Jordie Lane is one of the most promising and respected songwriters to emerge from Australia in recent times. His songs are deeply personal and grounded in the heart and soul of human emotion. In 2009 Rolling Stone hailed Jordie’s debut album Sleeping Patterns as “one of the most assured records ever by a local artist”, while his 2011 follow up Blood Thinner was a finalist for … [Read more...]
Gabriella Cohen – Sever The Walls
There was a big vibe on Gabriella Cohen at Brisbane's Bigsound music conference in September this year. I'd seen a clip of one of her songs prior to the conference and wasn't overly excited, but like any passionate music fan I'm always on the lookout for a new sensation. Gabriella's gig during the conference was a knockout, such a different vibe from the solo acoustic song I'd … [Read more...]
This Year’s Model – Elvis Costello
I was in my 20’s before I really got Elvis Costello. Sure there were the radio hits like Oliver’s Army and Watching The Detectives when I was in my mid teens, but to me at that time they were just cool sounding, catchy radio songs. It wasn’t until I began to explore his lyrics that the light went on and I realised just how clever a wordsmith he was. This Year’s Model was the … [Read more...]
Neville Staple – Podcast
The Specials were at the forefront of the ska revival in England during the late 70's. As punk was cutting a swathe through the establishment in Britain fuelled by the anger of the country's disaffected youth the ska movement broke out with a more articulate politicised view. Their solution wasn't anarchy, their anger was subdued by a need to get up and dance but to do it with … [Read more...]
All Lost – Jack Grace
Jack Grace releases his debut EP River today. The single All Lost is a stunning piece of work - a slice of electronica carrying a remarkable emotional depth. All Lost drips with warmth, heart and melancholy. No surprise that there have been comparisons to James Blake and Thom Yorke, but Kanye West - really? To me this track is more akin with some of Moby's more elegant work … [Read more...]