After announcing an interstate expansion last week, the hotly anticipated line up for SCENE & HEARD has landed. Hitting three locations including Cairns, Brisbane and Newcastle this October and November, festival organisers have locked in three unique line ups worthy of an early noughties wet dream.

Wolfmother lead the charge. Fresh from an international tour and a performance at this years Splendour in the Grass, the band will headline all three SCENE & HEARD locations. From the moment the electrifying riff kicks off in ‘Joker and the Thief’ to the psychedelic breakdown in ‘Woman’, Wolfmother’s epic catalogue is tailor-made for the ultimate festival experience.

Celebrating their 25th Anniversary as a band, The Dandy Warhols (USA) bring their flamboyant party jams including ‘Bohemian Like You’ and ‘We Used To Be Friends’ for a co-headline at the Newcastle and Brisbane legs of the festival. Also marking a milestone, Alex Lloyd joins the ranks to celebrate the unmissable 20th anniversary of the ARIA Award Winning, double platinum-selling Black the Sun as he plays his debut album in full across all SCENE & HEARD dates.

Cairns celebrates another endless summer with the only SCENE & HEARD appearance by the inimitable You Am I. And Newcastle is in for a treat with Eskimo Joe, bringing the heat. With an ARIA award-winning catalogue spanning six studio albums and career sales in excess of 750,000 records this Perth powerhouse will bring sing-a-longs galore. Crowd favourite Sneaky Sound System impressed everyone so much at SCENE & HEARD 2018 that festival organisers are welcoming Connie and Black Angus back again. They’ll be running up smash hits like ‘UFO’, ‘Pictures’ and ‘I Love It’ across all locations. Jebediah bring their roaring riffs and soaring pop hooks while fellow West Australians Gyroscope join the party as do fellow rockers British India, Magic Dirt and Even with hip-hop royalty Butterfingers bringing it home.

Newcastle and Brisbane also host the Don’t Come Monday Stage – a party zone designed to evoke only the best memories of the boiler room. Championed this year by The Potbelleez DJ’s it features some featuring the likes of Kid Kenobi, Andy Murphy, Goodwill and John Course.

SCENE & HEARD is creating more than a festival. It’s creating a connection to a time. A time before people cared about ‘likes’, and festival moments weren’t instagram opportunities but collective memories. Those wanting to create new memories and relive the old ones can head HERE to register for the SCENE & HEARD presale.

Members pre-sale begins Tue 11 June, 9am.
General public tickets are on sale Wed 12 June, 9am.

BIGSOUND REVEALS FIRST CROP OF LIVE SHOWCASING ARTISTS INCLUDING:
TONES AND I, ELECTRIC FIELDS, BAD//DREEMS, TASMAN KEITH + MORE!
AND UNVEILS BRAND NEW ARTIST VILLAGE
Australia’s biggest new music event BIGSOUND has today unveiled its first drop of tomorrow’s superstars with Tones And I, Milan Ring, Tasman Keith, Bad//Dreems, yergurl, EGOISM, and Electric Fields leading a list of 76 live performing artists out of what will become a total of 150 acts across 18 stages in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley Live Music Precinct this September 3-6.

Produced by QMusic, BIGSOUND brings together over 200 of the top talent scouts from across the world, music fans from across Australia and the hottest 150 bands from across the region in a unique musical speed-dating extravaganza. It’s four big nights of a choose-your-own-adventure live music discovery, where no two schedules are the same and where in previous years the lucky public have had a first look at artists including Flume, Rüfüs Du Sol, Courtney Barnett, Ocean Alley, Baker Boy, Tash Sultana, The Temper Trap, Gang of Youths, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, The Middle East and more.

Also for the first time, BIGSOUND opens the Artist Village, creating a sanctuary and meeting place for the 150 live performing artists at the event to relax, network and enhance their BIGSOUND experience.

The BIGSOUND Artist Village includes the option of free accommodation on a first-in-best-dressed basis, complimentary breakfast and more. The Artist Village will be open to all BIGSOUND artists from 10am until 4pm daily, including free wifi, conference live stream, artist workshops, safe zone with mental health counsellors, informal interview spaces, instrument repair store, hair and makeup salon, rehearsal room and brand networking opportunities.

“The BIGSOUND Artist Village has turned our festival up to eleven with this game-changing initiative designed to look after showcasing artists,” said QMusic CEO Angela Samut.

“The Artist Village was announced to all showcasing artists and was fully booked in 24 hours with a wait list,” Ms Samut said. “We look forward to welcoming BIGSOUND artists to the Village where they can relax, rehearse and with the potential to form new collaborations.”

OTHER IMPORTANT UPDATES:
Tickets for BIGSOUND Festival go on sale on June 27 from 9am at Oztix. For just $85, a Rainbow Pass gives you access to all performances: 150 artists, across 18 venues, with just one wristband. For more information and ticketing options, click here. For pre-sale access to tickets 24 hours before the general public RSVP here.

BIGSOUND Media Pass applications are also NOW OPEN – If you would like to apply for a media pass click here. Media passes are limited, and applications close August 1st – further information on how to apply available via the link.

BIGSOUND’s app will also been refreshed with a unique Spotify integration, allowing attendees to get a personalised discovery playlist from the BIGSOUND lineup based on their own favourite artists, listening history, and genre preferences!

BIGSOUND FESTIVAL FIRST ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT:
100
3K
Ainsley Farrell
Alana Jagt
Approachable Members Of Your Local Community
Aquila Young
Bad//Dreems
Being Jane Lane
Black Rock Band
Bobby Alu
Butter
Butternut Sweetheart
Chakra Efendi
City Rose
Concrete Surfers
Deline Briscoe
DREGG
DRMNGNOW
Dulcie
EGOISM
Electric Fields
Fan Girl
First Beige
Fletcher Gull
Flossy
FRITZ
Future Haunts
Gordon Koang
Hannah Blackburn
Hemm
Hope D
Johnny Hunter
Kat Edwards
Kobie Dee
Kymie
Laura Imbruglia
LOSER
Louis Baker
Love Deluxe
Lucy Peach
Mambali
Marco
Mariam Sawires
Mermaidens
Mickey Kojak
micra
MID CITY
Miiesha
Milan Ring
Nerve
Outright
PINCH POINTS
P-UniQue
Raj Mahal
Rebecca Hatch
Reija Lee
Reliqa
RINI
Royal And The Southern Echo
Ruby Gilbert
Ryan Fennis
SCABZ
Shady Nasty
Spacey Jane
Stellie
Stevan
Sycco
Tasman Keith
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers
THE DEAD LOVE
The Money War
Temgazi
Tones And I
Wolfjay
yergurl
ZĀN

FIRST SPEAKERS & BUYERS ANNOUNCEMENT:

Keynote: Terry McBride – Nettwerk (Can)
Abbie McCarthy – Radio 1 & BBC Music Introducing (UK)
Adam Kreeft – The Feldman Agency (USA)
Anamaria Diaz – Páramo (COL)
Andy Snape – Raw Power Management (USA)
Bekah Zietz Flynn – Sub Pop Records (USA)
Ben Coleman – Green Man Festival (UK)
Ben Morris – Domino Creative Sync (USA)
Brid Walpole – Pitch Perfect PR (USA)
Brendan Moylan – ECO (MEX)
Casey O’Shaughnessy – Select Music (AUS)
Ellie Jones – Stay Loose PR (UK)
Fabrício Nobre – A Construtora Música e Cultura (BRA)
Jamila Lyndon – Paradigm Agency (USA)
Jon Halperin – The Glass House (USA)
Kamran Haq – Live Nation UK / Download Festival (UK)
Kim Frankiewicz – Concord Music (UK)
Kiran Patel – A&G Sync (UK)
Kristin Genovese – Third Side Music (USA)
Matt Brinkworth – Omnian Music Group (USA)
Michael Nieves – Sugaroo (USA)
Mike Ajayi – AMF Records / Virgin EMI (UK)
Mike Sniper – Captured Tracks (USA)
Nando Machado – ForMusic (BRA)
Natasha Parish – Ground Control Touring (USA)
Nick Holroyd – Primary Talent International (UK)
Owen Mallon – Paradigm Agency (USA)
Paul Brindley – Music Ally (UK)
Shannon Kurlander – Terrorbird Media (USA)
Suzanna Slavin – Mom + Pop Music (USA)

The VANNS

OFFICIAL SIGNING WITH 123 MUSIC
ANNOUNCE NEW SINGLE ‘MOTHER’ OUT NOW
SINGLE LAUNCH TOUR DATES

The VANNS are gearing up for a massive second half of 2019 with the release of their striking new single, ‘Mother’. Taken from their long-awaited debut album, The VANNS have served up another slice of commanding indie rock and roll, further solidifying their status as one of the east coast’s most exciting bands.

Signing with Melbourne-based label 123 Music heralds a new chapter for The VANNS as the group stride forward into this exciting album cycle. “Very excited about The VANNS officially signing with 123 Music! These guys have some incredible international potential and we have been working really hard on the new album I think people are going to be really excited to hear their new music” Damo Costin, 123 Music

Developing a strong live show and presence off the back of high profile support slots with artists including Catfish and The Bottlemen, Hippo Campus and Ocean Alley, as well as selling out their recent run of shows of their own on the east coast, The VANNS have been at work on their craft since their inception in 2013. Their new music is a strong snapshot of a band completely owning their creative vision and handling the execution of it with flair and serves as a perfect introduction to new drummer, Andrew Banovich.

The Wollongong four piece shine on ‘Mother’, a fitting follow on from their raucous 2018 single, ‘How Was I Supposed To Know’. Recorded at Melbourne’s Head Gap Studio with Oscar Dawson (Holy Holy, Ali Barter) and mixed by Chris Collins (Gang Of Youths), ‘Mother’ is evocative, charged with great melody and a tinge of nostalgia within the lyricism. Working with Dawson on their new music saw The VANNS push themselves and flourish in a creative environment that produced strong results. “Working with Oscar was like having an older brother in the band, a fifth member who related so well with us lads, the songs and how we wanted to record them.” Jimmy Vann

Though a strong standalone single, ‘Mother’ fits perfectly into the narrative of The VANNS’ next collection of music; a record that has seen writers Jimmy Vann and Cameron Little broker a new dynamic within their shared musicianship, songwriting that has been born out of similar experiences and emotional journeys. “If the album has any kind of overarching, spinal theme running through it, it’s Jim and I coming together and writing about similar experiences we’ve gone through. It’s a relationship record and it’s a break-up record; and it’s about being in your early-mid twenties and trying to understand and navigate through both those things.” Cameron Little

The VANNS will be on tour with a new live show, kicking the launch of ‘Mother’ into high gear.

TOUR DATES

Sunday 30 June Grace Darling Basement Melbourne
Event | Tickets

Sunday 7 July 2019 Valve Bar Sydney
Event | Tickets

THE LAZY SUSANS ANNOUNCE DEBUT ALBUM, NEW SINGLE & VIDEO CLIP

‘Mutual Memory’, the latest track from The Lazy Susans, is about acknowledging that someone’s presence in your life is unhealthy. It’s about pain, and it’s about the hope that one day that pain will fade. It’s about choosing yourself first and believing that you are strong enough to overcome anything else that comes your way. It’s a reminder that nothing lasts forever and you will be okay one day, even if it doesn’t feel like it now.

Recorded, produced and mixed by Sam Johnson (Camp Cope) ‘Mutual Memory’ starts off slow and dream-like, as if you’re dwelling on the past with the slow drum beat and delayed guitar sounds. As the chorus builds it echoes the sentiment that you can get through this, things are going to be ok, and the lyrics urge “someday I’ll find a way, won’t hurt this much”. The track progresses, exploring feelings of anger and resentment before ending with a sense of hope.

“I wrote the bare bones of this song when I was living in the Blue Mountains last year. Lyrically its a bit different, when we first started jamming as a band we laughed because I’ve never sang that many words so quickly as I do in the chorus. There’s definitely a bit of anger behind the lyrics, but inside that anger there is love and survival too” reflects lead singer Antonia Susan.

‘Mutual Memory’ and previous single ‘R U OK?’, both appear on the band’s forthcoming debut album Now That The Party’s Over out August 2nd on Resist Records.

THE LAZY SUSANS – TOUR DATES

Fri June 21st – UC Refectory, Canberra
w/ Spiderbait & Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers

Thurs July 4th – CHANGES x New World Artists showcase @ Laundry Bar, Melbourne
w/ Jordan Dennis, Ruby Gill, Kilns, These New South Whales

Sat Aug 3rd – Woolly Mammoth @ Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide
w/ Press Club, Bugs, Bec Stevens & more.

Oct 5th & 6th – Yours & Owls Festival, Wollongong

RAINBOW CHAN ANNOUNCES NATIONAL TOUR DATES

IN CELEBRATION OF FORTHCOMING SOPHOMORE ALBUM

PILLAR

OUT FRIDAY JUNE 28

Today, multi-dimensional vocalist, songwriter, producer and mixed-medium artist, Rainbow Chan announces she will take her sophomore album, Pillar on tour this August. The news arrives ahead of the album’s release this Friday, June 28, when audiences nationwide and beyond will once again be mesmerised by Rainbow’s skilful production and evocative songwriting.

After her “Love Isn’t Easy” headline shows just a couple of months back, Rainbow is back with exciting new music; where her fans in Newcastle, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and Wollongong will be the first to experience Pillar live on stage. The tour will kick off at The Cambridge Hotel in Newcastle on August 4 before heading to Canberra’s Sideway on August 16. The following night Rainbow will return to Melbourne’s Horse Bazaar on August 17 before a hometown show at Sydney’s The Chippo on August 23 and closing out the tour at Wollongong’s North Gong Hotel on August 25.

Out Friday June 28, Pillar is a 10-track masterpiece that culminates Rainbow’s years of expertise across composition, songwriting & production, finding the sweet spot where her many influences intersect. Drawing heavily on her East-Asian heritage, Pillar flows effortlessly between English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Weitou. Creating a bridge between cultures, Rainbow’s aim to bring her fans closer all whilst dancing on the experimental edges of electronica, pop and everything in between results in irreplicable & innovative release which won’t disappoint.

Having carved her own path within the music industry, Rainbow is best known for her unique sound. Developing a deep understanding and love for the intersection of pop and electronic music early in her career, Rainbow sent shockwaves through the scene with her first album Spacings and follow up EP Fabrica. Both releases found critical acclaim within community radio spheres, having been chosen as feature album across FBi Radio, Radio Adelaide and RTRFM, making her FBi Radio’s Most Played Artist of 2016 and winner of the FBi SMAC Award for Best Song of the Year for “Let Me”, as well as nominations for Best Live Act, Record of The Year and AIR Best Dance/Electronic Album.

Always pushing the boundaries, Rainbow Chan has built a reputation as one of Australia’s most unique artists with a defined sonic identity, drawing on vibrant aesthetics, a deep understanding of pop conventions and continuous celebration of her Chinese heritage. Don’t miss enjoying the mysterious and many mastered dimensions of Pillar out this Friday June 28 and on tour this August.

PILLAR OUT JUNE 28

PILLAR TOUR DATES

August 4 – The Cambridge Hotel – Newcastle – FREE ENTRY
August 16 – Sideway – Canberra – TIX AT THE DOOR
August 17 – Horse Bazaar – Melbourne – TIX HERE
August 23 – The Chippo Hotel – Sydney – TIX HERE
August 25 – North Gong Hotel – Wollongong – FREE ENTRY

ASH GRUNWALD IS BACK!

ANNOUNCES STUNNING NEW ALBUM MOJO
+ NATIONAL TOUR
+ NEW SINGLE ‘WHISPERING VOICE (FEAT.
KASEY CHAMBERS)’ OUT NOW

Acclaimed as one of Australia’s finest storytellers and live performers, Bloodlines is proud to announce that Ash Grunwald has joined the family, and will release his new album Mojo on Friday 30 August. Mojo is preceded by the single ‘Whispering Voice (feat. Kasey Chambers)’, which is available now.

Recorded in the US and Australia, Mojo also features appearances by The Teskey Brothers, Mahalia Barnes, Joe Bonamassa, The Cat Empire’s Harry James Angus, Terry Evans, Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater, Ian Collard and The Fabulous Thunderbirds’ Kim Wilson.

“At this point, Mojo represents a journey through my own valley of darkness, and out the other side into the fresh sunlit glory of optimism and positivity. This may sound like a cliché, but when you’ve lived it it feels very different.

“I’m so grateful to the universe, my wife and my team around me for giving me the space and encouragement to get back on my feet and start leaning forward into the mountains of musical accomplishment that lay before me.

“Mojo is a five year documentation of the twists and turns of a turbulent time in my life. It is my life’s work up until this point,” Ash says.

Bloodlines have also acquired the rights to Ash’s entire back catalogue, including the ARIA-nominated albums I Don’t Believe, Live At The Corner, Give Signs, Fish Out Of Water and Hot Mama Vibes, plus Ash’s collaboration with The Living End’s Scott Owen and Andy Strachan, 2013’s Gargantua.

The new album will coincide with the release of Ash’s first book, Surf By Day, Jam By Night (published by Pantera Press). The book combines Ash’s two passions – music and surfing. From heavy wipe-outs to heaving crowds, the book gives an insight into the minds of true legends who have mastered the artforms of surfing and music. Through conversations with Kelly Slater, Steph Gilmore, Jack Johnson, Dave Rastovich, Jaleesa Vincent, G. Love, and many more, Ash discusses flow states, jamming versus shredding, style, transcendence, fear, career longevity, growth mindset, mindfulness and what it’s really like to live your dreams. Surf By Day, Jam By Night is an inspiring book that encourages us all to look inside ourselves and chase the things that truly make us happy.

“The day after signing this book deal I jumped on a plane and found myself in Kelly Slater’s kitchen playing the guitar that Ben Harper gave him,” Ash smiles. “Mere hours later I was in Malibu jamming with Steph Gilmore, getting the lowdown on how to manifest dreams into reality. I’m living the dream! I feel like Hunter S. Thompson, without the acid, and I can’t wait to take you all along on the ride.”

Alongside the release of his new album and book, Ash has teamed up with Pratley Guitars to release his own signature guitar. The RBJ-90 Ash Grunwald is a semi-hollow electric guitar, designed to pay homage to old school blues guitars. Made with unique Australian tone woods, it has a classic look and sweet tonality.

If all this wasn’t enough to keep Ash out of trouble, he also works tirelessly alongside his wife Danni doing his part for the environment on their Clean Up The Coast initiatives, whereby beach clean-ups are organised where Ash is on tour. Conscious of the impact of single use plastics, Ash and his wife created Earth Bottles, a range of re-usable products including drink bottles, coffee cups and straws. Recently, Ash launched his podcast, Soulful Conversations, which sees Ash talk to a range of inspiring and interesting people, including John Butler and Ziggy Alberts.

Ash Grunwald brings his unique storytelling and unleashes an avalanche of rhythmic fury on guitar, backed by his impeccable band, to Australia this October. His signature soul drenched vocals have the power to move mountains and create positive change. When purchasing tickets for the tour, fans will have the option to donate $4 to 15Trees, which will go directly towards planting a tree. Be sure to catch Ash in support of his new album Mojo throughout October.

ASH GRUNWALD
MOJO TOUR
AUSTRALIA
OCTOBER 2019
With special guest Jack Botts
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Friday 4 October
Jive Bar | Adelaide, SA
moshtix.com.au

Saturday 5 October
Howler | Melbourne, VIC
moshtix.com.au

Friday 11 October
Rosemount Hotel | Perth, WA
oztix.com.au

Saturday 12 October
West Australian Guitar Festival | Perth, WA
stringsattachedfestival.com.au
* Jack Botts not appearing

Friday 18 October
The Lansdowne Hotel | Sydney, NSW
in-tix.com

Saturday 19 October
The Zoo | Brisbane, QLD
oztix.com.au

MELISSA VANFLEET
on stage, in New York City, with Lacuna Coil
Two SOLD OUT shows for Lacuna Coil in New York City. After the London triumph of last year, on the 22nd and 23rd of July 2019, the Gramercy Theater, will be tinged tricolor to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the italian band.
For the acoustic interlude, which sees Cristina Scabbia as the undisputed protagonist of the stage for two acoustic songs, Melissa VanFleet, great artist and long-time friend with the band, has been called to play the piano with her.

Melissa declares: “I’ll be accompanying my idol since I was 16 y.o. Cristina Scabbia [am I dreaming?] on piano during the two sold out Lacuna Coil’ 119 shows presented by Revolver Magazine at Gramercy Theatre in New York City next month. See you there

About Melissa VanFleet: a vocalist and musician who crafts dark songs with haunting melodies and intense messages, Melissa VanFleet brings a true singer/songwriter element to alternative metal music. She has powerfully and effectively established her own unique sound by presenting her signature vocal prowess at the forefront while incorporating her classical and orchestral influences with heavy, melancholic undertones.

Bobby Alu The Wesley Anne Melbourne

Samoan Bobby Alu had the crowd. up and moving at the Wesley Anne in Melbourne. Warming up the cold Melbourne night the band bought the warmth of the Islands to the stage.

Behind the lens Luke Lornie.