All posts by Marshall Cullen
Hussy Hicks Are Back – New Album On The Boundaries
New Review Just In – 16 November
“Review of Hussy Hicks new album On The Boundaries . Another brilliant release for 2017.This great scorched land has birthed 3 remarkable albums this year & we are now joined by a 4th.Hussy Hicks join the elite company of Charles Jenkins , 19Twenty & Woodland Hunters with the delivery of On The Boundaries. You don’t lose sheer talent like you lose the flavour of chewing gum , and Leesa Gentz & Julz Parker are blossoming & blooming from album to album. Leesa’s soaring voice of evocative, volcanic velvet is like honey for your soul & the fretwork of Julz is fire & brimstone one minute & yet the epitome of controlled restraint the next. Co-conspirator Raph White adds the sonic soundtrack like an idiosyncratic Daniel Lanois or Mitchell Froom , and his brushstrokes are an embellishment to be revered.I first saw these ladies support Turin Brakes in Fremantle & my ears were converted & prised wonderfully wide open.Are they a cult secret ? I’m not certain , but we should all join hands , buy this stunning offering and make these ladies wealthy. It would only be justice for the riches this album conveys.
Cheers Duncan Smith Top Shelf Music 89.7FM So much music so little time.”
With their new single Mutiny recently Premiered with repeat plays on Triple J Roots N All the Hussy Hicks are well pleased with their collaborative efforts on the new album. Teaming up with long time friend London based Producer Raphael White the girls have created a stunning new album that will surprise some but still maintains their folk and blues roots.They are currently on tour in the USA and head home this month to drop the record and head out for their Australian dates starting in WA (listed below)
Almost 10 years after the release of their debut album Hussy Hicks
are back with their fifth full length offering, On the Boundaries. A
departure from their trademark live recordings, this album sees the
Hussy Hicks experiment with their sound and production to create
something familiar yet fresh. It’s the Hussy Hicks embracing a
creative approach and the results are nothing short of stunning.
The Gold Coast based band has made a name for themselves locally
and on the international stages the old fashioned way – not through a
Youtube video gone viral or a Facebook post shared thousands of
times, but by playing their music and connecting with audiences
one passionate performance at a time.
Julz Parker and Leesa Gentz possess a special connection and an
innate understanding of each other musically. Their unique sound
spans many genres from boisterous blues and roots, to
contemporary folk, alt country and power ballads.
For this album they joined forces with long time friend and musical
collaborator Raphael White. Their trust in him as a producer allowed
them to expand on their live sound and conduct some sonic
experiments in his London studio.
“Stylistically I guess the biggest difference between this and our
last albums would be the layering; more vocals, more guitars, more
time spent on production” says Julz. ““We tried not to be beholden to our live
sound, to keep the tracks open to be able to grow in any direction.
The way we found was best for that was to start each song by
Leesa laying down a couple of shaker tracks (as we do live) so that
we all had a solid foundation groove that we were all comfortable to build upon. We then sang
and played all the different ideas we had for each song and left
Raph with a bit of a sonic smorgasboard to play with.
It’s not a folk album, its not a blues album, its
not an alt-country album but it still has bits of all our influences
wrapped up in there and we’re super happy with the result.”
On The Boundaries (Funk/Fauna)
Release Date November 10 All Platforms
Radio Amrap/AiritALBUM PRE ORDER LINK-
https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/on-the-boundaries/id1293275790
The Hussy Hicks are also pleased to announce their upcoming Tour DatesNov 8 – WA Redcliffe on the Murray
Nov 9 – WA Settlers Tavern
Nov 10-12 – WA Bridgetown Blues Festival
Nov 14 – WA Perth Blues Club
Nov 15 – WA Clancy’s Fremantle
Nov 17-19 – NSW Mullum Music Festival
Nov 25-27 – VIC Queenscliff Music Festival
Dec 1-3 – NSW – Sydney Blues and Roots Festival Windsor
Dec 8 – NSW Tintenbar Hall
Dec 9 – QLD House with No Walls Eumundi
Dec 15 QLD Summertime Sessions in the Village – Gold Coast
Release Date November 10 All Platforms
Radio Amrap/AiritALBUM PRE ORDER LINK-
https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/on-the-boundaries/id1293275790
The Hussy Hicks are also pleased to announce their upcoming Tour DatesNov 8 – WA Redcliffe on the Murray
Nov 9 – WA Settlers Tavern
Nov 10-12 – WA Bridgetown Blues Festival
Nov 14 – WA Perth Blues Club
Nov 15 – WA Clancy’s Fremantle
Nov 17-19 – NSW Mullum Music Festival
Nov 25-27 – VIC Queenscliff Music Festival
Dec 1-3 – NSW – Sydney Blues and Roots Festival Windsor
Dec 8 – NSW Tintenbar Hall
Dec 9 – QLD House with No Walls Eumundi
Dec 15 QLD Summertime Sessions in the Village – Gold Coast
Jan 19-21 – NSW Thredbo Blues Festival
Checkout the stripped back version of current single Mutiny (premiered on Triple J) captured live in the European Winter for Youtube
Fearlessly independent, Hussy Hicks are making their own way in
the musical landscape. This album cements their reputation as
musicians who are dedicated passion, courage, creativity and a
distinct refusal to compromise their vision.
While the band have a tried and true formula for making amazing
music, they’re not afraid to change it up, challenge themselves and
try new things. Like the best artists, they are always looking for
ways to grow and this album represents a new and exciting chapter
in the good book of Hussy Hicks.
-Social media links
https://www.facebook.com/hussyhicks/
https://twitter.com/hussyhicks?lang=en-Official site
http://www.hussyhicks.com/en/newsYouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBEJG9RXjBiENJNWFeM–eg
https://www.facebook.com/hussyhicks/
https://twitter.com/hussyhicks?lang=en-Official site
http://www.hussyhicks.com/en/newsYouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBEJG9RXjBiENJNWFeM–eg
Aussie Blues Guitarist James Southwell close to a Grammy Nomination
NEWS FLASH! Aussie Blues Guitarist within a whisker of Grammy Nomination
Recorded in Dockside Studios in Maurice, Louisiana with bass player and producer Charlie Wooton of Royal Southern Brotherhood fame, it’s just been announced that Australia’s own premier blues guitarist James Southwell’s latest album, The Dockside Sessions (Where The Wind Blows) is a strong contender for nomination in the forthcoming 60th Grammy Awards in the Best Contemporary Blues Album category!
Featuring some of America’s finest sidemen, among them keyboards player Michael Lemmler from the George Porter Jr Band, harmonica player Jason Ricci, Prince Percussionist Rafael Pereira and Doug Belote from The Eric Clapton and Tedeschi Trucks bands and mastered by six-time Grammy Award-winning engineer David Farrell, the album debuted at #1 on the Australian Blues Airplay Charts and has sat within the top 25 ever since.
Not bad for an album that Southwell, a finalist in both the 2014 and 2015 Memphis Blues Challenge, hadn’t even expected to make. He’d first met Wooton at the Narooma Blues Festival back in 2015 and immediately felt they’d found kindred musical spirits in each other. A few months later Wooton invited Southwell to come on over to record in the US.
“I was shocked and surprised and didn’t expect them to follow it up,” Wooton admits, “but they rang to say they’d booked the flight, Originally just to record a couple of songs that turned into a whole album. From nothing it went to being a full album in Dockside Studios”
“Best album I’ve ever been a part of,” is Wooton’s opinion, while on the subject of Southwell himself,
Riotact reckons “James is not afraid to push his music past all previously existing boundaries and well past what most musicians consider the limits of what is safe.”
The Dockside Sessions(Where The Wind Blows)
OUT NOW(MGM) All Platforms
Itunes
Spotify
Released in June 2017, The Dockside Sessions (Where The Wind Blows) could just become the first album by an Australian blues musician to score a Grammy. The Recording Academy has added the album to the Contemporary Blues Album Category that voting members can vote for Grammy Award Nomination. So let’s all get behind it in whatever way we can and bring in the gold for Australia!
9th December NSW -The Day On The Grass – Wombat
19th-21st January NSW – with special guest Gail Page playing three full band shows, plus two solo acoustic shows at the 2018 Thredbo Blues Festival
26th January NSW – SS & A Club Albury
28th January NSW – Waves – Towradgi Beach Hotel
28th January NSW – Waves – Towradgi Beach Hotel
10th February ACT – A Beer Day Out Rocks The George Canberra
-Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/JamesSouthwellMusic/
https://www.facebook.com/JamesSouthwellMusic/
-Official site
https://www.jamessouthwell.com/
YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6gnAD0a8PgLSj51H2_Xh3w
Carol Albert – New Album and a chat
Carol Albert releases her new album ‘ Fly Away Butterfly, a Jazzy, Soulful offering with some modern twists and talks to us about her early influences-
Tell us about the moment you decided to become a Songwriter and Performer?
It was never a conscious decision . I grew up with music in my church playing the Organ for Worship Services and Singing with the Oldschool southern “Singing Schools” of the South where we learned Solfege (shape-Do-Re-Mi ) notes which we sang to the music instead of lyrics to Gospel Songs. I took piano lessons as well while I was growing up. I didn’t decide to major in music/piano until my Sophomore year of College. It was after I graduated from College that I decided to play Pop Music in Clubs, Bars and Private Events as well as teaching private Piano Lessons.
How did my family feel about it?
My Dad publicly announced at a family gathering that he would give me 10 cents when I graduated from College because that is all my Degree would be worth. He always thought I should just be a school-teacher.
Tell us a little about your music and what a crowd can expect at a live show?
My music is a combination of Smooth Jazz, Ambient World and New Age Music. I intersperse Instrumental Piano and Vocals with other instruments like Saxophone, Guitar, Bass , Drums . With some really upbeat tunes mixed with more introspective Ballads that are Piano driven.
What is the first record you bought and why?
I bought the Album “Close To The Edge” by Yes because it was my 1st Concert to ever attend. I was blown away and listened to the record until the Grooves were worn down. Then Emerson, Lake and Palmer, The Moody Blues and Pink Floyd. The keyboards were so over my head I just listened over and over trying to figure it all out.
You are on stage with Hans Zimmer. What do you say?
i would be awkward and speechless but, having seen him this summer in Atlanta, I think he would be very earthy and friendly. I wouldn’t know what to say except “ I’m in awe of your work! “
What is the one thing you want/need that you think will make you a successful artist? Why?
What is success? is it making enough money to retire and travel around the World or is it having the ability to create music that is so intrinsically satisfying that it doesn’t matter if you ever do anything else? Success for me is reaching as many ears as possible and have people contact me saying “Your music is beautiful . it really touched my soul. We want to hear more.” Of course , making it monetarily feasible is always a challenge and some people equate success with how much money you make/made. Recognition is always a nice validation that your work is successful with monetary rewards.
Click images below for more info
Stream or Buy
The Mezcaltones – Painted Lady
Yhan Leal – National Tour Dates
Update: The full length self titled album, featuring the singles Up On The Mountain, Venice and By the Wayside is available NOW and you can get it here: http://yhanleal.com
Yhan is currently on a massive National Tour to promote the album
see dates here
Watch the videos here
Listen to the new tune Venice right here
Heres a recent Interview
Yhan Leal walks the line with light feet. The Colombian born, now Bellingen based singer songwriter dedicates his waking hours to honing his artistic craft. After 20 years of performing Yhan, a truly gifted guitarist and angelic singer, has found his musical identity. Yhan Leal represents a new direction of Folk.
When did you settle in the Bellingen Shire?
I’m sure this is my 6th year, It’s flown by but I’ve had had such a wondrous time here.
- Can you describe your earlier life in Colombia?
Well I was only in Colombia until age 5 so the memories are very dreamlike, enormous white houses, wild rivers, and I remember leaving for Australia in a confused state in the middle of the night.
- Have you always had music in your life?
Yes, my mother sang to me, spanish love songs and nursery rhymes. My three older brothers had very diverse taste in music, from Opera to Metal, and we always had the record player going.
Are you musically trained?
Yes, I started in a Classic Guitar school at age eight for a few years then started learning electric guitar at my local music shop, I loved hanging around in that shop, ended up teaching there myself.
I also started singing pop songs naturally with the guitar at age 8, then took singing lessons at around 17 for many years. I loved learning everything I could about music, I bought countless books and videos and had many teachers, but my high school music teacher will always be my most revered.
Would you describe your music as ‘folk’ based?
Yes, folk means ‘people’ and my ideas for songs are always about the experience of the individual. Intimacy and an acoustic guitar is also very folk, but I also embrace modern sounds like samples and effects, so I call my genre ‘modern folk’.
You can hear those kind of sounds on my new single and video ‘Up On The Mountain.’(premiered on Triple J Monday October 2nd)
- You are performing at the Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival. Is this the first year you have performed for this festival? Can you describe what you are expecting?
Yes this is my first time performing at the festival, I’m excited to play to an audience who appreciate that less is more! I’m going to play as stripped back as possible but give my songs everything I’ve got.
- Have you got any exciting plans for your music into the future?
Yes, I will be launching a brand new album this November 11 at the Bellingen Memorial Hall. I’ll be performing the entire album and recreating it;s production with the support of mostly local musicians, including an electronic score. Tix are on sale now via my website www.yhanleal.com and from Roots Records in Bellingen.
I also have a bunch more shows
-Social media
https://www.facebook.com/yhanlealmusic/
Official site
http://yhanleal.com/
Andy Iorio -USA Classical Crossover Pianist and Composer talks about his early influences and new album II
- Hi Andy Iorio,
- Tell us about the moment you decided to become a composer. What did your family have to say about it?
When I was very young, the moment that I really connected with music was when I saw the film “The Neverending Story”. I fell in love with the movie instantly and more importantly I was drawn into the music that went with the moving images. Shortly after seeing that movie, my parents bought me a keyboard – my state of the art Casio SK-1, (equivelent to a Fisher-Price “plunk and plop”) and I started creating my own little pieces and experimenting with sounds. I would set up my keyboard in front of my tv and mute the sound and create my own music for what I was watching. It was in that moment that I knew I wanted to be a composer and score a film of my own one day.
- Who are your early influences?
There are so many artists that have inspired me throughout my life! I was around 10 years old when I found my parents vinyl collection and started listening to the records I thought had the most interresting artwork on their album covers. Early influences included Pink Floyd, Billy Joel, Elton John and George Winston. As I got older, Ludovico Einaudi, Max Richter, Philip Glass, Yann Tiersen, Abel Korzeniowski and Hans Zimmer were at the forefront of my most inspirational composers. Simple tonality, beautiful melodies and soaring strings made for some of my strongest musical influences.
- What current Australian acts inspire you and why? What international acts?
I really like Sia; I think she has a great voice. I have been a fan ever since I heard her track “Breathe Me” in the final scene of the HBO show “Six Feet Under.” I have always been drawn to instrumental music most. So when I think of international artists, Ludovico Einaudi and Max Richter are the first two that come to mind. Both have unique musical signatures unlike any others.
- What is the first record you bought and why?
The first album I bought was Counting Crows “August and Everything After”. I loved Adam Duritz’s lyrics and the organic sound of the band. The instrumention was so unique for the early 90’s. The phrasing of Adam’s voice was also very different from anything else I had heard up to that point. I still listen to that album in it’s entirety today.
- Favourite artists of all time?
Billy Joel, Pink Floyd, Dream Theater, Ludovcio Einaudi, Max Richter, Philip Glass, Yann Tiersen, George Winston, Abel Korzeniowski and Hans Zimmer.
- Fave food or drink and is there a story associated with that?
I would have to say my favorite drink is tea. Hot or cold, it is the best to calm and relax me. I can’t pick a favorite one, but there is nothing I enjoy drinking more. I actually have a 5′ long tea station at home with over a dozen international artisan teas, tea sets and tea accessories displayed on it.
- Tell us a little about the new record and what a crowd can expect at a live show?
My music is mainly piano driven, with a cinematic and lush vibrant string section. It carries simple tonality with controlled harmony. Recently, I have been playing all of my concerts as solo piano performances. I feel it is more intimate this way and the audience can really connect with the music the way I composed each piece – always on the piano first, then with orchestrations built around the piano. Over the next year, I want to add a string quartet to bring the pieces to the live audiences the way they hear them on the album. My performances will then be a mix of piano and strings along with the intimate setting of solo piano.
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/album/6ECPEnAYFEFb4KuGjFsYSE
Official
http://andyiorio.com/
Joseph L Young – A chat about his early influences and new album Ethereum
- Tell us about the moment you decided to become a Composer What did your family have to say about it?
Music has been my passion my whole life, it’s always been who I am. I began playing saxophone in 6th grade, played my first sax solo in 8th grade jazz band, and also started composing my own music about that same time. My desire to continue performing and writing grew naturally from there. I also developed an early love of the Native American flute, and composed my first flute song “Shaman’s Dream” before owning a flute. I received a flute as a gift in my mid-20’s, and eventually recorded that song with it, which later ended up on my first album “Pathways.” I’m very grateful that my family has always been extremely supportive of my music interests, and encouraged me to follow my own path. They continue to hold an important place in my life today, and have been vital to my musical success.
2. What inspired you to become an artist and who are your early influences?
My earliest inspirational memory was of Chip Davis’ Mannheim Steamroller. I distinctly remember thinking “I want to write music like that!” I admired the way he combined technology and synthesizers with traditional symphonic instrumentation. Soon after, I discovered Kitaro, who used the same magical combination but with a uniquely beautiful result. Compositions by John Williams, Michael Kamen and Harold Faltermeyer always held my attention, too; I love cinematic music. Other early influences included The Cars because of their complex musical layers, the dreamlike sound of Loreena McKennitt, the synth sounds of Tangerine Dream, and of course David Sanborn and his saxophone, which I listened to obsessively for years. I also listened to a lot of contemporary jazz, 50’s rock, and even classical.
3. What is the first record you bought and why?
The first record I bought was a 45 and I was 9 years old. I bought the J. Geils Band’s “Freeze Frame” because of that catchy keyboard line and of course the horn section. That was back when a lot of popular music had horn sections. I still have that record somewhere. I loved that record store. I could have spent hours in there.
4. Fave film? Fave Book? Fave place?
Favorite film: I’m a movie nut and my tastes vary widely, so I have a lot of favorite films, many of them in the sci-fi and fantasy genres, such as the “Lord of the Rings” series, “The Fifth Element,” “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “The Princess Bride”.
Favorite book: “Dancing Wu Li Masters: An Overview of the New Physics” by Gary Zukav, which was my introduction to quantum physics. I’m fascinated by physics, the Universe and nature, and a lot of my music reflects these ideas.
Favorite place: I love water, so anywhere with a waterfall, a lake, the ocean.
5. Tell us a little about your writing process for ETHEREUM,?
My writing process is rather organic and flexible. Sometimes I’ll start with a melody that keeps running through my mind and keeps me awake at night. Sometimes I’ll lay down a bass line or percussion track and build the song around that. And other times it’s a chord progression and the mood or feeling that surrounds it. I love to experiment with sounds and instrumentation that aren’t typically played together, to release myself from what’s expected. I also give myself permission to start over if something isn’t working for me. Most of my music is inspired by nature, emotions, and experiences; it’s how I best express myself — through music.
6. What are your future plans for 2017/2018?
I’m currently working on a new album which will be primarily new age saxophone, due for release in early 2018. I’m very excited about that, it’s something I’ve had on my mind for years. I’ll be teaching again at several flute schools in 2018. And of course I’ll continue performing all of my world flute music, as well as my new sax music next year, in addition to playing with other bands – always more performing!
More At
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/artist/16zSmewOTIVw3Ghnn47i07#
Website
http://www.josephlyoung.com