John Kennedy’s Love Gone Wrong reissues Always The Bridegroom

April 16, 2021 Leave a comment

CD ONLY IN STORE NOW

Deluxe Reissue including bonus ‘Live at 3LO Disk’

Sold out Launch at Petersham Bowlo

Read all about it in the Bernard Zuel review right here

An enthusiastic young music journalist once described John Kennedy as a humble genius. Kennedy is neither a genius nor particularly humble. Kennedy started his music career in Brisbane in with his band JFK and the Cuban Crisis. The band moved to Sydney and after establishing itself on the indie music scene broke up leaving Kennedy to pursue a solo career.

Over the years Kennedy has shared stages with many of the acts covered on this new album. Band members have come from or gone on to the Triffids, Paul Kelly, the Go-Betweens and Ed Kuepper.

The Sydney musician, John Kennedy, was enjoying a successful independent career in Australia in the 1980’s before the release of his band’s Always The Bridegroom LP in 1987. John Kennedy’s Love Gone Wrong broke up in mid 1988 as a result in part, of the mixed responses the album received.

Now nearly 35 years later, he has taken the opportunity to re-assess the record.

Together with a bonus live disc and stand alone single tracks, this release presents a talented young band performing a strong collection of Kennedy’s songs. The songs including some live rearrangements and cover versions, display the pop, rock, folk and country influences that Kennedy combined to create his Urban and Western sound. Gospel and even a bit of funk were also added to the mix.

On listening to the remastered versions of these songs, Kennedy states that he can now, “hear the care and the craft that went into them. Under the pale skin of the production, I hear the beating hearts of the songs, they are an important part of my back catalogue – part of my story – part of my legacy.”

To those fans who liked these songs the first time round, this release will take them back to the joys of well spent years in the Australian Indie landscape of the 1980’s. Harsher critics will find some fine moments from a band that never quite reached its potential.

The Deluxe Edition CD release includes a 16 page booklet with Kennedy’s essay and band photos, record covers. posters and reviews from that period which help place John Kennedy’s Love Gone Wrong in the context of the golden era of Australian indie music.

ALWAYS THE BRIDEGROOM DELUXE REISSUE DOUBLE ALBUM WITH BONUS ‘LIVE AT 3LO’ 2ND CD.

EXCLUSIVE CD ONLY LIMITED RELEASE

OUT NOW THROUGH MGM DISTRIBUTION AT ALL GOOD MUSIC RETAILERS – Redeye, Greville, Rocking Horse and many more.

OR MAIL ORDER HERE

https://www.waterfrontrecords.com/Product/91840

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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
All DSP’s

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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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Adam Jones releases new Single ‘Keep Trying’

March 8, 2021 Leave a comment

Since mid 2020, just after the first coronavirus restrictions lockdown in Melbourne, Adam has been working on a concept double-album called Lockdown Blues/Acoustic. The first album, an electric blues full band production of 10 songs featuring Adam’s friend and brilliant guitarist Warren Adams on electric guitar, and the second an acoustic folk-rock and blues album. The new single ‘Keep Trying’ and B-Side ‘Alternative’ have been released from the forthcoming Lockdown Blues album.

These songs are about trying to overcome adversity during tough times, and questioning our existence and future as humans. Adam will shortly be moving to Adelaide to stay a while and do some concerts, whilst travelling back to NSW to finish recording the double album.

Keep Trying
Up-tempo Blues at its best from Adam Jones with signature slide guitar, rocking rhythm section and acoustic beds.

Alternative
A more laid-back tune from Adam, with some thought provoking lyrics, done in live blues format, drums, bass, acoustics, electric backing – and with a copacetic guitar solo to put the cream on the cake.

Check it out –

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
Stream and Download Below

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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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Central Coast Band Thirty Three Degrees Release their Debut single – Place in the Sun

February 19, 2021 Leave a comment

Thirty Three Degrees are an original rock band with a strong groove and some rootsy vibes, from the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia.

After a brief hiatus from the music scene, Shane decided to re-enter the music world and search for like-minded musicians to write and perform with. At this same time, Chris was re-entering Australia from Los Angeles with the same goal. Thanks to musician classifieds on social media, the two met up and at the end of January 2020, Shane Romeyn and Chris Roberts formed the band.

The good vibes and good songs flowed out immediately. Due to COVID-19 gigs were off the table for the most part, so with the temporary assistance and amazing bass work of Chris’ brother Mike, the band decided to instead enter the studio and recorded their debut album.

Since then the band has brought on a full-time bass player, Andrew, to complete the trio and they are continuing to pump out song after song and rehearse for future gigs.

Place in the Sun
First single from the Thirty Three Degrees debut album. A story about keeping a dream alive and enjoying your place in the sun. This is the perfect summer rock tune, think Tom Petty, Neil Young and the rest. Plenty to spark interest in the vocals and full band backing and a rocking up-tempo backing track.

Single OUT NOW! 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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Margaret Anne and The Rock It Man Release New Singles White Haze and Cabin Boy

February 10, 2021 Leave a comment

Adventurous and a passionate singer songwriter, Margaret Anne continually touches her listeners with her heartfelt singing and dynamic stage presence. She was blessed to belong to a musical family so piano and song became a big part of her life. After University, she worked and travelled for over a decade, visiting almost 60 countries around the globe. In Austria she ski toured, America she ran a Karaoke Bar. During summer, Margaret Anne could be found on rivers as a rafting guide, on bicycle in Europe, trucks in Tibet, on foot in Nepal or dugout canoe in the Amazon. Returning home she has enjoyed singing in various duos and her band Firefly, and currently has also found passion in song writing, sharing her touching and empowering stories with listeners.

She has written original songs including ‘Don’t look back’, co-written with Shane Nicholson; ‘The Ones you Love’ with Luke O’Shea; and ‘Cassidy’s Blues’ with Kelly Brouhaha. She has also produced music video clips to accompany her songs which ‘Scenestr’ have been “stoked” to premiere, and been interviewed by ‘What’s My Scene’ and numerous Radio stations.

White Haze is the most recent release, a custom song for US Ski Hall of Fame Extreme Skier, Dan Egan. The song accompanies his new book release ‘30 years in a White Haze’ and will become the title track for the movie. Margaret Anne is currently working in collaboration with producer Doug Weaver (Aka the Rock It Man) on their debut Album ‘Soul Laid Bare’ which will be launched this year. Doug is a talented multi instrumentalist, producer and screenwriter, producing and writing music for over 200 episodes of the American TV show The MythBusters and also many national programs. So far they have released singles ‘Soul Laid Bare’, ‘Don’t Look Back’, ‘My Mumma’ and now ‘White Haze’ and ‘Cabin Boy’. Please check out.

SONGS

White Haze is a custom song written and produced for US Ski Hall of Fame, MC and Extreme Skier, Dan Egan. The song accompanies Dan’s Biography ‘Thirty Years in a White Haze’, both of which are an exciting and emotional tale of trials, success, and loss as 30 years of haze dissipates to clarity. The song will become the Title track of the ‘Thirty years in a white haze’ movie.

Cabin Boy – Written in a cabin high in the snowy French Alps exactly a year after separation, this song is a hopeful love letter to a future partner who can care for me. It conjures up daydreams of an inspiring future, a story of some of the things I enjoy and how I want to move on.

Download or stream the single Out NOW via MGM

Connect with Margaret Anne:

https://linktr.ee/margaretannesmusic

‘WHANAU’ feat. Shelby Wright – The Brown Wunda

December 20, 2020 Leave a comment

Soundlikecafe proudly presents this great new tune about love and family, right on time for Christmas.

A heartfelt tribute to ‘Whanau’ – Family.

A bass driven funk groove with gospel influences throughout the song. An inspiring message of love and gratitude, released just in time for the festive season.

Co-written, recorded, produced & mixed by A2. Available on all digital platforms.

the brown wunda

The Brown Wunda

From picking up the guitar for the very first time pre-teens in NZ to playing in school and for church in Australia, Christian found an obsession with playing music and a curiosity for recording it.

The first recording studio setup was in a garage in Hassall Grove, nestled alongside a shop size freezer, throw away couches from the hospital, nic nacs galore and a family of red back spiders.

The first vocal booth was the cardboard box that fridges come in.

He quit his job as a Glazier, months before completing his apprenticeship and literally worked through frozen nights & scorching days in the garage. Recording. Writing. Playing. Dreaming.

‘A2’ (a play on his Samoan name Aitu) the composer, musician & music producer was born. Fast forward to writing music arrangements for Television, Australian Idol, X Factor, AGT. Producing albums for Sony Music.
Composer for Warner Chappell Music U.S.A.

Producing and co-writing for many local artists.
Enter 2019: The time felt right and the release of his own debut project The Brown Wunda came to light.

Listen to the song