New Music: The Jezabels

The Jezabels have been locked away in Jim Moginie’s Oceanic Studios in Sydney, with producer Lachlan Mitchell, putting the finishing touches to the final collection of songs that will make the third and final instalment of their ambitious EP trilogy release project.

The EP, titled ‘Dark Storm’, is due for release on October 1st, 2010.

It follows ‘The Man Is Dead’ and ‘She’s So Hard’, both released independently through MGM last year with the latter spawning two singles, ‘Hurt Me’ & ‘Easy To Love’ that received high rotation radio airplay on alternative radio nationally, and television love from Channel V, MTV, Video Hits and Rage.

This week the Jezabels also received two AIR Award nominations for Break Through Artist and Best Single/ EP.

“If you thought The Jezabels sounded good on their CD, wait until you see them live.”
THE MUSIC NETWORK

“…judging by the crowd at the sold-out Oxford Art Factory – there’s a lot of eagerness to see them take their next crucial step.” THE VINE

“It’s nearly impossible not to be struck by the band’s energy, imagination and emotional rawness when they take the stage” THE DRUM MEDIA SYDNEY

Check them out next Wednesday night when they play as part of the Big Sound Live showcase.

New Tour Announced: You Am I

YOU AM I ANNOUNCE NATIONAL TOUR

Its been 1 year since You Am I toured Australia, in that time they’ve made a new record.

Their most sonically adventurous record to date, the self-titled forthcoming album “YOU AM I” has been described by those lucky enough to have heard it, as their finest record since ‘Hourly Daily.’

The album is chock full of subtleties and surprises, from the controlled rocking grandeur of the first radio single “Shuck”, to the smouldering “Trigger Finger”, to the Beatles/Beach Boys beauty on “Waiting to be Found”. Released October 8^th the album hits the stores just in time for tour kick off.

These shows will be the first opportunity to hear these new songs, which by all accounts are destined to become YOU AM I classics.

YOU AM I return to the musical spotlight with the next exciting phase of an impressive career, and what better way to do it, than with a new label, a brand new album, and a rollicking 16-date National Australian tour.

Saturday November 27^th – HiFi, Brisbane

Support: The Honey Month

Tickets from www.thehifi.com.au, / Ph: 1300-THEHIFI (8434434) / Rocking Horse Records / Butter Beats  / Sunflower Pacific fair / Disasterpiece  / Mosh Pit Music / Kill The Music / Gooble Warming Rockaway Records

New Live Music: The Mercy Beat, Sparrows, Hundred Bad Guys with Swords, Cat Rapes Bat

24TH SEPTEMBER 2010 – THE ZOO – FORTITUDE VALLEY, BRISBANE

The Mercy Beat recently debuted their album How to Shampoo a Yak to huge success and rave reviews and are back again give us another taste of their notoriously energetic- and occasionally bloody- live shows.  Labelled “one of the city’s most enduring live acts” The Mercy Beat are a must-see, and when you witness the all out assault, you’ll never wash your looking balls again.

Joining The Mercy Beat are Sparrows (SYD), the offspring of seasoned Aussie rockers One Dollar Short and All In Favour; Hundred Bad Guys with Swords; and Yeppoon natives and experimental party rockers, Cat Rapes Bat.

Friday September 24th – The Zoo, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
w/ Sparrows, Hundred Bad Guys with Swords and Cat Rapes Bat.
$12 | 8pm

www.myspace.com/themercybeat

New Music: You Am I

YOU AM I TAKE COMPLETE CONTROL

YOU AM I clear a new path that see’s them turn The Clash’s dream of Complete Control into a reality.  Taking control of it’s destiny, with a new record in hand YOU AM I have rethought how it releases records in a music industry that is endlessly evolving.

With a careers worth of experience in hand YOU AM I can see how a combination of indie upstart, direct to fan and experienced consultant will provide them with the best connection to their fans, because that’s what this is all about right.

The much-loved four piece have written and recorded their most sonically adventurous album to date.

“Although we’ve had a strong, affectionate, intelligent relationship with EMI for our past two LP’s, the making of this record has been such a unique, bewildering, exciting experience that the band has decided to formalize a release with a hand picked crew that we’ve spent more than a few early hours pontificating about what we love about being in this band, and creating music. After almost 20 years of making records, we found ourselves bursting at the seams with energy, and the people at our new team understand our need to dive in headfirst and get fruity.” – Tim Rogers

YOU AM I are the flagship signing for fast rising Sydney indie Other Tongues and through that, find distribution with the artist friendly team at MGM.

“It’s a thrill to be working directly with one of this country’s finest-ever bands, and one of my personal faves, and at a time of such profuse creative growth for them” – Nick Pontikos, Other Tongues

The new album is a riveting address to the nation. Produced by ARIA Award-winning engineer Greg Wales and mixed by James Cadsky, the album was recorded over various sessions, studios, and combinations to create the band’s most well-woven and expressive record yet.

The band has assembled a crack team for the project, enlisting Footstomp Music’s Graham Ashton as a consultant. Publicity is spearheaded by Other Tongues’ Kym-Louise Barton, together with long time press officer Jo Wilson and The Right Profile’s John Zucco.

The bands self-titled record ‘YOU AM I’ will be released Oct 8.

Fingers crossed that the band will follow with a comprehensive headline tour!

Ben Kweller, the Texan charmer.

New Music: Laneous and the Family Yah

One of Brisbane’s most favourite outfits is back with another release, just as fun and exciting (if not more so!) as the last. Laneous and the Family Yah have spent the last 18 months making sound waves sound so very different and light-hearted all over Australia, through both countless live performances and radio airplay.

Their most recent offering from their album Found Things (to be released in September) is I am Dog. The song gives a feel of dancing like a crazed maniac, and the lyrics tend to lend themselves to this idea. This chipper little tune seems like such an innocent and fun idea at first, but as you listen a few more times, it becomes apparent that the idea that Laneous had was something more complex.

The “lyrics wrote themselves, seemingly shallow and meaningless like a kids song for adults, but lending itself to be read a little deeper, commenting on my, as a human, connection to the animal particularly when it comes to my relation to women.”

This feel-good tune is now available, and you can check out the awesome clip for it right here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n5ED48aL8Q.

New Music: Blue King Brown’s Never Fade Away

Blue King Brown are currently smashing singles out like there’s no tomorrow. Having just released their new album Worldwize, Never Fade Away is already their third single from this one release. Talk about a hard-working act!

Being just as politically loaded as much of their other material, accompanied by an urgency in the melody, this song is one that emotionally attacks the listener, whilst also being danceable and fun in a Jamaican sense.

With ideals such as the importance of support and family, as well as discussing femininity, the song is symbolic of many of the values that the band tend to speak out about on a regular basis.

Never Fade Away is an awe-inspiring, exciteable track that is bound to give you goosebumps upon first listening, and drive you mental (in a good way!) from it being stuck in your mind for hours afterwards. Check it out here if you haven’t already heard it.

New Show Announced: Ball Park Music at the Troubadour

Interview: Sarah McLeod on “Double R”

Sophie Hart was lucky enough to take a few moments out of Sarah McLeod‘s day recently to sit down and have a chat about her new release, “Double R”, what she’s been up to, and where music has taken her since her days as singer vocals in the Superjesus.

Hey Sarah, thanks for taking the time out to talk to us today. Your new single “Double R” is a huge change in direction from your previous work. Tell me about the evolution you have gone through?
I listen to lots of different music these days and my tastes have just changed. I learned how to produce and programme my own music on my lap top and this made a huge impact on my new direction, I find the change really inspiring.

Could you tell us about the music you have been listening to, and song writing you have been doing since we last saw you fronting the Superjesus?
When I was in London I was a total sucker for religiously following shows from DJS like Annie Mac and Zane Lowe. Now that I am in Australia I stream it on the net because I love it, I love Annie Mac’s show. I also subscribe to lots of music blogs like RCRDLBL.com.

One thing that is mentioned a lot on your web site is the path it has taken you to find your musical freedom. Can you explain what you mean by this and what constraints you feel as a woman in the Australian music industry?
I feel zero constraints as a woman, I am merely constrained by my broad love for music. I like too many different styles and I can write in so many different styles, this makes my job harder.

What do you believe are the biggest limitations of the Australian music industry for an artist changing direction?
I think people like to judge you on your past and sometimes I think that if I was an unknown artist I would have more freedom. It’s difficult to break perceptions sometimes. I don’t know why people like to put artists in boxes.

What is it about the electronica sound that has inspired you to make this move? Is it something you have been planing for some time?
I learned how to produce and programme through working with different producers around the world, now I find writing on guitar boring and limited. I love working with technology, it has opened up so many doors for me creativly.

I noticed on your web site you have been keeping a blog. How important is this open communication with your fans?
I should communicate so much more, it’s really important these days, I always think that what I’m doing is so boring and no one would care so I don’t write as often as I should. My daily blogs would just consist of what I was writing, given that writing songs is pretty much all I do every single day of my life!

Tell us about your personal achievements of the past few years?
I have overcome a lot of personal doubt and that’s been the biggest thing for me. I’m not so worried about what people think of me anymore, being an Aquarian that happens naturally, you always want people to like you. These days it’s important that I respect myself first and then go from there.

What else does the future hold for you after the release of this new album “Madness” due out later this year?
Madness is one part of a musical trilogy bonanza. The second instalment is called ‘LOVE’.

Island Vibe first announcement released!

Rudekat Records and Scene Magazine present

Island Vibe 2010

3 Days: Friday 29th, Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st October

Home Beach, Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah)

www.islandvibe.com.au

Introducing the mammoth first line-up announcement, featuring:

Ladi 6 (NZ)

Groundation (US)

Paula Fuga (Hawaii)

Opiuo

+ Darky Roots, Kooii, Rhythm Hunters, Impossible Odds, Paua, Djambouki, 20,000 Leagues, Rhythm Collision Sound, De La Haye, DJ Mustaphaa, Andy Dub and Landsoaken

With many, many, many more tba ….

The first big line-up announcement for Island Vibe 2010 is here, and brings a massive set of bands from Australia and around the world to the sun-soaked shores of North Straddie.

Ladi6

New Zealand’s premier female MC Ladi6 (Karoline Tamati) is set to bring her energetic live performances, sublime soulful vocals and conscious lyrics to Island Vibe 2010. The landmark success of her debut solo album Time Is Not Much on both sides of the Tasman saw Ladi6 gracing the stage of the Big Day Out and touring with De La Soul, 50 Cent and The Roots. Her vocals have been sought out to feature on tracks by Fat Freddys Drop, Shapeshifter, Scribe and 50Hz, as well top German hip hop artist Sepalot. This will be Ladi6’s first visit to Island Vibe and is set to be a massive headline act.

Groundation

Hailing from North California, Groundation have been pioneering the new reggae sound for over 12 years – in that time releasing 8 studio albums. Featuring an elastic line-up that can see up to 9 people on stage at a time, their Virgin Island fusion of trumpet, saxophone, trombone, timbales, congas, and authentic organs has seen them become one of the most influential acts on the US reggae scene. Renowned as much for their social consciousness as their musical pedigree, they have a deep association with Jamaican culture and Rastafari, and their commitment to the environment  is a great complement for the Island Vibe ethos.

Paula Fuga

With a list of collaborations that includes Jack Johnson and Ziggy Marley, Paula Fuga stands towards the pinnacle of the Hawaiian Reggae scene. Possessing a distinct rich soulful voice similar to the likes of Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, her R&B sound has a strong wide appeal and is set to shine against the breezy Island Vibe backdrop.

Opiou

Melbourne breakbeat producer Opiuo has taken the national scene by storm – his new album Slurp and Giggle has gone gangbusters, named Sunset Album Of The Week on FBi, Tipsheeted on PBS and racking up airplay Aus-wide. A self confessed music addict with a light hearted approach to life and art, Opiuo is at his best whilst hiding from the world, creating fun fuelled music. Influences coming from everything, from life changing experiences, to mere cups of tea. Incorporating sounds as varied as jazz, reggae, funk, rock, psychedelia, and downright chunky goodness.

PLUS

Darky Roots, Kooii, Rhythm Hunters, Impossible Odds, Paua, Djambouki, 20,000 Leagues, Rhythm Collision Sound, De La Haye, DJ Mustaphaa, Andy Dub and Landsoaken

Now into its fifth big year, Island Vibe has solidified its reputation as the leading Reggae, Roots and Cultural festival in the South Pacific. The three day festival held in late October annually on the pristine North Stradbroke Island is the ideal home of great tunes and good vibes, with thousands of people from around Australia making the annual pilgrimage to enjoy the festival.

2009 marked the biggest year yet for the event with Chali 2na, Natiruts and Sunshine Sound System rocking the line-up, and the festival enjoying an almost virtual sell-out. The build-up for this year’s Island Vibe has already kicked in to overdrive, as early bird  and second-round tickets sold out in record time. Still, there is plenty of tickets and accommodation available, but get in quick to lock away your place amongst the music, sun, surf and sand.

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