Tag Archives: Female

ChIPS release single Wake Up Call

August 6, 2021 Marshall Cullen

In June 2021, members of Sydney Children’s Hospital Network’s Chronic Illness Peer Support group [or “ChIPS”], jumped on a Zoom call with singer-songwriter Luke Escombe to talk about their shared experiences of living with a chronic health condition.

The result was a relevant and telling high energy single – WAKE UP CALL which was premiered on Youtube today Friday 6th August and ramped up to over 1500 views in only a few days.. Click below for the link

Heres the latest review from Triple J Unearthed Music Director Dave Ruby Howe

ChIPS is a peer support program that runs across Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network for young people aged 12-25 years who are living with a chronic illness or condition that affects their day-to-day lives. The aim of the program is to connect young people with shared experiences and provide them with opportunities for developing leadership and life skills through workshops, advocacy, creative projects, program planning and public speaking. Through these activities and relationships they develop confidence, wellbeing, self-esteem and decrease social isolation. Above all, ChIPS is about creating a community and having fun with new friends. The program is run by young people for young people.

What emerged most strongly from the conversation was the common frustration they felt at not being listened to by the adults in their lives; at being told “you should do this” or “you need to do this” or being made to feel that they were helpless, incapable or in need of fixing.

The ChIPS members also spoke about “the mask” they felt compelled to wear in society in order to appear “normal”, and how exhausting and lonely it is to live behind. Escombe, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease at the age of fourteen, could relate to these feelings directly.

The result of their conversation is “Wake Up Call” – an angry, articulate and infectiously catchy song that asks people to think twice before offering unwanted advice. If you want to help, the song states, just LISTEN.

Beyond the words, “Wake Up Call” also showcases the eclectic mix of talents in this group, from Sky Boe’s powerful lead vocals to Batu’s Turkish rap breakdown. For some of the ChIPS members, the recording session (at Free Energy Device, Sydney, with producer Michael McGlynn) was also the first time they’d met one another in real life.

“Wake Up Call” came about through an initiative called “We Wrote that”, conceived by Escombe – the creator and frontman of ARIA-nominated kids band The Vegetable Plot – and fellow musician and children’s performer Ben Thatcher, as an artistic means to give voice to young people living with disability and chronic health conditions. Funding came from Accessible Arts and Create NSW.

ChIPS – Wake Up Call is out NOW August 6th through Foghorn/MGM

Download or stream:

“We Wrote That” – Website
https://wewrotethat.com.au/

Triple J Unearthed

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Jessie-May Kitchen releases new single Quirky

July 30, 2021 Marshall Cullen

Imagine being born one day on another planet.
Everybody on this planet was given detailed instructions and knowledge of how to speak the language and how the world works. The entire planet is designed for everybody’s relaxation, socialisation, and comfortability.
Everyone but yours.

Growing up it felt like I was ostracised by the entire world. I felt like I was a literal alien and didn’t belong. The loneliness that never leaves you, leads to years of questioning the why. Am I the protagonist of a movie to be mocked by an invisible audience? Am I the butt of some cosmic joke? This is the life of a neurodivergent child. This is me. A pop single written with my entire heart from the perspective of a neurodivergent individual trying to navigate a neurotypical world.

I was called many things when I was young – freak, loner, weirdo. It never truly stopped, but the language did shift as I got older, once difference became more socially acceptable. Instead of calling me a weirdo on the playground, I would always get the sceptical phrase, “haha… you are.. QUIRKY… Aren’t you…?”

The relief and confidence I felt when discovering I’m okay, I’m not broken – my brain just works differently, was life changing! I hope Quirky can bring representation, comfort and celebration to the wonderful neurodivergent community. Branching further into the pop genre is something I’ve always wanted to do and Quirky was the perfect chance to do it!

Quirky contains fast paced electronic beats, funky bass, whacky harmonies and the message – it never hurt to be Quirky! I want to thank Jordan for the electronic instrumentals, Russel Pilling and Andrew Beck for recording, mixing and mastering this project and of course Marshall Cullen for producing and always believing in me.

Song Description
This is a new more pop direction for Jessie May Kitchen. Up-tempo, programmed backing, ‘quirky’ keys, bass and guitar and some very ‘now’ vocal fx all go together to make this song a real winner for pop radio.

Jessie May Kitchen – Quirky is out NOW through Foghorn/MGM

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Margaret Anne and the Rock It Man release their debut album Soul Laid Bare

July 1, 2021 Marshall Cullen

Following a succession of singles, a should out launch last month and recent radio interview spots including Todays Country Margaret Anne’s debut album is finally released across all digital platforms via MGM.

The debut album ‘Soul Laid Bare’ is out today and includes the duet ‘The Ones You Love’, co-written and sung with 13 times Golden Guitar winner Luke O’Shea, the custom song ‘White Haze’ and those written with Shane Nicholson, Gretta Ziller and Allison Forbes. It is an exciting blend of Americana, sweeping through sounds from Country, Roots and Blues to Grooving Funk and Rock.

Recording and production were performed at Noisy Trout Productions in Sydney, Australia, with the genius, multi-instrumentalist and producer Doug Weaver (aka The Rock It Man).

Reviews of already released songs which appear on the album confirm Margaret’s influences coming from Neil Young, Bob Dylan and Patti Smith combined with the production styles of Fleetwood Mac and ELO – lush, loaded with diversity and consistent high level of musicianship.

Drawing from her vast life experience, Margaret Anne has honed her talent as singer/songwriter over the years. She later teamed up with the multi-instrumentalist, producer and Mythbusters screenwriter Doug Weaver, to write and produce the album ‘Soul Laid Bare’.

Although they receive creative inspiration from Country, Roots and Blues, Margaret Anne and the Rock It Man combine a variety of compositional elements to form their unique sound. To date there are five singles in their online discography. Some of their most popular tracks include the likes of ‘White Haze’ a custom track written for USA ski hall of fame Extreme Skier Dan Egan, ‘Don’t Look Back’, co-written with Shane Nicholson, ‘Soul Laid Bare’ and ‘Cabin Boy’. With a growing number of followers and listeners, there is no denying the fact that Margaret Anne is developing a dedicated following of loyal fans.

Sold out album launch at Beaches Thirroul:

Download or stream the album Out NOW July 2nd via MGM:

Connect with Margaret Anne:

https://linktr.ee/margaretannesmusic

Videos

Jesse May Kitchen – Calm In The Eye Of The Storm(Official Video)

Video June 28, 2021 Marshall Cullen

News and Touring

The DK Effect release their Debut Album ‘Moving Time’

April 24, 2021 Marshall Cullen

This Deep South(Tasmanian) Soul and Blues band release their debut album and premiere their latest video courtesy of scenestr

The DK Effect are an 8-piece original funk, soul and gospel-infused RnB band from Australia’s deep south (Tasmania). Fronted by the powerful yet exquisite vocal and focal trinity (Crystal Campbell, Ruby Austin-Lund and Belle Richardson) the band’s material focuses on storytelling, melody and harmony, and is saturated with the passion and polyrhythmic ‘call and response’ vocal synchronicity of gospel music. The band: Randal Muir (keys), Aleks Folvig (guitar and vocals), Al Tolond (drums), David Johnstone (bass) and Jed Adams (sax) deliver grooves as deep as a freshly pressed 45.

Songwriter, David Johnstone had been content to satisfy his passion for writing and recording in sheltered isolation but following the illness of a close friend he reluctantly acknowledged that life is a ‘one-time only offer’. He began the Mama K project. Mama K and the Big Love release their ‘Blind’ album in 2017. The album received rave reviews including 4.5 stars from the Sydney Moring Herald. At this time David had the amazing good fortune to be introduced to Crystal Campbell. Her innate musicality and perfect interpretation of his ideas took each new song to a soulful new level. They quickly formed an enduring, productive and creative relationship.

Having been born on Kiribati in the South Pacific, Crystal was adopted and raised in Tasmania. She is also an accomplished singer songwriter with soul music running through her veins, and as with the African-American originators of soul, she has a sense of identity, culture, consciousness, pride and an unbreakable bond to her homeland.

Crystal and Ruby were together in an all-female band called The Duchesses and formed a great musical relationship and friendship. Ruby is from Northern Tasmania and completed a Bachelor of Music with Honours in Songwriting. She is also an accomplished keyboardist and has always had a love for soul music.

Ruby met Belle (also from Northern Tasmania) at the Conservatorium of Music where Belle is currently studying music, specialising in Blues, Funk, RnB and Gospel. As well as The DK Effect, she also sings with the soul band Belle’s Boys.

The vocal trio have an undeniable chemistry that radiates the authentic early soul / funk power and vulnerability of the genres pioneers, which allows them to reflect the full range of emotion and meaning embedded in every lyric and groove of The DK Effect repertoire.

Though the band was originally formed purely as a recording entity, there has been an overwhelmingly positive audience reaction from every DK Effect performance at venues including MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), The Moonah Arts Centre, Kickstart Arts and the iconic Republic Bar, establishing their reputation as an exciting and dynamic live band.

A selection of the band’s material has been captured on their debut recording – ‘Moving Time’, which has been expertly mastered by Grammy Award winning, Dave Darlington (Bass Hit Recording, NYC), and accurately presents their organic and authentic, early funk and soul sound.

The album was recorded and mixed in Hobart, Tasmania using vintage gear, 4 mics and a whole lot of enthusiasm. We wanted to capture the natural sound of the band so you’ll find NO fancy production techniques, NO auto-tune and NO midi on these recordings. Just the band, performing the songs – the way we do live…

The original plan was to release a 5-track EP, but got carried away and ended up recording a 10 track album!

Album Trailer

Moving Time single official video:

Song journey from rehearsal, to gig, to album release:

Clink on the album below to Stream/Download from your preferred service:

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The DK Effect release their Debut Single ‘Moving Time’

March 11, 2021 Marshall Cullen

Video

Stream

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FOG536 Gareth Koch Only Wanna Be With You 3000px

News and Touring

GARETH KOCH feat. SHEYANA New Single I ONLY WANNA BE WITH YOU

February 5, 2021 Marshall Cullen

Great songs tend to resurface on a regular basis. Composed by Mike Hawker & Ivor Raymonde, ‘I Only Want to Be with You’ was the debut solo single released in 1964 by British singer Dusty Springfield.

Since then the song has been the subject of countless remakes, usually up-tempo versions, used seemingly as a vehicle to break emerging artists into the music industry. It’s an old trick but a good one to use a successful song in this manner.

Gareth Koch & Sheyana have adopted a completely different approach in their interpretation. The central idea was to delve into the core sentiment of the song & to reveal what might lie within. Simmering under the surface of what is generally considered an up-beat pop song lurked something more profound. This recording reveals a poignantly heartfelt, almost bluesy interpretation, laced with classical guitars combined with plaintive dobro/slide guitar.

The companion piece is Gareth’s instrumental version of Steve Kilbey’s ‘Think of You’. Released originally in 2020 on Steve’s ‘Eleven Women’ album (featuring Gareth on keyboard, bass & classical guitar), the depth of writing lends itself to a non-vocal version. Similar instrumentation is used on both tracks: National Baritone Guitar, Classical Guitar & Hofner Bass Guitar.

Featuring the vocals of Shey from The Sheyana Band, this beautiful acoustic version of the timeless classic melds the classical influences of Koch’s guitar with Shey’s striking voice. Think Tuck and Patti.

Stream or Download Now

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News and Touring

Margaret Anne and The Rock It Man Release New Singles White Haze and Cabin Boy

February 5, 2021 Marshall Cullen

Adventurous and a passionate singer songwriter, Margaret Anne continually touches her listeners with her heartfelt singing and dynamic stage presence. She was blessed to belong to a musical family so piano and song became a big part of her life. After University, she worked and travelled for over a decade, visiting almost 60 countries around the globe. In Austria she ski toured, America she ran a Karaoke Bar. During summer, Margaret Anne could be found on rivers as a rafting guide, on bicycle in Europe, trucks in Tibet, on foot in Nepal or dugout canoe in the Amazon. Returning home she has enjoyed singing in various duos and her band Firefly, and currently has also found passion in song writing, sharing her touching and empowering stories with listeners.

She has written original songs including ‘Don’t look back’, co-written with Shane Nicholson; ‘The Ones you Love’ with Luke O’Shea; and ‘Cassidy’s Blues’ with Kelly Brouhaha. She has also produced music video clips to accompany her songs which ‘Scenestr’ have been “stoked” to premiere, and been interviewed by ‘What’s My Scene’ and numerous Radio stations.

White Haze is the most recent release, a custom song for US Ski Hall of Fame Extreme Skier, Dan Egan. The song accompanies his new book release ‘30 years in a White Haze’ and will become the title track for the movie. Margaret Anne is currently working in collaboration with producer Doug Weaver (Aka the Rock It Man) on their debut Album ‘Soul Laid Bare’ which will be launched this year. Doug is a talented multi instrumentalist, producer and screenwriter, producing and writing music for over 200 episodes of the American TV show The MythBusters and also many national programs. So far they have released singles ‘Soul Laid Bare’, ‘Don’t Look Back’, ‘My Mumma’ and now ‘White Haze’ and ‘Cabin Boy’. Please check out.

SONGS

White Haze is a custom song written and produced for US Ski Hall of Fame, MC and Extreme Skier, Dan Egan. The song accompanies Dan’s Biography ‘Thirty Years in a White Haze’, both of which are an exciting and emotional tale of trials, success, and loss as 30 years of haze dissipates to clarity. The song will become the Title track of the ‘Thirty years in a white haze’ movie.

Cabin Boy – Written in a cabin high in the snowy French Alps exactly a year after separation, this song is a hopeful love letter to a future partner who can care for me. It conjures up daydreams of an inspiring future, a story of some of the things I enjoy and how I want to move on.

Download or stream the single Out NOW via MGM

Connect with Margaret Anne:

https://linktr.ee/margaretannesmusic

News and Touring

Trysette-Expat Aussie Singer Returns After John Fogerty Tour

October 23, 2020 Marshall Cullen

Expat Aussie Singer Faces Christmas in Quarantine

Trysette Loosemore, Australia’s own back-up singer to the legendary John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival) returns to Australia after a whirlwind 12-month tour of the US, Canada and Europe in 2019.

Like the rest of the world, faced with an uncertain and challenging year in 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Trysette says “I had to make the decision in March this year whether to return home to Australia when the panic was on to repatriate Australians living overseas, but Los Angeles has been my home now for three years and I thought, like everyone else, that this pandemic situation would pass within a few months or sooner than all of us imagined. So I dug in and rode the wave, confident that the touring scene would start up again and everything would be back to normal. I was wrong”

Touring musicians are among the hardest hit of all this year, relying on crowds of people to attend their shows, and in the USA especially, the coast is far from clear for acts to be back out on the road doing what they love to do.

Just as Trysette did with the John Fogerty World Tour in 2019 (pic below)

Photo Credit – Greg Lewis

With all the uncertainty and ever changing rules and regulations, Trysette decided to pack her bags and join the queue of stranded Aussies trying desperately now to get home before Christmas.

Trysette says that “once I decided to return home until work starts up again, I discovered what was really going on with the international travel situation, flight debacles and the two-week mandatory quarantine enforcement on return to Australia. I had no idea how difficult it would be to not only secure a seat on a flight home as the prices are skyrocketing up to $20,000 right now, but to arrive in time to spend Christmas with my family. As it stands, I will arrive in Sydney (Brisbane not possible) mid December just in time to spend Christmas in Quarantine. All this said, I feel very fortunate that I have friends and family in both NSW and QLD who I am extremely excited to see and spend time with, and I have my health. For that I am truly grateful and all the rest of this shall pass”.

2020 has definitely been a defining and transformative year for all, and Trysette has made the most of her time focusing on her songwriting, on-line concerts and a new youtube show she has created called ‘Shoot The Breeze’ where she interviews some of her “Rockstar Friends” so that people who are interested can get to know these stars through her eyes. So far these interviews include Kenny Aronoff (iconic rock drummer to John Fogerty, John Mellencamp and many more), Bob Malone (Singer Songwriter and “Keyboard Wizard” to John Fogerty), Randy Ray Mitchell (guitarist to Donna Summer, Warren Zevon, Keb Mo and more), and while in Australia, Trysette hopes to surprise us with some of our own “Aussie Rockstars” as well. Follow Trysette on her socials below and stay tuned for new music in 2021.

Checkout Trysette’s Releases on Spotify- Just click the image