Tag Archives: Aussie Music

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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.’

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The Mezcaltones Release Single ‘Wouldn’t Last A Day’

With the sun in their faces, the wind in their hair, and their tongues planted firmly in their cheeks, those genre defying, Alt-country, Tex Mex, Surf Rock Cowpunks, The Mezcaltones, present ‘Wouldn’t Last a Day’ – part three of their “Modern Romance Trilogy”.

A swampy guitar riff opens up this spaghetti western themed domestic hiccup. While our antagonists take verbal swipes at each other the rhythm section holds steady as the guitar slides between the flying plates, pots n pans… and barbs.

Co-written with talented songstress Dani Young, ‘Wouldn’t Last a Day’ not only describes “Domestic Bliss” in three and a half minutes but also rounds out the Mezcaltones “Modern Romance Trilogy” with a modicum of acceptance, understanding and hope.

A duet from The Mezcaltones in an up tempo country rock format. Plenty of riffy guitars and some great call and answer male/female vocals – just think Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood doing Jackson. A foot tapper and a mood maker all in one.

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The Mezcaltones are a Sydney six-piece band whose aim was to put together a repertoire of obscure alt country/surf twang songs. They were found mostly on cult Mexican movie soundtracks and then matched with dance, cabaret and outrageous showmanship to form a unique and original show. Ten years and four albums later the Mezcaltones are one of Sydney’s premiere live acts. With an impressive collection of original songs, the Mezcaltones are not only able to play venues that are traditionally for original bands only but are also able to put on three set shows at some of the more mainstream venues.

The Mezcaltones love playing festivals having performed at Groundwater CMF; Sydney Blues & Roots Festival; Dashville Skyline Festival; Blue Mountains Music Festival to name a few. They have also performed at seven Tamworth Music Festivals including this year where they performed ten shows in eight days.  The shows were a huge success and the band were booked for 2024 before they’d even left town. The Mezcaltones have also been booked for the 2024 Broadbeach Blues and Roots Festival in QLD.

Some of the Mezcaltones regular Sydney gigs include The Marrickville Bowling Club, The Union Hotel, Shady Pines Saloon, Narrabeen Sands, Collaroy Beach Club, Club Cronulla and The Orient Hotel.

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Wouldn’t Last a Day September 1 (Foghorn/MGM)

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Reviews for Jack Nolan’s Album ‘Jindabyne’

Jack Nolan Released and Launched his New Album ‘Jindabyne’ earlier this month and
now the Reviews are in – here are a selection of some standouts and the links.
Recorded to tape in Nashville and with players like this theres no wonder folks are raving about it.
Producer guitarist Justin Weaver (The Chicks/Wynonna Judd), drummer Jimmy Paxson (Lindsey Buckingham/The Chicks/Ben Harper) and bassist Chris Autry (Josh Turner/Lee Anne Womack).

“As I’m listening through Jindabyne, I’m taken aback. It’s such a solid, mature, full-bodied album of unflinchingly well-written songs. He’s not fucking around.”
Coyote Music

“Perhaps the delay worked in Jindabyne’s favor as it’s rare to hear such a coherent and complete collection. It’s Jack Nolan’s finest moment yet.”
Curious For Music

[About the last track ‘All The Ships In The Ocean’]
“This one is also reflective of the recent pandemic…At one point he asks the question, “What’s a nation?/Does anyone know?” When the world gets all weird, some of the questions that, at one time would have had easy answers, start to get overly complicated.”

Skype Magazine

  ““Jindabyne” has a quiet grandeur, with Jack Nolan’s robust and assured voice telling tales from lives lived most fully.”
Beach Sloth

“As a true purveyor of Americana, Jack stays true to the staples of roots music while also taking the genre to a fresher perspective with his Aussie twist. Named after the New South Wales town of the same name, “JINDABYNE” feels familiar, yet nostalgic, as it truly bridges two distant sides of the world, as if there was no ocean between them!”
Ghost Blog

The Album
Jack Nolan’s JINDABYNE, released August 4

The same band assembled again to record, with no backing tracks, all but live to tape – and why wouldn’t you

The album’s title is lifted from the ever so sweet ‘Solo Sailor’ that lets us in on a journey. Other highlights include, the up-tempo ‘She Knew’ where nothing’s perfect, but she knew he loved her, and her knowing that will have to do for now, and the timeless finger picker, ‘All The Ships In The Ocean’.

Two years of stolen liberties has only hardened Jack’s resolve, to remain forever suspicious of rule makers and even more dedicated to his ongoing contribution to art, to song writing. JINDABYNE is a record for this year, where we are all staggering on after two years of madness, and we have all arrived back to that place we had drifted too far from, the simple things, love and reality, family, and community.

Based in Sydney, Australia, singer songwriter Jack Nolan has been performing and releasing music and albums since the mid 1990’s. Along with a six-album solo catalogue Jack also fronted The Kelly Gang, with Rick Grossman, bassist for The Divinyls and Hoodoo Gurus along with Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst and guitar player Martin Rotsey. Their 2004 album Looking for the Sun is still considered a hidden gem, with an incredible line-up of musicians that delivered passionate and energetic live shows of the time.

Within Nolan’s music, mysterious and shimmering chords unite his sound. Once quaintly described as ‘Darlinghurst Country’ his sound unites elements of folk, country, rock ‘n’ roll and ambient atmospheres fusing Nolan’s passion for intensely charged electric guitar and finger-picked acoustic guitar.

Of recent years, the critically acclaimed 2018 album ‘Our Waverley Star’ was followed by the equally impressive 2020 outing ‘Gabriel’. It was these two outings that cemented Nolan’s love of recording in Nashville, with guitarist/producer Justin Weaver (Dixie Chicks/Wynonna Judd). What started with a one-off phone call, developed into an alliance that Nolan describes as “arriving in town, in the northern winter, when everyone’s off the road, with my swag of songs to greet all the boys again to collaborate”.

Performing in & around the traps Jack’s Australian band includes Travis New (Andrew Farris/Imogen Clark) on guitar, Tim Samson (Christine Anu/Andrew Farris) on bass and long time drummer & Hamish Stuart (Don Walker/Ian Moss et al).

Jindabyne album is OUT NOW
Quay Records

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The Sheyana Band Release Single ‘Remarkable Man’

The new uptempo cracking’ single Remarkable Man lifted from The Sheyana Bands EP Ricochet.

The band went into the studio to record a Johnny Cash style country & western ditty, but sound engineer, Russell Pilling, suggested changing the original Americana feel to a tougher AC/DC – Aussie Rock feel. Bingo!! It was like a brand new song and the track fitted like a glove into their new EP ‘Ricochet’.

Sheyana explains: “When I close my eyes, this is how the imagery of the song plays in my mind; show yourself friend or foe! Remarkable Man lines up with both barrels, bullets of pleasure and pain – shining bright, cutting deep, demanding to be loved and loathed. Cover your trusting heart! Do you have the superpowers to survive the impact?”

The track has become a band and fan favourite.

A full throttle country rock number from Sheyana, a very worthy single to follow up to Big Hearts. The song begins with the full band straight in, its up-tempo, catchy and full of riffs and hooks from the very competent guitar section, foot tapping all the way to the end.

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The Sheyana Band’s recent EP, ‘Ricochet’, came together during covid lockdown in Tasmania. Making the best of a bad situation and with time for reflection, Sheyana and the band focused on songwriting, and the music emerged out of conflicting times.

Influenced by the classics and drawing inspiration from their deep Tassie roots, The Sheyana Band are like a fine wine. A ripe fruity musical banquet, fusing stylistic flavours from Australian Rhythm & Soul, American Funk & Blues, English Pop/Rock & Punk with a dash of Southern Country/Folk.

London born, Tasmanian based singer, songwriter and guitarist, Sheyana, has been hooked on music since early childhood. The soulful Celtic/Sri Lankan storyteller brings flavour to the table with her stellar band, featuring Wayne Rand on lead guitars/vocals, Dan Jeffrey on bass & Leigh Hill on drums/vocals.

Following the release earlier this year of their EP, the band embarked on a series of sold out single & album launches across Tasmania. The EP is getting national airplay, charting on Australian Blues and Roots Chart, and received some great national and international album reviews.

The first single & music clip Big Hearts was premiered by Australian music group Scenstr. Internationally, YESFM Sri Lanka recently premiered the track and came in Top 20 on the Yes Home Grown Charts. The band are releasing a second single from the EP, ‘Remarkable Man’ and planning to tour East Coast Australia in 2024, along with some live shows in Sri Lanka.

The Sheyana Band had a top ten hit in Sri Lanka in 2015 with their single ‘Keep the Change’. Sheyana scored a blues award with the OzSong International Song Writing Competition in 2011 for her song ‘Two Birds’, which also made it to the finals in the Fresh Air ABC National Song writing Competition. The Sheyana Band are a favourite act at major Tassie events: Skyfields, Forth Valley Blues Festival, Party In The Paddock, Fruits of the Roots, Festival of King Island, Junction Arts Festival and Riverbend Blues.

The band have supported Deborah Conway, Hoodoo Gurus, Neil Finn, Meg Mac, Mojo Juju, Gang of Youths, Diesel, The Angels, Kevin Borich, Ian Moss, Bill Chambers and Fanny Lumsden. Nationally they won “The Chris Wilson Award” for Emerging Act of Year” with their album Big Love in 2018.

Stream/Download Remarkable Man (Foghorn/MGM) August 18

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Jack Nolan Releases Album ‘Jindabyne’

Following his successful Album launch at The Clovelly Bowlo last night (August 3) the long delayed(see below) full length LP is now Out Today(August 4)

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Jack Nolan’s JINDABYNE, was so frustratingly delayed by that virus. This is an album that waited in the wings while lockdowns and rules ran their course. “March 2020 the world was turned on its axis and we all went into lockdown –suddenly there were no certainties in life; this created a sense of urgency in me, so I made a conscious decision not to waste the time and went to work writing JINDABYNE. As soon as I could post lockdown, I was booked and took off back to the US.”

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The same band assembled again to record, with no backing tracks, all but live to tape – and why wouldn’t you with personnel like producer guitarist Justin Weaver (The Chicks/Wynonna Judd), drummer Jimmy Paxson (Lindsey Buckingham/The Chicks/Ben Harper) and bassist Chris Autry (Josh Turner/Lee Anne Womack).

The album’s title is lifted from the ever so sweet ‘Solo Sailor’ that lets us in on a journey. Other highlights include, the up-tempo ‘She Knew’ where nothing’s perfect, but she knew he loved her, and her knowing that will have to do for now, and the timeless finger picker, ‘All The Ships In The Ocean’.

Two years of stolen liberties has only hardened Jack’s resolve, to remain forever suspicious of rule makers and even more dedicated to his ongoing contribution to art, to song writing. JINDABYNE is a record for this year, where we are all staggering on after two years of madness, and we have all arrived back to that place we had drifted too far from, the simple things, love and reality, family, and community.

Based in Sydney, Australia, singer songwriter Jack Nolan has been performing and releasing music and albums since the mid 1990’s. Along with a six-album solo catalogue Jack also fronted The Kelly Gang, with Rick Grossman, bassist for The Divinyls and Hoodoo Gurus along with Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst and guitar player Martin Rotsey. Their 2004 album Looking for the Sun is still considered a hidden gem, with an incredible line-up of musicians that delivered passionate and energetic live shows of the time.

Within Nolan’s music, mysterious and shimmering chords unite his sound. Once quaintly described as ‘Darlinghurst Country’ his sound unites elements of folk, country, rock ‘n’ roll and ambient atmospheres fusing Nolan’s passion for intensely charged electric guitar and finger-picked acoustic guitar.

Of recent years, the critically acclaimed 2018 album ‘Our Waverley Star’ was followed by the equally impressive 2020 outing ‘Gabriel’. It was these two outings that cemented Nolan’s love of recording in Nashville, with guitarist/producer Justin Weaver (Dixie Chicks/Wynonna Judd). What started with a one-off phone call, developed into an alliance that Nolan describes as “arriving in town, in the northern winter, when everyone’s off the road, with my swag of songs to greet all the boys again to collaborate”.

Performing in & around the traps Jack’s Australian band includes Travis New (Andrew Farris/Imogen Clark) on guitar, Tim Samson (Christine Anu/Andrew Farris) on bass and long time drummer & Hamish Stuart (Don Walker/Ian Moss et al).

Jindabyne album is OUT NOW
Quay Records

Stream:

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Jane Walker Live Launch Low302 Surry Hills

Jane Walkers New single Lazy is out NOW and will have a live launch  at Low302 in Surry Hills, Sydney on Aug11. 

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of singer-songwriter Jane Walker. Backed by acclaimed musicians Jess Ciampa and Mike Quigley, this night celebrates the launch of her mesmerizing new single “Lazy” (out August 4) and will feature some special surprise guests. Elements of pop and jazz weave together for an intimate and uplifting musical experience.

Doors 7pm – Dinner and drinks available all night.

TIX for the show

https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/747da26d-e3ee-4065-b476-5ccd77f0cdc8?utm_source=Low302&utm_medium=Website

Two years ago, Jane Walker was in the grips of a particularly debilitating writer’s block. It was a tumultuous time for the Sydney singer/songwriter, a recent marriage, a serious accident, a change of management and the death of her father. Yet, diamonds are forged under pressure and after basically chaining herself to her piano, new songs began coming thick and fast.

The new songs, which blend sophisticated pop and soul with light jazz touches, come with classy contributions from cross genre specialists like the rhythm section of Hamish Stuart and James Haselwood, Stu Hunter on keyboards, and co-producer/mixer Neal Sutherland.

Having already written with Chris Difford of Squeeze and Adam Levy (Norah Jones) and worked with the likes of The Cruel Sea’s James Cruickshank, producers Steve James and Barbara Griffin, and Indigenous group Street Warriors and Bobby Flynn on her debut, Walk Gently, Walker knows that “working with such talented musicians lifts my level and stimulates me as an artist and gives me that freedom to go for it.”

Jane Walker at Coogee photo Susan Stitt low res

“[In London I recognised] my identity as Australian and my connection is to the land here, and I wanted to come back home,” says Walker who, while in London, had one of her songs included on an album alongside tracks by Massive Attack and Radiohead.

“More and more I try to live in the present moment, and find when I’m there, nature rushes in…this influences my songwriting and musical choices.” And as she discovered, when that happens amazing things occur, and it’s clear that Jane Walker is anything but lazy.

“Rather than sit in resentment and blame others, I can write a song.”

A very smooth soul single featuring beautiful Fender Rhodes piano, Hammond organ, laid back drums and bass and a silky smooth vocal that all come together in the best possible way.

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