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MUSIC NEWS & FEATURES
The 80’s saw the mainstream adoption of MIDI, sampling, drum machines and other distinct musical compositions that remain largely popular among musos today, as well as one of the greatest Australian bands to top the rock ‘n’ roll charts in their time.
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Originally debuting as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 at a houseparty in Whale Beach just 40km north of Sydney, INXS became a global hit over the span of their music career, going on to sell out Wembley Stadium in 1991 to a humble audience of 74,000 fans. The band consisted of brothers Andrew Fariss, Jon Farriss and Tim Farriss, playing synths and keyboards, drums and lead guitar respectively, as well as Garry Gary Beers on bass, Kirk Pengilly on sax and the late Michael Hutchence singing lead vocals.
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Early shows saw the iconic group performing a mix of covers as The Farriss Brothers, playing at Alley Cat Wine Bar in North Sydney in 1979. The group of talented musos performed with the swagger of early rock groups like the Rolling Stones, paired with the high octane energy of early punk; their performance as a band was tight, and Hutchence’s voice carried them through some iconic pieces, like The Doobie Brothers “Long Train Running”, Roxy Music’s “Love is the Drug”, and Steve Miller Band’s “Jet Airliner”.
The talented pair remained active well-into the 2000s, releasing their final album Variety in april of 2007, before the unfortunate death of Chichin later the same year from cancer, ending the group’s career as Les Rita Mitsouko.
Les Rita Mitsouko; a global phenomenon born out of the French new-wave scene which inspired the sounds that later made bands like Daft Punk, Modjo, and Stardust who they are. A band who, however, remain largely unheard of by Australian audiences.
The iconic and critically-acclaimed French pop-duo of the 1980s saw multi-instrumentalist Fred Chichin and Catherine Ringer join forces out of the French new-wave scene; first forming in 1979, the duo reached audiences internationally with their blending of elements from punk, jazz, electronic, and musical theatre, but the duo remained largely unheard of by most Australian music fans.
Australia’s heart and soul of the live music scene pulsates with energy every night of the week.
While weekends remain the traditional nights for gig-going and partying, Melbourne’s thriving music culture doesn’t stop there. From Mondays through to Thursdays, Melbourne offers a diverse selection of venues where music lovers can revel in energetic live performances, cheap drinks and an all-round good time.
Take a tour through some of the best Melbourne weekday gigs, keeping the party alive every day of the week in Australia’s live music capital.
Jackson Pro Plus Series Soloist SLA3 | Fender Music Australia | RRP $2499
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“Unlock your full potential as a player with the innovative Jackson Pro Plus Soloist™ SLA3, the final word in high-tech guitar design. A high-performance evolution of the electric guitar, this ergonomic instrument opens up new horizons of playability, resetting the bar of what’s possible in guitar design.”
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From its earliest beginnings as an independent electric guitar manufacturer in 1980, before the Fender Musical Instrument Corporation (FMIC) acquired the Jackson brand in 2002, to its designs of the modern day, Jackson Guitars are known for their slender and elegant looks, featuring macho motifs, popular with hard rock and metal musicians, but the dedication to metal musos doesn’t stop there.
First formed in 1972 by a 19-year-old Michael Gudinski, Mushroom commemorates half a century of timeless music throughout 2023, uniting artists and paying homage to the group’s stellar catalogue of music.
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In celebration of Australian punk rock history, Mushroom Group has unveiled the latest jewel in its Mushroom 50 project: a reimagined version of The Saints’ legendary track “(I’m) Stranded”, reinterpreted by Magic Dirt.
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Frontwoman Adalita of Magic Dirt exudes an undeniable reverence for the track and its cultural significance:
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“This is an Aussie punk rock anthem. It’s ingrained in our musical heritage, both as a band and as Australian musicians. This song and the album played a pivotal role in cementing Australia’s reputation as pioneers of punk and alternative rock; it opened the gates, and everyone else followed. “(I’m) Stranded” is dear to our hearts. Its attitude and subject matter resonate instantly – it speaks to alienated youth seeking an escape. It’s relentless from the get-go, weaving and spinning, propelling you into a frenzy. It’s hypnotic, cathartic, and irresistibly catchy.“
Fast-rising Naarm/Melbourne-based artist BIG WETT has announced a headline tour ahead of the upcoming release of her debut album PU$$Y.
Known for her iconic and dynamic performances and a completely liberated approach to music, BIG WETT will kick off her tour in Brisbane, before hitting Sydney, Perth and Melbourne.
The mystical and elusive artist appeared in the spotlight through a foggy dancefloor back in 2021 and rapidly gained a cult following through word-of-mouth of energetic live shows and Soundcloud demos, which put her at the forefront of Melbourne’s electronic and dance scene.
Sustainable Living Through laundry
With Australia’s climate and cost of living on the rise, sustainable living has become more and more difficult to understand and master.
Making small changes to something as simple, yet at times confusing, as washing and drying your clothes on laundry day can massively reduce your household’s carbon footprint, whilst also helping you to save money.
What changes are being made to Australia today, and how can we conquer them when the responsibility is up to us?
Want to master your next laundry day? Click Here.
The New Age of Digital Storytelling
As a journalist working in the digital age, it’s important to keep up with the latest and greatest in immersive storytelling in order to keep readers engaged and entertained.
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Scrollytelling is an interactive experience of journalistic storytelling, where text jumps into view, images materialise, and an abundance of media can be incorporated for readers’ leisure.
As the name suggests, and as J-Tech 2022 has taught me, scrollytelling attempts to create an immersive digital experience, best suited for long-form web editorials, interviews, online guides and travel stories.
Last week saw Rock & Roll Hall of Famers The Rolling Stones release their latest single “Angry”, which leads the band’s upcoming album Hackney Diamonds, set to release on October 20.
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The single was paired with a music video starring Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney, which has already racked up over 16 million views on YouTube. The album is set to release after an 18 year hiatus of original songs by The Rolling Stones and was hinted at in an email sent out to fans to hype up the album.
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The infamous band officially debuted the new single and introduced their Hackney Diamonds era to audiences internationally with Jimmy Fallon on a special global live stream event earlier this month on YouTube.
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The legendary analog synthesizer that shaped music.
In the ever-evolving landscape of music, certain instruments become more than just tools; they become icons that etch their mark on the very fabric of sound. The Prophet-5, an analog synthesizer introduced in the late 1970s by Sequential Circuits, is undeniably one such icon. Throughout its storied history, the Prophet-5 has been a driving force behind a myriad of sonic revolutions, shaping genres, and influencing countless artists.
Unveiled in 1978, the Prophet-5 was a groundbreaking creation which ushered in a new era of sound synthesis. With its innovative use of analog technology and five-voice polyphony, it offered musicians an unprecedented palette of rich, warm, and expressive tones. The Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 quickly captured the imagination of the music world and became the go-to instrument for musicians seeking to explore uncharted sonic territories.
The First Nations led Now & Forever event sees some of Australia's favourite contemporary artists come together for a cause.
Set to take place on Friday, October 6th at the Shepparton Showgrounds on Yorta Yorta land, Now & Forever is a resounding celebration and a powerful call to action.
With net proceeds set to be donated to non-profits and charity organisations, the massive concert is a testament to the strength and unity of Australia’s First Nations peoples and an invitation for all Australians to stand in solidarity with the community ahead of the crucial 2023 Referendum.
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