Tag: Kasey Chambers

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sunset Sounds Announce Amazing Bill for Hunter Valley and Mornington Shows

With all of New South Wales either under stay-at-home orders or facing other restrictions and Victoria still smarting from countless lockdowns, I think we could all do with something to look forward to. Thank god for the team, from Sunset Sounds who promise to bring great music to outdoor venues in both states this summer.

The line-up is stacked with Kasey Chambers, Pete Murray, Xavier Rudd, Ben Lee, and Josh Pyke all on the bill. Expect laidback vibes and a whole lot of fun, with music scheduled from the afternoon through the evening.

“I’m stoked to join the lineup for Sunset Sounds festival on Wonnarua Country (Hunter Valley) and to share some new music on stage. It’s an exciting time for people, a time to reset, a time for gratitude, a time to remember how lucky we are that we can celebrate life, love, music etc so freely in this magical country that we get to call home. And it’s been a very long time since I’ve been to the Mornington Peninsula and I’m stoked to be traveling there for Sunset Sounds festival. This is gonna be special day on magical Bunurong country, let’s light it up!! Can’t wait!” said Xavier Rudd.

Sunset Sounds hits Roche Estate in the Hunter Valley on November 20 before travelling to Hastings Foreshore Reserve in the Mornington Peninsula on November 28. Tickets for both shows are available now through Ticketek. These will be COVID-safe, over 18s shows. If organisers need to postpone, all ticket holders can transfer their tickets to the new date or claim a full refund.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kasey Chambers Forms The Fireside Disciples for New “Campfire” Album

Kasey Chambers is embracing her roots with her latest album Campfire, recorded with her new band The Fireside Disciplines. The Fireside Disciples are some of Kasey’s favourite musicians: longtime touring mate Brandon Dodd, longtime family friend and Indigenous elder Alan Pigram, and her dad and greatest musical inspiration Bill Chambers.

“I grew up in the remote outback of Australia living a unique lifestyle isolated from civilisation. The campfire was the heart of our existence: for survival, creativity, inspiration,” Kasey explained of the album’s inspiration. “We hunted all our own food and then cooked it on the campfire. My brother and I did all our schooling via correspondence around the campfire. We used the campfire for warmth and light. We gathered around the campfire at night to play songs together as a family. Our connection to music and the land has developed through and around the campfire since I was born, so it has always stayed with me as a special part of my life.”

“The Campfire Song” gives us our first taste of the album. It’s such a beautiful, raw piece of music which makes you feel nostalgic from the get-go.

Campfire drops on April 27. Kasey Chambers and the Fireside Disciples will play shows just about everywhere to support its release.

23 May 2018 – Casino RSM, Casino
24 May 2018 – Coffs Ex-Services Club, Coffs Harbour
25 May 2018 – Club Forster, Forster
26 May 2018 – Laurieton United Services Club, Laurieton
31 May 2018 – Griffith Regional Theatre, Griffith
1 June 2018 – Civic Theatre, Wagga Wagga
2 June 2018 – Swan PACC, Swan Hill
3 June 2018 – Mildura MAC, Mildura
14 June 2018 – Mingara Recreation Club, Tumbi Umbi
15 June 2018 – The Cube, Campbelltown
16 June 2018 – Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill
17 June 2018 – Ulladulla Services Club, Ulladulla
21 June 2018 – Seymour Centre, Sydney
22 June 2018 – Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul
23 June 2018 – Panthers, Bathurst
24 June 2018 – Canberra Playhouse Theatre, Canberra
28 June 2018 – The Event Centre, Caloundra
29 June 2018 – Twin Towns, Tweed Heads
1 July 2018 – Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane
5 July 2018 – The Desert Cave, Coober Pedy
7 July 2018 – Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs
11 July 2018 – Frankston Arts Centre, Frankston
12 July 2018 – Burrinja Theatre, Upwey
13 July 2018 – The Palms at Crown, Melbourne
14 July 2018 – The Playhouse GPAC, Geelong
19 July 2018 – Albury Theatre, Albury
21 July 2018 – Dubbo RSL, Dubbo
2 August 2018 – Northern Festival Theatre, Port Pirie
3 August 2018 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
4 August 2018 – Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, Mt Gambier
5 August 2018 – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool
9 August 2018 – Tanks, Cairns
15 August 2018 – West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warrigal
17 August 2018 – Regent Theatre, Yearram
18 August 2018 – Wonthaggi Arts Centre, Wonthaggi

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kasey Chambers Tops ARIA Charts

I’m thrilled to see Kasey Chambers’ excellent new album Dragonfly sitting at the top of the ARIA charts this week. Dragonfly is the first Aussie album to score the coveted number one possie and Kasey’s fifth number one album, after Barricades & Brickwalls (#1 in February ’02), Wayward Angel (#1 June ’04), Carnival (#1 June ’04) and her collaboration with Shane Nicholson, Rattlin’ Bones (#1 April ’08).

The influence of the Tamworth Country Music Festival has no doubt influenced this week’s charts, with Kasey keeping company in the top 10 with some other notable Aussie country acts. The McClymonts are at number six with Endless, while the perennially popular Ripcord by Keith Urban is at number 10.

Our dance acts are dominating over on the singles charts. “Chameleon” by Pnau sits at number 7 while Starley rounds out the top 10 with “Call On Me – Ryan Riback Remix.”

Top 10 Albums
1. Dragonfly – Kasey Chambers
2. Trolls – Soundtrack
3. Sing – Soundtrack
4. Moana – Soundtrack
5. 25 – Adele
6. Endless – The McClymonts
7. I See You – The XX
8. La La Land – Soundtrack
9. Blue and Lonesome – The Rolling Stones
10. Ripcord – Keith Urban

Top 10 Singles
1. “Shape of You” – Ed Sheeran
2. “Castle on the Hill” – Ed Sheeran
3. “Rockabye” – Clean Bandit feat. Sean Paul and Anne-Marie
4. “Paris” – The Chainsmokers
5. “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” – Zayn and Taylor Swift
6. “Fresh Eyes” – Andy Grammer
7. “Chameleon” – Pnau
8. “I Feel It Coming” – The Weeknd feat. Daft Punk
9. “Starboy” – The Weeknd feat. Daft Punk
10. “Call On Me – Ryan Riback Remix” – Starley

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Dragonfly” – Kasey Chambers

Kasey Chambers is something of a quiet achiever in the Australian music industry. She pops onto the radar every now and then with big singles like “The Captain,” “Not Pretty Enough,” and “Barricades and Brickwalls,” but there’s not a lot of fanfare when she releases albums. However, when they’re full of quality songs like her 11th studio album Dragonfly, there really ought to be.

You might assume that at number 11 Kasey might be running out of steam. Yet Dragonfly shows she’s still a singer-songwriter with plenty to say. There are 19 different tracks on the album in all (“Ain’t No Little Girl” is given two separate treatments). I’ve felt shorter albums than this drag, but the songs are all of such quality I can’t imagine what she could have left out. The album was recorded in two separate sessions – the Sing Sing Sessions were conducted under the guidance of Paul Kelly while the Foggy Mountain Sessions sees Kasey’s brother Nash at the helm. Despite the two different locations and producers, the album comes together beautifully as a cohesive whole.

“Pompeii” is the perfect introduction to this album, a banjo-driven number with a traditional country sound and sublime harmonies from Kasey and her backing band. It sets the scene for an album that has a classic sound deeply rooted in the country music upon which Kasey was raised. I love the gospel-tinged fun of “Golden Rails” and the old Southern blues feel of “Shackle & Chain.”

However, I feel Kasey is at her best when she’s baring her soul. “Ain’t No Little Girl” is powerful stuff which hit this female writer hard. The title track is another master stroke, with intimate lyrics which are so moving.

She’s just as compelling whether she’s telling the story of someone else, like in the exquisite “Behind the Eyes of Henri Young” or the haunting “Annabelle,” or her own story with great humour and a country twang in “Talkin’ Baby Blues.”

Dragonfly features collaborations with a first-class collection of musicians. While she shines in solo mode, duets like “Romeo & Juliet” with Fance Voy and “If We Had a Child” with Keith Urban are some of the album’s highlights. Other tracks like “Jonestown” and “Satellite” aren’t listed as duets, but the strong presence of other voices that complement Kasey’s so beautifully make them feel as if they are.

Dragonfly is released today. Kasey will celebrate its release with a string of shows around the country.

26 January 2017 – West Tamworth Leagues Club, West Tamworth (with Bernard Fanning)
9 February 2017 – Botanic Park, Adelaide (with James Taylor and Bernard Fanning)
10 February 2017 – Taronga Zoo, Mosman (with Thelma Plum)
11 February 2017 – Sirromet Wines, Mt Cotton (with James Taylor and Bernard Fanning)
12 February 2017 – Hope Estate Winery, Pokolbin (with James Taylor and Bernard Fanning)
14 February 2017 – Orange Ex Services Club, Orange (with Bernard Fanning)
15 February 2017 – Albury Entertainment Centre, Albury (with Bernard Fanning)
17 February 2017 – Eastbank Centre, Shepparton (with Bernard Fanning)
18 February 2017 – Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo (with Bernard Fanning)
19 February 2017 – Lakeside Wendouree, Ballarat (with Bernard Fanning)
21 February 2017 – Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra (with Bernard Fanning)
22 February 2017 – Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul (with Bernard Fanning)
24 February 2017 – Empire Theatre, Toowoomba (with Bernard Fanning)
25 February 2017 – Saraton Theatre, Grafton (with Bernard Fanning)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kasey Chambers Does Things Differently with Bittersweet

Kasey Chambers is doing things a little differently on her tenth album. Bittersweet is her first solo record in four years, and the first she’ll create without her long-time producer and manager, brother Nash Chambers, at the helm. Instead she worked with Nick DiDia, the man behind Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, and Powderfinger albums, at Studio 301 in Byron Bay.

“I wanted to have an experience making a record that I had never had before. I wanted to challenge myself and I wanted to be excited,” she explained.

If the first single “Wheelbarrow” is any indication, the gamble’s paid off. It’s so raw and ballsy. However, an album with the talent Kasey’s assembled couldn’t possibly sound bar. Her studio band features Powderfinger’s Bernard Fanning on acoustic guitar, Ashleigh Dallas on banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and backing vocals, and Dan Kelly on electric and acoustic guitars and backing vocals, to name just a few.

Bittersweet will hit stores on August 29. Kasey will play the following shows to celebrate its release.

30 August 2014 – Gympie Music Muster, Gympie
2 September 2014 – Lefties Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane
3 September 2014 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
4 September 2014 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kasey Chambers Wins International Songwriting Competition

Way to go Kasey Chambers! Her song “Beautiful Mess” has taken out the top prize in the International Songwriting Competition.

The song speaks of the “beautiful mess” of parenting, and was inspired by her two boys Talon and Arlo. Kasey beat out around 15, 000 songwriters from 115 countries, and impressed an all-star judging panel which featured Peter Gabriel, Ben Harper, and Tom Waits to take out the grand prize.

“I honestly can’t believe it,” Kasey told The Daily Telegraph. “When I entered the competition, I didn’t think I even had a chance being up against songwriters from all over the world but I thought it’d be a fun to enter anyway. Winning with the song ‘Beautiful Mess’ makes it even more special as it’s a song I wrote for my two boys, Talon and Arlo. Guess I’d better buy them an ice-cream!”

Here’s the video for the song so you can see just what wowed the judges!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kasey Chambers Does Children's Album, and Book!

Being a mum of two seems to have rubbed off on Kasey Chambers. Her next project is an album of children’s songs with her dad Bill Chambers.

The pair will record under the cute moniker of Kasey Chambers, Poppa Bill and the Little Hillbillies. Kasey’s hubby Shane Nicholson and brother Nash Chambers will also appear on the disc.

The CD marks the songwriting debut of Kasey’s son Talon, who has penned the track “Two Houses” at the tender age of seven.

Kasey will also release her first children’s book, called Little Kasey and the Lost Music to coincide with the CD. It will feature a bonus CD of the track “The Lost Music Blues,” and an audio reading of the book so little ones can follow along.

“Writing this book has been a dream of mine since my first son was born 7 years ago. The idea of the story and characters started back then and have grown a little each passing year,” Kasey said in a statement.

“The main character (Little Kasey) is based on myself when I was 8 years old growing up in the outback of Australia. My two best friends in the story are ‘Froggles’, based on and named by my seven-year old son Talon, and ‘Worm’ who is based on my real life best friend, roadie and lighting technician, “Worm”. His wife, (in real life of course!) Bernadette, is also one of my closest friends and a great teacher. She helped me write and bring this idea to life. Having this book finally illustrated and published is a dream come true and one of the proudest moments of my life.”

Both the book and CD will be released on October 30 through Liberation.

Image source: Mandy Hall @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson Big Winners in Tamworth

Husband and wife team Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson confirmed they are the golden couple of country music, bagging five awards at last nights Golden Guitars in Tamworth.

The couple told The Sunday Telegraph the success was unexpected as they didn’t even expect their album Rattlin’ Bones to be released!

“When we started, it was more about testing this relationship and seeing if we could be creative together,” Kasey explained. “It was just a challenge that we’ve fulfilled which makes this really nice.”

“We had no plan for this record at all other than writing it and recording it and be happy with it,” Shane added. “Without even talking about it, we thought it would be released and fly under the radar and move on and do something else.”

Adam Brand was named male artist of the year, while international success Catherine Britt was named best female artist.

Here’s the full list of the winners!

APRA Song of the Year
“Rattlin’ Bones” – written and recorded by Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson

Vocal Collaboration of the Year
“Still Here” – Melinda Schneider & Paul Kelly

Bush Ballad of the Year
“Australia Is Another Word For Free” – written by John Williamson, recorded by John Williamson, Warren H Williams and Amos Morris

Video Clip of the Year
“Rattlin’ Bones” – Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson, directed by Helen Clemens

Single of the Year
“Rattlin’ Bones” – Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson

Fender Instrumental of the Year
“Left Hand Drive” – Davidson Brothers

Group or Duo of the Year
“Finally Over Blue” – The McClymonts

Heritage Song of the Year
“Too Dark For The Light Horse” – written by Darren Coggan & Ken McBeath, recorded by Darren Coggan

Top Selling Album of the Year
Rattlin’ Bones – Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson

Gibson New Talent of the Year
“The Reckless Side Of Me” – Talia Wittmann

Female Artist of the Year
“What I Did Last Night” – Catherine Britt

Male Artist of the Year
“Get On Down The Road” – Adam Brand

Album of the Year
Rattlin’ Bones – Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson, produced by Nash Chambers & Shane Nicholson

CMC Oz Artist of the Year
Adam Brand

Image source: Mandy Hall @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kasey Chambers Takes a Year Off From Tamworth

Kasey Chambers may not be performing at the Tamworth Country Music Festival this year, but don’t think that means she’ll stay away! The Aussie country star says she’ll enjoy the opportunity to spend time on the other side of the stage.

“We will be going for the whole time, but I actually wanted to have a year off from performing,” she told The Sunday Telegraph. “I want to go out and be a punter this year and see as many gigs as I can.”

That said, don’t be surprised if you see her jump up on stage anyway!

“I can’t help myself, even if they don’t want me to, I usually get up anyway,” she joked.

Somehow I can’t imagine anyone wanting to kick Kasey off the stage!

Image source: -Fuze- @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kasey and Shane Announce Local Tour

Husband and wife duo Shane Nicholson and Kasey Chambers have a red hot hit on their hands with the album Rattlin’ Bones. Now they’re taking it on the road with some very special theatre shows.

The concerts will include songs from their album, as well as hits from Kasey’s impressive back catalogue. Fans are in for a real treat with a special acoustic bracket planned for these intimate shows.

Tickets go on sale on June 10 from the usual outlets. Here are the dates!

13 August 2008 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
14 August 2008 – Hamer Hall, Melbourne
15 August 2008 – Royal Theatre, Canberra
16 August 2008 – State Theatre, Sydney
17 August 2008 – Concert Hall @ QPAC, Brisbane

Image source: Mandy Hall @ Wikimedia Commons