SAGE SHARES DEBUT SINGLE & VIDEO ‘FROM DUST’ AHEAD OF FORTHCOMING EP ‘TETHERED’
Ethereal cellist and singer-songwriter Sage has today announced her debut single From Dust, a gorgeous, introspective meander made especially for soulmates, out February 3. Accompanying this stunning track is a beautiful, nostalgic video, shot in collaboration with director Hugo Rose (Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird). From Dust is the first taste of Sage’s upcoming EP Tethered, a collection of gentle yet striking songs for cleansing the soul, set for release on February 27.
For fans of Laura Marling and classic folk auteur Joni Mitchell, From Dust is a soft bed to fall into after a long hard day. Enchanting and delicate, this song allows space for Sage’s elegant vocal to feature front and centre, while her adroit cello playing provides a warm glow that eminates throughout. Speaking on the inspiration behind From Dust, Sage says, “This song is about soulmates, innocence, memories, and endless love. It’s one of those miracle songs that was written in no time at all by myself in my run-down apartment. When I sing this song, I think about the movie Stardust. At the end of the film the two star-crossed lovers, having lived a full and beautiful life together, pass away and become stars in the sky, their love living on forever and shining over everyone. There’s longing involved, but also hope.” The film clip for From Dust is a perfect visual representation of the track – pretty, graceful, and sentimental, with a ‘70s film-camera flair.
Tethered is an exquisite collection of songs from this inimitable artist. Like a nostalgic fairytale, these songs unfurl themselves flawlessly; from the pizzicato of All My Lost Loves, to the sweet, strings-infused pop of The Loveliest Thing, Tethered is a glorious, sun-soaked triumph of arresting folk-pop. Reflecting on the concept behind the songs on Tethered, Sage explains, “This EP was a cleansing process of feelings I wanted to get out of my system through music. The concept behind Tethered was to write a collection of songs about things that can hold us back and keep us tethered to our place in life, in the hopes of understanding these experiences and learning to let go. Feeling stuck is a terrible thing so I always try to change and improve.” Fellow cellist Richard Vaudrey (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Sammy J, Anna Cordell) was the producer and audio and mix engineer throughout the recording process, and was a gem in the studio, as Sage notes, “I knew I had to work with Richard because he embodies so many things I wanted to do as an independent artist. Having an engineer who is also a singer-songwriter-cellist like myself was so useful in the studio and nothing ever got lost in translation between us.”
From Dust is set for release on Monday, February 3.
Tethered is set for release on February 27.
KING COYOTE SHARE NEW SINGLE COCA COLA AHEAD OF NEW EP WILD OUT NOVEMBER 1 + ANNOUNCE SHOWS WITH GRINSPOON AND THIRSTY MERC
Australian rockers King Coyote have today announced their killer new single Coca Cola, an energetic romp inspired by chasing true love, out today. Coca Cola is the first taste of the upcoming King Coyote EP Wild, an absolute masterclass in rock n roll, set for release on November 1. King Coyote will be heading out on tour throughout October and November to celebrate the release, kicking off in Burleigh at Moe’s Desert Clubhouse on Friday October 4, then heading through Kingscliff to support Grinspoon, home to Port Macquarie for a series of shows, wrapping with a summer show on December 28 at Tacking Point Tavern (Port Macquarie) supporting Thirsty Merc.
Coca Cola is for fans of true, classic rock n roll; the kind of song that makes you want to slam your empty glass on the bar and head straight to the dancefloor. Evocative of rock auteurs Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures and Jet, Coca Cola is overflowing with heady guitar riffs and hooky vocals. Speaking on the inspiration behind the track, lead vocalist Sunny Rowlands enthuses, “This song is a bit of old time rock n roll, a throwback with our twist. Coca Cola was inspired by true love, about seeing the red flags and acting on it, before you lose too much time… or whatever the listener thinks it’s about. We like both!”
Wild is a diverse collection of rock music by a group of seasoned musicians who know exactly who they are and what King Coyote represents. From the exhilarating opener Running Wild, to the affecting, emotive closer Diamonds, the EP is true to its namesake in every sense of the word – this music is undeniably Wild. Produced by Michael Lynch (Jimmy Barnes, Midnight Oil, John Butler Trio), Wild meets the thematic golden trio – sex, drugs and rock n roll – head on, as Sunny says, “We’ve taken a bit of time with this EP, enjoying the road, the band bonding, the late nights, the long nights and all the in-between, helping us get the songs to the point that represents us truthfully as a band. It’s taken a couple of years, but it was worth the wait for us – it shows how far we’ve come and how far we can go.”
King Coyote are set to perform tracks from Wild live throughout October and November, with a diverse run of headline shows and support slots alongside rock legends Grinspoon, Thirsty Merc and First Beige. Giving fans a taste of what to expect from the shows, Sunny says, “The shows will be high energy, loud, and in your face – like a shot of coffee with your Red Bull!”
King Coyote is Sunny Rowlands (vocals), Jimmy True Love (guitar, vocals), Stevie G (drums, vocals), Josh Hall (bass) and Mike Montgomery (guitar).
Coca Cola is out today, October 3. Wild is out November 1
KING COYOTE QLD & NSW TOUR
FRI 4 OCT | MOE’S DESERT CLUBHOUSE, BURLEIGH, QLD | 18+ | SUPPORTING FIRST BEIGE
Tickets available here
SAT 5 OCT | KINGSCLIFF BEACH HOTEL, KINGSCLIFF, NSW | 18+ – SUPPORTING GRINSPOON | SOLD OUT
FRI 18 OCT | FINNIANS, PORT MACQUARIE, NSW | 18+ | w SLIPPERY GYPSEES
Tickets available on the door
FRI 1 NOV | ART OF THE EMPIRE (ACOUSTIC), PORT MACQUARIE, NSW | 18+
Tickets available on the door
SAT 28 DEC | TACKING POINT TAVERN, PORT MACQUARIE, NSW | 18+ | SUPPORTING THIRSTY MERC
SHELLEY SEGAL SHARES NEW SINGLE NO AHEAD OF NEW EP HOLY SET FOR RELEASE ON NOVEMBER 1
LA-based songwriter Shelley Segal has today announced her latest single No, a modern, bold and assertive track that describes the difficulty many women face when turning down sexual advances, out now. Shelley has also announced her masterful new EP Holy, a masterclass in intimate lyricism and exciting, innovative Americana, set for release on November 1. The Australian musician has been living and working in Los Angeles for three years, writing and recording Holy in the US while touring and collaborating on a host of noteworthy artistic projects.
No has a sentiment that will ring true for many women who have found themselves in a situation where it was almost impossible to say the word. Driving guitars and textured percussion propel the track forward with serious attitude, while Shelley’s honeyed vocals carve a stunning melody on top. Speaking on the inspiration behind this important track, Shelley explains, “No is a song about consent and the subtleties surrounding it. It describes three different scenarios in which the protagonist finds it difficult to say no to sexual advances. I wrote the song because even though it’s 2019 and so many women feel comfortable asserting themselves and speaking up for themselves, and even though there has been so much public discourse and progress on these issues, there are still scenarios where it feels hard to say ‘no’. You can find yourself in a situation that you don’t want to be in and yet be unable to express that. It’s not always easy in the moment to process the potential consequences that may come from your reaction. Like the examples in the song for instance, in a work environment, in the street with a stranger. Saying ‘no’ can create adverse outcomes like risking your job, or your safety. This discussion around consent is not as straightforward as maybe we would like it to be and I wanted to reflect on those nuances.”
No is the first taste of Shelley Segal’s glorious new EP Holy. This is an artist who has truly found her feet; Holy Man shines with energetic roots, rock riffs, skilled arrangement and Shelley’s undeniable lyrics and beautiful vocal performance. San Antonio tugs at the heartstrings, a simple acoustic track with a deeply affecting message, while Holy is steeped in attitude and power, as Shelley sings, “I believe my body is beautiful, and it belongs to me.” The EP was recorded in Brooklyn at Atomic Sound Studios with Dakota Bowman and Merle Chornuk (Tandy, Ryan Adams), it was produced and co-written (3 songs) with New York producer, guitarist and film composer Askold Buk and was mastered by Ted Jensen (Norah Jones, Dave Matthews). Speaking on the making of the release, Shelley enthuses, “I’ve been working on the songs for this record for over the last three years – since 2016, the year I moved to the US. I’ve called the ep ‘HOLY’ which felt like a really powerful statement. In the Jewish tradition I grew up in, what was holy was dictated to me. Which words, items and actions and even which people were holy was dictated to me. To elevate my life, my songs, my experiences and my voice (which was not allowed to be heard unaccompanied in my synagogue), to call them holy is incredibly empowering. It’s a challenge to those who want to use concepts of holiness and the sacred to create hierarchies, often placing themselves at the top. I hope it will inspire people to decide for themselves what is holy and sacred to them.”
Shelley has been living and working in the US since 2016, and in between touring the country and writing music for her own project, Shelley has done everything from writing for musicals, for Estonian pop star ELYSA, and Dutch artist Glennis Grace, among others. She has also worked tirelessly for charity group One Law For All, writing two songs for the organisation and reciving the CEMB Award (Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain) for her contributions. Always busy with multiple thought-provoking projects on the go at once, Shelley is currently working on the music for a documentary (entitled Transmission Love) about a young transgender girl growing up in LA, as well as a conservation-themed EP with a science educator and biologist about the Puget Sound Watershed in Washington State.
No is out October 4. Holy is out November 1.
Praise for Shelley Segal
An Australian singer/songwriter now living in California, Segal sings with pain and purpose. Her music builds out of a woman and her guitar, incorporating additional instrumentation as needed but consistently coming from a familiar place – that heartfelt home, be it physical or musical. http://atwoodmagazine.com/sshr-shelley-segal-here/