Month: January 2021

HOW IT HAPPENED

Not long ago Portia was homeless yet her fighting spirit which she inherited from her father who died in conflict as a Freedom Fighter in South Africa where he was fighting apartheid is what kept her going and by chance back

stage at a performance in Minneapolis, Portia crossed paths with country music legend and Hootie & The Blowfish lead singer, Darius Rucker.

Portia was invited by Darius back to his green room with his band where they had a Corona and Portia wasn’t shy to ask Darius for a song in the future together, Darius responded with no hesitations “for sure”.

The duet stayed in touch and when Darius came down under for an Aussie tour he reached out to Portia for a catch up at his Sydney show where the opportunity for the duet was advanced and Portia was introduced by Darius to his keys player Lee Turner, an aspiring and talented Nashville producer and song writer.

Portia later joined Darius in Nashville and they hit the studio where Portia was mesmerised every time Darius hit his famous note from Hootie and the Blowfish’s “Let her Cry” hit.

When Darius was recently asked about the ensuing release, he shared:

“Portia has an incredible voice and a powerful story. I was honoured to join her for such a beautiful song.”

On to this year and Portia is currently shooting the music video in Western Australia with Darius will be filming his part in Nashville.

Portia is currently working on a new project for live shows where she will salute women of music and perform their hits.

ABOUT

“When I first heard Portia Clark’s I was not only moved by her voice but also her incredible story of survival. This is an artist that deserves to be heard”. Russell – Kaos

Australia’s Portia Clark has known and endured abandonment, abuse, homelessness, hunger, heartbreak, tragedy and the true meaning of sacrifice. With the power of God’s love and her love for music she has overcome these circumstances and is honored to be living in Australia.

In Portia’s short career, she has shared the same stage with music royalty such as Katy Perry, Gene Simmons, John Fogarty and many more and has performed for two former US Presidents, George Bush & Bill Clinton.

Three-time 2021 Golden Guitar finalist, Luke O’Shea, and Australian country music royalty, Ashleigh Dallas, have joined forces on the brand new single ‘Long Way ‘Round’, lifted from Luke’s celebrated and Golden Guitar-nominated Album of the Year, ‘There In The Ochre’.

“Don’t believe them when you hear them say
Things were so much better back in the old days!
There’s nothing greater than the here & now!
So just take my hand & join me on the long way ’round”

“This song was an absolute joy to perform with the very cheeky Ash Dallas,” Luke said. “She is a great mate and it deliberately flies in the face of all the doomsday reporting that we are currently collecting from all over the world!”

The positive, Motown meets country upbeat groove of the song hooks the listener in with a catchy whistle and a carefree vibe.

“The world is a crazy place at the moment!” Luke said. “But when you just change your focus to appreciating what you have around you – in the right here, right now – then life all of a sudden becomes pretty good. ‘Long Way ‘Round’ is just a reminder to take a deep breath and have a good look around.”

It’s the attitude that has seen Luke collect 11 Golden Guitars over the years and this January he could also add Male Artist, Heritage Song and Traditional Country Album of the Year to the mantelpiece.

“I do have to pinch myself sometimes that people are willing to put their vote next to my name, because I certainly don’t make it easy for them,” he laughed. “My songs have to mean something to me on a deep level. So that if I’m going to take the very precious time, and go to the effort and expense of recording a song, then I must have the conviction that it’s a message worth sharing – even if it goes against public opinion.”

No more so than Luke’s last single and nominated Heritage Song of the Year, ‘Happy Australia Day’. “That song came from seeing a big gaping hole in the curriculum being taught in our schools,” Luke reflected. “The song and video are designed to be used as a teacher resources for History and English classes and I’m humbled to say that many schools have already adopted it into their systems providing a new and valuable perspective of our Australian history.

“Being asked to perform this song (Happy Australia Day) at the 2021 Golden Guitars – alongside Kevin Bennett who I wrote it with, fills me with such pride that our industry is so open minded and once again up for the challenge of a challenging song. “That was the case with ‘Three Brothers (The Great War)’ and I have never forgotten just how respectful and intelligent the Australian country music audience is especially when given tough subject matter!”

In saying that, Luke said he also sometimes needed to get back to just having fun in songs – and that’s what ‘Long Way ‘Round’ is all about.

The two multiple award-winning artists have also joined forces with celebrated director Jay Seeney to make a stunning new video for the song that showcases the natural beauty of the Tamworth, Nundle and New England region.

“It was a hilarious – and an exhausting day!” Luke laughed. “Knowing Ash is an incredible linedancer – and that I have two left feet – we thought it’d be fun to come up with a little dance that we could film over and over again in some of my favourite places on Earth! Fifty-odd takes later I was knackered! But, Ash and Jay were like the little energizer bunny and just kept on going. It’s a pretty spectacular clip that captures a lot of the magic of the area – and I think you’ll be able to tell for yourselves that we really did take – the long way ’round!”

“Led by the powerful vocals of Hannah Joy, the trio deal in infectious indie pop-rock.”

– THE SUNDAY TIMES

“Arena sized rock, masquerading as warm, thoughtful, 1980’s styled indie-rock”

– NEW YORK TIMES

“Radiant, anthemic indie rock, balancing doubt ridden lyrics with clear eyed execution”

– PITCHFORK

“How does a band get this good, this quickly?”

– BILLBOARD

Middle Kids today reveal their boldly titled second album Today We’re The Greatest , their most personal and courageous effort to date, will be released on 19 March. In celebration of the album news, Middle Kids have released a new single and video ‘Questions’ alongside the announcement of an east coast Australian tour throughout May. In Australia, the band will perform unforgettable nights at three of the country’s most stunning seated concert spaces: Brisbane’s QPAC, Melbourne Recital Centre and Sydney’s City Recital Hall.

Today We’re The Greatest is the Sydney-based rock trio’s follow up to their 2018 triple j J Award-winning, debut album Lost Friends, a record which earned support slots with the likes of Bloc Party, War on Drugs and Cold War Kids as well as performances on several US late night shows including Conan, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and The Late, Late Show with James Corden.

The band (comprised of lead singer and songwriter Hannah Joy, multi-instrumentalist Tim Fitz and drummer Harry Day) recorded the album in Los Angeles with producer Lars Stalfors (St.Vincent, Soccer Mommy, Purity Ring). Moving away from lyrics of a more conceptual nature, Today We’re The Greatest is the open, uninhibited product of fearless collaboration.

Showing a real vulnerability, Joy pulls directly from her own experiences, all the while breaking down barriers she had previously set for herself. About the new record, she says , “I want to make music that loves its listener. Music that makes people feel seen, seen in the tiny little places that hide away in their hearts. I want people to hear our music, and feel a sense of love. And when I say love, it can be challenging, intense and tough. But it’s in the guts.”

To commemorate the album announcement, Middle Kids today share their monumental new single ‘Questions’. Following on from last year’s ‘R U 4 Me?’, ‘Questions’ is a charged three minute odyssey which sees Joy struggle poetically with concepts of honesty and intimacy over an explosive rhythm section and a stunningly orchestrated brass-filled climax.

As Joy explains, ‘Questions’ is about the fallacies of intimate relationships. “I used to drink a lot and most of my previous relationships revolved around this. I don’t think I ever really knew them or they me as a result. ‘Questions’ is about people being around each other but not being close. People who are in intimate relationships can stop asking questions of each other because they are uncomfortable and confusing.”

‘Questions’ is accompanied by a magical and chaotic one-shot video directed by the band’s cinematic collaborator W.A.M Bleakley. Watch HERE.

Also announced today is Middle Kids first headline Australian Tour in almost two years. The Today We’re The Greatest Tour will take in Australia’s east coast beginning at Brisbane’s QPAC Theatre on Friday 13 May, Melbourne Recital Centre on Friday 21 and finishing with a hometown show at City Recital Hall in Sydney on Friday 28 May. Pre-sale begins Tuesday 19 January at 10am local time.

Born Patti Jo Thompson, the tenth child in Rapid City, SD and raised in Flint, MI since the age of 2. Patti started singing at the age of 3 with her biggest inspiration being Johnny Mathis. At any early age she knew she wanted to be a performer. Being inspired by other artists such as Aretha Franklin, Lionel Ritchie, Michael Jackson and Prince to mention a few, Patti knew that there was a high standard to meet in order to be recognized as a true entertainer. Let’s introduce you to PJ Dakota.

A diamond in the rough, PJ Dakota started singing throughout her school years starting with the elementary choir on through high school. Over the years she concentrated on developing her writing and production skills. Other talents include playing the keyboard and the flute. She formed her first group “The Combination”, producing and writing all the material for the group. Short live but PJ Dakota knew that she had something to offer then just being an R&B singer.

PJ started her company Day Dream Production with the mission of providing solid production and songwriting for local and national acts. Her first completed project was production for a local group called Reality. She became a member of the talented gospel acapella group 6X Divine. She continued on by participating in the Mid-Michigan’s largest amateur talent showcase. She has lent her vocals to several projects throughout the Flint and surrounding area.

Pj Dakota wants to be recognized in the music industry as a great songwriter, producer and entertainer. She has recently landed a publishing deal and production deal with RokkMusic Publishing. PJ was Head of A&R at RokkMusic for Record Union/Sony Music. Her current projects include the production of her debut CD called Day Dreaming, soon to be released in January 2021. A DDP compilation, A All Female Compilation, and working with several local artists. Her new single Just Skate is available on ITUNES and all Media platforms. PJ currently has three other singles “Closer to Me”, “Big Deal” and “I’m Sorry” all available on ITUNES and many other sites. New album coming in 2021 called Day Dreaming will be distributed by SS Global Music. Having control of her career and music company, PJ Dakota is destined for success.

T his young talent brings you great lyrics, awesome performance, showmanship, and all around entertainment. Ladies and Gentlemen I give you – PJ Dakota

JERKSTORE. has teamed up with Melbourne-based singer/rapper/producer r.em.edy & producer JakeOnKeys (prod – Ryland Rose) for their first release of 2021 – “Eyes Closed (ft r.em.edy)”. A mix of throwback 90s pop and modern R&B vibes, the track showcases the trademark smooth flows of the Jerks on the verses, with r.em.edy offering her unmistakable vocals on the chorus and bridge.

WHO ARE JERKSTORE?
JERKSTORE. are Clue (Regional Victoria – Wodonga), Joey Maker (Sydney), and Connor Jones (Melbourne). After crossing paths in their solo careers, the group was formed in 2019 opting to work together entirely via the internet despite the distance between them.

While the boys all boast a hip-hop background, JERKSTORE.’s genre-bending discography is diverse, with no two tracks sounding alike and their songs often dipping into pop, future bass, funk, modern R&B and everywhere in between.

JERKSTORE. released their first EP and two follow up singles in 2019, receiving play across both Triple J and Triple J Unearthed. With only a couple of follow up tracks released in 2020, the boys lined up their ducks in a row for a big 2021. With new singles dropping monthly for the entire year, an EP in Q1 & an album in Q3, the Jerks will make sure you can’t miss them. No strangers to performing among the best, the Jerks having previously supported the likes of Seth Sentry, Briggs, Spit Syndicate, PEZ, Esoterik, Obie Trice, Urthboy, Butterfingers and more, and plan on bringing that signature performance to the stage for a debut headline tour in 2021.

“High energy, tongue-in-cheek with a message.” – Lucy Smith, Triple J
“Came here for the name. Staying for the fact that this completely destroys.” – Dan Condon, Triple J
“Give it a few listens and you’ll find new parts you’ll love and wonder; how on earth are they doing it?” – Claire Mooney, Triple J

2020 has been a tough year in many aspects, but two good things that came out of it was the Danish producer duo LittGloss and Danish pop singer-songwriter BATHSHEBA. The two acts have emerged as some of the most exciting upcoming names in Denmark during 2020, both receiving nominations in the category Best New Danish Artist at The Voice Awards 2020.

Now, LittGloss and BATHSHEBA are joining forces on the disco-pop track ‘Might Be’ to mark 2021 as their year. The song combines a true LittGloss-sounding disco-pop production with BATHSHEBA’s intimate voice and honest lyrics to give the listener something to dance their worries away to in 2021.

The two artists decided to collab out of love and respect for each other’s music. BATHSHEBA tells:

“I’ve always found the guys (LittGloss) insanely talented, and they’ve got a specific sound to their productions that really stands out. I wanted to tap into that!”

LittGloss adds to the conversation:

“We think BATHSHEBA is one of the most exciting names on the Danish music scene right now. And most importantly, we just have a lot of fun when working together!”

When the two artists finally got to team up in the studio, the track came along easily. BATHSHEBA tells:

“LittGloss had this amazing track laying around, and when I heard it, I really couldn’t stop the words and melodies from coming out”, she says.

LittGloss agrees that BATHSHEBA was the perfect match for the track. They explain:

“We first came up with the ideas for the track when we were preparing for a song camp in L.A. in the beginning of 2020. Already back then, we knew that we had started something exciting. We’ve worked on several versions of the track, but it wasn’t until we went into the studio with BATHSHEBA that we felt like we found someone with a topline and lyrics that took the track to the next level.”

For BATHSHEBA, the ideas came easily because they are based on a true feeling and story.

“‘Might Be’ is a true story about me feeling frustrated because a relation didn’t work out as I wanted it to. I was kind of left in the dark”, BATHSEHBA says and adds: “It’s about the feeling of wanting a person – and that person probably wanting you too – but the circumstances make it impossible for the two of you to get together.”

By sharing her personal story, BATHSHEBA hopes that she can make the listeners feel less alone. She says:

“I hope that the listeners will feel, that they are not alone with the feeling of being rejected. And hopefully they will also get a bit of a sassy feeling of “well fuck whoever-is-rejecting-me” when the chorus kicks in.”

The sassy and powerful feeling of the chorus that comes through to the listener despite the heart-breaking lyrics is a result of LittGloss’ tight disco-pop production. The producer-duo tells about the track:

“The production of ‘Might Be’ is quite minimalistic. The sounds will probably make people think of Dua Lipa, SG Lewis and the likes” LittGloss says and adds: “We always try to keep a certain level of consistency in our productions, and we love to use funk guitar, string stabs, and M1 piano.”‘Might Be’ will be released on January 15th 2021.

Colin Wylie is known for his work with Blinker the Star, a Canadian indie band that signed with A&M (USA) and then DreamWorks barely out of their teens. Then came the ‘Hinterlandband’ project, whose compositions have been placed in programming for Muchmusic (CAN), NBC (USA), CTV (CAN), MTV (US & UK), Fox (USA), CBC (CAN), The CW Network (USA) and PBS (USA).

What inspired you to record it?

‘The recent ‘six months in quarantine’ and ‘Six Months in a Leaky Boat’ parallel, triggered the idea to finally properly treat & release this recording. Adrian Popovich (Sam Roberts Band) completed the mixing and grammy award winning Phil Bova (Bahamas), the mastering. The song was performed & recorded so well it needed to be properly shared.

This recording is the last recorded performance I had with my friend & bass player Marc Leblanc.

He passed away in 2016 unexpectedly. It is hoped that this serves to commemorate his larger-than-life existence on this planet, and be of consolation to his son Dylan.

Do you have anything you’d like to say about this track?

‘I first heard the original Split Endz version while living in Montreal on the mighty CHOM FM. It made an immediate impression on me and I filed it away in the ‘songs I’d love to cover’ compartment. Time later, we began playing it live and audiences loved hearing it. I decided to commit it to tape.

A lifelong bluegrass and country music fan, legendary singer, songwriter and producer Barry Gibb has long dreamed of a project that would bring him together with some of the artists he admires the most. With the help of Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb, that dream has become a reality with ‘ GREENFIELDS: The Gibb Brothers Songbook, Vol. 1′-out now on Capitol Records.

Across twelve of the Gibb Brothers beloved songs reborn, the album features collaborations with Alison Krauss, Brandi Carlile, David Rawlings, Dolly Parton, Gillian Welch, Jason Isbell, Jay Buchanan, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, Olivia Newton-John, Sheryl Crow and Tommy Emmanuel.

Of the experience, Barry Gibb shares, “From the first day we stepped into RCA Studios in Nashville (the very place where Elvis, Willie, Waylon, Roy, the Everly Brothers and so many other legends made their magic) the album took on a life of its own. I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to work with Dave and all the artists who stopped by. They were all incredibly generous with their time and talent. They inspired me more than words can express. I feel deep down that Maurice and Robin would have loved this album for different reasons. I wish we could have all been together to do it…but I think we were.”

Dave Cobb comments, “It was truly an honor to work with one of my heroes. The Bee Gees’ first album has always been a staple for me and it was surreal to get to witness the genius of Barry Gibb in the studio-he’s one of the greatest of all time!”

Jason Isbell adds, “Barry Gibb is one of the greatest songwriters and singers in popular music history, and I’m happy to say he still has that beautiful voice and that magical sense of melody. Working with him on this project has been one of the great honors of my career. He’s a prince.”

‘GREENFIELDS: THE GIBB BROTHERS SONGBOOK, VOL. 1’ TRACKLIST

1. ‘I’ve Gotta Get A Message To You’ with Keith Urban
2. ‘Words of a Fool’ with Jason Isbell
3. ‘Run to Me’ with Brandi Carlile
4. ‘Too Much Heaven’ with Alison Krauss
5. ‘Lonely Days’ with Little Big Town
6. ‘Words’ with Dolly Parton
7. ‘Jive Talkin” with Miranda Lambert, Jay Buchanan
8. ‘How Deep Is Your Love’ with Tommy Emanuel, Little Big Town
9. ‘How Can You Mend A Broken Heart’ with Sheryl Crow
10. ‘To Love Somebody’ with Jay Buchanan
11. ‘Rest Your Love On Me’ with Olivia Newton-John
12. ‘Butterfly’ with Gillian Welch, David Rawlings

With a career spanning more than five decades, Sir Barry Gibb stands as one of the most renowned and celebrated musicians of the modern era. As co-founder and creative leader of the Brothers Gibb -better known to the world as the Bee Gees- Barry with his brothers, Maurice and Robin, represent one of the most successful vocal groups in rock and roll history, having sold more than 200 million albums to date. With nine US #1 singles as a performer, Barry is also amongst the most successful songwriters of all-time (with sixteen #1 singles) and is seventh on the list of most successful producers (with fourteen #1 singles). He is also tied with John Lennon and Paul McCartney for most US #1 singles in a calendar year with seven. Among his many awards and honours are eight Grammy Awards, the Grammy Legend Award and, most recently, the 2015 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also the recipient of the American Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, the BMI Icon Award, four BMI Songwriter of the Year Awards, four BMI Song of the Year Awards and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2004, Barry received one of Britain’s highest honours when the Bee Gees were made Commanders of the British Empire and, in 2018, was Knighted “Sir Barry Gibb” by Prince Charles for his services to music and charity.

Recorded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, ‘Gasoline’ is the title track off Lucie Tiger’s newest EP – inspired by a love of road trips, muscle cars and the appeal of what’s around the next corner. Brimming with blues-driven verve, it’s a fresh new sound likely to become the soundtrack for your next road trip. The EP was recorded entirely at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, engineered by Grammy nominated John Gifford III and mastered by Grammy nominated Don Srygley.

The open road is where adventure meets spontaneity. It’s about endless stretches of two-lane blacktops and a brand new feeling around every corner. It’s where the stereo is turned up, the windows are rolled down and songs that don’t have you playing drums on the steering wheel are left by the wayside.

Lucie Tiger is the embodiment of all of the above, as she blazes a trail down the highway with her “Road Trip Americana” style of country. She disregards conventions for a Muscle Shoals rhythm-rooted practicality that pulls together the classic and the contemporary. She’s surprising the industry one song at a time, so it’s time to buckle up and tag along for the ride.

Melbourne-bred hip-hop artist DL is starting to make waves abroad after just dropping the icy, R&B-tinged break-up tune ‘No Time For Love’, featuring the Billboard-charting Sammie.

Already making waves on U.S, Australian & New Zealand radio, and arriving just in time for a long, sunny summer, ‘No Time For Love’ blends DL’s effortlessly cool and lean back delivery with the smooth and sultry vocals of US-based R&B star Sammie. “It’s about an ex-girlfriend, who I fell out of love with” he explains. “It fell apart around us and I wrote it the way I felt about how we had ended up; cold and pretty brutal”.

DL originally wrote the verses for ‘No Time For Love’ to an instrumental he had. He then took it to Melbourne producer SB90, who helped to develop the track. From there, DL reached out to Sammie’s management in the United States. “I’ve been a fan of Sammie since the 2000s. His music is right in the sweet spot of what I love listening to – chilled, sexy R&B,” says DL.

As good fortune would have it, Sammie and his team loved the song and within a week, he’d sent back a demo of the hook and the bridge that he’d written. “His voice is light, and vocals are so clean. It’s exactly what this song needed to smooth out the ice-cold lyrics in my verses. It was a long-shot going for someone like Sammie, but I was stoked that he wanted to be a part of it,” says DL.

With an MO for delivering chilled hip-hop, injected with soulful R&B and a pop lean, DL’s distinctive melodic rasp and playful wordplay has cemented his place as one of Australia’s most exciting emerging artists. Exploring the highs and lows of love and life in his music, DL connects with people through melodic hooks, dynamic vocals, and expressive lyrics.

In the past decade, DL has scooped up awards, including ‘Song of the Year’ in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest (judged by John Legend and Bootsy Collins); supported accomplished R&B stars on tour including Keri Hilson and Bobby Valentino, and worked with established artists like Guy Sebastian (‘Battle Scars’, ‘Gold’), K. Young (‘I Like It’), and now Sammie.