ALEX ELBERY SHARES EXUBERANT NEW SINGLE + VIDEO ‘RIPCORD’
Perth-born, Melbourne-based songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Alex Elbery takes an exuberant leap via his brand new single Ripcord. Releasing today with an accompanying whimsical music video, Ripcord is a warm and dynamic ode to falling in love, coated with billowing pop hues, driving alt rock undertones and an endearing Aussie tinge alongside heartfelt lyricism.
Starting production before the COVID pandemic, the journey to finally releasing Ripcord was lined with hurdles for Elbery, both internal and external. But against the odds and also sonically inspired by a myriad of iconic artists at the time, including Bruce Springsteen, The Clash, and Cyndi Lauper, Elbery’s buoyant capturing of impetuous love was also fortified by teaming up with prolific producer Jon Grace (Dear Seattle, Bakers Eddy, Kingswood, Dune Rats). “Ripcord was really a collaboration between Jon and I,” explains Elbery. “I wrote it, brought it to Jon and then we spent a fairly long time working to get it to be the best version it could be. Everything except the drums was played my either myself or Jon. Jon, who has since retired from music, is an absolute genius and I loved working with him.”
“Ripcord is a song about falling in love,” Elbery continues. “I wrote it as I was/after I had fallen in love with my partner. I wanted to write a love song that was honest and leaned into the messier, less fairytale aspects of falling in love. I liked the analogy of falling in love being like falling out of the sky. Your destination is inevitable but the velocity with which you’re travelling towards it determines whether you’ll land safely or crash and burn – hence – ‘pull on the ripcord.’ I’ve always been someone who rushes into things with reckless abandon, so this song was almost like a mantra I was writing to myself. “
Mastered by Tony “Jack The Bear” Mantz (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Augie March, Silverchair), Ripcord is a lively and polished outing from Elbery, whose creative charms have previously been described as “Bruce Springsteen meets The Muppets” and “Outback Prince”. And while Ripcord is the first release of 2024 for Elbery, it also marks the debut single from a planned upcoming EP Unbelievably Good News; and the accompanying music video perfectly ties into the EP’s overarching themes, with the video production courtesy of Helen Turton, Jordan Laut and Jack Rintoul of Wendyhouse Films. “A big theme of Ripcord and the EP it belongs to is falling/flying,” Elbery shares, “so I wanted to create something that played with these ideas. There’s a scene in Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey where they’re falling to hell and they’re just falling for ages in this black void – I showed this scene to the folks at Wendyhouse and they took it and ran with it. They also came up with the idea of ‘ninja stage hands.’ It’s an idea that comes from Japanese theatre, it’s about acknowledging artifice, and I really loved that concept.”
Hailing from Perth, Alex Elbery has been immersed in creativity since he was five years old when he started playing the violin. Elbery went on to start his first band at the age of 13, putting on gigs at lunchtime while at school, and played in bands Mulder and Stereoflower before moving to Melbourne. A passionate supporter for social justice, particularly LGBTQIA+ issues and issues surrounding gender inequality, addiction, and mental health, Elbery also has a fondness for birds, particularly his two beloved pet cockatiels, and is a dedicated fan of wrestling (“I hate violence, but I sure do love some soap opera in spandex”, Elbery reveals). Currently also involved with other Melbourne bands Damaged Goods Club and Overthinker, the latest chapter for Elbery’s solo creative pursuits is sparked today by the release of Ripcord, heralding a new EP Unbelievably Good Things in the not-too-distant future, with a chance for fans to also catch the new tune live in action on Saturday 14 December at Melbourne’s Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar.
“Fans can expect a huge amount of energy, a huge amount of love, some silly outfits and a lot of bad dance moves,” shares Elbery of his upcoming live show. “I feel a mix of excitement and relief about the release of Ripcord. It’s been a long and weird road. We started production back before COVID and there’s been many roadblocks along the way; first lock downs, then my own personal struggles with addiction and mental health issues. I’m in a really good place now and just can’t wait to share this music with the world as it’s come to mean so much to me over the past few years that I’ve been working towards its release.”
Ripcord is out today, Wednesday November 6.
ALEX ELBERY – UPCOMING SHOWS:
SAT 14 DEC | LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR, MELBOURNE VIC | 18+
TICVKETS HERE: https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/bd2588ed-e8ab-4e54-a169-e74ea8f53c36
CUB PROUDLY ANNOUNCES ‘LIV LOUD 2024’ TO SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC VENUES, FEATURING MAJOR AND EMERGING AUSSIE ARTISTS
Carlton & United Breweries is again throwing its support behind Australia’s live music scene to the tune of around $100,000 by organising a stellar line up to play at Aussie pubs and clubs next month.
CUB LIV LOUD 2024 will see about 40 venues across Australia receive cash grants from CUB to host artists on off-peak days through Ausmusic month in November.
Grinspoon, The Rubens, The Rions and even ex-Red Wiggle Murray Cook’s band The Soul Movers are among the acts in this year’s lineup.
CUB will also donate funds directly to charity Support Act to help fund their mission to deliver crisis relief, mental health programs and more for live music industry workers.
Murray Cook said: “The Soul Movers are super excited to be playing at the Hoey Moey in Coffs Harbour on Sunday 17 November as part of this fantastic initiative, LIV LOUD. Support Act’s work is so important to our industry and we are happy to be able to contribute alongside many great acts across so many venues.
“As someone who grew up in regional NSW, I am delighted that the initiative is taking music to regional areas. So get along to some shows, wear a band shirt for Ausmusic T-shirt Day and support Aussie Musicians through Support Act.”
CUB Marketing Manager Sarah Wilcox said: “CUB has supported Aussie pubs for many years and we’re thrilled to continue this tradition with LIV LOUD.
“Venues use their grants from CUB to pay for putting on their shows – from paying the performers to hiring extra staff so punters can enjoy a great night out. Formats will vary from live music to DJs and trivia so that there is something for everyone.
“LIV LOUD 2024 will drive foot traffic through the door on off-peak nights and support venues when they need it. Our first LIV LOUD program last year was so well-received we had to do it again and it’s terrific we can help Support Act as part of it.”
Ausmusic T-Shirt Day, scheduled for November 28 this year, is coordinated by Support Act annually to raise urgently-needed funds for music workers in crisis. Aussies can show their support by buying an Aussie music t-shirt throughout November, making a donation to Support Act or setting up a team to fundraise.
Support Act’s CEO Clive Miller said: “We are delighted that CUB will be presenting its LIV LOUD program in support of Ausmusic T-Shirt Day and live music venues once again this year. Last year’s program was a fantastic success, bringing music events into venues across the country throughout November to celebrate Australian music and raise funds for Support Act. As our tagline says, Life’s better with Australian music and we thank CUB for their generous support for the campaign and for their help in keeping the music playing for everyone who works in Australian music.”
For all shows, tickets and further information about LIV LOUD 2024, visit CUB ‘LIV LOUD’
For more information about Ausmusic T-Shirt Day visit www.ausmusictshirtday.org.au
CHARLES MAIMAROSIA SHARES EFFERVESCENT NEW SINGLE + VIDEO HOTE’ HOTE’
A buoyant and breezy delight, capturing the vibrant spirit of voyaging, strength and determination, the immersive new single Hote’ Hote’ from Solomon Island-born, Melbourne-based singer, guitarist, panpipe player Charles Maimarosia also imparts a deep connection to culture, effortlessly fusing traditional elements with bright and contemporary production.
Hailing from the Solomon Islands, Charles Maimarosia channels “the deep connection I feel to my ancestors and their experiences when voyaging through the Pacific Islands” throughout his new track, with Hote’ Hote’ transporting you sonically to sunny shores and crystalline blue waters via ethereal instrumentation, warm melodies and Maimarosia’s powerful vocals, sung entirely in the Are’ Are’ language. Written by Maimarosia, with Andrew Robinson arranging the music chord progressions, Hote’ Hote’ is a charming meeting point for tradition and engaging songwriting; and it’s one that took on multiple forms before arriving at the end result, as Maimarosia reveals, “Hote’ Hote’ is organic, rhythmic, soulful, and deeply rooted in the Are’ Are’ traditional ‘parani o’o’ rhythm, which shares similarities with rhythms found in many other cultures around the world. None of those rhythms would have been realised without Andrew Robinson. He arranged the music chord progressions, and I layered the lyrics on top. If the words didn’t fit perfectly with the chords, we would try different ones until everything sat right, knowing that the words had to align with the context. For me, when I put Are’ Are’ lyrics in a song, I always make sure those words are true, make sense to ‘Are’Are’ people, and remain meaningful when translated into other languages, like English or Japanese. We’ve changed this song Hote’ Hote’ about three times already, and now we have this amazing version.”
Recorded, mixed and produced by Andrew Robinson, and mastered by Naomune Anzai, Hote’ Hote’ features Maimarosia playing acoustic guitar, auu (panpipes) and vocals, with friends also joining proceedings to add some extra sonic sparkle, with Natty Dolaiasi contributing spoken word, Ben Kaumanaki and James Kauhi’ona providing backing vocals, Paul Cartwright on bass, Phil Wales on electric guitar, and David Bridie and Cass Grant, Wantok Musik’s label manager, supported the group of creatives throughout the process. And teaming with the theme of voyaging beating at the core of Hote’ Hote’, the accompanying music video, directed by Marcus Longfoot, also captures Maimarosia’s own personal journey from the Solomon Islands to Melbourne, with real life footage filmed both at home and abroad. “The concept of the video is centred around voyaging in the ocean to the islands, which resonates with my own journey from Pipisu Village to Melbourne,” shares Maimarosia. “I was shooting in the Melbourne city during winter, wearing shorts, which was quite an experience! I never imagined the video clip would turn out so well. The video was directed by Marcus Longfoot, with assistance from his team from RMIT media students: Rachel Kemp and Ruari Walsh. Natty provided spoken word contributions from Lau Malaita Islands, whose people we call ‘masters of the ocean.’ Natty D’s spoken word and footage was filmed in Honiara Solomon Islands, my homeland, by Dream Cast Studios’ Mr Collin Leafasia. Marcus is a talented filmmaker and musician who has worked with Radical Son, another amazing artist from the First Nations community. It was a collaborative effort, and I’m grateful for all the creative minds who helped bring the video to life.”
An award-winning performer and storyteller, Charles Maimarosia is renowned for being a musician of important custom knowledge, and an artist dedicated to cultural preservation. Growing up in the remote Pipisu village of Malaita, Maimarosia developed a profound interest in Are’ Are’ music at a young age after inheriting his first handmade coconut shell ukulele from his father, and witnessing ‘auu rerepi’ panpipe performances and Are’ Are’ drum ensembles as a child. Starting his musical journey performing amongst his community and communicating ancient songs of his ancestors with hand-made pan pipes, Maimarosia has since gone on to tour the globe for over a decade, including as the frontman, choreographer and songwriter of the acclaimed panpipe orchestra Narasirato, as well as representing Australia and Solomon Islands at the G20 Summit in India, and on stage at the likes of WOMADelaide, the Blue Mountains Music Festival, and the National Folk Festival. Since relocating to Melbourne in 2010 to focus on his solo career and signing to Wantok Musik, Maimarosia has released a debut solo album, 2016’s Are’Are, and received the Music Victoria Diaspora Award in 2022.
With his gaze now set on a follow up album set to release in 2025, Maimarosia is also primed to perform some of his captivating creations live with a string of shows in February (tickets on sale from https://charlesmaimarosia.com.au/), with plenty of new material to dazzle, while also celebrating storytelling and traditional and modern Are’ Are’ music.
“After receiving honest feedback from one of my best friends that my 8 songs were a little short on my first album, I’ve since created an instrumental piece that’s about 8 minutes long,” shares Maimarosia, “and my next album Hote’ Hote’ due to release early 2025 will have 12 songs which I think my audience will enjoy at my next shows and album tour in February 2025. I also always perform an instrumental piece, ‘Forgotten People’, dedicated to people living with disabilities, and one special song called ‘Nanaratana Tetemanu’ is dedicated to members of the LGBTQIA+ community. During a recent performance in Canberra, I was thrilled to see how many people knew my song ‘Meranitoro’ : ‘man from the bush’ by heart—it made me very happy.
“I want my audiences to know that I come from a remote village and that I’ll probably yarn a little bit on stage, share some stories, and make them laugh and reflect on their own life and journey while explaining each song,” adds Maimarosia. “Every time I’m on stage, I think of my mentor, and elder the late Donation Manu, an Are’ Are’ legend, and it reminds me that music is always here with us, before we are born and long after we are gone.”
“I hope that future generations of Are’ Are’ and other cultural people will be inspired by these stories, and that they too will work with others to do the same. I feel a sense of responsibility in bringing this story and emotion to life through music. We all depend on each other to grow, whether in music or in other goals we set our minds to achieve. Cultural preservation is one of my biggest goals, and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved so far with both traditional and modern Are’ Are’ music.”
Hote’ Hote’ is out today via Wantok Musik.
CHARLES MAIMAROSIA – UPCOMING SHOWS:
SAT 8 FEB | ODESSA AT LEAVER’S HOTEL, CRESWICK VIC
Tickets available from https://events.humanitix.com/charles-maimarosia-hote-hote-album-launch
SAT 15 FEB | GEORGE LANE, ST KILDA VIC with special guest Pirritu
Tickets available from https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1301782
FRI 21 FEB | WAUCHOPE ARTS HALL, WAUCHOPE NSW
Tickets available from in January 2025 from: https://wauchopearts.org.au/
SAT 22 FEB | RED RATTLER, MARRICKVILLE NSW with special guest Zippy Anu
Tickets available from https://events.humanitix.com/charles-maimarosia-hote-hote-album-launch-with-special-guests
SUN 23 FEB | SMITH’S ALTERNATIVE, CANBERRA ACT with special guests Dean Abbott Band
Tickets available from https://www.smithsalternative.com/events/charles-maimarosia-88669