MELBOURNE’S KINGS. ANNOUNCE NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO (u) West Coast
Melbourne-based electro-pop newcomers, KINGS. have today announced their infectious new single (u) West Coast, a gem of a song that is soaked in seasonal nostalgia, set for release on July 1. The band have also announced the fittingly sun-kissed video for (u) West Coast, directed by Lawrence Phelan (Chris Watts, Reika).
(u) West Coast is a shimmering example of uplifting electro pop. Characterised by its sharp production and cyclic synthesisers, the song is intricate, dense and seriously satisfying. It transcends time and transports the listener into the haze of an Australian summer, intrinsically narrated by lead vocalist Hayden Jeffery’s honeyed, soaring vocal. The chorus is joyous, effortlessly cool, and buoyed by endlessly catchy hooks. Speaking on the inspiration behind the tune, Jeffery says, “(u) West Coast draws on the feeling of nostalgia, it’s one of my favourite emotions to feel; it sparks a very colourful and creative energy. The letter (u) in the title refers to a place where I once was and once experienced, it holds plenty of memories, stories and sentimental feelings.”
The lyric video for the tune is reflective of this energy, and consists of stunning, sparkling footage of beaches so picturesque they could have been plucked straight from a daydream. Rolling in and then receding, waves flow underneath the words as they flicker and fade, perfectly timed to emphasise the ebbs and flows in the music. Speaking on the clip, Jeffery explains, “We wanted the lyric video to tie in with the aesthetic of the artwork, as well as the themes of the lyrical content. The video is more or less a pleasing sight to envisage while listening to the song.”
With 80,000 spins across Spotify and Soundcloud, and 30,000 YouTube views for their last single, Whispers, KINGS. have the industry and music lovers’ primed and waiting for this anticipated second single and it will not disappoint. The skilled producers and musicians have a jam-packed year ahead, continuing to create new tunes for themselves and for other musicians, as Jeffery enthuses, “The unique thing about KINGS. is that all the music is DIY from home. We have a little rehearsal studio built in my garage and all of the records come together on my laptop. In our spare time we’ll be making more music and producing for other artists.”
KINGS. is Hayden Jeffery, Sam Buirski, Caleb Williams, and Tim Cox.
(u) West Coast is available for purchase on iTunes on July 1
ADELAIDE CHANTEUSE ‘MANE’ ANNOUNCES NEW SINGLE ‘BITTER’ + DEBUT EP ‘HOUSE OF HORROR’ + EAST COAST TOUR
The enigmatic chanteuse, MANE has today announced her new single, Bitter to be released on June 10, alongside a fast-paced, abstract video directed by Benjamin Lancaster Powell. Bitter is the first taste of MANE’s debut EP House of Horror, a bluesy exploration of darkness, set for release on June 24. MANE will be hitting the road to celebrate the release in July, kicking off in Adelaide at The Bluebee Room on July 15, moving through Whole Lotta Love in Melbourne on July 24, and wrapping up in Sydney at The Newsagency on July 29.
Haunting and distinct, Bitter is an intriguing release, completely characterised by MANE’s irresistible voice. With catchy hooks that marry pop and blues influences together flawlessly, a driving percussive force, and intricate, edgy production values, Bitter is a venomous reminder to stay away from the bad side of a good songwriter. The woman behind MANE, Paige Renee Court, says of the release, “Bitter was inspired by a very evil, manipulative person – someone who was once very close to a family member of mine. I usually only write songs that are personal to me, but this song became an exception that flowed out onto the page of my songbook within a matter of minutes. If I’m totally honest, it’s probably too nice of a song for this particular person, knowing what I know now.”
The video for Bitter is a visual reflection of the ubiquitous contempt that propels the track. MANE stands alone, silhouetted and soaked in flashes of psychedelia. Directed by Benjamin Lancaster Powell (Aspirations) of Lightreel Films, the video is visceral and forward-moving. On the clip, Court says, “The concept of this clip is to project the attitude of the track through some abstract images and edits. It’s a fast-paced song and we really tried to keep the pace of the clip going with it.”
Produced by Jack Hookey (Harry Hookey, Imogen Clark) at Kanutsens Studio, the House of Horror EP is a melancholic, soulful journey through the human experience. As an avid fan of a variety of different musical genres, MANE calls upon an array of influences to inform her unique brand of blues-inspired popular music. Court says, “The making of the EP was a bit of journey in itself – I went in with a really open mind and didn’t want to shut myself off to any ideas. House of Horror explores a lot of darkness that has been a result of past experiences or the experiences of others, whether that be resentment, self doubt, death or depression. It all comes under the one roof.”
To celebrate House of Horror, Mane will be embarking on a national tour in July. Excited to be hitting the road, Court gives audiences a hint of what to expect from her live show, saying “The live shows we have planned on the House of Horror tour are going to be fun! Some shows will be performed more stripped back, similar to how I wrote the tracks on the EP, while others will be with the full band.”
New single Bitter is out June 10
New EP House of Horror is out June 24
SHELLEY SEGAL ANNOUNCES AUS FAREWELL SHOWS BEFORE RELOCATING TO LA + US TOUR WITH PERFORMANCE AT REASON RALLY + US PUBLISHING DEAL
In light of her upcoming move to Los Angeles, spirited songwriter Shelley Segal has today announced two Australian farewell shows at Club Redfern in Sydney on May 20 and a sold out show in Melbourne at Paris Cat on May 21. Upon landing in the US, Segal will be sharing the stage with Johnny Depp and members of Wu Tang Clan at the widely publicised 2016 Reason Rally in Washington DC on June 4. In addition, the hardworking songstress has also announced her new deal with Los Angeles-based publishing house, 411 Music Group.
Since 2012, Segal has toured the US nine times and is excited to be making the move permanent. “I have been building my fanbase all over the US – across 25 states and am excited to now be based there and to be closer to my fans,” says Segal. “I have also opened my record label, True Music in the US and am also excited to be moving over there to create more opportunities for the label and its artists.”
Accompanied by Tower of Power alumni and musical director of Joe Cocker’s band, Nick Milo, and one of Australia’s most prominent bass players, Rod Bustos, Segal will be performing at the exponentially enormous Reason Rally in Washington DC. This renowned secularism rally is estimated to attract 50,000 attendees, and Segal will be performing alongside speakers such as Bill Nye and Margaret Cho, plus many more. On the rally, Segal enthuses, “This rally celebrates a sense of solidarity that calls more to the cause of pushing back against discriminatory policy and lets Americans and the government know that we are here. I am so proud to be a part of that.” She will also be playing a series of gigs along the west coast in June, including a performance at the iconic Hotel Café in Los Angeles on June 10, and a show at the renowned Sunday Assembly gathering in LA on June 19.
To cap off an exciting series of developments in this talented performer’s career, Segal has just signed a deal with 411 Music Group, a publishing house based in Los Angeles. Boasting syncs with television programs featured on Netflix, HBO, MTV and many more, this deal will propel Segal’s catalogue onto the global stage. Be sure to catch Shelley Segal on home soil before she embarks upon this new chapter in her career.
SHELLEY SEGAL SHOWS
FRI 20 MAY | CLUB REDFERN, SYDNEY NSW | ALL AGES
Tickets available from www.trybooking.com/LEQR | Door Sales
SAT 21 MAY | PARIS CAT, MELBOURNE VIC | 18+
Tickets available from www.rollerdigital.com/pariscat/#/event/1039/73237/20160521 | SOLD OUT!!
SAT 04 JUN | REASON RALLY, WASHINGTON DC | ALL AGES
Free Event | VIP tickets available from www.reasonrally.org
SAT 04 JUN | REASON RALLY AFTERPARTY, WASHINGTON | 18+
Tickets available from https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reason-rally-after-party-capitol-hill-tickets-21641708934
SUN 05 JUN | REASON RALLY MINI CONVENTION, WASHINGTON DC | ALL AGES
Tickets available from https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reason-rally-mini-convention-tickets-21273818564
FRI 10 JUN | HOTEL CAFE, LOS ANGELES | 18+
Tickets available from https://www.hotelcafe.com/tickets/?s=events_view&id=5015
SUN 19 JUN | SUNDAY ASSEMBLY, LOS ANGELES | ALL AGES
Free Event | Info at http://www.sundayassemblyla.org
TUE 28 JUN | THE TRIPLE DOOR, SEATTLE | 18+
Tickets available from http://www.thetripledoor.net
FRI 08 JUL | COLUMBIA CITY THEATRE, SEATTLE | 18+
Tickets available from http://www.columbiacitytheater.com