MELBOURNE’S KINGS. ANNOUNCE NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO (u) West Coast
Melbourne-based electro-pop newcomers, KINGS. have today announced their infectious new single (u) West Coast, a gem of a song that is soaked in seasonal nostalgia, set for release on July 1. The band have also announced the fittingly sun-kissed video for (u) West Coast, directed by Lawrence Phelan (Chris Watts, Reika).
(u) West Coast is a shimmering example of uplifting electro pop. Characterised by its sharp production and cyclic synthesisers, the song is intricate, dense and seriously satisfying. It transcends time and transports the listener into the haze of an Australian summer, intrinsically narrated by lead vocalist Hayden Jeffery’s honeyed, soaring vocal. The chorus is joyous, effortlessly cool, and buoyed by endlessly catchy hooks. Speaking on the inspiration behind the tune, Jeffery says, “(u) West Coast draws on the feeling of nostalgia, it’s one of my favourite emotions to feel; it sparks a very colourful and creative energy. The letter (u) in the title refers to a place where I once was and once experienced, it holds plenty of memories, stories and sentimental feelings.”
The lyric video for the tune is reflective of this energy, and consists of stunning, sparkling footage of beaches so picturesque they could have been plucked straight from a daydream. Rolling in and then receding, waves flow underneath the words as they flicker and fade, perfectly timed to emphasise the ebbs and flows in the music. Speaking on the clip, Jeffery explains, “We wanted the lyric video to tie in with the aesthetic of the artwork, as well as the themes of the lyrical content. The video is more or less a pleasing sight to envisage while listening to the song.”
With 80,000 spins across Spotify and Soundcloud, and 30,000 YouTube views for their last single, Whispers, KINGS. have the industry and music lovers’ primed and waiting for this anticipated second single and it will not disappoint. The skilled producers and musicians have a jam-packed year ahead, continuing to create new tunes for themselves and for other musicians, as Jeffery enthuses, “The unique thing about KINGS. is that all the music is DIY from home. We have a little rehearsal studio built in my garage and all of the records come together on my laptop. In our spare time we’ll be making more music and producing for other artists.”
KINGS. is Hayden Jeffery, Sam Buirski, Caleb Williams, and Tim Cox.
(u) West Coast is available for purchase on iTunes on July 1
MELBOURNE GUITAR SHOW SET TO MAKE TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO CAULFIELD RACECOURSE ON AUGUST 6 & 7
After a triumphant showcase in 2015, the Australian Music Association has today announced the return of the Melbourne Guitar Show at the Caulfield Racecourse on August 6 and 7. Proudly presented by Triple M and Australian Musician, the monster exhibition will feature an unbeatable variety of electric and acoustic guitars, effects pedals, amps & more guitar technology and accessories, and the best in international brands and home-grown craftsmanship. In addition to this, the Melbourne Guitar Show will host information seminars, demonstrations, and live performances from Australia’s most talented guitarists, including legends such as Kevin Borich (The La De Das, John Paul Young) and Phil Manning (Laurie Allen Revue, Chain), and young up and comers such as Daniel Champagne and Dean Ray. Full first round artist announcement line up below.
Drawing almost 5000 guitar lovers to last year’s exhibit, the Melbourne Guitar Show is gearing up for an even bigger event this year. The voice of the Australian music products industry, the Australian Music Association (AMA) will be teaming up with Triple M, Australian Musician, Beat Magazine and Mixdown Magazine to present this year’s guitar-centric weekend. “It had such a great vibe – a really positive event. The exhibitors, the artists and the patrons were all enthusiastic about an incredibly friendly and well attended show,” recalls AMA CEO Rob Walker. “Last year, we had just over 50 exhibitors, including 20 local manufacturers and luthiers. This year we’ll have 70 exhibitors with more stands, and more great products.”
Despite only just entering its second year, the growth of the Melbourne Guitar Show is impressive. Not only will the 2016 MGS provide a hands-on chance to see, hear and play a broad range of the world’s favourite brands, it will also see exhibitors offering great show deals, plus an opportunity to get close to some hand-crafted, locally made instruments and epic guitar and gear collections. Describing the exciting developments, Rob continues, “We’re excited to present a section exclusively for acoustic instruments, so our patrons and exhibitors can see, try and buy acoustic instruments in an environment that is not competing with amps and electrics. We have focused on showcasing a great variety of live guitar styles presented by some of Australia’s best players. We have made a concerted decision to present more group concerts that highlight the acoustic and electric guitar, featuring performances by legends and soon-to-be legends.”
With two floors of fretted instrument fun, punters can immerse themselves in the electricity of loud guitars, amps and pedals on the ground floor, then head upstairs to the dedicated acoustic area featuring beautiful, finely crafted acoustic instruments and stripped back performances by some of Australia’s finest guitar pickers. Exhibitors and patrons will be treated to live performances and information seminars by expert guitarists across the entire weekend. Players such as Nick Charles, Simon Hosford, Jamie Pye and many more will each showcase their talent and share their knowledge. In addition to the solo acts, there will be a Melbourne Guitar Show SuperJam where, as Rob enthuses, “you never know who’s going to get up to play! It could easily be one of those rare ‘were you at the Melbourne Guitar Show when…’ moments.”
First artist line up announcement includes: Kevin Borich, Bob Spencer, Teramaze, The Delusion, Geoff Achison, Dean Ray, Wayne Jones, Brett Kingman, Phil Ceberano, James Ryan, Jimi Hocking, Matthew Fagan, Shannon Bourne, Simon Hosford, Nick Charles, Rod Bustos, Jamie Pye, Rohan Stevenson, Lucas Michailidis, Daniel Champagne, Sergio Ercole, Jon Delaney, Lachie Robertson, Phil Manning and learn from the Professors; Simon Patterson, Troy Male and Peter Hodgson.
The Melbourne Guitar Show will be held at Caulfield Racecourse on August 6 and 7. Online ticket prices when pre-ordered:: Adult day pass $16, adult weekend pass $25, family day pass for four $35, family weekend pass for four $45, concession day pass $10, concession weekend pass $15
ADELAIDE CHANTEUSE ‘MANE’ ANNOUNCES NEW SINGLE ‘BITTER’ + DEBUT EP ‘HOUSE OF HORROR’ + EAST COAST TOUR
The enigmatic chanteuse, MANE has today announced her new single, Bitter to be released on June 10, alongside a fast-paced, abstract video directed by Benjamin Lancaster Powell. Bitter is the first taste of MANE’s debut EP House of Horror, a bluesy exploration of darkness, set for release on June 24. MANE will be hitting the road to celebrate the release in July, kicking off in Adelaide at The Bluebee Room on July 15, moving through Whole Lotta Love in Melbourne on July 24, and wrapping up in Sydney at The Newsagency on July 29.
Haunting and distinct, Bitter is an intriguing release, completely characterised by MANE’s irresistible voice. With catchy hooks that marry pop and blues influences together flawlessly, a driving percussive force, and intricate, edgy production values, Bitter is a venomous reminder to stay away from the bad side of a good songwriter. The woman behind MANE, Paige Renee Court, says of the release, “Bitter was inspired by a very evil, manipulative person – someone who was once very close to a family member of mine. I usually only write songs that are personal to me, but this song became an exception that flowed out onto the page of my songbook within a matter of minutes. If I’m totally honest, it’s probably too nice of a song for this particular person, knowing what I know now.”
The video for Bitter is a visual reflection of the ubiquitous contempt that propels the track. MANE stands alone, silhouetted and soaked in flashes of psychedelia. Directed by Benjamin Lancaster Powell (Aspirations) of Lightreel Films, the video is visceral and forward-moving. On the clip, Court says, “The concept of this clip is to project the attitude of the track through some abstract images and edits. It’s a fast-paced song and we really tried to keep the pace of the clip going with it.”
Produced by Jack Hookey (Harry Hookey, Imogen Clark) at Kanutsens Studio, the House of Horror EP is a melancholic, soulful journey through the human experience. As an avid fan of a variety of different musical genres, MANE calls upon an array of influences to inform her unique brand of blues-inspired popular music. Court says, “The making of the EP was a bit of journey in itself – I went in with a really open mind and didn’t want to shut myself off to any ideas. House of Horror explores a lot of darkness that has been a result of past experiences or the experiences of others, whether that be resentment, self doubt, death or depression. It all comes under the one roof.”
To celebrate House of Horror, Mane will be embarking on a national tour in July. Excited to be hitting the road, Court gives audiences a hint of what to expect from her live show, saying “The live shows we have planned on the House of Horror tour are going to be fun! Some shows will be performed more stripped back, similar to how I wrote the tracks on the EP, while others will be with the full band.”
New single Bitter is out June 10
New EP House of Horror is out June 24