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
TELSTRA ROAD TO DISCOVERY WINNER, LOREN KATE ANNOUNCES NEW SINGLE, EP AND NATIONAL TOUR
Off the back of her impressive Telstra Road to Discovery win last year, Loren Kate presents her new single, When You Leave (out September 7) and EP, Til The Night Meets The Sun, set for release on October 9. Loren will be celebrating with a recording trip and a few gigs in Nashville in September, before returning home for a national tour kicking off at The Wheatsheaf Hotel in Thebarton on October 9, swinging through Melbourne, Bunbury, Fremantle, Maldon, Adelaide, Bellingen and finishing up at the Mullum Music Fest in Mullumbimby on Nov 21 and 22.
First single, When You Leave is an exquisitely heartfelt folk country tune with a warm Australiana feel. Written for Loren’s ex-partner who passed away two years ago, the generous and beautifully intimate storytelling invites us in to Loren’s life and in just four minutes portrays a genuine sense of the pain and loss, and the depth of friendship and love shared between the two. “He was a dear friend and a big teacher in my life,” says Loren. “On the way to the hospital to say my last goodbye, this song started writing itself. I was trying to find the words to say, but what can you say to someone who’s about to pass away? I just wanted him to feel my love, and take it with him.”
Explaining the interesting way in which the video clip came about, Loren says, “I happen to live in this amazing ‘Arts Eco Village’ in South Australia. The village has so many talented people including photographer and film maker, Emily McAllen who filmed the clip. The animation was put together by a good friend called Kevin Chan, he lives 3 doors up. I love working at grassroots level with people just starting out, people with a huge passion for artistic expression. Both Kevin and Emily really understand me and can feel what I’m trying to achieve, so it was easy to bounce ideas and create the clip.”
A gorgeously emotive EP, rich with storytelling folk tunes, Til Night Meets The Sun was written over two years and tells intimate tales of Loren’s childhood, the relationship between her mother and father, losing an ex-partner “and the anxiety and strength that came with turning thirty,” Loren explains. “I wasn’t planning to make a new record, I was actually planning to have a baby of the human variety, and then I won the Telstra Road to discovery and decided to do both!” The EP was recorded between The Music Cellar and Studio Goonga (Glen Hannah’s home studio) and produced by Glen Hannah (Felicity Urquhart, Chasing Bailey, Kim Cheshire), mixed and mastered by Jeff McCormack (Kasey Chambers, Shane Nicholson).
After winning Telstra Road to Discovery last year, Loren beams, “The moment they announced my name I felt this sense of relief, like all of the sudden there were more possibilities and opportunities. Sometimes as an independent musician I feel like I’m carrying huge rocks up massive mountains. Winning the Telstra Road to Discovery meant I had a team of people, a year of mentoring and the funding to move those rocks more efficiently.”
Tickets to the national tour are on sale now
LOREN KATE NATIONAL TOUR DATES
SAT 10 OCT | THE WHEATSHEAF HOTEL, THEBARTON, SA | 18+
WED 14 OCT | THE TOFF IN TOWN, MELBOURNE, VIC | 18+
FRI 23 OCT | RED MILL STORE, BUNBURY, WA | ALL AGES |
Tickets available from gregnavarro@westnet.com.au
SAT 24 OCT | HOUSE CONCERT, FREMANTLE, WA | ALL AGES | PRIVATE CONCERT
SUN 25 OCT | KIDOGO ARTHOUSE, FREMANTLE, WA | ALL AGES
Tickets available from https://events.ticketbooth.com.au/event/LorenKateTilNightMeets
SAT 31 OCT – SUN 1 NOV | MALDON FOLK FESTIVAL, VIC | ALL AGES
Tickets available from http://www.maldonfolkfestival.com/tickets.htm
SAT 7 NOV | VEGAN FESTIVAL, ADELAIDE, SA | ALL AGES | FREE
SUN 8 NOV | THE CHEESE FACTORY STUDIO GALLERY, MEADOWS, SA | ALL AGES
Tickets available from info@cheesefactory.com.au Phone: 08 83883725
THUR 19 NOV | NO.5, BELLINGEN, NSW | ALL AGES
SAT 21 NOV- SUN 22 NOV | MULLUM MUSIC FEST, MULLUMBIMBY, NSW | ALL AGES
Tickets available from http://www.mullummusicfestival.com
HELEN SHANAHAN ANNOUNCES NEW SINGLE, ACROSS THE SEA, NEW EP, FINDING GOLD & NATIONAL TOUR DATES
Having hit the ground running after winning Songwriter of The Year at Telstra Road to Discovery, Perth acoustic folk artist, Helen Shanahan has announced the release of her new single, Across The Sea (June 12) lifted from her third EP, Finding Gold, set for release on July 3. The story telling performer will celebrate her new releases with shows at Mojo’s in Fremantle on July 9, The Newsagency in Sydney on July 14 and The Spotted Mallard in Melbourne on July 17.
First single, Across The Sea is inspired by Helen’s personal struggle with anxiety and her day to day challenges of feeling overwhelmed and trying to overcome these hurdles. “The song is calling out for someone to help guide me through the times of hardship,” Helen explains. Helen’s warm, lush vocal is perfectly complemented by nostalgic slide guitar that is dappled throughout the song, showcasing the delicacy of this poetic, uplifting folk country work of art.
Reflective of the song’s metaphor, the clip for Across The Sea takes the viewer through different landscapes of Helen’s journey, making her way through a forest and finally ending up at the sea. ‘Can’t cross the water on my own, so who will build a ship for me, who will help me, across the sea,’ Helen sings. The stunning clip was shot and directed by local Perth filmmaker Brendan Joel (Sam Perry, Jacob Diamond, Rainy Day Women) on location at the picturesque Cape Peron in WA.
Recorded across Melbourne, Nashville and Perth, Helen’s new EP, Finding Gold was produced by AIR and APRA winner Pip Norman (Dan Sultan, Ash Grunwald, Daniel Merriweather), with the exception of Love Lost, which was produced by Neilson Hubbard in Nashville. Offering hope to listeners, Helen says, “The main message throughout the EP is that you can still find moments of calm or ‘gold’ in everyday life.”
Excited to perform her new music live around the country, Helen says, “Although I still feel a lot of nerves and anxiety about performing and sharing my music, the love of it keeps me going, and I love the feeling of connecting with the audience and sharing my stories.”
HELEN SHANAHAN SHOWS
THURS 9 JULY| MOJO’S BAR, FREMANTLE WA | 18+
Tickets available at the door, 237 Queen Victoria Street North Fremantle
TUES 14 JULY | THE NEWSAGENCY, MARRICKVILLE NSW | 18+
Tickets available at the door, or www.thenewsagencyvenue.com
FRIDAY 17 JULY| THE SPOTTED MALLARD, BRUNSWICK VIC | 18+
Tickets available at the door, or www.spottedmallard.com