Bekdö has captured my heart with her new single “Dangerous.”
This song has such an endearing spirit to it, a naivety and honesty that sometimes gets lost in the technology of electro-pop music.
Expect to hear big things from this charming Melbourne muso.
Now with his ninth album under his belt, Xavier Rudd should be considered a veteran of the Aussie music scene. You might assume after releasing so much music, he might be lacking inspiration or struggling to find vital things to say. Storm Boy proves neither is true. Far from showing signs of fatigue, he might be making his best music yet. The press release notes that he’s found love, so perhaps that’s inspired him. Whatever the reason, Storm Boy is a joy to listen to.
It starts so strong with the current single “Walk Away,” a stirring anthem that tugs at the heart string. The next track “Keep it Simple” switches gears. It has such powerful lyrics about unity, with a cool electric reggae vibe. The album likes to keep us guessing like that, never keeping us in the same place for too long.
The delicate title track might be my favourite, with its life lessons and references to the famous Colin Thiele novel. While he’s more than capable of doing a big electric epic, I think Xavier is strongest he pares things back in songs like this, “Honeymoon Bay” and “Best That I Can.” However, the bigger numbers add some balance.
This is an album not just of big songs but also songs of big importance. “Gather the Hands” is such a moving call to arms, a track which addresses our relationships with our indigenous brothers and sisters and how we move forward together. “True to Yourself” is another insightful masterstroke, a tender folky ballad with a heart of gold. The second verse about a homeless man really resonated with me.
“True Love” might be the most personal song on the album, a reflection on that love the press release touched on. It manages to be both epic and intimate at the same time. Musically there’s so much going on, an orchestra with everything from violins to sitars coming together. But its lyrics are so personal, and they keep the song centred.
After such a powerhouse song, it’s only fitting that Xavier goes back to the kind of small, delicate music he’s famous for with the album’s final track. “Times Like These” has such powerful lyrics about what is true in this world, so it’s only fitting that they take centre stage. It’s a beautiful song, and the perfect final track for what is such a beautiful album.
I’ve listened to Storm Boy at least 10 times now but I keep finding new things to appreciate about it. It’s one of those special releases that only grows richer over time. Start listening now so you’re all across is when Xavier tours the country later this year.
2 August 2018 – UC Refectory, Canberra
3 August 2018 – Uni Hall, Wollongong
4 August 2018 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
5 August 2018 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
10 August 2018 – Night Quarter, Gold Coast
11 August 2018 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (SOLD OUT)
12 August 2018 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
17 August 2018 – Odeon Theatre, Hobart
18 August 2018 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
24 August 2018 – The Forum, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
25 August 2018 – Costa Hall, Geelong
27 August 2018 – The Forum, Melbourne
23 November 2018 – Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle
24 November 2018 – 3 Oceans Winery, Margaret River
Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia
Sydney band Ocean Alley can seem to do no wrong, and the rest of the world is beginning to take notice. They’ve just dropped another stellar single, “Knees,” from their critically acclaimed sophomore album Chiaroscuro, and I can’t stop listening.
It’s the perfect blend of soul and rock, full of yearning and honesty.
Ocean Alley are currently in the midst of a massive North American tour. If you’re in that part of the world, here are the remaining dates. Hopefully it won’t be too long before we see some shows back here in Oz.
19 June 2018 – Brighton Music Hall, Allston
20 June 2018 – The Foundry at The Fillmore, Philadelphia
22 June 2018 – Mercury Lounge, New York
23 June 2018 – DC9, Washington
25 June 2018 – Blueberry Hill, University City
27 June 2018 – Larimer Lounge, Denver
29 June 2018 – Valley Bar, Phoenix
30 June 2018 – Constellation Room, Santa Ana
Image used with permission from Bianca Blancato
Melbourne’s Maya might just have one of the most soulful voices in the country. It’s used to full effect on her latest single “Blackout.”
“Releasing this single has got to be one of the most exciting times of my career,” she said. “’Blackout’ means so much to me lyrically and I feel like the production is the next step sound that really represents my aesthetic … Most people have ‘blacked out’ before, whether it’s when they drink, if they black out a bad memory, or if they just forget certain things. This song takes you through my perspective and how I felt when it happened to me – it was inspired by so many moments of blackout in myself that I still fight every day.”
“Blackout” saw Maya collaborating with producer Joel Quartermain (Eskimo Joe, Meg Mac) and director Grace Moore, who helped her put together this dramatic video.
“The ‘Blackout’ video shows a cross between the dark reality and positive space,” Maya explained. “It captures a representation of the dark energies that are felt in those fragile times, juxtaposed with a bright, welcoming space that leads to happiness. The video, set the morning after the night before, features the Blackout Girls chasing me out of my dark memories until finally I arrive at a space where there is no black. There I’m free from the watchful eyes of the blackout, and surrounded by positivity and light.”
Maya is currently in New York City working with some of the world’s best writers and producers, but it won’t be too long before she’s back home putting the finishing touches on some fresh new music for us all.
Image used with permission from On the Map PR
Have you ever wanted to sing with Katie Noonan or Teddy Tahu Rhodes? The Queensland Music Festival (QMF) is giving you the chance!
QMF is assembling a choir of singers to join the talented vocalists, and musical director Dr. Johnathon Welch (Choir of Hard Knocks), at its upcoming Voices of Remembrance concerts in Toowoomba and Cairns. Interested choirs or individuals can apply to be part of these events at the QMF website until June 29.
“This concert will help everyone reconnect with moving stories from the First World War and celebrate the peace that came with the signing of the Armistice,” explained Katie, who’s currently serving as QMF’s artistic director.
If like me your vocal chords aren’t blessed, you can still catch these special Armistice Day shows in Toowoomba on November 9 and Cairns on November 10. Tickets will be free, although you’ll need to book them through the QMF site later this year.
Image used with permission from Agency North
Pop has gotten to be a bit of a dirty word in recent years. A few local artists like Troy Sivan, Sia, and The Veronicas have earned the respect of critics, but by and large pop has become a genre that’s easy to poke fun at. However, when done right pop music can be sublime. Sydney’s Nick Summerfield shows the Australian pop scene has another artist worth taking seriously with the release of his new single “Shelter.”
“Shelter is a story of my personal growth,” Nick explained. “I was in a pretty unhappy place when I started writing, but I knew the only person that could change that was me. The lyrics talk about facing truth and confronting yourself – I had to look at myself, my flaws and questioned if I was good enough during those times of instability and vulnerability.”
This is such good stuff. I can’t wait to hear more from this self-taught talent.
Image used with permission from the A&R Department
For the last 20 years, the Mirabel Foundation has helped children orphaned or abandoned as a result of parental drug abuse. They are still the only organisation in this country dedicated to this vital work. That makes their milestone birthday a reason to celebrate, and they’re bringing some of Australia’s best musicians together for the party.
The Mirabel Foundation’s star-studded birthday bash will feature performances from Paul Kelly, Deborah Conway, Mark Seymour and Cameron McKenzie, Ross Wilson, Vika and Linda Bull, Clare Bowditch, Dave Larking, Davey Lane, Benny Walker, Dan Kelly, Bill McDonald, and Pete Luscombe and Clio Renner from the RocKwiZ band. Brian Nankervis will host the event which is sure to be an absolute cracker.
It all goes down at the Prince of Wales in St Kilda on July 6. Tickets are an absolute steal at $70 plus booking fee. Get yours before they’re all gone to support this amazing cause!
Image used with permission from Chrissie Vincent Publicity
Family Fold, the latest musical venture from Paul Andrews of Lazy Susan fame, has just dropped their brand new single “Crying in the Carwash.” It’s a straight-up pop rock pleaser with a soaring string section and solid lyrics.
“I recorded the track in Nashville with a guy called Brad Jones who has worked with lots of Australian artists like Bob Evans, Missy Higgins and Melody Pool,” Paul explained. “When it came to recording the solo … we were stuck for what instrument we should use. I suggested strings and Brad’s face immediately lit up. ‘I have a guy in Kentucky,’ which sounded so awesome I wouldn’t have cared if it was someone scraping a piece of cut glass across a toy ukulele, I had to go with it.
“We sent the track away, with no parts having been written, to this ‘guy in Kentucky’ and it came back magically a few days later with the most stunning string parts. ‘I have a guy in Kentucky’ has now entered my every day vocab for something a bit ‘on the down low’ that comes through with the goods.”
“Crying in the Carwash” gives us our first taste of Family Fold’s new album Ashfield Skyline. It’s set to drop in August, but you can get a cheeky sneak peek when the band played The Hideaway Bar in Enmore on July 21.
I honestly can’t remember the last time we saw Aussie acts on top of the albums and singles charts. But this week we’ve been supporting our own, keeping 5 Seconds of Summer at number one on the singles charts with “Youngblood” and propelling Sheppard to number one on debut with their sophomore album Watching the Sky. This is 5SOS’s fourth consecutive week at number one with their new album’s title track. That album dropped on Friday. Expect it to make a big impact on the charts next week. Meanwhile, Watching the Sky is Sheppard’s first number one album, and the fifth Aussie album release to top the charts this year.
Amy Shark is holding steady on the singles charts, staying at the number six spot with “I Said Hi.” This track has been getting a truckload of airplay at the moment, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it climbs a little higher next week.
The Presets are the only other Aussie act on the charts. Their latest album Hi Viz is at number nine this week, after debuting in the fifth position last week.
Top 10 Albums
1. Watching the Sky – Sheppard
2. Beerbongs & Bentleys – Post Malone
3. The Greatest Showman – Soundtrack
4. Kids See Ghosts – Kids See Ghosts
5. ÷ – Ed Sheeran
6. ye – Kanye West
7. Shawn Mendes – Shawn Mendes
8. No Shame – Lily Allen
9. Hi Viz – The Presets
10. X – Ed Sheeran
Top 10 Singles
1. “Youngblood” – 5 Seconds of Summer
2. “Better Now” – Post Malone
3. “Girls Like You” – Maroon 5 feat. Cardi B
4. “Back to You” – Selena Gomez
5. “One Kiss” – Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa
6. “I Said Hi” – Amy Shark
7. “No Tears Left to Dry” – Ariana Grande
8. “2002” – Anne-Marie
9. “Love Lies” – Khalid & Normani
10. “All Mine” – Kanye West
Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute
South Australia is such fertile rock ground, giving birth to such legendary names as Cold Chisel, The Angels, The Mark of Cain, Sarah McLeod, and Masters Apprentices. The latest SA act to catch my attention are Indiago, a four-piece who are giving me serious Kings of Leon vibes with their latest track “Gusto.”
“We’ve been through a lot of changes over the past twelve months,” says frontman Will Solomon. “I think this is a perfect example of where we’re at musically, and the song stands as a dedication to those who’ve stuck with us.”
It’s still a little rough around the edges, but Indiago have definitely got some skills. I’m looking forward to hearing more from this talented South Australian act.
Image used with permission from Mixed Muse PR