R.L. Jones - "Everybody Wants To Be Your Friend"

It's hard to believe that it's already been a year since the release of The Middle East's debut album I Want That You Are Always Happy and a little less since their subsequent break up. But the good news is that Rohin Jones, one of the 7-piece's main songwriters, is already back to making music. And the break away has apparently done him some good pumping out a sort of garage rock jam full of jangle with a pretty decent pop hook that sounds more than a little 80s. If you were hoping for something exactly like The Middle East, you might be very disappointed. However if you were looking for something completely different and happier sounding than I Want That You Are Always Happy was at times then you certainly are in luck. And the best news is that Jones is well on his way to producing a record with an estimated release date somewhere in early 2013.

Welcome back Rohin, we certainly missed you. Hear Rohin Jones' track, under the moniker R.L. Jones, "Everybody Wants To Be Your Friend":
  

The Middle East - I Want That You Are Always Happy (2011)

It's been two years since the release of The Recordings of the Middle East from Australian indie darlings The Middle East; an EP that has managed to be both incredibly diverse yet strangely similar that it could single-handedly define the sound of The Middle East.

And yet time has an uncanny knack for changing people, artists, and bands. I Want That You Always Happy, The Middle East's proper full-length debut, is a drastically different beast than 2009's The Recordings of The Middle East. Gone is the pleasant exuberance exhibited in "Blood", instead you get stripped back contemplativeness that pervades the whole album (even in substantially more active rock-esque "Jesus Came to My Birthday Party"). The album is quite listless and yet, from this comes some of the most beautiful melodies and makes the more energetic portions of the album that much more enjoyable.

One of the things that struck me about The Middle East on Recordings was their fusion of different elements of ambient, folk, rock, and pop to create this distinct sound. And though done a bit different this time around, it's nice to see that The Middle East still retain their knack for genre-synthesis. And even though they're doing things differently this time, the haunting vocal harmonies of Recordings aren't that far removed. Add that to The Middle East's uncanny knack for emotionally evocative imagery and you get a mature record that's not afraid of taking things slow. It's not an album made up of potential singles but rather one of gradual growth and an earnest effort from the rather young band. I Want That You Are Always Happy may only be their first album but it makes me look forward to so many more.

Get a taste of The Middle East's new material with a live video of them performing two of the album most folky tracks "Mount Morgan" and "Hunger Song":

The Middle East announce US album release

After Australian band The Middle East announced the release of their proper debut I Want That You Are Always Happy a couple months ago, I've been eagerly awaiting when they would announce worldwide or at least US release. Well that day is today. Now fans of The Middle East can expect to see the album out in the states on July 12th and on honor of this special occasion, The Middle East have revealed a new song from off the album. The Middle East have always been folk-influenced but "Hunger Song" takes the cake. It's pure folk in and out and yet, the song is undeniably The Middle East. It makes me that much more excited for the new album.

Here's hoping the updated news also means they'll be taking their Australian tour, worldwide as well.

You can hear the new tune via their Facebook or Myspace pages.

The Middle East announce debut album

The Middle East are my favorite band that almost wasn't. They released The Recordings of the Middle East, a 5 song EP, right before they decided to break up in 2009 and it generated enough buzz to convince them to get back together. Since then The Middle East have been taking it relatively slow. Relatively. They played their first US tour with Mumford & Sons, played a couple shows in Europe (where they also played with Laura Marling and Frightened Rabbit) and then laid low for while, playing the occasional show in their native Australian. Now they're announcing the release of their debut album I Want That You Are Always Happy on April 8th in Australia and New Zealand. While this is unfortunately for their fans elsewhere, it's also great news considering they haven't broken up and a worldwide (or at least US/UK) release might not be far behind. Here's to hoping.

You can also listen to new songs "Jesus Came to My Birthday Party" and "Black Death 1349" on their Facebook page. And if for some odd reason you don't have a Facebook you an listen to "Jesus Came to My Birthday Party" at their MySpace page here.

Pitstop: The Middle East

One of the inevitable fates for a band is that they will eventually break up. Well, Aussie band The Middle East almost ended before they really began. Luckily after a short break up the band got together and has since endured an immense amount of renewed interest. Releasing their debut EP The Recordings of the Middle East in 2008 before splitting up, the band then reunited re-releasing an abridged version in 2009 leading to a massive surge in popularity. The band's genre is hard to describe, fusing together elements of ambience, folk, pop, and rock with haunting vocal harmonies and a vast array of instruments such as guitar, trumpet, glockenspiel, and various types of percussion. The band's sound is unique, emotionally invocative, and altogether charming. Here's hoping the band has another release in the works as I certainly can't wait to hear more from them.

The Middle East are opening for reunited Pavement on April 15 as well as embarking on a US tour with British folk rockers Mumford & Sons beginning in May. Stay tuned as this probably won't be the last you hear about the band.

Hear what they sound like with the track "Blood" from The Recordings of the Middle East and make sure you check back for tour dates: