Tag Archives: Tasmania

News and Touring

The DK Effect Release Single ‘Smile’

‘Smile’ is our attempt to encompass the atmosphere, feel and emotion of some of our favourite 60’s soul classics -?? Otis Redding’s (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay and the Drifters’ Up On The Roof and Under The Boardwalk.  
It is a relaxed, feel-good stroll through hot, carefree days, where the love and smiles of those closest to you form the warmest and most enduring memories.  
The sparse production on this track was beautifully complimented by the addition of real strings performed by the wonderful Serena Ellery and of course features the fabulous harmonies and classic vocal arrangement by Crystal, Ruby and Belle. 

The DK Effect are an original 9-piece soul, funk and RnB band known for their four powerhouse vocalists, rich storytelling, melodic harmonies, and the passionate, polyrhythmic ‘call and response’ vocal synchronicity inspired by gospel music. 

Their debut album, ‘Moving Time’, showcased their diverse repertoire. The album spent two months in the TOP 10 of the Australian Blues and Roots Airplay Charts. 

Recording at the iconic Frying Pan Studio was a unique and amazing experience for the band. The studio offers stunning views of Berriedale Bay and Kunanyi (Mount Wellington), creating a relaxing and inspiring environment. There is a viewing window into the studio, allowing museum visitors to watch and listen (via headphones) to the recording process. For the band, it was fun being an ‘exhibition / performance artist’ during the recording process – almost like a live recording. 

The band has performed at numerous Tasmanian venues such as MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), Altar, The Moonah Arts Centre, Kickstart Arts, Salamanca Arts Centre, The Clarence Jazz Festival, The Playhouse Theatre, The Taste of Tasmania Festival, Rektango, the Uni Bar, Street Eats Franko, and the Republic Bar.

Stream Below

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News and Touring

The Sheyana Band Release Single ‘Wet’

‘Shey spent many years living off grid under the lush, mossy canopy of the magic Takayna rainforest in North West Tasmania. Wet braves the unknown. Emotions run deeper than waterfalls on the ancient forest floor. ‘Wet’ features the sublime vocals of Sheyana’s songbird daughter Mahlah Wing and the super talented Randal Muir on keys’.

‘Wet’ is a cinematic song/music video about first love, first desire, and the dangerous beauty of giving in to feelings you can no longer hide. Set against the lush, rain-soaked forests and streams of Tasmania, the video captures the vulnerability, tension, and emotional heat of two people drawn together by something deeper than attraction. Water becomes the symbol of surrender — desire, fear, innocence, longing, and the moment love turns physical. With intimate forest imagery, soft natural light, and a dreamlike romantic atmosphere, ‘Wet’ explores the fragile line between holding back and letting go.

Watch the Music Video Below

From the moment you hear the first song from the Sheyana Band, you will be impressed. This very talented, celebrated band, influenced by the classics, draw inspiration from their deep Tasmanian roots. The Sheyana Band was honoured with the prestigious 2018 Chris Wilson Award for ‘Emerging Act of the Year’ from the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society. Sheyana’s songwriting has scored national and international awards and previous and current singles have reached top 10 on the charts on YESFM Sri Lanka radio in 2015 & 2023.

Receiving national & international recognition & airplay, their captivating live shows have seen them share the stage with Australia’s finest including Mark Seymour & The Undertow, Ross Wilson & The Peaceniks, Joe Camelleri & The Black Sorrows, Deborah Conway, Hoodoo Gurus, Neil Finn, Meg Mac, Superjesus, Mojo Juju, Gang of Youths, Diesel, Renee Geyer, The Angels, Kevin Borich, Ian Moss, Bill Chambers & Fanny Lumsden.

London born, Tasmanian based singer-songwriter Sheyana has been hooked on music since her early childhood. The soulful Celtic/Sri Lankan storyteller is perfectly complimented by her stellar band, featuring Tassie’s finest musicians, with respected guitarist/vocalist Wayne Rand, seasoned, rock solid bassist Dan Jeffrey, and the mighty Leigh Hill on drums/vocals. Together they deliver passion, powerhouse vocals and brilliant musicianship. 

Stream Below

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News and Touring

The DK Effect Release Single ‘Somebody’

“…The DK Effect are an eight-piece funk-soul monster… saucy, delectable helping of groove-licious, horn-rich rhythms and melodies plus fierce vocals” – Gareth Bryant 

‘Somebody’ embodies all of our ‘heathen gospel’ values in a funky romp, pitting delusion against critical thinking. It looks at how multi-national faith corporations control and coerce the vulnerable and gullible with threats and extortion. When performed live, this track has been mistaken for a real gospel song, so perhaps we should issue an ‘advisory warning’ to listen carefully to the lyrics. 
 
The recording features lovely B3 by Ruby and a fabulous sax solo by Mitch which leads us perfectly into the final chorus where the vocals absolutely soar. It is one of our early songs and has been through various incarnations, with this ‘final’ version being the closest to our original vision.

The DK Effect are an original 9-piece soul, funk and RnB band known for their four powerhouse vocalists, rich storytelling, melodic harmonies, and the passionate, polyrhythmic ‘call and response’ vocal synchronicity inspired by gospel music. 

Their debut album, ‘Moving Time’, showcased their diverse repertoire. The album spent two months in the TOP 10 of the Australian Blues and Roots Airplay Charts. 

Recording at the iconic Frying Pan Studio was a unique and amazing experience for the band. The studio offers stunning views of Berriedale Bay and Kunanyi (Mount Wellington), creating a relaxing and inspiring environment. There is a viewing window into the studio, allowing museum visitors to watch and listen (via headphones) to the recording process. For the band, it was fun being an ‘exhibition / performance artist’ during the recording process – almost like a live recording. 

The band has performed at numerous Tasmanian venues such as MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), Altar, The Moonah Arts Centre, Kickstart Arts, Salamanca Arts Centre, The Clarence Jazz Festival, The Playhouse Theatre, The Taste of Tasmania Festival, Rektango, the Uni Bar, Street Eats Franko, and the Republic Bar. 

Stream Below

Connect with The DK Effect

News and Touring

Kilbey Kennedy Release Album ‘Things We Did On Earth’

VINYL available in an Australian exclusive 180g splatter pressing of 150 with insert and stickers – RRP $50 

CDs also for sale in a jewel-case -?RRP $20 

“The album feels almost less like a collection of songs than a lingering emotional state. It’s immersive, transportive and remarkably cohesive from beginning to end. This is Kilbey and Kennedy at their very best. Where on earth they go to from here, who knows.” – Arun Kendall, Backseat Mafia review here

Steve Kilbey will be Featured on Alive 90.5 fm Australian Spectrum Radio Show 19th May

STEVE KILBEY BANDCAMP (Signed by SK)

https://stevekilbey.bandcamp.com/album/things-we-did-on-earth

SKRAM (SK’s exclusive merch channell on IG) (Signed by SK)

https://www.instagram.com/stevekilbeyrockartmerch

Listen worldwide live from 

https://www.alive905.com.au/ross-fear-australian-spectrum-show

Australian Spectrum Show Podcast Archive

https://omny.fm/shows/australian-spectrum-show

In 1981 a teenage Martin Kennedy watched Steve Kilbey and The Church play at a strange hippie festival in Australia. They were outliers at this festival and he fell in love with their look and sound. He recorded their set on a walkman, and the songs helped spark the beginning of his music career. Just a year before, an equally fresh-faced Steve Kilbey formed The Church in Sydney, the very beginning of their public life as accidental hit makers.? 

Forty five years later Martin and Steve find themselves working together on their ninth (add a bunch of side projects to this epic side project and they’re about 20 albums in) studio album ‘Things We Did On Earth.’ 

It’s always so simple: Steve calls Martin: Hey we’re touring Tassie got a few spare days to record an album? Martin: Heck yes.? 

And that’s it. Martin writes the music and Steve rocks ups to write and sings the words. No argument, no egos, just a matter of pressing record. 

They live in their own bubble, lost in a reverie, heads in the clouds. Martin doesn’t listen to any new music but his own. Steve enters his dream state and writes like there’s no tomorrow. ‘Things We Did On Earth’ is the culmination of everything that has lead up to this moment. It tells of mortality, dreams, other worlds, whatever you damn like. It could be their last album, but then they’ve been saying that for the last fifteen years. 

Indeed these are the things Steve Kilbey and Martin Kennedy do on earth.

Bio

Kilbey Kennedy is the long-standing collaborative project between Steve Kilbey (The Church – “Forty some years into their existence, these Aussie psych legends are making some of the most vital music of their careers” – Brooklyn Vegan) and Martin Kennedy (All India Radio – “Like Pink Floyd & The Flaming Lips at their most ethereal” – The Needle Drop). 
 
Since their first release in 2009, the duo has forged a singular sound – an “ultimate convergence of influences, that shimmers with a strange beauty accentuated by its dark and haunting undercurrents.” – The Music 


 
Drawing on Kilbey’s evocative lyrics and Kennedy’s atmospheric production, Kilbey Kennedy moves through ambient, psychedelic, and experimental spaces, favouring mood and emotional resonance over fixed genre lines.
“Neo-prog epic” – Prog magazine 
“Completely envelopes you, drawing you deep into its cosmic womb” – allmusic 
“For those of us who never really expected Kilbey/Kennedy to be much more than a one-off side project, their continued collaboration is a gift to all fans and one that keeps on giving.” – Volt & Volume

Steve’s Blurb for the Album

The end of a century of wonders 
Each glorious life engulfed by the Reverie Foundation 
A million memories at once 
All available to loved ones  
And for sale to strangers  
As things fell apart my daughter Serafina hiding forever in an imaginary darkened house in the woods 
Exotic holidays in Beautiful Places 
An encounter with an eel 
The wheel and whirl of karma  
The shadows of our lives in these songs 
Mornings of despair and evenings of deceit 
And lovely spirit from the otherworld she shines on a fragile flame 
An argument  
A marvellous view over a seaside city  
The machines that came to life 
And the plants that were harvested for cogs and filaments 
All the love and loathing  
All the bustle  
And the stillness of a Dawn Lake 
Thus are the things we did on earth  
 

Order Vinyl or CD’s Here

https://www.kilbeykennedy.com.au

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SCENESTR MUSIC VIDEO PREMIERE FOR SINGLE ‘SERAFINA’ BELOW

https://scenestr.com.au/music/premiere-watch-kilbey-kennedys-new-music-video-serafina-20260430

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News and Touring

The DK Effect Release Single ‘What Happened To Love?’

What Happened To Love? is a conversation between a couple in conflict and a relationship that has seen better days.
It is about feeling trapped, wanting to escape but having nowhere to go. The song’s ‘call and response’ is like a battle of pettiness, highlighting how years of building tension can cause ridiculous and melodramatic overreactions to the most trivial of issues.
This was a really fun track to record and is even more fun to perform. The soaring harmonies at the end of each chorus really showcase the fabulous vocal chemistry within the band and the jazz/funk groove lets the backline funk out.  

The track was recorded at home using vintage (old and cheap) equipment to get an authentic, earthy and organic sound, and was expertly mixed by Aria Winner Russell Pilling and Mastered by Andrew Beck (Damien Gerard Studios). 

dk

The DK Effect are an original 9-piece soul, funk and RnB band known for their four powerhouse vocalists, rich storytelling, melodic harmonies, and the passionate, polyrhythmic ‘call and response’ vocal synchronicity inspired by gospel music.

Their debut album, ‘Moving Time’, showcased their diverse repertoire. The album spent two months in the TOP 10 of the Australian Blues and Roots Airplay Charts.

Recording at the iconic Frying Pan Studio was a unique and amazing experience for the band. The studio offers stunning views of Berriedale Bay and Kunanyi (Mount Wellington), creating a relaxing and inspiring environment. There is a viewing window into the studio, allowing museum visitors to watch and listen (via headphones) to the recording process. For the band, it was fun being an ‘exhibition / performance artist’ during the recording process – almost like a live recording.

The band has performed at numerous Tasmanian venues such as MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), Altar, The Moonah Arts Centre, Kickstart Arts, Salamanca Arts Centre, The Clarence Jazz Festival, The Playhouse Theatre, The Taste of Tasmania Festival, Rektango, the Uni Bar, Street Eats Franko, and the Republic Bar.

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News and Touring

The Sheyana Band Release Single ‘Wasted’

Music is the great enabler! Channelling emotions into song can turn negative into positive, which was a remedy when I wrote Wasted. This song describes love with a narcissist. Lies, secrets, disrespect, predictions of betrayal and enabling of bad behaviour. That’s not kind love, that’s cruel love. Gut feelings, warning signs and omens in your dreams. Waiting for heartache on a wasted investment. The songwriting of this track was a great outlet for processing a negative experience. What a treat to have Russell Pilling in the studio with us, hands on, old school, producing this song as we recorded it. 

Upcoming Tour Dates!

The Sheyana Band with Will Parks support act at Longley International Hotel, Tasmania on Sunday March 22 from 2.30-5.30pm.

https://facebook.com/events/s/the-sheyana-band-with-will-par/913176068313332/

The Sheyana Band headline act for Animal Welfare Centre Inc Fundraiser in Zeehan, on March 28.

https://facebook.com/events/s/doing-it-for-the-animals-fundr/1599131277885176/

The Sheyana Band at Cronulla Jazz & Blues Festival, Sydney in May

The Sheyana Band at ‘Soltice in The Square 2026, Georgetown Tasmania
on Friday, 19 June, at George Town Memorial Hall, Indoor Stage, 6:45pm-7:45pm.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573032314275&sk=photos

Bio

“Tasmania’s Premier Blues Rock Band”

Sheyana and her band are about as authentic as it gets.(Dave Franklin)

 Expressive vocals, muscular roots instrumentation, and an authentic blues/soul sensibility.(Skope Mag – USA)

The Sheyana Band displays true blues/rock mastery on the group’s new recording All The Best. (Indie Band Guru)

Honest, soulful, and unapologetically alive.(Jamsphere)

Receiving national & international recognition & airplay, their captivating live shows have seen them share the stage with Australia’s finest including Mark Seymour & The Undertow, Ross Wilson & The Peaceniks, Joe Camelleri & The Black Sorrows, Deborah Conway, Hoodoo Gurus, Neil Finn, Meg Mac, Superjesus, Mojo Juju, Gang of Youths, Diesel, Renee Geyer, The Angels, Kevin Borich, Ian Moss, Bill Chambers & Fanny Lumsden.

The Sheyana Band fuse Aussie Rhythm, Soul & Rock, Southern Country Pop, Americana inspired Roots & Blues with edgy Funk ’n’ Groove. Together they deliver passion, powerhouse vocals and brilliant musicianship, showcasing an extensive repertoire of golden hits and award winning originals. From the moment you hear the first song from the Sheyana Band, you will be impressed. This talented band, influenced by the classics, draw inspiration from their deep Tasmanian roots.

London born, Tasmanian based, singer-songwriter Sheyana has been hooked on music since her early childhood. The soulful Celtic/Sri Lankan storyteller is perfectly complimented by her stellar band, featuring Tassie’s finest musicians, with respected guitarist/vocalist Wayne Rand, seasoned, rock solid bassist Dan  Jeffrey, and the mighty Leigh Hill on drums/vocals.

The Sheyana Band was honoured with the prestigious 2018 Chris Wilson Award for ‘Emerging Act of the Year’ from the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society. Sheyana’s songwriting has scored national and international awards and previous and current singles have reached top 10 on the charts on YESFM Sri Lanka radio in 2015 & 2023.

Stream

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News and Touring

The Sheyana Band Release Music Video, Score Tour Dates and New Single

Following the band’s chart success from their ‘All The Best’ Album of 2025, scoring successive spots in the ABARAC Blues chart and the Amrap Regional Airplay charts, they have been inspired to celebrate their love of Tasmania’s Forth Valley Blues Festival with this new video.

Plus the Band’s New Tour Dates and Upcoming single are below.

Official Music Video for ‘Forth Valley Blues’

Forth Valley Blues music video (edited by Sheyana Wijesingha) is a fitting tribute to celebrate the blues, with festival footage from Australian filmmakers ‘The Brothers Robinson’, and local Tasmanian content creator Tina Smith, kindly provided by The Forth Valley Blues Festival. The video features footage of The Sheyana Band’s live takes, during the recording of this track at ‘Red Robin Recording’ in  Forth Tasmania, with Australian sound tech/producer Russell Pilling onboard!

It’s the music that brings us together!

Nestled by the bridge on Forth River, the iconic Forth Valley Blues Festival was born in 1997 in a picturesque little town called Forth on the North West Coast of Tasmania. A community working together to create an opportunity for local talent to share the stage with Australian and International legends. Having been invited to perform at the festival on four separate occasions, the inspiration was in the blues, the joy, the journey and the history of this exciting Tasmanian event. It was an honour to write this song for the festival and perform it as a crowd singalong during The Sheyana Band’s set at Forth Valley Blues Festival 2024.

Upcoming Tour Dates!

The Sheyana Band Duo ft Sheyana with Wayne Rand play support for Christine Anu at Shearwater Resort on Friday February 27 from 7pm-8pm.

https://www.facebook.com/events/869993418807894

The Sheyana Band on Saturday February 28 at ‘Playing the Field Festival 2026’, Mount Field National Park.
The Sheyana Band are 1 of 4 bands who were selected to perform in the ‘Ducks Guts’ Competition. The band with the most votes goes on to win cash prizes and recording packages. Get on the site and give us your votes.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DYAcxyWb1/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The Sheyana Band with Will Parks support act at Longley International Hotel, Tasmania on Sunday March 22 from 2.30-5.30pm.

https://facebook.com/events/s/the-sheyana-band-with-will-par/913176068313332/

The Sheyana Band headline act for Animal Welfare Centre Inc Fundraiser in Zeehan, on March 28.

https://facebook.com/events/s/doing-it-for-the-animals-fundr/1599131277885176/

The Sheyana Band at Cronulla Jazz & Blues Festival, Sydney in May (Times TBC)

The Sheyana Band at ‘Soltice in The Square 2026, Georgetown Tasmania
on Friday, 19 June, at George Town Memorial Hall, Indoor Stage, 6:45pm-7:45pm.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573032314275&sk=photos

‘Wasted’ Single Release Out on March 20th

Channeling emotions into song can turn negative into positive, which was a remedy when I wrote Wasted. This song describes love with a narcissist. Lies, secrets, disrespect, predictions of betrayal and enabling of bad behaviour. The songwriting of this track was a great outlet for processing a negative experience.

Bio

“Tasmania’s Premier Blues Rock Band”

Sheyana and her band are about as authentic as it gets.(Dave Franklin)

 Expressive vocals, muscular roots instrumentation, and an authentic blues/soul sensibility.(Skope Mag – USA)

The Sheyana Band displays true blues/rock mastery on the group’s new recording All The Best. (Indie Band Guru)

Honest, soulful, and unapologetically alive.(Jamsphere)

Receiving national & international recognition & airplay, their captivating live shows have seen them share the stage with Australia’s finest including Mark Seymour & The Undertow, Ross Wilson & The Peaceniks, Joe Camelleri & The Black Sorrows, Deborah Conway, Hoodoo Gurus, Neil Finn, Meg Mac, Superjesus, Mojo Juju, Gang of Youths, Diesel, Renee Geyer, The Angels, Kevin Borich, Ian Moss, Bill Chambers & Fanny Lumsden.

The Sheyana Band fuse Aussie Rhythm, Soul & Rock, Southern Country Pop, Americana inspired Roots & Blues with edgy Funk ’n’ Groove. Together they deliver passion, powerhouse vocals and brilliant musicianship, showcasing an extensive repertoire of golden hits and award winning originals. From the moment you hear the first song from the Sheyana Band, you will be impressed. This talented band, influenced by the classics, draw inspiration from their deep Tasmanian roots.

London born, Tasmanian based, singer-songwriter Sheyana has been hooked on music since her early childhood. The soulful Celtic/Sri Lankan storyteller is perfectly complimented by her stellar band, featuring Tassie’s finest musicians, with respected guitarist/vocalist Wayne Rand, seasoned, rock solid bassist Dan  Jeffrey, and the mighty Leigh Hill on drums/vocals.

The Sheyana Band was honoured with the prestigious 2018 Chris Wilson Award for ‘Emerging Act of the Year’ from the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society. Sheyana’s songwriting has scored national and international awards and previous and current singles have reached top 10 on the charts on YESFM Sri Lanka radio in 2015 & 2023.

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Connect with The Sheyana Band