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
RÜFÜS ANNOUNCE NAME CHANGE FOR NORTH AMERICA
Ahead of their debut appearance at SXSW, RÜFÜS have announced they are changing their name and will be known as RÜFÜS DU SOL in North America, remaining as RÜFÜS across the rest of the world.
The change comes after months of strongly worded letters and colourful internal debate regarding an existing US trademark on the name Rufus. Jon, James and Tyrone from the band did not want to make the name change, but came to the realisation that they would be forced to in order to officially release their #1 ARIA and J award nominated debut record, ATLAS in North America.
The album will be released by Columbia records in the US and Canada, making RÜFÜS just the second Aussie export to be signed to the US powerhouse label since 80’s legends, Men at Work and indie rock darlings, The Temper Trap. “It’s pretty humbling being on the same label as so many iconic artists,” explains vocalist Tyrone Lindqvist. “I still have my Fugees CD with the big Columbia stamp on it…. not sure if they are gonna try to do that to ATLAS,” he jokes.
RÜFÜS will be heading over to tour the US and Canada in March to play a run of fifteen shows set to kick off in San Francisco on March 7, heading through Austin for SXSW, up north to Calgary and Vancouver, finishing off in Denver in early April (tour dates listed far below). Excited for the international tour and particularly looking forward to playing at SXSW in March Lindqvist says, “we’ve been told all the creepy stories about not getting sound-checks and it taking an hour to carry all your gear from venue to venue on foot because of the crowds…so we’re expecting it to be like that time you fell off your skateboard bombing your local hill as a kid – it hurt a lot but all you remember is how good it felt!”
In other exciting news on home turf, RÜFÜS managed to chalk up an impressive three tracks in Triple J’s Hottest 100 on the weekend, including Tonight at #91, Desert Night at #34, Take Me at #21 and an additional two songs in the top 200 including Sundream at #184 and Unforgiven at #191.
And be sure to keep an ear out over the next few weeks for some very exciting tour news on the home front.