It feels like I’ve been waiting forever to share “Wild Mind,” the latest single from indie pop trio Pacific, with you. In truth I only heard it a little more than a month ago on one of those advance streams, but it feels like I’ve known this song a lot longer. It’s just got that wonderfully familiar feel about it, with its infectious hooks and epic vocals. It’s everything I’ve loved about Pacific’s past releases, but dare I say it just a little bit better?
“I think Wild Mind is a song that everyone can relate to,” the band said in a press release. “Every day when you turn on the radio or scroll through your newsfeed, you’re just bombarded with issues that make the world seem like a terrible place. For me, I feel like it gets to a point where you need to take things into your own hands and play your little part to make the world around you a little less dark.”
So crank this one up and remember that no matter how bleak things seem, there is always some good if you look in the right places.
Kate Ceberano, Lior, Steve Kilbey, and David Hobson are just some of the big names playing the Queensland Music Festival this year. In her first year as the artistic director, Katie Noonan has put together an incredible line-up for the Sunshine State.
“I want the talented and passionate people of Queensland to be empowered to join the 2017 festival and help create performances that truly reflect the life of our diverse and vibrant state,” she said.
In all there’ll be 100 performances in 45 locations over the three-week event. Here are just some of the highlights:
You’re The Voice – Saturday 29 July @ South Bank Piazza
Kate Ceberano, Isaiah, Katie Noonan and thousands of other singers shine a light on the domestic violence crisis through the power of song at.
Songs That Made Me – Sunday 16 July @ The Tivoli
Deborah Conway, Clare Bowditch, and Hannah Macklin perform together to celebrate women in music after mentoring the next generation.
Silver Memories – Aged-care centers in Brisbane, Toowoomba, and the Sunshine Coast
Intimate concerts of classical and jazz music, performed by Queensland Conservatorium ensembles, to show the power of healing music has for elderly Australians.
The Bach to Bush tour – Thursday 13 to Sunday 23 July in remote Western Queensland towns
Joint performances, workshops, and masterclasses with percussionist John Morrison and virtuoso cellist Louise King.
Hang with QYO – Saturday 29 July
A world premiere concerto written by emerging Queensland composer Dr Thomas Green honouring the father of Australia’s youth orchestra movement, John Curro. The show will feature acclaimed composer and Bjork drummer Manu Delago.
16 Lovers Lane – Friday 14 July @ QPAC
A special concert paying tribute to one of Australia’s greatest albums, featuring the Go-Betweens’ Lindy Morrison, Amanda Brown and John Willsteed, with Dan Kelly, Danny Widdicombe, Luke Daniel Peacock, and a guest line-up including Steve Kilbey (The Church), Mark Callaghan (GANGgajang), Ron S Peno (Died Pretty), Katie and Tyrone Noonan (george), Montaigne, Sam Cromack and Jen Boyce (Ball Park Music), Tim Nelson and Zoe Davis (Cub Sport), Sahara Beck, and Kirin J Callinan.
Joh for PM – Friday 7 to Sunday 16 July @ Brisbane Powerhouse
Colin Lane stars in this satirical musical created by playwright Stephen Carleton and composer Paul Hodge.
And that’s just for starters. Visit the Queensland Music Festival website for the full schedule.
The Queensland Music Festival runs from July 7 to 30. If you’re local, make sure you get out there and experience some of the great talent on show.
When I listened to December Baby’s new single “Jimmy Choos” from a press release link, it felt instantly familiar. After a quick search it seems I’d reviewed her EP Beneath the Surface a year ago and I felt “Jimmy Choos” was the standout track. So I’m thrilled that it’s finally standing alone as a single.
The single comes with a pretty kickass clip. I love the way it blends the Stepford Wives retro vibe with some real edge. It’s the brainchild of four talented film students from Brisbane, December Baby’s home stage. Props go to Kate Jorgensen, Demi Bird, Brielle O’Mullane, and Kaydee Ball who clearly have a real future in the film business.
The band’s moniker might make you think of the United States, but Dear Seattle are proud to be part of Sydney’s music scene. The band creates punk rock that sounds as defiant as the genre should. The new single “Afterthought,” which comes from the band’s new EP, due out on July 14, is a glorious case in point.
Listen to this one and see if you’re not fired up as lead vocalist and guitarist Brae Fisher sings “Hope tells me that I’m getting somewhere soon.”
Dear Seattle has spent the last three years touring up and down the East Coast, so expect a tight live set at the following shows.
6 July 2017 – Hotel Tasmania, Launceston (with Kingswood)
7 July 2017 – Republic Bar, Hobart (with Kingswood)
28 July 2017 – Home Tavern, Wagga Wagga (with Kingswood)
29 July 2017 – SS&A, Albury (with Kingswood)
4 August 2017 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
5 August 2017 – Yah Yah’s, Melbourne
17 August 2017 – Moonshine Bar, Manly
18 August 2017 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
19 August 2017 – Shaka Fest, Gold Coast
20 August 2017 – Rad Bar, Wollongong (ALL AGES)
It’s Thursday and the weekend is almost in sight. That makes me feel a little more chilled out, so it’s the perfect time for listening to “Demons,” the awesome new single from Central Coast outfit The Sea Gypsies. It has such a great groove. The instruments come together perfectly to support lead singer Luke Marlin’s killer voice.
Lead guitarist Dan Hoolihann describes the track as “A snapshot of the band’s influences, mixed together to express the relatable feeling of facing the fears and rigorous moments in your life that attempt to overcome you and put you down. It conveys the feeling, idea and emotion of stepping up to face your Demons and the struggle of embracing the difficult issues that life throws at you”.
Once the weather warms up, The Sea Gypsies are heading your way. Catch them at the following shows this spring.
7 September 2017 – Magnums, Airlie Beach (with Katchafire)
8 September 2017 – Kirwin Tavern, Townsville (with Katchafire)
9 September 2017 – Billabong, Kuranda (with Katchafire)
10 September 2017 – The Jack, Cairns (with Katchafire)
22 September 2017 – The Penny Black, Melbourne
7 October 2017 – Max Watts, Brisbane (with Katchafire)
8 October 2017 – The Wharf Tavern, Sunshine Coast (with Katchafire)
21 October 2017 – Swagger Festival, Wandiligon
We often hear of the importance of making music accessible to young people who can’t visit the country’s pubs and clubs. But what about people on the other end of the age spectrum? Our senior population is often ignored by concert organisers, so I’m thrilled to see the good folks behind the Leaps and Bounds Music Festival is doing something about it with “I’ve Been Everywhere,” a free concert for residents of aged care homes, their friends, families, and carers.
The show features music from The Band Who Knew Too Much, who promise to play all the seniors’ favourites with accordions, washboards, and other classic instruments.
“I’ve Been Everywhere” hits the Melba Spiegeltent in Collingwood on Friday July 21. It runs from noon to 3 pm, the perfect time for Victoria’s elderly residents. Register your seats for free at the Leaps and Bounds Music Festival website.
Perth MC Coin Banks has joined forces with the mighty WAAPA Gospel Choir for his latest single “Forgive Us.”
I love the way Coin Banks’ rhymes works with the choir’s slick soulful harmonies and the band’s tight horns. Combining genres doesn’t always work, but this is pretty special. If it doesn’t put a smile on your face this Humpday, I don’t know what will!
“I think something that holds us back as a society is the inability to apologise and forgive, it is something so simple but something we all struggle with. Pride and fear hold us back from apologising, and at the same time holds us back from forgiving the people that have wronged us,” Coin Banks explained. “The song takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to this fairly serious issue.”
“Forgive Me” comes from Coin Banks’ new EP Outside Looking In, which drops on June 30.
Jessica Mauboy is one of those rare entertainers who never seems to put a foot wrong. Whether she’s behind the microphone or the camera, she dazzles. I’m always impressed by her musical output, but I think her latest single “Fallin’” is just a cut above the rest. It’s musically so interesting and her vocals, as always, are on point.
If you love the song, make sure you tune in to The Voice this Sunday to catch her performing it live.
If the singles she keeps releasing are any indication, Meg Mac’s forthcoming album Low Blows is going to be really something. The latest single is “Maybe It’s My First Time,” a soulful number with a charming vintage feel.
Meg recorded the track in Fort Worth, Texas at Niles City Sound, set up by the producers and players behind the music of Leon Bridges. Mixing at Electric Lady in New York completed this slick soul song.
“’Maybe it’s My First Time’ is about trying to get through a bad time. When you’re hurt, you can keep going over and over the pain in your head and drive yourself crazy,” Meg explained. “I wanted to stop all that and only look back once and be done with it. To cruise past my pain instead of living in it”.
Low Blows drops on July 14. Meg will tour the album, but tickets are selling fast so don’t delay if you want some!
23 July 2017 – Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay
8 September 2017 – The Forum, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
9 September 2017 – The Forum, Melbourne
22 September 2017 – The Enmore, Sydney
When I attempted to stream “Owls,” the new single from last year’s Bank of Melbourne ‘Melbourne Music Bank’ winners Tempus Sun, on Spotify, it came up on an album called Listen Up Australian Volume 1, which was listed as “featuring the top ten songwriters in Australia.” As you can imagine, my curiosity was piqued and my expectations set high!
At first I wasn’t sure about the song. It was quite nice, with its gentle acoustic guitar and delicate vocal delivery, but I wasn’t really seeing what distinguished from the glut of solid folk music we have in this country. But I gave it time, as you should with any song, and it built into something exceptional.
So I urge you, give it time. This song just keeps getting stronger as the harmonies kick in and the instruments intensify. The message is also one that anyone who’s battled mental illness or been close to someone who has will identify with.
“Owls is about speaking up about our struggles. It’s a tune relatable to anyone with troubles, be it in the past or ongoing,” explained Tempus Sun’s lead guitarist Ed Borreomeo. “It was created with mental illness in mind and the intention of influencing people to just have a chat about it with someone. Coming from personal experience, something as simple as having a chat is very easy to disregard as helpful, or is easy to procrastinate on, but I found it to be the first step in combatting almost anything.”
“Owls” is the first single from Tempus Sun’s self-titled debut EP, which will drop on August 4. The band will launch “Owls” with a show for hometown fans at The Toff in Town on June 30.
