Darlene Koldenhoven’s new album has reached #1 on instrumental chart

November 27, 2022

GRAMMY® Award Winner and 3 time Nominee Darlene Koldenhoven’s new album ‘Traveling the Blissful Highway’ has been cruising up the Soundslikecafe charts since its release in October and has now hit the number 1 instrumental album spot!!

Not only that but the single ‘Jade Dreams’ is hanging out at number 2 on the overall top 10.

Click below for the chart:

The album also had local Australian articles in Scenestr magazine and Whats My Scene. Darlene was recently interviewed ‘across the pond’ for Aparna Vats Point of View show on Alive 90.5 FM Sydney.

The chart position isn’t surprising considering these great reviews of the album below:

It is some of the most relaxing and
dreamy music you will have the pleasure of enjoying – a slice of heaven.
– Keith “Muzik Man” Hannaleck, New Age Music Reviews, Founder 7/18/22

The music of “Traveling the Blissful Highway” is colored with many colors, as if you are enthusiastically
leafing through a color album of a wonderful photographer who captured the most beautiful landscapes
that he met on his way. And each new page is even more beautiful… There is sophistication and a lot of the
smallest nuances in its perfect sounding music. A wonderful end to a hard day, bringing peace to the soul
and clearing the mind of worries.
– Serge Kozlovsky, Minsk, Belarus skozlovsky.com 7/30/22

“Traveling the Blissful Highway is an album you will want as your musical companion, to help make your life
joumey a more enjoyable and beautiful discovery. Darlene’s experience and exposure to varied cultures,
countries and traditions have contributed positively to her broad and diverse vision of humanity and our
world which comes through in her musical compositions and especially shines on this album.”
-Lizzette Cascante, Aurelscapes 8/3/22

Travel with Darlene Koldenhoven and her musicians on the blissful highway in her new album that features twelve instrumental tracks including four with her angelic, harmonic vocalese, occasionally used as background instrumentation. All of her compositions and arrangements invite us to go out and see the world and have a good rest at the end of an exquisite day. Darlene performs on keyboard synths, creating a culture of calm: half the album has ethnic influences to gently keep you going on the road and half lets you exit to the rest areas. Even when real travel is not in the picture, pack these traveling soundscapes for your inner and outer journey. With this album, the only passport you’ll need for these destination cities – peace, calm, happiness and bliss is your own mindfulness to visit them and the album as your tour guide.

About

GRAMMY® Award Winner and 3 time Nominee, Darlene Koldenhoven is a vocalist, pianist, composer, arranger, lyricist, speaker, and sonic therapist from Studio City, CA, born and raised in Chicago, IL. Her last two albums, “The Grand Piano Spa” and “The Grand Piano Spa: Legacy” debuted on the prestigious Billboard Classical Crossover Charts at #4 and #8, respectively in May & November 2021.

She was inducted to the Indie Music Hall of Fame at the GRAMMY® Museum in 2019 by the Indie Music Channel Awards and the COVR Award hailed her “Chromatones” as Album of the Year a few months later. Several of her albums ranked #1 on the worldwide ZMR Radio Charts and she has 2 Best New Age Vocal Album and Best Holiday Album from ZMR.

Darlene is best known worldwide as the featured soprano in “Yanni, Live at the Acropolis” and for her role as the tambourine-waving choir nun in both “Sister Act” films with Whoopi Goldberg.

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Jack Nolan Releases Single ‘Dollar’

November 4, 2022

When it was just you and me, broke, young, and free, that’s love. No houses, no fast cars, no responsibilities.

“And she loved me like no other / When I did not have one dollar / Not a dollar / On me”

They say when you’re on a good thing, stick to it – so why not go back to Nashville, it worked out perfectly pre-pandemic, why not post-pandemic? And what better way to add a bit of hope to 2022 than a 12 string guitar and a nod to the mighty Wilbury’s? Listen out for Justin Weaver’s jangling 12 string intro to herald the first track release from Jack’s upcoming 2023’s album Jindabyne.

Dollar is a story about hope and knowing things would work out just fine.

“See my reputation follow / When I did not have a dollar / Not a dollar / On me”

An up-tempo acoustic/band based track akin to Paul Kelly from Jack Nolan as the debut single from his forthcoming album. The tune moves along very smoothly with some sweet backing vocals, catchy guitar riffs and Jack’s story telling vocals. A hooky chorus sets the spot on vibe of this one.

Based in Sydney, Australia, singer songwriter Jack Nolan has been performing and releasing music since the mid 1990’s. Along with a five-album solo catalogue Jack also fronted The Kelly Gang, with Rick Grossman, bassist for The Divinyls and Hoodoo Gurus along with Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst and guitar player Martin Rotsey. Their 2004 album Looking for the Sun was critically adored along with their energetic live shows.

Once quaintly described as ‘Darlinghurst Country’, his sound unites elements of folk, country, rock ‘n’ roll and ambient atmospheres fusing Nolan’s passion for intensely charged electric guitar and finger-picked acoustic guitar.

The critically acclaimed 2018 album ‘Our Waverley Star’ was followed up by the equally impressive ‘Gabriel’. It was these two American outings that cemented Nolan’s love of Nashville and built from a connection with guitarist/producer Justin Weaver that started with a one-off phone call and developed into an alliance that Nolan describes as ‘Team America’. What’s now become a regular jaunt is an opportunity for Nolan to get away from all the distractions of home, and “arrive in town, in the northern winter, when everyone’s off the road, with my swag of songs to greet all the boys again to collaborate”.

Jack’s new album – JINDABYNE – is set for release in early 2023. This album has waited in the wings while lockdowns and rules meant the guitar took on a whole new meaning. “I arrived home from Nashville in early March 2020 with ‘Gabriel’ ready for mastering. One week later, the world turned on its axis and – lockdown. This created a sense of urgency in me, so I made a conscious decision not to waste the time and went to work writing JINDABYNE. As soon as the plane could fly I was booked and took off back to the US”.

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US Band Blackfox Release Album ‘Embers’

November 1, 2022

Featuring the songs of lead vocalist and guitarist Stacey Cargal, the album charts a muscular and atmospheric guitar-heavy course through dark Southern Gothic characters and lyrical landscapes.

A true ‘band album’, the tracks are buoyed by exquisite and far-ranging guitar work by Cargal and Ryan Taylor, tasty and musical drumming of Mitch Sosebee, melodic and funky bass of album producer Greg Wright, sonic seasonings and glue from keyboardist/synthesist Jim Combs, and vocal harmonies by Monica Arrington, Andy Gish, and Kendra Bentle Rainey.

“Blackfox play sludgy, guitar-driven rock rooted in a kind of grungy blues that’s dirty yet melodic…they hold their ground, keep the mood dark and eerie, and wait until just the right moment to unleash a blistering solo that’s just plain nasty.” – Latest Disgrace

“As original music gets more difficult to peg with the usual genre signifiers, the challenge to accurately describe what one is hearing gets a bit dicey. Blackfox, an Atlanta band comprised of veterans of the community, pretty much defies any specific labels, while touching on so many in unique ways. At times as sinister as black metal, but then shifting to more melodic and palatable tone, Blackfox maintains an edge that keeps the listener on edge, while providing an entertaining and satisfying experience.” – Creative Loafing

“With a sound reminiscent of early new wave bands (think U2, Simple Minds, and Modern English) performed with an understanding of the British blues bands before them, Blackfox have melded the two styles together to offer a contemporary and original sound.” – Tony Paris, Creative Loafing

Song Descriptions

“What About You” roars out of the gate with a tale of personal darkness and human connection.

“Follow Me On Down” is a hook-ladened rumination on standing up to fears with a sort of Buffalo Springfield meets Eurythmics vibe.

“To Be Real” is a vocal tour de force in a Muscle Shoals vein about the power of two.

“From The Inside” slows things down and gets spooky ala tales of mystery and imagination.

“Strange Anymore” contemplates the aftermath of losing a friend.

“Ah Ah Ah” reconciles a broken relationship.

“Monsoon” drops us into a swampy lake of emotions and commitments.

“I Wonder” is a classic boy-meets-girl, girl-meets-boy song featuring Andy Gish on duet vocal.

“The Night Comes” is a cinematic romp through art rock territory with flanged drums, screaming guitar, and mellotron.

Title track “Embers” is a power ballad about bitter-sweet remembrances down by the river.

“I Need To Know” closes out the album with a simple song about the impact one person can have on another.

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Steve Kilbey & Martin Kennedy Release Single ‘When Time Has Run Out’

October 6, 2022

With echoes of The Wall-era Pink Floyd, ‘When Time Has Run Out’ is the first single from Steve Kilbey & Martin Kennedy’s new album, ‘The Strange Life of Persephone Nimbus’. Steve Kilbey of psych rock legends The Church and writer of magical hit ‘Under The Milky Way’ once again joins forces with Martin Kennedy of atmospheric ambient stalwarts All India Radio for their seventh studio album.

“A sumptuous meeting of Australian soundscaper and the head Churchman… a voice of characterful cool poise and an imaginative lyrical lexicon, Kilbey can make a strong melodic song out of simple elements.” – MOJO

The first single from the new KK album begins with powerful guitars, keys and vocal layers before the drums and bass break in. Soaring electric guitars and strings layers drive this mid-tempo tune along while Kilbey’s iconic and instantly recognizable vocal. A must add to playlists.

In 1981 a teenage Martin Kennedy stumbled upon Steve Kilbey and The Church at Tanelorn, an oddball old world meets new world music festival, and 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 one years later Martin and Steve find themselves working together on their sixth studio album, the epic ‘The Strange Life of Persephone Nimbus.’ As ever with these two, the deal is simple: Martin writes the music and Steve writes the words. No argument, no egos, just a matter of pressing the record button. The results are an effective balancing of Kennedy’s haunting and melodic tunes with Kilbey’s mysterious, witty and intelligent lyrics, melded together by his heavenly voice. Martin keeps his teenage love of The Church out of the equation in fear of it skewing his songwriting but it’s there if you listen closely.

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Julie-Anne Marshall New Single ‘Mirror’

September 19, 2022

Soundslikecafe is proud to present ‘Mirror’ the new single from Julie-Anne Marshall

Melbourne-based independent singer-songwriter Julie-Anne Marshall has just released her 20^th song ‘Mirror’. The song has an 80’s synth-pop ballad feel which uses haunting vocal harmonies to add to the reflective nature of the song’s lyrics.

Originally from Adelaide, Julie-Anne is now based in Melbourne. She is a multi-genre artist encompassing pop, rock, blues, soul, folk, alternative, ballads and smooth jazz – all sitting under the umbrella of Easy Listening. Her vocal style is earthy yet ethereal. Her songs melodic and lyric driven.

As a singer-songwriter Julie-Anne’s chosen instrument is the piano and it features in most of her songs released. Her first single ‘Bluebird’ was released in 2015, this was followed by a full album titled ‘Bluebird’ in 2016. To date, Julie-Anne has recorded and released 20 songs, her latest being ‘Mirror’, and she has a further two singles for release this year.

Whilst recording has been the focus for her over the last few years, Julie-Anne has previously performed live with bands around Adelaide and is now venturing back into live performing in Melbourne.

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CJ Shaw Releases Music Video for ‘Lonely Road’

September 7, 2022

The song was written as a parable for CJ’s experience of the music world and the sensation of falling short. Shot in the heart of winter on the Monaro Plains, south of Canberra, the Lonely Road music video clip sees CJ Shaw taking on the persona of a train guard, walking deserted railway carriages, waiting for passengers that never arrive. With the Canberra Railway Museum and the Michelago Railway Station in the backdrop, this beautifully crafted video clip visually plays on the haunting emotive nuances of the song, leading the audience on his journey of fulfilment.

The music video, directed by award-winning director/ producer Stackhat (Sampa The Great, L-Fresh The Lion), is simply breathtaking in its raw beauty, capturing the desolation of the song’s mood with mesmerising vision of Monaro Plains, south of Canberra, alongside vision of CJ as a train conductor filmed at the Canberra Railway Museum and Michelago Railway Station.

Watch the Video here via the Scenestr premiere

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The Burley Griffin ‘Being Alive’ Tour

August 27, 2022

Upcoming Shows

4th September 3pm at Yulli’s in Sydney with Hedy Blaazer – Free entry, table bookings recommended
https://www.facebook.com/events/s/hedy-blaazer-the-burley-griffi/2215326415283870/

24th September at Grace Emily Hotel in Adelaide with Bromham – Tickets on sale now
https://www.facebook.com/events/s/the-burley-griffin-act-w-bromh/872445094159479/

28th September at Shotkickers in Melbourne with Final Final, James Fahy, & Jim Dusty
https://facebook.com/events/s/too-good-five-bands-free-sunda/1160170284848952/

‘Being Alive’

To coincide with the Tour a new video for the song has been created by Stackhat – (Tim Kent)
who is an award-winning Director/Producer currently based in Sydney, but originally hailing from the small town of Queanbeyan. Having worked with an impressive roster of artists including Sampa the Great, L-Fresh the Lion and Flying Lotus, Stackhat is an artistic tour de force constantly searching for new challenges both locally and abroad.

The video will be officially released for the start of the tour.

Being Alive is a song that finds beauty in despair and reflects on lessons learned in defeat. Written in the wake of a relationship breakdown, Being Alive takes place directly after Hong Kong, the preceding single from The Burley Griffin’s latest record, Lost Limbs. Whereas Hong Kong tells the tale of separation, Being Alive sits in the realisation that everything has changed, and not necessarily for the better.

Being Alive was recorded by Louis Montgomery at Infidel and Myall Street studios and produced by Louis Montgomery and Evan Buckley. Electric guitars were played by Samuel McNair with Steve Paillas on bass and Steve Fitzgerald on drums, as well as additional vocals by Cathy Diver.
Mastered at Studios 301 by Andrew Edgson.

About The Burley Griffin
Evan Buckley (The Burley Griffin) grew up in Canberra, homeschooled in a religious fundamentalist cult, and has since hitch hiked and toured through 37 American states, exorcising and befriending his demons along the way. His most recent US tour took place during the 2016 election and his newest songs reflect the absurdity of the American dream.

The third Burley Griffin album, Lost Limbs, was launched with a twelve piece, beefed up band on June 26th 2021 to a sold out theatre at The Street, celebrating a vinyl packed with moving songs of loss and joy.

Long-time members Evan Buckley and Sam McNair are now joined on stage by “Reverend” Michael Bones, Hannah Beasley and featuring an energetic new rhythm section in Ben Cumming and Somesh Putcha. The Burley Griffin has seen Evan’s songs accompanied and interpreted by some of both Australia’s and the USA’s most intuitive musicians.

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Afrobeat Artist D.Matthews Releases New Single ‘No Frontin’

July 15, 2022

Introducing Nigerian Afrobeat singer, songwriter, and musician “D.MATTHEWS”

“D.MATTHEWS” has collaborated with New Zealand producers Edyonthebeat and Shaan Mehta, as well as Ghanaian producer Possigee, who has worked with the likes of Wizkid, Mr. Eazi, Sarkodie and Stonebwoy. To list a few.

The recently Australian based afrobeats crooner also showcased his penchant for creating contemporary and progressive afropop throughout each & every one of his songs. Always paying homage to the foundational flavours of the late great Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

Flying the flag for afrobeats music in New Zealand over the past few years, D.Matthews was the first artist to bring afrobeats to New Zealand Fashion Week, as well as the first afrobeats artist to perform at one of the country’s biggest festivals, Splore Festival. His music has also garnered critical acclaim and support from Australian and New Zealand tastemakers such as Triple J Unearthed, The Beat Magazine and Base FM among others, as he continues to spread the gospel of afrobeats music down under, while representing NZ/AU afrobeats on the worldwide stage.

Listen to the New Single ‘No Frontin’

Listen to Two Previous Singles

Don’t Leave Me

Africa

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Steve Williams Releases New Single ‘Pump’

June 24, 2022

Steve Williams releases the new single from his forthcoming album today and had this to say about it

‘Pump was actually written about a friend who went to jail for the crime of fraud. I’ve never been in jail but was locked up for a few hours once due to unpaid parking fines in the late 80’s en route to a support with Cyndi Lauper in Brisbane.t It’s my version of a modern day blues I guess.’

About Steve Williams

Steve Williams came to prominence as the lead guitarist in the 80’s pop group Wa Wa Nee, who had top 5 hits and ARIA Nominations in Australia and chart action in Europe and the USA. Following Wa Wa Nee’s breakup Steve worked with prominent local artists, James Freud and Richard Clapton, before relocating to Europe.

In London, Steve built a successful career as a session guitarist working with Jon Lord from Deep Purple, Ray Parker Jr, Real Life and many more. He returned to Australia in 2005 and continued session and production work including musical theatre and television appearances playing with The Choir Boys, Matt Finish and others.

In 2020 Steve released the ‘Surry Road album’. All the tracks were co-written with musicians that he has worked with over his many years of touring and recording. Tracks feature guest vocals from Pat Powell (Melbourne Ska Orchestra and many more) and other well-known vocalists such as: John Kenny (Rockmelons), Tim Watson (Taxiride), Vince Contarino, Terry Slesser (UK) Louise Person as well up-coming Melbourne singer Nic MC.

Steve’s new album ‘Déjà Vu’ is scheduled for release later in 2022. All songs were written by Steve except ‘Pump’ with Pat Powell and ‘Ronnie’ with John Kenny. Steve played all instruments but with help of a few very talented guests: Gus Fenwick, Nic MC, John Kenny, Pat Powell , Glen Muirhead, Ralph Franke, Raechel Summers, Mac Johnson.

The album was mixed by Steve with the exception of ‘Bouquet Of Life’ which was mixed by Russ T Rock.

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Anirban Jee – New Single Will Above My Wish

June 10, 2022

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Just added to our playlist is this exciting new single from one of our favourite artists who has previously reached our number 1 chart position.

Will Above My Wish was penned, composed and performed by award winning singer-songwriter Anirban Jee. It was recorded, produced and mastered by Sydney’s multi-platinum producer Steve Peach from Stereo Missile Recordings, Sydney.

‘Will Above My Wish’ is about realizing that sometimes our dreams or wishes remain unfulfilled despite our ardent efforts. But eventually through life’s humbling experiences we realize that those desires wouldn’t have yielded the best outcome for us. This makes us ponder whether there is some Will above my Wish that paves the possibility for something much better – Anirban Jee

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For Anirban Jee, his musical awakening spawned at the vibrant age of 12, when he received his first electronic keyboard. Heavily influenced by a diverse range of musical genres through the 80’s and 90’s, Anirban found himselfheavily inspired by pop icons such as Elton John, Richard Marx, Maxwell, Sting, Carol King and many more. During his teen years, AJ found himself dabbling in numerous tuition courses and on the back of many years studying Piano/Keyboard through school and university, Anirban had honed his musical growth to original songwriting, musical compositions, artist collaborations and performing.

In his early years of songwriting, Anirban managed to catch the attention of Australian music industry heavy weightproducer and ‘song doctor’ Matt O’Connor (Thirsty Merc, The Beautiful Girls) from the A&R Department, Sydney. Originally discovered from a rough demo, Matt O’Connor took Anirban under his wing to further develop and hone his craft.

His last two self-featured releases “Mayday” (2020) and ‘Move Out’ (2021) generated positive and exciting reviews on online music magazines such as GongScene, Vents Magazine, Around the Sound, BMA Magazine and even pegged at #1 on Soundslikecafe Singles Chart!!

Anirban’s current series of composition alone range from POP, Urban, Dance, R&B which feature a unique and un‐ patterned soulful infusion that’s embedded in an expressive lyrical muster. Having recently worked with many sought after music producers such as Simon Cohen (Will.I.Am, Guy Sebastian, Vera Blue, Thelma Plum), Steve Peach (Icehouse, Marcia Hines, Sophie Monk), Adrian Hannan (Delta Goodrem, Gabriella Cilmi, Taxi Ride, The Androids), Sven Tydeman (Josh Pyke, Tina Cousins, Candice Alley), AJ’s compositions and songwriting repertoire have resulted in numerous radio plays spanning both commercial and community radio stations across Australia.

Will Above My Wish is now available for download through all good music stores. Listen now!

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