WILLIE J & THE BAD BOOKS SHARE NEW SINGLE + VIDEO BACKDOOR MAN
Come and surrender your soul to the blues and grooving magic of the debut single from Willie J & The Bad Books, with Backdoor Man officially out in the world today. An energetic and passionate tune revelling in blues rock with an Australian flavour, Backdoor Man is accompanied by a black-and-white clip shot in a tram and showcasing the entire band doing what they do best. With the band set to imminently head into the studio to record their debut album, Backdoor Man is a sweltering introduction to the Melbourne amalgamation of Motorhead, Jimi Hendrix and Robert Johnson if they hung out in an Aussie pub. Having recently busted out onstage alongside Dallas Frasca in Fitzroy, the band also have a series of shows lined up in December and January, including an official single launch for Backdoor Man locked and loaded for Friday January 6 at the Northcote Social Club.
An energy-fuelled tune paying loving homage to the blues, Backdoor Man flexes its blues and psychedelic grooves alongside raw riffs and nods to the likes of Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, Marcus King, Bonnie Raitt and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Recorded and produced at guitarist Rick Steward’s home studio, Backdoor Man also lends its authentic charm to the track ultimately being captured in one take, as Rick himself explains, “I didn’t want it to sound too polished, so I set limitation to the amount of microphones used on the drums, I used old mics on vocals, old instruments and old amps, it was hit in one take with minimal overdubbing. I think it’s important to set limits, most of The Beatles records were done with a 4 track, people forget that. I had my old friend and amazing engineer George Carpenter mix it in Queensland and Joe Carra at Crystal Mastering did the master”. And while the energetic new single showcases the band’s modern take on the blues world, Backdoor Man also directly claims its namesake from an old blues term, as lead vocalist and guitarist Willie J Maxwell reveals, “Back Door Man is an old blues term, true to form, when your lover betrays your trust and sneaks in the milkman when you’re spending the day at work.”
The music video for Backdoor Man brings the boogie-inducing musical stylings of Willie J & The Bad Books perfectly to life, with the energetic clip providing a visual introduction for many to the band via their debut outing, while also capturing the high octane performance on offer from the quintet in a live setting. “Dorothy Yow & Jake Halfhyde came up with concept,” shares Rick of the accompanying music video for Backdoor Man. “We jumped on board the tram at Bighouse Arts in Coburg North and had a fun day shooting it. Will and I had to climb on the roof with our guitars for one shot which was a tad sketchy, I think we both lived out our dreams of an 80’s style guitar solo section on a roof!”. Will shares, “We wanted our first release to be an introduction to the band. It’s about showcasing our energetic selves tearing it up. We hope that the audience can feel the passion and enjoy watching the video clip as much as we enjoyed filming it.”
For all members of Willie J & The Bad Books, music has been an integral and essential part of life. Springing to life during the pandemic, Will first met future Bad Books drummer Fru Parsons while playing on Brunswick Street. Bassist Matt Forge entered the fray following a conversation with Will over starting a blues and rock band. Matt worked with Rick and resident Bad Books boogie-queen, vocalist and organist Eileen Hodgkins – and the rest, as they say, is history. Bolstered by a shared adoration for classic tunes and the organic creative process between the quintet, the official debut single from Willie J & The Bad Books has been a long time coming; but with plenty of shows on the local live circuit up their sleeves, as well as some live clips already out in the world, Willie J & The Bad Books are firing on all cylinders going into the last months of 2022 and firmly into 2023. “We’re all old souls, we want to make music reminiscent of what we love,” shares Rick of the Willie J & The Bad Books ultimate ethos. “We don’t care what genre is popular, we just want to play music that’s true to us. It feels like it’s been a long time coming and it’s super exciting to finally be releasing this single!”.
And if you’re in the mood for some bewitching grooves and searing rock, Willie J & The Bad Books have a special single launch show lined up for Friday January 6 at Nortchote Social Club, and a show ready to roll on Saturday January 28 at The Blues Train in Queenscliff, Victoria. As to what we can expect from the upcoming shows? “A lot of boogying, toe-tapping, hips-swinging, hard hitting tunes,” Will concludes. “We bring the rock, you do the roll.”
Backdoor Man is out today, Wednesday November 16.
WILLIE J & THE BAD BOOKS – UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
FRI 6 JAN | NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB, NORTHCOTE VIC (Single Launch)
Tickets Available From https://tickets.northcotesocialclub.com/outlet/event/ed883fd6-8f40-4778-9235-c3d7a63390bf
SAT 28 JAN | THE BLUES TRAIN, QUEENSCLIFF VIC
Tickets Available From www.thebluestrain.com.au
NO.3 ANNOUNCES 2023 DATES & LINEUP FEATURING NEW SETLIST + NATALIE BASSINGTHWAIGHTE & THANDI PHOENIX AS GUEST VOCALIST ADDITIONS
Following back to back sold out events across Australia and New Zealand, including last fortnight’s synchronised events at Sydney’s spectacular Cockatoo Island and Singapore’s iconic Marina Bay Float, SYNTHONY is thrilled to announce its return to Australia this summer with a brand new show: SYNTHONY No.3. Boasting a star studded line up with Natalie Bassingthwaighte (Rogue Traders), Thandi Phoenix, Ilan Kidron (The Potbelleez) et.al, the lavish celebration of dance music continues with a fresh setlist of massive dance tracks performed with a mix of live orchestra, vocalists, instrumentalists, and DJs in what is set to be its biggest and most dynamic lineup to date.
The tour will start outdoors on Friday 17 February at Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl, as part of the Live at the Bowl summer event series, followed by Perth, returning to RAC Arena on Friday 17 March, before heading back to Brisbane’s Riverstage Amphitheatre on Saturday 25 March, and finishing up at Sydney’s Aware Super Theatre, ICC on Saturday 22 April.
Tickets to SYNTHONY go on sale via www.synthony.com from 10am local time (MEL, BNE, SYD), 11am local time (PER) on Wednesday 16 November, with a SYNTHONY presale live at 9am local time on Tuesday 15 November.
Featuring new music from Disclosure, Eric Prydz, Flume, Calvin Harris, Wilkinson and many more, this is undoubtedly the biggest orchestrated dance party in Australia.
With superstar of the screen and stage, Natalie Bassingthwaighte (Rogue Traders) and emerging soul powerhouse Thandi Phoenix joining the show, SYNTHONY No.3 is also proud to welcome back fan favourite SYNTHONY alumni; Ilan Kidron (The Potbelleez), Cassie McIvor, Greg Gould, Matty O, Mobin Master, and event host, Aroha, with more acts to be announced. And bringing the newest iteration of SYNTHONY to life will be master conductor Sarah-Grace Williams who has established a well-earned reputation as one of the best conductors in the Southern Hemisphere.
“This show is SYNTHONY all grown up, like a coming of age! SYNTHONY no.1 is a bit of a nostalgic trip down memory lane, celebrating 30 years of global dance anthems, SYNTHONY no.2 is a little edgier, we still have a show packed with classics but introduce some more new music as well, and Synthony no.3 takes that one step further – the best of EVERYTHING! I am so incredibly excited to be unleashing Synthony no.3 onto Australian audiences, they are going to love this show!” enthuses conductor Sarah-Grace Williams, who has been with the brand since its Australian inception. “For those who have already seen SYNTHONY 1 & 2, you ain’t seen nothing yet! And for those who have never seen a show – now is the time!”
Excited to join the SYNTHONY family, Natalie Bassingthwaighte says, “It is incredible to be performing again, and in such an amazing format after the Covid Hiatus. There’s nothing better than performing with a live orchestra, especially with the fusion of dance music, electronics and amazing visuals.”
Following a sold-out tour of SYNTHONY No.3 in New Zealand in 2022, a critically acclaimed debut of SYNTHONY and showcase of SYNTHONY No.2 shows across Australia, and a recent blockbuster debut into South East Asia on the revered Marina Bay Float, Singapore – Duco Events is proud to continue the success story of SYNTHONY in Australia, and to deliver fans the hottest orchestrated dance party of 2023.
Offering insight into the event’s impressive trajectory and revealing a little more of what’s to come this year, Duco Events Group General Manager, Randall Nolan says, “SYNTHONY’s global compatibility and dynamic nature allows it to perform anywhere and speak any language through its music, and 2023 is set to be the biggest year yet. On top of the Australian run of shows, SYNTHONY will dive in on festival headline performances (Electric Avenue – Christchurch), launch its very own festival ‘SYNTHONY in THE DOMAIN’ (April 1, 2023), continue its expansion into South East Asia and make appearances at globally recognised sporting events.”
SYNTHONY No.3 will get your heart racing and feed your soul with joy, as it triggers dance memories with reimagined iconic club anthems and future classics.
For more information and to sign up for the SYNTHONY presale, head to www.synthony.com
Check out some footage from the recent 2022 shows.
SYNTHONY NO.3 AUSTRALIAN SHOWS
FRI 17 FEB | SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL, MELBOURNE| 18+
Feat. The SYNTHONY Orchestra, conducted by Sarah-Grace Williams
Tickets available from www.ticketek.com.au
FRI 17 MAR | RAC ARENA, PERTH| 18+
Feat. Perth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sarah-Grace Williams
Tickets available from www.ticketek.com.au
SAT 25 MAR | RIVERSTAGE, BRISBANE| 18+
Feat. Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Sarah-Grace Williams
Tickets available from www.ticketmaster.com.au
SAT 22 APR | AWARE SUPER THEATRE, ICC, SYDNEY| 18+
Feat. The Metropolitan Orchestra, conducted by Sarah-Grace Williams
Tickets available from www.ticketek.com.au
EMILY VICTORIA SHARES ETHEREAL NEW SINGLE + VIDEO ‘HUMMING HEART’
Enter into the lush and mysterious realm of Melbourne multi-instrumentalist Emily Victoria, with her brand new track Humming Heart making its way into the world today. Also accompanied by an immersive and intriguing music video, Humming Heart murmurs with rich instrumentals and effortless charm like a hazy twilight spell.
Inspired by the likes of Hatchie, Kate Bush, Caroline Polachek and The Sundays, Humming Heart is a layered, bold and dreamlike affair, equally warm and beguiling with a retro undertone amidst Emily’s textured vocals. Recorded to tape at Soundpark Studios with producer Nao Anzai, who has previously worked with Mildlife and The Teskey Brothers, Humming Heart hums along with synthesisers and production by Lewis Moody, additional vocal production provided by Hamish Patrick, guitars by Anthony Farrugia, Jacob Long on drums and Sam Clarke on bass, while also contemplating the unknown and existence in general, as Emily explains, “The lyrics for Humming Heart are quite abstract, like the video. It’s ultimately about having curiosity and intrigue, exploring the unknown and encountering the supernatural. It’s also about considering the cause of our existence and trying to make sense of one’s experience”.
The accompanying music video for Humming Heart seamlessly adheres itself to the absorbing and curious nature of the overall track, with Emily teaming up with Jeff Andersen Jnr on directing and editing duties to bring the luminous yet moody clip to life. Featuring Emily and contemporary dancer and artist Nikki Tarling, the clip ultimately evolved from an eccentric idea revolving around limbs into a full-blown narrative, and painstakingly timed lights, as Emily reveals, “Jeff thought of the idea for this video. In its early stages the concept was close up shots of limbs doing peculiar things at different angles, e.g. a pair of hands tidying with a dustpan and shovel. Then Jeff suggested that I act as a cautious hotel manager who sees unusual limbs in rooms with eerie lighting. We both liked there being unity at the end point of the video. The video was so much fun to make! We were a team of six filming the video at St George’s Inn in Thornbury over two nights. It was all very thoughtfully planned, however there were some last-minute changes with the crew, which gave it a very spontaneous feeling! The lighting setup was extensive, thanks to Mike Ridley. We were able to sync the lighting with the rhythm of the song”.
A lover of busy cities, the creative process, Gustav Klimt and the colour red, Emily’s enchanting flair as an artist ultimately stems from her love for life and a constant pursuit to challenge herself, and Humming Heart is a sublime and elegant addition to her ever-evolving journey.
Humming Heart is out today, Thursday November 10.