HAMISH ANDERSON ANNOUNCES NEW SINGLE ‘BREAKING DOWN’ + NEW ALBUM OUT OF MY HEAD OUT MAY 2019 + NATIONAL AUSTRALIAN TOUR SUPPORTING GARY CLARK JR.
Melbourne’s own roots/rock aficionado Hamish Anderson is gearing up for a massive 2019, with the release of his latest single Breaking Down, a gritty, threatening rock track that must be listened to with the volume knob fully cranked, out now. Breaking Down is an early taste of the upcoming album from Hamish, entitled Out Of My Head; an eclectic and exciting collection of songs from this young artist who has already blown the world away with his talent, out May 2019. Hamish will play his first Australian shows since 2017 alongside the one and only Gary Clark Jr. as main support, kicking off in Sydney at the Enmore Theatre on April 18, then moving through Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, and wrapping up at the Perth Concert Hall on April 27.
On Breaking Down, it’s pretty easy to see why Total Guitar named Hamish Anderson one of their Top 10 Best New Guitarists in 2018 – like a bull at a gate, chugging guitars provide an irresistibly catchy bed for some ripper riffs the track progresses. This track is overflowing with pent-up frustration and undeniable passion, and it’s a mouth-watering concoction for some killer classic Americana-rock, as Hamish explains, “Breaking Down definitely explores the more rock and roll side of my music. I was sitting around one day playing guitar and suddenly just started playing the riff, all the lyrics came basically at once so it was written very quickly. I’d had an argument earlier that week with someone I know so I think some of that definitely crept into its inspiration. I just wanted to turn the volume all the way up and get out everything that was on my mind.”
While Breaking Down is a superb example of rollicking rock, it is just one of many genres that Hamish dips his toes into on the new album Out Of My Head. Americana, soul, pop, roots, blues, rock; that’s a lot of ground to cover, but Hamish does it with a natural ease that’s far beyond his years. The mellow (What You Do To Me, Damaged Goods) and the upbeat (No Good, You Give Me Something) tracks on this record sit comfortably next to each other; all buoyed by a knack for clever, hook-driven songwriting and a clear, burning passion that drives the music from the first strum to the last. Hamish enthuses, “I really wanted to take my time and write as many songs as I could for this album. I wasn’t writing to a specific genre or sound, rather I let the songs reveal what they wanted to be… The album explore themes of alienation and defiance, mixed with unabashed love songs and even observations on what’s happening in the world around us. Certain songs had themes that I hadn’t explored in my writing previously. I feel I really went a lot deeper in the writing of these songs then I had ever done before. Most are universal feelings that I feel people can relate to. Once again, I got very lucky to work with a really great, talented group of people on Out Of My Head including producer Jim Scott (Tom Petty, Tedeschi Trucks, Wilco) who I had worked with on my debut album Trouble. Jim is an incredible producer/engineer and we work in a very similar way — it’s always an amazing experience working with him.”
Anyone who presses play on Breaking Down will no doubt understand that this is the kind of music that is made to be played live to a pulsing, enthusiastic crowd. Hamish is thrilled to be hitting the road with the legendary Gary Clark Jr., as he gives fans a taste of what to expect, “I’ve been working so much in the US for the past four years that to be coming home to play – and especially these particular shows supporting Gary Clark Jr (who i’m a massive fan of) — is truly huge for me. Regarding the live shows, people can expect a mixture of blues, rock and roll and soul. I’m playing as a trio at the moment so it allows us to get down to the meat and potatoes of the songs, rock and roll with no frills. I’ve played so many different type of gigs over the past four years that as a performer I think I’ve become more confident, focused and I’m just having a lot of fun with it.”
HAMISH ANDERSON AUSTRALIAN TOUR (SUPPORTING GARY CLARK JNR)
THURS 18 APRIL | ENMORE THEATRE, SYDNEY NSW | ALL AGES
Tickets available from https://www.livenation.com.au
TUE 23 APRIL | CANBERRA THEATRE, CANBERRA ACT | ALL AGES
Tickets available from https://www.livenation.com.au
WED 24 APRIL | FORUM THEATRE, MELBOURNE VIC | 18+
Tickets available from https://www.livenation.com.au
THURS 25 APRIL | THEBARTON THEATRE, ADELAIDE SA
Tickets available from https://www.livenation.com.au
SAT 27 APRIL | PERTH CONCERT HALL, PERTH WA
Tickets available from https://www.livenation.com.au
www.hamishandersonmusic.com
CROOKED COLOURS ANNOUNCE NEW SINGLE HOLD ON OUT TODAY + NEW ALBUM LANGATA OUT MAY 17 – PRE-ORDER NOW
Ahead of their highly anticipated second album Langata, electronic dance trio Crooked Colours have released another cut from the record, Hold On, out now. The simmering track follows previous hit singles I’ll Be There and Do It Like You, and is another piece of the enigmatic puzzle that is Langata. The trio, consisting of members Philip Slabber, Leon De Baughn and Liam Merrett-Park, have revealed that the album will be out on May 17, with preorders available now. The group have also announced the tracklist for the record, available below. Tickets to the upcoming Langata national tour are moving quickly, with a second Melbourne show being announced for May 26 after the first sold out within days, and shows added for Canberra, Wollongong and Newcastle. Joining Crooked Colours on the headline dates will be fellow triple j faves Nyxen and Kayex.
Hold On opens with a dreamy, swirling synthesiser, then blossoms into a hook-laden electronic dance pop jam, buoyed by percolating rhythms and sharp synthesisers. It feels like a love song, but there’s a darkness there; as Philip Slabber’s gentle vocal dives smartly in and out of the layers of the track, it’s impossible not to feel moved. Speaking about the track, Leon De Baughn says“I remember the idea for this track first came to me while I was driving home from the beach. We had just got back from touring in the US and getting back to our summer inspired this track. It started with the chords and the floating vocal line that ended up building into a club beat with the bouncing bass line.”
On Langata, Crooked Colours have created a new world; atmospheric beats, soft vocals, synths and guitars that move harmoniously throughout – it’s addictive bliss. Singles I’ll Be There, Do It Like You and Hold On are highlights, but there is so much more to this record – Never Dance Alone featuring the fabulous Ladyhawke is meditative, tender, and soft, while I C Light is deep and heavy. Written, recorded, and produced entirely by Crooked Colours, and mixed by Tim Watts and David Wrench (Frank Ocean, The XX, Caribou, FKA twigs), Langata contains multitudes and is a masterclass in the ecstatic simplicity of electronic dance music. Speaking about the album Philip Slabber says “Langata carries forward what we created with Vera while including what we learnt connects with fans while touring around the world. We’re incredibly excited to release this record and even more excited to perform it live.”
After taking Australia by storm with their ambitious and impressive new live show, Crooked Colours will be heading overseas to perform at some of the hottest festivals in the world, including Bonnaroo and Firefly festivals, plus more. Thrilled to be hitting the road, Liam Merrett-Park enthuses, “The response to the tour so far has been crazy. We never thought we would be able to headline the Forum Theatre and now we’re doing two. Also, we’re very excited to be heading to New Zealand for our first ever headline tour there.”
Crooked Colours have established themselves as one of the hottest rising acts with the debut Vera. Now they are on track to become one of our biggest electronic exports with this superb sophomore release.
LANGATA OFFICIAL TRACKLIST
I’ll Be There
Do It Like You
Heart String
Just Breathe
I C Light
Hold On
Langata
Mirror Ball
Never Dance Alone (featuring Ladyhawke)
Lose Someone
CROOKED COLOURS LANGATA NATIONAL TOUR
Presented by Falcona, Select Music, Sweat It Out and triple j
FRI 26 APR | GROOVIN THE MOO, WAYVILLE SA | 16+
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
SAT 27 APR | GROOVIN THE MOO, MAITLAND NSW | 16+ *SOLD OUT
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
SUN 28 APR | GROOVIN THE MOO, CANBERRA VIC | 16+ *SOLD OUT
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
FRI 03 MAY | UNI BAR, HOBART TAS | 18+ | *WITH SPECIAL GUEST KAYEX
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
SAT 04 MAY | GROOVIN THE MOO, BENDIGO VIC | 16+ *SOLD OUT
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
SUN 05 MAY | GROOVIN THE MOO, TOWNSVILLE QLD | 16+
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
FRI 17 MAY | METROPOLIS, FREMANTLE WA | 18+ | *WITH SPECIAL GUESTS NYXEN AND KAYEX
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
SAT 18 MAY | THE TIVOLI, BRISBANE QLD | 18+ | *WITH SPECIAL GUEST KAYEX
Tickets available from www.ticketmaster.com.au
SUN 19 MAY | COOLANGATTA HOTEL, COOLANGATTA QLD | 18+ | *WITH SPECIAL GUESTS NYXEN AND KAYEX
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
FRI 24 MAY| ENMORE THEATRE, SYDNEY NSW | LIC/AA | *WITH SPECIAL GUESTS NYXEN AND KAYEX
Tickets available from www.ticketek.com.au | 132 849 | All Ticketek Outlets
SAT 25 MAY | THE FORUM THEATRE, MELBOURNE VIC | 18+ | *WITH SPECIAL GUESTS NYXEN AND KAYEX *SOLD OUT
Tickets available from www.ticketmaster.com.au
SUN 26 MAY | THE FORUM THEATRE, MELBOURNE VIC | 18+ | *WITH SPECIAL GUESTS NYXEN AND KAYEX
Tickets available from www.ticketmaster.com.au
FRI 31 MAY | MEOW, WELLINGTON NZ | 18+ | *WITH SPECIAL GUESTS CLAYE AND JOISE MOON
Tickets available from https://www.eventbrite.com.au
SAT 1 JUNE | GALATOS, AUCKLAND NZ | 18+ | *WITH SPECIAL GUESTS CLAYE AND IMUGI
Tickets available from https://www.eventbrite.com.au
FRI 7 JUNE | UC REFECTORY, CANBERRA ACT | 18+ | *WITH SPECIAL GUESTS NYXEN AND KAYEX
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
SAT 8 JUNE | UNI BAR, WOLLONGONG NSW | 18+ | *WITH SPECIAL GUESTS NYXEN AND KAYEX
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
SUN 9 JUNE | CAMBRIDGE HOTEL, NEWCASTLE NSW | 18+ | *WITH SPECIAL GUESTS NYXEN AND KAYEX
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
CROOKED COLOURS LANGATA INTERNATIONAL DATES
Friday, June 14 Bonnaroo Festival Manchester TE
Friday, June 21 Firefly Festival Dover DE
Saturday, June 22 Bonanza Campout Herber City UT
Friday, June 28 Electric Forest Festival Rothbury MI
Saturday, June 29 Westword Music Showcase Denver CO
Friday, July 19 Capitol Hill Bloc Party Seattle WA
Saturday, July 20 Northern Nights Festival CA
EXCITING DARK POP NEWCOMER MARTIKA ANNOUNCES NEW SINGLE ‘HOW DID I GET HERE’
The enigmatic Martika has today announced her debut single How Did I Get Here, a thoughtful, soulful track that explores the difficulties of chasing dreams, out March 15.
How Did I Get Here is a mellow, contemplative track, with an undeniable groove and stunning, eclectic vocals. The chorus refrain, ‘How did I get here? Am I coming, or going?’ is sung so earnestly; it’s impossible to ignore the pleading in Martika’s voice. Gentle yet driving percussion percolates underneath a constant, melodic bassline, as organ and synthesisers swirl together with unexpected and satisfying harmony. Fans of Aurora and Massive Attack will love Martika’s incisive style.
How Did I Get Here tackles the complexities of turning a passion into a career, as Martika explains, “This song explores the emotional journey of an artist; that lost feeling of being at a crossroads in life. I was unsure of which way to go. I found myself reflecting on my life and where I was, thinking that music should have brought me success at this point – and was it all worth it? It was then the decision of whether to keep on walking down the hard road, striving to make my passion a career, or to take the easy road and find stability. This song has helped me vent the frustration of what a struggling artist goes through, and has helped me find the strength to carry on.”
Martika is set to perform How Did I Get Here for a hometown crowd in Melbourne on Thursday April 11 at The Toff in Town. Thrilled to be showcasing new music as well as her exciting new single, Martika gives fans an insight into what to expect at her shows, as she says, “Audiences can expect something entertaining and amazing, yet a show that makes everyone feel equal and at home – a family. I myself love going to a show where, as an audience member, you feel like a part of a community and united, rather than fighting for a spot in a crowd.”
Martika is a natural-born performer; first discovering her passion for singing as a young child, dancing around the house to Disney soundtracks. Highly disciplined and passionate about performing, she spent most weeknights during childhood at singing lessons, piano lessons, dance classes spanning a wide variety of genres – and she even completed a degree in musical theatre upon finishing high school. Since her move to Melbourne from her country home town, Martika began gigging professionally and working alongside local label True Music (Shelley Segal, MAYA) and producer/composer Rob Upward. She spends her days in the studio, writing and growing creatively as a songwriter and artist. With so much talent to share, Martika is surely one new artist to watch.
How Did I Get Here is out March 15.
MARTIKA HOW DID I GET HERE LAUNCH SHOW
THURSDAY 11 APRIL | THE TOFF, MELBOURNE VIC | 18+
Tickets available from www.thetoffintown.com