Set on a hill in rural farmland The Hills are Alive is arguably one of the best  gatherings on the summer music festival line up . A combination of  beautiful weather, great vibing people and a stellar line-up including some hilarious comedians. Such a great vibe. Amazing people. Incredible sunset. Awesome music. Lots of glitter.  Its a weekend you won’t want to forget.

Ahead of this years festival, we are hitting up bands to find out what goods they’d like to have on their Dream Rider.

LANKS is an Australian solo-artist, writer and producer. He has toured with artists such as Vera Blue and Rufus Du Sol, and co-written songs with Tia Gostelow, Woodes and Kilter. After releasing an album and EP, doing Like A Version and a sold out national tour in 2018, he is playing his final LANKS show for some time at The Hills Are Alive before switching into collab-mode on his latest project, Ok Moon.

My Dream Rider by LANKS

My dream rider would have a platter with smoky babaganoush dip (hommus option too) with that delicious flatbread covered in zaatar, fresh vegetables and pickles and also fresh fruit (mango if in season) served in a quiet, cool, soundproofed room with plenty of tea. There should be a few tea options but there definitely needs to have Twinings Lemon and Ginger. There’s room temperature water available but it’s not wrapped in plastic. In fact, there’s no disposable plastic in the room at all. Maybe also massage available to any of the crew that might want to loosen up before the show. There actually doesn’t even need to be a gig, I’m really just describing my dream room. A nice view would be great too, thanks.

The Hills Are Alive is a 3-day, 2-night boutique music and camping festival for good-vibing, music-loving folk. It takes place in the beautifully picturesque rolling Hills of South Gippsland near Loch Village, 90mins from Melbourne, 25mins from Inverloch, 35mins from Phillip Island. Good times with great people in a stunning location.

This year will be the eleventh incarnation of THAA. Legs eleven, we’re going to heaven.

All past ten Hills Are Alive festivals have sold out well before the event and there’s a pretty darn good chance this one will to, so get in early to secure your spot.

Tickets this year will be $219 + booking fee (cheaper if you grab an early bird ticket or know The Farmer’s Secret Password) and include free camping, BYO alcohol, four licensed bars, over 30 amazing bands and performers, field games, street cart food, chill out areas, late night DJ’s, Mr Mooyagi’s Cowraoke, Dr. Pong, the Tiny Dancer, The Mystery Bus, art installations, morning yoga, good people and much more.

Alongside the likes of Paces, Lastlings and CVIRO, Jake Carmody is leading the Gold Coast’s musical renaissance and now delivers a crisp new track ‘Alone feat. Savoi’, for his debut release on Tinted Records. For this release, Jake has teamed up with Brisbane singer-songwriter Savoi, who has worked with the likes of Enschway, Yahtzel and most notably LDRU, on his hit track ‘Next To You’. The producers new track uses layers of ethereal and atmospheric sounds to pair with Savoi’s vocals which together build to what Jake does best, a futuristic, stuttering drop.

Jake discusses how the track came together “Alone is the mark I’ve been aiming at since I started making music. Savoi’s vocals inspire me to be as daring and creative with as the production as possible. I’m attracted to textures and melodies more than structure and formulas. I wanted Alone to feel like an art house film, with twists and turns that break champion curiosity over convention.”

Jake’s inspiration comes from an eclectic variety of influences, ranging from Lana Del Ray and Lorde all the way to What So Not and Hudson Mowhake, which has inspired the producer to construct something that is truly unique. The Gold Coast based artist has made a name for himself since producing an epic remix of Vance Joy’s cover of ‘Georgia On My Mind’. Dabbling in various other projects, Jake has garnered support from the likes of triple j, Pilerats and EDM Sauce.

‘Alone feat. Savoi’ is out now on Tinted Records.

WORLD CHAMPION SHARE NEW SINGLE & VIDEO

“CALLISTO”

OUT NOW VIA FUTURE CLASSIC

+ANNOUNCE FORTHCOMING EP & TOUR

Following a triumphant return to the limelight this past summer, Sydney psych-soul-electronic outfit World Champion (Will Campion, Julian Sudek and Reg Harris) today share their newest single, “Callisto”. Co-produced by Bag Raiders, the trio also announce their long-awaited sophomore EP and a live tour.

With the new single, comes a film-shot visual – directed by Jordan Kirk (XingerXanger) – in a sprawling retro-fitted mansion of burnt-oranges, velvet furnishings and a spooky storyline not to be missed. Set to a galloping rhythm and warm arpeggiating synths, Campion’s velvety vocals repeat “I’m not giving you any more of my time” as the ethereal production comes to a fold.

Following summer’s “Gun” and autumnal bliss via “Callisto”, World Champion and gear up for the release of their much anticipated Skyline EP, to be released on May 10. 

Hitting the road this month, the band visit Adelaide’s RCC Fringe on Saturday March 16, Sydney’s Golden Age Cinema on Friday March 29, before performing at Bad Friday in Marrickville on Saturday 19 April, and Wollongong’s Strawberry Boogie on Thursday May 16.

The sophomore effort follows their critically acclaimed with their debut EP Avocado Galaxy (2015) and the lively track of the same name, that was dubbed by Noisey as “zingy synth-pop at its finest“. Gaining rotation across Triple J, FBi Radio and BBC 1, the EP set the tone for the band’s electrifying live show, which inspired fans to tattoo themselves with avocado galaxies and saw the band play at some of Australia’s biggest festivals including Splendour in the Grass, Lost Paradise, Mountain Sounds, Groovin’ the Moo and Volumes alongside supporting Toro Y Moi, Chkchkchk!, Jagwar Ma and Parcels.
 
To celebrate the release, World Champion will embark on a series of special live shows that will showcase their new material for the first time live. Tour dates below.

“CALLISTO” IS OUT NOW VIA FUTURE CLASSIC
WATCH HERE
BUY/STREAM HERE

SKYLINE EP OUT MAY 10

WORLD CHAMPION
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KINDNESS RELEASES NEW DUET WITH ROBYN
‘CRY EVERYTHING’

First Solo Music in Five Years from Prolific Producer
of Solange, Blood Orange, Robyn

Out Now on Pod / Inertia Music

Kindness, a.k.a. Adam Bainbridge, makes a highly anticipated return to their own music with ‘Cry Everything’, featuring a duet with longtime collaborator and friend, Robyn. Centered around thumping bass and a swirling sample of Todd Rundgren’s ‘Pretending to Care’, ‘Cry Everything’ is an intricate, optimistic ode to stepping into the light and loving yourself after a particularly dark period. Pulling energy from queer, vocal house music and self-empowering funk, ‘Cry Everything’ is the feeling of exhaling after years of holding it in, of total catharsis, of forgetting everything that came before. The track is out now on Pod / Inertia Music.

“Won’t try to hide it/I’m gonna be myself this time,” Robyn and Kindness sing on the pre-chorus, before exclaiming, “the skies open/I just wanna cry everything.” “I feel things coming back to life,” the two friends add later on, encouraging their listener – and each other -to live truthfully, and authentically, in the aftermath of chaos. “This time,” they sing, “my tears feel like progress.” The percussion is played by Arthur Russell friend and collaborator Mustafa Ahmed.

Co-written and sung by both Robyn and Kindness, and produced by the latter, the sessions for ‘Cry Everything’ began in 2014 as Kindness, who uses they/them pronouns, was wrapping up their second album, Otherness. It marks the second recent collaboration between the two, the first being the Kindness-produced ‘Send to Robin Immediately’, a highlight from the Swedish star’s most recent album Honey, out now on Pod / Inertia Music.

Kindness, who uses they/them pronouns, has stayed incredibly busy since Otherness, working on several projects for their friends: they co-produced five tracks on Solange’s album A Seat at the Table, and contributed production, writing, and vocals to Blood Orange’s Freetown Sound and Negro Swan albums. A sought-after DJ, radio host, writer, collaborator, and lecturer on everything from musical craft and heritage to queerness and history, they’ve spent the last several years performing as a DJ at venues across the world, from Palais de Tokyo to the Guggenheim Museum, hosted their own radio show on Red Bull Radio in 2016 and 2017, lectured at the Boiler Room in New Delhi and moderated Robyn’s Red Bull Music Academy lecture at MOMA in New York. They were recently featured in Solange’s Calvin Klein advertisement, shot by Willy Vanderperre, alongside friends Dev Hynes, Kelela, and Caroline Polachek.

Having wowed crowds at his headline shows in Sydney and Melbourne last month, hip hop star on the rise Birdz returns today with his latest single & lyric video for “On The Run”, out via Bad Apples Music. The release arrives alongside the announcement of Birdz’ Place of Dreams EP to enter the world on Friday May 3rd, putting Bad Apples Music at the forefront of championing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island musicians across the country.

Another incredible release from the NT raised, Melbourne based artist, “On The Run” signals Birdz branching further into his fusion of rap and singing, showcasing an effortless flow and captivating lyrical talent that speaks directly towards the social injustices affecting him and his community. Amongst the powerful beats and heavy hitting percussion Birdz’ fierce rap prowess is undeniable, firing off a commanding performance cultivated from his heritage. Birdz on the single:

“On The Run” is a direct response to those who relentlessly try and deny the truth about Australia’s history, and subsequently continue to suppress our voices today. Lest we forget.”
With the Place of Dreams EP announced for release in just a few short months, Birdz season is officially upon us. His last release “Place of Dreams” feat. Ecca Vandal made waves across the country, with Complex naming Birdz “one of the most exciting rappers in the Australian scene right now” In celebration of new the single and to treat fans to a taster of what’s to come, Birdz played his headline “Place of Dreams” shows in Melbourne and Sydney, performing with such fervent passion and technical mastery that leaves no doubt as to why he at the forefront of Australia’s future of hip hop.

Since drawing the nation’s attention with his 2017 debut album Train of Thought, Birdz garnered support from not only his peers but also via the airwaves of community radio, triple j and triple j unearthed for his unwavering passion and commitment to his craft. Awarded Best Independent Hip-Hop Album at the 2018 AIR Awards, Birdz has consistently found himself in the company of greatness, having shared stages with the likes of Briggs, Sampa The Great, Loyle Carner, The Funkoars, and Thundamentals, while also performing across renowned Australian festivals such as Woodford, Sprung Festival, The Hills Are Alive, St Kilda Festival, Groovin the Moo and 2018’s Bad Apples showcase at Melbourne’s CHANGES Music Industry Summit.

With a number of performances on the horizon and counting down to a highly anticipated EP, Birdz continues to impress and surpass expectations with every track he releases. An activist for change in his music and life, “On The Run” is no exception to the poignant and lyrically mesmerising music we have come to expect from Birdz.

“ON THE RUN” IS OUT NOW VIA BAD APPLES MUSIC
WATCH LYRIC VIDEO HERE
BUY/STREAM HERE

BIRDZ
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | SOUNDCLOUD

BAD APPLES MUSIC
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After wrapping up a stacked 2018, Sydney-based indie-electronic producer Billy Fox returns with his latest single offering, ‘Let’s Be Honest’, off his forthcoming EP ‘LUNG’ (due out early May).

Mixed by Chris Collins (Gang of Youths, Middle Kids, Ruby Fields) and mastered by Steve Smart (Vance Joy, Tash Sultana, Dean Lewis), ‘Let’s Be Honest’ combines sultry RNB grooves and slick brass with Billy’s emotive, crooning melodies to create a deliciously slinky mix that doesn’t skimp on the feels.

Billy’s Chet Faker-esque, soul-infused vocals drip with equal parts sex appeal and painful longing, rolling over funk-laden rhythms and spacious, intricately textured production to create a track that will get your heart thumping.

Billy Fox talks about the meaning behind ‘Let’s Be Honest’:

“This whole living experience is exceptional, but there’s still the feeling that we, individuals & communities, can be better on a whole range of levels. This song’s purpose is to reflect on this idea and give me a stark reminder that whatever I’m doing, I can always be better. Relationships allow this to happen- almost like holding a big mirror up to ourselves and challenging us to do better. It’s a beautiful thing.”

Billy Fox has traversed the country multiple times selling out his own headline shows and supporting the likes of Glass Animals, Sahara Beck, Harts and The Aston Shuffle.

Spotify have also been avid supporters, adding past tracks to playlists New Music Friday (AU/NZ), Fresh Finds, Brand New, Right Now, Just Chill, Office Studio and Low-Key Weekend.

The last few years have seen Billy Fox supported by multiple tastemaker blogs including The Line of Best Fit, Indie Shuffle, Pilerats, Purple Sneakers and Acid Stag, which resulted in a top ten charting position via Hype Machine’s esteemed ‘Now’ charts. He has also received radio play from national broadcaster triple j, as well as community radio stations FBi Radio, 4ZZZ, RTR FM, SYN, Radio Adelaide and Edge FM.

In the coming weeks, Billy Fox will reveal an accompanying music video for ‘Let’s Be Honest’.

‘Let’s Be Honest’ will be available worldwide on Friday March 8

BILLY FOX
LUNG EP TOUR
THU 25 APR | BAR OPEN, MELBOURNE VIC
FRI 3 MAY | THE VANGUARD, NEWTOWN NSW

Click to stream ‘Let’s Be Honest’

BAG RAIDERS SHARE NEW VIDEO FOR RECENT SINGLE

“LIGHTNING” FEAT. THE KITE STRING TANGLE
WATCH HERE
BUY/STREAM HERE

OUT NOW VIA ISLAND RECORDS AUSTRALIA

Keeping the good times rolling, Bag Raiders (Jack Glass and Chris Stacey) have followed up their latest single “Lightning” feat. The Kite String Tangle with the official video, out today on Island Records Australia.

Directed by multi-award winner and ARIA nominee Lachlan Dickie, whose back catalogue of work includes music videos for Miami Horror, Midnight Juggernauts and Jet, the video is a carefree tale proving opposites do attract. Imagination and mischief run wild on an outing to the streets between a charismatic dreamer and his relaxed, book-loving friend. The video beautifully encapsulates the feeling of youth, making it the perfect visual partner to an already electrifying tune and the emotions brought to life by vocals from Brisbane’s The Kite String Tangle.

Bag Raiders say of the video: “We were really interested in the story to this one, by the amazing director Lachlan Dickie. We like how the video captures a more rural Australian setting and the ideas of friendship between the two main characters. We hope you like it as much as we do!”

“Lightning”, premiered by triple j Good Nights, was first conceived (fittingly) during an electrical storm. The track is bursting with the euphoric, dancefloor-ready production they’ve built their name on, complete with more levels of emotion than ever before, perfectly bridging the sound of Bag Raiders old and new.

Already receiving over 400,000 streams on Spotify and support from triple j, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Music Junkee and more, the tune is the first to be taken from the duo’s forthcoming second album that has been almost a decade in the making. Horizons, due out later this year, documents the journey the production dream team have been on since the release of their ARIA-nominated, self-titled debut in 2010. From club stardom to world tours and festival slots, the pair have built a reputation for mammoth dance releases that keep the world moving with them. Outside of their multi-platinum, global hit “Shooting Stars”, they’ve also released the widely-loved “Way Back Home” & gold-certified “Sunlight”, a string of EPs as well as remixes for the likes of Riton, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Crooked Colours and Banks.

Conceived, written and recorded all over the globe, Horizons serves as a digital collage of more than five years of life, inspiration and experience. It’s an album with a lot of history but, most importantly, a lot to look forward to. With Horizons, a legendary pair of artists are stepping into a new era and “Lightning” is the unshakable first hit of their evolution. Now with a fresh visual to amplify the track’s vibrant offerings, Bag Raiders are off to a roaring start in 2019 and won’t be slowing down any time soon.

“LIGHTNING” FEAT. THE KITE STRING TANGLE
WATCH HERE
BUY/STREAM HERE

BAG RAIDERS
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | WEBSITE

TOUR DATES

Sunday, March 10 – Ourfriends @ Riva outdoor (DJ), Melbourne
Sunday, March 10 – Circus Paradise Festival (DJ), Gold Coast
Friday, March 15 – Newcastle Hotel (DJ), Newcastle
Saturday, March 16 – RCC Fringe (live), Adelaide
Sunday, March 17 – Coogee Pavilion (DJ), Sydney
Friday, March 22 – Uni Bar (DJ), Townsville
Saturday, March 23 – The Racquet Club (DJ), Perth
Friday, March 29 – O’ Donoghues (DJ), Penrith
Saturday, March 30 – Heyday (DJ), Wollongong
Saturday, April 6 – Fiction (DJ), Canberra