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BUY/STREAM: LEER – OPTIMIZE EP
Sydney-based LEER, made up of Lachlan Henderson and Tom Eady, have been on the rise in the electronic music scene for some time. With a handful of epic releases under their belt they have revealed their anticipated debut EP ‘Optimize’, out now via Sweat It Out. Expanding beyond the roots of electronic dance, the 5 track body of work demonstrates the duo’s work ethic as staunch producers, whose mastery in creating immersive soundscapes is evident throughout the extended play.
Opening up about the release, LEER shares “The EP marks the start to our creative journey and encapsulates our growth over the last year. Starting with a bunch of bedroom club bangers we developed our sound and the result is sick. We’re stoked with this being our first official body of work and can’t wait to play it out!”
The project begins with their impactful debut single ‘Friends (Feat. fio)’. Released in May of this year, the track boasts a bouncy baseline infused with fio’s sultry vocals making for the perfect euphoric dance floor filler. Second in the project is cinematic title track ‘Optimize’, which finds the producers reaching new heights sonically, laying down the groundwork with a classic electro sound atop smooth instrumentation and mixed with energetic synth stabs. This cool club track packs a hard punch while keeping listeners revelling in the sublime reality of it all.
The spellbinding ‘Back to Back (Feat Woodes)’ follows as the third track in the project. The tantalsing club anthem sees the duo-branch out into elements of techno and house, among other sub-genres all while retaining all the key elements that make LEER’s productions so addictive. Next up is ‘You Get Me’ with a driving foundation of downtempo rhythms and instrumental electronica charged with airy distorted vocal intermissions. This hard hitter is sure to feature at a warehouse rave near you soon. The duo closes out the EP with ’Runna’ which cements the duo’s reputation as purveyors of deep club cuts. LEER’s unique production style is on full show with this infectious melody you’ll be replaying in your mind all day. Both Lachlan and Tom showcase their talents in tandem throughout ‘Optimize’, beautifully weaving a package that remains otherworldly.
DJ and producer duo, LEER burst onto the scene earlier this year parading their way around a club hook, by crafting magnetic bass lines over cascading synthesisers and transfixing drops. Releasing ‘Friends (Feat. fio)’ and ‘Back To Back (Feat Woodes)’ in the lead up to the EP release, the two have received a tremendous amount of support from some of the most prominent in the industry including Music Feeds, The Music Network, Acid Stag and triple j’s Dave Ruby Howe noting the “silky vocal that goes over the top of a dark and deep production. That’s a winning combo in my books.” LEER continue to demonstrate their strength in production prowess as their discography grows. Having already released an official remix of Crooked Colours’s hit single ‘Light Year (Feat. Masked Wolf)’ as well as playing a coveted support slot for Aussie indie dance legends alongside PRICIE, Annie Bass and Mazy for Great Southern Nights at Metro Theatre in association with Sweat It Out, LEER continue to go from strength to strength. With only a modest handful of tracks to their name so far, LEER’s debut EP, ‘Optimize’, not only provides an insight into the pair’s unique creative landscape but also forecasts a dazzlingly bright future ahead of them.
LEER’s debut EP ‘Optimize’ is out now via Sweat It Out
For more info on LEER, visit:
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | SOUNDCLOUD
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TOUR DATES
Fri 14 Oct – Mono Hall – Tbilisi, Georgia (EU)
Sat 29 Oct – Claptone: The Masquerade @ Tobacco Dock – London (UK)
Sun 1 Nov – The Lawn @ The Star – Gubbi Gubbi Land / Gold Coast (AU)
Fri 18 Nov – Walter Studios – Hohokam Land / Phoenix, Arizona (US)
Sat 19 Nov – Wild Acre Live – Sioux, Cherokee, Iroquois Land / Texas (US)
Sat 3 Dec – Sunsets Festival – Gayemagal Land / Manly (AU)
Sun 11 Dec – Castaway – Boorloo / Perth (AU)
Sat 31 Dec – Harbour Party NYE @ Luna Park – Eora / Sydney (AU)
+ More TBA
Tickets available HERE
Stay connected with Bag Raiders:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Soundcloud
Montreal, Quebec, Canada, October 26th, 2022 – Canadian country artist Justine Blanchet is celebrating the official music video for her current single, “Hard to Love”, which has garnered over 140k views on YouTube since its release in September.
“Hard to Love” – Official Music Video: youtube.com/watch?v=5rgqf1HE_98
“Hard to Love” is the first collaboration between Blanchet and hitmaking Nashville producer Danick Dupelle (Emerson Drive, Tebey, Tyler Joe Miller, Matt Lang). Written by a trio of first-rate country songwriters – Courtney Cole, Derrick Southerland, and Kelly Archer, “Hard to Love” offers an inviting country flavour with flourishes of modern pop in its honest examination of love that feels just out of reach.
In speaking about the video, Blanchet says, “To capture the message of this song, we wanted to dive into the dynamics of relationships with emotionally unavailable partners. Our central symbol is a poker game that shows how true intentions and feelings can remain hidden, even from people we think we know and want to love.”
“Hard to Love” is the latest highlight for the Montreal native, who regularly releases her music in English and French. With eight previous singles – including 2019’s “Strong” (over 175K streams on Spotify) and 2021’s “Get Out of the Mud” (#4 on CBC Country/Sirius XM) – and live show highlights like the Festival Country Lotbinière, the Gatlingburg Songwriter’s Festival, Big Valley Jamboree, the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, and a pair of Diamonds in the Rough showcases during Canadian Country Music Week, Blanchet is poised for the next wave of her rising and uniquely cultured country music adventure.
As Blanchet divides her time between Canada and Nashville, “Hard to Love” represents the best of both worlds. Blanchette recorded the vocals in Canada, while the song was produced in Music City (a first for her), as was the music video. “Hard to Love” also serves as the first release from her debut EP, set for release in 2023. Between now and then, she wants audiences to not be too hard on themselves when they encounter someone who is hard to love.
She says, “I want listeners to remember that no matter how much you love someone, you cannot make them love you back. But that’s okay. You shouldn’t have to. It’s better to know your worth and find someone who recognizes that. Your patience will be rewarded with love that is honest and more fulfilling.”
Justine Blanchet is currently in Nashville working to complete her EP.
The “Hard to Love” music video is currently available on YouTube.
For more about Justine Blanchet, please visit JustineBlanchet.com or find her on social media:
Instagram: @JustineBlanchetMusic Facebook: @JustineBlanchetMusic
TikTok: @JustineBlanchetMusic Twitter: @JustineBlMusic
Spotify: tinyurl.com/justineblanchetspotify YouTube: @JustineBlanchet
Slipknot to headline plus Parkway Drive, Megadeth, Trivium, Northlane,
Amon Amarth, In Flames, Knocked Loose, Spiritbox, Story Of The Year,
Alpha Wolf, Void Of Vision, Bad Omens & Malevolence
Pre-Sale to Knotfest Premium Members; 8am, Thursday 3rd November
Early Bird Pre-Sale On-Sale; 9am, Thursday 3rd November
Sign up here
General On-Sale: 9am, Monday 7th November
From Knotfest.com/Australia
Thursday, October 27, 2022 – KNOTFEST, the destination festival brand curated by SLIPKNOT, is continuing its ever-expanding global domination with the announcement of its next location – KNOTFEST AUSTRALIA in 2023.
The music and counterculture experience created by the multi-platinum sonic phenomenon SLIPKNOT, will hit the East coast of Australia starting on Friday, March 24th at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, before making its way to Sydney on Saturday, March 25th at Centennial Park and wrapping up in Brisbane on Sunday, March 26th at RNA Showgrounds.
Headlined by SLIPKNOT, the hugely stacked festival line-up includes PARKWAY DRIVE, MEGADETH, TRIVIUM, NORTHLANE, AMON AMARTH, IN FLAMES, KNOCKED LOOSE, SPIRITBOX, STORY OF THE YEAR, ALPHA WOLF, VOID OF VISION, BAD OMENS and MALEVOLENCE.
A staple at KNOTFESTs all over the world, the KNOTFEST Museum will also be making its way to Australia for the very first time. The KNOTFEST Museum features a jaw-dropping collection of items from the band’s history and a fan-favourite attraction at the other KNOTFESTs around the globe. Tickets are strictly limited in each city.
Early bird pre-sale tickets are on sale at 9am local time on Thursday 3rd November here and general public tickets go on sale at 9am local time on Monday 7th November here.
KNOTFEST AUSTRALIA 2023
DATES AND VENUES:
Friday 24 March 2023 – Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
Saturday 25 March 2023 – Centennial Park, Sydney
Sunday 26 March 2023 – RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane
SLIPKNOT’s latest album, ‘The End, So Far’ landed yet another #1 Official Album Chart position in Australia, their fourth straight #1 in a row, as the album racked up a string of global chart accolades, including #1 Album positions in the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico and Top 10 in Japan, Finland, Sweden, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Portugal, Ireland, Belgium, Austria, France and the Netherlands.
About SLIPKNOT: There was never a band like Slipknot, and there will never be another. Like a spore out of the Midwest, they’ve quietly bloomed into the most uncompromising, undeniable, and unique presence on the planet whose influence transcends genres and generations. Since sowing the seeds for revolution in Iowa during 1999, these musical outliers have captured a GRAMMY Award alongside 10 nominations, scored 12 Platinum / 41 Gold album certifications around the world, and logged over 8.5 billion global streams and 3.5 billion video views to date – unprecedented for a rock act in this generation or any other. Rolling Stone cited the seminal platinum-selling 2001 album Iowa among “The 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time,” while The Ringer attested, “They’re the most important heavy band of their era.” In addition to marking the group’s third consecutive #1 debut on the Billboard Top 200, their sixth full-length album, WE ARE NOT YOUR KIND, bowed at #1 in twelve countries worldwide in 2019. Selling out shows on multiple continents, they deliver an irreplicable multi-sensory experience on tour and through their own festival Knotfest. With their seventh studio album, THE END, SO FAR, Slipknot are back, and nothing will be the same again.
About KNOTFEST: Knotfest is Slipknot’s own self-curated, destination festival brand, currently held in eight international locations; the US, Japan, Mexico, Finland, Germany, Colombia, Chile and Brazil. Designed as an immersive, unforgettable, ‘dark carnival experience’, the event invites you into Slipknot’s apocalyptic underworld where stunning visuals, fire breathers and nightmarish creatures on stilts set the stage for an intoxicating and memorable weekend of live music.
Stay up to date on all things KNOTFEST over at https://knotfest.com/
The Castlemaine State Festival is returning to the creative capital of central Victoria from 24 March to 9 April 2023, with a joyous and uplifting program of, performance, music, talks, visual arts and family-friendly events.
In its 47-year history, the Castlemaine State Festival has become Australia’s flagship regional arts festival taking place every two years. The Festival preceded any other Victorian arts festivals and has been unique in its scope and diversity; fast forward to 2022, and the popular biennial event will draw thousands of visitors from across Australia and overseas to the regional centre to experience a family-friendly, fun, and accessible seventeen-day event.
Experience the classics and the contemporary in the Festival’s vibrant music program with live events, from energetic “big-top” main stage events at Western Reserve to intimate Salon sessions at Buda Historic House and Garden and an exciting classical/delicate/world music program at the Town Hall.
The Festival will feature free and ticketed programs, with a new Festival Precinct bringing the town alive; contemporary music, performance, cabaret, circus, comedy and DJs will entertain while audiences enjoy the best food and beverages from the region.
Festival favourites return; The beloved Dialogues program is back at Goods Shed Arts, with Australia’s best thinkers and authors telling stories from the heart. The region’s artists are busy creating works to show and discuss with visitors when they welcome them into their practices through the Festivals Open Studios program.
Festival Director Glyn Roberts said he was looking forward to welcoming the local community and newcomers to the region. “With the celebrations taking place over Easter, it’s a great way for families to come and explore our remarkable, creative town and region.”
‘This is a Festival for everyone, with a program filled with heart and soul that will stir imaginations and create memories.,’ said Mr Roberts.
The 2023 Castlemaine State Festival program will be announced on Saturday, 28 January, 2023. Bookings are essential for most events. Castlemaine is in central Victoria, approximately 90 minutes from Melbourne, by train or car. The Festival events will take place in both Castlemaine and Bendigo in 2023. A range of accommodation options are available.
Further information can be found at www.castlemainefestival.com.au or follow the Festival on Instagram and Facebook for updates.
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Photo by: Cameron Marwick
Wellington indie-rock quartet Wet Denim have returned today with their supercharged sophomore single ‘Free’. The new track is layered with brightness, sheening with its slickness that somehow manages to intertwine the jagged guitar line at the same time as the punchy drum moments. The song’s theme borrows from Nick’s experience of feeling socially isolated from loved ones.
“The lyrics talk about a time when I was feeling very secluded from the people around me both mentally and physically. I had just come out of a very short but intense relationship paired with having a tough time with glandular fever so was spending a lot of time alone”. Nick Goodwin, (guitar and vocals) Wet Denim
Wet Denim are one of the most compelling new bands to emerge from New Zealand’s fertile musical landscape in recent years. Recording ‘Free’ in their hometown of Wellington, it was produced by the band with additional support from multi platinum selling group, Drax Project with mixing by Neil MacLeod and mastering by multi-award winning engineer Chris Chetland (Dua Lipa, Snoop Dogg, Joel Little/Lorde).
This song really brought us together as a band just over a year ago now. Free is actually the first song we wrote together. Joe came to the first ever Wet Denim jam with the instrumental demo of Free on a logic session. We all sussed out our individual parts and the chemistry began to flow from there”.
Wet Denim
Wet Denim are singer and guitarist Nick Goodwin, Luca Crampton on guitar, synths and keys with brothers Jack and Joe Ledword on the drums and bass. Since their move to the capital in a year of record rainfall, the band have quickly established themselves as the band to watch on Wellington’s live scene. With one only single under their belt they have achieved what many bands could dream about by selling out two headline shows in Wellington, securing student and alternative radio support across New Zealand and collaborating on writing and production of the forthcoming EP with members of multi platinum group Drax Project.
Their guitar-driven sound whilst incorporating pop melodies will no doubt be front and centre for their forthcoming EP.
PLAY/LISTEN
Free is out on Thursday, October 27
Facebook | Instagram | Youtube
Where are you currently based?
The sandy shores of Bondi Beach baby.
How did you first start playing music?
Each member found their love for music through different avenues, which we think makes the journey unique and exciting for the listener as you’ll begin to hear different experiences and memories captured in each song.
What’s been happening recently?
A healthy combination of recording, gigging and writing. We’ve headlined some sick shows this year (including a sellout at the Lansdowne), and we’ve polished off two EPs in the process, released our first single and shot 2 film clips. It’s been quite hectic.
Your latest single ‘Shallow Hellos’ will be out on the 27th of October, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
Shallow Hellos was a lockdown baby. Sonically, and maybe unintentionally, we leaned into a dark and moody twist on the classic indie sound which was quite reflective of what was happening around us. Although the core themes of the song are of isolation and alienation, the track finishes big with an energetic chorus which was kind of fitting, looking into an optimistic lockdown-free future.
How did you go about writing Shallow Hellos?
The opening riff was something Aron had in the bank for a long time. He took it to the band and it all came together real quick. Lee and Adam brought in that driving groove you hear in the second verse which left Mel’s vocals to shine flawlessly on-top. Very much a collaboration which is why we think it sounds so good.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?
We recorded the song at Parliament Studios in Annandale. Our longtime friend, producer, workhorse, shaman-in-sound and baby daddy Luke Payne produced it. He’s been with us since the start and he’s seen us hone our craft. He might tell you differently, but this was one of the smoother, funner recordings from our first EP.
Matt Fioravanti did the mixing and mastering. He’s a wizard. No two ways about it. He brought the track to life in ways we didn’t think possible.
How did you approach the recording process?
Initially, like a bull in an antiques store. We used to try and hustle a full track over a single weekend. By the time we got Shallow Hellos our process had improved a lot. We wrote it, demo’d it, drilled it, gigged it, and then recorded it amongst a batch of other tracks. So when you take the whole timeline into account, it was a matter of months.
Please tell us about how the concept for the music video came about and who did you work with?
We had worked with a great photographer Nick Gascione in a past photoshoot. He’s a true Aussie legend with a ‘straight-up’ way of doing things. He came around and we just smashed through the concept. We wanted to lean into the dark themes of the track and a real feeling of isolation/ fighting with one’s own inner thoughts. Next thing we were in his studio with Mel running on a treadmill all day. Max then took all the raw footage and edited it for 2 days straight and now we all can’t stop watching it. If you pay close attention, you’ll see Mel staring at 6 copies of herself at once haha.
You have an EP on the way, what can we expect?
You can expect the beginnings of band experimenting with finding an original sound. There’s just so many layers in each of the tracks. We’re so grateful to our producer Luke Payne who doesn’t know the meaning of the word ‘no’. Not once did he say, “nah that won’t work”. It was always like “yeh! Lets try that absolutely ridiculous idea.” We’re all super proud of it and it’s a real testament to our quest for originality. We look back fondly on all the laughs, cries, fights and late night Macca’s meals that went into making this beauty.
Any upcoming shows?
Ofcourse! We’re headlining a free show at the Royal in Bondi on Thursday the 10th of November. There’ll be plenty more too. Best to stay up to date with us on IG @lahgo_.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Who aren’t we listening to? Such a diverse range of artists. From late 60’s Beatles records to 80’s Japanese disco-pop, 90’s boom bap, hard rock’n’roll, 2022 neo-soul, indie pop and everything current. If it’s good, we’re listening.
What do you like to do away from music?
We’re all into different sorta stuff, you know? Az loves his golf. Adam loves skiing, When she’s not spending time with her cats, Mel gets into nature walks. Lee loves his painting, Max digs on film-making.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
One of our rituals is to hit Fish Shop after a long session on a Saturday. If you haven’t had an O.G fish burger, stick it at the top of your bucket list. Also the Royal Hotel Bondi. It’s basic, but you just can’t beat a schooner and some Totti’s woodfired bread.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2022 going into 2023?
We’ve booked some time in a secluded house in the middle of no-where. We want to get away from the rat race for a minute to continue writing our next body of work. Then it’s a tour early next year and mid-late 2023 hitting festival season hard like a fly on a freshly laid doggy-doo-doo. 2023 is gonna be huge and we just can’t wait.