BLJ Releases New Single ‘Three Little Birds’

August 11, 2023

Following their 2 previous ‘covers’ (the Cure’s Just Like Heaven and Donna Summer’s I Feel Love) the BLJ production team now unleash this classic Bob Marley tune on the world.The song was debut’d on Alive 90.5 earlier this week along with a chat where some of the below was revealed for the first time.

The third release from The Love and Happiness Set Part 1, Three Little Birds is a restomod of a song written by Bob Marley and originally released as a single in 1980. The song has a beautifully reassuring spirit, and it is song that if you play it a few times, it can change your mood.

BLJ hadn’t done a reggae track before, as he works mostly with samples (expect for Andi…but his head is in a bell jar!). The main concern was that it might sound a bit ‘mechanical’. But, that fabulous ‘Wailer’s Groove’ kicks in to control the tempo throughout BLJ’s arrangement.

Of course, a song needs a great vocal, and Andi once again delivers that in spades. So sweet. Just lovely. And this was the first time Christine, Cate and Christiana, or the 3Cs, got together to do some very nice backing vocals, right in the spirit of the song.

Rusty T Rokk brought it all together in the final mix. The brief was “sweet, but with slam”, and as always he delivered. His mix highlights that classic reggae sound, surrounds the vocals with a sweet feel, but then there’s this totally slamming bass and drums that drives the whole thing along.

‘I love Three Little Birds, it’s such a great song on so many levels. And I’m thrilled with the way our version has turned out. I’m lucky to work with such talented people. I hope it gets your body moving and brings you joy.’ BLJ

Starting with just bass and vocals this Bob Marley tribute kicks off into a percussion and reggae extravaganza with steel drums, keys, guitars and strings. Andi’s sweet voice and female backing vocals bring it home. The same good vibes from the original are here, some nice ear candy.

ABOUT BURGER LEGS JOE

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 are 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.”

From bangers to ballads, and anything in between, Burger Legs Joe featuring Andi’s first restomod collection is The Love and Happiness Set Part 1, a quantum leap into reimagined retro joy. “We want to uplift our audience, so we naturally gravitate towards songs we love, that do that for us.”

And so from The Love and Happiness Set Part 1, we present our third release, Three Little Birds, adapted from Bob Marley and the Wailers. We hope you enjoy.

BLJ -(Burger Legs Joe) – Three Little Birds (Fog/MGM) Out Now

Click below to Watch and Chill to the Video on Youtube

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Lazy-Jane Walker(Official Video)

August 4, 2023

Monster Taxi Releases Single ‘Reflect’

August 4, 2023

Embark on an extraordinary auditory expedition with “Reflect” by Monster Taxi. This captivating track serves as your musical guide, inviting you to transcend the boundaries of the universe. Through gentle melodies, it creates a mental voyage through deserts, mountains, and beyond, resonating with your soul and sparking introspection. As the music unfolds, you find yourself immersed in a transformative experience, where reflection becomes a mirror to your inner self. Let the enchanting rhythms carry you to unexplored dimensions, as Monster Taxi accompanies you on a captivating journey through the landscapes of your mind.

Monster Taxi is the alter-ego of Miami music producer and keyboardist Jason Klein. Klein has worked on recordings for several major and indie artists including Mariah Carey, Ricky Martin, and Earth Wind & Fire.

From 1998-2001, he was partnered with famed Brazilian DJ Grego doing remixes and dance productions utilizing various Brazilian genres and latin house.

Before taking the moniker of Monster Taxi, Klein partnered with another Miami-based producer, Jason Wilkes, and opera singer, Kelly Alloco, as “Magic Sauce.” Magic Sauce remixed Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria”, which charted on DJ Times and was featured in Billboard Magazine. After Ave Maria, Klein teamed with Manny Perez for the Don Manuel “Figaro” house music opera. His interest in classic music also led to his dance collaboration with Amy Barbera in releasing Amazing Grace.

In 2003, Klein produced the BMG US Latin/RCA Victor album, Beny Moré – The King of Son. The single, “Bonito y Sabrosa”, was a Latin radio and video hit, charting #1 on several stations. It made the Billboard chart on May 17, 2003 on the Tropical/Salsa airplay at #39, Klein’s first Billboard chart position.

He formed Monster Taxi and Toy Robot Records to license his own tracks to major labels. The Monster Taxi tunes, “Boogie Makes a Splash” and “Cosmic Love Juice”, were featured on a dance compilation for Ministry of Sound. He worked with Billboard charting dance singers such as Pepper Mashay (Cosmic Love Juice), Rachel Panay (Repeat Performance and Get Off), Jennifer Carbonell (Memory Wack), and Ray Guell (Love is the Answer).

Monster Taxi teamed up with members of the disco funk band, Foxy and re-recorded “Get Off”. Song featured original talk box guitars, funky bass lines, and Ish Ledesma on vocals. Mixes received heavy dance club and airplay and was even featured at sporting events.

Recent dance mixes from Monster Taxi include Miami Spice, Cluck Old Hen, Do the Hora, Motivate, Tank and the jazz song, Ocean Drive. In 2013, Klein remixed Universal Music Canada artists, Bet.e and Stef. He continues to remix songs including releases by Eddie Amador & Ultra Nate and Jenevieve X.

He currently re-masters compilations for Sony Music and Fania Records, along with doing a voice-over production for the Simpsons cartoon on Fox. Many of these albums have charted in Billboard Magazine during 2013 and 2014.

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Jane Walker Releases Single ‘Lazy’ plus live show in Sydney

July 24, 2023

Jane Walkers New single Lazy is out NOW and added to our Spotify Playlist and will have a live launch at Low302 in Surry Hills, Sydney on Aug 11.

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of singer-songwriter Jane Walker. Backed by acclaimed musicians Jess Ciampa and Mike Quigley, this night celebrates the launch of her mesmerizing new single “Lazy” (out August 4) and will feature some special surprise guests. Elements of pop and jazz weave together for an intimate and uplifting musical experience.

Doors 7pm – Dinner and drinks available all night.

TIX for the show

https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/747da26d-e3ee-4065-b476-5ccd77f0cdc8?utm_source=Low302&utm_medium=Website

Two years ago, Jane Walker was in the grips of a particularly debilitating writer’s block. It was a tumultuous time for the Sydney singer/songwriter, a recent marriage, a serious accident, a change of management and the death of her father. Yet, diamonds are forged under pressure and after basically chaining herself to her piano, new songs began coming thick and fast.

The new songs, which blend sophisticated pop and soul with light jazz touches, come with classy contributions from cross genre specialists like the rhythm section of Hamish Stuart and James Haselwood, Stu Hunter on keyboards, and co-producer/mixer Neal Sutherland.

Having already written with Chris Difford of Squeeze and Adam Levy (Norah Jones) and worked with the likes of The Cruel Sea’s James Cruickshank, producers Steve James and Barbara Griffin, and Indigenous group Street Warriors and Bobby Flynn on her debut, Walk Gently, Walker says that “working with such talented musicians lifts my level and stimulates me as an artist and gives me that freedom to go for it.”

“[In London I recognised] my identity as Australian and my connection is to the land here, and I wanted to come back home,” says Walker who, while in London, had one of her songs included on an album alongside tracks by Massive Attack and Radiohead.

“More and more I try to live in the present moment, and find when I’m there, nature rushes in…this influences my songwriting and musical choices.” And as she discovered, when that happens amazing things occur, and it’s clear that Jane Walker is anything but lazy.

“Rather than sit in resentment and blame others, I can write a song.”

A very smooth soul single featuring beautiful Fender Rhodes piano, Hammond organ, laid back drums and bass and a silky smooth vocal that all come together in the best possible way.

Stream:

New Single ‘Lazy’ Out August 4 on MGM

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The Mezcaltones Release Single ‘I Wanna Do It With You’

July 21, 2023

‘I Wanna Do It With You’ is the second single from the fourth and latest album ‘Agave Soiree’.

On the back of the first single from ‘Agave Soirée’ (‘If l Could Make You See’), The Mezcaltones present part two of their “Modern Romance Trilogy” entitled ‘I Wanna Do It With You’. This song is a “progressive country” track and poses the question… What if Otis Redding was a member of the Allman Brothers? The spark behind ‘I Wanna Do It With You’ is the ostinato theme, set up by the lead guitar and met with a syncopated guitar rhythm to make the opening statement. Col and Dan’s vocals appear as one as they blanket the verses to be countered with a call and response guitar solo played in double stop harmony. This lyrically optimistic and light hearted jaunt is a delight to the ears and a smile to the soul.

The Mezcaltones are…

Neralita
Rhythm and slide guitar. She has and uses a handmade resonator for slide and a Gretsch for the Bigsby stuff but her guitar of choice is the Slimline telly played through a VOX AC15…

Mimi
Mimi is a graduate of the Sydney School of Theatre and has acted on stage and screen. A triple threat… she also sings and dances plus displays her skills with different apparatus including, hula hoop, ribbons, flags and anything else she can get her hands on.

Lucre
Bass guitar and one hell of a one half of the engine room. Light on his feet with fingers to match.

Don Juan
Drummer and the other half of the engine room. Dan is not only an exceptional drummer but is the primary backing vocals and harmony person. Bangin’ out the lows and belting out the highs.

Shango
Lead Guitar. A graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and someone with a deeply developed sense of sound textures making for an immersive musical experience.

Col Padre
Frontman. Raspy, experienced singer with an innate sense of humour which is reflected in his lyrics and delivery.

Song Description

Gotta love an up-tempo single that starts with the chorus. The Mezcaltones have scored bigtime with this catchy, upbeat, hooky tune. Plenty of guitar riffs, ooh aah backing vocals and snappy drums and bass on this full throttle Texmex track.

The Mezcaltones are a Sydney six-piece band whose aim was to put together a repertoire of obscure alt country/surf twang songs. They were found mostly on cult Mexican movie soundtracks and then matched with dance, cabaret and outrageous showmanship to form a unique and original show. Ten years and four albums later the Mezcaltones are one of Sydney’s premiere live acts. With an impressive collection of original songs, the Mezcaltones are not only able to play venues that are traditionally for original bands only but are also able to put on three set shows at some of the more mainstream venues.

The Mezcaltones love playing festivals having performed at Groundwater CMF; Sydney Blues & Roots Festival; Dashville Skyline Festival; Blue Mountains Music Festival to name a few. They have also performed at seven Tamworth Music Festivals including this year where they performed ten shows in eight days. The shows were a huge success and the band were booked for 2024 before they’d even left town. The Mezcaltones have also been booked for the 2024 Broadbeach Blues and Roots Festival in QLD.

Some of the Mezcaltones regular Sydney gigs include The Marrickville Bowling Club, The Union Hotel, Shady Pines Saloon, Narrabeen Sands, Collaroy Beach Club, Club Cronulla and The Orient Hotel.

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ChIPS release single ‘Frequent Flyer’

July 15, 2023

“Frequent Flyer” is an atmospheric and emotive pop song created by young people from the Chronic Illness Peer Support (ChIPS) service. The track powerfully conveys the experience of being a young person living with a chronic health condition and learning to cope with frequent stays in hospital.

ChIPS members were empowered to write, compose and record the song in collaboration with musicians/producers Luke Escombe and Benny Thatcher from “We Wrote That”. Luke and Benny are themselves “frequent flyers” living with chronic health conditions. Using music and song writing as a means of expression has been a powerful outlet for not only ChIPS members but also the musicians involved.

VIDEO

Luke Escombe: ““Frequent Flyer” was a true collaboration that evolved over many zoom discussions and writing sessions. It’s ended up being an expression of not just the individual tastes and talents of the group but of the underlying emotions we all feel about having a lifestyle that involves being in and out of hospital. It shows how powerful music can be in communicating ideas that are often too difficult or painful to put into words”.

The song was launched on 16 May at the NSW Health and Arts Framework Forum in front of NSW Health staff including Deputy Secretary Deborah Willcox. It was received with a standing ovation and the young people involved were invited to speak on their experience of using creative expression to amplify and elevate their voices.

ChIPS would like to acknowledge the support of Accessible Arts and Health Infrastructure NSW in this project.

Song Description

An indie tune put together by the ChIPS team from the Childrens Hospital and producer Luke Escombe. Some great sounds plus collaborative vocals from all the participants. Frequent Flyer is the term used for their frequent hospital visits. An important and special song which will help raise awareness.

About ChIPS

ChIPS is a peer support program that runs across Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network for young people aged 12-25 years who are living with a chronic illness or condition that affects their day-to-day lives. The aim of the program is to connect young people with shared experiences and provide them with opportunities for developing leadership and life skills through workshops, advocacy, creative projects, program planning and public speaking.

Since 2021, members of ChIPS have been collaborating with artists Luke Escombe and Benny Thatcher, of arts-in-health initiative “We Wrote That”, to write and record original songs that speak to the experience of being a young person living with a chronic health condition.

ChIPS – Frequent Flyer is out NOW July 14th through Foghorn/MGM

Download or stream:

“We Wrote That” – Website with previous releases and making of blog
https://wewrotethat.com.au/

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Jack Nolan’s Latest Single ‘Solo Sailor’ from Upcoming ‘Jindabyne’ Album

July 7, 2023

Added to our playlist –

Just ahead of the Album launch and release next month Jack Nolan will be Ross M Fear’s studio guest on Alive 90.5 fm Australian Spectrum Show 9pm Tuesday 11 July 203 featuring a steal preview of his latest album “Jindabyne”.

The new single is Solo Sailor – see below for details including the Live Album Launch

‘JINDABYNE Album Launch’

Book here – Tickets
Thursday 3 August, 2023
From 7pm
First 50 ticket sales will receive a copy of the LP on arrival.
Clovelly Bowling & Recreation Club
1 Ocean Street Clovelly, NSW 2031

Documenting the loss of a distant complicated man, ‘Solo Sailor’ is a soft farewell capturing a send off, a silent understanding reached, of melancholy and a life lived by the water. With an acoustic guitar augmented beautifully with a simple electric line and understated backing band, this is an ocean journey where the writer asks all fellow mariners to give the man right of way as he makes his way home. In true singer songwriter style ‘Solo Sailor’ is surely an acoustic playlist contender.

A deep cut ballad from the new Jack Nolan album: Jindabyne (released 4 August). Solo Sailor features distinctive slide and picked guitar, lush backing vocals, ambient drum backing and more than enough ducking and weaving through the textures of the song arrangement and lyrics to hold your interest.

ALBUM LAUNCH

https://mailchi.mp/7640346d77c5/out-today-gabriel-9343961?e=8f08982cee

Based in Sydney, Australia, singer songwriter Jack Nolan has been performing and releasing music and albums since the mid 1990’s. Along with a six-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’ is still considered a hidden gem, with an incredible line-up of musicians that delivered passionate and energetic live shows of the time.

Within Nolan’s music, mysterious and shimmering chords unite his sound. 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.

Of recent years, the critically acclaimed 2018 album ‘Our Waverley Star’ was followed by the equally impressive 2020 outing ‘Gabriel’ – both long players being ethereal story books and rich song collections. It was these two outings that cemented Nolan’s love of the working town Nashville, an association with guitarist/producer Justin Weaver (Dixie Chicks/Wynonna Judd) that started with a one-off phone call and developed into an alliance that Nolan describes as “arriving 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”.

Performing in & around the traps, Jack’s Australian band includes Travis New (Andrew Farris/Imogen Clark) on guitar, Tim Samson (Christne Anu/Andrew Farris) on bass and long time drummer & Hamish Stuart (Don Walker/Ian Moss et al).

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13-Year-Old Guitar Prodigy JayBird Byrne Releases Single ‘Pups At Work’

July 7, 2023

Following her debut on ABC TV last month on the 100 Instruments Countdown featuring in the Electric Guitar section with her own interview and live performance Jaybird Byrne now releases the single ‘Pups At Work’ a guitar instrumental drawing on her extreme talent and the many high pedigree influences she draws on.

JayBird Byrne, a 12-year-old guitarist, has been captivating audiences with her extraordinary talent since she started playing the guitar at the age of 8.

A recent shoutout from another young Australian guitar prodigy Taj Farrant has helped to boost her profile even further.

Drawing inspiration from legendary guitar virtuosos like Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Steve Vai, and Joe Satriani, JayBird has developed a unique style that showcases her admiration for these influential figures.

Her debut single, titled ‘Convergence’, received widespread acclaim, earning her the prestigious First Prize with Honours at the International Youth Music Competition in the Modern & Contemporary Category. The judges praised her composition, describing it as “impressive work at such a young age”. They also commented on the excellent balance of instrumentation and texture, and highlighted her remarkable precision and mastery of the guitar.

Despite her tender age, JayBird delivers performances with an intensity and spirit that surpass her years. In 2022, she secured the coveted title of ‘Best Guitarist’ at the RockFEST competition, leaving the judges astounded. They hailed her performance as “fantastic” and an absolute showstopper, acknowledging her incredible energy and mind-blowing level of ability.

JayBird Byrne is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with, and her musical journey is poised to captivate audiences worldwide.

Song Description

JayBird – ‘Pups at Work is all of my dog training experiences expressed as an instrumental rock guitar song. The song’s progressive rock feel represents the training and unpredictability of the ‘pups at work’. According to my pup, it is: Dog training, but on my human’s guitar.’

This up-tempo electric guitar instrumental with full band backing comes right out of the box from the start and never lets up. Think Joe Satriani meets Hendrix but then add that JayBird is 12 years old, and you get the ‘wow’ factor. This girl is one to watch.

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Kaiyah Mercedes’ Latest Single ‘Hide With Me’ Added to SoundsLike Cafe Playlist

July 1, 2023

‘Hide With Me’ is Kaiyah Mercedes’ first single following the release of her debut album ‘Hindsight’ in October of 2022. Kaiyah shows growth and maturity in this indie-pop, queer coming of age story.

The 17 year old LGBTQI+ Melbourne-based singer/songwriter was inspired to write the song from the positive queer teenage stories in the ground-breaking television show ”Heartstopper”, which also proliferates new music from unsigned artists. The themes of this song explore sexuality and self-identity, and finding love along the way.

A departure from their previous indie-folk incarnation and influenced by artists including Gracie Abrams, Orla Gartland, and L.i.E, Kaiyah seamlessly shifts gears in “Hide With Me” with the help of Melbourne-based producer Seetali Mack (Kevin Silvester). The two driven artists have come together to create a wondrous track that makes you feel both nostalgic for the past and hopeful for the future. Opening with a slow and soothing melody that captures innocence and apprehension, the energy builds through hopeful and upbeat rhythms and lyrics that speak to the resilience and optimism of youth.

At just 17 years old, Kaiyah has already gained recognition for her powerful and introspective debut album “Hindsight” which received national and international radio play across Europe, the USA, Canada, and the UK; track 7 spent three weeks on the AMRAP Top 10 Metro Charts; and the album has over 215,000 streams on Spotify alone.

Mixed by Garrett Kato (Julia Stone, Ziggy Alberts, Tones and I) and mastered by Sam Berdah from The Wall Studio, ‘Hide With Me’ has already reached the 10th spot on the AMRAP Metro Charts in its first week.

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Vanleer & Co. Release Single ‘I Still Think Of You’

June 30, 2023

“I Still Think Of You” is a song that pulls at the heart strings of anyone having any kind of dysfunctional relationship. Whether it is with a spouse, a child, a sibling or even a long term friendship. “I Still Think Of You” was inspired by one of my children and the events surrounding the life choices they were making. This composition is my expression of my love and perhaps they will hear it and come to realise how much I have loved them all along.

The second single from Vanleer & Co features full Americana style band backing and lush female backing vocals. Duncan Toombs on guitar, Kayne Butler on drums, Andrew Beck on bass and engineer. The song is mid-tempo and along with the sentiment in the lyric has some catchy and tasteful electric guitar which lifts the tune perfectly.

William is a singer/songwriter based on the beautiful Central Coast of NSW. Originally from rural NSW, he was born the son of a coal miner who also played in a country band. His passion for music began early with his father teaching him to play guitar.

Since then he has performed for a variety of charity events held by the NSWRFS and Land Care organisations, as well as countless open mics along with band support roles in and around the Central Coast.

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Tag: new single