Sensitive Chaos Releases New Album ‘Closer to Home’

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"Sensitive Chaos Releases New Album ‘Closer to Home’"
Soundsliekcafe Proudly presents this brilliant set of tunes for our new feature album all the way from the USA
Sensitive Chaos is the solo project of composer/synthesist/producer Jim Combs, a collaborative music project with ambient, world, electronic, jazz, found sound, and down-tempo chillout vibes.
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Sensitive Chaos compositions use live looping improvisation, and most songs have their genesis in live performances or from live recordings. 

Building on a massively successful 15-year run of worldwide airplay, live concerts, and festival appearances – as well as multiple award considerations from Zone Music Reporter and One World Music Radio to the Grammys – Sensitive Chaos proudly presents its 11th release: Closer to Home.
A selection of the tracks from this new release were chosen for cafe play,
from mid-tempo jazzy beat instrumental to more ambient sounds:
Some videos to checkout below
 Fauna Funk Fusion – (click below to watch video)
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Snow Laughing Matter(click below to watch video)
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Fast Driving Open Road(click below to watch video)
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Watching Embers Glow(click below to watch video
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As Night Unfolds(click below to watch video)
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Settlement Mirage EP release

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"Settlement Mirage EP release"

In 1992, after Sydney’s Happy Hate Me Nots split, Paul Berwick put together a trio called Settlement, with bassist, Jim Dickson (at the time ex New Christs) and drummer, Chris Welsh (at the time ex Died Pretty).

“I wanted to start something new” explained singer, guitarist and songwriter, Berwick.

“I advertised for a drummer and bass player. Jim Dickson answered, momentarily separated from the New Christs.  We were already friends but I couldn’t believe it!  We auditioned several drummers until Chris Welsh, momentarily separated from Died Pretty, called me.  Again, I had to pinch myself! I already had enormous respect for both Jim and Chris!”

Settlement recorded five glorious tracks at Damien Gerard Studios at its original location in the inner Sydney suburb of Ultimo.  The songs weren’t left over from Berwick’s days in the Happy Hate Me Nots.  “All the songs were new. It was a good songwriting period for me.”  A life long fan of great pop/rock songs, Berwick was inspired by some of the form’s masters.  “At that time it was The Pretenders, The Who, Big Star, Prince and of course the Beatles!”

Settlement are:
Paul Berwick – Happy Hate Me Nots
Jim Dickson – The Survivors, Passengers, Deniz Tek Group, Radio Birdman, New Christs
Chris Welsh – Died Pretty

As well as the recording session at Damien Gerard Studios, the band played some shows around Sydney in the second half of 1992.  While the band and the music showed promise, Settlement’s existence was brief.  “Chris got the call to return to Died Pretty. I couldn’t compete with that so it ended there”, said Berwick.

Or so it seemed.

In 2020, in the middle of the COVID-19 lockdown, Jim Dickson found the DAT tape of their studio session, which he then had mastered – significantly – at the same studio where it was recorded!

This band was a unique creation that doesn’t feature at all in Sydney’s early 90s rock history.  It wasn’t a mirage though…they did exist. Here’s the proof!!

What’s Good For Me
Originally recorded in the 90’s these songs have that warm and analog tape sound that is hard to replicate successfully anymore.  The lead tune What’s Good For Me is up-tempo and moves along in a power pop, jangly guitar way, not unlike early REM.  The chorus is the standout and has a melodic and catchy chorus that stays in your head, tailed out by a strong instrumental section, this one is a winner.

Golden Handshake
Some shaker, guitar and huge drums start this up-tempo radio track.  Once the vocals and band come in you are curious and want to hear more. The song drives along at a quick pace and maintains the interest with plenty going on plus a great vocal from Paul Berwick.

THE EP IS OUT ON ALL DIGITAL PLATFORMS

Clink on the album below to Stream/Download from your preferred service:

sett-sales


Connect with Settlement:

The DK Effect release their Debut Album ‘Moving Time’

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"The DK Effect release their Debut Album ‘Moving Time’"

This Deep South(Tasmanian) Soul and Blues band release their debut album and premiere of their new video courtesy of scenestr

dk eff vid

The DK Effect are an 8-piece original funk, soul and gospel-infused RnB band from Australia’s deep south (Tasmania). Fronted by the powerful yet exquisite vocal and focal trinity (Crystal Campbell, Ruby Austin-Lund and Belle Richardson) the band’s material focuses on storytelling, melody and harmony, and is saturated with the passion and polyrhythmic ‘call and response’ vocal synchronicity of gospel music. The band: Randal Muir (keys), Aleks Folvig (guitar and vocals), Al Tolond (drums), David Johnstone (bass) and Jed Adams (sax) deliver grooves as deep as a freshly pressed 45.

Songwriter, David Johnstone had been content to satisfy his passion for writing and recording in sheltered isolation but following the illness of a close friend he reluctantly acknowledged that life is a ‘one-time only offer’. He began the Mama K project. Mama K and the Big Love release their ‘Blind’ album in 2017. The album received rave reviews including 4.5 stars from the Sydney Moring Herald. At this time David had the amazing good fortune to be introduced to Crystal Campbell. Her innate musicality and perfect interpretation of his ideas took each new song to a soulful new level. They quickly formed an enduring, productive and creative relationship.

Having been born on Kiribati in the South Pacific, Crystal was adopted and raised in Tasmania. She is also an accomplished singer songwriter with soul music running through her veins, and as with the African-American originators of soul, she has a sense of identity, culture, consciousness, pride and an unbreakable bond to her homeland.

Crystal and Ruby were together in an all-female band called The Duchesses and formed a great musical relationship and friendship. Ruby is from Northern Tasmania and completed a Bachelor of Music with Honours in Songwriting. She is also an accomplished keyboardist and has always had a love for soul music.

Ruby met Belle (also from Northern Tasmania) at the Conservatorium of Music where Belle is currently studying music, specialising in Blues, Funk, RnB and Gospel. As well as The DK Effect, she also sings with the soul band Belle’s Boys.

The vocal trio have an undeniable chemistry that radiates the authentic early soul / funk power and vulnerability of the genres pioneers, which allows them to reflect the full range of emotion and meaning embedded in every lyric and groove of The DK Effect repertoire.

Though the band was originally formed purely as a recording entity, there has been an overwhelmingly positive audience reaction from every DK Effect performance at venues including MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), The Moonah Arts Centre, Kickstart Arts and the iconic Republic Bar, establishing their reputation as an exciting and dynamic live band.

A selection of the band’s material has been captured on their debut recording – ‘Moving Time’, which has been expertly mastered by Grammy Award winning, Dave Darlington (Bass Hit Recording, NYC), and accurately presents their organic and authentic, early funk and soul sound.

The album was recorded and mixed in Hobart, Tasmania using vintage gear, 4 mics and a whole lot of enthusiasm. We wanted to capture the natural sound of the band so you’ll find NO fancy production techniques, NO auto-tune and NO midi on these recordings. Just the band, performing the songs – the way we do live…

The original plan was to release a 5-track EP, but got carried away and ended up recording a 10 track album!

Album Trailer

Moving Time single official video:

Song journey from rehearsal, to gig, to album release:

Clink on the album below to Stream/Download from your preferred service:

Connect with The DK Effect:

Anirban Jee releases new single ‘Move Out’

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"Anirban Jee releases new single ‘Move Out’"

Australian music artist Anirban Jee just released his brand-new single MOVE OUT on 19th April 2021. The new track is another contemporary pop-urban crossover, a smashing track with a huge potential to be a hit over the radio waves. As always, an impressive and strong vocal performance, and a lyric that’s very relatable.

 The track is getting picked up by several national radio networks and is currently available for downloads and streaming via iTunes, Spotify and all popular online stores.

Soundslikecafe has made it the number 1 track on our playlist already!!

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This new single follows Anirban’s previous releases, Mayday (released in November 2020), Deep Down feat. Mary Ann Van Der Horst (X-Factor artist) in 2016 and Undecided feat. Judd Field in 2014. All his previously released tracks received airplay on commercial and community stations and garnered ecstatic media attention.

This success sits alongside Anirban’s numerous awards and achievements collected recently, including Songwriter of the Year 2018 (Australian Songwriting Contest) and Songwriter of the Year 2017 (SongsAlive Australia). 

Take A Listen

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Anya Alchemy releases her second single ‘For You’

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"Anya Alchemy releases her second single ‘For You’"
Soundslikecafe is proud to feature this outstanding new young artist, well worthy of support.
17-year-old Anya Alchemy is a gritty singer-song writer from the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia.
Anya first erupted into the music scene with her debut single ‘Home’ featuring popular Australian rapper Pez.
Home drew attention to the protection of childhood innocence in the face of threats
including underage marriage, child labour and violence.
Anya Alchemy is now releasing her second single, ‘For You’, a heart-grasping, acoustic track—
exploring a collective history of one-sided love stories—recounting a narrative built from a collage of heartbreak. 
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Employing an articulate and polyphonic atmosphere of melodic guitars and string quartets, Anya has created a piece that
perfectly embodies the emotional build-up of this supercut of doomed romances. The minimalist lyric style cuts to the core
and plucks the heart strings, perfectly complimented by her intimate delivery.

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Anya is sure to become a rising star in Australian Music with her upcoming releases, but for now join her for a deep
and heartfelt experience lined with nostalgia as you listen to ‘For You’.

Stream the single:
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Connect with Anya Alchemy:
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Drawing Arrows Release their Debut EP Rojo

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"Drawing Arrows Release their Debut EP Rojo"

Bored with cookie-cutter pop sound!

Drawing Arrows is a love letter to rock music. Not one band, not one decade, but the whole effect. With multiple influences – from Australian rock’n’roll, US grunge and flamenco guitar to Britpop rock and amped-up punk.

With band members from Spain, the UK and right here in Australia, each member brings their own unique influences. Sidney (vocals) and David (bass/guitar) have previously worked on an experimental dubstep project (Milo Firewater). They played at festivals in Sydney and Byron – but were frustrated by not being able to put on a truly live act.

They went back to their roots. Powderfinger, Radiohead, U2, Queens of the Stoneage all influenced an authentic live sound that sits as well on stage as it does in your headphones.

The Rojo EP is the debut release for Drawing Arrows and it will take you on a journey of love sickness, sly mermaids and general mischief. ‘No Remedy’ hints at the rock sound that is impossible to sit still too. ‘Siren’ combines a dark edge with a very cool rhythm. And ‘The Genius’ ramps up the tempo to go out with a bang. But, this is just the first shade. There’s a lot more to come.

Take a listen

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John Kennedy’s Love Gone Wrong reissues Always The Bridegroom

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"John Kennedy’s Love Gone Wrong reissues Always The Bridegroom"

CD ONLY IN STORE NOW

Deluxe Reissue including bonus ‘Live at 3LO Disk’

Sold out Launch at Petersham Bowlo

Read all about it in the Bernard Zuel review right here

BZ

An enthusiastic young music journalist once described John Kennedy as a humble genius.  Kennedy is neither a genius nor particularly humble.  Kennedy started his music career in Brisbane in 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.

Over the years Kennedy has shared stages with many of the acts covered on this new album.  Band members have come from or gone on to the Triffids, Paul Kelly, the Go-Betweens and Ed Kuepper.

The Sydney musician, John Kennedy, was enjoying a successful independent career in Australia in the 1980’s before the release of his band’s Always The Bridegroom LP in 1987.  John Kennedy’s Love Gone Wrong broke up in mid 1988 as a result in part, of the mixed responses the album received.

Now nearly 35 years later, he has taken the opportunity to re-assess the record.

Together with a bonus live disc and stand alone single tracks, this release presents a talented young band performing a strong collection of Kennedy’s songs.  The songs including some live rearrangements and cover versions, display the pop, rock, folk and country influences that Kennedy combined to create his Urban and Western sound.  Gospel and even a bit of funk were also added to the mix.

On listening to the remastered versions of these songs, Kennedy states that he can now,  “hear the care and the craft that went into them. Under the pale skin of the production, I hear the beating hearts of the songs, they are an important part of my back catalogue – part of my story –  part of my legacy.”

To those fans who liked these songs the first time round, this release will take them back to the joys of well spent years in the Australian Indie landscape of the 1980’s. Harsher critics will find some fine moments from a band that never quite reached its potential.

The Deluxe Edition CD release includes a 16 page booklet with Kennedy’s essay and band photos, record covers. posters and reviews from that period which help place John Kennedy’s Love Gone Wrong in the context of the golden era of Australian indie music.

ALWAYS THE BRIDEGROOM DELUXE REISSUE DOUBLE ALBUM WITH BONUS ‘LIVE AT 3LO’ 2ND CD. 

EXCLUSIVE CD ONLY LIMITED RELEASE

OUT NOW THROUGH MGM DISTRIBUTION AT ALL GOOD MUSIC RETAILERS – Redeye, Greville, Rocking Horse and many more.

OR MAIL ORDER HERE

                  https://www.waterfrontrecords.com/Product/91840

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Kaijin Solo New Single Viva La Difference

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"Kaijin Solo New Single Viva La Difference"

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

He has been working and honing his craft for many years with various band line-ups and the plentiful bread and butter busking jobs and pub/club gigs around the coast (most recently at Link and Pin in Woy Woy). With the advent of Covid, Kaijin spent the downtime working on new material which resulted in the recording and release of ‘Drink Deep Lovers’, a classic retro rock single. Kaijin has also been revising earlier materiel throughout the break and has had these two songs remixed and mastered to 2021 standard ready for his first release this year.

Originally recorded as part of the Watch your Head sessions, at Damien Gerard’s Balmain studio. Kaijin played guitars, bass and vocals with Chris Prendergast on drums and backing vocals from Kiersten. The track was later re-mixed by Russell Pilling. Viva La Difference celebrates the change in the atmosphere from a divisive period of black and white/cold war politics to something a bit more together. Rock Bottom speaks to the current punitive economic stinginess in the face of the pandemic from an Australian government that should know better.

Viva La Difference
A Bozz Scaggs influenced up-tempo bluesy/funky tune which is lyrically relevant to todays polarized society. The track features full band backing with Kaijin’s groovy Fender Strat featuring and his vocal driving the song along.

Rock Bottom.
A more up-tempo tune as the B Side to Kaijin Solo’s new release. This has a solid rock backing, prominent electric guitar and some keys to balance out the top line. A catchy chorus using the songs title finishes off this great track.

 

Viva La Difference March 19th –  via MGM
All DSP’s

ks streams

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The DK Effect release their Debut Single ‘Moving Time’

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"The DK Effect release their Debut Single ‘Moving Time’"

The DK Effect are an 8-piece original funk, soul and gospel-infused RnB band from Australia’s deep south (Tasmania). Fronted by the powerful yet exquisite vocal and focal trinity (Crystal Campbell, Ruby Austin-Lund and Belle Richardson) the band’s material focuses on storytelling, melody and harmony, and is saturated with the passion and polyrhythmic ‘call and response’ vocal synchronicity of gospel music. The band: Randal Muir (keys), Aleks Folvig (guitar and vocals), Al Tolond (drums), David Johnstone (bass) and Jed Adams (sax) deliver grooves as deep as a freshly pressed 45.

Songwriter, David Johnstone had been content to satisfy his passion for writing and recording in sheltered isolation but following the illness of a close friend he reluctantly acknowledged that life is a ‘one-time only offer’. He began the Mama K project. Mama K and the Big Love release their ‘Blind’ album in 2017. The album received rave reviews including 4.5 stars from the Sydney Moring Herald. At this time David had the amazing good fortune to be introduced to Crystal Campbell. Her innate musicality and perfect interpretation of his ideas took each new song to a soulful new level. They quickly formed an enduring, productive and creative relationship.

Having been born on Kiribati in the South Pacific, Crystal was adopted and raised in Tasmania. She is also an accomplished singer songwriter with soul music running through her veins, and as with the African-American originators of soul, she has a sense of identity, culture, consciousness, pride and an unbreakable bond to her homeland.

Crystal and Ruby were together in an all-female band called The Duchesses and formed a great musical relationship and friendship. Ruby is from Northern Tasmania and completed a Bachelor of Music with Honours in Songwriting. She is also an accomplished keyboardist and has always had a love for soul music.

Ruby met Belle (also from Northern Tasmania) at the Conservatorium of Music where Belle is currently studying music, specialising in Blues, Funk, RnB and Gospel. As well as The DK Effect, she also sings with the soul band Belle’s Boys.

The vocal trio have an undeniable chemistry that radiates the authentic early soul / funk power and vulnerability of the genres pioneers, which allows them to reflect the full range of emotion and meaning embedded in every lyric and groove of The DK Effect repertoire.

Though the band was originally formed purely as a recording entity, there has been an overwhelmingly positive audience reaction from every DK Effect performance at venues including MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), The Moonah Arts Centre, Kickstart Arts and the iconic Republic Bar, establishing their reputation as an exciting and dynamic live band.

A selection of the band’s material has been captured on their debut recording – ‘Moving Time’, which has been expertly mastered by Grammy Award winning, Dave Darlington (Bass Hit Recording, NYC), and accurately presents their organic and authentic, early funk and soul sound.

Video

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Stream

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Connect with The DK Effect:

 

Adam Jones releases new Single ‘Keep Trying’

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"Adam Jones releases new Single ‘Keep Trying’"

Since mid 2020, just after the first coronavirus restrictions lockdown in Melbourne, Adam has been working on a concept double-album called Lockdown Blues/Acoustic. The first album, an electric blues full band production of 10 songs featuring Adam’s friend and brilliant guitarist Warren Adams on electric guitar, and the second an acoustic folk-rock and blues album. The new single ‘Keep Trying’ and B-Side ‘Alternative’ have been released from the forthcoming Lockdown Blues album.

These songs are about trying to overcome adversity during tough times, and questioning our existence and future as humans. Adam will shortly be moving to Adelaide to stay a while and do some concerts, whilst travelling back to NSW to finish recording the double album.

Adam Jones studio scene

Keep Trying
Up-tempo Blues at its best from Adam Jones with signature slide guitar, rocking rhythm section and acoustic beds.

Alternative
A more laid-back tune from Adam, with some thought provoking lyrics, done in live blues format, drums, bass, acoustics, electric backing – and with a copacetic guitar solo to put the cream on the cake.

Check it out –

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