Adam Jones – Fool In The House

"Adam Jones – Fool In The House"

Australian blues, folk-rock and alt-country singer/songwriter/musician Adam Jones’ new single Fool In The House is released 11 September 2020. Adding ‘hip-hop’ to the acoustic blues that features on his first 3 studio albums, this socio-political song in support of racial equality, features a rap written and performed by 22 year old South African artist Sabelo Cyprian.

After seeing on the TV news the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement in response to the murder of African-American George Floyd, and some subsequent actions by the US President, Adam wrote this song on the 1st of June during the ‘pandemic lockdown’ in Melbourne, Victoria. Coincidentally, just after the decision had been made to record the song, Sabelo made contact with Adam after seeing his profile on social media and enjoying his music, and a rap was written and added to the song, with Sabelo going in to a recording studio in Durban, South Africa, to track his vocals.

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Fool In The House was recorded at Echidna Studio in Christmas Hills, up the Yarra valley from Melbourne, by studio owner, engineer and talented musician Greg Macmillan, who performs bass guitar, electric lead guitar and congas, along with programming the drums and percussion and mixing the song.  Fool In The House was then mastered by Andrew Beck at Damien Gerard Sound Studios, Sydney Australia.

“He’s the fool in the house on high while we fight on the street and die!”, implores Adam, before Sabelo raps about his experiences of racism growing up in South Africa. Adam concludes that “the righteous will no longer hide” and “we must give this world a better turn”.

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Margaret Anne and The Rock it Man – Don’t Look Back

"Margaret Anne and The Rock it Man – Don’t Look Back"

After releasing the inspiring and amazing Americana song and video clip ‘Soul Laid Bare’ at the end of last year, Margaret Anne and The Rock It Man have released two exciting new songs. ‘Don’t Look Back’ co-written with Shane Nicholson and ‘My Mumma’ written while watching the passing of her mother 2 years ago.

Just 2 months after leaving a 20-year marriage, ‘Don’t Look Back’ was written with country artist Shane Nicholson at The Dag Sheep Station in Nundle, near Tamworth.  While sitting on the porch of a farmhouse, Shane helped Margaret Anne peel back the layers to look deep within. Doug Weaver (aka the Rock It Man) produced and played not one but all of instruments on the song.
The result is a song that examines the essence of her marriage, the struggle to get it right, the decision to move on from the wreckage and not look back.

‘My Mumma’ was written on the back of a bereavement envelope in about 10 minutes.  When faced with the death of her mother, Margaret fell back into childhood, writing this emotional ballad of grief while waiting and watching her pass away.  Played by her brother, the accompanying guitar forms the song into both a collection of vulnerable memories and a haunting goodbye.

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Motivated by adventure and passion, MargaretAnne continually touches her fans and listeners with her inclusive, warm, heartfelt singing and dynamic stage presence.  She grew up in a musical family, singing and playing classical piano from the age of 3,through her teen years, and then spent her 20’s travelling and singing through far reaches of the world and into the mountains of Bolivia, Alaska and Tibet.

Margaret Anne has also co-written original songs including the already released ‘Cassidy’s Blues’ with Kelly Brouhaha of Beccy Cole and the Lionesses, ‘The Tree’ with Greta Ziller and ‘The Ones you Love’ with Luke O’Shea. Doug Weaver has used his expertise to skilfully play, arrange, and mix these songs which will feature in their Albums.

The Don’t Look Back video captures the essence of escaping to the open road and is a mix of scenic, action and pensive footage thoughtfully cut with flash backs of old super 8 footage of Margaret Anne at the age of 3 through to the end of the marriage.

 Video premiered by Scenestr

Download or stream the single Out NOW via MGM

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Steve Kilbey – New Solo Album – Eleven Women

"Steve Kilbey – New Solo Album – Eleven Women"

STEVE KILBEY PRESENTS HIS FIRST SOLO ALBUM FOR 2020 – ELEVEN WOMEN

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We’ve become used to seeing many of our favourite artists and acts taking advantage of their enforced isolation to complete albums or other musical projects that might normally have been put aside to fulfil touring obligations, but Steve Kilbey was already well into perhaps his most prolific period to date beforeCOVID overwhelmed us. This year already there have two albums in collaboration with Gareth Koch, another with Kate Ceberano and now comes a solo album, Eleven Women. All the collaborations in which Kilbey has been involved over the past couple of decades have certainly helped him push his muse beyond the expected pop/rock references points, but at the end of the day he’s still the archetypal pop sponge; his love of ‘60s psychedelia and artists like The Beatles and Bowie with a dash of The Small Faces remains paramount, the more exotic elements absorbed providing quirky flourishes and whimsical embellishments – which makes for a very accessible and enjoyable classic record. The references, musical and literary, are replete and once in a while they quite cheeky – Birdeeneven sees Kilbey toss in a little reference to Abba’s ‘Money Money Money’. While the title suggests this collection presents Kilbey’s musings on a variety of women, historical, literary and some perhaps even actual, he’s happy to toss in something more oblique – ‘Lillian in Cerulean Blue’ for instance references a brand of metallic paint, while the aforementioned ‘Birdeen’ seems to be about particularly greedy lorikeet. So Mary Shelley is name-checked in ‘Poppy Byron’, though of course Kilbey’s Mary “was watchin’ the telly/on SBS it was in Mandarin”. Elsewhere he advises his listeners not to cross the “bewitching” ‘Doris McAllister’. Kilbey’s lyrics have never been straightforward of course. The fun has always been to test his listeners, to tease them with possible meanings – and so too with Eleven Women. Professionally enigmatic? Perhaps – and why not?

 

MICHAEL SMITH

 

 

NEW INTERVIEW ON THE EVE OF RELEASE WITH ARUN FROM BACKSEAT MAFIA

Meet: We chat with Steve Kilbey from The Church about celebrating 40 years, acting ‘European’, the fruits of isolation and we review his new solo album

Steve Kilbey has created a fine new album for 2020. His first solo release for an astoundingly creative year reveals a dazzling array of songs brimming with ideas, personality & effervescence. The collection is at once whimsical yet personal, and in a masterful sleight of hand Kilbey’s Eleven Women are not quite as one might expect.

The album leads us through a shimmering whirlwind of encounters. After the disarming love song Baby Poewe are plunged headlong into the dark world of Doris McAllister, an evil witch who takes us ‘by the bells’. We are regaled by the Celtic wistfulness of Josephineas she forbearingly awaits her ‘wine & roses’ while Birdeen, a greedy lorikeet with a sweet tooth, beguiles us with infectious bounce & colour.

Eleven Womenis full of melodic invention & lyrical surprises. Singling out tracks for special mention is frankly impossible since this album consists entirely of highlights. Amongst these bijous however the timelessly beautiful Think of Youshines brightly. This song has the unmistakeable stamp of eternity & evokes a sense of having existed since music began.

From the album’s opening salvo it is clear we are in the most capable of hands. Steve Kilbey is a veteran song writer at the very height of his creative powers.

“Steve Kllbey was born in England a long time ago and arrived in Australia as a ten pound pom with his parents in 1957. in 1980 he formed The Church who have gone on to have many hit singles including Unguarded Moment,  Almost with You and international best seller Under The Milky Way. Their 1988 album Starfish sold over one million copies in America alone. Kilbey has released many solo albums and collaborations making him one of the most prolific songwriters in the world. He acts , paints , writes books and juggles dangerous objects . He lives in Coogee Beach NSW and is hoping to one day own a Daschund .” 

ELEVEN WOMEN SEPTEMBER 4 via FOGHORN/MGM.

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Adam Blacksmith – I Hope i’m Wrong New Single

"Adam Blacksmith – I Hope i’m Wrong New Single"

A great new single from Adam his first from the forthcoming album on the soundslikecafe playlist

A casual loan of a classic Fender Jaguar Guitar inspires this heartfelt new single from Sydney Songman Adam Blacksmith

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.

 

Photo: Matt Weddis www.instagram.com/mattweddis
Photo: Matt Weddis www.instagram.com/mattweddis

The story behind ‘I Hope I’m wrong’
“Just prior to leaving, a friend of mine asked me to help him sell some of his guitars while he was away and gave me a white Fender Jaguar as a show of thanks. I thought this was a little over the top so I accepted and vowed to store them for him for when he returned. I have not heard from him for a few years now and I am extremely worried. (I hope I’m wrong)
This song reflects my emotions oscillating between fear, anger, sorrow and hope in relation my friend.”

Stream the new single here:

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Lily Duval New Single Two Souls

"Lily Duval New Single Two Souls"

Lily Duval New Single Two Souls

For many years from the 70’s through to the early 2000s Sydney Artist Lily Duval worked as a studio session singer and performed live with acoustic and rock blues bands in venues throughout Australia. After a 10 year hiatus she returned to recording in 2015. “The music I love is from classic artists such as Joni Mitchell, Phoebe Snow, Janis Joplin, Harry Nilsson, Billy Thorpe, Brian Cadd, Joe Cocker and Leon Russell, all tend to have a bluesy undertone and once that style seemed to not be the new thing anymore I kinda felt my style didn’t fit. ”But since the Blues and Roots resurgence and then Americana coming along Lily finally felt the time was right and started writing again from 2015 onwards.

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“I got a tip about Damien Gerard Studios , who I was able to meet with and plan a bit of a ‘come back’. The studio vibe was just like the old days, lovely and warm and friendly with lots of analog gear and the ‘patient’ Russell Pilling. They also organised for me to do a photoshoot with Rock Photographer legend, Tony Mott, which turned out to be a great idea. Tony didn’t treat me any different to all those famous huge acts he has shot and that really helped me get my confidence back.”

Since restarting Lily has released a steady body of work each year in the modern-day EP and singles format, mainly original acoustic folky bluesy tunes but with some classic cover B sides thrown into the mix. The new songs have consistently been received well at community radio across the country with comparisons ranging from Carol King to Joni Mitchell. Lily Duval’s first outing for 2020 is what she considers her strongest to date: “These 2 songs, an original and a cover are both close to my heart. The Aside“Two Souls” is all about the entanglement of love. How loving someone sometimes makes life complicated even as you get older. The cover I chose ‘Angel from Montgomery is a song I love from John Prine, who sadly fell victim to Covid 19 recently, this makes it even more poignant.

I was very lucky to have the talented Peter Holtz & Scott Bird play on these new releases. Both guitarists have worked with me in the studio since I started recordings and besides their wonderful musical abilities, they are both good men. Rory McKenzie, who has spent the last 20years living and working in Los Angeles and Nashville, played drums on both of these tracks. Rory is a talented musician and moved home just in time for his recording! It was also great to be back working with Andrew Beck, whose musical intellect is always appreciated–Andrew also played bass on “Angel from Montgomery”. The new Damien Gerard studio  is just as great as the old place

Two Souls/Angel from Montgomery by Lily Duval – check it out below

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Kaijin Solo New EP Universal Love

"Kaijin Solo New EP Universal Love"

Kaijin Solo is a contemporary singer/songwriter based on the NSW Central Coast with a blues rock influence.

Universal Love is an experiment in letting other people find their way into his music.
The idea came about from jamming original songs live with a host of different people on the local open mike circuit. The result is an electric mix of ideas that provides a solid rocking sound-scope for the lyrics.

Mark Cashin and Jake Hunt from The Little Hussies were the collaborators this time round, with Russell Pilling at Damien Gerard Studios engineering. The combination of talent without prima donna egos made the sessions into a fun day with a fantastic output and every song grew in dimension.
The EP was Mastered by Andrew Beck.


Universal Love – “When we can think, speak and act the way we want to be treated ourselves, the power of love will exceed the love of power and the world will know peace.” Is what Universal Love is about, it was inspired by a quote from Jimi Hendrix “When the power of love exceeds the love of power the world will know peace.

Into the Dream was written the morning after a Ryan Adams concert, thinking about how much things has changed since the beginning of the century.

The Republic is a tribute to the people and their achievements, and a wake up to call to Canberra to get on with it.

Spirit on the Wind is an ode to the Spirit of Freedom.

Like Sunshine is a love song to music itself.

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Tim Walker’s New Album Bridge of Angels

"Tim Walker’s New Album Bridge of Angels"

Ex-Sydney singer-songwriter Tim Walker moved back to his hometown of Adelaide earlier this year and immediately began recording this new album, his first for a while.

The album was inspired by a recent trip to Europe, where Tim was struck by a culture saturated with centuries of spiritual and religious symbols, strivings and sentiments. The new album has more universal themes than his first (Fellow Traveller), which was very Sydney-oriented.

Beginning in folk, he went into a country rock act, and now is a prolific soloist, doing gigs around Adelaide. He was a regular on the Sydney live circuit and played at several NSW festivals. He found a SA recording studio in Grange this year, and immediately began laying down tracks according to a careful plan, devised over many months.

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Track list with Descriptions:
  1. On The Bridge (a prelude): This is a crossroad, of civilisation, of history, the course of your own life, a juncture, a leap. The “bridge” refers to Rome’s Bridge of Angels of the album’s title, which is lined with 10 angels and overlooked by a castle, on the River Tiber. A short classical piece, it provides the thematic underpinning of the entire album – a beautiful, floating spark of hope and redemption for a world in flux.
  2. The Loving Arms (those we love): The race is on from the day you are born as time and love play off against each other, and the kindness of strangers. The real currency of life, more valuable than gold or silver, never to be taken for granted.
  3. Every Story Tells a Picture (the plague): With 7.8 billion people on Earth and millions more being added every year, we are running out of everything, including our humanity and our judgement.
  4. Mirror of Love (a reflection):A photograph can lie, but love cannot lie. It is the ultimate mirror.
  5. Red Velvet Chair (a friend in need): When you sit in this chair you tell the truth, and the truth is told to you. It’s the advice of a friend, the helping hand. But hey, you can have some fun with it too!
  6. Streets of Rome (eyes are opened): The ancient capital was no stranger to the album’s themes. Without the benefit of science, its original citizensinvented their own answers to life, preserved today with respect and awe, embedded in every stone of the city. And they had to deal with the same spiritual questions as us. Rome was therefore the accidental epicentre of the album.
  7. The Bolshie Swing (the dance): Time for a break. This track started off as a playful riff and expanded into a mini-orchestra, was left on the shelf for a while, then rushed into action as track 7. It was the understudy.
  8. Face Without a Name (stare inside): Ultimately we are just one of the crowd. It’s a big world and that crowd is made up of billions. Not often can we roar; more often at most we can squeak. Not invisible -but maybe only a “hill of beans”, as Bogart said in one of his films.
  9. Fly into the Sunrise (flying home): You have been away, seen many things. Now you wing your way on a long flight home, from the nighttime behind (the past) to the sunrise ahead (the future). The huge jet streams past, its passengers look out and simultaneously look in, through half-asleep eyes; the moment is sublime.
  10. Star (inspiration): Maybe it’s love at first sight; maybe it’s the inspiration that keeps alive a distant flame. Perhaps it’s fate.

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

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

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.

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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, Newtown on Saturday November 9. 

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Download or stream from October 25:

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Adam Jones Releases Third Album ‘The Dark Side Of The Earth’

"Adam Jones Releases Third Album ‘The Dark Side Of The Earth’"

Melbourne folk-rock, alt-country and blues singer/songwriter/musician Adam Jones releases his third album The Dark Side Of The Earth on 27 September 2019.

Adam released an album of 12 diverse songs in 2017 called ‘Little Death’, and then an acoustic version of that album a year later. His catchy and interesting songs traverse many styles such as folk-rock, blues, alt-country and Australiana.

In November 2018 Adam started recording some new material at a local studio in Flowerdale, Victoria and those sessions finally wrapped up at the end of August. Two early singles from these sessions – ‘Cupid’ and ‘Shining Car’ – were well-received by radio, social media and local fans.

Adam Jones studio scene

Adam explains his inspiration for the album title. “I wrote a song called The Dark Side of The Earth, protesting about, and expressing my sadness, with regard to how cruel humans can be. Later when it came to planning the album, I thought that it would make a great album title, especially as my favourite album of all time is Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of The Moon! All songs on the album relate somehow to what I call ‘the dark side of humanity!”

Folk-rock album opener No Insurance examines risk in personal relationships, Knots in Our Hair is musically a nod to country artist John Prine whilst lyrically reflecting on the love, freedom and happiness that a relationship can provide.
The title track acts as a socio-political protest song, which Jones hopes will encourage listeners to “get up and make a real difference.”

Adam Jones guitar in studio

Adam has been a serious music fan since he was very young. “My older brother left home when I was 10 and left behind his vinyl collection, my favourites including The Beatles, Neil Young and Led Zeppelin. I remember the first CD I bought was Dire Straits Brothers In Arms when CDs had only just become available in Australia.  I loved the rock, blues and sweet melodies of Dire Straits music. Other early influences were some of the classics of 60’s and 70’s rock and folk, like Bob Dylan, Supertramp, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd and Deep Purple. More recent music that inspires Adam are Manchester Orchestra and Kevin Devine “for their creativity and musicality.”

Although music has been a huge part of his life since then, it’s only in the last couple of years that he’s put some serious energy into his music. “I’ve been singing, writing songs, playing guitar, a bit of keyboard and percussion since I was a child. I decided to become a serious recording and performing artist late in life after a long-term relationship broke down in early 2017.”

Adam is an extremely prolific songwriter. “I write a lot, up to 150 songs per year – complete as far as lyrics and basic guitar parts go,” he explains. “I usually write the lyrics first and then straight away put some music to them and then finish the song and decide on the structure, rhythm, tempo, etc. Having time alone to sit and focus on my thoughts, experiences and feelings usually leads to me being creative. Sometimes I plan to write a particular song, others are very spontaneous. I try and change up what I write about a lot so that there is plenty of variety in my songs.”

Adam Jones – The Dark Side Of The Earth is out September 20 through Foghorn Records / MGM Distribution. 

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The Blind Pilots release debut 3-track EP

"The Blind Pilots release debut 3-track EP"

New on the soundslikecafe playlist this month is a track called Tell Me I’m Wrong, courtesy of an electrifying blues rock outfit from Sydney called The Blind Pilots.  

When describing this band, 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. 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.  

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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 Press Shot

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.  

Tell Me I’m Wrong is on the soundslikecafe playlist now. 

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