$12

Over the past few years Paul Greene has been given the thumbs up by John Butler, The Waifs & Ani DiFranco, hi-jacked by Midnight Oil’s Rob Hirst and served as the inspiration behind Ben Harper’s ‘Diamonds On The Inside’. He has sold nearly 30,000 albums; however, you won’t see his name on any charts, as Greene has taken a staunchly independent path which has led him on a journey through countless festivals, bar rooms and concert halls across Australia.

Greene’s forthcoming release ‘Distance Over Time’ is poised to introduce his undeniable talents to the mainstream. From the radio friendly ‘Pretty Girls’ through to the timeless balladry of ‘Shine Like Gold’ there’s something on offer for both new and long-time fans. Throughout the album’s 18 tracks Greene morphs into the tongue in cheek pop poser (‘Let It Flow’, ‘Singalong’), the introspective tunesmith (‘Picture’, ‘Something To Talk About’); the devoted husband/lover (‘Whatever Happens’, ‘Shine Like Gold’) and the homesick troubadour (‘Jervis Bay’); then switches to the folk-hop groove of ‘Get Over It’ (which will be accompanied by a new video/surf clip), and the sublime pop of ‘This Way’. There are also studio recordings of the oft requested ‘Work Love Dance Trust’, ‘Some Simplicity’ and ‘Jervis Bay’ from his popular live album ‘Happy Here with You’. Never hesitant to put his own spin on classic songs, Greene’s also included stunning interpretations of The Waterboys’ ‘The Whole Of The Moon’ and Jeff Buckley’s ‘The Last Goodbye’ - a JJJ favourite lifted from the Buckley tribute album ‘Stars In Their Belly’.

‘Distance Over Time’ is a phenomenal showcase for Paul Greene’s songwriting skills, justifying the many critics who regard him as one of Australian music’s best-kept secrets. Sydney Morning Herald’s Bernard Zuel remarked how he moves effortlessly “from rustic folk-pop to unreconstructed rocker; from herbal roots ex-surfer type to intense singer-songwriter”. “Greene’s genuine songwriting stands above all else” proclaimed the Newcastle Herald; “You could be forgiven for thinking we may have our own Jack Johnson but Greene is more than that!” exclaims the Daily Telegraph. DIG radio says, “Paul Greene is growing into one of the best Australian singer songwriters” whilst Nova called his music “refreshingly honest and as catchy as you like” before anointing him Australia’s best unsigned acoustic act in 2007.

Greene has been performing with various bands live since the age of 12, and has been a full time musician since completing high school. He had a three year scholarship at the University of Southern California where he studied recording arts and began showcasing his songwriting at such venues as the Whisky Au Go Go and The Roxy on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip. As a hobby, Greene competed in track and field where he represented Australia at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games, and was twice a Commonwealth Games finalist - leading somewhat of a double life - but supporting himself through music the whole time. He spent 2005 working with Midnight Oil’s Rob Hirst in the duo Hirst & Greene releasing the album ‘In the Stealth of Summer’ [ABC/Warner] and the DVD ‘Hirst & Greene - Live at the Basement’.

With 2008 shaping up as a big year for Paul Greene he will be hitting the road for a series of shows commencing mid March to promote the forthcoming album. Paul has been confirmed as the national support for the much loved, Grammy nominated U.S singer/songwriter Patty Griffin and on a number of dates with platinum selling country rocker Adam Brand whose recent work has seen him cross over into the pop charts.

RESPECT #2

RESPECT was launched in April at the Troubadour to a sell out crowd. Those who attended will testify to one of the best nights of the year. The dance floor was full with smiling faces, definitely a great place to lose your cool.

RESPECT is on again at the Troubadour on Friday August 29th.

Tunes you will be dancing too on the night will be from the likes of Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, The Jackson 5, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder and many more. Human Nature are not welcome!

RESPECT is presented by Jane Ashton’s music company, Footstomp Music and she has enlisted the services of her other half, Graham “Asho” Ashton as DJ. Asho has been Djing at alternative clubs in Brisbane, Sydney and London for the last 15 years.

Asho left school and home at an early age to sing in punk rock bands and quickly realized that it was better for everyone involved that he stay on the other side of the stage. In the 90’s, he started managing bands and an indie label in Brisbane called Emily Records. Asho has spent the last 16 years working at independent and major record labels. He has worked with hundreds of artists including the likes of POWDERFINGER, THE LIVING END, JET, PAUL KELLY, HOODOO GURUS, THE GO-BETWEENS, THE PANICS and ROBBIE WILLIAMS.

One of the labels was Motown Records Australian label which began his obsession for soul music. Since that time he has been dropping in the odd tune from artists like Rare Earth, Ike & Tina Turner and The Emotions into his alternative DJ sets. Without fail, the dance floors would be full of people with big smiles on their faces and this was the genesis of RESPECT.

RESPECT will provide an unpretentious environment where everyone can have a relaxed cheap night out dancing to some of coolest songs of all time.

RESPECT #2 kicks off at 8pm on Friday August 29th at the Troubadour, Level 2/ 322 Brunswick Street. See you there!

$15

Retro has never been so confounding! (in a good way)

Melbourne band The Basics have thus-far made a living out of revisiting the sounds of yesteryear, but now they’re doing a retrospective of their own by re-releasing “Get Back” – their little-known debut album from 2002, remastered and repackaged.

The band played their first gigs under the name “The Big Nothing”, officially becoming known as The Basics in early 2002. At the time Wally De Backer (long before his emergence as Gotye) and Kris Schroeder were playing intense 4-hour Wednesday-night residencies at the infamous House of Fools in Footscray to an audience of skinheads and semi-professional wrestlers.

Michael Hubbard joined The Basics midway through 2002 as their on-and-off guitarist, and the group recorded the cheekily-titled “Get Back”, an album of all-original songs with heart and influence worn proudly on the sleeve (Hubbard, now of Downhills Home, left the group in mid-2004 and was replaced by Tim Heath).

Fast forward six years, and these original 1000 CDs sold out long ago. So it is that before the release of exciting new material that will see The Basics progress beyond their roots and into uncharted territory, the time seems right to stop and take a look back at their humble beginnings.

And as with the original pressing, MGM Distribution will proudly re-release “Get Back” on August 2nd through iTunes and all good record stores.

15 pre sold
$18 door

ROOT! SAY “GET UP YOURSELF”

… we were wrong about Tiffany. She was a MAJOR arsehole.

Pretty, tanned, body like those “who cares about the destination as long as I’m in a bikini” presenters on Getaway. News reporter voice - you know how they’re taught that really weird emphasis that makes every fourth word sound like a car slowing down before a speed hump? John Wayne Gacy sense of humour. Education from the Elle McPherson “I don’t read books unless I’m in them” school and a soul as cold as the arctic wind sweeping across the tundra…

Meet Tiffany. She’s one of the characters you’ll meet on Get Up Yourself – the new single from ROOT!

ROOT! is, of course, the new project from “DC” – a man with a past he’s not prepared to admit - but arguably Australia’s most literate, funny, charismatic front man, backed by a rootsy, funky combo who literally sizzle with musical chops. ROOT! bring you catchy, funny, dark songs of the suburban underbelly in a riveting show that’s part rock band, part poetry reading, part performance art.

And Get Up Yourself – a swinging slice of swamp swagger with the strangest yet catchiest tagline – “it’s not soul, it’s solipsism” - is their first release for 2008, after last year’s critically-acclaimed debut Root Supposed He Was Out Of The Question.

ROOT! will be launching Get Up Yourself – which comes with three bonus tracks – in Melbourne and their first Sydney and Brisbane dates.

“think a tiny smattering of John Butler Trio / Xavier Rudd mixed in with some Neil Young and maybe some James Taylor” Drum Media

“reminiscent of both early Bob Dylan and John Mayer” Rolling Stone

“Bob Dylan-inspired poetic enlightenment” Beat

Not many musicians are versed in the art of wilderness survival; Brett Dennen however is the exception. The Californian based home schooled laid-back folk rocker spent his early twenties as a camp counsellor in Yosemite. Brett Dennen has come a long way since those camp fire sessions.

His unique brand of relaxed roots rock has caught the attention of audiences worldwide but Dennen is not your usual pop singer. With his long red hair, headband and guitar held high on his stocky frame, he may seem like an unlikely front-man for 2008. The 28 year-old singer/songwriter/musician is an old soul with a fresh face, a rare performer that radiates confidence and ease in his own skin.

The strength of his honest heartfelt performances has earned him an increasingly devoted fan-base and tours with the likes of John Mayer, the John Butler Trio, Feist, Missy Higgins, Elvis Costello and Ben Folds.

The exquisite intimacy of Brett’s vocals and the finger-picked, jazz-influenced chord structures of his songs have seen comparisons drawn to Dave Matthews, John Mayer and Tracy Chapman. The strength of Brett’s soulful sound has seen his songs featured on Grey’s Anatomy, House and Scrubs. 2008 saw the release of his latest album So Much More. The album’s stripped back honest songs have struck a chord with audiences and critics alike. The Washington Post called the album “a folk rock revelation” and American Rolling Stone proclaimed him as “one of 10 Artists to Watch in 2008”.

Dennen has found inspiration for his music across a diverse range of experiences from his time as a camp counsellor, playing in Bay Area bands, starting out playing in little coffee shops. To now, touring the world. His music is truthful and from the heart allowing him to connect with audiences on his records and in live performances. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness this real and open young man live in concert on his first Australian tour.

In September Dennen will be joining Pete Murray on his national ‘Summer At Eureka’ tour as well as playing a few selected headline shows of his own.

$40 pre sold

JEFF MARTIN SOLO TOUR

A new chapter is about to be written in the career of former Tea Party vocalist/guitarist Jeff Martin with the announcement that his new band, The Armada is about to be launched at the end of the year.

Jeff Martin will be touring the country to discuss and promote his new band and its debut release and while here preparing the onslaught, he will perform solo acoustic shows in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane & Perth following his sell out shows earlier this year. Truly the calm before The Armada storm…

Releasing his debut solo album in 2006, ‘Exile and The Kingdom’ and quickly followed by 2 live albums - the double CD ‘Live in Brisbane with the Toronto Tabla Ensemble’ and the most recent, ‘Live In Dublin’, 2007 also saw Jeff releasing his first live DVD through Shock, ‘Live at The Enmore Theatre’.

Jeff will be performing a set of Tea Party classics and rarities as well as covering his solo offerings – and maybe even a sneak preview of some Armada material.

These are the final acoustic shows before Jeff’s Les Paul will take centre stage with The Armada. These are also in fact the very first completely solo acoustic shows Jeff has performed in Australia.

JEFF MARTIN AND THE ARMADA BIO

Former Tea Party front man Jeff Martin and legendary percussionist Wayne Sheehy are on a mission. With their newly formed rock’n’roll powerhouse, The Armada, the dynamic duo are set to launch an attack on the aural landscape, mixing the captured audio slaves of numerous campaigns into a set of wholly new material for release in the Autumn. Drawing on the pairs vast experience of both studio and live performance, this album is a declaration of intent. Yes, the culmination of months of work, but only the beginning of the real campaign, getting out on the road and storming the gates of complacency. This is where east meets west, past meets future, now meets then, light meets shade, they shake hands and slug it out.

Following on from his time as band leader with Canadian three piece The Tea Party, Jeff Martins move to Ireland has yielded a creative spurt in the seminal guitarists psyche. Blending his love of balls to wall rock with his enduring fascination with middle eastern, Indian and Turkish music, the spark blossomed to a flame once his new studio, Kingdom, was completed. Nestled in the hills overlooking Dunmanus Bay, Jeff has created an analogue wonderland, free from the computerised enhancements of so much of today’s music scene. Old school mic techniques, an array of exotic instruments and good ol’ performance capturing is what makes this place tick. And it ticks like a time bomb.

And when the bomb goes off, the sound you will hear is the thundering drums of Wayne Sheehy. Having cut his teeth with cult Irish band Cactus World News, and following up with an illustrious career as skin man to the likes of Ronnie Wood and Bo Diddley, Waynes awesome force behind a kit is the perfect compliment to Jeffs searing guitar work. Even as an acoustic two piece ( the pair having been touring with this set up for the past two years), they are a sight and sound to behold. No half measures here, every gig is a flat out tornado of passion, refined in its content, raucous in its delivery.

Work on the new album is soon to be completed, with a forthcoming tour in the planning, and this is a show not to be missed. With the line up beefed out to include a bass player / keyboardist (yet to be announced), The Armada are coming, run for your lives, but toward the storm, it will wash your soul clean, blow away the cobwebs from your mind and leave you wondering where they came from. Is it heaven, is it hell, who cares, who can tell.

$12 pre $15 door

Australia Gets Set For Soul Sensation

Critically feted and publicly adored, New Zealand’s Hollie Smith is heading to Australia for a seven-date tour that simply can’t be missed.

Hollie Smith may not be a name Australian music fans know well, but the award-winning, genre-defying soul songstress hopes to change that, and quickly, announcing today a seven-stop debut tour schedule that’s bound to be a breath of fresh air in the local live music-go-round.

Smith has already toured Europe and North America following the initial release of her first full-length collection, Long Player. The album has gone on to multi-platinum success in her home country and was made available to Australian fans in April of this year. On tour, the accomplished performer received enormously positive reviews, winning over tough audiences with her intimate sets of delicious soul hooks and inspiring lyricism.

The tour opens in Cronulla on September 10 before moving onto Manly (11th), Katoomba (12th), Newtown (14th), Brisbane (18th), Coolum (19th), and finally onto Melbourne on the 21st. Smith is accompanied by her three-piece band comprising Tyson Smith, Crete Haami and Darren Mathiassen - each of whom have developed fantastic reputations on the road and in the studio.

An engagingly intense musician, Smith first drew plaudits for her work within Wellington’s eclectic roots-based collaborative scene - a scene that literally swallowed New Zealand whole at its creative zenith. With her cache of cameos growing and her eerie collections of one-off performances promising big things, she was swiftly thrust into mainstream recognition on the massive hit Bathe in the River, written by Don McGlashan.

Her voice - deeply penetrating and achingly powerful - has that unique ability to draw in the surrounding air and replace it with something much more sensual, and those exquisite pipes have been compared to some of the best-loved vocal chords in music history. Smith opened for none other than Bob Dylan on his recent New Zealand tour and now Australians have the opportunity to see her live.

The ever-humble Smith is eager to get the show on the road.

“Playing at the Byron Bay Blues Festival in March was awesome and the actual tour has been such a long time coming. Both the band and I have been hugely keen to hop over the Tasman and give our neighbours a taste of what we have to offer!” she says.

“We have had a wonderful response to our shows at home and throughout Europe and the US, and with the album now available in Australia, well, being able to perform those songs and others live is always a massive privilege and we’ll be sure to bring our A game.”

Details for Hollie Smith’s first-ever Australian tour can be found at www.holliesmith.co.nz, with tickets available through OZTIX, MOSHTIX and from selected tour venues.

Be sure to get in early and reserve your seat for a show that will definitely knock you off your feet.

triple j’s home & hosed, Yen Magazine & Street Press Australia Present… Holly Throsby – ‘A Loud Call Tour’

With a week to go before the release of her third album ‘A Loud Call’, Holly Throsby, Spunk Records and Lunatic Entertainment are very pleased to announce Holly’s most extensive Australian tour ever.

The Loud Call Tour starts in Alice Springs on August 22nd and winds up in Cairns in mid-October, taking in 20 cities and towns along the way.

Holly will be joined by her long time band Bree van Reyk and Jens Birchall. The three piece play eleven instruments between them. It is sure to be a musical adventure.

Holly will start this tour fresh from a string of solo shows in the UK & Ireland with the iconic Paul Kelly, as well as two dates in London supporting Australian sweetheart Tim Rogers.

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‘A Loud Call’ was recorded in Nashville with engineer and producer Mark Nevers [Lambchop, Will Oldham]. It includes guest performances by Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, and members of Lambchop and Silver Jews. It also includes Holly’s latest single ‘A Heart Divided’ and the title track from last years’ ‘One of You For Me’ EP.

Dave Graney - I am Curious- Solo

September/October tour with Henry Wagons (from the Wagons) .

“We Wuz Curious” is the latest album by Dave Graney and Clare Moore...featuring the Lurid Yellow Mist. it is out on Illustrious Artists and its a scorcher.

Features the tracks “lets kill god again”, “junk time”, “I’m in the future now” , “I come from the clouds”. No one else is near Dave Graney in the music he’s bakin’ and its top shelf stuff brandy snaps he’s pullin out this time.

Dave Graney is heading out solo, Curious - Solo, to play some live dates around Australia. Its very rare that Dave Graney plays solo. And he’s going to places he rarely gets the chance to visit.

Many regional spots and centres of communal human life will be visited by Dave Graney and fellow traveller Henry Wagons (from Melbournes “the Wagons”) during the months of August , September and October.

Dave Graney is whats kown as a “heavy entertainer” ( as opposed to light) and his music is rich ( as opposed to poor) and his flight plan involves the clouds ( as opposed to worrying around at the roots).

Dave Graney played with the Moodists from 1978 to 1986. He then played with the White Buffaloes/Coral Snakes from 1987-1997. “We wuz curious” will be the 20th album release (including the soundtrack to the film “Bad Eggs”) he has been involved in.

ARIA award winner “best male artist” 1996.
Tracks magazine “brother from another planet” award 1993.
ARIA nominated “best soundtrack album” 2004.
“Best Music act” at the Melbourne Fringe Festival 2006.

Henry Wagons

Leader of Melbourne based Country-rock sextet ‘Wagons’ - Henry Wagons will blaze a trail yet again and journey across our vast country, this time in the company of Australian music’s inimitable stalwart, Dave Graney. Henry will enthral his audiences while performing his daring stories laden with wry contradictions; mixing humour with pathos, tragedy with hope and irony with sincerity. With work on a new album underway he will be previewing songs from the pending release as well as performing crowd favourites from his critically acclaimed album, The Curse of Lightning (Spunk/EMI). Having recently toured with likes of John Hiatt, Bill Callahan and Dave Larkin, Henry Wagons is sure to impress with his voice of depth inspired by the drunk, dead-dog, haunted-house, family curse side of the country genre.

“...powerful gothic country sound – propelled by [Henry] Wagons deep Johnny Cash-like voice - dark country rock with a sense of humour and a heavy spirit – Henry Wagons has once more shown himself worthy of far greater acclaim”
****, Rolling Stone

“The sort of country where one hand is covered in dirt from working the fields and the other covered in blood from some sort of tragedy”
Rave Magazine

“Wagons are Gold!! Thriving like bloated parasites on the back of the blackened heart of country, they have brought out the best and darkest of its genre”
Drum Media

Yet to grace our shores, The Warlocks arrive this spring to give us a taste of the real underground psychedelic movement.

Having been around for 8 years, with lead singer Bobby Hecksher once playing with the Brian Jonestown Massacre and Beck, and playing festivals worldwide, it’s about time Australia got the chance to experience this 5 piece ensemble. Renound for taking everything we know about alternative music, destroying it and rebuilding it into something both enchanting and mind-blowing, The Warlocks are coming to give us, ‘art for art’s sake’, creating sounds and sights that have been long needed and long forgotten in these synthetic times, a look inside their powerful, hallucinatory world with amazing pop songs and addictive guitar mayhem anchoring their trip.

Having played alongside such acts as; Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Interpol, Kings of Leon and many more, The Warlocks are coming downunder to promote their 4th release ‘Heavy Deavy Skull Lover’

Playing in Australia for the very first time, don’t miss the chance to see one of the worlds most influential underground bands live.

Tickets on sale through Ticketmaster
13 6100

$25 presale
$30 door

“Giant Sand is a mood,” says Howe Gelb. The creative force behind the extended family that has comprised Giant Sand over the years, he speaks of happy accidents and musical auras that arise the soundscape that is Giant Sand. The musical family tree of the Tucson, AZ group is long and illustrious, spawning bands like Calexico and The Friends of Dean Martinez. Gelb has steadily amassed a prolific catalog of Giant Sand and solo material that spans the wealth of southwestern roots and lo-fi. Giant Sand’s new album proVISIONS is cinematic Americana at its most aching, an album of tremolo soaked guitars, moody piano and secrets whispered over desert winds. Recorded partly in Tucson and Denmark, this version of Giant Sand is comprised of Danish musicians and features talented friends/collaborators such as Neko Case, M. Ward and Isobell Campbell. A creeping cruise down a dark desert highway, these Provisions provide for the furthering ride of Giant Sand’s completely unique musical legacy.

Howe Gelb started out on his musical journeys some time in the late 70’s and has since amassed a catalogue of 40+ albums under the monikers of Giant Sand, OP8, The Band Of Blacky Ranchette, Arizona Amp and Alternator and of course, Howe Gelb. The roll call of artists who have contributed and collaborated with Howe over the years reads like a who’s who of alt-country/indie heaven – Joey Burns and John Covertino (of Calexico), Chan Marshall (Catpower), Kristin Hersh, M. Ward, Lucinda Williams, Scout Niblett, Jeremy Gara (Arcade Fire), Neko Case, Vic Chesnutt, John Parish, Granddaddy, Kurt Wagner (Lambchop)……. The list goes on….

Howe Gelb returns to Australia in 2008 for dates in October and November

Reviews for ‘Sno Angel Like You
“It’s remarkable how organic and right (as opposed to gimmicky) the church voices sound on these 14 melodic folk, spare soul and various-tempo blues songs.” Mojo, 5 stars

“Fans of Gelb’s have to be excited about this because it’s perfect, a career high. “ All Music Guide, 4 1/2 Stars

“Some of the best music of his career.” The Guardian, 4 Stars

“With its subtly joyous tones and lustrous songwriting, ‘Sno Angel Like You turns out to be a labor of love with endless rewards.” Pitchfork, 8.3

“The idea here is simple and brilliantly executed... The overall effect is the kind of relevatory experience that Gelb, who has been working on this project for three years, obviously hoped for.” Harp