Tag: Steve Parkin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Steve Parkin’s Gorgeous Film Clip for “Sun Stealer”

Mighty Big Light was one of the first albums I really connected with this year, so I’m thrilled to see Steve Parkin’s released a music video for one of its stand-out tracks, “Sun Stealer.”

It’s a gorgeous looking thing, which is little wonder considering Steve enlisted the help of AFI Award winning filmmaker Nick Matthews for the project. Funnily enough it wasn’t Nick’s resume that impressed Steve, but his work on a film clip for a little Adelaide indie band.

Steve was confident Nick could interpret his vision, and I think he was right. There’s such a gorgeous warmth and color about this video, and a really great story. What a fitting accompaniment to a great song!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Mighty Big Light” – Steve Parkin

I didn’t know a lot about Steve Parkin when he joined Josh Pyke, Kav Temperley, and Kevin Mitchell in Basement Birds. And so when his solo album Mighty Big Light passed my desk, I expected the sort of mellow and introspective acoustic tunes this super group delivered. What I got instead was an album much richer, and much more interesting.

I really liked Basement Birds, but their music was so low key that it almost faded into the background. I was thrilled to see Steve Parkin take things up several notches here. It opens with the pared back “Lost Highway,” but then takes us to much bigger places. The soaring string section makes “California” feel a bit more epic, and “I Won’t Be” has the kind of grandeur I’d expect from 1970s Pink Floyd.

The eclectic tunes can make the disc feel a bit uneven at times, more like a disparate collection of songs than a cohesive unit. But on the flip side, we never get bored! Steve Parkin’s no musical newcomer, and his experience informs what each song needs. Listening to Mighty Big Light feels like a journey; you can’t always predict what’s coming up ahead, but it’s still a great ride.

I instantly liked Mighty Big Light, but I have a feeling I’m going to grow to love this complex disc the more I listen to it. Look for it in stores this April.

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Introducing Basement Birds, Australia’s Latest Supergroup

Basement Birds may be a new name on the music scene, but chances are you know these guys already. This new outfit features four of the most talented songwriters in the country: Kav Temperley (Eskimo Joe), Kevin Mitchell (Bob Evans, Jebediah), Steve Parkin (Autopilot), and Josh Pyke.

We’ll get our first chance to hear what magic this quartet can create in late June. Four three-track bundles will be released via iTunes on a fortnightly basis. Acoustic versions of each track will also be released every alternate fortnight. Fans can also enjoy more exclusive content via the new Basement Birds website.

With four such talented members, something tells me Basement Birds are going to be big!

Image used with permission from Riothouse