Julian Simonsz is refusing to be another of those reality TV contestants we never hear of again. The Melbourne soul singer has just dropped his debut single “I Do It For You” ahead of the November 21 release of his self-titled EP.
It’s a smooth slice of soul that’s got a great pop vibe sure to appeal to fans of Justin Timberlake. There’s not really anyone on the local scene making this kind of music, so I reckon if he sticks in this lane he could be big. What do you think?
I was really impressed with Citizen Kay when he burst onto the scene a couple of years ago. Rap isn’t usually my genre of choice, but I loved the way he blended it with big funky brass and created tracks brimming with positivity. He’s gone a bit darker with his latest song “Freedoom,” but I really appreciate the message behind it. I don’t normally post big slabs of quotes but I think Citizen Kay explains how the song came about better than anything I could write.
“’Freedoom’ is a song I’d actually written around the same time as Manage but it was so, so different to anything else I’d ever written around that time because it was inspired so differently to any other track I’d written,” Citizen Kay explained in a press release. “I was searching the net pointlessly one day, watching news reports around the world and random videos etc. when I clicked on a news story from America about some gang on gang/black on black shootings that had happened in a local area and how they’d escalated to the point where innocent people were being shot and killed simply because they happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“Now being someone that’s lived in Australia for most of my life, I’ve always found these things almost unbelievable. As I was watching this news documentary there was one guy in particular being interviewed about his thoughts on everything and how the community could better itself and absolutely everything he talked about he used the word ‘we.’ After a bit the reporter picked up on it and asked why he kept saying ‘we’ and if it implied that he had any part of it and he responded with something along the lines of ‘Yeah, I have a part in it … you have a part in it and everyone on the planet has a part in it.’ He went on to explain that these things will never stop until ‘we’ make the true and conscious effort to strive for peace.
“There were more specifics about black people killing fellow ‘brothers’ as well for the most part of the video and from that I began writing lyrics but doing so from their perspective (particularly the one guy in the interview). I thought about what he might say if he was the one writing the song and ‘Freedoom’ is what came from it. It’s heart-breaking to see any sort of unnecessary violence anywhere or to anyone so although the song really had nothing to specifically do with me, it actually meant a lot more to me that a lot of other songs I’d written and that’s simply because it’s probably one of the only songs I’ve written completely from someone else’s shoes but still somehow, at the same time felt like it could have been me.”
“Freedoom” comes from Demokracy, a mini-album set for digital and CD release on November 7. Citizen Kay will celebrate its release with his own shows ahead of supporting Ice Cube on his sold-out shows around the country.
1 November 2014 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
7 November 2014 – Cats @ Rocket Bar, Adelaide
8 November 2014 – Laundry Bar, Melbourne
21 November 2014 – Academy, Canberra
28 November 2014 – The Roller Den, Sydney
29 November 2014 – CoLAB Festival @ Oak Lawn, UWA, Nedlands
With their debut self-titled EP in stores now, the supremely talented Little May are preparing to wing their way around the country to bring its songs to music fans in the flesh. Those include the dreamy lead single “Dust,” which is available for your listening pleasure here.
Little May have earned their live chops playing such high-profile gigs as Splendour in the Grass, Laneways, and Big Sound, so fans are in for a real treat at these shows.
6, 7, & 9 November 2014 – Kings Park & Botanic Garden, Perth (supporting Rodriguez)
16 November 2014 – Rad Bar, Wollongong
21 November 2014 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
22 November 2014 – The Front Gallery & Café, Canberra
27 & 28 November 2014 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
29 November 2014 – Gorgeous Music Festival, McLaren Vale
5 December 2014 – Solbar, Sunshine Coast
6 December 2014 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
The Short Fall have wowed me with their single “Seasons,” the lead track from their recently released EP State of Mind.
This song is superb. The harmonies from Ryan and Angelo Conway are the kind of perfect you only get when siblings perform, and the gentle acoustic guitars support their angelic voices beautiful. In short, I’m in love.
The Short Fall recorded State of Mind on the Capricorn Coast with producer Anthony Lycenko, who’s recently worked with the likes of Pete Murray, Busby Marou, and Xavier Rudd. The EP’s in a very similar vein to the acoustic folk those more established Aussie artists produce, but that’s far from a bad thing.
With such talent, you know The Short Fall are going to be able to produce the goods in the live arena. Catch them on this tour before they start playing bigger venues!
24 October 2014 – The Irish Village, Emerald
25 October 2014 – Customs House, Rockhampton
2 November 2014 – Brolga Riverstage, Maryborough (FREE)
6 November 2014 – SolBar, Maroochydoore (FREE)
7 November 2014 – The Treehouse on Belongil, Byron Bay (FREE)
8 November 2014 – The Milk Factory, Brisbane (FREE)
15 November 2014 – Noktoberfest @ Gladstone Racecourse, Gladstone
21 November 2014 – Yeppoon Town Hall, Yeppoon (ALL AGES)
Melbourne band Inventions chose their name because they never want to sit still. It’s the brainchild of frontman Jake Leaney, who spent time auditioning musicians who could help bring his video to life. Together they honed their unique blend of alternative-rock, pop, and punk for 12 months before unleashing their debut EP.
The epic lead single “Shadows” gives you a taste of what this band’s all about. It’s big and gutsy, perhaps even to the point of being melodramatic. But it doesn’t do things by halves, and I like that.
Inventions will celebrate the EP and single releases with a string of shows that kick off tomorrow night in their home town.
2 October 2014 – The Curtin, Melbourne
8 October 2014 – The Rosemount Hotel, Perth
10 October 2014 – Ya-Ya’s, Perth
11 October 2014 – YMCA HQ, Perth
23 October 2014 – The Crown & Anchor, Adelaide
1 November 2014 – The Evelyn Hotel, Melbourne
2 November 2014 – Wrangler Studios, Melbourne (ALL AGES)
6 November 2014 – Rad, Wollongong
8 November 2014 – Valve Bar, Sydney
It seems like forever since we’ve seen an Aussie acts topping the singles charts, but The Veronicas have done it with their stunning newie “You Ruin Me.” I’ve had fun with songs from their last album, but I missed that strong emotional core that I felt ran through their earlier releases. They’ve rewarded my patience with this song, which I think is their best work. I’m so glad Australia’s embraced it!
After a few lean months in the singles charts, it’s great to see The Veronicas are one of a few local acts making their presence felt. Nathaniel’s super-fun ditty “Live Louder” has climbed one place to sit at number four this week. Timmy Trumpet feat. Savage have slipped a couple of spots to sit at number five with “FREAKS”.
It seems I missed the news that Missy Higgins had a new album coming out, but Australia hasn’t. Oz sits at number three on debut. Rock veteran Jimmy Barnes rounds out the top 10 with 30:30 Hindsight.
Click through to see this week’s top ten albums.
Continue reading “The Veronicas Claim Number One Single”
If you’re looking for the next pop act to brighten up your weekend, then look no further than Perth four-piece Calm Collected. The lads recently released the catchy as hell single “Nothing Like the Movies” ahead of the October 13 launch of their EP Give Me Your Worst.
The quartet might not be breaking new ground here, but it’s an awful lot of fun. I love those big pop hooks, and I was tapping my toe in time before the song’s end. It’s also impressive that frontman Tim Tan writes the band’s songs himself and is a dab hand in the producer’s chair. Add the instrumental skills of all involved and you’ve got an act that’s got the edge over many of the pop artists on the charts.
Catch them at The Nexus Arts Centre in Adelaide on October 3.
Apes really impressed me with their fun single “Pull the Trigger,” and it seems I’m not the only one taking note. The Melbourne lads recently inked a deal with British booking agency 13 Artists, the same group representing the likes of Artic Monkeys, Radiohead, and Bloc Party.
To celebrate the achievement, Apes have headed across the pond for four shows this week. See them before everyone else discovers them at the following gigs.
1 October 2014 – Water Rats, London
2 October 2014 – Fallow Café, Manchester
3 October 2014 – Nice n’ Sleazy, Glasgow
4 October 2014 – Alfie Birds, Birmingham
Sydney band The Secret City have outdone themselves with their incredible video for new single “Little Darling.” This animated clip is Dreamworks worthy stuff, which tells a timeless tale of a boy and girl thwarted in their quest for love. Sure, most love stories don’t take place inside clocks, but I’m sure you’ll be able to relate. Major props go to Big Cookie Studios for their work on this.
And the song itself is pretty fabulous too. It’s a beautiful marriage really, with gorgeous visuals matching a really unique blend of folk and pop.
I hear these guys are incredible live, with three dynamic performers out front of an ever-changing cast of bass players, drummers, keyboardists, and programmers. You can find out for yourself when The Secret City launch “Little Darling” at the following shows.
17 October 2014 – Lazy Bones, Marrickville, NSW
6 November 2014 – Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle
8 November 2014 – Ric’s, Brisbane
30 November 2014 – Petersham Bowling Club, Petersham
The right music video can make any song so much more awesome. Melbourne’s Antiskeptic have certainly gotten it right with their Back to the Future-inspired clip for “Hey Dissident,” the lead single from their third album Stare Down the Ocean. It’s a fitting return for this band after a six-year hiatus.
Stare Down the Ocean hits stores on September 19. The album was crowdfunded by fans who raised more than $20,000 to support its release. That’s not bad for an act that’s been out of action for a while. Early reports insist that it’s Antiskeptic’s most cohesive and anthemic release to date, so it sounds like it’s been money well spent.
Antiskeptic will celebrate the release of Stare Down the Ocean with a string of shows later this month.
25 September 2014 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
26 September 2014 – The Small Ballroom, Newcastle
27 September 2014 – Enigma Bar, Adelaide
4 October 2014 – The Brightside, Brisbane
11 October 2014 – The Evelyn, Melbourne