BOOM CRASH OPERA SET TO REIGNITE IN 2014
Re-born Aussie music legends, Boom Crash Opera have announced the release of a new greatest hits album, The Best Things featuring two brand new songs, as well as a four album box set, Rattle It Out, containing the band’s first three albums digitally re-mastered and a bonus 14 track rarities disc of never-before-released material from the 80s and 90s. They’ll be celebrating these catalogue additions with a national tour kicking off at The Northcote Social Club in their hometown of Melbourne on March 8 and heading through Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and finishing off in Perth in early May.
With over five years between releases (acoustic album, Dancing In The Storm hit stores in May 2009), The Best Things includes all the Boom Crash Opera classics including Onion Skin, Hands Up In The Air, Her Charity plus two brand new songs, I Am and You Can’t Stop The Sun.
Excited and reignited with passion, lead guitarist and chief songwriter Peter Farnan explains, “I love the idea that our successful songs scattered through the years, might have been a little part of peoples’ lives at different moments; a school memory, a hot summer at the beach, a huge gig. Hopefully by gathering the songs together into a body of work we are activating peoples’ memories of where they were, what they shared with others and what they felt at various times in their lives… And listening to the songs together has reinforced in my mind the idea that there really is a consistent band identity and sound running through all this material. And it is there in the new songs as well.”
With an energetic and engaging live show, Boom Crash Opera are looking forward to performing songs from across the entire history of the band, including smashes from the early Countdown days spanning through to their well-loved tunes from the mid 90s. “We always play the hits but on this run we will also dip into songs that we’ve either never performed or haven’t performed for 20 years or so,” explains Farnan.
The Best Things and Rattle It Out are out now through Liberation Music and tickets to the national tour are available online and in stores now.
GREATEST HITS ALBUM | THE BEST THINGS + 4 CD BOX SET | RATTLE IT OUT : OUT NOW
VELUDO ANNOUNCE NEW SINGLE, EP AND NATIONAL TOUR DATE
Australian alt rockers, Veludo have announced the release of their new single, Stay Young and self-titled EP which is set to hit stores today. To celebrate, the band will be taking their impressive live show on the road kicking off at The Rosemount Hotel in Perth on February 21, moving through Bendigo, Albury and Sydney, before playing two homecoming shows in Melbourne at The Evelyn and Cherry Bar in April.
With a memorable melody, smooth vocal and an anthemic guitar hook, lead single, Stay Young “is about capturing the freedom of youth and being in the moment… it’s about living and not just merely existing,” explains vocalist Gabriel Vargas. “It’s a reminder that no matter your age you still have a choice to follow your dreams.” Though recorded in just two days across Melbourne, the video clip for Stay Young required a lot of preparation and research to acquire props. Directed by Holcomb brothers, Matt and Trevor at Holscope Productions, the clip is set in 1992 and captures the theme of the song perfectly. “It was a lot fun taking a trip down memory lane to the days of walkmans, snap-bands and Luke Perry!” jokes Vargas.
Recorded and produced by Jimi Maroudas (Eskimo Joe, Kimbra) at Sing Sing Studios and mixed by Tim Palmer (U2, Pearl Jam, David Bowie), Veludo are sure to impress with their epic stadium rock sound, as they take listeners on a powerful and uplifting journey, showcasing their versatility across the EP’s four unique tracks; Stay Young, Indigo, Are We On Fire and Endless Wonder. “One of the highlights from recording was that we got to work soo closely with Jimi Maroudas. Not only is he an amazing producer, but he has been a terrific mentor and friend,” beams Vargas. “We also got to work with former Living End drummer, Travis Demsey who had a massive impact on our drum sound. The last album he worked on was The Temper Trap’s Conditions, so it was great to have him onboard.”
The band is excited to hit the road and belt out their powerful and energetic live show for fans around the country with Vargas saying, “We really pride ourselves on making sure the live show exceeds what listeners hear on their iPods and CDs, after all you can’t download experience.”
Veludo – the Portuguese word for ‘velvet’ reflects both the heritage of Brazilian born singer Gabriel and the textured feel of the band’s sound. Veludo is Gabriel Vargas (vocals), Jason Millar (guitar), Jared Campbell (bass) and Leslie Stuart (drums).
Tickets to the national tour and the self-titled EP, featuring new single Stay Young are available now.
PERTH ARTIST ANNA O SET TO IMPRESS WITH DEBUT SINGLE AND EP
Exciting Perth newcomer Anna O is set to impress with her new single, Sleepless and debut EP, When The Winter Came set for release on March 21, ahead of her launch gig at Four5Nine Bar in North Perth on March 22.
Fans of artists such as Kimbra, Lorde and Jessie Ware should all keep an ear out for Anna O, as she bursts on to the scene with her edgy and catchy keys driven tune, Sleepless. With an instant hook and a notable melody, Anna O’s bold vocals draw you in and will leave you singing the song long after its end.
Written about insomnia, the lyrics focus on not being able to get to sleep and the frustration and mind chatter that goes on. “The chorus explores the idea of the ‘choir’ of mind chatter, basically touching on how crazy it is to think about all the people laying awake with their mind going crazy, and what we’d all sound like together,” explains Anna O.
Filmed on location at Perth City Farm, the video clip for Sleepless was directed and edited by Si Moore from Bayly&Moore and shot by Cameron Frost from Frost Productions. “The bare whiteness of the warehouse and me alone is representative of the feeling of isolation and frustration when you can’t sleep. And the slow mo wild party signifies the ‘choir of sleepless minds,’” explains Anna O.
Having studied at WAAPA and done some co-writing with local Perth artists, it wasn’t until recently that Anna O started writing her own songs and Sleepless was the second song she ever wrote. “I got into it because I didn’t just want to sing other people’s songs for the rest of my life,” she says. “From previous attempts I honestly thought I was rubbish at writing but knew it was necessary. As soon as I started, I couldn’t stop. My brain is always thinking in songs these days!”
With a hugely hyped live show, Anna O is amped to take to the stage and share her new material. “I can’t wait to get out of the studio and start playing my songs to people. I’ve got a DJ opening for me and I’m pumped to make it a slamming party,” enthuses Anna O.
View the clip for Sleepless.
Tickets to the EP launch at Four4Nine Bar in North Perth are available now through oztix.com.au
NEW SINGLE | SLEEPLESS | AVAILABLE ONLINE NOW
NEW EP | WHEN THE WINTER CAME | AVAILABLE ONLINE MARCH 21
TICKETS | EP LAUNCH | Four5Nine Bar| AVAILABLE NOW OZTIX.COM.AU