Tag Archives: QnA

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Ivona Rose -New Album Review from Bernard Zuel

Ivona Rose

Update – 

Following her successful launch at Django bar in September Ivona now has a fine review from renown music journalist Bernard Zuel

Ivan is now planning some local shows on Sydney’s Central Coast – Stay Tuned.

About –

Raw, evocative, honest and uncompromisingly unique. Dreamy, eccentric melody marries poetic song writing and something brave is born. Hand carved like insignia on pavement, her tales of suburban life are as being lead through an enchanted garden, by a haunting hymn.

 Ivona  has just released her debut album “So Modern”.

The record has already garnered early Airplay on ABC Local and 2ser, and will be launched at Django bar September 13.

Produced with Brian Campeau at “The Plex” recording studio, it is a collection of 10 carefully selected and crafted songs. Featuring Zoe Hauptmann on Bass (Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, King Curly), Evan Mannell on Drums (Sarah Belkner, The Alcohotlicks, Self Titled Artist), Emily Palethorpe on Cello (Sarah Blasko, Accent Strings), Casey Nicholson on Trumpet (Ngarukuruwala, The NEO, The Boom Band Krewe) and Brian Campeau on Guitars and Synth (Self Titled Artist, The Green Mohair Suits, Jimmy Swouse and the Angry Darts).  

Central Coast based Ivona Rose migrated to Australia, from Krakow Poland. Her passion for music arts was born at a primary school age.

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Whilst honing her craft as a singer songwriter, she has performed in Sydney, Melbourne & Regional NSW as part of Peats Ridge Music Festival, Tamworth Country Music Festival, Wharf 2 Loud at the Sydney Theatre Company and has performed at various venues, where there is a call for live acoustic music.

In 2006 she independently produced and released “SheHeIYouMeWe” her debut EP. It enjoyed strong CD  sales and air play on Sydney based, FBi Radio, 2SER, Bondi FM and local Melbourne radio stations.

In 2012 she won Songs on Stage Songwriters and Performers award, the prize money of which, helped her get back into studio and record the single “Hoopla”.  2013 she was finalist in Music Oz Awards Singer Songwriter category for the song and top 100 of the People’s Choice across all genre’s in the country. 

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QnA

Tell us about the moment you decided to become a singer? What did your family/friends have to say about it? 

For as long as I can remember I was writing poetry, singing and playing instruments. It was a natural progression that this nascent self expression would amount to a body of work that I am proud to share. My family and friends have aways been encouraging and supportive, saying I offer a very unique voice and musical quality, that is hard to pigeonhole.

What is the first record you bought and why?

It was Joni Mitchell “Hits and Misses” and it was a tape. Purchased to learn every word by heart. 

Favourite artists of all time?

I have to say Bjork. It’s a hard question to answer and it doesn’t necessarily mean that my music is in the same genre or that I am aiming for a pop sphere but the truth is own all her albums, admire her creativity and boldness and when I feel that I’m just a bit too weird for the word, I take solace in Bjork.

Fave food or drink and is there a story associated with that?

My favourite food is Pierogi because I am Polish but as I am gluten intolerant, so only allow the indulgence every now and then. 

You are backstage with Nick Cave what do you say?

 I say “My great ambition as a songwriter is to collaborate a duet with you. It would be an incredible murder story to sit alongside “Henry Lee” and “Where The Wild Roses Grow”. (I think I need to work on my approach here!) 

 “So Modern” the Title Track to the album

“If we live our lives as an avatar of ourselves, what are we giving up of our true self to uphold that image and where do we go from there as a society?” (Ivona Rose) So Modern questions the impact of technology, how we are using it and what we are losing as a society in the process. A dance between Autoharp, Guitar and Zoe Hauptmann’s expert Double Bass licks, take us to a time reminiscent of 60’s Go Go. “

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The  Vegas Nerves

The Vegas Nerves – New Single – A List As Long As Your Arm

The Vegas Nerves

- New Single from forthcoming album -

A List As Long As Your Arm

The Vegas Nerves are a four-piece band boasting the Latin beats of Alejo Alvarez, the rhythmic bass of Cameron McWilliams, the steadfast guitar of Jürgen Joader and the solid words and voice of Stephen Greenacre. Playing their music around the less salubrious parts of Sydney town.

Did you ever make a wish that only brought you trouble? Did you tell a secret and find out everyone already knows? Well then The Vegas Nerves are the band for you because they know that feeling well. They can’t make too many promises but if you come out of your safe spaces you could learn something new. You might remember how to celebrate both the sublime and the ridiculous in the everyday and avoid listening to bores who are afraid and offended by their own shadows.

The Vegas Nerves are releasing their debut album An Act Of Faith  in August and are looking forward to getting as many people as humanly possible to hear it. Some fools may confuse telling the truth with pessimism, others know that only honesty can really set you free.

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Questions for the frontman Stephen Greenacre

Q. Tell us about the moment you decided to become a singer/writer/band? What did your family/friends have to say about it?

A. I can’t remember ever not wanting to do this but wouldn’t dream of telling my family or friends.

Q.Who are your early influences?

A.Cole Porter and Jilted John.

Q.What is the first record you bought and why?

A.”So” by Peter Gabriel. Why? Because I’m an idiot.

Q.What current/new Artists/Bands inspire you and why?

A.DMAs, Jen Cloher, Just A Number, John Grant, The Arctic Monkeys, Royal Blood.

Q.Tell us a little about your writing process, how does a song come along? What gets you going creatively?

A.I’m always writing in my head which makes travelling by public transport a problem as I’m always getting off in the wrong places. I fall in love about 16 times a day which is good for the creative juices but nothing else.

Checkout the video on the right hand pane

Connect with The Vegas Nerves:

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Rascals & Rogues (AUS)

Medusa’s Wake – Debut Album – Rascals & Rogues

Medusa’s Wake – Debut Album – Rascals & Rogues

With the recent release (1 June) of Sydney Celtic Folk Rockers Medusa’s Wake’s debut album ‘Rascals & Rogues’ with a very uptempo and energetic style of music that will have you raising your beer glasses and showing off your skills on the dance floor. Rooted very much in a Celtic Rock style based on Australian and Old Ireland folklore, Medusa’s Wake has been described as a love child of The Pogues and Australia’s own Roaring Jack.

Their debut album portrays lots of characters of time past who in fact where Rascals and Rogues hence with the naming of the album. The band spent quality time in Damien Gerrard Studio’s in Balmain with the brilliant Russell Pilling adding his magical touch to the recording.

The debut single: ‘Seldom Sober’ was a late inclusion to the album. It is an ode to, lead vocalist Eddie Lawlor’s, love of whiskey. It is a hard and fast lively drinking tune to get you in the mood for a party! With band members John, Zane, Ben, Ron and Frank all fond of a drop of whiskey this song certainly shows the fun-loving high energy that this band is all about.

Seldom Sober (video) In the bands own words ‘It’s fairly lively as all good Irish Whiskey drinking songs should be’, and we heartily concur, with full band backing and great production this one will have ‘ye dancin’ a jig’ in no time at all. Band quote word for word “1. Seldom Sober. This is a song wrote as an ode for my love of whiskey with the origins being a young boy drinking with a friend up till my adult years. It’s fairly lively as “all good drinking songs should be”

Link to Scenestr Article with Seldom Sober video

Band Questions; Eddie Lawlor lead frontman

1. Your bio mentions your sound is a “lovechild of The Pogues and Australian’s own Roaring Jack” High praise indeed.

It is a comparison and I think that’s where it stops! We have a similar edge but In my view, if we were to be half of what both those bands where we would be doing alright. I think the Irish/Celtic influence is there. I have gotten to know Steph Miller who used play in Roaring Jack and he truly is one of the most gifted musician’s and performer’s I have ever seen. Big boots to fill! We can only stay doing what we do and see how we go.

2. Favourite artists of all time?

Did I mention The Pogues! Luke Kelly Folk singer with The Dubliners and Paul Kelly.

3. What current Australian acts inspire you and why? What international acts?

I also play with The Handsome Young Strangers Driza, Looch, Adam, Dave and Na na are really top muso’s and have been doing it so well for such a long time. International acts always have been and will always be The Pogues!

Medusa’s Wake launch ‘Rascals And Rogues’ at Norton’s Irish Pub in Leichardht (Sydney) 16 June.

Album Out Now

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Connect with Medusa’s Wake
-Website
http://medusaswake.com/
-Social Media Links
https://www.facebook.com/medusaswake/

Big Merino (AUS)

BiG MERiNO – Debut album Suburban Wildlife

BiG MERiNO – Debut album Suburban Wildlife

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Sydney based Alt-Country/ Rock/ Soul band Big Merino released their debut album Suburban Wildlife on the 13th of May 2018, all recorded and engineered by Russell Pilling over three weeks at Damian Gerard Studios.

Big Merino songwriters Alex and Stuart write socially and politically-charged song lyrics that are sometimes gentle and nostalgic and at other times nothing less than a fierce cry for revolution.

Big Merino’s music has a handmade quality to it, they try to blur the lines between Rock, Country, Blues, Roots, Soul, Funk, Grunge occasionally and make their way into lesser known genres. Stuart’s passion for New Orleans second lane and Cuban music has its influences in the bass lines and rhythms of several songs.

How did the Big Merino start Alex?

It just grew like topsy, at first it was Stuart and I we went to school together and we played in bands together for years. It was just two old friends jamming and making up tunes then suddenly there was a bass player and finally we found a drummer (We did manage to explode another drummer along the way) and my wife had a birthday coming up so we played a few songs and after that we just kept going.

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What was the first record you bought? And what drove you to make music Alex?

My first record I think it was “Night at the Opera”. It was awesome but I remember ABBA being on high rotation a lot back then or it may have been something deeply uncool.

It’s hard to walk past something as beautiful as a guitar and not want to pick it up. I was your regular earnest, spotty, undateable 15 year old when I first started playing the guitar. I never lost the passion and my early influences were all those sixties and seventies bands.

What was the first record you bought? And what started your journey to make music Stuart?

My first record was The Monkees “Someday Man”. I loved that song! It was classic 60’s pop song written probably by Neil Diamond or some other great songwriter. The B side was a Mike Nesmith song called ‘Listen to The Band’.

In my early 20’s I lived in London with a friend who introduced me to the infamous 100 Club. At that stage it was a Jazz/ Blues venue and I was lucky enough to see several old Blues legends like Memphis Slim, Nina Simone and Slim Gaillard. The night I saw Memphis Slim my whole world changed and I was going to be a performer.

My other big influence is Black Gospel Music. I spent years listening to the great Gospel groups like The Soul Stirrers and The Swan Silvertones – trying to emulate that sometimes ferocious, sometimes tender vocal delivery.

What are the future plans for Big Merino?

Get our album done and out there, get some gigs at festivals and play to bigger audiences, more travelling and playing & singing!

Other cameos on the album include:

Featuring guest performances from the creme de la creme of Australia’s musical talent, including:

Musician of the Year at Tamworth Music Festival Clare O-Meara, player extraordinaire Jonathan Zwartz double bass, Johnny G from Johnny G and the E-Types on piano, organ and accordion, Australia’s most sought after percussionist Jess Ciampa, Living legend James Greening on trombone, sousaphone, euphonium, trumpet, flugelhorn and pocket cornet, the pedal steel player of choice for Australia’s leading country performers Michel Rose from the  band The Catholics, a string quartet from the Sydney Chamber Orchestra. Stuart’s wife Alice is featured on 2 songs for vocals.

Reviews:

Beach sloth – “Big Merino goes for a powerful, heartfelt sound on the symphonic folk musings of Suburban Wildlife.”

http://www.beachsloth.com/big-merino-suburban-wildlife.html

Dancing About Architecture (by Dave Franklin) – “The art of pinning down a band in just a few generic descriptions or a handy soundbite is the stock-in-trade of the music reviewer but I have to admit that it will take a better man than me to concisely pin down Big Merino.”

https://dancingaboutarchitecture.info/2018/05/19/suburban-wildlife-big-merino-reviewed-by-dave-franklin/

Middle Tennessee Music.com (by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman) – “Comprising of a team of seasoned music makers, Big Merino is the culmination of various musical styles, years of various experiences and the talented personalities which have come together like Voltron to form an appealing, soul-infused rock record that can be listened to from beginning to end…multiple times…without getting old.”

https://www.midtnmusic.com/big-merino-suburban-wildlife/

Links:

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Loren Evarts (USA)

Loren Evarts- Newest album Home Again

Loren Evarts newest album Home Again

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Home Again is the 6th original album, of this amazing contemporary pianist. It revisits several pieces previously recorded by Loren in the 1980’s, and eight new ones. It was produced by Grammy award winner Will Ackerman (Windham Hill Records) at his Imaginary Road studio in West River valley, Windham County, Vermont and was engineered by Tom Eaton.

Featuring Grammy-winning artists and Grammy-nominated Artists Eugene Friesen on cello (Paul Winter, Trio  Globo), Rhonda Larson on many types of flutes (Paul Winter, Ventus) and Jeff Haynes on percussion (Pat Metheny, Pete Seeger), bassist Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel and King Crimson).

Besides Piano, Loren Evarts has been known to perform by singing, trombone, hammered dulcimer and organ.

Loren has performed professionally in the Connecticut area of USA in a variety of musical situations for over 40 years. He has been grateful to have been involved in performances with artists such as Dave Weckl (Chick Corea), Gerry Neiwood (Chuck  Mangione), Everett Silver (Chuck Mangione), Mike Davis (Rolling Stones), Danny Stiles (Bill Watrous), Fred Vigdor (Average White Band), Rhonda Larson (Paul Winter Consort).

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About Loren Evarts:

I was in first grade when I heard a fellow classmate play the piano, and I said, “Hey, I want to do that, too.” Of course, I had no idea that you had to practice, which made me think twice about my choice. But due to frequent beatings from my mom, I persisted, Partially kidding!

I started playing classical piano at age 7, but like a lot of kids, I started listening to pop radio in middle school. Fortunately, I was allowed to stick in a few popular tunes in my lessons along with the serious music. In high school I started to get influenced by jazz. My biggest influences were bands like Chicago and Tower of Power, Elton John, James  Taylor, Carole King, Jazz singer Al  Jarreau, and jazz pianists like Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and Liz Story.

What can a crowd expect at a live show? 

My music is probably best described as a mix of new age, jazz, classical and world. It’s piano-based but sometimes I will add a percussionist, bassist or woodwind player for concerts.

What are your future plans for 2018/2019?

Well, I am an American so, like many of my fellow citizens, I am looking to survive until 2020(enough on politics). But otherwise, At my stage of the game, I just want to put out a good product, and I hope to write some new material now that my newest album has been released. And that means I have to sit down at the piano and start! I am always gratified when people enjoy my music. I no longer crave being a big star. It’s nice being in this place.

Spotify Link:

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Facebook Link:

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Website Link:

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Diana Anaid – The Better Girl Tour

The Better Girl Tour 

UPDATE MAY

Diana Anaid’s Better Girl East Coast Tour is well underway

Starting with a couple of out of town shows north of Brisbane last weekend including the huge ‘Rockin for the Homeless’ benefit at Redcliffe Leagues the shows are rolling out…heres some  reviews already…

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“Diana Anaid was up next, shes been around a long time now
I remember hearing stuff years ago and thinking she was
very much like Ani Difranco, I didnt get that last night
she has found her own voice and its one of a kind
It was a great performance
Shes playing a few shows up here including one at the
milk factory in west end on the 4th of may
and the stones corner festival on the 6th”- striped sunshine blog Rockin for the Homeless review 

and

“On My Queen (Diana) presents a soundscape that traverses everything from art-rock (Into your Heart) to jagged Alt Country(Can’t Apologise) to Reggae Ska(Mortify Me). Braveheart boldly veers into electronica…The current single the classic rock Better Girl manifests the albums theme of gender identity and empowerment.” Cyclone Werner- The Music

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The Better Girl Tour takes in venues from Brisbane, Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, Sunshine Coast
and more. (See dates below)
Openers include Ben Camden, Rosie Burgess, Kristy Coote, Meg Ripps, Essie Thomas and Dreadlock Cowboy.
Diana’s lineup will vary from 3 piece to unplugged mode depending on the venues and the tour also takes in The Brisbane Stones Corner Festival and The Rockin’ for The Homeless benefit.
One of the very special features of the tour is the album’s Producer Steve James(Toyah Willcox, Skunkhour, The Saints, Screaming Jets)
will be guesting on select shows in a Question and Answer session with Diana.

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Complete dates
The Better Girl Tour – Presented by TheMusic
April Fri 20th Nimbin, ALBUM LAUNCH PARTY Nimbin Bush Theatre
, NSW (w/Essie Thomas and special guest Steve James ‘Q&A’)   $10 Tix at https://nimbinbushtheatre.com/events
April Fri 27th Eumundi, Imperial Hotel, Sunshine Coast QLD 
$15 + bk fee presale & $20 on night   Tix from Venue or  http://www.imperialhoteleumundi.com.au/whats-on
April Sat 28th Redcliff, ROCKIN’ 4 The Homeless, Redcliff Leagues Club QLD (w/ Hoodoo Gurus unplugged)
$57   Tix from Venue or  https://www.rockin4thehomeless.com/buy-tickets
May Fri 4th Brisbane, The Milk Factory, QLD w/ Meg Ripps and Dreadlock Cowboy
$15 + bk fee presale & $20 on night   Tix from Venue or  www.oztix.com.au
May Sun 6th Brisbane, Stones Corner Festival, QLD, w/ Custard, the Mavis’s, Screamfeeder and more 
https://www.stonescornerfestival.com.au/
May Fri 18th Melbourne, The Caravan Music Club, w/ Rosie Burgess 
Tickets $15 + bk fee presale & $20 on night. Tix from venue Ph (03) 95681432   or www.caravanmusic.com.au/
May Thurs 24th Newcastle, Hotel Cambridge w/ Ben Camden and Kristy Coote $12/15
Ticket link for Diana Anaid – https://events.ticketbooth.com.au/event/diana-anaid
May Fri 25th Canberra, Smiths Alternative, ACT, 10pm w/ Ben Camden 
$15 + bk fee presale & $20 on night Tix from Venue or  https://www.smithsalternative.com/
May Sat 26th Sydney, Factory Floor, w/ Ben Camden and Steve James (‘qna’) $15 + bk fee presale & $20 on night
Tix from Venue or http://www.factorytheatre.com.au/events/factory

Link to Tickets just click the image-

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Link to New Single Better Girl (OUT NOW) MGM

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Better Girl is the second single from Diana’s current Album My Queen(MGM).
The culmination of 7 years of writing and Co-written with longtime guitarist Nathan Correy, produced by Aria Award Winning Steve James the album has already earned praise such as
“Diana’s a rock ‘n’ roll firecracker… a totally passionate one-off'”- Michael Smith – Rhythms

“My Queen’ has all the heartache, wit, poetry and honesty of her most well-known work.” – MJ O’Neill-TheMusic

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Current Album 
My Queen(MGM)

Out Now

TheMusic 4 star full review

100% Rock Magazine full review

Rhythms Magazine full review

With comparisons to Liz Phair, P.J Harvey and Ani DiFranco, Diana Ah Naid (as she was known until changing it to the palindromic Anaid) in 2004 cracked the U.S market with Last Thing and her ‘No Boys Allowed’ campaign, which saw the single climb into the Billboard Top40.     
Diana’s career highlights include US Billboard Top 40 placement, 5 ARIA nominations, 2 inclusions in Triple J’s Hottest 100 and sets at the BDO, Falls, Vans Warped, Woodford and Byron Blues Fest.

“…wistful and edgy, rebellious and arty, relentlessly creative..with an amazing voice.” 100% Rock
“The spirit is honest, heartfelt and pleads with listeners to, well, listen…'” MusicLove
“The Australian equivalent of Alanis Morissette, the alternative rock/pop on display is world class.” OverDrive

-Social media links
https://twitter.com/dianaanaid
https://www.facebook.com/dianaanaidmusic
https://www.instagram.com/dianaanaidmusic/

-Official site 
https://www.dianaanaid.com

YouTube channel  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p0p7ppxY20&list=PLqyZpey416YThLG8Apq43uYsJ32UNU7J0

The Sheyana Band (AUS)

The Sheyana Band – New Single BIG LOVE and a chat with singer Sheyana

With their first single BIG LOVE just released from the forthcoming album of the same name due out mid March we managed to get hold of the bands singer and founder Sheyana all the way down in the deep south of Australia – Tasmania to be exact. The interview reveals theres a lot more to this rocking blues band and Sheyana’s influences than you may think – London, Sri Lanka and even Keith Richards earn a mention……

What inspired you to become an artist and who are your early influences?

“Born in the UK, I was inspired by the British 70’s era. Raised in London, watching “Top of the Pops” and listening to music by David Bowie, Jimmy Hendrix & The Jackson 5, we would often go to concerts at Hyde Park to see our favourite band, The Rolling Stones. The feeling was overwhelming and I knew back then, I wanted to write songs and play music. I come from a musical family. My Nan was a mezzo soprano champion and my Pop hand-crafted acoustic guitars. After my Pop passed away and my Mum & Dad separated, we migrated from the UK to Tasmania and I found inspiration in our local chapel listening to the beautiful harmonies from my mother’s family choir. David Bowie, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, Neil Young, Bonnie Raitt, Renee Geyer, The Beach Boys, AC/DC & Alice Cooper, and Kiss were all constant on my record player.”

Your Bio Mentions Keith, tell us the story?

“My Tasmanian mother and my Sri Lankan father met in the late 60’s on a ship bound for England. I was born in the UK, living in London in the early 70’s. We were living in an apartment at Ivor Court in London, two doors down from The Rolling Stones. I used to ride my tricycle up and down the hallway, and Keith Richards took a shine to me. He used to always take the time to talk to me and pat me on the head as I rode by, learning to ride my first bike. I have early memories of being drawn to him, often talking with him as they were going in and out of their apartment. This is a memory I will never forget.  I went on to begin my music career in the late 90’s, with my song “Wash me in the Water” being selected to feature on “Bloomers One” – Australian Women’s Singer Songwriter’s Album. Following with my debut album “Firehorse” in 2002, and EP “Sweet Honesty in 2010, which received an International songwriting award. During this time, my Dad who was now living in Sri lanka reconnected with me after all these years and we set up a Sri lankan tour with a promoter in Columbo, which included MTV appearances, live shows, radio interviews and airplay, and I made my first video clip for the single “Undone”.  It was a successful, exciting, emotional time for us all. The missing piece in the puzzle was found. I also found a new fanbase for my music and a second island home.                                                                                         The 2nd EP release, “Keep the Change” ( first release with The Sheyana Band), hit the charts in Columbo at Number 6, and The Sheyana Band were nominated in the Top 5 Band’s in Sri Lanka 2015. We were invited to their awards night, so I headed to Sri lanka to make my second video clip, along with TV & Radio appearances and some shows. This has been the journey, which has brought me to the release of the latest album “Big Love”.                                                                                      I’m hoping that my Father will be around to see my new music, as he is battling with cancer.  Im planning to meet him in the UK later this year and play some shows. So it has come full circle, as I will return to the UK for the first time since I was a child meeting Keith.”

What current Australian acts inspire you and why? What international acts?  

“Meg Mac, Gang of Youths – I recently saw both  when I performed at Party in The Paddock. They have become favourites. I love their stage presences. Both send clear messages with great vocals, loads of soul, with catchy riffs and good hook lines.”

“Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age –  these International acts have been a huge inspiration for me, with their clever songwriting, high energy & big guitar sounds, and I”m really inspired by the way they have always done what they believed in without wavering or selling their soul, much like Tom Petty did throughout his career ”

Tell us a little about your music and what a crowd can expect at a live show?

“The songs and our live shows are exciting,  edgy & accessible. Featuring great musicianship from my band, there is something for everyone in our music, From heart wrenching acoustic ballads, to rocking dance songs and catchy riffs, rooted in the blues, we cross over into rock, country and pop.”

Whats your favourite Place?

” Laurel Creek – in the midst of a NW Tasmanian rainforest by a babbling brook. This is my property with 50 acres of wilderness. Its a magic healing place with naturally formed hexagonal sandstone rocks and crystals, which I built my house from.”

What are your future plans for 2018/2019?

“Developing songwriting skills and collaborating with other artists.                        Going back to my roots to Perform in the UK & Sri Lanka. Going back into the studio to record some new material with The Sheyana Band & to record a stripped back solo album.”

Thanks Sheyana , finally what shows have you coming up ?

“We’ve just been asked to do a big sports event -
Sat February 24 – It’s an AFL Match with North Melbourne and Carlton, at Twin  Ovals in Kingston, Hobart.
I’ll be appearing on Roots of Rhythm 
PBS 106.7FM in Melbourne with Helen Jennings on
Wednesday Feb 21 at 10.15am talking about the Album.
We also have a couple of smaller Tassy  gigs:
Fri Feb 23 Prickly Mos Wineries Eugenia, TAS
March 10 Cradle Forest Inn – Moina, TAS
Then we’ll be launching the album on
Checkout the Official Video for BIG LOVE-
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Stream, buy, connect –

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Yhan Leal (AUS)

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

http://yhanleal.com

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

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-Social media
https://www.facebook.com/yhanlealmusic/

Official site
http://yhanleal.com/

 

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QnA With Tenille Rogers from The Dirty Earth

tnille rogers singer the dirty earth

Tell us about the moment you decided to become a singer/writer? What did your family have to say about it?

I actually got into music from a very early age. I did the obligatory recorder and piano lessons, and my older sister and I used to make up songs and put on shows for our parents. However, the turning point for me was when my sister started taking guitar lessons when I was 8 years old (she was 11 at the time) and because I wanted to be just like her I begged my mom to let me go as well. I did acoustic lessons for 4 years and then went on to learn electric with another teacher, who encouraged me to record my first EP at the age of 12. My parents have both been extremely supportive of me throughout, driving me to gigs when I was a teen and coming along to cheer me on.

What inspired you to become an artist and who are your early influences?

I was very lucky to grow up with parents who loved music. My mother has always been into her rock music like the Stones, Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, while my dad loves his soul music. I loved the classics like Etta James and Dusty Springfield but my passion always lay in rock music. I greatly admire Joan Jett, I’m a huge fan of Jefferson Airplane and Fleetwood Mac are an all time favourite of mine.

Tell us a little about your writing process, how does a song come along? What gets you going creatively?

When I’m writing solo stuff I usually start from the vocal melody up. I find a phrase or a line that really speaks to me and then I write around it. While in the band however it’s a lot more collaborative. Either Raff has a really good idea and fleshes it out or he gives it to me to do the vocal lines, as well as some great tunes that were born out of a jam session and a killer riff that we’ve just run with, much like Cheating Heart our current single (LISTEN HERE)

What current Local acts inspire you and why? What international acts?

I love Alpine because they’re quirky and fun. They mirror a lot of the attitude that I loved so much in No Doubt so it’s a throwback to my teens. Internationally I’m heavily influenced by The Donnas and Adele.

What are your future plans for 2017/2018?

At the moment we’re focussing on Aurora and getting some good mileage out of it because to be honest it’s a pretty solid album. We have already started tentatively looking at some new songs for the next album but we’re also bringing some old songs from Ascendancy and Autonomic out for our sets to keep things new and exciting for our fans.

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Official Site 

www.thedirtyearth.com
Facebook
www.facebook.com/thedirtyearth

Spotify
www.play.spotify.com/artist

Tom Eaton Album Cover

Tom Eaton New Album Indesterren Q&A

Read Tom Eaton’s new Q&A talking about his albums Abendromen and most recent one indesterren! 

 What inspired you to become a composer and who are your early influences?

I started playing piano in high school around 1987 and got into synthesizers at the same time.  Mostly I was listening to the pop music of the time,  Peter Gabriel, Eurythmics, Thomas Dolby, but also Tangerine Dream, Vangelis and Jean Michel Jarre.  Through a friend I was led to Windham Hill…Will Ackerman, Michael Hedges and George Winston, and those more acoustic albums balanced the music coming from the Private Music label that was releasing amazing electronic work.  So my piano playing was being influenced by the sequences of electronic music and people like Winston, and my electronic work was being influenced by the ambiance and sparseness of the Windham Hill records, which was similar in use of space to what Patrick O’ Hearn was doing at the time.  Probably the deepest and most lasting influences were Tangerine Dream and Tim Story.

Tell us a little about how you write, how do the songs come? What gets you going creatively?

Both of my albums that were released in 2017 came from a huge emotional upheaval and life change I was going through.  “Abendromen” was a way to process the deep sadness and loss I was feeling, and “Indesterren” was more about me finding my footing in a new chapter of my life.  My music frequently starts at the piano, even if the piano doesn’t play a huge part in the finished material.  For much of what I doing these days, the first thing I do is create an ambient electric guitar loop as a textural landscape for the piece and then work the melody over that shifting drone.  Once I have the bones of melody, usually drawn from one of the piano improvs I’ve got stashed away on video, I start weaving electric guitars, bass, percussion and synthesizers in and around the melody until things seem to find a sense of cohesion.

Your bio mentions that you’ve been a recording engineer since 1993. Tell us more about that?

I opened my first commercial studio in 1993, catering mostly to the folk and singer-songwriter scene around Boston/Cambridge, MA.  For seventeen years I produced albums in that genre before a chance opportunity led me to Will Ackerman’s Imaginary Road studio in Vermont when Will was in search of an engineer.  We hit it off and in the last six years, we’ve produced more than fifty albums together for clients from all over the world.  We record at Will’s studio in the mountains of Vermont and then I mix and master at my own studio where I am usually working on some of my own music in addition to the Imaginary Road albums.

 What is the first record you bought and why?

I was dj-ing friends parties starting in sixth grade, with my own 45 collections, so it must have been some pop hits of the time.  Prince, or Men Without Hats or Hall and Oates, maybe.  I definitely remember the first three CDs I bought: Tangerine Dream-Tyger, U2-The Joshua Tree, The Police- Every Breath You Take, The Singles.

 What current Australian(or Local) acts inspire you? Ditto for international acts?

I’ve done a bunch of work now with Fiona Joy, both on her Signature Synchronicity album and in her capacity as a member of the FLOW group with Will Ackerman, Jeff Oster and Lawrence Blatt.  Working with Fiona is a blast…she is fearless and completely committed in the studio.  I adore Damon Albarn’s recent work…his “Everyday Robots” album is brilliant.  There’s a rock band from the states called House of Heroes that is amazing, their newest album “Colors” is getting a lot of play here these days!

 Tell us a little about your music and what a crowd can expect at a live show?

My music sits somewhere between “pretty” new age, full on electronic music and ambient music…with some electric guitars thrown in for good measure.  I wander in and out of using rhythm parts…some songs are percussion driven and others float on those beds of swirling electric guitar.  When I’ve played live in the past few years it has been solo piano… the albums are too textural for me to pull them off in concert by myself, so sitting at the piano seems like a direct and familiar way to introduce at least part of my voice to an audience.

 Favourite artists of all time?

David Sylvian, The Blue Nile, Tim Story, Tangerine Dream, Cocteau Twins, Kate Bush, Kate Rusby and Will Ackerman!

Where do you see artist careers heading?

Well, it’s hard to see the financial return side of the business improving anytime soon, but for those that want to be out on the road playing there is still a living to be made.  It’s a different music industry model now that the internet allows music to be moved nearly instantly all over the world.  I still love making albums that are collections of songs circling around a central theme or feeling, but the world seems to have returned to a more singles-based model, though of course vinyl is coming back to some degree, so there are music listeners who do want to immerse themselves in a longer experience, which is a good thing.  I hope that somehow the streaming world comes around to a more artist friendly system, where fans can listen without spending too much money and musicians can get more than fractions of pennies per spin.

What are your future plans for 2017/2018?

I have three albums of my own in the works right now, and the constant cycle of albums that Will and I are working on.  So my plans are to sit right here in front of my mixing console and make some music!

Tom Eaton Album Cover

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