JULIAN SIMONSZ ANNOUNCES NEW SINGLE, I DO IT FOR YOU AND SELF-TITLED EP
Melbourne synth, pop, soul artist Julian Simonsz has announced the release of his new single, I Do It For You (out October 10) and debut self-titled EP set for release on November 21, alongside a launch show at the Northcote Social Club on November 23.
Described by Daily Mail as “Australia’s answer to Justin Timberlake,” Simonsz has an impressive vocal range and is making a name for himself with his one-take recordings in the studio. With impeccable falsetto, this upbeat pop tune with old school soul undertones was “originally written about my wife, but it soon turned into almost an anthem to appreciate and celebrate those who deserve it,” explains Simonsz. “There are a lot of songs by women about female empowerment, but not many male singers sing about the importance of women and the role they play. There are so many inspirational people out there, I felt like this was the perfect way to say thank you to them.”
After putting a call out for video extras to his fanbase of over 35,000 on Facebook, Simonsz says, “it was really amazing, we received so many touching responses and some of the inspirational stories were just incredible… It was quite a special idea and tied in with the underlying meaning of the song that I wanted to portray.” Filmed in Melbourne by Lloyd Will from Hats Off Productions (Private Life, Neighbourhood Youth), the clip for I Do It For You tells a beautiful story of appreciating women and celebrating people.
Recorded and produced by Michael Paynter and Michael Delorenzis at MSquared Productions (Nussy, Masketta Fall, Imogen Brough) and co-written with Simonsz, the EP showcases an impressively smooth vocal with memorable melodies and toe-tapping beats. “The boys at MSquared really helped me nail my sound and create something fresh and new, but still true to who I am,” beams Simonsz. Comprising three brilliantly produced soul pop songs and two raw acoustics; this is a strong debut release from one of Melbourne’s brightest newcomers and works to highlight the super talent that is Julian Simonsz.
Also a contestant on this year’s The Voice on Channel Nine, Simonsz says, “going in to the show I was thinking what a blessing it would be to turn even just one chair, but when all four turned it was pretty surreal! Then getting to work with Will.I.Am who is a massive inspiration of mine to making it through to the top 24 and now releasing a single and EP, it’s been a crazy experience. I couldn’t have asked for a better launching pad for my music career and it really made me realise how badly I want this.”
Tickets to the Northcote Social Club on November 23 are on sale now
HAMISH ANDERSON SET TO RELEASE NEW SINGLE, EP AND AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL TOUR OFF THE BACK OF BB KING SUPPORT
Off the back of a ten date US tour, gifted Melbourne guitarist and lyrical wordsmith, Hamish Anderson has announced the release of his new single, Burn (out October 3) and new EP, Restless (out November 7). Anderson will be promoting his new releases with an Australian national tour kick starting at Ding Dong Lounge in Melbourne on November 13 and moving through to Newcastle on November 20, Sydney on November 21, Brisbane on November 26 and finishing up at Ya-Ya’s in Perth on November 28.
With an amazing story unfolding overseas, Anderson has relocated to the US to tour and record, while making a quick trip back to Australia to open saxophone guru from Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street Band, Jake Clemons’ solo performances in Melbourne. Having recently returned to the States to play his own headline shows, Anderson was last week announced as the support act for blues legend, BB King on his national US tour which will see the young Aussie play at such iconic venues as House Of Blues in Chicago and BB King Blues Club in New York amongst others. He’ll then be representing Australia with several showcases at the infamous CMJ Music Marathon in New York next month.
Lead single, Burn is an adrenaline-charged blues explosion, infused with classic guitar riffs and dramatic drumbeats. Influenced by music from the Mississippi Delta alongside classic rock of the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and others, Anderson has incorporated his extensive musical knowledge in to a sound that is entirely his own. With a growing reputation for guitar skills well beyond his tender twenty three years, acclaimed guitarist Gary Clark Jnr has even taken note of Anderson’s talent and when asked which guitarists under 30 interested him during an interview for RevoltTV, Clark Jnr named Hamish Anderson first.
The beautifully shot video for Burn, directed by Ian Corson (Paramount, HBO, Warner Bros) sees a game of cat and mouse between a girl and a guy through a mysterious, old mansion in the Canyon area of LA. “I’ve spent a lot of time in LA this year, hanging around areas like Laurel Canyon and Venice which are famous for people like Jim Morrison and Neil Young having lived there in the 60’s… In fact, Laurel Canyon and its musical legacy really inspired the video and its themes,” explains Anderson.
Recorded live in three days on the floor at Henson Studios (Joni Mitchell, Rolling Stones, Carole King) in LA with Krish Sharma (Rolling Stones, Counting Crowes) at the helm, the Restless EP features some world class musicians including Grammy Award Winner, Greg Leisz (Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen) on floor steel guitar and Matt Johnson (Jeff Buckley) on drums. Anderson reveals his thought process for the EP, saying, “I wanted the recording to capture the sound, to be like a Polaroid. Imperfections and all.” The collection of songs on the release were inspired by Anderson’s friendships, relationships and occasionally the losses of both.
After having been in the US for most of the year, Anderson is keen to return to Australia to perform on home soil. “It’s been a while since I’ve played shows around Australia, so I’m very excited to get back over there and hit the road!” beams Hamish. “People can expect almost a totally new set list, a lot of guitar and a mixture of genres and sounds.“
Tickets for the Hamish Anderson Australian tour go on sale September 30.
HAMISH ANDERSON AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
THUR 13 NOV | DING DONG LOUNGE MELBOURNE | 18+
Tickets available from hamishanderson.oztix.com.au
THUR 20 NOV | SIDE BAR @ CAMBRIDGE HOTEL NEWCASTLE | 18+
Tickets available from https://www.bigtix.com.au
FRI 21 NOV | OAF SYDNEY | 18+
Tickets available on the door
WED 26 NOV | THE BEARDED LADY BRISBANE | 18+
Free entry
FRI 28 NOV | YA-YA’S PERTH | 18+
Tickets available from hamishanderson.oztix.com.au
HAMISH ANDERSON TOUR DATES WITH BB KING
Sep. 27 – Comerica Theatre — Phoenix, AZ – http://bit.ly/1pJQcDr
Oct. 3 – House of Blues – Chicago, IL: http://bit.ly/1rLX9eI
Oct. 5 – Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences — Charleston, WV: http://bit.ly/1qIiv9l
Oct 9 – The Paramount Theatre – Rutland, VT – http://bit.ly/1p4pWDB
Oct. 11 – Wellmont Theatre – Montclair, NJ: http://bit.ly/1lyhKR0
Oct. 12 – B.B. King Blues Club – New York, NY: http://bit.ly/1AsMLY1
Oct. 15 – Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead – Munhall, PA: http://ticketf.ly/1uGJHpD
HAMISH ANDERSON US TOUR DATES
Sept. 10th — Hemingway’s, Los Angeles, CA: http://bit.ly/1l9CH4r
Sept. 17th — Fifty Seven Club, Los Angeles, CA – http://bit.ly/1rvQDZw
Sept 24th — Fifty Seven Club, Los Angeles, CA – http://bit.ly/1qHUeNB
Oct. 21 – Stubbs, Austin, TX: http://bit.ly/1qxP9KD
Oct. 24-25 — CMJ showcases, NYC: The Bitter End & Drom
“With Hendrix-inspired guitar riffs and extended solos, Anderson tore up the stage, simultaneously reviving and reinventing the blues.” −
Beat Magazine (Dina Amin)
“He’s a talent that provides an exhibition that is addictive to watch, and gives total bang for your buck if you get the chance to witness it.” –
The Music Melbourne Magazine (Izzy Tolhurst)
BRISBANE’S LILI KENDALL WINS INTERNATIONAL UNSIGNED ONLY COMPETITION AND ANNOUNCES NEW SINGLE, RUN
The only Australian to win in any category, Brisbane indie pop artist, Lili Kendall has won first place in the 2014 Unsigned Only music competition (Teen category) with her song, Move. And in perfect timing off the back of this win, Lili is set to release her new single, Run (out today, September 26), the second single lifted from her forthcoming album slated for a February 2015 release, which also features her debut hit single, Moonlight.
Unsigned Only is a prestigious music competition open to submissions from solo artists, bands, and singers all over the world who are not signed to major labels. With the goal to unveil and discover outstanding talent across the globe, there’s no wonder Lili is thrilled with her win, saying, “I’m soo humbled by this win… it’s quite incredible to think my song was chosen from soo many songs from around the world.”
Splitting her time between LA and Brisbane with a hectic schedule of songwriting, recording and finishing her last year of high school, Lili’s catalogue of music is steadily growing with the addition of Run. Fast establishing an impressive and unique sound all of her own, Lili’s style is comparable to the sounds of Jessie J, mixed with the songwriting skills of Sia and the vocal ability of Adele. Run is a beats driven tune with an unassuming choir introduction, clever lyrics and a memorable chorus. “It was written in a time where my career wasn’t too busy and I was bored of going to school and doing the same thing everyday,” explains Lili, “I was ready to get up and do something else with my life.”
The video clip for Run was shot in Melbourne by Donna Yeatman and Mohini Herse (Boy & Bear, Hungry Kids of Hungary) and sees Lili at the top of an urban jungle with a set of dancers individually performing upon her command. Shot in slow motion and showcasing the varied styles of the dancers, Lili has created yet another chic, creative clip, showcasing maturity well beyond her 17 years.
Having just supported Celia Pavey (The Voice) in Brisbane, Lili beams, “opening for Celia may have been my all time favourite gig to date, she is such a genuinely kind person and an incredible artist.”
Lili will continue to release one new track every month, giving listeners the opportunity to hear a lot of her songs before dropping her debut album early next year.