“Tribe” – Bearfoot

If summer is but a distant memory and you’re cursing the winter chill, wrap your ears around Tribe, the recently released EP from Sunshine Coast reggae act Bearfoot.

The first track “Could Be Worse” is the ideal introduction to this band, a cruisy cut about looking on the brighter side of life. I couldn’t help but think of Stevie Wonder’s “Master Blaster” when listening to “Impolite.” There’s a shared melodic sensibility there, but the perceptive, socially aware lyrics help ensure this song occupies its own space. “Dreamer,” sees Bearfoot in a more relaxed space. It’s so catchy and laidback, it reminds me of hanging around a beer garden in the middle of summer. I was well and feeling the reggae vibes by the time “One Drop” came on, with its lyrics reminding listeners that “Reggae never hurt anyone.” “Babylon” is the closing track, a smart number which reminds the listener Bearfoot is much more than just a party band.

Bearfoot’s laidback summery vibe is perfect antidote to the chilly winter weather. It’s positive music, with clever rapid-fire vocals and irresistible brassy hook. In a music scene where good reggae acts are a rarity, what they’re doing stands apart. I hadn’t heard of Bearfoot before, but after hearing this EP they’re definitely on my radar.

Bearfoot is currently on tour. Here are the remaining places you can see the Queensland reggae group play.

29 July 2016 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
5 August 2016 – First Fridays Noosa Junction, Noosa
14 August 2016 – Peregian Originals, Peregian Beach
19 August 2016 – The Motor Room @ Boundary St Hotel, Brisbane
21 August 2016 – Hotel Brunswick Sunday Session, Brunswick Heads
9 September 2016 – Solbar, Maroochydore
30 September 2016 – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra
2 October 2016 – Triffid Roots Festival, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Call & Response

Applications Wanted for Girls Rock! Brisbane

The rock music scene is a bit of a boys’ club. So it’s exciting to see The Foundry in Brisbane has teamed up with a great non-profit organisation called Girls Rock! Australia for the second ever Girls Rock! Brisbane event.

This music mentorship program looks to help self-identified girls, trans, and gender non-conforming youth aged between 10 and 17 nurture an interest in rock music within a safe space. Over five days participants will form their own bands, learn instruments, participate in creative workshops, write their own songs, and watch live performances.

Girls Rock! Brisbane will be held from Monday September 26 to Friday September 30. On October 1, all involved will get the chance to showcase their new skills with a live performance at The Foundry. Participant applications are due on Monday, August 1, so if you want to be a part of it you’ll need to be quick. Interested adults can also apply to become a volunteer for the event. Girls Rock! Brisbane needs people with a whole range of skills, so check out the application form to see whether you could play a part in this great initiative.

Image used with permission from Mucho Bravado

The Winter Gypsy Impress With Unique Folk Single

Adelaide indie folk act The Winter Gypsy is generating plenty of buzz with their latest single “Took Me By.”

This is such a complex track, with delicate electric guitars and driving drums. It’s a little heavier than much of the folk music we’re used to hearing, but there’s a restraint about it too. It’s not like anything else I’ve heard, yet it feels totally cohesive and accessible.

I also love the video, which was shot in Mount Barker, South Australia. In a press release, The Winter Gypsy’s lead singer Tush Singh explained the meaning behind the song and its clip.

“I wrote this song about a period of time wherein my mum was battling cancer – I felt helpless because there was nothing I could do to make her better,” he said. “I wanted to portray that thought into having a visual of someone restrained and ‘crying out for help,’ but having everyone run past (me through the tunnel) because there’s nothing they can do to help me.”

“Took Me By” comes from The Winter’s Gypsy’s forthcoming EP Page I, which is released on August 5. To celebrate, the band will play the following East Coast shows. Tickets are available from the venues on the night of each show.

28 August 2016 – Bar Open, Fitzroy (18+)
4 September 2016 – The Jade, Adelaide (ALL AGES)
8 September 2016 – Playbar, Surry Hills (18+)
10 September 2016 – Smith’s Alternative, Canberra (ALL AGES)
17 September 2016 – The Exeter, Adelaide (18+)

JP Klipspringer Gives Taste of Forthcoming Album With “Can’t Be”

JP Klipspringer took inspiration from the cult TV show True Detective and his own journeys backpacking around America’s south for his latest single “Can’t Be.” At its core it’s a pop song, but there’s a sinister edge to it that makes it a little more challenging than most mainstream fodder.

Personally I love the mix of sweetness and melancholy here. There’s that extra layer that many people won’t hear, but it makes the listening experience so much more compelling when it gels.

“Can’t Be” comes from JP’s first full-length album, which is expected to drop in September. JP promises to tour around the country on his album’s release.

Human Nature @ The Star, 21 July 2016

When I was a teenage girl, Human Nature was my boy band of choice. Whenever they scheduled a shopping centre appearance or booked a TV show, let alone a concert, I’d take myself virtually anywhere in the state to be there. I was even known to cross state lines. However, before last Thursday I hadn’t seen a Human Nature show in at least seven years, as this blog informs me, and that was really to give my husband or fiancé, whatever he happened to be at the time, an insight into my teenage years. However, when a high school friend admitted she’d never actually seen Human Nature live, I couldn’t resist taking a trip down memory lane with her.

The Voice graduate Emma Pask was tasked with warming up the sell-out crowd at Sydney’s The Star. Her set of just four songs felt far too short. What a warm, talented performer she is. Her jazzy take on Adele’s “Rumour Has It” was so quirky and clever, and Sergio Mendes’ “Mas Que Nada” was a brilliant closer. I was left wanting more, and so glad I’ll get just that when she plays the final Jazz in the Vines in a couple of months.

Seeing a band you were so devoted to is always going to be a nostalgic experience. However, an awful lot has changed since the last time I saw Human Nature. Back then they hadn’t long released their first Motown album. If memory serves they hadn’t made their big move to Las Vegas, so they were somewhere between honouring their boy band roots and playing with the covers that were beginning to generate such buzz.

Today Human Nature are best known as a covers band, for better or worse. Their show is a well-oiled machine, with light projections and back-up dancers making things feel very polished. With the release of a couple of Jukebox albums, they’ve built on the Motown material to create a repertoire of feel-good songs their adoring crowds eat up. Their voices are just as sublime as I remember them. They surround themselves with a tight bunch of musicians, but personally I think their talents shine brightest when the wall of sound is stripped away and their harmonies can stand alone.

The lads clearly love being back in Australia. They joked easily with the crowd and made references to home that would go over the heads of their usual Las Vegas audience. With an isolated Aussie show, rather than a string of dates, the banter felt more off-the-cuff and rehearsed than it often did back in the day.

Human Nature are born entertainers, all-singing, all-dancing, oh so charming. But I must admit, I was left wanting a little more than this very polished and pleasing performance. Several factors saw me drifting away Human Nature over the years, but their dependence on covers was one of them. I love cover songs and even some cover acts. David Campbell only sings covers these days, but he does it with such passion that you forget he didn’t write his songs. At times he brings tears to my eyes. I wish I’d been as moved during Human Nature’s set. However, the only covers that I felt in my gut were “Earth Angel” and “I’ll Be There,” songs they’ve sung since the 90s, when they were a bit more selective about which covers would make their sets.

Speaking of the 90s, the highlight of the set for me came when Human Nature brought back this decade with a trio of songs from their past. I must admit, I felt that familiar flutter of my heart when they burst out with “He Don’t Love You,” complete with the very same dance moves they performed all those years ago. The song actually formed a 90s medley which paid homage to boy band contemporaries: New Kids on the Block, Backstreet Boys, and N*Sync. I only had eyes for Human Nature during that decade, so I didn’t get quite as excited as some of the other thirtysomethings in the crowd, but I loved the nostalgia fest. “Wishes” and “Every Time You Cry” followed, reminding me of all the beautiful memories I’d made during that period of time.

I would have loved to hear more of those 90s tracks, but with so many seniors in the crowd keen to hear the songs of their youth, I can understand why the boy band period were revisited so briefly. Human Nature’s demographic has changed an awful lot over the years!

As I was mulling over the reasons why I wasn’t left gushing over this show, despite its quality, I was reminded of a letter I wrote to Who magazine many years ago defending Human Nature’s second album Counting Down. Incensed at the review which declared how fluffy the album was, I questioned why everything needed to have edge and grit. What was wrong, I asked, with music that simply makes you feel good? So now I ask myself the same thing. As people filed out of the Event Centre, they all had smiles on their faces. Throughout the show people were dancing and clapping and singing along. Young and old, male and female, everyone was having such a good time. And when you can make people happy, as Human Nature continues to do, maybe that’s enough.

Image source: own photos

The Rumjacks Rocking Europe & UK Ahead of Album Release

If you’re having problems getting moving this Monday, crank up “A Fistful O’ Roses” by Sydney powerhouse The Rumjacks. Unless you’re at work, or you have sensitive ears, because there’s a little adult language involved!

Cursing aside, this is one of the most exciting, high energy songs I’ve heard in some time. It never takes its foot off the pedal as it takes aim at Sydney’s lock-out laws. I also love the way The Rumjacks intertwine their punk sensibilities with their Irish and Scottish roots.

The song comes from The Rumjacks’ upcoming album Sleepin’ Rough, which hits stores on August 5. The band is currently touring around Europe and the United Kingdom, but they’ll be back to promote the album later this year. If you’re abroad, here are the places you can catch them.

25 July 2016 – Le Local, Cambrai
26 July 2016 – Mondo Bizarro, Rennes
27 July 2016 – Le Molotov, Marseille
28 July 2016 –La Taniere, Saint-Etienne
29 July 2016 – L’Usine, Geneva
30 July 2016 – Le Blogg, Lyon
1 August 2016 – Le Gibus Club, Paris
2 August 2016 – El Diablo, Lille
3 August 2016 – Le Tigre, Selestat
4 August 2016 – Guinness Festival 2016, Sion
6 August 2016 – Los Almiros Festival 2016, Volos
9 August 2016 – The Shelter Club, Cluj-Napoca
11 August 2016 – PunkRock Holiday 2016, Tolmin
13 August 2016 – Open Flair Festival 2016, Eschwege
14 August 2016 – Taubertal Festival 2016, Rothenburg ob der Tauber
16 August 2016 – Wild at Heart, Berlin
17 August 2016 –Hafenklang, Hamburg
19 August 2016 – Umsonst und Draussen Festival 2016, Minden
19 & 20 August 2016 – Stemweder Open Air Festival 2016, Rahden
20 August 2016 – Crossnight 2016, Gutersloh
21 August 2016 – Lowlands Festival 2016, Biddinghuizen
23 August 2016 – Scruffy’s, Karlsruhe
24 August 2016 – Schwarzer Adler, Egelsee
26 August 2016 – Brintaal Festival 2016, Vicenza
27 August 2016 – Musigburg, Aarburg
30 August 2016 – Firlej, Wroclaw
31 August 2016 –Klub U Bazyla, Poznan
1 September 2016 – Ucho, Gdynia
2 September 2016 – Hydrozagadka, Warsaw
3 September 2016 – Rotunda, Krakow
4 September 2016 – Rudeboy, Bielsko-Biala
6 September 2016 – Vienna Arena, Vienna
7 September 2016 – Rock Café, Prague
8 September 2016 – Underground, Cologne
9 September 2016 – Melkweg, Amsterdam
10 September 2016 – Wild at Heart, Berlin
11 September 2016 – Abruzzo Irish Festival 2016, Notaresco

Vincent Sole Shows He Has a Big Musical Future

At 18 I was nowhere close to “making it.” I was attending uni, partly because that’s what I thought I needed to do to become a writer, partly because it let me carry on being a teenager without real adult responsibilities. I was working a part-time job in retail and focusing the majority of my energies into chasing bands. I remember writing a couple of songs which I knew at the time were terrible.

So I have a special kind of admiration for guys like Vincent Sole, a Melbourne teen who emerged from triple j’s Unearthed competition last year to work with Grammy-nominated engineer Andrei Eremin (Chet Faker, Ta-ku, Japanese Wallpaper). The result of their collaboration is “Don’t Waste My Time,” a cruisy electro gem anchored by lush beats and Vincent’s killer voice.

With so much talent at such a tender age, I expect we’ll hear a lot more from Vincent Sole.

Image used with permission from 5/4 Entertainment

“Commands” – Amanda Merdzan

Ever since the lead single last September, I’ve been anticipating the release of Aussie ex-pat Amanda Merdzan’s EP Commands. The singles signalled a new sound for Amanda’s music, and I was keen to see how it would play out in a larger collection of songs. With the release of Commands, all the pieces fall together.

The most recent single “Glow” introduces the EP beautifully. It’s such a strong opening number, with its beautiful string arrangement and introspective lyrics.

“All of You” is the EP’s edgiest track, a pledge to love after another has left the object of her affection’s heart in tatters. Again the lyrics are right on point, although the vocal effects take a little of the heart out of the song in my opinion.

That theme of standing on the precipice of love, prepared to jump continues on the EP’s first single “Matter,” although the touch is a little more delicate this time. The gentle treatment with a more stripped back sonic arrangement suits this song’s sweetness. She sings for so many women wrapped up in infatuation when she repeats the line “I know that I can get carried away.”

The ebb and flow of feelings associated with old loves is tackled beautifully in “Flame.”

“Bury the Rest” ends the EP on such a strong note. It makes a powerful statement about moving forward, with pounding drums supporting the potent lyrics beautifully.

It’s so exciting to witness Amanda’s evolution. While sonically this lush electronically charged music is very different from the earnest folk Amanda created when I first encountered her, that heart that first drew me to her music remains. Commands may be Amanda’s most intimate work to date, with songs exploring the challenges in hiding a same-sex relationship, the complications in disclosing the truth, and the breakdown of a friendship. These are very specific events, but Amanda tackles them in such a relatable way. I may not have lived through her stories, but I’ve certainly felt the emotions she draws on.

Commands is released independently today. It’s available on through various online retailers and streaming services including Spotify and iTunes.

Totally 80s @ Enmore Theatre, Newtown – 16 July 2016

Before I head off to another concert tonight I figured I’d best put fingers to keyboard and write about last Saturday’s gigging. As a child of the 80s, I couldn’t resist the lure of the Totally 80s show touring around the country. I probably wouldn’t see any of the acts on their own, but put them all together and I knew I was in for a fun night.
Unfortunately Stacey Q was unwell, so she didn’t perform. I didn’t mind too much, as “Two of Hearts” was never one of my favourite tracks. That left Men Without Hats to open up the show. They were such an 80s guilty pleasure, with the songs always outshining the vocals. I didn’t expect those vocals to be quite as terrible as they were though. Lead singer Ivan Doroschuk’s offbeat energy certainly entertained though. And their performance was mercifully quick; they played the two big singles “Pop Goes the World” and “The Safety Dance” before exiting the stage.

Those short sets were just what I was hoping for at a show like this. Give the people what they want and move on. Maynard F# Crabbes, who you may remember from numerous TV and radio gigs in the 80s and 90s, kept the night running like a well-oiled machine, introducing acts and then sending them on their way in his bold gold suit. It worked a treat, especially forbands like Real Life and Wa Wa Nee whose material I was the least familiar with. Unlike so many of the crowd, I was too young for the pubs and clubs in the 80s, so I don’t have the same memories they did of dancing until late to their songs.

Real Life, or at least lead singer Richard Zatorski, were the first to fly the Aussie flag. I loved the theatre of his performance; the big hit “Send Me an Angel” was everything I hoped it’d be.

When Paul Gray stepped down from his spot in the house band and moved into the spotlight, punters rose to their feet and filled the sides of the venue where they could dance and sing. They seemed to know every word to every Wa Wa Nee song, and I found myself watching their elation a little more than the performance. I will give Paul Gray props for bringing out the only keytar of the night.

The first real stand-out performance of the night for me was Katrina, minus her Waves. Here is a performer who sounds every bit as good as she did decades ago, and she has the energy to match it. She made delivering a high-energy number like “Walking On Sunshine” look easy. However, I was a little disappointed that “Love Shine a Light” didn’t make her two-song set, especially since Maynard had mentioned her Eurovision win. I didn’t know the track she opened with, and while it was good I couldn’t sing along.

Limahl of Kajagoogoo was thoroughly charming, but his voice couldn’t quite sustain the notes it once could. Thank goodness for Robyn Loau, who supported him through those challenging highs of “The Never Ending Story.” “Too Shy” was also loads of fun, even if it didn’t sound quite as good as the record.

I expected to hate Paul Lekakis’ set. I was never a big fan of “Boom Boom (Let’s Go Back To My Room).”But he was incredible. I may have been more than a little won over by that body, which looks like it hasn’t aged a day since the 80s. And that face. Add some high energy dance moves, both by Paul and his leggy female backing dancers, and what’s not to love? He was the real surprise package of the night.

I think Berlin might have had the longest set of the night, but I didn’t begrudge them that one bit. Again I knew just a handful of songs – “No More Words” and “Take My Breath Away” – and they performed them both flawlessly. Terri Nunn has such an impressive voice. She oozes charisma and really engages with her audience. And the band is tight. I was a little surprised to hear one of their songs was brand new, but when a band is as good as Berlin there’s no real reason to stop and simply rest on nostalgia.

Martika was the closer, and the artist I’d most looked forward to. I remember being infatuated with her ever since I heard her poppy cover of “I Feel the Earth Move,” a track that my dad hated because he felt it was far inferior to the original. Martika is another singer who has lost nothing over the years. The way she danced around the stage, yet delivered stellar vocals, puts the Britneys of the world to shame. I was anticipating “Love Thy Will Be Done,” a song I heard Prince perform so beautifully just a few months ago. She dedicated her performance to the man who penned it for her, noting how much we all miss him. She sang it beautifully. As she segued into the refrain from “Purple Rain,” I had to wipe a couple of tears from my eyes. We stayed in Minneapolis for the following song, “Martika’s Kitchen,” another track written by the Purple One. I’d forgotten just how much I loved this playful song, and how well Martika raps. “Toy Soldiers,” the last number of Martika’s set and the night, closed out this nostalgia-fest beautifully.

While there were some lowlights, Totally 80s was an incredible night which proved many of the iconic acts of the decade are every bit as good as they once were. Hopefully the promoters will put together another bill of 80s favourites next year, because I’d love to do it all again.

Illy Teams Up With Vera Blue for “Papercuts”

If you’re off to Splendour this weekend, make sure you don’t miss Illy. This home-grown rapper is in fine form at the moment, which you can hear on his latest single “Papercuts,” a collaboration with Sydney’s Vera Blue.

“I’ve been holding on to Papercuts for a while, and I’m really excited that it’s finally coming out,” Illy said in a press release. “It’s a different vibe to anything I’ve done before. I love that about it. A lot of rap music’s been uninspiring lately. I wanted to make an album that didn’t sound like anything else out, and bring back those big moments and big songs that make albums stand out. I can’t wait to share the rest of this one.”

“Papercuts” is likely to feature on Illy’s fifth studio album, which he’s currently working on with M-Phazes. No doubt Splendour attendees will get a sneak peek at some of the other tracks from that release.