22 January 2015
“Australia Day is about having a fun, relaxing day with your friends as you spin a few yarns. It’s backyards, BBQs, pools, Hottest 100 on the wireless, eskies. But it’s also the day when we consciously think about where we are as a nation. The fact that Australia Day can mean so many different things to so many people is a reflection on our maturing society, where we can have sensible discussions about Australian culture.”
22 January 2015
The Minya by Moonlight concert series is about to begin its 16th season at the Minya Winery in Connewarre, just outside of Torquay, and owner Jeff Dans tells me it will be one of their biggest yet. “The feedback that I’ve had so far for all of the artists has been great. People are very much looking forward to them and they’ve said this is one of the best series we’ve had in a long time as far as performers go,”
22 January 2015
While it’s safe to say their new 7˝ ‘Wipe That Shit-Eating Grin Off Your Punchable Face’ has propelled the down-to-earth Melbourne four-piece into the national spotlight of late, frontman Wil Wagner says it’s business as usual in the Smithies camp in the lead up to their all-encompassing Get High, See Everyone tour that kicks off in Darwin in a few days’ time.
22 January 2015
2014 for Nicky Bomba was a massive year. Between the release of John Butler’s new album Flesh and Blood, of which he still played on (although not being an official member of the trio), to releasing an album with his own band Bustamento, looking back at the year that was as we chat on Christmas Eve, it seems 2014 will go down in the book as an active year.
22 January 2015
Yoga and Music, the dream combination, but not always something that has necessarily gone hand-in-hand. One man making this happen…
21 January 2015
One of the most exciting bands on the line-up for WOMADelaide 2015 is Balkan Beat Box (BBB). Combining various influences into their music, the sound that Tamir Muskat, Tomer Yosef and Ori Kaplan create is distinctly unique and a cross between gypsy punk, electronica, funk and world music.
19 January 2015
Instead of milking cows at their family’s business, Tara and Justin Anderson have paired up with schoolmate Daniel Gilligan to create some super smooth tunes. While no one can recreate the sounds of Nirvana, in LINCH’s debut release there’s an obvious inspiration from the grunge band. We had a chat with them days after their new release about their career in the industry so far.
16 January 2015
Miss Saigon is one of those stories that everybody knows. In-between tales of dragons and princesses, everyone remembers the American GI and Vietnamese bargirl who fell in love during the final days of the Vietnam War. It’s a story we all know, or are at least familiar with, but for producer Peter Wills the decision to choose the production wasn’t as easy as you’d think.
15 January 2015
One of the standout tracks of Paul Kelly’s Merri Soul Sessions is ‘Sweet Guy’; a Paul Kelly classic, the lead vocal is by none other than Vika Bull. About to head out on tour with Kelly over January and February, this is where we begin to chat ahead of their performance at Motor City Music Festival over the March long weekend.
14 January 2015
You would be hard-pressed to find anyone who hasn’t marveled at the delights of Cirque du Soleil at least once. We at Forte sure have, and so we chased down Neelanthi Vadivel, former performer and now the Artistic Director, to have a little chat about new production, Totem.
12 January 2015
Think you don’t know a thing about West Side Story? How about the Jets and the Sharks? Making its Broadway debut in 1957, the musical about young love against the odds if for no other reason is known for its teenage gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. The Warrnambool Holiday Actors will staging the play at The Lighthouse this month and we wanted to know more.
12 January 2015
Returning to home soil after earning her stripes in the USA, synth-pop songstress Chela chatted to me about the jam-packed year that was and what she will be squeezing into the year ahead. Since releasing singles ‘Plastic Gun’ and ‘Full Moon’ and making her mark with Goldroom collaboration ‘Fifteen’ only a few years ago, Chela has been one busy lady.
12 January 2015
You’ve seen, loved and listened to them play around Geelong for the past seven years, and as of last month they just released their debut EP Superpsycho. They really need no further introduction, so what follows is our chat with Ian from The Underhanded.
10 January 2015
Scroll through Jen Cloher’s Facebook and you’ll soon come across a picture of her sitting alone at a small table with a glass of wine as her only company as she stares out the window contemplating the year. But did anything stand out?
9 January 2015
Over the years, local Geelong lad Jeff Lang has developed into one of the best Australian guitarists around. His ability to work with a wide range of musicians to create something unique is what keeps drawing people’s attention time after time. Back in Melbourne and chatting in the lead up to Christmas, Lang is excited about his new project he has on the go, Maru Tarang, which he is touring in February and March.
9 January 2015
It is 29 degrees, the city is swarming with motorbikes, and a young family of three whizzes past with a fully-sized dead pig balanced on the back. A common scene in Hanoi, Vietnam, but something Brett Danielsen wasn’t prepared to witness as he entered the country. “I just thought, ‘Holy shit, where are we?’
9 January 2015
2014 was a big year for Melbourne boys, The Wild Comforts, they recorded their debut album and are about to embark on a national tour to celebrate its launch, kicking it all off first at Ballarat. We had a chat to drummer, Ben Drane about the year ahead.
9 January 2015
It’s been a long time between recordings, but later last year Warnambool Rhythm ‘n Blues Legends, Blue Heat, released their latest studio recording in over 20 years. I caught up with frontman Marco Goldsmith ahead of their first show in Geelong for more than four years, at the Black Hatt this Saturday.
8 January 2015
Russell Morris is a man that needs no introduction; I’m sure at one point or another we have all gathered round with a bunch of mates and belted out of the infamous chorus of The Real Thing. As a key player to the Australian music scene and a certified ARIA award-winning legend, he is back once again with a new album, Van Diemen’s Land. All about the rich landscape of Australia, Morris is about to head out on the road once again in support of the release.
8 January 2015
Kim Churchill has just finished a mammoth week playing at Falls and Southbound. Chatting to me from Bunbury Airport in transit to Sydney, it’s been a busy 2014, as he relates. “I’m trying to get back on the horse after a pretty hectic New Year’s – playing Falls and Southbound was quite intense because they’re all over the country. Every morning is a 3 a.m. flight to get to the next festival site; be in that festival atmosphere and realise how much you enjoy it, and then you’re flying out once again…”
8 January 2015
Mat McHugh is a fiercely independent musician, and proud of it. He likes to do things his own way, whether it involves touring, working on new music or just living life the way he wants to. He has performed under a number of different aliases – either solo, or with a backing band consisting of friends and musical partners – but stresses that it’s all the same people – and their shared passion – driving it.
8 January 2015
Known for their proclivity to don outrageous costumes and makeup for every gig, lo-fi punks The Growlers are calling for your good will and hand-me-downs as they journey cross-country this month. “When we go out on tour across oceans we don’t have enough room to pack little outfits!” frontman Brooks Nielson laughed.
8 January 2015
Basking in the warm glow of their accomplishments, The Bennies bass player Craig Selak took a moment to reflect on their past, present and future. The four loveable larrikins seemed to be here, there and everywhere in 2014. From setting off fireworks with drunken business men in China, to opening the Melbourne leg of Soundwave and making memories with new friends on their first trip to the US, there’s no denying their determination to make each day count.
8 January 2015
LEWES are a hardworking 6 piece, based in Hobart. They have had a very big year and 2015 looks to be even bigger for the band who just brought in the New Year with a slot at the Falls Festival, Marion Bay. We spoke to Tim Bird ahead of their Victorian Tour.
