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Epitaph Records is thrilled to welcome innovative punk/hip-hop collective KidsNextDoor. The cutting-edge 4-piece from Charlotte, NC break down genre barriers and exude a punk ethos with their DIY aesthetic similar to artists like Brockhampton & Odd Future.
The band release their new single “Megan.” Inspired by early 2000s rap and R&B, like Ludacris and Missy Elliott, “Megan” fuses elements of hip-hop, trap, and punk and will transport the listener to the club’s dance floor.
KidsNextDoor is Apolloislame, Dirty Butt, Maziwithapushstart, and SupremeKaka
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Melbourne’s Ex-Olympian has released a new single ‘Netherworld Boogie’ from his debut album Afterlife out Friday 16th October via Dot Dash Recordings / Remote Control Records.
Liam McGorry says of the track “I’ve found that purchasing new musical equipment really makes you creative (maybe largely because you’ve just spent a whole lot of money you shouldn’t have and you need to justify it)?. Sometimes making music is like banging your head against a brick wall, and sometimes it’s slightly easier, if you’ve just purchased a brand new Behringer RD8 808.
Netherworld Boogie was one of the first songs I made with it. One of my favourite things about making this record has been the opportunity it’s given me to reconnect and create with friends, particularly with my good friend Will Morrissey. His mystic flute is the highlight of this song to me, and there is truly nothing like making music with great friends. A magical feeling.”
Ex-Olympian is the new musical vessel for Liam McGorry – songwriter & musician for bands such as Saskwatch and Dorsal Fins. Named after the neon sign that adorns ‘Borsari’s Corner’ in Melbourne’s Lygon St, Ex-Olympian reflects the times we all need to shift things forward into a new phase.
Afterlife is a record about growing, moving on and learning from your mistakes… finding yourself again, making the road by walking. Written and recorded over a three year period in a series of phases; spurred on by wanting to be more directly involved in the playing and creation side of music, after working in larger ensembles for a long time. Chipping away on songs in his own studio space, inviting friends to play on different songs, and then tied together with friend and producer John Castle. What started as a quest to do more on ones own, became the realisation that music is truly a series of collaborations to be enjoyed together.
Ex-Olympian is McGorry’s return to making soul music. While it has always been there as an influence, it hasn’t been so overt since the early days of Saskwatch. Dream Funk is the official term, channelling heroes Renee Geyer, Arthur Verocai, Badbadnotgood and The Avalanches… combined with McGorry’s own songwriting sound.
In divisive times, what would you take with you into the Afterlife? Ex-Olympian says “connection“.
Pre-order Afterlife via https://exolympian.lnk.to/
Ex-Olympian
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remotecontrolrecords
Less Than Jake has no plans of slowing down any time soon as they prepare for the release of their 9th studio album, Silver Linings, out December 11.
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Where are you currently based?
Hamilton, South Lanarkshire.
What’s been happening recently and how has your Covid experience been so far?
Been keeping fairly quiet and just working on music if I’m honest. This whole experience has taught me a lot about myself and the world around me. Ultimately it has taught me not to take the small blessings in life for granted and to be grateful for what you have.
How did you first start playing music?
I was introduced to DJ decks at the age of 13 at a local ice rink (where they had a DJ booth) and after making a few song requests the DJ took me under his wing and showed me the ropes. I instantly got hooked as I was already a music enthusiast but this was a proper way to express my musical taste. I downloaded PCDJ software from age 13 then upgraded to a CDJ set up when I was 16 and the rest is history!
Your new EP ‘Be Free’ will be out on October 16 2020, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
The main message behind this release comes from the name of the lead track “Be Free” and its pretty self explanatory. I feel like we all go through life searching for opportunities to set ourselves free, and I always get this feeling with music. So I just hope that when people listen they can take themselves to a happy place and have a wee two step while they are at it.
How did you go about writing the music?
I typically just get an idea in my head and need to load up Ableton as quickly as possible. I take a lot of inspiration from other music that resonates with me and try factor that same feel into my own music. Funny story with the lead track, the vocals is actually me and my mate Olly. I had made the beat and knew it needed some sort of vocal, and that was the first phrase that came to me. So I set up the microphone and we just hit record.
Where and when did you record/produce?
I started most of the tracks in my bedroom studio, but I finished the tracks & also mixed them down at Pirate Studios in Glasgow. Shout out to Pirate as their facilities are fantastic for young musicians and they are always brilliant to deal with. I love being at those studios I always feel at home with all the other music being played throughout the studio.
What programs/instruments did you use?
Ableton is the DAW I use for production and I have a whole host of VSTs that I use, I don’t stick to the same VST or preset I typically change it up on every record. I also use Native Instruments Maschine a lot for drums.
How did you approach the record and production process?
Once I had 3 solid ideas down that I knew would be right for an EP I just dropped every other project and gave them 3 records my full attention. Forced myself not to open up any other project or get side tracked and just spent anytime in the studio getting these 3 tracks totally finished. This can be challenging as it’s very easy to get bored of listening to your own record after 100 or so plays haha.
What did you find most challenging/rewarding through the creative process?
As stated it can be challenging only focusing on one thing, when you’ve got a creative brain it typically runs away from you on to the next idea. Either I start a project and am so focused I finish it there and then or I take it to a certain point and then leave it and revisit it with a fresh pair of ears at a later stage. But the rewarding part of keeping my attention on this EP was getting to sit back and hit play on the final results. I typically premier my records to my mates first and watch for their reactions, that’s always rewarding.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
I’m actually listening to a lot more hip hop at the moment. Mostly 2pac. Most people may perceive me as just a dance music head, which really is not the case. I love dance music and always will however I am a music lover first. I have such an open mind when it comes to music and I just like what touches my soul. So of late I have really been enjoying some 2pac, I feel that I can really understand the emotion he is conveying through the music and his lyrics. I go through stages where I only listen to dance music but I typically have little breaks from that and check out other music! A few honourable mentions from my Spotify most played are; Juan Atkins – Track Ten, Yeah But No – Run Run Run (Adam Port Remix), and Scuba – Never Forget.
What do you like to do away from music?
I mean I’m pretty much a music geek 24/7 but when I’m not working on or listening to music I really enjoy getting out into nature or researching stuff that I’m big into like cosmology. Also I listen to a lot of podcasts, watch a lot of documentaries and now make a lot of time for meditation.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2020 going into 2021?
So the plan is really to keep working on more and more music! Also I constantly dig for music and am always on the hunt for more. I guess keeping a constant flow of inspiration is really important for me. I have a lot of faith for the world in 2021 and am praying for the clubbing industry to make a big return. It would be awesome to hear one of my tracks on a dance floor.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
I love Asian food, when I was younger I was extremely fussy with food and as I’ve got older my pallet has managed to catch up a bit, I like spice but it also needs to be bursting with flavour. Favourite place to hangout… I mean before all of this madness started I would be out all the time. I love Glasgow city centre always so colourful and vibrant and always a laugh to be had. Favourite place to hang is probably the Hillhead book club, it’s just nice vibes in there. You could go on a busy night or a quiet night and still have a class time, it’s also a spread out space so plenty room for people to get comfy and relax. They do a good strawberry mojito as well by the way!
In the age of the anthropocene, where humankind reigns but humanity is scarce – an electro power pop duo from Korea seek to dismantle the self-serving psyche and conjure a joyous community of impenetrable, universal togetherness in its wake. Introducing Wedance (위댄스): a band, a statement, a warning. After releasing a treasure trove of glorious a-tonal, spasmodic pop bliss by way of 16 EPs and three full length albums since 2011, the beloved happiness conjurers are back with their latest LP Dance Pop featuring the certified banger, ‘Ironism’ (아이러니즘). To celebrate the release, Wedance are thrilled to announce that they will be heading to Australian palms, fingertips and screens of all sizes this October and November, in the country’s first ever national digital tour by a Korean artist.
Released in July 2020, Dance Pop is the outfit’s debut material to be available both physically and digitally, having previously offered all releases exclusively via small run CD pressings with mere handfuls only ever available to purchase at live shows. Thus, trying to collect the plethora of Wedance recordings is a feat in itself. This idea of a musical scavenger hunt, trying to piece together the entirety of an artist’s body of work in the age of digital and easily transmittable everything, greatly appeals to their fans. Now for the first time, Australian ears and audiences are finally able to delve into the wonderful world of Wedance, starting with the pied piper anthem of indie strangeness, ‘Ironism’.
“A poet of our time walks down the road. Even though the poet tries to walk with a clear mind, it doesn’t work. The ironies that are to be seen everywhere constantly irritate and simmer away until they eventually burst out in fury. Finally, the poet opens a notebook and writes down a new word “Ironism.” The ironic landscapes of the city, which used to confuse us became more vivid and clearer when we decided the name of the song would be ‘Ironism’” – Wedance (위댄스)
Dancing their way to Australian devices this spring, Wedance will bring their unprecedented energy, charisma and penchant for all things fashion to our virtual shores for four special performances across the country. Having previously performed in Australia at the 2016 Aus Asia Festival and the 2018 Bigsound Festival, as well as multiple Festival appearances throughout Asia and the world including Fuji Rock, Primavera Sound, Nuits Sonores, Bug Sounds, Baybeats and more, their upcoming virtual tour is not one to miss. This October, join Wedance for a run of online dance parties to end all dance parties as they take on Bigsound, Isol-Aid and The Tivoli, beckoning all to join in on the alt-bacchanal. Be sure to pack your dance shoes!
Wedance ‘Danceparty at Your Fingertips’ Digital Tour Dates
Bigsound
Dancing On The Farm Showcase & Q&A
Wednesday 21 / Thursday 22 October
Showcase time: TBA
Details: https://www.bigsound.org.au/
Isol-Aid Festival
Saturday 31 October
Performance time: TBA
https://www.isolaidfestival.
Open Session Program at The Tivoli – Supporting Jaguar Jonze
Friday 20 November
Doors 7.00pm
Starts 8.00pm
Tickets $35 for cabaret style show via https://thetivoli.com.au/
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SUPPORT FOR ‘GUESS WHO?’
“Chaotic, cheeky and a bit too real. More gold from SCABZ!” – 4.5/5 stars
– Declan Byrne – triple j (AUS)
“In news that will come as a shock to absolutely no one, SCABZ have my whole heart. The out-of-nowhere sax solo is the cherry on top of this completely chaotic anthem.” – 4.5/5 stars
– Abby Butler – triple j Unearthed (AUS)
“Clocking in at just under two minutes in length, it’s a short, sharp burst of punk that fights back at the insecurities of the authorities.”
– Deafen County (AUS)
Premiered on triple j’s Home & Hosed
Based on Dharawal and Gadigal country, punk raconteurs SCABZ have just revealed their riotous new single ‘Guess Who?’ and announced their debut record ‘Pressure‘ – due Friday, November 30.
Opening with fierce guitars, frenetic drums and the sharp political commentary of lead singer Siobhan Poynton, ‘Guess Who?’ is the latest satire-drenched exemplar from the self-proclaimed ‘Newtown’s shittest band’. Unpredicted saxophone provided by True Vibenation’s Vuli and rousing group vocals brings the track to a wholly satisfying end.
Siobhan talks about the meaning behind ‘Guess Who?’:
“I was walking down King Street one day and just so happened to end up behind a pack of coppers doing the rounds of an early afternoon, going into every pub, checking in on ‘safety’ and hassling people at the train station. They all seemed to get along so well and enjoy each other’s company, even though everyone else wanted them to piss off. And I remember thinking it must be a real particular kind of person from a young age who wants to be a cop, and that would make a funny song. So, I popped into the pub Loz works at, and we started writing the lyrics.”
In the live arena, SCABZ has shared stages with the likes of Skegss, Ruby Fields and Bugs, as well as performances at Yours & Owls Festival, Festival of the Sun, BIGSOUND and Bad Friday. The band also equalled a record for performing the most amount of sets at the King Street Crawl last year, playing an impressive five shows back-to-back.
Previous releases have been widely embraced by Australian radio stations triple j, triple j Unearthed, FBi, 3RRR, 4ZZZ, RTR FM, Edge Radio, SYN FM, PBS FM, 2XX, 2SER and Radio Adelaide. They’ve also seen support from online blogs The Line of Best Fit (UK), Pilerats, Life Without Andy, Savage Thrills, Music Feeds, Little Indie Blogs (UK) and Podcart (UK), as well as their video clips being added to rotation on the ABC’s Rage.
In the coming weeks, SCABZ will reveal an accompanying music video for ‘Guess Who?’.
‘Guess Who?’ is available worldwide now
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | SOUNDCLOUD | SPOTIFY | APPLE MUSIC
Rebecca Lappa’s fearless fusion of folk, rock and pop has her cresting the wave of Canada’s best contemporary singer-songwriters and creating a buzz with three 2019 Edmonton Music Award nominations and one win. Her compositions crackle with passion, beautiful melodies and clever lyrics sung in an edgy vocal style all her own. Lappa has toured Canada entrancing audiences at Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Calgary Folkfest, Canmore Folkfest, and Ottawa Blues Festival. She’s opened for Crash Test Dummies, Jenn Grant, Digging Roots, Reignwolf, Basia Bulat, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Mike Plume and Leeroy Stagger.
A Canadian Folk Music Awards and multiple Edmonton Music Awards winner, Lappa was a top 5 regional finalist in CBC Searchlight 2018 and charted nationally on campus radio. Using an Edmonton Arts Council grant, she’s recording new music in 2019/20 with Producer Louise Burns of 604 Records. With her powerful vocals and honest stories, Lappa is an emerging Canadian talent who is clearly “one to watch”.
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While ‘Angel Fangs‘ was stripped back, ‘STILL WITH U’ is in-your-face and unapologetic, blending elements of pop, hip hop, and grunge in an intriguing yet cohesive fashion. Commanding 808s and trap drums meet electric guitars and autotuned vocals, offering an inimitable, innovative and addictive result.
On the track, The Blossom shares that “Still With U was written in my bedroom closet at 1AM. Sometimes it feels as if it’s about one of the very many ‘burning from the inside out’ kind of toxic relationships I’ve had, other times it feels as if it’s about me singing to myself. In a way, it is a serenade to ‘still being with’ the darker sides of myself that I try so hard to change or move through. Sonically, it’s a hybrid of my favorite textures: bouncing between feelings of hopefulness, restlessness, release, and tension.”
‘STILL WITH U‘ is out now, buy/stream here.
Stay connected with The Blossom:
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
The 2020 AIR Awards returned to Adelaide, Australia’s UNESCO City of Music, tonight to celebrate the success of the vibrant Australian Independent Music sector. The ceremony took place at The Lion Arts Factory and was broadcast on AIR’s YouTube channel.
An official Welcome to Country opened the show which included moving performances from Stella Donnelly, The Teskey Brothers, Angie McMahon and The Soul Movers. Dylan Lewis returned as AIR’s Master of Ceremonies and was joined by Adelaide host Jessica Braithwaite and a line-up of guest presenters, including Murray Cook and Fanny Lumsden.
18 Awards were given out, including 4 new categories that were added to the celebration line up.
Stella Donnelly was awarded Independent Album of the Year and Best Independent Pop Album for “Beware of the Dogs”. Tones and I also went home with two awards including Breakthrough Artist Of The Year presented by PPCA and Song of the Year for her record breaking hit single “Dance Monkey”.
Sampa The Great took home the Best Independent Hip Hop Album for The Return, Best Independent Dance, Electronica or Club Single went to Dom Dolla for San Frandisco; and Best Independent Dance or Electronica Album or EP was awarded to The Jungle Giants for their work Heavy Hearted 1,2,3,4, AM Remixes.
Best Independent Punk Album went to DZ Deathrays for their album Positive Rising Part 1, Best Independent Blues and Roots Album went to Julia Jacklin for Crushing, Northlane took out the Best Independent Heavy Album for Alien and Best Independent Rock Album went to Angie McMahon for Salt.
Best independent Jazz Album was awarded to Kate Ceberano and Paul Grabowsky for their collaboration of love songs Tryst, whilst Caiti Baker’s Dust (Pt.1) took out the Best Independent Soul/RNB category. Charlie Collins took out the Best Independent Country Album and the Best Independent Classical Album went to the Richard Tognetti and Erin Helyard for Beethoven & Mozart Violin Sonatas with Children’s Album going to Regurgitator’s Pogogo Show for The Really Really Really Boring Album
The highly-coveted award for Best Independent Label sponsored by Moshtix recognised the efforts of ABC Music and the 2020 Outstanding Achievement Award sponsored by Merlin went to Emily Ulman for her incredible work supporting artists during the Covid closure through her work creating the Isol-Aid Instagram festival.
AIR CEO, Maria Amato commented “We congratulate all the nominees and award recipients and are grateful for the ongoing support we have received from the South Australian Government and our supporting partners. We look forward to celebrating the success of the Australian Independent music sector in Adelaide again next year!”
Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said: “Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of the 2020 AIR Awards which celebrate the outstanding and inspiring talent of Australia’s independent artists across multiple genres.”
THE 2020 AWARDS RECIPIENTS ARE…
BEST INDEPENDENT LABEL
ABC MUSIC
Thanks to Moshtix; Australia’s industry leading GA ticketing provider specialising in live music and entertainment, and proud supporting partner of the 2020 AIR Awards, the recipient of this year’s Best Independent Label award will receive a digital marketing package valued at $10,000 to help showcase their talent to the music public
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD SPONSORED BY MERLIN
EMILY ULMAN – This award recognises an individual or group who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the Australian Independent Music Community. Thanks to global independent rights agency Merlin, this year’s winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize to be used for business/professional development
INDEPENDENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR
STELLA DONNELLY – BEWARE OF THE DOGS
INDEPENDENT SONG OF THE YEAR
TONES AND I – DANCE MONKEY
BEST INDEPENDENT SOUL/RNB ALBUM OR EP
CAITI BAKER – DUST (PT. 1)
BEST INDEPENDENT COUNTRY ALBUM OR EP
CHARLIE COLLINS – SNOWPINE
BEST INDEPENDENT BLUES AND ROOTS
ALBUM OR EP
JULIA JACKLIN – CRUSHING
BEST INDEPENDENT POP ALBUM OR EP
STELLA DONNELLY – BEWARE OF THE DOGS
BEST INDEPENDENT ROCK ALBUM OR EP
ANGIE MCMAHON – SALT
BEST INDEPENDENT CLASSICAL ALBUM OR EP
RICHARD TOGNETTI & ERIN HELYARD – BEETHOVEN & MOZART VIOLIN SONATAS
BREAKTHROUGH INDEPENDENT ARTIST OF THE YEAR – PRESENTED BY PPCA
TONES AND I
BEST INDEPENDENT HIP HOP ALBUM OR EP
SAMPA THE GREAT – THE RETURN
BEST INDEPENDENT DANCE OR ELECTRONICA ALBUM OR EP
THE JUNGLE GIANTS – HEAVY HEARTED 1,2,3,4 AM REMIXES
BEST INDEPENDENT DANCE, ELECTRONICA
OR CLUB SINGLE
DOM DOLLA – SAN FRANDISCO
BEST INDEPENDENT JAZZ ALBUM OR EP
KATE CEBERANO AND PAUL GRABOWSKY – TRYST
BEST INDEPENDENT PUNK ALBUM OR EP
DZ DEATHRAYS – POSITIVE RISING: PART 1
BEST INDEPENDENT HEAVY ALBUM OR EP
NORTHLANE – ALIEN
BEST INDEPENDENT CHILDREN’S ALBUM
OR EP
REGURGITATOR’S POGOGO SHOW – THE REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY BORING ALBUM
air.org.au | twitter.com/
Lloyd Keary’s latest three-track EP is a creatively put together record, showing himself as a stand out, up and comer within Scotland’s dance music scene. This is Keary’s second record on the Jackie Knows Karate label after his successful first EP ‘For You’ teaming with labelmate Kleur. It’s the seventh record to come from the label which has begun to bring more exposure to the abundance of talent within Scotland’s biggest city. Tribal Drum grooves and big basslines, Be Free is perfect for peak time sets.
The title track Be Free kicks off the record and uses hypnotic vocals and a dark groove which rolls through arpeggiated synths, building momentum into the final fifth-minute drop causing chaos on the dancefloor. HWG is a new take on thumping tech house grooves with a much fatter bass which is accentuated by colourful percussion which wouldn’t feel out of place in the busiest dancefloors. The perfect closer, Somethin New is pure raw house at it’s finest with powerful and piercing chord stabs blending with a signature Keary bassline the track goes all out as the EP closes.
Label Manager Kyle Hawkins said: ‘’There is so much talent within Scotland that people are unaware of, Glasgow has been producing some of the finest DJs and Producers in the world, the likes of Denis Sulta, Big Miz and Hudson Mohawke. Keary is one of these underground artists who focusing so hard on his craft and has fully developed his own style and sound. We signed Keary’s EP shortly after we signed his collab with Kleur because we knew how perfect it was for the label.’’
‘’At the moment, people need music, we can’t go out and dance together quite yet and it’ll be awhile before we do. Local DJs are suffering however this is the time to step up your production which Keary has and i am proud to have him return to the label’’
Residing on the outskirts of Glasgow, Keary is becoming a regular feature within the city’s dance music scene. Since landing within the scene in 2018 Keary has been involved in some of the freshest brands including Fly Club as well as playing regularly in some of Scotland’s most prominent clubs such as SWG3 and Sub Club. Keary is sure to build on his reputation and perfecting his craft with plenty of hours in the stud Keary is one to watch.
Keary is a perfect selection for the label which works with the philosophy ‘No BS, Just Pure Music’ it’s no surprise that they have garnered support both domestically and internationally from the likes of ‘Hammer’, Sub Club’s own ‘Harri’ and ‘Patrick Topping’
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Punk legends, The Distillers are thrilled to announce the 20th anniversary reissue of their self-titled debut album. The newly remastered record will be released October 30 digitally and on vinyl.
“This record is kind of the equivalent of someone reading my teenage diary, except worse,” explains vocalist and guitarist Brody Dalle. “Figuring out who I was as a songwriter, but with everyone watching and listening! All of my contemporary (at the time) influences for everyone to hear. The write up in the ‘Village Voice’ changed my life and I am forever grateful for it. If I hadn’t read such a scathing, hilarious and on point review (even though it stung really bad) I wouldn’t be the lyric writer I am today. Kim’s BADASS bass playing is still a highlight for me, and thanks to Matt Young as well for his enthusiasm and cool fast AF skin beats. The feedback at the end of blackest years I did by total accident…. I love this record so much, warts and all.”
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