This One Time, On Bandcamp: Ted Danson With Wolves

Welcome to This One Time, On Bandcamp, a new weekly series in which we showcase an independent, unsigned Aussie band or artist, of any genre, that we believe isn't getting the love they deserve.

This is for the musicians that are "too noisy". The bands that are "too technical". "Too difficult". "Too weird". "Too eclectic". "Too niche". Each week's act won't be for everyone, but that's kind of the point. Without intending to be dismissive of more mainstream concerns (though aware it might come across like that anyway; soz), this is for the bands, artists and listeners who enjoy giving and receiving a little more in their music than what's generally offered to audiences on a grander and blander scale.

This is, to wit, for the little guys.

So, without further ado, we present to you the first of what we hope will be many editions of This One Time, On Bandcamp. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Ted Danson With Wolves — Sydney, NSW

The northern hemisphere is utterly rife with celebrated cult emo and math-rock bands that have made their name on the back of infectiously complex, noodly, scattered guitar lines, spasmodic, rapid-fire drumming, unexpected time and key changes, all underscored by a general disdain for, or at least marked disinterest in, the hallmarks of everything that makes up the framework of unchallenging pop.

From Cap'n Jazz and Don Caballero to American Football, Owls, TTNG (formerly This Town Needs Guns), Joan Of Arc, Marvin's Revolt, Giraffes? Giraffes! and beyond, there are scores of outfits who routinely eschew convention in favour of instrumental and/or vocal looseness and unpredictability to keep listeners engaged and guessing at where the sonic adventure will lead them next.

Thankfully, we're not without our own local contributions to this brand of mathematically inclined madness, and Sydney's Ted Danson With Wolves mark a magnificent entry into those hallowed ranks with their own distinct take on the sorts of flavours offered by the bands above. TDWW, as they are affectionately known, seamlessly fuse DIY aesthetics and raw, heart-on-sleeve vocal work with wild, meticulous, technical instrumentation, all pulled together into a sound truly their own with a distinctly jazzy feel courtesy of the ever-present saxophone slung around the neck of frontman Nick Levy.

Their 2014 debut LP, WWTDWWD?, is a brilliant piece of work, and with a brand new EP under their belts — the wonderful, exhaustively titled Don't Tell Me What's Wrong With You, Because I Will Find Out & Tell You. It Will Make Sense To You & Work, which takes its name from a guarantee on display at an Eastern-medicine practice in inner Sydney — and a tour in support of the three-track release currently under way (they're about to hit New Zealand, but will be back for more Aussie shows in March), there's no better time than right now to get on board with one of the best, most downright fun math-rock (and then some) troupes doing the rounds in our fair country.

Besides, with a band name like "Ted Danson With Wolves", how could you possibly resist?

releases

Don't Tell Me What's Wrong With You, Because I Will Find Out & Tell You. It Will Make Sense To You & Work — EP, Feb 2016

WWTDWWD? — LP, Feb 2014

Got an independent, unsigned band? Got a Bandcamp page (because the title really doesn't work without it)?

Let us know if you want us to listen to your tunes, and you might get featured in a future edition of This One Time, On Bandcamp! Let's take the power back and celebrate the unheralded heroes of the Aussie music scene together.