“‘Glimmer’ might be their most radiant release so far – loaded with their signature soulful grooves, intoxicating instrumentation and frontwoman Maddy Herbert’s velvety voice.”
– James Lynch, Trouble Juice
“‘Glimmer’ is a wonder of a track. The musicianship is almost intimidating, from the controlled smokey croon of front woman Maddy Herbert, through to the layers of jazz influences that are crammed under a soulful blanket. The waltz turn-around at the half-way mark is the fairy dust on an already smooth groove. Everything is restrained, within reason, with the listener knowing full well that any one of these musicians could break the stratosphere with a solo, but that’s the kicker. None of them do. They serve the song, and it is so much better for it.” – The Point
Earlier this month, Melbourne based soul outfit Velvet Bloom dropped their steamy heartwarmer ‘Glimmer’ sharing another take from their anticipated debut body of work just around the corner. Now, the enthralling collective are revealing the gorgeous visuals to the new single and EP namesake with a collaborative video accompaniment, showcasing some of Australia’s finest up-and-coming creatives. In celebration of the release, Velvet Bloom are thrilled to announce an upcoming run of Glimmer EP tour dates, hitting the road for six shows up the East Coast next month in the wake of the EP’s release on Friday 8 April via Cousin Will Records.
Co-directed by Velvet Bloom frontwoman Maddy Herbert, bassist Anthony Rennick and multidisciplinary video artist Rhys Newling, the ‘Glimmer’ video features cameos from some familiar faces of the Melbourne music scene including artists, record store owners, DJs and more. The visuals are absolutely stunning, with every aesthetic element from set design to costuming and beyond honing in on the broader artistic community in the same familial spirit that the song itself embodies. Featuring corsets by The Daisy Lane, jacket by Cheeky The Label, and flower arrangements by frontwoman, stylist and creative tour de force Maddy Herbert with support from Tom & Daisy, the video is an all encompassing visual and aural delight and testament to Velvet Bloom’s far reaching artistic excellence.
“We wanted to create something super special for this music video and I had a very specific vision in terms of aesthetics. After speaking to Rennick about the intention of the song and what it meant to me lyrically, the idea for the video came together quite quickly. We wanted to use mirrors to communicate how the people who we have the deepest admiration for are woven into the making of us as individuals. This was also the reason behind the family-portrait style videos of people who have played a huge role in supporting our journey! I love my community and feel extremely blessed to be surrounded by such incredible people. ‘Glimmer’ is an ode to my people.” – Maddy Herbert, Velvet Bloom
The five piece of Maddy Herbert, Alex Marko, Anthony Rennick, Nic Morton and Miguel Hutton will be heading back to the live stage for a run of East Coast shows kicking off this April hitting up Forster, Brisbane, Sydney, Beechworth, Adelaide and Melbourne, with Herbert also playing solo in Canberra. Do not miss your chance to catch this captivating live act on the rise when they roll into a town near you.
Glimmer EP Launch Shows
Thursday 28 April
Sideway Bar – Canberra (Solo)
FREE ENTRY
Friday 29 April
Manyana – Forster
FREE ENTRY
Saturday 30 April
Lefty’s Music Hall – Brisbane
FREE ENTRY
Friday 6 May
Lazy Bones – Sydney
Tickets via Moshtix
Saturday 7 May
Tanswells Hotel – Beechworth
Tickets via Humanitix
Thursday 2 June
Crown And Anchor – Adelaide
Tickets via Eventbrite
Saturday 11 June
The Toff In Town – Melbourne
Tickets via The Toff
Other Upcoming Upcoming Shows
March 18 – Frankston Block Party – Mornington Peninsula (Duo)
March 19 – Come Together Fest – Eltham
March 25 – The Espy – Melbourne – Supporting Death By Denim (Solo)
March 26 – Torch Fest – Max Watts
Glimmer EP is out Friday 8 April via Cousin Will Records
Limited edition vinyl available to pre-order now via Cousin Will Records
Glimmer EP Track Listing
1. Chance To Miss You
2. Glimmer
3. Interlude
4. Run
5. Free
6. DM Me
7. Presence
8. Teach Ya
9. 7Hundred25
10. Standards
Glimmer EP Credits
All songs written by Velvet Bloom
Performers:
Vocals & Guitar – Maddy Herbert
Lead Guitar, Synth & Keys – Alex Marko
Bass Guitar – Anthony Rennick
Drums & Percussion – Nic Morton
Other Performers – Yara Alkurd, Quin Grunden & Bridie English
Producers – Maddy Herbert, Alex Marko & Quin Grunden
Recording Engineer – Quin Grunden & Alex Marko
Mixing Engineer – Edvard Hakansson
Mastering – Joe Carra Crystal Mastering
Lyrics – Maddy Herbert
Album Cover:
Graphic Design – Anthony Rennick
Set Design – Anthony Rennick & Maddy Herbert
Flower Arrangements – Tom And Daisy Creative
Corsets – The Daisy Lane
Jewellery – Little Hangings
Video Credits:
Directors: Maddy Herbert, Rhys Newling and Anthony Rennick
Flower arrangements: Maddy Herbert and Tom & Daisy
Corsets: The Daisy Lane
Jacket: Cheeky The Label
Styling: Maddy Herbert
Starring: Maddy Herbert, Alex Marko, Anthony Rennick, Miguel Hutton, Nic Morton, Abby Strangward, Chris Gill,Georgia Rooney, Jess Newton, Josh Davies
Video: Rhys Newling and Cato Parker-Maclean
Editing: Rhys Newling
FLOWERKID
MELBOURNE AND SYDNEY HEADLINE DATES
Presale available from 9 am local, Thursday 24 March
Tickets go on sale to the general public at 9 am local, Friday 25 March
Secret Sounds is thrilled to announce that mesmerising Australian artist flowerkid is set to play two intimate headline dates alongside his forthcoming, sold-out Splendour in the Grass set.
flowerkid is set to captivate audiences at Northcote Social Club in Melbourne and Mary’s Underground in Sydney this June.
flowerkid’s musical journey started with an old Yamaha keyboard, gifted from his aunt. He quickly became obsessed with teaching himself to write and produce tracks. Leaning into song writing flowerkid used his music as a way to vocalise his experience in understanding that he was trans, in the midst of Catholic school and a breakup with his first love.
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PUP will hit three capital cities prior to their July 23 performance at Splendour In The Grass this winter. Renown for their impossibly energetic performances and raucous singalongs, the return of PUP to our shores after such a lengthy absence cannot come soon enough.
The band perhaps put it best; ‘Thank Fucking God’.
Dates:
19 July – The Gov, Adelaide
21 July – The Croxton, Melbourne
22 July – Factory Theatre, Sydney
23 July- Splendour In The Grass, North Byron Parklands
Presale On Sale – Thursday 24th March 12:30pm AEDT
General On Sale – Friday 25th March 12:30pm AEDT
Register for presale: https://bit.ly/pup-aus-22
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Beginning on April 11th, Saba embarks on the North American leg of his headlining Back Home Tour with support from Charlotte-bred Dreamville rapper Lute and Los Angeles artist Amindi. The tour then heads to Europe and the U.K. in September and features support from English rapper, singer, and songwriter ENNY on U.K. dates and Dutch-Sudanese R&B singer-songwriter Gaidaa throughout the rest of Europe. Tickets are available at sabapivot.com/tour.
Saba’s third studio album, Few Good Things, marks another seamless offering from the Chicago polymath. The “meticulously arranged” (The New York Times) record features notable collaborations with Pivot Gang, Black Thought, Krayzie Bone, 6LACK, Smino, Mereba, Fousheé, Benjamin Earl Turner, and more and includes new standout, ‘Still‘ (feat. 6LACK and Smino), in addition to the previously released singles, ‘Survivor’s Guilt‘ with fellow Chicago rapper G Herbo, the Krayzie Bone-assisted ‘Come My Way’, the hard-hitting solo track ‘Stop That‘, and the funk-laden ‘Fearmonger‘ with Daoud.
“The concept of ‘Few Good Things’ is the realization of self after a search for exterior fulfilment,” shared Saba on the inspiration behind the album’s title. “It is the satisfaction and completeness you gain by simply living a life that is yours. Few is a small number, but few is not lonely. In the face of all adversity, a few good things is recognizing and accepting blessings. Few is to count them, one by one – an empty glass is full of air, an empty bank is full of lessons., and an empty heart is full of memories. Few good things is to grow comfortable with the empty, and despite that, finding your fullness.”
Produced by Partizan in association with SoundCloud and Pogi Studios, the poignant and touching accompanying Few Good Things: The Short Film is directed and written by award-winning filmmaker C.T. Robert and explores the roots of Saba’s desire for exterior fulfilment and his recognition of the fulfilment he’s already felt by simply living a life that was meant for him with those he’s loved. Using Few Good Things as the sonic backdrop, the short film weaves together a few selected tracks from the album with the collage of sounds one might expect to hear making their way through Saba’s hometown in the West Side of Chicago.
The album and film successfully tie in themes of generational dialogue, reflection, community and ownership, with an emphasis on Black ownership. Between the short film, Supervsn Merch Capsule, and the Saba-curated Preme Magazine issue dropping next week, Saba’s Few Good Things campaign intersperses film, art, and fashion that ultimately tie back to the meaning of the music itself: to hold close the things that matter most to you.
With the release of Few Good Things, Saba continues to push musical boundaries on his climb to rap’s upper echelon.
Few Good Things LP is out now, buy/stream it here.
Stay connected with Saba:
Website | Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Soundcloud
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Praise for Joy Orbison – still slipping vol. 1
“Rarely is electronic music so utterly human as on Still Slipping” – Pitchfork
“One of the greatest producers in UK dance music.” – Resident Advisor
“If there was going to be one mixtape we all needed to hear in 2021, it would probably be Joy Orbison’s debut, Still Slipping Vol.1, an aural assimilation of the best of British bass culture.”
– Loud & Quiet
“A Joy Orbison full-length, whether you call it a mixtape or an album, has to be among the most hotly-anticipated ideas in UK dance music writ large.” – Resident Advisor
“Already sounding like one of the albums of the year” – Mixmag
“The second you just change the language to mixtape,” a woman’s voice deadpans at the end of sparko, “nobody cares”. It’s a droll bit of irony for a record crafted with such care. still slipping is anything but thrown together – in fact, it’s hard to imagine a more holistically conceived set of tracks. This is a body of work that definitely deserves to be taken seriously.” – CRACK Magazine
“One of the most quietly moving dance music records of the year” – Pitchfork
“To diehard UK clubgoers, a full-length project is something people didn’t necessarily expect or need to hear from Joy Orbison. This is the man behind ‘Ellipsis’, ‘GR Etiquette’ and ‘Hyph Mngo’, for god’s sake. By ignoring all rules and blending UK garage, UK funky, house and dubstep, his impact upon dancefloors is already written. No, with Still Slipping Vol. 1, O’Grady is letting us know: this is something new.” – The Quietus
“A long-awaited, essential debut” – DJ Mag
“His boldest and most intimate productions to date” – Wire Magazine
About Joy Orbison
In August 2021 year, Peter O’Grady aka Joy Orbison released his long-awaited debut longform project still slipping vol.1, the latest creative milestone from an artist who’s been shaping and redefining dance music since his teens. To say the record was highly anticipated would be an understatement: so influential have been his releases over the last decade that it’s hard to believe that still slipping was his first full length record. Released to huge acclaim still slipping vol. 1 is widely regarded as one of the best electronic records in recent years, winning Album of the Year at the 2021 DJ Mag Awards while his music featured in a host of end of year Best Of lists including Pitchfork, Crack, The Quietus, Resident Advisor, Clash and more.
First coming to prominence in 2009 with his debut single ‘Hyph Mngo‘ – a track that became a bonafide phenomenon and changed the dance music underground forever – the London musician, DJ and producer is undoubtedly one of the most renowned, respected and influential electronic artists of his generation. Whether through his own game-changing releases such as ‘Ellipsis‘, ‘GR Etiquette‘, ‘Big Room Tech House DJ Tool-TIP!‘ or the Slipping EP, collaborations with the likes of Mansur Brown, Overmono and cutting edge Japanese clothing label Cav Empt, a run of genre-defining releases on his Hinge Finger label, a BBC Radio 1 residency, Grand Theft Auto radio station or live appearances that span the most credible underground nights to festival headline slots around the world, the name Joy Orbison has been a constant byword for understated, uncompromising quality.
After rounding off 2021 with the acclaimed ‘red velve7‘ single, 2022 is set to be another defining year for Joy Orbison with a host of new music on the way. Meanwhile, his monthly London party Just For You launched in January with queues around the block, while April will see him take over the legendary Ministry Of Sound venue for a one-off hometown party. He’s also set to be a key name at festivals around the globe including Junction 2, NOS Primavera, Melt, Parklife, Sonar, Dour and All Points East.
Date: 22nd – 24th April
Location: Ahau Hotel, Tulum Mexico
The multi-platform international art, music and cultural festival founded in Tulum, Mexico back in 2018 is proud to announce DANCE WITH ME GNP in the world-renowned Caribbean hotspot on April 22-24
LINE-UP
Elephant Heart
Facundo Mohrr
Isaiah Martin
Jamie Jones
Kerala Dust
Matt Caines
Ricoloop
Rony Seikley
Sabo & Goldcap
Serge Devant
Vanjee
YokoO & Matthew Dekay
and more…
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GREEN IS THE NEW BLACK
A Documentary About the Music Industry and the Environment
greenisthenewblack.film
Conceived during the catastrophic bush fires of early 2020, filmed during the global pandemic and released as unprecedented floods have devastated the East coast of Australia, Green Is The New Black holds a mirror up to the music industry and its relationship to the environment.
PLAY/WATCH
Green Is The New Black chronicles the making of In Hearts Wake’s 100% carbon offset 2020 album Kaliyuga and their journey to become a certified Carbon Neutral Organisation but it’s more than a film about one band and one album. As In Hearts Wake examine their processes and search for more environmentally sustainable options, inspiring new possibilities for an entire industry begin to emerge.
Through conversations with creatives, experts and professionals including Damon Gameau (2040, That Sugar Film), Tamara Smith (Greens Member for Parliament), AY Young (United Nations Young Leader), Jessica Ducrou (Splendour in the Grass Festival Co-founder), Heidi Lennfer (FEAT Artists) and Luke Logemann (UNFD Records), In Hearts Wake uncover unsettling truths, face human adversity and discover inspiring solutions for a new earth-aligned way forward.
Green Is The New Black will screen at Bangalow Film Festival on April 12, with 100% of ticket sales to be donated to local charities directly assisting the Northern Rivers flood recovery.
Kicking off in Earth Week, Green Is The New Black will then screen at Palace Cinemas around Australia as well as special screenings in Los Angeles, Toronto and London.
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Where are you currently based?
I’m currently based in Melbourne. All my recording, mixing and mastering is done in Melbourne as well!
How did you first start playing music?
I was enrolled in music lessons from a young age by my mum. I learnt piano in primary school, dabbled in some violin (which I was really bad at) and started some vocal lessons around age eleven. High-school was where I kind of realised my passion for music — I started doing live performance gigs through school, heaps of musical theatre too.
It just kinda went up from there I guess.
I kept reaching for bigger goals and eventually found myself in a recording studio in 2020, and I just fell in love with all that comes with being a recording artist. It’s such a different environment, and the skillset in comparison to live performance is mental — it’s a whole other world.
What’s been happening recently?
I’ve been working towards my EP really. Conceptualising lots of different aspects to go alongside the music. My favourite part of creating and being an artist is thinking of visuals, graphics —all of it. There’s something so fantastic about bringing music to life visually, especially when it’s your own story.
The tracks for the EP have been in the works since early 2021 and I’m so excited with the way it’s all shaping up. It’s truly just an audio representation of growth and experimentation. It means so much to me and I’m beyond excited for it to come out..
Your second single ‘get2going’ will be released on March 27, 2022, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
I was really into dance and hyper-pop, like ‘PinkPantheress’ type vibe when I wrote it. I wanted something sexy, fast and catchy. It all really comes together when I’m in the studio with Ben—it just ties itself in a nice little bow. We just vibe, with loose intention and the end result is always exactly what I’d hoped for, I really don’t know how we do it to be honest. I knew I wanted the sound to be maximal, lots of layers, lots of stacks and heaps of little details that just bring the song together. I usually write a hook on its own or to a beat, then we just build from there.
How did you go about writing get2going?
I wrote the hook in my room kind of accidentally, just walking around my house humming this line about ‘waking up in heaven with u’, then without thinking too hard and it just slipped out and I was like oh.. that’s kinda cool
Then I just wrote a very loosely structured song in like 20 minutes to a plain Youtube beat. I didn’t really like writing with specific A,B structure or anything like that at the time, it definitely works, I just wasn’t digging it. I was more into — what am I trying to say, what’s my intention, and now let’s make it a song.
I made a little demo in my room and sent it to Ben Oldland, and then that’s it. We jumped in, refined it and now it’s here!
How would you describe the single?
I would describe it as a bratty, sexy little song. I don’t know where the attitude came from—I am definitely not that rowdy most of the time—but I think it really works.
I mean, what can I say? I like feeling sexy, I like doing things..
But one of the reasons I really love this single is because it was the first song I wrote and recorded that really felt like it was going in the direction I wanted artistically— I felt my previous single was a bit absent, like I wasn’t really myself. But that’s the best part about creating music I guess, each time you look back it’s exciting to see that kind of growth. And I love get2going, it just gives me a lot of confidence. I hope it can make other people feel the same, like being sexual isn’t shameful or dirty—it’s fun and flirty, it’s a part of living.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who with?
I recorded this in 2021 with Ben Oldland—fantastic guy, and he produced it too. Got it mastered with Panorama Mixing & Mastering. I really love working with both of them, they understand the vision, and I’m never disappointed when I work with them.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
My friend recently showed me Teyana Taylor, and I’m absolutely loving them. ‘Issues/Hold On’ is definitely one of my favourite songs at the moment. But I really do love the classics, especially when I’m working. I love Nina Simone and Billie Holiday. God I love Billie Holiday.. But I’ll also forever love good funky music to put me in a good mood.. Tom Misch, Jacob Collier, all the goods!
What do you like to do away from music?
To be honest I’m never away! I’m on the bus listening to different albums to hear production styles, different vocals, different instrumentation, I really just can’t be away as weird as that is.
I do love the beach though. And eating out—that’s about it really.
What’s planned for 2022?
Finishing up the EP! Got some exciting details finalised the other day and it just fuels the fire you know? I love the whole process from writing the songs to every detail up until its out —and after!
But mainly, just the EP..
After it’s released I’ll start (hopefully) doing some live performances and getting into the swing of things, maybe a show here and there!
Favourite food and place to hangout?
I’m just a brunch kind of person. So any good cafe that has excellent coffee, and a good like eggs benedict or brekkie burger and I’m set man. I’m good — that’s all I need.
I am a homebody though, and just super anxious in general so I really do love just sitting in a watching a movie or something with take away food. Give me dumplings delivered to my door with ‘Howls Moving Castle’ on the TV and you won’t hear from me, I’m good.
YOUTUBE I UNEARTHED I SOUNDCLOUD I FACEBOOK I INSTAGRAM I CONTACT
ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM FEAR FEAR OUT JULY 15 ON HEAVENLY RECORDINGS SHARE NEW SINGLE ‘WIDOW‘
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The brainchild of John Ounpuu, who originally emerged on the Canadian indie rock scene in the mid-90’s with the Vancouver band Pluto – Earth From The Moon has created new songs that are an ode to self-discovery and the subtle-yet-profound moments of life. The result is an unpredictable, vulnerable and sincere collection of songs, built on strong lyricism and dynamic musicianship. Back in the dayOunpuu found himself signed to Mint Records (and then Virgin), getting nominated for a JUNO award, and heading out on lengthy tours that garnered both regional and national media attention. In 1999 the group disbanded and Ounpuu took his life in another direction. But there was always something about crafting songs that stayed in the back of his mind.
He flirted with the idea of returning to music many times over the years. But the thing that finally pushed him over the edge and back into the creative sphere was mortality. “I was coming up on my 50th birthday. It had been 20 years since I wrote a song that more than a few people heard. I thought: if not now, when? What am I waiting for?”
https://www.instagram.com/earthfromthemoon/
https://linktr.ee/earthfromthemoon
Support for St. Morris Sinners
“The track is gritty and eccentric, loaded with a whole lot of reverb and vocals worthy of an old school saloon stage.” (Hysteria)
“Big Rev Kev is a four minute blend of saloon style classic rock vibes.” (AAA Backstage)
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VENUE UPGRADE | SET TIMES
The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
A Message from Flight Facilities…
But, in a time of bad news, here’s the good news…
Our team has pulled off a miracle and been able to find a venue, perhaps better than the original.
A huge thanks to Department for Planning and Environment; the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, Minister Ayres, Minister Roberts, the team at The Entertainment Quarter and The Australian Festival Association.
Airfields, this Saturday, is approved to go ahead at The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park. You’ll want to get there early for all of this….
NEW VENUE | SAME LINEUP
The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
FLIGHT FACILITIES – 8.15PM
COSMO’S MIDNIGHT – 6.55PM
JAYDA G – 5.45PM
CC:DISCO! – 4.45PM
SYCCO – 3.45PM
MERCI, MERCY – 2.30PM
MEL BLUE – 1.30PM
Melbourne’s iaki Vallejo has a silky smooth new serenade entitled “Donde está el amor”. A heartbreaking admonition of lost love for family, children and the planet. iaki’s serene voice and masterful performance gently mourn for lost ideals in a time of chaos. Her emotive Spanish vocals are lovingly complimented by a feature verse from RnB/Soul star thando. The dual language aspects of this track speak of a desire to bridge divides and bring the world’s people together. With a combination of African & Indigenous Colombian heritage as well as a passion for Melbourne’s multiculture and a history of cross cultural collaboration; iaki is all about bringing people together. You can tell that in her music as the rhythms, the lyrics and the collaborations are on a constant journey of exploration and conciliation.
To celebrate the release iaki will be performing a special on off show for Multicultural Arts Victoria on the evening of release (Tonight, Thursday 17th March) entitled “Tres Cantos”.
The concert will feature Iaki alongside Ethiopian-Australian singer and dancer Seble Girma plus a guest appearance from thando for the live premiere of “Donde está el amor”.
For more information about the event, visit www.mav.org.au/event/tres-
Commercial Link: https://ditto.fm/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/