PERCH CREEK ANNOUNCES NEW SINGLE + VIDEO GOLD SHOP + NEW SELF-TITLED ALBUM + EXTENSIVE NATIONAL TOUR

Energetic folksters Perch Creek are back with a mischievous new single Gold Shop, a thrilling car-chase of a track, out March 23. The family band have also announced a hilarious, vintage-inspired clip to accompany Gold Shop, directed alongside Honey Editorial. This single is the second taste of Perch Creek’s new self-titled album, which is an eclectic and innovative collection of harmony-driven folk, evocative pop and offbeat soul, set for release on April 13. To celebrate the album, the group will be heading out on an epic national tour, kicking off on May 31 at Fly By Night in Fremantle, WA, then swinging through regional and metropolitan cities in NSW, ACT, QLD, SA and VIC.

Gold Shop is a serious groover –  funky as all get out, but still hitting that pop song bullseye.  It’s not only the irresistible music, but also that enjoyably perplexing storyline that makes you want to watch it over and over again.  Perch Creek’s bassist and token non-sibling, James Chandler, explains, “It’s about [lead singer] Eileen’s moustachioed male alter ego bemoaning the woes caused by his own alter ego (a shady female) who is committing crimes and getting him/her into big trouble.  Are we confused yet? It was inspired by the multitude of gold ‘souks’ in the world’s capital of bling, Dubai, where we spent a week performing at a shopping festival.  It wasn’t exactly Golden Plains but we managed to have a great time nevertheless.”
 
The clip for Gold Shop is an out-and-out winner – imaginative, fun, and channeling the best bits of those brilliantly corny 70’s action flicks. The audience are kept on the edge of their seats, following the escapades of the group as Eileen tries her best to avoid the cops who are chasing her for a crime she didn’t commit.  There’s dancing, bands in vans, bikini girls, court trials and clever chase scenes – all coming in at under five minutes!  Reflecting on the clip, James says, “We came up with the general concept of a 70’s style action chase (inspired by the classic Beastie Boys film clip for Sabotage) featuring our Kingswood, maybe a fake moustache and the backdrop of the North Coburg industrial zone [in Melbourne’s north].  It wasn’t until we met Sasha, who directed and shot the film with Honey Editorial, that the screenplay really took shape. They capitalised on our comic acting and made full use of our vintage car and bike collection to create an epic, hilarious and at times confounding 4 and a half minute action flick.  It’s definitely the coolest video we’ve done yet.”
 
Gold Shop is almost an anomaly on this diverse new album from Perch Creek.  Recorded and produced by J. Walker (Paul Kelly, Jen Cloher, Machine Translations) and mixed in collaboration with Andy Stewart (Gotye), stunning arrangements and glorious harmonies abound, soaring particularly high across the divine album-closer Belle.  Opening track Why Won’t You Come Home features brooding rock organ over lamenting vocals in the verses, breaking into a head bopping major-key chorus. The song is driven by pulsing bass lines that continue to groove their way through Mama Sings and the rest of the album. While vocal duties are shared amongst the group, and stylistic elements vary from track to track, there’s still a definite sense of cohesion throughout this intriguing release – these are clearly very skilled musicians, and their shared musical childhoods is evident in the way they can turn any genre into their own sound.  In keeping with the creative process honed on previous albums, all the music and lyrics on this release were written in a five way collaboration beween band members. This album has been a long time coming and marks a distinct change in direction for the band, as James explains: “After our last album we felt that our folk/roots/jugband phase had come to a natural conclusion so when it came to writing this album we just jammed and let the music come naturally.  Lyrically there’s some themes of disillusionment, a lot of reflectiveness plus a random song about a gold heist…” “(Finally releasing the album) feels like a Baywatch-style slow motion run toward the ocean that has lasted more than three years, but has finally reached the point where we are diving in and beginning to taste the salt water…”
 
The group are set to play a massive run of shows to celebrate the release of the album – expect to see and hear multiple lead vocalists, lots of sibling vocal harmonies and a lot more electric guitar than old fans may be used to, while still maintaining the band’s trademark mix of intensely high energy songs interspersed with atmospheric ballads.
 
Perch Creek is Camilla Hodgkins on keyboard and vocals, Lear Hodgkins on drums and vocals, Eileen Hodgkins on guitar and vocals, Christi Hodgkins on trombone, saw, harmonica and vocals and James Chandler on bass and vocals.
 
Gold Shop is set for release on March 23, and Perch Creek will available through MGM distribution on April 13.

PERCH CREEK AUSTRALIAN TOUR
 
With special guest Jumpin’ Jack William (excluding *) plus more TBA
All tickets available from www.perchcreek.com

APRIL 20-22 | FAIRBRIDGE FESTIVAL | ALL AGES
THU 31 MAY | FLY BY NIGHT, FREMANTLE WA | 18+ *
SAT 2 – SUN 3 JUN | DENMARK FESTIVAL OF VOICE, DENMARK WA | ALL AGES *
THU 7 JUN | LIZOTTES, NEWCASTLE NSW | ALL AGES
FRI 8 JUN | THE METROPOLE GUESTHOUSE, KATOOMBA NSW | ALL AGES
SUN 10 JUN | SMITHS ALTERNATIVE, CANBERRA ACT | 18+
SAT 9 JUN | ST STEPHENS HALL NEWTOWN, SYDNEY NSW | ALL AGES
THU 14 JUN | BLACK BEAR LODGE, BRISBANE QLD | 18+
FRI 15 JUN | MIAMI MARKETTA, GOLD COAST QLD | ALL AGES * FREE SHOW.
SAT 16 JUNE | STAR COURT THEATRE, LISMORE NSW | ALL AGES
SUN 17 JUNE | PELICAN PLAYHOUSE, GRAFTON NSW | ALL AGES
THU 21 JUNE | THE WORKERS CLUB, GEELONG VIC | 18+
FRI 22 JUNE | THEATRE ROYAL, CASTLEMAINE VIC | 18+
SAT 23 JUNE | THE EVELYN, VIC | 18+
THU 28 JUNE | COOEE ARTHOUSE, ALDINGA SA | ALL AGES
SAT 30 JUNE | JUMBUNNA HALL, GIPPSLAND VIC| ALL AGES
FRI 29 JUNE | JIVE BAR, ADELAIDE SA | 18+
SUN 1 JUL | THORNBURY BOWLS CLUB, MELBOURNE VIC | ALL AGES
FRI 6 JUL | MAJOR TOM’S, KYNETON VIC | ALL AGES
SAT 7 JUL | SANDY POINT MUSIC CLUB, SANDY POINT VIC | ALL AGES
FRI 13 –  SUN 15 JUL | BELLO WINTER MUSIC, BELLINGEN NSW | ALL AGES

MAYA ANNOUNCES NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO BLACKOUT

After a massive 2017, neo-soul vocalist Maya is back with a stellar new single Blackout, about a moment forever lost in time, out now. Produced by the renowned Joel Quartermain (Eskimo Joe, Meg Mac, British India), Blackout is an exciting addition to Maya’s impressive discography. The young artist has also dropped a video to accompany the track, directed by Grace Moore.

Blackout is ominous, and intuitive – as though Maya knows something we all don’t, and she’s trying to let us know. Her flawless vocals sit atop a motivated rhythm section with urgency and skill, as her lyrics persuade the listener to pay attention. Joel Quartermain’s expert touch has propelled Blackout into a whole new dimension for Maya, and as her star begins to rise one can only wonder what’s to follow. Speaking on the creation of the track, Maya says, “Releasing this single has got to be one of the most exciting times of my career. Blackout means so much to me lyrically and I feel like the production is the next step sound that really represents my aesthetic…Most people have ‘blacked out’ before, whether it’s when they drink, if they black out a bad memory, or if they just forget certain things. This song takes you through my perspective and how I felt when it happened to me – it was inspired by so many moments of blackout in myself that I still fight everyday.”

The video is as striking as the track itself. Dramatic lighting cloaks Maya and her sisters, as Maya tries to navigate her own personal blackout. Maya was specific about her goals for the video, as she reflects, “The Blackout video shows a cross between the dark reality and positive space. It captures a representation of the dark energies that are felt in those fragile times, juxtaposed with a bright, welcoming space that leads to happiness. The video, set the morning after the night before, features the Blackout Girls chasing me out of my dark memories until finally I arrive at a space where there is no black. There I’m free from the watchful eyes of the blackout, and surrounded by positivity and light.”

With three hometown shows coming up, these intimate gigs are Maya’s element, and fans are lucky enough to be able to catch her before she jets off to New York City to continue writing with world-class musicians over there, as she enthuses, “I have been working with many writers and producers in NYC on my next project, and I’ve been writing a lot and am now just doing the final touches on some seriously felt and fresh music. I’ll be doing more writing in Australia, and working on production of the tracks I already have written in New York.  Some more release this year, and an EP toward the end of the year, with a full insight into my new sound.”

Blackout is out now.

WHAT SO NOT ANNOUNCES DEBUT ALBUM ‘NOT ALL THE BEAUTIFUL THINGS’ OUT MARCH 9 FEATURING COLLABORATIONS WITH SKRILLEX, TOTO, DANIEL JOHNS, ROME FORTUNE, SLUMBERJACK, SAN HOLO + MORE

Australia’s What So Not is pleased to announce his long awaited debut album Not All The Beautiful Things — out March 9 via Sweat It Out — featuring frequent collaborator Skrillex, legendary rock lords Toto, plus San Holo and SLUMBERJACK to name only a few. Over three years in the making, Not All the Beautiful Things is about transformation and metamorphosis, a culmination of everything the Australian-born artist has been working towards as he’s built his reputation as one of the most innovative producers in the game, garnering over 455 million combined streams in the process. More than an album, it’s a fully realised artistic statement in which What So Not is in full control of every aspect, from the stage design and visuals to the music videos and merchandise. “I didn’t want to put anything out that doesn’t cohesively match the essence of the songs,” explains the man behind it all, Chris Emerson.

What So Not enlisted some friends to help represent the many moods and voices of the project. The 12-track album will include his last single Be Ok Again featuring former Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns, as well as his brand new single Stuck In Orbit which has just dropped today – featuring vocals by BUOY and co-written by Jono Ma (of Jagwar Ma). Listen to Stuck In Orbit HERE.

Of Stuck In Orbit What So Not says: “This song started as a jam with Jono Ma (Jagwar Ma) in his film scoring studio. The vocals began as a sketch of adlibs from BUOY with only two words, drawn out across the verse “I ov-er comp-en-sate”. That set the tone for the entire piece; each word delivered with much thought and consideration. I wrote the next phase of the lyrics whilst ‘stuck in transit’. I had just reached a point of feeling settled in a special place with amazing people around me when (as usual) I had to pack up my life and jump from city to city for months on end. At the beginning of the journey a British Airways’ system crash left me stranded for a night sitting alone staring at a hotel wall. The circumstances compounded and I channeled the frustration and came up with the lines for and around ‘Stuck in Orbit’. Things came full circle as on this very trip I ended up crossing paths with Jono multiple times, jamming further on ideas for the song and when I finally returned, brainstormed the final elements of the vocal with Winona Oak and BUOY.”

For his debut project, What So Not tapped longtime collaborator Skrillex, and fellow Australian breakout stars SLUMBERJACK along with Rome Fortune, San Holo, Dyro and more. Daniel Johns lends his versatile vocals to multiple tracks on the project. Johns praised What So Not saying, “Watching Emoh work is eye opening. A real professional with great vision.”

Perhaps most eyebrow-raising of all, the album features a collaboration with rock legends Toto. After years of Emoh dropping their seminal sing-a-long hit Africa in his sets, Emoh was able to go into the studio with one of his favorite bands to write their new anthem We Keep On Running.

Having established himself as one of the world’s most revered electronic acts, it’s hard to believe that What So Not hasn’t yet released an album. The man behind such massive anthems as High You Are (50 million-plus streams), Waiting (with Skrillex and RL Grime), and his remix of RUFUS du Sol’s Innerbloom (#30 on Triple J’s Hottest 100 list for 2016), has a slew of EPs under his belt, including 2016’s widely-praised Divide & Conquer.  Last year What So Not released Be Ok Again, writing and performing the vocals himself for the first time. The song has garnered over 2 million collective streams and was one of the most played songs on Triple J throughout the summer.   

Balancing prolific touring and studio time, 2017 saw What So Not close Coachella’s Gobi tent and headline Australia’s Listen Out festival and sold out shows across Europe, the USA and UK. His creative sphere has not been limited to music either, delving into the writing and co-directing of music videos, conceptualising his 600 square foot ‘Peacock Horse Monster-truck’ and heavy involvement in all aspects of the show programming. What So Not promises it’s just the beginning of what fans can expect from this exciting new phase of his evolution looking ahead to his 2018 touring schedule. “We’re creating this entire world that people can step into,” he says.

Not All The Beautiful Things will be released through Sweat It Out on March 9.

What So Not – Not All The Beautiful Things
1. What So Not & SLUMBERJACK – Warlord
2. What So Not – Be Ok Again (feat. Daniel Johns)
3. What So Not – Beautiful (feat. Winona Oak)
4. What So Not – Stuck In Orbit (feat. BUOY)
5. What So Not & James Earl – Demons (feat. Rome Fortune & Tommy Swisher)
6. What So Not & Skrillex – Goh (feat. KLP)
7. What So Not & Toto – We Keep On Running
8. What So Not & San Holo – If You Only Knew (feat. Daniel Johns)
9. What So Not – Monsters (feat. Michael Christmas & tobi lou)
10. What So Not & Dyro – Bottom End
11. What So Not – Same Mistakes (feat. Daniel Johns)
12. What So Not – Us (feat. Daniels)