Boom Crash Opera’s Peter Farnan has assembled one of the most impressive collections of Guest vocalists I’ve seen in some time for his latest musical project, Pesky Bones. Paul Kelly, Deborah Conway, Paul Capsis, Tim Rogers, Rebecca Barnard, Simon Burke, and heaps more appear on Pesky Bones – Volume One.
“Pesky Bones is like a personal music player on shuffle. Rather than one sound and point of view there are diverse musical styles and singers,” Peter explained. “The themes cover accumulated experience, memory, age, sex, family, mortality, aching limbs, regret and, above all, transcendence.”
You can help support the release through the Pesky Bones PledgeMusic campaign. Depending on your donation, you could get something as small as a digital or physical copy of the album or as impressive as a house concert, songwriting workshop, or tickets to the listening party at Ginger Studios. You’ve got until the end of September to lend your support.
Casey Barnes has enlisted plenty of star power for the music video for his latest single “Live as One.” Appearances from Erik Thompson, Pete Evans, Shane Heal, Greg Bird, Sally Pearson, Rob Mills, and heaps more have helped the clip go viral. But this clip has more than celebrities to endear itself.
With the Olympics winding down, we’re all thinking of the need to break down barriers and live harmoniously together, putting aside cultural and religious beliefs as well as other differences like sexual orientation, disabilities, and upbringings. It’s such a great positive message expressed beautifully by Casey and his cowriter Rick Price.
“Rick and I were both inspired to write ‘Live As One’ at the start of this year after feeling frustration at the constant fear filled messages and negativity we constantly see every day in the news and on social media, along with the mistakes we keep on making as a human race, over the history of time, with violence and hatred, which clearly isn’t the answer,” Casey explained. “My favourite lyric in the whole song is the opening line: ‘Angry words and a fist never healed no one’. I feel there’s never been a more important time to be spreading messages of hope and positivity, especially for our kids who are the next generation that have the ability to make change.”
“Live as One” is the title track from Casey’s new album, which drops on August 26.
With her debut album The Ocean of Everything set for release later this month, Melbourne songstress Phia has given us another teaser of what’s to come with the release of the poppy new single “Open/Closed.”
Pop is a bit of a dirty word on the modern musical landscape, but this song is a world away from the manufactured music that gave the genre that bad reputation. “Open/Closed” is everything good music should be, catchy as hell with real charm. I also love the music video which Phia shot in the Australian outback.
The Ocean of Everything drops on August 26. Phia will support its worldwide release with some shows abroad. Hopefully it’s not too long before she treats local fans to some dates too!
19 August 2016 – Artlake Festival, Lichterfeld
25 August 2016 – The Gladstone, Brighton
27 August 2016 – The George Tavern, London
28 August 2016 – Hagglers Corner, Sheffield
30 August 2016 – The New Adelphi, Hull
13 September 2016 – Blue Shell, Cologne
14 September 2016 – Objekt 5, Halle
15 September 2016 – Gruene Zitadella, Magdeburg
16 September 2016 – Privatclub, Berlin
20 September 2016 – Ostpol, Dresden
22 September 2016 – Noch Besser Leben, Leipzig
23 September 2016 – Forty One, Saalfeld
24 September 2016 –Wandertheater Festival, Radebeul
I’m totally digging the country-rock vibes of “Let Me Be Your Man,” the sophomore single from Sydney ban Twin Fires.
Its Americana feel should come as no surprise, because the track was actually written in Austin, Texas. Its twangy riffs and shuffling beat reference the classic sounds of the American south perfectly, providing an excellent backdrop for this classic story of boy wants girl.
“Let Me Be Your Man” comes from Twin Fires’ EP This Time I’m Fine, which will drop on August 12.
Melbourne four-piece Amarillo has given music lovers their first taste of its upcoming album Eyes Still Fixed with the release of the lead single “All I Can See.”
This is such a gorgeous song with impressive vocals from Jac Tonks. The instrumentation is pared back, allowing her stunning voice to shine. The track, which was written in motel rooms while the band toured Western Australia and the Northern Territory, speaks of physical and emotional distances that can often exist between people.
Eyes Still Fixed will drop on October 1. The single is bundled with two album songs: “Lemonade” and the title track “Eyes Still Fixed.” Hometown fans can hear some more songs from the upcoming release when Amarillo play Some Velvet Morning on August 13.
Melbourne rock act Residual has really impressed me with their latest single “All For You.”
It’s one of those songs that grabs you from the start and doesn’t let go. Sam Burtt’s vocals are so powerful and the driving music just hits you in the gut.
“All For You is about a relationship I was in,” Sam explained. “We had both recognised that the end was nigh, but loved each other too much to ever call it a day. However, that day came a day before we started tracking vocals. I remember sitting in the courtyard at the studio and giving the lyrics a pretty substantial re-write. This song is really about giving yourself to someone, despite the knowledge that it will soon end.”
The film clip is also killer, the perfect foil for the track’s angsty lyrics.
“All For You” comes from Residual’s EP Haunt, which is slated for release on August 26. The band will celebrate the release of the single and EP with a swag of shows in their home state, including a residency at The Workers Club, and a special Sydney gig.
“It’s been a while since we’ve been properly playing shows. We’ve done a lot of travelling whilst simultaneously preparing for this release, so there’s already a real sense of natural excitement for us – and if we do our job right, that will really rub off on the audience,” Sam said in a statement. “We just want to show everyone how much growing up we’ve done.”
Witness Residual’s evolution for yourself at the following shows. Tickets are available from the band’s website.
8 August 2016 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
12 August 2016 – Kubu Studio, Geelong
13 August 2016 – Tap House, Bendigo
15 August 2016 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
18 August 2016 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
20 August 2016 – The Loft, Warrnambool
22 August 2016 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
25 August 2016 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
29 August 2016 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
I’ve fallen hard for “Twenty Two,” the latest single by Sydney’s Lazy Colts.
This is one of those very introverted, special songs. The vocals aren’t big, the melody won’t get stuck in your head, but it’s a track with something to say. Take the time to really listen and I’m sure you’ll be captivated too. The gritty, honest video is just so striking too.
“Twenty Two” comes from Lazy Colts’ debut album Trojan, which will drop on August 5. The following day Lazy Colts will embark on a tour to promote its release.
6 August 2016 – Wesley Anne, Northcote (18+)
7 August 2016 – Labour in Vain, Fitzroy (18+)
13 August 2016 – Sancho’s Dirty Laundry, Canberra (18+)
20 August 2016 – The Bearded Lady, Brisbane (18+)
27 August 2016 – Franks Wild Years, Thirroul (ALL AGES)
28 August 2016 – The Oxford Circus, Sydney (18+)
4 September 2016 – Hotel Blue, Katoomba (ALL AGES)
“Wanaka,” the second single from Melbourne indie folksters The Peeks, reminds us all just how powerful a voice can be.
The single is an exercise in restraint. The gentle strumming of an acoustic guitar supports Fraser Henry’s voice beautifully. His vocals are so raw and powerful, reminding me a little of David Gray’s. It builds slowly, taking listeners along for the ride. I am completely in love with this song!
“Wanaka” comes from The Peeks’ debut album Grow Up/Grow Down, which has only just been released. The Peeks will launch it for a hometown crowd first before travelling around the country.
30 July 2016 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
5 August 2016 – The Milk Factory, Brisbane
6 August 2016 – The Treehouse on Belongil, Byron Bay
11 August 2016 – The Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
12 August 2016 – The Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Newcastle
27 August 2016 – The Loft, Warrnambool
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+)
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
