New single 'Concrete Pillow' from Sydney based artist/ producer D Minor featuring Gold Coast's Alli Simpson

Australian music charity MMAD (Musicians Making A Difference) recently announced the latest release by Sydney-­based international recording and performing artist D Minor. His new single Concrete Pillow, featuring Alli Simpson gives insight into his troubled childhood and experiences with violence, homelessness and overall life struggles.

Many years in the making, he started penning they lyrics at an early age to escape hardship and cope with his turbulent family life. “Concrete Pillow talks about my life, and what I've been through -­ the pain and struggles I had to endure as a child, becoming homeless, placed in foster homes, and shuffled between refuges," he reveals.

A music journalist recently wrote that “D Minor is on the rise and is one to watch”.

Despite being homeless by age 11, kicked out of school soon after, and then as a 14-­year-­old was heartbreakingly separated from his twin brother when they were placed in separate foster homes, D Minor has amazingly managed to overcome adversity and rise to success. Now eagerly completing his degree at the Australian Institute of Music, D Minor reveals he had coincidentally reunited
with his brother at a refuge two years after they'd been torn apart. "We reconnected and ensured we sticked together throughout the rest of our time in refuges," he adds.

As his love and passion for music became his salvation, his passion for inspiring young people through his music also grew and he regularly started performing for youth events and charities. 

Also featured on the single is 20-­year-­old Gold Coast singer, model, actress and host Alli Simpson. Having released three of her own singles in recent years, Alli has a huge social media following and has lent her voice to anti-­bullying initiatives, enjoying using her public profile to positively impact people. Having also experienced homelessness firsthand, Alli says when the opportunity arose to work alongside D Minor on Concrete Pillow she jumped at the chance.


www.dminorofficial.com | instagram.com/dminorofficial

To support this project simply play/ download the amazing track Concrete Pillow 

To learn more about donations or other ways to help fight youth homelessness through the power of music visit: www.mmad.org.au

The Glory Days of Aussie Pub Rock..Vol.1

This very generous 91 track compilation brings together the cream of the Aussie pub rock scene from the 1970's/80's with artists such as Skyhooks, The Sports, Jo Jo Zep and The Falcons, The Angels, Cold Chisel, Hunters and Collectors, Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly, Richard Clapton, Mondo Rock and a host more. Also included are many rarities and not so well known artists like The Elks, Heroes, Ray Arnott, The Hitmen, The Screaming Tribesmen, The Johnnys and The Aliens. A treat for the Aussie music enthusiast and one for the collection.

Available on Amazon and Ebay...

sample one / two / three / four

                                   

Singer-songwriter Laura Louise releases 2nd single "Ice Cream Fixes Everything"...very sweet!

Brisbane-based singer-songwriter/indie-pop artist Laura Louise has just released her second single "Ice Cream Fixes Everything", a delightful folk-pop track that offers an alternative solution to your woes and problems. Have a listen, this will make your day!

official website: www.lauralouisemusic.com

find out more about Laura Louise:

F / www.facebook.com/lauralouisemusic

I / www.instagram.com/lauralouisemuso

Sydney band GRILL release single 'DIRTY TWO'....funky grooves with prog-rock

Sydney four-piece, Grill, have summoned the Gods of Groove to manifest the funk within your soul with their new independent release single 'Dirty Two'  .

Created for the singular intention of getting down on the dance floor, Dirty Two is a tasteful blend of thunderous funk grooves of Funky Knuckles, with the gnarly rock guitars of King Crimson.




“I like to describe Dirty Two as a thick fluid of funk, that's snaking through a solid rock backbone.” Andres, Guitarist of Grill.

Grill have again chosen to address deeper concepts in their latest release with Dirty Two’s lyrics, “You’re made to be blind, by design" depicting a society absent from social and cultural awareness. Grill previously released their debut album “ The Eternal Presence” in April which symbolised the relationship between Man and Earth.

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GrillSydney/

"The new single flows through a variety of sonic soundscapes, leaving a trail of funk-fuelled destruction wherever it goes." - Happy Mag

“A band that makes you think” - Permafrost

“There is a LOT of good progressive music being made around this globe; this album is VERY good progressive music.” - Progressive Rock Fanatics

Sydney-based surf band Forest Hall release new single and music video “Broke Forever”

Sydney-based surf band Forest Hall recently released their new single and music video “Broke Forever”. This is the first offering from the bands sophomore EP. Broke Forever serves as an anthem for the youth with relatable lyrics and themes. Written in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, it’s quite easy to feel the bands character and drive behind the release.

“We’re hoping people enjoy the song sonically and can relate to the lyrics, being young and broke but still managing a fun time. We want to transport people to a 1960’s garage near the beach.”

Having been compared to heavy weights such as Wavves & Queens of The Stone Age, the band is most favoured for their punchy, lo-fi garage rock vibes and were finalist in Hhhhappy Magazines “Needle in the Hay” during 2017. The single is also accompanied by a music video that stars Australian internet sensation and comedian Freindlyjordies who undertakes various activities of youthly nature which ties into the theme of the song itself.  

After playing the local Sydney circuit for some time and gearing up to release their Sophomore EP, Forest Hall are a promising collective to keep your eyes on.

facebook.com/foresthallband  ||  instagram.com/forest_hall_band  

twitter.com/ForestHall19

Brisbane-based independent musician Laura Louise impressive debut single "Storm in a Teacup"

Brisbane based, emerging Folk/Pop/Alt Country artist Laura Louise recently released her debut single and video "Storm in A Teacup". Think young Taylor Swift meets P!nk and they head to a campfire to write some tunes together. Laura says Storm in a Teacup is best enjoyed whilst relaxing with your cat and sipping on your favourite cup of hot tea.  (If you don't have a cat, any animal will do...).

Laura's musical exploits are varied and impressive. Here are a few highlights:

-  In 2013 she was the support act for Sarah McLeod of The Superjesus on her Australian solo tour with her duo, Bamford Cook

-  In 2016 she travelled to Hollywood to record the EP, Magnolia Ave with her duo, Bamford Cook. They recorded with and the EP was produced by Robb Torres of Post Nu-Metal band Trapt.

-  She has played around Australia in venues such as (but not limited to);  The Basement (Sydney), The Princess Theatre (Brisbane), Annual Kennedy Awards in 2016 and 2018 (Royal Randwick, Sydney), on board the Indian Pacific and at Sails in the Desert (Ayers Rock, Northern Territory)

-  Has collaborated with ARIA award winning Adam Thompson of Melbourne band, Chocolate Starfish, and Glenn Bidmead of Sydney band, Lemonjuice

-  most recently supported Chocolate Starfish on the Gold Coast leg of their INXS Kick album tour

-  Was QMusics' Brisbane BIGSOUND Bursary winner (2018) 

-  started pursuing her solo career in March 2017 and is excited to be at the beginning of her music sharing journey as Laura Louise! 

You can stay up to date via her social media channels:
facebook/lauralouisemusic
instagram/lauralouisemuso
youtube/lauralouisemusic

or head to her website for more info;
www.lauralouisemusic.com

Normie Rowe....Frenzy! The 50th Anniversary Collection...30 track compilation

Norman John Rowe AM (born 1 February 1947) is an Australian singer and songwriter of pop music and an actor of theatre and soap opera for which he remains best known as Douglas Fletcher in 1980s serial Sons and Daughters. As a singer he was credited for his bright and edgy tenor voice and dynamic stage presence. Many of Rowe's most successful recordings were produced by Nat Kipner and later by Pat Aulton, house producers for the Sunshine Records label. Backed by his band, The Playboys, Rowe released a string of Australian pop hits on the label that kept him at the top of the Australian charts and made him the most popular solo performer of the mid-1960s. Rowe's double-sided hit the A-side, a reworking of the Doris Day hit "Que Sera Sera" /with b-side "Shakin' All Over" was one of the most successful Australian singles of the 1960s.

Between 1965 and 1967 Rowe was Australia's most popular male star but his career was cut short when he was drafted for compulsory military service (called National Service in Australia) in late 1967. His subsequent tour of duty in Vietnam effectively ended his pop career and having never been able to recapture the success in music he enjoyed at his peak in the 1960s, instead carving out a career in theatre and television.

Normie Rowe Frenzy

more on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normie_Rowe

Darwin-based singer-songwriter Emma Rowe releases "Lioness"..contemporary rock from the top end

"Lioness" is the new release from Darwin-based singer-songwriter Emma Rowe. The song was recorded in Adelaide by Jarred Nettle at House of Sap. 

stream it here: https://open.spotify.com/album/1IxCioT5b4umdfU1bYR2JC

Growing up in tropical Darwin in the Northern Territory, Emma Rowe has a unique talent for crafting quirky contemporary rock songs that combine lust, hope, frustration and joy in a surprisingly complicated but completely relatable style.

Emma has an impressive catalogue of support slots including performing with Big Scary, Frank Turner, Jebediah and Christine Anu. She has also played at major events including the BASSINTHEGRASS Festival, Darwin Blues Festival, Royal Darwin, and Adelaide Show.

Her influences are (to name a few),Somthing for Kate, Regina Spektor, Missy Higgins, Florence and the Machine, Adele, Gotye, The Beatles, Tracey Chapman, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Passenger, Josh Pyke, The Whitlams, Paramore, Lily Allen, Kate Nash, Claire Bowditch, Kimbra, Incubus, Alanis Morrisette, PJ Harvey, Foo Fighters.....and lots more

find out more on her facebook page: 

Samskara Radio release debut single 'Can't Kill The Radio'..catchy 80’s infused electro-pop rock

Simon Marrocco debuts the release of his new music project Samskara Radio, with a catchy 80’s infused electro-pop rock single ‘Can’t Kill The Radio’. 

Have a listen to ‘Can’t Kill The Radio’ here: https://soundcloud.com/samskararadio

‘Can’t Kill The Radio’ is about being confronted with some of lives biggest truths. When we hit rock bottom we start to question who we are and what has led us to be the person we are today; through all of life’s experiences of achievements, relationships, teachings and travels around the world. We are forced to surrender our level of control over what we think we can control, but really can’t. Words can just be labels and the concepts that we learn from childhood can’t really hurt us. The person we have been taught to create in our head is a projection on the screen of life and the screen never really changes. Life lives through us and living life new every day is the key. The field of creativity happens in the now. Being kind to yourself and others, enjoying life and the beauty that is all around us is in fact a form of art itself.

The track was engineered by Troy Borg at Sunnyside Studios, mixed by Michael Badger at Jaya Jaya Music (with credits such as King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard’s ARIA award winning album Nonagon Infinity) and mastered by David Briggs at The Production Workshop. Cover artwork designed by Frank Kruse.




Simon has always been surrounded by music; through his younger years growing up in his birth town of Lenola, Italy and in Melbourne after his parents migrated to Australia when he was just 8. He sang in Choirs then started writing his own songs with his acoustic guitar which transitioned to performing at folk venues in Melbourne. By the early 80’s, Simon was performing in successful bands who were busy backing some huge names in music with the likes of John Farnham, The Angels and The Sunny Boys.

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/samskararadio
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samskararadio/ 
Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/user-842797994 
Twitter https://twitter.com/SamskaraRadio 
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX9JYni_YHwyv1ex0plRQSw

Good-time indie rockers Crocodylus melt hearts in 'MY BABY' video

In an ode to old love, Crocodylus bring the romance in their new clip for 'My Baby'. Shot in the Cayonleigh Community Hall three hours outside of Sydney, the band pulled an all-nighter along with frequent collaborator Jamieson Kerr to create the heartbreaking clip. "Making the clip was fun as. We all went down to the Southern Highlands for a weekend and ended up filming at the location until about 4 in the morning," said Jamieson. "It was pretty full on but there’s always a lot of laughs hanging out with those guys!"

Singer Josh learnt choreography to the lovelorn story explaining "Mum always said I had loose hips for a boy and I used to do break dancing as a kid so I thought it was going to be a breeze but it ended up being difficult. But stoked how it turned out, Jamieson's a genius."

'My Baby' has been warmly received since its release with a swag of write-ups both locally and internationally, as well as the video premiering on triple j unearthed.

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Ask anyone and they’ll tell you, there’s nothing quite like a Crocodylus gig. Through their prolific touring the rowdy trio has a reputation for a sweaty, rambunctiously good time, rightly earning them a legion of fans and support offers. In two short years they've played alongside Hockey Dad, The Lemon Twigs (USA), Skeggs, Dear Seattle, ORB and The Bennies whilst bringing their infectious antics to Sounds of the Suburbs and Sweaty Palms.

Crocodylus - a guaranteed good time on your screen, in your ears and on your stage.

Central Coast-based indie-rock trio IVY release fuzz-laden frenetic new cut ‘Sinners Grin’

Central Coast-based indie-rock trio IVY have recently released their fuzz-laden frenetic new cut ‘Sinners Grin’ – produced by Mitta Norath (Endless Heights, Introvert, Eat Your Heart Out)

Combining hard-hitting garage-infused rock n’ roll with psychedelic and blues inspired riffs, ‘Sinners Grin’ is another huge leap forward for the group, made up of its unapologetic walls of searing guitars, thumping rhythmic section and howling hooks from charismatic front man Kane Brown.  

Since 2015 inception, IVY have become a mainstay on the East Coast touring and boutique festival circuit, supporting Violent Soho, British India and The Delta Riggs, and gracing the stages of Bluesfest, Mountain Sounds Festival and Snowtunes. Their previous tracks have been supported by the likes of triple j, MTV and worldwide radio. 

“I love the punch this has and it's high energy”. - Claire Mooney - triple j (AUS)

“Prepared to be entranced in some quality indie rock swagger”.

Savage Thrills (AUS)

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Brisbane-based group Hey Geronimo release latest cut ‘Working For Google’..infectious indie-pop

Following on from releasing their critically praised single ‘Disconnect’, Brisbane-based group Hey Geronimo have just unveiled their latest cut ‘Working For Google’ – another electrifying number lifted from their sophomore album ‘CONTENT’ .

Opening with a wall of searing fuzz-laden guitars, ‘Working For Google’ shifts between frenetic razor sharp rock n’ roll riffs and stripped back muted rhythmic verses, before bursting into its spirited infectious indie-pop choruses.

Singer-Keyboardist Pluto Jonze describes the motivation behind ‘Working For Google’:

"We honestly believe that one day Google is going to be a fundamental interface between our brains and the outside world, and the idea of any corporation having that much power over humanity is terrifying".

In an Australian first, the band has also recruited Artificial Intelligence to "join the line-up” after their long time (human) guitarist left the band. The AI (‘Alex’) wound up writing lead guitar for five songs on ‘CONTENT’, which includes ‘Working For Google’.

To celebrate the release of ‘CONTENT’, Hey Geronimo will set out on an East Coast tour in November with performances set in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. The ambitious new live show draws inspiration from Roger Waters’ recent ‘Us and Them’ world tour.

Debut record ‘Crashing into the Sun’ was received warmly with strong support and glowing reviews from the likes of triple j, Spotify, Sydney Morning Herald, Rolling Stone Australia, Happy and The Music – with each who scored the album awarding 4 & 4.5 stars.

Since their inception, Hey Geronimo have become a mainstay fixture on the Australian festival circuit with appearances at Big Day Out, Festival of the Sun, Homebake, The Big Pineapple Festival and Valley Fiesta. The band have also toured the country multiple times, selling out their own headline shows.

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HOUSEHATS destructive music video for ‘I'VE BEEN BROKEN’...cool video, awesome track!

Melbourne-based trio Househats recently released music video for ‘I’ve Been Broken’ directed by Jack Rintoul (Wendyhouse).

Shot in a studio in Melbourne, ‘I’ve Been Broken’ sees both Househats and director Rintoul on their music video debut. Keeping within the theme of the song, the clip features inanimate objects being broken down and destroyed, and warped beyond reality.   

Drummer and vocalist Joshua De Laurentiis on shooting the video:

“We shot this the morning after we played a show at The Corner Hotel with Painters and Dockers, so I was pretty dusty, as we all were, which was fitting considering we literally smashed a bunch of stuff into dust”.

Since the release, the track has seen spot play on triple j, added to rotation on triple j Unearthed and strongly supported by community radio stations FBi, 4ZZZ, SYN FM, Radio Adelaide and 2SER.

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Zoot Locker..The Best of The Zoot 1968-1971..featuring Rick Springfield, Darryl Cotton and Beeb Birtles

Zoot were a pop-rock band formed in Adelaide, South Australia in 1965 as Down the Line. They changed their name to Zoot in 1967 and by 1968 had relocated to Melbourne. They had a top five hit on the Go-Set national singles chart with a heavy rock cover of The Beatles' ballad "Eleanor Rigby" released in 1970; but they disbanded in May 1971.

Mainstay bass guitarist, Beeb Birtles, was later a founder of Little River Band in 1975 and guitarist singer-songwriter, Rick Springfield, who moved to the United States in 1972, achieved international fame as a solo artist, songwriter and actor.

Although Zoot were a popular band during the late 1960's, critics labeled them as teenybopper or light bubblegum due primarily to the Think Pink – Think Zoot publicity campaign devised by their management. After relocating to Melbourne in mid-1968, Zoot signed with Columbia Records/EMI Australia and were managed by Wayne de Gruchy. They recorded their first single, "You'd Better Get Goin' Now", a Jackie Lomax cover with David Mackay producing.

Zoot's second single, "1 × 2 × 3 × 4" was released in December and charted on the Go-Set National Top 40 Singles Chart. By early 1970, band members had tired of the garish pink outfits and associated harassment and physical abuse, hence, to rid themselves of the bubblegum/teen idol image, they burnt their outfits on TV music show, Happening '70. Zoot then promoted their fifth single "Hey Pinky", released in April, with an advertisement in Go-Set which featured a nude picture of their bums. "Hey Pinky" was a hard charging guitar oriented song but it failed to chart.

They released a hard rock cover of The Beatles' song, "Eleanor Rigby" which became their most popular single when it peaked at No. 4 in March 1971. It remained in the Top 40 for twenty weeks and reached No. 12 on the Top Records for the Year of 1971. Their next single, "The Freak" / "Evil Child", another hard rock song, was released in April and peaked into the top 30.

Zoot Locker

see full story on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoot_(band)

Melbourne-based electronic soul and R'n"B artist Blasko unveils new mix-tape 'Blasko In Love Pt.1'

Melbourne-based electronic soul and R'n'B artist Blasko presents the ‘Blasko In Love Pt.1’ mix-tape via Majestic Casual Records.

In the lead up to the mix-tape release, Blasko dropped three much loved singles 'Another Love', 'Ms Love' and 'Know You Better', earning praise from the online community for his signature vocals and swagger, and suave production. His music has been described by Complex as "A summery, funk-tinged slice of soul and R&B", with the new mix-tape being no exception.

Highlights so far include airplay on BBC Radio 6, appearing on charts across the world, and prime positions on Spotify Viral Charts in France, Australia, Netherlands and Germany. As well as playing shows in Germany and France in June 2018 and in Australia and New Zealand in July alongside SG Lewis.

"This project started from a song on the mixtape, called "Future Love". I was chilling in the Lazy House studios playing on my cousins Mexican Fender that she had lent me and I started singing Future Love. I knew then, that not only did I have a mean tune but a whole story I could tell. I wanted to explore different areas of the word "Love". Opening my notepad I started writing song titles in which then I could dive straight into a specific concept based directly off the titles.



This mix-tape isn't about a specific person, but a collection of people who have influenced my perception of Love. Good or Bad. I had already written Future Love and Poetic Love at the time, but when I bumped into Tentendo at Montanasa Studios in Melbourne the rest of the project fell into place.  He knew exactly what each song needed and we just really clicked. Coming from a strict slow jams/R&B background but having an intense love for vocal trance melodies and grooves, I wanted the release to fuse these two things together and create the ambience and grooves of a trance song with the feelings and stories of classic 90's R&B tunes. Blasko In love Part 1 is just my beginning and there’s many more stories to tell xx" - Blasko

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Bootleg Rascal announce sophomore album and tour and reveal new single 'Mercy'..soulful reggae dub

Following on from a vigorous live schedule, Sydney-based ghetto-dubsters Bootleg Rascal have just announced tour dates and their new single ‘Mercy’ – another infectious and thumping cut lifted from their forthcoming sophomore album 'Anònimo' (due 5 October).

Opening with its one drop rhythmic beat and an immense gospel-laden vocal hook, ‘Mercy’ dives deep into the group’s core reggae and dub roots. The track continues to build with deep melodic bass, muted sweeping guitar licks and 90’s-inspired synthesisers; all capped off by the soul-infused vocals of charismatic front man Carlos Lara.

To celebrate the release of the new record, the band will once again hit the road on a seven date tour in October / November with performances in Sydney, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Byron Bay, Wollongong, Belgrave and Melbourne.

Since their mid-2013 inception, Bootleg Rascal have released a slew of singles, an EP and one album, all warmly received by critics and fans around the world. Multiple tracks have been added to high rotation on triple j and they have performed on the stations esteemed ‘Like a Version’ segment.

The band have continually traversed the globe playing multiple sold out headline shows in France, UK, Holland, Germany, New Zealand and Australia, and performed sold out shows in the USA. They’ve also regularly appeared on major Australian festivals including Falls Festival, The Big Pineapple Festival, Lost Paradise, Hills are Alive, Festival of the Sun and Party in the Paddock. 

BOOTLEG RASCAL - THE ANÒNIMO ALBUM TOUR:

FRIDAY 19 OCT | LANSDOWNE HOTEL, SYDNEY NSW
THURSDAY 25 OCT | SOL BAR, SUNSHINE COAST QLD
SATURDAY 27 OCT | THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY NSW
FRIDAY 2 NOV | UOW UNI BAR, WOLLONGONG NSW
SUNDAY 4 NOV | SOOKI LOUNGE, BELGRAVE VIC
MONDAY 5 NOV | HOWLER, MELBOURNE VIC

FRIDAY 9 NOV | WOOLY MAMMOTH, BRISBANE QLD

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78 Best Melbourne Attractions Every Tourist Must See

Just for a change, thought I'd share an article that is NOT music related but about the highlights of the great city of Melbourne and the state of Victoria...enjoy

Being one of the most sport-centric cities in Australia, the more popular Melbourne attractions most definitely include landmarks like the MCG and Melbourne Park’s Rod Laver Arena, where the Australian Tennis Open is held each year. But don’t limit your exploration to Melbourne CBD.


The more memorable Melbourne attractions are worthy day trips away from the city centre including the World Heritage listed 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road; Phillip Island where you can see penguins wash up on shore; and Puffing Billy Steam Train, which will get you closer to Yarra Valley‘s finest wines.

read the full article here: https://www.overseasattractions.com/pacific/australia/melbourne/

Melbourne-based indie-rock group Halcyon Drive reveal new single 'Agnosia' and announce launch parties

Following on from their critically praised single ‘Silver Ray’, Melbourne-based indie-rock group Halcyon Drive have just revealed live dates and latest cut ‘Agnosia’ – another gripping number lifted from their forthcoming debut album (due late-2018).

‘Agnosia’ shines a light on the trio’s ability to shape songs eclectically, whilst still retaining apt cohesiveness, to ensure they never sway far from their charming and distinctive sound. Opening with searing fuzz-laden guitars, the track briskly bursts into a frenetic and brazen energy; a fitting foundation for the anthemic melodies of enigmatic front man Michael Oechsle.




Oechsle talks about the meaning behind ‘Agnosia’:

"This is a song about truth. A song about, how in this day and age, it's harder than ever to break free from whatever media, marketing or influence is being forced down our throats. I was lucky enough to be brought up by two incredible parents who never pushed me into anything, and always let me find my own truth. This is a song written from the complete opposite perspective- from the perspective of someone so lost in following or fighting other people's opinions, that they've lost the ability to think for themselves."

To coincide with the release, the band will play two shows at a Secret Location in Melbourne and Otto’s House Party at World Bar, Sydney. This continues on from a relentless April and May touring schedule, which included performances at The Hills are Alive Festival, headlining Rare Finds indie club night tour circuit and a support slot on Stereophonics sold-out Australian tour.

Previous single ‘Silver Ray’ was widely embraced by the likes of Australian radio stations triple j, 3RRR, SYN FM, 4ZZZ, Radio Adelaide and Edge Radio. The track also received support from worldwide tastemaker blogs Indie Shuffle (USA), Podcart (UK), The Revue (CAN), We Love That (GER), Niche Music (JAP), Red Bull Music, Laundry Echo, Savage Thrills and Pilerats.

HALCYON DRIVE AGNOSIA LAUNCH PARTIES:

FRI 10 AUG | OTTO'S HOUSE PARTY @ WORLD BAR, SYDNEY NSW
SAT 18 AUG | SECRET LOCATION, MELBOURNE VIC

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Adelaide-based alternative-rock band Mad Cactus new single "Big Game" and debut EP "Thirteen Dogs"

Adelaide-based  alternative-rock  band  Mad  Cactus  have  recently  unveiled  their  new  single  ‘Big  Game’, lifted  from their  debut  eight-track  LP  ‘Thirteen  Dogs', recorded  and  produced  by  Dan  Murtaghat of Debasement  Studios, Melbourne.

‘Big  Game’  takes  cues  from  the  likes  of  the  groups  staple  influences  Royal  Blood, The  Black  Keys and  SoundGarden.  Opening  with  compelling  melodic  piano  and  the  endearing  vocals  of  front-man  Tim  Mellonie,  the  song  builds  into  a  gradual  crescendo  of  brooding  guitars  and  drums,  before  hitting  its  monstrous  anthemic  chorus.
  



Mellonie  describes  the  motivation  behind  the  track:“Wildlife  conservation  is  something  I’m  very  passionate  about  and  consumes  a  huge  chunk  of  my  life  outside  of  Mad  Cactus.  As  a  Keeper  working  at  one  of  Australia’s  largest  zoological  parks,  a  strong  conservation  message  was  bound  to  come  through  somewhere  in  the  music.Throughout  my  career,  I’ve  had  the  unique  opportunity  to  work  closely  with  a  range  of  rare  and  endangered  species  including  the  Southern  White  Rhino.  I  wanted  to  do  something  a  little  different  with  our  song  Big  Game.  I  wanted  to  help  raise  awareness  regarding  the  plight  of  wild  rhinoceros  and  exposesome  of  the  brutality  that  comes  with  the  trade  of  rhino  horn.”

Since  their  inception  in  late-2014,  Mad  Cactus  have  released  their  debut  single  ‘Dream  Killer’that  earned  a  nomination  for  ‘Best  Heavy  Act’  by  the  South  Australian  Music  Awards(2016).  The  group  have  also  become  a  mainstay  on  the  local  Adelaide  scene  playing  a  slew  of  gigs  and  building  a  loyal  following.

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Billy Thorpe and The Aztecs....the "heavy" version...Lock Up Your Mothers

Billy Thorpe himself openly acknowledged that the 'heavy' version of the Aztecs owed much to 'guitar hero' Lobby Loyde. Lloyde already had a cult following due to his stints in two of the most original Australian bands of the 1960's, The Purple Hearts and The Wild Cherries. While his stint in the new Aztecs was short (from December 1968 to January 1971), his musical influence proved crucial in steering Thorpe in a completely new direction, and he strongly encouraged Thorpe to keep playing guitar.

The new Aztecs' blues-based heavy-rock repertoire was dramatically different in style from the original group, and they quickly became famous (or notorious) for the ear-splitting volume at which they played. Thorpe had also drastically changed his appearance—he grew a beard, often wore his now shoulder-length hair braided in a pigtail, and he had long since traded the tailored suits for jeans and T-shirts. Needless to say this did not endear him to people who came to the shows expecting the 'old' Billy Thorpe of the "Poison Ivy" era, and this led to sometimes violent confrontations with disgruntled fans and promoters.

Their breakthrough recording was an ambitious album, The Hoax Is Over, recorded in September 1970 with new drummer Kevin Murphy. The album was an unequivocal signal of the Aztecs' new direction, containing only four tracks, three of which were Thorpe originals. The LP is dominated by two extended tracks: a version of Johnny "Guitar" Watson's "Gangster of Love", which clocked in at 24:35 and ran the entire length of Side 1 (an unprecedented move in Australian pop music) and Thorpe's own "Mississippi" which ran 19'35". According to Thorpe, the band (which at this time comprising himself, Murphy, pianist Warren Morgan, guitar legend Lobby Loyde and bassist Paul Wheeler), were all high on LSD and jammed continuously while engineer Ernie Rose just let the tapes roll. The result heralded the fully-fledged arrival of the new Aztecs and live shows at Melbourne venues consolidated the band's reputation and drew enthusiastic responses.

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