Inspired by his Dad, who would burst into his room playing guitar and singing blues songs he made up about going to school, music has become Joel’s passion. Not very surprising, when you see the lineage of the Leffler family. Turns out that the Leffler music heritage stretches well back into the 18th century, with multiple successful Professors of Music sharing a direct bloodline with Joel.
Joel’s journey began in 2003 when he woke one morning to find that his Father had fulfilled his birthday wish. At the end of the bed was a brand new acoustic guitar. ‘You would think when I was a kid, my father bursting into my room with his guitar singing blues songs he made up about ‘getting up & going to school’ would have turned me off music, but it in fact did the opposite. He bought me my first guitar, taught me my first chord and booked me my first gig at 16. He inspired me to not only become a singer but a writer & creator’.
Now with 10 years of song writing under his belt, 2 nationally recognised song writing awards, 4 top 10 Triple JJJ Unearthed charting songs & a string of appearances on stages around the country, Joel is within arm’s reach of matching his forefathers.
Joel’s new EP, ‘Run With The Wolves’ is produced by Sony Music Australia’s in house engineer Pete Holz & mastered by Grammy award winner William Bowden.
Run with the Wolves Trailer
Track List
Atmosphere (3:29)
Run with the Wolves (3:49)
Promise Me Tomorrow (2:47)
Love Thirsty (3:02)
In My Pocket (3:24)
Upcoming Shows
3 March – Sutherland Entertainment Centre, Sutherland
For the past 12 months Josh has been busy in the studio writing and recording his debut album ‘Call in Whispers’ with Eskimo Joe’s Joel Quartermaine Producing . The now completed album was released in April 2016 and is by far Josh’s best work to date. The first two singles from the album, ‘Rain Dancer’ and ‘Front Light,’ have been servicing radio and were added to various station playlists, including National and Local ABC shows.
Taking cues from the sounds of Boy & Bear, The Temper Trap, Matt Corby, and Bob Evans, Josh marries them with the pop sensibilities of acts like Foster The People and Empire Of The Sun. His experience writing for a range of stylistically different projects – as well as co-writing with Joel Quartermain (Eskimo Joe), Davey Lane (You Am I), Steve Parkin (Basement Birds), and Jen Chloer – has given him the perfect education to meld rock and pop together in sublimely diverse and catchy ways. Make sure to pick up a copy of ‘Call In Whispers’ today!
Heres a recent Interview with Josh –
QnA with Foghorn Media
Foghorn Media: What inspired you to become a singer/writer? Who are your early influences?
Josh Johnstone: I guess like many songwriters, it all began when you were growing up and maybe in the car going on family vacation and changing the words of popular songs on the radio to be about your own silly personal jokes. I come from a long line of musicians on my father’s side of the family. Making up silly songs around the lounge room fire was one of the most fun, interactive, bonding, and mentally stimulating things you can do with your family and friends. Early influences would be my parents record collection; Tom Petty, The Rolling Stones, Kinks, Lovin’ Spoonful, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, Cream, Leadbelly, Taj Mahal, Traveling Wilburys, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, John Lennon.
FM: Tell us a little about how you write. How do the songs come? What gets you going creatively?
JJ: My writing comes in bursts. Often I’m on tour/playing five or more shows a week for most of the year. During this time you see so many other bands, amazing performances at festivals, you meet hundreds of interesting and inspiring people, you experience all these different cultures. So there is so much inspiration for song writing. However, with the hectic tour schedule, I don’t really feel like writing much. When I finish a long tour and have a week or two off, it all comes out then. I pretty much wrote the crux of my album in two separate week bursts. I guess its all about giving yourself a lot of great experiences and people to draw creativity from, and then allowing yourself the space and time to let those things come out.
FM: What is the first record you bought and why?
JJ: I was a 90’s kid; the first time I bought my own CDs was in my early teens. I got a five stacker CD player from Cash Converters and the nice guy there said “why don’t you pick five CDs from the rack to fill that new CD player of yours,” So I took ‘Blood Sugar Sex Magic’ by RHCP, ‘Nevermind’ by Nirvana, ‘The Real Thing’ by Faith no More, ‘Vs.’ by Pearl Jam, and ‘Gravediggers Union’ by Soul Asylum.
FM: What current OZ acts inspire you? International acts?
JJ: I really love Boy & Bear, The Temper Trap. But on an up and coming scale, The Elliott’s (Melbourne), Timothy Nelson (Perth), and Eli Schoen (Perth). We have a lot of talent out there. Go see a live a band, real music made by real musicians.
FM: Tell us a little about your music and what a crowd can expect at a live show.
JJ: All I hope is that they enjoy themselves, the songs, the music, the band and the atmosphere.
FM: Favourite artists of all time?
JJ: Picking a favourite is too hard. It’s like asking a parent to pick a favourite child. I guess I would maybe say Tom Petty, John Lennon, or the collective works of the members of Traveling Wilburys
FM: Favourite film? Place? Animal or pet?
JJ: Films: ‘The Big Lebowski,’ I’ve seen it way too many times. As I have with ‘The Castle,’ I prefer comedy to drama. My favourite place to tour is Eastern Europe (Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania) and favourite pet is my parents’ dog, Millie. FM: Where do you see Aussie music heading?
JJ: I think the general public needs to support local bands a lot more than they do. Xfactor, The Voice, and Idol are all continuing to destroy the music industry and creating short term throwaway gimmic songs and artists. Something needs to change if you ever want to see classic artists with 20 year careers and countless hit songs again.
FM: What are your future plans for 2016/2017?
JJ: I have just completed all of the launches around Western Australia for my album. The regional touring was a heap of fun and the city shows were more like massive parties with new and old friends than anything else! I am now in Melbourne about to play a launch here, and then I head off on a 2 and a half month tour of Europe, USA, and parts of Asia. It also looks like another tour is already being set up for the USA in March next year. Aside from that, I am planning to make a music video for every song on the new album: five down, five to go. I will be releasing them over the next few months so keep an eye out!
New self-titled EP from The Mezcaltones available May 20th
Sydney is a long way south of Mexico but The Mezcaltones still know a thing or two about sultry nights and dangerous days – not to mention sultry men and dangerous women. Blend Tarantino vibes with a mix of sizzling Mexican nights, add some Mezcal tequila (the spirit of Mexico) and you have THE MEZCALTONES.
The Mezcaltones embody the style and attitude of those famous Tarantino flicks, with a little Robert Rodrigues Tex Mex, the 60’s surf rock guitar sounds of Dick Dale and Link Ray, the lavishness of Mexican dance, the sexiness of Salma Hayek From ‘Dusk Till Dawn’, and… you get the vibe.
Comprised of six experienced musicians who came together through their love of cool tones, The Mezcaltones create down and dirty Tex Mex sounds. Their unique style transports you on a journey of intoxicating nights.
Based in Sydney, Halfwait is a three piece post grunge band composed of Jon Barca, Chris Tallon, and Nathan Stalenberg. ‘Fly Away’ is the first single off their forthcoming EP, which they are in the process of recording. The EP will showcase a new dynamic sound from the band, showing their growth from when they started in 2012.
Based in Sydney, Lily Duval has been performing in blues and folk clubs for many years and has now stepped out of the studio with two new original tunes. Taking her stage name from her Grandmother who was also a performer Lilly has developed a distinctive voice and style which has struck a chord with local community radio Blues Programs. Her writing comes from her own experiences and also long time influences such as Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell and Janis Joplin.
Her latest release, ‘Weatherman’ was recorded at Damien Gerard Studios with the talented Scott Bird playing electric and acoustic guitar and with Andrew Beck on Bass. The addition of an Indian drum gives the track a fuller earthier sound.
The song was written to express Lily’s concern for people who are homeless. The lyrics came from a conversation with a young homeless man who spoke of his disappointment and resignation with life and why he felt for him life was easier on the streets, provided the weather was good.
March 24, Thursday — The Sands Hotel — Narrabeen, NSW
April 8, Friday — The Record Crate — Glebe, NSW
April 16, Saturday — Housefox Fest — Narrabeen, NSW
July 10, Sunday — Avalon Bowling Club — Avalon, NSW
August 27, Saturday — Nomad Brewery — Brookvale, NSW
Check out our Q&A with the band below!
Foghorn Media: What inspired you to become a singer/writer and form a band?
Hollerin’ Sluggers: Love of music. The need to entertain and make people feel good for a few hours.
FM: Who are your early influences?
HS: Artists that improvise and explore different realms of rootsy music, like Hendrix, Zeppelin, Cream, The Doors, Aussie rock from early 70s onwards.
FM: Tell us a little about how you write, how do the songs come? What gets you going creatively?
HS: We come up with a riff or a groove and jam it out first up, then we mould it into a song and whatever it needs to make it work. We enjoy exploring different structures. The band has evolved from the first album, our new material explores new realms.
FM: What is the first record you bought and why?
HS: AC/DC – like most people did in the day, they brought gritty powerhouse blues/rock to Australia.
FM: What current OZ acts inspire you?
HS: Anyone playing hard and touring their butts off on their own back and living the dream. Playing from the heart and not conforming to formulas.
FM: What about international bands?
HS: Joe Bonamassa and Gary Clark Jr, Clutch, Sea Sick Steve, Jack White
FM: Tell us a little about your music and what a crowd can expect at a live show.
HS: We aim to get everyone up and dancing and going crazy by the end of the show. If there is a rafter to hang off or a speaker to jump off, Owen will find it. If you come to our gig and your feet don’t start moving and your hips don’t start swaying you’re probably dead.
FM: Favorites: film, book, place, pet? Story?
HS: Favorite film – ‘Song Remains The Same,’ Favorite book – ‘Sex, Thugs, and Rock n Roll’ by Billy Thorpe. Favorite place – Narrabeen. Favorite pet – dog/galah/fish. Favorite story – Andy used to judge and breed German Shepherds and left it behind when the Sluggers was formed to pursue his musical dream of one day playing in a packed stadium.
FM: Favorite food or drink?
HS: Nomad Beer – they gave us some kegs, a shirt, and a hat. We’re easily pleased.
FM: You’re backstage with one of your influences mentioned earlier, what do you say?
HS: Can we jam with you guys?
FM: Where do you see Aussie music heading?
HS: There has always been pop music for the commercial market and cover bands in the pubs/clubs and will continue to be so. However, there is a real swing back to original bands playing modern venues not considered the traditional music houses, such as pizza/wine bars and retro records bars.
FM: What are your future plans for 2016/2017?
HS: Touring with some great artists and playing some kickass gigs, recording second album, and getting some national and international airplay would be nice.
UPDATE: Fiona’s previous album “Signature – Solo” has won the ZMR Award for Best Solo Piano Album! To get a copy of the album click the link below: https://itunes.apple.com/signature-solo
Fiona Joy’s much anticipated new album “Signature – Synchronicity” is now available!
Signature – Synchronicity is the perfect bookend to Fiona Joy’s 2015 project ‘Signature-Solo’, which spent several months in the coveted #1 spot on the ZMR Airplay Charts and released in numerous formats via Blue Coast Records, a pioneering audiophile label. Along with the new album, Fiona presents several high-quality videos, visual memes, and pre-order perks all accessible via her website at www.FionaJoy.com.
Fiona originally imagined the project as a personal expression of how the deteriorating “signature” bone in her left hand was affecting her ability to share her life’s work. This evolved into modern fairytales that feature magic, imagination and the world we escape into.
“It’s interesting to grow up through your own music,” Fiona Joy says. “The early albums are about my own life, drawing on the past. Mostly this album is looking outside myself and exploring other subjects – in this case, fairy tale themes – and yet somehow they all come back to my own experience. It’s a circular thing…truly Synchronicity.”
This album was recorded and produced with the team at Imaginary Road Studios in Vermont and many of Fiona’s favorite instrumentalists; some recording was also done at Crash Symphony Productions in Sydney. One of the many highlights of the recording process for Fiona was the opportunity to record on an Australian-made Stuart & Sons piano. A few people Fiona found herself lucky enough to work with include producer Will Ackerman (Founder Windham Hill), Tom Eaton, and James Englund. Additionally, the album features artists such as Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel), Rebecca Daniel (Ex ACO), Marc Shulman (Suzanne Vega), Eugene Friesen (Paul Winter Consort), Jeff Haynes (Pat Metheny), Jeff Oster, Paul Jarmin, Premik Tubbs, Borbala Bodonyi, her son Nick Hawkins, and many others.
Looking forward to all the fresh possibilities, travels and creative adventures of the coming year, Fiona Joy – embodies the glorious cover art of Signature – Synchronicity – running wildly into the embrace of her second decade of recording and touring.
“One of the brightest lights in the contemporary instrumental genre,
Fiona Joy Hawkins is poised to move into stardom and we have only to watch to see it happen”
- Will Ackerman (Founder Windham Hill Records)
And upcoming Launches to include –
This April sees a unique concert and film viewing for the official album release of Signature – Synchronicity by Fiona Joy at Burwood Music Centre in Melbourne for both the public and media. BMC is a recording studio that also has a small state of the art film theatre. Meet members of the production team involved in the project, the film-makers, the piano maker, and the piano producer. Award winning Australian artist Fiona Joy will perform tracks from her new album Signature – Synchronicity.
Along with three performances across the action packed weekend, the album reveal also features videos of six of the songs made by four different filmmakers. Of the filmmakers is a retired NASA Senior Flight Engineer who used NASA footage to bring Fiona’s song ‘Calling Earth’ to life. The event also includes a meet and greet with Wayne Stuart of world renown Australian Stuart & Sons pianos – the inventors of a revolutionary new piano design used in classical concerts all over the world.
The Events:
1.Saturday April 30th- Early afternoon. Watch the video clips, chat with the piano maker (Wayne Stuart), the producer (James Englund), the film-makers (four companies) Including NASA and ISS Footage, and a private concert opportunity with Fiona Joy.
2. Saturday April 30th- Evening cocktail event. Watch the videos, meet the filmmakers, the piano maker, and the piano producer.
3. Sunday May 1st – Mid-afternoon Matinee concert and video viewing. Additionally, there will be a fundraiser for Motor Neuron Disease. Media are invited to all of the above but specifically to the Saturday afternoon
Please contact below if you would like to attend as seating is limited.
Each event has only 32 seats available-tickets here
“Fiona Joy is a TRUE artist, constantly growing, Signature – Synchronicity is the latest expression of her prodigious talent, I urge you to check it out.” - Bob Ludwig, Gateway Mastering
