Perth Music

For a close up look at the Perth artists that are part of the 2007 Big Day Out national Tour and how it is a great time to be a music lover in this great city have a read of my editorial over at Perth Norg.

http://www.perthnorg.com.au/

http://www.perthnorg.com.au/2006/11/24/perth_big_day_out/ 

Little Birdy @ Metros Fremantle - 17/11/06

Since announcing the first round of Big Day Out Artists including Tool, Muse, Jet, The Killers, The Violet Femmes, Scribe, Eskimo Joe, My Chemical Romance, The Herd, Peaches, The Spazzy’s and The Sleepy Jackson tickets have been snapped up at record speed. If you have been waiting around till the second announcement before you purchase tickets, wait no longer! Below you’ll find the next round of International acts and Antipodean touring artists who will be rocking the stage at each BIG DAY OUT.

THE STREETS (UK), led by people’s poet Mike Skinner, will be telling it like it is at BIG DAY OUT 2007. Armed with his third album, The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living, master hip hop storyteller Skinner will be spinning true stories of success and excess, as only he can. Brilliant, influential, and back for their second BIG DAY OUT, THE STREETS are Britain’s geezer gift to the world. (All shows)

You want attitude? BIG DAY OUT 2007 will be dripping with the stuff, as KASABIAN (UK) strut, swig, and swagger their way across the nation in what’s going to be one hell of a sweaty summer. Two albums in, the Leicester rock renegades already possess more anthems than a band rightly should: “Reason is Treason”, “Club Foot”, “Shoot the Runner”, “LSF”, “Empire”, “Processed Beats”. A decadent, explosive presence, KASABIAN are heading Down Under to expand their Empire. BIG DAY OUT is ready to be conquered. (All shows)

Few musical acts cover the diverse territory of BIG DAY OUT’s old mates, THE CRYSTAL METHOD (USA). Back and spinning into DJ mode for summer, Las Vegas’ finest, Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland, will put the dance, the breaks, the rock, the rave, the dub, the house, the squelch, the boom and the beats into your BIG DAY OUT 2007. Renowned for their hits “Busy Child”, “Keep Hope Alive” and “Born Too Slow”, THE CRYSTAL METHOD are also mixing maestros - check their Community Service volumes for proof. Get ready to get busy. (All shows)

There’s a breath of fresh air wafting over BIG DAY OUT 2007, and it goes by the name of LILY ALLEN (UK). The most exciting thing to happen to pop music in ages, LILY ALLEN’s debut album Alright, Still is chock full of sass, snarl and spite. Boasting the UK No.1 single “Smile”, the 21-year-old Londoner’s genre-busting debut will without doubt be the soundtrack to summer. LILY ALLEN has a lot to say - this summer, BIG DAY OUT will be listening. (NZ + East Coast shows)

Take a flight to Hollywood with LITTLE BIRDY at the BIG DAY OUT! As if you didn’t know already, LITTLE BIRDY were propelled from the musical hotbed of Perth on to the Australian alt-rock stage with their acclaimed 2004 debut Big Big Love. 2006 sees LB and their scorching lead singer Katy Steele return to release their sultry sophomore, blues-tinged rock‘n’roll LP Hollywood. An album of firecracker riffs and off-kilter, edgy synths; of gleeful dance rock grunt, slow-building arrangements and moody lyrical introspection, Hollywood takes you to a place where sassy meets psychedelic and too much is not enough. (All shows)

If we all had a dollar each time a JOHN BUTLER TRIO song got stuck in our heads, I’m sure we’d all be rich, filthy rich! This year the JBT have spent a large chunk of time getting their classic rootsy, bluesy rock songs stuck in the heads of new fans in Europe, USA and Japan and at festivals all around the world. However, storming the international scene isn’t enough for these troubadours; they’ve also been back in the studio working on their highly anticipated fifth album that will be released in early 2007. The first track “Funky Tonight” reminds us of John Butler’s mega talent as a masterful multi-instrumentalist and spills a taste of disco/funk, ska and bluegrass that will bring celebrations to a new height at the BIG DAY OUT! (All shows)

BOB EVANS, aka Kevin Mitchell (yeah, the guy from Jebediah), has well and truly established himself as a solo artist - a successful one at that. After an initial solo LP release Suburban Kid in 2003, BOB EVANS has returned in 2006 with the ARIA Award winning album Suburban Songbook. Jam-packed with gems, the album features the infectious melodies of “Don’t You Think It’s Time?” and the pure pop pleasure of “Nowhere Without You“. For a country style affair of romantic homespun intimacies and big adventures in little worlds where all you need is love, wander along to see BOB EVANS at the BIG DAY OUT. (All Aust shows)

BIG DAY OUT is proud to welcome a band that has written the soundtrack to the lives of many Australian music fans with classic albums like Sound As Ever, Hi Fi Way and Hourly Daily, - the one and only YOU AM I. After a break during which band members recorded solo albums, toured the world, acted on TV, started record labels, played with other bands, became band managers (amongst other things), our most loveable rock‘n’roll ruffians returned triumphant in 2006 with a vintage, rootsy, garage rock album Convicts. From ear-melting rifferama and heart-string tugging humanity, this LP is a musical elixir for whatever ails you. Don’t miss YOU AM I at the BDO for a fangin’ festival performance of simply the finest open-hearted rock‘n’roll in the world. (All Aust shows)

Princes of dirty electro-boogie THE PRESETS will serve up one helluva sweaty live show at the BIG DAY OUT this summer. Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes were two squares who met at college and realised they shared a mutual untamed passion for music. From beer swilling rock and introspective Indie pop to high-camp Euro disco THE PRESETS dug it all and set about creating their own skewed, singular vision of scary, streamlined pop. They first hit it with the Blow UP EP in 2003, a heart of darkness in dance rock, and followed up with the pristine melancholy of 2004’s Girl and the Sea EP. And then finally in 2005 they dropped their Beams LP to much critical acclaim. Back from shakin’ their groove thang all over the world, get set for THE PRESETS at the BDO! (All shows)

Talk about a one-way ticket to rock success! THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT have followed up on their acclaimed debut LP Begins Here with Imago, a Class-A Aussie metal album and a stunning example of how the band has evolved while maintaining the resonant, melodic heavy rock for which they’ve become renowned. Dynamic vocals, emotive lyrics and intense arrangements with heavy peaks in contrast to soothing moments translate to highly-charged live shows that have been touted as the best in Australia at the moment. You decide at the BIG DAY OUT in 2007. (All Aust shows)

SOMETHING FOR KATE will return to the BIG DAY OUT with a serious amount of rock on their agenda. Renowned as one of Australia’s most acclaimed indie bands having spawned hits like “Captain (Million miles an hour)“, “Electricity“, “The Astronaut“, “Monsters“, “Three Dimensions“, “Deja vu“, their latest release Desert Lights sees SFK spark up some sonic rebellion. An album that combines discord as well as catchy hooks, sophistication and beauty, Desert Lights captures SOMETHING FOR KATE’s trademark urgency and energy but delivers an invigorating, stripped-down, live rock sound. With lyrical master Paul Dempsey’s intense and passionate performances BIG DAY OUT audiences are in for some seriously scintillating live shows. (All Aust shows)

A truly exciting and unique prospect to emerge on the Australian scene, THE DRONES’ music is infused with Australian history and draws on a rich tradition of Australian storytelling. This year they took out the inaugural Australian Music Prize with their album Wait Long By The River And The Bodies Of Your Enemies Will Float By. THE DRONES’ much-anticipated third release, Gala Mill, is an album of stark beauty and dark intensity. Thrashing out eclectic sounds that approach a wild fury wound tightly around thought-provoking lyrics, and dark swampy sounds with an undertow of blues and folk, THE DRONES will deliver a fiery and ferocious live show at the BIG DAY OUT. Don’t miss one of the most intelligent, innovative and important bands this country has seen in years! (All Aust shows)

BIG DAY OUT 2007 is set to deliver JUSTICE (FRANCE) for all. That’s JUSTICE, French style, the duo made up Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay, known for causing riots on the dance floor with their neo techno, post-mash-up, electrifying electro, disco sounds. Whether dishing out their own anthems Never Be Alone (vs Simian) and Waters of Nazareth, or spinning discs from their eclectic, brutally funky to lightly pop collection, the JUSTICE DJ experience is unlike all others. This year, the sound of summer comes with a twist - your body twisting to the sound of JUSTICE at BIG DAY OUT 2007. (All shows)

BIG DAY OUT has seen the future of metal - and it goes by the name of TRIVIUM (USA). Coming our way to dazzle the unsuspecting with an explosion of neck-snapping riffs, grandiose scream-along choruses and outstanding musicianship, TRIVIUM will leave no stone unturned in their quest for world domination. A No.14 Australian debut for their new album, The Crusade, was a good start. Next stop for Florida’s finest: blowing the roof off BIG DAY OUT 2007. (All shows)

A little hush, please, as BIG DAY OUT 2007 welcomes a true poet laureate, The Bard of Salford, JOHN COOPER CLARKE (UK). Inspired by Kerouac and Ginsberg, peer to punk’s legends, a forebear of Billy Bragg and The Streets. From the clubs of Manchester to the epicentre of punk, he supported The Buzzcocks, The Sex Pistols, Elvis Costello and The Fall. No ordinary poet, JOHN COOPER CLARKE speaks with the rhythms of rock‘n’roll, and will bring summer to a standstill with his confrontational, furiously funny and jaw-droppingly real performances. (All shows)

From New York to Tokyo to BIG DAY OUT 2007, everyone’s beating the same drum: AFRA & THE INCREDIBLE BEATBOX BAND (JAPAN) will blow you away. And we quite possibly mean that literally. Three men, three mics, no decks, and a fat-ass, old school block party vibe. How do Afra, Kei and K-Moon do it? Be there to find out when Japan’s good-time beatboxing contribution to the international hip hop world, AFRA & THE INCREDIBLE BEATBOX BAND lay out the answers. (All shows)

Chicago’s best kept secret, LUPE FIASCO (USA) has officially arrived on the hip hop scene. Hyped by the best — Kanye, Pharrell, Jay-Z — loved by the rest, LUPE has dropped a bomb with his debut album Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor, a goldmine of thought-provoking and playful lyricism coupled with sure-fire beats. He’ll tell you he’s the future. If you’re down with his worldview, get down with LUPE FIASCO at BIG DAY OUT. (NZ + East Coast)

Think you know what you’re in for when DIPLO (USA) takes the stage? You haven’t got a clue. And that’s just the way you like it! Hip hop, grime, Miami bass, baile funk, 80s pop, electro, rock_ He’s cutting it up and mixing it in ways you wouldn’t expect. From his seminal Hollertronix parties in Philadelphia and his genre-busting work with M.I.A in London, to his musical archeology in Brazil and his own album Florida, DIPLO is an artist of the world. His next adventure brings him Down Under, to BIG DAY OUT 2007. (NZ + East Coast)

Stephen Allkins aka [LOVE] TATTOO is a true pioneer of dance music in this country. Since starting out in ‘78, he’s gone on to play along side some of the hottest names in dance music - Frankie Knuckles, David Morales, Kings of Tomorrow, Roger Sanchez, Deep Dish, Armand Van Helden, Fat Boy Slim to name a few. As well as sharing the stage with these fancy types, in 2006 he has written and produced his very own masterful album, Bodywork. Make sure you get along and sweat to the sounds of [LOVE] TATTOO as he lays down his sweet-ass disco-funk on the dance floor at the BIG DAY OUT! (All Aust shows)

SHAPESHIFTER’s new album Soulstice propelled the Christchurch via Melbourne drum‘n’bassers to the giddy heights of number four in the NZ album charts on its release in September. Not that being giddy or high is anything new for fans of the most exciting live d‘n’b act down-under - SHAPESHIFTER have lifted the roof off the Boiler Room at several BIG DAY OUTs in the past and so we just had to have them back. Soulstice is a star-packed jam that shows how this group’s sound has evolved to transcend genre definition, taking elements from jazz, latin, reggae, soul, rock, hip hop and electronica, and blending them live into a truly diverse and overwhelming dance floor experience. (NZ + East Coast shows)

Stay tuned for the third and final line up announcement coming soon.

After unleashing one of the weightiest bills Western Australia has ever seen, Sunset Events is proud to announce another round of superb acts to complete the line-up for the third annual Southbound Festival.And first up, all the way from the UK, we have the one and only…Basement Jaxx. Energised from the recent release of the duo’s fourth studio album, Crazy Itch Radio, Basement Jaxx will bring their intoxicating beats and rhythms to Southbound for one very special performance, backed by a full live band.

After a number one album and a notorious national tour, the Hilltop Hoods seem like they can’t get any bigger – then they go and collect five ARIA nominations. Witness Aussie hip hop at its finest when the Hoods come to Southbound.

Also being served up at the third annual Southbound Festival are: Melbourne rockers The Vasco Era, Perth’s own psychedelic collective The Panda Band, roots newcomer Dallas Frasca and junior giants The Flairz. Throw in some electro goodness from DJs Fdel, Armee and Charlie Bucket and you’ve got one of the biggest days of entertainment to come to WA.

These fine ambassadors of song join the Southbound ranks alongside world conquering rock crusaders Wolfmother, WA’s very own John Butler Trio, the enigmatic Michael Franti & Spearhead, mighty indie heroes Modest Mouse and pop’s dark princes Eskimo Joe. Plus The Bees, Scribe, Youth Group, The Sleepy Jackson, Matt Costa, Jamie Lidell, You Am I, Saul Williams, Little Birdy, The Black Seeds, The Exploders, The Audreys, Blue King Brown, Josh Pyke, The Presets and Infusion.

So many seminal names, so many superlative sounds, all on three stages on Saturday, January 6, at Sir Stewart Bovell Park, Busselton.

For more information, plus all playing times, go to the Sunset website. All tickets are on sale now.

With a debut album that sold over 60,000 copies and went top 5 in Australia, what is the best way for a little band from Perth to follow it up? The answer – go to the Hollywood Hills in LA and record your sophomore album with a Grammy award winning producer. And that is precisely what Perth band Little Birdy did to record their new album “Hollywood”. Produced by John King, one half of the legendary duo The Dust Brothers, the band created an album that can be described as darkly beautiful compared to their first album “Bigbiglove”.  Singer/guitarist Katy Steele, guitarist Simon Leech, Bassist Scott ‘Barney’ O’Donoghue and drummer Matt Chequer sat down with Justin Middleton to give this exclusive interview.

‘Actually the initial title for the album was actually going to be “Inside I’m crying, outside I’m dancing” which kind of describes the feeling for the album as a whole but in the end we decided on “Hollywood”’ explains Katy, sitting in the Perth sunshine with the band. ‘I wrote the title song a few weeks before we even starting looking into where to record the album and as far as we knew we were probably going to record somewhere in the UK. It was weird that the song came before we knew we were going there.’

‘We had pretty much all of the album demo’d before going over to record with John so we were in a much better position mentally than the first album.’ says drummer Matt. ‘I think there was actually a lot less pressure on us this time around. At least this time we knew our audience and knew what to expect, so that made it easier’ agrees bassist Scott.

The new songs not only sound great on the album, they have enough depth to sound fantastic live as well. ‘Playing live, we’ve been mixing up the old with the new. Start with some new songs to get the crowd into it, play some older stuff to really excite them and then finish with some more newies’ explains Scott, not mentioning the fantastic cover they have been playing live lately; Perth band Gyroscope’s “Beware Wolf“.

I asked the band how important they thought the internet was becoming for musicians, especially Myspace and Youtube. ‘Of course people are still downloading music illegally but apart from that it is really exciting for fans and musicians’ says Katy. ‘Myspace is a great place for fans to really interact with bands, we are on our page all the time reading messages from fans and we have so many fans from different countries that probably don’t have the chance to see us live.’

‘It is a shame that all music is going digitally though’ Simon says. ‘Everyone just has all their music on their Ipods or computers and nobody has CD collections any more. People downloading music and downloading CD covers, it’s just not the same.’

Katy adds ‘And there is so much music that people have, they just don’t listen to it all. I’ve got 35Gb of music on my Ipod and there is no way I can listen to all of it or even know all of it.’

With another great local album showing the country what state produces the best musicians, Perth music is definitely in good shape. ‘It’s good to see Eskimo Joe nominated with all those ARIAS. I don’t think a Perth artist has had that many nominations before, except maybe John Butler?’ says Matt. Scott jumps in ‘And that chick on Idol singing a Karnivool song. That was awesome.’

You can catch Little Birdy at a whole bunch of upcoming music festivals. They include The Wave Rock Weekender on September 30th, Legs 11 Concert on October 27th, Homebake on December 2nd, Falls Festival on December 30th and Southbound on January 6th. The album “Hollywood” is in store October 14 and the first single “Come On, Come On” is in store now.

Little Birdy are also doing an in-store appearance at 78 Records on the release date of the album (October 14th). To gain admittance you just need to purchase the album or the single on the day.

Interview by Justin Middleton

The band played to a packed out Amplifier Bar.

Katy Steele could even play guitar with no hands.

Katy Steel and Matt Chequer on drums

This is how you play guitar.

Katy Steele in a quieter moment feeling the crowd.

Well the wait is over for those who have been wondering who will be gracing the stage at the Southbound Festival, WA’s finest Music, Camping and Arts festival.

Where to begin…mighty indie heroes Modest Mouse perhaps, or WA’s very own ambassadors of roots the John Butler Trio? How about world conquering rock crusaders Wolfmother, or pop’s dark princes Eskimo Joe? But then there’s the enigmatic Michael Franti & Spearhead, UK sensations The Bees and Kiwi hip-hop king Scribe.

And how could you ignore Youth Group, The Sleepy Jackson, Matt Costa (USA), Jamie Lidell (UK), You Am I, Saul Williams(USA), Little Birdy, The Black Seeds (NZ), The Exploders, The Audreys, Blue King Brown, Josh Pyke, The Presets and Infusion?

To check out more about these artists and to listen to music, head to the Southbound official site where you will also be able to buy tickets from September 20th.

Soul Highway is proud to present its first annual flagship event in Western Australia….THE WAVE ROCK WEEKENDER which will be running non-stop from midday on Saturday Sep 30th until midday on Mon 2nd Oct. It is an event that that offers an authentic all-weekend, long-weekend experience that combines unique location, a tiny capacity, camping, friends, food, freedom, music, film and the highest quality talent.

Line Up Includes Salmonella Deb (NZ), Little Birdy, Ash Grunwald, Roni Size & Dynamite MC (UK), Bob Log III (USA), Kill Devil Hills, Bobby Blackbird & The Bluejays, Day Of The Dead, Holly Throsby, Sunshine Brothers, Sodastream, Gersey, Saritah, Darren Hanlon, Lloyd Spiegal, Steve Tallis, Leena, Melatonin, Funk Club Allstars, Fall Electric, Abbe Fuzz, Benedict Moleta, DJ Joe 19, Dan The Man.

Tickets are on sale today and for more info goto www.soulhighway.com.au

Little Birdy - Come On Come On

Little Birdy will be hitting the road in September to launch their new single, Come On Come On, so the wait is over for Little Birdy lovers and friends. Another date has been added to the original tour, Tuesday 12 September at Ruby’s Lounge in Belgrave, Victoria.
Joining Little Birdy on the road will be one of Perth’s most popular bands, One Horse Town. One Horse Town will be playing all shows around Oz, except Adelaide where the very awesome Special Patrol will be playing .

In Sydney Something With Numbers will be opening the night, and in Perth the heart-breakingly beautiful music from Jeff Strong will be opening both shows .
For more details check the tours section of the website www.littlebirdy.net. Tix to all shows on sale now!
Tour Dates:
AUGUST
Wed 30 Gaelic Club, Sydney
SEPTEMBER
Sat 2 Newcastle Leagues Club, Newcastle
Tue 5 The Zoo, Brisbane
Wed 6 The Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
Fri 8 Fowlers Live, Adelaide
Sun 10 Peninsular Lounge, Mornington Peninsular
Tues 12 Ruby’s Lounge, Belgrave
Wed 13 Corner Hotel, Richmond
Fri 15 Prince of Wales, Bunbury
Sat 16 Amplifier Bar, Perth
Friday Oct 27 The Domain, Sydney - Legs 11 – www.legseleven.com.au
A special concert for Breast Cancer Research
with Tim Rogers and Tex Perkins with the Sydney Youth Orchestra, Sarah Blasko, Clare Bowditch, Bob Evans
Sat Dec 20- Homebake. Sold out unfortunately.

You can also download the new Little Birdy single for a limited time from the Triple J website or just get it here.