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Fortnite now has over 350 million registered players. In April, players spent over 3.2 billion hours in game! To keep the party going, players are invited to the Fortnite Party Royale Premiere on Saturday, May 9 at 11:00 AM AEST.
Dillon Francis, Steve Aoki, and deadmau5 are coming to Party Royale with back-to-back-to-back sets LIVE on the big screen at the Main Stage. Players can hit the dance floor, chill with friends, or jump into other activities in Party Royale.
Additionally, anyone who logs into Fortnite from Saturday, May 9 at 8AM AEST to Tuesday, May 12 at 12AM AEST will get the new, music-reactive Neon Wings Back Bling for free! Perfect for wearing at the show.
Party Royale is a new experimental and evolving space. All chill, no sweat. Leave your weapons and mats behind and hang out with friends, play games, perfect your skydive, and more. The party’s just getting started. For more details, head over to fortnite.com/partyroyale.
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Keep up to date with Dinosaur City Records via our website, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
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Juan Wauters
Website | Facebook | Instagram
capturedtracks.com
remotecontrolrecords.com.au
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Where are you currently based?
I am currently based out in Boronia in VIC. I’m sure you haven’t heard of it, for some reason no one knows where it is, haha. For a little context, I’m near Mount Dandenong and I am lucky enough to live with my Mama.
How did you first start playing music?
Honestly for as long as I can remember I’ve been singing, even as a child I would sing all the time. I guess I really started learning music properly when I started high school – I had singing lessons and trumpet lessons, I was that kid that was in alllll the school bands (so lame I know). But it really gave me so much confidence, I was that scared shy little kid when I started, but by the end of high school I was the crazy confident one.
Your new single ‘Do You Wanna’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
Ok, I love how this song came about, do I have a story for you. I started writing ‘Do You Wanna’ when I was taking a shower. I was listening to Jill Scott, when this melody just came into my head. I ran out to my piano butt naked for all the world to see, still dripping with water and wrote the song there and then. The song is about asking for consent from your partner, in the sexiest way you can. It’s like a whisper in your ear that worms it’s way into your head and stays there until you only have question left to answer, ‘Do You Wanna’? I have to say that at the time it was Jill Scott, D’Angelo and Erykah Badu that influenced this whole track for sure. At the time I was completely obssed with their first albums, lets be honest I still am. So I wanted to create something that gave me that 90’s neo-soul vibe.
Where and when did you record, and who with? How did you approach the recording/production and who did you work with?
Who are you listening to at the moment?
I am fully obsessed with India.Arie, Pj Morton, Jamiroquai and Billie Eilish right now. I love old an school groove, soul, R&B and disco/funk music and its most of what I listen to during the day! There’s just so much life to it, and then there’s Billie haha, she’s there when I am feeling down which I can say is happening a lot these days with Isolation in play.
Which artists influences your music?
That’s a big question, isn’t it. I think if I had to say one person, it would be Stevie Wonder. I truly think what he creates with is music is next level. He’s so smart in his song writing, and then the control of his voice is just next level you know. Outside of that I think as well, D’Angelo, Jill Scott, Jamiroquai and Motown as a genre as well. There was a time when all I would listen to was Motown artists.
What do you like to do away from music?
I love to exercise; yoga, gym, walking and hiking. Moving my body just makes me feel so energised and connected. I also love food (cooking and eating), I mean who doesn’t love eating! But I will go to some very expensive restaurants with my mother just to try the food because I’ve heard it’s good. I go with my mum because none of my friends can afford it, and if I’m honest, neither can I haha, thanks mum.
I was fully inspired by George Costanza from the episode ‘The Package’. I took full inspiration and artistic direction from the ‘Timeless Art of Seduction’ section of the episode, and I think it just gives the song so much context. I’m not trying to take myself to seriously, I just want to be a bit tongue-and-cheek you know. Without a doubt, it was definitely the most fun I have had on a photoshoot.
You were raised in Guyana and are now Melbourne based, please tell us about cultural differences:
I mean that’s a hard one, I left when I was a kid so I have this mix of Aussie and Guyanese things in my life. It was such a different life there though, everything is so much more relaxed. We had a cleaner, Nanny and cook, we used to go out into the jungle on a regular basis which as a child I’m sure you can imagine is so cool. We lived right near the botanical gardens and there were manatees living in the water, I kid you not! We used to feed them grass by the side of the water, its one of my most cherished memories of back home. Guyana is a really poor country, a developing nation, so we didn’t have a lot of stuff – like on TV at the end of the day they used to broadcast about the deaths, births and marriages for that day, which is wild to me to think about now. At Christmas we always have pepper pot, which is this black stew that you cook for two weeks to mak,e and Garlic pork which you pickle in a mix of brine, vinegar, thyme, rosemary, chilli and garlic and then shallow fry in oil. It’s delicious and also takes about a month to make. I’ve lost my Caribbean accent which is really sad (mum still has hers and my friends love it), but I have a weird Aussie/American accent now that people seem to really like. I don’t know if I really answered your question, but I could go on for hours about home so I might just leave it there haha.
Please describe your experience as a queer artist in Melbourne, Australia:
I feel very isolated with that right now, I haven’t found my people yet. I know some queer artists but I have yet to really find where I belong in that space. I think it’s because I am generally not a big partier, I like to be in bed by 10 most nights, so getting out to a club on a Saturday night is a struggle for me, which my friends can attest to. There’s also very few of us I feel, even though I know some of us, we’re such a minority that I feel lost somedays. That sounds so sad, it’s not actually that bad.
What’s planned for 2020?
I did have a plan to do a tour at the end of the year, but I don’t know if that’s going to happen now. But I am planning on releasing my second EP and some singles later in the year especially with all the time we have now. So get ready for some new music!
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Thai food and chocolate, I could eat them allllllll day. My fav place to hang out is at one of my friends homes for sure, doesn’t matter who, just good company and food of course!
Website: https://campsite.bio/thorne_
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/
Where are you currently based?
B: We’re both living in our hometown of Newcastle!
M: Benny will never leave this bloody town – He’s hooked! We both grew up here and I’ve recently moved back to be closer to the long haired/ golden voice of Benny for writing and band purposes. Cracking surf!
How did you first start playing music?
B: We both fell into it in similar ways I guess. Got given instruments from cousins that didn’t want to play anymore and found ourselves figuring it out in front of the speakers. Music takes a hold of yred oxide ou if you give it enough.
M: Benny actually had to teach himself how to sing because nobody wanted to sing in his first high school band. You know the ‘short straw’ trick? He literally unlocked his f*ucking amazing voice because of a bloody straw!
I slaved away in the school concert band on the drums since year 2 – this jerk gets a short straw thrown in his face and is now the voice of an era!
How did Boo Seeka form?
M: The universe has its ways of connecting people when you least expect it. Before this all started we weren’t even really hanging out together. Benny was drunk in Bali when he called me for the first time in 10 years to see if I wanted to be in a band with him. I thought he called the wrong number. Maybe he did and just ran with it. We will never know. but he’s stuck with me now! + I think he thought I had slept with his sister at some point so that’s awkward.
B: We’ll never know….
You’ve just released your new single ‘Take A Look’, what influenced the sound and song writing for this track?
B: We always know what we want to create, but getting that out of our brains and into the computer is one of the hardest things for us. But we think we did it for TAL.
M: The track is basically a message to ourselves. A message we took way too long to decipher, but glad we got there.
You’ve been in the studio working on your forthcoming sophomore album with super skilled producer Matt Bartlem (who has previously worked with Matt Corby, Lastlings, Jarryd James).
Please tell us how you came to work with Matt and how the experience and process has been as a whole.
M: We’ve recently just signed to new management – Untitled group, and they’ve worked closely with Matt previously. To cut the whole story short, the first minute we met Matt we knew he was going to be an integral part of this next album!
B: Originally we were just going to do one track with him, but TAL came out so good we knew we wanted him to do thewhole record. He’s got the best dog too so it pushed us over the edge.
How did you approach the recording/production process?
M: It’s funny how every band would create their own process over time and although ours may be slightly dysfunctional or basic at times, it really allows us to write and create anywhere! Benny writes most of his hooks and melodies directly into garage band on his phone then we build from there!
B: We work with some pretty amazing guys in the industry, so our little demo writing/ producing click is amazing. Will Cruger from the band Abroad is in our corner alongside Matt and special guest instrumentalist, Ian Perez.
M: ‘Take a look’ is definitely the start of something special for us – we keep calling it phase 2 and we’re pretty excited for the world to hear what phase 2 is going to bring!
What programs/equipment did you use?
B: My Brain, imagination, bottles of wine, a guitar and my phone.
M: We’re not the biggest gear heads but we’ve been experimenting with some new synth sounds, some new ways of recording our beats and vocal effects for this next album. ‘Take a look’, for the gear heads has some pretty funky gear being used. Listen closely!
You’ve recently signed to label ‘Daily Nightly’ what’s the story behind this? How has the experience been so far?
B: It’s our Managements label. We love that they look after everything. Keep it in-house. Keep the control. It’s our first release together and many more to come.
M: Annabelle, our direct at DN is a wizz. She’s got us covered!
What have you found most challenging and rewarding about the creation of the album?
B: There are so many songs in my head and to keep it short, to hear people vining off whats coming out, that’s the be all and end all for me! We want to being some excitement back into peoples lives!
You have an Australian Tour pencilled in for October 2020 (pending COVID-19 restrictions), can you tell us where you’re heading? Or is that still a secret?
M: Ohhhhh that’s tricky! Let’s just say we’ll be seeing all our favourites plus some new spots we’ve heard great things about!
Your debut album ‘Never Too Soon’ was a global success. What do you attribute to the massive success of your debut album and what tips would you give to any upcoming artists who are wanting to break onto the scene?
M: Remember I mentioned the short straw? The kids voice is like gold.
My advice to anyone coming up through the ranks is to have the right thought process. Be ahead of the pack and plan! Plan like your music is a brand and you want people to want to be associated with it!
You’ve played massive shows with performances at Splendour In The Grass, Beyond The Valley & Groovin The Moo. You have also supported the likes of Kim Churchill, DMA’s, Jarryd James, Cherub and SAFIA. What do you enjoy most about playing live and how do you prepare for live shows?
B: We would play 365 days a year if we were allowed. We just want people to come to our shows and forget about all the crap going on in their life for an hour. Doesn’t matter if it’s our headline shows, festivals or we are supporting someone, we still prepare the same. We want to give people the same feeling we get when we stand in the crowd and watch our favourite bands and artists.
M: This is what we live and breathe from the second we wake up to the minute we go to sleep each night! If we’re not performing, we’re dreaming up idea’s on how to improve or add things to our live shows etc etc. All I can say is once we’re allowed back into things, the shows we play are going to be wild!
Who are you listening to at the moment?
M: Benny tries not to listen to too much music when we’re in the writing process but I force as much music as I can into his head when we’re in the car or chilling at home!
Jungle, Slowly Slowly, Glass Animals, Dua Lipa, Bronson, The 1975, Tyler the Creator, Coldplay, Amity Affliction, G flip etc etc. We keep it broad.
B: As I mentioned before, we know exactly what we want to put out to the world and I, personally, like my own time in my head to bring that out. But I’ll admit, driving along our beautiful beaches in Newy blasting some Dua Lipa is a favourite pastime currently.
What do you like to do away from music?
B: Cooking, helping others where we can, sampling every red wine that is available, figuring out how to to prank our new management cause they got us good the other day and we need to get them back, surfing, basically anything we are allowed to do in the current times.
M: I’m getting old, man. I saw a chiropractor today. I’d love to say I’ll be sinking as much piss as Benny boy but that boy can sink them like no-one else. I’ll just spend my time with old John the Chiro!
What’s planned for 2020?
B: At the moment…. who knows… no one knows. Hopefully we can get back to the studio, finish the record, release it and get back to what we love doing the most. Hanging out with a room full of legends every night.
M: We’re pretty big planners so we’ve got some big things lined up for the end of the year in regards to shows and production. I’m also not meant to say this but we will have another single and possibly album 2 dropping before 2021 begins too…
Favourite food and place to hangout?
B: Uber eats and the bottle shop are making a killing out of us at the moment. We really try to support all the local businesses as well.
Newy Burger Co see’s me every few nights!
M: We actually grabbed a burger on Monday night for the premiere of our new track on Triple J and sat at bar beach car park and listened in. Brought back memories as I think we both used to take a few lovers to the exact spot when we were kids. Ah, take me back!
Tøngue tied – the first song to be written and produced by Sophie Castriota and Brandon Jonak which was released on the 21st of April 2020 has already been successfully picked up by several of Spotify’s major R&B, Hip Hop and Urban playlists.
Several major record labels have also shown interest in Sophie’s musical talent which has remarkably pushed through this particularly difficult time in the world showing something good coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sophie has been working against many odds for the past few years and recently revealed on her social media that she lost complete hearing in her right ear this time last year.
Completely defying the odds and pushing through the crisis; Sophie joined forces with producer DJ Brandon Jonak and the two of them formulated their own unique style.
Sophie and Brandon will be releasing other new songs soon. Tongue Tied can be heard on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Google Play, Deezer etc….
Sophie is unique and exquisitely talented having started out as a Classical Violinist before becoming Singer/Songwriter/Producer.
She has, over the past few years also mastered the technical aspects of both audio and video digital production.
Sophie receives hundreds of thousands of views on her social media outlets and although Brisbane based; she has a solid fan base in Europe and particularly the Balkans, where she is known for being the 14th generation great granddaughter of 15th Century European King Warrior, George Kastrioti Skanderbeg. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
The song “Tøngue Tied” was written to inspire and empower other females who have found themselves in toxic relationships and who are afraid to leave.
After receiving an overwhelming response to their debut single “Rain.” (with 100% of proceeds made by the song being donated to Australian bushfire & drought relief organisations), rising pop sensation Like Angels return with their next hit single “Tunnel Vision” dropping May 15th.
Naturally gifted in music from a young age & fascinated by the mystique of songwriting (as influenced by the likes of Ryan Tedder, Taylor Swift, Switchfoot & NF); Like Angels sisters Emmalisa and Sarah have developed a remarkable ability to pen meaningful, honest lyrics that connect with each listener on an emotional level.
Their debut single “Rain.”, released in Dec 2019 received notable media attention from TikTok Star Nat Alise; Australian Community Media (The Advertiser); Good Morning Macarthur and Ava’s World Magazine and was picked up by radio stations nationwide, including The Breeze FM; Macarthur’s Station C91.3FM; Hobart FM; South Australia’s 5GTR FM and several more.
“Rain.” showcased Like Angels’ ability to discuss real issues through clever lyric and melody; and now “Tunnel Vision” continues to do this – but with a fresh new sound & eye-catching optical illusion cover art.
“Tunnel Vision” explores the confusion and frustration often felt when people actively choose to avoid or ignore you: a familiar situation we have all found ourselves in at some point in our lives.
The song’s confrontational lyrics, contrasted with it’s light hearted, playful & mischievous production (including some unconventional sound samples!) encourages listeners to face uncomfortable situations, and speak up for themselves; to work towards solving problems instead of running from them.
Produced by Philippe-Marc Anquetil (Little Mix, One Direction, Jessie J, Ruel), the song’s mesmerising vocal harmonies, thought provoking lyrics and exciting three-dimensional soundscape will have you hooked from the very first note.
“Tunnel Vision” will be available on all streaming services on the 15th May 2020 as the first of several upcoming releases by Like Angels.
Pre save “Tunnel Vision” here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/likeangels/tunnel-vision
Available on all streaming services on 15th May 2020
https://www.instagram.com/wearelikeangels/
https://www.facebook.com/WeAreLikeAngels/
Where are you currently based?
I’m currently living in an attic in Redfern, Sydney. I’m originally from Bundaberg QLD, then I lived in Ireland for a few years, returned to Australia and moved to Sydney.
Alley, the original RACKETT bass player and BFF influenced the narrative and the sound was influenced by Gold Frapp. My friend and producer Dave Hammer has worked with RACKETT from the start of this journey, producing my first single BATS in 2017. Dave came to me with an idea for a song that’s meaning was a double entendre, one being a street alley, a metaphor for choosing the path of love and the other one being about my friendship with Alley and everything we’ve been through as friends and band wives. The piano, melody and lyrics were the foundation for the song, then Dave worked his magic touch on production.
Dave started with the chorus ‘mumma to a bubba, bubba to the universe, go wonder madly’, from there, he created the piano part and we workshopped the verses. It was an emotional process, each time Dave would add something to it and I’d hear it, I would cry. The production on the track is so beautiful.
We recorded the song as part of an eight-track collection on RKT2.0 music, recorded and produced in Sydney across several studios. I’ve shared Machinations, Oxytoxic and now ILY Alley from that collection and have more to share over the coming months.
The video is a visual representation of what I see in my head when I listen to ILY Alley. All those memories come flooding back and I wanted to see if I could find physical copies of these moments. I searched everywhere, on broken hard drives, camcorder cards, Instagram, Youtube, to collect all these memories captured by me, friends and fans at shows. Once I had collected all the footage, I cut it together to reflect the way I experience it, chronologically, from when we lived together in a decrepit mansion as a band, through to the moment in the studio we found out Alley was pregnant and the arrival of baby Billy.
The most challenging part was feeling regret. That’s hard to admit because I love my new music so much and it’s not a reflection of regretting where I am now, but more regret for the friendships I’ve lost along the way. The most rewarding part is looking at all the insane creative concepts we brought to life from dressing up in space suits to shaving my head live on stage and all the hard work that went into constantly touring and releasing music.
Right now I’m listening to A$AP Rocky, 070 Shake, Charli XCX and Tina Turner. I like to listen to 80s ballads just to see if I can sing along and hit those high notes like Whitney Houston. At night when the city is empty, I like to climb this hill in a park near my house that overloads a driving range and the whole city and blast A$AP rocky.
To be honest there isn’t much of my life that doesn’t revolve around music, aside from sleeping and even then most of my dreams are of me talking to Miley Cyrus about music. If I’m not writing or performing myself, I’m working on a new TV show that’s about music.
Loud N Queer TV is aired every Friday night at 8PM on Heaps Gay Facebook. It’s a digital replica of my favourite night out; live music and drag queens, with performances by artists from all around the world and guest appearances in the studio. The show is an opportunity for local Sydney artists to be captured beautifully on film by the DPLR team from Create or Die Studios and gives audiences a high-quality experience and opportunity to discover and connect with new artists. My main role in the show is producing. We’ve had artists like Jess B (NZ), Jackie Mendoza (USA), Lupa J (AUS), Theia (NZ) and many more on the show. Karaoke, DJ sets by Charlie Villas, Dance-offs, drag queens, skits, interviews and news by Ruby Miles. It’s so much fun. You can watch all four episodes here > https://www.facebook.com/
For the immediate future, I’ll be continuing to produce Loud n Queer TV and making all my friends and family listen to ILY Alley. Throughout the year I’ll be releasing more music I made with Dave Hammer and hopefully be back on stage before Christmas.
My favourite place to hang out is at Create or Die Studios on set filming Loud n Queer TV and my favourite food is champagne (can I say that?)
“Blacksheepish” was written and performed by TheWorst and was produced by Will Holland (Pixies, Fall Out Boy, Dead Can Dance). The song was engineered, mixed, and mastered at Chillhouse Studios in Boston, MA. The video was created and directed by Ryan Ordway. The song is the first sneak peak of the band’s, as of yet untitled-forthcoming album, and the first new material being released since their critically acclaimed debut, Jane Doe Embryo (RascalZRecordZ 2017), as well as a tribute to their fallen friend Brittany Goldych, who commited suicide in 2017. Responding through the grief, lead singer Brooke Binion would use dealing with loss as a motivation to finally beat a decade long addiction to opiates and heroin. The band is currently finishing their new album during the quarantine.
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LEIFUR JAMES CAPTIVATES WITH HYPNOTIC, PERCUSSIVE NEW SINGLE ‘RITUAL’
THE FOURTH SINGLE TAKEN FROM HIS FORTHCOMING ALBUM ‘ANGEL IN DISGUISE’ OUT 5TH JUNE
VIA NIGHT TIME STORIES
PRE-ORDER ‘ANGEL IN DISGUISE’ HERE
Leifur James – ‘Ritual’
OUT NOW
‘Angel in Disguise’
Album Release: 5th June 2020, via Night Time Stories
‘The apex of the LP arrives at Ritual and the Coby Sey-featuring track Alien, both of which see James at his most explorative, driving tension into the album’
– Crack Magazine.
Today, London based experimental producer and composer Leifur James unveils his latest offering, ‘Ritual’. His most club ready electronic affair yet, ‘Ritual’ comes exactly one month prior to James’ eagerly awaited album, Angel in Disguise, due for release 5th June 2020 via Night Time Stories (sister label to the coveted ‘LateNightTales’).
The follow up to his cinematic, audio-visual piece ‘Angel In Disguise’, ‘Ritual’ is a sonic portrayal of circles and life moving through motions that sees Leifur James dive further into the electronic realm. Machine sounds and ethereal elements to get lost in, James’ unique take on electronica and deep techno adds new depth to the album narrative.
Angel In Disguise promises a masterful blend of harmonic vocals from James himself as well as nuanced electronic soundscapes and vibrant modular based percussion. This exciting project which has seen early support from the likes of CRACK, Mixmag, DJ Mag, Boiler Room 4:3 and more is expected to make waves and see James step up, exhibiting his discerning ear and production craft on a seminal label.
‘Ritual’ follows the video for album title-track ‘Angel in Disguise’, a collaborative piece with Balázs Simon (previously producing the critically acclaimed ‘Wurlitzer’ project which saw widespread support from the likes of Boiler Room, CLASH, Motionographer, the UK and Berlin Music Video Awards, the London Short Film Festival, Dublin International Film Festival and more) ‘‘Angel In Disguise‘ is one of the releases biggest statements yet – an audio-visual exploration of our damaged relationship with planet earth, soundtracked by James’ poignant melodies questioning our failure to respect mother nature. The piece stitches James’ complex emotional chords and Balazs’ desire to highlight the fragility of the world into a beautiful, short visual tale.
Delving into UK and European venues to showcase his ever-evolving live show, James’ tour has been rescheduled and will kick off October 2020 in Amsterdam’s Melkweg, before heading to his biggest London show to date at Village Underground, plus Berlin’s Burg Schnabel, and AB Brussels with further dates yet to be announced.
Leifur James’ ‘Angel In Disguise’ LP will be available 5th June via Night Time Stories and is available to pre-order here.
Emulating warmth and soul, Brisbane based singer-songwriter, The Letter Elle makes a bold return with a self-produced track, ‘Sunrise’
Showcasing her skill for production, Elle Emery has created a new track ladened with smooth electric guitar riffs, crisp percussion elements, and raspy R&B and Jazz tinged vocals. ‘Sunrise’ is a retrospective and picturesque song inspired by living in the moment and finding solace. “Sunrise is, at first glance, a love song about enjoying just being in the moment and not putting pressure on what it ‘should be’ or where the future is going,” explains Elle.
“I think that subconsciously I wrote this song to myself about where I am currently at in my life. At the end of last year, I graduated uni and had an injury that prevented me from singing at all for months. It reminded me of my love for just doing things purely for the enjoyment. I hope that in this scary and uncertain time, this song can help people to remember they just need to take a step back and enjoy life for what it is. There’s no need for a big, complicated plan and we have to just take life day by day,” continues Elle.
The single arrives accompanied by a video clip shot along the beaches of Coolum in the Sunshine Coast where Elle is originally from. Filmed and edited by her and her partner, the music video gracefully compliments the song’s tone, whilst visually capturing the sun rising to match the song’s title. “I felt it really important to shoot this clip back in my home town. Coolum is where I became who I am and where I truly feel at home. I thought it only fitting to shoot this style of video somewhere that means so much to me,” adds Elle.
Musically inspired by artists such as Sahara Beck and Meg Mac, The Letter Elle has become a staple within Brisbane’s local live music scene. Showcasing her talent across a number of events including Brisbane’s indie festival Sesh & The City, whilst sharing stages with names such as Hazel Mei, Sahara Beck, Hemingway and Regurgitator. The Letter Elle is also a finalist in the Brisbane City Council’s 2020 QUBE Effect.
‘Sunrise’ is OUT NOW.


