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The AAM and Warner Music Australia are proud to announce their First Nations Mentorship program for 2020/2021. Commencing in 2014, the program has evolved into a multi-faceted professional development program consisting of peer- to- peer mentorship, essential development workshops and networking opportunities.
This years’ refreshed program has evolved once again, to encompass two different pathways; one for two current First Nations managers at any stage of their career, the second is for one First Nations person interested in artist management. As well as a peer-to-peer mentorship, the program includes a panel of First Nations voices, who will have a frank discussion about sovereignty and the work the greater music industry needs to undertake to ensure that diversity, representation and acknowledgement is safe-guarded into the future. Mentees will also have the opportunity to have one on one time with specialist team members within the Warner Music family.
Panelists for the 2020/2021 panel discussion are Kabi Kabi and Wiradjuri artist and producer Alethea Beetson, rapper, drummer and speaker from Brewarrina Ryan Dobby and 2019/2020 mentee and AAM member Cerisa Grant. The panel will be held on Friday 4th Dec from 10am – 11.30am (AEDT).
As inequality for our First Nations people within the music industry continues to be highlighted, the AAM and Warner Music Australia hope that this program can equip and enable first peoples to take an active and vital role in Artist Management.
Apply for the AAM/Warner Music First Nations Mentor Program here
https://www.aam.org.au/
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“That distortion and chaos, mixed with the pop semblance – that dichotomy – that genre-mashing, that’s the EP. That’s Up Late.”
~ Max Pasalic
Fresh from the announce of his new label home, Up Late is announcing his forthcoming EP ‘STARS’ will be released on Friday December 18, alongside the reveal of new cut ‘Fuck You’ ft. Hearteyes today.
The moniker for Wollongong singer-songwriter, producer and visual artist Max Pasalic, Up Late’s latest single features fellow Wollongong artist and longtime friend Hearteyes. Leaning heavily into his flair for alt-rock, Pasalic explains that ‘Fuck You’ is a response to rules and routine and embodies the DIY ethos both artists hold close to their chest.
“Fuck You is our chance to literally say fuck it to the rules and parameters placed on artists and creators,” he says, adding that this track marks the first “rock song” in the purposefully genre-less Up Late project.
“When I originally wrote this it was just four guitar chords because I honestly suck at guitar. That’s the DIY hardcore attitude – ‘who cares if I can’t play guitar? I can play four chords so fuck it that’s my song’.
“Hearteyes dm’d me after hearing ‘Friends’ and we started re-connecting. I showed him ‘Fuck You’ and he saw the vision immediately and came into the studio the next day with a Chrome Hearts trucker and a tote bag full of beer and tracked his verse in 10 minutes. He’s got true chaotic energy, he’s the human embodiment of relentless creativity.”
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Today, Sydney punk rock band Kids Of Yesterday release their version of the Tears For Fears hit Mad World. The single is off the bands debut album Escape Planet, out this Friday!
Mad World sees Kids Of Yesterday belt out their own version of the Tears For Fears hit single. A late edition to the album, the cover was added during the last days of recording. Considering what everyone has been going through this year, you can understand why Kids Of Yesterday decided that this song needed a revival. While the track has been covered many times, the band make it their own, starting off acoustic, it develops into an up-tempo punk rock anthem.
Mad World is the third single to be released off the bands debut album Escape Planet, out independently this Friday Nov 27.
Escape Planet was recorded at The Grove studios on the central coast of NSW with producer Jack Nigro (DMA’s, Skegss, Vacations). Kids Of Yesterday have combined elements of Frenzal Rhomb, Rise Against, Frank Turner and NOFX with their own brash form of punk on their debut album. For fans of late 90’s classic punk rock from Fat Wreck Chords and Epitaph Records, this will be one of the best Australian punk rock records released this year.
Kids of Yesterday is the brainchild of singer/ guitarist / chief songwriter Duncan Davidson. The band first formed in 2010 in the jam room of a Tempe share-house. Over the years founding members Duncan Davidson and Joseph Lamond have been joined by many talented musicians in the line up, as the band gigged frequently throughout Sydney, while self-releasing several EPs.
ICYMI Kids Of Yesterday have already released two singles from their debut album, Reefer Madness and Woman Of Stars.
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Broken Stone Records are pleased to announce Wade Jackson has joined their roster and will release his new album Sensationalized on Friday 4 December. Wade today releases new single ‘Nightlife‘
As Wade says of the single “I wrote and recorded Nightlife during the Coronavirus lockdown in Sydney. The view of the empty streets from my apartment window, particularly in the night, made me imagine a dystopian city that had been taken over by witches. The witches slept in nightclubs during the day and musicians must call/summon these witches at dusk by playing music that they enjoy to bring them out of their slumber and leave the clubs in good moods. If the music is to their liking, it would make them levitate and dance in the night sky whilst giving off rich-red, silky light flashes. I wanted the outro guitar solo to represent the witch dancing in the sky.”
Wade Jackson – ‘Nightlife’
Purchase/Stream: https://
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Where are you currently based?
I currently live in Adelaide near the water!
How did you first start playing music?
I started playing music when I was 16ish I actually just decided to dust off my brothers old guitar and look up some YouTube tutorials on how to play songs I liked at the time.
What’s been happening recently and how has your Covid experience been so far?
I’ve just finally released the EP ‘Coping Mechanisms’ via Dew Process which I’m super happy to be able to share. Covid has obviously impacted music and arts this year but personally it hasn’t been too bad for me. I’ve enjoyed a bit of down time. The one thing I miss the most is playing live and touring so I’m looking forward to potentially getting back at it and doing that in the somewhat near future. Fingers crossed!
How did you go about writing Coping Mechanisms and what does this EP mean to you?
I wrote the EP across 2018 and 2019. I think this EP to me is finding hope in darker times and strength in small things even when it feels impossible.
Where and when did you record/produce EP? Who did you work with?
I recorded the EP towards the end of 2019 in Melbourne’s Shed Studios with John Castle. Other collaborators I worked closely with on this EP are my great friends Benjamin Tamblyn and Mario Spate, as well as writing with Joel Quartmaine & Konny Kersting.
What did you find most challenging and rewarding throughout the process?
I think the challenge wasn’t so much the creation and writing of the music but persevering through personal issues while trying to remain creatively energised and enthused. Completing the EP and more so releasing it has been the rewarding part and seeing how it has resonated with others.
Any live shows coming up?
December 11th in Adelaide at JIVE I’ll be playing my first headline show of the year and I’m over the moon about it.
What do you like to do away from music?
Cooking, crafting, walking my doggo, binging tv series and seeing my fam and friends.
L-Fresh the Lion, Eves Karydas & Mike Waters have opened up about their struggles with mental health in candid conversations with Danny Clayton in the hope that others will know they’re not alone and find inspiration and healing through their music.
Queensland born songstress Karydas first started working through her battle with anxiety when recording new music when she first moved to London.
“I was trying to take advantage of the opportunity, but I just had this dark cloud hanging over my head. It was a pain in the butt.” – Singer/songwriter Eves Karydas
Karydas talks through ways she’s dealt with anxiety and how she’s used those feelings to motivate her songwriting, resulting in the creation of one of 2020’s strongest pop indie releases, “Complicated”.
As a way to combat his own mental health issues, Mike Waters reflected on his own dealing process, inspiring his song “I’m Doing Fine” which has ticked over one million plays on Spotify alone. Mike breaks down how a moment of not feeling okay, went on to inspire his song and important conversations with the people closest in his life.
“I was really struggling and I felt like it was going to be this way forever, once I started reaching out to people I realised I’m not the only one who feels like this.” – Melbourne singer/songwriter Mike Waters
Sydney’s own L-Fresh the Lion’s journey with music started as one of self discovery and understanding his identity. Through music he’s discovered more about himself as well as how to tell his own story through his acclaimed lyrics.
“Hip Hop values authenticity, If I want to be like Tupac I can’t tell his story, I can only tell my story, so what is my story?” – Sydney hip-hop icon L-Fresh the Lion
These important conversations have been released in the lead up to Musicians Making A Difference Day (MMAD Day) on Friday December 4, a day dedicated to amplifying the power of music in creating positive change in the world and bringing awareness to the work of Australian music youth charity, MMAD.
“If you are going through a hard time you are absolutely not alone. I hope this series or my episode reaches you in some way; sending everyone lots of love.” – Eves Karydas
Listen to the Music Saved Me podcast, proudly supported by Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, Sony Foundation, Universal Music Australia & Verizon Media.
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LISTEN TO ‘TURN BACK TIME’ HERE
FFRR / HIGHER GROUND
DIPLO & SONNY FODERA – ‘TURN BACK TIME’
OUT NOW
Legendary House Music label FFRR and Diplo’s Higher Ground continue their flurry of outstanding releases with ‘Turn Back Time’, a sensational collaboration between two of the scene’s most exciting major players, Diplo and Sonny Fodera.
Bringing together their combined production prowess they deliver a new track with unquestionable dancefloor appeal. This new release is full of old skool piano stabs, a sublime vocal, bouncy beats and an infectious electronic bass line that instantly hooks you; all coming together to make a track that has a feel-good vibe running throughout.
“Turn Back Time was born out of a late night session with me & Diplo. I was on tour in LA at the time, playing some amazing shows, meeting some really cool people and feeling super inspired by my surroundings. I played Turn Back Time in some of my last live shows and the response was so crazy, we knew we had to release it! Enjoy… and let’s hope I can drop this one LIVE for you all
Fresh off the back of another standout crossover dance release ‘Wired’ feat Ella Eyre, Sonny Fodera’s once again showcases how his production style just works. Having remixed the biggest names in the genre, Sonny has worked with an impressive string of leading artists including Calvin Harris, Disciples, MK and many more. Mixmag noted him as “one of the biggest draws in house” having sensationally sold out the London Printworks in 24 hours. It’s clear that Sonny is a rapidly rising talent, with more than a dozen top ten releases via Beatport, several studio albums and having performed at the world’s most renowned clubs and festivals.
Diplo is as an artist who needs little introduction as his musical credentials speak for themselves. His recent release ‘Looking For Me’ with Paul Woolford and Kareen Lomax sensationally clocked over 80 million combined streams, gaining a US #1 dance chart in the process. Simultaneously he brought us ‘On My Mind’ with fellow US producers SIDEPIECE, achieving ‘Track Of The Week’ on Radio 1, becoming a Tik Tok viral phenomenon, breaking through the 70 million streams mark and was a BRIT certified Gold. Diplo has also released his genre bending country album and is the driving force behind incredible acts such as Major Lazer, Silk City, LSD and Jack Ü. He has produced for Beyonce, Madonna, The Weeknd and M.I.A. He is one of the most renowned contemporary and in demand producers of our time with three Grammy wins and multiple nominations to his name.
With a brand-new video in the pipeline and the track already teased in the artists DJ sets ‘Turn Back Time’ will no doubt follow on the success of their recent releases, brought to you by FFRR a tried and tested label delivering dance anthems for decades.
Diplo & Sonny Fodera’s ‘Turn Back Time’ is out now FFRR / Higher Ground
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What is your name and role within the Hot Donnas?
Jacob – Frontman syndrome
George – Animal/drummer
Gene – Unemployed/bass player
Mitchel – Lead Guitar
Where are you currently based?
Out of the Dirty D (Dunedin NZ).
How did you first start playing music?
We all picked up an instrument at an early age. Primary school years spent taking lessons and gradually improving, developing a deep passion for music in our own ways. George and Mitchell played together in high school and Jake was also in a band. Hot Donnas seemed like such a natural fit for four dudes who needed a more social way to keep the practice up.
What’s been happening recently and how has your Covid experience been so far?
We’ve all been pretty lucky being based in New Zealand during covid. Though there was a pretty big stoppage in the music/gig scene here we’ve been out of lockdown for a while now and been able to pick up the odd gig here and there. Stoked as to be able to release a long awaited EP about a week ago that we’re all really happy with! Keen as to rip into some summer gigs over the next couple of months and get loud on stage.
Your new EP ‘The Adventures of E-WAN’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
This EP was a long time coming. We are always writing songs and have always got something that we’ve jammed sitting in the wings just waiting to be finished off. “Adventures of E-WAN” was a collection of the best songs we had written over the course of 2019, inspired by our continued progression into a more Rock’n’Roll sound and determination to make sure we got the overall sound right. Over the past few years our sound has changed a lot and it has been a massive learning experience for us to redefine it in the studio. Drawing influences from punk and metal, while also still trying to maintain melody and keep our tunes approachable for all humans, we did a lot of listening back to our old stuff and basically tried to fill all the gaps that we thought were made evident through our previous releases.
How did you go about writing The Adventures of E-WAN?
We’d had these songs locked in the chamber for well over a year before the release. George and Jacob lived in a flat together in 2019 and were able set up a spacious jamming area for us to practice, and after the release of our second album ‘Dirty Paradise’ we were all very keen to take our time and really knuckle down some solid tracks over the course of that year. We were jamming 3-4 times a week at peak and playing gigs every other week on top of that, which allowed us to develop our sound nicely.
Where and when did you record/produce?
We recorded the EP down at Radio One Studios in the University Campus just down the road with sound engineer Steven Marr – really stoked to be able to work with such a talented guy! This was around August/November of last year. Once we got the tracks laid down we took the stems to our mate Dan Harris who then mixed em up. This process all took roughly 3/4 months.
How’s the reaction from fans been so far?
We’ve had a pretty good reception so far! Along with the EP we were lucky enough to make up a couple of music videos which people have seemed to enjoy. Had some sick as write ups from some Aus and New Zealand horns which compare us to the sounds of Arctic Monkeys and Queens of the Stone Age – how good is that one!
You toured Australia once before, how was the tour and what were are your thoughts on playing the Aussie shows?
Our Australian tour was a lot of fun and definitely something we want to do again real soon. We learned a lot while we were over the ditch and grew a lot as a band also. We love how hard the Australian crowds mosh and get into the music, makes playing live a lot of fun. Can’t wait to get back over the ditch.
What did you most enjoy about being in Australia?
Easily our best memories were with The Darrans, who we met and toured with while in the country in 2019. We learnt a lot from that trip, and made some of the best memories. Having some top tier blokes like that dumped into our laps like that was the best luck we could have asked for, because having some locals on the ground who have been around the place once or twice before really helped our confidence and ability to soldier through to the end.
Do you have plans to head back to Australia any time soon?
It’s all covid dependent really. We would have been super keen to head back over this year but that all turned to custard. As soon as the opportunity arises and it’s all safe and sound we’ll most definitely be taking it!
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Loads of hip hop, like NAS, Big L, Mobb Deep and revisiting Kendrick for the 1000th time…
Parkway Drive, Meshuggah, Gallows, Pearl Jam etc.
What do you like to do away from music?
We enjoy playing and watching sport. A couple of us play basketball and follow the NBA. Most of us follow Rugby union as well, like all good New Zealanders do. Jake likes trying to skateboard but he sucks.. Only one way to get better though. We also watch a bit of t.v as well.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2020 going into 2021?
We have a gig on crate day (If you don’t know what crate day is then definitely google it) and we are also lucky enough to play at Rhythm & Vines Festival in Gisborne. Next year we are gonna pull our fingers out and start gigging and practicing like there’s no tomorrow. We wanna release another album and play as many shows as possible, hopefully jump the ditch if Covid allows us.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
We eat a lot of rice balls, they’re nutritious and cost effective. There’s a shop in Dunedin called Cafe Tokyo that make the best rice balls, perfect ratio of rice and chicken. Nachos are also a favourite in the Hot Donnas camp. It’s the only meal George knows how to cook so hes perfected the recipe.
Official Website: www.juicyhotdonnas.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Juicyhotdonnas/
Twitter: N/A
Instagram: @juicyhotdonnas – https://www.instagram.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/
Building a successful music career in Australia can be difficult, even more so in Western Sydney – but artist SHYJANA, has been defying all odds – and not even her house burning down will stop her from getting to the top.
For many, going through an ordeal like witnessing your house and all your possessions burning to ashes would mean giving up on your dreams, but not for this Western Sydney girl.
Titled ‘TOP SPOT” SHYJANA’s newest track is raw, with lyrics traversing the Western Sydney artists battles, perseverance, and her hunger to succeed.
“I want TOP SPOT to inspire everyone. You can do whatever you put your mind too.” – SHYJANA
SHYJANA’s vocals flow between rapid fragments and calming slices that when placed together give the song an addicting quality.
Releasing through boutique label VENTURE ARTISTS, the song has a perfect place in anyone’s playlist – from an upbeat party environment, to laying in your room, basking in the light of the fleeting sunset. ‘TOP SPOT’ is a surprise hit.
“I’m super excited for people to hear what I have been working on, the music I’m about to release is a side to me people have never seen before, I can’t wait for everyone to hear it” – SHYJANA
https://www.instagram.com/shyjanamusic/
https://www.tiktok.com/@shyjanamusic
https://www.youtube.com/c/ShyjanaMusic/featured
https://www.facebook.com/shyjanamusic/
Following on from their debut release for 2020 in ‘Do Your Worst’, Melbourne’s HARVES serves up their second offering for the year in their new single, ‘The River’.
A song that continues to explore a rich balance of production and keys beneath crisp vocals, ‘The River’ charms with its use of space and brooding delivery. Written and recorded between band members Samuel K Sproull and Matthew Wright’s respective homes during Victoria’s lockdown, ‘The River’ uses the feeling of isolation and yearning to form the essence of their latest track.
‘The River’ has been born directly out of the experience the duo have been going through – along with the rest of Victoria – under tight COVID-19 restrictions that have limited interactions and connections with anybody and (mostly) everybody. As the song continues, the vocals ponder what is coming on the other side, chasing an answer to a problem that seems, at present, unsolvable.
“It’s a bit of a metaphor about being creatures of habit, good and bad. About not making changes even though you know what you need to do and hoping that one day the answer will present itself. In our case specifically, I guess that answer was to start releasing some songs and let that dictate change.” Harves
Built on a strong rhythm and groove, ‘The River’ builds around Wright’s vocals, ebbing and flowing as the intensity of the track swirls. “All my friends are caught in the glitter, while my heart is lost in the river…” he laments, leaning heavy into this feeling of restlessness and detachment.
The single shares some threads with ‘Do Your Worst’, released earlier this year; both songs built on meticulously formed beds of instrumentation. Both building on a love for ambient and experimental sounds, ‘The River’ is Harves moving into a new space, further introducing themselves to listeners with this new single.
“After realising we were gonna be stuck inside for a while, we committed ourselves to using the time to sort out a workflow that meant we could finish a bunch of new material that was hovering about. It’s been nice to develop some focus around these songs and get them finished instead of constantly throwing paint at the canvas.” Harves
Both Sproull and Wright have been collaborating for quite a while now, with the Harves project existing in some different unofficial guises between the two musicians until ‘Do Your Worst’ was picked up for placement in the 2020 romantic drama, After We Collided.
From there, Harves have been working on the finishing touches of more new material to come in 2021, ‘The River’ being the latest piece of the puzzle.
‘The River’ is out now!
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Intro Video:https://youtu.be/GsLVkqJNcrU
Link to the album? https://fanlink.to/
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Josha Daniel
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