Sunshine Coast muso Trey Cooper has thoroughly charmed me with his new single “Howling.” If you love a good acoustic-driven pop-rock track, you’re going to eat this up too.
It’s got a great radio-friendly sound, but tap into those lyrics and you’ll hear a little darkness. Trey has flipped the classic love song on its head here, turning it into something a bit moodier and more haunting. And can we just take a moment to appreciate his voice, which seems to have no barriers. His effortless command of his instrument is reminiscent of Jeff Buckley or Matt Corby. I love that rather than releasing a fancy video where he lip-synced, Trey has released a back-to-basics live studio video as the official film clip.
Trey regularly gigs around Southeast Queensland. Hopefully it won’t be too long before he ventures out for a national tour.
Tash Sultana has floored me with her latest single, “Harvest Love.” This is a beautiful track about losing a loved one which packs a serious emotional punch.
“I wrote this song a little while back. People kind of assume that I only write songs with live looping but I actually write in all different ways. This is a piece I’m super proud of,” Tash explained. “I unlocked a little part of me to completely simplify the story I was trying to tell. I think you kind of get that way when you have a moment in your life when the entire world is just too hard to comprehend. So this is what came from that.”
“Harvest Love” is the latest cut from Tash Sultana’s debut album Flow State, which will drop on August 31. She’s currently touring the world, but she’ll play Lost Picnic Festival here in October and headline a gig on the Sunshine Coast in January. This is her first local headlining show in more than a year, so expect tickets to get snapped up. Here are all the places you can see her play around the world in the coming months.
3 August 2018 – Hinterland Music Festival, St Charles
4 August 2018 – Lollapalooza, Chicago
5 August 2018 – Osheaga, Montreal (SOLD OUT)
7 August 2018 – RBC Echo Beach, Toronto
9 August 2018 – Edmonton Folk Fest, Edmonton
11 August 2018 – Outside Lands Festival, San Francisco
6-8 September 2018 – Palladium Koln, Cologne (SOLD OUT)
10 & 11 September 2018 – Columbiahalle, Berlin (SOLD OUT)
15 & 16 September 2018 – Afas Live, Amsterdam-Zuidoost (SOLD OUT)
20-22 September 2018 – O2 Academy Brixton, London (20th & 21st SOLD OUT; Limited tickets for 22nd)
25 September 2018 – l’Olympia, Paris
28 September 2018 – Samsung Hall, Zurich (SOLD OUT)
29 September 2018 – Fabrique, Milan, Italy
7 October 2018 – Lost Picnic Festival, Melbourne
13 October 2018 – Lost Picnic Festival, Sydney
1 November 2018 – UBC Thunderbird Arena, Vancouver
4 November 2018 – Grey Eagle Event Centre, Calgary
6 November 2018 – Burton Cummings Theatre, Winnipeg
7 November 2018 – Palace Theatre, St.Paul
10 November 2018 – The Filmore Detroit, Detroit
16 November 2018 – House of Blues, Boston
17 November 2018 – Terminal 5, New York
20 November 2018 – Stage AE, Pittsburgh
21 November 2018 – The Anthem, Washington D.C.
23 November 2018 – War Memorial Auditorium, Nashville
24 November 2018 – The Tabernacle, Atlanta
26 November 2018 – Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland, Kansas City
27 November 2018 – The Fillmore Auditorium, Denver
1 December 2018 – Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles
2 January 2019 – Bay Dreams Festival, ASB Baypark, The Mount
4 January 2019 – Bay Dreams Festival, Trafalgar Park, Nelson
12 January 2019 – Big Pineapple Fields, Woombye
Quirky New York trio Too Many Zooz haven’t long wrapped up their first Aussie tour, but they’re keen to do it all again. Leo P, Matt Doe, and David “King of Sludge” Parks will bring their unique BrassHouse music back to Australia next month.
For a sign of what’s in store, check out this cover of TNT the band fittingly recorded in Melbourne’s AC/DC Lane. There’s more where that came from; join the party at the following Too Many Zooz shows.
16 February 2018 – Garden of Unearthly Delights, Adelaide
18 February 2018 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
19 February 2018 – Factory Theatre, Sydney
21 February 2018 – Perth Festival, Perth
I must admit, I meant to write about Benjamin Booker’s Bluesfest sideshows yesterday but I fell down the Spotify rabbit hole with his music instead. Writing about him fell low down my priority list as I relished the opportunity to listen to his gritty blend of soul and blues.
If you want to know what Benjamin is all about, wrap your ears around this live version of Witness, the title track from his 2017 album. A socially charged anthem exploring the racial tensions facing the United States, it’s just one of many wonderful tracks I listened to yesterday.
Whether you’re a fan or, like me, you’ve just discovered his brilliance, you won’t want to miss these shows. See him at Sydney’s Factory Theatre on March 29 or Melbourne’s Corner Hotel on March 31.
Often I spend the ARIA Awards feeling a little out of step with the industry voters, because the acts I feel passionate about aren’t often the ones who come home with the trophies. Not last night though, where Gang of Youths, Amy Shark, and Paul Kelly took home some of the top prizes. I was also thrilled to see Jimmy Barnes taking out the Best Children’s Album category (who would have thought he could beat out The Wiggles?) and Kasey Chambers recognised for her wonderful album Dragonfly. 2017 has been such a great year for local music and last night’s event was a fitting celebration of that.
Sure, it wasn’t a perfect awards night. Without a host, the night seemed to lack a little direction. Some of the banter felt forced, like the section with the stars of Pitch Perfect 3 and Joel Creasey’s awkward conversation with Jillian Michaels. The sound also left a lot to be desired, at least on the television broadcast. I hope it sounded better in the room. But the performances were all outstanding. It seems wrong to single anyone out, but Jimmy Barnes’ rendition of “High Voltage” was such a fitting tribute to Malcolm and George Young. If you weren’t excited by new Hall of Fame inductee Darryl Braithwaite teaming up with Vera Blue and Guy Sebastian for “The Horses” you’re probably not Australian. I thought Paul Kelly’s new take on “Dumb Things” with A.B. Original and Dan Sultan was inspired. Gang of Youth’s performance showed just why they were so dominant this year.
If you didn’t catch the ceremony, at least make sure you look up some of the performances on YouTube. Here’s one to get you started.
And here are all the winners!
Album Of The Year: Gang Of Youths – Go Farther In Lightness
Best Male Artist: Paul Kelly – Life Is Fine
Best Female Artist: Sia – “The Greatest feat. Kendrick Lamar”
Best Dance Release: Pnau – “Chameleon”
Best Group: Gang Of Youths – Go Farther In Lightness
Breakthrough Artist: Amy Shark – Night Thinker
Best Pop Release: Amy Shark – Night Thinker
Best Urban Album: A.B. Original – Reclaim Australia
Best Independent Release: A.B. Original – Reclaim Australia
Best Rock Album: Gang Of Youths – Go Farther In Lightness
Best Adult Contemporary Album: Paul Kelly – Life Is Fine
Best Country Album: Kasey Chambers – Dragonfly
Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album: Northlane – Mesmer
Best Blues & Roots Album: All Our Exes Live In Texas – When We Fall
Best Children’s Album: Jimmy Barnes – Och Aye the G’Nu!
Best Video: Bliss N Eso – “Moments” (feat. Gavin James)
Best Australian Live Act: Illy
Song Of The Year: Peking Duk – “Stranger” (feat. Elliphant)
Best International Artist: Harry Styles
Tallebudgera Valley’s own Leopold’s Treat are giving back to their local community with a very special show on October 7.
Music lovers can expect an evening of acoustic tunes in a family-friendly atmosphere. There’ll be a meditation session at sunset, fabulous food, and plenty of good vibes. Another local talent, Felicity Lawless, will also play a set. Money raised will also benefit animal and environmental charities. What a great opportunity to come together with your neighbours and hear some great music from your backyard? This video gives you a little indication of the kind of fun you’re in for!
If you live in the area, make sure you get along to Tallebudgera Valley Community Hall on October 7. It all kicks off at 4 pm, and with tickets costing $30 for adults and $10 for kids, it’s a pretty affordable night out. Get yours now from Yapsody.
Melbourne songstress Ariela Jacobs seems so sweet and wholesome, I’d never have imagined her breaking the rules. Yet she snuck into a local pool to bring us this stunning acoustic live performance of her brand new single “Say So.”
The song has me even more excited about her second EP, also called Say So, which will be released in the near future. Before then, she’s got two big shows at Bigsound to think about. Brisbane, you can catch her tonight at the Empire Hotel and tomorrow at Laruche.
Adelaide trio Wanderers blew me away with the single “Loco” in January. The EP Something of a Distraction came a month later, but I must have been distracted because I’m only just listening to it now. Just in time too, as it turns out, because after wowing crowds in Europe and the United Kingdom, the band is back on Aussie soil ready to kick off a New South Wales tour tonight.
If you’re not already acquainted with Wanderers, do yourself a favour. Their music is so much fun, soulful with hints of funk, gospel, and straight up rock and roll. This live clip of “Loco” gives you an inkling of what I mean, but you can see for yourself at the following venues.
17 August 2017 – Moonshine, Manly
18 August 2017 – Caves Beachside Hotel, Caves Beach
19 August 2017 – Gregory Hills Hotel, Gregory Hills
20 August 2017 – Headland Cafe, Valla Beach
23 August 2017 – Element Bar, Coffs Harbour
24 August 2017 – Moonshine, Manly
25 August 2017 – Black Duck Brewery, Port Macquarie
26 August 2017 – The Rails, Byron Bay
27 August 2017 – The Junkyard Hotel, Maitland
30 August 2017 – Oak Hotel, Double Bay
31 August 2017 – Moonshine, Manly
1 September 2017 – Aztec, Forster
Image used with permission from Little Acorn Music
More than a year since his passing, I am still processing the loss of Prince. There’s a giant innovative, flamboyant, shining, purple hole in the musical landscape that I don’t think anyone will ever fill.
As much as I miss him, I’m also grateful that he left us with so much positive music. It’s impossible to get too down when you’re listening to the funk-infused tunes from his back catalogue. So when Royal Funk Party, Lake Minnetonka, Mayfield, and DJ MzRizk get together at The Toff in Town to mark Prince’s birthday next month, you know you’re going to have a good time.
These guys channel the Minneapolis sound Prince pioneered. To see just how good they are, check out this performance of “Head” with Royal Funk Party and Lake Minnetonka going toe to toe.
It all happens at the Toff in Town in Melbourne on June 10. Tickets are on sale now through Moshtix.
My first introduction to Kevin Mitchell was as the larrikin frontman of ‘90s punk act Jebediah. At that time I could never have imagined he’d be making the kind of folky acoustic music I really dig under the alias Bob Evans. Or the way that fans would take to his softer alter ego. Yet roughly 15 years after unveiling Bob Evans, Kevin Mitchell’s laidback music is still going strong. This video of “My Matilda” should give you some indication as to why.
For more music like that, make sure you check out Bob Evans on his very extensive Aussie tour over the next few months. He’ll visit capital cities and regional centres, and as an added bonus offer a few six-track EP Zeroes to Heroes to anyone that purchases a ticket from his website or online outlets.
20 April 2017 – Front Bar, Canberra
21 April 2017 – Lizotte’s, New Lambton
22 April 2017 – Hardy’s Bay Club, Hardy’s Bay
3 May 2017 – Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba
5 May 2017 – Camelot Lounge, Sydney
6 May 2017 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
7 May 2017 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
11 May 2017 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
12 May 2017 – 5 Church St, Bellingen
13 May 2017 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
1 June 2017 – Baha, Rye
2 June 2017 – The Croxton Front Bar, Melbourne
3 June 2017 – Workers Club, Geelong
8 June 2017 – Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide
9 June 2017 – Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine
