March 2008 - Australian Music

Music Australia

follow this blog

22 followers

146 daily readers

rank of 1139

Anyone can:
Post to this Blog
Click Here

E-mail Subscription

Receive an e-mail notification of new posts on this site:

It is a case of Motown, Soul and Disco classics when Lisa Hunt performs on stage. With one of the biggest female voices on the Australian touring circuit, the songstress’s impressive style has audiences on their feet from start to finish.

Starting the early days of her career in the great African American gospel church tradition in New York, Lisa discovered the power of her soulful singing style and has gone on to share the stage with some of the world’s greats. From PAVAROTTI and RAY CHARLES – check out her performance on Pavarotti & Friends – to ERIC CLAPTON, JAMES BROWN, DIONNE WARWICK, BRIAN MAY, RANDY CRAWFORD, JOE COCKER, MILES DAVIS and ANDREA BOCELLI, all are impressed with Lisa’s versatility and immense vocal ability. She’s also performed and toured with the likes of Ronan Keating, Macy Gray, Mousse T, Delores O’Riordan (Cranberries) and Tina Arena.

At home in Australia, she’s shared the studio with Jimmy Barnes, Diesel and Midnight Oil. Her other international recording credits include sessions with famed producers Jellybean Benitez (Madonna), Toni C (Whitney), Frank Farion (LaBouche, Milli Vanilli) and The Berman Brothers (Amber, Ultra Nate) to name a few. Her vocals can also be heard on several top 10 dance tracks around Europe including being ‘the voice’ of LOVESTATION (UK), CLUB X (Germany) and D1 (USA).

While she now calls Australia home, Lisa Hunt spends her year touring the globe. Soul is back in a big way and its time to party – and there’s certainly no better way than with Lisa Hunt’s vibrant high energy show.

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: MusicJourno - Category: Top 5

Email this Post to a Friend

The Black Sorrows

March 20th 2008 05:39

In the Australian music industry, there are a few bands that have ingrained themselves into the country’s psyche quite like The Black Sorrows. Think Australian music, think Aussie lifestyle and some of the first songs that spring to mind are those spawned by this enigmatic band. Although with tracks like ‘Hold On To Me’, ‘Chained to The Wheel’, ‘Harley And Rose’, ‘Never Let Me Go’ and ‘Last One Standing For Ya’, its no surprise audiences fell in love with the steady music and ever-changing line-up of the band. From the vocal harmonies provided by the Bull Sisters to the impressive instrumentation suggested by other consummate ‘guest’ members in the band, The Black Sorrows was an ever melding, continuing merging melting pot of musicians. In fact, the one main constant through it all was its vocalist and main songwriter Joe Camilleri and it is essentially he who can take credit for the band’s continued longevity and success.

As far as musicians go, Joe Camilleri is at the peak of his field. An acclaimed instrumentalist, songwriter and vocalist, the talented and down-to-earth muso has had his finger in many musical pies across his career, that it’s not surprising he manages to make everything look simple and laid-back. From his early hay days fronting Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons, which had the phenomenal hit ‘Shape I’m In’, that consequently saw them recently inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, to his other musical partnerships outside of The Black Sorrows including The Revelators and Bakelite Radio, Joe has never stopped playing music. He’s also had a prolific solo career and is, unsurprisingly, one of the most well respected musicians in the Australian music industry today. It’s not just his ability to write well crafted hit songs that appeals to audiences and fellow musicians alike, but his musical nuance and knack for integrating new concepts and ideas and making them last. Over the years he’s introduced a bevy of new musicians into The Black Sorrows’ fold and each has found a home with the band. Yet even with every line-up change, he kept a consistency that was fluid, the music and the atmosphere and energy were still inherently The Black Sorrows even if some of the members were missing. He was the central and integral part of the music – he was, and is, The Black Sorrows.

The Black Sorrows first burst onto the Australian music scene in the early 1980s as a fall-out band from Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons. In fact, it is said most Falcons members ended up joining the Sorrows at one point or another. The Sorrows real estimation of how big they were going to become was their first Top 20 hit record ‘Dear Children’ in 1986. Followed up a year later with ‘Hold On To Me’, the band was starting to get considerable notice and a bevy a hits followed – as did massive radio airplay and sell-out tours around the nation. The momentum just didn’t stop and in 1990 ‘Harley and Rose’ proved the band could continue to put out successful great sounding albums. Joe using The Sorrows as a guise even tried a cover of the Marley hit ‘Stir It Up’ in later releases, a risky challenge, but something that not only paid off, but he managed to make it his own – demonstrating The Black Sorrows could bend themselves to practically any musical genre. In the late 1990s the band released ‘Beat Club’ a jazz-oriented album which again showed the band’s versatility.

For a while it appeared The Black Sorrows were in a period of hiatus. While an acoustic album hit the shelves, there was no new material from the band and it appeared the group’s reign over the Australian music industry had ended. Then in 2006 Joe Camilleri revamped his line-up again and they returned with a new record ‘Roarin’ Town’ and not only won over old fans, but garnered themselves a whole new audience base as they toured around the country. A live performance by The Black Sorrows is one not to be missed. There is a definite vibrancy on stage that is often lacking today and a connection between the musicians which is almost tangible. There is little doubt as to why The Black Sorrows have such a legendary reputation – after all, the proof is there, it’s all in the music.

126

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: MusicJourno - Category: Rock

Email this Post to a Friend

Eagle

March 9th 2008 20:57

In an industry where being a singer songwriter has become the current trend, Port Douglas based performer Eagle, aka Omid Master, stands out in the crowd. He’s not following the well trod path of those before him, instead, his musical journey is unique and abstract, and the result is strongly original songs with a pertinent message. Eagle’s diffidence of direction doesn’t mean his music has less commercial appeal, far from it in fact – his songs are catchy, humorous and emotional – they’re a heady blend of impressive instrumentation, crafted lyrics and relative themes. With years of experience behind him as a performer in many different genres of music, Eagle honed his craft before shying away from the manufactured realm of the industry to find his place independently – a position he has secured with a passion and surety.

Since the release of his independent debut album ‘Better Late Than Never’ in 2007, this impressive musician has supported the likes of the multi-ARIA nominee Lior, the Alberts Record signed Dallas Crane, played on national television on the Channel 9 Today Show, appeared on festival bills around the country and performed at the legendary venue The Espy in St Kilda, Melbourne. Not a bad accomplishment for a North Queensland singer songwriter whose only form of promotion has been his music. The first single off the album, ‘Everything is Okay’ has been picked up by leading commercial radio stations 4CA FM Cairns, B-Rock and 2BS Bathurst, Port FM, ABC Far North, ABC Radio Australia and SEA FM Rock in Townsville. Consequently, Eagle secured himself a regular live performance spot on breakfast radio – something which would be daunting for most performers, but just another challenge this talented musician took in his stride. And an accomplishment that won him a swag of fans in the process.

While his debut album has received acclaim and support from commercial radio stations throughout Australia, it is in his live performance where Eagle really stretches his wings. Whether performing with just an acoustic guitar and a guest didgeridoo player, or with a full four piece band, there is an attractive quality to Eagle’s live show that makes it hard to look away. He has a stage presence which is enthralling and his musical skill and vocal ability is not only impressive, but outstanding. It’s not hard to see that he’s performed with rock bands in front of big crowds in his past. He is at ease with the audience and his music, a skill that only comes through consummate experience. As part of Melbourne rock outfits ‘Engine Room’ and ‘Freakshow’ Eagle supported the likes of Colin Hayes, Mark Seymour, Weddings Parties Anything, Goanna and Grinspoon.

He stepped away from the rock spotlight, opting instead to hone his song writing skills by working with Greg Macainsh of Skyhooks fame, and Beeb Burtle from the Little River Band. Studying at the Melba Conservatorium of Music and Jaanz for singing classes, he also sang in the Victorian Swing Choir which supported Jon English on national television. Eagle left the city lights of Melbourne in 2000 and moved to Far North Queensland to pursue the next part of his music career – an independent stance where songs took precedence and honesty was paramount. The Indigenous elders of the region gave him the name Eagle, a sign of their respect for him as a person and a musician, a sentiment the musician has embraced for his new life and career.

Currently, Eagle spends his musical career transitioning between writing at home in Port Douglas, and composing with writers in the Indigenous community, to performing around the region and nationally. He has regular appearances at the NBL, seeing in the New Year for 2008, and has performed at the Oxford Tavern for the Bathurst 1000, at a private function for the Holden national team and at the grand final after parties for the AFL Cairns Saints and Port Douglas NRL to name a few. He also performed at the Laura Dance Festival in 2005, co-writing the theme songs, and took an acclaimed spot at the Yungaburra Folk Festival. His band has also had the headlining gig at the nationally recognised Port Douglas Carnival for the past four years running.

There is no doubt the world is Eagle’s oyster… and if his music career continues as it has, he is going to soar to success.

Eagle’s debut album, ‘Better Late Than Never’ is available through MGM.

www.myspace.com/theeaglemusic

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: MusicJourno - Category: Rock

Email this Post to a Friend

The Chemists brew up good music

March 5th 2008 09:35

In this era of manufactured music and the flaccid compositions of soft c**k rock, real rock bands stand out in the crowd like a beacon. These are few and far between so when one surfaces through the bulls**t to rip into the Australian scene, music lovers sit up and listen. And this is exactly what Melbourne-based band The Chemists are doing – concocting a mixture of musical chemistry which looks set to take them straight to the top.

With the imminent release of their debut EP, the four lads behind the musical genius that is The Chemists are geared for success. They’re as passionate about their music as they are good at it – all consummate musicians who understand the meaning of good ole Aussie rock and how to make it, with an original and contemporary twist. Unlike many bands new on the scene whose self-dubbed original music sounds rather reminiscent of hits before them, The Chemists have a style all of their own, which transitions between a traditional rock persona, combined with punk and grunge influences. It’s not surprising to find out these talented four have earned their stripes in the music industry. They’ve been doggedly playing the bar circuits, cutting their teeth as live performers where they earned a surprisingly large fan base for a fledgling band. An EP release was a natural progression as requests for a recording became too numerous to ignore – and word started to spread outside the band’s Melbourne gig scene awarding the rockers something of a national reputation. One thing is certain, the chemistry in The Chemists is the perfect brew – and they rock

[ Click here to read more ]

107

Vote

Comments (1)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: MusicJourno - Category: Rock

Email this Post to a Friend

The Screaming Jets ROCK regional Queensland

March 2nd 2008 10:11

The Screaming Jets are synonymous with Australian rock! Few bands embody that true spirit of the Aussie rock industry, the hardworking exterior, the honest rockin’ core, the dedication to their musical craft against all adversity and the sheer determination not to buckle or give in. Bands come and go, many folding to the commercial manufactured directive of the industry – losing fans and respect along the way – but not the Jets – they’ve fought, they’ve conquered, and through it all, they’ve stayed true to their music. This is why as a band that smashed their way onto the music scene in the early 1990s they’ve still got a core of fans who would do anything for them, and the respect of some of the biggest names in the rock industry today.

Rockin’ a string of tour dates through regional Queensland, The Screaming Jets are continuing to take their music back to their fans. And this tour in itself is a special one – it marks the start of something new, it’ll be the last run before the guys finalise their new album and get it out on the streets. The highly anticipated, as yet untitled, release is destined to reignite another surge of Jets-frenzy and is, without doubt, one of their best albums yet. Tight, clean and with the strong basis of driving guitars that The Screaming Jets own brand of rock has become known for, it shows another side of the band. They’re not just a phenomenal act on stage, but their skill as songwriters is impressive and relatively unmatched in the rock industry today. Their first full-length studio album since ‘Scam’ in 2000, this record is set to put The Screaming Jets back in the spotlight – and will no doubt garner them a whole new generation of fans who have been missing out on the true rock experience

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Comments (1)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: MusicJourno - Category: Rock

Email this Post to a Friend

Dave Dow

March 2nd 2008 09:35

There are few performers who can captivate an audience with just vocals and a guitar alone – but Brisbane-based Dave Dow is certainly one of these anomalies. His personality shines through on stage, stopping passer-bys in their tracks as he demonstrates his musical aptitude and vocal skill on an eclectic range of styles ranging from Motown classics to current Top 20. As a performer, there is little Dave hasn’t mastered.

Playing in bands since he was 16, he has always worked part-time in the music industry, often supporting his love of the craft with mundane work elsewhere. But this wasn’t going to be the case for long – its not like you can keep a performer of this calibre out of the spotlight, so eight years ago he put everything else on hold and starting pursuing music full-time. And he hasn’t really looked back since. He’s traversed the globe performing from gigs in every outpost of Australia, to New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, South Africa and China. This year he’s gearing up for a six-week stint performing in New York and is hoping to break into the music scene in the States and Canada

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Comments (2)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: MusicJourno - Category: Rock, Reggae, Ska & Ska-Punk, Country/Folk, Top 5

Email this Post to a Friend

April 2010

1 Posts

October 2009

2 Posts

August 2009