You might have noticed things have been a bit quiet over here at Sounds of Oz. Unfortunately I fell victim to some tech problems that I barely understand. It seems my IT working husband has righted the situation for now, although as it came from some hack attacks on a global scale problems may still occur. If you want to read more about what went on, you can do so here. And if you’d rather be spared the techspeak just know I’ve changed my password to something secure that I likely won’t remember, and I’m doing whatever I can to prevent further attacks. Fingers crossed we’re back in business for good. Now on to more music!
Month: April 2013
Bobby Womack Plays Melbourne and Sydney
Did you know the legendary Bobby Womack is heading to our shores? After playing guitar for Sam Cooke and collaborating with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Sly & The Family Stone, Janis Joplin, and George Benson, Bobby’s announced his first headlining shows Down Under.
It’ll be a case of blink and you’ll miss him, but these shows have all the majesty you’d expect from someone of such class. Bobby and his thirteen-piece backup band will play Melbourne’s Hamer Hall on May 21 before heading to the Sydney Opera House as part of Vivid LIVE on May 24 and 25.
Image used with permission from Niche Productions
Sydney’s Slumberhaze Impress with “Your Mind”
I listen to a lot of music. You probably do too. A lot of it’s good, but there’s not a lot that’s truly different. So I was thrilled to find something really unique in Sydney band Slumberhaze. Their name suggests they’re pretty sleepy, but there’s nothing drowsy about their music.
I love the intensity of their first single “Your Mind.” It’s got this relentless drive about it that marries beautifully with those dark, husky vocals. I love that Slumberhaze are generous enough to offer it as a free download through their Bandcamp page. I also love the ambition it springs from. The track is the first lifted from Slumberhaze’s debut EP. That recording, which will be released later this month, is the first in a trilogy of EPs.
Clearly this is a band that’s confident they’ll be sticking around for some time, and with good reason.
Image used with permission from Umbrella Artist Management
“Cold Lights On Curious Minds” – Jordan Millar
Jordan Millar is one of those rare artists that I fell in love with at first note. “Walking on Me” was just so ridiculously catchy, and its follow-up “Maps” was every bit as impressive. I knew I’d love his latest album Cold Lights On Curious Minds, and I wasn’t disappointed.
“Maps” really is the perfect opener, as it sets the scene for an album that’s instantly accessible. It’s an easy blend of pop and folk, two genres that underpin many of the album’s tracks. Not that Jordan is a one-note pony. He shows more edge with “High Horse”, a bluesy tune which wears its heart on its sleeve. I also felt the helplessness and hurt in the moving “Guilty”. “Losing Hope” is a poignant number made that much more beautiful with Elle May’s angelic guest vocals.
“More Time, More Money” is a fitting closer for an album that features guest appearances from many of Jordan’s friends including Elle, his touring buddy Jack Carty, Australian Idol graduate Amali Ward, and acclaimed keyboardist Beau Golden. This track feels like a jam, a coming together of voices and hand claps and instruments that truly reflects the collaborative nature of Cold Lights On Curious Minds.
It might have been a group effort, but Jordan is the star here. His acoustic guitar chops drive the tracks, and his warm voice has an honest, organic quality that immediately draws you in. This album is a really easy listen. Some might criticise it for being too easy, too pleasant, but since when has that been a bad thing?
Image source: iTunes
We All Want To Offer No Signs
Brisbane band We All Want To are helping us usher in our weekend with their latest single “No Signs”.
This is a real retro gem, with jangly guitars and heavy driving drum beats. It’s catchy, but listen closer and you’ll find a lot of depth. “No Signs” is the first cut to come from the band’s second album Come Up Invisible.
If you’re digging it, see We All Want To doing their thing in the flesh at the following shows.
19 April 2013 – Judith Wright Centre, Brisbane
25 April 2013 – Union Hotel, Newtown
26 April 2013 – Good God Small Club, Sydney
27 April 2013 – Love The Phoenix, Canberra
10 May 2013 – Edinburgh Hotel Front Bar, Brunswick (Early Acoustic Session)
10 May 2013 – Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford
11 May 2013 – Public Bar, North Melbourne
24 May 2013 – Spotted Cow Hotel, Toowoomba
Bruno Mars Announces Aussie Tour
Bruno Mars has put fans into a frenzy with news he’ll visit Australia next year for his The Moonshine Jungle tour. Bruno is riding high after rave reviews for his performance at the Logies, so it seems the perfect time to announce another visit.
Blink and you just might miss him though. Bruno’s playing arenas in four key capitals, although with plenty of time between gigs we might just see more shows announced when these inevitably sell well.
Tickets to the general public go on sale first thing on April 22.
28 February 2014 – Perth Arena, Perth
4 March 2014 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
7 March 2014 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
10 March 2014 – Allphones Arena, Sydney
Image source: Brothers Le @ Wikimedia Commons
Counting Crows @ Opera House, Sydney – April 9 2013
Goodness, has it really been that long? I apologise, I really do. Life’s been a bit hectic with birthday celebrations (yes plural – I managed to stretch mine out over four days, which is no mean feat) and concerts. I could wax lyrical about the former, but since this is a music blog turning my attention to the latter is probably for the best.
The day before the big birthday bash I made a pilgrimage to the Opera House to see one of my favourite bands of all time, the Counting Crows. I’ve loved them since I hit my teenage years and the lads released August and Everything After. So much has happened since then, but I found myself becoming that enthusiastic thirteen-year-old again as I entered the venue.
I’m kicking myself that my dinner dragged on and I missed the start of Jackson McLaren’s set. Vocally he reminded me a lot of one of my favourite singers Howie Day, but his tight alt-country rock band gave his music a different dynamic. Not enough acts play with a fiddle either; I take my virtual hat off to their violinist who added a real richness to the sound. I definitely want to hear more from Jackson and his crew. I’m a fan.
I could have listened to Jackson all night if I weren’t so psyched to see the Counting Crows. They set the scene with the opening number, one of those first singles “Round Here”. It’s a song that’s morphed into something very different over the years, as many of the Counting Crows songs have. The band likes to play free and easy with the melodies and lyrics, which can be alienating. I know I’ve criticised some acts for this before. But I felt that the changes were sincere and heartfelt. It wasn’t about being bored with the songs or trying to be clever. It’s just how they come out right now.
The Counting Crows aren’t a band that ever delivers a predictable set. There are no certainties, and that makes every favorite song you hear that much more exciting. To hear my two absolute favourites was something I hadn’t dared dreamed of. Yet sure enough, “Mrs Potter’s Lullaby” made an early appearance, and “Anna Begins” came out in the encore. “Colourblind” was also breathtaking, with a single spotlight on singer Adam Duritz ensuring we stayed transfixed. As if that was ever in doubt. “Rain King” had me pumping my fists in exultation.
If I was to make any criticism it’s that I wish Adam talked to us a little more. We had a word here or there, but there were none of the long explanations of songs or tales of travel that I adore. However it’s a bit hard to criticise someone for not sharing enough of themselves when they do it so completely with their music.
They say that you can never really go back and perhaps that’s true, but when you can spend a night with a favourite band it feels like for just a few hours, you can.
Image source: Jimmy Harris @ Flickr
Jake Shimabukuro @ Lizotte’s, Newcastle – 31 March 2013
In a week that’s seemed far too short, it’s nice to take a breath and look back on a moment I got to slow down. There really is no better place to do that than Lizotte’s, especially when the wonderful Jake Shimabukuro is playing for you.
I ordinarily frequent the Kincumber Lizotte’s, but Easter festivities lured me to the Newcastle venue with my parents. There’s a different vibe to the Newcastle venue. It’s still warm, but there’s a little more space to spread out. That means it loses a little of the lounge room feel, but it’s still much more intimate than most venues around. And just like the Central Coast, the food is to die for. I struggled through my generous serve of herb battered fish and chips after a big Easter lunch, but it was too delicious to leave.
There was no support act tonight, perhaps because following Jake would be a tall order. I’d caught some of his performances online, but I really went into this show knowing very little. He joked that expectations are always low when people see someone playing ukulele. His reputation precedes him though. I was expecting greatness, but I didn’t expect to be quite as engaged as I was.
You see, I’ve always been a lyrics girl. Without lyrics to hang on to I wondered whether parts of the night might drag. No chance. Jake relished sharing the stories of the moments that surrounded his original songs, and they allowed us to understand the instrumental pieces better. He’s also such a compelling, dynamic performer. You can feel him, whether he’s strumming hard or playing so softly that you have to strain your ears.
The sounds he gets from a ukulele are incredible. The instrument has a range of just two octaves, yet he somehow makes it sound like so much more. He played it like a mandolin, like a guitar, like a piece of percussion. I couldn’t believe the tones he created.
While his originals were solid, the covers wowed me. I knew I loved his version of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” and it was a fitting encore. However I was most impressed by his take on “Bohemian Rhapsody.” It was just so clever, with the ukulele singing all of these incredible parts, from rock to opera.
My expectations weren’t as low as Jake teased that they might be, but they were still exceeded by this incredible musician.
Image source: own photo
Call the Shots’ New EP Drops
The long wait is finally over for Call the Shots’ loyal fans. The Brisbane punk-rock band released their second EP, When Everything When Goes Wrong today.
It’s been two years in the making, so it’s only right that When Everything Goes Wrong is closer to a mini-album at seven tracks. It features the single “Alexis Texas” and a few tracks with guest vocals from Tony Lovato of Mest.
Call the Shots say their fans mean “nothing less than everything in the world” to them, so it’s only right that they’re taking the EP on the road. Call the Shots will support the release of When Everything Goes Wrong with the following launch shows.
21 April 2013 – The Old Museum, Brisbane
27 April 2013 – The Metro (Lair), Sydney
11 May 2013 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide
26 May 2013 – Fitzroy Town Hall, Melbourne
Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment
The Growl Tour Debut Album
After warming up crowds on Tame Impala’s local and North American shows, The Growl are ready to head out on their own. Next month the bluesy Western Australian band will play gigs around the country to promote tomorrow’s release of their debut album What Would Christ Do??
The album contains the brand new single “Liarbird”, which is so swampy and sexy and downright delicious. I love Cameron Avery’s raspy vocals and that deep, fuzzy bass. It’s not pretty, but its raw energy is infectious.
Expect plenty of that energy in the flesh at the following shows.
19 April 2013 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
20 April 2013 – Ric’s Café, Brisbane (FREE)
24 April 2013 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
26 April 2013 – Cats @ Rocket Bar, Adelaide
27 April 2013 – Wolf Lane Carpark, Perth
Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water