Play On presents: Three Conversations Does Classical Differently in Naarm/Melbourne Next Week

If you’re around Naarm/Melbourne and looking for a concert with a difference, I suggest checking out Three Conversations next week. Presented by local classical music up-start Play On, who has taken their shows worldwide, this event sees violinist Kyla Matsuura-Miller delivering new commissions by modern Australian composers Sia Ahmad, Aaron Wyatt, and Kitty Xiao. Kyla handpicked these composers of colour to write music for her after she won the Freedman Fellowship, because when she was growing up she rarely came across music by composers who looked like her.

As with all Play On events, Three Conversations looks to reimagine and reinvigorate the classical music experience. All pieces performed integrate classical and electronic elements. The music will also be paired with long-form filmed interviews featuring the artist and composers showcased which explore the themes and memories associated with the music performed.

“Each story is deeply unique – from Sia’s reflection of growing up in a South Asian household and discovering her trans identity to Kitty’s relationship to the languages she spoke and experienced through her family and the wider community,” Kyla explained.

Play On presents: Three Conversations will hit Abbotsford Convent on October 27. Tickets start from $10 plus booking fee from Humanitix.

Image used with permission from Hunger Digital; credit: Suzie Blake

Cigány Weaver Impress With “Horatio Hornblower”

I don’t cover a lot of instrumental music on my blog. I don’t have anything against it, but as a writer I often find music without words a little hard to latch on to. But every now and then, there’s an instrumental piece that manages to cut through for me. One of those special singles is “Horatio Hornblower,” the latest release from Meeanjin/Brisbane band Cigány Weaver.

I love the way this piece effortlessly combines so many genres. There are classical elements, the energy of folk, the spontaneity of jazz. It seems timeless, yet it’s also really fresh. This is the first track the band’s released since a personnel shakeup, so it’s an exciting sign of what’s to come with this new lineup.

“Horatio Hornblower” is the first of several singles Cigány Weaver will drop before releasing their sophomore album early next year. They’ll play the following local shows before embarking on a national tour in 2024.

27 October 2023 – Brisbane International Jazz Festival @ Thomas Dixon Centre, Meeanjin/Brisbane
10 November 2023 – Maleny Music Festival @ Maleny Showgrounds, Nalbo and Dallambara Country/Maleny

Image credit: Jazmyn Produces

Somber Hills & Between You & Me Team Up on “Sometimes (My Brain Doesn’t Work)”

Between You & Me are dropping some of the best collaborations around right now. Fresh from teaming up with BESTIES on “two wrongs,” they’ve just dropped a new track with Somber Hills called “Sometimes (My Brain Doesn’t Work).” It’s got a great vibe, but make sure you tap in to the lyrics which explore the challenges Somber Hills faces living with ADHD.

“I’m a dopamine missing thrill seeking degen that has learned to live with a brain that’s always searching for stimulus. This song is accepting who you are and all you’ve done with a note to self, ‘I will continue to grow,’” Somber Hills explained. “It hurts to accept the truth about yourself, it hurts to accept that things could’ve been different but you can’t start your next step until you accept those things. That’s what happened while this track was in the making.”

This is just the first of a bunch of new singles Somber Hills plans to release in the coming months as part of a potential larger body of work. I hear he’s also planning plenty of shows to support all this new music, so make sure you’re following him on the socials for all the news of those gigs as soon as they’re announced.

Image used with permission from Capital Artist Group

Silky Roads Delivers Funky New Single, “Out of Mind”

If Monday’s got you into a funk, press play on Silky Roads’ new single “Out of Mind.” With its feelgood groove and silky vocals, I know it’ll put a smile on your face. It’s got more of a disco vibe than other Silky Road singles, but I personally love the change of direction. It’s so much fun.

You can bet a Silky Roads show is going to be a good time. If you need more of that in your life (and who doesn’t), head to The Shark Bar in Guringai Country/Manly on October 28. Silky Roads will play the Yours & Owls Manly Halloween Party alongside Marvell, Apricot Ink, and Scatter Light.

Image used with permission from Silky Roads

“Horror Movie” – Gia Darcy

Hailing from Darkinjung Country/Central Coast and now based in Eora/Sydney, Gia Darcy is a breath of fresh air on the indie pop landscape. With the release of her EP Horror Movie, she delivers five tracks that showcase her excellent songwriting and angelic voice.

The quality of Gia’s songwriting was what really drew me in. The title track is such a witty commentary on her horror relationships that unfold so predictably that outsiders can clearly see the dangers she’s oblivious to. “Do I Know” is a sweet country pop song in the vein of early Taylor Swift and local artists like Chelsea Berman and Amber Lawrence. Gia shows her sensitive side with “Say It.” This poignant track is really the heart of the EP, a song that shows a vulnerability that’s so compelling. She might have been entangled in relationships with a few horror movie villains, but by the end of the EP it’s clear that Gia is no victim. “Save Your Breath” and “Toxic” are modern girl power anthems. They leave us with such a strong impression of this artist and her power.

With the release of Horror Movie, Gia Darcy shows she’s a pop chameleon with a real knack for storytelling. Her lyrics are clever yet honest, always from the heart even when her tongue is planted firmly in her cheek. Take a listen and if you’re in Eora/Sydney, make sure you get out and support her when she launches the Horror Movie EP at Oxford Art Factory on November 3.

Images used with permission from Gia Darcy

COTERIE Covers “Slice of Heaven” with Sir Dave Dobbyn

“Slice of Heaven” is one of the great all-time bangers. I remember falling in love with this song as a kid, and it’s lost none of its appeal for me. So I’m thrilled to hear that New Zealand born, Aussie based band COTERIE have brought the song back. They’ve stuck true to the original, even enlisting the help of original singer Sir Dave Dobbyn. However, the instrumentation is a bit fresher for the current generation. Way to bring the nostalgia guys!

COTERIE have just wrapped up a string of dates with the Cat Empire, but they’re not quite ready to slow down. They’ve got a few festival appearances this year before Bluesfest in 2024.

2 December 2023 – Dave Ferrit Festival @ Crooked River Wines, Tharawal Country/Gerringong
10 December 2023 – Let the Good Times Roll @ Memorial Park, Darkinjung Country/The Entrance
28 March-1 April 2024 – Bluesfest @ Byron Events Farm, Cavanbah/Byron Bay

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Sweet Talk Drop Vintage Banger, “Warm Love”

The Teskey Brothers pipped them for the title at the recent 2023 National Live Music Awards, but Sweet Talk might just be the best blues and roots act that you haven’t heard of. Their latest single “Warm Love” shows why they weren’t just making up the numbers in that coveted category. It’s got so much swag. This is the kind of music people just aren’t making enough of any more.

“It’s got a little more rock n roll steez about it,” admitted Sweet Talk’s frontman Tane Walker, of the band’s adventurous new sound. “We took what we normally do, then dirtied up the tones and tuned our instruments down half a step,” added bass player James Harding.

“Warm Love is a belter to play live!” added guitarist Soren Walker. “That’s the litmus test we need to vet songs for the studio, if the punters come alive, then it deserves a shot on record and this immediately ticked that box.”

You can see how good this song is live at one of Sweet Talk’s upcoming shows:

27 October 2023 – Bridge Hotel, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Castlemaine
28 October 2023 – The Eastern Hotel, Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Ballarat
29 October 2023 – The Barwon Club, Djilang/South Geelong
3 November 2023 – Music on the Hill, Bunurong Country/Main Ridge
4 November 2023 – Archies Creek Hotel, Gunai Country/Archies Creek
10–12 November 2023 – Blues at Bridgetown, Nyungar Country/Bridgetown

Sophian Celebrates the Now With “Beautiful Day”

Boorloo/Perth-based indie-rock act Sophian have impressed me again with their uplifting new single “Beautiful Day.” Coming hot on the heels of other stellar 2023 releases “Moments” and “Georgia,” these guys are having such a great year.

“My wife and I were having a conversation one day around feeling the pressures of society to have life all figured out by a certain age. I saw what it meant it to her and I just wanted to let her know that it’s okay to not have it all figured out yet, life is still beautiful and its okay for us to just enjoy that moment. This song is about feeling free and enjoying life around you for just the way it is,” recalled the band’s frontman Sophian Manik.

Sophian will launch “Beautiful Day” for hometown fans at The Indian Ocean Hotel on October 20. After they sold out hometown shows at Old Habits Bar and The Bird earlier this year, I suggest getting tickets now to avoid missing out!

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Brighten Your Day With “NEON CLOUDS”

The future looks bright with talented up-and-coming artists like ALEKS MATIC and AMOS KIM making music together. Both students at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, they’ve just collaborated on a fantastic new EDM track called “NEON CLOUDS.” This is an absolute bop. I know I’m going to have it in my head for the next few weeks, and that’s just fine by me. If you’re not singing along by the end, I’m a poor judge.

“NEON CLOUDS” is the first single lifted from a concept EDM EP that ALEKS MATIC and AMOS KIM are working on together. If the rest of the material is this good, I can’t wait to hear it.

Tig Releases Powerful First Single, “Too Late Heartbreak”

Tig has made a really positive first impression on me with her debut single “Too Late Heartbreak.” It’s so beautiful and understated. By keeping the music simple, we can really hone in on those poignant lyrics and Tig’s sweet voice.

“This song is about catastrophising. Building walls. Trying not to get hurt. Confusing isolation with independence. Lying to yourself. And realising some feelings just have to be felt,” Tig explained. Oh yeah, that all hits.

The song comes with a gorgeous music video created by Tig’s high school pal Jasper Dorman.

“The idea started with these tiny felt hearts that my mum makes, you keep them in your pocket when you need a bit of love,” Tig added. “As the crux of the song is about keeping your heart intact, I asked myself ‘how would I protect one of these pocket hearts if it was prone to breaking?’ And so the lego house was born, followed by the Heartbreak Prevention Plan.”

“Too Late Heartbreak” is the first song lifted from Tig’s debut EP Inside Voices, to be released on 1 February, 2024. Tig has a couple of shows coming up at The Gasometer Hotel, a venue she sold out just a few months ago before releasing any material. If you want to be there, I recommend securing your tickets really soon.

18 October 2023 – The Gasometer Hotel (Upstairs), Naarm/Collingwood (supporting Izzy Summers)
26 October 2023 – The Gasometer Hotel (Upstairs), Naarm/Collingwood (supporting Nanas Pie)

Image credit: Kinga Howard