All posts by Marshall Cullen
Silphie – Sulpicia’s Birthday(Official Video)
Bec Taylor and The Lyrebirds – Anchor (New Release!)
Here is the first single from the forthcoming album plus a launch show
Anchor is an upbeat alt-country-pop song co-written by Bec and lyric collaborator CJ Shaw. The track was recorded at Golden Retriever in Sydney, and at ANU Recording Studios in Canberra and was produced by Louis Montgomery (SAFIA, Peking Duk).
(pic by Tony Mott)
If you are in Canberra the launch is
Bec Taylor and the Lyrebirds + CJ Shaw and the Blow Ins + The Burley Griffin at Live at the Polo, The White Eagle Polish Club, Canberra, Saturday 18th November 7pm
Tickets:
Bec Taylor is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter who has recorded over a dozen studio records while performing on some of the biggest stages and festivals around the country, including BIGSOUND, Groovin’ The Moo, and the Woodford Folk Festival, as well as playing alongside the likes of Gotye, The Darkness, and been on tour as main support for Regurgitator and Shonen Knife in her previous projects Fun Machine and Glitoris. The Lyrebirds, a five-piece alt-country pop band, is her most recent project. Their delightful blend of artful songwriting, tasty earworms and layered harmonies that will leave you humming their tunes for days.
Bec Taylor and The Lyrebirds -New single Anchor from forthcoming album 2024 – (Fog/MGM) Click below
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Halfway Homebuoy-New Self Titled Album
In the hallowed halls of Damien Gerard Studios, the band embarked on a three-year-long musical odyssey, painstakingly sculpting each note, lyric, and sonic texture that would eventually coalesce into their magnum opus. This album is more than a collection of songs; it is a testament to Homebuoy’s unyielding dedication to the craft of music production.Time was thier greatest ally throughout this creative journey. Over the span of three years, the band meticulously poured their hearts and souls into every track, allowing each one to evolve and breathe, unfettered by the constraints of hurried production. Damien Gerard Studios provided the ideal canvas for this sonic masterpiece, a space where creativity flowed unhindered, and every sonic nuance was perfected. The result is an album that is not just a collection of songs but a sonic landscape that invites listeners on a transformative and emotionally charged voyage
It’s been a strange path for Halfway Homebuoy to finally end up as ‘based’ on the NSW Central Coast, an hour north of Sydney. The band was formed almost 10 years ago on the ski slopes of Switzerland where all of the (then) members were working the season and playing shows at night.
With three Englishmen and one Aussie the band moved out here and were recommended to Foghorn Records where they quickly found a home. As things happen after a few years the visa’s ran out, the Aussie moved back to Europe and the sole remaining member, principal writer and singer, Jack Davison, married an Aussie and stayed here. Unfortunately, he was left without a band.
Not to be deterred, Jack found local musicians, new songs were written, live shows booked, a new album released, the band continued on. Now based on the coast and with a new record almost finished the guys are ready to reboot post lockdown into 2022.
Checkout the new album OUT ON OCTOBER 27 (Foghorn MGM)
OUT NOW
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Gareth Koch – Gone To Earth
With Gareth back from his 3 Month Stint in Europe earlier this year and ensconced back in beautiful Tasmania where he currently resides he has created this work that is close to his heart along with vocals and lyrics to go with it.
Gone to Earth is a homage or eulogy which mourns our extinct Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacine). The lyrics are inspired by Tasmanian poet Vivian Smith, who published his poem Thylacine in 1953.
The song carries a broad environmental message, advocating for the preservation of nature & wilderness. It seems timely to emphasise the intersection of music & nature, & the potential role of music in promoting ecological awareness.
Early popular music exploring environmental topics can be traced back to gospel, blues & folk music. The message can be overtly activist, or alternately more subtle, in which trees, streams or other natural phenomena are personified & revered in the tradition of paganism. A bond with nature is also present in Western Art (classical) Music. Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony is an exuberant celebration of nature, while Schubert’s Song Cycles express a reverence for the natural world & our relationship within it.
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.
Checkout ‘Gone To Earth’ Out Now (Foghorn/MGM)
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One easy Link
Natalie Gauci Releases Single ‘Fame’ PLUS REMIX
UPDATE
With her current single FAME receiving generous airplay across the nation including the Flow Networks, ABC, community and commercial stations Natalie has just this week dropped a dance floor smash remix of the track.
Natalie and DJ/Producer JPA, have been collaborating on music endeavours on and off since 2009. Fame is the first single they’ve decided to remix and release to the public and are very excited about it. It all came together quite quickly as the song has a few simple catchy hooks which JPA picked up to really give the remix momentum and a great build. The remix gives it a twist and a new flavour, definitely a happy tone.
JPA has received attention across Australia’s realm of notable clubs while also having toured throughout Europe, from Ibiza to Amsterdam and some of the electronic music industry’s lucrative events including ADE. An emotive force in the house and techno pool, JPA’s remix of Fame is a superbly curated signature of his work in 2023.
Check it out – click below
From an early age, Natalie dreamed of being famous. Now on her new single ‘Fame’, she explains that fame is about learning to choose to do good things through love, instead of the bad things, through blocking pain.
In a classic case of ‘be careful what you wish for’, Gauci learnt that being famous also had a downside as she illustrates on her new song; “Fame got me wanting all the bad things, the bad things, shame it brought the sad things” Gauci laments.
“Writing ‘Fame’ made a difference to my life; it made me realise it’s not about the fame, it’s about honouring the gifts I’ve been given.”
‘I recall blowing my candles out on every birthday, wishing to be famous. Now I look back and think, hmmm, why did I want to be famous? I wanted to make a difference in the world.”
Fame finally arrived for Gauci in 2007 when she gained massive national overnight recognition after winning Australian Idol.
Gauci subsequently signed a record deal with Sony BMG Australia. Her debut single, ‘Here I Am’ released in November that year, reached #2 on the ARIA Singles Chart and gained a gold accreditation.
The following month saw the release of her debut album, ‘A Winner’s Journey’ which reached #11 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified platinum.
International success followed with a charting single and album in the UK, Sweden, Germany and Denmark. She toured the UK and Europe and held down a residence at Ronnie Scott’s in London. Other highlights included: Henley On Thames Music Festival UK (with Chaka Khan), In The City Festival Manchester, Sofa Sounds London, TEDx London, FestiBall Buckinghamshire UK Festival, Walk The Walk Breast Cancer Charity Festival and The Big Umbrella Charity Event Kathmandu.
All proceeds from the sales of Natalie’s forthcoming album, ‘Brand New Day’, are going to support her charity, A Call to Wisdom which will help people who have broken parts that require healing from sexual abuse, trauma and domestic violence. “Brokenness is leading to homelessness and what we need now more than ever is hope” says Gauci.
New single ‘Fame’ is available on all digital platforms Friday 29th September.
Album ‘Brand New Day’ will be released in 2024.
TOUR DATES
9TH Nov, The Toff In Town, Melbourne
Tickets: https://thetoff.com.au/gigs/
12th Nov, Carafe Wine, Southport QLD
Tickets: https://shorturl.at/estzC
16th Nov, Brass Monkey Cronulla, Sydney
Tickets: https://shorturl.at/pruwI
3rd March Lefty’s Music Hall, Brisbane
9th March Birds Basement, Melbourne
STREAM – September 29 (Foghorn/MGM)
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JayBird Byrne Releases New Single ‘The Wolf’
Once upon a time, long ago. A bright, young, determined pup named Jackman witnessed his first full moon. He was at the tallest mountain within seconds to try and notice this new unknown silver ball in the sky, but he could not reach it; no matter how high he jumped, he couldn’t. Eventually, he lay down, tired from his antics.
However, the moment he dropped, he heard something. It was a wolf howling. Jackman had never socialised before, and although it was a scary step, he needed to make this step. Slowly he stood up, and with all the energy he could muster, he shouted his life stories into the night.
JayBird: ‘In this song I am using my guitar instead of Jackman’s howl to tell his stories. Jackman is a German Shepherd with almost unlimited energy who wants simply to run free. He is also a gardener, worker, protector and strangely enough, a master thief (with an uncanny ability to find and steal anything and everything of value). This song is a reincarnation of his perks, quirks and totally unique personality. The rapid and consistent tempo represents his heartbeat, the whammy bar noises represent his howling, and the first solo simulates his sharp teeth tearing through anything you value. I do hope he settles down. Hopefully, my song sets him up for that with a soft section that feels like he grows wise and becomes a mentor to other young dogs just as naughty as him.’
JayBird Byrne, a 13-year-old guitarist, has been captivating audiences with her extraordinary talent since she started playing the guitar at the age of 8.
Her passion for performing is matched only by her unwavering dedication to practice, making her a rising star in the guitar world. Under the guidance and mentorship of Simon Gardner, JayBird has refined her technique and honed her song writing skills, benefiting greatly from his expertise.
Drawing inspiration from legendary guitar virtuosos like Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Steve Vai, and Joe Satriani, JayBird has developed a unique style that showcases her admiration for these influential figures.
Her debut single, titled ‘Convergence’, received widespread acclaim, earning her the prestigious First Prize with Honours at the International Youth Music Competition in the Modern & Contemporary Category. The judges praised her composition, describing it as “impressive work at such a young age”. They also commented on the excellent balance of instrumentation and texture, and highlighted her remarkable precision and mastery of the guitar.
Despite her tender age, JayBird delivers performances with an intensity and spirit that surpass her years. In 2022, she secured the coveted title of ‘Best Guitarist’ at the RockFEST competition, leaving the judges astounded. They hailed her performance as “fantastic” and an absolute showstopper, acknowledging her incredible energy and mind-blowing level of ability.
JayBird Byrne is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with, and her musical journey is poised to captivate audiences worldwide.
Stream
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Kaijin Solo Releases Single ‘Lightning Hit The City’
First written in the late 1980’s sometime after Black Friday ’87, finally released in 2023, the song is a snapshot of various random events that seemed to be hitting the headlines with monotonous regularity at the time and has a curious resonance even today….
A rocking tune from the Central Coast’s Kaijin Solo. This one comes right out with full band in this up-tempo guitar based rock song, plenty of guitar riffs and solos as well as a catchy chorus and good vibes all around.
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 (most recently at Link & Pin in Woy Woy). With the advent of Covid, Kaijin spent the downtime working on new material which resulted in the recording and release of a number of tracks last year.
Kaijin has begun to work live again as Kaijin Solo and The Backbeats featuring Ash Fedder on Drums and Rhys Myer on Keys.
They are currently planning for a late Spring/early Summer Tour.
Stream/download
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Gareth Koch Releases New Album ‘Ghost Stories’
In ‘Ghost Stories’, Gareth Koch creates an ethereal sound world, blending the aesthetic nuances of medieval chant with rock psychedelia. The mood of the album is defined by chiming cathedral-like textures, as if the monks themselves are playing guitars, percussion & lyres.
This record could perhaps be described as prog-rock, yet it effortlessly manages to be much more than that. The listener will discover the album’s unique identity & subtle references to music past & present. This is a refreshingly new recording which deftly sidesteps easy characterisation.
‘Ghost Stories’ could be seen as an evolution of Gareth’s duo albums ‘Songs From Another Life’ with Steve Kilbey , and ‘Music in the Afterlife’ with Martin Kennedy. While the previous albums might serve to shed light on the preoccupations of this one, it is very much a standalone & distinctive creation.
The titles & ambience of ‘Ghost Stories’ guide us on an otherworldy journey. We are led variously through imagined states of being to experience Catacombs, Unblessed Spirits, Longing & Redemption via this shimmering & beautifully crafted recording.
Recorded in and inspired by the mystery and wilderness of Tasmania.
Song Descriptions
Redemption
The first track from the album is uptempo and has a fully formed rhythm section underpinning the many layered trademark guitars. By no means his usual classical/world offering, although some elements remain. This song has a more rock orientation featuring electric guitars and big drums.
Old Church
A melodic and hypnotising bass line underpins this modern instrumental rock track. The drums are powerful and help to drive the tune along, while layered guitars and keys keep the interest even without vocals. His lead guitars offer a crisis section to the song before resolving into a fine outro section.
Dance Of The Unblessed Spirits
Another short and sweet frenetic full band instrumental rock piece with plenty of breakdowns that remind the listener of his classical roots. A fascinating piece of music by a master of his craft at the top of his game.
Benedictine
The title evokes a monkish, monastic vibe and from the beginning you can hear this in the piece. It’s not rock, it’s not classical but it is certainly superb instrumental guitar. This tune is a break from the first few on the album, dispensing with drums and sticking with guitars.
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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Jane Walker – Lazy (Official Video)
