27 November 2014
Archie Roach is a man that needs no introduction. Over the past twenty-five years, Roach has developed a unique style of storytelling that has woven its way into his many songs. Best known for his ’90s tune ‘Took The Children Away’, which talks directly of experiences of his family being a part of the Stolen Generation, Roach was on tour with Rodriguez when I caught up to chat with him.
26 November 2014
Amidst yet another tour around Australia, we had a chat with high energy, blues and soul singer Shaun Kirk, and we were feeling a bit of deja vu, having talked to him only a few months ago under similar circumstances.
20 November 2014
Dillon Francis has just released his debut album Money Sucks, Friends Rule, and to celebrate he is coming back down under to party it up with us at Beyond the Valley festival over New Years. “I feel absolutely fantastic, because I have been waiting so long for this moment. We recently put up the Spotify stream for Australia and did the stream with MTV a few weeks ago and the reaction that I have been getting to the album has just been phenomenal,” Francis said.
20 November 2014
She may be seen as a woman who gets easily frustrated at things, but Kitty Flanagan has just as many loves as she does hates and Geelong just happens to be one of the former. “My favourite thing about touring is getting out and going outside the bigger cities,” she says.
20 November 2014
While summer’s great for giving that much needed dose of vitamin D, perving on barely clad youth and saying goodbye to that ugly knit your nan gave you, it’s also the time to attend Rainbow Serpent Festival. We had a chat to Andreas, of progressive psychedelic trance artist Gaudium, ahead of his performance at the festival in January and his long awaited trip back to Australia.
18 November 2014
Castlemaine is much more than just a pretty town, they actually have the music to back up their good looks as well. The Spring Revue is an event where both of these things are mashed together and we had a chat to Ry Hamilton-Smith on what you can expect for its second show.
16 November 2014
Since she burst onto the scene with her 1995 debut album Stylin Up, singing those iconic lyrics – “Steppin out with my deadly red shoes, stylin up cause I’m wearing something new” – there’s no denying that the beautifully vivacious Christine Anu could get any party started.
14 November 2014
Fame can either be a rapid affair or a slow burning rise to that longed for position in the industry. For Klo, consisting of Chloe Kaul and Simon Lam, after releasing their single ‘Make Me Wonder’ things seemed to happen overnight and the quick realisation came that they needed to get to work on a follow up.
14 November 2014
Jessica Litsas and Mark Walker are bringing life to an old idea, with their independent cinema officially open for a pop up Summer season at the Ukrainian Hall on Pakington St. Amidst organising their program launch, and hanging of the screen, I had the chance to sit down with the pair for a much needed coffee break.
14 November 2014
‘As the current Chair of Geelong Major Events I am always looking for new and exciting events to suit all tastes and budgets, with over 70% of events free to the public. Events such as the Queenscliff Music Festival, Motor City Music Festival, Avalon Air Show, Toast to the Coast, National Celtic Festival in Portarlington and the ever-popular New Year’s Eve Fireworks really help showcase Geelong and the Bellarine for the fantastic region it is.”
14 November 2014
Whether you like it with or without ice, limited froth or fresh from the tap, we can all appreciate a perfectly poured beer. At this years Bendigo Craft Beer & Cider Festival, you’ll be surrounded by options with over 25 different ciders and beers to choose from. Amidst his busy schedule we had a quick with Darrell Billett about the event.
14 November 2014
Before the Australian folk revolution of the mid noughties that led to the unearthing of talents like John Butler, The Waifs and Angus and Julia Stone, there was a band making indie folk acoustic music cool. Now in 2014, the band is celebrating 25 years together. It seems like a bit of shock to Greg Arnold, lead singer and guitarist for the group, to be celebrating the milestone, however it is still cause for celebration.
14 November 2014
“I would like to see Geelong have a Conference and exhibition centre on the waterfront that would attract lots of events and in turn create quality jobs for Geelong people. I think it is important in the arts that we continue to support our GPAC and our local artists, especially those up and coming.”
14 November 2014
“Think classic Fear Factory . . .,” smiled the ever-magnetic Burton C. Bell when quizzed about their impending studio album. “This record will have all the elements that Fear Factory fans would expect – focusing heavily on well-crafted songs this time around. In fact, I spent the day doing vocals on some of the tracks.
14 November 2014
A voice as commanding and important as Ezekiel Ox’s has a way of tuning out all the other insignificant noise around you, whether it’s out on the streets or playing in a packed live venue. “Put me on stage and I’m unstoppable!” His confidence is not arrogance, Ox is simply devoted to his art and convictions, and when both intertwine there are only two options – join him or get out of the way.
13 November 2014
For many tea is a chance to take some time out, to drink while catching up with friends or to satisfy those mid-afternoon cravings, but for Benjamin Neoh of Modern Tea, it was the perfect escape during a rough time of his life. “It was only when I started to have trouble with my mental health that I went to a naturopath and I tried all the tinctures and disgusting concoctions they give you,” Ben said, his expression reliving the moment.
13 November 2014
Even the most successful of bands still have a thing or two to learn about the industry, and it seems the Living End are taking a few lessons while doing some shows with Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes. “The thing that really amazes me about him, I mean obviously he’s a great performer, but when we’re in the studio and tracking a song hearing his voice come through the headphones,” double bass player Scott Owen says.
13 November 2014
Busby Marou are quite possibly one of the hardest working bands in Australia at the moment. To finish off the year, after supporting James Blunt and multiple laps of the country, Tom Busby and Jeremy Marou are playing a stack of shows through November. Each show will be both an intimate and surreal experience, which sees the band heading back to their roots.
13 November 2014
I first started listening to Josh Pyke after his track ‘Lighthouse Song’ appeared in volume 16 (2008) of triple j’s annual Hottest 100 count down. I remember the song being stuck in my head for days on end and I’ve followed his music ever since. Currently, he’s on the final stretch of The Last of the Lone Wolf tour, which essentially consists of him playing solo renditions of his songs, with only himself and his guitar to keep him company.
13 November 2014
Tex Miller oozes a quiet confidence beyond his years. “Greg Arnold from Things of Stone and Wood once told me that song writing is a life sentence,” he says rather nonchalantly, but I can tell he comprehends the gravity of his statement more than he lets on. His new EP aptly titled Prisoner to the Blues tells you enough to know Tex is in it for the long haul. He lives, breathes and writes about music every day.
13 November 2014
Nai Palm by no means had an average upbringing. Though everything she’s been through has helped shape her into the unique, humble and passionate musician that she is now. Even through the phone, as she told me of her parrot Charlie Parker, I could sense the honesty in every word she said. Growing up as an orphan, who for a long time didn’t have a place to truly call home, enabled Nai to channel that pain into something much more beautiful: music.
13 November 2014
Originally from Tasmania, Eloise decided that at nine years of age she was going to be a musician. “I was performing on stage as a nine-year-old, and at around 14, 15 and 16 I was writing my own stuff and composing original music. I just knew that was where my heart was.” In May of 2013 Heloise released a self-funded EP and has since been entering competitions and doing little projects, working hard so that one day her work might pay off, and hasn’t it just.
13 November 2014
We caught up with the always friendly Sam Lockwood, guitarist for The Jezabels, at sunny Maroubra Beach on a picture perfect spring day and what he had to say was music to our ears. “We’re starting work on our third album while we have a little time off over summer,” he revealed happily.
12 November 2014
Maddee Brown is someone we feel you should get to know. Influenced by artists including Regina Spektor and Paramore, Brown treads happily across pop music with a slight rock edge. It may have taken her a little while to step out from her bathroom, but she is making up for lost time now.
