All posts by Marshall Cullen
Backtrack Blues Band – Album Reviews and Praises
Backtrack Blues Band – “Way Back Home” Reviews
On its latest release,“Way Back Home,” the Backtrack Blues Band has delivered an exciting harp and guitar-infused album that really hits the mark! The solid grooves, stellar guitar, electrifying harmonica, and vocals make this album one of the best blues releases of 2016. Reminiscent of the sounds of Paul Butterfield and the early Fabulous Thunderbirds, the songs on this record are true electric blues with lots of soul and energy. The band has won three consecutive Tampa Bay Music Awards for “Best Blues Band” and has performed at festivals and concerts around the world with blues music legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B.King, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Gregg Allman, John Lee Hooker, Johnny Winter, and others. “Way Back Home” marks the band’s fifth album, and the critics have proclaimed it the band’s best work! “Way Back Home” is receiving worldwide airplay, placing it at #8 on Roots Music Blues Rock Radio Chart. Even more, “Way Back Home” was selected among the world’s top 50 blues albums of 2016!
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/au/album/way-back-home/id1147238331
Reviews and Praises
“This is blues par excellence, raw essential blues and quintessentially this type of music is what the term was designed for! … In truth this album is the best I’ve been fortunate enough to review. Musically this disc is flawless, the arrangements and the vocals are superb and the instrumental renditions truly magnificent! It is a must for any aficionado of the blues genre,” – Tom Walker, Blues Matters Magazine
(backtrackbluesband.com/images/way-back-home-review.jpg)
“Backtrack Blues Band has been delivering some of the finest blues to come out of the Sunshine State and continues to do so onWay Back Home. This album is a must have for all blues lovers. If it’s piano blues that gets your engine humming, then this album is for you. If you can’t get enough harp playing, you will be left breathless. This album is sure to make existing fans happy and bring numerous new fans out to see The Backtrack Blues Band,” – Steve Crowley, American Blues Scene
(americanbluesscene.com/2017/01/backtrack-blues-bands-way-back-home-keeps-fans-warm)
“The songs drip with guitar and harp and you just can’t help tapping your feet to the infectious rhythms. Their sound is reminiscent of the early electric Muddy Waters, with the harp getting plenty of air and there’s lots of tasty Texas-inspired guitar throughout,” – John Knighton, Fatea Records
(fatea-records.co.uk/magazine/reviews/BacktrackBluesBand)
Find more outstanding reviews for “Way Back Home” here: backtrackbluesband.com/reviews
Social Links
Website
backtrackbluesband.com
Facebook
facebook.com/BacktrackBluesBand
Twitter
twitter.com/backtrackblues
Violent Femmes – Aussie Tour and Live Album
The Violent Femmes are BACK. Last year they toured Australia after the release of their first record in 15 years: “We Can Do Anything” Now they’re returning this March and April to promote their new live album (out soon).
Get “We Can Do Anything” here and prepare for tour!
itunes.apple.com/au/album/we-can-do-anything/id1071962222
See show dates below and find additional information on their website:
March 16 – Melbourne Arts Centre – St. Kilda, VIC
March 17 – Costa Hall Deakin University – Geelong, VIC
March 18 – All Saints Winery – Rutherglen, VIC
March 20 – Factory – Lewisham, NSW
March 22 – NEX at Wests City – Newcastle West, NSW
March 23 – Panthers – Penrith, NSW
March 24 – Waves – Fairy Meadow, NSW
March 25 – Annie’s Lane – Queanbeyan, NSW
March 27 – Darwin Entertainment Centre – Darwin, NT
March 29 – The Tivoli – Brisbane, QLD
March 31 – Twin Towns – Coolangatta, QLD
April 1 – The Shed at Aussie World – Sunshine Coast, QLD
If you would like to interview the band, be added to the guest list, do live reviews, or have additional requests, please contact: marshall@damiengerard.net
Social Links
Website
vfemmes.com
Facebook
facebook.com/officialviolentfemmes
Twitter
twitter.com/violentfemmes
New Music from USA’s Rebecca Harrold – “The River of Life”
Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Rebecca Harrold has spent many years working as a pianist and singer. Since moving to the Boston area she worked extensively with The Company Theater, the Voice Studio of Robert Honeysucker, and recently with Burklyn Ballet of Vermont. A true collaborative musician her abilities and willingness to play and sing diverse styles has taken her to Europe, primarily Italy and Greece. Rebecca recently completed production on ‘The River of Life‘ with Windham Hills founder and producer, Will Ackerman. Available everywhere.
Watch the video for her song ‘We Belong Together‘ here: youtube.com/watch?v=XgP6CGxc2DU
Find the album here:
iTunes
itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-river-of-life/id890181530
Spotify
open.spotify.com/album/6dM6qBBp7is5diJBvKaM8V
Social
Website
rebeccaharroldmusic.com
Facebook
facebook.com/www.rebeccaharrold.net
SoundCloud
soundcloud.com/rebah7
Perth’s Vida Cain Announce New 2017 Show
The Rockin’ Perth guys have a return gig following their East Coast tour, promoting the new Album Yeah Nah…
February 10 at Four 5 Nine Bar Perth
“Following their ‘Yeah Nah’ East Coast tour, the Vida Cain boys bring the love home with a big ol’ party at Four5Nine bar”
“special guests include The Shakeys and Second HAND Stroke”’
Full Event Details here
https://www.facebook.com/events/1858507744383772/
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Rockin’ Perth Band Vida Cain will head to the East Coast late January for exclusive showcases in Sydney and Melbourne to promote their new album ‘Yeah Nah’ – produced by Joel Quartermain(Eskimo Joe)
Dates
Jan 25th, 2017 – Frankie’s Pizza (Sydney)
Jan 26th, 2017 – Long Table Cafe (Deniliquin)
Jan 27th, 2017 – Cherry Bar (Melbourne)
Checkout the album right now-
https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/yeah-nah/id1158681714
Vida Cain (AUS)
More info and social links at
Joel Sena Self-Titled EP Out Now
Joel Sena‘s new self-titled EP is available Now!
iTunes link for the new EP: itunes.apple.com/au/album/joel-sena-ep/id1148708750
Following the release, Joel Sena Successfully launched the EP to a sell out crowd at SLY FOX-Sydney.
Some of Joel’s Influences include Miles Davis, Jill Scott, Robert Glasper, Kenny Garrett, Michael Brecker/Brecker Bros, Toto, Earth Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan.
“His music is a compelling and raw fusion of Soul, R&B and Jazz. It features his enticing saxophone style alongside some beautifully crafted songs and modern production. Also featured on the EP are the sultry vocals of up and coming singer Phoebe Papatheodorou.”
The video for first single ‘Be With You’ Featuring PHOEBE was premiered by Tone Deaf. Check it out:
“I’ve been passionate about making original music for years and this EP marks the start of a new journey for me. The songs tell the story of some of the most profound experiences I’ve had over the past few years. I have come from humble beginnings and have worked really hard at finding my own sound both as a saxophonist and producer. I’ve been able to create a really dynamic sound with both soaring highs and subtle, tender moments. I can’t wait to share my music with the world,” -Joel Sena
Social Links
Website
joelsena.com
Facebook
facebook.com/joelsenamusic
Instagram
instagram.com/joelsenamusic
Twitter
twitter.com/joelsenamusic
YouTube
youtube.com/user/joeltsena
New Single “Only Way I Know” and National Tour for Josh Johnstone
Perth Artist Josh Johnstone is on the Promotion and Tour trail again through November and December, even braving Darwin close to the wet season, to push his new single ‘Only Way I Know’ around Australia…
He made a great start with a breakfast show live performance and chat on ABC 720 Perth with Announcer Peter Bell Friday Nov 4!
The new single, ‘Only Way I Know,’ comes from his latest album ‘Call In Whispers,’ and is is available for radio now! You can get the single (and the rest of the album) from the link below:
In addition to the new single, Johnstone will also be embarking on a national tour around Australia! Dates and details are below, but find ticket information on his website here: www.joshjohnstone.com
JOSH JOHNSTONE ‘ONLY WAY I KNOW’ – NATIONAL TOUR DATES
Wed 9 Nov – Clifton Brew Pub (Melbourne, VIC)*
Sun 11th Nov – Bended Elbow (Albury, NSW)
Tue 15 Nov – Oxford Circus (Sydney, NSW)*
Thu 17 Nov – Brass Monkey (Cronulla, NSW)*
Fri 18 Nov – Revolver (Melbourne, VIC)**
Fri 25th Nov – Parap Tavern (Darwin, NT)**
Sun 27 Nov – ‘POP UP GIG’ Secret Location TBA (WA)**
Thu 1st Dec – Prince of Wales (Bunbury, WA)**
Wed 7th Dec – Clancy’s Canning Bridge (Perth, WA)*
Fri 9th Dec – National Hotel (Fremantle, WA)**
Sun 11th Dec – Exchange Hotel (Kalgoorlie, WA)**
*solo show **full band
Lastly, to prepare yourself for the show ahead, pop over to Josh’s Youtube channel to watch his newest music videos:
Find ‘Call in Whispers’ here:
CD Baby – cdbaby.com/callinwhispers
Spotify – open.spotify.com/callinwhispers
Official Site
joshjohnstone.com
Facebook
facebook.com/joshjohnstonemusic
Soundcloud
soundcloud.com/joshjohnstonemusic
Instagram
@joshjohnstonemusic
Tailor Birds – New Tour Dates Announced
Exciting news from Tailor Birds: new tour dates to promote the launch of their new album Wide Awake I See The Storm!
Checkout the latest album review here
The band have been touring through Europe for summer over there and return to our shores to present the multi facetted live show that has been developed over the past few years.
Leader Sophie Kinston was recently interviewed and had this to add-
“I’ve just returned from a 31 date tour of Hollland, Ireland, UK, and Germany, launching this album, playing some quite amazing festivals, gigs, street shows, pop up shows, boat shows…..it was the 4th Europe tour, and now i’m back in Oz. Touring the album to some of our favorite spaces. Tailor Birds is a unique sound, so it’s really important that our shows reflect this. So we’ve got a couple of festivals – Alma’s Hem in South Australia, and FRL in VIC, plus some local markets and gigs – Bar Oussou, Queen Vic meat market, Ceres, a Melbourne Sofar Sounds gig, Sydney’s Mr Falcons and a show in the Rocks, plus a special climbing wall show over 3 dates, where we’ll actually be playing inside the wall, plus a street show outside the wall. ”
Tell us a quick, on the road or studio, anecdote. –
“The Azart Ship of Fools. I played on this boat in Holland just this past tour. The inside was thick with steel, and the sound when pushed up a level, it reverberated beautifully. The people on the boat are some of the most amazing humans, promoting new and unique music, music that entertains and thrills. You can’t not have a good gig there. The sound became less about the songs, and more about the vibe, it sort of became other worldly. Must have been my best gig of the tour. The boat, incidentally is headed for Australia, so it seems. From Holland, they head to India, the Canary Islands, and then Australia. ”
Get the album here:
itunes.apple.com/au/album/wide-awake-i-see-the-storm/id1147713208
Find a date near you below and ticket information will be available soon!
- Nov 12th – Alma’s Hem Annual Music exhibition Adelaide SA
- Nov 13th – Market shed on Holland Adelaide SA
- Nov 18th – Meat Market – Sparrow Market 11am – 1pm VIC
- Wilson Ave Climbing Wall in Melbourne VIC: -
- DATES : Sat 19 th / Sun 20 th / Sun 27 th Nov
TIMES : Come anytime from 4 – 6.30pm on any of the above dates
(WITH a final show, Sun 27th Nov, 7 – 8pm)
TIX : $10 p/person, TIX avail. at the wall on the day
OR email : tailorbirdsmusic@gmail.com - Nov 20th – South Melbourne Market – 10 – 12midday VIC
- Thurs 24th Nov – Bar Oussou, Melbourne VIC
- Sat 26th – Sofar Sounds, Melbourne VIC
- Dec 2nd – 4th – FRL festival, VIC
- Dec 8th – solo show – Mr Falcons, Glebe, Sydney NSW
- Dec 9th – duo show – Mr Falcons, Glebe, Sydney NSW
- Dec 10th & 11th – Rocks market, The Rocks Sydney NSW
Checkout this video of one of the ‘Pop Up” shows in London.
https://web.facebook.com/tailorbirdsmusic/videos/1100117086769636/?pnref=story
Connect with Tailor Birds!
Fiona Joy Finalist in The USA’s Independent Music Awards
Australia’s very own New Age/New Classical success story Fiona Joy was last week nominated as a finalist in two categories in the prestigious USA Independent Music Awards to be held in New York City November 17.
Fiona was already touring in The USA when she heard the news
“I was on my way to do a radio concert at the Echoes head-quarters in Philadelphia. What surprised me the most was that I received two nominations and my fellow band members from the new New Age group FLOW were also nominated. Three out of the four of us entered and all three are finalists. Will Ackerman is the 4th member and he is a New Age legend with 30 years of Grammys and Gold records so I’m feeling very very blessed to be keeping such golden company with fellow IMA Finalists Jeff Oster and Lawrence Blatt. So cool. I believe its around my 7th personal nomination so I have my fingers crossed! for a win this year.”
Fiona is nominated for
Best New Age Album – Signature Synchronicity and Best New Age Song – Calling Earth.
The 15th annual Independent Music Awards (The IMAs), the influential awards program for independent artists and releases. More than 400 innovative self-released and indie label projects culled from thousands of submissions worldwide, were nominated by fans and industry in more than 80 Album, Song, EP, Music Producer, Music Video and Design categories.
The winning projects will be selected by blue-ribbon panels of top recording artists that include: Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan, Slayer, The Kills, Lalah Hathaway, Meshell Ndegeocello, Sepultura, Dido, Warren Haynes [Gov’t Mule], Suzanne Vega, Gus Unger-Hamilton [alt-J], Shelby Lynne; previous IMA Winners including:Amy Lee [Evanescence], The Show Ponies, Noshir Mody, Rozina Pátkai and Ingrid Gerdes, among many others; and influential press and talent buyers from the Americas, Europe and Pacific Rim.
IMA Winners will be promoted to millions of music fans via online & broadcast promotions, performance and distribution opportunities. Details and complete list of Nominees and Judges available at: IndependentMusicAwards.com
IMA WINNERS ANNOUNCED at The Independent Music Party @ Lincoln Center
The 15th Independent Music Award Winners will be announced November 12th from Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City during a free, day long music festival showcasing exceptional IMA talent. Kicking off the event will be a ‘town-hall’ meeting where fans, bands and industry discuss new ways to keep independent arts alive and prospering.
“Thematically, ‘Signature – Synchronicity’ combines mystery, magic, musical surrealism and cutting edge technology to fulfill Fiona Joy’s brave intellectual approach to what are essentially fairy tale themes. Combining a childhood fantasy with stories of the Little Red Caboose, castles, princesses, stories from well-known tales and real life experiences helps paint deep heartfelt images to flesh out the compelling and sweeping instrumental melodies and her beautifully transporting vocalizations,” – Jonathan Widran (Music Connection, All Music Guide, Jazziz)
UK’s Slow Club Release New Video Silver Morning Plus Reviews
Last month Slow Club released their fourth album “One Day All of This Won’t Matter Anymore,” which is available here on iTunes: itunes.apple.com/au/album/one-day-all-this-wont-matter/id111757969
NEWLY RELEASED is the music video for their song Silver Morning:
Reviews and Highlights
“Album closers Let the Blade Do the Work and One Day All of This Won’t Matter Anymore provide the right balance of pop romance and crooked storytelling…” The Guardian, 3 stars (theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/18/slow-club-one-day-all-of-this-wont-matter-any-more-review)
“Slow Club present these songs in easy listening costumes, but below the surface, One Day is seething with disconnect and sorrow… Though they aren’t singing together as much, it sounds like they might be singing to each other more than ever,” Pitchfork (pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/22215-one-day-all-of-this-wont-matter-any-more)
“One Day All of This Won’t Matter Anymore is, in many ways, a step away from the upbeat melodies of their older work, though this is not necessarily a bad thing. Instead, it offers uncomplicated insight into some of the perhaps darker emotions that accompany romance. It is sleepy easy listening at its very best,” Curieux (curieux.com.au/featured/album-review-one-day-all-of-this-wont-matter-any-more-by-slow-club)
Website: slowclubband.com
FB: facebook.com/slowclub
Youtube: youtube.com/user/SlowClubVEVO