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
NEW ORDER ANNOUNCE AUSTRALIAN TOUR FOR MARCH 2025
Iconic synth-pop pioneers, New Order have today announced an Australian tour for March 2025. The tour will see them perform all the biggest hits from their impressive four-decade, 10-album career on stages across Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney in March 2025.
Their first Australian tour since 2020, New Order will transform some of the country’s most beloved live music venues into synth-pop laser wonderlands. They hit RAC Arena (Perth) on March 5, Sidney Myer Music Bowl (Melbourne) on March 8, Riverstage (Brisbane) on March 11, and finishing up with two shows on the spectacular Sydney Opera House Forecourt on March 14 and 15.
There will be a fan presale live from 11:00am (local time) Monday 28 October until 9am (local time) Thursday 31 October, with general public tickets on sale from 10am (local time) Thursday 31 October. Tickets available from teglive.com.au.
Thrilled to be returning to Australian shores, the band shared, “It’s an honour to be coming back to perform in one of our favourite places. We sadly had to cancel a Melbourne show in March 2020, as a consequence of Covid and are so happy we can come back to play again. We’ve always loved playing in Australia and are excited to be returning for a run of very special shows in 2025. Good things come to those who wait!”
From the ashes of the legendary band Joy Division, New Order has triumphed over tragedy to emerge as one of the most influential and acclaimed bands of all time. Last year, they celebrated 40 years of their hit Blue Monday and shared a reissued edition of their classic compilation Substance 1987, the band’s biggest selling album to date. With mountains of awards under their belt and over 3.5 million albums sold worldwide, New Order have proven they are a force within the industry, and are as relevant as ever, having won over fans of all ages, even headlining Barcelona’s Primavera Sound last year.
The band first visited Australia in 1982, shortly after the release of their debut album, Movement. Over the years, they have returned multiple times, captivating Australian audiences with their unique blend of post-punk and electronic music, and they’ll be back in 2025 to play through all their hits – Blue Monday, Temptation, Bizarre Love Triangle – just to reel off a few.
Tickets go on sale from teglive.com.au on Thursday 31 October at 10am local time.
NEW ORDER – AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Presented by TEG Live and Double J
https://teglive.com.au/live_tour/new-order/
WED 5 MAR | RAC ARENA, PERTH
SAT 8 MAR | SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL, MELBOURNE
TUES 11 MAR | RIVERSTAGE, BRISBANE
FRI 14 MAR | SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE FORECOURT, SYDNEY
SAT 15 MAR | SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE FORECOURT, SYDNEY