The Lulu Raes are riding high on the momentum of their latest single, ‘Burnout’, which courses with the band’s “sensuous Beatles-like chord progressions”, their affection for floor-filling, ’70s disco rhythms, and frontman Eddie Bomber Burton’s Britpop vocals.

The single has gained early radio support and rotation from FBi and triple j, which led ‘Burnout’ to debut at Number 6 on the AIR Independent Radio Chart. The track was also described by Home & Hosed’s Dom Alessio as “a tune that blossoms with warmth and melody”.

Fresh off the stage from BIGSOUND and Small World Festival, as well as a string of shows with Holy Holy, the Sydney four-piece are currently on a headline tour tearing up Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.

To find out a little bit more about the guys we chatted to drummer Tom about the records that changed his life. Check ’em out below.

Gorillaz – D-Sides

2007, Parlophone, Virgin
“D-Sides really rattled me when I first heard it, because it was so spacious and interesting without following ‘electro music’ rules. I thought music had to follow it’s genres ‘rules’, but I was as wrong as a radish. If you’re a Gorillaz fan and don’t know what I’m talking about, take my advice: listen to the seven minute electro bops, the suspiciously well constructed ‘demos’ and the whole 2nd CD of remixes that is D-Sides and then probably go exercise or eat a grape. Wow, two healthy pieces of advice, lucky you.”

Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not

2006, Domino
“This is indie rock without the fuzzy parts, the ‘oh-lets-put-the-reverb-on-10’ for the sake of it parts. You’ve got clean, heavy riffs that lock in to the drums and vocals. This record was a big eye opener for me; it taught me that you’re allowed to play exciting music in a rock band and actually have a dance to it, not just sway and look around for your girlfriend. Those groovy, syncopated drumbeats? Ugh, what I was doing to a kit before I heard this album I hate to think.”

Crystal Fighters – Star of Love

2010, Zirkulo
“Ya know how you like dancing? Yeah, this album helps. It’s like a tribal choir of boys and girls found out how to use Ableton and made this ridiculously pumping record of primitive love music. I listened to this one on repeat non stop for about two weeks, because I couldn’t believe how well the electronic and acoustic elements had been put together to get this electric atmosphere. Just listen to ‘Follow’, your heart rate will rise to about 180 and you’ll want to perform a blood sacrifice.”

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Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Red Hot Chilli Peppers

1984, EMI
“The Chillies seem larger than life now, so it’s nice to listen to a record like this and understand that, hey, even if you’re a globally successful band, you’re allowed to suck when you start off. I’m not saying the record is completely full of poos on toast, but you get the vibe that they weren’t as focused with what they were doing, and that’s ok. I actually love it because you can hear some elements and think ‘wow I know exactly how they got to where they are now’. Some songs are really good! Some songs are literally four minutes of spoken poetry and improvised slap bass. It taught me that I’m allowed to suck once in a while, and you are too.”

Electric Light Orchestra – Out of the Blue

1977, Jet Records
“Disco strings in real life!? It’s the best (Jerry). This one was a great record that opened my eyes, ears and mind. I’d always thought ‘if you want people to dance, write a disco song. Put in disco guitar, and disco drums’. Then I heard this and realised there are no rules, you can write a symphony and make it funky. The best music makes people think a little bit.. It makes them wonder why they want to dance when a string quartet is playing with a galloping drum beat (First track, ‘Turn To Stone’, School yo’ self).”

Upcoming Shows

Friday, 6th November 2015
Newtown Social Club, Sydney
Tickets: Newtown Social Club

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