Jess Harlen is another Aussie making good abroad. She’s currently splitting her time between Brisbane and Boston, but Jess filmed her latest clip in Chinatown, New York.
“Weaving” doesn’t exactly jump out at you, but it’s got a cruisy soulfulness that gets underneath your skin. I found myself humming along by the end of it. The appearance of acclaimed krump dancer HallowDreamz earns the clip extra points.
The Good China are making their mark with their brand new EP We Knew That We Had to Leave. I recently caught up with one-eighth of this monster outfit, Ryan Mason, to chat about the latest release, the accompanying launch shows, and what it’s like to be part of such a big band!
You just released a brand new EP We Knew That We Had to Leave. What can you tell me about it?
It’s our second EP and is a bit different from the first in that it was engineered, produced and mixed by our guitarist Nick. We recorded some drums and bass at Incubator Studios in Melbourne and then put together everything else using Nick’s little home studio setup, which gave us a bit more room to experiment and to put together something we were really happy with. The four songs all have a sense of change to them, from changing places in the title track “We Knew That We Had To Leave” to changing people in “Marcio.” We wanted a new recording to reflect our developing sound and more mature songs and I think that the new EP really achieves those goals.
The film clip for the title track is one of the most entertaining I’ve seen in some time. Did you have much to do with that creative process?
The clip for “We Knew That We Had To Leave” was actually put together by China members Jag (who is part of film and TV production crew Guerilla Creative during his non-China hours) and Adam (who also has a background in film). The whole group workshopped ideas and sourced props and it was filmed over a weekend at Jag and Nick’s flat. Part of being an independent band is working out ways to do things yourselves and we’re really lucky that we have so many skills and ideas to draw on across our eight members!
I also love the idea behind that song of your favourite place morphing into something you barely recognise. Was it based on personal experience?
To some degree, yes; but I think the feelings behind the song are really universal and don’t necessarily apply to one time or place. We all have those streets and places that mean a lot to us at one point in our lives but then over time just don’t feel as familiar or welcoming. It might feel like those places change over time – and a lot of them do! – but what’s also changing is you.
It’s been a little over a year between releasing your debut EP and this one. How do you think you’ve grown as a band in that time?
After we released our debut EP we played a lot of shows and toured a bit, heading interstate to Sydney and Canberra and also visiting a bit of regional Victoria to play shows in Geelong, Shepparton, and the like, and when we got to the end of that cycle we were all a bit burnt out. I headed to Europe for three months to do some backpacking, while some of the others went to Japan. It’s a bit of a cliche, but travel really does broaden your mind, and from a musical point of view it certainly provides lots of inspiration for new songs and ideas. In the four and a bit years since The Good China’s inception we’ve all grown and changed quite a lot but the band is the one constant that we all come back to.
Eight is an awful lot of people to have in a band. How do you keep things running smoothly?
A lot of hard work! Again, the good thing about being a large band is that there’s a lot of hands available to get things done. It also helps that a few of us are compulsive planners!
You’ve recently been playing a few shows to promote the EP. How have they been going?
Really well. We had a great crowd for the Melbourne EP launch and everyone enjoyed the night. We’re heading off on a short tour later this week, playing a free Friday night show at the Beach Hotel in Byron Bay and playing a Footstomp Music showcase at the Tempo Hotel in Brisbane on Saturday. It’s our first time visiting Byron and Brisbane so we’re excited to be back on the road! We only realised a few weeks ago that it’s actually Schoolies season at the moment, so the Byron show could be an interesting one.
What do you love most about being on stage?
Being able to share the thrill of playing music with seven of my closest friends. Cheesy? Yeah. True? Absolutely.
What can music lovers expect when they come to see you live?
A lot of energy and a lot of happy faces. And, occasionally, the odd near-catastrophe when one of us trips on one of the several thousand instruments or cables we have on stage.
As Christmas is approaching, what’s on your wish list this year?
Is it too outlandish to ask for Radiohead to tour again next year?
After you finish promoting this EP, what comes next?
We’re planning on taking a breather over Christmas and the New Year, and working towards some more shows early next year. And who knows? We might even have another film clip to reveal.
See The Good China when they play Byron Bay’s Beach Hotel on Friday night (free show) or Brisbane’s Tempo Hotel on Saturday.
After months of knockout rounds, Samantha Jade was the last person standing on last night’s X Factor final. The Western Australian pop princess took the title from second-place getter Jason Owen and boy band The Collective.
This has been a funny season for me to watch. I switched allegiances time and time again as my favourite acts were eliminated: first Fourtunate, then Nathaniel Willemse, then Bella, and finally The Collective at the final hurdle.
I also watched Sammi grow from the girl most likely to get the boot to the last woman standing. Her confidence seemed to soar, and as she did her performances grew stronger and her voice more self-assured. Her brand of music isn’t the sort of thing I’d rush out and buy, but she’s easily as talented as other similar chart toppers like Rihanna and Beyonce.
Many spoke of Jason’s journey through the competition, but even at the end I thought he was little more than a mediocre RSL act. He seemed like a nice guy with a fairly interesting story, but I failed to see that X Factor we’ve often spoken about. I’ll be surprised if he has a career that outlasts the show’s 15 minutes of fame.
The Collective are another matter though. They’re five very good looking boys with exceptional voices. Their moves are a bit naff, but they’re the same ones Human Nature performed that made me weak at the knees as a teen. Something tells me that kind of thing doesn’t have a use by date. Look out One Direction; these guys could easily steal your fans.
The competition unearthed plenty of other great talents too. I really hope to see Fourtunate and Bella capitalising on the exposure. Angel and Nathaniel also have that special something. Once again, we’ve seen the depth of talent Australia has to offer. Congratulations to all involved!
After 18 months with former Screaming Jets singer Dave Gleeson up front, The Angels swear their live shows are getting bigger and better.
The Angels aren’t just another act clinging to the successes of the past. In August they released a new studio album Take It To The Streets which cracked the top 30. The new songs have reignited a fire in the band which, according to John Brewster, sees them “playing with as much passion and energy” as they did decades ago.
After headlining the Sydney Blues and Roots festival and selling out a Day on the Green Show in Perth, The Angels have decided it’s time to bring their new material to the rest of the country. They’ll play the following shows through February, March, and April to support their latest release.
22 February 2013 – Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill
23 February 2013 – The Cube, Campbelltown
8 March 2013 – The Auditorium @ Vikings, Erindale
9 March 2013 – The Palms At Crown, Melbourne
14 March 2013 – Acacia Ridge Hotel, Acacia Ridge
15 March 2013 – Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane
16 March 2013 – Southport RSL, Gold Coast
21-23 March 2013 – Annandale Hotel, Sydney
12 April 2013 – Bankstown Sports, Bankstown
13 April 2013 – Taren Point Hotel, Taren Point
19 April 2013 – Mittagong RSL, Mittagong
20 April 2013 Dee Why RSL, Dee Why
Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment
With a new EP Paper Cut Outs in the can, Alexis Nicole is preparing to take her Missing Pieces on the road to promote it. I caught up with this Melbourne-based singer-songwriter to chat about her later recording, the shows ahead, and her love for Tracy Chapman.
You’ve just released your EP Paper Cut Outs. What can you tell me about it?
Paper Cut Outs is recordings of songs I have written that are cut outs and experiences from my life. Whether it was a break up, a love story, grieving, highs and lows of life, travelling and so much more.
The name of the EP is fabulous. What’s its significance?
Thank you! The meaning behind it is about the songs being paper cut outs of my life and the journey I have been on thus far through the highs and lows, love and hurt and many other curveballs that life has thrown me.
You’re Sydney-born but Melbourne-based, yet you recorded this new EP in Brisbane. What did the change of scene bring to the recording?
That is right! The change of scene brought a fresh new perspective to the whole recording experience. It made me definitely grow as an artist and musician and was an organic and humbling experience all in one.
Given the significance of Melbourne and Brisbane in the making of this EP, it’s only fitting that those cities get the launch shows. But will the rest of Australia get the opportunity to see you play soon?
YES! Next year I am planning much much more regarding shows around Australia and possibly a tour so stay tuned for all that.
You worked with some amazing artists on Paper Cut Outs like Yanto Browning and guys from The Gin Club and The Wilson Pickers. What was that experience like?
It was an incredible experience. It made me grow as an artist and musician and lift my game. These beautiful musicians humbled me so much as well. I feel very honoured to have played by there side.
Who do you hope to collaborate with in future?
I have a list! Haha. I would love to collaborate with artists all over the world. One experience would be for me to meet Tracy Chapman. I would love to pick her artistic brain! But also artists like Brandi Carlile, Newton Faulkner, Bernard Fanning, Ani Di Franco and so many more.
Your band at the moment is called Alexis and The Missing Pieces, which is such an evocative name. How do the members of the band complete your sound?
It is not as evocative as it is literal … meaning that The Missing Pieces are instrumentalists and singers who come together to deliver songs reflecting my tunes and observation of life. They include some of the best musicians from around Australia and beyond.
I read with interest that Tracy Chapman was a major influence on your music. She’s one of my favourite singer-songwriters too. What is it about her that inspires you?
She inspires me because she sings with every piece of her soul and being. She cares for this world and the life in it. She is humble in the way she sings but is captivating in her conviction and she is brilliant and doing it! She inspires me every day as a woman of this world with a voice to help bring life to our society and to do it with an open heart.
As Christmas is approaching, what’s on your wish list this year?
Honestly? That I get an opportunity to somehow take my tunes world wide!!!! Ha or get offered some amazing support … and then some!
What else is in the pipeline for you?
Well, other than the EP launches which are very exciting! Brisbane show on the 21st November at the Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane and 28th November at the Toff In Town, Melbourne we also have a bunch of shows coming up in Melbourne which will be on our Facebook page and hopefully to be confirmed shows and festivals kicking into gear next year! We just want to keep looking up and forward and enjoy every minute while we do it and love everyone who enjoys the tunes to jump on the band wagon with us!
Talented siblings Dan and Hannah Acfield are back with a brand new EP, Turning a Page.
The recording features the brand new single “Lonely Robot.” It’s another gorgeous cut with soaring vocals and a beautiful melody. I love Dan’s voice, but it’s even more beautiful when it joins with Hannah’s harmonies near the end of the tune.
Dan and Hannah are currently promoting Turning a Page with shows around the country. You can still catch them at The Newsagency in Sydney on November 30 and Barsoma in Brisbane on December 2.
After wowing crowds at sold-out shows in the United States, The Trouble With Templeton are coming home. The folky Brisbane outfit headed by Thomas Calder will play festivals and headliner shows around the country to promote their latest single “Six Months in a Cast.”
The track marks a shift in direction for The Trouble with Templeton, who are now experimenting with a much fuller, rock-tinged sound. It seems the gamble’s paid off though, as the song was the iTunes single of the week in September. It also reached number four on the AIR Independent Radio Charts, thanks largely to the support of Triple J and community radio stations across the country.
The tour kicks off with a hometown performance at the Harvest Festival tomorrow before winding its way up and down the East Coast. Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.
18 November 2012 – Harvest Festival, Brisbane
25 November 2012 – Communion Music Night @ The Toff, Melbourne
28 November 2012 – MGM & SPA Presents… ARIA Week Upstairs at The Beresford, Surry Hills
6 December 2012 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
7 December 2012 – Bon Amici Cafe, Toowoomba
8 December 2012 – 5 Church Street, Bellingen
12 December 2012 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
13 December 2012 – Front Gallery, Canberra
14 December 2012 – Barcode, Wollongong
21 December 2012 – Lizotte’s – Newcastle
22 December 2012 – Lizotte’s – Kincumber
23 December 2012 – Lizotte’s – Dee Why
28 December 2012 – Worker’s Club, Melbourne
29 December 2012 – Falls Festival, Lorne
Image used with permission from Tiny Monster
The Hillbilly Killers are a country supergroup the likes of which Australia has never seen, and they’re making their live debut at the 2013 Tamworth Country Music Festival.
The Hillbilly Killers’ impressive lineup features Bill Chambers, Tim Rogers, Catherine Britt, Shane O’Mara, James Gillard, and Michael Muchow. The motley crew came about over late night conversations about Hank Williams and other musical passions. Apparently the result is “musical perversity at its best.”
If you’re as intrigued as I am, make sure you get to Tamworth Services Club on January 23 for The Hillbilly Killers’ first show. Tickets are on sale now from Oztix.
Image used with permission from Premier Artists
Once upon a time, when people thought of the Presidents of the United States of America, they didn’t think of Barack Obama or George W Bush. They thought of a rocking musical act from the ‘90s who loved singing about kitties and peaches. And it’s those very presidents that are winging their way back to Australia.
The Presidents haven’t released a new album since 2008 (and who knew they’d even released one that recently?), so there should be plenty of old favourites at these shows. In fact, the band promises to play their breakthrough self-titled album in its entirety, as well as a selection of other choice cuts. And as an extra special bonus, all tickets will come bundled with a free digital download of the Presidents of the United States of American 2013 Australian Tour EP!
Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.
8 March 2013 – HiFi, Brisbane
9 March 2013 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
10 March 2013 – Palace, Melbourne
14 March 2013 – HQ, Adelaide
15 March 2013 – Roundhouse, Sydney
16 March 2013 – Metropolis, Fremantle
Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity
Friday’s winding down and we’re ready to kick up our heels and usher in the weekend. So it seems like the perfect time to introduce you to “Short Term Pleasures,” the fun new single from Sydney act Wires.
This song is so playfully self deprecating, I love it. If only most guys were so honest in bars, right girls? It might save us all a lot of heartache!
“Short Term Pleasures” comes from Wires’ debut EP Hold On To Me Now, which in the very best record stores now.