MELBOURNE GUITAR SHOW

BACK AND ROCKING AT CAULFIELD RACECOURSE ON AUGUST 3 & 4

1ST ANNOUNCEMENT FEATURES ASH GRUNWALD, SARAH MCLEOD, DAVE LESLIE, KEITH MERROW (USA), DENNIS JONES AND MORE!

#MGS2019

The Australian Music Association is excited to today announce the 2019 return of the Melbourne Guitar Show, set to rock Caulfield Racecourse on August 3and 4 – and this year’s show is set to be colossal.  Proudly presented by Triple M and Australian Musician, the lineup boasts an impressive haul of both local and international artists.  In addition to the world-class performances from the artists on the massive lineup, #MGS2019 will also hold a huge gear expo that will feature a gigantic variety of electric and acoustic guitars, effects pedals, amps and more state-of-the-art guitar technology, both home-grown and from around the world. See, try and buy!  It will continue to be Australia’s biggest guitar pop-up shop, as well as hosting information seminars, demonstrations, and live performances from Australia’s most talented guitarists.

The first lineup announcement for #MGS2019 includes a fantastic mix of guitar talent including Keith Merrow and Dennis Jones, both from the USA, who will join the eclectic and star-studded local list, which this year features: Ash Grunwald, Sarah McLeod, Dave Leslie, Lloyd Spiegel, Stars (featuring Mal Eastick, Nick Charles, and Roger McLachlan), plus Minnie Marks, Phil Manning, Anna Scionti, Chris Finnen, James Norbert Ivanyi, Cartridge Family feat Sarah Carroll and Suzanna Espie, Jeremy Barnes, Simon Hosford’s Fair Warning (who will be playing the entire Van Halen debut album), Michael Dolce, James Ryan, Charlie Bedford, Shannon Bourne and heaps more.  Hit up the Melbourne Guitar Show website www.australianmusician.com.au for the latest show additions.

“I’m so stoked to be a part of the Melbourne Guitar Show this year!” enthuses Ash Grunwald. “I’m incredibly excited to be unveiling something I’ve been collaborating on which has been a lifelong dream of mine.”

Drawing thousands of guitar lovers and enthusiasts to the 2018 Melbourne Guitar Show, #MGS2019 is growing year on year and is gearing up for the biggest event yet.  Champion of the Australian music products industry, Australian Music Association (AMA) will be teaming up with australianmusician.com.au and presenting sponsors Triple M, 3PBS, Beat, Mixdown and Noise11 to present this year’s guitar-centric weekend.  At last year’s show, punters not only enjoyed scheduled performances and demos from the awesome artists on the lineup, but also witnessed surprise on-stand appearances from some of Australia’s finest artists, including Harts, Darren Middleton (Powderfinger), Bec Sandridge, Dan Sultan and many more.  Both the organisers and the exhibitors are constantly wrangling acts right up until the very last minute – and who will be joining the all-star jam this year? Come on down and find out!

Thrilled to present #MGS2019 once again, AMA executive officer and MGS organiser, Rob Walker says, “It’s exciting to see the show develop each year and add value to the live music industry.  We are proud to present such a broad range and quality of guitars, amps and gear from the big brands to local artisans.  And each year we get to put together a program of live music featuring the considerable talents of our guitar community.  It’s a great weekend for anyone into music, particularly guitars.”

Rob continues, “And not only will the #MGS2019 provide a hands-on chance to see and play such a broad range of gear, there’ll be bargains a plenty.  We like to call it Australia’s biggest pop up guitar store!” 

The Melbourne Guitar Show will be held at Caulfield Racecourse on August 3 and 4.

Tickets are on sale June 7.

The Melbourne Guitar Show is produced by the Australian Music Association, an incorporated not-for-profit. Proceeds, if any, are used to provide services to the Australian music products industry, particularly the promotion of music making to the community.

Online ticket prices when pre-ordered:: Adult day pass $20, adult weekend pass $30, family day pass $40, concession day pass $10, concession weekend pass $15.

Melbourne’s genre blenders Catholic Guilt are back with a brand new single, “The Awful Truth”, which showcases an upbeat, catchy track that packs a punch and tackles a dark theme. The new single will be available  at https://ffm.to/catholicguilt_TAT.

In support of the brand new single, Catholic Guilt will also be launching “The Awful Truth” live at Grace Darling Basement in Collingwood on Friday June 28th, tickets available through Eventbrite.

“The Awful Truth” touches on dark content in the way that the track uncovers the sexual abuse and the subsequent cover up of that abuse by the Catholic Church. Vocalist Brenton Harris highlights that “…abuse of power in this way is truly heinous and unfortunately has been all too common throughout history and continues to be prevalent today.”

The track features a toe tapping beat, an infectious melody and a number of catchy pop elements but the lyrics expose the dark truth. Harris provides the lyrical explanation behind “The Awful Truth” and the contradictory beliefs and justices that inspire the ideals, “The bridge of the song is written from the perspective that according to their own belief structure, the perpetrators will be judged by God at the time of their passing and for all intents and purposes they are going to fail that test and go to hell … Whether or not that hell exists, there’s a certain sense of schadenfreude and justice in that philosophical construct. We sincerely hope they spend their remaining days on earth trembling in fear of what awaits them in death.”

Catholic Guilt have made a point with the release of this brand new single to extend their love and support to the victims of this kind of abuse, and will be backing up their words with action by donating a portion of the proceeds collected at the single launch to SECASA (South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault). Harris adds, “we’ll continue to support the push for justice to be served for the injustices committed against them.”

If you’re not already across Catholic Guilt, the band is comprised of Brenton Harris (vocals), Bryce Novotny (guitar/vocals), Ben Caruana (Bass) and Jason Beardsley (Drums). Catholic Guilt write raw, emotional and disarmingly honest music for the internally conflicted masses, mixing elements of folk, punk, rock and alt-country to create an unashamedly vulnerable, yet ultimately uplifting and cathartic listening experience.

Debuting on Triple J Unearthed, the singles “Counterfeit Guitars” and “Paper and Ink” received frequent airplay on Triple J, including a coveted spot in 2018 with Richard Kingsmill and Home and Hosed with Declan Byrne. “Paper and Ink” found particular favour with Short.Fast.Loud host Josh Merriel who included the track in his top 10 releases of 2018 and went on to state that “…when I first got the EP, I put it on and just went for a walk, before I knew it I’d listened to it four or five times and found myself singing along to most of the words. “Paper & Ink” just kills me as a song, both lyrically and musically so rich and deep.”

Having hit stages all-across the Aussie eastern seaboard in 2018 in support of some of the scenes best upcoming acts, Catholic Guilt are ready to bring their brand of ‘honest music’ to the rest of the nation this year as they gear up to release the follow up to Hymnbook Volume 1. In support of the new release, the band will be bringing the heat to the stage for a single launch show at Grace Darling Basement in Collingwood supported by Dover Island and Jess Porter on Friday 28 June. Tickets available through Eventbrite and on the door.

“The Awful Truth” will be available tomorrow to purchase and stream at https://ffm.to/catholicguilt_TAT and from all good online outlets and streaming platforms.

Born Free, Melbourne hardcore outfit signed to Resist Records, have returned to form in a big way after a few years out of the limelight. So far the five-piece have unleashed ‘Blinded’ and ‘Wasted’ as the first two cuts from forthcoming self-titled album, and today they unveil a third offering, ‘Burn’, accompanied by an album launch show announcement. Born Free’s self-titled album is available for pre-order now at https://shop.resistrecords.com/collections/pre-orders and out on June 7!

Burn’s short, sharp delivery and crisp driving guitar riffs that compliment the harsh vocals tie the track together. This brand new single accentuates the ideals behind the second single ‘Wasted’ in that this track talks about the changes that come from within ourselves. Vocalist Nathan Garland unpacks the inspiration behind the music, “At times, there is a lot of uncertainty for our place in this world. Could we do better? Do we have time? Yes, we can do better. And yes we do have time. We just have to accept that we only have control over our own self and nothing else. What’s actually uncertain, is everything that happens around you. If you look deep enough within yourself, even when everything around you is starting to burn, you have the power to persevere.”

Lyrically, Nathan has strived to vent about the destruction of the planet, internal anguish and a personal take of life, death and everything in between and aimed to create a more dynamic and matured sound for the upcoming self-titled album.

Born Free are set to rock the stage at the Gasometer Hotel in Collingwood on Thursday June 13 to launch the new album, with tickets available for pre-order at Oztix and on the door. After taking time to write the new material, it’s the bands belief that this is their hardest hitting yet, both sonically and emotionally. Amongst the chaos and fury, the sentiment of this LP will leave listeners wanting more.

The new album was recorded in Winter 2018 at Black Lodge Studios (old three phase studio) in Brunswick, Melbourne with Mike Deslandes (from Melbourne’s blackened Rock ‘N’ Roll outfit High Tension). The new record is the first from the band to feature new member Josh Manitta (Carpathian, Warbrain) – who has brought on a more layered and melodic style to their previous 2015 album Sorrow, and is a natural progression musically from their Upon my Head tape, released in 2017. The band has further utilised vocalist Nathan’s clean singing, while also creating what is their heaviest album to date, yet more structured and more melodic.

Born Free’s self titled album will be released Friday June 7 through Resist Records with pre-orders live now at https://shop.resistrecords.com/collections/pre-orders. ‘Burn’ is out now to stream and purchase at all good online outlets and streaming platforms. Tickets for the album launch on Thursday June 13th available through Oztix and on the door.

Ahoy there, all ye crusty crusaders of the seven seas! ‘Tis a fortuitous day indeed for the infamous privateers and pirate metal outfit Lagerstein, who have announced details of their upcoming third studio album!

Hailing from Brisbane, Captain Gregnarr and his fearsome band of buccaneers have gained the envious reputation of being Australia’s premier pirate metal outfit, with multiple sold-out shows across their home country and several successful stints in Europe. Having secured a place on this year’s Sabaton Open Air and Wacken Open Air, the Lagerstein crew set sail once more with their upcoming studio offering ‘25/7’, promising a glittering treasure trove of twelve jaunty, colourful and undeniably boozy sea shanties. Serenading their love of rum, drunken parrots and drinking from shoes, ‘25/7’ will be a coveted keepsake for any self-disrespecting, yellow-toothed swashbuckler!

Having hit the studio earlier this year to record in Sweden with world renowned producer Fredrik Nordström (Bring Me The Horizon, Arch Enemy, In Flames, Soilwork), Lagerstein’s upcoming album will be sliding into port on 23rd August 2019 via Kegstand Records. ‘25/7’ boasts traditionally seaworthy instrumentation scored with modern, distorted guitar work and coarse vocal outbursts that continues the seven-piece act’s legacy as one of the greatest “party bands” of modern metal.

On the album’s title, the band offer a simple, effective and inspiring explanation: “What could be better than partying for 24 hours? Sailing west and stealing an extra hour of daylight so we can party 25/7!”

Lagerstein took to social media to confirm that the artwork of ‘25/7’ has been dug up from the deep ahead of the album’s summer release date. The “party pirates” are also currently engaged on their huge “Endless Rum” Tour, which takes the band across Europe, UK and Australia, with plans to continue partying their way across the globe to share the fun and joy of the pirate’s life with landlubbers and sailors the world over!

Banding together in Queensland, Australia, Lagerstein dreamed of being a pirate metal band on a never-ending voyage to rock stages, create catchy music and have the best time, all the time. In the 9 years since, the seven-piece act have become an emerging hit, equally well-known for their unmistakable brand of catchy party tunes and a hugely entertaining live show of legendary proportions. Violinist Mother Junkst says “Originally we simply wanted to play in a band where we’d have beer bongs on stage. Something fun, silly but with awesomely catchy songs. With time this became something much more. We didn’t choose the pirates life, but it turns out we are perfect for it!”

Pre-orders for ‘25/7’ and more details on the album will be available soon. Tickets for Lagerstein’s ‘Endless Rum’ tour can be purchased directly from the band’s website.

—

THE MAINE
Is On Tour
And You Are Ok
Australian Tour 2019
with special guests

After twelve years and seven studio albums, Arizona’s THE MAINE continue to push onwards and upwards as their new album You Are Okay hit #1 on the Billboard Independent Album Charts; and now the band are taking the show on the road, proudly announcing they’ll be joining their Australian fans this September for their biggest headlining shows yet. “This is us, for the first time, fully realising a vision we had from conception to finished product. All hype aside, this is us making music, putting everything into it, and holding our heads up higher than we ever have before.” Words of lead singer John O’Callaghan ringing honest and true.
THE MAINE have never been a band to rest on their laurels with their live performance, and they have promised that this run of Australian shows will not be ones to miss. Don’t sleep on getting your tickets!

TOUR DATES:
Wednesday 18 September – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide Lic A/A
Thursday 19 September – Metro Theatre, Sydney Lic A/A
Saturday 21 September – The Brightside, Brisbane 18+
Sunday 22 September – 170 Russell, Melbourne 18+

Multi-award winning folkster Kaurna Cronin is heralded as one of Australia’s most entertaining young performers. He’s an internationally acclaimed songwriter and an emotive and honest storyteller. Renowned for his relentless touring schedule and his ability to capture audiences for a thrilling musical poetical journey.

Top 5 Favourite Cities In The World

1. Berlin
This city has endless inspiration, so much history, diversity and a lively arts scene. I’ve always discovered something new and felt the perfect sense of belonging and out of place. It’s a city that can suck you in very easily, it’s one that I am really enjoying stepping in and out of more these days

1. Copenhagen
   Copenhagen is an incredible beautiful city and has great balance of urban, industrial and picturesque. From the gleaming harbour walks, strolling through the historic old town to the industrial wharf and Christania it has a brilliant identity. I would love to live in Copenhagen some day.

2. Stockholm
   I first went to Stockholm hitchhiking through Sweden in 2011, I was travelling with other Australian musicians, busking on the streets. I absolutely feel in love with Stockholm, placed on an impressive harbour with the sailing ships sweeping through. The old town is very impressive and the way the light reflects through light rain onto the pavement, harbour and whole city scape is incredible. They also have unbelievable sunsets.

3. Adelaide
   It is truly one of the best cities and communities to be a part of. Everywhere feels like 15 minutes away, the beautifully cosy Adelaide hills, never ending beaches plus the city with an expanding nightlife is a hub for some of the most impressive festivals going around. With the wine and produce regions not far away, affordable lifestyle and a heck load of engaged creative people, it’s a pretty darn magic place.

4.Varanassi
If you want culture, colour and experience, Varanassi is the most vibrant and encapsulating city. Once arriving, it is like no other city and you know exactly where you are until you leave. Winding through the market streets leave disorientate you completely until you find yourself stumbling up to the river Ganges. A must.

KAURNA CRONIN ‘GOTTA GET OUTTA THIS PLACE’ NATIONAL TOUR

THURS 06 JUN | THE TOFF IN TOWN, MELBOURNE VIC | 18+
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets | Online here

SAT 08 JUN | LOW 302, SYDNEY NSW | 18+
Tickets available from www.ticketek.com.au | 132 849 | All Ticketek Outlets | Online here

SAT 14 JUN | CHATEAU APOLLO, ADELAIDE SA | 18+
Tickets available from https://www.eventbrite.com.au or via www.kaurnacronin.com

KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND DISTILLS A QUARTER CENTURY ONSTAGE
TO DELIVER THE TRAVELER OUT MAY 31 ON CONCORD RECORDS

On May 31, Concord Records Via Caroline Australia will release The Traveler, an album of experience and profound resonance by the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band. The album was recorded in Los Angeles, while on a break from their uncompromising tour schedule that left them road-tested and ready to rock, The Traveler showcases some world-class musicians: vocalist Noah Hunt, drummer Chris “Whipper” Layton (formerly of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Double Trouble), bassist Kevin McCormick, and keyboardists Jimmy McGorman and Joe Krown, features ten songs including eight new originals co-written by KWS and some of Nashville’s most in-demand songwriters, plus incendiary covers of Buffalo Springfield’s “Mr. Soul” and Joe Walsh’s “Turn to Stone.”

http://concord-mediakits.s3.amazonaws.com/688/d79e4b77fe5fd7059c1fcf1e2b371ba3a430f3c0/original/2_Kenny_Wayne_Shepherd_by_Mark_Seliger.jpg

Kenny Wayne Shepherd has just released a new track “I Want You,” you can listen to the track on Spotify HERE or stream on YouTube: HERE

“Because of my family, my friends, and my fans I’ve been able to explore the depths of music and chase songs wherever they may lead me,” says Kenny Wayne. “We’ve been able to do things and go places that were once just a dream, and it’s all because of the music and the people who support it. The Traveler is a return on their investment.”

Pre-Order The Traveler: HERE

Co-produced by Shepherd and Marshall Altman, The Traveler features some of the most distinctive music of Kenny Wayne’s storied career. New originals “Woman Like You,” “Long Time Running,” “I Want You,” “Gravity” and “Tailwind” (whose heartfelt lyrical metaphor provides the album’s title image) offer a scintillating balance of finesse and firepower, while the artist pays tribute to his influences with the album’s two covers. The seed for Shepherd’s menacing take on “Mr. Soul” was planted when he performed the song at a benefit show with Springfield founders Stephen Stills and Neil Young, and his epic reading of Joe Walsh’s “Turn to Stone” was first performed by Shepherd at a fundraising concert honoring Walsh.

Now a quarter century into a career that started when he was 16, Shepherd is staying busier than ever with the release of The Traveler.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd has sold millions of albums worldwide and, in addition to his five Grammy nominations, has won two Billboard Music Awards, a pair of Orville H. Gibson awards, the Blues Foundation’s Keeping The Blues Alive award and two Blues Music awards. He’s had six #1 blues albums and a string of #1 mainstream rock singles. His last album, 2017’s Lay It On Down, debuted at #1 on three different Billboard charts: Blues, Current Rock Albums, and Internet Albums. American Songwriter noted “There’s sufficient nitro-burning, blues-drenched shredding to keep live audiences playing their air guitars. But Shepherd’s obvious attention to and insistence on exceptional material with musical inventiveness continues to impress, and 22 years into his career raises him and Lay It On Down above his plentiful competition.”

On May 31, Concord Records Via Caroline Australia will release The Traveler, an album of experience and profound resonance by the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band. The album was recorded in Los Angeles, while on a break from their uncompromising tour schedule that left them road-tested and ready to rock, The Traveler showcases some world-class musicians: vocalist Noah Hunt, drummer Chris “Whipper” Layton (formerly of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Double Trouble), bassist Kevin McCormick, and keyboardists Jimmy McGorman and Joe Krown, features ten songs including eight new originals co-written by KWS and some of Nashville’s most in-demand songwriters, plus incendiary covers of Buffalo Springfield’s “Mr. Soul” and Joe Walsh’s “Turn to Stone.”

http://concord-mediakits.s3.amazonaws.com/688/d79e4b77fe5fd7059c1fcf1e2b371ba3a430f3c0/original/2_Kenny_Wayne_Shepherd_by_Mark_Seliger.jpg

Kenny Wayne Shepherd has just released a new track “I Want You,” you can listen to the track on Spotify HERE or stream on YouTube: HERE

“Because of my family, my friends, and my fans I’ve been able to explore the depths of music and chase songs wherever they may lead me,” says Kenny Wayne. “We’ve been able to do things and go places that were once just a dream, and it’s all because of the music and the people who support it. The Traveler is a return on their investment.”

Co-produced by Shepherd and Marshall Altman, The Traveler features some of the most distinctive music of Kenny Wayne’s storied career. New originals “Woman Like You,” “Long Time Running,” “I Want You,” “Gravity” and “Tailwind” (whose heartfelt lyrical metaphor provides the album’s title image) offer a scintillating balance of finesse and firepower, while the artist pays tribute to his influences with the album’s two covers. The seed for Shepherd’s menacing take on “Mr. Soul” was planted when he performed the song at a benefit show with Springfield founders Stephen Stills and Neil Young, and his epic reading of Joe Walsh’s “Turn to Stone” was first performed by Shepherd at a fundraising concert honoring Walsh.

Now a quarter century into a career that started when he was 16, Shepherd is staying busier than ever with the release of The Traveler.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd has sold millions of albums worldwide and, in addition to his five Grammy nominations, has won two Billboard Music Awards, a pair of Orville H. Gibson awards, the Blues Foundation’s Keeping The Blues Alive award and two Blues Music awards. He’s had six #1 blues albums and a string of #1 mainstream rock singles. His last album, 2017’s Lay It On Down, debuted at #1 on three different Billboard charts: Blues, Current Rock Albums, and Internet Albums. American Songwriter noted “There’s sufficient nitro-burning, blues-drenched shredding to keep live audiences playing their air guitars. But Shepherd’s obvious attention to and insistence on exceptional material with musical inventiveness continues to impress, and 22 years into his career raises him and Lay It On Down above his plentiful competition.”

Announcing THE TEA PARTY to tour Australia for the first time in intimate venues!

Canadian iconic rockers THE TEA PARTY are heading back to Australia and bringing their genre-defying career to selected intimate venues across Australia this June.

The one constant at a THE TEA PARTY show is how deeply Jeff Martin, Jeff Burrows and Stuart Chatwood connect with their audience, you really feel; not just hear them during their performances. Complex and provocative THE TEA PARTY will be showcasing a treasure trove of songs from across their incredible catalogue and for the first time ever fans will get to witness this in intimate settings across cities and regional areas.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with THE TEA PARTY and tickets go on sale Thursday 28 March, 9am.

TOUR DATES:

Wednesday 19 June – Westernport Hotel, San Remo 18+
Friday 21 June – 170 Russell, Melbourne 18+
Saturday 22 June – The York, Mt. Evelyn 18+
Sunday 23 June – Metro Theatre, Sydney 18+
Tuesday 25 June – Kambri @ ANU, Canberra 18+
Wednesday 26 June – Nex Theatre, Newcastle 18+
Friday 28 June – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast 18+
Saturday 29 June – The Valley Drive In, Brisbane 18+
Sunday 30 June – HQ Complex, Adelaide 18+
www.tickets.destroyalllines.com

FLUIR is an independent Australian singer, songwriter & producer, crafting emotive dance electro-pop with a uniquely personal edge.

FLUIR recently worked alongside producer Sam Littlemore (Sam La More/Pnau/Tonite Only) on her single ‘Change’, independently released in April 2018. ‘Change’ premiered on Australian National Radio Triple J ‘Good Nights’ program and featured on New Music Friday (Aus/NZ) Spotify playlist, reaching over 100K streams within the first weeks of release.

My Top Five Tips on Breaking into the Music Industry

There’s no ‘guru’ who’s going to swoop down out of the clouds and make you a star – The music industry has changed significantly in the past couple of years thanks to the Internet. Artists are now expected to build their own fan bases directly (i.e. through shows, socials etc). Only once an artist has shown reactivity with their audience will the industry jump on board.
Be competitive but don’t compare yourself to others – In the past, I’ve often been so hard on myself for not having already achieved my next goal. Looking back, I’ve achieved so many personal goals from when I started out, however I was always too busy comparing myself to others whilst looking forward onto my next goal rather than fully appreciating how far I’d come. I now make a conscious effort to be present in the moment and celebrate every win, no matter how big or small that may be.
Practice gratitude – Be grateful that you have the opportunity to express yourself creatively. As long as you’re happy, at the end of the day that’s all that matters.
Write as often as you can – The quickest way to write is to just write. Even if the ideas you come up with won’t ever see the light of day, each idea is important in the overall process. You’ve got to dig through the trash in order to find the gold. Don’t sit there waiting for inspiration to strike! You may be waiting a very long time and by then you’ll be out of practice.
Listen to as much music as you can and know your market!

Fluir is playing a free show at North Wollongong Hotel on May 26