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Photos from top clockwise – The Aggrolites, Catbite, Mephiskapheles
Ska Nation 2022 will bring some of the best ska-centric acts to the small regional town called Warrion, just outside Colac, Victoria.
This year’s festival will be headed up by some of Australia’s and the world’s best exponents of Jamaican-inspired music together for a two-day dance party – including one of the originators of ska from Jamaica in Stranger Cole.
Joining Cole will be Los Angeles’ purveyors of the ‘dirty reggae’ sound The Aggrolites, who will also be heading up the festivities, alongside American third-wave ska band Mephiskapheles, Philly ska experts Catbite, Victorian seven headed brash and boisterous ska punk monster The Resignators, and Australians tallest Ska band The Donald Trumpets, among others.
Making its highly-anticipated return for 2022, following last years event with the likes of The Bennies, The Resignators, Loin Groin and more, the massive two-day Ska Nation 2022 celebrates the vibrant ska scene in all its glory.
Taking place on Saturday, November 26 and Sunday, November 27, Ska Nation 2022 is taking to the town of Warrion, two hours out of Melbourne. Just 20 minutes out of Colac, the festival will be nestled between dormant volcanoes and golden plains farms on an acre of the countryside behind the 150-year-old Ti Tree Hotel.
There will be free camping at Meredith Park campgrounds for festival-goers, with regular shuttles as well as camping closer to the venue (subject to council approval) and a variety of B&Bs and hotels in Colac and the surrounding district.
Ska Nation will also be complemented by markets and food trucks.
PATIENT NUMBER 9
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Title: Mas Gasolina
Label: Spinnin’ Records
R3HAB has been on fire this summer, and he’s keeping it going with his new dancefloor-oriented remake of Daddy Yankee‘s 2004 hit in collaboration with British DJ/producer Ryan Arnold and mysterious producers’ collective N.F.I. Known for his production prowess and the wide range of music genres he can successfully create in his studio, R3HAB keeps the track true to form for the modern day by adding stabbing synths, driving tech house kick drums, and bouncy basslines. Combined with the well-known catchy vocal hook, “Mas Gasolina” is a shoo-in for those nights when you want to get down and light up the dancefloor. It follows R3HAB‘s NFT-fueled collaboration with Laidback Luke “Weekend On A Tuesday” and the official Tomorrowland anthem “Worlds On Fire,” which he produced together with Afrojack, and an official remix for Sia. The Dutch/Moroccan artist is showcasing again his ability to produce and successfully blend together a wide range of music genres, from the mainstage festival dance floor fillers to radio airwaves-friendly crossovers.
“I’ve been inspired by all the great people I’ve met and celebrated with this festival season, and wanted to put out a record that felt energizing and familiar. ‘Mas Gasolina‘ came together quickly and I’m excited to share it now. It’s bass driven and fast and pulls you into the moment, but reminds you of the good old days. I hope this will bring people back in time like it did for me.” – R3HAB
“I was always a huge fan of the original, so with ‘Mas Gasolina,’ we wanted to amplify that energy and create something really special. I’m absolutely buzzing to finally get this track out there after seeing the reaction to it in my live sets – and working with R3HAB and N.F.I just adds to the excitement.” – Ryan Arnold
“I had so much fun recreating this classic with Ryan and R3HAB. Playing it out at gigs is going to be epic!” – N.F.I
R3HAB
Multi-Platinum DJ and producer Fadil El Ghoul, better known as R3HAB, has been trailblazing his way through dance music for the past fifteen years. From his breakthrough remixes for Rihanna, Drake, Taylor Swift, Calvin Harris, to anthems such as Platinum-certified “All Around The World (La La La)” and “Lullaby,” to his collaborations with the likes of Ava Max, ZAYN, Luis Fonsi, Sean Paul, and more, R3HAB has proven to be one of the most forward-thinking artists in the game. His work has collected over 8B streams to date, including 1.1B in 2021 alone. R3HAB founded his label CYB3RPVNK in 2016, which has passed 4B streams across platforms since its inception. R3HAB continues to evolve and diversify his sound by working with artists around the globe, pushing the boundaries of dance music as he collaborates across genres and languages. He is Spotify‘s Most Discovered Artist, one of Spotify’s top 200 most streamed artists, ranked #12 on prestigious DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs chart, and has earned over 70 Gold and Platinum certificates. R3HAB has embarked on multiple sold-out worldwide tours and was the first dance music artist to sell out 15 consecutive shows in China. On top of that, he performed at the world’s top festivals, such as E.D.C., Ultra Music Festival, Tomorrowland, Balaton Sound, Coachella, Summer Sonic Festival, D.W.P. Jakarta. With his combination of innate artistry and innovative attitude, R3HAB has earned his place as a household name in dance music.
Ryan Arnold, N.F.I
Ryan Arnold plays to thousands of people every week at the U.K.‘s biggest venues, from Ministry Of Sound, The Warehouse Leeds, and various PRYZM clubs across the country to Rise Festival in the French Alps. Building rapport with crowds wherever he performs, Ryan creates special moments that are talked about. Ryan‘s productions continue to go from strength to strength. After the thrilling debut single ‘Imagine‘ came the heavily supported ‘When I’m Alone‘ along with his own reworks from some of the biggest artists around like Drake & Central Cee. He’s one of the most exciting DJ / producer talents to look out for in 2022 and beyond. On the other hand, N.F.I is a collection of ideas formed during many late-night sessions in a recording studio at a North London industrial estate. Having written and produced several hit records for the likes of Cheat Codes, Steve Aoki, Meghan Trainor, and Sigala, the talents behind N.F.I want to fill the dance floor with their own style of hypnotic beats that drip personality and attitude.
Nicky Romero Joins Forces with W&W for Their 3rd collaboration Ever – Highly Anticipated Festival Track “Hot Summer Nights.” Out Now on Protocol Recordings
Title: Hot Summer Nights
Label: Protocol Recordings
Download / Stream
The titans of electronic dance music join forces via Nicky Romero and W&W‘s new track “Hot Summer Nights,” their highly anticipated mainstage anthem. Opening with sultry vocals and soaring melodies, Romero and W&W quickly up the ante with big room-inspired basslines and the sensible energy of progressive house music. Just like the title predicts, the track is a testament to those nights that will go down in history, dancing with beautiful friends and strangers all on the same vibe-to live in the moment and hope the night never ends. Both Nicky and W&W have been playing it in their sets this summer, e.g., at Tomorrowland, where Romero brought his Dutch fellow duo on stage as a surprise guests, so the official release of “Hot Summer Nights” is one the fans have been waiting for. Nicky Romero and W&W have previously collaborated on 2018’s “Ups & Downs” (34M+ streams on Spotify) on Protocol and last year’s “We’re Still Young (15M+ streams) on W&W‘s Rave Culture, so “Hot Summer Nights” makes their 3rd collaboration ever.
After taking the world by storm with early hits such as “Legacy” with Krewella and the #1 single “I Could Be The One” with Avicii, Nicky Romero quickly proved that his talent is ever-evolving and here to stay. After launching his Protocol Recordings imprint in 2012, the renowned performer, producer, and label head continued his personal successes with a string of high-profile releases, ranging from collaborations with Armin van Buuren, David Guetta, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, W&W, Timmy Trumpet and Steve Aoki to remixes for the likes of Robin Schulz, Kygo, Rita Ora, Steve Aoki, Martin Garrix, Jess Glynne and more. While showcasing his label’s roster via his weekly Protocol Radio show, Nicky Romero continues to innovate and evolve, and with his annual “Nicky Romero & Friends” ADE showcase and the launch of Monocule alter-ego, he keeps proving his ability to turn into gold everything he touches.
After meeting up in 2007, Willem van Hanegem and Ward van der Harst came together to form W&W and haven’t looked back since. The Dutch DJ and production duo have transcended the boundaries of genres and traversed the world with their globally acclaimed music and iconic live performances, becoming one of the most sought-after duos the world of electronic music has to offer. As DJs, W&W have been dominating dance floors and festivals across the globe for years on end. Voted #14 in DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs poll in 2018, 2020 and 2021, they continually perform at leading festivals such as Tomorrowland and EDC Las Vegas and even had their own headlining tour the same year. W&W continue to prove their status as innovators and tastemakers in the scene under their alias NWYR, where they release blistering productions and live sets from their trance-inspired roots. They also curate music for their brand-new label, Rave Culture, which includes hosting their own bi-weekly radio show on Dutch broadcasting station SLAM!, which has gained them over 300,000 listeners per show plus coverage across North America via Sirius XM. Now shifting into a new phase with a tidal wave of new productions and incinerating live sets, the rise of their new Rave Culture label and the impact of their NWYR alias, W&W are cementing their place amongst dance music’s top acts in signature style: transcending boundaries and never looking back.
Surf Shop Cops release killer debut album ‘Constant State’
https://distrokid.com/
Surf Shop Cops debut album, ‘Constant State’ follows a coming-of-age narrative. Songwriter Michael Slitenbachs reflects on the hard truths of growing up, and the things he doesn’t like about his younger self, to come out the other end of the ten tracks a better adjusted, more optimistic, and a much happier person.
The influence of bands like Amyl and the Sniffers, WAAX, and even Midnight Oil are all present, but it’s the unbridled intensity of the performance, the outpouring of emotion in the lyrics, and the enormous production that demands attention.
Musically, you can hear a mix of early 2000’s style emo, and indie rock, which carry the relatable lyrics with bounce, swagger, and sing-along hooks in spades. Surf Shop Cops debut record is worth your time.
Offering a melancholic and intimate dark folk that sounds both familiar and strangely unique; Augustine’s music is equally delicate and powerful – it envelops as much as it confronts. Her noteworthy first album (The Devil in Me, 2016), paints with gentle, somber brushes the picture of her obsessions: failure,dreaming, longing and love. She now returns with a darker, more asserted second opus; Neither Nightmares Nor Dreams Come True is a haunting musical experience, a proposition of wider scope,still carried by Augustine’s distinctive and poignant voice. Her meticulously crafted music draws from multiple influences, from dark wave to rock and folk,with elements of experimental music and medieval soundscapes.
OCEAN SOUNDS FESTIVAL RETURNS IN 2023 WITH ANOTHER MASSIVE LINE-UP HEADLINED BY JOHN BUTLER, THE WAIFS, MAMA KIN SPENDER AND MORE!
SATURDAY 7TH JANUARY 2023 | CHURCHILL ISLAND (PHILLIP ISLAND), VIC
TICKETS ON SALE 8.30AM THURSDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER VIA MOSHTIX
Ocean Sounds Festival is an annual family-friendly, music-lovers’ all-day sunset concert that will take place once again on the beautiful Churchill Island (just off Phillip Island) on Saturday the 7th January 2023.
This very special edition of Ocean Sounds Festival is packed with a massive line-up headlined by John Butler, The Waifs, Mama Kin Spender, Steph Strings, Carissa Nyalu and The Laing Brothers.
John Butler is one of Australia’s premiere alternative songwriters and storytellers with accolades spanning from 34 ARIA nominations, 3 number one albums and 21 triple j hottest 100 entries across his illustrious career as one of the country’s most successful independent musicians.
The original road warriors, The Waifs have built a career out of continually circling Australia and the globe thanks to their enchanting live shows and affable natures. With a career spanning more than 25 years, multiple ARIA Awards, platinum albums, and countless world tours, The Waifs continue to share their folk-infused, feel good sounds with adoring, now multi generation audiences.
It’s time for picnic rugs, smiling friends, stunning local wines, gourmet food, the summer-sun softly setting over the ocean and some of Australia’s most amazing live music!
As well as some of Australia’s best live acts, Ocean Sounds will also showcase local wines, cheeses and gourmet food vans.
Attendees are invited to bring their family, friends, good vibes and to enjoy a memorable experience of quality music in a relaxed, atmospheric and picturesque environment.
Exclusive pre-sale Wednesday 14th September.
Register at www.oceansoundsfestival.
General tickets on-sale Thursday 15th September
For more information, please visit www.oceansoundsfestival.com.au
Wollongong based multi-instrumentalist Benjamino presents his first offering of 2022 titled Chasing My Tail.
Setting an exhilarating tone from the opening note, masterfully weaving synths and infectious grooves that allows Benjamino’s buttery vocals to effortlessly stand out.
Photography: Juan Castro
We sat down with Tim McDonald the co-founder of Mexican masterpiece FONDA.
Where are you currently based?
Our support office for Fonda is in Richmond but I live Elwood, which is a lovely little community.
You’re the co-founder of the Mexican Restaurant chain ‘Fonda’, how did the concept for Fonda first come about?
Dave and I were just talking one day and just realised there was no one offer a fast, casual, fresh Mexican experience. You either had to go to maccas or dress up and go to full restaurant and then if you wanted Mexican you were getting very heavy, greasy stodgy food, there was nothing that was fresh and fast. So we went for a bit of a research trip to Mexico for inspiration and when we got back we just got stuck right into it.
Please tell us about how you first became involved in hospitality:
I worked in a few cafes ect when I was younger but that was the extent of my knowledge, this was our first big leap.
Please tell us about the ethos behind Fonda:
The Fonda ethos is Mi Casa Su Casa, which we feel embodies how we treat our staff, like our family, and how we treat our customers, like guests in our own home. We drive Mi Csa Su Casa in everything we do and is often the phrase that we bring out when we are making decisions about the business, if it doesn’t fit within that ethos then we don’t think it will work.
What do you think has been the key to Fonda’s success?
The people. All day everyday it’s the people. Without a great team, none of this would be possible. Our team is as dedicated as we are to Fonda.
Fonda is currently located across Melbourne and Sydney, do you have plans to expand to other states?
We are definitely looking to expand and have been doing a bit of research in the sunshine coast and Brisbane, so watch this space…
Which dishes and drinks do you recommend for a Fonda newbie?
There are a number of ways you can go here, I think it’s best to be a bit methodical about it. Kick things off with a corn, our corn has been a bit of a staple on our menu for years now so that’s a must. Then I’d probably say go to the fish taco that’s a crowd favourite. After those two snacky items I’d finish it off with a chicken or pork quesadilla. Beverage wise, it’s margs, you gotta have a marg and if you are marg beginner start with maybe our watermelon or mango house flavours and then you can progress to the traditional.
Really it’s always best to share our food, then you get a bit of everything
What do you hope that your customers’ typical night out at Fonda might look like?
We want all of our Fondas to be a place where people connect, we want to bring people together for a feel-good shared experience; great food, great drinks & a great vibe.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Everything and anything to be honest. I love a bit of country love a good crime podcast but most of the time I’m listening to wiggles to keep the kids happy.
What’s planned for 2023 and beyond?
Big big things, we want to continue to expand at a steady pace and of course continue to ensure our teams are our number one focus along the way.
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Where are you currently based?
I am currently based in Melbourne, Australia.
How did you first start playing music?
I was extremely young when I first gained an interest in music. From dancing to any song my parents put on to picking up the piano and vocal lessons in primary school, I knew music would be something I would be involved in at some point later in life.
What’s been happening recently?
I have been in the studio a lot. Writing, recording and lining up my upcoming releases. I’m super excited to show everyone what I’ve been creating.
Your latest single ‘Good Intent’, is out on the 16th of September, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
The main influences for this song came from artists such as Gracie Abrams and Olivia Rodrigo, mainly drawing reference to the gang vocals in Drivers License, especially when building the depth I was going for.
How did you go about writing Good Intent?
Good Intent was a fascinating one to write, constructed over four months with my co-writer Jessie. We started the song with one perspective, and by the last writing session, the journey of the song and my feelings had changed drastically. Most of my sessions start with a brain dump of ideas and motifs that eventually weave themselves into the tracks I release.
What does this single mean to you?
When writing this single, I was in a battle with my mind. I felt helpless and as if I couldn’t control the narrative people were creating about me. There’s nothing I wanted more than to tell their friends that everything I did was ‘Good Intent’, which became the song’s foundation.
Where and when did you record/produce/master, and who did you work with?
Good Intent was produced and recorded in Melbourne with Hayden Lauersen in March 2022. Then it was passed over to Andrew Edgson at Studios 301 for mastering.
How did you approach the recording process?
The demo had a distinct guitar line, so the first thing we wanted to get right was the guitar. From there, we went straight into recording vocals. Looking back, I am so glad we did this before adding the additional production, as they have this raw nature. The emotion feels real.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
I am currently listening to a lot of Sabrina Carpenter and Fletcher, and I am obsessed with the songwriting on the new ‘Emails I can’t send’ album.
What do you like to do away from music?
Away from music, I work for a preventive health charity called Pink Hope. We help empower Australians to understand their risk of hereditary cancer. As a keen health advocate myself, it is the perfect way to work with, support and educate community members to take control of their health outcomes.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2022 going into 2023?
I’ve got a few more tracks coming for the rest of 2022, and I’m excited to play a few gigs in the run-up to 2023.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Currently, my local cafe, ‘The Foreigner’. It is conveniently right around the corner from my Pilates classes!
Instagram https://www.
Facebook https://www.facebook.
Twitter https://twitter.com/
Spotify https://open.spotify.
Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/
Website: https://www.nikkiwishart.com/
Venezuelan producer and songwriter Jaxxtone, also known as Duis Nulla, and also as Bitter H. So many personalities, but all of them are the same person. Each one of them has its own sound, with Jaxxtone usually being associated with the Trap scene. With the ‘nAtuRal mO0D’ EP out on August 28th 2022, Jaxxtone is back on Tribal Trap after having released ‘Ad Astra’, ‘Tell Me’ and ‘Breathe’ on that label, demonstrating once again that he has the capacity to produce high-level Trap songs. This EP is now part of a long list of Jaxxtone releases, the most popular ones being ‘Get Away’ (Tuvali) and ‘Gave To Me’ (No Copyright Sounds), earning respectively 4.7 million and 1.8 million streams on Spotify, which led him to signing a publishing deal with Mad Decent Publishing and Hipgnosis Songs Group.
This EP is perfect for any music listener as each one of the songs has its own universe and sets a different mood. Six songs that highlight melodic and vocal elements combined with the typical Trap sounds : 808, hi-hats and snares. Throughout ‘nAtuRal mO0D’, Jaxxtone will take you on a journey to his world with simple but effective productions and melodic sounds that reflect the calm and relaxing part of his personality. Although each song tells its own story, like the more robotic and technologic side on ‘AI’, or ‘nAtuRal mO0D’ and it’s more organic sound, this EP is the perfect example of what to show to your friends if they ever ask about Jaxxtone’s signature sound and style.
Artist Bio:
“Jorge Antonio Alfonzo Arteaga, better known as “Jaxxtone” is a multi-genre and instrumentalist producer, songwriter and DJ, born on July 20, 2000 in Caracas, Venezuela. Signed in April 2021 at Mad Decent Publishing and Hipgnosis Songs Group. With releases on “NCS”, “Dim Mak Records”, “Lowly”, “Tribal Trap”and more, Jaxxtone has topped charts with his single “Get Away” and collaborations with T-Mass. By taking elements from his Venezuelan upbringing and blending them with his favorite electronic influences, Jaxxtone has created a truly unique sound. With just over 10 million streams across all platforms, he is one of the most listened to Venezuelan DJs / producers. He also has notable achievements under the pseudonym “Duis Nulla”, including his official remix for Major Lazer and Paloma Mami, along with Noizekid, “Que Lo Que”. Duis Nulla is his side project influenced by his Latin and Caribbean roots”
scene under labels such as Dim Mak, Lowly (trap nation), and NCS. He also produces music under the alias of Duis Nulla, focusing more on his Caribbean-Latino roots, with one of his most successful releases being a remix of Major Lazer’s “Que Lo Que,” created alongside the Mexican producer Noizekid.
Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / Spotify / Soundcloud
Title: Fuego
Label: Smash The House
Veterans and renowned party starters Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike team up with internationally famed Mexican celebrity and singer Kim Loaiza for their newest single – “Fuego,” out now on the duo’s very own platform Smash The House. The track is a perfect fusion of dance/electronic music and Latin pop vibes, featuring Loaiza‘s sultry Spanish vocals and organic melodies atop a deep, rhythmic bassline. Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike bring their dynamic style with a new twist, further demonstrating their abilities as producers to cross and blend genres with ease, also delivering a prime example of how to successfully revive a timeless dance classic, as “Fuego” features samples of Mr. President‘s “Coco Jamboo” from 1996. Whether you’re turning up the volume on your speakers or hearing it live at your favorite venue, things are about to get muy caliente when “Fuego” comes on. This is the second time the duo has collaborated with Kim Loaiza, following 2020’s “Do It!,” which is currently sitting at over 80M streams on all platforms combined and clocking up 316K TikTok videos. The Belgian duo premiered “Fuego” earlier this year at EDC Mexico and Tomorrowland, featuring a live performance by Kim Loaiza, and now fans get the full version to bring back great memories.
Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike
Since their debut in 2007, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike have been making waves with hits like “The Hum,” “Higher Place” in collaboration with Ne-Yo, and “Hey Baby” with Diplo, all of which went Platinum and spent record amounts of time on the Billboard Dance charts. Further flexing their prowess, the brothers teamed up with Hans Zimmer for a rework of “Dead Men Tell No Tales” from the 5th installment of “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Then teamed up with David Guetta and Kiiara on “Complicated,” which has over 160M streams on Spotify and almost 90M Youtube views, and released one of the biggest songs of the summer 2019 – “Instagram,” which also featured David Guetta, Afro Bros, Daddy Yankee, and Natti Natasha. Pairing these chart-topping accomplishments with a packed tour schedule that has included Tomorrowland, EXIT festival, Creamfields, EDC Las Vegas, and more, the world has fallen in love with the duo’s high-energy performances and dynamic style. They have consistently been ranked on DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs and became the first duo to take the #1 spot, further flexing their prowess by teaming up with hitters like Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg, Martin Garrix, Steve Aoki, Afrojack, Fatboy Slim to Lil Jon, and remixing superstars like Coldplay, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Chainsmokers, Major Lazer and many more. Last year, they finished at #5, clearly showing they are among the most recognizable artists in the history of dance music. Always evolving with the times, clocking up 30 million fans on social media, combined with billions of music streams and video views of their live performances and music, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike are certainly ones to watch for many more years to come.
Kim Loaiza
Kim Loaiza is a singer and celebrity from Mexico whose musical career started in 2019 with successful breakthrough hits singles, such as “No seas Celoso” “Me perdiste,” and “Mejor Sola” with Zion & Lennox, amassing over 100M combined streams on Spotify alone. In August 2020, she broke a Guinness World Record for running the most-subscribed Spanish-speaking social media channel. In the following year, Kim became the most-followed Spanish-speaking influencer and currently is the most-followed Mexican on Instagram. In the same year, she broke another record while live streaming on TikTok. Kim‘s live stream had the most users tuning in simultaneously, surpassing the previous record holders, such as The Weeknd, Justin Bieber, and J Balvin. Her TikTok and Instagram accounts are currently being observed by over 66M and 35M people, respectively, making Kim an artist with one of the biggest fanbases. All the past accolades have been followed this year with a 13.13 world tour with JD Pantoja, which turned out to be Kim Loaiza‘s another groundbreaking success with all the dates completely selling out.
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