MIETTA ANNOUNCES NEW SINGLE, ‘GONE’ & DEBUT ALBUM ‘A MAD DISTANCE’
Melbourne world-music songstress Mietta has announced the release of her new single, Gone (available July 4) and debut album, A Mad Distance, set for release on July 18 and she’ll be hitting the road with her band to promote the record with launch shows in Melbourne on July 24 at The Spotted Mallard, Ballarat on July 26 at The Main Bar and Sydney on July 31 at Venue 505.
Lead single Gone is a multi layered, internationally inspired masterpiece with a strong Latin American feel and an indescribable warmth. Mietta’s lush, rich vocal tone and interesting delivery tie in perfectly with the melodic backing vocals and twenty-piece ensemble that recorded alongside her. And it’s the drum tag that completes the song, the cherry on top that encourages you to go back and have another listen. “Gone is about moving on from difficult times and not looking back, about having the strength and courage to pick up your bundle and keep going,” explains Mietta.
The video for Gone is a behind-the-scenes clip, allowing the viewer in on the making of the song and inviting them to become part of the song’s journey. The footage was filmed by Jarred Osborn (Alt J, Chiefs, Sons Et Al) and shot at Oaklands Productions (Melbourne) where the album was recorded and mixed.
Growing up in a family of writers and editors, there’s no wonder Mietta has become such a prolific and inspired songwriter. While the major theme of the album is about losing love (in her case, her Mother) she explains, “It also touches on losing your home and finding a new one – be it literally or metaphorically, and being sure to stay strong and not buckle under life’s tragedies… Most of the songs on the album and my musical inspiration come from many different countries around the world: Spain, Brazil, Arabic influences, Afro Peruvian influences, South America. I have a deep fascination with the music, people, literature, jewelry, clothing and spirituality of these places.”
Excited about her run of shows, Mietta is especially looking forward to her Melbourne launch as it is set to be her biggest live show yet consisting of guitar, drums, bass, percussion, five backing vocalists and a ten piece chamber orchestra. Ballarat and Sydney shows will be stripped back to a six-piece band.
MONIQUE BRUMBY ANNOUNCES NEW SINGLE, FIFTH STUDIO ALBUM AND NATIONAL TOUR
Iconic Australian singer, songwriter and ARIA award winner, Monique Brumby has announced the release of a new single, Silent War alongside her self-titled, fifth studio album. Brumby will be hitting the road to celebrate the releases, kick starting in Launceston (Tas) on June 12 and moving through Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Hepburn Springs, Byron Bay, Brisbane and completing the tour back in Tasmania with a show in Hobart on August 2.
Three years in the making and recorded mostly at her Melbourne home studio, Silver Dollars, the self-titled album was co-produced by Brumby and her music colleague and producer Nick Larkins. With a strong emotional charge and an autobiographical theme, Brumby’s lyrics speak mostly about the positivity in overcoming adversity. “I feel like I’ve had a lot to overcome in my career; being signed to a major record label at such young age then to go out on my own and make records independently for the past 15 years has had its challenges,” explains Brumby. “I’ve also had a lot to overcome on a personal level. Acceptance of self, dealing with grief, falling in and out of love, striving to be better; these are universal themes and I know that most people can relate to these topics.”
The single, Silent War is a politically driven pop rock hit with a pretty and memorable melody and lyrics that highlight the need for equality for same sex marriage. Written from Brumby’s own experiences, the song talks out an important and beautiful conversation, beaming loudly, ‘our world is full of colour, don’t let them take it from you…your honour, your integrity, we’re gonna make it through.’
“I have loving relationships with men and women, I married a woman and ‘Silent War’ highlights my view that the union of two consenting adults should be supported. In a world that has its fair share of war and conflict love is a good thing,” explains Brumby.
Keen to get back out on the road to play for her fans, Brumby says, “I’m excited to play my original music. A heartfelt, passionate and energetic performance is what I strive for live.”
Tickets to the national tour are available now.
View the clip for Silent War
Purchase self-titled Monique Brumby album
MONIQUE BRUMBY SHOWS
Thur 12 June | Fresh on Charles, Launceston (all ages) | http://www.freshoncharles.com.au
Fri 13 June | MONA, Hobart (all ages) | free admission
Sat 28 June | Wheatsheaf, Adelaide (all ages) | http://wheatsheafhotel.com.au
Sat 12 July | Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (all ages) | http://www.oxfordartfactory.com
Sat 19 July | Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (all ages) | http://northcotesocialclub.com
Sun 20 July | Old Hepburn Hotel, Hepburn Springs | 4pm (all ages) | http://northcotesocialclub.com
Sat 26 July | The treehouse Belongil, Byron Bay | http://www.treehouseonbelongil.com
Sun 27 July | Dowse Bar, Brisbane (all ages) | https://www.facebook.com/dowsebar
Sat 2 Aug | Brisbane Hotel, Hobart (all ages) | https://www.facebook.com/thebrisbanehotelhobart
Sat 16 Aug | Flying Saucer Club, East Elsternwick | http://www.flyingsaucerclub.com.au
SHELLEY SEGAL ANNOUNCES NEW SINGLE, MOROCCO AND NEW ALBUM, AN EASY ESCAPE
Enchanting Melbourne singer songwriter and international touring artist, Shelley Segal has announced the release of her new single, Morocco lifted from her third studio album, An Easy Escape which is set for release on June 6. The eclectic storyteller will celebrate the launch of her new releases with shows at The Northcote Social Club (Melb) on June 13 and The Vanguard (Syd) on June 26.
Lead single Morocco is an upbeat pop number that walks the listener through an experience Segal had when in Morocco. “I was inspired to write ‘Morocco’ when I visited Marrakech and Essaouira. I was completely blown away by the beauty of the country and the colourful, carefree, fun time that was available to me as a tourist,” explains Segal. “Slowly as the trip went on I began to see some of the darker sides of what it was like for many who lived there.”
The clip for Morocco, created by London production group, Motion Picture House (MPH) was an adventurous shoot. Segal flew to Morocco from London (where she was recording at the time) with two cameramen, the director and the producer. “We worked with an amazing local team and completed the clip in two days! It was a whirlwind of people, bustling markets and beautiful seaside,” Segal says.
Segal’s third studio album, An Easy Escape was recorded at Britannia Row Studios (Pink Floyd’s old studio) in London and was produced by Tom Nichols (Kylie, Celine Dion, Tina Arena). Consisting of ten wisely considered songs, the album is full of charming, unforgettable melodies and carries a strong folk pop sensibility throughout. A global gypsy for the last 5 years, Segal’s songwriting is poised and elegant, telling tales of her adventures on the road.
Having travelled the world for eight international tours across America and Europe over the last two years, Segal has also completed two successful national tours on home turf and is excited to be back home for the release of this new album.
An Easy Escape follows Segal’s strong body of genre-hopping works; folk-pop protest record, An Atheist Album (2012) and collaborative Jazz album with Adam Levy (Norah Jones, Tracy Chapman), Little March (2013). Segal also wrote and recorded award-winning track, Chemistry, with DJ Carl Cox, which spent two weeks at #1 on the dance charts in 2011.