HIBERNATION
Exciting Perth newcomer Anna O is set to impress with her new single, Hibernation and debut EP, When The Winter Came which was released earlier this year. Fans of artists such as Kimbra, Lorde and Jessie Ware should all keep an ear out for Anna O, as she bursts on to the scene with her edgy and catchy keys driven tune, Hibernation. With an instant hook and a notable melody, Anna O’s bold vocals draw you in and will leave you singing the song long after its end. With a hugely hyped live show, Anna O is amped to take to the stage and share her new material. “I can’t wait to get out of the studio and start playing my songs to people. I’ve got a DJ opening for me and I’m pumped to make it a slamming party,” enthuses Anna O. Teaming up with Bec Laughton on the rest of her tour is set to introduce her to appreciative East Coast audience’s.
Anna O, w/- Amistat. Tuesday June16 (Toff In Town, Swanston Street, Melbourne. Doors 8:30pm) & Saturday June 21 (Espy Front Bar, Fitzroy St, St Kilda. Doors 8pm). www.annao.com
KOBE
To celebrate the release of his latest single Kobe, which has amassed almost 50,000 plays on Soundcloud in the two weeks since release, enigmatic Melbourne producer/musician Yeo is setting off on a national tour. In October last year, Yeo presented yet another incarnation of his career- defining musical evolution in the form of a lo-fi, proto-R&B jam called Girl, it was met with instantaneous approval from countless blogs the world over as well as drawing praise across-the-board among the taste- making jocks at triple j. Having spent the summer touring alongside Ngairre, Fractures and most recently Glass Animals (UK), Yeo reveals the second offering from his forthcoming debut EP, the infectious Kobe. Produced by Yeo and mixed by Phil Threlfall, Kobe captures much of the aesthetic of the Girl, wrapped into an intellectual pop song with significant ear-worming capabilities. The release of Kobe comes hot the heels of Yeo’s maiden international tour dates courtesy of an invitation to showcase at Canadian Music Week 2014 ahead of a national headline run of ‘Kobe’ single tour dates this June.
Yeo, Northcote Social Club, Northcote, Friday June 6, Doors 8:30pm $15. www.yeo-yeo.com.au
PLAYING PRETEND
8 piece Brisbane Polynesian ‘soul, reggae, dub’ band CHOCOLATE STRINGS are stepping it up a notch with their latest single PLAYING PRETEND and an exclusive Melbourne release party. Formed in the boroughs of Brisbane, Chocolate Strings, often referred to as ‘The Strings’, have over the years established themselves as East Coast festival favourites for their thumping soul, funk and reggae inspired hits. This motley orchestra of 8 is always guaranteed to get everyone out on the dancefloor. Heading up their powerful vocal harmonies are three female South Pacific Islander singers; Nikki Loa McWalters, Ofa Fanaika and Nia Falekakala from Papua New Guinea and Tonga respectively.
Their latest single PLAYING PRETEND, inspired by the sounds of Michael Kiwunuka, registers as a score of dreamy neo-soul arrangements strongly focused on melodic harmonies mingled with flavours of Mo Town and old school soul. On the B-side of this single POLYAMORY delivers another rich traditional Polynesian inspired doo-wop hit, which rounds out their last single release before their anticipated full album release later in 2014.
Chocolate Strings perform w/- The Afrobiotocs, Nahualti Sound System (DJ SET), Black Jesus Experience, Cyclo Timik, Captain Ruin on Thursday June 5 at Secondstory Studios, 159 Sackville Street Collingwood. Doors 8pm, Tickets $20. www.facebook.com/chocolatestrings.
ONE TO WATCH
Sydney based singer/songwriter, Dean Lewis released his debut single I Want You Back early 2014. Lewis say’s the song allows the self-described alternative-pop artist to demonstrate not only his unique vocal ability, but his undeniable ear for melody and the ability to create a captivating pop song! Accompanying the single is an artistic lyric video that will not only draw you into the song, but also allow you to feel every honest and heartfelt word, and it shows, as people have quickly connected with the song! With an EP in the works for later in 2014, I Want You Back may only be the beginning for Dean Lewis, but with this as a sign of things to come, Dean will truly be an artist on the rise and one to keep your eye on. Definitely on the radar as an artist to watch in 2014 as he picks up the attention of music blogs from LA to London. As Lewis heads back in to the studios to record some brand new tunes, his single is available to purchase now on iTunes. We look forward to Melbourne dates soon!
www.facebook.com/deanlewismusic, Youtube – http://youtube.com/deanlewisofficial, Twitter – http://twitter.com/deanlewismusic
SING SONG MAN
Archer, according to Archer, is an old-time sing song man. Others note that he’s an ‘outsider’. He lives out there for sure, somewhere, no fixed address, anywheres or nowhere. Archer is hard to pin down. Born in North Carolina, just short an hour from the Appalachian mountains, he’s found a roaming home in Australia. He busks, works on farms, labours, and at present he hails from deep in the Victorian countryside. He plucks guitar, writes and plays country bush blues, and every new song from Archer sounds 100 years old. Archer’s music is stripped back and simple, sparse. There is no adornment, so all you get is the song and his big, booming voice. His influences skip back generations to the traditional country singers. Tex Morton, Smilin’ Billy Blinkhorn, guys like that. He learned to sing up North, with the Pacific Islanders. He’s a musical drifter, picking up stories wherever he goes, polishing them into honest songs. There’s a sense with Archer that his music exists outside of time. Which makes sense, because he exists outside of place. Don’t miss these rare city performances by Archer.
Archer play The Workers Club, Gertrude Street Fitzroy for their June Residency 15, 22, 29. Doors 7:30pm, Tickets $10. www.facebook.com/oldtimesingsongman.
FROM LEMONS COMES LEMONADE
Realising their talents at home, brothers Zech and Eze Walters looked to friend, Bowen Purcell, to provide the driving beat behind their tales of life, love and lemons to form, the now well known, WOODLOCK. After only a short stint of writing and playing the trio bought a caravan, painted it up, got it somehow registered and decided to go on an adventure up and down the east coast taking their music with them to the streets of both rural and capital cities. After captivating crowds in the street they found themselves in a recording studio on the sunny coast and before they knew it they had an EP in their hands. Now based in Melbourne, the Woodlock boys have continued to play the streets. After gaining some great recognition and creating a strong following from tirelessly busking at every corner of the Melbourne CBD, Woodlock are starting to take their sounds from the street to the stage. Since releasing their first EP titled ‘Lemons’, Woodlock have worked hard to perfect the sounds crafted in the studio to a live setting. Focusing on strong, energetic and creative live shows to take their performance to the next level. There is nothing but excitement and hype building around these three country boys!
Woodlock play Shebeem, Manchester Lane Melbourne on Wednesday June 25. Doors 7:30pm, Tickets $10. www.facebook.com/Woodlockmusic
HOME IS WHERE HE IS
Country/Folk darling Brooke Russell has been taking Melbourne by storm with her band The Mean Reds, and this is set to continue this coming June as Russell and the band team up with Nashville-acclaimed Americana act, Bill Jackson, accompanied by accomplished multi-instrumentalist Pete Fidler and Folk singer/songwriter Josh Forner, for what promises to be a memorable night of music which pulls at the heart strings. Originally from Perth, Russell has taken on the burgeoning Melbourne Country music scene that is only second to Tamworth like a steam locomotive. Brooke Russell and The Mean Reds debut album Poor Virginia out now and available on iTunes.
Brooke Russell and the Mean Reds play w/- Bill Jackson, Pete Fidler and Josh Forner at Grace Darling Hotel, Smith Street Collingwood on Wednesday, June 4. Doors 8:30pm, Tickets $9. www.brookerussellandthemeanreds.com
FORRISTER JENOT