Jacob Butler is swanning around Europe at the moment, but fans back home don’t need to miss him too much. Some videos of his recent appearances how found their way to YouTube!
This video shows Jacob bringing some music to the streets of Cologne, Germany with a great performance of “Come My Way.”
And if you just can’t get enough of the single, you can see him performing it again on Polish television!
Ever since I heard the latest Australian Tourism commercial, I was determined to track down the man behind the song “It’s Like Love.” My Google skills failed me, but I recently learned it’s the debut single from Hobart-based singer-songwriter and sometimes Aboriginal health worker Dewayne Everettsmith.
Dewayne isn’t just a talented musician; he’s also a passionate ambassador for the Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal. So it’s only fitting that Dewayne was recently presented with a custom-made Maton Guitar, dubbed The Australian Devil, to celebrate the single’s release.
Songs used in commercials have a bit of a stigma, but this track is so good that hopefully it can be appreciated on its own merits. It gets a digital release this week, and Dewayne has hit the publicity track running with photo shoots and television appearances.
“The connection people are making with ‘It’s Like Love’ is so exciting for me as a songwriter and the ability to now tour my new songs and meet a whole new group of fans who are appreciating what I do is really a privilege,” he said in a statement.
“It’s Like Love” comes from Dewayne’s debut album, which should hit stores early next year.
The epic track “Ocean” has long been a highlight of any John Butler set. The acclaimed Aussie singer-songwriter has actually been performing the epic guitar instrumental since 1998 when he’d busk at Fremantle markets to earn a living. John Butler is giving back to all the fans he’s made since those early days by releasing the first studio recording of “Ocean” in 12 years as a free download.
“’Ocean’ is a very interesting aspect of my life. It is part of my DNA. It conveys all things I can’t put into words. Life, loss, love, spirit. As I evolve so too does ‘Ocean’,” John explained. “I’d like to thank you for your continued support over all these years; it means so much to me. I would like to thank you by offering this first studio recording of “Ocean” in over a decade as a free download.”
The track was captured at John Butler’s own studio, dubbed The Compound in February. You can grab the MP3 that accompanies this YouTube video by visiting the John Butler Trio website.
Kids WB isn’t usually the place I head for live musical performances, but with most networks scrapping their variety shows I suppose we have to take them where we can! Perhaps I should start watching the kiddies’ cartoon show more often, because in amongst the animation they featured Jacob Butler playing an acoustic rendition of his current single “Come My Way.”
I’m such a fan of this song, and in acoustic mode it’s even better. The song’s also going great guns at the moment, with airplay on two of Germany’s biggest radio stations. Now if only we could get some local stations on board! This is one of those tracks that deserves to be heard!
Acclaimed Canadian-born cellist Zoe Keating is touring Australia this month and the next to support the local releases of her two albums, One Cello x 16: Natoma and Into the Trees.
Instrumentalists sometimes get a bad rap for being stuffy musicians stuck in the classical genre. Zoe’s far from that image though. She performs with both cello and laptop to create mindblowing loops. She’s also switched on to social networking and completely independent with a grassroots approach to the industry. No doubt amassing more than 1.3 million Twitter followers helped her move more than 45, 000 copies of those self-released discs. And she’s also worked with plenty of the cool kids including Amanda Palmer, Paolo Nutini, Imogen Heap, and Tears for Fears.
Zoe Keating will bring her cello, her laptop, and her unique approach to music making to the following shows.
30 May 2012 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
1 June 2012 – Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba
2 June 2012 – Notes, Sydney
8 & 9 June 2012 – Adelaide Cabaret Festival
If you missed John Butler stripped back and acoustic at his recent Tin Shed Tales shows, or you simply want to relive the magic, you’re in luck. A double CD of songs from these rare solo shows hits music stores today.
The discs don’t simply capture John Butler’s musical prowess but also his relaxed on stage demeanour. Listening to the discs you feel like you’re witnessing someone simply having a jam session with a bunch of mates. The songs are interspersed with personal anecdotes which make the tunes even richer. Those numbers touch on his entire back catalogue. Listeners will enjoy new songs, reworked versions of old songs, and of course plenty of favourites.
The Tin Shed Tales recording is available digitally from iTunes, but with a sexy digipack hitting stores I reckon it’s much smarter to enjoy the hard copy. It’s sure to become a collector’s item!
Gossling’s new EP Intentional Living doesn’t drop until April 20, but she’s giving fans a sneak peek through her YouTube page. Every week she’ll record one of the disc’s tracks at Melbourne’s Bake House Studios before unleashing it on the public.
“We wanted to create something special for the release of Intentional Living,” Gossling explained. “So we decided to create our own space at Bake House Studios where we could film each track from the new EP live, giving fans a taste of what they can expect from not only the new release but also from the Intentional Living tour which will start days after the EP is released.”
The quirky space, seen in this live version of “Wild Love” was decorated with the help of Melbourne yarn bombers Yarn Corner. The project sounds like a great way to get more bums on seats as Gossling travels around this wide brown land, although with “Boys Like You” still enjoying chart success I can’t imagine that will be a concern.
If this live video’s got you in the Gossling mood make sure you check her out supporting 360, Josh Pyke, or fronting her own shows in the coming months.
26 April 2012 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
27 April 2012 – Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba
28 April 2012 – The Basement, Sydney
29 April 2012 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
2 May 2012 – Little Creatures Loft, Fremantle
3 May 2012 – The Bird, Northbridge
4 May 2012 – Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide
5 May 2012 – Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury
11 May 2012 – The Forum Melbourne, Melbourne
12 May 2012 – Elder Hall @ University of Adelaide, Adelaide (supporting Josh Pyke – 18+)
18 May 2012 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (supporting Josh Pyke – 18+)
19 May 2012 – The York Theatre @ Seymour Centre, Sydney (supporting Josh Pyke – All Ages)
8 June 2012 – Waves, Wollongong (supporting 360 – 18+)
9 June 2012 – Come Together Festival, Sydney (supporting 360 – All Ages)
10 June 2012 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane (supporting 360 – 18+)
11 June 2012 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane (supporting 360 – Under 18s @ midday)
15 June 2012 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne (supporting 360 – 18+)
16 June 2012 – Pier Live, Frankston (supporting 360 – Under 18s @ 1 pm)
16 June 2012 – Pier Live, Frankston (supporting 360 – 18+)
17 June 2012 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne (supporting 360 – Under 18s @ midday)
20 June 2012 – The Gov, Adelaide (supporting 360 – All Ages)
22 June 2012 – Villa, Perth (supporting 360 – 18+)
23 June 2012 – Astor Theatre, Perth (supporting 360 – Under 18s @ 1 pm)
I haven’t been the greatest fan of Neil Finn’s latest venture Pajama Club. However I always find myself coming back to the band’s music, trying to find the genius that I know has to be in there. This is the guy who gave us Crowded House and Split Enz after all!
I wouldn’t say I’m hearing genius in their latest single “TNT for Two,” but there are certainly glimpses of it. The song may be their most accessible yet, especially stripped back as it is in this live recording at Round Head Studios.
Can you dig it?
Boy & Bear and Gotye were the big winners at last night’s ARIA Awards ceremony. Boy & Bear took home five awards for their stunning debut Moonfire, including best album and best group. Gotye scooped four, including male artist of the year and best single for “Somebody That I Used to Know.”
That’s all the stuff you’ll read in all the other media outlets, so I thought I’d much rather talk about the way I saw this year’s awards. Honestly, it was pretty bloody good. Admittedly anything would look like a world class production compared to last year’s shambles, but I was impressed by the way things went off.
I’ve heard criticisms that some of the jokes fell flat, and some of the irreverent spirit of Aussie music was missing. Maybe. But most important for me was that the ceremony had real heart. I found myself genuinely moved at several moments: when Billy Thorpe’s wife and daughters accepted his posthumous ARIA for Tangier, when former Wiggle Greg Page stood with his fellow skivvy wearers as they were inducted into the Hall of Fame, when Delta Goodrem sang “The Day You Went Away” against the backdrop of the images of people the industry has lost, and when Missy Higgins joined Gurrumul for a gorgeous duet. I have no clue what they were singing about but it was the most touching musical number of the night.
For those moments I loved these ARIAs. They reminded us that the night should be about recognising and celebrating the amazing music we make as a country. We punch well above our weight, and we deserve a night that acknowledges that, without bringing in too many international guests or getting too fancy with the staging.
Last night wasn’t perfect, but it was certainly a step in the right direction. I’m not sure how much Go had to do with the broadcast, but I take my hat off to them for whatever part they played. Even if it was just ensuring these awards stay on free to air, it was important. And how refreshing to see the channel being the youth station it originally set out to be and offering something new rather than the countless Big Bang and Two and a Half Men reruns.
Boy & Bear and Gotye may have taken home the lion’s share of the pointy things, but as clichéd as it sounds, Australian music was the big winner last night. Click below for the other winners!
We’re at the pointy end of The X Factor competition, with just three acts remaining. Andrew Wishart, Reece Mastin, and Johnny Ruffo had another chance to win us over tonight with some solo numbers and a duet with one of the visiting stars.
Andrew kicked things off with his audition song, Adele’s “Someone Like You.” It was fitting to see him perform it live again after all this time. It didn’t so much showcase growth but just how solid he’s always been. He is what he is, and I love that.
In contrast Johnny showed us just how far he’s come with Jay Sean’s “Do You Remember.” He was singing well and dancing well; I couldn’t fault him technically. However I also feel like I’ve seen it all before. He’s improved immensely, but I still don’t see X factor. And let’s remember that, rather than growth, is really what it’s all about.
Reece also showed us he’s developed that extra special something since first treating us to Rooster’s “Come Get Some.” There seems to be a bit more swagger to him, some extra confidence and self belief. He was good in the auditions, but tonight he was great.
Pairing The Fray with Andrew seemed like a natural fit, but I don’t think their version of “You Found Me” did him any favours. It felt too low throughout, and consequently he never got to show us his sweet spot. The arrangement was a real injustice here. Hopefully his fans don’t care; I’d hate to see him go on the back of this.
I’m not even going to bother re-reviewing Johnny’s performance of “Sir Duke.” It was good the first time and it was good again. Certainly this was his best, but did we really need to see it again with all the same staging and choreography?
Ditto Reece’s performance of Aerosmith’s “Dream On” and Andrew’s retake on “Dakota.”
Johnny Ruffo was outclassed in performing a medley of some Salt N Pepa hits. He held his own with the dancing but his rapping skills were very under par. This was fun though just for the trip down memory lane. Those ladies have lost nothing over the years.
Then Reece treated us to his potential single “Good Night.” Perhaps treated is a bit generous, because I found it to be pretty middle of the road pop. The verses felt like virtual carbon copies of Pink’s “Raise Your Glass.” All in it didn’t feel like Reece, which is really disappointing when the singles are supposed to be tailored to the artists.
I don’t remember the name of Andrew’s potential single if it was mentioned, but I wasn’t thrilled by it. He sang it beautifully but the song itself seemed a bit mediocre and aimless. I didn’t actively dislike it, but I’d probably switch over the radio after hearing it a few times. Seriously, where are they getting these songs?
I don’t know what Johnny’s single is called either, but the Eurovision nut in me lapped it up. It’s super cheesy, but also lots of fun. For the first time this year I seriously considered the merits of Johnny winning this thing. I expect to see Belarus covering this in Azerbaijan next year.
The duets hadn’t impressed me until Reece and Kylie Minogue took to the stage for “Kids.” His vocals were a bit rough in places but they really seemed to gel and that mattered more than the notes. What a way to end the show.
Really what happened tonight didn’t change my views one way or another. I’m firmly on Team Andrew. Who’s your pick?