Tag: Bernard Fanning

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fanning Dempsey National Park’s “Disconnect” is Brilliant

I know I’m a bit late to the party, but have we all listened to Fanning Dempsey National Park’s debut single “Disconnect” yet? The brainchild of Bernard Fanning and Paul Dempsey, I thought this new act was likely to be good, but I didn’t quite prepare myself for how good. Clearly, because otherwise I absolutely would have listened sooner! I’m going to be bold and say it might just be better than anything either of them have released before.

“We agreed straight away there’s no point doing something together if it’s going to be what people think it’s going to be,” Paul explained. “It’s not the two of us with acoustic guitars singing campfire songs.”

Bernard says “Disconnect” is about “The idea of having to walk away from something that you love because it’s become unmanageable. ‘Disconnect’ always had a lot of ‘serious moonlight’ energy, right from its beginnings. The swapping lead vocal plays with the idea of connecting and disconnecting by juxtaposing the confidence/ indecision with each consecutive line. We originally wanted to use sax on everything. After we roughly finished a demo we’d say, ‘What else does it need?’ The answer was inevitably more sax.”

That fantastic saxophone comes courtesy of Ron Dziubla, one of the world’s best session musicians. If that name doesn’t mean anything to you, just take a look at some of the music he’s played on. Tracks from Chris Isaak, Ricky Martin, Christina Aguilera, George Benson, The Crystal Method, and heaps more.

This is just a taster of all the exciting stuff in store for Fanning Dempsey National Park. They’ll release an album, The Deluge, on August 2, which I can’t wait to hear after playing this single obsessively (seriously, I’ve played nothing else since I started writing this article). They’re also heading around the country playing capital city shows in intimate theatres. Tickets are on sale now and probably won’t last long once everyone hears this track!

11 October 2024 – The Fortitude Music Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane
12 October 2024 – Enmore Theatre, Eora/Sydney
18 October 2024 – Hindley Street Music Hall, Tarntanya/Adelaide
19 October 2024 – Forum, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
20 October 2024 – Forum, Naarm/Melbourne
1 November 2024 – Astor Theatre, Boorloo/Perth

Photo credit: Cybele Malinowski

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Baker Boy Covers Bernard Fanning

I was pretty surprised when I heard Baker Boy had released a version of Bernard Fanning’s “Wish You Well”. But I should have known this wouldn’t be any karaoke cover. The Yolnu superstar has flipped the script here, bringing something new and very fresh to the Powderfinger frontman’s solo smash. Speaking of Bernard, he lends vocals to this incredibly cool new take.

“‘Wish You Well’ is a break-up track, but it’s all about spreading that love,” Baker Boy explained. “The original isn’t really usual for Baker Boy – that vibe. So I wanted to kind of make it into a story where I can also apply it differently and make it Yolŋu flavour. It’s not just in a romantic way, it’s about sharing the love – whether it’s your partner, whether it’s your friends or family … It’s also for the people that are having a hard time right now. I just wanted to spread some love through music.”

Bernard was also full of compliments for Baker Boy and his new version of “Wish You Well”.

“Baker Boy’s music is so full of energy and excitement that I was very happy to collaborate on a new take on ‘Wish You Well’,” he added. “I love the spirit of this new version and am so glad it’s taken such a different musical tack but maintained the buoyancy of the original. It’s the first time I’ve worked in this way, but I found it so easy because the ideas coming from Danzal and Pip [Norman, producer] were so good.”

After delighting crowds on his North American tour, Baker Boy is ready to play local shows. Catch him at Splendour in the Grass or one of his recently announced regional Victorian shows:

26 August 2022 – Ulumbarra Theatre, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Bendigo (ALL AGES)
2 September 2022 – Memo Theatre, Wurundjeri Country, Healesville (ALL AGES)
3 September 2022 – Volta, Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung Country/ Ballarat (18+)
8 September 2022 – Westernport Hotel, Bunurong Country/San Remo (18+)
9 September 2022 – Pier Hotel, Bunurong Country/Frankston (18+)
10 September 2022 – Gippsland PAC, Traralgon (ALL AGES)
23 September 2022 – Lighthouse, Warrnambool (ALL AGES)
24 September 2022 – Riverlinks, Kanny-goopna/Shepparton (ALL AGES)

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia; credit: Charlie Ashfield

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Big Names Headline Maroochydore Music and Vis Arts Festival

With diverse Aussie acts like Alison Wonderland, The Presets, Bernard Fanning, and Gang of Youths headlining, the 2017 Maroochydore Music and Vis Arts Festival is set to be massive.

These big names will be joined by exciting up-and-comers like Horrorshow, Northeast Party House, Skegss, Mallrat, Billy Davis & The Good Lords, OK Badlands, and Norway’s Anna of the North.

Unlike so many festivals, this one has a one-stage policy so you don’t have to miss a moment. There’ll also be a stunning visual arts display, with inflatable, illuminated installations and street art decorating the Gold Coast.

The 2017 Maroochydore Music and Vis Arts Festival hits the new Maroochydore CDB, the site of the Old Horton Park Golf Course, on August 26. Tickets are on sale now.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Amity Affliction Score Third Number One Album in a Row

The pride of Gympie, The Amity Affliction, has scored their third consecutive number one album. This Could Be Heartbreak debuted at number one this week. Notably, this is the 14th local release to hit the top of the albums charts this year. This equals 2013’s record of the most Aussie number one albums in a calendar year. And it’s only August!

Human Nature’s Gimme Some Lovin’: Jukebox Vol. II, one of those chart-topping 14, has held steady at number three. Bernard Fanning’s newie Civil Dusk has slipped from number two to four this week.
Another previous number one, Ripcord by Keith Urban, is back on its way up the charts, climbing two spots to land at number six this week. So too is another chart-topper, Wings of the Wild. Delta Goodrem’s most recent release jumps three spots to sit at number eight.

Meanwhile on the singles charts, Illy’s single with Vera Blue, “Papercuts,” has dropped one spot to number five this week. Betty Who’s debuted at number nine with her take on Donna Lewis’ ‘90s smash, “I Love You Always Forever.”

Here are this week’s top 10s.

Top 10 Albums
1. This Could Be Heartbreak – The Amity Affliction
2. Suicide Squad: The Album – Soundtrack
3. Gimme Some Lovin’: Jukebox Vol. II – Human Nature
4. Civil Dusk – Bernard Fanning
5. 25 – Adele
6. Ripcord – Keith Urban
7. Blurryface – Twenty One Pilots
8. Wings of the Wild – Delta Goodrem
9. Lemonade – Beyonce
10. This Unruly Mess I’ve Made – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Top 10 Singles
1. “Closer” – The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey
2. “Let Me Love You” – DJ Snake feat. Justin Bieber
3. “Cold Water” – Major Lazer feat. Justin Bieber and MO
4. “Heathens” – Twenty One Pilots
5. “Papercuts” – Illy feat. Vera Blue
6. “Perfect Strangers” – Jonas Blue
7. “Treat You Better” – Shawn Mendes
8. “Alarm” – Anne Marie
9. “I Love You Always Forever” – Betty Who
10. “This is What You Came For” – Calvin Harris feat. Rihanna

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harrison Craig Topples Kanye on ARIA Albums Charts

We came within a whisker of seeing another Aussie act on top of the album charts, but at the final hurdle Kanye West pipped Troy Cassar-Daley and Adam Harvey. This week is a different matter though, with Harrison Craig pushing the American hip hop star from the number one position.

It’d almost be a story of David and Goliath proportions if the sales figures weren’t compared to last year’s Voice victor. Harrison’s More Than a Dream might be on the top of the charts with 13, 167 copies sold. But that’s a far cry from the 35, 621 units Karise Eden’s album sold in its first week. And before you rush and say Harrison’s album was only released midweek, Karise was in the same position. Harrison’s got a lot to prove if he expects to make a lasting impression on the Aussie musical landscape.

Harrison did outsell the likes of Kanye, Daft Punk, and P!nk though, and that’s nothing to sneeze at. It also kept last week’s “almost number one” duo Troy Cassar-Daley and Adam Harvey at number three with their Great Country Songbook. Bernard Fanning’s Departures has slipped a bit, but it’s still selling well at number eight. It’s a similar story for Empire of the Sun, whose sophomore effort Ice on the Dune is sitting at number nine.

Meanwhile we’ve got two Aussies sitting pretty in the singles charts. Timomatic’s “Parachute” has held steady at number three. Matt Corby’s also clinging on to a top ten berth with “Resolution”.

Click below for this week’s complete top tens.

Continue reading “Harrison Craig Topples Kanye on ARIA Albums Charts” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bernard Fanning Tops ARIA Albums Charts

After many long months, Australia finally has another local talent on top of the ARIA Charts. Bernard Fanning’s second solo album Departures is sitting proudly at number one. It gives him his second solo number one in as many albums. Not a bad effort!

It’s the only Aussie album in the top ten, although if we want to get creative we can at least celebrate the local connection to The Great Gatsby soundtrack at number two. Sure it’s chockful of international artists, but it’s from an Aussie-directed film!

If the singles chart tells us anything, it’s that Harrison Craig is all but a show-in to win The Voice. His cover of “Unchained Melody” is at number two and his original song “More Than a Dream” is nipping at its heels at number three. This gives Harrison eight top 40 singles and three top 10s, more than any other Voice contestant. My favorite, Mitchell Anderson, never had a chance it seems.

The influence of The Voice continues with Timomatic’s “Parachute”, the song he performed on last week’s live show, debuting at number seven. Matt Corby rounds out the top ten with his single “Resolution”.

Click below to see this week’s complete top ten!

Continue reading “Bernard Fanning Tops ARIA Albums Charts” →