GRINSPOON RELEASE NEW SINGLE, ‘UNKNOWN PRETENDERS’, ANNOUNCE FIRST NEW ALBUM IN 12 YEARS ‘whatever, whatever’ ALONGSIDE 45 DATE ‘whatever, whenever, wherever’ NATIONAL TOUR – ON SALE 27 MAY
Legendary rockers Grinspoon are back with Unknown Pretenders!
Unknown Pretenders marks the first new music from the band in 12 years. The track’s unbridled power is quintessentially Grinspoon – heavy riffs, pounding drums, and charismatic vocals from one of Australia’s most highly-regarded front men, Phil Jamieson.
This single ushers in a new era for Grinspoon: their 8th studio album titled whatever, whatever will arrive on August 9. It’s an album of ferocity; an injection of adrenaline that marks a period of rejuvenation and a new peak for the band, who’ve spent recent years touring nationwide celebrating their untouchable seven album-strong discography and legacy to date.
The band have also today announced they’re heading out on an extensive 45 date ‘whatever, whenever, wherever’ tour across the country, kicking off in September, with a fan presale live from 10:00am (local time) Thursday 23 May and general public tickets on sale from 9am (local time) Monday 27 May. Tickets available from grinspoon.com.au/. The mega run of dates will see Press Club jump in as main support for all shows, and fans can check out the tour dates here.
Unknown Pretenders kicks off this new chapter in Grinspoon’s enduring story. With 13 ARIA nominations and 2 wins, countless Platinum accolades and a live reputation that is untouchable, contemporary Australian rock bands regard the band as a blueprint of enduring success. It’s clear with Unknown Pretenders that the band were ready to unleash some pent-up creative energy.
“It’s with a curious trepidation but ultimately a feeling of unfulfilled wonderment that we reach into the caverns of our beings for a new journey of recorded endeavours, one which we are proud but tentatively a little scared of releasing”, Phil said when asked about releasing a new single and record.
On the new single, Phil said that “Unknown Pretenders was written in the dawning of the pandemic in a small studio in Adelaide February 2020, with a number of other tunes as well. It’s a magical riffy song about the end of the world and who will actually survive”.
For Unknown Pretenders and whatever, whatever, the band enlisted Oscar Dawson (Holy Holy, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers) as producer, working with him over the last couple of years to shape the sound of this record. Speaking about this, Phil said that; “Oscar is an incredibly talented creative, engineer and producer. We hadn’t worked with an Australian producer for a very long time, and it was a refreshing change. Recording with Oscar became very collaborative, he’s humble and understands the different dynamics within the band”.
Grinspoon’s influence on the Australian scene has extended beyond the success of their early material; the band contributing to the blueprint of Australian rock music that has celebrated the embrace of different sounds and influences.
Excited to hit the road, Phil said, “This thing ain’t for the faint hearted, we’re really trying to get to as many places as possible, it kind of harks back to the olden days of touring; 4 guys in a van with some guitars. With the release of new music we wanted to give everyone the opportunity to see Grinners, and we’re going back to some venues we haven’t played in 20 years!”
Phil continues, “To say we’re excited is a massive understatement! Over the last 6 years we have played arenas and stadiums and theaters and what not, and it’s all been tremendous and we have loved every minute of it, but there is nothing like the 3 hour drive after a show, the 9am checkout from the hotel, and the first stop to get a chicko roll and strawberry milk – black coffee for me, I am now an adult. These gigs will be madness – sweaty Tuesdays, taking the day off work on a Wednesday, remembering the reason you go to pubs. Our venues are suffering out there in the regions so we are bringing the show to them. We can’t wait to see you all!”
Unknown Pretenders by Grinspoon is out today. Stream Now.
whatever, whatever releases August 9, 2024. Pre-Order Here.
Tickets to the whatever, whenever, wherever tour go on sale at 9am (local time) Monday May 27 from grinspoon.com.au/.
Grinspoon ‘whatever, whenever, wherever’ tour
Presented by Triple M, with Press Club as main support
TUE 17 SEP | BALLINA RSL, NORTHERN RIVERS | NSW | 18+ GA / AA | 7-10 pm
Tickets available from the Club & www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
WED 18 SEP |SOPO- SOUTHPORT RSL, GOLD COAST NRTH | QLD | 18+ GA | 7-10 pm
Tickets available from the Club & www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
FRI 20 SEP | THE TIVOLI THEATRE, BRISBANE | QLD | 18+ GA | 7:30-10:30 pm
Tickets available from www.ticketmaster.com.au | 1300 446 925 | All Ticketmaster Outlets
SAT 21 SEP | THE POWERHOUSE, TOOWOOMBA | QLD | 18+ GA | 7:30-10:30 pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
SUN 22 SEP | MIAMI MARKETTA LANEWAY, GOLD COAST | QLD | 18+ GA Floor O12+Guardian | 4-8pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
TUE 24 SEP | THE DAG PUB, D’AGUILAR | QLD | 18+ GA / AA+ Guardian | 7-10 pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
WED 25 SEP | BROTHERS SPORTS CLUB, BUNDABERG | QLD | 18+ GA | 7-10 pm
Tickets available from the Club & www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
FRI 27 SEP | HARVEY RD TAVERN, GLADSTONE | QLD | 18+ GA | 7:30-10:30 pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
SAT 28 SEP | GREAT WESTERN HOTEL, ROCKHAMPTON | QLD | 18+ GA /AA | 7:30-10:30 pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
TUE 1 OCT | SEABREEZE HOTEL, MACKAY |QLD | 18+ GA | 7-10 pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
WED 2 OCT | MAGNUMS HOTEL, AIRLIE BEACH | QLD | 18+ GA | 7-10 pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
FRI 4 OCT | QUEENS BEACH HOTEL, BOWEN | QLD | 18+ GA | 7:30-10:30 pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
SAT 5 OCT | DALRYMPLE HOTEL, TOWNSVILLE | QLD | 18+ GA | 7:30-10:30 pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
MON 7 OCT | HINCHINBROOK SHIRE HALL, INGHAM |QLD | 18+ GA | 5:30-9 pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
FRI 11 OCT |BURDEKIN MEMORIAL HALL, HOME HILL | QLD | 18+ GA | 7:30-10:30 pm
Tickets from www.burdekintheatre.com.au/burdekin-memorial-hall Box Off:07 4783 9880
SAT 12 OCT |BROTHERS SPORTS CLUB, CAIRNS | QLD | 18+ GA / AA | 7:30-10:30 pm
Tickets available from the Club www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
WED 16 OCT | THE STATION, BIRTINYA, SUNSHINE COAST | QLD | 18+ GA/AA/VIP | 6:30-9:30 pm
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | All Moshtix Outlets
FRI 18 OCT | RACEHORSE HOTEL, IPSWICH | QLD | 18+ GA | 7:30-10:30 pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
SAT 19 OCT | THE PRINCESS THEATRE, WOOLLONGABBA | QLD | 18+ GA Floor/ AA seated balcony | 7:30-10:30 pm
Tickets available from www.ticketmaster.com.au | 1300 446 925 | All Ticketmaster Outlets
SUN 20 OCT | DISTILLERY RD, BEENLEIGH | QLD | 18+ GA Floor / 12+ AA | 4:30-8pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
TUE 22 OCT | METRO THEATRE, SYDNEY | NSW | 18+ GA Floor, AA RES Balcony | 7-10 pm
Tickets available from www.ticketek.com.au | 132 849 | All Ticketek Outlets
FRI 25 OCT | SAWTELL RSL, COFFS HARBOUR | NSW | 18+ GA | 7:30-10:30 pm
Tickets available from Club & www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
SAT 26 OCT | WEST TAMWORTH LGS, TAMWORTH | NSW | 18+ GA | 7:30-10:30 pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
SUN 27 OCT | FINNIAN’S TAVERN, PORT MACQUARIE | NSW | 18+ GA 5-8:30pm
Tickets available from swww.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlet
TUE 29 OCT | UNI – BAR ON THE HILL, NEWCASTLE | NSW | 18+ GA /AA | 7-10 pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
WED 30 OCT | DRIFTERS WHARF, GOSFORD| NSW | 18+ GA| 7-10 pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
FRI 1 NOV | SYDNEY COLISEUM, ROOTY HILL| NSW | 18+ GA & RES / AA balcony|7:30-10:30 pm
Tickets available from www.ticketek.com.au | 132 849 | All Ticketek Outlets
SAT 2 NOV |THE CUBE, CAMPBELLTOWN | NSW | 18+ GA | 7:30-10:30 pm
Tickets available from https://www.thecube.net.au Box Office Ph 02 4625 0000
SUN 3 NOV | WAVES TOWRADGI BCH HTL, WOLLONGONG |NSW | 18+ GA | 7-10 pm
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | All Moshtix Outlets
TUE 05 NOV | 170 RUSSELL ST, MELBOURNE | VIC | 18+ GA | 7-10 pm
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au |All Moshtix Outlets
FRI 8 NOV | BRIDGEWAY HOTEL, POORAKA, ADELAIDE | SA | 18+ GA | 7:30-10:30 pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
SAT 9 NOV | THE GOV , ADELAIDE | SA | 18+ GA / AA+ guardian | 7:30-10:30 pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
SUN 10 NOV | NORTHERN SOUND SYSTEM EVENT CENTRE, ELIZABETH | SA| LIC/AA |5-8pm
Tickets available from NSS Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | All Moshtix Outlets
TUE 12 NOV | COMMERCIAL HOTEL, SOUTH MORANG |VIC | 18+ GA | 7-10 pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
WED 13 NOV | VILLAGE GREEN, MULGRAVE | VIC | 18+ GA | 7-10 pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
FRI 15 NOV | PIER BANDROOM, FRANKSTON | VIC | 18+ GA | 7:30-10:30 pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
SAT 16 NOV | ALL SEASONS, BENDIGO | VIC | 18+ GA | 7:30-10.30 pm
Tickets from www.moshtix.com.au | www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | & All Outlets
SUN 17 NOV | BARWON HEADS HOTEL, SURF COAST | VIC | 18+ GA / AA TBC | 6:30-9:30 pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
THU 21 NOV | DISCOVERY, DARWIN | NT | 18+ GA | 7-10 pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
FRI 22 NOV | NOONAMAH TAVERN BEER GARDEN AMPHITHEATRE | NT | 18+ GA | 7:30-10:30 pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
TUE 26 NOV | ASTOR THEATRE, PERTH | WA | 18+ GA Floor, AA Balcony | 7-10 pm
Tickets available from www.ticketek.com.au | 132 849 | All Ticketek Outlets
FRI 29 NOV | MUNDARING WEIR HTL AMPHITHEATRE, MUNDARING | WA | 18+ GA | 6:30-10:30 pm
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
TUE 3 DEC |COUNTRY CLUB TASMANIA, LAUNCESTON | TAS | 18+ GA & RES/ AA Balcony | 7-10 pm
Tickets available from www.ticketmaster.com.au | 1300 446 925 | All Ticketmaster Outlets
WED 4 DEC | FRANKIE J’s, DEVONPORT | TAS | 18+ GA | 7-10 pm
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | All Moshtix Outlets
FRI 06 DEC | ODEON THEATRE, HOBART | TAS | 18+ GA Floor, RES Balcony AA | 7:30-10.30pm
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | All Moshtix Outlets
ISLA NOON SHARES GLIMMERING NEW SINGLE + VIDEO ‘HER’
An introspective yet expansive alt-pop gem, the brand new single Her from Aotearoa New Zealand artist Isla Noon is a driving new outing, also fittingly accompanied today by an intimate and energetic music video.
Opening with wavering synths and the ethereal vocal stylings of Isla Noon, Her buoyantly builds into an empowered and vibrant ode to Noon’s younger self. Nodding to the passionate creations of Sam Fender, the intimate yet atmospheric wiles of Holly Humberstone, and the dreamy hues of American indie pop group MUNA, Her is ultimately a candid and assured triumph, complete with goosebump-inducing melodics and glimmering textures. “I wrote Her alone, at home with my guitar,” reveals Isla Noon. “Her is about my younger self. Life often ends up taking you down a whole lot of roads you could not have anticipated when you were young. I didn’t want to lose my child self in adulthood, because I still have a lot of the same dreams I’ve had since I was a little kid. In a way, I felt like I owed that little kid, like she was counting on me. Writing this song allowed me to open a dialogue with my younger self and let her know; ‘You can trust me to take over now. It won’t be perfect, and some of the things you thought you wanted will change, but you’ll be happy’. It’s me at my most candid and conversational.”
Producing Her alongside long-time collaborator Maude Minnie Morris as well as Chris van de Geer on co-producing and mixing duties, Isla Noon’s experience recording the demo vocals for her latest single proved as memorable as the end result, as she explains, “I wrote the song at home and then brought it into the studio to record with Maude. I was sitting on the couch behind Maude, recording in the demo vocal, and I remember her turning her chair around when the song ended and looking at me like she was about to cry. It only really struck me then that anyone else would understand what I was feeling or connect with the song, it just felt so incredibly personal when I wrote it.”
Also armed with a brand new music video, the kinetic Her rises to new and connective levels, with Her’s accompanying visual concepts organically emerging the very same day Isla Noon penned the sublime track. “I wrote the music video concept the same day that I wrote the song,” she reveals. “I had this mental image of a fake car in a studio environment, driven by people in my life with me as a constant passenger, and ending with me leaving the set and driving my real car. The fake car in the video is a nod to the driving metaphor throughout the song, but also a metaphor for my life and the way in which I felt I was being driven by a younger self that had high hopes for me. I met with Oshara Ardelean, who also directed the video for Body, and I remember thinking: ‘Oshara is going to think I’m nuts for wanting to construct a life-size model of a car out of cardboard’. But thankfully, she was totally on board. It was a really personal shoot. Full of laughter and also a few emotional moments. The video features a young Isla Noon, played by the absolutely joyous Scarlett Ewen. It also features my best friends Georgia Mismash as the ‘cool 25 year old’, Maude Minnie Morris and Swap Gomez who are also my live band.”
Growing up listening to the likes of Boney M as a toddler before devouring everything from Leonard Cohen through to Caroline Polachek, Wolf Alice and Lorde later in life, Isla Noon’s core musical memories drive vehemently through her powerful pop stylings, merging into creations that are intelligent and intimate in equal measure. Writing music from an early age and first picking up the guitar when she was 10 years old, Isla Noon’s academic pursuits soon merged with her creative passions before she ultimately transformed into the formidable artist as we know her, in the most relatable way possible: by breaking her own walls and notions of perfectionism down and confronting any aversions to vulnerability, ultimately emerging as the authentic and potent performer and songwriter she is today.
From her work being described by Rolling Stone as “glistening, dance-pop perfection” through to a string of local and international successes already under her belt, Isla Noon’s gaze now sits fixed on the near future, with a ground-breaking debut album on the way already paved by the resonating beauty of her new single. “This song allowed me to put into words something that was weighing on me at the time, and now feels like a marker of my growth since writing it,” Isla Noon concludes. “I’m no longer experiencing the weight of those feelings, in fact I’m in a very peaceful place with it now, but it’s only really through writing the song that I moved through and past that block. It felt like a gift to myself to write, and releasing it feels like passing that gift on to anyone who may have ever felt that they were falling behind in some way, or struggling to reconcile expectations that their younger self may have had about where they ‘should’ be in life.”
Her is out today, Friday May 10.
RADICAL SON SHARES NEW STEREOGAMOUS REMIX OF ELDER NEW ALBUM BILAMBIYAL (THE LEARNING) SET FOR RELEASE JULY 11
“…a deeply powerful statement of devotion to country and his Kamilaroi and Tongan cultures.” – The Music
Renowned for his immersive melding of hip hop and soul alongside his dynamic vocal performances, Kamilaroi and Tongan artist Radical Sonreturns today, teaming up with Australian leading electro-pop wizard Stereogamous, aka Paul Mac, to conjure an unforgettable remix of RadicalSon’s single Elder. Coated in a contemporary sheen, Elder (Stereogamous Remix) effortlessly heightens the commanding messaging of the original track, with the original also set to feature on Radical Son’s impending sophomore album Bilambiyal (The Learning) due out on Thursday July 11.
Expanding the potent narrative of its original, Elder (Stereogamous Remix) finds Radical Son, aka David Leha, mightily connecting with his cultural roots, while also calling on others to do the same. With unwaveringly sharp intensity and authenticity, Radical Son soars singing, “I wish to be an elder, an old man on this land”, surrounded in its new remixed form by trance-like beats, swirling electronic elements and fluctuating textures that take you from breathless to catharsis and back again. While certainly not Radical Son’s first foray into the world of remixes, with his singles Warrior, Black Baptism and Wicked all featuring remixes on his EP Soul Passenger, Elder (Stereogamous Remix) presents as a fluid continuation of Leha’s soul and hip hop-hued stylings, ultimately emerging as a powerful modern conduit for the track’s significant essence alongside the sleek input from Stereogamous. “I think remixes are a great way to get your music out,” Radical Son shares of the new remix. “I have a great deal of gratitude to my team and all those that are getting behind us and supporting what we do. I’m really looking forward to hearing the feedback from others. It’s such an honour knowing that remix may take it to new audiences. A great message to pass on.”
Teaming up with Stereogamous, aka the multi–ARIA Award-winning composer, songwriter, musician and producer Paul Mac, Radical Son’s brand new remix bridges Elder’s powerful narrative and core with modern hues that respectfully and positively translate into a contemporary setting. And, as Mac explains, the Stereogamous remix of Elder has already proved to be a resounding success in a live setting, shared and heightened by the power of dance. “Elder is a vital song that speaks to honouring those who have gone before us and a positive call for our place in emerging futures,” shares Mac. “As veterans of the LGBTIQA dance scene, we are grateful to see our dancefloor as a safe space for intergenerational community. We are thankful to have been given the opportunity to remix this powerful track with uplifting chords and earthy beats and to share it via dancing. You’re never too mature to belong on a dancefloor. We have road tested the Stereogamous remix throughout Mardi Gras season from Bondi views to sweaty basements and outdoor raves – and the response is always joyful.”
Elder’s original form is also set to shine on Radical Son’s upcoming new album Bilambiyal (The Learning), with the hotly anticipated full length set to further showcase Leha’s cultural connection, innate integrity and powerful perception across its 12 tracks. Releasing via Leha’s own label, Wantok Musik, and following on from his debut LP Cause ‘N Affect, Bilambiyal (The Learning) was also crafted alongside a powerhouse team, including Full Circle Audio, Marcus Longfoot, Andy Robinson, David Bridie, Frank Yamma and Emma Donovan and many more. Opening with the starkly intimate Elder Reprise, Bilambiyal (The Learning) from start to finish is a compelling and routinely beautiful experience, from Leha’s spellbinding delivery on the warm and driving How Long Must I Wait through to swirling bluesy soul (All My Life), ambient, meaningful ballads (Until You Call My Name), reggae tinges laced with hope (Only One Life) and gripping narratives from Leha’s Kamilaroi roots, particularly front and centre on the undeniably dynamic Yuluwirri Wandabaa, aka Rainbow Demon.
An album that is as stylistically diverse as it is captivating, the ultimate lustre driving Bilambiyal (The Learning) is Leha’s powerful devotion to his country and his soul, shown vividly on the stunning might of the original version of Elder, as well as the album’s own title track, with the latter offering an unforgettable emotive punch as Leha declares: “How many days should I go on, how many times must I do wrong, how many tears must I cry, ‘til I learn the meaning of life?”. And it’s ultimately Leha’s raw and ravishing soul-searching and nuanced calls to action layered throughoutBilambiyal (The Learning) that drives home the Radical Son core message: “Life’s a journey and we all have so much to learn. And my pet hate: people who think they know it all and those with no humility.”
One of the most compelling artists in the Australian cultural scene, Radical Son, the son of an Aboriginal woman and Tongan man, channels his experiences from his past into immense power and resolve, with his trademark sound pulsing with the urgency of hip hop and emotionally-charged soul. A festival favourite, cemented by his show-stopping cover of his mentor Uncle Archie Roach’s Walking Into Doors in 2022, Radical Son has performed to standing ovations at Bluesfest, St Kilda Festival, VIVID, the AFL Dreamtime 2032 game, and the official Uncle Archie Roach memorial in Melbourne and Sydney.
A highly skilled concert artist, with performances alongside classical ensembles and high-profile collaborations under his belt, Radical Son’s artistry also expands to film and TV, with credits including Defining Moments, a six-part NITV documentary exploring life-defining experiences, and theatre work, including the lead role of Pemulwuy in I am Eora at the 2012 Sydney Festival.
Studying as a musician at The Eora Centre for Visual and Performing Arts in Redfern, as well completing a Bachelor of Music from Newcastle Conservatorium, Radical Son’s creative prowess and steadfast substance is only matched by his otherworldly stage presence that repeatedly transfixes; and this fact is only set to heighten with the upcoming release of Bilambiyal (The Learning), as well as Radical Son’s upcoming performance in July as part of QPAC’s Warriors Concert for 2024’s Clancestry Festival in Brisbane, alongside Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, Jungaji and J-MILLA.
“After having played the new songs a few times now and enjoying the positive responses, I’m really excited to see where this goes,” Radical Sonconcludes. “I believe I’m performing better than I ever have. Radical Son is playing with a new lineup. I’m looking forward to playing with new musicians, fans can expect to see an old Warrior that still burns brightly. And we are already writing new songs for the next album.”
Elder (Stereogamous Remix) is out today via Wantok Musik.
Bilambiyal (The Learning) is due out on Thursday July 11.
RADICAL SON – UPCOMING SHOWS:
WED 31ST JULY | QPAC PRESENTS WARRIORS CONCERT AS PART OF CLANCESTRY FESTIVAL | ALL AGES
Tickets available from qpac.com.au