24
Jul

A good eight months have gone by since Stonefield turned my head with their rocking debut single “Through the Clover.” I waited for these young Aussie sisters to blow up, and waited, and waited. Patience is a virtue, as they say though, and it seems all that waiting is finally about to pay off.

After spending rocking Glastonbury, the girls are back with a brand new single “Black Water Rising” and a national tour in the works. It’s also been announced that after these shows wrap up they’ll warm up the stage for the legendary Cold Chisel.

It’s taken some time, but Stonefield are bound to hit those dizzy heights I predicted. If you want to see them before everyone else catches on make sure you head to one of the following shows.

25 August 2011 – Fowlers, Adelaide
26 August 2011 – The Villa ‘Speakeasy’ Perth
28 August 2011 – Hyperfest, Perth (All ages)
1 September 2011 – The Bended Elbow, Geelong
2 September 2011 – East Brunswick Club, Melbourne
3 September 2011 – The Karova Lounge, Ballarat
9 September 2011 – New York Hotel, Launceston
10 September 2011 – Republic Bar, Hobart
10 September 2011 – The Grand Poobah, Hobart (Underage event)
15 September 2011 – The Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
16 September 2011 – Food & Wine Festival, Toowoomba
17 September 2011 – Powerhouse, Brisbane (All ages)
17 September 2011 – The Zoo, Brisbane
22 September 2011 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
23 September 2011 – The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle

21
Jul
This post is sponsored by Nuffnang. However the thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own and not influenced by others.

Most days I don’t get the time to pause and reflect. I spend long hours writing, and then my husband comes home and I switch to domestic goddess mode. Most of my writing is about paying the bills, but this blog centres around my passion for music. When I stop and reflect on that, on why I spend time on something that isn’t a big money-spinner, I think of my dad. He always taught me to do what makes me happy, and he taught me more about music than anyone else.
Dad and I feeding a kangaroo at Oakvale FarmMy earliest memories of sharing music with Dad occurred on long car trips. We were lucky enough to take two holidays every year; one to a favourite caravan park in Forster or Salamander Bay, and the other to an interstate destination. This was before the days of cut-price airlines. Dad would rouse us in the wee small hours of the morning, hoping that my sister and I would sleep soundly until we were a few hours away from home. After all, we had a lot of driving ahead of us!

Those car-bound hours would daunt most small children, but we survived thanks to frequent stops for service station snacks and a steady stream of music. We’d take turns, choosing a cassette tape a piece, for this was long before the days of compact discs. Dad didn’t know it at the time, but he was igniting a passion in me for Australian rock legends like Jimmy Barnes, James Reyne, and Richard Clapton. He’d tell me stories about the bands and the times he saw them play in tiny Newcastle pubs. In turn I drove him crazy with the tunes of Don Spencer, and later introduced him to the musos gracing the pages of the latest editions of Rolling Stone Magazine. He didn’t care for much of the new music, although I did turn him on to the Counting Crows and Rick Price. And after enough stories and enough cassettes and enough chocolate bars, we’d eventually reach our holiday destination.

Dad and I riding bumper boats at Ton of Fun, ForsterA lot of time has passed since those family road trips, but Dad and I are still very close. These days we tend to share more music and musical stories after dinner parties and at concert venues than we do in the car. But in many ways, not too much has changed. I still occasionally thumb through the pages of the music mags, and I’m amused to see that my Dad’s old favourites still occasionally feature. Perhaps I should get him a Rolling Stone Magazine subscription for Father’s Day! If I can’t share my music with him on those long car trips to far flung corners of Australia, it seems the best way to introduce him to those latest chart toppers.

And if I subscribe now I could win a Volkswagen Golf Wagon 118TSI Comfortline car valued at more than $40, 000. I suppose the charitable thing to do would be to hand the auto over as part of the Father’s Day gift, but it is awfully cute. I’m not sure that I could bear to part with it, so I might have to indulge in a music magazine subscription of my own!

Image source: own photos

21
Jul

Two of Australia’s favorite frontmen are joining forces for a big double-header tour. Glenn Richards of Augie March and Dan Luscombe of The Drones will travel all around the country this August, September, and October, showcasing songs from their respective solo albums, Glimjack and Songs from Sunset Studies.

The lads have been good mates and sometime collaborators since meeting backstage at The Church’s famous Last Ever shows. They’ve toured together within their bands many times, so the chemistry is sure to be right when they leave those familiar outfits behind.

The rest of The Drones won’t be entirely forgotten though. Mike Noga, who’s riding high on the success of his own solo endeavour The Balladeer Hunter, will warm up the crowds at the following shows.

25 August 2011 – Toff in Town, Melbourne
26 August 2011 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
27 August 2011 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
2 September 2011 – Manhattan Wine Bar, Launceston
3 September 2011 – The Grand Poobah, Hobart
8 September 2011 – Mullum Civic Hall, Mullumbimby
9 September 2011 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
10 September 2011 – Old Museum @ Studio 3, Brisbane
15 September 2011 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why
16 September 2011 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
17 September 2011 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
18 September 2011 – Transit Bar, Canberra
21 September 2011 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide
23 September 2011 – Bended Elbow, Geelong
24 September 2011 – Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh
29 September 2011 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
30 September 2011 – Notes, Newtown
1 October 2011 – Hotel Gearin, Katoomba

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

19
Jul

I’ve been enjoying a lot of back-to-basics music lately, but few artists strip things back as much as Jordie Lane on his sophomore effort, Blood Thinner.

Jordie recorded the disc in hotel rooms and basements on a four-track machine, with whatever instruments he could get his hands upon. His acoustic guitar and harmonica drive these tracks, but they’re complemented by all manner of unusual music makers, including wine glasses and Tupperware containers. It sounds quirky in principle, but the result is an album that feels far from gimmicky.

With this release Jordie presents himself as a troubadour in the vein of the dearly departed Tim Buckley. There’s a similar emotional core to this music, but I also hear overtones of Neil Young and Bob Dylan in there. He’s an old soul, whether he’s writing music that feels wiser than his years or separating his CD into sides A and B.

The songs are an easy marriage of folk and blues, gentle and unadorned. The simple recording process captures a moment in time, and you really hear that immediacy in the tunes. “Thin My Blood” takes me to an open desert highway, a scene where the world whizzes by from a car window. The title of “On the Net Till Morn” seems very modern, but the track itself takes its sound right back to the birth of blues. I also loved “Not From Round Here,” a gorgeous tale of isolation exquisitely told with just a little finger-picking on the guitar and some plaintive lyrics.

There’s a real beauty to Blood Thinner that I think might only be realised after a few listens. But from that first spin there’s a truth and a talent to what Jordie Lane does. If you’re impressed by this disc, or just keen to discover what it’s all about, you can see Jordie in the flesh on his upcoming tour. It kicks off in Ararat on Thursday and travels all the way around the country.

21 July 2011 – Ararat Hotel Red Room, Ararat
22 July 2011 – Harvester Moon, Bellarine
23 July 2011 – Baby Black Café, Bacchus Marsh
24 July 2011 – Lot 19, Castlemaine
27 July 2011 – Front Gallery, Canberra
28 July 2011 – Wickham Park Hotel, Newcastle
29 July 2011 – The Vanguard, Sydney
30 July 2011 – Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland
31 July 2011 – Lizottes, Kincumber
4 August 2011 – Beetle Bar, Brisbane
5 August 2011 – Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi
6 August 2011 – Mullum Civic Hall, Mullumbimby
11 August 2011 – Westernport Hotel, San Remo
12 August 2011 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
13 August 2011 – Barwon Heads Bowling Club, Barwon Heads
14 August 2011 – Old Hepburn Hotel, Daylesford
17 August 2011 – The Loft, Warrnambool
18 August 2011 – The Wheatsheaf, Adelaide
19 August 2011 – Indi Bar, Scarborough
20 August 2011 – Norfolk Basement, Fremantle
21 August 2011 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
7 September 2011 – Deck Bar, Darwin
8 September 2011 – Mindle Beach Markets, Mindle Beach
9 September 2011 – Darwin Railway Club, Somerville Gardens
10 Setember 2011 – Jabiru Mahbilil Festival, Jabiru
11 September 2011 – Darwin Sailing Club, Darwin

Image source: JB Hi-Fi website

18
Jul

Wollongong’s never really had a big music festival, but it’s saved up something special for its first. From October 28 to 30 Kembla Grange will embrace all things retro with the 80s Rewind Music Festival.

The bill is out of this world, with international acts like The Human League, Kool & The Gang, Sister Sledge, Bananarama, Nik Kershaw, Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet, and Go West all taking part. There’ll be a strong local presence too with Ross Wilson, Mental as Anything, John Paul Young, and Pseudo Echo all taking part. Tickets go on sale on July 25 from Moshtix.

Needless to say, I just wish it didn’t clash with Jazz in the Vines! Side shows anyone?

Image source: Andy Mac @ Wikipedia Commons

17
Jul

Ellesquire is stepping out from his group Loose Change for his first solo endeavour, Ready. After hearing the title track, I’ve got to say that I’m impressed.

I’m not always a fan of urban music, but Ellesquire’s old school approach has won me over. It recalls the hip hop acts of the 90s with its sampling and personal lyrics. He’s also got a really global sound, which I find interesting. So often Australian urban artists obviously sound like they’ve come from our streets with their slightly twangy accents, but Ellesquire could easily have hailed from anywhere. That universality might just be the key to him finding success on an international stage.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. For now we’ve got this tune, and the album to come on August 5.

Image used with permission from Other Tongues

17
Jul

I figured I’d change pace a little to tell you about the musical Hairspray, which I was lucky enough to see at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre last weekend. I talk about rock concerts on here all the time, so why not a bit of musical theatre?

I came to Hairspray a little late in the game I suppose, on the release of the John Travolta movie in 2007. I instantly fell in love with the sweet but often naughty John Waters penned songs and the unwavering optimism of the story, so when I heard it was heading to the Sydney stage I couldn’t refuse.

I had high expectations, which were happily met. In many cases the performances were better than the ones we saw on the big screen. I guess that’s what happens when you can choose your players based on talent rather than their box office power. Esther Hannaford definitely outperformed Amanda Bynes’ insipid Penny, and while Queen Latifah was no slouch I think Cle Morgan brought added soul to Motormouth Maybelle. I’d also take the all-singing, all-dancing Jack Chambers over Zac Effron’s Link Larkin any day, and my inner teenager went nuts for Tevin Campbell’s Seaweed. I thought Nikki Blonsky was a wonderful Tracy Turnblad, but the Sydney star Jaz Flowers was every bit her equal.

The stars were standouts, but the clever lighting and staging was what really made the show for me. Images projected on plain screens created the Technicolor world of the 60s in a way that no old-fashioned stage scenery ever could. Elevating platforms added to the fun, giving more depth to the relatively small Lyric Theatre stage. I was swept up in the world created as you should be in any musical, and I relished it.

Hairspray will stay in Sydney until September 11, unless the season is extended. If you’ve been considering getting yourself along, I would highly recommend it. This musical is a whole lot of fun.

Image source: Hairspray The Musical Australia website

16
Jul

The Bedroom Philosopher is looking to warm up your winter with his Head Sex and Bed Socks tour. Nothing beats those chills like a good belly laugh after all!

The Bedroom Philosopher will perform an intimate set featuring songs from his previous albums, including last year’s surprise smash Songs from the 86 Tram, as well as cuts from his forthcoming album Man. I’m pretty intrigued by this release which is set to feature “a series of manthems for the modern day retrosexual.”

You can get a good dose of The Bedroom Philosopher’s raw masculinity at the following shows.

18 August 2011 – Beavs Bar, Geelong
19 August 2011 – The Promethean, Adelaide
20 August 2011 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
25 August 2011 – Powerhouse, Brisbane
26 August 2011 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
27 August 2011 – The Vanguard, Sydney
9 September 2011 – Republic Bar, Hobart

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

15
Jul

Few acts can boast the pedigree of Folk Uke. The band’s name gives nothing away, but the two-piece act is made up of Cathy Guthrie, the daughter of Arlo and granddaughter of Woody, and Amy Nelson, the spawn of Willie. They apparently resisted getting into the family business for as long as they could, but you just can’t waste such incredible musical genes.

While their parents were pals in the 70s, the girls didn’t find one another until fate saw them employed at the same restaurant in the 90s. They bonded over their shared childhood experiences sleeping in guitar cases and riding on tour buses, and became fast friends.

The next chapter of that friendship will see the pair conquering Australia with a string of shows this October and November. The girls will play songs from their self-titled debut and the current album Reincarnation, a disc which Snoop Dogg describes as “Off the motherfuckin’ chain … Dope as fuck.” High praise indeed.

You can see exactly what’s gotten Snoop so excited when these talented ladies take to the following local stages.

26 October 2011 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
27 October 2011 – Lizotte’s, Central Coast
28 October 2011 – Notes, Newtown
29 & 30 October 2011 – Sydney Blues & Roots Festival, Windsor
2 November 2011 – Civic Hall, Mullumbimby
3 November 2011 – Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi
4 November 2011 – The Old Museum, Brisbane
5 November 2011 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
7 & 8 November 2011 – The Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
9 November 2011 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
10 November 2011 – Caravan Club, Oakleigh
11 November 2011 – East Brunswick Club, Brunswick
12 November 2011 – Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide
13 November 2011 – Currant Shed, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Folk Uke

15
Jul

We’ve been waiting ten long, long years, but The Mark of Cain are almost ready to release album number five. Songs of The Third & Fifth will hit stores near the end of the year.

“It’s been a hard couple of years and I never expected the album to take so long to complete but we are now coming to its final moments before it is thrust into the world for better or worse,” explained the band’s front man John Scott. “Most musicians always think/say that their most recent recording is their best – I can understand that as it’s the most tangible piece of art they’ve been close to, but also, I know in my heart that this album is the best thing we have ever done.”

It seems cruel to leave those loyal fans waiting another few months to hear it, but there’ll be a single released digitally next month to tide us over. As if that wasn’t enough to excite the faithful, The Mark of Cain promise they’ll make their long awaited return to the stage early next year. You know what they say about good things coming to those who wait!

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water