Tag Archives: alt rock
CB Ghost – Hollywood Hills(Official Video)
Big Merino Release Single ‘Second Hand Smoke’
The first 2024 release for Sydney’s Big Merino
The song ‘Second Hand Smoke’ came about after the 2019 bushfires in NSW and Covid. It’s a bit of a lateral take on a story that a lot of people can relate to and it suggests why, in spite of everything, we get up the next day and give things another crack.
Recorded and mixed by Studio Legend Phil Punch, this is a great beginning for a range of singles the guys will be following with this year.
The band will be performing the new single Second Hand Smoke and a whole bunch of new songs on
Sat April 13 @ The Gasoline Pony
It’s Big Merino‘s first gig for quite some time … come and join us to celebrate the release!
@ The Gasoline Pony, Marrickville
Saturday 13th April, from 7pm.
Book : trybooking.com/CQCRM
Formed in 2017, Big Merino play original music that blurs the lines between country, blues, roots, rock and pop. Despite an obvious passion for what’s often called ‘Americana’, their songs somehow manage to be very personal and quintessentially Australian – the words and sound shaped by the landscape and their own stories.
Song Description
Acoustic southern vibes abound in this new single from Big Merino. Bass, drums, guitars and a driving snare beat keeps this bluesy track afloat with plenty of sing-a-long moments, even handclaps. Up-tempo, happy and feel good, a great first of the year for these Sydney locals.
Out March 22 Foghorn/MGM
Stream it here
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Daxton Releases New Album ‘Fahrenheit’
The new album from NSW Central Coast troubadour already garnering airplay and reviews around the world following from the Single ‘Kiss The Girls’ earlier this year.
Daxton’s new album ‘Fahrenheit’ features tracks inspired by personal experiences, relationships, and journeys, encapsulating a wide range of emotions from love and heartbreak to resilience and empowerment. The title track was inspired by a studio groove that embodied the intense emotional heat and passion that defined the production and recording of the songs. The album brings a fresh twist to the classic blues genre, infusing it with psychedelic elements and experimental sounds, creating a sonic landscape that is Daxton’s Psychedelic Blues Sound.
Song Descriptions for 2 Key Tracks
Fahrenheit
The title track to Daxton’s new album features bass, drums, dobro, slide guitar, Hammond organ and his signature vocals. A chilled out blues rock with a mid-tempo feel, this would be a great song to sit back on the porch with a beer and admire the grass.
Ocean Size
Great surf blues ‘a la’ Jack Johnson here. Slides and dobros, acoustics and electrics, sweet guitar and vocal tones throughout underpinned by drums and bass.
Out March 22 on Foghorn/MGM
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Natalie Gauci – Fame(Official Video)
ChiPs – Frequent Flyer(Official Video)
The Sheyana Band-Big Hearts(Official)
Kalen Hogan Releases Debut Album ‘Isolation’
17-year-old Central Coast local, Kalen Hogan, releases his debut album ‘Isolation’.
Recorded at Damien Gerard Studios with producer Andrew Beck and Kayne Butler on drums, the album highlights this young musician’s talent for creating catchy melodies. Still in his last year at school the album has a youthful appeal. The thoughtful and sometimes melancholy lyrics highlight Kalen’s sensitivity to everyday events and life’s universal themes.
From the initial single born from the pandemic lockdowns, the songs transition through: relationships left behind; feeling alienated or lost; realising the finite time you have with those you love; and understanding your outlook is only relevant to your perspective.
The album ‘Isolation’ was initially created in a time of forced introspective thinking. Skilfully, the tracks are matched with some soul-searching guitar solos that echo the intensity of the lyrics. Tracks like ‘Beliefs’ and ‘Not Even A Friend’ are songs that fight back with some big drums and up beat spicy guitar chords.
The dissonant harmonies and chord progressions on the album are a subtle nod to Kalen’s respect for the 1990’s Seattle Grunge scene. The album is alternative rock and with the purposeful lack of heavy distortion, the sound stays true to its indie roots.
Song Descriptions
It’s You
Kalen’s signature acoustic guitar and vocals begin this heartfelt mid-tempo tune which captivates the listener even more as the drums and bass kick in. The Aussie Jeff Buckley we think!!
Be With You
Electric guitar starts this Radiohead-ish tune from Kalen Hogan. The deceptively simple arrangement of guitar, drums and bass mask an excellent and highly coherent piece of song writing. Mid-tempo, hooky and engaging.
Lost
A happy and more poppy number from Kalen on this mid-tempo tune. Hollow Coves spring to mind on this one and the bouncy rhythm track keeps everything moving along. Kalen’s falsetto comes to the fore on some backing vocals.
About
Kalen Hogan debuted onto the local Central Coast music scene in late 2022. Having watched his musical uncle write and perform, Kalen started writing his own material at fifteen. Now in his final year of high school, Kalen is proudly launching his debut album ‘Isolation’ in May 2023.
Kalen says he is inspired by the 1990’s grunge movement, with a real reverence for bands like Nirvana, but describes himself as an alternative indie rock singer-songwriter. Kalen sings about the complexities of everyday life, with an open heart and keen observing eye. His pure vocal tone and moderately high pitch may reflect why some tracks have been compared to Thom Yorke from Radiohead and the late Jeff Buckley. Many of Kalen’s lyrical melodies build up to a decent falsetto and although still young, the emotion he brings to each song gives his music a youthful appeal. Musically, Kalen incorporates a lot of dissonant harmonies into his spicy chord mix and in songs like ‘Be with You’ he produces some sweet but heart-breaking guitar solos.
Currently, Kalen is enjoying finalising a film clip for his recently released single ‘Stoned and Cold’ that previews on this album. Kalen says he enjoys all the creative aspects that come with releasing new music, including designing his singles and album cover.
Kalen has started to play at local venues like the Ocean View Beach Club, Sunken Monkey and Sounds on West, as well as a few private shows. Though focused on finishing Year 12 and showcasing his debut album, Kalen continues to write new material. Towards the end of the year, Kalen plans to start recording, once again at Damien Gerard Studios with producer Andrew Beck, for his 2024 projects.
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Kilbey Kennedy – When Time Has Run Out (official video)
Drawing Arrows Release EP ‘Pinch Me’
Powderfinger, Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys, Nothing But Thieves and Queens of the Stoneage all inspire an authentic live sound from Drawing Arrows that sits as well on stage as it does in your headphones.
With influences of jazz, alternative rock, punk, Spanish flamenco and pop, Drawing Arrows stay focused on crafting music that makes you want to press rewind and listen again.
This is the second EP that Drawing Arrows have put together and it holds a lot of importance for the band.
The first track, ‘Pinch Me’, has been a work-in-progress since the boys first started playing together. Despite the fact that it changed format a number of times, it remained a favourite of Sidney’s. With its soulful lyrics and cool groove you can understand why.
‘Lights Out’ provides a little light chaos and fits in well with the energy you’d see in their live shows. The driving bass and drums keep the crowd going as the post-punk guitars keep them inspired.
‘Good Grief’ explores the ideas of dealing with things that you just can’t change. Instead of a melancholic ballad this track hits all the big notes. Another huge, live-sounding song.
Drawing Arrows is a love letter to rock music. Not one band, not one decade, but the whole effect. With multiple influences – from Australian rock’n’roll, US grunge and flamenco guitar to Britpop rock and amped-up punk.
With band members from Spain, the UK and right here in Australia, each member brings their own unique influences. Sidney (vocals) and David (bass/guitar) have previously worked on an experimental dubstep project (Milo Firewater). Drawing Arrows is a creative outlet – a way to channel all their experiences – not just musically. The aim – to create music that feels good to play and to listen too.
Song Descriptions
Pinch me
The most chilled of this 3-song offering from the boys. This is a mid-tempo cruise with clean guitars and a lighter touch on the drums. You can really hear the song writing skills of the band on this one, as well as some superb background vocals and guitar work throughout.
Lights Out
Drawing Arrows have come up with a modern up-tempo rock formula that really works on this tune. There’s plenty to like early on with a great ear catching intro, then Sid’s distinctive vocals and the snare popping chorus. A total winner.
Good Grief
Arpeggio electric guitars along with fast and furious drums and bass start this song off before the vocals kick in. Some very Radiohead sounds pervade this song in a great way. Up-tempo, hooky and technically challenging but the band get away with it no problems.
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