Tag Archives: Aussie Artists
Kaiyah Mercedes – The End (Official Video)
Kaiyah Mercedes – Trying to Hate You (Official Video)
Kalen Hogan Releases New Single ‘Right There’
‘Right There’ is a song about not knowing what you’ve got, until it’s almost ending or gone. Lyrically, the song highlights the tendency of people to lose focus on the passing of time in life and take for granted their surroundings and the people in them. When writing the music, Kalen said the echo in the guitar created the sound of wistful yearning and encouraged his lyrics that followed.
About Kalen
Kalen Hogan debuted onto the local Central Coast music scene in late 2022. At age 17, Kalen proudly launched his debut album ‘Isolation’ in May of the following year. Keen to kick off the new year with new music, Kalen went into Damien Gerard studios to start work on a collection of new material. He released ‘On The Phone’ in April and has continued working on the other songs to keep a steady stream of new material coming out through the rest of 2024.
Kalen says he is inspired by the 1990’s grunge movement, with a real reverence for bands like Nirvana and describes himself as an alternative indie rock singer song writer. Kalen sings about the complexities of everyday life, with an open heart and keen observing eye. His pure vocal tone, with a moderately high pitch, may reflect why some tracks have been compared to Thom Yorke from Radiohead and the late Jeff Buckley.
You can catch Kalen live at various venues and events across the coast. ‘Right There’ is dropping on all the popular streaming platforms this June and stayed tuned for more singles throughout the year.
Stream the single
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Kaiyah Mercedes Releases Album ‘Trying To Hate You’
With songs that resonate beyond their years, Kaiyah Mercedes brings you her sophomore album ‘Trying To Hate You’, a sonic and cinematic exploration of unrequited love and heartbreak. At the crossroads of creativity and self-discovery, the 18 year old LGBTQIA+ artist brings vibrant hues of indie pop through her authentic voice, while connecting with listeners to find solace in her melodies and truth in their lyrics.
Diagnosed with autism and ADHD at the age of 15, Kaiyah uses her songwriting to translate the world around them and draws sonic inspiration from an eclectic array of influences – from the introspective lyricism of Phoebe Bridgers to the infectious melodies of Soccer Mommy.
Music Video for ‘The End.’
Music Video for ‘Trying To Hate You’
Stream the album
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Extra Time Scores Again at International Film Festivals
Extra Time, Brendan McNamara’s collaboration project, brings together premium artists on his newest labor of love, Songs With Long Titles.
The first two singles, Where Is The Light, and the current release The Girl Who Rules The Sea are available now alongside the album release.
Both singles have been brought to life by inspiring video clips, with both achieving high view numbers on YouTube and also capturing the attention of international reviewers.
Where Is The Light, released in January 2024, features animation by renowned Sydney-based Brazilian artist Gabriel Gareso. The video has been officially selected for Lift Off International Film Festivals in Berlin, Tokyo, Austin, and Manchester, while also making the official selection for the Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF), one of the Mid-Atlantic’s largest and most sought after international competitive festivals, and AniMate, the Australian International Animation Film Festival, now in it’s fifth year.
The video for Extra Time’s newest single, The Girl Who Rules The Sea, is brought to life through live drone and underwater footage shot by Leonard Clifford and Chris Flaxman, and motion art by renowned French artist Veronita Va, who brought to life McNamara’s concept of a Piet Mondrian artwork, drawing the eye to the ‘girl who rules the sea’ as she swims through the crystal blue waters of Bondi Beach.
Recent quotes:
“The soft jazz undertones add a calming element that is similar of peaceful beach days spent taking in the grandeur of the ocean and the peace that it provides after the chaos. More than just a song,”The Girl Who Rules The Sea’ is a love letter to Bondi Beach and an ode to the unsung heroes who have a profound effect on our lives.” - Skylight Webzine
“Extra Time stands as a testament to the power of genuine musical craftsmanship in an era dominated by digital enhancements. Renowned for its cinematic and harmonically rich compositions, the project blends intricate musical narratives with authentic performances.” - Fenomen Magazine
“The romantic track from Extra Time is a wonderful combination of light, airy music and deep, but at the same time light text that can fill everyone’s heart with a feeling of freedom. The melody is full of tenderness and emotions, giving an exhaustible opportunity to dissolve in it again and again. Music that comes from the very depths of the soul” -nagamag.com
The vinyl release of Songs With Long Titles is available now – a beautiful gatefold presentation released globally on Foghorn Records, recorded and mixed at one of the industry’s leading spaces, Damien Gerard Studios at West Gosford, featuring a veritable who’s who of Sydney Session Musicians including Amanda Easton and Serena Jennings on sublime female backing vocals, Tim Firth on Drums, Brett Hirst Bass Guitar, Aaron Blakey Keyboards, Peter Koopman Acoustic and Electric Guitar, plus Horns and Strings all engineered and mixed by ex-LA engineer Andrew Beck and mastered by Grammy Award Winner William Bowden.
Watch The Music Video for The Girl Who Rules The Sea
Stream the Album
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CB Ghost Releases Single ‘Hold Down Hymn’
Three days before hitting Damien Gerard Studios to record his album CB extended a poem he had been working on into a song with instrumentation and a chorus. An ode to the ocean, a ballad only a true surfer could write.
In order to embrace the inevitable ‘hold-down’ surfers encounter, CB Ghost wrote a Celtic hymn to sing to himself, to keep him calm, under a wave, at the ocean’s mercy.
CB Ghost: ‘The ocean is a mighty teacher, and the song reflects surfing’s hazards as much as life’s. Sometimes you get beat down, nothing you can do about it, just roll with it and resurface.
This song has become my secret weapon to calm my mind when I’m in the ocean’s belly. I use it to count down from 10, but get to zero, still under, next stage, panic! Now I have Hold Down Hymn to keep me company, it works amazing’.
CB Ghost is a songwriter with an honest simple folk-rock style that captures the essence of a complicated existence with singalong tunes and poetic lyrics and sometimes a banger beat. CB Ghost has emerged from a close-nit coastal surfing village in Australia. His background provides him with a deep connection to toe tapping Celtic, country and straight-ahead heartfelt rock music mixed with salt water from the ocean.
A former pro surfer, CB Ghost is driven, bold and dedicated to his evolving sound and a deep love of blue-collar folk stories and sensibility – and most importantly playing live to crowds who love to drink, dance, sing and have fun.
Having recently toured Northern NSW and Queensland with Sydney band Pinky Ring, The Ghost is finding his feet live and now incorporating a full band at most shows (his solo shows are still a must see for that intimate intensity). His first single ‘Hollywood Hills’ was a wee glimpse into what’s to come.
The second single ‘Hold Down Hymn’ takes you to places you never want to go (namely under waves at the bottom of the ocean), lyrically, spooky and totally relatable. With its oceanic tempo the song sends you adrift with its simple melodic ambience and features a guitar solo that soothes the soul. The video clip, shot under the ocean is a visual accompaniment that adds to the salty surfers tale of near drowning.
Stream the single
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Gareth Koch Releases Album ‘French Medieval Journey’
A new style of song, whose themes were love and myth, rose to prominence in 11th-century Europe. The songs of the French Trouveres in particular dominated medieval music in Europe. These songs were performed by roaming scholars and footloose clerics who thronged the roads of the Middle Ages.
In French Medieval Journey, Gareth’s aim has been to create a new body of music for guitar, based on music from the 12th and 13th centuries. One of the recurring themes in French Medieval music is the recounting of myths and legends.
In setting this music for guitar the French trouvere melodies are used as a point of departure. The compositions however are completely original, yet retain the flavour and ambience of French medieval music. Gareth: ‘I have sought to reanimate some of the myths and legends in musical terms, leaving the imagery and symbolism to the discretion of the listener. Through the medium of music the listener is invited into a medieval dreamscape or otherworld.’
About Gareth Koch
Gareth Koch is an ARIA Award winning multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, guitar soloist, composer & songwriter. He has recorded a sizeable repertory across multiple genres spanning works for classical guitar, flamenco, original compositions, arrangements, medieval projects, rock & songwriting. He has appeared at major festivals within Australia, Europe, Asia and North America.
Born in Milan, Gareth began his musical studies on piano and clarinet, and at age 12 was accepted into the Mozarteum in Salzburg. He received his Bachelor of Music degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music before winning scholarships for advanced guitar study at The Royal Madrid Conservatorium & the Vienna Academy of Music. He holds a PhD in Music & has lectured in music across Australian & European universities.
In 2002 Gareth formed the first guitar supergroup with Karin Schaupp & The Grigoryan Brothers, Slava & Leonard. Saffire – The Australian Guitar Quartet soared to #1 on the Classical Music Charts and even featured on ARIA pop charts. The quartet released a total of 3 best-selling albums & was Australia’s biggest selling classical act for several years.
Gareth is involved with many cross genre projects & has released a succession of collaborative albums with Martin Kennedy & with ARIA Hall of Fame inductee Steve Kilbey (The Church). His recent release ‘The Guitar Player’ received a coveted 5 star review from The Sydney Morning Herald. Gareth’s current output has a strong rock bias with classical overtones & his writing is increasingly focussed on the ethereal nature of music.
Stream / download here
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BEC TAYLOR & THE LYREBIRDS “LIMBS & ALL” OUT NOW ON VINYL
Limbs & All, the second album by Bec Taylor and the Lyrebirds is now available on vinyl through Foghorn Records, direct from the band at live shows, and Bandcamp - https://bectaylorandthelyrebirds.bandcamp.com/album/limbs-all
“A masterpiece of the folk-pop genre” – Sonic Realms Germany - https://sonicrealms.de/musik/alternative-indie/bec-taylor-and-the-lyrebirds-begeistern-mit-vielfaeltiger-und-tiefgruendiger-musik-auf-zweitem-album-limbs-all-audio-alternative-folk-pop-folk/
“Limbs & All” is chock full of moody alt-country and folk-pop gems that touch on loss, grief and joy. ‘Limbs & All’ is a collaborative album which features all five of the Lyrebirds on every song, weaving together a gentle americana-folk sound palette with acoustic and pedal-steel guitars, drums, bass, mandolin, keyboards, banjo and the Lyrebirds’ signature vocal harmonies.
Bec wrote the lion’s share of the songs while pregnant and nursing her first baby, and her sense of inner turmoil throughout the album is palpable. Whether it’s the darkly rhythmic and poetic ‘Wormhole’ or the elated but hesitant ‘Whisky’, this album is subtler and broodier than The Lyrebirds’ previous album, featuring connecting themes across songs. One example is the musical connection weaved into tracks ‘Photograph’ and ‘Goner’, referencing their sister-song origins, beginning as one song but evolving as two separate songs.
All recording and mixing was done by Louis Montgomery with some additional mixing on ‘Photograph’ by Marshall Cullen at Damien Gerard Studios, NSW. The album was mastered by Andrew Edgson at Studios 301.
Hidden treasures of the Canberra music scene, Bec Taylor and the Lyrebirds are a five-piece alt-folk-pop band. Described as Canberra’s Seeker-Lover-Keeper, their unique harmony-laden sound combines with “charming melodies and lyrics brimming with heart” (Scenstr).
REVIEWS OF Vinyl LP “LIMBS & ALL”
“Bec Taylor and the Lyrebirds have firmly established themselves as torchbearers of the alt-folk-pop genre, crafting a sound that is as timeless as it is timely.”
“”Limbs & All” is a must-listen-to for fans of alt-folk-pop and anyone who appreciates music that touches the heart.” – Planet Singer - https://www.planetsinger.net/discovering-the-enchanting-sounds-of-bec-taylor-and-the-lyrebirds-with-their-brilliant-new-album-limbs-and-all/
“Bec’s voice is so special..it soothes like aloe on a cut.” – Indie Band Guru (NYC) - https://indiebandguru.com/bec-taylor-and-the-lyrebirds-limbs-and-all/
UPCOMING LIVE DATES
SATURDAY JUNE 29th TOMAKIN, NSW – Smokey Dan’s, 12pm with Jason Recliner
BEC TAYLOR & THE LYREBIRDS are…
Bec Taylor – vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin, Hammond organ, felt-muted piano, percussion
Sam McNair – vocals, acoustic guitar, banjo
Sophie Chapman – vocals, bass guitar
Grahame Thompson – drums, cello
Hannah Beasley – vocals, wurlitzer piano
Matt Dixon – pedal steel guitar
Jacqui Bradley and Donal Baylor – violins
Stream the album
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Kaijin Solo Releases Single ‘Elektra’
When the Stars, Greek Mythology and Music align….
The name of the Pleiades Star Cluster comes from Ancient Greek. It probably derives from plein (“to sail”) because of the cluster’s importance in delimiting the sailing season in the Mediterranean Sea. In mythology the name was used for the Pleiades, seven divine sisters, the name supposedly deriving from that of their mother Pleione and effectively meaning “daughters of Pleione”.
One of the daughters was named Elektra and here is Kaijin Solo’s single of the same name with him saying-
Kaijin: ‘In a lot of ways I think Elektra is just me hanging on to the thing that good is, despite or even regardless of current global issues. If you have any beliefs at all the sort of stuff that’s been been going down for far too long now is a complete astonishment. I’m not particularly religious but if God is Love, then who is the killing for?’
Kaijin Solo is a contemporary singer/songwriter based on the NSW Central Coast with a blues rock influence. He has been working and honing his craft for many years with various band line-ups and the plentiful bread and butter busking jobs and pub/club gigs around the coast.
In between studio sessions Kaijin formed The Backbeats with Rhys Meyer on Vocals and Keys, Felix Harper on Bass and Ash Feder on Drums. They spent much of 2023 playing local venues such as the infamous Link and Pin, Brackets and Jam on Kincumber Mountain, and Avoca Beach Hotel. Kaijin and Rhys also did a few duo appearances at various venues such as: the Long Jetty Hotel and Bateau Bay Bowling Club.
The band closed out 2023 to a packed crowd as support for The Radiators at Ourimbah RSL. 2024 has kicked off well with a packed house at Mumbo Jumbos at Terrigal and The Hawkesbury Brewing CO. in Lisarow.
Stream ‘Elektra’
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