All posts by Marshall Cullen

vida-cain
News and Touring

Trav from Vida Cain Does QnA with Foghorn Media

Vida Cain Release New Album (Yeah Nah) with a Local Launch at Badlands Bar Perth October 14

Details here: facebook.com/events/265182167173763

Preview the Album here: 
soundcloud.com/vidacain/sets/new-album-yeah-nah-unreleased/s-XRjW2

 

We got Trav the drummer to take a few moments and chat with us-

 

Foghorn Media: What inspired you to become a musician? Who were your early influences?

Trav: I was personally inspired by all the bands I used to watch as an under-ager in Perth/Freo. Whether is was the local bands, like Beaverloop, NIL, Cinema Prague, or some unknown band rocking out to 20 people.  I was also particularly inspired when I got to see great live bands on tour like RATM, Smashing Pumpkins, NIN, Fugazi.  I still get inspired today by great new bands.

FM: Tell us a little about how you write; how do the songs come? What gets you going creatively?

Trav: We really aren’t so formulaic with how we write: sometimes it comes out of a jam, sometimes someone will bring in just a riff, and sometimes even a whole song which we will all just add an influence on.  I think we all come from such different places musically, that no matter how things start it always takes a few twists and turns creatively.  We really like demo’ing our ideas now too, and in the recording process I feel like the songs evolve even more, as we usually pick up a few things we want to add or take away.

FM: Your bio mentions that the band is named after a band members Grandmother? Tell us about how that came to be.

Trav: Yeah, our singer’s Grandmother’s name was actually “Vida Cain,” We trialled a few names in the early days, but nothing really did it for us. We thought “Vida Cain” had a bit of a ring to it so we went with that. Sadly, Vida is no longer with us, but I’m told she absolutely hated rock music and would probably be mortified to know that there’s a rock band named after her.

FM: What is the first record you bought and why?

Trav: The first record I actually bought for myself was RATM.  I was at 78s in Perth and I remember just being blown away by how much I could feel the emotions in the music.  And as a drummer back in the day it didn’t hurt that I loved the rhythm section.

FM: What current OZ acts inspire you? International acts?

Trav: I can’t help getting inspired by little bits of everything I hear.  I have heard great songs by Tame Impala, Kingswood, Ball Park Music, Pendulum and Calling all Cars have certainly have inspired me.  I know we play in a rock band, but internationally I would say Kendrik Lamar, Alabama Shakes, Arctic Monkeys.

FM: Tell us a little about your music and what a crowd can expect at a live show.

Trav: A lot of people describe it as riff rock.  I guess it’s melodic with some pop elements, but really high energy, rock music made to be played live.  We put in a lot of energy into our live shows and the crowd usually gives us that energy back.

FM: Favourite artists of all time?

Trav: Foo Fighters, RATM, Beastie Boys

FM: Favourite film?

Trav: Pulp Fiction.  I like a good quirky intertwining storyline, be it in a song, movie, or a shady drunken tour incident.  Pulp Fiction did that pretty well.

FM: Favourite food?

Trav: Anything you can buy at a bakery. Nothing like a bit of gluttony and gluten.

FM: You are backstage with Chad Kroeger; what do you say?

Trav: Why? Just…why?

FM: Where do you see aussie music heading?

Trav: Into the depths of hell until 4 rock super heros come to it’s rescue with nothing, but an instrument and a drink rider. Either that or it’s just scheduled for a bit of a cycle of something different.  I enjoyed the first tastes of skip hop and psychedelic pop that had a long run here, but now it’s spread a bit thin and I can’t wait to see what pops up next.  There is certainly plenty of talented musicians around playing so many styles- it’s just a matter of what get’s picked up. We’d love it to be our music!

FM: What are your future plans for the rest of 2016 heading into 2017?

Trav: After our release at Badlands Bar in Perth, we will be going on an East Coast tour of Australia.  We have plans for a trip to USA in 2017.  Other than that, we plan on just getting back to playing live a whole lot after all that time in the studio.

 

Social Media Links
Website
www.vidacain.com 
Facebook
www.facebook.com/vidacain
YouTube
www.youtube.com/user/vidacain

 

vida-cain-yeah-nah

Josh Johnstone (AUS)
News and Touring

New Videos From Josh Johnstone

Josh Johnstone has been busy at work: touring and creating captivating new music videos. See all his hard work come together naturally and beautifully below:

Rain Dancer

 

Brave Tin Soldiers

 

Walls

 

To stay updated with all his new music videos subscribe to his Youtube Account here: youtube.com/JoshJohnstone

 

joshjohnstone.com

facebook.com/joshjohnstonemusic

twitter.com/joshjohnstoneAU

instagram.com/joshjohnstonemusic

 

Joel Sena (AUS)
News and Touring

Joel Sena – QnA with Foghorn Media

Joel Sena is a Sydney saxophonist and producer with his debut self-titled EP expected for release 11 November, 2016. The first single off the EP, “Be With You,”Featuring Female Vocals from Phoebe  will be available 7 October, 2016.

Listen to previews of the EP here: joelsena.com/music

Foghorn Media: What inspired you to become a musician? Who
are your early influences?
Joel Sena: I’ve been playing and writing music from a very young age. It has always been a great emotional outlet for me, being someone who is quite shy and reserved. Sharing an emotional connection with others through music is something really special and that’s why I try and write songs that are honest and direct. I’ve always thought the saxophone to be a uniquely lyrical and compelling instrument when played well. Mastering that instrument and its potential has been a long term pursuit of mine!
FM: Tell us a little about how you write; how do the songs come?  What gets you going creatively?
JS: I write songs in the strangest of places. More often than not I’ll have an idea in the car or on the train. I’ve learnt to jot down ideas quickly and then unpack them when I have some time to be more creative. I produce my own music and the pre-production phase of putting songs together is really helpful in developing them further. I love finding something compelling – whether it be a melody, groove, or set of chords – to expand upon bit by bit. I’ve always found that experience drives creativity. Travel, relationships, and life’s struggles have all spurred me on to create more and more music.
FM: What is the first record you bought and why?
JS: Miles Davis – “Kind of Blue,” I bought it because my sax teacher told me to! It took me more than a decade to really appreciate all of the nuances of that album but it inspired me from the start. It has remained one of my favourite albums of all time.
FM: What current OZ acts inspire you? International acts?
JS: I’m loving the current resurgence of soul inspired music in Australia. Artists like Hiatus Kaiyote, Daniel Merriweather, and Chet Faker are pushing the boundaries and creating some incredible stuff. I’m inspired by international acts that are fusing the spontaneity of jazz and soul with modern production and contemporary songwriting. Artists like Robert Glasper, Kendrick Lamar, and Jill Scott have been huge inspirations to me. I’m also a sucker for a great female vocalist – Melody Gardot and Lianne La Havas come to mind.
FM: Tell us a little about your music and what a crowd can expect
at a live show?
JS: The music is groovy and engaging. It’s for people who love a well written song and a great sax sound. It’s music with an infectious groove. Those coming to a live show can expect a fair bit of spontaneity within a seriously tight sounding band. They can expect soaring instrumentals with wailing solos to soft, delicate and contemplative ballads. There may or may not be a dose of my dry sense of humour in there too! I always feature at least one world class vocalist at my live shows to sing several of my songs.
FM: Favourite artists of all time?
JS: Miles Davis, Jill Scott, Robert Glasper, Kenny Garrett, Michael
Brecker/Brecker Bros, Toto, Earth Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder,
Chaka Khan.
FM: Favourite film? Favourite Book? Favourite place?
JS:
Film: Lord of the Rings.
Book: The war of art (Steven Pressfield) – helped me
so much with getting over myself and making the music happen!
Place:I love the hustle and bustle of big cities like NYC. When I was there I met and jammed with some killer musicians who were some of the most welcoming people I’ve met. I turned up unannounced to a funk jam run by one of Lauryn Hill’s horn players. I had a play and slotted right in. It was a great experience. They value music there and are so accepting of people from any walk of life. It’s a great place for art to thrive.
FM: Favourite food or drink and is there a story associated with that?
JS: I’ll go to great lengths to find a perfect coffee. Whenever I’m traveling I’ll be sure to suss out where the best coffee spots are with a little help from Google Maps. Unfortunately this obsession has oft taken me on wild goose chases and long detours.
FM: You are backstage with Miles Davis; what do you say?
JS: I don’t think I would have to say much. From what I hear, Miles had a knack for imparting years of wisdom in a single phrase. I’d be quite happy to be on the receiving end of an MD one liner!
FM: Where do you see Aussie music heading?
JS: There are a bunch of highly motivated and talented artists that have been a little late to the self promotional internet age we’re in now. I think as more and more of these artists start coming to terms with the new tools we have to connect with fans we’ll start to see some really special stuff. I think that really well crafted songs and a high level of musicality will come to the forefront somewhat again.
FM: What are your future plans for 2016/2017
JS: After releasing my own EP, I plan to get playing live regularly. Live shows are where my music will really shine and inspire people. I love playing live and creating special moments with an audience. I’m really excited to return to the studio in 2017 and follow up my EP with another release. I’ve learnt an unbelievable amount over the past year and I can’t wait to put all of that new knowledge to use!
Husyy Banner
News and Touring

Hussy Hicks On Tour and New Single Whole Lotta

With a new single and a new bunch of dates the girls NSW/QLD tour is well under way and the latest news is they have just made the top 5 of the AMRAP Regional Charts coming in at number 4 ….

see – http://airit.org.au/airit/home.php

It has already been a big year of touring for the band so
the girls took advantage of their road-tested tightness and went into the studio directly after their Bluesfest shows. Rhythm section, Tracy Stephens and Rohan Hems are a well-oiled machine of groove in the track that was recorded completely live on the floor of the newly refurbished 301 studios in Byron.
Well completely live with the exception of the awe
–inspiring backing vocals from Alabama’s Kristy Lee and ‘Williette’ Donna Hall from the legendary 70’s Southern Rock Group ‘Wet Willy’. Donna first jumped up with the Hussies and sang the song with the girls in a small bar in Mobile, Alabama and from the second she joined in the song took on a whole new dimension. Add the phenomenal voice of Kristy Lee (who toured Australia last year
for Bluesfest and Beth Hart/G – Love Supports) to the mix an d you got a bonafide vocal Dream Team. It’s a simple song but it’s got a Whole Lotta vibe and lovers of the Blues Roots and
Jam Band genres can file it in a category somewhere between Tedechi Trucks Band and Led Zeppelin.
Tour Dates
1/09/16 19:00 – Brass Monkey – Cronulla, NSW
2/09/16 20:00 – Old Manly Boatshed – Manly, NSW
3/09/16 20:00 – Lazybones Lounge – Marrickville, NSW
4/09/16 20:00 – Lazybones Lounge – Marrickville, NSW
5/09/16 20:00 – Jindabyne Bowling and Sports Club – Jindabyne, 
6/09/16 16:00 – The Smiggins Hotel – Perisher Valley, NSW
7/09/16 20:30 – The Smiggins Hotel – Perisher Valley, NSW
9/09/16 19:00 – The Acoustic Picnic @ The Music Lounge – Brookvale, NSW
11/09/16 16:00 – Hoey Moey – Coffs Harbour, NSW
16/09/16 17:30 – Mitchell Creek Rock n Blues Festival – Kandanga Creek, QLD
18/09/16 17:45 – Swell Sounds – Currumbin, QLD
18/09/16 11:00 – Mitchell Creek Rock n Blues Festival – Kandanga Creek, QLD
22/10/16 20:00 – Nightquarter – Helensvale, QLD
Play the single
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and checkout the New Remix by London Producer “Friend O’ Mine”

Watch the  live video-

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See the girls chatting on their new EPK

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More at

http://www.hussyhicks.com/en/news

dividing-the-darkness
News and Touring

Steve Rivera – New Album ‘Dividing The Darkness’ and QnA

New Album ‘Dividing The Darkness’ available NOW on iTunes

itunes.apple.com/album/dividing-the-darkness

At this point in his ever evolving career, pianist and composer, Steve has taken it to the next level with the release of his stunning new album, “Dividing The Darkness,” To fulfill his creative vision for this project, Steve chose to work with one of the premier new age and contemporary instrumental producers in the world; the Grammy winning founder of the legendary Windham Hill Records, Mr. Will Ackerman. Along with Will’s roster of world-class studio musicians at Imaginary Road Studios, Steve has created an album that has garnered critical acclaim from highly regarded reviewers in the genre, who have described it as having “an astonishing level of sophistication, intensity, and heartfelt emotional expressivity,” In fact, the maestro Ackerman himself refers to the emotional range heard in Steve’s recording as: “a testament to the resilience of the human soul and the power of hope,” And in Steve’s own words: “When one’s talent is realized and pursued in a positive way, its limits may be nonexistent,”

QnA with Foghorn Media

Foghorn Media: What inspired you to become a pianist/composer? Who are your early influences?

Steve Rivera: I have always had a passion for music. I grew up with music in the home. My musical interests comes from several places. My family was and is very musical. My dad plays piano and sings, my older brother Robert (who passed away 6 years ago) was active playing piano, and one of my younger brothers plays piano and is a proficient guitar player. I first started playing music at a very young age. My dad often tells of a story that when I was about 5 years old he came home from work and I was really excited to show him a new song that I wrote.

FM: Tell us a little about how you write. How do the songs come? What gets you going creatively?

SR: Well in regards to how I write songs, it all depends on why I sit down and what I am trying to write. Other times I will just have a tune rattling around in my head and then I will sit down and work on it. I may just be moved by some emotion (happiness, peacefulness, anger or disappointment) and sit down and want to express those emotions through music.

FM: Your bio mentions “you took a break from music to work for a professional ice hockey team” us what went on there and more?

SR: Well back in the mid 90’s I had went to my first ice hockey game and fell in love with it. Growing up in Southern California I surfed and skated my whole life, but I had never ice skated before, let alone play ice-hockey. I started playing ice-hockey and shortly after that I had the opportunity to work for the Los Angeles Kings Hockey team as one of the assistant equipment managers. It was during the Wayne Gretzky years.

FM: What is the first record you bought and why?

SR: Oh wow. If my memory serves me correctly it was Iron Maiden’s ‘Number of the Beast,’ I really liked the album cover.

FM: What current Australian acts inspire you?

SR: Well obviously my current favorite Oz artist has to be Fiona Joy.

FM: Tell us a little about your music and what a crowd can expect at a live show ?

SR: I describe ‘Dividing The Darkness’ as “retrained simplicity that is emotionally moving,” Being that I was classically trained I can easily move up and down the piano to “show off” how good I am. But with ‘Dividing The Darkness’ I wanted to create music that was moving, flowing, and open. Knowing that I was going to have award winning musicians included on the album, I really wanted to leave them room too. So while my album is definitely piano driven, I have always thought of ‘Dividing The Darkness’ as a musical whole, so much more than just piano.

FM: Favourite artists of all time?

SR: Mozart.

FM: Favourite film?

SR: Wow. There are so many. A wide variety from, ‘The Usual Suspects’ to ‘Blazzing Saddles’ and ‘The Princess Bride’ to ‘Awakenings’ and ‘As Good As it Gets,’

FM: Favourite book?

SR: Les Miserable by Victor Hugo

FM: What are your future plans for 2016/2017?

SR: That is a really hard question that I don’t think I can give a knowledgeable answer too. I would really like to see my music move forward, but I realize that while I will do everything in my power to be present and do what I can to move things forward at the end of the day it is really not up to me. There are so many things that happen in life that I have learned no matter how much I plan or prepare life can and does take turns of its own. I am just really excited about finding out what the future has in store.

Website: steveriveramusic.com
FB: facebook.com/Steve-Rivera-Music

Halfway Homebuoy (AUS)
News and Touring

Halfway Homebuoy Upcoming Shows and New Video

UPCOMING shows for Halfway Homebuoy!

15th Oct – Lass O’Cowrie Hotel, Newcastle

19th Oct – Foghorn Brew House, Erina

3rd Nov – Vibes Coast Hotel, Budgewoi

11th Nov - Bellevue Hotel, Tuncurry

30th Nov – Frankies Pizza, Sydney

3rd Dec – Central Coast Party Charter

11th Dec – Beaches Hotel, Thirroul

And heres the NEW VIDEO

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Get new EP ‘The Door’ here: itunes.apple.com/au/album/the-door-ep/id1129622828

If you haven’t yet, read through a QnA with the boys to kick off their latest EP The Door –

Q & A with Jack and Curtis………

What inspired you to become a singer in a band?

Curtis

The meticulous strain of learning covers and not playing them perfect and or well. If it’s your own song you get to decide what’s perfect and what’s right. It’s a pretty good feeling playing your own music and seeing people in the crowd enjoying themselves as much as you do. Kinda if we get you off then we’ll get off kinda thing.

Jack

My old man played guitar when I was young and I always wanted to play. He got me a nylon string and off I went (he still has that guitar). Dad loved James Taylor, Paul Simon, Dylan, and all of those singer song writers, so I guess that is where it started. My teen years in the 90’s in the UK started the band/rock music for me. It was a great time to be around the music scene in England: Oasis, Blur, The Verve even The Spice Girls – ha ha.

 

Who are your early influences?

Curtis

As I came to the understanding that I wanted to be a musician I really liked musicians that were unique and matter what they were doing you kinda knew it was them. Early on I was influenced by a lot of bands. I try and steal something from everybody. I am a bit of a guitar pedal addict so if they are using some sort of effect they are an influence. It’s my way of hiding that I actually have no idea what I am doing.

 

Tell us a little about how you write, how do the songs come? What gets you going creatively?

Curtis

Usually Jack or someone would come in with an idea, then we try to flip it on its head and make it good, ha ha. No, we jam it out in the room with the boys try new and interesting ideas over the old ones. Really the songs only come together with us pushing each other to be different. I work really hard on them on my own, but no matter how hard you plan and think your idea is right everyone else’s is usually better. That’s the great thing about a band its amalgamation of lots of ideas.

 

What gets us going is being in that room together, when everything clicks and we all get a little smirk knowing this feels right; probably the beers as well.

Jack

Sometimes they just happen. The good ones just flow. It’s usually something I’m angry about. I get some chords going but the melody and lyric is what I find most important. Someone once told me to write what I know and feel don t try to fake it. Which is so true and the best tip I ever heard.

After that I take it to the band. Then they make some noises and change some parts and boom we have a new song. I would say one in every three we write makes it to the live set. One in four get recorded.

 

 

 

Your bio mentions “newsworthy angle/funny story or event’ tell us what went on there.

Jack

The Gibson Guitar endorsement was amazing. We had finished pre-production on our album ‘Burning In The Sun’ and we are hanging out in the studio. Marshall, our Publisher & Label) and all round Legend said ‘You guys need anything else for recording?’ Yeah some good guitars, we said and laughed it off. Next day phone rings, it’s Marshall – ‘Go down to the pro shop, they’ve got some GIBOs for you to use’. I jump in the car, the exhaust pipe falls off on the way over, get to the shop meet the Rep, top bloke, we walk out with a Thunderbird Bass, Nikki Sixx Signiture (took it out of the display case for us) an SG and a Vintage Les Paul.

 

Put about 15 grands worth of guitars in the back of my 1000 dollar car next to the broken exhaust I recovered from the road. A few months after that I was added to the Gibson Artists list. Now I put my fancy guitar into the back of my 1000 dollar car next to the broken exhaust.

 

What is the first record you bought and why?

Curtis

It was a Wiggles tape, I was 7.

Jack

The one and only, Chesney Hawks, went halves with my brother it was a vinyl single, I have no idea why.

 

What current OZ acts inspire you? Ditto for international acts?

Jack

I am inspired by a lot of bands and artist we play with. The hard work they put in and the amazing talent that goes mostly unnoticed. Australia has a massive music community waiting to be heard. Tune into some community radio is my advice. International acts – at the moment I can’t stop listening to Jason Isbell’s last two albums.

Tell us a little about your music and what a crowd can expect at a live show?

Curtis

I like to think or music is always evolving, I’m pretty sure we don’t play anything the same twice, we kinda feel each other out and hope that us having a good time shines through. We can get pretty loud but we love it that’s why we do it.

Jack

We really enjoy the live shows and I hope people see that when we play. As for the crowd we will take anyone who shows up, ha ha

 

Favourite artists of all time?

Curtis

For me, it’s Radiohead , NIN, Queens of The Stone Age, Tool and the two Jimmys’ (Page and Hendrix) with a notable mention to Dave Gilmore. It’s hard though, I’ve been influenced by a heap of bands that I still listen to today. I could be hear all day naming people. Once you find an artist you go and find out who influenced them, it’ a never ending cycle.

Jack

Van Gogh. Can’t pick just one for music

 

You are backstage with ‘insert artist you adore or hate’, what do you say?

Jack

Kanye West can you please shut the fuck up

 

Where do you see Aussie music heading?

Curtis

I’m really not sure, I’m hoping away from the computer. Hopefully, more performers and lesson button pushers. Don’t get me wrong there is a lot of talent in some of them and I enjoy it, wish more of them would use it as an instrument and less of a cheat.

Jack

I think we might be on the bottom of a cycle. The music industry is playing catch up with the internet and more home production and electronic music is flying around. We also have the reality music TV shows that are finally loosing their appeal. I believe that one band will come along and start up a big music movement again like Oasis did for the UK in the 90 s. Maybe it’s time for the smaller independent labels to rise as the big ones struggle. It’s music so you just have to wait and let it do its thing.

 

What are your future plans for 2016/2017 

Curtis

We are looking at playing as many shows as possible, doing what we love. Work on new material continue to work on us as band and just do what we do.

Jack

Tour Drink Sleep Repeat. Play shows keep writing and most importantly, enjoy it.

https://www.facebook.com/halfwayhomebuoy/?fref=ts

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