Previous Support For Joan & The Giants
‘Just For You’:
“Poignant, heart-felt, and achingly raw”
(Scenestr)
“An emotional ballad that scales the mountain and takes you with them.”
4 / 5 (Declan Byrne, Triple J)
“Another impressive one for 2021 from Joan & The Giants. They’ve zeroed in on an emotional centre point like a professional dart player throwing bullseyes at your heart.”
4 / 5 (Dave Ruby Howe, Triple J)
‘Bloodstream’:
“Fans of Middle Kids will melt for this new one from Joan & The Giants. Really pretty songwriting and harmonies. I love the way this track builds with so much ease.”
4 / 5 (Claire Mooney, Triple J)
“It’s eerily romantic which is totally my brand. The build and drops in instrumentation are thrilling.”
4 / 5 (Celline Narinli, Triple J)
“Injecting this right now!”
4 / 5 (Declan Byrne, Triple J)
|
|
|
Follow Joan & The Giants Spotify | Apple Music | Soundcloud | Youtube |
Where are you currently based?
I’m mostly based out of Toronto, Ontario in Canada.
How did you first start playing music?
I’ve been singing since before I could walk, apparently. I have always loved music passionately. I started classical voice training when I was five years old and began to teach myself piano by-ear when I was around eight or nine. I started writing music seriously when I was around fourteen, and I haven’t looked back since!
What’s been happening recently?
I have been spending a lot of time in the studio as of late. I’m currently working on a lot of special projects! This summer is going to be packed, and I can’t wait to share it all with everyone.
Your latest single ‘But I Do’ arrived on May 13, please tell us what influenced the sound and songwriting?
But I Do is one of the most vulnerable songs that I’ve written so far. It touches on pretty well every single insecurity I have ever struggled with, and forces my quiet thoughts out into the open. It’s like a page out of my diary. Sonically, it matches the lyrics. I wrote the piano part to actually sound like it’s moving in continuous circles, spinning around in a dizzy wave. There is a constant pulse throughout the track like a heartbeat, and it never settles. The entire song sounds like how it feels to be overwhelmed, full of tension that never releases, even until the very end. I cry almost every time I listen, it’s very cathartic.
How did you go about writing But I Do?
I wrote But I Do just over a year ago, last May. I was struggling pretty heavily with loneliness and was trying to distract myself, ultimately to no avail. One night, I sat down at the piano in my living room where most of my songs have been written, and the song just kind of spilled out of me. It was like an overflowing of every emotion and thought I had been experiencing.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with
I recorded the song in October, 2021 with my producer, Steve Molella, out of his personal studio in Woodbridge, ON. The track was mixed by Jay Dufor, and mastered by Joao Carvalho – both out of Toronto, ON.
How did you approach the recording process?
I started workshopping the song with Steve in September, 2021. We fine tuned a few parts and then created a simple piano/vocal demo to share with my label. Everyone really loved the song, and so we re-tracked a few parts, and built the rest of the production around the piano and vocal.
What does this single mean to you?
I think this song is important to me because it marks a really pivotal moment in my life where I realized that no matter how busy or successful, etc I was, my happiness could not come from my circumstances alone. It wouldn’t matter how hard I worked, or how many people I pleased – I had to stop and let myself think for a moment. It was really within this tension of holding on and breaking down, that I remembered the things that actually mattered to me, and it set me down the right path again.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
I have been loving Sigrid recently. She has created such a fun, fresh spin on pop music. As the summer approaches, all I want to hear are her good vibes.
What do you like to do away from music?
I love hosting people! To me, it’s a lot like a concert, it brings people together and connects them. Making a delicious meal and inviting people into your space, making them feel special, it’s such a good feeling. I’m not very good at small talk either, I love to hear people’s stories.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2022?
This year will be a busy one! I have a very special project coming this July, which I am extremely excited for. I also can’t wait to get out and perform this summer! It’s been too long.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
As long as I’m with the people I love, it doesn’t really matter where I am (to be a bit sappy). If I could choose, however, it would probably be a really massive brunch with my friends on a patio somewhere, or charcuterie on my back deck, or pizza on the beach – well, actually, I can’t decide!
Facebook: @sophiafracassimusic
Twitter: @sophiafracassi
Instagram: @sophiafracassi
Tik Tok: @sophia_fracassi
Website: https://www.sophiafracassi.com
Title: Turn The Lights Down Low
Label: CYB3RPVNK / Spinnin’ Records
R3HAB and Timmy Trumpet teamed up for their new single “Turn The Lights Down Low,” a dance-pop crossover record for which both artists embrace their international fanbase by releasing both an English and a Chinese version. With a dynamic psytrance-esque bassline and sassy topline, the track is perfect for playing to get ready for a night on the town or when you need a mood booster after not getting a text back. Singer/songwriter NINEONE# brings an extra special vocal performance to the Chinese version, highlighting the uniqueness of “Turn The Lights Down Low” and R3HAB‘s and Timmy‘s vision and creativity. NINEONE# has become a Weibo sensation in China and was voted as QQ Music’s Most Popular Female Rapper of The Year in 2020; she is also a fashion icon and has featured on the cover of Vogue China, Barzaar Men, Cosmopolitan and worked with such brands as Givenchy, Gentle Monster, Union Pay, Vidal Sassoon, Tide, Pizza Hut, DELL, Braun, Xiaomi, Olay and many more. “Turn The Lights Down Low” is the fourth time R3HAB and Timmy Trumpet have collaborated, and we look forward to more productions in the works. Read on for what each artist had to say about this exciting new track:
“This is the first track I’ve released in two languages, and to do it with superstars like R3HAB and NINEONE# is a dream come true. Music unites people from all cultures all over the world, and that’s my favorite part of the electronic music scene. I always love working with R3HAB, and as a producer, he is second to none. Making this track was nothing but fun, and I can’t wait to get it out there!” – Timmy Trumpet
“I’m excited to present “Turn The Lights Down Low” today, and I’m especially excited that we’re releasing it in two languages, side by side. I am a big fan of NINEONE#, and I’m so glad she joined Timmy and I on the Chinese version. I’m a big fan of Timmy too. This record marks my fourth collaboration with him, and we’re not done yet. The way music connects people around the world is powerful, and I’m so glad I get to experience it firsthand.” – R3HAB
“I’m thrilled for the opportunity to work with R3HAB and Timmy Trumpet. I was beyond excited when I was presented this opportunity – I have always wanted to collaborate with international producers, and now my dream has come true! I really appreciate them for letting me be part of “Turn The Lights Down Low.” I hope my contribution will light up this Chinese version.” – NINEONE#
DJ, producer, and live instrumentalist Timmy Trumpet is undoubtedly one of the most prolific performers in the DJ Mag Top 100. An award-winning, multi-platinum selling recording artist, Timmy has forged his way to the top of the industry alongside influential artists taking the world by storm. His breakthrough release Freaks has reigned in over half a billion streams, reached six times platinum status in Australia, and dominated the charts in ten countries, becoming the highest selling track of all time on Ministry of Sound Australia. In 2020, after over a decade on the scene, the DJ producer issued his first album, Mad World. The set included the singles “911” with R3HAB, “Up & Down” with Vengaboys, and a cover of “Mad World” with Gabry Ponte.
Multi-Platinum DJ and producer Fadil El Ghoul, better known as R3HAB, has been trailblazing his way through dance music for the past fifteen years. From his breakthrough remixes for Rihanna, Drake, Taylor Swift, Calvin Harris, to anthems such as Platinum-certified “All Around The World (La La La)” and “Lullaby,” to his collaborations with the likes of Ava Max, ZAYN, Luis Fonsi, Sean Paul, and more, R3HAB has proven to be one of the most forward-thinking artists in the game. His work has collected over 8B streams to date, including 1.1B in 2021 alone. R3HAB founded his label CYB3RPVNK in 2016, which has passed 4B streams across platforms since its inception. R3HAB continues to evolve and diversify his sound by working with artists around the globe, pushing the boundaries of dance music as he collaborates across genres and languages. He is Spotify’s Most Discovered Artist, one of Spotify’s top 200 most streamed artists, ranked #12 on prestigious DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs chart, and has earned over 70 Gold and Platinum certificates. R3HAB has embarked on multiple sold-out worldwide tours and was the first dance music artist to sell out 15 consecutive shows in China. On top of that, he performed at the world’s top festivals, such as EDC, Ultra Music Festival, Tomorrowland, Balaton Sound, Coachella, Summer Sonic Festival, DWP Jakarta. With his combination of innate artistry and innovative attitude, R3HAB has earned his place as a household name in dance music.
Title: Going Out
Label: CONTROVERSIA
Fresh from Alok‘s label CONTROVERSIA is ÜHÜ‘s new single, “Going Out,” which might just be your newest party anthem. Opening with lyrics about getting ready for a wild night on the town, the Brazilian producer wastes no time heating things up with funky melodies and a bouncy, upbeat bassline. The single is sure to put you in the mood to dress up, gather your crew, and dance until the sun rises, and with the pandemic subsiding, there’s no better time to do just that. “Going Out” is ready for the weekend, and ÜHÜ is here to be your club shaman, following up his previous releases – a single “Thinking About Ü” and a remix of Alok‘s “It Don’t Matter,” on which he joined forces with Alok himself.
Gabriel Murilo Mello‘s newest project for the post-pandemic era comes in the form of ÜHÜ, a bold brand with plenty of existing versatility and experience. Since 2010, Mello has been DJing and producing in his home country of Brazil, gracing the stages of festivals such as Tomorrowland Brasil, EDC Brasil, Green Valley, Dream Valley, PUMP, Rio Music Conference and more. His music has been supported by David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Alok, Tiësto, Steve Aoki, Hardwell, Showtek, and many others. As a producer’s producer, co-producer, and composer, Gabriel Mello amassed over 1 billion streams across all digital platforms. With all this information, ÜHÜ is born: a startup but already experienced artist whose musical identity brings references from deep house, progressive, and tech-house. Stay tuned for ÜHÜ‘s next release coming from CONTROVERSIA.
https://www.facebook.com/alyshabrilla
Your latest single ‘Nothing Left’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
‘Nothing Left’ was written on a zoom call with my friend Myles who has a background in production. When he sent through the first demo of our idea it had so many interesting midi sounds and was quite different to our style of music at the time, but we all loved it. We tried the song multiple ways – full band and stripped back but thought that the pop direction suited it best.
‘Nothing Left’ is a really exciting song for all of us. It was the first time we expanded our sound into the realm of production and was a whole new process of recording. This song helped us to step out of our comfort zone and be open minded which is so important as artists!
We recorded ‘Nothing Left’ in October last year with our amazing producer Joel Quartermain. He set up his gear in my living room and we had so much fun playing around with different synths and midi sounds. It was really special being able to record from home, we even set up a make shift vocal booth made from clothes racks and rugs! Myles sent through stems from our original demo which we worked into the track too. It was mixed by Cam Parkin and mastered by Leon Zervos.
Our booking agent pitched us for her supporting act and we were so excited when she said yes!! It’s going to be such a nice way to explore the WA coast, play live and listen to some amazing music!
We all have family that live in Denmark so we’re really looking forward to the Albany show. It’s always nice seeing familiar faces out in the crowd!
It’s nice being able to spend so much time together and gig consistently – we really gel as a band playing live so often! It’s so rewarding to share our music with new people and play in unfamiliar places. Touring can be pretty go go go, so it’s a challenge to get in your 2&5 and 8 hours of sleep but we try our best!!
Our live show has evolved a lot in the last few months! We’ve got a bunch of new songs in the set and use backing tracks for parts we can’t play live which really enhances our sound! You can expect lots of harmonies, stripped back songs to full on pop – hopefully there’s something for everyone!
Our road trips will always have some Holly Humberstone, Olivia Rodrigo, MAY-A, Samia, Eliza & The Delusionals and Clews in the mix! We’ve created our own playlists through our Spotify if you want to hear more of what we’re listening too!
Can’t believe we’re already half way through the year! You can definitely expect new music and more touring! First up we’ve got a bunch of rural WA shows supporting Amy Shark throughout May/early June. We’re looking forward to jumping back in the studio soon, working with other song writers and continuing to explore our sound.
Saturday 1st October – Sandalford Wines, Swan Valley, WA
Sunday 2nd October (Public Holiday Eve) – Serafino Wines, McLaren Vale, SA
Saturday 8th October – Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley, VIC
Saturday 15th October – Roche Estate, Hunter Valley, NSW
Sunday 16th October – Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton, QLD
Australia’s favourite wine and music pairing Grapevine Gathering have just announced they will be expanding to South Australia and Queensland, confirming dates for 5 wineries around the country.
Loveable Instagram celebrities and all-round legends ‘The Inspired Unemployed’ will be hosting Grapevine Gathering at all 5 shows, performing changeover DJ sets, and various other shenanigans.
For their first foray at festivals, they hosted Grapevine Gathering VIC back in January, taking sweaty shoes from random punters and doing shoeys on stage. They also hosted a segment of ‘The Bachelorette’, performed an acoustic version of ‘Drops of Jupiter’ and gave it a crack at DJing the changeovers. The general consensus was their dancing skills were much better than their DJing skills. Hopefully they learn to DJ before October comes around….
The lineup is yet to be announced, but past headliners have included the likes of Two Door Cinema Club, Flight Facilities, The Wombats, Tkay Maidza and The Veronicas so we’re sure Grapevine Gathering has something special up their sleeves.
Introducing Grapevine Gathering’s new partners in wine….situated in the heart of McLaren Vale and only a 45 minute drive from Adelaide CBD, Serafino Wines will welcome Grapevine Gathering to its charming vineyards for the inaugural South Australian gathering.
Sirromet Wines, located in the picturesque Mount Cotton, the Queensland edition is only a short drive from Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Grapevine Gathering will also be returning to its homes at Roche Estate in the Hunter Valley, Rochford Wines in the Yarra Valley, and Sandalford Wines in Swan Valley.
Grapevine Gathering is brought to you by Untitled Group, the largest independent music promoter in Australia and the masterminds behind festivals such as Beyond The Valley, Pitch Music & Arts, Grapevine Gathering, Wildlands, For The Love, Ability Fest & more.
Get Connected:
https://www.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CROOKED COLOURS: AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND TOUR
Supported by Pacific Avenue & Kinder
For more info, visti: https://www.crookedcoloursmusic.com/
Pre-sale: 1pm AEST Thursday 12th May
General on-sale: 1pm AEST Friday 13th May
THURS 28TH JULY, MEOW, WELLINGTON NZ
FRI 29TH JULY, TUNING FORK, AUCKLAND NZ (ALL AGES)
SAT 30TH JULY, STUDIO, AUCKLAND NZ
FRI 19 AUG, FREMANTLE ARTS CENTRE, FREMANTLE WA
FRI 02 SEP, FORTITUDE MUSIC HALL, BRISBANE QLD
SAT 03 SEP, HINDLEY STREET MUSIC HALL, ADELAIDE SA
FRI 09 SEP, MARGARET COURT ARENA, MELBOURNE VIC
SAT 10 SEP, HORDERN PAVILION, SYDNEY NSW
For more info on Crooked Colours, visit:
FACEBOOK I YOUTUBE I TWITTER I INSTAGRAM
U.S. BOTTLEROCK FESTIVAL IN MAY
[Photo: Luke Henery]
With their Australian tour underway and their debut album NOW AND THEN in the wings, waiting to be unleashed, Eliza & The Delusionals return today sharing the lead single from the studio album: the addictive ‘Bed Song’.
Released as a follow up to February’s ‘Give You Everything’ and ‘Halloween’ at the top of the month, ‘Bed Song’ is another masterclass in how songwriters Eliza Klatt and Kurt Skuse balance emotionally driven lyricism with fresh and dynamic songwriting arrangements.
As an indication of what the wider NOW AND THEN album is like, ‘Bed Song’ is a prime example of Eliza & The Delusionals in their natural element – harnessing rich indie and alt-rock influences in producing something completely their own.
A song about relationships and the different ways we navigate them, ‘Bed Song’ was recorded between Brisbane’s Airlock Studios and the home studio Kurt and Eliza built during the initial waves of the pandemic; as well as the studio of acclaimed producer Konstantin Kersting (Tones And I, Mallrat, The Jungle Giants).
“’Bed Song’ was an idea that started off so differently, and I’m really glad we came back to it and worked on changing it because it quickly became one of my favourite songs on the record. This song is really about Kurt and myself finding similarities in our past relationships and bringing those ideas together in a way where we could understand each other’s perspectives.”
Eliza Klatt, ELIZA & THE DELUSIONALS
2022 has proven to be a busy return to live touring and forward planning for Eliza & The Delusionals. Currently working their way around the East Coast on their headline ‘Give You Everything Tour’ after playing some incredible rooms earlier in the year with The VANNS, the band is thriving as they hurtle confidently towards album release and their return to North America, where they will kick off their international campaign with an appearance at the Napa Valley’s Bottlerock Festival alongside the likes of Metallica, CHVRCHES, Twenty One Pilots, BANKS and more.
Their journey to this point has been one of many successes in the face of constant pauses to scheduled tour and relocation plans. Since the release of their 2020 EP A STATE OF LIVING IN AN OBJECTIVE REALITY, Eliza & The Delusionals have been consistently establishing themselves as an Australian act with legacy potential; dropping a string of singles throughout 2021 and 2022 that bolstered their reputation as a vibrant powerhouse.
The release of singles ‘YOU’, ‘SAVE ME’ and ‘NOTHING YET’ elevated Eliza & The Delusionals’ presence in Australia and abroad (‘SAVE ME’ accruing over 750k combined streams worldwide alone, as well as 30+ editorial playlist spots and the cover of Front Left on Spotify). The band currently enjoys over 92k monthly listeners on Spotify, with recent release ‘Give You Everything’ racking up over 109k worldwide streams since its release and the official music video accruing over 15.8k views to date.
Now, with the release of ‘Bed Song’ coming just ahead of NOW AND THEN, Eliza & The Delusionals are giving fans one final taste of what’s going to be their most defining effort to date.
PRAISE FOR ELIZA & THE DELUSIONALS
“I’m not afraid to say it. This is just about the best song Eliza and the Delusionals have ever released.”
Triple J Unearthed, Tommy Faith (‘GIVE YOU EVERYTHING’, 2022)
“Eliza & The Delusionals mix nostalgic and euphoric better than anyone else. I’d be holding a lighter up high if only I wasn’t drying my eyes.”
Triple J Unearthed, Dave Ruby Howe (‘GIVE YOU EVERYTHING’, 2022)
“I’d happily let Eliza & The Delusionals soundtrack my entire life.”
Triple J, Claire Mooney
“Australian rock band Eliza & the Delusionals are masters of using rock and pop-inflected sound to elicit emotions and pour their hearts out.”
Atwood Magazine
“…the type of track that pushes forward, reminding us of better days, and sparking excitement for what’s to come.”
Vanyaland
‘Bed Song’ is out now.
‘Now and Then’ is released Friday, May 20th
Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Triple J Unearthed
Where are you currently based?
I’m based in the hills district in Sydney.
How did you first start playing music?
I’ve always gravitated towards singing and performing from an early age. There is much evidence of this eg. home videos of me trying to entertain guests by singing ABBA into a paper towel roll. In terms of songwriting, that began at about age 10 when I received a digital piano for my birthday and started to write tunes in my bedroom.
What’s been happening recently?
The Sydney music scene is flourishing again so I’ve been busy doing all sorts of gigs (originals, covers and playing in other bands), teaching and working on my next releases. You definitely need to wear a lot of hats in this industry but I’m really grateful to have enough opportunities to make it work as a full time musician.
Your debut single ‘Hearticulate’ was released on the 6th of May, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
It ain’t no secret that I love 70s music so there are definitely some yacht rock influences in there. Think Steely Dan, Bobby Caldwell and Valerie Carter. I also listen to a lot of current R&B artists like Raveena and Kali Uchis as well as soul/funk revivalists like Silk Sonic and Vulfpeck so there may be some traces of that in there too.
How did you go about writing Hearticulate?
I’m mainly a keyboard player but the initial idea for the song actually came to me on the guitar. I was noodling around in my studio and came up with the arpeggiated chord progression you can hear in the chorus. I then transferred the chords onto the piano and wrote the melody and the lyrics in my bedroom.
What does this debut single mean to you?
This one is a special one for me. I feel super aligned with it stylistically and just ran with my creative instincts which sometimes tells me to do things like play a spacey synth solo. It’s important to me to create from an authentic place and use songwriting as a tool to discover and articulate what’s true in my heart 😉
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?
The song was actually made entirely at home as I happen to live with a couple of fine musicians – my Dad and brother. We all have our own studios at home so the song hopped between three spaces. The track was produced by my brother Alex Ertler and I and mixed and mastered by my good ole man John Ertler.
How did you approach the recording process?
The song has been through a few iterations. The first was for a uni assignment in 2020 during lockdown. A year later I revisited it, upped the tempo and added new instrumentation. My fickle self ended up thinking it was better and had more groove in the first demo so I returned to the original tempo and gradually replaced all the instruments and vocals. It wasn’t the smoothest process but I’m glad that I waited until 2022 to perfect the track as I felt more confident with my skills and artistic vision for this project.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2022?
I’m getting ready for my headline show at Lazybones on the 9th of June! It’s gonna be a groovin’ time playing with a full band and celebrating the release of “Hearticulate”. There may be some Cuervo gold, there may even be some keytar. I’m also preparing the next batch of tunes.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
I recently saw Donny Benét at Manning Bar so I have been blasting his disco grooves in the car a lot. Some old school stuff too eg. The Chi-lites and The Crusaders. I listen to a lot of local Aussie artists too. Recently I’ve been enjoying AnnaLina, Gemma Navarrete, Julian Munyard and Chuey.
What do you like to do away from music?
I feel like most of my time is consumed by music but I also enjoy being in nature, clumsily rollerskating, reading, watching films and travelling which I hope to heck I do this year.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
I’d say my favourite hangout spot is Frankies. Delish pizza, elite whiskey & apple. They also used to host Tuesday karaoke nights. I recall singing some TOTO and Deep Purple up there. In terms of restaurants, I love Colombian and Japanese food so I’d recommend Tentaciones in Surry Hills and O’Uchi in the CBD (get the green tea creme brûlée).
|
Photographer credit: Tom Groom |
MELBOURNE, Australia. On May 5th, Alt Rock outfit, Square Dance Caller will release their slick new single, ‘Somebody Like You’ from their forthcoming EP, ‘Daze In Technicolor’. Listen to ‘Somebody Like You’ HERE
Complete with chugging guitar riffs, punchy synths, layered, pop-laced vocals, and a driving, hypnotic drum groove, ‘Somebody Like You’ conjures a sense of nostalgia that sits somewhere between the group’s sonic influences of early Talking Heads and naughties era Gorillaz. Of the track, Brendan Etherington (guitar/vox) shares:
I wrote this song in 2020 during Melbourne’s second lockdown. Stuck in my room, I’d been mucking around with drum loops and came across a cool beat that I liked. It started with the bass riff and grew from there.
The upbeat ear-worm blends hip-hop-tinged drum loops and samples with distorted rock guitars to create a genre-bending, contemporary take on alt/indie rock. Michael Etherington (drums/BV’s) explains:
We used both sampled drums and real drums to create a nice mix. The guitar solo was a bit of a fluke. It was the one from the demo that Brendan recorded late at night after a bunch of drinks. He could never top it, so we used that one in the final mix. A happy accident that worked out.
With its undeniably catchy chorus hook, “I wish I had somebody like you, when I was twenty-two”, of the lyrical inspiration for the track, the band elaborates:
I think we have all had somebody in our lives either romantically, or platonically, who’s a bit older or more mature and who seems so cool and confident. We either lusted after them or wished we had them in our corner teaching us all their moves.
Replete with sentimental lyricism heavily influenced by their own personal relationships and lived experiences, the group’s earnest display of introspective songwriting has seen them continue to cultivate a wide audience, performing to packed houses across Melbourne.
Square Dance Caller’s forthcoming EP, ‘Daze In Technicolor’, covers a range of styles and lyrical themes, showcasing the band’s creative versatility. Here, dreamy indie-rock soundscapes and balladesque vocals compliment a fiercer, funkier offering in the form of the first single, ‘Somebody Like You’, a rhythmic and lyrical departure with a sentiment of its very own.
‘Somebody Like You’ is out now. Square Dance Caller will launch the new single on May 19th at The Leadbeater Hotel.
BUY TIX TO THE SINGLE LAUNCH
About ‘Square Dance Caller’
Formed in 2021, Square Dance Caller is the latest project from Melbourne-based multi-instrumentalists, songwriters, and brothers Brendan and Michael Etherington. Completing the band for their latest musical instalment is Mat Hooler on keys (KeyHoo) and James Manning on bass (The Solicitors).
A nod to their late grandfather’s tenure as a real-life Square Dance Caller, the band by the same name, draws inspiration from classic rock outfits such as The Eagles, The Clash and The Beatles, and Aussie comrades British India and Bad Pony.
Square Dance Caller isn’t the first collaborative music project that Brendan and Michael have co-led. Their joint five-year rock band ‘Busy Kingdom’ saw the dynamic duo refine their musicianship, touring the country with homegrown legends The Getaway Plan and Thirsty Merc, to name a few.
Square Dance Caller’s debut 2021 album ‘Celebrity’ received resounding success across indie music blogs, college radio and playlists throughout Europe and America. The band’s forthcoming EP ‘Daze In Technicolor’ will be released in 2022.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SquareDanceCallerMusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squaredancecallerband/
Where are you currently based?
I’m based in the little seaside town of Penguin on the NW Coast of Tasmania. It’s an amazing place with a creative community, a heap of cafes, and a couple of pubs on the main street. Oh, and we have a giant 3 metre tall Penguin, can’t forget that.
How did you first start playing music?
It’s something I’ve always done. I started playing guitar when I was 7 on an old acoustic that was pretty much attached to me. I started writing songs and playing in pubs and bars in my early teens and have just kept doing it since.
What’s been happening recently?
I’ve been working on a few new song ideas and preparing for a couple of shows. I’ve been blown away by the response I’ve received from my last couple of singles “Something In My Eye” and now “Little Space”. I’m lucky to be able to do what I love: make music, and it’s even better when people like it. So, recently, I’ve been working on more songs.
Your latest single ‘Little Space’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
A whole bunch of things. When I’m writing a song, there is a thousand different perspectives going around my head. How does the music build, does the song structure take you somewhere, do the lyrics make sense, do they mean something, does it draw you in. Other times when I’m writing a song, my head is completely empty, and it just happens. “Little Space” is a bit of a different direction for me, but it feels good to be writing in this style. It’s also a different because it’s a song with no chorus – but I still wanted to draw the listener in. I wanted the listener to be surrounded by sound, like they are inside something. There are around 6 guitar parts in there, along with bass, drums, and a heap of backing vocals. You can even hear my daughters singing the “and I will always love you” parts. I like creating simple songs, but I also enjoy layering them up – not to add complexity, but to add depth. Jon Grace did an amazing job with mixing the vocals, which I think helps the listener sink into the track. To me, there are aspects of Radiohead, Billie Eilish, Talking Heads and maybe even The Cure in there, but chuck some headphones on and see what you think. Sink into it.
How did Little Space come about?
This song started out as a little two chord guitar riff and just grew from there. I often start with a rhythm and maybe one simple lyrical idea. I like the way the words “there’s a little space” roll off the tongue, and how it represents a place of safety that hopefully we all can find. Some people are doing it tough, but it’s a nice thought to know that there is a little space somewhere in this crazy world where you belong.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who with?
I have a humble little home studio where I spend a lot of time writing, producing, and recording my music. Everything for “Little Space” was performed and recorded by me in my little studio, and then I sent it to Jon Grace to mix. I’ve worked with Jon on other projects in the past, and he is one of the nicest guys you’ll meet in the industry. Jon has worked with bands like Bakers Eddy, Dear Seattle, Dune Rats and Kingswood, and I really like his creative approach to making music. The track was mastered by Samuel K Sproull who is an accomplished producer and amazing musician in his own right. I’m lucky to be working with such a cool team.
Is there an EP on the way? If so, please tell us more:
After recently releasing “Something In My Eye” and “Little Space”, I’m now taking some time to work on new material – the beginnings of an EP. I guess we’ll see where it takes me.
Will you be touring anytime soon? If so, where and when?
I have a couple shows coming up around Tasmania. I’m playing in Devonport on the 21st of May alongside Without Fail, Adapt, and The True Champions of Breakfast. Then in Launceston on the 9th of July with Slow Down Sonic. I’d love to jump on a plane and tour again (Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, everywhere!), maybe when the EP is done?
Who are you listening to at the moment?
I’ve been listening to a lot of Tassie music lately, bands like Spkezy, Adapt, Broxton and Verticoli have all got some great music out at the moment. Other Aussie acts I’m enjoying are Sly Withers, Alice Skye, Week Neez, and Totally Unicorn.
What do you like to do away from music?
Hanging out with my family and friends, going to see live music, or just zoning out and playing some old-school SNES. A bit of NBA Jam, Street Fighter, or Mario Kart – that’s always a good time.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2022?
I’m hoping to spend some time writing and recording, with a few shows thrown in for good measure!
Favourite food and place to hangout?
There is a place called “Wok and Roll” that do great sushi, but my favourite place at the moment is the “Penguin Beer Co”. They do live music, epic burgers, and a range of locally brewed beers. You should try the “Emperor Penguin” IPA, it’s fantastic.
Official Website | Triple J Unearthed | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube | Twitter
Listen HERE
Hitmakers Alex Hosking and UK Producer, Majestic have joined forces on new collaborative up-beat pop single ‘Need Your Love’.
A pulsating blend of deep, low-slung bass, euphoric piano chords and Alex’s distinctive vocals, ‘Need Your Love’ is a party-starting club banger with serious crossover appeal. A proven talent as a songwriter, Australian Alex Hosking has already made a big impact as co-writer and featured vocalist on PS1 hits ‘Fake Friends’ and ‘Life Goes On’, tracks that have amassed over 90 million combined streams and topped the UK charts. Her huge crossover appeal was underlined by A-lists at BBC Radio 1, Kiss FM and Capital Radio in the UK as well as NOVA, KIIS FM and the Hit Network here in Australia. On the tracks creation she muses:
‘Need Your Love’ was written at the start of the pandemic. I had just been separated from my boyfriend who is from America. The opening line “sometimes I wonder if I had to, could I ever let you go?” – was a reflection of having to say goodbye to my boyfriend overseas and not knowing when I would see him next. Fast forward and I was back in London and the first in person session I had was with Majestic! We hung out, we wrote a song, we ate food and then I showed him Need Your Love and immediately he asked for the song to be sent to him and he started working on the production! A whole year later the song is out, and it is just the best feeling to have a song out that you are truly proud of and that I got to write with good friends in a really vulnerable time.’
The record follows on from ‘Losing My Mind’, Majestic’s collaboration with dance music legend Nightcrawlers, and ‘Rasputin’, his viral reimagining of the Boney M euro-disco classic that has amassed over 200 million global streams, peaked at #11 in the UK Singles charts and made it onto the A-list on BBC Radio 1, Capital FM and iHeart.
Crossing into a multitude of dance music genres, from UK Garage and house to D&B and Dubstep, Majestic has performed with the likes of Sigma, DJ EZ, MJ Cole, Judge Jules, and Laidback Luke. He pioneered an all-new concert-rave hybrid known as LIMITLESS, selling out five shows in London and also taking it to Mallorca’s iconic BCM, Ibiza and Malia. A high-quality remixer, he has previously reworked tracks from Craig David, Preditah, Kaskade and many more. When describing the new record Majestic proclaimed:
‘Need Your Love’ is a dance ballad which gives you the vibes for the club as well as the vibe to scream into your hairbrush whilst getting ready!’
A collaboration between two certified pop talents, it’s little wonder ‘Need Your Love’ sounds so special.
Hey Topic! Pleased to meet you and thanks for making time to sit down with us.
- You’re in Australia touring for two weeks! How has the tour been so far?
A: The tour was great! Australia is definitely one of my favorite countries in the world. I visited Australia in 2017 and instantly fell in love with the country. I was very excited to be back and also play a tour, which was a first for me! It has been a great experience and a huge milestone in my career.
- What was your favorite show?
A: That’s a tough one to pick, especially when I played eight shows but I guess it was the one at Marquee in Sydney. It was my final gig of the tour and also got surprised with a plaque from my label a few minutes before stepping into the DJ booth, so I was a little extra hyped that night!
- How has the Australian crowd been?
A: The Australian crowd is something else! I described it as “mad” on one of my Instagram posts (check it out and you´ll know what I mean by that :D), you guys definitely go crazy and you also like to drink a lot I guess.
- What surprised you most about Australia?
A: I mean, it was not a big surprise but I was traveling to a different city every day and sometimes it was like a four or five hour flight, like from Darwin to Melbourne. Of course, I knew that Australia is big and that not too many people live there in relation… but it’s just so impressive when you fly for so many hours and you don’t see any city or anything and you’re still in the same country – just in a different city. ‘Cause I’m from Europe you know, and when you fly 4 or 5 hours there you´ll fly over six countries and you’re most definitely even out of Europe 😀 That was really impressive to see.
- Are you planning another visit to Australia soon?
A: Yeah, while we were there we talked a little bit with my booking agents that we might do something at the end of this year or maybe in the beginning of 2023. I am definitely up to come Down Under again.
- What are your other plans for 2022 and what are you looking forward to most?
A: 2022 will definitely be the year that I’ll just go and play as many shows and festivals as possible. I just wanna get out there and finally be able to play all the shows that I missed the past two years. There’s so much I am looking forward to, there’s Parookaville coming, Tomorrowland mainstage and so many other great festivals and so many releases that are lined up, so can’t really pick.
- This Friday (22.04.) you’re releasing a new track with Alvaro Solar, can you tell us a bit more about this collaboration?
A: Yeah, on April 22nd I released a track with Alvaro Soler. We have many mutual friends and we were linked up in 2020. He’s a great guy, great songwriter and it was a lot of fun working with him on a track. I am very happy that the song is out now and so far we’ve gotten very good responses about it. I am also very happy that we managed to have a nice symbiosis of like the Spanish world and the dance world.
- Can we expect any more new music from you soon?
A: Yes, very soon!!! There will be an announcement very soon. You might have even heard it in my sets before, but that´s about everything I can say about it right now.
- What artist do you really want to work with and why?
A: –
- Can you tell us a bit more about ‘melancholic dance music’?
A: ‘melancholic dance music’ is a phrase that we came up with, just after “Breaking Me” was release as someone asked me to describe my sound. I always liked melancholic music. And even when I was a kid I was always listened to the more sadder songs but at the same time it made me happy, I don’t know why, it’s just me being weird I guess …haha. But then when I started making music and especially dance music I always loved to put the melancholic touch to it. “Melancholic dance music” – basically songs which bring up various kinds of emotion but at the same time you just can´t stop your body from moving.
- What is your favorite track released by yourself?
A: It’s impossible to pick a favorite track by yourself. I mean, all those tracks have a great personal memory for me and have a story to it. So it is pretty tough to pick one. Everyone is special itself. Which one is your favorite?
- What kind of music do you like to listen to in your free time?
A: I wouldn’t say that I have a favorite genre that I like to listen to. I like a lot of music. I think with Spotify and the possibility that you can listen to every music literally at the tip of your finger it made everyone’s music taste broader, I guess.
- What do you enjoy most when you’re not in the studio or playing at a festival/club?
A: I like to watch and play Basketball myself. I also enjoy to spend time with my friends and family over a good meal!
- You’re a big Formula One fan, who’s your favorite team and driver this season?
A: I am a Formula 1 fan again. I was into it a lot when I was a kid and fell back on love with it last year. I don’t really have a favorite driver, last year I was cheering for Max Verstappen and I was very happy that he won. But this year I am just enjoying watching Formula 1 and may the best one win. I´m impressed by Lando Norris though and I think he might be a world champion at some point.
- What’s on your bucket list for 2022?
A: Playing at Tomorrowland Mainstage was always on top of my bucket list since I became a DJ. I will be able to tick that one off my list later this year, I am so excited!!!
- One last question: If you could have dinner with someone, dead or alive, who would it
be and why?
A: Oof..another tough one! Maybe Avicii. He was so good, made so sick tracks and also had such an impact! He would definitely be on top of my list.
Thanks so much for your time and enjoy the last few shows this weekend!