BLJ Releases Single ‘Friday I’m In Love’

May 17, 2024

Another great cover to add to our playlist is this cracking version of The Cures Friday i’m in Love from the BLJ Production Team

“One of the hot topics of conversation over here is what song to do next. We love The Cure, they write such beautifully crafted songs, and we wanted to do something really upbeat. So, we thought how about ‘Friday I’m In Love’, in a similar style to our restomod of ‘Just Like Heaven’.”

Well, here it is. Andi’s vocal adaption is spot on, as always, and I’ve given it lots of slam, dressed with string arrangements. We hope it lifts you up and gets you groovin!

The avatar of an unidentified Music Producer, Burger Legs Joe is on a mission to restomod (restore and modernise) outstanding retro songs for your grooving pleasure. Treasuring the essence of what makes each track so fabulous, they’re re-energized to a modern perspective; weaving rhythms and melodies in BLJ’s distinctive ear grabbing style, that lingers in your head, and puts beats in your feet.

Mesmerised by the voice of friend and vocalist Andi Bracken; together they have set out on a journey to blow the dust off some of the great songs of the past.

Burger Legs Joe says – “The way Andi ‘owns’ the song is amazing. You just instantly accept the new version. Fond memories of the original seem to disappear in that moment. The inspiration of Andi’s vocals on a song I love makes it so much easier for me. The arrangements just seem to regenerate around them, naturally building to a butt kicking finale that elevates the song and Andi’s voice.”

Bangers to ballads, and anything in between, Burger Legs Joe featuring Andi’s tracks are infused in reimagined retro joy and romance.

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Bec Taylor & The Lyrebirds Release Album ‘Limbs & All’ Plus Tour Dates

May 10, 2024

After two successful singles and the entire album out today (both digital and CD), Bec Taylor and the Lyrebirds head out on an East Coast tour in support of the release.

Upcoming Tour Dates

FRIDAY MAY 17th MELBOURNE
Bar Open, 8pm with Happy Axe & James Fahy Happy Axe James Fahy Music

SATURDAY JUNE 1st SYDNEY
Gasoline Pony, 3pm with Julia Johnson & Tate Sheridan

SUNDAY JUNE 9th CANBERRA
4pm, The Street Theatre with Owen Campbell @owencampbellmusic

SATURDAY JUNE 29th TOMAKIN, NSW
Smokey Dan’s, 12pm with Jason Recliner

SUNDAY 30th JUNE
South Durras Garden Studio, 1pm

Limbs & All, the second album by Bec Taylor and the Lyrebirds is chock full of moody, folk-pop gems that touch on loss, grief and joy. ‘Limbs & All’ is a collaborative album which features all five of the Lyrebirds on every song, weaving together a gentle americana-folk sound palette with acoustic and pedal-steel guitars, drums, bass, mandolin, keyboards, banjo and the Lyrebirds’ signature vocal harmonies.

Bec wrote the lion’s share of the songs while pregnant and nursing her first baby, and you can sense her inner turmoil throughout the songs. Whether it’s the darkly rhythmic and poetic ‘Wormhole’ or the elated but hesitant ‘Whisky’, the album is subtler and broodier than the last album, featuring connecting themes and ideas across songs. A musical connection is weaved into tracks ‘Photograph’ and ‘Goner’, referencing their sister-song origins: they begun as one song but evolved into two separate songs.

All recording and mixing was done by Louis Montgomery with some additional mixing on ‘Photograph’ was done by Marshall Cullen at Damien Gerard Studios NSW. The album was mastered by Andrew Edgson at Studios 301.

About

Hidden treasures of the Canberra music scene, Bec Taylor and the Lyrebirds are a five-piece alt-folk-pop band. Described as Canberra’s Seeker-Lover-Keeper, their unique harmony-laden sound combines with “charming melodies and lyrics brimming with heart” (Scenstr).

Bec Taylor is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter who has recorded over a dozen studio records. She has also performed on some of the biggest stages and festivals around the country, including BIGSOUND, Groovin’ The Moo, and the Woodford Folk Festival. She has played alongside the likes of Gotye, The Darkness, and been on tour as main support for Regurgitator and Shonen Knife in her previous projects Fun Machine and Glitoris.

The Lyrebirds is her most recent project, showcasing her song-making through a new alt-folk-country repertoire. Bec started the Lyrebirds in 2020 after writing and producing her first full-length solo record “Adrift” with producer Louis Montgomery (SAFIA, Peking Duk. Consisting of versatile musicians with rich experience in different genres: Hannah Beasley (PaintonPaint), Sam McNair (JD McNair, The Burley Griffin), Sophie Chapman (Brass Knuckle Brass Band, Andy and George Band) and Grahame Thompson (Cracked Actor, BabyFreeze, Mr Fibby).

Bec and the band have built an incredible musical chemistry, with soaring harmonies and rich instrumentation of guitars, piano, drums, bass, banjo, mandolin, and occasional cello parts which complement Bec’s heartfelt songwriting.

Bec Taylor – vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin, Hammond organ, felt-muted piano, percussion
Sam McNair – vocals, acoustic guitar, banjo
Sophie Chapman – vocals, bass guitar
Grahame Thompson – drums, cello
Hannah Beasley – vocals, wurlitzer piano
Matt Dixon – pedal steel guitar
Jacqui Bradley and Donal Baylor – violins

VIDEO PREMIERE FOR ‘Go On Without Me’

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CB Ghost Releases Debut Single ‘Hollywood Hills’

May 2, 2024

Dealing with an undiagnosed mental issue while navigating a failing relationship, CB Ghost serendipitously met and wrote Hollywood Hills with accomplished musician Justin Miranda. The song came together one sunny afternoon in a Forresters Beach kitchen overlooking Wamberal Lagoon, near Spoon Bay, not far from Avoca Beach and just north of Sydney.

Like a quest for happiness (and peace) the song focuses on giving up things that are unhealthy, including negative thoughts. The song, with an upbeat ocean country vibe, is a lesson to self, to heal and greenlight a better and happier life.

CB Ghost is a songwriter with an honest simple folk-rock style that captures the essence of a complicated existence with singalong tunes and poetic lyrics and sometimes a banger beat. CB Ghost has emerged from a close nit coastal surfing village in Australia. His background provides him with a deep connection to toe tapping Celtic, country and straight-ahead heart felt rock music mixed with salt water from the ocean.

A former pro surfer, CB Ghost is driven, bold and dedicated to his evolving sound and a deep love of blue-collar folk stories and sensibility – and most importantly playing live to crowds who love to drink, dance, sing and have fun.

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Gareth Koch Releases Album ‘Carmina Burana’

April 26, 2024

Remastered and Released to streaming for the first time in 2024 here is one of Gareth Koch’s Master Works.

My first encounter with the Carmina Burana was as a young chorister in a performance given in 1983 at the Sydney Opera House. The choir and orchestra were directed by one of my teachers, the late and great Richard Gill. The excitement of that musical experience made a lasting impression on my musical consciousness.

During the European summer of 1995 in Vienna I began a draft version of the Carmina Burana for Solo Guitar. Transcribing the medieval & folk-inspired movements came first, then the challenge of the mighty opening chorus O Fortuna. In an attempt to interest record companies in the project I recorded a ‘demo’ version of O Furtuna, in a single take, in a Viennese cellar!

My publishers and several record companies showed great interest in my interpretation of Orff’s work and very quickly plans started to come together to record in a venue in Vienna. Unfortunately, these plans fell apart due to some pre-existing contract obligations. An opportunity arose to record the work in Australia, and this prompted my return.

The recording of Carmina Burana for Solo Guitar was completed in 1997 over three consecutive nights in Newcastle’s Christ Church Cathedral. The natural resonance & ambience of the cathedral compliment the recording. There are no added effects to this recording which is completely natural & live sounding.

Recording the Carmina Burana was both a physical and mental achievement that has become one of the highlights of my career. The opportunity to re-master the recording and release it digitally brings back to mind the exhilaration of that performance in that venue, over those three nights – still deeply embedded in my memory. It is the synthesis of a lifelong interest in medieval music and the desire to create an exciting and unique live performance piece for guitar.

About Gareth Koch
Gareth Koch is an ARIA Award winning multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, guitar soloist, composer & songwriter. He has recorded a sizeable repertory across multiple genres spanning works for classical guitar, flamenco, original compositions, arrangements, medieval projects, rock & songwriting. He has appeared at major festivals within Australia, Europe, Asia and North America.

Born in Milan, Gareth began his musical studies on piano and clarinet, and at age 12 was accepted into the Mozarteum in Salzburg. He received his Bachelor of Music degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music before winning scholarships for advanced guitar study at The Royal Madrid Conservatorium & the Vienna Academy of Music. He holds a PhD in Music & has lectured in music across Australian & European universities.

In 2002 Gareth formed the first guitar supergroup with Karin Schaupp & The Grigoryan Brothers, Slava & Leonard. Saffire – The Australian Guitar Quartet soared to #1 on the Classical Music Charts and even featured on ARIA pop charts. The quartet released a total of 3 best-selling albums & was Australia’s biggest selling classical act for several years.

Gareth is involved with many cross genre projects & has released a succession of collaborative albums with Martin Kennedy & with ARIA Hall of Fame inductee Steve Kilbey (The Church). His recent release ‘The Guitar Player’ received a coveted 5 star review from The Sydney Morning Herald. Gareth’s current output has a strong rock bias with classical overtones & his writing is increasingly focussed on the ethereal nature of music.

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Kalen Hogan Releases New Single ‘On The Phone’

April 11, 2024

This song narrates the tale of a mate watching two separate friends lost on their phones, scrolling to date strangers, whilst he knows they would be perfectly matched, if they just got out of their phones and rooms. The chords and melody for the track had been bouncing around in Kalen’s mind whilst he finished off the ‘Isolation’ album in 2023, but the story behind the lyrics had yet to unfold. Kalen believes ‘On the Phone’ has a bit of an attitude and would never have fitted in with his melancholier sounding tracks of the previous year.

Kalen Hogan debuted onto the local Central Coast music scene in late 2022. At age 17, Kalen proudly launched his debut album ‘Isolation’ in May of the following year. Keen to kick off the new year with new music, Kalen has emerged from recent studio time to release his latest single ‘On The Phone’.

Kalen says he is inspired by the 1990’s grunge movement, with a real reverence for bands like Nirvana, and describes himself as an alternative indie rock singer song writer. Kalen sings about the complexities of everyday life, with an open heart and keen observing eye. His pure vocal tone, with a moderately high pitch, may reflect why some tracks have been compared to Thom Yorke from Radiohead and the late Jeff Buckley.

You can catch Kalen live at various venues and events across the coast and stayed tuned for more single releases throughout the back half of the year.

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Julie-Anne Marshall New Single ‘Breathe’

April 11, 2024

Julie-Anne Marshall is an independent Australian singer-songwriter in the Adult Contemporary Easy Rock style with vocals that are earthy yet ethereal. We have been playing her tracks on soundslikecafe for sometime and there’s always a strong and warm response to her excellent feel good songs and lyrics.

Although, she does take creative detours now and then. Her songs are mostly piano-driven and melodic, with a lyrical intent to connect and uplift.

Her latest song ‘Breathe’ was inspired by giving herself the time to reflect, release and renew. It’s a curiously crafted light, but solid and uncomplicated song. The weight of the world released. The rhythm is driven by piano with tight and bright acoustic guitar. Lyrically reminding us its ok to stop, take a moment and breathe. That’s this songs intention.

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Steve Kilbey & Martin Kennedy Release Album ‘Premonition K’

April 4, 2024

With the third album in less than 3 years things are gaining momentum with Premonition K Vinyl pre-orders sold out and a repress underway. Plus 5000 spotify followers can’t be wrong. We are delighted to add 4 of the album tracks to our Soundslikecafe Playlist.

Building on the success of Jupiter 13 (2021) and The Strange Life of Persephone Nimbus (2022), Steve and Martin release their latest epic, ‘Premonition K’. The album unveils sumptuous sonic soundscapes courtesy of Kennedy paired with Kilbey’s lyrics that delve into the dark and enigmatic realms that exist between the boundaries of life and death. They invite you to break out the ouija board, turn off the lights, and immerse yourself in the mysteries of ‘Premonition K’.

Steve Kilbey (The Church), band singer, songwriter, bassist, painter, writer, poet, actor, sage, and dispenser of arcane wisdom, is one of Australia’s most loved artists.
Martin Kennedy (aka All India Radio) is the ARIA nominated composer whose music has featured in CSI: Miami, One Tree Hill, The Lying Game, Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery and Bondi Rescue.

Video

This album, a testament to their musical synergy, encapsulates a darkly beautiful soundscape, drawing inspiration from diverse sources, ranging from the haunting tones of Roger Waters ‘The Final Cut’ to the shadowy depths explored by early 1970s Pink Floyd or Hawkwind.

Steve Kilbey infuses each track with an emotional resonance and sense of mystery. Martin Kennedy co-pilots this sonic odyssey with Steve Kilbey. Together they weave an intricate musical bed for Kilbey’s lyrical dreamings with layers of sonic complexity, at once warmly familiar and mysteriously strange, creating an immersive experience for the listener.

Song Descriptions

Breaking The Fourth Wall
The opening track on the new Premonition K album from this prolific pair starts with an almost spoken word delivery from Steve with minimal backing. The track is reminiscent of Pink Floyd around The Wall era. As the song moves the textures build as it heads towards a massive outro.

Nowhere
This tune features ethereal female backing vocals and a full band mix. Kennedy’s lush guitar and keyboard textures flow over the drum and bass rhythm section. Steve Kilbeys highly distinctive voice is in great form and the lyrics as intriguing as ever.

The Song That Wrote Itself
An up-tempo radio track with all the elements that make this record a great piece of work. Steve’s voice and lyrics, lush backing, smooth but strong female backing vocals, especially on the chorus, easy catchy melodies, riffs and vocal lines.

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Big Merino Release Single ‘Second Hand Smoke’

March 22, 2024

The first 2024 release for Sydney’s Big Merino

The song ‘Second Hand Smoke’ came about after the 2019 bushfires in NSW and Covid. It’s a bit of a lateral take on a story that a lot of people can relate to and it suggests why, in spite of everything, we get up the next day and give things another crack.

Recorded and mixed by Studio Legend Phil Punch, this is a great beginning for a range of singles the guys will be following with this year.

Formed in 2017, Big Merino play original music that blurs the lines between country, blues, roots, rock and pop. Despite an obvious passion for what’s often called ‘Americana’, their songs somehow manage to be very personal and quintessentially Australian – the words and sound shaped by the landscape and their own stories.

Song Description

Acoustic southern vibes abound in this new single from Big Merino. Bass, drums, guitars and a driving snare beat keeps this bluesy track afloat with plenty of sing-a-long moments, even handclaps. Up-tempo, happy and feel good, a great first of the year for these Sydney locals.

The band will be performing it and a whole bunch of new songs on

Sat April 13 @ The Gasoline Pony

It’s Big Merino‘s first gig for quite some time … come and join us to celebrate the release!

@ The Gasoline Pony, Marrickville
Saturday 13th April, from 7pm.
Book : trybooking.com/CQCRM

Out March 22 Foghorn/MGM

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Daxton Releases New Album ‘Fahrenheit’

March 22, 2024

The new album from NSW Central Coast troubadour already garnering airplay and reviews around the world following from the Single ‘Kiss The Girls’ earlier this year.

Daxton’s new album ‘Fahrenheit’ features tracks inspired by personal experiences, relationships, and journeys, encapsulating a wide range of emotions from love and heartbreak to resilience and empowerment. The title track was inspired by a studio groove that embodied the intense emotional heat and passion that defined the production and recording of the songs. The album brings a fresh twist to the classic blues genre, infusing it with psychedelic elements and experimental sounds, creating a sonic landscape that is Daxton’s Psychedelic Blues Sound.

Song Descriptions for 2 Key Tracks

Fahrenheit

The title track to Daxton’s new album features bass, drums, dobro, slide guitar, Hammond organ and his signature vocals. A chilled out blues rock with a mid-tempo feel, this would be a great song to sit back on the porch with a beer and admire the grass.

Ocean Size

Great surf blues ‘a la’ Jack Johnson here. Slides and dobros, acoustics and electrics, sweet guitar and vocal tones throughout underpinned by drums and bass.

Out March 22 on Foghorn/MGM

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Kilbey Kennedy Release New Single ‘That’s Gotta Hurt’

March 7, 2024

Our latest feature single from the Prolific Church Frontman and Man of many textures and talents from All India Radio

Building on the success of Jupiter 13 (2021) and The Strange Life of Persephone Nimbus (2022), Steve Kilbey and Martin Kennedy are about to releases their latest epic, ‘Premonition K’. The album unveils sumptuous sonic soundscapes courtesy of Kennedy paired with Kilbey’s lyrics that delve into the dark and enigmatic realms that exist between the boundaries of life and death.

Steve Kilbey, best known as frontman of legendary Aussie post-prog rockers The Church, infuses each track with an emotional resonance and sense of mystery. Martin Kennedy co-pilots this sonic odyssey with Steve Kilbey, weaving an intricate musical bed for Kilbey’s lyrical dreamings. Drawing from his twenty years of soundscaping with All India Radio, Kennedy adds layers of sonic complexity, at once warmly familiar and mysteriously strange, creating an immersive experience for the listener.

The first single from the new album ‘That’s Gotta Hurt’ – upbeat jangle-guitars and Kennedy’s familiar electronic swirls provide the stage for Kilbey’s trademark lyrical magic.

Steve Kilbey says, “That’s Gotta Hurt is about the existential pain of loving and losing and of attachment to the roles we play in this theatre of the absurd.”

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Tag: ausmade