New wave indie rockers Big League have just released their second studio album, titled 'A Symbol Like a Cloud'.
The Melbourne band were created by husband-wife team Travis and Marie and completed by good mates Luke and Jackson.Recorded entirely at home during DIY renovations, 'A Symbol Like a Cloud' is a lo-fi affair weaving the best elements of '90s alternative rock with power-pop harmonies to deliver strong, fuzzy, hook-driven tunes.
Through their distinctive language of distorted melodies, Big League spin tales that celebrate the often-unappreciated glory of suburban life.
Here, Travis shares five albums that influenced the band's new batch of songs.
Guided By Voices - 'Alien Lanes'
I could do a top five GBV albums, but this here's my first. I got it on vinyl from Amoeba Records in San Francisco, and things would never be the same.With an average song length of around two minutes, moments of pop genius come and go so quickly you can barely keep up.
Custard - 'Wisenheimer'
Completely missed Custard the first time around, apart from 'Girls Like That'; their commercial radio jam (great song).'Wisenheimer' came before that. The songs are catchy and thoughtful, but there's a light-heartedness that I think you can only pull off without looking like a dope when you're writing killer songs like 'Apartment'.
The Fall - 'The Wonderful And Frightening World Of'
With Mr Smith's back catalogue (it's sometimes not great) it's hard to know where to start.This gem was done while Brix was playing guitar/ writing/ singing in the group, and it's more new-wave rock than say 'Hex Enduction Hour' (another fave), but it's still all Fall. Mark E's drawly vocal delivery isn't for everyone, but I can't get enough.
Blur - 'Leisure'
Damon Albarn rates this album as 'sh.t', but that's his fault for being a musical overachiever for so long.I've loved 'There's No Other Way' forever, but as an album it's strong and has all the shoegaze harmonies you could ever want; it's more punk than 'Swervedriver' and more pop than 'Ride'. Gold.
Pavement - 'Slanted And Enchanted'
After 'Cut Your Hair' [a song from their second album 'Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain'], Pavement became my conduit to writing; before that I didn't have one.To me, 'Slanted...' walks that perfect line between rock & roll and the unlistenable. I still listen to 'Summer Babe' and 'Loretta's Scars' constantly.
Big League 2021 Tour Dates
Fri 23 Jul - Cumberland Hotel (Adelaide)Sat 24 Jul - Broadcast Bar (Adelaide)
Sat 31 Jul - The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar (Melbourne)
Fri 13 Aug - Cactus Room (Melbourne)
Sat 28 Aug - The Eastern (Ballarat)
