Earlier this month Melbourne based Americana duo Amarillo released their new album Eyes Still Fixed. Amarillo was formed as a vehicle for Jac Tonks and Nick O’Mara’s songwriting, while Nick is also a founding member of the alt country outfit Raised By Eagles. Eyes Still Fixed was produced by Nick's cousin Shane O'Mara, whose impressive credits include working with the likes of … [Read more...]
Private Revolution – World Party
It’s 1986 and my career as a radio broadcaster is underway having just landed my second job at a regional station on the south coast of NSW. At the time of joining that station the debut single by a new artist called World Party was released. Ship Of Fools went on to become a Top 5 hit in Australia (bigger here than anywhere else in the world) and the song instantly became a … [Read more...]
Michael Franti – Podcast
Michael Franti first came to prominence fronting the hip hop band The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, particularly through the song Television, The Drug Of The Nation – a scathing attack on politics, corporate greed, sloganeering, the mass media and those who failed to question the messages they were fed or the motivations behind them in the “United States of unconsciousness”. … [Read more...]
Katy Steele – It Ain’t Me
Little Birdy's last album Confetti (2009) was a stunning record full of pure pop gems like Summarize, Brother (featuring Paul Kelly) and the gorgeous Stay Wild. Despite the album going top 10, none of the singles from the record enjoyed the same success, although Brother did make JJJ's Hottest 100. It must have been a big disappointment for this fab indie pop band because … [Read more...]
Rickie Lee Jones – Rickie Lee Jones
Sometimes records are like a new love - all infatuation and exhilaration until the initial interest begins to wane, at other times an album grabs you from the outset and then becomes something more meaningful over time as you develop a deeper appreciation. Rickie Lee Jones’ debut album is a lot like the latter for me. Initially it was the bright and breezy charm of the hit … [Read more...]