Down Under Triple Play: Elli Schoen - Babaganouj - Kinsky

Elli Schoen - Hard Heart.

Background promo - With immediate spins from Triple J's Home and Hosed and Unearthed Radio, 'Hard Heart' is quickly resonating with critics and listeners alike for its stripped-back honesty and throat-catching emotion. The track features exquisite layered harmonies, frank lyrics, and tender melodies - but the true star is Schoen’s voice that soars with remarkable expression. She answers the unmet expectations of a disappointing boyfriend with an indie-folk tale that’s equal parts sorrowful and empowering, sassy and wise. Just think of it as the most redemptive break-up song you’ve ever heard.

"Hard Heart is about when someone hurts you and you never truly regain that vulnerability," says Schoen. "But it has an uplifting feel and energy towards it, it's a break-up song that isn't depressing." The song was produced by pop heavyweight Joel Quartermain (Eskimo Joe, Meg Mac) who has a knack for nosing out bangers and polishing hidden gems. Joel says of the sessions, "Elli's performance on Hard Heart is arresting and more than a little heartbreaking. I was kinda blown away when she did this vocal, it hits you right between the eyes."

Recently supporting Gang of Youths, Abbe May and Katy Steele, Schoen is set to take her live show around the country (details TBA), while also putting the finishing touches on her new material. "I'm so excited to launch onto the national music scene and release
an album. It hasn't been a quick shoot to stardom, it’s been a slow burning journey but it's worth the wait," she explains. "I’ve learnt a lot and grown a lot - both as an artist and a person. The time is now right."

'Hard Heart' demonstrates clearly the superb vocals of Elli Schoen. The song is a little reminiscent of First Aid Kit material, nothing wrong with that, this is high quality indie folk and it's no surprise that Elli is getting noticed.

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Babaganouj - Do Rite With Me Tonite.

Background promo - Drenched in Brisbane pride, power pop-rock outfit Babaganouj have grown a legion of fans since their 2011 inception. While keeping with their distinctly Australian style, The Nouj’s sound is reminiscent of Teenage Fanclub, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, and Yuck, taking inspiration from Creation Records and Flying Nun classics.

In 2014, the band gained serious radio attention with their releases ‘Too Late For Love’ and ‘Bluff’. This success took them on a number of headlining tours, as well as each leg of the Blurst of Times festival tour. Along with frontman Charles Sale’s signature on-stage power lunges, the Triple J Unearthed favourites have supported the likes of The Preatures, Smudge, Veruca Salt, The Lemonheads, Northeast Party House and The Creases.

Continuing their powerhouse rise, 2015 saw Babaganouj play at the inaugural Mates festival in Sydney, Brisbane’s Bigsound conference, and come in as finalists for Qmusic’s Billy Thorpe scholarship. They also released their singles ‘Can’t Stop’ and ‘Hit Song’ to a head-boppingly enthusiastic reception.

Looking forward, the trio of writers is set to record three EPs in 2016, showcasing each member’s vocal talents. As well as their own headline tours, they’ll continue to spread their sound through festivals and international supports throughout the east coast. In everything ‘Nouj produces are infectious lyrics, intense riffs and unreal magnetism.

Babaganouj 'Pillar Of Light’ Tour

Friday 22nd April 2016 - Waywards, Sydney NSW - Babaganouj takeover night
Saturday 23rd April 2016 - The Toff In Town, Melbourne VIC
Sunday 24th April 2016 - Spotted Cow, Toowoomba QLD w/ Good Boy
Friday 29th April 2016 - The Helm, Sunshine Coast QLD w/ Good Boy
Saturday 30th April 2016 - Minimum Wage Club, Shark Bar, Gold Coast QLD w/ Good Boy
Friday 6th May 2016 - Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane QLD

We featured Babaganouj back in September 2015, and along comes another EP that's just to good to pass up on. With energy and spark the band deliver up some more power pop and rock, full of hooks and charm.

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Kinsky - I Am The Mountain.

Background promo - After their critically acclaimed 2013 debut album Sunset On The Good Fight, Sydney soul roots band Kinsky are back with a new 6 track EP The Edge Of The Wine-Dark Sea slated for release in 2016. The band is excited to announce the lead single off the EP “I Am The Mountain”. 

In the past 2 years the 9-piece have shared the stage with international acts such as The Skatalites, Groundation and Balkan Beat Box as well as top Australian acts such as Dubmarine and Kingfisha to name a few, quickly becoming prominent faces in the Australian roots music scene, commanding legions of fans along the way. 

Songwriter and lead singer Ernie Garland teamed up once again with legendary Catalan studio engineer Enric Carbonell in Tokyo to mix the new tracks at the esteemed Volta Studios resulting in their biggest, warmest, jumping-out-of-the-speakers-sounding record to date. A swinging reggae groove with a punchy, horn-laden hook, “I Am The Mountain” is a big-sounding, emotive take on the power of collective change when the wellbeing of current and future generations is under threat from greedy, short-sighted, big-moneyed agendas. 

“We’re seeing it locally in Australia where there’s a constant struggle, a constant push-back by people who will be directly or indirectly affected by a government’s poorly thought policy to hand over prime agricultural lands to big miners. It’s insane. If big miners are allowed to go in unchecked to dig up our food bowls then we will be left with nothing but slag-piles and ugly holes in the ground and a permanently damaged water table. To secure our future we must manage the land sustainably and respectfully. It shouldn’t be a hard concept to grasp.” 

Upcoming Shows 
Sat 23rd April - Venue 505, Surry Hills NSW
Fri 6th May - Oxford Art Factory, Sydney NSW 

Kinsky deliver up a potent and powerful reggae vibe with 'I Am The Mountain'. The song is beautifully produced and strikes a really good balance both musically and vocally, so that every part stands out with sonic clarity. Wonderful!


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Friday Five: TH'FIKA - Hemingway - Júníus Meyvant - Colorworks - Mokita x Kaptan

TH'FIKA - Stranger.

Background promo - ‘Stranger’ is the debut single from upcoming Gold Coast band TH’FIKA. The track as the name suggests, talks about the emotions related to becoming a ‘stranger’ in somebody else's eyes. ‘Stranger’ is a creative response of disappointment and anger to a one sided relationship. Originally It was never meant to be a song for the band but an emotional vent to gain closure. When Michael heard Lily sing stranger in its raw essence he could feel her pain. They re-wrote the song from two perspectives; a back and forth argumentative song. This being one out of the two Alt/Rock songs on their EP, it really came together when drummer Mitch Clark got involved. Stranger is the harsh reality of growing apart which you get to hear from the vulnerable exchange of vocals.

Rewind to 2010, two high school students, having never met before are auditioning to study music at university. They meet, they sing together, they bond over mutual influences and both leave the audition without nothing other than the exchange of first names. A few months on with both of them being accepted into their degree, they look over mid lecture and spot each other. That’s when Lily and Michael officially became friends, not long between that time did they start writing music together.

Fast forward to the end of 2013. The pair take a contract to perform in Japan for 4 months, it is then where the first idea of TH’FIKA (fee-ka) was born. Over the winter season in Japan's busiest ski village, the duo took to writing in their breaks (~Fika; Swedish for coffee break) and finding a sound of their own in between performing 6 nights a week. Becoming socialites amongst the lifestyle and intake of travellers from around the world, working as paid musicians, the duo found themselves living in nothing other than a surreal 4 months…in the village that never slept.

Drawing influences from such artists as The XX, London Grammar, The Naked and Famous and The Temper Trap. Alternative indie rock band TH’FIKA eagerly await their debut release and the future sounds to come.

Now, 2016. With the arrival of drummer Mitch Clarke, the trio are set to release their debut EP later this year, with their ‘Stranger’ single to drop April 15th.

'Stranger' may have some similarities with the above mentioned artist's, however it stands on it's own as a fine and refined song, with bags of melody and atmosphere.

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Hemingway - Unified.

Background promo - Popular Brisbane band Hemingway will release their new single “Unified” on May 6th through The A&R Department shortly before taking off on an Australian headline tour in July.

Brothers Brad and Christian Hemingway have been making music together since they could hold an instrument, a “do or die” pact to make a career out of the music they love to write. Sourcing bassist Cheyne Starkie and drummer Brad “Animal” Williams from their circle of friends to form Brisbane four-piece Hemingway, a unique blend of Alternative-Rock, Funk and Reggae in January 2015.

“Unified” was recorded locally at the Tanuki Lounge studio in Brisbane’s West End, co-produced with and mixed by Paulie B, mastered by Jack The Bear Deluxe Mastering in Melbourne.

“I don’t think we have had an easier time in the studio than we did recording this song, all the tracks seemed to be done in one or two takes and the vibe of the song was just there from the start. Paulie really helped us spill everything onto the page with this song and capture the essence of our sound.” – Brad Hemingway, lead vocals & rhythm guitar.

The first release of their upcoming EP in 2017, “Unified” is a bold new release with a strong political message questioning negative propaganda being fed to the public through the media. The lyrics are a message directed at the growing number of individuals recognising the issue and uniting against fear to choose positivity and compassion. “Unified” by Hemingway will be released 6th of May 2016.

With a funky reggae feel 'Unified' mixes up the styles and with bold dynamic vocals, can't help but be noticed. That it has a message as well, just feels right.


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Júníus Meyvant - Neon Experience.

Background promo - Westman Islands singer-songwriter Júníus Meyvant has recently caused big waves in Scandinavia after being the star of the Icelandic Music Awards-winning Best Newcomer and Best Song as well as being nominated for Best Male Singer and Best Song this year.

From relentlessly touring and selling out halls and venues across Europe, Júníus has been receiving a lot of recognition from his unique soulful folk-pop sound. This lead to plays on Radio X, BBC Radio London and Amazing Radio. Impressively, his debut single Color Decay caused quite a stir in his homeland-reaching number 1 on National Radio and then being chosen by KEXP’s Programming Director Kevin Cole as Song Of The Year. Moreover, Júníus’ fascinating guitar playing has left him compared to the talented Ben Howard.

Júníus Meyvant is back with his new single Neon Experience. By incorporating various fragments of soul, folk, pop and indie together, the result presents his creative abilities of the highest order. There’s depth, there’s feeling and intricacy, which the listener can wrap their ears in. The Aloe Blacc-style vocal performance with the Graffiti6-esque hooks, despite being 6 minutes long, can be heard repeatedly whilst retaining its magic. Oh, and there’s a mid-tempo sonic surprise in the middle…

Neon Experience is now available, very much increasing the appetite for the LP Floating Harmonies, out 8th July.

Musically 'Neon Experience' is crisp, soulful and precise, providing just the right backdrop for Junius Meyvant's super cool vocals. There is a classic soul feel running through the song, that magnetically pulls you into the groove.

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Colorworks - Daydreams.

Background promo - Colorworks intuitively indite hyper-melodic pop creations driven by swooning harmonies and sun-chiming guitar orchestration. With shrewd co-action, the quartet features the impressive skills of songwriters and vocal duo Bret Dylan (guitar) and Nick Myette (bass) alongside percussionist Andrew Ginn and guitarist/keyboardist David Easton.

The band has made many elated live new music fans in the NW with its high-voltage shows in support of their 2015 debut Joyla Red EP, looking forward to their upcoming 2016 releases. At their fun and generous shows, their sound is so powerful they add to their ear-popping originals cover medleys featuring the zest of the Zombies, the tonality of the Byrds, and the retro kick of the Kinks.

The new double A-side release Dreams of Mangoes features two super-tasty brand new songs, “Daydreams” and “Pears and Mangoes.” These are vivid meditations on riding bikes, daydreaming, and buying fruit from the farmer’s market — reflecting the joyous thrills of the band. Two older fan favourites round out the EP as well. Videos are finished for three of the tracks, to be released over the coming weeks. Stay tuned, in full color, of course.

Upcoming Live Shows:
4/21 @ The Central with Echo Ravine and Fian
4/23 @ The Rendezvous with P.S. and Plaza
Presented by PAC NW - Colorworks are going to film and multitrack this show.
4/30 @ The Metta Room in Port Angeles with Bryan John Appleby and Goldbones.
This is the second instalment of Metta Madness; Colorworks’ monthly Port Angeles residency/Seattle showcase.
5/6  @ Blue Moon w/ Pastel Motel and Heptagon
5/7 @ 107.7 The End's Taco Truck Challenge w/ New Beat Fund (Southern Cali) and Naked Giants

The new double A side single includes the featured track 'Daydreams', and an equally pleasing 'Pears and Mangoes'. It's upbeat feel good vibes can't help but get under the skin, if melodic pop is your thing, then Colorworks are well worth checking out.


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Mokita x Kaptan - Dreamer.

Background promo - There exists a clear distinction between a musician and an artist. Take one listen to producer Mokita and you are introduced to the difference. A true triple threat, the multi-instrumentalist who plays from the heart has a gift for capturing melody, channeling ambience, telling compelling stories, and putting his brooding pop touch on each song that you’ll soon recognize as signature. 

Further demonstrating Mokita’s boundless ability to draw upon ‘near to the bone’ emotions and wrap them perfectly in an infectious indie-pop sheen, Dreamer brings fellow Nashville producer and singer-songwriter Kaptan’s pop sensibilities to the forefront. The result is pacifying to the ears.

“I’ve played some shows with Kaptan earlier this year and we've talked about doing a collaboration for a while. The idea of the song is pretty simple. It's just call to keep going no matter what the circumstances. There are so many elements in life that can easily drag you down, but you just have to dig deep and keep on keeping on.” - Mokita.

This is a great melodic song. Mixing genres a little adds to the interest and the overall production is spot on. Vocals really are the icing on the cake!

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Midweek Mix: Brutus Begins - Astari Nite

Brutus Begins - Never Fade.

Background promo - Brutus Begins is a solo project by Ricardo Temporao, a Portuguese-Canadian musician writer, and director currently based in Toronto (hailing from Kitchener, ON). Elements of folk are resampled and synthesized, blurring the lines between what is real and reconstructed and challenging notions of what is natural.   

Ricardo has fronted bands for over decade from the New Low, General Staff and Skinny Bitches (which was featured on Alan Cross's blog). In 2005, he released an album under the name “Rick Temporao & the New Low” which received radio airplay across Canada and earned critical acclaim (see below). He has also composed music for films and television (i.e. short films "Dead Wake", "The Visitor", BRAVO television’s "Bravo Playlist" theme song and currently composing for short film "Scales").

Ricardo has directed and edited music videos for award-winning musicians Lily Frost, Cedar Park, and Fast Romantics.  

Recently he has begun his latest and most personal project, Brutus Begins. With influences from Leonard Cohen to Tame Impala and Shuggie Otis to T-Rex, Brutus Begins lives on the edge of a sonic "uncanny valley". The buttons, knobs and wires twist and bleed into something almost human.  Where the copper pierces the flesh is where Brutus Begins. He will be appearing at Canadian Music Week 2016.  His first album "Uncanny Valley" will be released this year.

'Uncanny Valley' comprises of seven quite varied songs. 'Never Fade' starts the whole collection off, giving you a pretty good idea of what's in store. The overall impression I come away with is that, this is a consistently good collection of songs. It is also an example of how electronic music, mixed with natural sounds and instruments really can move in so many different styles and directions.

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Astari Nite - Always Like Yesterday.

Background promo - Post Punk, New Wave band Astari Nite unveiled the album cover for their second album titled Until the End of the Moon, due out May 13th via German Label Dance Macabre Records.

"I find Until the End of the Moon to be quite compelling. The maturity of the album resonates throughout and I personally feel that the listener will have a strong image of what in fact is being spoken upon," says lead singer Mychael Ghost.

Formed in 2008, the group consists of Mychael Ghost (lead vocals), Illia Tulloch (Drums), M. Sallons (Bass), Michael Setton (Guitar), and Howard Melnick (Guitar). Signed to (Danse Macabre Records). Astari Nite has headlined numerous shows, as well as opened up for many national acts such as Peter Murphy, The Psychedelic Furs, ColdCave, Stars, Assemblage 23, Seabound, Modern English, Andy Rourke of The Smiths, Apoptygma Berzerk and De/Vision among many others.

Since forming they have put out four releases; their self-titled Astari Nite (2010), Requiem Mass (2011) Stereo Waltz (2014) featuring the singles Pyramids and I.O. 1987, and Anonymous (2015) featuring the single The Boy Who Tried. 2015 Highlights - Headlined Wave Gotik Treffen (Leipzig Germany) Performed with The Psychedelic Furs, released the "Anonymous" EP, released a music video for the single "The Boy Who Tried".

They have performed with The Psychedelic Furs and as far as the featured song goes, there is a similarity. However I thinks that's perhaps down to the distinct (and very good) vocals of Mychael Ghost. Whatever the case 'Always Like Yesterday' is one fine song, that shows that there is still plenty of opportunities to produce high quality post punk or new wave music.


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Alternative Take: Dannika - Omodada (feat. Tik Tu)

Dannika - Next To You.

Background info - Dannika Horvat is a writer/director from Melbourne. Dannika has directed short documentaries and film clips with The Summer of ABC Burns marking her narrative directorial debut. She is drawn to telling stories that are uniquely Australian with a strong focus on women, youth and sexuality.

The Summer of ABC Burns has been nominated for a number of awards, with considerable success.

She has just released her new single 'Next To You' as part of her forthcoming EP For Peaches. The EP was recorded with the guys from Good Morning and is described by Dannika herself as "four mates making soft, feminine rock".

I do not have much background on Dannika, however rather than hang around asking for more, I just wanted to share this beautiful song. It's gentle and loose feel, conjures up images similar to the one featured, with natural and relaxed vibes, and the pleasure of just playing and singing along.

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Omodada feat. Tik Tu - All My Gods (Ummagma Remix).

Background promo - Known for their intriguing cross-genre compositions and recent collaborations with Cocteau Twins' front man Robin Guthrie and OMD's Malcolm Holmes, Canada-based dream pop duo Ummagma has made a beautiful cross-Atlantic gesture by delivering an impressive down tempo remix of 'All My Gods' by Ukrainian artist Omodada feat. Tik Tu. The remix accompanies the original track, now available as a single via U.S. label Moon Sounds Records (Texas).

Omodada is the solo project of Lesik Drachuk, a multi-instrumental artist and producer, based in Ternopil, western Ukraine. In 2015, he debuted with his neo-psychedelic "Kimnaty" EP, widely considered as one of the year's Ukraine's best releases.

All My Gods (feat. Tik Tu) is an epic song about bringing humanity to another planet. "We wanted to create an atmospheric picture with a view on eternal space, envisioning ourselves singing this song in a spaceship leading us to the red planet. We consider 'All My Gods' as a perfect soundtrack for the Discovery Science channel," explains Lesik Drachuk of Omodada.

"It was cool remixing this track and our vision for this was to move from the outer space view that Omodada originally had for this track to ones inner space," explains Alexander Kretov of Ummagma. "I'm originally from Ukraine and I really enjoyed working with this band from my home region"

We featured Ummagma not that long ago, and this remix they have come up with for 'All My Gods' is totally hypnotic and absorbing. The original version is quite stunning and this just builds on the collaboration between Omodada and Tik Tu. It's a melting pot of styles and genres, wonderfully delivered.

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Monday Double Up: George Guy - Jacob Moore

George Guy - Just Memories.

Background from George - Hi, my name is George Guy and I am a music producer / songwriter /dreamer based out of New York City. I have been involved in music for a long time - honing my creative skill set over the last eight years.

Music plays a very important role in my life; it is not just a form of entertainment for me. My connection with music is somewhat spiritual; it provides me with a medium to transport myself to places and times I envision. It is my own form of meditation. Music is the soundtrack of my life.

I have big dreams of where music can take me and I am confident that music will continue to play a key role in my life. As those dreams unfold, I want to continue to write/produce songs that are timeless and memorable. I spend inordinate amounts of time and effort, writing and producing songs that can stand above all the clutter of songs that constantly bombard the airwaves.

I hope my passion and dedication to my craft is evident in the quality of songs I create. There's always room for me to grow as an artist but I am confident that at any point in time, I am at my best as a producer/songwriter. I am also humbled because I know my best work as an artist is always ahead of me.

OK so a little bit of poetic licence, the above words are actually from the bio on George Guy's website. However we did receive something along these lines from George, it's just that the above goes a little deeper. 'Just Memories' is a finely crafted song, with great production and a whole load of catchy hooks. With an attitude that the best work is still ahead of you, high standards have already been set!

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Jacob Moore - Something In The Water.

Background promo - Lifting the lid on his debut solo project in February this year, Sydney artist Jacob Moore takes another huge step into the light with his new track ‘Something in the Water’.

After years of writing, performing and producing for a myriad of acts Jacob has developed a unique knack for crafting classic pop tunes with a modern twist. Building from a bed of 50s-60s inspired soul and blues, JM uses his creative prowess and stunning vocal delivery to teleport his music into the now, holding his own as a throwback artist and as a contemporary.

Produced by Jack Prest (Flume, The Preatures, Action Bronson) ‘Something in the Water’ may deceive as it introduces itself with articulate vocal harmonies like that of a barber shop quartet. As the song grows however, new elements are introduced, from RnB to psych and subtle hints of electro-pop. The result is a powerful anthem of soaring energy, with massive dynamic swells all held in place by Jacob's unique vocal timbre.

This is a cool refreshing song. With solid foundations set decades ago, 'Something In The Water' manages to travel through varying styles and ideas, indeed the expression that it 'teleports' as mentioned above, is a far better description than anything I have been able to come up with. For me a sign of a good song, is when it finishes before you are expecting it, that's the trouble with teleporters I guess.

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