Annoyed by Restaurant Playlists, a Master Musician Made His Own

"Annoyed by Restaurant Playlists, a Master Musician Made His Own"

From NY Times –

by Ben Ratliff

Last Autumn a friend told me a story about Ryuichi Sakamoto, the
renowned musician and composer who now lives in West Village, New
York. Mr. Sakamoto, it seems, so likes a particular Japanese

restaurant in Murray Hill, and visits it so often, he finally had to be
straight with the chef: He could not bear the music it played for its
patrons. The issue was not so much that the music was loud, but that
it was thoughtless. Mr. Sakamoto suggested he could take over the
job of choosing it, without pay, if only so he could feel more
comfortable eating there. The chef agreed, and so Mr. Sakamoto
started making playlists for the restaurant, none of which include any
of his own music. Few people knew about this, because Mr. Sakamoto
has no particular desire to publicise it. It took me a few weeks to
appreciate how radical the story was, if indeed it was true. I consider
thoughtless music in restaurants a problem that has gotten worse over
the years, even since the advent of the music-streaming services,
which – you’d think – should have made it better. If I’m going to spend
decent money on a meal, I don’t want the reservation-taker, the dishwasher or someone from the back office to be cooking it; I want someone who is very good at cooking food to do it. The same should apply to the music, which after all will be playing before, during and after the eating. I would prefer that music not seem an afterthought, or the result of algorithmic computation. I want it chosen by a person who knows music up and down and sideways: its context, its dynamism and its historical and aural clichés.

New June Sounds Like Cafe Playlist

"New June Sounds Like Cafe Playlist"

Our New June Sounds Like Cafe Playlist is up for your listening pleasure!

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Check out our new line up of tunes in curated tracklist order:

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Nick de la Hoyde, Mirror Mirror (from the single)

Mirror, Mirror reflects Nick’s own insecurities, giving a voice to those who feel they don’t have the power to speak up for themselves.

Nick’s prior releases received immediate adds to Australia’s biggest radio networks such as Southern Cross Austereo, Nova, KIIS and more as well as stateside airplay at numerous Top 40 stations nationally charting several tracks in the top 35 on the Billboard Top 40 Monitor Chart. Nick’s current single, “Hold Me Close” is also building in the UK and has been added in the Best New Pop category on BBC Radio 1, receiving airplay at KISS, Gaydio and various other regional stations. “Mirror Mirror” will launch to radio starting with an Australian Pop and specialty radio plan with stateside and UK campaigns layering into the timeline shortly thereafter. 

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Chris S, High (from the single)

‘High’ is a love song the first release from Australian artist Chris S. It’s about the first moments of new love.

After spending many years as the lead singer in an a cappella group and finishing his contemporary music course at the Institute Of Music, things started to pick up by doing various performances and scoring a first runner-up in the Kick Up The Dust band competition causing a mild controversy as his vocal duo at the time was not technically considered a band, but the judges stated that they were just too damn good not to be awarded a place.

 Teaming up with award-winning songwriters and producers, Chris has been working on new material and is excited to share with you the next chapter of his music. With “High” being his first release, Chris welcomes you all to join him on his musical journey.”

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Joel Leffler, Speed Of Light (from the EP ‘Strip me Bare’)

Following on from his successful EP from 2016 and subsequent instrumental releases and tour. Joel Lefler is back for 2018 with a stunning new EP produced by longtime collaborator and aria winner Peter Holz (Pekin Duk, Gang of Youths)

  1. Did you choose music or did it choose you?

I recently found out that my direct blood line back to the 17thcentury had very strong links to music. They were brought over from Sweden to England to be singers in the Kings Court. In the 18thcentury, there were 5 generations of singers and instrumentalists all of whom performed at one time or another in Westminster Abbey & the London Opera. I think music chose me but I made the choice to embrace it

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Lissa Jayne, Batface Girl (from the EP)

Melbourne based singer-songwriter Lissa Jayne has held a deep-seated love affair with music all her life. Her debut EP containing six beguiling songs with enchanting titles such as Batface Girl, Towns that Make you Bizarre, Damn your Name and That Girl is Gone. “Lisa Jayne sat demurely in her sweet little Lolita dress and bow, with her pretty blonde acoustic and then served us up a love song of her own, laced with metaphor and darkness!” Reviewer.

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Jim Combs

Sensitive Chaos, Missing Vjeo (from the album ‘Walking a Beautiful World’)

Sensitive Chaos is the solo project of producer Jim Combs, with collaborators from around the world.

A core component of Sensitive Chaos compositions is improv, and songs on the albums have their genesis in live performances and recordings. This unique approach has endeared audiences and radio programmers around the world, with airplay across the U.S., Europe, and the U.K., including many “Best Of” nods over the years. Walking a Beautiful World, their 9th album, is an eclectic indie-electro-rock-world-jazz-pop travelogue of Combs’ journey around the world and an ode to the common threads that bind people across different lives and locations.

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Flow, Free Ascent (from the album ‘Flow’)

Fiona Joy Hawkins – aussie Piano Player and vocalist of the group reveals how it came about

“We had all worked together for many years playing on each other’s albums and doing songs together, so it seemed logical to write and record as a group.  It was actually Lawrence Blatt’s idea. He called Jeff Oster and I and we instantly connected with the idea.  Lawrence wanted Will Ackerman to produce the album.  In the past, Will has played guitar on all our albums and in his own right is one hell of an amazing writer and player, so we had a head to head discussion and asked Will to join the group as the W in FLOW.  It stands for Fiona, Lawrence, Oster Will. It was an awesome move because the combination works so well, not just the instruments, but how we write as a team.  Add Tom Eaton (producer, engineer) and Bob’s your uncle !  “

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BiG MERiNO, Black Cockatoos (from the album ‘Suburban Wildlife’)

Sydney-based Alt-Country/ Rock/ Soul band Big Merino just released their newest album Suburban Wildlife.

With influences like: The Rolling Stones, Jackson Browne and Glen Hansard, co-writers Davis and Craig bring their songs to life with a full tone.The album starts up with a deeply sensitive tune called “Black Cockatoos” that is soaring high with free-floating energy. –Skope Mag – USA

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The Sheyana Band, Soul Sister (from the album ‘Big Love’)

The Sheyana Band are master musicians with creating their debut album “Big Love” with toe-tapping head bopping classic Rock grooves paired with beautiful Blues lyrical storytelling. They recently performed at Forth Valley Blues Fest and have supported the likes of Hoodoo Gurus, Neil Finn, Meg Mac, Renee Geyer, Diesel, The Angels, Ian Moss and Bill Chambers.

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Lily

Lily Duval, Down to the Lake (from the single)

Down to the Lake was written as a poem first and then Lily added the music. Lily: ‘I was looking for more of a minor guitar sound and a feel that was a bit ethereal. That’s where Peter Holz came in and put that vibe into the song; he plays this beautiful understated feel.’ Lily describes the song as a little mini film clip – the story of one human reaching out to another.
Previously Lily has digitally released a number of acoustic blues originals to a warm response on Community Radio and online.

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Rachel LaFond

Rachel LaFond, Luminous (From the album ‘Encounters of the Beautiful Kind’)

Rachel LaFond’s music explores universal human experiences: feelings of loneliness, joy, pleasure, pain and the evolution we undergo as an existing relationship  fades while new connections spring to life.

Tell us a little about what a crowd can expect at a live show? My music is always inspired by something, so there is always a story or an experience to share. I tell those stories at my live shows, I think it makes the music even more meaningful in the moment. I pour everything I am into performing my music, so watching me play can be a bit intense and is certainly an engaging experience.”

Favourite artists of all time? There are so many! Ingrid Michaelson, Rachmaninov, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Jason Mraz. Really, I could go on and on, it’s so hard to pick a favourite!”

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Loren Evarts, Home Again – (from the album ‘Home Again’)

Loren Everts newest album Home Again is the 6th original album, of this amazing contemporary pianist. It revisits several pieces previously recorded by Loren in the 1980’s, and eight new ones.

Fave film? Fave Book? Fave place? Fave animal or pet?.”I Loved “The Lord of the Rings” movies. (It was great to visit the filming sites when I was recently in NZ.) I have always loved England, but very much enjoyed an extended visit to Australia several years ago. (Spent 6 weeks touring the country.) Definitely a cat person, but I have 2 border collies.”

Fave food or drink and is there a story associated with that”Pizza! No story there. I’m lucky to live near the pizza capital of the world- New haven, CT. (If you are ever there, try Sally’s on Wooster St.) And I like a good non-IPA beer to go with that.”

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Tom Moore & Sherry Finzer, Sacred Ground (from the album ‘Let there be Light’)

Let There Be Light is the second collaborative album from multi-instrumentalist Tom Moore and award-winning flutist, Sherry Finzer. This album’s music is an expression of a journey, it is about movement not only in our outer life, but equally on the inner plane. The universe is made up of light, which then becomes vibrations and sound. The purpose of this album is to bring ‘light’ to the listener is as many forms as possible.

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Big Merino – Suburban Wildlife

"Big Merino – Suburban Wildlife"

The Sydney-based band Big Merino their debut album “Suburban Wildlife” is a smashing it, getting rave reviews overseas and their our featured album.

Beach sloth – “Big Merino goes for a powerful, heartfelt sound on the symphonic folk musings of Suburban Wildlife.”

http://www.beachsloth.com/big-merino-suburban-wildlife.html

Dancing About Architecture (by Dave Franklin) – “The art of pinning down a band in just a few generic descriptions or a handy soundbite is the stock-in-trade of the music reviewer but I have to admit that it will take a better man than me to concisely pin down Big Merino.”

https://dancingaboutarchitecture.info/2018/05/19/suburban-wildlife-big-merino-reviewed-by-dave-franklin/

Middle Tennessee Music.com (by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman) – “Comprising of a team of seasoned music makers, Big Merino is the culmination of various musical styles, years of various experiences and the talented personalities which have come together like Voltron to form an appealing, soul-infused rock record that can be listened to from beginning to end…multiple times…without getting old.”

https://www.midtnmusic.com/big-merino-suburban-wildlife/

Formed a little over two years ago, Big Merino play original songs that blur the lines between rock, country, blues, roots, soul, funk and grunge – occasionally making forays into lesser-known genres such as New Orleans 2nd Line.

Their major influences Glen Hansard, The Frames, Jackson Browne and The Rolling Stones, co-songwriters Alex Craig and Stuart Davis write socially and politically-charged songs that are sometimes gentle and nostalgic and at other times nothing less than a fierce cry for revolution.

TrackList:

1. Black Cockatoos

2. How Can You Be Sure

3. Turn This Boat Around

4. Hand Grenades

5. Blackwater

6. Love Letter From A Fool

7. Sometimes

8. Hands In The Fire

9. Dramamine

10. Maybe I Was Sleeping

Links to music:

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigmerino/

Offical: https://bigmerinoband.com.au/INFO.html

The Sheyana Band – Feature Album Big Love

"The Sheyana Band – Feature Album Big Love"

A fine album of easy listening blues rock that harkens back to the greats of the 70’s as well as maintaining a modern flavour.

Having just played Party In The Paddock the band are set for big things. The Sheyana Band are a collective of rock-solid rhythms, impassioned vocals and tightly packaged toe-tapping grooves steeped in blues and storytelling.

Tracklist-

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THE MEZCALTONES – Newest album Second

"THE MEZCALTONES – Newest album Second"

THE MEZCALTONES

Favourites at Tamworth and other Festivals we are proud to have this great new album to send to cafes.

It’s more than a band, its a show… With ATTITUDE!

THE MEZCALTONES are inspired by cool tunes from Tito and Tarantula, Dick Dale, Link Wray, Los Lobos, Santana and other artists from this genre. The attitude of those famous Tarantino/ Robert Rodrigues flicks, Cowboy movies and B grade low budget 1960’s teen movies.

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Featuring a Tex Mex, 60’s, cowboy rockabilly surf guitar style of twang and incorporating Mimi’s spellbinding dance moves, they are hard to pigeonhole. They have performed at the Sydney Winterfest BLUES festival, four Tamworth COUNTRY music festivals and the Sydney BLUES & ROOTS festival. Their debut CD was voted #6 in the Top Ten CDs of 2016 by 100% ROCK magazine. They have been described by some as Mexican Hillbilly surf music, Alt country, Cowboy Blues Brothers, cowpunk, Surferbilly and more… one thing everyone does agree upon is THE MEZCALTONES are highly entertaining!

 

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Hussy Hicks & Raphael White – On The Boundaries

"Hussy Hicks & Raphael White – On The Boundaries"
With their new single Mutiny recently Premiered with repeat plays on Triple J Roots N All the Hussy Hicks are well pleased with their collaborative efforts on the new album. Teaming up with long time friend London based Producer Raphael White the girls have created a stunning new album that will surprise some but still maintains their folk and blues roots.They are currently on tour in the USA and head home next month to drop the record and head out for their Australian dates.(listed below)
For this album they joined forces with long time friend and musical collaborator Raphael White. Their trust in him as a producer allowed them to expand on their live sound and conduct some sonic experiments in his London studio. “Stylistically I guess the biggest difference between this and our last albums would be the layering; more vocals, more guitars, more time spent on production” says Julz. ““We tried not to be beholden to our live sound, to keep the tracks open to be able to grow in any direction. The way we found was best for that was to start each song by Leesa laying down a couple of shaker tracks (as we do live) so that we all had a solid foundation groove that we were all comfortable to build upon. We then sang and played all the different ideas we had for each song and left Raph with a bit of a sonic smorgasboard to play with.
 It’s not a folk album, its not a blues album, its not an alt-country album but it still has bits of all our influences
wrapped up in there and we’re super happy with the result.”
The Hussy Hicks are also pleased to announce their upcoming Tour
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Nov 4 – QLD Leftie’s Old Time Music Hall – Brisbane 5pm
Nov 8 – WA  Redcliffe on the Murray
Nov 9 – WA Settlers Tavern
Nov 10-12 – WA Bridgetown Blues Festival
Nov 14 – WA Perth Blues Club
Nov 15 – WA Clancy’s Fremantle
Nov 17-19 – NSW Mullum Music Festival
Nov 25-27 – VIC Queenscliff Music Festival
Dec 1-3 –  NSW – Sydney Blues and Roots Festival Windsor
Dec 8 – NSW Tintenbar Hall
Dec 9 – QLD House with No Walls Eumundi
Dec 15 QLD Summertime Sessions in the Village – Gold Coast

Jan 19-21 – NSW Thredbo Blues Festival
Stay Tuned for more dates at
http://www.hussyhicks.com/en/news
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Adam Jones – Little Death

"Adam Jones – Little Death"
For lovers of 70’s Retro Soft Rock along the lines of Gerry Rafferty, Al Stewart and Cat Stevens this local Aussie Artist release is a winner. Sure to be Playing in a cafe near you right now.

Adam’s music is diverse with a range of subjects covered lyrically and a melodic fusion of folk, rock and blues. Adam has a deep voice which is often commented on for its quality and individual sound. He is a passionate performer and audiences respond well to his popular but unique style.

Earlier this year he recorded his debut album at Damien Gerard Studios in Balmain The album ‘Little Death’, was produced by Mark Cashin, Engineered by Russell Pilling and Mastered by ARIA nominee Peter Holz.

He has become a dedicated song writer, constantly honing his performance and song writing skills at hundreds of open mic nights and gigs with bands and as a solo performer. Adam will be performing in the Wollongong, Sydney, Central Coast and Newcastle and touring the East Coast with a new band  to showcase ‘Little Death’.

Tracklist
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Stream or Buy
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Julie-Anne Marshall – New Single The Dawn

"Julie-Anne Marshall – New Single The Dawn"

Julie-Anne Marshall is an independent singer-songwriter from Adelaide who is influenced by the soft rock style of the 70’s, her songs are lightly touched by a myriad of genres ranging from rock, folk, country, jazz to blues and ballads.  ‘The Dawn’ single is the interlude between her debut album ‘Bluebird’ released 2016 and her follow-up album due early 2018. The Dawn talks to the heart of anyone who has had to re-discover their inner strength. It’s emotive and follows the ilk of Julie-Anne, her songs are lyric driven, her vocals are earthy yet ethereal.

Currently featured on our October playlist

Check it out here

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More Info At

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