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How did you first start playing music?
I signed a contract to get the show on streaming network called gethappyiTV in California back in January 2022 so my music will take wings from there streaming platform.
By using many different streaming platforms all around the world, I managed to get approached by a fantastic music manager, personal manager and agent in West Hollywood & UK.
I have good numbers of new songs ready to be released in the pipeline and it has been a crazy amount of work putting these together during the lockdown and now it’s time to flourish. One after one each song keeps opening more and more opportunities for my music, TV and even in films. So, I need to take it all in and keep myself grounded. Take it step by step.
Your latest single ‘Daddy’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
This is one of the hardest songs I ever written because it is so personal, and it touches such a painful part in my heart. I lost my Dad back in 2005 and I refused to accept his death in my mind for 5 years until I had to visit home and when I walked in to the house, I was thinking in my mind that I will see him sitting on his chair like the day I left home.
However, he was not there. It was like a shock which I refused to believe, then my brother took me to his grave, where the song inspiration came to me.
It took a long time to get it out as I did not have the strength to face the demons inside of me. The feeling of regret for not being able to connect with him.
My mum and sister told me that he kept calling my name when he was on the death bed, and he wanted to see me. I feel so bad that I never went back to say goodbye. To say I love you dad. A word I was never able to say to him when he was alive.
I felt there was something missing, I was trained in classical music so my ears and the way I feel about the music and sound had to be satisfied, so I asked if I could take it to Sam from Melodic. After I talked to him, Sam said to me “You are such a big personality with a big voice you need music as big as your voice and your music presence”. He worked on the orchestra side. And that’s it, that was the part that was missing, when he sent me the final, I had a vision in my mind which was like I was watching a movie. I was seeing myself walking to my dad presence to get on my knees and present him with my apology and give him the song with my tears covering my face.
There are so many promises, hopes, dreams, and plans with a music manager like the one I signed with and his contact, plus his PR team in USA / UK and a great publisher.
The TV networks is promising to help me to take my TV show to the international level on bigger networks, which means my music is going to reach a much bigger audience, as my show is a vehicle to take my music to people homes on the silver screen in their private living rooms.
I produce a TV show every week, that plays 3 night a week, 2 in Melbourne Australia on C31 Friday at 11:30pm, Monday at 11pm and in Adelaide on Wednesday nights at 11:30pm, plus I placed the show on Roku TV and Amazon Fire TV. You can stream any on these networks any place around the world.
Each episode getting over 50k view so I guess I do have upcoming shows every week that you can see me and listen to my music and watch my music videos. On top of that you can get the chance to get to know me as an artist and as human being as a person on a very personal level,
I can tell you about the stories behind the songs and the ups & down behind the music and the music videos. You can tape it or watch it over and over on my YouTube channel “Cherie Laurent” or my website www.macherietv.com
Not so many singers have this opportunity to reach their audience as I do. With 140k followers now I am working on Spotify followers as I did not know how to play Spotify. Now I am working with some of the biggest music PR in LA and they promise a lot. So I will need to wait and see. The Australian PR is doing very well. As you may know the US and the UK market is much bigger and that is what I am dreaming of now.
So to respond to your question more clearly, there are no live shows yet because I am building my fan base using TV all around the world and one day the live shows will come, but when I am ready and know that I will have a full house of fans that love my music and what I do.
As for hangouts, I normally go for power walks, maybe movies or art galleries. I do visit NGV a lot. Most of the time I am working writing new songs. I like to learn as much as I can about every great song being written and at the same time, I do write scripts for TV, films, musicals and most of the time looking and studying new subjects to present to people. I guess that is my hangout. Very boring to others, I am sure.
Thank you for your time and for all these great questions. Thank you for taking the time to read all my responses.
Photo by: Brook McKeon
Melbourne songwriter and musician Dinosaur Beard (aka Adam Finnegan) releases today his latest alternative-rock tune ‘Translucent Skin’ and unveils details about his debut EP coming out in October. On this latest track, Dinosaur Beard proves again he is no average musician using brooding melodies and poetic lyrics to comment on the slow demise in modern society of old power structures during the past few tumultuous years.
“Translucent Skin’ was the first song I wrote out of the batch of songs that made it onto the EP. I wanted to make a bold statement for the first single. Something dark, esoteric and a little different for me. Taking some cues from bands like The Cure, Interpol and The Smiths. I wanted something that encompassed the entire tone of the EP while still being a unique composition in its own right.” Dinosaur Beard
‘Translucent Skin’ was written in the last Melbourne lockdown along with the three other tracks from his debut EP. It was the first track that he “got really lost in and spent a lot of time with. Demoing it at home before taking it to my collaborator ‘El Paul Michel’ in his home studio in Pascoe Vale where we really fleshed out the song with additional bass and synths. Using reverse guitar parts, off kilter bass loops and a myriad of other experimentation to create something truly unique and nuanced.”
The self directed music video for ‘Translucent Skin’ mirrors the song’s narrative, visually capturing the feeling of transformation. It was filmed predominantly in the beautiful Yarra Valley just outside of Melbourne in Redwoods Forest. Dinosaur Beard also enlisted his friends to make his living room into a makeshift forest with branches and fabric inducing an arresting visual treat!
“I began shooting the clip a few months ago. Really yearning that connection to nature I had dearly missed in lockdown, I ventured out to the Redwoods forest in Warburton. I spent the whole day filming just using my Iphone. I wanted to visually capture the feeling of transformation and alchemy that the forest can provide. Those kinda pagan rituals that have been performed throughout time. Turning lead into gold as represented by the golden triangle and the three women as representations of the divine femine energy rising upon the planet.” Dinosaur Beard
Dinosaur Beard reunited with long term collaborator and engineer Aaron Dobos (Ceres/Alex Lahey/Avalanches) in recording his debut EP ‘A Mountain of Cotton Gold’ at Sing Sing recording studios in Melbourne. The 4-track concept EP attempts to excavate where the world is headed post the pandemic and how things have changed, but with a strong message of hope and resilience. He says “each song is represented by a different ‘Tarot’ card illustrated by Barcelonian artist Ksenia Vinogradenko.
“It’s my statement of intention coming out of the last few years trying to be a more positive force as an artist and person. Seeing the old power structures slowly begin to crumble and the chaos that is ensuing it’s my way of trying to make sense of it all. A love letter to my friends and the collective as a whole. This is my most ambitious undertaking as an artist.”
Dinosaur Beard
In support of the new single ‘Translucent Skin’ , Dinosaur Beard will be playing at Brunswick Artist Bar, Melbourne with supports from Jordan Clay Band and Isabelle Skye on
Friday, August 5.
PRAISE FOR DINOSAUR BEARD
“‘Dialect Drum’ delicately teeters between dark and light textures, visually, sonically and thematically; Dinosaur Beard expressing the fear and the triumph that is vulnerability.”
MUSIC FEEDS
“The hazy and melodic track highlights Finnegan’s captivating off-kilter style as it ebbs and flows with various notches of intensity.”
AU REVIEW
“Expansive and warm and it makes you never want to leave.”
DECLAN BYRNE, TRIPLE J
EP: A Mountain Of Cotton Gold is out on Friday, October 14
Where are you currently based?
I’m living on Gadigal land! Sydney, Australia.
How did you first start playing music?
I started piano lessons when I was 3 or 4, I then went on to learn brass instruments (trumpet, trombone and euphonium) in highschool playing in orchestra and concert band. I was a massive band geek. I didn’t start writing my own songs until I was around 17, but I’ve always been making up little tunes to accompany my life.
What’s been happening recently?
I’ve just come back from Byron Bay, I went up for Splendour in the Mud. Had a crazy time but now I’m home I’ll be getting back in the studio to finish off some new music!
Your second single ‘Years’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
I was very inspired by Joni Mitchell when I was writing this one, the way her melodies move around like swirling Van Gogh stars. When we got in the studio to put it down I wanted to find some heavier industrial sounds to accompany and contemporise the folk-style writing.
How did you go about writing Years?
I’d just left a 4 year relationship. I put my guitar in open D tuning and started writing down everything I wanted to say to this person. It was very accusatory starting off, the first verse is basically just saying “you’re fake. I see right through you.” (window frames and such) But as I started writing the second verse, ; I realised all the flaws I was pointing out in this person I also held myself. I was lazy, I was stubborn, I also wouldn’t let things go. I had been in the same place for years, this toxic relationship, not just because of this other person but because I had allowed myself to stay there.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?
So this song has been in the works for quite a while now. We laid down the drums (Daryl Chin) last year at studios 301 with my beautiful friend and incredible audio engineer Nicolas Mendoza. Over lockdown we put in guitars and bass in a home studio with Max Jacobs and Grace Labrum – this took a long time with restrictions but we got there eventually. The rest of the track was mostly me and Nico Scali (producer) in his studio in Marrickville, experimenting and trying to find something exciting for our ears after sitting on the track for over a year.
Do you have plans for an EP?
I do 🙂 I’ve been sitting on a looooot of music for the last 3 years so there’s a load more to come. I’ve really pushed the sound of RAGEFLOWER out of its box. My identity is fluid, so is my sound.
Please tell us about any upcoming shows/tours:
I haven’t got a lot of shows booked at the moment, I live with chronic pain so I’m trying to get healthy so I can go on tour one day. It does look like I’m getting better though and I’ll be playing a show with SULT at the Botany View Hotel in October.
Who would you like to work with next?
Dream songwriting collab would be with Aldous Harding or Sevdaliza. But locally I’d love to get in a session with someone like Nick Ward or Carla Wehbe. They are both individually such unique, inspiring artists with huge spirit and great vision.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2022 going into 2023?
Just recording and releasing! I wanna put as much music out there as I can before the world ends 🙂
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Pasta is life. I like to hang out in the park by myself or on a friend’s couch playing mario kart.
Facebook | Instagram | Youtube | Triple j Unearthed
After the success of her single release ‘Air Force 1’, Tahdig returns with her anticipated debut EP titled ‘Truth Be Told’. Brisbane rapper Tahdig delivers 6 tracks that feature songwriters and vocalists from her neighborhood.
Her debut EP demonstrates an exploration of sound production and versatility. This release has allowed Tahdig to showcase her talent as a lyricist and vocal MC.
Tahdig’s EP features beats crafted by producers (Fewtile, Ramoon, Dillygotitbumpin & JustDan) from around the world allowing her to produce contrasting sounds. ‘Truth Be Told’ was recorded at Brisbane’s Six Degree Studios and saw Tahdig work with sound engineer Gene Castillo (Rush Hour Studio) and artists Skye-Marie and Khavari. ‘Truth Be Told’ is an EP that shines light on subjects that we experience in our lives.
“Truth Be Told is an EP where I get to express my feelings towards certain themes that are important to me such as, ‘Immigrants’. This track was written to convey a message about people leaving their motherland and their experience immigrating to another country in search of a better life and settling in and becoming important members of their community. My objective for making music is to create tracks that focus on important and relatable topics for my audience.
This EP has provided me with an opportunity to showcase my interest towards the Spanish language. My ethnicity is Persian and the spoken language is Farsi, however I have always had an interest in learning Spanish. As a music artist I want to embrace other languages and work with artists from different cultures. I believe diversity is beautiful and music in any spoken language brings people together.”
TAHDIG
2022 is going to be the year Tahdig introduces herself to more audiences around the country with her distinct flair and sound. Developing her love for hip hop and the culture from a young age, Tahdig has cited her early influences; from the likes of Missy Elliott to Eve; 50 Cent to Eminem. Born in Iran and migrating to Central Queensland with her family as a child, Tahdig has been enraptured by hip hop since she was nine years old.
Her recent inspirations have come in the form of artists like Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole and Wale, though her sound also sits in the same lane as your Remy Mas and Cardi Bs – making her one to watch as this year continues!
PLAY/LISTEN
Title: Step Back
Label: Dim Mak Records
Dubstep heavyweights Gammer and Pixel Terror join forces for “Step Back,” both artists’ first release of 2022, out on Steve Aoki‘s Dim Mak Records. True to their signature styles, “Step Back” is one of massive proportions and certainly not for the faint of heart. Opening with a glitchy, big room trap style, Gammer and Pixel Terror up the ante with a breakdown of stabbing synths and a sinister dubstep drop. The additional elements of hardstyle and psytrance clearly set the track apart from the rest, making this a strong return to the circuit for both artists. Read on for what Gammer and Pixel Trap had to say about their new release:
“‘Step Back‘ is my first new original track in a while. It’s a song I’m really proud of and feel like expresses the energy we both try to create. Anyways, we spent ages on a cool dubstep drop, but everyone plays the half-baked psytrance drop instead. So 10/10. Fully recommend!” – Gammer
“Took a lot of time back and forth with Gammer to create a festival banger that will suit the needs of nearly any electronic aficionado. From the huge chanty chords to the glitchy dubstep to the double-time hard-psy, we are really thrilled that this displays so much of both of our styles in such a dangerously cohesive way. We hope this will be a summer anthem, and from the support it has already received, we believe it might!” – Pixel Terror
English producer Gammer has become known in the dance circuit for his UK hardcore sound as well as trap and hardstyle, which attracted a new and younger generation of listeners to the heavy-hitting genres. He had become a household name on Monstercat by 2017, known for his timeless party anthems such as “The Drop” or “Party Don’t Stop” and collabs, such as “Quit” with Hudson Mohawke, “Incoming” with Steve Aoki or “Digressions” with Mija. On the other hand, Pixel Terror has made a name for himself with his own dubstep style, with notable releases such as “Contra,” “Enigma,” “Amnesia,” and more. Both artists have performed at some of the world’s best festivals, including Gammer‘s recent performance at Tomorrowland and Pixel Terror‘s at Bootshaus – one of the top club venues in the world. Keep an eye out for more coming from these bass maestros.
Committed to blending together the vast and ever-changing sounds of indie pop and alternative rock, Man vs Synth incorporates cavernous synthesiser tones with drama-fuelled vocal melodies to create a gripping showcase of authenticity in their newest single.
Equal parts creative and expressive, Man vs Synth is lead by Mathew El Fakhry, the vocalist, writer, producer, guitarist and engineer on the project. He is accompanied by Hamish Cocks (drums), Leigh Biggerstaff (Bass) and Jason Lambrou (synths) as they unite their respective talents to emphasise rhythm in their venture to develop a seldom-explored, genre-defying division of synth-pop.
With new releases planned and live performances on the horizon, keep an eye out for Man Vs Synth in 2022 (and into the new year), starting with their upcoming release In Sheep’s Clothing, available worldwide on Friday 29th July 2022 and accompanying single launch show at The Tote Bandroom in Collingwood VIC on the same night.
Nine Inch Nails was a massive influence for this track. Heavy pounding synth bass defines the track at its core, but Radiohead, Mars Volta, Aphex Twin and many others are also huge influences on us.
I wrote the original riff whilst brainstorming ideas for another band in my own time. But I decided it was too good to share and I was holding on to that one for man vs synth! Sometimes a song can take months or a year to write but In Sheep’s Clothing came together relatively quickly. All the parts seemed to fall into place one after the other.
I wrote, performed, recorded, produced, and mixed everything (except the drums were performed by Hamish). Beau McKee mastered the track for me and he performed some dark magic to make it sound as good as it does – believe me. The recordings happened all over Melbourne. From studios I was running to my bedroom to theatre spaces we hired to record the drums this production was very much all over the place.
This track is about realising you’re not always the good guy in someone’s story. The things about yourself that you hide from others can make you feel like you’re a wolf in sheep’s clothing at times. This song is part of the narrative structure of the album I’m writing which talks about the different hellish places people enter in their everyday lives.
We’ve got a bunch of new, unheard tracks that we’re premiering for the first time at The Tote which we can’t wait for everyone to hear! We might have a surprise cover nested within one of our tracks too. Be there to check it out!
CHERIE LAURENT – MELBOURNE BASED ROCK ARTIST RELEASES HER HEARTFELT NEW SINGLE + MUSIC VIDEO ‘DADDY’
‘Daddy’ is a tear-jerking song that represents the sounds of a soul’s regret. In this song, Cherie reaches out to the spirit of her deceased father, opening her heart, soul, and emotions of her lifelong struggle for the approval of a father now gone. Tormented by the struggle to keep moving forward in life and feeling she was a disappointment to a father she so dearly loved. She explains to him that she loved him and felt she had no choice but to run away. She finds herself apologizing for not being able to be the daughter that he always wanted.
“This song will shake your heart and make you feel paralysed with a level of tenderness, sadness and the pain that comes with the loss of someone you love.”
She recently followed up with the release of her raunchy single and music video ‘LOVER’. The release was covered via Hysteria Mag, Subculture Entertainment, Scenestr, and Australian Music Scene, whilst gaining airplay all over the globe.
New single ‘Daddy’ is available on all major online stores and streaming services.
LIGHTS ON + NEW ALBUM SOMEBODY ELSE
PIC: IAN LAIDLAW
Having toured relentlessly for a decade with no new music in sight, 2022 is shining a spotlight on one of Australia’s most esteemed frontmen, with the legendary Grinspoon vocalist and guitarist Phil Jamieson today sharing his new single Lights On and accompanying music video directed by Arlo Cook (Bob Evans, Gretta Zilla). The third single off his impending first-ever solo full-length album Somebody Else, due out on Friday July 29 via Cheersquad Records & Tapes, Lights On is an affable aural gem that’ll certainly shake the crowds into a shimmering frenzy when Phil and his band hit the road this July and August.
With a horde of 2022 appearances onstage at various Aussie festivals helming Grinspoon, including Spring Loaded, Wallapalooza and, imminently, Splendour In The Grass, Phil’s upcoming solo album celebratory launch tour will see Phil, along with band mates Davey Lane on guitar, Sam Raines on drums and Rob Muiños on bass, kicking off at Gaol After Dark in New South Wales on July 2, followed by Eltham Hotel NSW, before traipsing to the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Central Coast, Adelaide, Albury and closing out at The Big Bonanza in Coffs Harbour on November 4.
Tickets for all album launch shows are available now from https://linktr.ee/philjamieson.
Boasting more hooks than a tackle box, Lights On launches with a crunchy spring in its step, with deep grooves, airy guitars and Phil’s creamy vocals ever-present throughout the tune. With Jackson McRae stepping in to bust out the driving beats on Lights On, Phil and co-producer Oscar Dawson, aka guitarist for Aussie indie rockers Holy Holy, deliver a dreamy and jangly delight that went through multiple variations before its final end result; and the single also may or may not be inspired by bank heists and memories, as Phil elaborates, “It’s been a journey for Lights On, going through many iterations and arrangements and what not. It’s a fun song to move shoulders and hips to – and its release also means I’m closer to releasing the album! The track might be about a bank heist? At its core, it’s about always keeping your heart in place for the person that you love. But it’s also about memories that might have betrayed you in some ways, and maybe about stealing money and maybe about hiding it. Maybe it’s about a bank heist, Oceans 13, Oceans 8. And it also could be about saying: no matter what, I’m gonna kind of hang in there, I’m gonna be there. So sentimental!”
The themes behind Phil’s forthcoming album Somebody Else span time, space and the human experience, traversing everything from time travel to trouble, loneliness, desire, escapism and love. Starting to grow sonic legs a decade ago, Phil initially presented what would eventually become Somebody Else to his team in 2019. Phil explains, “Initially I presented something to my management the weekend before Bob Hawke died, I was working on a few projects and presented the album, to Wonderlick; and they said it was close but to keep working. So I went away with Oscar, Davey, Jordan, Ben and we polished it up, this was all pre-pandemic, back in 2019”.
A face and voice that would help shape and define the new wave of Australian alternative music back in the mid 90s, Phil’s tenure for over a quarter of a century fronting Lismore’s favourite sons Grinspoon, Phil’s distinctive lyrics and vocal stylings piloted the group’s instantaneous meteoric rise, with Grinspoon becoming the first act ‘Unearthed’ by triple j courtesy of their debut track Sickfest. Going on to command over one thousand live shows, 13 ARIA nominations, six consecutive Top 10 chart debuts and multi-platinum album sales, Grinspoon also continued to be triple j darlings over the years, with a whopping 17 tracks polling in multiple Hottest 100 countdowns, including the iconic anthem Chemical Heart which took out the #2 spot in 2002 as well as #63 in 2013’s Hottest 100 of All Time edition. An accomplished singer, songwriter and guitarist, Phil’s live prowess hasn’t been strictly limited to a band setting, debuting his theatre chops in the 2017 Australian stage production of the Broadway musical American Idiot. Phil’s starring role in the Green Day-penned musical was extremely well received, as has been his more recent solo ventures, including the recently released singles Trouble and the title track from his impending debut solo album Somebody Else.
From his staggering impact on the Australian musical landscape to his continued work as a solo artist, performer and philanthropist extraordinare, merely labelling Phil a jack-of-all-trades would be entirely a disservice to this accomplished creative, who also shares an affinity for watching Judge Judy, coffee and “playing tennis badly”. But undeniably with Somebody Else, Phil yet again cements his rockstar status, with something for everybody on his maiden solo full-length album, and the album’s live tour celebrations will also feature everything you’d hope for, as Phil concludes, “Keep your expectations low and I will supercede them! I never go to concerts expecting much, I always find that if I go in with low expectations, I come away feeling relatively positive. I know it sounds a bit facetious to say, but you can guarantee that I will be there and also accompanied by a band, which is very exciting to really flesh out these songs. And of course, there will be Grinners songs played too, it would be rude not to. I might even throw in a Powderfinger, Jebediah or Spiderbait song too, just to even out my alt 90s cover set?!”
Lights On is out today.
Somebody Else will release on Friday July 29 via Cheersquad Records & Tapes, available to presave here.
PHIL JAMIESON & BAND – SOMEBODY ELSE ALBUM LAUNCH TOUR DATES:
with special guests The Pictures
Tickets from https://linktr.ee/philjamieson
SAT 2 JUL | GAOL AFTER DARK @ SOUTH WEST ROCKS, NSW
Tickets available from: https://artsmidnorthcoast.com/events/gaol-after-dark-opening-night/
WED 27 JUL | ELTHAM HOTEL, ELTHAM, NSW | 18+
Tickets available from: https://moshtix.com.au/v2/event/phil-jamieson-and-band-w-special-guests-the-pictures/138336
THURS 28 JUL | VINNIES DIVE, GOLD COAST QLD | 18+
Tickets available from https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/22e449a8-cb91-47b3-88d4-04214fd0e729
FRI 29 JUL | SOLBAR, SUNSHINE COAST QLD | 18+
Tickets available from https://tickets.solbar.com.au/outlet/event/4c5f3d6a-263a-44c2-9c7d-07d008ec0e69
SAT 30 JULY | THE ZOO, BRISBANE QLD | 18+
Tickets available from https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/26f68699-f674-4479-b19f-47d4c6d0982d
THUR 4 AUG | JOHN CURTIN HOTEL, MELBOURNE VIC | 18+
Tickets available from https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/81eb0c08-3f44-49d4-9ca7-982db9d8da3c
FRI 5 AUG | UC HUB, CANBERRA ACT | 18+
Tickets available from https://moshtix.com.au/v2/event/phil-jamieson/141252
SAT 6 AUG | OXFORD ART FACTORY, SYDNEY NSW | 18+
Tickets available from https://moshtix.com.au/v2/event/phil-jamieson-and-band/138066?skin=OAF
SUN 7 AUG | SHADY PALMS, CENTRAL COAST NSW | 18+
Tickets available from https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/b2065c9f-83c0-424e-8059-4f5b137921e9
FRI 12 AUG | LIONS ART FACTORY, ADELAIDE SA | 18+
Tickets available from https://moshtix.com.au/v2/event/phil-jamieson-band/138072?skin=LAF20
SAT 20 AUG | SS&A, ALBURY NSW
Tickets available from https://www.eventopia.co/event/Phil-Jamieson-On-Tour/488674
https://www.eventopia.co/event/Phil-Jamieson-On-Tour/488674
FRI 4 NOV | THE BIG BONANZA, COFFS HARBOUR, NSW
Tickets available from https://bit.ly/TBBearlybird
Photo credit: Megan Donnelly
Sydney based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist RAGEFLOWER (aka Madeleine Powers) returns with a new sound, and bold new look after the successful debut of ‘Still Calling’ which scored airplay on triple j unearthed, FBi, 4ZZZ and a swag of community radio stations across Australia.
Delivered with confidence, ‘Years’ is a self-reflective track that chronicles the process one goes through emotionally after a nasty break up. Vocally RAGEFLOWER soars with vulnerability and authenticity much like her contemporaries Phoebe Bridgers and Avril Lavigne.
“The song was written after a really bad breakup, it initially started as a major diss track but as I was writing the second verse I was like “hmm… this is also me”. It really transformed the song into a reflection on how often both parties contribute to the destruction of a relationship. It’s about taking ownership of your part in toxicity and true, honest accountability. “
RAGEFLOWER
Like her previous single ‘Still Calling’, RAGEFLOWER enlisted one of Australia’s most revered mastering engineers Steve Smart (Ocean Alley, Dean Lewis, Vance Joy) to work on ‘Years’ with mixing by Nicolas Mendoza (Lime Cordiale, Loretta). ‘Years’ was recorded at Studios 301, Casa Studios and Sunset Magnolia Studios. To create this gentle art-rock track, she
listened to lush and acoustic folk songs, then pivoted by experimenting with darker and moody soundscapes.
“This song started as a folk song, I was listening to a lot of Joni Mitchell at the time. I wrote the song in open D tuning on the guitar and it originally had this massive jangly folk riff in the intro. When Nico (Producer, Nicodemo Scali) and I started building the production we both decided it needed to go in a different direction, the opposite direction perhaps – and so we started listening to Massive Attack, Bjork and Smashing Pumpkins in the studio to find some sounds that resonated with what we were both feeling.
It was a very intuitive and exciting song to produce, we really loved experimenting with the industrial drum samples and synths with this one. I think this song is a big turning point for the sound of RAGEFLOWER, I want to flow into a more experimental art-rock space from the last single moving forward.”
RAGEFLOWER
With the release of ‘Years’, RAGEFLOWER is again proving she’s one of Australia’s most enthralling and brightest new artists.
PRAISE FOR RAGEFLOWER
“I had to hear this! It’s got a nice mix between soft emotion and seething angst.”
Dave Ruby Howe, triple j Unearthed
“I too was intrigued by the broad range of influences you listed, but it makes complete sense as soon as you hit play. Moments of folk-y tenderness in the chorus interspersed with 90s-ish pop punk touches.”
Abby Butler, triple j Unearthed
“The confessional verses and soaring choruses are brought to another level in the accompanying video that further highlights themes of disconnection and destructive coping mechanisms.”
AAA BACKSTAGE
“If you’re a fan of Phoebe Bridgers’s introspective songwriting and Avril Lavigne’s euphoric, guitar-driven pop-punk anthems then you’ll enjoy Still Calling.”
COOL ACCIDENTS
“The song is a indie-pop-rock delight which switches between quieter, reflective verses and a full-blooded, powerful chorus.”
WOMEN IN POP
‘Years’ is released on Tuesday, July 12
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A ritual awaits at Holy Water Craft Distillery Festival, with more than 30 distilleries showcased at Seaworks in Williamstown Friday 26 – Sunday 28 August.
Festival goers can prepare to be indoctrinated into the world of Victorian spirits, entering the gates for a brief window of indulgence.
The festival will host Anther, Autonomy, Bass & Flinders, Boatrocker, Chief’s Son, Great Ocean Rd Gin, Grainshaker, Imbue Distillery, JimmyRum, Mountain Distilling Co, Naught Distilling, Ned Whiskey, Brogan’s Way, Reed & Co, East Pole, Puss & Mew, Saint Felix, The Melbourne Gin Company, Timboon and more over three days.
The four, four-hour sessions will include a Friday evening, Saturday day and evening and Sunday afternoon. With ticket holders receiving a tasting glass to keep, free samples from more than 30 distilleries served either straight up or with mixer, live music programmed by Luile Tavern, light projections and free masterclasses.
A winter-feast of the senses, the event will include a series of masterclasses and pairing experiences called The Craft. Sessions will be a mix of paid and free, Cocktails & Oysters with Alex Boon from Pearl Diver, an Bottled Cocktails with Kayla Reid of Nick & Nora’s fame and No-Lo Cocktails with Nick Tesar just some of the series highlights. More can be found at: holywaterfest.com.au/programming with further masterclasses to be released.
Held on the water in Williamtown. A ferry service dubbed, The Reveller, will taxi ticket holders to and from the city, including travel, two cocktails, a grazing station and live music. A return trip is $70.00 per person.
Holy Water is brain-child of Rachelle Watson and Zoe Beyer, who have more than 15 years’ experience running large-scale festivals with cocktail producer and author of The Book of Vermouth & All Day Cocktails, Shaun Byrne, its Industry Partner.
Festival Co-Director Zoe Beyer said the event will see some of Victoria’s best bartenders, chefs and producers take ticketholders on an artisan journey.
“Our approach is to move away from a typical trade-show environment. Leveraging from our experience in arts and entertainment to create an enhanced festival experience with premium beverage at its core,” Zoe said.
With spirit consumption growing twice as fast (69%) as beer and cider (18%) in bars, and 75 percent of spirits growth coming from premium bottles retailing at over $50, Holy Water is a response to drinking trends and a growing interest in the distillery industry.
“There are more than 300 distilleries in Australia, and Victoria hosts world-class talent. We are working to showcase what’s on offer here, aiming to educate people on the many varieties out there, tasting notes and serving suggestions,” Shaun said.
On top of tastings, distillers will be producing a range of cocktails available for purchase, there will also be a considerable no-low category component. The festival main bars will serve a traditional bar offering with beer, wine, plus winter-warming hot toddies.
Tickets are on sale for $65 per ticket (incl GST and booking fee) and on-sale.