Steve Kilbey & Gareth Koch Release Second Single and Video ‘Lost At Sea’

July 10, 2019 Leave a comment

“I’m just a guy holding the pen” is the poignant opening line of the recent Steve Kilbey & Gareth Koch collaboration ‘Lost at Sea’.

The statement seems innocent enough at first glance, yet it elegantly addresses the mystery of creativity. How does art come into being, and is the creator just a filter or medium for the creative process?

The sentiment is even more interesting given the background of the two protagonists. Steve Kilbey, perhaps best known as the frontman of veteran rock band The Church, has a lifetime of esoteric lyrics to his credit. Kilbey’s themes pose questions and riddle-like answers. Perhaps this is why his lyrics continue to engage us. Gareth Koch on the other hand, a Viennese-trained guitarist/composer, has explored the nature of creativity head-on in his PhD thesis. Perhaps between the pair, Kilbey & Koch might have some answers.

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(Photo credit: Tony Mott)

These considerations aside, this collaboration has yielded a truly beautiful and timeless ballad. There is a wistful and haunting lilt to ‘Lost at Sea’, as it floats seamlessly through a narrative of stolen hearts, voyages into solitudeand roaming in no-man’s land. And to compliment these lyrics is a delicious instrumentation, weaving and wafting, ghostly and waif-like, present yet elusive.

This is possibly why this collaboration works so well. Kilbey & Koch are both masters of the esoteric form. As they step sideways from their respective genres this coming together highlights a close aesthetic connection.

Watch the new video, which was premiered on TheMusic.com.au here:

‘Lost At Sea’ is sure to follow in the footsteps of the first collaborative offering, Broken Toys, which last week was sitting pretty at #1 on the Radio Indie Alliance chart:

Lost At Sea is OUT NOW via MGM.

Download/stream now:

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Ninth Time Lucky – Take It Slow

July 6, 2019 Leave a comment

Ninth Time Lucky is the side project for Perth-based singer-songwriter Minky G. The singer/songwriter usually plays music in jazz/pop domain, but she also has a penchant for sweet and joyful ukulele tunes. Ninth Time Lucky is the outlet for these tunes, which Minky G describes as, “music for people to be happy to.”

Ninth Time Lucky have recorded an EP called Little Dreams, with the track Take It Slow featured on the soundslikecafe playlist this July!

A little bit Vance Joy plus a spoonful of sugar, it’s time to take a break and believe that things are going to work out all right. Ninth Time Lucky is all about songs that are sweet and kind, but sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.

Another stand-out tune is Half of Me, which was nominated for a WAM Award this year.

“What a little ray of sunshine! Minky G is a songbird we love to hear.”

– Guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel

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Carlyle Christopherson – Follow Me

July 6, 2019 Leave a comment

Carlyle Christopherson is an Australian musician, originally from central Victoria, who now resides in Switzerland.

His remarkable journey from the corporate world to following his dreams as a musician and a lover of acoustic rock has seen him reconnect with his passion for music and performance.

His debut single Follow Me offers a definite Australian acoustic-rock flavour in his sparse instrumentation and storytelling lyric about hope and aspiration as we navigate through life’s great big journey.

It comes from his debut album, Here Comes History, which was produced and co-written alongside Things Of Stone And Wood frontman Greg Arnold. It is an album possessing a remarkable collection of fables, echoing Christopherson’s journey against some challenging yet eventually rewarding personal odds.

Carlyle’s love for Australian music is clear with influences including artists such as Paul Dempsey, Bernard Fanning, Paul Kelly, Olympia and Greg Arnold.

“I’ve loved working on the album, says Greg Arnold. “Carlyle has such a soulful and reflective lyrical perspective and his voice and songs are deeply evocative of an authentic 70s singer-songwriter.”

‘Here Comes History’ is out NOW.

Watch the official video for Follow Me at YouTube:

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Big Merino Release Second Album ‘Sweet Little Angel’

June 21, 2019 Leave a comment

Big Merino have put the finishing touches on their second album at Damien Gerard Studios in Sydney.

The first single to be lifted from Sweet Little Angel is the balladesque title track, while it’s B-side accompaniment is a cover of the politically-charged protest song of 1970, ‘Ohio’. Penned by Neil Young and recorded with his band Crosby Stills Nash and Young, the song is a guitar-led melodic track that will be familiar to most music lovers.

The Album is OUT NOW Via Foghorn/MGM and we are proud to Feature it to our Cafes.

Tracklisting for the album is:

Sweet Little Angel
I Watched The Light
I Lay Me Down
Mama’s Gonna Fall
Satellite
Ohio
This Song
Hard Lesson
Living In The Past
Day Without You
Hummingbird

Guest musicians on the record are:

Alice Papademetriou & Lisa Spence : additional vocals
John Gauci, Mike Gubb : Keyboards
James Greening : Horns
Jess Ciampa : percussion

Watch a behind the scenes video by clicking on the YouTube link below:

And you can see the video for the single on our featured video footer just scroll down…

UPCOMING SHOW DATES ARE:

Following a highly successful launch at Marrickville Bowlo last weekend the next time to catch the lads will be –

Sunday August 25 @ Smith’s Alternative, Canberra

Big Merino is a genre-busting band featuring Stuart Davis (lead vocals/guitar), Alex Craig (lead guitar), Peter Richardson (bass) and Colin Sevitt (drums).

Their songs blur the lines between rock, country, blues, soul and pop. Despite an obvious passion for Americana (blues, country and Gospel) their music somehow also sounds quintessentially Australian, shaped by our landscape and their own stories.

“Great songs, great songwriting and best of all – full of a real sincerity and commitment”

Michael Smith – Rhythms

The album will be released on July 27 on Foghorn Records through MGM.

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CaliCisco – One Last Night EP

June 13, 2019 Leave a comment

CaliCisco is the name of the new musical project of songwriter Joel Leffler. The name was inspired by his love of the Western part of the USA – a conglomeration of the names San Francisco & California.

The ‘One Last Night’ EP follows the story of a couple who had parted ways, leaving one of the parties to deal with different stages of grief.

‘Smoke Clouds’ is the first single to radio from the EP featuring a tight snappy verse structure & a four-on-the-floor disco beat chorus complete with Bee Gees style falsetto vocals. ‘Smoke Clouds’ lyrically touches on flavours of a love that can be so inundating it can literally leave you feeling high.

The EP features elements of mellow piano, funk guitar & punchy synth throughout the 5 tracks, underpinned by dance beats &catchy loops that all enhance the lyrical melody. Songwriter/Producer Joel Leffler set out to create an EP that represented both elements of his songwriting world with tracks like ‘Smoke Clouds’ & ‘Got It Good’ heavy in synth and pop guitar whilst ‘One Last Night’ tells a story through an honest lyrical delivery.

‘Feeling Like’ introduces itself in simplistic fashion with record player static, a piano loop and a close raw vocal. Before you know it the song is in full flight with Synth risers leading into a catchy vocal driven chorus. A strong beat accompanied by a vocal synth melody perfectly illustrates the new sound direction from songwriter Leffler.

‘My Heart’ begins its journey with an earthy assortment of piano, lead guitar and a mellow bass line creating the foundations for a raw honest vocal to enter. When the chorus hits, a bouncy synth bass & keys lead the charge with the return of the lead guitar melody. ‘My Heart’ follows the story of a man who leaves a trail of self-sabotage in love, where he fails to protect his heart while wearing it openly on his sleeve.

‘Got It Good’ starts with an upbeat pop arrangement, settling itself into a beat-driven verse reprieve. A repetitive lyrical hook in the chorus is accompanied by multiple synth melody lines that completes a contemporary electronic/pop sound. ‘Got It Good’ is a story about a female who lives the high life of travel, booze & disposable income.

‘One Last Night’, the title track of the EP & the stand-out storytelling song, is led by sustained grand piano chords & a close vocal that makes you feel like you are sitting in the same room as the singer. The chorus features swelling orchestral strings, harmonising back up vocals, synth keys & a strong drum beat while lyrically the song depicts a couple sharing one last night of passion together even though they both know it’s over.

Download CaliCisco – One Last Night now:

Nick De La Hoyde – new single ‘Animals’

June 13, 2019 Leave a comment

Our new Number 1 from an excellent response we are proud to feature Nick De La Hoyde on soundslikecafe

Currently clocking up more than 80,000 listens per month at Spotify alone, Nick De La Hoyde is a young Aussie artist who has been making waves both locally and overseas for the past 3 years.

The first single from his forthcoming debut album (A Beautiful Mess) is called Animals. It’s a catchy electro-pop tune that offers an infectious radio-friendly and contemporary sound.

The song has already appeared on the Mediabase Top 40 Activator Chart in the US at #57 ! It’s also being played in over 60,000 retail stores across America!

Locally, Animals has been added to Coles Radio and Collective Noun, while Nick has enjoyed interviews at NOVA Radio and KIIS FM!

Growing up in a multi-cultural home with a Syrian mother and British father, Sydney based, singer songwriter Nick de la Hoyde was exposed to many global influences that he now weaves into his music.

Melding his love of hip hop, pop and R&B with introspective lyrics that chronicles a young musician’s journey to adulthood, overcoming life and artistic challenges along the path, Nick and his long-time producer/collaborator/older brother Joseph (ZUZU) de la Hoyde, have together crafted a sound that is simultaneously intimate, expansive and engaging. Having penned confessional, real life anthems, such as Thru 2 U, Mirror Mirror, Hold Me Close, and Love Takes Time, that oscillate between moody, textured R&B, anthemic synth laden future-pop and hip hop moments, combined with a lyrical earnestness that speaks directly to today’s younger generation. Nick has quickly made a name for himself, cultivating a large and dedicated on-line following and becoming a powerful voice for youth empowerment and positivity. [Spotify]

Check out these amazing stats:

CHART Billboard BDS Top 40 Indicator (multiple Billboard prints in top 40)— Mediabase Top 100 Pop-Spotify Future Hits Top 10 (AU)–Changing-Spotify Australian Top 100–Changing-HIT30 Count down (#6) –SCA Hit Network-AIR Independent Radio Chart Top 10(#9) -Hold Me Close-Sounds Like Cafe Top 10 Singles Chart(#1) -Hold Me Close

SiriusXM –High rotation for Hold Me Close -Channel Venus-BBC Radio 1(UK), Kiss FM(UK), Gaydio Radio(UK), KMFM(UK)-SCA(2Day, Hit105, FoxFM etc)KIIS FM, NOVA, SEA, Edge 96.1

Listen Here

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The Insufferable Paul Scott – Surrender To Robots

June 7, 2019 Leave a comment

Surrender to Robots is a solo album by the insufferable Paul Scott (The Likes of You, Montana, John Kennedy’s 68 Comeback Special and The Bad Machines). The album was written, recorded, performed and produced by Scott. “So really, there’s no-one else to blame,” he says.

The first single is Sheila and it’s at radio now.

Song subjects include existential angst, co-habitation as a means of financial easement, optimism, missing people, mobile phone culture. Influences include a splash of Suicides’ keyboard sound, a hint of James Murphy’s indie crashes into dance music, a lick of Wren sand a dollop of the Dukes of Stratosphear vocal stylings.

Paul Scott began his career in music, writing and playing bass in angular NZ group Pop Mechanix. Despite court cases, a revolving cast of singers and multiple record labels, their single ‘Jumping out a Window’ became a staple of New Zealand pop culture. Relocating to Australia Paul formed Montana with Ken Stewart (Mr Blonde), Michelle Margherita and Steve Melville. Their first release featured ‘Koolest Band’ which received national airplay and high rotation on Triple J. A USA Tour and performance at SXSW, led to ‘Koolest Band’ being included in the Hollywood movie ‘You Drive Me Crazy’. The subsequent album ‘Bubblegum Love’ was released in Australia, Spain, France and the USA. Scott has since plied bass for various Australian acts, playing everywhere from community halls and malls in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to the Sydney Opera House. More recently Scott has released an album on the Australian label ‘Half a Cow’ with his new power pop combo ‘The Likes of You’.

Download now:

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Texas Strangers – Borderline

May 30, 2019 Leave a comment

Texas Strangers – Borderline – Country – Album out now (MGM)

Featuring a dynamic live show of originals and covers, NSW Central Coast boys Texas Strangers are gaining a reputation for being one of Australia’s up and coming Country bands, with a strong Tamworth track record.

Taking his inspiration from great song writers like Jimmy Webb, frontman Steve Killeen is combining great lyrics with strong country melodies that are connecting with a growing audience.

The debut album Borderline is out now via the good folks at MGM and the boys will be playing around the traps in support. The first 2 singles Always in the Rain and River of Tears both received strong support from ABC Country and national Community Stations.

Download or stream now:

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John Kennedy – Raining Treasure (Australian Indie Gold Covers Vol.1)

May 24, 2019 Leave a comment

MadCds4PanelDigiPack+Pocketsideentry FINAL

Tour Update for the Album

ollowing the Successful Melbourne Show last weekend including an appearance from Kim Salmon,
The Sydney Launch is Friday June 21 Next Week at the fabulous Patersham Bowlo

And for Brisbane folks there are still last minute tix available for tomorrow night at The Junk Bar

Sydney musician John Kennedy’s new album Raining Treasure celebrates the golden era of Australian independent music from the late ‘70’s and the 80’s. Kennedy compiled a list of classic indie songs (and some obscurities) from that era and with his band, John Kennedy’s 68 Comeback Special, has recorded songs from The Go-Betweens, The Triffids, The Scientists and many more. Some of these acts were contemporaries. Some were inspirations. All had some great songs.

The idea for this release sprang from the 2017 album, JFK and the Midlife Crisis. It was a concept album about a middle aged Sydney musician looking back over his life to the glory days of the Australian indie music scene. It explored the joys and disappointments of being part of the thriving music culture that was centred around Surry Hills at that time. The logical next step was to cover some of the great songs from that fertile period. These songs take you back to the Trade Union Club and the Strawberry Hills Hotel.

The tracklist is:

1. Swampland* – The Scientists
2. Raining Pleasure – The Triffids
3. Leilani – le Hoodoo Gurus
4. Come On – The Atlantics via The Wet Taxis

5. Stuck On You – Sardine v

6. Girl In The Sweater – The Hard Ons7. King Street* – John Kennedy’s
Love Gone Wrong
8. Ocean Liner – The Lighthouse Keepers

9. Lee Remick* – The Go-Betweens

10. Refugee – The Apartments
11. When The Birdmen Fly – The Fun Things
12. Brisbane (Security City) / Electrical Storm – The Saints / Ed Kuepper
13. Nothing Grows In Texas* – Sacred Cowboys

14. Don’t Go To Sydney – The Zimmermen
15. St Kilda to Kings Cross – Paul Kelly
( * Suggested airplay tracks)

An enthusiastic young music journalist once described John Kennedy as a humble genius. Kennedy is neither a genius nor particularly humble. He is the writer and performer of many fine songs, some of which have found a place in the hearts of music fans of the golden era of Australian independent music. Kennedy started his music career in Brisbane in the ‘80’s 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 with his band vehicle, John Kennedy’s Love Gone Wrong.

Despite numerous indie hits, commercial crossover proved to be elusive leading to his decision to leave Australia. Kennedy spent the ‘90’s living and playing music in Berlin, Hong Kong and London before returning to Sydney’s Inner West in 2000. He formed a new band, John Kennedy’s 68 Comeback Special and continues to perform and produce independent releases.

Over the years Kennedy has shared stages with many of the acts covered on this new album. His band members have come from or gone on to the Triffids, Paul Kelly, the Go-Betweens and Ed Kuepper. The current line up of the band boasts its own fine indie pedigree. Long time drummer, Peter Timmerman was an original Love Gone Wrong member before moving on to the Widdershins. New bassist Phil Hall played with Sardine v, the Dropbears, the Lime Spiders and many others. Guitarist Murray Cook started out in Finger Guns before going on to found what is probably Australia’s most successful independent band, the Wiggles. Together with Kennedy they have created versions of these Australian indie classics, reinterpreting some, expanding some and celebrating them all.

TOUR DATES ARE:

Melbourne ALBUM LAUNCH – Swamplands, 744 High St, Thornbury VIC.
Saturday 8 June, from 8pm.

Brisbane ALBUM LAUNCH – The Junk Bar, 215 Waterworks Rd, Ashgrove QLD
Saturday 15 June, from 8pm.

Sydney ALBUM LAUNCH – Petersham Bowling Club, 77 Brighton St, Petersham NSW
Friday 21 June, from 8pm.

Pre-sale tickets are available via Oztix, or buy tickets at the door.

Raining Treasure (Australian Indie Gold Covers Vol.1) will be released on 7 June 2019,
on Foghorn Records through MGM.

Stream or Download John Kennedy’s music:

Connect with John Kennedy:

Melissa Black – The Eden Project EP

May 10, 2019 Leave a comment

Melissa Black is a musician and songwriter with a strong connection to nature, as evident on her new release, The Eden Project EP. Soundslikecafe is proud to feature this excellent recording that comes with a powerful environmental message as well – as evident in the stunning video – see below.

For the past decade Melissa has been a staple on the original music scene steadily gathering accolades and building a loyal fan base. A chance meeting with singer/songwriter Scott Bird led to a production meeting with Riversong Music and the team was assembled to work on ‘The Eden Project’. Pre-production began mid 2016 and tracking started soon after. As the project developed the musical landscape was revealed and the imagery surrounding the songs came into sharp focus. The production team then developed filming ideas around the stories that were emerging from the songs, after spending time as participating artists at Tarkine in Motion 2017. The quality of the recordings and visual concepts led to Melissa becoming a Riversong Music family artist and a valuable contributor to their environmental arts project.

Melissa says her passion for music began when she was very young. “I used my older brothers record collection for ages, where I discovered Jethro Tull, Cream, Deep Purple, Led Zep all the classics, then I discovered (I think much to my brothers disgust!) Queen and I was off on my own adventure.”

These early influences still inspire her sound today. “There was a lot of hammond organ in my brothers collection which I loved the sound of, then Queen with the piano sealed the deal.”

The title track, ‘Eden’ shines as a key single from the EP, with an enticing piano, strings and guitar intro leading into the full instrumentation evoking comparisons to Neko Case’s album Hell On and Tori Amos.

Just click either of the images to watch the new Eden video or scroll down for our feature video selection.

The hooky chorus of ‘Fallen Angel’ sets it up as a great radio track and the song has already found a warm response on the soundslikecafe network.

A music mentor teacher for children and teens, Melissa is inspired by a broad musical pool. She cites her favourite artists as “most definitely the story tellers”, listing Freddie Mercury, Jeff Lynn, Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, Regina Spektor, Elton John for the melodies and Bernie Taupin for the stories, Kate Miller-Heidke, Aurora Jane and Diana Anaid.

Melissa is also a part of an exciting new short film called ‘Merging with takayna’, launching in July, which is part of the Tarkine In Motion project co-ordinated through the environmental action group of former Greens Senator and environmentalist Bob Brown. Takayna is the name of the Tasmanian wilderness also known as Tarkine – Australia’s largest temperate rainforest which is the habitat of many of Australia’s most iconic animals, some of which are endangered.

Check out Melissa talking about the Tarkine and her release on 3CR Melbourne here.

Piano driven songs supported by solid groove, understated guitars and a conversational vocal delivery which evokes the rich Australian landscape and an empowering feminine essence ~ Heart Light Music

The Eden Project EP is out now through Riversong Music.
The video for Eden will be released on the 10^th of May, with shows to follow in July surrounding the Tarkine in Motion exhibition in Hobart.
More tour dates below:
2nd May – Guest Host Australian Songwriters Association – Ground N Sound’, 6/23 Musgrave Avenue, Chirn Park Gold Coast 6.30 – 9.30pm.

17th May – Album Showcase – Boho & Co Prospero St, South Murwillumbah NSW

18th May – Launch of New Shop + Album Showcase – Boho & Co Prospero St, South Murwillumbah NSW

10th August – Album showcase for Fundraising Support for Cancer Function – House of Gabriel, Riverside Drive, Tumbulgum NSW

August 24th – Ground n Sound (Album Showcase)
Chirn Park, Gold Coast QLD

August 25th – Sphinx Rock Cafe (Album Showcase)
3220 Kyogle Road, Mount Burrell NSW 12pm

Sunday 1st September – The Nook Cafe, 87-89 Tweed Coast Road, Hastings Point, 6.30pm – 8.30pm Bookings 02 6617 6779

Friday 6th September – Marty’s at Caba, 35 Tweed Coast Road, Bogangar (Cabarita), 6.30pm – 9.30pm Bookings 02 6676 3955

Sunday 15th September – Uki Buttery Markets, Uki Village, Kyogle Road from 9.30am to 1.30pm

Stream or Download Now:

Connect with Melissa Black:

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