The late Ritchie Yorke grew up in Brisbane but it was rock n roll that lured him overseas where he spent the next 20 years of his life writing about it for a number of esteemed publications. During that time he befriended many high profile artists from Van Morrison to Led Zeppelin, but it was his friendship with John Lennon that would profoundly impact on his life. Lennon’s … [Read more...]
Kardajala Kirridarra
The name means “Sand Hill Women” and refers to a mysterious bush woman from the sand hills of the Northern Territory desert. The music they create is a combination of traditional indigenous sounds and the latest technology as MC Kayla chimes in with her spoken word to give their sound a contemporary hip hop flavour. The end result is stunning. Sound Distractions caught up with … [Read more...]
Moreland & Arbuckle
Gritty Blues and Roots Rock from the Heartland. Moreland & Arbuckle have been playing the blues and paying their dues for well over a decade. And while they may never become household names, a new deal with one of America’s pedigree blues labels and a swag of impressive reviews for their latest album Promised Land Or Bust could easily win them a legion of appreciative new … [Read more...]
Forget what you know about the blues, Son Little is redefining the genre for a 21st century audience.
Aaron Livingstone was born to a preacher and a teacher in the U.S. with a restless childhood that saw him drop in and out of schools. He found his feet musically as a young man playing with acts like The Roots and RJD2 before embarking on a solo career as Son Little. His music is primarily steeped in the blues, but no genre is off limits from hip hop to electronica as he … [Read more...]
A Chat With… Amarillo’s Jac Tonks
Earlier this month Melbourne based Americana duo Amarillo released their new album Eyes Still Fixed. Amarillo was formed as a vehicle for Jac Tonks and Nick O’Mara’s songwriting, while Nick is also a founding member of the alt country outfit Raised By Eagles. Eyes Still Fixed was produced by Nick's cousin Shane O'Mara, whose impressive credits include working with the likes of … [Read more...]