All posts by Marshall Cullen
New Reviews – Michael Cullen
JULY UPDATE Further new press for True Believer
http://www.adequacy.net/2015/07/michael-cullen-true-believer/
“If Quentin Tarantino hasn’t found the voice to lead the soundtrack of his forthcoming The Hateful Eight movie, he need look no further than this spellbinding masterpiece.”
“Cullen creates a moody atmosphere where the smell of sex, cigarette smoke and despair fill the air, there’s a hint of hope, but you’ll always find Leonard Cohen in the corner of the room collecting tears in a jar from shells of your former self. Cullen makes it okay for you to observe from a distance.”
“the Sydney-based lounge lizard artfully marries Southern Gothic dustiness to black-sequined seediness in a way that actually reveals a true sense of class”.
““Nothing Special” finds Cullen exploring that same romance of hopelessness that hopeless romantics find in their low moments. Imagine pop hooks a-la-Pulp soundtracking another night of leaving a trashed too-tiny apartment into an endless stream of city lights that lead to nowhere, over and over again. The nightly tragedies are lamented in brass arrangements and blankets of organ wrapped around frustrated lyrics. The intoxication reaches exaggerated gameshow trashiness; the only show in town. A seedy swagger continues through “Black Coffee and Cigarettes” but it’s dialled back enough to make Cullen’s songwriting mastery even more obvious.”
Recorded on analogue tape, using old tube microphones and plentyof equipment with large bakelite knobs, co-produced by Michael with Tim Powles (of the Australian masters of guitar atmospherics,The Church) and mixed by Danton Supple (Morrisey, Coldplay) Cha Cha exudes a vintage but timeless sound.”
“Michael, a post-punk veteran, has matured into a full voiced solo song writer and performer who delivers glass half empty narratives in a unique and textured baritone vocal style with echoes of American mid century pulp writers. Michael has also often cited the Curtis and Tom Waits.”
On Cha Cha, Michael’s rich punk croon spills out of a lush but driven clectic amalgam of styles including Stax, Mowtown, Americana, New Wave and 80s British pop, entreating the listener to take one more chance on romance despite the fact that happy endings seem unlikely – even improbable. What else is there?
“Inspired by the likes of Nick Cave, Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits, you nevertheless get a very Michael Cullen experience. He is strong and has a distinctive baritone vocal that weaves through the music, making this album unique, and uniquely valuable.” Sydney Morning Herald
Michael Cullen’s music resonates “with moody melancholia and astrange, dark beauty [and] is a reverb-drenched, atmospheric slice of pop that explores both the nature of love, and the nature of love gone wrong.” PunkNews.Org.
“True Believer is a hedonistic, lush, red velvet-curtained fragile andbeautiful album. Imbued with the sexual frustration and louche ambivalence of Robert Forster from The Go-Betweens and underpinned by a Nick Cave-like gothic baritone darkness, each listen reveals more complex layers, greater humour and a melodic strength. Every song is this lounge-room lothario performing in a haze of smoke and whiskey.”“True Believer is a smooth nine track album of broody vibes – eerie, hypnotic and relaxing. The songs are about regret, bitterness and a love gone sour. If you like Nick Cave you will love Michael P Cullen. The vocals are a rich baritone cocktail of spoken word, singing and crooning while Powles provides seamless, charming accompaniment on the keys and drums. It’s intoxicating. It has to be experienced.” Rip It Up Magazine
more at-
Bob Pigott – Anzac Song – Grandad’s Violin
Dali and the Paper Band – Island EP and Tour
Dali and the Paper Band are a Hobart based trio, who capture audiences with intriguing originals and improvisations.
After playing many show’s around Australia and abroad, they decided it was time to hibernate in the studio and craft some magic again. Many long days passed, and finally a new EP titled ‘Island’ was born.The EP contains an eclectic mix of Indie, Dance, and Hip-Hop sounds. It was recorded on Bruny Island, in Tasmania, where many of the songs were also written. The songs were finished and mastered by Damien Gerard Studios, in Sydney.
The first indie-dance style track, ‘Too Good To Be Good’, and the final song, ‘Move On’, which draws upon hip-hop, jazz and funk, both reflect upon the hedonism of youth.
‘Heartless’, which was recently released as a single, was inspired by the documentary ‘The Cove’, is about the slaughtering of dolphins in Japan.
The third and title track ‘Island’, was written by Dali about his childhood and the nomadic lifestyle his mother preferred, whilst ‘Insane Train’ is a brief story about a memorable train journey
The band will tour the east Coast and Tasmania throughout April to support the release – see dates below
April 4th // Adventure Bay Hall Bruny Island
April 10th // The Royal Oak Launceston
April 11th // The Homestead Hobart
April 16th // The Tree House Byron Bay
April 17th // Rics Bar Brisbane
April 22nd // Valve bar Sydney
The EP was released on the 27th Of March through FOG/MGM to cinched with the Tour.
https://www.facebook.com/daliandthepaperband
http://instagramzone.com/UserDetails/376372187
https://twitter.com/DaliSrhoj
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfDfyx7MykrkbWhmo4sD9ew
www.daliandthepaperband.com
Alex Bowen Talks about his tour and new album
Will you Remember me – A Tribute to Ted Mulry
RELEASE DATE 20TH MARCH 2015
After the albums release on Friday the Tribute has just been set for AOTW on Brisbane Starting today
Listen to the stream here
Tony Romeril and Various Artists “Will You Remember Me” – A Tribute to Ted Mulry Songwriter.
Tony Romeril, the former lead singer of 70s hit Aussie band Autumn, is soon to release a new music project to honor the final work of Ted Mulry.
Born in Oldham, England, Ted Mulry first came to the attention of the music industry when he was signed to the legendary Albert Productions. He rose to fame as a solo singer/songwriter with his own composition, the pop ballad ‘Julia’, which made the Australian charts in 1970.
In 1972 he formed his own band, The Ted Mulry Gang, with guitarist Les Hall & drummer Herman Kovac. The band released their first album ‘Here We Are’ in 1974. Their first major hit, and the biggest of their career, was the 1975 single ‘Jump In My Car’ which spent 6 weeks at number one on the Australian singles charts.
As a close friend, Tony spent a lot of time with Ted during his final months. Ted was much under rated as a songwriter and Tony believed that some of his best material was released on his last solo album ‘This Time’.
Tony has re-recorded and re-interpreted 8 songs from the ‘This Time’ CD, as well as including of ‘Julia’ and ‘Will You Remember Me’ (the album title track). The recording sessions featured a mix of artists and singers from the 1970’s and 80’s such as Peter Cupples who knew and respected Ted and also some younger artists who loved his work and wanted to be part of this project.
The CD will be released on Autumn Records and distributed through MGM Distributors. 10% of the profits from the sale of this CD will be donated to Support Act.
Links
Official Pages
Facebook – http://tinyurl.com/q7vfqev
http://www.autumnrecords.com.au
Online Store
http://autumnrecords.mywaterfrontstore.com/Product/46811/1
Soundcloud Radio Tracks Stream
https://soundcloud.com/foghorn-records/sets/will-you-remember-me-a-tribute
Online Deep Background
https://www.sendspace.com/folder/dzod7d
For interview requests , Hi Rez Audio and Images Please Contact
Marshall Cullen-marshall@foghornrecords.net 0416 143030
Alex Bowen – New Tour dates added
New dates added
May 1 – Currumbin Creek Tavern, Gold Coast (QLD)
May 2 – Shores Tavern, Yamba (NSW)
May 15 – Harvest Bakery, Byron Bay (NSW)
and then a double header
SATURDAY MAY 16
CRAWDADDYS, NOOSA HEADS QLD
TICKETS: http://
SUNDAY MAY 17
LIZOTTES, NEWCASTLE
TICKETS: hyperurl.co/g7q93s
Following his successful independent debut release in early 2013, Alex Bowen has been bunkered away in the hills of Byron Bay for 12 months to write and record his NEW SINGLE ‘THE BOOK OF LIFE(March 6 FOG/MGM) now live on Itunes - and album to follow. The new upbeat record briefly continues the blues/country feel though it unveils a real pop/rock sensibility, with Alex once again proving his place internationally as a truly gifted singer/songwriter.Growing up in the Hunter Valley NSW, Alex began performing on various concert stages at the age of 14 supporting the likes of Paul Kelly, Richard Clapton and finding himself on a number of festival line-ups, quickly becoming a ‘must see performer’ with his powerful blues/rock infused guitar style and soulful voice.11 years later, Alex at 25 has performed on some of the biggest festival stages in Australia and has sold out a number of headline tours throughout the country. 2015 will see this young musician releasing and launching his new album ‘Time To Talk’ worldwide.
The extensive National Tour Dates are below –
Luke Escombe New EP and Tour
Luke Escombe Creeper Vine EP Release
“Creeper Vine” is the new record from singer-songwriter/guitarist Luke Escombe.
Drawing its musical inspiration from the vintage sounds of artists like
Chuck Berry, Freddie King, Elvis Presley and The Rolling Stones,
the 6-track EP features songs about modern urban life –
from advice on how to manage the rat race (Drink more coffee),
live with debt and survive the tensions of a long-term marriage (Axe in the house)
to tips on how to appreciate women over the age of 30
and cope with the loss of the female prime minister in your life (Julia).
Sharp, urgent and darkly funny, the album continues in the tradition established by Escombe’s 2012 studio album “Mantown”, which spent 9 straight months in the top ten of the Australian Blues and Roots radio play charts.
2014 saw Escombe release 2 critically acclaimed live albums on the same day –
“Luke Escombe and the Corporation: Live on the Coast” and “Chronic Symphonic”.
Writing about these releases in the Sydney Morning Herald reviewer John Shand wrote:
“Luke Escombe is funny and brave, a showman and an artist, a brilliantly engaging lyricist, expert tunesmith, fine guitarist and exceptional singer. Seldom is such sophistication wrapped in a coating of such overt fun. Buy both. Hear him”
Luke was nominated for a Green Room Award in 2012 for his one-man show “Chronic”, which took him to festivals around Australia as well as to the Edinburgh Fringe. He has performed 3 times at Parliament House in Canberra as well as at New Zealand’s National Museum in Wellington and spoken at conferences and health industry events across the country in his role as ambassador for Crohn’s and Colitis Australia.
He was awarded the title of “Sydney’s sexiest man voice” in 2011 in a radio competition on Mix 106.5FM and recently won the prize for Best Kid’s Show at the 2014 Sydney Fringe with his “roots musical” creation The Vegetable Plot.
“Creeper Vine” was recorded at Vienna People Studios in Sydney and features Escombe’s long-time collaborators Aaron Flower on guitar and Jamie Cameron on drums, as well as legendary rock-soul bassist Harry Brus (Renee Geyer, Kevin Borich, Billy Thorpe).
Producer Michael McGlynn (L-Fresh, Little May) adds piano, organ and percussion,
with backing vocals on two tracks by soul singer Carmen Smith.
The March 12th release of “Creeper Vine” will be accompanied by a 4-city East Coast tour.
See dates below-
Raglans – White Lightning
Raglans land for Soundwave
Album Released : 13th February 2015
Irish indie-folk four-piece Raglanshave undergone a meteoric rise in popularity since their inception, going from a crowd pleasing, gig-opening favourite at Dublin’s Whelan’s hotspot to garnering widespread recognition across the UK. Now they’re coming to Australia to perform at Soundwave and release their debut album.
Saturday 21 February – Bonython Park, Adelaide
Sunday 22 February – Melbourne Showgrounds, Melbourne
Saturday 28 February – Olympic Park, Sydney
Sunday 1 March – Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane
This Dublin quartet are slowly but surely putting themselves on the radar. Raglans recently toured the UK supporting The Strypes, and they’ve achieved some mainstream radio airplay. Their debut album is jam-packed with feel-good tracks that will ensure you don’t forget them in a hurry. Digging Holes kicks the album off superbly, showcasing the band’s talent and likeability. This is exactly how we want to be lured into an album: with plenty of hooks and a bouncy, summery vibe. Thankfully, the fun doesn’t stop there; the guys flaunt their ability to captivate in (Lady) Roll Back the Years and Before Tonight, head-bopping and foot-tapping anthems that will instantly lift your mood and have you daydreaming of summer.
‘Raglans’, as an LP,encompasses the grouped vocals of The Lumineers, the multi-instrumentalist efforts of Of Monsters And Men, whilst highlighting the substantial post-punk camaraderie circa The Libertines.
https://twitter.com/Raglans / https://www.facebook.com/Raglans / http://raglans.tumblr.com/
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN VIA SOUNDCLOUD
CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO OF NEW SINGLE, ‘WHITE LIGHTNING’ OUT NOW