – IX

Superball Music
I fucking love this band. One of my biggest musical regrets was going horse riding one weekend instead of seeing these guys play the Metro in Sydney. HORSE RIDING!!!! I’ve never been since.

I managed to catch them play in the States one year and they were brilliantly shambolic and aggressively joyous. This is another great record by them. It ain’t for everyone, but they always push it, and come up with tracks that are somehow really melodic and “musical” but still harbour all the angry energy that the name of the band would suggest.”

Band Of Skulls – Himalyan

Electric Blues Records
“This is just a great rock album. You can hear the influences worn very plainly on their sleeves, but there are some riffs that you can’t help but move to. It’s a good running record.”

Tour Dates

For tickets and info visit www.joshpyke.com

Josh Pyke’s 6 Favourite Records Of 2014