Category Archives: News and Touring

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Yhan Leal-Wilderness

Yhan Leal, the Colombian born, now Bellingen based singer songwriter has created a fine new album with the help of Producer Rob Wolfe.
The songs were written in a an old tin shed on the back of his property
and honed while busking locally before recording with Rob at his local studio.

As a young immigrant growing up in northern New South Wales’

backwater life wasn’t easy. Classical guitar came naturally, working

his way through the magic of Lennon, Elvis and Richie Valens.

Writing his first compositions to suit his older brother’s poetry

nurtured a talent for song writing.

In 2013 Yhan released his debut EP Sail Home. His new Album

Wilderness, all recorded in a local North Coast Studio, is the next

major step in this musicians journey.

Already receiving comparisons to Surfjian Stevens,
Connor Oberst and Jeff Buckley-
Yhan has just last week SOLD OUT the local Bellingen
launch of the record and will soon
be taking it out on the road.

Official Release date – July 3

Violent Femmes

Violent Femmes 1st new release in 15 Years

VIOLENT FEMMES RELEASE LONG AWAITED NEW EP & TOUR

The Violent Femmes are set to bid the world a belated “Happy New Year” with the release of their long awaited EP and massive 35 city USA Summer Tour. The four-track EP will be be released in June, and is their first collection of songs in 15 years. “Happy New Year” was recorded this past New Year’s Eve in Hobart, Tasmania(Brian Ritchie’s recently adopted home town), after the legendary band performed a sold out concert at the world famous Sydney Opera House. The EP is highlighted by the Jake Brebes-penned single, “Love Love Love Love Love”

Digital Release Date JUNE 5
Vinyl In Store(Planet/MGM) – JUNE 19.?

One of the most beloved bands of the golden age of indie rock, Violent Femmes returned to action in 2013 with an acclaimed performance at Coachella. Brian Viglione (The Dresden Dolls, Nine Inch Nails) joined founding members Gordon Gano and Brian Ritchie and the newly reconstituted band embarked on a wide-ranging tour that included headline dates and ecstatically received festival sets around the world.

Violent Femmes came together in 1981 in Milwaukee, WI, and werequickly ranked among the era’s most inventive and original, constantly pushing forward with their singular blend of folk and punk, sarcasm and spirituality. The trio released eight studio albums and more than a dozen singles, among them such iconic classics as “American Music,” “Gone Daddy Gone,” “Nightmares,” “Add It Up,” “Kiss Off,” and of course, “Blister In The Sun.” Violent Femmes’ remarkable three-decade career earned them cumulative sales of many millions worldwide, with 1983’s VIOLENT FEMMES earning RIAA platinum certification eight years after  its initial release.

Following the USA Tour Australian dates are due to be announced as well as Interview availability.

For more information, High Rez Images, CD Pro(due next week), downloads and streaming links and anything else, contact marshall@damiengerard.net

-Social media links
https://twitter.com/violentfemmes
https://instagram.com/officialviolentfemmes/
https://www.facebook.com/officialviolentfemmes

-Official site
http://www.vfemmes.com/

YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDgrjVbeoBc4l0GL8_RzNwg

Michael Cullen

New Reviews – Michael Cullen

JULY UPDATE Further new press for True Believer

http://www.adequacy.net/2015/07/michael-cullen-true-believer/

“If Quentin Tarantino hasn’t found the voice to lead the soundtrack of his forthcoming The Hateful Eight movie, he need look no further than this spellbinding masterpiece.”

“Cullen creates a moody atmosphere where the smell of sex, cigarette smoke and despair fill the air, there’s a hint of hope, but you’ll always find Leonard Cohen in the corner of the room collecting tears in a jar from shells of your former self. Cullen makes it okay for you to observe from a distance.”


http://magicmonsterrecords.com/album-review-michael-cullen-finds-purgatory-in-his-southern-gothic-record-true-believer/:

“the Sydney-based lounge lizard artfully marries Southern Gothic dustiness to black-sequined seediness in a way that actually reveals a true sense of class”.

““Nothing Special” finds Cullen exploring that same romance of hopelessness that hopeless romantics find in their low moments. Imagine pop hooks a-la-Pulp soundtracking another night of leaving a trashed too-tiny apartment into an endless stream of city lights that lead to nowhere, over and over again. The nightly tragedies are lamented in brass arrangements and blankets of organ wrapped around frustrated lyrics. The intoxication reaches exaggerated gameshow trashiness; the only show in town. A seedy swagger continues through “Black Coffee and Cigarettes” but it’s dialled back enough to make Cullen’s songwriting mastery even more obvious.”

 Recorded on analogue tape, using old tube microphones and plentyof equipment with large bakelite knobs, co-produced by Michael with Tim Powles (of the Australian masters of guitar atmospherics,The Church) and mixed by Danton Supple (Morrisey, Coldplay) Cha Cha exudes a vintage but timeless sound.”

“Michael, a post-punk veteran, has matured into a full voiced solo song writer and performer who delivers glass half empty narratives in a unique and textured baritone vocal style with echoes of American mid century pulp writers. Michael has also often cited the Curtis and Tom Waits.”

On Cha Cha, Michael’s rich punk croon spills out of a lush but driven clectic amalgam of styles including Stax, Mowtown, Americana, New Wave and 80s British pop, entreating the listener to take one more chance on romance despite the fact that happy endings seem unlikely – even improbable. What else is there?

“Inspired by the likes of Nick Cave, Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits, you nevertheless get a very Michael Cullen experience. He is strong and has a distinctive baritone vocal that weaves through the music, making this album unique, and uniquely valuable.” Sydney Morning Herald

Michael Cullen’s music resonates “with moody melancholia and astrange, dark beauty [and] is a reverb-drenched, atmospheric slice of pop that explores both the nature of love, and the nature of love gone wrong.” PunkNews.Org.

“True Believer is a hedonistic, lush, red velvet-curtained fragile andbeautiful album. Imbued with the sexual frustration and louche ambivalence of Robert Forster from The Go-Betweens and underpinned by a Nick Cave-like gothic baritone darkness, each listen reveals more complex layers, greater humour and a melodic strength. Every song is this lounge-room lothario performing in a haze of smoke and whiskey.”“True Believer is a smooth nine track album of broody vibes – eerie, hypnotic and relaxing. The songs are about regret, bitterness and a love gone sour. If you like Nick Cave you will love Michael P Cullen. The vocals are a rich baritone cocktail of spoken word, singing and crooning while Powles provides seamless, charming accompaniment on the keys and drums. It’s intoxicating. It has to be experienced.” Rip It Up Magazine

more at-

www.michaelcullen.info

 

Dali

Dali and the Paper Band – Island EP and Tour

Dali and the Paper Band are a Hobart based trio, who capture audiences with intriguing originals and improvisations.

After playing many show’s around Australia and abroad, they decided it was time to hibernate in the studio and craft some magic again. Many long days passed, and finally a new EP titled ‘Island’ was born.The EP contains an eclectic mix of Indie, Dance, and Hip-Hop sounds. It was recorded on Bruny Island, in Tasmania, where many of the songs were also written. The songs were finished and mastered by Damien Gerard Studios, in Sydney.

The first indie-dance style track, ‘Too Good To Be Good’, and the final song, ‘Move On’, which draws upon hip-hop, jazz and funk, both reflect upon the hedonism of youth.

‘Heartless’, which was recently released as a single, was inspired by the documentary ‘The Cove’, is about the slaughtering of dolphins in Japan.
The third and title track ‘Island’, was written by Dali about his childhood and the nomadic lifestyle his mother preferred, whilst ‘Insane Train’ is a brief story about a memorable train journey

The band will tour the east Coast and Tasmania throughout April to support the release – see dates below

April 4th // Adventure Bay Hall Bruny Island
April 10th // The Royal Oak Launceston
April 11th // The Homestead Hobart
April 16th // The Tree House Byron Bay
April 17th // Rics Bar Brisbane
April 22nd // Valve bar Sydney

The EP was released on the 27th Of March through FOG/MGM  to cinched with the Tour.

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https://www.facebook.com/daliandthepaperband

http://instagramzone.com/UserDetails/376372187

https://twitter.com/DaliSrhoj

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfDfyx7MykrkbWhmo4sD9ew

www.daliandthepaperband.com

 

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Will you Remember me – A Tribute to Ted Mulry

 

RELEASE DATE 20TH MARCH 2015

After the albums release on Friday the Tribute has just been set for AOTW on Brisbane Starting today

Listen to the stream here

Tony Romeril and Various Artists “Will You Remember Me” – A Tribute to Ted Mulry Songwriter.

Tony Romeril, the former lead singer of 70s hit Aussie band Autumn, is soon to release a new music project to honor the final work of Ted Mulry.

Born in Oldham, England, Ted Mulry first came to the attention of the music industry when he was signed to the legendary Albert Productions.  He rose to fame as a solo singer/songwriter with his own composition, the pop ballad ‘Julia’, which made the Australian charts in 1970.

In 1972 he formed his own band, The Ted Mulry Gang, with guitarist Les Hall & drummer Herman Kovac.  The band released their first album ‘Here We Are’ in 1974.  Their first major hit, and the biggest of their career, was the 1975 single ‘Jump In My Car’ which spent 6 weeks at number one on the Australian singles charts.

As a close friend, Tony spent a lot of time with Ted during his final months.  Ted was much under rated as a songwriter and Tony believed that some of his best material was released on his last solo album ‘This Time’.

Tony has re-recorded and re-interpreted 8 songs from the ‘This Time’ CD, as well as including of ‘Julia’ and ‘Will You Remember Me’ (the album title track).  The recording sessions featured a mix of artists and singers from the 1970’s and 80’s such as Peter Cupples who knew and respected Ted and also some younger artists who loved his work and wanted to be part of this project.

The CD will be released on Autumn Records  and distributed through MGM Distributors.  10% of the profits from the sale of this CD will be donated to Support Act.

Links
Official Pages
Facebook – http://tinyurl.com/q7vfqev 

http://www.autumnrecords.com.au

Online Store
http://autumnrecords.mywaterfrontstore.com/Product/46811/1

Soundcloud Radio Tracks Stream
https://soundcloud.com/foghorn-records/sets/will-you-remember-me-a-tribute

Online Deep Background

https://www.sendspace.com/folder/dzod7d

Ted with Empty Scotch

For interview requests , Hi Rez Audio and Images Please Contact
Marshall Cullen-marshall@foghornrecords.net 0416 143030

 

 

 

 

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Alex Bowen – New Tour dates added

New dates added

May 1 – Currumbin Creek Tavern, Gold Coast (QLD)
May 2 – Shores Tavern, Yamba (NSW)
May 15 – Harvest Bakery, Byron Bay (NSW)

and then a double header

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SATURDAY MAY 16
CRAWDADDYS, NOOSA HEADS QLD
TICKETS: http://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=52198

SUNDAY MAY 17
LIZOTTES, NEWCASTLE
TICKETS: hyperurl.co/g7q93s

Following his successful independent debut release in early 2013, Alex Bowen has been bunkered away in the hills of Byron Bay for 12 months to write and record his NEW SINGLE ‘THE BOOK OF LIFE(March 6 FOG/MGM)  now live on Itunes - and album to follow. The new upbeat record briefly continues the blues/country feel though it unveils a real pop/rock sensibility, with Alex once again proving his place internationally as a truly gifted singer/songwriter.Growing up in the Hunter Valley NSW, Alex began performing on various concert stages at the age of 14 supporting the likes of Paul Kelly, Richard Clapton and finding himself on a number of festival line-ups, quickly becoming a ‘must see performer’ with his powerful blues/rock infused guitar style and soulful voice.11 years later, Alex at 25 has performed on some of the biggest festival stages in Australia and has sold out a number of headline tours throughout the country. 2015 will see this young musician releasing and launching his new album ‘Time To Talk’ worldwide.
The extensive National Tour Dates are below –
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Luke Escombe New EP and Tour

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Luke Escombe Creeper Vine EP Release

“Creeper Vine” is the new record from singer-songwriter/guitarist Luke Escombe.
Drawing its musical inspiration from the vintage sounds of artists like
Chuck Berry, Freddie King, Elvis Presley and The Rolling Stones,
the 6-track EP features songs about modern urban life –
from advice on how to manage the rat race (Drink more coffee),
live with debt and survive the tensions of a long-term marriage (Axe in the house)
to tips on how to appreciate women over the age of 30
and cope with the loss of the female prime minister in your life (Julia).

Sharp, urgent and darkly funny, the album continues in the tradition established by Escombe’s 2012 studio album “Mantown”, which spent 9 straight months in the top ten of the Australian Blues and Roots radio play charts.

2014 saw Escombe release 2 critically acclaimed live albums on the same day –
Luke Escombe and the Corporation: Live on the Coast” and “Chronic Symphonic”.

Writing about these releases in the Sydney Morning Herald reviewer John Shand wrote:
“Luke Escombe is funny and brave, a showman and an artist, a brilliantly engaging lyricist, expert tunesmith, fine guitarist and exceptional singer. Seldom is such sophistication wrapped in a coating of such overt fun. Buy both. Hear him”

Luke was nominated for a Green Room Award in 2012 for his one-man show “Chronic”, which took him to festivals around Australia as well as to the Edinburgh Fringe. He has performed 3 times at Parliament House in Canberra as well as at New Zealand’s National Museum in Wellington and spoken at conferences and health industry events across the country in his role as ambassador for Crohn’s and Colitis Australia.
He was awarded the title of “Sydney’s sexiest man voice” in 2011 in a radio competition on Mix 106.5FM and recently won the prize for Best Kid’s Show at the 2014 Sydney Fringe with his “roots musical” creation The Vegetable Plot.

“Creeper Vine” was recorded at Vienna People Studios in Sydney and features Escombe’s long-time collaborators Aaron Flower on guitar and Jamie Cameron on drums, as well as legendary rock-soul bassist Harry Brus (Renee Geyer, Kevin Borich, Billy Thorpe).
Producer Michael McGlynn (L-Fresh, Little May) adds piano, organ and percussion,
with backing vocals on two tracks by soul singer Carmen Smith.

The March 12th release of “Creeper Vine” will be accompanied by a 4-city East Coast tour.
See dates below-

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Raglans land for Soundwave

Album Released : 13th February 2015

Irish indie-folk four-piece Raglanshave undergone a meteoric rise in popularity since their inception, going from a crowd pleasing, gig-opening favourite at Dublin’s Whelan’s hotspot to garnering widespread recognition across the UK. Now theyre coming to Australia to perform at Soundwave and release their debut album.

Saturday 21 February – Bonython Park, Adelaide

Sunday 22 February – Melbourne Showgrounds, Melbourne

Saturday 28 February – Olympic Park, Sydney

Sunday 1 March – Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane

This Dublin quartet are slowly but surely putting themselves on the radar. Raglans recently toured the UK supporting The Strypes, and theyve achieved some mainstream radio airplay. Their debut album is  jam-packed with feel-good tracks that will ensure you dont forget them in a hurry. Digging Holes kicks the album off superbly, showcasing the bands talent and likeability. This is exactly how we want to be lured into an album: with plenty of hooks and a bouncy, summery vibe. Thankfully, the fun doesnt stop there; the guys flaunt their ability to captivate in (Lady) Roll Back the Years and Before Tonight, head-bopping and foot-tapping anthems that will instantly lift your mood and have you daydreaming of summer.

‘Raglans’, as an LP,encompasses the grouped vocals of The Lumineers, the multi-instrumentalist efforts of Of Monsters And Men, whilst highlighting the substantial post-punk camaraderie circa The Libertines.

https://twitter.com/Raglans  /  https://www.facebook.com/Raglans  /  http://raglans.tumblr.com/

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN VIA SOUNDCLOUD

CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO OF NEW SINGLE, ‘WHITE LIGHTNING’  OUT NOW

 

Fiona May Bevan – The Sang Silent Night

01 NAVIGATOR088 FIONA BEVAN cover art

Fiona Bevan is an English singer/songwriter who is currently on tour with Busby

Marou around Australia. She is already established as a songwriter, she co-wrote Little Things

with Ed Sheeran, a 2012 No.1 single for One Direction plus has a song

on the 5 Seconds Of Summer album. While in Australia she has been writing with many local artists including Don Walker (Cold Chisel).

Fiona’s debut album

‘Talk To Strangers’

was released earlier this year, two singles

‘Rebel Without a Cause’ and ‘Pirates & Diamonds’, the later stunning video now getting some play. Click here to view.

We decided to rush release ‘They Sang Silent Night’ after hearing this beautiful and relevant song. Simply put, it tells us of the Christmas ceasefire in World War 1 and how a little boy just wants his father back, how we all need to be with family instead of fighting wars.

Fiona is nearly at the end of her first Australian tour and we’ll be seeing her back soon with a new album, including many songs she wrote here.

Listen and/or download ‘They Sang Silent Night’

Click here to stream via Soundcloud

Click here to download WAV, AIF or MP3 (320kb)

Contact: PR Marshall Cullen marshall@damiengerard.net

Anything else Graeme Regan graeme@thegroovemerchants.com

Tel: 02 92838250