Photo Credit: Simon Fazio
MARCH 4-14 – TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!
Brunswick Music Festival is overjoyed to announce its return in 2022 for its 34th year running. The 10-day event will span March 4 to 14 and once again soak in the fresh air of BMF’s breezy outdoor venue at Gilpin Park.
Featuring curated live music line-ups in Brunswick’s best live music venues, plus pop ups in some unassuming places, Brunswick Music Festival returns live music to Melbourne’s most beloved inner city suburb in a relaxed, safe and sustainable way.
With a dreamy outdoor environment reminiscent of the The ‘Sup, much of this year’s festivities will descend on Gilpin Park. Situated mere moments from the hustle of Sydney Road, the Gilpin Park stage proved an unforgettable highlight of 2021’s sell out program, providing friends, families, and live music fans the opportunity for a low key lounge with their live music.
The venue will host performances by Adalita, Birdz, Body Type, Didirri, Flyying Colours, Gordi, Gregor, HTRK, Irish Mythen, Kaiit, MOD CON, RAT!hammock, Ziggy Ramo and HEAPS more.
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Where are you currently based?
I’m currently living in Cairns, and have been for 7 years now, although I’m originally from the tiny Isle Barra off the West Coast of Scotland.
How did you first start playing music?
I’ve been around music and the arts my entire life and, coming from Scotland, it was a huge part of my soul/culture. I was brought up as a Highland Dancer and played the fiddle and piano at school (but NOT the bagpipes!). I’ve always loved the idea of being a singer, and a couple of years ago started writing my own songs in a little homemade recording booth in my parents garage. The success of my debut single Heebiejeebies inspired me to continue to chase this dream and I’m now following a path to make singing my career.
What’s been happening recently?
I finished school last year (yeay!) and just started my Cert 3 in Music at TAFE. It’s great fun being around like-minded people and getting to be a full time music student. I have lots of new music coming out soon. Still the Same was the first single of my debut EP of 5 new original songs coming out in March. We’re releasing the second single from the EP on 11th February, called Stockholm – and it’s something a little different from my normal. We’ve just finished filming the music video for this one, in the rainforest in the heat of summer!! I also have my first co-headline gig at the Tanks Arts Centre in Cairns on 18th Feb and then will be performing at The Powerhouse in Brisbane April 24th. So I’m very excited for everything that’s happening over the next few months and can’t wait to share my new music with everyone.
Your latest single ‘Still the Same’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
I read a book called ‘The Invisible Life of Addie Larue’ and was super inspired by the concept of time passing and growing as a person, but still having the same feelings you had for someone from your past, a love that never really went away. It’s a very heartfelt song and the lyrics reflect on whether your old lover or yourself are still the same person you were. Something I think everyone can relate to, so definitely give it a listen if you haven’t!
How did the concept for the music video come about?
I wanted a super homey-type video. Inspired by those scenes in movies when families watch their old home videos. I wanted it to look as if I’m turning through the pages of my scrapbook and I’m reliving the memories. It’s a cute and simple concept, and includes footage from the live performance from the Single Launch at Bar36!
Where did you film and who did you work with?
My sister and best friend filmed me awkwardly running around the Esplanade for the ‘memories’ haha. My good friend also took the video of me singing live at Bar36, so it was a very personal video made by myself with the help of my friends and family. It’s supposed to be quite raw and not so professional, and I think that’s translated well in the video.
Your upcoming single ‘Stockholm’ will be released soon, how did this track come about and what does it mean to you?
Stockholm was a song I wrote on a random Thursday in my Garage. I had this concept of being in love with the villain and the little idea spiralled into the huge song that it now is. I worked with some of the boys from a progressive rock band Forest, and we turned into a powerful, heavy song that I don’t think people are quite expecting from me. It releases on 11th Feb.
You’ll be releasing your debut EP soon, please tell us about this project:
It’s my first time putting out more than just a single and I am soooo excited!! Songwriting for me is all about storytelling, and the EP tracks are in a very specific order telling a story of falling in love and then it progresses through the falling apart and things quickly going downhill. The lyrics are so important in this project! It’s also my first time delving into different genres of music. Previously, my music has only been pop. But on this EP, I have funk, rock, jazz and a little doo-wop! It’s quite eclectic in the best way possible — there’s something for everyone!
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who with?
I had plans to record with Simon Cohen at Studios 301 in Sydney, but covid happened and I ended up recording in Brisbane at The Plutonium Studio with Aiden Hogg! It was such a fun experience as I’m used to doing everything myself. It was nice to be able to JUST sing and let someone else do all the work.
What do you like to do away from music?
I’m a huge bookworm & love creative writing. I guess that’s why I’m so obsessed with storytelling in my songs and making sure my concepts have depth and connect with listeners.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
I’m always listening to Frank Ocean, Mother Mother, Bo Burnham, Tyler, the Creator, very different music to what I sing.
What’s planned for 2022?
MUSIC!! I want to keep writing, singing, recording, releasing, and performing live — hopefully some festivals, maybe a tour? And keep chasing my dream to make music and performing my full time career.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
I love pistachios, corn on the cob, potato and green Thai curry…Weird mix, I know! And my favourite place to hang out is probably just at home with a book, or on the beach.
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“The Gogans continue full throttle with a blast of utterly cathartic garage rock with all essential ingredients present and accounted for. A sneery delivery, legs apart, hands on hips, lips pursed and arched eyebrows in a leather jacketed embrace. [Be Your Man is] a bit of rock’n’roll fun delivered with the utmost dedication to the craft along with a rousing chorus and a buzz saw blitz.” – Arun Kendall, Backseat Mafia
Adaptive and reactive Melbourne outfit The Grogans return with their first music of the year on their explosive new offering ‘Be Your Man’. The flip side to its sister release on transparent red vinyl, ‘Just A Kid’, which dropped at the tail end of last year, ‘Be Your Man’ continues the trio’s legacy of lucrative, finger-on-the-pulse songwriting that reflects and responds to the ever-changing world around them. In 2022, that world calls for some classic call and response punk rock, evident in multitudes on ‘Be Your Man’.
Out now via Cousin Will Records, the single sees the lads; Quin Grunden (Vocals, Guitar, Bass), Angus Vasic (Guitar, BV) and Jordan Lewis (Drums, BV), at their most urgent and visceral. Grunden’s heady vocals speak of desperately clinging to a lover that’s slipping through his grasp, while Vasic and Lewis’ combined frenetic energy dare the frontman to lose focus. The result is an electrifying malaise of sound, and one that is destined to erupt on the live stage.
STREAM / EMBED ‘BE YOUR MAN’
STREAM / EMBED ‘BE YOUR MAN’ VIA BANDCAMP
“We wanted to write something heavier as we really enjoy that side of our live show. We wanted it to be in your face but still within our nature. It’s a song about wanting to prove yourself to a partner and wanting to step up to the table but it’s still in a simple manner a classic love track all wrapped up in a punkish wrapping. Dig ya teeth in and take what you will from it.” – Gus Vasic, The Grogans
The Grogans are a truly unmissable live act, deploying an extensive variety of stylistic influences with cohesion and conviction on stage. Angus and Quin’s combined surf jangle and punctuated guitar riffage are propelled by drummer Jordan Lewis’ well oiled machine, while Quin’s viscous vocals range from reverb drenched upstart chants to honeyed croons. Having supported the likes of Ocean Alley, Maddy Jane, Northeast Party House, Nai Palm, Drunk Mums, The Chats and Polish Club, The Grogans will soon take their captivating live show on the road again supporting Hockey Dad on their 2022 Regional Tour, with single launch shows penned for Torquay (new show), Sydney (sold out) and Wollongong (selling fast).
HOCKEY DAD TOUR DATES 2022
Supporting Hockey Dad
Friday 4 February – Beer Deluxe, Albury
Saturday 5 February – UC Refectory, Canberra
Friday 11 February – Regent Theatre, Wollongong
Saturday 12 February – Marlin Hotel, Ulladulla
Sunday 13 February – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
Friday 18 February – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
Saturday 19 February – Bowlo Sports and Leisure Yamba, Yamba
Wednesday 23 February – Seabreeze Hotel, Mackay
Thursday 24 February – Magnums Hotel, Airlie Beach
Friday 25 February – Dalrymple Hotel, Townsville
Saturday 26 February – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
Thursday 3 March – The Northern, Byron Bay
Friday 4 March – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
Thursday 10 March – Pier Bandroom, Frankston
Friday 11 March – Barwon Heads Hotel, Barwon Heads
Saturday 12 March – Torquay Hotel, Torquay
THE GROGANS SINGLE LAUNCH SHOWS
Tuesday 8 February – La La La’s, Wollongong
Tickets via Moshtix
Thursday 10 February – Crow Bar, Sydney (SOLD OUT)
Saturday 23 April – Torquay Hotel, Torquay (NEW DATE)
Tickets via Oztix
2 February 2022: Presented as part of Melbourne Design Week, the inaugural Melbourne Design Fair (16 – 20 March 2022) is a commercial showcase of limited edition, rare and one-of-a kind collectable design by Australia’s leading emerging and established contemporary designers and designer-makers. An initiative of the National Gallery of Victoria in collaboration with the Melbourne Art Foundation, the Fair breaks new ground in the presentation, promotion and sale of collectible contemporary design in Australia and will offer audiences a unique cultural experience with all the design works presented available for purchase.
Melbourne Design Fair is a key event within the Victorian government backed Melbourne Design Week program, and the first of its kind in Australia to bring together designers, design organisations, agencies, studios and galleries with collectors to meet and do business over five days at Warehouse 16. 28 Duke Street in Abbotsford.
The Fair will showcase collectible contemporary design works across two platforms: PRESENT where galleries, design organisations, agencies and studios mount dedicated displays by the design creatives they represent, and SELECT, a curated exhibition featuring the best works by emerging and established designers and designer-makers from across Australia. Works across both platforms will be available for purchase.
PRESENT includes presentations by thirteen of Australia’s leading galleries, design organisations, agencies, and studios. Participation in the inaugural Fair, curated by NGV includes Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert (Sydney), Sophie Gannon Gallery (Melbourne), Studio Roland Snooks (Melbourne), Sullivan+Strumpf (Sydney), Broached Commissions (Melbourne), Agency Projects (Melbourne), Christopher Boots (Melbourne), C. Gallery (Melbourne), Craft (Melbourne), JamFactory (Adelaide), Local Design (Sydney), Modern Times (Melbourne) and Design Tasmania (Tasmania).
SELECT brings together over thirty-five Australian design creatives in a presentation curated by Simone LeAmon, NGV’s Hugh Williamson Curator of Contemporary Design and Architecture. Works for sale will manifest in a compelling exhibition comprising a mix of Australian design luminaries and rising stars, including Dale Hardiman, Ashley Eriksmoen, Emery and Poole, Pirjo Haikola, Elliot Bastianon, Marta Figueiredo, Jordan Fleming, Adam Goodrum, Brodie Neill, Ella Saddington, Susan Cohn, James Lemon, Delissa Walker, Helen Kontouris, Jon Goulder, Andrew Carvolth, Cassie Leatham, Anna Varendorff and Damien Wright, among others.
Providing an unrivalled opportunity to view, discover and purchase significant works of collectable contemporary design by Australian and New Zealand designers, Melbourne Design Fair will include a program of talks and conversations with exhibiting designers, design curators, and critics to broaden awareness of the contemporary collectable design scene in Australia and internationally, and a film series presented by major partner Mercedes-Benz Australia, offering further insight into the creative practices and design work of participating designers.
Martin Pakula, Acting Minister for Creative Industries, said: “The NGV and the Melbourne Art Foundation joining forces for Melbourne Design Fair showcases Melbourne’s best talents while creating economic opportunity for local designers. Melbourne Design Fair will be a highlight of Melbourne Design Week 2022.”
Tony Ellwood AM, Director of the National Gallery of Victoria, said: “Presented in partnership with the Melbourne Art Foundation, Melbourne Design Fair builds on the NGV’s long-standing commitment to the local design sector and its practitioners. The Fair is a new and innovative opportunity to showcase the extraordinary work of our talented designers, galleries and studios. Bringing together the design sector and its supporters for the very first time, this event is a unique proposition in Australia and proudly positions design as an integral part of the artistic and fiscal vitality of our creative industries.”
Maree Di Pasquale, CEO of Melbourne Art Foundation, said: “Melbourne Design Fair marks a significant moment for design in Australia. Established in response to the increasing demand from collectors to have access to highly collectable contemporary design on Australian shores, the Fair will be a true celebration of design culture and commerce in this country. Melbourne Art Foundation is delighted to collaborate on the vision of the National Gallery of Victoria curatorial team to deliver this national first. A platform for investment and innovation, Melbourne Design Fair will bring together the region’s most influential designers and makers, collectors, curators, and critics to cultivate a new commercial market for collectable design.
Simone LeAmon, The Hugh Williamson Curator of Contemporary Design and Architecture, National Gallery of Victoria said: “Collectible contemporary design is cultural production reflecting our time, offering alternative points of view, commentary or insights into the design, and making of objects anchored to function and the rituals of everyday life. Audiences will find prototypes, limited edition, limited serial production and one-of-a-kind, works on offer. Collectible design invites us to explore and contemplate Australian material culture through the convergence of ideas, materials and making, which is what makes the Melbourne Design Fair an event not to be missed.”
Melbourne Design Fair (16 – 20 March 2022) is an initiative of the National Gallery of Victoria delivered in collaboration with the Melbourne Art Foundation.
Located at Warehouse 16, 28 Duke Street in Abbotsford, ticket sales and a complete program of participating galleries, designers and events will be announced via designfair.melbourne in early February.
Melbourne Design Fair is a part of Melbourne Design Week, an initiative of the Victorian Government. Learn more via designweek.melbourne.
PRESENT designer and gallery participant list as of 2 February 2022: Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert (Sydney), Sophie Gannon Gallery (Melbourne), Studio Roland Snooks (Melbourne), Sullivan+Strumpf (Sydney), Broached Commissions (Melbourne), Agency Projects (Melbourne), Christopher Boots (Melbourne), C. Gallery (Melbourne), Craft (Melbourne), JamFactory (Adelaide), Local Design (Sydney), and Modern Times (Melbourne).
Showcasing the works of Broached Commissions, Trent Jansen, Don Cameron, Michael Gittings, Olive Gill-Hille, Tarryn Gill, Trent Jansen and Johnny Nargoodah, Sabine Marcelis, Adam Markowitz, Abdullah M. I. Syed, Zhu Ohmu, Rive Roshan, David Tate, Ivana Taylor, Tibet Sydney, Damien Wright, Dean Norton, Zachary Frankel, Nicole Lawrence, James Howe, Henry Wilson, Bettina Willner, Ebony Russell, Kenny Yong-soo Son, Emily Hamann, Ash Fischer, Ashley Corbett-Smith, Kirsten Coelho, Natalya Hughes, Sanné Mestrom, Ben Mazey, Connie Augoustinos, Clare Belfrage, Selinda Davidson, Liam Fleming, Susan Frost, Calum Hurley, Ayano Yoshizumi, Duncan Young, D Noah Hartley, Danielle Brustman, Elliat Rich, Makiko Ryujin, Emma Elizabeth, Tom Fereday, Tom Skeehan, Anna Varendorff, Andrew Simpson, Luke Storrier, Christopher Boots, Roland Snooks, Anastasia le Fay, Belle Thierry, Caro Pattle, Danielle Thiris, Jessie French, Lisa Waup, Misseu, Owen Rye, Vanessa Lucas, Jessica Murtagh, Dean Toephfer and Yoko Ozawa among others.
SELECT designer participant list as of 2 February 2022: Confirmed participants include Dale Hardiman, Jonathan Ben-Tovim, Ashley Eriksmoen, Emery and Poole, Marta Figueiredo, Andrew Carvolth, Pirjo Haikola, Elliot Bastianon, Jordan Fleming, Luca Lettieri, Anna Verendorff, Adam Goodrum, Rossana Ceravolo, Brodie Neill, Ella Saddington, Jay Jermyn, Su san Cohn, James Lemon, Kate Rohde, Takeshi Iue, Delissa Walker, Anton Gerner, Ferro Forma, Helen Kontouris, Jon Goulder, Brud Studio, Delissa Walker, James Walsh, Cassie Leatham and Damien Wright.
More information can be found online at designfair.melbourne
On Tuesday February 1, Australian music industry icon Glenn Wheatley passed away, aged 74. Wheatley was surrounded by his wife of almost 40 years, Gaynor, son Tim and daughters Kara and Samantha. The musician, manager, radio pioneer and entrepreneur died as a result of complications caused by COVID. Wheatley, who was double vaccinated passed away after valiantly fighting for several weeks.
His heartbroken family passed on their thanks to the COVID frontline workers and staff at Epworth ICU. Wheatley was still busy working on new projects.
“In spite of having achieved so much, there was a lot more he wanted to give,” his family said. “He had an enthusiasm that was unmatched and believed that anything was possible. He gave everything to support projects he believed in, whether they were ultimately successful or not – his immense passion and enthusiasm was an integral part of Glenn Wheatley.”
“He treated roadies, artists and fans with the same love and respect, and had time for everyone. He would leave Rod Laver Arena after a John Farnham concert, just to carry my amp into the Espy,” Tim said, “Everything he did was for his family. He regarded his family as his greatest achievement.”
The Farnhams have released this statement: “Our family are devastated at the loss of our friend. We also obviously feel for his family as well. With his passing so many people have lost a part of their lives. We will miss you Glenn, and promise to be there for Gaynor and the family. Love Jill, John, Robert and James Farnham”
In 1998 Wheatley was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame as part of The Masters Apprentices, whose hits Turn Up Your Radio and Because I Love You are Australian rock classics. However Wheatley would find his niche in the music industry through artist management. He helped open doors for Australian music overseas with the global success of Little River Band in the 1970s, selling over 30 million albums and scoring 10 US Top 20 singles including Help Is On Its Way and Reminiscing.
His most successful partnership came with John Farnham, who became a lifelong friend and creative soulmate. Wheatley took over Farnham’s management in 1980, and re-launched his career. A cover of the Beatles’ Help returned him to the chart and Farnham briefly fronted Little River Band. However the two men would stage the biggest comeback in Australian music history with 1986’s Whispering Jack album. Wheatley remortgaged his house to fund the album, which was launched with the unforgettable hit You’re the Voice. Whispering Jack is now the highest-selling Australian album in ARIA history, while Farnham scored 10 No.1 albums with Wheatley as manager. Wheatley also transformed Farnham into one of the most successful touring artists in Australian history, selling millions of tickets in arenas and later outdoor festivals.
Wheatley also launched the career of Delta Goodrem, helping her debut album Innocent Eyes to sell over one million copies in Australia. His other management credits include Pseudo Echo, Real Life and Australian Crawl. Wheatley also launched Australia’s first commercial FM station, EON FM, in 1980, which would rebrand as Triple M. He continued to invest in radio stations, with wife Gaynor on the board of the stations he owned.
In 1992 he helped stage the Australian musical version of Jesus Christ Superstar, featuring Farnham, Kate Ceberano and Jon Stevens. It played over 80 arena dates across the country, while the soundtrack album – released on Wheatley Records, went 12 times platinum.
Wheatley also created charities to fundraise through televised concerts, including the Hay Mate charity to raise money for farmers, the benefit for Rwanda, the concert for the troops in Dili, and countless contributions to other charities in which he was immensely proud.
He released his autobiography, Paper Paradise, in 1999, and over the last few years had been very busy with a number of projects in the works for John.
On the weekend, Wheatley’s son Tim shelved his new single and EP release that was set to be announced on Friday. The long-planned EP was to include a stunning, heartfelt cover of The Masters Apprentices classic Because I Love You. “We were planning the release of Because I Love You for months,” Tim said,“We just fell three days short”. In honour of his Father, Tim is sharing his version of the song today.
The Wheatley family and John Farnham are deeply grateful for the support and loving messages they have received, and will not be making any further comments at this time. They thank the media and public for respecting their privacy.
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THE CITY – NEON DREAMS – MARCH 11, 2022
TRACKLISTING
01 Faded
02 Caffeine Fiend
03 Aeons
04 Vanity & Violence
05 The Chad
06 Neon Dreams
07 My Love (Wildfire)
08 The Devil In Me
09 WYDTM
10 Set Me On Fire
11 Bright Lights
12 Walk Away (Forget My Name)
13 Heavy Heart
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https://www.facebook.com/roseranger
Abi Muir immediately hooks the listener with goosebump-inducing vocals reminiscent of Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish, leading the listener on a modern indie pop journey. Her latest single “Still The Same” is a perfect example of why. “Still the Same” features a 2000s indie-pop vibe, taking listeners back to the Y2K era, telling a familiar story of a person seeing an old lover after a long passage of time. Dramatic strings with a powerful drum line and piano support the emotive vocals, communicating the feeling one has when realising the passage of time and the effects of change.
The song’s vocals were recorded at The Plutonium, Brisbane, with producer Aidan Hogg, who also provided mixing for the track. The instrumentation was provided by David D’Amore on drums, Peter Bullis on keys and Kyle Rohan on Guitar/Bass. All 3 are incredible creative musicians who also play as part of the successful progressive rock/post-hardcore band Forest. After hearing Abi’s demo’s, they brought their skills to collaborate with Abi on crafting the tracks. Mastering for the track was provided by Ben Feggans, Studios 301.
Abi Muir describes the inspiration for the track as, “Still the same was inspired by a book I read where the character became immortal and lived many different lives but was still the same person on the inside. I wanted to tell this story in song and communicate the emotions and feeling of time passing, watching people you used to know grow and change, whilst you as the observer feel the same, standing still in time.”
Despite being so young, Abi Muir has already managed to collect an incredible amount of accolades to her name! Her debut single, “heebiejeebies”, recorded in her home studio, quickly gained her a large following and caught the attention of industry professionals. Abi has an International win in the Unsigned Only competition as well as being a Finalist in the Queensland Music Awards. Abi’s highly anticipated debut EP is scheduled for release early 2022, so definitely keep an eye out for this future indie pop sensation.
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PLAY/LISTEN
PRAISE FOR SOFT POWDER
“Forget rainy day music, this is good gear for a rainy life. The washed out mood is hypnotic and a fitting match for drizzle on your window.”
Dave Ruby Howe, Triple J Unearthed (‘Can You Look Inside My Head?’, 2019)
“Big ponderings on this immersive jam from Soft Powder.”
Declan Byrne, Triple J (‘Can You Look Inside My Head?’, 2019)
“…immersive lo-fi pop that brims with otherworldly sounds, introspective themes and tasteful 80’s production…”
Trouble Juice
“…in a period where lo-fi appears more and more like a trend, this sincere song distills melancholy, nostalgia and wonder without hiding behind any fake filters. Only pure feelings here.”
Highclouds
Running Through The Dark is out now.
Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Triple J Unearthed
Band shares debut US TV performance, announces SXSW & 2022 tour dates
Long established as one of South Australia’s premier songwriting and touring outfits, Wanderers have stepped into a new creative domain in recent years.
Bringing together influences from across decades of soul, rock and pop luminaries; channeling in with contemporary flair and songwriting skill, the group have fashioned for themselves a sonic identity that exists strongly between a vintage cool and a central sound that is refreshingly new.
The new Wanderers EP, their third and first since 2017’s Something For A Distraction, arrives as they prepare to return to the United States for SXSW, as well as announcing their headline EP tour upon their return for April and May. The release of the Wanderers EP follows on from the band’s debut US TV performance on Nashville’s News4.
The Wanderers EP comprises five tracks of soulful and rich guitar-driven music that is a testament to the creative dynamic between bandmates Dusty Lee Stephensen, Matt Birkin and their cast of long-term collaborators and live band. Stephensen writes with an old-soul edge; his lyricism a masterclass in personal storytelling (‘Malibu’, ‘Nothing In This World’).
“As 2020 hit, our recording dreams were coming true – we were about to head over to record an album in LA at Studio 606, Foo Fighters HQ. The home of the famous SoundCity desk, responsible for capturing many of our favourite records. All this while set amongst the backdrop of the California coastline, would have been a setting so fitting for our music.
We put those plans on ice, and focused on this EP, capturing some of our most loved tracks from touring and you can see the touches of that plan in the artwork and songs. We threw ourselves into recording at a collection of our favourite Adelaide studios – Wildflower, Wundenbergs, The Orchard; so we’re excited to have this one out, and gearing up to get on the road and share it with the world.”
WANDERERS
Songs like ‘Make It On My Own’ and ‘Penny’ exude the brightness and optimism Wanders brought to the project from the jump. Harmonically strong and rich in melodies that give us energy akin to Lime Cordiale and The Moving Stills, it’s music like this that has bolstered Wanderers’ presence in recent years as a band to watch out of SA.
The EP’s latest release, ‘Molly’ is another example of the easy wavelength the outfit are on when it comes to songwriting and arrangement.
Of writing the track Stephensen said, “‘Molly’ was conceptualised on a whirlwind trip to Lorne, a beach side town south of Melbourne, that hosts one of the biggest NYE music festivals in the country. I got myself into a jam where I had to complete a gig in Adelaide at 1am on New Years Eve and perform in Lorne at midday, less than 12 hours later. (see: ‘yes man’ in the dictionary)
Leaving myself no other option, I finished my new years performance, jumped straight in the car and drove the 9 hours non-stop to Lorne, drinking more frozen ice coffee and energy drinks than the average person might drink in a week along the way. I made it, performed the gig, crashed in a hot tent for half an hour, and woke up at the most bad-ass festival in the country, feeling like a little less than a shell of a human.
I remember thinking that this would be a terrible time to meet the girl of my dreams. If we struck up a conversation, started getting to know each other, I would have to abort at some point, I could feel my time was running out.’”
The release of the Wanderers EP lines up with the band’s triumphant return to live shows, having given fans in their hometown a taste of what’s to come with a sold out show at The Gov in Adelaide in December 2021.
In March, Wanderers will join a strong Australian contingent of artists including Eliza Hull, Children Collide, Alex The Astronaut and Tom West in Austin, Texas for this year’s SXSW festival. Upon their return to Australia, Wanderers’ attention will be turning to their headline tour, on sale now.
“We’ve really been missing being able to tour… so we’re looking forward to a bunch of uninterrupted gallivanting around the globe in our future.” WANDERERS
LISTEN/PLAY
PRAISE FOR WANDERERS
Billboard (‘Nothing In This World’)“…Stephensen’s falsetto weaving in and out of funky instrumentation accented with wailing sax…”
Flood Magazine“Channelling full 70s disco rock, Wanderers utilise the cheesy 70s synth strings and drum machines in to a fun-fuelled, loved-up groove. The falsetto vocals, and THAT bass line are musical sunshine, making it difficult not to move your body when this track is pumping.”
The Point Music News
WANDERERS AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
Tickets available here
Friday, 1st April The Night Cat Melbourne
Friday, 29th April Felons Barrel Hall Brisbane
Saturday, 30th April Waywards Sydney
Friday, 27th May Lion Arts Factory Adelaide
The WANDERERS EP is out now.
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