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Armani White Interview

by the partae November 13, 2023

written by the partae

Your upcoming performance at Cool Room in Melbourne is generating a lot of excitement. Can you give us a sneak peek of what fans can expect from this exclusive performance?

We’re bringing the spirit of Christmas into Australia! We’re gonna treat Australia to how December feels in Philly. We’re going to make sure it’s a cold experience. For me, the easiest thing across all of my performances is the energy. You know we’re gonna bring the energy. It’s gonna be a very, very fun time and going to engage with the audience, make them feel like they’re on stage and as much of a part of the show as I am. It’s gonna be a group gathering celebration like singing songs at a campfire just cold as f#ck.

There have been rumors that you will be performing inside a giant fridge at the BWS Cool Room. Can you confirm if this is true and share the creative concept behind it.

Yes, I can confirm that it’s true. God made December to be cold, so we’re gonna make it a cool room!

You’re set to release new music on November 10th. Can you tell us a bit about the upcoming release, and what inspired the sound and lyrics of this project?

The most important part of BREATHE, is the end of it.

The past couple of months I just been taking a breather and when jumping back into it, I thought this was a cool song to really highlight that moment of just taking a breather. This song is just a fun exhale when there’s a lot going on – a reminder to breathe.

I also suffer from asthma so I was having fun with my entire rhymes, game and flow and delivery. How many words can I cram in 1 one sentence or one bar? And I was just having a lot of fun with doing that. How many flows can I do? How many words can I cram in this bar? How many different styles can I flip all before like every time I just go breathe.

Looking back on your career so far, what has been the biggest highlight of milestone for you.

Going on stage with Billie Eilish for sure. That was a really big situation was like a really cool full circle moment. I feel like the whole world heard that song but it kind of connected all the people to the name and put a face to it. This is the guy who made that song.

You’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with some incredible artists like Denzel Carriac and a whole bunch of others. Are there any more exciting collaborations in the pipeline? And is there an artist you’d love to work with in the future?

I’ve been very strategic about only collaborating with my friends so everybody who I’ve who I’ve made music with thus far is one of my friends. Now the world is kind of privy and has their eyes open to a few of my other friends and now my goal is to turn those friendships just into songs. There’s other songs that I made with my homies, that I didn’t think it was that dope so it didn’t come out. But the ones that I really love are the ones that the world has.

“Billie Eilish” was a smash hit for you. What was it like to meet her in person after experiencing such tremendous success with that track, and did you exchange any creative insights?

It was dope, Billie’s fire! Our conversation was less of do you have any advice for an upcoming artist and was more like when me and Billie spoke for the first time. We’d already spoken about 5 times already. I’ve been running around the world saying her name so we gotta know each other at this point..

As we look ahead to 2024, what can your fans anticipate from you in terms of new music, projects, or tours?

The goal is to now isolate and do one at a time. This entire year I’ve been juggling both like releasing music and being outside on the road and doing shows. The road to Casablanco is finally coming to an end, and we’re finally about to get Casablanco the project. Now we have to create the music that I want and that I love and take that out to the world. Gotta play the music to the world so the world can give it back to me. That’s like that’s always the goal.

Outside of music, what are some of your favorite activities or hobbies that you like to indulge in?

I watch old Anime shows and I play pool and go to the gym a lot, and play a bunch of video games Those are my main things.

Do you have any special plans for your visit to Australia outside of your Cool Room performance? Are there any places or experiences you’re excited to explore while you’re here?

I feel like if I don’t see a kangaroo I won’t have had a good trip – that’s the priority for me.

How do you think the energy and vibe of performing in Australia will compare to other places you’ve toured or performed?

I think the cool thing about always going to like different countries that don’t always get to experience certain artists is a much cooler experience. Australia doesn’t always get international acts. There might be a favorite song that they have and the artist may never get to make it down to Australia. So I think the fans are a little bit more appreciative every time you get down there. It’s going to be one of those sing every word type of moments, and I’m really excited for that!

Your music often carries strong messages and personal narratives. Can you share the significance of these messages and how you aim to connect with your audience through your lyrics?

My goal is always to tell my story and hope somebody can relate to it. Whether it’s me telling directly verbatim my story or finding some sort of metaphor to tell my story or telling my story from a different perspective. I always try and tell the story that someone can relate to or listen to and say you’re not alone, you know. When someone listens to my songs they’re not alone hearing that someone else is going through what I’ve gone through. I want to give them that comfort and reassurance that and a tap on the shoulder to say this too shall pass.

To wrap things up, what’s one thing you’d like your Australian fans to know about you that they might not be aware of yet?

I’m Lactose intolerant, so I hope that all the food doesn’t have cheese because I’m going to be mad. Every time I go to new country, I can’t eat sh!t because everything is cheese or dairy based.

@armaniblanco – Instagram

November 13, 2023 0 comments

Catholic Guilt Interview

by the partae November 13, 2023

written by the partae

Answered by Brenton (vocals)

Congratulations on the release of ‘Can You See Me?’ Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the song and its meaning?

Thank you! It’s always a blast putting new music out into the world, but you’re never sure that anyone is going to hear it, so thank you for listening. The song is written about a period in which I felt completely out of touch with the person that I thought myself to be. That feeling of being a ‘stanger in my own skin’, was brought on by a bunch of intense setbacks across all facets of my life. Writing this song was part of my process of working through those issues and getting to know the new version of ‘me’ that exists on the other side of that healing.

The single ‘Can You See Me?’ has a nostalgic vibe. What influenced the sound and style of this track?

The song showcases our knack for pairing intensely emotive or downbeat lyrics with bright, energetic, upbeat instrumentation and melodies. I’m not sure why our brains work like that but they do. The soundscape on this one was inspired by a lot of our favourite bands from the ‘00s Aussie punk & indie scenes. Acts like After The Fall, Kisschasy, Horsell Common, Trial Kennedy, Jebediah, those vibes. The result is an uplifting backdrop to a tale of lost identity. I like to think of it as ‘feel sad hit of the summer’.

What was the creative process like when working on ‘Can You See Me?’ Did any particular moments or experiences inspire the song?

This one was a journey! It actually started out life as an acoustic Dashboard Confessional styled idea that Dean and I wrote as we were coming out of lockdown. I’d just been to visit one of my favourite childhood places, Barwon Heads and I came up with the melody while I was on a paddleboard on the Barwon River and sent it to Dean and he sent me a demo and so was born the first of a lot of versions of this song that have existed. We wrote a bunch of different arrangements searching for the one that felt just right for the message we were trying to convey. The final version of it didn’t come to us until a few days before we hit the studio to record it. That’s when feel we finally nailed what we’re looking to do.

Could you share some insights into the songwriting and recording process for ‘Can You See Me?’

As I alluded to above the songwriting process was quite a lengthy one. The final version of the chorus was actually written during pre-production with our producers Ash and Evan at The Loud Noise Estate. Once that chorus was locked in, it finally felt ready and the recording proess ended up being one of the most natural feeling sessions we’ve ever had. Everyone worked so well collaboratively in the studio, really locking in and nailing their parts. We’ve been working with TLNE for the entire duration of the band and it feels like they really speak our musical language and understand what we’re trying to achieve as a band. Their two dogs Raph and Freya made for the perfect companions in breaks between takes. Dean’s general ability to come up with ideas and execute them on guitar and in the vocal booth, and his obsession with finding the right tones was also one of my personal favourite in-studio happenings to watch go down.

I do want to give a massive shoutout to our two newest members Megan and Michael. It was Megs second time in the studio with us and Michael’s first, and they both added so much to the song. Having that fresh energy about was pretty rad. Every person who has ever been in this band has brought their own flair to it and those two are starting to really let their influence be felt in the best possible way. I also learned a lot more about vocal theory from Dean and Megs, they’re both amazing singers.

How does ‘Can You See Me?’ fit into the overall theme or narrative of your music as a band?

Sonically it slots in alongside our previous single ‘Live For The Rush’ and I’d also say ‘A Boutique Affair’ off of our EP ‘This Is What Honesty Sounds Like’ those songs are also very ‘happy’ sounding ‘sad’ songs. So there is a degree of sonic continuity with ‘Can You See Me?’ in our catalogue for sure.

As for fitting the narrative, it does that quite well in the sense that our approach to songwriting is always about finding the right fit musically for the story or the message we are trying to convey. As a result there a few different sides to our band, there’s the big, slow-buildng, emo rock anthems like ‘Nothing’ and ‘Life In Three Part Harmony’, there’s the more stripped back introspective songs like ‘Talking Fake’ and’ Paper and Ink’ and there’s the folk-punk vibes of songs like ‘Song Of The Renter’ or the modern rockabilly vibes of ‘The Awful Truth’, all of those stories got the music we felt they were naturally calling for. These methods of musical storytelling all come together with songs like ‘Can You See Me?’ to create a canvas we like to call ‘honest music’.

What can fans expect from the upcoming show at The Tote on November 18? Any special surprises or guest appearances planned?

They can expect us to give the set every bit of energy and emotion that we have. We’re a very energetic live act, we like to move around, so there’s a fair chance you’ll see me cop a knock to the head or two from a stray guitar headstock due to the tight confines of the stage. There will also be lots of opportunities to singalong and embrace the magic of live music together. In addition to that we’ll all get to experience the joy of seeing Nick Keogh and Trauma Ties play live. It’ll be a fun night in a venue that we are so thankful was saved by our community from what seemed like near certain death by gentrification a year ago.

What do you enjoy most about performing live, and what sets your live shows apart from other bands?

There is a transformation that happens when a band walks out together and strums the first note of a set. The barrier between performer and crowd dissapears and the barrier between the crowd, who often come from all different walks of life, disappears too and everyone in the room sort of comes together on a unified emotional wavelength. That moment, and the moments of connectivity that follow are my absolute favourite thing in the world. Whether I’m playing the show or I’m an audience member, that space is the closest thing I have to church. I understand it’s the same for everyone else in the band too. We actually wrote a song about the impact of live music on our lives called ‘Life In Three Part Harmony’ that was on our second EP, that song is a loveletter to that near spiritual community experience.

As for what sets us apart from other live bands? That’s a tricky one, I’d never want to place ourselves on a pedestal of any kind, because all artists are giving it their all, at all times in what is a very difficult time to be a musician. So I’d never put us above or below anyone else. What I will say is that a Catholic Guilt show will always be an honest, emotive and genuinely live experience. We will wear our hearts on our sleeves throughout and if you want to come grab a mic and singalong with me, we’ll absolutely be up for it.

Are there any specific tracks, including ‘Can You See Me?’ that you’re especially looking forward to playing live at the show?

Honestly, all the upbeat ones. I love that we have a variety of sounds and we get to take the audience on an emotive journey throughout the set, but those softer, more lyrically intense songs are very emotional experiences for me and sometimes that can show. So from a pure performance basis, songs like ‘Live For The Rush’, ‘A Boutique Affair’ and our signature closing track ‘Song Of The Renter’ are the most fun to perform live. Oh and the three-part vocal section at the end of ‘Nothing’ when we nail that live, that is the BEST feeling! I also really look forward to people who haven’t heard Megs sing, hear Megs sing, and of course to seeing the insane faces Dean pulls when he is shredding! If the wind ever changed, he’d be in trouble.

Tell us about the atmosphere and energy you hope to create at your performance at The Tote. What emotions do you want to convey to the audience?

We want the room to feel like one big, particularly emotive, house party. There’ll be moments where it feels like everyone is in a mass deep ‘n’ meaningful and there’ll be moments where people are screaming their lungs out at their landlords or engaging in some old-fashioned mosh action. There may be tears, either from me or from someone who has felt some of the things we are singing about on personal level, drinks WILL be spilt, at some point one of us will make a minor error but all of that will add up to an experience that only live music can provide.

In addition to ‘Can You See Me?’ are there any other singles or upcoming releases that fans should keep an eye out for?

A bit of spoiler alert here, we did actually record another single during the same session as ‘Can You See Me?’ but I can’t tell you anything about it other than it is one of our more emotive numbers and that the video clip is going to take everyone on a nostalgic trip through an animated version of the town I grew up in.

What’s the story behind the name ‘Catholic Guilt’? How does it reflect your band’s identity and music?

I grew up Catholic and while I’m definitely not a practising Catholic now, the experience left me with a lot of cultural conditioning I can’t seem to shed. The omnipresent feeling of guilt, which we call “Catholic Guilt” is one of those conditionings. When I first started writing what would become the first batch of Catholic Guilt songs, a lot of the songs had ties to that feeling of being “guilty” or perhaps more accurately, feeling like I was not “enough” at all times. The fact that it also serves as a double entendre, for the Vatican’s sins, is a very fitting bonus, given what we went to address in some of our songs. It also provided a template for our imagery, the Church has so much iconography and as cat lovers, we really like to play with it by playing up the fact that CAT is in the word Catholic. Hence our logo and Lucy Furr and all the references to Cats in well, pretty much everything we do. We may not be Catholics but we are CATholics.

It has created some rather funny and frustrating experiences though, a lot of people think we’re a Catholic or christian band, then others think we are this satanic black metal sort of proposition.

Both groups of those people either think we’ll go to hell or wish our music would, so that’s been interesting.

The positive responses from fellow sufferers of Catholic Guilt are the predominant ones though. A lot of ex-Catholic school kids out there seem to have a chuckle when they hear the name for the first time.

Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations for the band, and how do you plan to achieve them?

We want to continue to evolve as a band. We want to expand our sound and expand our world. We’d love to expand our team to include management and overseas booking agents, because we’d love to explore overseas touring next year. Our eyes are fixated towards Japan and Europe at the moment, however there is a natural home for our music in the USA and Canada. So we are looking at how to get our hands on those pesky visas! First things first though, we’re looking forward to heading out on the road in Australia and playing these songs on stages both big and small for anyone who is kind enough to share their time with us. If we do that well enough, often enough, the momentum, hardwork and maybe a little luck will hopefully carry us to our other goals.

SATURDAY NOV 18 – THE TOTE, MELBOURNE
W/ NICK KEOGH + TRAUMA TIES

FRIDAY MARCH 15 – STAY GOLD, MELBOURNE
SUPPORTING GUTTER W/ WOLFPACK

https://www.facebook.com/catholicguiltmusic/

November 13, 2023 0 comments

Music News

Tiësto and R3HAB Finally Release Their Highly Anticipated Collab – “Run Free (Countdown).” Out Now on Musical Freedom

by the partae November 12, 2023

written by the partae

Artists: Tiësto, R3HAB
Title: Run Free (Countdown)
Label: Musical Freedom

Download / Stream

In a legendary joining of forces, Dutch superstars Tiësto and R3HAB release their highly anticipated collaboration “Run Free (Countdown).” The release of this festival heater has had fans on the edge of their seats nearly all of 2023, since both artists have been dropping it in sets since February (over 50 times so far) on the main stages of events like EDC, Tomorrowland, Ultra Music Festival, Creamfields, Amsterdam Music Festival as well as clubs such as LIV Miami, Zouk Las Vegas, Ushuaïa Ibiza and more. This is not the first time the two behemoths collaborated together – their paths crossed previously on R3HAB‘s official remix of Tiësto‘s “Maximal Crazy” in 2011 as well as 2014’s “Wasted,” while Tiësto went on to remix R3HAB‘s “Samurai” the same year. Their reunion with “Run Free (Countdown)” proves to be a hit every time with its driving beats, big room appeal, and mesmerizing vocals, proving that this gem isn’t even close to being played out yet. Press play and get ready for the hottest anthem to close out the year.

“R3HAB and I have been waiting eagerly to share ‘Run Free (Countdown).’ We’ve seen the energy it ignites in our live sets all summer, and now, we’re thrilled to finally share it with the world. This track encapsulates freedom and boundless energy, a true anthem for Mainstage lovers.” – Tiësto

“Tiësto defines the global club culture, and I’m excited to finally join forces. I shared the idea of ‘Run Free (Countdown)’ with him early this year, and he loved it. We’ve played it over 50 times on iconic stages, including Tomorrowland, Ultra, EDC, and Creamfields, honing the production to its final form. The countdown call-to-action and drop energy combo is special. This is my biggest 2023 club record, and fans have been going wild. I’m hyped to finally share it with the world.” – R3HAB

Tiësto

GRAMMY® Award-winning, platinum-certified, international icon, Tiësto has over 8 BILLION global streams across platforms, 36M+ Total Record Sales, 30M+ Social Audience & over 160M TikTok Video Views across users. The DJ and producer is the only artist to ever hold the titles of “The Greatest DJ of All Time” courtesy of Mixmag, #1 DJ according to Rolling Stone, and “The Godfather of EDM,” as proclaimed by Billboard. From his underground dance floor bangers to his high-profile Las Vegas residency and crossover success, Tiësto created the blueprint that defines what it means to be a success in today’s dance music world.

R3HAB

Multi-Platinum DJ and producer Fadil El Ghoul, better known as R3HAB, has been trailblazing his way through dance music for the past fifteen years. From his breakthrough remixes for Rihanna, Drake, Taylor Swift, Calvin Harris, Sia, Jason Derulo, Ed Sheeran, Tyga, Ellie Goulding, The Chainsmokers, P!nk, to name only a few, to anthems such as multi-Platinum-certified “All Around The World (La La La),” “Lullaby” with Mike Williams, “Flames” with ZAYN and Jungleboi, or “Creep” with Gattüso, to his collaborations with the likes of Ava Max, Luis Fonsi, Sean Paul, Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, Lukas Graham, Icona Pop, and more, R3HAB has proven to be one of the most forward-thinking artists in the game. His work has collected over 9 billion streams to date, including 1.1 billion in 2022 alone. He founded his label CYB3RPVNK in 2016, which has passed 4B streams across platforms since its inception. He is Spotify’s Most Discovered Artist, one of Spotify’s top 300 most streamed artists, ranked #13 on the prestigious DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs chart, and has earned over 70 Gold and Platinum certificates. On top of that, he performed at the world’s top festivals, such as EDC, Ultra Music Festival, Tomorrowland, Balaton Sound, Coachella, Summer Sonic Festival, DWP Jakarta, and more. With his combination of innate artistry and innovative attitude, R3HAB has earned his place as a household name in dance music.

More info on Tiësto / R3HAB / Musical Freedom:

November 12, 2023 0 comments

Music News

Multi-platinum Artist Alan Walker Lays Foundation of His 4th Studio Album “WalkerWorld” In Form of First 10-track Installment, Announcement of Fortnite In-Game Amusement Park, Themed World Tour, Future Album Singles, and More

by the partae November 12, 2023

written by the partae

Artist: Alan Walker
Title: WalkerWorld
Label: MER Recordings

Download / Stream

The Norwegian superstar Alan Walker unveils the groundwork for his most meaningful and evolving project yet, “WalkerWorld.” The first installment includes 10 tracks, 5 of which are brand new, that bend sonic genres and truly take the listener to another realm. This is just the beginning because “WalkerWorld” doesn’t end with this round of tracks, though, as the album will continue to change its form and shape from now as new tracks will be released and added to the album’s tracklist each month, starting on Dec 07 with “Fire” with JVKE and YUQI (from (G)I-DLE) and then continuing throughout entire 2024. The project also signifies the announcement and first access to Alan Walker‘s in-game amusement park on Fortnite, of the same name, which will be fully launched on Dec 12. The park itself will be an iterative project with plenty of opportunity for interaction, so stay tuned for more details.

As for the “WalkerWorld” album itself, it’s clear from the opening notes of the welcome track and the 10-track playlist that the veteran producer has entered his next evolution. From recently released “Heart Over Mind” with Daya to productions like “Spectre 2.0” with Steve Aioki and Lonely Boys to “Endless Summer” with Zak Abel demonstrate his signature dance-pop style, while “Land of the Heroes” with Sophie Stray is an emotive electronica gem, while Alan‘s solo track “Darkride” closes out the album on a cinematic note that makes us ready for the next releases and additions to the “WalkerWorld” body of work.

And if all of this weren’t enough, Alan Walker is about to kick off his album-themed World tour on Nov 28 with a stream of sold-out 7 arena shows in China, making him the first DJ to sell out that many arenas in China at once, which further strengthens Walker‘s position as one of the world’s most recognizable artists.

“With immense excitement and pride, I am thrilled to announce the release of my fourth studio album, ‘Walkerworld.’ November 10th is a significant day in my career as it marks the unveiling of a new body of work that will resonate with listeners until late 2024. It also heralds the introduction of an innovative and immersive chapter in the World of Walker. Not too long ago, I sat in my childhood bedroom and dreamt of creating music that could touch people’s hearts and leave a lasting impact. I am incredibly grateful to continue this journey and step into this new phase with the support of an exceptional group of talented artists, creatives, and community. This release is a milestone for every individual who has joined me on this incredible ride over the past eight years. My hope is that the album brings a sense of happiness to all who listen to it.” – Alan Walker

Continuously delivering thumping beats and hypnotic records, 26-year-old Norwegian producer and DJ Alan Walker is truly a force to be reckoned with. With over 120 million followers across his social platforms, 9 billion YouTube views, and over 50 billion audio and video streams, the young artist from Bergen, Norway, is nowhere near kicking his feet up anytime soon. Alan Walker arrived on the music scene in late 2015 with his debut hit single “Faded,” garnering over 1.7 billion Spotify streams and a massive 3.5 billion YouTube video views. Being the 19th most-watched music video on YouTube, the single also left him with a BRIT Awards nomination for Song Of The Year, as well as a Norwegian Grammy win in the same category. After building a massive social following and releasing a string of successful singles like “Alone” and “Darkside,” collaborating with artists like Ava Max, Noah Cyrus, Sia, Bruno Mars, and Coldplay, the chart-topping debut album “Different World” arrived in late 2018 and is currently approaching 5 billion streams on Spotify alone. While holding a pristine track record, Alan has played over 700 headlining shows and festivals to date, including Coachella and Tomorrowland, in addition to selling out his worldwide arena tours, Aviation Tour, and Walkerverse Tour. In 2022 Alan released his third album, “Walkerverse Pt. I & II.”

Alan Walker‘s forthcoming WalkerWorld dates:

Nov 28 – Chengdu Magic Cube – Chengdu, China
Dec 02 – Bao An Arena – Shenzhen, China
Dec 05 – Mercedes-Benz Arena – Shanghai, China
Dec 08 – Wuhan Five Rings Sports Centre – Wuhan, China
Dec 09 – Lingnan Pearl Gymnasium – Foshan, China
Dec 10 – Expo-C3 Hall – Suzhou, China
Dec 14 – Cadillac Arena – Baijing, China

More info on Alan Walker:

November 12, 2023 0 comments

Music News

Canadian Duo The Funk Hunters Teams Up With Dr. Fresch and Chali 2na For Fusion of Mid-Tempo Bass and Rap “All Of A Sudden.” Out Now on Westwood Recordings and House Call Records as Joint Release

by the partae November 12, 2023

written by the partae

Artists: The Funk Hunters, Dr. Fresch, Chali 2na
Title: All Of A Sudden
Label: Westwood Recordings + House Call Records

Download / Stream

Super producer duo – The Funk Hunters and forward-thinking LA-based producer Dr. Fresch team up with legendary Chicago‘s rapper Chali 2na for their new single “All Of A Sudden,” a unique blend of mid-tempo bass and rap music, following both artists’ Summer releases – The Funk Hunters‘ “Freak” with Defunk and Dr. Fresch‘s “Certified.” Opening with Chali 2na‘s rhythmic vocals, “All Of A Sudden” wastes no time turning up the heat with deep basslines and menacing, synth-driven melodies. Its grimy breakdown and combination of urban and bass styles make for a hard-hitting, festival and club-friendly anthem that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Read on for what all of the artists had to say about this exciting new release.

“We’ve been playing and making mid-tempo bass music before it even had a name, so to come across Dr. Fresch‘s music years ago and discover he also loves mid-tempo… Well, it was love at first listen, ha! So, for our first official collab together, we just knew it needed to be a mid-tempo tune. As soon we had the beat done, there was really no other choice for vocals. We sent it straight to Chali 2na, and the rest is history. He delivered in a big way! It’s really such a cool blend of all 3 of our styles, funky fresch and bangin’” – The Funk Hunters

“..and ‘All Of A Sudden‘ – we’re dropping the biggest mid-tempo banger of 2023! I’ve been a fan of The Funk Hunters and Chali 2na for years; this song is a major moment for me. It’s been a pleasure to get to know Nick and Dunks from touring the US and Canada over the course of the last several years- it was only time before we convened to create a funky fresch concoction. This collab was so fun and exciting to make. It’s the perfect blend of all our styles, and maybe most importantly, it feels like a genuine soundtrack to the live festival atmospheres we thrive in. It’s been a ride playing and working on this record for the last year. I’m so proud that we can finally unleash the beast.” – Dr. Fresch

“I’m always excited to work with Nick Middleton and Duncan Smith from the notorious The Funk Hunters, but to add the legendary Dr. Fresch to my résumé was an honor and a pleasure! Especially with such an aggressively fire song like ‘All Of A Sudden.’ Thank you, fellas!” – Chali 2na

The Funk Hunters

As longtime friends, collaborators, and multi-dimensional artists – The Funk Hunters, Nick Middleton‘s and Duncan Smith‘s chemistry is perfectly aligned. Middleton steers the band’s studio efforts, having produced, co-written, and mixed their debut album, “Typecast.” And Smith anchors the project’s live show with an indefatigable charisma that complements Middleton‘s thoughtful production. Together they combine their powers as DJs, resulting in a brilliant technical display of creative collaboration between 4 turntables. Their vision has resonated with both listeners and industry tastemakers alike, with their music amassing over 30M track streams across their catalog of original productions, remixes and collaborations. Winners of the Electronic/Dance Artist of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards, The Funk Hunters also reached #1 on the Billboard Dance Club Chart last year, with an official remix of U2‘s “Love Is Bigger.” Their catalog also includes other official remixes for Big Gigantic, Gramatik, Selena Gomez, and Imagine Dragons. In addition to studio work, The Funk Hunters enjoy a vibrant global touring career with major festival plays at Coachella, Life Is Beautiful, Lightning in a Bottle, Electric Forest, Osheaga, Outside Lands, Burning Man, and Shambhala.

Dr. Fresch

In 2013, after winning Insomniac‘s Discovery Project Contest, Tony Fresch launched the Dr. Fresch project. His debut self-titled EP and innovative hip-hop/rap remixes quickly exploded in the blogosphere. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Fresch was subsequently featured at #9 on Billboard‘s “Next Big Sound” Chart. Dr. Fresch‘s music weaves together elements of house, hip-hop, and mid-tempo to create a unique, forward-thinking sound. Over the summer of 2015, Dr. Fresch launched his semi-monthly mix series “House Call,” which has since garnered tens of millions of plays on Mondays on Sirius XM. Dr. Fresch‘s 2016 collaboration with Baby Eazy-E (Eazy-E‘s son) – “Gangsta Gangsta,” went viral online and climbed the UK Club charts, setting the tone for his future releases. Dr. Fresch has since released records on the likes of OWSLA, Insomniac Records, Atlantic, Ministry Of Sound and plays a prominent role on the festival circuit with plays at the likes of EDC Las Vegas, Lollapalooza, Shambhala, Electric Forest, CRSSD, Electric Zoo, Splash House, Osheaga, and many more.

Chali 2na

With his unmistakable baritone voice and 6-and-a-half foot charm, Chali 2na has established himself as one of hip-hop’s preeminent and most charismatic personalities. He’s also garnered renowned praise as a visual artist across a wide spectrum of canvases. Most known for co-founding music groups Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli, Chali released his debut solo album “Fish Outta Water” in 2009. Since then, he has toured the world 10 times over with his 3-piece band known as the House Of Vibe. Breathing new life into his musical upbringing, in 2013 he embarked on a career-defining mission called “Against The Current,” a music + art project that combines a 5-part series of genre-bending EPs with a coffee table book featuring original artwork and photography from Chali himself. His reputation as a hip-hop legend continues to build momentum with his artwork, voice-over work, and an increasing variety of performance collaborations.

More info on The Funk Hunters / Dr. Fresch / Chali 2na / Westwood Recordings / House Call Records:

November 12, 2023 0 comments

Festival News Music News

Darwin’s BASSINTHEGRASS music festival announces ticket sale and major international act, Macklemore (18 May 2024)

by the partae November 10, 2023

written by the partae

Tickets are on sale now to the Northern Territory’s largest music festival, BASSINTHEGRASS, which has attracted a major international artist. American rapper and singer Macklemore has added a performance at the beachside festival to his limited tour of Australia and New Zealand next year.

BASSINTHEGRASS will take place at Darwin’s iconic Mindil Beach on Saturday, 18 May 2024, and Macklemore is the first artist to be announced for the line-up. The full line-up will be revealed later this month.

Macklemore is making limited stops across Australia and New Zealand, and BASSINTHEGRASS is the only music festival he will appear at. With worldwide hits including ‘Thrift Shop’, ‘Same Love’ and ‘Good Old Days’, the multi-award-winning artist counts four Grammy Awards among his wins.

As well as a stellar line-up, next year’s BASSINTHEGRASS will feature some exciting new offerings, including premium experiences featuring new locations, different stage views and luxury facilities.

Delivered by Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC), CEO Suzana Bishop said BASSINTHEGRASS was the perfect reason to head to the Top End for the trip of a lifetime.

“BASSINTHEGRASS 2024 is one of the few places in Australia where fans can catch Macklemore on stage, plus enjoy hours of other top music acts,” Mrs Bishop said.

“They’ll also be able to enjoy incredible tourism experiences while they are here, ranging from those that showcase the Territory’s rich Indigenous culture, to breathtaking landscapes and unusual wildlife experiences. BASSINTHEGRASS is a tourism experience in itself, where festival-goers can escape the winter and enjoy perfect weather, sample delights from the famous Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, and catch a legendary Mindil sunset. Thousands of music lovers from all over Australia travelled to BASSINTHEGRASS this year. Grab your 2024 ticket now and make your own memories.”

New premium event experiences include The Terrace, offering an exclusive hosted experience for festival connoisseurs on a raised platform close to the side of stage; Oasis, with great views from a prime location side-of-stage; and ReFresh, providing busy music lovers with a place to take a breather and beat the queues.

To secure your spot at BASSINTHEGRASS 2024 and be one of the first to know when the full line-up drops, head to www.bassinthegrass.com.au

November 10, 2023 0 comments

Festival News Music News

JARED LETO CLIMBS ICONIC EMPIRE STATE BUILDING TO CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS’ MASSIVE SEASONS 2024 GLOBAL TOUR ANNOUNCES AUSTRALIAN TOUR FOR SEPTEMBER 2024

by the partae November 10, 2023

written by the partae

LIVE NATION PRESALE: 1PM (LOCAL) WEDNESDAY 15TH NOVEMBER

GENERAL ON SALE: 1PM (LOCAL) FRIDAY 17TH NOVEMBER

BUY TICKETS VIA LIVE NATION HERE

BUY/STREAM: THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS – IT’S THE END OF THE WORLD BUT IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY (LP)

Today, climbing from the Empire State Building in New York City, Oscar winning actor Jared Leto announced Thirty Seconds to Mars’ monumental Seasons 2024 World Tour. The extensive tour includes a run of Australian dates, with the band performing at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on 12th September 2024, ahead of further shows at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, and finally Brisbane’s Riverstage, before heading over to New Zealand.

The world tour will also see the band travel across Latin America, Europe, and North America – their first headline tour in over 5 years. Full details on tour dates and ticketing information can be found below.

Leto, the band’s frontman, accomplished a historic feat as he completed the first ever climb of the Empire State Building. Having always been fascinated with the incredible landmark since he was a child, he said “The building is a testament of all the things that can be done in the world if we put our minds to it, which is largely the inspiration behind our most recent album, It’s The End Of The World But It’s A Beautiful Day.” As an avid climber, the Empire State Building and the tour announcement carry the sentiment that anything is possible if we try.

The Empire State Building was recently rated the #1 attraction in the U.S. by Tripadvisor for the second consecutive year after a recent $165 million renovation of its legendary iconic Observatory.

WATCH THE CLIMB HERE

Multi-platinum selling artist Thirty Seconds to Mars, comprised of brothers Jared and Shannon Leto, makes a triumphant return with their sixth studio album, It’s The End Of The World But It’s A Beautiful Day, released September 15th via Concord Records. The album heralds a new era for the band, one that not only explores the darker sides of the human experience but the hope as well, an arresting reminder that even in the face of seemingly impossible obstacles, there is still beauty to be found in the world. Lead single, “Stuck” officially debuted at #1 on the Alternative radio chart and scored a top 10 hit in Italy, marking the fastest chart climb of the band’s career. Sitting in the top three of the German airplay charts, the tour’s namesake and current single, “Seasons” asks if we can accept change as we move through the many different seasons of life.

My Live Nation members can secure tickets during the My Live Nation presale beginning 1pm (local) Wednesday 15 November.

General on sale begins at 1pm (local), Friday 17 November. For complete tour and ticket information, visit: livenation.com.au.

THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS

SEASONS WORLD TOUR 2024

AUSTRALIAN DATES

Thu 12 Sept 2024 – Melbourne – Rod Laver Arena

Sat 14 Sept 2024 – Sydney – Qudos Bank Arena

Tue 17 Sept 2024 – Brisbane – Riverstage

TICKETS ON SALE 1PM (LOCAL) FRIDAY 17 NOVEMBER

For more info on Thirty Seconds To Mars, visit:

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | X / TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE

November 10, 2023 0 comments

Music Interviews Music News

Hotel Mira Interview

by the partae November 9, 2023

written by the partae

Congratulations on the release of your new album, ‘I Am Not Myself.’ Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the album and how it represents a transformative journey for Hotel Mira?

I think that the songs I write are usually a snapshot of where I am at at the moment and what I am trying to figure out. So this record was very inspired by the idea of identity, death and self-obsession and my big move to Los Angeles. Musically, we tried to do something expansive and pull from many different genres.

‘I Am Not Myself’ marks a significant departure from your previous work. What led to this change in your musical style and direction, and how has it been received by your fans?

My whole philosophy is I never want to make the same thing twice. And because of the covid

lockdowns we worked with multiple producers so each of them brought their own style to the record, which wad cool. The fans seem to dig it. My favorite artists and bands like Bowie, Frank Ocean and Radiohead are the ones who you trust will take you to cool unfamiliar places with their music. Historically we have been lucky to have that kind of trust with our fans.

The album’s title, ‘I Am Not Myself,’ suggests a theme of self-discovery. Could you share some of the personal experiences and growth that influenced the album’s lyrical content?

-I mean, the band is more popular than ever, Which opens it’s own can of worms in my brain. I had some friends and family die. I closed myself off. I was trying to find love and acceptance. I was trying to figure out what it even meant to be a useful citizen. I obsessed over fame and what it meant to make it or not.

Hotel Mira is known for its powerful and emotionally charged lyrics. Can you discuss the songwriting process for this album and how you approach crafting meaningful and relatable songs?

In a nerdy way, I just love putting words together. And I have this allergy to singing things that aren’t directly from the heart. I just always wanna go deeper. Most lyrics that are worth keeping are the ones that feel scary or dangerous to write. “Mama” has a few lyrics that were hard on my psyche for sure. But I am ultimately glad I put them out there.

Your recent trip to Australia for SXSW was a significant moment for the band. Can you share some memorable experiences or connections made during the festival that left an impact on Hotel Mira?

That was so much fun and we met a lot of cool bands and journalists and fans. It was a whirlwind. Ask me in a week, It’s still kind of a blur.

How does performing at international events like SXSW contribute to your growth as a band and the exposure of your music to a global audience?

This year has been an amazing exercise in “you never know who is watching and listening”. I had no idea people would like us in Australia but I think the whole point of writing music is getting out to the people who need to hear it. So we are always trying to share the music all over the world

Can you share any details about the creative and collaborative process during the making of ‘I Am Not Myself’? Were there any unique challenges or breakthrough moments?

Working with Parker (alone in america, mama, everything once, eventually) was a total joy. So many belly laughs. And I think with all those songs we were challenged to swing pretty big. Parker kinda became this guiding light for me to understand clearly what we were aiming toward.

The album artwork for ‘I Am Not Myself’ is striking. Can you elaborate on the concept and symbolism behind the cover art and how it ties into the music within?

Every leading up to it was so busy and aggressive and colorful. So it was cool to have the album be the combo breaker of that and kind of look more sixties and serene. The spiral of “I Am Not Myself” feels like a good visual representation of how it feels to ruminate on identity. The color palette comes from the colors on the garage doors I kept seeing when I travelled to Seoul.

Hotel Mira has gained a reputation for its energetic live performances. How do you approach translating the depth and emotion of your songs into a captivating stage show?

I go into a bit of a trance and try to follow every impulse and feed off of the crowd. It’s almost like the reverse is harder, capturing the live show energy onto a record. I would way rather feel that exchange than be in the studio.

Could you highlight a particular track from the new album that holds special meaning to the band or has an interesting backstory?

Vampire is such a wild song and that is by design. I wrote this thing on the guitar that kind of reminded me of the pixies and I took it to Steve and we were both listening a lot to “call me by your name” by Lil Nas X. So we wanted to make it catchy in a similar way. And then we just went bonkers with the rest of it, screaming, gang vocals, disco bridge etc etc. I am so proud of that song and I can’t wait to play it live.

As a band, how have you evolved and grown since your formation, and how does ‘I Am Not Myself’ reflect this evolution?

Cheesy as it sounds, this record brought us together in a significant way. So we are better than ever and we understand each other in a deeper way which makes everything easier. It was not an easy record to make but having each other made it doable.

Looking ahead, what are your future plans for touring and promoting the album, and are there any other exciting projects or collaborations on the horizon for Hotel Mira?

I think we are going to do some big tours. Hopefully get to some places we have never been before! Play some festivals and really give this album the record cycle that it deserves and that we didn’t get to have with perfectionism. I try to make content everyday to promo the band on social media. But in other news, we are already writing and demoing the next project in our down-time. And we shot a video the other day that I am really excited about.

Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

November 9, 2023 0 comments

Festival News Music News

Catholic Guilt release nostalgic new single “Can You See Me?”

by the partae November 9, 2023

written by the partae

Melbourne/Naarm alt-rockers Catholic Guilt share their nostalgic new tune Can You See Me?, out via Wiretap Records, and prepare to share it live at The Tote in Melbourne on November 18. Tickets on sale now!

Drawing inspiration from the Australian indie and punk scene from the 2000s, Can You See Me? is a tale of lost identity and feeling at odds with yourself. Vocalist Brenton Harris explains: “For me personally, that feeling was brought on by a period of intense emotional and physical upheaval caused by a variety of interpersonal issues and a few serious life and career setbacks.

“All of these issues coalesced around the time of the lockdowns and ended up impacting life on the other side of it, resulting in me living life as a version of myself that felt so unfamiliar, so unconfident, so shaken, so entirely unlike ‘me’. Writing the song allowed me to process and heal and move onto the next evolution of ‘myself’. It’s our ‘feel sad hit of the summer’.”

Produced, mixed and mastered by Evan Lee and Ash Daws at The Loud Noise Estate (Inertia, Young Lions, The Motion Below), Can You See Me? sonically invites listeners on a journey of loss and acceptance. Guitarist Dean Gordon highlights that Can You See Me? intentionally “utilises light and shade, with the verses creating an introspective space for self-reflection juxtaposed against an energetic chorus to mimic staring into a mirror screaming for answers.”

The music video created in collaboration with Karl Baldwin plays on the use of silhouettes, leaving room for interpretation and imagination. “Your silhouette only provides an outline of who you are, not the details that make you unique. We felt that this imagery created a parallel to the search for oneself explored in the lyrics,” explains the band. Watch here!

Catholic Guilt is Brenton Harris (vocals), Dean Gordon (guitar/vocals), Megan Sidwell (guitar/vocals), Ben Caruana (bass) and Michael Condello (drums). The quintet combine elements of punk, alt, folk and rock, resulting in a sound they describe as ‘honest music’. The band released their debut EP, ‘Hymnbook Vol. 1′ independently in 2018 and followed it up in 2020 with ‘This Is What Honesty Sounds Like‘ via Wiretap Records. ‘This Is What Honesty Sounds Like’ earned the band national and international airplay across over 130 stations and received widespread acclaim from outlets including Alternative Press, Music Feeds, Brooklyn Vegan, Pop Matters and landed them a coveted triple j Unearthed feature artist spot.

The band built off the success of the release by signing with booking agency Destroy All Lines and playing a run of shows in Australia, including multiple sold-out shows in their hometown of Melbourne. Catholic Guilt has since gone on to release a handful of singles and have appeared on major Australian festivals Full Tilt and Knight and Day as well as touring the East Coast of Australia and play main support with US alt-rock titans Switchfoot, Pure Noise Records act Real Friends and local icons Behind Crimson Eyes, Chasing Ghosts and The Bennies. Catholic Guilt will headline The Tote on November 18 and support Guttermouth (US) in March 2024.

Can You See Me? is out today and streaming everywhere via Wiretap Records.

SATURDAY NOV 18 – THE TOTE, MELBOURNE
W/ NICK KEOGH + TRAUMA TIES

FRIDAY MARCH 15 – STAY GOLD, MELBOURNE
SUPPORTING GUTTER W/ WOLFPACK

https://www.facebook.com/catholicguiltmusic/

November 9, 2023 0 comments

Festival News Music News

JUST ANNOUNCED – Boiler Room x Sugar Mountain 2024

by the partae November 9, 2023

written by the partae

REGISTER FOR TICKET ACCESS

FACEBOOK EVENT

November 9, 2023 0 comments

Festival News Music News

SOUTH SUMMIT reveal expansive documentary project, CLIMBING THE SUMMIT

by the partae November 8, 2023

written by the partae

Photo by: Andrew Briggs

The trajectory of success and profile Perth’s South Summit have been enjoying over the past two years has made them one of Australia’s most exciting new bands.

Their fusion of indie and rock sounds, woven together with a culturally rich and diverse bed of influences, has forged a naturally dynamic set of performers out of the five-piece. Three successful EP releases to their name – first with Merlin’s in 2021, followed by Creatures and Tales Of The Yeti in 2023 – are testament to South Summit’s consistency as songwriters and musicians. Moreover, they demonstrate the band’s hunger to be chasing new horizons, pushing themselves to elevate with each record released.

For right now though, South Summit chose to drop something a little different on their fans and community: a documentary that provides further insight into their life and behind the scenes craziness, Climbing The Summit. Building on the strong love for music and connection to community that South Summit established early in their journey, Climbing The Summit captures the band at a particular creative career peak, inviting fans to take a look at life at the center of the chaos.

Filmed between Sydney and Melbourne during a period of down time South Summit had while on tour with Beddy Rays, Climbing The Summit was directed by Elliott Brown, and produced by Vincent Trease. The documentary serves as a perfect time capsule of South Summit: a young band doing what they do best, and rightfully reaping the rewards of their hard work.

“The band were a pleasure to work with. It’s been such a great experience creatively and we got to witness South Summit at a pivotal time in their career as musicians. In such a time of division the message of unity that runs through this doco is in my eyes a great example of reconciliation.”
VINCENT TREASE, PRODUCER

“I wanted to capture the way that music brings people together, and show that it doesn’t matter where you come from or what you believe in, it’s all about just playing some tunes and having a good time. …I firmly believe that South Summit will one day stand among the greatest Australian artists. I aimed to capture their beginnings, a moment I hope people will look back on in the future.”
ELLIOTT BROWN, DIRECTOR

For South Summit, completing the Climbing The Summit project has put a nice cap on what has been a life-changing chapter of their lives as individuals and as a group of friends embarking on this wild ride together.

With a tour of Australia and New Zealand in support of Tales Of The Yeti still to come this summer, Climbing The Summit is a reminder of the power in their messages, and the fun that comes with a South Summit live experience.

“This documentary gives us an opportunity to tell our stories, share our messages, and showcase what we do behind the scenes on this crazy journey. We feel like this documentary lets people understand our journey with music, and what we want to be known for. We represent proud cultures throughout the band, but this is not the reason why we are here today. We are here for the love of music. The process was made super cruisy for us by the two guys who made it all happen. Big shoutout to Vince and Elliott for having the vision for the doco and all their hard work to make it happen!”
NATHAN OSBOURNE, SOUTH SUMMIT

To date, South Summit have accrued over 2 million streams across platforms, as well as widespread industry acclaim for their steadily growing body of work. Named as “ones to watch” by triple j in 2022, as well as “indie role models for reconciliation”, South Summit were quick to cement their reputation as a formidable champion of Australian rock music, off the back of multiple sold out shows on the West Coast, and an impressive entry to the East Coast and national festival circuit, performing at the likes of Falls Festival, BIGSOUND, NYE on the Hill, Springtime Festival and more.

Along with music, South Summit remain dedicated to the empowerment of First Nations peoples and communities, dedicating efforts to community outreach, including visits to schools, prisons and youth detention centres during NAIDOC Week; their music and activism work remaining intertwined in a natural way.

SOUTH SUMMIT ‘RUNNING FROM THE YETI’ TOUR

TICKETS

Thurs Nov 2nd La La La’s Wollongong, NSW
Fri Nov 3rd The Lansdowne Sydney, NSW
Sat Nov 4th Howler Melbourne, VIC
Fri, Nov 10th The Brightside Brisbane, QLD
Sat Nov 11th The Northern Byron Bay, NSW
Fri Nov 17th Whammy Bar Auckland, NZ
Sat Nov 18th The Loons Christchurch, NZ
Sun Nov 19th Meow Wellington, NZ
Fri Nov 24th The Rosemount Perth, WA

SXSW SYDNEY

Oct 15th – 22nd SXSW Sydney, NSW

PRAISE FOR SOUTH SUMMIT

“They could be Perth’s next breakout band, but South Summit are just as interested in becoming role models and giving back to the community as crafting heartfelt indie rock anthems. South Summit only have a handful of tunes to their name but nearly all of them pop with the confidence of a band much further into their career.
Triple j

“The band mixes timeless psych influences with a dusty mysticism, like each electric lick is a chance to escape being young and big for your boots in isolated WA. It’s still early days for South Summit but there’s so much promise of what’s to come with this band. Imagine a dark and brooding Ocean Alley cut and you’ve got the vibe of their new one ‘River Days’. It’s dreamy, soaring coastal indie with big guitars and swelling vocals”
Triple J Unearthed

“They’ve become ingrained within live music spaces in such a short time that it feels like they’ve always been there; their heartfelt indie-rock being an easy fit into the growing next generation emerging from Western Australia.”
Pilerats

“The chorus for Tired of Waiting just soars! A huge moment for South Summit”
Triple J, Nick Findlay

“Epic track right here – it’s got a little bit of everything! Gentle folk harmonies, yearning blues and then a swirling dubby climax. These competing parts of South Summit could seemingly overpower the track but this band nail the mix.”
Triple J, Dave Ruby Howe

“There is something special about this up and coming five-piece. With infectious energy, huge melodies, and an enigmatic frontman showcasing beautiful, honest storytelling, you might think it would be easy to get lost in the South Summit mix – but it’s the way the band manage to masterfully balance every element, constructing a sound that is both familiar and uniquely their own, that showcases the band’s true promise.”
Ticketmaster

November 8, 2023 0 comments

Music Interviews Music News

Grinspoon – Easy Detention Tour – Melbourne, Forum, November 6, 2023

by the partae November 8, 2023

written by the partae

November 8, 2023 0 comments

Festival News

PIXAR PUTT SET TO TAKE SYDNEY TO INFINITY & BEYOND THIS DEC/JAN!

by the partae November 8, 2023

written by the partae

PIXAR-THEMED MINI-GOLF COURSE
WILL TEE OFF IN SYDNEY FOR A 7-WEEK RUN

Australia’s much-loved pop-up mini-golf phenomenon, Pixar Putt, will arrive in Sydney for the second time when it opens at Pier Street Underpass, Darling Harbour, from 15^th December through to 4^th February 2024. Tickets go on sale Wednesday 8^th November at 9am local time viawww.pixarputt.com.au

This open air, pop-up mini-golf sensation is made up of interactive putt-putt holes inspired by the stories, characters, and icons from some of Pixar’s most beloved films including Elemental, Toy Story, Cars, Monsters, Inc., Turning Red, Soul, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, A Bug’s Life, Wall-E, Inside Out, Luca and Lightyear.

The experience is perfect for players of all ages and is sure to become a popular destination through the school holiday season. And when the sun goes down, Pixar Putt After-Dark sessions will be available for adults 18+ from Thursday to Saturday nights from 7:00pm-10:00pm, also featuring a pop-up bar.

“Pixar Putt has had more than 622,000 mini golfers putting to infinity and beyond since it launched in 2019 and we are thrilled to return to Darling Harbour in December,” says Rachael Carroll, Managing Director TEG Experiences. “We can’t wait to showcase this Aussie-fan favourite attraction which has recently won a new legion of international fans in New York, Texas, and Chicago. When it came to finding our next location for Pixar Putt, Darling Harbour in Sydney is always the perfect spot to visit. There is plenty of space for patrons to stay safe, have fun and kick some serious putt!”

It is recommended that patrons book online and in advance to secure a preferred tee-off time. Course capacity is limited, so door sales will be possible, but subject only to session availability.

The safety of patrons and staff is TEG Life Like Touring and The Walt Disney Company’s top priority. Pixar Putt’s COVID Safe measures include capped player numbers on the course; physical distancing measures in queues and on course; sanitiser stations located onsite; plus, sanitising of golfing equipment between users for every session each day.

EVENT DETAILS

WHAT: Pixar Putt

WHERE: Darling Harbour, Pier Street Underpass

WHEN: Friday 15th December 2023 – Sunday 4^th February 2024

HOURS: Opens – Friday 15 December 2023, 3:00pm – 10:00pm (last entry 8.45pm)

Season Opening Times
Sunday to Wednesday: 10:00am – 8:00pm (last entry 6.45pm)
Thursday to Saturday: 10:00am – 10:00pm (last entry 8.45pm)

Please Note: Thursday to Saturday 7:00pm -10:00pm is ‘Pixar Putt After Dark’ evening sessions for adults 18+.

TICKETS: 18 holes: $39.90 Adult, $29.90 Child, $119.90 Family (2A/2C or 1A/3C)

9 holes: $29.90 Adult, $19.90 Child, $79.90 Family (2A/2C or 1A/3C)

WEBSITE: www.pixarputt.com.au

SOCIAL: #PixarPutt

November 8, 2023 0 comments

Music Interviews Music News

Torizon Interview

by the partae November 6, 2023

written by the partae

Answered by: Mish Sharma – Vocals and Piano, Luke Kleinschmidt – Guitar, Bass and Synths, and Jordan Miller – Drums and Percussion.

Where are you currently based?

Luke: We are a Brisbane based alt rock/metal band.

Please tell us about the inspiration behind your latest single “Martyr”?

Mish: Martyr is written about the specific moment you realize that you need to break out of a narcissistic abuse cycle. I wrote the lyrics after a therapy session which was focused on processing the aftermath of leaving a narcissistic abuse coercive control relationship.

What’s the story or message you’re trying to convey in the lyrics of “Martyr”?

Mish: This song is very much based on my own experience. The lyrics explore the victim grappling with the reality of the situation and deciding to leave; even though the trauma brain is persistent about staying because it feels “familiar”. I was in a vulnerable place when I wrote my parts (like always I bare it all in my music), particularly because narcissistic abuse is a complex multi-layered beast, it can happen to anyone in any type of relationship. There is so much unlearning of false beliefs, grieving, and integrating fractured parts of yourself, but it all starts with someone gathering all their courage and deciding that they will no longer accept this treatment. The message is that it can happen to anyone, and it doesn’t make the victim “weak,” “broken,” or “a problem”; your physical and psychological safety is more important than what anyone would think of you.

How did the creative process for “Martyr” differ from your previous work?

Luke: This song was made from 2 separate ideas I was working on simultaneously. I wanted to write a riff around an “ambient guitar” and I added layers around that for the intro and verse; whereas for the chorus I wanted a kind of staccato-esque start to it, to make it punchy.

Mish: I had written the verse and chorus vocal parts for a completely different song, I was singing those along to the demo track for Martyr as a joke but it worked so well that we decided to keep it. Usually I write my parts from scratch.

Were there any challenges you faced while recording “Martyr,” and how did you overcome them?

Mish: The writing process was quite seamless, we tend to do a lot of work remotely and then get together to arrange/fine-tune our parts. We worked with Kalen Austin Productions to record this track and our previous single ‘Damaged’ over three days. On the day we were tracking vocals for Martyr, I had missed my antidepressant dose which gave me brain zaps and I also had a chronic pain flare up. This combination helped me deliver a really vulnerable performance, sometimes you just have to lean into however your mind, body, and voice is presenting. Kalen was really helpful in making the most out of the situation and even ended up singing harmonies on the chorus to give it an extra dimension. This inspired us to use Luke’s vocals live and now our set has multiple songs where Luke and I both sing.

How has the response from your fans been to “Martyr” compared to your previous releases?

Mish: So far we have been getting a lot of love on Martyr which we are so grateful for. It’s been very similar to our last single Damaged that came out in August. I think people are really enjoying the heavier instrumentation and the songwriting styles in both new tracks, compared to the previous releases.

General Band Questions

How did the band Torizon come together, and what’s the origin of the band’s name?

Mish: It started off as a bunch of song ideas after taking a short break from music to recover from a vocal cord injury. These ideas became more solid over time with the help of friends and session musicians who helped launch the band in 2019. Covid threw a lot of spanners in the works shortly after, but I am really proud of where we are now, it’s been amazing to see the band evolve since then.

The name is derived from the words torsion and event horizon in black holes. From a personal point of view, when life is difficult, it can feel like you are being sucked into a black hole but it’s important to remember that there is a horizon at the end of it all.

Could you describe the musical style and influences that shape your sound as a band?

Jordan: We have coined the term “petalcore” to define the two new singles and the EP we just finished writing – It’s alternative metal with pop sensibilities. As a collective we have a range of influences from metalcore to pop punk to alternative rock, emo and hip-hop which we draw from.

Luke: I feel that our sound comes from our own interpersonal styles. I’m influenced a lot by metalcore and modern metal. Whereas the others are influenced by alt rock, punk, pop… so it came together organically by blending those. I’d say we are definitely pop-metalcore or “petalcore” as we call it.

What is the most memorable live performance or concert experience you’ve had as a band?

Mish: Crowbar, Sydney with Opehus Omega and Triple Kill. We all drove together, it was a blast. The boys are hilarious – we made up silly tour games. Our set and sound was definitely one of the best it has been.

Luke: I would say, our Sydney show at the Crowbar. Great crowd, great sound guy, great bands – it felt like being in a room full of friends. The drive down and back and staying also helped in really cementing that show as my favorite at least.

Can you tell us about your songwriting process and how you collaborate as a band when creating new music?

Luke: Generally I start off with some riffs, sometimes even the full guitar structure, then add bass and synth. Mish and Jordan would then go through and add their magic. We then get together in front of the recording session, and go back and forth with what works and what doesn’t, and any ideas that we come up with. After that we will go through and re-record our parts – rinse and repeat the process until we are happy. Then we will practice it live in our rehearsal space a few times to see how it feels and make any last tweaks. I think the biggest help in our collaborating to finish a song is that we are open to hearing criticisms and ideas, and we leave egos at the door, and just care about the music.

Jordan: Luke is a riff machine. He generates a lot of the ideas then Mish and I come in with our parts and we shape the structure as a band. We all have our own home studios which speeds up the writing process.

Are there any upcoming projects or albums in the works for Torizon that fans can look forward to?

Mish: Yes we spent 8 months writing our next EP. We will be recording it in early 2024. Expect an overall heavier sound, a deeper guitar tuning, breakdowns as well as soft and raw passages. We are also booking interstate shows so definitely expect some tours.

How has your music evolved since you first formed as a band, and what direction do you see it heading in the future?

Luke: The sound has gone through a couple of changes in.

What’s planned for the remainder of 2023 going into 2024?

Jordan: We have one more show (unannounced) to finish the year off where we will be debuting some of our newest material. 2024 will see us recording a new EP, touring, writing more songs so we are at least a couple of releases ahead. Really excited to show what we have been working on behind the scenes.