Melissa Black – The Eden Project EP
"Melissa Black – The Eden Project EP"
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 10th 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:
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Mick Hart’s Anticipated New Album ‘Awake’ is out and touring
"Mick Hart’s Anticipated New Album ‘Awake’ is out and touring"
UPDATE: New Tour Dates!
On the heels of Mick Hart’s sold-out Sydney launch at Lazybones Lounge in Marrickville last weekend, some new dates have been added!
New shows:
Sun 4th August – Bondi Diggers Golf Club (Sydney)
Fri 9th August – The Entrance Leagues Club (Central Coast NSW)
Sun 25th August – Gasoline Pony, Marrickville (Sydney)
Sun 29th September – Towradgi Beach Hotel, Wollongong (Sydney)
Sat 12th October – Stag and Hunter, Mayfield (Newcastle)
Fri 9th August – The Entrance Leagues Club (Central Coast NSW)
Sun 25th August – Gasoline Pony, Marrickville (Sydney)
Sun 29th September – Towradgi Beach Hotel, Wollongong (Sydney)
Sat 12th October – Stag and Hunter, Mayfield (Newcastle)
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED UPCOMING DATES:
Fri 26 July – Winter Blues Festival, Echuca VIC
Sat 27 July – Winter Blues Festival, Echuca VIC
Sun 28 July- Merri Creek Tavern, Melbourne
Sat 27 July – Winter Blues Festival, Echuca VIC
Sun 28 July- Merri Creek Tavern, Melbourne
Community radio is loving the album, with widespread support on the airwaves proving it carries so many brilliant tracks! The Way It Is, 3am Or Anytime, Light My Way, Keep Hold and Peaceful Nest are all being played around the country.
Some great reviews are also flowing in for the album.
Bruce Elder at the Sydney Morning Herald declared that Hart has produced, “a classy, memorable album from a gifted musician at the height of his powers.”
“A delicious collection of blues-folk “toons” inspired by sources as rich as the early Rod Stewart (3am Or Anytime); a nod towards Free and Family (The Way It Is); Muddy Waters’ great version of Got My Mojo Workin’ (Light My Way); the edges of folk blues (Real Thing); that glorious style which involves a slow burn and driving blues with lashings of lap-steel (Time for the New); and inevitably, lots of Dylan-influenced blues and country blues (Back To The Start, Star Bed andKeep Hold).”
Elder also notes Hart’s wide-ranging musical talents – “Playing bass, lap-steel, harmonica, percussion, Rhodes, Mellotron, piano, organ, ukulele and, oh yes, guitars….ranges widely across the rich plains of the blues and American folk music.”
Meanwhile Mark Fraser at Redbackmusic.comcalled the latest single, Keep Hold, “sad, beautiful, perfect”, with the entire album, “a beautiful collection of soundscapes that caress your very soul in their own unobtrusively enveloping way.”
Read the whole review here:
Stream/Download
The album’s first two singles – ‘The Way It Is’ and ‘3am Or Anytime’ are both out now and receiving strong support across community and regional radio, Triple J and Double J.
‘3am Or Anytime’ will be premiered TONIGHT on Double J’s Stir It Up show! It’s a gentler offering than its predecessor, more of an acoustic ballad that charmingly shows off Hart’s silky vocals and sublime guitar work. A sweet love song, ‘3am Or Anytime’ centres around the alluring chorus, “You can steal my blanket anytime, you can drink my last full glass of wine, you can wake me for help at 3am or anytime, you can take my heart because you’re mine.”
You can check out ‘The Way It Is’ on the new SLC Playlist for March. A “you done me wrong” break-up song with a catchy blues groove, The Way It Is grabs the listener with its addictive chorus that features some blistering guitar and Hart’s determined lyrical growl, “I don’t owe you nothing, that’s the way it is.”
ARIA nominated for “Best Blues and Roots” in 2002 for his sophomore album Upside Down In The Full Face of Optimism, Mick Hart occupies a sonic space that’s influenced by Jeff Buckley and Ben Harper, from sparse acoustic songs to wild dirty blues rock and some brilliant lap-slide guitar.
Awake will be released on April 26 via MGM.
Mick is on the road in support of ‘Awake’ starting in Europe in April and following through to Australian dates in June and July. Check out his pages below for details.
Connect with Mick Hart:
Daxton – ‘Live In The Studio’ Acoustic Album Release
"Daxton – ‘Live In The Studio’ Acoustic Album Release"
Central Coast musician and singer-songwriter Daxton has recorded a bunch of live acoustic songs which will be released on his ‘Live In The Studio’ album, which was recorded by Russell Pilling at Damien Gerard Studios in Sydney. Daxton’s chilled out dreamy songs and moody, driving vocals make for a brilliant acoustic album which oozes a summery vibe.
‘Sanctuary’ is a great acoustic rendition of one of his most popular songs from the recent ‘In Verses’ album. Hearing it as simply vocal and guitar really shows the quality of the song.
Another album highlight is ‘Perfect Day’, a more country up-tempo and happy song featuring vocals and acoustic guitar, but still managing a strong catchy chorus, snappy verses, and even some “da da da’s’ to sing along to. Perhaps, best of all, its less than 2 minutes, which means it’s perfect to squeeze into playlist spots.
For some really nice bluesy slide acoustic and a catchy riff, go no further than ‘Ball and Chain’. It combines a great falsetto verse with a baritone chorus, adding to the rich tonal feel of the song.
With songs like ‘I Don’t Mind’, singing in high falsetto with jangly guitar line to the bubbly low tones of ‘Good Time Friends’ with its’ grungy sounding chords, ‘Live In The Studio’ covers all flavours.
Daxton’s music has been influenced by Captain Beefheart, The Dead Kennedys, The Church, David Bowie, Tom Waits, Neil Young, The Killers, Mud Honey, The Pixies and Arcade Fire.
Hear the music:
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Mick Hart – The Way It Is first single from forthcoming album
"Mick Hart – The Way It Is first single from forthcoming album"
Australian singer/songwriter Mick Hart has a brand new album on the way and its first offering is called The Way It Is.
You can check it out on the new SLC Playlist for March.
A “you done me wrong” break-up song with a catchy blues groove, The Way It Is grabs the listener with its addictive chorus that features some blistering guitar and Hart’s determined lyrical growl, “I don’t owe you nothing, that’s the way it is.”
It’s the first taste of his upcoming album, Awake, which is due for release this April 26th on MGM.
Mick will tour in support of the Album starting in Europe in April and following through to Australian dates from May.
ARIA nominated for “Best Blues and Roots” in 2002 for his sophomore album Upside Down In The Full Face of Optimism, Mick Hart occupies a sonic space that’s influenced by Jeff Buckley and Ben Harper, from sparse acoustic songs to wild dirty blues rock and some brilliant lap-slide guitar.
Listen to The Way It Is now:
Connect with Mick Hart:
Julie-Anne Marshall New Single Memory
"Julie-Anne Marshall New Single Memory"
A new bonus track for December is the excellent new single Memory from Julie-Anne Marshall.
Starting out with some percussion and simple piano this song quickly develops into a very catchy uptempo tune that will have feet tapping and heads nodding. Julie-Anne’s voice tells a great story of change and development we can all relate to. Some tasteful jazzy/latin acoustic guitar fits in for a nice instrumental break and rounds out the song well. Sure to be a summer favourite.
“Hailing from Adelaide, Julie-Anne is an independent singer-songwriter who is not limited by musical boundaries. Memory is her latest single release which could be considered alt pop. It’s JPY-Love is in the air, meets Lily Allen. Think Soft Rock, Easy Listening with some jazz, rock, roots and blues and a bit of folk and pop and that’s the diversity of this artist.”
Julie-Anne has had previous tunes on soundslikecafe that have all been warmly received so we are sure this one will be no different- enjoy – checkout the spotify link below for instant gratification or hear it on the Soundslikecafe Digital Playlist Track 3.
Joel Leffler – Brighton Lakes Sessions EP
"Joel Leffler – Brighton Lakes Sessions EP"
If you were to walk in the front door of one of those homes, turn right up the stairs and left into bedroom 3 you would find a grand piano, an acoustic guitar & an air of something recognisably creative.
This 8 track EP features popular songs from Joel Lefflers’s previous titles ‘Run With The Wolves’ & ‘Strip Me Bare’ along with 2 brand new acoustic tracks fresh out of the studio, ‘Where You Are’ & ‘Home To Me (Caledonia)’.
Much like Brighton Lakes face lift; these songs have been re-imagined to give an insight into what they sound like both in pre-production & live in show.
Joel says of his experience recording the acoustic sessions, “I was recently diagnosed with severe anxiety that found me laying in an ER bed at Liverpool Hospital…What I thought was originally derived from music actually turns out to be – that music itself is the cure!”
Brighton Lakes Sessions EP was written, recorded & produced by Joel Leffler followed by mastering by Andrew Beck at Damien Gerard Studios.
Listen here:
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The Jimmy C – Songs For The Species
"The Jimmy C – Songs For The Species"
Humourous, up-beat, catchy, power/pop/psychedelic/rock … the Melbourne one-man-band The Jimmy C opens a can of earworms that burrow deep and leave you smiling.
The Jimmy C is Jamie Coghill, a self-taught multi-instrumentalist who loves the music of the late 60’s and early 70’s. Some know Jamie as the drummer from Luxedo, Fez Perez and The Devilrock Four, others know him from his own music as The Jimmy C. He records everything at home in his spare room.
Songs For The Species is a humorous collection of songs whose creator says is sonically influenced by Super Furry Animals, The Kinks, Jellyfish, Supergrass, ELO, Pugwash, Beach Boys and The Beatles.
The album opener is Everybody Shits. “Imagine Jellyfish playing your favourite up-beat 70s sitcom theme,” Coghill enthuses. “[It’s] a bouncy pop song reminding us, “It doesn’t matter how cute you are, you still have an asshole.””
Another album highlight is the jangly Foot In My Mouth, “an ode to those of us who never fail to say the wrong thing every time we speak.” Coghill describes the song as, ” a slow plodding rocker with up-beat choruses and a chaotic split personality ending.”
Alt-country meets sunny pop in the harmony-filled “ASAPples”, which rides on some, “silly modern-life influenced lyrics” – the inspiration of texting, emojis and our technology-filled lives.
Born Without A Brain is where the drummer makes fun of drummers. “They’re my people!”, Coghill protests. Power pop guitars, lush Beach Boys harmonies and upbeat vibes makes this track a catchy and enjoyable album standout.
Songs For The Species is out now on Foghorn/MGM.
Watch the video for “Baby Blue Sky” here:
And see all SIX BRAND NEW VIDEOS from The Jimmy C here:
Listen via your favourite music provider here:
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Diana Anaid – Leaving Town (Official)
Adam Jones – Little Death Acoustic Anniversary Edition
"Adam Jones – Little Death Acoustic Anniversary Edition"
Following a recent move to Melbourne Adam has just released his Anniversary Edition of his 2017 Debut Album -Little Death. This version of the album is live in the studio acoustic featuring some pedal steel as well – a great new version of his well received first release.
The acoustic backing has given the album a new lease of life as easy listening cafe music, more accessible than the original Rock album.
Already proving popular online, you are sure to hear it in a cafe nearby soon.
Heres some words from Adam….
What inspired you to become an artist and who are your early influences?
Feedback and responses from others has always inspired me. My early influences include listening to a lot of Beatles, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, The Eagles, Rodruigez, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple. Plus anyone with a melodic, meaningful, simple acoustic song inspired me as well.
Tell us a little about your music and what a crowd can expect at a live show?
My music is quite dynamic and I write in different styles such as modern blues, rock, folk and some country styles (more Eagles and Neil Young than traditional country). People always seem to comment on my energy on stage, that I always look like I’m really into it and having fun while performing well. I have some quieter songs that people seem to really warm to as well. So lots of fun, energy, variety, some songs to dance to, some to listen to with interesting lyrics.
Check Out The Album
