Briggs and Troy Cassar-Daley Team Up For Shadows

Briggs’ collaboration with Troy Cassar-Daley, the single “Shadows,” seems unlikely at first. The worlds of hip hop and country rarely mix. But these are two of the country’s proudest Indigenous artists, so when you think about it, it makes complete sense.

The track is a fabulous reworking of Troy’s original song “Shadows on the Hill.” Briggs’ rap and fresh production from Jaytee Hazard breathe new life into the song, ensuring this story of an important part of our country’s history reaches new ears.

“’Shadows On The Hill’ started its song line around a fire on Gumbaynggirr country at our men’s camp,” Troy explained. “There was one powerful moment for all of us when a massacre was mentioned that happened up the river from where we camped with our families for many generations, the wind died down, the air around us was still and not one bird sang. My old uncle stood up and said, ‘Don’t be scared the old people know we are here; they are just letting us know’. The trees on the mountains across the river from us stood long and lonely. I believe the old people gave me this song to acknowledge the pain and to share one of the many brutal stories of this land and more importantly to share the truth. Because song lines never end and make their way through thousands of generations, I shared the song with Briggs so the next generation can hear the story of the ‘Shadows On The Hill’”

Briggs said “’Shadows’ was brought to me by Troy; I was honoured he’d share this part of his story with me. There was so much depth and this haunting truth that is woven through his words. As a kid I’d often remember rumours about what parts of Melbourne were old ‘graveyards,’ Which I guess is a way to explain a massacre site or to reconcile it for young ears. Where the bodies dropped they built a fuckin’ parking lot.”

When you listen to this track, make sure you really listen. Hear the words, hear the story, and properly take it all in. It’s important.

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia

Inventions Do Things Differently

Melbourne band Inventions chose their name because they never want to sit still. It’s the brainchild of frontman Jake Leaney, who spent time auditioning musicians who could help bring his video to life. Together they honed their unique blend of alternative-rock, pop, and punk for 12 months before unleashing their debut EP.

The epic lead single “Shadows” gives you a taste of what this band’s all about. It’s big and gutsy, perhaps even to the point of being melodramatic. But it doesn’t do things by halves, and I like that.

Inventions will celebrate the EP and single releases with a string of shows that kick off tomorrow night in their home town.

2 October 2014 – The Curtin, Melbourne
8 October 2014 – The Rosemount Hotel, Perth
10 October 2014 – Ya-Ya’s, Perth
11 October 2014 – YMCA HQ, Perth
23 October 2014 – The Crown & Anchor, Adelaide
1 November 2014 – The Evelyn Hotel, Melbourne
2 November 2014 – Wrangler Studios, Melbourne (ALL AGES)
6 November 2014 – Rad, Wollongong
8 November 2014 – Valve Bar, Sydney

Lenka Returns Home for Shadows Shows

With her third album Shadows now on record store shelves, Lenka’s preparing to take her new music to the masses with launch shows in the major capitals.

Lenka’s been spending much of her time in New York these days, so these shows are a bit of a home-coming for the former frontwoman of Decoder Ring. See her while she’s in town at the following shows.

24 October 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
25 October 2013 – The Vanguard, Sydney
26 October 2013 – Workers Club, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Remedy PR

Lenka Does Lullabies

You might remember Lenka from the early noughties outfit Decoder Ring, or that irresistibly catchy pop song from 2008, “The Show”. Either way, you’re likely to be surprised by the sweet tunes she’s showcasing on her third solo album Shadows.

This album is sure to answer the prayers of parents across the nation. It’s a collection of lullabies that don’t suck! Penned while Lenka was pregnant with her first child, the disc includes the hand-clapping new single “Heart to the Party.” The film clip with footage of a childhood birthday party sets the scene. Lenka’s bound to find a brand new audience with Shadows, which hits stores on June 7.