Kaijin Solo New Single Viva La Difference

March 23, 2021 Leave a comment

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 and 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 ‘Drink Deep Lovers’, a classic retro rock single. Kaijin has also been revising earlier materiel throughout the break and has had these two songs remixed and mastered to 2021 standard ready for his first release this year.

Originally recorded as part of the Watch your Head sessions, at Damien Gerard’s Balmain studio. Kaijin played guitars, bass and vocals with Chris Prendergast on drums and backing vocals from Kiersten. The track was later re-mixed by Russell Pilling. Viva La Difference celebrates the change in the atmosphere from a divisive period of black and white/cold war politics to something a bit more together. Rock Bottom speaks to the current punitive economic stinginess in the face of the pandemic from an Australian government that should know better.

Viva La Difference
A Bozz Scaggs influenced up-tempo bluesy/funky tune which is lyrically relevant to todays polarized society. The track features full band backing with Kaijin’s groovy Fender Strat featuring and his vocal driving the song along.

Rock Bottom.
A more up-tempo tune as the B Side to Kaijin Solo’s new release. This has a solid rock backing, prominent electric guitar and some keys to balance out the top line. A catchy chorus using the songs title finishes off this great track.

Viva La Difference March 19th – via MGM
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The DK Effect release their Debut Single ‘Moving Time’

March 11, 2021 Leave a comment

The DK Effect are an 8-piece original funk, soul and gospel-infused RnB band from Australia’s deep south (Tasmania). Fronted by the powerful yet exquisite vocal and focal trinity (Crystal Campbell, Ruby Austin-Lund and Belle Richardson) the band’s material focuses on storytelling, melody and harmony, and is saturated with the passion and polyrhythmic ‘call and response’ vocal synchronicity of gospel music. The band: Randal Muir (keys), Aleks Folvig (guitar and vocals), Al Tolond (drums), David Johnstone (bass) and Jed Adams (sax) deliver grooves as deep as a freshly pressed 45.

Songwriter, David Johnstone had been content to satisfy his passion for writing and recording in sheltered isolation but following the illness of a close friend he reluctantly acknowledged that life is a ‘one-time only offer’. He began the Mama K project. Mama K and the Big Love release their ‘Blind’ album in 2017. The album received rave reviews including 4.5 stars from the Sydney Moring Herald. At this time David had the amazing good fortune to be introduced to Crystal Campbell. Her innate musicality and perfect interpretation of his ideas took each new song to a soulful new level. They quickly formed an enduring, productive and creative relationship.

Having been born on Kiribati in the South Pacific, Crystal was adopted and raised in Tasmania. She is also an accomplished singer songwriter with soul music running through her veins, and as with the African-American originators of soul, she has a sense of identity, culture, consciousness, pride and an unbreakable bond to her homeland.

Crystal and Ruby were together in an all-female band called The Duchesses and formed a great musical relationship and friendship. Ruby is from Northern Tasmania and completed a Bachelor of Music with Honours in Songwriting. She is also an accomplished keyboardist and has always had a love for soul music.

Ruby met Belle (also from Northern Tasmania) at the Conservatorium of Music where Belle is currently studying music, specialising in Blues, Funk, RnB and Gospel. As well as The DK Effect, she also sings with the soul band Belle’s Boys.

The vocal trio have an undeniable chemistry that radiates the authentic early soul / funk power and vulnerability of the genres pioneers, which allows them to reflect the full range of emotion and meaning embedded in every lyric and groove of The DK Effect repertoire.

Though the band was originally formed purely as a recording entity, there has been an overwhelmingly positive audience reaction from every DK Effect performance at venues including MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), The Moonah Arts Centre, Kickstart Arts and the iconic Republic Bar, establishing their reputation as an exciting and dynamic live band.

A selection of the band’s material has been captured on their debut recording – ‘Moving Time’, which has been expertly mastered by Grammy Award winning, Dave Darlington (Bass Hit Recording, NYC), and accurately presents their organic and authentic, early funk and soul sound.

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Steve Kilbey & Martin Kennedy New Album Jupiter 13 Out Now

March 8, 2021 Leave a comment

Kilbey kennedy - Jupiter 13 - digital album art

Triumphant New Album Jupiter 13 out now – first in 4 years for the Kilbey/Kennedy collaboration

Release Dates;
All Platforms and CD Instore March 5

Steve Kilbey from enigmatic rockers The Church, and writer of one of rock music’s greatest songs Under The Milky Way, once again teams up with All India Radio’ s Martin Kennedy to release their sixth album Jupiter 13.

No-one can accuse Steve Kilbey and Martin Kennedy of sitting around on their backsides. In their decade of working together, they have released five studio albums, half a dozen compilations and three albums of commissioned songs.

Now after a four year break they return with Jupiter 13, an album that takes them to new and unexpected places.

Musically inspired by Pink Floyd, David Bowie with elements of 1990s college rock and shoe-gaze, Jupiter 13 is overflowing with Kilbey’s trademark lyrical genius, taking us all the way from 1960s summer holidays into science fictional flights of fancy.

Working solo as he always does with Kilbey Kennedy projects, Kennedy recorded the music during COVID-19 lockdown in Tasmania early 2020. Then flew to Sydney to spend a few days at Damien Gerard studios to record Kilbey’s vocals. At this point Steve hasn’t heard any of the music, or written any lyrics. It all happens on the fly. It’s the way they’ve always worked. Kilbey’s creativity was on full display during the recording of the album. Kennedy:-

“Steve was on fire with ideas with this album. Creative madness in the best possible way, it was a joy to behold. Musically I think our album draws from the best of our previous albums with elements of Bowie, Bolan, Pink Floyd and a good dose of 1990s shoegaze. Lyrically it is pure unadulterated Steve Kilbey.”

The album was mixed by Andrew Beck (Grinspoon, Mental As Anything, Paul Kelly, Kate Miller Heidke) who brought fresh ears to the project and a vibrant live sound.

“The two Australians’ approaches to music and art seem to have been made for one another. Both are serious artistes in the old school, classical sense. They work in multiple mediums, including poetry, painting, animation, and, of course, music. On a more tangible level, Kennedy’s lush, film-like, downtempo soundscapes were an ideal backdrop for Kilbey’s ageless, arch, silky croon and stream-of-consciousness lyrics. A match made if not in Heaven, then certainly in Nirvana.” – John Bergstrom, Pop Matters

Jupiter 13 March 5
CDs Instore via MGM
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Mark Cashin New Single Book of Shadows

March 5, 2021 Leave a comment

FOG521 Mark Cashin Book Of Shadows 3000px

A positive and uplifting tune from Mark featuring lead guitar and riffs from gun guitarist Jake Hunt. Full band backing with Gareth Koch on Bass and Mark supplying Drums, Percussion, Acoustic Guitar and Vocals all coming together to create this classic up-tempo rock track.

Need the single? Stream it here:

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GARETH KOCH feat. SHEYANA New Single I ONLY WANNA BE WITH YOU

February 10, 2021 Leave a comment

FOG536 Gareth Koch Only Wanna Be With You 3000px

Great songs tend to resurface on a regular basis. Composed by Mike Hawker & Ivor Raymonde, ‘I Only Want to Be with You’ was the debut solo single released in 1964 by British singer Dusty Springfield.

Since then the song has been the subject of countless remakes, usually up-tempo versions, used seemingly as a vehicle to break emerging artists into the music industry. It’s an old trick but a good one to use a successful song in this manner.

Gareth Koch & Sheyana have adopted a completely different approach in their interpretation. The central idea was to delve into the core sentiment of the song & to reveal what might lie within. Simmering under the surface of what is generally considered an up-beat pop song lurked something more profound. This recording reveals a poignantly heartfelt, almost bluesy interpretation, laced with classical guitars combined with plaintive dobro/slide guitar.

The companion piece is Gareth’s instrumental version of Steve Kilbey’s ‘Think of You’. Released originally in 2020 on Steve’s ‘Eleven Women’ album (featuring Gareth on keyboard, bass & classical guitar), the depth of writing lends itself to a non-vocal version. Similar instrumentation is used on both tracks: National Baritone Guitar, Classical Guitar & Hofner Bass Guitar.

Featuring the vocals of Shey from The Sheyana Band, this beautiful acoustic version of the timeless classic melds the classical influences of Koch’s guitar with Shey’s striking voice. Think Tuck and Patti.

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Christmas Cheer from Andre Cordova

December 2, 2020 Leave a comment

Some Christmas / Holiday tunes just in time to celebrate the season.

A great ‘Crooner’ selection from this new and versatile young artist with an ear for timeless songs.

Andre Cordova is an Australian-born, Peruvian, independent singer-songwriter with a knack for versatility. Based in Sydney, but raised in the Western Suburbs, it may seem an unlikely place to find someone who can croon alongside the likes of Michael Bublé and Frank Sinatra, or tap into his Latin roots with Spanish lyrics, let alone persevere in styles such as Pop, Rock, Alternative, Indie, Folk, EDM, Experimental, Trap, Rap, Hip Hop, and a dash of Metal music.

Now, after an arduous year, Andre serenades the classics with his holiday cover album ‘Christmas Crooner’.

Stream The Album here

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Levi X – Live at The Gallery

November 25, 2020 Leave a comment

Levi-X Live at The Gallery
Iconic Live Jazz Covers and an original with Levi’s startling voice

Release Date: November 20 (Foghorn/MGM) ALL Digital Platforms

At only 12 years old, Levi-X performs his first original composition “I Need to be Me”, in a live session set at the MerchWorx Galley Session. Recorded on Oct 17^th2020, the session lets listeners share Levi-X’s young passionate approach to music and cross over style between contemporary and easy jazz that is rarely seen in someone so young. Supported by piano, bass, drums, and guitar, he also brings an emotional take on John Hiatt’s “Have a little faith”, freely working with his fellow musicians to create the rich delivery of the song’s roots. He then picks up the saxophone on what can only be described as an extraordinary performance of Grover Washington’s “Winelight”.

I Need to Be Me – Levi-X
I Need to Be Meis Levi-X’s first song written wholly by himself, aged 12, lyrics and music. The magic of this song is not only the way the song melodically flows and sweeps its listeners into an emotional centre but is also about the strength and depth of the how the lyrics speak to people of all ages.

“To be the person I need to be….I need to be me”. A simple truism relevant to young and old, whatever your walk of life. Aim to be truthful to yourself – who you are – what you stand for. Then comes the matching counterbalance in the song – the recognition that to really be yourself, is never a path without failure, but it is a worthwhile goal to keep reaching for. “I know I’m trying again…I gotta get back up then.”

It sometimes takes a young mind to remind us that being real to ourselves is a struggle for all, not just youth. I Need to be Me, is a song that wholeheartedly delivers a message of compassion and encouragement to everyone.
Considering that “I Need to be Me” is Levi-X’s first debut into song writing, it is going to be very exciting to see where this Australian musician and performer takes us next.

Levi-X, live at the Gallery Sessions, is a fearless delivery of youthful talent on many levels that should not be overlooked.

Watch the Live Set Video Here

Levi X – Live at the Gallery is OUT NOW – via MGM

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Adam Blacksmith releases new single – Sometimes I Miss You

November 9, 2020 Leave a comment

Adam Blacksmith is a thought provoking songwriter from Sydney, Australia. He is a talented wordsmith and a storyteller. He draws his influences from far and wide, from his contemporaries Augie March and the Drones to his workplace, Long Bay Gaol in Sydney where he works as a Special Education teacher. Blacksmith’s music doesn’t fall neatly into any conventional category although musically, he gives folk and blues an indie make-over resulting in a refreshing and unique sound.

Adam describes the moment he decided to become a singer:
“I was driving in my car In 1999 when I heard, “Asleep in Perfection” by Augie March on JJJ. I had to stop the car to take it all in. I had loved folk music for years but had lost faith in the radio to play bands with the lyrical substance of Dylan, Joni and The Tea Party until that moment. Hearing it renewed my faith in radio and music at the same time and it gave me the hope that I could transform my poetry into music. All of friends at the time were in metal bands and were very supportive of my direction and my family felt the same, however, If I am honest, I don’t think they believed I’d stick with it.”

Like so many other songs, the catalyst for “Sometimes I miss you” was a break-up, however that’s where the similarities end. This is not a song about heartbreak or pining over future loves, nor is it a declaration that “I’ll never love again” … That’s all been said.

“Sometimes I miss you” is no ordinary break-up song, but a penned commitment to giving aspirations their deserved priority, shaking old habits, facing hard truths and resisting the urge to self-sabotage when things finally go my way. It’s, a farewell to Codependancy, being the perpetual roadie and giving flowers to those with allergies.

Musically, this song combines folk inspired verses with a souped-up Fuzz guitar chorus, a howling Hammond Organ and distorted vocals to augment the refrain “I Don’t miss who I am when I’m with you”.

Production: Jordan Ellery (Dulwich Hill Sydney)

Mixing: Jordan Ellery (Dulwich Hill Sydney)

Mastering: Don Bartley (Blue Mountains, NSW)

Stream the new single here

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Levi-X Releases Debut Single Amazing Grace (Grace Amazing)

October 30, 2020 Leave a comment

Levi-X is a young singer/saxophonist (12 yo), based in Queensland. Levi has been performing at several markets in North Brisbane with his father since he was 11 years old, entertaining crowds with his saxophone and singing. He plays all genres of music but has a style that is rooted in light Jazz improvisation. His debut song, Amazing Grace (Grace Amazing) was recorded when he was 12 years old and is the first of a number of songs he is working on.

Amazing Grace (Grace Amazing) is a new interpretation of the well know traditional song, and digs into the song’s history and meaning with the rawness and innocence of the 12 year old singer, Levi-X. The songs uncomplicated composition aims to delicately remind us of the youthful simplicity where we start life; a place that we often seek to return to along the tumultuous journey that life often unknowingly takes us. Amazing Grace (Grace Amazing) is Levi-X’s debut song, which he worked on with his father, and is played with his older brother (aged 15) on guitar. Levi-X both sings and plays saxophone on this single. With his young voice soaring in all the right places and carrying the heartfelt lyrics with feeling beyond his years this is a beautiful rendition of the timeless classic.

Amazing Grace (Grace Amazing) is OUT NOW – via MGM

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MrHarvey – Its Kool to be Kind

October 23, 2020 Leave a comment

MrHarvey New Ep It’s Kool to Be Kind

Release Date: October 23 (Foghorn/MGM) ALL Digital Platforms

MrHarvey is the stage name of singer-songwriter Nathan Harvey. Having only picked up a guitar in 2015 at 44 years old, his music is as interesting and diverse as his life! A blend of blues, folk, country and rock, Nathan’s music is very lyrics focused as he draws on a myriad of musical and life experiences.

Former Channel V host and media personality in the 90’s, Nathan retreated from the spotlight leaving his hometown of Sydney for the Gold Coast working as a show announcer and FOH mixer at SeaWorld. It was here that he literally learnt the ropes from scratch after befriending the Ski Captain to become a professional water skier.

In 2010 a near fatal water-skiing accident in Canada whilst skiing with old SeaWorld buddies saw Nathan return to Sydney with a titanium plate and 4 screws holding his neck together. Always loving music and being a drummer in his teens, Nathan played in a fun “pisstake” band during his V days called “The Velvet Underpants” alongside Ken Stewart from Mr Blonde and Anthony Ousback former MTV host. His debut single “Brand New Day” was played nationally on the Triple M / Austereo Network and reached No 3 on the overall Triple J Unearthed Charts.

Arranged and produced by Nathan Harvey with Magnus as co-producer the EP features Nathan on vocals, guitar, some keyboards and various other instruments, Magnus on Clarinet, BVs and lead keyboards along with Catrina Bargwanna, Tara Resch on Violin / BVs, Alex Gresley on lead and bass guitar, Luke Spies on drums and Brett Chapman on Harmonica.

It’s Kool to Be Kind is OUT NOW – via MGM

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