Luke Escombe – Just Like Lovers (Official Video)

December 9, 2022

Jack Nolan Releases New Single ‘Reading Minds’

December 9, 2022

READING MINDS is the second cut from Jack’s next LP set for release March ’23. This is a farewell, a song that sees the flag at half-mast.

There’s a backstory, and in this one instance, I’ve decided to repeat it. We were two little boys with our families buying ice creams. I was more friendly with his younger brother in my schoolyear, but on this day, I recall a tap on the shoulder, to turn around & watch my soon to be friend reach into a cabinet to take a handful of cigarette lighters. It was right then, that very act of delinquency, where I thought “he’s going to be my friend”
We became best friends, and we were lucky to survive as long as we did.

Cut to 1994, we’d reached a nadir & I ended the ride, I wanted him to join me, and for a while he did, but jail cells and more catastrophe awaited him.
It’s been a while now, but yea, he’s been on my mind. Where is he? Maybe he’s in the Bardo. Is it addiction, is it mental illness, is it both? Who knows.
I know for the last five years or so he’d spent a lot of time in and out of a psychosis of some sort, things were said, we lost touch, but we both know what the truth is.

Nobody likes talking about suicide, but I’ve come to thinking that maybe he couldn’t help it, and that horrific act serves as the ultimate statement of the failures we’ve all created, where the only way out for some of us, is to end it.
There’s simply no way to try and make sense of it all but maybe a song will help. Reading Minds is a deep pulse, delivered by the brilliant Jimmy Paxon @jimmypaxon & Chris ‘Cowboy’ Auty @autbra11 that floats my eerie Gretsch finger picker around a masterful Justin Weaver @notnotweaver soundscape & production.

“Farewell friend
Sleep softly now
Sleep softly I will be
Lost in a dream myself
Yeah maybe it was me
That made my mind up like a fool
Call me that don’t call me cruel
It could be worse it could be me
You are reading minds”

Music was our first and lasting bond, I know he would have loved this track.

Basic Credits
By Jack Nolan
Produced by Justin Weaver
Recorded @ Welcome to 1979 Nashville, February, 2022
Engineered by Chris Mara
Mixed by Mitch Furr @ Early Bird Studio Nashville
Mastered by Bobbi Giel @ Welcome to 1979

Personnel Credits
Jack Nolan – Vocals & guitars
Justin Weaver – Electric & acoustic guitars
Jimmy Paxson – Drums & percussion
Chris Autry – Bass guitar

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Julie-Anne Marshall Releases New Single ‘Beautiful Life’

December 2, 2022

‘Beautiful Life’ is the latest single release by singer-songwriter and multi-genre artist Julie-Anne Marshall.

Its already sitting in at #2 on the soundslikecafe spotify playlist.

The song is an upbeat toe-tapper, wind-in-your-hair kind of song.
It has a hint of Nashville sound with guitar and piano supported by sweet and bright vocal harmonies. Julie-Anne continues to surprise us with her ability to move about genres – both in her songwriting and her vocals.
We’re sure this song will be perfect listening for those summer days.

Originally from Adelaide, Julie-Anne is now based in Melbourne. She is a multi-genre artist encompassing pop, rock, blues, soul, folk, alternative, ballads and smooth jazz – all sitting under the umbrella of Easy Listening. Her vocal style is earthy yet ethereal. Her songs melodic and lyric driven.

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Jack Nolan Releases Single ‘Dollar’

November 4, 2022

When it was just you and me, broke, young, and free, that’s love. No houses, no fast cars, no responsibilities.

“And she loved me like no other / When I did not have one dollar / Not a dollar / On me”

They say when you’re on a good thing, stick to it – so why not go back to Nashville, it worked out perfectly pre-pandemic, why not post-pandemic? And what better way to add a bit of hope to 2022 than a 12 string guitar and a nod to the mighty Wilbury’s? Listen out for Justin Weaver’s jangling 12 string intro to herald the first track release from Jack’s upcoming 2023’s album Jindabyne.

Dollar is a story about hope and knowing things would work out just fine.

“See my reputation follow / When I did not have a dollar / Not a dollar / On me”

An up-tempo acoustic/band based track akin to Paul Kelly from Jack Nolan as the debut single from his forthcoming album. The tune moves along very smoothly with some sweet backing vocals, catchy guitar riffs and Jack’s story telling vocals. A hooky chorus sets the spot on vibe of this one.

Based in Sydney, Australia, singer songwriter Jack Nolan has been performing and releasing music since the mid 1990’s. Along with a five-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 was critically adored along with their energetic live shows.

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.

The critically acclaimed 2018 album ‘Our Waverley Star’ was followed up by the equally impressive ‘Gabriel’. It was these two American outings that cemented Nolan’s love of Nashville and built from a connection with guitarist/producer Justin Weaver that started with a one-off phone call and developed into an alliance that Nolan describes as ‘Team America’. What’s now become a regular jaunt is an opportunity for Nolan to get away from all the distractions of home, and “arrive 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”.

Jack’s new album – JINDABYNE – is set for release in early 2023. This album has waited in the wings while lockdowns and rules meant the guitar took on a whole new meaning. “I arrived home from Nashville in early March 2020 with ‘Gabriel’ ready for mastering. One week later, the world turned on its axis and – lockdown. This created a sense of urgency in me, so I made a conscious decision not to waste the time and went to work writing JINDABYNE. As soon as the plane could fly I was booked and took off back to the US”.

Stream ‘Dollar’

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Jessie-May K – Shootin Daisies(Official Video)

October 30, 2022

Steve Williams Releases New Album ‘Deja Vu’

October 21, 2022

The new album from Steve Williams (Wa Wa Nee, Matt Finish, Choirboys) ‘Deja Vu’ has songs ranging from Glam Rock, Funk and Blues. The tunes have something for everyone including an amazing dream romance story that actually came true, different perceptions of reality, persecution, inequality and some characters who have done jail time or simply gone bad.

All songs were written by Steve except ‘Pump’ with Pat Powell and ‘Ronnie’ with John Kenny. Steve played all instruments but with the help of a few very talented guests: Gus Fenwick, Nic MC, John Kenny, Pat Powell, Glen Muirhead, Ralph Franke, Raechel Summers, and Mac Johnson.
Steve Williams (Wa Wa Nee, Matt Finish, Choirboys) ‘Deja Vu’ has songs ranging from Glam Rock, Funk and Blues
The album was recorded entirely by Steve in his home studio which he has been refining for years.

Steve Williams came to prominence as the lead guitarist in the 80’s pop group Wa Wa Nee, who had top 5 hits and ARIA Nominations in Australia and chart action in Europe and the USA. Following Wa Wa Nee’s breakup Steve worked with prominent local artists, James Freud and Richard Clapton, before relocating to Europe.

In London, Steve built a successful career as a session guitarist working with Jon Lord from Deep Purple, Ray Parker Jr, Real Life and many more. He returned to Australia in 2005 and continued session and production work including musical theatre and television appearances playing with The Choir Boys, Matt Finish and others.

In 2020 Steve released the ‘Surry Road album’. All the tracks were co-written with musicians that he has worked with over his many years of touring and recording. Tracks feature guest vocals from Pat Powell (Melbourne Ska Orchestra and many more) and other well-known vocalists such as: John Kenny (Rockmelons), Tim Watson (Taxiride), Vince Contarino, Terry Slesser (UK), Louise Person as well up-coming Melbourne singer Nic MC.

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Texas-based alt rock band New Jetz release their first album ‘Expressed Yourself’

October 3, 2022

With no less than 4 songs from the new album on our Spotify Playlist these guys are well worth checking out!

Veterans of Texas, NY, and Atlanta alt rock club scenes, the eclectic band is led by a talented trio of songwriter/vocalists including Lee Ann Zimmers Cameron, Brian Mullin, and Kendall Marsh. They also share guitar and other instrumental duties. New Jetz are rounded out by the solid sonic foundation of Chuck Norcom on drums, Jeff Weimer on bass, and Jim Combs on keyboards and synthesizers.

The album was recorded old-school onto analog 2” 24-track tape by John Carey at Crystal Clear Sound studio in Dallas, TX, with the whole band in the studio playing vintage instruments and amps. No click tracks or sequencers. The analog tape was transferred to digital at Welcome to 1979 studio in Nashville by Jeremy Bernstein. Final mixes were completed by Jim in the first half of 2022 at his Common Sound studio in Decatur, GA, and then mastered by Greg Wright. Atmos mixes by Jim and Trammell Starks at StudioMagic in Atlanta, GA.

The title track by Lee Ann, “Expressed Yourself” is a roots reggae-influenced plea for self-expression and finding oneself.

“Make Me Crazy” is another Lee Ann song, this one in a punk vein about being in love. Kendall’s fiery lead guitar,
Brian’s rhythm guitar, and Lee Ann’s acoustic guitar drive this rocker.

Brian continues the punk vibe with, “Reflections” and a call for independent thinking with another scorching solo
by Kendall.

Kendall’s “Privilege” is a chill out roots reggae-esque tune about coping with life, sung by Brian.

Kendall takes lead vocal duties on his “Flesh Wound”, a look at relationships. Lee Ann’s mandolin takes center-stage along with another soaring Kendall guitar solo.

“Jet Lag” is a Kendall-penned instrumental tune that throws together elements of classic surf rock and dual guitar lead rock and puts a spotlight on each instrumentalist.

Kendall’s “Secret” is another soul-searching rocker with a great guitar solo.

Kendall and Chuck’s “Time Was Wrong” is the perfect breakup/on-the-road tune with a driving 4-on-the-floor drum and bass, and call-and-response vocal harmonies.

Kendall’s “Crazy Bout the Girl” closes out the album with a song about unrequited love.

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For more about New Jetz:

Daxton Releases New Album ‘50% Grit’

September 27, 2022

A long-time friend asked Daxton to produce a stripped back, raw but lively and psychedelic dirty blues song. ‘Just something I can really get into as I drink my bourbon to late at night please mate’.

Dax took on the job with gusto and was so engrossed that before he knew it 7 new tunes were born. The song, Rise Above, fulfilled the original request and opens the album. The rest of the tunes don’t disappoint and range from dirty, stompy, bluesy slide pieces to slightly more grungy but poppy tunes with some snare and percussion added in.

Song Descriptions
Rise Above
Dirty scratchy psychedelic harp and cigar box guitar feature in this mid-tempo track from Daxton’s new offering. Distorted, rough and ready vocals set the tone for the next six tracks on this mini album.

Nothing to lose
A more up-tempo blues tune. Bass, slide cigar box guitar and some simple drums flesh out this one with his life-worn vocals and lyrics filling in the story.

Right On time
Guitar riffs and electric slide stabs plus some nifty catchy vocal lines abound in this mid-tempo song. There’s some stomp box keeping time and enough changes and interesting sounds to keep you rocking all the way through.

Producing and playing music since his early teens, Daxton’s passion has kept him continually creating new material both for his band and solo career. On stage, Daxton comes across like he was born to play, his unique guitar style blending perfectly with heart-warming vocals.

Daxton has appeared at major festivals including the Sydney Blues & Roots and Tamworth Country Music Festival where he supported artists such as Kasey Chambers and Beccy Cole. He also has had one of his tracks ‘Moody Liz’ featured in the popular American TV series Doll House.

Based in Sydney, Daxton is best described as a blues/rock artist with a twist of pop and rock. He plays slide guitar rock/blues songs with a fresh and innovative sound.

Daxton – 50% Grit is out NOW September 23rd
Foghorn/MGM

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Kalen Hogan Releases Debut Single ‘Help Me I’m Dying’

September 22, 2022

The latest addition to soundslikecafe is a young artist from NSW Kalen Hogan

A guitarist at heart, the process for Kalen is always the music first, layered secondly by the melody for the lyrics to lastly follow. The track has a dream-like quality, filled with melancholy, which sings of a knowing that not all can be saved. Kalen wrote the song after seeing a story of a young person dying in the arms of their parents. It’s a song about wanting to be saved but equally wanting to leave a pained broken body.

Kalen Hogan is a 17 year old solo guitarist singer songwriter, living a very chilled out life an hour north of Sydney, near Wamberal Beach.

Influenced by his musical uncle, Kalen started out jamming on a ukulele as a toddler, before advancing to his first acoustic guitar in primary school. Now in high school, Kalen is composing songs and recently recorded his first track at Damien Gerard Studios, in Gosford.

Kalen’s upcoming debut gig is planned for this summer at Wamberal Beach Surf Club. Kalen will be showcasing a couple of tracks he has recorded to release in 2022 and playing some of the new upcoming tunes, planned for future recording and distribution in early 2023.