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Music News

Angus Legg’s 5 Spaceship Albums

by the partae December 11, 2023

written by the partae

In celebration of his stunning new track ‘Spaceship’, we had Angus pick out 5 albums he’d want with him if he were stuck out in space on his own spaceship, if these 5 were the only music he had to listen to.

Ryan Beatty – Calico

https://open.spotify.com/album/5OWpskyoZl9UMkHQwgA05O?si=1hqVlwnYRPOuJv3PCi0sBA

I’ve only recently discovered this album, mostly I love how it makes me feel, especially when I want to sit in a sad feeling. I don’t necessarily know what the lyrics mean, however I don’t really care, I kind of like that I don’t know what they mean, I can make up my own meaning. The sonic realm Ryan creates is very special and cohesive, a great album to listen from start to finish.

Medium Build – Health (EP)

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3C6wmSgnZuqxVQyBWujBsn?si=C71N0aCuTpSz4j3tDCWQIg

This EP has some of the most beautiful songs including ‘Gimme Back My Soul’ which is one of my favourite songs of all time. Going through a breakup from a relationship in which I felt my soul wasn’t embraced, this is exactly how it feels, reclaiming my soul, rediscovering myself, and I’m grateful for the part ‘Medium Build’s’ music has played in that process.

JP Saxe – Dangerous Levels of Introspection

https://open.spotify.com/album/538BxdI7oOQykSkEtyjhUD?si=wKmTSvjlRzW92AVOBJJh2A

Nobody can tell a story with greater precision than JP Saxe (in my humble opinion). There are so many tracks on this album that depict heartbreak the exact way I’ve been feeling it. A lot of what I do as an artist is influenced by JP Saxe, and I think this is his best body of work, amazing listen.

Alex Legg – The Best Laid Plans of Chocolate Mice

https://open.spotify.com/album/2vfqfnmeytNFaGPzfbhDWn?si=KaDbflzCR4q_Nv4INfa0jQ

This is an album my father released before he passed, it’s on Spotify still and has a couple of tracks on it dedicated to me. ‘May All Your Friends Be Artists’ & ‘The Best Laid Plans of Chocolate Mice’ are two I listen to when I feel like I want to cry. Further, Alex is one of my biggest influences as a songwriter, firstly, genetically, and his storytelling was fascinating. This one I don’t delve into as much these days, but it’s incredibly special that I have an insight to my father’s mind beyond his death.

Martin Luke Brown – Damn, Look At That View

https://open.spotify.com/album/28jKFEY7mlMSnRS9i6Ryu8?si=mXgAueS8Tjae6YrLesvDOg

I love this album, firstly for its songwriting, but mainly for its production. Sonically it sits in such a unique realm even though it is essentially a singer-songwriter/acoustic album, it doesn’t sound like there’s much creating the atmosphere however it feels BIG. His use of the rubber bridge guitar sonic is also incredibly interesting and something I’m attempting to put my own spin on for upcoming records.

Angus Legg: triple j Unearthed | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

December 11, 2023 0 comments

Music News

Super-producer Sevenn Returns with New Deep and Meaningful Tech Single “End of the Beginning.” Out Now on Future House Music

by the partae December 9, 2023

written by the partae

Artist: Sevenn
Title: End Of The Beginning
Label: Future House Music

Download / Stream

California-based artist Sevenn makes his debut on Future House Music with his new dose of underground sounds “End Of The Beginning,” a dark and melodic techno gem with poignant meaning. Opening with glimmering melodies, Sevenn layers in a driving, undulating bassline and umbrous synths to give both an ethereal and dark feeling to the track. The otherworldly vocals in “End Of The Beginning” add to the sonic tone, at times looped to represent the life-death-life circle that Sevenn was so inspired by when creating the track. By the time you finish listening, you’ll be wondering if the beginning is the end or if the end is the beginning. It follows his recent collaborations with Silver Panda, ASHER SWISSA, Goom Gum, Laidback Luke, and more. Read on for more behind Sevenn‘s inspiration for this progressive techno masterpiece.

“The ‘End Of The Beginning‘ I wrote while at my mom’s house on the central coast of California, I had set my laptop and studio outside to watch the moonrise. I had been dealing with the thought of death and life, and the cycle, the ouroboros, and the song stemmed from there. It’s about the intensity of the never-ending cycle, the dragon eating its own tail, and out of death comes life. Something about that moonrise in the cold left a mark.” – Sevenn

American artist/producer Kevin Brauer exploded on the international electronic music scene under the artist name Sevenn. His first release, “Colors of the Rainbow,” was an instant hit with millions of plays. It was followed by his hit “BYOB,” a remix of System of a Down‘s track, which gained over 60M plays virtually overnight, leading to an influx of bookings and tours all around the world for club and festival performances. Shortly after, the massive collaboration with Tïësto entitled “BOOM” debuted on Ultra Music Festival‘s Miami mainstage with the Dutch legend himself. The “BOOM” remix with Gucci Mane hit #14 on Billboard‘s Hot Dance/Electronic charts, amassing 800M streams and counting. Recent releases include an official remix of Pink Floyd‘s “The Wall,” as well as “Pum Pum” with Showtek, “Chupa” with Blasterjaxx, and “Angles” with Jonas Blue, each of which rack up millions of plays each week, aside from serial solo hits released with Selected, Armada, and Spinnin’ Records. In 2021, Sevenn debuted a new signature style he calls Hybrid Techno through a 4-track EP, which immediately hit the Top 100 Apple Music charts, releasing many more in this style in 2022. Sevenn makes regular appearances at some of the world’s most celebrated festivals, such as Tomorrowland Belgium, Lollapalooza, and Creamfields, and was the only artist invited to open for Guns n’ Roses during their South America 2022 tour. Now in 2023, with support from the giants “Tale Of Us” on his new track “Deep Space,” Sevenn is set to reach the highest levels of global success as an artist and producer.

More info on Sevenn / Future House Music:

December 9, 2023 0 comments

Goodbye August Interview

by the partae December 8, 2023

written by the partae

What is the inspiration behind the title of your debut EP “You Couldn’t Even Wait”?

We really just wanted to use a song from the EP as the title. We ended up choosing “You Couldn’t Even Wait” as it is the conclusion to the EP. We felt this title represented the feelings we all felt after listening to the EP in full.

The EP explores different perspectives on grief and loss. Could you elaborate on the process of translating these emotions into music and how it influenced the overall sound of the EP?

The demos, which were just instrumentation, were quite dark in tone and we wanted to continue this theme. After writing lyrics and vocal melodies, the songs started to take shape and become the embodiment of the emotions that we wanted to portray.

We believe each song is individual in its category of emotion whilst still greatly revolving around the feelings of grief and loss.

Mitchell mentioned that the EP reflects on a tragic accident. How did the band navigate the delicate balance between conveying the emotional weight of the subject matter and creating an engaging musical experience for listeners?

When writing for this concept, we felt it best we keep our distance from those involved for a few different reasons. The first being anonymity to the families affected by the topic matter.

The second reason was that distance enables anyone to fill the shoes or stand in the face of being affected by tragedy. We did not use any names of people, places or genders to help support both the prior mentioned points.

“You Couldn’t Even Wait” was recorded at The Brain Studios in Sydney. How did the choice of this studio contribute to capturing the specific sound and atmosphere you were aiming for in the EP?

Everyone in Goodbye, August is a huge fan of the catalogue of bands that The Brain Studios has worked on! Most notably for us however, was the EP “Slowly Dying With You” by Whatever, Forever. We all agreed that we had to go where that record was produced as it had the sound we wished for our EP to take influence from. We collectively felt that The Brain Studios would suit the best for us and we’re so thankful with not only the team as people, but the work they produced for us. Endless gratitude.

Each song on the EP seems to represent a different aspect of the grieving process. Can you walk us through the songwriting and composition process for one of the tracks, highlighting how you approached conveying specific emotions?

When creating the concept for the EP, rather than tell a story of an event, we wanted to tell a story of perspectives. We chose each song to be a different person’s perspective of the accident as a whole. Let’s use “I Let The Sorrow Fill Me” for this example. Emotionally this song was written in the form of ‘shock’ to a person. We have an upbeat chorus as in a timeline of events, the accident in question isn’t known yet. But in each verse the perspective of the song changes upon realisation of what a person is facing after witnessing the accident. Thus leading to the pre-chorus where the perspective changes to someone knowing that they are unable to help the person(s) infront of them. The bridge of the song is written to let all the emotion in upon moving on from the ‘shock’ factor. This helped us with lyrical writing and using the bridge as an ‘acceptance’ of the situation, we used the line “I Let The Sorrow Fill Me” to portray that feeling.

Mitchell and Sean originally started Goodbye, August as a duo. How has the band dynamic evolved since the addition of vocalist Andrew Taylor and bassist Josh Lund, and how has it influenced the musical direction of the band?

The evolution has been fantastic! Andrew and Josh are both great people and share the ambitions that Sean and myself (Mitchell) have set out to accomplish. The direction that Andrew and Josh gave the band helped affirm what Sean and I initially wanted to do and they helped build our ideas into something greater. Without them, “You Couldn’t Even Wait” would be a completely different record and non distinguishable to what it is now.

The band aims to fill the void between Emo Rock, Pop-Punk, and Post Hardcore. How do you navigate blending these genres to create a unique sound, and are there specific bands or influences that played a significant role in shaping your musical style?

Using the Brain Studios was key to helping us blend these genres. The guitar and bass tones help us set the stage for the genre of music we wish to portray. The drums are another example of not tonally sitting in one genre more than another. We do not wish to be a strictly ‘X’ genre band and The Brain Studios helped us sit in all genres without clear definition.
Regarding bands that played a significant role in shaping our sound and songs, Whatever, Forever, Basement and Endless Heights are major influences to us.

“Letterbox Pills” and “Where You’d Go Without Calling” were the two previous singles released before the EP. How do these singles fit into the larger narrative of “You Couldn’t Even Wait, ” and why did you choose them as precursors to the full EP?

We chose these two songs as singles because we felt that they captured the genre and sound bending we have throughout the EP. ‘Letterbox Pills’ being very broody and chord based with lots of ambience and ‘Where’d You Go Without Calling’ being very open in sound and utalising more vocal range.

Mitchell mentioned writing the EP in the first half of 2022. How did the events and emotions of that time influence the creative process, and were there any challenges faced during the writing phase?

There were definitely a lot of emotions and challenges faced with initially writing this EP. A band Sean and I were in had just broken up along with another band falling through. Not long after these two events I was in the Lismore floods and lost my house and job along with my possessions. I ended up writing the first iterations of the EP on my dads old work laptop from around 2012 with a pair of earphones and a cheap guitar that wasn’t too water damaged. It was a different experience as the gear I had was limited but it was also the perfect time to write music after going through previous band breakups and a natural disaster. It helped portray the emotion that eventually became “You Couldn’t Even Wait”.

The EP delves into personal experiences of grief and the aftermath of a tragedy. How do you hope listeners will connect with and interpret the stories shared in your music?

We hope that everyone can find comfort in knowing the challenges they face after a tragedy aren’t inclusive to themselves and we hope that our music can be some form of comfort for the grieving process and reflection.

Can you share any memorable moments or challenges encountered during the recording process at The Brain Studios, and how did the studio team contribute to shaping the final sound of the EP?

We had a bunch of memorable moments hanging out with Clay and Angie from The Brain Studios. I think some favourites would be seeing who could pet Squee the cat without getting scratched which I think Sean succeeded and Josh failed at! The team along with studio hand Declan from Sydney emo hardcore band Brooklyn Comic made our experience the best it could have been and we can’t wait to finish writing new songs so we can go back and see who has the worst jokes over lunch. Josh’s redemption arc for petting Squee will still probably end in defeat though!

Looking ahead, what’s next for Goodbye, August? Do you have any future plans for live performances, new music, or other projects on the horizon?

For 2024, we wish to play a bunch of shows and get some attention from radios, national and if we’re lucky enough, international acts. We’ve started writing for EP 2 but I think that will happen later down the line as we are all super stoked on “You Couldn’t Even Wait” and wish to tour it throughout the year. Our next show is January 27th at Greaser Bar in Brisbane which should be announced shortly!

Thank you and we hope you enjoy our debut EP, “You Couldn’t Even Wait”.

December 8, 2023 0 comments

Music Interviews Music News

Portia Clark Interview

by the partae December 8, 2023

written by the partae

Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your latest single, ‘Look What You’ve Done,’ and how the collaboration with Audius Mtawarira came about for this emotionally charged track?

I wanted to share a conscious message. I have songs about all things but in this song, wanted to speak to everyone. We should all take responsibility for our own contribution to humanity. Audius is a great writer and producer and he helped me deliver this message in song. We are both from Southern Africa and we connected instantly creatively and personally. He’s my brother.

The lyrics of ‘Look What You’ve Done’ delve into your personal journey, from facing hardships to finding love and success. How challenging was it to channel such complex emotions into your music, and what message do you hope listeners take away from the song?

Sharing my experience is like therapy for me. Talking about my hardship has been the journey to my success. Now I live my life reaching for more love and more joy. It wasn’t easy channeling complex emotions but I love knowing that my story empowers young girls who may be going through the same experiences as I did.

In the song, you pose thought-provoking questions like “Where is the joy in the life I’ve been fighting for?” and “Would God really want all this despair behind every door?” Can you share more about the significance of these questions and the themes you explore in the lyrics?

It only makes sense that we ask difficult questions in order to find real answers. We all seek happiness so it’s important to check in on whether our daily walk is moving us in the right direction or not.

The production of ‘Look What You’ve Done’ is described as slick, consistently enhancing your exceptional vocals. How do you feel the production contributes to the emotional impact of the song, and what role does it play in conveying the message you want to share?

We worked hard to make sure the song had all the elements that sound good but also to deliver the message. There was a lot of refining and I believe we achieved a well produced track. I love bass in my songs and all the elements of country music so it wasn’t an easy job. Audius worked his magic.

There’s a lyrical shift from the first to the third person in the second chorus, where you sing, “Oh look what we’ve done…” Can you explain the significance of this shift and how it reflects your personal journey and the support you’ve found?

I didn’t want the song to point any fingers. The line ‘look what you’ve done’ is not meant to blame or accuse. I changed the ‘you’ to ‘we’ because we all contribute to this world in one way or another.

Your life story involves overcoming adversity, including being born into poverty and surviving domestic violence. How has your unwavering faith played a role in transforming your life, and how do you hope it inspires others facing challenges?

I hope my story brings awareness to the plight of the girl born in poverty. The difficulty I faced made me strong but not all girls in that situation survive. We all have to shed more light and find ways to help. I hope my story inspires everyone to believe that nothing is impossible.

Moving from Zambia to Australia in 2014, you’ve created the life you dreamed of with your husband and children. How has this change in environment influenced your music and the themes you explore in your upcoming album?

My environment and circumstances may have changed, but I will always be me. My husband, children and inlaws are a great support for me. I will wear my scars and cherish every moment. I will tell my story through my songs and I will keep fighting for love.

Your goal is to uplift people through your music, especially those who may be feeling down. How do you navigate the balance between sharing your personal story and creating music that resonates universally with diverse audiences?

I will just keep doing me, using my God given talent to sing great songs. I will sing about all things that inspire me so that I can inspire others. Music is a language of its own and I love being able to inspire with my voice. I’d be happy to change only one persons life for the better.

You mention wanting your presence on stage to connect with people and make them feel better about themselves. How do you prepare for live performances, and what do you hope the audience takes away from the experience?

I love how music connects from the stage to the audience. When I perform I try to connect with everyone who is listening. I want them to feel the joy, love or pain. To share the experience, and to be on a creative journey with me. I never just sing, I connect.

As you co-wrote ‘Look What You’ve Done’ with Audius Mtawarira, can you share more about the collaborative process and do you have plans for other collaborations and if so, who with?

I’ve found a great working relationship with Audius and I look forward to making more music with him. We work well together because his process is patient and he takes the time to understand what I want to express although music is beauty and with me everything happens spontaneously like my collaboration with Darius Rucker.

Your upcoming album is scheduled for release in 2024. Can you provide any insights into what themes or experiences will be explored in the album, and how it builds upon the narrative established in ‘Look What You’ve Done’?

The album explores many subjects of interest to me. It is also an album of meticulously chosen songs that I knew I could sing well. I can’t wait for everyone to hear what we have been working on.

December 8, 2023 0 comments

Music News

Sydney’s DONNA AMINI releases second studio album OTHER PEOPLE

by the partae December 8, 2023

written by the partae

Photo Credit: Shahane Bekarian

Sydney’s Donna Amini has just released her phenomenal second studio album, Other People.

The release of Other People demonstrates a beautiful evolution of Amini’s style as a songwriter. As she charts course for the embrace of a new creative era, this is the type of album to reposition her clear and proven songwriting skills in front of audiences new and long-standing alike.

An album about behaviour and the human condition, Other People outlines a unique set of observations and perspectives. Amini is wonderfully experimental with her lyricism, exhibiting an incredible ability to take her audience from light to dark in a heartbeat, and then back again. At times, her writing is detailed and vivid in nature; at others, it is playful, minimal, and almost childlike, diverting more attention towards the instrumental aspect of the song. In both spaces, though, she never fails to capture something poetically visceral, in a way that is sure to linger in any listener’s mind.

“The title ‘Other People’ relates to the false idea that we are somehow separate from others. And how questioning other peoples’ behaviour, is really holding up a mirror to our own. The entire album is an abstract presentation of how we look at the world through the lens of our own personal culture and traumas. But as a body of work, I’d say it’s a collection of songs that are cutting, full and direct.” DONNA AMINI

Featuring previously released tracks like ‘Suburban Surf’ and ‘Big Machine’, the two songs Amini developed and released prior to 2020, Other People represents a sonic and artistic peak for the Sydney songwriter and performer. The album’s lead single ‘Pilots’, released earlier this month, was dropped alongside a visually stunning music video directed by Shahane Bekarian and filmed in Sydney, at Good Loco in Marrickville.

“Shahane Bekarian directed a music video for a friend’s band, which I really liked. So I contacted him, and we got to work with a concept. Mostly it was going to be me dancing. Very choppy editing and black on white contrast between costume and background. He did a great job, and it suits the song.“ DONNA AMINI

The process of creating Other People involved collaborating with a variety of talented individuals, each of whom undoubtedly brought their own spark and expertise to the end result of Amini’s sophomore album. Other People was engineered and recorded by Amini and Nathan Sheehy; the bulk of the record was mixed by Tobias Priddle, with additional mixing by Sheehy (‘Suburban Surf’, ‘She Said’ and ‘Pilots’) and Wade Keighran (‘Big Machine’).

Album Artwork by Waldemar Kolbusz

The sonic nature of the record finds a stunning balance between hard-hitting percussion, enchanting raspy vocals, and Amini’s signature 90s-alt-rock style guitar fuzz. Along with Amini’s own skilful musicianship, the album features instrumentation from Nick Collerson (drums), Jon Zion (bass), Tobias Priddle (bass – ‘Love Me’, ‘Ghost’), Scott Leishman (bass, ‘Hell’) and Wade Keighran (bass, ‘Big Machine’). Also featured on the track ‘Bowie’, is instrumentalist Glenn Sarangapany (Birds of Tokyo).

“The process was a long one. I first recorded the album live with a full band in 2017, but didn’t feel that the result was close to what I had envisaged the work to sound like. So I started again, recording all the guitar and drum parts at home and replacing them later at a studio.

“After that it was a matter of filling the songs out with synths, effects, solos and bass parts. And of course the vocals all had to be recorded in a clean studio environment. The process of recording this album was similar to my first album. The songs were built up and moulded over time. It took a long while, but I didn’t stop working on them till they sounded exactly how I imagined them to. “ DONNA AMINI

PRAISE FOR DONNA AMINI

“Fierce and fiery, this one feels like it’s made for a movie.”

Sara Glaidous, triple j Unearthed

“I feel like it’s the kind of song where you might be out at a bar and you hear this voice in the corner singing. And suddenly whoever you’re with, it just goes silent, you just tune your ears straight to that corner. It’s really moody and cool… I heard it the other day on triple j Unearthed radio and it just caught me hook line and sinker.”

Declan Byrne, triple j

“Tune and a half. It bristles with an energy akin to many moody ‘90s alt rock heroes.”

Dave Ruby Howe, triple j Unearthed

“There’s this smouldering rumble that rests just beneath. This is very compelling – you’re bound to stick around.”

Claire Mooney, triple j

OTHER PEOPLE is released THURSDAY 30 NOVEMBER

PLAY/LISTEN

Donna Amini: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | triple j Unearthed

December 8, 2023 0 comments

Festival News Music News

MAMA CHENS’ SHOW 8.12.23 8:00pm – FREE ENTRY Limited Release – Electronic bleak pop via the city loop

by the partae December 5, 2023

written by the partae

Interiors – Under the shadows of kunanyi, jangle/dream-pop trio, INTERIORS, weave lush and intricate melodies in a reverberant sea. With all members contributing voices and with a sizzling twelve-string guitar at their disposal, they’ve taken inspiration from acts such as The Triffids, Cocteau Twins, Rowland S Howard and The Go-Betweens to create expansive songs of transience.

Not a supergroup, but featuring members of nipaluna-born bands Heart Beach, Quivers, All Fires the Fire and Enola Fall. INTERIORS are Adam-Carl D’Andrea (drums/vocals), Chris Wessing (guitar/vocals) and Percy Church (bass/vocals).

Pretty In Pink – Little Lunch Records is excited to announced the sophomore album ‘Pillows‘ from Naarm/Melbourne-based three-piece Pretty in Pink, on September 1st. Their new single ‘Pressure Socks’, released Friday June 9th, encapsulates the thoughtful post punk minimalism of their shimmering second album.

Pretty in Pink (PIP) is Claire McCarthy (guitar/vocals), Lauren Mason (guitar) and Elliot Taylor (bass/drums). PIP ponders the day to day, considering the physical and emotional space the past takes up and how ‘where’ we live so closely shapes our lives. PIP is both on point and different – soft and painful, hard and sweet.

OLD BAR

Sudden Debt

Interiors

4pm, arvo show

December 5, 2023 0 comments

Music News

Portia Clark releases emotive new single ‘Look What You’ve Done’

by the partae December 4, 2023

written by the partae

Much like the artist herself, Portia Clark’s latest single ‘Look What You’ve Done’ is powerful, inspiring, and uplifting.

Portia co-wrote her brand new single – the first taste of her upcoming album, scheduled for release in 2024 – with Audius Mtawarira (Flo Rida, Delta Goodrem, Jessica Mauboy), a multiple ARIA and APRA award-winning African-born, Sydney-based hitmaker.

Listen here: Look What You’ve Done

Throughout ‘Look What You’ve Done’, gentle guitar picking, suspended strings and a softly swaying beat cradle Portia’s sublime, soul-stirring vocal performance. “Were you really born here to suffer?” she ponders, channelling her own hardships in order to portray complex emotions through song.

Born into poverty in Lusaka, Zambia and ostracised from her church following a teenage pregnancy, Portia also survived domestic violence before finding true love and relocating to Perth, Australia in 2014. Here, Portia has created the kind of life she always dreamed of, together with her loving husband Brendan and their three children.

Slick production consistently serves to enhance Portia’s exceptional vocals, which retain their rightful place under the spotlight for the duration of ‘Look What You’ve Done’. She also poses a string of important questions during her deeply personal latest single: “Where is the joy in the life I’ve been fighting for?…“Would God really want all this despair behind every door?

Portia is living proof that unwavering faith can transform lives. “Singing’s my life. Portia reflects of the gift that gave her hope and ultimately saved her. By consistently pushing through adversity with courage and persistence, she noticed her dreams started to closely resemble reality.

There’s a significant lyrical shift from first to third person in the second chorus of ‘Look What You’ve Done’ – “Oh look what we’ve done…” – as Portia finally feels supported, no longer needing to shoulder life’s burdens alone. Listeners would then be wise to brace themselves for her awe-inspiring, climactic power note – Portia’s idol Whitney Houston springs to mind – during the song’s soaring bridge: “It’s time to look inside, it’s in all of you/ Unconditional love inside your heart.”

Through bravely sharing her story and her incredible singing voice, Portia hopes to “uplift people that feel down”: “When I sing my music, I want to be able to encourage people that are hurt. I want my presence – when I stand on stage, singing – to connect with people. I want them to feel better about themselves by the time I’m done singing, because I know how it feels to be hurt and have nobody to talk to. People have different ways of healing and finding encouragement. Just reading my story could save someone’s life.”

‘Look What You’ve Done is out now on all streaming platforms.

December 4, 2023 0 comments

Music News

Diamond-certified Artist LUM!X Releases Nostalgic, Emotive Dance Heater “Fireflies” Featuring Jordan Rys. Out Now on Spinnin’ Records

by the partae December 4, 2023

written by the partae

Artist: LUM!X, Jordan Rys
Title: Fireflies
Label: Spinnin’ Records

Download / Stream

Austrian–Italian wunderkind LUM!X returns to Spinnin’ Records with his remake of the 2009 Owl City hit “Fireflies” (which topped the Billboard Hot 100 back in 2009 and just has been certified Diamond for 10M sales in the US), for which he teamed up with singer/songwriter Jordan Rys to put a fresh dance spin on the known track. Listeners will easily recognize Rys‘s take on the much-loved, emotive vocals, while LUM!X first incorporates sparkling melodies and then fuses them with a drum & bass inspired drop completed with mixed and chopped lyrics and a dance floor-ready beat. “Fireflies” has both the singalong chorus and hard-hitting bass of a club and festival heater, and it’s already a fan favorite in LUM!X‘s sets. Read on for more behind this nostalgic-meets-modern gem from the producer himself:

“From the moment I was a kid, this tune has held a sacred spot in my soul. It’s easily one of my all-time favorites, a cherished gem that’s been a mainstay in my sets for quite some time now. When we got in touch with Owl City and received his stamp of approval for my rendition, I teamed up with the exceptionally talented singer-songwriter, Jordan Rys, to breathe new life into the vocals. The end result not only lures you in with its unforgettable sing-along chorus but also electrifies every dancefloor with an earth-shattering drop that’s pure dynamite.” – LUM!X

LUM!X

At just 21 years old, Austrian–Italian musician LUM!X, real name Luca Michlmayr, is quickly becoming one of the hottest names in the global electronic music scene. To date, LUM!X‘s songs have been streamed well over 2 billion times, leading him to over 30 diamond, platinum and gold certifications. With a signature style that’s as smooth as it is hard and refreshing as it is versatile, LUM!X represents the next step in the evolution of the modern DJ, bringing with him a sound that’s not only primed for the radio and the club, but geared for the viral airwaves as well. He has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry already, including Gabry Ponte, DVBBS, KSHMR, and remixed the likes of Robin Schulz, Afrojack, Steve Aoki, Alan Walker, and R3HAB to name only a few. In 2022, he became one of the first DJs to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest, representing Austria in the competition. In 2023, he also won two prizes at the Amadeus Awards of Austria for Song Of The Year and Best Dance Act with his song “Halo,” featuring Pia Maria.

Jordan Rys

With over 120M streams in the last 12 months on Spotify alone and 1,6M followers on TikTok, Jordan Rys has become a sought-after vocalist and songwriter in the electronic music scene. Jordan has received persistent editorial support from Spotify and was featured as the cover act on their Main Stage playlist in April 2022 (over 1,5M followers). The talented singer/songwriter has the ability to transcend various genres such as dance, R&B, hip-hop, and pop while also being capable of singing in 3 different languages: Chinese, Spanish, and English. Next to his success on streaming platforms, Jordan Rys has also gathered a loyal following on social media, which has brought him social media partnerships with brands such as Uber, Cheetos, Panasonic, etc. With continuous successful releases, Jordan Rys is on his way to becoming the next dance/pop phenomenon.

More info on LUM!X / Jordan Rys / Spinnin’ Records:

December 4, 2023 0 comments

Festival News Music News

Good Things Festival – Melbourne, December 1, 2023

by the partae December 4, 2023

written by the partae

Photography: Rebecca Houlden

The traveling metal/punk/rock/alternative music festival, Good Things, took control of Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse (Naarm) on December 1, 2023, uniting tens of thousands for a myriad of unforgettable experiences.

Featuring headline performances by 2000s pop-punk icons Fall Out Boy, the Melbourne event showcased talents from prominent acts including Limp Bizkit, Devo, Bullet For My Valentine, Corey Taylor, Make Them Suffer, Hanabie, Taking Back Sunday, PVRIS, and more.

It was evident that many attendees were eagerly anticipating the performance by Limp Bizkit, with the day’s energy seemingly building up in anticipation of their set. Images and videos on Instagram, with captions like “It’s just one of those days” and “ticked Limp Bizkit off the bucket list,” suggest fans are in for a real treat when Good Things reaches Sydney and Brisbane.

For fans who had patiently awaited Fall Out Boy’s performance for five years (or longer for first-timers), the band delivered without disappointment, presenting a setlist focused on older songs that animated the massive crowd.

December 4, 2023 0 comments

Festival News Music News

Post Malone – Melbourne Showgrounds, November 30, 2023

by the partae December 3, 2023

written by the partae

Photography: Nate Hill

December 3, 2023 0 comments

Music News

Nicky Romero’s 1st-ever “Nightvision” Solo Show Takes Place on December 2nd at Amsterdam’s AFAS Live and Is Accompanied by Themed 6-track Namesake EP

by the partae December 3, 2023

written by the partae

Artist: Nicky Romero
Title: Nightvision EP
Label: Protocol Recordings

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Nicky Romero is in the final stretch of preparations for a monumental moment in his already illustrious career – his first ever solo show, “Nightvision,” on December 2nd, and in classic fashion, he’s pulling out all the stops. Taking place at the 6,000-capacity Amsterdam venue AFAS Live (formerly known as Heineken Music Hall), Nicky will be taking attendees on a true sonic journey, spanning from his early anthems to his recent hits. “Nightvision” will also feature sounds from some of his best sets from across the globe over the span of recent years, like Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Peru, Korea, Japan, Brazil, Taiwan, Tomorrowland, EDC Mexico, or Amsterdam Music Festival, to name only a few. Of course, Nicky will also be bringing out some very special guests throughout the night, and with so many all-star collaborations under his belt, we can only imagine who they might be! To add a final dash of excitement preceding the show, Romero is releasing a six-track EP on December 1st that delivers a heavy dose of club-oriented, melodic progressive gems that he’s become so well known for. Find tickets and more information for “Nightvision” here.

“The ‘Nightvision‘ EP is all about developing myself as an artist. One of the most important musical ingredients from my career is the melodies; they help me create an emotion and tell a story. They created the identity that I have right now as Nicky Romero. I tried to bring these elements from earlier in my career together in a new way in 2023, and I think ‘Nightvision‘ really converts that into the best possible way I could do it. With the Nightvision event on December 2nd, we are trying to do something super unique with the visuals. We’ll have live performances with guests, and I’ll be playing live instruments myself. We wanted to create a real, industrial, mysterious kind of event that is all about the nightlife. The musical elements of the ‘Nightvision‘ EP really bring that together very smoothly. I’m super proud of the EP and really looking forward to the event.” – Nicky Romero

After taking the world by storm with early hits such as “Legacy” with Krewella, “Like Home” with NERVO 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, Steve Aoki, Jonas Blue and Hardwell to remixes for the likes of Bebe Rexha, Robin Schulz, Kygo, Rita Ora, Steve Aoki, Martin Garrix, Jess Glynne, Calvin Harris, RAYE, 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 and continues to push boundaries with each show concept and new release, forever instilling himself as a dance music icon.

More info on Nicky Romero / Protocol Recordings:

December 3, 2023 0 comments

Music News

THIS SPACE IS OURS return with dynamic pop-punk balled ALL THE THINGS I’VE BEEN AVOIDING

by the partae November 30, 2023

written by the partae

Photo: ActFour

Naarm/Melbourne quintet This Space Is Ours have gone down a softer, more emotionally driven path on their new single ‘All The Things I’ve Been Avoiding’, out today.

The track, which is the bands 3rd single to be released in 2023, spends 1 and a half minutes focussing almost solely on vocalist Gemma Dunsmore’s delicate, emotive vocals. Reverb-soaked guitars perfectly balance the track’s sonic palette initially, slowly building tension before exploding with the band’s trademark punchy sound around the halfway mark. Testing the waters with these dynamic changes shows the band are maturing into one of the most exciting alternative bands in the current scene. This maturity is further reflected in the lyrical content, as they conceptually discuss overcoming mental boundaries and themes of self discovery.

“The lyrics are written about mental health struggles and the grueling path to getting better; when you’ve come to terms with there being something wrong but only just begun the journey to fix it. Overtime, the personal meaning of this song has transformed for me. When I first wrote it, it was almost an apology, as if to say, “I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I’m trying.” I’ve since been diagnosed with being on the Autism spectrum, and now when I sing it, it feels more like I’m saying something along the lines of, “there is nothing wrong with me, this is who I am and I’m still learning about myself.”
Gemma Dunsmore, This Space Is Ours

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Artwork: Gemma Dunsmore and Sam Pratt

The band have recorded 5 tracks with producer Beau Mckee (Earth Caller, Between You And Me), this being the fourth single to be released of the bunch following ‘My Name’ (2023), ‘Apology’ (2023) and ‘Gone In May’ (2022). Crafting a song with so many layers can be a daunting task, but Mckee gave them the room to breathe as they worked on the track.

“This is one out of five singles we recorded with Beau McKee. We had a lot of fun with him in the studio and he ensured we were all comfortable enough to play around and achieve the exact sound we were looking for.”
Gemma Dunsmore, This Space Is Ours

The track is accompanied by a music video directed by Matt Bird, which perfectly reflects the tracks lyrical themes as the video cuts between vocalist Gemma Dunsmore singing in her bedroom, and making her dream a reality while performing with the rest of TSIO.

The band have made a name for themselves over the past few years, scoring a triple j Unearthed First Play for their single ‘Gone In May’, as well as airtime on triple j’s Short.Fast.Loud program for ‘Apology’. They’ve also managed to land playlisting support from Apple Music, landing in playlists such as New Music Daily, The New Rock, and The Riff for both ‘Gone In May’ and ‘My Name’. On the live circuit the band have been equally as busy, scoring support slots for bands such as Drastic Park, Proposal, We Set Signals, PSTCRDS, Synge and Nora.

This Space Is Ours have shown over recent singles that they are more than ready to take things to the next level; and if ‘All The Things I’ve Been Avoiding’ is any indication of what’s to come, there is certainly a big future ahead.

PRAISE FOR THIS SPACE IS OURS

“This Space is Ours combine passionate vocals with bold instrumentation in refined power. Having shared with stage with bands such as Proposal, We Set Signals and PSTCRDS, they have established themselves as a hungry new act with the skills to match.”
The AU Review

“For the uninitiated, This Space Is Ours are a Melbourne-based pop-punk band making empowering songs packed with singalong hooks, booming drums, and ripping guitars.”
Kill Your Stereo

“Making sense of despondency and defeat, band This Space Is Ours pull all the conflicting emotions together in their perfect pop-punk track, Apology, that disguises pain amongst an electrifying beat.”
Ramona Magazine

“This Space is Ours return with their first single of 2023, “Apology.” Trust me, hit the volume. With big bold drums and a killer guitar riff, this is one of those angsty tracks that sounds best loud.”
Sounds of OZ

“This Space Is Ours burst with power in their latest electrifying pop-punk single, ‘Apology’, firmly staking their position as a burgeoning leader of melodic sing-along-worthy hooks, driving drums and face-melting solos.”
The Point Music News

November 30, 2023 0 comments

Music Interviews Music News

Ibby Akbar

by the partae November 30, 2023

written by the partae

Congratulations on your upcoming Australian national tour, Ibby! What inspired the theme ‘To be honest’ for your new stand-up show, and what can audiences expect from this candid and hilarious journey into your life and musings?

The theme of ‘being honest’ is at the core of what this show is. It summarises what was on my mind when writing the show and allows me to firstly, be honest with personal stories In my life and break down any barrier that exists between myself and the audience. But also, giving my honest outlook on all things relevant to society right now. I will give my spin on everything ranging from relationships to vape smokers. There is something for everyone.

As you kick off the tour in Brisbane on November 29th, what are you most looking forward to in connecting with your Australian audience again, especially after the success of your debut tour in 2022?

Putting aside the fact, that ill be meeting people with equally as much hair as me, I think above all else, im looking forward to having a laugh with like-minded people. People that can enjoy and appreciate the same topics and jokes I find funny. When first going on tour you get an absolute buzz and feed off the audiences’ enjoyment. I cannot wait to really get back into it with everyone.

The title of your show suggests a deep dive into your mind and experiences. Can you share a sneak peek or a teaser about one particular aspect of your life that you’ll be exploring in ‘To be honest’?

One of the things I talk about is my experience with the topic of arranged marriages. what they are, how theyre relevant to me and my life. In particular when I was essentially proposed to from a girl overseas! Trust me you don’t want to miss it.

You’ve mentioned that the show will include your unique spin on current events. How do you approach incorporating current events into your comedy, and what makes your perspective stand out?

When approaching comedy I think the most important thing to remember is the fact that no topic should be ‘out of bounds’. As a comedian, I should be able to look at events, whether previous or present and be able to extract a unique and hilarious take on it. My experiences, my lessons and my life have allowed me to look at life through that lens. So when I look at events that lens lets me see a different and unique perspective which I can then add a little spice to and voila!

Having sold out shows across the country during your debut tour, what lessons did you learn from that experience, and how have you applied them to make this second tour even more exciting for your fans?

With time comes experience, and although this is my second show there is a lot of knowledge you gain when going out there for the first time. I know to be in the moment, I know that the worst thing that can happen is me forgetting what to say (which happened in my first ever show and it made the show better) but I know its not the end of the world. I saw what the crowd loved and im going to make sure to bring more of that for this show.

Your humor often revolves around stories from your ethnic background and poking fun at society. How do you navigate the balance between relatability and pushing boundaries in your comedy?

Like I said earlier, The boundary that is comedy needs to constantly be pushed, not just for the sake of “shock” reactions but to give people a different way of looking at what would usually be a conventional topic. I only talk about things that have happened in my life which make gives me the credit to do so. I know I will never say anything for the sake of ‘shock’ which means ill never push that line too far.

From Brisbane to Sydney, the tour covers various cities. How do you tailor your performance to resonate with audiences from different parts of Australia, each with its unique cultural nuances?

Each city has its own unique way of looking at humour. I am lucky to be able to connect with people that enjoy my comedy across Australia and not just one city. So when they come to me they already know what kind of humour they are in store for. But, its important to keep in mind that each city can resonate and relate to one story more than another. So you need to extend and decrease each one accordingly.

You’ve built a significant following on social media with over 300K followers. How does your online presence influence or inspire the content you create for your live performances, and what role does social media play in engaging with your fans during the tour?

Social media is the backbone and the catalyst for me to be able to take on the stage of stand-up comedy. With social media ill sometimes play an overexaggerated character and take the mickey out of the real outliers of society. But with stand up I can expand and do so much more. Social media videos can only last a minute and stand up can go on for over an hour. Social media has given me that platform however. It has allowed me to reach audiences I never thought possible. Without it, I would not be in the position I am today.

The tour is titled ‘To be honest.’ How much of your personal life and experiences can the audience expect to see, and how do you decide which aspects to share in your stand-up?

As you visit different cities, is there a particular venue or city you are especially excited to perform in, and why?

It’ll be half about my life and some personal stories and half about my spin on society and its funny characters we all know. I go with what feels natural, I never put any limitations on what I can and cant say and allow myself to just brain dump. From it stories become alive, whether they come in the form of personal stories or observations really just depends on that moment of that day.

I’m particularly excited to be playing at Margaret court arena. To be able to put my name alongside such major and key figures in the world of comedy that have also played there is an absolute privelage. And only in my second year!!!

Given your success in 2022 and the growing popularity of your content, how do you stay grounded and authentic in your comedy, ensuring that your unique voice continues to resonate with your audience?

The reality is, this can all be taken away tomorrow. Nothing in my life has changed so drastically that I can no longer resonate with everyone around me. I have come from humble beginnings and will forever remain that way. I enjoy what I do more than anything but I know it does not last forever and I am grateful for everyday I am given an opportunity to make people laugh. So whilst I have this opportunity I ensure I make the most of it.

Finally, for those who are yet to secure their tickets, why should they grab a seat for ‘To be honest,’ and what message do you have for your fans eagerly anticipating your second national tour this summer?

If they don’t grab a ticket they will miss out on ever seeing this show again! I guarantee anyone can enjoy this show from young to old!

For those that are waiting for this show, I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to pursue my dream continuously! I will make sure I have you all in tears the entire night.

@ibby_a (Instagram)

November 30, 2023 0 comments