SAGE SHARES DEBUT SINGLE & VIDEO ‘FROM DUST’ AHEAD OF FORTHCOMING EP ‘TETHERED’
Ethereal cellist and singer-songwriter Sage has today announced her debut single From Dust, a gorgeous, introspective meander made especially for soulmates, out February 3. Accompanying this stunning track is a beautiful, nostalgic video, shot in collaboration with director Hugo Rose (Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird). From Dust is the first taste of Sage’s upcoming EP Tethered, a collection of gentle yet striking songs for cleansing the soul, set for release on February 27.
For fans of Laura Marling and classic folk auteur Joni Mitchell, From Dust is a soft bed to fall into after a long hard day. Enchanting and delicate, this song allows space for Sage’s elegant vocal to feature front and centre, while her adroit cello playing provides a warm glow that eminates throughout. Speaking on the inspiration behind From Dust, Sage says, “This song is about soulmates, innocence, memories, and endless love. It’s one of those miracle songs that was written in no time at all by myself in my run-down apartment. When I sing this song, I think about the movie Stardust. At the end of the film the two star-crossed lovers, having lived a full and beautiful life together, pass away and become stars in the sky, their love living on forever and shining over everyone. There’s longing involved, but also hope.” The film clip for From Dust is a perfect visual representation of the track – pretty, graceful, and sentimental, with a ‘70s film-camera flair.
Tethered is an exquisite collection of songs from this inimitable artist. Like a nostalgic fairytale, these songs unfurl themselves flawlessly; from the pizzicato of All My Lost Loves, to the sweet, strings-infused pop of The Loveliest Thing, Tethered is a glorious, sun-soaked triumph of arresting folk-pop. Reflecting on the concept behind the songs on Tethered, Sage explains, “This EP was a cleansing process of feelings I wanted to get out of my system through music. The concept behind Tethered was to write a collection of songs about things that can hold us back and keep us tethered to our place in life, in the hopes of understanding these experiences and learning to let go. Feeling stuck is a terrible thing so I always try to change and improve.” Fellow cellist Richard Vaudrey (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Sammy J, Anna Cordell) was the producer and audio and mix engineer throughout the recording process, and was a gem in the studio, as Sage notes, “I knew I had to work with Richard because he embodies so many things I wanted to do as an independent artist. Having an engineer who is also a singer-songwriter-cellist like myself was so useful in the studio and nothing ever got lost in translation between us.”
From Dust is set for release on Monday, February 3.
Tethered is set for release on February 27.
MELBOURNE GUITAR SHOW BACK AND ROCKING AT CAULFIELD RACECOURSE ON AUGUST 3 & 4 1ST ANNOUNCEMENT FEATURES ASH GRUNWALD, SARAH MCLEOD, DAVE LESLIE + USA’S KEITH MERROW & DENNIS JONES AND MORE! #MGS2019
The Australian Music Association is excited to today announce the 2019 return of the Melbourne Guitar Show, set to rock Caulfield Racecourse on August 3 and 4 – and this year’s show is set to be colossal. Proudly presented by Triple M and Australian Musician, the lineup boasts an impressive haul of both local and international artists. In addition to the world-class performances from the artists on the massive lineup, #MGS2019 will also hold a huge gear expo that will feature a gigantic variety of electric and acoustic guitars, effects pedals, amps and more state-of-the-art guitar technology, both home-grown and from around the world. See, try and buy! It will continue to be Australia’s biggest guitar pop-up shop, as well as hosting information seminars, demonstrations, and live performances from Australia’s most talented guitarists.
The first lineup announcement for #MGS2019 includes a fantastic mix of guitar talent including Keith Merrow and Dennis Jones, both from the USA, who will join the eclectic and star-studded local list, which this year features: Ash Grunwald, Sarah McLeod, Dave Leslie, Lloyd Spiegel, Stars (featuring Mal Eastick, Nick Charles, and Roger McLachlan), plus Minnie Marks, Phil Manning, Anna Scionti, Chris Finnen, James Norbert Ivanyi, Cartridge Family feat Sarah Carroll and Suzanna Espie, Jeremy Barnes, Simon Hosford’s Fair Warning (who will be playing the entire Van Halen debut album), Michael Dolce, James Ryan, Charlie Bedford, Shannon Bourne and heaps more. Hit up the Melbourne Guitar Show website www.australianmusician.com.au for the latest show additions.
“I’m so stoked to be a part of the Melbourne Guitar Show this year!” enthuses Ash Grunwald. “I’m incredibly excited to be unveiling something I’ve been collaborating on which has been a lifelong dream of mine.”
Drawing thousands of guitar lovers and enthusiasts to the 2018 Melbourne Guitar Show, #MGS2019 is growing year on year and is gearing up for the biggest event yet. Champion of the Australian music products industry, Australian Music Association (AMA) will be teaming up with australianmusician.com.au and presenting sponsors Triple M, 3PBS, Beat, Mixdown and Noise11 to present this year’s guitar-centric weekend. At last year’s show, punters not only enjoyed scheduled performances and demos from the awesome artists on the lineup, but also witnessed surprise on-stand appearances from some of Australia’s finest artists, including Harts, Darren Middleton (Powderfinger), Bec Sandridge, Dan Sultan and many more. Both the organisers and the exhibitors are constantly wrangling acts right up until the very last minute – and who will be joining the all-star jam this year? Come on down and find out!
Thrilled to present #MGS2019 once again, AMA executive officer and MGS organiser, Rob Walker says, “It’s exciting to see the show develop each year and add value to the live music industry. We are proud to present such a broad range and quality of guitars, amps and gear from the big brands to local artisans. And each year we get to put together a program of live music featuring the considerable talents of our guitar community. It’s a great weekend for anyone into music, particularly guitars.”
Rob continues, “And not only will the #MGS2019 provide a hands-on chance to see and play such a broad range of gear, there’ll be bargains a plenty. We like to call it Australia’s biggest pop up guitar store!”
The Melbourne Guitar Show will be held at Caulfield Racecourse on August 3 and 4.
Tickets are on sale June 7 from www.australianmusician.com.au
The Melbourne Guitar Show is produced by the Australian Music Association, an incorporated not-for-profit. Proceeds, if any, are used to provide services to the Australian music products industry, particularly the promotion of music making to the community.
Online ticket prices when pre-ordered:: Adult day pass $20, adult weekend pass $30, family day pass $40, concession day pass $10, concession weekend pass $15
MELBOURNE GUITAR SHOW DETAILS
SATURDAY AUG 3 | CAULFIELD RACECOURSE |10.00am – 6.00pm
SUNDAY AUG 4 | CAULFIELD RACECOURSE | 10.00am – 4.00pm
SHANNON BENNETT AND LORENZ GROLLO ANNOUNCE GEDDES LANE BALLROOM – NEW LIVE MUSIC VENUE FOR MELBOURNE
GEDDES LANE BALLROOM, GEDDES LANE, MELBOURNE
Thanks to Shannon Bennett and Lorenz Grollo, a unique project is underway to launch a brand new pop-up project restoring live music to an iconic location. The 400+ capacity venue, encompassing a ground floor bar and first floor band room is situated in the heart of Melbourne, Australia’s music capital. The infamous 170 year old ex-Showgirls Bar 20 venue will be undergoing a makeover as part of the King Street Revival (KSR) project, transforming its beautiful old bones into a vibrant and world class, live music venue where punters can enjoy quality curated live music, alongside exemplary food and drinks from a menu heralded by the inimitable Shannon Bennett. Innovative partnerships are underway, including development of cashless technology, and there are plans for a variety of bespoke vending machines and a green room that’s actually green! Set to open its doors with an impressive fanfare and an iconic Melbourne rock act (stay tuned to socials for dates and details), with official entry via Geddes Lane, future plans for the site include a takeover of the lane itself with food vans, projections, street art and rotating pop up events set to redefine the historic laneway.
In a time that many live music venues are closing their doors, the notable team behind Geddes Lane Ballroom are excited to shine a light on Melbourne and celebrate all things music and the vibrant Melbourne laneway culture. And even though the three level bluestone venue housed Showgirls Bar 20 strip club for the past 20 years, it was home to one of Melbourne’s most beloved live music venues, The Grainstore Tavern for the two decades before that. It was here that John Farnham’s Whispering Jack album was launched (the Chain Reaction video filmed), with thousands of artists including Tina Arena, INXS, Daryl Braithwaite and the Little River Band performing on that same stage over the years.
Geddes Lane Ballroom will be booked by Ben Thompson and Ashlea O’Loughlin (The Venue Collective, 170 Russell, East Brunswick Club). “We’re excited to be bringing live music back to one of Melbourne’s most popular venues throughout the 80s and 90s”, enthuses Thompson, “It’s been a hidden gem, centrally located, close to trains and trams and a big carpark with a fantastic tried-and-tested band room. We’re doing some acoustic treatments, putting in a world class PA and cleaning the place up. Live music fans will love it. With the loss of so many live music venues over the last 10 years including quality smaller rooms like Ding Dong Lounge and Shebeen, there aren’t many options out there. People need the option to come into the city and experience original live music. The venue will be open to all conceivable genres of music from local, national and international acts and we have some surprise shows planned for summer.”
Determined to restore old world class and sophistication to an iconic space, Grollo Group CEO Lorenz Grollo explains, “Our inhouse team are completing cosmetic and compliance works only. But for the removal of some ‘choice’ objects and elements from its former use, we’re deliberately embracing the wonderful bones of this 1850’s Melbourne icon, after all how many live music venues can claim to be 170 years old and once a notorious strip club?!”
Offering insight into what we can look forward to devouring on the feasting front, Bennett enthuses, “We’ll be presenting great food that has a social conscious, is sustainable and good for you, and it’ll be fast food. And think retro drinks like Japanese slippers that were in fact invented in Melbourne, seriously tasty local beers, local produce, our Benny burger will be huge feature and we are designing our own vending food machines offering salad bowls, Lui bar sausage rolls and heaps more!”
When asked about how the Grollo / Bennett partnership came about, Grollo jokes, “never underestimate the sparks of lateral brilliance that come from meetings with Shannon Bennett!”
Excited about the many prospects of Geddes Lane Ballroom, Grollo insights, “Geddes Lane Ballroom is an initiative under our King Street Revival (KSR) project. We’re passionate about cleaning up King Street, ‘one pole at a time’, and delivering a fun and safe food and entertainment precinct for all Melburnians to enjoy. For too long King Street has been known for all the wrong reasons. We’re now going to put it back on the map for reasons we can be proud of. Geddes Lane Ballroom, alongside our KSR Residency & Bar (artist residency for and curated by prominent street art and fine art muralist Cam Scale), are the first big steps on our KSR journey.” Already fringed by the Rialto’s new retail and office precinct, home to Australia’s first Mercedes me and global co-working provider, Spaces, a refreshing culture of change is underway in Melbourne’s midtown.
The venue has had a good spruce up, a world class PA has been fitted, and Geddes Lane Ballroom is bringing the music back! The calendar is now open for bookings, with the bandroom set to officially open to the public over the coming months.
For bookings and further information, please contact: Ashlea O’Loughlin and Ben Thompson bookings@geddeslaneballroom.com