Lime Cordiale: Permanent Vacation

Nicki Alchin
12th Oct 2017

Being the Sydney indie music scene veteran that I am, I’ve known the Lime Cordiale guys pretty much from day one when they launched themselves as a Triple J unearthed band. Back then they sang about cafes and pretty girls and produced cute film clips with Bryan Brown and his daughter Matlilda. They were fresh, fun brothers from the northern beaches studying at the NSW Conservatorium of Music and injecting some cool funk vibes into the scene with their band Lime Cordiale. Having great musicianship, it was not surprising that Iva Davies, the Australian pop rock legend connected with the guys. Off they went with Iva and his band Icehouse on a tour of Australia – I was lucky enough to catch both Icehouse and Lime Cordiale at the Caloundra Music Festival in 2011, and then at some point the guys lost me. This was in spite of sending forth an EP to the world and the godfather of Australian music, Michael Chugg, picking them up and promoting them big time at Big Sound 2014.

But earlier this week, at the grungiest rock 'n' roll pub in Sydney, and maybe even Australia (the Lord Gladstone) Lime Cordiale has brought me back to the fold with the launch of their debut album Permanent Vacation. In the alley behind the pub we were greeted by a huge mural to promote the album that the guys had painted. Louis and Oli Leimbach now live in the Chippo/Redfern hood with the Lord Gladstone being their local and are the guys are growing up in all aspects. More importantly thought, not only have these musically talented brothers and their ultra cool band reignited my love of all things Lime Cordiale, they have also drawn me back into wanting to listen to music and attending gigs.

As you know, so much has happened to the Sydney indie music scene since Lime Cordiale came onto it. My love of hitting gigs was decimated along with the venues as the lockout laws swept the city. Lime Cordiale’s Permanent Vacation is a breath of fresh air on so many levels for me. It is a perfect antidote to all manner of staid boring times and a government gone mad imposing rules. I was bopping along fervently during the set. Yelling out with all my might “fucking awesome”, yeah, the music really stirred me. It was a pleasure to be in the Lord Gladstone beer garden on a spring twilight getting on down to cool music.

Your summer of 2017/2018 needs to be soundtracked by Permanent Vacation; let the pop funk rock vibes of Lime Cordiale float over you. No other album will get you to your happy music high as quickly as this one. Groove on up a storm of languid sultry Sydney nights as wave upon wave of notes full of party emotions engulf you. Good times abound and the love of partying is imbued into each track such as "Temper Temper." Make sure you grab a copy of the beautifully packaged Permanent Vacation – the cover is designed by Louis from an original lino cut artwork. Stay tuned for a full review of the album and an interview with the guys.

“We want people to be able to shove it on in the living room, or while cooking dinner, or when you’re drinking with your mates, we spent a lot of time creating these songs and exploring their sound. We wanted a collection of songs that really have a personality and vibe.” - Oli Leimbach

Permanent Vacation is out on CD, vinyl, and digital formats on Friday October 13th.