Panama Does Things Differently

The summer festival season gets pretty crowded, but if you’re looking for something different next year you need to pencil March 8 and 9 into your calendar. That’s when Panama takes over the forests of north-eastern Tasmania.

Panama looks to provide a point of difference with Australian and international bands and sideshows of bebop, jazz, soulful dance music, and cabaret acts. The bill’s only just starting to take shape, but Tassie will welcome The Daptones’ Charles Bradley, local heroes Husky, and vintage rockers The Frowning Clouds. That eclectic early bill gives you a bit of an idea of the diversity this festival will celebrate.

It’s also not your usual overcrowded festival with people who want to be seen and warm beer. It’s an event which cares about music, so you’re going to have great sound and an intimate gathering rather than a massive throng of punters. Limited tickets for Panama will go on sale on December 1 from the festival’s website.

Image used with permission from Panama Festival

Is the Old Stuff Better Than the New Stuff?

Through my blog I listen to plenty of new music. I love to keep my finger on the pulse and I still get excited when I discover something new. But am I the only one who thinks that music just isn’t as good as it once was?

Even typing that sentence makes me cringe. I remember how my dad would say sentences to that effect when I was a kid and I’d think he was just too out of touch to get it. Now I think perhaps he was on to something. I watch The Loop, as I used to watch Video Hits years ago, but there are only a handful of songs that I enjoy. When I fork out money for concert tickets I’m more likely to see a nostalgia band than an up-and-comer. The albums I keep coming back to are the ones I’ve heard a million times before.

I can’t be the only one who feels that way. There are online retailers like iOldies Music cropping up to sell the music of classic artists to fans around the globe. International and local acts from the 80s and 90s are still so in demand that they can sell out shows so many years later. Billboard’s top three earners last year were Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, and Roger Waters of Pink Floyd. Clearly Aussie tours from the latter two helped them out, as more than 90 percent of their revenue came from live shows.

I don’t want to feel out of touch or dated. Yet whenever the words come out of my mouth, I can’t help but feel over the hill. Is old music really superior to the new crop, or am I just stuck in a time warp?

Image source: Harminder Desi @ Flickr

In Memory of the Record Stores

My husband likes to tease me because I just can’t let go of physical music. To me, buying an album shouldn’t be about hitting download and receiving a bunch of files. Instead it should be about spending time pouring over liner notes and reading the thank yous to see which artists made guest appearances and what your favourite musician says to his fans.

Does anyone else remember spending hours in record stores? My mum used to leave my in Brashs while she’d do the grocery shopping and I’d spend forever staring at the cassettes and CDs, planning my next purchase. Even better were the days when I’d catch the bus after school to Rices Bookshop and pour over their exhaustive range of vinyl. That’s where I picked up Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet, Wham’s Make It Big, and Poison’s Open Up and Say … Ahh! I was thrilled to search the internet to find Rices is still there on Newcastle’s Hunter Street, and it’s still selling records. There’s even the odd website, like iOldies Music, popping up to as an alternative to the digital download sites.

Because the sad reality is, so many record stores haven’t been so lucky. My beloved Brashs folded many years ago. Independent record stores have almost gone the way of the dinosaurs. Perhaps our kids don’t care whether they can spend hours thumbing through collections of vinyl as I did, but I like to think that’s not the case. After all, ARIA reported in September that vinyl sales increased by more than 70 percent last year. Surely it’s not just the old fogies buying it, right?

We all think about this sort of stuff around Record Store Day, but an annual buying frenzy can’t sustain these beautiful businesses. Next time you see a record store, I think you owe it to yourself to go in and buy something. Anything. If we all did that, maybe we can prevent so many of those hallowed stores that have brought so much joy to music lovers from closing their doors.

Image source: Spencer Hickman @ Flickr

Taking Time Out with Dear Old Dad

I consider myself really lucky that I have a wonderful relationship with my Dad. We’ve gotten over those angsty teenage years and emerged great friends. Anchoring our bond through it all is our shared loved of music.

I thought about this a couple of weekends ago when I headed to the Hunter Valley for the inaugural Jazz in the Vines festival. We listened to the oldie songs on Newcastle community station 2NUR on the way up in the car, then shared our love of jazz standards and soul classics during the show. A few hours later we drove home with more music on the car stereo, before spending the evening chatting and gabbing over more tunes.

Dad and I feeding a kangaroo at Oakvale Farm
No matter how many years pass, I'll always be Daddy's girl

In the comfort of my parents’ home, Dad was in his element. He had his shiny new stereo and his record collection, because he swears that vinyl sounds better than a CD ever will. I tended to agree with him as I listened to the likes of Melanie Safka and Linda Ronstadt and Dad gushing over how beautiful and talented these ladies both were. I’ve lost count of the number of times he’s remarked at the cleverness of the lyrics of “Brand New Key,” but I don’t mind agreeing with him every time.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I’ve got my own life now with my own home and a husband. When we see too much of one another, I’m very glad of that. But I also consider myself pretty lucky that I can take a weekend to go home and bond with the old man over some incredible tunes.

Image source: own photo

Human Nature Come Home for Christmas Shows

In the 90s there were plenty of opportunities to see Human Nature. It seemed they were always appearing at a local shopping centre, performing on a TV program, or playing anywhere from an RSL to an entertainment centre. Those were the days. I remember fondly making glittery signs, queuing for hours to get the best possie, and screaming my teenage lungs out from the front row.

We’re all a little older now and plenty of things have changed. I resigned myself to the fact that Toby and I just weren’t meant to be and found a husband that makes a pretty good stand-in. I also expanded my musical tastes although I still turn up their songs when they come on the radio. And Toby, Phil, Andrew, and Mike packed their bags and moved to Las Vegas where they’ve been wowing crowds for the last six years.

They’re half a world away from home, but the guys from Human Nature make the trip back every December to spend Christmas with their families and play shows for the fans who miss them terribly. This December is no exception. Human Nature tickets are now on sale for The Christmas Tour. As its name suggests, this tour will see the four-piece vocal group performing Christmas classics alongside their smash pop singles and the Motown hits that took them to Vegas all those years ago. Many of those festive tunes will also be featured on Human Nature’s The Christmas Album, which will hit Aussie stores tomorrow.

If like me you remember your heart skipping a few beats over Australia’s own boy band, you can see Human Nature at one of the following shows next month.

5-8 December 2013 – The Palms at Crown, Melbourne
13 & 14 December 2013 – Jupiter’s Casino, Brisbane
17 & 18 December 2013 – State Theatre, Sydney
19 December 2013 – Festival Theatre, Adelaide
20 December 2013 – Perth Zoo

Image source: The Harbour Agency

X Factor’s Dami Im Tops ARIA Singles Charts

When I watched Katy Perry perform her smash hit single “Roar” on the X Factor finale, I remember thinking that Dami Im sang the song better a couple of weeks prior. So perhaps it’s fitting that Dami’s roared louder on the ARIA Charts this week and beaten Miss Perry to the top spot. The reigning X Factor queen has scored her first Australian number one with “Alive.”

Guy Sebastian’s appearance on the finale appears to have done him some good too. His latest single “Like a Drum,” the first to come from his forthcoming seventh album, is sitting at number four on debut. The song is Guy’s 12th top ten single.

Last year’s X Factor contestant Nathaniel continues to do great business with “You.” It only slipped slightly this week to claim the seventh spot on the charts. It pipped Justice Crew’s newie “Everybody,” which jumped ten spots to sit at number eight.

Last week’s number one album, Triple J’s Like a Version Volume 9, has fallen to number four this week. It beat out Kerser’s S.C.O.T. and Tina Arena’s Reset, which sit at number five and six respectively.

Click below for a closer look at this week’s top tens.

Continue reading “X Factor’s Dami Im Tops ARIA Singles Charts”

Sweet Jean Release “Annabelle”

Sime Nugent and Alive Keath, better known as Sweet Jean, are back with their exquisite new single “Annabelle.”

The single’s film clip sees Sweet Jean collaborating with Australian cinematographer on the rise, Alex Cardy. Alex has previously worked on clips for The Midnight Juggernauts and Oscar Key Sung, and she also played a part in the recent big screen adaptation of The Great Gatsby. That makes her the perfect person to bring to life Sweet Jean’s literary-influenced track, which drew inspiration from the likes of Vladimir Nabokov, Edgar Allan Poe, and William Blake.

Sweet Jean will launch the lovely “Annabelle” with a show alongside The Orbweavers at The Toff in Town on November 14.

The Presets Launch Rotto Live

How does kicking back on Rottnest Island while you see some of the country’s best bands sound? It doesn’t need to be just a fantasy though, as Zaccaria Concerts & Touring and Hotel Rottnest have joined forces to launch Rotto Live. This Sunday session series will see some killer artists playing in this beautiful part of the country, starting with The Presets on December 15.
And the electronic duo couldn’t be happier to kick things off!

“We’re thrilled to kick off the summer in WA at Hotel Rottnest for the Rotto Live Sunday Sessions on December 15th,” they said in a statement. “Looking forward to seeing you all there!”

Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster. Keep an eye on the Rotto Live Twitter feed for details of more events.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Ariela Jacobs Wows me with “The Sound”

You know those times when you hear music and it just floors you? Those times when you’re captivated from the first notes and when the song’s done you’re desperate to tell everyone you can about it? I’m lucky I suppose, because when I’m struck this way I can tell people through my blog. So excuse me while I gush about Melbourne singer-songwriter Ariela Jacobs and her incredible single “The Sound.”

This is special stuff. Ariela’s voice is sent from heaven, and she has an incredible knack for crafting a folk-pop melody. I was entranced all the way through this song which sits somewhere between the vintage stylings of Joni Mitchell and the more modern flair of Regina Spektor. If you love those artists, you have to listen to this. Hell, even if you don’t, you need to take a chance on this. Just press play. Do it!

Ariela’s planning to release her debut EP early next year, and if “The Sound’s” anything to go by, it’s going to be incredible.

Image used with permission from Flew the Coop

Poppy Positivity from Fox & Fowl

Canberra-formed and now Brisbane-based five-piece Fox & Fowl have exploded onto the music scene with a pop of positivity in the form of their first single “Pilot.” I challenge you to listen to this one without a smile on your face. “Pilot” is summery and full of hooks, driven by an effortlessly energetic performance from frontman Lachlan Smart.

Lachlan and his Fox & Fowl buddies all met in early 2011 when they relocated from regional NSW to study in the nation’s capital. After finishing uni, the band were at a crossroads so they decided to head to the fertile creative ground of Brisbane.

The band actually penned “Pilot” way back in those early uni days, but a little massaging from Brisbane producer Yanto Browning has it sounding fresh as a daisy. It’s not just Fox & Fowl’s first single. It’s also our first taste of their debut EP, which is scheduled for a release in early 2014.

Fox & Fowl will play shows supporting Kite Club and High-Tails, as well as a few headlining gigs, to support “Pilot’s” release.

6 November 2013 – Beach Road Hotel, Bondi, Sydney
7 November 2013 – Boney, Melbourne (supporting Kite Club and High-Tails)
9 November 2013 – The Gasometer, Melbourne (supporting Kite Club & High-Tails)
21 November 2013 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney (supporting Kite Club & High-Tails)
13 December 2013 – MUM World Bar, Sydney

Image used with permission from Recon Music