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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Not diAna’s Single ‘Hangin’ ‘ Added to SoundsLike Cafe Playlist

June 25, 2023

Great new tune Hangin’ added to our Spotify Playlist from Not diAna

Minimum training maximum ability. With an astute ear for pitch, Not diAna can sing as sweet as honey, belt it out like a rocker then fall in to the perfect harmony all in the one song. Good music is great music if it strikes a chord with you regardless of your training.

Born from a desire to create music, she has sung in all sorts of situations but has now taken the singer-songwriter in her to the next level.

Eclectic in taste, she digs anything she can sing to, harmonise with or anything that lyrically, vocally or musically speaks to her. With just her, a mic and her acoustic guitar, she will entertain you with not only her heartfelt originals but an amazing variety of cover tunes.

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Carnival Mind’s Single ‘Love Will Take Us There’ Added to SoundsLike Cafe Playlist

June 24, 2023

A great love-ballad just added to Soundslikecafe

Carnival Mind is currently a five-piece musical project of collaboration between an evolving line-up of likeminded musicians who appreciate the concept of great original songs.
Carnival Mind members are: Dave, Wasp, Mr Tibbs, Rich & Violet B.
All members contribute to what makes up the Carnival Mind signature sound.
Carnival Mind believes great music is “Sans Borders” meaning, we see ourselves as an international act who write songs for people, not markets. Carnival Mind records live with no overdubs or autotune which gives our songs that energy & intimacy that is so often lacking in modern music.
The other great thing about recording live is you get the song down as well as you can & then you move on to the next song… we’re not looking for perfection, just as long as the vibe of the song is delivered then it’s job done, move on before you beat the life out of the song!

‘Love Will take Us There” is just a beautiful love ballad which arrived while we were trying to write a hard hitting rock song about a homicidal maniac … you got to go where the song takes you!

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Jessie-May K Releases Single ‘Do What We Want’

April 14, 2023

‘When I was little there was one thing I would always say. I’ve always clung to my independence like a badge of honour too precious to lose. So when others tried to reign authority over me or tell me what to do, my answer was always the same. “I can DO WHAT I WANT!”.

As one might have already suspected, this personal, inner fire was both good and bad depending on the situation. However, luckily as I grew, it was more often a positive trait and ended up saving me from a life of cycle repeating, bad decisions and abusive relationships. I’m very grateful that I kept such a strong connection to my inner compass and that I never lost that part of me. I made my own choices, I chose my own path.

Concealed inside the electronic, synthetic pop, is a mantra for individualism all can express. And I can only hope that if anyone out there relates, that they never forget, you can be whoever you choose to be, no matter what you’ve gone through, where you started, or who’s tried to tear you down. The only thing that is in charge of you is you. Live authentically, don’t be afraid to express yourself, stand up for what you believe in, this is YOUR life. Let’s do what we want.’

Another modern pop gem from young Central Coast singer Jessie -May K. The song has an intriguing telephone sound on the vocal chorus plus brilliant backing created by producers Dave Hunt (Sarah Blasko) and Andrew Beck (Steve Kilbey, Natalie Gauci). Mid tempo, great beats, hooks and plenty of lush vocals.

About Jessie

Jessie-May K is a young, Singer, Songwriter, Director, Actor & Artist. Most successful as an internet personality, Jessie has released four singles and a collection of episodic works that accompanied their 5 track EP Zone Out (2020).

Originally trained in Musical Theatre, Jessie transferred to music when they were 16, teaching themselves guitar from YouTube to elevate their musical career, as they had been writing songs with lyrics and melody since they were 5 years old.

Jessie is passionate about social justice and activism, often releasing music about movements that are important to them, raising awareness and sharing donation links in the hopes it will make a difference. Jessie is Neurodivergent and was born with ASD, ADHD, OCD and developed PTSD as a result of their early hardships and extreme childhood trauma. Jessie believes that the world thrives on diversity and that benign individuality is something to be celebrated and not feared.

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Karen Harding Releases Single ‘Devil In The Mirror’

March 27, 2023

Welcoming Karen Harding to Soundslikecafe with her new single Devil in the Mirror already added to our playlist!

With her first track for 2023, Melbourne based singer-songwriter, Karen Harding unveils a metamorphosis, moving away from her previous emotional ballad releases of 2021 and 2022, with her catchy indie-pop single ‘Devil In The Mirror’.

In our modern world, we are constantly faced with images of what we should look like, how we should behave, who we should be and a bar of impossible ‘perfection’ that society expects us to live by. Karen’s self-written, recorded and produced track, ‘Devil In The Mirror’, mixed and mastered by Edwin Kraus, dives into the way that many feel when they don’t see themselves as measuring up.

Within ‘Devil In The Mirror’ – a catchy track filled with driving drum rhythms and 80’s style bass lines, with an underlying ambience of bell synth pads and binaural beats – the devil acts as a metaphor for the judging voice in our heads that is constantly putting us down, and leaving us feeling inadequate, whether that be through body image, relying on acceptance from others or not achieving what we set out to do.

“Like so many people, I have spent so much of my life being afraid to put myself in front of a camera or for people to see the whole me. My ‘devil’ would tell me stories that I didn’t measure up or that I didn’t look how I was supposed to look. I wanted to share this song because I believe that we’re in a pandemic… that people everywhere are striving for impossible, unreachable versions of themselves. I want them to know that they ARE good enough just by being themselves. They finally have the chance to break the mirror and conquer their devil.”

The haunting illustration within the artwork for ‘Devil In The Mirror’ was designed using the power of AI art and then incorporated into the final image by Karen Harding.

Karen Harding is a singer-songwriter from Melbourne, Australia, whose debut single “I Didn’t Realise” released in May 2021 marked the beginning of a musical and personal journey of exploration. Karen has since been pushing the boundaries of creativity, collaborating with a diverse range of artists and producers from around the world.

Karen’s collaborations have included working with Argentinian P&M Records, the Cologne Chamber Orchestra, Canadian producer Landao, Melbourne Hip Hop artist Serif, and an inspiring project with Misia Julia. Her talents have also been recognized through awards and nominations, including winning the 2021 Bendigo Bank sponsored Radio Eastern songwriter talent show, being nominated as a top 10 winner for the World Songwriting Awards, and a nominee for Best International Artist on Crags Radio Independent Artist Awards in February 2022.

Karen’s vocal versatility moves between the ethereal sounds of of Sarah McLaughlan and Eva Cassidy, and to the more powerful pop vocals of Ella Henderson and Adele. Her music has the ability to transport listeners to a dreamland of imagination, with lyrics and melodies that touch upon the human experiences and emotions that connect us all.

For Karen, music has been a world of discovery and possibility, as well as a tool for therapy and personal growth. As she continues to explore her musical talents and creative potential, Karen Harding is sure to captivate audiences with her unique voice and innovative approach to songwriting.

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Monster Taxi Releases Single ‘A Walking Stranger’

March 24, 2023

“A Walking Stranger” captures a musical journey. All one needs to do is sit back and close your eyes and allow the music to take you to a place of bliss. Every scene is heightened with this dream state musical experience. Whatever chaos there is in one’s day, can be escaped by the emotional beauty of “A Walking Stranger”. Monster Taxi brings us musical sophistication that is transforming and allowing us all to step outside of our world, if only for a short time, and experience inner peace and tranquility while providing a path for our own self-discovery.

“From the onset of “A Walking Stranger” by Monster Taxi you get this feeling you are about to take an adventure in time. Its ethereal synths captivate your imagination while its steady percussive rhythm moves you into another dimension. The flute and air like vibes keep you floating steadily through your mind with ever changing thoughts. As I listen to its 3:36 length I feel like I’ve been all around the universe. This is a true gem, and I can’t wait to hear more from this artist. Bravo!”

– Bill Kelly, Co-founder of Winter Music Conference

“Jason Klein and I go back a ways to when I was sharpening my teeth in the dance music world. It’s refreshing to see him now crossing into a genre that’s been a part of my hemisphere for decades with a groovy electronic tune.”

– Nicholas Gunn

About

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”. The song featured original talk box guitars, funky bass lines, and Ish Ledesma on vocals. Mixes received heavy dance club play and airplay and it 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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