Milk Teddy
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Milk Teddy

| INDIE

| INDIE
Band Pop Spoken Word

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"Milk Teddy 'Going to Sri Lanka' 7" Review"

Stretching their meek pop into an ambling drone, Melbourne’s Milk Teddy play it newly cool on their first 7”. The squeaky vocals of guitarist Tom Mendelovits only emerge after more than a minute of slowed jangle on ‘Going To Sri Lanka’, from there finding a rough-cut bliss in soft drums, wheezing accordion and low-level distortion. Mendelovits relays each word in an elongated drawl that fits the music to a tee, and when the song is suddenly snuffed out close to the five-minute mark, there’s a feeling it could have gone on forever.

On the flipside, ‘Be With Me Again Tonight’ commences with a Sonic Youth-indebted blur of guitar effects before settling into understated singing, artfully muffled playing, and the occasional fit of noise. Although shorter, it’s cut from the same patchwork, homemade cloth as the A-side. This being Milk Teddy’s second release – following the recent Extra Texture cassette – and limited to 200 copies, there was no expectation of a glossy sheen or wowing proficiency. On record as live, the quartet exhibits an affectionate knowledge of indie-pop past – from Galaxie 500 to the Feelies – while wringing a dreamy sigh out of instrumentation tottering towards collapse. - Mess + Noise


"Surf City, The Laurels and Milk Teddy, Worker's Club"

In the past Melbourne’s Milk Teddy have been criticised for hiding amongst the fuzz and scuzz of their sweet guitar ditties, but the local outfit that opened on Saturday night (and ultimately almost stole it) have clearly been busy shaking off the lo-fi cloak and refining some darn good pop songs. Instead of inspiring words like messy and shambling, Milk Teddy seemed confident, classy and still lovable as all hell. They’ve retained the fey nature that likened their songwriting to twee poppers Beat Happening, but shed the shambling tag.

Milk Teddy are led by Tom Mendelovits’ sugar daddy vocals, with guitars, keys, bass, soft drums and piano accordion providing rich backing. Mendelovits dedicated one song to Grant McLennan, the “poet laureate of indie pop”; the song, I Can Hear It When You Sing, wields the lyrical hooks that warm the soul like those of McLennan’s best penned. Blown away. - Fasterlouder


"Milk Teddy 7" Launch at Yah Yahs"



Melburnians have quickly warmed to Yah Yahs, the newest offering from the owners of Pony and Bar Open. No wonder that walking into Yah Yahs, located on Smith Street, feels like you are entering an old establishment gig venue much like the those lovingly scattered around Melbourne. On Friday night everyone was there to see the much locally hyped Milk Teddy (widely name dropped into conversations or line-ups featuring Rat vs Possum and Love Connection). While the band has played the venue before, including supporting summer festival favourite Kid Sam, tonight would mark the beginning of a series of headliner gigs to promote the 7 inch Going to Sri Lanka.

Seagull were first up on the main stage, one of the many supporting acts and friends of the headliner. The melancholy, broody and atmospheric rockers featured strong lead vocals and guitar. These were offset against intermittent accordion, which would reappear later in the night during the headliner’s set.

Heading upstairs The Motifs followed with their wistful and sweet brand of eclectic folk pop. The upstairs room at Yah Yah’s feels like a large, somewhat sparse living room which is conducive to the audience sitting down and relaxing during sets. The headliners themselves could be seen huddled together on the floor, getting up and greetings friends and enjoying the set. The audience didn’t hush throughout and while musically The Motifs impressed with ethereal vocals and melodic hooks, a lack of strong stage presence, (which undoubtedly will come with time), was noted.

Heading back downstairs excitement was mounting for the imminent headliners performance. A majority of the crowd bustling in at eleven o’clock during the rollicking rock set from the boys of Woollen Kits.

By the time the guys and gals of Milk Teddy kicked off, the room was tightly packed with excited and devoted friends and fans. * Thomas Bjorn Mendelovits* on lead vocals and guitar started things rolling with noticeable calls outs to friends and “Carnegie”. The four piece are steadily building a name for themselves playing lush indie rock that is as wistful and fun as it is reflective and technically ambitious. Their opening did not disappoint on this count, the combination of guitar, accordion, keyboards and drums living up to the hype and expectations.

As the set progressed first timers would have be struck by the collective musical prowess presented on stage, with seamless instrument transitions of the leading ladies whether it be accordion, base, keyboards or guitar, let alone vocals. Going to Sri Lanka stood out as well Zingers, a song likely to make it’s way onto any future album.

The crowd throughout seemed extremely receptive, although the proportion of close friends to unknowing fans was hard to discern. Between songs Mendelovits repeatedly thanked the friends in previous bands, joked off any mistakes make during the song, thanked friends again and pointed out more friends. While inclusive to some the constant friend on friend ribbing may have left those not on the inner circle, well, logically on the outer. That said, there was no doubt everyone involved was having a fun and the intimacy of the gig was certainly infectious. As time goes on, Milk Teddy’s following should grow and the unilateral confidence and stage performance side of the show will naturally bloom . The bands impromptu and informal takes between songs will come to a happy and entertaining medium rather than a slightly nervous and exclusive distraction from the musical performances of some very gifted musicians.
- Fasterlouder


"The East Brunswick Club: 2006-2012"

Pulp’s ‘Help the Aged’ rang out prior to opening act Milk Teddy’s set at the final ever gig to be held at Melbourne’s East Brunswick Club. The rather apt lyrics, “Try to forget that nothing lasts forever/No big deal so give us all a feel/Funny how it all falls away”, reverberated through the sparse room. Three girls casually moved forward to the front of the stage, wistfully embracing at Milk Teddy's feet. Singer-guitarist Tom Mendelovits confessed they were opening with their three worst songs; said with no particular motive in mind. He later mentioned the band’s first gig at The East – supporting Dunedin legends The Bats – before a confession: he hoped the room was fuller so he could crowd surf. - Mess + Noise


Discography

Zingers LP (2012, Lost & Lonesome/Knock Yr Socks Off)
Milk Teddy/Saturday Looks Good to Me Split Live Cassette (2012, Knock Yr Socks Off)
Going to Sri Lanka 7" (2010, Knock Yr Socks Off)
Extra Texture Cassette (2009, Totem Tapes)

Photos

Bio

MIlk Teddy formed in Melbourne, Australia in 2007 around the songwriting of Thomas Mendelovits, drafting in, gradually his brother Jonathan on drums, cousin Rachel on organ/synth/bass and close mates Bronwyn and Alexis on lead guitar and keyboard/bass respectively.

Milk Teddy come off like the classic underground pop progeny of The Chills, Feelies, with attention to detail in the arrangements and lyrics: no two songs tread the same water.

Following a well-received 7" and a couple of cassettes, Milk Teddy release their debut LP 'Zingers' in November 2012.