Formidable Vegetable Sound System Spread the Word About “Kimchi”

Quirky doesn’t even begin to cover “Kimchi,” the groovy new single from Fremantle’s Formidable Vegetable Sound System. Both entertaining and informative, the song will make you want to get up and dance and make your own fermented Korean cabbage. Thankfully the lyrics tell you how!

“It’s basically a recipe of how to make it yourself so that everyone can experience how awesome it is!” frontman Charlie Mgee explains. “The food-ninja challenge is getting past the smell, but once you’ve achieved that, everlasting deliciousness is your reward!”

“Kimchi” is just a taste of the ecological electro-swing you’ll find on Formidable Vegetable Sound System’s debut album Grow Do It, which drops on September 2. The band will promote the album with a tour around the country. In keeping with their sustainable philosophy, they won’t be clocking up any frequent flyer points. Instead they’ll travel around the country in their beloved van Norbit, which runs on used fish and chips shop oil sourced from fast food joints around the country.

Charlie promises “The shows will be full of the world’s maddest chicken impersonations, hyperactive trombones, trumpets and violins, songs about dirt, eating weeds, recycling and lots of crazy dancing (on and off stage!)” If you want in, make sure you get to one of the following gigs. All shows are all ages events.

2 September 2016 – Daylesford Town Hall, Daylesford
3 September 2016 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
9 September 2016 – Camelot, Marrickville
10 September 2016 – Canberra Musicians Club, Canberra
11 September 2016 – The Spotted Mallard, Brunswick
17 September 2016 – Mt Gambier City Hall, Mt Gambier
18 September 2016 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
21 September 2016 – Hannans Club, Kalgoorlie
2 October 2016 – Permafest @ Swan Valley Adventure Centre, Perth

Let Koi Child Brighten Your Wednesday

After a late night glued to the discus finals and with a cold that’s lingering, I’m struggling to get moving even more than usual this Hump Day. Koi Child’s latest single “Touch Em” is just what I needed to get my butt into gear.

“Touch Em” is a magnificent fireball of brassy energy that showcases the unique funky sound of this Western Australian quartet. Its laidback vid was filmed in Koi Child’s hometown of Fremantle at the legendary Mojos Bar and surrounds.

“Touch Em” comes from Koi Child’s self-titled debut album, which is in stores now. The band will play “Touch Em” and other album tracks on their Aussie tour which kicks off in Mandurah this week.

19 August 2016 – ‘Hooch’ Players Bar, Mandurah
20 & 21 August 2016 – Mojos Bar, Fremantle
26 August 2016 – Volumes Festival @ Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
27 August 2016 – Howler, Melbourne

Matt Joe Gow Releases Awesome Americana Single “I’m Your Man”

It’s been seven long years since Melbourne-based muso Matt Joe Gow released his debut album The Messenger. But it’s making a welcome return to the music scene with the release of “I’m Your Man,” the lead single from the forthcoming and highly anticipated new album, aptly titled Seven Years.

This song is a real charmer with lyrics and rich vocals that have me smitten. If you are too, make sure you catch Matt playing with a full band at Brunswick’s The Retreat Hotel on September 2.

Phia Heads to Central Australia for Gorgeous New Music Video

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

Twin Fires Get Toes Tapping with “Let Me Be Your Man”

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.

Tash Sultana One to Watch

With Tash Sultana preparing to play a slew of shows overseas and here at home, it seemed the perfect time to make sure you all knew about this exciting local talent.

This Melbourne singer-songwriter was a triple j Unearthed featured artist and her online content has racked up millions of streams and views. That content includes this video for Tash’s most recent single “Notion,” recorded in her bedroom.

It takes serious talent to make a bedroom session sound this good! There seems to be plenty of global interest in Tash, as she’s just signed deals with Paradigm/Windish Agency in North America and Free Trade Agency in UK/Europe.

If you’re in Australia or living abroad, here are the places you can catch this dynamic performer in the coming months.

19-21 August 2016 – Townsville Cultural Festival, Townsville
12 September 2016 – Badehaus, Berlin
14 September 2016 – Birthdays, London
15 September 2016 – The Borderline, London
17 September 2016 – 7 Layers Festival, Amsterdam
18 September 2016 – Rotown, Rotterdam
22 September 2016 – The Northern, Byron Bay
23 September 2016 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane
24 September 2016 – Listen Out, Melbourne
25 September 2016 – Listen Out, Perth
28, 29, & 30 September 2016 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
1 October 2016 – Listen Out, Sydney
2 October 2016 – Listen Out, Brisbane
6 October 2016 – Mojos, Fremantle
7 October 2016 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
13 October 2016 – Baha’s Tacos, Rye
14 October 2016 – Torquay Hotel, Torquay
15 October 2016 – Uni Bar, Adelaide
18, 19, & 20 October 2016 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
22 October 2016 – Swagger Music Festival, Bright
27 October 2016 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
4 November 2016 – The Homestead, Hobart
11 November 2016 – Kings Arms, Auckland
17-20 November 2016 – Mullum Music Festival, Mullumbimby
25 November 2016 – The Palais, St Kilda (with The Temper Trap)
26 November 2016 – Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley (Day on the Green with Garbage, The Temper Trap, The Preatures, & Adalita)
27 November 2016 – Leconfield Wines, Yarra Valley (Day on the Green with Garbage, The Temper Trap, The Preatures, & Adalita)
30 November 2016 – Enmore Theatre, Newtown (with The Temper Trap)
1 December 2016 – WIN Sports and Entertainment Centre, Wollongong (with Garbage and The Temper Trap)
2 December 2016 – The Solbar, Maroochydore
3 December 2016 – Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley (Day on the Green with Garbage, The Temper Trap, The Preatures, & Adalita)
4 December 2016 – Sirromet Wines, Mt Cotton (Day on the Green with Garbage, The Temper Trap, The Preatures, & Adalita)
10 December 2016 – The Pleasure Garden, Melbourne

Maya Unleashes “Sinners”

With a whole lot of sass and swagger, Melbourne singer Maya is releasing her debut single “Sinners” today.

This song sounds far more polished than any first effort has a right to be, which is a testament to Maya’s talent and the good people she has surrounded herself with. The vocals are rich and soul, utterly captivating. The track is also a killer, but we’d expect nothing else from something penned by Smash Bros (Cheryl Cole, Cee Lo Green, Flo Rida) and Australia’s own Shelley Segal.

“I have been working hard to reach this moment and am ready to release ‘Sinners’ to the world,” Maya said in a statement. “The single is a representation of relationship drama, it looks at the two sides of love and desire.”

Maya will front her own show at The Evelyn in Melbourne on September 2 before taking part in Total Eclipse: Songs by Jim Steinman at the Anthenaeum Theatre on September 17.

Amarillo Offers Beautiful Teaser of Upcoming Album

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.

Corey Harris Making Long-Awaited Return to Australia

Corey Harris is one of the great unsung talents of the blues genre. He doesn’t have the global profile of a BB King or a Buddy Guy, two of the many artists he’s toured with, but he deserves it. Something tells me he doesn’t mind his lack of superstar status. The unassuming performer can quietly go about what he does, creating music which blends blues with soul, rock, reggae, and more.

Corey Harris hasn’t been to Australia in 16 years, but in a couple of weeks he’ll be back playing shows for local audiences. If you want an indication of what you’ll see at the show, check out this video which features performances from the North Sea Jazz Festival in April.

Here are all the places you can catch Corey playing while he’s in Oz.

19 August 2016 – Caravan Music Club, Melbourne
20 August 2016 – Harvester Moon Café, Bellarine
21 August 2016 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
23 August 2016 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
24 August 2016 – Harmonie-German Club, Canberra
25 August 2016 – The Basement, Sydney
26-28 August 2016 – Gympie Muster, Gympie

Ryan Morgan Offers Soulful Take on Time Travel With New Single

Most songs we listen to tend to be about love and loss. So when I find a track about time travel, it instantly gets my attention. If you think the music industry needs more songs with sci fi leanings, then you’re going to adore “Time Machine,” the latest track from Aussie expat Ryan Morgan.

Ryan’s recorded the song with his sister Liya and released it through Bluprint Records, the siblings own label. It’s incredibly funky, with a sound that hearkens back to the classic tunes of Michael Jackson and early Prince.
The music video was shot in London and Sydney, their new home cities, and gives viewers an insight into how they create music together despite living so far away.

“Time Machine” is officially released on August 15.