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Jeff Mills – The Clairvoyant 3 x Vinyl, Digital Out on Axis February 26th

by the partae February 19, 2021

written by the partae

Tracklist

01. The Séance
02. Psuedoscience
03. Second Sight
04. Someone Who Feels Things
05. Calling All Loved Ones
06. Shadow With A Golden Aurra
07. I Feel A Presence
08. Three Signs From The Other Side_ Sign 1
09. Three Signs From The Other Side_ Sign 2
10. Three Signs From The Other Side_ Sign 3
11. Questions Decisions And Consequences
12. The Feeling Anything Is Possible
13. Dancing Shadows
14. Ganzfeld Experiments
15. The Spirit World
16. From The Mind’s Eye (digital bonus)

Jeff Mills_The Clairvoyant
Commentary

“There are many ways to imagine the future. One might be to look back in the past to see what has similarities to what we are seeing today. Another way might be to invent and build a time machine to jettison ahead in time to get a glimpse. And, one way might be to use our natural senses to feel what the future might be like. Though all are intriguing to explore, this album is about the latter option.

We are a species of human animals and we are guided by the ways of “knowing” from feeling; by the ways of intuition, premonitions and sensing. Each one of us are born with this special tool set that tells us when the time is right, when enough is enough and when there may be more or less to it. It has been these skills that has allowed humanity to survive and flourish for thousands of years. It is also safe to say that we do not know all there is to know about this skill.

A Clairvoyant is a person who claims to have a supernatural ability to perceive events in the future or beyond normal sensory contact. 100 years around 1920, a person with such abilities that could summon, speak to the decease and spirits were in high demand due to post World War I battle casualties, the Spanish Flu virus pandemic of 1918, the social and civil unrest and many more events that made uncertainty the norm. Ironically, the we were doomed to repeat some of these events and what we’re experiencing today. The general impression of Clairvoyant was that of a conductor of faux hope, scam artist that preys on grief and desperation or someone that believes in their natural ability a bit too much! In many cases, this might have credit, but also, it was this person, with this way of supposedly channeling the beyond that gave people hope, optimism, resolve and much needed closure.

The album plays in the way of a metaphysical séance and should be listened to in a darkened, candle lit room. A silent space, free of outside noise, chatter or talking and other visual distractions. The album should be listened in full – from beginning to end”.

– Jeff Mills

https://www.axisrecords.com/

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February 19, 2021 0 comments

Music News

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM ‘L.W.’ & NEW SONG ‘PLEURA’

by the partae February 19, 2021

written by the partae

Artwork by Ashley Goodall

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard are excited to announce their seventeenth studio album L.W., to be released February 26, 2021. The album serves as a direct follow-up to last year’s full-length K.G., and is the third volume in the band’s explorations into microtonal tunings (which began with 2017’s Flying Microtonal Banana). Pre-save the album HERE.

Following the recent releases of ‘If Not Now, Then When?’ and ‘O.N.E.’, both included on L.W., the band has also shared new track ‘Pleura’ – hear the track HERE, and watch the video HERE. The video, which consists of a live performance from the band’s studio and was filmed just last night, was directed by John Angus Stewart, who also helmed the band’s 2020 concert film Chunky Shrapnel.

“I think a true document of live music shouldn’t rely entirely on editing,” Stewart says. “There is something that happens with the way we perceive images, if something “live” is too produced, your mind sort of loses interest. With this format, we wanted to leave the editing up to the viewer. The decision of who to look at, and at what time determines each individual viewing experience. With each watch your experience will be completely different, which mirrors Gizzard’s experience playing the song live. The process is the same, yet the result is different.” WATCH THE VIDEO HERE.

Freewheeling six-headed freak-rock beast King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard return with seventeenth album L.W.

Serving as both a companion piece to its 2020 predecessor K.G. and a stand-alone work in its own right, L.W. sees the illustrious innovators produce a truly original work. After a full decade of increasingly frenzied productivity, the inability to tour during 2020 and into 2021 allowed the band to find a window of time in which, as frontman Stu Mackenzie puts it, “reset our brains, and try to figure out how to do a different thing.”

Where in the past King Gizzard might have recorded fourteen or fifteen songs to make the cut on a ten-track album, thanks to having extra time on their hands, they instead recorded nineteen complete tracks back to back. “For me personally, making a record is always a certain percentage of fun and a small percentage of agonising over it too,” says Mackenzie. “But there’s always a wild alchemy going into it. Like, you don’t really know what you’re doing, you’re just kind of throwing all of your emotional energy into nothing, which becomes…something?”

The result is a twin-set of records that expands upon the band’s microtonal explorations first heard on 2017’s Flying Microtonal Banana – regarded by many fans, and Stu himself, as one of their favourite Gizzard albums. Then as now, the band embarked upon a search for “the notes between the notes”, via modified instruments and the middle eastern tunings usually found on the bağlama, a Turkish stringed instrument. “We wanted to make new music that was somehow more colourful this time around, and which maybe reflected the many new things that we have learned along the way,” Stu explains. “After recording Flying Microtonal Banana the songs expanded when we played them live, so we felt ready to tackle the microtonal landscape again. Making these two new records was not expected, but because they were recorded in a way that was new to us – not being in the room at the same time – there was a feeling of almost being over-prepared, which is definitely not normal for us. Whatever normal is.”

On L.W. very different – and occasionally wonky – worlds collide. Album opener ‘If Not Now, Then When?’ morphs from mangled eastern rock into taut funk in a manner that somehow makes complete sense, while the amorphous and exotic ‘Pleura’ is a pungent gumbo of heady microtonal strings, tumescent riffs and endless surprises. Then there’s the slinky ‘Ataraxia’ which slithers like a sidewinder through the dusty catacombs of the imagination and the utterly disorientating ‘See Me’, which is nothing less than the national anthem of a scorched planet hitherto undiscovered. Here is an album that pulls, pushes and contorts western music into new shapes. Though some might categorise it as such, this is not ‘world music’ but ‘universal music’.

Only when this new clutch of songs was nearing completion did it become apparent they would form two separate releases. Such creative ambition and bold ideas have been King Gizzard’s stock in trade since day one. Let’s not forget this is a band whose innovative ideas have included – amongst other things – giving away the parts of an entire album for scores of international indie labels to press and sell themselves, have written a suite of songs that clock in at precisely 10 mins and 10 secs each, as well as a sludgy-stoner concept album about a lonely robot. Why record one album when you can record two?

Narratives are woven through the music across both release: L.W. ends, for example, with the same track that K.G. opens with (‘K.G.L.W’, obviously). Fans of the band will already be aware of similar such patterns embedded throughout their oeuvre: the award-winning, hard-riffing 2016 album Nonagon Infinity was a never-ending Möbius strip of music that looped in on itself. It was the type of iridescent collection of interlocking songs that you could imagine playing forever in a black hole as it spins on ever-deeper into the darkest reaches of the cosmos.

“I like to order a record early,” says Stu of these intricate structures and grand thematic concepts, in whose creation piles of maps and diagrams are often required. “That’s something that I often do. And usually, the easiest one to slot in is the opener, so listening back to L.W. a theme song of sorts emerged. The outro is like a mirror image of the intro. And as we worked on it, it kept growing, as a lot of our songs do. In this case it just kept getting more and more ridiculous. I’m not sure how he acquired them, but Joe (Walker, guitarist) got all these crazy samples that he put on there. There’s an MRI machine, hammers, power tools, a drawbridge, a chainsaw, an angle-grinder. Cookie played a hammer and an anvil. It’s very metal. Literally.”

As the band enter their second decade – and their frontman still only thirty years old – the creative future of this most 21st century of outfits only promises to be bolder, madder and more imaginative than ever. Their place in the pantheon alongside such disparate predecessors such as Grateful Dead, Hawkwind, Frank Zappa, The Doors, Black Sabbath and AC/DC is assured; though rest assured The Gizz prefer to always face the future than the past.

“We’re actually probably not as considered as people think that we are,” Stu concludes. “I’m always just trying to be in the band that I want to be in. But I’m also trying to be the band that I wish I could follow as a fan; so we’re both of those things at the same time. And I think that’s where my decision making lies: I’m always asking, what is the most fun thing we can do? If there’s a strategy at all, then it’s that.”

If the rumours emanating out of Melbourne are to be believed, King Gizzard are about to entire another fertile purple patch.

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard are: Stu Mackenzie (vocals/guitar), Ambrose Kenny-Smith (harmonica/vocals/keyboards), Cook Craig (guitar/vocals), Joey Walker (guitar/vocals), Lucas Harwood (bass) and Michael Cavanagh (drums).

Album discography: 12 Bar Bruise (2012), Eyes Like the Sky (2013), Float Along – Fill Your Lungs (2013), Oddments (2014), I’m In Your Mind Fuzz (2014), Quarters! (2015), Paper Mache Dream Balloon (2015), Nonagon Infinity (2016), Flying Microtonal Banana (2017), Murder of the Universe (2017), Sketches of Brunswick East (2017), Polygondwanaland (2017), Gumboot Soup (2017), Fishing for Fishies (2019), Infest The Rats’ Nest (2019), Chunky Shrapnel (live album) (2020), K.G. (2020).

February 19, 2021 0 comments

BOYSCLUB win triple j unearthed collab comp to write song with Nick Littlemore

by the partae February 19, 2021

written by the partae

WRITING SONG WITH NICK LITTLEMORE OF PNAU/EMPIRE OF THE SUN
SINGLE ‘BEST FOR YOU’ DROPPED IN LATE JANUARY

“BEST FOR YOU” TOUR DATES HAPPENING NOW

Sydney’s BOYSCLUB have been announced as one of five winners of triple j unearthed’s Collab Comp, and will be writing a song alongside PNAU and Empire of the Sun songwriter/frontman Nick Littlemore.

On triple j unearthed’s website, Littlemore said of the prospect of working with BOYSCLUB: ‘I’m well keen to make some dirty rock n roll and I’m very interested to see how we can reinvent the sound of rock for 2021. ‘

The announcement was made this morning on triple j radio.

If you aren’t familiar with BOYSCLUB yet, wisen up! It’s now 2021 and the patriarchy is cornered, lashing out like a beast with nowhere else to run. It’s time to sound the death knell on misogyny, discrimination and bigotry. But rather than the dreary toll of a bell, we send off the patriarchy with a blast of furious, energised punk rock sent forth from the minds, and amps, of Sydney’s BOYSCLUB!

The new single Best For You premiered on triple j’s Home & Hosed with Declan Byrne, with Declan saying that the new single “…hits a little heavier, it has a grungy appeal, somewhere between head-nodding and headbanging, you’re going to be swaying along to it!” and was promptly added to rotation on triple j Unearthed Radio.

Armed with an unwavering sense of justice for women, non-binary & men for equality, hard-earned life lessons and the legacy of those to have waved the flag of equality before them, BOYSCLUB have tasked themselves with systematically dismantling the prevailing wisdom; to change perspectives on queer empowerment, speak truth to addiction and amplifying the oft silenced voices of the victims of domestic violence.

BOYSCLUB are taking 2021 by the horns, once again lowering their visors to wage a new affront to the way things are – via new single BEST FOR YOU – and tour dates to spread the word. The new single is available at https://gyro.lnk.to/BestForYou.

BOYSCLUB are on tour now through February and March and are hitting Sydney, Bendigo, Melbourne, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Brisbane, Canberra and Wollongong – see killtheboysclub.com for ticket details!

BOYSCLUB. Forever standing for something more than themselves.

BOYSCLUB’s new single BEST FOR YOU is out now at https://gyro.lnk.to/BestForYou. Video is out now and ticket details for tour dates are available at killtheboysclub.com.

Marrickville – Sunday January 24th – Factory Theatre Main Room

Newcastle – Sunday February 14th – Hamilton Station Hotel

TOUR DATES
Sydney – Sunday February 21st – Frankies Pizza Mini Festival

Bendigo – Friday February 26th – Golden Vine Hotel

Melbourne – Saturday February 27th – Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar

Adelaide – Sunday February 28th – Backyard Punk Festival

Gold Coast – Friday March 5th – Vinnies Dive Bar

Byron Bay – Saturday March 6th – Howl & Moan / Skate Park show

Brisbane – Sunday March 7th – The Bearded Lady

Canberra – Friday March 12th – The Basement

Wollongong – March 14th – The Servo, Port Kembla

KILLTHEBOYSCLUB.COM

FOR TICKET DETAILS

February 19, 2021 0 comments

Festival News Music News

INDIGO SPARKE Debut album Echo out now Announces March album tour

by the partae February 19, 2021

written by the partae

Photo Credit Adrianne Lenker

PRAISE FOR INDIGO SPARKE

“I had the privilege and pleasure of getting to help Indigo put these recordings together back in April and throughout 2019. These songs became near and dear to me, and it was beautiful to help build the billowy landscapes within them. Indigo’s writing and voice are ethereal and angelic and guide me through internal canyons and plains. I’m deeply grateful to have been part of this and to have gotten to play and sing along side Indigo, and to have been able to eternalize a very special space and time with her, which I will always cherish.”
– Adrianne Lenker

“With these songs and her filament voice, Indigo brings us in to a private place and lights a fire there.” – Feist

“Indigo Sparke balance[s] heavy, reverb-drenched verses with moments of airy and acoustic whispers. This Australian artist tackles themes of vulnerability and femininity with an eye on life through a different lens.” – NPR, All Songs Considered

“Achingly beautiful and heart-wrenching… Feels impossibly intimate and vast at once, like a cherished secret that, once shared, becomes universal truth.” – Gorilla vs Bear

“Gorgeous and gentle… Sparke sings in an ethereal voice of the kind of love that makes you feel safe.” – Consequence of Sound

“If you like the hushed, delicate folk of Adrianne [Lenker]’s own material, you’re probably going to like this song too. Indigo is a natural, and this song hooks you in with little more than her voice and guitar.” -Brooklyn Vegan

“Sadly beautiful, haunting… Deceptively complex on an emotional level.” – Beats Per Minute

“A glowing guitar lullaby.” – Stereogum

Australian artist Indigo Sparke has today released debut album echo which was co-produced by Sparke, Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker and Andrew Sarlo. Sparke today releases a track by track breakdown of the record via Consequence of Sound. echo is out now digitally and available for vinyl pre-order via Sacred Bones.

To celebrate the release Indigo has announced a six-date AUS tour performing in Eltham, Brisbane, Bellingen, Sydney and Melbourne this March. Full ticket details available below.

Indigo Sparke brings her deeply personal lived experiences to her music, highlighting the spaces between the polarity of softness and grit. Pulling from her experiences of addiction, of healing, of queerness, of heartbreak, of joy, of connection, of the softness and of the grit alchemizing it all into tenderness through her music, she conjures up a myriad of feelings that is undeniably potent.

Indigo was born in the belly of Sydney, Australia straight into the heart of a family with music in their bones. Her parents, a jazz singer and a musician, named her after the Duke Ellington song ‘Mood Indigo,’ and her childhood was spent serenaded by a rich soundtrack of Joni Mitchell and Neil Young. From a young age Indigo felt called to the stage, attending a performing arts high school, and followed it with three years in an acting school, working as an actress before embedding herself and heeding the call to the path of music.

Indigo taught herself to play guitar in her early twenties. Over the next few years, she established herself on the Australian music scene, and released her EP Night Bloom in 2016. Indigo’s career continually bloomed, opening for Big Thief on the Australian dates of their 2017/ 2018 tour, and then was invited to play at South by Southwest 2019. There, NPR‘s Bob Boilen was first taken by Indigo, writing that her lyrics “both cut hard and comfort” and that her performance “balanced heavy, reverb-drenched verses with moments of airy and acoustic whispers.” Sparke began 2020 with a February Tiny Desk Concert at NPR, and had been booked as the opening act for Big Thief‘s sold-out tour of Australia and New Zealand, including a scheduled performance at the Sydney Opera House before Covid-19 saw everything change.

It was in 2019 that Indigo lived and travelled across America, in places like NYC, Minneapolis, Topanga, Taos, in many hotel rooms and amidst the vast stretching landscapes on the never ending highways, channelling her creative energy into the completion of her latest album, echo. echo was recorded between LA, Italy and New York, co-produced by Sparke, Adrianne Lenker (of Big Thief), and Andrew Sarlo (producer of Big Thief, Nick Hakim, Bon Iver, Hand Habits, etc). The record was completed at Figure 8 Studio in New York City, studio of musician Shahzad Ismaily. Phil Weinrobe (producer/engineer for Leonard Cohen, Damien Rice, Adrianne Lenker, Buck Meek, etc) engineered and mixed the album.

Of this incredibly deep and intimate record, Indigo says, “When writing and recording the record, I wondered how it would all come together. I felt like I was standing back in the desert, looking up at the blue night sky, wondering how all the stars would connect. I think sometimes it’s the dark matter or void space between them, that holds it all together. This record is an ode to death and decay. And the restlessness I feel to belong to something greater. Adrianne and I talked so much about keeping the record stripped back and simple, that is, we are all just constantly getting stripped back and humbled by life.”

Indigo’s art searches for the vulnerability that comes with a feeling of true safety, a vulnerability that can grant access to a world behind tangible experience. It is clear Indigo has lived and woven her many lives into these songs, telling us, “I feel and have often felt a million different women ramble and reconfigure the corners of my mind and soul. I think in my life, I have ricocheted off so many different walls within myself. It’s an endless search to understand the mysteries of life and love and history. As soon as you think you’ve got it, it’s gone. Sometimes I feel so thin. Sometimes I feel so robust. I think that comes through the music.”

While Indigo’s songs are an oceanic experience of emotion, her poetry is grounded. Like stone markers on the path, her poems are left for the reader as crossroads where something takes over beyond the logical mind. The visual realm has always been a part of Indigo’s writing process; songs and poems come to her as landscapes and human compositions, and her relationship with the camera is as natural as with the guitar. Indigo’s photography is a collaborative emotional practice that builds trust with the subject and helps them witness themselves in their most beautiful state. Photography’s compositional power has also led Indigo to re-imagine her work as an actress. Rather than working solely in front of the camera, she is transitioning into a role as composer and creative director, making projects that she can step into as subject rather than object.

“I feel that death and time hang over me like questions, I have felt the shimmer and the edge for so long now but what I long for are the worlds of safety and safe love. There are so many windows in life to look through and so many ways to heal and express. My photography, poetry and music, were born at a juncture mirroring different parts of me. I see and feel visually, I am obsessed with immortalizing memory.”

INDIGO SPARKE ALBUM TOUR

February 28, 2021 The Eltham, Eltham NSW
March 4, 2021 The Zoo, Brisbane QLD
March 6, 2021 5 Church Street, Bellingen NSW
March 7, 2021 5 Church Street, Bellingen NSW
March 10, 2021 Oxford Art Factory, Sydney NSW
March 11, 2021 Howler, Melbourne VIC
Tickets via Niche Productions

Indigo Sparke – Echo is out
now digitally, physical release Friday 21st May
via Sacred Bones Records

Indigo Sparke
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram
remotecontrolrecords.com

February 19, 2021 0 comments

Music News

HAND HABITS Releases dirt EP

by the partae February 19, 2021

written by the partae

Photo Credit: Kovi Konowiecki

PRAISE FOR HAND HABITS

“(‘4th of july’ is) their best song ever.”
-NPR

“Meg Duffy has leveled up with every Hand Habits album and it looks as though they’re about to do it again.”
-Stereogum

“Meg Duffy explores the symbiotic relationship between destruction and creation on their latest release… Their songwriting taps into the human experience in a manner both poetic and effortlessly relatable.”
-Paste

Comprised of two songs, ‘4th of july,’ a simmering swell of chaos and beauty and ‘i believe in you,’ a favorite of Duffy’s from the Neil Young canon, the EP finds the songwriter exploring themes of growth and finding ways to let go of the parts of their past that no longer serve them.

After cutting their teeth in the upstate New York d.i.y. music scene and several years of session and touring guitar work for Kevin Morby, and a long list of other artists, Duffy released their debut album Wildly Idle (Humble Before the Void), a home-recorded, self-produced work that announced the project as a full-time affair.

While their follow-up album placeholder saw them working with producer Brad Cook at Justin Vernon‘s April Base Studios and garnering praise from such outlets as NPR which called the work “their most fully realized statement” and the Los Angeles Times which praised the work as a “virtually seamless country rock album, with verses moving fluidly into choruses that travel unimpeded across sparkling, architecturally sophisticated bridges.” dirt showcases an artist returning to the fertile creative ground of their home.

However, this time around home-recording didn’t necessarily mean working in isolation. Duffy had relocated to a shared living situation in Los Angeles with musicians Sasami Ashworh and Kyle Thomas (King Tuff), which also housed Thomas’ studio. The resulting songs showcase this creatively collaborative environment, with Ashworh co-producing the lead single and Thomas co-producing ‘i believe in you.’ Such is the strength of this relationship, in fact, that this new single just may serve as a bridge toward a greater body of work the three will ultimately create together.

The resulting EP illuminates the songwriter’s attempts to evolve beyond the confines of their past. As they put it, ” ‘4th of july’ feels like trying again, rolling around in the wreckage of the past and finding new ways out of the maze of memory.”

The sonic texture of the song complements this lyrical journey, with a simple and sparse introduction marked by a slow burn crescendo hinting at the rupture to come, followed by an ecstatic wail of transcendent emotion. Fittingly, it concludes with a reprise of the beginning but this time altered by new sounds, suggesting a new perspective.

Similarly, Duffy breathes new life into the Young staple, adding a foreboding weight and impact to the long-familiar words.

For Duffy, the process of recording and the song’s themes of growth through trust dovetailed perfectly.

As they note, “There’s a foundation, and when there’s a foundation there’s opportunity to reimagine structures; physical and otherwise.”

Purchase / Stream Hand Habits – dirt EP: https://handhabits.ffm.to/dirt

Hand Habits – ‘i believe in you’ (official video)

Hand Habits – dirt EP is out now
via Milk! Records / Remote Control Records

Hand Habits
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

February 19, 2021 0 comments

Festival News Music News

GRAPEVINE GATHERING ANNOUNCES 2021 LINEUP FEATURING PEKING DUK, THE JUNGLE GIANTS, THE VERONICAS, VERA BLUE + HOSTED BY THE INSPIRED UNEMPLOYED

by the partae February 19, 2021

written by the partae

Saturday October 2 – Sandalford Estate, Swan Valley, WA

Saturday October 9 – Roche Estate, Hunter Valley, NSW

Saturday October 16 – Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley, VIC

After a COVID-induced hiatus, Grapevine Gathering is back and just as full-bodied as ever before. This October around Australia, Grapevine Gathering will offer up a myriad of the ripest local talent which will be complemented by the finest local food and produce on offer and of course a selection of the tastiest drops from each respective region.

Ex-tradies turned instagram celebrities ‘The Uninspired Unemployed’ will be hosting Grapevine Gathering and performing changeover DJ sets around the country. The duo started their instagram account during COVID out of boredom sharing hilarious skits and videos. They now have almost a million followers, have quit their day jobs as tradies, and have collaborated with the likes of Vogue, GQ and Louis Vuitton.

Full lineup:

Peking Duk

The Jungle Giants

Vera Blue

The Veronicas

San Cisco

CC:Disco!

King Stingray

Rest For The Wicked

+ More TBA

Hosted by The Inspired Unemployed

Located in the picturesque wine regions, partygoers will be treated to lush vineyards, rolling lawns and world-class wine. Situated in tranquil and picturesque surrounds, Grapevine Gathering will be returning to its home in the Yarra Valley.

Making its return to the legendary Roche Estate in NSW, the world-class concert venue is situated in the heart of the Hunter Valley providing partygoers with the perfect getaway.

Situated on the scenic doorstep of the Swan Valley in WA, Sandalford’s picturesque gardens, alfresco amphitheatre and expansive vineyard are in a class of their own. Just 25 minutes away from Perth, the lush vineyard is the perfect location for a wine and music pairing.

Grapevine Gathering is by Untitled Group – the same organisers of four-day New Year’s Eve Festival Beyond the Valley, as well Ability Fest their collaboration with Paralympian of the year Dylan Alcott, lifestyles and event series For The Love, electronic music festival Pitch Music & Arts, Wildlands, and more.

Just like the fine wine you’ll be sipping on, Grapevine’s musical talent has been designed to be the perfect pairing. The best in Australian talent have been hand-crafted for ultimate pleasure and an aftertaste you’ll never forget.

PEKING DUK

Peking Duk are renowned for giving you high energy dancefloor anthems for the good times. While we have always loved them as a loose-unit electronic act, the moment Adam and Reuben emerged from behind the decks and channelled their antics into the glorious shitstorm of energy that is a Peking Duk live show, they became legend.

JUNGLE GIANTS

With well over 300 million streams worldwide and growing, The Jungle Giants are fast becoming an unstoppable force. Known for delivering explosive high-energy live performances. With headline festival performances under their belt and a rapidly growing international fan base, The Jungle Giants have cemented themselves as one of the biggest independent acts in Australia.

VERA BLUE

The metamorphosis of gifted folk singer/songwriter Celia Pavey into the electro pop powerhouse Vera Blue has been as visually electrifying as it has musically scintillating.

It began with the release of her rapturously received debut album ‘Perennial’. The album saw Vera Blue play 5 completely sold out Australian tours, European/UK and USA dates, and multiple festivals including Lollapalooza and Splendour in the Grass.

THE VERONICAS

Coming back onto everyone’s radars after their song ‘Untouched’ reached new heights as a classic, The Veronicas are riding the wave of a second round of success.

Jessica and Lisa Origliasso, twin girls born on Christmas Day, were teenagers when they moved to LA, signed a record deal with Sire Records and released their first album, The Secret Life Of…. and three top ten singles including the timeless anthem 4Ever.

SAN CISCO

‘Between You And Me’ is the recently released fourth album from the indie trio. It’s an album two years and at least one sadly remembered love affair in the making. Featuring the singles ‘When I Dream’ and ‘Skin’, both triple j Hottest 100 voted songs, the groove-laden ‘Reasons’ and new singles ‘One The Line’ & ‘Messages’, it’s clear ‘Between You and Me’ tells a widescreen story of loss and letting go.

King Stingray

King Stingray are a four piece from Yirrkala, North-East Arnhem Land. Formed by Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu (nephew of the late Dr M Yunupiŋu – Yothu Yindi frontman) and Roy Kellaway (son of Stu Kellaway – Yothu Yindi founding member and bass player), King Stingray blend ancient indigenous melodies with surf, indie and funk influences to create a genre of their own, Yolŋu surf-rock. Their debut single ‘Hey Wanhaka’ has been met with huge success being added to high rotation on triple j.

Rest For The Wicked

With their debut single on the horizon, Rest For The Wicked are one of the most promising acts in Australia. Think the new school genreless vibe of Dominic Fike and Still Woozy, the conceptual visual alternative pop of Gorillaz and Empire of the Sun, the raw indie energy of Glass Animals, Twenty One Pilots and Mac Demarco. Slowthai. Watch this space.

Presale Registrations close: Wednesday 24th February 3pm AEDT

Presale On Sale: Wednesday 24th February 6pm AEDT

General on sale: Thursday 25th February, 12pm AEDT

Get Connected:

https://www.grapevinegathering.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/grapevinegathering/

February 19, 2021 0 comments

Music News

Sydney hip hop artist Lanstan releases sophomore EP, ‘Vision’. Featuring the singles ‘Blueprint’ and ‘Trophy’.

by the partae February 19, 2021

written by the partae

Since 2017, Lanstan has cemented himself as one of the crucial voices in Australian hip hop, offering introspective songwriting from the perspective of a young man striving for success. Today he releases his sophomore EP Vision.

One of Lanstan’s main goals is to help elevate the hip-hop scene on the Northern beaches and connect with the youth. It’s a mission that was forged on his acclaimed releases ‘Dream State’ (produced by Kuren) and ‘Go To Sleep’ on his debut EP ‘Dreams’.

As shown by his 2019 singles ‘Blueprint’ and ‘Trophy’, Lanstan wrote the songs on the new EP with the intention of being able to perform them with maximum energy.

As Lanstan further explains, “Vision is me sharing my goals and ambitions as well as my fears and insecurities. It’s my most direct and vulnerable explanation of my Vision as an artist. I wanted every song to strike a different tone but all surround the same theme. It’s very important to me that by the end of the project, you know me better as an artist. Whether I’m singing, rapping or shouting, there’s something for every fan of hip-hop music on there.”

The Vision EP was crafted in collaboration with Max Muller (Muller Made), Tom Garnett, Joseph Colmenero, Ollie Roland, Steven Petridis (Espa) and recording engineer Daniel Natoli.

“This EP has been a long time in the making and has been some of the best times of my life (even with the pandemic situation). With the help of an amazing team around me I have smashed some of my biggest goals in music and continued in an upward trajectory. Reuniting with Miles for this project was a very special moment too. Although we have been making music together non-stop for years, we have been focussing on releasing our solo music and backlogging our content together.

A lot of our followers have been begging us to drop some music together and I’m honoured that we got to do that on my project. I made sure to spare absolutely no expense on this project and spent months fixing up tiny details in the mixes as well as meticulously planning the tone I wanted to strike for the project. This EP is very special to me and I hope it will find a place in the history of Australian hip-hop music.”
Lanstan

‘Trophy’ carefully builds momentum, with its nuanced hip hop production supported by a delicate flute and lilting guitars.”

NME Australia

“Though each of his tracks differ in their vibe, the undeniable raw talent, power, and rapid-fire lyricism that Lanstan possesses is on full display at every turn.”

Tone Deaf

“Vision comes straight from the heart and it shows Lanstan is a pure talent when it comes to creating music that will hang around for a long time.”
AAA Backstage

“Hailing from Sydney’s Northern Beaches, 21 year old Lanstan is one of Australian hip-hop’s brightest up and comers.”

Good Call Live

“The melodies in this are hard to deny, it feels bold without being too egotistical…”

Triple J, Declan Byrne (‘Blueprint’, 2020)

“Lanstan has continued to build his brand and loyal following through conceptually immersive projects.”

Black of Hearts

EP: ‘Vision’ is released Friday February 19th 2021

Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Triple J Unearthed

February 19, 2021 0 comments

Festival News Music News

A long weekend at the Bowl with two new shows announced: The Cat Empire, and Kids at the Bowl feat. Justine Clarke, Jimmy Giggle and Dan Sultan

by the partae February 18, 2021

written by the partae

The March long weekend just got a whole lot more exciting as Live at the Bowl welcomes the feel-good splendour of The Cat Empire and some family fun with Justine Clarke, Jimmy Giggle, Dan Sultan and Pevan & Sarah from 6 – 7 March.

Hometown festival favourites The Cat Empire are back after the longest absence from a Melbourne stage in their career. The Live at the Bowl show on Saturday 6 March will be their first Melbourne performance in over a year and they could not be happier to be back.

“After the year that’s been, and what it’s meant for live music, we’re truly excited to get back on stage in the heart of the city that raised us. The Cat Empire has always thrived on the live experience; the Sidney Myer Music Bowl show promises to be a real homecoming,” says The Cat Empire’s front man Felix Riebl.

Audiences can expect The Cat Empire’s all-genre-embracing anthems, high-energy performance and sounds to elevate the spirit. This joyful performance will be the perfect soundtrack for a night under the stars.

Supporting The Cat Empire will be “the high priestess of Melbourne soul” (The Music) Kylie Auldist who released a brand new album in November last year called This Is What Happiness Looks Like.

Families and children can also join in the fun with their favourite ABC Kids stars from 6 – 7 March. This one-off weekend event will feature Justine Clarke, Jimmy Giggle, Dan Sultan and Pevan & Sarah as part of Kids at the Bowl.

In four shows only, Australia’s top children’s entertainers will perform a selection of their greatest hits in an all-singing, all-dancing, all-laughing hour of fun! There are very limited tickets available for the family shows so get in quick.

These March long weekend shows are presented in partnership with City of Melbourne.

Tickets will go on sale from 12pm, Friday 19 February via liveatthebowl.com.au

We’re excited to be welcoming visitors back to our venues in line with the most recent Victorian Government guidelines on COVID-19. We have opened our outdoor café Protagonist, the Sunday Markets as well as the Australian Music Vault. These openings coincided with the Live at the Bowl season, which officially kicked off on 8 January 2021.

While the ghost lights will stay on a little longer inside our venues, we will continue to offer audiences the chance to experience the wonder of the performing arts via our digital hub – Together With You. For more information including: our opening plans and related health and safety policies; bookings for free and ticketed events; and other digital content and experiences, please visit artscentremelbourne.com.au.

February 18, 2021 0 comments

Music News

Middle East Super Brand MDLBEAST Launch Record Label

by the partae February 17, 2021

written by the partae

A Multiple Artist Album ‘Soundstorm Vol 1’ will be the 1st work from the newly formed label.

Globally renowned lifestyle and entertainment brand MDLBEAST is continuing to develop as it launches a brand new record label that will become the exciting new home for musical talent across the Arab region. The first release is a carefully curated showcase album of forward thinking music from global superstars named Soundstorm Volume 1 as a nod to the brand’s own game changing festival, Soundstorm. The first single from it, ‘Ringtone’ by R3HAB, comes with its own unique video and is released on February 26th while the full album arrives in April with tracks by superstars like Salvatore Ganacci, BUTCH and Afrojack and local rising talents like Cosmicat.

MDLBEAST is a fast evolving and influential brand now moving into showcasing emerging talent. MDLBEAST Records will unearth and nurture the best recording artists, DJs and producers from across the region and will eventually grow into a series of sub labels focussed on various vital sounds from underground deep house to techno to EDM and afrobeat. Unearthing untapped local talents and helping them grow into international names will always be a prime concern for the label.

There will also be regular flagship releases featuring international talent around the brand’s iconic events with styles including house, techno and EDM Style from both big global DJs and future stars of the Middle East alike.   Soundstorm Vol 1 will be composed of exclusive tracks from superstar international DJs, with each track benefitting from a bespoke global marketing campaign to drive awareness and streaming activity.

Talal Albahiti, Chief Operating Officer of MDLBEAST says – ‘’MDLBEAST is all about amplifying the unseen, building a platform for Arab Artists to showcase their talent to the world & bring international artists closer to arab audiences. Launching our label MDLBEAST Records is another big milestone on our journey to create cultural exchange through music. We are especially proud that our good friend and collaborator R3HAB will be the first artist to officially launch his single ‘Ringtone’ on MDLBEAST Records.”

MDLBEAST is the promoter of the unrivalled and record breaking Soundstorm, a bold and adventurous new festival for the region that set a new standard with its first edition in December 2019. For obvious reasons it was postponed in 2020 but hopes to be back this year with 400,000 more people and acts like David Guetta, Martin Garrix, R3hab, Steve Aoki, Tiësto, and Afrojack who all played in year one.

MDLBEAST are also behind the hugely popular virtual festival series ‘Freqways’, which united music lovers all over the world with a special focus on the Middle East in 2020 and into 2021. It is the fastest growing entertainment company in the region with a huge reach and great influence. Now it is putting all that knowledge, dedication and expertise to good use, showcasing and developing the ever growing pool of musical talent that is emerging in the Arab region. Through this label and the continuation of the festival, the aim is to really shine a light on the region’s rich and creative music scene at the sametime as helping it to continue to evolve, grow and move forward.

Further volumes will follow later in the year, with plans for a radio show, playlists, ‘Ringtone’ remix challenge and much more. But for now excitement is already building for this bold, new game changing project from the MDLBEAST team.

https://mdlbeast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mdlbeast/

https://www.facebook.com/MDLBEAST

February 17, 2021 0 comments

Music News

LÂLKA ANNOUNCES DEBUT EP ‘THE WAY MUSIC LOOKS’ OUT MARCH 17 NEW SINGLE ‘ANGEL/JEZEBEL’ OUT NOW

by the partae February 17, 2021

written by the partae

LOVE FOR LÂLKA

“Bass driven PC flavours that HIT!”
Andy Garvey, triple j

“Hyperpop brilliance”
NME

“For fans of Why!, M.I.A. and the Internet (not the band)”
The Guardian

“Has time and time again proven her place in the upper echelon of
Australia’s underground pop scene”
Pilerats

“PC pop leader of the future”
Tone Deaf

“A colourful collage of contemporary self expression”
Sniffers

LÂLKA returns with new single ‘Angel/Jezebel‘ with the news of her debut EP, The Way Music Looks, out March 17. Listen and watch HERE.

Where ‘Atomic Blonde‘ was inspired by the intersection of fashion and music, ‘Angel/Jezebel‘ takes its influence from the Phoenician princess of the Old Testament, whose pop cultural reputation precedes her. She explains, “Jezebel. Painted in wicked light by the anachronism of men writing history. Yet, I always felt an affinity with this queen. Possibly because of the fact that as an immigrant living in a white-washed country, I instinctively empathise with her struggle to be accepted in her foreign home and her resolve to cling onto the traditions of her native culture. As a fashion lover, I take delight in the fact that she faced death with deliberate stylishness. Slay, Queen.”

For LÂLKA, Jezebel represents her own rumbling underbelly, an uncompromising assertiveness and rebellion that wrestles with the perceptions ascribed to the producer as soft spoken and sweet natured. Co-written with Ninajirachi and Muki, ‘Angel/Jezebel‘ takes aim at these one dimensional stereotypes of docility that disenfranchise young Asian women like her. This release sees the producer dismantle and reclaim these parts of herself on her own terms – one of the many waves of empowerment that runs deep across The Way Music Looks.

LÂLKA‘s debut EP is the product of unbridled self expression. A passionate and carefully crafted undertaking produced alongside a cast of collaborators including Ninajirachi, Muki, BRUX, Donatachi, Oh Boy, Trophie and Becki Whitton. Its electro-pop make-up traces its undercurrent of proving one’s self worth with resolute commentary on trying to belong while performing and living as an artist of colour in so called Australia.

The Way Music Looks is complete with a set of visualisers for its five song track list, produced entirely by LÂLKA. The artist will also release a photo book (digital and physical) that deep dives in the EP’s making, including behind the scenes photos and collage of Ableton stems, lyrics and more. The Way Music Looks is LÂLKA‘s formal introduction as a didactic musician and artist at the helm of her own making.

‘Angel/Jezebel‘ is out now, buy/stream it here.

LÂLKA
THE WAY MUSIC LOOKS EP
March 17
PRE-SAVE

TRACKLIST
Angel/Jezebel
XOXO Kiss Kiss
Atomic Blonde
Make U Nervous
Gold Lies

Stay connected with LÂLKA:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube

February 17, 2021 0 comments

Music News

Simone Schinkel Secured as Music Victoria’s New CEO

by the partae February 17, 2021

written by the partae

image by Kane Hibberd

The Music Victoria Board announced today that Simone Schinkel has been appointed as the organisation’s next CEO.
A professional arts leader, Simone brings with her a celebrated reputation for strategic sector development, and a commitment to equity and justice.
Simone comes to Music Victoria from Theatre Network Australia where, as General Manager, she drove the sectors’ COVID 19 response which centred on fundraising efforts and providing essential cash grants to those most impacted. One of her lasting legacies will be the formation of a national alliance of arts industry councils to provide a national advocacy platform. She holds a Master of Arts and Cultural Management, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in technical production, is an alumni of the Australia Council’s Emerging Leaders Development Program and Co-convenor of the Arts Industry Council of Victoria.
An unabashed music lover and supporter, Simone has been moved to tears by Kutcha Edwards singing an alternative national anthem, tried her hand at 6 different musical instruments, volunteered at community radio (4ZZZ), and even admits to dancing unashamedly to the Teeny Tiny Stevies.

Simone said – When I got this gig, I celebrated by grabbing a drink at the Lomond Hotel and checking in on their live music situation. I can’t wait to be more than just a punter. I’m looking forward to building on the impressive work of Paddy and Dale, and to driving the lasting change that is needed to see Victorian music flourish again.
Sally Howland – Chair, Music Victoria said – In Simone we have found the person to lead our organisation and sector through its next critical stage. COVID 19 has decimated our industry and Simone is absolutely the right person to drive our sector back to growth. Her astute thinking and demonstrated abilities at capacity building gives the Music Victoria Board every confidence that she will be an ardent advocate on behalf of our membership, our stakeholders and our wider music community. We’re thrilled to have her at the helm.
Simone will begin with Music Victoria on International Women’s Day – 8^th March 2020.
The Board extends its deepest gratitude to Dale Packard for his exemplary role in steering the organisation in recent months. Dale will assume his position as General Manager from March 8^th.

Music Victoria is an independent, not-for-profit organisation and the state peak body for contemporary music. We represent musicians, venues, music businesses and professionals, and music lovers across the contemporary Victorian music community. Music Victoria provides advocacy on behalf of the music sector, actively supports the development of the Victorian music community, and celebrates and promotes Victorian music.

www.musicvictoria.com.au

February 17, 2021 0 comments

Music News

EX:RE Announce Ex:Re with 12 Ensemble Out this Friday 19 February Shares opening track ‘Where The Time Went’

by the partae February 17, 2021

written by the partae

Photo Credit: Maria Kochiashvili

Elena Tonra of Daughter resumes her Ex:Re moniker to present a reinterpretation of her debut solo album.

Ex:Re with 12 Ensemble, released digitally on 19th February 2021, is a collaboration between Tonra, classical composer Josephine Stephenson and one of the UK’s leading string orchestras, 12 Ensemble.
Originally released in 2018, Ex:Re (pronounced “Ex Ray” and meaning “regarding Ex”) laid bare Tonra’s unfiltered internal monologue after the end of a relationship. Containing her most personal lyrics to date and brought into being with the help of Stephenson and producer/drummer Fabian Prynn, Ex:Re struck a chord with the broken-hearted and brought closure to a chapter in Tonra’s life.

Ex:Re with 12 Ensemble reimagines and complements its predecessor. It was recorded by Fabian Prynn during performances at Kings Place (the multi-arts venue in London’s King’s Cross neighbourhood) on the 30th November 2019, where Tonra was joined onstage by Stephenson on piano and the 12-piece string orchestra, 12 Ensemble.

Josephine Stephenson, a celebrated composer, arranger and performer, was approached by Kings Place to curate an event for their “Venus Unwrapped” 2019 season. Stephenson saw space in the programming for a live performance that bridged the gap between the classical and non-classical worlds, and having recently been involved with Ex:Re, collaborating once more with Tonra made perfect sense.

Stephenson’s new arrangements of the original Ex:Re album into classical form strip back the songs, heightening the emotion and vulnerability of the lyrics. “Working with acoustic instruments was an opportunity to add subtle, yet tangible dynamic details to highlight Elena’s words. As the Ex:Re songs are often built from loops, I enjoyed exploring the multitude of possible variations and reinventions within these, adding counter-melodies and making small changes in harmony or voicing. After touring with the Ex:Re band for a year, I knew the songs inside out, and had already started expanding and orchestrating them in my head. I also felt fearless knowing I was writing for the 12 Ensemble, who are all exceptionally talented musicians and comfortable in all sorts of genres.“

Tonra and Stephenson found respite in the recordings months after the Kings Place performance. “We were mixing the record while concerts and events around the world were being cancelled and postponed, so it was really moving to listen to the audio over and over during that time. The sound of a room filled with people was, and is, something we were all greatly missing.” says Tonra.

Ex:Re with 12 Ensemble, mixed by Jonathan Lefèvre-Reich, warps the space between audience and performer. It places the listener in the centre of the music, surrounded by a semi-circular wall of string sounds, to recreate the experience of the performance from up close. “There is also some magic in there” says Tonra, “Jonathan added some beautiful moments of story-telling in the mix. On New York, for example, the strings suddenly feel as though they are dripping down the sides of your head.”

Pre-save Ex:Re with 12 Ensemble: https://exre.ffm.to/exrewith12ensemble

Ex:Re – Ex:Re with 12 Ensemble

1. Where The Time Went (with 12 Ensemble)
2. Crushing (with 12 Ensemble)
3. New York (with 12 Ensemble)
4. Romance (with 12 Ensemble)
5. The Dazzler (with 12 Ensemble)
6. Too Sad (with 12 Ensemble)
7. Liar (with 12 Ensemble)

Ex:Re – Ex:Re With 12 Ensemble is released digitally on
19 February via 4AD / Remote Control Records.

Ex:Re
Website | Facebook | Instagram

February 17, 2021 0 comments

Peter Noble OAM, Bluesfest Festival Director and Chairman of the Bluesfest Group of Companies announced this morning: “The NSW Government has indicated that, if the current COVID-19 situation continues in NSW, Bluesfest would be permitted to proceed, following our comprehensive COVID-19 safety plan. This is a great day, not only for Bluesfest, but also for the Australian Live Music Industry and our unrelenting efforts to get back to presenting Live Music Safely. Whilst our capacity, stages and campgrounds will be approximately 50% of the numbers we have had in the past, it is great to know there is a future for our industry, and that we have been given the opportunity to present Bluesfest 2021 at a level not seen at festivals in Australia since the summer of 2019/20. We were heartbroken after last year’s cancellation three weeks out from the festival, due to NSW government orders. However, our resolve to present our beloved, multi award-winning festival resulted in our commencing work with Riskworks to create a COVID-19 Safety Plan in May of 2020. We first lodged it with government in August and have continued to refine the plan since that time. We have worked closely with NSW Health in developing the plan and are extremely thankful for their ongoing advice. Certainly, the NSW Events Task Force and the offices of Stuart Ayres, Minister for Tourism and Major Events NSW; John Barilaro, the Deputy Premier NSW; Ben Franklin, NSW Parliamentary Secretary for the Arts; the office of Don Harwin, NSW Minister for the Arts and Paul Fletcher, Federal Minister for the Arts are to be commended for working closely with us on a weekly basis to achieve this milestone result for the music loving people of Australia,” said Bluesfest Festival Director Peter Noble. Bluesfest is a five-time winner of Best Major Event at the NSW Tourism Awards, and a member of the NSW Tourism Hall of Fame, as well as being nominated nine times as Best International Music Festival in the Pollstar Awards which take place in Los Angeles, including their 30th Anniversary edition 2019. “We have an All-Aussie lineup playing at Easter at our purpose-built event site, The Byron Events Farm (formerly Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm) in Byron Shire, 15 minutes’ drive north from Byron Bay. Bluesfest is headlined by an amazing lineup of talent, including Jimmy Barnes, Tash Sultana, Ocean Alley, Ziggy Alberts, The Teskey Brothers, John Butler, Xavier Rudd, The Cat Empire, Kasey Chambers, The Waifs, The Church, John Williamson, Ian Moss, Kev Carmody, Vika & Linda, Chain, Backsliders, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Blue King Brown, Kate Miller-Heidke, Dami Im, Weddings Parties Anything, Russell Morris, Briggs, Jon Stevens and many, many more. At the moment we are 80% sold out and our Friday, Saturday and Sunday days are expected to sell out” Noble said. “We will be inspecting the 150-page COVID-19 Safety Plan in depth and will make a further announcement on how Bluesfest will be presented in a safe manner next week. What we can say is that the plan is created in a way where we can adapt to the requirements of the NSW Health Department should there be a need to create higher levels of safety for the public on site, and, of course, we are also hopeful, that conditions will be further relaxed should there be no further community transmissions. The good news is you won’t need to wear a mask currently whilst attending. We are looking forward to seeing your smiling faces as you experience the best in Australian music at an outdoor fully seated event. There are so many people to thank who took part in working with us in getting to this point. The artists and their agents and managers, the media for their ongoing support, our suppliers and of course the Bluesfest Team who never wavered, well … only sometimes, in their conviction to produce Bluesfest at Easter (April 1-5) this year. But number one is, our gratitude to the music fans, who purchased the tickets from the moment we went on sale and who will join us in making history as major live music events return in Australia.” Let’s bring back the music ! Peter Noble OAM Executive Chairman Bluesfest Group of Companies

Festival News Music News

BLUESFEST COVID-19 SAFETY PLAN APPROVED

by the partae February 17, 2021

written by the partae

Peter Noble OAM, Bluesfest Festival Director and Chairman of the Bluesfest Group of Companies announced this morning:

“The NSW Government has indicated that, if the current COVID-19 situation continues in NSW, Bluesfest would be permitted to proceed, following our comprehensive COVID-19 safety plan.

This is a great day, not only for Bluesfest, but also for the Australian Live Music Industry and our unrelenting efforts to get back to presenting Live Music Safely.
Whilst our capacity, stages and campgrounds will be approximately 50% of the numbers we have had in the past, it is great to know there is a future for our industry, and that we have been given the opportunity to present Bluesfest 2021 at a level not seen at festivals in Australia since the summer of 2019/20.

We were heartbroken after last year’s cancellation three weeks out from the festival, due to NSW government orders. However, our resolve to present our beloved, multi award-winning festival resulted in our commencing work with Riskworks to create a COVID-19 Safety Plan in May of 2020. We first lodged it with government in August and have continued to refine the plan since that time.

We have worked closely with NSW Health in developing the plan and are extremely thankful for their ongoing advice. Certainly, the NSW Events Task Force and the offices of Stuart Ayres, Minister for Tourism and Major Events NSW; John Barilaro, the Deputy Premier NSW; Ben Franklin, NSW Parliamentary Secretary for the Arts; the office of Don Harwin, NSW Minister for the Arts and Paul Fletcher, Federal Minister for the Arts are to be commended for working closely with us on a weekly basis to achieve this milestone result for the music loving people of Australia,” said Bluesfest Festival Director Peter Noble.

Bluesfest is a five-time winner of Best Major Event at the NSW Tourism Awards, and a member of the NSW Tourism Hall of Fame, as well as being nominated nine times as Best International Music Festival in the Pollstar Awards which take place in Los Angeles, including their 30th Anniversary edition 2019.

“We have an All-Aussie lineup playing at Easter at our purpose-built event site, The Byron Events Farm (formerly Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm) in Byron Shire, 15 minutes’ drive north from Byron Bay. Bluesfest is headlined by an amazing lineup of talent, including Jimmy Barnes, Tash Sultana, Ocean Alley, Ziggy Alberts, The Teskey Brothers, John Butler, Xavier Rudd, The Cat Empire, Kasey Chambers, The Waifs, The Church, John Williamson, Ian Moss, Kev Carmody, Vika & Linda, Chain, Backsliders, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Blue King Brown, Kate Miller-Heidke, Dami Im, Weddings Parties Anything, Russell Morris, Briggs, Jon Stevens and many, many more.
At the moment we are 80% sold out and our Friday, Saturday and Sunday days are expected to sell out” Noble said.

“We will be inspecting the 150-page COVID-19 Safety Plan in depth and will make a further announcement on how Bluesfest will be presented in a safe manner next week. What we can say is that the plan is created in a way where we can adapt to the requirements of the NSW Health Department should there be a need to create higher levels of safety for the public on site, and, of course, we are also hopeful, that conditions will be further relaxed should there be no further community transmissions.

The good news is you won’t need to wear a mask currently whilst attending. We are looking forward to seeing your smiling faces as you experience the best in Australian music at an outdoor fully seated event.

There are so many people to thank who took part in working with us in getting to this point.
The artists and their agents and managers, the media for their ongoing support, our suppliers and of course the Bluesfest Team who never wavered, well … only sometimes, in their conviction to produce Bluesfest at Easter (April 1-5) this year. But number one is, our gratitude to the music fans, who purchased the tickets from the moment we went on sale and who will join us in making history as major live music events return in Australia.”

Let’s bring back the music !

Peter Noble OAM
Executive Chairman
Bluesfest Group of Companies

February 17, 2021 0 comments

Music News

GOOD INTENT ANNOUNCE NEW MANAGEMENT SIGNINGS SAINT LANE, CLOSE COUNTERS AND FANGZ, PLUS INTERNAL PROMOTIONS

by the partae February 16, 2021

written by the partae

Sydney-based artist services agency Good Intent have just announced new management signings Saint Lane, Close Counters and FANGZ, as well as internal promotions within their PR and Label Services divisions.

“We’re ecstatic to reveal the new additions to our family in Lane, Close Counters and FANGZ,” says newly appointed Artist & PR Services Manager, Nick Moran. “The team and myself have been friends and worked with all three artists in various capacities over some time now, so to be able to represent their careers as managers is an absolute honour!” he continues.

Bursting onto the scene in mid-2019, Gold Coast-based New Zealand born artist Saint Lane quickly garnered praise from triple j, The Needle Drop, NME, Spotify, Apple Music, The Guardian, GQ, Billboard and Beats 1 with Briggs. In the live arena Saint Lane has traversed the country supporting the likes of Lime Cordiale, JID, Earl Sweatshirt, Dune Rats, Baker Boy and Bootleg Rascal.

“I’m super excited to work with Rob and all the legends at Good Intent,” says Lane. “I’ve been searching far and wide for someone as crazy and ambitious as me and I think Mr. Worldwide Bobby Dazzler is the man for the job. This is like when South Sydney signed Latrell” he added.

Melbourne duo Close Counters’ signature soundscape at the crossroads of house neo-soul, hip-hop and disco have earned them nods from tastemakers XLR8R, Indie Shuffle, NME, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 6, Gilles Peterson and triple j. The pair have already ticked off Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival, Meredith Music Festival, Strawberry Fields and remixed the likes of Bag Raiders, 30/70 and most recently Young Franco and Denzel Curry’s hit ‘Fallin’ Apart’.

In 2021 the pair have sold out all three of their Melbourne Music Week events at Colour Club without announcing the shows to their fanbase and last week played a to a full house at Sidney Myer Music Bowl with The Murlocs.

“Having worked with Rick since our Meredith Festival slot while he was at UNDR Ctrl a little over a year ago, we’re keen to continue the relationship and be joining the Good Intent family at such an exciting time for the crew as we roll into a big 2021 with a heap of new music!” says Close Counters. “Rick was a much-needed companion to help us navigate the process of writing and releasing music over the course of the lockdowns that occurred in 2020.”

Also joining them are one of Sydney’s most exciting new punk bands, FANGZ. The group have toured the country selling out headline shows and shared stages with Gyroscope, Cancer Bats and Comeback Kid. They’ve also received praise via triple j, Spotify, Apple Music, Pilerats, Blunt Magazine, Wall of Sound, Hysteria Magazine, Music Feeds and The Music. Their new single ‘Self Medicate’ is due for release on February 26.

“We’re absolutely stoked we finally have somebody to do all of our work for us,” says FANGZ. “It’s also pretty rad to be surrounded by other artists and creatives we like that have the same ‘get stuff done’ attitude” they added.

In line with the artist signing announcements, the agency is excited to reveal that two team members will step up into division management roles. Long serving Publicist Nick Moran has been promoted to Artist & PR Services Manager, while Rick Bridgman (ex. Chugg Music, UNDR Ctrl) is set to undertake the new role of Artist & Label Services Manager.

“Our PR division has long been a staple since our inception,” says Bridgman. “Now with the addition of third-party playlist pitching, tastemaker DJ servicing and digital marketing, we can offer artists and labels a one-stop point for all their promo needs” he continues.

The three new signees will join current management clients Bootleg Rascal and Down For Tomorrow. Current and previous PR and Label Services clients include the likes of BMG, Sony, Universal, Handsome Tours, Astral People, Chugg Music, American Hi-Fi (USA), Bas (USA), Freddie Gibbs (USA), Bag Raiders, Gyroscope, Harts, Citizen Kay, RedHook and SCABZ.

Good Intent first launched in late-2018 and offers a range of services across artist management, PR, radio plugging, club promotions, playlist pitching, digital marketing, worldwide blogs and label services.

The agency also recently launched Good Loco – a photography and videography suite and space for hire located in Marrickville, Sydney.

FOLLOW GOOD INTENT

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | WEBSITE

February 16, 2021 0 comments

Festival News Music News

Hayley Mary Shares New Single And Video ‘Would You Throw A Diamond?’

by the partae February 16, 2021

written by the partae

Credit: Jesse Lizotte

HAYLEY MARY
SHARES NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO
‘WOULD YOU THROW A DIAMOND?’

I OH YOU are excited to share ‘Would You Throw A Diamond?’, an explosive rock banger from Hayley Mary. Premiered by Richard Kingsmill on triple j, the new single comes with an energetic, 70’s-tinged video that features bold fashion moments and Hayley’s iconic dance moves. Stemming from an old idea of Hayley Mary’s partner Johnny, ‘Would You Throw A Diamond?’ is an ode to all the songs that almost didn’t make it.

“‘Would You Throw A Diamond?’ started as an old idea of my boyfriend Johnny’s that he had all but thrown out. I could see it was a proper diamond in the dirt that just needed brushing off and shining up.

I changed up the vibe and added some new parts and lyrics to bring out the idea of thinking first before throwing away a thing of inherent value, just because you’re not sure what to do with it right then and there. You never know what new element is around the corner that can bring out the best in something old. So, we named the song ‘Would You Throw A Diamond?’ in the spirit of what the song was about and the process by which it came together.” – Hayley Mary

VIDEO: Hayley Mary – ‘Would You Throw A Diamond?’

On the making of the video that premiered overnight on Gigwise (UK), Hayley reflects: “My dad brought me up to have an almost unhealthy sympathy for the magical old objects one can find in a thrift store. He loved old cars and would never throw anything out, always seeing the treasure in other people’s trash. Pretty much everything that appears in the video is pre-loved or pre-lived in or a little dilapidated, but beautiful Lucy Knox, the director even had a pile of old film lying around at her house, which we also used.”

‘Would You Throw A Diamond?’ follows previous single ‘The Chain’ – Hayley’s first single since her debut EP The Piss, The Perfume was released to critical acclaim last year – which saw acclaim from The Line of Best Fit, Paste, Idolator and NME, along with an accompanying video which gained over 40 thousand streams in its first two weeks. The track was closely followed by ‘The Chain (Nude Version)’ which has taken off at streaming platforms, drawing an even wider audience through inclusion on a multitude of acoustic playlists.

‘Would You Throw A Diamond?’ is a vibrant reminder of Hayley Mary’s intrinsic ability to create and evolve, and while as a solo artist she might be new to the scene, she is no stranger to compelling song writing.

Hayley Mary recently performed live on Tik Tok as a part of Isolaid Festival, after freshly finishing a nine-date tour of Victoria and is excited at the prospect of taking her live show across state lines this year.

Hayley Mary – ‘Would You Throw A Diamond?’

Single out now through I OH YOU

Buy/stream here

HAYLEY MARY LIVE DATES
Tickets: hayleymary.com/tour

Feb 24 | UniBar O Week | Adelaide, SA | 16+ Lic / All Ages

Mar 27 | Warrawee Park | Oakleigh, VIC | All Ages
with Alex Lahey | Free Show

Apr 3 | Boogie Festival | Tallarook, VIC | All Ages

May 21 | Factory Theatre | Sydney, NSW | 18+
with Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever | SOLD OUT

May 22 | Kambri ANU | Canberra, ACT | 18+
with Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever

May 23] | Factory Theatre | Sydney, NSW | 18+
with Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever

HAYLEY MARY

February 16, 2021 0 comments

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