Tag Archives: Aussie Music

Margaret Anne and The Rock It Man Lay Their Souls Bare

October 25, 2019 Marshall Cullen

Margaret Anne and The Rock It Man’s debut album is called Soul Laid Bare. Lyrically it’s an intensely personal exploration of emotional turmoil after a marriage breakup, while musically it’s an exciting blend of Americana, country, roots, blues, funk and rock.

The title track is due for release on October 25. It was written while singer Margaret Anne was making the agonizing decision to leave a 20 year marriage, break up a family and family home. The song conveys a search for clarity and expresses the fear and recklessness in making such a massive and life changing decision for all involved.

Another album highlight is a song Margaret Anne wrote with renowned Australian singer-songwriter Shane Nicholson. Entitled Don’t Look Back, the track is an exploration of marriage in the aftermath of her breakdown. “Just 2 months after leaving my husband,” says Margaret Anne, “Don’t look Back was written on a sheep station in Nundle (outside Tamworth). It has undertones of loss, sadness and questioning and the decision to move on from the wreckage and not look back.”

Growing up in a seaside town on the south coast of NSW, she was blessed to belong to a musical family so classical piano, guitar and song became a big part of her life.

Margaret Anne says she was heavily influenced by her surfing brothers as she grew up. “We would pool our pennies to buy the latest records. My favourites, and certainly most early influences were Joni Mitchell, Eric Clapton, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, The Stones, Carol King, James Taylor, Fleetwood Mac, Hair! Anything Woodstock!”

Adventurous and a passionate singer songwriter, Margaret Anne continually touches her listeners with her inclusive heartfelt singing, dynamic stage presence and empowering songs. She currently manages and performs in the successful band Firefly.

Soul Laid Bare is a collaboration with Doug Weaver, a talented multi instrumentalist, producer and screenwrite. He has produced and written music for over 200 episodes of the American TV show The MythBusters and also many local programs including Border Security and Beach Cops.

Margaret Anne has always been an adventurer, having previously travelled the world for 11 years and visiting 56 countries. This time her attention is turned inwards and the result is an emotive album full of vulnerabilities and strength.

Soul Laid Bare (the single) is out on October 25.

The album of the same name is due in March 2020.

Download or stream from October 25:

Watch Soul Laid Bare here:

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News and Touring

Sydney’s blues-rock-rockabilly act Toadvine release new EP

October 25, 2019 Marshall Cullen

Toadvine are a five-piece blues-rock outfit hailing from Sydney, Australia, who dish up a unique blend of blues-tinged rock’n’roll with generous lashings of rockabilly, country and fuzzed-out garage sounds. Their new five-track EP is called Love Is A Dangerous Game.

The band members draw from hugely diverse musical influences, and together pull together a broad musical palette. At the helm is vocalist Mandy Newton, accompanied by a formidable group of seasoned veterans of the rock scene both here and abroad, including guitarists Scott Mackenzie and Phill Salera, drummer Simon Carnovale and bassist Jeff (El Jefe) Newton.

With influences ranging from the legendary Aretha Franklin, Samantha Fish, Chris Stapleton, The Gun Club, Hillbilly Moon Explosion through to Led Zeppelin, Link Wray and The Baby Animals, Toadvine hurl down the riffs and paint them with their own inimitable style. From Mandy’s huge voice, which has been compared to legends Maggie Bell and Susan Marshall, to fuzzed-out, tremolo laced chords wrung from Scotty’s tele and Phill’s sweet and melodic slide and lead work, all held together with a rhythm section that’s all bite, no bark, Toadvine are a formidable unit, and don’t mind letting people know!

With countless live shows under their belts, in late 2019 Toadvine decided to hit the studios once again to record the follow-up to their previous EP, City Livin’.

The five track EP Love Is A Dangerous Game is set for release on 25 October 2019.

TRACK BY TRACK:

Stones and Bones – The EP opener is a rip snorting bluesy garage rock tale about love gone wrong and revenge, featuring a blues harp solo courtesy of Celia Curtis.

Dead Man’s Clothes – cool country Johnny Cash vibe

Dirty Lies – garage rock with a peppering of country roots

More Than Anyone – fun bar-room classic about boy meets girl

Black Naomi – a blues tinged rockabilly sound with the swagger of the Stray Cats

Toadvine will launch the EP at Moshpit Bar, 642A King Street (south end), Newtown on Saturday November 9.

Download or stream from October 25:

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Videos

Oh Cheryl – The Insufferable Paul Scott

Video September 16, 2019 Marshall Cullen

Videos

Umbrella Man – The Likes Of You(Paul Scott)

Video September 16, 2019 Marshall Cullen

News and Touring

Aussie Rockers Black Aces release new EP and announce Tour’

September 13, 2019 Marshall Cullen

Drawing from the history pages of Aussie rock come Victorian four-piece Black Aces!

Never Change is the name of their new single and also the title track of their new EP. Driven by dirty slide guitar, and a driving tempo, the title track is a catchy and upbeat rocker that pays homage to the old adage that ”some things never change”.

Also featured on the EP is the previously released single, Feverdreams. A fast paced rocker in the vein of the Australian rock greats that have come before them, married with Black Aces signature sound and Tyler Kinder’s distinctive and unique vocals, Feverdreams is a self-deprecating soundtrack to the hangover from hell.

Check out the video here:

As with the band’s 2017 album Anywhere But Here, the new EP was produced by Mark Opitz and Colin Wynne. Opitz has a long list of Aussie rockers from his own ARIA Award-winning career to take inspiration from, including AC/DC, The Divinyls, Cold Chisel, INXS and The Angels.

Formed in rural Australian town Bendigo by singer-guitarist Tyler Kinder, Black Aces set about forming a set of songs influenced by the greats of Aussie rock. Bassist Alex works as a mechanic in the same shed where the band rehearses and write songs.

After developing a strong live following across their homeland and sharing stages with the likes of Cosmic Psychos, Angry Anderson, Dallas Crane, and The Casanovas, Black Aces released their debut album Shot In The Dark in early 2016 and took their live show all the way to Europe and the UK.?

Through sheer hard work the album broke into the top 20 of the iTunes Australia rock charts, and the band ended a bumper year with a show stealing performance at Hard Rock Hell festival in Wales, alongside such heavyweights as Molly Hatchet, Living Color and Ratt – earning themselves a call back to the festival’s main stage alongside the legendary Dee Snider (Twisted Sister) in 2017. The band then released their second album Anywhere But Here in the same year and received a rave review from their famous fan. “Black Aces is like getting a new vintage AC/DC in 2017! And there ain’t nothing wrong with that!… My new turn to album. Anywhere But Here” – Dee Snider, Twisted Sister

The future looks bright for the boys from Bendigo.

UK Label Off Yer Rocka will be releasing the bands new music as per below-

Oct 3 Never Change Video Premiere

Oct 4 Never Change Single release/EP Pre Order/Tour Begins(dates below)

Oct 31 EP Release date

Black Aces are:

Tyler Kinder – Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar
Jarrad Morrice – Rhythm Guitar
Alex McMillan – Bass
Pete McMillan – Drums
(FUN FACT: Despite Alex and Pete sharing the same surname, they in fact aren’t related at all!)

NEVER CHANGE TOUR DATES

Friday – Sunday 4th, 5th, 6th October

Chopped, CARRISBROOK VIC

https://www.chopped.com.au/

w The Chats, The 5, 6, 7, 8’s plus more

Tickets: $230 for weekend pass

Time: Black Aces are appearing at 5.30 on Saturday 5th October.

Saturday 12th October

Shovel Fest, BENDIGO VIC

https://www.centrestaterodders.com/shovel-fest-bendigo

Tickets: $10

Time: 10am start – Band time TBC

Saturday 26th October

Crowbar, SYDNEY NSW

https://crowbarsyd.com/

w The Neptune Power Federation

Tickets: $17.85

Time: 8pm

Friday 1st November

Old Bank Hotel, DUBBO NSW

https://www.oldbankdubbo.com/

with Flickertail

Tickets: $10

Time: 8pm

Saturday 2nd November

The Vic Hotel, ORANGE NSW

https://www.victoriahotelorange.com.au/

with Flickertail

Tickets: FREE

Time: 9pm

Friday 15th November

Transit Bar, CANBERRA ACT

http://www.transitbar.com.au

with Flickertail, Loud So Clear & Babe Fiasco

Tickets: $10 presale and $15 on the door

Time: 8pm

Saturday 16th November

Botany View Hotel, NEWTOWN NSW

https://www.botanyviewhotel.com/

with Flickertail

Tickets: TBA

Time 8PM

Sunday 17th November

Frankies Pizza, SYDNEY NSW

https://www.frankiespizzabytheslice.com/

with Lagerstein

Tickets: FREE

Time: 7PM

Friday 29th November

Stay Gold, BRUNSWICK VIC

https://staygoldmelbourne.com.au/

with Smoke Stack Rhino, Dead Preachers + TBA

Tickets: TBA

Saturday 21st December

Golden Vine Hotel, BENDIGO VIC

https://www.facebook.com/goldenvinebendigo/

Support TBC

Tickets: $10

Time: 9PM

The Never Change EP will be available to pre-order from October 4.
Officially released on October 31st.

Download or stream:

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News and Touring

The Blind Pilots release debut 3-track EP

August 29, 2019 Marshall Cullen

When describing The Blind Pilots it’s easy to say the same old things about being an explosive four piece Australian Roots, Rock and Blues outfit from the Northern Beaches of Sydney. But the truth is all four members have known each other in previous successful bands, which gives them an advantage in the creative songwriting process. The four friends share a close rapport and have a laugh together every week. They say, “There’s never a dull moment in rehearsals!”

The band members’ camaraderie is largely based on the fact they grew up listening to the same music and share common influences like Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Van Morrison, Jimmy Hendrix, Cat Stevens, Led Zepplin and Midnight Oil. Together they form a band making the most of dirty slide guitar, hard hitting drums, solid bass grooves, accompanied by a soulful vocal drenched in foot stompin’ harmonica riffs. “We all have an urge to push each other harder to get the best out of our muscianship and are driven to create those magic moments,” says lead guitarist and vocalist Owen.

In a live format, the band produce an energetic show full of intense commitment, whilst still maintaining a laid back vibe.

The lead track of their brand new EP is called Tell Me I’m Wrong, which offers frontman Owen’s perspective on the current political landscape. Accompanying tracks are Telephone – a hard-hitting blues rock tune about breakdowns in relationships, complete with dirty blues harp and riffing electric guitar. The swampy southern blues rock style of Howling at the Moon fits perfectly with the lyrical lament about longing and yearning.

Between them, their experiences have seen them performing at festivals including Byron Blues, Woodford Folk, Festival Of Sun, Echuca Blues Festival, Mud Run, Harley Days, Throttle Roll, Sydney Blues Festival and has found them on the Australian Blues charts. With new ideas consistently being brought to the table this group will continue to make inroads in the Blues and Roots World and be one to watch.

The Blind Pilots members are: Owen Mancell – Guitar/Vocals; Matt Hough – Drums; Ryan Stone – Harmonica; Daniel Changas – Bass/Vocals

“Owen brings the spark, Matt is the conductor and reconstructs, Changas adds the bottom end whilst Stony waves the magic which is the icing on the cake.”

The Blind Pilots EP is out on August 30.

Download or stream from August 30:

Connect with The Blind Pilots here:

News and Touring

Opera Singer Michaele Archer launches new project Apsara

August 23, 2019 Marshall Cullen

Apsara is an original project of classical soprano Michaele Archer, exploring a sound palate that is rich and raw. Composed with Latin text from Virgil and Roman woman poet Sulpicia, Apsara’s debut EP Galatea intertwines ancient and new sounds.

Leading the Apsara project on harmonium and vocals, Archer is joined by cellist Rachel Whealy, violist Gabrielle Laura Steele and guitarist Giuseppe Zangari.

It been a journey bringing together the different layers for this project – Ancient Latin text, alto instruments and a vocal approach that blends opera and early music. “Once I had it the music came quickly. The songs almost wrote themselves. They came so fast in a matter of minutes recording on my phone.”

In addition to medieval vocals, ancient Latin text and deep analogue instruments, the flow of water and nature inspires Apsara. In Virgil’s Eclogue 7 there are references to Galatea, a water sprite and the name Apsara also translates as Indian water spirit.

Michaele has performed opera, song and oratorio in Australia and internationally and has featured in several world premieres of new works by Australian composers.

“Coming from an opera background and having a larger voice type my sound has always been full on opera”. Michaele has recently been performing and studying in Los Angeles with Robin de Haas, a leading voice coach in Europe and founder of a new performance and body work method called Breathing Coordination. Going ever deeper into anatomy and the science of breathing led Michaele to a new vocal style, blending Opera into medieval straight tone.

Discovering the poetry of Roman woman poet Sulpicia struck a deep chord. “The portrayal of women in opera is often two dimensional and I wanted to depart from that,” says Archer. Sulpicia was a woman who lived outside the stereotypes of Ancient Roman society in terms of being unmarried, writing poetry and writing explicitly about love. The feel and sound qualities of old Latin text and stories interpreted from a female perspective form a rich layer, built with instruments from the deeper harmonic spectrum.

“I’ve got a thing for the darker sounding instruments so combining the tone of the viola with cello and alto harmonium was a perfect fit.”

Cellist Rachel Whealy has been a muse since high school. The pair met in Year 12 Music class, where Michaele fell in love with Rachel’s playing and the mellow sob of the cello. There were quite a few maths lessons skipped to play Purcell on Balmoral Island with the waves. They have been performing, writing and recording together ever since. “We’ve created some beautiful original recordings, but I kept putting them aside. I hadn’t quite cracked the feel of the sound I knew I was looking for. I wanted to move slightly left of opera with an instrumental foundation that was real and textured.”

APSARA – GALATEA is OUT TODAY August 23 and released through Foghorn/MGM.

Download or stream

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News and Touring

Big Merino’s second album Sweet Little Angel is out now!

August 8, 2019 Marshall Cullen

Big Merino’s second album to follow Surbuban Wildlife is Sweet Little Angel and it’s out now!
It features the singles that have already made an impact at radio – Hummingbird and the title track, as well as a cover of the classic Neil Young track Ohio.
The band recently played a successful launch for the album at the Marrickville Bowling Club and next Canberra audiences will have their turn. What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than hanging at Smith’s Alternative with Big Merino!
Show starts at 4pm.
Sunday August 25 @ Smith’s Alternative, Canberra

Bruce Elder at the Sydney Morning Herald gave the album a glowing review recently – have a read below.

ADULT ROCK Big Merino
SWEET LITTLE ANGEL (Foghorn) ???½

It has long been an orthodoxy that second albums are more problematic than debut offerings. Here’s the exception. If Big Merino’s debut, Suburban Wildlife, was scattergun in its approach, this is a tour de force of, for want of a better term, classy adult rock, funk, soul and pop. It’s the kind of music Jo Camilleri and Van Morrison see as their bailiwick: a clever and sophisticated blend of heart-stopping gospel-style harmonies (I Watched the Light), and classy lead vocals (courtesy of Stuart Davis, a long-time member of Sydney-based choral masters Cafe of the Gate of Salvation).

Instrumental features include beautiful interplay between acoustic and electric guitar (the title track is seductive); searing guitar solos from Alex Craig (I Lay Me Down); delicious horns courtesy of James Greening (Satellite) and some pulsating funkiness on This Song and Living in the Past.

Oh, yes, and there is an astonishingly good reading (with blistering guitar solos) of Neil Young’s Ohio. The result is a deeply satisfying collection of songs which, while they defy any easy categorisation, sit happily at the richly mature end of popular music. Hear them at Marrickville Bowling Club, July 27. Bruce Elder

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Sweet Little Angel was recorded at Damien Gerard Studios.

Watch the video for Sweet Little Angel at YouTube: