Hills are Alive, The Farm

There is a small sign at the little town of Loch that points festival goers to the weekend event that is The Hills are Alive. Its the only indication that you are going the right way to get to the festival that is hidden on a farm, along a long winding road.

Its raining as people lug camping gear up the hill to set up on the site and nestle in for what will be a weekend of music, fun, new friendships forged and this year a hell of a lot of rain. The stage is the place to be as the winds howl through the valley and the temperature rapidly drops.

A  group of dedicated music lovers have gathered on the hill to watch music in the pouring rain, but nobody seems to mind when performances by bands like Press Club get things pumping on stage enough to heat up the mosh pit.  Press Club front woman Natalie might be dressed in a jumper and jeans, but she is her usual energetic self and she gives it her all despite the rain.

The festival atmosphere is energetic and the momentum keeps on going for Kingswood, with the crowd going wild and the mosh pit heating up. Over towards the bottom of the hill though the karaoke tent is the place to be as virtual strangers sing in unison to classics and sing at the top of their voices in collective joy.

By the next day the rain has let up a little, but its the kind of festival where it could be snowing an nobody would mind – you just layer up a little more.  Cool Out Sun give the main stage the reggae vibes for the early afternoon and the mosh pit is bumping.

Comedy is on the bill for this evening, and its some top shelf comics that keep the crowd laughing. Its no holding back with any of these guys, heckling the crowd, making fun of people, random shouting – its all happening and its a lot of fun.  Gavin Semple gives the gathering endless laughs during his set and nothing is sacred.

Didirri takes things over and its not long before he has a sing along going, the ‘ Jude’ singer is at his best and as the sun goes down he welcomes the night with this angelic voice.

Traditionally sunset is a time for the crowd to gather on the hill and appreciate the beauty over the valley. However the weather is so bad that instead The Pierce Brothers have come out from a soundcheck over at San Remo to play a few numbers for the crowd. Graciously Ceres have given up some of their set time and the guys give it their all before heading off.

As the Saturday winds to a close Vera Blue proves again what a stellar performer she is and dressed in a white cape she has fans screaming out their love for her. She is resplendent and belongs on the stage, a natural performer.

As the sun rises on Sunday everyone is a little worse for wear, but its a good tired that everyone feels. The festival is a small one where everyone is your friend and each time you turn around you can strike up a conversation with the person next to you.  Its a weekend of meeting new people, finding your tribe and having a great time.

The festival will sadly be on hiatus next year and its sure to be missed.

Words and images by Amanda Lee Starkey

Melbourne based rock/metal group Rumours has dropped their first musical offering, “Paralysed”, since their debut EP ‘Lost Together’ in 2017.

“Paralysed” was mixed and mastered by Chris Lalic from Windwaker and sets the bar high for future releases.

The new single touches on the topic of toxic relationships and feeling bound to a situation that isn’t healthy but being unable to break away from it to protect those involved. Vocalist Jackson Bentley took inspiration from his own experiences…”I’ve been in this place many times and the best way to describe it is as a paralysed relationship. It neither moves forwards or backwards and you become numb in the stagnant environment.” Bentley made a decision to overcome this and “Paralysed” puts those thoughts in to words… “I wrote the song as I had just decided at a point in my life that I would no longer surround myself with poisonous people and I had to start making decisions on cutting those people out of my life for the better. So to all the people that this song is about…I don’t miss you.”

The track comes accompanied by a music video produced by Heidrich Films and demonstrates Rumours as four apathetic patients performing their new single to a near empty seated theatre while a fellow crazed patient wreaks havoc behind the scenes. The trouble maker goes about maiming band members and setting off pyrotechnics, leading to an epic finale that breathes life on to the stage and clears the theatre of their small, bored, mismatched audience.

Rumours is Jackson Bentley (Vocals) Harry Coote (Guitar) Reece Philpot (drums) and Benjamin Canham (guitar). The band formed in Wagga Wagga in 2016 and has since released their debut EP ‘Lost Together’ and toured extensively throughout Australia winning over their audiences. Rumours has played shows alongside heavyweight Australian acts including Northlane, In Hearts Wake, Dream on Dreamer, Polaris and Make Them Suffer as well as playing support to international acts to the likes of The Plot In You.

Rumours will be supporting Earth Caller this weekend at Stay Gold in Melbourne, they will play support for Windwaker on their upcoming Regional NSW Weekender visiting The Albion Hotel in Albury on Friday April 26 and Franks @ QUE Wagga in Wagga the following night and will play Flight in Adelaide on May 4th. Tickets on sale now.

Emperor, 170 Russell Melbourne

Emperor is a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1991, regarded as highly influential by critics and emerging black metal bands. In three exclusive shows only and never to be repeated in this territory, EMPEROR performed the entire ‘Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk’ album. One of the most ambitious and important black metal releases to date.

Behind the lens Amanda Lee Starkey

Born in Bangladesh, raised in New York City, inspired by everything from indie-punk to hip-hop, orchestral symphonies and the Bollywood classics of his parents, Jai Wolf’s life and music have been defined by a liminal quality that only a third culture kid could understand. It’s that quality that takes center stage on The Cure to Loneliness, as he slips between references to cultural moments with an ephemeral quality tinged with nostalgia. The sunny melodies and bombastic hooks bely subject matter that often ruminates on loneliness, distance, and a lack of place. This all converges to create an emotional complexity to the music that cuts deeper than the average festival fare.

MY DREAM RIDER BY JAI WOLF

1.  Fresh sneakers.  All my shoes are pure white so it would be fire to have a fresh pair for each show so they’re not even remotely scuffed.

1. A PS4. it would be too inconvenient to travel with one so it’d be great to have one in every single green room.

2. Sushi flown in from Tokyo. don’t think this needs an explanation

3. A bed.  A pre-show nap can be crucial!

4. Socks + clean underwear.  Ok so this is on my rider now but it’s still on my dream rider.  This way you always have fresh clothes and you don’t have to worry about laundry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J5gJsvK53M

The Cure To Loneliness finds Jai Wolf completing his evolution from upstart bedroom remixer to future bass DJ to dream pop artist and builder of lush musical worlds. While still very much a dancefloor-focused endeavour, some tracks on the debut conjure the angular songs of The Strokes and Phoenix, while weaving melodies through the sugary happy-sad of M83 and CHVRCHES, and throw up walls of sound touched by Explosions in the Sky — all while maintaining the melodious polish and evocative groove to which fans around the world have grown so close.

Jai Wolf – Lose My Mind feat. Mr Gabriel (Official Music Video)

Debut album – The Cure To Loneliness, set to release April 5 via Inertia & Pod.

http://smarturl.it/JaiWolf_TCTL

Music is the voice of culture; Now Sound is a documentary about listening

“Now Sound is equal parts entertaining and informative, brimming with so much heart” – Beat 

“Now Sound celebrates this vibrant and eclectic army of talent, as they pursue their crafts in their natural habitats” – The AU Review

Melbourne filmmakers Tobias Willis and Marcus Rimondini are thrilled to announce the online release of their contemporary Australian music documentary, Now Sound on  Australia’s premiere on demand movie-streaming platform Ozflix from April 4 2019.

Previously premiered to a sold-out crowd at the 2018 Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF), Now Sound is a love letter to the music scene and its ever-expanding subcultures by director Tobias Willis and producer Marcus Rimondini of Kewl Studios.  The feature-length documentary explores the wealth of Melbourne’s music community and features a plethora of culturally relevant artists including Kaiit, Sui Zhen, Courtney Barnett, Neil Morris (DRMNGNOW), RRR, Helen Marcou, RVG, Nkechi Anele and Client Liaison. Now Sound showcases the cities unique artists and exalting subcultures over the course of two years (2016-2018) and documents the trials and tribulations that constantly threaten to demolish Melbourne’s iconic music culture and the unending passion that revives and sustains it.

Now Sound impressed audiences across Melbourne in the second half of last year at The Curtain, The Toff In Town, Howler, Thornbury Picture House, Rooftop Cinema and Lido Cinemas, as well as receiving nominations for Best Documentary and Best Soundtrack at the 2019 OzFlix independent film awards. Now, with continued support from Ozflix, the film is available for on demand ‘screenings’ direct to audiences’ living rooms nationally from Thursday 4 April.

Now Sound is available nationally from Thursday 4 April via Ozflix.
www.ozflix.tv
nowsound.online

NOW SOUND FEATURED ARTISTS AND INDUSTRY
Jen Cloher, Kirin J Callinan, Simona Castricum, Courtney Barnett, Sui Zhen, KLLO, Nkechi Anele, Client Liaison, RVG, Broadway Sounds, Brooke Powers, Neil Morris (DRMNGNOW) CC: DISCO, Kaiit, Chris Gill, RRR, Simon Winkler, Lauren Taylor, Paris Martine, Quincy McClean, Helen Marcou, SLAM, LISTEN, Chloe Turner, Chapter Music, Bedroom Suck Records, PARADISE, Good Manners, Milk! Records, Anthony Fantano + many more…

Enter Suzan Mutesi (pronounced Moo Tay-sey). This determined Ugandan Australian is committed to creating unique and authentic music, fashion and art that breathes deeply with healing, restoration and hope. Suzan seeks to give women the ability to feel confident, valued, loved as she delivers her empowering single The Feeling is Mutual.

Recorded in Australia, Suzan says that she wrote the tune to give hope to lovers, the secret crusher, shy and charismatic personalities to express their feelings through dance and the confessional lyric. Its light-footed dancehall vibe enticing you to be confident and carefree.

As a single woman, she has found the dating games challenging as people never speak up or express how they feel, it’s a waiting game until one builds up confidence. Love is relentless and the single The Feeling is Mutual brings two beating hearts together in the same breath, rhythm and intimacy.

‘Mutual is a great song one can dance to in the club, jam on during the drive to and from work – of course, perfect for weekend parties.’ – Suzan Mutesi

Suzan’s previous successes include holding number 30 on Chicago’s BMS Radio and performing alongside celebrity DJ Sarah at the The Box on valentine‘s day, whilst plus seen in some occasional TV and film work as well.

Suzan Mutesi’s entry leads the way in expressing your self-worth. The Feeling is Mutual dances straight up to the attraction declares its truth and is feels loved either way.

‘The Feeling is Mutual’ is available in digital stores from 29th of March.

After taking off with her soaring single ‘Here We Go Again’, Brisbane bombshell Sahara Beck is back and set to shine even brighter with her new intoxicating release, ‘I Haven’t Done A Thing Today’. Produced by ARIA Award-nominated magic-maker Tony Buchen (Mansionair, Courtney Barnett, Montaigne), ‘I Haven’t Done A Thing Today’ delivers an irresistible art-pop anthem that is utterly infectious, leaving you smiling ear-to-ear. 

Sahara’s ‘Top 5 Things You Should Do Today’

1. Yoga  – I never used to be into yoga, but recently have been making myself do it regularly when I wake up in the mornings no matter what I have on that day. I find it makes my whole day so much better, and on the days where I don’t do it, I personally find my mood is noticeably worse and things are harder to deal with!
2. Do some painting –  this always makes me feel good and it’s a bit of fun! Also, once you’ve finished you can either stand back and feel accomplished with what you’ve created or at least have a good laugh at how bad it turns out!
3. Practice – I find it hard to get into practicing sometimes but once I’m in the swing of it I have to admit it is the best feeling in the world. I enjoy getting better at my instruments and singing as it is something I am doing for myself. Bit of selfcare ya know?!
4. Tell someone you love them  – I do this many times all through the day to many people. Just when I think of someone, it could be a friend, a partner, a family member or even just someone you are becoming friends with slowly. There’s nothing wrong with sharing your love with others and there’s no way that telling someone something so true and nice will impact them or yourself in a bad way.
5. Go to the Planetarium – This is just a fun one I like to do sometimes. Laying back in a big dome with a documentary about space or black holes…. Or whatever they are playing on that day is always a good time.

Her song may be called ‘I Haven’t Done A Thing Today’ but Sahara’s actually been doing plenty lately. Since the release of ‘Here We Go Again’, she’s performed at Bigsound Festival, supported Bishop Briggs 2019 tour and sold out (for the first time) her own hometown headline show on her national November tour. She also returned to Los Angeles to reunite with Tony Buchen and hone her craft at his Kingsized Soundlabs studio.

Brimming with infectious energy and playful abandon, ‘I Haven’t Done A Thing Today’ is the next sparkling step in Sahara Beck’s musical journey. Welcome aboard, it’s going to be quite a trip.

SAHARA BECK 2019 TOUR DATES

12 April // Ipswich Festival // QLD
Ticket info HERE

29 June // ALTFEST // Adelaide
Ticket info HERE

DANKO JONES
DROPS NEW SONG
“I’M IN A BAND”, ANNOUNCES AUSTRALIAN HEADLINE TOUR
‘A Rock Supreme’ album out Friday April 26 through Indica Records
With just six weeks left until the release of their highly-anticipated new album, “A Rock Supreme,” the acclaimed Canadian hard rock group DANKO JONES has unveiled a fourth track from the record – its infectious opener, “I’m In A Band.” Last in Australia for Soundwave Festival 2013, DANKO JONES just announced their headline tour of Australia in May/June which will see the band play Melbourne’s Stay Gold, Brisbane’s Crowbar, Sydney’s Crowbar and Adelaide’s Enigma Bar. Shows on sale at silverbacktouring.com.au from Friday March 29 and album A Rock Supreme out Friday April 26th through Indica Australia.

In addition to setting the tone perfectly for the 11-track, all-killer/no-filler “A Rock Supreme,” “I’m In A Band” is an autobiographical mission statement that aptly captures front man Danko Jones’ limitless passion for all things rock from its opening words: I’m in a band, and I love it / All I want to do is play my guitar and rock and roll.

Produced by Garth “Gggarth” Richardson (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against The Machine, Rise Against, Biffy Clyro), “A Rock Supreme” will be released April 26 via M-Theory Audio (U.S.), Rise Above (UK), Indica (Canada, AU, NZ) and AFM (rest of the world).

DANKO JONES – whose namesake front man contributed guest vocals to Volbeat’s 2017 #1 Active Rock hit “Black Rose,” has made a name for themselves over the years as a must-see live band during memorable tours with the likes of Guns N’ Roses, Motörhead and Clutch. The group’s best-known material includes “Had Enough,” which earned the group their first gold and platinum singles in Sweden and has racked up more than 14 million Spotify streams; “Gonna Be A Fight Tonight,” which WWE used as the official theme song of the 2015 Royal Rumble; and “Lovercall,” their first of seven singles to crack the U.S. Active Rock Top 40.

After Australia, DANKO JONES will return to America later this year, when they will embark on the inaugural Megacruise with Megadeth, Anthrax, Testament and other legendary heavyweights. The band also has a number of high-profile European performances scheduled in the coming months, including an appearance at the annual Sweden Rock festival, the Highfield Festival in Germany and a Helsinki date supporting The Offspring.

Danko Jones new single ‘I’m In a Band’ is out now on all digital outlets and the new album ‘A Rock Supreme’ is out April 26 through Indica in Australia and New Zealand. The album can be pre-ordered on CD or limited-edition vinyl at DankoJones.com. Digital pre-orders include four instant downloads – “I’m In A Band,” “We’re Crazy,” “Burn In Hell” and “Dance Dance Dance.”Also available now at iTunes, Apple Music, JB Hi-Fi and Google Play!

Tickets for Danko Jones’ Australian Tour will be on sale 29th March at silverbacktouring.com.au.