WAM ‘SONG OF THE YEAR’ WINNER, MORGAN BAIN ANNOUNCES NEW SINGLE, WHY DON’T YOU STAY AND NATIONAL TOUR
Fresh off the back of a prestigious WA Music (WAM) Song Of The Year win last fortnight, esteemed Perth alternative soul tunesmith and multi-instrumentalist, Morgan Bain has announced the release of his new single, Why Don’t You Stay, alongside a national tour. Kicking off on the main stage at West Coast Blues’N’Roots (Fremantle) on March 29, alongside two Perth shows in April, the tour will then move through Adelaide, Melbourne, Tasmania, Wollongong, Sydney, Newcastle and will finish up at Sydney Blues & Roots Festival (Windsor) on May 16.
Organ driven with rich and varied vocals, Bain’s self-described ‘alternative moody soul’ sound is perfectly showcased in the new single, Why Don’t You Stay. The track was recorded and produced at The Wastelands studio with ARIA award winning producer, Joel Quartermain (Eskimo Joe, Meg Mac, Little Birdy) and mastered by Grammy Award winner, William Bowden of King Willy Sound (Goyte, Eskimo Joe,Tim Finn, Empire of the Sun). Bain explains, “The song is about anxieties that come with giving your everything to someone and how to not let those anxious thoughts take over and get in the way of how you really feel.”
The video clip for the single was directed by Steve Browne (Scalphunter, Tired Lion, Timothy Nelson & The Infidels) and tastefully shot at Chris Huzzard studio. Dark, powerful and thought provoking, the clip depicts a young man’s internal conflict and anxiety about a situation. “The video is simple but complicated in an emotional way, just like the song and its concept,” says Bain.
With a song writing maturity well beyond his tender twenty years, Bain’s prolific songwriting talents have already been acknowledged on a global level several times this year, and a number of tracks off his latest EP, What You Believe (released mid 2014) are in this mix of accolades. Earlier this month, Bain was announced as a semi finalist in the US International Songwriting Competition (Unreleased song, Lost In The Moment), a finalist in the US John Lennon Songwriting Contest (EP track, In The Middle) and he also scooped his third WAM Song of The Year award (EP Track, Hold On) on March 21.
Working hard to make a name for himself and becoming known for his incredible vocals and live performances in his home state of WA, Bain is excited to take his show to a national audience. Hitting the road as a trio (guitar/keys/bass/drums), with funding from the WA Dept of Culture and The Arts, the tour will be “Jam-packed with alternative soul… it’s a pretty upbeat show, but does have light and shade.”
Further info on Morgan Bain’s ‘Why Don’t You Stay’ national tour is available from www.morganbain.com.au
MORGAN BAIN ‘WHY DON’T YOU STAY’ NATIONAL TOUR DATES
SUN 29 MARCH | WEST COAST BLUES’N’ROOTS FESTIVAL | 18+
For more info www.morganbain.com.au
FRI 17 APRIL | INDI BAR, SCARBOROUGH | 18+
For more info www.morganbain.com.au
FRI 24 APRIL | ODD FELLOW BAR, FREMANTLE | 18+
For more info www.morganbain.com.au
THURS 30 APRIL | EXETER, ADELAIDE SA | 18+
For more info www.morganbain.com.au
FRI 1 MAY |YAH YAH’s FITZROY, VIC | 18+
For more info www.morganbain.com.au
SAT 2 MAY | SOOKI LOUNGE, BELGRAVE VIC| 18+
For more info www.morganbain.com.au
SUN 3 MAY | THE B-EAST, EAST BRUNSWICK VIC | 18+
For more info www.morganbain.com.au
THURS 7 MAY | THE REPUBLIC BAR, NORTH HOBART TAS | 18+
For more info www.morganbain.com.au
FRI 8 MAY | ROYAL OAK, LAUNCESTON TAS | 18+
For more info www.morganbain.com.au
SAT 9 MAY | THE LASS O’GOWRIE HOTEL, WICKHAM NSW | 18+
For more info www.morganbain.com.au
SUN 10 MAY | TOWRADJI BEACH HOTEL, WOLLONGONG NSW | 18+
For more info www.morganbain.com.au
THURS 14 MAY | FRANKIES PIZZA BY THE SLICE, SYDNEY NSW | 18+
For more info www.morganbain.com.au
FRI 15 MAY | THE GRAND JUNCTION HOTEL (THE JUNKYARD) MAITLAND NSW | 18+
For more info www.morganbain.com.au
SAT 16 MAY | SYDNEY BLUES & ROOTS FESTIVAL, FITZROY HOTEL, WINDSOR NSW | 18+
For more info www.morganbain.com.au
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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)